Bishops-weed of each half an ounce Saffron two drachms Kernels of Fistick-nuts one ounce let them be all bruised and infused in a quart of Muskadel-wine for two or three days then strain it and add more Wine to the ingredients for a second infusion The following Electuary is also excellent Take the Roots of Satirion and Eringo candied of each one ounce candied Ginger and preserv'd Nutmegs of each two drachms Kernels of Hazle-nuts and Fistick-nuts of each half an ounce Powder of a Bull's-pizle of Ivory Seeds of Rocket Bishops-weed of each one drachm Species Diambrae Diamosc dulcis of each six drachms Confectio Alkermes one ounce and half with Syrup of the juice of Citrons make it into an Electuary according to Art Let the Woman take the quantity of a Nutmeg of it every night going to bed and drink a glass of Sack or Muskadel or of the aforementioned Infusion after it If a cold and moist distemper of the Body and Womb accompanied with the Whites be the cause look for the cure in its proper Chapter If it be caused by Witchcraft there are some things commended by Authours to be worn about the party against Fascination viz. the Pizle of a Wolf a Diamond a Jacinth-stone Rue Squills Sea-holly Sagapenum Amara dulcis Hypericon c. But above all let fervent and devout Prayers be put up to the Throne of grace for help and reject and despise Incantations or Charms and all other Diabolical means CHAP. XIX Of Abortion or Miscarriage ABortion is called in Latin Abortus vel intempestivus foetus Because it is an untimely Birth the Child being brought forth either dead or alive before its fit time of deliverance This is the worst Symptom that attends breeding Women It may happen from the first Moment of Conception to the end of the sixth Month but it is most usual in the end of the third or the beginning of the fourth Month. The causes are either external or internal The external Causes are a great excess in things nonnatural as too great Anger Fear and other Passions or else it may be through defect for if the Mother undergo Penury or Famine or lose much Bloud the Child wanteth Nourishment Many times things longed for and not obtained kill the Child Also strong purging Medicines that provoke the terms and all fetid smells falls blows lifting carrying dancing running riding or any other outward violence may be the Cause of Abortion The internal Causes may be the depravedness of the humours by which the Mass of Bloud becometh vitious also Acute or Chronick diseases especially of the Womb and also violent Coughing Sneezing Vomiting Convulsions and Fluxes of the Belly may loosen the Ligaments of the Womb and so cause miscarriage The signs of Abortion at hand are great pain about the Loins and Share-bones sometimes with shivering the Breasts growing little and flaggy the Situation of the Child changed towards the Bottom of the Belly with a bearing down and evacuation of Bloud c. 1. Women who have moist and slippery Wombs are most subject to miscarry but with little danger except it be the first Child and that very big 2. Much bleeding with fainting raving or Convulsions is for the most part mortal To prevent Abortion if there be an evil disposition of the Body or Womb you must endeavour to remove it if the Woman hath a plethorick Body let a Vein be opened in the Arme especially in the first six months If ill humours abound purge often with gentle means This purging Infusion may serve Take of Cinamon Rhubarb Anise-seed of each two drachms let them be bruised and infused in four ounces of Plantain-water very hot for the space of a Night then strain it and add Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb the best Manna of each half an ounce mix it and give it in the Morning fasting Also the Pills prescrib'd in page 240. may be used in this case If the Woman be troubled with a Rheumatick distemper accompanied with Wind and if she be pretty strong you may sweat her gently sometimes with this or such like Cordial Diaphoretick Take the Waters of Treacle Carduus Fennel of each one ounce Cinamon-water two drachms Syrups of the Juice of Carduus Coral of each half an ounce Confectio de Hyacintho half a drachm Spirit of Niter six drops Oil of Cinamon two drops Laudanum opiatum three grains mix it and give to provoke sweat Let the Womb be strengthned with Cordial Astringents Those prescrib'd in page 239.240 are excellent CHAP. XX. Of hard Travel in Child-birth HArd labour may be called in Latin partus vel enixus laboriosus quod ipse nitendi pariendi actus The time of a natural Birth ought to be accomplished in the space of twenty four hours if the Womans travel continue longer time with vehement pains and dangerous Symptoms it may be called hard labour or difficult Travel in Child-birth There are various Causes of hard Labour sometimes tender Women by reason of pain are very fearfull and do endeavour to hinder pains and consequently the Birth also Sometimes the Child being weak or dead and not following the Water in Due-time before the passage be too dry may be the Cause especially if the Mother be weak by reason of any Disease afflicting her or by too much Evacuation of Bloud or there be not sufficient Motion of the Womb and Muscles of the Belly Sometimes the Child's head may be too big or the passage too strait Also the Child may be turned in the Womb and the Hands Shoulders Back Belly or Buttocks c. may come forward to the Birth and then the endeavour to bring forth will be painfull and difficult The signs of hard Labour are easily known if the Child do stir and there be strong pains and no water appear the Secundine is strong If pains be weak and long before they return and more in the Back than Belly the Infant is weak If the Woman be little and her Husband big and full shouldred then there is a great Child which will cause tough work 1. Hard travel in Child-birth is very dangerous for sometimes the Mother sometimes the Child and many times both do lose their Lives 2. If the Woman be in Travel above four days the Child can hardly be alive and therefore must be drawn away before it be too late for if it be neglected it will cause Fevers Faintings Convulsions Sleepiness c. which are the Forerunners of Death 3. If sneezing cometh of its own accord it is a good sign of deliverance First give this Cordial to strengthen both the Mother and Child Take Waters of Baum Vervain Cinamon of each two ounces Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers Saffron of each six drachms Spirit of Saffron Confectio Alkermes of each one drachm mix it If the Child be situated on Os pubis it must be removed and all other unfit Postures must be rectified Then such
things as hasten the Birth may be safely administred To encrease the Pains and further the Womans Labour I commend sneezing and also the following Medicines Take the Livers of Eels prepar'd with Cinamon-water and dried one drachm Powder of Borax whitest Amber Mirrh Saffron Dittany of Crete round Birth-wort of each half a drachm mix it and give a Scruple of it at a time in three spoonfulls of this Julep Take the Waters of Vervain Mugwort of each two ounces Syrup of Saffron one ounce Confectio Alkermes one drachm Extract of Saffron six grains Oils of Cinamon Amber of each three drops mix it Some things have a peculiar property to help the Birth as the stone Aetites Loadstone Storax the Eyes of a Hare c. held near the privities The time being come the Woman must be put into a posture which every Midwife doth understand and let her not labour too much till strong pains come and then let her resolve on patience and not be disorderly in the time of her Travel If she be faint you may give her some of the formention'd Cordial Julep to comfort her Let your hands be anointed with some Anodine Ointment After the water is broke if the Head cometh with the Face towards Anus receive it if not endeavour to place it right Then turn your Finger round about the Child's head gently to make way for the Birth If the Child cometh any other way you must endeavour to gain the Feet and bring it away with the Face towards Anus as before mention'd The Child being born you must bring away the Secundine gently by degrees after which put a Closure to the Woman to prevent Cold from entring the Womb. Then prepare her for the bed and give her some Sperma Caeti or Irish-slate in a little burnt White-wine with Cinamon If the Woman doth flood much or be troubled with after-pains give her some of the following Cordial Opiate Take of small Cinamon-water the waters of red Poppies Baum of each two ounces Syrups of Clove-gilliflowers white Poppies of each one ounce Laudanum opiat three grains Oil of Cinamon two drops mix it and give three spoonfulls of it often If the Child be born alive after the Navel string is secured give the Child ten grains of prepar'd Coral in a little Breast milk or black Cherry-water dulcifi'd with Syrup of Peony to which you may add a little Oil of sweet Almonds new drawn If the Child be troubled with gripes you may give it a little Powder of Anise-seed in the Pap. But if the Child be dead and the Labour gone or if the Child's head be very big and the passage too strait so that the Midwife cannot doe her Office you must then speedily implore the help of the Man-midwife as we are called If a Woman in Child-bed hath a costive Body give her a Suppository of Castile-soap or Honey boiled and after three or four days you may administer an emollient carminative Clyster If a Woman after hard Travel cannot hold her Urine bathe her secret Parts and Region of the Womb with this or the like Decoction Take of Plantain Comfry Shepherds-purse Tops of Brambles Penny-royal Rosemary Sage Stoechas of each one handfull let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in a Gallon of Smiths-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and bathe the parts affected very warm with woollen Stuphs Afterward anoint the grieved parts with this Linament Take the Ointment Comitissae Oil of Mace by expression of each one ounce Oils of Earth-worms Foxes Lillies Goose-grease of each half an ounce mix it CHAP. XXI Of Nephritick pains and of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder DIseases of the Reins are called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ren. In Latin they are called morbus Renum which comprehends not onely any Ach in the Kidneys but also the Stone and Gravel in the Reins Nephritick pains may be caused divers ways 1. First by a sharp salt matter or a sharp and serous Lympha in the Kidneys which doth easily concrete into a Stone especially when the Ferment of the Reins is much vitiated which may be known by those cruel torturing Fits that come by intervals 2. Worms in the Kidneys which for the most part arise from Bloud there corrupted may be the cause of pain 3. An Abcess or Tumour in the Kidneys following an Inflammation doth hinder the passage of Urine and is always accompanied with great pain 4. It may also be caused by glutinous Phlegm obstructing the fleshy parts of the Kidneys and hindring the separation of Urine so that it is not strein'd into the Funnels of the Reins as usual but is deprav'd and vitiated Whence the natural descent of the Urine through the Ureters into the urinal Bladder is also hindred The same also may happen sometimes by a stone sticking in the Funnel and stopping the entrance of the Ureters Although I think that Stones sticking in the Ureters themselves cannot long hinder the passage of Urine because it hath been found by experience in dissecting of dead Bodies that Stones near the bigness of a Doves-egg have been sticking in the Ureters by the sides of which Stones Urine descended freely which was evident because the Ureter was no were distended unless where the Stone did stick Neither was there any Urine contain'd in the Ureter above the obstruction besides when the Party was living there was no stoppage of Urine Those fits which come by intervals are caused by a debility or vitiousness of the Ferment of the Kidneys which generates crude salt and sharp matter which causeth those cruel Tortures and should all the Gravel and Stone come away the pain would not be the less untill the Kidneys themselves be reduc'd to their right temper For many in perfect health have voided much Gravel at a time without the least pain and therefore it is evident that Gravel is onely the product and not the producer or primitive cause of this pain The Symptoms of Nephritick pains are so much like that caused by the Stone that they cannot be easily distinguished for the signs of both are great pain of the Loins loathing or vomiting there being a great consent between the Reins and Stomach The Patient often pisseth bloudy water and when the Reins are ulcerated the matter is often evacuated with the Urine Wherein the force of concreting or growing together of Stones in divers parts of the Body consists is not enough known I will freely declare what I conjecture in this obscure matter whereby I may according to my power the more help others that are ingenious to search out this hidden truth All the Stones that are generated in the Body may be dissolved in the sour Spirit of Salt Peter or Niter whence I conclude that the Coagulation of Stones cannot be expected from an acid Spirit as such therefore from another somewhat contrary to it in
treat more at large in the Chapter of the Hypochondriack suffocation Hunger diminish'd is caused of too fat and viscous Spittle swallowed down by little and little into the Stomach and being unfit to promote the fermentation of Food it passeth into the small guts and there generates viscous Phlegm like to it self which doth not onely dull the moderate acidity of the Juice of the Pancreas but thereby at length all the acidity in the Body becomes less sharp and dull Choler also being too fat arising from the small Gut to the Stomach doth there corrupt both the remainders of Food and Spittle and prostrates their gratefull acidity by which means the Appetite becomes dull These causes being complicated if they be most grievous will at length quite take away and abolish Hunger The cause of Hunger augmented is sometimes worms in the Stomach which devour the Chylus but most commonly it is caused by the over-sourness of the Juice of the Pancreas abounding in the Body and chiefly in the small Gut whence it sendeth sour Vapours to the Stomach which do potently urge and increase the sense of hunger The cause of hunger deprav'd in quality as Pica c. in Women is the suppression of their monthly Courses which is more or less corrupted about the Womb and having not its natural Evacuation it returneth and in circulation is mixed with the whole Mass of Bloud by which it is all vitiated and deprav'd and so produceth a Cachexy or ill habit of Body which in time corrupteth all the other humours from whence not onely hunger but all the functions are deprav'd Hunger augmented needs no other sign than the devouring of Food The signs of Hunger deprav'd in quality are also manifest as the longing desire for those things which are not food as Coals c. before mention'd If these distempers continue long they are difficult of Curation because the sick will easily fall into a Cachexy Dropsie Consumption Vomiting Fluxes c. Hunger increas'd may be cur'd by giving those things which destroy and do temperate and amend the over acidity of the Juice of the Pancreas and do prevent its increase There are variety of Medicines proper for these intentions prescrib'd in the 6 th and 7 th pages of the first Book If hunger be diminish'd or abolish'd it may be cur'd by Medicines that correct and educe the viscous Phlegmatick humours of which you may be throughly furnish'd in the 3 d. and 4 th pages If hunger be suddenly diminish'd by Choler either over fat or abounding in plenty it may commodiously be evacuated by an Antimonial Emetick Many other proper Medicines are set down in the 8 th and 9 th pages CHAP. III. Of want of Appetite or loathing of Victuals WAnt of Appetite is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appetitus In Latin 't is called inappetentia because in this distemper the sick hath no desire after food but their minds are averse to yea they loath most kind of meat and drink which sometimes riseth to that height that it takes away their strength This differs from vomiting onely in degrees it being a desire to vomit up whatsoever troubles the Stomach but cannot either by reason of weakness or toughness of the matter Loathing is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Navis quod navigantibus praecipue contingit All loathing is either natural or adventitious The natural for the most part is common to Women with Child wherein 't is thought by some that the mind of the Child in the Womb is affected as well in this distemper as in the disease called Malacia or longing wherein if the Woman have not presently what she longs for wheresoever she first puts her hand on any part of her body in that part the Child is mark'd as we may see often by experience The adventitious loathing or that which cometh by accident is stir'd up in healthy People by prejudice they esteeming some sorts of food ungratefull or prejudicial to their Health and therefore their Stomachs loath them Sometimes nauseousness and loathing even to vomiting immediately follows Intemperance in eating and drinking which is dangerous That we may the better judge of the causes of this distemper let us first consider what is the natural Cause of Hunger by which we may the easier discover it I judge the chief Cause of natural hunger to be the remainders of food fermented in the Stomach and the longer it stays there it is still more and more fermented by the Spittle which is continually swallowed down and intermix'd with it and at length it raiseth a somewhat sour and gratefull Vapour which pleasingly affects the upper Orifice of the Stomach and so natural hunger seems to be produc'd And if food be with-held somewhat longer than ordinary then this hunger is increas'd even in healthy People which I think is promoted and augmented by the Juice of the Pancreas having a friendly Effervescency with Choler and Phlegm in the small Guts from whence sour and gratefull Vapours are sent to the Stomach which increaseth hunger and if food be seldom taken it may proceed to fainting fits Hence we may gather that if there be a vitious Effervescency of the aforesaid humours in the small Guts then vitious Vapours are thence produc'd which rising up to the Stomach and other parts adjacent not onely diminish hunger but more or less deprave Thirst as also the senses of tasting and smelling hence it is that the sick do loath all sorts of food as soon as they smell taste or see it 1. Want of Appetite or Loathing is a digression from the natural State and is therefore dangerous and is worse in Children than Adults because they require more Nourishment 2. In all diseases this is an evil Symptome and if the sick recover and want Appetite or loath their Food there is danger of a relapse This distemper either in healthy People or those that are sick may be cur'd 1. First by freeing the mind from every prejudice 2. By correcting or purging out the vitious and peccant humours If the Humours incline upward they may be safely carried out by an Antimonial vomit and after the operation at night going to bed let the sick take this Cordial Opiate Take the Waters of Damask-roses Baum and Cinamon of each one ounce Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers red Poppies of each half an ounce Confectio Alkermes half a drachm Laudanum opiat four grains Oil of Vitriol six drops mix it But if the humours be very viscous and the Stomach be not nauseous let them be purged out by stool with such Medicines as have power to alter amend and evacuate the vitious humours For example Take of the Decoction of Senna Gereonis four ounces the best Manna Syrups of Epithymum Roses Solutive with Senna of each half an ounce mix
of Mankind If any are perswaded that they can excell others in Judgment and are desirous of Splendour and Glory let them take pains to discover things that are as yet obscure in Nature by which they may wax renowned with the Celebration of their Name But they who have not sown with much Labour and expect a great Harvest for the most part are fed with vain Hope I must expect some Calumnies and Obtrectations against this from such malicious prejudiced Men as envy Glory to all except themselves but the best is it is not my Portion alone for it was the fate of that worthy Man Dr. Harvey to meet with Storms of malevolent Censure about his Circulation of the Bloud and it was always and ever will be the Fate of the first Authours of any invention though never so good to meet with Opprobry and Contempt and therefore I know no reason why I should be exempt from the common destiny but let those who are severe against this pardon my Opinion that such their severity proceeds from self Guiltiness and give me leave to apply that of Ennodius That it is the Nature of self Wickedness to think that of others which themselves deserve And that the Reader may have a charitable Opinion hereof I testifie before God the onely Searcher of Hearts that I have not written any thing here but what seem'd true to me and chiefly profitable to the sick and therefore I doubt not but this will find acceptation amongst the true Sons of Art and all others who are Lovers of the Truth If any by reading this little Book procure to themselves more knowledge than they had or cause any good to be done to the diseased it is all that is aimed at by Robert Johnson April the 2d 1683. From the Ben-Johnson 's Head in Devonshire-square without Bishopsgate London An INDEX of the Chapters comprehending all the Diseases of this Book The Contents of the first Book Chap. I. OF the Head-ach Page 1 Chap. II. Of the Palsie and Apoplexy Page 13 Chap. III. Of Convulsions and the Epilepsie Page 22 Chap. IV. Of the Night-mare and Vertigo Page 35 Chap. V. Of the Lethargy Coma Carus and Catalepsie or Catochus Page 38 Chap. VI. Of the Phrensie and Madness Page 44 Chap. VII Of Catarrhs Page 55 The Contents of the second Book Chap. Chap. Page page Chap. I. OF shortness of Breathing Page 69 Chap. II. Of the Pleurisie and other Inflammations Page 72 Chap. III. Of the Consumption or Phthisick and Hectick-fever Page 83 Chap. IV. Of the Palpitation of the Heart Page 92 Chap. V. Of an universal Languishing as also of Swouning and Syncope Page 96 Chap. VI. Of Fevers in General Page 103 Chap. VII Of intermitting Fevers Page 116 Chap. VIII Of malignant Fevers and the Calenture Page 124 Chap. IX Of the Plague or Pestilence Page 129 Chap. X. Of the Small-pox and Measles Page 136 The Contents of the third Book Chap. Chap. Page page Chap. I. OF the thirsty Disease Page 141 Chap. II. Of Hunger vitiated or of a depraved Appetite Page 144 III. Of want of Appetite or loathing of Victuals Page 148 Chap. IV. Of the Hicket or Hiccough Page 152 Chap. V. Of Belching Page 156 Chap. VI. Of Vomiting and of the Cholerick and Iliack Passion Page 158 Chap. VII Of Pain in the Stomach and of various Pains of the Guts as Colick c. Page 168 Chap. VIII Of Worms Page 179 Chap. IX Of Loosenesses or Fluxes of the Belly Page 185 Chap. X. Of the dry Belly-ach Page 196 Chap. XI Of the Yellow-jaundice Page 202 Chap. XII Of a Cachexy or ill Habit of Body Page 207 Chap. XIII Of Dropsies Page 211 Chap. XIV Of the Scurvy and Hypochondriack suffocation commonly called Fits of the Mother Page 222 Chap. XV. Of the Green-sickness and Suppression of the Courses Page 231 Chap. XVI Of the immoderate menstrual Flux and the Whites in Women Page 237 Chap. XVII Of the Falling down of the Womb and Fundament Page 242 Chap. XVIII Of Barrenness Page 245 Chap. XIX Of Abortion or Miscarriage Page 249 Chap. XX. Of hard Travel in Child-birth Page 252 Chap. XXI Of Nephritick pains and of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder Page 257 Chap. XXII Of extraordinary Pissing Page 269 Chap. XXIII Of involuntary Pissing commonly called Pissing in Bed Page 272 XXIV Of the Stoppage of Vrine and the Strangury Page 274 Chap. XXV Of the Scalding or sharpness of Vrine Page 277 Chap. XXVI Of Venereal Affects Page 279 Chap. XXVII Of the Rachites or Rickets Page 288 Chap. XXVIII Of the Gout and Rheumatism Page 303 ENCHIRIDION MEDICVM OR A MANUAL OF PHYSICK BOOK I. CHAP. I. Of the Head-ach THE Head-ach may be divided into three Kinds The first is the momentany Head-ach it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caput and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dolor The second is an inveterate Head-ach and is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod tegit Calvarium The third is a Pain on one Part of the Head before behind or on one side this is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cranium and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dimidium There is little difference between Cephalaea and Cephalalgia onely per Cephalaeam affectae partes multo redduntur quam in Cephalalgia debiliores These distempers are caused by Halituous vapours and humours fuming up from the Stomach and other parts to the Head 1. If the Pain be external so that the Combing of the Head be troublesome then the Pericranium is affected But if the Pain be internal reaching to the Eye-roots then the Dura mater is invaded with the peccant humours 2. If there be pricking distending Pain with great pulsation it is from sharp Bilious humours or Halitus but if the Pain be heavy it is caused from viscous Phlegm or Melancholy 1. If a violent Head-ach come suddenly on a healthy Person and the Party become dumb and snort 't is a mortal sign unless a great Fever do immediately happen 2. If corrupt waterish Matter or Bloud do issue out of the Nostrils Mouth Ears or Eyes especially on the fourth Day the sick will suddenly recover but if the Pain be very violent and do suddenly vanish without a Crisis 't is doubtfull 3. If the Pain be without a Fever accompanied with noise in the ears deafness or megrim with numbness of the extreme parts an Apoplexy or Epilepsy is at hand 4. Those that have Cholerick stomachs are most subject to a Hemicrania and if it continue long it causeth weakness of the Eyes and sometimes blindness If the Head-ach proceed from Phlegmatick Viscous humours abounding first give this Clyster Take of Vervain Betony Mallows Mercury of each one handfull Let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in a Quart of Posset-drink 'till half of it be boiled away then strain it and dissolve in it one
prepared and kept for use Take Cristals of Tartar two ounces Scammony one ounce white Sugar four ounces with Gum Dragon dissolv'd in Rose-water as much as is sufficient let it be made into Troches according to Art Half a drachm of these Troches may be given to a Child with carefull governing a Man or Woman may take two drachms of them They who are fearfull of Scammoniats though safe and potent let them take the following infusion Take of choice Rhubarb two drachms Cream of Tartar one drachm infuse them in four ounces of Endive-water for a night then strain it and add Syrup of Roses solutive Syrup of Cicory with Rhubarb of each half an ounce Cinamon-water two drachms give it in the morning fasting This Electuary is also an excellent Cholagogue Take the Pulp of Damask-prunes ten ounces Powder of Scammony Cream of Tartar of each two ounces Rhubarb ten drachms Cinamon half an ounce yellow Sanders two drachms the best Manna Syrup of Cicory with Rhubarb of each eight ounces mix all together into an Electuary according to Art The Dose is from two drachms to half an ounce taken either in a Bolus or dissolved in a sufficient quantity of Endive-water or any other convenient vehicle These excellent Medicines do not onely purge Choler abounding but purify the Bloud and other Humours and here we may note that if a purging Medicine do not operate according to Expectation it may safely be repeated the same day without any danger If the Head-ach be accompanied with a great Fever and Thirst be augmented the following Medicines will much conduce to asswage it Take of Barley-water two pints Cinamon-water two ounces Syrup of Violets four ounces salt Prunella half an ounce mix it and give the sick three or four spoonfulls of it often This Tincture is also very effectual Take of Barley-water two pints Red-rose-buds one ounce spirit of Vitriol twenty drops or as much as is sufficient to make it of a good Tincture let it infuse all Night then strain it and add Syrup of Jujubes four ounces mix it and give three or four spoonfulls every three hours If an Emulsion may please better take this following form Take of sweet Almonds one ounce the four greater Cold-seeds of each half an ounce white Poppy-seeds two ounces let the Almonds be blanched and all well beaten in a stone Mortar then with four pints of Barley-water make an Emulsion strain it and add Syrup of the Juice of Limmons Diacodium of each three ounces Cinamon-water two ounces of which let the sick drink often four spoonfulls at a time You may also have a little fine Sugar and salt Prunella equally mixt which may be kept in the Mouth to deceive the Thirst. But where rest is hindred by the Choler abounding and cannot be obtain'd by the Emulsion which gently procureth sleep you may dissolve two grains of Laudanum opiat in two or three spoonfulls of it and give it at night or you may order this or the like Julep Take the Waters of Lettice Water-lillies of each two ounces Syrup of red Poppies one ounce Cinamon-water half an ounce Laudanum opiatum four grains Oil of Vitriol six drops mix it and give four spoonfulls of it to cause sleep This Epitheme may be applied to the Temples and Fore-head with Linnen-rags Take the Oils of Violets and Water-lillies of each half an ounce the waters of red Roses Lettice and Houseleek of each two ounces Vineger of Roses half an ounce mix it You may also anoint the Temples and Fore-head with this Ointment Take the Ointment of Alabaster Populion Oil of Mandrakes of each half an ounce mix it Let the Patient's diet be Mutton or Veal-broth without salt When a salt Catarrh or the like spittle is the cause of Thirst augmented you may administer a Pill of Sâ—yrax or Cynoglosson which will temperate the saltness of the humours and if salt serous matter abound in the Bloud you may purge it bâ—â—â—ool and Urine for which there are variety of Medicines prescrib'd in the Chapter of Catarrhs CHAP. II. Of the Palsie and Apoplexy THE Palsie is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. a solvendo eo quod nervorum genus resolutum facultate animi defluere prohibita sensu motuque destituatur It may be also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. dimidia Apoplexia In Latin it is called nervorum resolutio vel relaxatio It is a Privation of sense and motion of one side of the Body or of some particular part The Apoplexy is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 percutior attonitum reddo In Latin 't is called stupor corporis it being an Abolition of sense and motion through the whole Body The parts affected are the Brain Spinalis medulla and Nerves the motion of the Animal spirits through them being deprav'd The causes are either external or internal The external is much cold and moisture which doth chill and over moisten the Head and extreme parts and this seems to prove that phlegmatick and watry Humours abiding about the Ventricles of the Brain and Nerves may over moisten and perhaps so far loosen the Tunicles or Membranes of them that it may render them unfit to let the Animal spirits pass through them hence it is that sometimes one particular Member hath been Paralytick by too much Cold and Moisture and sometimes more parts have more or less lost sense and motion It is the opinion of most eminent Physicians both ancient and modern that the Animal spirits being severed from the Bloud in the Brain c. are from thence carried through all the Nerves to exercise the external senses and Animal motion which is continual and equal in healthy persons but changeable and unequal according to the divers diseases of the Body or Mind Wherefore when no Animal spirits are carried to the Organs of the external Senses or Animal motion the functions of seeing smelling tasting hearing and touching and the sense of heat as also of motion in the Palsie and Apoplexy cease all that time The Signs of the Palsie are manifest to wit deprivation of sense and motion of the Paralytick parts the Eye and half the Tongue viz. of that side affected is much weakned and deprav'd The signs of the Apoplexy approaching are these a sudden crying out for help with an abolition of sense and motion 1. If the Palsie or Apoplexy do invade the sick in the decrease of the Moon and the Patient be old 't is an ill sign 2. If the sick do snort and is droughty and cast spume or froth out of the Mouth and have great sweat with difficult breathing 't is mortal But if the Person be young and a strong Fever immediately happen 't is a good sign for the Fever consumes the superfluous moisture and makes a Dissipation of the
educe the peccant humours by which the Jaundice may in a short time be cured Take of Rhubarb the Roots of Madder Smallage the greater Celandine of each one ounce the Flowers of Broom one handfull Hemp-seed two ounces the Seeds of Anise Parsley and Columbines of each half an ounce Saffron two drachms white Tartar three drachms let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in White-wine and Fountain water of each three pints till the third part be boiled away then strain it and add the best Manna Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb of each three ounces mix it Let the sick take four spoonfulls of this three times a day till the viscous phlegm and Choler be sufficiently evacuated and the natural colour of the body restored As oft as the Jaundice is caused by the poison of a Viper or any other venemous thing whatsoever you must administer as soon as possible a volatile sudorifick to correct and expell the venome The following will serve to both indications Take the waters of Carduus Fennel Fumitory of each two ounces Treacle-water Syrups of the juice of Carduus red Poppies of each one ounce tincture of Saffron two drachms Venice-treacle half a drachm Bezoar-mineral Antimony diaphoretick Salt of Harts-horn of each one scruple Spirit of Salt-Armoniack six drops Laudanum opiatum six grains mix it and give three or four spoonfulls to provoke sweat and after it breaks forth give a spoonfull or two now and then to promote it Also this Decoction or one like it may be prescrib'd for the Icterick patient it being both Sudorifick and Diuretick Take the Roots of Scorzonera Juniper of each two ounces Roots of Master-wort Sassaphras of each half an ounce Berries of Juniper and Bays of each one ounce and half Seeds of Nettles Hemp and Columbines of each one ounce shavings of Harts-horn three drachms the tops of Carduus Scordium Scabious the lesser Centaury of each one handfull let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and add Syrup of the juice of Carduus four ounces Treacle-water two ounces Salt of Tartar vitriolated two drachms mix it and give four spoonfulls every two or three hours Soap of any sort conduceth to the cure of the Jaundice upon a twofold account both by reason of its fixt lixivial Salt and also by reason of its fatness or oil for the Lixivial Salt doth correct and diminish the over volatileness and spirituousness of the vitiated Choler and the oil doth blunt the sharpness of the volatile and spirituous Salt ruling in Choler The following mixture is very effectual Take of Hemp-seed two ounces Soap two drachms bruise the seed and boil it in half a pint of new Milk till half of it be consumed then strain it and add Syrup of Saffron half an ounce tincture of Saffron two drachms Laudanum opiatum four grains mix it and give half of it in the morning fasting and the remainder at night going to bed CHAP. XII Of a Cachexy AN ill Habit of Body is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 malus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habitus It may be called in Latin mala corporis habitudo There are many causes of this Distemper which may be distinguisht according to the diversity of the conjoin'd Symptoms It doth accompany all Chronical Diseases as Dropsies of all kinds Hypochondriack suffocation Scurvy Pox and Gout c. for it doth spare none neither Peer nor Peasant of any age or sex but it most frequently seizeth on Women when their monthly terms are supprest The cause is either external or internal The external cause is either bad Diet a long time receiv'd or for want of good refreshing Food after sickness for the Stomach being weak cannot digest course Diet by which the nutriment of the Body doth by degrees become peccant in quality vitiating the humours and Bloud it self so that an ill nourishment of the Body doth follow The internal cause may be the suppression of the Terms in Women which is more or less corrupted about the Womb having not its natural evacuation from whence the whole mass of Bloud is indued with a vitious quality by which the nourishment of all parts of the Body is deprav'd Also Choler and the juice of the Pancreas which are always confus'd with the Bloud being alike vitious or peccant in quality do not onely corrupt the separation of usefull and unusefull parts but by the vitious effervescency of these humours manifold flatuous vapours are rais'd which do not onely increase anxieties about the Midriff but being carried to the Heart there follows a pressing pain and palpitation thereof and in circulating through the Lungs it causeth a Dyspnoea or difficult breathing and being thence transferr'd every way throughout the Body it doth breed a general weariness in all parts But when the vitious humours abound together in plenty then several kinds of the Dropsie at length succeed if not the universal Body groweth lean by degrees From what hath been said the production of every Cachexie may easily be deduced by a judicious Physician The signs are paleness of the Face shortness of breath palpitation of the Heart and often apressing pain of it accompanied for the most part with a lingring Fever either continual or intermitting or compounded of both in which the Urine is crude or watry at length there is a weariness of the universal Body which in some doth pine and become lean but in others the Body doth swell and is turgid If this Disease be not helpt in time it will become by degrees so stubborn and rebellious that it will puzzle the wisest and most experienced Physicians to cure it for by the long continuance thereof phlegm becometh very tough and glutinous on which all Chronical or prolong'd Diseases depend besides all the other humours are by degrees vitiated which incorporate with the Bloud and diminish its effervescency so that the separation and excretion of the excrementitious parts to be voided together with Urine do not follow from whence many grievous symptoms succeed which oft proves mortal The cure of every Cachexie will consist in the correction and amendment of the Bloud any way vitiated If flegm be tough and glutinous it must be corrected and evacuated for which there are variety of choice medicines prescrib'd in the fourth page of the cure of diseases of the Head in the use whereof you must persevere for some time or else the laudable success and happy wisht for cure will be expected in vain Any other humours that are peccant in quality by which the bloud is vitiated must be alter'd and reduc'd to their natural Constitution by selected Medicines which will amend and empty them out by degrees In the interim good Food which is easie of digestion and wholsome nourishment must not be neglected whereby nature may be cherished and health by
Parsley Scurvigrass Fennel Syrups of Hedge-mustard white Poppies of each half an ounce Spirit of Salt Armoniack Harts-horn of each ten drops Laudanum opiatum four grains mix it The following is also very effectual Take the Waters of Fennel Hyssop of each two ounces distill'd Vinegar six drachms the Carminative-water of Sylvius half an ounce Syrup of the five opening Roots one ounce and half Powder of Crabs-eyes one drachm Sperma Coeti Mummy Antimony Diaphoretick of each one scruple Laudanum opiat four grains mix it Let the sick often take two spoonfulls of either of these mixtures especially in bed to promote the power of the medicine and to facilitate a sweat by the help whereof the mention'd power of the Sudorifick will the better come to the place of obstruction and will attenuate loosen and make fluid the matter obstructing the whole Mass of Bloud will also become more fluid and moveable being rarefi'd by the volatile Salt of the medicine If the Patient be plethorick let the Saphaena vein be opened for by opening and breathing a Vein the motion and circulation of the Bloud will be the better restor'd for a larger space being made for the universal Bloud it will circulate more swiftly and potently The phlegmatick viscous humours must be corrected and evacuated by Phlegmagogues The following medicines are of great efficacy Take of Salts of Mugwort Ash Amber Tartar vitriolated of each ten grains Powder of Cream of Tartar white Sugar-candy of each half a drachm mix it and give it in white Wine in the morning fasting The next day you may administer the following Pills Take of pil foetidae ex duobus of each half a drachm Amber prepar'd Steel Borax Mercur. Dulcis of each one scruple Mirrh Castor Saffron of each twelve grains Oil of Cloves Spirit of Salt Armoniack of each six drops make it into ten Pills for two doses which may be taken in the Morning fasting If a medicinal Wine be acceptable to the sick the following or one like it may be used Take the Roots of Horse-radish the five opening Roots of each one ounce Savin Vervain Penny-royal Hyssop Calamint Mugwort of each one handfull Senna Cinamon sweet Fennel-seeds Juniper-berries Orange-peel Liquorish of each half an ounce let them be cleansed bruised and infused in one Gallon of White-wine for three days then strain it and keep it for use You may add more wine to the ingredients so long as there is any Aromatick taste Four or five spoonfulls of this Wine may be taken two or three times a day with which you may mix Salt of Tartar vitriolated ten grains Elixir proprietatis six drops If you expect a laudable success you must persevere awhile in the use of these or such like medicines CHAP. XVI Of the immoderate menstrual Flux and the Whites in Women THE monthly terms being immoderate may be called in Latin mensium fluxus immodicus And the Whites in Women Albae mulierum fluxiones The causes of too many Courses are either external or internal The external Causes may be by an Ulcer in the Matrix or some outward Violence and sometimes by too much Coition The internal Causes are either a sharp serous humour abounding in the Bloud increasing its fluidity or else an over great heat in the Womb stirring up a more potent and therefore a swifter rarefaction of Bloud provoking an expulsion of it either by breaking or some other preternatural opening of the vessels of the Womb. The white Flux of the Womb is an excrementitious humour flowing from it This distemper is subject not onely to Women but sometimes to Maids also These humours may be bred in the Womb either by a cold or hot distemper therein The cold doth render it unable to digest its nourishment A hot Distemper corrupteth it hence cometh this excrementitious humour Also Abortion Contusion Inflammation Imposthume or Ulcer in the Womb may weaken and dispose it to breed such humours The signs that distinguish between this Distemper and an Ulcer in the Womb and Gonorrhoea are these 1. If there be an Ulcer there the Womb will not admit of Coition without pain and the matter which floweth from her is stringy and more digested and sometimes bloudy 2. In the Gonorrhoea the seminal matter cometh in a small quantity and seldom except it be gotten by acting with an unclean Person then the Urine is sharp with many other malignant Symptoms All long Hemorrhagies of Bloud are dangerous especially those of the Womb If it be caused by exulceration and be in elderly Women 't is incurable The white Flux is not very dangerous but is often difficult of curation especially in old Women because they abound with Phlegm and 't is hard to divert the humours from this Chanel it being the sink of the body through which the superfluous humours of a healthy Woman are every month evacuated If this distemper continue long it may breed great evils as Barrenness Falling out of the Womb c. These diseases may be both cured by the same medicines If the courses have continued too long the following mixture will soon stop the flux of Bloud and will cure most ruptions of vessels Take the Waters of Plantain Comfry of each three ounces Cinamon-water Syrups of Mirtles Quinces of each one ounce and half distill'd Vinegar one ounce red Coral prepar'd one drachm Dragons Bloud one scruple Laudanum opiat six grains mix it and give three spoonfulls every four hours When the flux of Bloud is stopt you may purge with the following Take of Manna one ounce Powder of Rhubarb tosted Cream of Tartar of each half a drachm Resin of Jallop four grains mix it and take it in broth If the Patient like Pills I commend the following Take Resins of Jallop and Scammony extract of Rhubarb Agarick Salt of Amber Powder of Dragons-bloud of each ten grains Oil of Mints six drops with Syrup of Rhubarb let it be made into twelve Pills for three doses After purging these Astringents will be profitable Take of Cinamon the Roots of Bistort Tormentile Rhubarb Seeds of Plantain Dill Flowers of red Roses Balaustins red Coral sealed Earth whitest Amber Harts-horn Gum-dragon and Arabick of each two drachms Saccharum Saturni Dragons-bloud Salt Prunella of each two scruples Laudanum opiat Camphire of each ten grains let them be all finely powder'd and searced and with Honey of red Roses Syrups of Quinces and Comfry of each equal parts let it be made into an Electuary according to Art Let the sick take the quantity of a Nutmeg of this Electuary every morning and evening either upon the point of a knife or dissolve it in two or three ounces of red Wine to which you may add a few drops of Tincture of red Coral and drink it This Julep is also of great virtue Take the Waters of Comfry Plantain Oak-buds Knot-grass red Wine of each four ounces in which infuse red Rose-buds Balaustins Flowers
of Comfry Bugloss of each one handfull for the space of twenty four hours then boil it gently for half an hour strain it and add Tincture of red Coral Syrups of dried Roses Comfry and Mirtles of each two ounces Oil of Vitriol twenty drops mix it and take six spoonfulls every three hours Let the Region of the Womb be anointed with this Linament Take Vnguent Comitissoe Oil of Mirtles of each one ounce Saccharum Saturni one drachm Camphire ten grains mix it After the part is anointed let this Plaster be applied Take the Plaster against Ruptures Diapalma of each one ounce the carminative Plaster of Sylvius half an ounce mix it and spread it on leather and apply to the region of the Womb. In the Whites let this be used for a Fume Take of Olibanum Amber Cloves of each half a drachm red Rose-buds Balaustins of each two drachms beat them all together into a gross powder put a little of it at a time upon a pan of coles and let the Woman sit over it CHAP. XVII Of the Falling Down of the Womb and Fundament IF the Womb falleth down it may be called in Latin Procidentia Matricis So likewise if the Fundament cometh down it is called Procidentia Ani. The Causes of these distempers are either External or Internal The External Causes may be any violent exercise with much striving also falls or blows on those parts also bathing in cold water c. The Internal Causes are serous and phlegmatick humours a Dysentery with a Tenasmus the Whites continuing long a violent drawing the Child or After-birth out of the Womb also much Sneezing or Coughing especially in Child-bed to conclude all things that may cause a Rupture or relaxation of the Ligaments of the Womb or sphincter Muscle of the Anus may be the cause of these griefs In a Procidentia Ani there is always a mucous and purulent dejection from a phlegmatick viscous and sometimes also a sharp acid humour adjoining about the seige which often causeth a troublesome Ulcer by fretting In young people these distempers may be easily cur'd if they have not continued long and do not come very far out and be not ulcerated But if there be a Rupture of the Ligaments of the Womb it is incurable likewise great pain and inflammation are very difficult and if either the Matrix or Anus be Gangrenated it is mortal without speedy amputation You must begin the Cure with removing the symptoms and discharging the Guts of their Excrements either with Clysters or Lenitives Then anoint the part with some astringent Oils and endeavour to reduce it gently by degrees The manner of the reduction every ingenious Artist knows and therefore needs not any directions When the Womb is reduc'd it may be kept with a Pessary fram'd of Cork as thick as necessary and cover'd with Wax mixed with a little Castor and Assafoetida which may there continue If there be pain and inflammation let the part be bathed with this Take the Flowers of Chamomel Elder of each one handfull Marsh-mallow-roots one ounce Seeds of Flax and Foenugreek of each half an ounce boil it in two quarts of Milk till half be consumed then strain it and add Malaga Wine one pint mix it Let Stuphs be moistned in this and wrung out and applied hot after which apply a Plaster of ad herniam to the lower part of the Belly Before you reduce the Anus anoint it with Oil of Mirtles and bestrew it with Powder of Album Graecum or the following Take of red Roses Pomgranat-rinds Cypress-nuts Mastick Crocus Martis burnt Lead of each half an ounce beat them all into a fine powder A Bag quilted with the following astringents and applied hot to either griev'd part three times a day will conduce much to keep it up Take of Plantain Sanicle Buds of Oak and Medlar red Rose-buds Balaustins of each one handfull Roots of Comfry Tormentil Bistort Cypress-nuts Seeds of Anise sweet Fennel of each one ounce beat them all into a gross powder Inwardly may be given Astringents and Strengthners but not in time of the courses those prescrib'd against the immoderate flowing of the Terms are good CHAP. XVIII Of Barrenness BArrenness is called in Latin Sterilitas It may be called in English Unfruitfullness it being an impotency of Conception We reade in the Scripture that the Women of old did think it a reproach to be Childless and therefore when Elizabeth had conceived who before was Barren she said the Lord hath taken away my reproach among Men as you may reade at large in the first Chapter of Luke's Gospel Very few Women in a Marriage state but desire Children yea some would give all they have in the world for a Child and are very impatient if they do not Conceive Rachel said to Jacob in Gen. 30 ver 1. give me Children or else I dye I will now briefly shew you what may be the cause of Sterility 1. First want of Love between a Man and his Wife way hinder Conception 2. Any malignant distemper in the womb may corrupt the Seed and be the cause of Barrenness Some are of opinion that Witch-craft may be the cause But to conclude the Whites or any moist distemper of the Matrix may be the cause of Barrenness Sometimes the cause is in the Man for if he doth want Sperm or is unable to erect his Genital by reason of any weakness or distemper in his Secrets or if he be effeminate and taketh little or no delight in the act of Venery he is not fit for Venus School There are some Rules left by the Ancients to try whether a Woman be naturally Barren or no. Hippocrates adviseth to put a Clove of Garlick or a little Galbanum into her Womb and if her Breath do smell of it be sure she is fruitfull If Barrenness be caused by any Disease afflicting either the man or the woman then there may be hopes of Conception when health is procured but if it be evil shape of of the members in the woman or the man not fit for Venus-School patientia est optima virtus In the cure you must endeavour to remove whatsoever hindreth Conception Many things are antipathetical to secundity as Jet Glow-worms Saphires Smaragds the Matrix of a Goat or Mule likewise Vinegar Mints Watercresses Beans c. all which I advise you to avoid and make use of those things which have a peculiar virtue to help or cause Conception and remove Barrenness The After-birth of a Woman dried and powdred and taken often a drachm at a time also the Stones and Liver of a Bore-pig the Juice of Sage the Roots of Satirion and Eringo candied are all good There are many medicines prescrib'd in Authours to help Conception Quercetanus doth commend this infusion Take the Matrix of a Hare and the Stones of a Ram prepar'd with Whitewine of Cinamon Ginger Mace Cloves Seeds of
part at least If any consider the several things that promote the growing together of natural things they will find that such force is in tart things whence the Glutinousness and Toughness of fluid things is wont to be produc'd to which if earthy and volatile salt parts be join'd something will be produc'd not much unlike Stones I incline therefore to this opinion that an earthy and salt matter join'd to that which is glutinous groweth together into Stones by help of a tart humour Also Gravel of all kinds that is usually seen in the bottom of Urine testifieth that the conglobated Glandules are all affected by a frequent external Cold or else by sour things taken in and when the Gravel is great it is then near to the Nature of Stones yea sometimes groweth together into Stones especially in cold phlegmatick Bodies where for the most part it giveth Stones their first rising and daily cherisheth their production and increaseth them and the more especially where a glutinous stone-making faculty doth concur in the Body Many Histories mention that Stones are produced from a stone-making Spirit or Breath out of the Earth which hath turned the Bodies of Men Beasts and other things into Stone Riverius in his last edition quoteth Aventius Annal. Bavar lib. 7. Anno 1343. who saith that above fifty Men with many Cattle were turned into Stone Ortelius telleth the like story that whole Herds in Russia have been turned into Stone And Camerarius reporteth that in the Province of Chilo in Armenia at the blast of a South-wind which happeneth four times in a Year whole Troops of Horse have been turned into Statues of Stone standing in the same warlike Posture in which they were marching Children are most inclinable to this Monster in Nature because they have much moisture and weak digestions which generate Crudities Stones are generated in many parts of the Body as the Gall Reins Bladder c. I once opened a Woman that had sixty four Stones in her Gall. I also dissected another whose Ureters were stony and out of her Gall I took out a large Stone and a small one about the bigness of a Hazle-nut out of the Neck of the Gall. 1. These distempers are very dangerous and bring many sad Symptoms to the afflicted Patient as great pain inflammations exulcerations long watchings weakness fevers suppression of Urine and Death it self 2. Pain from acrid Lympha c. may be cured in those that are young if the strength be not too much dejected nor the Disease hereditary That we may now address our selves to the Cure of these grievous Diseases I would advise those who are not very skilfull in the Art of Physick to forbear giving of any thing in these Distempers without the Advice of an experienc'd Physician for I believe many Stones have been bred in those Bodies who before were free from it and were onely troubled with Nephritick pains by the frequent taking of ill Medicines for many Remedies have been invented to dissolve the Stone but experience teacheth that they are most of them inimical to the Reins and Bladder and debilitate their Ferment The solvent of the Stone ought to be homogenious and so singular that it submit not to any digestions or fermental Powers through which it passeth in its way to the parts affected for the Virtue of all common Remedies taken at the Mouth are alter'd and transmuted in passing three digestions For acid things from which much hath been hoped as soon as they are past the Stomach lose their acidity and are converted into a saline Nature so that the dissolving Power of the acid is wholly transmuted before it gets either to the Reins or Bladder Likewise those Medicines which are injected into the Bladder with a Syringe ought to be agreeable to its Ferment that it may not be painfull thereto for if but a small quantity of any sharp Medicine be injected it stirreth up an intolerable Strangury it being wholly foreign to the Ferment of the part And seeing the Stone and all other Distempers of the Reins and Bladder are wont to be bred and increased in length of time the Remedies which you administer must be long us'd before you may have experience of their effects I will here set down some choice Medicines not onely to hinder the increase but to dissolve small Stones in humane Bodies if they be long enough us'd Amongst which we may deservedly attribute the first place to Spirit of Niter seeing Stones of any kind are so easily and manifestly broken and dissolved by it which may commodiously be mixt in any ordinary Drink or Wine and Broths c. to a light acidity whose excellent effects all may admire If the Patient have a costive Body you may give the following Lenitive three or four times in a week Take of Cassia newly drawn one ounce Venice Turpentine half an ounce Crystal prepar'd Salt of Tartar vitriolated of each one drachm Oil of Juniper Spirit of salt Armoniack of each four drops Spirit of Niter twenty drops mix it for two doses The following is also very effectual Take of Cio-turpentine half an ounce Powder of Rhubarb one drachm the Yelk of one egg mix it for two doses give it in the morning fasting and drink four ounces of this Julep after it Take the Decoction for Syrup of Marsh-mallows one quart the waters of Horse-radish Pellitory of the Wall Speedwell Winter-cherries Syrups of Marsh-mallows and the five opening Roots of each two ounces Crystal prepar'd Salt Prunella of each half an ounce tincture of Salt of Tartar two drachms Spirit of Niter twenty drops Laudanum ten grains mix it and give four or five spoonfulls of it often This Powder is also excellent Take Salt of Tartar vitriolated two drachms Powder of Crabs-eyes Salts of Pigeons-dung Broom Beanstalks Wormwood of each half a drachm mix it and give twenty grains of it every morning and evening in the foremention'd Julep If the Patient be plethorick Phlebotomy may be used with good success If a Stone chance to stick in the Ureter which causeth numbness by its pressing upon the Muscle Psoas and the Nerves In this Case apply a Ventose on os Ilium which may bring the Stone by degrees into the Bladder afterward anoint the parts grieved with Rabbets fat If the Stone in the Bladder be very big there is little hopes of dissolving of it wherefore if the Patient being in continual pain be willing to submit to Lithotomy I advise them to make choice of an experienc'd Artist lest by Precipitancy the Operatour neglect to cleanse the Bladder after the Extraction of the Stone by the neglect of which many have generated the Stone again and have been forced to endure that dreadfull operation the second and sometimes the third time under which many have died and others who recovered have never held their Urine In other Nephritick pains if the fleshy parts of the Kidneys be obstructed they