CHAP. I. The Subject matter of the Discourse in General,

WORMS the Subject, and worms the Readers, and a worm the Author of this Book; which must all ere long, be swallowed up of Eternity and be worm-eaten; the Au­thor himself and the proudest Reader as soon as the Book, we are inclosed but in mud-walls, and paper-walls are as durable, What manner of persons therefore ought we to be in all holy conversation and [Page 2]godliness, looking for and hastening unt [...] the coming of the Day of God?

Most Physitians treating of worms d [...] rank them in the number of Diseases and is vulgarly taken for a Disease, bu [...] very improperly. Some have dispute [...] the point, whether it be a DISEASE or a CAUSE; many reduced it t [...] the former, others rank it only unde [...] the later head. To enter into Contro­versie in this place, is not my intent; [...] shall only therefore, add this, that, sinc [...] worms are properly to be reckoned a­mongNon enim sunt partes vi­ventes, sed toto genere preter naturam. Preternatural things as being in th [...] body many times, if not at all times And, although they may possess every part, yet are no parts of the body, [...] cannot be a Disease perse: for this is a [...] accident, they a substance; and though [...] they be referred to a Disease becaus [...] the natural disposition of the parts i [...] thereby vitiated, and Physitians ran [...] them among Diseases, and treat of them accordingly; yet properly, what w [...] call the worms is not (I say) per se, [...] Disease, but rather aAs I have [...]oted in my [...]nel. Medi­ordium a Treatise not [...]et in print. Cause.

However, for the better and mor [...] clearer manifestation of what I aim'd at (viz. to shew, that (contrary to th [...] phantastical opinion of the major par [...] [Page 3]of the world) most people (if not all) of both Sexes, of all ages of man from the Womb to the Tomb, are incident [...]o, and may be molested, and direfully [...]ormented and cruciated, with several [...]orrid and intollerable pains and most [...]aladies, nay and death it self, from [...]orms; And, that infinite multitudes of people die by these vermin under the [...]otion of other maladies, whilst nei­ [...]her the Patient not Physitian is either sensible or dream of any such matter; As also, that it is a material, if not the most material enemy, a Physitian is to [...]end his whole force against, in almost every Disease: And although I am, in a manner, herein, singular; having never met with any Author that makes these vermin of so generally an evil conse­quence (most, only treating of them as a Disease chiefly incident to Children, and some few confess them to be some­times complicated with other distem­pers) yet I doubt not but to the more rational, the truth of my Hypothesis will be evinced) I shall treat hereof as aEst enim morbus in nu­mero, tota sub­stantia praeter naturam quemadimo­dum, Galenus testatur. Lib. de Diff. Morb. & 14. Method. medend. Disease chiefly. And that I may the better be understood, I shall herein follow this method, viz. to examine,

1. The Subject on which I am to [Page 4]treat, viz. Worms, The Definition an [...] Names in General.

2. The matter and origination of them whence they are ingendred and of wha [...] humours.

3. Their several Species and Kinds.

4. The several parts of the Body [...] Man affected, or most incident to be mo­lested by them.

5. The Parties affected, or what age of man are most subject to them.

6. Their Causes introducing them.

7. The divers signs, Diagnosticks wherby they are discovered to be in th [...] bodies of men.

8. The many direful symptomes thereb [...] introduced.

9. The Prognosticks they presage.

10. And Lastly, the Indications, an [...] Method of Cure, with a Cautionar [...] Direction how to prevent and remed [...] those direful evils by them occasioned.

CHAP. II. Of the matter and origination of Worms.

LEt us now inquire a little, of wha [...] matter these Vermin are generated. The Definition tells us of what they most usually and most commonly pro­ceed, viz. From putrid, vitious and gross, viscid, corrupt matter of what nature soever, having a vital principle in it self apt for generation. And although some opine their origination is only from crude Pu [...] or pituitous humours; denying adust or cholerick humours can occasion them, opposing their bitterness both to putri­faction and their production; yet, it is evident they are ingendred not only of these, but of all and every humour, since there is no humour but is subject to pu­trifaction, Et omne putridum ex se & sua natura generare vermes: The adust and cholerick, as well as the flegmatick: but not so frequently; and the curious may observe that worm-wood and the bitterest herbs (as also Vinegar) do pro­duce a sort of worm, according to the quality, nature and property of the matter or putrifaction whence they [Page 7]arise. So that as in the [...], we [...]ee Silk-worms to proceed of Mulberry- [...]eaves; several sorts of Flies, of several [...]orts of Muck and Carrion; Bees of the [...]arcass of a Calf, Wasps of an Horses; [...]nd innumerable other sorts, of all kinds of Fruits, herbs of putrid matter; and that the Earth also produces various, and monstrous Creatures by divers pu­tredinous matters in the Caverns thereof, as Dragons, Serpents, Toads, Spiders and innumerable Insects, of several forms, various colours and magnitudes, from a various mixture of a moist, vi­rulent, viscous and slymie faeces joyned with a putrid heat agreeable to its own nature: So that if the matter be one, the production will be likewise one, if dif­ferent, divers generations are occasion­ed. Even so in the [...], accord­ing as the humour putrified in us is ei­ther simple, or compound, Hot, Cold, Moist, Dry, Bitter, Acide, Sweet, &c. and the part affected is disposed as to it's degree of heat or moisture, variousAs in the next Chapter doth appear. kinds of worms are ingendred in us? In the subject matter where I say like as in the Macrocosm.

And this must needs be so, since the Reasons and Causes of any Insects in [Page 8]Humane as well as other bodies, are as antient as the Creation it self, every thing producing a several Creature, ac­cording to the nature and disposition of the matter. Causa enim efficiens Calo [...] putredinis est, is enim in materia disposita [...] & [...], Aristot. in [...]. De part. Animal. Cap. 11. whence it is most certain, that Children a­bounding with vitious humours, being the material Cause, and have a moist kind of heat, or a putrid heat joyned with moisture, which is the efficient cause of worms, must needs most abound, and be much molested with these vermin; and adult less, by reason their heat is more acute and their moisture less: But why so many of the Learned, andQualis cum sit in pueris non mirum est in illis ex his cibis vermes nasci, è quibus in adultis, qu orum Calor est acnor nulli nascuntur. Sennertus that most laborious Neoterick should conclude that such as are adult are not at all molested with worms, I know not, since there is no age nor con­stitution exempt from putrid humours at one time or other; as will be shewedChap. 5. beneath.

Besides these humours, worms may, sometimes, be ingendred of the very Chyle and Aliment of the Body, being mixed with putrid and excrementitious hu­mours; especially in such bodies as have not a good digestion, and in whom [Page 9]the meseraick veins are deficient in [...]heir attractive vertue, and in such as [...]at or drink immoderately, before the [...]ormer sustinance be concocted: For, [...]hus the Crude and half-digested Chyle, being mixed with what is well matura­ [...]ed, descend both into the Intestines for want of being duly attracted by the meseraicks, and so mixing themselves with the excrements, putrifie,; and, by the heat of the place, are converted in­to these Animals.

Again, they may have their origination in us by contagion, from certain animated efflu­viums, or vermicular atome-like Corpuscules [...]or Fèrments which flow out of gross, corrup­ted bodies, and fly through the Air, where­by they are communicated to bodies capable of, and fitted to receive such impressions; and so by their evil and venemous ferment, are inserted; which many times, so lurk in the blood and humours (as I shall shewChap. [...]. beneath) that they occasion strange diseases and symptomes, and that such, as as few Physitians take no­tice of; but ascribing them to other Causes, cause the destruction of their Patients, as commonly as may be, when if they did but consider the strange Fer­mental power of the animated Atoms [Page 10]or vermicular Corpuscules, how they, by little and little when once desemina­ted, infest, first the whole mass of Blood, next, the Bowels, and after­wards the inmost fibers of the whole man, altering the Constitution, and converting both blood and humours into their own bad temper and nature, they might do much more good.

For although the seeds of several Insects, are, by the power of our spirits subjugated, which are imbibed in our blood by the Air, our Diet, &c. and so not able presently to shew themselves; yet upon any disorder or disease they do most effectually.

I know I shall meet with many find-faults for this tenet, being not common. But such I shall referr to their own eyes to justifie what I say, if they will take but the pains to view any corrupt blood with aBy which Instrument fit­ted with glasses at each end, the smallest mite will ap­pear in that magnitude as you may dis­cover every part thereof. Microscope when it is cold, or Wounds, Ulcers, or any sore, Bubo's, or Botch, where they shall plainly per­ceive innumerable vermines; And then I doubt not but they will be of my mind, and endeavour to do more effe­ctually, what I aim at in this Essay, viz. To put both Physitian and Patient in a Jealousie, on any Distemper, that [Page 11] worms The Scorbie may be also as Epidemical a Cause. are the original Cause; espe­cially in those that have any thing of Fermentation or Putrifaction. And [...]ruly, I think I was hardly ever deceived [...]n this particular.

I could instance in above Threescore [...]everal Patients in the year 1656. both of old and young, of both Se­ [...]es, of all ages and strengths that I observed, had, that, then almost Epi­demical Disease the Dysentery; and all by reason of worms, most of which ne­ver mended with the rational progress of that direful Distemper, till I gave them that which kill'd the worms or brought off the Helminthick matter.

The like I could say of some in the Measles, Small-pox, Convulsions in Chil­dren, Feavers in both young and adult, as well before, as since that time, that were to admiration cured, even beyond all hope (when no methodical course would in the least, make the Distemper sloop) by fighting against the worms only.

As it hath been therefore, ever since, my custom, in all Diseases, chiefly to su­spect worms to be at the bottome (know­ing what horrid mischief hath been done for want of this suspition, the preven­tion [Page 12]of which, being the only cause of my writing this Tract) So also I advise thee, since I have seldom failed of suc­cess in that course of Cure.

So that then the Sum is, That worm may be ingendred and have their origi­nation in Humane Bodies by animate [...] Effluviums, Chyle, all and every hu­mour, and that of divers forms, shape [...] and natures, according to the nature and property of the matter or putrifa­ction whence they have their origina­tion. And so much the more perni­tious are they as the putrifaction is more virulent.

CHAP. III. Of the several Sorts and Kinds of Worms.

LOok how various the matter is, and so various and different must like­wise the Species be. Many of the An­tients and Neotericks have written con­fusedly of them, and neither agree a­mong themselves touching their Descri­tion nor Number.

Lib. 3. Aph. Aphor. 26. Hypocrates speaks only of two, [...], & [...], giving them the [Page 13]name of [...] in general, whence it [...]s much controverted by some, whether [...]here are any more sorts; and that the [...]ather, because our Latin Hypocrates, Lib. 4. D [...] Re medie [...] Cap. 17. Aurelius Cornelius Celsus mentions also no more, viz. Lati and Teretes, giving this reason why Hypocrates mentioned not those flat worms, Because they agree with no determinate age, nor peculiarly belong to any; his business here, being to name every Disease incident to each Age; and so Galen endeavours to ex­cuse him, because (he sayes) Youth are not troubled with them (of whom in the afore-quoted Aphorism he was speaking) but rather the adult: But the contrary is apparent to every diligent observer; nay, and Hypocrates himself in another place (viz. 4. De Morbis) or whoever else was the Author of that Book, is of opinion, nay, and positively concludes, Youths may be affected with Cucurbitini.

Whence, some have made three kinds, adding that of Celsus which Hy­pocrates omitted, according to that ofLib. 5. De Hist. Anima­lium, Cap. 19. Aristotle, who reckons up three sorts, and so doth Galen in his Comment on that Aphorism, viz. 1. Teretes (which are those Hypocrates calls [...],) are [Page 14]most common and like unto Earth-worms 2. Lati (mentioned by Celsus) are a sor [...] of long flat worms and more rate: 3. A [...] ­scarides which are a small slender sort of worms as small as hairs some of them white, and as Riverius well notes, re­sembling little bits of Thred; and are more frequently seen also then flat-worms.

Many of our Neotericks have added a fourth sort, viz. Cucurbitini. Some divide those Lati or flat-worms into two kinds, the one Long, the other Short [...] the former of which they make to be Ascarides, the later Cucurbitini. Some again, will have Cucurbitini to be a di­stinct kind by themselves. A Third withLib. de par­tium morbis & symptom [...] ­tis, Cap. 10. Fernelius, reserve those Lat [...] Lumbrici, which the Greeks call [...] ap­pellant quod vitiis & fasciis mulierum qui­bus capillum vinciunt si­milis. Taenia so a sort of Cucurbitini denying that th [...] gourd-seed like worms are pieces of thos [...] flat-worms (as many affirm) but makes i [...] a kind. So doth Amatus Lucitanus refe [...] them to Ascarides. And some against al [...] these, make a question whether there b [...] any such worms like the seed of Gourds found in humane bodies. Sennertus, to end the Controversie, out of Paulu [...] Lib. 4. c. 18. Aeginetus (who likewise took it fromLib. 4. de Morbis. Hypocrates, or who ever else was the [Page 15]Author of that Book) shews thatCucurbiti­nos enim ver­mes quod atti­net, nihil aliud sunt quam partes Lati Lumbrici quae quando ab­rum puntur, singulae cu­curbitae semen referre viden­tur. Cu­ [...]urbitini are nothing else but parts of those [...]at-worms, which when they are broken, [...]esemble the seed of a Gourd.

Unum, quod fasciam refer­rat membra­neam, intesti­norum tenui­orum substan­tiae similem, earum longi­tudinem ade­quantem, mi­nime tamen uti illa, cavam. Sed digitum transversum latum quae rectius Taenia intestino­rum quam Lumbricus la­tus appellatur, cum nec vivat [...]ee loco moratur lumbricus nec titillationes aut rosiones in Intestinis [...]fficiat. Alterum vero genus lumbricorum numerum admittit & Taeniam illam ex portionibus multis cohaerentibus & quae obscedere [...]vicem possint, Cucurbitaeque semina quadrata nonnihil referunt, [...]onstitui dicit, hocque vermis genus proprii Cucurbitum nominari [...]enset, quod r [...]rius integrum, plerumque in frusta divisum excernitur. [...] Ut qui Tricennum sint pedum vel plurium.Moreover those Lati, or flat-worms [...]re of two sorts, which Plato and others [...]escribe, the longest of all other worms [...]e sayes, (and so doth Galen Comment in Aphorism, Hypoc. 26. lib. 3. extending it [...]elf over all the Intrails) affirming Pract. Med. Lib. 3. Part. 2. Cap. 5.) out of Pliny, Nat. Hist. Lib. 11. Cap. 33. [...]hat the first sort (which doth not so much resemble the seeds of a Gourd as [...]he last) hath been bred in mans body of g three hundred foot in length, and sometimes more: And I my self have been [...]redibly informed by several wise men of known Ingenuity yet living, that saw [...] worm voyded by a Souldier of the [...]ull length of his Pike, and one evacua­ [...]ed by a Youth six and thirty Yards [...]ong. But of the other sort the same Platerus sayes, he finds no such large [Page 16]Relation: Yet Consiliator Diff. 10. [...] mentions one of seventeen foot lon [...] And I my self had a Patient the ye [...] 1657. a woman of above fifty years [...] age that voyded a worm of that so [...] most resembling the seeds of a Gour [...] in links, of a yard and half long. Gal [...] affirms, Loco Citato, those Lati Lumbri [...] to be seldome seen; andPrax. Med. lib. 10. cap. 9. Lazarus R [...] ­verius sayes, one shall hardly rancount [...] in a mans whole Practice or life-tim [...] three or four such examples. Now, those Cucurbitini, as the same Galen an [...] Riverius, as also Hypocrates, Paulus A [...] ­ginetus, Sennertus, and infinite othe [...] maintain, be only those Lati Lumbri [...] broken in pieces, I may safely and tru [...] averr that they are as common, if n [...] more common then the other sort [...] worms, as I have frequently observed several Patients of my own, both o [...] and young, of both Sexes and dive [...] Constitutions. I suppose therefore th [...] mean those Lati Lumbrici unbroken.

Again, many opine that those L [...] Lumbrici are only a white ab-roded kin [...] of matter, stript as it were, off the I [...] ­trals, and that through the length, [...] them, which being ejected with [...] excrements and so broken into piec [...] [Page]

[Page 17]appeared like unto the seeds of Gourds, [...] being seldom or never evacuated whole, therein confirming themselves; [...]hat it hath neither life nor motion, and [...]anifests it self only to be meer mucous, [...]ituitous matter, condensed by the fri­gidity of the Intestines, and thereby cir­ [...]umvolved and resembles a worm. And [...]et Platerus confesses those ground-like- [...]orms move in it.

Thus amids so many various and con­ [...]rary opinions, it is no easie matter to [...]etermine which is the right and true Number; some make Five sorts with Petrus Forestus; others Four only, with Hypocrates and the rest, rejecting Cucur­ [...]itini. Yet the most rational maintain [...]ut three distinct species of Worms usual­ [...]y ingendred in mans body, especially [...]he Intralls, 1. Longi & Teretes, 2. Bre­ [...]ones & Cuburbitae seminis effigie, reser­ [...]ing Lati thereunto, 3. Ascarides & [...]xigui, as Fernelius loco Citato accompts; [...]nd of those they only treat.

But there hath been many sorts of [...]orms known to be found in humane bo­ [...]ies besides those, and that of most hor­ [...]id and strange shapes.(1) Lib. 2. Prax. Admi­rand. Obs. 31. As 1. Zacutus Lucitanus tells us of a Patient of his who [...]oyded a black dead worm of a pretty length [Page 18]and thickness with the body all over hairy a small Head and a forked Tail. (2.) Lib. de Abditis, cap. 2. And 2. Benivenius tells us of a worm that one vomited with a red head round like a pease, and covered with hair like a Caterpiller, having four feet and tail like an half-moon Likewise,(3.) De simple Medicam 3. ex novo orbe delatorum, Cap. de ver­bena. 3. Nicholas Monardus speak [...] of a worm that a Lady evacuated hirsute bigg, and above a foot long with a doubl [...] forked tail. (4.) Lib. 4. de Med. Histor. mirab. cap. 26. 4. And Marcellus Donatu [...] mentions one that vomited a red worm of the length of a mans hand, having tw [...] crooked horns and an hundred feet, mar­ching in a strange manner. (5.) In Scho­lia observ. & lib. 9. de va­riis Capitis Doloribus. So 5. Fore­stus hath a Patient affected with a blac [...] worm in the shap [...] of a Weezle. In like manner.(6.) Observat. 4. ex observ. Commun. A. D. Petro Pachequo me­dico luna elen­si celeberrimo. 6. Riverius writes of one tha [...] evacuated many black worms of the big­ness and length of a common or ordinary Needle, horned and friable, so that on [...] might crumble them to powder between one [...] fingers. (7.) In suo Philonio. Likewise 7. Valesius De Tarant [...] sayes,(8.) In obs. med. lib. 21. In Schol. obs. 26. So doth Dodonaeus in annotat. ad Cap. 58. Be­niven. de ab­ditis. he saw some worms that came from a young man in the form of Pine-seeds, on­ly bigger. Also the same afore-quoted Forestus tells us of one from the Te­stimony of Henricus à Bra, who vomi­ted a worm like unto a Palmer-worm. Morever 9.(9.) Obs. 3. Cent. 3. Riverius hath a Patient in his Observations, who ejected a worm [Page 19]of a Cubit long, and of the thickness of a mans finger. (10.) Lib. 4. De prestigiis Daemonum Cap. 16. So 10. Widrus writes of a [...]ellow that voyded a worm of eight foot [...]ong and somewhat more, with a kind of a horned mouth, not unlike the bill of a Duck. Likewise 11.(11.) Lib. 2. Cosmocrit. Cap. 2. Cornelius Gemma tells us of a Wench that voyded an Ele-like-worm, or resembling a Grigg, generated in the Colon. (12.) De Lumbricis Cap. 13. And 12. Jabucinus speaks of one that expelled a black worm, hairy, five foot long, and of the thickness of a Reed. Likewise Mortuus Records 13.(13.) Lib. 4. Cap. 4. & Cap. 19. A­nast. morb. one molested with the Cholick to eject a green four footed, Hirsute live worm, like unto a Lizard. Such a like story is also mentioned by 14.(14.) In De­monst. Juditii de Dente au­revo, Adversus Respons. Jo­han. Ingolstet­teri Norimberg. Martin Rup. and Fil. Again 15.(15.) In libro Secretorum. Fallopius speaks of a worm all over hairy, black, having two heads, & Dodramalis longitudinis propulsus est, as he rendreth it, of nine ounces of length, or rather weight. (16.) Lib. 3. Epist. 94. & ejusdem operis lib. 1. pag. 22. And 16. Gesner tells us of one that voyded by stool, a worm like unto a Beetle, black, with long feet and horns. Likewise Guilielmus 17.(17.) Cap. 17. De dignoscen­dis & Curan­dis morbis. Rondeletius writes of a woman that expelled a worm of two Cubits in length, like unto the worm called Scolopendra, having no eyes nor other part distinct; the which he says (by reason of its rarity) he dryed and kept a long time. And the same afore­quoted [Page 20]18.(18.) Loco Citato. Forestus speaks of a wench who vomited two Beetle-like-worms hal [...] as long as a mans finger, with two horn each of them on their heads, and tending to a reddish colour. Also from the Te­stimony of Henricus à Bra, he write of a person that voyded by stool, a wor [...] like unto a Horse-leech. (19.) Lib. de▪ Peste. So 19. Johan­nes Hebenstreit, likewise tells us of white worm with a sharp and horny nos [...] found in a person. And Doctor 20.(20.) See his Book Sect. 2. Ed­ward May, our Country-man (to com [...] near home) hath written a Book of very strange Worm, whitish, about a spa [...] long, and the thickness of a mans finger having towards the Tail, two branches, di­vided into divers fibers of a fleshy colour the Head bloudy, and in shape like unto [...] Serpents or Snakes. But Examples are in finite.

Wherefore, by what hath been said it is manifest, that although those Thre [...] Kinds only before mentioned, do mo [...] frequently molest the bodies of man­kind: Divers others of horrid shape and forms, may, and do oftentimes in fest them, and are therein likewise in­gendred, Quemadmodum & in mund [...] magno fieri conspicimus, and according as the Matter and Cause is various an [...] [Page 21]diversly disposed, different and new Species are produced every day. So that as touching the number of the se­veral Species of Worms, I must conclude them indefinite, and so descend to the Parts affected.

CHAP. IV. Of the Parts affected.

IN the next place, according to our method, we are to speak of the Parts affected, which are as many as the Spe­cies or Kinds. For, if the matter of worms be thick, gross, viscid, and pu­trid humours, joyned with heat and moisture, and so quickned and rendred [...]apt to receive a vital property; and if they be ingendred of every humour, (as you have heard) what part of the body of man can be free;Materia è qua vermes generantur in omnibus fere Corporis par­tibus reperiri posse. since there is no part wherein material and efficient Causes may not be abundant and predo­minant? whence, perhaps,Fen. 16. Tract. 3. Ca. 1. Avicenna concludesRaro Cor­pus nostrum esse sine ver­mibus. our bodies are seldome without these Cattle. So that, (I say) the Kinds cannot be more numerous, then the Parts affected.

Many, notwithstanding, make only the Belly and Intestines to be affected, speaking of no other worms but Teretes, Lati and Ascarides; or, as others ac­compt them, Teretes, Cucurbitini and Ascarides. Teretes affect the upper In­trails and small Guts, being therein ge­nerated. Whence, sometimes, by the Pilorus, for want of food, or by some other occasion, they creep into the Stomach.

Which hath occasioned that great Controversie among the Learned, whe­ther they, or any other sort of worm be generated in the Stomachs.4. Metheor. Aristotle denies it, whom Duncan Lib­delius, Whether worms are generated in the Stomach? and many other ap­prove and follow.Lib. 4. de Medica Histo­ria mirabili. Cap. 26. Mar­cellus Donatus is of the contrary opinion. So isUxor Georgii Mayr preme­batur lateris Infamatione, ac infestabatur vermibus in ventriculo ge­nitis. Martin Ruland, who illustrates it by an example in Cent. 2. Curat. 53. Also in Cent. 3. Curat. 94. And inPotissimum autem ventri­culum arce­bant. Cent. 1. Curat. 34. and 80. So dothIn observat. med. lib. 21. In Schol. obs. 26. Fo­restus in divers places. And Zacutus Lu­citanus Lib. 2. obs. 31. & 22. Prax. Admirand. As alsoCent. 1. observat. 28. Riverius. And I my self knew a man, who by drinking hard, vomited two worms, each of them a yard long and alive; and a Gentlewoman taken sud­denly with vomiting, ejected a worm of [Page 23]a quarter of a yard long; which no doubt, were bred in the Stomach. Be­sides, that worms may be ingendred in the Stomach, is farther evinced byLib. 1. De locis affectis Cap. 5. Ga­len, Comment. De Lumbricis Cap. 13. Scho­liograph. ad Cap. 54. Li. 1. Hollerii De Herbis In­ternis. Gabusinus, Hollerius, Brasavalus, Savanarola, Rondeletius, Theodorus, Pri­sianus, Petrus Aponensis, and others of Learning and Credit.

Those that they call Lati, & Fasciae seu Taeniae extend themselves through the whole Intrails, but affect the blind Gut and Colon chiefly, being ingendred in the Cells thereof,Liddelius and others. some will have them ingendred in the whole Intrails throughout, especially in the larger guts, &c.

Ascarides affect the most inferiour part of the great Gut, or Rectum Intestinum, and the outermost Sphincter of the Anus.

These are the seats and parts affected by the more common and ordinary worms which are more frequently found in our bodies. Yet, that many, nay most, if not all parts of the body may be affected by certain vermicles, as well as the Belly and Stomach, I have shewed just now sufficiently; But for the more illustra­tion of our Tenet, in this particular, I shall set down some instances from the writings of the Learnedest and most fa­mous men.

To begin with the HEAD, S [...] Lib. 3. Tract. 2. Cap. 3. Avicen; as alsoCent. 1. Cap. 9. Rhasis: Likewis [...] Serm. 5. Tract. 7. Cap. 53. Nicholas: And,In Scholia observ. 2. li. 9. Forestus gives an in­stance of one wickedly vext with th [...] head-ach, which no means easing, h [...] commanded the sutures of his Craniu [...] should be opened, whereupon, the Chi­rurgeon found on the Dura mater an ill favour'd worm, which being removed, his pain for ever after ceased. Nay, and in the very BRAIN it self, as may be seen in those Authors recitedLoco Citato. by Mar­cellus Donatus. And in the NOSE, a [...] testifiesCap. 100. Benivenius, Cosmocrit. lib. 2. Cap. 4. Cornelius Gem­ma, De Curand­part. affect. lib. 9. cap. 11. Victorinus Trincavellus, In lib. Hol­lerii. De mor­bis internis. Ludo­vicus Duretus, Lib. 5. De Part. Morb. & sympt. cap. 7. Fernelius, moreoverObservat. med. lib. 21. In Schol. obs. 26. Forestus doth not only affirm it, bu [...] also to illustrate this truth, gives us di­vers examples, and assures us, he sawVermes quo (que) è nari­bus projecto [...] & nos vide­mus. them with his own eyes, and after tells us among the rest, of a wench that voyded some from the Rejecit etiam vermes alterius formae per nares Nostrils, of [...] strange shape, and different from what she ejected by vomit, and in Observa­tion 28. of the same Book, he mentions several notable storyes from the afore-quoted Authors. And so alsoLib. 2. Prax. Admirand. observ. 35. Za­cutus Lucitanus gives us another instance to this purpose. And, in the TOES, asTract. 7. Pract. Cap. 4. Alsaharavius, Lib. 6. De Part. morb. & sympt. Cap. 10. Johannes Fernelius, [Page 25]and the same Lucitanus. Libro citato That they may be ingendred in the EARES, is abundantly manifest from what Galen, Diascorides and Aetius, have written of Calamint, especially when there are or have been Ulcers, Imposthumes, and the like, without those parts;In suo Phi­lonio. Valesius De Taranta, andLoco Citato. Fernelius also, shew the Ears are likewise affected.

They infest also sometimes the WIND-PIPE or ROUGH ARTERY, if we may believe the sameCap. de Tusse. Alsaharavius, andP. Theisis, Tract. 11. Cap. 3. Abynsoar: And the same is confirmed byAphor. 79. lib. 4. Anto­nius Musa, andPrax Admi­rand. lib. 2. observat. 36. Zacutus Lucitanus.

Likewise the LUNGS, asDialog. 4. Aloy­sius Mundela, andLoco Citato. Fernelius contend, so dothCap. 77. Benivenius.

The BLADDER also may be affected, as the sameLoco Citato. Aloysius Mundela, Lib. 1. Gym­nosticae. cap. 7. Gentilis in Com. P. 3. Tract. cap. 3. Hieronimus Mercurialis, In Scholia Cap. 77. Be­nivenii. Rhembertus Dodonaeus, andDe Morb. Intem. Jacobus Hollerius note. MoreoverIn observat. Communicat. A. D. Petro Pachequo obs. 4. Riverius (as was before hinted) mentions one who voyded ma­ny worms by Urin, black, horned, and friable, also Rondeletius and Argenterius have examples of this truth.

In like manner the REINS, asLib. 6. De Part. Morb. & Sympt. cap. 10. Fernelius contends; proving they may be therein generated: as alsoLibro Citato. Holle­rius; [Page 26]and, I my self had a Patient, who laboured under all the symptomes of a [...] exulceration of the Reins, who was freed by a sweet Clyster, that caused a large evacuation of worms.

Some also have been known to voy [...] worms mixt with the Sperm.

The LIVER also hath been known to be affected, as attestsLib. 2. Cornelius Gem­ma and Gabusinus.

Nay, the PERICARDION, and HEART it self, is not exempt from these vermin; as may be seen inCap. de ae­gritudinibus cordis. Me­sues, Matth. Lib. 2. Cap. 28. De Con­sut. Med. Caruax, Lib. 7. De Curatione membr. cap. 1. Vidius Junior In lib. De Peste. Johannes Hebenstreit, Lib. 1. Se­cret. Scholio­graph. ad cap. 29. lib. 1. Hollerii de morb. Internis. Pedemont, Pract. med. Lib. 2. Part. 4. Cap. 1. Da­niel Sennertus. But a Relation mos [...] wonderful we have nearer at home from Dr. May, who the 7th. of October 1637. found, in the left ventricle of the Heart of one Mr. John Pennant, a young man of 21. years of age, a worm of a­bout a span long, of the thickness of a mans finger, having a red Head, of the exact shape and form of a Serpent or Snake; the body thereof white, and the skin pellucid and splendent as if it had been varnisht; divided towards the Tail into two branches or thighs, as it were, and of a fleshy colour, of the length of a mans finger, especially the [Page 27]right branch, which likewise was some­thing thicker then the left, yet not exceeding the thickness of a small Goose quill, at the end of which branches, on each side, there streamed forth five [...]ong fibers, strings, or nerves, much lon­ger then the branches, but shorter then the body of the worm it self. LikewiseObservat. med. lib. 21. In Schol. obs. 26. Forestus tells us of one from the Testi­mony of Henricus à Bra, who, for al­most two years being miserably macera­ted with a pain of the Head, was pre­sently freed by voyding a worm of a strange shape.

The Musclely parts of the Body may be also affected, as is well observed byIn his Epist. with others. Scolgius. And the very habit of the Body, asTetrab. 4. Serm. 2. cap. 8. Aetius, and Aeginetus Lib. 4. ca. 59. note, agreeing with St.Acts 12.23. Luke.

They may also possess the very Cutis and musculous parts, notwithstanding their motion, Addrocantia they may be termed when so, such are frequently to be found in men and womens Noses (and other parts too) if they were dili­gently sought after; and if so, they will be found to dig their passage under and through the skin as Moles under and through the superficies of the Earth; so thatMusset Insect. many have been eaten to death with them.

In a word, not to insist on every part of the body in particular, in so clear a case; it being evident, there is no part can be said to be free of both the materia, and efficiens; So, I cannot see but that all parts, crecks and corners of the Body may be affected then, with these ver­min. Let us therefore consider The Parties affected.

CHAP. V. Of the Parties affected.

AS all Parts of the Body are affected, so all Parties and Bodies, all Ages, as well old as young; and Sexes, Male, as Female; and all Constitutions of man­kind are herewith affected.

According to the AntientsLib. 1. Aphorism. Aphor. 13, 14. Hypo­crates, De vita & morte cap. 18. Galen, Aristotle andLib. 2. De temperamen­tis. Cap. 2. Galen, the age of man is divided into three parts, [...], Puerilis, Virilis, & Senilis aetas; The first, or increasing age is again sub-divided into three, I. Infan­tia, commencing at the first minute of his birth, and terminating at the seventh year of his age. 2. Pueritia, commencing at seven, and ending at the fourteenth [Page 29]year, both of temperature hot and moist. 3. Adolescentia, from the fourteenth to the twenty fifth or thirtieth, of tempe­rature the best, asLib. 6. De Sanitate tuen­da cap. 2. Galen contends.

The middle-age Aetas virilis, where­in a man stands, as it were, at a stay, is from the twenty fifth, to the forty ninth; and is subdivided into these two, 1. Ae­tas Juventus, the flourishing state of man for vigour and strength, commen­cing at the twenty fifth, and terminating at the thirtieth: of temperature more hot and less moist, in some degree, then the former. 2. Aetas Consistens, in which a man stands at a stay, beginning at the thirty fifth, and ending at the forty ninth: of temperature hot and dry.

Aetas Senilis, the decrepid, declining and last age, is, from the forty ninth, to the end of a mans life, it being the seventh and Clymacterical, and is sub­divided into three Degrees, 1. [...], the Spring time (as I may call it) or infancy of old age, commencing at the forty ninth, and ends at the grand Clymacterical sixty three, fatal to most men; as, Aristotle, Cicero, St. Bernard, Bocas, Erasmus, Luther, Melancton, Ster­nitinus, and infinite others; till which time a man is serviceable both in Church xoa tu day [Page 30]and State. 2. Is that wherein a ma [...] is indisposed to the aforesaid action coveting a sedentary and solitary lif [...] commencing at sixty three, and term [...] ­nating at seventy, according to Isiod [...] ­rus, agreeing with that of Moses, Psa [...] 90.10. After which, all is Labour an [...] Sorrow, a burden to the flesh, and a [...] incurable Disease, ending in the grav [...] which is the third Division, and terme Dotage, or decrepid old age, that is, ge­nerally it is so: but it doth not alway (as to the lesser) hold true in every man some having more vigorous and health [...] Constitutions then others; whence, w [...] see some older at forty, then others a [...] threescore; and some more extenuate [...] at threescore, then others at ninty.

Or we may divide the several ages o [...] man intoWith Hypo­crates in his last eight Aphorisms. Lib. 3. Seven. 1. That of Infant [...] newly born. 2. Such as breed Teeth 3. That of Youth to the fourteenth year 4. Qui pubescere incipiunt, vel, in foemini [...] cum menses erumpunt. 5. That of youn [...] men and women in strength. 6. Thei [...] standing at a stay. 7. of Antient People to their Death.

Whereby the frailty and vanity of th [...] best of us is most obvious and perspicuous in this transitory vile world. For with [Page 31] Which Sir Walter Raleighs History of the Word, and Dr. Hackwel in his Apology upon occasion, like­wise recite from him though they name him not for their Au­thor. Rhodeginus 10.61.62. alluding to the even Planets, we may fitly compare [...]ur Infancy with the Moon; in which [...]e seem only to live and grow as Plants, [...]nd abound with humours. The Second [...]ge to Mercury; wherein we are un­ [...]er tuition, taught and instructed. The [...]hird, to Venus; the time of Pleasure, [...]morous-Love-sick toys, vanity; &c. [...]he Fourth, to the Sun; the Summer-time [...]f our lives, strong, beautiful and flou­ [...]shing. The Fifth, to Mars; in which [...]e seek Honour, Victory, and have am­ [...]itious ends, designing to accomplish [...]omewhat praise-worthy, or act what [...]ay redound to our glory. The Sixth, [...]o Jupiter; wherein we judge of our [...]elves and others, of former actions, [...]nd take an accompt of our times, arrive [...]o the perfection of our Judgements, Understanding, Reason, &c. The Se­ [...]enth and last, to Saturn; the Winter of [...]ur Days, wherein our Spirits, Lives [...]nd Souls, are obfuscated, overcast and [...]louded, all fraught with a multitude of Cares, Sorrows, Fears and Anxieties, [...] burthen to our selves, a trouble to o­ [...]hers, overspread with innumerable Aches, Pains, Infirmities and Weak­nesses, fit for no Society nor Imploy­ment; [Page 32]but only to keep our Heirs from inheriting our Possessions; which, by how much the greater they are, by so much the more is our end and dissolu­tion hoped and wished for, even b [...] those which drew life and being from us which is vanity in the abstract, and [...] great evill, if not the greatest. An [...] this is the end of all our Labours unde [...] the Sun, or, that can be expected i [...] this Vale of Misery, and Ocean of Fears wherefore, David might well exclaimPsal. 39.5. Mine Age is as nothing before thee; Ve­rily every man at his best state, is altogethe [...] Vanity.

CHAP. VI. Of the various Causes of Worms.

ANd now as touching the Causes from whence these Vermin arise, & are ge­ [...]erated in our bodies, we are diligently [...]o inquire; since it is in vain to think of Cures, till we have first considered the Causes; for those Cures that Illiterates, Empericks, Chyrurgions, Apothecarys and old Women perform, who are igno­ [...]ant of the Causes, must needs be im­perfect and accidental: whence we may place a kind of necessity in the know­ledge [Page 46]of the Causes, without which i [...] is impossible, in a rational way, to pre­vent or cure any the least Disease o [...] Infirmity. ForMedici cau­sa morbi Ju­venta, curatio­nem esse Ju­ventam putent. Physitians think the Cure half effected, when the Cause i [...] known; whence it is become a Proverb among us, and we may well add tha [...] other,Sublata Cau­sa tollitur effectus. Take but away the Cause, and th [...] Effect ceaseth: wherefore I may well conclude with2 Georg. Virgil,

It is a most difficult thing (I con­fess) to be able to discern al the Cause [...] of these worms whence they are, and in such variety; to say what the origi­nation and primary Cause was. How­ever I will guess as near as I can, and rip them all up from the first to the last, General and Particular; and, being gui­ded by the Clew of my best Reason endeavour to extricate my self out of [...] Labyrinth of Doubt.

CHAP. VII. Of the Signs of Worms, and the Foun­tain of Signs in general.

DEscend we, in the next place, ac­cording to our proposed method, to the Signs Diagnostick, whereby these vermin are discovered to be in the bo­dies of Mankind, having spoken of Causes.

Now this word Sign in this place, is not to be taken in that strict sense which commonly our Philosophers do, under­standing thereby, only the Effect; but in a more large sense, according to the general acceptation of Physitians. For whatsoever is presented to the Senses, manifesting any thing else, secret or hid­den, is a Sign. Cognoscitur enim Signatū ex Signo demonstratione [...] ab effectu, vel à cau­sa, vel iterum ab Essentia. Medici verò hic omne id, quod aliquod eorum quae in method [...] medendi indicant, Significare & monstrare, notumque reddere potest, signum appellant. For by the name Signs, we understand all those evident things, which lay o­pen an hidden matter. Seu, ut Author De­finitionum [Page 293]medicarum loquitur. Signum est [...]; or Signum est, quod sub sensum aliquem cadit, & quiddam sig­nificat, quod latebat: Or we may say, Signa sunt quae conspectui nobis exhibent ea quae in obscuro sunt. For a Sign must sig­nifie and indicate something, else it is a sign it is no Sign.

Signs then are three-fold, wholsome, in­dicating a healthy sound body; or unwhol­some, shewing weakness and Infirmities; or neutral, indicating a disposition to nei­ther, but contain some signs of health, and some of sickness; whence they were wont by the Antients (before Galen) to be called [...], Delo­ticks, or Diagnosticks, which are demon­strative, making the present state and condition of the body apparent or the disease, whether natural or preterna­tural. Likewise [...], Prognosticks, which indicate and foretell what shall happen upon the Disease. And [...], Anamnesticks, which declare the quon­dam-state of the Body, or condition past. Some again, are common Signs, some Proper, and thence arise these se­veral denominations [...], which are such Symptoms as of necessity fol­low the Disease, having in them all the [Page 293]notes and indications of the distemper; and therefore, they are alwayes pre­sent at the beginning of a Disease agree­ing therewith, demonstrating the pre­sent malady, and cannot be separated from it; and they are constituted and made up of many Signs, which being taken severally, are not Pathognomonicks; as, difficulty of breathing, a dry Cough, a feaverish Distemper, with Pain, &c. are the Pathognomonick signs of a Pleurisie, yet an Authelitus, Cough, a Feaver, Pains, &c. considered severally of themselves, are not. Likewise [...], which the Latins call Assidentia, Supervenientia, mox seu post Apparentia.

Synedruous Assidentia, are sociable Signs; yet such as do not necessarily cohear to the essence of a Disease, neither are they inseparable from a Disease, nor always present; but sometimes (besides the Pathognomonicks) they appear presently at the beginning of a Disease, sometimes they follow afterwards, and sometimes again, they appear not at all, at any time of the Disease; and therefore, they de­clare not the Disease it self, or it's kinds; but some Condition thereof only.

Galen and his followers comprehend Epiginomena's under Synedruous; there­fore Fuchsius and others, mention only Synedruous, confounding the other there­with. And Fernelius speaks not a word of Epiginomena's; yet they are different Signs.

Epiginomena's and Epiphanomena's, are such Signs as neither shew the kind of a Disease, nor the quality thereof; but only it's mutation. And they are three­fold, as 1. Some are signs of Crudities and Indigestions. 2. Others denote Life and Death. And lastly, others indicate the Crisis, and are Critical, presaging the termination of a Disease.

So that, although there are many and divers Fountains of Signs; yet may they all be reduced to these three following, viz. First to the essence of the thing it self, whether it be a Disease, a Cause, or a Symptome; to wit, when a thing is so manifest in it's own nature, & obvious to the Senses, that there needs no other signs to make it more apparent. 2^ly. from the effects, or all things that follow health, a disease, and causes of a disease, Accidents, and Symptomes, whether the Actions are hurt, or the Excrements, Retentions, or Qualities. Thirdly, from [Page 296]Causes which go before the Effect, whether they are external, as Air, Meat and Drink, Custome, &c. or internal, as Humours, Age, Temperament, Sex, &c. by themselves, or by accident, or what other way soever, &c. But I shall only insist of the Diagnostick signs of Worms in this place and so proceed to Symptoms and Prognosticks, and then to a conclusion.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Direful Symptoms introduced by Worms.

THE eighth Head which we pro­mised to insist on, is that Preterna­tural, that of right followeth a Disease, even as the shadow doth a body; and by Physitians called [...] properly: Yet this word Symptome, is variously taken; for if we consider the significa­tion of the word, which the Latins in­terpret Con-casus, à [...], i. e. Simul Cado, is nothing but [...], à [...], which signifying the same thing, or an Accident; so that whatsoever happens to any one, or follows any thing, Sive secundum, sive praeter naturam, ipsius [...] dici poterit. Notwithstanding, Physitians account what follows fickness, or sickly bodies, [...], a Symptome, [Page 302]or Symp [...]omes; and what follows an healthy constitution of body [...], Accidents, according to Galen, li. 1. Meth. Med. Cap. 9. Yet sometimes, it is gene­rally taken for all that happens preter­naturally to mans body, and to denote not only what follows upon a Disease, but also all Diseases and their causes. But we are not to understand it in this latitude, but distinguish it from both, a Disease and it's Cause. For a Symptome follows a Disease, as the Effect doth the Cause; whence it may also be denominated [...], i. e. Superveniens & Superge­nitum. It being evident, that that which Actionem laedit, is a Disease; that which Morbum producit, is the Cause; and that which Morbum consequitur is properly a Symptom only. Neither can Symptoms ever assume the nature of a Disease, be­cause they cannot hurt the actions perse. Yet many Diseases are justly termed sometimes, symptomatical, following o­ther Distempers; as a Feaver, when it follows a Pleurisie, or Phrenitis a Fea­ver, which in themselves however, are truly Diseases, and would be so ac­counted, did they not depend upon an­other. So that a Symptome may be defined, A preternatural affection which [Page 303] [...]ollows a Disease, as a shadow doth a body, [...]r the effect the cause, and without it cannot subsist; or, A Symptome is an affection pre­ [...]ernatural in those things which without the constitution of the parts, are necessary to action, following somewhat else, preternatu­ral.

Having thus given you an hint what a Symptome is, I shall proceed to shew the many direful Symptoms that hath and may follow upon worms. As, to speak of Distempers of the Head; A young Girle aboutAlexander Benedictus li. 2. de Cur. Motb. Cap. 16. eight years of age, was by worms, affected with a Catalepsie. It hath likewise occasionedMart. Rul. Cent. 8. Cur. 13. Dan. Sennert. Pract. Med. lib. 2. Part. 4. Cap. 1. Epilepsies, and indeed nothing more frequent then Epilepsies from fumes of dead worms, offending the Brain and most occult Cells and Ventricles thereof, with their malignant quality; many times also from the worms gnawing the mouth of the stomach, whereby the matter is ea­silyAs also Head-ach, Anhelitus, Cough, from such gnawing, Mart. Rul. Cent. 1. Cur. 80. moved, and Convulsions excited.

A Maid affected with the Falling-sick­ness, in a grievous manner, was cured by a Medicine that caused her to eva­cuate above an hundred worms, great and small, and so was never molested with it more.Zac. Lucit. Prax. Ad. lib. 2. obs. 33. A poor woman a long time macerated with anxiety and painsMart. Rul. Cant. 8. Cur. 13. & Forest. li. 10. obs. 117. [Page 304]in the stomach, fell afterwards into a [...] Epilepsie, Syncope, trembling of the Heart, and Cholick by fits, and then into a Bu­limos, so that she seemed unsatiable, one day feeling as it were, a sudden leap in her belly, as if she had been strangled, and taken with a Sopor, she voyded by the mouth four worms of that sort we call Teretes; and coming to her self a­gain, she complained of most grievous pain and gnawing about her Navel, from whence issued three nimble brisk round worms, of the length of a mans hand. Likewise such as have been molested withPet. Forestus med. obs. l. 21. observat. 28. Convulsions, have been cured by voyding worms by the nose. And Trin­cavel. tells us,Lib. 9. c. 11. de cur. morb. he hath seen some, that by worms, were so direfully affected with the Convulsion Opisthotonis, that their heels were made to touch their heads; which is confirmed byObs. 34. Lucitanus, one affect­ed with a malignant Feaver, and on a recovery, was suddenlyZac. Lucit. Prax. Ad. l. 2. observ. 35. taken with an Apoplexie, lying in bed, as one dead, without sense or motion: his Physitian spying at length, between his Teeth, something to move, his mouth being for­ced open, there were three live worms, which being taken away, the Patient in a little time came to his Senses, and pre­sently [Page 305]after evacuated two more live worms by the Nose, and afterwards four by stool, and so recovered. And what is wonderful and worth our serious consideration,Zac. Lus. Prax. Ad. l. 2. observ. 36. a woman of about eighteen, who being recovered of a Quartane Feaver, and in her Senses, &c. became surprised with Aphonia, so that she did not speak in forty dayes without Coughing up worms, of the shape of pal­mer-worms, small, short, and alive, not­withstanding all the help of means she used, which by their contaminating ve­nomous vapours, molested and impedi­ted the instruments of speech. A Gen­tleman affected with a Lues Venerea, and almost cured, being direfully molestedForest. in schol. obs. lib. 9. de va­riis capitis doloribus. with pain in his Head, after the trial in vain, of the best means in that case, was at length cured by the having of the Cranium opened, and a worm taken away, which was on the Dura Mater, in the form of a Weesel. Ut refert Interpres H [...]lle [...]ii. A Maiden ex­treamly cruciated with the Head-ach for two dayes, voided a white worm, pretty thick, and longer than a mans hand, by the Nose, and so was cured.Z [...]c. Lus. lib. 1. obs. 6. One troubled with an inveterate Head-ach night and day, was thought by the Physitians to have had the Pox, and ac­cordingly [Page 306]prescribed their Medicines; but to no purpose; and after they had put the poor Creature to unsufferable torment, and administred many Pur­ges; by a sternutatory of Pepper and Castor only, she expelled a black worm by the Nose, round, plump, much like to those in an old Cheese, only the beak was sharper, which she being freed of, her pains vanished.Forest. lib. 21. obs. 31. In some they cause Watchfulness, unquietness, Anger, and Madness. And sometimes manyZ [...]c. Lusit. lib. 2. obs. 31. Prax. Admir. Exclamations, as that Boy was mace­rated with a terrible pain in his Stomach, who by a Medicine, voiding much unc­tous flegm, with a black dead worm, half the length of a mans hand, pretty thick, all over hairy, a smooth head and a for­ked tayl, was restored to health. And so that Fellow about forty, who was for many dayes with perplexing pains tor­mented, as soon as he had voided that flat-worm of four Ells long, and the thickness of a mans thumb almost, was presently well. Likewise that Fellow, that was for two years together tortu­red with pains of the Heart, Forest. Ab Hen. à Bra obs. med. lib. 21. In Schol. obs. 26. was cured as soon as he evacuated a worm of a strange shape.Beniventus lib. de abditis, Cap. 2. Another also, was freed of pains of the Heart by vomiting, [Page 307]with much flegmatick matter, a strange kind of worm. Garrius Lopius scribit fe vidisse matronam per uteri collum multitu­dinem vermium Ascaridum magn. expulisse, quae postmodum dolore quo cruciabatur li­berata est. And I my self had a Patient, who laboured under all the Symptomes of an exulceration of the Reins, and inflam­mation of the Kidneys, with that into­lerable pain, he could neither, rest, sleep, nor lie any manner of way, but on his Back, nor endure the least touch with a finger on the region of the Reins, and was wholly freed by the evacuation of worms, of that kind which we call Teretes, which came away upon the injection of an ordinary Clyster some­what sweet. And weRiv. ex obs. Commun. A. D. Pet. Pa­chequo obs. 40. find a young man grievously macerated with pains in the Reins, voyded with his Urin a great number of black worms, of the length and bigness of an ordinary Needle, hor­ned, and friable.Alex. Tra­lianus. A woman that used to eat very much, and immoderately, digest­ing, and never satisfied, and complain­ing of a gnawing in her stomach, &c. who at length, by taking a Purge of Hiera, voyded a worm of twelve Cubits long, and upward; whereby that Boulimus, or Caninus appetitus ceased. Another in [Page 308]our own time, a poor fellow, who had more then an ordinary stroke with his Teeth, and yet was never the fatter, who by the ejection of a worm by stool, was freed of his continual hunger, and well he might, for it was no small mat­ter would feed such a worm, being six­teen foot long. Sudden, violent, and unaccustomed vomitings, do also often­times follow upon, or by reason of these vermin. Forest. li. 21. obs. med. One was wont by fits, to vo­mit up certain long white worms out of his stomach. And anotherMart. Rul. Cent. 1. Cur. 34. vomited many worms, which had grievously infested th [...] body, and corroded the stomach. And not long since, a Gentlewoman at Table, being suddenly taken with a vomiting, ejected a black worm, of a quarter of a yard long, and so was well.Avicennae Fen. 16.3. Tract. P. ca. 4. Some­times they so obstruct the oesophagus, that the Patient is in danger of suffocation, and a Boy,Anton. Be­niventus de Abdit. morb. Cap. & Cur. Cap. 28. who by reason of worms, could not rest any manner of way, Sed semper hinc inde temerario quodam impetu ac inordinato motu ferebatur, ut etiam stare volens iterum titubaret & caderet; yet, by evacuating of the worms, was cured. In like manner a WenchGabutinus Cap. 13. in whom was apparent all the signs of a Pleurisie. And I my self had a Patient but very [Page 309]few dayes before the writing of this, in an absolute Pleurisie to outward ap­pearance, having a remiss Feaver, a dry Cough at first, anbelitus, a pungent pain in the side, and afterwards cough'd up puru­lent matter, with now & then some blood, &c. who was cured by taking such things which evacuated worms, which he did many times, and the first was a quarter of a yard long.Cornel. Gem. Cosmocrit. l. 2. Cap. 2. A wench about four­teen years of Age, after inexpressable tormenting gripings in her belly, and under her right Hypochondrie, evacuating by siege, a live Eele-like worm, a Cubit long, which she bore (as if she had been with Child) nine months, and ingen­dred in the Colon, was cured of those affections.Laz. Riv. Cent. 3. obs. 3. A Gentleman of about threescore years of age, was macerated with a Dysentery for many dayes, and then with a Tertian Feaver, and when he began to amend to appearance, he had an intermitting Pulse for three or four dayes, with Anger of Mind and Soul, as also great weakness of body, the cause of all which, the Physitians were ignorant, till it manifested it self by voiding at length a worm a Cubit long, and the thickness of a man's finger, on which, the Pulse returned to its former equality, [Page 310]all the other Symptomes ceased, and he perfectly recovered to his pristine health. Such anotherAmat. Lucit. Cent. 1. Cur. 48. story is that of an Youth, who through worms, was af­fected with an Anorexia, nauseated all food, restless in every place, moving from place to place, as one mad; and his Pulse so unequal, low, weak and recurrent, so that all his Physitians left him over for dead; but at length going to stool, ejected a kind of bladder, as round as a ball, in which, being open'd, they found mi­riads of worms, to the admiration of the spectators, and so was perfectly restored to his former strength. And multitudes of Patients I have had my self, molested with the Dysentery, occasioned only by worms, which distemper never stop'd, till they, or the vermiculous matter was evacuated. Some also, who have had universal pains. Another I had in a Con­sumption, and brought to that weakness, she could neither stand nor walk, and all through worms; with a Diarrhaea, a dry Cough, &c. and to cause Ulcers in the Lungs, is also frequent, sith many have been known to spit up worms on their expectoration of emplastick puru­lencies.Beniventus. Sometimes they lie dead, as it were, without sense or motion,Beredictus Veroaensis lib. 5. cap. 15. One [Page 311]lay eight dayes speechless, rigentibus ocu­lis, &c. who voiding forty two worms in a lump together, without any excrement, was freed.Forest. lib. 21. obs. 29. A youth of about nine years of age was so assayled with worms, that he lay in a languishing Condition three or four months together, feeling no pain, but only about his Navel, but voiding those worms, he recovered.obs. 26. lib. Citat. Another hollow-Eyed, a tumefied Belly, an emaciated Body, with a turbulent dry Cough, &c. and all by reason of worms. Obs. 35. lib. Citat. So one was afflicted with a Feaver most vio­lently, together with a Looseness, and a forcible Cough, that expectorated much purulent matter, and at length languished so, as every one lest him for dead; and all from worms. They occa­sion also intolerable gripings and tormi­na in the Obs. 36. lib. Citat. Bowels. Wierus de Praestigiis Dae­monum. lib. 4. Cap. 16. A Country Clown, who, after a tedious pain in his Belly, voided a monstrous worm, was cured. It hath been also known, that worms will make the Patient lie as if he were dead. Sometimes they dissolve intoRiv. obs. fol. 308. bad hu­mours and putrid. A Girle we findAmatus Cen. 2. Cur. 41. who after worms, ejected both up­wards and downwards,, voided a great thing, as black as Ink. Forest. l. 21. De intest. af­fect. In Schol. 31. They often oc­casion also, Iliack andMart. Rul. Cent. 10. Cur. 6. Colick Passions, [Page 312]extend the Belly, rendring it tumid, hard, costive, sometimes with a Feaver Ter­tian, sometimes Lasks ensue, Lienteric [...], Diarrhaea, Chyliaca, &c. as well as Dysen­teries, ARiv. obs. 353. fol. Citizen of Monpieleur in France in a Tertian Feaver, was cured by a medicine that evacuated a flat-worm seven foot long.Cent. 1. obs. 91. & fol. 340. Item Valesc. de Taranta in suo Philonio. Another in a Feaver, vomited much Poraceous Choler, and nau­seated every thing; but nothing more frequently introduced by them, then Feavers of all sorts;Forest, lib 6. de feb. obs. 38. nay, and Pesti­lential Feavers too: as alsoAbundantly to be found in that sixth book. Epidemical Diseases. Erasmus Ignoratione. tells us a notable story of an Italian, that had never been in Germany, whom he himself (he sayes) saw in Italy, that notwithstanding he had never been taught, when the Moon was in Combustion of the Sun, would speak the German Tongue most elegantly, being as one possest by the Devil; and yet was cured by a Physitian that admi­nistred only a Medicine, which expelled an infinite number of Worms, whereby he wholly lost his German Tongue. Some­times they perforate even the Bowels and Intrals in aObs. med. lib. 7. obs. 35. Fore [...]l. See more in Pau­lus lib. 4. Cap. 53. Avicenna Fen. 16. Tract. 3. Cap. 2. Parae­us lib. 19. Cap. 3. Solinander lib. 5. Consil. 15. strange manner, and causeth death it self, not only in that par­ticular, but divers other wayes, as dai­ly experience evinceth us, under the [Page 313]notion of Epilepsies, Calepsies, Apoplexies, Scholiograph. ad Cap. 29. Hollerii de morb. internis. Syncopes, Pestilential Feavers, and all other Feavers, Palpitations of the Heart, Pleurisies, Lypothymia, Convulsions, An­ginae, Sopores, Deliria, Maerores, and in­finite other Diseases; nay, indeed, un­der what Disease may they not kill, since they may be the Introducers of all other Mala­dies? I shall therefore say no more of Symptomes: But advise all men, both Patients and Physitians, in every Distem­per, to suspect these vermin, the grand Devourers and Destroyers of Mankind.

CHAP. IX. Of the Prognosticks presaged by Worms.

HAving thus briefly dispatched the Symptomes, let us, in the next place, examine the Prognostick Signs of Worms, that we may the more plainly discover the danger of them; and so, consequently, be induced to take the more care to avoid them.

And for as much, as they are the fore­runners and introducers of those direful and hideous Symptoms before spoken of, and indeed of most, if not all Diseases; [Page 314]they may very well be Prognosticks of them all, according as the Party, and parts of the Body are affected; some­times threatning this, sometimes that Distemper; sometimes more, some­times fewer Diseases.

Of the three ordinary sorts, Ascarides are less offensive, being most remote from the Vitals, and are easily expel­led by the help of almost any thing,Purges, or sweet Clysters, any sort. and frequently of themselves; un­less they are large, which argues they arise of worse matter, and then they are worse, and more dangerous.

Teretes are worse again, and occasion most horrid Symptoms oftentimes; if they come from any body on a Crisis, it is a good sign. But, if at the beginning of a Disease, it is bad, whether they be evacuated alive or dead; especially if alone, without any mixture of excre­ments; if they be alive, it notes abun­dance of Crudity, want of nourishment, and malignity in the Distemper; if dead, much putrifaction, which hath kill'd them, and is a bad sign; arguing their expulsion to be rather from the Disease, than Nature: or if they come away of their own accord, it notes either the multitude of them, or that the Patient, [Page 315]being for death, by an instinct, leave [...]heir habitation to seek better. But if [...]hey are evacuated on the declining of a Disease, it is a good sign; arguing Na­ [...]ure prevails, and that Health is like to [...]nsue, if they be emitted together with [...]xcrements, especially; for that shews [...]igestion. If in healthy bodies, they [...]reep out at the Mouth or Nostrils, it [...]s no ill sign; in regard, they are apt to [...]ave recourse to those parts, through which the nourishment is conveyed into [...]he stomach. If they are bloody when [...]hey come out, it argues the Intrals are [...]orroded with them.

The flat-worm is worse than they, being more difficulty cured. Sometimes (notwithstanding it many times kills; [...]ccasioning Consumptions, Dropsies, &c.) it lies lurking in the body for ma­ [...]y years, doing no hurt at all; and ma­ [...]y times comes away of it self, without [...]he help of any Medicine.

Red are more direful then White: and [...]ll those monstrous shap't worms, which [...]ou have heard before described, are worst of all. And so much the more pernitious are they, by how much the [...]ore occult they are in our bodies, and [...]he parts affected more noble; and espe­cially [Page 316]being least suspected.

If they proceed from any supernatu­ral cause, whether magical or other, i [...] is doubtful, and very dangerous; it be­ing then inflicted as an immediat [...] Judgement of GOD: who, many times permits the Devil, for the chast­ening of Man-kind, so to torment and afflict the bodies of men and women. Whence many Distempers, occasioned by him and his Imps, are not to be re­medied by the Physitian's Art.

CHAP. X. Of the Indications, and Method of Cure.

REgard ought to be had to our last promise, now having proceeded so far. Indicationes & Curatio Lumbri­corum, cum sint toto genere praeter na­turam, ad eorum expulsionem dirigenda­sunt: Quid fit comodè, si Interficiantur, quae Amara, Salsa, Arria, tota proprie­tate infesta sunt; per superiora, sed dul­cibus mista semper; per inferiora, dul­cibus praemissis, tum cum insimis locis, vel in Intestino recto subsistunt, exhibe­ri debent: Illis oleum, ut in eo suffocen­tur [Page 317]His, butyrum, quod vehementur [...]eformidant, immiscendum. Et per al­ [...]um expellantur, quod cathartriis perfi­ [...]ietur, quae simul vermes enecant, tum etiam putridam & mucosam materiam, ex qua generantur, evacuant. Teretes vehementior a medicamenta desiderent; sed tamen synuptomata, tum febres, si adsint, talia non admittunt. Quando [...]gitur vermes rejiciuntur in morbis acu­ [...]is, non statim debemus ad illos nostram [...]otam intentionem convertere, ut mu­ [...]ierculae faciunt, & medici mulieribus [...]nservientes: Nam hoc facit ut aegri in­tereant, cum neglecto morbo, magis ad vermes curationem convertunt quam ad morbum: ut si febris continua, aut alius morbus biliosus, aut fulxus ventris ali­quem occuparit, aut si quis in morbis acutis in principio vermes rejecerit, se­men contrà eos dare solent, quod tamen febrem majoren accedit, vel corallum, vel alia quae adstringunt, ad vermes acciden­dos oportuna solent administrate. Quae omnia affectibus praecipuis adversantur, ut multum amara, febri & fluxin ven­tris, adstringentia & exsiccantia febri­bus. Quare oportet medicum diligen­ter distinguere utrum morbus à vermi­bus dependeat, an verò vermes rejician­tur [Page 318]ab aliam causam. Nam si Cognoverimus morbo aliquando fieri à vermi­bus, non ea medicamenta prescribends quae affectui, sed praecipuò vermibus conveniant. Praecipua ex Enecantibus su [...] Frigida, cornu cervi ustum, aqua gra­minis, cum pauxillo aceti & Sachari. Succus endiviae, Aqua Portulaca, Calid [...]. Corallina, Sem. Santonici, Aloë, Myr­rha, Zëdoaria, Centaureū minus, Flore Persicarū, Succus Nasturii & Raphani Expellentia sunt praecipuè, Diaturbit [...] cum Rhabaro, Pilula, Ruffi, de tribus, &c. Extra, Laudatur Cerotum ex Myrrha, Aloës, Croci, cum felle Bovis & ace [...] Rosarum compositum; & tum ori ven­triculi, tum dorso applicatum.This is e­nough to be said of Indica­tions and Me­thod of Cure, since, if all the Physick Books in the World, and Receipts, w [...] Englished; there would still be a Necessity of Phsitians: since it is not the knowing of Medicines, but the knowing how, and when [...] administer them, doth the Cure.

If they proceed of a supernatural Cause, a supernatural Cure must be administred: To prescribe the fuming o [...] the Horns, Hoofs, and Dung of Beasts, to drive away the Devil, or to carry Herbs Roots, &c. about one, for the same pur­pose, is an idle Fansie; since the Devi [...] is a Spirit, and having no Organs, can­not be affected or offended with these natural things.

If there be any Cure attempted in such Cases, it must be either Natural, Magical, or Divine.

As touching the Natural, it may be doubted by some, whether natural Re­medies are avoidable in such Diseases, as are occasioned by Devils or Wit­ches, &c. and truly in some Cases, it is [...]o no purpose to use them. As, when [...]he Distemper is meerly from the De­vil, without any mediation of humours at all: But if it be by the mediation of humours, natural means may lawfully [...]e used, and many times, (it hath been [...]nown) to good effect. 1. By eva­ [...]uating those vitious humours, disturbed or corrupted by the Devil; and that by vo­mit especially, if the part affected be the Stomach, Mesentery, or about the Spleen or Liver. If in the Intestines and Bowels, by Purge. 2: By Altera­ [...]ives, and proper Alexipharenicks, which may be contrary to the Distemper, or Humour excited by the Devil. And these Alteratives are again, either in­ [...]ard or outward, described byDe morb. venif. lib. 4. Cap. 2. Codron­ [...]hus, Obs. med. rar's. Henrecus ab Heer, &c. But none of these Natural Cures are to be relyed [...]n as certain Cures, since the Devil [...]annot only introduce many things to [Page 320]the Patients prejudice, which are un­known to the Physitian; but also cross his designs, by rendring his Medicines ineffectual.

As touching the Magical Cure, perfor­med by Magicians, Conjurers, Witches, by the mediation of certain Words, Cha­racters, Philters, Charms, Amulets, and the like, is unlawful. For Cures there­by performed, if any be, are meerly by the power of the Devil, and not by any power or vertue in those Fancies or Toys; as I have formerlyIn my Book of Poysons, Epist. to the Readers. noted. However Leo Suavius, Pistorius, and o­thers, account it an Art to Cure in this manner, and that they are requisite, fit and lawful means, and ought to be used. Nay,Lib. 1. de occult. Phil. Paracelsus, Lib. 3. Re­rum Indic. Erodius, Lib. 4. Constan­tius, allow so far of these Practises, that they call the ArtistsMagnus Mi­nisteret Vica­rius Dei. Gods Ministers and Viccars. It matters not (says Paracel­sus) whether it be GOD or the Devil, An­gels, or unclean Spirits Cure us, so that we be eased. But Thomas Erastus condemns him, and that justly, for his ignorance and impiety, and for affirming, If his patients have a strong Imagination, they shall find the benefit, and the effect, what­ever Divines say to the contrary. But these kind of Cures, I say, are exploded by all [Page 321]good men; nay, and by GOD him­self.Rom. 8.19. Evil is not to be done, that Good may come of it. And that it is evil, will appear elsewhere.Deut. 18.11. Delrio Diquis. mag. lib. 2. cap. 2. Sect. Quest. 1. Tome 3. thinks much better to die, then be so cured; and so doth St. Augustin; The Devil is the most inveterate Enemy of Man-kind, and a murtherer from the beginning; wherefore, there is no good, or the cure of any Disease, to be hope for from him. Potius mortem homini Chri­stiano obeundam, quam vitam Hominis Li­gaturis redimendam.

It is the duty therefore, of every good man and Christian, to have re­course in such Cases, chiefly to GOD, whose Judgements, although they are many times occult; yet, are at all times just. Let Repentance then, for the for­mer sins, resolution of amendment, and Prayer be thy Medicaments, so shalt thou never need to fear the Devil, nor all his Imps and Devils-birds; provided, thou relyest wholly upon GOD.