Tumor of the Head caused by the Collection of Waterish humours in some part of the Members constituting the head The immediate cause is either 1. A Wind which is seldome in regard of the rarity and purosity of the head which appears by the hairiness of it and the Thumes and Tenuity of the Wind made of a very thin humour and so easily dissolved and dissipated 2. Thin and Waterish humour which is sometimes thick and coloured by the mixture of the Ichor of other humours with it This humour is collected more often in the Womb then out of it and in the head then other parts because 1. Of the great moisture of the Brain 2. The plenty of Vapours which ascend to the head and by its coldness turne into Water 3. It being the seat of Waterish humors for the Head is placed over the Belly as the Head of a Still over the body of it 4. The Density of the Skull which retains the Vapours The Signes by which this Disease is known relate to the Cause or Place If Wind be the Cause the head lightly struck will sound like a Drum and the Tumor prest by a Finger yeilds to it and leaves a Dent which presently fills up again If an humour be the cause and not within the Skull the Tumor is soft clear if prest it slowly returns to its former fulnesse the Colour of the Skin is unchang'd and there is crying and want of sleep If the humour be within the Skull the Infant hath an heaviness of the head cryes and cannot sleep and in those of elder years the eyes are prominent and stand out weeping and can hardly be shut and sometimes the fancy is hurt The Presage If the Tumor is within the Skull some think it incureable others think it cureable by Cauteries and by Diaphoreticks If it is on the outside of the Skull it is dangerous because of the Dignity of the Head and the tenderness of it in an Infant for every Disease of the head is dangerous especially in an Infant whose tenderness cannot endure a Disease or Remedy and if the humor should move inwardly there is great danger of a Lethargy or Apoplexy The Cure is by discussing and extenuating the wind and evacuating the humour insensibly or sensibly by purging or manual Operation for the doing whereof a convenient Diet is necessary which ought to be directed to the Nurse if the Child suck otherwise to the Child Wherefore let the Air be hot and dry where the Nurse and Child is kept if it be not so naturally by the season of the year prepare it so by good fires and fumes of sweet and hot woods If the Child suck let the Nurse watch much and if it is wean'd let it sleep lesse then if it was sound because watching doth much dry the body as sleep softens it Moderate Exercise and a soluble belly is very convenient which if need let it be help'd by a Suppository made of Hony The Nurse and Child both are to abstain from Wine and in the place of it a Drink is to be made of Water with Coriander seed prepared and Anniseed let the Meat be such as discusses and breaks wind and dissipates humours wherefore let the Bread have a little Coriander seed in it and the Flesh be rather of Wild Fowl and roasted rather then boyled a Moderate use of spice is profitable and Coriander canded with Sugar All Herbs and Waterish Fruits are to be avoided If the Nurse be sound avoid purging her lest you hurt the Milk if she be unsound purge her as the quality and nature of the humour require External Remedies only belong to an Infant for Purges and other Remedies are to be used to the Nurse and very carefully least they hurt wherefore this Fomentation will be convenient Take of Pennyroyal Maryroom Savory of each an handful Cumminseed and Aniseed of each an Ounce boyl them together in a pint and an half of Water to a Pint in which wet a Spunge and apply it to the head afterwards anoint the head with the Oyl of Cammomile salted if this prevails not the Oyl of Anniseed may be added and to the two Oyles without the Salt you may add a little of the Powder of Anniseed and Fennel-seed It will be convenient for the Nurse to use the following Electuary which will make the Milk discusse wind Take the Conserve of Bettony and of Rosemary of each an Ounce the Powder of Coriander and Anniseed of each an Ounce mixe them and take Morning and Evening half an Ounce In a Child of some years that can endure Medicaments Purge the Child first gently with two Ounces of the Hony of roses solutive mixe it with a little Broath Afterwards prepare the humour thus Take of Mugwort Savory Staccados Celandine of each half an handful boyl them in a pint and half of water to a Pint. Take two or three Ounces of the said Decoction of the simple Hony of Roses of the Syrrup of Staccados of each half an Ounce mingle them and give it the Child 3. or 4. days together then purge the humours so prepared Take of the Pills called Pillula Aurea one Dram and a half of Castor two Grains of the Root of Ireos finely powdred half a Dram mingle them with the Hony of the Syrrup of Roses solutive and make thereof for one Doss or quantity to be taken at once five little Pills If the Child refuse Pills Take an Ounce of the root of Ireos of Raisins of the Sun half an Ounce the Seeds of Fennel and Coriander of each half a Dram boyl them according to Art Take of the Decoction an Ounce and a half of the Trochische of Agarick two Drams infuse them all Night then strain them strongly and add an Ounce and an half of the Hony of Roses solutive After sufficient Purging the use of the Electuary directed before for the Nurse and the External Remedies will be convenient to which may be added this following Lixivium Take of Figtree-wood two pound of Salt or common water twenty pints make of it a Lye according to Art when it is strained add to it Coriander-seeds and Anniseeds of each a Pugill of Bran one Pugill the Leaves of Penny-royal Maryroom and Mugworth one handful and an half boyl them away to a fourth part then strain and use them In the same manner you may prepare a Lye of Brimstone beaten and applied to the head with a drye woollen Cloth it dries the head very much stronger driers are dangerous There may be made Plaisters of the aforesaid Herbs being boyled and bruised to the form of a Plaister and laid upon the head a Plaister made of Snails bruised and applied to the head untill they fall of themselves is an approved of remedy The following Ointment doth very much discusse the water or wind in the head Take of the Oyl of Ireos and Cammomile of each two Ounces of the Powder of Sulphur and Ireos of each two
Child was Epileptick but the Disease made in him by the Evil of the Divel The froth in the mouth is made because the Spirits and Fume which come from the Lungs is mixt with the Spittle and Phlegme that comes from the head which moved and exagitated to and fro turns into froth as the Sea-water agitated and broken with many winds The Noise is a kind of Voice made from the motive faculty hurt and depraved Prog. This Disease in Children is the most acute Disease and therefore mortal because of the straightnesse and narrownesse of the Veins that cannot receive the grosse Phlegme and so it remains in the Brain or because of the moistnesse of the Brain and the weaknesse of the motive faculty the humor cannot be dissolved or driven forth far enough out of the Ventricles of the Brain 2. Those that are once cur'd are never again Epileptick because the expulsive faculty continually expells gathering of humours the same way it did when the Disease was removed whereby it cannot be gathered into the Ventricles to offend 3. The Epilepsy which is by Error of Diet is incurable of it self without help 4. The Falling Sicknesse which is from the Birth of the Child and his Parents is cur'd of its own accord without any rethe great humidity which is the cause of this Disease is lessened by Age and the faculties are stronger If it happen after the change of Age that is after 25. years it is most difficult and impossible to cure because then the faculties are strong and congenited moisture lessned cannot overcome the cause of the Disease which is very powerful and as it produceth it can preserve the Disease and because the humours which makes the Episepsy are Melancholy and dry and so difficult of themselves to be taken away and daily increase by Age. The Cure is 1. A convenient Diet which belongs to the Nurse for a sucking Child and the same is to be used by a Child that doth not suck You are to choose and prepare the Air to be hot and dry they that live in cold Countries their Children are often Epileptick use moderate sleep for this Disease is as it were asleep avoid unseasonable exercises fears and frighting which hath often brought the Disease Bathes and fulnesse are hurtful so is much fasting it fills the head So Wine hurts the Nerves and is to be avoided the Drink is to be such that heats but not hurting the head the meat hot and attenuating which hath cur'd many but that which breeds gross humours is windy and with a certain propriety offends the head is to be avoided 2. If the Child suck and the Disease be by consent from the Stomach which is most frequent being oppress'd with too much Milk let the Child suck seldome Or from the ill quality and sharpnesse of the Milk correct the Milk and apply this Plaister to the Stomach Take of the Powder of Aloes and Myrrhe of each half a Scruple the Powder of Mastick one Scruple and mingle them with a little Wax and Rosine and apply it to the mouth of the Childs Stomach If it be by the fault onely in the head which is most frequently the use of Hony is profitable Take of Paeony half a Scruple of the Leaves of Stocados and Betony half a Pugill Cyperus one Scruple powder them finely put of this Powder in a little Spoon and put it into the Childs mouth and presently give him the Breast that he may Swallow the Powder A Seton in the neck is very profitable so is the following Powder sprinkled upon the head Take Maidenhair Cypresse Iridis of each two Drams Cloves one Scruple powder them finely and mix them The whole body may be anointed with Camomile and the oyle of Iridis Take the Leaves of Coltsfoot one handfull of Oak Misseltoe half an Ounce boyle it according to Art and dip a Cloth in it and wrap the child in the Cloth it is much commended Paeony and Smaradge is much commended to be hung about the Childs neck that it may reach to the Stomach If the Child be somewhat great and the Epilepsy be by consent and from other parts sending a thin humour or vapour to the brain Purge him as he is able to suffer and alter the distemper of the part If it be outwardly in the Arm Thigh Hip or other part rubbing is good and a discutient Plaister applyed to the part then if it will not do Blister the part If the Disease be by the fault only of the head use first this Clyster Take of the lesser Centaury half an handfull of Mallowes one handfull of Bran tyed in a Cloth half a Pugill boyle them according to Art Take of that Decoction 8 Ounces of Hony an Ounce and half of Chamomile 2 Ounces and an half of Salt half a Dram mingle them and make a Clyster then prepare the humours Take of the Leaves of Stocados Betony of each half a handfull the seed of Paeony one Dram boyle them according to Art Take of that Decoction 3 Ounces more or lesse as the Childs age will bear of the Syrrup of Stocados and Oxymel Simple of each half an Ounce mingle When the humors are prepared then Purge but although this Disease require vehement remedies yet they are not to be used by reason of the Age. Two Scruples of Pillulae Aureae are sufficient or take of the Trochische of Agarick two Drams infuse it all night in two Ounces of Betony-water strain it hard then add two Ounces of the Hony of Roses solutive the Electuary di Psillie one Dram mingle and make a Potion this Disease many times appears not in two or three moneths and is very stubborn therefore for the perfect curing it Take of Guyacum two Ounces of the Water of Betony two pints infuse it 24. hours and boyle them to the consumption of a third part and in the end add two Drams of the seed of Paeony finely powdered of Oak Misselto one Dram and half of Coriander-seed one Dram afterwards Strain it and make a Syrrup of it then take the same Guiacum and put four pints of common water to it and boyle the fourth part away and in the end add two Ounces of Anniseed and use it as ordinary drink and give of the Syrrup three or four Ounces every morning continuing so 40. 50. or more days Blistering is good so are Fontanells and Issues There is no Disease that hath more remedies commended by Authors then this hath I shall content my self with the following remedies Take of the seed of Paeony and take Misseltoe of each two Drams Cardamums one dram Cantharades prepared two Scruples Powder them and make an Electuary of them of which half a Dram may be taken three hours before meat Take Coriander prepar'd Mustard-seed Nutmeg of each half a Dram the Seed of Paeony 7 Drams Dictamnes 2 Drams make a Powder of them and give the Child of it in the morning at your pleasure in
which make Phlegme all which is done by 1. A Convenient Diet let the Air be hot and dry the sleep little exercise moderate avoid much rubing or kembing of the head and bearing weight on the Head avoid all perturbations of the mind except moderate anger and Wine that is strong and thick if you use Wine do it moderately and mixe it with water Let your meat be attenuating and drying as Bread well bak'd and with Anniseeds or Coriander-seeds Let your flesh be of Wild-fowl and rather roasted then boyled avoid Spices as filling the head with vapours and all thick grosse viscid and cold meats as Beef Cheese Milk Eggs fried or hard and the like Hence it is that the Children of poor persons are more troubled with this Disease then the Children of rich men because they eat grosse and ill Diet which makes and â—oments the humour 2. Purging Take of the Leaves of Senna half an Ounce of Polypode two Drams Ginger 15. grains half an Ounce of Raisins stoned Sebestens Pruins of each three in number of the Flowers of Borrage Violets Red Roses and Rosemary of each half a dram boil them in a pint of fountain water until half be consumed Take of the Decoction two Ounces of the hony of Roses two or three Ounces Let the humours be prepaired thus Take of the Leaves of Brownwort Plantain Dry Bettony and Mint of each half an handful boyle it according to Art of the Syrrup of Roses and Oxymel of each half an Ounce mingle them After the humours are prepared purge thus Take 30 or 40. grains of the Pills of Agarick or infuse two Drams of the Trochische of Agarick in three Ounces of the Water of Bettony all night strain it and add 2. or 3. Ounces of the Hony of Roses solutive Observe that most gentle Remedies often used is better then violent and hath often cur'd 3. By the restraining of the moving of the humour into the Part by rubbing Cupping-glasses and Blisters and there is no remedy so effectual and fit for derivation diversion and evacuation of the humour and in all Swellings and Tumours in Children about the Neck as is the exulceration of the Skin of the Head which is best done with Mustard-seed and a Nettle but with prudence and moderation but have a care you use not Cautharides which cause great pain and pissing of blood 4. By discussing the humour in the part if it be moderately thick and viscid which is done by inward Medicaments as by the use of the Trochische of Vipers and Treacle but principally by outward Medicaments first by softning it and then by dissolving it Emollient or softning Medicaments are the Plaister of Diachilon with the Gums or this Ointment Take four Ounces of Diachilon one Ounce of Hyssop four Ounces of the Root of Ireos finely powdred mingle them and with the Oil of Almonâ—s make an Ointment which use several days until the matter is softned then use Discutients as drye Figs or a Plaister made of Hony or the root of a wild Cucumber bo led in old Oyl to the form of a Plaister is very effectual so is this following which is stronger Take of Stavesacre Nitre of each two Ounces Rocket four Ounces with as much Turpentine as is convenient make a Plaister The Ashes of Colworts mixt with Hony is also very good Observe that strong Discutients may not be used lest Feavers are caused and the tender Flesh of the Child hurt If the matter be very viscid and contumacious it is not cur'd but by cutting or burning it which is very dangerous and turns them into Cancers that are mortall as is experienc'd in the using such remedies for the Kings Evill in the Neck Breasts or Grayn CHAP. IV. Of Pustules and little Risings in the Head PUstules or Risings or Swellings for the most part they are in the Head but sometimes in the whole body In the beginning they are small and little afterwards they are sore and make hard white Scabs and Crusts by the driness of the humour In sucking Children they are call'd Crusta in those of elder years they are called Achores they are ulcerous Tubercles or Ulcers with small risings perforating the skin with small holes through which passeth a sanious or filthy matter The cause is as some think a nitrous and salt Phlegme mixt with Choler Others a putrid corrupted and Ichorous blood but I consent to them who think the humour is mix'd partly thick and partly thin waterish salt and nitrous and according to the various mixture of the humours with the salt waterish humours the various colours of the Sores arise being thereby black red white or yellow and those humours are either generated in the womb of the Mother out of the Menstruous blood or after the Child is born by the fault of Milk or Diet nature purifying and purging her self sends them forth into the outward parts of the body The signs are manifest to Sight the Child cries cannot sleep and are watchful the Child Itches and after Itching they are sore a bloody humour passes forth and oftentimes the Child is lowsy If they proceed from blood there is a redness pain and more easie Itch but if from a more sharp humour there is a great Itch. The Presage Pustules sometimes degenerate into great Ulcers and sometimes corrode the Skull by the Malignity and badness of the humour that the Membranes may be seen They many times preserve Children from great and many Diseases as Feavers Falling-sicknesses and others by natures purging her self by the skin They heal frequently of their own accord by Time and Age. The Cure is in 1. A Convenient Diet by avoiding salt sharp hot and sweet things fish and fruit If the Pustules are moist a drye Diet is convenient as the eating of Wild-fowl roasted bread twice bak'd c. which ought to be us'd only by the Nurse if the Child suck 2. Evacuation of the humours by Blood-letting Leeches or Cupping-glasses and purging the Nurse if the Child suck not prepare the humours with Cichory Eudave Fumitory and Agrimony of each an handful boyle them in a pint and an half of Water until half a pint be consumed Take thereof three Ounces and add the Syrrup called Syrrup Byzantius and the Syrrup of Fumitory of each half an Ounce or temper the humour that is faulty with the Syrrups of Borrage and Fumitory The humours being prepared Take of Rhabarb one Dram infuse it all night in three Ounces of endive-Endive-water in the Morning strain it well and add an Ounce and an half of the Syrrup of Roses solutive The Body being purged the part excoriated is to be cur'd by outward Remedies A Bath of common Water in which the Leaves of Scabius Agrimony and Plantane are boyled is very good The Ointments of Litheridge Cerusse or Diapompholiges cures it CHAP. V. Of Chapt Lips in Children THe Lips are made not only for Beauty but also for use for the defence of the Mouth and
by the corruption or fault of the Milk or by meats and drinks that are hot salt or other things that heat the Liver The Signs are manifest The Cures are 1. By attemperating the humours with the Whey of the Milk of Goats and the Syrrup of Fumitory 2. In evacuating the humors Take a Dram of Rhabarb infuse it all night in a little Water strain it and add three Ounces of Whey and two Ounces of the Syrrup of Roses solutive 3. Mitigation of the pain and discussing of it by Baths of Water in which are Mallowes Cammomile or Pellitory So much of External Diseases The Second Book Of Universal Diseases in CHILDREN CHAP. I. Of Feavers in Children in Generall HItherto have been considered External Diseases Internal are either Universal which affect the whole body or perticular which affect some parts A Feaver is an Universal Disease so is the Small Pox and a Consumption which three Diseases will be considered in this Book Although Feavers and their Causes are common to all Ages yet in regard Infancy is most obnoxious to them and hath peculiar considerations in the Cure of them Limiting the strength quality and quantity of the remedy it will not be altogether improper to call Feavers Childrens Feavers Children are subject to Diseases that are accidental and Symptomatical proceeding from other Diseases as in breeding of the Teeth Inflamation of the Gums c. and also to Feavers essentiall and of their own accord and to all sorts of them but especially a Synoche Feaver in regard their bodies are hot and moist their temperament sanguine and their bodies dense by which transpiration of the heat is hindered which increases and produces a Feaver Children may have a Quartan Feaver though their natural temper be contrary to it because 1. Humours partake aswell of the matter as of the Agent and Temperament of the body wherefore as Humours and Excrements of the body do not shew the Temperament for old men are cold and dry of temper yet they abound with Phlegme so do they not only depend on it but on Diet likewise which in Children is very often grosse and unorderly eaten and so Crudities and very thick humours are made 2. If the Mother was elderly and of a Melancholy temper the menstruous blood with which the Child was nourish'd may much alter the temper of the Child 3. A Quartan Feaver is not always made from Melancholy but may be made from any humour that is thick The Internal Causes are the humours of the body The External Causes are chiefly 1. The Air If the Winter be cold and dry and the Spring hot and moist bodies cannot be cooled in the Summer but burn and cause Feavers besides in the Summer Childrens bodies are more thin and spare 2. Unseasonable and immoderate exercise being full or empty 3. Immoderate and ill Diet whence are Crudities Obstructions and Putrefying and so Feavers Presage All Feavers in Children for the most part are not dangerous because the natural Faculty is strong and active in them and can resist powerfully the Causes of Feavers Children sometimes by Feavers have an Hectick Feaver not by the difficulty of the Curing it or the greatnesse of the Feaver but by the morosity of the Child that will not be govern'd The Cure is If the Child suck the Nurse is to be cur'd with such things that alter and purge as the kind of Feaver seems to require It is much doubted how blood is to be lessened in Children that have Feavers Some think that after the Fifth Month Cupping-glasses may be applied and blood drawn out by them Others think not before a year which opinion is most safe because this Age is wont greatly to be overcome by pain and trouble and Cupping glasses are painful but after a year Cupping glasses may be applied but only to sanguine and strong Children And then not to the part above but on the Thighs because the Spirits and strength are not so wasted from those parts as from above And only to the taking away an Ounce of blood and no more Besides these remedies others may be added Inwardly may be taken the Juice of Granates which is highly praised with Oxymel and Citron It may be made thus Take of the Juice of Granates one Ounce of Simple Oxymell half an Ounce you may give the Child a Dram at a time unto half an Ounce but it is better to mixe the lesse quantity of Oxymel because the Childs Nerves are very infirm and Oxymel and all sower things hurt the Nerves wherefore the Syrrup of Maidenhair Syrrup of Red Poppies are good If the Child is bound in his belly you may not use purging Medicaments because the Childs body is hot naturally and is more heated by the Feaver so it is dangerous to add the heat of a purging Medicament wherefore it is better to use a more gentle Clyster or Suppository Take of Whey half a pint of Hony half an Ounce of Salt half a Dram mingle them make a Suppository of Flesh and Hogs grease or the common Suppository for strong Suppositories are dangerous Outward remedies may be used 1. Things very gentle may be applied to the head or Feet to provoke sweat as the Root of a Reed if the Childs body which is Dense be opened by Sweat the heat and putrid vapours will go forth 2. Cloths dipped in Cichory Endive Plantane or Rosewater applied to the Breast Side or Back for cooling The Liver and Stomach ought to be helped in Concoction in all Feavers much more here which is done by cooling and binding remedies applied to them Take of the Oil of Mastick half an Ounce powder of Red Corall Sanders and Red Roses of each two Scruples of Wax a little make an Oyntment of it but if the Child be between seven and fourteen years he must be handled in another manner which shall be set forth in the following Chapter CHAP. II. Of a Synoche Feaver EVery Synoche putrid Feaver in Children is from obstruction made by gross humours in hot moist and sanguine bodies and the putrid matter is in all or the greater veins The Cure of it in a Child between 7. and 14. years will be in removing the obstructions and tempering the Febrish heat which will be done by 1. A convenient Diet let the Air be cold motions of the body and mind avoided if the belly move not use a Clyster or Suppository let the Drink be water or Barly water the Diet sparing only Barly broth or Broth of Meat But because this will be accounted too strict and hard to indulge you may add to the Broth bread and sometimes the Yelk of an Egge but be careful you do not nourish too much because the strength and the Disease are nourish'd together The time of eating let it be as it was when the Child was well 2. Blood-letting Some think that Blood-letting ought not to be before the Child is 14. years old because that which the opening of a Vein ought
or weight of Cloathing encrease the Feaverish heat of the Child and if the tongue waxes black with heat the breathing is short and Swounding is fear'd let some cold water be near the Childs mouth that he may suck the cold Air in Sleep is helpfull but the troubles of the mind especially Fear is to be avoided only a little Anger may be admitted which help the expelling the humour If the Belly be bound a very easie Clyster or Suppository may be used which doth not hinder the motion of nature because they only work in the Guts and the motion of nature is to the Skin and in the Veins besides Clysters do not deject us that they may be fear'd contrary to what some think Avoid fulnesse and emptinesse let the body be kept in quiet and rubb'd a little for it expells the humour let the drink be Barly Water with the Juice of Limmons or Barberies or a Decoction of the roots of Sorrell or a Decoction of Ivory or Hartshorn especially in the beginning and whilest the Feaver is vehement If the Feaver is not very vehement a Decoction of Barly and Figs will be most convenient and commonly with successe hath been used by most eminent Physicians for that effectually expells the humours to the Skin If Wine be permitted it must be but a little and in it steep Lettice Endive or Sorrell Avoid gross meats Spice Salt and Sweet meats for sweet things destroy and so doth bitter things being dry and contrary to the Childs nature which is moist wherefore the meat must be easie to concoct cooling as Barly Broth or Broth in which cooling Hearbs are boyled and when the danger is over you may feed them with Broth and Yelks of Egs put into it with some Juice of Limon or Vineger A dried Fig is good meat for it expells the humour to the skin 2. Emptying of the blood before the Eruption and breaking forth of the Small Pox or Meazles If the Feaver is great and there be a fulnesse of blood then it may be admitted unlesse the Age is very tender or something else hinders it It may not be used upon Children that are weake and forbeare the emptying of blood in Children before they are 10. Months old though the Arabians appoint at five months The lessenning of blood ought to be upon the first visit of the Physician because of the beginning of the Ebullition of the blood which is commonly then the Fervour whereof ought to be abated and nature eased so that one ought not to stay until the fourth day but it may be done when one will before that time and not after The lessening of blood is done several ways as by letting blood which ought to be very seldome Cupping-glasses or Leeches the latter is most easie and one or two may suffice in the place of Cupping-glasses or opening a Vein 3. Medicaments All Physicians agree vehement remedies are not to be used but some think gentle means may be used in the beginning of this Disease but I conceive that Medicaments may not be used in the beginning because the operation of it will trouble nature in her work which is critical the Physician being called when the blood is boyling and it is a rule there is nothing to be done unlesse nature act imperfectly which cannot be known in the beginning but a Clyster may be then and at any time used for that works only on the Guts as is said a little before Take a pint of Barly-water 4 Ounces of the Syrrup of Violets three Ounces of Butter and an Ounce of red and course Sugar mingle them for a Clyster the quantity is to be altered as the capacity of the Child is A dried Fig is a convenient Suppository and one made of hony Where the humour moves forth and the whole matter comes forth there no evacuation must be used for there the Child and all things are quiet But if the Child is troubled the trouble may be taken away with a Lenitive Take of Tamarinds half an Ounce Sebestens 15. of Barly two drams of the Flowers of Borrage Violets and Roses of each a Dram boyl them in a pint of water to half a pint Take 4. Ounces of this Decoction and an Ounce of Manna or more as the Child is Some think a gentle purge before the eruption breaking out and appearance of the Pox and Meazles if the Child abound with ill humours and the Feaver rage may be used for it lessens the ill humours that thereby nature doth expel more cheerfully but if the Small Pox begins to break forth then a Purge is pernicious and mortall The rest of the Cure is in helping nature in expulsion wherefore if Nature doth not expell readily and strongly but slowly use such a remedy as cools binds and opens Take of Lents one Ounce of Figs 10. Maidenhair two Drams Smalledge roots half an Ounce Sorrell half a handful boil them in a pint and an half of water to a pint use it morning and Evening from four Ounces to six as the Child is If nature expels strongly omit the opening things in regard of the Feaver which is great and the openings are not then to be used but when nature expels slowly which is known by the fewnesse and slownesse of their coming forth This expels Take of Lents two drams of Figs fifteen of Barly one dram of Lettice and Sorrell of each an handful boyl them in a pint and an half of water to a pint use 6 7 or 8. Ounces of it Morning and Evening as the Child is Note that Lents boyled alone loosens the Belly from whence are mortal Fluxes nor it is not to be used alone for a remedy because of its thickness and binding qualities Take of French Barly one Pugil slic'd Liquorish half a dram red Cicers one dram of the greater Cold seeds of each half a dram Cordial Flowers of each one Pugill three Figs boyl them well in water to 6 Ounces after it is strained dissolve in it half an Ounce of the Syrrup of Granat which is to be taken at twice it is very good it mitigates and tempers the Feaver These that follow are also good to expell as Confection of Hyacynth Alkermes Contraherva Harts-horn or Scabius boyled so is Antimonium Diaphoreticum Bezar-stone and the Bezardical Minerall some use to bath with Luke-warm water to promote expulsion by relaxing the Skin Observe that Medicaments that are Cordials and expelling are to be used from the appearing and first coming forth of the Small Pox to the Eleventh day which some call the increase and state of Eruption of the Ebullition If the Scabs dry not of themselves and have matter in them and are ripe they are not to be opened unlesse they be malignant for if they be ripe and white their heat and fervour and eating of the flesh is gone and they will dry and fall of themselves and so there is no danger of its putrefying and leaving holes and marks If the
plenty of Urine and worms If the defect is because the meat is not exactly prepar'd in the Stomach there is belching of Wind Vomiting and want of Appetite or some hot distemper If from the fault of food if in Infants the Nurses milk is not good for milk is made of food by the colour and ill constitution of the Nurse it is easily known if the Milk is bad it will not be very white have an ill taste not sweet of an ill smell and more thick and fluid then it ought to be The thickness and thinnesse of the Milk is known if some Milk is Milk'd upon the Nail of the Thombe and if it presently runs off it is too thin if it stayes and moves not off it is too thick Or if you curdle it the whey and curds ought to be equall else it is to thin or to thick besides if the Milk be thin andsharp the Child is troubled with Pain loosenesse and very ill breakings out If the milk is thick the Child is costive and there are little Inflamations Swellings and Vomitings they pisse little move and breath with difficulty and are full of Phlegm In those that are elder the badnesse of food is known by the colour of the Skin and out-side of the body wherefore if the countenance be ill colour'd scabby or pimpell'd or if any other part is weak as the head Stomach or Liver or if their be any infirmities distempers or passions of mind it is certain the Leanness is from the fault of the food Also it happens by the weaknesse from some Disease If these things had not been the Child would have had a florid and fresh colour good appetite and would eat and not complain If Leannesse be from Fascination no art or natural means is effectual and there is no internal or external cause of Leannesse in regard of the Nurse or Child Presage 1. All Suddain Leannesse proceeding from a Feaver is mortal because of the Vehemency of the cause weakness of the strength tenuity of the humour and laxity of the whole Body 2. Consumptions that are seldome and not from Feavers especially those that are great and ill are sometimes cureable 3. Lean bodies that are moist and have a moist Skin may be made fat because all soft bodies are apt and fit to be extended into any dimension 4. Bodies that are dry and have their Skin hard and rough can scarce be fatned 5. Bodies that have the Skin dry and cleaving to the bones that neither by the hand nor Art can be stretch'd out there is no hope of fatning them but if the Skin be wrinkled and rugged so that it may be drawn forth and as it were seperated from the bones there is some hope of making them fat The Cure is 1. in Children that suck if the Milk be too little or bad change the Nurse and choose one who hath good Milk the notes whereof you have before let her be of a good constitution of a white and red colour of a good converversation and behaviour not under 20. nor above 40. years old having had Children twice and being not above 2 or 3 moneths from her last delivery broad chested having breasts neither big nor small but moderate If the Nurse may not be chang'd let her be in a temperate Air let her Sleep well it augments Milk let her avoid Passions especially Anger Grief and Love for they corrupt the Milk and congresse with a man spoils the Milk or provokes the menstruous Flux that the Milk is lessened A Nurse that lives with her husband is allowed coition and congresse with him lest She be disturbed by desire of it and by experience we see that Mothers that live with their Husbands and use congresse Nurse the Child without any hurt The Nurse ought to use moderate exercive rubbing of her bosome and breasts before she eats is convenient let her not drink or very little and that which is sweet which lest offends the head lest by increasing Milk the Child hath the Falling Sicknesse The meat ought to be of a good and plentifull nourishment avoiding sharp salt and bitter things the best bread the Flesh of Birds Veal Mutton and the like Fish is to be avoided Broath especially with the Milk of Almonds increase Milk If the Milk be faulty by the coldnesse moisture and thinnesse of it the Dyet must be hot for the correcting of it If the Nurses body abound with cold and moist humours prepare and purge them but with gentle Purgatives as the Syrrup of Roses or Rhabarbe whose weak vertues are extinguish'd before they are communicated to the blood if you purge strongly let not the Child suck the Nurse two or three days after If the Milk is too thick the Diet is to be attenuating Vinegar Raddishes and the like are good a gentle Vomit is more convenient then a Purge If the Milk be sharp and hot the Nurse is to be kept in a cold Air Rest Baths of fresh water are convenient Wine is hurtful let the meat be Barly broth with cooling Herbs especially Lettice which cools and thickens the blood and increases Milk avoiding salt and things acrimonious and Spices If the fault be not in the Milk but in some part of the Infant the Nurse is to be dieted and purged and the Infant is to take no inward Medicament but external because these Ages bears not vehement Medicaments wherefore external remedies are only to be used and therefore if the Childs Stomach be cold and moist hot or dry Plaisters Bathings and Oyntments are to be used for the correcting of them Take the Leaves of Marjoram Mint of each one handful the Aromatick Reed and the Flowers of red roses of each half a handful the water of Calamint one Pint of Sweet Wine two Ounces boyle them well and with a Cloth dipp'd in it bath the Stomach if it be cold Afterwards annoint it with this Take the Oyl of Mastick half an Ounce the Powder of Cinamon and Cloves of each half a Dram mixe a little wax with them and make an Oyntment If the Stomach be dry bath it with Milk and annoint it with this Take fresh Butter the fat of an Hen of each half an Ounce Saffron four grains the Oyl of Wormwood three Ounces mingle them and make a Liniament If the Leannesse is from heat Take Cichory Endive Water-lilly and Wormwood waters of each four Ounces Vinegar two Ounces make a fomentation for the Liver afterwards annoint the side with this Take of the Oyntment of Sanders â—iâ—hory and Liverwort waters of each two Ounces of the Vinegar of Roses one Ounce make a Liniament If Leanness is from Loosness the Nurse is to use binding meats as Quinces Services Rice Medlers or Broth of an old Hen and Calves feet Corral or Jaspers Stone hung about the childs neck is convenient So is this Take of Mirrh and Quince of each half an Ounce powder of Red Coral two Ounces of Oakwater two Ounces the powder
Wine that is hot A long use of Mithridate with a Decoction of Paeony cures any Epilepsy as some think so doth a little fine Mosche given twice or thrice a day Take of the Oyle of Amber the Spirit of Vitriol of each two or three Graynes with the water of Betony and it presently frees the Child from the Fit CHAP. II. Of Convulsion CHildren often fall into a Convulsion by the weakness of the Nerves plentiful use of thick Milk Crudities and by breeding of Teeth The matter of it is the same as is in the Falling Sicknesse and it is very like to it so that an Eminent Physician said a Convulsion was an Epilepsie of a part and an Epilepsy a Convulsion of the whole body both being a Contraction of the Muscles but they differ one from another because in an Epilepsy the Internal and External senses are hurt but in a Convulsion the Brain is not so affected and the sense is not lost in the Epilepsy the matter in the Muscles is quickly discuss'd in the Convulsion not which is only also a contraction of the part but the Epilepsy is a Convulsion of the whole body A Convulsion is a preternatural Contraction of one or many parts of the body If it be a Contraction of the Anteriour parts of the Neck towards it is called Emprostonos or a Contraction of the parts before us If the hinder parts Opistotonos if both the hinder and anterior parts are contracted it is called Tetanos The Cause of a Convulsion by consent is when the knawing or pricking of the Mouth or Stomach or any other part hurts the beginning of the Nerves The Cause of an essential Convulsion is either repletion or exiccation for as strings fil'd with too much humour or are too much dryed they are contracted and break so it is with the Nerves if they imbibe too much humor they grow broader and shorter and so contract and if to drye they shrink up Repletion is from a Phlegmatick humour the exiccation and dryness is from a great peculiar Feaver which doth not universally dry the whole body but wast the Nerves more then the flesh and that violently So that though a Hectick Feaver doth very much drye the body yet it produces no Convulsion in regard the dryness is made leisurely and easily in all parts so that the Nerves are not dryed with any great vehemence Some saye that this dryness proceeds from any immoderate evacuation or things that vehemently heat and dry The External Causes are a moist Air wherefore Children have the Convulsion most often in the full of the Moon the Air being the most moist hurting the Nerves of the Child Watching Fear which making the Spirits retire the Nerves are contracted Bathes Costiveness and binding of the Belly Drinking of strong Wine Milk plentifully taken or thick crying the ill Diet of the Nurse and from other parts Signs are manifest if it be made by consent it is in a moment if by essence it is always if from repletion it is made suddenly and in a small time if by dryness and inanition it is caused by degrees and in a longer time Prog. The Convulsion that begins from the back is mortal 2. Children â—hat have the Convulsion perish for the most part before the seventh day from their Nativity 3. Convulsions in Children are more easily cur'd then in men because their humidity is Airy and is easily overcome 4. Convulsions from a perfect and consummated drynesse is incureable but that which is not from a perfect dryness is cureable which as the dryness is more or lesse is easier or with more difficulty The Cure of a Convulsion from repletion and moisture is the same as in an Epilepsy The Members and parts contracted are to be restored gently by hands to its straightnesse then annoint and rub the part with a convenient Oyl as of Lillies or Cammomile The Syrrup of Betony and Staecados with the Spirit of Black Cherries may be used Carduus Water is very good If the Convulsion is from drynesse the Cure is by moistning of the body by Diet and Medicaments a Bath that is hot and moist is convenient and annointing the part with the Oyle of sweet Almonds sweet Butter and such things that soften and moisten CHAP. III. Of a Palsy IN the two preceeding Chapters were considered the depravation of Motion in this place the Abolition and diminution of motion will be discoursed of not abolition of the whole body for Children are never troubled with a universal Palsy and privation of sense and motion in the whole body which is called an Appoplexy appears by experience and observation and Apoplexies are made for the most part from 40. years to 60. Although Children have often the Falling Sicknesse which hath the same matter and part affected as the Apoplexy and differs from an Apoplexy because it is a Privation of motion and an Epilepsy the Depravation Nevertheless a Child is not troubled with the Apoplexy not because it proceeds from a Melancholy humour as some think which a Child hath not which is untrue for a Child may have a Quartan Ague which is caused by Melancholy as you may see in the Chapter of Feavers but because the matter in the Epilepsy is not so thick as that which makes the Apoplexy being only Phlegme besides the Phlegme of Children is Airy and flatulent Moreover the expulsive faculty of the Brain is strong in Children so that it more effectually expells the humour that it stop not the Ventricles of the Brain which happens not in those Ages in which the humour is thick and lesse flatulent and the expulsive faculty more weak A Numness and Palsy is a distemper of the same kind and differ only in degree for a Numness is but as it were an imperfect Palsy and a Palsy is as it were a certain great Numness The cause is a pituitous humour which by coldness moistness thickens obstructs the Nerves that they cannot receive the animal Spirits or Influence of thea nimal faculty as this obstruction and condensation of the nerves and ways of the faculties is more or lesse so it makes numnesse or weak motion or want of motion In a Palsy there is no motion because the wayes of the faculties are totally stopt in a numnesse they are not stopt completely therefore the faculty operates and there is a weak motion The external causes are compressions by falls blowes binding tumours or other causes which can compresse and condensate the nerves that a free ingresse of the faculty is hindered Signs if a part is affected with the Palsy it cannot move and is called the Dead Palsy if with numnesse the party can move but weakly and with difficulty If the Disease be in the Spinalis medulla the Arms and all the inferiour parts are hurt if the right part of it is affected all the parts on the right side if the left the left parts If in the Osse sacro the parts above it are
putrifies it doth resemble the nature of Choler not that it is true pure Choler because it cannot be imagin'd how heat before the Disease or in it can make the most hot humour as Choler is in the head that is moist and almost water nor pure Phlegme because it is cold and moist and the humidities of Children are hot therefore old men waxe gray because they abound with Phlegme Children not because they abound not with Phlegme that is cold and moist The External causes are a very hot Air blows falls Milk that is very hot by the Nursés using hot drinks Milk hath the power of making one drunk and one observes well tender Kids of Goats are made mad with Milk and there is no doubt but the tender Brain of Children are much offended by the Milk of Nurses The Signs are the Hole and cavity of the Anterior part of the head because the heat of the Inflammation dries the Brain which being drye the Skull is deprest and sunk with its own weight and makes a hollownesse of the eyes by the same cause is a heat of the whole body and dryness continual Feaver palenesse of Countenance weaknesse losse of Appetite want of sleep and a loosness of the Belly Prog. This Disease is very dangerous in Children because they are more easily extenuated by their heat it is wont to kill in three days afterwards there is hopes the Disease declines and the strength increases The Cure is in 1. Dyet let the Nurse drink only water and use such Meats which greatly cool as Ptisan and Barly Broth with the Emulsions of the Seeds of Poppy-Broths with Lettice and Endive the Nurse and Child are to be kept in a cold Air in great quiet of mind and body Purges are unprofitable or hurtful but if the Child be costive his belly may be loosned with a common Suppository or this Clyster Take of Barly water Three Ounces of Whey Five Ounces red Sugar half an Ounce mingle them Outwardly use two Ounces of the Oyl of Roses with the Yelk of an Egge it mitigates pain concocts and dissolves the humour the Juice of Lettice Pomkins and Melons the flesh whereof may be pounded and the Juyce prest out and the Leaves of Lettice steep'd in it and laid upon the head or a Cloth dipp'd in the Juice These Medicaments are often to be changed lest by staying too long on the head they heat and dry and hurt as much as help and in the Winter they are to be laid on lukewarm in the Summer cold Nor is it safe to exceed these cold remedies and use the coldest lest the temper of the Brain is destroyed When the Inflamation is appeased then leave the use of the cooling remedies and use discussive ones and first such as are gentle the yelk of an Egge of Oyl of Cammomile two Ounces mingle them afterwards a stronger discutient Take the Flowers of Cammomile the Leaves of Penny-royal and Dill Bran tyed in a Cloth half a Pugill boyl them according to Art then take half a pint of the said Decoction the Oyl of Cammomile and Anniseed of each an Ounce shake them well together and apply them warm to the Head CHAP. VII Of the running at the Nose Cough and difficult Breathing THe running at the Nose Cough and difficult Breathing in Children are the effects and issue of a Distillation which as some observe is the mother of all Evill and is a desluxion of a petuitous humour into the parts subjected if the matter flowes to the Nose it is called the Pose and running at the Nose if it descends to the breast and is expelled by the Spirit that goes out it 's called a Cough but if the same matter falls upon the Lungs and stops the ways of the Spirit and oppresses the body of the Lungs it produces a difficulty in breathing this matter seldome makes hoarsness in Children because sucking Children by their daily use of Milk cleanses the Phlegme that it doth not stick about the Jawes in those that are elder hoarsnesse is seldome because they are hot about the Jawes which dryes up the Phlegme These Distempers are Symptomes and effects of a very moist Brain sometimes cold because Infants draw Air more cold then they were used to which cools the Brain and it is sometimes hot by its natural temper which is very hot by Air that is hot Fire Smoake too hot cloathing of the head and the gluttony and intemperance of the Nurse The Signs are manifest of the Cough Poze and difficulty of Breathing if they come from a hot cause the Child sneezes often the colour of the countenance of the Child is florid and red the Jawes are red and whilest the Child sucks the Breasts are heated that the Nurse perceives the heat If from a cold cause there is seldome sneezing no change of the Colour of the Countenance no heat perceived in the mouth Prog. These Distempers are not dangerous if they be not neglected otherwise they produce Broken Bellies and other Diseases and often Death The Cure is 1. in Diet let the Air be temperate without Excesse avoid Wine and Meats that are windy and grosse and such as flye to the head as Spice and meats prepared with them If the matter is cold a little Spice and hot meats may be allowed but sparingly for all which fly to the head are apt to attenuate and loosen both the cold and hot matter which causes these Distempers and many others 2. Evacuating and diverting the humour by loosning the Belly of the Child by a Clyster or Suppository or by a Vomit which is very good to evacuate the Phlegme which you may do by dipping your finger in Hony and pressing down the Tongue of the Child also to evacuate the matter Take of the Hony of Violets one Ounce of the Powder of Ocymi one dram mingle it and put it in the Mouth of the Infant and then give him the Breast in a cold cause Mirrh and Hony are commended In a hot cause Take one dram of the Seed of White Poppy of Tragacanthy half a Dram of the Seed of a Goard three Drams bruise them all and with a Decoction of Sobestens make a Liquor or you may powder them and take half a Scruple mingle them with a little hony of Violets and give it the Infant to lick If the Breath be difficult with the Cough use the Syrrup of Hyssop in the place of the Hony of Violets It is also convenient to keep the Breast of the Child easie and not straight that it may dilate wherefore annoint the Breast and Back with the Oyl of sweet Almonds which is also good if it be swallowed and taken inwardly CHAP. VIII Of the pain and humidity of the Ears THe pain of the Ears is reckoned by all Physicians amongst the Diseases of Children It is a grievous sense which vehemently affects the parts about the passage of hearing which is very sharp in regard the inward parts of the