depends for the most part upon fire yet somtimes we perceive it to be produced in some subjects and that in a very high degree without its being actually inkindled A most known instance of which thing is quick Lime sprinkled with water which also Stygian waters shew being mingled with Iron the Butter of Antimony and with the Salts of the stagma of Vegetables The learned men Gunter Conringius Hogelandus and almost all that have touched on the Doctrine of Fermentation have delivered the effects of this Nature as especial examples of Fermentations wherefore it will be worth our labour to inquire somthing concerning each of them but on this condition which I also have observed in other disquisitions that I willingly let alone the opinion of others for a Traveller had rather drink at the Fountains themselves I will then as briefly and succinctly as I can dispatch the business Quick-Lime is made of the Lime Stone also of many others excepting only such which consist of a reddish and as it were sandy grain being Calcined in a close Furnace for many days with a reverberating fire by this means the frame of the mixture is loosned that it goes into a friable matter or that may be crumbled which by reason of the high astriction or binding Nature in which it excels serves most excellently for the making of Cements for Walls This Calx or Lime being taken from the Furnace reteins still the form of Stone and seems cold to the touch but water being poured thereon it swells up and grows wonderfully hot sending forth smoak that it burns all Bodies that are put into it besides it falls of it self into a white dust To which Particles this motion and heat ought to be ascribed viz. whether to those implanted in the Lime stone or to the others acquired by the fire doth not easily appear but that we may loose this knot if we can I have instituted this Analysis of quick Lime I put about half a pound of it into a large Cucurbit then water being poured thereon I fitted the little Head with a capacious Receiver by and by within five minutes of an hour the matter began to swell and to grow very hot then a smoak and a breath being raised all the Vessels became so hot that I could scarce touch them with my hands A clear water Distilled forth into the Receiver about six Ounces which was not sharp but of a Styptic or Astringent sweetish tast the remaining powder in the Cucurbit I boiled with common water and the Lye thereof made I endeavoured to boil away with a gentle Fire while it did evaporate there gathered together on the Superfices of the Liquor a white and crusty little skin also of a sweetish tast and the same being taken away presently a new one succeeded the humor being at last wholly exhaled there remained in the bottom nothing that was sharp or salt We may Collect from this that this heat doth not proceed from the implanted Principles of the Lime stone viz. either Saline or Sulphureous however moved within themselves for only a sweetish Salt was to be found in it which was also Volatile and it is a sign that there is not much Sulphur in the Limestone because by a long Calcination the form of the mixture is not quite destroyed nor its substance wholly broken wherefore it is very likely that whilst these stones are burnt in the Furnace some Particles of Fire do strictly cleave to the Saline and so reside in that mixture as it were strangers which whilst they lie a sleep and continue idle and being separated one from another by the coming between of Earth although they are very many do not raise up heat For all heat depends upon motion but when water is poured to it those fiery Particles being thrust out of their Cells flow together and fly aways by heaps from that Inn so breaking forth by Troops they cause a very intense heat and because diluted with water only a smoak and not an actual Fire It is a sign that little Bodies of fire or fiery Particles do stick a long while in matters Calcined because Iron Instruments according as those Particles are driven forth of their pores more or less leisurely or by heaps become soft or hard tough or brittle moreover it is observed that bricks or fresh Earthen Vessels being dipped in water cause a certain hissing also Tobacco Pipes if one end be put into water and the other brought near to the Ear yield a certain sharp noise and rumbling add to these that fixed Salts being Calcined or having suffered a Flux by the Fire become far sharper also Stygian waters by reason of those kind of little Bodies involved therein which afterwards leisurely evaporate perpetually send forth sharp fumes and when these are poured upon Saline Calxes not only an Ebullition is raised by reason of the disagreeing Particles of the Salts which strike one another mutually whereby they might be more strictly combined but besides heat and smoak succeed which for the most part arise from the fiery Particles being shuck out of their Dens But it is not easie to give a reason why quick Lime and no other Concretes retain so copiously those kind of fiery Particles and yield a strong heat water being poured on them T is plain enough that when the Sulphureous Effluviums of Fire forasmuch as they are most penetrating enter all Bodies whatsoever brought near affect them after divers manners those which are more lax and stuffed with active Principles are destroyed wholly by burning and because their substance decays the fiery Particles as Soldiers in a City spoiled by themselves do not continue long in the ruined place but go farther and move their Tents but where the Concretion of the Subject is very compact and that its Elements cannot be so pulled in pieces by the fire that they rather grow stiff as is seen in Metals Glass Bricks and other things made hard either by boiling or fusion the fiery Particles entered in being received in an incommodious Inn presently go forth again and therefore few are wont to stay in mixt things of this kind or in things fused or Calcined but if fire be so applyed to the more hard Concretes of which sort are most stones and shelly Concretes that the bond of the mixture be unlocked some parts viz. the Watery and Sulphureous are driven away and so some spaces are made hollow very fit for the receiving any stranger in the mean time that the frame of the matter be not wholly destroyed but that it may continue its compacted and stony form which flows not away together with its Particles and ever threatens its ruin in such a Subject chiefly the Particles of fire possessing the spaces of the parts flown away copiously remain and there cleaving close to the Saline little Bodies being detained one from another by the coming between of the earthy lie quiet which notwithstanding afterwards being violently driven from those
of it self untameable and not to be overcome by any Remedies From this observation that a Cautery accidentally and by chance being made on this sick party freed her from the fits of the Disease it may be inferr'd that fontanells or Issues may be profitably administerd in the Cure of the Epilepsie for wheresoever an emissary is opened for the constant carying away of the serous water both from the blood and nervous juce there very many heterogeneous and morbifick particles flow out with it that therefore the brain might remain free The Daughter of a Brewer of Oxford had been very obnoxious to a Rheume Observation 2 falling into her eyes from her Infancy otherwise strong and sound enough also accustomed dayly to hard labour about the 14th year of her age she began to be tormented with Epileptick sits of which she suffered neer the greater changes of the moon especially then returning Being asked to endeavour her Cute I gave her a Vomit of precipitate Solar and orderâ—d it to be renewed three days before every new and full moon besides that she should take at every turne for four days after the Vomit twice in a day a dram of male-Paeonic root in powder with a draught of black Cherry water By these remedies the fits so long intermitted that the Disease seem'd to be Cured Afterwards when they returned again she was again recovered by the use of those medicines and then the menstruous flux breaking forth and observing its true periods she remained for the future free from that disease The Therapeutic or Curatory Method IN the Curing of the Epilepsie I judg it fit to begin with a Cathartick and if the sick can easily bear vomiting first let an Emetick be administred and for several months let it be repeated four days before the full of the Moon For infants and youths may be prescribed wine of Squills mixed with fresh Oyle of Sweet Almonds or also of Salt of Vitriol from half a Scruple to 1. Scruple For those of riper years and of a stronger Constitution may be prescribed the following forms of Medicines Vomitories Take of Crocus mettalorum or of Mercurius vitae gr iiii to vi of Mercurius Dulcis grain xvi ℈ i. let them be brused together in a mortar mix it with the pap of a rosted Apple or of Conserve of Burage â„¥ i. make a Bolus or you may take an Infusion of Crocus Mettalorum or Mercurius Vitae made in Spanish wine from â„¥ ss to â„¥ i ss or take of Emetick Tartar of Mynsicht gr iv to vi who are of a tenderer constitution let them take of the Salt of Vitriol ℈ i. to Ê’ ss and half an hour after let them drink severall pints of posset drink then with a feather or finger put down the throat let vomiting be provoked iterate it often The day following the vomiting unless any thing shall prohibit let blood be taken out of the Arm or from the haemorhod veins with a Leech then the next day after let a purging medicine be taken which afterwards may be repeated constantly four days before every new Moon Purger Take Refine of Jalop ℈ ss Mercurius Dulcis ℈ i. of Castor gr iii. of Conserve of the Flowers of Paeony â„¥ i. make it into a Bolus Take pill faetida the greater ℈ ii of Hysterica what will suffice make thereof v. pills Take of the strings of black hellebore macerated in Vinegar dry'd and powder'd â„¥ ss of Ginger ℈ ss of the Salt of Wormwood gr xii of the Oyl of Amber drops ii make a powder let it be given in the pap of an Apple Take of the powder of Hermodactils compound â„¥ i. of humane Scull prepar'd gr vi make a powder let it be given in a draught of the decoction of Hyssop or Sage On those days that they do not purge especially about the time of the changing of the Moon let there be administred Specifick Remedies morning and evening which are said to cure this Disease wirh 〈◊〉 certain innate and secret virtue of these there are extant a very great company and are prescribed in various forms of Compositions Specificks The most simple Medicines which Experience hath found to be very Efficacious are the root of the male Paeony and the seeds of the same Take of the Root of the Male Paeony dryed and powder'd â„¥ i. to ii or iii. let it be given twice a day in the following Tincture Take of the leave of Messletow of the Oak â„¥ ii of the root of Paeony slic'd â„¥ ss of Castor â„¥ i. let them be put into a close Vessel with simple water of Betony or Paeony and white-wine Each lb i. of the Salt of Missletow of the Oake or the Common Missletow â„¥ ii let them digest close in hot sand for ii days let them take â„¥ iii. with a dose of the aforesaid powder Poor people may take of the aforesaid powder in a decoction of Hysop or Castor made with fair water and white-wine At the same time let the Root of Paeony be cut into little bits and being strung upon a thrid hung about the neck Also let the Roots being fryed in a pan or boyled tender be eaten dayly with their meat Take of the Roots and Seeds of the male Paeony each â„¥ ii of Missletow of the Oake of the hoof of ElkÊ’i each let them be fliced and brused and put into a thin silk bag and hang at the pit of the Stomack Among the spicificks this powder is greatly commended by many Authors Powders Take of Castor Opoponax Dragons blood Antimony and the seed of Paeony each alike make a powder of which may be taken â„¥ ss to â„¥ i. every morning with wine or some proper decoction or with black Cherry water Take of a mans Skull prepar'd â„¥ i. of Missletow of the Oake of Counterfeit Cinaber of an Elks Claw each â„¥ ss so mingle them The dose is ℈ ss to ℈ i. If the form of powder be distastful to any one or if it should become loathsome by the long use of it Electuaries Pills Troches Spirits and Elixirs each of which agree with specifick medicines are wont to be prescribed Take of the Conserve of the male Paeony of the Lilly of the Valley each â„¥ iii. Electuaries of the seed and root of the male Paeony powder'd each Ê’ ii prepared CorallÊ’ i. of the powder of Pearls and of humane Skull prepared each ℈ ii of the salt of Missletow of the OakeÊ’ i ss with what will suffice of the Syrop of Corall make an Electuary let them take of it morning and evening the quantity of a Nutmeg Take of the powder of the root of the male Paeony â„¥ i. of the seeds of the same â„¥ ss of Missletow of the Oake of an Elks claw of humane Skull prepared each Ê’ ii of the roots of Angelica Contrayerva Verginian Snakeweed each Ê’ i. of the whitest Amber of Calcined Corall each Ê’ i. of the Common Salt of Missletow
ʒ ii of Sugar Candy ℥ viii dissolved in what will suffice of the Antiepilepticall water of Langius Make a Confection of which take twice in a day the quantity of a Nutmeg These powders by adding to them the Salt of Amber and Harts-horn Pills with what will suffice of Balsome Capivi may be formed into a pillulary Mass of which may be taken iii. or iv pills in the morning and evening drinking after them a draught of some appropriat Liquor Or of those sorts may be prepared an Elixir of which may be taken viii drops to x. twice in a day in a spoonful of a proper Julup drinking a little of it after it Take of Hungarian Vitriol vi pints Elixir let them be distill'd with a glass retort in hot sand for 24. hours then let the same retort being defended or done over with Clay be put with a large receiver in a reverberating Furnace that the acid spirits may be forced with a most strong fire till they come forth The whole Liquor being distilled let it be drawn off in hot sand in a lesser glass retort and let there be poured into the Matrace of the roots of Male-Paeony cut into pieces and dryed ℥ iiii of the seed of the same ℥ i. of humane Skull prepared of Elks claws and Red Corall each ℥ ss Missletow of the Oak ʒ ii let it digest with a gentle heat for several days to the extraction of a tincture the Liquor being decantated let it be drawn off in a glasse Retort to a third part remaining being stilled forth keep it by it self to those Remains pour of the rectified Spirit of wine a little quantity impregnated with the Infusion of the same ingredients and let it digest for six days in horse-dung the dose of which is ℈ ss to ℈ i. The distilled Liquor may be given from half a spoonful to a whole spoonful for the same Intentions Or let there be prepared an oyl out of the Salt of Venus or Copper according to the description of Henry Van Heer 's and given as there prescribed Among the specifick Remedies Emperical Remedies which when the former shall not be profitable ought also to be tryed are the Livers of Frogs the Gall of a Bore dryed with Urine The powder of Bryony Root The powder of a Cuccow of Crows the runnet and lights of a Hare the Liver of a Wolf stones taken out of Swallows the Liver of a Kite the Eggs of Crows with many more to be dayly taken with food or Medicine a famous Catalogue of which is extant of Henry Van Brays a Physitian of Zutphen and from which prescripts for poor people may be taken easie to be prepared and without great cost Whilst these kinde of Remedies are to be taken inwardly according to the aforesaid method some outward administrations being applyed bring help and are deservedly admitted to part of the cures therefore allways Issues are made in this disease in one fit place or other and also more often Veficatories or Blisters Amulets hung about the neck or born at the pit of the Stomach Amulets are thought to be useful The fresh Roots of Paeony cut into little squares and being strung like bracelets and hung round about the neck and as soon as they are dry let new be put in their places and they being reduced to powder may be taken inwardly Take of the roots and seeds of Paeony each ʒ ii of an Elks claw and humane Skull prepared each ʒ i. of Missletow of the Oak ʒ ss let them be beaten into gross powder and sowed in a piece of red silk and like a little bag let it be hanged about the neck An Amulet of a stalk of the Elder found growing in the Willow-tree is greatly Commended Plasters It agrees with some to have their heads shaven and a plaster applied to the fore-part Take of the root and seeds of Paeony of Castor Missletow of the Oak of humane-skull most finely powder'd each ʒ i. of betonie plaster ℥ ii Caranna Tacamahacca each ʒ ii Balsum Capive what will suffice make a mass and let it be spread upon leather make a plaister for the suters of the Head Let the Temples and Nostrills be often anointed with Oyl of Amber by itself or mixed with oyl Capive Sternutories or sneezing powders Sneezing Powders and such as purge the head of Rhume are to be used dayly in the Mornings Take of white Helleboreʒ i. of Castor and Euphorbium each ʒ ss the leaves of sweet Marjorum and Rue each ʒ ii make a powder make a decoction of Sage or Hyssop with Mustard dissolved in it with which gargle the mouth and throat A Glister may be sometimes used as need shall require Sometimes the more solid Medicines are ro be moistned with liquids or they ought to be drunk after them for which end distilled waters should be at hand Julups Tinctures or Decoctions which are endued with a certain Specific Virtue against this Disease Distill'd Water Take of Hungarian Vitriol four pound of the powder of fresh humane-skull four ounces of the root of Paeony sliced six ounces let them be bruised together in a morter put to them either of Spanish wine or small white-wine or wine made of the juce of black-Cherries a quart being fermented in a vessell let it be distill'd in a glass retort in hot sand Take of the shavings of box-wood of Hungarian vitriol each two pound of the Missletow of the Oak or the Common-Missletow leaves three handfulls of Rue two handfulls being bruised together put to it of Spanish wine 4 pints Let them be distill'd in a glass Cucurbit with hot sand Iulaps Take of Common Vitriol six pound of the root of the male-paeony six ounces of the Missletow of the Oak one ounce of Green-walnuts viii ounces being cut and bruised let them be distilled in a glass-pot a glass alembick being placed upon it in hot sand Take of this Liquor one pint of black cherry water and of the water of the flowers of the toil or Line-tree each half a pint of white-Sugar ℥ iiii mix them and make a Julup the dose ℥ ii to iii. twice or thrice in a day Oxymel of squills also an hony-decoction with Hysop are much praised by the Ancients Or an Apozem of this kinde may be prepared of which may be taken ℥ iiii to vi or viii twice in a day Apozems Take of the roots of male-paeony Angellica Imperatoria Valerian each ʒ vi of the leaves of Betony Sage Lilly of the Valley Penny-Royall each one handfull of the seeds of Rue Nigella each ʒ iii. Paeony ℥ ss of Raysons ℥ iii. of Liquoris ℥ ss being cut and bruised let them be boyled in vi pints of Spring-water to the Consumption of the third part Towards the end add of black Cherry-wine half a pint or ten ounces strain and keep it in close Vessells The dose is from vi to viii ounces twice in a day after the
hysterical water what will suffice to make 16. pills Let 4. of them be taken every sixth or Seventh day Take of the Roots of Polypodia of the Oak of sharp pointed-docks prepared of chervill cach ʒ vi of the male Paeony ʒ iii. of the leaves of Betony germander Chamipits Vervine the male Betony each i. handfull of the seeds of Cardamums and burdock each ʒ iii. let them be boyled in 4. pints of Spring water till half be consumed Let it be strained into a matrace to which put of the leaves of the best Senna ℥ i. of Rhubarb ʒ vi of Turbith gummed ℥ ss of Epithimum of yellow-Sanders each ʒ ii of the Salt of wormwood and Scurvy-grass each ʒ i. the yellow rine of the Orangeʒ ii let them digest close shut in hot Sand for 12. hours let the straining be kept for use sweeten it if there be need with what will suffice of the Augustan Syrrop or of Succory with Rubarb The Dose ℥ vi once or twice in a week Every day in which purges are not taken Remedies strengthning the brain and also the animal Spirits for the taking away the heterogeneous Copula or for the hindring them from running into explosions Remedies for a more hot temperament are to be administred which indeed ought to be prescribed and chosen according to the Constitution and habit of the Body and temperament of the sick for too lean bodys and such as being indued with a more hot blood medicines less hot and which do not trouble the bloud above measure ought to be given On the Contrary for phlegmatick and fat people whose urine is thin and watery and whose Blood is Circulated more heavily and Viscera's stuffed more hot Remedies and notably apt to ferment the humours are designed In the former Case let it be prescribed after this manner Coroborating medicines and specificks Take of the Conserve of the Flowers of Betony Tamarisk the male-Paeonie each ℥ ii of the Species of Diamargerit frigidaʒ iss of the powder of the Root of Paeonie and of the seeds of the same each ʒ 1. of red-Corall prepared ʒ ii of vitriol of steel ℈ ii of the Salt of Wormwood ʒ ii with what will suffice of the juce of Oranges make an Electuary take of it twice or thrice in a day drinking after it a little draught of the Julap hereafter prescribed Powders Take of Corall Red with the juce of Oranges beaten together in a glass or marble mortar and dry'd ℥ ss of the powder of misletow of the oake of the root of the male Paeonieʒ ii of perled sugar ʒ iii. make a powder the dose from ℈ i. to ʒss twice or thrice in a day Take of the Species of Diamargarit frigidaʒ ii of the Salt of wormwood ʒ iii. of the root of Cocowpint powderd ʒ i. mix them make a powder let it be divided into xx parts take a dose in the morning and at four in the afternoon Distilled waters and Julaps Take of the Roots of Butterbur ℥ i. dose ʒss to ʒ i. twice in a day Take of the Leaves of Burdock and Cocowpint each vi handfulls let them be cut and mixed together and so distilled The dose ʒ ii to iii twice or thrice a day after a dose of Electuary or powder Take of this water distilled ii pints of our steel prepared ʒ ii mix them in a Vial let it be taken after the same manner Take of the Simple water of walnuts and of black-Cherries each half a pint of Snalesʒ iii. of the Syrrop of the flowers of the male Paeonie ℥ ii the dose ℥ iss to two after the same manner Take of the shavings of Ivory and harts-horn each iii. drams of the roots of Chervill burdock Valerian each half an ounce of the leaves of Betony Chamepits harts-tongue the tops of Tamarisk each one handfull of the barks of Tamarisk and of the woody nightshade each half an ounce let them be boyled in two quarts of spring water to the consumption of the third part add to it of white-wine eight ounces strain it into a pitcher to which put of the leaves of brook-lime and Cardamine each one handfull make an Infusion warm and close for four hours Let the colature be kept close in glasses The dose ℥ vi twice in a day after a dose of some solid Medicine sometimes such an Apozme may be mixed with ʒ ii of our steel and taken in the same manner In the Summer time the use of spaw-waters is convenient and for want of them our Artificial ones may be taken Remedies in a more cold temperament If that for the reasons above-recited more hot Medicines are to be prescribed you may proceed according to the following method Take of the Conserves of Rosemary of the yellow of Oranges and Lemmons each ℥ ii Electuaries of Lignum aloes of yellow-sanders of the roots of snake-weed Contrayerva Angelica Cocowpint each ʒ i. of the vitriol of steel or of steel prepared ℈ iiii of the salt of wormwood and Scurvy-grass each ʒ i. with what will suffice of candied Wallnutts make an Electuary Let it be taken twice in a day to the quantity of a nutmeg drinking after it a dose of appropriate Liquor Take of the Roots of male-Paeony Angellica and red Coral prepared each ʒ ii Tablets of Sugar dissolved in the water of Snales boyled to the consistency of Tablets ℥ vi of the oyle of Amber lightly rectified ʒ ss make a sufficient quantity of Lozenges each weighing about half a dram take one or two twice or thrice a day drinking after it a dose of proper Liquor Take of the Roots of Virginian Snake-weed Contrayerva Valerian each ʒ ii Pills of red Coral and prepared Pearl each ʒ i. of winteran Bark and of the root of Cretian Dittany each ʒ i. of the Vitriol of Steel and Salt of wormwood each ʒ iss of the extract of Centauryʒ ii of Ammoniacum dissolved in histerical water what will suffice to make a pillulary mass of which take four pills in the morning and at four in the afternoon Take of the Spirits of harts-horn or Sut or humane Blood or of Sal ammoniack Spirits what will suffice take of them from 10. to 12. drops morning and evening in a spoonfull of Julap drinking a little draught of the same after it Take of the Leaves of Betony Vervine Sage Lady-smocks Cocowpint Burdock Distill'd waters each two hand-fulls of green wallnuts number 20. the rinds of six Oranges and of 4. Lemons of Cardamums and Cubebbs each ℥ i. being cut and brused pour on them of whey made of Cider or white wine six pints let them be distilled according to Art The dose ℥ ii or iii. twice in a day after a dose of a solid medicine Add to i. quart of this liquor ii drams of our Steel Take of the Water of Snailes and of earth-worms each ℥ vi walnuts simple ℥ iiii of Radish Compound ℥ ii of
any Menstruum and that I had especially tryed many things about Iron after several experiments at length by a certain chance and almost thinking of somthing else I found out a preparation whereby without any Corrosive or Acid Liquor by the mediation only of a gentle heat the body of Iron is opened that being reduced into powder gives immediately a tincture to any Liquor that neither Salts themselves are sooner dissolved in common water By this means I am wont to prepare suddenly in great quantity Mineral waters which exactly resemble our Tunbridg Spaws and to render Wine Beer Milk or Whey with no trouble Chalybeated By this means Syrrops Tinctures Extracts or Magisteria out of Steel are most easily to be had Moreover plainly by the same Artifice Corals Pearls Eyes and Claws of Crabs and all shelly things are prepared that their powders presently impart to any Menstruum a tincture or the virtues of the whole Concrete And in this preparation no strange quality is introduced to the Subject nor its own proper quality lost When I had by this means learnt to unlock all Bodies whatsoever consisting of a Saline bond presently from the Analogy of this was made known the means of unlocking Subjects whose Concretion is wholly Sulphureous for I am wont so to prepare common Sulphur that its powder immediatly impregnates any Liquor with the tincture and virtue of Sulphur The Spirit of Wine suddenly contracts a deep colour and very red that being put into it Common water by the infusion or decoction of the same Powder is rendered clearly Sulphureous and gilds Silver and by this means from that Tincture a praecipitation being made of White Wine or Vinegar the Milk of Sulphur is easily prepared in great quantity Out of Sulphurated Wine by this infusion I make a Syrrop than which there is scarce found a more excellent remedy in the distempers of the Thorax By this means Tinctures Extracts Magistries are prepared from Sulphur with no labour and without any smatch of the fire By the same way preparations from Amber Benzoin and other Sulphureous things easily dissolvable in any Menstruum are composed But enough and too much of this we will now pass to the other great dissolvent of Nature CHAP. X. Of the Nature of Fire and by the way of Heat and Light WE may almost pronounce the same thing of Fire what the Philosophers of old did of the first Matter to wit that it was potentially every where and in all things but in none in act For among these sublunaries Fire hath got no existence of its own Nature or certain means of duration It is produced almost in every Subject but is retained long in none but it suddenly vanisheth and expires yea unless some external accidents oftentimes should concur for its production I think it had not at all been in the world Some have dreamed that its Sphear is scituate under the Moon but this was introduced only for the making the Hypothesis of the four Elements for such a thing seems consonant neither to Sense nor Reason That we may rightly search out the Nature of Fire we must seek in what Bodies it is chiefly to be found and how they are disposed and then we may proceed to the unfolding its essence The Subjects most convenient both for the producing and the maintaining of Fire are of that kind in which there are very many Particles of Sulphur and but only a moderate portion of Water Salt and Earth for these do hinder its inkindlings and being plentifully poured on it extinguish it being inkindled Wherefore Bituminous Fat and Oyly things quickly take flame so also Chips Straw light and dry Wood in the mean time Metals Minerals the glebe of the Earth Dung wet Straw and green Wood are hardly or not at all to be inkindled Secondly we observe that all the time Fire continues in the Subject Sulphureous Particles fly away in heaps and from the departure of these the substance of the burning body is by degrees destroyed in the mean time very much of Salt and Earth remains in the form of Ashes after the burning There is a third observation that when the Sulphureous Particles are wholly or for the most part flown out of any Subject the burning wholly ceases and the form of fire is quite destroyed nor can it be renewed in the remaining matter wanting of Sulphur Fourthly we will note that somtimes some Bodies conceive a burning without the advention of another fire only by their own effervency and by the intestine motion of the implanted Particles and of their own accord are reduced into Ashes as when wet Hay is layd up close it first grows hot then afterwards breaks forth into smoke and flame or the Wheels and Axeltrees of Carts or Wains being heated by too great agitation are inkindled According to these positions we may affirm that the form of fire wholly depends upon Sulphureous Particles heaped up in any Subject and breaking forth from it in heaps and that fire is no other thing than the motion and eruption of these kind of Particles impetuously stirred up For Sulphur is of an exceeding fierce and untamed Nature whose little bodies when the yoak of the mixture being shook off they begin to be thickly heaped together diffuse themselves on every side like a torrent break whatsoever obstacles are in the Subject destroy whatever comes in opposition or fling it down headlong Nor do they only unlock their proper Subjects but also lay open the gates and doors of any other Subject near that they can reach to and there incite to the like fury all the consimilary Particles of Sulphur and provoke them to an eruption wherefore fire every where inkindles fire The Sulphureous Particles while they heaped together within the confines of their Subject or on its Superficies are agitated with a rapid motion but are detained by the Embrace of other little Bodies from a more free eruption and more aggregated constitute the form of fire as is to be seen in burning Coals or in glowing Iron but when these sort of Particles fly away by heaps from the same Subject and bound together they produce flame which is only an heap or rather a torrent of the Particles of Sulphur flowing together and conjunctly flying away if Watery Earthy and Saline Particles are commixt with the Sulphureous breaking away and are able to disjoyn and separate them only smoke is excited which afterwards the Sulphureous little Bodies more plentifully breathing forth themselves and getting together breaks forth into flame The inkindling of Fire happens very many ways The first and most simple is when from hard bodies struck one against another but oftenest from a Flint struck against Steel sparks of fire break forth which being received in Tinder made of a Linnen Cloth burnt to blackness dilate themselves and then a Match or Sulphurated thing being applyed they cause the inkindling of a flame Secondly a fire often happens in dry Wood and dry
readily thrust out of the little spaces of the Menstruum and descend to the bottom We will in this place more sparingly insist upon instances of this nature because the more full handling of them belongs to the Chymical Work Precipitation is not only observed in the separation of a more thick matter from a serous latex and in the settling of the disturbed parts towards the bottom but somtimes the Particles shut up within the pores and passages of the Liquor are so small and subtil that being Precipitated they are not discerned by the sight neither do they quickly descend to the bottom but from their situation and position being variously changed the colour and consistency of the Liquor are diversly altered I was wont in times past to sport with the solutions of Vegetables and Minerals which being made by themselves were clear like Spring water and appeared bright being commixed shewed now a Black colour now a Milky Red Green Blue or some other kind The solution of Saturn or Lead being made with distilled Vinegar appears bright like common water if you add to this Oil of Tartar like clear water the mixture straight grows White like Milk If Antimony calcined with Nitre be boiled in Spring water the straining seems clear and almost without smell which yet being dashed by any Acid thing presently acquires a deep yellow colour with a most wicked stink Common water being imbued by an infusion of Mercury Sublimate is presently tinged with yellowness by Oyl of Tartar dropped into it Quicksilver and Sal Armoniack being beaten together and Sublimated in a Matrace by the heat of Sand go into a white powder this being soluted by melting shows like to clear Spring water which yet being smeared upon Brass or Copper appears like Silver and being lightly rubbed on brasen Vessels renders them as if they were perfectly silvered A solution of Calcined Tin being put to melted Salt of Tartar becomes bluish A clear infusion of Galls being mixt with a solution of Vitriol makes Ink if you add to this Spirit of Vitriol or Stygian water the black Liquor is by and by made clear like Spring water and this Oil of Tartar reduces again to Ink. And what is more wonderful if you write on Paper with the clear infusion of Vitriol and frame any Letters what you so write presently vanishes nor is there any marks of the Characters left but if you smear over the Paper with an infusion of Galls presently the Letters may be read as if wrote with Ink which yet with a Pen run over dipt in Spirit of Vitriol you may put quite out at once wetting and then again render them with wetting them with another Liquor of Tartar The Sky-colour Tincture of Violets being dashed with Oil of Vitriol becomes of a Purple colour to which if you add some drops of the Spirit of Harts Horn that Purple colour is changed into Green Brasil Wood being infused in common water leaves a very pleasant Tincture like to Claret Wine if you pour to this a little distilled Vinegar the Liquor appears clear like White Wine a few drops of Oil of Tartar reduces it to a deep Purple colour then if the Spirit of Vitriol be poured in it becomes of a pale yellow like to Sack if you add the Salt of Lead being soluted by deliquation the mixture grows presently Milky by this means you may imitate that famous Water-drinker who having swallowed down a great deal of Spring water was wont to vomit forth into Glasses placed before him diversly coloured Liquors resembling the ideas of divers kinds of Wines for Glasses being medicated with the aforesaid Tinctures so lightly that they may not be perceived by the standers by will not only cause the water poured into them to imitate every Wine but will exhibit the very Proteus himself of the Poets changed into waters and from thence putting on all colours and infinite forms If a Reason of these kind of appearances be asked it ought to be fought in the minute Particles contained within the pores of every Liquor which as to their site and position being diversly altered by another Liquor infused transmit variously the Rays of Light many ways break or reflect them and so make divers appearances of colours For when the Rays of Light pass through almost in right Lines they make a clear colour like Spring water but it in their passage they be a little broken the Liquor grows yellowish but being more refracted they cause a red colour if they are bowed back so as to be drained or that they cannot shew themselves a dark or black colour arises but if they are again reflected to the outmost Superficies of the Liquor they create the image of Whiteness after this manner we might variously Philosophise about other colours and their appearances the diversity of which and sudden alterations in Liquids depend chiefly on Precipitation because as the Particles conteined in the Liquor are driven somtimes more near by another infusion that they clasp themselves together somtimes are ordered into other series of positions the diverse representation of colours is made For Liquor being impregnated with little Bodies or Atoms or this Nature most minutely broken seems as an Army of Soldiers placed in their Ranks who now draw into close Order now open their Files and Ranks now turn to the left now to the right hand as is diversly shown in the exercising of Tacticks or the Art Military When two clear Liquors being mixed together shall make Ink it is because the Particles conteined in either approach near one another and as it were placed in their close Orders hinder the passage of the beams of light when afterwards this Ink is made clear by another Liquor poured in it is because the new Bodies of the thing put in disperse abroad the former close joyned Particles and drive them as it were into their open Orders CHAP. XII Of the motion of Fermentation as it is to be observed in the Coagulation and the Congelation of Bodies COagulation and Congelation of Natural Bodies no less than their Solution depend only on these our Principles The improportionate mixture of these and the exaltation and powerfulness of some above others are the cause of either Spirit and Sulphur being loosned from the bond do not only pull assunder the proper Subjects but they set upon whatever is next them and where they are mighty in number and strength they affect nothing more than divorces and separations from the rest of the Principles and suffer no delay but on the contrary Salts love to be united to the rest and to be made into hard and solid substances and being destitute of the Company of the rest presently to enter into new Friendships and desire only not to be joyned to any opposite If at any time they are more impetuously moved either by their own disposition or being soluted they destroy the substance of others this thing seems to be done for this end
be profitably taken in distilled Water or Whey also a clear infusion of it the more thick substance being cast away produces the like effect but of shorter durance I have taken care to reduce this powder into Pills with the mucilage of Tragacanth with a little cost to the sick to be given to some after what manner soever it is taken unless to those loathing and abhorring every Medicine it causes no manifest evacuation and takes away the Fit almost from all neither is it only in a Quartan Feaver but in the other kinds of intermitting Feavers to wit in every one where there is any remission coming between given with good success It is commonly ordered that a gentle Purge should be taken before this but in some who are very weak and keep their Beds this powder being taken carefully without any previous Medicine hath procured laudable effects In the mean time I will ingeniously confess that I have not seen an intermitting Feaver quite cured by this Bark once taken nay rather the Fits not only of a Quartan but of a Tertian and Quotidian Feaver wholly overcome easily by other Remedies seeming to be driven away by this powder have constantly return'd after a short time For this Reason they who suppress intermitting Feavers otherways easily curable no necessity urging them by this Medicine for a little while only seem to institute a deceitful Medicine and do no more than those who skin over a rotten Ulcer which will shortly break out again in truth in some cases the use of this will be requisite viz. when by the too great assiduity of the Fits the spirits of the sick are cast down truces are by this means procured by which Nature may recollect her self and afterwards may be more able to fight against this potent Enemy also that a Quartan Feaver during the Autumn and Winter may pass over with little trouble this Bark is profitably administred But those who expect a longer resting time from the assaults of this Feaver are bid to take this powder in greater quantity and more often to wit that they should take two drams three several times one after another whether the Fits return or no by this means they remain longer free yet they retain within the Enemy still tho asleep If it be demanded concerning the Nature of this Bark and the virtue in suppressing the fits of Intermitting Feavers it is not to be dissembled that 't is very difficult to explicate the causes of these kind of effects and the manner of working because there is not found as yet in any Subject besides the like efficacy but from a singular experiment a general Reason is not to be rightly fitted however from the appearances diligently Collated we will deduce some Theses in order which may make at least some steps towards if not obtain the verity of this thing It is to be noted therefore in the first place that this Medicine being inwardly taken especially exerciseth its force and energy on the mass of Blood because it does not at all irritate the Viscera neither causes in them any excretion or trouble besides whilst it communicates its virtue to the Blood it doth not at all put forth Antifeaverish property wherefore not always the next following fit but the second or the third is prevented by the same being taken and for this reason that it may sooner affect the Blood it is a usual thing to drink the Liquor very much impregnated with the same powder for so its Particles are more easily conveyed into the mass of Blood Secondly the virtue of this Bark being impressed on the Blood stays in it for some time and that either shorter or longer according as either a greater or lesser portion of the Medicine was taken inwardly for the Particles of this being confused with the Blood are a long while circulated with it and by how much the longer they stay by so much the more they affect its mass and produce a longer effect for though Aliments and some other things taken in for that they are presently overcome by the native heat put off whatever they have of virtue within some few hours this being then assimilated or sent forth adoors they cease to operate yet some Medicines being taken inwardly because they are not easily tamed nor cast forth of doors presently by an irritation stirred up they remain for many days very active and hold a long time the Juices and the Blood in this or that manner of Fermentation this may be observed of some Medicines also of Poysons and Counterpoysons the once or twice taking of which for some days is wont to affect our Bodies for a longer time for 't is an usual thing with Cathartic Medicines when they work little by Vomit or Stool to break forth after many weeks outwardly in Pustles and Wealks yea if Death be avoided from the drinking of Poyson every body knows that the virulency will lie hid a long time in the Blood and Juices In like manner also this powder and perhaps very many other things inwardly taken altho they seem asleep yet continue to act on the Spirits and Humors Thirdly altho this Medicine acts immediately on the Blood and Humors yet it takes not wholly away the Feaverish Dyscrasie implanted in them for as soon as its force is consumed and all its Particles are flown away from the mixture of the Blood the Distemper being only suppressed for a time at length rises up and repeats its fits after its wonted manner but forasmuch as Nature by the space of this cessation becomes stronger therefore after the Relaps the fits not as before but on the third or fourth day according to the first figure of the Disease are wont to return Fourthly It is remarked that this Remedy does not stop the Feaverish accessions as the ordinary Ague-resisters or Febrifuges by fixing or also by fusing the Blood for then the next fit always and not the second or third following after is prevented According to which positions that we may instead of a Corollary subjoin some things concerning the manner it self of working whereby this Medicine seems to act we say it is most likely that when the Particles proceeding from the same being taken are throughly mixed with the Blood they compel it into a certain new Fermentation by which whilst the Particles of the Blood are continually agitated they are wholly hindered that they cannot heap up any Excrementitious matter or enter into Feaverish turgescencies for as after the biting of a mad dog or stinging of any venemous Creatures the Blood it self and nervous Juice are a long while impoysoned yet lest they should conceive presently great irregularities Counter-poysons being taken do hinder their Liquors by retaining them in another Fermentation the use of which if so long continued whilst the virulent little Bodies are quite flown away no horrid symptom is to be feared from that evil being contracted but if the strength of the Remedy being too sparingly
the opening of a Vein doth chiefly conduce for by this means the Blood is eventilated and the heated Particles too much heaped together and almost ready to be fired are dissipated one from another as when Hey apt to burn if exposed to the open Air its firing is prevented Besides let a slender diet be instituted in which nothing Spirituous or Sulphureous ought to be administred The Viscera and first passages should be freed from the load of excrementitious matter wherefore Clysters are of necessary use somtimes also Vomits and gentle Purges by which somtimes timely and with judgment administred the Feaver presently after the beginning is extinguished the Food of the fire being drawn away If that notwithstanding this method the burning spreads more abroad and more and more dayly snatches hold of the Sulphureous Particles of the Blood it must be indeavoured as much as may be that the deflagration proceed gently without great tumult 2 When the Feaver is augmented if the Blood be too hot and distends the Vessels very much with a vehement and strong Pulse if watchings a Phrensie or a pain of the Head cruelly urge the letting of Blood may be again repeated Transpiration as much as may be should be freely procured wherefore let the sick keep in bed for the most part let the diet be sparing of the most slender Aliments also drink small and plentiful that the burning Blood may be diluted with a more plentiful Serum Clysters are administred safe enough and in truth commodiously but Medicines whether Cathartics or Diaphoretics and which too much exagitate the Blood are to be shunned with the same industry as blasts of wind to burning houses but rather Opiates and Anodines which fix and bind up the Blood and Spirits are to be made use of also Juleps and Decoctions which refrigerate the burning Viscera attemper the Blood and cherish the Spirits are often to be exhibited acetous Liquors of Vegetables or Minerals also putrified Nitre because they restrain the rage of the Blood and extinguish Thirst are truly convenient Hot waters and Spirits Cordial and Bezoartic powders so long as the Disease is not malignant are not to be meddled with If that the Blood be unequally circulated and is carried more towards the Head than the Feet Epithemas are profitable of the warm flesh or Inwards of Animals applyed to the soles of the Feet 3. When the Feaver is at its standing the motion of Nature is diligently to be attended whether it will make a Crisis or not Wherefore nothing rashly is to be attempted by the Physician the opening a Vein or strong Purgation is wholly to be forbid but after that the Feaverish burning is somwhat remitted from the deflagration of the Blood and signs of concoction appear in the Urine if that the motion of Nature be slow a Sweat or gentle Purge may be admitted which however are better and safer done by the Physician when Nature first by a critical motion hath entered upon the seclusion of the Morbific matter If that all things are crude and troubled the Urine yet turbid without sediment or separation of parts if the strength be languishing the Pulse weak if there be no Crisis going before or only in vain any evacuation either by Sweat or Purge is not to be attempted without manifest danger of life but it must be longer staid for that the Spirits of the Blood may recover themselves may by some means overcome the excrementitious and adust matter and then by degrees may separate it and put it forth in the mean time the Spirits are to be cherished with temperate Cordials the immoderate Effervency of the Blood if it still be is to be stopped and its due Fermentation sustained which in truth is best performed by Corals Pearls and such kind of powders which indeed are dissolved by the Ferments of the Viscera and then Ferment with the Blood and greatly restore its weak and wavering motion In the mean time whilst Nature is labouring all obstacles and impediments are to be removed and especially the provision of excrements heaped up in the first passages is to be brought away by the frequent use of Clysters 4 By what way or method the symptoms chiefly urging ought to be handled will not be easily prescribed by certain Rules because they themselves require somtimes to be presently appeased and quieted and somtimes to be quickned forward and what is somthing more perhaps at another time they are to be left wholly to Nature Some of these are too opposed with gentle and lenitive Remedies but others with more sharp and irritative Physic yet in the mean time it is a precept to be held in all that you dilligently wait upon the footsteps of Nature which if it works wrongfully its disorder is to be reduced if rightly yet too vehemently to be bridled If she works rightly yet too slowly or more weakly than she should the business will be that her endeavour may be incited and helped by the help of Medicine 5. In the declination of the Feaver when after a perfect Crisis Nature is stronger than the Disease the business goes well nor is there much business left for a Physician It only remains to propose an exact manner of diet that the sick may soon recover strength without fear of relapsing also it is requisite to exterminate the Reliques of the Feaverish matter with a light Purgation About Diet they often fall on the Rock of relapsing viz. by the too hasty eating of flesh meats or more strong Food the sick relapse into the Feaver for when the Viscera are weak and the Aliments unless very slender not easily digested and when also the disposition of the Blood is weaker that it does not assimilate the more strong nourishing Juice if any thing improportionate is brought to either the regiment of Nature is again perverted and all goes ill Wherefore those growing well should for a long time refrain from flesh and when at length they use it it should not be unless the Urine shall be like that of healthful people and no more troubled by the cold and then indeed it will be safest to begin with broths made of flesh and then by degrees to proceed to more strong Aliments 6. When from an imperfect Crisis things are grown doubtful and remain yet undetermined then is the Physicians most difficult task The motions and strength of Nature are carefully to be waited on whether it begins to prevail on the Disease or to yield to it If signs of concoction appear and that there is strength a gentle evacuation and only by leisure is to be celebrated In the mean time the symptoms most urging are to be succoured with convenient Remedies all impediments to be taken away and strength is to be sustained as much as may be with Cordials and a right manner of living or diet 7. When from an evil or no Crisis all things turn to the worse and when the Physician almost dispaires of Curing the
things and that are indued with a styptic or binding vertue are equally to be avoided for these fix the Blood and bind it too much and hinder its very requisite Purgation both by the Lochia and by transpiration thorow the skin But rather though the Feaver be urgent give them decoctions powders and confections of things moderately hot of which sort are as is already said decoctions or Distilled Waters of the Flowers of Marigoids the Leaves of Pennyroyal Mugwort the roots of Scorzonera also Bezoartic Powders Spirits of Harts-horn fixed salts of Herbs c. If the Lochia should be stopt that their Flux may be again provoked must be indeavoured every way To the moving of this conduce frictions and ligatures about the Thighs and Legs sometimes Cupping-Glasses or Blisters about the Thighs or Hips also in the soles of the Feet also sometimes the opening a Vein in the Ankle is convenient in the mean time a fomentation of the hysterical decoction is to be applied about the Pubis or the Caul of a Weather or Sheep taken out warm may be layed to the bottom of the Belly and experience manifests that sometimes injections into the Womb are profitable If the Belly yields not it may be gently brought down with a violet suppository so called or an emollient Clyster of more strong provocations you must take heed because in Women Lying in even as in a Malignant Feaver from a copious dejection with loss of Spirits Life is quickly lost If with the suppression of the Lochia there be a notable perturbation of the Blood with vomiting thirst and wakings I have often known Laudanum mixt with Saffron given with happy success Instead of a cooling Julep this kind of mixture is convenient viz. take of water of Pennyroyal and Balm each three ounces of hysterical water two ounces of the Syrrop of Mugwort three ounces and an half of the tincture of Saffron two drams of Castor ty'd in a rag and hung in the glass one scruple mingle these and let them drink of this three or four spoonfuls oftentimes in a day 2. If notwithstanding the use of these Remedies the Feaver grows still worse and by degrees is increased with worser symptoms that besides the disorders of the Blood the Brain and nervous parts begin to be touched Medicines tho many of every kind may be tryed do little yea in this case the indications are almost the same with those made use of in the Plague it self forasmuch as the Lochia being for a good while suppressed they cannot easily be reduced or scarcely at all in the great confusion of the Blood and humors therefore it is convenient quickly to move a sweating to wit that the corruptions impressed on the Blood and nervous juice and restagnating from the Womb may be carried forth some how by sweat and insensible transpiration Therefore here Powders and Confections of Bezoar Spirit of Hartshorn or of Soot tinctures of Corals or Pearls help I have sometimes seen by the help of those kind of Medicines in a desperate case when the Pulse and other symptoms have appeared a little better some small hopes to shew themselves yet Cure rarely to follow but when the use of these Cordials were left off the sick with a weak Pulse and a Loosness presently arising have been precipitated to Death 3. When yet the business of the sick proves still worse when the Feaver being increased the Pulse is weak and unequal and frequent horrors and convulsive motions in the whole body with a delirium and stupefaction infest them then the Physitian having first made a Prognostication of Death may insist upon a few Remedies and those only Cordials and must wholly abstain from blood-letting scarification blistering or the use of Cupping-glasses for such administrations beget only an odium and blame that by so doing we are esteemed by some Women as wicked and cruel The Symptomatic Feavers of Women in Child-bed THE Acute Diseases of Women in Child-bed shew themselves not only according to the Figure of the aforesaid Feaver but sometimes they are beset with some signal symptoms to wit the Squinancy Pleurifie inflamation of the Lungs Dysentery Small-Pox or of some other kind and at that time they get the appellations of those Distempers It will not be here seasonable to repeat at large what belongs to the essences and natures of each but I shall briefly shew what these sicknesses being complicated with the distempers of Women Lying in contain peculiarly as to the Causes or Cures All these symptoms we suppose to proceed from a certain Coagulation of the Blood and from thence its extravasation But whilst the Blood is extravasated or put forth of the Vessels in one part its efflux however natural and critical is hindred in another wherefore it is dangerous lest whilst the Blood begins to be coagulated either in a particular or accustomed nest of Coagulation or universally in its whole mass the flowing of the Lochia be stopped which in truth for the most part happens and therefore these Distempers for the most part are deadly to Women in Child-bed yet the cause of their Death for the most part happens with some difference viz. in the Small Pox the flowing of the Lochia draws inwardly the malignity begun to be carried forth outwardly and forthwith compels the mass of Blood and the heart it self to be impoysoned with its evil and therefore in the Small Pox these purgings of the Womb are convenient to be stopped But in the Pleurisie Squinancy and the rest when the provocative of the Disease being fixed here or there in a particular place draws to it self the impurities of the Blood which ought to be separated or sifted forth by the Lochia and derives it streight from the Womb for that reason it increases the impurity of the Blood The Lochia being stopped in the Small Pox by the more universal manner or way of excretion may be shut forth of doors with the venemous Particles of the Disease which thing indeed does not succeed in the rest by reason of the minute and more sparing manner of excretion Of these the Squinancy Pleurisie and Inflamation of the Lungs by reason both of the great similitude of the Cause and analogy of the Cure may be considered together when any Woman Lying in is distempered with any of these it is to be supposed that besides the Infection gathered together in the time of being Big-bellied there happens a certain sourish disposition of the Blood by the means of which whilst that it self grows feaverishly hot certain Particles of it being fused with the sourness enter into congelation in this or that part like Milk growing sour and then to be coagulated The Blood being there frozen or congealed and hindred in its circuit stops the passage of the rest but the Blood being obstructed in its motion buts against the impediment and so being heaped up about it and driven forth of the Vessels grows into a tumour from thence presently whatsoever is
with thirst heat wakings and at several turns with swoonings and cold sweats at this time being sent for I prescribed her Cardaic Remedies and such as moved the purgings of the Womb and also a Clyster to be given her at length the Flux of her Belly being provoked the Lochia also came down and the sick Woman being freed from the aforesaid symptoms and the more grievous Disease to wit the Remedies of the Nurses quickly grew well of her Feaver The more plentiful Flux of the Womb hapning to this Woman removed the Procatartic cause of a more grievous Disease wherefore when they had committed so many errors about the ordering her viz. first in stopping the Lochia then what might compensate their defect in hindring the Flux of her Belly yet the Feaver was only light and without any venomous taint impressed on the Blood the like to this I have known to happen frequently to wit when at first the purgings of the Womb have flown very plentifully afterwards when they have flown very sparingly and sometimes stopped the Women in Child-bed have escaped And by the way it is here to be noted that it is wholly dangerous to inhibit or at least divert and cross any motion of Nature incited tho irregular A Noble Gentlewoman about 20 years of Age indued with a smooth and full habit of Body miscarried twice in the space of a Year when she had again Conceived by the prescription of her Physician she provoked a Vomit once a month by drinking plentifully Posset Drink by which she was wont to cast forth much thick tough Phlegm also in the time of her being with Child he Let her Blood 5 times the time of her going being over she was brought to Bed of a Son with very hard Labour the Secundine came whole away and she purged notably on the second day whilst she was lifted upon her feet in Bed that the Sheets and the Blankets might be laid in better order she took Cold and by that means the bloody Lochia wholly stopped and only a little serous Water came away on the third day she began to complain of an acute pain in her right side to which the Women laid Bags of Camomil made hot with Bricks but the distemper grew worse with a bloody spittle on the fourth day of her being brought to Bed a most â—harp pain with a difficult breathing and very Laborious invaded her by the prescription of her Physician then coming to her from the neigbourhood six ounces of Blood was taken away out of the Basilic Vein and she felt sudden ease for 10 hours she was better in the middle of the night the pricking pain returned with its wonted fierceness at length other Physicians being called to Counsel they agreed that it was necessary to open a Vein again in the arm of the distempered side four ounces of Blood being taken away the pain remitted and the sick breathed better then by Diasphoretic Remedies she fell into a great sweat with a quiet sleep But the Pulse was made quicker and weaker also contractures of the tendons in her wrists appeared presently afterwards she talked idly and within 24 hours after she was last Let Blood she departed That this Lady fell into a Pleurisie with a Feaver upon the Lochia being suppressed the cause in some measure seemed to be the Letting of Blood so often in the time of her being with Child for by this means the Blood being accustomed to be eventilated at the arm afterwards growing hot leaving the Womb was carried violently towards the place of its letting forth where when it found not a passage it fixed in the neighbouring side as the next nest to the place of extravasation yea besides the usual manner of a Pleurisie there was no small malignity hapned to this Disease for the Blood being hindred from being let forth of the Vessels began presently to be corrupted in its disposition and in the third day of the Feaver was so much depraved that it could not be any longer fermented in the heart so as to Prorogue Life It was not so with the Wife of a certain Smith who was brought to Bed at what time her Children had the Small Pox in the same House and she her self as it seemed had taken the Contagion of the same Disease for on the second day after her Delivery they began to break forth with a feaverish heat and pain in her Loyns which indeed for three days whilst the Lochia moderately flowed arose rightly into little swellings altho the purging of the Womb was very copious at that time she had the Small Pox very thick all over her Body not only in the superficies of her skin but also they filled the cavity of her mouth and throat so that she could scarce speak or swallow The sixth day of her Lying in the Lochia flowed immoderately from whence presently fell upon the sick a frequent swooning with a flagging of the Small Pox Convulsions and other symptoms of an ill nature which threatned Death soon being sent for I prescribed half a dram of this Powder to be taken constantly every three hours in a spoonful of the following Julep viz. take of the Roots of Tormentil in Powder drams two of the best Bole Armonie dram one of the species of Hyacinth half a dram make a Powder Take of the Compound Water of Scordium of Dragons of Meadowsweet each three ounces of Therecal Vinegar one ounce of the Syrup of Corals two ounces of Harts-horn burnt half a dram make a Julep Besides I ordered to be boyled in her Broths and in every thing she drank the Roots of Tormentil by these Remedies the purging of her Womb was soon wholly stopped and the Small Pox by degrees being ripened came off without any grievous symptom Indeed this case was difficult and was cured with great danger viz. for either the Lochia or the Small Pox to have been restrained inwardly was very dangerous and yet the more full eruption of the one hindred the motion of the other so long as either moderately proceeded things being permitted to the conduct of Nature was moderately well but when one of them became ill the work of Art was required and it was requisite to bridle the Lochia but to provoke the Small Pox. CHAP. XVII Of Epidemical Feavers HAving meditated rather a Commentary than an intire Tract I had thought here to have concluded our Discourse of Feavers But forasmuch as certain Epidemical Feavers do often spread which observe no Laws nor can be brought to any certain rule of Doctrine but being irregular vary every year and for that reason as often as any of them increase or spread abroad presently it is called the new Disease therefore I thought it worth our while because general precepts concerning these Feavers are not to be delivered to subjoyn some particular Histories of some of this kind for out of the various provision of symptoms whereby they are wont to be noted the nature and the whole
and more light Convulsions in remote parts as hath been said or being slidden from thence more deeply into the passages of the nerves excites fits of Convulsions very Cruel such a progress of the morbific Cause we suspect in whom the Vertigo swooning heaviness of the head and torpor of the minde go before the Convulsive assalts Indeed the matter of the disease abounding as yet in the brain and marrowy Appendix produces these kinds of previous distempers which being slidden from thence into the Nerves causes Convulsions 2dly There is yet another way whereby it plainly appears that the materiall cause of the Convulsive Distemper is transferred to the beginnings of the Nerves to wit when the same being deposited by the serous water within the Cavities or ventricles of the Head it is insinuated into the Neighbouring roots of the Nerves For in Chronical Diseases when the remarkable discrasie of the blood and humours happens also to be accompanied with a praved disposition of the brain oftentimes a great plenty of sharp serum infesting the Nervous stock dropping forth from the Vessells of the Choroeidan or retiform enfoldings slides into the ventricles of the brain and its Appendix But this serous water afterwards breaking thorow the under-spreading of the Cerebell into the fourth ventricle the little skin there being displaced whereby the oblong marrow is uncovered it falls upon the beginnings of one or more of the Nerves and either by irritating or imbuing them with Heterogeneous and explosive particles induces the Convulsive disposition And this for the most part is the cause that sick people after long and ill handled Feavours also after the more grievous Cephalic Diseases at length dye of Convulsions as I have found by the frequent Anatomie of the Carcases of those who dyed by that means Also it appears by anatomical Observation that the brain may be overflowed by a certain serous water without the distemper of the Convulsive disposition and further that in some who dyed of the Epilepsie and other Convulsive diseases there was no deluge of the serum within the ventricles of the brain By which it is given us to be understood that the Convulsive distempers do not flow only from the waterie matter in the Head but that they arise not at all from such a cause unless the serous water overflowing the ventricles of the Brain and chiefly that underlaying of the Cerebel be imbued with heterogeneous and explosive particles I remember once my Councel to be ask'd for a young man labouring with an Egregious Phtisis and at that time truly desperate besides a cough and shortnesse of Breath he had grievously complained for many days yea weeks that he could not lye upon his back in his Bed or whilst he sat in a chair he could not lean his head backwards for that by this or that posture of his Body he was wont presently to suffer tremblings of his heart and a fainting of the Spirits as if he were just about to dye wherefore of necessity he was fain to hold his head upright or leaning forward After he was dead his carcase being dissected his Lungs appeared all over tumified and in some places Ulcerated then his Skull being opened there flowed within all the Ventricles of the brain a great quantity of yellow and salt Serum which water certainly whilst it did slide forward upon the fourth Ventricle about the Trunk of the oblong marrow his head leaning back rushing upon the heads of the wandring and intercostal pair of nerves did stir up the aforesaid Convulsions about the Praecordia but so long as his head was inclined forward that the heap of serum flowed back into the anterior Ventricles of the Brain the origine of the nerves remained free from that Convulsive matter Having hitherto shown how many ways and by what passages the morbific matter being dilated towards the origine of the Nerves seems to bring on Convulsions it were easie according to these reasons to unfold many Convulsive Symptoms for besides the Convulsive motions of Infants and children oftentimes excited from the same kinde of Causes hither may be referr'd the Contractions and sudden leapings forth of the nervous parts which follow upon feavours As also those passions commonly called Hysterical also hypocondriacal and certain others proceed not seldom from the morbific Cause rushing upon the beginings of the Nerves We will therefore endeavour to establish the truth of this Hypothesis by some other Histories and examples of Sick people but in the first place we will propose observations of that Kinde in whom the morbific matter setling upon the beginings of the nerves and not being as yet slid deeply into their processes induced frequent vertigos and only more light Convulsions of the Viscera and Praecordia A noble woman about 30. years of Age of a tender Constitution and lean in Observation 1 Body was wont every winter to be grievously afflicted with a Catarrh or Rhume flowing upon the winde pipe and Lungs with a hoarse Cough and great spitting but the last year great care and dilligence being used she avoyded that evill But after the winter Solstice having taken cold she was troubled with an huge pain of the head a tingling of the ears a giddiness with a great defluxion upon the eyes that it easily appeared that the heap of Serum which before this time was wont to distill into the Breast was now wholly layd up within the head and Brain besides an effect of which was that as often as she began to sleep she was greatly infested with passions as it were histerical to which she had never been before obnoxious For when ever being sleepy she closed her eyes presently a bulk ascending in her belly a choaking in her throat tremblings and leapings about the Praecordia were stirred up which Affections notwithstanding quite ceased when she was thorowly awakened so that the Sick party was necessitated to abstain almost altogether for many days and nights from sleep Being sent for to this Lady after she had bin sick and weak for many days I was compelled at length to use gentle medicines Therefore I took care that blood should forthwith be drawn from the foot to four ounces and every day a Clyster of milk and sugar to be administred by which she was wont to have three or four stools besides I gave her every eighth-hour a dose of the Spirits of Harts horn in a Spoonfull of the following Julap Take of the water of penny-royall of walnuts and black Cherries each ℥ iii. of Histerical water ℥ ii of the Syrrop of Clove-gilliflowers ℥ i ss of Caster tyed in a little knot and hang'd in the middle of the glass ʒss of the powder of Pearls ℈ i. mingle it I Caused with success a vesicatoris to be put behinde the ears and a Cataplasm of the leaves of Rue and Cuccowpint with the Roots of Bryony bay salt and black soap to be layd to the soals of her feet Sometimes I gave her in the
same disease did fall upon our Countrey men here and there also at other times for that of late in this City all the younger people of a certain family were sick of it yea I remember that some time past very many laboured with such a feavour Out of the many histories and examples of sick people which it rendred when it was epidemical I will here propose one or two A strong and lively young man about the beginning of the spring 1661 falling Observation 1 sick without any evident cause without any great heat or thirst he became suddenly weak and as if enervated with a dejected appetite and languor of spirits Cathartick Remedies Antipyretics or allaying of heat digestives and also antiscorbuticks and others of various kindes administred by the prescriptions of the most famous Physitians availed nothing But notwithstanding the sick man hitherto languishing with a slow and wandring feavour with a quick and feeble pulse a deep-colour'd urine had kept his bed a fortnight besides being reduced to the greatest leanness he complained of a giddiness and as it were the fluctuation of a sound in his head and a tingling noyse in his ears Altho he was troubled with a great stupor yet his sleeps were mightily troubled and broken with delirious fables After four days when the feavour was not yet declined it was thought good to take away four or five ounces of blood by Leeches from the sedal veins from hence the feavour began to be much exasperated for a great intense heat with thirst watchings and almost continual tossing of the body also the tongue dry and scurfy appeared then quickly a troublesome cough with abundance of discoloured spittle followed to him were administred almond and barly-drinks with temperate bechicks or things to stop coughing boyled in them water of milk distill'd with snails and pectoral herbs the shelly-shelly-powders prepared nitre and often Cordial opiats which notwithstanding scarce giving any help the sick man still became more weak when in this manner being sick above two months space the feavourish distemperature and cough also dayly growing worse he seemed near death at length a voluntary sweating arising so that every night or every other night he sweat abundantly and from thence finding himself better using then the aforesaid Remedies he grew well within six weeks Till I had seen many sick people after the same manner I suspected this disease to be alltogether an hectick feavour with a consumptive disposition of the Lungs but when I saw many others at that time fall sick ordinarily after the like manner I easily instituted the Aetiologie or national account of this feavour such as I have already described to wit that the blood because of the intemperature of the year and perhaps from errors in dyet The reason of it had contracted a vitious procatarxis or remote cause Then it growing feavourishly hot and presently carrying its impurities to the brain and so depraving the juice watering it and the nervous stock induced the vertiginous distempers with a stupor a languishing of spirits and an atrophy of the whole body but so long as the blood did transfer its recrements from its own bosom into the brain and nervous appendix the feavourish heat continued more gentle and milde But afterwards when the tending downwards of the morbific matter by the opening of the hemorhoid veins was drawn away from the brain the same being first retained within the bloody mass increased the feavour then being poured on the Lungs excited the cruel cough with plentifull spittle but forasmuch as the flesh of the Lungs remained free from putrefaction as soon as the serous water was sent away by a more plentifull sweating the sick man became free both from the feavour and phthisis or Consumption that seemed so deplorable Observation 2 In the mean time whilst he lay sick I visited another about 12. years of age after the like manner affected But this when I was firâ—t sent for having been sick above a month was reduced to the leanness of a Skelliton besides he was troubled with a vertigo with a noise in his ears and deafness and also with a violent cough with yellow and as it were consumptive spittle his pulse was quick and feeble his urine red and thick his appetite much dejected his spirits so languid and his strength so cast down that he could not keep out of his bed I gave this youth to drink often in a day water distill'd from milk with snails and temperate herbs besides I ordered him an open decoction such as is in use for the Rickets to be daily taken instead of his ordinary drink by the help of which Remedies he was restored to his health in a months space At this time I was sent for to many other people of every age and sex distemper'd by the same disease now clearly Epidemical for it running thorow whole families not only in this City and the neighbouring parts but in the Countries at a great distance as I heard from Physitians dwelling in other places increased very much Those for the most part labouring with this feavour so be they were otherwise whole grew well by the fit use and order of medicine and dyet but it hapned very often but ill to those who were indued with a weakly constitution of brain and nervous stock or broken with age but not seldom the case of the sick became dangerous because the Physitians were not wont to be sent for presently after the beginning of the disease yea scarcely before it had more deeply spread abroad its roots and the opportunity of healing was past Observation 3 For that reason this feavour became very deadly in the family of a certain Noble man among his children originally obnoxious to Cephalic distempers About the vernal Aequinox a Boy of about eleven years of Age began to be sick At first without any vehement heat or thirst a dejection of appetite and want of strength came upon him Besides an almost continual giddiness did trouble him with a frequent danger of fainting that he often thought he was just dying By the advice of a certain woman attending him they dayly gave him Clisters then when from the foulness of the mouth and Tongue manifest signes of a Feavour appeared this Emperick on the fifth day gave him a vomit of the Infusion of Crocus metallorum and on the seaventh day a Cordial powder being administred she incited the sick youth covered with blankets to sweat his skin hardly began to be moist but presently he began to talk idly complained that his Cap was fallen into the water by and by becoming speechless within four hours whilst I was sent for he expir'd before I came Observation 4 A little while after the same disease fell upon his yonger Sister whose sickness however because it was accompanied with a frequent and humid Cough was thought at first to be only a taking of Cold but within a few days this Cough became plainly Convulsive so that
the formal Reason or the means of generation The reason of the aforesaid case whereby the Convulsive matter falling down into the nervous stock did produce these admirable Symptomes we may lawfully suppose that the same being thrust forth from the Confines of the head being yet more firm into the spinal marrow and its Appendix and being like a malignant firment it first infected with heterogeneous and highly explosive particles these parts of the juce watering the whole mass which cleaving to the spirits every where disposed thorow their whole series and agitating them as it were with a certain fury did stir them up into continuall explosions When in truth the nervous juice as is said was so fermented by the inflowing of the Convulsive matter that which did other ways water the containing parts with a gentle falling on them and through the same did pass over the animal spirits with an equal Expansion now the same did torment the nervous fibres with various contractions and Corrugations or shrinkings up and did hinder both the spirits flowing in being too much burthened with an heterogeneous Copula from their due irradiation and also variously moving those implanted in every part did incite them as it were with a diabolical Inspiration so that no more obeying the Empire of the will they ran into inordinate motions and did renew them translated rapidly here ahd there with a perpetuall reciprocation But altho the heterogeneous particles being poured forth with the blood into the brain and thence thrust forth into the nervous stock did not enter rightly the beginnings of all the nerves but chiefly and almost only the spinal marrow and its nervous shoots so that the internal Viscera also the parts of the eyes mouth and face remained free from any Convulsion yet that same explosive force being hindred by some violence whereby it entred less in the outward members presently like wild-fire a way being found it was wont to run into the praecordia and bowells of the lower belly viz. because the inflowing spirits being struck with a certain fury and requiring a larger space in which they might exercise their madness being excluded from one place presently enter another somewhere open wherefore if that fury had been repulsed both from the members and the viscera no doubt but it would have flown back on the brain and brought thither madness or as it were an Epileptical Insensibleness which Symptoms indeed hapned to be wanting for that the brain of this most ingenious Gentlewoman being indued with a more firm Constitution did take from the nervous Liquor freshly instilled whatsoever was congruous and spiritous for its proper food and enjoy'd it In the mean time it did depress all the morbific particles into the spinal marrow by which the involuntary motions of the members were excited after that manner as we said but now Being requested to undertake the Cure of this worthy Virgin first The Curatory Method Observed in this case a light preparation of her body being made I gave her a solutive potion of the Infusion of Senna and Rhubarb with yellow Sanders and salt of Wormwood added to it by which she was purged 12 times with great ease the next day I took viii ounces of blood from her left Arm every evening I gave her an opiate of the water and Syrrop of the flowers of Lungwort with the powder of pearls besides once within vi hours I prescrib'd her to take a dose of the spirits of Harts-horn in a draught of the following Julap Take of the waters of black Cherries Walnuts and the flowers of Paeony each ℥ iii. of the Antipeleptic of Langius ℥ ii of the Syrrop of the flowers of the male-paeony ℥ ii of the powder of pearls ℈ i. mix it and make a Julap because she could not endure much purging Clysters with Sugar'd-milk were made use of frequently besides antispasmodic oyntments being applyed to the hinder part of her neck and the back-bone we order'd often rubbing of the distemper'd members with warm woollen Cloaths wetted in proper oyl By the use of these the sick person within 6 days seem'd to be very much helped for the Convulsive motions allmost wholly ceased and she could contain her members quietly in their due position only her head sometimes by a lighter Contraction was compelled to bend gently this way and that way further she was able to stand a little and rise out of her chair but when she went to step forward she went not rightly but obliquely on one side At this time going away I left her much better and in a manifest state of growing well But after another week when the North-winde being high and arisen in Night time the window not being fast shut blew very much upon the sick person being in Bed she presently taking cold relapsed into that kinde of Condition that she became obnoxious not only to Convulsive passions but to an universal periodical palsie for after that she was forced to move about turn and winde variously all her limbs successively with her head and members by turns bent and thrown about here and there as before from morning to night till at night these kinde of motions wholly ceasing a resolution of her members or palsie succeeded so that she was not able to stir either hand or foot or any other part of her body besides or to exereise any motive bending of the body lying in her bed allmost immovable like a stone but being a little refresh'd with sleep about morning as she recovered some little strength or virtue of the regular motive faculty by bending tho but weakly here and there her arms and legs so also the involuntary and Convulsive motions did constantly return enduring from that time all the day which again at the Evening were changed into these resolutions of the Limbs By these it appears clearly that the sick Gentlewoman laboured with a two-fold disease viz. a Palsie and Convulsion and that the materiall Cause of either was somewhat distinct For it seems that the animal spirits every where abounding being burdened with narcotick particles were almost continually bound besides that in the time of sleeping together with the nervous juiee the Convulsive particles plentifully flowing in clove also to the spirits for the explosions of which the spirits being incited produced the involuntary motions but also at that time the narcotic Copula being somewhat shaken off they were then able in some sort to perform the voluntary or regular also Besides the Remedies but now recited they did carefully administer very many others allmost of every kinde viz. Antiscorbuticks antiparaleticks Decoctions sudorificks or sweating medicines distilled waters spirits Elixirs Tincture Baths Liniments with many others by the use of which the Symptoms were something remitted but yet the disease was not wholly cured the universal palsie soon ceased that she was able at any time to move her Limbs and to bend them here and there and also the involuntary motions did trouble
shops or dispensatory are to be prescribed but magistralls as cause arises according to the appearances of the admirable Symptoms A gentle vomit Purge blood-letting ought in the first place to be ordained and to be repeated as often as shall seem fit As to specisick medicines also and appropriate in these cases when the chief Indication shall be to mend the temper of the Nervous juice you may try many and by their effect judge of their virtues Therefore it may be lawfull to try what the Remedies indued with a volatile or armoniac salt may effect For this end the spirits and salts of Harts-horn Blood soot and the flowers and spirits of Sal-armoniac are taken These helping nothing you must come to Chalybiats or Steel medicines the tinctures and solutions of Corall and Antimony are given which kinde of medicines are exhibited in such a dose and form and so often that some alteration may be made by them on the whole blood or nervous juce Further If successe shall fail in such like you must then proceed to Alexipharmaca which help against poysons and the malignancy impressed on the humours to wit to institute from these decoctions and distilled waters of vegitables powders Conserves and other preparations and to compound variously some with others and to administer them diversly It is likely that those kinde of medicines which are wont to be helpfull to such as are bitten by a viper or a mad Dog or that have taken woulfs-bane or poyson may be usefull also in the aforesaid Convulsions It may be lawfull here according to the example of Gregory Horstius in his tract of the malignant Convulsive disease and also of wonderfull Convulsions to prescribe magisterial Remedies in the form of a purging Electuary and also of a powder and Convulsive Antidote and to compound them variously partly of simple Alexipharmacks or poyson resisters and partly of Antiepilepticks or things good against the falling Evil. CHAPTER X. Of the Passions Commonly called Hystericall THE hysterical passion is of so ill fame among the Diseases belonging to women that like one half damn'd it bears the faults of many other Distempers For when at any time a sicknbss happens in a womans body of an unusual manner or more occult original so that its Cause lyes hid and the Curatory Indication is altogether uncertain presently we accuse the evill influence of the womb which for the most part is innocent and in every unusual Symptom we declare it to be something hysterical and so to this Scope which oftentimes is only the subterfuge of Ignorance the medical Intentions and use of Remedies are directed A description of the hysterical passion The Passions which are wont to be referred to this cense or order are found to be various and manifold which rarely happen in diverse women or which come wholly after the same manner The most Common and which commonly are said to constitute the formal Reason of the hysterical distemper are these viz. A motion in the bottom of the belly and an ascention of the same as it were a certain round thing then a belching or a striving to vomit a distention and murmur of the hypoehondria with a breaking forth of blasts of winde an unequall breathing and very much hindred a choaking in the throat a vertigo an inversion or rolling about of the eyes oftentimes laughing or weeping absurd talking sometimes want of speech and motionless with an obscure or no pulse and deadish aspect sometimes Convulsive motions in the face and Limbs and sometimes in the whole body are excited But universal Convulsions rarely happen and not unless this disease be in the very worst state Because for the most part the Tragedy of the Fit is acted without Contraction of the members only in the inferior belly Thorax and head to wit in some of them or successively in all women of every age and Condition are obnoxious to these kinde of Distempers to wit Rich and poor Virgins wives and widdows I have observed those Symptoms in maids before ripe age also in old women after their flowers have left them yea sometimes the same kinde of Passions infest men as plainly appeared by the example already shewed As to the causes of those symptoms most ancient The causes of the Symptoms inquired into and indeed Modern Physitians refer them to the ascent of the womb and vapours elevated from it The former opinion although it plead antiquity seems the less probable for that the body of the womb is of so small bulk in virgins and widdows and is so strictly tyed by the neighbouring parts round about that it cannot of it self be moved or asccnd from its place nor could its motion be felt if there were any as to that vulgar opinion or Reason taken from the vapours we have often rejected it as wholly vain and light for just reasons elsewhere But we judge the passions but now described do neither always nor at all proceed from the ascent or the vapours of the womb and that indeed other very famous Physitians have already determined For in times past Charles Piso and of late the most learned Highmore have vindicated the womb from all fault and the passions which are commonly call'd hystericall are thought by this latter to arise from the blood most impetuously rushing on the Lungs and by the other from a serous colluives heaped together neer the origin of the Nerves How probable this latter opinion doth seem shall appear from what follows But as to the opinion deliver'd by Doctor Highmore concerning this thing tho it be far from our Custom to contradict any ones opinion and that it is almost unlawfull for me to diffent from this famous man yet because our Pathologie standing on a contrary basis viz. the cause of the hystericall distemper being imputed more immediately to the nervous stock than to the blood will seem to be only asserted unless we shew the Reasons which combat against that hypothesis and forours therefore taking leave here we will try more exactly either opinion put as it were in a ballance In the fit therefore commonly called hysterical this famous man supposes Doctor Highmores Opinion Examined the blood for that it is thin flatulent and with a certain effervescency to rush too much in heaps into the pneumonick vessells and the vessells of the heart and in them to broyl up impetuously and so to stuff up the lungs and very much to aggravate them that neither they can exercise their motion nor that the blood can be drained from the bosom of the heart Hence from the blood stagnating in the Praeoordia a great oppression difficult breathing and often none with a melting of the vital Spirits were wont to be inferred then the diaphragma that it might give place to the Lungs more and more distended and that breathing at least might be some way made is carried downward with a mighty and long continued Diastole and so by pressing down the Intestines it
the belly and groin yea also let them be often provoked to sneezing it is convenient to give some in the middle of the fit a draught of simple cold water or in which Champhir had been dissolved Preservatory 2. The preservatory Indication comprehends these three Intentions viz. In the first place to take away or to derive to some other place the impurities of the blood apt to be poured forth on the brain and nervous stock Secondly to fortifie the brain and so to strengthen the indwelling spirits that they may either not at all receive or may easily shake off the heterogeneous Copula Thirdly to amend whatsoever is enormous in the womb and contributes to the convulsive disposition 1. The first Intention is performed by purging and phlebotomy and other common ways of purifying and purging the blood and humours If there be opportunity for an emetic I judge it best allways to begin with it especially in Cacochymicks or bodies full of evill humors in the longing disease and Pica and in such whose great load of viscous phlegm stuffed within the folds and coats of the ventricle hinders the virtues of other medicines The next day after the Vomit unless any thing bids the contrary let blood be taken in women of a hotter temper presently from the Arm and afterwards if need be from the foot or from the sedal veins with Leeches but in bodies troubled with obstructions and less hot let blood be taken more sparingly and more rarely and only in places scituate below the womb After these Evacuations if they are to be ordered rightly performed once within six or seven days a purge is to be prescribed according to the following forms Take of pill-fetida major Ê’ i ss of the resine of Julap xii grains of Tartar Vitriolat and Castor each ℈ i. of ammoniac dissolved in hysterical water what will suffice to make xii pills for iii. doses Or take of the resine of Jalap gr xviii of CalomelausÊ’ i. of Castor ℈ i. make a powder let it be divided into iii. parts for iii. doses let it be given in the pap of a roasted apple or in Conserves of Borage so those induced with a more hot temperament a dose of extract or our solutive syrrop may conveniently be administred for the revulsion of the morbific matter from the head Issues made in the calf of the leg or thigh and sometimes vesicatories legatures and painfull rubbings are wont to be administred But not only a purging of the blood and a revulsion of its recrements from the head but an alteration of its Liquor and reduction of it to its due temperament have here a place Wherefore in some hysterical people steel Medicines help in others the use of Spaw-waters or whay in others the baths are wont to be signally profitable The second Intention to wit the rectification of the brain and animal spirits is performed with Cephalic and properly anti-convulsive medicines which indeed ate to be diligently exhibited almost every day when they do not purge or bleed since there are various species of such like Remedies and several manners of administrations we will here add some of the more choice forms Take of the Lees of bryony Assa fetida Castor each Ê’ i. of the Salt of Coral Amber Tin each Ê’ ss of Galbanum dissolved in hysterical water what will suffice to make a Mass dose half a scruple to ℈ i. morning and evening drinking after it a dose of proper liquors Or Take of the seeds of Wilde-parsnips of nettles each Ê’ ii of vitriol of SteelÊ’ i. of the extract of Gentium featherfew each Ê’ i ss with what will suffice of the syrrop of Mugwort make a mass let half a dram be taken after the same manner If the form of a powder pleases better Take of the Roots of Virginian snakeweed and Contrayerva each Ê’ i ss of Coral prepared of Pearls of white-Amber each Ê’ i. mingle them make a powder Dose ℈ i. to half a dram morning and evening with an appropriat Liquor Opiats are Composed after this manner Take of the Conserves of the flowers of the Lilly Convallis of the male-paeony of betony each â„¥ ii of the seeds of Paeony of red Coral prepared each Ê’ ii of the powder of Cretic DittanyÊ’ i ss of the salt of wormwoodÊ’ ii with what will suffice of the syrrop of the rinds of Citrons make an Electuary The dose morning and evening the quantity of a nutmeg After the same manner may be given to poor people Conserves of the Tree of Life or of the leaves of Rue twice in a day The Liquors appropriat against the hysterical affections and to be drunk after the aforesaid Medicines are either distilled waters which are to be taken by themselves or with other things in form of a Julap or decoctions or tinctures and Infusions Take of the water of Mugwort and of penny Royal each half a pint of histerical water â„¥ iiii of the Tincture of Castor â„¥ ss of the Syrrop of Coralls â„¥ i ss mix them The dose from â„¥ i to â„¥ i ss with any of the medicines afore described Take of the leaves of Penneroyall of Fetherfew of either Southernwood of Calaminth of Nep and of either Horehound each i handfull of the Roots of Bryonie â„¥ iiii of the seeds of Parsnips â„¥ ii cut and brused put them into white-wine or Cider six pints and so distill them according to art Take of the Root of the male Peony Angelica Valerian each â„¥ ss of the leaves of mugwort ground Pine Calaminth Peneroyal and Missletow of the Oak each i handfull of the Seeds of either wilde Parsneps eacâ—Ê’ iii of Raifins i. handfull let them be boyled in 4 pints of Spring-water to the half add to it of white-wine lib i ss strain it and keep it in close vessells The dose â„¥ iii or 4 twice in a day Take of the wild-Parsnep Seeds brused â„¥ ii of Castor â„¥ i let them be put into a Glass with i quart of white wine The dose â„¥ ii twice in a day 3. As to the third Intention which inhibiting the disorders of the womb doth promote the cure of the passion called hysterical I say first of all what in times past was believed concerning the Cause and scope of curing the disease that the womb did ascend therefore that it ought to be reduced into its right place is altogether fictitious as we have elsewhere shown The falling down of the womb or its coming forth oftentimes happens but rarely or never produces the hysterical Distempers Besides the dislocation of the womb in childbearing Women sometimes happens presently after their bringing forth to wit when the body of the womb being made Capacious and newly emptied doth not sink down or fall within the Tunnel in its right place but upwards inclines now to the right side now to the left and there being drawn together like a purse is folded into a great bulk which kinde of bulk remaining long nigh
aforesaid Convulsive Symptoms The Curatory Method to be used against the hypochondriacal Distempers requires chiefly these four generall Indications viz. In the first place The Method of Curing the Hypochondriac Distempers that the Impediments of the Cure may be taken away the Intention of which chiefly respects the purging and preserving the first passages Secondly it must be endeavour'd that the obstructions of the Spleen may be Corrected Thirdly that both the recrements of the bloody mass may be purged forth and that its due disposition may be restored Fourthly and lastly that the enormities of the brain and nervous stock and also of the watering humour and the inhabiting Spirits contracted by the fault of the blood and Spleen may be amended or taken away when any of these Intentions or all of them together shall be endeavoured at fit times should be chosen in which each being singly proposed may be performed without any neglect or hindrance of the rest 8. As to the first Indication when a great load of crude or adust matter is wont to be laid up in the first passages and when the tone of the Ventricle us'd to be spoyled and its ferment variously perverted against every one of these kindes of evills you must bring timely help with fit remedies therefore gentle and moderate evacuations both by Vomit if it prospers well and by Stool ought to be administred For such whose stomach easily casts forth its contents upwards I perswade that once in a month Vomiting should be several times provoked by taking Liquor of Squills or Salt of Vitriol or by drinking plentifully small beer posset-drink or warm water in the time between a gentle purge and only a little moving is to be orderd often For this end The pills Tartareous of Bontius or Stomach-pills with Gums or our solutive extract may be of use Take of the best Senna ℥ i of Rhubarbʒvi of Epithimʒiii of yellow-Sandersʒii of the Salt of wormwoodʒii of Celtic Spikeʒi being cut and brused let them be digested in x ounces of White wine and as much of fumitory water for 48 hours let the clear straining be evaporated with the heat of a gentle bath to the consistency of an extract adding towards the end of the powders of Senna of Rhubarb and cream of Tartar each ʒii let them be brused together in a glass morter and reduced to the consistency of Pills The Dose ʒss ℈ ii or ʒi the Remedies respecting the tone and ferment of the ventricle as they are manifold and divers out of them the most fit or commodious for the Disposition of the Ventricle are to be chosen for to this bitter things to that Saltish to another sharp and perhaps biting things are desirable Among the number of these kinds of medicines which are commonly called Digestives are Elixir Proprietatis Tinctura Sacra powder of Aron Compound Salt of Wormwood Cream of Tartar Tartar vitriolat Vitriol of Steel with many others Besides these inward Remedies also external applications do often bring help Because the Stomach being ill affected a fomentation of white-wine with wormwood century and other bitter plants boyled therein also oyntments or plaisters often bring help Concerning which there will be no need here to discourse particularly and to prescribe forms of the Medicines themselves 2. The second Indication for the mending the vices of the Spleen to wit if there shall be in the same any obstruction Tumour or pain or simple dyscrasie or Intemperament is wont to be performed or at least attempted by Remedies both internal and exrernal Those which are of the former Sort fall in with those indicated in the 3d place to wit with such as for the purifying the Blood is intended because when chiefly or almost all that which is carried or born to the Spleen is done by the passage of the blood the irrigularities of the Latex of this as well as of that Inward by a Social labour ought to be cured with the joynt strength of Medicines by what means is shown by and by In the mean time some external Applications under the form of a plaister or an oyntment or a fomentation more neerly and immediatly respect the body of the Spleen and often bring notable help forasmuch as they discuss tumors and allay the Convulsive Distempers and quiet them Great plenty of these kinde of outward medicines are every where extant among Authors the choyce of which ought to be made according to the various passions of the Spleen or the divers Constitutions of the Patient so that there will be no need here to shew their particular forms 3. The Remedies indicated in the 3d place to wit which take away the dyscrasies or evill temper of the blood contracted from the vice of the Spleen and also clear the primary fault of the Spleen are of a manifold and divers kinde and manner the choice of which ought to be administred according to the various infection of this or that of these some are compounded and prepared according to the prescription of Physitians as Electuaries Powders Apozems Tinstures Infusions and the like others more simple as whey asses milk Spaw-waters and Bathes There are two chief Cases of sick people in which magisterial Remedies ought to be all accommodated according to their strength and quallities to wit either the blood is thick coldish and earthy with the Spleen being obstructed which requires more hot fermenting and chiefly Chalybiate medicines or the blood being clearly adust and hot ferments too much and together greatly troubles the hypochondria and in them the blood and humours boyl up in which state Remedies only temperate and allaying the fermenting and immoderate boyling of the humours are to be chosen where chalibiats are wholly to be avoided When therefore to a cold ventricle cold discrasies or evill temperaments of the blood and Spleen also happen I am wont to prescribe according to the following forms Take of the Troches of Rhubarb of the Powder of the root of Aron of winteran Bark each ʒii of the root of virginian Snakeweed Centrayerva Diatrion Santulon of Crabs eyes each ʒi of the extract of Gentian of Century each ʒiss of ammoniae dissolved in the water of Earth-worms what will suffice to make a mass of Pills let them take 4 pills in the morning and at 4 a clock in the afternoon drinking after them a little draught of wormwood-wine or chalibiate wine with moderate exercise Take of the Conserves of the yellow of Oranges and of Lemons each ℥ iii of preserved mirabolans n. ii of the Species of aromaticum Rosatum of winteran Bark each ʒii of the Salt of wormwoodʒii of the vitriol of Steelʒi or Steel preparedʒiii with what will suffice of the Syrrop of Citron rines make an Electuary To be taken twice a day drinking after it a draught of wormwood-wine or of the Infusion of the herb or flowers of Tamarisk For those who are not pleas'd but with medicines in an elegant form and in a very
the Serum nor the bloody latex may sweat out or be broke off from the file of its circuit Wherefore in the Dropsie and great bleedings Remedies imbued with the Saline particles of Iron are of famous and efficacious use for very many Diseases proceed from this cause forasmuch as the little mouths of the Arteries being too open and the interspaces of the vessells above measure loosned the serum or bloody latex breaks forth which kinde of Affections the Vitriollic Particles of Steel do often help by binding and corroborating the sanguiferous Vessells and nervous fibres After this manner the filings of Steel being taken inwardly seems at once to add to the blood both spurs and a bridle But forasmuch as from this medicine an incitation much more than a restriction doth arise therefore it ought to be given only to them whose blood is very thick and cold as country people and strong persons in very hot and spirituous bloud and in hot inwards 't is no ways convenient moreover in delicate persons and men of a more tender constitution 't is dangerous lest the little portions of the steel when they cannot be sufficiently dissolved should like fragments of glass be driven into the membranes of the Viscera and there pertinaciously sticking produce some ulcer or deadly torments which indeed I have known sometimes to happen 2. After the filing of Iron the next way of preparing it is calcining it with Sulphur to wit let thin peeces of steel being strongly fired be laid upon a roler of Sulphur that the mettle may melt into little round balls which are to be calcined to the consumption of the Sulphur and pounded in a morter are to be reduced into a subtle powder which is of choice use In this preparation of Iron some sulphureous particles are exhaled the signe of which is that this powder an acid liquor being poured upon it much less boyls up or grows hot than the limature or filing of Iron but being taken by the same mouth it excites a Sulphureous savour In the mean time in this preparation the saline particles seem to be somewhat augmented by new ones sticking to them from the mettall burning with Sulphur so that active particles of either kinde to wit Sulphureous and Saline come almost to an Aequilibrium and when by this means this medicine the substance of the mettle being loosned may be finely poudered it becomes of far more excellent use than the filings ef Iron In most Cases where steel ought to be given in substance as in a Cachexie or a fullness of evill humours the longings of maids or the green-gckness and such like this medicine is convenient to be used 3. In the third place follows the preparation of steel with vinegar to wit the filings of the whole steel is moysten'd with vinegar and dryed till it may be reduced into an impalpable powder in this preparation the Sulphureous particles are yet much more yea as to the greatest part evaporated only a few being left in the mean time the Saline by reason of others sticking to them from the vinegar are much encreased which are mingled with the terrene particles This chalibiated powder very little or nothing froths or boyles up a sharp liquor being sprinkled upon it also being taken at the mouth has with it scarce any sulphureous Savour wherefore it conduces less to the taking away of the obstructions of the Bowells or to the restoring the ferment of the blood nevertheless in a more hot Constitution in hemorrhages or fluxes of Blood and the hypochondriac Distemper it is wont to be administred with greater success then the former preparations 4ly Follows the rust of Iron which being an extract of the metallic body seems to be as it were a fifth Essence because in this excrescency some particles of every kinde to wit sulphureous saline and terrene being loosned from the whole substance are combined among themselves and constitute as it were a new mixture more subtile and defaecated or clearer from dreggs For that in this concrete there remains less particles of sulphur therefore it doth not so potently ferment the blood or take away the obstructions of the Viscera as steel prepared with sulphur but in more hot distempers of the parts or humours it egregiously performs the requisite Intentions of a steeled Medicine To this Class may be referred by right our preparation of steel to wit in which all the particles of the mettal being loosned from the bond of mixture are contained together which notwithstanding the concrete being first reduced into pouder and immediatly dissolved in any water or Menstruum This powder being inwardly taken hath the like vertue as steel prepared with sulphur but to the liquor or menstruum in which it is dissolved it imparts almost only saline or chiefly vitriolic particles the sulphureous flying away and the terene sinking to the bottom I am wont to give in great quantity and not seldom with excellent success common water impregnated with the dissolution of this instead of the natural acidulous or spawish waters moreover I make thereof medicated wine beer cyder whey or other Liquors this pouder being dissolved in them and prescribe them to be taken for several intricate Intentions So much for the preparations of Iron in which the elementary particles of every kinde are comprehended in a various proportion There remain others in which the particles almost only of one kinde to wit the saline or earthie are left the rest as to the greatest part being driven forth of which sort are chiefly vitriol or the Salt of steel 5. For the making the vitriol of steel first the mettal is wont to be eaten thorow with a very sharp and corrosive Liquor and to be dissolved into elementary parts In the dissolving the saline particles of the menstruum are joyned to the other salines of the Iron and are with them intimately combined in the mean time the remaining sulphureous and terrene being laid aside and excluded from their company then common water being poured to this solution the salts of either kinde being combined are imbibed by the Liquor and that being lastly filtrated and evaporated they are reduced into christalls This kinde of making of salt or salification succedes if you do it either with the Spirit of vitriol the oyle of sulphur or stygian water or any others distilled from the stagmas of mineralls Yea Sal Armoniac only being soluted by melting dissolves Iron after the same manner and causes it to Chrystalize Salt of Steel thus prepared hath a sweetish taste with a certain sharp stipticity of binding and participates much of the nature of vitriol that it seems not to differ much from Verdigrease Taken inwardly for a medicine it somewhat ferments the humors and powerfully bindes the nervous fibres for cold Cachecical and Phlegmatic people this medicine is not convenient because there are in it no particles of Sulphur but it is often administred with successe in hot distempers of the bowels