readily thrust out of the little spaces of the Menstruum and descend to the bottom We will in this place more sparingly insist upon instances of this nature because the more full handling of them belongs to the Chymical Work Precipitation is not only observed in the separation of a more thick matter from a serous latex and in the settling of the disturbed parts towards the bottom but somtimes the Particles shut up within the pores and passages of the Liquor are so small and subtil that being Precipitated they are not discerned by the sight neither do they quickly descend to the bottom but from their situation and position being variously changed the colour and consistency of the Liquor are diversly altered I was wont in times past to sport with the solutions of Vegetables and Minerals which being made by themselves were clear like Spring water and appeared bright being commixed shewed now a Black colour now a Milky Red Green Blue or some other kind The solution of Saturn or Lead being made with distilled Vinegar appears bright like common water if you add to this Oil of Tartar like clear water the mixture straight grows White like Milk If Antimony calcined with Nitre be boiled in Spring water the straining seems clear and almost without smell which yet being dashed by any Acid thing presently acquires a deep yellow colour with a most wicked stink Common water being imbued by an infusion of Mercury Sublimate is presently tinged with yellowness by Oyl of Tartar dropped into it Quicksilver and Sal Armoniack being beaten together and Sublimated in a Matrace by the heat of Sand go into a white powder this being soluted by melting shows like to clear Spring water which yet being smeared upon Brass or Copper appears like Silver and being lightly rubbed on brasen Vessels renders them as if they were perfectly silvered A solution of Calcined Tin being put to melted Salt of Tartar becomes bluish A clear infusion of Galls being mixt with a solution of Vitriol makes Ink if you add to this Spirit of Vitriol or Stygian water the black Liquor is by and by made clear like Spring water and this Oil of Tartar reduces again to Ink. And what is more wonderful if you write on Paper with the clear infusion of Vitriol and frame any Letters what you so write presently vanishes nor is there any marks of the Characters left but if you smear over the Paper with an infusion of Galls presently the Letters may be read as if wrote with Ink which yet with a Pen run over dipt in Spirit of Vitriol you may put quite out at once wetting and then again render them with wetting them with another Liquor of Tartar The Sky-colour Tincture of Violets being dashed with Oil of Vitriol becomes of a Purple colour to which if you add some drops of the Spirit of Harts Horn that Purple colour is changed into Green Brasil Wood being infused in common water leaves a very pleasant Tincture like to Claret Wine if you pour to this a little distilled Vinegar the Liquor appears clear like White Wine a few drops of Oil of Tartar reduces it to a deep Purple colour then if the Spirit of Vitriol be poured in it becomes of a pale yellow like to Sack if you add the Salt of Lead being soluted by deliquation the mixture grows presently Milky by this means you may imitate that famous Water-drinker who having swallowed down a great deal of Spring water was wont to vomit forth into Glasses placed before him diversly coloured Liquors resembling the ideas of divers kinds of Wines for Glasses being medicated with the aforesaid Tinctures so lightly that they may not be perceived by the standers by will not only cause the water poured into them to imitate every Wine but will exhibit the very Proteus himself of the Poets changed into waters and from thence putting on all colours and infinite forms If a Reason of these kind of appearances be asked it ought to be fought in the minute Particles contained within the pores of every Liquor which as to their site and position being diversly altered by another Liquor infused transmit variously the Rays of Light many ways break or reflect them and so make divers appearances of colours For when the Rays of Light pass through almost in right Lines they make a clear colour like Spring water but it in their passage they be a little broken the Liquor grows yellowish but being more refracted they cause a red colour if they are bowed back so as to be drained or that they cannot shew themselves a dark or black colour arises but if they are again reflected to the outmost Superficies of the Liquor they create the image of Whiteness after this manner we might variously Philosophise about other colours and their appearances the diversity of which and sudden alterations in Liquids depend chiefly on Precipitation because as the Particles conteined in the Liquor are driven somtimes more near by another infusion that they clasp themselves together somtimes are ordered into other series of positions the diverse representation of colours is made For Liquor being impregnated with little Bodies or Atoms or this Nature most minutely broken seems as an Army of Soldiers placed in their Ranks who now draw into close Order now open their Files and Ranks now turn to the left now to the right hand as is diversly shown in the exercising of Tacticks or the Art Military When two clear Liquors being mixed together shall make Ink it is because the Particles conteined in either approach near one another and as it were placed in their close Orders hinder the passage of the beams of light when afterwards this Ink is made clear by another Liquor poured in it is because the new Bodies of the thing put in disperse abroad the former close joyned Particles and drive them as it were into their open Orders CHAP. XII Of the motion of Fermentation as it is to be observed in the Coagulation and the Congelation of Bodies COagulation and Congelation of Natural Bodies no less than their Solution depend only on these our Principles The improportionate mixture of these and the exaltation and powerfulness of some above others are the cause of either Spirit and Sulphur being loosned from the bond do not only pull assunder the proper Subjects but they set upon whatever is next them and where they are mighty in number and strength they affect nothing more than divorces and separations from the rest of the Principles and suffer no delay but on the contrary Salts love to be united to the rest and to be made into hard and solid substances and being destitute of the Company of the rest presently to enter into new Friendships and desire only not to be joyned to any opposite If at any time they are more impetuously moved either by their own disposition or being soluted they destroy the substance of others this thing seems to be done for this end
with their coming between and amplifie and enlarge the lineaments of the Body otherwise too short and contracted 4. Water is the chiefest Vehicle of Spirit and Sulphur by whose intervention they consociate one with another and with Salt for the other Principles being dissolved by a watery humor or at least diluted continue in motion without which they grow stiff as congealed things When Water is wanting the active Principles meet together too strictly and mutually rub against and consume themselves and when for this reason the suppliment of food is cut off the Body grows withered If humidity abounds too much these Elements are estranged or dissociated too much one from the other wherefore the subject becomes sluggish and slow and of less efficacy and unapt for motion Besides Bodies too moist are lyable very much to rottenness and Corruption because from too much Humidity the Combination of Spirit and Sulphur and Salt is too loosely effected that they do not mutually embrace one another nor are retained with their embracement in the subject Indeed Water abounding easily evaporates and then the frame of the mixture being loosened and the doors set open Spirit and Sulphur easily break forth the way being made and leave the subject as it were vapid or made sharp with Salt for from hence the infusions of Vegitables Decoctions Juices of Herbs and all Liquid preparations if the quantity of Water be greater than the rest of the Principles and improportionate quickly Corrupt Water is most easily drawn forth out of every thing by Distillation for when Spirit and Sulphur are often intangled with nets of Salt or Earth they hardly let go-their embraces and are not obedient but to a more intense heat and often times require a previous Putrefaction Water most easily and often with no labour is driven out of every Body But most often it snatches in its flying away some more loose Particles of Spirit and Sulphur and carries them with itself forth of doors 5. As the interjection of Water in Liquids so of Earth in Solids fills the empty little Spaces and Vacuities left by the other Principles For these hinder the active Principles from a too streight embrace whereby they should rub against themselves and cleave one to another also by its thickness it retains too Volatile things besides it inlarges the due substance and magnitude in Bodies The more that Earth abounds in any thing it is so much the less active but of longer duration hence Minerals endure a long while then next the greater Trees in the mean time Animals and the more slender Plants are but of short age In Distillations Earth ascends the Alembic almost not at all or but in a very little quantity for the most part it is left with a portion of Salt for a Caput Mortuum or Dead Head therefore it is called Terra Damnata or damned Earth because when the other Principles are freed the Prison being as it were broken this is still detained besides Earth being deprived of the Company of the rest is of no Use nor capable of change or exaltation Thus much for the Elements or Principles of Natural things considered apart and by themselves It follows that some of their Affinities and Conjugations be unfolded because these very strictly cohere with those and very hardly or not at all are joyned with others Out of the mutual Combination of some and disagreement of others various Affections arise the knowledg of which gives no little Light to the Doctrine of Fermentation There is a certain Kindred and Similitude of parts between Spirit and Sulphur which are agil or light and easily to be dissipated in both wherefore Spirit being driven forth of the Body draws abundantly with it Sulphureous Particles as is discerned in Spirituous Liquors Distilled out of any thing to some of which if you mingle Water the Liquor appears as it were troubled with precipitated Sulphur but the Spirit without the Sulphur is undiscernably mixed with the Water which however by reason of is Volatility may be also easily drawn away and separated by Distillation Altho Spirit and Sulphur are Principles very resembling and because of a ready motion either are inflameable yet they are not one and the same as is asserted by some For Sulphur Copiously subsists in Bodies almost destitute of Spirit to wit in common Sulphur Antimony and other Minerals in which its Particles are very fixed and of their own nature almost immoveable which is very far from the Nature of Spirits For they abounding in any mixture never lye idle and always in motion bring various alterations to the Subject where they dwell then if they abound in strength they easily and without tumult carry themselves forth of doors of their own accord But Sulphur altho it abound doth not easily evaporate but hath need of a strong heat or an actual fire that may make a way for it and lastly it breaks forth not without a stink or burning yea if you endeavour to Distil Oyly and Fat things although very Sulphureous with a moderate Fire they are wont to yield a Liquor only Waterish and not inflameable but if we provoke generous Wine which swells with Spirit by the gentle heat of a Bath a most burning Water will Still forth and apt wholly to be inflamed Spirit is not presently joyned with Salt For Sugar and Salts are scarcely dissolved by the rectified Spirit of Wine but are after a manner associated by a long digestion and circulation as is perceived in the Volatile Salt of Animals or Tincture drawn forth from the Salts of Herbs or of Minerals by the Spirit of Wine If that Spirits excel in plenty and virtue they assume to themselves and Volatilise the Saline Particles And therefore the Salt contained in the Juice or Blood of Animals being associated with Spirit is volatilised also the Spirit of Wine being Distilled by many Cohalations with the fixed Salt of Herbs renders it Volatile and makes it pass through the Alembic but if the power of the Salt be greater it tames the Spirit and fixes it Hence the blood being become Salt by means of an ill dyet becomes less Spirituous Fixed Salts and the Oyl of Vitriol fix the Spirits grown too volatile and unbridled and Coagulate the Spirit of Wine it self But Sulphur is a more fit subject of the Spirit by the coming between of which it easily is united with Salt and the other Principles and as Spirit best agrees with Sulphur and Water so Sulphur intimately cleaves to Earth and Salt As to Sulphur besides its affinity with Spirit it hath a great relation with Salt it self to the volatilisation of which it doth not a little help wherefore in Bodies which abound with a volatile Salt there is found plenty of Sulphur as in Amber Soot Hornes and Bones as also in the excrements of living Creatures where Salt and Sulphur are in motion and evaporate from the subject a very stinking smell is sent forth for Sulphur being
sharpned with Salt pricks more strongly the sensory and strikes it with its sharpness in the mean time Sulphur exhaling with Spirit both pleases the sense and excites a very pleasant Smell Sulphur is as it were distracted between Spirit and Salt and adheres at once to both parties In the Distillation of Amber Turpentine Harts-Horn and the like a certain lesser part of Sulphur being united to Spirit first ascends and causes a Yellow Oyl or clear Liquor of a grateful smell the other part of Sulphur being joyned to the Salt is driven forth in the second place and is Distilled with a most stinking smell in the form of a red or black Oyl In like manner in the Circulation of the blood a pure and delicate portion of Sulphur being mixed with the Spirit supplies both the Animal and Vital Spirit with matter the other more thick part being Boyled and Rosted with Salt is layd up in the Choledock Vessels or belonging to Choler as it were a certain excrement separated from the blood As Spirit does not easily Cohere with Salt so Sulphur does not with Water wherefore Fat and Oyly things as also Gumms and Sulphureous Refines either swim upon the Water or sink down to its bottom But Sulphureous things Salt coming between are commixed with a Watery Liquor as we see Oyls imbued with Sugar or Salt to be dissolved in common Water which otherwise would flow separate Sulphur is not so tractable in Distillation as Spirit Water or Salt for the Particles of this being very Viscous stick together among themselves and also to others that they cannot easily be pulled from their embrace Hence among Sulphureous things there are some which are not forced but by a strong and burning heat into a stinking Oyl and very empyreumatick or smelling of Fire but others more pertinaciously cleaving together are not to be loosened by Distillation but are only broken into integral parts and so ascend under the form of a dry Breath as common Sulphur Benzoin Camphor and the like Salt besides its affinity with Sulphur is also most strictly united with Earth wherefore Stones and the more hard Minerals consist chiefly of Salt and Earth The Acid Spirits of Minerals which are only Salts resolved into Liquor by Distillation if at last they be poured on the Caput Mortuum Cohere with a strict embrace to it that there will be need of a most strong Fire to drive them forth again Also in Glass the union of Salt and Earth is so strictly made that it will not suffer a Divorce by any means Salt also is most easily dissolved in Water and it melts of its own accord in a moist Air and these are as easily separated one from another By reason of these Combinations these Principles have got various Appellations and not Congruous in their own Nature to themselves For Sulphur for as much as it is Associated with Spirit is called pure and sweet when with Salt impure and stinking for as much as with Salt and Earth it is called thick and Earthly when the Spirit assumes to it self Sulphureous Particles in a moderate quantity it is seen to be sweet when saline sharp when both bitter Salt has a diverse disposition and is known by many names by reason of its various mixture with the other Elements and chiefly with Earth for besides the Titles of Fluid Fixed Volatile for this reason it is termed Marine Aluminous Nitrous Vitriolick Armoniack or of some other kind By some these kind of Conjugations are esteemed but wrongfully as so many divers Principles when they are but more simple mixtures by the coming together of the first Elements and being loosened by Distillation they openly shew their Race from whence they are For all Salts whatsoever being driven into a Flux by the Fire shew Liquors very near of Kin one to another to wit Acetous by the like means Spirit and Sulphur are compelled to put off their Masks and to resume the Native Species common to each And so much for the Principles of Natural Things and of their Affections and Conjunctions It is abundantly manifest that these kind of Substances are in every Body besides the Analyses of Bodies Chymically instituted also from the Mutations and effects of Things which happen of their own Nature When Must is Ripened into Wine is not Spirit a Sulphureous part also Salt and Earth Conspicuous to our Tast and Eyes besides the watery Liquor Also the Juice of every Plant being exalted by Digestion exhibits the same sincere and as it were distinct what is greater things subject to the Flame when they seem to be burnt and reduced almost to nothing they go into these kind of Particles besides the Salt remaining in the Ashes the Smoke and Flame grow together into Soot as it were a Meteor in which are comprehended together Spirit Sulphur Salt Water and Earth as it were in a certain compendium of the mixture For the active Principles abound in Soot more than in any other inanimate Body But because with some there hath spread a certain suspicion that those our Princiciples chiefly the Saline and Sulphureous are to be produced for the most part by Fire and are no ways to be found in mixt things unless after the coming between of that I will witness to you in some instances that the thing is plainly otherwise Concerning the first It is commonly known that the Ashes of every Plant being once Elixivated or made into a Lye if it be afterwards Calcined will not yield any thing of Salt besides if Concretes being Distilled Exhale or Breath forth a very sharp or acid Liquor their Calx is not saltish and on the contrary when the Salt being Volatilized or brought to a Flux ascends the Alembic you shall seek for it in vain in the dead head To prove the existency of the Sulphureous Principle in Vegetables take Guaiacum or a piece of any other ponderous Wood and being put into a Glass Retort draw it forth by degrees it shall exhibit together with an Acid Liquor which water is saltish in great quantity a blackish Oyl which part of it is Sulphureous It appears from hence that this was in the Body before the Distilling and in no wise produced by its Operation because if you proceed after another manner that the Sulphur may be taken out of the Concrete before Distillation the Liquor that comes forth will be almost wholy deprived of its Oyliness Wherefore if you pour Spirit of Wine to those Chips of Wood it will Extract in a great quantity by this Menstruum a pure Refine which is the Sulphureous part it self then if you Distil as before in a Retort the remaining Chips being washed in common Water and dryed you will have a very little Oyl only What is more to be admired and confirms also more fully the truth of this kind of Origination some Bodies which being almost destitute of Spirit and Sulphur because chiefly Volatile consist chiefly of Salt Earth and Water are separated
smalness of it in others the Coction of the Aliment is now quicker now slower performed in the Bowels and in the Vessels therefore the temper of the Blood tho but one and always the same Liquor becomes diverse and according to the various disposition of this it may be said that men are Choleric Melancholic or of another temperament Besides because whilst the Blood is made in its Circulation in the Vessels some parts continually grow Old and others are supplied anew hence from Crudity or too much Coction there is a necessity that what is excrementitious should be heaped together which notwithstanding by its effervescency as by the working or depuration of Wines it comes to pass it is separated from its Mass viz. the watry humor fixed in the Bowels or solid parts is it which is called Phlegm some Reliques of adust Salt and Sulphur being separated in the Liver and received by the Choleduct Vessels are called Choler the Earthy feculences being laid up in the Spleen are termed Melancholy In the mean time the Blood if rightly purified ought to want Choler Phlegm and Melancholy even as when some Wines or Beer are purified the more light Particles are carried upwards which constitute its Flowers or Head and the dregs are prest down to the bottom which grow together into Feces or Tartar yet none can truly say it Wine or Beer is composed of Froth Tartar and a Vinous Liquor But as these humors commonly so called are made out of the other Principles viz. Choler out of Salt and Sulphur with an admixtion of Spirit and Water and Melancholy out of the same with an addition of Earth and as the blood is immediately forged out of these kind of Principles and is wont to be resolved sensibly into the same I thought best the common acception of humors being laid aside to bring into use these celebrated Principles of the Chymists for the unfolding the Nature of the Blood and its affections There are therefore in the blood as in all Liquors apt to be Fermented very much of Water and Spirit a mean of Salt and Sulphur and a little of Earth The blood being loosned by putrefaction exhibits the same separated and distinct Also in the blood contained in the Vessels or being fresh let out from them we may discover their energies and effects besides when in the Food whereby we are fed by the juice of which the Liquor of the blood is made these same are implanted no man will go about to deny that the blood also is made from them wherefore I will briefly run through these and endeavour to shew by what means the Consistency the Properties and the Affections of the Blood are made by them 1. Spirits which readily obtain the chief place are a subtil and greatly volatile portion of the blood Their Particles always expansed and endeavouring to fly away do move about the more thick little Bodies of the rest wherewith they are involved and continually detein them in the motion of Fermentation The Liquor of the blood continually boils up with their effervescency or growing hot and equal expansion in the Vessels and the rest of the Principles are contained in an orderly motion and within the bond of the exact mixture if any Heterogeneous thing or unagreable to the mixture be poured into the bloody Mass presently the Spirits being disturbed in their motion rage shake the blood and force it to grow hugely hot until what is extraneous and not missible is either subdued and reduced or cast out of doors By the irradiation or rather the irrigation or watering of these the Bodies of the Nerves are inflated the Functions of the Viscera and also the Offices of motion and sensation are performed from the want of Spirits also from their motion being depraved or hindred arise great vices of the Natural oeconomy or Government The more quick motion and effervescency of these in the blood above what is in Wine chiefly depends upon the Ferment of the Heart because whilst the blood passes through the Bosom of the Heart its mixture is very much loosned so that the Spirits together with the Sulphureous Particles being somwhat loosned and as it were inkindled into a flame leap forth and are much expanded and from thence they impart by their deflagration a heat to the whole By reason of this kind of expansion and suffusion of heat there is made a continual expence of Spirits which being rarified as it were inkindled continually fly away and are evaporated forth a doors and as long as we live there is made a continual reparation of these by aliments chiefly the most delicate which contain in themselves very much of Spirit and swelling matter from which juice being drawn by digestion and collated to the blood is assimilated to it and fills up its defects When the Blood of Animals is distilled the Spirits like Aqua Vitae ascend of a limpid colour they are made very sharp and pricking by the adhesion of the Salt yet they are not so easily drawn off as the Spirits of Wine but that there is need of a more intense fire to force them because they are hardly driven from the fellowship of the thicker parts with which they are involved 2. That there is plenty of Sulphur in the blood it is plainly seen because we are chiefly fed with Fat and Sulphureous Aliments also the Nutriment from the blood carried to the solid parts goes into Sulphur and Fatness It is most likely from the dissolution of this that the red Tincture of the Blood doth arise for Sulphureous Bodies before any others impart to the solvent Menstruum a colour highly full of redness and when by reason of too great Crudity the Sulphur is less dissolved the blood becomes watery and pale that it will scarce dye a Linnen ragg red The Mass of blood being impregnated with Sulphur and together with Spirits it becomes very Fermentable which however whilst it enters the Ventricles of the Heart there suffers a greater effervescency or rather accension and on the Particles chiefly Sulphureous being inflamed and thence diffused through the whole the lively and vital heat in us depends When the Sulphureous part is carried forth and doth too much luxuriate in the blood it perverts its disposition from its due state that therefore the blood being either depraved or made more bilous or Cholerick doth not rightly Cook the nourishing juice or being inkindled throughout it conceives heats and ardours such as arise in a continual Feaver For the Sulphur being too much exalted and swelling more than it ought stirs up great heats in the blood and they whose blood is more plentifully impregnated with Sulphur are most obnoxious to Feavers By reason of the Particles of this being incocted with the Nutritious juice and from thence carried to the solid parts fatness softness and tenderness come to our Body From the Flesh or Blood putrefying by reason of the abundance of evaporated Sulphur a most evil stink
these manifold convolutions and infoldings of the brain are required for these divers manners of ordinations of the animal Spirits to wit that in these Cells or Store-houses severally placed might be kept the species of sensible things and as occasion serves may be taken from thence Hence these folds or rollings about are far more and greater in a man than in any other living Creature to wit for the various and manifold actings of the superior Faculties but they are garnished with an uncertain and as it were fortuitous series that the exercises of the animal Function might be free and changeable and not determined to one Those Gyrations or Turnings about in four-footed beasts are fewer and in some as in a Cat they are found to be in a certain figure and order wherefore this Brute thinks on or remembers scarce any thing but what the instincts and needs of Nature suggest In the lesser four-footed beasts also in Fowls and Fishes the superficies of the brain being plain and even wants all cranklings and turnings about wherefore these sort of Animals comprehend or learn by imitation fewer things and those almost only of one kind for that in such distinct Cells and parted one from another are wanting in which the divers Species and Ideas of things are kept apart But that in more perfect Animals all the turnings about are made of a twofold substance viz. Cortical and Medullary the reason seems to be that one part may serve for the production of the animal Spirits and the other for their exercise and dispensation For we may well think that the animal Spirits are wholly or for the most part procreated in the Cortical substance of the brain for this severs and receives immediately from the blood the subtil liquor and imbuing it with a volatile Salt exalts it into very pure Spirits It is obvious to every one that the Arteries enter the Cortex of the brain with a more frequent insertion of shoots and instil to it a spirituous liquor the leavings of which or what is superfluous the Veins in like manner entring it do sup up and carry away in the mean time the more subtil portion being here set free goes into Spirits In truth the blood waters the medullary substance of the brain in a very small quantity which seems truly to be rather for the sake of exciting of heat than that the animal Spirits should there be generated by the flowing in of that blood For indeed the volatile Salt which like Ferment spiritualizes the subtil liquor stilled forth from the blood is had more copiously in the Cortex of the brain rather than in its middle or marrowy part because that part being endued with an Ashy colour shews by its aspect the spermatick Particles and Humor contained in them in which Spirit and a volatile Salt very much abounds yea and plainly resembles an Armeniack smell such as either part alike breathe forth In the mean time the medullary part of the brain seems very like the oblong marrow and the spinal But it is well enough known that these medullary parts serve for the exercise and dispensation of the animal Spirits and not for their generation The sign of which is that where-ever an obstruction happens in them whatever is below being destitute of the influx of the Spirits suffers an Eclipse whence it follows that the animal Spirits irradiating the medullary Rope are not produced in it but flow in from elsewhere and why should not we think the same of the middle marrow of the brain Truly that this part is rather the Mart or Exchange of the Spirits than its Shop or Work-house appears from hence because the Animals which excel in Memory Imagination and Appetite are furnished with a more ample marrow of the brain as is observed in man and the more perfect four footed beasts and they who seem to have little need of those Faculties as the lesser four-footed beasts also Fowls and Fishes have the Cortex of the brain greater but the medullary part very small It is a familiar Experiment among Boys to thrust a needle through the head of a Hen and that she in the mean time whose brain is so pierced through shall live and be well a long time The reason of which is because the whole substance of the brain in these sort of Animals is almost merely Cortical wherefore from the suffering such a hurt as long as the marrow remains unhurt the Spirits are generated in a lesser quantity but their commerce to the necessaries of life are not therefore presently interrupted Indeed the brains of Birds consist almost wholly of a Cortical and Ashy part and the medullary part is exceeding small and is only like a smaller Nerve descending on either side from the substance of the brain it self After the animal Spirits are begot by a constant afflux of the blood within the Cortex of the Brain being there begotten having obtained a watry Vehicle they flow presently more inwardly and soon enter into the marrows filling the furrows and baulks of all the turning and winding Crevices from whence being carried farther through all the particular tracts of each marrow into the marrowy substance which lyes under all the winding Crevices as their common Basis they are brought at last into the Callous Body as into a spacious field where as in a free and open place these Spirits being newly produced are expatiated or issue forth 5. Indeed this medullary substance called the Callous Body which chambering the more inward superficies of the brain receives into it self the marrow of all the turning Crevices seems to be made for that end and disposed there for the same purpose to wit that the Spirits flowing into it on every side might be stretched out as in their proper Sphere and begin to exercise the acts of the animal Faculties In this place they which come out of the several winding Crevices do meet together and remain as in a publick Emporium or Mart from whence as occasion serves they are raised up and drawn forth for the uses of every Faculty But whilst they here remain at leisure and not busied they become purified or refined more and more by a continual circulation because these Spirits new-born do gently and perpetually flow on every side from the outmost bounds of this body to wit where this common marrow besmears the hinder productions of the brain or the border of either of its Hemispheres towards the fore-part of this callous Body where it is thickest and there if there be need they are employed on the act of the Imagination or entring the shanks of the oblong Marrow they actuate and inspire the nervous Appendix but what Spirits are remaining there after these offices are served run forthwith into the Fornix and passing through its passage they are remanded back again to the hinder region of the brain by a certain circulation and lastly after this manner penetrating through the narrow passages of the Fornix those
of the voice such a Protuberance is wanting because it is not required in them that the Spirits should be gathered together by heaps as it were in a certain Porch before the Organs of the Voice but that it may suffice for them to be called forth by degrees out of the common tract of the oblong Marrow Further whereas some fibres of this Nerve bind about either Vertebral Artery unless I am deceived that is so ordained for this end lest perhaps in speaking when at any time we are more vehemently moved the blood being stirred up might rush upon the Brain with a torrent For this Nerve binding about the Vertebral Artery as it were with a bridle and so as a Moderator not only of the Tongue but also of the Blood restrains its more rapid influence After the same manner and for no other ends do the recurrent Nerves destinated to some part of the same office variously bind about the Trunk of the great Artery as shall be shewn afterwards As soon as this inferior portion of the oblong Marrow is uncloathed from the Pia Mater the pyramidal bodies come in view otherwise lying hid These in all Animals endued with the annular Protuberance are constantly found also as that Protuberance is bigger so these bodies appear more noted but indeed in a Man and a Dog they seem like two large Nerves which being produced out of that Ring end over against where the eighth pair arise in sharp points If the use of these be sought into it is most likely that the animal Spirits superabounding in the annular provision or store do flow out as it were by these Emissaries which Spirits however run into the beginnings of the eighth pair placed near and so are bestowed by their proper means on the offices of the involuntary Function Although the oblong Marrow retains not its name beyond the limits of the Skull yet it is the same substance which from thence being continued further into the cavity and utmost recesses of the whole Spine or Back-bone is called the Spinal Marrow but it is brought forth for this that the Nerves to be distributed into the Limbs and Members more remote from the Head might more commodiously arise out of the same medullar substance stretched out into the neighbourhood of every part Indeed all this whole medullar Trunk which is continued from the bottom of the Brain even to the Os sacrum seems like the Pneumatick Chest or Bellows of a pair of Organs which includes the blast or breath destinated to every Pipe for in like manner the animal Spirits are contained in this marrowy tract which blow up and actuate all the Nerves hanging thereto as occasion serves If you behold the origine of the whole it seems that the whole frame both of this oblong Marrow and the spinal is of a medullar or marrowy substance every where growing dispersedly through the Brain and Cerebel and then being gathered more round together in the middle of either becomes as one heap For the Marrows besmearing all their folds and turnings about are as so many little rivers which springing from thence begin to be congregated in the middle and to be poured out in one great one but being from thence united they make the oblong Marrow as it were the chanel of the Sea big enough for the motion or ebbing and flowing and reciprocation of the animal Spirits which belly or chanel however stretching it self further beyond the Skull is increased into the spinal Marrow as it were the bosom or process of the former But as the medullar tracts besmearing the folds and convolutions of the Brain and Cerebel unfold themselves into their middle Marrows and medullar Trunk and so the Spirits springing dispersedly from their first fountains congregate as it were into a certain diffused Sea so from this Sea causing an ebbing and flowing or a continual or very frequent influence of the animal Spirit the same Spirits flow out into the depending chanels of the nervous System Concerning this part of this Marrow which being included in the long bosom or chanel of the Vertebrae or Back-bone and according to all their joyntings being marked with as it were knotty processes is called the Spinal there occur not many things worthy consideration besides what are commonly known The figure situation as also the body of this in its whole tract are known generally to be cloven in two not only by Anatomists but by every Butcher The ramifications or branchings of the Nerves proceeding from the spinal Marrow are delivered hereafter Concerning its conformation something peculiar occurs For as the spinal Marrow is as it were the common passage or chanel of the Spirits flowing out of the Head into the Nerves it may be observed that this chanel not after the usual manner of other passages where many rivers flow in doth swell up more but on the contrary in what place it hath more and greater Emissaries its magnitude is increased for in those parts of the spinal Marrow out of which the brachial and crural Nerves arise or those Nerves belonging to the Arms and Legs whose beginnings are more and larger its Trunk becomes much thicker than in the rest of the frame or substance The reason of this is because within the medullar tracts the animal Spirits run not nor pass through with so swift a passage but for the most part flowing leisurely from their Fountains when they have filled the whole space they stay therein and as many Spirits upon occasion offered are wont to be bestowed on every work those remaining there in readiness frame certain convenient Promptuaries where they may divert themselves Wherefore we ordinarily observe not only of this Marrow but of the Nerves themselves that as often as a small branch is distributed into many shoots or suckers to be sent forth here and there always in the very knot of the division there grows a far greater fold than in the rest of the Trunk of the Nerve so that 't is a wonder from whence the Nerve should acquire so in the middle of its passage a new substance and more ample bulk But of these things and others belonging to the Doctrine of the Nerves it behoves us to discourse in the following Chapters CHAP. XIX Of the Nervous System in general where its parts which are the Nerves and Fibres being designed a prospect of the whole Animal Government is exhibited WHenas hitherto having beheld the several Regions of the Brain it self the Cerebel and medullar Appendix and the provision and offices of them all we have designed or drawn forth the uses and employments also of the parts and processes and the sanguiferous Vessels belonging to every one of these it is now time for me to stop and retire into the Port from this troublesom and intricate Sea of Disquisition But indeed because I find that I have not yet reached to the farthest shores and utmost parts but that beyond this Sea which we have sailed
white sagar â„¥ ii make a Julap The dose 4. or 6. spoonfulls twice in a day after a dose of a solid medicine Take of millipedes or chesslogs cleansed i pint of Cloves cut â„¥ ss put to them i quart of white-wine let them be distill'd in a glass-Cucurbit The dose â„¥ i. to â„¥ iss twice in a day For poor people medicines easie to be prepared may be prescribed after this manner Take of the Conserves of the Leaves of Rue made with an equal part of sugar â„¥ vi take of it the quantity of a nutmeg twice in a day drinking after it of the decoction of the Seeds and Roots of Burdock in whey or posset-drink made of white-wine Or there may be prepared a Conserve of the leaves of the Tree of Life with an equall part of Sugar dose Ê’ss to Ê’ i. twice in a day Take of millipeds prepared Ê’ iii. of ameos seedsÊ’ i. make a powder divide it into 10. parts take a dose twice in a day or 12 Sows or woodlice brused and white-wine put to them let the juce be wrung out make a draught let it be taken twice a day In the mean time while these Medicines are taken Inwardly it is sometimes convenient to raise blisters with Vesicatories in the nape of the neck and behinde the ears for so the serous and sharp humours are very much brought away from the head besides sneezing powders and such as purge Rhume from the head often give signal help The taking away of Blood from the Sedal veins or the foot ought sometimes to be itterated yea and the Distemper urging Plaisters or Cataplasms are profitably applyed to the soles of the feet It is also beneficial to apply drawing medicines about the calves and thighs CHAPTER VI. Of Convulsive Motions whose cause subsists about the extremities of the Nerves or within the nervous foldings SOmetimes Convulsive distempers do arise without any fault in the Head by the irritation and explosion of the spirits remaining about the extremities of the nerves which plainly appears because when medicines haul sharply the Ventricles or Intestines or worms gnaw them there do not only follow Convulsions in those parts but besides convulsive motions do sometimes torment or are retorted on the members and outward Limbs for indeed as we have shown elsewhere when the sense of a very grievous Trouble torments any part and from that is communicated to the chief Sensorie presently from thence an involuntary and irregular motion is wont to be reflected on the spirits in that place irritated and that not only by the same nerves to which the sense of the pain was carried but sometimes also the Convulsion is reciprocated by others either neighbouring or altogether extraneous So the Stone being fixed in the Ureters and irritating very much its nervous fibres excites Convulsive motions not only in the distemperd Vessell but almost in all the Viscera of the Abdomen So that the urine being suppressed Torments diffused here and there and very often horrid Vomitings follow Wherefore 't is not at all to be doubted but that both diseases and some Convulsive Symptoms are very often induced by reason of an outward hurt brought to the Tops of the Nerves terminating within the membranes muscles or Viscera yea in the hysterical hypochondriacal and certain other passions if at any time Convulsive motions are excited in the hurt head by the fault of the womb spleen or other Inward verily they arise by this only means to wit by the Trouble of the rest of the parts being translated this way through the Nerves but in no wise by the Vapours to the brain and are propagated all about into various Regions of the Body Convulsions begin from the ends of the Nerves both by reason of irritation But it should here be noted that although the evident Solitary cause forasmuch as it is strong and vehement may sometimes induce Convulsions of it self and without a praevious disposition because indeed the Animal Spirits being irritated beyond measure begin greater and more than ordinary explosions as in overgreat purging and Vomiting and the fits of the Collick and Stone is ordinarily wont to happen yet in many other Convulsive Distempers whose fits are often and habituall besides the irritation made about the extremities of the nerves which serves for the most part for the evident cause also a certain more remote cause is present to whose efficacy the assault of the disease is chiefly beholden to wit when Convulsive motions are wont to be excited and at every turn repeated by the fault of the Spleen womb or other private part it may be suspected that the animal Spirits of the Fibres in the distemperd part and those disposed in its neighbouring parts had first contracted an heterogeneous explosive Copula And by reason of an Explosive Copula by which being filled to a running over they were provoked by a light occasion to Convulsive explosions Then those being first begun about the extremities of the nerves creep upwards by the passage of the same nerves and are often caryed to the same nervous origine and sometimes beyond to the middle of the brain from whence lastly being reflected on the nervous stock they also secondarily cause the Convulsions of the members and Limbs But after the Brain and a Superior portion of the nervous System are wont to suffer and be affected often by the Convulsions below excited the spirits inhabiting those parts also begin to be themselves adulterated at length and to admit an heterogeneous and explosive Copula and so to acquire in part a procatartick cause hence at length a Convulsive procatarxis or more remote cause becomes Common to either end of the Trunk of the same nerves and the animal spirits of one nerve or more being evilly disposed both at the head and tail conceive explosions from either part and deliver them presently to the other as shall be more largely declared below when we treat particularly of hysterical and other passions in the meantime we will add some histories and observations of Convulsions arising from the farther ends or extremities of the Nerves Observation 1 A fine maid about the 16th year of her age falling from her horse and lighting upon a Stone grievously hurt her left breast from whence a Tumor arose with pain which Symptoms notwithstanding by the use of medicines at the beginning seem'd to be mitigated and to be indifferently well for a long time after Three years after she having taken cold and having observed but a bad course of dyet all things began to be exasperated the hurt part swelling into a bigger bulk troubled her with an accute and almost continual pain that the sick Virgin for the cruel torment could take no rest for many days and nights neither could she suffer the glandula's of her Breast being then made more tumid to be either touch'd or handled yea nor any noyse or shaking to be made in the Chamber When to this Tumour about
frequently salling upon her rogether with it great swellings arose behinde her ears and in her neck of the same side to which she was never before obnoxious in all her life It is not to be doubted in this case but that from those Glandulas which are the Emunctuaries or sinks of the nervous Liquor being too much pressed together the superfluities of that humour wont to be sent away from thence by the Lymphatic vessells restagnating in the head brought forth those evills because the arising of the aforesaid symptoms so suddenly and manifestly followed upon the wearing of that Truss upon the Groin that even her Mother laid the cause of the Disease upon that occasion Besides also I have observed in others the recrements of the nervous humour being somewhere stopp'd in their Course restagnating towards the head have not only brought in convulsive symptoms but from thence the Kings Evill Objections against the aforesaid hypothesis answered So much for the formal Reason of the different original of the distemper called hysterical as also of the genuine Causes of its symptoms Out of which it seems to appear plainly that those passions do not depend always on the womb but much more often on the fault of the brain and of other parts of the nervous stock But many things are objected against these which according to the old opinion cast all the blame on the womb To wit it seems so to be done because the assault of this disease invades almost only women yea and women that are not well about their womb viz. Child-bearing women or such who have their courses stopt are chiefly obnoxious to it Besides it may be argued from things helpfull for it because a plaister worn upon the lower part of the belly also a strict girding of the belly and hypochondria by which the ascent of the womb may be hindred do not seldom drive away the fit just falling on them this also shews it that sweet things held to the nose brings on the fit and stinking things drive the same away it is said to happen quite contrary if the same things be laid to the belly or privy member That we may wipe off these objections we say first that the symptoms which seem hysterical do not only happen to women for we have shown already by the history brought by us that a certain man has been obnoxious to those kinde of fits with the ascention of a bulk in the bottom of the belly but that women are much more often troubled with those convulsive diseases than men two reasons may be shown viz. First for that their animal constitution is much weaker to wit they have the brain and nerves softer and of a less firm texture that they are not able to suffer any thing strongly or to resist every injury also the animal spirits in them being more prone to flight and distraction more easily admit an heterogeneous and explosive Copula from hence Women from any sudden terror or great sadness fall into mighty disorder of spirits when men from the same occasion are scarcely disturb'd at all Secondly women more readily receive the convulsive disposition because they gather a more plentifull heap of the morbific matter for that whilst they lead for the most part a sedentary Life the blood for want of ventilation becomes more impure besides in this sex it originally abounds with heterogeneous and fermentative particles wherefore it is convenient for it to be more often purged by the flux of their Courses by which notwithstanding not always what is extraneous and incongruous is wholly cast forth from the bloody Mass but that there remains that which being poured on the brain and its appendix as occasion is given becomes the cause of the convulsive distemper Moreover when the menstrual flux being stop'd a convulsive disposition is occasioned it is not therefore to be thought that such a distemper is rais'd up from the womb but that the bloody mass being more than usually imbued with heterogeneous particles carries them together with the nervous juice to the head yea chiefly for this reason also child-bearing women are found obnoxious to the passions as it were hysterical for besides that the membranes of the womb being hurt a convulsion there begun by reason of the felt trouble creeps upwards and is at last communicated to the head it most often happens that the blood being infected by the termes being retained grows hot with a feavourish burning and then instead of a crisis the malignant infection is carried to the brain from whence convulsive and not seldom soporiferous or sleepy distempers are excited But that it is argued that this disease seems to be hysterical because Remedies applyed about the abdomen often bring help it will be easy to shew that the morbific cause planted in the mesentery oftner than in the womb is sometimes either taken away by that means or restrained from its Influence besides the same kinde of applications about the hypogastrium are no less profitable altho the original of the distemper be derived from the head it self for we have shewn before that when the heterogeneous and explosive matter descending from the head brings a convulsive disposition to the spirits disposed within the whole processes of the interior nerves the convulsive motions therefore excited begin from the extremities of the nerves and so creep upwards towards their beginnings so that first of all the viscera of the lower belly then the praecordia and lastly the brain it self are affected but if the outmost spirits viz. those dwelling in the enfoldings of the mesentery be restrained from entring into explosions all the rest in the remaining nervous passage continue in their orders and this plaisters worn upon the navel do often effect for they repress and compel into order with their odour the spirits from leaping forth yea also not seldom they shake off and drive away the Copula cleaving to them wherefore when the explosions there about to be made are restrained the convulsive fit is wholly prevented which yet is more apparent for that if the Convulsion begun in the lower belly and from thence ascending like a Globe be presently suppressed and by a strong binding together of those parts it be hindred that it creep not upwards oftentimes the convulsive passion is broken off the praecordia and the brain being untouch'd wherefore it is a common custome for sick women to binde strictly the Epigastrium with swaths or rolers and so to stop the progress of the symptoms towards the upper parts For when the animal spirits enter into Convulsions successively as it were a fiery enkindling where-ever the tinder or cherishing matter is cut off or intercepted the distemper is there restrained As to the various effects of odors to wit that sweet things bring on the fit but stinking things drive the same away it may be said that the former do loosen the animal spirits by pleasing them and too much release them from their
are almost without Spirits or at least are contented with a few For the birth and growth of Vegetables they are required in a more moderate quantity In the Constitution of a living Creature where there is greater Use of Spirits for Sense and Motion a far more plentiful quantity is found In the works of Art and chiefly in those which ascend to perfection by Digestion and Fermentation there are found to be a sufficiently great proportion of Spirits but in all subjects whatsoever whilst the immersed Spirits are mingled with the other Principles their condition or state comes under a threefold consideration for they are either depressed and scattered and so involved with more thick Particles that they are very little seen or shew forth their powers as in things undigested crude and unripe may be perceived in which the Spirits can hardly extricate themselves into motion and from which they can hardly be drawn by Distillation Or secondly the Spirits flying forth from the thick substance of the rest are full of vigor shake and rightly dispose the more gross Particles subtilize the thick digest the crude and bring things to the steme or height of maturity and perfection or lastly Spirits having obtained the height of things do luxuriate and make excursions out of the Body hence those that remain are by degrees lessened of their plenty and strength until being less in power than the Particles of the Salts and Sulphur they are put under their yoak and by little and little are destroyed and driven away out of the Subject on this threefold state depends the beginnings or rudiments the maturity and exaltation and the defect and end of things It is observed when the Spiritous Latex is drawn forth of any Liquor by Distillation that the vapor or steam is not elevated into dew that is comes together in little drops or dew every where poured forth as it is wont to do in watery things but it is divided into streaks and many little rivulets and renders the Alembic mark'd in every part with straight lines only not meridional leading from the Centre of the top to the brim of the Circumference The cause of which seems to be this to wit since that the spirituous substance is very subtil it is not easily Collected into Liquor neither is it fixed every where about the sides of the Vessel in its ascent as watery Liquors but always stretches 〈◊〉 and unless when it comes to the top it self of the liâ—… head doth in no wise 〈◊〉 but there the spirituous breath being restrained as it were in a punct and being brought backward it begins to gather into dew wherefore from that top as it were the Fountain the Spirits flowing forth on every side by streams descend in streaks towards the mouth or brim of the Alembic And when those lines wholly disappear it is a sign that the spirituous substance is quite still'd forth and that the watery breath only ascends 2 Sulphur is a Principle of a little thicker consistency than Spirit after that the most active for when the Spirits first break forth from the loosned subâ—â—â—nce of the mixture presently the Sulphureous Particles endeavour to â—…low The Temperament of every thing as to Heat Consistency and amiable frame or contexture depends chiefly on Sulphur from hence also for the most part arise variety of Colours and Odors the fairness and deformity of the Body also the divâ—â—sâ—â—y of tastes In the Bosom of this the Spirits immediately in which as in a Copula they are united by the more hard embraces of the rest The substance of Sulphur though less subtil is yet of more firceness and unruliness than the Spirits are for this unless it be restrained by the embrace of the others as it were in bonds and its Particles be detained one from another by the interjection or coming between of the rest not only leaves the subject but destroys it self with too impetuous an eruption Indeed the little bodies of this being gently moved do cause digestion and maturation sweetness and many perfective qualities in things being a little more strongly moved they induce heat and an excess of qualities inordinations and chiefly a stinking favour but being more impetuously moved or stirred up they bring in the dissolution of Bodies yea a flame and Burning The substance of Sulphur is never seen sincere yea it consists not of it self from others but vanishes away into Air its Particles being concreted and chained together with Salt and Earth are fixed as it were immoveable as is seen in Metals and some Stones or being Diluted with Spirit and Water and temper'd together with the rest exist in motion by which means as was before said of Spirit they are in a threefold state within the substance of the mixture for either first of all its little bodies being involved with Salt and Earth or too much drenched with a watery humidity are obscured so that they exercise but little of virtue from whence the humid and cold temper of things exists their qualities are Obtuse Dull and of small virtue or force and the Bodies less apt to be inflamed as is discerned in unripe Fruit raw Juices and green Wood. Or secondly The Particles of Sulphur begin to shine forth with Spirit to be more thickly heaped or rolled together and to appear eminent above the rest of the Principles And so by its motion they evaporate the superfluous moisture digest Crudities and induce a warm temper in things active qualities a lively force and maturation or ripeness which kind of exaltation of Sulphur may be observed in Wine and Liquors long Fermented in ripe Fruits in the Youth and florid Constitution of living Creatures Or thirdly The Sulphureous Particles being gathered into vigor grow too hot loose the bonds of mixture and desire to fly away and from their diverse manner of departure and separation the dissolution of Bodies variously happens For either they evaporate with Water and Spirit by degrees and without tumult and leave their subjects lean and dry which when the Sulphur is wholy gon fall into Ashes Or secondly in Bodis which abound with Sulphur when the mixture is loosned and the Spirits begin to fly away the remaining Particles of Sulphur are wont to be very much moved and to grow exceeding hot and being shut up in a thick substance are gathered together more nearly as in Dung and Hay growing hot and conceive heat and somtimes Burning breaking forth after this manner by heaps and impetuously they breath out a stinking smell and bring on a rottenness to the subject There is a third manner of eruption whereby the Sulphureous Particles go forth of Bodies when they withdraw themselves as it were with violence and being gathered together break forth into fire and flame whereby indeed becoming unbridled and untamed they break all bars or lets and wholly destroy the substance or frame of the Subject By this means by their own and proper effervescency they procure a Burning as
loosned even into a Vapour and then kneaded with an Earthy Matter or the moistning of Waters they cause Eruptions of Fountains and Acidulous or Spaw Waters which resemble the disposition of Vitriol Alum Nitre somtimes of Iron or Copper Also the Sulphureous little Bodies being loosned and gathered together inkindle an Heat and somtimes Subterraneous Fires by whose Breaths the Dens and Caverns being made Hot like an Hot-House whilst the Watery humors pass through them they from thence conceive their Heat and supply the Springs of Hot Fountains for Bathes In like manner in this visible and Etherial world Vapours both Sulphureous and Saline and of a diverse Kind and Nature perpetually breath forth and are diffused through the whole Region of Air. From hence the diversity of winds the vicissitudes of Cold and Heat Rain Snow Hail Dew and Hoar Frost and what are of this Nature have their Origine Concerning the particular instances of these the famous Gassendus may be consulted who in his Epicurean Philosophy most aptly deduces the Phaenomena almost of all Meteors and the reasons of them from the Exhalations of Sulphur and Salts either Nitrous Vitriolick Aluminous or Armoniack CHAP. IV. Of Fermentation for as much as is observed in Vegetables IN Vegetables Fermentation is yet more plainly discerned for whilst they Bud forth Grow Flower bear Fruit Ripen Decline and Dye we may observe the divers motions of Particles or Principles their various Habits and Tempers I intend not here to describe the several ways and proceedings of these It will be sufficient for the unfolding the Doctrine of Fermentation to take notice of some chief instances concerning this Subject If is manifest by dayly Experience that all Plants whatsoever exposed to a Spagyrical or Chymical Operation may with little labour be resolved into the aforesaid five-fold Elements But in some there is found a greater plenty of Salt in others of Sulphur in some Spirits abound Water and Earth are in most proportionated according to the Bulk and magnitude of the thing Plants in which Salt abounds with a mean of Sulphur and a little quantity of Spirits are for the most part of long Age somwhat big or flourish all the Winter or tho their Leaves fall they keep a Nutricious Juice under the Bark Of which sort are the Oak Ash Elm Box-Tree and all ponderous Woods and Shrubs In some Sulphur abounds with a little Salt and Spirit as are the Pine the Firr-Tree Cyprus Tree Juniper Ivy Olive Cedar and Myrtle Trees and all resinous Plants which for the most part have a sweet smell and are perpetually Green by reason the juice wherewith they are nourished is viscous and not easily to be dissipated In others besides plenty of Salt and Sulphur Spirits also are found in a greater proportion as are Fruit-bearing Trees and especially the Vine from whose Fruit the Juice being wrung out and purified by Fermentation grows very big with Spirit Of this rank are Plants for the most part Medicinal also such as produce Curious and Odoriferous Flowers But in some Water and Earth luxuriat in too great a quantity above the other Elements as in cold Plants and such as grow in too rank a Soil The Germination of Plants happens after this manner either it is made out of the Seed Root Trunk or of its own Nature from the naked matrix of the Earth First the Spirit being shut up within by the Ambient Heat and Moisture loosening the frame of the mixture being loosned it presently endeavours to fly away But being held back in its flight by the more thick Particles of the rest stretches forth more largely its Den and together with the other Principles with which it is bound thrusts forth on every side into length and breadth even as a little bundle of Silk being contracted into wrincles and folds is opened here and there In the mean time the little Spaces left by the enlargement of the Spirit and as it were made hollow are filled up by the next Matter driven even into the Vacuities And after this manner the Architect Spirit with his Ministers Salt and Sulphur still stretching forth it self like a Snail frames for it self an House whose Inhabitant it is and by dilating it self stretches forth that until at last it hath wrought the Plant into the due Bulk and Figure designed by Nature You may take notice that the times of the year for the Budding Flowring Ripening and decaying of Vegetables are of great Efficacy and Virtue All the Winter the Womb of the Earth as it were shut up is almost barren for the Spirituous Particles which are wont to actuate the rest and as it were to lead the dance of Natural Motions are either chased away by the Winters Cold or being Congealed in their Subjects are fixed Wherefore at this time Germination and Vegetation are very rare unless that some irregular Plants which are composed of plenty of Spirit Salt and Sulphur dare to break forth But in the Spring when the bowels of the Earth begin to be a little warm by the Vicinity of the Sun presently they are impregnated with a wonderful Fecundity and produce the effects of their Seminality Not only the Superficies of the Earth but also the Water and Air every where grow big with Spirituous Particles which as it were raise up from the Dead the little Bodies of Salt and Sulphur and bring them into Motion Therefore besides that the Plants Bud the Juice and Blood of living Creatures is quicker and more apt to abound At this time the Birds and Fishes build their Nests and bring forth Eggs also we may perceive in our selves the Blood to flow high in the Vessels and usually to Ferment too much For all things are then full of this Aetherial Substance and the whole Bulk of Nature as it were inspired by a lively Fermentation is abundantly fruitful of Motions and Generations Yea these our Principles at first separated and dispersed one from another led as it were by an Appetite of Copulation enter into mutual Marriages and being Married together almost with infinit Embraces cause a most ample Seeding and Germination of the Herby State At the beginning of the Summer and perhaps in some sooner in some later when sufficient time hath been granted for the Stature and Magnitude of every Plant and that it is now come to the highth of increase it behoves Nature to perfect her Work and to cook and ripen the Substance as yet rude and undigested Wherefore the active Principles leisurely extricate themselves from the more thick and creep forward towards the top there being placed with a mutual increase they are formed into Flowers and Blossoms from which at length for that they are of a soft and light texture Spirit and Sulphur easily evaporate and the frame of the mixture quickly decays But Nature careful of the perpetuating every thing when it cannot keep for ever the individuum is so provident that the Species may not wholly
perish Wherefore she institutes new and more firm and lasting Combinations of Spirit Salt and Sulphur For she selects from the whole Substance of the Plant the more noble and highly active Particles and these being gathered together with a little Earth and Water she forms in the Seed as it were the quintessences of every Plant in the mean time the Trunk Leaves Stalks and the other Members of the Plant being almost quite deprived of the active Principles are much depauperated and are of less Efficacy and Virtue About Autumn after the Seeds are framed as it were pledges left in memory of the Plant the Particles of Spirits Salt and Sulphur which remain being now placed in their Strength or Exaltation endeavour a Dissolution and Departing one from another And first of all the Spirits evaporate by degrees with the Watery humour through the Doors set open by the Summer Sun with which the more pure parts of the Sulphur make also their Journey in the mean time the Salt being fixed with the Earth and more thick Sulphur is left behind Wherefore in most the Leaves fall at this time and in those of a tender and light Constitution the Principles are wholly dissipated and the Trunk and Stalk together with the Root wholly die In some after the falling of the Seed with the Leaves the Stalks wither in the mean time the Principles which may renew the Plant in the next Spring are preserved in the Root Also Winter coming on the face of things is wholly changed and the Elements which in the Spring did affect to be Joyned and to Marry one with another seek nothing more than Divorces The Spirits fly away from very many things and wander in the Air in the mean time the Particles of Salt and Sulphur lie as it were benummed and asleep Not only the Bodies of Vegetables but of very many Animals are left as it were dead all the Winter till they are raised again to life by the Spirit returning with the Vernal Sun and as it were animated anew But this little Branch being made concerning the Vegetation of Plants it is now fit that we proceed on our Journey to Fermentation by the Rule of our before established Method to what is to be observed concerning the parts and humours of Living Creatures CHAP. V. Of things to be Observed of Fermentation about Animals IT is so certain that the Bodies of Animals consist of the aforesaid Principles that it wants no proof For they so plentifully swell up with Spirit Salt and Sulphur that their Particles are obvious to the sense Wherefore they are moved with a more swift motion and more excellent senses of Life and Functions of Heat in the Subjects in which they are implanted are inlarged It would be too much labour and tedious here to describe the several manners and processes of Fermentations The first beginnings of Life proceed from the Spirit Fermenting in the Heart as it were in a certain little punct The motion of this is not as in Vegetables slow and insensible and only to be known by their increasing but presently becoming rapid is conspicuous to the Eyes because the Spirit leaping from the Punct as from a Prison being stirred and having obtained the Vehicle of Blood swiftly runs forth and leaping forth it cannot wholy fly away it makes hollow spaces for it self in the thick substance in which it is included for its excursion being compelled some other way backward Lastly being returned to the Heart it Ferments the more wherefore it stretches forth further the spaces of its Excursion and so easily makes an hollow way for its return back and after this manner for the carrying about the Blood Arteries and Veins as Channels and Rivulets are framed through all the parts of the Body and on such a Vicissitude of Motion or Reciprocation depends the life of living Creatures which that Nature might preserve a long while she placed the Ferment in the Heart by whose instinct or endeavour the Blood grows impetuously Hot and as it were inkindled into a Flame by its Deflagration diffuses the effluvia of its Heat round about on every side for by the Fermentation or Accension which the Blood suffers in the Bosome of the Heart very many Particles of Spirit Salt and Sulphur endeavour to break forth from its loosened frame by which being much rarified and like Water boyling over a Fire the moved and boyling Blood is carried through the Vessels not without great Tumult and Turgescency We would speak more in this place both of the Natural Fermentation of the Blood and the Feaverish but that we reserve this Consideration for a peculiar Tract where we Treat of Feavers Besides this Ferment constituted in the Chimny of the Heart upon which the motion and heat of the Blood very much depends there are others laid up every where in the Bowels of a diverse disposition by the help of which both the Chyle which is the Rudiment or Beginning of the Blood and the Animal Spirits its Quintessence are truly framed There are others also which serve for the perfecting the Blood transmuting it into other Liquors and freeing it from Excrementitious Matter It will be too far from our proposed method to wander to insist upon each of these and to reap anothers Harvest Wherefore I will only add in this place some select instances which may illustrate the Doctrine of Fermentation It is commonly received that the Concoction of the Chyle in the Ventricle is made by the means of a certain Acid Ferment That such a thing is the Acid belching in a full Stomach and the want of it in the loss of Stomach in Feaverish and Dysenterical people do testifie c. and its restitution a sign of Health to which may be added this Observation Chalybeat Medicines being taken at the Mouth a little after excite a Sulfureous savour in the Throat as if hard rosted Eggs had been eaten which seems wholly to be made by the Acid Ferment of the Ventricle gnawing the Iron even as Spirit of Vitriol being sprinkled upon the fileings of Steel excites such a stinking and Sulphureous Odor Some say this Ferment is breathed into the Stomach from the Spleen but by what means that may be done doth not yet appear by Anatomical Observation It seems not improbable that this Ferment is implanted in the Ventricle that it is only made by some remains of the perfected Chyle which fixed in the folds of the Ventricle and there growing sowr puts on the Nature of Ferment even as a portion of Dough being fermented or levened and and kept to a sowrness becomes a convenient Ferment or Leven for the making of Bread In like manner this kind of Acid humour being prepared from the Aliments and long carried in the Ventricle promotes the Concoction and subaction or subduing of the Food For Acid things which are full of Salt carried out to a Flux excellently conduce both to the Fermenting and Dissolving of Bodies Wherefore by
Bodies are that are most fit for Fermentation and which are less convenient for it Secondly What things are requisite about Fermentation to wit what are wont to promote or also to hinder its motion in every Subject Thirdly How manifold the motion of Fermentation is and the end of it also what are the effects and alterations which follow it As to the first That all Bodies when tending to perfection may truely Ferment they are required In the first place That there be some parts loose and disjoyned otherwise the Fermentative Particles will not be stretched forth or move from place to place Wherefore in the more hard compacted things or in viscous things or too much boyled or evaporated to a spissitude or dryness Fermentation does not succeed What are Liquid as Wine Beer the Juices of Fruits and Herbs easily and quickly swell up next to these what are soft tho they are of a thicker Consistency as Bread and most Eatable things and Medicinal Compositions Secondly It is required that there be an Heterogeneity of parts or a confusion of all the Principles together to wit that some Particles do oppose others and stir them into motion For the more simple Bodies in which one or at most two Elements only are strong with a very small proportion of the rest are unapt to Ferment because like Particles or Symbolical Elements lie benumed and quiet But between the unlike there arises presently a strife for domination and some provoke others into motion Thirdly There is a third condition that there be neither too much Crudity nor Maturity of parts in the body Fermenting In the former the active and subtil Particles are not easily extricated from the more thick nor are brought into motion as it appears in Juices which are pressed forth from unripe Fruit also in Beer which is made of Barly or Mault not come forth or germinated In the latter the Particles being made too volatile are not contained in the bond of the mixture but presently evaporate and dispose their Subjects to Putrefaction Wherefore Juice expressed from Summer Fruits or others too ripe will not easily pass into Wine but it will quickly corrupt And for this reason extravasated blood milk and urine do not Ferment but quickly putrifie As to the second thing proposed there are many ways by which Fermentation is either promoted or hindred The first and chiefest is the adding of a certain Ferment to the body Fermenting the Particles of which when being first placed in vigor and motion may raise up the others idle and sluggish in the to-be-fermented Mass and may drive them into motion But there is a two-fold Ferment either absolute which is the same kind of Body in which the active Particles being altogether placed in their vigor are notably in motion and so whilst they are committed to the Subject in Fermenting snatch with them into motion other Particles there of the every kind before sluggish by this means Barm or Yest beaten Eggs and such like stir up a Fermentation almost in every thing Or the Ferment is respective to wit which consists of Particles very much of one kind which meeting other of another kind in the Mass to be Fermented grow hot with them and so produce in the mixture a turgency or rising up of all the parts together After this manner Saline Particles having gotten a Flux grow very hot with other Salines either fixed or alchalisate as appears when acetous Liquors are poured on Corrals Harts Horn shells of Fishes also when the Spirit of Vitriol and the Salt of Tartar are put together a great ebullition is excited There are some accidents and external circumstances which variously conduce either to the provoking or hindring the motion of Fermentation of which sort are chiefly the condition of the Ambient Air the placing or laying up of the body Fermenting and the means of conserving it The Southern Air in which hot and humid Particles every where abound which also entring easily any Bodies obtain the force and place of a Ferment impresses a notable motion of Fermentation in very many things Wherefore in drinkable Liquors it doth not only raise up at first the force of effervescency or growing hot but also for a long while after induces new swellings up in them being Fermented On the contrary the Cold and Northern Air binds up and very much fastens Bodies and in very many things hinders the fusions and flowings of the Elements and oftentimes either hinders Fermentation from being stirred up or restrains it being begun Also the hot Summer Air because it too much moves the active Principles drives away the Spirits and subtile parts exalts the Saline and Sulphureous into a Flux and so perverts their equal motion and either the Sulphur or Salt being too much carried forth it easily brings to Bodies a rancidness or putrefaction or a mouldiness which nothing favours the business of Fermentation It is a vulgar opinion that some select times of the year to wit those in which the Vegetables of every Kind flower cause anew the motion of Fermentation in the Juices and other things prepared of them after they had Fermented a long time before so that Beer when the Barly and Wines in the time that the Vine flowers conceive risings up or new Fermentations they say also that Bread and Flour when the Wheat is in Flower is want to become sooner musty and moldy also that spots or stains of the Juices of Fruits as the Mulberry Blackberry Rasberry and such like being in Cloaths are wont to be gotten forth again at that time when those Fruits are Ripe Concerning these things I ingenuously confess that I have not made tryal of them by my own proper observation so as to dare to affirm it for truth in every part I will therefore lightly pass them over for it would both grieve and shame me lest I should relate false things to Philosophize concerning doubtful things Concerning the laying up of the Fermenting Body these things are chiefly to be observed When things first being to Ferment that they are not to be shut up in too close Vessels neither while the Liquors are hot are they to be put into Bottles or Casks For the Particles at first boyling up and as it were rarified desire a very large space wherefore the Fermentation of Wine or Beer is begun in open large Vessels but when they grow less hot those kind of Liquors lest the Particles being set and moved into motion too much should fly away from the Subject they are kept best either in a cold Cellar or close Vessels In the preparation of Vinegar we observe the contrary to wit it is wont to be placed in a hot place near the Chimney or Oven or exposed to the Suns beams to the end that the vinous Spirit being depressed the Saline part might be exalted into a Flux and so might give a sharpness to the Liquor There is another observation that Liquors do Ferment better in
pass to Beer Beer is made of Mault or Barly germinated and dryed which is performed after this manner First the Barly is put into common water for three days that it may intumifie or swell then the water being let out from it it is flung in a heap upon a dry floor moving it twice or thrice a day lest it grow too hot until it begins to germinate or bud forth or put out little shoots of Roots Afterwards by frequent casting it about it is hindred from germinating or springing forth any farther and lastly being lay'd upon a Kiln it is made dry by rosting it by this means it yields a meat wonderfully sweet The reason of this kind of process is this the Barly is permitted to spring forth that its active Principles might be brought or set into their strength or exaltation for when it germinates the Spirit Salt and Sulphur at first asleep and sluggish do swell up or grow big together and their sluggishness being cast off they are prepared to exercise their powers The other preparations hinder the Barly from germinating further lest that its Principles being very much loosned should exhale too much and fly away from the Subject The Meal of the Barly thus prepared grows sweet because the active Principles are set in exaltation like Fruit brought to a maturity wherefore also the Liquor impregnated with this Meal grows very turgid or big with Spirituous and Fermentative Particles when the simple decoction of Barly scarce Ferments at all nor is kept long but that it becomes musty and insipid But Beer is made after this manner upon the Meal of the Barly prepared as above said boyled water is poured and is suffered to be macerated or mashed for some hours that it may be sufficiently impregnated with the active Particles of the germinating Barly now placed in their vigour This Liquor being satisfied or filled is drawn off clear from its setling and is lastly boyled that it might get a somthing more thick consistency and be able to be kept the longer Then when it is somwhat cold it is Fermented a Ferment or the flowring of Beer or Yest being put thereto and so tun'd up in a Barrel Concerning its Fermentation these things are especial worthy of observation If it macerate with or stand too long on the Maulted Meal the Liquor becomes thick and clammy and afterwards will hardly Ferment or Work at all the reason of this is because the active Principles in this work are of a prompt motion and move together with them the earthy Particles with which if by a long stay the passages and pores of the Liquor are filled being too full they are wholly obstructed and as the contents in the Stomach stuffed to a surfeit scarcely Ferment at all If too hot or too cold the Liquor be put into the Barrel as in the great heat of the Summer or the cold in the Winter Fermentation doth not rightly succeed for by too much heat the Particles are dissipated one from another that they cannot mutually take hold of one another and so work by too much cold they are bound up and fixed that they scarce enter into motion neither perform it strongly When the Liquor of the Beer Ferments in the Vat the active Principles do on every side explicate themselves they precipitate in the bottom the more thick and Earthy being partly driven as it were into flight and partly sticking to them they lead them as it were Captive to the top and there make hollow bubbles continually growing up and bring them as it were to servitude After a due Fermentation the whole space of the Liquor is rendered clear and without dregs in which the Spirits with a little Salt and Sulphur do abound in the mean time in the settlement or dregs a little of Spirit and Sulphur with a greater plenty of Salt and Earth remains So long as these shall be in their places the Liquor will be clear sweet and Spirituous but if long kept or not shut up closely in a Barrel great part of the Spirits will fly away in the mean time by the defect of these the Saline Particles being exalted and having gotten a Flux impregnate the whole Liquor and make it sowr for when Beer as also Wine goes into Vineger it doth not happen because they are wholly deprived of Spirits for so they would degenerate into a tastless thing but because the Tartareous or Saline parts are carried forth to a Flux and infect the Liquor with their sharpness in the mean time the Spirits being less in power are depressed that they cannot resist them Very hot weather Thunder the noise of great Guns or the tunning it in the open Air suddenly makes Beer grow sowr for by these means the Spirits being disturbed in their equal motion are dissipated and in the mean time the Saline or Tartarous parts being before separated and depressed are moved and carried forth into a Flux Indeed it plainly appears that the Spirituous parts in Vinegar are not wholly destroyed but suppressed only whilst the Saline are placed in a Flux because from Vinegar may be Distilled a Liquor exceeding hot and burning like the Spirit of Wine after this manner With the Distilled Vinegar a Salt is extracted from Minium or Lead Calcined of which you have plenty and shall distil it in a Retort the Vinous and burning Spirit is driven into the Receiver the reason of which is because when the Saline Particles of the Vinegar are united with the Salt of the Lead the Vinous Spirits yet remaining are then freed and having obtained their own right they are urged from their lurking places by the heat of the Fire but those Spirits are not produced from the Lead because if you give thereto a more vehement Fire the Salt of the Lead will be melted into a Metal But we will return to Beer from whence we have digressed to which how great a perfection happens by Fermentation appears by this experiment If you take Beer new made not yet purged by Fermentation and place it to be Distilled in a Bladder or Cucurbit only a vapid or tastless water ascends without any Spirits and strength at all but if you proceed after the same manner with Beer truly Fermented you will have a hot water and highly Spirituous And this takes away the objection of some who say that water being even impregnated with the Meal of Mault should not be any more boyled lest the Spirits should exhale because the Spirits before Fermentation are so obvolved with the more thick Particles of the rest that they cannot break forth from the Concrete The more the Beer is impregnated by the Mault the stronger it is keeps the longer without sowring which is helpt if Hops be boyled therein from which at first it grows bitter but afterwards recovers a grateful sweetness the reason of this is because the pores of Liquor which are empty of the Particles of the Meal when they are possessed by
those of the Hops the consistency is made more compact and is more full of Fermentative Particles wherefore there is not quickly given any room for the Flux of the Salt But that the Liquor being at first bitter afterwards grows sweet happens for this reason because the Spirituous and Sulphureous parts supplyed by the Meal of the Mault come not so soon to Maturity because of the others mixed with them from the hops being boyled therein but when this happens that they grow to maturity they easily excel all the others and impart a sweetness to the whole Not only Hops being boyled in Beer keep it long from sowring but also many other bitter or sharp things do the same for these forasmuch as they exceed in a Volatile Salt hinder the flowings of other Salt wherefore some are wont to put into the Barrel a piece of Sassafrass Wood the tops of Wormwood Broom the Firr-Tree the rinds of Oringes also Spices in a small quantity by which means the Drink tho of a smaller substance is kept a long while from sowring Thus much concerning the preparation of Beer on the consideration of which as also of Bread we have stayed long because the word Fermentation is chiefly due to these Let us pass next to Wines Excepting the Blood of Animals there are no Liquors that grow hot like Wines there is found in none a greater plenty of Spirits Salt and Sulphur or a more remarkable turgescency or swelling up The Fermentation of Wines and the handling of them Fermenting are wont to be taught among the Vintners or Wine-Coopers as a secret only to their Apprentices or the Adepti of their Art Among them there is delivered a certain Physical Science or Method of Medicine by which means the impurities of Wines are purged forth their heats attempered or also their defect or sickness may be healed There are many ways to be used besides that of sophisticating as a secret by which depauperated and tastless Wines are sold for sound and rich But as to our proposition that the Doctrine of Fermentation might be illustrated these three things ought chiefly to be considered concerning Wines First Their defaecation or cleaning and their going into parts Secondly Their immoderate effervescency or growing hot from what causes it is wont to be stirred up and by what means to be suppressed Thirdly The declination of them when they grow worse and by what remedies they are kept that they do not quickly pass into a tastlesness or Vinegar 1. As to First That Fermentation may begin in the Must there is not as in Beer required the putting to any Ferment for the Juice being expressed from the Grapes doth so greatly swell up with active Particles or Principles that it presently of its own accord grows remarkably hot but it is a usual thing in some regions when the Grapes are trod to besprinkle them with Quick Lime by the provoking of which as a Ferment the Liquor pressed forth grows more fervent and is sooner purged The Must or new Wine is at first put into open Tubs for that they cannot be contained in close Vessels for their great heat or working which so boyls up that water over a Fire grows not more hot when the Wine is a little cooler it is put into more close Vessels in which it is further purged by Fermenting In the purifying the Spirituous and Subtile Particles greatly shake the more thick dregs and dismiss them from themselves on every side that the Mass of the Vinous Liquor being made free from the mixture of the dregs is rendred clear and without dregs The Faeces or Lees of the Wine consist of Salt and Sulphur with a little Spirit and plenty of Earth which whilst the Wines grow hot being separated by degrees either by Coagulating themselves mutually are affixed to the sides of the Vessels under the Species of Tartar or like Lees or Mother settle to the bottom In the mean time the Liquor swimming over them is very clear and exceeding Spirituous Somtimes the defecation or clearing of Wines is hardly brought about as a Vinous Liquor is not easily freed from the mixture of Tartar wherefore Vintners are wont to put to the Wines some Bodies that either clear them or precipitate them so as the Earthy matter swimming in them may sooner settle to the bottom The things which so clarifie Wines are of two sorts for they have either viscous parts as Glew the Whites of Eggs and such like which stick close to the faeculencies of the Wine with laying fast hold on them and carry them with themselves towards the bottom Or else they abound in a precipitatory strength which while they enter into the pores of the Liquor thrust forth the more thick Particles from thence and strike them down to the bottom as are the dust of Alabaster Calcined Flints and such like 2. Wines tho at first they were well cleared yet afterwards they conceive immoderate effervescencies so that the Tartar being stirred up from the bottom it at length mingled with them also the Spirits being loosened now the Sulphureous Particles now the Saline being too much carried forth render the Wines unsavory clammy or sowr We will consider these things from what Causes they come to be so and by what means they are Cured Wines very often contract heats when they are full of Tartar or too rich Lees For Tartar or Lees tho separated from the Liquor of the Wine and depressed to the bottom of the Vessel yet for that they consist of plenty of Salt and Sulphur they still send from themselves Fermentative Particles by the inspiration of which the Wine is kept in an equal motion of Fermentation and as the Wines are leasurely ripened so the Salt and Sulphur which lurk in the Tartar are by little and little exalted until at length being carried forth to a Flux they infect the Vinous Liquor with a troubled feces or dregs and compel it to grow immoderately hot and to boil up Against these too great heats of Wines there is a necessity that they be presently drawn off or rack'd from this too rich Lees and put into another Vessel or else it comes to pass by reason of its too great disturbance the Sulphur being very much exalted that they become unsavory and ropy or the Spirit being lost and the Salt carried forth to a Flux they contract a sowrness and turn to Vinegar Neither doth Wine grow more hot than it should do only from Tartar or too rich Lees but by too great agitation immoderate heat or by an extraneous or strange Body put to it and not miscible or that cannot mingle with it for by these and other ways the Sulphureous part of the Wine grows hot and from thence conceives a fervour and undue boyling up for the setling of which besides the racking or drawing it off from one Vessel into another they use to pour plenty of Milk into the Pipe or Barrel by whose mixture the heats and
together disperse a very stinking smell together with these the watery parts flow forth and the frame of the subject breaks or falls down into Earth or a Caput Mortuum This kind of process may be observed both in natural things and also in Subjects prepared by Art Concerning Natural things the disjunction of the Elements and their separation into parts may be seen both in the death of living Bodies or the extinction of life and vegetation and also in the corruption of them being dead and in their reduction to a rottenness As in Vegetables the growth and maturity depend on the combination and mutual cleaving together of the Principles so the decay and death depend on their going asunder and separation in Plants and Fruits being by degrees exalted from a crude and sowr Juice by Spirit and Sulphur they come to maturity to which a sweet tast and smell and a pleasant colour happen then presently the same matter the Spirit and Sulphur and the rest of the Elements leisurely flying away from the subject is soon reduced to a filthiness and rottenness If after the subtil and more pure Particles of Spirits and Sulphur are flown away there still remain plenty of Earth and Salt with some Sulphur the matter does not putrifie but grows dry with an hoariness but if the thick Salt and Sulphur having gotten a Flux break forth from the Subject together with the rest the bond of the mixture being loosened presently the external humidity possesses the spaces left by these and the Body is resolved into rottenness Also all Animals whatsoever have set bounds of their growth and duration For they ascend from their beginning by slow increase to motion and sensation then to the strength and exaltation of Nature in which point they stay not but from thence by equal steps make hast towards their fall If the cause of this kind of limitation be required we say that Mother Nature hath placed in the primigenious seed of every thing such a stock of Spirit Salt and Sulphur which might suffice for the producing the utmost thrids or lineaments of Bodies so that the growth and ascent of the thing to its height or acme is only an evolution or unrowling of that radical matter and protension or stretching it self forth into a greater dimension in the mean time the little spaces and vacuities which are made by the protraction of this matter are filled up by the active Particles supplyed by Nutrition which also by a continual series of motion are ripened exhaled and give place to others succeeding As soon as this seminal matter is unfolded and exalted to the height that it cannot be moved or expanded further the matter is then brought to the state of its perfection from thence some Particles of this Radical substance together with the secondary supplyed from the Nourishment begin to evaporate and others dayly and then others being after this manner consumed both the solid parts by degrees decrease in their substance as also the Nutritious Juice and Blood even decline for the worse till by a long wasting the props of the Body are made dry or withered and the blood so depauperated that it will not suffice for sustenance to the vital fire just as it may be perceived in a Lamp if the Oyl being continually consumed in its place be put water the Liquor is rendered poor and diluted that it is not able any longer to cherish at all the flame of the wick When the Life of Animals perishes either it expires after the aforesaid manner leisurely and like a Candle or Lamp is extinguished the Oyl or Tallow being consumed or it is choaked by a hasty death being snatched away by Fate or the violence of a Disease presently the Spirits with Salt and Sulphur flowing together in the blood and also planted in every part cease from their regular motion and are moved into confusion then they partly exhale from the pores with the vanishing heat and partly being shut up within in the Cavities inordinately Ferment with the remaining Particles and make a swelling up of the inwards and of the whole Body But afterwards the frame of the solid parts being by degrees loosened and the Sulphureous Particles together with the Saline having gotten a Flux begin to evaporate from thence a strong stink and corruption arise The active Principles breaking forth by heaps do often mutually take hold of one another and being combined in the superficies of the Carcase produce Worms at length when they are wholly exhaled from the Subject what remains falls into dust It is a usual thing for Worms to be generated in Vineger when it is corrupted and lost its strength which being exceeding small and somwhat long and smooth like Eels swim in the Liquor and may by the help of Glass be exposed to our Eyes these beeing seen it is commonly said that the sharpness and pricking of the Vineger proceeds from these little Creatures which is a vain thought that deserves not a refutation for they are only to be found in dead Vineger and I pray from whence have they their teeth sufficient for the gnawing of Iron But the whole corrosive force of Vineger is more truly referred to the Salt having gotten a Flux in the mean time those little Creatures seem to be begotten by this means it is sufficiently known that when very many Subjects are brought to putrefaction the active Principles being thrust out of doors yet still affecting their old dwelling remain somwhere about the neighbourhood and being joyned together do often produce living Bodies wherefore when moist things putrifie most often little Worms grow on their Superficies but in Vineger the business is a little different to wit because the Elementary Particles are more fixed therefore when the mixture of the Liquor is wholly dissolved the active Principles although loosened yet breaking very hardly and difficultly from the substance meet together in the bowels of the Subject and there mutually cherishing one another cause those little Creatures in the midst of the waters Also the Bodies of living Creatures being prepared for our Food are disposed towards putrefaction if they are put up for some days till the active Particles are loosened and begin to be in motion tending to exhalation wherefore both the Flesh becomes more flaccid and in eating more tender and soft and if they are kept longer till the Saline and Sulphureous parts being carried forth into a Flux do break out presently a stinking smell and putrefaction is induced There are many ways whereby flesh is wont to be kept from putrefaction the chief of which are that it be pickled with Salt or Spices Things are kept a long time incorrupt and very grateful to the tast with Salt Dead Carkases are imbued with Spices that they may remain a long while in their Sepulchers As to the first Brine or salt Pickle hinders the eruption of the Sulphur and fixes it in the Subject by its embracement and retains it Spices
ways are thought of whereby the Menstruum of water is made sharper and is rendred fit for the dissolving of any Bodies whatsoever For by means of the Bodies which it ought to dissolve and of the parts which it ought to receive in it self it is armed as it were with some Weapons with which it is able to unlock any Subject and to possess now these now those Particles The Menstruum of water is sharpned with Spirit Salt or Sulphur to wit either with each of these or with more of them joyned together we will first speak of the watery Menstruum with the various sharpning of it and afterwards of the fiery dissolvent Common water most easily dissolves the more simple Bodies except Sulphur and hides their Particles in its pores and passages it readily receives Salts of every kind and easily imbibes Spirits it loosens the frame of Earth and cherishes its more tender little bodies in its embrace but it is hardly mixed with Fat and Oyly things and receives not their Particles but by the coming between of others but drives them forth to its Superficies as not miscible or thrusts them down to the bottom Water in some measure enters the more compounded Bodies whose frame is somwhat loose and then receives into its bosom some not simple Particles but resembling the nature of the whole mixture hence most Vegetables also parts of living creatures and some Minerals being put into common water do impregnate it with a certain virtue and from most Metals by a long maceration it takes away some strength though but small Some Bodies are dissolved by water which yet a Sulphureous or Spirituous Menstrua leave almost untouch'd as the Gums Tragacanth Arabic c. also Salts and Sugar The first and most common way of sharpning whereby simple water may more easily enter the Bodies to be dissolved is that it be furnished with fiery Particles or darts of adventitious heat for so it is driven more deeply with a certain force into Bodies and destroys some thrids as it were the smallest mites in their most inward recesses Wherefore we are wont to boyl for a long while the matter to be dissolved in water or at least to infuse it in warm water by which means the more tenuious and certain subtil Particles which resemble the nature of the Subject are easily drawn forth and impregnate the water with the virtue of the whole mixture So much for the simple or natural Menstruum of water to wit for as much as its activity is wont somtimes to be promoted by fire or ascititious heat But this cannot be so simple but that it contains in it self some Particles of another kind as may be gathered from its easie Putrefaction for oftentimes it is impregnated with Spirituous Sulphureous or Saline breathings contracted from the Air or Earth that for the drawing forth the tinctures of very many things somtimes it excels an Artificial Menstruum for that Acidulous or Spawish waters Mineral waters Rain water and May Dew are of frequent use among Chymicks for the remarkable faculty of dissolving with which they are strong Besides 't is a vulgar observation that some waters most easily dissolve Sope and being throughly mixed with the same causes in the liquor a great spume or froth such if they be rubbed between the fingers feel soft and gentle but other waters which being handled with the hands are more harsh refuse the mixture both of Sope and Oyl and so are accounted unprofitable for the washing of Cloaths these sort of waters if they should be evaporated in a Glass oftentimes affix a Crust to its bottom and sides because they are impregnated more than they ought with Saline Particles with which when the Saline parts residing in the Sope combine the Sulphureous are carried away and they being excluded the pores are thrust forth as not miscible to the top of the Liquor When Flesh is boyled in these waters it grows very red which tincture indeed being thence contracted is a sign that those waters are somwhat imbued with Vitriol or some other kind of Salt But we will pass to Artificial Menstruas in which the watry Liquor is furnished with Spirit Salt or Sulphur being gathered apart or many of them together The Spirituous Menstruum of water is made when from a Body swelling with Spirits a clear and limpid water is distilled as from Wine or strong Beer or other Bodies truly Fermented and brought to exaltation The kind of dissolvent is hardly to be had so sincere but it is mixed with the Particles of more pure Sulphur and somtimes of a volatile Salt The former kind of Liquor is called Spirit of Wine which being subtil and very penetrating easily enters the Bodies and parts of Vegetables and also of living Creatures but hardly Minerals or not at all it extracts from many things not any Particles or resembling the Nature of the whole mixture as common water but chiefly Spirituous and Sulphureous the rest being almost untouched wherefore it is wont to be used for the resinous magisteria of Vegetables which it draws forth almost sincere or without mixture under the form of Gum or Refine in the mean time it is not so fit as common water for the extracts of Plants which are not so indued with Sulphur from Sulphureous things as Benzoin Sulphur Olibanum Styrax Amber and the like it draws forth excellent Tinctures It dissolves the fixed Salts of Herbs also of Pearls and Coral before prepared with Vinegar by a long digestion and receives their Tinctures into it self it leaves Sugar and Gums being dissolvable in water almost untouch'd But there is another Spirituous Menstruum that is sharpned with a volatile Salt such is the Liquor which is distilled out of blood Harts-horn or Soot it is far stronger than the former and cuts most Bodies except Metals into parts and oftimes destroys the forms of the whole mixture yea it most excellently dissolves secondarily the most fixed Metal to wit Gold being first reduced into a Calx by its proper Menstruum and reduces it into a Tincture or potable Liquor They are accounted Sulphureous Menstrua which are brought forth of Sulphureous Bodies under the form of an Oyl these are prepared either by distillation such as are chiefly the Oyl of Turpentine Juniper and the like or by expression such as are wrung forth of Olives Almonds and other Fruits or Seeds of Vegetables Things distilled are of more efficacy than preparations by expression either of them draw forth some Particles from Vegetables or Animals by the vertues of which these Oyls being impregnated they are made fit for Medicinal use Yea they are conveniently enough made use of for the extracting of the Sulphureous Particles of Minerals which somtimes they draw forth sincere or unmixt But if Oyl of Turpentine or Lin-seed Oyl draws forth by dissolving the combustible part of common Sulphur in the mean time the remaining Saline parts and untouched by the Menstruum grow into Crystals
any Menstruum and that I had especially tryed many things about Iron after several experiments at length by a certain chance and almost thinking of somthing else I found out a preparation whereby without any Corrosive or Acid Liquor by the mediation only of a gentle heat the body of Iron is opened that being reduced into powder gives immediately a tincture to any Liquor that neither Salts themselves are sooner dissolved in common water By this means I am wont to prepare suddenly in great quantity Mineral waters which exactly resemble our Tunbridg Spaws and to render Wine Beer Milk or Whey with no trouble Chalybeated By this means Syrrops Tinctures Extracts or Magisteria out of Steel are most easily to be had Moreover plainly by the same Artifice Corals Pearls Eyes and Claws of Crabs and all shelly things are prepared that their powders presently impart to any Menstruum a tincture or the virtues of the whole Concrete And in this preparation no strange quality is introduced to the Subject nor its own proper quality lost When I had by this means learnt to unlock all Bodies whatsoever consisting of a Saline bond presently from the Analogy of this was made known the means of unlocking Subjects whose Concretion is wholly Sulphureous for I am wont so to prepare common Sulphur that its powder immediatly impregnates any Liquor with the tincture and virtue of Sulphur The Spirit of Wine suddenly contracts a deep colour and very red that being put into it Common water by the infusion or decoction of the same Powder is rendered clearly Sulphureous and gilds Silver and by this means from that Tincture a praecipitation being made of White Wine or Vinegar the Milk of Sulphur is easily prepared in great quantity Out of Sulphurated Wine by this infusion I make a Syrrop than which there is scarce found a more excellent remedy in the distempers of the Thorax By this means Tinctures Extracts Magistries are prepared from Sulphur with no labour and without any smatch of the fire By the same way preparations from Amber Benzoin and other Sulphureous things easily dissolvable in any Menstruum are composed But enough and too much of this we will now pass to the other great dissolvent of Nature CHAP. X. Of the Nature of Fire and by the way of Heat and Light WE may almost pronounce the same thing of Fire what the Philosophers of old did of the first Matter to wit that it was potentially every where and in all things but in none in act For among these sublunaries Fire hath got no existence of its own Nature or certain means of duration It is produced almost in every Subject but is retained long in none but it suddenly vanisheth and expires yea unless some external accidents oftentimes should concur for its production I think it had not at all been in the world Some have dreamed that its Sphear is scituate under the Moon but this was introduced only for the making the Hypothesis of the four Elements for such a thing seems consonant neither to Sense nor Reason That we may rightly search out the Nature of Fire we must seek in what Bodies it is chiefly to be found and how they are disposed and then we may proceed to the unfolding its essence The Subjects most convenient both for the producing and the maintaining of Fire are of that kind in which there are very many Particles of Sulphur and but only a moderate portion of Water Salt and Earth for these do hinder its inkindlings and being plentifully poured on it extinguish it being inkindled Wherefore Bituminous Fat and Oyly things quickly take flame so also Chips Straw light and dry Wood in the mean time Metals Minerals the glebe of the Earth Dung wet Straw and green Wood are hardly or not at all to be inkindled Secondly we observe that all the time Fire continues in the Subject Sulphureous Particles fly away in heaps and from the departure of these the substance of the burning body is by degrees destroyed in the mean time very much of Salt and Earth remains in the form of Ashes after the burning There is a third observation that when the Sulphureous Particles are wholly or for the most part flown out of any Subject the burning wholly ceases and the form of fire is quite destroyed nor can it be renewed in the remaining matter wanting of Sulphur Fourthly we will note that somtimes some Bodies conceive a burning without the advention of another fire only by their own effervency and by the intestine motion of the implanted Particles and of their own accord are reduced into Ashes as when wet Hay is layd up close it first grows hot then afterwards breaks forth into smoke and flame or the Wheels and Axeltrees of Carts or Wains being heated by too great agitation are inkindled According to these positions we may affirm that the form of fire wholly depends upon Sulphureous Particles heaped up in any Subject and breaking forth from it in heaps and that fire is no other thing than the motion and eruption of these kind of Particles impetuously stirred up For Sulphur is of an exceeding fierce and untamed Nature whose little bodies when the yoak of the mixture being shook off they begin to be thickly heaped together diffuse themselves on every side like a torrent break whatsoever obstacles are in the Subject destroy whatever comes in opposition or fling it down headlong Nor do they only unlock their proper Subjects but also lay open the gates and doors of any other Subject near that they can reach to and there incite to the like fury all the consimilary Particles of Sulphur and provoke them to an eruption wherefore fire every where inkindles fire The Sulphureous Particles while they heaped together within the confines of their Subject or on its Superficies are agitated with a rapid motion but are detained by the Embrace of other little Bodies from a more free eruption and more aggregated constitute the form of fire as is to be seen in burning Coals or in glowing Iron but when these sort of Particles fly away by heaps from the same Subject and bound together they produce flame which is only an heap or rather a torrent of the Particles of Sulphur flowing together and conjunctly flying away if Watery Earthy and Saline Particles are commixt with the Sulphureous breaking away and are able to disjoyn and separate them only smoke is excited which afterwards the Sulphureous little Bodies more plentifully breathing forth themselves and getting together breaks forth into flame The inkindling of Fire happens very many ways The first and most simple is when from hard bodies struck one against another but oftenest from a Flint struck against Steel sparks of fire break forth which being received in Tinder made of a Linnen Cloth burnt to blackness dilate themselves and then a Match or Sulphurated thing being applyed they cause the inkindling of a flame Secondly a fire often happens in dry Wood and dry
common manner of this sort are among Simples common Sulphur and Sal Nitre among Compounds Gun-Powder and Aurum Fulminans Concerning common Sulphur we may observe that it quickly catches fire heat it immediatly breaks forth into flame such as nothing besides that by its deflagration it puts out the Kitchen fire that it sends forth a blueish flame and whitens all objects with its Smoke or Soot If you behold the matter of this Subject or the parts of which the mixture is composed its Spagyrical Analysis will exhibit great plenty of pure Sulphur a moderate quantity of Vitriolic Salt a little of Spirit Water and Earth For when common Sulphur is dissolved by the Spirit of Turpentine the Sulphureous part impregnates the Menstruum with a very deep Tincture and the Saline grows into Crystals or when it is fired under a Bell the Sulphur wholly burns in the mean time the Salt being resolved and having taken a Flux is fixed about the sides of the Vessel and so exhibits a Liquor most like the Spirit of Vitriol or rather the very same To which add if you mingle the Oyl of Vitriol and Antimony together and distill it in a Retort a Yellow Sulphur just like the common will be Sublimed in the neck of the Retort I say therefore because there are very many Particles of Sulphur in this Concrete and that they lie loose and unbound in the mixture to wit neither divided and separated by the coming between of Earth or Water nor much bound together by Salt therefore they are of a most prompt motion wherefore by the least spark of fire they break forth from the loose frame and because very many run forth adoors together therefore not a naked fire as in every Combustible thing besides but first of all and immediatly a flame is inkindled It s flame becomes blueish because 't is almost pure Sulphur that burns not mixed with the Particles of Water and Earth as it is in Wood or Straw The very same thing happens to Spirit of Wine being inflamed It extinguishes the Kitchen fire by reason of the little Bodies of Vitriolic Salt left behind and the same being eventilated with the flame and fume of Sulphur gives a white colour to things the like to which the Effluvia's exhaled from the Spirit of Vitriol or Stygian Waters do effect Concerning Sal Nitre we will take notice that it is not to be inkindled at all by it self but to be melted by an intense fire but being mixed with any Sulphureous things it breaks forth into a flame with a certain force and explosion For being added to common Sulphur Antimony or Tartar it burns with a thundering noise also if you put into melted Nitre a burning Cole or Wood the flame is exploded round about with a wind so that the matter put in is flung up and down here and there and often times flung clear out of the Vessel by this kind of deflagration what is Nitrous is consumed the fixed Salt which is Tartar remains When Nitre is distilled Sand or Brick dust is mixt with it in a double quantity at least otherwise the Nitre melting is not at all loosened into a vapor In the distilling the vapor sent forth is very red so that the Receptacle shines with a splendor as if a flame were shut up within it a sharp corrosive Liquor is stilled forth which dissolves most Metals also Gold These things being truly weighed it seems that this mixture consists chiefly of aboundance of Salt and a little Sulphur but these not fixed and idle but either exalted and ready for motion and not without a certain resistance bound together to wit the Sulphureous little Bodies being rouled about by the Saline and as it were strictly pressed still endeavour to get forth but being strictly bound within they are not able to rise forth by their own strength or endeavour but as soon as by the mixture and inkindling of another Sulphureous Body the Particles of the Salt are disjoyned and their Prisons unlocked presently the included little Bodies of Sulphur as it were breaking Prison fling themselves forth with violence remove every Obstacle and strike the Air violently with a sudden eruption The reason why fire doth not inkindle Nitre being inclosed in a Vessel but only melts it when in the mean time any Sulphureous matter being fired makes it to flame forth with a noise is because the little Bodies which fall away from the fire enter the Nitre make it a little loose and dissociate the concretion of the Salt but not so loosen it that a way may be made for the included Sulphur but by the addition of Sulphureous things the Saline compaction is more dissolved and is so far unlocked that the Particles of the inclosed Sulphur fly away all together and being freed from their straightness do hugely stretch themselves abroad and seek greedily an immense space That there is plenty of Sulphur in Nitre besides its deflagration the Genesis of it sufficiently testifies for it is begot chiefly in places where the Sulphureous Excrements of Animals abound The use of it in agriculture argues the same thing because the fertility of the Earth depends very much upon it And to this also the flaming colour shining in the distilling may persuade From these premises it will not be difficult to unfold the nature of Gun-Powder used in Warlike Instruments For the sudden firing and vehement explosion of it arise for that those very many and almost infinite Particles of Sulphur which constitute that fire-dilating Body being fired fly away together in a moment all which breaking forth at once a force being made and desiring a most free and ample space for their expansion violently move the Air and all obstacles and so are exploded or thrust forth with a noise There is in this mixture common Sulphur put because its Particles are loose and ready for motion and therefore apt to move a quick inkindling there is added Charcoal dust because in that also the little Sulphureous Bodies as is seen in Tinder that is made of half burnt Linnen are brought to the very top of eruption and therefore these presently conceive an inkindling and both these being fired and opposed to the Nitre they quickly loosen its frame and send forth the Sulphureous Particles inclosed in it which indeed break forth from their impediments with a force and as the blast of a Bellows encrease the strength of the whole in firing The Charcoal dust is added in a moderate quantity though it abounds with Terrestrial matter yet by reason of the Sulphur being carried forth in it it accelerates the deflagration of this mixture For the Coal and Nitre being beaten together is sooner fired and with a greater explosion than Nitre and Sulphur But if the Coals be added to this Composition as they are wont to make it for Cannon and great Guns in a greater quantity than it ought and improportionate to the Nitre the immediat firing is somwhat
retarded by reason of the interjection of the Earthy matter and it happens that the Sulphureous little Bodies therein apt to be too hastily inkindled are a little disjoyned and so the substance of the infused powder takes fire successively and by parts and not all at once The reason of Aurum Fulminans does not so manifestly appear but it seems wonderful that the Calx of a Metal otherways inviolable by fire should be brought into a powder one grane of which if it be but lightly heated by fire is exploded with so great a force and yields such a noise that is an hundred fold beyond Gun-powder I know many deduce the cause of this as in Gun-powder from a Nitrous-Sulphureous mixture For they suppose the Nitre drawn forth from the solvent Menstruum to joyn together with the Sulphur of the Metal and so the powder from thence prepared to get that fulminating force But in truth if this matter be better thought on it will appear far otherways because this golden thundring powder is not at all inkindled as preparations of Nitre with Sulphur for if fire be put to it it goes off only successively by grains nor as in Gun-powder doth the whole fulminate at once but being put into an Iron Silver or other convenient Vessel and for some time heated by a sudden fire at length all the Particles being stirred together into motion it is exploded with a mighty noise but yet being explosed it yields neither flame nor sparks neither is the Gold lost For if this powder fulminates in an open Vessel whatsoever is of the Gold remains after the thundering in the form of a purple powder and may be gathered up That the genuine cause of this may be extricated there are some things to be observed concerning its preparations which will give no small light For the making of this powder it is altogether requisite that a solution of Gold be made with a Menstruum impregnated with Sal Armoniack or at least Analogical to it for I have tryed it in vain with the Spirit of Nitre Salt with the Bezoartic Spirit and some others Then next it is requisite that the Calx be precipitated with Oyl of Tartar for if the same be brought into a powder with Silver or Mercury being cast in it loses its thundring force Also if the Liquor of the Tartar be too precipitately poured in that with the great heat a repercussion of the thing soluted be made it often loses its fulminating virtue but a precipitation being leisurely made the powder setling in the bottom is washed away by the often pouring on of warm water which though it be most often washed and dryed far exceeds the weight of the dissolved Gold According to these positions in seems most likely that whilst the Gold is dissolved by an appropriate Menstruum for this business some little Bodies of Sal Armoniack or some other resembling it being greatly akin to the Gold do most strictly cohere with its Particles which then by the Salt of Tartar leisurely in the precipitating infused are more fixed and more strictly tyed fast together and then the explosion of this powder or Solary Calx is nothing else than a violent eruption of those kind of Salts from the Cohesion or Embrace of the Gold For when the powder prepared after this manner is brought to the fire or is otherways made hot the heat causes the Sal-Armoniack Particles or others of the same nature affixed to the Solar to dissociate which notwithstanding when they hardly depart one from another are not pulled asunder but by a strong and continued heat yet afterwards being pulled asunder with a certain force by reason of the sudden and violent breaking off they strike the Air impetuously and so cause a most strong noise for their bulk But in the mean time if the explosion be made under a Silver Spoon you will see a separation made of either Particles here the Solar of a Purple colour there the Saline of an Ash colour But that this powder doth not make a noise unless it be leisurely precipitated with the Oyl of Tartar it is because some Particles of the Salt of Tartar being before bound together with the Sal-Armoniac Particles do couple together by which means all are more strongly combined For the Salt of Tartar being pounded with the mixture of Nitre and Sulphur fixes their Particles for a time that this Composition is not presently inkindled by heat but afterwards is exploded with a strong noise And powder prepared after this manner seems to imitate the Nature of Aurum Fulminans and it is probable that from other Minerals dissolved and precipitated by reason of the strict Cohesions of the Salt with the Metallic matter and their violent abruptions thundering Calxes may be prepared That truly the preparation of this chiefly depends on the Combination of the Salts it appears because if in the Precipitating as I have known it somtimes to have hapned the Oyl of Tartar being too hastily infused the Complexion of the Salts is dissolved with the Metallic matter the powder falls in small quantity to the bottom and of a very Purple colour whose grains are fragments of almost most pure Gold and therefore they do not fulminate at all afterwards in that precipitated Liquor very many slender Crystals grow together which are indeed the Salts having suffered a Divorce from the Metal Besides That the Salt of Tartar brings somthing to the preparation of this powder it is a sign because those things which take away the fulminating force from this are of the same Nature which chiefly work upon the Salt of Tartar as a beating it together with common Sulphur Spirit of Salt Oyl of Vitriol or of Sulphur for these grow hot and greedily desire to be joyned with the Salt of Tartar and so they call it away from the Embraces of the Gold by which means the Combination of the Salts with the Particles of the Gold is loosned and therefore loses its Gun-like force What is commonly said that this powder will be presently inkindled or exploded by a most light heat or by shaking it in an Iron Ladle is nothing true as appears to me for I have often tryed it Nor is it more worthy of belief what is said that this only forces downwards and breaks the thickest hollow Pipes with its force in the mean time that it doth not move or shake any thing laid over it because long since I made tryal after this manner two grains of this being laid in a Silver Spoon I covered with a Doller then a Candle being held under the Spoon upon the explosion of the powder there followed a great noise and there was a little hollow made in the bottom of the Spoon almost through and the piece of mony was carried up with a force to the Cieling wherefore when this Aurum Fulminans is explosed its force is diffused round Altho vehement heat and incited and also the emission of Smoke and Soot
Urine not without a pleasant Spectacle If you pour upon warm blood the spirit of Wine Harts Horn Soot Vitriol or other Liquors chiefly Spirituous or Saline a wonderful Ebullition and heat is stirred up whence we may conjecture after what manner it grows turgid in Feavers But before the rest the Salt of Tartar and a Solution of Alum procure both in Blood and in Urin a great perturbation of the Liquor and falling down of the parts for these disturb all the Contents in the pores and passages of the Liquor and by their astriction very much lock them up for a long time Precipitation in Artificial things is of greater note and use for this for the most part follows Dissolutions and succeeds them as it were by a certain right of Order because this takes out of their Jaws and as it were lays by the prey which all Menstrua take by dissolving According to the diversity of the Menstruum and of the Body dissolved Precipitation also variously happens but in some Subjects there are two chief remarkable things concerning the manner of Precipitation to wit the soluted Particles immersed in the pores and passages of the Menstruum are wont to fall out of them either by reason of the narrowness of the conteining space or else by reason of the Contents being increased in weight and bigness for in some the pores of the Solvent being either leisurely bound up or beset with a strange Body shut forth from their Cells the little Bodies of the thing soluted and send them to the bottom as may be observed in Sulphureous Solutions or such as are made of the whole mixture of integral parts in a thin Liquor which are disturbed and lay away their Contents by external cold simple water or at least by any Acid infusion After this manner resinous Tinctures also of Sulphur Olibanum Benzoin and the infusions and decoctions of Vegetables also Urin Milk and Blood are wont to be Precipitated but in several others besides that the pores and passages of the Menstruum are either leisurely drawn together or possessed by a new guest also somthing new grows to the Particles of the thing soluted from the Precipitating matter whereby being increased in weight and bulk they can be no longer sustained but that they are necessitated to sink to the bottom This is chiefly seen in the Saline Solutions of Minerals which are only Precipitated by the Salts whose Particles presently cleave to the little Bodies of the thing soluted and increase their substance that presently they descend to the bottom by their own weight For in Saline solutions the little Bodies of the thing soluted are strictly bound together by the fluid Menstruum with the Saline Particles and the Particles run hastily and are heaped together into the Embraces of the same fluid Salt from the Precipitating infusion of the fixed Salt wherefore when these three to wit the little Bodies of either Salt and of the soluted matter do cohere together they constitute greater grains than can be contained in the narrow spaces of the Menstruum and therefore being thrust out they fall down towards the bottom That this does truly happen after this manner the great affinity both of the fluid and fixed Salt is a sign that the Particles of both being placed near or mixed together are presently combined in one also because many solutions of Minerals are presently Precipitated by a fixed Salt but not by Vitriol or Alum being put in which do much more bind and stop up the pores of the Liquor Thirdly it appears clearly even to sense because that the matter put for a Precipitate far exceeds the thing soluted in bulk and weight and is impregnated by the fixed Salt adhering to it But these being thus disposed we will descend to the particular cases of Percipitations forasmuch as Precipitation is made manifold to wit according to the diversity of the Menstruum of the soluted matter and the Precipitating infusion Simple water though it do not well sustain the Particles of the mixture which it receives into it self by infusion or Cohesion yet hardly sends them away by Precipitation For the pores of this Menstruum are too open and loose wherefore the Precipitating matter doth not easily strike the little Bodies of the thing soluted in the mean time by reason of the more loose frame of the Menstruum some parts of the soluted Body sink down others of their own accord evaporate from whence that Liquor doth not long keep the Virtues or Tincture with which they are impregnated by another As some more thick parts and Terrestrial may be thrust down to the bottom or otherways separated we put in the Juice of Limons or some acid thing or boil in it the whites of Eggs to wit that whatsoever is thick might cleave to their viscous substance Spirituous and Sulphureous Menstrua being impregnated with the Sulphureous Particles of the thing soluted easily lay by their burthen for they are Precipitated by common or any Distilled water as is seen in Sulphureous and Resinous Tinctures of Sulphur Scammony Benzoin Frankincense and others of that kind prepared by the Spirit of Wine or Oyl of Turpentine which presently grow Milky by Water or Phlegm being infused For in these sort of solutions the pores are wholly possessed that they admit nothing besides the thing soluted and besides both the Liquor and soluted Matter are so thin that they easily give place to any thing else being infused When Menstruas of this kind are filled with Saline Particles as we may observe in the Tinctures of the Salt of Corrals of Tartar and such like Precipitation does not presently succeed from common water but from an Acid Liquor as the Spirit of Vitriol Salt c. Saline Menstruas impregnated by the solutions of Stones or Metals are most easily Precipitated by Saline Particles and scarce by others The chief Precipitatory Liquor is the Salt of Tartar or of Herbs burnt to Ashes deliquated or melted for this strikes back the Particles of every soluted thing whatsoever and sends them headlong to the bottom to wit forasmuch as it passes through every where the little spaces of the solvent and sticking to the Contents increases them in bulk that they more easily fall out of the pores of the Menstruum bound also together with their own weight What fluid Salt as Vinegar Stygian waters c. dissolves the same a fixed Salt precipitates and on the contrary because Salt of Tartar being melted most excellently penetrates common Sulphur and receives the Tincture which then is precipitated by a fluid Salt viz. by the Spirit of Vitriol and the like which indeed does not happen by reason of the disagreeing Particles of the Salts and mutually opposing one another but for that the same are greatly of kin and rush into mutual Embraces for from hence the little grains of the thing soluted by reason of the cohering of both the Salts together being increased in bulk and weight are more
destinated as it were by Nature that they might find out Subjects agreeable to themselves and having through War obtained Peace they might at length be more strictly united to them wherefore when Saline Menstruums corrode Stones or Metals they are Coagulated with their Particles and grow together into diversly figured Crystals When we here treat of Coagulation we do not take this word after the usual manner to wit as it is wont to be vulgarly usurped when Milk is become congealed that is departs from its simple and equal Liquor into Heterogeneous substances viz. Cheese or Curds and Whey or thick and thin in like manner when blood or other humors go into parts after that manner they are said to be coagulated also we have elsewhere given this sense to this word tho to speak properly these sort of motions ought rather to be referred to Precipitation than to Coagulation But here we would have to be understood by the term Coagulation an alteration in Bodies of the same kind as when things at first tender and soft grow hard into a stiff and as it were stony matter or any thing is said to coagulate when Saline little Bodies being dispersed abroad in any Subject begin to be congregated and joyned together and from thence united either among themselves or with Earth produce out of a soft and fluid substance a hard and compacted This may be perceived in the shells clearly stony of Fruits and Seed in Bones and Horns of living Creatures in Shells and Shelly scurffs of Fishes all which indeed very much abound with an Alcali Salt or the same Volatilized Among Handicrafts or preparations from human Industry the Crystalisation Vitrification of Salts or making of Glass also the baking of Pots and Earthen ware ought to be referred to Coagulation But it is properly called Congelation when the Saline Particles coming from elsewhere strictkly bind together the Subjects on which they fall fix the Particles variously moved within the substance of the mixture and gather them together that by that means the whole becomes stiff and as it were stony We may behold these kind of effects in Ice and Frost by which soft Mud or fluid Springs of waters grow stiff into a very Marble substance Also the same is manifestly beheld among the Operations of Art in the confusions of some Salts and mutual Concretion in Sublimating by which means they go into a substance now like to Ice now to Snow To which may be added the Artificial turning of water to Ice which is performed by the mixture of Salt and Snow but the instances which we have remarked in either of these about the Works of Art we will in this place briefly run through and a little consider the reasons of them and the ways of being done The Crystalisation of Salts is procured after this manner Salts of every kind are throughly dissolved in common water and their Particles being dispersed through the whole mass of the Liquor wholly disappear afterwards if this liquor be somwhat evaporated that its passages and pores be somthing bound together the little Bodies of the Salt close one with another and mutually take hold of themselves and joyn together the outward cold binding them and are figured in the midst of the water into Crystals proper to their Nature By this means Sal Nitre into Pyramids Sea Salt into Cubes Alum into eight cornered Figures Sal Armoniack into six cornered and other Salts are formed into other Figures of their own accord after a constant manner If the Reason of this be sought after we say that these kind of Salts are not simple Elements but Bodies made up of abundance of Salt with the other Elements mixed with them in small quantity which even as other Natural Concretes are allotted by the first Creator peculiar manners of figurations according to the surpassing strength of Salt and Spirit and commixion with the rest For in determining the Figures of Natural Bodies Spirit and Salt are as the Rule and Compass in describing Mathematical Figures Spirit as the moveable Foot of the Compass or as a Pensil in the hand of an Artist variously excurs and draws here and there diverse fashioned lineaments But salt as the applyed Rule moderates the excursions of the other and determinates them and restrains them within the confines designed by Nature when the Spirit is more powerful than the Salt there happens a greater variety in the Figuration of things as in Vegetables and Animals because the Spirit running forth more largely forms very many Marks of its Pourtracture and describes Bodies not in right Lines but intorted and very much variegated Where the Salt Lords it over the Spirit as in Mineral Concretes and chiefly Saline Bodies grow together in less adorned Figures and are accounted the first and more simple and of that sort as the Mathematical descriptions in right Lines or Circles For those Salts are as it were second Elements and from the implanting of them in Bodies the proper and native Figures of things very much depend and therefore they themselves are primitively imbued by Nature with a certain Elementary Configuration so that according to Plato God in truth exercises Geometry and the first regular Figures are formed in the more simple that things compounded of them might arise furnished with all manner of variety of figures The fixed Salts of Herbs being prepared by Calcination because they are almost destitute of the Fellowship of Spirits do scarce go at all into Crystals nor are they coagulated but by a long evaporation Sea Salt containing a very little Spirit with great Labour goes into Cubes Next to this Alum guifted with a little more Spirit is more easily coagulated and grows into more elaborate Figures viz. eight cornered Sal Nitre swelling with spirit is most easily coagulated and is framed into a more perfect Figure viz. Pyramidical which consists of both Spherical and Right Lines But Volatile Salt such as is distilled out of Urine Blood and the Horns of living Creatures being associated with a plentiful Spirit is drawn into Concretes very much varying which imitate now the Horns of Staggs now the Figures of Plants Out of Mercury with Salt or the Calx of Silver by an Amalgama in the midst of the waters a Silver Tree is formed with Stock Trunk and Branches painted to the Life It is a usual thing in the Winter time for the Air impregnated with Saline Vapors and fallen on the Glass Windows to be condensed into most fair Figures of Trees and Woods So much for the Crystallisation of Salts The other Species of Coagulation is Vitrification of which we will speak next Vitrification which is also said to be the last mutation of Bodies of which Nature is capable and from which there is no going back depends upon a fused Salt and united to an Earthy matter even to its smallest Particle for when either matter is fused by a most vehement fire and divided in its smallest parts the Bodies of
is only a double Tertian and doth arise from a dispersed matter having gotten a twofold Nest to which I cannot assent and I suppose its begining is to be attributed to a peculiar Dyscrasie of the Blood In this the symptoms of cold and heat are more remiss but its fit is longer continued and oftentimes it is wont to last eighteen or twenty hours This Feaver for the most part follows a Tertian for when the Vital Spirit is very much flown away by the frequent deflagration of the Blood and the Feaverish disposition still remaining the Blood is made weaker it doth not concoct the nourishing Juice or ripen it but perverts almost the whole into a Fermentative matter wherefore it comes sooner to its increase and is gathered together to a plenitude of swelling up within double the time than at first But because the congested matter participates equally of crudity and adustion therefore the heat of the burning is lesser and more unequal and like green wood laid on the fire slowly burns for which reason the fit endures longer Somtimes it happens that a Quotidian Feaver doth arise without a Tertian going before viz. when a Feaverish disposition falls upon a Cacochymic Body or full of evil humors and stuffed with depraved Juices for then the Blood being poor in Spirits perverts in a greater measure the nutritious Juice and in a shorter time gathers to a fulness of swelling up But that which begins an every days Ague oftentimes changes its figure and becomes a Tertian just as a Tertian often goes into a Quotidian because between these Feavers and their causes there is a great vicinity and the constitution of the Blood being a little changed it makes a transition from one to another A Quotidian Intermitting Feaver is not so easily cured as a Tertian For whether it comes at first simple or follows upon another Intermitting Feaver it is still excited from a stronger cause and argues a greater dyscrasie of the Blood which will not presently give way to Remedies But also if this Feaver be of long continuance or comes upon another Chronical Disease it has most often adjoyned to it besides the taint of the Blood the infirmities of the inwards to wit the Blood being spoiled easily affixeth its impurities by degrees heaped up on the Viscera whilst it passes through their Meanders from hence it is that in a Quotidian Feaver the weight of the Ventricle an extension of the Hypochondria Obstructions or Tumors now of the Liver now of the Spleen or Mesentery are joyned together but these kind of distempers are not the cause of the Feaver as is commonly believed but only its product Wherefore in this Feaver besides the simple method of Cure which is shown in the Tertian many other intentions or coindications come under consideration to wit that the Ventricle be cleansed from its load of humors the stuffings of the Inwards freed Infirmities corroborated and that together with these the Dyscrasie of the Blood may be mended and the Accessions of the Feaver may be restrained must by all means be endeavoured from whence by reason of these kind of various intentions we come to the Cure by a longer way In this case Vomits if strength will bear them are of benefit before all other Medicines also Purges whereby the assiduous supply of Excrementitious matter may be drawn forth are often to be repeated Besides these digestive Remedies openers of Obstructions such as restore the Ferment of the Viscera and Blood and correct their evil dispositions are frequently to be administred Wherefore the fixed Salts of Herbs and their Extracts Acid Spirits of Minerals and somtimes preparations of Steel do very much help concerning these main things the task will be hard when by reason of the manifold evil many things are to be done together yet by reason of the assiduity of the Feaverish fit there is leisure for the sick to use few only In Distempers so complicated tho the reason of the method requires the impediments to be first removed and then to Cure the Disease yet I have known this kind of Feaver beset with many other distempers in a Body full of humors often Cured without method and by an Empirical way viz. after a light provision of the whole Ague-resisting Remedies being outwardly applyed have at first stopped the Feaverish fit that then there was time for the Curing the other distempers and more happy occasions of healing were granted I lately visited a Noble Lady who being long indued with a Cachectical habit of Body a month after her lying in being weak and languishing was taken with a quotidian Intermitting Feaver after six or seven fits of it her strength was so much cast down that she could scarce rise out of or sit up in her Bed nor able to take never so little Food tho very slender but upon it most grievous molestations were raised up in her stomach besides the Region of her Ventricle and left Hypochondrium was wholly beset with a hard shining tumor and cruelly painful by reason of her strength being mightily cast down there was no place left for Evacuation but the use of Clysters also her Stomach being very weak loathed all other Remedies unless very grateful and only in a very small quantity In this difficult case circumscribed between narrow limits of Curing I counselled these few things to wit that twice in a day she should take this mixture viz. The magisterial water of Earth-worms two Ounces of Elixer Proprietatis twelve drops Moreover I ordered to be applyed to her Ventricle a Fomentation of the Leaves of Sea-Wormwood Centaury Southernwood with the Roots of Gentian boiled in White-Wine in an open Vessel also that after the Fomentation a Cake of Tosted-Bread and dipped in the same Liquor should be worn upon her Stomach besides Ague-resisting Medicines were ordered for her wrists and with these Remedies only she mist her Ague fit on the third day and remained free from it afterwards then by the use of Chalybeat Remedies she became perfectly well within a short time CHAP. VI. Of a Quartan Feaver IN a Quartan Feaver the period is longer than in the rest to wit which is extended to the fourth day inclusively also its continuance uses to be longer and its cure harder because this Disease is protracted for many months yea oftentimes for years and seldom or scarce at all is cured by Medicines The Fit for the most part begins with cold and shaking to which a very troublesome heat succeeds but more remiss than in a Tertian Sweat for the most part concludes the Fit At the first coming of the Disease the Fits are more grievous and very infestous and keep the sick in their Beds yea they make them lose their strength and vigour of Body But afterwards the trouble is more easily born so that the Fits are suffer'd out of Bed and somtimes in a Journy or being about any business If it continue long it induces the Scurvy or Hypochondriac
growing hot and which constitutes a distinct kind of continual Feaver is excited from a certain malignant and invenomed Ferment by which when the mass of the Blood is imbued and the Spirits and the Sulphureous part together conceive an heat and their burning is not sooner appeased than that either that malignant matter be consumed and cast forth of doors or else a certain coagulation and as it were putrefaction of the Blood from its corruptive venom is induced by which both circulation is hindered and the Vital Spirit extinguished This malignity is wont to arise either from a certain contagion received from without or from some infection begotten within us according to these ways the malignant Feaver Small-pox Measels and also the Plague draw their beginnings and by their contagion far and near set upon many There are therefore three degrees or manners of growing hot by which the kinds of continual Feavers are determined From the subtil portion of the Blood made hot or the Ebullition of the Spirits the Ephemera arises as also the Synochus of one or more days by the Sulphureous or Oily part of the Blood being too hot and inkindled the putrid Feaver is stirred up then thirdly upon an invenomed taint infecting the Blood and congealing its Liquor malignant Feavers depend In every one of these by the depravation or rather corruption of the Alible Juice fresh carried into the Blood the various fits inequalities and critical motions arise But before I enter upon the several kinds of a continued Feaver it is requisite for me to consider how the growing hot of the Blood in a continual Feaver differs from that other which constitutes Intermitting Feavers I say therefore that the growing hot of the Blood in an Intermitting Feaver depends only upon the commixtion of a certain Fermentative matter and not rightly miscible with the Blood and on its growing up to a fulness of boiling over Because of this heat with the Blood in the Vessels and of the deflagration in the Heart the fit is induced because of its growing cool the intermission follows that in the coming between of the fits neither the Spirits nor Sulphur become outragious but the bond of the mixture being kept whole the Liquor is circulated in the Vessels equally and without trouble on the contrary in a continual Feaver the disorders of the Spirits and of Sulphur of either or both together by their proper Ebullition also without the mixture of any other stir up the Ebullition of the Blood wherefore there are required for an intermission besides the difflation or cooling of the Excrementitious matter a deflagration of the inkindled Blood and a reduction of it to its due Temper The Constitution of the Blood in a continual Feaver is of the same sort as of Wines when they grow hot upon too rich a Lee to wit are mighty in Spirit and grow turgid with exalted Sulphur and therefore they conceive a Fervor and greatly boil up of their own accord without the mixture of any other thing In an Intermitting Feaver the Blood is moved after that manner as Wines when they conceive an heat because of somthing poured to them that is not miscible with them Moreover in this Feaver the disposition of the Blood is of that sort as of Wines when in their decay and declination they become ropy unsavory or acid to wit in which the Spirit is depressed that in the mean time either Salt or Sulphur or both together appear above the rest and infect the whole Liquor with their disorder An Intermitting Feaver for the most part is free from danger because the constitutive parts of the Blood altho they should somwhat change their disposition however keep the bond of mixture and whilst they are in power are circulated equally in the Vessels yea they pervert the nutritious Juice into a matter not altogether besides Nature but rather infesting with its fulness and turgescency In a continual Feaver besides the intemperance the mixture of the Blood and constitution of the Liquor are somwhat loosned and its corruption easily follows wherefore this Disease often ends in death further the nourishing Juice is depraved into a matter wholly vitious and altogether infestous to Nature CHAP. VIII Of the Ephemera or Feaver for a Day I Have said the least degree of heat which induces a continual Feaver is placed in the subtil and Spirituous part of the Blood being too much agitated and heated for this like the Spirit of Wine boils up on every light occasion and conceives a fervor by a too great motion of the Body or perturbation of mind by the ambient heat as of the Sun or vapours by hot things taken inwardly as the drinking of Wine and the eating of peppered meats and being irritated by such like For the Spirits of the Blood easily take fire and being impetuously moved are not presently appeased but they move throughly other Particles of the Blood variously confound and snatch them into a rapid and disorderly motion also from this motion of the Spirits the Sulphur or Oily part of the Blood is more boiled forth somwhat more dissolved and somthing more fully inkindled in the Heart by which means an intense heat is raised up in the whole Body But forasmuch as Sulphur is inkindled and inflamed only by small parts and not in the whole that fervor of the Spirits is quickly appeased and ceases wherefore the Feaver which is excited by this means for the most part is terminated within twenty four hours and therefore is called an Ephemera or a Feaver of a day If that by reason of a greater heat of the Spirituous Blood it is prolonged further it rarely exceeds three days and is called an Ephemera of more days or a Synochus not putrid but if it should happen to be lengthned beyond this time this Feaver easily passes into a putrid viz. from the dayly Ebullition of the Spirituous Blood the more thick Particles of the Sulphur at length begin to take fire and involve the whole mass of Blood in its Effervescency even as the Spirit of Turpentine being shut up in a Cucurbit and being put into a Sand Furnace if it be forced with a moderate heat boils up gently as the Blood in a Feaver of a day but if the heat be made more strong the Liquor grows impetuously hot till it breaks forth into a flame to which the inflamation of the Blood in a putrid Feaver may be very aptly compared The Days Feaver and Synochus simple rarely begin without an evident cause Besides what hath been but now said immoderate Labour Watchings a sudden passion of the mind a constriction of the pores a Surfeit also a Bubo or inflamed Sore a Wound the coming down of the Milk in Child-bearing Women are wont to induce them The procatartic Causes which dispose to this are an hot temper of Body an active habit a sedentary life and difuse of exercise The chief beginnings of this Disease depend upon the
presence of the evident cause for either little Bodies of extraneous heat being confused with the Blood like water boiling over the fire make it to boil up or this Feaver is induced by motion or by reason of transpiration being stopped even as Wines made hot by motion or when too closely stopped in the Ton are put into a Fervor but what way soever an inflamation is first excited presently the Spirits become enraged and being moved hither and thither compel the Blood to boil up and to be inlarged into a greater space with a spumous rarefaction wherefore the Vessels are distended and the membranous parts hauled hence follow pain chiefly in the Head and Loins a spontaneous weariness and as it were an inflation of the whole Body If that with the Spirit of the Blood a certain Sulphureous part be also in some measure inkindled a sharp heat is diffused through the whole the Pulse is vehement and quick the Urine red also thirst watchings and many other symptoms infest the reasons of which are added hereafter Concerning the Solution or Crisis of the Ephemeran Feaver and of the not putrid Synochus three things are chiefly requisite viz. a removing of the evident cause secondly a separation and a scattering of the depraved or excrementitious matter from the mass of Blood Thirdly a quieting of the parts of the Blood and a restitution of them to their natural and equal motion and site According as these succeed now more suddenly now more slowly and difficully this Disease is finished in a shorter or longer time 1. The evident cause which for the most part is extrinsick is easily removed and the sick are wont presently to avoid the presence or assiduity of that thing and do perceive a sense of any thing that is hurtful none taking a Feaver from Wine will still indulge the drinking of it as soon as any one grows more than usually hot in a Bath or the heat of the Sun 't is a trouble to them to stay longer 2. As to the Excrementitious matter which ought to be scattered and separated from the Blood this is either brought from without as when the Blood is infected by surfeit drinking of Wine sitting in the Sun or from a too hot Bath with Effluvia or little dry and Fermentative Bodies or this matter is begotten within as when its Liquor is stuffed with recrements or adust Particles from the deflagration of the Blood Either of these matters ought to be separated from the Blood to be dispersed and either by sweat or insensible breathing forth to be thrust out of doors before the Feaver be appeased wherefore when as the pores are bound up and transpiration hindred the Ephemeran Feaver is longer protracted and somtimes passes from a simple Synochus into a putrid 3. The evident cause being removed and this degenerate matter dispersed there is required for the remission a quieting and reducing into order the parts of the Blood for diverse Particles of the Blood being after this manner confused and by reason of the Feaverish heat carried up and down they do not presently get again the former order of situation and position but it is needful that they be by degrees extricated and by little and little restored to a just mixture Although this Disease after the removing of the evident cause for the most part ceases of its own accord within a while yet some Medicinal Remedies may be administred with good success especially when there is danger lest the Ephemeran Feaver should pass into a putrid The chief intentions should be to suppress the fervor of the Blood and to procure a more free transpiration to the which conduce first a breathing of a Vein a slender diet or rather abstinency cooling drinks and a bringing away the filth of the Belly by Clysters Sleep and Rest greatly help above all the rest which if wanting should be procured in time by Opiats and Anodynes Verily altho the Histories and Observations of those distempered with an Ephemeran Feaver contain in themselves nothing very rare yet I shall subjoin an example or two in this place whereby the delineation or type of this Disease may be illustrated A certain young Gentleman about twenty years of Age endued with a strong habit of Body by the immoderate drinking of strong Wine fell into a Feaverish distemper with thirst heat and with a great burning of his Precordia being let Blood he drank a great quantity of fair water and upon it presently a plentiful sweat following he grew shortly well In this case the more thin portion of the Blood being heated by the Spirits of the Wine fell into a rage caused the whole mass of Blood to be shaken and its frame to be loosned more than t was wont and for that reason that hapned to be more dissolved by the Ferment of the Heart and to be as it were inkindled by the active Particles loosned from the mixture until the Vessels being emptied by Phlebotomy the raging Blood was cooled and by the drinking of the water its fervor was attempered then the hot Effluvia being involved together with the adust matter with a copious Serum and sent away by Sweat the Blood at length recovered its due temper Moreover an ingenious young man of a sedentary life and also very much addicted to the Study of Learning when he had for somtime exercised himself beyond his strength in the hot Sunshine he began to complain of the pain of his head a want of Appetite a heat of his Precordia and of a Feaverish distemper all over to whom for that he was wholly averse to Physick I ordered an abstinence from all things whatsoever unless from Small-Beer and Grewel on the second day and so more on the third the symptoms remitted by little and little on the fourth he went home freed from the Feaver without any Medicine CHAP. IX Of a Putrid Feaver SO much for a Continual Feaver which is raised from the most simple heating of the Blood or its lowest degree of inordinate heat that which depends on a greater degree of heat follows viz. when the Oily or Sulphureous part of the Blood being too much heated swells up above measure and as it were forced into a flame and therefore from the similitude by which humid things putrifying conceive an heat this kind of Ebullition of the Blood because it induces an immoderate heat is called a putrid Feaver which name ought to be retained without injury because that in this Feaver the Synthesis of the Blood as is wont to happen in putrifying Liquors is very much unlocked When the Spirits only grow inraged as in an Ephemera the frame of the Blood is somwhat set open and loosened that it is more dissolved by the Ferment of the Heart than is wont and more Particles than naturally use to do leap forth and diffuse a more intense heat but yet the mixture of the Liquor as to its chief parts is conserved But when the Sulphureous matter taking
fire grows hot above measure the bond of the mixture for the greatest part is loosed that its Principles are almost wholly drawn away by the Ferment of the Heart and the active Particles being loosned from the mixture break forth as it were into a flame Wherefore the Liquor of the Blood being after this manner rarified in the Heart and as it were inkindled is from thence carried through the Vessels with a most rapid motion and disperses very many Effluvia of heat from its deflagration Hence the whole mass of Blood like water put over the fire continually boiling distends the Vessels pulls the Brain and Nervous parts raises up Convulsions and pains in them very much destroys the Vital Spirits with its heat wasts the Ferments of the Bowels hinders the Offices of concoction and dispensation often depraves the nourishing Juice destinated for the Nervous stock that from thence exceeding great disorders of the Animal Spirits follow yea almost perverts the whole oeconomy of Nature The course of this Disease shews it self after this manner It rarely begins without a procatartic cause or previous disposition to wit the Sulphureous or oily part of the Blood is first too much carried forth and exalted beyond its due tenor which afterwards either of its own accord like Hay not eventilated begins to grow hot or by the coming of an evident cause it is forced into a preternatural heat But when it grows turgid in the first place by reason of the admixtion of a crude Juice with the Blood now a shivering now heat infests which shew themselves unequally like fire which is covered with green wood sends forth now smoak now flame But at length the fire glowing more largely as here the victor fire spreads it self abroad so there sooner than said the whole mass of Blood is inflamed and is urged at once with heat and a most swift motion Nor is this immoderate heat of the Blood appeased before its active particles being loosned from the mixture and then successively inkindled in the Heart are wholly burned out which doth not happen but in the space of many days And then at length this Feaver ceases when the remaining Liquor of the Blood the Spirit and Sulphur being very much consumed being made lifeless and poor is fit only for a weak and small fermentation From this kind of deflagration of the Blood and also of the alible Juice by the same fire burnt out the recrements or little Bodies of torrified matter are heaped up in the Blood which yet do more promote its fervor and ebullition and for a time increase the Feaverish distemper After the Blood hath very much burned forth and these kind of little Bodies are gathered together to a fulness of swelling up the vital Spirit endeavors a separation and tries to concoct and to overcome what it may these adust recrements and then having put a great many of them into a swelling up a Flux being risen strives to shut them wholly out And indeed in the subaction and seclusion of this matter chiefly consists the event of this Disease for if the vital Spirit being strong the Bloody humor when it hath sufficiently burned forth and shall be freed from these adust particles should recover its pristine tenor whereby it is made fit for motion and a due fermentation in the Heart the sick tends towards health but if by a long deflagration and an inextricable confusion of the morbific matter the liquor of the Blood being wanting of Spirits and more pure Sulphur or those same by the impure mixture growing ill being as it were put under the yoak is rendred so lifeless that it is not any longer rarified by the ferment of the Heart or inkindled by degrees its heat and motion together with Life it self decays The procatartick causes which dispose to this Disease are an hot and humid Temper an active habit of Body a youthful Age the Spring time or Summer season a high and rich Dyet besides the often drinking of rich Wines a sedentâ—ry and idle life a Body full of gross humors and stuffed with vitious Juices but above all the rest it appears by observation that the frequent letting of Blood renders men more apt to Feavers wherefore it is commonly said from whom Blood is once drawn that unless they do the same every year they are prone to a Feaver The reason of this is unless I am deceiv'd by the frequent letting of Blood the Sulphur is more copiously gathered together in the mass of Blood in the mean time the Salt which should bridle it and hinder it from raging by this means is drawn away for the Blood the older it grows becomes so much the more Salt the Salt of all the Elements not evaporating But by how much the more the Blood abounds in Salt by so much the less it abounds in Sulphur for Salt eats and consumes the Sulphur and makes it evaporate wherefore they who are lean and abound with a Salt Blood are less prone to Feavers But when by the letting of Blood the ancient Blood is drawn forth in its stead another more rich and more impregnated with Sulphur is substituted so that it becomes less Salt and more Sulphurous Hence it is that those who often let Blood are not only prone to Feavers but also are wont to grow fat because of the Bloods being more impregnated with Sulphureous Juice The evident causes which deduce the latent disposition of this Feaver into act are of the same sort which procure an Ephemeran Feaver and simple Synochus in this rank chiefly come Transpiration being hindred and Surfeiting By reason of the effluvia being restrained the mass of the Blood being increased in bulk grows turgid and conceives a Fervor as it were from a certain ferment inspired anew and cruelly boyls up from thence presently the pores are more obstructed by the infartion of the effluvia and the frame of the Liquor being loosned the particles of the Sulphur exuberating in the Blood leap forth from the mixture and are inflamed by the ferment of the heart as it were by fire put to them and so they enkindle a very intense Feaver But from a Surfeit both an immoderate fermentation is induced in the Blood and also a nitrous Sulphureous matter apt for adustion and an inkindling is conveyed as it were food to the burning Blood In this Feaver four times or seasons are to be observed in which as it were so many posts or spaces its course is performed These are then The Beginning the Augmentation the Height and Declination These are wont to be finished in some sooner in others more slowly or in a longer time The beginning ought to be computed from the time the Blood begins to be made hot and its Sulphur to conceive a burning untill the ardors and burnings are diffused thorow the whole mass of Blood The Increase or Augmentation is from the time that the Blood being made hot and inkindled thorow the whole burns forth
and goes about this work only when Nature is strong and quiet that she may at once be at leisure for the operation of the Medicine and may have sufficient strength Nor is there less need of circumspection in sweating Medicines and Cordials which if administred in the Feaverish fit do too much strengthen the former violent motion of the Heart and oftentimes break its strength also when the Pulse is very languid if hot and strong Cordials are administred as when a small flame is troubled with a more strong blast of wind life is easily extinguished wherefore t is a vulgar observation that Cordials often accelerate death for that by too much troubling the Blood they sooner beat down strength There is yet the most need of the caution and direction of the Pulse in exhibiting narcoticks for these because they perform their work by extinguishing and fixing the too fierce vital spirits if used in a weak or inconstant Pulse either by diminishing the vital spirits render them wholly insufficient for the Disease or by suffocating them too much cause a perpetual sleep wherefore in a languid unequal or formicating or creeping Pulse opiats are to be shun'd more than a mad Dog or a Snake An unequal and intermitting Pulse has a most evil report from the writings of Physitians yet altho of an ill note does not so certainly portend death as a weak Pulse for I have known many to have recovered tho by those kind of signs condemned to the Grave because the inordination of the Spirits and the Blood may be more certainly and easily composed or allayed than their dejection restored 2. The inspection of Urines in Feavers before all other Diseases whatsoever hath more of certainty and is of greatest use for from hence the conditions of the sick and of the Disease are best known and the medical intentions concerning what is to be done are better directed what observations and rules concerning this thing are vulgarly set forth are so many that it would be almost an infinite labour and tediousness to recount them all it will be sufficient here to note the chief of them Concerning the Urines of persons in Feavers there are chiefly to be considered the colour consistency contents and subsidency or setling The colour of the Urine shews the measure or excess of heat in the Blood which as it is increased and becomes more remiss the Urine also is more or less red the cause of which is the ebullition of the Blood or the effervescency induced from the Feaver to the Blood by reason of which the particles of Salt and Sulphur implanted in the Blood humors and solid parts are more dissolved and incocted with the serum and impart to it a redness even as when Salt of Tartar and common Sulphur being mixed one with another and boiled in water impart a deep red colour to the Liquor The Urines of some are highly red when they are but a little or lightly Feaverish and on the contrary the Urines of others labouring with a Feaverish burning are less coloured Who abound with lively heat and a very hot Blood or are obnoxious to the Scurvy phthifis or hypochondriac distemper when by taking cold condensation surfeit or drinking of Wine they are troubled by any little Feaver they render a Urine strongly red for that the particles of Salt and Sulphur remain exalted in their Blood and before half loosned wherefore there is a necessity that the Feaver urging they are more boiled in the serum on the contrary they who are indued with a cold temper with a faint and weak Pulse being taken with a Feaver with a greater effervescency of the Blood render their Urine less coloured The consistency contents and subsidency of Urines being put as it were upon the same thrid depend all of them on the adust and recrementitious matter which is remaining in the Blood after the Feaverish deflagration if there shall be plenty of this the consistency of the Urine becomes somwhat thicker and after it has stood it is troubled by the cold but if there be a lesser quantity of this or otherways derived than to the Reins to wit by sweat or is called away by a critical translation to this or that part the consistency is made thinner and the Liquor remains clear Also the particles of this matter do inlarge the contents of the Urine which shew themselves diversly according as the nutricious Juice is now somwhat cooked and assimilated by the Blood now altogether perverted and carried into a putrifaction some signs of concoction and assimulation shew themselves in the Urines of Feaverish persons now a laudable Hypostasis now some marks and rudiments of the same A want of Hypostasis and the confusion and perturbation of the Urine denote the concoction vitiated But as this matter is more or less roasted in the Blood the contents are now of a pale now of a red colour like oker By reason that the recrements confounded with the Blood either the Spirit being strong begin to be overcome and separated or the same being depressed too much they are less able to be separated also the contents of the Urine are wont to be more or less sooner or slower separated from the rest of the Liquor and to sink down towards the bottom As to the Prognosticks to be taken from the Urine we may take notice that the colour of the Urine being somwhat more remiss the consistency mean the contents few and the subsiding free or easily collected into a Cloud portend good on the contrary a deep red a thick and troubled consistency thick and cloudy contents which slowly or scarce at all sink to the bottom denote a very great heat plenty of adust matter and its being brought under and secretion difficult or frustrated As to the Medicinal directions the business depends on this that we attend by the frequent inspection of the Urine the motion of Nature and be helpful to the same neither is it to be moved by purge or sweat but when a certain hypostasis of the Urine shews signs of concoction and separation I thought it needless to say any more here concerning this matter because those things are more largly handled elsewhere in a proper place which belong to Urines CHAP. XI Of the Kinds and Cure of a Putrid Synochus or contitinual Feaver ANd thus much for a Putrid Synochus in general in which is described its formal reason according to the accidents and symptoms which are commonly observed in its Figure there are besides I shall not say species but some varieties or irregularities of this Disease in which this Feaver somtimes declines from this common Rule and by reason of some accidental Distempers gets new names and distinctions In the first place therefore a Putrid Synochus is wont to be divided into Symptomatick and essential It is called Symptomatick which draws its beginning from some other Distemper or Disease before excited in the Body so that the Feaver is only a
Region or Tract of Land Secondly somtimes the Plague comes simple and unmixt with other Diseases wherefore privily and as it were by surprise almost without a Feaver or vehemency of symptoms brings a secret killing of the sick Somtimes it is complicated with a number of other Diseases that the business is carried with tumult and frequent skirmishing between Nature and Death Thirdly the degree of malignity constitutes a great difference for the Plague in some places and times is much more mild that many of the sick escape somtimes it is highly mortal that most taken are killed and that scarce one of an hundred recovers But because this Disease hides its weapons and coming on men unawares kills them suddenly therefore it shall be our work that by some signs as it were watchmen planted we may know the Clandestine coming of this enemy altho we are not able to foresee it from afar Very many signs happen which foretel shortly a Plague about to come to wit if the year keeps not its Temper but has immoderate and very unseasonable excesses either of heat or cold or of dryness or wet if the small-pox or Measles do every where rage if Boils or Buboes accompany reigning Feavers Besides Astrologers are wont from the Aspects of the Stars or appearances of Comets to predict the approaching Plague but this ought rather to be called a vain conjecture than a certain foreknowledge From a preceeding Famine a most certain presage may be taken of a Plague to follow as in the Adage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Plague comes with the Famine For the like Constitution of the year which for the most part by reason of the Corn being blasted brings scarcity is apt also to produce the Plague also an evil way of feeding which people in dearths use eating all unwholsom things without choice disposes their Bodies to the more easie receiving the Infection Yea also earth-quakes fresh openings of Caverns and secret Vaults by the gaping of the Ground by reason of the eruptions of malignant and impoysoned Airs often give beginning to the Pestilence For indeed as there is need of great diligence to foresee as it were from a watch-Tower the approaching Plague so there is no less need of care and diligence to consider or take notice of the same being fresh risen and the shooting of its first darts For oftentimes being too solicitous we dread vulgar Feavers if perchance they end in death for this Disease and somtimes being too secure contemning the Pestilence by reason of its Symptoms like to a common Feaver we apprehend not out danger till too late wherefore for the more full knowledge of this Disease we will subjoyn its Signs and Symptoms both common and Pathognomic or peculiar and briefly describe their causes means and manner of being done Besides the signs already delivered which by a certain demonstration à priori or before-hand bring a suspicion of the Plague about to come there are others the concourse of which plainly shew its presence in the sick body of these some are common to the Plague with a Putrid Feaver some are more proper to this distemper For the impression of the Pestilence most often stirs up an effervency of the Blood and so has frequently a Feaver joyned with it that among some in the definition of the Plague it hath the place of a kind of Feaver wherefore by reason of the ebullition of the Blood and the hurt brought to the Viscera presently there follows a growing hot a spontaneous weariness thirst a burning of the precordia often great Vomitings pains of the Heart torments of the Intestines a scurfiness of the Tongue or a blackness a pain of the head watchings Phrensie palpitation of the Heart swooning and sudden loss of strength tho Feavers are most often beset with these kind of Symptoms yet if at the same time the Plague hath spread in the neighbourhood and a fear of it hath possessed the minds of men hence a greater suspition of this evil is caused especially because whilst the Pestilence reigns other Diseases in any one leave their proper Nature and change into it wherefore if there happens to the distempers but now recited a Communication of the same sickness to many and a frequency of Burials that it becomes every where very deadly and spreads largely even by contagion and if besides Buboes Carbuncles Spots or other marks of the pestiferous infection appear the business is put without doubt and we may with no less faith denounce it the Pestilence than when we see an house flaming with fire breaking through the Raftures we cry out Fire But because here is mention made of Buboes Carbuncles and of other Symptoms of which we have already spoken where we treated of Putrid Feavers it remains that we briefly touch the causes of them and the manner of their being made They are these A Carbuncle a Bubo Whelks Inflamations and malignant Pustles Concerning these in common we say that they are all produced of the Blood and nervous juice touched with the pestiferous Poyson and coagulated in parts in their circuit and distempered variously with putrefaction forasmuch as the Spirits residing in either Liquor especially in the Blood are no sooner profligated by the blast of this malignant Disease but a coagulation is induced to the remaining Liquor even as milk growing sour or when some acid juice is poured to it wherefore portions of it being more grievously touched with the Poyson they soon curdle or grow into gobbets and suffer corruption with blackness like Blood out of the Vessels from whence presently they hinder the motion of the rest of the Blood in the Vessels and in the Heart and by means of its ferment more coagulate it but whatsoever by congelation grows into curdled gobbets unless it be presently cast out of doors causes death quickly by restraining the circulation of the Blood and being thrust forth outwardly towards the superficies of the body ir is stopped in its motion between the narrow windings of the Vessels and being wholly destitute either of Spirit or being struck by a blasting produces its deadness black and blew spots and black or purple marks or by reason of the Salt and Sulphur being exalted by the pestilential ferment and affecting new things grow together into tumors of a various kind A Carbuncle or Fiery Inflamation is a fiery Tumor with most sharp and burning Pustules round about it and infesting the sick with an acute pain which arising in various places severally will not be ripened but creeping more abroad on the superficies burns the skin and at length shakes off the lobes or gobbets of its Corruption and leaves an hollow ulcer as if burnt by an Escharotick or burning Plaster The generation of Plague-sores seem to be made after this manner when Poysonous infections do strike into the Blood in its own nature torrid portions of it congealed are fixed in the superficies of the Body and in that place because the
Inhabitants nor without great loss to the Medical Science he dyed of that Disease As to others distempered by the Pestilence he was wont to order this kind of method of healing if he was sent for before the Buboes or Whelks appeared outwardly for the most part he gave a Vomit the prescriptions of which were of the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum somtimes with white and somtimes with Roman Vitriol The Vomiting being ended he commanded them to be presently put into a sweat by the taking of Diaphoreticks and thence some intervals being granted for the recovery of strength the sweating to be continued to the declination of the Disease but if he were sent for to the sick after the appearances of the marks the Vomiting being let alone he insisted only upon Sudorificks CHAP. XIV Of Pestilential and Malignant Feavers in specie and of others Epidemical AFter having unfolded the Nature of the Plague by the order of our Tract we ought to proceed to the Diseases which seem to be nearest like its Nature which chiefly are Feavers called Pestilent and Malignant for t is commonly noted that Feavers somtimes reign popularly which for the vehemency of symptoms the great slaughter of the sick and the great force of contagion scarce give place to the Pestilence which however because they imitate the type of Putrid Feavers and do not so certainly kill the sick as the Plague or so certainly infect others they deserve the name not of the Plague but by a more minute appellation of a Pestilential Feaver Besides these there are Feavers of another kind the perniciousness and Contagion of which appear more remiss yet because they are infestous beyond the force of Putrid Feavers and seem to contain in themselves in a manner the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or hand of God of Hippocrates are yet by a more soft appellation called Malignat Feavers Those Feavers differ both from the Pest and from one another according to the degree and vehemency of contagion and deadlyness as the Plague is a Disease highly contagious and deadly to human kind t is the Pestilent Feaver which commonly spreads with a lesser diffusion of its infection and frequency of burials When the infection is only suspected and the Crisis happens beyond the event of vulgar Feavers only not to be trusted or less safe t is esteemed for a Malignant Feaver They are yet more fully described thus When the Feaver commonly spreads abroad which for the variety of symptoms puts on the likeness of the Putrid Feaver so called to wit when there are present Thirst Burning Weariness Anxiety roughness of the Tongue Watchings Phrensie Vomiting want of Appetite Syncopy Swooning Heart-pains and a concourse of other most terrible accidents if there happen besides spots either like to the little Flea-bites or broad ones like black and blew strokes and livid we esteem this disease of an evil Nature If besides these it is not cured after the wonted manner of Feavers but that the strength of the sick is cast down without any manifest cause and that death comes often unlooked for and unsuspected against the Prognostic of the Physician there is yet a greater cause of suspicion of malignity But if it kills very many of the sick and that those who converse with the sick contract the evil of the same Disease that the same Disease spreads through all the Villages or Cities it may be said to be more than malignant a pestilential Feaver which is yet fully proved if it rages in very many ordinarily with a certain common symptom as when a Squinancy Dysentery or deadly Sweat such as in times past spread in England accompany these sort of Feavers If that a Feaver arises which Distempers many living in the same Region together almost after the same manner which notwithstanding observes the laws of a common Putrid Feaver in its course and is cured almost after the same manner this is not said to be Pestilent but only a Malignant Feaver unless that in some labouring with a remarkable Cacochymy or fulness of ill humors the appearances of Buboes or of spots somtimes with a deadly Crisis and a contagion creeping upon others betray some signs of Malignity If it be demanded to which Class of the aforesaid Feavers these sort of Pestilential and Malignant Feavers ought to be placed we ascribe them only to the rank of continual Feavers we discharge or acquit intermitting Feavers because by intervals they grant such firm Truces to Nature and then they regularly and exactly observe their periods which does not consist with an invenomed disposition Also we except Hectic Feavers from malignity because otherwise their mortality would not be so long delayed but that partaking of Poyson they would kill sooner among continual Feavers altho we affirm that the simple synochal Feavers are not free yet they are rarely touched with this evil but most of all the Feaver which shews the notes of pestility or malignity is of that sort which resembles the figure of the Putrid Feaver so called for when in these Feavers besides the appearances of virulency we perceive a continual growing hot of the Blood which passes through the courses or stadia of beginning increase standing and declination as in Putrid Feavers we deservedly affirm here the Sulphureous part of the Blood to be heated and inkindled and by its burning to have brought in the Feaver wherefore in these kind of Feavers two things are especially to be noted the growing hot of the Blood and the malignity joyned with it of which now this now that is the greater also in both there is a great Latitude and very many degrees of its intension or heat according to which the Feaver becomes more or less acute or malignant The growing hot of the Blood is performed after the same manner as is already said concerning Putrid Feavers to wit the Sulphureous part of the Blood growing hot above measure as it were takes fire by its fervor in the time of its burning it accumulates a great quantity of adust matter upon whose subaction and seclusion depend the state and Crisis after the wonted manner of Feavers but besides these the Blood being infected with a certain venomous taint in the burning it begins by reason of the malignant ferment to be coagulated into parts and to putrifie wherefore besides the usual symptoms of the common Feaver by reason of some congealed portions of the Blood follow either deadly Distempers Swooning a dejection of the Spirits also appearances of spots and marks besides venomous Effluvia which depart from the sick that are able to raise up the like Distemper in others by the force of their contagion wherefore by reason of its perniciousness and contagion and their various degrees it is called either a Pestilent or Malignant Feaver Also whilst the Blood growing hot is infected with a venemous and malignant ferment not only proper coagulations of its mass with a disposition to putrifaction are induced but also the Nervous
Liquor easily contracts the taint of this from whence it being made improportionate to the Brain and Regiment of the Animal Spirits stirs up great irregularities in them wherefore upon these sort of Feavers come not only spots and whelks but most often a Delirium Phrensie Sleepiness Tremblings of the Limbs Cramps and Convulsive motions I have often observed that in some certain years Malignant Feavers have increased which have shown their virulency without the appearances of marks chiefly about the Nervous stock because in some presently after the beginning has followed a sleepiness with a mighty heaviness of the Head in others strong Watchings a perturbation of mind with Trembling and Convulsive motions but in most either none or only an uncertain Crisis and instead of it a translation of the Feaverish matter to the Brain besides it is observed that these Feavers creep upon others by contagion and that very many are killed by them that therefore they do deserve to be called Malignant But these kind of Feavers are somtimes first begun from a venomous infection and the Blood being touched with the Particles of the venom conceives of it self an Effervescency and is inkindled as when from a contagion or malignant Air being inspired any one hath fallen into a Malignant Feaver without any evident cause or predisposition But somtimes the Feaverish Distemper is induced from a proper cause and then the seeds of the Malignity either lying hid within in the Body exert themselves in the Effervent Blood or they come from another place by the contaminated Air as it were the Food of the flame before inkindled for it appears by frequent observation in the time in which an Epidemical Feaver spreads that others being any way arisen turn into it Malignant Feavers as also Pestilential for the most part are popular and invade many at once but somtimes they are private and not ordinary so that perhaps only one or two are taken in the whole Region in such a case it is to be suspected that they come not from a malignant Air or Epidemical cause but from a morbous provision of the Body for I have often observed that when in the Spring or Autumn a Feaver sufficiently common hath spread in some City or Town of which very many have dyed perhaps some one on whom an evil predisposition and a more strong evident cause hath brought the Feaver hath lain by it with more horrid symptoms and great notes of malignity in which case that malignity is not to be called common to the Feaver but not ordinary and accidental only Altho the greatest reason of the difference by which these kind of Feavers are distinguished from one another and from other Feavers consists in their deadliness and contagion yet somtimes they are noted with a certein peculiar symptom from which they take for that time both the note of malignity and the appellation of the name hence in some years an Epidemical Feaver reigns which induces to most of the sick a Squinancy another time an inflamation of the Lungs a Pleurisie Dysentery or some other distemper and that oftentimes most dangerous and contagious so the seeds of Diseases not only derived from the Parents by traduction excite their fruits as it were by a certain designation in the same part or member but also those received from an Infection commonly spreading produce in all a distemper of the same mode and figure which yet I think to happen not because the seeds of the venomous Infection respect either this or that Region of the Body with a certain peculiar Virtue but these so affect the mass of Blood by a like manner in all that there is a necessity for the sake of washing away this stain that a Crisis be attempted after the same manner in all For when without malignity the Blood by reason of Coagulation or perhaps other causes is apt to be extravasated the usual places in which portions of the same being extravasated are wont to be fixed are the Throat Pleura Lungs and Intestines wherefore 't is no wonder when from a malignant cause the congelation of the Blood and for that reason an extravasation is induced if the Disease is nested in the accustomed cherishing place of Nature Concerning the causes of these kind of Feavers there is not much business they are for the most part deduced in respect of the malignity from the vicious Constitution of the Air in respect of the Feaverish heat from the morbous provision of the Body either of these are easily made clear by what hath been already said concerning a Putrid Feaver and the causes of the Pestilence If the malignity be stronger than the Feaver and hath induced it the impression of it is to be imputed to the inspired Air or to a Contagion received from others if the Feaver be first its inkindling is ascribed to transpiration being hindred to a Surfeit or to some other of the evident causes above enumerated As to the signs besides contagion and destruction these shew the malignity of the Feaver a sudden loss of strength a weak and unequal pulse and evil affection of the Brain and nervous parts being suddenly induced cruel Vomitings blackness of the Tongue a suffusion of darkness through the whole Body but chiefly the appearances of Spots Buboes and of other marks For the cure of Feavers both Pestilential and Malignant there is greater need of Judgment and Circumspection than in any others whatsoever For when there are two primary Indications to wit the Malignity and the Feaverish intemperance and when one can scarcely provide for the one without detriment to the other it is not easily to be discerned which should first be helped or soonest regarded In respect of the Feaver purging opening a Vein and cooling things do chiefly help but whilst these are performed the Malignity for the most part is increased and being neglected spreads abroad more largely its Poyson against the Malignity Poyson-resisting Cordials and Diaphoreticks are required but these extreamly heighten the Feaver they more shake the Blood and Spirits before inkindled as it were with the blast of Bellows and force all as it were into a flame wherefore here is great need of skill that these things be rightly ordered in themselves and where there is most of danger appearing thence the Curative Intentions are to be more immediatly designed but so as whilst one is consulted about the other be not neglected But in these cases besides the private Judgment of every Physician experience may supply the chief means of healing for when as these Feavers first spread every one almost tryes several Remedies and by the success of them collated together it may be easily reckoned what kind of method is to be relyed on till at last by a frequent tryal or the footsteps of those passing before there is made as it were a high and broad Road for the curing of these sorts of distempers bounded both with various observations and warnings Besides these sort
but for the most part after the deflagration of the Blood continued for six or seven days this remitting and instead of a Crisis the adust matter being translated to the Brain the sick for a long time keeping their Beds with raging somtimes but more often with a stupefaction with great weakness and somtimes with Convulsive motions scarcely escaped at last About the middle of the Summer besides the Contagion and frequent burials this Disease betrayed its malignity and pestilential force in open signs viz. By the eruption of Whelks and Spots because about this time in many there appeared without any great burning of the Feaver an unequal weak and very much disordered pulse also without a manifest expense of Spirits their strength presently became languishing and very much dejected In others sick after the same manner appeared little Blisters or Measles now small and red now broad and livid in many Buboes as in the Plague about the glandulas of these some died silently and unforeseen without any great strugling of the Spirits or Feaverish burning excited in the Blood in the mean time others by and by becoming furibundous whilst they lived suffered most horrid distractions of the animal Spirits Those about to escape from this Disease without any laudible Crisis unless they were the sooner freed by a sweat provoked by Art the Brain and nervous stock becoming distempered at length with a benummedness of the senses tremblings vertigo debility of the members and Convulsive motions did not grow well but of a long time after During the Dog-days this Disease being still infestous began to be handled not as a Feaver but as a lesser Plague and to be overcome only by Poyson-resisting Remedies letting of Blood was believed to be fatal to this Vomits and Purges somtimes tho not often were made use of but the chiefest means of Cure were accounted to be procured by Alexiteriums and timely sweat For this end besides the prescripts of Physicians to be had at the Apothecaries some Emperical Remedies deserved no small praise then first of all the pouder of the Countess of Kent began to be of great esteem in this Country also of no less note was another pouder of the colour of Ashes which a certain Courtier staying by chance in this City gave to many with good success and to others approving of the use of it he sold it at a great price the sick were wont having taken half a dram of this in any Liquor to fall into a most plentiful sweat and so to be freed from the virulency of the Disease That Diaphoretick whose preparation I afterwards learnt from the Cousen German of the Author was only the pouder of Toads purged throughly with Salt and then washed in the best Wine and lightly calcined in an earthen Pot. The Autumn coming on this Disease by degrees remitted its wonted fierceness that fewer grew sick of it and of them many grew well till the approach of the Winter when this Feaver almost wholly vanished and health was rendred to this City and the Country round about fully and wholly Thus you have seen the beginning progress and end of this Feaver at first only a Camp Feaver but at length became Pestilential and Epidemical That at first the Disease began in the Souldiers Camp may seem to be imputed not only to their nastiness and stinking smells but in some sort to a common vice of the Air for as these Feavers come not every year their original may be ascribed partly to the peculiar Constitution of the year Because by that means a more light intemperance of the Air being contracted tho it did not affect the more healthful Inhabitants yet in the Army where evident causes viz. errors in the six non-naturals very much happen to the general procatartic cause there is a necessity for these kind of sicknesses easily to be excited For the constitution of this year was in the Spring very moist and slabbery almost with continual shours to which a more hot Summer succeeding and the infection of the Feaverish Contagion here first increasing still grew worse and disposed all Bodies the more for the receiving it wherefore that this Disease was almost proper to this Region and at this time Epidemical the seed of it ought to be ascribed to its first rising from the Army being quartered round about But forasmuch as it afterwards being made Pestilential and very Epidemical it infected most of the people living here and killed not a few the reason was the evil affection of the Air which because of the intemperance of the year being unwholsom besides by the continual breathing forth of stinking vapours from the Souldiers Camps and the quarters of the sick it became at last so vitious that the infection of the Feaver being dispersed in it was greatly exalted and arose almost to the virulency of the Plague Diemerbrochius relates from the like Camp Feaver arising in the Summer at Spires afterwards another Malignant and Pestilential and then the Plague it self to have accrewed Also it was a sign that this Feaver of ours became at last equal to the Plague it self besides the great force of the Contagion and the frequency of Burials most wicked distempers of the Blood and nervous Liquor being brought presently upon all by it because strength being suddenly overthrown the weak intermitting pulse the creeping forth of measly Blisters the eruption of Buboes argued the Coagulation and corruptive disposition of the Blood besides the Delirium Madness Phrensie Stupefaction Sleepiness Vertigo Tremblings Convulsive motions and divers other distempers of the Head shewed the great hurt of the Brain and nervous stock That the figure or Idea of this malignant Feaver may be painted to the life very many observations or histories of sick people are easily to be had of the many examples of this Disease I shall only mention a few which hapned some years since in the house of a venerable man and as with a mournful slaughter so not without some admiration About the Winter Solstice in the year 1653. a youth of about Seven years old without any manifest cause found himself ill being troubled with a pain of his Head Sleepiness and mighty Stupefaction with it he had a Feaver tho not strong with an ordinary burning which grew more grievous only by wandring fits somtimes once somtimes twice in Twenty four hours space presently from the beginning he slept almost continually also he was wont in his sleep to cry out to talk idly and to leap often out of his Bed being awakned and somtimes of his own accord awaking he presently came to himself and constantly called for drink his Urine was red and full of Contents his pulse equal and strong enough in his wrists appeared light contractures of the tendons and in his neck and other parts of his Body some red spots like Flea-bites At the first was ordered a light Purgation and a frequent taking down of the Belly by the use of Clysters he daily
Marigold flowers and shavings of Harts-Horn in Posset-drink are commonly prescribed and the use of them is general for a long time almost with all people for the same intention we are wont somtimes in a day to give them moderate Cordials but the more hot and strong are carefully to be shunned Purging and Blood letting here are most wickedly enterprised and these tho necessity compelled Physicians dare not meddle with for fear of blame For to defend the Throat and Gutteral parts we put on the outer skin a defence of Saffron dipped in Breast Milk and sowed in a Rag for these by opening the pores draw away the venom outwardly from the most inward part of the Throat also for this end we administer Gargarisms and things to wash the mouth which by their restriction restrain the coming forth of the Small-pox withing we defend the Eyes with peculiar Medicines of Rose-water and Breast Milk with Saffron and such like frequently iterated from the incursion of the Small-pox Besides these sometimes certain most horrid symptoms do trouble which must be timely helped with convenient Remedies somtimes there are present Watchings Phrensie Bleeding at Nose Vomiting Loosness and a falling back of the Small-pox for these and divers others as occasion arises a prudent Physician knows how to provide in which however there is need of great caution least whilst we take care of the smaller matters the great work of Nature shold be disturbed by a too great molestation of Medicines For in all this time there is one and a continued Crisis wherefore nothing is to be meddled with rashly There is required the most care and circumspection of the Physician and Nurses or those that administer to the sick when this Disease is at its height or standing viz. least that when the Small-pox be fully come forth and brought to their greatest height transpiration should be hindered for then the sick are in danger of renewing the Feaver and of the restagnation of the Malignant matter within whilst we study to prevent the one we for the most part bring on the other 3. When the Disease shall be in its declination and the Small-pox begin to wither and Scab the business for the most part is out of danger nor is there much need of a Physician let the sick tho he grow very hungry content himself still with a slender dyet and without flesh if the Scabs fall off slowly we are wont to ripen them with Lineaments and peculiar Medicines to make them fall and care should be taken that they leave not behind them too great pits after the sick having the Scabs every where fallen off and are able to rise and walk about the Chamber the filthy Excrementitious matter in the Bowels is to be carried away by two or three times Purging and then they may be permitted to use a more plentiful and stronger dyet The Measles are so much akin to the Small-pox that with most Authors they have not deserved to be handled apart from them but that either distemper have been treated of together after the like manner and method The essence and cure differ at least accidentally or as they are greater or lesser because in the Measles the whealks rise not up to so great a bulk neither are they suppuritated wherefore the sickness is sooner ended and with less danger This distemper is wont mostly to spread upon children more rarely among those of years or old men also those who first have had the Small-pox are not afterwards so obnoxious to the Measles but in most things either distemper are of kin viz. the evil being contracted in the Womb disposes men only and all men once to the Measles the malignant constitution of the Air and somtimes a surfeit and most often the contagion are wont to bring the hidden disposition into act there are present marks of malignity and the sickness oftentimes becomes Epidemical and with mortality and contagion That I may briefly contract the sum of the matter it seems that the Measles are a certain lighter flowring of on extraneous ferment contracted from the Womb by which some Particles being stirred up into motion make the Blood lightly to grow hot and to be a little coagulated wherefore the marks from thence spread abroad are dissipated without any breaking of the Cuticula or outward skin by evaporation only but the Small-pox are a more full and strong agitation according to all the Particles of the same ferment which causing a greater ebullition and coagulation of the Blood produces far more full whelks and greater in bulk and not to be dissolved but by suppuration or growing into matter when the Small-pox preceed they are not only exempt from the same disease any more but also from the Measles because they consume only some of the Particles of the ferment leave still a disposition to the Small-pox wherefore old men or those of years are not so readily infected with the Measles because they are either freed from the contagion by having before had the Small-pox or else the infection of this more light Disease is easily resisted by their more strong Spirits It were easie to illustrate the afore-recited Doctrine concerning the Small Pox with Histories and Observations of the sick because there is no Disease besides can supply with a greater plenty of Examples or variety of Accidents but of the great number of this kind I shall only propose in this place a few Cases and those remarkable for some irregularities It is a usual thing to handle all that are sick of the Small Pox with a like or wholly the same method of Curing and manner of Dyet wherefore a Physician is rarely sent for to the common sort but the business is wholly committed to some women professing themselves skilful in this Disease and these are wont to boyl in their broths and all the suppings of the sick Marigold Flowers shaving of Harts-horn and sometimes Figs also every night to administer a Bolus of Diascordium and they who grow not well by this kind of Government tho not neglected yet are affirmed to be incurable by reason of the cruelty of the Disease But truly this kind of practice is not convenient for all alike nor to be administred to every one indifferently as these two following Histories will make manifest A Young Man about 20 years of Age of a slender body and more hot temperature began to be feaverish in the beginning of the Spring at first cruel Vomitings an oppression of the heart and frequent changes of heat and shivering a pain in his Loyns a disturbance of his fancy and wakings infested him on the third day the Small Pox appearing those symptoms remitted but still the Feaver with heat and thirst continued Not only the accustomed Decoctions in this Disease but also a most elegant Julep of a most grateful taste were so nauseous and troublesome to him that he would not so much as taste the same but with a great deal of trouble
Because after the Summer solstice the North wind still blowing a cold season remained for a long while so that the Fruit and Corn this year was feared by the Husbandmen would scarce be throughly ripened but after this a little before the beginning of July a most fierce heat followed for several days and when the Dog days were begun the Air grew most cruelly hot that one could scarce indure the open Air. By reason of this heat and cold in excess the temperature of this year was very unequal wherefore there was a necessity for our Blood to be now fixed and as it were congealed now too much roasted and so perverted from its natural disposition to a scorched and melancholly temper also it came to pass that the Pores of the skin were much altered from their right constitution that by that means an insensible transpiration could not be performed after the wonted manner From the time that the former Feaver ceased almost to the end of the Dog days there was a state of health and free from all popular Diseases but then a few here and there among the Villages and in lesser places first fell sick but afterwards about the end of August a new Feaver suddenly arising began to spread through whole Regions every-where round about us also this as the other which spread the last Autumn raged chiefly in Country Houses and Villages but in the mean time few of the Inhabitants of the greater Towns and Cities fell sick At the same time in other Regions situate at a distance from us yea almost throughout England the Epidemical Feaver was said to rage and in some other places to be far more deadly than it was about our Country Perhaps the Idea of this Feaver now reigning had not the provision of its symptoms alike in all places or was noted wholly with the same appearances and accidents yet whatever it shewed in our parts as to its nature I shall briefly and succinctly add from our own proper observation or what I had learnt being communicated from others About the beginning of this Disease its figure was wandring and very uncertain because in some there was a continual fervor in others it was intermitting being renewed by set fits but at this time it hapned to very many as a pathognomic symptom that they were ill in their brain and nervous stock that presently from the very beginning of this Feaver almost all complained of their head being grievously distempered For a cruel headach infested some and hardness of hearing with a noise in the ears troubled others but to most was wont to happen either a stupidness and heavy sleepiness with a vertiginous Distemper or pertinacious wakings with a delirium and distractions of the animal spirits I have observed in some that on the first or second day of their sickness that little broad and red spots like to the measles have leisurely broke forth in the whole body which being shortly vanished the Feaver presently became stronger and especially the Distempers of the head far more grievous From thence a benumedness of the senses and a sleepiness fell upon some for many days that they lay a long while as if dying without speaking or knowledg of their friends I knew others to have fallen from hence into a Lethargy and others cast into an Apoplexie and some into a Phrensie and Delirium Of these the younger and strong men yet not without a long languishment and doubtful recovery most of them escaped in the mean time old men or other ways weak and sickly generally died Those who fell sick with the Feaver as it were continual with those notes of malignity were more rare and the distempered were only sporadically in some houses only But the sickness which most commonly spread about us fell upon most and tho it cruelly raged it seemed to imitate an intermitting Feaver to wit either a Tertian or a Quotidian for that the sick had fits either every day or which I more often observed every other day which infested them grievously and a long while with cold heat and sweat succeeding in order but these kind of fits as also the course of the whole Disease were wont to be noted with diversity according to the age and temper of the sick and with various concourse of symptoms and accidents Yet this was common to most of I had like to have said all the sick that together with the Feaver they were troubled with Cephalic Distempers When therefore any one was troubled with this Disease whether the sickness was excited from an evident cause or Contagion or without any manifest occasion its coming betrayed it self by a pain in the head and often in the loyns with thirst want of appetite spontaneous weariness and heat tho not strong if it hapned in a young Body of a florid Blood and more hot temper the fits wanted the cold and shivering about its beginning but they were very troublesome and sharp with long heat The sick were often troubled with vomiting and their head aked cruelly for the most part sweat difficulty succeeded which being often partial and quickly broke off rarely cured the fit but when the sweat failed they grew hot again that scarce in 18 or 24 hours the fit was finished in some In the mean time from the Blood being very fervent the phantasie was disturbed that oftentimes a Delirium absurd or idle talking wakings and high inquietudes were stirred up during the fit but the same being finished in the time between still a troublesome thirst a slow heat languor of spirits and great debility of strength with an headach and a vertiginous Distemper for the most part molested them It was rarely found for any to find themselves indifferently well as in a common Tertian between the fits About the beginning of the Disease the feaverish fiercenesses were somewhat more mild which afterwards at every turn leisurely grew worse and then began with cold and shaking to which nevertheless after a long and very troublesome heat sweat very hardly succeeded in most so that the fit rarely ended in its due temper Within six or seven periods the strength of the sick was much cast down that being made languid and weak they had an hard task to struggle with the Disease because unless Nature were succoured by Art the Feaver still prevailed and rarely or never in a short time was it cured by a Crisis or leisurely remitted but it brought the sick into great streights by its long siege and still persisting till the Blood being by its frequent deflagration made very liveless and watery was unable to grow too hot in the Vessels of its own accord or to be inkindled more plentifully in the heart and then oftentimes became so dead and wanting of spirits that being insufficient for the continuing of the Vital Lamp it brought in Death But sometimes the mass of Blood being depraved and made poor by this Disease was able tho hardly to continue the half extinct Vital
Fire and to renew it by little and little with spirit and vigor in a long time yet in the mean time after the heighth of this Disease when the Blood being made more weak and impure could not expel forth of doors this feaverish matter or adust recrements by a critical motion it often transferred it to the Brain and therefore about the height of this Feaver a torpor and stupidity of spirits sleepiness vertigo tingling of the ears tremblings and convulsive motions with a great oppression of the whole animal faculty were most often induced Men of a more cold temperament or in years who were taken with this Disease altho they were but little feaverish were wont however to be in greater danger of Life because in these besides the disposition of the Blood not easily reducible also what was gathered together in the fits that was extraneous and not to be mixed was hardly subdued and difficultly sifted forth of the mass of Blood wherefore both the Blood was still more notably depraved in its Crasis and in every fit more infected by the impure mixture Moreover the nervous Liquor was greatly perverted from its due temper and defiled most badly by the adust recrements continually poured on the Brain Therefore when old men melancholic or otherways sickly persons fell into this Feaver they became presently after its first assault stupified and for the most part vertiginous Tho in the fits the heat was not very sharp and piercing they were however very unquiet and still tossing about oftentimes they talked idly and at random after a long burning either no sweat or only partial and often broke off followed whereby the fit was not fully helped but that in the whole intervals the sick were thsrsty and remained very ill with a driness of the mouth a scurfiness of the Tongue and a suffusion of a viscous filth After some fits their strength being exceedingly cast down they were wholly fixed to their Beds or rise only for a little while could scarce stand or set a foot before another to move from place to place or able to walk in the mean time they laboured with a languishment a difficult breathing a nummedness of senses and a great debility of the whole nervous stock The Urine in most was highly red of a more deep colour and of a thicker consistency than in a common Tertian The Pulse whilst the strength was not wholly cast down for the most part was strong and equal afterwards when the sick became very languishing it was weak and unequal and oftentimes intermitting to which also constructures of the tendons and convulsive motions in the wrists being joyned were for the most part prognosticks of Death Those who leisurely being debilitated declined towards Death some little time before they died lay for the most part without speaking or knowing those about them as it were stupid and it rarely hapned in this Feaver that any one about to die was so perfect in their memory and intellect as to dispose of their Family affairs or to take leave of their friends But it hapned to those who escaped from a deep languishment and almost desperate condition not quickly or suddenly to recover from their manifest evil disposition but lying a long while wavering stupified and without strength that Nature at length not but after a doubtful and difficult strife got indeed scarcely the better of the Disease and then recovered strength by degrees and health lingringly and slowly If the nature and formal reason of this Epidemical Feaver but now described be demanded we say that this as that of the former year properly is an intermitting Feaver for what commonly spread bore that figure altho some here and there more rarely had it continual which we shall by the way mention by and by The seed plot or seminary of this need not be derived from the air being infected with any Infection but rather its leading cause is to be sought from the undue constitution of the year and from thence an indisposition of our Blood being acquired Because in the Spring and Autumn intermitting Feavers have yearly sprung up and increased to wit for that our Blood like to the juice of Vegetables is wont to be more lively moved than usual and to flower at those times Wherefore if the mass of Blood by reason of the foregoing season of the Summer or Winter should be altered from its due temperature and should contract either a sharp or atrabilous disposition or of any other kind its evil dispositions begun before are chiefly ripened about the Equinoxes to wit when the Blood more freely fermenting if that it hath departed from its natural disposition doth not so easily sanguifie but that it will be apt to pervert the alible juice poured to it into an extraneous and feaverish matter When therefore this year had not very much declined from a right constitution as not only the Dog-days going before but that the two solstices and the equinoxes were wholly intemperate it was no wonder if intermitting Feavers more frequent than usual and those noted with some unusual symptoms did increase about the Autumn That therefore an intermitting Epidemical Feaver raged at this time I judg it not to be attributed to the fault of the present Air but to the irregularities of the foregoing season yet from what causes and occasions some symptoms proper to this Feaver and distinct from the common rule of intermitting Feavers did arise will be worth our Inquiry I have already said that the provision that made this Feaver so deadly consisted in two things chiefly viz. the temper of the year now extremely cold then upon it very hot then that it had variously perverted the disposition of our Blood and had distempered the pores of the skin with an undue constitution According to the reasons taken from either I shall endeavour to explicate the accidents of this Disease and to assign the causes of its appearance 1. First We shall observe that the type of this Feaver was various to wit in some with a continual heat in others with an eruption of spots but in most intermitting and like a Tertian and sometimes tho rarely a Quotidian repeating the fits every day or every other day the cause of this diversity we impute to the more strong and potent morbific procatarxy of this year which produced in the Autumn a more common intermitting Feaver than it was wont wherefore in some perhaps indued with a more praved habit of Body it stirred up Feavers something malignant and in whom it caused intermitting Feavers according to the wonted manner of the season it made them to be noted with a peculiar appearance of symptoms 2. Those taken at this time with the Epidemical Feaver whether it was continual or intermitting suffered presently evil Distempers of the head viz. now they were wont to be infested with cruel head-ach now with a stupor or too great distraction of the Animal Spirits The reason of this is that the nervous
volatile or fixed which are therefore of a divers colour and consistency That there is Sulphur contained in Urines their quickly putrifying and stink sufficiently testifie it arises from the fat and sulphureous particles of Meats in the concoction being most minutely broken and boyl'd with the serum and salt so as also there is less plenty of Spirit in it than is in Blood Soot or the Horns of Animals wherefore in the distillation of Urine there ascends nothing almost of an oylie form or fat But indeed whilst the blood is circulated in the Vessels the spirituous and sulphureous little bodies which fall away from it do for the most part evaporate out of dores in the mean time the saline recrements and the watery chiefly constitute the Piss nevertheless Urines do always participate a little of sulphur but its quantity and proportion is diversly altered according to the various degrees of Concoction and Crudity and thence also the colour and consistence receive many mutations in Urines That there is but a very little of vinous spirit in Urines the defect of it in the liquor first distilled forth also the soon putrifying of the Stale do testifie but that there is some the intestine motion of the particles in the Urine doth argue to wit the departure of the thin from the thick and the spontaneous separation of some parts from others and a collection of them into a settlement besides the saline particles for that they are made volatile are married to spirituals and so they are of a more ready motion and energy yet according to the divers plenty of spirits in Urines and their power there arise divers manners of hypostases and settlements also the Urines themselves sooner or slower putrifie The watry part of the Urine far exceeds the rest in quantity and is greater than they by almost a sixth part it is not so simply drawn forth by distillation but that some particles of Salt and Sulphur for as much as they are volatile ascend with it and impart to the water an ingrateful stink the potulent matter copiously taken with aliments affords an original to this which of what kind soever it be before it is changed into Urine lays aside its proper qualities and acquires others for truly from the assumed liquor there is nothing sincere almost left in the Piss besides meer humidity That there is earth and muddy feces to be had in Urines its distillation or evaporation sufficiently declares for when the rest of the parts are exhaled the earth as it were a caput mortuum will remain in a moderate quantity in the bottom Forasmuch as in the nourishing juice there is required something solid besides the active principles of salt sulphur and spirit whence the bulk and magnitude of the body grows the recrements of this viz. the earthy feculencies are plentifully dissolved in the serum and contribute to it a thick consistence and contents but these shew themselves after a divers manner according to the state of Concoction and Crudity These are the principles which constitute the body of the Urine also into which it is easily resolved by a Chymical Analysis Out of the divers changes and various contemperation of these the other accidents of Urine arise viz. Quantity Colour Consistency and Contents which are as to the sense the most notable concerning it and the chief objects of the rendred Urine For when there is nothing almost beheld besides in the Piss they constitute these first Phaenomena in which rightly solved consists the whole Hypothesis of this Science Wherefore we shall speak in the next place concerning these and first of the Urine of healthful people what its quantity may be how coloured with what consistence and contents indued and together shall be unfolded out of what mixture of Elements and by what Concoction in the Viscera and Vessels each of these depend Secondly shall be shown how many ways the Urines of Sick people vary from the square or Rule of this of the Sound and I shall endeavour to assign for the several differences of them proper Causes of their alterations and these shall conclude our first proposition in this Discourse viz. the Anatomy of Urine CHAP. II. Of the Quantity and Colour of the Urines of Sound People THE Quantity of the Urine in sound people ought to be a little less than the humor or liquid substance daily taken for moist and drinkable things dayly taken are the matter it self of which Urines are first made But these hunger and thirst urging are more plentifully required both that they may sufficiently wash the mass of the Chyme by which means it may rightly ferment in the Viscera and that they may serve for a Vehicle both to the Chyme whereby it may be conveyed to the bloody Mass and to the Blood it self that it might be circulated in the Vessels without thickening and to the Nervous Juice whereby it might actuate and water the Organs of sense and motion when the serous Latex by this means hath bestowed whatever it hath almost of Spirit and Sulphur for nourishment Heat and Motion it gives way to a new nutritious humour and it self as unprofitable being secluded from the Blood by the help of the Reins is sent away The nourishing liquor which will at last be changed into Urine of its own nature is divers viz. now watry now impregnated with Spirit now with Salt and Sulphur and according to the various forces of this or that Element in it Urines are wont to be somewhat altered However all liquors taken in at the mouth do not pass thorow our body whole and untouched but that they undergo mutations in various parts and lose a little portion of their quantity before they are made into Urine For the Latex or Humour to be converted into Urine is first of all received into the Ventricle for I assent not to Reusner who affirms the same falling for the most part on the Lungs to cause the more quick making water after drinking whilst that it stays in the Ventricle it is there boyled also impregnated with Salt and Sulphur of its own or from more solid Aliments dissolved then very much of it is confused in the blood with the nourishable juice which when it is a long time Circulated from thence receives a farther tincture of Salt and Sulphur according to the various temper of the Blood and its inkindling in the Heart Hence some portion of it is derived with the Animal Spirit to the Brain and nervous stock and afterwards from thence being made lifeless and weak is lastly reduced into the bosom of the Blood after that it hath bestowed on the Blood and Nervous Juice whatever of generous or noble is conteined in the Serum also no small quantity is consumed by sweat and the other emunctories what remains whilst that the Blood continually washes the Reins a precipitation being made either by a straining or force of a certain ferment it is there separated from the Blood
necessary first to publish the Disquisitions of the nature of this Soul and its manner of subsisting and also of its Parts and Powers that from these things rightly known its preternatural Passions may at length be the better discovered But concerning these very hard matters and difficult to be unfolded when I had begun to frame as I think probable and rational Arguments I saw well that they would be looked upon and laughed at by some as unusual things and Paradoxes which indeed it becomes me not to take ill but to let every one freely to enjoy his own sense and to use in all things his own opinion and judgment Among the many things conjecturally proposed by me which I could not avoid two chief Arguments are opposed to wit that I had affirmed that the blood for the continuing of life was inkindled and that the animal Spirits for the motive act were exploded which terms though perhaps they may sound rough and strange to be applied to the animal oeconomy yet if any one shall weigh the Reasons and Arguments which do perswade to the truth of either opinion I doubt not but that there will be none who will not give their assent or easily pardon me for mine In the first place therefore because there are so many opinions concerning the growing hot of the Blood for that some attribute it to an innate heat others to a flame in the Heart some also to a fermentation of the bloody mass and others to its inkindling therefore I shall endeavour more narrowly to introspect the matter and as much as I am able to build upon a more certain Ratiocination its genuine Cause though very abstruse We have formerly discoursed concerning that Soul which is common to the more perfect Beasts with that subordinate or more inferiour of Man and have shewed it to be indeed Corporeal and to consist of two parts the one of these rooted in the blood we called a Flame and the other dwelling in the Brain and nervous stock Light As we shall here only treat of the former I think it will be no difficult matter to make use of the same Reasons and Instances which truly conclude or at least very like truth that in the first place the blood is animate or hath life secondly that this Animation is in its accension or inkindling or consists in an affection most analogical to this 1. Not only the opinions of Philosophers but the undoubted testimony of the Sacred Scripture plainly asserts the animation of the blood to wit the use of blood was forbidden in the Mosaical Law for this reason because the Blood is the Life or Soul which is also apparent by the observation of the most famous Harvey for that its motion is to be observed by the eye shews that it first lives and last dyes For the greater proof of this it is commonly known that Animals only live so long as the blood remains in its due plenty and motion and that they presently dye if either too great a quantity of this be taken away or its motion suppressed But as to the second Proposition to wit that the life or soul of the fervent blood depends upon its inkindling this will appear probable if I shall shew First that the liquor of the blood ought to be very hot in the more perfect living Creatures Secondly that this growing hot can be produced or conserved in the blood by no other means besides accension or inkindling Thirdly that some chief affections as it were proper passions of fire and flame are agreeable to the life only of the blood growing hot Fourthly and lastly these being clearly shewn some other less signal accidents and properties in which common flame and life agree are added and also we will unfold how and in what respect they differ among themselves As to the first we affirm that the blood is perpetually moved in all living Creatures besides in the more perfect it doth estuate or grow hot in act Indeed its undiscontinued motion is required both for the conservation of the disposition of the blood it self whose liquor would otherwise be subject to stagnation and putrefaction as also that being carried about in the whole body it might be able to give a due tribute to all parts For that the offices of the blood at least in the more perfect living Creatures are divers and manifold viz. to instil matter in the Brain and nervous stock for the animal Spirits to dispense the nutritious Juyce into all the solid parts to suggest to the motive parts an elastic Copula and besides to separate all recrements and worn out Particles and to put them aside into convenient Emunctories But although the mere motion of the Blood in less perfect Animals or at least its moderate swelling up such as may be perceived in Wine and other Liquors agitated into Fermentation is able to sustain and perform the oeconomy of Nature to wit for as much as both a crude nutriment is every where received from the river of the blood though cool continually flowing into all parts of the whole Body and that fewer spirits and more thick as it were separated by percolation or straining enter the Brain and nervous stock with that plenty that may suffice for local motion and the Organs of the few senses to be rudely actuated yet the blood watering the bodies of more perfect Animals require offices of a far more excellent kind for it ought not only to be carried about with a continual and more rapid motion but very much to swell up yea actually to grow hot or effervent to wit for that end that its frame or substance being very much loosned it may more copiously send forth the respective Particles of various kinds every where falling off from it and may dispose them here and there for the use and wants of Nature But first for that the animal Spirits are continually to be supplied in great plenty from the mass of blood and that there is need for the elastic Particles requisite for the locomotive function to be thence perpetually poured into all the Muscles it seems very necessary that the liquor from whence these generous and manifold supplements are drawn should be actually hot or rather should burn forth to wit that the aforesaid Particles not sufficiently to be unlocked but by heat or burning should freely run out from the substance or frame of the liquor which truly is manifest because from Wine and also from the same bloody Liquor and all other spirituous things a subtil and spirituous humour is copiously drawn but not to be performed by distillation without heat or fire Yea the sulphureous Particles although they are less apt to be exhaled from any Liquor yet they most readily fly out by inkindling the subject By these there is an apparent necessity of the blood 's growing hot for the perfection of the animal as well as vital function but that it may appear by what means this is done
Lungs in every distemper or affection as of Grief Joy Fear and the like also in the fits of Diseases the Heart is disposed after a various manner and hence it comes to pass that the blood flowing in fluctuates and is inkindled with a diverse rage of which there will be a more opportune place of discoursing when we shall treat of the Passions Whilst we consider that the burning of the Blood and for that reason the vital or flamy part of the Corporeal Soul doth not appear lively or vigorous in all nor ever after the same manner or measure yet it exists according to the various constitutions of the blood to wit as it is more or less sulphureous spirituous saltish or watry yea and according to the divers constitutions and conformations both of the food with which this flame is nourished as also of the little spiracles or breathing holes by which it is eventilated and further of the Heart it self whereby it is agitated and driven about here and there the accension of blood varies also in every one by means of several other accidents to wit as its flame is sometimes great clear and expanded sometimes small contracted or cloudy sometimes equal and in order sometimes unequal and often interrupted yea and it becomes subject to many other mutations also because the Soul it self having gotten a various nature or disposition it conceives divers affections and manners whereof we shall speak hereafter for as much as it is not a little thing that the disposition of the whole Soul depends upon the temperament of the bloody mass and the degree and manner of its accension or inkindling It clearly appears from what hath been said that Fire and Life do dye or are extinguished alike many ways to wit there is an end of either if the access of nitrous food or the departure of Effluvia's be hindred or if the oily or sulphureous aliment requisite to either be consumed too much withdrawn or perverted from its inflammable disposition of each whereof it is so clearly apparent that there needs no farther explication Thus far we have shewn that the Life of the Blood or that part of the Soul growing therein is a certain kind of Flame let us now see by what means it is disposed to burning and how near it comes to the similitude of a burning Candle or Lamp A common Lamp whether designed to give heat or light for the most part is wont to be made after this manner to wit the Oyl flowing perpetually to the wick gives continual food to the flame wherefore as there is but one fire-place or hearth only of light and heat the action of either is limited only to one place and so as often as there is need of more places at once or divers parts of the same space or body to be illuminated or made warm we place here and there divers lighted Candles or Lamps But if an Instrument made with great artifice such as is truly an animated Body with one liquor only contained in it should be made hot throughout the whole and to be kept always warm it ought not only to be lightly inkindled in the wick but in the whole superficies and derived by fit Tubes or Pipes to all the parts of the Machine then the burning liquor ought to enjoy proportionably to all its parts an access of nitrous Air and to lay aside Effluvia's and other recrements and ought also to have a supply of that constant expence these kind of offices are not to be performed any where up and down but only in some set places therefore the burning liquor ought to be carried about through the whole with a perpetual turn that all its portions might enjoy successively all those priviledges and at once heat the whole capacity of the containing Machine to wit both the inward and outward recesses Indeed such a Bannian or Bathing Engine artificially made might aptly represent the real Divine handy-work of the Circulation of Blood and what burns in it the Life-lamp But it may be objected that the Blood seems not to be inflammable of its own nature further since there is no flame of this heat or effervency to be beheld with the eyes it may well be doubted whether there be such a thing or no. I say first That the Chymical Analysis of the blood shews very many particles of Sulphur and of Spirit yea a plentiful stock of inflammable Oyl which are however mixed with other more thick Elements in a just proportion to bridle their too great inkindling to wit that this liquor might flame out by little and little and only through fewer parts for the constituting of a benign and gentle Lamp of life wherefore the blood being let out of a Vein upon a burning fire doth in some measure burn though it is not like the Spirits of Wine or Oyl of Turpentine turning all into a flame besides the whole mass of blood as the Oyl of a Lamp ought not to be fired yea its burning is instituted for that end that whilst all the Particles of the Mixture being freed some sulphureous and spirituous are consumed by burning others more subtil being sent in Troops might serve for the necessary uses of the animal Regiment and also others more thick or crass and nourishing as it were boiled or roasted might be dispensed for the cherishing all parts besides that all the dead or worn out and excrementitious may be sent away by fit or convenient sinks and others constantly substituted in their places by nourishment But in the interim that the vital Flame which destinated to so many offices we suppose to be inkindled in the Blood otherwise than the common flame which is plainly conspicuous appears not at all a probable reason thereof may be given as it is most thin and burns in the Heart and its depending Vessels as it were shut up in Receptacles it doth not clearly flame out but perhaps remains in the form of smoke or a vapour or breath yea although the blood should openly flame out yet it might be so done that its shining being most thin may not be perceived by our sight as in the clear light of the day we cannot behold a glowing red hot Iron nor shining sparks nor false fires nor rotten wood nor many other things shining by night why then may not the vital fire even thinner than they quite escape our sight Although sometimes hot living Creatures use to send forth a certain fire or flame only conspicuous by night For we have known in some endued with a hot and vaporous blood when they have put off their inner garments at night going to bed near a fire or Candle a very thin and shining flame to have shewn it self which hath possessed the whole inferiour region of the Body The reason of which affection seems wholly the same as when the evaporating fume of a Torch just put out is again inflamed by a light inkindling and manifestly argues that another flame
increased as to their thickness and made short as to their length are made to attract the adjoyning member and stir up local motion 1. In every motion these three things ought to be considered viz. First the original of the Action or the first designation of the Motion to be performed which is always in the Brain or Cerebel Secondly its instinct or transmission of the thing begun to the motive parts which is performed by the commerce of the Spirits lying within the Nerves Thirdly the motive force it self or exertion of the Spirits implanted in the moving parts either into a contractive or elastick force From this threefold Fountain viz. as the business is performed in every one of these in a various manner very many kinds and differences of Motions are deduced 1. As to the original or beginning of Motion we shall take notice that that which proceeds from the Brain with a knowing and auspicious appetite may be called Spontaneous or Voluntary but that which is wont to be excited from the Cerebel where the Law of Nature presides such as are Respiration the Pulse with many others may be called merely Natural or Involuntary either of these is either direct which is stirred up of it self or primarily from this or that beginning as often as the appetite requires this or that thing out of a certain proper and as I may say intestine deliberation and chuses out respective motions so in like manner when the ordinary offices of the natural and vital Function are performed according to the solemn Rite of Nature or the motion of either kind is reflected to wit which depending on a previous sense more immediately as an evident cause or occasion is presently retorted so a gentle titillation of the Skin causes a rubbing of it and the more intense heats of the Praecordia stir up the Pulse and Respiration 2. As to the Vehicle of the Instinct which we suppose to be wholly done by the Nerves for as much as it is performed by a single Nerve or by more at once it is called either a Simple or Complicate Motion then for that some Nerves help motion more or less than others by sooner or later moving this or that member is said to be moved first or by it self and another by consent yea and that consent is wont to be acted or done with neighbouring or more remote parts and that with a diverse respect But we have in another place largely shewn instances of these kind of sympathetick motions as also the causes of each of them and their manner of being made 3. There is another and that a remarkable distinction of Motions taken from the various constitution of the moving parts to wit parts endued with nervous Fibres and in which the motive Spirits dwell either they are Muscles which perform local motions or membranaceous bodies the motions of which are terminated in themselves which therefore we call Intestine As to what belongs to local motion of which only we treat at present although it be confessed by all that the Brain or Cerebel and the Nerves and Muscles together one or more as it were with joynt forces do contribute to this motion also though it may be sufficiently understood that the beginning of the motion to be performed is designed in the Brain or Cerebel and that its instinct is conveyed wholly by the Nerves yet by what means the Muscles perform that work far exceeding any mechanick virtue or operation seems most hard to be made plain That local Motion is performed by traction and doth depend upon the contraction of a Muscle is not only a vulgar Opinion but is also plain by ocular demonstration yet it is very much disputed and variously controverted among Authors concerning the manner of Contraction and efficient Cause some think it enough to say that the Soul it self by its presence doth actuate the Muscle or contract or draw out here and there its Fibres as it were a net spread forth But indeed this is to attribute to the sensitive Soul a supernatural and as it were Divine virtue To wit that the same by its mere Spirit was able to bend and force heavy and very great bodies whither it pleases Further for what end are the motive Organs framed with wonderful artifice and manifold difference unless that after the manner of Machines they might perform their operations by an orderly structure and as it were mechanical provision of parts Truly it will be no hard thing to apply the exercises of a Muscle and of the whole nervous Function and to explicate them according to the Rules Canons and Laws of a Mechanick Before I enter upon this I think it not amiss first to speak something of the make conformation and use of a Muscle in general The ancient Anatomists almost all with one consent did divide the body of a Muscle into Head Belly and Tail taking for the Head the extremity of the Muscle connexed to the part to which contraction is made for the Tail the end or portion of the Muscle inserted to the part to be moved for the Belly the part of the Muscle coming between which is beheld more tumid with a bulk of flesh then for the performing of motion they did suppose the Muscle to swell up about the Head and Belly and so to grow short as to its length and to attract nearer to it self the hanging part yet by what means and for what cause the belly of the Muscle swells up none yet hath clearly unfolded Moreover although the Doctrine of the Nerves hath been much described by the most skilful Anatomists of every Age so that the Muscles of the whole Body as it is thought have been exactly recounted and offices assigned them and monstrous names fitted for the expressing them yet the true frame of a Muscle not yet shewed by others first began to be delivered lately by the most ingenious Doctor Steno He hath found out in every Muscle two opposite Tendons into which both the Fibres go yea and hath taught that the same Fibres wholly which compose strictly on one side the Tendon of the knitting being more loosly joyned do constitute the flesh yet so that some being laid upon others compose the thickness or profundity of the Muscle and some laid nigh to others its breadth or latitude he calls the former Fibres Ordines or Orders but the other Versus or Turnings then the parts and composition of a Muscle being after this manner laid open he aptly reduces its Figure to Mathematical Rules and according to Canons thence taken shews the action to be unfolded because he advertising that in a Muscle with a simple right line all the fleshy Fibres parallel within themselves and for the most part equal are carried from one Tendon obliquely into another and that those Tendons are sowed in the opposite ends or angles of the flesh whereby he most ingeniously describes a Muscle to be a Collection of moving Fibres so framed together that
voluntary function enter oftentimes into spontaneous Contractions unless they be hindred by their Antagonists as it appears for that the Spasm or Cramp of one Muscle comes upon the Palsie of another Contraction and Relaxation are iterated more swiftly in the Heart than in the Muscles of Respiration and so perhaps in these than in several others In those ready to dye the fleshy Pannicle every where trembling clearly shews their changes by innumerable beatings or leapings As to what respects the Humors whereby all the fibres of a Muscle viz. the fleshy tendinous and membranaceous and what lies between them seem to be watered filled or blown up we ought to take notice of them at least two of them to wit the bloody and nervous liquor if not more And in the first place it is clearly manifest to the sense that the blood doth wash all the fleshy and membranaceous fibres which are interwoven with these because if the Spirit of Wine tinctured with Ink be put into an Artery belonging to any Muscle the Vein in the mean time being tyed close the superficies of all the fleshy fibres and transverse fibrils are dyed with blackness the Tendons being then scarcely at all changed in their colour it appears from hence that the blood doth every where outwardly water all the flesh or fleshy fibres and only those We have not yet found by any certain mark whether the blood enters more deeply the fleshy fibres or instils into them the subtil liquor falling from them although this last seems most probable but indeed we affirm that all the fibres viz. the fleshy tendinous and membranaceous are perpetually and plentifully actuated by the implanted and inflowing animal Spirits and constantly imbued with the nervous liquor which is the Vehicle of the Spirits But how far or how much the aforesaid humors conduce to the exercise of the animal Faculties doth not easily appear but because the animal Spirits cannot consist without the nervous liquor and depend very much upon its disposition we may conclude that it doth serve something to the actuating the motive power for that reason also that the continual afflux of the blood is nevertheless necessary an Experiment cited by the Ingenious Steno and proved of late by others plainly confirms He hath observed that in a living Dog the descending great Artery being tyed without any previous cutting off the voluntary motion of all the posterior parts have ceased as often as he tyed the string and as often returned again as he loosned the knot These are the chief Phaenomena to be observed concerning the frame and action of a Muscle in the dissection of Animals both of such as were living as also of the dead and dying From which however placed together and compared among themselves how difficult a thing it is to constitute the Aetiology of the animal motive faculty appears even from hence that the most Ingenious Steno after he had very accurately delivered the Elements of his Myology by himself first invented nevertheless he wholly avoided that Hypothesis which might be founded out of them for that he yet doubted whether the explication of a Muscle by a Rectangle were convenient to Nature in all wherefore when many run to the manner of musculary Contraction by the repletion of the fibres and others from their inanition and some to both he ingenuously professes that the true causes of this thing do not clearly appear to him And as to this abstruse matter although I do not believe that I am able to bring to light or shew any thing more certainly than others yet as in mechanical things when any one would observe the motions of a Clock or Engine he takes the Machine it self to pieces to consider the singular artifice and doth not doubt but he will learn the causes and properties of the Phaenomenon if not all at least the chief In like manner when it is brought before your eyes to behold and consider the structure and parts of a Muscle the conformations of the moving fibres their gests and alterations whilst they are in motion why is it that we should despair to extricate the means or reasons of the motive function either by truths or by what is next to truth Wherefore I think it may be lawful for me here to bring before you our conceptions and notions concerning this thing indeed not rashly taken or to comply with our former Hypothesis or to oppose any other which if they shall not satisfie all may at least excite others to find out better But we shall here repeat what we have mentioned before viz. that the power or virtue by which a Muscle is moved proceeds from the Brain is conveyed through the Nerves and is performed by the fleshy fibres contracted and by that means abbreviated This latter is proved by ocular demonstration yea it appears by it that the motive force doth depend also upon those former and is so transferred by a long passage that the influence of the Spirits being suppressed in their beginning or intercepted in the way for that reason the exercise of the designed motion may be hindred Further we notifie that the motive force is far greater in the Muscle or in the end than in the beginning or middle because the Brain and depending Nerves are made of a tender and fragil substance and can pull or draw nothing strongly but the Muscle putting forth strongly its contractive force seems almost to be equal to the strength of a Post or Crow or of a Pully or Windlace Sometimes the local motion is a compound Action to be performed of many Organs which consist in divers places and as its virtue is far more strong in the end than in the beginning or way we will inquire by what means as it were mechanical the motive force may be so augmented or multiplied in its progress then what is brought to the motion from the several Organs As to the first in Artificial things when for the facilitating of motion and the increasing the moving force many Instruments are invented all of them or at least the chief may be reduced to these two Heads viz. first either the same force or impression may be continued without the addition of any new force from one term or end to the other or from the first mover to the thing moved which notwithstanding may be much increased in the way as the Centers of Gravity are farther off or multiplied for the farther the motion is begun from the first Center of Gravity the stronger it proceeds as is beheld in a Crow or Leaver and in other things reducible to a Leaver Then if other things be disposed beyond the first Center of Gravity successively before the end of the motion as in a circular Wheel the same motive force is wont to be increased very much But to this there is required that the instruments of motion be sufficiently strong and tenacious in their whole tract for otherwise the motive force being
increased the same breaking falls down before the designed action be performed Secondly there is another way of multiplying the motive force to a great degree and also at a great distance which is performed with the addition of new forces or of fresh supplies to wit when the elastick Particles or those making the force being disposed and shut up in private places as it were little Cells afterwards as occasion serves are sent forth by a light contact or blast of a remote Agent into the liberty of motion which they readily perform By this means Air compacted and shut up when it is permitted to get out impetuously forcing a Bullet or other object sends or drives it out a great way It is sufficiently known what mighty and often horrid forces Gun-powder yields about the end of the Explosion when in the beginning or first inkindling the force being transmitted through the fiery fume as yet weak might be restrained by a light impression of the hand There are also other explosive little bodies of a various kind which being hid in convenient Boxes or Cells when they are raised up into motion by an inkindling or irritament or provocative do often exert an incredible force It behoves us then to inquire from which of these ways it comes to pass that the motive force doth in the Muscles so far exceed the force transmitted from the Brain through the Nerves or whether the action of the Musculary Motion be merely contractive or rather elastick or in some measure explosive Concerning these things it manifestly appears that the Muscles do draw to wit being abbreviated do bring the Tendon with the hanging part towards it self Further for as much as there is need for the offices of traction to be sometimes more strongly sometimes more weakly performed by them so to have the Centers of Gravity now nigher now farther off planted from the beginning of the motion hence the Muscles which extend or bend the Thigh especially the Psoae and Glutaei great Muscles beginning in the Breast and reaching into the Thigh do hide their fleshy moving fibres deeply within the Trunk of the Body but those which turn about the Thigh are constituted either near the hole or the rising of the Bone of the Thigh or somewhere thereabout in like manner it is observed in all the rest of the members that the belly of the Muscle gets a more remote or nearer site from the article or hinge of motion as it designed for performing either a stronger or weaker motion But truly this doth not hold as to the other moving parts to wit the Brain and Nerves which cooperate with the Muscles in the motive Act because although the motive force is carried by a long passage through all these Organs yet it seems impossible that a contraction so strongly performed by a Muscle should be begun by the tender and immoveable Brain and continued through the small and fragil Nerves but that it must necessarily be supposed some motive Particles are hid in the Muscle which as occasion is given are stirred up according to the Instinct delivered by the Nerves from the Brain into motion as it were with a certain explosion But what these Particles may be by what means they are instigated into motion and how they induce the contraction of a Muscle seems most difficult to be unfolded Truly it may be lawfully concluded from the effect that elastick Particles and fit to move themselves are contained in the Muscles and hid every where within the fibres because the Anatomy of living Creatures discovers often a motion in a separated Muscle yea in its fibres divided one from another The Hearts of some Animals beat a long while being pulled out of the Body the Muscles cut off sometimes perform the motions of contraction In great labouring Beasts slain or dying although the Heart and the Brain be taken out the fleshy Pannicle performs for some time very many turns of contractions and relaxations From these it is manifestly clear that there are among the Particles of the Muscles some agil and self forcers or carried by their own force heaped together which although the animal oeconomy be very much disturbed or overthrown do enter into motion of their own accord yet in a tranquil estate they perform no actions unless commanded by the Brain or Cerebel and delivered by the Nerves Whilst a Muscle is contracted the cutting up of a live Creature shews only the fleshy fibres to run into motion by themselves to wit being made more tumid sharper and shorter at the same time to amplifie or enlarge the belly of the Muscle and in the interim the Tendons as if immoveable of themselves to wit not altered either as to their thickness or length only pulled as it were by the fleshy fibres to be moved and to draw with them the moved part whence it seems to be manifest that the animal Spirits or elastick Particles which soever they are whilst they perform the Musculary Motion are only or chiefly agitated among the fleshy fibres Further hence any one may strongly think that such Particles are not at all contained or are wholly idle in the tendinous fibres for as we have noted that the Tendon is not changed in the act we may lawfully suspect that it is only instead of a Crook by which means the fleshy fibres being contracted may draw the member to be moved at a distance from them towards themselves But indeed it sufficiently appears by evident signs that the animal Spirits or elastick Particles do lodge within the tendinous fibres and truly much more plentifully than in the fleshy First the sense shews this to wit the touch which is much sharper and far more sensible in the Tendon than in the flesh yea any irritation or breach of the unity happening in that part brings not only a most troublesom sense to wit a very cruel pain but besides is wont to excite in the neighbouring flesh a Tumor or Swelling and frequently most grievous Convulsions whence we necessarily conclude that the animal Spirits do inhabit the tendinous fibres in great abundance but what they do there and by what means they serve to the motive function we will next inquire As often as the motion of a living Muscle was beheld by me I considered and weighed in my mind by what means all the fleshy fibres were contracted and released by turns I could conceive or collect no other thing than that in every contraction the Spirits or certain elastick Particles did rush into the fleshy fibres from either Tendon and did intumifie and force them nearer towards themselves or together then the same Particles presently coming back from the flesh into the Tendons the relaxation of the Muscles happened In a bare or naked Muscle when I had separated every fleshy fibre or a company of them apart from the rest in the whole passage by help of a Microscope I most plainly perceived the Tumor begun at either end of the flesh
two Tendons are ordained to each of them to wit to the end that the animal Spirits might be carried through short passages from the Tendons into the fleshy fibres and might leap back again because the compounded Muscle doth not always contain more series of moving fibres that it might perform many and divers motions but that it might make the same motion often with the greater strength For as we hinted before as a simple Muscle was as a single leaver or bar the compound seems as if it were many leavers or bars serving for the removing the same body conjunctly Further hence we may observe in some Muscles which are simple and regular that all the fleshy fibres are equal and so all the tendinous of one extreme being put together are equal to all of the other end being put together yet they single where they are shorter in one Tendon are longer in the other and so disposed that the tendinous fibres on either part the top and bottom have their excesses inverse and at once equal to wit that here a long is laid upon a short or the longest upon the shortest and there quite contrary the shortest upon the longest to the end that the motion might be so made every where in this or that side of the Muscle or at the end more strong more plentiful Spirits flow together into those parts from the longer tendinous fibres and on the contrary wherefore in some Muscles less necessary where the part of the flesh growing to the bone either becomes immoveable or only serves for the filling up of empty spaces one Tendon is shorter or lesser and oftentimes degenerates into a bony or cartilaginous hardness Further it is observed as to other strong and greatly moving Muscles that their Tendons are not so disposed as if they were only stays props handles or hanging crooks of the fleshy fibres for so they are only constituted in their extreme ends yet the tendinous fibres that they may be made more apt promptuaries of the animal Spirits being stretched out almost into all parts of the Muscle receive every where both ends of the fleshy which indeed yet more manifestly appears in the compound Muscles for that one Tendon being compounded embraces the extreme flesh and the other enters into the middle of the flesh as hath been already shewn But truly the animal Spirits whilst they leap out of the tendinous into the fleshy fibres are not sufficient of themselves for the wrinkling of them but require another elastick Copula from the blood this may be argued from many reasons First it seems to appear from this that the same Spirits being solitary or by themselves though most thickly planted within the Tendons stir up no Tumor or Contraction whilst they are moved in them wherefore being dilated within the fleshy fibres in a lesser quantity and having got a larger space they would be stretched out unless they met or strove with other Particles much less would they obtain a contractive force Besides when any wound or grievous trouble happens to a Tendon the belly of the Muscle or fleshy part is chiefly troubled with a Tumor or Spasm for the Spirits being irritated not so much within themselves but where they are violently driven among heterogene Particles stir up the greatest tumults and inordinations But further when the fleshy fibres are watered with the sanguineous humor beyond other parts and more than may suffice for their nourishment for what other use should it be assigned unless that it may contribute to the motive function Especially we take notice in lean Bodies which are more sparingly nourished that the Muscles being fused or drenched with more plentiful blood do perform the strongest endeavours of motions moreover it doth not appear by what way besides the expence of the Spirits in a Muscle consumed with continual hard motions or labours should be made up or renewed unless besides the small supplements by the Nerves others sufficiently plentiful should be supplied from the bloody mass Add to these that members destitute of the wonted afflux of blood easily fall into weakness or a Palsie and that from the observation of Doctor Steno in a live Dog the trunk of the descending Artery being tyed all the lower or posterior members were suddenly deprived of motion And though it doth not yet appear plainly to me whether the exclusion of the blood from the spinal Marrow or from the Muscles themselves or from both together be the cause yet however it comes almost to the same thing for as much as the animal Spirits being procreated within the Head and stretched out by the medullary and nervous Appendices into every member without the concourse of the blood they should not be able to perform the loco-motive power Having thus far explained by what means a Muscle being contracted in the fleshy part as to all the fibres at once performs the motive function we shall next inquire what is the reason of the Instinct whereby every motion both regular and irregular is wont to be obeyed or is performed Concerning this in general it first appears that the motions of every regular motion yea and the impulses of some irregular motions being conceived within the Brain or Cerebel are transmitted from thence by the Nerves to every Muscle This as we have elsewhere shewn is most evidently declared by the effects and consequences yet here great difficulties remain to wit how by the same passages fresh forces of animal Spirits are conveyed from the Head to every Muscle and at the same time the old ones exercising the Empire of the Soul besides with what difference and divers carriage of the inflowing Spirits the Nerves perform either of these tasks or both these offices Of these as I conjecture it seems that the animal Spirits which flowing continually from the Head to refresh the forces of the implanted Spirits are carried to the Muscle by the Nerves do move to it quietly and easily and being there presently received by the membranaceous Fibres they go apart into the Tendons which kind of relief although it should be but little in bulk yet because it is carried night and day by a constant course it easily arises to a sufficient provision for the continual filling up of the Tendons But that we suppose the Spirits so brought perpetually to the Muscle to be transferred by the membranaceous Fibres and not by the fleshy to the Tendons the reason is because if they should first enter into these straight running into an elastick Copula they would stir up the Muscle into continual motions more over for that in the Heart and Muscles of Respiration the fleshy Fibres are exercised with a perpetual motion they wait not for the passage of fresh Spirits to the Tendons But as to what respects the Instincts delivered through the Nerves from the Head for the performing or staying or any ways altering of the musculary motion of these we ought first to consider that the moving
flesh and there cruelly exploded they cannot be presently repressed brought into order or reduced into the Tendons but whether we will or not they persist a long while expanded and so bring forth a long and very painful contraction of the Muscle Which kind of Spasm sufficiently known we vulgarly term the Cramp The former distemper called the Convulsive Leaping is familiar both to malignant Feavers and to the Scurvy As to those we have ordinarily known when either no Crisis or an evil one is obtained that heterogene Particles from the blood and nervous juyce very much vitiated are not only laid up in the Bowels whose dispositions and functions they pervert but almost every where in the Muscles and there growing to the Spirits do affect them with a certain madness so as they cannot continue peaceably together or rest within the Tendons but being divided and distracted one from another leap out from thence by bands into the flesh and there stir up the lesser and most frequent Spasms or Convulsions In like manner by reason of the Spirits inhabiting the Muscles being burdened with an elastick Copula there growing to them some labouring with an inveterate Scurvy cannot contain their limbs in the same site or position but are necessitated sometimes to extend the hands or feet sometimes to fling them about here and there to transfer them variously and sometimes to subdue their madness by running leaping or other hard labours Treating some time since of Convulsive Motions we did almost wholly omit the Aetiology of the continuing Spasm or Tetanism as a thing which depended upon the Doctrine of the Muscles to be treated of afterwards Then we only hinted that the contraction of that kind did arise in one Muscle because its other Antagonist was resolved or loosned which indeed oftentimes happens in the face and some members in which whilst the parts upon one side are troubled with the Palsie those opposite on the other as it were loosned in the Reins are too much contracted Notwithstanding this kind of Spasm for the most part is without pain besides this is not easily or presently passed over or cured no more than the Palsie which is the cause of it Therefore as to what belongs to the formal reason of the Spasm called in our Idiom the Cramp every one labouring with this distemper perceives in himself one or more Muscles to be most strongly and involuntarily drawn together and they being for some time so highly distended remain as it were stiff and in the mean time for that the fleshy Fibres being cruelly contracted do violently haul or pull either Tendon to wit that which is fixed to the immoveable part perhaps no less than the other part to be moved they cause a most troublesom pain But sometimes this Spasm being excited by reason of the animal Spirits carrying themselves out impetuously into the fleshy Fibres doth not cease until the same Spirits being returned into the Tendons suffer the flesh to be relaxed therefore its nearest causes will be both the greater impetuosity of the animal Spirits among the fleshy Fibres with which they leap thither unbid and also their long continuance or stay for that they return back more slowly and difficultly into the Tendons For the secondary causes may be reckoned both the evil disposition of the animal Spirits and also the evil conformation of the Tendons viz. sometimes this sometimes that and not seldom both together As to the former this distemper as other Convulsions seems to arise for as much as the animal Spirits being burdened with heterogeneous Particles or an elastick Copula at length being irritated they are incited to the striking of it off which notwithstanding being thick and viscous and for that cause more tenacious is not soon nor easily shaken off but that the Spirits being still provoked by the same and shut up within the fleshy Fibres are longer detained in the expansion which thing perhaps happens not so much unlike as when water and air being joyned together make a bubble which if it be made of water wherein a little Sope is put is more tenacious much more large and continues longer than that made only of mere water So we observe that they who abound in thick and tartareous humours are most obnoxious to these kind of Cramps and besides that they who presently sleep upon drinking or eating gross meats after full eating and especially after a large and plentiful supper do suffer most cruel assaults of this disease but sometimes the Tendons themselves are found to be in the fault for that they being too hard bound together or obstructed they do not easily admit the Spirits returning from the fleshy Fibres The obstruction of the Tendons is the cause that Gouty and Scorbutick people whose Tendons salt and tartareous humours easily run into and obstruct are wont to be cruelly tormented with these kind of painful Cramps But that the constriction of the Tendons doth sometimes bring forth this disease appears by this for that some Women with Child as I have been often told about the latter end of their Time by reason of the Muscles of the Abdomen being too much extended are wont to be troubled with frequent Cramps only in the bottom of their Bellies For the illustrating of this Pathology we will add this following Case A Noble Woman young and fair some time since obnoxious to Hysterick distempers and now above two years ago to Convulsive and in a manner Epileptical of late by reason of the frequent and most cruel assaults of the disease she became also Cachectical and Paralytical that at length her Abdomen was distempered with an Ascites and her Legs with a waterish Tumor and lastly all her lower parts below her Hips were deprived of motion hence as often as the Convulsive fits infested her she was wont not now to move her body or members here and there but sometimes these sometimes those parts being snatched with the Tetanism were variously bent and twisted about that in the mean time she her self sitting in her Bed or Chair remained stiff and almost immoveable It is not long since that seeing the whole manner of one of these Fits I observed not without great admiration divers sorts of turns and changes of alterations of the Spasms At the first assault her eyes being turned about swiftly hither and thither she was presently taken with insensibility then by and by her head being turned and contracted of one side presently her arms and legs at once became stiff and all her Joynts sometimes of one side sometimes of both were bowed or stretched out perhaps after four or five minutes these Spasms both in her Head and Limbs remitting of a sudden others for the most part opposite followed which being often finished in the like space others far different did arise and so for two or three hours longer Spasms almost of every kind and fashion being excited through her whole Body followed upon one another so that her
head being convulsed or pulled by turns from the right to the left and contracted before and behind yea and all her Limbs being bent inwardly here and there or distended outwardly in the Course of one Fit she exhibited all sorts of Convulsive gestures When at any time the Spasms of one sort continued longer in the Head or Limbs than usual it was the custom of the Servants about her to blow up strongly into her Nostrils the Fume of Tabaco which being done as the Spirits recovered within the present Spasms immediately remitted but upon them others of a new kind succeeded Of late the Legs of this Lady were so debilitated by being loosned that she could neither go nor stand yea her Tendons under either Ham being made tumid and shorter were so contracted that she could not stretch out her Legs straight Concerning the case of this sick Noble Lady it may be demanded wherefore upon the first coming of the Fit no throwing about of the Body or Limbs as is wont in most Convulsive or Epileptical people but only continued Spasms or Convulsions variously translated from one part to another and so others did arise For the solution of this we say that the Spasmodick matter is not only heaped up in the Brain and Nerves but also in the Muscles themselves and grows to the Spirits inhabiting the Tendons And as that matter is tenacious and the Spirits weak and unable for the striking off quickly or easily such a Copula therefore as often as these being irritated do leap out of the Tendons into the flesh the Muscles being first possest they cause strong and long Contractions in the mean time other Muscles especially their Antagonists or opposites being hindred and bound up from motion until the Convulsions of the former are remitted hence the Members however convulsed are not moved out of their place because the moving or carrying of the Body or any Members is not performed but by the help or duty of many Muscles whilst some of them either rightly cooperate with others or at least obey them to wit so that some respective Muscles observing due cooperation are contracted at once then those being loosned the contraction of others immediately succeeds But if they which are unequal and unlike are at once contracted and strongly convulsed and so continue long so that other Muscles in the mean time cannot be contracted there will be a necessity for the members bent or extended here and there to remain as they are wholly stiff But that the present Convulsions were always remitted by the blowing the smoke of Tabaco up her Nose the reason is because the region or some part of the bodily Soul being vehemently affected if by chance a new passion equally violent be brought upon another part the first is presently abolished or ceases For in truth it appears by constant observation where-ever the greater or fresher trouble is that thither greater plenty of Spirits presently flock and make a tumult wherefore any new irritation being excited in the Brain or its Meninges whatsoever others were begun outwardly among the Muscles immediately vanish or are obscured then as soon as this fresh trouble is passed over Convulsions outwardly arise forthwith again but in other parts where more heaps of Spasmodick matter lye not yet consumed But that long continued Spasms do arise either by reason of the Spirits being burdened with a more tenacious Copula or by reason of the Tendons being obstructed with a viscous or tartareous matter from either or both it appears from hence because this disease increasing as in the case of this Noble Lady the Tendons are at length so shortned by the more plentiful heaping up of the morbifick matter that they become stiff and shorter and for that reason they hardly or not at all grant any place to the Spirits for the constant performing of the motive function Thus much for the Musculary Motion both natural and convulsive and the reasons of both which we have proved with what diligence we were able and by Anatomical Experiments But if any one shall object that they are not very firm because we have noted in the cutting up of live Creatures that the Heart and Muscles of Respiration and the fleshy Pannicle after that the Nerves and Arteries are cut away do continue for some time their turns of Contraction and Relaxation whence it is argued against our Hypothesis that their motions do not depend upon the constant influx of the blood and animal Spirits it will be plain to return this Answer That in those about to dye it sometimes happens so because the Soul being then distracted and drawing near to dissolution all the implanted Spirits at once being cut off from the commerce of those influencing or flowing in do of their own accord exert themselves and perform as long as they are able their wonted motions which being continued for a little space only need not the subsidy or assistance of fresh forces because the veterane till they are quite worn out perform their wonted tasks yea also the old sanguineous Copula till it be wholly consumed receives and lets go their embraces with a constant change But this more rarely succeeds in other Muscles subject to the Empire of the Appetite and wont only to be exercised as occasion served Moreover as we have affirmed that the Instinct for the performing of Motions is brought altogether through the Nerves from the Head to the Muscle and as every Trunk of the same Nerve being oftentimes broken into many shoots variously distributing them sends it to many destinated Muscles it may very well be doubted how the animal Spirits conveying the Symbol of the motion to be performed with a certain choice do actuate only these or those branches apart from other branches of the same and do not indifferently enter all the branches or shoots of the same to wit as the blood passes through the Trunk of the Artery and all its ramifications equally The most Learned Regius that he might solve this knot supposes in the Nerves some little doors like to those which are found in musical Organs the apertures whereof admit the Spirits to these or those parts especially the rest being shut up But he ought to have shewn if not the little doors themselves yet at least by what instinct and by whose direction sometimes these sometimes those are locked up and others opened But in truth this may rather be said that all the shoots of the Nerves and lesser branches remain distinct and singular among themselves from the parts to which they are inserted even to their beginnings so that a peculiar tract of the Spirits or way of passage lyes open from the Brain and its medullary Appendix to every Muscle and nervous part for in truth although the Nerves according to their beginnings may seem to arise from the greater Trunks yet it will easily appear if you shall open the trunk and those branches that in them many little Nerves only like
of the Tunnel lest it should be broken or thrust out of its place on the other side the growing together of the Optick Nerves serves instead of the same kind of defence What besides is contained in this space are only the shanks of the oblong marrow it self which proceed directly from the chambers of the Optick Nerves towards the hinder part of the Head in a straight passage and when both grow together below the Tunnel they are afterwards distinguished in their whole tract by a line drawn through the midst These shanks of a mans brain are far larger than in brute beasts to wit in that they seem to be made up of very many medullary chords or strings joyned together in one as if in this common passage and high-way of the animal Spirits they were so many distinct paths which the Spirits enter into respectively according to the various impulses of sense and local motion Moreover this space of the oblong marrow therefore appears shorter and more broken in a man because much of it is hid by the annulary protuberance which is sent from the Cerebel and is very big The Pia Mater all about covering the sides of this medullary Trunk cloaths them with most thick infoldings of the Vessels by which heat and the nervous juyce are carried as a continual provision for the Spirits taking a long journey Thus much for the first Section or anterior portion of the oblong marrow now our order carries us to the inspection of its hinder Region to wit where the Cerebel grows to it and the Processes sent from this either compass about its Trunk or are inserted into it out of which also the other Nerves produced within the Skull take their beginnings Concerning these we will speak in order CHAP. III. A Description of the Cerebel and its Processes also of the hinder Region of the oblong Marrow BElow the orbicular Prominences the Cerebel follows to be inspected The figure of this like the Brain is somewhat globous also it appears unequal marked with certain turnings and windings about the ridges and furrows of whose turnings about the Pia Mater stretches over and reaches out the infoldings of the Vessels to them all and deeply inserts them into all However the Cerebel is diversified or variegated with its turnings and rollings about not as the Brain after an uncertain manner but its folds are disposed in a certain orderly series for the exterior frame of it seems to consist of thin lappets or little rings or circles being contiguous and infolded also going about through the whole compass with a parallel site or situation Either Region of the Cerebel to wit the former and the hinder is terminated in a process in form of a Worm According to these ends as it were in a double Pole these Circles are very short thence ascending towards the top or Equator they are by degrees enlarged as it were Parallels in a Sphere or Globe These Circles are outwardly Cortical or barky and within medullary and all their marrowy parts pass into two ample middles which indeed seem to be the same in the Cerebel as the callous body in the brain The Cerebel in some Animals consists of one frame and all its little circles are placed in the same parallel site and keep the same proportion among themselves but in others there grow to the Cerebel as it were the primary Sphere and endued with greater circles some other bodies as it were Wens or Extuberances or additional Spheres marked with lesser circles These being eccentrick to the Cerebel it self have oftentimes labels or folds ordered in a diverse series from it But the Cerebel it self whether it hath these little Excrescences growing to it or not is found almost in all Animals of the same figure and proportion also made up of the same kind of labels or lappets Those which have the brain diversly framed from a Mans as Fowl and Fishes also among four-legged Creatures Conies and Mice whose brains want turnings about or convolutions have the like species and the like disposition of the folds and composure of the other parts of the Cerebel The reason of this difference in the brain and of the conformity in the Cerebel is rendred hereafter when we treat of the Use of the Parts As the Brain within its Cavity hath the Choroidal infolding made up of Arteries and Velsis variously complicated and of Glandula's thickly interserted so also the Cerebel hath got the like infoldings of Vessels and those marked with very many Glandula's and greater than those in the Choroidal infolding These infoldings and heap of Kernels the Pia Mater being separated which clothes the hinder part of the Cerebel easily appear in sight for in that place these creep upwards on either side nigh the Worm-shaped process as it were with two branches and receive the Artery on either side from the Vertebral Artery lying under the Basis of the oblong marrow and the veinous passages sent from either lateral bosom We shall inquire hereafter into the use of this Infolding and of its Glandula's In the mean time that we may describe the site and hanging on of the Cerebel the same standing on the oblong marrow seems to be fixed to its sides as it were by two little feet between which planted on either side and the Cerebel placed above and the trunk of the long marrow below because all these should be distinct one from the other there comes a cavity or hollowness between which is commonly called the four Bellies In either little foot sustaining the Brain are found three distinct medullary Processes The first of these sent from the orbicular Protuberances ascends obliquely the second descending straight from the Cerebel and passing through the other across compasses about the oblong marrow the third process descending from the hinder Region of the Cerebel is inserted into the oblong marrow and increases its trunk as it were with an additional cord or string These several Processes are truly represented in the seventh Table Q. P. R. But as to what belongs to the annular or ringy Protuberance by which the medullary Trunk both in Man and in some four-footed Beasts is compassed about that is made after this manner The second or middle process of the Cerebel descending straight to the oblong marrow seems not to be implanted in it assoon as it touches its sides but growing into a larger bulk goes about the superficies of the same marrow with divers circular Fibres And so when in either side both those kind of processes of the Cerebel being dilated or carried from the top of the medullary Trunk toward its Basis do mutually meet they make that circular protuberance The substance of this is far larger in a Man than in any other Animal in an Hare Rabbet Mouse and the like it is very small in Fowl it is either wholly wanting or for its smalness scarce to be discerned by the eyes Concerning its bulk this is a constant observation
They who have the orbicular prominences before the Cerebel small have this annulary protuberance very big and on the contrary they who have those prominences big or very great have this ring very small further they who wholly want the Buttock form protuberances as in Fowl seem also to want this annulary In many brute Animals but not in Man nigh to this greater Protuberance a little lower another lesser in like manner orbicular stands and compasseth about the superficies of the oblong marrow the root of which is a white and medullary line stretched out under the Cerebel above the bottom of the fourth Ventricle From the sides of this lesser protuberance the auditory Nerves arise In Man the auditory or hearing Nerves are seen to arise out of the utmost brim of the greater protuberance in like manner they have for their root a white medullary line covering the fourth Ventricle That this line and the three distinct medullary Processes which constitute either little foot of the Cerebel may be more plainly shewn also that the most inward frame of the Cerebel may be viewed its whole globe ought to be cut through both Poles viz. in the middle through the Vermiform or Worm-shaped processes then it will plainly appear that in either Hemisphere there is an ample middle or marrow wherein the marrowy branches being stretched abroad on every side like those of a tree spread through the Cortical substance of the Cerebel every where diffused and that in either middle or marrowy part the three distinct processes which make either trunk or little foot of the Cerebel are inserted Each of these are fitly represented in the seventh Table Thus much for the Cerebel and by what means it is fastned to the oblong marrow Beside these it is to be observed that about the bottom of the Basis of the oblong marrow out of the greater Ring come out two medullary strings which being distinct from the rest of the medullary Trunk go right forward towards the spinal marrow and in its progress being made straiter by degrees like Pyramids after about the space of an inch end in sharp points The extremities of these consist on the other side where the wandring pair of Nerves have their orignal and make a certain rising up in the oblong marrow Hence it is likely that these strings are passages or chanels of the animal Spirits wherein they are carried from the greater Ring or what is the same thing from the Cerebel into the wandring pair and the beginnings of other Nerves implanted near for what end shall be said hereafter These pyramidal Bodies do not so manifestly appear so long as the Pia Mater clothes them and hides them with the infoldings of the Vessels but this Membrane being pulled away they are so conspicuous especially in a Man and a Dog that they seem like greater Nerves In those Animals where the annulary Protuberance is greater these processes being brought from the same in right angles are greater and more conspicuous and on the contrary in Fowl they are clearly wanting Fig III. These are the Phaenomena or Appearances which the whole frame of the Brain and its Appendix is wont to exhibit to Anatomical Inspection and which as to its fabrick and all its parts and processes are to be found both within and without As it is a hard and troublesom business to inquire into the actions and use of each of these so it is also joyned with so much pleasure and profit that I dare promise to my self and others that it will be a thing worth our labour and while Yet before we enter upon this there remain to be unfolded some things hid in some of the bones of the Skull such as are the pituitary Kernels the admirable Net and some others also we ought to shew first briefly at least a type or figure of the Brains in Fowl and Fishes The Third Figure SHews the outmost or superior Superficies of the humane Brain taken out of the Skull where the border of the Brain being loosned from the knitting of the other Parts made by the Membranes is elevated and turned outward that the shanks of the oblong Marrow the Fornix or arched Vault the Nates and Testes with the pineal Kernel and other Processes may be clearly and distinctly beheld AA The border of the Brain which in its natural situation was contiguous to the Cerebel B. The brim or margent of the callous Body besmearing either Hemisphere of the Brain which in its natural site leans upon the pineal Glandula C. The Fornix or arched Chamber DD. The Arms of it embracing the shanks of the oblong Marrow EE The shanks of the oblong Marrow out of which the Optick Nerves proceed and the tops of which situated further out of sight are the streaked Bodies F. The pineal Glandula between which and the root of the Fornix stands the chink leading to the Tunnel GG The orbicular Protuberances which are called Nates or the Buttocks HH The lesser Protuberances called Testes or the Testicles which are Excrescences of the former II. The medullary Processes which ascend obliquely from the Testes into the Cerebel and constitute part of either of its Meditullium or marrowy part of it K. The meeting of those Processes through another transverse or cross Process LL. The beginning of the pathetick Nerves out of the meeting of the aforesaid Processes MM. A portion of the oblong Marrow lying under the aforesaid Processes and Protuberances N. The hole of the Ventricle or Cavity which is placed under the orbicular Protuberances OO A portion of the annulary Protuberance sent from the Cerebel and embracing the oblong Marrow PP The outmost and upper superficies of the Cerebel The Fourth Figure The Effigies of an humane Brain of a certain Youth that was foolish from his birth and of that sort which are commonly termed Changelings the bulk of whose Brain as it was thinner and lesser than is usual its border could be farther lifted up and turned back that all the more interior parts might be more deeply beheld together AA The border of the Brain lifted up and very much bent back which in its natural site being knit to the oblong Marrow nigh the Cerebel did hide the Nates and Testes B. The border or inferior margent of the callous Body CC. The Fornix with its two Arms embracing the shanks of the oblong Marrow DD. The internal cavity or hollowness of the Brain resulting from the folding together of its border about the oblong Marrow EE The tops of the shanks of the oblong Marrow or the streaked or chamfered Bodies FF The Chambers of the Optick Nerves G. The pineal Kernel between which and the root of the Fornix the hole is whose passage leads both to the Tunnel and to the Ventricle lying under the orbicular Protuberances HH The Protuberances called Nates II. The Protuberances called Testes KK The medullary Processes stretching out from the Testes to the middle of the Cerebel LL. The laid
together with their manifold productions and so affords a passage to the blood by carrying it to and fro towards the brain Concerning these Vessels which are knit to this Meninx and follow its stretching out into all parts there are many admirable things to be met with and highly worthy of note the uses and reasons of which is our purpose to search into As to these we shall first observe that these Arteries and Veins otherwise than in any other part of the body besides not arising nigh one another go forth as companions but going forth from opposite ends meet every where mutually viz. the Arteries ascend from the Basis of the Skull and by creeping through the whole emit upwards shoots and branches which are met by the Pipes of the Veins arising out of the bosoms and carried downwards By this means the rivers of the blood seem to be made equal every where in the Brain viz. whilst the smaller shoots of the Veins follow or match the greater branches of the Arteries and on the contrary the small branches of the Arteries the Trunks of the Veins Secondly We have already shewn that these Vessels are variously and very much ingrafted or inoculated among themselves not only the Arteries with the Veins but what is more rare and singular Arteries with Arteries to wit the Carotidick Arteries of one side in many places are united with the Carotides of the other side besides the Vertebrals of either side among themselves and are also inoculated into the posterior branches of the Carotides before united The joynings together of the Carotides in most living Creatures are made about the Basis of the Skull under the Dura Mater and that after a diverse manner in some communicated through the Vessels of the wonderful Net from one side to the other in others as in a Horse we have observed with a certain admiration the arterious chanel is produced between the Trunks of the Carotides whereby the blood may be carried from one side to the other and so on the contrary But besides between the Dura Mater about the Basis of the Head the same kind of ingraftings of the Arteries are still seen in man and all perfect four-footed beasts The reason of these seems to be partly that the blood to be carried from the Heart into divers Regions of the Brain might be exactly mingled as to its parts and particles before it come to the place designed For the Torrent of the blood because divided into lesser rivulets is incident to languish in so long a circuit and its Spirits to be depauperated and lastly it self to grow cool unless that various courses of its Latex should anew inkindle this vital flame about to be extinguished or dye But there is another reason far greater than this of these manifold ingraftings of the Vessels to wit that there may be a manifold way and that more certain for the blood about to go into divers Regions of the Brain laid open for each so that if by chance one or two should be stopt there might easily be found another passage instead of them as for example if the Carotides of one side should be obstructed then the Vessels of the other side might provide for either Province Also as to the Vertebral Arteries there is the same manner of provision made Further if both the Carotides should be stopped the offices of each might be supplied through the Vertebrals and so on the other side the Carotides may supply the defects of the shut up Vertebrals After this manner lest there should be wanting an afflux of the blood at any time in any part of the Brain or its Appendix within the Skull there is care taken with singular Art For as there are four distinct passages and those remote one from the other of this Latex if perchance three of them should happen to be shut up the blood being carried through one only will soon supply or fill the chanels and passages of all the rest Which thing I have found by Experience often tryed not without admiration and great pleasure To wit I have squirted oftentimes into either Artery of the Carotides a liquor dyed with Ink and presently the branches on either side yea and the chief shoots of the Vertebrals have been dyed with the same tincture yea if such an injection be sometimes iterated by one only passage the Vessels creeping into every corner and secret place of the Brain and Cerebel will be imbued with the same colour Also in those who have the wonderful Net the Tincture or dyed Liquor being injected in one side it will come through the Net-like infoldings of the Vessels in both sides Hence it plainly appears that there is a communication between the Vessels watering the whole Head and although every Artery is carried to one only Region as its peculiar Province and provides for it apart yet lest that any part should be deprived of the influence of the blood more ways lye open to every part by the ingraftings of those vessels so that if the proper vessels by chance should be wanting in their office its defect may presently be compensated by others neighbouring It is not long since we dissected the dead body of a certain man whom a great Scirrhus or hard Swelling within the Mesentery growing at last ulcerous had killed When his Skull was opened we beheld those things belonging to the Head and found the right Carotides rising within the Skull plainly bony or rather stony its cavity being almost wholly shut up so that the influx of the blood being denied to this passage it seemed wonderful wherefore this sick person had not dyed before of an Apoplexy which indeed he was so far from that he enjoyed to the last moment of his life the free exercise of his mind and animal function For indeed Nature had substituted a sufficient Remedy against that danger of an Apoplexy to wit the Vertebral Artery of the same side in which the Carotidick was wanting the bulk of the Pipe being enlarged became thrice as big as both its Pipes on the other side because the blood being excluded the Carotidick adding it self to the wonted provision of the Vertebral Artery and flowing with a double flood into the same belly had so dilated the chanel of that Artery above measure This Gentleman about the beginning of his sickness was tormented with a cruel pain of the Head towards the left side The cause whereof cannot be more probably assigned than that the blood excluded from the right Carotidick Artery when at first it rushed more impetuously in the left had distended the Membrane and therefore the same distemper did afterwards vanish of its own accord to wit the superfluous blood being derived through the Vertebral Artery Thirdly Concerning these sanguiferous Vessels covering the Pia Mater we observe that the Arteries and Veins whilst they meet one another going out from opposite ends do not only transfer their burden immediately through the several branches
or shoots mutually ingrafted as is wont to be done in other parts of the Body but being variously complicated and interwoven do constitute every where admirable infoldings into which for the most part very small and very numerous Glandula's or Kernels are inserted Which thing is seen not only in the infoldings which are called Choroeides by which name besides those which are found within the plicature or folding up of the Brain we also intend others planted together behind the Cerebel but these kind of infoldings of the Vessels with Glandula's sowed between are seen every where to be sprinkled through the whole compass and interior recesses of the Brain and Cerebel and especially between the gapings of their turnings and windings and interstices This is clearly manifest in a moister Brain or in an Hydropical where the very small Glandula's which otherwise are scarce to be seen being intumified by the moisture are easily beheld Moreover from the aforesaid infoldings on every side implanted little slender Vessels being every where sent forth enter the Cortical and in some measure the medullary substance of the Brain and its Appendix for if you squirt into the Carotides a black liquor besides the shoots of the Vessels which it dyes every where with the same colour little blackish pricks will appear sprinkled in the substance of the Brain Further if the brain of a living Animal be cut up the live blood will spring forth both from its Cortex and medullary part The reason and end of all which if they be inquired into it seems that these foldings of the Vessels being variously complicated with repeated windings about as if they were little serpentine chanels hanging to an Alembick through whose narrow straits the blood passing with a long circuit becomes still more subtil and elaborated to wit it s thicker part being by degrees put off in its passage or sent away by the little branches of the Veins and so at length the only pure and most spirituous blood and it self now ready to go into animal Spirits is admitted within the Pores and passages of the brain But as the blood or sanguinolent part is supped up by the Veins so it 's very likely the Serum or watry part is received by the Glandula's or Kernels interwoven in them For it appears not for what other end these Arteries are every where beset with so many Kernels unless they should lay up in them the superfluous serosities Between these infoldings there appear not any Nerves to be found which may require any juyce or serous humor from these Kernels and 't is not yet found whether these Lymphaeducts or Water-carriers be accompanied with any Vessel wherefore it may be lawful to suppose that whilst the purer and spirituous part of the blood being separated from the rest of its mass is stilled forth into the brain the serous humidities are received by the Glandula's which are numerous and that they are for some time retained by them till they may be sent away into the Veins growing empty again Thus far we have beheld only the superior branchings forth of the blood-carrying Vessels which are every where interwoven in the Pia Mater and their infoldings which like the leaves of a Wood or creeping Ivy cover the exterior compass of the whole Head But by what means and as it were Chymical Artifice these Vessels do instil the animal Spirits into the Brain and Cerebel and serve for the use of one another besides shall be told anon after we have considered of the inferior Aspect and next the ground of this most thick Wood viz. the greater Trunks of all the Arteries which are destinated for the Brain where they pass through the Skull and shew themselves beyond it CHAP. VIII Shews with what difference the Arteries in various Animals pass through the Skull also for what use the wonderful Net is made and the reason of it THE Arteries destinated to the Brain are four in number viz. two Carotides and as many Vertebrals Concerning the former we have already observed that their Trunks pass through the Wedge-like Bone as it were with a mechanical provision to wit either Artery is so bowed and intorted in its ascent that the blood before it can reach to the Brain by a repeated stopping of shores or hindred by a certain lett or impediment might flow to it less rapidly and more slowly But this is not effected after one and the same manner in all Animals for although the ascent of the Artery be oblique and intorted in all yet in some viz. in a Man and a Horse it being bowed about with a greater compass still enters even to the Brain with a single and undivided Trunk when in most other beasts the same passes the Skull with a lesser circuit and sliding presently under the Dura Mater diversifies it self there into Retiform infoldings commonly called the wonderful Net Therefore it seems to be to the purpose that we inquire into the various reasons of this difference In the first place therefore we shall advertise you that the Carotidick Artery in a man enters a little more backward the Skull than in any other Animal viz. nigh that hole through which the lateral bosom slides out of the Skull about to be implanted into the Jugular Vein for in the rest this Artery arises within the Skull under the end or acute process of the stony Bone But in an humane Head the same being carried about by a longer compass that the Torrent of the blood before it comes to the border of the Brain might flow slowly and pleasantly with a broken force attains to the Basis of the Skull nigh the den made by the ingress of the lateral bosom where being presently intorted it enters the proper Chanel insculped in the Wedg-like Bone and for the greater assurance it is clothed besides with a thicker additional Coat This double defence seems to be given it lest the blood boiling up too much and whilst it is carried violently towards the head should make a Whirlpool about the ingress of the Skull to wit where it begins to be wreathed about from its direct ascent and should break by its stood the banks of the Belly unless they were more firm The Artery being slid out of the bony chanel lays aside also its ascititious or additional Coat and now being well enough defended within the Skull goes forward clothed only with its proper Coat and creeps under the Dura Mater and being as it were depressed in the midst of its passage into a valley being immediately carried out again it goes on till it comes to the head of the Turky Chair where again being bent in and intorted with a certain compass it ascends straight and boring through the Dura Mater is carried towards the Brain The Trunk of this Carotis like a Meander passing through the Skull with a very much bending way or passage is aptly represented in the first Figure of the following Table If the reason of this
Carotides in a man having an erected head higher than the rest of the parts and in a Horse in some sort lifting up his face have also the same priviledge to wit that by their more steep ascent only the more pure and volatile blood may ascend to the region of the Brain But in other four-footed beasts who go with a prone or hanging head and who have a more frigid and watry blood which may easily slide into and too much wash the Brain this evil is in some part prevented by the wonderful Net and pituitary Glandula joyned to the Carotides which indeed receive the superfluous humidities of the blood and so make it more pure and free from dregs before it comes to the brain But that the blood may be supplied still in due quantity to wit as it were in weight and measure from the distillatory Vessels stretched about the compass of the Head there is a notable provision made in all the Carotides about the Basis of the Skull because their crooked imbowings and branching into infoldings hinders the too great or too rapid approach of the blood then lest the passage of it should at any time be shut up the mutual ingraftings of all the Vessels on either side do help or provide for After this manner the business of extracting the animal Spirits is performed even as a Chymical Elixir to wit great care is taken in the beginning of that Operation both that choice of matter may be had and that only a due proportion of it be exposed to distillation The blood by this means as it were a Chymical work prepared is carried by the fourfold Chariot of the Arteries to four distinct regions of the Head and as the sanguiferous Vessels being distributed with separate ramifications or branches through the whole compass of the Brain and its Appendix cover all the heights of its compassings about or gyrations and also all its crevices and their gapings and recesses they bring to their doors the matter to be distilled into the Head every where through the whole circumference of the Brain and Cerebel nigh the Cortical substance of either out of which as the Spirits are distilled by this means it is brought about that they are insinuated into the subjected substance of either The blood being carried through the narrow infoldings and divarications of the Vessels as it were as was said through the serpentine chanels of an Alembick is made extremely subtle as much as may be in its liquor in the mean time what is bloody is received by the little shoots of the Veins associates or meeting one another every where and what is serous by the Kernels every where dispersed yet it s more purified and spirituous part being carried on further through the very small shoots sent forth on all sides are instilled more deeply into the very Pores and passages of the Brain and Cerebel which presently flowing from the Cortical substance into the medullary there exercise the gifts of the animal Function What peculiar body and constitutive particles of the Brain it self and Cerebel conduce to the generation and perfection of the animal Spirits within the substance of either shall be shewn hereafter when we treat of the Use of those Parts now shall be taken notice of what we before mentioned to wit that the fluid extillation of the spirituous liquor from the blood about the Pia Mater is performed after a signal manner both from the ambient heat which is stirred up from the blood contained within the bosoms as it were from a Balneo Mariae inriched by the continual flowing of it anew and also from the obduction of the Meninges like an Alembick by which the spirituous Particles apt to fly away are constrained and forced into the parts beneath But indeed though the animal Spirits are procreated wholly from the blood yet the blood watering the Brain and its Appendix is not only bestowed on this work for as to the sanguiferous Vessels which arising out of the Trunks both of the Carotides and the Vertebrals cover over the whole Head and all its parts and processes though many of them yet not all are little distillatory chanels of the animal Spirits For the animal Spirits are not produced in all places to which these Vessels reach for we affirm that these Spirits are only procreated in the Brain and Cerebel which it were easie to prove by the Symptoms which happen in the Apoplexy and Palsie and shall be afterwards clearly shewn and from this double fountain of the animal Spirits they flow out into all the rest of the parts and irradiate by a constant influence the whole nervous stock In the mean time the oblong marrow and its various processes and protuberances are either retreating places or high roads for the animal Spirits procreated in the Brain and Cerebel and flowing from thence But for as much as the Arteries and Veins clothe these parts also with a thick series of shoots and that within the infolding of the Brain the folds called Choroeides are hung slack and loosly these seem to be so made for other reasons viz. both that these parts might be actuated by heat supplied as it were from a continual fire and also that the nourishing Juyce might be bestowed on the Spirits which flow there As to the first that the animal Spirits now perfected may be freely expanded and irradiate the nervous System there seems to be required that the ambient heat being excited by the blood flowing thither might open all the little spaces for their passage and notably dilate or lay open for them ways or roads wherefore we intimated before because the little shoots of the Vessels ought not to be deeply inserted into the callous body for that lest the commerce of the Spirits diverting in this Mart or meeting place should be disturbed by the perpetual influence of the blood therefore the infolding of the Choroeides is hung under its chamber that at least by this nigh situation as by a Stove or Hot-house the heat there might be preserved Besides we intimated another use of this infolding to wit that the blood passing through the very narrow Meanders and convolutions or rollings about of the Vessels might lay aside its serous recrements into the Glandula's or passages of the Veins 2. But secondly That many branches and lesser shoots of the same Vessels which water the Brain and Cerebel cover also the oblong marrow and in some measure enter into its Pores and deeper substance within which the animal Spirits are not begotten but only exercised and expanded I say that this is so made for this other respect to wit that the substance of the oblong marrow might imbibe a constant provision of nourishment from the pouring in of the blood whereof it hath need For whilst the animal Spirits flowing into the nervous stock from the Brain and Cerebel pass through this passage as it were the high road some food he e ought to be administred to
them as it were in their journey from the watering blood For indeed we suppose which also will afterwards clearly appear that the oblong marrow together with the nervous parts is moistned with a double humor viz. one spirituous and highly active which flows altogether from the Brain and Cerebel and being from thence derived into the whole nervous stock bestows upon them the sensitive and moving Faculties and the other humor softer and more oily and sulphureous which being supplied from the blood and affused immediately on every part is the Author of their Heat and Vegetation Both these Juyces agree among themselves and being every where joyned together and married they are as it were a masculine and feminine seed mixed together and so they impart to all parts both sense and motion and all the powers of life and growth Wherefore it is observed that all the parts of the whole body by which motion and sense are performed do not only swell up with the animal Spirit of whose influence being deprived they presently suffer a resolution or loosning but also they admit the sanguiferous Vessels of whose Tribute if they be defrauded presently they wither away or are distempered with a mortification or Gangrene Wherefore that the flesh membranes and all the bones may be watered with the blood as may be perceived by the help of a Microscope the very little or minute bodies of some of the Nerves are surrounded with Capillaments or little hairs of Arteries and Veins together with their proper Fibrils that we need not doubt to assert that the Vessels penetrating the superficies of the Brain and Cerebel do distil into them a subtil matter for the generation of the animal Spirits but that some other shoots of the same Vessels covering the oblong marrow do only impart to it heat and nourishing Juyce Lastly that the infoldings of the Choroeides were built under the chamber of the oblong marrow chiefly for the dispensing of heat and in some measure for the sake of separation of the serous Latex But concerning these we shall have occasion to speak more largely afterwards when we shall treat of the nutritious and nervous Juyce and when we shall consider of that famous Controversie viz. whether nourishment is made by the blood or Nerves further we shall elsewhere speak more fully of the Nature Hypostasis and diverse Disposition of the animal Spirits also what the substance of the Brain and the conformation of the parts may contribute to their production Thus far concerning the Pia Mater and the blood-carrying Vessels which are woven in it and following its protension water the whole Head we have treated largely But before we quite leave the consideration of this Membrane we will inquire what sense and motion it may have Certainly it is not undeservedly that we ascribe the most cruel Head-aches to the more acute sense of this in which however by what means this Meninx is affected does not so easily appear It is the common opinion that sharp and tormenting Vapours being raised from the Viscera of the lower Belly especially from the Ventricle Hypochondria or Womb strike against this Membrane and so pierce it with pain But we say though this be impossible that Vapours passing so many interstices and bars of the Viscera and bones without any trouble should ever come to the Head and hurt it yet we do not deny but that sometimes vaporous Effluvia's do proceed from the blood boiling or estuating within the confines of the Brain which being shut up together under the Pia Mater and as it were gathered into a Cloud do greatly blow up and distend it and so distemper it with pain I have often seen in a Head newly opened after death the Pia Mater distended and shining like a Bladder that the same seemed to be intumified with much water included under it which notwithstanding was found to be so done by wind distending the Membrane for that being dissected that Tumor fell down without the effusion of water But we think the Head-aches which happen by reason of the evil of this Membrane are chiefly excited by another means to wit for as much as this Meninx suffers a breach of the unity by the blood boiling up above measure and rushing into its Pores and so it is contracted into lighter Convulsions I have sometimes opened the Heads of the defunct which when living were obnoxious to most miserable Head-aches in which near the longitudinal bosom where the seat of the pains was the Pia Mater or interior grew to the Dura Mater or exterior for some space oft-times for two fingers breadth and by their growing together had excited a sharp and unequal Tumor in which the mouths of the Vessels were so wholly stopped up that there was left for the blood though very much boiling up no passage into the adjoyning bosom As to the motion of this Membrane we wholly deny that it hath in it self a perpetual Systole and Diastole however the Pulses in some Arteries have seemed something like it which have given occasion perchance to this vulgar Opinion Yet in the mean time it may be lawful to believe that this Meninx for that it is very sensible is rendred obnoxious to Cramps and convulsive motions and that from its greater contraction the fits of the Falling-sickness do arise and from its lesser and more partial corrugation or wrinkling together Head-aches as hath been said and also sometimes Scotomies Vertigoes and often Convulsions of the Members and Viscera planted at a great distance from the origine of the Nerves being drawn into consent CHAP. X. A Description of the Brain properly so called and the Explication and Use of its Parts WE have thus far beheld the Coverings of the Brain both the bony and the membranous also the Arteries and Veins growing and knit to them like Ivy and distributed through the whole compass of the Head There now remains these coverings being removed that we next consider the Fabrick and true Hypotype or Character of the Brain and its Appendix together with the action and use of all the parts And here at first sight we meet with three things to wit the Brain the oblong Marrow and the Cerebel of which the oblong marrow seems to be a common Trunk to which the Brain and Cerebel grow like branches wherefore some contend the medullary Rope to be the principal part and the Brain and Cerebel its dependences But that it is otherwise appears by this because these bodies both in the generation and dispensation of the animal Spirits are of more noble use than the oblong marrow so that if the out-flowings of the Spirits from the Brain or Cerebel be shut up or hindred the nervous System presently suffers an Eclipse in the mean time if this be primarily distempered the Brain and Cerebel suffer not for its fault That we may begin with the Brain it may be considered in a double respect to wit both as to its convex or exterior
in the whole or in part for that reason divers manners both of Actions and of Passions to wit the Senses which we call its Passions and Motions which we name the Actions of the same The formal reason of the former viz. the Senses consists in the retraction or drawing back of the Spirits or a flowing back towards their Fountains For where ever the impression of a sensible object is carried to this radiant or beamy contexture presently either the whole frame or some portion of it whereby it admits the species is compelled to wag and to be moved back as it were to leap back and recede into it self on the contrary the actions or motions of this Soul are made for that this shadowy Spirit being incited or stirred up in the whole or in a certain part unfolds it self more largely and by an emanation and as it were a certain vibration of the Spirits exerts or puts forth its virtue and force of acting Both the Senses and Motions of this sensitive Soul are made either transient when the Spirits or its constitutive Particles being moved somewhere in the System of the Nerves draw together with them the containing parts and deflect them with the like carriage or gesture with themselves as is observed in the five outward Senses and the local motions of the Members or else either both Actions and Passions are continuing to wit when both the Motions and Senses are silently performed without any great agitation or moving of the body or its parts within the first Fountains of the Soul viz. the Head it self These kind of Passions indeed made within the substance of the Brain are the common Sense and Imagination but the Actions are Memory Phantasie and Appetite and either of these as to their beginnings and instincts depend for the most part upon the outward Senses Concerning the former we take notice that as often as the exterior part of the Soul being struck a sensible impression as it were the Optick Species or as an undulation or waving of waters is carried more inward bending towards the chamfered bodies a perception or inward sense of the Sensation outwardly had or received arises If that this impression being carried farther passes through the callous Body Imagination follows the Sense Then if the same fluctuation of Spirits is struck against the Cortex of the Brain as its utmost banks it impresses on it the image or character of the sensible Object which when it is afterwards reflected or bent back raises up the Memory of the same thing The active Powers of this Soul viz. Local Motion Memory Phantasie and Appetite follow sometimes immediately the Passions sometimes are induced apart from them upon other occasions For indeed the sensible impression striking the streaked or chamfered bodies oftentimes the Brain being in no wise affected causes the local Motions to be retorted with a reciprocal tendency of the animal Spirits so in sleep the Appetite knowing nothing of it when pain troubles presently we rub the place moving the hand to it but more often after that the sensible Species having past from the common Sensory to the callous Body hath stirred up the Imagination the Spirits reflecting from thence and flowing back towards the nervous Appendix raise up the Appetite and Local Motions the Executors or Performers of the same And sometimes a certain sensible impression being carried beyond the callous Body and striking against the Cortex of the Brain it self raises up other species lying hid there and so induces Memory with Phantasie also often with Appetite and Local Motion associates Further these active Powers sometimes upon other occasions are wont to be stirred up and exercised apart from Passion In Man the Rational Soul variously moves the sensitive and at its pleasure draws forth and brings into act its Powers sometimes these sometimes those Moreover the blood boiling up above measure and by that means striking impetuously the border of the Brain excites the species of things lurking in it and driving them forward towards the middle or marrowy part of the Brain causes also the various Acts of the Phantasie and Memory to be represented Concerning the aforesaid interior or abiding Faculties we shall at present further take notice that their more perfect Exercises are chiefly and almost only performed by the Spirits already perfected and highly elaborated for those a making or that are new made being numerous they very much obstruct and hinder the acts of the animal Function to wit when from the Vessels on every side watering the Cortex of the Brain the subtil Liquor is plentifully instilled for the matter of the animal Spirits this flowing inwardly stuffs all the pores and passages of the Brain and so excludes for that time the Spirits from their wonted tracts and orbs of expansion Wherefore whilst the chief reflection of the Brain and Spirits is celebrated sleep or an Eclipse of the animal Spirits happens then waking returns when from the Liquor instilled the more subtil part is exalted into very pure Spirits and at length the more watry being partly resolved into Vapours is exhaled and partly supped up by the passages of the Veins entring the substance of the Brain or else is sweat out into the vacuity lying under the callous Body Concerning these I hope we may discourse more largely afterwards In the mean time that we may proceed to the rest of the things proposed concerning the frame of the Brain properly so called there yet remains that we speak of its Ventricles But since they are only a vacuity resulting from the folding up of its exterior border I see no reason we have to discourse much of their office no more than Astronomers are wont of the empty space contained within the vacuity of the Sphere But in truth as there is nothing met with in Nature that is not destinated to some use surely we suspect this same Vacuum or empty space not to be built in vain within the Globe of the Brain The Ancients have so magnified this Cavern that they affirmed it the Shop of the animal Spirits both where they themselves were procreated and performed the chief works of the animal Function But on the other side the Moderns or those of later days have esteemed these places so vile that they have affirmed the same to be mere sinks for the carrying out the excrementitious matter But indeed that opinion of the Ancients is easily overthrown for that the animal Spirits being very subtil and apt to fly away require not such large and open spaces rather than the more narrow passages and little pores such as are made in the substance of the Brain for these Spirits because they ought for the various Faculties of the Soul to be composed into various series and divers orders and dispositions therefore ought to be moved within peculiar orbs and tracts Further if any one shall exactly consider the fabrick of the Brain and seriously weigh that these Ventricles are not formed out
of the primary intention of Nature but result only secondarily and accidentally from the complication of the Brain he will be far from thinking that the supreme seat of the Soul is fixed there where being hem'd in with a most noble Guard of Spirits it doth execute and perform its Functions For it neither appears at all out of what matter and by what artifice the Spirits are there begotten nor by what ways of emanation they are derived from thence into the other parts of the Brain and nervous System Wherefore almost all Anatomists who are of a later Age have attributed that vile office of a Jakes or sink to this more inward chamber of the Brain To which Opinion there has been some trust given for that these Ventricles are often seen in the dead to be filled with water also from these ways seem to lye open for excretion both towards the Tunnel and also into the Sieve-like Bone It is observed that where-ever the blood flows more copiously into any part and waters it there Vapors or watry Humors are begotten from the superfluous Serum left in the circulation which for the most part either exhale out through vaporous Effluvia's or are brought back into the blood by the Veins or Lymphatick Vessels But when the blood by a plentiful influx waters not only the Cortex of the Brain but the interior marrow also it remains that the serous Latex when-ever it abounds more in the blood than that its superfluities may be reduced immediately by the Veins or by the Lymphaeducts if they be there or may be separated by the Glandula's should slide down into this den made hollow within the infolding of the Brain Truly there are many instances which plainly evince that the serous humors are ordinarily laid up in the Ventricles of the Brain Anatomical Observations of men dying of many Cephalick diseases and especially of soporiferous or sleepy distempers confirm this Yea it may be lawfully thought that natural sleep follows for that the Pores and passages of the Brain are occupied and stuffed with a watry Latex which serves for a Vehicle to the Spirits Then as often as a profound sleep invades any one from a Surfeit or drinking of Wine the cause is that the little spaces in the medullary substance of the Brain destinated for the motions of the Spirits are too much obstructed by a Narcotick or a watry humor certain reliques of which being resolved into vapor and thrust out from the company of the Spirits do often sweat out or drop into this Vacuum or empty space After this manner it may be believed concerning the Ventricles of the Brain or the empty space left within its plicature or folding together But in truth because this matter hath been very much controverted among Physicians of every Age and the right decision of it seems to be of great moment for the explicating the offices of the other parts of the Head I will here compare together the reasons for and against this Opinion that we may at length give our Judgment of this Opinion what may be either true or most likely CHAP. XII It is inquired into whether the serous Humors heaped together within the Vacuity of the Brain be sent out by the Pituitary Glandula and the Sieve-like Bone or not SInce Experience testifies that the Serum and excrementitious I may justly say morbifick and oftentimes deadly Humors are found frequently within these Ventricles of the Brain we ought to inquire more diligently concerning their passage in and out and the rather for that it is very much doubted by some concerning the use of these Dens nor are there wanting those in this late Age who have endeavoured to bring into vogue the ancient Opinion though long since exploded concerning the Spirits being begot in this place and here exercised I believe without doubting for the reasons before alledged that the Spirits are not here begotten nor exercised and no less certain is it made by Experience that the serous Colluvies is here often gathered together This therefore only remains that we should see from whence and how this flows hither and then by what ways of Excretion the same should be carried out As to the first it is exceeding probable that the serous Latex which is the Vehicle of the Spirits newly produced and is introduced together with them into the Pores of the Brain after it is grown stale and being attenuated into Vapour doth distil forth into this Cavern and there at last grows into a watry Humor for otherwise what becomes of that Humor or into what other Receptacle could it be derived Besides this ordinary and I believe assiduous heaping together of the serous Colluvies within the Ventricles of the Brain certainly it may be believed that this kind of serous Humor is distilled out of the Glandula's inserted in the Choroeidal infolding being too much filled into the Ventricles so called I have often seen in a Dropsie the Glandula's of the Brain to be intumified and like grains of Barley bursting with too much wet to become flaccid or withered so that they could not retain the ferosities brought to them but continually disposed them into the Cavity beneath Truly in a Dropsie of the Brain these Cavities or Ventricles are always seen to be full of water the cause of which kind of distemper is the blood being made more watry puts off in its circulation a greater heap of Serum than the Veins can presently carry back or the Glandula's are able to receive and retain For indeed that the Serum redounding on every side from the Vessels may the better slide into the Ventricles of the Brain it is so ordered that the greater infoldings of the Vessels with the inserted Glandula's should be disposed near all the Ventricles of the Head because not only the infolding Choroeides is placed nigh the concourse of the three Ventricles in the Brain but another infolding and no less noted which we above described with greater Glandula's is set behind the Cerebel nigh the fourth Ventricle In all as it seems for that end such care is taken that the watry part coming from the blood which is destinated either for the Brain or the Cerebel for that it is not fit for the procreating of Spirits might run into these infoldings of the Vessels But yet if a greater plenty of Serum be there laid up than can be contained in them or may be sent away outwardly whatever is superfluous will slide into the Cavity underneath Hence it appears from whence and by what means the serous heap is gathered together within the Ventricles of the Brain certainly to deny this going out is no other than to assert every ones Brain big with a Viper which cannot be brought forth but by gnawing asunder the bowels of its parent Who shall lightly consider the parts nigh the Ventricles and their Fabricks at first sight only would swear with the Ancients that the excrements of the brain were laid aside both lower
process The oblong Marrow seems to be a broad or high Road into which the animal Spirits perpetually flow from their double Fountain to wit the Brain and the Cerebel to be derived from thence into all the nervous parts of the whole Body which Spirits whilst they are orderly disposed in this common passage as it were by series and orders carry a twofold aspect to wit they are directed either outward towards the Nerves when they exert the loco-motive Faculty or they look inward towards their Fountains when the acts of sense or rather the apprehensions of sensible things are performed Within this open way a more large and greatly open path leads straight to the spinal Marrow through which the Spirits flow forth to the Nerves the Executors of spontaneous Motion in most members In the mean time out of the same tract of the oblong Marrow lesser paths are carried outwardly here and there by particular Nerves arising from the same within the Skull Also besides many diverting places viz. various processes and protuberances grow to this medullary Trunk into which the Spirits destinated to some peculiar offices go apart lest that all the Spirits travelling this way and that way in the same path should meet one another and disturb one anothers offices Whilst after this manner for the performing the acts of Motion and Sense we suppose the animal Spirits to be expatiated within the oblong Marrow we affirm that they are not there begotten but only exercised For indeed they being created only in the Brain and Cerebel as they proceed from this or that they perform the offices either of a merely involuntary Function or else of a spontaneous as shall be shewed more largely hereafter But that we may unfold here all things which belong to the oblong Marrow I shall mete it forth from its first coming out to the end of its race and handle its several Stadia diverting places and cross ways Where the callous Body is thought to end the oblong Marrow begins to wit when the medullar substance of the Brain is thickest nigh the bosses or knobs of either Hemisphere a body of a whitish colour and somewhat darkned or obscured and streaked like Ivory is joyned to that marrow on both sides These two bodies are the extremities or tops of the shanks of the oblong Marrow between which and the Brain there are nigh and very immediate commerces Either of these seems as it were a Cylinder rolled about into an Orb which nevertheless constitutes the top of either shank not spherical but oval and something bent downward in the hinder part A more large portion of its superficies is joyned to the medullar substance of the Brain but yet some part of it being free from the cohesion with the Brain shews it self apart and makes that protuberance shewing it self in either lateral Ventricle These bodies if they should be dissected along through the middle appear marked with medullar streaks as it were rays or beams which sort of chamferings or streaks have a double aspect or tendency to wit some descend from the top of this body as if they were tracts from the Brain into the oblong Marrow and others ascend from the lower part and meet the aforesaid as if they were paths of the Spirits from the oblong Marrow into the Brain And it is worth observation that in the whole Head besides there is no part found chamfered or streaked after the like manner If the use of these be inquired into this presently occurs that these bodies placed between the Brain and its Appendix are the great and common diverting places of either to wit which receive whatsoever impulses or forces of the animal Spirits are sent from either and communicate them presently to the other Or that I may speak more plainly this part is the common Sensory to wit as Aristotle saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first Sensory that receives the strokes of all sensible things dilated from the Nerves of every Organ and so causes the perception of every sense which kind of strokes of sensible things when from hence they are passed further into the Brain presently Imagination succeeds the Sense and further these bodies as they receive the forces of all the Senses so also the first instincts of spontaneous local motions To wit as often as the Appetite discerns any thing to be done presently the reciprocal tendencies of the animal Spirits that is from the Brain into these parts are disposed here to act the conceptions of motions coming from any part or member For here as in a most famous Mart the animal Spirits preparing for the performance of the thing willed are directed into appropriate Nerves That it is so it appears because every influence from the Brain into the nervous stock and on the contrary from this into that and the mutual commerce of the animal Spirits must of necessity pass through these bodies Wherefore all the Nerves also those which belong to the more inward Organs of the Senses arise behind these chamfered bodies For the Optick and smelling Nerves creep through the superficies of the Brain by a long passage and windings about that they might be inserted below this part of the oblong Marrow For indeed the Species of sensible things received by those Nerves might more immediately be carried to the middle of the Brain unless that they ought first to be staid at this Sensory Further we may lawfully conjecture that these parts perform the aforesaid office from their chamfered and as it were beamy contexture For as those chamferings with which these bodies are marked as we but now intimated are of a double kind to wit some descending which look from the Brain towards the oblong Marrow and others ascending which are carried distinctly from this towards that it may be lawfully concluded that in these carried upwards the impressions of sensible things are perceived and in those tending downwards are performed the Instincts of Motions Further that these bodies as was said perform the offices of the first Sensory besides the fabrick of their parts and the Analogy to be collected thence of their use it seems yet more certainly to appear from some Observations concerning these chamfered bodies after what manner they are affected in Paralytick diseases For as often as I have opened the bodies of those who dyed of a long Palsie and most grievous resolution of the Nerves I always found these bodies less firm than others in the Brain discoloured like filth or dirt and many chamferings obliterated Further in Whelps newly littered that want their sight and hardly perform the other faculties of motion and sense these streaks or chamferings being scarce wholly formed appear only rude The chamfered Bodies inclining one to another near their blunt and greater angles are almost contiguous but that the Trunk of the Fornix intervenes with its twofold Root yet in that place where the two Roots of the Fornix being sent straight down are inserted into the callous
Body a transverse medullar process like a great Nerve stretched from one chamfered body to the other as it were joyns the same and makes them to communicate one with the other Certainly this joyning together of the chamfered bodies is made that their actions and passions may not be double but though the species of the sensible object or conceptions of the motions to be performed coming from the Brain or Sensory being double are carried also double to the first Sensory yet for as much as either substance or frame of this communicates with the other every impression coming this or that way becomes still one and the same For it may be observed in the whole Head that though almost all things are double yet each of them communicate among themselves either by a contiguity or by processes sent forth And so as by the duplication of it care is taken against the absolute privation or defect of the act so the joyning together of its duplicature provides against the empty or confuse multiplication of the same species After this manner the chamfered bodies in Man and four-footed Beasts are constantly found of the same species or form and in every one of them figured after the same manner and are as it were the Joynts that joyn the Brain to the shanks of the oblong Marrow But we have already shewn that in Fowls and Fishes whose brains being alike differ from those of men and four-footed beasts the thing is somewhat otherwise For in Fowls the callous body is wanting to the brain but what serves instead of it is found in the oblong Marrow to wit two little Ventricles shew themselves nigh the chambers of the Optick Nerves which are arched or chamber'd with a whitish substance such as the callous body is in man or four-footed beasts Then on the contrary the chamfered bodies or the parts which serve in their stead in Fowls are not a portion of the oblong Marrow after the usual manner but are entred into the Brain it self For near the fissure of the Brain two Membranes being marked with medullar chamferings both distinguish either Hemisphere of the Brain and cover over its Ventricles The streaks or rays of either Membrane descend and being concentred about the Basis of the Brain go together into a medullary process which is inserted on both sides to the oblong Marrow So these parts viz. the callous body in which the animal Spirits are expanded and the chamfered bodies in which their passing to and fro is instituted seem to be transposed in the head of Fowls The reason whereof as I elsewhere hinted unless I be deceived is this because these Animals are of less excellency in Imagination and Memory than four-footed beasts yea also for that the sense and motion of them are their chief Faculties therefore for the exercises of these to be performed with a greater expansion of Spirits the callous body is transferred into the oblong Marrow and in its place the chamfered bodies are removed into the Brain About the lower end of either chamfered body the smelling Nerves are inserted For you may take notice that the mammillary Processes a little more obscure in man but much more conspicuous in brute Animals who are endued with a more remarkable sense of smelling do pass into firm and plainly whitish bodies of Nerves which being dilated or brought nigh the lateral turnings and windings of the Brain are implanted into the oblong Marrow on either side about the lower angle of either Ventricle behind the chamfered bodies yet so that the Tube or Pipe of either Nerve may open into the Cavity of the Ventricle as we before shewed After this manner these Nerves are carried by a long journey from the fore-part of the Brain that they may bring the sensible species to the chamfered body as to the common Sensory first and rather than to the Brain But we shall speak of the smelling Nerves more particularly hereafter Where these chamfered Bodies end from either side a marrowy substance succeeds which being somewhat of a darkish colour going forward for some space is distinguished by a peculiar bending forward from the other contiguous parts This Galen perhaps not improperly calls the Chambers of the Optick Nerves for in this place the Optick Nerves shewing themselves from the highest region of either side being carried downward with a certain compass are united about the Tunnel Then being divided again and carried a little further enter the Skull going straight forwards to either Sensory The growing together of these Nerves and their being again separated seems to be ordained for this end that the visible species received from either Eye might appear still the same and not double for this conjunction of the twofold Organ frames the double image into one which once united when afterwards it is carried to either side of the common Sensory for that it is on both sides alike appears still the same If at any time through drunkenness or a distortion of the Eyes the object appears double and two Lights upon a Table it is because the image of the same thing is received after a different manner by one Eye than the other for that reason the objects are represented like two distinct things For that this Eye is distorted after one manner and that after another the same Species coming to either Pupil by a diverse angle of incidence appears diverse or double There is another reason of the coalition of the Optick Nerves to wit that one Eye being hurt all the visible animal Spirits might be bestowed on the other Further for that these Nerves are carried with a long passage their uniting helps to their mutual strength and support Whereas the Optick Nerves arise here from the oblong Marrow all or its most intimate substance is not bestowed upon them but these Nerves are inserted into the medullar Trunk as branches of a Tree to the stock that so they may receive by that means the influence of the Spirits and by this way transmit the Species of visible Things In the mean time this more inward substance of the oblong Marrow is the common passage both to the Eyes and to the other nervous System arising more backward through which by the going and returning to and fro of the animal Spirits the impulses of sensible things and the instincts of Motions between the Brain and the other nervous parts which depend upon it are performed Forasmuch as the smelling and seeing Nerves arise so near the chamfered bodies the reason hence is plain why odors or the objects of the sense of smelling so strike the Brain it self and immediately affect it also why there is so exceeding swift a communication between Sight and Imagination Concerning the Optick Nerves in a man which also in some measure is after the same manner in other living Creatures we shall advertise you that when they after their uniting or mixing together being presently again separated do go out of the Skull the
holes or passages open to the Tunnel the Choroeidal Infolding is continually joyned yea this infolding seeming to hang from the Pineal Kernel sustaining its middle Process as it were by a nail or hasp from thence is divided into two wings stretching out on either side upon the shanks of the oblong Marrow Wherefore we may justly suspect that this Glandula is chiefly made for the sake of this infolding and that the office of it is no other than of other Kernels which are placed nigh the concourse of the sanguiferous Vessels to wit that it may receive and retain within it the serous humors deposited from the arterious blood till the Veins being emptied may sup them back or the Lymphaeducts if there be any there may convey them outwardly For it is observed that the Choroeidal infolding is beset with very many lesser Glandula's or Kernels and every where interwoven with them which imbibe the Serum secreted from the blood in the smaller Vessels therefore for this very same office where all the Vessels concur this Kernel is placed of a bigger bulk that it might be able to receive and contain the serosities there plentifully deposited Moreover it is of no small moment that this Glandula sustains and keeps duly stretched out the Chroeidal infolding otherwise hanging loose and apt to fall down into it self or at least to slide out of its proper place Wherefore I have often taken notice in the Dropsie of the Brain that this Glandula being loosned at the roots by too much moisture and often broken off and removed from its place the Choroeidal infolding hath slid together from its proper expansion and slip'd down lower and also suffered its Vessels to be folded together disorderly From these things thus premised concerning the pineal Glandula it will not be difficult to assign also the use of the Choroeidal infolding Concerning which there will be little need to refel that Opinion of the common sort which asserts That the animal Spirits to be bestowed upon the whole Brain are begot in this infolding because the Vessels of this instil nothing to the substance of the Brain or its Appendix for that they are no where inserted to it but it was before shewn that the Ventricles of the Brain or the Cavity in which these same Vessels are hung do not at all contain the Spirits which further appears more plain because in Cephalick diseases those Ventricles are filled with water and the continuity of the infolding is dissolved by too much moisture when in the mean time the sick are indifferently strong in the exercise of the animal Faculties But indeed we suppose that this infolding serves for a twofold office viz. First that the more watry part of the blood destinated for the Brain might be sent away into its Vessels to the end that the remaining portion of the bloody Latex might become more pure and free from dregs to be distilled forth into Spirits even as is wont to be done in a Chymical Distillation to wit when there is a peculiar Receiver fitted for the receiving of the Phlegm by it self more sincere pure and subtil Spirits are instilled into the other more noted Receiver The more watry blood entring the arterious Vessels of this Infolding being carried from them into the Veins is remanded back towards the Heart In the mean time lest the Serum too much redounding and boiling up in these Vessels might hinder circulation its superfluities are received for some time both by the lesser Glandula's thickly inserted and also by the pineal Kernel The other and no less noted use of this Infolding is to conserve the heat of the blood boiling within the complications of the Vessels and as it were circulating about being excited as from a fire-place within the infolding of the Brain For though the Pia Mater need not implant thick shoots of Vessels in the callous Body and inward Marrows of the Brain for that they are rather dedicated to the Exercise than to the Generation of the animal Spirits yet that the heat requisite for the circulation of the Spirits might be kept constantly in that place this infolding is hung upon the whole neighbourhood For as the blood aggested or heaped together within the Cavities of the Bosoms is instead of an hot Bath whereby the animal Spirits are distilled plentifully into the outmost and cortical part of the brain so the blood contained within the small Vessels of this infolding seems to be in the place of a lesser and more temperate Bath whereby the same Spirits might be fitly circulated in the more inward and medullar substance Lastly Another reason may also be given why the Choroeidal infolding is found always within the Ventricles or Cavity of the Brain made by its infolding and after what manner soever figured to wit that another sort of commodity might result from thence that when the Vessels of that Infolding carrying too watry blood lay aside more Serum than the Glandula's are able to receive or contain what is superfluous might slide down opportunely into the underlying Cavity as into a Sink Wherefore the Pineal Glandula though set in a more eminent place is however placed always near the hole or passage that lyes open towards the Tunnel in every brain Next to the Pineal Kernel are found in the upper superficies of the oblong Marrow certain noted Prominences which are commonly called Nates and Testes These being placed near together do constitute as it were four Mole-hills which yet are joyned one to another by certain processes Beneath these Mole-hills or rather between the joyning of them and the trunk of the oblong Marrow placed underneath a narrow and long Cavity or Den is left which by some Anatomists is called the fourth Ventricle but according to others later who place the fourth Ventricle under the Cerebel this Cavity is affirmed to be a passage to it The hinder extremity of this Den ends nigh the beginning of the fourth Ventricle the more fore-extremity of it opens before the former Mole-hills or little bulkings out called Nates From the midst of this Cavity or narrow Den a passage goes straight to the Tunnel It is very much controverted among Anatomists concerning the site of these parts and of their dependency on one another and of other parts and of their use Concerning which this is first to be noted as we hinted above that these four Protuberances are far greater in some brute Animals than in a Man as in a Sheep Calf Goat and the like also in a sound dry and old Head they are more conspicuous and their processes joynings and habitudes may be more easily noted than in a younger moist or otherwise sickly brain Indeed the use of these unless my conjecture deceives me seems far more noble than that they should deserve those vile names of Nates and Testes Buttocks and Testicles Notwithstanding to what office these parts were designed neither have the ancient Anatomists delivered nor will it by the help of Reason
be easie to guess for certain We have already shewn that these aforesaid Prominences ought not to be taken for the two shanks either of the Brain or Cerebel bending back one towards another and so growing together into the oblong Marrow For although from this supposition a very neat Hypothesis may be made for the oeconomy of the animal Function to wit by affirming that these double shanks on either side were so many distinct ways of passage through which the animal Spirits for the performing of motions flowed from the Brain and Cerebel into the oblong Marrow and returned thence from this into those for the performing the acts of the Senses yet from our Method of Dissecting it plainly appears that the brain is not fixed to the oblong Marrow nigh this place but far above it so that indeed the anterior Prominences unless mediately only viz. by the chamfered bodies receive not any portion of the medullar stock or any influence from the brain nor can have any dependency from it Besides if the Protuberances called Nates were shanks of the brain why should the same be in man he having got the greatest brain the least or at least lesser than in most other living Creatures Then between the Prominences called Testes and the Cerebel although there happens a certain communication yet it seems that there lyes open a passage from those little lumps into the Cerebel and not from this through them into the oblong Marrow For out of these aforesaid Prominences a medullar Process ascends obliquely on either side into the Cerebel by whose passage the animal Spirits tending from one stage to the other cause a mutual commerce between those parts and the Cerebel But indeed the Processes which lead from the Cerebel into the oblong Marrow and carry to it its influences being distinct from the former stand somewhat lower as shall be more clearly shewn hereafter when we shall speak of the Cerebel But in the mean time concerning the offices and uses to which the aforesaid Protuberances serve we shall make this conjecture The animal Spirits perpetually flow out and leap back again from the fountain the brain into the oblong marrow so that there may be had a constant commerce between the brain and many organs of sense and spontaneous motion from which those parts are entertained which perform their actions not at the beck of the Appetite but either by the instinct of Nature or the blind impulse of the Passions for such receive wholly their influences from the Cerebel as afterwards shall be more fully shewed Whilst therefore the Spirits flowing from the brain abound in the oblong marrow it is fit that some of them should be carried from thence into the Cerebel for what uses this ought to be done shall be told by and by wherefore from either side of the oblong marrow a Protuberance grows forth into which indeed the Spirits designed for the Cerebel may go apart from the common passage of the oblong marrow and these Prominences are the former which are commonly called Nates and as we have said are far greater in most brute Animals than in man the reason of which shall be declared anon The other hinder Protuberances commonly called Testes grow to these former and are only certain Epiphyses or Excrescences of them as it were the heads of the medullary Processes which are from thence carried by an oblique ascent into the Cerebel for when the animal Spirits ascend from the former Prominences into the Cerebel they enter these latter first as it were the more large beginnings or entrances of their passage from whence they go forward by the passage of the medullar Processes into the Cerebel Besides we may take notice that when the animal Spirits are carried out of the oblong marrow into the greater natiform Prominences to be derived towards the Cerebel they according to their custom as often as they tend towards the common Sensory from a double Organ of any Faculty ought to be confounded and mingled together before they enter the Cerebel wherefore both the first Prominences and also the second growing to them are joyned together with certain Processes like wings reaching one another which connexion indeed of them because it ought to be distinguished every where from the medullar Trunk lying under it hence from the separation or empty space that comes between the oblong marrow and the growing together of the Prominences that cavity arises which is by some called the fourth Ventricle and by others the passage to it If it be yet farther inquired to what end the animal Spirits are carried by this by-passage from the common passage of the oblong marrow into the Cerebel and thence back again I say that this is done for a twofold respect viz. both that the Passions or Affections of the sensitive Soul begun from the brain may be transmitted to the Praecordia and Viscera then secondly that the natural Instincts excited in the Praecordia and Viscera might be communicated to the brain These reciprocal commerces which are had between the brain and the Organs of involuntary Functions ought to be instituted or performed by this private passage lest otherwise the exercises of these involuntary Faculties should very much disturb the acts of the outward Senses or the intentions of spontaneous motions As to the first it is observed that by every passion of the sensitive Soul as from Anger Sadness Pleasure and other Affections the Praecordia are disturbed whether we will or no which variously dilate or constrain themselves and so stir up in the blood divers fluctuations Moreover from this kind of force of the Passions the countenance or the aspects of the Face are wont to be altered and distorted after various ways The reason of all these seems to be because when the animal Spirits existing within the brain are moved according to the Idea of the conceived Passion the other Spirits also flowing within these diverting places being in like manner moved affect the Cerebel and that coming between the original of the Nerves serving to the Praecordia Viscera and Muscles of the Face and so the parts to which those Nerves are distributed are also stirred up or provoked into motions answerable to the same passion But the aforesaid Prominences and their dependences serve no less also for the conveying of the impressions of natural Instincts to the Brain that from thence the Appetite and local motions might presently be retorted by which all the exigencies or wants perceived by the Praecordia or Viscera might be supplied When in a young one newly born the stomach crys out for hunger the Instinct of this is carried by the passage of the Nerves to the Cerebel and from thence by the medullar Processes to these Protuberances and the Spirits there inhabiting form the Idea of the impression and carry it to the brain wherein presently without any previous knowledge or experience such kind of conceptions of the Soul are stirred up that every
little living Creature presently seeks out the Mothers breasts and sucks But it may be objected it does not seem of necessity we should suppose these kind of acts of the Passions and Instincts to be made apart in this by-place for why are not the commerces of the animal Spirits ordained by the influence from the Brain into the Nerves leading to the Praecordia and so back again through the common passage of the oblong Marrow But to that it may be readily answered That this reciprocal motion of the Spirits ought to be made through the middle region of the Cerebel from one stage to another for the exercise of these Faculties And therefore since that all manner of communication between the Brain and Cerebel is performed by these Prominences there should also be had a passage by the same way between this and the Organs of the Functions merely natural Besides if the rage or furious motions of the Passions and Instincts should be carried in the same path in which the forces of sensible things are carried their acts might be greatly confounded by the mutual meeting or gathering together of the animal Spirits But this kind of Hypothesis concerning the Acts and Progress of the Passions and natural Instincts shall be made more clear afterwards when we design the Actions and Uses of the Cerebel and of the other parts which in like manner seem to be destinated to the same offices with these Protuberances In the mean time what we have affirmed that the latter Prominences are only Additionals or Excrescences of the former will clearly appear to any one beholding them But this as we have already hinted is seen without Controversie in the brains of a Calf a Sheep and some other four footed beasts where when the Nates are signally great the Testes grow to the same in a very small bulk Further that the medullary Processes lead from these into the Cerebel and convey the animal Spirits by this by-path is so manifest that none who hath carefully beheld these parts can be able any further to hesitate or be doubtful of it For indeed the little hairs or fibres wherewith these processes ascending into the Cerebel are marked are otherwise figured and placed than those which are beheld in the neighbouring process descending from the Cerebel towards the oblong Marrow Moreover either pair of Prominences do not only communicate among themselves mutually by their stretched out wings but also another medullar Process going cross-wise knits together the aforesaid Processes stretched out from thence into the Cerebel and from this joyning together of them two small Nerves are produced which bending down on either side and being carried forward enter the Dura Mater and so go straight through it till having reached to the moving Nerves of the Eyes they go forth of the Skull at the same hole with them going forward straight to the Trochlear Muscle of the Eye Concerning these little Nerves it is observed that when many others proceed from the sides or the Basis of the oblong Marrow these arise from the aforesaid Prominences in the bunching forth at the top The reason of which if I be not mistaken is this We have affirmed that these Prominences do receive and communicate to the Brain the natural Instinct delivered from the Heart and Bowels to the Cerebel and on the other side or back again do transfer towards the Praecordia by the mediation of the Cerebel the forces of the Passions or Affections received from the Brain but in either action the motion of the Eyes is affected with a certain manifest Sympathy For if pain want or any other signal trouble afflicts the Viscera or the Praecordia a dejected and cast down aspect of the Eyes will declare the sense of its trouble when on the contrary in Joy or any pleasant Affection of the Praecordia or Viscera the Eyes are made lively and sparkle again In like manner the Eyes do so clearly shew the Affections of the Mind as Sadness Anger Hatred Love and other perturbations that those who are affected though they should dissemble cannot hide the feeling and intimate conceptions of the mind Without doubt these so happen because the animal Spirits tending this way and that way in this diverting place between the Brain and the Praecordia do at once strike those Nerves as the strings of a Harp Wherefore from this kind of conjecture which we have made concerning the use of these Nerves we have called them Pathetical although indeed other Nerves also may deserve this name There yet remains for us to take notice of the aforesaid Prominences that either of these pairs and the Processes hanging on them are distinguished from the trunk of the oblong Marrow lying under by the Cavity between them so that this Cavity or Ventricle seems to exist only secondarily because the empty space between the aforesaid bodies placed above and beneath separating the same one from another ought to come between But this Cavity seeming to result so by accident hath a very signal use for in the middle of its passage a sloping aperture reaches towards the Tunnel through which the humors sliding into either of its holes one made more forward the other more backward are sent out The more forward hole is placed between the chambers of the Optick Nerves a little before the pineal Glandula into which the serous heap being laid up nigh to the confines of the oblong Marrow slides by degrees but the other hole is opened more backward into the fourth Ventricle which is planted under the Cerebel which hole is covered with a thin Membrane which girding about its mouth and that of the Cerebel provides lest the humors derived from the fourth Ventricle or the confines of the Cerebel should fall down any other way than into that hole but if at any time that little hole be broken asunder by a deluge of the Serum the watry Latex sliding down upon the Basis of the oblong Marrow overwhelms the origines of the Nerves and so brings Convulsive distempers and meltings and not seldom deadly of the vital Spirits as I have observed in the bodies of many dying of Cephalick Diseases CHAP. XV. Of the Uses of the Cerebel and of some of its Parts and Processes HAving hitherto continued the former Tract of the oblong Marrow which as it were the Kings High-way leads from the Brain as the Metropolis into many Provinces of the nervous stock by private recesses and cross-ways it follows now that we view the other City of the animal Kingdom The situation of this being remote enough from the former its kind of structure is also different from it yea it seems that there are granted to this as to a free and municipal City certain Priviledges and a peculiar Jurisdiction The Cerebel is placed a little below the orbicular Prominences in the hinder part of the Head where growing to the trunk of the oblong Marrow by a double little foot it appears almost of a
couched together with folds or little circles disposed in a certain distinct series and apt method and proportionate within themselves as hath been said whence it may be argued that the Spirits arising from hence and flowing outwardly are imployed or bestowed on some certain works determinate to one thing But further it is observed that in all Animals although they differ in form and kind yet the figure of the Cerebel is always very like or wholly the same The Brain and oblong Marrow are figured in many after a divers manner for as we have shewed before there is some difference of these parts found in man and four-footed beasts but between either of these and Fowls and Fishes there is a notable difference as to these parts Notwithstanding in all these the Cerebel furnished wholly with the same lappets or little circles alike infolded one in another is marked with the same form and proportion which certainly is a sign that the animal Spirits in this work-house are begotten and dispensed as it were by a certain dimension for certain necessary offices which are performed in all after the same manner and which cannot be any other than the motions and actions of the Viscera and Praecordia As to the other Faculties of which sort are Imagination Memory Appetite yea local motions and sense are exercised after one manner in those living Creatures and after another manner in others wherefore their brains are formed after a divers manner But the motions of the Heart and Respiration in all endued with an hot blood are performed after a like manner that is with a perpetual vicissititude of Systoles and Diastoles Besides another office is to be assigned to the Cerebel and different from what is convenient or agreeable to the Brain because where the folds and turnings are wanting in the Brain they are constantly found in the Cerebel Besides these reasons drawn from Anatomy the Pathology of the humane Body affords many others which confirm the aforesaid office of the Cerebel For it oftentimes happens that cruel and horrid Symptoms infest the Praecordia and the region of the middle or lowest Belly whilst in the mean time the morbifick cause lyes in the Cerebel or nigh its confines I have known sometimes men labouring only in appearance with a Dyscrasie of the hinder part of the Head who complained of frequent Swooning and repeated meltings of the Spirits or Deliquiums as if they were just dying in whom notwithstanding nothing more could be detected of the morbifick cause or its seat but that the Patient perceived a great heaviness and pain in the hinder part of the Head and that upon any sudden motion or bending back of the Head they were ready to dye In truth the Symptoms which are wont to be raised up in the distemper called the Incubus or Night-mare viz. loss of speech and a mighty weight or load that seems to lye upon the breast proceed altogether from the morbifick matter fixed in the confines of the Cerebel and obstructing the passages of the Spirits destinated for the Praecordia But indeed this Hypothesis of the office of the Cerebel shall be more illustrated and confirmed from the uses of its several parts being rightly designed or drawn forth As to the parts and accidents of the Cerebel 1. we take notice that the infoldings of the Vessels every where cloath the Cerebel no less than the Brain also that the ridges and furrows of its folds intimately hide or cover it which certainly is a sign that the animal Spirits are begotten in this other work-house of them from the watering blood and instilled into its substance which thing also more clearly appears because the Arteries and Veins are not only variously complicated in the superficies of the Cerebel but both of them in like manner as in the Brain send forth frequent shoots into its more inward substance wherefore whilst the most subtil and spirituous part of the blood being carried through long windings about and as it were serpentine chanels of the Vessels and so sublimed into Spirits is received within the bloody part is carried away by the shoots of the Veins sent also deeply down Further even as the more watry portion of the blood destinated for the Brain runs into the Choroeidal infolding whereby it may there lay aside its unprofitable Phlegm into the Glandula's so for the sake of separating the Phlegm an heap of Glandula's with the foldings of the Vessels as it were a Receptacle fitted for this business is placed in the hinder region of the Cerebel 2. From the blood after this manner cleared from Phlegm and made subtil by a long circulation a very pure and spirituous liquor is instilled into the cortical substance of the Cerebel which is presently exalted by the Ferment there placed into animal Spirits For indeed we have affirmed that the Spirits are procreated only in the cortical part of the Cerebel as in that of the Brain wherefore because this kind of Cortex is wanting to the oblong and spinal Marrow we think these parts do serve only for the exercise of the animal Spirits and not for their production 3. The Spirits every where produced within the cortical or exterior compass of the Cerebel in which they are presently prepared for the work of the animal Function are derived from all the folds into the medullar tract and thence into two ample middle Marrows where they keep full as it were the fountain or spring and there like the bubling up of waters are circulated within with a perpetual turning and from thence they continually stream forth into the parts of the nervous System proper to themselves 4. As to the ways of Emanation it is observed that the two middle Marrows of the Cerebel pass as it were into two pedestals or little feet by which they are fastned to the trunk of the oblong Marrow and for that in either little foot of it three distinct medullar Processes are found all these or at least two of them are as it were so many paths whereby the animal Spirits stream forth from their fountain and flow back again 5. The first of these Processes ascends into the Cerebel from the orbicular Prominences the use of this we have already declared to wit that there may be a certain passage between these Prominences and the Cerebel in which whilst the animal Spirits as in a by-path move this way and that way to and fro they may transmit both the force of the Passions from the Brain by the interposition of the Cerebel to the Praecordia and convey also the natural Instincts delivered to the Cerebel from the Praecordia and Viscera towards the Brain But the second Process descending straight from the Cerebel embraces the medullar Trunk and so going round about it constitutes the annular or ringy Protuberance out of which the fifth sixth and seventh pair of Nerves take their originals so indeed that this Protuberance seems to be the Ware-house or Store-house of
the Spirits flowing from the Cerebel from which they may influence and be derived into the opposite passages of the Nerves Lastly the third process of either little foot descending from the Cerebel into the oblong Marrow is inserted into its trunk over against where the eighth pair of Nerves have their original so that it should seem very likely the provision of the Spirits destinated for this Nerve is derived also by this way from the Cerebel then what Spirits superabound remaining longer than this Nerve requires they sliding down into the common belly or chanel of the oblong and spinal Marrow increase the plenty of those parts For this same end the smooth and pyramidal bodies are reached out of the annular Protuberance above the oblong Marrow towards the Spine to wit that by the passage of those Processes the Spirits of that provision or stock superabounding might flow out partly into the beginning of the eighth pair and partly into the common tract of the medullar Trunk Thus much we have spoken briefly and summarily of the Uses of the Cerebel and of its parts and Processes But that it may be the better understood and also that this new thought of Theory concerning the involuntary Function of the animal Regiment may be more clearly illustrated we shall here give you a more particular Order or Method of the Spirits brought forth in the Cerebel and as it were take a view of or muster their Arms or Forces Further it will seem to the purpose that we should design or draw forth more openly the abundance or plenty of the Nerves receiving their gifts from this Fountain of the Spirits concerning the Acts to be performed only of the involuntary Function CHAP. XVI Of the various Order and diverse manner of Exercise of the Spirits produced in the Cerebel for the Acts of the involuntary Function AFter having shewn that the office of the Cerebel is to procreate animal Spirits apart from the Spirits begotten in the Brain and to dispense them into the Nerves the Executors of the involuntary Actions and Passions there yet remains to be unfolded by what manner of oeconomy or government the Spirits inhabiting the Cerebel and made free are busied both by an intestine Circulation within their proper dwelling places and also are wont to be expanded and flow out with an exterior irradiation for the necessities and wants of other parts then these things being shewn we shall design more particularly the Uses and Offices of the Nerves and of some other Processes doing service to this Government As to the first as the Cerebel is the other primary Root of the sensitive Soul or the Fountain from whence the animal Spirits being diffused through the whole substance of it and its Appendix are continued still under the same Systasis and radiant Contexture it is to be noted that this radiation of the Spirits from the Cerebel doth flow after another manner than the other from the Brain because this being left to it self is bestowed by a constant efflux or flowing out on the Organs both of the vital Function and the merely natural and its expences by an equal continual provision of Spirits are made up again from the bloody mass continually instilled in But on the contrary the Spirits flow out from the Brain neither by such a continual course without intermission and by little and little nor are sustained by a perpetual provision and sliding in by degrees but both the loss of them and their refection are uncertain unequal and variously interrupted For neither are the spontaneous Acts of the Function it self to which they serve performed after any constant or always the same manner but according to exterior accidents and occasions we put them forth by heaps and with a certain force sometimes and again sometimes we suffer them to be wholly intermitted and unimployed Therefore the Spirits also are in like manner supplied with an uncertain measure to wit they are instilled in sleep plentifully and more copiously but waking more sparingly and with hard labour or scarce not at all Yea the involuntary portion it self of the sensitive Soul which flows from the Cerebel for that it hath a near commerce and affinity as was already said with the other radicated in the Brain therefore it is wont to be much disturbed in the performing its office equally and peaceably and being variously affected and agitated by the impulses sent here and there or from this place and that it is compelled sometimes to contract sometimes to extend its Systasis in the whole or in part and so is rendred obnoxious to several Passions and ordinarily instigated to the performing irregular and disorderly actions But indeed the contexture of the Spirits or the part of the Soul irradiating the Cerebel and its Appendix is both affected with a certain sense and is urged into motions appropriate to it self though divers The sense or Sympathy belonging to this if it be terminated within the confines of the Cerebel is always private nor goes any farther forward to the Brain with a more strong undulation or wavering and because it is performed the living Creature knowing nothing of it unless by the effect it cannot be known for that it excites a peculiar motion But such an affection of the Cerebel is implanted in it that by every new disposition of the Praecordia and Viscera communicated to this from beneath also from every violent passion excited within the Forum of the Brain and so sent from above a certain impression is carried to the inhabitants of the Cerebel by which indeed they are disposed into various ordinations for the performing these or those motions respectively For examples sake so long as the tranquil region of the Cerebel like a serene and fair Heaven is free from all perturbation the Spirits its inhabitants being poured out with a pleasing sense or as it were a certain complacency flow within their proper habitations both with a gentle circulation and also with an equal flowing out enter the beginnings of the Nerves serving to the Functions both vital and natural by which indeed easie Respiration the Pulse Chylification and other offices of the same nature are performed peaceably But if that any trouble or molestation happen outwardly to any one from whence an impression of it is communicated to the Cerebel presently a troublesom sense being stirred up there it disturbs the animal Spirits in the Fountain it self and so is wont to excite irregular motions in the Organs of the involuntary Function For from hence the frequent alteration of the Pulse and of Respiration also Cramps of the Viscera and convulsive motions arise unknown to us or also against our wills But an impression sent from elsewhere to the Cerebel and inducing the same kind of troublesom sense either ascends by the passage of the Nerves from the Praecordia and Viscera or it is carried from above from the Brain by the passage of the orbicular Prominences as shall be shewn more
without the Skull is divided into three branches all which serve to pathetick motions or at least to such as are performed without consulting the Brain 1. The first of them being bent back towards the auditory passage is bestowed on the Muscles of the Ear. Without doubt by the action of this it is effected that all Animals at the sudden impulse of a sound or noise erect their Ears at it were to catch the sound too soon passing by 2. The other branch of this same Nerve climbing over the Muscles of the Jaw sends forth shoots towards either corner of the Eye which are inserted into the Muscles lifting up the Eye-lids the office of which is certainly to open suddenly the Eyes at the sudden approach of any sound and as it were to call them forth to watch that by the stroke of the Air being brought to the Ear the Eye might presently look about to see what is the matter and whether there might be any danger near or not which also all Creatures do unthought of 3. The third branch of the same auditory Nerve descending towards the root of the Tongue is distributed to its Muscles and to those of the Bone Hyoides and so actuates some of the Organs for the framing the Voice For this reason in some measure it comes to pass that living Creatures being astonished at an unaccustomed or horrid sound presently putting forth an uncertain voice cry out and make a noise But the conformation of these kind of Nerves in man serves for another more noted use to wit that the voice might fitly answer to the hearing and that this might be set as the Echo of the sound admitted by this so indeed as on the other side there be two Nerves of the same pair the sound is received by the hearing through one which is rendred again by the voice through the other The common and extrinsick Echo consists in this that a certain undulation or waving of the Air shaken or moved being stirred up and tending towards or about when by reason of some stop or hinderance it cannot go any further directly being presently repercussed or struck back or reflected at certain angles it is terminated contrary to the former bound In like manner in the hearing the impression of the sound or the Species admitted to the Ears by the hearing faculty of the Processes of the same or neighbouring Nerve and being carried inwardly towards the Cerebel and common Sensory and from thence again reflected on the vocal process it is carried out by the Mouth But between these there is some difference to wit forasmuch as the outward Echo renders back the sound immediately but the sound of the Hearing is not necessarily carried forth at the mouth presently but that this leaves an Idea in the Head according to which afterwards as occasion serves the voice is formed which bears the type and image of that though some time before admitted But here if I may digress a little we should inquire in what part of the Head the Ideas of sounds are left whether only in the Brain which is the Chest of Memory acquired as it were artificial or whether not also in the Cerebel which is the place of natural memory Truly we suppose that sounds belong to both these as it were to distinct Store-houses Every audible impulse being struck against the Ear it is presently carried by the passage of the auditory Process to the annulary Protuberance but from thence it is carried as other sensible Species to the chamfered bodies or the common Sensory which way it passes thither shall be shewed afterwards this impression tending from thence farther and being also delivered to the Brain stirs up the Imagination and so leaves in its Cortex an image or private mark of it self for the Memory Further also as the auditory Process depends on the Cerebel and receives from it the provision of the animal Spirits so it is most likely that by the recess of the same Spirits the Ideas of the Sounds are conveyed also to the Cerebel which forming there footsteps or tracts impress a remembrance of themselves from whence when afterwards the Species there laid up are drawn forth by the help of the vocal process voices like the sounds before admitted and breaking forth in a certain ordained series come to be made Hence it is usual that musick or melody is soon learnt by some men which afterwards they bring forth with exact Symphony without any meditation or labour of the Brain to wit from the distinct accents of the heard harmony the Spirits moving within the Cerebel are disposed into peculiar Schemes according to which when they flow on both sides into the vocal process of the auditory Nerve they render as it were with a certain spontaneous voice and like a Machine or Clock with the succession of Species the measures or Tunes of the Instrument which they had drunk in at the ears Without doubt hence the reason may be sought why some men learn Musick without any trouble and others hardly or not at all For it is observed that some Children before they can speak distinctly quickly sing and remember certain Tunes whilst others though very ingenious men and of excellent memory are very Fools at Musick and become uncapable as an Ass for the Harp wherefore 't is commonly said that some have musical ears and others are wholly destitute of that faculty In the mean time 't is to be confessed that in these the Organs of the Voice are not defective but all the fault though wrongfully is cast on the hearing But in truth the genuine cause of this defect seems to consist in this that when in all the audible Species go to the Cerebel sooner and more immediately than the Brain yet in some the Cerebel being harder and not easily yielding to the received impressions those Species because they could impress nothing of themselves in their passing to the Cerebel being carried towards the common Sensory leave their Types or Ideas chiefly and almost wholly in the Brain which part being still busied with disturbed motions is less apt to keep distinctly the composures of Harmony But in the mean time in others the Species of audible things besides that they are carried to the common Sensory and to the Brain do also affect the Cerebel especially if they are harmonically figured forasmuch as in them there is a softer capacity of the impressions with a peculiar order and Scheme of the animal Spirits where as the Species of the Harmony being disposed in convenient little places and cells are kept afterwards they flow out from thence almost unthought of without any endeavour or labour of remembrance but in a distinct series and as it were in composed modes and figures and so by blowing up the vocal processes they constitute sweet Tunes and vocal Musick If that the divers ways of passage are inquired into to wit whereby the audible Species being carried into the annular Protuberance do get
both to the Brain and Cerebel I say it is not improbable but out of that Protuberance both a passage lyes open into the underlying tract of the oblong Marrow and as it were the high road as also another passage is opened into the Cerebel through the medullar processes of the same Ring But lest there should perchance be a confusion of the animal Spirits and the sensible Species which indeed can hardly be avoided if the way made for their passage should lye open into various passages and manifold apertures therefore concerning this it may well be supposed that the Ideas of the Sounds pass through the Cerebel when they are carried to the common Sensory which region being first past they are at length brought by a by-path viz. through the orbicular Prominences to the chamfered Bodies which perhaps is partly the reason that in the Hearing the perception of the sense succeeds so late and the impulse of the object in respect of sight follows so slowly Whilst therefore the audible Species passes through the Cerebel in some men it leaves in this region for that it is of a soft temper and fit for the receiving impressions tracts and marks of it self and so they obtain musical ears But in others who have a harder frame of the Cerebel they produce no tracts of the same Sounds and therefore such are wholly destitute of the faculty of Musick As therefore we suppose the audible Species to pass through the Cerebel after this manner a reason may be given from hence wherefore Musick does not only affect the Phantasie with a certain delight but besides chears a sad and sorrowful Heart yea allays all turbulent Passions excited in the Breast from an immoderate heat and fluctuation of the blood For since the animal Spirits serving for the motion of the Praecordia are derived from the Cerebel as the perturbations conceived in the Brain the influence being transmitted hither by moving these Spirits in the Fountain it self transfer the force of their Affections on the Breast so the Melody introduced to the Ears and diffused through this Province does as it were inchant with a gentle breath the Spirits there inhabiting and composes them called off from their fury to numbers and measures of dancing and so appeases all tumults and inordinations therein excited From these may in some measure be known the reason of the difference why the hearing Nerves are after a different manner in man and in four-footed beasts for because in these there is little need that the audible Species should pass through the Cerebel either for the reciprocations of the sound heard by the voice or for the impressing there the Tunes of the Harmony for neither is Musick required whatever Poets feign to the taming the Affections which move the breasts of beasts therefore in these I mean in four-footed beasts the annular Protuberance dispensing the animal Spirits to the auditory Nerves and receiving from them the sensible Species requires not so strict an affinity with the Cerebel yea whenas it may suffice that those Nerves arise from the oblong Marrow yet the annular Protuberance as it were a common Porch ought to be prefixed to them to wit in which both the Spirits going out from either side and the sensible Species to be carried to either ought first to be mixed and united together lest otherwise every sound should become double Among the Nerves which are seen to belong to the Cerebel and to perform its offices lastly follow the eighth or wandring pair which indeed hath its rise out of the common Trunk of the oblong Marrow near the place where the last process of the Cerebel is terminated and over against where the pyramidal bodies being produced from the annular Protuberance end so that we think these Nerves also by that process coming between on either side and also perhaps in some measure through the passage of the pyramidal bodies do derive all manner of influence of the animal Spirit from the Cerebel The beginning of these consists of very many fibres and filaments or little threads presently distinct one from another to which belongs from the very beginning of every Nerve a noted Trunk arising out of the spinal Marrow The description of the wandring pair of Nerves and its protension into the Praecordia and some Viscera are added hereafter For the present it shall suffice that we take notice that for as much as this Nerve is bestowed chiefly on the Praecordia the acts whereof are involuntary and are performed without our care or knowledge in sleep as well as waking and for that the same Nerve seems to receive the forces of the Spirits wholly from the nearer fountain of the Cerebel from hence it may certainly be well concluded that the government or oeconomy of the Cerebel regards only the involuntary Function So much for the Nerves which being subjected to the Government and Laws of the Cerebel seem to obey and serve under it among which moreover ought to be placed the fourth pair or the pathetick Nerves of the Eyes to wit which arising out of the first processes of the Cerebel come between that and the orbicular Processes of the use of which we have spoken already Further we shall here take notice that some other Nerves to be described below for that they communicate with the aforesaid Nerves near their originals cause also some involuntary acts to be performed of which sort are first the ninth pair the spinal Nerve accessory to the wandring pair also the Nerve of the Diaphragma and some others as we shall shew more at large in the particular History of the Nerves We may also observe concerning the Nerves but now described which owe their stock to the Cerebel and seem to be designed for the offices of the involuntary Function that sometimes some of them though of another Dominion are compelled to obey the beck and government of the Brain for we are wont to draw the parts of the Face usually moved pathetically and unthought of and also at our pleasure into these or those Configurations or postures we are able also in a measure to alter the motions and actions of the Praecordia and Viscera at the will or command of the Appetite The reason of these is partly because the Nerves of either Government communicate variously among themselves with shoots sent forth one to another so that oftentimes the offices of the one are drawn into the parts of the other But besides we have mentioned before that the sensible impression being inflicted on the parts of the involuntary Function forasmuch as it is vehement like a strong waving of water passing through the Cerebel affects the Brain it self In like manner it may be thought concerning the motion which belongs to those parts viz. that made after the ordinary manner that it is performed by the command of the Cerebel Notwithstanding some more severe Edicts of the Brain by the by-passage of the Prominences belong also to the Cerebel
and determine the Offices of the Inhabitants of it to be performed at the beck of the Appetite As every one sees that violent Passions whether the will be privy or not easily do this why therefore may not the will it self also as occasion requires exercise the same dominion But in the mean time this derogates nothing from the priviledges of the Cerebel that it may not be called a free and municipal City and so Mistress of the involuntary Function for that in some few it is after the manner of the Brain because the Brain it self in many things is compelled to serve the Cerebel and its Government as we have already shewn and is necessarily bound to it For the Brain owes much to the Cerebel forasmuch as it receives from the vital Function which is of its Province the provision of the blood and by consequence the Tribute of the Spirits produced of it so indeed that both these parts though Principals perform mutual offices and as it were in a circle require and accomplish services one for another CHAP. XVIII Of the relation or mutual respect of either Appendix of the Cerebel to wit of the anterior which are the orbicular Prominences and the posterior viz. the Annular Protuberance Also of the remaining portion of the oblong Marrow continued into the Spinal Marrow BEsides the aforesaid Nerves to wit the fourth fifth sixth seventh and eighth pair which are imployed for the performing the tacit Edicts of the Cerebel for every involuntary Function and those equal in number to the rest subject to the Brain that cause the Cerebel to have an Empire divided with it there are also some Processes and Protuberances which being placed before and behind the Cerebel are its Appendixes that are taken into part of the same Office and Ministry The description and use of these are already particularly delivered But for that as a while since we intimated there happens a certain respect or habit between the orbicular Prominences which is the anterior Appendix of the Cerebel and the annular Protuberance which is the other posterior Appendix of the same and that one part is proportionate to the magnitude of the other so as when the natiform Prominences are greater or greatest the annular Protuberance is always smaller or smallest and on the contrary they who have this latter in a very great bulk in them the other is lesser and so for that either part seems to be a peculiar Repository of the Spirits which belong to the oeconomy of the Cerebel when a greater provision of them is laid up in one Store-house therefore there resides a lesser in the other when I say there is this kind of constant relation found between these parts it yet remains for us to find out for what end this is so constituted Seeing that the animal Spirits are disposed within the several parts of the Head in distinct Schemes of Rays through which are variously transmitted as through Perspective-glasses the impressions of sensible things and the instincts of motions to be performed it easily occurs that there are commerces had this way and that way in the natiform Prominences between the Brain and Cerebel and that the Spirits inhabiting the annular Protuberance are Inter nuncii or Messengers going between which transfer the mutual respects of the Praecordia and Viscera as also of the parts that are wont to be pathetically moved But if it be inquired into what kind of commerces and respects those are which the Brain carries to the Cerebel and on the contrary and that either have to the Organs of the vital and merely natural Function we shall in so difficult and very intricate a matter propose our Opinion though with an hesitating and doubtful mind We have before intimated that the orbicular Prominences did deliver to the Cerebel the forces of the Passions to be carried from the Brain to the Praecordia and did receive from it and communicate to the Brain the necessities of the natural Instincts delivered from the Praecordia and Viscera to the Cerebel To these moreover we add that the annular Protuberance serves wholly for the same offices though after another manner to wit this receives the forces of the Passions as it were at a second hand from the Deputiship of the Cerebel and transfers them then immediately to the Praecordia and this seems to be the chiefest office of this part Further the same Ring receives immediately the natural Instincts from the Viscera of the middle and lowest Belly and impresses them on the Cerebel to be conveyed further to the Brain which kind of use it exhibits secondarily by affording only a way of passage For indeed such Instincts having past through the Cerebel we suppose to be formed and perfected within the orbicular Prominences from whence being transmitted into the Brain they draw forth requisite actions without the previous knowledge of it or intention of doing Hence it may be supposed that the annular Protuberance contains chiefly the animal Spirits which perform the intestine commotions of the Affections In every violent passion of the Soul presently the Praecordia are greatly troubled to wit the same being variously drawn together or spread abroad compel the blood into divers fluctuations but indeed a great company of the Spirits somewhere got together and ready for Excursions in a set Battel do perform these disorders and irregular motions of the Praecordia and for that the Spirits can be disposed for this in no other part than here before the beginnings of the Nerves constituted for these offices therefore this Protuberance in a man by reason of the ragings of the Passions to be performed by a certain force and incitation is far greater than in any other Animal For as he is wont to be suddenly and vehemently disturbed therefore the Promptuary or Store-house is required to be more large in which a greater plenty of Spirits may be kept to be bestowed on such inordinations of the Affections Next to a man this part is greatest in a Dog Cat and Fox in a Calf Sheep Goat Hare and other milder Animals it is very small But as the annular Protuberance seems to be the chief Organ or Chest of the Spirits from whence the winds of the Passions destinated for the exciting the Praecordia are conveyed into the breast so we suppose the orbicular Prominences to be a means of passage and the very instruments whereby the instincts and necessities of the Praecordia and Viscera are communicated from the Cerebel to the Brain Yea the animal Spirits dwelling in this as a retiring place do not only transmit these kind of Ideas or formal Reasons of the Instincts but in some measure form and prepare them for the Brain For when as some brute Animals whose Brain is not imbued with a previous knowledge or practical habits chuse and bring forth some spontaneous actions as it were with judgment and deliberation certainly we may believe the intentions of these kind of acts are
suggested from some other place than the Brain to wit from the aforesaid Prominences Wherefore 't is to be observed that in some Brutes endued with an indocil or dull Brain the Buttock-like Prominences are greatest as may be seen in a Calf Sheep Hog and many others which Animals as soon as they are brought to light presently seek for their food and what is congruous for them they readily know But in a Man a Dog Fox and the like who are more apt to learn and acquire habits these Prominences are very small and these Animals being newly born are furnished only with a rude and imperfect sense besides they are found wholly unapt to seek out their food Upon this Observation which holds good in most Animals which I have yet happened to dissect as upon a Basis or foundation I dare build this kind of abstruse Hypothesis concerning the natural Instincts and Affections of the Praecordia For as the living Creatures which are more strong in instinct as Sheep Hogs Oxen Goats and other slow and gentler beasts that are not obnoxious to Passions are also less docile or apt to learn and on the contrary they in whom the Affections are wont to predominate and who are furnished with a certain wit as besides Man are Dogs Foxes and some other hotter Animals are less powerful in Instinct and as I have observed in the frequent Dissection of all sorts of Heads that in those kind of living Creatures who live rather by Wit than Instinct the annular Protuberance placed below the Cerebel was notedly great and the orbicular Prominences only very small but in other living Creatures where the Instinct exceeded the wit and who were less prone to strong Affections the orbicular Prominences were very great and on the contrary the ringy Protuberance exceeding small From hence I was forced to think that the orbicular or natiform Prominences where they are great are instead of another or supplementory Brain and the chief Organs of the natural Instincts yet so as these parts also serve for a way or means of passage for the transferring the Passions from the Brain towards the Cerebel and Praecordia and that as we have already hinted the greater existency of the annular Protuberance is to contain plenty of Spirits requisite for the winds of the Passions yet in the mean time by a further tending forwards or declination of the Spirits inhabiting this the Species of the natural Instincts being sent from the Praecordia and Viscera pass through But however the business is because nothing can be certainly affirmed or by demonstration if this our Opinion please not others at least it may be pardoned There remains not much more to be spoken concerning the Offices and Uses of the Cerebel and its Appendix Concerning its substance there is something more worthy taking notice of to wit that it very much differs in this respect from the structure of the Brain also for that its cortical little circles are not founded in the stretched out Marrow as the convolutions of the Brain but being deeply cut in are discontinued in their whole tract so that the whole System of the Cerebel is as it were a cluster of Grapes compacted closely together in which although the Berries be contiguous yet they remain distinct one from another and bring forth fissures through the whole thickness of the mass Yea the outward superficies of the Cerebel consists as it were of very many Tubercles or little Tad-stoles or Puffs which grow together on little stalks and those stalks pass into greater branches and they at length being bipartite or twofold go together into two larger Marrows near the bottom of the Cerebel in either of which are three distinct medullary Processes of which threefold processes on either side we have already spoken But of these concerning the use of the Cerebel in general we shall yet further advertise you that as very much of its substance is cortical it begets animal Spirits in great plenty to which in the circulating there is not granted as in the Brain an equally great space for that there seems not to be much need of it in the animal Government For the Spirits so produced in the Cerebel plentifully by a perpetual emanation ought to flow outwardly for the offices of the natural and vital Function but more inwardly for the impulses variously sent into them they admit certain undulations or wavings by which some occasional acts of the involuntary Function are brought forth as is shewn before But as it is manifest enough that the animal Spirits are generated within the cortical little circles of the Cerebel it doth not seem needful that we should ordain their Work-house in the Ventricle subject to its frame For that Cavity as we have already shewn is only an empty space which lying under its double little foot and medullar Trunk comes between it and the overlying bunching out of the Cerebel But indeed there belongs to this besides a certain use to wit that the serous watry heap laid aside out of the Glandula's and infoldings of the Vessels as also from the substance of the Cerebel being made over-moist distilling down might slide into this Cistern From whence lest it should flow down upon the beginnings of the Nerves by a restraining Membrane it is compelled into the hole of the strait Den lying under the orbicular Prominences and from thence is received from the declining aperture of the Tunnel and carried out Below the Cerebel the oblong Marrow going forward with the rest of its tract even to the hole of the hinder part of the Head ends at length in the spinal Marrow but in its Trunk as yet contained within the Skull besides the Nerves and Processes but now recited the beginnings of the ninth and tenth pair of Nerves are also radicated Of which there will be hereafter a proper place to speak when we shall institute the whole Neurology or the Doctrine of the Nerves In the mean time we shall take notice of the beginning of the ninth pair which is peculiar in Man and different from what is found in Brutes To wit in Man below the origine of the eighth pair a certain Protuberance grows to either side of the oblong Marrow Out of that four or five distinct Fibres do come forth one or two of which binds about the Vertebral Artery passing through it but all grow together into the same Trunk which is the Nerve of the aforesaid pair This Protuberance the Pia Mater being pulled away may be easily seen and seems to be the Repository or Store-house of the Spirits destinated to this Nerve For as this Nerve is bestowed on the Tongue and its Muscles and so conduces chiefly to the performing of speech in Man who hath a greater and more frequent use and exercise of the voice there seems to be need of a great provision of Spirits plenty of which ought always to be in a readiness But in Brutes who have none or a rarer necessity
the Nerves only carry from the Head the instinct for the performing of that motion In like manner in Sensation the Fibres receive first of all and immediately the impressions of sensible things and express the same as musical strings do the strikings of a quill or fingers by an intrinsecal modification of the Particles and represent the various approaches of the object by the like motion of the Fibrils as by a moveable and fluid Character whose Idea the Nerves transfer only to the Head Concerning the nervous Fibres it behoves us to inquire from whence they have their rise For it appears plainly that they arise not immediately from the Head or its medullar Appendix nor is it less improbable that they are produced as 't is commonly said from the Nerves because what is asserted that the Fibres are productions of the Nerves and little bits or pieces of them torn off as it were into hairy branches seems unlikely for that the Fibres in some parts being placed nigh exceed in their bulk the magnitude of the Nerve that is brought to that part at least an hundred-fold which thing appears clearly from the Tendon of every Muscle which being made up of united Fibres is observed to be far greater than the Nerve inserted to it And indeed for almost the like reason we are induced to think the nervous Humor it self also whereby the Membranes and musculous Fibres are wont to be watered to be derived unto them not by the only means and passage of the Nerves because it is heaped up much more plentifully and in more abundance than can be carried thither through those narrow passages as appears clearly in Ulcers of the Kings Evil or in Impostumes or Wounds of the Tendons and nervous parts in which a glutinous Humor drops forth in so great abundance that all the Nerves of the whole Body could scarce be able to supply it Wherefore concerning these it seems that we may affirm that the Fibres are not continued portions of the Nerves broken off into little hairy strings or Capillaments and that all the Fibres originally proceed not from the Nerves because some of them viz. those interwoven to the Heart and its Vessels are of equal birth with the Nerves themselves and coexist with them together from the beginning However most Fibres as to their production depend upon the Nerves and all which way soever brought forth receive constantly from the Nerves the forces and supplements of the animal Spirits and also the Instincts of the Motions to be performed by them Therefore to recount the births or kinds of Fibres they are first either spermatick and first begotten the rudiments or first beginnings of which being of the like antiquity as the Heart and Brain placed in the Conception afterwards leisurely increase to wit such are as hath been said those in the Heart it self in its depending Vessels the Membranes and some other parts which form the first stuff or threads of the Embryo or secondly other Fibres are produced secondarily and by a second birth of which sort chiefly are such which are interwoven into the parts taken for the compleating of the animal Fabrick and especially those termed Sanguineous which we think to be begotten after this manner The Heart and Brain with the Arteries and Nerves hanging to them are primigenious parts and highly original but these for the second birth of others and for the nutrition and increase of all the sensitive parts distribute a twofold humor viz. one spirituous and endued with very active Particles which perpetually flow though but in a very small quantity through the passages of the Nerves from the Brain and Cerebel and the other slow and softer which being every where laid aside through the Arteries from the bloody mass is rendred more plentifully This latter being of it self dull and thicker by much is actuated by the former and being imbued by it as by a certain Ferment acquires strength and power of growth or vegetation But indeed the nervous Juyce forasmuch as it diffuses with it self the animal Spirits imparts to every part besides the faculties of Motion and Sense the determinations also of form and figure Further whilst that being joyned to the other arterious humor is disposed into the substance and matter of the member or part to be nourished it forms some tracts as it were to wit the Fibres themselves in which the animal Spirits coming together with them reside and are expatiated These twofold or twin humors coupling together in every sensitive part constitute a liquor truly nutritious to wit which is both spirituous and nourishable And in truth both these Juyces viz. the nervous and arterious being married together are as it were the male and female seed which being mingled in a fruitful womb produces the plastick Humor by whose virtue the living creature is formed and increases Hence may be observed as the particles of the spirituous liquor or of the other more watry juyce viz. this latter being supplied from the Arteries or that from the Nerves are strong or excel as to their properties or powers all living creatures become more or less nimble active and ready to any motion and labour Besides from the default or depravation of the one and the other humor excelling the sorts or kinds of this or that disease are excited concerning which and also what belongs to the explication of the nutritious Humor we may perhaps have some other time occasion to discourse The animal Spirits which enter and fill the ordained series of the Fibres as so many little places flow thither by the passages of the Nerves notwithstanding the Spirits which are seated in the Fibres interwoven with the musculous stock receive nourishment yea and as it were auxiliary forces from the arterious blood there plentifully flowing whereby indeed both the Spirits themselves acquire for the performing of Motions a greater force and as it were elastick so that their force being stirred up by a strong endeavour it seems like the explosion of Gun-powder and also the same Spirits being continually consumed within the Muscles more profusely than is wont to be in the Membranes and other parts are in some measure made up or repaired from the bloody sustenance because whenas the arterious Juyce joyns more plentifully with the nervous flowing within the sanguineous parts it may be well thought that it also lays upon the Spirits brought thither with it as it were some nitrosulphureous particles and intimately fixes them on them and so by reason of this Copula highly flatuous and apt to be rarified the Spirits themselves become there more active so that in every motive endeavour whereby the Muscle is suddenly intumified they as if inkindled are exploded Moreover a sudden refection of the consumed or wasted Spirits after great exercise or labour is for this reason also performed by the blood for that the spirituous particles being left and forsaken by motion presently a new Copula of the same kind of
matter apt for explosion is joyned to them For it is not possible that the immense loss of Spirits which happens in hard labours if they were wholly destroyed in so short a time should be able to be restored by supplements coming only through the Nerves We shall discourse more largely of these things if at any time hereafter we shall treat of the Motions of the Muscles The animal Spirits being disposed within the several Muscles according to the series of Fibres seem as it were so many distinct Troops or Companies of Souldiers all which being set as it were in a Watch-tower are ordained as a new impression is carried to them by the Nerves either from the objects outwardly or more inwardly from the Head forthwith into various forms and peculiar orders for the performing of motion or sense of this or that kind The carriage or behaviour of these is worth the seeing in an animal newly killed and its skin taken off For when life perishes and all the force of the Spirits flowing in through the Nerves hath quite ceased yet the Spirits implanted into the whole Body breaking forth from the Muscles still move and shake them and force them into several Convulsions and trembling motions From what hath been said we may gather what the disposition or order of the animal Spirits may be in the whole animal Body to wit those procreated in the cortical substance both of the Brain and Cerebel are congregated into the middles of either as it were into distinct Empories or Marts and an expansion being made in either they cause certain interior powers of the sensitive Soul to be exercised yet the same Spirits affecting more room enter the oblong Marrow as it were the Chest as hath been said of a musical Organ and fill it full within which flowing they carry to and fro the impressions of sensible Things and the Instincts of Motions From the oblong and spinal Marrow the same Spirits unless when they are otherwise busied tending outwardly flow towards the several parts of the whole Body which notwithstanding wandring so out of doors because they pass through very strait ways in their passage to wit the slender bodies of the Nerves they break not forth in heaps or in a thick troop but only contracted orderly and as it were by bands or divisions but they being carried beyond the extremities of the Nerves and there possessing the Membranes Muscles and other sensible parts dilate themselves as it were into a most ample field and with a very diffuse Army they dwell in the Pores and passages of the Fibres planted every where about where also being endowed from the blood with new food they become more lively and more expeditious or ready for the designed offices Here perhaps it may be demanded how the animal Spirits diffused in such numerous troops through the habit of the Body are able to be supplied by so strait chanels of the Nerves To which we reply That those which reside more outwardly do not quickly evaporate nor are remanded back by Circulation wherefore when all the Fibres are filled by an influx of the Spirits made by little and little from the beginning very small supplements suffice to repair their expence For neither are those dwelling more outwardly for that they are repaired by the bloody food much consumed though in frequent action Hence may be noted the difference between the distributions of the blood and animal Spirits That Latex because it is reduced in a circle its Vessels are in the whole passage proportionated as to the bulk of the Trunk and the branchings sent from it to wit so that the branches of the great Artery being carried from the Heart contain at the least so much of the blood as the shoots reaching forth from them into all the parts But because the animal Spirits being once begotten and carried more outwardly subsist longer there and evaporate very slowly and by little and little therefore the Vessels carrying them viz. the Nerves in respect of the Fibres receiving them are made much lesser in proportion lest perhaps by too great a supplement of the animal Spirits and the too thick gathering of the fresh ones still into the nervous parts the Army of the Veterans before instructed should be confounded and so the orders of all being disturbed the exercises of the animal Function should be performed any how For indeed when at any time the Spirits are made too sharp so that being therefore struck as it were with madness they rush upon the nervous System with tumult and impetuosity from thence a great unquietness and continual throwing about of the Members are wont to be excited to which sometimes madness and fury succeed In the order and ordination of the animal Spirits such as was but now described the Hypostasis or the Essence of the sensitive Soul consists to wit which is only a certain Systasis or shadowy subsistence of those Spirits which like Atoms or subtil Particles being chained and adhering mutually one to another are figured together in a certain Species Moreover the faculties of the same Soul depend upon the various Metathesis and gesticulation of those Spirits within the aforesaid Organs of the Head and nervous System But the consideration of this Soul and its powers requires a peculiar Tract which hereafter God willing we intend in the mean time our Method demands of us that according to our weak skill by the cense or numbering of the Nerves being particularly made we should deliver an exact Neurology or Doctrine of the Nerves But for that in the premised general consideration of the Nerves and Fibres there was mention made of the nervous and nutritious Juyce notwithstanding what belongs to their powers and natures hath been neither fully nor clearly enough delivered therefore we will a little divert here and make it our business to inquire what sort of Juyces and Humors are carried into the parts of the animated body for their nourishment and by what ways or passages then this difficulty being removed a plain and easie way leads into the Doctrine of the Nerves CHAP. XX. Of the Nervous Liquor and whether that or the bloody Humor be Nutritious SInce the Circulation of the Blood was made known and it hath been plainly made appear that it did no where stagnate and stand still long but was carried in a reciprocal motion always as in a circle it began to grow doubtful whether its Latex is nutritious or not For besides that the more rapid course of the blood as of a torrent might seem to wear the banks which it flowed between and to carry away some Particles from them rather than to be able to affix any thing to them the substance it self also of the blood for that it is more torrid and uneven is thought to be altogether unfit for nutrition Wherefore that a Juyce may be found more convenient or fit for this office the passages and hidden recesses of the Nerves are to be
but also the greater Trunks of the Nerves in many places and insert into them sanguiferous shoots Besides forasmuch as the animal Spirits flowing within the nervous stock for the performing of sense and motion tend to and fro and so bear a double aspect it is probable also that the liquor watering the Nerves as it most commonly tends forward so sometimes backward and so that the extremities of the Nerves implanted in some parts imbibe from them the humor at least some Effluvia's with which they are satisfied and oftentimes transfer them into the Brain it self Certainly there is no doubt that the Fibres and nervous Filaments or threads which cover the Sensory of taste and the Viscera serving for Concoction do immediately receive some tastes of the taken in food from which supplies are carried to the Brain it self in great hunger and faintness of Spirits Because if at any time the Spirits inhabiting it being exhausted very much with heavy and long labour begin to fail a most swift refection is performed Pectorals or Cordials being scarcely swallowed and long indeed before the alible Juyce can be able to reach to the border of the Brain by the passage of the blood Moreover it is most likely that not only the benign Effluvia's of the aliment are received by the extremities of the Nerves ending about the Viscera but also by this way that oftentimes an infestous matter and in a manner malignant is communicated by the Nerves and their passages to the Head But indeed the preternatural Juyces heaped up about the Hypochondria the Spleen Womb and other Bowels emit vaporous little bodies which not only infect the bloody mass and distemper the Head by that means but they climb to the Brain more immediately by the passage of the Nerves and strike it with an heavy ill For from hence in part it comes that Hypochondriacks and Hysterical people are so cruelly punished through the Symptoms stirred up in the Brain and nervous stock for the faults of the lower Bowels hence it is that little Pills of Opium being scarcely dissolved in the Stomach cause a Torpor or heaviness But here is no place to discourse more largely of these It behoves us to consider what remains the Springs of the nervous Juyce the Auxiliaries but now detected and its Virtues and Influences Concerning the nervous Liquor we shall inquire what that doth in its passage to wit whilst it flows within the Marrows or middles of the Brain and Cerebel the medullar Trunk and the bodies themselves of the Nerves secondly then for what uses it serves when being sliden from the ends of the Nerves it is spread abroad on the secondary parts of the nervous System 1. As to the first whilst that of the nervous Liquor passes through the Head and either of its Appendix its chief office seems to be for a Vehicle of the animal Spirits which indeed it carries along with its diffusion and contains them under the same Systasis Yea this Latex shews various Schemes of the Spirits for the performing of sense and motion even as the humid Particles of the Air pass through the Optick Configurations of the Rays of Light Also moreover the nutrition of the aforesaid parts and accretion or growth into a greater bulk depends in some measure upon the nervous Juyce watering the same as shall be shewed by and by 2. But the greatest question is concerning this Liquor being diffused beyond the ends of the Nerves upon the secondary parts of the nervous System and in the passages of them on the whole Body to wit whether such a Juyce be nourishing of all the solid parts or of some of them by themselves as Authors variously think or to what other office it is destinated Concerning these it first appears that the Brain and Nerves with the Juyce flowing out of them contribute matter or at least some influence to the work of nutrition the which if it should chance to fail a sign of which defect is if the animal Faculty falters in part the nourishment there is wont presently to be hindred or perverted This is plainly seen in the Palsie excited from an evident cause without any previous Dyscrasie of the blood where suddenly an Atrophy follows the privation of motion or sense or of both together Further in the Scurvy where the taint hath corrupted the nervous Juyce when the sick begin to be afflicted with the Vertigo and swimming of the Head and with wandring pains Convulsions and a frequent loosning of the Members the flesh falls presently away as in a Consumption and without any fault of the Lungs the sick wither away as if distempered with a Phthisis It is a vulgar observation That from the immoderate use of Venus also from an inveterate Gonorrhoea from Strumous or running Ulcers and other Impostumes by which much of the nervous Juyce is wasted a leanness or wasting of the whole Body is produced Certainly if I be not deceived there are some Atrophies yea and sorts of breakings out which seem to depend wholly upon the defect or the evil dispensation of the nervous Juyce when the blood as to its quantity and disposition is not much in fault Lastly the consideration of some Diseases and Symptoms so plainly confirms the diffusion of the nervous Liquor and its great influence on all the parts that there is even left no room for doubting Also no less doth the curing of some Diseases and the use of Remedies confirm the same For from hence a reason is taken wherefore Cephalick Plasters oftentimes yield such signal help in the Phthisis not because they stay the Catarrh of the Serum falling down on the Lungs as the common people think but because by corroborating the Brain they restore the disposition of the nervous Juyce before vitiated For this cause it is that some diseases being stirred up by the fault of the nervous Liquor of which sort among others are Cancrous and Strumous Ulcers or such as come of the Kings-Evil are hardest of all to be cured because the morbid tincture of the Brain and of the Latex watering it whether it be innate or acquired is not easily mended yet sometimes when the root of the disease lurking in the Brain or nervous stock is taken away by the help of Nature it self or by Chance by the use of some remedy presently the Symptoms of other parts though neglected in the whole vanish not without the suspicion of a miracle But how much the alteration of the Brain serves for the curing of some most grievous diseases some instances taken from the Farriers Art will clearly shew For when many Medicines and Methods of Administrations are wont to be tryed in vain for the curing the stinking disease in Horses commonly called the Farcy which Helmontius asserts to be like the French Pox and the Author of its Contagion the most certain means of curing which I have very often known to be applied with good success consists in this that some sharp Medicines
and are assimilated into their substances In the mean time because the animal Spirits are poured out in great plenty with the nervous Juyce those which are at leisure from the work of nutrition or remain after that is finished turn aside every where into the Fibres as into proper dwelling-houses and there being ready for the offices of sense and motion stay which offices indeed that those Spirits the Inhabitants of the Fibres may the better perform they acquire from the blood watering the Muscles certain auxiliary forces wherefore they being endued with a certain elastick force are apt to be highly rarified and as it were exploded But indeed we suppose that as the nervous Liquor being turgid with animal Spirit causes the arterious humor to become nutritious so in compensation of this the animal Spirits remaining of the work of nutrition and every where disposed within the Fibres receive from the arterious blood a mixture or certain Copula by whose help and cooperation the same Spirits exert or put forth much more strongly their locomotive force For it seems that little sulphureous bodies are added to the spirituous-saline particles from the watering blood and so when the animal Spirits are furnished with this Copula they being stirred up into motion shake off the borrowed particles which being struck with a certain force like the explosion of Gun-powder suddenly intumifie the Muscles and so by contracting them very much they cause a vehement motive endeavour We shall have an occasion of discoursing more at large of this when we treat of the Motion of the Muscles Yet in the mean time we shall take notice that the Muscles of the whole Body as to their motion have a certain Analogy with the motion of the Heart For indeed the animal Spirits in the Heart flowing within the fibres and nervous threads with which this part is much beset receive plentifully sulphureous little bodies from the inflowing blood distending the sides of either bosom which whilst the same Spirits being filled to a fulness shake off and as it were explode a Systole of the whole Heart its sides being carried with a certain force inwards is brought in or caused whereby the blood from either side the bosom is cast out as it were by the impulse of a Spring or Bolt Truly unless the Spirits inhabiting the Heart should receive food and matter of explosion from the blood it self their stock supplied or sent by the passage of the few and small Nerves would not suffice for the performing of the undiscontinued motion A sign of this is that from a defect or depravation of the blood as well as of the animal Spirits the motion also of the Heart is â—efective or diminished And not much unlike in the Muscles as in the Heart is the business performed the Spirits inhabiting their Fibres receive a sulphureous Copula and apt for explosion from the blood there more plentifully flowing than about the Membranes with which being endued as often as they receive from the Nerve as it were the fiery inkindling or the match the instinct of the motion to be performed they being excited and striking of their Copula very much inflate or blow up the Muscle and intumifie it for performing or compassing the motive endeavour Nor is it much to purpose or makes any great difference that the motion of the Heart stirred up by a perpetual instinct is found always necessary but the Muscles the most of them only occasionally and at the command of the Animal do put forth their motive power for the Diaphragma and some Muscles dedicated to Respiration are urged with a perpetual Systole and Diastole as well as the Heart it self From the aforesaid Hypothesis concerning the offices and uses of the nervous and arterious Juyce Arguments that otherwise determine the work of Nutrition may be easily answered For that the blood is said rather to prey upon the solid parts than to replenish them that ought to be attributed to the Disease and Dyscrasie of it and not to it simply because sometimes the blood is accused for that it too much stuffs the solid parts to wit forasmuch as its mass being waterish and weak it lays aside the alible Juyce which not being truly cook'd is still crude and vicious with very great plenty about the habit of the Body and so induces an Anasarca In the mean time it ought to be granted That as it is the blood that is evil which heaps up too much vicious nutriment so it is the same which being well and right doth laudably perform the office of Nutrition But that it is argued That the nervous is rather the nourishing Juyce because by reason of its defect depravation or too prodigal expence the acts of nutrition are wont to be hindred or perverted it is easie to reply to this That the impediments of the nervous Juyce being made vicious respect the form of nourishment and not the matter of it to wit it sometimes happens that the blood dispenses the alible matter in due plenty and disposition which notwithstanding by the fault of the nervous Juyce is not rightly assimilated When an impotency of motion comes upon a too great distension of the Muscle or Tendon with pain shortly nutrition being hindred a Jelly grows about the distempered part which notwithstanding drops not out of the Nerve as is commonly said but the glutinous humor being poured out of the Arteries for aliment for that it cannot be received by the hurt part is gathered together there nor is it to be thought that Tumors or Strumous Ulcers or the running Sores of the Evil do contain or pour out only a nervous humor since the matter of either is for the most part bloody which by reason of the evil Ferment of the nervous Juyce puts on a strange form and that diversly degenerous This supposition of the twofold Humor for the matter and form of nourishment is taken to be of egregious use for the solving of the most difficult Phaenomena which are met with about the Distempers of the Brain and nervous Juyce yea that Pathology seriously considered seems to infer as a certain necessary consequence that a twofold Juyce is necessary for the work of Nutrition as some other time perhaps we may shew In the mean time leaving this Speculation we shall proceed to the remaining Task of our Anatomy to wit the Neurologie or of the Nerves in particular THE Description and Use OF THE NERVES CHAP. XXI The first four Pair of Nerves arising within the Skull are described THE division or distinction of the Nerves by reason of their various respects is wont to be manifold to wit as they are either soft or hard singular or numerous in their beginnings or that they serve either to the faculty of Sense or Motion or to both together But they are commonly distinguished That some Nerves arising within the Skull proceed from the oblong Marrow and others going out of the joynts of the Vertebrae are derived
and lower region of the Circuit about the sanguiferous Vessels After what manner this Thoracical infolding is in brute Beasts shall be particularly shewn hereafter The intercostal Nerve in a Man both in this infolding and in the whole descent through the Thorax receives many Vertebral nerves as if sparing of its own stock and greedy of anothers but sends forth from it self not a shoot whatever of Spirits is remaining either from the influence above or comes to it by the by is reserved wholly for a largess to be bestowed on the Viscera of the lower Belly But after what manner and by what passages of nerves that is dispensed into the several parts we will unfold in the following Chapter CHAP. XXVII The lower Branching of the Intercostal Nerve belonging to the Parts and Viscera of the lower Belly is unfolded AFter the intercostal Pair hath past through the hollowness of the Thorax without any expence of Spirits unless in the Neck-infolding at length it sends down from the region of the Ventricle on both sides a noted Branch either of which presently becoming divided into two constitute two peculiar Infoldings on either side but one infolding arises in the midst of them as if common to either side Of the infoldings which are on the left side one respects the Kidney and the other the Ventricle with the Spleen but of those which are on the opposite side one respects the right Kidney and the other the Liver and its neighbouring part In the midst of these the infolding proper to the Mesentery and the biggest is placed as the Sun among the other Planets Further from these are sent forth one to another and into the neighbouring parts numerous Fibres very thickly as it were dartings of rays Fig. 11. plainly shews all these Concerning these in the first place it shall be inquired into in general For what end so many nervous infoldings with almost innumerable fibres and shoots are distributed about the Mesentery and the Viscera of the Abdomen For when in these parts the fibres and nervous shoots are carried on every side with so thick a series that they are variously infolded with their manifold meeting it may seem wonderful if every one of these be destinated to some uses and are not rather sprinkled here and there by chance and as it were by the inconsiderate sporting of Nature And indeed any one can scarce think that so many Vessels should be prepared for the performing the offices of motion or sense in that place For those Viscera unless highly pulled and affected with a Convulsion are sensible of little or nothing that we know of and their motions are almost no other thing than obscure Vermiculations or light Corrugations so that for the effecting them there is required no greater preparation than for the slow progress of a Snail Wherefore from hence it hath come into the mind of some that a certain Juyce and that perhaps nutritious was dispensed by this manifold passage of the nervous Pipes which sort of office however if assigned to these Fibres dispersed about the Mesentery why should not the same office either of receiving or of carrying of nourishment be granted to those in like manner divaricated about the Lungs and the Praecordia and especially about the rough Artery But truly it is highly improbable that a nutritious Juyce should be contained in the Coats of the Trachea or of the Bronchia which the nerves may suck out nor does it more clearly appear why more nerves should be destinated for the carrying of the alible Juyce to these parts of the Abdomen or those of the Breast than is needful for the musculous stock But in the mean time though we deny that the whole nutritious matter is carried this way and that way by those or the other nerves yet we think that within those nervous passages an humor doth perpetually abound which may be for a Vehicle of the animal Spirits and a Ferment for the nutritious matter with which going with the nervous humor towards the Intestines and to the other sinks of the Body it is likely that the superfluous and excrementitious serosities do often slide down together and so are carried out But it may be well thought as to the Mesenterick Nerves and Infoldings in which they are terminated and the Fibres most thickly going out of these that these different manner of Vessels are first Chanels then Storehouses and lastly the last Emissaries of the animal Spirits If it should be demanded for what end so great plenty of Spirits should be designed for these ignobler parts I say that this is done for the performing the acts of Motion and Sense there which are highly necessary for the preserving of life it self For although local motion which is always performed by the help of a Muscle as of a Spring is not convenient for the Viscera of the lower Belly yet intestine motions are brought forth by them almost continually and after many fashions viz. for the subduing the Chyle also for the separation of some parts and particles from others both of that and also of the bloody Liquor and the protrusion of every one towards their designed bounds the Fibres and nervous shoots reaching into the Membranes of the Viscera and the Coats of the Vessels yea and into the textures of the Parenchyma are variously drawn together to wit these are pulled upwards those downwards sometimes many together sometimes apart or successively are wont to be drawn hither and thither In truth it is a sign of the indiscontinued action of these Viscera that as well in sleep and perhaps more than in waking the Culinary work of Nutrition is performed and whilst the Organs of the other Faculties are at rest there is no quiet granted to these but that the Mesenterick nerves perpetually grinding in the Mill are always busied for the preparing the alible humor and the exporting the same towards all parts Moreover in these parts to which the aforesaid Nerves belong there is found an exquisite feeling no less than a motive Faculty for whatsoever heterogeneous or hurtful thing mixed with the Chyle or blood is brought to any Viscera presently the Spirits inhabiting those parts being warned of the evil do greatly tumultuate as it were by entring into a Conspiracy that what is hostile or troublesom they might shut out But indeed because the animal Spirits flowing by the passage of the intercostal nerve to the Intestines and Viscera akin to them proceed from the Cerebel therefore the businesses of either Faculty to wit both the sensitive and locomotive forasmuch as they are performed the Brain unconsulted and the animal scarce knowing it are not so openly taken notice of and for that reason they are accounted of less than the spontaneous acts of the other parts But as to the manner it self or way of the oeconomy whereby the animal Spirits destinated to the Viscera of the lower Belly are exercised we affirm That plenty of them flow into
called Hysterical as shall be presently declared Therefore if at any time such distempers proceed from the Womb the cause is manifest wherefore the aforesaid infoldings are drawn into consent But we have elsewhere shewn That those Passions are merely convulsive and not seldom excited without any fault in the Womb. Further that Symptom very frequent in those kind of Fits to wit in which as it were a Globe is perceived to be carried from the bottom of the Belly and about the Navel to leap out impetuously which therefore is thought to be an ascent of the Womb I say that it is nothing else than most cruel Convulsions of these infoldings Indeed oftentimes in Women and sometimes also in Men I have known when the convulsive Affection hath invaded that a bulk in the Hypogastrium hath been seen to arise then about the midst of the Abdomen so great a swelling to follow that it could not be hindred or prest down though strongly attempted by the hands of a strong man Without doubt the cause of this admirable distemper is that within the nerves of the intercostal pair the inflowing animal Spirits as often as they begin disorders or convulsive motions first as it is wont to be begin to grow hot or to be exploded about the extremities of the nerve to wit in the lowest infolding of the Abdomen which affection of theirs when creeping upwards it is carried to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery so that the Spirits inhabiting it are taken with the like inordination it is no wonder if that swelling up of the middle of the Abdomen and as it were an explosion of a certain nitrosulphureous matter should be stirred up For truly it is not probable that that Symptom should be excited from the Womb ascending and being removed from its place because besides this part being fixed in its place and firmly established with Ligaments the bulk of it also in Virgins is so small scarce exceeding the bigness of a Walnut that although it should be carried up into the Belly it could not produce such a swelling Nor is it more likely that this sort of distemper is stirred up from the Muscles of the Abdomen taken with a Convulsion for they however convulsive draw together themselves and subjected parts upwards or downwards or of one side but they are not able by any means to bear themselves aloft and to lift up on high with a force the region of the Navel But as we suppose the animal Spirits in the greatest infolding of the Mesentery growing fierce and becoming apt to be exploded as such indeed they are whenever they enter into convulsive motions they being there gathered round thickly into a Globe do mainly blow up and lift on high with their effervescency and notable rarefaction that infolding with its whole neighbourhood and at once drive upward the Viscera lying upon it with a certain vibration or shaking A more full explication of this Symptom belongs to the Pathology of the Brain and Nerves In the mean time we shall take notice that another certain Distemper viz. the Colical grief doth belong to the infoldings of the Abdomen and especially to this greatest of the Mesentery For it may be thought that the most cruel torments that are wont to be excited in this disease do come not from an excrementitious matter shut up in the cavities of the Intestines nor always from a sharp humor impacted in their Coats but oftner from the nervous Juyce imbued with a certain acrimony and stagnating within this infolding from whence by reason of a consent of this with the infoldings both Hepatick and Splenetick a frequent and cruel Vomiting comes upon these pains But these Pathologick Speculations being referred to their places we will follow what we first of all instituted the further passage of the intercostal Nerve by which we are led to the two lesser and lowest Infoldings of the Abdomen Below the Mesenterick Nerves out of which the superior Infoldings are made either descending intercostal Trunk sends forth three or four singular shoots which are carried into the Ureters Fig. 11. υ. υ. The use of these seems to be to pull together and to jog or shake those urinary Chanels that the Serum separated in the Reins may be the more readily drawn out towards the Bladder Moreover if at any time a viscous or muddy matter doth stick to the passages of the Ureters or a more fixed stone doth obstruct their Cavities they by the help of the Nerves inserted here and there in their whole tract being pulled together and wrinkled may press down and always move forward any bulk or substance staying in the passage Nigh the Vertebrae out of which the Crural Nerves begin to go forward three distinct branches brought to either intercostal Nerve are carried from thence into the lowest hollowness of the Belly where they make the infolding which is the lowest of the Abdomen Fig. 11. ☽ π. π. π. That here so many nerves to wit six large ones joyning together do make but a small infolding viz. a lesser than is raised higher in a single branch of the nerve the reason is because this infolding is like an Inn where the inflowing Spirits dwell no long time but it receiving them only in their passage presently commits them to other infoldings placed here and there above below and of one side and made for divers offices for from hence the chief passage and as it were a broad way leads to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery moreover from hence nerves diversly going out make three other infoldings which respect the parts and ways by which the several Excretions to wit of the Dung Urine and Seed are made in the lower Belly The first Nerve therefore sent out of this lowest Infolding into the greatest of the Mesentery a little before it reaches to it imparts two noted shoots to the Glandula's of the Womb but in its ascent it admits four other branches as it were subsidiary viz. two on either side from the intercostal pair Fig. 11. χ. so that the nerve here seems to be the chief means of passage of the animal Spirits destinated to the greatest infolding of the Mesentery and to the uterine Glandula's which passage however is carried into the designed parts not immediately but a compass being made it first goes forward beyond its bound and at length with a certain going back The reason of which is that the motions of all the Intestines viz. the Vermiculations should be directed downwards towards the straight Intestine and also that the actions of the Womb should tend thither therefore 't was fit that the animal Spirits should be supplied from below whither the motion inclined For by the like means this Mesenterick nerve and the two returning nerves being first carried lower ascend into their Provinces to wit that they may pull together the respective parts toward that bound placed below as it were to a Pully Further for this end to
wit that the influence of the Spirits actuating some Intestines might be derived lower the other infolding of the Abdomen to wit the least is added immediately to this Because upon the Nerves being carried from hence about an inch there grows a small infolding out of which one nerve being sent out into the greatest infolding of the Mesentery stretches it self under the top of the straight Intestine and part of the Colon Fig. 11. ☿ α. And another nerve descending from this infolding is carried under the lowest part of the same straight Intestine Fig. 11. b. which also two shoots carried from the infoldings placed in the Pelvis or Bason meet Fig. 11. d. d. It will not be hard to declare the uses of this infolding and its nerves because all those nervous passages are emptied about the offices and motions of the straight Intestine The ascending nerve directs the Vermiculations of the same straight Intestine as also of the lower part of the Colon and then the greatest infolding of the Mesentery mediating of some other Intestines to be made downwards but the descending nerve in opposition to the other drawing the lowest part of the straight Intestine upwards takes care that the Excrements being carried towards the Arse-hole may not slide out suddenly and unexpectedly Then forasmuch as two nerves from the two infoldings placed within the Bason or Tunnel which infoldings immediately admitting a noted Vertebral branch are partakers of the spontaneous Function meet with this descending nerve and are ingraffed into it it comes to pass from all of them together that the Excrements being detained at the doors when it shall be convenient the Appetite commanding are cast out Nature that it might shun filthiness is so careful that for the carrying out of the Excrements it constitutes nervous Vessels with as noted a provision as for the performing any where of the most splendid offices From the lowest Infolding of the Abdomen two nerves being sent into the Tunnel receive there on both sides a noted Vertebral Nerve and so constitute two infoldings to wit one in either side Fig. 11. C.C. K.K. These infoldings near the doors placed before the chief excretory passages serve for the opening and shutting them a Vertebral branch comes to either as a supply by which it comes to pass that besides the increasing the forces of the Spirits their acts flowing from these infoldings become in some measure spontaneous By what means and for what end the nerve ascending from either infolding is bestowed on the straight Intestine was shewn but now Moreover two descending on both sides are carried into the neck or porch of the Womb Fig. 11. e. g. Without doubt whatever of sense or motion is made about the Venereal acts is owed to the influence of the Spirits through these Nerves In Men the delightful profusion of the Genital humor and in Women the no less pleasant reception of the same depends on the action of those nerves Lastly from the same infolding another nerve descending and broken into certain shoots is distributed on both sides into the Bladder and its Sphincter Fig. 11. f. Certainly by these nerves the business of making water is performed and when at any time the same is painful the troublesom sense is impressed on them But forasmuch as the nerves dedicated to the several Excretions proceed on both sides from the same infolding therefore the acts of them all are in some measure alike among themselves so indeed that if any excretory passage should be weak or ill affected it sends forth its charge which it should keep whether it will or no. This is so well known that there is no need to illustrate the matter with instances These Nerves and Infoldings being so made there is not much business besides left for the intercostal pair About the beginning of the Os Sacrum both Trunks inclining mutually one to the other communicate among themselves by a cross shoot or two then they end in very small Fibres which are distributed into the Sphincter of the Anus Fig. 11. q. r. s. Here the intercoast pair is after the same manner as we have observed concerning the wandring pair to wit either nerve being brought to the end of its course before they enter upon their last task incline themselves to mutual embraces Concerning the last offices of either pair this Conformity may be also noted that whenas the Viscera dedicated to Chylification to wit the Ventricle and Intestines are still continued to the last by the same passage and the same perpetual cavity or hollowness the first doors of this Cavity to wit the Orifices of the Ventricle are kept by the lowest branches of the wandring pair joyned among themselves but before the last door of the same to wit the Sphincter of the Anus the extremities of the intercostal pair also before joyned among themselves are placed But to this part as if it had never provided enough for it besides the nerves sent hither from either infolding next above and these extreme productions of the intercostal pair bestowed on it a branch also and certain fibres from the Vertebral nerve are inserted Fig. 11. i. k. By the access of which it comes to pass that the shutting and opening of this door-keeping Muscle becomes spontaneous Truly many nerves and those of a diverse kind are distributed into the Sphincter of the Anus to wit because the nutritious Juyce and its stinking recrements like a certain Chymical matter are digested within the Intestines as it were within a Matrace therefore Nature which best understands Chymistry is very careful about the well-stopping the mouths of the Vessels From the same Nerve viz. the last Vertebral out of which a branch disperses fibres into the Sphincter of the Anus two other Nerves proceed which are carried into the Yard Fig. 11. l. m. The greater of these which is very large and long is distributed into the nervous Body of it the other lesser into its Muscles This member because it receives nerves only from the spinal Marrow according to our Hypothesis ought to swell up and to be moved only at the spontaneous pleasure of the will but that oftentimes by reason of the swelling up of the Genital seed or humor it is erected and blown up with Spirit whether one will or no that is caused chiefly for this reason Because from this Vertebral pair from whence the nerves of the Yard arise a nervous process is stretched out into the Vertebral pair next above it in which the infolding placed in the Tunnel imparting nerves to the Prostatae is radicated Fig. 11. I. K. into which infolding also a noted nerve from the intercostal pair is implanted When therefore a communication is had between the Prostatae which depend much on the intercostal Nerves and the Yard by reason of the roots of either being joyned together by the nervous process it comes to pass that the action of this follows the affection of those parts but those parts viz.
the Prostatae are apt to be moved not only by the turgescency of the Seed but also by the passage of the intercostal Nerve are wont to be irritated with too unseasonable an action according to the impressions made by the Senses or the Brain into the consent of which presently the Yard is excited Concerning the Nerves which belong to the Testicles here is not much to be spoken for we have often sought in vain for a great company of nervous passages in them I have very diligently searched sometimes in Man also in a Fox Dog Calf and likewise in a Boar and Monkey but could never find belonging to them but one nerve carried from the Vertebral pair which also for the most part is bestowed on the Cremasteral Muscle Fig. 11. M. so that although an excellent humor is prepared within those parts yet it doth not easily appear that its matter is derived thither through the nerves for we think the Genital humor is no more dispensed by the nerves than the nutritious For truly it seems that the Arteries instil a spirituous liquor into the Testicles after the same manner as in the Brain wherefore in their neighbourhood these sanguiferous Vessels being very much divaricated or spread abroad are turned about into little serpentine chanels whereby they subtilize the humor destinated to the Testicles and insinuate it having put off all thickness and Feculency and being truly sublimated into their substance because there as within the Cortex of the Brain the spirituous liquor being imbued with a volatile Salt implanted in the part passes into the most noble Clyssus viz. the Genital humor But here is not a place to discourse more largely of the nature and origine of the Seed yet because it is commonly objected That the Seed is made of the nervous Juyce and plenty of Spirits fetched from the Brain and therefore a large expence of it doth induce quickly on the Brain and Nerves a great debility and enervation I say this comes to pass because after great profusions of the Seed for the restauration of the same humor of which Nature is more solicitous than for the benefit of the individual presently greater Tributes of the spirituous Liquor are required from the blood to be laid up into the Testicles wherefore the Brain is made languid being defrauded of its due stock and afflux of the same spirituous liquor and the Spirits influencing it and the nervous System because they are deficient in the Fountain it self are very much depauperated and become flagging Besides we may add That the animal Spirits also which actuate the Prostatae coming from the spinal Marrow are consumed about the Venereal acts very much so that the Loyns are also enervated for this reason CHAP. XXVIII Of the Spinal Nerve an Accessory to the wandring Pair also of the Nerve of the Diaphragma AFter we have unfolded the Nerves of the wandring and intercostal pair which being Executers of the involuntary Function are stretched out to the Praecordia and all the Viscera of the middle and lower Belly and also to some other parts Next to these follow some other Nerves communicating with the aforesaid in their beginning or in the exercise of the same office viz. the spinal Nerve and the Nerve of the Diaphragma of which we will speak in order We have already shewn that the Nerve of the wandring pair in the beginning is made up of numerous Fibres to which is joyned another noted Nerve arising from afar and being ingraffed with them goes forth together with them out of the Skull Concerning this Nerve because the beginning and distribution of it being very irregular have not as yet been noted by other Anatomists it may seem worth our labour to make a little more diligent inquiry Therefore if we would search into the beginning of this nerve that is found beginning with a sharp point in the side of the spinal Marrow nigh the sixth or seventh Vertebrae of the Neck Fig. 12. C. C. But being increased in its ascent is no where inserted into the medullar Trunk but in its whole tract on both sides leans on its side to which it is knit by certain admitted Fibres towards the superficies This arising up from the Neck after this manner and being carried within the Skull is joyned to the Fibres of the wandring pair and is ingraffed with them seeming to grow together into one Trunk and goes out with them at the same hole from the Skull which being passed through the spinal Nerve presently departing from the Trunk of the wandring pair is at length reflected outward Fig. 9. ♀ ♂ This stranger or travelling nerve after a short commerce having left his companion is carried upon the Muscles of the Neck to which it imparts some shoots and is inoculated with a certain shoot of the tenth pair but from thence being carried on further it goes alone by a long passage till it comes to the Scapular Muscle on which it is almost wholly bestowed Fig. 9. ☽ This nerve is found constantly not only in Man and four-footed Beasts but also in Fowls and Fishes and in these it seems to be destinated instead of Arms and for the moving of their wings and fins Concerning the use of this Nerve and the reason of its irregular beginning we shall conjecture after this manner Forasmuch as that is destinated for the performing the motions of the Muscles belonging to the Arms and Neck therefore it ought to arise out of the spinal Marrow but that it is not carried by a direct and near way into its Province but being carried about by a long compass before it enters upon its task communicates in its beginning with the nerve of the wandring pair certainly this seems to be done to the end that this Spinal nerve being carried into the parts of the wandring pair might perform the acts of the Function only involuntary And indeed it may be observed That besides the spontaneous motions wherewith the Neck and Arms are wont to be imployed with the previous intention of doing this or that thing those parts also before any other member are affected with pathetick and sudden motions according to the force of the Passions the animal not being conscious of it For almost all living Creatures do not only turn about their necks at any noise to behold whatever might cause fear but they being any ways affrighted in the twinkling of an eye fly away their feet wings fins or other part answerable to them being set into a rapid motion The Neck and the Arms are pliable or observant not only to fear but in like manner to the other Passions For brute Animals as well as Man being puffed up with pride or anger as we have elsewhere intimated have their Necks swollen and their Crests lifted up But as to Man his hands and arms are so obsequious to the Passions and almost to all the conceptions of the Brain that they are continually agitated in the doing of any
the Second swift motions and Concussions which coming between cease and return alternatly But neither those who have observed these notes of difference nor other Authors have taken notice that they are continual for that by the words Spasme and Convulsion they often designe a certain Spasmodick or Convulsive Affection wherefore to distinguish it better we will call the former distemper with Cardan tetanon a continual Convulsive Cramp but the other Spasm or a Convulsive motion in generall But that the irregular Nature and Causes of Convulsive motion might more rightly have been made known it should first have been declared after what manner the regular motive function is effected in an animated Body but the more full Consideration of this because it belongs to the Physiologie or Reasoning of the Nature of the Brain and Nervous stock it is deferred to another Discourse For the present we will signifie in a word as much as shall serve for the elucidation of the matter proposed How the regular Motion is Effected That the animal Spirits are the next Instrument of regular motion and that their Action or moving force consists only in that they being more thickly heaped up together in the motive part and there spreading themselves in a more large space they blow it up and intumefie it which for that reason being contracted as to its length draws to it self the part hanging to it In our description of the Nerves already published It s beginning twofold we have shown this kind of motion to be twofold to wit Spontaneous and meerly natural the Instinct of this is derived from the Cerebel but of that from the brain but both through the pipes of the Nerves as it were the channels both to the muscles and also to the fibres interwoven with the membrains and other motive parts of the Parenchyma or Inwards Lastly in all these the various actions are so expeditiously effected which either natural necessity or the rule of the will requires by that only means that there is an intimate Conjunction and communication of Duty and most swift Commerce between the animal Spirits which Constitute the Hypostasis of the sensitive Soul within the foresaid parts disposed or fitted by a continued Series The Subject also twofold But there is this notable difference between the motion of a muscle and that performed by other parts for in these the action is most often circumscrib'd within the bounds of the motive body so as its membranes only or one part of the inward moves another and consequently this is moved of its neighbour But in the musculous stock usually the moving part is placed in one member and to be moved of another next it although within some musculous part as the Heart and Diaphragma they properly for the most part move themselves only hence the Membranes and Inwards are said to have as it were an intestine and vermicular Motion such as where-ever it is begun the Spirits there more thickly gather together and Spreading themselves forth they first intumifie this part then going forward another and so farther till at last they draw the hindermost parts and by this means transfer an intumifaction and therefore a motion from one place to another almost after the same manner as worms and other Creeping creatures make their progression But to this motive function of the Membranes and Inwards if it be frequent or undiscontinued plenty of spirits are required which notwithstanding execute their task calmly enough without tumult or great force And indeed it is to be observed that the Animal Spirits flow not more sparingly into the Membraneous Inwards than into the Muscles as it appears from the more exquisite sense of those parts and by the manifold insertion of Nerves within them and the diversity of divarication through the foldings and fibres although in the mean time the muscles are watered with a more plentifull influx of Blood But as to the motion performed in the musculous stock the heaping together and rarefaction of the Spirits through the whole joynting of the motive part suddenly and at once unfolded are performed with such force and strength as the attraction of the muscle in its motive endeavour may exceed the force of a pully or windlace and when this force only depends on the expansion or rarefaction of the Spirits seated in the motive part we can conceive it to be no otherwise but that the Spirits so expansed or stretched forth The Motion of a Muscle is a certain explosion of the Spirits as it were fired after the manner of gunpowder to be exploded or thrown out But we may suppose that to the Spirituous Saline particles of the spirits inhabiting the interwoven fibres in the muscle other nitrous-sulphureous particles of a diverse kind do come and grow intimately with them from the arterous blood flowing every where within the same fibres Then as often as the particles of either kinde as Nitre and Sulphur combined together by reason of the instinct of motion brought through the nerves are moved as an inkindling of fire forthwith on the other side bursting forth or being exploded they suddenly blow up the Muscle and from thence cause a most strong drawing together for indeed it seems to be ordained for this end that the Muscles are imbrewed much more plentifully with the arterous blood than the membraneous inwards to wit that the Elastick coupling of the spirits being consumed and perpetually falling off through the very often and sometimes continual motion might be by that means supplyed from the fresh sanguineous juice in the mean time that the spirits themselves being supplyed in a smaller quantity through the small nerves might even like old Soldiers continue longer in the same station and follow their manifold coupling or labour How else are labouring beasts supplyed with a sufficient stock of spirits for so much labour whilst they exercise allmost all their muscles by a swift course for many howers yea sometimes a whole day or who can believe that a little handfull of spirits brought through the small branches of the wandring and Intercostal pairs of the Nerves to the heart can be able by their own strength to effect that it s so strong and indiscontinued motion Indeed it seems that of necessity there must come to them from the blood perpetually auxilarie aid and those afterwards to be allways exploded For this reason certainly the motive virtue both of the Heart and the rest of the Muscles becomes more strong and Elastick above any mechanick Organ to wit for as much as the animal spirits acting every where in the musculous stock get to themselves an explosive Copula If any one shall be displeased at the word Explosion not yet used in Philosophy or Medicine so that this Spasmodick Pathologie standing on this basis may seem only ignoti per ignotius explicatio an explication of unknown things by more unknown things it will be easy to shew the effect of this kinde of
notion and very many examples and instances both concerning natural and artificiall things from the Analogie of whose motions in an animated body both regularly and irregularly performed most apt reasons are to be taken For besides the mixtures of Nitre with Sulphur with Tartar and with Antimony all which are fired with a thundring noise also Aurum fulminans or fulminant Gold and a Composition of salt of Tartar with Nitre and Sulphur without any actual fire being only thoroughly heated are exploded with a vehement Crash also to this may be referred many Liquors which being mixed together or poured upon some certain bodies cause or stir up violent motions and plainly Explosive The spirit of Nitre and the liquor of congeled Antimony being powred on one another or either of them thrown upon the filings of Iron cause a great Ebullition with heat and black smoke It is commonly known what heat or effervescency and force plainly explosive arise from fixed Salts melted together and from acetous or sharp salt of every kind mixed with one another Nor is the effect of Explosion less seen when a Liquor imbrued with a volatil Salt as the spirit of Harts-horn or of blood is put to a saline either fixed or acetous Stagma or sulphurious Nitre to wit the particles being vehemently stricken one against another leap up with a force and on every side are carried forth a great way which without doubt if they were restrained within the space of any body as the fibres of a Muscle they would suddenly intumifie it and so would constitute an Instrument of Local motion Concerning this thing we have more fully discoursed already in our Neurologie or Tract of the Nerves and perchance we may yet publish the explication of this more fully and more accuratly some other time In the mean time that this opinion may not be thought altogether new and that I have exposed it as a childe of my own brain that had no other Patron I will here shew you the assertion of the Famous Gassendus which as it openly favours this our Hypothesis and in some sort gave an occasion of it so perhaps it will give to it some Authority Therefore this Rational man weighing in his minde how much that force or strength might be with which not only the Arm or Thigh but the whole animal Machine is moved govern'd lifted up and carryed up and down He adds Who can easily comprehend that small thing whatsoever it is within the body of an Elephant whether we conceive it to be a soul or spirit or any other beginning of motion that it should be able to agitate such a bulk and to cause it to perform a swift and regular dance and so much the more for that when as that small thing within that body no longer flourishes there is need of so much outward strength to remove it never so little from its place but indeed the same fiery nature of the soul serves chiefly to this which although it be a very little flame it is able to perform within the body by its own mobility the same thing in proportion that a little flame of Gun-powder does in a Cannon whilst that it not only drives forth the Bullet with so much force but also drives back the whole machine with so great strength But indeed he says as to the spirits which like explosed Gun-powder cause the agitation it is doubtfull whether it be they which come from the brain or those in the little tendons as it were of kin to them or springing from them that are thought to do it But although either of them concur yet they seem to be more presently destinated to this office which are those of the same kin or off-spring in the Tendons There needs no more it is declared that the motive function depends on the Elastick Copula of the animal spirits and its decision or abating But from this being supposed which indeed we may suppose with very great probability it easily follows that the Convulsive motions proceed from the like cause For whosoever shall consider the sudden puffings up the violent and strong Contractions in the members and affected parts yea sometimes the most impetuous concussions and violent throws of the whole body can conceive no less than that very many heaps of the animal spirits are exploded or thrust out even as lightning breaking forth from a Cloud Further from hence it may be Argued by a reciprocal Argument that because the Spasmodick motions are explosive that therefore the regular are also produced by the explosion of Spirits But after what manner and by what means and from what causes the animal spirits being exploded or thrust forth produce Spasmodick affections shall be our present business a little more largely and plainly to demonstrate however difficult and abstruse the matter seems to be We will not here stand to recite many opinions of others The Conjunct Cause of Spasms concerning the Nature and causes of a Spasm or Convulsion that which was most common and long famous among the Ancients that this distemper was only produced from repletion or inanition or from fullness or emptiness however Not repletion or fulness or inanition or Emptiness besides the authority of Hipocrates for the establishing of this an example is brought of a Skin or the strings of Lutes which are wont to be contracted being either filled with a moist or empted by too dry an aire easily falls of it self because it seems to suppose that which is credible to none by Experience the fragility of a Nerve to wit that the Nerves themselves after what manner soever abreviated and contracted are able with a certain force to draw to them the Muscles If that it shall be said that repletion or inanition ought to be understood in respect of the solid parts which are wont to be drawn together it may be observed to the contrary when as the Muscels and Nervous stock are very much watered with a watery humour as in an Anasarca or are plainly destitue of the same as in the Consumption or Mirasmus yet no Convulsive motions are for that reason excited among the moderns very many have determined irritation of the Nervous parts to be the cause of Convulsion taking their Conjecture from thence as I suppose for that by ocular inspection it appears from the Vellication it self and by the only touch of the Nerves that spasms are induced And indeed we have clearly observ'd in the dissection of a living whelp that the knife being put upon the naked ends of the spinal Nerves presently both themselves and the Bodies of the Muscles in which they were inserted were hauled neither is it unusual that spasms are excited almost in every man by the punctures of the Nerves and Tendons I remember by reason of an Ulcer in the Arms of a certain man that the Tendons of the Muscles were laid open which when touch'd by the Surgions Instrument caused in the Patient a certain
more than men and some of them more then others are obnoxious to the passions called Histerick Further sometimes a violent Passion impresses on the spirits though moderatly firm this kind of dissipation and inordination so that afterwards they are able to suffer nothing strongly or to resist any injurie So it often happens that morbid impressions are affixed on the animal regimen by sudden fear or great sadness which can hardly ever after be blotted out for from hence women often contract first the Diseases named the Mother or from the Womb and men the hypochondriack and are for the most part still subject to them From these things it appears after what manner and for what Causes 2. How the morbific matter being admitted within the head is disposed the Spasmodick Matter is wont to be admitted into the Head now let us see next what is done with it afterwards if that this matter brought to the Brain induces the Convulsive distempers either not always or not altogether after the same manner 1. It sometimes happens that the heterogeneons and explosive Particles Sometimes it is carried back again from the brain are admitted into the Brain which notwithstanding are again exterminated without any great hurt and before they enter into the nervous stock for that the veins and Lympheducts or water-carrying Vessells often sup up what is superfluous and an enemy to the animall dominion and convey it forth of doors or dispose of it into Emunctuaries or Sinks Whilst such a matter is for a little while agitated in the brain its particles being affixed to some of its Spirits and at length striking against them cause the Virtego and the swimming in the head but because they enter not into the passages of the nerves Spasmodick Distempers do not follow 2. When the morbifick matter is admitted within the Head and not presently from thence sent back oftentimes it produces not its evill Sometimes it is thrust out into the nervous stock till it is inserted into the stock of the Nerves for the animal Spirits within the Brain being as yet strong and having got a more free space they evade the embraces of every heterogeneous Copula which indeed they are not able to do within the strait channells of the nerves Besides the morbifick matter it self if it cannot be sent away out of the Brain by the excretory vessells it is by and by sent forth to the System of the nerves as the more ignoble part Remaining in the brain causes the falling-sickness but if in spite of the force of the superiour faculties such a matter stays long within the brain it much infects the Spirits that inhabit it and induces the Epilepsie as shall be more particularly shewed hereafter but more often the hurtfull matter is thrown on the nervous stock from the brain without much harm to it but this happens to come to pass not always after the same way For truly the heterogeneous Particles being mixed with the nervous Liquor The spasmodic matter being fallen on the nervous stock and fallen towards the beginings of the Nerves do not indifferently enter all of them together or these or those as chance shall guide them but they are directed to the passages of some before others and that not without some Reason For we observe that the Convulsive Symptoms do choose for the most part one place in children another in riper years and a different one in more tender than in the more rebust In children who are not yet accustomed to the Affections of the Heart Afflict the foreparts of the Nerves in Children and exercise of the outward members whereby the morbifick cause may be further carried from the brain the Spasmodick matter runs more often into those nearest Nerves viz. the third fifth and sixth pares wherefore their faces and mouths and those parts are chiefly handled and it is rare and unusual for them to have their viscera and praecordia lifted up or affected with an inordinate motion as in those of riper years on the contrary in men of more advanced years Otherwise in those of riper years by its approach to the intercostals and the Nerves of the wandring pare it being more open to those of the spinal marrow which those nerves respect are wont to be more frequently pulled but yet with this difference that in the more tender and those who are very delicate and subject to passions and who by reason of the passions of the minde have very often their praecordia and viscera disturbed the Spasmodick matter more readily enters the more open passages of the interiour Nerves and therefore they are rendred more obnoxious to Spasmes stirred up in the Abdomen and the Thorax for hence it is that women are molested with the passions called Hysterical and some men with the hypocondriack as shall be more largely declared hereafter when we come to treat particularly of these Distempers After what manner it disturbs the spirits whilst it stays near the beginnings of the Nerves or being fallen more deeply into their passages When the Spasmodic matter falls upon the heads of some nerves or remaining there it creates only a giddiness and lighter Spasmes and leapings of those parts to which these Nerves belong or being slidden more deeply into the pipes of the Nerves it brings forth more cruel Convulsive Paroxisms but the same being dilated into the nervous processes is disposed through one or more of the branches of the stock or Trunk sometimes all and sometimes only those more open than the rest and by degrees cleave to the Spirits both within those Nerves as also to those planted within the hanging Fibres so that it is after the same manner and there is the like preparation in the disposition to Convulsive Paroxisms as if grains of Gunpowder were laid in a long train to be fired successively The Spirits after this manner imbred with an heterogeneous Copula are lodged within the Fibres interwoven with the membranes and Muscles but chiefly within the nervous foldings and when they grieved with too great plentitude or troubled on any other occasion are compelled to shake off their Copula the particles striking and leaping one against another hugely blow up the containing parts and so excite a motive force contrary to the commands and Laws of the Appetite and Nature The spirits enter into explosions by reason of plenitude or irritation Besides the Spirits once stirred up to the performing Convulsive motions begin their explosions from the one or the other extremity of the nervous System but for the most part at the end But they who are first explosed snatch or take with them their neighbours also praedisposed like a fiery train and so they propagate the begun affection with a long continued series of Spasms from one end to the other For a convulsion begun in the bottom of the belly or at the foot or hand creeps by degrees to the upper parts and for the
how from them however Convulsive they be the Epileptick Paroxism should be induced It is affirmed that the meninges are not first of all affected As to the former it seems an impossible thing for the meninges to be so contracted as to their whole Concavities that being bound more strictly together like a purse they should on every side pull together their contents and draw them into a narrower space for that the Dura Mater sticks most firmly to very many places of the skull yea and the Pia mater is tyed to it near the processes of the hollow turnings by a mutual knitting of the membranes and every where besides with a Continuity of Vessells Hence it easily appears either that membrane as to the greatest part of it is immovable so that they cannot fall into so universal Spasms but in respect of lesser Spasms as when a certain portion of this or that meninge or both together is pulled indeed we grant such may happen for I have often heard those troubled with great headach to complain extreamly of a great constriction of the parts lying under the side of the skull sometimes on the right sometimes on the left and yet from thence no assault of falling down has followed Further as those membranes being notably hurt do cause great vellications or haulings yet upon it there is not wont to be an Epileptick sit to follow for I have known from an Imposthume in the Dura mater when being broken and that the stinking matter had knawn the more tender meninges and shell of the Brain that the sick have fallen first into an amazednesse and at length into a deadly Apoplexie who notwithstanding in the whole course of the Disease was free from any Epileptical Symtom Also I remember I have seen one who had the Dura mater very much torn by the instrument of an unskilfull Surgion and another that by a wound had that with part of his skull taken away so that a portion of the Brain swelled forth and yet to neither of them any Epilectical passion hapned wherefore neither is it likely that the blood or humors or if any shall so argue the vapours compacted within those meninges can bring in any greater evill than either a stroke or wound inflicted on them or filthy matter there poured out Besides those who are more lightly troubled with the Epilepsie so that they scarce fall down and have their minds free through the whole assault of the disease would perceive the membrans to be so contracted and the globe of the brain to be more straitly thrust together if there had bin any such kinde of affection The spirits inhabiting the middle of the brain are the primary Subject of the disease but they on the contrary seem to have the Brain as it were inflamed and to be sensible that the spirits leap forth and are as it were explosed with a certain fierceness And indeed I think it is very likely so that the Epileptick Paroxism is stired up from a certain suddain rarefication and explosion of the animal spirits inhabiting the Brain which are in truth the first and immediate subject of this Disease to wit whereby the Brain it self is inflated and rendered so insensible and the Nerves hanging thereto also put into convulsions For hence it comes to pass that the accession of this Disease begins so on a sudden and determines perfectly without any great provision or remains of the morbifick matter because the Infection is not brought so much to the solid parts as to the Spirits themselves We have already shown by what means the heterogeneous and explosive Copula consisting as it seems of nitro-Sulphurous particles cleaving to the spirituous particles of the animal Spirits and lastly being smitten and explosed by them by reason of plenitude or irritation produces Convulsive Symptoms But although this kinde of Spasmodick Copula is first distilled from the blood into the brain yet for the most part it does not take hold of the spirits there or at least it stays not long with them in that place but rather being thrust from thence towards the nervous Appendix causes particular and respective Spasms near the places affected But sometimes if the Spasmodic matter be more plentifull and strong and the constitution of the brain weak the heterogeneous Copula being fixed to the Spirits not only in the nervous stock but also to those planted within the Encephalon it self causes the Epilectick disposition and the explosive particles of the Spirits and this Copula knocking one against another stir up the falling fit For indeed since the assault of the Epilepsie urging the Insensibility and great disorder is for the most part the first Symptom and all the pathognomick it may be concluded that the animal Spirits lying within the middle of the brain it self are affected before others and that therefore that part is the principal seat of the Disease Then forasmuch as the falling of the sick or casting to the ground and spasms of rhe members and Viscera most often follow that Insensibility great disorder or leaping forth of the spirits it follows that the animal Spirits also inhabiting the nervous System are imbrued with the same explosive Copula and are drawn into consent with those inhabiting the brain it self and are excited by them to explosions purely inordinate although sometimes by the whole series of Spirits planted both in the brain and nervous stock being like a long train of gunpowder praedisposed to explosions an exterior Spasm beginning a great way off perhaps in some member or Inward may afterwards be carried to the Brain as shall be more fully shown hereafter In the mean time it is concluded that the region of the Brain it self is always the primary seat of this Disease and that we ought to suppose the conjunct cause of the Distemper not to be water heaped up within the ventricles of the brain nor a thick or clammy humour impacted in the passages of its pores for such Causes are begotten by degrees and therefore would shew some certain signes before-hand of the first coming upon one further the assault of the fit being over such a matter could not be wholly discussed in so short a time but that from its reliques some impediments of the animal function would remain which indeed rarely happens in the Epilepsie unlesse inveterate but for the exciting of the falling down no lesse can be imagined then that the animal Spirits which flowing within the marrowie substance of the brain perform the acts of the interior sense of the Imagination and appetite having gotten an heterogeneous Copula should be inordinately exploded and so they being disturbed beyond their orders and stations the Superior faculties of the animal regimen must suffer an eclipse then from this greater explosion of spirits as it were from a fiery enkindling other Spirits inhabiting the marrowy and nervous appendix being also praedisposed to explosions conceive the like disorder and in like manner cause
them drink a gentle Emetick of wine of squills or salt of vitriol when even the sicK are troubled with a striving to Vomit of their own accord but if the other Evacuation or down-wards shall seem better to be tryed they ought to take an Infusion of Rhubarb or the powder and Syrrop of succory with Rhubarb or of Roses with agaric and very often by these Remedies timely applyed I have seen the Convulsive Distempers in Children to be cured besides in this Case Clysters are frequently used but external Medicines are not to be omitted to wit fomentations oyntments plaisters applyed to the Belly Take of the flowers of Cammomel cut very small ii handfulls let them be put into two little bags made of fine Linnen or Silk which being dipped in warm Milk and wrung out may be applyed successively to the abdomen or lower region of the belly Take of the tops or flowers of Mallows in like manner but small let them be fryed in fresh butter of hogs Lard and in the form of a Liniment or a Cataplasm applyed to the Belly CHAPTER V. Of Convulsive Diseases of Ripe Age arising chiefly by reason of the Nervous origine being affected ALthough Convulsive Distempers which happen to those of riper years being known by other Names also are commonly reputed of some other stock and are wont to be referr'd to the passions called Hysterical Hypochondriacal or Colical or to the Scorbute yet if the matter be a little better consider'd it will easily appear that some Convulsive Symptoms both in Men and Women do come from the Brain which Convulsions properly and truly challenge to themselves the Name But these as we have already mentioned may be distinguished after a various manner by the manifold seat of the morbifick Cause but chiefly into these three kinds viz. Into Spasms or Convulsions stirred up by reason of the origine of the Nerves being chiefly affected into others being stirred up Three kinds of Convulsions hapning to those of riper years by reason of the extremities or ends of the Nerves being possessed by the morbifick matter and lastly into such from whose head the morbific matter descending fills the whole passages or the most part of some certain Nerves or of all together Therefore that we may proceed to unfold the Convulsions Distempers arising from the Nervous origine distinguished arising from the beginnings of the Nerves being affected take notice here that the morbifick matter beseiging the beginnings of the Nerves doth sometimes chiefly flow into the first pair of Nerves to wit which respect the Muscles of the eyes and face and from thence the contractions and tremblings now of the Nose Cheeks or Lips now of the Eyes or the distortions of the mouth follow Secondly 1 According to the various Nerves being affected sometimes the wandring and intercostal pair do chiefly imbibe the Heterogeneous particles and then Inflations or Contractions of the Abdomen and Hypochondria and also the palpitation of the Heart trembling difficult and interrupted breathing an intermitting pulse and other Symptoms of the middle and lower Belly do very much infest Thirdly but sometimes the morbifick Cause being placed lower affects chiefly the spinal marrow and therefore the outward members and limbs are rendred obnoxious to inordinate leapings forth and contractions Further in very many Cases of this nature because the Animal spirits being explosed about the origine of the Nerves do inordinately leap back towards the Encephalon for that reason to all Convulsions almost being excited by this means the Vertigo also the scotomie or giddiness the tingling of the eares and sometimes the amased Insensibility or falling down of the Spirits are joyned or follow But as we may Conjecture from the various figures of the Convulsive distemper it seems that the Convulsive matter hauling those or these nerves 2. According to the Various places of the same Nerves being affected or many of them together is lodged either about their beginings only so that the Spirits in that place being often explosed a frequent and very troublesome Vertigo arises besides tremblings and a short faintness about the Praecordia swoonings and often leapings and light contractions in the Viscera or muscles are felt Or Secondly the explosive particles being dilated to the beginings of the nerves enter more deeply into their processes and not seldom being slidden down into the nervous foldings belonging to the Praecordia or the Viscera of the lower belly or also to the exterior members procure there other as it were nests of Convulsive distempers that as often as the Spirits about the nervous origine are driven into explosions presently fits as it were hysterical asthmatical or otherways Convulsive arise in the Abdomen Thorax or Limbs Examples of these and by what means they are made shall be anon more clearly delivered In the mean time the spasmodic matter flowing into the pipes of the Nerves when it is transfer'd even to their processes and remote enfoldings yet forasmuch as it hath still its chief mine about the nervous original therefore after very grievous Convulsions of the Viscera or members a great perturbation of the Brain follows thereupon with a tingling of the eares a vertigo and often an Insensibility or amased excurtion of Spirits but sometimes the morbific matter as to the greatest part being translated to the farthest ends of the nerves from thence they become free or clear about their beginings For I have observed many who whilst at the begining they were infested with the vertigo often fainting away with fear head-ach and heavynesse about the hinder part of the head to have felt about the Praecordia or viscera only light inflations or tremblings but afterwards suffering more cruel Convulsions about these parts they did not complain of the former distempers of the Head By what maens the convulsive matter flows into the Nerves If it should be further demanded concerning the Convulsive matter from what place it should be brought and by what ways carried towards the beginings of the Nerves and what kinde of Settlement and as it were cherishing nests it there obtains we say that although we cannot detect the footsteps and manifest passages of this matter yet so much may be collected from certain observations and the analogie of things it may be supposed there are these two distinct manner of passages whereby the Convulsive particles being first poured out into the Brain and Cerebel from the blood are from thence carried towards the beginings of the Nerves viz. First sometimes this matter being imbibed by the Brain and Cerebel and by degrees passing thorow the pores of either slides into the Trunk of the oblong marrow whose tract being also overcome by it together with the nervous juice it slides forward towards the original of the Nerves and is heaped up neer their heads or within the medullarie trunk it self or within the annularie Prominencies in which places either a long while subsisting it stirs up frequent Vertigoes
evening in a little draught of the prescribed Julap half an ounce of Diacodium to which succeeded a moderate sleep without the wonted Convulsions following which kinde of effects from opiats exhibited in the like case I have often experimented for the quenching her thirst I gave her a Ptisan with diuretick Ingredients boyled in it by the use of these she was very much eased in a short time But what proved a great benefit to her was that an Imposthume in her ear breaking of its own accord powred forth at first a yellow matter and afterwards for many days a great plenty of thin Ichor or Excrement by which Evacuation the Convulsions of the Viscera and Praecordia wholly ceasing the disease was perfectly Cured As to the Reason of the aforesaid sicknesse without doubt it seems that those Distempers were excited by the serous colluvies layd up within the Bounds of the Head for the translation of that humour into the head brought at first both the Disease and the Secretion or flowing of it out thorow the Emunctuaries of the ear took away all the Symptoms Besides when the morbific matter had brought in to the Spirits planted about the beginings of the nerves a Disposition somewhat explosive they though being struck as it were with madness they were continually troubled yet so long as leaping back towards the Brain they obtained a space in which they might be more freely expanded or stretched forth they did indeed only more vehemently exercise the Phantasie and without farther trouble did only cause watchings But when by sleep sometimes Creeping upon her the excursion of the unquiet Spirits were restrained towards the Brain which indeed necessarily happens when we sleep the nervous Liquor within the pores of the brain at that time being more plentifully admitted they tumultuarily rushing upon the heads of the wandring pair and intercostall Nerves troubled the whole series of Spirits flowing within the passages of those Nerves and so caused the aforesaid Convulsions about the Praecordia Viscera and muscles of the Throat I have known many both Men and women sick after this manner who when they have been troubled with an headach an heaviness of the hinder part of the head or a Vertigo have while they slept felt forthwith in their Praecordia or Viscera or in both together perturbations as it were Convulsive which indeed happens from the bending downward of the tumultuating Spirits being reflected from the brain upon the beginings of the Nerves But that the use of opiats brought a pleasing sleep to this sick person without the wonted Convulsions following the reason was because the animal spirits as unquiet and furious as they were yet by the Intanglement of the narcotick Particles they were bound as it were in chains that afterwards without any resistance they were overcome by sleep I have indeed very often happily cured most grievous fits of Convulsions both Asthmatical and as it were hysterical by administring Opiates Observation 2 An honest woman M. G. of 67. years of Age yet of a florid countenance and fat in body when she had been a while obnoxious at first to a swelling of the face and very grievous fits of the headach she fell through the great cold of the winter into a very troublesome Vertigo with a trembling of the heart a fainting away of the Spirits and a frequent striving to vomit being lay'd in her bed if she opened her eyes or turn'd her from one side to another she was presently troubled with a notable gididness or swimming in the head with swooning and effectless vomiting Visiting this woman I doubted not but that the cause of her sickness was the Convulsive matter being translated from the exterior region of the head to the most inward recesses of the Encephalon by whose inspiration or heterogeneous Copula the animal spirits being touched while they leaped forth inordinatly towards the brain they excited the vertiginous Distemper and while they rushed tumultuarily upon the heads of the nerves the Scotomie disorder of the Praecordia and endeavouring to vomit A large Vesicatory or blistering Plaster being applyed to the nape of the neck and behind her ears Clisters dayly administred also the use of Spirits of harts-horn frequently and of a Cephalick Julap cured her within a few days Observation 3 A noted man about 34. years of Age when he had been for a long time subject to a Cough with great and thick spitting besides having the pores of his skin very open he was wont to sweat continually and every night to be wet with it about the begining of the spring he perceived those usuall evacuations to happen more sparingly in the mean time he Complained of a fullness of his hands and feet and as it were a certain swelling or puffiing up so that he feared a dropsie was coming upon him beside he was troubled in his head with a giddinesse and frequent Vertigo A little while after this evill increasing light contractions and sudden Convulsions were ordinarily excited about his Lips and other parts of the mouth and face also presently after the morbific matter as it should seem flowing upon the beginnings of the wandring pair and intercostal nerves he was afflicted with the trembling and leaping of the heart with frequent fainting away of the vital spirits as if a Leipothymy or swooning was falling upon him I know that very many ascribe these Convulsive passions so grievously infesting the Praecordia to the vapours rising from the spleen but it seems much more reasonable to deduce there from the Convulsive matter layd up within the brain and rushing upon the beginnings of the Nerves because a shifting or translation of some excrements from some other parts to the head goes before and that it is so layd up within the compass or bounds of the Encephalon the almost continual vertiginous distemper and the Convulsions of the parts of the mouth and face testifie it plainly wherefore I thought good to prescribe to this man Remedies according to the method hereafter shown I might be able here to propose many observations of this nature in whom the morbific matter subsisting neer the beginnings of the nerves stir up light Spasms or Convulsions only of the Viscera or members with a Vertigo But because a portion of this matter descending from the head enters more deeply the pipes of the Nerves and so strows the tinder or enkindling of explosive seed as it were gunpowder about their middle and ultimate processes and enfoldings it will be to the purpose to add some examples of this kinde A certain young maid E.L. tall and hansome sprung from sound parents and Observation 4 her self as far as might be Perceived originally healthfull after she had serv'd a master long sick being a long time and almost continually with him and was forced to watch whole nights very often and also at other times so that she never slept but short and interrupted naps she at length begun to complain of an heaviness in
Medicines did her no good but were rather hurtfull and troublesome she received some benefit by the taking away of blood by Leeches and by the use of Asses milk and afterwards she was much eased by the long drinking of spaw-waters The reason of it The aforesaid Symptoms which commonly are ascribed to the hysterical passion and the vapours from the womb here plainly appear to have proceeded from a Tumour arising about the bottom of the ventricle for that the blood of this Lady being very hot and melanchollick when it could be no more purged by her courses flowing from her it laid up its recrements and adust faeculencies at first in her breast and then from a new beginning in the membranes of her stomach From the tumor there made sharp and heterogenious particles falling down perpetually entred the fibres and nerves planted round about which cleaving continually to the spirits dwelling in and flowing into those parts excited them to frequent explosions and so made Convulsive distempers in all the neighbouring parts But that sometimes the convulsive motions were more light in that place hence it appears that the whole nervous stock and the head it self as is wont to be in greater convulsions had not as yet been touched with the same distemper But the disorder of spirits arising about the parts affected and from thence transfer'd by a smaller undulation or waving to the head and so only lightly disturbing the spirits inhabiting it induced watchings with a great heat and perturbation of the phantasie what we have hitherto discoursed of Convulsions from the morbific cause setling upon either end of the nervous system will more clearly appear when we shall hereafter trear particularly of the chief kinds of convulsions viz. the hysterical hypochondriacall and other passions In the mean time there will be no need to add a Curatory method for this Hypothesis of convulsions arising by reason of the extremities of the nerves being affected because the ways of curing may be better accomodated to the passions of this kinde hereafter particularly to be spoken of But for the present it behoves us to proceed to the unfolding of the convulsive passions whose cause or morbifick matter seems to subsist within the nervous foldings We have largely enough in another place discoursed of the nervous foldings and in their description and use we have shown that 't is very likely the more grievous fits of convulsive motions beginning oftentimes within these parts are from thence propagated on every side into the neighbouring parts and not seldom to a great distance at least that it seems much more probable that the heterogenious and explosive particles after they have overcome the tract of the head and its medullary appendix and being more deeply slidden into the Channels of the Nerves and their passages together with the juce watering them do spread their stores within the nervous foldings as it were in Cross-streets and by paths and there sometimes make their stations untill at length being more plentifully heaped up they as it were with Collected forces produce the more cruel convulsive distempers This I say appears to be much more probable That the nervous foldings is the seat of Convulsive matter then what is commonly said to suppose them vapours arising from the womb spleen ventricle or any other inward in which all the fault is easily thrown For within these foldings there are spaces large enough for morbific mines that the matter may be there at leasure laid up and remain till it be gathered to a fullness But then because we believe that great plenty of spirits lodge there more than in any other little cells the heterogenious Copula growing to them lays as it were tinder for more grievous explosions so that the spirits being explosed within these bodies do not only inflate and dilate them but elevate and lift them up from their Place even as a house blown up with gun-powder wherefore the parts lying over them are suddenly lifted up into a tumour and loose are drawn violently hither and thither That after this manner the more cruell fits of Convulsions about the praecordia and Viscera are very often stirred up I have found to be true besides the Arguments taken from reason not long since by my own sight For when I opened the dead body of a Gentlewoman who had been exceedingly troubled with as they say the Mother fits or hysterical Distempers I found the womb wholly faultless but the Nerves near the foldings of the Mesentery as it seem'd only to be lifted up and elevated into a bulk and the membranes of that inward appeared torn and loosned one from another as being on every side tumid and loose as it were blown up into little bubbles or bladders Indeed there are more considerations of solid reasons whereby we are induced Observation 1 to believe that the passions called hysterical do most often arise from the convulsive matter heaped up within the Mesenterick enfoldings and by turns explosed which shall be more clearly manifested where we treat especially of those diseases But neither is it less probable that the Collick-pains do very often proceed from a more sharp and irritative matter contained in the same enfoldings Besides as often as the convulsive fits seem to begin from the spleen or ventricle by reason the beginnings of which are inflations and very great disturbances of those parts it is likely that the nest of the convulsive matter was hid within the nervous enfoldings belonging to the spleen or ventricle Also this kinde of matter seems to excite within the Cardiac foldings most heavy tremblings and passions of the heart and within the pneumonic or cervical or those belonging to the Lungs and throat enfoldings most terrible fits of the Asthma In our Treatise of the Nerves we have related a notable case of a worthy Gentlewoman to whom a serous matter wonted to distill from the forepart of her head through her left nostrill fell down behind her ear where when the most cruel pain did infest her Convulsions also and admirable contractions followed whereby the joynting or compaction now of the brain and the whole head seem'd to be pulled downward now the throat praecordia and Viscera upwards which kinde of Convulsions vexing the parts so opposite and at such distance by turns when they did proceed from one and the same seat of the disease planted in the midst it will be obvious to conceive that the grieved place as the origine of either convulsive affection was the ganglioform enfoldings planted near the Parotidae or the two chief Arteries of the throat into which the Nerves both of the wandring pair descending from the head are entred and out of which the shoots do stretch themselves into the muscles of the throat and branches into the praecordia and viscera Further front the same cause to wit the convulsive matter heaped up and by turns explosed within the ganglioform enfoldings we think and not undeservedly
least four of the strongest men But if in the case of any one that is sick there arise a suspition of witchcraft or fascination Which argue witchcraft there are chiefly two kinds of Motions that are wont to create and cherish this opinion viz. 1. If the patient doth perform the contortions or gesticulations of his members or of his whole body after that manner which no sound man nor mimick or any tumbler can imitate Then 2dly If such strength be shown that surpasses all humane force to which if the avoiding of monstrous things happen as when bundles as Henry van Heer 's relates are cast forth by vomit or a live Eel as Cornelius Gamma tells voided by stool without doubt it may be believed that the devill has and doth perform his parts in this Tragedy It were easie to heap together very many and indeed admirable histories of persons of every Age and Sex affected after a stupendious and as it were supernatural manner with the manifest suspition of witchcraft for such are every where extant among Authors both Physitians and Phylosophers and because vulgar rumour noyses about diseases caused by witchcraft to happen often in allmost every Country but because these kinde of cases are full of Imposture or allways increased by the fictious lies of the relators to create admiration and for that they rarely fall under the medicall cure I will here purposely omit them what remains is that I proceed to unfold the next kinde of universal Convulsions to wit which comes upon malignant or otherwise irrigular or ill-cured Feavours CHAPTER VIII Of Vniversal Convulsions which are wont to be excited in Malignant ill-cured and some irregular Feavours THat Convulsions sometimes happen to persons sick of Feavours Vniversal Convulsions hapning in Feavours almost every ordinary body understands and from thence takes a remarkable Prognostication of Death or perill For in malignant Feavours also sometimes in the ordinary ill-handled as the Virtego or Delirium arise from the morbific matter being layd up in the Brain from the Blood so from the same being slidden down into the nervous stock Contractures and twitches of the muscles and tendons also sudden shakings of the members and Limbs and sometimes most horrid stiffnesses in the whole Body succeed The reason of which kinde of Symptoms seems to consist in this that the Liquor watering the nervous parts The reason of the symptoms abounds every where with heterogeneous particles irritating the Spirits for by that means the Spirits inhabiting and influencing being disturbed in their just Influence and emanation are incited into continual explosions as it were a crackling noyse not much unlike as when the flame of a Lamp being imbued with drossy and salted oyl ascends with a noyse and sparkling which kinde of Convulsive distempers for the most part happen about the height of feavours when the morbific matter being first layd up in the blood is from thence transfer'd to the Brain and that being pass'd thorow and also infected it is caried into the System of the nerves and from thence stirs up Convulsive passions with or without a Delirium But indeed it is sometimes observ'd that besides these kinde of Convulsive distempers coming upon Feavours and secondarily excited in a malignant constitution of the air also from the breath of a Pestilent Contagion the nervous Liquor hath been infected before the blood or else apart from it and therefore a Delirium or Convulsions have gone before a feavourish Distemper Further I have often observed that some irregular Feavours have arose in which the blood has been hardly seen to boyl up or grow hot above measure but the beginnings of this slow and very dangerous feavour were layd chiefly in the nervous humour which being by degrees brought to maturity did induce Convulsive Distempers with a Delirium or madness and other wastings or exorbitances of the Animal Spirits For the sick never complained of heat or thirst being soon made feeble and as it were strengthless they were presently obnoxions to frequent giddiness also to rremblings of the Limbs and as it were leapings forth besides to twitches or jumpings of the muscles and tendons and to contractures and pains wandring about here and there This kinde of sickness by some Physitians because it seem'd to consist in the solid parts rather than in the blood is called a malignant hectick feavour when indeed the same being fixed chiefly in the nervous humour may be better called the Convulsive nervous Pestilence A description of a convulsive disease of Hassia sometimes epidemicall There is mention made by Gregory Horstius of a Convulsive and malignant Disease which was sometime past Epidemical in Hassia Westphalia and the neighbouring Countrys they being taken therewith without a feavourish heat immoderate effervescency of blood whilst they were imployed about their familiar occasions hardly perceiving themselves to be sick were wont to have about their hands or feet and sometimes in both a sense of tingling with a numbness running up and down then by and by their fingers together with their Arms and thighs were now strictly drawn together now most strongly stretched forth as if they were frozen Those kinde of Contractions and extentions rendred themselves by turns and then changed places that now the distemper resided in one part then presently in another But as it often hapned if the Disease at once invaded the whole Brain Universal Convulsions and oftentimes epileptical Fits infested the sick besides those labouring with it were obnoxious at some turns to a Delirium madness and sometimes a Lethargie This sickness continued a long time without any Crisis or sound solution and could scarcely be so perfectly Cured but that the Disposition of the Brain and nervous parts remained evill all their Life after The reason of the symptoms As to the Reasons of this Disease and Symptoms it is obvious enough that the same depends altogether upon the vice and notable depravation of the nervous juce That pricking or tingling for the most part at the first coming of the disease was procured for this Reason because that Liquor beginning to be poysoned and loosned in its mixtion by the malignant Infection presently it oppressed the animal Spirits abounding therein and inhibited them from their wonted aâ—… free expansion wherefore they being half overwhelmed and constrained to creep as it were among bryers or things that catch'd hold of them or held them back they excited the sense as it were of tinglings running about but then because this disease growing worse the nervous Liquor was yet more perverted in its Crisis or disposition the heterogeneous particles which were brought together in it cleaving to the Spirits caused them to be moved hither and thither and to be unduly exploded for which Reason the Contractions and horrid distentions in the members and the tumults and great inordinations in the head were raised up But that in this feavour of the nerves a solution or difficult Crisis or none
kinde of remedy I often experienced with success in little Children For that by the means as it were another breathing place is opened to the mass of blood silently and covertly growing hot and obtruding its soot or smoak on the more noble parts and for that reason its impure efflorescencies or puttings forth are drawn away from the brain and lungs Therefore although this feavour of an ill Condition may be accounted as it were malignant yet forasmuch as the blood is not presently apt to be coagulated but to be too much poured forth and to bestow its serosities on the nobler parts to wit the brain and lungs therefore Phlebotomy so it be administred in the beginning of the disease is convenient allmost to all For the same reason Cathartick Medicines and chiefly vomitory are administred at the very beginning of the disease for these do not only evacuate the viscera of concoction and so draw away the chief fomenting of the disease and as it were its originall but besides they draw forth the serosities from the blood and so effect its cleansing rather in the stomach and Intestines then in the head and lungs Further by Emeticks for that the receiving Glandulaes of the Lympheducts are pulled with a great shaking the superfluities of the nervous juice least they should evilly affect the brain and its dependencies are expressed forth into the lower bowells also for this end the belly is to be kept continually loose by the use of Clysters But in the mean time whilst the blood being infected with the taint of this disease threatens the brain or praecordia with the evill it will not be safe to attempt any thing with Diaphoreticks or sweating medicines or Diureticks or such as evacuate by urine or also with Catharticks vomiting and purging medicines For these kinde of medicines forasmuch as they greatly pour out the blood and compell its serosities into more open issuings forth all the recrements being apt to fall away from the mass of the blood are easily obtruded on the brain or Lungs when they are of a more feeble constitution So in the youth above-mentioned a loss of speech came upon the raising of an untimely sweat Also I have known that Sudorificks no other then chaly beats in the morbid disposition of the lungs have brought on a waisting or Consumption Vomits and Purges are to be administred Phlebotomy therefore and if need be vomiting or purging either one or other or both being to be made use of at the very beginning of the disease the other Intentions shall be to draw away the morbific serosities of the blood apt to flow forth on the head or breast and to derive them gently by other ways of evacuation Blistering plaisters and to put them forth of doors To this end Vesicatories or blistering plaisters ought to be applyed to the nape of the neck or Parotida or jugular Arteries or to the Arm-pits or the Groin or about the thighs or calves of the legs sometimes in this part sometimes in that to wit that the little Ulcers being here and there excited and continually running might plentifully pour forth the serum imbued with the morbid and heterogeneous particles Diureticks But Remedies gently carrying the serum into the Reins and urinary passages are most often administred with success For this business diuretical Apozems and Julaps are to be ordained after the following forms A diuretick Apozem Take of the Roots of Scorzonera cherfoil grass and of Eryngoes candied each Ê’ vi 1. Apple cut of the leaves of pimpinell meadow-sweet each i. handfull of Raysons of the Sun â„¥ i ss of harts-horn burnt Ê’ ii being cut and bruised let them be boyled on a clear fire in four pints of spring water to the Consumption of the third part to the straining being cleared ii pints add of the Syrrop of green Cytorns or violets â„¥ ii of sal prunellaÊ’ i ss make an Apozem The dose â„¥ iiii to vi thrice in a day Or into that straining put 15 blanched sweet Almonds and of the four cold seeds An Emulsion each Ê’ i. being bruised make an Emulsion according to Art Take water of Dragons and of black-Cherries each â„¥ iiii of scordium compound Ê’ ii of Threacle water â„¥ i ss of syrrop of Clove-gilliflowers Julap â„¥ ii of the spirit of vitriol xii drops make a Julap Take oftentimes in a day in small beer or posset-drink half a dram A Power or ii scruples of sal-prunella Besides in this feavour medicines gently sweating of that sort chiefly which restores the animal spirits and defends them from any heterogeneous Copula Gentle Diaphoreticks are of very great use wherefore either the powder of pearls or the spirit of harts horn or of blood in a moderate dose are administred twice in a day viz. Morning and Evening Clysters are to be given almost every day and if it be thought fit Glisters a gently loosning purge may be taken once or twice in a week The dyet prescribed ought to be slender as in other feavours Dyet let them be wholly interdicted from flesh or broath made thereof only let the sick feed on Grewell or barly-broth and let their drink be small beer or posset-drink If that notwithstanding any preventive physick the morbific matter should lodge in the brain or Lungs or both together so that a dissolution or inordination of the animal function or also a violent cough should assalt them it must be consider'd what is to be done in either state of the disease carried forth after this manner into an evill condition but then the curative Indications ought to respect the stupor or madness or cough and lastly if in the declination of the disease these symptoms do remit proper Remedies are to be adhibited against the Atrophie as it were the last fortress of this Feavour 1st Therefore if the morbifick matter as it is often wont being brought to the brain should bring in an Insensibleness or a soporiferous or sleepy distemper The Curatory Method in the unsensibleness and madness remedies drawing it another way and deriving it some way from the head and besides such as stir up the animal spirits and take away the impure Copula ought carefully to be administred wherefore in this case the use of Epispasticks or such things that draw the water outwardly should be much increased and let the spirit of Harts-horn be exhibited allmost every sixth hour in a little bigger dose let blood be also taken by the sucking of Leeches more largely from the jugular veins the Salvatella or the sedal veins If the distemper remits not the head being shaven let Emollient fomentations be often applyed thereto Further let Cupping-Glasses Plaisters and Cataplasms be laid to the soals of the feet and other means of Administrations such as are commonly prescribed for the curing of the stupor or Insensibleness ought to be used In like manner if on the evill or no Crisis of this
another to stand upright and to jump which interval however lasted scarce a minute of an hour but that his members flagg'd and were affected with their wonted languor and trembling When this worthy Gentleman had been sick after this manner above 12. years and had consulted the most famous Physitians in all England and had tryed very many Remedies and almost of every kinde viz. Antiparalytick antiscorbutick drying Diets Sweating medicines purges Causticks baths Liniments yea and had twice tryed salivation could finde no cure by any method of healing wherefore all hope of cure being wholly layd aside for the latter seven years of his life he made use of only Remedies chiefly respecting some Symptoms viz. he took thrice in a week a solutive medicine of Senna and Rubarb with Correctives now in form of a Syrrop or of an extract another time every night he was wont to take a dose of an opiate out of conserves and temperate Species Besides as occasions serv'd he had ready a Julap to be taken when his Spirits fainted moreover he continually drunk Beer made of oaten mault altered with temperate and diuretical herbs By the use of these he pass'd over at least seven years without any great alteration for the worse at length old Age coming on him together with the disease more cruel fits of Convulsions not as at first after sleep but assoon as he was warm in his bed invaded him that he was forced to abstain altogether from his Bed and rarely put off his cloaths unless to shift his Linnen from hence transpiration being hindred the serous Recrements and others wont to be evaporated were fixed on the Lungs which at first brought in a frequenr or short breathing afterwards an Asthmatical Distemper and lastly a deadly Consumption or wasting If the Reasons of the aforesaid Symptoms be sought after it will be easie The reasons of the symptoms chiefly tormenting to deduce all these evills from a depraved Constitution of the Brain and nervous stock and more immediatly from the dyscrasie and fault of the juice watering those parts For when that Liquor in which the animal Spirits do abound was as to its temper highly sharp and Corrosive like Stygian water and as to its mixion was fluffed full of both narcotick and explosive particles it is no wonder because the Spirits being very much burthened and for that cause restrained from their due expansion that they should be forced every where into small explosions as it were Cracklings and that the containing bodies being loosed from their due extension and strength should be also continually irritated into painfull Corrugations or shrinkings up Those Convulsive Distempers did more sharply infest after sleep The growing worse presently after sleep whence it proceeded because the heat of the Bed did exuscitate or stir up the heterogeneous particles of the nervous juce and rarifying them as it were compell'd them into explosions then also because the nervous parts did imbibe its juce in sleep and a more plentifull provision of the morbifick matter brought together with it which being filled to a plentitude at the first instant of waking they immediatly endeavour to shake off what is troublesome For this Reason it is observed that the pains of Scorbutical people and the fits of Asthmatical are made worse by the heat of the bed and by sleep therefore as in these presently to leave the bed was wont to give ease so likewise it did in our sick man But that the trouble Why allayed by Motion excited by the continual leapings and painfull extentions of the muscles was somewhat allayed by the local motion or moving from one place to another of the body or members the reason is because the Animal Spirits whilst they are compelled to divers actions from without they remit whatsoever inordinations are excited from within for as in pain and itching which are lighter Convulsions it helps to press rub or scratch the affected part so the Convulsive motions of the muscles and tendons are somewhat pleased by the inordinate agitation of the whole body or the members As to the Ptyalismus or copious spitting with the stinking breath The spitting which was wont to return at uncertain intervalls we do suppose that might perchance proceed from Mercury sometime secretly given although I have seen many labouring both with Convulsive and also scorbutick distempers in whom this kinde of perpetual defluxion of spittle from the mouth was very troublesome without any suspition of Mercury also some as shall be told hereafter on whom a salivation coming the explosive matter being after this manner Critically evacuated help'd the disease moreover it is likely that this distemper was produced from the mere recrements of the nervous juice and that the salival passages when many and enough were open did receive and convey forth of doors the superfluities plentifully deposited in the glandula's from the nerves and also from the Arteries As to the lucid Intervalls whereby the sick man us'd to obtain some truces Why this sick man obtained some truce from pains though short the cruelties as it were of the disease being mitigated as when but now his sickness had bound him to his chair he was able on a sudden to leap up and walk about but yet this unlook'd-for strength being vanish'd by and by falling again into his wonted languishment I say these kinde of motions of labouring Nature prostrate under a great burthen are its utmost endeavours and some more strong inforcements to wit whereby for a moment of time she recollects her self and attempts as it were to shake off the yoak of the Disease but because she is not able to sustain long this strife she quickly relapses and lies down under her former burthen Truly it is a wonder how much above the strength of Nature Anger and fear and some other passions of the minde do stretch the nervous kinde and compell them to shew a force plainly stupendious But these prodigies of her attempts are only of a small duration The secret leading cause of the aforesaid distemper The Conjunct cause of the aforesaid disease being after this manner designed and the Reasons of the Symptoms chiefly tormenting being shown it remains yet for us to inquire into the secret leading cause to wit by what occasions the nervous juice being become so degenerate at first brings in the Palsie and then leapings or intestine Convulsions of all the muscles further we ought to explain wherefore the fruits of this Disease increasing by little and little came suddenly to maturity by the use of the Baths also wherefore this sickness yielding to no Remedies became uncurable As to the first it may be said that the sick person being sprung from parents who were obnoxious greatly to Cephallic Diseases had contracted originally an evill Constitution of the brain and nervous stock so that within the 6th lustre i.e. about the 36th year of his Age he began to be sick of a spurious Palsie
and folded into fewer folds from whence we suspected that the Animal Spirits were not plentifully enough brought forth Further the whole substance of the head was more moist than it ought to be and wholly immersed in a wet watery humour that its Covering viz. the whole meninges were pulled asunder and the compassing or crevices and all the ventricles run over with clear water 'T is probable that this deluge of the Brain had lately hapned to wit forasmuch as by reason perspiration being hindred and the Secretion of urine being but little the serosities gathered together in the bloody mass were carried to the head and therefore the substance of the Brain and especially the chancelled or chequer'd bodies were so wholly wetted and soked that being cut their substance could scarce remain compacted but that it would flow away somewhat after the manner of thick Liquids within the bosoms overlying and inserted to the brain and its Appendix and the vessells coming from them the blood had concreted into little round hard and as it were fleshy balls just like those within the ventricles of the heart and the vessells hanging to them which also lately when the Bloud circulated slowly we thought might happen for the same reason for which the blood was coagulated within the Praecordia The trunk of the Spinal marrow being drowned in clear water was very much extenuated that it could scarce fill half of the bony cavity or hollowness which we thought to be effected by the deluge of salt Serum in which it was as it were boyled The Nature and the manner of the continued convulsive distemper being made So much concerning universal Convulsions which being very much conjoyned with the Paralytick Distemper are excited dividedly in many parts at once There remains others which we call'd continued because being suddenly translated from some parts to others they mutually relieve one another and compell the members now these now those and often the whole body to be involuntarily moved and diversly bended or agitated In these Cases the Animal Spirits not only those implanted in private corners and mines get to themselves an explosive Copula and being some how satisfied or irritated strike it off by certain turns but when the whole mass of the nervous Liquor abundantly abounds with elastick particles they then every where cleaving to both the Spirits implanted and flowing in for that reason stir them up into Continuall Convulsions But forasmuch as not all the Spirits at once are not able however predisposed to be exploded because within the nervous passages there is not room large enough for their so great agitations therefore the explosive force arising in these or those parts is by and by transfer'd from thence unto others and so to others and so like fire-draks or wild-fire it runs wandringly here and there most swiftly creeping from these Limbs to those and then presently from all into the Praecordia or Viscera and back again That the Image of those kinde of distempers may be known we will here propose some more rare Cases of sick persons whom sometime past I endeavoured to Cure Observation 1 A very fine and religious maid tall and slender begot of a Father sickly and obnoxious to most grievous Distempers of the nervous kinde about the 20th year of her Age was afflicted for many days with an head-ach very Cruell and periodical at length at the time of the winter folstice 1656. the pain of her head ceased but instead of it a mighty Catarrh followed with a thin and Copious spitting also an ulcerous distemper of the nose and throat when she had for some time endured this trouble at length by the prescript of a certain Woman receiving the fume of Amber by a tunnell into her mouth she was suddenly cured to wit the Catarrh or violent Rhume ceas'd suddenly but from thence she complained of a notable Vertigo with a pain in the head and of the tingling noise of the ears on the Third day the tendons of the hinder part of her neck were pulled together that her head was bended now forward now backward and now of one side sometime it continued stiff and unmoveable a little after this the same kinde of Convulsive Distemper invaded the outward members and Limbs of the whole body her arms and hands were wonderfully turned about that no jugler or tumbler could imitate their bendings and rollings about she was necessitated to spread abroad her leggs and feet here and there to strike them against one another and to transpose or cross them by turns After this manner either sitting in a Chair or lying in a Bed she was perpetually afflicted with these Convulsive motions unless when overwhelmed with sleep and when she did a little restrain her members from the great labour of the Muscles presently she was taken with a difficult and short-breathing with a sense of Choaking but in the mean time her eyes jaws mouth and lower bowells remained free from any Convulsion neither was she troubled with vomiting belching nor any inflation of the belly and hypochondria Besides she was still her self and had truly the use of her memory understanding and phantasie she did nor said any thing madly or foolishly but in these wonderfull evills she shewâ—d an admirable example of Christian fortitude and patienee even with godly and discreet speeches her appetite was soon lost so that she took any meat or aliment very unwillingly thirst continually troubled her and her strength was grown so feeble that she could not stand or walk her urine was of a Citron colour very full of saltness on whose superficies grew little tararous skins When I was sent for to this Gentlewoman on the Sixth day of her sickness I framed the Aetiology of this kinde of admirable distemper For the consideration of her father who at that time was sick in the same house with most grievous Convulsive passions kept me that I did not with many others refer all things to the delusions of witches wherefore that I might seek out the natural Causes of these Symptoms it was in the first place plainly to be suspected that this Gentlewoman had contracted hereditarily the seeds of Convulsive Distempers which at length about the flower of her age broke forth into this kinde of fruit for when her blood was very much imbued with heterogeneous and explosive particles they at length as is wont in such a disposition began to be poured into the head and there to be fixed being therefore first deposited in the Meningae they induced the huge periodicall head-ach then afterwards the same matter having accidentally shifted its place falling down into the sinks of the throat and mouth changed the Cephalage or head-ach into a Catarrh or Rhume and when lastly by an untimely use of the administred Remedy the defluxion stop'd the morbifick matter flowing back into the brain brought the Vertigo and then being thrust forth on the nervous stock it excited the aforesaid Convulsive Affections As to
to take anti-hysterical Remedies and purges at certain set intervalls but without any help At last I being sent for because she seemed indued with a strong habit of body and with a notable fierceness of spirits I gave her a stronger Emetick by which she vomited forth ten times greenish Choller like to rust with phlegm sharp like stygian water and she was suddenly eased After this I gave her every morning a draught of white-wine dilated with the water of black Cherries with sows or hog-lice bruised and infused therein and strongly pressed forth By the Use of these she seem'd presently to be cured and was well above a Month And when afterwards the distempers being about to return she felt at any time some forerunners presently by the use of a vomit and the expression of the Millepedes or Cheslogs she averted the approach of the Disease within three months she so far recovered her former health that she has now liv'd for many years free from those kinde of Convulsive distempers But from the time the convulsive passions wholly ceased she was sometimes troubled about the parts of her mouth and throat with a defluxion of a most sour humour like the vitriolick Stagma besides sometimes she was obnoxious to the Pica or longing of women and at sometimes also to the Cough with a discolored spittle threatning a Consumption notwithstanding which by remedies used in these kinde of Cases she was easily cured The reasons of aforesaid case As to the Aetiologie or Rational account of the aforesaid Case there is no reason that we should fear to refer both the Causes and Symptoms of this disease to the explosive particles the brain being pass'd thorow without hurt sent as a supply Continually from the blood into the nervous stock which forasmuch as they being poured forth in great plenty were not restrained within private mines to be struck off only by turns cleaving every where both to the implanted and inflowing Spirits forced them as it were inspired with a madness to be perpetually exploded and to grow raging here and there by bands so that indeed they were not able at all to be ruled within the containing parts but there was need to overthrow and to tame them impetuously tumultuating and apt to be carried here and there like a whirlwinde by some very violent and strong exercise In truth in was in this sick person as it is in musical Organs which if filled above measure by too great a blast of winde unless presently the passages of more Pipes be opened the whole frame of the Organ is quickly shaken and in danger to be broken to pieces In like manner in this Lady when the animal Spirits actuating the pipes and the depending fibres of some of the nerves were moved beyond their due tenour there was a necessity that their force should be bestowed on many vehement local motions together whilst they inslated above measure the nervous bodies wherefore when their madness was hindred in on part by and by like winde pent up creeping somewhere else it broke forth more violently in some other part In this sick person the use of one or two Vomits brought help once or twice because that by it what was lodged in the gallie-vessell yea the glandula's and emunctuories and also about the viscera of concoction being by this means emptied the purging of the blood and nervous juce were more Copiously drawn into the same place therefore indeed that the animal Spirits flowing within the Pipes of the distemperd nerves might be less infected by them By this reason also the juice of the Sows or hog-lice was beneficiâ—l forasmuch as it derived the morbifick matter from the nervous kinde to the urinary passages Besides these Remedies the Root and in a great part the branches of the morbific matter being cut off and when others as it were antidotes hindring every where its vegitation were carefully administred whatsoever was left of it Nature at length becoming superior as she is wont in these criticall Cases sent away to the sinks of the mouth and Throat Observation 4 Whilst I was writing these things I visited an illustrious Virgin who was troubled with other kinde of Convulsive motions and those universal and no less to be admired she was about 18. years of age hansome and well made and before this time healthfull when the Pestilence raging in this neighbourhood she had come within the danger of its Contagion she fell into a panick fear with frequent swouning the night fellowing she suffer'd so great a deliquium or sinking down of her Spirits and insensibility that she seem'd just a dying hardly strugling with so great an evill afterwards she had every day Convulsive fits though at first at uncertain hours and returning after a manifold Kinde But within a short time its comings being made regular twice in a day to wit they constantly returned at eleven of the clock and before five in the afternoon that no intermitting feavour kept more exactly its periods yea also the same accidents of the fit dayly chanced after the same manner When she had thus been sick for three weeks one day I was sent for that I might take notice of all the Symptoms and the whole figure of the disease she being up about ten in the morning was well in her Countenance going and speech she behaved her self exceeding well so that none would ever suspect her to be sick at eleven of the clock she began to complain of a fullness of her head and numbness of Spirits with a light swimning by and by she felt a great pulsation and as it were the leaping of some live animal in her left hypochondrium putting my hand on her side I plainly perceived this motion then a stretching and belching followed which done she was presently put to bed and a maid siting upon a pillow held her down who during the fit most strictly graspt the sick person holding her to her bosom with her arms foulded about her wast besides servants were ready and her relations standing by who now press'd down her belly and hypochondria rising up and swelling to a great bulk now held her hands and arms The chief Symptoms of the Disease which being excited by turns almost divided the whole fit were these two viz. one while Cruel Convulsions of the Bowells did infest her so that the abdomen rising up into a mighty bulk strove against the hands of the by-standers held upon it that it could not be pressed down and at the same time her Praecordia being contracted upwards the motions of her blood and heart were almost stop't in which space of time this virgin her head falling down with a small pulse and almost without voice lay nigh sensless after two or three minutes of an hour these Convulsions ceased and then the sick person setting her self upright look'd about cheerfully and for a while the force of the disease changed into talking and singing both of which she without
ceasing performed most pleasantly and most elegantly beyond her proper capacity with these kinde of speeches and pleasant jeasts she fell upon all the standers by that nothing in a Comedy could be more pleasant then she utterd most sweet tunes of musick and more pleasant than any other could or her self at another time After she had past six or seven minutes of an hour thus jesting and singing the Convulsions of her Bowells and Praecordia and the want of speech came upon her as before and these soon remitting the force of the Spirits leaping back from the inferior nerves on the brain it was lastly imployed in the pleasantness of speech and Songs as often when she talkt to the by-standers as any of them replyed any thing bitterly or reproachfully she fell into those most grievous and longer continuing Convulsions of the Viscera After this manner she was wont to be molested with an alternate distemper of the Bowells and brain about the space of an hour Then towards the end of the Viscera the fit declining more light Convulsions being made they repeated three or four times without any intermission then these wholly ceasing the force of the disease brake forth into her outward members from whence it quickly vanished for her Arms and Legs for a minute of an hour suffer'd leapings forth and Contractions presently after the sick person being taken up left ber bed free from all Convulsion till a new fit returned yea indifferently well in strength she walk'd about the house and during the interval of her distemper she cheerfully performed the accustomed Offices of Life excepting that her stomack languishings all day she loathed food in the evening after the second fit she supp'd moderatly This was the present state of the Disease in whose fits the more clear use of some faculties seem'd in a manner to Compensate the irregularity of others But about the beginning of her sickness it was somewhat otherways for the Convulsions of her bowells were far more grievous and an insensibility was joyned to them besides in their intervall talking idly an incongruous singing yea both laughter and weeping without any known reason breaking forth were wont to follow one another but now the animal Spirits being forced into longer explosions performed them so regularly now this now that as a more Commodious way was made that they seemed after a manner to be done by the Command of the will and of Reason That we may therefore according to our hypothesis frame an Aetiology or rational account of this Distemper In the first place it seems The reasons of the aforesaid Distemper that a vehement fear did drive the Spirits inhabiting the brain and Praecordia into great disorders so that they being disturbed out of their ranks both the kinde of madness or foolishness and the frequent swooning succeeded Further it may be suspected that from the same impression the hurt was carried to the brain it self so that its conformation being somewhat vitiated the heterogeneous and morbific particles were admitted together with the nervous juice Then although the spirits at the beginning being confused and troubled after their short inordinations at last recovered themselves and performed the wonted offices both of the animal and vital function yet by reason of the taint impressed on the brain the heterogeneous particles being constantly admitted cleaving to those Spirits induced explosive endeavors as soon as the spirits were filled to a plentitude with the extraneous Copula they being irritated entred into Convulsive explosions for the shaking or striking it off About the beginning of the Disease when both the Disposition of the Brain and the Spirits inhabiting it was more perverse and vitious from the fresh received hurt a fullness of the heterogeneous Copula sooner happened and so its explosion following more often and more inordinately was dispatched with greater tumult But afterwards when the hurt of the animal regiment abating the supplements of that Copula even as thc nervous Liquor were dayly brought in with an equall dimention the explosions of the Spirits being made regular and more milde observed their just periods or set times That she felt upon the approach of the fit a fullness and as it were an inflation in her head with an heaviness and dullness of the spirits the Reason is because at this time the spirits inhabiting the brain being now prepared for explosions were wont first of all to be moved and as it were to swell up then that pulsation in her left hypochondria succeeded for that the Spirits inhabiting the nervous foldings and fibres thickly planted about the Spleen began to be exploded afterwards when the Spirits flowing both within the mesenteric and Cardiac enfoldings were exploded rogether those elevations and as it were leapings up of the Abdomen and Thorax were induced and when in this distemper the motions of the blood and heart were almost wholly stopped therefore there was a small and almost no pulse and she became Speechlesse and in a manner sensless The Convulsion of the Viseera and Praecordia remitting a pratling and singing succeeded because a falling down or removal of the Spirits as yet exploded being made from the nervous stock into the brain it changed the Convulsions into an exaltation of the fancy and more ready exercise of the phantasms or Representation of the Imagination So long as the Spirits within the middle of the brain are regularly and orderly exploded they bring forth the Acts of the habits and faculties so much more noble and as it were above the strength and tenour of Nature as in this sick Gentlewoman but on the contrary when the explosions of the Spirits in that Region happen to be inordinate they cause for the most part foolishness or at least the exercise of their powers are incongruous and absurd The Convulsions of the Bowels and the phantastic actions releiv'd one another mutually and by turns because plenty of Spirits being disposed to be struck off made their tendency as it were with a direct and reflected waving or undulation now on this part now on that by turns then lastly when they were almost all exploded the more often Convulsions of the Viscera were stir'd up and when a small handfull only remained to be exploded that being at last excluded both from the head and bowells it ran forth into the spinal marrow and employed the last assolt of the disease in the Convulsions af the Arms and Legs There yet remains one great difficulty in this Case why the fits of this disease were always repeated exactly at set hours and yet had so unequall periods to wit that the Coming of the first was only but six hours before the second and then the return of the next did not hapen but in 18 hours space For the solving of this it is to be supposed that these fits did depend upon the nervous juice being stuffed to a plenitude with heterogenious particles which particles were altogether conveyed thither from the bloody mass
lifts up the ahdomen and hypochondria and feins a motion as it were the arising of a globe But afterwards the vital function labouring after this manner the animal faculty arises in its aide wherefore a necessity of motions in various parts urging the animal Spirits being driven impetuously into the beginnings of the nerves produce divers manners of Convulsions running here and there The Author endeavours to confirm this Opinion by the great help in this disease had by the taking away the bloody excretion both from things helpfull and things hurtfull in this paffion But though I cannot but praise this Doctrine of the suffocation of the womb as very ingenious and cunningly wrought yet that I do not consent to it in all things some reasons of great moment clearly hinder me Truly I confess that I do not understand how in some hysterical persons to wit who are of a more frigid temperament and are often troubled with the Pica and longing disease the blood should so immoderatly boyl up in the Lungs without any conspicuous notes of its growing hot in some other place I have known young maids by reason of the green-sickness as it were without blood to wit whose blood indeed being without life did remain without any exercise in the heart and was from thence difficâ—ltly enough drawn forth into the Lungs who yet were grievously obnoxious to the passions called hysterical Certainly it is not probable that the blood of these persons growing immoderatly hot should rush impetuously into the Pneumonick vessells and should stuff up their pores and passages very thickly when in the mean time such become short-breath'd by reason of the absence of the blood from the Lungs or its difficult admission to them Besides by what means comes it to pass that this violent course of the blood into the Lungs which is supposed to be made in this Fit brings forth no Inflammation in them for that the blood being too much heaped or rapidly put into any part is easily extravasated and is wont to excite an Inflammation hardly to be shaken off From whence it is therefore in the hysterical distemper the blood entring violently into the Lungs and distending them does not cause a peripneumonie or impostume of the Lungs Or wherefore the distempers as it were hysterical come not on an Inflammation of the Lungs otherwise caused wherefore it seems improbable that the blood swelling up with its proper anger or heat should rush into the Lungs and by stuffing them renders them too immovable and so secondarily and consequently induce Convulsions of the Diaphragma and other parts but it may rather seem that by reason of the Diaphragma and other organs of breathing being first affected with a Convulsion the blood should be forced to stagnate in the praecordia Besides it may be observ'd that the Lungs are not always afflicted before other parts for oftentimes the convulsive Symptoms begin elsewhere and not rarely bear the region of the breast wholly untouch'd Because in some the vertigo and Corruscations or sparklings of the eyes begin the fit to which succeed either weeping or laughing or convulsive motions of the Limbs without any straitness of the breath or oppression of the heart in others before respiration troubles them any way a swelling in the bottom of the belly with a vomiting and rumbling of the belly begins and often ends the fit so that the difficulty of breathing oftentimes follows these Symptoms at a great distance and is wont to be prevented by the tying strictly of swathing-bands about the hypochondria Moveover it seems that this ascent as it were of a certain round thing from the Hypogastrium or lower part of the belly can never proceed from the depression of the Diaphragma because in the hysterical fit this part is not always pressed down towards the lower parts but oftentimes drawn up to the higher parts and drives the Lungs upwards so that the spirit or breath being almost shut forth threatens the danger of Choaking By these and other reasons The hystericall distemper chiefly belongs to the Brain and nervous stock we are at length perswaded to that opinion that the distemper named from the womb is chiefly and primarily convulsive and chiefly depends on the brain and the nervous stock being affected and whatever inordination or irregularity from thence happens about the motion of the blood is only secondary and is made dependingly by the Convulsions of the Bowells But that this doth consist within the bounds of the head both the comparing of the symptoms which happen in the living and the anatomical observations of the dead clearly shew because we may observe that this distemper often takes its rise from a sudden fear great sadnesse or anger or other violent passion in which the spirits inhabiting the brain are chiefly affected besides to some an ill manner of dyet and various accidents whereby the humours being vitiated are heaped more plentifully within the head at first brings this evil Yea the manner of the fits clearly evinces the same forasmuch as a fullness of the head a vertigo a sparkling of the eyes a ringing noyse of the ears begin in many the hysterical fit and often conclude it Besides I have opened some women dead of other diseases tho while they were sick very obnoxious to hysterical passions in whom the womb being very well I have found in the hinder part of the head the beginnings of the nerves moistned and wholly drowned with a sharp serum as shall be more largely declared anon Having weighed these and other Reasons we doubt not to assert the Passions commonly called Hysterical to arise most often for that the animal spirits possessing the beginning of the Nerves within the head are infected with some taint to wit they being either acted or brought into Confusion or being tincted with vitious humours get to themselves an heterogeneous and explosive Copula The cause of the disease most often begins about the beginnings of the nerves which they carry far away with themselves into the Channells of the nerves and when the same spirits are filled to a plenitude with that Copula thorow all their series or orders either of their own accord or being occasionally moved they enter into explosions and so stir up Convulsive motions But that such a Copula adhering to the spirits is chiefly derived together with them into the interior nerves the reason is because in this passage towards the praecordia and viscera the animal spirits by reason of the distemper of the minde are very much disturbed wherefore they more easily admit any evills brought from another place and more readily conceive irregularities For the animal spirits chiefly for this occasion contract a convulsive disposition forasmuch as they from a violent impression are perverted out of their Courses and their wonted manner of Influence and acting hence they not only repeat their inordinations but also receive the heterogenious particles into their embraces and more easily
Glandulas on either side of the bottom of it which are called the testicles appeared very small and flaggy without any superfluous or virulent humour contained in them the body of the womb whereever it was dissected equal'd a thumbs breadth in thickness its inward Cavity was no bigger than what would hold a bean within this hollowness as use to be in the Caverns of other Inwards was included a mucous or dreggy matter in a very small quantity but in truth about the womb or its appendix there was nothing to which might be imputed as a morbific cause of the symptoms but now described from whence therefore it may be demonstratively concluded as I at first thought that the passions termed from the womb hysterical are most often excited from some other cause than the fault of the womb The Intestines being removed we found also the reins sound enough but one of them was of an unusual figure viz. It was cleft into many lobes like the Kidney of a Calf The Milt Pancreas and Caul without fault the ventricle was much blown up and its inward Coat was plain without folds or wrincles which certainly hapned by reason of its frequent Vomiting this Inward being almost continually troubled with Convulsions Besides for this reason the tone of the stomach being broken it did neither rightly desire or concoct the food or aliment The Liver very much differ'd from a sound constitution for it was tumid and somewhat hard of a pail colour like rotten wood wholly dry and without blood and this without doubt the frequent use of Cordiall and highly hot liquors had effected The Lungs were of a blewish colour and every where obstructed and stuff'd with a stinking and frothy matter Certainly this Inward and the Liver had been vitiated of a long time wherefore as the blood being degenerate and very much depraved of a long time from its right temper had yielded the first seeds of this sickness so also it afforded a constant cherishment of it But indeed we sought and that not in vain for the chief and as it were originall cause of the disease in the head therefore the skull being taken off the vessells of the Meningae and those creeping about the brain appeared full and distended with blood when in the rest of the body scarce any blood had flowed forth in the cutting of it the thicker meninge being removed thorow the other thin and pellucid one was discerned a clear water filling the enfoldings and crevices of the brain and as it were overflowing its whole substance In truth the serous heap of waters had filled full all the Cavities and inward places of the brain the enfoldings of the choroides or net-like membranes of the brain being a long while immersed in water and as it were boyled were become discolour'd and half rotten nigh to the beginning of the Splanchnick nerves or belonging to the Spleen the water insinuating it self very much had separated the pia mater from the trunk of the oblong marrow or pith for two fingers breadth without doubt the morbific matter descending from the head by the passage of these nerves into the enfolding of the mesentery was the cause of the pains and Convulsions Further the same matter also afflicting the heads of other nerves and paffing thorow their pipes produced afterwards these most cruel distempers in other parts to wit almost every where of the whole body As to the Cure or means of healing used in the passions commonly called Hysterical forasmuch as the symptoms of this disease are very much convulsive The Method of Curlng the hysterical distempers therefore it is fit that anti-spasmodic or anti-convulsive Remedies such as were before described should be chiefly indicated but when these distempers most often happen to the female sex in whom for the most part the menstrual flux and other accidents of the womb do challenge a part in the morbific cause therefore medicines respecting the various dispositions of the womb are to be added to the former and many ways to be compounded with them The Therapeutic or Curatory Indications are either Curatory to be administer'd in the fit or preservatory which are instituted out of the fit that take away the cause of the disease and prevent its comings or accessions 1. As to the first if the fit is wont to be light and without other perturbation of the spirits it may be permitted to pass away of it self Curatory but if it being more heavily troublesome there will be need to bring some help to nature much oppressed this only thing is to be done that the spirits being freed from the Embraces of an heterogeneous Copula they may remit their inordinations and explosions for this purpose it is grown into use to put to the nose stinking and ill smelling things the scents of which compell and repress the too fierce spirits ready to leap forth into their orders and also shake off from them the heterogeneous Copula and often drive it quite away Asafaetida Castor Galbanum being put into fine Linnen and applyed to the nostrills are convenient also burning of Partridg feathers old skins and sulphur Besides the spirits and oyl of sut or of Harts-horn do not seldome help yet I have known these kinde of fumigations being very troublesome to some women to increase the fit it is probable that the same sometimes may too much irritate the spirits and drive them into greater disorders and as stinking things put to the nose so the like poured into the mouth do often bring help wherefore we give often with good success to hysterical people Tinctures of Castor Solutions of Assafaetida and Galbanum spirits of Harts-horn and Sut with proper waters Take of the spirits of Harts-horn from 12. to 15. and 20. drops let them be taken in a little draught of the following Julap Take of the waters of penny Royall and mugwort each ℥ iii. of the water of Briony compound ℥ ii of Castor tyed in a knot and hung in the glass ʒ ss of the whitest sugar ℥ i. mix them Take of the Tincture of Castor ℈ i. to ʒ ss let it be taken ia a little draught of small beer Take of Assafaetida and Galbanumʒ ii let it be dissolved in spirit of wine to the extraction of a red tincture The dose ℈ i. in two or three spoonfulls of featherfew water Riverius very much crys up that of Solenander Take of musk and of dragons-blood each ℈ i. take more or less of it in water of Lillies of the Valley ℥ iii. or iiii John Anglicus commends parsnip-seeds or the seeds of Penny-royal in wine or other proper Liquor as a most certain Remedy If the fit persisting a long time should cause want of speech or motion the more sharp Clysters as of bryony-Roots and Carminatives boyled in water are to be administred and frictions of the thighs and feet are to be order'd and if they shall yet grow stronger Cupping-glasses are to be applied to
little quantity the tinctures of Antimony and of Corrall also of Steel with the Spirit of wine the body being first dissolved by a proper menstrum and reduced to a Calx are convenient as aso the Spirits of Sut of blood or of harts-horn to be taken twice a day with a proper liquor to 12. drops more or less are of known benefit above any other medicine that I know of moreover the often drinking of Coffee also that made of the Infusion of the leaves of Thea gives ease to some If that the fervor of the blood and too fermenting with the trouble of the Spleen and unquietness of the minde be joyned to the hypochondriac Distemper Take of the Conserves of hyps or Conaradine â„¥ vi or of the flowers of Tamarisk and the leaves of wood-Sorrel each â„¥ iii. of the Species of Diarrodon Abbatis of the confection of Alkermis each Ê’i of the powder ofi IvoryÊ’iss of PearlsÊ’ss of the Salt of Tamarisk and wormwood each Ê’i with what will suffice of the Syrrop of green Citrons or Clove-Gilliflowers make an Opiate to be taken twice in a day the quantity of a nutmeg Take of the powder of Ivory Ê’ii of the Powder of Pearls Ê’i of the Species of diarrhodon Abbatis of Diamagarit frigida each Ê’iss make a fine powder add of white Sugar dissolved in Baume-water and boyled to the consistency of Tablets â„¥ vi make thereof according to Art Lozenges or little cakes take Ê’iss or Ê’ii twice a day To these and other medicines of this nature may be joyned the use of Spaw-waters which indeed in either yea in all cases of hypochondriac Melancholly are almost always taken with good success For want of those waters our artificiall Spaw-waters may be conveniently ordered yea and whey and if any notable atrophie be let Asses milk be dayly taken Besides these inward Remedies and other outward Applications before-recited Phlebotomie or the taking away of blood with Leeches from the sedal veines may be of use frequently yea sometimes it may be convenient to open the Salvatella Vein according to the prescript of the Ancients Besides Cauteries or Issues which may continually carry forth the adust recrements of the blood and by degrees excern them are wont to be benificiall almost to all 4. The fourth Indication respecting the affections of the brain and nervous stock or the Convulsive Symptoms having relation to or coming upon the former is rarely in use of it self and apart from the others but that Remedies destinated to this end are complicated with those abovesaid Liquors indued with a volatile Salt or an armoniac as Spirits of Harts-horn and Sut are highly necessary for this Intention as also the rest but now recitied wherefore such Remedies unless any thing shall shew the contrary may be dayly given at fit hours Further when Spaw-waters are drunk let tablets or pills such as are above-prescribed for the Convulsive distempers be taken at least twice in a day In the frequent turning and giddiness also in the passions of the heart the sinking down of the Spirits with dread and as it were a fear of Death just seizing on one I have known very often great help to be had by the use of Chalibeat or steel Medicines Since we have made mention so often of Chalibiat or steel-medicins The preparations and effects of Steel Medicines unfolded it will be worth our while to inquire into their various preparations and for that reason their divers manners of effects which they are wont to produce in the humane body that it may from hence appear by what means and for what respects these or those preparations of Iron are greatly profitable to some hypochondriacks and to others as much hurtfull The virtue and operation of Chalybeat or steel'd mecicines depends upon the porticles of the concerts being after a various manner dissolved unfolded and brought forth into act For steel or Iron consists chiefly of a Salt Sulphur and Earth and but slenderly indued with Spirits and water But the particles of the former Elements chiefly the Sulphureous and saline being in their mixture combined together with the Earth remain altogether fixed and sluggish but being soluted and pulled one from another they come to be of a very efficacious Energy The aforesaid particles are dissolved in a twofold manner and set into the Liberty of acting viz. either by Art whilst medicins are prepared or by Nature after they are taken inwardly for the metallic Body is wont to be dissolved and eaten by the ferment of the ventricle just like a Chymical menstrum we will consider the several Species of either and their manner of being made that it may appear what alteration is impressed on the steeled medicine in the preparation and what effects every preparation of it doth impresse on mans Body The most simple way of preparing Iron is a division of its body into little integral parts with a file which resemble the nature of the whole mixture and contain both little sulpureous bodies and saline combined among themselves and with other terrestrial The filings of Iron being inwardly taken is dissolved by the ferment of the ventricle as it were by an acid menstrum the signes of which are both a sulphureous and unsavorie belching as from the eating of hard eggs also the blackness of the ordure from steel being dissolved within the Viscera of Concoction active particles both Sulphureous and Saline Plentifully sally forth and being involved with the nutritious juice are carried into the blood which as they excell in a divers virtue do often conspire as it were with the joynt forces of either to bring benefit to the sick The Sulphureous little bodies being brought to the blood add to it a new and more plentifull Provision of Sulphur wherefore its mass if before it was poor and liveless doth nimbly ferment within its vessells and being inkindled farther in the heart acquires a more intense heat yea and a deeper colour for it is so observed in many affected with the dropsy arising from white phlegm the Pica or evill longings or green-sickness to have a pale countenance cold bloud and waterish but by the use of steel the countenance soon to be more florid and the blood to be imbued with a more intense tincture and heat moreover from the filing of iron dissolved in the ventricle also Saline particles are brought forth and often they bestow a more plentifull fruit or increase both on the solid parts and on the humors for since their natures are vitriolick and stiptic or binding they bind together and strengthen the too lax and weakned fibres of the Viscera and so restore the broken tone Besides these Saline particles inhibit the force of the blood repress it from too much heat and boyling up and froth and retain it in an equall circulation Besides which is their chief virtue they contract and straiten the too loose open and gaping little mouths of the Arteries that for that reason neither
the Serum nor the bloody latex may sweat out or be broke off from the file of its circuit Wherefore in the Dropsie and great bleedings Remedies imbued with the Saline particles of Iron are of famous and efficacious use for very many Diseases proceed from this cause forasmuch as the little mouths of the Arteries being too open and the interspaces of the vessells above measure loosned the serum or bloody latex breaks forth which kinde of Affections the Vitriollic Particles of Steel do often help by binding and corroborating the sanguiferous Vessells and nervous fibres After this manner the filings of Steel being taken inwardly seems at once to add to the blood both spurs and a bridle But forasmuch as from this medicine an incitation much more than a restriction doth arise therefore it ought to be given only to them whose blood is very thick and cold as country people and strong persons in very hot and spirituous bloud and in hot inwards 't is no ways convenient moreover in delicate persons and men of a more tender constitution 't is dangerous lest the little portions of the steel when they cannot be sufficiently dissolved should like fragments of glass be driven into the membranes of the Viscera and there pertinaciously sticking produce some ulcer or deadly torments which indeed I have known sometimes to happen 2. After the filing of Iron the next way of preparing it is calcining it with Sulphur to wit let thin peeces of steel being strongly fired be laid upon a roler of Sulphur that the mettle may melt into little round balls which are to be calcined to the consumption of the Sulphur and pounded in a morter are to be reduced into a subtle powder which is of choice use In this preparation of Iron some sulphureous particles are exhaled the signe of which is that this powder an acid liquor being poured upon it much less boyls up or grows hot than the limature or filing of Iron but being taken by the same mouth it excites a Sulphureous savour In the mean time in this preparation the saline particles seem to be somewhat augmented by new ones sticking to them from the mettall burning with Sulphur so that active particles of either kinde to wit Sulphureous and Saline come almost to an Aequilibrium and when by this means this medicine the substance of the mettle being loosned may be finely poudered it becomes of far more excellent use than the filings ef Iron In most Cases where steel ought to be given in substance as in a Cachexie or a fullness of evill humours the longings of maids or the green-gckness and such like this medicine is convenient to be used 3. In the third place follows the preparation of steel with vinegar to wit the filings of the whole steel is moysten'd with vinegar and dryed till it may be reduced into an impalpable powder in this preparation the Sulphureous particles are yet much more yea as to the greatest part evaporated only a few being left in the mean time the Saline by reason of others sticking to them from the vinegar are much encreased which are mingled with the terrene particles This chalibiated powder very little or nothing froths or boyles up a sharp liquor being sprinkled upon it also being taken at the mouth has with it scarce any sulphureous Savour wherefore it conduces less to the taking away of the obstructions of the Bowells or to the restoring the ferment of the blood nevertheless in a more hot Constitution in hemorrhages or fluxes of Blood and the hypochondriac Distemper it is wont to be administred with greater success then the former preparations 4ly Follows the rust of Iron which being an extract of the metallic body seems to be as it were a fifth Essence because in this excrescency some particles of every kinde to wit sulphureous saline and terrene being loosned from the whole substance are combined among themselves and constitute as it were a new mixture more subtile and defaecated or clearer from dreggs For that in this concrete there remains less particles of sulphur therefore it doth not so potently ferment the blood or take away the obstructions of the Viscera as steel prepared with sulphur but in more hot distempers of the parts or humours it egregiously performs the requisite Intentions of a steeled Medicine To this Class may be referred by right our preparation of steel to wit in which all the particles of the mettal being loosned from the bond of mixture are contained together which notwithstanding the concrete being first reduced into pouder and immediatly dissolved in any water or Menstruum This powder being inwardly taken hath the like vertue as steel prepared with sulphur but to the liquor or menstruum in which it is dissolved it imparts almost only saline or chiefly vitriolic particles the sulphureous flying away and the terene sinking to the bottom I am wont to give in great quantity and not seldom with excellent success common water impregnated with the dissolution of this instead of the natural acidulous or spawish waters moreover I make thereof medicated wine beer cyder whey or other Liquors this pouder being dissolved in them and prescribe them to be taken for several intricate Intentions So much for the preparations of Iron in which the elementary particles of every kinde are comprehended in a various proportion There remain others in which the particles almost only of one kinde to wit the saline or earthie are left the rest as to the greatest part being driven forth of which sort are chiefly vitriol or the Salt of steel 5. For the making the vitriol of steel first the mettal is wont to be eaten thorow with a very sharp and corrosive Liquor and to be dissolved into elementary parts In the dissolving the saline particles of the menstruum are joyned to the other salines of the Iron and are with them intimately combined in the mean time the remaining sulphureous and terrene being laid aside and excluded from their company then common water being poured to this solution the salts of either kinde being combined are imbibed by the Liquor and that being lastly filtrated and evaporated they are reduced into christalls This kinde of making of salt or salification succedes if you do it either with the Spirit of vitriol the oyle of sulphur or stygian water or any others distilled from the stagmas of mineralls Yea Sal Armoniac only being soluted by melting dissolves Iron after the same manner and causes it to Chrystalize Salt of Steel thus prepared hath a sweetish taste with a certain sharp stipticity of binding and participates much of the nature of vitriol that it seems not to differ much from Verdigrease Taken inwardly for a medicine it somewhat ferments the humors and powerfully bindes the nervous fibres for cold Cachecical and Phlegmatic people this medicine is not convenient because there are in it no particles of Sulphur but it is often administred with successe in hot distempers of the bowels
an Elastic Copula for Muscular motion 43 The reason of the instinct of Muscular motion 43 44. See further under Muscles and motion Musick Why easily learned by some and not by others 119 N. Nates And Testes of the brain what they are 106 107. Neck Why it swells in anger or great passion 150 Nerves The Vehicle of the instinct of motions 34 Of the Chambers of the Optic Nerves 103 104. Of the Nerves which serve to the involuntary function 116 117. Whence they arise 116 Ehe fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth pair of Nerves serve to the involuntary function 121 Of the Nervous System in general 125 What the Nerves are 127 When the Nervous fibres arise 128 Of the Nervous juice 131 Its use 133 Of the first four pair of Nerves arising within the skull 137 Of the smelling Nerves ibid. Their use 138 Of the Optic or seeing Nerves 139 Of the Nerves that move the eyes 140 Of the pathetic Nerves of the eyes ibid. Of the fifth sixth and seventh pair of Nerves 141 The fifth Conjugation of the Nerves described 141 142. The sixth Conjugation of the Nerves described 143 The seventh Conjugation of the Nerves described 143 144. The first and second figures of the Nerves explained 144 145. Of the eighth pair of Nerves or the wandring pair 145 147. Of the wandring pair in Man 147 Of the wandring pair in Beasts 148 Of the Nervous Infoldings and their uses 146 Of the returning Nerve 147 The uses of the wandring pair 149 Of the Nerves inserted into the heart 150 Of the communications of the wandring pair 156 The Intercostal Nerve described 157 The uses of the Intercostal Nerve 160 161 162 c. Of its lower branchings serving the lower belly 164 Of the Nerves that serve the Spleen 166 167. Of the Renal Infolding 168 Of the Nerves serving the Pancreas Choleduct Vessels Duodenum and Pylorus 168 169. Of the Nerves of the Womb 169 Of the Nerves belonging to the Vreters 170 Of the Nerves serving for Dung Vrine and Seed 171 Of the Nerves belonging to the Testicles 172 Of the spinal Nerve 173 The spinal Nerve constantly found in Man Beasts Fowls and Fishes ibid. The use of this Nerve 174 Of the Nerve of the diaphragma and its use 174 175. Why the Nerve of the Diaphragma proceeds from the Brachial Nerve 176 The difference of the Nerves of the wandring pair and the intercostal Nerves in Man and Bruits 176 177. Of the ninth pair of Nerves arising within the skull 177 Of the tenth pair arising within the skull 178 Of the Nerves arising from the spinal marrow ibid. Why the brachial and crural Nerves are larger far than others 178 179. Net Of the wonderful Net and its use 85 The explication of the figure of the wonderful Net 86 Nourishment Of the Body how made 134 135. Noise Why Beasts at an affright make a sudden noise 118 Why noise or schreeching is made in great passion 150 O. Offices Of the brain and its parts 77 Of th skull 77 78. See Vses Optick Nerves see Seeing Nerves P. Passions Why troublesome to the Praecordia and why seen in the face 108 109. Why more clearly seen in the eyes 110 Phantasie How made 96 Pituitary Glandula what it is 104 105. Pia mater Its description 58 59. Its uses and several parts 81 Of the sanguiferous Vessels covering the Pia mater 83 What sense and motion is in the Pia mater 90 Pineal Kirnel what it is 106 107. Praecordia Their agreement with the Diaphragma 163 Why they seem to be drawn downwards in some Hypochondriacks 167 Prominences Of the Orbicular Prominences of the Brain 106 107 121 122. How different in some Creatures 122 Protuberances Of the annular Protuberances of the brain 121 122. How different in Man and in some Beasts 122. Q. Quantity Of Vrines 2 Of the Quantity of sick people Vrines 6 7. R. Respiration Variously interrupted and how See Breathing 175 S. Saltness Of the Saltness in Vrines 1 Shreeching Out in a sudden passion why made 150 Seed How made 173 Seeing Of the Seeing Nerves 139 How Seeing is performed 140 Sense What it is 34 The formal reason of the common sense 95 Sensory Of the common Sensory what it is 102 Sleep How made 97 Sight Why sometimes things appear double to the sight 103 104. Why the sight of some things cause spittle in the mouth 141 Skull The parts of the Skull unfolded 70. 61. Of the cune form or wedg-like bone of the Skull 70 The fifth and sixth figure concerning the Skull explained 73 74. The uses of the Skull 77 78. Of the furrows in the Skulls of Men and Beasts 78 Of the difference of the Arteries passing through the Skulls of Men and Beasts 84 Smelling Of the Smelling Nerves 137 138. Why large in Beasts 137 The cause of the nearness betwixt the taste and the smell 139 The Smelling fibres differently figured in several Creatures and why ibid. Why the Smell of some things causes spittle in the mouth 141 Sneezing Why people Sneeze going suddenly out of a dark place into the Sun-shine 142 Why men before other Creatures Sneeze 175 Why and how Sneezing is made ibid. Soul Two parts of the inferiour soul 95 In what the essence of the sensitive Soul consists 130 The corporeal Soul of flame and light 29 The Soul depends upon the temperament of the bloody mass 31 The root of the corporeal Soul is in the blood and its branches in the brain and nervous stock 33 Two chief faculties in the corporeal Soul 34 Sounds Of the Ideas of Sounds in the head 118 119. How sharp and flat Sounds are performed 150 Spirit In Vrines 2 Spirits How the animal Spirits blow up the fleshy fibres in a Muscle 41 Of the nature of the animal Spirits proceeding from the brain by the Nerves into the Muscles 42 Of the fresh supplies of the animal Spirits for the motion of the Muscles 44 How the animal Spirits are begotten in the brain 87 88. How first begot in the Cortex of the brain 93 After what manner the animal Spirits diffuse themselves for the producing the faculties of the Soul 95 The place of the exercise of the animal Spirits 101 102. The reason of the passage of the animal Spirits through the Nates and Testes 108 Of the acts of the Spirits of the involuntary function 114 115 116. The difference of the Spirits flowing from the brain and from the Cerebel 114 The passage of the Spirits compared to light 126 Of the great troops of Spirits how they pass through the Channels of the Nerves and supply the whole Body 130 Whether the pulse of the heart depends upon the animal Spirits 152 Of the flowing of the animal Spirits from the nervous infoldings 165 Spittle Why the sight and smell of some things causes Spittle to come into the mouth 141 Spleen Its office 166 Sulphur In Vrines 1 Sulphur the food of flame 29 Sulphur in the blood the cause
Waters hot Spirits Oyls fixed Salts of Herbs and very many other more simple preparations of the Chymists remain a long while without any alteration or Fermentation Perhaps some of the Particles do evaporate but the rest do not tumultuate In the mean time the juice and blood of Vegetables or Animals as also all Liquors Concreted and compounded of many things quickly Ferment and from thence enter into divers turns of changes The Spirit of Wine being closely shut up in a Phial shews no sign of growing hot but if but a little Oyl of Turpentine be added to this Spirit the Particles of the Liquor will so leap forth that I have seen it break a Glass Hermetically Sealed All Distilled Waters of Herbs so they be kept simply in a Glass will remain incorrupt a long time but if you add to the same Sugar or Syrrup it presently grows soure and is corrupted Wherefore that the Fermentation of Bodies may be rightly unfolded we must inquire what those Particles or Substances are and of what Nature of which mixt things are Compounded and from whose being put together and mutual strivings motions for the most part naturally proceed Altho there be many and divers Opinions of Philosophers concerning the beginnings of Natural things yet there are three chiefly deserve our Assent and Faith before the rest That famous fourfold Chariot of the Peripateticks obtains the chief place which emulous of the four wheel'd Coach of the Sun is hurried by a quick passage through the fictitious Heaven of the first Matter and measures that vast and empty thing with a perpetual reciprocation For they say all things are Constituted out of Water Air Fire and Earth and that out of the divers transposition of these Generation and Corruption as also the changes of all alterations whatsoever do arise In the second place and next stands the Opinion of Democritus and Epicurus which lately also hath been revived in our Age this affirms all Natural effects to depend upon the Conflux of Atoms diversly figured so that in all Bodies there be Particles Round Sharp Foursquare Cylindrical Chequer'd or Streaked or of some other Figure and from the divers changes of these the Subject is of this or that Figure Work or Efficacy The third Opinion of the Origination of Natural Things is introduced by Chymistry which when by an Analysis made by Fire it resolves all Bodies into Particles of Spirit Sulphur Salt Water and Earth affirms by the best right that the same do consist of these Because this Hypothesis determinates Bodies into sensible parts and cutts open things as it were to the life it pleases us before the rest As to the four Elements and first Qualities from thence deduced I must confess that this Opinion doth somthing help for the unfolding the Phaenomena of Nature but after so dark a manner and without any peculiar respect to the more secret recesses of Nature it salves the appearances of things that 't is almost the same thing to say an House consists of Wood and Stone as a Body of four Elements The other Opinion which is only a piece of the Epicurean Philosophy forasmuch as it undertakes Mechanically the unfolding of things and accommodates Nature with Working Tools as it were in the hand of an Artificer and without running to Occult Qualities Sympathy and other refuges of ignorance doth happily and very ingeniously disintangle some difficult Knots of the Sciences and dark Riddles certainly it deserves no light praise but because it rather supposes than demonstrates its Principles and teaches of what Figure those Elements of Bodies may be not what they have been and also induces Notions extremly subtil and remote from the sense and which do not sufficiently Quadrate with the Phaenomena of Nature when we descend to particulars it pleases me to give my sentence for the third Opinion before-mentioned which is of the Chymists and chiefly to insist upon this in the following Tract to wit affirming all Bodies to consist of Spirit Sulphur Salt Water and Earth and from the diverse motion and proportion of these in mixt things the beginnings and endings of things and chiefly the reasons and varieties of Fermentation are to be sought If any one shall object That the Atomical and our Spagyric Principles are altogether subordinate to wit that these tho at the last sensible are resolved into those only to be signified by Conception I shall not much gainsay him so it shews that those Conceptions are real I being dul and purblind leave the more accurate to quick sights being content to be so wise as to perform the business of the outward Sense with Reason for I profess it pleases not me to devise or dream Philosophy But that our Work may more rightly proceed it will be necessary to speak first a few things of these kind of Principles in general and of their Affections I mean by the name of Principles not simple and wholly uncompounded Entities but such kind of Substances only into which Physical things are resolved as it were into parts lastly sensible By the intestine motion and combination of these Bodies are begot and increase by the mutual departure and dissolution of these one from another they are altered and perish In the mean time what Particles are gathered together in the subjects or depart away from them will appear under the form of Spirit Sulphur Salt or of one of the rest CHAP. II. A description of the Principles of Chymists and the Properties and Affections of them 1. SPirits are Substances highly subtil and Aetherial Particles of a more Divine Breathing which our Parent Nature hath hid in this Sublunary World as it were the Instruments of Life and Soul of Motion and Sense of every thing whilst they of their own Nature are always enlarged and endeavouring to fly away lest they should too soon leave their subjects they are bound somtimes with more thick Particles that by entring into them and by subtilizing them and variously unfolding them they dispose the substance to maturity as is to be observed in the Vegetation and Fermentation of Bodies somtimes being restrained within some spaces to wit the Vessels or Bowel of living Creatures they are compelled more often to repeat the same measures of their motions for the performing the works of Life Sense and Motion From the motion of these proceed the animation of Bodies the growth of Plants and the ripening of Fruits Liquors and other preparations they determinate the Form and Figure of every thing prefixed as it were by Divine designation they conserve the bonds of the mixture by their presence and open them by their departure at their pleasure they bridle the irregularities of Sulphur and Salt The perfection and state of every thing consists in the plenty and exaltation of Spirits and the fall and declination in their want and defect As to the Subjects in which the Spirits are Minerals because they are of a more fixed nature wanting Motion and Vegetation
largely anon In the mean time from these things already shewed of the passive power or sense of the Cerebel it may be easily collected by what means with what order and series the animal Spirits arising from the same are moved But first you must distinguish between their twofold motion For one is customary and ordinary consisting in a perpetual and equal efflux of Spirits by which indeed they flowing into the beginnings of the Nerves nigh their risings especially of the intercostal and wandring pair the solemn acts of the Pulse Respiration Chylification and others of the involuntary Function are performed Then secondly the other motion happens extraordinary and occasional which the same Spirits perform confusedly as it were in disturbed orders as when the Pulse becomes quicker or slower than it ought or the Respiration unequal or interrupted and when the other Faculties which belong to this Class are perverted from their regular and constant manner But these kind of extraordinary motions are again twofold to wit for that its instigation proceeds from a double bound for the impulse whereby the Spirits inhabiting the Cerebel are compelled into an irregular action as we have but now intimated is carried either from beneath viz. from the Praecordia and Viscera or it is wont to be transmitted from above to wit from the Brain As to the first if at any time the Praecordia grow too hot and are burnt with a feaverish heat presently by the passage of the Intercostals and the wandring pair of Nerves the Spirits residing in the Cerebel being warned of this evil institute more frequent and stronger acts both of the Pulse and of Respiration In like manner if by chance the humors and sharp Juyces irritate or greatly trouble or afflict the Coats of the Ventricles or Intestines through the sense of this affection communicated to the Cerebel the instinct of performing the motion is reciprocated whereby the fibres of the parts being contracted and wrinkled together endeavour the shaking off of the hurtful matter More instances might be here brought of all the other acts of the vital or merely natural Function of which besides it may be observed that when a sense of the trouble is immediately conveyed from the Praecordia or Viscera to the Cerebel this affection like the waving of waters is either stopt or terminated there from whence a motion as the business requires unknown to the Brain is presently retorted as when the actions of the Praecordia are altered by a feaverish distemper without our knowledge or secondly that sense of the trouble being transmitted to the Cerebel for that it is more vehement it unfolds it self more largely and like a stronger waving of waters passing through the Cerebel goes forward further even to the Brain and warns its inhabitants of the evil by which they being incited to oppose the enemy cause a motion of another kind So as hath been said when the Praecordia grow cruelly hot the Cerebel feeling this makes the Pulse and Respiration stronger But further the Brain being warned of the same trouble seeks and diligently requires cold drink and other remedies to moderate the heat Moreover it is after this manner also in several other actions which though they are regular yet being made in the Brain without any previous knowledge they are said to be done by Instincts merely natural as when brute Animals being newly brought forth presently seek for the Dams teats and greedily suck or Birds without any shewing or example build nests with wonderful Art lay eggs and hatch young ones In these kind of works the Brain being taught before by none directs fit means to the ends instituted by Nature which indeed seems to be done by this means The sense of every necessity being brought to the Cerebel incites the Spirits inhabiting it to succour it which when they are not able to do the impression going from thence further forward is carried to the orbicular Prominences by which the Spirits there inhabiting being presently struck form the Appetite or the intention of performing which being thence communicated to the Brain it readily causes that local motions fit for the executing of the work be retorted Of these we shall speak anon a little more largely when we treat of the respect which happens between the orbicular Prominences and the annular Protuberance In the mean time we shall take notice in the second place that the irregular motions of the Spirits inhabiting the Cerebel are wont also by reason of the force of the affections to be transmitted from thence to the Brain for as often as a violent passion as Joy Sadness Anger Fear or of any other kind is conceived in the Brain presently the impression of the same being brought through the by-paths of the Prominences into the Cerebel disturbs the Spirits destinated to the vital or merely natural Function in their very fountain and for that reason presently induces notable mutations in the Organs of those Functions What hath been spoken hitherto of the Cerebel being imployed about the offices of the involuntary Function only also concerning the sense and the motions both usual and irregular of the Spirits inhabiting it will be made more clear if lastly we shall shew the offices of the Nerves and of the other processes immediately depending upon the Cerebel to be no other than such as perform only involuntary Acts which shall be briefly and succinctly done as far as is pertinent to our purpose because a more full consideration of them is left to another place CHAP. XVII Of the Nerves which receiving the stores or companies of the Spirits from the Cerebel bestow them on the Acts of the involuntary Function WE have already shewed that out of the annular Protuberance which is a certain Process of the Cerebel three pairs of Nerves to wit the fifth sixth and seventh immediately arise We have said that Protuberance to be as it were a Repository or Store-house wherein the Spirits flowing out of the Cerebel and to be derived into the depending Nerves as occasion serves are kept and in the mean time whilst they remain there they who stream out from either middle Marrow of the Cerebel divisively meeting mutually in this Cirque are united together But as the aforesaid three pairs of Nerves receive the forces of the Spirits from the Cerebel by the mediation of that Protuberance so also the eighth pair having its rise near the insertion of the other viz. the lowest medullar Process sent down from the Brain seems to derive by its passage the influence of the Spirits no less from the Cerebel wherefore when these four conjugations of Nerves owe the Tribute of their Spirits wholly to the Cerebel if I shall shew that all these Nerves serve chiefly and almost only to the involuntary acts of the Senses and Motions surely this will be a signal Argument that according to our Hypothesis the office of the Cerebel is to beget and to dispense the animal Spirits requisite for the
involuntary Functions Therefore in the first place we observe of the fifth and sixth conjugation of Nerves that as this arises out of the Basis of the greater Ring and that from its sides both in man and in four-footed beasts the fifth pair being carried more forward distributes its branches into the Glandula's of the Eyes into the Nostrils into the Palate Teeth yea and into most parts of the Face and Mouth but the sixth pair is wholly bestowed on some Muscles of the Eyes Further out of the trunk of the fifth pair two shoots and another out of the Nerve of the sixth pair bending back behind meet together and what is wonderful and not before taken notice of by Anatomists the intercostal Nerves destinated to the Praecordia and Viscera do make a Trunk so that the Nerves of the fifth and sixth pair stretch out a double Ramification to wit one more above about the parts of the Mouth and Face and the other lower through the Viscera of the middle and lowest Belly But it will appear clearly to any one considering this thing more carefully that the chief branches of either partition are imployed about the involuntary offices of Motion and Sense of which sort those are chiefly that either cause the passions or perform the natural Instincts 1. Concerning the intercostal Nerve which as was said being radicated in the Nerves of the fifth and sixth pair depends as to its origine wholly on the Cerebel it is not here to be doubted but that it looking towards the Praecordia and Viscera in a man and towards these latter only in most four-footed beasts is bestowed on the Functions only vital and merely natural and so confers little or nothing to spontaneous actions Further forasmuch as this Nerve reaching forth into the Praecordia and Viscera of the whole Abdomen is continued by its superior ramification also into the Eyes as also into the parts of the Mouth and Face certainly from hence a true and genuine reason may be given wherefore in every passion the Eyes Face and Mouth do so correspond with the affections of the Praecordia often unknown to us or against our minds that oftentimes we are compelled to betray the most intimate sense of the Heart by the countenance and aspect Yea hence a reason may be brought why in sneesing yawning laughing and crying the Muscles of the Face conspire so in motion with the Praecordia Besides when in man different from any other living Creatures besides as we shall shew afterwards many shoots are sent from the intercostal Nerve to the Nerve of the Diaphragma this certainly is the cause why risibility is the proper affection of man But the Trunk of the fifth pair being carried more forward and distributing its branchings through the parts of the whole Face causes the same not only to be pathetically moved and figured according to the affections of the Praecordia but also produces some acts both of motion and sensation of another kind which for the most part are involuntary and so seem to depend wholly upon the Cerebel immediately For example this Nerve imparts shoots to either mandible requisite for the business of chewing but it is very well known that the taking in of the food at the mouth is the first and oldest business of every Animal which indeed is taught by natural Instinct before any knowledge of the Brain But as to the Senses the branches of this pair conduce something to the smelling but for the most part for the knowing and chusing of savors Hence it comes to pass that as odors refresh the Brain by the smelling Nerves so also they affect the Cerebel by the branch of this pair and are wont by that means to recreate the Viscera and Praecordia But sapors or tastes for that they are almost the peculiar Province of this carry whatsoever they have of pleasantness or trouble first to the Spirits inhabiting the Cerebel and then by their consent to the Praecordia and Viscera Hence it is that a Pectoral not only allays hunger but the very first tasting of Wine raises up those that are fainting or swooning away Moreover forasmuch as from this Nerve certain branches serve for the taste and others for the smell there is contracted so strict an affinity between either of these Sensories that nothing pleases the taste unless it be approved of by the smell and the loss of one of these senses oftentimes causes the privation or the diminution of the other 2. Concerning the Nerve of the sixth conjugation we observe that as one shoot is bent back for a root of the intercostal Nerve the remaining Trunk of it being carried forward towards the ball of the Eye is distributed to two of its Muscles viz. to the seventh proper to beasts and to the drawing Muscle Hence may be inferred that this Nerve besides the influence of it bestowed on the vital and natural Function serves also for the producing some pathetick motions of the Eye to wit such as are wont to obey the affections of the Praecordia and Viscera so that the whole provision of the animal Spirit which it receives from the Cerebel it bestows only on involuntary acts 3. The seventh pair or the hearing Nerves seem also to depend upon the Cerebel forasmuch as they take their originals out of the annular Protuberance but the use of them is a little otherwise in man than in four-footed beasts For in him the annular Protuberance is one and that very big from whose lower margin the auditory Nerves proceed but in Brutes the Protuberance is twofold viz. one greater sent down from the Cerebel in which the beginnings of the fifth and sixth pair of Nerves consist then near this there is another lesser and as it were secondary from which the auditory Nerves proceed This lesser and lower Ring doth not so manifestly depend on the Cerebel as the former but there is stretched out from either height of it a white medullar line upon the oblong Marrow in the bottom of the fourth Ventricle so as this seems to receive either the Spirits from the oblong Marrow or at least to carry into the same the sensible Species for what use it is so constituted shall be inquired into afterwards for concerning these Nerves of the seventh pair forasmuch as some offices of them very much illustrate the government or oeconomy of the Cerebel we shall discourse here a little more largely Therefore in man who hath got a great and undivided annular Protuberance the auditory Nerves coming out of its margin or brim shew its stock received of the Cerebel by which means we may see the tasks of those Nerves quadrate with the assigned government of this We have shewn before the Processes which in a manner may be called distinct Nerves of the seventh pair to be twofold on either side one the softer of these serves only for the sense but the other harder seems to perform some motions This latter Nerve being carried
of which sort are Hearts-case Water-Pepper Ranunculus or Crowfoot and the like which very much abound in volatile Salt being bruised into a mass and put into the Ears of the diseased Horse and kept there for twenty four hours it is scarce credible by what means all the Ulcers are presently dryed up and the disease healed as it were by Inchantment is quickly profligated in the whole For since this Application is made far from the affected parts without any alteration of the bowels or the blood it should be so healed at a distance certainly the cause of such an Energy must only be that by this kind of Medicine the Dyscrasie or evil disposition of the Brain and nervous Juyce is taken away and so the first root of the sickness being cut off the shoots and fruits presently wither It were worth our labour to try such kind of Experiments also in our Medicines Yea it may be well suspected that such a way ought to be ordered for the common Cure of the Kings-Evil Among our Country-men as delivered from our Ancestors it is thought that the seventh Son or he that is born the seventh one after another in a continued series can cure this disease by stroking it only with his hand and truly I have known many whom no Medicines could help to have been cured in a short time only by that remedy Few doubt but that this disease is wont to be cured often by the Touch of our King The reason of such an effect if it be merely natural ought to be assigned not to any other thing than that in the sick especially those of ripe age the Phantasie and strong Faith of the hoped for Cure induces that alteration or rather strengthning to the Brain whereby the morbid disposition radicated in it is profligated But I shall return from whence I am digressed to inquire what the nervous Juyce contributes to nutrition 2. I say therefore secondly although nutrition depends in some measure upon the influence of the nervous Juyce yet it is highly improbable that all the several parts of the whole Body should be nourished only by this provision For besides that this were to impose upon the Government of the Soul it self and its primary Organs the cooking office of nutrition wholly unworthy the excellency and dignity of those parts it seems also that the nervous Liquor should be altogether unfit for the administring to this Province because when oftentimes immense expences are made of the aliment to be assimilated into the substance of the solid parts especially by immoderate sweat also by continual labour and exercise which Country-men and Labourers daily use it is not possible that such losses should be repaired only by the nourishment supplied or sent through the small passages of the Nerves When I had long and seriously considered with my self concerning this thing what I at length thought I shall tell you freely and without any covering or making any reflection or blaming the Opinions of others It seems first that the nourishing matter of the whole Body is distributed into all parts from the blood through the Arteries yet it may lawfully be thought that the conversion of this matter into nutriment and the assimilation of it into the substance of the part to be nourished is performed by the influence and help of the nervous Juyce as it were of a certain spirituous Ferment As to the first we have already noted that the sanguiferous Vessels do not only follow almost every where the Muscles and Bowels but also the Head and its Appendix yea the Membranes Bones and Nerves themselves and affix to them all thick shoots as so many little chanels for the receiving the nourishment Moreover as there is a purple crassament or thick substance in the blood whose substance stuffs and nourishes the Pores of the Parenchyma of the Muscles so there is a whitish Gelly by which the Membranes and the whiter parts seem to increase Besides it may be observed that the blood it self increasing contains in it self fibres and small threads such as are interwoven in the Muscles and nervous parts and if the same stand long in any Vessel it is presently coagulated into longish white and hard crusts or bits whose substance is plainly fleshy so that the blood produces flesh of it self though the same be rude and unformed wherefore the configuration and the apt disposition of the nourishing matter supplied from it depends on the coming and Energy of the nervous Juyce but after what manner this is done we shall endeavour now to shew After the web or stuff of all the parts is laid it is required then that they be both drawn forth in due proportion and grow in substance and also that the little spaces which are left by reason of the Effluvia's perpetually falling off may be continually filled with the nourishing substance cast in In these two things the business of nutrition chiefly consists for the performing of either of which the blood affords matter and reaches it forth as was said in the circulating to the several parts of the concrete and as it were stands at the doors of the part to be nourished yet that this matter may be rightly disposed and its particles to wit the thick and thin saline and sulphureous and others of a several nature separated one from another may be imployed with some choice to the destinated uses there seems need of a certain directing faculty and as it were plastick virtue got somewhere else than from the blood it self For indeed the blood being destitute of animal Spirits is unfit for the performing these offices Wherefore for that it appears there doth lye hid in the nervous stock a certain juyce and the same being gifted with animal Spirit to be diffused to all parts how can we suppose less but that this subtil and spirituous Liquor every where meeting with the arterious which is duller and thicker actuates and inspires it and as it were ordains it for the performing the designed work of nutrition especially when it plainly appears that by reason of the defect or depravation of this nervous Juyce nutrition is always frustrated or perverted Therefore it may be lawful in the difficult Controversie concerning the Matter and Method of Cure to propose this our Hypothesis though it be a Paradox and very abstruse to wit that the nervous Juyce which we have said was like the male seed is poured out with the nutritious humor copiously suggested from the Arteries as it were the genitive or seed of another Sex every where upon all the parts and that this former being indued with active Elements imbues the more thick matter as with a certain Ferment and impregnates it with animal Spirit and when it so makes it with a mutual entring in or coming together to be dissolved and to go into parts its particles being extricated one from the other the Spirit infused helping they are put upon bodies of the same measure with themselves