A TREATISE OF Conſumptions.
THe Deſign of this ſmall Treatiſe is not to trouble the Reader with many Diviſions, or Subdiviſions of Conſumptions,
but briefly to enquire into the Nature and Cauſes of this Diſeaſe, as alſo to contribute my Mite, in order to oppoſe its Fury, by pointing at ſuch Specifick Medicines as are moſt likely to engage it with Succeſs.
A Conſumption in general, is a waſting of all the ſolid parts of the Body, for want of a due Diſtribution or Aſſimilation of the Nutritious Juices.
By ſome Learned Men this is obſerved to be the Endemicall Diſtemper of England; and indeed our Weekly Bills at once declare both the greatneſs of the Diſeaſe, and the weakneſs of the Medicines wherewith its Cure hath been hitherto attempted. Beſides, that which ſeems to juſtifie this Obſervation, is the pernicious cuſtom of the Inhabitants of this Iſland, who immoderately and unſeaſonably indulge
their Appetites with ſeveral ſorts of Meats and Drinks, whereby the Tone of the Stomach is ſo vitiated, as that it cannot perfectly ferment and volatilize the Chyle, which is commonly the internal procatartick cauſe of moſt Diſtempers among us, and conſequently of Conſumptions from thoſe Diſtempers, from whence comes a colliquation of the Chyle in Lienteries and Dyſenteries, tormenting Colick
and Iliack Pains, Hypocondriack Melancholly, hyſterick Fits, ſcorbutick Twitches, troubleſom Catarrhs, ſluggiſh Paſſage of the Chyle through the milky Veins, ſcrophulous Tumours and Inflammations of the meſenterick Glands, ſpaſmodick Contractions or Convulſions of the Nerves, preternatural Fermentation of the Blood and Spirits, Cachexys, Atrophys, Obſtructions, Feavers Hectical, inflammatory and
putrid, Exulcerations of the Lungs and Maraſmus, with many other Diſeaſes, whence come they Originally and for the moſt part, but from the Weakneſs, Ill Habit and Indiſpoſition of the Stomach?
Now the proper Action of the Stomach is Chylification; for though the Meat we take into our Mouths receives ſome alteration there in Maſtication, by the fermenting Juice that flows from the ſalivatory
Glands, together with the acrimonious Particles, and fermentaceous Spirits of Liquors which we drink, yet it is not turned into a thick white Juice, till it hath paſſed down through the Oeſophagus, or Gullet, into the Stomach, where by the help of its Fibres it is cloſely embraced, and mixed with ſpecifick fermentaceous Juices, ſeparated by its inner Coat, and impregnated by the Saliva, then by a convenient Heat
there is made a mixture of all; for that the fermentaceous Particles entering into the Pores of the Meat, do paſs through, agitate and eliquate its Particles, diſſolving the whole Compages, in which the purer parts were intimately united with the Craſs, and making them more fluid, ſo that they make another form of Mixture, and unite among themſelves into the reſemblance of a Milky Cream, after which together
with the thicker Maſs with which they are yet involved, by the Conſtriction of the Stomach they paſs down to the Guts, where by the Mixture of the Bile and Pancreatick Juice they are by another manner of Fermentation quite ſeparated from the thicker Maſs, and ſo are received by the Lacteal Veſſels, as the thicker is ejected by ſtool.
After the purer part of the Chyle hath been thus
ſtrained thorough the narrow and oblique Pores of the Milky Veins, by the continual and periſtaltick motion of the Inteſtines, it is yet further attenuated and diluted with a very thin and clear Lympha from the Glands of the Meſentery to expedite its paſſage through thoſe Numerous Meanders into the common Receptacle, from whence by the conſtant ſupply of ſuch like Lympha from the ſmall Glands of the Thorax,
it is ſafely conveyed through the Ductus Chyliferus Thoracicus, ſubclavian Vein, and the Vena Cava into the Heart.
The Chyle now mingled with the Blood, paſſeth with it through the Arterys of the whole Body, and returns again with the Blood by the Veins to the Heart, undergoing many Circulations before it can be Aſſimilated to the Blood; for every time the new infuſed Chyle paſſeth
through the Heart with the Blood, the Particles of the one are more intimately mixed with thoſe of the other, in its Ventricles, and the Vital Spirit, and other active Principles of the Blood work upon the Chyle, which being full of Salt, Sulphur and Spirit, as ſoon as its Compages is looſned by its Fermentation with the Blood, the Principles having obtained the Liberty of Motion, do readily aſſociate themſelves,
and are Aſſimilated with ſuch parts of the Blood as are of a like and ſuitable Nature.
After the Chyle hath been thus Elaborated, it becomes fit as well to recruit the Maſs of Blood, as to Nouriſh the whole Body, ſeeing it conſiſts of divers Principles and Parts of a different Nature, therefore according to the various Uſe and Neceſſity of every Part, and alſo that it may conform and faſhion
it ſelf to the different Pores and Paſſages, ſo it is ſeverally appropriated, the moſt volatile and ſubtil part is ſeparated in the Brain, and adapted to refreſh the Animal Spirits, the Glutinous to nouriſh the Body, and the Sulphureous to revive the Native Heat: And in its paſſage with the Blood through all the parts of the body, all the maſs of Chyle that is capable of being turned into Blood is ſanguified, the ſerous and
ſaline part precipitated by the Kidneys, and evacuated by Sweats or inſenſible Tranſpiration, the Bilious is depoſited in the Liver, and the reſt of its Excrements retire to the ſeveral Emunctorys of the Body.
Thus it comes to paſs by the wonderful Sagacity of Nature, ſuch extraordinary Proviſion is made, that the purer part of the Chyle by theſe ways and means is more purified; and when it is thus purified and ſublimed,
it is more capable of reinforcing the Blood and Spirits, as alſo of corroborating the Tone of every particular Part: Whereas when the Chyle is ſowre and diſpirited, the blood neceſſarily becomes vappid, the Animal Spirits that reſide in the Syſtem of the Nerves are infected with a Morbid Diſpoſition, and all parts of the Body begin to flag and waſte. For indeed there is no other way to recruit
the dayly Expence of Blood and Spirits, but by a continual Influx of laudable Chyle into the blood-veſſels, which Chyle is made by the Fermentative Juice of the Stomach, and this Fermentative Juice ſupplyed from the Maſs of Blood, ſo that there plainly appears to be a fixt Correſpondence betwixt the Blood and Chyle, and a neceſſary Dependance all the Humours in the Habit of the Body have on the
Stomach; from whence it is reaſonable to infer, That if the Chylifying Faculty of the ſtomach be depraved, the Blood and Humours muſt neceſſarily ſympathize therewith, and in a manner proportionable to the Diſtemper of this part.
The immediate Cauſe of a Conſumption of the Lungs is ſtore of ſharp, malignant, wateriſh Humours, continually diſtilling upon the ſoft ſpongy Subſtance of the Lungs,
ſtuffing, inflaming, impoſtumating, and exulcerating them, whereby their Action, which is Reſpiration, or a receiving in and driving forth Air is depraved, as will more clearly appear by the following Deſcription of theſe Parts. It may not be impertinent to our Diſcourſe if we ſhould uſher in the Deſcription of the Lungs, with a ſhort account of the Trachea, Aſpera Arteria, or Wind-pipe.
The Trachea or Aſpera Arteria is a long Pipe, conſiſting of Cartilages and Membranes, which beginning at the Throat or lower part of the Jaws, and lying upon the Gullet, deſcends into the Lungs, through which it ſpreads into many Branchings, and is commonly divided into two parts, the Larynx and Bronchus; the Larynx is the upper part of the Wind-pipe, the Bronchus is all the Trachea beſides the Larynx,
as well before as after it arrives at the Lungs.
The Subſtance of the Lungs is ſoft, ſpongy and rare, curiouſly compacted of moſt thin and fine Membranes, continued with the Ramifications of the Trachea or Wind-pipe, which Membranes compoſe an infinite number of little, round and hollow Veſicles, or Bladders, ſo placed as that there is an open Paſſage from the Branches of the Aſpera Arteria, out of
one into another, and all terminate at the outer Membrane that inveſteth the whole Lungs : Theſe little Bladders by help of their muſcular Fibres contract themſelves in Expiration, and are dilated in Inſpiration, partly by the preſſure of the Atmoſphere, and partly by the Elaſtick power of the Air, inſinuating it ſelf into theſe Veſicles through the Wind-pipe and its ſeveral branches: Their Lobes are
two, the right and left, parted by the Mediaſtinum, each of which is divided into many leſſer Lobules, according to the Ramifications of the Aſpera Arteria; they have all ſorts of Veſſels that are common to them with other parts, as Arterys, Veins, Nerves, Lympheducts, but peculiar to themſelves they have their Bronchia, or the Branches of the Wind-pipe, for bringing in and carrying forth Air ſo neceſſary
to Life, that we cannot Live without it: And when we conſider their admirable Structure, (as well as the ſtructure of every individual part of our Body) how ought we to Adore the infinite Wiſdom of our Creator! Now when theſe ſmall Veſicles or Bladders are repleat with Extravaſated Serum, or purulent Matter, the Natural Tone of the Lungs is ſo weakned, that we cannot enjoy the
Benefit of free and full Reſpiration, hard, ſcirrhous Tumours or Tubercles are bred, attended with a dry and troubleſome Cough, Oppreſſion of the Breaſt, difficult and ſhort Breathing, preternatural Heats, Exulcerations, and other deplorable Symptoms, according to the Degrees of Obſtruction, and different Nature of the included Humours.
The External Procatartick Cauſe of a Conſumption
of the Lungs is cold Particles of Air, conſtipating the Pores of the Body, whereby the Serum which ought to expedite the Motion, and temperate the Heat of the Blood is ſeparated from it, and thrown upon the Glands of the Larynx, and the ſpongy ſubſtance of the Lungs themſelves: For as the Lympha furthers the Motion of the Chyle, ſo the Serum accelerates the Circulation of the Blood,
being carryed about with it through the ſmalleſt Capillary Veſſels and remoteſt parts of the Body, leaſt it ſhould be inflamed with a burning Heat, or ſtagnate by exceſſive thickneſs; during which circular motion they are both called by the ſame common Name, but when ſome Portion of Serum is ſeparated from the maſs of blood, and retreats to ſome one or more of the Emunctorys, according to their various Diſpoſitions,
it derives a Name from thoſe particular Parts on which it ſeizeth, as when it diſtils upon the Eyes, we call it Opthalmia, when upon the Noſe Coryza, and when upon the Thorax it goes by the proper Name of a Catarrh.
Now for as much as there is nothing makes a Separation of the blood more commonly than the want of uſual Tranſpiration, ſo nothing more conduceth to the Preſervation
of Health, than that the Pores of the Body ſhould continually let forth the hot Steams and Vapours that ariſe from the Ebullition of the blood; but when after taking Cold the Skin and Habit of the body are on a ſuddain ſtopped up, that the ſulphureous and wateriſh Excrements of the blood cannot paſs through the Pores, they are again reſorbed into the Maſs of Blood, from whence proceeds a Feaveriſh
Diſpoſition; and unleſs they are carryed off by Stool, or precipitated by the Kidneys, are ſometimes tranſlated to the Glandulous Parts of the Lungs, where by Degrees contracting more and more Heat and Sharpneſs they inflame and exulcerate theſe tender parts.
Nevertheleſs though a Conſumption of the Lungs is ſometimes thus cauſed by taking Cold, yet this comes to paſs but ſeldom, unleſs
in ſuch Bodys whoſe maſs of blood being rendered Cachectick, through frequent Influxes of diſpirited Chyle, is prediſpoſed to receive, and unable to free it ſelf from this New Influx of Catarrhous rheum: For ſuppoſe two Perſons in like manner deprived of the benefit of uſual Tranſpiration, by ſome great Cold, which though troubleſome in the beginning, becauſe of a violent and continual Diſtillation of
Extravaſated Serum upon the Glandulous Coat of the Wind-pipe, and other adjacent Glands, yet in the one of theſe it ſurvives not the accidental Feaveriſh Diſpoſition of the Blood, occaſioned by the ſtoppage of the Pores: For as ſoon as the Ferment ceaſeth, the ſeparated humours, partly for want of a new Influx of Serum, and partly by the Natural Heat of theſe parts, are concocted into a thick ſort of Phlegm,
and coughed up; after the Expectoration of which ſeparated Serum the Glandulous parts preſently recover their Natural Tone, without any Remains of a Tumour, Cough, Shortneſs of Breath, or other Inconvenience; but in the other this Feaveriſh Ferment, occaſioned by taking Cold, is not tranſitory, but ſo Habitually fixed by means of ſome previous Indiſpoſition, as to increaſe the Efferveſcence and colliquation
of the Blood and Spirits; from whence all the Glands which are ſeated in the upper part of the Larynx, as alſo the Glandulous Coat of the Wind-pipe it ſelf are overflown with a Deluge of hot diſtempered Humours, the ſubſtance of the Lungs diſtended with hard Tumours, the Branches of the Wind-pipe compreſt, and the Wind-pipe it ſelf from theſe Swellings irritated to Cough, by a continual
tickling, which promotes a frequent ſpewing out of hot ſharp Humours all along the Aſpera Arteria, till at length theſe Tubercles growing very large, begin to inflame and ſuppurate; immediately upon the breaking or opening of thoſe Apoſtemes, ſometimes ſuch a flood of corrupted Matter is poured out of their Baggs or Cavitys, into the Branches of the Trachea, as compleatly ſuffocates and choaks
the Patient; but at other times this Purulent Matter, mixt with ſtreaks of Blood, and ſome thin Phlegm that is continually diſcharged from the Glandulous Coat of the Wind-pipe, is coughed up by degrees, and then this deplorable Caſe requires Specifick Medicines, to cleanſe and heal theſe Ulcers.
Such kind of Conſumptions whoſe Original is ſtore of malignant acrimonious Humours, which are
moſt apt to inflame and putrifie, may be termed Acute, when compared to others that proceed from Humours more mild and benign. There may be likewiſe ſome difference made by omitting Bleeding, and committing ſome egregious Errors in Dyet, Exerciſe, Paſſions of the Mind, or any other of the Non-Naturals: However, all Consumptions of the Lungs ought to be reckoned in the number of Chronical
Diſtempers, becauſe they are contracted and augmented by degrees, and no other way to be remedied; yet this doth not prove them incurable in their own Nature, for Reaſon and Experience both teach the contrary: And indeed I muſt confeſs, it was from the marvelous Succeſs of theſe Remedies that I firſt imbibed this Notion, viz. Ulcers of the Lungs are in themſelves curable. Sometimes a Feaver
or other Acute Diſtemper may be jugulated, when either Nature or Art carrys off the Morbifick Matter by a ſuddain Criſis or plentiful Evacuation, but all hopes of diſpatching a confirmed Conſumption of the Lungs inſtantly are groundleſs ſeeing many inveterate Obſtructions muſt be removed, abundance of tough glutinous Humous attenuated and evacuated, the whole Maſs of Blood and Spirits
rectified, the Habit of the Body meliorated, and the Tone of Several parts recovered, before we can eradicate this fixed Diſtemper.
What will be the Iſſue and Reſult of this Conſumptive Diſeaſe, may rationally be prognoſticated from its ſeveral Stages or Degrees: For when the Maſs of Blood by a continual Influx of ſowre diſpirited Chyle is reduced to a ſharp and Hectical
ſtate, and the Serum which is ſeparated from this corrupted Blood only ſtuffs the Bladders and Glandules which are diſperſed through the body of the Lungs, this Diſtemper may be ſaid to be in its Infancy or beginning, (and if ſoveraign Remedies were then preſented, they might obtain an eaſie Conqueſt) but the increaſe is attended with a greater Diſtention of the Glands and Bladders, as alſo an Inflammation of
theſe Tubercles tending to ſuppuration: For when the Animal Spirits which are neceſſary to the Natural Fermentation of the Blood are vitiated with unwholeſome Particles of a Foggy and thick Air, and the Humour which for a long time hath been contained in the Baggs or Cavitys of the Lungs is overheated by ſome extraordinary Ebullition or Fermentation of the Blood, with a total ſuppreſſion of
Expectoration, the Cough becomes more violent, the Feaver inflammatory, and all parts more tabid. In its further progreſs or ſtate all Symptoms advance apace towards their Extremity, Suppuration now ſucceeds the Inflammation of theſe Tubercles, for that the Purulent Matter is either breeding or already made, the Inflammatory Hectick is changed into a putrid Intermitting Feaver, attended with an Univerſal
Colliquation of the Nutritious Juices and plentiful Separation of them from the Maſs of Blood by all ways of Evacuation that Nature affords; whence the Patients ſtrength ſuddainly decays, and in a ſhort time he is reduced to the higheſt ſtate of a Maraſmus, with an Hippocratick Face.
Thus having demonſtrated to the meaneſt Capacity the greatneſs of this prevailing Evil, with its
efficient and material Cauſes, Reaſon it ſelf preſently ſuggeſts nothing leſs than great and noble Medicines can tame a Diſtemper ſo formidable. It is no leſs obvious to the Underſtanding of every one that profeſſeth any thing of Phyſick, that the ſooner the Cure is begun the better, the more moderate the Patient is in the uſe of the ſix Non-Naturals, the more likely to ſucceed; the Spring time is the beſt Seaſon,
Univerſals are to be premiſed, Extraordinary Symptoms and Circumſtances peculiarly attended, and ſuch like things muſt run through the whole Courſe of Practiſe.
No doubt but the Chalibeate Mineral Waters when impregnated with the Volatile Salts and Spirits of a ſerene Air, pleaſant Society, delightful Recreations, Morning and Evening Walks, regular Dyet, Freedom from Buſineſs,
vexatious Thoughts, and the reſt may be ſerviceable: But if the Jeſuit were ſentenced to perpetual Exile, I think the Conſumptive have no reaſon exceſſively to lament, for I can tell them who hath a Febrifuge Antihectical, without a Grain of the Jeſuit, more excellent far than the Peruvian Bark, becauſe it makes a ſafe, not a treacherous Peace, and can give a Reaſon of its working ſo ſtupendiouſly, though they
that know not how a thing can be done, think it impoſſible to be done.
For my part, I do not believe any Medicine can work a Cure in the way of a Charm, yet they that either know or uſe no other (at leaſt for the moſt part) than ordinary Medicines, cannot conceive how ſuch wonderful Effects can be wrought, unleſs by Enchantment.
The common Method of Cure is by Phlebotomy,
or Opening a Vein, to abate the Efferveſcence or Colliquation of the Blood, and prevent the Tumour and Inflammation of the Lungs, by Vomits to relieve the Stomach oppreſt with ſtore of ill Humours, and remove divers Obſtructions of ſeveral Bowels and ſmall Veſſels, by Stomach-Purges gently to carry down the peccant Humours; and laſtly by Diureticks and Diaphoreticks with ſome mixture
of an Opiate, plentifully to carry off the Colliquated Serum by Urine, or the Pores of the Skin, without raiſing a freſh Catarrh by a new Commotion of the Blood. After a due Adminiſtration of theſe univerſal Evacuations, (which in their reſpective ſeaſons are highly neceſſary) the frequent Uſe of Pectoral Apozems and Pulmonary Linctuſſes is next enjoined, to retund the Acrimony of the Humours that
Ouze out by the Wind-pipe, by their mucilaginous and incraſſating quality, and ſo mitigate the troubleſome Cough. How far ſerviceable to this end and purpoſe the neateſt Forms of ſuch Diſpenſations that I ever yet ſaw may be, Ile not diſpute, only this I muſt take leave to ſay, becauſe to me (as alſo to the unprejudiced I humbly conceive) it ſeems evident, that ſuch fulſome Ingredients of which they are
compounded, are more apt to ſpoil a weak than recover a loſt Stomach, and conſequently not the fitteſt Medicines Conſumptive Perſons may have recourſe unto: For how many by woful Experience have found the conſtant and frequent uſe of ſuch Antiſtomachicks lead them from one Degree of this Malady to another, 'till their decaying Appetite hath been quite overthrown, (and conſequently
their Hectick Heat inflamed) their Bodys ſo emaciated, as to render them uncapable of neceſſary Evacuations, and they themſelves at laſt given over to a Milk Dyet, Aſſes Milk, ſome Chalibeate Mineral Waters, or ſuch like Liquids, to which the poor diſtreſſed Stomach Ecchos aloud, Miſerable Comforters all! If therefore I can, as I have Reaſon to believe, with Medicines leſs offenſive in Quantity, and more
uſeful in Quality, reſtore the loſt Appetite, and do the ſame, if not greater Service towards the Concocting and Expectorating that load of ſeparated Serum with which the Pipes of the Lungs are ſtuffed, (which will eaſily be perceived by the Patient in a few Weeks, with due Care and Management) I think I have gained a great Point, for as much as the Recovery of the Stomach may reaſonably
be looked upon as an Earneſt of the Cure.
The Medicines I do here recommend to my Countrey-men as Specificks in the Cure of Conſumptions of the Lungs, ariſing from the fore-mentioned Cauſes, have a peculiar Faculty of warming, comforting and ſtrengthening weak Stomachs, attenuating and gently carrying off that load of Tartareous Matter which is lodged in their rugous Coat, depraving
both Appetite and Digeſtion. In their Paſſage through the whole circumference of the Guts, they likewiſe diſſolve that cruſted Slime and Filth which hinders the Preſſure of the Chyle into the Milky Veſſels by the Periſtaltick motion of their Spiral Fibres: Thus having removed theſe Fundamental Obſtructions, they haſten together with the Chylous Mixture, which by this time is ſomewhat Invigorated
towards the Relief of the Sanguineous Maſs, preſently upon their Conjunction the Blood revives, and by degrees becomes brisk and vigorous, able to cope with, and give ſome check to the preternatural Hectick Heat, ſtop the Influx of Rheum into the Glandulous Subſtance of the Lungs, concoct that which is already collected, and releaſe the Animal Spirits, intangled with a vitious diſpoſition of the
Nervous Juice. Having gained theſe Advantages, things begin to look with another manner of Aſpect, the Habit of the Body grows firmer, the Mind chearfuller, the Countenance freſh and brisk, the Emaciated Parts gather Fleſh and Strength, the Lungs and Glands of the Larynx recover their natural Tone, and the whole Conſtitution improves towards a State of Health. Moreover, Theſe Antiphthiſicks
are really impregnated with ſuch Volatile Spirits and Salts, that like unto Lightning they penetrate the remoteſt Corners of the Body, exterminating the very Seeds and Roots of this grievous Diſeaſe, powerfully and effectually, yet pleaſantly and ſecurely, if plentifully taken in the manner of a Dyet: For thus in time they chear up the drooping Animal Spirits, fortifie the Syſtem of the Nerves, and
ſo influence the whole Sanguineous Maſs, as that the Blood it ſelf becomes the moſt precious of all Natural Balſoms, marvellouſly cleanſing the putrid Ulcers of the Lungs, and finally reducing them to a perfect Cicatrix.
Wherefore let none be deceived by the flattering Nature of this Diſtemper in the beginning, nor give themſelves over for loſt in the higheſt ſtate, becauſe theſe reviving Cordials are
calculated for the weakeſt Conſtitutions, ſeeing at the ſame time they offend the Diſeaſed Matter with the one hand; they ſupport Nature from ſinking under any Evacuations with the other. It is therefore my Advice to the Conſumptive, or conſumptively inclined, and their Intereſt (by way of Prevention) to acquaint themſelves in time with theſe Soveraign Antidotes. Better Counſel I cannot give to the
beſt of my Friends, if they are deſirous to ſave themſelves a great deal of Pain and Miſery, as well as Charges, and render their Lives comfortable to themſelves and ſerviceable to others.
The Warmneſs of theſe Medicines, which is the only Objection that ever I met with in the uſe of them, is ſo far from being a real Diſcouragement, as that upon ſerious and judicious Considerations it
becomes a Notable Argument to enforce the taking of them, for otherwiſe they would be too weak to engage the Original Cauſe of Hectick, burning and Putrid Feavers; whereas by this active Principle of Heat, they work ſo effectually upon the whole maſs of Chyle, as to ſeparate the ſharp and diſpirited from the Nutritious Particles thereof, thoroughly inſinuate themſelves into all the
Avenues of the Adverſary, cut and divide the tough viſcous Humours that diſtemper the Veins, Arteries and Nerves, deſtroy the Acidity of the Nervous Juice, recover the Natural Temper of the Animal Spirits, ſweeten the maſs of Blood, by ſeparating the Impurities thereof by the Cutaneous Glands, gently forcing a Tranſpiration of the Feaveriſh Particles of the whole, and ſo baniſh that Preternatural
Heat which is Proof to all common Remedies. And that Diſeaſes which carry in their outward appearance a ſhew of preternatural Heat are thus to be treated with warm Medicines, is indeed obſervable to every diſcerning Eye: For the moſt malignant Feavers are attackt and conquered by the briskeſt and warmeſt Alexipharmacks and the moſt violent Eryſipelas, or St. Anthony's Fire, is diſcuſſed and
breathed out by ſtrong and Spirituous Fomentations, but are both of them exaſperated by refrigerating or cooling Medicines, and their preternatural Heat more and more increased, till the one at length terminates in the cold ſweats of Death, and the other in a compleat Mortification.
To multiply Inſtances of this kind is remote from my intended brevity, therefore take this remarkable one for all: The Wife
of Mr. Fowles, who belongs to the Mint in the Tower of London, in the beginning of November, 1695. ſent for me to open a Vein; after a lamentable Complaint that ſhe was nothing the better, but the worſe for all the Phyſick ſhe had taken: I took leave, wiſhing her to Exerciſe Patience, and continue in the uſe of thoſe things the Dr. had preſcribed; though I alſo told her, if ſhe found no Benefit,
I would do her all the Service I could, if ſhe ſent for me: About the middle of January following ſhe did ſend for me again, and told me Dr. H. her Phyſician, and Mr. W. Apothecary, had given her over, therefore deſired ſome Aſſiſtance, according to my Promiſe: I found her in a very low Condition, under a Hectick Feaver, troubleſome Cough, tedious Aſthma, Colliquative Looſneſs, with a Complication
of Convulſive and Epileptick Fits, (of which ſhe had ſometimes to the Number of Eighteen or Twenty in a day) Total Deprivation of Appetite, having for ſome Months together received no other ſuſtenance from Food, than what a Glaſs of Sack with a Toast afforded, whereby all the Parts of her Body were waſted and conſumed to the higheſt degree of a Maraſmus that ever I ſaw, resembling a walking Ghoſt, or a
perfect Skeleton, inveſted with nothing but Skin. For my part I was not very forward to do any thing, fearing a few days would put a period to her Life; neither indeed was the Seaſon any ways inviting: However, the good Opinion ſhe was pleaſed to entertain of my Endeavours, encouraged me more than I could her, and with the Bleſſing of God on both Method and Medicines, without any aſſiſtance from the Bark or
Mineral Waters, ſhe was quite freed from her Hecticd Heat, her Fits abated almoſt every day, her Stomach returned, her Bones wire cloathed with Fleſh, and her Strength ſo far recruited, as that ſhe was able to walk ſeveral Miles together without a Supporter, though ſhe could not exchange the unwholſome, foggy, Tower Air, (at this time more than ordinarily polluted with ſtore of naſty black Particles, from the
ſmoak of Coals) for the freſh clear Country Breezes, till the latter end of Summer. Before and ſince this proſperous Event I have given theſe Remedies to others, and taken them my ſelf ſeveral hundreds of times, and have always found then Operations in offenſive, for the moſt part ſucceſsful, and sometimes wonderful.
FINIS.