become also Elastick in the motional Fibres by reason of the bloody Copula therefore if plenty of this be taken away they grow weak and deficient Which thing indeed I have observed in many and for the most part languishings and tremblings to have been begun in the Arm out of which the blood had been taken However in some indued with a sharp and hot blood and apt to flame forth too much though disposed to the Palsie it is sometimes convenient to let blood a little and sparingly About the Aequinox a Purge ought to be instituted and after due times between to be iterated three or four times But first if nothing oppose let a Vomit be given of the Salt of Vitriol Sulphur of Antimony or an Infusion of Crocus Metallorum or of Mercurius Vitae then let there be taken Pills of Amber or of Aloephanginae by it self or with the Resine of Ialap every seventh or eighth day At other times we prescribe Cephalick Remedies such as in the sleepy Diseases viz. Electuaries Powders Spirits and Volatile Salts Tinctures Elixirs with distilled Waters and Apozems sometimes these sometimes those or others Let Issues be made in the Arm or Leg yea in fat people and such as are full of ill humors in both together or between the shoulders Let them drink all the year medicated Beer of Sage Betony Stechades Sassafrass Wood and Winterines Bark Wine and Women ought to be forbidden or but moderately to be used If that the Palsie be excited after a previous disposition either of one side or in some members and that it still continues notwithstanding the first attempt of Medicine a long and complicated method is always requisite and oftentimes doth not suffice for not only the Disease or its conjunct cause or its foregoing severally but all together ought to be opposed for which ends Phlebotomy being for the most part interdicted only a gentle Purge and rarely is convenient Besides some chief Cephalick Medicines and Antiscorbuticks are wont to help against the foregoing cause of this Disease But all of this sort are not convenient to all yea as we have observed in the Scurvey according to the various Constitutions of the Sick there are also Remedies of a diverse kind and virtue For to Cholerick Paralyticks to wit in whose sharp and hot Blood there is much of Salt and Sulphur and very little of Serum the more hot Medicines and indued with very active Particles are not agreeable yea are often hurtful which things notwithstanding are very profitable to Phlegmatick persons whose Blood is colder and contains much of Serum and but few active Elements Wherefore for this twofold state or condition of sick persons it seems convenenient that we institute here a double Method of Cure and two classes of Medicines of which these may be given to cold Parlyticks and those to the hot In the former case for the taking away the Procatartick cause after Vomiting and Purging being rightly instituted I was wont to prescribe according to these following forms Take of the Conserves of the leaves of the Garden Scurvy-grass of Rocket made with an equal part of Sugar each three ounces of Ginger Candied in India half an ounce of the rinds of Oranges and Lemons Candied each six drams of the Powder of the Claws and Eyes of Crabs each four scruples of the Species of Diambre two drams of Winterens Bark one dram and a half of the Roots of Zedoary the lesser Galingal of Cubebs the Seeds of Water-Cresses Rocket each one dram of the Spirits of Scurvy-grass Laevender each two drams of the Syrup of Candied Ginger what will suffice to make an Electuary Take of it about the quantity of a Walnut at eight of the Clock in the Morning and at five in the Afternoon drinking after it a pint of the following Decoction warm or Coffee with the leaves of Sage boiled in it six ounces of or â—per Wine three ounces Take of the shavings of Lignum Sanctum six ounces of Sarsaparilla and of Sassaphras each four ounces of white and yellow Sanders of the shavings of Ivory of Harts-horn each half an ounce infuse them according to art and boil them in sixteen pints of Spring water till half be consumed adding of Crude Antimony in Powder and tyed in a rag four ounces of the Root of the Aromatick Reed of the lesser Galingal each half an ounce of the Florentine Iris one ounce of Cardamums six drams of Coriander Seeds half an ounce six Dates make a Decoction to be used for ordinary drink Going to sleep and first in the morning let a Dose of the Spirits of Sut or Harts-horn or of Armoniacal Amber or of Blood c. be taken with three ounces of the following distilled water Take of the leaves or roots of Aron one pound of the leaves of Garden Scurvey-grass of the greater Rocket of Rosemary Sage Savory Thyme four handfuls of the Flowers of Lavender three handfuls the outer rinds of ten Oranges and six Lemons of Winterans Bark three ounces of the roots of the lesser Galingal of Calamus Aromaticus the Florentine Iris each two ounces of Cubebs Cloves Nutmegs each two ounces all being cut and bruised pour to them of white Wine and of Brunswick Beer or Mum each four pints distil it in common Stills and let all the liquor be mixed together Sometimes in the place of the Electuary may be taken for fifteen or twenty days a Dose of the Tincture of Sulphur Turpentined of the Tincture of Antimony or of Amber Also sometimes Elixir Proprietatis or of Poeony let them be taken in a spoonful of distilled Water drinking after it three ounces of the same Also sometimes the following Powders or Lozenges may be taken by turns in the medical course Take of the Powder of Vipers flesh of Monpillier prepared one ounce of the hearts and livers of the same half an ounce of Species Diambre two ounces make a Powder take one dram once or twice a day with the distilled Water three ounces or with Viper Wine with a Decoction of the leaves of Sage of the root and seeds of the Burdock and the Candied roots of Eringo made of Spring-water what will suffice and boiled to one moiety six or eight ounces in the Morning warm expecting to sweat after it Take of Bezoartick Mineral Solar half an ounce of Cloves powdered two drams mingle them make a Powder and divide it into twelve parts let one be taken after the same manner twice in a day between these kind of Remedies gentle purging may be often used Take of the Powder of the picked roots of Zedoary the lesser Galingal each half a dram of Species Diambre one dram of the Powder of the seeds of Mustard Rocket Scurvygrass Water-Cresses each half a dram make of them all a fine Powder add to it of the Oyl of the purest Amber half a dram and with white Sugar dissolved
Nature they either pursue their functions or the nervous Fibres every where erect themselves and put forth their utmost endeavours that they might drive forward the Blood flowing in them and Circulate it with a rapid motion I once visited an illustrious Lady who for some time had been miserably afflicted with Colick and Convulsive distempers and quite worn out and at length fell suddenly into a deadly Lethargy When I perceived her Pulse to beat strongly I prescribed that four ounces of Blood should be taken out of the jugular Vein which immediately leap'd from the opened Vessel with such force that I believe if it had been suffered the whole Mass of Blood would have flowed thence for the next day after her dead body being opened I found scarce four ounces more of Blood in her whole Body and yet she dyed thus in a Feavour The reason of the Lethargick Feavour is wholely the same which is seen to arise only from the Vital Organs being very much incited by labouring Nature and therefore vehemently driving about the Blood The prognostick of the Lethargy is shut within a strait limit for the fit of the Disease being for the most part acute is soon terminated either in Death or health and for the most part it is wont to give more of fear than of hope If it comes upon a malignant Feavour or hard to be cured or if it comes upon other Cephalick or Convulsive Diseases as the Headach Phrensie Madness Epilepsie or also upon a long and grievous Colick or Gout the Physician can predict nothing but evil nor is it less to be feared if it happen in a Body full of evil Humors or one long sick or in an old Man In like manner it is an evil omen if the sick being presently overwhelmed with a great Torpor or stupidness and almost Apoplectick cannot be awakened and if he breaths unequally and slowly or with a great snorting then the Disease increasing and the sick troubled with tremblings Cramps leapings of the Tendons and at length with Convulsive Motions it is to be esteemed desperate or without hope But if the Distemper be excited without any great foregoing Cause with an only Evident Cause as a Surfeit Drunkenness or by the use of Narcoticks a blow on the Head or some not deadly stroke we may expect the event to be less deadly or mortal Then if the Distemper arising from such occasions happens to a Body before whole and strong if it does not wholly take away the Sense and Memory at the first assault and after a short time the symptoms begin to remit a little of such a sick person you ought not to despair In every Lethargy if any Cause of the Disease is seen to be cut off and removed so that if by the help of Medicines or the instinct of Nature copious and helpful evacuations by Sweat Urine or by Stool do follow with ease or help or if by applying of Blistering Plasters a great deal of water flows forth if a swelling or great whelks or pustles break out behind the Ears or in the Neck if frequent sneezing happens or water flow from the Eyes or Nose thence a certain hope of health may be expected Hippocrates l. Coac c. 145. mentions a Cure of the Lethargy to be often made by the distemper of the Thorax saying That many Lethargicks that are stuffed with Phlegm have recovered Which words are wonderfully wrested by Interpreters Mercurialis understands by suppuration the putrified matter of the Disease to be evacuated by the Ears and Nostrils Prosper Martianus will have Hippocrates to be understood in the word Lethargy not the disease of the Head but of the Breast But wherefore are all these subterfuges when it often happens that the Morbific matter at first fixed in the Head and stirring up a continual sleepiness or Lethargy the same being thence supped up by the Blood and deposited in the breast doth produce an Empyema or a spitting like those whose Lungs are wasted In the description of a Soporiferous Epidemical Feavour which raged in the year 1661. we noted the same to have happened to many Concerning the Cure of this Disease for that it has no respite or truces it is not to be deliberated on after a sharp Clyster being given let a Vein be opened presently for the Vessels being emptied of Blood they are more apt to sup up the Serum or other Humors deposited in the Brain Further in this case I advise rather to open the Vein in the Neck than that in the Arm. Because by this means the Blood being very much heaped up within the bosoms of the Head and perhaps standing still is more easily reduced to an equal Circulation Letting blood being performed immediately other remedies of every kind are to be made use of Let Vesicatories or blistering Plasters be applied largely to the Neck and Legs anoint the Temples and Face with Oyl of Amber or Cephalick Balsoms lay over all the Feet a Cataplasm or Poultis made of Rue Crowfoot and Pepperwort with black Sope and Bay-salt use hard frictions or rubbings to the Members frequently apply to the Nostrils Salt of Urine or Spirits of Sal Armoniac Then let there be administred Cephalick Remedies Take of the Water of Poeony Flowers of black Cherries Rue and of Walnuts simple each three ounces of the Water of Poeony Compound two ounces of Castor tyed up in a rag and hung in the glass two drams of Sugar three drams mix them and make a Iulep let it be given about four or five sponfuls every three or four hours also with every Dose of this give twelve or fifteen drops of the Spirits of Amber or of Sal Armoniac or a paper of the following Powder Take of the Powder of the Root of Poeony the male of a Mans Skull of the Root of Virginian Serpentworth or Snakeweed of Contrayerva each one dram Bezoar and of Pearl each half a dram of Coral prepared one dram make a Powder and divide it into twelve parts Further here it is to be considered whether an evacuation either by Vomit or Stool should not be made I know that this is variously controverted among Authors and I have also known it performed with various success which being weighed and laid together I shall briefly propose my opinion If the Lethargy should arise upon a Surfeit or a late Drinking or if from taking some disagreeable things or Narcoticks presently let a Vomit be given wherefore you may give Salt of Vitriol with Wine and Oxymel of Squills or in strong bodies an Infusion of Crocus Metallorum or of Mercurius Vitae with black Cherry water Let it be given and if it doth not work of it self provoke Vomiting with a Feather thrust down the Throat But if the fit of the Disease comes upon a Feavour or any other Cephalick Distempers or if it be raised up primarily or of
own accord many have been of the opinion that the cause of this Disease most commonly lyes hid in the stomach but it is much otherways and as we have elsewhere shewed Vomiting frequently follows upon the Spirits being disturbed in the Brain But that Vomits help much in this Disease the reason is because this kind of Physick causes a great revulsion of the humors from the Brain and very much restrains the Spirits tumultuating in it When the Membranes and Fibres of the Ventricle and Viscera planted nigh them are pulled various humors viz. the nervous serous watery pancratick and cholerick are drawn into those parts and so squeesed forth so that the Head being freed from their flowing to it doth easily shake off from it many impacted there before then as to the Animal Spirits we have shewed somewhere that there is a most intimate commerce and agreement between those inhabiting the stomach and those dwelling in the Brain to wit that therefore the grateful or ingrateful affection of the Ventricle from things taken into it might bring rejoycing or dejection to the Spirits dwelling in the Brain Opiates whilst they lye in the stomach cause sleep in like manner it doth not a little help in the Vertigo and other Cephalick Diseases whereby the Spirits of the Brain wandring up and down and agitated enormously may be repressed and returned into order if their Companions or Kindred be striken down by the working of the Medicine because whilst many are called forth from the Brain to their assistance the others remaining remitting their disorders resume their wonted offices or functions without doubt it is for this reason chiefly Emeticks bring so often help in the Distemper of madness so that Empericks do almost only use them 2. But to return from our digression let us consider what is to be done for the Curing of an inveterate and almost continual Vertigo out of the fit Therefore first a method being instituted concerning bleeding and purging according to the constitution and strength of the Patient and after rest to be repeated let a Vomit also by my advice be taken once a month if nothing to the contrary hinders it for which end let there be given to the weaker after the stomach is filled with slippery Meats Wine and Oxymel of Squils to about two or three ounces and after it let a great quantity of Posset-drink be drunk with Carduus boiled in it that the Patient may vomit of himself or by provocation To others may be given an Emetick of the Salt of Vitriol or the Sulphur of Antimony or of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum as concerning Issues Blisterings the bleeding at the Hemorrhoidal Veins Plasters or quilted Caps to be worn upon the Head or other Topicks to be applied to the soals of the Feet or to the wrists for revulsion or derivation sake let the Physician deliberate Take of the Conserve of the Flowers â—f the male Poeony fix ounces of the Powder of its Root one ounce of the Seeds of Poeony powder'd two drams of Amber Coral Pearls powder'd of each two drams and a half of the Salt of Coral one dram of the Syrup of Coral what will suffice to make an Electuary the Dose is one dram and an half or two drams Evening and Morning drinking after it of the following distilled water three ounces Take of the fresh leaves of Misleto six handfuls of the root of the male Poeony and of Angellico each one pound and an half of the whitest dung of the Peacock two pound of Cardamoms bruised two ounces of Castâ—r three drams all being cut small and mixt together pour to them eight pints either of White Wine or Whey made of it Let them be distilled in fit Stills and the whole liquor mixed together Take of the Powder of the Root of the male Poeony half an ounce of red Coral prepared of Species Diambrae each one dram and a half of the Powder of the Flowers of the male Poeony fresh bruised and dryed in the Sun one dram make a Powder to which add of the whitest Sugar dissolved in the water of Poeony and boiled to the consistence of Tablets ten ounces of this make Lozenges according to art each weighing half a dram eat one or two of them often in a day Because all things are not convenient to all Men and that the Physician ought to try diverse Medicines and institute various methods and to try now this now that therefore we shall here add some other forms of another kind Take of our Syrup of Steel six ounces and drink a spoonful of it in the Morning and at five in the Evening with the distilled water but now described or any other Cephalick to the quantity of three ounces or take of our Tincture of Steel from fifteen to twenty drops in a draught of the same distilled water twice in a day I have known this to have given notable help to many Let there be given daily after the same manner Doses sometimes of the Spirit of Sut Harts-born or of Sal Armoniack impregnated with Coral Amber or the Skull of a Man or of the Tincture of Antimony Amber or Coral Take of the Powder of the Root of the male Poeony one ounce and an half of the Seeds of Poeony Coral prepared and of the whitest Amber each three drams of Pearls prepared of the Powder of the Flowers of the male Poeony fresh bruised and dryed in the Sun of each two drams of Sugar-Candy one ounce make a Powder and take one dram twice in a day with a draught of Tea or Coffee or a Decoction of Sage or Rosemary For poor people may be prescribed Powder of the leaves of the Apple-tree Misleto dryed in the Sun and powder'd to the quantity of a dram to be taken twice in a day Or take of the whitest Peacocks dung six ounces of the Powder of the Flowers of the male Poeony one ounce of Sugar two ounces make a Powder of which let them take a spoonful twice in a day in some convenient liquor Let those troubled with the Vertigo drink for their ordinary drink small Ale with leaves of the Orchard Misleto boiled in it instead of Hops and in the Vessel holding about four gallons let a little bag be hanged in which put half a pint of Peacocks dung and three drams of Cloves bruised Examples of those labouring with the Vertigo are so frequently met withal and almost daily that there seems no need to add here any but however that the image or type of this Disease may be known I shall only mention some few and more rare cases A Divine about sixty years of age after he had been troubled for about three months with a light Vertigo or as it were a frequent coruscation or brandishing of the Spirits in the fore part of the Head at length the Disease growing worse he became ready to fall and with a darkness before his eyes
do any thing knowingly As to what belongs to the Prognostick Stupidity being contracted from the birth or hereditary or happening from unknown causes if it still persists to ripe age it is almost never healed but when it happens that Children being at first dull and almost insensible by reason of the complexions of both their Brain and Spirits being ripened they are made ingenious and docil enough This Disease excited from an evident solitary cause as from an hurt of the Head or a violent passion also coming upon an inveterate Epilepsie if it continues for some time it is afterwards incurable What succeeds a Lethargy and any other sleepy Diseases depends chiefly on the hurt of the Memory and sometimes vanishes of its own accord those Distempers being cured Therefore when in these cases the cure of Stupidity is instituted here are convenient almost the same method of healing and Remedies which we have prescribed in the Preservatory Indication of the Lethargy the chief intentions of which are that the Animal Spirits being freed from any torpor or benummedness cut forth or frame Pores and passages within the translucid Brain and may be expanded truly in them Sometimes a Feavour has cured some Fools and stupid and render'd them more acute Huartus tells of a certain man that was a Fool in the Court of Corduba that being distemper'd with a malignant Feavour came so much to himself in the midst of the Disease and with that judgment and discretion that the whole Court stood in admiration and so remained his whole life afterwards one of the most prudent men of his time We our selves have known a certain man of a very blunt Boeotick or dull wit who talking idly in a Feavour most suddenly brought forth most acute speeches and seasoned with a great deal of salt or ingenious wit Further we before spoke of a generous old Gentleman who having lost his memory and so the use of discourse received great help by the distemper of a Feavour happening afterwards the reason of which seems to be because the feavourish burning sometimes rarefies and dispels the darkness covering the Brain As to what respects the cure of this Disease Stupidity whether innate or acquired if it be not plainly Madness or Stolidity uncapable of all learning though it may not be cured yet is often wont to be amended Wherefore it must be the work both of a Physician and a Teacher that the wit of such that are so affected may be somewhat trimmed and they being at least brought to the use of reason in a little measure may be accounted out of the number of Brutes For this end because dull or senseless Beetles or the more dull Loggerheads or Blockheads do not readily learn the common notions of things no more than Children the first elements of letters therefore they are to be instituted in all things by the frequent care of a Master and the same things are again and again to be inculcated to them For by this means the Spirits though slow and torpid are a little sharpened by perpetual exercise and they being continually excited in the Brain how rude and crasse soever they be do cut forth at length for their expansion some tracts or passages though more imperfect But that this may the more happily and easily succeed medical Remedies ought to be administred which may purifie and volatize the Blood and nervous Liquor together with the Animal Spirits and also that may clarifie the Brain and render it as it were Diaphanous For the purifying the Blood let there be sometimes administer'd a gentle Purge and Phlebotomy in a small quantity if there be strength several times for that end also Issues are convenient in the Arm or Leg or both for the driving the filthiness from the Brain In fat folks and such as are indowed with a moist Head let them sometimes be made between the shoulders Further some in this case cry up with wonderful praises a Trepaning by which the Brain may more freely breath forth and evaporate Let their diet be light and attenuating their dwelling in a free air and dry their sleep moderate After these have for some time been administred in the ordinary and usual manner if that in the left part of the breast there is no beating of the heart in the Arcadian youth or if there be no sign of hopes it will be in vain to spend labour and pains and Medicines any further on them but if by the use of these any signs of help or any hopes appear sometimes it will be to the purpose to add to these altering Remedies to be daily taken at medical hours for a long time The Recipes or Formula's of these are already delivered in our Pharmaceutice for the taking away the foregoing causes of most Cephalick Diseases and thence may be taken moreover what do besides respect this particular case we think here good to add being some magisterial Receipts Take of the Spirits of Armoniacum succinated or with Amber six drams let it be given from fifteen to twenty drops Evening and Morning in three spoonfuls of the following distilled water drinking after it seven spoonfuls of the same Take of the fresh leaves of Misletoe of the Apple tree six handfuls of the lesser Sage Rosemary Savory the greater Rocket Mother of Thyme Calaminths Penyroyal Marjoram each four handfuls of the roots of Angelica of Imperatoria each six ounces of Zedoary the lesser Galingal of the Aromatick Reed of Winterans Bark each two ounces of Cloves Nutmegs Mace Cinnamon Ginger each one ounce of Cubebs Cardamums Grains of Paradise each six drams all of these being cut and bruised small together pour to them twelve pints of the best Canary let them be digested cold and close shut in a vessel for three days then distilled according to art let the whole liquor be mixed together and sweetned with Sugar when it is taken The Dose is two or three ounces After the use of the Spirits of Armoniack for fifteen or twenty days other Medicines about that time may have their turns such as Spirits of Harts-horn of Sut Humane Skull Tinctures of Coral Antimony Castor Amber the Elixir Vitae Quercitani Elixir Proprietatis Spirits of Lavender c. Or Take of the Conserves of the flowers of the Lilie of the valley six ounces of the roots of Acori veri preserved six drams of Ginger preserved in India of preserved Nutmeg each half an ounce of Species Diambrae two drams of Lignum Aloes yellow Saunders the pickt roots of Zedoary of Cubebs of Iamaica Pepper each one dram and a half of Coral prepared two drams of the Syrup of Candied Ginger what will suffice make an Electuary The Dose two drams Morning and Evening drinking after it of the distilled Water three ounces For those whose Brain is too abounding with moisture let them drink every Morning a draught of Coffee with Sage leaves
being dipt in this let it be applied warm Take of red Lead three ounces of distilled Vinegar one quart let them digest for several days and use this liquor by it self or else the water drawn of by distillation Also a Water distilled made of a Tincture of Verdigriese distilled in Vinegar often times allays the pains I had from a Gentleman oftentimes heavily obnoxious to the Gout that he in the most cruel torments of this Disease had always present ease from a Fomentation of the water distilled from the contents in the stomach of an Ox fresh killed For the extream torments of the Gout outward Narcoticks ought sometimes to be applied Take of the leaves of Henbane and of Hemlock each three handfuls let them be put into boiling water and as soon as they grow tender let them be taken out These being bruised add to them of the Powder of Chamomel flowers about two drams and the yoalk of one Egg make a Poultesse Or take of the Tincture of Saffron made in the Spirit of Wine four ounces of Camphor of Opium each one dram let them digest close shut and warm till they are dissolved anoint the pained part with this liquor There are to be found other innumerable Medicines of this sort in Medical Books and are every where ordinary and wont to be prescribed almost by every vulgar person which also suffices for the fulfilling of the other Intention to wit the repercussion of the Humors when it is seen necessary As to what respects Resolving and Discussing Topicks they are not required to be of the same kind which open only the Pores and evaporate the Serum and make the Blood circulate as in an Inflammation or a white hard swelling but whos 's Saline Particles being destinated for the opposing those Salts of the Goutish Mine may either by embracing them carry them sorth of doors or by precipitating them may suppress them from their painful heats Wherefore in this Disease when Fomentations or Pultesses of Chaâ—â—mel Mallows Marsh-mallows Line and Fenegreek seeds bring little or no help yea by loosning the nervous parts do oftentimes much hurt the Salt of Armoniack or Sea Salt or Nitre or of Vitriol quick Lime and dissolutions of the like or distilled Liquors always troublesome to other humors or pains are wont to give the greatest help These kind of Liquors in the Goutish Fits to be applied to the grieved part are variously prescribed by Quercitan Crollius Hartman and other Chymists and as other famous Physicians have often â—ound them by experience good and approved of them we may conclude that they are helpful for the aforesaid reason There will be no need here to repeat the forms of these though I could easily set down many other preparations of this sort yet I shall here give you one or two of them only Take of Sal Tartari and Armoniac powdered each two ounces put them into rain or spring water two quarts and with a linnen cloth dipt in it warm apply it Take of the Spirits of Vitriol not rectified one pint of Sea Salt calcined and powdered one pound distil them in a Glass retort in sand a very pure Spirit of Salt will come forth which being expulsed from its lodging by a Vitriolick Stagma leaving the possession easly ascends To the dead head pour two pints of the Spirit of Wine digest it close and warm adding of Camphor two drams let it be applied warm to the grieved part with linnen rags Take of the Filings of Iron of the Flowers of Sal Armoniack each six ounces mingle them well by pounding them together let it be distilled in a Glass retort till the Flowers are sublimated to the Caput Mortuum being pounded pour the Spirits of Wine digest it and keep it for use I have heard of some that for the allaying of the pains of the Gout have inclosed the distempered foot in a little Bay filled with Sea Salt calcined and powdered from which they have still expected a certain and sudden help In the declination of the Fit for the strengthening the part and for the shaking off the relignes of the Morbific matter Plasters are profitably applied which however are not all convenient to all but for some more for others less hot But the most efficacious to most people are those in which are Red Lead Ceruse and Soap boiled with Oyl Or Take of the Plaster of Red Lead two parts of Paracelsus one part wax them and spread them upon Leather 2. Internal Remedies for the pains of the Gout that are made use of are only Narcoticks or such as stupefie which ought to be administer'd in cruel and long torments Of these we shall chiefly commend Preparations of Opium with Salt of Tartar or its Tincture Further for this use the Laudanum of Paracelsus or that of London Pills of Styrax and Cynogloss or Dogs Tongue Syrup de Maeconie or of Poppies Treacle Andromach and Diascordium are wont to be helpful or give ease The Indication Preservatory or so called respects the taking away of the foregoing causes of the Gout wherefore that the fits of pains may more rarely or less or not at all infest them For this end Evacuating Altering and Corroborating Remedies together with an exact dyet are prescribed to be given out of the Fits 1. Gouty people therefore ought constantly to be purged Spring and Fall and then also it will be expedient to Vomit if nothing gainsays it and sometimes afterwards at intervals to repeat them Let those who are indued with a more strong stomach and Praecordia take Emetick Minerals prepared out of Antimony or Mercury Those who are of a more tender constitution may take after the eating of slippery meats Wine of Squills or the Salt of Vitriol with Posset drink and then the stomach being filled with warm water or simple Posset-drink or with the leaves of Carduus boiled in it let Vomiting be twice or thrice or oftner provoked For Purging to be often celebrated also at convenient times between the forms of purging Medicines already prescribed are convenient enough Or Take of the strings of black Hellebore cleansed one ounce of Lignum Aloes and of Cloves each two drams bruise them and pour to them of the Spirits of Wine not rectified one quart let them digest warm and close shut for several days The Dose two or three spoonfuls in the morning twice or thrice in a week and let Vomiting and Purging be always begun before the Aequinoxes lest perhaps the Fit being first begun should pervert the course of the Medicine Letting of Blood or the opening of the Hemorrhoidal Vessels are sometimes convenient Spring or Fall in an hot temperament and for such as are indued with a more sharp Blood Cauteries made in the Arms and between the shoulders are profitable to every one almost obnoxious to this Disease But besides altering Medicines Antidotes so called by the Ancients against the Gout are of known
much more profitably to be given by which when the Blood is poured forth and its serosities plentifully precipitated the nourishment of the Disease is cut off and the bloody Mass being emptied receives part of the Morbific matter so that its reliques are more easily shaken off For this end Take of the best Spirit of Tartar rectified half an ounce let half a dram be given twice or thrice in a day in a spoonful or two of the following Iulep drinking after it five spoonfuls of the same Take of the Water of the leaves of Burdock or of Aron or of Arsmart one pint of the Water of the flowers of Elder and of Chamomil each four ounces of the compound water of Gentian of the compound Water of Raddishes each two ounces of Sugar six drams mix them together After the same manner as the Spirit of Tartar may be given in a just Dose sometimes the Tincture of the Salt of Tartar sometimes the simple mixture or the Spirit of Sal Armoniack succinated or impregnated with Amber Take of Millepedes prepared two drams of the flowers of Sal Armoniack Tartarized one dram of the Oyl of Nutmegs half a scruple of Turpentine what will suffice make a Mass and let it be made into Pilâ—s take three or four once or twice in a day drinking after it a Dose of the Iulep or of the following distilled water five or six spoonfuls Take of fresh Millepedes or Hog-Lice cleansed one pint and a half the outer rind of six Oranges and of four Lemons six Nutmegs let them be cut small and add to them one pound of the crumbs of stale white Bread all being bruised together and well mixed pour to them four pints of new Milk and of Sack one quart let them be distilled according to art and the whole liquor mixed together you may sweeten it with Sugar or the Syrup of Violets as you please In a long and pertinacious Colick to those who are of a more cold temperament and Viscera Purging Spaw Waters or Whey with the Syrup of Violets are wont to be given oftentimes with great help for both liquors where they are agreeable being plentifully drunk refrigerate the stomach and the hot Intestines and presently loosen and help them in their painful Cramps and wrinklings or from the Convulsive winds or blasts that extend them besides they chiefly help as I suppose for that they tame and subdue the Saline Particles of another nature insinuating themselves into the Morbific Mine and other Saline and irritative Particles inhabiting it and oftentimes carry them forth by Purging In this Disease as all things are not convenient for all men yea neither the same thing always for the same person there is dayly need of the careful observation of a prudent Physician that by the co-indications from things taken that hurt or help a right method of healing may be instituted and varied as occasion serves 2. The Vital Indication ought to be joyned to the Curatory and that between whiles For when the sick being afflicted with torture watching Vomiting and abstinence almost continual often fall into languishment and sometimes in danger of their lives Remedies which sustain strength refresh the Spirits and procure some truces against the fierceness of the Disease to wit Cardiacks or Cordials and Hypnoticks or such as cause rest have here their turns Take of the Water of the flowers of Chamomil and of Elder each four ounces of Barlyed Cinnamon and of the whole Citron each two ounces of Pearl powdered one dram of Sugar three drams make a Iulep take of it five or six spoonfuls Take of the Powder of Pearl and of Crabs Eyes each one dram let it be divided into four parts let one part be given twice or thrice in a day with the Iulep or with a Decoction of the roots of Contrayerva Take of the Conserve of Clove-Gilliflowers one ounce of the Confection de Hyacintho of Alchermes each two drams of Pearl powdered half a dram of the Syrup of the juice of Citrons what will suffice make a Confection give of it the quantity of a Nutmeg three or four times in a day with the Iulep In less hot Constitutions Spirits of Harts-horn of Sut of Sal Armoniack impregnated with Amber also the Tincture of Antimony or of Coral do oftentimes give notable help Opiates are of necessary use in the Disease of the Colick without which the sick cannot live nor the Physicians nor those who attend them be at quiet or have any leasure time Take of the water of Cowslip flowers three ounces of the Syrup of Poppies half an ounce of Aqua Mirabilis two drams mix them and make a draught to be given going to sleep If the pains be very strong and yield to no such Remedy prepared Opium and its compositions ought to be given The Laudanum of Paracelsus or the London Laudanum Pills of Styrax or of Hounds-tongue are convenient a Solution of Tartarisated Opium from sixteen to twenty grains is much used by me Which Medicine indeed I have given with very good success to some that for a long time have been miserably vexed with this Disease sometimes a great while every night or every other night 3. The Preservatory Indication hath only place in the intervals of the fits and endeavours the taking away the present foregoing cause of the Disease and hindring it for the future so that the fits of the pains may seldom or never afterwards return For which end the Blood and the nervous liquor ought to be purified leâ—t they should beget the morbific matter and conserved in its due temper and the Brain and the nervous Infoldings of the Abdomen corroborated leâ—t they should too readily receive it For these ends a strict dyet being ordered let them enter into a course of Physick Spring and Fall such as we prescribed for the prevention of the Gout Vomiting in this case is never to be omitted if it be agreeable to wit by which the Emunctories of the Viscera being emptied the Recrements of the Blood and the nervous Liquor which otherwise would augment the morbific matter may be received more plentifully besides the nervous Infoldings and all the parts are so shaken that nothing of that which is about to go into the Mine of the Disease is suffered to stagnate or to be heaped up there Let Purging for three or four times with due intervals and also in a hot Constitution Phlebotomy be celebrated moreover let altering Remedies and especially Chalybeats or such as are made out of Steel when they do not Purge be daily taken at medical hours But before all other Remedies whatsoever the drinking of Mineral Waters such as come from Iron for a month in the Summer time is wont to give the greatest help But when these are drunk you must take heed that they be rendred well and quickly by Urine or Stool lest if they should chance to stay long in the body
prescribed by an Emperick and fell into the Carus perchance it was because the Morbific Matter being moved and agitated by the Medicine it rushed into the Head Visiting this Man on the second day I found him buried in a profound sleep and almost insensible for although he opened his Eyes moved his Members when prick'd or strongly pull'd yet presently sleeping again he perceived nothing of what he did or suffer'd Though in this case I could prognosticate nothing but what was sad however I did not desist from giving him my Medicinal help abstaining from letting of blood his strength being worn out and his Blood depauperated I took care for a large Blistering Plaster to be applied to the hinder part of the Neck and a strong Clyster as soon as I could to be given him made of a Decoction of Briony Roots with Carminative Flowers and Seeds adding thereto of the Species of Hiera two drams his Nose and Temples were anointed with Balsoms Cataplasms of Rue and the Roots of Bryony were laid all over his Feet Besides every other or every third hour I order'd him to drink a Dose of the Spirits of Harts-horn with a Cephalick Iulep yea and I took care to have administred several other administrations used in this case By which when the Disease did not wholly give place on the following day I prescribed a Purge of prepared Scammony to be taken in a spoonful of Broth by which when he had gone often and plentifully to Stool he began to open his Eyes speak to and to know those standing about him and a little after returning to himself he fully awaked This Disease therefore as I think was easily and quickly Cured beyond hope because that cloud being by chance sent into the Brain by Physick might the better be deduced thence by the help of other Physick A noble person about fifty fat in body and in time past obnoxious to the Vertigo and to Asthmatical Distempers using for two years Physick every spring and fall having also a large Issue between his shoulders lived in indifferent health The Summer coming on and he living in the Country neglected his Issue for several weeks so that the recrements there flowed much less than they were wont yet he was still well till about the Solstice or middle of Iune when one morning chearfully talking with his Friends sitting in the Porch of his House rising suddenly he complained that he was not well and going into the House sitting down in a Chair immediately leaning backward fell into a profound sleep and lay so buried in it that all that day he could not be awakened Coming to him in the Evening I took care to have Phlebotomy administred and also a Clyster a Vesicatory and many other Remedies proper in such a Case On the next day his Brain began a little to grow clear so that he looked about him and spake a few words he seem'd to know his Friends but could not utter the name of any but by reason of this matter sinking down more deeply into the Brain a Palsie seized his whole right side Further when as yet his great sleepiness continued that day Blood was taken out of the other Arm and also other Remedies as the former were continued On the third day being less stupid he knew many and could tell the names of some of them he perceived then his own sickness and began to be careful for the taking of Remedis But indeed whilst his Brain grew better the evil spread it self on the Cerebel and the nervous Stock for on the fourth day his breathing became unequal and more laborious his Pulse weaker and his whole body troubled with a stifness and Convulsive shakings On the fifty day more cruel Convulsions and Cramps did more often infest him then his Pulse by degrees lessening on the sixth day though more freed from his sleeping he dyed In this case and in others like it 't is probable that the Morbific matter did at once invade the Brain and the Cerebel but whilst it stuck in the Cortex of this latter contrary to what happens in the Brain it caused no sensible hurt because this part which was hurt was neither the seat of Sleep nor of the Memory but afterwards perhaps on the fourth or fifth day the matter sinking down from thence to the middle parts of the Cerebel whilst as to the other Distemper the sick grew better the vital function by reason of the spirits destinated to it being oppressed in their fountain began to faint and afterwards suddenly declining took away unexpectedly all hope of recovery which before seemed favourable CHAP. V. Of thorow or long Waking and of the Waking Coma. EVEN as Light and Darkness so Sleep and Waking being placed nigh together best illustrate the natures of one another so that it will be to the purpose after the Sleepy Distempers to discourse here of preternatural Watching or Waking to wit forasmuch as it exceeding its limits and hurting some functions is both a Disease and requires Cure In this rank there are commonly two Distempers to wit thorow or long Waking and the Waking Coma of both which we will now speak in order Concerning thorow Waking we must here first distinguish to wit that it is a symptom coming upon some other Disease as a Feavour Phrensie Madness the Colick Gout or such like then the Cure and consideration of it belongs to that distemper whose issue it is or else immoderate Waking arising of it self without any notable sickness is seen to be a Disease almost solitary or alone of it self So I have known some free from any Feavour or pain well in their Stomach and fit enough for their business being in Bed could take no more Sleep than the Dragon of the Hespcrides Some troubled with this kind of Waking though destitute of Sleep scarce seem to want it it for their Spirits appear neither sluggish or weary or exhausted but others hardly bearing watching become from thence languishing and without Appetite and are forced to fly to Opiates which sometimes they use daily and in a large Dose unhurt We have before hinted that the Cause of Natural Waking which is interlaced with Sleep consists in these two things either in one of them or both together to wit first that the Animal Spirits being sufficiently refreshed and freed from the stocks of the nervous Liquor do come forth lively and are on every side streamed forth and chiefly from the middle part of the Brain into its circumference then secondly although they obtain every where an open spâ—ce and especially in the exterior compass of the Brain then freed from the incursions of the nervous Juice yet lest this expansion of Spirits which is waking should be protracted to their loss longer than is fit the Spirits by it being wearied become faint and as it were lye down of their own accord and at the same time the nervous Liquor being poured into the Cortex of the Brain stops
Medicines and Purging unless very gentle have very rarely any place here Cataplasms of Rue Chamomel Vervine Bryony Roots red Poppies with Sope may be laid all over the Feet or instead of them may be applied Pigeons or Chickens cut up and laid warm In the mean time as you see occasion there ought to be prescribed Iuleps Apozems Powders and Confections by which the rage of the Blood and the burning of the Animal Spirits may be allayed Take of Pipin Water Black Cherry Water and Cowslip Water each four ounces Water of the whole Citrons two ounces of Pearl powder'd one dram of Syrup of the juice of Citron one ounce mingle them and make a Iulep let three ounces be taken three or four times in a day Take of Grass Roots of the Leaves of Wood-Sorrel and Pimpernel each one handful of Barly half an ounce of Apples cut of Currans or Strawberries or Rasberries one handful let them be boiled in four pints of spring-water till a third part be consumed clarifie it and strain it then add to it of the Syrup of Violets one ounce and of Sal Prunella a dram and a half Take of the Leaves of Borage fresh gathered and young four handfuls of Wood-Sorrel two handfuls two Apples sliced of Sal Prunella two drams the pulp of one Orange of white Sugar one ounce let them be bruised together and pour to them of spring-water two or three pints let them be strongly squeezed forth and kept in a Glass and cleared from its setling let six or seven ounces be taken of this often in a day when they will For the quenching of thirst let the excellent drink of Palmerus viz. Spring-water with Sugar and the juice of Lemons or Water or Posset-drink with Elm leaves or Pimpernel infused or boiled in it be drunk Emulsions of the Decoction of the roots and flowers of Water-Lilies with Melon-seeds or else Spring-water distilled with the pulp of boiled Apples dissolved in it Hypnoticks or Medicines causing rest are often very necessary in this Disease but yet the stronger are not convenient in the beginning nor let them be frequently used because sleep caused by Opiates carries more morbific matter to the Brain and fixes it more deeply there Take of the Water of Cowslip flowers four ounces of the Syrup of Poppies half an ounce of Pearl one scruple make a drink to be taken at night late Take of the Seeds of white Poppy two drams of Sugar-Candy a dram and a half bruise them together and pour to them of white Poppy Water six ounces make an expression to be taken after the same manner Narcoticks or Stupefying Medicines which are made of things meerly cold are cautiously to be exhibited because they agree not with some who have the Fibres of their Stomach very tender and sensible I have often observed these kind of Hypnoticks to have stirred up a great oppression in the Ventricle and then presently an Inflation or blowing of it up and a little after distractions and inordinations of Spirits use to follow in the Brain yea in the whole Body so that there was not only a frustration of sleep but great disquietness was stirred up Take of liquid Luadanum prepared with the Salt of Tartar or the juice of Quinces Let a Dose of it be taken in a convenient liquor Things inviting Sleep as Epithems or moist Medicines applied to the Temples and Forehead are often used with success of which sort are Rose-cakes dipt in Vinegar Rose-water and grated Nutmeg and Embrocation or washing with Water or Milk Oyntments of Oyl of Nutmeg by expression Oyntment of Poplar to which sometimes may be added of Opium five or six grains or a Cake of Poppy flowers with Vinegar and Nutmeg c. Further for this end rather than for the taking away the inflammation of the Meninges the hot Lungs of a Lamb or Weather as also Pigeons or Chickins slit in two do often give notable help Also for this use Housleek bruised and mixt with a Womans Milk and applied to the hinder part of the Head being shaved is wonderfully praised Also the Epithem of Penotus of twelve grains of Nutmeg of Camphir half a scruple and the Tincture of Rose-water impregnated with red Sanders twenty ounces is commended by some Further they are wont to apply Epithens not only to the Head but also to the Heart Liver and other parts A little bag of silk may be applied to the Praecordia with Cardiac Species being sewed or quilted in it with silk and sprinkled with Rose-water or Vinegar of Roses also rags wet in Rose Vinegar may be laid to the Testicles The Feet way be hathed with a Decoction of Willow leaves Lettice or the heads of white Poppy But these kind of cooling Topicks only and cherishers are to be used in the beginning of the Disease but in its height resolves and softners are to be added as the Flowers of Chamomel Melilot Elder c. also the leaves of Mallows Orage Marjoram Hysop and such like In the declining of the Disease resolvers only and those sparingly are to be administred In the mean time there ought to be great means used for keeping up of strenght for that too much failing all hopes of Cure is lost For strength is quickly worn out by reason of great watchings the perpetual agitations both of the body and mind a thin Dyet and Phlebotomy sometimes often requisite Wherefore great care must be had lest whilst we endeavour to root out the Disease by Purging or frequent letting of Blood we should suddenly debilitate the Vital Function If this begins to fail the Phrensie being let alone a better dyet may be granted and especially Cordialls are to be used Take of the Tincture of Coral half an ounce take of it twenty drops twice or thrice in a day with a Dose of a Cephalick or a Cordial Iulep or let it be given with Coral dissolved in Milk made with the juice of Oranges one spoonful often in a day Take of the Rob or Conserves of Rasberries and Barberies one ounce of prepared Pearl of Magistery of Coral each one dram of Confection of Hyacinthae two drams Syrup of the juice of Alchermes what will suffice make a Confection and let the quantity of a Nutmeg be taken three or four times a day drinking after it of the following Iulep three ounces Take of the Water of the Flowers of Water-Lilies red Roses and of Elm leaves each three ounces of the Syrup of Coral two ounces of the Cordial Water of Saxony one dram mingle them Take of the Conserves of the Flowers of Water-Lilies and of Violets each one ounce the Stalks of Lettice candied or preserved half an ounce of the Powder of red Coral bruised in a morter with the juice of Orange and dryed two drams of the Species of Diamarg frigid one dram of white Poppy seeds one dram and a half with what will suffice of the Syrup of the
in a proper Broth. Take of the Syrup of Steel four ounces take of it one spoonful twice in a day in a proper Vehicle Take of the Extract of Steel of our Steel prepared with a proper Decoction three drams of the Powder of Ivory of yellow Saunders of Lignum Aloes each half a dram of the Salt of Tartar two scruples of Ammoniacum dissolved in the Water of Worms what will suffice to make a mass let it be made into small Pills let three or four be taken every Evening drinking after it three ounces of the water of Apples or of Cowslip flowers Whey if it agrees with the stomach being drunk very plentifully for many days for the same reason as Spaw-waters viz. by washing out the Salt and Sulphureous particles of the Melancholick blood is often given with success Whey with Epithimum infused in it or boiled in it is highly praised by some Let Broths be made of a boiled Pullet with the roots of Polypodium Chervil Fenil Butchers Broom and the leaves of Ceterach Harts Tongue Scolopendria c. take a draught of it in the Morning and at five of the Clock in the Afternoon in which dissolve of the Vitriol of Steel six grains to ten of the Salt of Wormwood and of the Cream of Tartar each a scruple The Iuices of Herbs and their expressions bring sometimes notable help to the taking away the Discrasâ—e of the Blood Take of the leaves of Borage of Water-Cresses each six handfuls two Apples pared the Pulp of two Oranges and of white Sugar one ounce let them be all bruised together and pour to them of the best Cyder a pint and an half make an expression very strongly and let it be kept in a glass The Dose is four ounces twice or thrice in a day In the summer time a Bath of sweet water for that it wipes away the filth impacted in the Pores of the skin and moves transpiration insensibly is very profitable to some Because Melancholick persons sleep but badly and from long and frequent waking become worse therefore Anodynes and sometimes the more gentle Hypnoticks when there is need may be prescribed to be taken late at night for this end are convenient a Decoction of Cowslip flowers or of the leaves of Lettice or the water of red Poppies or the Syrup of the same Further Emulsions of the Seeds of the white Poppy of the Syrup de Meconio and others that are only agreeable and cherishing of the Spirits As there is an infinite Company of Melancholicks as well as of Fools therefore we shall illustrate our Hypothesis with two Examples only in one of which the Disease begins from the sensitive part of the Soul or the Animal Spirits and the other from its Vital part to wit from the Blood Sometime since a noted person about forty years of Age of a florid countenance chearful and nimble about any business being afflicted in his mind by reason of a certain affair and very much dejected he became thereupon very sad Melancholick and with a dark and cast down countenance When I went first to visit him he complained of a manifold hurry and distraction of thoughts which were so many that he was busâ—ed in his Phantasie almost night and day continually he lived without any sleep Nor were these cares concerning the commonweal or the proper business of his Family nor about the health of his Soul or of his Body was he at all solicitous but was rather troubled perpetually about small matters and of no moment He was so fearful of all things that he presaged loss or death immediately to happen to him upon every small accident And lastly he was so sad as if he would contend in weeâ—â—â—â— with Heraclitus Further he laboured with such a straitness of Heart and so gâ—â—â—â— a constriction that he seemed to feel all his Praecordia to be drawn together like a Purse and he thought that there still lay there an immense burthen and mighty weight under which he imagined he could not go unless stopping towards the Earth Whilst he talked and discoursed with his Friends this constriction of the Praecordia and the weight did somewhat remit but then again they were wont to be repeated more vehemently shaking for fear at any unaccustomed object Nor did he labour only in his Praecordia but with a certain constriction in his whole Body besides and as if a certain burthen lay on the region of his Loins and also on his shoulders and arms The reasons of these Symptoms are clear enough from our Hyphothesis As to the Cure after various Medicines being given without any success I at last perswaded because it was then Summer time that she should drink of our Artificial Spaw Waters for a fortnight Therefore first two quarts of Spring-water being poured upon half a dram of our prepared Steel for a night and afterwards as much in four quarts of water the sick man every morning drunk the clear liquor and within four or five hours he rendered the greatest part of it by Urine He took besides going to sleep and early in the morning a Dose of an appropriate Electuary such as is above described with a Cephalick Iulep within two months he became much better and afterwards by degrees returned to himself Whilst I was writing these a young Noble man being lately returned from his Travels beyond Sea and becoming unhealthy put himself upon our care This person being formerly indued with a Sanguine and chearful temperament splendid in his appearance as also with an acute wit and of a ready ingenuity whilst he travelled in the Countries abroad but one Summer living in Spain he felt a great alteration in himself from the great heats in that place for first of all from the frequent heatings of his Blood he became obnoxious to an heat arising in the palms of his hands and in the bottoms of his feet with prickings over all his body which in a short time vanished Then he found him self very bad as to his Appetite and Sleep moreover being dull and sad he began not to mind yea sometimes to avoid any pleasant business or the converse of his Friends At length his indisposition daily increasing without any evident cause or real trouble of mind he became Melancholick so that being ever thoughtful fearful and sad nothing could delight him for his studies exercises travelling conversation with learned men or any other thing which he before delighted in now became to him a trouble and a terror After this manner being distemper'd for two years he was so changed from himself as if he were another Man For his Cure he had consulted the most skilful Physicians in Spain France and Holland and lastly in England and had tryed several methods of healing almost without any benefit The Melancholick distemper of his blood at first contracted by the intemperature of the Air still remaining and afforded to the Animal regiment Spirits
as it were acetous that is such as we but now described To this Noble man at the beginning we thought good to recommend these following Remedies Take of the Decoction of Senna Gerionis with Tamarinds half an ounce four ounces of the Syrup of purging Apples one ounce of Aqua Mirabilis two drams mix them and take it with government repeating it within nine days After Purging let Blood be taken away with Leeches about four ounces Take of our Syrup of Steel six drams take a spoonful in the morning and at five of the Clock in the Afternoon in the following liquor three ounces walking after it for an hour or two Take of the leaves of Balm Borrage Bugloss Pimpernel Elm-tree Harts Tongue Water-Cresses each four handfuls of the Roots of Borrage half a pound of Pinks and Marigold flowers each three handfuls the outer peels of eight Oranges and four Lemons of Mace half an ounce these being cut and bruised pour to them of Whey made of Cyder eight pints let them be distilled in common Stills Take of the Conserves of Gilliflowers Betony Borrage each one ounce and a half of Pearl powdered two drams of red Coral prepared one dram and a half of the Species Confect de Hyacintho two drams of the Syrup of Coral and red Poppies each what will suffice make an Opiate to be taken going to sleep every night the quantity of a Chesnut drinking after it of Cowslip flower water two or three ounces After sixteen or twenty days changing the method of altering Medicines the following things were used in their places Take of the Powder of Ivory Pearls red Coral prepared each two drams of male Poeony roots one dram and a half of the Wood-Aloes half a dram Lozenges made out of Oranges four ounces of the solution of Tragacanth made of Balm Water what will suffice make Troches weighing half a dram let him eat four in the Morning and at five in the Afternoon drinking after them a draught of Tea Take of the same Powder without the Lozenges half an ounce of the flowers of Sal Armoniack and of Salt of Coral each one dram with Turpentine of Chio six drams make a Mass take half a dram Evening and Morning drinking after it of the distilled water three ounces His food was only good and easily digested meats he drank small Ale with the leaves of Harts-tongue infused in it He tasted sometimes a little Water and Wine or Cyder and he was almost continually employed sometimes in some easie affairs sometimes in moderate exercises or in several sorts of recreations Thus much concerning universal Melancholy by which the sick are affected almost indifferently by any object so that they are intangled in every place and by any accidents and circumstances with a multitude of thoughts continually with raving fear and sadness We have largely enough handled the symptoms of this Disease being manifold and the reasons of them partly in this Chapter and partly in another Tract It is called special Melancholy when the sick respect a certain particular thing or some kinds of things of which they think almost without ceasing and by reason all the powers and affections of the soul being continually imployed about this one thing they live still careful and sad moreover they have absurd and incongruous notions not only about that object but also concerning many other accidents and subjects In this Distemper the Corporeal Soul bending from its proper kind assumes a certain new one but not being conformable either to the Rational Soul or to the Body or to it self it enters into a certain Metamorphosis This kind of Distemper is produced by many ways and on various occasions for vehement passions desire fear anger pleasure yea all other passions both of the concupiscible and irascible Appetite being long continued and carried forth to the height are wont to excite the same But there are two general occasions from which special Melancholy chiefly and most frequently doth arise to wit first when there lyes a most heavy pressure on the mind of some present evil or an evil just at hand whether it be true or imaginary or secondly if the loss or privation of some good before obtained or desparing of something wished for or desired happen In these opposite cases the Corporeal Soul being either drawn forth outwardly omits all domestick care either of it self or of the Body or of the Rational Soul or being pressed inwardly it relinquishes or perverts the offices of Reason and of both the Vital and Animal Functions It would be an huge work to enumerate the various cases in either kind and their ways of affecting out of the great plenty which being of the greatest moment seem to require the care of a Physician are chiefly furious Love Iealousie Superstition despair of Eternal Salvation and lastly the imaginary Metamorphosis of the Body or its parts and the good and evil phantasticks of fortune of these severally we shall speak briefly Concerning the power of Love saying nothing here of some most noble Lord or Heroick actions which appear chiefly on the stage of the Theatre and on that of humane life it is a most common observation that if any one being taken with the aspect and conversation of any Woman begins to desire her and to grow mad for her inwardly and for his most devoted affection has nothing but loss and contempt allotted him unless he be very much supported by a firm reason or is averted as it were by other cross affections there is great danger lest he falls into Melancholy Stupidity or Love-Madness with which passion if by chance he be distemper'd he forth with seems transformed from himself as it were into an animated statue he thinks on nor speaks of any thing but his Love he endeavours to get into her favour with the danger of both the loss of his Life and Fortune in the mean time he not only neglects the care of his houshold affairs or of the publick yea his own health but becoming desperate of his desires he oftentimes lays violent hands of himself But if he be content to live yet growing lean or withering away both in Soul and Body he almost puts off man for the right use of reason being lost omitting food and sleep and the necessary offices of Nature he sets himself wholly to sighing and groaning and gets a mournful habit and carriage of body If we should inquire into the reason of this Distemper it easily appears that the Corporeal Soul of Man being obnoxious to violent affections when it is wholly carried into the object most dear unto it self viz. the beloved Woman and cannot obtain and embrace her there is nothing besides that can quiet or delight it yea being refractory it grows wholly deaf to the Rational Soul and hears not its dictates but carrying only tragical notions to the Imagination darkens the sight of the intellect Further forasmuch as the Praecordia the more
boiled in it For those who have their Animal Spirits too poor and liveless let them take Chocolate as we have described it above which seems most profitable For ordinary drink let small Ale or Beer be prepared in a vessel containing three or four Gallons and after it has work'd put into it in a little bag these following things Take of the leaves of Sage the sharp leaved and dryed four handfuls of Cubebs one ounce of Cloves and of Nutmegs bruised c. Mix them according to art Outward Applications have also a place here such are a quilted Cap Plasters and Liniments and sometimes let these sometimes those or others be administer'd Take of the flowers of the Lily of the valley Rosemary flowers Stoechadoes each one handful of Celtick Spike two drams of the roots of Cypress the lesser Galingal the Florentine Iris each three drams of Labdanum Benzoin of Toluvian Balsam of Amber each two drams of Nutmegs Cloves Mace Cinamon each one dram and a half make of them all a fine powder quilting it in a Cap with silk between Take of the Plaster of Floris unguent so called two ounces of Tachamahac of Carranae of the Balsom of Tolu each three drams of the Powder of Amber Myrrh each two drams of Cloves Nutmeg Mace each one dram being all liquefied or melted together let them be made into a mass of which make a Plaster spread it on leather and the head being shaved put it to it Take of the Oyl of Palms half an ounce of Capive Balsom three drams of the Balsom of Peru one dram of the Oyl of Nutmeg by expression two drams Oyl of Amber half a dram make an Ointment for the Head I might here add many other Medicines and ways of Administrations but in this almost desperate case where oftentimes no Remedies are wont to help and the Cure never perfected these may suffice CHAP. XIV Of the Gout AMong the Diseases of the Head and the nervous stock we may refer hither some Distempers that are chiefly wont to infest the Feet and the Belly to wit the Gout and the Colick That the seat of either is in the nervous parts we may very well conclude from the primary Symptom to wit pain The cause of this latter Charles Piso has affirmed to exist within the Head and Fernelius affims the same of the other Wherefore we shall endeavour to deliver the Pathologie of either together with the apposite means of healing them and first we shall speak of the Gout The name of the Gout denotes plainly its subject because that it is almost only Articulate or is in the space where the heads of two or more Bones meet together This Disease is wont to be excited more frequently about the Internodia or knittings of the Bones of the Feet because this part being greatly declining and remote from the Praecordia and the fountain of Heat receives readily the Morbisick matter and does not easily overcome it or quickly put it off Yet the Gout often happens in the jointings of the Hip or huckle bone the knee the bending of the arm the shoulder the wrist the ancle and of other parts The fits of this Disease which are almost ever intermitting invade either wandringly or periodically which being finished sometimes sooner sometime more slowly the intervals happen lucid or quiet enough presently after the first assault of it for the most part pains arise without any tumor though afterwards about the height of the Disease the distemper'd part often swells up the pains in the beginning yield to no Remedies but are made more cruel by Catharticks and are not presently put to flight by Topicks or wont to be allayed The Fit most often falls upon one without any previous distemper but suddenly yet sometimes there will be an heat of the blood or a little feavourish distemper going before The disposition to this Disease is sometimes hereditary and sometimes acquired by reason of an evil manner of living The occasions or causes which being wont to move this disposition stir up the Gouty pains are all violent alterations or passions inflicted on the humors or spirits Hence Surfeiting immoderate drinking especially of sharp and thin Wines transpiration being hindred wrath or indignation immoderate Venus or Lust sadness also the changes of the air and of the year and any great mutations ordinarily induce fits of this Disease Those obnoxious to this disease are sometimes in danger to be distemper'd also with the Stone or Gravel in the Reins and so on the contrary those obnoxious to the Stone are wont to be troubled with the Gout Yea the Gout growing grievous it every where heaps up about its nests to wit in the joynts a calculous or stony matter and there excites a stony or hard bulk The distemper'd parts whose pains are stirred up in the hauled Fibres for the most part are the Periostea or the heads clothing the Membrane of the Bones and perhaps the Tendons and Ligaments there planted about But sometimes the pain in these parts wholly depends upon a breach of the unity and this proceeds from a certain matter being impacted in those Bodies or lying upon them first of all we shall inquire what sort of morbific matter this is secondly from whence it comes and thirdly by what means it so stirs up periodical Gouty Fits by breaking the unity in them As to the Morbifick Matter it seems first that it is not the Blood or nervous juice of it self nor is it one only simple humor laid up a part from the others We deservedly excuse the Blood from this censure because these pains only infest Bodies for the most part without Blood yea and almost them only For although in the neighbouring parts by reason of the course of the Blood being hindred sometimes a tumor happens with an inflammation yet this is not the Disease but a Symptom and for the most part comes upon the Gout Further it appears that the nervous juice how ever sharp or biteing or pricking or pulling it is supposed to be does not excite of it self the pains of the Gout because then the Distemper would cause pains also or as much in some other passages of the nervous parts and also in the Internodia or knittings of the Bones It is improbable for the same reason that any singular excrementitious or superfluous Humor or Matter deposited from the Blood or nervous juice to cause the pains of the Gout For if such were only carried thorow the Nerves it would excite pains by order and a continual tract not first in the feet or extream joints but by irritating the nervous Stock in its whole journey If that according to the opinions of Hollerius Sennertus and other Moderns it be affirmed that some impurities falling off from the heated Blood and received by the joints is the material cause of the Goutish pain then it should follow that all who are greatly