CHAP. I. A Physicall Description of Man.

THe omnipotent and wise Creator, having created all things out of nothing, and out of a rude and undigested lumpe or masse (accor­ding to his will, and by his word) brought all things into a decent frame, and comely struc­ture: out of a confused nothing wrought the Heaven and the Earth, out of that which was darke and voide he cre­ated light, he seperated the Waters from the Earth, and gave bounds to the unruly waves; and indued the dry and barren Earth with a prolificall virtue, richly adorn­ing it with grasse, hearbs, and Fruit-Trees; he made the Sun, Moon, and Stars, to divide the light from the dark­nesse, to enlighten and rule both day and night, to be for signes, to distinguish seasons, dayes and yeares; by his word he created every living thing that moveth in the Sea, and in the Earth. Having thus farr I say pro­ceeded in his so excellent and admirable workmanship of Creation, he made Man, a Summary of the Worlds Fa­brick, a small draught of the Divine Nature: he was made after other Creatures, not only as the most perfect, but as the super-intendent & master of all things created, Qui dominetur in pisces maris, et in volucres coeli, et in pe­cudes, & in universam terram, atque in omnia reptilia, rep­tantia super terram, to rule over the Fish of the Sea, and over the Foule of the Aire, and over the Cattle, and over the Earth, and over every Creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth.

In man he closed up, and ended his work; on man he stamped his Seal, and figne of his power, on him he hath imprinted his image and superscription, his armes and his portraiture. Dixit deus, Faciamus hominem ad imaginem no­stram, secundum similitudinem nostram, God said; Let us make man in our image, after our liknesse: In the Cre­ation of man, God seemeth to deliberate and take Coun­sell with himselfe, how to epitomize, and gather toge­ther all his works in so small a compasse, to contract his (so large) book of Creation, into so small a volume.

He is called the Microcosm, or little World, the reca­pitulation of all things, the ligament of Angels & Beasts, Heavenly and Earthly, spirituall and corporall things: the perfection of the whole work, the honour and mira­cle of nature. He created him naked, being a pure neat and delicate Creature, made up of thin, subtill, well tempered and seasoned humours; innocent, and far more beautifull than the rest. He was created upright, but-little touching the Earth; quite opposite to the vege­table Plant, whose root is therein fixed; far different also from the beast, who is a meane between a Plant and himselfe, and goeth downward; his two extreames tend­ing to the bounds of the Horizon: This upright gate be­longeth only unto man, as the holiest, and most Divine Creature, his head tending to the Heavens, on which he looks, and there beholds himselfe as in a glasse ac­cording to that of Ovid.

[Page 3] Which I English thus.

His body being thus formed of pure, subtill Earth, as a house and habitation for the Soul, God breathed in him the breath of Life, and he became a living Crea­ture: So in the ordinary generation, and formation, which is made of the seed in the Womb, nature obser­veth the selfe same order; the body is first formed, as well by the Elementary force which is in the seed, and the heat of the matrix; as by the Celestiall influence of the Sun: according to the Adagy, Sol & homo generant hominem, the Sun and Man do engender man: which is don (according to the opinion of most) in such order, that the first seaven dayes the seed of the man and wo­man, mingle and curdle like cream, which is the be­ginning of conception: The second seaven days, the seed is changed into a formlesse bloody substance, and con­cocted into a thick and indigested masse of flesh, the proper matter of the Child. The next seaven days, out of this Lump is produced and fashioned a grosse bo­dy, with the three most noble parts, viz: the Liver, Heart, and Braine. The fourth seaven days or neare thirty, the whole body is ended, perfected, joynted, and organized, and becometh a body fit to entertaine the soul, which invests it selfe into the body (as some think) about the seaven and thirtieth or fourtieth day: at the third month, or there abouts, the Infant hath motion and sense; at the ninth Month, is brought forth. These times cannot be so exactly prefixed, but that by the strength or debility of the seed, or matrix, it may [Page 4] be either hastened or prolonged. But I shall forbeare further discourse of the soul, it not being my taske to act the part of a Divine; and come to a more particular description of Man, yet not so, as to act the part of an Anatomist.

CHAP. II. A more particular description of the Body of Man.

THe body of man consists of above two hundred bones, and as many Cartilages, which are as the basis, and upholding Pillars of the whole building; the joynts are compacted with many Ligaments, and cloath­ed with innumerable membranes, the members are supplied with above thirty paire of sensitive Nerves as with little Cords; and all besprinkled with as many arteries, like water-pipes, conveighing vitall spirits to all parts. The empty places are filled up with almost four hundred Muscles, and flesh of divers sorts, as with flocks; all covered over with skin. In him are the tem­perament of all Creatures; Some there are, who have the stomack of an Ostrich, others the Heart of a Lion, too too many have the Heart of a Dog, not a few condi­tioned like a Sow; and many by nature very like to the Asse.

Man for whom all things was made, is nourished by the Balsamick Spirits of Vegetables Animals and Mine­ralls; and therefore doth consist of all these faculties, that spring up as a token of health or sicknesse: Balme, Violets, and Germander, produce fruit in man, viz: the [Page 5] Spirits of the Heart, Braine, and Liver: Likewise the nettle, Aron, and Crowfoot; as Scabs, Sores, and Pushes: Minerall seperations also may appeare in man, of vitriall Allum, Salt, and Tartar, &c: as the leprosie, Elephan­tiasis, Morphew, and Cancer: Nor is man free from minerall Generations, as Gold, Silver, Tin, Copper, Iron, Lead: The Heart, the Brain, Liver, Reines, Gall, and Spleen: In the body of man is likewise to be sound quarries of stone, viz. in the Bladder and Kidneys, which serve not to build, but to destroy the Fabrick.

The Celestiall Planets hath a dukedome in this lit­tle world: the moistuing powre of the Moon is represent­ed by the marrow, which flows from the Brain: In the genitall part is Venus seated; Eloquence and comly­nesse is the effects of nimble witted Mercury, the Sun hath a neare affinity to the Heart: Benevolent Jupiter hath his seat in the Liver; the Fountaine of nutritive Blood: The fiery fury of Mars is lodged in the Gall: the spungy and hollow Milt, the seat and receptacle of melancholique humours, is a perfect representation of the cold Planet, Saturn. Indeed the Spirits of the bo­dy, do manifest and hold forth the quintessence of all things, the four humours in man answer to the four Elements; choler, which is hot and dry, representeth the fire, hot and moist blood, the aire; flegme cold and moist, the water; cold and dry melancholly, the Earth.

I may yet proceed further in declaring the harmony between the great and little World: the belly of man may fitly represent the land or maine continent: The Vena Cava the Mediteranean Sea, the Bladder, the Westerne Sea, into which the Rivers of the body do all run & discharge themselves: his mouth answereth to the East quarter of the World, his Fundament to the West, his [Page 6] Navel to the South, and his Back to the North: The Body of Man you see, is an admirable Creature; The measure of all things; the pattern of the universe, and Epitome of the World; The horizon of Corporeall and incorporeall things: I shall conclude with the saying of Zoroastres, O Man! the workmanship of most power­full nature, for it is the most artificiall Master-piece of Gods hands.

CAAP. III. A Description of the Head.

THe Head of a man seemeth to offer it selfe, as the first thing to be considered; it doth possesse the highest place in the body, and represents the uppermost, and Angelicall region: It is the fort of mans mind, the seat of reason, the habitation of Wisdome, the shop of memory, judgment, and cogitations. It containeth the Braine, cold and spongeous by nature, enclosed with two skinns, the one more hard and thick, joyning it selfe to the Braine Pan, called Dura mater; the other more thin and easie, wherein lieth the Braine enclosed, call­ed pia mater; it is soft and tender to the Braine, and nourisheth it, as a loving mother doth her yong and tender Babe, From Pia mater, doth issue the sinews and marrow that descendeth and falleth down into the Reines of the Back. In the Brain, is the seat and throne of the rationall Soul, in which are a very great number of Veins and Arteries planted, ramesying (or branching) themselves through all the substance there­of, administring to the Brain, both Spirit and Life, [Page 7] vitall and nutrimentall nourishment, which is raised, by the aforesaid small Veines and Arteries, from the Heart and Liver: and concocted, and reconcocted, ela­borated, and made very subtill, passing through those woven and interlaced, turning and winding passages, in which labyrinth the Vitall Spirit often pas;sing and re­passing, is perfected and refined, and becomes ani­mall.

It is not lost labour if we consider, how the pia mater divideth the substance of the Braine, and lappeth it into certaine Cells or Divisions; viz: the substance of the Braine is devided into three ventricles, of which the foremost containeth the most, the middlemost lesse, the hindermost the least. In the foremost part of the braine imagination is seated: in the middlemost judg­ment, in the hindermost memory: imagination is hot and dry in quality, quick and active, from whence it commeth that Frantick men, and such as are sick of hot and burning maladaies, are excellent in that which be­longs to imagination: many upon such a distemper have been excellent in poetry and divination; It never sleep­eth, alwaies working, whether the man be sleeping or waking; and by the vapours that come from the Heart, formes variety of cogitations, which, wanting the regu­lation of judgment, (when man steepeth) becomes a dream.

Hence it appeareth that subtilty, promtitude, and that which they commonly call Wit, belongeth to a hot imagination. It is active, stiring, undertaketh all, and setteth all the rest to work, it gathereth the kinds and figures of things; both present, by the service of the five senses; and absent, by the Common sense.

Judgment is seated in the midst of the braine, there to beare rule over the other faculties, it is the judge of the little World, the seat of the rationall soul, and the judge of mens actions. If you would know the mean, whereby it knoweth and judgeth of things, Aristotle and many others have thought that the Spirit knoweth by the help of the senses, and that the understanding without the senses is but as white Paper. Nil est in in­tellectu, quod non fucritprius in sensu. There is nothing in the understanding, which is not first in the sense.

This opinion is false, because the seeds of science, and virtue are insinuated into our Spirits: else is the state of the resonable soul, worse then the vegetative or sensitive which of themselves are able to exercise their functions. It were absurd to think that so noble and Divine a facul­ty, should beg assistance, of so vile and corruptible as the senses, which apprehend only the simple accidents, not the natures nor essence of things. Againe, were it so, it must follow, that they that have their senses most perfect, should be most witty; whereas we many times see the contrary.

Yet let no man think, that the Spirit hath no service from the senses: for in the beginning, discovery, and invention of things, the senses do much service to the Spirit: but the Spirit dependeth not upon the senses.

Some are of opinion, that it is hot and moist in qua­litie, others say, that a dry temperature is proper to the understanding, whereby it comes to posse, that aged persons excell those, in understanding, that are young, because as yeares increase, moisture doth decrease in the braine: hence it comes to passe that melancolique per­sons, that are afflicted with want, and fast much, are wise and ingenious; for heavinesse and fasting are great driers: Splendor siccus, animus sapientissimus: vexatio [Page 9] dat intellectum, heat and drouth resineth the witt, afflicti­on giveth understanding: & that is the reason that great persons, that feed highly, and take little care, and seldom lie under vexation or affliction, for the most part are none of the wisest. Beasts that are of a dry temperature, as Ants, Bees, Elephants, &c: are wise and ingenious: on the contrary they that are of a moist constitution, are stupid, and without Spirit, as are Swine. Memory is seated in the hinder cell of the braine, as the grand ac­countant, or register of the little world, whose office is to record things past, present, or to come. Some say its temperature is cold and dry, and that is the reason that melancolique people have good memoryes; others that it is most, because Children have better memories then old men: Men are more apt for memory in the morning by reason of the moisture gained by sleep in the night: the common people do more esteeme of memory, and delight more in it than of the other two; it maketh a great shew in the world, and they judge those that have a good memory to be very wise; esteeming more of science, then of wisdome; but of the three it is the least, and that which sooles do many times enjoy, for seldom is an excellent memory joyned with understanding and wisdom: for their temperatures are contrary: hence comes that ill course in the instructing of youth, viz: to make them have by heart all they learn: and so stuffe & gorge memory with other mens good, and starve the understanding. We see those that have all Aristotle, and Cicero in their heads, yet are the veriest sots in in the world.

Many have been very excellent in this faculty, Seneca repeated 2000 names as they were first spoken; he also hearing 200 verses, rehearsed them, and began at the last. Cyrus and Scipio knew every Souldiers name in their Armys. Mithridates learned the language of two and [Page 10] twenty Nations: Esdras the Priest had the whole Jewish doctrine by heart. Julius Caesar would dictate to four at the same time: and that which is more strange, Pliny would dictate to one, heare an other, and read at that instant. As these were so excellent and acute in memo­ry, others were as dull: Atticus could never learne the letters of the Alphabet by heart: others could not count above four: It is said, that Theodore Beza two yeares before he dyed, as he languished, his mind grew so Feeble that he forgat things present, yet held those things, which were printed in his mind before time, when his understanding and memory was good. What shall we say of Messala Corvinus; who forgat his own name? Or Franciscus Barbarus of Athens, a very learned man in the Greek tongue, having received a blow on his head with a stone, forgat his learning, which he had spent the greatest part of his time upon, yet remembred all things else? These things are brought to passe (with­out doubt) either by the strength or debility of mens ge­nitures, and from directions, and accidents thence pro­ceeding. Witt and understanding, and all the faculties of the soul depends on a certaine temperament: and hence it comes to passe (and that oftentimes) that those that are acute, and wise in some things, are stupid and dull in other some. But I have too far digressed, I must return to my rode againe.

CHAP. IV. Of the parts belonging to the Head.

HAving given you a briefe and generall description of the Head, and of the intellective faculty of man; it is meet now to treat of the sensitive part, which will lead me to describe the particular parts of the head.

The sensitive faculty hath its residence in the pia ma­ter, it is that which gives virtue to all the particular senses, and keeps a harmony among them: they are five in number, viz: Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, Feeling: Although these are all united in one in the braine, yet operatively they are distinguished in their fe­verall seats, and places of residence.

The sight resides in the eyes, and particularly in the Crystalline humor, they are two in number, and col­laterall, planted in the highest stage as Centinells, they are the luminaties of the Microcosm; Galen saith, the braine and the head were made for the eye, that they might be in the highest as a beholder in a Tower, they are next in nature unto the Soul; for in the eye is seen and known the disturbances and griefes, gladnesse and joys of the Soul, as Love, Wrath, and other Passions; they be compounded and made of seaven Tunicles or Coats, and three humours, they proceed out of the sub­stance of the braine, and comes through the pia mater, of whose substance they take a panicle, to defend it from annoyance. They meet and are united into one sinew, about halfe an inch in length, before they enter the skull, and after divided into two, each goeth into one eye, they are called Nervi Optici, the Optick Nerves, and through these, are brought the visible Spirits to the eye. These are the most noble outward parts of the [Page 12] body, in beautie, utilitie, mobilitie, & activity. They are to the visage, that which the visage is to the body, they are the face of the face; and because they are tender, deli­cate and pretious, they are fenced and rampaird on all sides, with skins, lids, brows, and haire. The object of the eye or sight is colour (according to the common opi­nion) which is an adherent quality in bodyes, whereof there are six simple, as white, yellow, red, purple, green, and blew: the compounds are infinite; to speak more fully, the true object is light; which is never without colour, and without which the colours are invisi­ble.

The sense of Seeing excelleth all the rest in many things; it apprehendeth farther off, and extendeth it selfe even to the Starrs. It is certainly reported, that Strabo had such acute eyes, that from Lilybaeum, he could discerne ships, going forth of the Carthagenian Haven, and could number them, the distance was 135. miles. It hath more variety of objects, for to all things and generally in all, there is light and colour the ob­jects of the eys, as I hinted before. It is most exquisite; for it is most exact, in the least & finest things that pre­sents it selfe. It is more prompt and sudden, for it ap­prehendeth even in a moment and without motion, when the other senses require motion and time. It en­joyeth a liberty incomparable to others: the eye seeth, or seeth not, and therefore hath lids to open or shut: it is active, all the rest purely passive. But that which is most noble in this sense is, that the privation of the ob­ject thereof, which is darknesse, brings feare and that naturally, because then a man findeth himselfe robbed of so excellent a guide: the sight, in the light, is in­stead of company, wherein man much delighteth.

It would fill a large volume, to describe the Eye in every perticular, but that which I have said thereof, is [Page 13] sufficient, it being not my taske to write an Anatomy. Hearing is the next sense to be considered, whose resi­dence is in the eares, it is in quality cold and dry, un­der the dominion of Saturn. They are placed on the outside of the head, in the selfe same hight as the eyes are, as the Scouts of the body, Porters of the Spirit, the Receivers and Judgers of the sounds, which alwayes as­cend. They have their entrance oblique and crooked, that so the sound may not enter all at once, whereby the sense of hearing might be hindred, and not soe well able to judge: and againe that the sounds being fugitive, might there lurke, and abide under his sha­dow, till the instruments of hearing hath gotten pos­session thereof. The Sinews that are the organs of hear­ing, spring each from the braine, and when they come to the hole of the Eare, they are writhed together; the end is like a worme or little teat, into which is re­ceived the sound, and from thence carried, to the com­mon witts to distinguish. The object of the eare or hear­ing is a sound, or noise proceeding from the encounter of two bodyes: A plesant and melodious sound sweet­neth and appeaseth the Spirit, consequently the body too, and drives maladies from them both: the sharp and penetrant, doth trouble and wound the Spirit. This sense hath many singularities; for the service of the body, the sight is most necessary, but for the Spirit, hearing hath the superiority. It is spirituall, the agent of understanding: many that have been blind, have been great and wise Philosophers, but never any that were deafe. In briefe, science, truth, and virtue, hath no other entrance into the Soul, but by the eare. Chri­stianity teaches that if faith cometh by hearing, which the fight doth tather hurt then help. Faith is the beliefe of those things, which are not seen; which beliefe is ac­quired by hearing. For all these reasons and many [Page 14] more that might be inserted, the wisest have so much commended Hearing, the pure guardian from all cor­ruption; the health of the inward man,

Smelling is seated in the Nose, governed by Mars, and is hot and dry in quality; and therefore Martiall Creatures, or such as are hot and dry of constitution, excell in this faculty, as Doggs, &c: From the braine commeah two Sinews to the holes of the braine pan, where beginneth the concavity of the Nose, and these two are the proper Organs or Instruments of smelling, they have heads like paps, into which is received the virtue of smelling, and presenting it to the common sense. Over these two Organs, is placed Colatorium, or the nostrills, which concavity or ditch was made for two causes; first that the aire, that bringeth the Spirit of smelling, might rest therein, till it were received by its proper Organs. Secondly that the excrements of the Brain might be hidden under it, till it be fitt to be ejected. From this concavity goeth two holes into the mouth, of which we may take notice of three conveni­ences: First that when a mans mouth is closed, either by eating or sleeping, that then the aire might come through them to the Lungs: else a man must be forced to hold his mouth open alwaies. Secondly they are helpfull to a mans speech, for when one or both of those passages are stopped, a man speaketh in the Nose, as we commonly say. Thirdly, they are usefull in the cleansing of the concavities of the nose, either by snuff­ing, or drawing it through the mouth. The object of Smell is an odour, or sent, which is a fume rising from an odoriferous object, ascending to the nose, to the ven­tricles of the braine: the strong and violent hurteth the braine, the temperate and good, doth rejoyce, delight and comfort. This sense is oftentimes very usefull, in discovering meats or drinks of an evill odour, which [Page 15] otherwise would much prejudice the stomach, and work evill effects in the body of man.

Much more might be said, touching the shape and forme, matter and composition of the Nose, but my designe is to distinguish the parts in a generall way.

The Taste is hot and moist, and under the influence of Jupiter; this Sense hath its residence in the pallat of the mouth, and tongue. Its office is to discerne what food is congruous to the stomach, and what not. The skin of the palate of the mouth is the same, with the inward part of the stomach; and the same with the way of the meat into the stomack; and hence it cometh to passe, that when a man is touched upon the Pallat of the mouth, it tickleth the stomach, and so much the nearer to the throat, so much more the stomach abhorreth. The object of Tasting is a savour or smack, whereof there are six simple kinds; as Sweet, Sowre, Sharp, Tart, Salt, Bitter; the compounds are many. And being led to the mouth, it is not a misse, if I speak a few words to the composition thereof. In the mouth, are five parts to be considered; the Lips, the Teeth, the Tongue, the U­vula, the Pallat of the mouth; of the which I have al­ready spoken: A word or two of the rest. The lips are made of a musculous flesh, their office is, first, as the doore to the House to keep the mouth close, till the meat be chewed, Secondly they help to pronounce the speech. The Teeth the hardest members, fastned into the mandible; their office is first to grind the meat before it goeth into the stomack, that so it may the bet­ter digest; Secondly, that it might be a help to the speech, for they that want any of their Teeth are de­fective therein. The number is uncertaine, some have more, some have lesse; they, who have their full num­ber have thirty and two. The tongue is a carnuous member, compound and made of many Nerves, Liga­ments, [Page 16] Veins and Arteries, ordained principally for three causes: First that when a man eateth, the tongue might turne the meat, in the mouth, till it be chewed. Secondly by the Tongue, and the Pallat of the mouth neer the root of the tongue, is received the tast of sweet or sower, and thence presented to the common senses to passe judgment thereof. Thirdly and princi­pally the tongue is ordained for the pronunciation of speech, of which faculty I must crave leave to insist on, and that as briefly as may be. Speech is an excellent present, and very necessary; given only unto man, ani­mi index & speculum: it is the interpreter and image of the soul; the hearts messenger: the gate, through which doth passe all that lyeth within the darke and hidden corners of man; by this the Spirit becomes visi­ble. Of all the externall and visible parts of the body that, which cometh nearest to the heart is the root ther­of; & that which cometh neerest the thoughts is speech, Out of the aboundance of the Heart the mouth speaketh. It is a powerfull Mafter, an Imperious Commander; it stir­reth up, animateth, exasperateth, appeaseth, maketh sad, merry, it imprinteth what ever passion it handleth: feedeth the soul of the hearer; it maketh him blush, wax pale, laugh, cry, tremble, mad with choler, leap for joy, what not? It is the great huckster, and inter­medler, by it we traffick, peace is handled, affaires are managed, it is the band of humane society: hearing and speech answer, and are accommodated the one to the other: by these two the souls are poured the one into the other: so that if these two gates be shut, (as it is in those that are dease and dumbe) the Spirit remain­eth solitary and miserable. Hearing is the gate to enter; by it the Spirit receiveth all things from without: speech is the gate to go out, through it the Spirit sendeth forth that which was within. From the communication of [Page 17] these two, as from the stroke of two flints, there com­eth forth the fire of truth; and so by the polishing and rubbing of these two, knowledge cometh to perfection. But Hearing is the first and principall, for there can nothing come forth, which hath not first entered; and therefore he that is dease altogether by nature, is also dumbe.

I might much more enlarge my selfe in the descrip­tion of the Head: but my purpose being to declare no­thing, but what may be pertinent in the manifestation of the humaine faculties and virtues; I shall conclude this Chapter with a word or two of the sense of Feeling which is of no particular quality, but of all, hot, cold, dry and moist, it is deputed to no particular Organ, but is spread abroad over the whole body: it is the Index of all tangible things: its object then must be heat or cold, dryth or moisture; things pleasant and polite, sharp and smatting, motion, rest, tickling. It is well known that man, and other Creatures live without some parti­cular sense; It is the opinion of most, that a man can­not live without this sense of Feeling, being only ne­cessary unto life: yet Augustine proveth the contrary, in the 14. book de Civitate dei; by example of a Presby­ter, that lay as though he were dead, and did not feele those, that pulled him, nor would he stirre, though they burned him with fire, yet he confessed that he could then he are men speak, (if they spake aloud) as though they were far from him; by which it appeares, that this he did, not by resisting, but for want of the sense of feeling which afterward was restored to him againe: I shall passe by, what the English History re­lates of one Elizabeth Barton, a maid of Canterbury who oftentimes was deprived of her senses, by reason of a disease she had.

I shall also wave disputes, concerning the number of the senses, some supposing there are no more in nature then are apparent in us. There may very well be more, yet greatly to be doubted that there are; it is impossi­ble for us to know them, to affirme them, or to deny them, because a man shall never know the want of that sense, which he never had, one sense cannot dis­cover another; and if a man want one by nature, yet he knows not which way to affirme it. A man that is born blind, and hath not heard what sight is; cannot conceive that he seeth not, nor desire to see. So man, being not able to imagine more then the five that he hath, cannot know how to judge, whether there be more in nature, who knoweth whether the difficulties, that we find in many of the works of nature; and the effects of many Creatures, which we cannot understand, do proceed from the want of some sense that we have not? There are hidden properties, which we see in many things; and a man may say that there are sensible faculties in nature, proper to judge, and apprehend them, yet must conclude, we have them not: who knoweth whether it be some particular sense, that discovereth the houre of midnight to the Cock, and moves him to crow; or how beasts are taught, to choose certaine heaths for their cure, and many such like wonders? None can affirme or deny, say, This it is, or that it is.

CHAP. V. Of the Stomach and its faculties.

THe Stomach is a member, compound and Sperma­tick, Sinewy and sensible, wherein is made the perfect first digestion of Chile; It is a necessary member to the body, for if it saile in lts operation, the whole Fabrick is corrupted. It is in the little world, the same as the terrestriall Globe is in the great world: In it, is expressed the sublunary part of the world; in it, are con­tained the parts that serve for nutrition, concoction, and procreation. And this leads me to discourse of the administring vertues in man, which are here seated; and to wind up all with a touch of the office of the Mi­crocosmicall Stars, with as much brevitie as may be. The Stomach is framed of two pannicles, the outer is Car­neous, the inner Nerveous, from which is stretched to the mouth Isofagus, or the way of the meat, by which the stomach draweth to it selfe meat, and drink, as with hands. By the virtue of the subtill will, which is in this Musculus Longitudinall, is made the attractive vir­tue: which is hot and dry; by a quality active, or prin­cipall, which appeares by the Sun, the Fountaine of all heat, which is of an attractive quality, which is evi­dent by his attracting, and exhaling the humidity from this inferiour Globe, into the airy region, as into the neck or higher part of an Alimbeck; and being resolved into water, (by reason of their weight) fall down a­gaine upon the earth, which is the vessel receiving: So through continued distillations, by sublimation of the water, by cohobation; by drawing of the liquor, being often powred on, and fortified by the influence of the Celestiall, and Centrall Sun, the body becomes indued, [Page 20] with a concoctive, nutritive, and procreative virtue. So in the Stomach, by the active qualitie of the Microcos­micall Sun, his benevolent rayes, and freindly heat, meat and drink is desired, and attracted into the stomach, for the nourishment of the whole body.

We can do no lesse then give Mars a share in the do­minion of the attractive faculty, being hot and dry by nature, this is reason: experience telleth us that Mar­tiall men, or men of a Cholerick constitution, are none of the worst trencher-men; and at the pot incompara­ble.

In the Stomach is a Transverse Muscle, to withhold or make retention: by this retentive virtue, those things that are brought into the Stomach, are kept and withholden, untill nature hath wrought his kind, and every faculty hath executed his office. It is in quality cold and dry, cold because the nature of cold is to com­presse, or hold together, as you may see in Ice: dry, be­cause it is the nature of drinesse, to keep and hold what is compressed. It is under the influence of Saturn, and that is the reason, why, for the most part, men that are cold and dry of temperature, or, as Astrologers say, Sa­turnine people, are covetous and tenacious: and that is the reason, that old men, are naturally covetuous, because Saturn ruleth old age; and by the decay of na­ture, the temperature becomes cold and dry.

It hath the Spleen, the representative of Saturn, lying toward the left side, and furnisheth the Stomach, with humours necessary to fortifie the retentive vir­tue.

The digestive faculty, (which is the chiefe and most principall, (the other, like hand-Maids, attending it) is hot and moist; Natures, Cooke, and principall work­man, the Archaeus, and centrall fire, which in this Philosophicall Vessell, viz: the Stomach, digesteth [Page 21] the victualls into a Chaos, or confused Masse, that so a naturall separation may be made. It is under the influ­ence of Jupiter, who furnisheth it with freindly heat and moisture, by the Liver, (the Microcosmicall Jupiter) cha­sing and beating the right side of the Stomach.

The Stomach hath also a Latitudinall Muscle or will, which makes the expulsive faculty: It is naturally cold & moist, cold to compresse the superfluity, moist to make the matter slippery and fit for ejection, also to work a sutable disposition in the body. It is a necessary operati­on, by it, after the seperation of the pure from the im­pure, the Elements from the Caput Mortuum, or rather foeces; is removed, and carried away all that is need­lesse or prejudiciall to nature. It is under the domini­on of the Moon, (with whom you may joyne Venus, be­ing of the same nature) whose Epitome, or Microcosmi­call substitute, viz: the braine, sendeth a branch of Nerves to the Stomach, and thereby furnisheth it with humours cold and moist, fit for expulsion.

I shall now hasten, to give you a short description of the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidneys, &c.

CHAP. VI. Of the Heart.

I Now come to speak breifly of the Heart, who is the principall of all other members, and the beginning of life, he is set in the mid'st of the Breast, by himselfe as Lord and King of all the Members. And, as a Lord or King ought to be served of his subjects, that have their living of him; so are all the Members of the body, subjects of the Heart: they receive their living from him, and in many wayes they do him service. He is [Page 22] the same in the little world, as the Sun that glorious Lampe of Heaven is in the great world. It is called Sol Corporis, as the Sun is called Cor Coeli, because their operations are so like. The vitall Spirit hath its resi­dence here; why then should antiquity with ignominy be brought to the Barr, and condemned, for saying the Heart lives first, and dyes last: he being the Fountaine and beginning of life, it must needs follow, that it is the first thing in man that lives, and the last that dyes.

Here is to be noted that the heart hath blood in his substance, whereas all other members have it in their Veines and Arteries. It is bound to the back part of the breast by certaine Ligaments, which Ligaments though they touch not the substance of the Heart; yet in the over part they spring forth of him; By which he ap­peares to be King of the members, and Center of the Mocrocosmicall planetary Hiarchy.

Moreover the Heart hath two Ventricles or Concavi­ties, and the left is higher than the right; the cause of its hollownesse, [...]s to keep the blood for his nourishing: and [...]e to abate and temper the great heat which is included, and shut up in the Concavityes.

As he is Sol Corporis, and Center of the rest of the members, and ruler of the family, he communicates to them Life and Motion: yet by his heat he attracts what is needfull for himselfe, from the other members as a subsidy or tax imposed upon his subjects. And therefore to the right Ventricle of the Heart, cometh a Veine from the great Veine called Venakells, which receiveth all the substance of the blood from the Liver; this Veine I say passeth from Venakelis to the right ven­tricle of the Heart, and bringeth a great portion of the thickest and purest blood to nourish the Heart. The residue that is left of this, is made more subtill through [Page 23] the virtue and heat of the Heart, and then sent into a concavitie or pit in the midst of the Heart, between the two Ventricles: therein it is made more hot, and pure; and from thence it passeth to the best Ventricle, and there is engendred in it a Spirit, that is clearer, brigh­ter and subtiller, then any Corporeall or bodily thing, which is engendered of the four Elements; for it is a mean between the Body and the Soul: Wherefore of the Philosophers it is likned more to heavenly than earthly things.

And here I shall taket leave to digresse, and tell you of some things wonderfull, touching the Heart: If we credit Avicenna. Some have wanted a Heart: and to this purpose I could recite other mens opinions; but I shall not trouble the readers head with such things, which seem to my selfe impossible. Valerius Maximus speaketh of one Aristomanes Messenius, who killed 300. Lacedemonians, who had a hairy Heart. Beneventus reports the same of a certaine thiefe. Columbus observ­ed a young man that wanted the pericardium, (which is a thin skin involving the Heart as in a purse) and he was much troubled with swoonding fits. It hath been the opinion, that a man cannot live a moment scarsely, who hath received a wound in the Heart: And good reason too, seeing the life depends upon the safety of the Spirits, the Heart being the shop and making there­of; when the Heart is wounded, it is necessary that the generation of the Spirits cease. Yet Nicol. Malerius relates a History of one Andreas Hasevanger, who was one of the Lifeguard of Count William of Nassaw gover­nour of Frisia, &c. who received a wound in the Breast by his fellow Souldier, Anno 1607. on the 22 of August, in the evening, and died the 8th. of Septemper follow­ing, one houre after Sunrising; his body being opened to search for the wound, by the aforenamed Nicol. Ma­lerius, [Page 24] and two other Chirurgions, in the presence of severall Souldiers of note; they found that the wound had entered the right cavity of the Heart, and that part of the Heart was almost consumed; the left part remain­ing entire, which is the cheife habitation of the vitall spirits. By this meanes he lived 16 dayes, which had been impossible; if the left ventricle had been wound­ed.

But to proceed; from the left Ventricle of the Heart, springeth two Arteries, the one having but one Coat, and therefore is called Arteria Venalis, which carryeth blood from the Heart to the Lungs, which blood is vaporous, and fit for its nourishment; and carrieth back aire from the Lungs to refresh the Heart,

See here the Harmony and freindly Agreement be­tween the Microcosmicall Sun and Mercury; the first affordeth of his own nutriment to nourish the other, whilst the other rewards him with aire to refresh him. The other Arterie hath two Coats, it is called Vena Arterialis, or the great Arterie, of which springeth all the other Arteries, that spread to every member of the body, which carieth the Spirits, which are the trea­sures of the Souls virtue. Thus it passeth till it come to the braine, and be made an animall Spirit, as you have heard before in the third Chapter; at the Liver it is made nutrimentall; and at the Testicles generative. Thus by the Heart is made a Spirit of every kind, and (like the Sun in the Heavens) by his royall presence, he doth conferre life and liberty to his suppliants.

I might here tell you, why these Arteries have two coats, namely because one is not sufficient, to withhold the vitall Spirits, carried in them, their motion being so violent. Againe the thing carried about being so precious a treasure, it had need of the better keeping. This Arterie is called the pulsative Veine. I might [Page 25] here frame a large discourse of the pellicles of the Heart, which open and shut to receive the blood: Also the two little eares by whom commeth in and passeth out the aire: I might say much of the pannicles, which as some think have their originall from dura mater, as namely, pericardium, called of some Capsula Cordis, which springeth of the upper pannicle of the Midriffe, and covereth the Heart: of the which springeth ano­ther called Mediastinum, which parteth the breast in the mid'st, and keepeth that the Lungs fall not over the Heart, (such a rule, hath the Architect Spirit gi­ven to each part (as Starrs to move in their severall Orbs) There is another pannicle that covereth the ribs, of whom the Midriffe taketh its beginning. But this being beyond my intended scope, I will put an end to this Chapter of the Heart.

CHAP. VII. Of the Lungs, Liver, &c.

THe Lungs is made of a substance very soft and spon­geous; supple, to draw and to inforce from, like a paire of bellows: it is an instrument of respiration, whereby the heart is refreshed, drawing unto it the blood, the Spirits and the aire, and disburthening it selfe of those fumes and excrements, which oppresse it, It is naturally cold and dry, accidentally cold and moist: naturally cold and dry waying about the Heart, abate­ing his beat, by its refreshing blast; it is accidentally moist, by reason of Catarhs and Rhewmes, which it re­ceiveth from the Braine.

There are three principall parts in the Lungs conside­rable, one is a Veine coming from the Liver, which [Page 26] bringeth with it, the crude and undigested part of the Chile to feed the Lungs. Another is Arteria Venialis, coming from the Heart, bringing the Spirit of life to nourish the Lungs. The third is Trachia Arteria, that bringeth aire to the Lungs, and it passeth through all the left part of them to do its of­fice.

The Lungs is divided into the five portions or pelli­cles, three on the right side, and two on the left side; if in case any impediment or hurt should happen any in one part, the other should be ready to supply the office.

But I forbeare any further description of the Lungs, and come to the Liver, which is a principall member, in the little world, representing the Planet Jupiter, Quasi juvans pater, hot and moist, inclining towards the right side, under the short ribs. The forme of the Li­ver is Gibbous or Bunchy on the back side; on the other side hollow like the inside of an hand: that it might be pliable to the stomach; (as a mans hand is to an apple or any thing that is round,) to further its digestion: for his heat is to the Stomach, as the heat of a fire is to the pot which hangeth over it. It is the Store-house of the blood, the Fountaine of the Veines, the seat of the naturall nourishing faculty, or vegetative soul, ingen­dred of the Blood of that Chile which it draweth from the Meseraique Veins, and receiveth by the Vena porta which entereth into the concavities thereof, and after­wards is sent and distributed through the whole body by the help of Vena Cava, which ariseth from the bunch or branches thereof, which are in great numbers as the Rivers from the Ocean.

The naturall and nutrimentall faculty hath its resi­dence in the Liver, and is dispersed through the whole body, with the Veins, from which are bred four perti­cular [Page 27] humours, viz: Blood, Choller, Flegme, and Melancholly.

It is so excellent and necessary a member, that I dare not give credit to their opinions who say it may be wanting in a man; as some say it was in one Mathias Ortelius a Merchant in Antwerp.

Blood is made of meat perfectly concocted, in quali­ty hot and moist, Jupiters darling, the most perfect and necessary humour, (the other three being super­fluities, yet necessary too). The blood thus concoct­ed, is drawn out by the Vena cava, whose branches ra­mefying upwards and downwards, carrieth and con­veigheth it to all other members of the body, for their nourishment, where, by a third digestion, it is transmu­ted into the flesh.

Choller is made of meat more then perfectly con­cocted, it is the spume or froth of blood: it clarifieth all the humours, heats the body, nourisheth the ap­prehension. It is in quality hot and dry; it fortifieth the attractive faculty, as blood doth the digestive; it moveth man to activity and valour, it is under the pla­net Mars, whose residence is in the Gall: which is an officiall member, a purse or pannicular vesicle, placed in the hollownesse of the Liver, whose office is to receive the Cholerick superfluities, which are engendered in the Liver as aforesaid. Which Purse or Bagge hath three holes or necks; by the first it draweth to it selfe the choler from the Liver, that so the blood be not hurt by the choller. By the second it sendeth choller to the bottome of the Stomach, to fortifie the attractive facul­ty. And lastly it sendeth choller regularly to every gut, from one gut to another, to clense them from su­persluities and drosse.

Flegme is made of meat not perfectly digested, it fortifieth the virtue expulsive (what it is, and what tho other faculties are, you have heard in the fifth Chapter) and maketh the body fit for ejection, it is kind to, and fortifieth the Braine by its consimilitude with it, it is antipatheticall to the apprehension, and doth much injure it, therefore flegmatick persons have but weak apprehensions; It is cold and moist in quality, its re­ceptacle is in the Lungs, it is governed by the Moon and Venus: Therefore it qualifies choller, cooles and moisteneth the Heart, (as you heard before in the description of the Lungs) thereby sustaining it and the whole body, from the fiery effects, which continuall mo­tion would produce.

Melancholly is the sedement of blood, it is cold and dry inquality: it maketh men sober, solid and staid, fit for study, or any serious emploiment: It curbs the un­bridled toys and fooleries incident to the sanguine com­plexion: it stayeth wandering and idle thoughts, and reduceth them home to the Centre: It is like a grave Counseller to the whole body. It is governed by the Planet Saturn, it strengtheneth the retentive faculty, and its receptacle is in the spleen, which in the body is placed on the best side, transversly linked to the Sto­mach.

Hollerius reports that a woman at Paris, was found without a Spleen: And Pliny, in his naturall History, saith that in Cawnus men are born without it: and hence the common people thought, that it might be safely cut out of Footmen and Horses, and as it hath been wanting in some, so it hath abounded in others: Fallopius observed three that lay one upon another. One was seen so great that it weighed above 20 pounds, Colum. Anatom.

Another had a Milt weighed 23, pound. Where it increaseth, the body decreaseth, because it sucks away too much Chilus from the Liver. Therefore fitly did Trd­jan liken the Spleen to the Treasury; for as that grow­eth rich, the common people grow poore: So, as the Spleen encreaseth, the other parts decay.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Reines and Kidneys.

NOw I come to a few words of the Reines and Kid­neys, which are placed within the region of the Nutrites, backward; and they are ordained to cleanse the blood from the watry superfluities: They have two passages; by the one is drawn the water from Venakelis by two Veines, which are called Venae emulgentes, the Emulgent Veines, and by the other is sent the same wa­ter to the Bladder, and this is called Poros Uri­thedes.

The Kidneys are made of a hard substance, and full of hard concavities, and therefore the sores of them are hard to cure, they are harder in substance then any other fleshy member, and that for two causes; the first is that they be not much hurt by the sharpnesse of the Urine.

The other is, that the Urine that passeth from them, might be the better cleansed by them. The Heart send­eth an Artery to convey to them blood, heat, Spirit and Life. And from the Liver there commeth a Veine, which bringeth nutriment to all blood. Their fatness is as of the other members, made of thin blood congealed and cradded by cold; there is ordained the greater [Page 30] quantity in this place, because it should temper the heat of the Kidneys, which they have of the biting sharpnesse of the Urine.

The next thing that offereth it selfe to our considera­on is the Bladder, which is compounded of two nerve­ous panicles, in complexion it is cold and dry, whose neck is carnous and hath two Muscles to withhold and to let go: in man it is long and is contained with the yard passing through peritoneum, but in women it is shorter, and is contained with the Vulva, the place of the Bladder is between the share bone and Longaon, (commonly called the Arse Gut). In women it is be­tween the aforesaid bone and the Matrix. In the Blad­der is implanted the Ureters, which bring the Urine or water from the Kidneys thither; and privily entereth into the holes and pannicles thereof, which is don by a naturall motion between Tunicle, and Tunicle; till the Urine findeth the hole of the nether Tunicle, where it entereth privily into the concavity. And the more the Bladder is filled with Urine, the streighter be the pan­nicles compressed together: The holes be not set one against the other, so that if the bladder be never so full, none can go back againe,

This is the Micocrosmicall Ocean, into which all the Rivers of the body discharge themselves. There must needs be more then a watry substance in it: for many times in dileases, it is plentifully made, though the pa­tient drinketh little or nothing. And it is observed that Creatures that drink nothing will make water. Physitians oftentimes foretell many things by their co­lour, thinnesse, and thicknesse. Salt you know is hid in meats, and that plants have very much Salt in them, you may find by distilling them: And it is very well known, that, by the Chymicall art, many kinds of Salt may be fetched out of Urines. The artificiall [Page 31] Chrysocolla is made of Urine. Nitre is made of earth moistned with the Urine and Dung of living Creatures. The Urine hath a sympatheticall relation to the constitu­tion of the body. The Arabians say, among the rest Abenzoar, that a man that is bitt with a mad dogge, in his Urine the picture of Doggs may be seen: but this is attributed to the force of the Venome, which changeth a mans constitution, and maketh it like to a dogs. Sen­nert us himselfe saith, that it doth so much corrupt the humours, that little Creatures like Puppies are bred in the body. If we credit the writings of wise, honest, and learned men (which not to do were uncharitable) we shall find, that wormes and many kinds of living Creatures have been bred in the Bladder: We read of a Woman that voided one, that way, a span long; and a Maid, many as big as Woodlice. One voided one like a Magpye, another who had the Stone in the Bladder, voided two with Horns, sharp head, back and belly crusty, black, and like a Tortoise, only their belleys were red. Another voided a living Scorpion, and another shell-fish. The passage of the Urine from the Bladder, all know; yet sometimes men are known to void their Urine another way. The Son of one Boninus urined, a little beneath the Glans. A maid at the Hague of a noble family, made water at her Navell. One, by an Ulcer on his Buttock, and another by the Belly. For my own part I have known two young men, who urined between the Testicles and the Fundament: read Fernelius. l. 6. c. 13. who affirme the same thing. I need not tell you that stones are bred in the Urine of a faeculent matter, mingled with Salt and stony juice somtimes small, and sometimes great, of severall shapes and forms: sometimes, like the Sea sand, somtimes like peebles, somtimes like Salt, and somtimes they are found ragged and branching, lively and excellently re­sembling [Page 32] the stock and branches of Corall: few or none are ignorant of this. Thus have I, with as much brevity as may be, described this Microcosmicall Ocean.

CHAP. IX. Of the Generative parts.

I Shall herein use as much brevity as may be; and shall write nothing, but with a mind that is modest, and with such a mind, I desire, it may be read. The instruments of generation are of two sorts, Male, and Fe­male; their use is the procreation of mankind; the operation is by action and passion: the Agent is the seed, the patient the blood. Although this cometh to be spoken of in the last place, yet it might have deserv­edly been put in the first; for nature regards not only the conservation of its selfe, but to beget its like, and conceive its species. Venus hath the principall govern­ment of the members of generation; In which members there are many parts considerable, but I shall only e­pitomize them.

First of the genitalls of men: The first thing to the considered is, that which Anatomists call, vasa pre­parantia: or preparing vessells, which bring blood and vitall Spirits to the Stones: they are fout in number, & before they come to the stones, they make a curious implication, intertexture, or twisting the one with the other, the Arteries into the Veins, and the Veines into the Arteries: which Physitians call Corpus Varicosum; some call it Pampiniformis. This interweaving reacheth down even into the substance of the stones; their use is [Page 33] to mix the blood and vitall spirit together, that so the Stones may have a fit matter to work on.

The Testicles or Stones are of a white soft and spun­gy substance, full of small Veines and Arteries; or else, when humours flow to them, they could not swell to such a bignesse: their form is Ovall of their bigness, few are ignorant. Each stones hath a Muscle which the learned call Cremaster, which serveth to pull up the stones in the act of Generation; as its name in the Greek signifieth that so the vessells being flockned, may better avoid the seed.

The seed being throughly concocted by the Testicles or Stones, there are two other small pipes, called vasa deferentia, they are also called [...], sper­matick pores: their office is to carry the seed to the se­minary vessells, who are to keep it till need requireth its expulsion. From the stones they arise, very neare to the preparing vessells, into the cavity of the belly; then turning back again, they turne to the backside of the bladder, between it and the right gut. There they are joyned to the seminall Vessells, which are soft and spungy, somwhat like kernells, through which passeth the Urethra, or common passage in the yard both for seed and Urine.

Histories make mention, and experience evidenceth; that some are borne without stones, some with one▪ Philip, Landgrave of Hassia, had three: he was so full of seed, and prone to Venerious actions, that his Wife could not suffer him so often as necessity urged him to it; he otherwise being chast and honest: He relating his mind to the Priests, with the consent of his Wife, took a Concubine.

It would be too tedious, if I should take upon me to describe the yard, and all the parts thereof, it would make my book swell too big, and I should run beyond my [Page 34] first intention, viz: only to give a breife touch of the most considerable parts.

I now come to the Generative parts of women: and shall be silent in what is visible, and declare only the internall parts for brevity sake, and first of the Clytoris, which is a sinewy and hard body, much like the yard of a man, and suffers erection and falling; causeth lust in women, and giveth delight in copulation. Avicen­na calleth it the Wand, or Albathara, and Albucasis call­eth it Tentigo: and Fallopius saith, that this hath som­times grown so bigg, that women would copulate with others like men. This observe, that the passage of the Urine is not through the neck of the Wombe: Near the passage of the Urine are four Caruncles or fleshy knobs, they are called Myrtiformes, because they resem­ble Myrtleberryes. The uppermost of them is largest and forked, to receive the neck of the passage of the Urine: the other lye below this on the sides, and are to keep back the aire or any hurtfull thing from the Womb. In Virgins, these knobs are joyned together by a thin skin, interlated with many small Veins, with a hole in the middle, about the bignesse of ones little finger, through which passeth the menstruous blood: This skin is a note of Virginity: for the first act of copulation breaketh it. I believe that this was that note of Virginity which God gave to the Hebrews: These knobs joyned together do much resemble a Rose not quite blown, therefore called a flower, thence came the word to de­flower a Virgin. If I should take upon me to declare the opinions of Authors, it would prove (almost) an endlesse taske: This I shall add, that I conceive it not a certaine note of Virginity, because it may be bro­ken without the act of copulation, as namely by apply­ing of pessaries, to provoke the Menstrues, or by a de­fluxion of sharpe humours, &c: but 'tis probable that [Page 35] the Jewish Virgins were more chary of it, their reputati­on depending thereon.

The Wombe in figure is almost perfectly round, in Virgins about the bign esse of a walnut, yet when a wo­man is conceived with Child, it dilates it selfe to such a capacity that it is able to containe the Child; the mouth of it no bigger then to receive the Glans of the Gard: yet at the delivery makes roome for the Child to come out be it never so big. This made Galen admire, and it may be a great admiration to all: If we consider the wonderfull works of God in the Creation of man. He who knows himselfe may know there is an All power­ful God. And therefore it was engraven with letters of Gold, over the Porch of the Temple of Apollo, the God (according to the Panims) of knowledge and wisdome, this sentence, Know thy selfe, as a salutation unto all, sig­nifying, that he that would have accesse unto that Di­vinity, and enterance into that Temple, must first know Himselfe.

But I returne to my intended discourse: The Womb before conception is small, because the Seed, being but little in quantity, might be close embraced and che­rished. It hath but one cavity, though it is the com­mon, approved opinion, that it hath seaven Cells, and of this opinion was Galen, the truth is the matrix in wo­men differ much from beasts, and Galen never saw a wo­man Anatomized.

Women have Testicles or Stones as men have, but they differ from mens in these particulars. They are within the Belly in women, in men without. They are not so smooth in women, as in men. They are lesse then the Stones of men. They are not staid by muscies, but by Ligaments. As men's are Ovall, theirs are flat­ish. They have but one skin, mens have four, because [Page 36] they are without the body, and exposed to the cold. They are more soft, and colder then mens are.

But they are ordained both in men and women for the same use, viz: to concoct seed: and though Aristotle de­nyed seed in women, yet Hippocrates, one of the Anti­ents of Physick was of this judgment: reason and expe­rience confirmeth it.

The vasa praeparantia, the preparing Vessells, & vasa deferentia, carrying Vessells, are of the same nature, and office as they are in men: They differ only in this, that they are somwhat shorter, having a shorter way to go, the Testicles being with in the Belly in women: but lest the shortnesse of the passage should hinder their o­peration, God and nature hath so provided, that they are more twisted and interweaved than they are in men, that they may the better mingle the blood and vitall Spirit, as you have heard before.

CHAP. X. The Conclusion.

THus have I given you a breife description of Man, the masterpiece of Gods workmanship; I have only given you an Epitome or Breviary of him, who is a small draught of all things, in the universe: should any at­tempt a particular description of the body and faculties of man, he would fall short in his expectation; it being an Herculean taske, for the most acute Genius: This I will adde, not to say that the world would not con­taine the books, that might be written of him, the life of man would be too short to perfect it. Not to recapi­tulate, what I have formerly delivered; In man, as in a perspective glasse, may our Mother Earth, with her [Page 37] innumerable of spring, be discovered; in him may the unruly, and restlesse waves of the Ocean be delinear­ed. Nor doth he only epitomize the Elementall world, but also the Celestiall: In him are discovered the pru­dent majesticall, sumptuous, magnificent, honourable, affable, and humane, So lar quality. The unstedfast, timerous, soon-daunted, oftchanging, and shifting tem­per among men, answer to the various motions of the low and oft-changing Luna. Others in profoundity of imagination, reservednesse of words, austerity of acti­ons, &c: are a fit pourtrait of the melancholly Planet Saturn. There are yet a few in the world, who are faithfull Lovers of faire dealing, beneficient to all men doing glorious, honourable, and religious actions; just, wise, prudent, vertuous, &c: of the temper of Be­nevolent Jupiter. There are (in our apprehensions) too many of the martiall temper, who are Valiant, Lovers of Warr, frays, and commotions, subject to no reason, bold, confident, willingly obeying no body, &c: Nor is Venus excluded those peoples affections, who love mirth in words and actions, musicall, delighting in Ve­nery, drinking, and merry meetings: who trouble not themselves with State-affaires, nor are inquisitive after Armys or Navys, unlesse they bring good News from the Canaries. Nor is Mercury without his party among us, who are subtill & politick, excellent disputants and Lo­gicians, sharp witted, and able to learn any thing, men of unwearied fancys, and sit for any employment, yet unconstant. The Planetary influence in the good or ill disposition of the aire, is lively represented in man. A healthy sanguine constitution, or a delicate composure of heat and moisture; answer to a serene temperate aire, with seasonable moistening dews, and showers, which are the sweet influence of the Sun, Ju­piter and Venus. The feaverish, hot and parching dis­tempers [Page 38] of the body, answer to the hot and scorching weather occasioned by the fiery beams of Mars. Nor is the cold, chilly, melancholly, weeping, and lamenting disposition of many people, lesse represented by the me­lancholly, dark cold and wet weather proceeding from Sa­turus influx. I could much dilate, but I forbear. The intellectuall world hath also in man its portraiture: witnesse the soaring contemplations of the Soul of man: which cannot (like the body) be confined to any place, but in a moment, surrounds this terrestiall Globe: nor there content, but assoon mounts it selfe to the Hea­vens, and searcheth their secret corners: nor there sa­tisfied till he comes to the highest, for by his contem­plations, (having his Originall from the uncreated light) he reflects thither, viz: to the divine Majesty. To conclude, God hath made all things in man; he hath made all things for man; for mans sake he made himselfe man, to redeem man to himselfe: to whom be all honour, glory and praise for ever.

CHAP. I. Of the Nature of Physick, and the Office of a Physician.

GOd in his Power, having created all things; in his Wisdom, by Nature, governeth and preser­veth them all: by her, are the variable moti­ons, and revolutions of the Sun, Moon, and Stars har­monically preserved: in her hands, are the mutations and Catastrophes of times: she is the moderator of the sourging Ocean: This immensity of things she gover­neth in a certain, and immutable order. There is no­thing in the universe, but yeilds obedience to this Law: whatever are contained in the Animal, Vegetable, or Mi­neral Kingdoms, are wisely governed, and providenial­ly preserved, by the Will of the Divine Architector, in the Government of Nature.

But to steer our course nearer to our intention; the little world, or body of man, is subject to natures government whose Deputy or Representative is Physick; Naturae le­gibus esse medicinae leges consentaveas: The Laws of phy­sick are agreeable to the Laws of Nature: Physick imi­tates Nature, its design is to preserve the body in health, defend it from infirmities, to strengthen, and corroborate the weak, to raise the dejected, in a word, to keep the body in health and comfort, till the approach of death, to whose yoak all must yield: whose Laws, the greatest Monarchs, Kings, and Princes, cannot resist. To this one Law all people of every Countrey, Nation, quality and [Page 40] degree become obedient; as to a Law, most necessary, most excellent, sound pure & just; being grounded upon, and drawn from the purest and most wholsom fountains of Nature. It is not strict nor rigid, but mild and gen­tle; it succoureth, refresheth, and restoreth those that have languished by reason of tedious diseases: health of body is all the comfort a man hath in this trouble­some and turbulent world: this is that, which maketh humane actions to flourish: she is the most excellent chamber companion, she is the richest treasure; for she is more precious then gold, the best of all earthly goods; to say all, Without it, no earthly thing is a blessing.

Hence it cometh, that the Art of Physick hath gained a reverend esteem in all Ages: and the Physicians some­times, more than humane honour. Aesculapius transpor­ted this Art from Aegypt into Greece: the Greciaus (thinking he could raise the dead) honoured, and wor­shipped him as a god, & his two daughters as goddesses. Indeed the difficulty of Medicine brings the more honour & dignity to a good Physician, which generally is thus de­scribed: A good Physician ought to be a man learned, honest, gentle, diligent. He ought to trust in God, more than in his own skill. He ought to know what he would do, and be able to put it into practice, because the health and life of mankind is committed into his hands. And, as he imitates Christ who cures the soul, the Physician the body; so he ought to imitate him in a holy and unblameable conversation. He ought to deny himself, and to be very tender of the poor. He must not be igno­rant in Divinity, well skilled in Anatomy, in the know­ledge of Simples, and making up of compound Medi­cines: And (saith Galen) if he be ignorant of the Ma­the maticks, he is a murderer.

Hippocrates in his Aphorisms describes a Physician thus; He ought in discourse to be witty and solid: and so let him behave himself in reproving the errors of his Pati­ent, and those that look to him, Let him not be fearful nor over consident, but let him walk in the middle path, between fear and confidence. He should be neat in bo­dy and mind, temperate in diet, a hater of venereous and lascivious actions: let every wise man beware of a drunken Physician, or any way viciously inclined. Let him not greedily desire honour, but what he honestly getteth by his Art; let him not beg it of others, nor confer it upon himself. Let him be courteous and have a fellow feeling of others miseries. Let him declare the event of a disease, so far as he knoweth it, that so he may stir up the sick to obedience, and avoid the ignominse of that may be cast upon the Art: yet let him so declare it, as not to afflict the mind with the Disease of the body. A good Physician is not envious at the successe of ano­ther, nor will he detract from his due praise. He ought not to be dogged, currish, scurrilous, nor ridiculous, to be familiar with all, and speak no more than becometh him: let him use but few words, and those that are per­tinent to the purpose. Let gravity and love, be read in his face. He ought to visit the sick as often as necessity requireth, and speak comfortably to him. Let no un­seemly action, nor uncivil word proceed from him. Let him not forsake his Patient for any cause whatsoever. Let him consult with God in the beginning of all his cures, and heartily give God thanks for the performance of them. Let him love godliness, and honesty, and be an unblameable servant to God, and Nature. These are the principal and chief Characters, by which every diseased man may make choice of his Physician, of whom I shall say with the learned Fernelius: Medicus remedia confert, non solum ut naturae minister, fed interdum [Page 42] ut adjutor, interdum etiam ut opifex primarius: A Physici­an doth cure, not only as Natures servant, but sometimes us her helper, yea sometimes as the chief workman. I shall not build my discourse Theorically but Practically: and having in the former Book briefly desctibed the prin­cipal parts of man and the humane faculties and vir­tues thereon depending: I shall in this Book declare the Causes, Symptoms, and Cures of Diseases in those parts, which hinder them in the exercise of those hu­mane faculties. I shall treat of each disease simply and distinctly, and leave this Aphorism to the consideration of the ingenious: Simplex affectus, simplici remedio; com­positus composito propellendus: A simple Disease is remo­ved by a simple remedy; a compound Disease is expelled by compound Medicines.

CHAP. II. Of Diseases of the Head.

MAny Diseases are incident to the Head of Man, I shall treat of them in order, according to the pla­ces which they possesse, which I shall devide into three parts: First, the Membranes. Secondly, the substance of the Brain. Thirdly, the Nerves which nourish the Brain. The Membranes, is the first pannicle within the Skull, called Dura Mater; or without the Skull, called Pericranium: which are subject to these Diseases, viz. the Head-ach, the inveterate Head-ach, and the Me­grim. In the substance of the Brain, which is the seat and instrument of the intellectual faculties of the Soul, viz. imaginations, judgment, and memory, are defects also, viz. the depravation of those faculties, as a Frensie, [Page 43] Melancholy, and Madnesse; Sleepy Disease, Lethargy. The Ventricles of the brain are subject to many distem­pers, as Vertigo, Falling sicknesse, the night Mare, the Apoplexy, Palsy, Convulsion, trembling and quaking, and Catarrhs.

CHAP. III. Of the Frensie.

THe Frensie is an inflammation of the braine and membranes thereof caused by the abundance of blood or choler occupying those parts: it differeth from madnesse in this that a fever is joyned to the Frensie. Some that are thus grieved, do erre much in imaginati­on; others are acute in imagination, but want judg­ment to regulate their cogitations: and some are de­prived of memory.

CHAP. IV. Of Madnesse.

THe Latines call this disease Insania, and Fu­ror, and the Greeks Mania, we call it Madnesse, In this distemper the body is much out of order, and the Spirits much disquieted: It cometh without a Feavour, and therein it differeth from the Frensie. This disease is caused, somtimes of the abundance of blood flowing up to the Braine: Somtimes of hot and cholerick hu­mours, or of a hot distemper of the Braine. The Symp­tomes of Madnesse, are, weaknesse of the Head, tickling of the Eares, and shinings before their eyes, watchings, strange thoughts, and ravenous appetite: If it proceed from the abundance of blood, there followeth continu­all laughing, objects of laughter evermore appearing before the eyes. When it proceedeth from both blood and choler, it causeth a dashing and fervent motion in the braine, which maketh the sick irefull, full of motion, and bold. But if the choler wax grosse, the sick is more mad, and harder to cure.

There is another sort of Madness, caused by melancholy occupying the mind and changing the temperature of it: Somtimes the blood is generally corrupted by melancho­ly, and the brain hurt thereby. Somtimes melancholly­blood ascendeth to the braine, when the blood is not generally corrupted. Somtimes inflammations, ob­structions and evill effects of the Stomach and Spleen may be the cause thereof. There are many Signes of this distemper, they which are most common are these; fear­fullnesse, sadnesse, hatred, and very strange imaginati­ons: Some have fancyed themselves beasts, and have counterfeited the voice of Beasts: others, earthen-pots, [Page 53] and have fled from company for feare of being broken: Somtimes they desire death, and to make away them­selves; Somtimes they much dread death. Some think themselves inspired with the holy Spirit, and do Prophesie; others fancy themselves great Philosophers. If the blood be generally corrupted, the body is leane, pale, and rough, and generally melancholly. They, whose distemper arise from defects of the stomach or Spleen: have burnings, grevious inflammations, and plucking of the sides, are subject to be costive; troubled with wind fuming to the head, causing lightnesse and troublesome dreames.

For the cure: If blood abound (after the administring of a Clyster) you must come to blood-letting: You may open the Cephalick; if that appeare not, the middle veine: draw as much blood as the strength of the Pati­ent will beare: you may, as you find occasion, open the veine in the forehead, if it appeare: if the sick be a wo­man open the veine under the Ancle, you may also bleed the Hemorrhoid-veines. I beseech you, not only here, but in all other distempers, to be very carefull, and spa­ring of your Patients blood; draw not too much at a time lest you weaken nature too much: in this case it is best often to bleed, and in the mean time, keep the bo­dy soluble, either by Clysters, made as the former Chap­ter will direct you, or other convenient purges, viz: Take black Hellebore sliced small, one ounce; infuse it three days in a quarter of a pint of raine-water: then boile it gently to the consumption of the third part, (keeping it close covered) streine it out and add to the liquor, two ounces of clarified honey: let the sick drink halfe an ounce (in the morning) in a little broath or posset-drink, for severall dayes together: increase or decrease the dose according to the strength or debility of your patient. Or take of the extract of black Helle­bore [Page 54] halfe a scruple, Syrrup of Violets, one ounce; mix it for one dose.

If the body require a stronger purgation; Take of Diagridium, and Lapis Lazuli, of each halfe a drachme. Turbith, one drachm: Sena, halfe an ounce, Epithymum, Cremo-tartar of each two drachms: Of Cinamon, and Citron pills, of each one scruple; Safron, halfe a scru­ple; Let them be finely pulverized, the dose is a drachme or four Scruples administred in broath or some other convenient Liquor. These are convenient medi­cines, which purge both choler and melancholly. You may purge with confectio Hamech, Diasenae, Pillulae Indae, Pill: Lapid: Lazuli; the dose must be regulat­ed according to your patients condition, strength, and age. Before you come to purging, make use of altering or preparing medicines; Take of the slowers of Borage, Buglosse, and Violets; of Harts-tongue, Fumitory, and Tamarisk, of each one handfull; Raisons of the Sun stoned, one ounce: barke of the root of Capers, three drachms: roots of Fennell, Parsly, Lycorish, of each a drachme, boile them all gently in three pints of wa­ter, till one be consumed, streine them out, and clarifie the liquor with whites of eggs; add to the same, of the syrups of Fumitory, Epithimum, and Apples magisteri­all, of each one o [...]nce: Take halfe a pint in the morn­ing; use this, or medicines of this nature, three or four dayes: twice in the week, purge gently; twice in a month administer a strong purge: ever remember in the meane time to use Phlebotomy, as necessity requireth: forget not to empty the body by Clysters, if there be oc­casion: The night after you have let your patient blood, be sure you administer such things, as have power to procure sleep, which you may do thus: Take of con­serve of Roses, Violets, and Buglosse flowers, of each halfe an ounce: the conserve of the young tops of Ta­mariske, [Page 55] and Clove Gilliflowors; of the stalke of Let­tuce, and Citron rindes preserved, of each four dra [...], Mirabolanes and Emblicks, of each one: Confectio Alchermes and de Hyacintho, of each two drachms, Co­rall and Pearles prepared, of each two scruples. pil: diá Margariton frigidum, and Laetificans, halfe a drachme, mix them well in a marble or glasse Morter, adding one ounce of syrup of sweet-sented apples: The dose is the quantity of a Wall-nut, drink after it a little of some convenient Julep or decoction. You must likewise ap­ply repelling and discussing medicines to the head; the Chapter of the Frensie will furnish you with such medicines. But if the Cholerick, and melancholly hu­mors in the Braine, are grosse and hard to be removed, prepare a fomentation in this manner. Talte a suffici­ent quantity of Cephalick herrbs, viz: Betony, Penny­royall, Rosemary, Lettice, Plantane. Willow-leaves, Housleek, Strawberry-leaves; Violet-leaves, Fumitory, Water-Lillys (or their Flowers) Staechas, Poppys, boile them in a sufficient quantity of Fountaine water: then take of Bay-berries, and the root of black Hellebore, a sufficient quantity, crosly bruise them, and sow them (with some of the softest of the hearbs) into a long bagg, boil the bagg a little in the aforesaid decoction; bathe the head (being shaved) with the decoction, an houre, as hot as may well be indured, with double cloathes: then bind the bagg to the crowne of the head with hot clothes, let the patient lye in his bed and sleep if he can, this will wonderfully expell the humours, through the Emunctories of the head, for it wonderfully discusseth the fuliginous matter, gathered in the head, which o­ther remedies can scarcely performe. This you may do for nine dayes together if you see occasion; but be sure to keep the head warme afterward. If you find that obstruction or inflammation of the Spleen, or defects [Page 56] of the Stomach be the cause of the distemper, you must administer inward and outward medicines, to open the obstruction, and allay the inflammation; for such medi­cines, I referr you to those Chapters, where I shall treat of the distempers of those parts.

CHAP. V. Of the Apoplexy, Lethargy, and Sleepy-disease.

THe Apoplexy is a depriving of sense & motion throughout the whole body, coming suddenly with­out let or hurt of all voluntary functions.

CHAP. VI Of the Vertigo, and Falling-sickness.

CHAP. VII. Of the Palsie.

PAralysis, or the Palsie, is a disease, wherein the whole Body, or part thereof (as Atm, Hand, Leg, or Tongue,) doth lose sense or motion, or both: Sometimes it followeth the Apoplexy. Here note, that the Faculty of sense and motion, floweth from the Brain, as from its proper fountain, and is conveyed to all parts of the Body, by the Sinews the proper Or­gans of sense and motion. Hence it commeth to passe, that if that faculty of the Brain be obstructed, that it cannot descend to all parts, that all, or some of the [...] of the Body, lose either motion, or sense, or b [...], according to the part obstructed.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Covulsion.

SPasmus, Cramp, or Convulsion, is a disease, when the Sinews are drawn or plucked up against a mans will. Of this there are two sorts, viz. a true Convulsion, when there is a constant retraction of the Muscles, and the Limb remains unmoveable: or a con­vulsive motion, when the retraction is every time new, and the Members moved divers ways. They differ likewise in their Causes, for a true Convulsion procee­deth, either from repletion, or inanition; a convul­sive-motion, from irritation, or provocation. Again, they are thus divided, a true Convulsion is either total, by which most part of the Body is contracted, or parti­all, by which one particular member suffereth con­traction. The Universal Convulsion is caused from the Brain, when the Face is plucked together as well as the whole Body, or from the marrow of the Back, when the Muscles that move the Head and Back, are drawn together. A particular Convulsion is made from the contraction of the Muscle of some part, com­ming from the hurt of that Nerve which is ordained for his motion. The immediate Causes (as I said before) is repletion, or inanition; the Nerves being too full of moisture, or too dry, are extended or contracted, and the Muscles into which they are united, are, by that means drawn back to their original.

The mediate Causes of a Convulsion, proceeding from repletion, are flegm, and waterish humours slow­ing to the Nerves, stretching them in breadth, must consequently make them shorter, and sometimes cause an inflammation.

But here in the way lyeth an Objection, namely, why a watery humor obstructing the Nerves, and the cause of the Palsie and Conuvlsion, should sometimes bring one, and sometimes the other: the humour of­fending, and the parts affected, being one and the same. The diverse opinions, and long disputations of writers, I shall not here repeat; the difficulty of the matter having distracted them into divers opinions. I shall answer the objection briefly, and adhere to the most able, modern Physicians, and say they differ thus: A Palsie is caused of a pure watery humour without mixture, which softeneth the Nerves, extends them not: The Convulsion is caused of the same humour, but mixed with much wind, by which the Nerves are stretched, and the Muscles contracted to their original. It is the opinion of all Physitians, that wind is the cause of Convulsions; and experience teacheth us, that the greatest distentions are caused by wind, as we see in the Dropsie, Tympanites, and the Chollick. Some­times an inflammation, in or near the original of the Nerves, may cause a contraction of those Nervous parts; and the cause of this inflammation is some­times internal as a flux of blood upon the part; or ex­ternal, by a wound, contusion, or bruise.

The Causes of a Convulsion by emptiness, are all immoderate evacuations whatsoever, diseases, diet, and Medicines which are hot and dry.

A convulsive motion is caused by humours, or vapours which are full of Acrimony, or Malignancy: and it sometimes so happeneth in malignant Feavers; and Diseases of choller occupying the Head, or Sto­mach.

From what hath been said, it is easie to know a Con­vulsion proceeding from fulnesse or emptinesse, or convulsive motion. A Convulsion near the Brain is [Page 73] dangerous; in the Muscles of the brest, gives fear of suffocation: If it come after bleeding or purging, it is deadly: So is a Convulsion, following a Frensie. A Con­vulsion coming upon a Fever, shews malignant matter which ends in death: but if a Feaver follow a Con­vulsion, it taketh away its cause,

The cure of this disease is as various as the cause: The Convulsion caused by emptinesse requires moy­stening medicines, both internall and externall: This disease seldome happening, and almost (if not altogether incurable) I shall say nothing of it.

A Convulsion comming of repletion or fullnesse must be cured by evacuation of the pecant humours; if you see occasion, make use of Phlebotomie, and purge the humours with medicines agreeable to the age and strength of your Patient: and somtimes with sharp Clysters, such as are described in the fifth Chapter. If you see it not convenient to let blood, apply Cupping-glasses, alwaies above the parts griev­ed, that so the humours may be brought back to their originall; that is to say, if the Convulsion or Cramp be in the Leggs, apply them to the Buttocks and Loines; observe the same rule, where ever it be. The part affected ought to be chafed with oyles and oyntments sutable to such a distemper, viz. the oyles of Rue, Camomill, Dill, Spike, the oyle of Foxes, &c: the oyntments of Marsh-Mallows, Martiatum, Nervinum, to which may be added the Mucilage of Briony, with which you may make convenient Lini­ments to anoint the parts affected, and the root of the Nerve which comes to it. Ducks o [...] Goose-grease, prepared in manner following, is much commended, viz. Take a fat Duck or Goose, pluck it and draw it, then fill it with these things following, viz. of Sage, [Page 74] Marjerome, and Staechas, of each one handfull; Gum Ammoniacum and Bdellium of each one ounce; Ca­lamus Aromaticus, Nutmegs, Mace, and Cloves, of each half an ounce: beat them in a Morter, moysten­ing them with oyle of Earth-wormes: after, sew them into the belly of a Goose or Duck, spit it and roast it, receiving the dripping in a pan, half full of Vinegar, and anoynt therewith. Or you may make it stronger, thus: Take of the aforesaid dripping six ounces; The Chimicall oyles of wax, Nutmegs, and Sage, of each two drachms, mix it and make a Liniment: when you have anoynted the part affected, cover it with a hot sheeps skin, a Hares or Foxes skin. To put the part affected into an Oxe or Sheeps belly, or any other newly killed; or to apply the Lungs of a Sheep; yong Pidgeons, Whelps or Chickens slit in the mid­dle, is much commended, and hath been successeful­ly proved. For those that are thus affected, it is very good to bathe themselves in the Bath of Bath, or such like, proceeding from a sulphureous Mine: If you cannot conveniently come to this Bath, you must make a Bath with thesethings following. Of Marsh-mallow roots and Lillys of each two pound: Of the leaves of Penniroyall, Lawrell, Rue, Marjerome, St. Johns wort, Violets, Mallows, Sage and Wormwood, of each two handfulls: Linseeds, and Fenugreek, of each one pound, boyle all these in water sufficient to make a bath, and let the party diseased sit therein, not too long, but let him come out as soone as he finds ease. If you dare venture to be at the cost, make your bath, with oyle, boyling a Fox therein, together with the aforesaid hearbs, you may purge the head with ster­nutations, Gargarisms, and such medicines as you may find in the second Chapter, for the cure of a cold Phlegmatick distemper of the braine: and it is good [Page 75] to soment the hinder part of the head and neck, with hot Aqua Vitae. The infusion of Castor, or the Spirit of the same, the dose is a drachme, or halfe a drachme, according to the age or strength of the Patient: Ma­thiolus his Bezoar water, the like dose: the compound water of Peony: give these mixed with other cooler medicines. The syrrup of Peony compound: Dia­moschu dulce: Diacorum, diatessaron, are much commended for the cure of this disease.

I might adde variety of medicines for the cure of this distemper, but what I have said, (I hope) is sufficient to give light to the ingenious searching Spi­rits.

CHAP. IX. Of a Catarrh or Desluxion.

A Catarrh is a Desluxion of excrementitious hu­mours from the head into the inferiour parts. The braine requiring much nourishment, must necessarily void much excrements, which if they are in quantity moderate, and naturall, they are received into the fore-Ventricles, and conveid to the moist gladules, and spit out from the Palat; If it grow more plenti­full, yet naturall, it is dispersed through the films of the brain, and sent forth by the Nostrill as well as the Palat. But when the brain is weak, and affected with distempers, and receiveth more nourishment then [Page 76] it can concoct, it aboundeth with excrements, which by their quality and quantity overcome the retentive, and provoke the expulsive faculties, and so evacuate themselves by unusuall and improper wayes, to the disturbance of the whole body.

The cause of this distemper proceeds from want of a good concoction in the brain, and this proceeds either from a hot or cold distemper.

A hot distemper doth attract more nourishment then nature can sufficiently digest. A cold distemper turneth the nourishment, brought to the brain, to flegme or water. Cold, grosse, and slimy meats hin­ders a good concoction, and windy meats send up many vapours to the head.

Add to these many externall causes, as Southerly winds, long sleepe upon a full stomach, especially an idle life, &c. And though this be accounted a disease of the head, yet the principall cause lyeth in the inferiour parts, in which evill humours are collected, as the Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, Womb, &c. from whom, not only vapours, but even the humours them­selves are sent to the head, and descend to the inferi­our parts againe; a hot distemper of the Bowells, like an Alembeck send continuall vapours to the head; a cold distemper engenders crude humours, which are also many times drawn up thither. Costivenesse or obstructions in the lower belly, which hinder the avoiding of excrements, they not finding their ordi­nary passage fly up to the braine, which, by reason of its weaknesse, and loose and soft substance, is forced to yeeld to the stronger parts disburthening themselves upon it. The Impulsive causes are too much heat or cold in the braine: too much heat doth extenuate and diff [...]se the humours, and this happeneth to the head, heated by the Sun, fire, covering, &c. Coldnesse [Page 77] doth compresse the head, and straines forth the hu­mours therein contained, as a spunge is squeesed in the hand. A Catarrh is caused by a Communication of cold humours, to the braine, from the feet, conveigh­ed by the chiefest Nerves, which run through the Marrow of the back: The stoppage or closure of the externall pores, when the body requireth sweat is the cause of a Catarrh; hence it commeth to passe that Catarrhs are most frequent in Autumne, viz. the body being made thin in the Summer, and the pores open, evacuating excrements by sweat and insensible trans­spiration: in Autmune the pores being sudainly stopt, by reason of the contraction of sudaine cold, which causeth many vapours to fly to the head. Many more causes might be instanced, but I fear I shall grow too voluminous, and what I have said is sufficient to stirr up ingenious wits to further discoveries. I shall add a few words, of the nature of the parts receiving this Defluxion, which by reason of their weaknesse are forced to receive the burthen laid upon them, by the stronger parts, like the inferiour Commons, who are forced to bear the heavy impositions of their insulting Superiours. The Lungs is naturally weak by reason of its softnesse and loosenesse, which maketh the part sit to receive Defluxions; want of naturall heat, caused by a cold distemper, maketh the part unable to resist Defluxions: A wound or Ulcer in the part, causeth the humours to flow thither, if you take notice of Is­sues, and Cauteries, you will scarcely doubt of the truth of it: So doth any inflammation or unnaturall heat in the Lungs; Consider of this and you may be able to give a reason of consumptions of the Lungs, Pluresies, and spitting of bloody matter. The humours, which cause a Catarrh, flow from the brain internally or ex­ternally: internally, if the humours fall upon the breast, [Page 78] it is called a Catarrh or Defluxion: If upon Aspera Arteria, it is called Raucedo or hoarsnesse: If it flows into the Nostrills, it causeth Coryza, Ozena, or Polypus: If it falls upon the Nerves, it produceth numbnesse, Palsy, Convulsion, trembling; if in the Eares, deaf­nesse; if in the eyes, Inflamation, Teares, blindnesse; if upon the Uvula or Palat it causeth a swelling, loof­nesse or Ulcer there: if it fall into the throat, the Quinsie follows; if on the Lungs, Inflammation, Pleu­risie, shortnesse of breath, Cough, Consumption. If it falls into the Stomach, vomiting and want of appetite ensues, if into the bowells, Dyarrhea, or Dysentery: and sometimes it floweth into the Veins with the blood and causeth a Feaver called Febris Catarrhalis, and is the fore-runner of the joynt gout, and Erysipelas. Sometimes the humours flow from the head exter­nally, without the skull under the skin; these hu­mours fall into the Eyes, Teeth, Neck, and other ex­ternall parts: therefore it is rightly conceived, by ma­ny learned men, that the greatest part of the diseases, incident to the body of man, have their originall from the head: Such whose bodys are spare and slen­der, easily penetrated by heat or cold; or such as are grossely compact, and have not free transpiration: Such who have weak and cold braines, that cannot discusse, nor concoct the humours or vapours therein contained; or those whose braines are so hot as to at­tract too many vapours; Such, whose Stomachs and Livers are contrary in quality, viz. one hot, the other cold, are men subject to Catarrhs or de­fluxions.

The signe of this disease may easily be gathered from the Causes, the approach of this disease may be discovered by the following Symptoms, viz. by hea­vinesse of the head, dullnesse of the senses, long sleep, [Page 79] a snotty nose, much spitting, costivenesse of the body, and much wind; when the disease is perfect, the flow­ing humours are plainly felt, with swellings and paines in divers parts: If the defluxion be of cold humours, then will the body be sensible of cold, the face pale, the habit of the body generally flegmatick, troubled with soure belchings, sweet, slimy and waterish spittle. If it be a hot distillation, the habit of the whole body is Cholerick; the parts affected inflamed and painfull, the face red, much thirst, a salt and sharp humour in the mouth. I need not tell you how an externall de­fluxion may be knowne from an internall, but take notice, that if there appeare plenty of humours, the Catarrh is more dangerous, for by a suddaine defluxi­on, desperate accidents may follow.

If age, strength, and the season permit, or if the body abound with blood, or the Liver be too hot, (as it often happens in this distemper) breathe a veine at the beginning of the cure, the contrary prohibiting Phlebotomy. You must first prepare the matter, then gently purge the head, afterwards more strongly purge the peccant humours: out of the former Chapters you may find, what purges are convenient, with respect to the humour offending, Coloquintida hath an excel­lent faculty to purge the head, but by reason of its violent operation, is not fit for common use; there­fore use it not without good advice▪ In this disease also it is good to use Masticatories, and Gargarismes, when the humours fall into the eyes or nose, &c. Er­rhines, and sneesing powders when it falls upon the Breast, Lungs, &c. Issues behind the neck or eares are found, by experience, a gallant remedy for a Catarrh. I shall not here trouble my selfe or the reader, to insert examples of the aforegoing medicines; the Chapters beforegoing, together with every Ar­tists [Page 80] ingenuity will sufficiently insorme. Take this for a generall rule, that when a Catarrh or Deflaxion is caused by excrementitious humours, flowing from any of the inferior parts, by reason of the naturall pas­sage, being stopped, you must open the obstruction, by often purging, or by medicines regarding the nature of the obstruction, and by that meanes turn the hu­mours offending into their naturall channell; after convenient Evacuations, with internall and externall medicines. labour to corroborate the head, and dry up the humours, Internall medicines may be prepa­red thus, or after this manner. Take of Coriander seed prepared, and Coltsfoot dryed, Nutmegs, and Frankinsence of each halfe an ounce; Liquoris, Ma­stick and Cubebs, of each two drachms, flos Sulphu­ris, three drachms: Conserve of red Roses one ounce, with a pound of white Sugar dissolved in Popy-water make rolls, weighing three drachms or half an ounce: Take one morning and Evening. Or you may make Troches in this manner, Take of the best Frankin­cense, and juice of Liquoris, of each one drachm: Lac Sulphuris, half a drachm: Opium, Saffron, and Mirrh of each one scruple; the oyles of Annise-seed and Nutmegs, of each three drops, with Diacedium, as much as sufficeth, to make Troches; or if you please you may make them into pills: and take halfe a drachm morning and evening. It is good to apply bags of hearbs to the fore part of the head, which have a dry­ing quality, shave the fore part of the head, and ap­ply the gum Sacamahaca, spread upon a cloath in the forme of a plaister, and add thereto a little Mirrh; or if you make a fume thereof, and shut the Chamber close, it profiteth. If the defluxion proceed from a hot cause, you must administer medicines, which have power to thicken the humours, to repel, and [Page 84] evacuate it: you must likewise correct the distem­pers, and fortifie the parts both sending and receiving, and that you may so do, you must revel or pull b [...]ck the humours by Phlebotomy, if nothing hinder it. You must thicken the humours, by administring Ju­leps, made of the Waters of Plantane, Purslane, Let­tice; the Sirrups of Poppies, Violets, Water-Lillies, of dryed Roses, and Meconium, and such like. Having thus thickned and prepared the humours, you must evacuate them by gentle Purgatives; Take of the Bestrhabarb a drachm, infuse lit in any of the afore-named waters (as much as is sufficient for a potion) six hours in warm Embers, strain it out, and add to the liquour one ounce of Manna, and as much Sirrup of dryed Roses, and administer it: To make the potion stronger, you may dissolve therein Catholicon, Dia­pranam Solative, or Lenitive, Confectio Hamech, &c. or such like, having respect to the age and strength of your Patient, and humour offending. You must en­deavour to restrain the Flux thus; take of Conserve of Roses one ounce, Diatraganthum Frigidum, and Palyis Haly, of each a drachm, Bolearmenick prepared with Rose-water a drachm; with the Emulsion of the four great cold Seeds, and Sirrup of dryed Roses, make an Opiate, and give the quantity of a Nutmeg to bed­ward. These Troches are much commended, take Gum-Dragant, and Arabick, of each two drams: Bole­armenick, and Terra Sigillata washed in Rosewater, of each one drachm; White Poppy seeds, and Juyce of Liquorish, of each half a drachm; Sugar-penid one ounce, with the Musilage of Quince-seeds, extracted with Rosewater, make Troches to be held in in the mouth day and night.

The Spirit of Sulphur, and Vitriol given three or four drops in a convenient Julep, morning and eve­ning, [Page 82] worketh no small effects against a defluxion, e­specially if it proceed from an inflammation of the bowels. If you find the Disease too stubborn to yield to these medicines, you must make use of Narcoticks, of which Laudanum is none of the worst, four or five grains given at bed-time. Faventius extolleth these Pills in a Salt Catarrh, or defluxion of salt humours. Take of the juyce of Liquoris two drachms, washed Aloes one drachm, Pillulae de Cynoglosso half a drachm, with Sirrup of Violets, make a Mass, and take a scruple thereof at bed-time. It is convenient to make pouders to apply to the head, which have power to strengthen, to stop the defluxion, and consume the humours. Take of white Amber, Benjamin, Mastich, Nutmegs, of each half an ounce: Betony, Sage, Rose­mary, Lavender, Marjarome, of each half a handful: Frankinsense, graits of Kermes, Red-roses, Peony seeds and Poppy heads, of each two drachms: Sanders, Myr­tles, Cyprus nuts, and Pomegranate flowers, of each one drachm; make a powder for the lining of a Cap or Quilt: or if you had rather, you may make a plaister with the same Simples, with Wax and Oyl of Rofes, according to art: and apply it to the head, being first shaved.

CHAP. X. Of Diseases of the Eyes, and first of the Diseases procee­ding from Obstruction in the Optick Nerves.

IN the former book having given you a brief account of this worthy member, and what varicty of wonder­ful operations, God and Nature hath placed in so little a subject; yet of the parts and faculties thereof, it is too hard a task for the most exquisite Philosopher to conceive aright; or for the most eloquent Orator, to express such wonderful notions: But, seeing God hath indued every man with this member, by whose curious inspection, he is inabled to pry into all things; it is the duty of every Naturalist to exercise this member in finding out its own constitution, and curing the distem­per and maladies, to which it is subject. For the be­nefit of those, who want better helps, I shall, as briefly as may be, discover the diseases and cures of the eye, as they are, in which work I adhere to the opinions of the wise and learned Physitians, verified by Reason, and my own Experience.

Sometimes it happeneth, that the sight of the eye is totally extinguished, and no fault appears in the eye: And this cometh to pass, either by obstruction or ad­striction of the Optick Nerves; and is called by the Latines, Gutta Serena, and Amauresis. Obstruction (for the most part) is the cause of this Disease, which hap­peneth by the flowing down of a watry humour upon the Nerves, which causeth blindness, or dimness of sight: the like obstruction happening to the other Nervs, causeth the Palsie. Adstriction or compression some­times happeneth by some moist humour gathered a­bout [Page 84] the Optick Nerves, as blood or filthy matter, ga­thered In the brain, sometimes bp humours, sometimes by inflammation, in malignant Feavers, and may be the cause of this Disease. For the Nerves being thus obstructed or compressed, the animal Spirits cannos pass from the brain to the eyes. To this I may add, that in case by a wound in the head, the Optick Nerves be cut, without controversie it causeth blind­ness. The sign of this Disease, is the loss of sight, and the eye appearing in its natural condition, onely the Pupilla, or sight of the eye, looketh wider, blacker, and dimmer: the difference of causes is thus known: If the cause be blood or choler, some inflammation, impo­stume, or wound in the head hath gone before. If the Nerves are compressed by Flegme, gathered about the roots of the eyes, all or most of the head is affected, and the other senses are hurt: but if it be obstruction of the Optick Nerves, the eye is onely affected, or the fore-part of the head about the eye-hrows, beareth part of the affliction. If the Disease proceed from an obstruction in the Optick Nerves, and the sight be to­tally lost, for the most part the Disease is incurable: but if the obstruction be imperfect, that is to say, the sight much diminished, and the Patient not totally blind, then there is hope of recovery. If it happen by hu­mours gathered into the fore-part of the head, com­pressing the Nerves, it is curable.

For the Cure, the head must be cleansed by medi­cines, which effectually purge those humours, which compress or obstruct the Nerves; but remember, that as you cannot free the Nerves, without purging the whole head, so you cannot cleanse the head without purging the whole body. It is good that the Patient avoid a thick, cold, cloudy, and moist ayr, and fre­quent the contrary. Let him eschew all meats that [Page 85] are gross, or yield a gross juyce, such as are windy, hot spices, or whatever fills the head with vapours. It is good to put the seed of Fenel into his bread. Let his meat for his sauce be extenuating, as Betony, Eye­bright, Fenel, Hysop, Marjarom, Sage: Nutmeg also doth much comfort the brain, and clears the sight, as 'tis generally believed: Let the aforesaid hearbs likewise be boiled in his broth: Lettice and such ilke cold herbs are very hurtful; Turneps are highly commended, and 'tis proved they clear the sight, be­ing often eaten: Pidgeons, Sparrows, and such like Fowls are said to be a good food for such who are thus diseased. Let him eat no Supper, if he eat any, let it be light, and not too late. Then let him make use of this Diet-drink following. Take of Bettony, Eye­bright, Celandine the great, Fenel, Balm, Marjarom, Sage, and Vervain, of each two handfuls: the roots of Elecompane, Fenel, Flowerdeluce, Liquoris, and Saw­saparilla sliced, of each one handful: the Seeds of Co­riander, Anice, and Fenel, of each one ounce: the slo­wers of Ros-mary and Lavender, of each a handful: Raisons of the Sun stoned, and blew Figs sliced, of each a pound: Senna two ounces: Let all these be in­fused six hours, in a sufficient quantity of Wort, upon hot Embers, then tunned up in four gallons of New­bear, let them work together: Let the Patient drink a draught every morning till the Cure be perfected, unless some other medicine intervene. You must purge the body often, as you see cause, either with gentle or stronger purges; let them be Pills, and such as purge the humour oftending; of which you shall have a par­ticular account in the fourth book.

If your Patient be not old, and you finde blood a­bound, you may open a vein: the opening of the par­ticular veins of the head, especially those that are nea­rest the eyes, have often proved successful, because the veins, by reason of their fulness of blood, have com­pressed the Optick Nerves.

Sometimes the application of Cupping-glasses, Ve­sicatories, and Cauteries, to the hinder part of the head or neck, to the shoulders or back, have been at­tended with admirable success. After due evacuation, it is convenient to dry up the humours by a sudorifick Diet-drink, made and used, as is described in the second Chapter; adding such hearbs, as have a special pro­perty to cure the eyes, viz. Celandine, Ey-bright, Fen­nel, and Vervain. If you see occasion to dry up the moist humours of the head, make use of such powders, bags, and caps prescribed in the fore-poing Chapters. Also sulphurous and Bituminous Bathes profit much.

The Glossie and Crystalline humours of the Eye are subject to infirmities and disorder: the first is sub­ject to a mixture, with other humours; and this Dis­ease is hard to discover; but must be cured by clean­sing the head and optick nerves, and repelling and dis­cussing the humour, which mixeth with the vitrous hu­mour, and maketh it dusky. This humour also may be disordered, in respect of its scituation, when it is brought before the Crystalline, and so diminisheth the sight. This Disease is hardly distinguished from a Cataract, onely it differeth in the cause; for a Cata­ract cometh by a defluxion of humour; this from a blow or contusion, and is uncurable: sometimes it happeneth that Nature works a cure, and reduceth it to its place again; but no man as yet can imitate her, therefore we leave the business to her disposing.

The Crystalline humour is the chief instrument of sight, and if any defect happen to it, that it be not pure nor perspicuous, the visive spirits cannot exercise their office. This humour doth often suffer prejudice through some drying and condensing cause, as it often happens to ancient people, where the aforesaid cause changeth the Crystaline humour to redness. The sign of this Disease is a thick White about the sight of the Eye, and every object appeareth to the Patient as through a Cloud: It is called Glaucoma, and differeth from a Cataract in this, viz. a Cataract lyeth in the Pupilla, or sight near Cornea, but Glaucoma lyeth much deeper, and is uncurable, especially in old peo­ple.

Somtimes the Crystalline humour is displaced, that it lyeth not directly against the Pupilla; sometimes it lyeth too high, and sometimes too low; and if one eye suffer, all things seem double: sometimes vapours and water divide the visive humours, and causeth the objects to be received into two places. Sometimes the Crystalline humour is removed and brought nearer to the Pupilla, and things that are near, are not so easily seen, as things farther of. But if it be removed back­ward, things near are plainly seen, but not afar of; the use of Spectacles are profitable in this case. Sometimes the Crystalline humour lyeth to the right, or to the left side, so that more White appeareth on one side, then on the other, and this we call Strabismus, or Squinting, this also is uncurable, unless it happeneth that the muscles of the eyes be displaced by convul­sion, or palsie, for if it so happeneth, it is uncurable. Sometimes there happeneth an inversion of the Cry­stalline humour, so that the objects seem soulded or crooked: But these Diseases being uncurable by medi­cines, I shall prescribe none.

CHAP. XI. Of a Cataract.

A Cataract is caused or bred by a distemper of the watry humour of the eye, which distemper is in quantity or quality: if in quantity, it causeth a dilatation of the Pupilla; of which I shall speak in the next Chapter. If the distemper be in quality, it proceeds from a mixture of excrementitious humours with the watry humour: In the beginning of this di­stemper, the sight being a little darkened, it is called Suffusion; but when it is gathered about the Pupilla (like water) they call it Aqua-water; but when it is gathered thick about the Pupilla, it is called a Cata­ract. If Choler be the humour mixed with the wa­try humour, the Cataract appeareth somewhat citrine or yellow: if melancholy, then is the Cataract more dull and blackish: If it be white as chalk, it signifieth a thick and compacted matter: if it be of the colour of Pearl, then slime and transparent flegme is the hu­mour offending.

There are two sorts of Cataracts, a true, and a Ba­stard-cataract: A true Cataract doth for the most part effect one eye onely; and if both be affected, they are not alike, nor affected at the same time, as in the spurious Cataract. In a true Cataract, or Suftnsion, a derk matter appeareth in the Pupilla, which doth not in the other. But here let the Reader beware, lest he fall into error; for this doth not always hold, as a sure distinguishing rule: for if the humour be as thin as the warry humour, nothing appeareth; and many upon [Page 89] this ground have thought it to be Gutta Serena: but there is a great difference between Gutta Serena, and this: for in Gutta Serena the sight is quite left, or at least much diminished, and no fault appear in the Pu­pilla: But it is not so in this Suffusion, which cannot be seen; for the sight is but a little diminished, because the humour being thin and transparent, the objects pierce it like glass.

Though I need say nothing of the signs of this Dis­ease, it being easie to gather the signs from the causes, yet I shall and a few words. In the beginning of a Suffusion, certain small Bodges, as hairs, flyes, cobwebs, gnats, wool, and such like, sly before the eyes, as it grows on the symptomes, are more evident, and the objects appear as through a glass, when it is perfect: the Pupilla is changed in colour, and the sight is to­tally lost: what the colours denote, I have already laid down. If the matter of the Cataract appear dark, it lyeth between Chorion (or Uyea) and Cornea, and the Pupilla is dilated, and white or red veins appear a­bout the circle of the eye: if the contrary appear, judge that the matter lyeth between the Christalline, and Uvea. If the matter lye deep, the Pupilla is con­tracted, if higher enlarged. When the Cataract if newly begun, and the Patient can see, as thoug a clad; if he be young, and the season sutable, it may be cured: On the contrary, if it be confirmed, and the matter gross, it yields not to medicines, but must be couched with a needle.

And seeing I speak of couching give me leave to tell you, that 'tis a dangerous operation, and often atten­ded with bad success; but if you finde it needful, and likely to be prevalent, make use of a near-handed Chy­rurgeon; and that you may know, whether it be like­ly or no to be cured, consider a few rules. Sign. of care, [Page 90] by couching, are these: If when the sound eye be shut, the Pupilla of the eye affected appear larger, and per­ceive some light, there is hopes of cure: if the contra­ry appear, judge accordingly. A black, green, yellow, and hard Cataract, never yieldeth to medicine, seldome to the Needle: Attempt not the operation on old men, nor children: You must also consider, before you at­tempt this operation, whether the Suffusion be ripe and sit for couching; or whether it be not grown too hard. The first you must try thus; press down the eye affected with your finger, and if you alter the shape of the, Suffusion, and when your finger is off it, returneth to its former station, then is it thin, and not ripe: but it the contrary appear, it may be couched with a Nee­dle: But here note, that it must be moderate, and not too compact, but like a skin that will rowl upon the Needle; if it be thick and solid like chalk, or hail, it cannot be couched.

For the cure, you must observe the same rules pre­scribed in the former Chapter, you must use and ab­stain from the same kind of diet; you must use gene­ral and particular Evacuations; you must revel the humours offending, and strengthen the head and eyes. Then you must come to Topical medicines, and though I am (almost) of Galens opinion, who saith they are little worth, for they promise more then they can per­form, yet Experience hath taught, and Authors have confirmed, that Cataracts, which have not been of long continuance, but taken in the beginning, have been cured by Topicks, after the use of the medicines before mentioned; therefore I shall insert a few of them, and leave the Ingenious to find out more.

First, you must make a Fomentation of such things, as have power to mollifie and dissolve: Take of Ce­lendine, Fenel, Eye-bright, of each one handful; of [Page 91] Rue, Vervain, Clary, of each half a handful; Melilot, Chamomel Flowers, and Red-Rose leaves, of each one pugil: Fenugreek seed one ounce: boil them in a pint and a half of Spring water, to the consumption of the half pint, then put in a half pint of White-Wine, and let it boil a little. Strein it out, and with clothes wet it in the liquor, soment the eyes every morning, so long as you see occasion. If you wash the eyes with Red-Wine, sometimes it hinders the defluxion, discusseth and dissolveth. It is good to let a child lick the eye, after it hath eaten sweet Fenel seeds. Infuse Crocus Metallorum in White-Wine, and wash the eye with the Wine; or after a sufficient infusion, pour off the Wine clear, and with sweet Fenel and Fenugreek seed, of each one ounce; of Aloes half an ounce, Saffron a drachm; beat them, and searse them into fine pow­der, the blood of a young Pidgeon hot, the weight of them all, with the aforesaid Wine, what is sufficient to make a soft Pultis, and apply it warm to the eye at night; take it off in the morning. Or slit a young Pid­geon, and lay it to the eye. Then you must come to make use of Topical Medicines called Collyries, which many times (by Galens favour) hath good success, if the Cataract be not too much confirmed Take the leaves of Rue, Fenel, Vervain, Celendine, and Eye­bright, of each one handful; Centaury the less, Burnet, Avens, Sage, of each a half handful; Fenel roots, and the roots of round Birthwort, of each a half pound; Red rose leaves, and White-violet leaves, of each one ounce; Radish seed, and Fenugreek seed, of each one drachm; Ammoniacum, and the Natural Balsome, of each a drachm; Tutty two drachms: pouder those that are to be poudered the heaths and roots shred and sliced; put to them White-Wine, honey, and the urine [Page 94] of a Boy, as much as may wet them all, viz. Of White Wine three parts; of the Urine two, and honey one; then distil them in Balneo Marîae: drop the water in­to the eyes, morning and evening: regarding the course and medicines before prescribed. Josephus Quercetanus, in his Pharmacopaea, doth much commend this following Water, viz. Take of the water of the greater Celandine six ounces. Crocus Metallorum one drachm; infuse it in the same water, and drop two or three drops into the eye, three or four times a day as long as need requireth.

I could insert many more Receipts of Learned and able men, but I fear my Book will swell too big: I shall onely insert the Ointment of Zacutus Lasitanas, which he commends, for drying and purging the moiffure flowing into the eyes: Take of the Oyl of Roses three ounces, white Rose-water nine ounces: Camphire one drachm, Tutty one scruple, Honey two ounces, the Gall of a Goat half an ounce, Lupin meat half a drachm, Aloes Succotrine one dram, Sugar-can­dy half a drachm, the juyce of Horehound, Fennel, and Rue, of each half an ounce, Mirrh one scruple, Am­moniacum half a drachm, Saicocol one dram and a half.

Pouder them that are to be poudered, mixe them, and boil them a little with a gentle fire; and with the grease of a Goat or Sheep, and a little Wax, make an Ointment accorbing to Art; anoint the Eye-brows twice in a day, three hours after meat, which will purg plenty of water out of the head, through the corner of the eye.

When you have finished your Cure, whether by M [...]es, [...] by the Needle, you must keep your Pa­tient [...] of Physick, for fear of a Relapse, and [Page 95] administer such things as threaten the head and eyes, and hinder defluxion: It is good to wash the head and eyes, every morning, with white wine, wherein hath he en infused sweet Fennel seed in pouder, till they smart; but for other medicines, to strengthen the head and eyes, I refer you to the preceding Chap­ter.

CHAP. XII. Of the enlarging, and dilating: of the straitening or contracting of the Pupilla.

THis Disease is called in Greek Mydriasis, because too much light going in, hurteth the sight: hence it is, that those that are thus distempered, see better in a darkish place than in the light. And this may be demonstrated by the natural change of the Pupilla (in sound eyes) in bright and obscure places. For when a man is in a bright and clear place, the Pupilla is con­tracted and made less, lest the light, going in too fast, should dissipate the spirits: so that a man going sud­denly out of a very light place, into a house or place more obscure, at the first entry he seeth (almost) no­thing at all, the Pupilla being so lately contracted: he remaining in the same place, the Pupilla is soon dilated or enlarged to receive more light, and then he seeth perfectly those things, which before he could not. Then if he go out suddenly into a very light place his eyes are dazled, and he seeth not perfectly, because the Pupilla is enlarged, and the Light going in so fast, doth dissipate and dispierse the Visive Spirits. Hence you perceive, that the Light ought to pass into the Eye in a moderate quantity, and the Pupilla ought to be of a moderate size. Hence Galen observes, that they who are born with narrow Pupillas, see best.

The Pupilla is enlarged, or contracted by dryness, or repletion. It is enlarged by dryness, which stretcheth the Uvea, which maketh the form of the Pupilla lar­ger; as Leather being pierced, when it is dry, the hole [Page 95] is larger, and this proceeds from Feavers, and such drying Diseases, which are attended with want of sleep. So may the Pupilla be straitned by dryness, when the Tunicle Uvea, by reason of the diminishing of the hu­mours of the Eye, loseth its former extension, falls to­gether, and is wrinkled, and so the hole of the Pupilla is made streighter: whereas in the former the Tunicle though dry, holdeth its extension. It is made larger al­so by repletion, namely by vapours or wind sent unto the Eye, or by the extraordinary flowing of the watry and other humours to the eye, or by the swelling of Uvea it self, it is distended, and the Pupilla made lar­ger: So the same watry humour may work a contrary effect, namely by relaxing the same Tunicle, and by that means making the hole streighter: The Pupilla is inlarged sometimes by Convulsion, as may be seen by some Epileptick Children: Sometimes a stroak or fall, may cause a deflaxion into the eyes, hence comes extension; retension of the Spirits causeth wind and humours, and that causeth distension of the Pupilla, and sometimes the Pupilla is made streighter, by rea­son of the want of the visive spirits to extend the Tu­nicles, for want of which they are relaxed, and fall to­gether, as may be seen in old men.

These Diseases, though they are contrary, yet are to be cured by the same medicines; remember this, that if these Diseases be of long continuance, and in an­cient people, they are (without doubt) incurable. But if the Patient be young, and the Disease of no long continuance, you must proceed, with this considera­tion, that the cure must be varied according to the va­riety of causes: If it proceed from dryness, you must refresh the body with medicines which are moist and restaurative; and such you shall finde in the cure of the Hective Feaver. If it comes from a humour filling [Page 96] the Eye, you must purge and cleanse the head and whole body of that humour, as you are taught in the cure of a Cataract. If from Wind, after due Evacua­tions, you must labour to discuss the Wind, with the decoction of Fennel, Rue, Dill, Cammomel, Red-Ro­ses made in Red Rose Water, and White-Wine, and the Eyes fomented therewith. If there be occasion for Astriagent Medicines, to bring the Pupilla (being en­larged) to its former state, make use of this follow­ing, taught by Ryverius. Take of Red-Roses dryed two Scruples; Saffron, Spicknard, and the Bark of Frankinsense tree, of each half a scruple: Tutty pre­pared, Burnt-Ivory, and Acatia, of each one scruple: make them into fine pouder, and tie it up in a fine lin­nen rag, and hang it in three ounces of Red Rose water; woen you have occasion to use it, squeez the cloaih, and drop the water into the eyes, and wash them therewith. If a blow in the eye causeth an in­flammation, cure it as the inflammation of the eye: but if by the blow, the Pupilla be enlarged without inflammation, drop in a drop or two of Pidgeons blood: and apply a Cataplasme, made with Bean­flower, and Red-Roses, juyce of Plantane, and Red­rose water.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Pin and Web.

THE Tunicle, called Cornea, sometimes loseth its colour and brightness; somtimes it grows thick by driness, as in old men, and is incurable. Sometimes gross humours are fastened to it, by reason of inflama­tion. Sometimes by resolving Medicines, the thinner humours are dissolved, and the thicker remain: or by the use of cold medicines, the humours are thickned, and a white humour is contracted, which is called by some Leucona; by others Albugo, commonly a Pin and Web. Sometimes it comes from a Sear, after an Ul­cer, and so the Cornea loseth its transparentress. Some­times the Eye is bloud-shod, and that spoileth the natural colour of the Cornea, and this is called Su­gillatio: Sometimes the Cornea is made yellow by the Jaundise. All these Diseases are easily discovered, and their causes are laid down in the Description: That which cometh after a Wound or Ulcer, and is a Scar, is not easily cured. But the cure of the Pin and Web consists in Emollients, attenuating and dis­cussing medicines. But the Antecedent cause must first be removed by universal evacuations, such as are de­scribed in the 10. and 11. Chapters. Then you must soften the hard matter, with the decoction of Fenu­greek, Mallows, Melilot, Celendine, Fenel, and the like. Then let a Child chew sweet Fenel-seed, and afterwards liek the eye, or make a Water thus: Take of Honey a pint, the juyce of Fenel-Brooklime, and Celendine, of each half a pint. Sugar-candy dissolved in the juyces an ounce, with the natural Balsome a [Page 108] scruple; clarifie them together, or distil them in Bal­neo Mariae, and drop it into the eye. The seed of Oculus Christi put into the eye, is good. If it be a scar, after the use of the former medicines, use the Water of Honey: afterwards, put a quantity of the Gall of an Ox to the Juyces before spoken of, and thicken it with Gum-Traganth. If the Eye be blood-shod, and yieldeth not to the fore-going medicine, you must seek its cure in the Chapter of the Cataract. As for the yellowness of the Eyes caused by the Jaundise, take away the cause, and the effect ceaseth.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Inflammation of the Eyes.

THis Disease is called Ophthalmia, which is an in­flammation of the Tunicle Adnata, and is some­times extended to the Cornea: By the Latines it is called Lippitudo, bloodshontess: This Disease is divi­ded into three kinds; the first is called Taraxis by the Greeks, and by the Latines Conturbatio, and it co­meth from an external cause, viz. the Sun, Smoke, Oyl, Dust, or the like. If it comes from an internal cause, namely from distempers of the stomach, it is called Phlogosis, and is a light inflammation, but is the Origi­nal of the true Ophthaliny: which always proceeds from an internal cause, accompanied with tumour, redness, and pain, and a thick Exerement, called Lip­pa; from whence the Latines call it Lippitudo or bloodshotness. The third sort is called [...], in in Latine also Chimosis, this is attended with vehement pain, and the eye-lids are so inverted, that they can [Page 109] scarcely cover the eye, the red covereth most part of the Iris, and it proceedeth from repletion and flegmy humours. I might here shew you how Hippocrates hath divided these Diseases; namely, a moist and dry Ophthalmy; the moist I have already spoken of, the dry he calleth [...], it wanteth humidity, and proceedeth from Choler, and adust Melaneholy; there are other subdivisions, if there be itching joy­ned with it, he calleth it [...]; and if it come with hardness of the eye-lids [...]. Galen mentions another, which he calleth Ophthal­mia Tabida, which ends with a Consumption, and loss of the eye: this happeneth to them who have moist heads, and weak eyes, sit to receive a defluxion. The immediate causes are defluxion, or congestion, and sometimes both. The defluxion cometh from the head, either by the internal veins, which comes from the brain under the skull, or by the external veins, which come from the Pericranium to the Eyes.

These signs demonstrate the Disease, and the cause thereof; if redness appear without swelling, it is a Cont [...]rbation: If swelling, heat, and tears, be joyned to the redness, then is it a perfect Ophthalmy: but if it cover the black of the eye, and invert the eye­lids, then it is called Chimosis. If blood abound, and cause the distemper, the eye and face will be red, and the veins swelled. If Choler be the cause, the Patient feeleth a pricking pain, sharp tears, which corrode the cheeks and corners of the eyes. If it proceed from Flegme, the pain is heavy, many sl [...]my and glutin [...] ­tious tears. If Melancholy cause the grief, the tumour is but small, the colour of a dusky redness, few tears, the humour thick, the constitution of the Patient me­lancholy. If the defluxion come from the internal parts of the head, the pain will be felt inwardly, and [Page 110] about the roots of the eyes; if through the exterior vessels the contrary signs appear, the veins of the forehead are distended, and there is much shooting about the Temples.

For the cure, the external causes must be removed, the antecedent causes evacuated, revelled, and repel­led; the conjunct cause derived and discussed, and the parts affected, strengthned.

Let the Patient observe an orderly and temperate Diet, and eat such things that are of easie disgesture, let him avoid all sharp and salt things, and such as fume up to the head, and such things as breed Cho­ler: Let him abstain from strong drink; let most of his drink be Barley water: Let him avoid all motion, let him lie still as long as he is able, and sleep as long as he can. Let him keep his eyes shut, and what ever you do, endeavour to keep his body soluble.

Phlebotomy for the most part is convenient, but let it be regulated and moderated according to the con­stitution, strength, age, and sex of your Patient, and nature of the Disease.

If the body be Plethorick, and the Disease hath its original from blood, you must take away the greater quantity, for Galen in his book de curat. per sang. mis. reiateth how one was cured of an Ophthalmy by bloed-letting: first three pound, and four hours af­ter one pound: understand this onely in the case be­fore mentioned, though I could instance many cases more, cited by eminent Authors and Fathers of Phy­sick, yet let this serve for all to avoid prolixity. If one­ly one eye be affected, bleed your Patient on the con­trary side. If you finde a stoppage of any accustomed evacuations, viz. the Terms or Hemorroid veins; if the first be stopped, open the Saphaena; if the other, bleed them with Leeches.

To make revulsion, some do apply Cupping-glas­ses to the shoulders and back: others open the veins of the head and temples, sometimes the veins or the corners of the eyes, and behind the ears: and some bleed these veins by Leeches, all which are very profi­table for derivation. When you have bled, and made sufficient revulsion, you must purge the humour that offendeth, and causeth the blood to be inflamed; but first let the humours be prepared, then purge gently, and often; and if you see occasion, after all this, you may purge more strongly. Prepare the humours thus: Take of Endive, Succory, and Fumitory, of each one handful; Red. Rose leaves one ounce; of the grea­ter Cold-seeds half an ounce; Of Lettice and Poppy­seeds, of each two scruples: boil them in a quart of Spring water, to the consumption of half, shrein it, and with Sirrup of Violets two ounces, and Sirrup of Fu­mitory one ounce, make a Julep for three potions: af­terwards you must administer such medicines, as have power gently to carry away the peccant humours. Take of Cassia newly drawn, one ounce and a half: Manna dissolved in Rose-water an ounce: Catholi­con half an ounce, Powder of Rubarb two drachms, with Sugar sufficient, make a Bolus for three times. If the body be slagmatick, purge with pills of Agarick, or Lucis Majores; but take this caution along with you, that you administer no strong purgation in this di­stemper, without the advice of an able Physition. Af­ter sufficient Evacuations, you may profirably apply a Cataplasme to the forehead and temples, that hath an astringent power, by which the humours flowing to the eyes may be stopt: Take of Bolearmonick, Ma­stich, Frankinsence, Sanguis Draconis, and Wheat­flower, of each one drachm; the powder of Lentils, and Red-Roses, of each two seruples, with the White [Page 112] of an egge, juyce of Nettles, Vinegar of Roses, of each a like quantity, sufficient to make a Cataplasme. An Apple roasted with Frankincense and Mastick in it, moisten it with the White of an Egg beaten to water, and as much of a sound womans breast-milk, make a Cataplasme, and apply it to the eye; or with crums of bread, and womans milk, with a little Rose water, you may make a convenient Cataplasme.

Then you must prepare Collyries, Unguents, and Fomentations, which must be used with discretion, and varied as the pain or inflammation increaseth, or de­creaseth, or as the humours are discussed or fixed, &c. out of the multiplicity of such medicines, I shal insert a few, and but a few, for brevities sake.

Take the Salt of Lead one scruple, Sal-Armoniack six grains, Rose-water and Plantine-water, of each three ounces, the White of an egge beaten to water, one ounce, let them be mixed therein, and the Salts well dissolved, drop a little into the eye morning and evening. Quercetan commends the infusion of Cro­cus Metallorum, made in Eye-bright, and Fenel-wa­ter, and used as before. Paenotus his Ointment is very good in these ocular inflmamations; and the way to prepare it is thus: Take of Tutry prepared an ounce and a half, Camphire one drachm, Verdegreece 12. grains; beat the Tutty and the Camphire together in a morter, into fine powder, likewise the Verdegreece by it self: then take of fresh butter (or May butter, if you can have it) one ounce, Rosewater one drachm; boil them gently together, then take them from the fire: first put in the Camphire and Tutty, then the Verdegreece by degrees, stir them well together, and strein them through a piece of Sarsenet, put it into a glass, and keep it for your use: anoint the inside of the eye-lids, especially about the corners, and you shal [Page 113] find ease, whether it be a moist or dry inflamation. If you make an Ointment of fresh butter, and juyce of Tobacco, you may do wonders in this case, but you must onely anoint the outside of the eye lids. In the declination of the Disease, you may make a fomenta­tion, which hath a power to discusse and resolve, of the decoction of Camomel, Melliot, Roses, Eyebright, and Marjerom, and with clothes foment the eyes.

If the Disease hath its original from a flegmatick humour, your resolvents must be the stronger. Baths, also the drinking of Wine hath been approved, and much commended by Galen and Hippocrates, as a means to extenuate, dissolve, diffuse, and discuss the thick humours gathered in the eyes, and to open ob­structions. If you find that the Ophthalmy is caused by defects of the brain, by defluxion, or a hot distemper of the Liver, then labour first to remove the cause, as the several Chapters, thereof entreating, will instruct you.

Sometimes if the humour cannot be resolved, there is a suppuration and an Ulcer sometimes followeth it, and sometimes matter gathereth under the Cornea; this is called Hypopye, this cometh also sometimes by a contusion; sometimes it covereth the Pupilla, and sometimes compasseth the Circle of the eye, and is like a mans nail: Hence the Greeks call it [...]: This Disease is known by the inflamation going before; the matter is white under the Cornea, and when the eye is moved, it hath a motion. For the cure of this, you must (if any of the inflamation remain) use the aforegoing medicines; afterwards do as you are taught in the cure of a Cataract.

Sometimes not onely in the Cornea, but also in the Adnata, little blisters do arise, like little bubbles, like Pearls or Grumwel seed, it hath its original from a sharp and watry humour: it is called Phlyctaenae: in the Adnata they are red, in the Cornea white within; but if they be on the outside, they are black. They which are in Cornea are more dangerous, then those that are in Adnata: and the more superficial they are the less is the danger. The cure consisteth in the resol­ving the matter conjoyned, and averting of the ante­cedent cause: labour to prevent a Suppuration, lest an Ulcer follow. For the particular cure of this Disease, you must use those medicines proper for the cure of the Ophthalmy.

After an Ophthalmy, and blisters in the eyes, ulcers sometimes happen in the aforesaid Tunicles; when the humours there gathered, or the blisters come to suppuration: and sometimes they follow sharp, cor­roding and watty humours flowing into the eys. Some of them are superficial or profound, broad or narrow. A hollow narrow and hard Ulcer is called in Greek [...], in Latine Fossula, or a little Ditch. An Ulcer that is broad, and not so deep, is called [...]; that which cometh in the Circle of the eye is called [...], or Ulcus coronale. They that are deep, solid, hard, and crusty, are called [...], or [...]. If the Ulcer be in the Cornea, there will be a small white blemish in the black of the eye: If it be in the Ad­nata, there will be a small red blemish in the white of the eye, because the Adnata is full of blood. All Ul­cers in the eyes are dangerous, and hard to cure, but more in the Cornea, than in the Adnata: If it hap­pen in the? pilla, though it be cured, it much preju­diceth the sight, because it leaveth a scar, which hin­dereth [Page 115] the perspicuity of the Cornea. For the Cure, you must use such medicines as dry and cleanse mode­rately such as asswage pain, and revel, and restrain the humours flowing upon the eyes. You can scarcely read thus far, and be ignorant of particular medicines; yet for the benefit of the unskilful, I shall insert one or two: Take an egg boiled hard, pilled and cut in two pieces: take out the yolk, and fill the hollow with Su­gar-candy, and Mirth in Powder, tie them last, and hang them up in a Cellar, and a Water will drop from it, which is good to cleanse the eye without pain: the water of honey distilled, hath been found very effectual. But if these medicines are not strong enough, do as followeth: Take of Plantane, Vervane, and White rose water, of each one ounce, honey two ounces, the Whites of ten new laid eggs, boiled hard; of Mirth, Tutty, and the white Troches of Rasis, of each a drachm, Sarcocol, Frankincence, Aloes, and Ceruse, of each half a drachm: pouder them that are to be pow­dered, and mixe them all in a stone morter; then put them into a smal glass body with a head and receiver, and distil it in Balneo: This Water is excellent a­gainst Ulcers in the eys. These three Diseases I thought good to annex to the cure of the inflamation of the eyes, having a dependency thereupon.

CHAP. XV. Of the Cancer, and Rupture of the Cornea.

SOmetimes a Cancer groweth up, and is perfected in the eye, of which there is two sorts, either oc­cult, or ulcerated: The occult is called a Cancerous Tumor, or Cancer of the Eye: The ulcerated is called a cancerous ulcer in the eye: It is known by a blew, leaden colour, and unequal hardness, the veins ad­joyning are very full and blew, and the eye, the tem­ples, and the whole head is afflicted with a strong and pricking pain. If the Disease be fixed and perfect, it is incurable, except it be taken away by manual opera­tion, but if it be taken in the beginning, it may be cu­red: you must administer convenient Physick, and ad­joyn a sutable diet. You must draw bloud on the same side: if you finde occasion, bleed the Hemor­rhoid veins by Leeches, and apply them behind the ears: after the use of these, or the like revulsions, purge melancholy often, and gently: once or twice a week (if the body be strong enough) purge with the extract of black Hellebore. These remedies will much diminish the humours, and decrease the pain, after which you must use Topicks, such as have prepared Tutty, and the white Troches in them, for which have recourse to the preceding Chapter. The flesh of young Pigeons or Chickens applyed to the Cancer, hath been found very available.

The Rupture of the Cornea, is when the Tunicle is so divided, that the watry humour, and sometimes the Uvea cometh forth. The cause of both is a Wound, Ulcer, or a great afflux of humours; by which the Cor­nea is so distended, that it cracks, and the humours contained are let out, and sometimes the Uv a shoo­teth out: Paulus divideth this Disease into four kinds; the first cometh forth like the head of a Fly, and therefore he calleth it [...]; The second is when a greater part cometh forth, and is like the stone of a Raisin, and is called [...]. The third is, when the Eruption is so great, that it seemeth like an Apple, and is called [...]. The fourth is when the Uvea (being come forth) is hard, and is called [...]. The Cure is very difficult alwayes, but for the most part it is incurable. After bleeding (if need be) and purging the peccant humours, you must use astringent and glutinating medicines; as the white Troches, and the white of an Egg dropt into the Eye: then make a Cataplasme to the part, thus: Take the root of Solomons Seal four ounces, Quinces pared and fliced two ounces; Red-rose leaves a handful, Acatia a drachm; Saffron two scruples, boil these in red wine, and Plantane water (of each a like quantity) as much as is sufficient to make a Cataplasme. Afterwards, to make a perfect consolidation, take an ounce of the Mucilage of Gum Traganth made in Plantain water, the clarified juyce of Plantain, and of the root of So­lomons Seal, of each one spoonful: of the white of an egg beaten to clean water, and a womans breast-milk, of both a spoonful, washed Aloes, prepared Tutty, and Sarcocol, of each two scruples, Saffron one scruple: pouder what is to be poudered, and mix them for a Collyric.

CHAP. XVI. Of the Diseases of the corners of the Eyes and Eye-lids.

SOmetimes there happeneth a Tumor in the corner of the Eye, at the root of the nose; if it do not break, it is called Anchylops; if it do break, it is called Aegylops. Sometimes this Tumor cometh without inflamation, and is bred of a thick, flegmatick, slimy humour as the Tumors called Atheromata, Steatoma­ta, &c. of which you shall have a brief account in the next book.

When it cometh with inflamation, it is like a Bile, with shooting pain, and very red, and it cometh by thin and cholerick bloud flowing thither, and then imposthumateth; which being open produceth an Ulcer; then it becomes hollow, and is called Fistula Lachrymalis. The Cure is very difficult, because it is ill applying medicines, the eye being so near. If it hath not been of long continuance, and the Orifice to be seen externally, it may be cured by medicines: But if it hath continued a year, the Bone is foul, and hard to be cured without burning. If it turns to a Cancer, it is incurable, because medicines will enlarge it, and increase pain, and is known by the hardness and blew­ness of the skin, the extension of the veins, and extre­mity of the pain.

You must open a vein, if nothing hinder, and revel the humours by purging, which you may do by these following Pills, viz. Cochiae, Arabicae, Aureae, and Lucis Majoris: then you must endeavour to stop the progress by repelling medicines: take the juyce of Night shade, Shepheards purse, and Knotgrasse, of each two ounces; Acacia, the flowers of Balaustines, Bolearmeniack, Gauls, Frankincense, and Roch-allum, of each a drachm; boil them well together: then with four ounces of white Wax, and four drachms of Turpentine, make a Cerate, to be applyed to the fore-head: Afterwards endeavour to resolve the humours: Amatus Lucitanus commends this following Cerate: Take of the Powder of Cockle-shels two drams, Mirrh, Aloes, and Frankinsence, of each half an ounce: Sar­cocol, Sanguis Draconis, and Ceruse, of each three drachms: Opopanax dissolved in Wine, Vinegar, and Bloud-stone, of each one drachm and an half, Saffron two scruples, Wax and Rozen, of each three ounces: make a Cerate according to art, and apply it to the corner of the Eye and Forehead. If, after all this, it will come to Suppuration, make use of such things as will hasten it, least the humours corrode the part: apply a Plaister of Diachilon Simplex. If an infla­mation approach, apply a Cataplasme made with white bread and milk: If it break not suddenly, open it with a Launcet, cleanse the Ulcer and heal it. But if it prove a Fistula, you must be the more careful, first to cleanse it thus. Take of Aqua vitae, and Honey of Roses, of each one ounce, Mirrh two ounces, with Allum and Verdegreece, of each a drachm: boil them together, and make a Liniment: Unguentum, Aegyp­tiacum, and Apostolorum, is of great virtue in this case.

If the bone be foul, it must be cured by an actual Cautery: yet Fabricius Hildanus saith he cured a La­chrimal Fistula with medicines; he applyed Euphor­bium, and upon the same an Emplaister of Gum-Ele­mi, and this he did till he skaled the bone: after­wards with the Tolutan Balsome, a drop upon a little lint, he incarnated, and consolidated the Fistula in a very short time.

After this Lachrymal Fistula, there followeth a consuming and diminishing of the Caruncle in the corner of the Eye, sometimes it also happeneth by a sharp humour falling down thither, and sometimes by cleasing medicines applyed without discretion; this Disease is called Rhyas: there is another Disease conrrary to this, which is an immoderate growth and increase of the flesh in the corner of the eye: which proceedeth sometimes for want of orderly drying up of the Ulcer, and sometimes by a defluxion of bloud to the part, and this is called Enchanthis. For the cute of the first, you must perform it by Incarnative Medi­cines: Take of Aloes, Borax, Frankincense, Dragons Bloud, Cypress Nuts, and Mprtles, of each one dragm, the flowers of Pomegranates, Red Roses, and Com­frey, of each two scruples; theseeds of Sumach on scruple. Let them be boiled in old Canary, and Plantane, and Rose-water, of each half a pint, to the consumption of half, and with this Collyrie often wash the part affected: the other you must cure by taking away the superfluous flesh, with eating medicines, as Burnt Allum, Burnt Vtriol, Unguentum Aegyptiatum, or Apostolorum; or you must cut it off, and burn it with an Iron: But proceed which way you will, you must not forget convenient Evacuations, for fear of a defluxion, and you must beware least you take it not [Page 121] away too near, least it turn to Rhyas. There is also a defluxion of Rhenm, issuing out of du the corners of the Eyes and is called involuntary weeping, and by some Epiphora: for the producing of this Disease there is an indisposition in the part sending, and the part receiving: the part sending is the brain, which, being too hot or too cold, attracteth a watery hu­mour, and sendeth it to the inferiour parts. By the weakness, thinness, thickness, of the Caruncle in the corner of the Eye, it is made uncapable to resist such a defluxion, which often happeneth in the three fore-mentioned Diseases.

This defluxion is conveighed sometimes by the ex­ternal, and sometimes by the internal veins: Some­times the defluxion is hot, and sometimes cold. If it be conveighed by the external veins, the veins of the Forehead and Temples are distended, and the pain is felt without the Skull; if internally, the pain is felt contrarily. If the humour be hot, it causeth the more pain; heat, redness, and exulceration of the eye-brows follow.

If this Disease cometh from an outward cause, if it hath not continued long, it may be soon cured, but hardly if your Patient be old. If it proceed from a Lachrymal Fiflula, Rhyas, or Echanthis, it hath its cure with those Diseases. You must take away the defluxion, and strengthen the part, you must evacu­ate the humour offending by purging: likewise if the body be phlethorick, and nothing prohibite, you may open a vein. You must make revulsions of the flowing humours by Cupping, Vesicatories, Blisters behind the neck, and Issues in the arms.

For derivation, apply Leeches behind the ears, and Masticatories in the morning: strengthen the head and brain, whether the humour be hot or cold; the Chap. of the Catarrh, and of the coldest distempers of the brain, will particularly inform you, how to purge, revel, and derive the peccant humours, and strengthen the part affected. Then you must apply astringent medicines to the Fore head and temples; if the hu­mour flow through the external veins: If it be a cold humour, take of Frankinsence, Tacamabacca, and Ma­stich, of each two drachms: Terra Sigillata one drachm, Mace pulverized, and Juniper Gum, of each two scruples: Turpentine and Wax sufficient to make a Cerate for the forehead and temples; But if it be a hot and sharp humour, take of Endive and Knot­grass, of each one handful; the Root of Solomon's Seal one pound, beat them well in a Stone morter, and with a pint of White-Wine Vinegar, let them boil till half of the Vinegar be consumed: then take of Bolearmenick, Sanguis Draconis, Pomegranate Flow­ers, of each two drachms: Frankinsence, Mastick, and Red-Roses, of each half a drachm, pouder them, and mix them with the other, and make a Caraplasme to be applyed as aforesaid. You must likewise apply drying and astringent medicines to the part affected. Take of prepared Tutty, Egg-shels, Aloes, Frankin­sence, and Mastich, of each two scruples, Sarcocol, San­guis Draconis, and Sumach seed, of each one scruple; Mirrh and Spicknard, of each six grains; make them all into fine pouder, and tie them up in a rag, and steep it in white Wine, Fenel, Eye-bright, or white Rose­water, and squeez it often into the eyes. These medi­cines prescribed for an Ophthalmy are good likewise in this distemper.

There is another disease appertaining to the corner of the Eye, it is called by some (Pterygium) by other some the Haw in the Eye, and by others Unguis, and it is a hard and Nervous Membrane, growing out of the corner of the Eye, covering the white, and in time the Pupilla also. Somtimes it is thin and white, and somtimes it is red and full of Veins.

It is caused by Ulceration of the Caruncle of the Eye, and is bred by excrements (flowing to the part) as well as blood; hence it cometh to passe that vari­ety of Haws are bred, according to the seeding hu­mour, and may be thus distinguished; A red Haw comes of pure blood, a Yellow of Choler, a white of Flegme, a dark and black one of Melancholly. It the Eye affected grow lesse, it is an evill signe, and little hopes there is of recovery.

If you take it whilst it is new and beginning, it may (with difficulty) be taken off by medicine; but if it be far gon, it must be done by Chirurgery, you must Evacuate and purge the Antecedent cause, as you have heard sufficiently already in the other Chapters of the diseases of the eyes; and you must use the same Course of Dier.

Then you may make use of those Topicks spoken of in the Cure of blisters in the Eyes.

Take of Cuttle bone in fine powder, and put it upon the Haw; this I have known, take the Haw from the Eye of an Horse: if you mix Tutty and Vitriol to it, it may prove the better.

I shall instance one more commended by Forestus. Take of the juyce of Fennel four ounces; the juyce of Ce­landine three ounces, of Rue two ounces, and of Mallows two ounces and an half, Aloes one drachm, Vitriol two [Page 124] scruples, Verdegrease one scruple, Ginger and Cinamon, of each half a scruple; the Gall of an Eel half an ounce, the Gall of an Oxe two drachms, Sugar-Candy two scruples, let the juyces boyle with the rest, then clarifie it and make a Collyrium, with which dresse the Eye, and if this prevaile not, it must be taken off by Chi­rurgery.

I shall say no more, but put an end to this Chap­ter, and the diseases of the Eyes.

CHAP. XVII. Of the diseases of the Eares.

THe Eare is the Organ of hearing, the most spi­rituall sense, the agent of understanding, the gate, through which science truth and virtue hath its entrance into the soul, this member is subject to divers diseases, Similary, Organick, and Common, which are known and distinguished by their symp­tomes.

There is first deafnesse or dullnesse of hearing, which I shall joyne, because they differ only in de­grees, and are the same in causes. I shall not spend my time to shew you the difference between deafnesse and dullnesse of hearing, only declare the causes of both. The first is called by the Greeks [...], the other is called [...], both of these have their originall from a distemper of the braine. The cause [Page 125] lyeth either in the exterior, or interior cavity; the exterior cavity may be obstructed or stopped by Tu­mor, Impostume, blood, matter, flegme, or the like, which may prove defective to the hearing; but this cause cannot make an absolute deafnesse, because there is an open way from the interiour eavity to the Pallat, by which the sound is carryed; as you may observe by those that are hard of hearing, for they are subject to hold open their mouths, that so they may heare the better, and you may prove it by this exam­ple: Hold a stick between your teeth, with which strike the strings of a musicall instrument, Ropping your Eares, and you may heare the sound as well or better then with your open Eares. The interior Ca­vity is somtimes obstructed by Flegmatick, and Cho­lerick humors, and somtimes by blood. Somtimes hu­mors from all parts of the body are sent to this Cavity as it happeneth somtimes in Feavers. Somtimes the Tympany may be relaxed, somtimes by excesse of moist humors, and somtimes by some violent and sud­daine noise, somtimes it is stretched or dried after some violent disease, accompanied with watching or fasting, somtimes it may be broken by a violent moti­on, or corroded by a sharp humor. Somtimes Nar­coticks administred over much: somtimes a cold dis­temper, or cold water got into the Eare, or somtimes the instruments of hearing hurt by some stroke or fall or the like, may be the cause of this disease.

Though it be hard to distinguish all these by their proper signes, yet you may by Art, and Conjecture come neare it. If the distemper comes from a distem­per of the brain: either there is an appearance of some disease in the head, as the Head-Ach, Apo­plexy, &c: or some of the other sences are hurt. [Page 126] If the externall Cavity of the Eares be obstructed by excrementitious humors, or somthing fallen in, it may be discovered by the Eye. If the interior Cavi­ty be obstructed by some humor: the humor may be known by some present or preceeding disease, or by the constitution of the body. The loosenesse or moist­nesse of the Tympane, may be conjectured by some preceding moist distemper, the drynesse of the same part, by the drynesse of the whole body. The Tym­pane cannot be broken, unlesse there hath been some violent cause, which might break it, preceded.

If deafnesse be absolute, and of long continuance, or if the Patient was borne so, it is incurable. If it proceed from a sharp or continuall Fever, the cure of the Fever is the remedy. The Tympane broken, the deafnesse is incurable. If it increase and decrease, it proceedeth from a moveable humor, and is curable. If it hath its originall from a distemper of the brain, it is easier cured, then if it comes from a proper dis­temper of the Eare.

For the Cure, you must consider what humor is the cause of the defect, and you must purge the body, and particularly the head: you must use Revulsions, as Cauteries, Vesicatories, Gargarisms, and Mastica­tories: to be breise, these and other remedyes effectu­all against this distemper, may be sought out of the Chapter treating of cold distempers of the brain. Sulphurous and Bituminous Baths are very profitable especially if the Patient wear a cap made of Spunge; and the water pumped upon his head. It is good al­so to make fomentations of these following hearbs, viz.

Mallows, Marjarom, Hysop, Centuary, Mints, Camo­mell, Rosemary, Peneroyall, Sage; boyle them in white Wine, and soment the Eare: If you would have it stronger, add a dram of the pulp of Coloquintida, and as much white Hellebore to the fomentation, a sumi­gation made with a Punnell of the same decoction, doth wonderfully peirce the Cavity of the Eare. Or make a Loafe of bread, and m [...]x with the meale a good quantity of Carawayseeds, Bayberryes, Juniper berryes, Nutmegs, and Cloves: and when it is baked, cut it in the middle, and apply it hot to the Eare af­fected, or to both if need be, and if you think it not of sufficient force, dip it first into the spirit of Wine; this will serve instead of a somentation. After which you must put some Oyle or Liquors proper to the Cure into the Eare, as Oyle of Bitter Almonds, Castor, Rue, &c. The Chymicall Oyles of Rosemary, Marjarom, Sage, Fennell, Spike, and Cloves, which are too hot to be used alone, but may with good successe be mixed with other Oyles and applyed. Take the water of an Ash, (that runneth out at the end, the other being in the fire) one ounce: The dripping of a silver Eel, (rosted up­on a spit) as much; a fruple of any of the beforenamed Chymicall Oyles, or a drachm of the other; mix them and drop it into the Eare. Observe this generall rule, that you drop nothing cold into the Eare, and that you stop the Eare afterwards with Wooll, or Cot­ton, and a little Mu [...]k into it.

Somtimes the sense of hearing is prejudiced by a preternaturall noise in the Eares; the causes of which are many, but cheifly a wind or vapour sent thither from other parts, or bred there.

It cometh from all parts of the body, when it hap­peneth in a Fever, and this (according to Hippocra­tes) is deadly. Somtimes it cometh from the Sto­mach, Liver, Spleen, Midriffe and Womb: witnesse Vomitings, Hypocondriak, Melancholly, and fits of the Mother, which for the most part are attended with a noise in the Eares. Somtimes it is caused by Flegme, contained in the Eare, for they that are thick of hearing, are seddome free from a noise in the Head: a blow, great sound, or an Ulcer in the head may cause a noise in the head, a hot distemper in the head filleth the Arteries of the Eare with much spirit, and causeth a noise. If the noise hath been of long continuance, it is hardly Cured: if it proceed from Flegme, Obstructing the passage, 'tis doubtfull that it will end in deafnesse. If you judge it curable, you may find the cure in this Chapter, for it differeth not in cure from dullnesse of hearing in some Cases; and agreeth with the cure of the paine of the Eares in others. But this remember, that if it come by con­sent of the Stomach, Liver, &c: take away the cause and the effect ceaseth.

Pain in the Eares is called in Greek [...], and is caused by cold winds, cold baths, or the like, or by a hot distemper, so it be accompanied with a defluxi­on of humors, otherwise heat is freindly to those Ner­vous, and Membranous parts.

The cold matter which causeth pain is Flegme, water or cold wind, either coming from without, or from some inferiour part within.

The hot matter is Choler or blood.

There may be other evident causes of pain, as wounds, Contusions, Ulcers, or breaking of an im­postume, or any hard or pricking thing got into the Eare. You may judge the distemper to be from cold, if a cold cause hath preceded, and hot medicines profit; the contrary declareth a hot distemper; If Flegme cause the paine, the Eare and Head will be heavy, some Rhume falleth upon some other part; the dis­temper is taken in cold wether, or the Patient is old. If wind be the cause, the paine is without heavinesse, nor is it constant. If water causeth the pain, the Pa­tient is troubled with a sharp defluxion upon the Teeth, Eyes, Breast, &c. If it come from Choler; the paine is sharp and pricking, cold things give ease, the body is Cholerick, &c. An inflammation is accompanied with a great heating paine, the parts adjacent are very red, and there is joyned a Fever. A wound maketh it self known by blood issuing out at the Eare, and an Ulcer by filth. But somtimes there issueth filth from an Impostume in the braine, but this may be distinguished by Head ach preceding, and other signes of Impostume; the filth cometh a­way in great abundance at first, and decreaseth by de­grees. If an Ulcer follow an Impostume in the Eare, the symptomes of an Impostume going before declar­eth it. If the Ulcer come by defluxion, there is a burning and shooting paine, and the matter issueth forth by little and constantly. If the Ulcer be in the bone, the matter is thin, and yellow, and hath con­tinued long: the deeper the Ulcer is, the more mat­ter issueth; the fouler it is, the more and thicker is the matter: If it be Virulent the matter is thin, if putrid, it stinketh much; if it corrode, blood ac­companieth the matter; If it continue very long, it [Page 130] groweth Fistulous, and then the matter is Virulent and the flesh groweth hard.

If the distemper proceed from a cold cause, with or without matter, you must use the medicines, pre­scribed for the cure of deafnesse, especially fomenta­tions, and fumes, with warme oyles dropt into the Eare, and if it be with matter you must evacuate, and purge the humor. If the distemper come from a hot cause without matter, use cooling Topicks. If it hath a Cholerick matter, you must revel the humor by Phlebotomy, and with cooling drinks and Juleps al­lay the preternaturall heat of the Liver, but this having dependancy to the diseases of the head, pro­ceding from a hot cause; also to the inflammation of the Eare, I leave the ingenious there to seek the Cure.

The inflammation of the Eare is cured by making revulsion (after the administration of an Emollient Clister) by blood-letting; and this must be done, in as great a quantity as the violentnesse of the disease requireth, and the strength, age and constitution of the Patient permitteth: open the Head-Vein on the same side the inflammation is. If the stoppage of the Termes hath been prejudiciall, open the Saphaena, or the Hemorrhoids if you see occasion. Revulsions by frictions and ligatures of the Armes and Thighs; Cupping the Shoulders and Back with or without scarifications, are often successefull; a Cupping-glass fixed behind the Eares with Scarification hath been attended with admirable successe: and Horsleeches applyed to the same place, hath been no lesse effectu­all.

If you find the Cure difficult, the opening of the Arteries in the Temples is good to prevent hot and windy bloud, which doth much feed the inflamma­tion; you must often purge Choller, and temper the Humours with cooling Juleps thus: Take of Lettice, Purflane, and Sorrel Water, of each two ounces; the Water of Plantane and Succory, of each three ounces; of Syrup of Lemons two ounces; the Syrup of Erratick Pop­pies one ounce; mixe them, and make a Julep; take sour spoonsuls morning and evening.

You may foment the Ear with the decoction of cooling and piercing Hearbs, and let the Patient re­ceive the same with a Funnel: then come to the use of Topicks, which have power to mitigate pain thus: Take of Breast milk two Ounces, the Oyl of Roses, and Water-Lillies, of each one ounce and an half: the Water of an Ashen stick before mentioned, one ounce, the White of an Egg beaten to water half an ounce mixe them and drop some into the Ear, after you have formented and fa­med it.

If you would have it repelling, add Vinegar of Ro­ses to it, but use it with moderation, lest you drive the Humours to the Brain.

If the vehemency of the pain constrain you to make use of stupefactive Medicines, mixea scruple of Opium, or an ounce of Oyl of Poppy seeds, with your former Medicine; but be careful also in the use of this, lest you offend the Brain.

If you see occasion for resolving Medicines, the Oyls of Camomil, Dill, sweet Almonds, and Violets; all or either of them may be mixed with your aforesaid Medicine.

If after all this you find that the Imposthume will come to suppuration, you must help Nature therein [Page 132] thus. Take the leaves of Mallows, Nightshade, Camo­mel, and Dill, of each one handful: bruise them well in a STONE-MORTAR; boil them in a quart of milk to the consumption of half: add the Musilage of Line-seed, Fleabane, and Fenugreek seeds, of each one ounce; Ducks and Hens Grease, of each one ounce; the Oyl of Camomel, Roses, and Violets, of each one ounce; with the crum of White Bread, as much as is sufficient, make a Cataplasm, and apply it. After the Imposthume is broken, and the Matter run out, you must apply cleansing Medicines, viz. Mixe Barley water, and Honey of Roses, and drop it into the Ear.

If the Humour be sharp, and cause an Ulcer, you must, after the use of needful Purgings, necessary blee­ding, and all requisite Evacuations, make use of cleansing and drying Topicks. Take of the juyce of Reets, and sow-Bread, of each one ounce; Horehound, Smallage, and Wormwood, of each half an ounce; Myrrh, and Frankincense, of each half a drachm; Saffron, and Verdegreece, of each one scruple; White Wine, and Honey, of each four Ounces; boil it, and scum it, till the Wine be consumed: then drop of it into the Ear 2 or 3 times in a day.

After you have well cleansed it, you must come to cicatrize it: Take of the Powder of Galls, and Burnt Allum, of each one drachm; Frankincense, and Myrrh, of each half a drachm; Gum of Juniper, and Sarcocol, of each one seruple; make them into fine Powder, and mixe them with White-Wine, and drop it into the Bar.

If you find that it is sed by defluxion, you must la­bour to divert the deflaxion, as you are taught in the 9th Chapter of this Book.

If the Ulcet be very foul, you must mixe Unguentum Aegyptiacum, and the Rust of Iron powdered with White-Wine, and drop it into the Ear. If the Humor be sharp, and you find sharp Medicines disagreeing to it, make use of the Oyls, and yelks of Eggs, of sweet and bitter Almonds.

If any thing be fallen into the Ear, you must en­deavour to get it out with an Ear-picker, but beware lest you thrust it further. If you cannot prevail so, inject Oyl into the Ear, to relax it, that it may the ea­sier come out, and anoint the Ear-picker with Bird­lime, and see if by that means you can draw it out. Provoke sneesing, with the Mouth and Nostrils shut, and by that means it may be forced out. If a Flea, being got into the Ear, procure pain and trouble to the Patient, make a little Ball of Dogs hair, and put it into the Ear, and the Flea will come into it. If by swimming, or washing the Head, Water getteth into the Ear, and is the cause of pain, hop on the con­trary foot to that side, and hold your Ear downwards, or put in a dry Spunge into the Ear, and as it grow­eth moist take it out, and put in more till you be freed.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the Diseases of the Nostrils.

AS God and Nature hath wisely instituted and ordained this Member, as needful and official to the service of the body, so the Corruption of Nature (by our Fall) hath brought many Distempers there­in, viz. the Ulcer of the Nostrils, and Ozaena; Sarco­ma, and Polypus; the loss of Smelling in the Nose, the Coryza, Sneezing, and Bleeding; the last of which I shall treat of in a Chapter by it self, and speak briefly of the rest in this Chapter. And first of the Ulcer of the Nostrils; which, whilest it is new, is called the simple Ulcer of the Nostrils: when it is old, it is called Ozaena. The cause of the simple Ulcer, is either internal, or external: Internal, when a sharp or salt Humour floweth to the pare: Exter­nal, either by a Wound or Contusion. The cause of Ozaena, is a malignant and acrimonious Humour, or the other Ulcer neglected. They are easily known and distinguished one from the other: The simple Ulcer causeth but little pain, sometimes sends forth bloud, and sometimes casteth forth a Scab.

The Ozaena is more painfuls foul, and stinking, anoying not onely the Patient, but all that come near him.

If it turn to a Cancer, it eateth the Gristle of the Nose, and destroyeth the Pallat, and for the most part hath its original from the French Pox, or Elephantia­sis.

The New Ulcer may be easily cured; the old one hardly. If it turn to a Cancer it is never cured: If it hath its original from the French Pox, or Elephan­tiasis, it cannot be cured, till the Disease be cu­red.

For the Cure, you must use convenient Evacuati­ons, Purging and Bleeding, Revulsions and Deriva­tions by Cupping, Vesicatories, or Causticks applyed to the hinder parts; and then strengthen the head, and withall appoint a good Diet, which may hinder and asswage the sharpness of the Humour. This being done, if the Ulcer be covered with a Scab, you must endeavour to take it off gently, and not rashly, for fear of a Defluxion of Humours; and to that end you must mollifie the Scab with Oyl of sweet Al­monds, or fresh Butter, and warm Water. Then you must cleanse it, by washing it with Barley Water, and if you mix a little Oyl of Roses with it, it will not be the worse: then apply Medicines, which are astrin­gent, as the Oytment of Tutty, the white Oyntment, more commonly known by the Latine Name, Un­guentum Album, the Oyl of the yolks of Eggs; the Oyntment of Tobacco is good, being carefully ap­plyed.

Ozaena must be carefully cleansed; Take of Smiths water half a pint, Barley water four ounces, the juyce of Plantane and Wormwood, of each two Ounces: boil them together, till half be consumed, and scum it carefully: then put in sour Ounces of Honey of Roses, let the disea­sed often snuff it up into his Nostrils wherein the ulcer [Page 136] is. You may make an Oyntment more powerful for this purpose thus: Take of the juyce of unripe Grapes half an Ounce, the Peels and Flowers of Pomegranates, of each three drachms; of Myrrh, Allum, and Laudanum, of each two drachms; Aloes, Chalcitis, and Frankincense, of each one drachm; the Oyl of Roses, and Myrtles, of each two Ounces, with red Wax as much as sufficeth, to make an unguent, which apply to the ulcer. Or you may wash it with Allum Water; and if it want cleansing, mixe a little Aegyptiacum with it.

The sublimate Water doth dry and cleanse won­derfully, and you may prepare it thus: Take of Crude Sublimate in Powder twelve Grains, put it into four Ounces of Plantane water, and boil it to the consumption of half.

Now and then touch it with this water; When it is throughly cleansed, you must prepare Medicines, which are powerful to dry it up.

Rondeletius commendeth the smoke of a Wax Can­dle taken up into the Nose often: or you may make a Fume thus:

Take of Labdanum, Benjamin, Hypocistis, Maslich, Myrrh, Red Storax, and Calamith, Sandarach, Frankin­cense Bark, and red Arsenick, of each three drachms, with surpentine sufficient to make Troches, of which let the Patient take the Fume Morning and Eve­ning.

Sarcoma and Polypus is a preternatural Tumor, or Excrescency of Flesh in the Nose: The first groweth without shape, like proud flesh; but Polypus spring­eth as it were from small Roots, and hangeth down to the lower part of the Nose, and sometimes out of the Nose.

If it be rooted high, it sometimes falleth into the passage that goeth into the Pallat. It is a spungie soft flesh, white, red, or blew, and it is fuller at the full of the Moon, then at the Change.

The cause of both is a gross Humour coming from the Brain, mixed with bloud.

The first, for the most part, is easily cured. The second, with more difficulty: The lower it is rooted in the Nostril, the easier may the Cure be effected: If it be soft, white, or red, it is more easily cured: but if hard and blew, it is dangerous. You must prescribe a dry and attenuating Diet: you must purge the Hu­mour you see abound; you must revel, and repel the Humours, and strengthen the Head, as you are taught in the aforegoing Chapters.

Then you must apply such Medicines to the Tu­mour as are drying and astringent: If it may not be thus cured, it must be taken off by a Caustick, or by Incision.

But apply the mildest Medicines first; Take the Juyce of the three sorts of Pomegranates; beil it to the thickness of Honey; apply it often to the Excrescen­cie.

Then make use of this Sublimate Water spoken of before in the Ulcer. This following Water is com­mended by Weckerus. Take of unripe Grapes three pound, Pomegranate Peels and Flowers, and Sumach, of each two pound; macerate them in Vinegar, and di­stil them: then add to the water thus distilled, Allum one pound, Vitriol three Ounces: Distil them again, and with this water often touch the Tumor, for it hath a great power to dry and consume it.

You may make it stronger, if you see occasion, by adding red Arsenick, and Sandarach to it: Mercury precipitate, and applyed with Honey of Roses, with a Tent, is good. You may make an Ointment thus: Take of Letharge of Silver one drachm, Ceruss three drachms, Pomegranate Peels and Allum, of each two drachms, Verdegreese, and Orpiment, of each one drachm: powder them, and in good old white wine, boil them to the thickness of Honey: put in a little Oyl of Myrrh, and reserve it in a Leaden Box, and use it as the forenamed Medicines.

The sence of Smelling is either diminished, aboli­shed, or depraved; either by Obstruction, or Astricti­on. Cold, moist, and Flegmatick Distempers, may either dull or abolish the sence of Smelling: Hence Defluxions, upon those parts, do hinder the sence. Flegm obstructs and hindereth the sensible passages, viz. the Nostrils, and the Pores of the Brain, the in­sensible Passages, and the Processus Mamillates; or Sarcoma, and Polypus, may hinder the senceby ob­structing the Nostrils. Smelling is hindered by Astriction, when Flegm, gathered in the fore-part of the Brain, doth compress the Mamillares, as was said before in the compression of the Optick Nerves. Sometimes this Sence is depraved by some putrefa­ction, or ulcer in the Nose, or the Menings, or some of the parts official to this Sence, and thereby hindereth it: or some stinking Vapour arising from some other part of the Body, may hinder the exercise of this Of­fice: as the Tongue is depraved by Choller, and ma­keth all things that is tasted seem bitter, the signes are these: Slimy Flegm coming from the Brain, and cold and moisture oppressing the Brain, shew Flegm [Page 139] to be the cause. If it be from Sarcoma, or Polypus, it is easily discovered. If the matter causing the ob­struction be contained in the Nostrils, the speech is hurt also: but it is not so, if it be in the Mamillares, or the fore-part of the Brain. The Cure is diverse, ac­cording to the diversity of causes: I shall say no­thing to it, onely give you this general Rule: If it come from a Defluxion, you must proceed, as you are instructed, in the cure of a cold Catarrh. If from obstruction, or compression of the Mamillares, I shall refer you to the Chapter, treating of the cold distem­per of the Brain, for the Cure.

In the 9th Chapter of this Book, treating of a de­fluxion, I told you if it fell into the Nose, it is a cold Coryza: I think it not amiss, if I here speak a word or two of the nature and cause of it. This Defluxion is caused either by overmuch heat, which doth dis­solve the crude Humours gathered in the fore Ven­tricles of the Brain; or else by cold, which doth compress and squeez the aforesaid Humours. This is easily known by the Humours flowing through the Nose; and of all Catarrhs, it is the most easie to cure. For the Cure repair to the 9th Chapter: to which add the Vapour of Marjarom, and Red-Rose Leaves, boiled in Vinegar, taken into the Nose. It the Distemper be cold, Take Frankincense, Mastich, Ni­gella, and the like, thrown upon a Chafingdish of Burning Coals, and do as before.

I shal now speak a word or two of Neesing (vulgar­ly sneezing) which, though it be looked upon but as a slight effect, not worth mentioning, hath (by rea­son of a sharp Defluxion) proveth not onely trouble­some, but dangerous: And hence came the Custom of saying, God bless you, God save you, or Christ help, when [Page 140] a man sneezeth. Sneezing is a swift motion of the Brain, by which the Breath is drawn up unto the Brain, to force out that which doth offend: for Snee­zing belongs to the Natural Expulsive Faculty of the Brain, and its Membranes: as it is with the Cough which doth by its natural motion, free the Arteries of the Lungs from Flegm, which obstructeth them. But the proper cause of Sneezing, is a sharp Humour, which doth provoke the inside of the Nostrils, (as 'tis verified, by snuffing up sharp things into the No­strils) which Humour cometh from the Brain, or some inferiour parts: sometimes the coldness of the Air doth act upon, and compress the Brain, and cau­seth a sharp Humour to fall into the Nostrils, which provoketh Sternucation. The knowledge of this Disease is manifest: outward causes appear, and by the signs of the parts affected.

As to the Prognostick, it is naturally and essential­ly without danger, accidentally it may prove hurtful; namely in the beginning of Coryza, it hindereth the concoction of the Humours by its violent motion: sometimes in Feavers it is violent, and causeth blee­ding, and is prejudicial to the Patients strength. In the Plurisie, and all Diseases of the Lungs, it is bad, because it violently pulleth those parts, and causeth a greater inflammation. Yet if there be Flegme got into the Gristles of the Lungs, which a Cough can­not get out, then is Sneezing helpful. For the most part it is friendly to healthy people, and promiseth help in Feavers. It is good in Apoplexies, and al­ways welcome to women in travel, or troubled with fits of the Mother.

If Sternutation become Symptomatical, you must remove the external cause, or internal, from whence it cometh by Evacuations, Derivations, Revulsions, and Discussions: and if you see cause you must bleed, use Frictions, Ligatures, and Cupping. In the mean time, you must labour to take away the sharpness which provoketh to Stenutation: Let your Patient snuff up warm milk, warm water, or warm water and Butter mingled, the Oyls of Roses, sweet Almonds, and Violets, which will afford much comfort to the diseased,

Of bleeding at the Nose. CHAP. XIX.

THis disease is called Haemorrhagia, and it is ei­ther organicall or common, the organicall is either the opening of the Vessels, called in Greek [...]; or the rarefaction of them called [...]. The common disease is also twofold, either the breaking of the Vessels, called [...]; or the Erosion called [...]: Blood offending either in quantity or quality is the cause of these distempers. Somtimes externall causes concur, as wounds, strokes, falls, vehement exercise, drunkennesse, long stay­ing in the Sun. It is also either Criticall or sympto­maticall: Criticall, when nature dischargeth her self of superfluous blood, sometimes in health, sometimes in Fevers, and somtimes from an inflammation of the Liver or Spleen. Symptomaticall is, when filthy blood, caused by the weaknesse of the Liver (in a Cronical distemper) is let go by reason of the debility of the retentive faculty; or (by the strength of the expulsive faculty, expelled, as unprofitable and un­necessary. If the blood flowes by reason of the vein broken, the blood is thick, and floweth continually; if the vein be only opened, the blood is thinner, and floweth by fits. If the veines be eroded or gnawen asunder, the Patient hath had a salt Catarrh, or Ulcer or Cacochymia. The causes are easily distin­guished [Page 143] by their signes, viz: A red face and eyes with heavinesse signifieth plenty of blood If choler or Melancholly be the cause, the blood is corrupt, and their proper signes appeare in the body. If the weak­nesse of the retentive faculty let it go, the body is weak, the face is pale, or some disease hath preced­ed, which hath weakened the Liver. If it cometh from an Artery, it cometh with great force, hot, pure and fresh; if from a vein that contrary appeareth. If it come from the Liver, Spleen, &c: pains, extensi­ons, or inflammations in those parts will declare it. If blood issue out of the Nose upon a judiciall or cri­ticall day, it is a good signe, and is not to be stopped, if it flow not immoderately. But if it happen in the beginning of a disease, it is symptomaticall and dan­gerous. If the Liver be affected, and the blood issue out at the right Nostrill it is good, and if the Spleen be affected, if the left Nostrill bleed it is good; the contrary to any of these happening, is bad. If the Haemorrhagy continue long, it cooleth the Liver, and causeth a Dropsy: Likewise bleeding is very hurtfull to Melancholly and Flegmatick people; as also to such as have a quartane Feaver.

For the Cure, you must consider whether the Haemorrhagy be Criticall or Symptomaticall: If it be Symptomoticall, you must endeavour suddenly to stop it: I [...] it be Criticall, immoderate, and the con­stitution not able to endure it without prejudice, you must do the like: you must begin with revulsions, of which blood letting is the cheise; you must open a veine on the Arme, on the same side the Nostrill is that bleedeth; you may draw as much blood as the strength of the Patiens will beare. Apply Cupping-glasses [Page 144] behind to the Shoulders and Armes, to the Hypocondria: but make use of this, after sufficient blood letting, for feare of an inflammation of the Liver. Forrestus commendeth the application of Cupping-glasses to the feet, others commend an actuall Cautery. Throw cold water into the face on a sudden, which doth repell the blood. It is good to put a Cloath dipt in Vinegar to the neck be­hind, another to the Cods, and to snuffe up Vinegar and water into the Nose, and hold the mouth full of it, as long as any thing is snuffed up: take up the fume of Vinegar thrown upon an hot Iron. Foment the Forehead and Temples with water and Vinegar cold: Vinegar put into the Eare on the same side, on which the bleeding Nostrill is, is good. Then apply a Cataplasm, made with the juice of Plantane, Night­shade, Vinegar, of all a like quantity, and Bolearme­nick sufficient to make a Cataplasme, which must be laid to the forehead, from Temple to Temple. Or thus, Take of Sanguis Draconis, Terra Sigillata, and Bolearmenick, of each a drachm, Rose Vinegar, and the juyce of Nightshade, of each one ounce, the Whites of two Eggs, with the distilled water of Red-Roses, and Plan­tane, make a Cataplasm; and apply it as before. If you perceive that the veins of your forehead are swel­led, bind a six-pence, or a dry bean slit, upon the root of the Nose between the Eye-brows. Also the powder of Hoggs-dung blown into the Nose, or mixed with the juyce of Nettles, and a Tent dipped in it, and put up into the Nose, hath an excellent property to stop bleeding.

Others commend the Powder of a dried Toad, put in fine red Sarsnet, and put under the Arme-pits, or held in the hand.

It is convenient likewise to make use of those things, which have a faculty to close and glutinate the Veins, Take of Bolearmenick, Sanguis Draconis, Aloes, and Cobwebs, of each two scruples, white Vitriol, burnt Egshels and Paper, of each one scruple, powder them finely, and blow it up into the Nostrills: to prevent its coming into the mouth, hold the mouth full of cold water, and Vinegar; or else you may mix it with the whites of Eggs beaten to water, and the juyce of Plantane, and dip a Tent in it and apply it. If hitherto you are succeslesse, you must make use of Escharotick medicines, of which burnt Vitriol claimes the preheminency, powdered and used as before: but if you feare to use it alone, adde the same quantity of Dragons blood, Bolearmenick, and Frankincense. A dram of the powder of Spicknard drunk in the morn­ing in broth is very good. If the disease doth often invade the Patient, let him make use of inward me­dicines, which have power to Coagulate, thicken, coole, bind, and restraine its motion: Take of dried Knotgrasse, Fumitory, and Bistort root, of each half an ounce; the Troches of Spodium, and Amber, Terra Si­gillata, and Sal-prunella, of each half a dracbm; Corall, burnt Harts-horne, and Bloudstone, of each one scruple, powder them; Conserve of Roses, and Quinces, of each two ounces, with the syrrup of the juyce of Plantane, make an Opiate, of which let the Patient take the quantity of a Nutmeg, five or six times in a day. To conclude, if it be inveterate let the peccant humor be diligently evacuated; and if it hath its originall from the disaffection of any other part, as the Liver Spleen, Womb, Kidneys, &c: let that be considered and their Cures sought in their proper Chapters.

CHAP. XX. Of the diseases of the Tongue.

THe Tongue being the cheife instrument of speech and tast, a very necessary (though unruly) member, it is not amisse if we consider, and breifly treat of the distempers incident to it, by which the actions are hindered. This member is subject to in­flammation, and Tumors, which have their originall either from pure, Cholerick, Flegmatick, or Melan­cholly blood. If pure blood cause the inflammati­on, there is paine felt with heat and rednesse of the Tongue, and face: and this is a true Flegmon. If the Tumor hath its originall from Choller, then is it called Erisipelas; if from Flegme, Oedema; if from Melancholly Schirrhus, all which may be discovered by the humor predominate, and shall be more plainly discovered in the next Book, where I shall treat of Tumors and their kinds. These Tumors are somtimes only troublesome, but do not oftentimes endanger life, except they grow so big, that the body is endangered by suffocation; or a malignant melancholly humor, do breed a Cancer, which may be discovered by its hardnesse, blewnesse, and pricking paine: you must begin the Cure with blood-letting, and (if you can come at it) open the Veine under the Tongue, afterwards if you see occa­sion, open a Vein in the Arme, and draw away as [Page 147] much blood, as the Patients strength will permitt. You must purge the humer with convenient purga­tives, or administer a sharp Clister: Some do draw back the humors by Cupping-glasses fastened to the shoulders, or a little one under the Chin. Cooling and repelling Gargarisms must be used, and you may prepare them thus. Take of the distilled water or decoction of Plantane, Nightshade, and Sorrell, of each four ounces; the syrrups of Mulberys, Pomegranats, and Lemons, of each one ounce; let the Patient often wash his Tongue; Zacutus Lusitanus commendeth the application of Horsleeches to the Tongue. If you find it inclinable to suppuration, you must help nature, for which purpose this Gargarism is good. Take Violet-leaves, Mallows, and Parsly, of each one handfull, whole Barley four ounces; Figs, and Raisons, stoned, of each three ounces; the seed of Flax, and Fenu­greek, of each one ounce: Spring water a quart, boyle it to the Consumption of halfe, straine it, and add four ounces of the syrrup of Jujubes; use it as the other be­fore. When the humors are suppurate, if it break not, make incision, then cleanse it with Plantane water and Hony of Roses

There is another Tumor under the Tongue, called by the Greeks [...], by the Latines Ranula, be­cause it representeth the hinder part of a Frog, also because they that are thus affected, when they speak do Croake like a Frog. This humor is a loose and soft carnosity under the Tongue, the tumor therein contained is somtimes hot, though for the most part it is cold, slimy, and pituitous matter, which when it is opened, is like the white of an Egge, somtimes mixed with yellow. This disease is not (for the most part) accounted dangerous, unlesse it be in a Child, [Page 148] or the humor be Cancrous. If nothing prohibite, you must begin the Cure with blood-letting, that so the humors may be the more obedient: you must like­wise purge the peccant humors with discretion: then you may endeavour to disolve and discusse the hu­mor, thus, Take of green Mugwort, and Hysop, of each one handfull, Common Salt, and Salt Armoniack, of each two drachms: Galls one drachm, beat them well toge­ther, rub the place often with it. But if it submit not to this way of Cure, (as it seldom doth) you must open it with a large Orifice, and if you open it on both sides, it will be the better: Some commend a Cautery of iron; after you have opened it, squeez out the matter with your finger, then wash it with White-Wine, and Hony of Roses: or thus, Take of White Wine, and Plantane water, of each two ounces; dissolve a drachm of Allum, then add twenty drops of the Oyle of Sulphur, with an ounce of syrrup of Mulberrys; make a Lotion, and wash the place till it be whole. Somtimes the Tongue suffereth a Palsie, by which it is deprived of its motion: Somtimes it followeth an Apoplexy, and somtimes it is joyned with a Palsey, which afflicts half the body, somtimes it is only in the Tongue, when its nerves and moving Muscles are prejudiced by some moist or pituitous mat­ter.

Somtimes those Nerves may be cut, and the Pal­sie may follow; Avicen confirmeth this opinion, by an example in his time, of a certaine man being cup­ped, and scarified, by which the small Nerve was cut, and caused a relaxation of the Tongue.

If this Palsie follow an Apoplexy, and the other parts of the body be affected, and the Patient be old, it is incurable.

If you have hopes of recovery, you must take away the Antecedent cause, lodged in the braine; and you must dissolve and discusse the conjunct cause, viz. the humors which obstruct the Nerves, and hin­der the motion of the Tongue.

If you see occasion, you may make use of Phleboto­my; it profiteth much to open a Vein under the Tongue: you may purge with Pills, or Cephalick A­pozems, you may rarifie the humors by sweating drinks; cuppings, vesicatoryes, Cauteryes may be ap­plyed: for discussing and drawing forth of the hu­mor, let Gargarisms, Masticatories, and Errhies be followed, for strengthening the braine, and disper­sing offending humors therein contained; make use of Fumigations, Powders, and Quilts for the head; for the making and application of which, I refer you to the second Chapter of this Book.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Diseases of the Teeth.

THE Teeth also are subject to Distempers, viz. the ache, and foulness, and rottenness: The Tooth-ache is caused by a Flux of Humours, either hot or cold, which flow to the Membrane, Nerves, or to the substance of the Teeth: Sometimes Worms are bred in hollow and rotten Teeth, of an Excre­mentitious Humour, which causeth pain: sometimes Wind contained between the Cavity and the Nerve, doth cause pain. The External Causes are cold Air and South Winds: Likewise the debility of the part, as hollowness, or rottenness of the Teeth do some­times cause pain.

Every cause is known by its proper sign; for if a hot Humour falling upon the part be the cause, the pain is more violent, the Patient is sensible of heat, about the Teeth and Gums; hot Medicines encrea­soth pain.

Signs contrary to these, do declare the Humour peccant to be cold.

If the cause be Worms, the pain is with intermissi­on, and their motion may be felt. If Wind cause the pain, it is exceeding violent with sensible extension, yet quickly ending, after the use of discussing Medi­cines.

If it be a hot Humour, that causeth the Tooth-ach, it is good to open a Vein on the same side, by which the Humours are revelled; and though the Humour be cold, yet Phlebotomy may be needful, to revel the Defluxion, but it must be regulated according to the age and strength of the Patient.

The next day you may purge the Humour that principally offendeth; Cupping is sometimes requi­site, and f [...]r the most part Vesicatories to the Neck and behind the Ears, are successful to draw back the Humours.

Astringent Medicines to the Temples are good to hinder the Defluxion; Of Plaisters these are good, Emplastrum de Mastiche, ad Herniam, and Gum Elemi, spread and applyed to the Temples, and behind the Ears.

Riverius commendeth the Root of Comfry, brui­sed and applyed as before, to hinder the Defluxi­on.

Riverius, Physitian to Henry the Great, commendeth this Plaister; Take of Cyprus Nuts, Red Roses, Mustard seed torrified, Mastich, and Terra Sigillata, of each one drachm and an half: Steep them in Vinegar of Roses twenty four hours, and then dry them; Opium three drachms, dissolved in Aqua Vitae; Pitch, and Colophonia, of each one drachm; Yellow Wax, melted in the expres­sed Oyls of Henbane, and White Poppy, as much as is suf­ficient to make an Emplaister, which must be applyed as before.

The Oyl of Bitter Almonds, or Vinegar, put into the Ear, is good to stay the Defluxion, if it proceed from a hot cause.

If the Humours be cold, put the Oyl of Rue, or a Clove of Garlick into the Ear, and wash the Teeth with Red Wine, wherein is boiled the Roots of Bis­tort, Cinquefoil, Tormentil, the Leaves of Vervain, Peny-royal, and Galls, and anoint the Checks, or the Check on the same side, with the Oyls of Camomel, Rue, or Roses, to asswage the pa [...]n.

If the Tooth-ache come from a hot cause, boil the Leaves of Henbane, spotted Arsmart, Housleek, and Nettle Roots, in Vinegar, and wash the Teeth; and to asswage pain, anoint the Checks with the Oyl of Lillies, Roses, sweet Almonds: Or you may make a Cataplasm, with Barley and Bean Meal, the juyce of Housleek, and Milk, and the aforesaid Oyls; and if you add a small quantity of Opium to it, it will not be amiss.

But take this Caution, that if the Checks be swel­led, beware how you apply Cataplasms, lest the Hu­mours be repelled, and do fall into the Throat.

Many find ease by Masticatories, by which they draw much Rheum from the Teeth; Take of Ma­stich, and Pellitory of Spain, of each a drachm; the Seed of Henbane, Satuesacre, and Pepper, of each half a drachm: Pouder them, and sew them up in Linnen bags, like little Balls, and chew them.

If the Teeth be hollow, the Oyls of Cloves, Cam­phire, Tobacco, Box, and of Hazel Nuts, are good, if a little Lint, dipt in any of them, be put into the hol­low Tooth.

If the pain cease not, add Laudanum, and Opium; for sometimes Narcoticks, by stupefaction, do give ease, when other means have failed. Sometimes all Medicines can do no good, till the Nerve in the hol­low Tooth be burned with an actual Cautery. This may be done with Aqua Fortis, or safer with Oyl of Vitriol; but be well advised, before you operate with things of this Nature.

If Worms be in the Hollow Tooth, Take of Aloes two scruples, Camphire one scruple, Aqua Vitae one scruple, the Oyl of Vitriol, and Tobacco, of each three drops; mix them, and with Lint dipped in it, apply it.

If all the Medicines prescribed take not away the pain of the Hollow Teeth you must draw it out; but beware of drawing Teeth, when the Defluxion is great, the Head aketh, or the Gums swell: Draw not a Tooth violently, lest you injure the Jaw bone, or cause a Flux of bloud, which may prove dangerous; but if such a thing should happen, and the bloud not easie to be stanched, you must apply Burnt Vitriol to the Gum, and dip Lint in Vinegar, and lay thereon; or if you see cause, you must burn the Nerve with an actual Cautery.

Many people have their Teeth disfigured, by black or yellow Humours cleaving to them, which in time make them rotten: this is caused sometimes by a Defluxion of Humours into the Teeth, by Distempers of the Stomach, and evil nourishment thence ari­sing:

Sometimes the Scurvey is the cause: For the cure it is requifite, that the antecedent cause be removed, by purging and other Remedies; and that things, that corrupt the Teeth be abstained from, especially things that are sweet. Many are the Medicines prescribed to make the seeth white; as Corral, White and Red, poudered, Tobacco Ashes, and the Ashes of Vine Branche, burnt, Burnt Allum, and many more: that which I have found to be the most excellent, is the Oyl of Vitaiol, mixed with Spring Water, and the Teeth washed therewith: some say the Oyl of Sul­phur hath the same virtue.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Diseases of the Gums.

SOmetimes sharp and corroding humours, flowing from the Brain, or occasioned by some Disease of the Stomach, Liver, or Spleen, may cause an Ero­sion, or exulceration of the Gums: this Disease is easily known; you must purge the humour offending, and if the cause be in the Liver, Spleen, &c. you must endea­vour to remove it: the Flux must be diverted from the part affected, by convenient Revulsions:

Then you must apply Topical Medicines, that are astringent and drying: Take of Acorn cups, Galls, and Allum, of each one drachm: San­guis Draconis, Burnt Hartshorn, Red-Roses, of each two scruples; Sugar-candy, Tobacco-ashes, and Mirrh, of each one scruple, pouder them all: the white of one Egg, beaten to water, with as much honey as sufficeth to make it into the form of a soft Ointment; spread it upon a Rag, and apply it. The Oyl of Vitriol, or Sulphur, mentioned in the former Chapter, may be here ap­plyed, as there described; or a few drops, mixed with the aforegoing medicine. Sometimes a fleshy excres­sence is generated upon the Gum, and in time grow­eth so big, that it hindereth the speech; Fernelius saith, that it hath its original from an Ulcer not well healed: see Fern. lib. 7. pag. 340. Sometimes it grow­eth to a Cancer: It must be taken off by a careful and well-skilled Chirurgion, and afterwards burnt with a Cautery or the Oyl of Vitriol.

Some cure it thus, after purging, and sufficient re­vulsions to divert the defluxion of humours, they tye a double thread about it, close to the Gum, so streight, that in time it falleth off; then use your Cautery as be­fore, to prevent its growth again.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Ulcers of the mouth.

IN the upper part of the mouth, there are certain Ulcers bred, called by the Greeks [...], we call it Trush, vulgarly Thrush; it is most common to chil­dren, presently after they are born, caused by the sharpness of the milk, or by reason of the milk cor­rupting in the Stomach, for want of good digesture; sometimes they happen to men of ripe years: they are more or less dangerous, as they exceed in quantity or quality: their bigness may be discovered by the Eye; also how deep, and putrid they be: their colour decla­reth the quality of the humour, which is the cause of them. It Flegme be the cause, the Trush is white, and easily cured. If yellow, Choller is the cause, and 'tis harder to cure. If red, Blood predominateth. If black, Melancholy is the cause, and 'tis the worst and hardest to cure. It cometh sometimes by reason of a foul Disease in the body, or when the Patient hath got the French Pox. For the Cure, if it be in Chil­dren, you must wash the mouth often with Plantane water, and Sirrup of Mulberries, or dryed Roses: if you find that too weak, add some Allum to it: Let the Nurse eat such things as are cooling and drying; as Pears, Medlers, and Services, Marmalade of Quinces is very good in this case; let her likewise make use of Lettice, Purslane, and other cooling hearbs: and if [Page 168] need require, let her bleed and purge. If your Patient be a man, and the Disease be stronger, and more vio­lent; after the use of mild medicines, you must pro­ceed higher: If he hath the French Pox, he must be freed from that, or else you labour in vain. General­ly, you must consider what humour offendeth, and purge that; you must bleed, and use such revulsions as necessity calls for. Then you must make a decoction of Plantane, Bramble, Violet, and Strawberry leaves, Pomegranate flowers, &c. add Allum, and the Sirrups before mentioned, and wash the mouth with it: if you finde that it healeth not, dip a little Lint in Oyl of Vitriol, and often touch it. If there be an inflam­mation, add to the before mentioned decoction, the juyce of Purslane, Housseek, and Nightshade; or the Mucilage of Quince-seeds, or the emulsion of the cold seeds. If you find an extraordinary defluxion, and your Patient want sleep, administer Laudanum; the Dose regulated according to the age, and strength of your Patient.

CHAP. XXIIII. Of a loose Columella, and the inflammation thereof, and diseases of the Tonsils.

The Columella, or the Uvula, is relaxed or loosened by a waterish humor falling upon it, which doth so moisten and soften it, that it is extended to the up­per part of the Wezand, and causeth a Nauseousness, and the Patient often striveth to swallow it, by which it may be known, as also by looking into the mouth. You must make use of such Evacuations, Revulsions, Derivers, & Repellers, as are prescribed in the ninth Chapter of a Catarrh. And you must make use of Gargarisms which restrain and dry. Take of Plantane, Purslane, and Shepheards purse, of each one hand­ful, Cyprus nuts, Pomegranate flowers, and Red roses of each one ounce; Galls and Allum, of each one drachm: boile them in a quart of Spring water, to the consumption of half: strain it out, and add to it, Bolearmenick a drachm; Sirrup of Mulberys, and Hony of Roses, of each one ounce; gargarise the mouth therewith. Powders are better, which have an astringent and drying property: Take the Roots of Bistort, flowerdeluce, and Tormentil, the Flowers of Pomegranates, and Red Roses, of each half an ounce: Burnt Allum, and long Pepper, of each one scruple: make them into fine powder, and (depressing the tongue) blow it upon the Uvula. If this doth not perfect the cure, the superfluity must be cut off; this operation must be performed very warily; for if you cut too much, it will be prejudicial to the speech: if there be an inflammation in the Columel­la, [Page 170] you must extenuate such accidents, before you cut it, lest a greater inflamation follow, or a flux of blood: if the Uvula be greater at the bottome then it is at the top, then it is fitter and safer to cut. If the Uvula be onely inflammed, you must make use of such medicines as are prescribed for the cure of the inflam­mation of the tongue.

There are other distempers of the throat, viz. the inflammation and Ulcers of the Tonsills or Almonds of the throat, occasioned by a defluxion of crude, Phlegmatick and Viscid humors, mixed with blood; or by excessive drinking of wine, or strong liquors or by a greedy devouring of meat: they who are thus afflicted, swallow with much difficulty, and pain: and many times have a Feaver. For the cure, administer a cooling Clister, open the Vein under the tongue; and if blood abound, open the Cephalick-Vein in the arme: use all other convenient revulsions. Then make a Cataplasme of Barly meal, the Seed of Flax and Fenugreek, and the Leaves of Mallows bruised, with new Milke sufficient: and apply it to the throat. Then use astringent Gangarisms, you have examples enough in the foregoing Chapters. If the inflam­mation increaseth; and the pain be sharp and vehe­ment in the Evening, then expect suppuration: then you must surther it, by gargarising with a decoction made of Hysop, Figs, and the Seeds of Marsh mallows; or with aquamulla. When it is perfectly rotten, squeez it gently that the matter may run forth, or else open it with a sharp instrument, and let the Pati­ent hold his head down, that the matter may the better run out: then wash it again with aquamulsa, till it be healed. For the cure of the Ulcers of the Tonsils, you must observe the same rules, prescribed for the cure of the Ulcers of the mouth.

CHAP. XXV. Of the Quinzie.

ANgina, or the Quinzie is a disease of the Jaws and Throat, by which breathing and Swallowing are hindred, withour defect of the breast and Lungs: there are two sorts of Quinzyes, Legitimate and Ba­stard: Legitimate Quinzy is accompanied with a fea­ver, and inflammation of the part; which Galen, and the antient Greekes, have divided into four sorts: the first they called [...] when the inflammation is in the inward & proper Muscles of the Larynx: the second they called [...], & the outward Muscles of the Larynx are in flammed: the third, they called [...], and the interiour muscles of the pha­rynx are inflamed: the last they called [...] because the exerior muscels of the Jaws are inflamed; a Bastard Angina or Quinzy cometh without a fea­ver.

The cause of the first, is blood either pure or mixed with Choler, flegm, or melancholly; flowing from the head to the jugular veins: the cause of the Ba­stard Angina is caused by much flegme falling into the jugular veins, and by its glewinesse obstructing the passage of the spirits; or by a Tumor in the Verte­brae of the neck, caused by a deflux of cold flegm removing the Vertebrae from its proper seat or causing a luxation thereof, by loosening their Nerves, and making them slippery between the joynts: or lastly [Page 170] this may happen by some fall or stroak or some ex­ternal cause.

The Legitimate Quinzy may be known by the difficult swallowing and breathing, without fault of the breast or Lungs; pain about the Jaws and threat, red nesse heat and a feaver: their sorts may be distin­guished by their proper signes. In the first, there is great hinderance of respiration, the patient is almost strangled, cannot breathe except he open his mouth and hold his neck streight. In the second, there is lesse difficulty of breathing but greater of swallowing, es­pecially of drink which flyeth out at the nose. In the third, there is some red tumor about the Jaws, less di­fiulty of brething, then in the first, but more then in the second. The last doth hinder the breath but little, or not at all, the outward parts of the neck are red and painfull.

The bastard Angina may be known by the abundance of flegm, and humors flowing to the mouth: If it comes by Luxation, the motion of the head and neck is hurt, and a preternatural cavity ap­peareth in the neck: I shall not need, to spend time, to shew the signes of every distinct humor pre­dominating: reason, or other parts of this book will informe you.

A Legitimate Quinzy is an acute disease, and very dangerous, for want of freedome in respiration; therefore the first is worst, and the patient in most danger of strangling: the other are more or lesse dangerous as they more or lesse hinder respiration. If the matter fall upon the Lungs, or the swelling va­nish away, without critical or artificial Evacuation, it is very dangerous, and for the most part deadly. If the patient foame at the mouth, it is a signe of death saith Hippocrates in his 43 Aphorism, because it is a [Page 171] signe of streightnesse and violent heat about the heart, which squeezeth the moisture out of the Lungs, and sendeth it to the mouth in a foame.

Every Quinzy requireth a hasty and speedy cure, for it sometimes killeth in one day: read Fernelius Lib: 5 pag. 284. Let the physitian open the Cepha­lick Vein, and, if the body be naturally plethorick, and blood the cause of the disease, draw as much as the Patients strength will bear, and reiterate Phlebo­tomy, according as necessity requireth: give a Glister first, or after, or both, or as often as need re­quireth; you must speedily make use of other re­vulsions, as cupping glasses with scarification to the shoulders, vesicatories, frictions, and ligatures to the lower parts; purges must be administred, and if you find the case desperate, you need not Question the time of the day: Trallianus reporteth that he was forced to open a Vein, and to purge the same day, or else his Patient had bin strangled. To derive the humor from the part, it is good to open the Veins under the tongue, called Ranulae. If the ease be desperate, open the jugular Vein, and if the blood cannot be stopped, make use of Galens Emplaister, against a flux of blood. You must make use of Gargarisms, which have power to allay the inflammation, & somewhat to repel. Take the leaves of Plantaine, Nightshade, Woodbine, Straw­berry, and Cinqueoil, of each one handful: the flowers of red roses, and pomegranates, of each one pugill: boile them in a quart of running water to a pint, Strain it and adde four ounces of Sirrup of Mulberies. But beware lest repelling medicines drive the matter to the Lungs. The oyle of Vitriol mixed with water, suffici­ent to allay its sharpnesse, often taken, is good to allay the inflammation of the stomack, Liver, and veins, al­so the parts inflamed in this distemper. Then you must [Page 174] apply loosning and resolving Liniments, adding such things as easeth pain. Take of the juice of Mal­lows, Chamomel, and Orpine, of each two ounces, the oyle of Chamomel, sweet Almonds, and Lillies, of each one ounce: hens grease and frish Buter, of each three ounces, boile it to the Consumption of the juices and make a Liniment. You must apply such things as have power to dissolve, among those which have a peculiar property against the Quinzy, as Riverius teacheth: Take of a Swallows nest and Album graecum of each one drachm, powder them: flowerdeluce roots, and Cha­momel, of each halfe a drachm: Hens grease and oyle of Lillys of each one ounce, yellow wax a little, make a Liniment. Orpine hath a peculiar faculty against the Quinzy, if the bruised hearb be outwardly applyed, and the juice sweetned with hony often swallowed. Let us not forget the old and vulgar medicine viz. al­bum graecum and hony mixed, and administred like a Lohock. For sqeemish stomacks, or such as delight in dearer medicines, you may prepare this lohock; Take of Species Diatraganthum frigidum, and diapenidion, of each one ounce: Lohock Epinis, et Sanum et Exper­tum, of each halfe an ounce: mix them, and with the Sirrups of Mulberies and Jujubes sufficient, make a lo­hock, and take as before. If it tend to Suppuration, make use of the first Liniment, prescribed in this Chap­ter: Cassia newly drawn held in the mouth and gent­ly swallowed, easeth pain, and maturateth the humors: when it is ripe and will not easily break, you must open it with a crooked incision-knife: or drop a little oyle of Vitriol upon it, when it is open, let the Patient hold down his head, that the matter may run forth; then wash it often with barly water, and hony of roses.

CHAP. XXVI. Of the Asthma.

Asthma is a difficulty and shortnesse of breathing, which cometh from the stuffing of the Lungs, and the obstruction of the Bronchion, or gristles of the wind pipe, and is naturally with out a feaver; yet sometimes it may be joyned therewith. This disease is divided into three sorts, the first is called in Greek [...]: this is a difficulty of breathing, caused by the stuffing of the substance of the Lungs, and not the gristles, and is not accompanied with snort­ing, and this is the least of the three. The second is called [...], when the bronchia of the Lungs are filled with flegm and doe make a great noise, with snorting and wheezing, in which the Diaphragma, and the intercostal muscles between the ribs, and the Abdomen are violently moved. The third is cal­led [...], in which the Patient fetcheth his breath with much difficulty, with his neck stretched upright; the aforesaid Muscles, together with the Muscles of the breast and shoulders violently moved. This disease is caused for the most part from flegm, which falleth from the head into the Lungs, and ob­structeth the wind-pipe: sometimes humors brought thither by Arteria Venosa, flow to the Bronchia, and causeth Asthma with snorting: but if they fall into the substance themselves, or into the smooth arteries, it causeth an Asthma without snothing. There needeth [Page 176] no more signes for the discovery of this disease, then what may be gathered from its description. As to the prognostick, I say; that this disease is Chronical & hard to be cured, unlesse the Patient be young and of a strong Constitution: if a child hath this disease, if it be not speedily removed, it dieth of a Catarth. In men, it ends in Chachexia or the dropsy. If it turne to a pleurisy, or peripneumonia, it is deadly.

You may begin the cure with blood-letting if the body be plethorick or Corpulent, for when the Veins are empty of blood the respiration is free. But you must beware of phlebotomy in such bodies, where you fear diminishing the natural heat, lest flegme increase. You may openthe Saphaena, or ancle-Vein without danger; you must, in the next place, purge the head of Phlegmatick humors, which are prescri­bed in the second Chapter of this Book. It oftentimes hath bin proved that vomitting is good in this case, that the stomack may be emptied of flegm and thick vapors, which puffing up the stomack compresseth the diaphragma, and causeth difficulty of breathing: one ounce of Tobacco water, sweetened with Sugar, will cleanse the stomack by vomit. Let the Physitian be careful how he administreth vomits to weak people. Sharp Glisters are good in this disease, for revulsion; but let them be given in small quantityes, lest the ful­nesse of the Bowels, compresse the diaphragma. The Patient must make use of such things as extenuate, and make thin the humors, Take of Coltsfoot-water two ounces, Cinamon water one ounce: with an ounce of Oximel Simplex, and take it in the morning. Then let him make use of such as have an Expectorating quality: Take of the powder Diatraganthum Frigidum, the powder of Liquorish, and Colts soot; of each one drachm; the roots of Elecampane, and Marsh mallows [Page 177] Candied, Conserve of roses and Violets of each halfe a drachm, the flower of Brimstone, and Sugar Candy, of each a scruple, with oyle of sweet Almonds, (newly drawn) and Sirrup of Maidenhaire; make a Lohock. And let the Patient take the quantity of a Nutmeg, Mor­ning and Evening; and halfe so much every two houres: this I have often given with good successe. In the extremity of the Fit rub the breast with a cloath to open the pores, & then anoint it with this follow­ing ointment. Take of the Oyle of Chamomel, Dill, Rew, and sweet Almonds of each two drachms; the Roots of Elecampane, and Flowerdeluce in powder, of each one drachm: the meale of flax-seed and Fenugreek a drachm; Saffron one scruple with wax sufficient; make an oint­ment. Out of the fit, to perfect the cure, you must en­deavour to stop the defluxion, and to cleanse the Lungs. For the first you may find sefficient remedies, in the ninth Chapter of this book, adding such which respect the breast, to them: Let your medicines not be too drying, lest they thicken the humors and en­crease the disease. Then you must endeavor to unstuffe and cleanse the Lungs and wind pipe, with the be­fore named Lohock, or of the like nature. I could insert many which I omit for brevitie sake. Querceta­nus his Sirrup of Tobacco is very good: the Tincture of dryed Tobacco, as much as a pease held in the mouth, and swallowed by degrees, draweth abun­dance of flegm out of the stomack and Lungs: or if you take Tobacco in a pipe, it is good. The juice of red Coleworts made up into a Sirrup and a little Spirit of Sulphur added to it, may be taken, an ounce in the Morning. Or you may make Tablets of great virtue thus: Take of the Roots of Elecampane and Lico­rish, of each one ounce: the Leaves of Colts foot, Maiden haire, Scabius, and Woodbetony, of each a drachm: Lac [Page 178] Sulphuris two drams, Saffron two scruples; make them all into fine Powder, and with the Mucilage of Gum Traganth made with Coltsfoot water, make Tablets, which let the Patient hold in his mouth often. Platerus highly commendeth the preparation of a Cock thus. Take an old Cock, kill, pull, and draw him: stuff him with these things following: Fox Lungs fresh, or prepared, one ounce, Raisons stoned, and figs, of each two ounces; Elecampane one dram: Hysop, Savory, Horchound, Thyme, Cala­minth, Peneroyal, dryed, of each one drachm: The Seeds of Fenel, and Annise, of each one drachm: Carthamas Seeds bruised, and the Roots of Polypo­dy, of each half an ounce: White Tartar one drachm: Salt, half an ounce: the Yolks of two Eggs, Fresh Butter, half an ounce: Cut and bruise them according to the precepts of Pharmacy, and few them up into the Belly of the Cock; boile him (in a large Vessel, and soe much water as will cover him, and no more) till his flesh come off from his bones: strain it, and add to every ten Pints, one Pound of Hony, that it may not quickly corrupt: let the Asthma­tick person take a Porrenger full every morning, in which diss [...]lve of Manna and Cassia newly drawn, of each half an ounce. It will be the better, if presently after he take a dram of Venus Turpetine with penids in form of a Bolus or otherwise. The Patient may continue taking this Cock-broath a Moneth, or long­er.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Pleurisie, and inflammation of the Lungs.

CHAP. XXVIII. Of Empyema.

EMpyema, ( [...]) or a Collection of matter in the Cavity of the Thorax, is a Disease, which for the most part followeth a Pleurisie, and Peripneumo­nia, and sometimes a Quinzy, when they are not carefully cured; and the inflammation commeth to Suppuration; and when the Imposthume breaketh, the matter falleth into the cavity of the breast. Some­times blood falling into the Thorax, by the breaking or wounding of a Vein, may come to Suppuration, or rather Corruption. Sometimes, flegm falleth from the head and other parts into the breast, and there putrifying, begetteth matter like quitter. The signes of Suppuration beginning, according to Hippocrates, are these: First the Pleurisie being not purged the Feaver increaseth while the matter is turning into Pus.

Secondly the sharpness of the matter touching the [Page 184] Membranes, causeth quaking; the Third, is weight and sense of heaviness in the part. To these we may adde the difficulty of breathing; for although when the Imposthume is broken, the Diaphragma, and the Muscles of the Thorax, move more freely; yet the Lungs are oppressed by the matter lying, about them. But an old and confirmed Empyema is known, by a lingring, putrid and partly Hectick Feaver, more vio­lent towards night, and much sweating, a constant troublesome Cough; the Cheeks grow Red, the Eyes hollow, the legs swell, Pustles break out on the breast. If the Suppuration break, and the Feaver continueth, are thirsty, want appetite, the pus green, li­vid or frothy, brought up with much difficulty, and a loose belly; all these are signes of Death, or of long sickness: the contrary are the signes of recovery. They who in this condition doe lift up the whole breast, when they breathe, by reason of the matter contained, are quickly choaked.

If the matter be not spit forth in forty dayes, it turneth to a Consumption and death followeth. The Supuration on both sides is more dangerous then that of one: that on the left side the worst, by reason of the left Ventricle of the heart. If the matter flow plentifully by Stoole and Urine, and the Patient strong and hearty, it is a signe of recovery.

For the Cure: you must endeavour to help nature in Suppurating the humors, if Suppuration cannot be hindred, by this or the like Cataplasme: Take of Cha­momel, Melilot, and Mallows, of each one handful; the Roors of Althaea; one handful: Figs, and Rai­sons stoned, of each four ounces: after due boiling, beat, and strain them, adding to the Liquor, the Oyles of sweet Almonds, Lilies, and Fresh Butter, [Page 185] of each one ounce; with the Meal of Wheat, Fenu­greek, and Flax Seed, sufficient, make a Cataplasm, and apply it. In the mean time let the Patient take of this Lohock: Take of the Conserve of the Flow­er of Bugless, Violets, and Roses, of each one ounce; Maidenhaire, Liquorish, and Coltsfoot, of each one ounce: Oyle of Sweet Almonds, newly drawn, one ounce, Sugar Candy, one ounce: Pow­der what is to be Powdered, and with Sirrup of Li­quorish, or Colts foot sufficient make a Lohock; and let the Patient take thereof often. Venice Turpentine washed, and with Liquorish powder made up into Pills, are good to maturate, discuss and cleanse: give three drachms in the Morning. But if the matter will not be spit up, you must open it be­tween the fourth and fifth Rib; and apply a Plaister to draw out the matter, giving the Patient a Wound-drink in the mean time: If you desire particular di­rection herein, read Hieronymus Fabricius ab aqua pen­dente, in Libro de operationibus Chirurgicis.

CHAP. XXIX. Of spitting of Bloud.

Sputum Sanguinis or spitting of Blood, called in Greek [...], is an unnatural Flux of Blood, from the vital parts, viz. the breast, Lungs, and As­pera Arteria. The Immediate cause is Organical, or common; the Organical twofold, either the opening of the Vessels called in Greek [...], or Rarefa­ction, [Page 186] called [...]. The common Disease is two­fold also, as the breaking of the Vessels called [...], or the Erosion of them called [...]. Blood of­fending in quantity or quality may be the cause of opening, rarifying, breaking or Corroding of the Ves­sels. To be further satisfyed therein, Ipray you have re­course to the nineteenth Chapter: of Bleeding at the nose. Some external cause, as Fall, Wound, or the like, may be the cause of Haemoptysis: Immoderate Cold may be the cause, by hardening the Tunicles that they cannot be extended. It is very difficult to judge of the part from whence it commeth. If it comes from the head, it is cast forth by Coughing, hawking, and there is a tickling in the Palat, as in a Catarrh. That which comes from the breast and Lungs, causeth Coughing: that which comes from the Lungs is Frothy; that which comes from the breast is Blackish, and commeth up with pain. That which comes from the Gullet and Stomack, is known by Vo­mitting; from the Jaws and Wezand, by Hawking; from the Mouth, by simple spetting. Sometimes the Blood is sent from some other part to the Lungs and spet forth: but this may be known by pain, or some hurt happened there. You must judge of the signes from the quantity or quality of the Blood: the Nine­teenth Chapter will instruct you.

To the Prognostick; Hippocrates saith, that what kind of Blood soever is spit from any of the inferiour parts is evil, for every opening of a Vessel, which let­teth out Blood is dangerous, especially in the Lungs. But sometimes it happeneth without hurt, when na­ture critically doth evacuate superfluous Blood that way: as it is seen sometimes in women, who have their courses stopt.

You must begin the cure with Blood-letting; open a Vein on the same side, you judge the distemper to be. If there be obstruction of the Termes, open the Saphaena: If your Patient is subject to the He­morrhoids, Bleed with Leeches. Cupping or other Revulsions you may use, if occasion be. Then purge Choller, which causeth the Blood to be thin and flu­id, with Rubarb, Mirabolans, and the like: Then give Medicines a stringent to close the Orifice of the Vessels: but at the first give such things with them, which have an expectorating quality, lest Blood in the breast, or other parts, out of the proper Vessels should be coagulated; Take of Conserve of Roses, and the juice of Purslane of each two ounces. Sugar of Roses one ounce, Red Coral, Blood­stone, Bolearmenick, and Terra Sigillata, of each half a dram: Troches of Amber, a scruple: the Oyle of Vitriol six drops: with the Whites of eggs beaten to Water, make a Lohock, of which let the Patient lick often, especially Night and Morning. Quercetan prescribeth a Water, excellent against spit­ting of Blood; see the fourth part of this Treatise, a­mong Distilled Waters. The Chymical Oyle of Am­ber, two or three drops, hath an excellent astringing quality, take it in the Distilled Water of Knorgrass, or Plantane, or the like: so you may take, or give half a drachm of Sanguis Draconis; or the Blood stone alone finely powdered out two scruples, Opium, Laudanum; Philonium, Romanum, and Persicum: These and such like may be given, provided, the dose be regulated by an able brain: the juice of Nettles drunk four or five ounces in the Morning, hath pre­vailed when all other have failed, saith Amatus Luci­tanus. If by the use of Astringent medicines, your Pa­tient [Page 188] be costive, give a Clister or purge, that leaves an Astringency behind it; and if the use of Astringents hinder spitting, mix those things, which doe not on­ly stop Blood, but mollifie the breast also; such are the juyces of Plantane, Purslane; the Sirrups of dry­ed Roses, Quinces, Myrtles, and of jujubes, Gum Arabick, Traganth, and Starch, and such like. If Blood be congealed in the breast, indeavour to dis­solve it, by administring six ounces of Oxycrate, three times a day; if it cause Coughing, sweeten it with Su­gar or Sugar Candy. Apply this cooling Epithem, to allay the heat of the Liver, if you see occasion: Take of the Water of Rose, Plantane, and Succo­ry, of each four ounces: Vinegar of Roses two oun­ces: of the powder called Diatrion, Santalen, a drachm, and an half; Camphire one scruple, make an Epitheme & apply it warme to the Liver; afterwards anoint with unguentum Rosarum, and Rose Vine­gar. Anoint the reins with Oyle of Roses, and Wa­ter Lillys: and the Testicles, with Oxycrate. If a Defluxion of sharp humors, from the head unto the Lungs, be the cause of the Disease, seek the cure in the ninth Chapter. When the Blood is stanched, let your Patient avoid all things, that may cause a re­turne thereof; as Salt, and spiced meats, rich Wines, great heat, anger, and violent exercise. If you judge him inclinable to the Distemper, by reason of thin Cholerick humors, mixed with the Blood, purge those humors, at the Spring and Fall.

CHAP. XXXI. Of the Consumption or Ptisick.

This Disease is called in Latine Tabes, and in Greek [...], which although it signifieth every Con­sumption, yet is most properly taken for the extenua­tion of the whole Body, caused by an Ulcer in the Lungs. An Ulcer in the Lungs, by reason of its nearnesse to the heart, afflicts it with putrid vapours; the heart disperseth it into all parts; hence commeth a Feaver hectick joyned with a putrid; and by its unna­tural heat, does hinder the well concocting of nourish­ment, hence the whole Body decayeth. Sometimes sharp corroding and Salt humors falling from the head, or the Suppurated humors from the Pleurisie, or Empyema, which humors putrifying upon the Lungs may Ulcerate them. Many times the cause is in the Lungs themselves, which have a vitious, hereditary constitution naturally tender, and disposed to cor­ruption. Sometimes a Pustule is bred in the Lungs, and never breaketh, but groweth till it stop the pas­sage of the breath, and killeth the Patient. Some­times it commeth to Suppuration and is called the Im­posthume of the Lungs: which being broken, and flow­ing to the Bronchia, or passages in the Lungs, it may be spit up, if the body be strong and the matter little in quantity: but many times an Ulcer remaineth, which causeth a Consumption. If the Impostumated [Page 190] matter flow into the Ventricle of the heart, the sick dye sudainly; and many times insensible of any pain or sicknesse: take examples from Fernelius lib. 5. de partium morbis et Sympt. Chapter. 10: Pag. 288. To the causes of this Disease, here mentioned, you may adde all the causes mentioned in the ninth Chapter: of Defluxions. Hippocrates mentioneth many more kinds of Consumptions, too tedious for me to insert in this Volume: as those proceeding from nocturnal pollutions, the running of the Reins; also the obstruction of the Nerves, or the flowing of Cho­ler to the Back, so, of nourishment, or drying causeth a Consumption: likewise a Distillation from the head to the Marrow on the back, may be the cause, as Hippocrates faith; when a Defluxion falleth upon the Spinal Marrow, there is a secret, and undisernable Consumption. Sometimes it hath its original from hunger, and want of nourishment. Sometimes when the Meseraick Veins are obstructed, that the Chylus Concocted in the stomach, cannot passe to the Liver. In the Diagnostick, we must observe the signes of a Consumption, beginning, begun, or confirmed. Signes of a Consumption beginning are, a small De­fluxion, the Lungs not much hurt thereby, the Cough but small; the spittle Sweet, Salt, or Bitter; the bo­dy a little Feverish. The signes of a Consumption begun, the Distillation is stronger, the Lungs pierced, by which the Lungs are exasperated, and the Cough violent. The matter contained in the Lungs maketh the stomach weighty, a sharp pain before and behind, from the humors suppurating, sharp and hearing hu­mors, fall into the body, and sometimes into the Veins causing a hective Feaver, sometimes joyned with a Putrid The Lungs, by contracted Filth grow [Page 191] hot; by which heat, flegme and other humors good and bad, are drawn from the brain, which the brain fetcheth from all the body, hence comes its decay and extenuation. The Patient spetteth thick rotten Flegm; and doth sweat at night, as soon as he sleep­eth. A Consumption confirmed, is known by these signes: the Patient spitteth matter it self: the Feaver stronger: the Cough more violent, with more provo­cation, and lesse Evacuation: the Cough is attended with a hollow sounding: he ineth and wanteth appe­tite, for the mouth of the stomach is weakened by the Defluxion: The belly is loose, for the Flegm falling from the head, weakeneth the stomach and Bowells, and the retentive Faculty is destroyed, The Patient breatheth difficult ly, for the faculty is weak, and the Bronchia stopped with Putrid Matter: the haire fal­leth off, the cheeks waxe Blue, and his feet swell: the nailes of the fingers are crooked, because the flesh on the tops of the singers, which held them up, is de­cayed. Let the Patient spit in a Bason of Faire Wa­ter; if he spit Matter, it sinketh; if Flegm, it swim­meth. Thus have I briefly touched upon the causes and signes of a Consumption; a word or two of the Prognostick. If the Consumption hath not long con­tinued, and the Ulcer but newly begun, it may be cured; otherwise not, for those things which dry the Ulcer, doe hinder spitting, and encrease the Feaver, and maketh the body leaner. Those things which are moist, good against leannesse and Feavers, doe make the Ulcer fouler. Those that have narrow, and streight breasts, and their shoulder blades stick our like wings, are inclinable to Consumptions, to whom it is natural, for want of natural heat. If the Consumption came with an acute Disease; or the sick [Page 192] fall into an acute Disease, it killeth speedily. If the Patient spitteth stinking matter, or cannot spit at all; his belly loose, he is very near Death.

It would take up a great deal more room, then I have to spare, to set down the cure of a Consumption, (I mean when it is only begun, and the Patient strong,) I shall only Epitomise it. Let the sick drink Milke warm, either Asses, Goars, or Red Cows, but above all the Milke of a sound woman is the best. Let him use a coole and moist diet, and make use of such things, which may correct the Blood, make a decoction of China, Sanders, and Guajacum. You must purge the humors offending, but be sure you make use of such purges, as work very gently as Man­na, Rhubarb, Cassia, Sirrup of Roses and the like. To allay the Feaver, it is lawful to let Blood, if your Patient be not too lean. You must divert the De­fluxion, have recourse to the ninth Chapter. Then you must give such things, which have a healing qua­lity, to cure the Ulcer, of which the Milk spoken of before is very good, and if Sugar of Roses be given with it, it will be much more available. Conserve of Roses is good; if it astringe too much, and the breath fail, and the sick cannot spit, make use of Ex­pectorating medicines, as the Sirrup of Hysop, Colts­foot, or Lohocks: the last Chapter will enforme you. If hear be procured by the same means, give coolers, as the Sirrups of Violets, and Jujubes: the Musilage of Flealand, Quinces, and the cold seeds. The Sirrup of the juice of Ground Ivy is much com­mended by Quercetan, see the fourth Book of Sir­rups.

This Sirrup hath admirable virtues. Take of the juice of Grounding, Veronica, and Carduus Bene­dictus [Page 193] clarifyed, of each eight ounces; in which boile of all the sorts of Maidenhaire, Scabious, and Let­tice, of each half a handful, very gently; then dis­solve, in the Liquor streined, a pound an half of White Sugar, and boile it to the heighth of a Sir­rup; adde in the end, of the extract of Juniper, three drams: of the juyce of Liquorish, and the Ex­tract of Carduus, of each four scruples. Let the Pa­tient take a spoonful before every meal, and as much when he goeth to bed. Forrestus commendeth this powder following; Take of White Poppy Seed ten drachms, Starch, Gum, Arabick, and Tragacanth, of each three drachms: Purslane, and Mallows Seed, of each five drachms: the four great Cold Seeds, of each six drachms; Quince Seeds, the like quantity: Spodium, and juyce of Liquorish, of each three drachms: the Penids the weight of all the rest, make it into fine powder, and give two drachms in a morning, with the Sirrups of Poppyes or Jujubes: or you may give it in Barly Creame, Almond Milk, or in any other convenient liquor.

Or this Lohock is very good: Take of Lohocke pul­mone Vulpis, and Sanum et Expertum, of each one ounce: Conserve of Roses; Dimargariton Frigidum, and Diapenidion, of each half an ounce: Manus Christi, and Lac Sulphuris, of each three drams: with the Sirrup of Comfry; make a Lohock, of which let the Patient take the quantity of a Hazel-nut often, and twice as much night and morning. The oyle of Vitriol is good to dry the Ulcer, if two or three drops, be given in a morning, with the juyce of Plantane, or Rose Water and Sugar, saith Claudi­nas. The Balsom of Peru, is not without its virtues, for the healing of the Ulcers of the Lungs, if a drop [Page 194] or two be made into a Pill with Sugar, or the Powde of Liquorish, and taken every morning; so you may take the Balsome of Sulphur. Fumigations may be made of Frakincense, Mirrh, Mastich, Benjamin, Yellow Sanders, Amber, Storax, and the like; and taken in the mouth or nose, & the roome sented therewith. Or you may make a moist Fumigation of such hearbs, which are freindly to the Lungs. Take of Coltsfoot, Hys­sop, Horehound, & Alehoofe, of each two handfulls, bruise them and put them in a Pipkin with a cover close Luted on, with water sufficient; put it into the Oven, when the Bread is half Baked; the Bread being Baked draw out the Pipkin, and put a funnel into a hole which it must have at the top, and draw the fumes into the mouth, and put it out at the nose. Ma­ny other medicines and precepts, I might here pre­scribe, which I must omitt, for brevityes sake; only re­member that all the medicines against spitting of Blood, are profitable for the Ulcer of the Lungs.

CHAP. XXXII. Of the Palpitation of the heart.

The Palpitation of the heart is an immoderate, and preternatural shaking of the part with a great diastole or vehement Systole, which sometimes hath bin so great, that the adjoyning ribs have bin [Page 195] displaced, sometimes broken: and sometimes an Ar­tery hath bin much dilated, so saith Fernelius lib. 5. Chap. 12: Pag 292. The Greeks call this Disease [...], and the Latines Palpitato Cordis. The causes of it, may be referred to three heads: the first is a molestation of the heart, sometimes a trouble­some vapor, arising from cold and thick humors lodged near the heart, especially the Pericardium, and conveighed to the Ventricles of the heart: or sent from the stomach, Spleen, womb or the like; or caus­ed by the Plague, poison, worms putrified; or the Mestrues stopped, and conveighed as before, may be the cause of Palpitation. To these, adde excesse in quantity or quality, of bloody, Cholerick or watry hu­mors oppressing the Veins, Arteryes or Ventricles of the heart. Likewise Inflammation, Imposthumation, or Tumors happening in the Arteries of the Lungs near the heart, or in the Pericardium, may be the cause of Palpitation. A Second cause is a preterna­tural heat, by which the Spirits are inflamed, and the motion of the heart and Arteries is encreased, and this sometimes (though seldome) ariseth from an in­ward cause: often from an outward, as anger, violent excercise and the like. The third cause is the defect of Spirits, caused by hunger, watching, anger, joy, fear, shame, or great Diseases, or any thing, which dissipa­teth the Spirits, which the heart labouring to recover, encreaseth its motion, and causeth Palpitation. The Diagnosis or knowledge of this Disease is easie, for it may be felt, heard, or seen: The causes must be distin­guished by their proper signes. A hot distemper is known by often breathing, by a Feaver and heat of the breast, and a desire of cold things. If wind be the cause, it is subject to Variation, and raised by a [Page 196] small motion, the breath is difficult; a mist before the eyes, and a noise in the eares &c. If the Disease com­meth from humors in the heart or Pericardium, it comes not suddainly, nor goeth away quickly. The nature of the humor you may gather from their Sym­ptomes. Water in the Peticardium is hard to be known, but we may conjecture it, by the weaknesse of the Pulse, the heart seems to be almost suffocated in water. If Malignant and Pestilent humors cause it, the Patient fainteth, a losse of the pulse and strength &c. If it come by consent from other parts, their proper signes declare it. If a Tumor be the cause, the motion of the heart is different from the natural, and the pulse is various: if the Tumor be in the pericardium, and hard, the disease is constant, and the Patient decays without manifest cause. To the Prognostick I say, it is a dangerous Symptome, because the motion of the heart, by which life is preserved, is hindered; and Galen saith, that they who are thus affected in youth, or middle age, live not to be old, because the Vitalls are weak in them. Alpho: 41 de loco aff: Sect 2 et 5: Chap. 2. If it come from a Tu­mor, it is incurable; if it be peculiar to the heart, or pericardium, it is incurable. If it come by consent from other parts, the cure must be sought out of their proper Chapters: but, (seeing not only the cause ought to be removed, but also the Symptomes asswaged, by refreshing the heart) you must administer Cordial medicines, which have power to strengthen the heart. If a hot distemper vex the heart, Take of the Conserve of Violets, Water-lillys, Borrage or Bug­losse flowers, of each one ounce: Diamargariton frigidum, Diarrhodon Abbatis, of each two drachms: Red Sanders, Coral, and Camphire, of [Page 197] each a drachm: with the Sirrups of Coral, Balme, or Citron peels, make an Opiate, of which let him take often. If cold humors cause the Palpitation: Take of the Conserve of Roses, and Rosemary flowers, of each one ounce: Aromaticum Rosarum, Dian­thus, and Diambra, of each one drachm: Cinamon, Cloves, and Mace, of each half a drachm: Con­fection of Alchermes, two scruples: Amber, Muske, and Saffron, of each one scruple: with Sirrup of Clove-Gilly-flowers, make an Opiat, and give it as before. With these and the like ingredients the Ingenious may form medicines of all sorts, whe­ther the disease be hot, or cold: likewise may Lini­ments, Unguents, Epithemas, and Sacculibe prepa­red, and applyed to the Region of the heart, to streng­then, and abate the hot or cold distempers thereof. If an humor gathered near the heart cause the Palpitati­on, extenuating medicines must be mixed with your Cordialls, and if nothing prohibite, open the inner Vein of the arme, called Basilica; if that appear not, open the middle Vein, which course Galen com­mendeth; also if you see occasion administer purging, and Carminative Clisters.

CHAP. XXXIII. Of Swooning, or Syncope.

[...] or Swooning is a sudden, and swift failing of all strength: for all parts having a continu­al [Page 198] necessary influence upon the heart, and vital spi­rits; when they fail, all the rest must suffer. This Disease is distinguished from the Epilepsy, which hath a Convulsion, and this not from an Apoplexy, in which the breath is much stopped, and the pulse not much abated, till near death: but here the pulse faileth and the breath is free. In Fits of the Mother, the breath is most obstructed, the pulse not much altered, nor the colour of the face, except it be high­er: the contrary happeneth in a Syncope. The im­mediate cause of this Disease, is the defect of the Vital Spirits, in which nature is constrained, lest the heart should totally fail, to fetch the spirits from o­ther parts to the heart, by which means they lose their functions. This defect happeneth four ways principally: First they are naturally few, by fault in the faculty making of the Vital Spirits; or the mat­ter: which fault commeth by diseases proper to the heart, or by consent from other parts. Proper to the heart, are too much constriction, dilation, and Solutions happening to the Ventricles of the heart; or such as destroy the natural temper, as Sharp, Malignant, Fainting, Pestilential, and Hectick Feavers, and the like. The faculty may be hurt by diseases in those parts, which have a Sympathy with the heart, as the Brain, Liver, Stomach, and Womb. The matter is faulty, when the Aire or Blood, (by which the Vital spirits are generated) is defective, or corrupted. The aire is defective, when respiration, and transpiration is hindered: But the hinderance of nutrition causeth a defect of the Blood. They are both corrupted, when their qualityes are changed. Secondly this Disease is caused when the Spirits are dissipated and spent, by too great evacuations which may be done sensibly, [Page 199] or insensibly. Sensibly, by inordinate Phlebotomy, Bleeding of wounds, or at the Mouth, Nose, Womb, Belly, or Hemorrhoids: or an extraordinary dischar­ging of other excrementitious humours, by Vomit, Stool, Urine, or Sweat: the breaking of an inward Im­postume; or by Empyema; or by tapping the Nave lin the Dropsy. Insensible evacuations, are caused by sharp or thin humours, which rarifie the skin; or the immoderate heat of Bathes or Hot-Houses. To these add long Watchings, Fastings, Lechery, Anger, Joy, long continuing, and violent pain or sickness &c. may cause a dissipation of the spirits. Thirdly, this disease is caused by things which alter and corrupt the Spirits, as venemous and pestilential aire and stincks, or an e­vill disposition of the Bowels and other parts; in a word, all things which are averse to the heart may cor­rupt the spirits. Or Lastly the spirits may be suffoca­ted or destroyed: which may come to pass, by a vehe­ment returning of Blood and Spirits to the Heart; as also corrupt vapours, cold and thick blood, and other humours gathered about the Heart, or the adjacent parts. These signes shew a Syncope, viz. a sudden failing of strength, a slow pulse sometimes stopping, a pale and blewish Face, the body externally cold, a cold Sweat, especially on the Temples, Neck, and Breast. The signes of the Causes, for the most part, are mani­fest, as the sorts of Feavers, and the external Causes, but now named, may be easily known. A sharp Nose, hollow Eyes, the Temples fallen, are signes of thin Humours: gnawing of the Stomach, pricking heat, and great pain, do shew that the Body is troubled with Choler. Abundance of crude Humours, is known by the enlarging of the Body, swelling of the Breast, the colour pale, and the pulse smal, unequal, [Page 200] and obscure. If swoonding come by consent from o­ther parts, the Signes of those parts affected will disco­ver it. They who often and violently faint without manifest Cause, dy suddenly (saith Hippocrates.)

A Syncope, which cometh from some evident Cause, as Fear, Sorrow, or immoderate Evacuations, is lesse dangerous then that which cometh from an internal Cause. In respect of various Causes, you must vary the Cure. If it come from immoderate Evacuations, you must endeavour to stop it with their proper Medi­cines, prescribed in their several Chapters. If from too violent purging, give three graines of Laudanum, or two of Opium. If by too much sweating, you must use Medicines which restrain Sweat. If from suffocation of the Spirits, call them back by Frictions, Ligatures, and Cupping. If it come from Poyson taken, give somthing to expell it; after Vomiting with Oyl, give Treacle: if it burn in the guts, give Milk, fat Broth, or cooling Cordials. If thinness of the Humours cause it, give things that are sweet and thickning.

If want of Food cause a Syncope, make use of a re­storing Diet, and nourishing Broths. To conclude, From what Cause soever it come, in the Fit, lay your Patient upon his back, throw cold water into his Face, make him sneez, put Aqua-vitae, Caelestis or Imperiales in­to his Mouth: call him loud, stop his Nostrils, wring his Fingers, pull his Haire, rub, bind, and Cup if need be.

CHAP. XXXIIII. Of want of Appetite.

As there are divers actions of the Stomach, so there are divers diseases hindring those actions: See the fifth Chap. of the first Book. And seeing that the at­tractive faculty is the first in order, I shall begin with the want of Attraction or Appetite. It is called [...] or [...], In Latine Inappetentia, In English Want of Appetite or Loathing of Meat. That we may rightly judge of the Causes of this Disease, let us con­sider the Natural Causes of Appetite and Hunger, by which we may the better discover the fault or hinde­rance. The first cause of Hunger, is emptinesse of the Stomach: if there be no emptinesse, there is no Attrac­tion, nor Appetite. Want of emptinesse, is when the parts are filled with plenty of crude Humours, caused by Gluttony or Drunkenness; want of Excercise or u­sual Evacuations: Weakness of the Natural Heat or a Feaver, when the Heat is busied to concoct the mat­ter of the Disease, or the like. The Second cause of Appetite, is the attraction of Nourishment to the Sto­mach, sometimes this is depraved, though the parts are empty, when the Veins have left their strength by Sickness, or immoderate Evacuations. The third cause of Appetite, is the Attraction of the Chilus, from the Stomach to the Liver, by the Meseraick Veins; which cannot be performed if those Veins are obstruc­ted, the Chilus sent out by Siege, and the parts d [...] ­prived of their necessary Nourishment.

Fourthly, the faculty of attracting an Appetite requi­reth a good disposition of the stomach, brain, and Nerves: consequently what ever altereth their dispo­sitions destroyeth apperite: great heat and drieth, dis­persing the moist substance of the stomach, doth cause a want of appetite. The like doth cold, which causeth a Stupefaction of the parts, and extinguish­eth the natural heat.

Flegmy and Slimy-humors gathered in the stomach by evil concoction, or by a defluxion from the head: the suppression of the Termes, or Hemorrhoids, smoothereth the natural heat, and causeth want of attraction. Distempers of the Brain and Nerves, maketh a man insensible of the attracting in the sto­mach. The signe of the first cause is known by high feeding, repletion, want of evacuation, the body is full and the Veins Swoln, and the like. The second cause is evident, by sicknesse, or immoderate evacua­tions. The third is known by obstruction of the Li­ver, Spleen, or Mesentery The fourth cause is thus known. If there be a great heat in the stomach, dry­nesse, bitternesse of the congue and Jaws, and a Fea­ver, with heart-burning, and the like. All which sig­nifie a hot distemper of the stomach; if it flow from some other parts; the signes of Inflammation of the Liver and other parts will demonstrate it. A cold distemper and much flegm is known by coldnesse of the stomach, great heavinesse, and sharp belchings. Prog: want of appetite is dangerous, for it is a di­gression from the natural estate. Loathing of meat for want of natural heat is farr more dangerous, then when it is caused by abundance of evil humors. In children want of appetite is worse then in men, be­cause their natures require more nourishment. In all diseases want of Appetite is an evill Symptome. [Page 203] If a man recovering wanteth Appetite, there is fear of a Relapse. If want of Appetite come from a Disease of some other part, I referr you thither for the Cure: but if it be onely in the Stomach, you must consider it as either Hot or Cold. If a hot Humour be the cause, purge Choler gently and often, if your Patient be easy to vomit, give an easy Vomit. Alter the Humours with cooling Sirrups and Juleps, mixing therewith the Spirit of Vitriol, or Sulphur; for all sharp things al­lay Choler, and provoke an Appetite. After Purging, Marmalade of Quinces is good, or take this following Opiate: Take of Conserve of Wormwood and Sorrel of each one Ounce: Conserve of Roses, Succory, and Bug­losse, of each halfe an Ounce: Diamargariton frigidum, and Diarrhodon Abbatis, of each one Drachm: Troches of Spodium one Scruple, with Sirrup of Lemmons, make an Opiate; of which let the Patient take the quantity of a Chesnut, Morning, Night, and Noon. To the Sto­mach apply a Rose Cake steeped in Vinegar. Or a­noint the Stomach outwardly with this Liniment: Take of Oyle of Roses, Martles, and Quinces, washed with Vinegar of Roses, of eath two Ounces: all the San­ders, red Corall, Coriander seed prepared, and red Roses, of each one Drachm: the graines of Kermes and Spodium, of each half a Drachm: White Wax as much as is suffici­ent to make a Liniment, and anoint the Stomach often therewith.

If a cold Distemper of the Stomach, draw crude, flegmatick, and inelancholy Humours thither from o­ther parts: you must amend the Distempers of those parts with Medicines, laid down in their proper Chap­ters. Then you must evacuate the Humours oppressing the Stomach; and afterwards streng­then it. You must evacuate the Humours, either­by Vomit or Stool; give no Vomits, but to those who [Page 204] are easy to vomit. Of Purges, Pills are most profita­ble, because of their long continuance in the Stomach: the last Booke will furnish you with purging Medi­cines. If the Humours in the Stomach be tough, you must dissolve them with Hony of Roses, Oxymel, and the like.

Beware how you administer Pills, which are strong in operation, lest they draw Humours from other parts to the Stomach. If the Liver be very hot you may be let Blood, otherwise not; and in this case, you must administer such things as cool the Liver. After suffi­cient Purging, you must come to strengthen the Sto­mach, internally and externally: Take of the Sirrup of Wormwood, and Quinces, of each two Ounces: the Sirrup of Citron Peels, one Ounce: Cinnamon water, four Ounces: the Spirit of Sulphur, ten Drops: mix them, and let the Patient take a Spoonfull or two, Morning, Noon, and Night, or oftner, as necessity re­quireth. Quercetanus his Sirrup of Cinnamon is ve­ry good, See the last Book. If the Disease be of long continuance, let the Patient make use of the Guaja­cum Drink, prescribed in the Second Chapter of this Book; the bath of Bath is profitable in this Case.

But if a hot Liver attend a cold Stomach, as it often doth, your Medicines ought to be the more temperate, Zechius commendeth this Bolus; Take of washed Tur­pentine two Drachms: Powder of Mastich half a Drachm: Aromaticum Rosarum, half a Scruple; make a Bolus; and let the Sick take it two hours before Meat. Candied Nutmegs and Ginger is good: and it is convenient for the Patient to drink his Beer warm. This Lini­ment is good, Take of the Balsom of Peru, three Ounces: the Oyles of Nutmegs, Wormwood, and Mastich, of each one Ounce; mix them and anoint the Stomach: Also [Page 205] with these and other ingredients, which have a hea­ting and expectorating Quality you may make Un­guents and Plaisters, to be applyed to the Stomach.

CHAP. XXXV. Of a depraved Appetite.

The Appetite is depraved two wayes: Either in Quantity or Quality. If it be depraved in Quantity, Nourishment is desired in greater quantity then Nature would: it is called by the Greeks [...], by the Latines Fames Canina, whence we call it, Dogg's Appetite. It is depraved in Quality, when things, which are not Food, but vitious and unwhol­some, are desired, This is called in Greek, [...], or [...] and [...].

First, those that are troubled with the Dogg's Appe­tite, do feed insatiably, and afterwards some do vomit like Dogg's, some do purge, and others do digest it, and if they have not more presently, are sick. The part affected, is chiefly the mouth of the Stomach: The Cause containing, is Sense of sucking and vehe­ment pulling, which stirrs up the Appetite. Vicious Humours sticking to the mouth of the Stomach, by their too much Coldness; Sharpness or Sowrness do bind, wrinkle, and pull the mouth of the Stomach, and so beget a false Appetite; Melancholy, sent from the Spleen to the Stomach, if it exceed and be praeternatu­rall, causeth an unnatur all Appetite. It may be caus­ed by want of Food, and Emptiness caused by too great Evacuations, by which the Veins do continually suck.

Somtimes it cometh from Wormes in the Stomach, which devour the Chilus. The Hermetick Physitians do attribute it to a sharp, salt, and devouring Spirit or Faculty in the Stomach: which doth readily consume what ever Meat is taken, as Aqua Fortis doth quickly dissolve the fixedst Mettals, the hardest Stones into Li­quor; and by this meanes, doth not allow Nature a lawful and necessary bound of Nourishment. The Disease it self, needs no other Signe, then the devou­ring of Meat. The signes of the Causes may be easily found; they which manifest a cold Distemper, and sharp Humours in the Stomach, are belching and sharp vomiting, crude Ejections, want of Thirst, and exter­nal Causes of Refrigeration. If defect of Nourish­ment is the Cause, the Patient is Lean, and there are Causes present, or a foregoing of the decay of Mois­ture. If Wormes be the Cause, in the Chapter of the Wormes, their signes shall be spoken of.

Prog: If this Disease, come from external Causes, or from Wormes, it is not dangerous: Judge the con­trary, if it follow Emptinesse, and great Evacuations: or if the Patient doth vomit or purge much, for then the Body (for the most part) falleth into a worse Dis­ease. To cure this Disease, you must purge, by Vomit or Stools, (taking the Caution in the last Chapter) the Phlegmatick and Melancholy Humours, sticking to the Stomach; Then you must labour to strengthen the Stomach with internal and external Medicines, prescribed in the former Chapter. Six graines of Am­bergrease taken in a reere Egg, hath a special Quali­ty to strengthen the Stomach, and cure the Disease. Narcotick Medicines, by dulling the exquisite Sense, do sometimes cure the Disease, but must not be used till all other meanes fail, and then advised by an able Brain.

Hippocrates saith that Wine and Aqua vitae is good: and experience teacheth, that Oyl and Fat things, are seldom given without Successe.

Pica and Malacia is a depraved Appetite, by which unprofitable and hurtfull things are desired. It is cau­sed by the eating of evil Meats, by which, the Stomach is disposed for the production of Melancholy and Phlegmatick Humours, hence divers Apperites of evill things are engendred. Some desire things that are sowr, sharp, bitter, and cold; as Vinegar, Juyce of Lemmons and Orenges, cold Water, Snow, Ice, un­ripe Fruits, and the like. Some do desire earthly, dry, and burnt things; as Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, and other Spices: Salt, Ashes, Coles, Chalk, Tobacco-Pipes, Lime, Oat-meal, Tar, Candles, and such like. This Disease happeneth, for the most part, to Women with Child, or to Maids which have the Green-sick­nesse, who having their Termes stopped, and staying, corrupteth the Body, and ascending, infecteth the Stomach, and taketh the Appetite from its Natural Condition. Sometimes (though seldom) Men and Boyes, are thus troubled: Fernelius speaks of a Noble man, who having an extraordinary Appetite to Lime, did devour a piece as big as his fist, without offending his Stomach or Bowels. The Cause of this Disease may be found out by the things desired: For if they desire Coles, Salt, or the like, we may conclude, that the Disease depends upon salt and burnt Humours.

This Disease is Chronical, and of Continuance, but is seldom dangerous: yet somtimes if the Stomach cannot be reduced to its former Condition, Obstructi­ons, Evill habits, Dropsies, and Cardialgiaes, are pro­duced. The more contrary to Nature the things desi­red are, the farther distant is the Stomach from the [Page 208] Natural Temper. If you aim at the Cure, it differeth not from the former: but you must consider the varie­ty of the Bodyes affected. If this Disease happen to a Man, it hath its original from the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, and you must seek the Cure in their proper Chapters. If Women with Child are thus af­fected, be sparing in giving Medicines, for fear of Mis­carriage: for the most part they are freed of it in the fourth Moneth. If the Green-sickness in Maids be the Cause of this Effect; seek the Cure in the Chap­ter of the Green-sickness.

CHAP. XXXVI. Of the Thirsty Disease.

This Disease is called in Greek [...]; in Latine Sitis Morbosa; The immediate Cause is Want of moist Nourishment: Drinesse of the Stomach and o­ther parts, which maketh the Stomach sensible of their wants: It is caused by those things, which have a Power to consume and dry up the Moisture of the Sto­mach and whole Body. It is caused also by Propriety or Sympathy: by Propriety, when the Moisture of the Stomach is altered or drawne forth by a hot, dry, salt, sharp, or filthy Humour, contained in his Cavity. By Sympathy, when the whole Body, or some particular Member, having lost its Moisture, doth suck Moisture from the Stomach: For the Veins having lost their Moisture, endeavour to recruite themselves with the Stomach's moisture, as it happeneth in Feavers, In­flammations of the Liver, Lungs, and a hot and dry [Page 209] Distemper of the Reins, causeth Diabetes or a continu­al Pissing, and is accompanied with great Thirst, and therefore is called Dipsacus. The outward causes al­so are all such things as heat and dry: the use of salt, sharp, and spiced Meats; Excess of old rich Wine: Watchings, or immoderate Evacuations. The Sons of Hermes conclude, that praeternatural Thirst is caused by thirsty Spirits, bred of sulphureous Excrements: whose Thirst cannot be satisfied with ordinary cooling Medicines: unlesse the sharp spirits of Vitriol, Sul­phur, or Salt, be added to them.

The Knowledge of the Disease is easy, of the Cause, and the Part affected, not difficult. Of the Disease, the Patients Complaint for want of Drink, will inform you: Likewise the Cause may be distinguished, by the Tasts, which are hot, dry, salt, bitter, sharp, and the like. Lastly, the Tasts do not onely distinguish the peccant Humour, but also that the part affected is the Mouth of the Stomach: but if Thirst come by consent from other parts, the Signes of those Diseases will be manifest. The Thirst which comes from external Cau­ses, is easily quenched with Drink: that which comes from internal Causes, are more or lesse dangerous, ac­cording to their differences. Thirst accompanying Feavers, ends with them, and their Cures shall be set down in their proper places. Thirst in a Dropsy is not allayed, but rather encreased by Drink, and is most dangerous. If it be caused by immoderate Evacuati­ons: Suppress the Evacuations, and restore the Empty Parts with cooling and moistning Medicines, such as are prescribed in the Cure of the Feaver Hectick and Marasmus.

CHAP. XXXVII. Of evill Digestion.

The Concoction of the Stomach is hurt three wayes: viz. it may be diminished, depraved, or abolished, Concoction diminished is called [...], depraved [...], abolished [...]. The fault of Concoc­tion, is either in the Organ, Object, External or In­ternal things. The fault in the Organ comprehendeth all Diseases in the Stomach: For since digestion is made in the Stomack by a moderate natural Heat, if it want its Moderation, the digestive Faculty is hurt. A cold Distemper of the Stomach, if it be gentle, diminisheth the Heat, and weakneth Concoction. If it be greater it abolisheth it: A hot distemper in the Stomach de­praveth the Faculty, and causeth difficult Concoction.

Though these Distempers are somtimes simple, yet many times, they are joyned with Matter, as Phlegm, and black Humours caused by Hypocondriack Melan­choly, which cause Crudities, sowr Belchings, Rum­blings, Winds, and the like. The fault of the Object is thus considered, when the Nourishment, which is the proper Object of the Stomach, offendeth, in Sub­stance, Quantity, Quality, or Time. Nourishment offendeth the Stomach, in Substance, when it is too hard and difficult to be concocted. In Quantity, it offendeth the Stomach, when either too much is ta­ken at once, that the natural Heat cannot digest it, but some part of it remaineth Crude: Lesse taken then Nature requireth, becometh Crude also, when it is [Page 211] dryed or burnt in a Cholerick Stomach. In Quality, Food offendeth, when it is either too hot, or dry, or too cold, moist, and windy for the Stomach. In res­pect of Time, Nourishment may offend the Stomach, If a Man contrary to his order in Diet, doth eat libe­rally a little before he goeth to Bed, this may hurt con­coction. External or internal Meanes may hurt the concoctive Faculty: Namely, an Aire too hot may dissipate the natural Heat; an Aire too cold may dull it: Immoderate Excercise, especially after Meat, draweth the Heat from the Stomach to the External parts; and drives the imperfect Chylus into the Guts, and so weakens Concoction. Costiveness of the Belly, or a Flux; immoderate Watching, or sleep in the day time; deep Study upon a full Stomach; Sadness and other Passions of the Mind, do hinder the Actions of the Stomach. The Hermetick Physitians add ano­ther Cause, for they say (and not without reason) that a sharp Liquor sent from the Spleen to the Sto­mach, which hath a great power to dissolve, in its Natu­ral State, causeth a laudable Concoction; & that conco­ction is not made by Heat onely: For Meat boyled in a Pot, with a strong Heat many dayes, is not dissolved: and Bones in a Doggs Stomach are quickly dissolved: Likewise Fishes do quickly dissolve their Meat, though they have no actuall Heat. Birds do quickly concoct the hardest Seeds, and small pebble Stones, and they have a Spleen round about their Maw; and that there is a dissolving Spirit inhaerent in the Gizzards of Birds, the Physical practice doth prove, being often used in Medicines to help Concoction, dissolve the Stone, and the like.

The Signes of a diminished or abolished Concocti­on, is the same, differing onely in Degrees: viz. sowr [Page 212] Belchngs, Vomiting or Purging forth of Food either not well, or not at all concocted; Weight, Extension, and Inflammation of the Stomach; the Patient sensi­ble of some cold Cause going before, and is worse by ta­king of cold things: the Urine thin, & pale like Water, and sometimes thick and red. If the concoctive Facul­ty be depraved, the Patient is sensible of stinking Bel­chings, and the like Tast in the Mouth, of Heat and Thirst; and is prejudiced by Hot things. If it come from external Causes, the Patient, or some about him will be able to demonstrate it; if it come by consent from other Parts, their Signes must be considered.

Concoction hurt by consent from other Parts, is ea­sier cured, then that, which is proper to the Stomach, onely that which cometh from external Causes, is cu­red easiest of all. Concoction diminished, though it be not the worst, yet it bringeth many inconvenien­cies, as the Chollick, Chachexy, and somtimes the Dropsy. Concoction abolished is worst, because all Parts are frustrated of their Nourishment, and deadly Diseases follow, as the Lientery, Dropsy, Atrophy, &c.

A depraved Concoction is the cause of many Evills likewise, as Obstructions, Scabs, Feavers. &c. To cure the Disease, you must remove the Antecedent, Conjunct, and External cause: The Stomach must be cleansed of the offending Humours, and then streng­thened, seek Medicines in the Chap. of Want of Appetite. If it come by consent, you must amend the Parts sen­ding the Humours: their proper Chapters will furnish you with means.

CHAP. XXXVIII. Of the Hiccough.

[...] in Greek, and Singultus in Latine, in English Hiccough, is a depraved motion of the Stomach, by which it desireth to expell somthing which is hurtfull. It is caused (according to Hippocrates) of Fulnesse or Emptinesse; sometimes (saith Galen) by Provocation. The matter causing the Hiccough, is either gathered in the Stomach; or is sent from other Parts. Sharp Hu­mours, Nourishment, or Medicines; or gnawing Worms in the Stomach, may cause a Hiccough by pro­priety: It is caused by consent, when the Liver, Spleen, Guts, or other Parts, being inflamed, send offensive Vapours, or Water to the Stomach. A Tu­mor in the Liver (being inflamed) doth compresse the Stomach, and so provoke the expulsive Faculty; finally, sharp Humours, sent from all parts of the Bo­dy, in malignant Feavers, may be the cause of the Hiccough. Diagnostick signes are, if the Disease come by Propriety, it is more lasting, and is eased by Vomit: the signes of the Humours in the Stomach, ap­pear by the Tast in the Mouth, Belchings, &c. If it come from any other part of the Body, their proper Signes will declare it. Prognosticks are. If the Hic­cough be caused by Meat, Drink, of Cold, it is not dangerous. But if it come in a malignant or great Feaver, and continue, it is deadly. The same you may judge, if the Hiccough (accompanied with redness of the Eyes, in an acute Disease) invade the Patient af­ter Vomiting. Singultus from the inflammation of the [Page 214] Liver is also hurtfull. For the cure, you must, (if the dis­ease come from a cold cause,) First, administer medi­cine, which do cut and prepare the Humours, as Vine­gar, and Oxymel of Squils, and Oxymel Simplex: then evacuate the Humours by Purge or Vomit, and then strengthen the Stomach: use the Medicines pre­scribed in the Chapter of Want of Appetite, comming of a cold Cause: if the Disease be violent, add these fol­lowing: Take of Castor and Mirrh, of each, three Drachms: Sal Gem, half an Ounce: Diagridium and Mastich, of each, one Drachm: Agarick newly trochisca­ted three Drachms: Aloes, the weight of all the rest: with the juice of Mints: make them up into a Mass, and of one Drachm make six gilded Pills: Let your Patient take two or three in the Morning. Riverius.

If Wind in the Stomach be the Cause: Take of Dill-Seed, Sweet Fennell and Annis-Seed, of each one Ounce, Juniper Berries, half an Ounce: Cloves, a Drachm: Ma­cerate them in good Wine, or Spirit of Wine, and distill it in Baineo. If sharp and chollerick Humours be the cause of the Hiccough, you must give Oyl of Sweet Al­monds, Prisan Broth, Sirrup of Apples and Quinces, & the Emulsion of the Cold Seeds: foment the Stomach with a Spung dipt in Rose Water, or apply a cooling Oyntment to the Stomach. Sneezing hath been at­tended with admirable successe; Vomiting with little lesse, but have a care how you administer Vomits to weak People; Drinking of Milk fom the Cow is much commended, and somtimes proves succesful. Narco­ticks somtimes effect the Cure by stupifying the too too Exquisite sense of the Stomach.

CHAP. XXXIX. Of Vomiting.

[...] Nausea, and [...] Vomiting, differ onely in Degrees: the first, is a Desire to vomit up, what so­ever troubles the Stomach, either in Quantity or Quality, but cannot, either by reason of the weaknesse or the Stomach, strength of the upper Orifice, or thick­nesse or sliminesse of the Matter. But Vomiting is a depraved motion of the Stomach, which shaketh it, by which the expulsive Faculty is stirred up, by con­tracting the Fibres of the Lower part, and loosening the Superior, and with a violent motion casteth forth the Matter contained therein, which was trouble some to it. The Causes of Vomiting are external or inter­nal, and is divided into Natural or Artificial: the Na­tural is either without or in a Disease, and is thus di­vided, it is either Periodical, Critical, or Symptoma­tical. Periodical vomiting, is without a Disease, and is used by many twice in a year or oftener, to cleanse the Stomach of cholerick or phlegmatick Humours, and to prevent Disease. Critical vomiting, is when Nature, in a disease, casts forth her Enemy. Sympto­matical vomiting, is when Nature is provoked and weakned, and is not eased by it, because she is not strong enough utterly to expel it: the Matter vomited is ei­ther Excrements: as Phlegm, Choler, Melancholy, Water, Matter, Wormes, and the like: or Nourish­ment, as Meat, Chylus, or Blood. Artificial Vomi­ting, is from an external Cause: as Compression of the lower Belly, Stroaks, Falls, violent Excorcise, Ri­ding, Sayling on the Sea, Poysonous Aire, or Breath, [Page 216] stinking Smels, or beholding some Filthy thing. Ex­ternal Causes may provoke Nature, as Vomits taken; Some Nourishment is distastful to some Stomachs, and causeth vomiting: Hippoceates reporteth that one eat­ing Mushtooms died vomiting: Meats which are Fat & Oyly are praeposterous to some Stomachs: Omitting Gluttony, which is many times the Cause. The whole Body in a Plethory, evil Habit, Feavers, and other Dis­eases of the Body, may be the Cause: Inflammations or Obstructions of other Parts, as the Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, or Bowels, the Terms or Hemorrhoids stop­ped, a Catarrh, or the like may cause Vomiting. If Vomiting be caused by Humours offending the Sto­mach, or by an Organical disease therein, you may find the signes thereof in the praeceding Chapters of diseases of the Stomach. If it come by Sympathy from other Parts, their proper signes will informe. Make the Prognostick thus: Choler and Phlegme ex­quisitely mingled and vomited up, is good. If the Sick vomit Critically, and cast forth Choler in a cholerick Distemper, and Phlegm in a phlegmatick, it is hopeful. Violent vomiting, and little brought up, in a Feaver is evil: for it shews abundance of Matter, or that Na­ture is weak. Vomiting, after a Flux of the Belly, is good, for there is a revulsion of the Matter, and Na­ture is refreshed. Vomiting of divers Colours is dan­gerous, because Nature hath to do with divers Ene­mies. Green, blew, black, and stinking Matter vomited, is deadly. In Feavers acute, if the Patient vomit without mixture of Humours, it is an evil signe, because that a pure Humour is not capable of Concoc­tion. For the Cure: If the Disease come by consent from other parts, remove the Cause by working their Cures. If phlegmatick, cholerick, or melancholy Hu­mours provoke the Stomach, cast them forth by vomi­ting: [Page 217] prepare and cut them if they be tough and clammy. Give gentle Vomits, as warm Oyl: or white Vitriol prepared: or Salt of Vitriol made red by Cal­cination, for they cleanse and dissolve the glutinous Matter. If your Patient be weak and indisposed to Vomits, give often Clisters or purge the Body with this or the like Pills. Take de Aloe lota, three Drachms; yellow Myrabolans, and Rubarb in Powder, of each, half a Drachm: red Sanders, and prepared Coral, of each, one Scruple: with the Sirrup of Roses solutive, make them in­to a Mass: give a Drachm every other or third day: and if the Sick be weak, give but half so much. If the Vomiting be violent, give two Scruples and an half of Cochie the lesse, with three grains of Laudanum in the morning. Then you must strengthen the Stomach, with the sirrup or conserve of Quinces, conserve of Ro­ses, Mastick in a small quantity, sirrup of Mints, Plantane water made sowr with Oyl of Vitriol, &c. All these strengthen the Stomach and stay Vomiting, of which you may make Medicines in divers forms. Foment the Stomach with a sponge dipt in Plantane water, Rose water, and Rose Vinegar. But First, boil in the water a handful of Mints. Or apply this fol­lowing Cataplasm: Take of Marmalade of Quinces, or Quinces boiled soft in Rose water, or Vinegar, four Ounces: the roots of B [...]stort and Tormentill, of each two Drachms: Mastick, Moce, and Nutmegs, of each two Scruples: Sowr Leaven halfe a pound: with the juice of Mints and Vinegar make a Cataplasm and apply it. If your Patient vomit Blood: the Causes and S [...]gnes you may find in the 19 and 30 Chap. and the Medicines prescribed in the 30 Chap. Of Spitting of Blood: ordered by an able Head-peece, may perform the Cure.

CHAP. XL. Of Cholera.

[...] in Greek, and Cholerica Passio in Latine, is a Disease, violently sending forth by Vomit & Stool, sharp and cholerick Humours: this Disease is a symptom of the expulsive Faculty being hurt, by Meats not well concocted, and if the retentive Faculty be also in fault, the Disease is the worse and more violent. Some will have two sorts of Choller, a moist and a dry; A moist is that which hath relation to what hath been said. The dry is more rare, and cometh from a win­dy spirit, produced in the Stomach, by the fiery Heat of the Part corrupting the Meat: or by Meats which are Rank and Windy, and this is the opinion of Hip­pocrates himself. Sennertus (from the Hermetical doc­trine) addeth another Cause, viz. Salt and adust Hu­mours in the Hypochonaria, which grow hot by the mixture of another Humour, and demonstrateth it, by the mixing of Aqua fortis, and Oyl of Vitriol, with Salt of Tartar, which produce very flatuous Spirits. So that the immediate Causes of this Disease are cho­lerick, burnt, sharp, salt, or rotten Humours in the Sto­mach, Bowels, Spleen, Mesentery; or some Nourish­ment of an evil Quality, or some strong Medicine, or Poyson taken. The signes of this Disease are often and plentiful Evacuations of cholerick, sharp, and corrup­ted Humours, by Vomit and Stool: swelling with Wind, Thirst, and a Gnawing of the Stomach and Guts: a Loathing, which is appeased a little with cold Drink which is soon after cast up. The Pulse is small [Page 219] and unequal: Sweating, with Convulsion of extream Parts, & Swooning, and such dangerous Symptoms. It is easily discovered whether the Cause come by some violent Medicine, Poyson, or offensive Diet. The in­ternal Causes are known by the Quality of the Hu­mours, that are ejected. If there be a continual Loath­ing and Gnawing, the Disease is in the Stomach. If a malignant Feaver be joyned, it is in the Veins. If it hath its original from some evil Food, there is hopes, that when the Matter is cast forth the Disease will end. If it be very violent, it is dangerous, I had almost said desperate: for the greater the Convulsi­ons, Swoonings, and Coldnesse of the extream Parts be, the nearer is Death at hand.

In the beginning of the Cure, you may help for­ward Evacuations, with gentle, cooling, and cleansing Clisters, thus: Take, of Milk, half a pint; Sirrup of Violets, and Lettice, of each one ounce: The Oyles of Ro­ses and water Lillyes, of each halfe an ounce; The yelks of two new laid Eggs well beaten, mix them and give it. Or you make a Clister with Chicken Broth or Oxy­crate. It is good to open a Vein, by which means, the burnt and boiling Blood may be cooled, revelled, and asswaged: but do it with discretion, twice or thrice if the strength be not impaired by the first. You must endeavour to qualify the sharpness of the Hu­mours, thus: Take, of the waters of Plantane, Purslan, and Mint, of each, two Ounces: Sirrup of Quinces and dried Roses, of each, one Ounce; Sirrup of Vinegar, half an Ounce; mix them, and dissolve therein two Scruples of Theriack Andromachi, and six drops of the Oyl of Vitriol: give now and then a Spoonful. But, if the Patient hath someease, and the Symptomes abate, or appear not, beware lest they suddenly return and destroy the Pati­ent, as it sometimes happeneth in this case. There­fore [Page 220] nourish him and strengthen his Stomach with this restoring Opiate: Take of the Gelly of Harts-horn made with Canary Wine, four Ounces: of the Conserves of Ro­ses, Burrage, Bugloss, and Clove-Gilliflowers, of each one Ounce: Confectio Alchermes, half an Ounce: Citron Barks, and Nutmegs candied, of each three Drachms: the Essence of Cloves, Mace, Nutmegs, and Cinnamon, of each three drops, with the Sirrup of Clove-Gilliflowers make an Opiate; of which let the Patient take often the Quantity of a hazel Nut, and more, Mornings and Evenings. To conclude, the Medicines prescribed in the last Chapter, against cholerick Vomitings, may be useful here.

CHAP. XLI. Of Pain in the Stomach.

Dolor Ventriculi or Pain in the Stomach, is caused by naughty, venemous, and gnawing Humours contained therein: the Ancients made this distinction, viz. that if the upper Orifice of the Stomach, which is of exquisite sense, by reason of the great Nerve, which it hath from the fifth Conjugation, be affected; the Pain is very sharp, which maketh the Heart, (the most Noble part, and near unto it) sensible of the same, from thence it is called Cardialgia. But if the Mem­branes of the Cavity, or lower Orifice (called Pylo­ras) be affected, it is called Dolor Ventriculi: or Coli­ca Ventriculi, especially if it comes of Wind. The Cause of this Disease, is either Worms gnawing the Tunicles of the Stomach: or Wind lodged in the Ca­vity of the Stomach, which causeth Swelling and pain­ful [Page 221] Distension: or sharp and malignant Humours therein contained, as salt Phlegm, green and black Choller, whose sharp Vapours cause Pain: corrupt Matter from an Imposthume of the Liver or the Breast; Diseases of the Stomach and the Parts adjoyning; e­vil Humours from the whole Body in Feavers; Chol­ler from the Liver; Melancholy from the Spleen; and salt Phlegm from the Head; all these may be the Causes of this Evill. The external Causes may be e­vil and corrupt Nourishment; or Meats that are too hot; that breed Wind or Choller: Meat taken in too great a Quantity: Poyson: strong, sharp, and deadly Medicines, not well corrected. Diagnostick Signes are thus taken: when the Pain is under the Ensiformis, it shews that the upper Orifice of the Sto­mach is affected: a very sharp Pain, that the Patient cannot rest, and sometimes fainteth: the Vapours sometimes offend the Brain, and cause inveterate Head-Ach, the Megrim, Vertigo, and Epilepsy. In the other parts of the Stomach, there are not so vio­lent Symptomes, but great Paines like the Chollick. Thus you may know the Causes. The Humours offen­ding, may be known by the Excrements avoided at the Belly or Mouth: also Choller, Phlegm, Wind, or Worms may be knowne by their proper Signes. The Diseases of the Stomach or parts adjoyning, causing this Disease, may be known by their proper Signes.

Prog: This Disease is more dangerous then any o­ther Disease of the Stomach: The danger is greater if a Feaver accompany it: if the extream Parts be cold, Death is at hand: thus saith Hippocrates. It is least dangerous if it proceed from Worms; yet sometimes dangerous Symptoms appear, and the Patient dyes: sometimes, if the cause of Wind cannot be removed, a dry Dropsy followeth. If it come from other Parts, [Page 222] there begin your Cure; if it be in the Stomach pro­perly, consider the peccant Humour. If Wind be the Cause, first, administer a Clister: Take of Camomil, Penny-royall, Miats, and Pellitory of the Wall, of each, one handful: the Seeds of Annise, Fennel, Cummin, and Dill, of each, two Drachms: make a Decoction in white Wine Posset Drink: add Benedicta Laxativa, half an Ounce: the Oyls of Dill, Rue, and Chamomil, of each half an Ounce: the Chymical Oyl of Juniper Berries, ten Drops, make a Clister, and give it or the like, as often as need requireth. Make a Fomentation, with the Herbs and Seeds aforesaid, or with others of the like Nature: then anoint the Stomach with the Oyls of Sage and Cloves Chymical, Oyl of Dill, Camomil, Rue, and the like. Then administer this or the like Julep, which hath power to asswage Pain, discusse Wind, and strengthen the Stomach: Take of Wormwood, Penny­voyall, Century the lesse, and Agrimony, of each, one handful: the Flowers of Camomill, and Juniper Berryes, of each, one Ounce: the Seeds of sweet Fennel, and Anise, of each, two Drachms: Boil them in a Quart of white wine to the consumption of half, sweeten it with the com­pound Sirrups of Wormwood and Betony, of each, two Ounces. Let the Patient take a spoonful of this often, and six spoonfuls Night and Morning: this have I of­ten proved with good successe, let the Cause be what it will. If the Disease be yet too stubborn to yeeld to ordinary Medicines, make a Bath of mollifying Herbs, and let the Patient sit in it, giving inward discussing Medicines. In vehement Pain, some do give a Purge, and mix Narcoticks with it, to allay the Pain, and this following is much commended by Forestus: Take of Diaphenicon, half an Ounce: Philonium Roma­num, two Scruples: with Camomil water, (in want thereof, the Decoction) make a Potion. If Choller cause [Page 223] pain, purge it, administer Juleps cooling and thickning. Foment the Stomach, and apply a Cataplasm made of mollifying, cooling, and discussing Herbs and Seeds.

CHAP. XLII. Of the Inflammation, Ulcer, and Impost­hume of the Stomach.

The Inflammation of the Stomach is a Tumor com­ming of Blood, sent into the Stomach and its Membranes, from the Vena Porta, by the small Veins; which Blood is either pure, and maketh a proper Phlegm; or mixed with Choller, and maketh an Erisi­pelatous, or with Phlegm, making an Oedmatous, or with Melancholy, making a Schirrous Tumor. In a word, all things that may inflame the Blood, may be the Cause of this Tumor. Diagnostick Signes are, great Pain, burning, pricking, distending, beating, e­ven to the Back: you may see or feel the Tumor; bel­ching, and sometimes vomiting of Blood, and the Breath is ferched difficultly, and a burning Feaver. If it be onely of Blood, it is somwhat gentler: but if it be with Choller, there are grievcus Symptoms. But be carefull to distinguish this Inflammation, from that of the upper side of the Liver: see the Chap. of the In­flammation of the Liver. This Disease for the most part is deadly. If the Inflammation be in the upper part of the Stomach, or over the whole, or much loathing of the Stomach, or rumbling in the Belly, all these are deadly Symptoms. If the Inflammation kill not, and the Feaver and Pain ceaseth, and the Tumor remain, then it turns to an Imposthume; which being broken, there remaineth an Ulcer, which is known by voiding [Page 224] of Matter by Vomit and Stool. But an Ulcer may be bred in the Stomach from other Causes, as sharp, salt, cholerick Humours bred in the Stomach, or sent thi­ther from other parts: the breach of a Vein, which could not grow together again: a Wound not well cu­red: Poyson, or corroding Medicines taken. The Signes of an Ulcer bred in the Stomach, are the same with the former; to which I add these: a constant lingring Feaver, stinking Belching, no Appetite, a pricking Pain and Burning, when any thing is taken, which is hot, cold, sharp, salt, or sowr. This Disease for the most part is deadly, because Cleansers encrease Pain, and Dryers cannot execute their Office, but are hindred by Meat, Drink, and Chylus. The Cure of theso Diseases, must be diversly considered. Purging is altogether prohibited, lest more Humours be gathe­red to the Stomach, but give an emollient and cooling Clyster every day, such an one as is prescribed in the last Chap: you must let Blood in both Arms, as much as strength will bear; bleed the Haemorrhoids if you see Occasion; cup and scarify the Shoulders, Back, and Buttocks: rub and bind the extream Parts, and heat them with the Oyl of Spike, or Flowerdeluce and the like. You must give Medicines which are altering, and strengthning, and with them mix such, which have power to dissolve. This Julep is good. Take of Barley water well clarified, two Ounces: Fennel and Purslane water of each one Ounce: the Sirrups of Water Lillies and Violets, of each, one Ounce: the Sir­rup of Poppy, half an Ounce: Diamarganiton frigi­dum, a Drachm: mix them, and make a Julep for three Doses, give it Morning, Noon, or Night. Fo­ment the Stomach with [...]he Decoction of cooling and mollisying He [...], Roots, and Flowers, and after­wards anoint it with Oyl of Roses, Violets, and the [Page 225] like. Some commend Turpentine washed in Worm­wood water, given in Pills three or four times, which will quickly dissolve or maturate the Imposthume.

If you find that the Imposthume tend to Suppuration apply this Cataplasm: Take of the Roots of common and March Mallows, of each, one Ounce: Camomill, two handfuls: red Rose leaves a handfull: boil them well to­gether, and then beat them in a stone Morter: then add of the Meal of Barley, Flax seed, and Fenugreek, of each one Ounce: with Hen's Grease, and Oyl of Roses and Camomill, alike QUantity, sufficient to make a Cataplasm, which must be applyed and often removed. When the Imposthume is broken, cleanse the Ulcer with new Milk and Sugar, or Hydromell: or Take of Barley water 3. Ounces, Sugar of Roses, and the Oyl of sweet Almonds, of each, one Ounce: make a Julep and give it. The drinking of Mineral Waters is good. Before you endeavour to heal it, you must endeavour to cleanse the Stomach as well as the Ulcer. Take of Cassia, one Ounce; Powder of Ru­barb, one Scruple: dissolve it in Whey, and drink it: you may with this or the like Purgers (which attract not the Humours to the part) cleanse the Stomach as of­ten as Necessity requireth. Then fement the Sto­mach with the Decoction, of Comphry roots, Quin­ces, Wormwood, Roses, Pomegranate flowers and peels, Myrtles, Galls, Frankincense, Mastick, and the like; then apply astringent Unguents, and Emplaisters to the Stomach; and inwardly give Medicines of the same Nature: Take of the Conserve of Roses and Com­phrey roots, and of Marmalad of Quinces, of each, one Ounce: Bolearmenick, Sanguis Draconis, Terra Sigillata, of each, one Drachm: Gum Arabick, Red Corall, and Blood stone, of each, half a Drachm: Hypocistis, Sarcocol, and Frankincense, of each, one Scruple: with Sirrup of Comphrey, make an Opiate, a little of which, let the Pati­ent [Page 226] take often. if his Stomach loath the often use of one Medicine: let Troches be made of the Powders and the Musilage of gum Traganth: or into any other form: How to make Troches, see the fourth Book. Give him for his Food, in the mean time, Chicken Broth, and boil therein astringent Herbs; fresh Bar­ley and China Root.

CHAP. XLIII. Of the Chollick.

The attractive and digestive Facultyes, are not on­ly hurt, but the expulsive Faculty, which chiefly respects the Intestines, may also be defective, and cause many distempers in the Body, the first of which is the Chollick. This Disease took its Name from the Part affected, which is the Gut, called by the Greek Colon, and the Disease [...], which is caused by ex­crementitious Matter, retained too long, and, by disten­ding, pricking, or corroding, causeth grievous pain. Sometimes it is caused through Crudities, bred by a cold Distemper of the Stomach and Intestines, which causeth Wind to afflict the Guts (being obstructed) especially the Gut Coion: sometimes cold, grosse, and phlegmatick Humours, sticking to the Tunicles or Coats of the Guts, cause constriction, and divulsion, and a gnawing pain: also salt, and sharp, cholerick, and melancholy, sowr Humours, by pricking and twitching the Cuts, cause Pain. Here note, that if Wind or Humours remain onely in the Cavity of the Guts, they might be easily excluded, by evacuating, cleansing, and curminative Medicines; but being (for the most part) [Page 227] fixed to the Coats of the Guts, they are not expelled without difficulty. There are other lesse usual Causes of the Chollick, viz. Tumors in the adjoyning parts, causing compression of the Guts: Tumors and Inflam­mations in the Intestines causing Narrownesse: Knots of Worms, or Stones bred in the Guts which stop them: sometimes a poysonous and malignant Matter engen­dreth a pestilent Chollick or Plague in the Guts. The External causes are, either a cold Aire, which doth constringe the Belly; or an Air too hot, indurating the Excrements: Raw Fruit, Meats grosse and of hard Digestion; in a Word, every thing which disturbeth the concoction of the Stomach, may here be taken for an External cause. Diagnostick Signes are, a very sharp pain sometimes moveable, sometimes in the Re­gion of the Stomach, Liver, Spleen, Reins: some­times above, and sometimes beneath the Nayel; of­tentimes in the left side; so that by comparison of other Signes you must distinguish between this and the Spleen and Stone. The Pain is like the Boaring of an Auger, he vomiteth chole rick and phlegmatick Matter, if the Stomach consenteth. The pain is grea­ter after Meat: the Belly (for the most part) is bound, that the Patient cannot so much as break Wind: when he voideth Excrements, they are windy, like Cow dung with Water on the Top. The causes are also distin­guished by their Signes: If Phlegm be the cause, the pain is not so violent, the Sick hath used a phlegma­tick Diet; but if Wind be joyned with it, the part see­meth as if it were boared through with a Wimble; the Urine is crude and white, yet sometimes the violent Pain enflameth the Spirits, and the Urine appea­reth yellow or red: He is better for hot, and the worse for cold things. If cholerick Humours cause the Chollick, there is a violent, pulling, and [Page 228] pricking Pain; the Urine is cholerick; a Diet breeding Choller went before, he is the worse for hot Medicines; there is great Heat, Thirst. and sometimes a Feaver. If the Chollick proceed from Wind, there is a stretching Pain and the Belly swel­leth, and the Wind rumbleth therein, he findeth ease when he breaketh it: If the Wind be in the Cavity, the Pain is moveable, and encreaseth and decreaseth; If in the Coats of the Guts, the Pain is fixed in respect of place, and constant. Prognostick signes are, It the Chollick be gentle, moveable, and the Belly soluble, it is easily cured: on the contrary, if the Pain be great and fixed, the Belly bound, the Patient wanteth Sleep, vomiteth, and is troubled; with cold Sweats, Hiccoughs, Doting, and Coldnesse of the extream parts, it is alwayes dangerous, and (for the most part) deadly. An Epidemical and pestilent Chollick is very d [...]ous. If it come of sharp chollerick Hu­mours, [...]generateth sometimes into other worse Di­seases; as the Palsy, Falling-Sicknesse, and the Gout.

You must vary the Cure, according to the diversity of Causes; if Phlegm and Wind be the cause, you must administer an emollient, discussing, and carmi­native Clister, (See Chap. 41 Of Pain in the Stomath) three or four times in a day. Or make a Decoction of emollient and carminative Herbs, and boil therein three Drachms of Colloquintida. If two or three Clis­ters provoke not to Stool, make use of this Suppository: Take of Hony sodden, half an Ounce: Hiera piera, one Drachm: Diacolo-Cynthidos, one Scruple: Salt Gemm, half a Scruple, mix them and make a Suppository. It is not amisse, if after all this you purge the noxious Hu­mours, mixing with your purge Narcoticks: See For­restus his Medicine prescribed in the aforenamed Chap. [Page 229] Or give an Ounce and an half of Manna; of Oyl of Sweet Almonds newly drawn, two Ounces; give it in Broth. Then you must foment, bathe, or anoint the Belly, (See the aforesaid 41 Chap.) The Bowels of a Wolf pulverized, and the white Dung of the same, is much commended, if the Patient take a Drachm in white Wine. The Electuary of Bay berries taken, as much as a Nutmeg often, easeth Pain. This Medicine I have used with good Successe: Take of Pellitory of the Wall, Mints, Parslypearch, of each, one handfull: the Roots of Fennel, Parsley, Marshmallows, and Butchers Broom, of each half a handfull: Juniper Berries, one Ounce: the Seeds of Aunis, sweet Fennel, and Cummis, of each, half an Ounce: Bay berries, three Drachms: bruize, slice, and powder them; Infuse them in white wine twenty four houres, and distill it in Balneo: after sufficient Evacuations, give one Ounce. Galen much commendeth the Application of a Cupping-glasse to the Navil; afterwards apply a Plaister of Tacamaha­cha. Also the Decoction of Guajacum given for ma­ny dayes, is good, and afterwards purge Phlegm, if there be occasion. The cholerick Chollick is cured also by giving of emollient Clisters, and such as tem­per the Acrimony of the Humours: as the Decoction of Camomil, Violet leaves, Endive: the Seeds of Fae­nugreek, Linseed, Hens-grease, Goose-grease, Oyl of Roses, Cessia, and the like. Foment the Belly with an emollient and cooling Decoction, and aroint it with a Cataplasm, made with the Meal of Linseed, Faenugreek, and Barley, boiled in Oyl of Camomil, and Roses. Cool the Liver outwardly by Epithems, and inwardly by Juleps, made of Poppy, Lettice, Suc­cory, Endive, Sorrel, Violets, and the like: forget not to add a little spirit of Vitriol to your Juleps. If the pain be violent use Narcoticks: afterwards purge [Page 230] the Humour with such Medicines which purge gently or strongly, according to the strength of your Pati­ent, and the Degree of his Distemper.

CHAP. LXIIII. Of the Iliack Passion.

This Disease is called in Greek [...], in Latine Iliaca Passio, in Englsh the Iliack Passion, from the Gut Ilion, which is chiefly affected in this Disease. But because the other Guts are capable of the same, it is rather derived from [...], which signifieth to be rowled or girt about, and therefore the Latines call it Volvulus or Convolvulus. It is a praeposterous moti­on of the Intestines, the Guts are obstructed, nothing passeth downward, sometimes the Excrements are brought up into the Stomach, and issue out at the Mouth. The Intestines have a natural Motion down­wards, which is compared to the Motion of Earth-Worms, which move the parts of their Bodyes succes­fully; by which they carry the Faeces and Excrements downwards. The expulsive Faculty of the Guts is sometimes too vehemently stirred up, the Passage be­ing obstructed, that by a violent motion, the Excre­mentitious Matter is cast upwards: so that not onely the Chylus and Excrements, but also Clisters and Sup­positoryes are violently snatched up and vomited. A­ny thing which causeth the obstruction of the Guts, as hard Dung long retained, grosse Vapours, Inflam­mations, Tumours, or the like, may be the Cause of this Disease. Sometimes an Ulcer in the Guts may be the Cause, when the Excrements touch the part ulcerated, it pricketh it, so that the Faculty is provo­ked, [Page 231] not to let so noxious a thing passe, but driveth it upwards, the other Guts by Sympathy assisting, forceth it into the Stomach, which also by a Peristatick in­verted Motion, casteth it out by Vomit. The Diag­nosticks of this Disease, are, partly common to those of the Chollick, and partly proper or peculiar to it self. Common Signes are, the Belly bound, and puffed up, Pain in the Abdomen, loathing, vomiting, difficulty of Breathing and Pissing, want of Rest. The pecu­liar Signes are, a violent Pain, great Distension, a hard Tumor in the Hypogastrium, nothing voided downwards, an irregular vomiting of Choller, Phlegm and Chylus, at last the Excrements are vomited up. The Signes of the causes are thus gathered, If Inflam­mation of the parts cause the Disease, it quickly com­eth to the height, an intense Feaver, with vomiting, as aforesaid. If hard Dung in the Bowels be the Cause, there went before Constriction of the Belly, it is of longer Continuance, the Pain not so violent at first, nor the Feaver so great, if any. If Wind or Phlegm be the Cause, (for the most part) the Chollick prece­ded, and the Signes thereof are laid down in the pre­ceding Chapter. This Disease is dangerous more or lesse, according to the Causes and Symptoms; that which is accompanied with the Strangury, or that ir­regular vomiting before mentioned, (for the most part) is deadly. If there be a remission of Symptoms, and things, taken at the mouth, find passage downwards, there is hopes of recovery.

What belongs to the cure of this Disease, must thus be considered, viz. If hard Dung obstruct the passage, you must often inject emollient and laxative Clisters, in the mean time, give Medicines inwardly of the same Nature, mixing with them such as strengthen the Sto­mach and Vital parts: having read thus fair you cannot [Page 232] be ignorant how to prepare them: by this means I cu­red one in this Condition, who went not to Stool in sixteen or eighteen dayes. You may likewise apply Fomentations, Liniments, and Cataplasms of an emol­lient Nature to the Belly. If you find the Body fla­tuous and in much pain, administer the Medicines pre­scribed against the Chollick. If the Guts be inflamed, you must open a Vein, and draw as much Blood, as the strength of the Sick will bear. Administer cooling and emollient Clisters, and other Medicines, prescri­bed, in the 42 Chapter, for the inflammation of the Stomach. If he vomit not, give him warm Water and Oyl of Violets, for it is a good Revulsion. Let his drink be Barly Water, and sometimes give, in a draught thereof, two ounces of Oyl of sweet Almonds, and, if the Pain be violent, use Narcoticks. Let him abstain from Food, for it turns to no good Nourish­ment: let him now and then take a spoonful of Broth, and drink such things as are before mentioned. If the Bowels fall into the Cods, and cause this Disease, you must foment the part with emollient Oyls, and relaxing Decoctions, giving emollient and carminative Clisters, then let the Patient ly with his Heels higher then his head, and gently thrust them back, and keep them up with a Trusse. If there be a Circumvolution of Hoisting of the Guts, Hippocrates prescribeth this as the last Remedy, namely, to apply a payr of Bellows to the Fundament, and blow into the Belly, and af­terwards to give an emollient Clister; this hath been proved by many able Physitians, and highly commen­ded. Others have commended the taking of Quick­silver in a great Quantity, which hath cured when all other means have failed.

CHAP. XLV. Of the Flux, Lientery, and Coelick Passion.

[...], Lientery is a Flux of the Belly, in which the Meat is quickly sent through the Body undigested. [...], or the Coeliack Passion is, when the Meat comes forth crude and impertectly digested: these two differ onely in degrees, and their Cures are the same. This Disease is not to be referred to con­coction-hurt onely, but to the Debility of the retentive Faculty, for the Meat is not long enough receined to be concocted; hence it appeareth, that the Disease cometh from a fault of the Stomach as well as the Guts. The Causes of this Disease are referred to three Heads; First, a cold Distemper of the Stomach and Liver, which generateth flegmatick and gluti­nous Humours, which cover the wrinkles of the Sto­mach, that it cannot retain the Food. Though Re­tention be made by the astringing Quality, yet it ope­rates by fit Instruments, viz. the Roughnesse of the inward Coat of the Stomach, which Roughnesse being taken away, and the wrinklesfilled up by the Humours aforesaid, the Retention is hurt, and the Meat slippeth away without Concoction. Secondly, sharp Humours prick and twitch the parts, by which the Stomach and Guts are provoked to send forth the Meat too soon. Lastly, in malignant Feavers, and other dangerous Diseases, the retentive Faculty is weakned, and Nature being conquered degenerateth into a Lientery. There is another Cause, peculiar to the Coeliack Passion, Namely, the Obstruction of the Meseraick Veins, [Page 234] which hinder the passage of the Chilus to the Liver, and therefore must of necessity be cast forth by the Belly. I need not lay down the Signes of this Disease, being obvious to the Eye. The Causes may be thus discovered. If it come from a cold Distemper, there are sowr Belchings, the Excrements are phlegmatick: If the Humours flow from the Head, the Excrements are frothy, and the Flux greater after Sleep, the Signes of a Catarrh appear. If it come from Provo­cation, there is a Heat in the Hypocondria, sharp and cholerick Excrements, great Thust, and a Gnawing in the Stomach. These Diseases if they last long are very dangerous, because Nature is deprived of her Nourishment, and the Body soon falleth into a Dropsy or Atrophy. If it follow other Diseases, it is for the most part deadly. If the Disease hath its originall from phlegmatick Humours, covering the wrinkles of the Stomach, you must use those remedyes, propoun­ded for the cure of Want of Appetite comming from a cold Cause, with which, make use of those things which are astringent to stay the Flux. Clisters are of no great force, except the Flux be violent, in such Cases they must be astringent, such as shall be prescribed in the 47 Chapter, of the Flux Dysentery. You must purge the peccant Humours, and then strengthen the Stomach, with the Medicines prescribed in the Cure of Want of Appetite; for which purpose Amatus Lusi­tanus highly commendeth this following Opiate: Take of Conserve of Roses, six Ounces: of the best Trea­cle six Drachms: Sirrup of Quinces, sufficient to make an Opiate: give half an Ounce in the Morning, and fast one hour. If this Flux come from Provocation by cholerick Humours, do as you are taught in the Chapter of cholerick Vomiting, or you may use those things prescribed in the following Chapter of the [Page 235] Flux Diarrhaea. For that which comes from the Im­becillity of the retentive Faculty, now and then give Clisters made of Posset drink, in which red Roses have been boiled, and dissolve Sugar therein, and the yelks of Eggs. Give inwardly strengthning and astringent things, which are prescribed in the following Chap­ter, and against cholerick vomiting. Anoint the Sto­mach and Belly with this following Oyntment: Take of the Oyls of Mastick, Wormwood, Mints, and Myrtles, of each, two Drachms: the Powders of Cinnamon, Cloves, and Galingale, of each, one Scruple: the flowers of Pomgranates, and red Roses, of each, half a Scruple; Wax, sufficient to make an Oyntment. If this Disease depend upon the Obstruction of the Meseraick Veins, use the Remedies prescribed for opening Obstructions of the Liver.

CHAP. XLVI. Of the Flux Diarrhaea.

[...], Diarrhoea is a Flux of the Belly, or a great and copious sending forth excrementitious Humours; not of Food or Chylus, as in the Lientery or Caeliack Passion: nor of Blood, with Inflammation or Ulceration of the Intestines, as in the Dysentery, which remaineth next to be spoken of. The Humours voided are, either Cholerick, Phlegmatick, Melancho­ly, or Serous. The Place from whence it comesis, either from the whole Body, or from the Brain, Sto­mach, Intestines, Liver, Spleen, Mesentery, Womb, and the like. The Cause is, either Critical or Symp­tomatical; Internal or External. The Disease it self [Page 236] is easily known, from what hath already been said; the difference of the Matter and Humours sent forth are manifest to the Senses. It is somwhat difficult to know from what part of the Body the Humours are sent: If it come from the whole Body, there hath been some Disease, which hath afflicted the whole Bo­dy, as Cachexia, Leucophlegmatia, a continuall Fea­ver, or excessive Eating or Drinking. If it comes from the Head, the Excrements are froathy, and are voided more violent by Night then by Day, and there is some manifest Disease in the Head, as a Catarrh, Deafnesse, Lethargy, &c. If the fault be in the Sto­mach, the Patient filled himself with Food apt to cor­rupt, or there be Signes of Concoction hurt; viz. If the Humours be sharp, cholerick, and stinking, the Concoction is hurt by a hot Distemper of the Stomach; and the expulsive Faculty laboureth to throw it out: If they be crude and phlegmatick, Concoction is hurt by a cold Distemper. If Worms in the Guts be the cause, their Signes seek [...] Chapter of the Worms. If the Humours come from the Liver, they are chole­rick, and there appeareth some Distemper of the Li­ver. If from the Spleen, the Excrements are black­ish, and distempers of the Spleen and Hypocondria ap­pear. If from the Mesentery, there is extention; but Humours there, have their original from the Liver or Spleen. If from the Womb, there are the Symptoms of the Womb affected.

To the Prognostick: I say, the Flux of the Belly, which is Critical, that is easily endured, and is a bene­fit to the Patient, by which, Humours, which are bur­thensome to Nature, are discharged, is good. On the contrary, if it be symptomatical, painful, & weak­ning to Nature, it is evil. If the Excrements are thin, voided often, with Pain, without Feeling when [Page 237] they are voided, or in an acute Disease, all these are evil Signes. If the Excrements voided be yellow as yelks of Eggs, green, black blew, or of divers colours, it is evil. If this Flux afflict a Woman with Child, she is in great danger of Miscariage. If the Excre­ments begin to grow thicker, there is hopes of Reco­very. If a Flux happeneth in the Dropsy, wherein the whole Body is affected, it causeth a Recovery: un­derstand this where the Patient is young, strong, and the Disease but begun; for if Nature be weakned by the long continuance of the Disease, and the Flux happen, the Disease and Life (hand in hand) go to­gether.

For the Cure, If the Body abound with Blood, open a Vein; if not, if the Patient hath a Feaver, it is good to let Blood. Then purge the Humour offending, with such Purgers, that leave an Astringent behind them: If the Body be strong, vointing is good, for it revelleth and evacuateth the Matter of the Disease. Before and after purging, give cleansing Clisters; after the Body is sufficiently emptied, give astringent; all which the next Chapter will furnish you with. In­wardly you may give astringent und strengthning Me­dicines, prescribed in the next Chapter; If your Pati­ent be free from a Feaver, boil new milk and scum off the Foam, and quench red hot Steel often in it, and let him drink thereof warm, which is a present Reme­dy. Unripe Mulberryes, and Blackberryes dryed and heaten to powder, is good to stay this Flux. This O­piate is excellent: Take of the juyce of Quinces, Con­serve of Roses, of each, one Ounce: Sanguis Draconis, Terra Sigillata, and fine Bole, of each, one Drachm: Bloodstone, and the Troches of Amber, of each, half a Drachm; with Sirrup of Comphrey, make an Opiate, and let the Patient take a little often. Take of the Powder [Page 238] of Rubarb, one Ounce; the Troches of Sanders, two Drachms, mix it, and give the Patient two Drachms twice a day; it evacuateth the Matter and strength­neth the Bowels. Both the Sirrup, Magistery, and Tincture of Coral availeth much; and the Decoction of Juniper Berryes in red Wine is no lesse effectual. If it continue long, and your Patient's strength much decay, give Laudanum among your other Medicines. The Fume of Fleabane and Mullein taken through a hollow Chair is excellent. The Conserve of Hips is good against a cholerick Flux, you may mix with it such things, which are astringent: I shall say no more of the Cure of this Disease, but refer you to the next Chapter. Onely this, if the Disease come by consent of other parts, seek the Cure in their proper Chap­ters.

CHAP. XLVII. Of the Dysentery, or Bloody Flux.

[...] is a bloody Loosenesse of the Belly, depen­ding upon the Ulceration of the Intestines: but it is commonly taken for every Bloody Flux: the Latines call it Tormina, because of the Torture the Patient en­dureth. Galen mentioneth four kinds of Fluxes, which he calleth Dysenteries. The first is, when any usual Evacuation of Blood, as the Haemorrhoids, or at the Nose, is omitted or impedited, or any part of the body is hurt, and by that means the Blood is sent to the In­testines, and voided by the Belly. The second is, when watry Blood is voided, by reason of the weakness of the of the Liver; of this I shall treat hereafter. The third is, [Page 239] when Blood mixed with Melancholy, and burnt by rea­son of long Retention in the Liver and Spleen, is evacu­ated and shineth. The last, and that which I am now to discourse on, is, when Blood and Excrements are mix­ed together, and sometimes also Matter is mixed there­with, and is evacuated with Torture to the Patient, by reason of Ulceration in the Guts; this is the proper Dysentery. The internal Causes, are sharp and ulce­rating Humours, yellow, green, and black Choller: Salt Phlegm in the Head, bred by Heat, or in the Bel­ly by putrefaction, which being brought to the Guts and sticking to them ulcerateth the part. The Causes external, are all things which make sharp and evil Humours, Meats which soon putrify, Fruits which are soon rotten, all things unripe; the Air thus qualify­ed: the Winter cold and dry, and the Spring very wet and ful of South Winds, cause Dysenteryes in the Summer: Or if the Winter be wet and full of South Winds, and a dry Spring and the North Winds blow much; such a Season produceth Dysenteryes. Some­times the Air is infected, and produceth a contagious and epidemical Dysentery, which is so infectious, that the Excrements of the Sick, being cast into a Pri­vy, infecteth all that sit over it. The Diagnostick Signes are, often and bloody Evacuations, with Pain in the Belly, Watching, Thirsting, Loathing of Meat, sometimes a Feaver. If the small Guts are affected, the Pain is vehement like the pricking of Pins, because they are of more exquisite Sense, they go not to Stool presently after the Pain, and the Blood is mixed with the Excrements. The contrary judge, if it be in the great Guts, the Pain not so sharp, they go to Stool presently after, and the Blood swimmeth on the top of, or a little mixed with, the Excrements. You may judge of the Humour causing this Disease, by the Co­lour [Page 240] of the Excrements, Age and Temperament of the Patient, and Season of the year. Thus the Prognos­ticks are made. Dysenteryes caused by black Choller are deadly, if it be not Critical, because the Ulcer groweth cancerous: be sure you judg aright between Melancholy and Blood congealed. If Loathing of Meat and a Feaver accompany it, it is dangerous. If pieces of Flesh be voided, it is deadly. Much Watch­ing, great Thirst, black, bloody, and stinking Stools without a Mixture of Humours, Hiccough, cholerick Vomitings, Pain in the Liver and Midriff, are (for the most part) deadly Signes. If Choler or sharp Diet be the cause of this Disease, it is easily cured; salt-Phlegm is worse, because it sticks longer to the Guts. If this Disease happen to one troubled with a disease in the Spleen, or the Gout, it is good (saith Hippocrates) be­cause the Matter is sent forth: but this is rather a Di­arrhae a then a Dysentery.

To cure, you must evacuate sharp Humours, you must asswage Pain, cleanse, consolidate, and dry the Ulcer, and stop the Flux. To evacuate the Humours, you must purge every second, third, or fourth day, ac­cording to your Patients Age, Strength, Season of the year, and the like. Rubarb is exceeding good in this Disease, given a Drachm, or a Drachm and an half, or two Drachms; Or made into a Potion thus: Take of Liquorish scraped and sliced, and Raisons of the Sun, of each, three Drachms: Tamarinds and yellow Myrabo­lans, of each, two Drachms: boil them in Barly and Plan­tane water to three Ounces: in which streined, infuse a Drachm of Rubarb thin sliced: then add one Ounce of the Sirrup of Roses solutive, and make a Potion: if you think it not strong enough, add of Diacatholicon, three Drachms; or you may give the Rubarb in Powder, in the aforesaid Decoction. If the Dysentery be accom­panied [Page 241] with a Feaver, and Inflammation of the Bow­els, open a Vein, and let the Patient bleed according to his Strength. Sometimes vomiting is profitable to revell the Humours, which fall from the Stomach to the Intestines; Omit not vomiting if you find the Sto­mach very foul: Especially if the Sick be inclinable to vomit, for then Nature dictates the right way, and ought to be imitated. In the mean while, you must give asswaging, mild, and cleansing Clisters, after­wards glutinous and astringent, Thus: Take of the Roots of Marshmallows, Butter-burr, of each, one hand­ful: Camomil Flowers, one Pugil: the Seeds of Flax, and Fleabane, of each, two Drachms; boil them in Barly water, or Milk Chalybeated, or Mutton, Capon, or Sheeps Head Broth, to a Pint; strain it, and dissolve therein the yolks of four Eggs well beaten, Oyl of Roses, and Sirrup of Quinces, of each, one Ounce; and make a Clister. If the Ulcer want cleansing, add Century and Wormwood to the former Decoction: and to the strained Liquor add Turpentine dissolved in the yolk of an Egg, & the chymical Oyl of Wax, of each, one Drachm. When there is need of more binding and glutinating, make a Clister thus: Take of the Roots of Comphry, Tormentill, and Bistort, of each, one Ounce: Plantane, Shepherds purse, Knot-grasse, and Mous-ear, of each, one handfull: Pomegranate Flowers, Mirtles, Acorn cups, and Cypresse Nuts, of each, one Drachm: parched Rice, French Barly, and red Roses, of each, one Pugill: Make a Decoction in Smiths water, to a Pint of the straining; add of the Juyce of Plantane and Yarrow, of each, one Ounce, and the yolks of two roasted Eggs. Or, insteed of the Juyces, you may add the Musilage of Gum Traganth, made with Rose or Plantane Water, and the Suet of a Goat, of each, one Drachm, which Emplastick Clisters, as with a Plaister, cover the internal Superficies of the Guts, [Page 242] and preserveth the part from the gnawing of the Mat­ter. All this while you must give internal Medicines of the same Nature, and the oftner, if the upper Guts are ulcerated. First, to cleanse, give Gears Milk; to glutinate, Cows Milk Chalybiated; with it, you may mix the juyce of Plantane, Sirrup of Comphry, Sugar of Roses, the Troches of Amber, and the white Troches of Rhasis. Let the Sick eat Rice boiled in Chalybia­ted Milk: or the Musilage of Gum Traganth and A­rabick, drawn as before, in his Broth half a Drachm. The Body being well cleansed, you may make an a­stringent Decoction to compleat the Cure: Take of the Roots of Bistort, Tormentill, and Comphry, the Leaves of Plantane, Yarrow, Shepherds purse, Horse-tayl, Mous­ear, and Agrimony, of each, one handfull: the Seeds of Sorrel, Sumach, and Grape-stones, of each, one Ounce. make a Decoction in four quarts of Water, to the Consump­tion of half; Sweeten the strained Liquor with the Sirrup of Comphry, Quinces, dryed Roses, Myrtles, or Corall. Front what hath been said, there is light enough for the Ingenious to make Medicines in any form, to please the Pallate of his Patient, which I omit, being loath to be tedious; but lest I should omit any thing necessa­ry, make an Opiate thus: Take of Conserve of Roses, and Quinces, of each, one Ounce: Conserve of Comphry Roots, half an Ounce: Coral prepared, Sanguis Draconis, Bolearmenick, sealed Earth, Acatia, Conserve of Sloes, of each, one Drachm: burnt Ivory and Spodium, of each, one Scruple, with any of the Sirrups aforesaid, sufficient to make an Opiate, and give the Quantity of a Chesnut, Morning, Night, and Noon.

Narcoticks do Wonders, especially, if they be mix­ed with astringents, and strengthners: Take of Con­serve of Roses and Services, of each, one Drachm: Con­fectio Alchermes half a Scruple: Laudanum three Grains, [Page 243] make a Bolus. Anoint the Belly with the Oyls of Quinces, Myrtles, Roses, Mastich, Wormwood, and the like. The Oyntment called Comitissae is of won­derful Virtue. I might here teach you to make Fo­mentations and Cataplasms, for the purpose aforesaid, of the aforenamed Simples, but seeing the Ingenious need it not, and the Ignorant deserve it not, I shall save that labour, fearing my Booke will swell to a greater Volume then I intended. What ever you do, remember to strengthen the Liver, with Cataplasms for that purpose, made of Simples strengthning the Liver. If the Dysentery be Epidemical, and Malig­nant; Sudorifick Medicines are of great force. As Me­dicines made of Bezoar, and Treacle water: you must begin with Cordials, and proceed as you do in a Ma­lignant Feaver.

CHAP. XLVIII. Of Tenasmus.

[...] in Greek, and Tenasmus in Latine, is a continual desire to go to Stool, yet the Patient voideth nothing but Slime, and bloody Matter; it is caused by an Ulcer in the Intestinum rectum or streight Gut, from which filthy Matter continually flow­ing, provoketh the expulsive Faculty, hence followeth a continual desire to go to Stool. This Disease pro­perly belongeth to a Dysentery, yet by custom, when onely the streight Gut is ulcerated, it is called Tenas­mus, therefore I shall not insert the Causes, being the same with the former. For the Knowledg of this Disease, it is easy to distinguish between this and a Dys­entery. [Page 244] In a Tenasmus, the desire of going to Stool is continual; in the Dysentery, by Fits onely. In the first (notwithstanding all straining) nothing is voi­ded, but Slime, bloody or mattery; in the other, both Exerements and Humours are voided. (The Signes of the Causes seek in the former Chapter.) Tenasmus (for the most part) is easily cured, but is dangerous, if a melancholy Humour be the Cause, lest it turn to an ulcerated Cancer; yet (for the most part) it is of long Continuance, and very troublesome. If a Wo­man with Child hath the Tenasmus, it brings many Inconveniences to her, and great danger of Miscarri­age: Hippocrates saith, she will miscarry; but I have known the contrary. True it is, a Woman seldom es­capeth in that condition, for that Motion doth much disturb the Womb; because the same Muscles which serve to cast forth the Excrements, are employed for Delivery. If the Ulcer be near the Fundament or A­nus, if it continue long, it turns to an incurable Fistula. For the Cure I shall refer you to the former Chapter, it being the same, both in the Causes, and the part affected, of the same Nature with the other Intes­tines.

CHAP. XLIX. Of the Flux of the Liver.

FLuxus Hepaticus, a Flux of the Liver is, when serous and bloody Humours are voided, much like Water wherein Flesh hath been washed. It is caused by an evil Disposition, consuming the radical Moisture of the Liver, and destroyeth the natural Heat thereof; this [Page 245] Disposition cometh by burning and swooning Feavers, & by a hot Distemper of the Bowels: or by great Cold­ness, from abundance of Phlegm and Melancholy, which oppresseth the natural Heat.

Outward Causes, as great draughts of cold Water, extraordinary eating of raw Sallets, poysonous and too violent Purges, salt, sharp, and peppered Meats, which parch the Substance of the Liver, may corrupt the natural Hear. There is also a bastard Flux of the Liver, when the radical Moisture is not in fault, nor the Faculty hurt, yet the Blood is impure and cor­rupt, by the mixture of Choller, Melancholy, or some corrupt Matter: or by its staying too long in the Li­ver, and the parts adjacent: by which it is made thick, burnt or rotten: or the Spleen is in fault, and doth not suck away the drossy Blood. In this Bastard Fluy, thick and black Blood, and sometimes Blood mixed with divers Humours, is voided. The Signes of this Disease may be gathered from what hath been said, and it differeth from the Dysentery in this, that the Stools are l [...]quid, bloody, and watry, and voided without pain. The Signes of the Causes most be con­sidered. If this defect of the Liver come from a hoe Distemper, there went before a burning Feaver, or a Feaver is present, green Vomits or Stcols, Thirst, Foul­nesse of Body, and Want of Appetite, stinking Evacu­ations. If from cold, the Stools are not so stinking, nor is there Thirst; the whose Body is colder and blewish. Moist and dry Causes produce contrary Ef­fects; a moist Distemper causeth more Stools and thin: a dry, sewer and thicker, and lesse in Quantity, with much Thirst. This Disease is very dangerous, because a principal part is affected, and the radical Moisture consumed, which can scarcely be restored, and nothing but destruction to be hoped for; so much the more if [Page 246] the Disease comes of Hear. If it comes in Feavers, the whole Body melteth and putrifieth. If it come from a cold Cause, it losteth the longer, and turns in­to an incurable Dropsy. Though a Bastard-Flux of the Liver be dangerous, yet it is farr lesse then a true one: because the Liver is sound, and the Distemper may be taken away, if the Humours which corrupt the Blood be evacuated. In the Cure of this Disease, your main work is to strengthen the Liver, correct the Distemper, and stay the Flux. If it come from a cold Cause, deal with it as with a Dropsy. But if it come of a hot Cause (as for the most part it doth,) you may gently evacuate the peccant Humours with Ru­barb, as you are taught in the Cure of the Dysentery. Then you must give Medicines, which strengthen the Liver: Take of the Roots of Succory, Sorrell, Bloodwort, and Monks-Rubath, of each, one Ounce: the Leaves of Plantane, Endive, Succory, Purslane, Agrimeny, and Dandelion, of each, one handfull: Wormwood, half a handfull: Red Sanders, two Drachms: Coriander seeds prepared, a Drachm: red Roses, one Pugill, the shavings of Ivory and Spodium, of each, a Drachm: boil them in Barly water to a Quart, and in the straining, dissolve, of the Sirrups of Quinces, Vinegar Simple, and dried Roses, of each, two Ounces; of the Oyl of Vitriol, as much as will make it moderately sharp; and make a Julep for six Doses, to be given Morning and Evening, First and Last. The Sirrup of Myrtles, of Succory simple, or compound with Rubarb, the Sirrup, Tincture, or Magistery of Pearl is very good, and may be made use of as the for­mer, or made into a Julep with Plantane, or other cooling Waters. The Liver of a Wolf is much com­mended, and it may be made into an Electuary, Opiate, or into any other form, with the aforenamed ingredi­ents. The Tops of young Nettles boiled in Broth or [Page 247] Water are good, and the juyce taken is more power­ful to stop the Flux and to purify the Blood. It is good to apply an Epitheme to the Region of the Liver, made of the aforenamed Ingredients, or as many of them as you think good. It is convenient that, among your Medicines, which you give to stop the Flux, you administer such as are restorative, because in this Dis­ease the Body is much consumed. Riverius much com­mendeth this distilled Water, and the truth is, it de­serveth commendation: Take a fat Capon and a Par­tridge; pull and draw them, and filth ir bellyes with Suc­cory, Agrimony, and Snails, of each, one Handfull: Con­serve of Roses, three Ounces: Plantane and Coriander Seeds prepared, of each, two Drachms: Citron Myrabo­lans, one Drachm: the Leavs of Bloodwort, half a handfull: the Troches of Amber and Spodium, of each, four Scruples: the Powder of the Electuary de Gemmis, Triasantalon, and Diamargariton frigidum, of each, one Drachm: Sprinkle them with Styptick Wine, and put them into the Fowls Bellyes: boil them in a close Vessel, in four Pints of Water, till half be consumed; then put them into a glasse Limbeck with three Ounces of good Wine, and distill them in Balaeo: give a little of the Water often by it self, or with other Medicines.

CHAP. L. Of the Worms.

VVorms (for the most part) breed in the Guts, therefore I shall speak of them here. Ga­len Propounds three kinds of Worms; the First, are round and long, and are called Teretes, and are more [Page 248] common then the rest, and are bred in the Guts, but do somtimes get up into the Stomach. The Second are called Ascarides, they are little and smal, like threds, and they commonly ly in the lower part of the thick Intestines, and over against the Sphincter-Mus­cle: The third sort are broad Worms and long, though seldome seen: sometimes they are voided of an incredible length. They are bred of such Nou­rishment as easily putrifieth in the Stomach: hence it cometh to passe that Children, and such as are glutto­nous, who eat much Fruit and such things as easily putrify, especially more being eaten, before the former is digested, are troubled with Worms. The Signes of Worms in the Guts are divers, not in all alike: a stinking and sowr Breath, Stools like Cow dung; in colour, Gray like Potters earth. Sometimes there is a continual Feaver, Heavinesse, Fainting, Loathing, Vomiting, unquenchable Thirst, and sometimes cold Sweats: an unequal Pulse, the Cheeks are, sometimes red, sometimes blew, the Eyes shine, the Nose itcheth, the Teeth gnash, a dry Cough. There is pain in the Belly, sometimes by Inflammation, and sometimes by Distention, some start in their Sleep. Sometimes the Body pineth, and the Patient hath an insatiable Appetite, this is a Signe of flat Worms, which eat up the Food. The Ascarides are known by the itching of the Fundament, and the Excrements are many times full of them. Sometimes the eating away of the Gums is a Signe of Worms. Though to Children and older Folk Worms are common, and little feared, yet many and dangerous Symptoms and Diseases are bred by them. In the beginning of a Disease, it is evil for Worms to be voided alive or dead, especially alone without Dung: if they be alive, they signify great Crudity, and Want of Nourishment; if dead, great [Page 249] Putrefaction, by which they are killed. In the decli­ning of a Disease, Worms comming forth with the Ex­crements, is a good Signe. The Cure of the Worms consisteth in giving Medicines to kill them, and to e­vacuate them being killed. The best way to kill them, or at least to drive them to the lower Intestines, are these Simples which follow, viz. all the sorts of Worm­wood, Southernwood, Calamint, Dogs-tooth, Centu­ry, Horehound, Dittany, Hyssop, Rew, Savin, Peach leavs, Coriander seed, Harts horn, Lupines, Mints, Garlick, Elecampane, and many other: of these Sim­ples may several forms of Medicines be composed, mix­ing with them such things as purge, not onely to kill, but also to carry away the Cause of Worms; Rubarb is much commended, because it may safely be given, if a Feaver be present. Take of Rubarb, one Drachm, yellow Sanders, half a Scruple; infuse them, in Purslane water, three Ounces, strain them, and dissolve the Pow­der of Rubarb, and the Powder against the Worms (which you may have at the Apothecaryes) of each, one Scruple, Sirrup of Roses, one Ounce; mix them, and make a Poti­on. If the Feaver be not great, add Hiera picra to your Potion, more or lesse according to the strength of your Patient, afterwards give a Clister, made of the Decoction of Liquorish, Raisons, Figs; or Chicken Broth sweetned with Sugar and Hony of Roses; such Clisters are good to draw them down into the thick Guts. Afterwards give a Clister made after this man­ner: Take of Wormwood, Southernwood, Century, of each, one handfull: Lupines, half an Ounce: the Seed of Wormwood, and Coriander seed prepared, of each, two Drachms: In a half Pint or a Pint of the strained Liquor, (according umo the age of the Patient) dissolve one Ounce or two of the Oyl of Wormwood, and Salt, one Drachm and an half. To bring them out being killed, [Page 250] add to the former Clister, Benedicta Laxativa, Hiera picra, and Cassia newly drawn, of each, three Drachms, or more if your Patient can bear it. Ron­doleitus doth highly commend Diaearthamum; and the Infusion of Agarick in Oxymel, because it not one­ly killeth Worms, but purgeth Phlegm and corrupted Chyle, of which, Worms breed and are nourished: but this remember, they are not proper Remedies in Feavers. Therefore, if the Sick hath a Feaver, you must be careful how you administer hot Medicines, the like you must observe, if you administer any thing to people of hot Natures. Women do commonly give Wormseed to their Children for the Worms, mixed with sweet things, which is a Medicine not to be des­pised. But, least it should hurt by its Hear, infuse it two hours in Vinegar, afterwards mix it with boyled Hony, and make an Opiate, which Amatus Lusitanus much commendeth. Forrestus as highly commendeth burnt Harts-horn given with Raisons. Aloes are much in use likewise, but the Pill de Aloe rosata is much bet­ter, if half a Drachm be given at Night. The Juyce of Lemmons is good, (if there be a Feaver) and a good corrigent for hotter Medicines. If they have not a Feaver, the Chymical Oyl of Juniper given one drop in Broth is excellent: and no lesse effectual is spring Water, made sharp with Oyl of Vitriol. Many (and those very learned) Physitians have much commen­ded Quicksilver, who say it may be taken in a mode­rate quantity with admirable successe, and without the least danger to the Body: for Dioscorides saith, that it killeth no otherwise, but by tearing the Guts with its great weight; therefore we fear not to give it in a small Quantity, because its Weight and Roundnesse will easily carry it through the Body. Of this opini­on also was Mathiolus, Brassavolus, Fallovius, Platerus, [Page 251] Fabricius, Hildanus, John Baptista Zappata, Baricellus' Sanctorius, and many others, who extol the benefit of this Medicine to the heavens for its Virtue, and say they never found any inconvenience by it. Those that dread the use of that, let them use Mercurius Dul­cis well prepared; the Dose for once taking, is from eight to ten Grains, for a Boy of ten years of Age; it will be better if you mix, of Diagridium, half the weight of the former, to carry it sooner out of the Bo­dy, and to expel the Worms, if you give it to a child yonger, or to a weak Child, give it in a smaller quan­tity. Lastly, you may make Topicks, of what form you please, to apply to the Belly: Take of the Oyls of Worm­wood, Mints, and bitter Almonds, of each, one Ounce: the Juyce of Wormwood and Rue, of each, two Ounces: Wormseed, Aloes, and Elicampane in powder, of each, a Drachm: Colloquintida, six Drachms: of the Gall of an Ox, two or three Ounces, with Wax, sufficient to make an Unguent, or so much (if you please) as will make a Plaister, and apply it; if the Sick be loose, leave out the Colloquintida.

CHAP. LI. Of the immoderate Flux of the Haemorrhoids.

Though a moderate Flux of the Haemorrhoids be healthfull, and preserveth a man from many and dangerous Diseases, viz. the Pleurisy, Peripneumonia, Stone in the Kidneys, Madnesse, Melancholy, and from many other Diseases; yet the immoderate Flux is ve­ry perillous, and brings many pernicious Diseases, viz. Weaknesse of the whole Body, Coolnesse of the Bow­els, [Page 252] and Liver, an Arrophy, Cachexia, and Dropsy for want of natural Heat, for by this Flux the Blood is wasted, which is the Treasure of life, and Cherisher of the whole Body. This Flux hath the same Cause that other bleedings have, viz. Blood offending in Quantity or Quality. In Quantity, when plenty of Blood it brought to the Haemorrhoid Veins, and dila­teth and openeth the Orifices, or overmastereth the re­tentive Faculty, hence followeth a Flux. If the Blood offend in Quality, as Sharpnesse and Thinnesse, it stirrs up the expulsive Faculty, and sendeth forth both good and bad Blood. This Disease is known by weak­nesse, and a yellowish Colour of the Body, comming upon a long Flux of the Haemorrhoids. If too much Blood be the Cause of the Flux, there went before, Causes of encrease of Blood; and the beginning of the Flux was a refreshment to the Patient; but the Flux continuing, he grows weak. If the Flux came from Sharpnesse and Thinnesse of the Blood, there prece­ded Causes which breed Choller, or sharp Water, the Body is of a cholerick Constitution, the Blood floweth violently and is shining, whereas if it offend onely in Quantity, it is black and Melancholy. To perform the Cure, you must stanch or moderate the Blood, by revelling, deriving, thickning, and astringing Means. First, open a Vein in the Arm, and if the Patient hath not lost much Blood, but aboundeth therewith, draw Blood plentifully; otherwise, draw little and of­ten. Rub and bind the superior parts, and Cup and Scarify the Shoulders that the Blood may be revelled. By gentle Purges, derive the cholerick Humours, which make the Blood so violent: purge with such things as have an astringent Quality, as Rubarb, Myra­bolans, Tamarinds, such as are prescribed against vomi­ting of Blood, and bleeding at the Nose. But beware [Page 253] lest the Body be too much bound, lest by straining, the Veins will be more open: therefore after the use of astringents, let the Patient eat sharp French Prunes before and after Meat. Then you must give such things as may thicken the Blood, (have recourse to the 19, 30 and 39 Chapters.) Lastly, you must prepare astringent Fomentations and Unguents to be applyed to the Haemorreoid Veins: boil Mullein in Smith's water, and foment; or you may add other Herbs of the same Nature to it, thus: Take of the Roots of Bis­tort, half a Pound: the Leaves of Plantane, Mullein, Shepherds purse, Bramble, and Oak Leavs, of each, two Handfulls: Pomegranate Flowers and Peels, Galls and Sumach berries, of each, one Handfull: red Roses, two Pugills; Myrtles, half a Drachm: Allum, one Ounce, boil them in three parts of Smith's Water, and one of red Wine, and soment the part therewith, but let it be but moderately hot. Or with a greater quantity of the Simples, you may make a Bath for the Sick to sit in, but let it not be hot. Or you may make an Ointment with their Juyces, and Bolearmenick. Terra Sigilla­ta, Sanguis Draconis, Ceruse, Vinegar, and such like; Unguentum Comitissae is good to anoint the Veins and the Back. The Dripping of un Eel is much commen­ded. Or take the Hairs of an Hare burnt, Spiders Webs mixed with the white of an Egg, and apply it. Or touch the Vein with Oyl of Vitriol, and, in a despe­rate Case, with Aqua Fortis. If the Veins should ul­cerate, cleanse the Ulcer as you are taught in divers places of this Treatise. But be sure you consider the State of the Liver and Spleen; if they be hot or weak, cool or strengthen them, as you are taught in their proper Chapters.

CHAP. LII. Of the pain of the Haemorrhoids.

THe Haemorrhoid-Veins, sometimes do swell and cause very great pain. The cause of this differ­eth not from the former, for the blood offending in quantity or quality, and cannot open the ends of the Veins, causeth a Tumor, or inflammation. These Tu­mours are sometimes like Grapes, Mulberries, Warts, and sometimes like bladders: Some are externall, others internall. It is convenient that you make a distinction between the Haemorrhoids, and the clefts of the Fundament, which are like those chops which are in the lips, caused by sharp Northerly winds: and the Tumor called Condiloma, which is in colour, black, as the Haemorrhoids are, in form, long, and not in the Veins; whereas the Haemorrhoids are in the Veins, and round. There is also in the Fundament some­times to be found a carnuons swelling, called Thymi, and sometimes in the privities of Men and Women, and they are like the flowers of Thyme, they are lit­tle, white, or reddish, without pain; the Haemorrhoids are for the most part black, greater, and painfull. The piles are greater then the former, they are called Fici, they are blew and painfull, are like the Hae­morrhoids, onely they are a carnuous swelling, and the Haemorrhoids is a swelling of the Veins. The Piles are of a Maligne quality, and do sometimes ul­cerate. The swelling of the Haemorrhoids is not dan­gerous, unlesse it be inflamed, and Gangrene: Or if it suppurate and come to an Ulcer, and chance to turn [Page 255] to a Fistula, which may prove incurable. To cure, you must bleed, and make such revulsions prescribed in the former Chapter; likewise open the Saphaena. You must not use strong purges, lest you draw more humours to the place, yet you must keep the body so­luble, least the voiding of hard dung greatly encrease pain; keep the body soluble by this or the like Medi­cine: Take of the leaves of Lettice, Burrage, Buglosse, and Mallows, of each, one handfull: Polypody of the Oak three ounces; Liquorish, Raisons stoned, and Currant, of each, half an ounce: Buglosse, Burrage, and Violet­flowers, of each, one Pugill; Boil it in running water to a pint and an half; Strain it, and infuse therein an Ounce of Senna, (the liquor being kept hot) six hours; then put in of Cassia newly drawn, one ounce, and let it stand an hour; strain it, and Clarify it, and sweeten it with two ounces of syrrup of Violits, make four poti­ons thereof, and give it twice in a day, first and last. Then you must apply such things to them which hath power to case pain, viz. the Oil of Peach-kernells, Sweet Almonds, Nuts, Egs, Box: or oils of the seeds of Poppy, or Henbane. Of these may divers Linea­ments be made, good to appease pain, discuss the Tu­mor, and to dry the Ulcers: Take of the oyl of Eggs, (made in a Leaden Morter) the oyl of Violets, and Roses, of each one ounce; Populeon, half an Ounce, the Oyl of Box, two scruples, with Hens Grease, and Goats Suet, sufficient to make a Liniment, and apply it, or take of the juice of Purslane, and honey, of each, two ounces; white Diachylon, mollified with the Oyl of Chamomell, two Ounces, Opium, six grains; make an Unguent. Horstius commendeth wild Flax made into an Oynt­ment, with Hogs grease. To discusse the Tumor, the Balsome of Sulphur is much commended, or this Ca­taplasme is good. Take of Plantane, Pilewort, and [Page 256] Mallows of each a like quantity; make a decoction in Milk, till the liquor be half wasted, strain out the hearbs, and make a Cataplasm with the crums of white bread; adding to it the Oyl of Violets, Roses, Myr­tles, and the like. Or a Cataplasm made of the heads of Leeks, is much commended. Green Elder leaves boyled to slime, and applyed, and often renewed, are very good. The Lungs of a Sheep or Goat taken hot, and some slices thereof applyed, or if the sick sit upon them, it oftentimes proveth effectuall. If you see good, you may make a fomentation, with Mullein, Mallows, Marshmallows, Pellitory of the Wall, Flax, and Fenugreek seed in Milk, water, or Oyl, or all of them; or with a great quantity make a Bath: Or a fume made of the powder of Darnell, Mullein, Pile­wort, dried and thrown upon hot coals, and the Su­men received. The decoction of yarrow, Mullein, and Pilewort, is a good Medicine to take inwardly, or a Syrrup made of their Juyces, against both Haemo­thoids and Piles. If they will not open, bleed them with Leeches, or rub them till they bleed. If the Piles be ulcerated, the Balsom of Sulphur, the Oyl of Egs stirred in a Leaden Morter, is good to cleanse them. To conclude, those that are subject to these distempers, ought to have an Issue in the Leg.

CHAP. LIII. Of a hot distemper of the Liver.

A Hot distemper of the Liver is either with, or without matter; but for the most part, a hot di­stemper of the Liver, doth produce hot and cholerick humours: It is called in Greek [...]; it is cau­sed either by hot weather, violent exercise, anger, or such like passions of the mind: hot or spiced nou­rishment, drinking much Wine, or any thing that is naturally hot. This distemper is known by loathing of meat, the body Costive and hot, especially the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, the whole body groweth lean; a bitternesse of the mouth, and for the most part a Feaver; if there be plenty of hu­mours, the patient vomiteth, or evacuateth down­wards Choller; he is the worse for hot, and the bet­ter for cold things. This distemper, though not very dangerous in it solf, yet may be the cause of many diseases: It is hard to cure it if the stomach be cold, because what you give to cool the Liver, increaseth the distemper of the stomach. To cure it, you must cool the Liver, and evacuate Choller. First give a Laxative and cooling Clister; then, open the Liver-Vein in the right arm, and draw as much bloud as the patients strength will well bear, either at once or at severall times. Then make an Apozeme to purge Choller, thus, Take the roots of yellow Docks, or Muncks Ruharb, Sorrel, Succory, and Licoris, of each one Ounce, the Leaves of Endive, Succory, Fumitory, Dandelion, and Burrage, of each one handfull; of the [Page 258] great cold seeds, of each three Drachres: Of the Cordiall flowers, of each, one Pugill, Tamarinds one Ounce; boil them to a Pint and an half, then adde to infuse of Ru­barb and Senna, of each half an Ounce, Syrrup of Succo­ry, with Rubarb, and of Roses Solutive, add at the last, and clarify it, aromatize it with two drachms of yellow Sanders. Let the Patient take it four mornings. Let his ordinary drink be Barly-water, and put therein the Syrrup of Lemmons or Maiden-hair; or, if he de­light in things that are sharper, make it sharp with the spirit of Sulphur, or Vitriol. Whey likewise is very good, it is best if it be made by turning the milk with Vinegar, or the juice of Lemmons, and add such things as I advised for the Barly water. Likewise you may prepare Juleps to cool the Liver. Take the waters of Endive, Succory, Sorrel, and Buglosse, of each one ounce, the Syrrups of Lemmons, Sweet Apples, and Pomegranats, of each one ounce: of the Syrrup of Corall, compound half an ounce, the Oyl of Vitriol, ten drops, mix them, and make a Julep for four doses; Or, Take of the Con­serve of the flowers of Buglosse, Violets and Succory, of each one Ounce, the conserve of Hips, one Ounce and an half, with Syrrup of Lemmons make an Opiate, and take a little often. Likewise you may make a decoction of China, and Hepatick hearbs, sweetning it with the aforenamed Syrrups, and taking half a pint in the morning. Likewise of the aforenamed cooling hearbs you may make an Apozen to cool the Liver, or you may make a Bath to cool and moysten the body.

CHAP. LIV. Of the Inflammation of the Liver.

THe Inflammation of the Liver, is a hot Tumor, oc­casioned by bloud, out of its proper vessells, sent into the substance of the Liver. This Tumor ariseth either from pure bloud, or else the bloud is mixed with Choller, Flegme, or Melancholly, so producing either a true, Erysipelous, Oedematous, or Schirrous Phleg­mon. This Tumor is sometimes in the gibbous, or hollow part, of the Liver. The causes of this disease are too much bloud, or the heat, thinnesse or sharp­nesse thereof, and by its motion in the Veins it is some­times thrown into the Liver: For, the Liver being hot and in pain, doth attract the humours to it self: or by its weaknesse, is forced to receive the burden that stronger parts lay upon it, according to the Proverb, The weakest goes to the walls. Sometimes an ob­struction of the Liver, by retaining the thick humours, which by a preternaturall heat is inflamed. The ex­ternall causes are the same which cause heat of the Liver. To which add a stroak, or fall, bruising the Liver, or Medicines applyed to a cold stomach, or a Cupping-Glasse fastned to the Region of the Liver. The signs of the disease, are heavinesse in the right Hypocondrion, a weighty pain sometimes extending it self to the throat, and sometimes to the lower ribs, a Feaver more or lesse violent, according to the nature of the humour offending, viz. Choller, or Flegm, and difficulty of breathing, because the motion of the Di­aphragma is hindered, a dry chough, an unequal pulse [Page 260] and like a Saw, the Tongue at the beginning red, af­terwards black, great thirst, loathing of meat, vomit­ing Choller, and sometimes Flegm, a pale and yel­lowish colour of the whole body, red and flaming U­rine, the sick hath more ease lying upon his back, then upon either side: for the most part he is costive, because the heat of the Liver dryeth up the moysture of the Chylus; but if the Liver be weak also, the sick is loose, and the excrements are like water wherein flesh hath bin washed. If the Gibbous part of the Li­ver be affected, you may feel the Tumor in the right Hypochondrion, the breath is fetched with difficulty, and the pain reacheth to the right side of the Throar. If the cavity of the Liver be affected, the Tumor is not felt, but because that part lyeth upon the stomach there is greater loathing of meat, vomitting, thirst, and sometimes loosnesse of the belly, by reason of the corruption, which the distemper of the Liver causeth in the Stomach. The signs of the causes are thus known, if the inflāmation be of bloud onely, the face is either red or duskish, the Pulse is great and soft, the Urine is red and thick, the body is full of flesh, and there is sweetnesse in the mouth; and for the most part, the Patient is young and hath fed high. If Choller cause the inflāmation, the face is yellow, the pulse swift, hard and unequall, the Urine thin and yellow, the body thin, the eyes hollow, a bitter tast in the mouth, and Cholerick vomitings. The Symp­tomes of the inflamation of the Abdomen, differ little from them of the inflāmation of the Liver, therefore let us a little consider the difference. If the Muscles of the Abdomen be inflāmed, the skin is extended, and if you lay hold of it, you cannot move it, but if the Liver be inflamed, if you lay hold on the Muscles, they yield, and the Tumor appeareth deeper. If these [Page 261] Muscles be inflamed, the colour appeareth fresh, and in its naturall colour; but if the Liver be inflamed, the colour is yellow as in the Jaundise, you must like­wise distinguish between the inflāmation of the Liver, and a Pleurisy. Sometimes moist and bloudy stools, distinguish it; in the Pleurisy the pain will be vehe­ment, and great towards the right Hypocondria, no change of colour, the cough great and dry, with bloudy spittle for the most part, the pulse hard and like a Saw; the inflāmation of the Liver is manifosted by the signs laid down before. If the Mesentery be inflamed, the Tumor appeareth beneath the region of the Liver, the stools will be thin and moist, with un­concocted matter; if the party recover, the matter quickly is concocted, the colour of the face is not much altered. Prog. every inflāmation of the Liver is dangerous, for the most part deadly: if the Patient be not cured, or killed presently, the disease ends in a Dropsy, Atrophy, or Consumption. If Choller be the cause of the inflāmation, it is worse then if bloud were the cause, and the Feaver is stronger. The Hic­chough in this distemper, is a very evill sign, for it shews the greater Malignity of the inflāmation, which doth disturb the Stomach. A Flux joyned with it, unlesse it be criticall, and the humours evacuated, concocted, is deadly. To cure it, follow the rules pre­scribed in the 42. Chapt. Of the Inflāmation of the Stomach. Let his drink be Barly water, with a little Syrrup of Violets. If the disease be stubborn, to the former Medicines prescribed in the 42. Chapter, add this following Apozeme. Take of the roots of Smallage, Fennell and Parsly, of each, two ounces; the leaves of Agrimony, Violets, Succory, and Maidenhair, of each one handfull; Polypody of the Oak four Ounces, Chammell flowers, one Ounce; the seeds of Fennell, Gromwell, and [Page 262] Parsly, of each one Drachm: boil it to a Pint and an half, and in the strained Liquor infuse an Ounce of Sen na, and three Drachms of Rubarb; afterwards, add of Sirrup of violets and Vinegar Simple, of each, two Ounces: divide it into four Doses, and let the Sick take every other Morning. Then make an Epithem, Liniment, Un­guent, or Plaister, thus: Take of the Juyce of Endive, Succory, Sorrell, and Plantane, of each, half an Ounce: of the Oyls of Roses, Wormwood, Camomill, and Myrtles, of each, one Ounce: Vinegar, half an Ounce: boil it to the Consumption of the Juyces: then add of the three San­ders in Powder, of each, one Scruple: with Wax suffici­ent, make an unguent, and anoint the Region of the Li­ver. If the Pain and Feaver decreaseth, you must add to the former Oyntment, such things as dissolve and mollify as well as cool: as the Flowers of Camomill and Melilot, Barly-meal, the Roots of Marsh-mallows, Calamus Aromaticus, and Cypresse: the Leaves of Mallows, Violets, and Agrimony: the Seeds of Annise, Fennell, Faenugreek, and Flax. Or with these Sim­ples you may make a Fomentation.

If the Inflammation be not discussed, as it seldom can, it tends to Suppuration; otherwise to a Gan­grene. The Imposthume, for the most part, is com­pleat in twenty dayes, it is very dangerous, and few escape thereof. But if it be little, and onely in one part of the Liver, and the Matter white which comes forth by Urine and Stool, the Sick escapeth; if it be in the outward part of the Liver, it may be opened by an actual Cautery, and if the Matter which cometh forth be white, the Patient escapeth. After the Im­posthume is broken, there remaineth an Ulcer, if the Patient continueth: the Ulcer is hard to cure, and bringeth the Patient into a Dropsy or Marasmus. But sometimes sharp, cholerick, and corroding Humours [Page 263] in the Liver produce an Ulcer without Inflammation. This Ulcer is discovered by the Signes following: Pain in the right Hypocondrion, mattery and bloody Stools, and pain in the Bowels as in the Dysentery; onely here the Weight and Pricking about the Liver maketh a Distinction: sometimes pieces of the Liver have been voided by Stool. If the outward part of the Liver be ulcerated, the Urine is mattery, without any Disease in the Bladder or Reins. The Colour is yellow, sometimes small Pimples in the Face, a stin­king Breath, Loathing Flesh, and the Sick fainteth of­ten. An Ulcer in the Liver is accompanied (for the most part) with an Hective Feaver; for the most part Death lodgeth not farr from it: that which followeth an Imposthume and Inflammation is more dangerous then the other. If it tends to Suppuration, it is hard­ly cured, yet you must proceed, thus: Take of the Em­plaster of Diachilon magnum, and Melilot, of each, one Ounce: Gum Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, half an Ounce: Oyl of Wormwood and Wax, make a Plaister, and spread it upon Leather in the form of an half Moon, and apply it to the Region of the Liver. Make use al­so of mollifying Cataplasms. Give inwardly Chicken Broth, and boil therein Marsh and common Mallows, Figs, &c. When the Imposthume is broken, make use of the Medicines prescribed for the Cure of an Ul­cer in the Stomach; give him to drink Whey or Barly-Water and Hony of Roses. If the Suppuration be out­wardly and after the opening thereof, the Matter is filthy, red and stinking, Death must perfect the Cure; but if the Matter evacuated be white and concocted, there is hopes of Recovery.

CHAP. LV. Of the Obstruction of the Liver.

[...], or the Obstruction of the Liver, is a Dis­ease organical, a preternatural Straitnesse of the Branches of the Vena Porta, and Vena Cava, as also the whole Substance of the Liver, which hinders the distribution of Blood and Nourishment, by reason of a preternatural Humour which shutteth up the Passa­ges. The Quantity or Quality of the Humours may be the Cause of Obstruction. Plenty of Humours cause Obstruction in the Cavity of the Vessels, which by ful­nesse are so distended, that they cannot contract them­selves to send forth the Matter. The Quality of the Humours is grosse, tough, and clammy Excrements sticking to the Passages, and are more thickned by the Heat of the part: viz. Phlegm which easily groweth thick and clammy; Mela choly, which is cold, thick, and drossy: Choller, staying long in the Liver, grows thick: and sometimes the Thicknesse of the Blood may cause Obstruction; sometimes grosse Vapours may cause Obstruction, as in the Chollick. All things which make thick and clammy Humours, as a cloudy and thick Air; Meats, that are astringent, cold, of grosse Juyce, hard of Concoction being immoderately eaten, or more eaten, then the Constitution of the Bo­dy can well dispense with; as Beef, Bacon, Pork, and Fish dryed in the Smoak; Cheese, Pease, Beans, &c. Pears, Quinces, Medlars, Services, and Mushrooms: Bread not well baked, muddy Ale, and astringent Wine. A cold Distemper of the Liver, which cannot [Page 265] well concoct the Chylus, but turns it into a salt, tar­tarous, and mucilaginous Matter, may be the Cause of Obstruction. Distempers of the Stomach, by reason of which it cannot well concoct, but beget crude Chyle, which the Liver cannot well order, may be the Cause. Diag: In this Distemper, the Excrements are not naturall, but are moist, white, chylous, or bloody: The Urine, white, thin, and warry: when the Patient walketh fast, or up a Hill, he breatheth with difficulty: the Face pale, the whole Body lean and dull: a sense of Weight in the Hypocondria, es­pecially after Meat, and though the Sick hath eat Meat light, and little in Quantity, yet he seemeth as if he had overgorged himself. Sometimes the Hypocon­dria is extended; and a dry Cough. The Causes are thus known: If the Pain be heavy, extended and fix­ed, grosse Humours are the Cause. Sharper Pains, and more moveable, declare Wind. If cold Humours be the Cause; there is more Weight, the Face is pale, no Thirst nor Feaver: a thick and cold Diet preceded: the contrary Signes declare hot Humours to be the cause, Choller maketh the Face yellow, and blood-red. Prog: An Obstruction newly begun may be easily cu­red: but an old, hardly. If the Obstruction of the Liver be not removed, it breeds many dangerous Dis­eases: in a word, it may be well called the Mother of all Diseases. That which comes of crude & phlegma­tick Humours is worse then that which comes of Wind. You must begin the Cure with universal Evacuations, suitable to the Nature of the Disease, the Strength and Constitution of the Patient. If Blood abound, open the Liver-Vein, but beware lest you cool the Bo­dy too much. Then you must make opening-Broths, thus: Take of the Roots of Smallage, Parsly, Fennell, and Asparagus, of each, one Ource: Agrimony, Maiden­hair, [Page 266] and Polypody of the Oak, of each, one handfull: the Seeds of Annise, Parsly, and Fennell, of each, one Drachm; boil them in Chicken or Mutton Broth, and strain it; every Morning give the Sick a Porringer full, dis­solving first therein, Cream of Tartar, one Drachm; Salt of Wormwood and Tamarisk, of each, half a Scru­ple. Or every other day infuse in his Broth, half an Ounce of Senna, and give it as before. Baths and Fomentations made of sottning and opening things are good: Take of the Roots of Marsh mallows, Lillyes, and Briony, of each, two Ounces; the middle Rind of Ta­marisk, the Bark of Caper Roots, the Roots of Sea holly, Cypresse, and dwarf-Elder, of each, one Ounce: The Leaves of Marsh and common Mallows, Camomill, Mints, Germander, Penny-royall, Violets, and Wormwood, of each, one handfull: the Seed of Flax, Foenugreek, and Juniper Berryes, of each, one Ounce: the Flowers of Broom, Elder, Camomill, and Mililot, of each, one Handfull: boil them in chalybiated Water, and (if you please) add one part of white-Wine, and foment the Region of the Li­ver: or with a greater Quantity make a Bath. Your Wit (if you have any) will teach you how to make Unguents, of the same ingredients, to anoint the part, after fomenting. It is good to have in readinesse an Opiate that openeth Obstructions, strengthneth the Stomach, Liver, and other parts; Take of the Conserve of Wormwood, two Ounces: the Root of Elicampane, and Citron Peels candied, of each, one Ounce: Candied Nut­megs, half an Ounce: one Myrabolan candied, Confectio Alchermes, two Drachms: Diarrhodon Abbatis, one Drachm: Salt of Wormwood and Tamarisk, of each one Scruple: Saffron, and Amber-greese, of each, half a Scru­ple: with the Sirrup of the five opening Roots make an Opiate, of which let the Patient take the quantity of a Wal-nut every Merning.

In this case steel-Medicines are of excellent use, and well approved of by Galenists as well as Paracelsi­ans: sometimes the Powder may be given alone, or of it may be made several sorts of Medicines, as steel-Wine, Sirrups, Opiates, Pills, and Lozenges. Some infuse it in white Wine or Claret, and drink thereof: many wayes are steeled-Wines prepared, I shall onely prescribe that which my self have found effectuall and leave every man to his liberty to prepare it as he sees good. Take the powder of Steel prepared with Vinegar, three Ounces: the Roots of dwarf-Elder, two Ounces: the Root of Elicampane and Sea-Holly, of each, one ounce: yellow Sanders and Epithimium, of each, one Ounce: the Flowers of Camomill, Broom, and Rosemary, of each, half an Ounce: (it will not be the worse if you add two Ounces of Senna, and half an Ounce of Rubarb:) the best white-Wine, three Quarts: Let them infuse in a Bath twelve dayes, twice a day you must shake them: let the Patient take two or three Ounces every Morning as long as need requireth. Likewise may Pills, Opiates, and Sirrups be prepared of the infusion and extract of Steel. But this remember, that after all Medicines made of Steel must much Excercise be used, to make the Strength of the Medicine go to the parts obstruct­ed. Quercetan commendeth the compound Powder of Aron to open Obstructions: two Drachms taken in a Morning in some convenient Liquor, for several dayes: See the fourth Booke: But of all Medicines, to open Ob­structions, those made of Vitriol, Tartar, and Steel claime the preheminence: if Dr. Dunce have not the administring thereof.

CHAP. LVI. Of the Schirrus of the Liver.

THis Disease is a hard Tumor in the Liver without Pain: it is either perfect or imperfect; the per­fect is without Pain or Sense: that which is imperfect hath some Pain. This is bred by crude, viscous, and clammy Humours sent from other parts, or bred in the Liver by evill Concoction. The imperfect Schir­rus is caused by immoderate use of discussing, or re­percussive Medicines; or things which by cooling and binding do thicken the Matter, and keep it from dissol­ving. The Signs are, a Hardnesse in the right Hypo­condrion, and a great Heavinesse, especially, when the Breath is fetched, neither Feaver nor Pain, as in the Inflammation; or at lest but little Pain, when the Schirrus is imperfect: the Face is pale and gree­nish, because there is no good Blood produced by it. The whole Body decayeth, because there is no Sangui­fication, nor Distribution of Nourishment, as ought to be. To the Prognostick, Galen saith thus; an in­sensible Schirrus is incurable: that which is sensible is curable, though with much difficulty. A Schirrus turns to the Dropsy incurable; sometimes it causeth the Jaundice: and somtimes it cometh in the Jaun­dice, both which are very dangerous. To cure it in the beginning of the Disease, you must take away the antecedent Cause, as you are taught in the preceding chapter of Obstructions, all the Medicines there men­tioned are proper for this. Riverius much commen­deth these Pills following: Take of the best Aloes, and [Page 269] Gum Ammoniacum, dissolved in Vinegar, strained, and again made thick, of each, half an Ounce: Mercurius Dulcis, (well prepared) two Drachms: Diagridium, one Drachm: with Oxymell of Squills, make a Masse for Pills, of which, take half a Drachm in the Morning, for twenty or thirty dayes, but sometimes rest, and in the intermediate dayes, make use of the steeled and other Medicines, mentioned in the Chapter. Likewise the Fomentation and Unguent there prescri­bed may be made use of to mollify this Tumor.

CHAP. LVII. Of the Jaundice.

THe Jaundice is a spreading of a yellow Colour o­ver the whole Body. There is a two fold Jaun­dice, the yellow and the black; the black proceeds from the Spleen, and is rare. I shall here speak one­ly of the yellow Jaundice. This Disease comes from three principal Causes: First, from an evil Disposition of the Liver, as an Inflammation, Obstruction, Schir­rus, or Weaknesse thereof, that it cannot separate the Choller from the Blood, and by that means it is car­ried over the whole Body. A second Cause is the Ob­struction of the Gall, which hinders its passage into the Guts, and so remains in the Blood, with which it is carried to all parts of the Body. The Gall is ob­structed, either by grosse Phlegm, or Choller aboun­ding, and sometimes by little stones bred therein, &c. The third Cause is the Malignity of the cholerick Hu­mour, which consisteth, either in the great Quantity which Nature cannot regulate, nor seperate from the [Page 270] Blood: or fills the Bagg so full that it cannot con­tract it self to expell it. Or else it consisteth in the e­vill Quality of the Humour, which, by corrupting the rest, hinders their due Evacuations, which Nature perceiving, striveth suddenly to cast it forth: as it sometimes happens in cholerick Feavers, after the ta­king of Poyson, or after the biting of some venemous Creature. The Signes of the yellow Jaundice is a Yellownesse of the Body, especially, the whites of the Eyes and the Balls of the Checks: cholerick Vomi­tings, and Hiccoughs, Lazinesse, Itching of the Body, and Bitternesse of the Tongue. If it come from a Dis­temper of the Liver: there preceded an Inflammati­on, Obstruction, &c. If from an Obstruction of the Gall, the Belly is bound and the Excrements white, the Urine yellow or reddish, which will dye a new piece of linnen cloth. If it come from the Malignity of the Hu­mour, both the Urine and the Excrements are high co­loured, especially, after a putrid Feaver, now if the Fea­ver remain, the Jaundice is Symptomatical; If, when the Jaundice appears, the Feaver ceaseth, the Urine and Excrements be of their natural Colour; the Jaun­dice is critical. Poyson taken and venemous Bitings the Patient can declare. They, who in a Feaver have the Jaundice before the seventh or critical day, are in great danger; the contrary, if it happen on a critical day. The Jaundice, comming upon an Inflammation of the Liver, is dangerous, because the Disease com­monly ends in an Imposthume: if upon a Schirrus, it is no lesse dangerous, because that ends in the Dropsy. If it come from an Obstruction of the Gall, it is most easy to cure, because the Passage is neer the Guts, ex­cept Stones bred in the Passages be the Cause, which, by reason they cannot be dissolved, are counted incu­rable. For the Cure, if it come from Distemper of the [Page 271] Liver, have recourse to the aforegoing Chapters, if the Jaundice be critical it needs no Cure. If from the Obstruction of the Gall; to cure it, take away the the Obstruction, which may be done, by the Medicines mentioned in the Chapter Of the Obstruction of the Li­ver. Yet least I should seem to omit any thing need­full, I shall apply a Medicine or two proper to the Dis­ease. If the Body be plethorick, Phlebotomy may be profitable. Afterwards evacuate the Humours with Medicines that principally purge Choller: Take of the Electuary of the Juyce of Roses, and the Electuary of Prunes solutive, of each three Drachms: Rubarb in Pow­der, one Drachm: Saffron, half a Scruple: with Sugar make a Bolus, give it once or twice, as the Patient stands in need thereof. Then make a Decoction thus: Take the Roots of Smallage, Nettles, and Maddir, of each, one Handfull: the Leavs of Celandine, Cleavers, Fumitory, Wormwood, Century, and the Tops of Saint John's Wort, of each, one Handfull: Cinnamon, and the Shavings of Ivory, of each, two Drachms: the white Dung of an Hen, and the Dung of a Goose, of each, two Drachms, tye it up in a Ragg, and with it a Scruple of Saffron: make a Decoction in white Wine, (or if you please, in Fumitory, Wormwood-water, or the like) to a Quart: Let the Patient take a quarter of a Pint fa­sting, and gently exercise himself. Of these, and In­gredients of the like Nature may any form of Medicine be prepared. Whilst inward Medicines are administred, foment or anoint the Region of the Liver, as you are taught in the foregoing Chapters.

CHAP. LVIII. Of the Dropsy.

THere are three kinds of Dropsyes, the first is called in Greek [...] Ascites, the second [...] Tympanites, the third [...] Anasarca or [...] Leucophlegmatia. Ascites is a Swelling of the Belly, caused of a serous Humour, and salt, (as Water it is cold, as Salt it is hot, infecting the Mouth of the Stomach, hence cometh a Feaver and Thirst,) and not onely the Belly, but sometimes the Cods, Thighs, Legs, and Feet: and sometimes it begins in the Legs and Feet and ascends upward. It is the O­pinion of most Physitians, that all Dropsyes have their originall from a cold Distemper of the Liver, which cannot make Blood, but Water, Phlegm, and Wind. This Opinion is undeniably true in Anasarca, but in Ascites and Tympanites it is questionable, although sometimes a cold Distemper may be the Cause there­of. The Experience of Modern Physitians hath put the businesse out of doubt, who have found the Liver sound in dissected Bodyes, who died of the Dropsy. And if the Liver should breed warry Blood; what reason can be given that the Water should be sent to the Cavity of the Belly onely, and not to other parts, and breed Anasarca? A Dropsy may be caused by a hot Distemper of the Liver caused of Feavers, much Wine, or hot Meats, which doth disperse the native Heat, by which means, the Liver, Spleen, and Kid­neys become lesse active, and not able to draw the Wa­ter, nor cast it forth by the Ureters: the like may be [Page 273] said of a cold Distemper. Some external Cause may hinder the Attraction and Distribution of the Water, as, namely, the drinking of much cold Water, or hot Wine, or any thing that doth diminish or disperse the native Heat.

The Dropsy Tympanites, hath its Name from Tympa­num a Drum, because the Belly soundeth like a Drum; and is much stretched out. This Stretching hath its original from Wind shut up in the Cavity of the Abdo­men, and sometimes in the Cavity of the Guts as Pla­terus observed. This Wind is bred by crude and thick, phlegmatick or melancholy Humours, which being stirred by Heat, and made thin, becometh thick and flatuous Vapours, which are hard to be dissolved. Nor doth Wind alone cause a Dropsy but with it a mixture of Water, so that if Wind be predominant, it is cal­led a Tympany: if Water, Ascites. Anasarca is bred of a phlegmatick Humour spread throughout the whole Body, and maketh every part to swell and be white: a cold Distemper of the Liver is the Cause; when the Liver, insteed of making good Blood, produceth such Humours. The Cause of this Disease may be imputed to all such things as cool the Liver too much, and hinder its Concoction, as a Diet too cold and moist, the Stopping of the Terms or Haemorrhoids, all Ob­structions, and Tumors in the Liver, much bleeding, or any praeternatural Evacuation.

You may make the Diagnosticks thus; In Ascites, the Belly is great and broad, presse the Sides and you may hear the Water make a Noise: when the Patient turneth in his Bed, his Belly swayeth to that side: the Thighs, Legs, Feet, and Cods swell, but the upper parts decay: the Urine is little in Quantity, thick in Substance, in colour, red: In the encrease of the Disease, the Patient breatheth with much difficul­ty, [Page 274] by reason of the Abundance of Water which lyeth upon the Diaphragma, especially, when he lyeth down; therefore the Patient (for the most part) is forced to stand or sit: the salt Humour swimming in the Sto­mach causeth a continuall Thirst, and a lingring Fea­ver. In the Tympany the Belly soundeth like a Drum, is big but lesse burthensome; when the Patient lyeth up­on his Back, his Belly remaineth hard and extended, nor doth it sway when he turneth himself: the begin­ning of this Dropsy (for the most part) is accompani­ed with pain about the Navel and Reins. In Ana­sarca, not onely the Belly & lower parts, but the upper parts also swell; if you thrust the Swelling with your Finger, it doth pit and leave an Impression: the Flesh is soft and loose, and the Skin pale and earthy: they have a lingring Feaver, breathing difficultly, and the Urine is thin and white.

To the Prognostick, I say; Every Dropsy is hard to be cured, the older the Parient is, and the longer the Disease hath continued, the more perillous. Anasar­ca is least dangerous: Ascites and the Tympany are sometimes one more dangerous then another, accor­ding to their Causes: for Ascites comming from a Tu­mor or Ulcer of the Liver or any of the internall parts, it is more dangerous then a Tympany, et è con­tra. If a Dropsy come upon an acute Disease, it is e­vill. If the Liver, being full of Water, discharge it self into the Omentum, the Disease ends in Death. If in the beginning a Dropsy, (the Patient being strong, and free from Tumor or Ulcer in the Liver or any in­ternal part,) the Water floweth into the Belly and causeth a Flux, the Patient is cured; if the contrary happen, expect a contrary effect. This I gather from the words of Hippocrates; In the beginning of a Dropsy, if there come a Flux of the Belly, without want of Con­coction, [Page 265] or crudity it is prevented, the lesse Urine is void­ed the worse, because the drink runs not to the Reins, but to the Belly. It is a very hopefull signe, when the Patient voideth more Urine then he drinketh, and the belly grow lesse. Impostumes or spots in the Legs of Hydropicall men, are for the most part forerunners of death. If a man who hath been cured of the Drop­sie fall into the same againe, it is very dangerous; If a melancholly body have a Tympany, he seldome es­capes; especially if he pisse by drops. If the Hydro­picall person eate his meat and digest it well, and be not sick after, have no cough nor pain, his tongue not rough nor thirsty: if he be in a naturall order without physick, and medicines work easily with him; if he be not faint, and his Urine change according to his Diet, he may easily be cured.

For the cure, you must consider if the disease hath its originall from obstructions, Tumors, &c: And seek the beginning of your cure out of their proper Chap­ters. Afterwards you must labour to evacuate the matter, whether it be in the Abdomen or whole body, first make an Apozem thus: Take of the roots of Parsly, Smallage, Fennell, Elicampane, Bruscus, Danewort, and Madder, of each one ounce: The Leaves of Agrimony, Wormwood, Maidenhaire, the tops of St. Johns wort, and Century, of each one handfull: the inward bark of the roots of Capers, Ash and Tamarisk, of each four drachms: Liquorish, one ounce: the seeds of Fennell, Parsly and Ju­niper berryes, of each half an ounce: the flowers of Broom, Beans and Elder, of each, one pugill: Julep roots, two drachms: boile them in a sufficient quantity of water, wherein steel hath been quenched, to a pint and an half: strain it, and add to the Liquor, one ounce of Senna, co­ver it and let it infuse six houres, strain it and dissolve therein of the syrup of Harts-tongue one ounce: and the sy­rup [Page 276] of Succory, with Rubarb three ounces: Clarifie it with the whites of Eggs, and aromatize it with two drachms of Cinnamon, or yellow Sanders; give it four mornings. Afterwards once a week give this pouder; Take of Senna, Jallap, Mechoacah, Turbith, Gum, and Hermo­dacts, of each one drachm: Cream of Tartar, and Salt of Wormwood, of each two drachms: Cambugia half a drachm: Diamher, Diarrhodon abbatis, and Fennell seeds, of each two scruples: make a fine ponder, and in­fuse one drachm in a quarter of a point of White-wine all night, and let the Patient take it in the morning. Of these and such like may be prepared medicines of all formes. Some commend the juyce of flowerde­luce roots, taken with hony or manna, the dose is three ounces, and Platerus in his Observations doth highly extoll it. Chimists do much commend the extract of black Hellebore, Mercurius vitae and Diaphoreticus, Mercurius dulcis, antimonium Diaphoreticum, and such like: but let the physitian beware how he gives medi­cines of this nature, except his Patient be strong; the like caution let him observe in giving of purging me­dicines, especially such as purge with violence. But rather let him (if his Patient be weake) give discussive and Diuretick Clisters, thus. Take of Mallows, Marsh-Mallows, Chamomell, pellitory of the wall, and Mercury, of each one handfull: the seeds of Annis, Sweet Fennell, Caraway, Dill, and Bay-berryes, of each two drachms: the flowers of Broom and Melilot, of each one pugil: boyle them in Posset drink or Mutton broath to a pint, dis­solve in the strained liquor, of Oyle, of Camomell, Dill and Rue, of each one ounce: Diacatholicon (or Diaphaenicon) of each one ounce: (and if you see good, add half an ounce of Benedicta Laxativa) and make a Clister: you must principally give such medicines which purge by Urine: the steeled-wine prescribed in the 55. chap. is very good; [Page 277] in the preparing of it, you may add (if you see occasi­on) any of the aforementioned ingredients, which pro­voke Urine. The Spirit of Vitrioll, Tartar and Salt is much commended, if it be administred in some Diu­retick decoction. The salt of Wormword and Juni­per profiteth much. Or you may make a Lee of the Ashes of Juniper and White-Wine, giving five or six ounces thereof, which Lee alone hath cured some Dropsies saith Mathiolus; the same I have known my self. Bleeding is prohibited, and upon good grounds too, unlesse the disease come from stoppage of the Termes or Hemorrhoids, bleed not then, unlesse it be in the beginning of the disease, and the Liver in its na­turall condition. Issues, Blisters, and Scarifications are likewise forbidden, because they gangren for the most part: yet in the beginning of a Dropsie, the lo­wer parts being exceedingly swelled, I made an Issue in the Leg, out of which an incredible quantity of wa­ter issued, and the Patient perfectly cured. Among Evacuations, Sweatings are not the least profitable, especially in Anasarca; but in Ascites and Tympanites the Liver being dry, besides the difficulty of procuring it, it rather hurteth then profiteth. All the time of the cure forget not to strengthen the Liver, that you may hinder the encrease of water, as well as purge it; have recourse to the 55, Chapter of the Obstruction of the Liver. Hollerius commendeth this opiate: Take of Currance cleansed, half a pound: boyle them in Sack till they be as thick as a pultis, heat and strain them, then add of the Conserve of Rosemary flowers, Citron peels Can­died, and Cinnamon, of each one drachm: the pouder A­romaticum Rosatum Diamargariton, Calidum, and Dia­cinamon, of each two scruples: Lignum Aloes, half a drachm: Saffron half a scruple, mix them and make a soft Electuary. Then make a fomentation for the belly [Page 278] with these, or hearbs of the like nature: Agrimony Danewort, Chamomell, Calamint, Elder, Mallows, & Marsh-Mallowes, Marjerom, Melilot, Broom, Penny­royall, Rue, Snakweed, Southern wood, Tamarisk, Wormwood, and the like, the seeds of Parsly, Dill, Cummin, Fennell, Bay, and Juniper berryes: foment the belly with spunges dipt in the decoction of these, or lay the hearbs themselves in a bag hot to the belly: Afterwards, anoynt the belly with the oyle of Dill, Chamomell, Rue, Flowerdeluce, and the like. Or you may make Unguents, Cataplasms, or Emplasters. This harmlesse Cataplasm I have found profit much: Take of Wormwood, Chamomell, Mayweed and Danewort of each two handfulls, bruise them in a stone morter, then boyle them in Vinegar and Hony, then with Bean and Bar­ly meale, and Cow-dung dryed, of each a like quantity make a Cataplasm. Galen commendeth a Cataplasm of Snailes, bruised with their shells, and layd upon the Navell, and there keep it till it falls off of its own accord. Radishes bruised and laid to the Belly and Reynes, worketh by stoole and Urine. To conclude, If the body be strong, you may use strong purgers in your Cataplasms, but if the body be weak forbeare. In Anasarca you may often and strongly purge watry, and flegmatick humors: In Ascites and Tympanites more seldome and gentle. In Ascites, order your in­ternall and externall medicines principally to purge water: in Tympanites let them be Carminative and discussive. In every of them have a speciall respect to the Liver; and if it be too hot (as it somtimes hap­peneth) give cold things mixed with warm openers; Let their meat be of the dryest, and let them shun sweet-meats as a Plague. For drink let them abstaine from it as much as can be, and drink none but what is made with Wormwood, Tamarisk, Elecampane, Juni­per, [Page 279] &c: or let them only hold it in the mouth to coole and asswage their thirst, let them chew Mastick, for it draweth water from the Stomack.

CHAP. LVIII. Of the Obstruction, Inflammation, and Tumor of the Spleen.

THe Spleen is subject to Obstruction as well as the L [...]ver, or rather more; because it draweth cruder blood: when thick humors stick in the substance of the Spleen, it maketh an inflammation and Tumor. If the humors grow thick and hard, it breeds a Scirrhus. If the Tumor be phlegmatick, it is called Oedma, which chanceth to them, who live upon cold and moyst food, or live in a moyst ayre. But if it be soft; loose & puffed up, it is called an inflammation or puffing of the Spleen, The causes of the Obstruction, Inflammation, & tumour of the Spleen, are the same with them of the Liver: Sometimes the affect seizeth on both together.

They are distinguished by their Signes: the Ob­struction of the Spleen is distinguished from the Ob­struction of the Liver, by the scituation of the part. If the Spleen be obstructed, there is heavinesse and pain in the left Hypochondrion, especially after running, riding, or any more than ordinary exercise; if you handle the hypochondrion there is resistance, the face is blewish, and Signes of melancholly appeare, the disease is of long continuance, and if it be not speedily cured, it turnes to a Scirrhus. The cure is performed the same way, as the Obstruction of the Liver is; only you must add things, which particularly respect the Spleen, and purge the Melancholly humor.

The inflammation of the Spleen likewise hath the same conjunct and antecedent cause, only it is especi­ally caused by Melancholly Blood. The Diagnostick Signes are different, viz: the Patient hath swelling, pain, heavinesse, and beating on the left side under the ribs, thirst, blacknesse of the tongue, loathing of meat, a constant fever, troublesome lying on either side, es­pecially the right, somtimes the Tumor is in the shape of the Spleen: Somtimes fills the left Hypochondri­on, and if the adjacent parts be inflamed also, it ex­tendeth below the Navell. If only Melancholly blood cause the inflammation, the Tumor is harder, the co­lour black, and many times the Urine: If choler be mixed with melancholly blood, the thirst is greater, the Fever stronger, and worse every third day; the mouth bitter, and the Urine red: great want of sleep and doting. If phlegme be mixed, the former symp­tomes are lessened.

The Prognostick is the same with the inflammation of the Liver, only it is lesse dangerous, for as much as the Liver is the nobler part▪ If it endeth not in Death, it endeth by some criticall Evacuation, as by Stoole, Urine or Bleeding at the left Nostrill, or else it grows hard, and turnes to a Schirrhus. Which may be known by the causes and signes laid down in the Chapter of the Schirrhus, of the Liver; only it appeareth on the contrary side. The cure of this and the former may be performed by the medicines, laid down in the Chap­ters of the inflammation, obstruction, and Schirrhus of the Liver, only make use of some things that especial­ly respect the Spleen, and purge melancholly, as I hinted before.

Somtimes the Spleen is much pained by wind, which stretcheth the Spleen and its membranes, but is without fever or hardnesse. It is easily distinguished from the [Page 281] former griefs, but hardly from the Chollick, by reason of the neernesse of the Gut Colon: but you may dis­tinguish them thus: the pain of the Spleen is weighty and in one place: but of the Chollick is stretching, sharp, moveable, and runs over the whole Belly. The Cure must be wrought by Medicines carminative, emollient, and discussive, given internally, or Clis­ters of the same Nature, with Fomentations and Lini­ments, made of the Oyls of Wormwood, Lillyes, Ca­momell, Capers, and such like, adding a little of the Oyl of Spike: and, if the pain cease not, some com­mend the Application of a Cupping-Glasse; but be well advised first, whether there be no Defluxion or Inflammation.

CHAP. LX. Of Hypocondriack Melancholy.

THis Disease hath its Originall from melancholly and adust Humours, which are bred by the Dis­temper of the Spleen, or Stomach, which, by reason of of their Crudity, stay long in the Veins, Arteries, and other Passages, which cause great and grievous Fer­mentations or Workings, from whence noisome Va­pours ascend to the Brain, Heart, and Midriff, which cause divers Symptoms, which I shall mention here­after. The antecedent Causes are, all Meats of evill Juyce, and of hard Digestion; long continued Passi­ons and Sadnesse, because they disperse the Spi­rits, and hinder Concoction, and cause Credityes, which being burnt by Heat, turn to Melancholy. Much Study, Watching, and want of Excercise may [Page 282] be the Cause by reason of much Retention of Excre­ments; hence it is, that learned men, and such who sit much, are troubled with this Disease. The Stop­page of the Terms or Haemorrhoids may be the Cause.

The Diagnostick Signs of this Disease are many, ac­cording to the parts affected: Sometimes the Patient spitteth or vomiteth much, because the Stomach con­cocteth ill, and turneth the Nourishment into watry, sharp, sowr, or clammy Substance, which not being drawn away by the Guts, ly in the Stomach, and some­times discharge themselves as aforesaid. Sometimes the boiling of these Humours in the Stomach causeth flaruous Vapours, which stretch the Stomach and af­flict the Heart, and cause Swooning: These Vapours cause a Noise beneath the Ribs, hence it hath been called the windy Disease. Sometimes the Wind reacheth to the Kidneys, and causeth great Pain there, which maketh the Patient think he hath the Stone. He is often costive, because the clammy Hu­mours (bred by evill Concoction) stick to the Guts: sometimes the Sharpnesse of the Humours causeth the Belly to be soluble. There is great Heat in the Hypo­condria, so that the Face will grow red and hot from those Vapours. Sometimes the Urine is thin, because thick and tartarous Humours stop the Passages: some­times thick, red, and troubled, and hath a thick tar­tarous Sediment, and sometimes stick to the bottom of the Urin all like Sand, which causeth a Suspition of the Stone, but this dissolves between the Fingers like Salt, and that which is bred in the Reins is hard. The Va­pours ascending produce many Symptomes, as, Palpi­tation of the Heart, a distempered Pulse; if they as­cend to the Tongue and Pallat, it causeth great Thirst: if to the Lungs, difficulty of the Breathing: if to the Membranes of the Brain, Head ach: if to the Brain it [Page 283] self, Dimnesse of sight, Noise in the Ears, Giddinesse, Fear, and melancholy Phantasies; if they be very sharp, they sometimes cause the Falling-Sicknesse, and if they settle in the Nervs, Convulsion: if they be stu­pifying, they cause Numbnesse, the Palsy, Apoplexy, &c: If the Vapours be hot and dry, they dry the Brain, and cause Watchings, troublesom Sleep, and frightfull Dreams. Note that all these Symptoms are not to be expected in one and the same Patient, but more or fewer according to the variety of the pec­cant Humours.

Prognosticks are: A continual Pain and Giddinesse of the Head in a Hypocondry, doth threaten an Epi­lepsy, Apoplexy, or Blindnesse, and the like. Thick Urine is better then thin, for thin Urine is a Sign that thick Humours are detained in the Body. Vomiting, Flux of the Belly, or Haemorrhoids, if it be moderate, and continue not long, is a hopefull Sign, judge the contrary if it continue long. For the most part, this Disease is of long continuance, and seldom cured, therefore it hath been called the Scourge and Disgrace of Physitians.

The Cure of this Disease consisteth in four things, First, in opening Obstructions: Secondly, in amen­ding the Distempers of the Bowells: Thirdly, in eva­cuating the peccant Humours: and, Lastly, in strengthning the affected and vitall parts. But, to forbear Tediousnesse, and to avoid needlesse Reperiti­ons, I refer you to the Chapters aforegoing, especial­ly, Of the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen. Take this general Rule, keep the Body alwayes soluble, by Medicines which the Parient may use before Meat, changing them often; as often as need shall require let the Patient be purged, let him make use of Broths, Decoctions, and Drinks that have a Faculty to open [Page 284] Obstructions; as the Juyce of Wormwood, or Worm­wood-Wine, adding thereto Tamarisk, Agrimony, Borrage, and Buglosse, Burnet, Sanders, Rosemary Flowers, and the like. Montanus much commendeth Venice Turpentine; because it looseneth the Belly, cleanseth and warmeth the Stomach: provoketh U­rine: openeth the Obstructions of the Liver, clean­seth, and doth not heat it. Steel-Wine, and other Medicines made of Steel, which you may find in the Chapter Of the Obstruction of the Liver, powerfully o­peneth Obstructions, especially the Extract of Steel, in the Administration of which, I have found more then ordinary Successe: but let Medicines of this Na­ture be administred by a skilfull and carefull Physitian. The Decoction or Infusion of Lignum Nephriticum doth open Obstructions safely and pleasantly. And some do much commend the Decoction of the Root of sweet Bryar for the Patient's ordinary drink. Whilst you use internall Medicines, Externalls are not to be neg­lected, viz. Fomentations, Oyntments, &c. such as are prescribed for the Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen; choose the coolest of them and apply them to the Hypocondria. And, because in this Disease the Stomach alwayes suffereth, seek the Remedy in its proper place. Or if the Vapours ascending from the Hypochondria, trouble the Heart or Brain, and cause Swooning, Palpitation, Trembling, Convulsions, Head-ach, or the like, have recourse to the Chapters preceding, which treat of those Diseases.

CHAP. LXI. Of the Scurvy.

THe Scurvy is nothing else but an Hypocondriack Disease, but having a peculiar degree of Maligni­ty, arising from the Putrefaction of Melancholy, it hath more Symptomes then in the Hypocondriack Disease.

Diag: All the Symptoms mentioned in the fore­going Chapter, are common to the Scurvy. Peculi­ar Symptoms are these, Rednesse, Itching, Putrefacti­on, Bleeding and Stinking of the Gums, Mouth, and Teeth, which are also (sometimes) black and loose. Spots in the Legs, first red, afterwards purple, black or blew. Straitnesse of the Breast and Shortnesse of Breath, occasioned by thick Vapours, arising from the Hypocondria to the Midriff, or to the Sweet-Bread, causing a Swelling or Tumor, and consequently com­pressing the Diaphragma. The Body is heavy and lazy, especially the Legs, and grievous pain there and in other parts, as in the Toes, Fingers, Soals of the Feet, Ancles, Thighs, Belly, Arms, Shoulders, and the like. The Urine is various, as in the Hypocondri­ack Melancholy. The Pulse is weak and unequall. Some have the head-Ach, and a seavourish Heat in the Night, which vanisheth by a Morning Sweat. Some have tho Tooth-Ach without manifest Cause. Sometimes the Vapours ascending (being astringent) contract the Gullet, and the Patient feareth strang­ling. A stinking Breath is common to Scorbutick per­sons. Tumors in divers parts, sometimes hard, some­times soft like Bladders, and sometimes like the sting­ing [Page 286] of Nettles. And lastly, an Atrophy, Consumpti­on and generall decay of the whole Body.

That I may more perfectly discover the Symptoms of this Disease, I shall here lay down some other, which are common to other Diseases, and shew you how to distinguish them. Sometimes the Scurvy causeth pains in the Joynts, which must be distinguished from the pains caused by the French Pox thus: In the French Pox, the pains are between the Joynts, and by long continuance cause Knots there: the Symptoms of the Pox appear, as Running of the Reins, Bubo, &c. or the Patient hath acted with some unclean wo­man. But in the Scurvy, some of the preceding Symptoms appear, or at least the Patient is of a me­lancholy Constitution. This must be distinguished also from the Arthritis or Joynt-Gout, which is fixed, or at least seldome changeth the place; but in the Scurvy it is very moveable, running from one Joynt to another, and sometimes for a while vanisheth. In the same manner is the bastard-Palsy (which the Scur­vy causeth) distinguished from a true one, which is constant; but in the Scorbaticall Palsy, he that one day could not walke or stand at all, can the next day walk with little or no help. Sometimes it causeth a Flux of the Belly like a Diarrhoea, but differeth from it in this, that the Excrements are thicker then in the former, and in greater Quantity, exceeding the Quantity of the Meat taken. Sometimes the Excre­ments are mixed with Blood, but differeth from the Dysentery, because there is no pain of the Belly, and the Blood is thick, sent thither by the Meseraick Veins. Sometimes the Scorbatick pains are in the sides imitating the Pleurisy, but is much different; because the Feaver (if any) is weaker; there is no difficulty of Breathing, no Cough, Spitting, nor constant pain. [Page 287] Lastly, you must distinguish these pains from the pains of the Stone: for the Urine is sometimes red, like Blood, as if the Kidneys were wounded by the Stone, and sometimes black, both which come from a scurvy salt Matter in the Spleen, or Parts adja­cent.

Prog: This Disease is very hard to be cured, be­cause the Melancholy Humour is so farr predominant. Many times it is very dangerous, because it bringeth the Dropsy, Consumption, &c. And sometimes a­cute Diseases, as the Apoplexy, Swoonings, and the like, which produce sudden deaths.

In the Cure of the Scurvy, you must follow the Method prescribed in the Cure of Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen, beginning with the weakest first; with which, you must make use of specificall Medicines for the Scurvy; of which, the chief are, Dutch and Sea Scurvy-grasse, Water Cresses, Brook-Lime, Horse-Radishes, Fumitory, Wormwood, Celandine the lesse, &c. Those which are of lesse Efficacy, and have a Faculty to correct and prepare the melancholy Humour, are these which follow, Agrimony, Asarum, Bettony, Borrage, Buglosse, Carduus, Ceterach, Eli­campane, Germander, Hyssop, Maidenhair of all sorts, Polypody of the Oak; the Bark of Ash, Capers, and Tamarisk; the Flowers of Elder, Dodder of Time, and Tamarisk. Observe this general Rule, if the Patient be feavourish or subject to heats, you must give the hottest of them in a smaller Quantity; and add Endive, Sorrel, Succory; the Juyce of Citrons, Lem­mons, and Orenges: and the Spirit of Sulphur and Vitriol. Of these and such like, may several sorts of Medicines be formed, which (for Brevity sake) I o­mit.

CHAP. LXII. Of the Stone in the Kidneys.

THe material Cause of the Stone in the Kidneys, is a phlegmatick, feculent, thick, slimy, and tar­tarous Humour in the Urine: the efficient Cause is Heat, which drieth and hardneth the Matter, and at length turneth it into a Stone; this is the Opinion of Hippocrates and Galen, and most modern Physitians. The Hermetick Physitians have found a certain Juyce, which they call Succus Lapidiscens, which is a certain Humour, naturally proper to turn to a Stone, and this they say is the material Cause of the Stone: and the efficient Cause to be Spiritus Lapidiscens, a stone­making Spirit. So that if a man eat or drink any thing wherein the Stony Juyce is, that Juyce is turned into a Stone, if the Reins have a Stone-making Spirit. But if the Reins be free from this Spirit, a Stone is not bred, unlesse the stony-Juyce be very predominate: on the contrary, if the Reins have this stony Faculty, and the Food be free from this Juyce, the Stone is scarcely engendered, unlesse the stone-making Faculty be very predominate. Many Historyes shew that Stones come from a stone-making spirit, or Breath out of the Earth, which hath turned the Bodyes of Men, Beasts, and other things into Stone: Riverius upon this Subject (in his last Edition) quoteth Aventius Annal. Bavar. lib. 7 An. 1343, who saith, that above fifty men, with many Cows, were turned into Stone. Ortellius tells the same story of whole heards in Russi­a. And Camerarius reporteth, that in the Province [Page 289] of Chilo in Armenia, at the blast of a South Wind (which happeneth four times in a year) whole Troops of horse have been turned into Statues of stone, standing in the warlick posture in which they were be­fore. The Antecedent Causes are many, The Sto­mach being not able to concoct well, sendeth a crude Chyle to the Liver; A hot Liver doth bake the chy­lous Matter; or a cold Liver maketh crude Blood: the Spleen weak or obstructed, doth not sufficiently purge the drossy Blood; these do cause even the Blood, or crude Juyces fit to make a Stone. Like­wise the Reins, besides their conjunct Cause, may be an Antecedent Cause in two respects, viz. their Tem­per and Form: First, their Temper being hot doth violently draw the crude Matter and thicken it. In respect of their Form, the emulgent Veins may be loose, and fit to receive the tartarous Matter into the Reins; and the Ureters so narrow that the thick Matter hath not passage from the Kidneys. Lastly, all Food that produceth crude, thick, and slimy Nou­rishment, doth afford Matter for the Stone, as Flesh or Fish that is very salt or dryed in the smoak, Pulse, Cheese, and all Milk-Meats, hard Eggs, Chesnuts, Pears, Quinces, Medlars, Rice, Wine thick and not well purged, standing Waters; all things which make the Liver and Reins too hot; as old strong Wine, Garlick, Onions, Pepper, and Ginger; too strong Diureticks, which carry crude Matter too violently to the Reins: violent Excercise after Meat, inordinate Lechery; too much Fulnesse or Emptinesse, and the like.

The Signs of the Stone of the Kidneys are many▪ viz. a constant pain about the Loyns; whilst it is in the hollow of the Kidneys, the pain is heavy, when it gets into the head of the Ureters, sharp and pricking, [Page 290] and so continueth, unlesse it get back again, or fall into the Cavity of the Bladder. The Urine is some­times bloody by reason of the opening, Corrosion of the Veins, or cutting of the tender Flesh of the Kid­neys; sometimes it is thin and little in Quantity. Voi­ding of Sand and Stones is an evident sign of the Stone, but if the Patient voideth Gravell without stones, be not too hasty in your Judgment, but take the Caution given you in the 60 Chapter Of the Hypo­condriack Melancholy. The Thigh, on the same side the Back is pained, becometh numb; because the Stone doth oppresse the Nerve, which is in the Mus­cles of the Loyns under the Reins, and goeth to the Hip for its Motion. The Sick loatheth, and vomiteth often, by reason of the Connexion of the Kidneys with the Stomach; the Stomach (sympathetically sensi­ble) endeavoureth to exclude that hurtful compani­on. Be sure you make a distinction between the Stone in the Kidneys, and the Chollick; have re­course to the 43 Chapter, where I have left a few Rules.

This Disease is very dangerous, and bringeth many and sad Symptoms, as Inflammations, Exulcerations, great Pains, long Watchings, Weaknesse, Feavers, Suppression of Urine, and Death it self. It is diffi­cult to cure (if not incurable) in old men, saith Hip­pocrates, with whom Experience agreeth. If the pain hath continued long and violent, and the Sick grow externally cold, with cold and faint Sweats, Death is at hand. If the Stone be accompanied with an Ul­cer of the Kidneys it is incurable, because those things which do break the Stone, do exasperate the Ulcer.

The Cure of the Stone in the Kidneys consisteth in mollifying, enlarging, or relaxing, and throwing the Stone out of the Ureters, to break the Stone if it be [Page 291] too big for the Passage; to take away the antecedent Cause and to ease pain, which you must do thus: first, open the Liver-Vein on the same side, that is most grieved: draw as much Blood as the Constitution of the Patient can well spare. Then administer a molli­fying and laxative Clister: Take of Common and Marsh-Mallows, Camomill, Penny-royall, Pellitory of the Wall, and Violet Leavs, of each, one handfull: the Seeds of sweet Fennell, Flax, and Faenugreek; of each, half an Ounce: boil it in Posset-drink to a Pint, strain it, and dissolve therein Cassia, Catholicon, and Diaphaenicon, of each, three Drachms: the Oyls of Rue and Scorpions, of each, one Ounce: make a Clister and administer it. Like­wise the Oyls of sweet-Almonds, Camomill, Dill, Lil­lyes, and Violets are good to be used in Clisters of this Nature. This Clister, or one of the same Nature, you must give twice or thrice in a week; and, in the dayes between, foment the Region of the Kidneys with a Fomentation made of the aforenamed simples, or others of the like Nature, which I shall treat of be­fore I put an end to this Chapter. Afterwards anoint the part with the Oyls aforenamed. Or you may make a Cataplasm of white Bread sodden in white Wine, and if you add any of the aforesaid Oyls it will be the better. Afterwards lay a Plaister to the place; Take of the Oyl of Camomill and Rue, of each, half an Ounce: of Dill and sweet-Almonds, of each, two Drachms: Goose and Hens Grease, of each, one Drachm: with Wax, and the compound Melilot Plaister, as much as sufficeth, make a Plaister and apply it. In the mean time, you must not forget inward Medicines, which have a Faculty to break the Stone, to ease pain, and mollify and en­large the Ureters. The simples following are appro­ved of, viz. the Roots of Asparagus, Birthwort, Fen­nell, Butchers-Broom, Filipendula, Couch-grasse [Page 292] Garden and Horse-radish, Maddir, Marsh and com­mon Mallows, Liquorish, Onions, Parsly, Knot-grass: the Leavs of Bettony, Camomill, Penny-royall, Marsh-Mallows, Pellitory of the Wall, Maiden-hair, Parsly peart, Filipendula, Saxifrage, Savin, Burnet, Goats-Thorne, Kidney-Wort, Melilot, Golden-Rod: the seeds of Nettles, Parsly, Gromwell, Burdock, Winter Cherryes, Bay, Ivy, and Juniper Berries, the four cold Seeds; the stones of Hips, Haws, Medlers, &c, Of these you may make Decoctions, Powders, or distilled Waters, and the like, the Description of which (sot brevity sake) I will omit. Quercetanus, in his Dispensatory, commendeth this following Pow­der; Take of the inward skins of Hen's, Gizzards, and their white Dung, of each, half an Ounce: the inward skins of Egg shels dried and powdered, two Ounces and an half: Rupture-wort and Cinnamon, of each, four Scruples: the Stones of Medlars, two Drachms: the Seeds of Annise and Fennell, of each one Ounce: powder them, and give half a Drachm or a Drachm in white-Wine. Goats Blood prepared is excellent: and the Water distilled from it in Balneo Mariae doth wonders. And some do commend the Urine of a Goat, taken out whilst he is alive, and drunk, and the Entrails apply­ed. Chymists do highly extoll their Salts, and Expe­rience tells us that if they be well prepared and care­fully administred, they work no small effects: viz. the Salt of Bean Cods, or stalks of Camomill: Tar­tar vitriolate: Oyl of Vitriol; the Spirit of Salt: Mer­curius Dulcis, &c. Zacutus Lusitanus commendeth the naturall Balsom, a few drops thereof, taken with Oyl of sweet-Almonds. Crato had as good an Opini­on of Filberts eaten, and confirms his opinion by Ex­perience. Minerall Waters are good, for they do not onely dissolve the slimy Tartarous Matter, which [Page 293] breeds the Stone; but also allayeth the hot Distem­per of the Liver and Reins. Of all Diuretick Medi­cines, Turpetine is the safest, given the Quantity of a Nut with Sugar every Morning: for Diureticks taken very often (for the most part) hurt, by carrying the Humours from other parts to the Reins; but Turpe­tine seldom or never worketh any evill effect. You may use it thus: Take of Venice Turpetine, washed with Saxifrage Water, half an Ounce: Cassia newly drawn, six Drachms: Ruharb and Liquorish in Powder, of each, half a Drachm; mix them and make a Bolus. To con­clude, give Clisters often, or, if you see it more conve­nient, purge the Body between your Diuretick Potions, for the reason before given: your best Purgations are Cassia, Diaphaenicon, Rubarb, and such like. If the Liver and Reins are distempered by Heat, make use of those Medicines prescribed against the hot Distemper of the Liver. If Crudities in the Stomach be the Cause seek Medicines out of the Chapters which treat of the Diseases of the Stomach. If you do carefully consider the Cause, or from what part of the Body the Reins fetch their stony Materials, and order your Me­dicines accordingly, with prudence and reason, by the blessing of God, you may find the Cure of the Stone not to be so difficult, as it is commonly adjudged. For my part, I have cured several people, who have been grievously vexed with this Grief: for which Mercy I do and shall praise God.

CHAP. LXIII. Of the Stone in the Bladder.

I Shall speak nothing of the Cause of the Stone in the Bladder; the material and efficient Cause be­ing the same with that of the Reins. This Disease happeneth to Children, oftner then to people of riper Age, who are more subject to the Stone in the Reins: because Children, eating much and often, their Urine is thick, and the expulsive Faculty in the Reins is stronger in them then in men, and sendeth the Urine speedily to the Bladder; where (being long kept by reason of much sleep or play) the Urine settleth, and is retained till it by Heat becometh a Stone, for the passage is narrow in Children, and the Urine not be­ing very sharp, doth not powerfully provoke the ex­pulsive Faculty. Fernelius was of an Opinion that the Stone in the Bladder was alwayes first bred in the Reins, and falling from thence into the Bladder, and getting fresh Matter, there encreaseth: Fern: Lib. 6 cap. 13. pag. 317. Many times it so happeneth: but daily Experience teacheth that many have the Stone in the Bladder, who never had pain in the Reins, es­pecially Children.

The Knowledg of this Disease in the beginning is difficult; but when the Stone is grown great is evi­dent enough, to the Patient's sorrow. The first sign is pain in the Neck of the Bladder, reaching to the end of the yard, especially after pissing. The yard itcheth and the Patient handleth it often. He fee­leth a great Weight about the Neck of the Bladder, [Page 295] when the Stone is grown great; the Urine suddenly stoppeth, and he is in pain, like a Woman in travel: his yard standeth often, and he maketh Water with most ease lying upon his back, because then the Stone falleth out of the Neck of the Bladder. When he hath need to make Water, he is also much provoked to goe to stool, by reason of the consent of the Sphinc­ter Muscles of the Anus and Bladder, being moved by the Branches of the same Nerve. Many signs more I might insert, but these I think sufficient for the in­genious; To be fully satisfyed, the best way is to make use of the Catheter.

This Disease is alwayes exceeding painfull and no lesse dangerous: if the Stone be like Flint it can never be dissolved; if soft or brittle, it may be dissolved by the long use of strong Medicines: but sew there are that have Patience enough to make use of so many Medicines. The Cure is not altogether so difficult in Women as in Men, because the passage in them is wi­der. In the year 1656 I cured a Woman, who was a long time grieved with the Stone, and intended to venture upon the last and terrible Cure by Cutting; with in the space of a Month, (having first dissolved part of the Stone by Medicines) she voided a Stone (without the help of manuall operation) in bignesse two Inches, in length an Inch and an half, without prejudice to the Uritery parts: she was then aged 63, and is yet a live and lusty to praise God for so great a deliverance.

For to perfect the Cure, you must do as you are taught in the foregoing Chapter, so that I need not here repeat any thing, onely lay down the Medicine so much commended by Horatius Augenius; it is thus pre­pared: Take of Sows or Wood Lice prepared, a Drachm, or four Scruples: Aqua vitae, two Scruples: the Broth [Page 296] of red Cicers, nine or ten Ounces; take it in the Morning fasting. Sennertus also commends it, and this Medi­cine likewise, Take of Salt of white Tartar one Ounce: Parsly water, one Pint; mix them, and strain them with a brown paper. If, after the use of Medicines, you find the Neck of the Bladder wounded, or much pained by the roughnesse of the Stone, make a Decoction thus: Take of the Roots of Marsh Mallows, Fennel, Cough­grasse, and Cammock, of each, one Ounce: Liquorish, two Drachms: Camomill and Saxifrage, of each, one Pugill: Winter Cherryes, twenty: Red Cicers, four Ounces: Rai­sons of the Sun, two Ounces: the four great cold Seeds, a Drachm and an half: French Barly four Ounces: boil them gently in the distilled Water of Saxifrage, Cammock, and Parsly, of each, half a Pint; when it hath boiled a while, add half a Pint of white Wine, and let it boil till half be consumed: to the straining, add six Ounces of the Sirrup of Marsh-Mallows; drink three or four Ounces in the Morning. To the Region of the Bladder must be applyed mollifying and asswaging Fomentations. If all Medicines fail, and the Patient's pains unsuppor­table, Necessity requireth the dangerous Operation of Cutting. Let the Physitian prepare the Patient's body by Purging, Bleeding, and Diet, according to the Constitution and Condition of the Patient's Bo­dy; and let the Patient prepare his Soul for God.

CHAP. LXIV. Of the Inflammation of the Reins and Bladder.

THis Disease is a Tumor in those parts, caused by the flowing of Blood or Choller unto them, The [Page 297] Causes of this Inflammation are natural, unnatural or preternatural. Natural, when there is a natural hae­reditary Infirmity in the parts, or great Heat original­ly, which violently draw the Humours thither. Cau­ses not natural are, Gluttony, Drunkennesse, much Venery, great Passions of the mind, violent Excercise, Stoppage of some usual Evacuation as the Terms or Haemorrhoids, all things which cause Repletion, or evill Concoction, and drive the Humours to the in­ward Bowels. Things preternatural may be the Cause, as a Stroak, Wound, or Bruise upon the Reins or Bladder; constant Feavers; the Matter of the Pleu­risy, or Empyema carried away by the Urine: Heat or Stoppage of the Urine, the Stone, or Exulceration of the part may cause an Inflammation.

The Inflammation of the Reins is known by those Signes, a weighty and beating Pain about the part, which extendeth it self to the adjacent parts, the Pa­tient cannot help himself, nor ly otherwise then upon his back: If he doth sneez or move his Body the pain encreaseth, he hath a Numbnesse in the Leg on the same side, he maketh Water with difficulty: he hath a constant sharp Feaver, with Watchings, Do­tings, and dangerous Symptomes: He vomiteth Choller, Phlegm, and other Humours; the U­rine is, first, thin and yellow, afterwards, thick and red.

If the Bladder be inflamed, the Patient is vexed with a sharp Feaver, Watching, Vomiting, &c. as a­foresaid. The Share becometh hard, and hath vehe­ment pain, he hath (almost) continuall Provocati­on to go to Stool, as in the Disease Tenasmus.

Prog: The Inflammation of these parts do threa­ten continual danger of Death. Convulsions, Dotage, Watchings, cold Sweats, are the Messengers of Death. [Page 298] If the Inflammation suppurate, and the Imposthume break, and the Matter be evacuated by the Urine, there is hopes. If the Haemorrhoids bleed, there is hopes that the Inflammation will cease.

You must begin the Cure with a mollifying and cooling Clister: to the Decoction for the Clister (pre­scribed in the Chapter of the Stone in the Reins) add of Cassia, and Diaprunes Lenitive, of each, half an Ounce: Sirrup of Violets one Ounce: the Oyl of Violets two oun­ces: make a Clister. Then open the Liver-Vein on the same side, the Inflammation is: If the Bladder be inflamed, open the Liver-Vein on the right Arm; draw as much Blood, as your Patient's Strength will bear. And if you open the inferior Veins, it is a good derivation. Then give the Clister again, and as often as need requireth? but remember to give it in a small quantity, least it oppresse the Tumor. Use Cupping and Scarifying; Frictions and Ligatures to the extream parts, to draw the Humours outwards. You must al­lay the Heat of the Blood by cooling Juleps, in which use no Diuretick Simple, lest it carry Humours to the part and increase the Inflammation: in the declina­tion of the Disease, Diuretick Medicines may be given, You may make a cooling Julep thus: Take of the di­stilled Water of Endive, Lettice, Plantane, and Purslane, of each, four Ounces: Sirrup of Pomegranats, two Oun­ces: the Sirrup of Water-Lillyes, and Violets, of each, one Ounce: Oyl of Vitriol, as much as sufficeth to give it a gratefull Relish: mix them for four Mornings and Eve­nings Draughts. Or you may make an Emulsion of the Seeds of Sorrel, Letrice, Purslane, Poppy, Al­monds, Pine-Nuts, and the like: The great cold Seeds are diuretick and must not be used in the begin­ning of the Disease, for the reason before given. Nor ought you at first to purge till the Declination, then [Page 299] you may profitably purge with Medicines which are gentle, as Manna, Cassia, Rubarb, Tamarinds, Dia­prunes lenitive, Sirrup of Roses, &c. Outwardly you may apply Cataplasms, Liniments, Unguents, that are cooling, repelling, and (if the Inflammation be in the Bladder) astringing: when the Defluxion is stopped use Softners and Dissolvers. If the Strangu­ry, or any other dangerous Symptome appear, con­verse with their proper Chapters. If the Tumor tend to Suppuration, which you may know by the encrease of the Feaver and Symptomes, trembling and vomi­ting, you must help Nature with mollifying Cata­plasms, the Chapters of Inflammations of other parts will advise you. If the Tumor appear outwardly, you must open it with a Cautery, or Incision-knife. If it break, and the Matter fall into the Abdomen, it brings sudden Death, or a Hectick Feaver. If the Tumor grow hard and the Feaver gone, it breeds the Dropsy, evill Habit, or some such Disease, and is incurable, for the most part; you must deal with it as with the Schir­rhus of the Liver.

CHAP. LXV. Of the Ulcer of the Reins and Bladder.

THis Disease is caused, either from an Imposthume broken there; from Sharpnesse of the Humours; or from a Stone which doth corrode them.

This Disease is known by the voiding of much Mat­ter with the Urine. To know whether the Reins or the Bladder be diseased, take a few Rules; If the Ul­cer be in the Reins, the pain is there, the Matter is [Page 300] more concocted, more in quantity, and more mixed with the Urine, making it appear like Milk, which, standing, settleth to the bottom; sometimes much Blood is voided, and pieces of Flesh, which sometimes stops the Passage. When the Ulcer is in the Bladder, contrary Signes appear, the pain is neer the Privityes, the Matter is lesse in Quantity, and not well concoct, but of divers Colours, and stinketh; sometimes Mat­ter is voided without Urine: If the Ulcer be old, cal­lous and hard, snotty Phlegm is voided, such as is voi­ded, if there be a Stone in the Bladder; for the most part, little Skins, like Scales or Bran, are voided.

As all inward Vlcers are dangerous, so are these much more, because the continuall Flux of Humours, with the Vrine, to the part, doth nourish the Vlcer. The Violence of the pain causeth Watchings and a Consumption of the whole Body. If the Vicer be ta­ken in time and the Patient yong, it may be cured, else not.

The Cure must be performed by evacuating the peccant Humours, by cleansing, drying, and healing the Vlcer. You must parge the Humours, which flow to the part affected, with gentle Medicines, such as are prescribed in the Chapter aforegoing. If there be Repletion or Inflammation in the part, let Phleboto­my be used. Evacuate the Humours by gentle pur­gers, mentioned in the Chapter aforegoing. Mercu­vius Dulcis doth cleanse and heal the Vlcer. Turpen­tine is a good cleanser. It is good for the Patient to vomit often. After due Evacuations, you must use cleansers: as the Milk of Cows, Goats, or Asses, which are very good, and cleanse with their wheyie part, and heal with their cheezie, but give it not in a Feaver. Let the Patient drink Water and Sugar, thin Hydromell, or Barly Water. In Hydromell, if [Page 301] there be a Feaver, boil the cold Seeds, Mallows, Li­quorish, &c. Waters that spring from Allum and I­ron Mines are good, for they correct the Heat, and cleanse the Ulcer. The Decoction of China, Guaja­cum, Sarsaparilla, and the like, is good to dry up the Humours, to purge the crude Matter, in them that have the French Pox, and have no Feaver, nor Flux of Blood. But lest the Bowels should be inflamed, give cooling Broths at Night. After the use of clean­sers, (you may see, by the Vrine, when the Vlcer is cleansed; viz. when it appeareth white and clean without any dreggy or filthy Matter,) then you must give astringing, glutinating, and healing Medicines. Take of Conserve of Roses, four Ounces: Bolearmenick, Terra Sigillata, red Coral, and Sanguis Draconis, of each, two Drachms: the Seeds of Lettice, Purslane, and Plan­tane, of each, one Drachm; red Roses, and Shavings of Ivory, of each, two Scruples: with Sirrup of Comphry, make an Opiate. Or you may make of it a Masse for Pills with Venice Turpentine, or (if that cause pain) with the Juyce of Liquorish. Chymists do much com­mend Antimonium Diaphoreticum, Mercurius Dulcis, & Diaphoreticus. To allay the vehemency of the pain, you must sometimes mix Anodines with your Medicines, as Laudanum, the Sirrup of Poppyes, and the Emulsion of the cold Seeds. Outwardly foment the Region of the Kidneys, thus: Take of Camomil, Mallows, Melilot, Pellitory of the Wall, and Violets, of each, one Handfull: the Roots of Marsh-Mallows, and water-Lillyes, of each, two Ounces: the Seeds of Flax, Fenugreek, and Winter-Cherryes, of each, three Drachms: make a Decoction and foment the part. Then apply this Liniment: Take of the Oyl of Violets and Sweet Almonds, of each, one Ounce and an half: Oyl of Roses, one Ounce: of the Musilage made of the Seeds of Marsh-Mallows and Fenugreck, of [Page 302] each, two Ounces: Saffron, one Scruple; make a Lini­ment. If the Ulcer be in the Bladder, you must make an Injection twice in a day, with new Milk, Whey, Hydromel, or Barly Water with Hony of Roses, to cleanse; afterwards add Astringers and Driers, as the white Trochts of Rhasis or of Gordonius: or boil in Whey or Barly-water, the Roots of Comphry, Allum, Mirth, Tragacanth, and the like.

CHAP. LXVI. Of extraordinary Pissing.

[...], Diabetes is a quick and plentifull making of Water, after which followeth violent Thirst, and a wasting of the whole Body. The Cause of this Disease is a hot Distemper of the Reins, which draweth Water violently from the Veins, which causeth a great Thirst after drink, which, as soon as it is taken, is carried to the Reins; where burthening the retentive Faculty and provoking the expulsive, it is soon sent to the Bladder. Some attribute it to choletick, sharp, and salt Humours in the Kidneys, which draw Water thi­ther; as such Humours, which stick to the Tunicles of the Stomach in Feavers, cause Thirst. Others will not admit of this opinion, because the Kidneys onely suffer in this Disease; and that Choller, and other burnt Humours, are first bred in the Liver. They say there is a venemous Quality bred in the Kidneys; Galen himself is of this opinion, that divers kinds of Poisons may breed in the Body of Man. In Lybia there is a Serpent, called in Greek [...] Dipsa­cos (which name the Greeks give this Disease, from [Page 303] the unquenchable Thirst, with which it is accompani­ed) which Serpent, if he biteth any man, infecteth him with such a Poyson, as begets an unquenchable Thirst.

The Signes of this Disease are clear, from what hath been said, viz. An unquenchable Thirst, an extraordinary Pissing, and voiding the Drink as soon (almost) as it is drunk; and a Decay of the whole Body.

This Disease is deadly, if it be not taken in the be­ginning, and the Patient yong, for it brings a Con­sumption.

If you judge the Patient curable, you must labour to allay the hot Distemper of the Kidneys; to correct their poysonous Quality; to thicken the Humours which flow to them, and to strengthen them. First, give mollifying and asswaging Clisters, and purge, if you see occasion, as you are taught in the Chapter Of the Inflammation of the Kidneys. Gentle Vomits do e­vacuate and draw the Humours from the Ureters. If nothing forbid, open a Vein in the Arm. To correct the Distemper and thicken the Humours, make a Ju­lep, thus: Take of the distilled Water (or the Decocti­on) of Plantane, four Ounces: of Lettice, Poppy, and Purslane, of each, two Ounces: the Sirrup of Myrtles, Comphry, and Quinces, of each, one Ounce: the Sirrup of Poppyes, half an Ounce: the Spirit of Vitriol, twenty Drops; mix them and make a Julep. If you will have a Medicine more astringent or binding, thus: Take of the Seeds of Plantane, Purslane, and Coriander prepared, of each, one Ounce: the Flowers of red Roses, Pomegra­nats, and yellow Mirabolans, of each, half an Ounce: Nutmegs, half a Drachm: Corall and Pearl prepared, burnt Harts Horn, Bolearmenick, and the Roots of Tor­mentill, of each, one Scruple; make them into Powder: [Page 304] Or, if you please, make them into a soft Electuary, with the Sirrup of Myrtles, Comphry, or Quinces. The Milk of Asses, Cows, Goats, or Sheep is good, es­pecially, if Flints be often quenched therein.

Sweating is a good Remedy, if it be provoked by out­ward means, or with China, Sarsa, and such mild Me­dicines, for it drives the watry Humour outward: but beware of strong Medicines, least they purge by Urine, and encrease the Distemper. Outwardly foment the Loyns, with things which cool and bind; as the roots of Sorrel, Plantane; Pomegranate-peels; Sumath Seeds, &c. boiled in Vinegar; afterwards anoint with the Vnguent of Roses, Sanders, and Comitis­sa.

CHAP. LXVII. Of involuntary Pissing.

THis Disease consisteth in the hurting of the reten­tive Action of the Bladder. Some are subject to this Distemper, while they are awake, which is the worst. Others are subject to it sleeping onely, which is not so bad, because then the animall Functions are lesse excercised. There are two Causes of this Distem­per; First, the Weaknesse and Loosenesse of the Sphincter Muscle of the Bladder. Or Secondly, the exquisite Sense of the Bladder, and the Sharpnesse of the Urine, (which stirreth up the expulsive Faculty) with consent of the Will. The first Cause is apparent in sucking Children, weak people, and such whose vi­tall Heat is decayed, and the Body oppressed with cold and moist Humours. The other Cause you may disco­ver [Page 305] in those, whose Bladder nor Sphincter is no ways distempered, but they imagine (when the Quantity and Sharpnesse of the Vrine stirreth up the expulsive Faculty) that they are pissing against the Wall, and so get a custome of it, which cannot be cured by Medi­cines. The Sphincter Muscle may become weak or loose, by Youth, old Age, decay of vitall Heat, by the Palsy; in Women, from Diseases of the Womb, or hard Labour, cutting for the Stone, or any Wound there, or deep Vlcer.

This Disease is easily known, and the cause thereof is as easily discovered; if it come by Wound, Vlcer, old Age, or the like, it is apparent. If it come by con­sent of other parts, the Diseases of those parts are ob­vious as the original: If neither of them appear, con­sider the cold and moist Temper of the part, which is known by the internall and external causes, and the Effects upon them depending, as Softnesse of the Bo­dy, Whitenesse, and Loosenesse of the Nervs a­bout the privityes, Childhood, Age, evill phlegmatick Concoction, and such like.

In old Men this Disease is incurable, because the vitall Hant cannot be repaired. In Children Nature worketh the cure, when they grow elder, by drying up the superfluous Humidity, and knitting the Mus­cle; but if a man continue so till the Age of twenty or twenty five, he is incurable. If involuntary Pis­sing come to a man sick of an acute Feaver, Death is at hand.

If this Disease come by a Wound or Vlcer or any o­ther manifest Disease, the cure depends upon the re­moving of them; otherwise the cure is wrought by a­mending the cold and moist Distemper and the Loose­nesse of the Sphincter Muscle. First, you must purge the cold and phlegmatick Humours; add to your [Page 306] phlegm-Purgers such Medicines, which purge and leav a binding Quality behind it, as Rubarb, Myrabo­lans, and the like. Then give Medicines that knit the part and dry the Humours: Take of the Roots of Comphry, and Cypresse, of each, half an Ounce: Cypresse-Nuts, and Myrtles dryed, of each, two Drachms: Corian­der Seed prepared, red Corall, Amber, and Shavings of Ivory, of each, one Drachm: the Seeds of Plantane, Rue, and Acorn cups, of each, two Scruples: powder them, and with the Sirrup of Comphry, make an Opiate, and give the Quantity of a chesnut Morning and Evening: or drink half a Drachm of the powder in red Wine. Sweating Medicines are much cōmended. Things pro­per for the cure of this Disease are, the Brain and Stones of a Hare burnt: the Throat of a Cock; Snails and Egg shells; Mice fryed or dryed to powder; Hogs Hoofs powdered; Agrimony and the Gizzards of Hens in powder. Apply Medicines to the Privityes, that are hot, strengthning, and astringing. Let him drink the Decoction of the inward Bark of an Oak, of Sloes, and such like; and let him avoid drink to bedward. You must allay the Symptomes which may accompany this Disease, as Feavers, Thirst, Watchings, Consumptions, &c. by the Remedies laid down in their proper chapters.

CHAP. LXVIII. Of the Stoppage of Urine and Strangury.

THe Stoppage of Urine, and the Strangury, are Dis­eases, which differ onely in degree; the first is called by the Greeks [...]; the other [...]. [Page 307] Iscuria is when the Urine is totally stopped: when lit­tle is voided then it is called Stranguria. The first is caused by an Obstruction in the Nerv, which helpeth the expulsive Faculty of the Bladder, by the Palsy, or some sleepy or stupifying Disease. A cold Distemper of the Bladder, dulling the Sense thereof, may be the Cause. Sometimes an Inflammation or Tumor in the Muscle of the Bladder may stop the Passage, the Stone, some thick humor, clod of Blood, or the like. Some­times by long holding of Water, by which the Bladder is so stretched that it cannot contract it self to open the Passage. Sometimes the Bladder is empty, & no Urine cometh to it, this is called a bastard Iscuria, and may be caused, by some hurt in the attractive or expulsive Faculty of the Roins. The attractive Faculty is hure by some Stoppage in the Reins, or emulgent Veins. The Reins may be obstructed by the Stone, thick Phlegm, or the like; the emulgent Veins, by abun­dance of Blood or Water. Sometimes the watry hu­mour is spent, as in Feavers; or sent to some other part, as in the Dropsy; by which means the attractive Faculty of the Reins is hindered. The expulsive Fa­culty of the Reins is hindered by the Stone, Phlegm, or clods of Blood.

Diag: The Disease is easily known; the Causes thereof may be obtained. If it come by long holding the Urine, the Patient is able to inform you. If there be a stoppage in the part, the use of the Catheter or fearing Candle, and the ingenuity of the Artist, will discover the Nature of the stoppage. If the Passage be stopped by the Stone, the Symptoms of the Stone have gone before; If a Caruncle, there hath gone before a Gonorrhaea, or an Vlcerin the passage of the Yard. If clods of Blood stop the Passage, the Patient hath formerly voided Blood, and clotted Blood will stick to the Catheter.

The Strangury is thus known, there is neither Weight, Tumor, or Extension about the Privityes, but rather an Emptinesse; the attractive or expulsive Fa­culty of the Reins is obstructed as aforesaid.

Prognosticks are thus made; This Disease is ever dangerous, if it continue above seven dayes it is dead­ly. The same judge, if the Patient hath Hiccough or Tenasmus accompanying this Disease: or if it came by a Wound or Blow upon the back-bone; or if his Breath stink of Pisse. The Cure of both these consist­eth in removing the Causes. If it proceed from the fullnesse of the emulgent Veins, bleeding is good: if from Diseases of the Reins or Ureters, seek the Cure out of the Chapters, that treat of the Pain, Inflamma­tion, or Stone in the Kidneys. If it depend upon the Inflammation of the Bladder, see the 64 Chapter. If upon the Stone fastned in the Neck of the Bladder, lay the Patient upon his back, with his Thighs lifted up, move him hither and thither till the Stone fall out of the Passage; if that will not do, make use of the Catheter. If the Stone lyeth in the Passage of the Yard, bathe the Yard in warm Milk or Oyl, & labour to get it out with your fingers: if it will not come out; bind the Yard on each side, and make an Incision on the upper side of the Yard. If a Caruncle stop the Passage; Medicines, which are proper to take it away, must be conveyed to the part with a Wax-Candle. If Phlegm obstruct, purge it with Medicines conveni­ent, and when you see occasion, give such as provoke Urine. The Chapters of the Stone of the Bladder or Kidneys will direct you how to prepare them, as also Clisters, Fomentations, Unguents, and the like.

CHAP. LXIX. Of the Scalding of the Urine.

[...], Dysuria in Greek is a Disease which modern Writers call, Scalding of the Urine: it differs from Stran­guria in this, that more Water is made, and with farr more pain. Any thing that can wound the Sphincter-Muscle, or passage of the Bladder, may be the Cause. The usuall Cause is either a mixture of sharp Humours with the Urine, or sometimes, the sharpnesse of the Urine, caused by the eating of hot and sharp Meats, or by the hot Distemper of the Bowels, Liver, or other parts: or from evill Concoction in the Stomach or Li­ver, by which the Blood is not freed from salt and tar­tarous Humours, which, being sucked to the Kidneys, is sent to the Bladder, & causeth pain. Filthy Matter, comming from an Ulcer in the Reins or Bladder, may be the Cause; he who is troubled with a Gonorrhaea or Running of the Reins, is seldom free from scalding U­rine. To conclude, the Stone or large Gravel may be the Cause.

The Knowledge of this Disease is evident, the Signes of the Causes are easily gathered. If it be caused by the Stone, Inflammation, or Gonorrhaea, it is known by their proper Signes. If from sharpnesse of Urine, by the mixture of Humours, the Urine will be thin, and high coloured; or in it will appear a mixture of Choller, Phlegm, or Matter; the Patient hath eaten hot things, or else hath some hot Distemper.

This Disease is not very dangerous, unlesse it conti­nue long, and ulcerateth the Neck of the Bladder: [Page 310] Sometimes it is hard to be cured, especially, if the Pa­tient be old.

The Cure must be wrought by taking away the Cause: If a mixture of sharp Humours make the V­rine sharp, first make use of Phlebotomy, which is good to correct the hot Distemper of the Liver and other parts, make use of this Evacuation as often as the Pa­tient's Constitution will bear, and the Distemper re­quire; then, to derive it from the part affected, open the lower Veins. Then purge with Cassia, Manna, Rubarb, Mirabolans, Tamarinds, and such things, which purge gently: if you give it with the Decocti­on of Plantane, Mallows, Lettice, Purslane, and the like, it will be the better. A gentle Vomit is much commended as a good Revulsion. Cooling Clisters are good. Inwardly the Whey of Goats milk, or Mine­ral Waters that cool, are good for ordinary drink. Or this Julep: Take of the Roots of Marsh and common Mallows, of each, one Ounce: Lettice, Endive, Purslane and Violet Leavs, of each, one Handfull: Jujubes and Sebestens, of each one Ounce: of the four great cold Seeds, a Drachm: the flowers of Violets, Roses, and water-Lil­lyes, of each, one Pugil: boil them in Spring Water to a Pint and an half; strain it, and add of Jujubes, Violets, and Poppyes, of each, one Ounce and an half; Oyl of Vi­triol, twenty Drops: make a Julep for four Doses, to be taken Morning and Evening. If there be no Feaver, give Milk by it self. The Troches of Winter Cher­ryes is good. If the pain be very great, let the Pati­ent, when he maketh Water, put his Yard into warm Milk, or a Decoction of Mallows, and other cooling Herbs. Or inject Milk, Plantane-Water, or an E­mulsion of the cold Seeds, into the Passage. Baths and Fomentations, made of cool Herbs are good; and if the Privities be anointed with Unguentum Populeon, [Page 311] the Oyl or Unguent of Roses, Oyl of Lillyes, and the like, it profiteth. If the Liver, Reins, or other parts by their Heat be the Cause, use Medicines that are good to cool them. If the Liver be too hot, bleed the Haemorrhoids, or make an Issue in the right Leg. If it come from the Stone, Inflammation, or Vlcer of the Bladder or Kidneys, cure them according to the Rules in their proper Chapters; but the cooling Me­dicines, before mentioned, are good to allay the Symp­tomes.

CHAP. LXX. Of Pissing of Blood.

THough Blood may come from divers parts of the Body to the Passages of the Vrine, yet I shall here speak onely of that bloody Vrine, which is made from the defect of the Reins or Bladder. The usual Cau­ses are, much sharp Blood which corrodeth the Veins, or plenty of Blood which bursteth them; Sometimes a Stone in the Reins or Bladder, being moved by Ri­ding or violent Excercise, by its roughnesse teareth the part. A Fall or Stroak, vehement Motion, lifting or carrying may break a Vein. Sometimes the Weakness of the Reins, being not able to divide the Vrine from the Blood, may cause this Disease.

This Disease is apparent to the Senses, for when Blood is mixed with the Vrine, it appeareth like Wa­ter wherein Flesh hath been washed, with Clods of Blood at the bottom: if it stayes too long in the Blad­der it looks black. The place that is pained shews the part affected. If it come from the Reins, it is [Page 312] more mixed with the Urine, then if it come from the Bladder. If it come from the Bladder, it is in a les­ser Quantity. If it come from the Stone in the Kid­neys or Bladder, the Signes mentioned in their proper Chapters will appear. If it come from Repletion or Sharpnesse of Humours, the Abundance of Blood, Choller, Melancholy, or such Humours appear in the Body. If it come by a Blow, Fall, violent Exercise, &c. the Patient is able to inform.

This Disease, if it be violent and continue long, is very dangerous; for sometimes the Patient falleth into a Consumption, sometimes into the Dropsy: Sometimes it causeth a Stoppage of Urine, and some­times an Vlcer breedeth in the place from whence the Blood Floweth.

If Blood or sharp Humours abound, begin the Cure with blood-letting; after a while, for derivation, let the Haemorrhoids and the Saphaena or Ancle-Vein be opened. Then purge the chollerick Humours with those Medicines that are prescribed in the 30 Chapter Of Spitting of Blood. After you have purged suffici­ently, give things that knit the Veins and stop Blood. For this purpose give four or five Ounces of the Juyce of Plantane, and a Scruple of the Troches of Amber, or of Gordonius, Morning and Evening. Forestus in his Observations doth much commend Sheeps Milk; six Ounces, with one Drachm of Bolearmenick, is the Dose. The Decoction of Knot-grasse, Purslane, Horse-Tail, Comphry roots, Plantane, Pomgranats, Quinces, and the like. Likewise the Powder of red Coral, Blood-Stone, Sanguis Draconis, Terra Sigilla­ta, given with the Water or Juyce of Plantane is good. Giye cooling Juleps to allay the Heat of the Blood. Apply such things to the Loins as cool and astringe, thus: Take of the Roots of Bistort, Comphry, and Clowns-Wound-Wort, [Page 313] of each, one Ounce: Horse-Tail, Plantane Purslane, Knot grasse, and Shepherds purse, of each, one Handfull: Pomgranate peels, half an Ounce; Sumach, Myrtle Berryes, and Hypocystis, of each, two Drachms: Acorn cups, red and yellow Sanders, of each, one Drachm: red Roses, three pugils: boil them in Smith's Water, and Vinegar, therewith soment the Reins. Then anoint the Loins with Unguentum Comitissae, and Refrigerans Gale­ni; and if you would have it bind more, add the juyce of Plantane, or such like, Sanguis Draconis, &c. Then wear a thin plate of Lead, about the Reins, pricked full of holes. Let the Patient's ordinary drink, be Beer, in which is tunned Mastick-wood sliced and cut small, Plantane, and the Herbs before named. If the Liver be distempered with Heat, conferr with the 53 Chapter. If the Stone or Gravell be the Cause, use no strong Diureticks, because they provoke the Flux, but that which I have known very effectuall in this case, I shal here commend, and put an end to the Chapter: Take of the four greater and lesser cold Seeds, of each, one Drachm: Quince Seeds, half a Drachm: the Seeds of Marsh-Mallows, white Poppy and Winter Cherryes, of each, one Scruple; make an Emulsion with the Decoction of Marsh-Mallows, and give two, three, or four spoonsuls in the Morning, and if you add a little Oyl of Vitrioll, it will be the better. Venice Turpetine, made into Pills with the Powder of Rubarb, half a Drachm taken in the Morning doth gently cleanse the Reins.

CHAP. LXXI. Of the Green-sicknesse.

THis Disease is called by some, the Virgins Disease, the white Feaver, the white Jaundice, but vul­garly the Green-sicknesse. It is an evill habit of the Body, proceeding from the Obstruction of the Veins about the Womb, Liver, Spleen, and Mesentery, cau­sing a heavinesse & unweildinesse of the whole Body, difficulty of Breathing, panting of the Heart, and Head-Ach, a desire after Food that is evil, and a loa­thing of good. The Veins about the Womb being obstructed, that Blood, which Nature hath ordained to go thither, having not free passage, runs upwards, and oppresseth the Heart, Liver, Spleen, Diaphrag­ma, stops the Vessels, and destroys the naturall Heat; hence it cometh to passe that the Stomach and Bowels cannot concoct well as they ought to do, so Crudityes are dispersed throughout the body, and make an evill Habit. Sometimes, by this means, the Hypocondria is swelled, which depressing the Diaphragma, causeth Shortnesse of Breath. This grosse Blood being carri­ed in the great Artery to the Heart, which, least it should be suffocated by it, labours for its deliverance, & often moving of its Arteryes, causeth a Palpitation, and Beating of the Temples. The Stomach, by this means, being filled with Crudityes and excrementiti­ous Humours, causeth a Loathing of Food, and a desire after such things, which ought not to be eaten, as Salt, Chalk, Coals, Ashes, Oat-meal, Wheat, Tobacco-Pipes, &c. which Disease is called Pica Malacia, and [Page 315] we have spoken of it in the 35 Chapter of this Book. This Obstruction is caused many wayes, as drinking cold Drink to Bedward; eating raw or unripe Fruits: Some go to Feasts, and upon a full Stomach, dancing and sporting all Night, disturb the naturall Frame of the Body, and want Rest: others sleep too much, and sit long at their work, as Seamsters, Bonelace-makers, and the like. By these and the like means, Concocti­on is hurt, the naturall Heat is extinguished, and the Body filled with crude Excrements and thick slimy Humours, which cause Obstructions.

This Disease is easily known, and you may know the diseased, if you do but veiw their Faces, which are pale and white, sometimes of a Lead colour, blew or green, the Face and Eye-lids, the Legs and Feet, swelled. The whole Body is unweildy and lazy. When the bo­dy is stirred by Exercise, or Walking, especially going up a hill or steep place, there followeth Palpitation of the Heart, and Shortnesse of Breath, Beating in the Temples, and great Head-Ach; behind, if the Womb be obstructed, before, if the Hypocondria be afflicted: there is great loathing of wholesome Meat, and desi­ring the contrary: the Pulfe is swift and quick as in a Feaver, and when the Disease comes to the hight, the Terms are stopped.

This Disease continueth a long time, yet is seldom dangerous; sometimes, by long continuance, it breeds Corruption in the naturall parts, Dropsyes, Feavers, Consumptions, which end in Death. If the Veins of the Womb onely are obstructed, a Husband will cure her. Women, that have a long time been in this condition, bring forth weak and sickly Children, and sometimes they are barren.

This Disease is cured by opening the Obstructions, evacuating the filthy Humours, and strengthning of [Page 316] the parts. The Obstructions are opened, by such Me­dicines as are mentioned in the cure of the Obstructi­ons of the Liver and Spleen; you may add to them such things which respect the Womb, as Mugwort, Fetherfew, Pennyroyall, &c. If the Spleen be ob­structed, add such things which are proper for that, as Caper-bark, Ceterack, Spleenwort, &c. Open the Saphaena or Ancle-Vein, but first, if the Maid be full of Blood, open a Vein in the Arm. Then purge often with such Medicines as are prescribed in the Cure a­forenamed: and make use of such Medicines as pow­erfully open Obstructions there prescribed. Zacutus Lusitanus doth much commend the Conserve of Mug­wort, given thirty dayes together, drinking after it a little of the distilled Water of Savin, in which Ru­barb hath been infused. The Salt of Mugwort is very good, and Faecula Brioniae, mixed with the Conserve, hath an effectuall and powerfull operation. If the Obstructions are stubborn and not easily opened, make a Bath, thus: Take of the Roots of Marsh-Mallows, Briony, Elder, and Lillyes, of each, two pound: Balm, Fe­thersew, Mallows, Mercury, Maddir, Mugmort, Nep, Pennyrorall, and Violets, of each, three Handfulls: the Seed of Flax and Fenugreek, of each, two Ounces; boil them in a sufficient. Quantity of Water, and let the Patient bathe her self in the Morning and Evening, two dayes, & let the Decoction be renewed the second day. The next day, open the Vein under the Ancle, if the Terms be stopped, (as, for the most part, they are in this Dis­ease,) then give Medicines that powerfully open Ob­structions: when you find that the Obstructions are opened, which you may easily perceive by the decay of the aforenamed Symptoms, then you must discusse the peccant Humours, that remain in the Veins and o­ther parts of the Body, by Sweats; for which you must [Page 317] use the Decoction of Guajacum in cold constitutions; or of China and Sarfa in those that are hot. In the mean while, every fourth or fifth day, give a purge to cleanse the Body of the crude Humours, which cannot be sent forth by Sweat.

CHAP. LXXII. Of the Stoppage of the Terms.

MEnsium Suppressio or the Terms stopped, is when a Woman of ripe Age, hath little or no Evacu­ation of Blood by the Womb, once in a Month, yet gives not suck, nor is with Child. Divers Diseases of the Womb may cause this Suppression, viz. A cold and dry Distemper, which thickneth and bindeth the Womb. A hot and dry Distemper dryeth the part. Inflammation, Tumor, Ulcer, or Erosion of the mouths of the Vessels in Abortion; or Tumor in the adjacent parts, by compression, may cause this Stoppage. The Vessels of the Womb may be obstructed by thick and phlegmatick Humours, or they may be compressed by a Tumor in the parts adjacent. The cause may be in the Blood, when it offends in Quantity, Quality, or Motion; in Quantity, when there is too much Blood, which doth so dilate the Vessels, that they cannot con­tract to expell it: too little, when the Body hath not enough for its Nourishment. It offendeth in Quality, when the Blood is thick, slimy, and viscuous, by some cold Distemper of the Liver, or by the mixture of such Humours with the Blood. It offends in Motion, when it flows some other way, as by the Haemorrhoids, by Urine, the Nose, Vomiting, and by Spitting, and [Page 318] many other wayes. Riverius saith, that he saw a Maid which had a sore Head which opened once a month and bled plentifully, and I know a Maid in the same Condition at this time.

Externall causes are, taking cold in the time of the Flux: eating things of a very hot Nature, by which the Substance of the Liver is dryed: or Food that is cold, thick, and astringent, especially, at the time of Purgation, eating too much or too little: by too long retaining of Excrements; by bleeding at the Nose, or any unnatural Evacuation by Vomit, Seige, Urine, or Sweat. To these add the externall Causes men­tioned in the Chapter aforegoing Of the Green-Sick­nesse.

This Disease is known by the Patient's Relation, but it is convenient to distinguish between this kind of Suppression, and that which is common to Women with Child. They who have their Menstrues thus stopped, are pale and more discoloured, then those who are with Child. They who are in this condition, the longer it continues, the more the Symptoms en­crease; the contrary you shall find in Women with Child. They are likewise more sad and melancholy then those, who are with Child. In these the lower Belly, though it swell, yet it is not so hard nor pro­portionable to the Womb. And, Lastly, an expert Midwife may distinguish it by the mouth of the Womb; for in these the mouth of the Womb is not so close shut, as in a Woman with Child, but rather hard and painfull.

More particularly, the Stoppage of the Vessels of the Womb are known by a pain in the Loins, especial­ly, when the Terms should flow, and if any thing issu­eth, it will be white, or blackish and slimy. If the parts adjacent be obstructed, the Veins in the Thighs & [Page 319] Arms, by abundance of Blood, are swollen: especially, if the Woman be fleshy, plethorick, and hath fed high. Or else the Woman wanteth Blood. Or the Blood is corrupted, which you may perceive by the evill habit of the Body, and some Disease of the Liver. If the Blood hath a praeposterous Motion, or flow some other way, it is manifest.

The Stoppage of the Terms is very dangerous, and many (I had almost said, all) Diseases may come thereof. It is lest dangerous if it come by reason of too much Blood. It is worst, which cometh by Streight­nesse of the Vessels, or crude and slimy Humours, which obstruct them.

The Cure consisteth in this generally; If too much Blood be the cause, abate the Quantity by Phleboto­my, first, in the Arm, then in the lower Veins. Then, by Fomentations, soften and relax the parts about the Womb; and give such Purges as do properly provoke the Terms. If you find that Want of Blood is the cause of the Obstruction, use Restoratives in the first place, and whatever you find to be the cause of Exte­nuation, let that be removed; and if you find a praepos­terous Motion of the Blood, labour to repell it, and drive it to the Passage of the Womb. But seeing that (for the most part) this Obstruction is in the Veins of the Womb, you may follow the same Rule in cure, prescribed, in the Chap: Of the Green sicknesse, adding such things which more especially respect the Womb. Purge thus: Take of Aloes, three Drachms: the Masse of Cochy Pills, one Drachm; with the Juyce of Savin (or Sirrup of Mugwort) make twenty Pills; and give three in the Morning every third day. Emollient Clisters are likewise of great use. After Phlebotomy, and suffici­ent purging, give such things as powerfully open Ob­structions, such as are prescribed in the cure of Ob­structions [Page 320] of the Liver and Spleen: to these add Medi­cines made of the Roots of Asparagus, Parsly, Fennel, Smallage, Maddir, Elicampane, Birth-Wort, Angelica, Cyperus; the leavs of Wormwood, Calamint, Camo­mill, Origan, Southern-wood, Mugwort, Pennyroyall, Hyssop, Hore-Hound, Rue, Motherwort, Sage, Fether-few, Maiden-hair, Nep, and Savin: the seeds of Smal­lage, Parsly, Fennel, Juniper, Bayes, Annis, Cummin, Nettles, and such like; of these may be made Decoc­tions, or distilled Waters, Sitrups, and the like, which I omit, fearing my Book will swell to a farr bigger vo­lume then I intended. Of these or such like you may make a Bath for the Patient to sit in, afterwards anoint the Share, & parts about the Privities, with the Oyl of Dill, Rue, Lillyes, &c. You may, likewise, make dry Suffumigations, with Castor, Storax, Galbanum, Cin­namon, Frankincense, Bdellium, Benzoins, Lignum Aloes, Cloves, and Mace. Or you may make Pessaries, with the masse of Cochy pills, & Hony, and the Juyce of Mercury. Or with Hiera Picra, and Benedicta Laxa­tiva, with the Hony and Juyce aforesaid: but this re­member, that Pessaryes must be applyed to married Women onely. If the Disease be inveterate, let Is­sues be made in the Legs, and after the menstrual Flux is obtained, let them be dryed up again.

CHAP. LXXIII. Of the immoderate Menstruall Flux.

Mensium Fluxus Immodicus, is when the monthly Terms do exceed in Quantity, come too often, or stay too long. This is caused by an opening of the Veins, either by Abundance, Heat, Sharpnesse, or Thinnesse of the Blood, or by some Blow, Fall, or [Page 321] Wound: to understand the Cause more fully, have recourse to the 19 and 30 Chapters, Of bleeding at the Nose, and spitting of Blood. The Disease it self may be known by the Patient's information, and the Symp­toms which follow, viz. decay of Strength and Appe­tite, an ill habit of the Body, by reason of ill Digesti­on, Swelling of the Legs, and a Leady coloured Com­plexion. To know the Causes, observe, that a thin habit of the Body, with a Diet, which doth encrease thin and wheyish Blood; or you may perceive the thin and wheyish Humours in the Blood, which cometh from the Patient, this sheweth that the Blood soaketh thorough the Veins. If the Coats or Ends of the Veins be broken, the Patient hath had soule Wound, Bruise, or Fall, or used some immoderate Labour, Ex­cercise, or Venery; hath indured too great Heat or Cold: or she hath had a hard bargain in Child-birth, a Miscarriage, or been handled by an unskilfull Mid­wife. If there be an Exulceration in the Womb, by which the Veins are eaten thorough, the Blood drop­peth by little and little, with Pain and Sharpnesse: the Patient's Body is afflicted with sharp and cholerick Humours: the Blood, which issueth, is at first matte­rish, wheyish, blackish, or yellow: If it encrease, the Ends of the Veins come with the Blood, and the Flux encreaseth, and is hard to be stopped.

Prognosticks are; All long and lasting Issues of Blood are dangerous, especially those of the Womb; that which comes by soaking thorough the Veins, though it continueth longer, yet the Blood and Spirits do not so much decay, therefore it is not so dangerous. On the contrary, the breaking of the Veins cause more danger because of the sudden issuing of Blood, yet is sooner cured, because the Patient hath Strength and Store of Blood. But of all the other that which [Page 322] comes from Exulceration is most dangerous, because some part of the Veins is perished, which letteth out the Blood in great abundance, and is very difficult to be cured. If she grow weaker, and the Issue more vi­olent, there is danger of Death; in elderly Women, it is hard to be cured.

Since the Cure must be performed in the same man­ner (almost) as is praescribed in the 51 Chapter Of the immoderate Flux of the Haemorrhoids, I shall say the lesse. First open a vein in the Arm, and let her bleed much by degrees. Use Frictions and Ligatures; and fasten Cupping-Glasses to her dugs, as Hippocrates ad­viseth. Purge with the same Medicines prescribed in the Chapter aforegoing. Also Vomits are good, for they draw the Blood upwards, and Hippocrates, trea­ting of Womens Diseases, doth much commend them. Then make use of this Powder, much commended by Johannes Michael Paschalius, and it is thus prepared: Take the Shells of two new layd Eggs burnt; Frankin-cense, Mastick, of each, half an Ounce: Pearls and red Corall prepared, and Amber, of each, two drachms: Ha­matites and Emerald, of each, half a Scruple: Barly meal fine sifted, two Pugills: the Whites of four Eggs, and chalybiated Water, enough to make the Powder into two Cakes; bake them in an Oven, so hard, that they may be beaten to Powder; give, of this Powder, half a Drachm, or a Drachm in the Morning, in Broth made of Sheeps feet or Calves feet. The Juyce of Plantane, Yarrow, Net­tles, Shepherds Purse, Knot-grasse, Comphry, and Hors-tail, is very good, or a Sirrup made of all or ei­ther of them is much, and upon good grounds, com­mended. Milk, in which red hot Steel hath been quenched, allayeth the Sharpnesse of the Humours, and stayeth the Flux. Spiknard, in fine Powder in­wardly taken, or applyed to the Womb upon a little [Page 323] Lint, hath been much approved of. Minerall Wa­ters, which receive their Tincture from Vitriol, Iron, or Allum, do remove the Cause and strengthen the Part. The Chymists do much commend the Tincture of Corall, and vitriolated Steel. Before you go far­ther take this necessary Caution, that you do not alto­gether give strong astringents, but sometimes Medi­cines which strengthen the Liver, and somewhat bind. Outwardly foment upon her Loins, Share, and about the Privityes, with a fomentation made of the afore­going Herbs. Then anoint the parts aforesaid with the Oyl of Myrtles, Mastick, and Quinces: or make an Ointment more astringent. adding, Frankincense, Dragon's Blood, Sealed Earth, Bolearmenick, and the like. Unguentum Comitissae is very powerfull in this Distemper. Afterwards apply a Plaister to the Navel and Loins, Emplastrum ad Herniam, Hystericum, or Emplastrum de Mastich, either of these; or all three are very effectuall. Likewise dry Fumes, Pessaryes, and Injections, for the Womb, may be prepared of the aforenamed Herbs and other astringent Simples. When she is cured, you must endeavour to prevent the Disease for the future, by the Rules prescribed in the 51 Chapter, Of the Immoderate Flux of the Haemor­rhoids.

CHAP. LXXIV. Of the Whites.

THis Disease is called the Flux of the Womb, the Woman's Flux, and the Whites; and it is an ex­crementitious Humour, flowing from the Womb, [Page 324] sometimes white, and sometimes watry, sometimes mixed with yellow, green, or black, according to the Nature of the Humour. Women are subject princi­pally to this Distemper, and sometimes Maids, though some have affirmed the contrary, and condemned them as unchaste, yet according to the opinion of the wisest Physitians, the purest Virgins may have this In­firmity, and their opinion is confirmed daily by Expe­rience. These Humours are bred in the whole Body, or in some particular part, or in the Womb it self. They are bred in the whole Body, either by ill Diet, or a vicious habituall Distemper. The particular parts may be, the Brain, Stomach, Liver, or Spleen. These Humours may be bred in the Womb, by a cold or hot Distemper therein; the cold maketh it unable to digest its Nourishment, and the hot Distemper cor­rupteth it, hence cometh this excrementitious Hu­mour. Child-bearing, Abortion, Contusion, In­flammation, Imposthume, or Ulcer in the Womb may weaken the part and dispose it to breed and re­ceive such Humours.

This Disease is known by the relation of the Pati­ent; from what part it cometh is thus known: If the whole Body send this Humour to the Womb, the whole Body appeareth in an evill State, is weary and heavy, as if the Patient were weary with hard labour, and by this Flux her Body is at present refreshed; the Hands and Feet are puffed up, with a great itching and stinging, if the Humour be cholerick. If it come from some peculiar part, the Symptomes and Excre­ments proper to that part appear. If it come onely from the Womb, something hath happened, which hath hurt the Womb, as a Fall or Blow upon the Back or Belly, immoderate carnall Embracements, especi­ally if the Woman be young, or any Disease of the [Page 325] Womb. Signes, that distinguish between this Disease and an Ulcer in the Womb, or Gonorrhaea, are these: If there be an Ulcer in the Womb, that which flow­eth is more digested, mattery, mixed with Blood and stringy, and cometh with pain; and the Woman ad­mits not of Copulation without pain. In the Gonor­rhaea the Matter comes in a small Quantity, and sel­dom, and is of a shining Whitenesse. But if it be a Gonorrhaea which is gotten by acting with an unclean Person, then is the Womb ulcerated, the Urine sharp, and many other malignant Symptomes.

This Disease is not dangerous, but is hard to be cu­red, for it is hard to divert the Humours from this Channell, it being the Sink of the Body, through which the superfluous Humours of a healthy Body, are every Month evacuated. That which is blewish, green, black, and stinking is worse then that, which is pale, white, and doth not stink. This Disease is sel­dom cured in old Women, because they abound in Phlegm. Lastly, by its continuance it may breed great evills, as Barrennesse, Falling out of the Wōb, evill habit in the whole Body, and Consumption.

To cure, the Humour offended must be purged with convenient Medicines; and because Phlegm for the most part is the Humour peccant, purge with such Medicines as principally purge Phlegm, with which mix such as purge the Humour mixed. Vomits (if the Patient be strong) are good, because they empty the Stomach of excrementitious Humours, and do powerfully revell the Humours from the Womb. Af­ter sufficient Evacuations, let the Patient take swea­ting Decoctions, made of Lignum Vitae and Sassafras, if the Patient be phlegmatick; of China and Sarsa, if she be cholerick or melancholy. Also Sweat procu­red by sulphurous Baths, is kind. Milk wherein Steel [Page 326] hath been quenched is very good, and it will be more powerfull it a little Bolearmenick, Sanguis Draconis, and Terra Sigillata, be given with it. Among a mul­tiplicity of Medicines, which are astringont and pro­per for this Diseale, I shall insert but one or two. Ze­cheus doth highly commend this following Electuary: Take of Gum Arabick and Gum Tragant, of each, two Drachms: Corall of both sorts, Eg-shells burnt, Harts­horn, Dill Seeds, Amber, of each, four Scruples: Hony of Roses, as much as will make into it an Electuary; give half an Ounce in the Morning and fast two howers after it. This Julep I have found of great virtue: Take of the distilled Water of Plantane, red Roses, Oak Leavs, and Knot grasse, of each, four Ounces; infuse therein, a whole Night, of the Flowers of Comphry, Buglosse, and red Ro­ses, of each, one Pugill: strain them out, and make it sharp with Oyl of Vitriol; with the Sirrup of Comphry and red Roses, make a Julep for four or five Mornings Draughts. Whatever part sendeth pblegmatick Mat­ter to the Womb, you must seek its cure from its pro­per Chapter. To conclude, the Medicines prescribed in the former Chapter are good against this Distemper. Outward Remedies, as Fomentations, Unguents, Fumes, Pessaryes, and Injections, such as are prescri­bed in the Chapter aforesaid, are usefull here.

CHAP. LXXV. Of the Mother.

THis Disease is called, the Hystericall passion, Uteri Strangulatio, by the Greeks, [...], we call it the Mother and Strangling of the Womb. It is caused [Page 327] by the Seed, menstruall Blood, or other excrementi­tious Humors, retained besides the intent of Nature, in the Womb, and there putrified and corrupted, bree­deth venemous and, malignant Vapours, which ari­sing doth afflict divers parts of the Body. Now these Vapours do not alwayes afflict, but when they are stir­red up by some cause; (the most noted are, sweet odours, sweet meats eaten, anger, terror, and grievous passions of the mind; these and such like bring Wo­men, subject to this Infirmity, into their Fits, where­in their breathing is impaired, sometimes (to appea­rance) abolished, the Body becomes cold, their Speech gone, and Pulse intercepted; so that they ly for dead, and sometimes have been laid out for burial, and yet have revived. Sometimes these choaking Fits are not so extream, yet is accompanied with other hystericall Symptomes, as Vomitings, Ravings, Convulsions, Swoonings, and the like. Sometimes the Patient feeleth herself, as it were, choaked by an halter or rope, this is caused by abundance of Vapours and Winds ascending from the Womb, (sometimes secon­ded by hypocondriack Melancholy) which Vapours, compressing the Diaphragma and Lungs, hinder Res­piration, and the Patient feeleth herself as it were strangled. Others will have it proceed from the Na­ture of the malignant Vapours, whose property is to cause Suffocation. Sometimes she loseth her Breath without pain or sense of Strangling, by reason of the stupefactive Power of these Vapours, which taketh a­way the vitall Action from the Heart, and so hindreth Respiration: For Nature having ordained the draw­ing of Breath to cool the Heart, and the Heart is ex­treamly cooled by these venemous Vapours, having no need of the cool Air, Breathing ceaseth: For the vi­tall Spirits being destroyed, the Animall, which are [Page 328] made of them must needs lose their functions; We may also say that these venemous and stupisying Vapours do fly up and assault the Brain, and hinder the Influx of the animall Spirits, whereby the Motion of the Di­aphragma and the Muscles, which serve for Respira­tion, are hindered. Likewise the Womb being fil­led with these flatuous Vapours, doth ascend towards the upper parts, as it were, by a convulsive Motion, which causeth a Compression of the Midriff and Mus­cles of Respiration. Sometimes these sharp and ma­lignant Vapours ascend to the Head, and disperse themselves into the membranous parts, and cause divers pains, pricking and smarting, and sometimes stretch­ing and swelling; sometimes they cause pains beating like the Pulse. Sometimes the Falling-Sicknesse cometh from the Womb, by reason of sharp and malig­nant Vapours, which having gotten a powerfull Acri­mony, do sharply smite the nervous parts. These Vapours assaulting the Heart, the Heart laboureth to expell them, hence ariseth Palpitation. Likewise it causeth a great Pulsation in the Back. The Stomach doth oftentimes suffer much by this Distemper, accor­ding to the Nature of the Humours afflicting, or part of the Stomach it gets possession of; as Want of Appe­tite, or a depraved Appetite, that is, destring Food which Nature disdains, as Coals, Chalk, &c. Loath­ing of Meat, Vomiting, Belching, Hiccough, and pain in the Stomach. If, in the Womb, menstruall Blood is retained, it floweth back by the Voins into the Liver, from thence shed abroad into the whole Body, hence cometh Swelling, Feavers, and other Diseases. If it flows back to the Spleen, Swelling, Stopping, Melan­choly, and hypocondriacal Diseases are bred. Lastly, Women have pains in their Loins, Thighs, and other parts, which are caused by these Vapours conveighed [Page 329] from the Womb. Therefore, to know this from other pains, mark well the Signes of this Disease.

Much may be gathered from what huth already been said, remembring this, you must not expect all the Symptomes in one, but some in one, and some in another, the Breathing faileth, Sense of Strangling, Coldnesse of the Body, the Pulse ceaseth, and the like, which I have mentioned before. There goeth before the Fit a Noise in the Belly below the Navill, Belching, Inclination to Vomit, Wearinesse, Stretch­ing, the Face pale and wan. As it gathers Strength it bringeth Suffocation or Choaking, afterwards all the vitall & animall Actions are depraved, diminish­ed, and, as it were, abolished, the Womb may be felt in divers parts of the lower Belly, gathered round like a Ball, tossing and tumbling to and fro. When the Fit begins to be over, a moist Humour floweth out of the Womb, the Body beginneth to be warm, they have a Colour in their Face, they open their Eyes, they sigh, they begin to move, and so by degrees are freed from the Fit.

Signs of the Causes are thus known; If the Seed corrupting in the Womb hath been the Cause, there hath preceded those things, which might gather toge­ther or excrease Seed, and cerrupt it in the Womb; as flourishing Age, high keeping, and an idle life, San­guine Complexion and ripe for Generation; or one formerly accustomed to the Actions of Generation and left it of: if any such fall into this Disease, and have their monthly Purgation well, you may judge that Corruption of Seed is the Cause. If it come from the Putrefaction of menstruous Blood, the Menstrues are stopped, or come not down well, and the Woman wanteth no carnall Embracements. If evill Hu­mours be the Cause, the Woman enjoyeth camall [Page 330] Excercise, and hath her monthly Purgation, but her Body is full of evill Humours.

Prognosticks we make thus: This Disease is seldom mortall, but of long continuance; the Patient is in great danger if it continue long, because Respiration being so often hurt, there is danger that the native Heat be suffocated. Young Women when they come to bear Children, for the most part they are cured: Old women are seldome or never cured. To women with Child it is very dangerous, and threatneth Miscar­riage: To Women lying in, as dangerous by reason of their Weaknesse. It is good for a Woman to sneez in the Fits, for it signifyeth Strength of the Brain, and it disperseth the Vapours from the Brain.

I shall lay down a few Rules, first, to give present ease in the Fit; secondly, to give perfect Cure. First, lay her down in such a posture, that her Neck and Shoulders may ly high, her Thighs and Privities low, shooting downwards, that so the Womb may be the better reduced. Let her lower parts be rubbed and bound so hard as to cause pain. And if her Fit be in­veterate, apply Cupping-Glasses to her Hips and Share. If she swoon, rub the Bottoms of her Feet with Vinegar and Salt, and course Cloths. Hollow in her Ears, and bend her Fingers, and if need require apply Epispastick Cataplasms to her Feet. Put strong and stinking things under her Nose, as Leather and Fethers burnt, Brimstone fited, Assafaetida, Castoreum, and the like. But take this Caution, carefully to distinguish between this Disease and the Falling-Sicknesse, for in the latter such Smells are hurtfull. The Warts that grow upon a Horses Legs being dryed and pow­dered and a Fume made thereof, under the Patient's Nose, is very good in the time of the Fit. The smoak of Tobacco blown into the Mouth and Nostrils is like­wise [Page 331] of great efficacy to free the Woman from the Fit-Whilst you do this, you must apply Musk or Civet, wrapped up in cotton Wool, to the Womb. Then blow th [...]s Powder into her Nose: Take of white Pep­per, Mustard Seed, Pellitory, and Castor, of each, one Scruple: mak it into a very fine Powder, and blow some up her Nose: if you judge it not strong enough, add a lit­tle white Hellebore or Eaphorbium. Or let her Nose be anointen with Oyl of Amber. If the Fit be of long continuance give her a laxative, carminative, or wind­expelling Clister: if one doth it not, give another. Afterwards give another made of Vinegar and Water, and let her drink a little Vinegar and Water. Apply Emplastrum Hystericum to the Navel, or a Plaister made of Galbanum, Caranna, Assafaetida, and Tacha­mahaca. If you find the Sick troubled with plenty of Wind and Vapours, bathe and soment the Belly with Fomentations made of emollient, carminative, and discussing Herbs and Seeds. If the Sick be a married Woman let her have carnall Conjunction with her Husband as soon as ever the Fit is over. If that can­not be had, that is, if she be a Maid or Window, let a Mid-wife, tickle the Neck of the Womb with her fin­ger anointed with the Oyl of Musck, Cloves, or the like, that so the offensive Sperm may be avoided. You may in the Fit give Pills made of Assafaetida, Castor, Faecula Brioniae, Mirrh, and the like; and, if the Fit be violent, give Pillulae Faetidae. Oyl of Amber given three or four drops in some convenient Waters are ve­ry good. The After-Birth of a Woman, that lyeth in of her first Child, dryed, and powdered, and a Drachm given in some convenient Liquor, is excellent: Quer­cetanus his Powder made of Elder-Berryes, taken a Drachm in Wine, is very good.

For the Cure, you must consider whether the Wo­man [Page 332] be with Child or not, and be carefull how you administer stinking Medicines for fear of Abortion, but rather outward Medicines then inward. Whatever part of the Body suffer by this Disease, either Brain, Heart, Liver, &c. take care to free and strengthen the part, seek the means in their proper Chapters. The Patient must once in a Month be purged with such Medicines, as principally regard the Humour offen­ding, adding thereto things that are hystericall. If the Body be full of Blood open a Vein, or bleed the Haemorrhoids if Nature requireth it. After generall Evacuation, make use of sweating Decoctions, or let the Patient frequent sulphurous Baths. These Pills are much commended: Take of the Troches of Agarick, one Drachm and an half: Hiera of Colloquintida, one Drachm: the Seeds of Carrots, and Agnus Castus, of each one Scruple: Mirrh, Castoreum, and Diagridium, of each half a Scruple; Venice Turpetine, as much as will suffice to make all into a Masse, let ber take half a Drachm or two Scruples twice or thrice in a Month. Or Pillulae Faetidae taken, half a Drachm, once in a Month doth very much cleanse the Womb. Then make use of this Sirrup, much commended by Mercatus: Take of the Juyce of Mercury, and the cream of Carthamus Seeds, of each, six Ounces: the Water of Scorzonera, seven Oun­ces: Sugar, as much as will make it into a Syrrup: while it boiles add of Confectio de Hyacintho, of Alchermes, and Powder of the Electuary de Gemmis, of each, two Drachms; let the Dose be two or three Ounces. Assasae­tida, and Castor made into Pills with Hony have a pe­culiar property against these Firs: many use the for­mer with good successe, tyed up in a thin ragg or farce­ner, and hung about the Neck: and for this purpose the Liver or Flesh of a Wolf; or the Pizzell, or Stones of a Fox dried and hung about the Neck with a string, [Page 333] resting upon the Navell; vitriolated Steel, or the Salt thereof, given with Sugar, from two, to twenty grains, according to the Strength of the Patient, is much commended, for opening Obstructions and coo­ling the Womb. Eight dayes before she expect her monthly Purgations, let the Woman sit in a mollify­ing and resolving Bath, that so the Humours may be resolved and flow forth with her Courses. Lastly, Is­sues made in the Thighs are good, for they derive and turn aside evill Humours from the Womb.

CHAP. LXXVI. Of the Inflammation, Ulcer, and hard Swel­ling of the Womb.

THis Disease is a Swelling of the Womb, which is caused by Blood mixed with Choller or other Hu­mours flowing to the part, vehement Excercise, or im­moderate Copulation; some Blow or Fall upon the part: Meats that are sharp and sretting, or such things as naturally offend the part, as Cantharides, or Pessaryes that are of a sharp Nature, Abortion, hard Labour in Child-bed, or a violent handling by an un­skilfull Midwife.

The Signes of this Disease are, Swelling, Heat, & Pain about the Region of the Womb, the Body fea­vourish. If the Inflammation be in the Neck of the Womb, the pain is felt towards the Groin, if in the former side, the Bladder suffereth, if in the hinder side, the strait Gut will be sensible thereof, and the Pain is violently felt about the Loyns. If either side of the Womb be inflamed, the Thigh and Groin on [Page 334] the same fide will be heavy and pained. If you consi­der the Const tution and present Temper of the Pati­ent, you may easily guesse what Humour offends. If it be purely Blood, the Symptomes are more mild; if Choller be mixed, it is more vehement; if Phlegm or Melancholy, the Distemper is more fixed and lasting, but the pain is not so vehement. If the Inflammation imposthumate, and gather Matter, the pain and Feaver encreaseth, and the Patient hath shaking Fits, and most of all about the Evening. Sometimes it turns to an Ulcer, which is known by avoiding of snotty. Matter or Quittor out of the Womb. If it be party-coloured, green­ish, or Lead coloured, stinking, and cometh away with great pain, it is the worse. If it depend upon the French Pox or Gonorthaea, their Symptoms will de­clare the same. Sometimes the Inflammation turns not to an Imposthume nor Ulcer, but to a painlesse hard Swelling, called a Schirrus, which is thus known: the Feaver and pain ceaseth, and the Swelling re­maineth; there is a hardnesse, heavinesse, and Sense of Weight, bearing down when the Woman stan­deth.

As to the Prognostick, I shall say a word or two of either of them: An Inflammation of the Womb is a dangerous, and de adly Symptome, especially, if the whole Womb be inflamed. If a Woman with Child suffer Inflammation of the Womb, the Child dyeth, and probably the Mother followeth. Ravings, Hiccoughs, Coldnesse of the Hands and Feet, and cold Sweats, are the Messengers of Death. If it imposthumate and turn to an Ulcer, it ought not to be slighted, because the Womb is of exquisite Sense, and hath a fellow-felling with the principall parts of the Body. If the Ulcer turns cancrous, hollow, or fistulous, it is seldom or never cured, but vexeth the Patient miserably all [Page 335] her life-time. An Ulcer in the Neck of the Womb is most easily cured, because Medicines may be applyed to them immediatly. A Schirrhus, or insensible hard Swelling, is seldom cured, because the naturall Heat is so weak in that part, that it can hardly discusse such an hard and almost stony Substance: If it be not cured it soon brings a Dropsy: and if it be tampered with, with over hot and moist Medicines, it turns to a Can­cer.

The Cure you must prosecute thus: First, in the Inflammation of the Womb, give a cooling Clister, then open the Basilick Vein, on the same side the Womb is inflamed, if all the Womb be inflamed, re­peat your Phlebotomy, afterwards open the lower Veins. Rubbings and Bindings are good, and Cup­ping-Glasses fastened to the Loins and Back. Purge the Humour offending with such things as purge gent­ly. Then give cooling Juleps or Emulsions to allay the Heat and sharpnesse of the Humours; mix there­with Narcoticks to give ease and rest, if the Patient be tired out, Apply cooling Liniments and Cata­plasms; In Liniments use, the Oyl and Ointment of Roses, Galen's cooling Ointment, Ceratum Santali­num, and such like; and with the Oyl of Roses, white Bread and Milk, make Cataplasms, adding the Juyce of Henbane, Night-shade, Plantant, and Sor­rell; or instead of the white Bread, the Meal of Barly, Flax and Fenugreek Seed. Of such cool Herbs make Injections, and Pessaries. But use not cooling and re­pelling too long, lest the Tumor be fixed and hard­ned, but rather use softning and discussing Medicines with repelling, such as these, viz. Marsh and cōmon Mallows, Mugwort, Melilor, Camomill, Fenugreek. If the Patient be subject to be costive, give gentle pur­gers, or mollifying and cooling Clisters. If the pain [Page 336] be very violent, make Injections with new Milk, and a little Opium: and make Pessaries of Philonium Ro­manum and a little Cotton and apply it. If it tends to Suppuration, apply a Cataplasm made of the afore­named softning Herbs, fat Figs, Yolks of Egs, Saffion, Oyl of Lillyes and fresh Butter. When it is broken we must endeavour to purge out the Quitter, and cleanse the Ulcer. You must often purge with gen­tle Medicines, as Senna, Rubarb, Tamarinds, Mira­bolans, Agarick, Catholicon, and such like, that the evill Humours may be diverted from the Womb; for such who are easy to vomit, a gentle Vomit is very pro­fitable. Make a vulnerary Drink to cleanse and heal the Ulcer: Take of Agrimony, Burnet, Mugwort, Knot-Grasse, Plantane, and Yarrow, of each, one Handfull: China Root, half an Ounce: Rha Ponticum, one Ounce: Currance, and French Barly, of each, two Ounces: boil them in Chicken-Broth, and let the Patient take somewhat more then a Quarter of a Pint, Morning and Evening. Venice Turpotine washed in Mugwort Water, or in the Water of any other Herb, respecting the Ulcer, is good to cleanse and heal it. If the Humours be sharp and painfull, inject the Emulsion of the cold Seeds, Goats Milk, or (for want thereof) Cows Milk, with the Juyce of Shepherds Purse, or of any of the Herbs aforenamed. To dry and fill up the Ulcer, make a Decoction of the aforenamed Herbs, or of the like Nature, made in Water wherein Steel hath been quenched, or in Plantane Water: add thereto Aca­cia, Hypocistis, Sanguis Draconis, Bolearmenick, fine Starch, Aristolochia rotunda, great Comphry, &c. Unguentum Egyptiacum, de Plumbo, de Ceruso, and de Apio, are very good in Injections; and the Oyl of the Yolks of Egs, stirred in a Leaden Morter, is much more commended. If the Ulcer in the Womb come [Page 337] by reason of the French Pox, a Fumigation made of Cinnabaris, or Minium, taken into the Cavity of the Womb, hath a peculiar property to cleanse and heal the Ulcer; the same virtue hath Quick-Silver Ointments.

If it come to a Schirrhous Tumor, you must purge the melancholy and rebellious Humours, and give steeled and such Medicines, which powerfully open Obstructions of the Womb or other parts. Then you must prepare emollient and resolving Medicaments to be applyed outwardly; as the Fomentation, and Ca­taplasm mentioned in the 56 Chapter, Of the Schir­rbus of the Liver. Likewise the Liniment there pre­scribed, may serve here for an Injection. To con­clude, you must use a great deal of care, diligence, and industry in this Cure, lest that the Tumor become harder, or, (which is most dangerous) degenerate in­to a Cancer.

CHAP. LXXVII. Of the Womb swelled by Wind or Water.

There is a twofold Dropsy of the Womb, one from Wind, which is like that sort, called Tympanites, the other from a watry and wheyish Humour, answe­ring to Ascites. Some add a third answering to Leuco­phlegmatia, which is seldom seen. This Wind or Wa­ter is contained in the Cavity of the Womb, or in the Membranes thereof, or in certain Bladders. It is cau­sed by the weaknesse of naturall Heat in the Liver or Spleen, from which parts. Wind, Phlegm, or wheyish Humours are sent to the Womb: or by the weaknesse [Page 338] of the Womb, those Humours are collected. Causes which weaken the naturall heat of the womb are ma­ny, viz. cold aire heedlesly taken into the womb, or staying in the cold, or padling in cold water whilst the courses flow: the use of cold meates and drinks; add to these, abortion, hard labour, immoderat flux of the Termes; all diseases proper to the Womb.

This disease is best discovered by signes, which dis­tinguish between this and the universall Dropsy of the Belly. The Womb-Dropsy causeth a swelling, chiefly in the lower Belly; in the other Dropsy, the swelling is in all parts: in this the Body decays not, nor there is not such a Thirst and Drinesse of the Tongue as in the other; and Wind and Water sometimes bursteth out at the Mouth of the Womb. Secondly to distin­guish between the sorts of these Dropsyes, consider, if Wind be the Cause, the lower part of the Belly, being struck, giveth a Sound, thence is a pricking pain in the Belly, which reacheth to the Diaphragma: the Womb riseth like a Globe towards the stomach, Wind bursteth our of its Neck, and the Patient is subject to Belching, and when she breaketh Wind, she findeth some ease. If a watry wheyish Humour be the Cause, the part appeareth soft and flaggy with a Noise of Wa­ter, and great Heavinesse. If from Phlegm, it will be more soft; and the parts adjacent, as well as the Womb, have a phlegmatick Swelling. Thirdly, you ought to consider, whether this Disease hath its origi­nall in the Womb, or by consent of other parts, thus: if there appear Symptoms of the whole Body or some part thereof to be misaffected, viz. if there be long Feavers, or a Flux of Blood, Distillations from the Head, Weaknesse of the Stomach, Swelling of the Li­ver and Spleen, and other stubborn Diseases in those arts, judge that the Womb receives its Distemper frō [Page 339] some of these parts. On the contrary, if the Body and all the parts are in good health, saving some particu­lar Disease of the Womb, then judge that the Disease hath its originall in the Womb. Fourthly, to know, whether the Wind or watry Humour be in the Cavity of the Womb, or in little Bladders, take these two Rules, that if it be in the Cavity of the Womb, it ma­keth a greater Swelling, and more Water flows out at the Neck of the Womb. Secondly, if little Bladders of Water come forth, it is an evident Signe that the Water or Wind is not contained in the Cavity of the Womb. Fifthly, this Womb-Dropsy is easily distin­guished from Tumors of the Womb, caused of blood or Choller, because there is no Feaver; nor pain in the touching of it; it differeth likewise from a schirrhous Tumor, for it is not so hard as not to yeeld to the fin­ger. Sixthly, it is very convenient to distinguish be­tween this Disease and a Woman's being with Child: when a Woman begins to be big with Child, the big­nesse of her Belly buncheth out, in this Disease it is depressed and flat: in the first, the Woman's Dugs do swell, in the latter they become extenuated and smal­ler. Women with Child, after a while, grow better and better, but in this Disease they grow worse and worse. Again the Child is manifestly perceived to stir. Lastly, you must distinguish between this Disease and the false Conception Mola, thus: in Mola Women find a great heavinesse in their Wombs, and when they turn toly on either side, it roules like a Stone to that side: again they that have conceaved with Mola (for the most part) have a violent Flux of their Terms, every third or fourth Month, and lastly the Dugs swell and sometimes have Milk in them; which things never happen in this Womb-Dropsy.

Sometimes this Disease cometh not to the height [Page 340] but proveth an Inflation: if it continueth, if the Hu­mour be void of Putrefaction, though it continueth long, yet it is curable, nay, sometimes it floweth out of its own accord. If wind or water be in the cavity it is e­vacuated with more ease, then if it be shut up in Blad­ders. If the Humour be malignant and sharp, it pro­duceth the like Symptoms, and is dangerous, for the most part deadly.

You must begin the Cure with Phlebotomy, if the Disease hath its originall from the Terms, and the Body be plethorick, other wise it will much hurt, be­cause natural Heat is much weakned thereby. Then you must give such things as have power to purge, o­pen, provoke Sweat, and move the Courses: you need go no farther then to the 58 and 71 Chapters, trea­ting Of the Dropsy and Green-Sicknesse. Give a gentle Vomit twice a week, if the Woman be easy to vomit. The Heat of the Stomach must be cherished and main­tained, by Medicines prescribed in the Chapters trea­ting of the Diseases of that part; and the Womb must be strengthned, and the peccant Humours discussed by Fomentations or Baths, made of the Decoction of the Roots of Briony, wild Cucumber, and horse Ra­dish: the Leavs of Dwarf-Elder, Mercury, common Elder, Origanum, Calamint, Rue, Sage, Wormwood, Marjarom, Mugwort, Pennyroyall, Time: the Seeds of Annis, Fennel, Broom, Carrots, Cummin, Bay, and Juniper: the Flowers of Camomill, Melilot, and Rosemary. If it be a windy Dropsy, a dry Fomenta­tion will be much better. Afterwards anoint with the Oyl of Nard, Rue, Wormwood, Dill, and Southern­wood. Give frequent Clisters, and Injections to eva­cuate the Humours contained in the Womb: then make Pessaryes, of Coloquintida, Elaterium, Mechoa­can, and such like, with Hony, and apply it. Nitrous [Page 341] and sulphurous Baths do profit much, and, if the Dis­ease proceed from Humours falling to the part, let Issues be made in the Thighs.

CHAP. LXXVIII. Of the falling down of the Womb.

SOmetimes the Womb looseth its natural Scituati­on, and falleth down to the water-gate, sometimes out to the very Thigh. All things that may cause a Rupture or Relaxation of the Ligaments of the Womb, may be a cause of this grief, as a Blow, Fall, dancing, leaping, lifting, carrying, violent sneezing, or cough­ing, (especially in Child-bed, or being big with Child, Tenasmus, hard Travel, a violent drawing the Child out of the Womb, or of the after-birth, or the expul­sive Faculty of the womb, being violently provoked to expel a dead Child, after birth, or the Mole, and many such like Accidents may be the cause of the breaking of the Ligaments, and falling out of the Womb. A Relaxation of the Ligaments may be caused by a long Defluxion, by Crudityes, the Whites: external Cau­ses may be prevalent, as bathing in cold water; the Southern or moist Air being received into the Womb, soon after a lying in, Meat of a cold and moist Na­ture; to conclude, all Meats, Drinks, and Actions, which will breed Phlegm, or cause its Deflux into the Womb.

This Disease needs no Signes to discover it by, it being apparent to the Sense: the causes may be thus distinguished. If it come by Loosenesse of the Liga­ments, it cometh by little and little, the pain is leffe, [Page 342] causes, moystening the Womb have preceded. If it come by a Rupture, there is a violent pain; sometimes Blood starteth out, and such causes, which have been able tobreak the Ligaments, have preceded.

If the womb fall down by a rupture of the Liga­ments, it is incurable. That which comes by a relaxa­tion of the Ligaments is not very dangerous, but trou­blesome to the patient, it hinders her walking, concep­tion, and monthly Purgation. In young Women it is caslier restored to its place, than in elderly. The womb coming not far out, and if taken in time, the Cure is farr more easy then if the contrary happen. Some­times grievous and violent Pains do attend it, and threaten Death. Sometimes the Air corrupteth the womb, and it becomes gangrenated, so that there is a Necessity that it be cut off.

You must begin the Cure with such Medicines that may discharge the Guts and Bladder of their Exere­ments, that they may not hinder the Reduction of the womb. Then let her ly upon her Back with her Thighs wide asunder, and draw up her Knees, and let her with her own hands, or by the help of a Mid wife, thrust the womb inwards, or (that you may drive it in farther and hurt her lesse) make a Pessary of lin­nen cloaths, and with it thrust up the womb; first a­noint it with the Oyl of Lillyes, and, if it be swelled, use a Fomentation of Althaea, common Mallows, Fenu­greek, and the like. Before you repose the womb to its place, anoint it with the Musilage of Comphry Roots, or Infusion of Gum Traganth, or any thing that is of a glowing Nature. When it is up, let the woman ly with one Thigh over the other, and put up toward the Neck of the womb, a little wool wetted in ted wine or Rosewater, wherein Acatia and Hypocystis hath been dissolved. Rodericus à Castro adviseth the [Page 343] Physitian to come with a red hot Iron, and to make as if he would thrust it into the womb: Avenzoar, and Zacutus Lusitanus, after the use of all means and devi­ces, by this Stratagem reduced the womb, that is, ha­ving laid her down as before said, and one held down her Thighs and another her Breast, then put her into a great fright, by setting Mice or Frogs to run up her Legs and Thighs, by this fright the womb hath been reduced into its proper place for by this means. Nature contracteth her self for fear, and draweth the womb with her. Then lay a plaister against Ruptures, on the Region of the womb and Groins: and have a care that you keep the Body that it be not costive nor too soluble. To conclude, all the Medicines externall and internall, prescribed against the immoderate flowing of the Menstrues, are here good: but beware you use them not when the Courses should flow; and, lest by the frequent use of such Medicines, they should be hindered, your Patient being young, & having her Courses monthly, be sparing in the use of them; but rather let her wear a Trusse.

CHAP. LXXIX. Of Barrennesse.

BArrennesse or Sterility is an impotency of Concep­tion; the principall causes thereof are four; first, when the Woman doth not conveniently receiv the Man's Sperm into her Womb; and this happeneth by divers causes, viz. If the Woman be too young, and the Neck of the Womb too strait for the Man's Yard; the same happens to elderly Virgins, being not exer­cised [Page 344] in actions tending to Generation, their genitall parts become flaggy, withered, & so streight that they canot easily admit of the Man's Yard; some are lame and crooked that they cannot ly in a fit posture; some have a cold Distemper in the Womb, that they are dull and have no delight in the act: others are very fat, which causeth a Streightnesse in the passage, or their Bellyes, being big, hinder their due conjunction with the Man. Want of love between a Man and his Wife is a great cause. Diseases in the Womb or the adja­cent parts, hinder the Reception of the Seed. The second cause of Barrennesse is when the Woman doth not retain the Seed of the man in her Womb, for sometimes the Womb is moist and slippery, and full of excrementitious Humours, by which means the Sperm doth easily slide back again; and the Orifice of the Womb is so loose & flaggy, that it cannot contract it self to hold the Seed: or it may be so slack that it cannot contract to do its Office; and this Slacknesse may be occasioned by a breaking of the Fibres of the Womb one from another, in hard Labour, or Aborti­on: to say all, the Whites, or any moist Distemper of the Womb, may be the cause of Barrennesse. Third­ly, want of sufficient Nourishment of the Womb to cherish the Seed may be the cause of Barrennesse, and this comes to passe by any Distemper of the Womb that doth corrupt the Seed: a cold Distemper extin­guisheth, a hot Distemper dissipateth the Spirits in the Seed: a moist Distemper hindereth the Seeds coming to its due Thicknesse, and a dry Distemper consumes and drinks up the moisture of the Seed. Some say, Witchcraft and Charms may be the cause; certain Meats and Poysons, many things are antipathetical to Faecundity, as Vinegar, Mints, Water-cresses, Beans, and such like, Jet, Glow-Worms, Saphires, [Page 345] Smaragds, the Matrice of a Goat of Mule, malignant Diseases may corrupt Seed and hinder Conception, as stinking Ulcers, the French Pox, leprous Infecti­ons, and the like. The fourth thing that hinders Conception is when the Woman wants fit materialls for the formation of the Embrio, & to augment the same; and this chiefly dependeth upon want of seed & menstruous blood; and this defect happeneth to those that are too young or too old, the determined & appro­ved age is from fourteen to 50. Likewise the materials may be ill disposed through evill diet, which cannot breed blood or good seed, Diseases weakening nature may cause the same. Add to all these causes a dispro­portion or unsureablenesse between the man's Sperm and the Woman's, that is when the man and the Wo­man are of one Complexion, by which means the seed of either of them partake of the same excesse, that is that they are either too hot or too cold; hence it cometh to passe that the same Woman who could ne­ver have a Child by her Husband, after his Death, hath Children by another man, and a man by another Woman. Sometimes a man and Woman live ten years, or more, together and have no Children, and afterwards the woman conceaveth and bringeth forth, and this cometh to passe by the change of Tempera­ture caused by years.

I should now lay down the Signs of all these causes, but most of them are evident to the Senses; and the rest, he who cannot discover hath not a Head befitting a Physitian: therefore, to abbreviate the work, I shall leav it to the search of the Ingenious, and trouble the Reader with a few Rules, left by the Ancients, to try whether a Woman be naturally barren or no, Hippo­crates adviseth to wrap the Woman close in Blankets, and burn some Perfume under her, and if the Smell [Page 346] proceed through her Body, to her Mouth or Nostrills, then certainly she is fruitfull. The same Author ad­viseth to put a clove of Garlick peeled into her womb, or Galbanum, and if the Smell come to her Head or Mouth, judg that she is fruitfull. Amatus Lusitanus to try whether a Woman be fruitfull or no, giveth a Drachm of Hares Runner, dissolved in warm water, to the Woman, being in a Bath of hot water, fasting; and if the Woman findeth pains in her Belly, he judg­eth her fruitfull, if she hath no pain, he judgeth her barren. Some steep Barly in the Urine, and if it shoot within ten dayes, they judg the Woman fruitfull. Be­fore you try these uncertain conclusions upon the Wo­man, examine the man, and see if the fault be not in him. It is known thus, if the man be unable to raise his yard, if he want Sperm, if he hath a swelling in his Stones, or if he have the Running of the Reins, he is not fit for Venus School. If the man be of an effemi­nate Spirit, if he hath no Beard, if he be long casting forth his Seed, and taketh little delight in the act, and the Woman in the act feeleth his Seed cold, be sure the man is unfruitfull; Or Causes, which may make the Seed unfruitfull, have preceded.

Prog: These that conceave not by reason of ten­dernesse of age, have great hopes to live to have bet­ter successe: but if she live above forty and never con­ceaved, she hath little reason to hope. If Barrenness be caused by Fatnesse, or any Distemper or Disease whatsoever, if the Woman can procure Leannesse, or have her Distemper removed, she may conceave. But if Barrennesse be caused by evill shape of the Mem­bers, it is likely to continue.

In the cure, you must endeavour that whatsoever hindereth may be removed. If tendernesse of age be the cause, let her wait the time; in the mean while let [Page 347] her refuse carnall Embracements, lest her genitall Members be spoiled. If it be caused by Age, that is incurable by weaknesse of Nature, you may endeavour to strengthen the Body and revive the Spirits, but it is difficult. If the Body be too corpulent, or too manly, you must extenuate, moisten, and cool. If any Dis­temper of the Womb hinder Conception, labour to remove the Distemper. If a hot Distemper be the cause, cure it as a hot Distemper of the Liver. If dri­nesse be the cause, use a restorative Diet, such as is prescribed in the Chapter Of the Hectick Feaver. If it be caused hy Witch-craft, next to fervent and devout prayers to god, and a confident despising and slighting of Charmes and Witch-crafts, let the Woman wear the Pizzle of a Wolf about her, or the Adamant or Hyacinth Stone, which are much commended against Fascination, likewise Sea Onions, Sea Holly, Sagape­num, Rue, and St John's W [...]rt, (which some call the Divell driver) are of great efficacy. But for the most part a cold and moist Distemper of the Womb and of the Body, being accompanied with the Whites, is the cause, whose particular cure you may find in its proper Chapter. You must purge the cold phlegma­tick Humours, you must make Issues in the Arm, Neck, or Thighs, and give such things as strengthen the Womb. Some things there are, which have a peculi­ar virtue to cause Faecundity and remove Barrennesse, viz. the After-Birth of a Woman dried and beaten to powder, and given to the quantity of a Drachm. The Stones of a Bore pig and the Liver, which was farrow­ed alone without any more in that Litter. Half a pint of the Juyce of Sage taken a quarter of an hour before the Woman enjoy her Husband, it is best for her to take it soon after she hath had her monthly Purgati­on. Rejecting the multiplicity of Medicines which I [Page 348] might here insert, I shall content my self and the Rea­der with one or two of the best of them, and first, an excellent Electuary may be made thus: Take of the Roots of Eringo, and Dogs Stones called Satyrion candied or preserved, of each, one Ounce: Green Ginger candied, half an Ounce: Pine and Filbert kernells, and Pistachios, of each, six Drachms: one preserved Nutmeg: the Seeds of Rocket and Water-cresses, of each, two Drachms: Ashes of a Bulls Pizzle, the Reins of the Sea Scinkos, and Sha­vings of Ivory, of each, one Drachm: Confection of Al­chermes, three Drachms: the Powders Diambra and Dia­moshe Dulce, of each, one Ounce and an half: Amber­greese, half a Drachm: with Sirrup of preserved Citrons, make an Electuary: and let the Woman take the quanti­ty of a Chesnut to Bedward, twice or thrice in a week, and drink a glasse of Sack after it: Quercetanus doth much commend this Decoction following: Take of the Stones of a Ram, prepared with Wine and dryed; the Matrix of a Hare, prepared in the same manner; Mace, Cinnamon, Cloves, white Ginger, and Seeds of Ammeos, of each, two Drachms: Saffron, a Drachm and an half: Hazell-Nut kernells, and Pistachios, of each, three Drachms: boil them in a quart of Muscadine, till a third part be consu­med: let her take three or four Ounces of it, for three dayes together, three houres before Meat, then let her upon the fourth day, have Geniall Embracements with her Hus­band. Likewise externall Medicines, as Pessaries, In­jections, Fumigations, such as have power to cleanse, dry, and strengthen the Womb, may be applyed: the afore-going Chapters will direct you.

CHAP. LXXX. Of Miscarriage.

ABortion or Miscarriage is the bringing forth of a Child, either dead or alive, having not attained to the just Term of growth, which it ought to have had. The Causes are either externall or internall: the externall causes do either kill the Child, deprive it of its naturall Nourishment, or loosen the bands, by which the Child is fastened in the Womb. Things that kill the Child are, the Stink of a Candle, or such abominable Smells, such things as are antipatheticall to the Womb, and provoke the Courses, strong purges, or the Child may be killed by violent Commotions of the Mind, as Anger, Sadnesse, Terror, &c. and many times things longed for, and not obtained, kill the Child. If the Mother undergo Penury or Famine, or lose much Blood, the Child wanteth Nourishment. The Bands, by which the Child is fastened to the Womb, may be loosned by violent Excercise, dancing, running, riding, being jumbled in a Cart or Coach, by some fall, lifting, or carrying: any thing which causeth a violent motion of the Belly, as Coughing, Sneezing, Vomiting, Convulsions, &c. or immode­rate Copulation. Internall causes of Abortion may be attributed, to the Humours, to the Child, to the Womb. Humours offend in excesse or defect; in ex­cesse, in a plethorick and full constitution, when more Blood flows to the Womb, then is requisite to nourish the Child, and flows to the Veins, so the Courses flow­ing provoke the expulsive Faculty, and drive forth the [Page 350] Child. Defect of Humours fit to nourish, spring from such causes, which destroy the Nourishment or draw it from the Child, as long fasting, loathing, and vomi­ting up of all Food, immoderate bleeding at the Nose, Womb, or Haemorhoids, or a Loosenesse, or any thing that makes the Body lean or weak.

The causes attributed to the Child are, if the Child be over great, if there be more then one, for the womb overladen, doth exclude the Child before the fit time: likewise if the Child be dead, Nature desires to be rid of it. In respect of the Womb, if it be any way dis­eased or defective, that it cannot open as the Child groweth bigger: or if it be moist or slack, it cannot contain the Child, but Abortion must necessarily fol­low.

Abortion when it happens is known: there are signs preceding it, which do foretell Abortion to follow: her Breasts grow little and flaggy, she feels a heavinesse about the Loius and Hips, she hath no appetite to eat, nor desire to stirr, she hath a shivering by Fits, she hath Streightnesse of the Sides and Belly above the Navell, and a pain in her Head: plenty of Milk flow­ing from the Dugs, shews that the Child is weak, and danger of Abortion. If pains about the Reins, Loins, and Share, torment the Woman, then know that Ab­ortion is hard at hand: the same judg, if Blood or Water burst out and flow; and the Scituation of the Child is changed from the middle of the Belly to the Bottom. If any of these or the like Symptoms befall a Woman with Child after any externall cause of Ab­ortion, as Blow, Fall, &c. let the Woman betake her­self to her Bed and take such Medicines which prevent Abortion.

Prognosticks of Abortion are thus made: Women are more endangered by Abortion, then by a naturall, [Page 351] and timely Birth, because in a timely Birth the Vessels and Ligaments are loosned and opened of their own accord, but in Misearriage they are broken in sunder; the like you may perceive between the Stalk of ripe and unripe fruit. Women many times become barren by Miscartiage, because the womb is rent, and its na­tur all disposition much altered. Much bleeding, se­conded with Convulsions, raving, and fainting, is al­wayes deadly. If an Inflammation of the Womb fol­low Abortion, it is deadly. In young Women, who ne­ver bore Child before, it is worst, because the passage is narrower, and they more unaccustomed to pains. The bigger the Child is, the more the danger. Wo­men who have moist and slippery Wombs, do often miscarry and with little danger.

To prevent Miscarriage, you must, before and after she is with Child, endeavour to remove all evill dis­positions of the Body or Womb, that may cause Mis­carriage, if Blood abound open a Vein, purge the pec­cant Humours, strengthen the Womb: but if the Woman be with Child, beware how you bleed, except it be in the first month, and the Body full of Blood: and in this case, let Purges be gentle and often reite­rated. To conclude, to streng then the Womb fetch Medicines from the 73 Chapter.

CHAP. LXXXI. Of hard Travel in Child-birth.

HArd Labour is when more vehement Pains and dangerous Symptomes happen to Women in Tra­vell, and continue a longer time. There are divers [Page 352] causes, some whereof may be assigned to the weakness of the Womans Body, Leannesse or Drinesse as well as Fatnesse of the Body, her Age, or Sicknesses, as the Stone or preternaturall Tumor in the Bladder, or any Disease of the womb. Other causes may be assigned to the Child, when its Body or Head is too big, when there are two, or when the Child is dead: or when it endeavours to come forth with his Feet, Hands, Back, Belly, or Breech, &c. A cold and dry Air, and Nor­thern Wind, streightneth the Body, and driveth the Spirits inward, and is obnoxious to the Child's first entrance into the world. If the Air be more hot then ordinary, it is as bad as the former, for it dissi­pates the Spirits, exhausts the Strength, and introdu­ceth feavourish Distempers into the Bodyes of Mother and Child. Meats of a hard digesture or astringing quality taken a little before the time of Delivery, Sleepinesse and Sortishnesse, the Retention of Excre­ments, all vehement Passions of the Mind, want of an expert Midwife, and Women to assist the labouring Woman, may be causes of hard Labour.

Hard Labour is easily known to the Woman herself, to the Midwife, and the Assistants. The time of a na­turall Birth ought to be accomplished in the space of twenty four houres, if the Woman continue a longer time, it is hard Labour. If her pains be weak and long before they return, and more about her Back then Privityes, the causes may easily be known; many you may gather from the Relation of the Woman in Tra­vell, her Leannesse, Weaknesse, Fatnesse, and Age is perceived. Diseases of the Womb and Bladder may be known by their proper Signes. The Bigness, and disorderly Posture of the Child, is soon seen by an ex­pert Midwife. If the Child be dead, you may know it by these Signs, the Breasts of the Woman become [Page 353] flat and flaggy, her Eyes hollow and troubled, her Face and Lips are of a pale and leaden colour, her Belly is cold & there is a Sense of Weight: there is no Motion felt, though you apply somthing wetred in the Decoction of Tansy warm to her Navell. When the Woman turnes, the Child sways that way like Lead. If the after-Birth come away before the Child, it is a Sign of the Death of the Child. And if the Child cometh not away, it soon putrifieth, and stinketh, and stinking Moisture floweth from the womb, and their Breath stinketh.

Hard Labour is dangerous, for sometimes the Mo­ther, sometimes the Child, and sometimes both do lose their lives. Sleepy Diseases and Convulsions, if they befall a Woman in Travell, death is at hand. If the Woman be in Travell above three dayes, it is likely the Child will dy. If the Woman fall a sneez­ing in her Travell it is good, saith Hippocrates. If the Child be dead, the danger is exceeding great; especi­ally, if it be not brought soon away, for it will cause Feavers, Faintings, Convulsions, dead Sleeps, and death it self.

In difficult Labour, first all causes, which hinder the Birth, must be removed, if it be possible; then such things as further the Birth must be administred. An Ounce of Oyl of sweet Almonds, and a Drachm of Confectio Alchermes given in Broth is good. Burn white Wine with a little Saffron and Cinnamon, af­terwards dissolve a little Alchermes, this I have found very powerfull to hasten the Birth. If you find this Medicine too gentle, make a Julep of more efficacy, thus: Take of the Water of Mugwort, and Vervain, of each, two Ounces: the Sirrup of Maiden-hair, one Ounce: Confectio Alchermes, half a Drachm: Dittany of Creet, and both Birth worts, of each, one Scruple: Oyl [Page 354] of Cinnamon, five Drops, mix them, and make a Potion: Oyl of Amber, fifteen Drops; or the Extract of Saffron, five Grains; may be either of them mixed insteed of the Oyl of Cinnamon. Provoke sneezing, and open the lower Veins if need be. Then let the Midwife a­noint the Mouth of the womb, with the Oyl of Lillyes and Sweet Almonds, and the like: and foment the Belly with a mollifying Decoction: and in a dange­rous case give a sharp Clister. Some things have a peculiar property to help the Birth, as the Stone Aeti­tis, Loadstone, and Storax held neer the Privityes; the Eyes of a Hare taken out in the month of March and dryed, use it as the Stones, and when the Woman is delivered take them away, lest it draw out the Womb. Some commend the Gall of an Hen, apply­ed to the Navell.

If the Child be dead, give the same things before mentioned, but it is convenient to make them strong­er, by adding Savin Water and the Leavs of Savin dri­ed, the Troches of Mirrh and Castor. Then foment the Privityes and Share with a mollifying Decoction, to which add Briony Roots, and the Roots of wild Cu­cumber, round Birth-wort, and the like. And put up a Pessary made in this manner: Take of the Roots of round Birth-wort, Orice, black Hellebore; Coloquinti­da and Mirrh, of each, one Drachm: Galbanum, Opopa­nax, of each, half a Drachm, with Ox Gall, make a Pes­sary and apply it. If all this will not do, you must im­plore the help of the Chirurgion.

If the After-birth be retained, you must endeavour to expell it by such Medicines as expell the dead Child: to which add these which are said to have a specifick property, the Stones of a gelded Horse, dri­ed and powdered, and given as much as will ly on a three pence, two or three times as need requireth, is [Page 355] commended by Gesnerus and Augenius. Some com­mend the Juyce of an Onion given in Wine, or an Onion held in the Woman's mouth, between her teeth, and the Juyce squeezed out and swallowed, and a Draught of white-Wine drunk after it: Or 20 or 30 drops of the Oyl of Juniper drunk in Wine; or the Juyce of Lovage taken in Renish Wine.

If her Purgations flow immoderately, that you fear the Death of the Woman; or in case her Purgations be suppressed, which may cause dangerous Symptoms, have Recourse to the Chapters treating of those Mala­dyes.

Many Women are much troubled with after-pains, which do much afflict them, and these pains, are cau­sed either by the Thicknesse, or Sharpnesse of the Blood; or by Wind. If the Blood be thick, you may know it by its clotting: if thin, by its Tenuity or yel­low Colour. If the Blood be thick, give this Julep: Mugwort water, two Ounces: sirrup of Violets, & oyl of sweet Almonds, of each, half an Ounce: If the Blood be sharp, add to the former, the Musilage of Quince Seeds drawn with Violet Water, half an Ounce: If Wind be the Cause of these Pains, which you may know by its Motion from one part of the Belly to the other, then give inwardly and apply outwardly car­minative Medicines; Take of the Seeds of Carrots, one Drachm: of Annise, Nutmeg, and Cinnamon, of each, a Scruple, make them into fine Powder, and give it half at one time in Wine. Foment her Belly with the Decocti­on of Bawm, Bay Leavs, Camomill, Calamint, Mug­wort; and the Seeds of Carrots, Caraway, and Cum­min, and lay on a Pultise made of boiled Onions, Ca­momill Flowers, the Seeds of Flax and Cummin bea­ten, and Barly Meal.

CHAP. LXXXII. Of the Gout and Sciatica.

[...], Arthritis in Greek, in Latine Articularis Morbus, is the Joynt-Sicknesse, caused by an In­flux of Humours into them, which causeth pain in the Membranes, Tendons, and Nervs. Authors do com­monly make four sorts of Gouts, according to the di­versity of the Joynts affected, as [...] Chiragra the Hand-Gout, of [...] a Hand; [...], Gonagra when it is in the Knees, of [...] the Knee: [...] Podagra, when it is in the Foot, because the Greeks call the Foot [...]: [...] Ischias, the Hip-Gout or Sciatica, of the word [...] the Hip. The immediate cause of the Gout is a wheyish Humour flowing to the Joynts, and by its Quantity stretcheth the sensible parts, or by its Sharpnesse twitcheth them, and this Humour floweth not onely from the Brain and Head, but from all parts of the Body. The cause may be attributed to all Meats, which encrease raw and whey­ish Humours; Meats of a grosse Substance hard to be digested, and such as afford plenty of Excrements; Gluttony, Drunkennesse, immoderate Venery, (there­fore the Gout is called the daughter of Bacchus and Venus;) long Sleep, and unseasonable Watchings, Fear, Sadnesse, continuall care, and intermission of such Excercises or Evacuations as men have been ac­customed to, and the like.

The beginning of the Gout is known thus, there is a more exquisite and quick Sense in the Joynts then for­merly: they are easily hurt, as by a new shooe, wal­king, [Page 357] the least touch against any hard thing. Com­monly a Feaver ushers it in: and at its approach there is a kind of unusuall Heat felt in the Joynts, and a Motion, as if some living Creature were therein: af­ter which, followeth a tormenting pain in the Joynts, for the most part beginning in the great Toe, and at­tended with Rednesse and Swelling.

The Signes of the causes, or the Humours, which are mixed with the wheyish Humours, are thus consi­dered. If choller be mixed with the wheyish Humour, the Urine is thin, yellowish or red, the pain great and violent, the Feaver comes to the height, the part is swelled, is red or pale, but very hot, the application of cold things giveth ease. If Phlegm be mixed, there is a soft and loose swelling of the part, the pain not so violent; the Urine is thick and troubled, little or no Heat, and hot things give ease. If Melancholy be the Humour mixed, the Temper of the Body inclineth to Melancholy, and there is a wearinesse felt all over, the part is of an obscure Colour like Lead, the pain deep, and the Urine thick and melancholy.

The Gout is no dangerous Disease, but it continueth long, and is attended with violent pain, for the most Part to the end of a man's life, and sometimes it is a means of long life; because Nature doth drive the vi­tious Humours to the Joynts, which, if they should fall upon the more noble parts, would be a means of great Diseases, if not death it self. But in weak Bodyes, that are decayed by Sicknesse or Age, that Nature can­not expell these Humours to the Joynts, many dange­rous Diseases are ingendered. He that hath no knots in his Joynts, is inclinable to Labour, and is for the most part soluble; by a skillfull Physitian, may be cu­red. An haereditary Gout is seldom or never cured. If the Veins of a gouty Person do swell with black [Page 358] Blood, there is hopes that the Gout leavs him. If the Gout doth not return at its season it is dangerous, unlesse the matter be taken away by Medicines, for it is an argument that Nature is weak, and cannot ex­pell it.

The Cure of the Gout is to be performed by stop­ping the Flux of the Humours into the Joynts: by removing the Humours in the Joynts: and to abate the Sharpnesse of the pain. If the Patient be full of Blood and strong, let him bleed in a great Quantity, or let him blood often, till the plenitude of Blood be sufficiently abated. Then let him be purged with strong Medicaments, which may evacuate the stirred Humour, and turn the cause from the Joynts. Whilst you are purging, let Ointments or Plaisters, be apply­ed to the Joynt above the part affected, of an astringe­ing and drying property; by which the Humours may be intercepted, that they may not so much nor so for­cibly fall into the Joynt, Let your Ointments be made of the Roots of Snake-weed and Tormentill, Bolearmenick, Sanguis Draconis, Pomgranate Rinds, Balaustians, red Roses, the Whites of Egs, Vinegar, Oyl of Roses, of unripe Olives, and the like. If the Patient be strong and easy to vomit, give a gentle Vo­mit to carry away the Humours in and about the Sto­mach; soon after vomiting purge strongly. Sweating Medicines are very good to discusse the wheyish Mat­ter; if a Feaver be present, give Harts-horn with Carduus water. In a Gout without a Feaver, the De­coction of Sassafras, Salsa, and China, may be given; it is not amisse if the Heat thereof be allayed, by boi­ling with it Endive, Succory, Sorrell, Burrage, Bu­glosse, and the like. The Waters of Bath do provoke Sweat, and do readily and profitably discusse the Mat­ter contained in the Joynts. Forrestus commendeth [Page 359] the Decoction of the Root of the great Burdock, for this purpose. Likewise a Decoction of Elder, Bay Leavs, Sage, Rosemary, and such like, receiving the Vapour in a sweating Tub. Afterwards come to lo­call Medicines: Amatus Lusitanus doth commend the Milk of a Goat, milked warm upon the part affected, or you may make a Cataplasm with it and white bread, and the Musilage of the Roots of Marsh-Mallows, the Leavs of Henbane, Violets, and the like, and if the pulp of Cassia, and Venice-Treacle be added, it will be much more effectuall. The distilled Water of Frogs Spawn is very good against the pains of the hot Gout, if the part be bathed therewith; with it you may mingle the Oyl of Calves Feet, or with the Flowers of Camomill, Melilot, Roses, Mullein, Mallows beaten, you may bring it into the form of a Poultis. Green To­bacco leavs are much commended, and so is a living Whelp laid to the gouty part. When the Pain ra­geth violently, use Narcoticks: as Plantane, Lettice, Henbane, Housleek, Night-shade, Mandrakes, Pur­slane, and Poppy Heads; but be sure you let them not ly on too long, for they are inimicall to the naturall Heat, and to the Nervs. Some do commend this Fomentation: Take Spirit of Wine, well tinctured with Saffron, four Ounces: Camphire, one Scruple: boil them a little, and dissolve one Drachm of Opium; and bathe the pained part. The Oyl of Wax is good to ease the Gout, and the Oyl of Mans Bones is preferred before all other, and it is thus made: Take the Bones of a man fresh and unburied, break them small, and let them ly in Oyl till they have drunk up as much as they can, then dis­till them in a Retort. The Root of Briony and Cuc­kow-pintle, bruised & mingled with Cow dung, is an excellent Cataplasm. I might here fill a Volume with Receipts against the Gouts; but passing by all, I [Page 360] shall onely insert one or two out of Quercetanus his Dispensatory: Take Brine, Salt, and the Urine of a Boy; of each, equall parts: distill them, and dip linnen Cloaths in the Water, and apply them to the place affected, chang­ing them often. Take green Elder Leavs and Flowers, of each, one pound: beat them in a Morter, and macerate them in Aqua-Vitae, three dayes, then distill them till all be dry, use it as before. Take of rectifyed Spirit of Wine, two pound; of the best Hony, one pound: distill them in Balneo Roris, from which will come two Liquors, the first waterish; the second strong and sulphurous: keep them by themselvs. To the Foeces add of orientall Saffron whole, one Ounce and an half; Venice Turpetine, two Ounces: Castor, six Drachms: Tartar calcined white, half a pound: Salt dissolved, one Ounce; Phlegm of Vi­triol not seperated from the Spirit, four Ounces: Lye made of the Ashes of Vine Branches, two pound: mace­rate them twenty four hours, then distill them till all be dry, keep this also by it self. To the Dregs remaining pour on the former Water, which you kept, macerate and distill as before; Lastly, put all these Waters together, and distill them in Balneo Roris, wet linnen Cloths therein, and apply it to the gowty place. Riverius Lib. 10. Ch. 1. p. 378. prescibeth another, which he accounts inferiour to none, which penetrates into the Roots of the Disease, and resolveth and attenuateth the salt, tartarous, and stony Matter in the Joynts; and he supposeth it to be that which the aforesaid Quercetanus reservs to him­self, as his Master-peice to brag of; it is thus made: Take of [...]slaked Lime, four pound: slake it in River water as much as is convenient, and let it stand in a Wine Cellar the space of three dayes, that the Salt may be ex­tracted the better: afterwards boil it a little and strain it through Hippocrates Sleev. In twenty Pints of this Liquor, quench first Plates of Steel, then of Copper made [Page 361] red hot, seven or nine times; thirdly, ten Ounces of Vitriol calcined till it be white; fourthly, half a pound of Anti­mony melted in a Crucible: fifthly, half a pound of Li­tharge or Ceruse, heated in a Crucible: sixthly, white Precipitate once washed, one Ounce and an half: lastly, Erasse burnt and finely powdered, half an Ounce: after all this, let the Water stand in a Cellar the space of 10 dayes, afterwards boil it and strain it, and apply it with linnen Rags. To raise Blisters upon the part, hath been found by experience to be very effectuall. In the use of all Medicines, take speciall notice which do harm or hurt, for the Nature and Complexions of Men are di­vers, and the Excrements bred in severall men are of divers kinds. Hence it is, that the same Disease doth much differ in severall persons; and what cures one, doth prejudice another; Therefore the Physitian ought to have severall Medicines in readinesse, and use th [...]se that Reason and his Experience doth approve of.

To prevent its return, let the Patient bleed twice in a year, viz. at Spring and Fall; and purge 4 times in a year, and make use of sweating Drinks, and fre­quent sulphurous and nitrous Baths.

The Sciatica differeth nor from the other Gout one­ly in its Scituation, which is in the Hip, extending the pain to the top of the Buttock, the Loins, and Ossa­crunt, and reacheth down the Hip and Leg even to the Foot.

This peculiar Prediction belongeth to this Disease, that if it continueth long, it putteth the Hip out of Joynt.

The Cure is performed allmost in the same manner with the other Gout. First open the Vein in the Arm on the same side, afterwards open the lower Veins on the same side, viz. Vena Poplitea about the knee, or the Vein neer the outward Ancle called the Sciatica [Page 362] Vein, if you open the Vein on the contrary side, it will not do amisse; bleeding the Haemorrhoid Veins by Leeches doth wonderfully help those that are Hip­gouty, for there is a great consent between those Veins. But be not too forward to let Blood unlesse you find Blood to abound. Then let the Humours be purged strongly, by Pillulae Faetidae, or Hermodactylls, or the Powder of Hermodactylls compound, but be­ware how you give the latter except to strong Bodyes. Mercurius Dulois with Scammony is much commended, and the Chymists do much esteem of Mercuriall and antimoniall Purges; and many preferr Vomits before all. Then apply resolving Decoctions made of the Roots of Briony, Danewort, the Leavs of Ground-Pine, Mint, Marjarom, Sage, Savin, Rue, Rosemary, Pennyroyall, &c. the Flowers of Camomill, Melilor, and Mallows; the Seeds of Flax, Fenugreek, Bay & Juniper Berryes, and such like, and foment the part therewith. Also Juniper Berryes fryed in a pan, (be­ing first beaten,) with Salt and Bran, and moistned with Canary Wine, and put in a Bag, and applyed warm. With the aforenamed Ingredients, Cata­plasms may be made; and with the Oyls following let the part be anointed, viz. Oyl of Camomill, Dill, Nord, Orice, Rue, Scorpions, Tiles, Turpentine, of Foxes, and the like: the Ointment of Marsh-Mal­lows, and Spanish Soap dissolved in Spirit of Wine. This is much commended: Take a good Quantity of Snails, bruise them well in a Morter, then make Paste with them and Rye Flower, adding a little Spirit of Wine: and fasten it to a Spit and roast it; a Liquor will drop from it, with which anoint the part, for it is of excellent Vir­tue. Then lay on this Plaister: Take of Shio-Pitch & Rozin, of each, two Ounces: Gum Ammoniacum dis­solved in Vinegar, and Emplastrmm Diachylon cum Gum­mis, [Page 363] of each, one Ounce: Brimstone and Hermodactylls powdered, of each, three Drachms: Turpentine, three Drachms, and Wax sufficient; make a Plaister. If the Disease do still continue, proceed to a Vesicatory: add to the former Mass for a Plaister, Cantharides their Wings taken off, Staves-acre, and Mustard Seed, of each, one Drachm. In the whole course of the Cure let not frequent Clisters be neglected. And if the Disease be old, make an Issue in the Leg on the same side, on the outside of the Leg. If you find Symp­toms of a Catarrh; which may occasion the Sciatica by a Defluxion of Humours, make an Issue in the hinder part of the Head, and use other means to correct the Distempers of the Brain, See Chap. 9. by this means hath the Sciatica been cured, when all other means failed. Sometimes the Matter causing the Sciatica, doth imposthumate; and after it is opened, there re­mains a filthy Ulcer, which, for the most part, pineth the Patient away, & brings him into a Consumption; The Cure whereof belongeth to an expert Chirurgi­on.

CHAP. LXXXIII. Of one day-Feaver.

THis Disease is called in Greek [...], Epheme­ra, in Latine Diaria Febris, in English One day-Feaver, because, for the most part, it finisheth in one day of its own Nature. It is caused by some internal cause, as some hot fiery Swelling on some part of the Body, or when some hot Excrements, shut up in some part, do offend the Heart, by Retention of Excrements [Page 364] and Obstruction of the Vessels, by which the Pores of the Skin are shut, and Transpiration is hindered. Or secondly it is caused by externall causes, as vehement Motions of the Body or Mind, by which the Spirits are inflamed, by being heated with the Sun, or Fire, by Surfetting, Drunkennesse, especially, with Meats and Drinks of a hot Nature.

By what hath gone before, you may know this Feaver: the Pulse is swift and great, and so he fetch­eth his Breath; he is very hot, and his Head aketh. He hath no Shivering, Cold, nor Wearinesse, unlesse it came by the Heat of the Sun, or by cold. You must give the Sick such things as are cooling & moist­ning, as cooling Broths, Barly Cream, Ptisan Drink, small Beer and Sugar, Water and Sugar, or mix Sir­rup of Violets, Lemmons, or Maiden-hair, with his Drink. If the Disease was caused by the Heat of the Sun, give him cooling things, and lay him in a coo­ling Lodging, and anoint his Temples with Vinegar of Roses. If he took his Feaver, being in the cold, provoke Sweat; the like observe if the Pores be ob­structed. If it come by over eating and drinking, let him take a Clister; If evill Humours abound in the Blood and Body, open a Vein and purge; if putrified Humours lodge in the Stomach, vomit. If it conti­nue above three dayes, it degenerates into a simple Synochus, putrid, or Hectick Feaver.

CHAP. LXXXIV. Of the Feaver Synochus non-putrida.

IF the Feaver aforesaid light upon a plethorick Bo­dy, or one who is grosse and thick skinned, it turns to a simple Synochus.

It is known by the corpulent and swelling Habit of the Body, high Colour of the Face. He breathes with difficulty, he is much pained in his Head, and his Tem­ples beat strongly. The Pulse is orderly, but quick and full. The Urine little differeth from its naturall colour, yet a little thick and red: and the Heat is not very violent. It lasteth to the fourth, and sometimes to the seuenth day; if it ends not then, it degenerates into a putrid Feaver.

The Cure is to be performed by blood-letting, by cooling, and by opening the Pores of the Body. Be­fore blood-letting, if the Patient be costive, and his Body foul, give an emollient and laxative Clister. Then give cooling Juleps, made of the Decoction of Barly and cool Herbs, or with their distilled Waters, as of Endive, Succory, Sorrell, Buglosse, Borrage, and the like, with the Sirrups of Succory, Lemmons, Vi­negar, Violets, Pomgranates, and the like, adding some drops of Oyl of Vitriol; or boil in the distilled Waters Triasantalon, or Diamargariton frigidum, lest the Waters encrease Crudityes by their Rawness. Or you may make an Emulsion of Almonds, the great cold Seeds, and white Poppy Seeds, with Barly water, or the distilled Water of the aforegoing cooling Herbs. Galen adviseth, to give the Patient cold wa­ter [Page 366] in great abundance, till his colour fade, but be­ware this Cure unlesse the Patient be strong, corpulent, and not full of ill Humours, and that he take it in the height of the Fit. I confesse I have seen many so cu­red, and have experimented it upon my own Body, but durst not advise it. Anoint the Liver and Loyns with Unguentum Rosatum, Refrigerans Galeni, or Cera­tum Santalinum. Or make an Epithem of the distil­led Waters of Endive, Succory, Sorrell, &c. the three Sanders, and Powder of Diamargariton frigidum. If the Disease end not quickly after bleeding, purge with gentle things, that do not heat, nor much stirr the Humours, as Rubarb, Cassia, Manna, Tamarinds, Sirrup of Roses, Catholicon, and such like.

CHAP. LXXXV. Of continuall putrid Feavers.

I Shall describe the causes and Cures of all putrid Feavers in one Chapter, for though there are di­vers sorts, yet the Cure is almost the same in all; therefore, laying aside particular precepts, let the Judgment and Dexterity of every Physitian put a dif­ference between them. I shall likewise wave many nice descriptions and definitions of Feavers, first, as not beneficiall to the young Student in Physick: se­condly, as not befitting this Volume.

Synochus putrida is engendred of the same causes as the simple Synochus, as the shutting up of the Pores of the skin, and Obstruction of the Vessels by much Blood, or clammy Humours; by which means, the Transspiration of fuliginous Vapours is hindered, and Putrefaction is bred in the Blood.

A continuall Tertian doth every third day afflict the Patient more then ordinary, and is caused by cholerick Humours putrifying in the Vena Cava. And it is caused by all things that may breed Choller, as violent Ex­ercise, hot and dry Air, Fasting, Watching, Meats hot and dry, and a hot and dry Distemper of the Liver.

A Quoridian continuing, is a putrifying of phleg­matick Humours in the Veins; and afflicts the Patient more then ordinary every day, and doth for the most part assail phlegmatick persons; and because Phlegm is not easily putrifyed, this kind of Feaver is seldom seen.

The continuall Quartane is that which hath its Exacerbations or Fits every fourth day, and it is cau­sed by the Putrefaction of Melancholy in the Vena ca­va, and is caused of any thing that breeds Melancholy and causeth it to putrify.

Of these Feavers there are accidentall differences, raised from their distinct Symptomes. First, Febris ar­dens, or a burning Feaver, which is accompanied with these Symptomes, viz. an ardent burning Heat, and an unquenchable Thirst; which is also divided into two sorts, a Legitimate, or bastard burning Feaver, a Synochus ardens and Ardens periodica, and they differ one from the other, only as the Choller causing them is more or lesse sharp, and neerer or farther from the heart. A Second sort is Febris Colliquans, a melting Fea­ver, which in regard of the greatness of the Heat, doth melt the fat, and Flesh, and sometimes the Blood, and dissolveth it by insensible Transpiration, Sweat, Urine, or Stool. It is caused by a sharp, thin, and cholerick Matter, vehemently inflamed, unto which is joyned many times a malignant and pestilent Quality. The third sort is called Febris Horrifica, in which the Pati­ent is troubled with shaking Firs; and it is caused by [Page 368] chollerick and phlegmatick Humours mingled toge­ther, which being unequally moved, stirreth up qua­king; either because the thin and sharp Humours do twitch the sensible membranous parts, or the inflamed Choller putrifying, puts in Motion the Crudityes; or else Nature doth seek to shake off the crude undigested Humours, by this means th [...] Heat being driven back to the Center, the extream parts of the Body become cold; and afterwards, the Heat comming forth again, they grow hot. Fourthly, there is another kind cal­led Assades Febris, in which the Patient is very unqui­et, tumbleth and tosseth, and is sick in his Stomach, and vomiteth. The fifth sort is call [...]d Elodes, in which the Patient, by reason of Putrefaction & Malignity of Humours, continually sweateth, by which the Sub­stance of the Body is wasted. The sixth sort is Febris Syncopalis, because the Patient often swoons & faints a­way & it is caused by thin, sharp, & venemous Chol­ler, or by Phlegm, or abundance of Crudityes, together with a weakness of the Stomach. The last sort is Epiala Febris, in which the Patient is sensible of Heat & Cold at one and the same time; and this is caused by glassy Phlegm mingled with bitter Choller, the Phlegm causeth a Sense of Cold, and the Choller of Heat: or else it is caused by glassy Phlegm alone, partly putrifi­ed, and partly void of Putrefaction. For glassy and tough Phlegm doth not quickly putrify, but by de­grees, and that which is not putrified following that which is putrified, hence comes a Sense of Cold from the first, and Heat from the latter.

There are yet other sorts of accidentall differences of continuall Feavers, which are called Symptomatick Feavers, which arise from the Inflammation and Pu­trefaction of the Humours in some of the Bowels, and of this kind are those Feavers, which accompany the [Page 369] Frenzy, the Plurisy, Squinzy, the Inflammation of the Lungs or Liver, and other Inflammations, Ulcers, or Imposthumes of the internall parts, and may be known by the defects of the parts, which cause them. Yet take this Caution, that all these Feavers which ac­company these Diseases are not Symptomaticall, but sometimes essentiall, and precede the Disease, as is commonly seen, that one may be sick three or four dayes of a continuall Feaver, before any pain in the side or Symptome of the Pleurisy appear, the sam [...] you may find preceding the other Diseases, and is an Ob­servation worth note, and of great Moment in the practise of Physick.

There are other peculiar and extraordinary Causes, which many times happen, of which Zechius propoun­deth an extraordinary example, of a certain Infant, scarce two years old, who had a continuall Feaver, at­tended with grievous Symptomes, viz. Unquietnesse, Convulsions, and Vomitings; the externall parts were cold, and the internall parts burned with Heat, for which cause they judged that some Malignity was joyned to the Feaver, which is seldom accompanied with such Symptomes: at length the cause was found to arise from Blood putrifying in the Stomach; for the Infant being Tongue-tied, and a little before cut by a Chirurgeon, the Veins, beingcut, shed Blood, which, for want of care, fell into the Stomach; after the taking of Oyl of sweet Almonds, it vomited clot­ted Blood, then by the help of a Clister, it voided more downwards, and the Feaver and its Symptomes ceased.

These Feavers are known to be continuall by their Continuity, and the Putrefaction is known by a more sharp and biting Heat then ordinary; the Pulse is great, quick, and unequall, the Systole is quicker then [Page 370] the Diastole, because Nature doth more strive to expel the sooty Vapours, then to draw in cold Air. The Fit beginneth with a cold Shaking, or some of these Symp­tomes, viz. Wearinesse, Watching, troubled Sleeps, difficult Breathing, Pain of the Head and Stomach, Plenty of Excrements, Yawning, and Retching: when it comes to the height, these Symptoms are heightned, and seconded with Giddinesse, Ravings, Hiccoughs, Heart-burning, Thirst, and Blacknesse and Roughness of the Tongue. Particular Signs demonstrate peculi­ar differences. The Synochus putrida hath the same Signs, which are proper to Synochus simplex, but more vehement. Signs of a Feaver from Choller, are bur­ning Pain, the Pulse swift and quick, a fiery and crude Urine, without Sediment at the beginning, chollerick Vomits and Stools, Thirst, and Bitternesse of the Mouth, Drinesse and Blacknesse of the Tongue, Want of Sleep, Raving, and the like. A Synochus putrida differs from a Synochus biliosa in this, that the first hath Fits every third day, the other keeps the same Tenor.

A continuall Quotidian is known by these Signes, the Heat at first is more mild, afterwards more sharp: the Pulse is not so quick nor great as in the former; the Urine is at first white and troubled, afterwards red and thick; little Thirst, no Sweat unlesse salt Phlegm abound, the Face is swelled, bloat, and of a Lead Co­lour, and all Signs of Phlegm appear.

A continuall Quartane is known by this, that the Symptomes are not so violent as in the chollerick Feaver, and sharper then in the phlegmatick or Quo­tidian. An appearance of cold, dry, melancholy-Symptomes, and the Fits invade the Patient more then ordinary every fourth day.

The burning Feaver is known by the Signes of a Feaver proceeding from Choller.

A melting Feaver is known by a fat and oyly Urine chollerick, fat, clammy, and stinking Stools, the Nose sharp, and a sudden Consumption of the whole Body.

I need not tell you how, shivering, or tumbling and tossing Feavers are known.

Elodes is known by inordinate Sweats, abundance of Urine, and thick by reason of Putrefaction; the Stools shew an apparent Wasting, and the losse of Strength doth manifest the same.

Syncopalis Febris is known by the swooning Fits: Epiala, by Heat and Cold felt together: and Symp­tomatick Feavers, from the Diseases from which they proceed.

Signa Prognostica: Synochus putrida is not without danger. If Signes of Concoction appear about the fourth day, the Disease will terminate about the se­venth day. If Concoction appear not, and the Pati­ent's Face is swelled, it will continue long. The red­der the Urine is, the better, if Concoction appear; but with Signes of Crudity it threatens death. White Urine is worst and threatens death. Chollerick Fea­vers are acute and dangerous, and so much the more, as the Symptomes are violent, and encreased above the naturall Temper of the Patient. A continuall Quotidian continueth long for the most part, because of the thickness of the Humours, the more Evacuations the better; beware lest it degenerate into a Chachexy or Dropsy. A continual Quartane is rare: sometimes the quartane Ague degenerates thereunto, & is dead­ly, for the most part. The melting, sweating, shaking, tūbling, swooning Feavers, are dangerous. Sympto­matick Feavers are to be judged from the excellency of the part affected, the Nature of the Distemper, and the Validi [...]y of the Patient's Strength.

Medicines in a cholerick Feaver ought to be cooling and moistning; in phlegmatick and melancholy, more warm and attenuate. Let the Air be cold and moist, let cool Water be sprinkled upon the ground, with Herbs and Flowers, let the covering of his Bed be light and thin. Let his diet (if he eat any thing) be very sharp, thin, and slender. Let his drink be Bar­ly Water, and his Meat Barly Broths, Pavados, and such like. If the Feaver be of long continuance, let the Sick make use of a fuller Diet, viz. of the Broth or Flesh of Chickens, Hens, Capons, Partridges, Veal, Mutton, or Gellyes made with them. In his drink or Barly Water let cool Herbs be boiled, and give it a gratefull Rellish with Spirit of Vitriol. If the Fea­ver arise from not and thin Choller, or if there be a Consumption of the Lungs, Inflammation of the Sto­mach, bloody Flux, Ulcers of Kidneys and Bladder, or Pissing of Blood; sharp things are not good, but rather such things as gently thicken, as Barly Water, with Sirrup of Violets, or of dryed Roses. Sleep is very good and Watching hurtfull, yet overmuch Sleep doth overwhelm the naturall Heat, and hinder Eva­cuation: which ought to be made, and nothing to be retained, which ought naturally to be expelled. First, Blood-letting doth diminish Plenitude of the Body and Veins, pulls back the Humours which cause Obstructi­ons cooles the Body, and makes it perspicable, keeps back Putrefaction, and furthers Concoction. There­fore after the Patient hath had a Stool by Clister or otherwise, open a Vein, and bleed the Patient accor­ding to his Strength and present State. But this ob­serve, that you bleed not in the extremity of the Fit. When Weaknesse or Age will not permit a Vein to be opened, Copping-Glasses must be applyed. Frictions must not be used but in swooning Feavers. After you [Page 373] have let Blood, once, twice, or thrice, if you see occasion, come to purge the morbifick Matter; the Medi­cines for this intent must be Cassia, Manna, Tama­rinds, Catholicum, Electuarium lenitivum, Diaprunum simplex, Sirrup of Roses, and of Succory with Rubarb. Some do object against Rubarb for its Heat, Manna and Sirrup of Roses because it is sweet and soon turned into Choller; but being mingled with cool things, or given in cool Waters, they can do no hurr. If the Stomach is much afflicted, and the Patient is troubled with Vomiting, you must understand that Nature en­deavours to cast out her enemy that way, & she ought to be assisted by a Vomit. The gentler sort, and such as are to be chosen for weak people, is the Oyl of Almonds, or common Oyl given in Barly Water; you must give a Pint at the least, or else it will hardly work the effect. Sirrup of Vinegar or Oxymel given in the Decoction of Radishes. Every day or every other day give an emollient and refrigerating Clister, such as Barly, Mallows, Violet leavs, and Mercury. Flowers of Camomill, and Melilot, Seeds of Dill and Fennell, &c. cooling Herbs are, Lettice, Endive, Succory; Housleek, a Blade or two, Water-Lillyes: dissolve therein Cassia, Catholicon, Diaprunum simplex, the Hony of Violets, and Mercury, Oyl of Water-Lillyes, Violets, &c.

If the Disease spring from Phlegm, leave out the cooling Herbs, and dissolve in it Hiera Picra, Diaphae­nicon, Hony of Roses and Mercury, Oyl of Camomill, Dill, or common Oyl. No absolute and perfect Pur­gation ought to be administred, till the Morbisick cause be ripened and digested, which must be done by Juleps, thus: Take of the distilled Waters of Endive, Succory, and Sorrell, of each, two Ounces; Sirrup of Lemmons and Violets, of each, one Ounce and an half; [Page 374] a little Oyl of Vitriol to sharpen it; make a Julep, and let the Sick take a Spoenfull or two, often. Or you may make a Decoction of the Roots of Sorrell, Succory, Maiden-hair, Endive, Dandelion, Tamarinds, and such like, and make a Julep with the aforesaid sirrups, or the Sirrup of Vinegar and Pomgranats. If the Choller by its sharpnesse cause a Flux, make Juleps which have a thickning Quality: Take of the waters of Lettice, Purslane, and Plantane, of each, three Ounces: the Sirrups of Violets and Water-Lillyes, of each, one Ounce; of red Poppyes, half an Ounce; mix them and make a Julep. If the Feaver comes from a phlegma­tick cause, you must give things more cutting and atte­nuating, as a Decoction of Agrimony, Maiden-hair, Betony, Carduus Benedictus, and the five opening Roots, Liquorish, Raisons, and such like; and the Sirrups of Vinegar, Maiden hair, and Byzantius, and Spirit of Vitriol. If it proceed from Melancholy make a Decoction of Ceterach, Burrage, and Buglosse, Maiden-hair, Fumitory, Dedder scordium, the Bark of Ash, Capers, Tamarisk, and with any of their Sirrups, viz. Fumitory, Buglosse, &c. make a Julep. Or with such like Ingredients, (according to the Nature of the peccant Humour) you may make physicall Broths, or Emulsions, and Almond Milks. Likewise, of the a­foresaid Ingredients you may make Epithems, Oint­ments, and such like, to cool and well temper the Li­ver. Altering and preparing Humours used for some dayes together, you may make bold to purge with Scommoniate Medicines: as Diaphaenicon, Diaptugū soletivum, Electuarium de succo Rosarum, and Dia­carthamum, and such like, whose Doses you shall find in the last Book. To strengthen dejected Nature, make use of the Conserve of Buglosse Roots, the leavs of Sorrell, and Wood-sorrell, the Stalks of Lettice, [Page 375] the Flowers of Burrage, Buglosse, Violets, Succory, Roses, Pulp of Citrons. These Powders are pood, of Corall, Pearls, Ivory, Harts-horn, Diamargaritum frigidum, Diatriasantalon, Diarrhodon Abbatis, Con­fectio Alchermes and de Hyacintho: with these may the Ingenious make Electuaryes, or other Compositi­ons according to Art.

CHAP. LXXXVI. Of the Hectick Feaver.

AN hectick Feaver occupies the solid parts of the Body, as well as the Spirits; it is an unnaturall Heat, of which the Patient is scarce sensible. This Feaver is either primary, and begins of it self, or se­cundary, and followeth some other Feaver. Some begin at the Heart, and some at other parts, as the Lungs, Liver, Spleen, Kidneys, Womb, or other parts inflamed. The causes of this Feaver are externall or internall; Externall causes are all that may occasion any of the other Feavers. The Internall Causes are burning and pestilentiall Feavers, which do speedily consume the Moisture of the Heart; or some lingring Feaver. An Inflammation, Ulcer, Putrefaction of a­ny of the inward parts, may cause an hectick Heaver.

An hectick Feaver is known easily, because it is con­tinuall, without encreasing or decreasing, saving a lit­tle after Meat; the Pulse is little frequent and quick; the Arteryes are hotter then the other parts; the U­rine appeareth as of a healthy man, but after long continuance there is an Oyl swims on the top, and a Sediment like to Meal, which signifieth the Wasting of the Body.

An hectick Feaver may be cured, unlesse it be neg­lected till it come to the height, that is, when the Eyes are hollow, dry with dry Excrements, the Bones stick out, and the Colour of the Face is gone, the Skin is dry, and the Midriff so contracted as if the Patient had no Guts, then it is incurable.

If the hectick Feaver depend upon the Disease of a­ny other part, the Cure must be directed to that Dis­case; and if it be joyned with any other Disease, res­pect must be had to that Disease. The Cure of the hectick consisteth more in a due observance of Diet, then in Medicines. His Diet must be cool & moisten, and soon nourish; as Chicken Broths, or Broth made of Hens, Capons, Veal, Kid, Mutton; in which boil French Barly, Lettice; Endive, Succory, Sorrell, Bur­rage, Purslane, and such like. The Flesh of young Hares, Pheasants, and young Partridges are good; Pa­nados, Water Gruell, Barly cream, Rice pottage, with Almonds or the cold Seeds. Boiled Meat is bet­ter then rosted, and if the Patient eateth rosted Meat, let Oranges and Lemmons be his Sauce. For his Di­et likewise may be prepared, Gellyes made of Capons, Knuckles of Veal and Mutton, Calves Feet, Sheeps Feet, and such like, adding Herbs or other Ingredients that are cooling, moistning, and cordiall. New laid Egs, boiled rear, are good; and of Fruit, Apples are much commended, especially Pippins, because they breed cold Blood. For his drink, let him use Barly Water with cooling Sirrups. Galen approveth of cold Water, with which he saith he hath saved many from the Marasmos, which is the Consumption of the radicall Moisture of the Body, which commonly fol­loweth this Disease. Great care is to be used in the giving of cold Water, to decayed people, lest the heat of the Patient should be wholly extinguished. Motion [Page 377] and much Stirring, and Labour, is not good, yet a lit­tle Exercise before Meat may be allowed of: But a­bove all Excrcises, let him beware of the Under-sheet. Let his Sleep be moderated; if he be costive, provoke a Stool by a Suppository, or gentle Clisters. Purges are not to be allowed of, because the Body hath more need of repairing then weakning: yet if the Body be full of Excrements, you may venture to give gen­tle Purgers, as Cassia, Manna, &c. Cooling and al­tering Juleps, such as are prescribed in the Chapter before going, the Patient make use of, but let him be­ware of the too frequent use of them, lest they diminish his Heat too much. Such Epithems, Unguents, or Oyles mentioned in the aforegoing Chapter, are good to temper the Heat of the Lover. Lastly, such Medi­cines, mentioned in the former Chapter, as streng­then Nature and revive the Spirits may be used, and there is need enough thereof. The worst Symptome that can attend this Disease is a Loosenesse: if it so happen, give Goats or Cows Milk wherein Steel hath been quenched, or Rice boild in it, or Sirrup of Quin­ces given with the Decoction of French Barly parched, or such like.

CHAP. LXXXVII. Of the Tertian Ague.

THis Disease is divided into an Exquisite and Bas­tard Tertian; the exquisite is terminated in 12 hours; but a bastard lasteth lenger: if it exceed twenty four hours it is called Tertiana extensa, a Terti­an extended.

The Tertian Ague is Simple, Double, or Triple; the Simple is that which cometh every other day; the Double Tertian cometh every day, and shall be dis­tinguished from the Quotidian in its proper place; and sometimes the Patient hath two Fits in one day. The Triple Tertian is when the Patient hath three Fits in two dayes.

Choller and such things as engender it, are the cause of this Disease, viz. a hot and dry Distemper of the Spleen, youthfull Age, hot Air, Watchings, Cares, Anger, Fastings, use of hot Meats, and overmuch Ex­ercise. Those that have hot Livers, that eat and drink liberally, and such things as breed Crudityes, Phlegm, and melancholy Humours, are subject to bas­tard Tertians, by reason of the Mixture of Choller with the Crudityes.

The exquisite Tertian doth alwayes begin with sha­king, the Quotidian begins with a light Shivering or Coldnesse. After the cold Fit, followeth great Heat, sharp biting and intolerable Thirst, and sometimes all the Symptomes of a putrid Tertian Feaver. In the bastard Tertian all the foregoing Signes appear, but more remisse, and more vehement then a Quotidian; according as more or lesse Phlegm is mingled with the Choller, this Disease cometh nearer to a Quotidian, or exquisite Tertian.

A Legitimate Tertian seldom lasteth above seven dayes, and is not dangerous, unlesse some Malignity be joyned with it; and the Patient be of a healthy con­stitution, and temperate in eating, and drinking; judg the contrary, if the Patient is otherwise qualifyed. If the Patient's Lips break out with Scabs, or if he fall into a Loosenesse these are good Signes; for Nature is turning out the Enemy.

To work the Cure, a cooling Diet must be appointed, [Page 379] and withall moistning, such as hath been prescribed in the Cure of continuall Feavers, the same you must observe in the double Tertian. But in the bastard and Single Tertian, a fuller Diet is to be observed. What ever the Patient [...]ateth let him eat nothing before the Fit, two or three hours, that there may be a digesture; but it is good if he go to Stool before the Fit, to help the same give a Clister.

Clisters, in an exquisite Tertian, must be made of emollient and cooling Decoctions, adding Cassia, Ca­tholicon, Diaprunum lenitive and solutive, &c.

In a bastard Tertian let the Decoction be emollient and cutting, and dissolve in it Diaphaenicon, Hony of Roses, &c. Purgatives ought to be the same for the exquisite Tertian, as for the continuall Feavers. In the Bastard, add Agarick, Catholicum, Diaphaenicon, Sena, and such as the judicious Physitian shall judg suitable, in respect of the Patient's Constitution, and the Humors offending. But to every Medicine cream of Tartar may be added, for it openeth, cleanseth, and cools. If the Patient be subject to vomit, go that way to work as I said in the last Chapter. Open a Vein & draw Blood as often, or as much, as you see occasion. Prepare the Humours with Juleps, as you are taught in the last Chapter, then purge. If the Humours be stubborn, and the Fit continue, make a Decoction of Wormwood and Century, with cool Herbs to qualify the Heat, it is much commended; after the use of that purge again. If there be a Distension under the short Ribs, apply an emollient, attenuating, and strength­ning Fomentation. What ever part of the Body is ill disposed, have a regard to that in all your Medi­cines. The Spirit of Sulphur is much magnified, for extinguishing the Heat of Feavers, and if the Humours be thin it sends them forth by Sweat: give from half a [Page 380] Scruple to a Scruple in four Ounces of Purslane Wa­ter. Or you may give it thus: Take of Salt of Worm­wood, half a Drathm: Spirit of Sulphur, a Scruple: Carduus Water, four Ounces: mix them, and give the Pa­tient to drink, when the Fit approcheth, and lay him to sweat. Those things, which are usually laid to the Wrists by the common people, are not to be despised, I shall not insert them, nor more Receipts, for the cure of this Ague; First, it being my cheifest end to describe the Causes and Signes of Diseases; Secondly, almost every womans Head is full of Medicines against an Ague.

CHAP. LXXXVIII. Of the Quotidian or every day-Ague.

THis Ague is caused by Phlegm putrefying in the first Region of the Body: therefore all things that breed Phlegm in the Body may be the Cause thereof.

The Diagnostick signes are such as testify Phlegm to abound in the Body, as white colour, pale, dull Sense, Softnesse and Fatnesse, Profoundnesse of Sleep, and Droaming of Water. It comes with a cold shlvering, little or noe shaking; and for the most part it comes in the Night. After the cold Fit the Patient feels Heat but mildly, not scorching, little Thirst: the Pulse is small, seldom, and slow; there is a Distension about the short Ribs: the Fits appear more intense or remisse, last longer or shotter, as the Phlegm is simple or mingled with other Humours: the Fit commonly lasteth twelv hours, and then leaveth a feavourish Fit [Page 381] behind it. Sometimes it lasteth twenty four hours, and is almost like a continuall Feaver. There is a difference found in respect of the Nature of the Phlegm, for salt Phlegm makes the Patient thirsty; sharp Phlegm, hungry; sweet Phlegm, sleepy: If the Phlegm hath no Tast, it maketh him without Appetite. Acid or glassy Phlegm (by reason of its Coldnesse) causeth shaking. This Disease for the most part con­tinueth long, and is not without danger, because it sometimes degenerates into a Cachexia, Dropsy, or Lethargy.

The Diet and Medicines must be such as have an extenuating, cutting, and dividing Quality. The Cure must be performed almost in the same Manner, as the bastardly Tertian: Zacutus Lusitanus doth much commend the Decoction of Roman Wotmwood and Camomill Flowers, if five or six Ounces be adminis­red. And the Decoction of China and Guajacum for many dayes, but beware it dry not too much.

CHAP. LXXXIX. Of the Quartane Ague.

AN intermitting Quartane is caused of Melancholy putrifying in the Body.

There are two sorts of Quartan Agues, viz. a Legi­timate and a Bastard Quartane: a Legitimate is bred of naturall Melancholy, which is the carthly part of our Nourishment, in quality cold and dry. The bas­tard Quartane is bred of preternaturall Melancholy, which is bred of adust Choller, and is hot and dry, or by Melancholy mixed with adust Choller. A Quar­tane [Page 382] Ague is either single, double, or triple, the sin­gle is that which comes every fourth day. The dou­ble is when two Fits happen upon two dayes one after another, and the third day none. The Triple Quar­tane is when Fits come every as in a Quotidian, and double Tertian.

Diagnostick Signes of a Quartane, are, the Ague coming every fourth day, and Melancholy abounding in the Body: it begins with gaping and stretching, heavinesse of the Body; shivering and shaking follows, as if it would break the Patient's Bones. The Pulse is seldom and slow: the Urine watry, thin, and white, after a while it is higher coloured and thicker. The bastard Quartane (for the most part) follows other Feavers or Agues, by which Adustion of Humours is made; and in it the Feaver, Heat and Thirst, is more violent, and all the Symptomes are greater, because the Humours are thinner. A double Quartane is known by the course of the Fits. A triple Quartane is distinguished from a double Tertian, or Quotidian, by Melancholy abounding; and by the course of the Fits; and chiefly in this, that at first it was a simple or double Quartane.

Prognosticks are thus made: This of all Agues is the longest of Continuance, some continue half a year, some a year, and some longer. It is good in this A­gue for the Patient to void black Urine. The bastard Quartane is not of so long continuance as the Legiti­mate, because it proceeds from thinner Humours then the other. The Legitimate is not so dangerous as the other, which hath many times dangerous Symptomes, especially if the Liver, Spleen, or any of the interior parts, be damnified, because it is sometimes degenera­ted into a Dropsy. If any aged above sixty fall into the Quartane Ague, it proveth mortall. If the in­termitting [Page 383] Quartane degenerate into a continuall, it is for the most part deadly. To bleed at the Nose in a Quartane Ague is but a bad Sign, because the mor­bifick Humours are too thick for such an Evacuation.

If a bloody Flux come upon a Quartane Ague and continue but a while, it is good.

A bastard Quartane is cured almost with the same Medicines, which have been prescribed for the Cure of a Tertian; to them adding such Medicines as regard Melancholy, and free the Spleen from Disaffection.

Seeing the Legitimate Quartane is caused of Hu­mours that are cold and dry, thick and earthly, we must use Medicines that do heat, moisten, and attenu­ate. Let the Patient's Diet be heating and moist­ning, of good Juyce, easy of digesture, and of thin sub­stance: as rear Egs, yong Animals, and Birds of Mountains, Fishes of stony Rivers: among Herbs, Bor­rage, Buglosse, Spinach, Fennell, Parsly, and Turneps; Crato doth much commend the Broth of Turneps: of Fruits, Almonds, Apples, stewed Prunes, Figs, Raisons, Dates, and Pine-kernells. Let him abstain from all Meats, which are of a thick and clammy Substance, and of hard digesture: let him drink small Ale or Beer; let him eat moderately, and on the Fit day, six hours before the Fit cometh: let him be very moderate in drinking, for much drink fills the Spleen and makes the Disease rebellious. Having thus ordered his Diet, give him a gentle Purgation by Clister: Take of Mal­lows, Camomill, Mercury, and Beets, of each, one Hand­full: Polypody of the Oak, an Ounce and an half: Epi­thimum, half an Ounce: of the four greater cold Seeds, and of Annis, and Fennell, of each, two Drachms: boil it in Posset drink to a Pint: strainit, dissolve therein Ca­tholicon and Hony of Roses, of each, one Ounce: the Oyls of Violets and Camomill, of each, one Ounce and an half, [Page 384] mix all and make a Clister. Then purge the Melancholy Humour by some gentle Medicine, beware of a strong purge in the beginning before Concoction, lest you in­flame the Humours, and turn the Disease to a conti­nuall, or at least to a Double or Triple Quartane. Make a gentle Purgation thus: Take of Fumitory, Bug­losse, & Maiden-hair, of each, one Handfull: Polypody of the Oak, Liquorish, and sweet Fennell Seed, of each, half an Ounce: boil them; when they are boiled, infuse or gent­ly boil half an Ounce of Senna, till the Liquor come to three or four Ounces: dissolve therein Manna, and Sirrup of Roses, of each, one Ounce, for a Potion: give it the next day after the Clister. After purgeing open a Vein in the left Arm, unlesse you find the Liver out of order, then you must open a Vein in the right Arm; if the Blood be black and impure, draw the more, Most do let Blood upon the well-day, some will have it done on the Fit-day before the Fit, because the Humours then begin to stirr: Zacutus Lusitanus will have it done when the Moon is at the full, because, by the Moons Influence, the earthy and melancholy Humour is made more fluid and apt to come away. It is good to open the Haemorrhoids, if your Patient hath been inclina­ble to that Evacuation: if your Patient be a Woman, provoke the Menstrues if they be stopped, and open the Saphaena. The opening of the Vena Salvatella is much approved of. Likewise you must make Decoctions, Broths or Juleps to prepare and concoct the Humours; for which purpose these Simples are good, viz. the five opening Roots, and the Root of Succory, Liquo­rish, and Buglosse: Bark of Tamarisk: The Leavs of Burrage, Buglosse, Ceterach, Maiden-hair, Fumitory, Germander, ground-Pine, Wormwood, and Century, the three cordiall Flowers: of these you may make Decoctions, and sweeten them with Sirrupus Bizantius [Page 385] or Sirrup of Maiden-hair. After the use of these pre­paratives purge the melancholy Humour; and between the dayes you purge, give a Clister, this observing, that you often change your Medicines, and continue in the course a long time; for the melancholy Hu­mour is not soon evacuated; and that is the reason that so few are cured of this Disease, because few will observe the Rule of the Physitian, or have patience to take his Medicines.

Vomits, in the beginning of this Feaver, are com­mended by all; of Asarum, a Drachm given in white-Wine, is of an excellent Faculty. In the declination of the Disease, Diaphoreticks may be given to discusse the reliques of the Disease, the Decoction of the Roots of China & Sarsa are good, and Venice-Treacle hath great virtue. You may anoint the back-Bone with a Liniment made of some of these Oyls, viz. of Dill, Camomill, Orice, Costus, Rue, Bayes, and Spike in a small Quantity: mixing with them, Treacle, Cloves, Mustard Seed, Castoreum, and the like; of these an ingenious Man may compound a Liniment to anoint the Back bone, one hour before the Fit; then lay him to Bed, and lay hot Tyles, wrapt in cloaths, to his Feet and Hands, and lay him in a Sweat. To con­clude, great care ought to be had of the Spleen, for in this Disease the Spleen is disaffected, and obstruc­ted: The 59 Chapter will furnish you with such Me­dicines.

CHAP. XC. Of the Pestilence.

HAving briefly treated of most Diseases that the Bo­dy of man is incident to, I thought it convenient to write a word or two of the Pestilence. But conside­ring how many larger Treatises thereof are at this day extant, I could have willingly omitted it, but hoping my Mite will not onely be acceptable but beneficiall, I thought good to epitomize this as well as the rest.

This Disease afflicteth Nature, not onely by a bare Distemper or Heat arising from Putrefaction, but also by a malignant and venemous Quality: by which means it becomes popular and epidemicall. Before we goe any farther, know that those Feavers which we call malignant or pestilentiall, vulgarly spotted Feavers, are of the same kind with the Pestilence, and are cured by the same means. The causes of the Pes­tilence are either internall or externall; the internall causes are immediate, or mediate: The Immediate cause is a Corruption of the Humours with Putrefacti­on, the venemous Quality is bred of Corruption, and from Putrefaction the Feaver is bred. The Mediate causes are Fulnesse of Blood which Nature cannot mas­ter, but easily turnes to Putrefaction: Abundance of evill Humours is easily corrupted and putrified: to these, joyn Obstructions, which is a great means to breed such Diseases; for such Humours, close shut up in the Body, and having no Evacuation not Transspi­ration, must of necessity putrify. But Obstruction is not a principall cause of this Disease, for the venemous [Page 387] Quality is received by drawing in of the Air, by which Venom the Humours are changed from their naturall condition, and, of their own accord, putrify. The ex­ternall Causes are, First, the Air, which becomes hurt­full to men, first, if it be not blown through with wholesome Winds, as Hippocrates observeth, speaking of a grievous pestilentiall year, that in that year there were few Winds. Secondly, the Air may be vitious by putrid Exhalations, as of Lakes, Pools, Fish-ponds, or other standing Waters, or from Bodyes unburied, which have been slain in Battail. Thirdly, the Air may become hurtfull by Excesse, or the praeposterous condition of the first Qualityes, as Excesse of Heat, Cold, Drithe, or Moisture, of which I could lay down manifold Examples, which befit not my small Vo­lume. Inequalityes of Seasons must be acknowledg­ed as a cause, when it is sometimes hot and sometimes cold, sometimes dry and suddenly Moisture follows; one while vehemently hot, and suddenly very cold; or after a violent wet and moist time, a sudden and ex­tream Drouth: a hot Winter and a cold Summer. Next to vitious Air, is a bad Aliment and Diet, when the Fruits of the Earth, by a bad Temperature of the Air, are corrupted; or when, by reason of Scarcity, the Poor are fain to feed on unwholesome Diet, (whence the proverb came, the Plague followeth the Famine) or a great Plenty following a Famine, when the poor gorge themselves, which, for want of Heat and a good Disposition of Body, cannot be digested, but turns to Putrefaction. Add to these the malig­nant Influence of Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, in hu­mane Signes, by which the Constitution of the Air and the Bodyes of men are changed and corrupted: for all Philosophers by common consent acknowledge, that inferiour Be dyes are governed by the heavenly [Page 388] Constellations: To this kind we must add the defects and Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and unusuall Mete­ors, especally blazing Starrs. Above all causes, let us not be unmindfull of the strict & severe Judgment of God, for the sinnes of Mankind: For many times he is pleased to punish our Sins and Offences by this Judgment; as the Scriptures do frequently prove. To these non-naturall causes afore mentioned, we must add the Retention of Womens Courses, the Haemor­rhoids in men, or some usuall Evacuation, Idlenesse, or too much Sleep, Anger, Sadnesse, or other Passi­ons of the mind.

Signes, that shew the Pestilence approaching, are taken from the presence of Causes before mentioned. Those Bodyes are disposed to receive pestilentiall In­fection, which have collected evill Juyces and Diet, and have had a praeposterous use of the non-naturall things afore specifyed. The cheif Signes, which shew the Body to be infected; the H [...]art is much afflicted, Cardialgia, and Heart-burning, and pain about the Mouth of the Stomach: sometimes great Thirst, ex­ceeding the Measure of the Patient's Heat; somtimes Want of Thirst, yet a vehement Feaver and Drinesse of the Tongue: Want of Appetire and abhorring of all Meat, and vomiting up what ever Food, Drink, Ju­leps, or Emulsions is given, and their Thirst continue, and the Tongue black: A frequent and inordinate shivering, which comes divers times in a day: Weari­nesse and Heavinesse of the whole Body: Pains of the Head, Watchings, and Ravings: Some are very drousy and sleepy, then judge that the Brain is full of phlegmatick Excrements. To some there happen cholerick Fluxes, which stink very much. Frequent Sweats, small, short, and unprofitable, do break forth: the Heat is mild and gentle to the Feet, because the [Page 389] Disease is caused rather by a malignant and venemous Quality, then by Putrefaction. Rednesse of the eyes, and sometimes a frowning or a furious look. Some­times abmndance of Worms are voided, which shew a great Putrefaction. The Urine is sometimes like the Urine of a sound man, if a malignant Quality doth rather offend then Putrefaction: sometimes it appea­reth thick, troubled, and high coloured, and hath a thick, red, and scattered Sediment. On some, pur­ple Spots like Flea-bitings: Carbuncles, and Risings in the Groin, behind the Ears, and under the Atm­pits. Those Spots upon the Bodyes of the dead, which are of a Lead-colour or black, do especially denote the Pestilence.

No certain Prognostick can be drawn of this Dis­case, therefore the discreet Physitian ought to suspend his Judgment of the issue thereof: For many have di­ed, notwithstanding many hopes and testimonyes of re­covery; and, on the contrary, many have escaped, with most mortall signes. Yet it is lawfull for the Phi­sitian to give his conjecture thus; If the Pulse keep a Tenor and equality there is some hopes; on the con­trary, if it be inordinate, unequall, and contracted, it is dangerous. If the Pulse be like the Pulse of an healthy person, it is dangerous; because it is a sign that Nature doth not labour to concoct the Humours, for her own deliverance. Raving is not dangerous if it be lessened by Sleep, but if it turn to dotage, and con­tinue, there is little hope. Contractions, convulsive and trembling Motions are deadly, for it shews that the Brain is mortally wounded, and that Nature is o­vercome by the Disease. Deafnesse at the beginning is dangerous: but in the state of the Disease, it is not so, for many times health follows. Sneezing is lau­dable. Heart-burnings. Hiccoughs, and extream [Page 390] Loathing, do portend danger, and that the Stomach is over mastered by the Malignant quality of the Hu­mours. Suppression of all Evacuations, in the beginning and state of the Disease, is good, provided that the Ma­lignity doth not settle in the head, or near any Prin­cipal part. The Urine that is like the Urine of a heal­thy person is bad; the same judge, if they be thin, thick, confused or troubled. Urines which have a laudable sediment, and well concoct are good, and shew a strong naturall Faculty to expell the Venome. An Urine, black or blew, fat and oyly, with a black or blewish setling, shews a wasting of the Body, and is a deadly Sign. Sweats seldom portend good, though it happens on a criticall day, unlesse it doth much di­minish the Feaver. Sometimes, a Loosenesse of the Belly, at the beginning, is good, and sometimes it is a deadly Sign. Spots, the more laudable the colour is, the better, if they be black, or Lead-colour, and go in again it is dangerous. Carbuncles and Buboes, the farther from the Heart, the better, and the sooner they ripen, the safer.

The Cure ought to be two-fold, first, to preserve those from it who have it not; secondly, in healing those that have it. First, to preserve, take away the causes both internall and externall. If the Body be pletho­rick, let Phlebotomy abate it: If full of evill Humours let them be purged: If obstructed, let means be used to open Obstructions. If the Body be in a good state, labour to keep it so. If it be too moist, babour to dry it, and avoid all moist Nourishments, and much drink­ing, eat no Fish, Meats made of Milk, nor Herbs; walk not in the South Air, or neer Lakes, nor in the Night, fleep not too much. If the Body be weak use a resto­rative Diet. If the Air be too hot; labour to cool it, as we taught you, in continual Feavers, if it be too moist [Page 391] correct it by fires and fumes, as also to consume and dissipate the infection of the Ayre: make fires and fumes of sweet Woods, and other sweet sented ingre­dients, as Cypresse, Wood of Aloes, Juniper; Storax, Labdanum, Mirrhe, Benjamin, yellow Sanders, Ireos, Storax, Frankinsence, Cinnamon, Cloves, Red-Rose­leaves, Calamint, Bayes, Rosemary, and such like. Let the common sort of people, and the poorer sort, carry Rue and Angelica to smell to, and take in the morning fasting, and when they go abroad, Mithri­date's medicine; Mithridate, Venice-Treacle, and such like. Let the Rich man use of this Pomander. Take of Labdanum, and of the Rinds of Citrons, of each one drachm: of the three kinds of Sanders, of each half a drachme; Wood of Aloes, flowers of Buglosse, Nenuphar, Rose leaves, of each two Scruples, a lipta Muscatae, half a scruple; Cloves and Marjoram, of each one scruple; Zedoary root one scruple; Benjamin one drachm; Sto­rax Calamita one drachm and an half, Camphir half a drachme: Musk and Ambergreece of each sour Grains; Powder them, and with the Musilage of Gum-dragant made in Rose-water, make a Pomander. and let them make use of this Preservative: Take of Bolearmenick prepared half an ounce, of Cinnamon three drachms, of white Dittany, the roots of Angelica, Gentian, and Tormentill, of each two drachms, the root of Zedoary, Red Roses, of all the Sanders, Harts-Horn, the leaves of Scabious, and flowers of Buglosse, of each one drachme, of Juniper-berries, Nutmegs, and bone of a Stags Heart, of each half a drachm; of Pearls prepared two Scruples, of Saphir, Jacinth, Emerauld, Ruby and Granate prepared, and leaf-Gold, of each one scruple; powder them all, and with Syrrup of Vinegar or Lemons, make an Electu­ary, and take a Scruple or two in the Morning.

For the cure of those that are sick, let the same course of Diet be observed, as was prescribed in conti­nuall Feavers; and it the body be plethorick, open a Vein; How much bloud to take away, and how often to bleed, let prudence be your director. If you judge it necessary, apply Cupping-glasses to the shoulders, back, and hips; and vesicatories applyed to the neck and Arm-pits, and Groyns, are seldome without admi­rable successe; and a Cataplasme of Snails, or Radi­shes, laid to the feet are good. First, altering Juleps, are good to prepare the humours, made of such things as are prescribed for the Cure of continual Feavers; to which add Antidotes, which have a specifick proper­ty to fight against the venemous quality: as the roots of Tormentill, Cinkfoil, Scorzonera, white Thistle; the leaves of Scordium, Carduus, Scabious, Meddow­sweet, Flowers of Marigolds; Lemons and Citrons, Odoriferous Apples, Harts-horn; the juice or Syr­rup of Lemons, Pomegranats, Citrons, Vinegar, the spirit of Sulphur and Vitriol. In the whole course of the cure, Antidotes must be given, of which there are four sorts, or degrees, the first resist the venemous quality, and besides are cold, dry, and astringent, by which they strengthen the Heart, hinder putrefaction, and the venom, from spreading over the body: of this sort are Bolearmenick, Terra Sigillata, the roots of Bistort, Cinkfoil, Tormentill, &c. The second sort, by their coldnesse and tenuity, do resist putrefaction, and restrain the venemous quality: as the juice of Lemons, spirit of Sulphur and Vitrioll, and all other acid things. The third sort are such as are hot and Diaphoretick, which expel the venome from the Cen­ter to the Circumference, from the Heart, to the out­ward parts, by sweat, and of this sort are Angelica, Ze­doary, Dictamnus, Meddow-sweet, Scordium, Cardu­us, [Page 393] Scabious, Treacle, Mithridate, Treacle-water. The last sort are such, as by a speciall quality, without ex­cesse, do oppose the venemous quality, as Bezoar­stone, Harts-horn, Unicorns-horn, Troches of Vipers, and such like. Of these, and Simples of the like nature, may many Medicines be composed, which must be di­versly varied and mixed, according to the different degree of malignity, and putrefaction, according to the intension and remission of the Feaver, according to the divers Temperaments, Sex, and Age of the Pati­ent, the determination of which depends not upon any certain rules, but upon the Prudence and head-piece of an able Physitian. In the Malignant and spotted Feaver, if putrefaction be greater then the vonemous quality; the medicines of the first, second, or fourth order, do best agree in the beginning and Augment of the Feaver: and those of the third, viz. Diaphore­ticks and sweating medicines in the declination; but if it be the Plague, and the venemous quality exceed the putrefaction; let Diaphoreticks be used first: as for the forms of particular medicines, let the Physiti­an vary them according to the different degree of heat, putrefaction, and malignity. Let the Physitian take care to strengthen the Heart, also, by outward ap­plications of Cordiall Epithems; and let the Car­buncles and Borches be suppurated, broken, and hea­led, by the expert Chirurgious Art.

CHAP. XCI. Of the Small Pox and Measels.

THe Feaver which attends the Small Pox and Measels, may be justly termed Pestilential, for it is epidemicall, contagious and many times mortall: I need not write any thing of the difference between these two, viz. Pox, and Measols, for every Woman knows it. There is another sort of Pustules come out upon children like bladders, without inflammation or rednesse, and without a Feaver: some Physitians call it the Crystalls, we call it the Blisters. The cause of the small Pox and Measells, was in the Mothers Bloud, with which the child was nourished in the Womb, and is hence chiefly gathered, because among thousands of men, it is hard to find one, who once in his life hath not had these diseases. For in the blood be it never so pure, some impurities are found, which doth communicate pollution to the parts of the child, and defile the Masse of bloud; and being provoked by some occasion, (viz. a certain disposition of Ayre, proportionable to the disease) the bloud boils and purifieth it self and the parts, and the impurity is cast forth. Understand that these impurities do not sub­stantially remain in the body, for then they would corrupt in a little time, but an evill quality is by them imprinted upon the parts. When this ebullition be­ginneth, the excrement is twofold, either thin or thick; if thin, the Measels follow; if thick, the small Pox. And another reason is this, Sometimes the Air is inclinable to the one, and sometimes to the other. [Page 395] Again, the Pox is either Perfective or corruptive; the Perfective is when the corrupt, impure, and excremen­titious part of the bloud, is cast forth by nature, the rest remaining pure, and the Patient is restored with­out Physick: the corruptive Pox, is not onely the cor­rupt bloud purged forth, but the most pure bloud cor­rupted, which is occasioned by a malignant constituti­on of the Ayre, and so produceth a dangerous and Epidemicall Pox, which is sometimes a forerunner of the Plague. In respect of the naturall constitution of the body they come forth more or lesse, sooner or later, and sometimes they seize upon the internal as well as external parts, as the throat, Lungs, Guts, Li­ver, Spleen, &c.

Signes which declare the Pox at hand, are pain in the head, and beating about the Temples, troubled and terrified in sleep, sometimes ravings and Convul­sions, hoarsnesse, cough, and difficulty of breathing; heat and pricking all over the body, pain of the back, shining before the eyes, the face red and swelled. If they come out soon, and easily ripen, there is no dan­ger, the same judge if the symptomes are not great, and the voice and breathing is free. If they come out red, afterwards white, round, pointed, and out­wardly in the skin, there is no danger. The contrary to these are signs of a deadly and dangerous Pox, viz. a great Feaver, which is not abated at their comming out, difficulty of breathing, great thirst, a loosnesse or bloody flux, because the malignant humours have their recourse inward; which is contrary to nature a bloudy Urine, or stool, bleeding at the Nose, Gums, or other parts, are commonly deadly signs, for they signify the extream acrimony and malignancy of the Bloud, that nature is forced to void it in such a pre­posterous way. Pox long comming out, shews the [Page 196] contumacy of the Humour, or Weaknesse of Nature, if they be many, great, double, and united, they shew abundance of Humours: hard ones shew the Thickness of the Matter: flat ones shew the Weakness of the ex­pulsive Faculty: if there be a black Spot in the middle it shews the malignity of the Humours; the like judge, if they be green, blewish, or black, and they are all bad Signes; but it is worse if they sink, go in, and the Tu­mor falleth, for it signifieth the Retirement of the Humours inward, and few in this condition escape. If black or blew Spots come forth among the Pox, it shews great Malignity; and the Patient in great dan­ger. If the Excrements and Urine be black or livid, they signify abundance of Melancholy, and great dan­ger.

For the Cure, keep the Patient in a warm room, and if you tender his life, keep out the cold Air, lest the Humours be driven inward. Keep the Cloaths close about him, but let them not ly too heavy. Let his drink be Barly-Water, and boil therein Sorrell Roots and Harts-horn, and Figs, if the Feaver be not vio­lent: let his Sleep be moderate. Physitians, for the most part, advise the Cure to begin with blood-let­ting, that is, if the Patient be full of Blood, and no­thing forbid it; but it must be done before, or just as they be coming forth. Purges are absolutely forbidden; but if the body be very costive, move it with a Supposi­tory, but do not provoke it. Then endeavour the ex­pulsion of the Matter, thus; Take of the Roots of grass, Asparagus, and Fennell, of each, four Ounces: Liquorish, half an Ounce: Wood Sorrell, two Handfulls: twenty Figs: the cordiall Flowers, one Pugill: make a Decoc­tion to a Pint, towards the latter end, put in a little Saf­fron; take four Ounces Night and Morning. Bezar and Gascoins powder is good to send out the Pox, and for [Page 397] Children Diascordium is a familiar Medicine. We must endeavour to preserve the internall parts; if you fear that the Liver, Spleen, or Guts, should suffer, to the former Decoction, add husked Lentils, two drams, Gum Lac, and Traganth, of each, one Drachm. You must defend the Eyes with the Water of Roses and Plantane, and infuse Camphir, Saffron, and if the In­flammation be great, infuse Tutty. You must defend the Lungs with the Conserve of Roses and Violets, the Sirrup of Violets, Jujubees, Myrtles, dried Roses, Pop­pyes, and such like. You must defend the Throat with a Gargle of Oxycrate; or you may make it with Plantane Water and Sirrup of Mulberryes or Pome­granates. To defend the Nose, put up a Nodulus, made of Vinegar, Rose-Water, and the Powder of Sanders and Camphir. When the Pox are out, full ripe, and begin to break, anoint them often with the Oyl of Almonds, it will be a means to prevent their pitting; and where there are likely to be holes anoint with the Oyl of the yolks of Egs.

CHAP. I. Of a Green Wound.

A Wound is a breach of Continuity, fresh and bloo­dy without Putrefaction or Matter: It is caused by a Sword, Bullet, Arrow, or such like, which the Chirurgion may easily perceive. Wounds in the flesh are easily cured; in the Nervs, Veins, and Arteryes, they are not without danger: In the instrumentall & principall parts, as the Heart, Liver, Lungs, Brain, Spleen, Midriff, Wezand, Stomach, Guts, or Bladder, are deadly. A Feaver, Perturbation, Swooning, Con­vulsion, and such like Symptomes are dangerous.

The Cure must be directed, first to the cause; se­condly, [Page 399] to the Wound itself; thirdly, to the part af­fected; lastly, to the Symptomes attending. The Cause or outward things, viz. a Bullet, Arrow, or such like, sticking in the Body must be drawn out, by Instruments or by Medicine: what concerns the first I shall not meddle with, the medicinall part I shall breif­ly handle. The Simples availeable and of force for the purpose aforesaid are, The Roots of Reeds and Birth­wort; the Leavs of Dittany, Crow-foot, Missletoe, Thap­sia; Sagapenum, Ammoniacum, Opopanax, Quick Lime, burnt Frogs, Galbanum, Bears grease, the Load-stone, Mustard-Seed, and such like. Of these and such like you may prepare compound Medicines: This Unguent of Vesalus is much approved of: Take of Rozin of the Pine tree, two Ounces: Galbanum, three Ounces: of the Stone called Calamites, one Ounce: the Gall of an Ox, one Ounce and an half: of Turpetine, three Ounces; New Wax, two Ounces: first, strain out the Wax, Rozin, and Turpetine; after, mix the Golbanum, Gall, and the Pow­der of the Stone, and make an Unguent.

This Plaister is likewise good for the same purpose: Take of Leaven, one pound: Oyl, half a pound: the juyce of Knot-grasse, and Dittany, (or, for want of it, the Powder of the dried Herbs,) of each, three Ounces: Tur­petine, one pound: The Bird Lime made of Missletoe Ber­ryes, Ammoniacum, & Galbanum and dissolved in wine, of each, one Ounce; of Wax, four Ounces: mix them up­on the Fire, and make a Plaister.

Having thus far proceded, and removed all things unnaturall from the Wound, then must the Chirurgi­on, if the Solution be great, artificially join the gaping sides of the Wound by Seam, Taches, or stiching cloths and such like, which I omit, and shall lay down a few Rules to prevent pain, Inflammation, or other unto­ward Accidents, which may happen to the wounded part, or whole Body.

Inflammation is restrained by taking away the Cause of the Fluxion: Now the Humours, flowing to the part, are either drawn or sent. They are drawn by reason of the Pain and Heat of the Member, which doth at­tract the Humours to it self. They are sent, thus; when the whole Body is full of evill Humours, and e­very part disburtheneth it self upon the weaker. The Inflammation of the Part must be allayed with such Medicines that quench Heat; and the Body must be purged, and such a Course of Diet used as may some­what free the Body from such Humours, which are of­fensive and burthensome to Nature.

But before I come to treat of the removeall of such Accidents and evill Symptoms; I shall briefly shew you the manner of Cure, which ought thus to be per­formed. After closing of the Wound, dresse it with some agglutinative Medicine, made of such Simples: viz. Frankincense, Mastich, Aloes, Rolearmenick, San­guis Draconis, Sarcocolla, Terra Sigillata, Balaustines, Pomegranate Rinds, Cypresse Nuts, Galls, Horse-tail, To­bacco, and such like. You may make a Balm thus: Take of Turpetine, a pound: of Galbanum, Gum Elemy, Gum of Ivy, Frankincense, Mastich, Myrrh, of each, two Ounces: Aloes, Lignum Aloes, Galanga, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, Cubebs, of each, one Ounce: Aqua Vitae, three Ounces; infuse and distill them to a Balm. After the Application of this or the like Balsome, lay on this Plaister: Take of Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, two Ounces: Gum Elemy, three Ounces: Rozin of the Pine tree, five Ounces: Turpentine of the Fir-tree, three oun­ces: Oyl of Roses, two Ounces: make a Plaister. Open it once in twenty four hours till it be whole: thus may you cure a simple Wound in the Flesh.

If the Wound be hollow, you must put in Tents, twist them not too hard, but so that the Sanies may [Page 401] come forth. If the Wound be deep without losse of Substance, you must consider whether the Orifice of the Wound look upward or downward. If the Orifice look downward, and the bottom be upward, then may the Matter run freely out of the Wound, and the Cure thereof is performed as a simple Wound in the Flesh. But if the Orifice of the Wound be upward, and the bottom tending to the lower parts, that there is a place for the Matter to rest in, then if you find it need­full (as many times it is) make an Incision, from the top to the bottom, or onely in the bottom; let rea­son guide you whereto make your Incision or when to neglect it. Wash the Wound with Wine, wherein Mirrh and Salt hath been boiled: then put in this Oyl, which is much commended, and it is made thus: Take of Oyl of Olives, three pound: of white Wine, two pound: of the Flowers, Leavs, and Seeds, of St. John's Wort, one pound: of greek Valerian, the spotted and common Sanicle, Saracens consound, amd Self-heal, of each, half a Hand­full; beat the Herbs in a Morter, and infuse them in the Wine and Oyl twenty four hours, then boil it gently to the Consumption of almost half: then strain it, and add there­to, of Venice Turpetine, one pound and an half: Oyl of Turpetine, six Ounces: Olibonum, five Ounces: Mirrh three Ounces: Mastich, and Sanguis Draconis, of each, one Ounce: Roots of Alchenet, (first bruised and infused in Oyl two or three hours,) boil them gently and suffici­ently, and reserve it for the use aforesaid. Then lay on Emplastrum Sticticum, the receipt of which you may read in the London Dispensatory: or you may buy the Plaister at the Apothecaryes.

If the Wound be hollow with losse of Substance, you must make use of such Medicines which are by Na­ture drying and cleansing, called Incarnatives.

This Unguent is much cōmended for cleansing Pu­trefaction, & breeding of good Flesh in Wounds.

Take of common Oyl, and Rams suet of each one pound: Stone-pitch, half a pound, Grecian-pitch, three Ounces; wax two Ounces, Mastich, Olibanum, Galbanum, Am­moniacum, Sagapenum, Opopanax, and Turpentine of each half an Ounce: powder those that are to be powdered, and melt the rest in Oyl, stirr them well together on the fire; when they are sufficiently boiled, add the Turpentine, strain it, and use it upon occasion.

This plaister is very good to incarnate both wounds and Ulcers; Take of Virgins wax eight Ounces, Deers suet four ounces and an half; Common Rozin, and Rozin of the Pinetree of each four Ounces; Myrrhe and Ma­stick, of each four Ounces; Honey six ounces; Turpentine eight Ounces, White Wine one pound and an half, Dragons bloud one pound; boil them (the Sanguis Draconis excepted) to the form of a plaister. Or you may make a lesse quantity by decreasing each particular analogically. Take this generall Rule, that accor­ding to the Dryth or moisture of the body or wound, you must make your medicines lesse or more drying, when the wound commeth to be plain, equall and fil­led, it must be Cicatrized, or covered with skin; which must be performed by medicines which are astrin­gent, and very much drying, because it must consume not onely the superfluous, but also the naturall moi­sture, of which properly are the simples following: Galls, Balaustines, the rinds of Pomegranats, the white Thistle, Sumach, Bolearmenick, Sealed Earth, Ceruse, Lead burnt or washed, Litharge, and the Bark of the Pinetree. To which add the following, which per­form it accidentally, as Brasse burnt and washed, the scales of Brasse; Alume and Vitrioll, burnt and wash­ed: Plantane, Aristolochia, and such like. Of these and such like, may many forms of Medicines, viz. Waters, Oyls, Unguents, or Plaisters, be made. Take [Page 403] this Plaister as an example for all. Take of Litharge, and Ceruse of each six Ounces, burnt lead, Lapis Cala­minaris, and Terra Sigillata, of each three Ounces: Co­lophonia, Ship-Pitch, and Rozin, of each two Ounces, Sarcocolla, Laudanum, and Ireos, of each one Ounce and an half, Camphir, half an Ounce, Leake seed two Oun­ces; Oyl of Roses, one pound and an half, white Wax four Ounces; make it into a plaister.

If the Cicatrice be uncomely or deformed, it must be amended: if it be too tender, it must be thickned, and hardned with Diachilon, or with Calamint, the roots of Briony and such like sodden in Oyl. If the Cicatrice be thick and hard, it ought to be attenuated with the root of wild Cucumer, stampt and applyed, or the Oyl of Balsome-Apple. If it be deformed in respect of colour, you must labour to bring it to white­nesse, for which this plaister is commended; Take of Swines Grease three Ounces, Litharge one Ounce, Ver­digreese and burnt Vitrioll, of each two drachms; make it into a plaister.

Sometimes a wound is overgrown with flesh: this flesh growing too proudly, must be dealt withall with medicines that may diminish, and take away the same, and they must be by nature sharp and drying; as Cal­citis, Vitriol, burnt Allum, the roots of Asphodels, Hermodactylls, the stones of Dates burnt, the seed of Nettles, Serpentary, the Scales of Brasse, burnt Brass, the ashes of a Hedghog, Mercury sublimnte; Of Me­dicines compounded, Unguentum Apostolorum, or Unguentum Aegyptiacum are of known validity. If these suffice not, the Chyrurgion must use his Incision­knife, hot Scissars, or a Cautery.

CHAP. II. Of a contused wound, and a Bruise.

THat the wound is contused appeareth by the swel­ling, pain, black or blew colour; whether it were given by a fall, or blow, the patient can satisfy you. The Cure consisteth, first in mundisying, filling the hollownesse, with incarnative Medicines, and when it is made plain and even, cover it with Cicatrizing Me­dicines. And secondly, in removing the accident, which for the most part accompanieth a wound of this nature. First, to mundify the wound, wash it in white Wine, wherein hath bin boiled Myrrhe and Salt, then arm your Tents with Unguentum Apostolorum, or such like, and lay on dry stapes and bind it up; this do till the wound be clean; then fill it up with incar­native Medicines, afterwatds Cicatrize it; the Medi­cines for that purpose in the foregoing Chapter will serve here. Secondly, labour to remove the acci­dents incident to these wounds, which are either pain or swelling. Pairl must be mitigated with Oyl of Dill, Chamomil, or Lillies. Or a Liniment made of the Oil of Roses, and the yolk of an Egg, and applyed with Lint. The swelling or Tumor is to be removed by taking away the Antecedent or conjoyned cause: the Antecedent cause is the humour flowing to the wounded part, the conjoyned cause is the humour al­ready contained in the part. For taking away the antecedent cause, you must consider, whether it be bloud or other humours. If it be bloud, whether it comes from the whole body, or some particular part, it [Page 405] must be evacuated by bloud-letting, and a thin coo­ling Diet. You must evacuate and disparch it from the wounded member, either by revulsion, or repercussion: Revulsion must be made either by Phleboromy, Cup­ping, Rubbing, and binding the contrary side, to with­draw the humour to the contrary part. Repercussion is to send the matter from the part: of this sort are the Oyl of Roses, and Myrtles; or an Unguent made of Oyl of Myrtles, Bolearmenick, and the White of an Egg, with which the parts about the Wound are to be anointed: Afterwards lay on a Plaister made of the Powder of Myrtles, and the White of an Egg. If it be other Humours, which flow to the Wound, let them be purged with such Medicines as are proper to the Humour: The fore-going Book is full of Exam­ples; and the last Book is well furnished. The Humor which is now impact in the Wound, must be brought to Suppuration: This Plaister is good; Take of the Roots of Marshmallows, and wild Cucumers, of each half an Ounce: Origan and Hysop, of each half a handful: the Flowers of Camomel, and the Seed of Flax, of each one pugil: six sat Figs; boit them well, then strain the liquor from them, and beat them in a Morter; add to them Mirrh, Galbanum, Styrax Liquida, and Sheeps Grease (separated from the woot which grows in the Flank, and between their shoulders,) of each one drachm and an half; make a plaister.

If by a fall, stroke, or blow, clotted bloud is gathered under the skin, the part is swelled, soft and easily pres­sed, blackish, and many times without pain. A bruise by a violent contusion is not without danger; for some­times, not onely the part it self corrupteth, but many times the whole body. It the skin hang by, separated from the fl [...]sh, cut it away, fot it is seldom; or never [Page 406] joyned again. For the Cure, in respect of the wounded Part, observe the same rule in taking away pans and swelling, either by evacuation, or repercussion. In re­spect of the whole body, you must consider whether there be clotted bloud in the body; which if there be, it must be dissolved and scattered by Medicines, which dissolve bloud, and fireng then the inner parts; and secondly, it must be scattered by Diaphoretick, or Sweating Medicines. This Powder is good to dissolve bloud; Take of Rubarb terrified, sealed Earth, Bolear­menick, Mummy, and the seed of Cresses torrified, of each one drachm; make them into fine powder, and give a drachm in Plantane water, or the water of Shepheards pouch.

To provoke Sweat, boil a handful or two of Os­mond Royal, and Horstaile, in Wine, sweeten the Decection with Honey, give five or six Ounces there­of, and let the Patient sweat thereupon. If the bloud be clotted under the skin, apply a Rams skin newly pulled off hot to the body, and let the Patient sweat in it. Then anoint it with this Unguent, &c. Take of Bolearmenick, Frankincense, Rezin, Fenugreck, and Gum Traganth, of each half an ounce; Saffron one drachm, the powder of Roses, Mirtles, and Sumach, of each three drachms; the Ointment of Maish mallows, the Oyl of Roses, Camomel, Mirtles, and Dill, of each two Ounces: New Wax and Turpentine, of each one Ounce, make an unguent, and use it twice a day. After you have used this Omtment a while, leave out the Ingredients, which are astringent, and use discutients onely. If you find the matter will not be discussed, but is prone to Suppuration, help it forward by such Medicines as are proper for the purpose: then procure Issue, and mun­difie the Ulcer, and heal it up.

Many places of this Book will furnish you with fic Medicines.

CHAP. III. Of a Wound by biting, or stinging of any Creature venemous, or not.

VVHat Creature inflicted the Wound, most people know, or whether he be venemous or not: Venemous are, a Mad-Dog, Serpent, Scor­ping, Basilisk, Dragon, Viper, Adder, Slow-Worm, Asp, Spider, Toad, &c. Not venemous, are a Dog, Ape, Horse, Sow, Cat, Wasp, Bee, and the like. If the Creature were venemous, the Symptomes are more violent, viz. vehement pricking, and biting pains, change of colour, and grievous anguishes, and some­times the body is astonished, sometimes in a great heat, and the like.

A venemous biting is very danperous, if it be not soon cured; because Poyson ayms at the destruction of the Heart. Some say if the Patient be thirsty, and yet is fearful of Drink, he is incurable: This I once saw verified in a Boy that was bit by a Mad. Dog. If the Patient be bit by a venemous Creature, the Cure may be begun with cupping the wounded part, with scarri­fieation, to draw forth the Venome: sucking of the Wound is commended, instead thereof, apply the tail of an Hen: if the part be not full of sinews, apply a Cautery; and if the venome be very malignable, cut­ting is commended. External Medicines must be at­tractive [Page 408] to draw the Venome back: Of this sort are the Simples following, Garlick, Onyons, Mustard­seed, Harts-ease, Scabius, Peneroyal, Calamint, Gen­tian, Polymountain, Germander, Scordium, Ditany, Briony, Asphodels, Aristolochia, Euphorbium, Galba­num, Treacle, Leaven, Goats Dung, &c. Of these, you may make variety of compound medicines. On a sud­dain mix Leaven and Goats Dung together; or for want of it, Leaven alone, beat with it Garlick, Ony­ons, and Treacle, or any of the aforenamed Simples, which you have in readiness, and make a Plaister. This Plaister is good: Take of the Powder of Long Birth­wort two ounces, Asphodels and Briony, of each one ounce, Assa Foetida; Galbanum and Mirrh, of each half an Ounce, with Oyl of Bays and Wax; make a Plaister. This following Unguent is commended by Vesalius, Take of Galbanum, and Opoponax, of each one drachm, Ammo­niacum, Turpentine, and Wax, of each one drachm and an half; Sagapenum two drachms, Pitch two drachms and an half: put them over a gentle fire, and when they boyl a little, put in a small quantity of Bean-flower, Leth argie, Saffron, and Bdellium, of each one drachm; Mirrh, and Olibanum, of each half a drachm; Mastich, four scruples, Fenugreek one scruple, boil them as much as you find con­venient; then with the Oyl of Roses, and Seasamini, of each two drachms, make an Unguent.

Then you must labour to preserve the Heart from the venome, by inward Med cines.

Julius Palmarius doth much commend that Powder, against the biting of a Mad Dog, or other venemous Creature; which Powder is called by the Colledge of Physitians, in their Dispensatory, Pulvis Antilis­sus.

Paracelsus adviseth to give the Patient red astrin­gent Wine, wherein Steel hath been quenched, and a little Treacle with it. Or let the Patient take now and then a little of this mixture with the Wine: Mithri­date two Ounces, Venice Treatle one ounce, the powder of red Corals one ounce and an half, mix them. Also, Philonium Perficum, doth wonderfully defend the Head and Vital Parts. If the Patient grow very thirsty, it is a sign that the Venome reacheth to the Heart: then give warm milk, and the powder of Red Coral; and apply to the Region of the Heart an Epi­them made of Rose-Vinegar, Camphire, and Sanders, sealedearth made into a Plaister, with some convenient moisture, and applyed, is much commended against the poison of the Spider and Toad. Lastly, you must labour to bring the Wound to suppuration, asterwards mun­difie, incarnate, and cicatrize it. If the Creature which inflicted the Wound were not venemous, the pain is less, and the danger not so great, and the Cure easily performed by ordinary Medicines.

CHAP. IV. Of a Wound in the Nerves, Tendons, Ligaments, Veins, and Arteries.

VVHether Nerve, Tendon, &c. are wounded, may be easily conjectured; and how, and with what weapon it was done, the Patient will be able t [...] inform.

If a Sinew be burnt, there is great pain, hurt both of sense and motion, sometimes a Feaver, Inflammation, Convulsion, or raving; a breach or wound of a Vein, or Artery, is known by profusion of bloud. But whe­ther the Vein or Arterie be wounded, their proper figns must distinguish, viz. the bloud black and thick, with an equal fluxion, sheweth a wounded Vein: but if the bloud be thin and yellow, and cometh forth leaping, like the motion of the Pulse, then is the Arte­ry wounden.

The Nervous Ligaments will endure Medicines of great force: If in Wounds of this nature a Tumor ap­pear, and afterwards vanish away it threatneth danger of Convulsion and Raving. If a Nerve be wounded overthewart, and not cut alunder, it brings the move peril of Convulsion. An Artery cut overthwart is sooner joyned together, then if it were severed long­wise. An Artery cut is harder to cure then a Vein. Flux of bloud is peril lous, especially of an Artery; for unless it be stopped, it bringeth death unavoidably. Swooning, Convulsion, Raving, &c. in this case, is an evil token. For the Cure, if the Nerve be priekt, be­gin thus: If there be any weapon, or any outward thing sticking in the Wound, let it be removed, and keep the part from in jury, & if you fear inflammati­on, open a Vein. Let him lye in a warm Room, on a soft bed; and keep the body loose, by Clisters, or laxa­tive Medicines, regulated according to the nature of the humour peccant. Let his Diet be sparing, and small Beer his Drink. Let him lye as free from mo­tion as may be; let not the cold Air, which is inimi­cal to the Sinews, afflict him; not too hot Air, for fear of inflammation. Keep the Wound oren, & if it be not wide enough, makeit wider: then use such Medicines, [Page 411] that may ease the pain, and draw forth the eruginous and fretting matter: Medicines which heat and dry without pain, is good in this case; as the Oyl of Tur­petine, Ireos, Sage, Elder; or Water, wherein Salt and Turpetine hath been boyled; the Oyl of Earth-Worms, and of the yolks of Eggs mixed; or the Oyl of Roses and Turpetine; or the Oyl of Turpetine, and of Savine mixed; or Euphorbium one drachm, boiled in two Ounces of Oyl. For which purpose, this Plaister is good: Take of the Roots of Marshmallows, the Meal of Barley, Beans, and Lentils, of eaeh a like quan­tity, as much as you think good: boil them in Lye; then put to it Oyl of Roses, Camomel, Dill, and Turpetine, of each sufficient, and a little Saffron, so make a Plaister. If the Wound will come to suppuration, heal it for­ward, and afterwards mundify it.

If the Nerve be cut, after you have observed the asorelaid general Rules, joyn the Nerve; then apply this Medicine: Take of Karth-worms prepared three drachms Horstail two drachms, Betony and Nettles in powder, of each one drachm; Olibanum three drachms: encorporate them with the slesh of Snails beaten, and ap­ply it four days, laying on some Glutinative Unguent. Take of the lesser Century, Plantane, Hounds-tongue, Mouse. ear, both the Consonds, Horse tail, and Yarrow, of each one handsal; Earth-worms a pound and an half; Oyl and Wine, of each one pound and an half; Vinegar sour ounces: stamp them, and let them infuse 7 dayes: then add the Suet of a Ram one peund, Pitch and Ro­zin, of each sour ounces: boil them to the consumption of the Wine and Vinegar; add to the straining Ammonia­cum, Gathanum, Opaponax, dissolved in Vinegar, of each 5 drachms: Turpemine one ounce and an half, Frankin­cense, Maslick, and Sarcocol, of each three drachms: Of [Page 412] Saffron two ounces; Wax, as much as needeth, to make an Unguent: Both these are much commended by Ja­cobus Weckerus.

If the Vein or Artery be cut, you must first labour to stanch the bloud: Secondly, to cure the Wound. First, the bloud may be stanched, either with, or withs out Evacuation: With Evacuation, is to open a Vein on the contrary part, and sometimes near the Wound, and to let it fly, and suddainly stop it again. To stay the bloud without Evacuation, must be performed by cupping, with scarrifying, binding and rubbing of the contrary part. Secondly, you must bridle the furious course of in by things that thicken, cool, and astonish: Things which thicken the bloud, are Rice, Lentils, Jujubees. Quinces, and all Stiptick Fruits. Cold Water drunk, or laid upon the member near the Wound, doth astonish it. It the Vein or Artery lye so that you may easily come at it, ty the end with fine silk, stitch up the Wound, and apply astrictive Powders upon it; and upon that lay on the like powder, mixed with the White of an Egg, with Stuphs. This Powder is good: Frankincense, Aloes, Terra Sigillata, Bolearmenick, and Senguis Draconis, of each equal parts; pouder them fine­ly, and with the white of an Egg, and the hairs of a Hare, let it be applyed: Or this, Take of Lapis Haemitatis one ounce; Frankincense, Mastich, Bolearmenick, Cob­webs green Galls, dried Frogs, Soot, white wall, and the Meal that lye upon the walls of Mills and Bake-houses, of each two drachms: Burnt Vitriol, Quick-lime, and Gum-Traganth, of each three drachms; the shaving of the skin of a Ram, or He-Goat, Paper-cards, the hairs of an Hare, and cotton torrified, of each one drachm: Asses dung half an ounce; make it into fine powder, and use it as the fermer. The accidental Symptomes both of this and [Page 413] other Wounds, you shall have in a Chapter by them­selves, with their Cures.

CHAP. V. Of Luxations and Fractures.

A Luxation, or Dislocation, is the slipping of a joint from his Natural Position, and proper place, into some strange and unwonted seat, whereby voluntary motion is hindered. A Fracture is a division or brea­king of the bone: the causes of the first are either outward or inward; outward causes are falls, strokes, extension, wrenching, or the like, the Patient is able to inform you. The inward causes are filthy, slimy, and Phlegmatick Humours, falling between the joynt, as it many times happeneth in the Sciatica. Causes of Fractures, are things of weight falling upon the place, or the Patient falls from on high, slippeth, or such like.

A Dislocation is known by these signs, viz. a Tumor in the part where the bone lies, a pit or cavity in the place from whence the bone is departed, great pain, a difficulty or deprivation of motion in that member. The bone broken is easily seen; but whether the Fra­cture be overthwart, or long ways, you may discern thus: If it be overthwart, by seeling you may discern the bone several, and disjoyned, the bones make a noise and crackling, when you handle each side di­versly. If it be long-ways, the former signs appear not and that part appeareth thicker then ordinary, uneven, and painful.

Of bones that slip out of their places, some are easi­ly reposed, and some more hardly; the knee easily slippeth out, and is easily put in again, the fingers and shoulders may easily be reduced. The jaw­bone, the shoulder-blade, Ostali, the heel-bone, the hand and middle of the foot do commonly knit in fourteen or one and twenty dayes: the hip in fifty dayes, and the foot in sixty, if the Patient give it rest. If in the setting the bone crack, or make a noise, and the member look like the other, it will be well, the Elbow seldom slippeth out, and is not put in againe without much trouble. If the borders of the bones are broken, it is the worse. If a wound, Inflammati­on, a violent paine accompany the Luxation, it is dangerous and hard to be cured. If it hath continu­ed long, and is grown Callous, it is hard to be cur­ed. If a Child happen to have a dislocation, and it be not reduced, the member groweth little or nothing.

Likewise in a fracture the bones of the Armes, Leggs, Thighs and Fingers are not very dangerous, the farther from the head the better. A fracture accompanied with violent pain, Inflammation, wound in the flesh, or contusion, is very bad, because it cannot be dealt withall, till those accidents be first removed. In declining age, and Cholerick persons the cure is difficult; in very aged persons impossible, the older the Patient is, the worse, a rib broken is dangerous. The breach of the bone or Gristle of the nose is bad, worse if the flesh be wounded. In a fracture of the scul these are dangerous symptomes; when the membrane is unmoveable, black or evil-coloured: loss of wits, resolution or distension of the Ne [...]ves. A Transverse fracture is most tolerable: a slope fracture [Page 415] with loose fragments is worse, but if it be sharp pointed, it is worst of all. The scull asketh thirty dayes to be joyned: the Arme and Leggs fourty dayes, the Cubit thirty, a rib one and twenty, the Showlder and Thigh fourty, the bone of the nose is joyned in eight or ten dayes.

For the cure, first of a dislocation, the bone must be stretched out, and compelled to its proper place. But the operation must be warily and variously hand­led, according to the nature of the part, and the dis­position, scituation, and knitting of the bones, ten­dons, and Nerves. Sometimes it may be done by the hand, and sometimes not without hands and Engines: when it is in, you must labour to keep it so, by strengthening the member, anoint it with the oyle of Roses, Myrtles, and Mastich, then lay on a linnen Cloath dipped first in oyle of Roses, upon that Cloths wet in the white of an Egg, and put upon it some astringent Powders: then rowle it up with Clothes wet in Water and Vinegar, then splent it with stiffe Leather or Pastboard, bind it not too hard for feare of inflammation, then leave it so seaven or ten dayes, unlesse any symptome arise. Then open it and bathe it with warme water, to discusse the superfluities and ease pain, and do it up as before, and bind it a little harder. If there be inflammation, wound, or fracture with the dislocation it is dangerous, and many times the placeing of the bone must be deferred till the in­flammation be eased; if it be with a wound or fracture, the following discourse of the cure of fractures will instruct you. If any Callous bardnesse be gathered between the Luxated bones, the place must be so­mented with the decoction of Marsh and common-Mallowes; or afterwards it must be anointed with the [Page 416] unguent of Marsh Mallowes, and lay on a Payster of Diachilon Magnum.

A fracture must be thus dealt with, viz. let the Patient sit or lye in a place convenient, or such as the nature of the member requireth, let two with their hands, one under the member, and the other above, or one to the left hand, the other to the right joyne the broken bone: if you have need of more force, prepare large Tyalls of Linnen, and let two draw one one way, and the other another, and pull the member as much as is needfull; but beware of violent pulling and extension of the member, least vehement pain, Fevers, Convulsions, and resoluti­ons be procured: when the bone is in its place and joyned, labour to keep it so, and bind it up as is taught before in binding up of a dislocation, and lay it best for the Patients case: open it not in fifteen dayes, unlesse pain, Inflammation, Itching, or some such like symptome; in the mean while foment the member round about it with the Oyle of Roses, Myrtels and Mastick. After fifteen dayes open it again, and foment it with Wine, wherein Worm-wood, Roses, and a little Salt hath been boyled, and bind it up as before, till seven dayes be past, then open it againe, and apply Emplastrum Oxycroceum upon it. If the fracture be in the lower parts, move not the bel­ly by Clister or otherwise, if the body be full of blood open a vein, because it hinders defluxions. In the beginning let his diet be but slender, after the tenth day let him eat freely of such things as ingender thick, and cleaving juyces, as Rice, Wheat, the in­trailes of Sheep, and the feet of Calves, and Sheep, and such like.

If there be a contusion with the fracture, you must not roule up the member as before you are taught, but slopewise on either side of the contusion, that so you may come to dresse the contusion, and not open tho member, the like you may do if there be a wound; but if there be any small splints that prick the member, they must be taken out before. If you find that the Callus grow not fast enough, apply such things as draw nourishment to the place: as warm-water, moderate frications, and a Plaister of Pitch. If it grow over great, apply that which may diminish i [...], rub it much, and apply a plate of Lead to the part. If it be inflamed, [...]oment the part with warm-water, and Oyl of Roses, and such things which are appropriated to allay such distempers: and apply no splents till the inflammation be removed. If the part be vexed with Itch, or Pustules, anoint it with unguentum populeon, diapompholigos or album. If the part gangrene, scarrifie it, and deale with it, as you shall be taught in its proper place.

CHAP. VI. Of Accidents commonly happening to woun­ed persons.

I Should first begin with immoderate bleeding, be­ing commonly the first Accident; but to avoid needlesse repetitions, I shall referr the Reader to the fourth Chapter of this book, where I have sufficiently performed this task.

If immoderate pain vex the Patient, as many times it doth; Simples mitigating pain, may be made use of, viz. common Oyle, the Oyle of Roses, and Pop­pyes, the crums of Wheaten bread, steeped in hot water, the white of an egg, Women's or Cows-milk, Sheeps grease, you may make compound medicines of the root of Night shade, finely powdered, and Hogs-grease, make an oyntmnt, or you may use un­guentum è Solano, or the white of an egg, and Stip­tick Wine, and such like. Then you must consider if the distemper be hot or cold; if hot, whether it is of the whole body or the part only: if the whole bo­dy be distempered, it is a Fever, and you must seek the cure in the second book; if the distemper be in the Member only, foment it with the decoction of Plantane, Roses, and such like, with the Oyl of Roses, unguentum album, populeon, &c: if the mem­ber suffer by a cold distemper, which you may know by the swart colour, loosnesse, and softnesse of the part; then you must apply heating medicines: un­guentum Basilicon, will do very well in this case.

If a Convulsion happeneth, you must consider what is the cause: if repletion, or fullnesse of phlegm be the cause, let the place wherein he lyeth be natu­rally, or art ficially hot, and dry: let him lye free from perturbation, and trouble, let his sleep be mo­derate, and only in the night. Let him be very moderate and sparing in his Diet, which ought to be rere Eggs, Barly, Cream, the flesh of Chickens, Ca­pons and Hens; Raisons, Pine-Kernells, sweet-Al­monds; of hearbs, Sage, wild Time, Hysop, Marja­rome and such like. Let the phlegmatick humor be purged, and the convulsed part anointed, with the oyle of Nard, Bays, Castor, Rue, Nutmeggs, &c. [Page 419] Vesalius commendeth this following oyntment: Take of oyle of sweet-Almonds, Hens grease, and the marrow of Calves feet, of each nine drachms; oyle of Violets six ounces; the fat of a Kid and Calfe, of each fifteen ounces: boyle them in the decoction of Mallowes, the root of March-Mallowes, and the seeds of Quinces, till it be consumed, then strain it and bring it into the form of a Liniment. If Convulsion come by repletion of blood, and inflammation, open the middle vein, and draw blood at severall times, give Clysters, and deal with this inflammation as with another. If empti­nesse be the cause of Convulsion, direct a moist diet; rest of body and mind and much sleep. To the diet aforesaid add small stone fishes, let his drink be Bar­ly-water, and if a little Liquoris and Cinamon be sodden therein, it will be the better, herbs proper for him are Lettice, Spinach, Arach, Borage, Buglosse, Mallow, and such like; of fruits, Melons, Gourds, Damask Prunes, Peaches, ripe Grapes, &c. The conserve of Violetts, Borage, Buglosse, Diatraganthum frigidum, and bathe his body or the part with warm water and oyle, or anoint with the oyle of sweet Almonds. Be sure to remember to have respect to the greatnesse of the disease, the season of the yeare, the age, strength, and constitution of the Pa­tient.

Swooning often happening to wounded persons, if vioient pain be the cause, labour to appease the pain, you have rules enough before going. If it be occa­sioned by unmeasurable Evacuation, cast Rose-water or cold water into his face, use strong Ligatures and fricarions to the extream parts.

If some venemous quality, by reason of a bite of some venemous Creature, or wound with some ve­nemous [Page 420] weapon, be the cause of this symptome, you must seek the remedy in the third Chapter.

If Raving and Madnesse happen, appoint a mean diet betwixt hot and cold; labour to provoke sleep, to loosen the belly, and to expell all perturbations of the mind. If the body abound with blood, and no­thing forbid it, open a vein: then alter and prepare the humors with Juleps, made of the syrup of Roses, Violets, Water-Lillyes, Poppyes, and Endive: then empty the body with Manna, Cassia, or some such gentle thing: or with an Emollient Clister; but a­bove all, have a speciall regard to the wound, be­cause pain there may be the cause, therefore let it be often opened, and bathed with Vinegar, and oyle of Roses, or something that may powerfully appease the pain.

If the Palsie happen you must be very circumsp [...]ct, and appoint such a Diet, as for the Convulsion; let his drink be honyed water, and boyle therein Sage, and Cinamon: or this, Take of Cinamon two ounces, Ginger, half an ounce: graine of Paradice, Galanga and long Pepper, of each one drachm: Cardamoms one drachm, and an halfe; Nutmegs, Cloves and Mace, of each one drachm: boyle them in water to the wasting of a third part, strain it, and sweeten it, and let the Patient drink two or three ounces in a morning. For medi­cines internall, or externall go to the seventh Chap­ter of the second book.

If the wounded person be costive, and he begin to suffer prejudice thereby, give him some Lenitive medicines, or a suppository. If he suffer by stoppage of Urine, give him somwhat, which gently provoketh Urine: see the 68 Chapter of the second book. If Vomiting happen, and it ceaseth not in due season, [Page 421] Take Leaven, half a pound, the juyce of Mint extract­ed with Vinegar, as much as is needfull, boyle them in to the form of a Cataplasm, lay it warm to the Stomach. If the Patient feel heat, and astonishing about the wound, anoint the wo [...]nd with the oyle of Camphire▪ If the wound swelleth with heat, and pilleth under the finger, boyle Water-Cresses, and Water-Lillyes in Rose Vinegar and apply it. If there appeare the Flux of the Sinews, which is a viscous liquor from the Nerves; dresse it with a vulnery oyle, and lay on Emplastrum Sticticum. If the wound putrifie, and goeth back from healing, swelleth with heat, looks black, blew, or swart, Take of Litharge, one pound; Allum one pound and an half; Salt two ounces; Fran­kinsence four ounces; Roman Gum five ounces; of Wine, Water, and Vinegar, of each one pound, boyle them a quarter of an hour, and apply it warm. If there grow a Pustulous Fistula, that is when the wound is heal­ed too soon, without any firm foundation, so that it putrifie underneath, and break out again, in this case Paracelsus adviseth this Cerat to be used. Take of common oyle, Virgin Wax, and Litharge of Gold in Pow­der of each one pound: boyle them together into the formes of a Cerate, to which add Opoponax prepared with Vinegar, and Mummy, of each three ounces; Ari­stolochia, Mastick, Frankinsence, and Mirrh, of each half an ounce: Turpetine three ounces: Oyle of Bayes two ounces: Camphire two drachms: mix them upon the fire, afterwards make it up with oyle of Camomel. So much for the generall cure of wounds, and their accidents.

CHAP. VII. Of Sanguine Tumors.

FIrst Phlegmon is a Tumor begotten of pure blood, and is for the most part incident to the fleshy parts; the Antecedent cause is abundance of blood. In which Tumor are three things considerable, first the part that sendeth it, either by reason of its plen­ty, strength, or streightnesse of passages; Secondly, the part receiving it, either by reason of weaknesse, largenesse or opening of the passages, or by the low­nesse of its scituation. Thirdly, the part drawing it, which it doth either through heat or pain within it. The conjoyned cause is much blood in the part, which before it cometh to suppuration, causeth a Tu­mor, Rednesse, heat, and pain: but when it is sup­purate, the Tumor is soft, yielding and growing to a point, a pricking and beating pain: last of all the skin breaketh, and the pus issueth out: somtimes if the humors be thin, and the skin of the same nature, the Tumor may be resolved without suppuration.

To this Tumor happeneth evill accidents som­times, if the Chirurgion want care or skill. Some­times it turneth to corruption, and is seen by its lea­den black colour, and stinking savor. Somtimes the matter maketh a regression, and the Tumor dimi­nisheth, but the whole body is inflamed with a Feaver and such like accidents. And somtimes it turneth into a Schirrhous hardnesse.

In the cure the Antecedent cause must be first re­moved. Therefore first let the Chirurgion open the Liver-vein, or any other vein, which he finds hath [Page 423] more affinity with the sending part; if he see good, he may bleed him in the opposite part for a revulsion, and derive the matter to some part adjacent, by cup­ping, frication, or Ligatures; and apply to the part affected medicines that cool and repell or beat back the flowing humors; and of this sort are these simples. Acatia, Vinegar, Balaustines, Bolearme­nick, Camphite, sealed Earth, Myrtles, Pome-granate Peels, unripe Grapes, Vine-leaves, the leaves of Cy­prus, Plantane, Oake, Sumach, Night-shade, Hen­bane, Housleeke, Lettuce, Purslane, Roses, and such like. Of these you may make somentations, or Ca­taplasmes, to be used in the beginning of the Tumor, to hinder and beat back the blood, which floweth to feed it. Take this caution that in some cases, these medicines ought not to be medled with, to wit when the humor is Malignant, or thick; or if the Tumor be Criticall: Or upon some of the Glandulous parts.

Next you must deale with the conjoyned cause, or the blood impact in the part affected. If you judgo that the blood is thin, and apt to be discussed, dis­cussing medicines are to be applyed. This Cataplasm is good: Take the leaves of Mallows, Melilot and Ca­momell, of each one handfull: the seeds of Dill, Flax, and Fenugreek, of each half an ounce, boyle them to the Con­sumption of the Water, then beat them in a Stone-Morter; and add to it the oyle of Dill, and Camomell, of each one ounce: a little Honey and Leaven, and make it into the form of a Cataplasm. But if the matter be thick, and not fit to be discussed, then labour to bring it to suppuration. For which these Simples are proper, Warm water, Butter, Wheaten Bran, or Wheaten bread, the grease of an Hogg, Calfe, Goose, &c. Grease [Page 424] tryed from the Wool of a Sheep, Rozin, Pitch, Figs, Saffron, Frankinsence, &c. Of these you may make Cataplasms, and remove them twice a day. If the hot intemperature doth stirr up a Fever, let the diet be ordered, and such medicines administred, as the nature of the Fever requireth; see the second book, among the Chapters of Feavers; when you find it very soft, and well suppurated, open it with a Lancet, where it is softest, and in the most convenient place for the matter to come forth; afterwards mundifie, incarnate and Cicatize it.

A Carbuncle is a Sanguine Tumor, the antecedent cause of it is black, thick, hot and faculent blood, flow­ing to the place: the conjoyned cause is the settling of the blood in the part as you have heard before. The signes of a Carbuncle are sometimes but one, and somtimes many small pustu'es like burnt blisters, which being broken, a crusty Ulcer ensueth. If it be pestilentiall, the crust is black or Ash colour, about it rednesse, Inflammation and grevious pain; the Pa­tient is troubled with Loathing, Vomiting, losse of Appetite, Palpitation of the heart, and Swoon­ing.

Carbuncles for the most part are attendants of the Plague, and Epidemicall causes. If they come upon the Emunctuories, there is very great danger, lest the venemons humors fall upon some principall part. If it break out about the Stomach, or Jaws, there is dan­ger of Choaking. If the colour be first Red, after Yellowish, it is laudable, but if it be black or blew it is dangerous; If the accidents which accompany the disease vanish, there is hepes.

In the cure, first have regard to the antient cause which is thick hot blood, and must be altered and evacuated, to alter the quality of the blood, give him broath of Chickens, with Lettice, Purslane, Pomegranates, and Lemons; and his drink Barly-Water: give him medicines cooling and concocting: as Juleps made of syrup of Vinegar, Pomegranates, Citrons, Lemons and Endive; and the distilled water of Lettice, Purslane, and the like. But if the Pesti­lence be present, you must have respect to the ma­lignity, and give such medicines which strengthen the Heart and Vitalls: See the 90. Chapter of the se­cond Book; the quantity must be diminished, ether by blood-letting, cupping, or medicines, as gentle Purges or Clisters; in all which be well advised, if the Plague be present. If there be a great fluxion of blood to the part, lay on discutients and repressings: discutients you have before. Take this caution that you apply gentle ones in the beginning, and stronger when the matter is gathered, to lay defensives to the adjacent parts, as the Oyntment of Roses, Bolearme­nick, or the oyle of Mittles and Vinegar; also at­tractives are convenient, as hot Bread, the warm Lungs of beasts new killed, the taile of a Cock made bare, and a little Salt put into it and applyed, or young Pidgeons slit alive and applyed warm. The cause conjoyned must be taken away by Chirurgions, or Medicine: first scatifying of the Tumor (if nothing (orbid it) deeply, and wash it with warm-water Hors­leeches are good. When the matter cannot be dispers­ed, or otherwis delt with, you must apply such things as have an altering, or ripening quality, as is aforesaid. If the Carhuncle be very venemous, this is commended viz.

Take a great Onion, and cut off the head of it, and pick out the core or middle part; fill the hollow place with good Venice Treacle, pasle on the head again with a little Leaven, and roast it in the Embers: when it is soft pill it, and beat it in a Morter, and apply it warm to the Sore, and renew it every 6 hours.

This Cataplasm is much commended. Take of Onions, and Garlick heads, of each of them four; one Lilly Root, the Seed of Flax, and Fenugreek, of each one spoonful: Snails, with their sh [...]ls, four or five; sour Figs: Leaven as much as a Walnut, Barrows grease as much as two Walnuts; beat them all in a Morter very well, warm it and apply it.

Then you must mundifie and heal it; but if there remain a crusty Escar, you must resolve it; for which purpose this Plaister is good.

Take the flower of Wheat and Barley, of each three ounces, with the decoction of Mallows, Violets, and Al­thea Roots, and make it into a solid Plaister: then add to it fresh Butter, and Hogs grease, of each two ounces, the yolks of two new laid Eggs.

This mollifieth the crustiness, and caseth pain. If it be corrupt and putrified, you must make use of incisi­on, cautery, or hot Iron.

Gangrena is a mortification of any part, occasioned by exceeding inflammation, but not fully accomplish­ed, but some sense remaineth. Sphacelus is when the part is utterly deprived of senle, & is mortified: so that if it be stricken, burnt, or lanced, it feeleth no hurt. The fleshy parts are not onely subject to this, but even the Nerves and Bones. The cause is adust bloud, flowing to, or lodged in the part. Outward causes are cold Air, or Medicines, unmeasurable Heat, or Ve­nome, Ligatures, Compressions, Contusions.

Gangrena is known by the loss of sense, though not wholly, black or swartish colour; there is pain, heat, and beating of the Atteries. In Sphacelus, there is a to­tal loss of sense, black colour, putrified, stinking, rot­ten; being pressed, yieldeth to the bottom, and retur­neth not.

The first is difficult to cure; the other more, and not without cutting, when the Bones and Sinews are affected it is incurable: unless it be cured in the be­ginning, the part affected dyeth, and it creepeth to the near parts, to the destruction of the whole Bo­dy.

In the Cure, first temper the bloud by a cooling Diet as before, and give preparing Juleps, such as are afore prescribed. Diminish the same by bloud-letting, if nothing forbid it, and by gentle Purges; as Cassia Fistula, Tamarinds, Fumitory, Catholicon, Diaprunum, Lenitive, and the like. Lay repressing Medicines to the parts round about: Take of the Oyl of Roses and Myrrh, of each three ounces and an half, the Juyce of Plantane and Nightshade, of each two Ounces, boyl them to the consumption of the Juyces: add to it white Wax one Ounce and an half, the Meal of Beans, Lentils, and Barley, of each half an Ounce; of all the Sanders, two drachms and an half, Bolearmenick one Ounce, the Pow­der of Myrtles one drachm; mixe them for a defen­sive.

Give the Patient such things inwardly, as chear the Heart, and revive the Spirits.

This done, draw up your forces against the conjoy­ned cause: and first, if nothing prohibit, bleed your Patient, and scarifie the place, and wash it with Wa­ter and Salt: cut the member, or burn it with a hot Iron, and leave nothing that is putrified, to preserve the rest of the Body: then apply Medicines, whose property is to dry and resolve.

Quercetanus preseribes two Unguants of great force for the purpose: Take of Honey two Ounces, Crocus Martis, and Crocus Veneris, of each half an Ounce; Myrrh, and Round-Dirthwort, of each one Drachm: Camphire, one Drachm and an half; the Phlegme of Vitriol six Ounces: Boil them to the consistence of an Unguent: then add of Mercury Precipitate half an Ounce, and make an Unguent. Or this, Take of But­ter of Arsenick two Ounces, Mercury precipitate half an Onnce: Oyl of Myrrh two Drachms: Mixe them with Honey, being first washed with the juyce of Celan­dine.

When the putrifaction cealeth to go any farther, remove the Escar, as you were taught before: then mundifie and heal it.

CHAP. VIII. Of Cholerick Tumors.

FIrst, Erysipelas, or ignis Sacer, is a Cholerick Fluxion, chiefly consisting betwixt, or about the skins. The antecedent cause is Choller, abounding and flowing to the part. The conjoyned cause is the same Humour there setled. The first is known by a Cholerick Constitution and Diet. The second is known by great heat, small Tumour, reddish or yel­low colour, soon vanishing in touching, and quickly returning: The pain is not with pulsation and bea­ting, but biting and pricking, and the Patient is sensi­ble of the motion of a Tertian Feaver. Erysipelas about the head is a hard thing to cure, and it easily gets into the Face, and there spreadeth: for the flesh there is thin, and the humour light and active. If it happen to the Womb of a woman with child, it is deadly: if it lye near the bone, it is dangerous: if it return from the outward parts to the inward, it is ve­ry evil: the like judge, if it come to suppuration, which it seldom doth, but is sent forth by transpira­tion.

First, order the Air to be cool and moist, where your Patient lodgeth, and his Diet of the same na­ture. Bleed not, unless bloud be mixed with Choller, which is called Erysipelas Phlegmonosum: Then pre­pare the Humours with Tuleps convenient, made of the Syrups of Vinegar Simple, Bugloss, Maiden-hair, [Page 430] Violets, Water-Lillies, Endive, and Succory, and their distilled Waters, or others of the like nature. When you have prepared the humour, purge it either by Clister, or Potion. This Potion is much commen­ded: Take of the best Rubarb four seruples, the Flowers of Violets and Borrage, of each one drachm, the decoction of Tamarinds, sufficient: insuse the Flowers and Rbubarb ten hours, strain them, and dissolve therein Diacatholicon three drachms, Syrrup of Roses two ounces, and make a Potion. Vesalius. You may alter, or make variety of Potions, as you see occasion: Or empty your body with this Clister; Take Marsh and common Mallows, Violet leaves, Camomel, and Lettice, of each one handful; the seeds of Anise, Fennel, and the four great cold seeds, of each one drachm; the flowers of Borage, Bugless, Violets, and Water-Lillies, of each one Pugil; Polypodium, and Senna, of each one ounce: make a Decoction to a pint; of which add of Cassia one ounce; Diacatholicon, half an ounce, Oyl of Violets, two ounces, make a Cli­ster.

Add strength and aid to the part, by cooling and repelling Medicines, viz. Epithems, and Liniments, made of the juyce or distilled Water of Night-shade, Housleek, Stonecrop, Fleabane, and Henbane, Pur­flane, Lettice, Endive, Succory, and such like; the Oyl of Roses, and Water-Lillies, Vinegar, Sanders, the White of Eggs, the Musilage of Quince seeds, &c. Compounds are the Unguent of Roses, or Refrigerans Galeni, and such like.

The conjoyned cause must be removed by Medi­cines, which have power to evacuate and discuss; Take of the Litharge of Gold one ounce, washed Ceruse six drachms, the juyce of Plantane, and Womans milk, of each [Page 431] one ounce and an half, Oyl of Roses three ounces, white wax, as much as sufficieth to make an Unguent.

There are other Yumonis, which do commonly asso­ciate with Erysipelas, viz. Herpes Exedens, or Milia­ris, which are called Chollerick Pushes, and the Shin­gles. The first is caused of a thick and sharp [...] of yellow Choller, slowing into the part which doth feed upon, and eat the skin. Herpes Miliaris are small Pa­stules rising upon the [...]kin, like the seeds of Millet from whence it hath its name: It is caused of yellow Choller, mixed with thin Phlegm. These, Humours abounding in the body will declare.

The cure of these, differ little from the former; ap­point the same Dier and Medicines, externally and internally, making this difference: In the first, let the Medicines preparing be more cutting, and the purging Medicines stronger, because of the thickness of the Humour; and let the outward Medicines be more powerfully discutient. In the cure of Herpes Miliaris, observe the same Diet, to your Preparatives, and such things as cut Phlegm: To your Purges, such as purge Phlegme. Extemal Medicines may by an easie Brain be regulated, little differing from the former. This Cataplasm is very good: Take of Pidgcons Dung fresh, as much as you please: mix it with Wheaten flower, and apply it cold, and cover it with a Colewort Leafe; renew it twice in 24 hours.

CHAP. IX. Of Flegmatick Tumours.

OEdema is a loose Tumor without pain, procee­ding of Phlegmatick Humours, flowing into some part. The Tumor is loose and soft, yieldeth to the finger, and retaineth the pit after the finger is gone.

This Disease is more prone to Resolution, than Suppuration: sometimes it turneth to Nodes and Knots in the flesh.

Order your Patient with a Diet, contrary in quality to the Disease, viz. Heating, drying, and making thin. Then prepare the Humour for Evacuation; these Simples are good: Betony, Sage, Hysop, Balm, Polymountain, Penyroyal, Calamint, Origanum, Margarom, Southernwood, Mint, Wormwood, Ger­mander, Groundpine, Cowslips, Agrimony, Maiden­hair, the cold Seeds, Lignum Vitae, the Roots of Cy­prus, Acorus, Ireos, Galanga, Elicampane, Smallage, Parsley, Grass, Asparagus, Butchers Broom, Fenel, &c. Of these you may make Compound Medicines, to pre­pare the Humors for purging. This Apozem is of good virtue: Take the Root of Ireos, and Galanga, of each 6 drachms Smallage, Parsley, and Asparagus, of each one ounce; of Betony, Balm, Germander, Groundpine, and Maidenhair, of each one handful; the Seeds of An­nise, Fenel, Caraway, and Cummin, of each two ounces; the seed of Melones 6 drachms; of Raisins stoned two [Page 423] [...]unces, the seed of Carthamus two ounces, Senna one ounce and an half, the Flowers of Broom, red Ci [...]ers, Ste­chas, and Bugloss, of each one pugil: make a decoction, of which take two pound, and dissolvt therein Honey of Ro­ses, and Syrup of Wormwood, of each two ounces; Sugar as much as sufficeth, Aromaticum Rosatum two drachms and an half; make an Apozem, and clarifie it for 6 Do­ses.

When the Humoes are thus prepared, you must come to purging them with such Medicines, as purge the Phlegmatick Humours: the next Book will furnish you with store of such Medicines, so that I need nor here insert them. Outwardly sortifie the part with this or the like Unguent. Take of Bolearmenick, and Acatia, of each one ounce, Cyperus half an ounce, Aloes and Myrrh, of each five drachms, Saffron half a drachm, the juyce of Coleworts two ounces, Oyl of Roses four ounces, Vinegar one drachm and an half; Wax sufficient, to make an Unguent. Concerning the matter impact in the parts, you must consider whether it be thin, and may be resolved; or thick and subject to suppuration,

If the Humor be thin, lay on this, or a Plaister of this nature.

Take of Cow Dung one pound and an half, Olibanum, Styrax, Moss of Trees, Calamus, Atomaticus, Spicknard, Wormwood, of each half an ounce; make them up with Vinegar, and the decoction of Coleworts into the sorm of a plaister.

If you find the matter will come to suppuration, ap­ply this Plaister.

Take of Mallows, Trank Ursint, the Root of Lillies, Onions, Snails, Leaven, and Flax Seed, of each a like quantity sufficientl; boil them, and beat them in a Mor­ter, [Page 434] with Hogs grease, or fresh Butter, to the form of a Plaister.

If you fear that the Humours may suffer in the mean while, provide internal and external Medicines for the same: Take of Conserve of the Flowers of Stechas, and Rosemary, of each one ounce; of the Rinds of Citrons preserved half an ounce, Emblicks, and Mirabo­lans preserved two drachms, Species Diacinnamon two scruples with Syrup of Citron Peels, make an Electuary; whereof let the Patient take the quantity of a Nut an hour before meat,

The Aposthume being ripe, open it with an hot Iron, or Coustick; then mundifie it with Unguentum Apostolorum, or cleanse it with this following Un­guent: Take of Galbanum, Ammoniacum, Rozin, Tur­petine, Pitch, Bullocks Tallow, and Oyl, of each a like quantity: Dissolve the Gums in Vinegar, and then let them hoil a little with the rest upon the fire. Afterwards incarnate and cicatrize it as you do other Ulcers.

Out of this Phlegmatick Humour is sometimes ingendred a flatuous and windy Tumor, which is ga­thered either under the skin, or under the mem­branes, which cover and cloath the Bones and Mus­cles.

They appear with a certain brightness and shining, resist the touch; and being smitten, sound like a Bladder: the pain is extensive, and stretching. Let his Drink be such, as expels and prevents such Hu­mours. Let the Humours be prepared by Wine, ex­pelling Julips, and the Body emptied by Carminative, and Clisters, and convenient Purges.

Then you must attenuate, discuss, and scatter the conjoyned Cause; these Simples are fit for the pur­pose, Anise, Fenol, Dill, Caraway, Carots, Commin, [Page 435] Siler Montauum, Smallage, Parsley, Rue, Bay-Berries, Oyl of Rue, Bays, Flowerdeluce, Nard, Spike, Nuts, Euphorbium, and such like. Of these, and other In­gredients of the like nature, are many Unguents and Plaisters formed.

Take of the Oyl of Camomel, Dill, Bitter Almonds, and Rue, of each one ounce; the Seed of Annise, Fenel, Car­rots, Caraway, Arreos, and Rue, of each half an ounce: White-wine three ounces: Boil it to the consumption of the White-wine; strain it, and add Wax sufficent to make an Unguent.

The expert Chirurgeon ought to compound and alter his Unguents, Plaisters, and all his Medicines, according to the constitution of the Patient, and na­ture of the Tumor; for which it is impossible to lay down certain Rules. Give inwardly Diacinnamom, Diacalamenthum, Aromaticum, Rosatum, Diagalan­ga, Dianisum, and such like; and lay a Plaister of the same nature to the stomach. If a Watry Tumor is ingendred in any part, or all over the body, see the 58th Chap. of the 2d Book.

Struma is a Tumor, in which, underneath, certain Glandules made of Matter and Bloud, and inclosed with a Membrane do grow: They have their place for the most part about the Neck, Arm-holes, and sometimes in other places. The principal cause is Flegmatick Humors: sometimes falls, [...]oaks, or great Surfeits may be the cause. They that have narrow and short Fore-heads, flat Temples, and broad Jaws, are subject to this Disease. This Tumor seldom comes to suppuration, if it doth, it gathereth again. The greater the Tumor, and the deeper it is rooted, the harder the Cure.

For the Cure of the Struma, or Kings evill appoint a diet, that will heat, dry, and attenuate; then pre­pare the humors. Take of Oxymell compounded, sy­rup of Staechas, honey of Roses, of each half an ounce: the distiled water of Scabius and fumitory, of each one ounce: mix it for one dose, and take thereof as often as need requireth. Then purge with Diaphaenicon, Diacatholicon, Indi majoris, Hiera piera, Pill Cochiae, de agarico, and such like. It is good also to cleanse the blood by Urine: Take of Pilewort three handfull, Philipendula two handfulls, pimpernell, Mouseare, Tan­sie, Red Coleworts, Madder, of each one headfull: the Roots of Fennell, Parsly, round Birthwort, Raddish, and stinking Gladwin, of each half a handful, the seed of Nettles, Juniper, and Bay-berryes, of each one drachm; boyle them in Wite-Wine to the Consumpoion of half, sweeten it with Honey, give every second or third day three ounces in the morning. If the conjoyned cause be fit to be resolved, then use meanes that can molli­fie, attenuate, disperse and sepetate: such as is Diachy­lon, Commune, and Magnum, Diapalma, many un­guents, Liniments, and Plaisters may be made for the purpose aforesaid, which I heare omit. If the matter be unfit for resolution, then have you two wayes to empty it, that is suppuration, and incision. This plaister is good to ripen it. Take the roots of Marsh-Mallows, and Lillyes, of each one pound, boyle them soft, and beat them in a Morter: Garlick and Onyons boyled, of each three ounces, the oyle of Lillyes and Bus­ter, of each two ounces, Hogs grease, and Goose grease, of each two ounces and an half, the Meale of Wheat, Fenugreek and Flax seed, sufficient, the Yolks of two Eggs make a plaister, when it is ripe open it with an instrument, or ruptory of Chantharides or Arsnick. [Page 437] If it appeare filthy, cleanse it with Unguentum Aposto­lorum, Egyptiacum, or such like, afterwards incarnate and Cicatrize it. If it submit not to medicines, it must be taken out by manuall operation, which only be­longeth to an expert and able Chirurgion: seeing the whole cure is difficult, and ought to be managed by an able brain, and skillfull hand, I omitt any further discourse of it, it being my taske principally to instruct people of mean Capacity.

There are three other phlegmatick Tumors, which lye under the generall notion: the first is called A­theroma, and is a Tumor without pain and change of colour, which is a humor contained in the mem­braines or Nervous Coats: it is clammy like sodden Meale, Starch, and somtimes mixed (as it were) with haires, peeces of bones, &c. Meliseras is a Tumor somwhat thinner, and almost of the sub­stance of Hony, otherwise agreeing with the for­mer. Steatoma is much like the two former, save that the humor contained is like suet, and the Tu­mor doth encrease, and is much enlarged in processe of time; the inward causes of them all are Fleg­matick humors, with which the body doth abound. The first is thus known, the Tumor is long and ridg­ed; being pressed, returneth to its place again but slowly, by reason of the clammynesse of the humor; the second Tumor is rounder and thinner, being pressed, yieldeth and returneth speedily; the last is hard, yieldeth not to the pressing of the finger, for the humor is like Suet.

The first must be dealt with by corrosives and inci­sion; the second by discutients, corrosives, and in­cision; [Page 438] the last no otherwise but by incisi­on alone.

The diet, preparatives, and purges, which are pro­per for Oedema, are here to be used. If you find the Tumor fit for resolution, apply discussive plaisters, a plaister made of Cyclamen is much commended.

Take of Cyclamen, otherwise called Sowbread, as much as you pleass, Hogs-grease and Brimstone of each equall parts, beat them into the form of a plaister. If it will not be resolved, consume it with eating medicines: among many of this nature, this following is com­mended.

Take of the Scales or flower of Brasse half an ounce, of red Arsenick, and black Ellebore, of each two drachms, with Oyle of Roses; make a plaister; make a deep eschar, and make incision through it, and ap­ply a Caustick.

The Cure may be performed only by incision, but the Chirurgion must beware that the Tunicle, which holdeth the matter be not broken, lest some part of the humor be left, to the hinde­rance of his operation.

CHAP. X. Of Melancholly Tumors.

THe true and Legitimate Scirrhus is a Tumor hard, without pain, yet sensible. The antece­dent cause is Melancholy, abounding in the body; the conjoyned cause is the humor fixed in the part. The first is known by the Melancholly constitution of the Patient; a diet and course of life, which is apt to breed Melancholly. The second, viz. the conjoyn­ed cause is known by a Tumor hard and scarce yeild­ing to the touch, in colour between red and black, of dull sense.

These Tumors if they be timely and carefully dealt with, may be cured by resolution: Some­times they become indurate, and somtimes they de­generate into a Cancer.

Let the Patient live in a Temperate aire, let him use moderate exercise, and avoid excessive affecti­ons and passions of the mind, let his body be kept soluble, and let his meat be such as is of good nou­rishment, and easie digesture, and let him therein be moderate.

Let the Melancholly humors be prepared by Ju­leps made of the syrups of Fumitory, Borrage, Buglose [Page 440] Endive, Succory, Rubarb, Harts-tongue, Epithymum, and Vinegar, with their distilled waters. This A­pozem is very effectuall.

Take the root and leaves of Sorrell, Borrage, Buglosse, and Fumitory, the leaves of Maidenhaire, Succory, En­dive, Dandelion, and Hops, of each one handfull; Balm, half a handfull, the four great cold seeds beaten, of each two drachms, the seed of Purslane two drachm; Anise and Fenell, of each one drachm, Raisons of the Sun stoned six drachms, Polypody, one ounce; Senna one ounce and an half; Time and Epithymum, of each two drachms; the Flowers of Violets, Borrage, and Bug­losse, of each one pugill, make a decoction, in two pound of which dissolve the juice of Odoriferous Apples, and of Buglosse, of each four ounces, boyle it againe to a pint and an half, then sweeten it with Sugar, as much as is con­venient: Clarifie it, then Aromatize it with the Powder, Diamargariton Frigidum, and Diatr [...]aganthum Frigi­dum, of each one drachm; make an Apozem for four Doses.

The humor prepared, purge it with such things as purge Melancholly; these simples are proper; Sena, Polypodium, Epithemum, Fumitory, Cassia, Lapis Lazuli, and Mitabolans, black Hellebore, and such like. Look for compound Melancholly Purgers in the next book.

The conjoyned humor must be dealt with by such things as soften, seperate, and discusse, as the grease tryed out of flank Wooll, Butter, the oyle of Almonds, Camomel, Dill, Lillyes, &c: the fat of a Cock, a Duck, Goose, Fox, Bear, Lyon, Sow, Calfe, Stag, Eagle, Vulture, Bee-Glew, Wax, fat Figgs, Marsh and Common Mallows, Lillyes, Branck ursine. [Page 441] Ammmoniacum, Bdellium, Galbanum, Styrax, Tarr, Rozin, and such like, of which you may make unguents and plaisters. This plaister of Calmeteus is of great virtue. Take of fat Figgs, in Number twelve, boyle and stamp them, Ammoniacum, Bdellium, Gal­banum, dissolved in Vinegar, of each two ounces, Li­quid Styran, one ounce, the Musilage of Ma [...]sh-Mallow roots, of the seed of Flax, and Fenugreck, of each two ounces, Oesipus and fresh Butter, of each one ounce, oyle of Lillyes three ounces, with Wax as much as suffic­eth; make a Plaister.

A Cancer is a hard, unequall, round, and venem­ous Tumor; of a black colour, hoe and painfull: it is called in Greek [...] and [...], it hath this name for these reasons, first because the veins about it, filled with Melancholly blood, are stretch­ed out like unto the feet of the Crab fish. Second­ly, because it is much like in colour to a Crab; and lastly some will have its name to be taken from its sticking quality, that it can scarcely be pulled away, as the Sea-Crab doth, which obstinately sticketh to the place, on which it layeth hold. The cause is thick and Melancholly juice contained in the part, and appeareth with a hard, resisting, unequall, swar­tish or brown Tumor; round about it the veins are swelled, and exalted: about it there is somtimes suddaine pricking, but for the most part it is of dull sense.

The thicker and blacker the humor is, so much the w [...]se is the effect, this disease happeneth to any part of the body, but more especially about the face, Eares, Lips, Womens breast, who have wanted their naturall purgation: and it happens to men, who were wont to have Hemorrhoicall purging, and [Page 442] have lost it. By reason of the thicknesse and stub­bornnesse of the humor, it is seldom cured, but ra­ther turneth to an Ulcerate Cancer. Those Can­cers only that are upon the extreame parts of the bo­dy receive curation: but if they are deeply lodged, they admitt not of cure: a Cancer that is confirmed cannot be cured unlesse it be rooted up, by incision or burning,

Order your Patient, as before in respect of diet, and prepare and purge the Melancholly humor as before is taught: in this case let purges be very gentle and often reiterated. Then give medicines which have a faculty to consume and dry up the mat­ter: This Electuary of Antonius Montaguana is good. Take of the powder of Sea or River Crabs drowned in Milk, and dried in an Oven, of each four ounces, the powder of Frogs, Snailes, and Hedg-Hogs, of each one ounce, the rind of Citrons preserved, two ounces; the shaving of Ivory, and the bone of a Stages Heart, of each three drachms. Xylobalsamum, and wood of Aloes, San­ders, Corall, and the powder of Steel prepared, of each two drachms; the seed of Sorrell and Citrons, the pow­der of Carduus, Scordium, and Ceterach, of each one drachm, Amber and Musk, of each two graines, the con­serve of Borrage, Buglosse, Sorrell, and Sowthistles, of each two drachms, with the simple sirrup of Apples as much as sufficeth; make an Electuary, the dose is the quantity of a Chesnut, three houres before meat. Then apply such medicines to the part, that may scatter the humor contained, and strengthen the part against farther defluxion: These simples are very assistant in this case: Nightshade, Ceterach, Agrimony, St. Johns wort Clery, the juyce of Coriander, the flesh of Cocks, [Page 443] Snailes, River-Crabs, Frogs, the dung of a man, burnt and washed lead, oyle of Frogs, oyle of sulphur and such like, you may make a compound oyntment thus.

Take of Bolearmenick and Terra Sigillata of each one ounce, of Lapis Ealaminaris, and washed Ceruse, of each half an ounce, Tutty and Marchasite prepared, of each three drachms, the powder of Frogs and Snailes dryed in an Oven, of each three drachms: Litharge of Gold two drachms, oyle of Roses three ounces, oyle of Frogs one ounce and half [...], Vinegar two ounces, the white of two Eggs, Wax sufficient, let them be well beaten in a Leaden Morter, and brought into an Unguent.

Whilst you purge, apply such things as principally repell or beat back; in the augmentation you must beat back and discusse, in the declination discusse only, and all the while let the Patient be nourished with Cordialls, to defend the Heart, Liver, and all the principall parts from this so malignant and stub­born Enemy.

CHAP. XI. Os ulcers.

An Ulcer is a solution of continuity in the flesh, containing Sanies and Pus. The antecedent causes is Bloud, Choler, Flegm, Melancholy thereto flowing, as hath been said of Tumors; the joyned cause is distemperature, pain, tumor, contusion, or such like, stirred up by antecedent causes: Of this cemeth matter either good or bad; that which is good is of a mean substance, between thin and thick, white light equal, and not stinking: that which is bad is thin, glewy, much in quantity, swarrish, black, pale, stin­king.

If the distemperature of the Ulcer be hot, it is known by heat, redness, and relief by cold things. In a cold distemperature, there is not so much rednesse, and it is cased by hot things. Whether the distempe­rature be moist or dry, the eye will discover.

The cure of an Ulcer simply considered, must be performed by Medicines which have a digestive, mun­dificative, incarnative, and cicatricing quality: of which sort, I have alieady treated in the cure of Wounds.

I shall onely now briefly treat of the Distempers, Adjuncts and Accidents of Ulcers.

First, let the symptome be removed: if it be hot, consider whether it be with matter, or without; if with matter, whether it be Sanguine, or Cholerick. [Page 445] If it be a Sanguine Distemper, let bloud, observe a slender and cooling. Diet and Medicines. If the mat­ter be Cholerick purge Choller, observe a cooling Diet, and use cool Medicines. If there be a hot di­stemperature without matter, neither purge nor bleed, but use cooling Medicines; as Unguentum Album, Diapompholigos, Rubrum, Camphora, Ex Plumbo, and Ex Cerussa, and such others. Also, Rose-Water, the Juyce or Water of Nightshade, Housleek, Plan­tane, and such like.

If the Distemperature be cold, purge Flegme if it abound, and use Diet and Medicines, which doth heat and dry inwardly: Outwardly apply warming Oint­ments; Unguentum de Althea, or Unguentum Citri­num: wash it with warm wine, or the decoction of Wormwood, Mint, Hysop, Calamint, Origan, Rosema­ry, Peny-royal, and such like.

If the Ulcer be too moist, dry it with Unguentun Pompholigos, de Plumbo, de Cerussa, de gratia dei, de Calce.

If it be too dry, let his Diet and Medicines be moy­stening; as Basilicon de Pice, Diachylon, &c. Having removed the Distemperature, go on gradually to the Cure; if the matter be crude digest, having digested it, mundifie it; having so done, in carnate it: and lastly, cicatrise it.

If a Tumor doth accompany the Ulcer, you may from the Chapters asoregoing, be able to judge what the Humour is, which is the cause thereof. You must evacuate it by bloud-letting, purging, thin and coo­ling Diet and Medicines: The Chapters aforegoing will inform you, whether it be drawn thither by the part if self, or sent from other parts, or from the whole body: Nor you need not go any farther, nor [Page 446] I trouble my self to prescribe Medicines, to repel and discuss the Tumors, the aforenamed Chapters being sufficiently furnished.

A contused Ulcer must be nourished with Medi­cines moistening and ingendring good matter, and the Cure may be performed by the means prescribed for the Cure of a contused Wound.

If the Ulcer be accompanied with proud flesh, it must be taken off by an Incision Knife, Cautery, or hot Scissers, &c. or by cotrosive Medicines: the gentler sort are Burnt Allum, Hermodactyls with Tartar, Date Stones burnt, Aqua vitae with Sulphur, Unguentum Apostolorum, Nettle-seed, the Flower of Brass, Burnt Brass, Serpentaria, the Root of Asphodels, &c. Of a stronger sort are these, the Powder of Mercury, Un­guentum Aegyptiacum, or Apostolorum, with Natural Verdegrease. Of the stronger sort are, Quicklime, Red Vitriol, Burnt Vitriol, Mercury sublimate: Of these may many Compounds be made, which for bre­vity sake I omit.

If the Lips of the Ulcer be hard, soften it with mol­lifying Medicines, made of the fat of a Goose, Hen, Duck, Lion, Bear, Calf, Oxe, or the like; the Oyl of Lillies, Sweet Almonds, Earth-Worms, Foxes, Un­guentum Basilicon, Diachilon, and Emplastrum de Mucilaginibus. If it be so hard that it will not yield to Medicine, make use of In cision, Cautery, or of the aforenamed corrosive Medicines.

If the Bone be defiled by an Ulcer, take it off with a Scaling Instrument, or an hot Iron: after you have loosed the Scale, the first three days apply Oyl of Roses, and the White of an Egg warm: the next three days, the yolk of an Egg, and Oyl of Roses; af­ter that with Butter and Hony. If the Bone lie so deep, [Page 447] that you cannot apply your hot Iron, inject this Wa­ter: Take of White Wine one pound and an half, the di­stilled Waters of Plantane, and Roses, of each one pound; Mercury sublimate three drachms, Bolearmenick half an ounce, Burnt Allum one ounce and an half, white Vitriol, and Borax, of each half an ounce, White Sugar two oun­ces, Maslick, Sarcocol, of eath one ounce and an half; Powder what is to be powdered; boil it to the consump­tion of half, then filter it, and add of the best Aqua Vitae one pound, and reserve it to your use. It is good also to lay this following Powder to the putrified Bone: Take of round Birthwort, and the Bark of the Pine-tree, of each three drachms: of the Root of Hegs Fennel, and Reeds, of each two drachms; of Agarick, and Tartar, of each one drachm and an half; Eupborbium one drachm; make a Powder; lay it upon the putrified Bone, or mixe it with Honey, or Aegyptiacum, or such like.

If Worms breed in the Ulcer, take away the humi­dity and putrefaction whereof they are ingendred; kill the Worms with the Juyces, or Decoction of Wornewood, Centory, Eupatorium, Wormwood, and such like, bitter Hearbs. So much for the general cure of Ulcers.

CHAP. XII. Rules for Vomiting and Purging.

THE first thing herein confiderable, is the matter offending; what part of the body is afflicted, and which is the best way to evacuate the peccant hu­mour. The matter offending is either Flegm, Water, Choller, or Melancholy. Purging Simples work gently or strongly, those that work gently onely, are to be given to weak Bodies; the strongest, to stron­ger persons. Be well advised of the offending hu­mour before you purge, least instead of helping, you weaken Nature. Before you take a purge, let the Humours be prepared by some Medicines proper for the purpose, especially if Flegm or Melancholy be the humour you would purge. Prepare the body before with Medicines, that are attenuating and cutting, and let your Purge be made up with it. The next Book will furnish you with variety of altering and prepa­ring Medicines.

It is a matter of consequence to consider what part of the body is afflicted, and to form your Purges accordingly. If the remote parts of the body be af­flicted; as the Head, Arms, Feet, and the like, let your Purge be made up into a hard form as Pills; that by their long stay in the body, they may be the better able to draw the humours from those parts.

If the oftending humour lye in the Bowels, or ad­jacent parts, use liquid Medicines: and in all these [Page 449] look not upon the multitude of Ejections, but of the matter ejected.

If the humours lye in the Tunicle of the Stomach, a Vomit is necessary, and in many cases more it is a good Revulsion; but take them not without advice from an able Physitian.

If the Purge work not at all, give warm Broath, and Posset Drink, and if the Purge were strong, give a Clister. If it work too stron [...]ly, which is worse: give such things as make the Bowels slippery for Ejection, as the Oyl of Almonds, which is good, if the mouths of the Veins be opened, or if there happen excoriati­on, for the same purpose, Quince-seeds, and Mal­lows, boiled in milk, is good; and Gum Traganth dis­solved in water, or Milk; the Syrup, or Marinalade of Quinces have the like virtue.

If Vomiting hold too long, give a draught of Milk, with a little Mastich therein; and lay to the Stomach Emplastrum, è Crusta Panss. If either Vomit or Purge work too churlishly, some give a Pill of Laudanum, and with good success. Anoint the Stomach and Belly with Oyl of Roscs, and lay on it the Powder of Mastich, of Galls, and Red-Roso leaves.

Chymical Medicines, if they be rightly prepared, and administred with care and judgment, are the best, for they stay but a little while in the body, and do not bind afterwards, because the Terrene part is ta­ken away.

If the Humour be tough, it is not easily carryed away; therefore in such cases purge gently and of­ten.

The Dose ought to be regulated by an able Brain: In the next Book I shall give you the Faculties and [Page 450] Dose of most of the Medicines (in use) amongst us. For the Times and Seasons of purging, in respect of the motion of the Moon and Stars, I have given you a few general Rules at the latter end of my Alma­nack for the Year, 1659. to which I refer you.

CHAP. I. Of Distilled Waters.

CHAP. II. Of Syrups.

CHAP. III. Of Decoctions and Juyces.

CHAP. IV. Of Lohochs.

CHAP. V. Preserves, Conserves, Sugars, and Lozenges.

CHAP. VI. Of Troches.

CHAP. VII. Of Pills.

CHAP. VIII. Of Powders.

CHAP. IX. Of Electuaries.

CHAP. X. Of Oyles.

CHAP. XI. Of Oyntments,

CHAP. XII. Of Plaisters.