A treatise of diseases of the head, brain, and nerves: More especially of the palsy, apoplexy, ... To which is subjoin'd, A discourse of the nature, real cause and certain cure of melancholly in men, and vapours in women: ... By a physician.

A TREATISE OF DISEASES OF THE Head; Brain and Nerves.

CHAP. I. Of the Head-Ach

THERE are Two sorts of Head-ach, the Recent or New, and Inveterate or Old Head-ach: The former lasts but for a time only; and is either from Cold, hard Drinking, heat of the Sun, violent Exercise, or the like; and goes away as those Occasions wear off. The other is constant or lasting, with

very little abatement or intermission, is hard to be eas'd, and which on light Occasions, has Extream sharp Fits, so that the Patient cannot endure any Noise or vehement Motion, or scarce any Light, but desires to lye in the Dark, and be still; for Noise, if it be great, renders him almost craz'd. But tho', as in some, the Inveterate, or Old Head-ach, con∣tinues always more or less, in others, it goes away and returns by Fits.

They are both understood by the same common Name of the Heach-ach, but are vastly different as to Cure, the first going away upon the occasion ceasing, as I have already said, the other, being of long standing, is inveterate, and with difficulty removed; it being caused either thro' much Blood, Disorder of the Stomach, or sharp Humours con∣tained within or without the Skull, inflaming the Head, and depraving the Sense. If the Pain be attended with Heaviness, it comes of Plenitude: If with pricking and shooting, it proceeds from sharp Cholerick Humours: If the Head seems distended without Heaviness and Beating, Wind is the Cause; but if with Beating, there is Inflammation in the Films of the Brain: If there be a Heaviness with Distention, it shews Plenitude of Humours within the Films: If the Pain be outward, it is in the Films that cover the Scull; but if inward, and at the Roots of the Eyes, the Films that cover the Brain are griev'd. The external Pain is in the Pe∣ricranium or the Membrane without the Scull, and comes for the most part from external Cold, because a cold part will easily suffer from the like Quality; the internal Pain is always in the Meninges or in∣ternal Membranes.

But as the Head-ach, inveterate or old, proceeds chiefly from inward Causes, either from some fault in the Head it self, or disorder of the Stomach, I shall speak only of that, the recent Head-ach, as already said, going away of it self upon a little Rest and Regularity, without any Medicines.

If the Pain proceeds from the Head essentially, there will be no Intermission, but a continual Pain, or if the Pain does remit, it is but for a little time, and returneth again.

If it proceeds from the Stomach, the Pain will of∣ten cease, and return again; also the Appetite will decay, especially if the Stomach abounds much with Flegm; but if the Stomach abounds much with Choller, there will be a Bitterness in the Mouth, a gnawing Pain of the Stomach, a Nausea or loathing of Food, trembling of the Heart and In∣flammation, which are much increased after sleep.

If the Head-ach proceeds from the Head essentially, I always give my following Cephalick purging Pills, which never fail moving off those Humours that infest the Brain and its Meninges, whereby the Pa∣tient has instant ease.

But when the Head-ach proceeds from the Sto∣mach, I ever give my Emetick Pouder, presently to be prescrib'd, which gently and safely, yet thorough, ly, evacuates the offending Cause, and sets the Pa∣tient to rights, more especially if in each Case my Cephalick Elixir, prepar'd as follows, on the inter∣mediate days be also taken.

My Cephalick purging Pills are thus prepar'd:

TAke of the best Turkey Rhubarb, half an Ounce; Troches of Agarick, an Ounce; Citron Myrabolans, two Drams; Euphorbium, two Scruples; Rushia Castor,

half an Ounce; Turbith Root, the most gummy, Jallop Root, and Harmodacts, of each an Ounce; Indian Spicke∣nard, a Dram; the best English Saffron, two Drams; Ginger, Cummin Seed, of each a Dram; Flowers of Rosemary, an Handful; bruise them all small and affuse thereon in a Glass Cucurbit, a Quart of compound Pyony Water doubly distill'd; close up the Mouth of the Glass, that nothing may evaporate, and set it in a Sand Heat for Six Days to digest, then let it cool; and when it is quite cold, press out the Liquor very strongly in a Press, and to the Liquor, put of the best Succotrina Aloes, two Ounces; Scammony, two Ounces; Coloquintida, two Ounces; Mastich, half an Ounce; all in fine Pouder; shake them together very well in the same Cucurbit the Liquor came out of, it being first wash'd very clean from the former Ingredients and dry; set it in the Sand Heat again with the Mouth open, but let the Heat be greater than before, that it may evaporate to the Consistency of an Extract, to which when cold add of the best Salt of Amber, an Ounce; Camphir rubb'd fine, half an Ounce; Flowers of Antimony, an Ounce; the Volatile Salts of Hartshorn and Armoniack, of each six Drams; Chymical Oils of Rosemary, Nutmegs, Amber and Lavender, of each a Dram; mix all together very well, and keep it for use. Three Pills of this Mass, about the bigness of a large White Pea each, are sufficient for one Dose

My Emetick Pouder is thus made:

TAke the finest purified Salt Peter, six Drams; Salt of Tartar, two Drams; the best Hungarian Antimony five Drams; pouder them all apart very fine, and mix them well together, then put the Mixture, by little and little at a time, into a Crucible set in a Charcoal Fire, and made red hot, let the Mixture remain therein till it is melted and flows like Water, then take the Crucible from

the Fire, and there will be at the Bottom of it a Mass, ••hich when it is cold will be hard and reddish; take it ••ut of the Crucible and pouder it very fine and put it ••nto a digesting Glass, and pour upon it as much Spirit ••f Rosemary, Nutmegs, and Lavender, equal parts of ••ach, as will cover it three Fingers; set it in a Sand Heat close covered for Twenty Days, or so long as till all the Spirit, being soak'd up by the Pouder, seems dryed away, and the Pouder looks greyish, then take it out and rub it a∣••ain in a Glass Mortar very fine, and add to every Dram ••f it, sixty three Grains of fine Salt Peter subtily pou∣dered, mix them well together, and keep the Pouder in a Glass close stopt for use. Twenty Grains of it is a Dose for a grown Person.

My Cephalick Elixir thus.

TAke Flowers of Rosemary, Cammomile and Lavender, of each half a Pound; Sage, Twelve Ounces; let them be all well dryed and finely poudered, by grinding them in an hot Iron Mortar with four Ounces of highly ••alcin'd Salt of Tartar; put them into a Digesting Glass and add of a Man's Scull (that came by a violent Death) rasped, four Ounces; Vitriol calcin'd till it is yellow, half a Pound; Misletoe of the Oak, three Oun∣••es; Roots of Zedoary, Angelico, and Valerian, of each two Ounces; Orange Peel, two Ounces; Cubebs, Carda∣moms, Spickenard, Cloves, Nutmegs, of each an Ounce; Camphir, an Ounce and half; compound Pyony Water doubly distil'd, as much as will over-top the Ingredients ••ix Fingers; close the Digesting Glass with all in it, and set it in Horse Dung for a Month, then take it out, and when it is cold, press out the Liquor from the Ingre∣dients till they are dry and fit for nothing; in the Li∣••uor dissolve the finest Salt of Amber, four Ounces; ••nd Elixirate it according to Art. Forty or Fifty Drops of it is a Dose.

By the Signs before given, any one that is afflicted with the Head-ach may distinguish and know his Case, and accordingly with the Medicines prescrib'd may have his Cure, they having been long expe∣rienc'd by the Author to be the most effectual in those Cases. The Pills are to be taken three at a time over Night, which will the next Morning give four, five, or six easy Stools: Warm Water-gruel, Broth, Posset-drink or Tea, are Liquors pro∣per to be drank as they operate, and the Patient keeping a little warm the days he takes them will be the better. They may be repeated twice or thrice in a Week, as there is Occasion, as also must be the Emetick Pouder, which is to be taken by those whose Stomachs being foul, &c. are the Cause of the Head-ach; but as the Pills are to be taken at Night, the Pouder is to be taken in a Morning in a Spoonful of Water-gruel, with the same Observation and Care as directed for the pur∣ging Pills.

And on the intermediate days of taking either the Cephalick Pills, or Emetick Pouder, it is necessa∣ry for the Patient to take the Cephalick Elixir, Forty or Fifty Drops at a time, every Night and Morning in a Glass of Wine, Ale, Beer, Tea, Coffee or what other Liquor, pleases best, which together with the Pills or Pouder will have wonderful Effects in altering and regulating those Humours that create the Disorder and Pain in the Head.

A Gentleman about Forty Five Years of Age, was almost from his Minority grievously afflicted with the Head-ach, which unfitted him for all Business; he had taken many Medicines, us'd Bleed∣ing, Cupping, Issues, Blisters, &c. which but little more than palliated, or for a while eas'd his Pains,

at length I being sent to, with an Account of his Case, order'd my Cephalick Pills and Elixir above∣mentioned to be given him, which greatly reliev'd him; but he complaining also of his Stomach and want of Appetite, I order'd him likewise my Eme∣tick Pouder just now prescrib'd, to be taken alter∣nately with the Pills, by which he found a sensible mitigation of his Pain, and at length a total cessa∣tion of it, that he was perfectly cured.

A young Lady of One and twenty Years of Age, the only Daughter of a worthy Gentleman, had been afflicted with a violent Pain of the Head from a Child, which she was seldom or never free from, and when it was at the worst would cause Vomi∣ting. Her Parents had tryed almost every body; some ascrib'd the Cause to one thing, others to others; at last some body that had heard of the success of my Medicines for the Head, recommen∣ded them, and my Opinion was accordingly desired. I order'd her my Emetick Pouder and Cephalick Elixir, the last to be taken in an Infusion of Sage, Marjoram, Rosemary, Mint, and Virginia Snake Root, made like Tea, which she willingly took, tho' the Snake Root made it very bitter and strong, and by continuing them for above two Months she was perfectly restor'd, and is since married, which her Parents, by means of her Indisposition, ever before dispair'd of. I could give divers other Instances, but as I design brevity in this Treatise must be oblig'd to forbear.

CHAP. II. Of the Megrim.

THE Megrim is a vehement Pain in one half of the Head, either on the Right or Left side thereof, afflicting either the Teguments without the Scull, or the Meninges of the Brain within, agree∣ing in Quality and coming near the Nature of the Old Head-ach, spoken of in the 'foregoing Chapter. If it be without the Scull, the Part pain'd is most commonly so sore that the Patient can hardly bear its being touch'd; if it be within the Scull, that Soreness is wanting, and the Pain is the more vehe∣ment. Sometimes the Pain is more towards the Occiput or hinder part of the Head, and sometimes more toward the Sinciput or fore part of the Head, or near the Root of the Eye on that side which is, pain'd. If it be accidental, it never afflicts the Pa∣tient but upon extraordinary Occasions; but if it be habitual, it returns either at set periods of Time, or keeps an uncertain irregular Course, being excited without any apparent Cause, continuing long and with that vehemency that the Patient thinks it will distract him.

From these Signs it appears, that as the Megrim is from like Causes of the Head-ach, spoken of in the last Chapter, so the Cure is to be attempted; and tho' many Authors have prescribed many Medi∣cines both for one and the other, yet they allow they are to be remedied, if such a thing be to be done, with the same Medicines, which I also have experienced; and the best to do it, that ever I met with, are what I have recommended in the former Chapter, and which if the Patient keeps to, I mean

both Pills, Pouder, and Elixir, the former to be taken as mention'd, alternarely, that is, one time the Pills, the next time the Pouder, and so on, and the Elixir the days on which neither the Pills or Pouder are taken, will undoubtedly free the Patient therefrom, if it be in the Power of Medicine to do it. I have performed the Cure by them in several; and parti∣cularly in a Gentlewoman who about the time her Monthly Visits left her, was so afflicted with the Megrim, sometimes of one side of the Head, at o∣ther times on the other, that she had very little Ease Night or Day; She relating her Case to me, I gave her both my Pills, Pouder, and Elixir, which in five Weeks carryed off her Pain perfectly, so that she was, and is as free from it as ever in her Life, tho' it is many Months since.

CHAP III. Of the Vertigo, Giddiness or Swimming of the Head.

THE Vertigo, Giddiness or Swimming of the Head, is a Disease in the Cavities of the Brain, causing the Patient to think all things turn round, and many times causes him to stagger and reel, and sometimes to fall down, the Brain and Senses being disturb'd, but often times without any Pain, by a preternatural Exagitation and Commotion, yet depriving not the Patient of either Sense or Motion.

This Disease is twofold, one Simple, wherein the Sight remains unhurt, the other Complex, where∣in the Sight is darkened, as it were, with a Mist or Cloud, and is call'd Scotoma.

The Signs by which the Vertigo is known, is, by what has been said, only when the Disease is recent

or but gentle, the Patient seldom falls, but staggers as it were, a little, and is confounded in his Mind by a certain kind of Amazement, from the sudden Exagitation of the Animal Spirits, so that if he be walking he knows not where he is, but must be forc'd to stand still to consult the place of his pre∣sent Station, whither he is going and what is the Occasion, because a strange kind of Forgetfulness seizes him, notwithstanding all this while his inter∣nal Senses are not so disturbed, but that he knows he is about Business, tho' the particulars be forgotten, which after a little pause he recollects again, and becomes perfectly well.

Sometimes, as already said, this Affect is accom∣panied with Dimness and Darkness of the Sight, representing variety of Colours, and things to look double and treble, in which Case not only all the other Symptoms are existent, but the Circum∣volution or Rotation of Things seem to be with a great Violence or Vehemency, insomuch that when the Paroxysm seizes the Patient, he will ne∣cessarily fall, unless he catches hold of something to support himself.

This Disease happens chiefly in Winter, and to People that are fasting, and is of very dangerous Consequence if not in time remedied; for it comes from Blood and Humours in the Brain, but chiefly from cold Humours and flatulent Vapours arising from the Stomach or other inferior Parts, causing a continual Pain in the Head, Noise in the Ears, Dul∣ness of the Senses, Loss of Smelling and sometimes of Tasting; and if it comes by consent of the Sto∣mach, then there follows a gnawing Pain of the Stomach, Trembling, and sometimes Vomiting, with a bad Digestion.

When the Vertigo has been of long standing, it generally terminates in a Scotoma and too quickly then changes into pernicious Diseases, as the Falling Sickness and Apoplexy. If it happens to old People it is the more dangerous, because of the Weakness of their Brain, Smallness of their Heat and their abounding much with Flegm. If in any that have this Disease, Things appear to their Eyes bloody and reddish, it foretells Madness; if purple Colour, the Falling Sickness especially such as have the Sco∣toma, or dark Vertigo. Sometimes the Cause of a Vertigo has been from a Bladder of Water contain'd in one of the Ventricles of the Brain, cast off from the vitiated Blood thither, and is seldom if ever curable, tho' the Patient at the same time Eats, Drinks, and Digests well. I never knew one cured when it had been so, but have been an Eye Witness to those that have dyed thereof, and one particular Man of Seventy odd Years of Age who was dissected, who, tho' he was troubled with a Vertigo, was otherwise constantly in perfect Health. At first the Fits came upon him but two or three times a Year, afterwards they came once a Month, and as he grew older and older, the Disease grew stronger and stronger, and the Paroxysms more frequent and of longer continuance, till at length he had a Fit once a Week: The last Fit he had, he complain'd that all things turn'd round violently, and altho' he lean'd upon a Table, call'd out vehemently for some body to hold him, for else he should fall by the hasty turning round of Things. He desired to go to Bed forthwith, which he did, and whilst he lay still, he seem'd to be somewhat pacify'd; but upon the least turning of his Head or any part of his Body, he cryed out that the Bed

and House would be turned topsy turvy; and all this while he had no Convulsion, Frenzy or Madness, or the least appearance of a Fever, ex∣cept about four or five Hours before his Death. As I said before, when this Man's Head was open'd, there was found a Bladder of Water about the bigness of a Pigeon's Egg, lying in the 'foremost Ventricle of the Brain, which alone was the Cause of his Death. The Cure of a Vertigo, if it be simple, is not very difficult, it being to be done most commonly by Medicines that discuss the flatu∣lent Spirits, which trouble the Ventricles of the Brain, or that still and quiet the too great Ema∣nations of the Animal Spirits, and that comfort and strengthen the Brain that is hurt or weaken'd by the said Flatulency and Irregularities of the Spirits. The first is perform'd by heating Cephalicks in∣wardly and outwardly, which have Power to dis∣cuss any Ventosity lodged in the Cortex of the Brain. The second by Medicines that delight, comfort, refresh, and strengthen the Brain.

Authors innumerate Medicines for both pur∣poses, and those of Amber, Nutmegs, Rosemary, Sage, Oranges, Lemons, Ambergreese, Musk, Pea∣cock's Dung, and the like; but the best thing that ever I knew to be universally successful, is my Ver∣tiginous Spirit following, of which fifty Drops be∣ing taken every Night and Morning, in a Dish of Green Tea, or which is better, in Tea made of Rosemary, Lavender, Carraway Seeds, Sage, Juni∣per Berries, and Sweet Majoram, will have incre∣dible Effect, more especially if a few Drops of the Spirit be Snuff'd up the Nostrils twice or thrice a Day, and the Forehead, Temples, top of the Head, and Nape of the Neck, be bathed with it; by

which means the windy Vapours will be dissipated, the Brain comforted, strengthen'd and fortify'd much more than by any other Medicine that I know of whatever; only now and then it may be proper for the Patient, the better to carry off the offending Cause, to take a Dose of the Cephalick purging Pills, prescribed in the first Chapter, or rather if he finds any Disorder of the Stomach, to supply their place with the Emetick Pouder there∣in also prescrib'd.

The Vertiginous Spirit is this.

TAKE Bete Roots, two Ounces; Marjoram, La vender, Rosemary, Time, Betony, Wild Time, Sage, of each two Handfuls; Orange and Lemon Peel, of each an Ounce and half; Coriander, Anise, Carra∣way and Fennel Seeds, of each an Ounce; Nutmegs, two Ounces; Cloves and Mace, of each six Drams; Ginger, half an Ounce; best Rushia Castor, half an Ounce; Species Diatrion Pipereon, and Species Aromaticum Rosatum, of each an Ounce; Salt of Tartar, Six Drams; bruise small what is to be bruised, and put all into a Retort, then pour upon them two Quarts of the highest rectified Spirit of Wine; fit a Receiver to the Retort, which lute well together, and set it in a sand Heat for Eight Days, then Distili, drawing off all the Spirit, that the Ingredients may remain dry, then take out the Fire, and when all is cold, which will be in a Day or Two, unlute the Receiver, and pour out the Spirit, in which Dissolve Four Ounces of Camphir, and an Ounce of Salt of Amber, and it is done. Keep it always very close stopt for use. Dose Fifty Drops.

Being importun'd by a Gentleman afflicted with a Vertigo to do what I could for him, tho' he almost despair'd of being cured, as indeed I did of curing

him, by reason he had tried almost all things before, and was therefore loath to undertake him; but I say he greatly importuning me, I gave him a Bottle of my aforesaid Vertiginous Spirit, with Directions to take Fifty Drops in the Tea just now mention'd; which he did, as also snuffed, by my Order, some of it up his Nostrils, and bathed his Head, Temples, &c. with the same, by which means he was some∣what relieved; but complaining of Sickness at his Stomach, at which time his Vertigo was worse, I gave him four Papers of my Emetick Pouder, with Orders he should take One every third Morning, and go on with the Spirit as before, which he did accordingly, and found such Benefit that it is scarcely credible to relate, he becoming thereupon, as it were a new Man, and able to be about his Busi∣ness, never having any the least sign of it after taking the Medicines about five Weeks, and still continues in perfect Health, it being now more than Two Years since.

CHAP. IV. Of Forgetfulness or Dotage.

FOrgetfulness is a Disease proceeding from ma∣lign Vapours, or an over hot, or over cold and moist Temperament of the Brain, which ren∣ders the Animal Spirits either too Volatile, that the Thoughts are not to be contracted, or else too Torpid, diminishing the natural Heat, that the Person is dull, sluggish, has no Memory, and can think of nothing as he should.

The Causes of those malign Vapours, or over hot, or cold and moist Temperament of the Brain, are either Natural or Preternatural: If they proceed

from Natural Causes, as sometimes they do, from an ill Conformity of the Head and Brain, or over great Thickness of the same, or from too strait or wide Passages, by which the Spirits are either too much compressed or dilated, they are scarcely to be remedied. But if the Causes be from Polson taken, or too many Narcotick Medicines, or from over Watchings, too much Care, bad Air, Sickness, or the like, they may in time be remedied; but if from Falls or Blows, that the Brain is concussed, and the Animal Spirits dissipated or spent, are incura∣ble; for in Youth they breed Folly, and in People of Years Dotage,

But Dotage does not happen altogether to old People neither, for as it is a Depravation of the Fancy and Rational Faculty, arising from an Irregular Phan∣tasm of the Brain, by a Fault of the Animal Spirits which are clouded, darken'd, made black, thick, and opacous, young People may be liable to it as well as old. The Signs of Dotage in the beginning of the Distemper, are perceived by the Patient's be∣ing much more Talkative than usual, (especially those that are of few Words when they are well) and in those that used to be very Taltative when well, it is perceived by their sitting very mute, taking no Notice of any thing, and as it were thinking intentively on something, tho' when ask'd, can give no Account of what. In the height of Dotage, in a mild temper'd Person, there is Fierce. ness, Ribaldry and Scurrilous Language, the Mo∣tion of the Eyes quick, they being affected by Con••ent of the Brain, Arteries, Veins and Nerves, the Pulse irregular and swift, with a Perturbation in the Hypochondria, the Speech and Actions at the same time being altogether unaccountable, in∣congruous

and foolish, the Patient being apt to be busied about Toys and Trifles, if not down-right Folly, which shews the principal Faculties of the Mind are extreamly depraved.

These Diseases are commonly without any Dan∣ger attending as to Life, but if they happen to Children very young, they oftentimes make the Child a Fool; but taken in time are to be cured, and so are they many times in People of Years, but not always, as shewn before. I have known, when they have been taken in time, that a proper Vomit and a Volatile Specifick hath roused up Nature's Force, that the Patient hath recovered, and found his Spirits more Vigete, Lively, and his Memory quicker than at any time before, and that by taking my Emetick Pouder prescrib'd in Chapter First, and my Vertiginous Spirit in Chapter the Third, and that in the Particular Case following.

A Gentleman of a Brisk and Airy Temper, quick Wit and Ingenuity, and of an Excellent Apprehen∣sion, Judgment and Memory, fell first into For∣getfulness and Loss of Memory, and after into a Dotage upon some Trouble of Mind, insomuch, that he would talk very foolishly, ask the same Question over and over, and would sometimes, without any Cause, fall a Laughing, at other times Crying, just like a Child, which shew'd that his Intellectuals were really much deprav'd, insomuch that I greatly questioned whether I could do him any Service; however, upon his Friends earnest desire I would try, I sent him Three Papers of my Emetick Pouder, and a Bottle of my Vertiginous Spirit, with Directions for his taking One of the Papers every other Morning, and Fifty Drops of the Spirit every Morning besides, and also every

Day about Four in the Afternoon, and at Night mixt in a Glass of the Tea prepar'd with Rosemary, Lavender, Carraway Seeds, &c. mention'd in the last Chapter, and to use the Spirit also outward∣ly, as therein directed; which was accordingly done, and by that time the Three Papers of Pouder (which always vomited him well, I enlarging the Dose a little) were taken, and also the Bottle of Vertiginous Spirit taken and used, he grew bet∣ter, his Memory being sounder and discourses more rational; I therefore order'd he should per∣sist in the same Course, which he did for Three Months together, or more, and grew well, return∣ing to his perfect and sound Mind and Memory, and never had any thing more of it afterwards.

CHAP. V. Of Frenzy and Madness.

THE Frenzy tho' it be not a perfect Madness, yet as it is caus'd from an Inflammation of the Membranes of the Brain, which hurts the Inter∣nal Senses, as the Imagination, Judgment, &c. may be said to be a sort of Madness, and the more as there attends those afflicted a kind of Fury, little and troublesome Sleep, speaking without Sense, pulling, as tho' it were, Straws, or the like from the Bedcloaths, being unruly, angry, raging, and the like, and which if not timely remedied, termi∣nates in down right Madness; but as it is what is curable, there is no Danger, provided proper Ap∣plications be made; and the first thing that is to be done is to Bleed, and after that to give Vomits and Cephalicks, than which nothing can exceed my E∣metick Pouder for Vomiting, and Cephalick Elixir

for the other Intentions, both prescribed in Chap∣ter the First, they doing all, as it were, at once, I mean without any other Medicine, if the Pouder be repeated Twice or Thrice in a Week, in a Morning, and the Elixir taken as therein directed. But where there is a perfect Madness and Distra∣ction, other Methods must be taken, as Cupping with Scarifications, large Bleedings, Glysters, Blisters, Hypnoticks, frequent Purging and Vomi∣ting, to do which two last, nothing, I say, can be more prevalent than my Cephalick Pills and Eme∣tick Pouder, given alternately as often as the Pa∣tient's strength can bear them.

I know there are many who pretend to Cure Madness by some particular Methods, others by such and such a peculiar Specifick, but with what Success they know best. One came to me once in behalf of a Friend of her's, a Man that had been distracted for many Years, and had been in Mad∣houses, and other Places for Cure, but to no Pur∣pose. I told the Messenger the best Medicines I knew for Cure, were my Emetick Pouder and Ce∣phalick purging Pills, some of both which I gave her, with Directions to give him One Paper of the Emetick Pouder one Day, and resting the next Day, to give Four of the purging Pills the Day following, and so every other Day the Pouder or Pills, which was done, and the patient was much better; but coming for more, the Messen∣ger told me they were advised to give him the following Drink, as one of the most certain Specificks for Madness m the World. I answer'd I could not tell what Extraordinary Vertues were in it, but they might give it notwithstanding his ta∣king my Pouder and Pills, which they did, and the

Man was soon after perfectly restored to his right Mind, but when I heard it, I questioned whether that Medicine or mine had most contributed to his Recovery, which they could not tell, nor indeed I, only as he was amended by my Medicines before he took the Drink, I had Reason to think well of them. However, that the Publick may be the better for knowing it, if there be any thing of what is said in it, I here give the Prescription just as they related it to me.

TAKE Dodder of Time, Polypody of the Oak, of each Two Ounces; all the Myrabolans, of each Three Drams; Seeds of Citrons, half an Ounce; Cloves, Three Crams; black Hellebore, Two Drams; Leaves of Sage, Two Handfuls; Rosmary Flowers, an Handful; Staechas Flowers, half an Handful; cut and bruise them, and boil them in Three Quarts of Spring Water, to two Quarts, strain it, and give a Quarter of a Pint every Day at Four a Clock in the Afternoon, and also at Night.

But as there are various sorts of Madness viz: Discontented Madness from Vexations, Losses and Crosses in the World; a Religious Madness; a Madness from taking Poison or Poisonous things; a Madness from the Biting of the Tarantula; a Madness from the Biting of a Mad Dog; a Love Madness, and a Womb Madness, call'd Furor Ʋte∣rinus, to which only Women are subject. I say as there are Eight sorts of Madness, this Drink which I have prescrib'd, and was so much commended as a Specifick for Cure, I fear will not have the great Effect said of it, tho' any that please may try it, which was the Reason of my giving the Receipt of it.

CHAP. VI. Of the Lethargy, Caras, or Sleepy Diseases.

THE Lethargy is a Disease known by the Pa∣tients being continually sluggish, and sleepy, scarcely answering if often spoke to, only opening their Eyes and shutting them again, without ta∣king the least notice of any thing that was said to them; and so inclin'd to sleep are they, that if you shake them and rouse them ever so much, they will hardly wake, or at leastwise long, but desire to sleep, and are never satisfy'd without it, or indeed with it; so that the Animal Spirits are, as it were, bound and lock'd up by extraordinary Obstructions, there being attending a gentle Fever, an high Pulse, and Breath weak; the Cause is from too much Flegm, cooling the Brain in its Windings and hindmost Cells, which occasions the profound Sleep, and the putri∣fying Humour being extreamly sharp and fretting occasions the Fever, which is in a manner perpe∣tual; and the slowness of Breath is caused from the Affection of the Nerves of the Thorax or Breast.

The Lethargy differs from the Carus, because in a Carus there is no Fever. It differs from a Catelepsis, because in that the Eyes, when the Pati∣ent sleeps are open, and in the Lethargy shut.

All sleepy Diseases, if of long continuance, and those happen in Fat, Gross, and Old People, are generally incurable, and by how much deeper the Sleep is, or the Patient the harder to wake, by so much the more is the Disease dangerous, and that especially if it happens after the going off of an Acute Disease; and if the sleepy Disease be exquisite, and the Strength decays and wastes, it is certainly ne∣ver to be cured. But if it happens to one that

is Young, and in the Heat of Summer, and the Animal Functions be not much impair'd, and all the Natural Evacuations be perfect, there may be a Cure; to accomplish which, Evacuations by Bleeding, Blistering and Purging, must be made, the latter not by any thing better than my Cepha∣lick Pills prescrib'd in Chapter the first; and then for a Specifick to repercuss the Humour that of∣fends, and strengthen the Brain, I cannot advise a more prevalent Preparation than my Volatile Essence following; which discharges the Animal Spirits of their Burthen, and quickens them to an immense Degree. The Method to be observed is this: First let the Patient Bleed in the Arm Twelve Ounces, or according as he is in Age and Strength. After that apply a strong large Blister to his Neck, or rather between his Shoulders; then the next Night, or next Morning, which he pleases, let him take Four of the Cephalick Pills, which will gently purge him, and every Night and every Morning, (excepting the Nights and Morn∣ings he takes the Pills) as also about Four in the Afternoon, let him take Sixty Drops of my Vo∣latile Essence in a Dish of Tea, or which is more effectual, in a Dish of the Infusion of Rosemary, Lavender, Carraway Seeds, &c. directed in Chapter the Third, which if followed strictly and the Patient's Nostrils and Temples be rubb'd seve∣ral times a Day with a little of the Volatile Es∣sence, and a few Drops of it snuff'd up his Nose now and then, will undoubtedly, by the Blessing of God, bring him to himself, if he be curable, and prevent the Distemper for the future, if the Medi∣cines be but for a time continued.

The Volatile Essence is thus prepar'd.

TAKE Angelico, Marjoram, Rue, Rosemary, and Lavender Flowers, of each Two Ounces; the best Castor, an Ounce; Ginger, Pepper, Pellitory of Spain, of each half an Ounce; Salt of Tartar, Three Drams; Calamus Aromaticus, half an Ounce; Species Pleres Archonticon, Three Drams and half; Euphorbium, a Dram; Rectified Spirit of Wine, Twenty Ounces; bruise the Ingredients that are to be bruised, and mix all together, and digest them in a Retort, well luted to its Receiver, in Balneo Mariae for Ten Days, then distil and draw of the Spirit to dryness, which when it is cold cohobate upon the Faeces, digesting and distilling as before, and to the distill'd Spirit add Spirit of Salt Armoniack and Spirit of Hartshorn, both well satiated with their Valatile Salts, of each two Ounces; Balsam of Peru, an Ounce; Oil of Amber, half an Ounce; Oil of Rue, a Dram; Digest them again for Ten Days more, in which time it will have the Body of an Essence, and be sit for Ʋse, The Dose is Sixty Drops.

CHAP. VII. Of the Coma, or Ʋnnatural Watchings.

THE Coma is a great Desire and Inclination to Sleep, but with an utter inability to do it, arising from Narcotick Vapours which infest the Brain and induce the drowsy or sleepy Indis∣position, yet at the same time so trouble and dis∣quiet the Mind, that they cannot sleep at all, but wink with their Eyes and often open them, having a doting kind of Discourse, attended with an inor∣dinate Motion of the Hands and Thighs.

It is caused sometimes by a great weakness of the Faculties of the Body, either from some grie∣vous Disease and violent Pains, or from immode∣rate Evacuations, which have dissipated the Ani∣mal Spirits. Unnatural Watchings, are when the common external sense is wearied beyond due or just measure, arising from the continual uninterrupt∣ed Influx of the Spirits into the Organs, as we find when we have over tired our selves by much Walking, Running or Riding, we cannot sleep, tho' we greatly want and desire it, but tumble, and toss and stretch.

Unnatural Watchings are also occasioned by too much Light, Noise, Cares of the Mind, being too thoughtful or intent upon Matters, &c. all which hinder Sleep, also Pains, Coughs, Fluxes, a hot Distemper of the Brain, hot, sharp, and salt Va∣pours, which twitch and disturb the Spirits and Meninges of the Brain, making People uneasy and restless; or from difect of such natural Vapours, as procure Rest to the Animal Spirits, which long Abstinence from Food will cause, as also Eating too much, especially Suppers.

When Watchings proceed from a Disease, and become a Coma of long standing, the Cure is very doubtful, especially if they have their Speech hindred, or when they breathe, a murmuring Noise be heard in the Throat, or a thin Humour distils out of the Nostrils, or the Patient not able to swal∣low without difficulty, for in those Cases it is dan∣gerous, or at least they degenerate into a Lethargy or Frenzy,

The Cure of a Coma or unnatural Watch∣ings as they proceed from an Humour or internal Cause, that interrupts the Quietude of the Spirits,

is best accomplish'd, especially in the Coma, by my Cephalick purging Pills and Cephalick Elixir, prescribed in Chapter the First; and which if ta∣ken as therein directed, will carry off those of∣fending Humours, that the Patient will have his Natural Rest, without taking Opiates and other Narcotick Medicines, which, as they only palliate the Distemper, and give ease but for a while, do in the end rather injure than relieve.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Apoplexy.

THE Apoplexy is a Disease of the Brain, sud∣denly depriving the whole Body of Sense and Motion. Riolanus defines it to be an Abolition of Sense and Motion, with Respiration hurt, which at last brings Snorting and Suffocation, by rea∣son of thick Flegm flowing out of the Funnel, and obstructing the Larynx or Wind-pipe, which also oftentimes and unexpectedly invades all the Ventri∣cles of the Brain, but especially the Fourth Ventri∣cle, wherein, unless the Matter be discussed in the Spinal Marrow, Death unavoidably follows. Ferne∣lius says, that an Apoplexy is a Disease bred by an Obstruction of the Rete Mirabile, the Afflux of Ar∣terial blood out of the Heart into the Brain, being thereby intercepted. Willis says the Sense of the Word Apoplexy denotes Percussion, and by reason of the stupendious Quality of the Distemper, con∣taining, as it were something supernatural, it is call'd Sideration or Blasting; for those struck there∣with, are, as it were, Planet struck, or struck with an invisible Power, falling suddenly to the Ground, and being depriv'd both of Sense and Motion; and the whole Animal Function ceasing,

(save that they breathe) they lye for a long season as if Dead, and sometimes, yea too often, are dead indeed, (many of which I hope to shew might have been, and how others may be preserv'd) but if they revive, they are many times taken with an Universal Palsy, or else with the Palsy of one Side. Riverius says it is a most deep Sleep, and a total Privation of Sense and Motion, Breathing excepted, wherein the Patient neither opens his Eyes, answers, or feels, when he is spoken to, or hurt, breathing also with difficulty.

The Apoplexy is either accidental, coming of a sudden, and falling indifferently upon any Man, tho' not at all pre-dispos'd thereto, for which by the way, no Preventative Method can be institu∣ted; or it is habitual, from a constant Disposition in some People, because of which they are at first only exercised with light approaches thereof, or rather Symptoms; afterwards the Paroxysms are evident, but gentle; but at length they become more obvious and grievous, and of which at last they for the most part dye.

The Apoplexy is distinguish'd according to its Degrees, into Gentle, Strong and Strongest: The Gentle, is that wherein the Patient breathes free∣ly, and easily becomes sensible again. The Strong. Apoplexy is that wherein the Patient breathes with very great Difficulty, and, as it were, with Violence, Snorting and Foaming at the Mouth. The Strongest and most Dangerous, is that in which all Sense and Motion immediately cease throughout the whole Body, the Breath also being stop'd. In this there is neither Snorting nor Foaming, but the Patients lye as if perfectly Dead; but if they do not quickly recover, they ought not to be buried

before Three Days be over, it having been known that some so seized have in that space of Time re∣viv'd again.

The Signs of an Apoplexy are Swoonings, some∣times falling Suddenly and sometimes by Degrees, Sense, Motion, and Voice, being many times ta∣ken away, sometimes only diminish'd, Respiration alone, and that with much difficulty, remaining. Some Persons Sleep deeply, and, as it were, Snort or Snore; the loosen'd Limbs being lift up, fall down with their own weight, in the manner of dead Persons, and their Eyes are either wide open or quite shut, the Pulse at the same time being strong and full, which has deceived many in the Prognosticks of this Disease; in many there is a Relaxation of the Sphincter Muscles of the Anus and Bladder, so that the Excrements and Urine come away invo∣luntarily and insensibly.

An Apoplexy very seldom gives any Warning of its approach, unless in Persons subject to Lethar∣gies or Vertigoes, which in many are Fore-runners of this Disease, as also, in some, are Dimness of Sight, Trembling of the whole Body, Incubus or Night-mare often afflicting, gnashing of the Teeth in sleep, and an unusal Heaviness of the Body. It has likewise by many been observed, that smoak∣ing much Tobacco, has caused in some Constitu∣tions, the Apoplexy, and they give Instances of such being seized while they have been smoaking, and dyed; and this they ascribe to its Narcotick Quality, and say by that means it is Injurious to the Brain, and consequently disposes to Apoplexies: But I am of another Opinion as to the thing in ge∣neral; for if Tobacco had such a pernicious Quali∣ty, the many Years it has been in Vogue, and the

Multitudes of People of all sorts that have taken it, would have discovered it in an eminent Degree, and have oblig'd the World to leave smoaking it long ago as deleterious. But on the contrary, very ma∣ny People live to a great Age, and in as good a State of Health, tho' they have long and immode∣rately used it, as those that take it not. It must in∣deed be allowed that it is not agreeable to all Con∣stitutions, but the same may be said of almost every thing else, whether Food or Physick; and tho' we have had Instances of some dying of Apoplexies that have taken Tobacco, yet it does not follow, that Tobacco was the Cause. And I presume no wise Man will conclude from a few Instances of the dis∣agreeableness of any one thing to some Men, when vast Numbers of them on the contrary side may be brought to warrant its Use, that it ought univer∣sally to be avoided, or branded with a note of In∣famy. My Sense of Tobacco is, That in those Per∣sons with whom it is found to agree, 'tis a very good Drainer of Humours, and so may supply the place of Issues, or at least that fewer of them may be necessary to those who abound with Moi∣sture; for by its irritating, and occasionally enlarging (from the great Afflux of the Saliva) the Secretory Ducts of the Glandules about the Mouth, as 'tis e∣vident there must be a great Discharge, so a great Diversion is made from the Brain (tho' I allow the greatest part of the Matter comes not immediately from thence, but out of the Blood) whence 'tis ad∣viseable that the Persons who take it, should drink but moderately, least otherwise they do themselves more Hurt by the Supply, than they can receive Be∣nefit by the Discharge. But there is another reason why Tobacco may be useful to those who are dispos'd or subject to Apoplexies, I mean to those to whom

it is agreeable) and that is by the Vellication the Smoke of it impresses on the Nerves of the Mouth, which it makes to contract, so that by consent of Parts the whole Brain is analogously affected, where∣by if the Brain happens to be more lax than ordi∣nary, and is dispos'd to receive a Flux of Blood or Serum, as it will be after a Person has had and e∣scaped one Fit, it will prove a very useful Admi∣nistration towards restoring the Tone of it, and thereby preventing the Admission of Heterogenous Particles into the Tubes of the Nerves, which cause the Symptoms.

And since I have spoken about Tobacco, I will add a Word or Two concerning Snuff, which, as it causes not, through its frequent Use, any Sternu∣tation or sneezing, to those who take it constantly, is very prejudicial; and where immoderately taken, by some Persons of some Constitutions, so relaxes the Tone of the Brain, as to dispose to Apoplexies, and that because the Matter of it is gross, and apt to lye long about the Extremities of the Olfactory Nerves, so as continually to affect them, especially where they are ever and anon supply'd with more, which keeps the Pores of those Nerves continually open. It is the Opinion of a very great Physician, That Snuff, as now a days used, renders those Per∣sons that take it, liable not only to Apoplexies, but also to the Danger of receiving the Pestilence, if any such Distemper should reign, (which God for∣bid) and that much sooner than others, since from the Symptoms, the Pestilence appears to seize the Brain particularly; and the sudden Fate upon Re∣cord of those that without any preceding Indispo∣fition have, whilst the last Sickness raged, fallen down in the Streets, was doubtless from the Pesti∣lential Miasms, being easily and at once admitted

into the Brain by the Olfactory or Smelling Nerves, render'd more open and lax by the profuse taking of Snuff in those Days; those People that used it most, being the soonest and in the most fatal manner, seized with that Disease. It may here be urged, that many, who then used it, received no apparent Injury, or do those that take it now a-days find any harm by it: Be it so, I think the Objection may as well be urged in favour of immoderate Drinking, many who long indulg'd themselves in that practice, having yet liv'd to a great Age, when however it is evident that many more have much shortened their Lives by it. But tho' Pestilencies, (from which Thanks be to God we are at present free) or Apoplexies may not be occasion'd by the profuse taking of Snuff, yet the Vertigo and other Distempers which we find debilitate or hurt the Brain, may reasonably be suppos'd from that pra∣ctice principally to arise.

The Causes of the Apoplexy we have accounted for, and also the Signs: I shall now speak of its Seat, and then of its Prevention and Cure. The Seat of an Apoplexy is without doubt in the more inward recess of the Brain, to wit, the Corpus Cal∣losum, and the proximate and immediate Subject of the Disease, is the Animal Spirits inhabiting therein, for that the Understanding, Imagination and com∣mon Sense are so deeply affected as to be perfectly darken'd, and to suffer a total eclipse; but the im∣mediate Subject of this Disaffection is thought to be the middle part of the Brain; because from, thence the Instincts of all Spontaneous Motions proceed, and in this the Perception of all sensible things are terminated.

From Histories and Anatomical Observations of Persons dying of an Apoplexy, Blood has been

found extravasated, or out of its proper Vessels, here and there hi great Clots, compressing the Substance of the Brain. In others the Serous Colluvies have overflow'd the whole Head. In others a large Bladder of Water has been found in one of the Ventricles, compressing the smaller Passages; from which Observations it may be concluded, that the principal places sorely affected are not the greater Ventricles, but the middle marrowy Substance of the Brain and Cerebel, which is every where Porus and endued with very many minute Passages, that both the Vital Spirits may flow in thi∣ther from the Blood, and the Animal Spirits may flow forth.

The Cure of the Apoplexy is twofold, in the Fit, or out of the Fit; the Cure out of the Fit, is properly speaking preventative, of which I shall treat after I have shewn what is to be done in the Fit.

The Patient being in a Fit, whether it proceeds from the Blood let out of the Vessels, or a Serous or watery Humour, or the breaking of an Imposthume in the Brain, or other invisible Cause, the Cure must not be the less neglected; therefore immediately set the Patient as upright as may be, for some Hours, (for the Disease being a sleepy one, if the Patient should be put to Bed it might incline more to sleep, which is expresly against the Intention of Cure) and let him Blood plen∣tifully, for nothing is more capable of sooner relieving, and this Distemper of all others, requires the most sud∣den Remedy, for the Disention both of the San∣guiferous Vessels, and Habit of the Parts, being thro' Bleeding remov'd, the Fibres which constitute both, must be presumed to contract themselves by their Tonick Motion, but especially those in the Habit. Afterwards, or while this is doing, some proper Ster∣nutatory must be blown up the Nostrils with a Quil, the best of which I ever knew instantly to bring the

Patient to himself being my following Apoplectick Species, the Virtues of which in one particular Case I will here give you.

A Gentleman being seized with an Apoplectick Fit, several Physicians and Surgeons were call'd by the By-standers, they all immediately endeavoured to let him Blood, but he would not Bleed, at length some one by, who knew I had Medicines for Fits and Distempers of the Head, came for me, and told me the Man was dead; if so, I said, I could not setch him to Life; but, it being the common saying when there is danger, that the Patient is either dead or; dying, in hopes the Messenger might be mistaken, away I went, taking with me a little of my Apople∣ctick Species. When I got thither I beheld the mi∣serable Object as one dead indeed, he lying so very stupified, as that no Life could be perceived to be in him, and as a dead Man I look'd upon him. Bleed I found he would not, nor could any thing be got down his Throat, therefore I instantly blew a little of my Species forcibly up his Nostrils, by which means he a little while after began to stir, I then blew up a little more, upon which a large Evacuation of Pus, Water, and Viscous Matter mix'd with Blood, was immediately made, whereupon he a little revived, and being almost come to himself, a very great Flux of Blood (near upon a Quart) presently followed thro' his Nostrils, so that in about an Hours time or a little more, after the use of the Species, he perfectly recovered from his Fit, his Understanding, Speech and Senses being all restor'd. This Danger being over, the next thing to be considered for him was how to prevent any more Fits for the future; therefore I order'd him my Cephalick Pills and Cephalick Elixir prescrib'd in Chapter the First, to be taken as there directed, which had the desir'd effect.

My Apoplectick Species I thus prepare:

TAKE Lilly of the Valley Flowers, Lavender and Rosemary Flowers, of each Three Drams; Mar∣joram, Betony, of each Two Drams; Galangal Pellitory of Spain, Rocket Seeds, of each half a Dram; Nutmegs, a Dram and half; the best Castor, a Dram; Pouder them all very fine, and sprinkle them with Essence of Cloves, Essence of Amber, and the best East-India Oil of Cina∣mon, equal parts of each, sufficient to make them into a Paste, which then put into a small Digesting Glass well luted, that nothing may evaporate, set it in a very mode∣rate Sand-Heat tilt all the liquid is thoroughly imbibed, and the Pouder become dry; then take the Glass out of the Sand, and when it is cold take out the Pouder and rub it in a Glass Morter, adding to it, Flowers of Benjamin, a Dram; Volatile Salt of Amber, a Dram and half; Yellow Precipitate, artfully prepared and very finely pou∣dered, Three Drams; mix all together very well, and keep it in a Glass very well stopt, that no Air may get to it, for Ʋse.

In a Fit of the Apoplexy, besides Bleeding and using my Apoplectick Species above prescrib'd, the Mouth of the Patient must, if possible, be opened and kept so, and something given to drink, if it be no more than about Twenty Drops of Spirit of Sal Armoniack or Hartshorn, in a Glass of fair Water, also the Arms, Hands, Thighs, Legs and Feet, are to be chafed or rubbed with Oil of Amber, or the like; also a Glister is to be given him forthwith, if it be possible to be done, likewise Cuppings, with Scarifi∣cations, Blisters and Issues, which latter take up so much more time to relieve, than there is to be had in such dangerous Cases, the only present Help in the Exigency, is Bleeding, and the Use of my Apo∣plectick Species, with Anointing, unless any thing

can be gotten down the Throat as just now men∣tioned.

As the Recovering a Patient out of a Fit of the Apoplexy, when there is so much Danger, and Life is so imminently threaten'd, is a very happy thing, so to prevent the Fits for the future, or secure those from them, that have the Symptoms of them, is not a much less good Service; for we have seen and known many that have had one Fit after another, and each Fit more dangerous, till at length Life hath been carried away indeed, therefore tho' it be difficult to prevent the Fits, yet I persuade my self, if the Patient follow the Rules I shall lay down, he will not only be secured from more, while he is taking the Medicines, but will find the very Cause of the Disease taken a∣way so effectually, that upon his desisting to take them he will hear no more of his Malady.

Therefore let such that are subject to the Apoplexy, or in fear of that Disease, take Three of my Gepha∣lick Pills every fourth or fifth Morning, which will gently purge him, calling away Humours from the Blood which infest the Brain; and those Mornings he does not take the Pills, he is to take Ffty Drops of my Cephalick Elixir in a Glass of fair Water, or mix'd with a little Wine, if the Water be too raw for his Stomach; as also the same Dose every Night going to Bed; which Elixir is a Specifick Midicine, corroborating the Head, Brain and Spirits, and keep∣ing the Blood in due order. And if he finds any disposi∣tion to a Fit, by any of the Signs or Symptoms, men∣tioned to attend Apoplexies, he should once a Week snuff up into each Nostril the quantity of a very small white Pea of my Apoplectick Species afore-mentioned, at Night an Hour or two before he goes to Bed which will purge the Head and Brain, and discharge from the Nostrils and Mouth a large quantity o••

Viscous Humour, that in those Cases infest the Brain, whereby the Patient will be much more lightsome and easy, as by so much the Brain has been clear'd of the Humour offending it. Thus will no People, in my Opinion, be troubled with Apoplexies, as we frequently see they are; I taking the Medicines I have recommended to be such for those Purposes, as are not to be excell'd; and hope those that use them will have cause to say their Effect have not fallen short of my Account of them.

CHAP. IX. Of the Palsy and other Nervous Diseases.

THE Palsy is a Resolution or Relaxation of the Nerves from their due Habit, by which means Motion and Sense, sometimes one only, sometimes both together, in the whole Body, or in some Part or Parts thereof, cannot be used or exercised after their due manner.

It is a Disease either perfect, in which Sense and Motion are quite lost and gone, or imperfect, where∣in Sense or Motion are only decay'd or diminish'd, so as to occasion a Trembling or Shaking of the Parts affected, and in this latter, if the Diminution be but small, it cannot be properly call'd a Palsy, but a Stupor or a Numbness, which however is commonly the Fore-runner of a true Palsy.

A Palsy may be either from the hurt of the Mo∣tive Faculty, the Sense remaining sound, or from the hurt of the Sensitive, the Motive remaining well. The Cause may be either from a Solution of Unity in the Nerves, as by a Bruise from a Fall or Blow, or by a Wound, or from a Relaxation of the Vertebrae of the Back, suddenly caused, or it may come from innate Causes, or cold pituitous Humours, which relax and

dissolve the Tone of the Nerves, or from straitness or narrowness of the Nerves caused by Obstructions, or by Constipation from some Tumour, &c. or from thin, sharp, serous and windy Humours moved in the Bowels, not only to the beginning of the Orifices of the Nerves, but to the very Muscles and Tendons; or it may proceed from Causes external and foreign, as from Narcoticks, or Poisons, immeasurably drink∣ing strong Liquors, the taking of Henbane, Opium, Quicksilver, Antimony, Arsnick, or the like. To the external Causes may also be added the excess of Heat or Cold; by the first of which the Spirits are wasted and spent, and by the latter they are obstructed in their Passages by Congelation, &c. or it comes by Consent of Parts, and that for the most Part in Scor∣butick Habits of Body, but the general Causes of a Palsy, are all those which hinder the Passages of the Animal Spirits into the Nerves and Muscles, and in whatever part they are interrupted from flowing, there will be a Palsy in that Part, it being impossible for the Nerves to act or perform their Function as they ought, without being sufficiently fill'd and in∣vigorated by the Spirits.

In whatever place, I say, this Hindrance happens, whether about the Spinal Marrow, or about the Con∣jugations or Branches of the Nerves proceeding there∣from, it causes a Palsy either of more or fewer Parts, according as the Nerves affected are more general or particular.

If the Nerves that take their rise near the Brain, or in the beginning of their Passage from the Brain, or the spinal Marrow lying just under the Brain, be hurt or affected, there is commonly a ge∣neral Palsy, wherein also Breathing, the Voice, Speech, and Swallowing with some excressive Motions do suffer hurt. But if the Hurt is in the following Pro∣duction

of this Marrow, it makes those Members only paralytick, into which its Branches or Nerves are inserted: But the Palsy is so much the more general by how much the effect of the said spinal Marrow is near to the Brain, or Original of the Nerves.

If the Eye be affected with the Palsy, the visive Nerves are originally hurt, as also the Cerebrum it self. If the Tongue is Paralytick, the Conjugation of Nerves serving the Tongue is hurt, and the Speech is also defective, and by reason of its Community with the Auditory Nerve, if the defect be so great as to cause a Total loss of Speech, the Patient is for the most part Deaf also. If there be a Palsy of the Larynx, Jaws, Midriff, as also of the Bladder and Fundament, the Nerves of the sixth and seventh Conjugations, are hurt about their Original. If there be a defect of the Voice, the Recurrent Nerve is affected. If there be a defect in Swallowing, the Nerves that go to the Muscles of the Jaws are hurt; if there be danger of Suffocation, the Nerves that go to the Midriff are hurt, tho' the Midriff (the Instru∣ment of Breathing) can otherwise, in some sort, per∣form its Office, for that it receives Nerves also from the Spinal Marrow.

If the Sphincter Muscles of the Bladder and Anus be paralytick, there follows an involuntary voiding of Urine and the Excrements, the Conju∣gations of Nerves supplying those Parts, being gene∣rally affected or hurt.

If the Palsy is in the Legs, the Nerves affected are about the bottom of the Spinal Marrow, and the Vertebrae of the Os Sacrum. And thus we must search out for the place whence the Nerves spring, which are dispersed to those Parts affected with the Palsy, and that being known, the Cure is the easier accom∣plished. From these things it is apparent what Con∣jugation

of Nerves are most affected, when the Palsy is in this or that Part only; but when there is an universal Palsy, there is, for the most part, an Af∣fection of the whole Genus Nervosum or Nervous System, which comes to pass from one or more of the Causes already mentioned.

The Signs of the Palsy are manifest, to wit, De∣privation of Sense and Motion of the Parts; the Eye, if that be affected, is weakned and depraved on that side where the Part is affected for want of Nourish∣ment; the Speech is much alter'd; the Urine is most times white and thin by means of Obstructions. If it comes from a Blow, Fall, Wound, &c. or upon an Apoplexy, Lethargy, Carus, or other Effects of the Brain or Genus Nervosum, it will not quickly be cured; no more will the Palsy in young People pro∣ceeding from a cold and moist matter, because of the dissimilitude of the Disease to the Nature of such Pa∣tients. The Palsy in old People is never perfectly cured, because they want Natural Heat; and an in∣veterate Palsy is most commonly incurable.

The Cure of the Palsy therefore is uncertain, ac∣cording as is the Cause and Strength of the Disease, and Constitution of the Patient; nor is it in any cured but by first and chiefly altering the whole habit of the Body, rectifying the discracy of the Blood, and removing the Morbifick Matter offending, and that at last by strengthening the Parts hurt, that they may for the future be able to resist all other Assaults of the Disease.

To do this, Medicines must be both inwardly ta∣ken and outwardly apply'd. Authors have not been sparing in their Prescriptions for that purpose, there being numbers of them to be met with; but it is to be doubted many of them would be found to be of very little, if any, effect; I have known many of

the (reputed) celebrated ones made use of, but the Benefit was not equivalent to the Trouble, nor in∣deed can I say any one of the many I have met with, have come near answering their Characters, tho' I my self have used them with the strictest Care and Observation, which put me upon considering how to find out those that might be effectual, and which I have accomplish'd so far, as to cure in many Cases of that kind, I might say most; and even in invete∣rate Palsies, by a constant Application of those Me∣dicines, I know not what effects may be produced, it may be more than I am willing to say, or the Pa∣tient expect.

The Medicines I speak of are only Two, one is my Paralytick Elixir for inward use, which is this:

The Paralytick Elixir.

TAKE Pellitory of Spain, long Pepper, and Gin∣ger, of each an Ounce; Scorzonera, Cloves, Mace, and Cinnamon, of each Six Drams; Zedoary, Ga∣langal, Nutmegs, Wood of Aloes and Juniper Berries, of each Ten Drams; black Pepper, Cardamoms, Dittany, Coriander Seeds, Alkermes Berries, Cubebs and Bay-Ber∣ries, of each one Ounce; Orange Peel and Citron Peel, of each Six Drams; Spicknard, Sage, Rosemary, La∣vender, Chamomile Flowers, and Penny-Royal, of each an Ounce; Salt of Tartar, half an Ounce; out, slice, and bruise the Ingredients as they require, and put them into a Digesting Glass, and pour upon them a Pint and half of compound Radish Water doubly distill'd; let them digest close stopt that nothing may evaporate, for Forty Eight Hours in a Sand Heat; and when cold, strain off the Liquor, pressing the Ingredients strongly in a Press; then, put the Ingredients into the Digesting Glass again, and pour upon them another Pint and half of compound Radish Water, digesting and pressing out the Liquor as

before; mix the Two Liquors together in a fresh Dige∣sting Glass, to which put of the finest Succotrina Aloes, an Ounce; Salt of Amber, an Ounce and half; Volatile Salts of Hartshorn and Armoniack, of each half an Ounce; Camphir, an Ounce; digest them close stop'd, in a Sand Heat, for Forty Eight Hours, or so long as till it be E∣lixirated, which will be when the Aloes, Salts, and Cam∣phir, are perfectly dissolved and united with the Liquor. The Dose is fifty or sixty Drops.

The other is my Nerve Fotus, for outward use, and is thus prepared:

TAKE Oil of Amber, of Turpentine, of Bays and of Spike, of each half a Pint; mix them together and put them into a Glass Retort with Galbanum, and Gum Elemi, of each an Ounce; let them stand a Week or Ten Days in digestion close stop'd, in a moderate Sand Heat. Then take Nutmegs, Cloves, Galangal, Cinna∣mon, Zedoary, Pepper and Cubebs, of each an Ounce; Salt of Tartar, Two Drams; rectified Spirit of Wine, Twelve Ounces; put them all into a Digesting Glass, and let them stand in a Sand Heat for a Week or Ten Days; after which put them to the other Ingredients in the Retort and distill them. First will come off a Spirit, than a Yellow Oil, and at last a Black Oil, which mix altogether, and add to them Four Ounces of Camphir, and digest them close stopt, so long as till they are all united, and it is done.

The abovesaid Elixir is to be taken in Drops, Fifty or Sixty at a time, every Night and Morning, in a Glass of the following Drink, which will keep the Body soluble. With the Nerve Fotus the Parts af∣fected are to be bathed, every Night and Morning cold as it is, and is to be rubbed in with the Hand till it is all dryed in, and if the Spine or Back-bone

from the Nape of the Neck to the Rump be bathed with it also, it will be so much the better.

The Drink to take the Elixir in, is this:

TAKE new Ale from the Tun, Four Gallons; White Wine, one Gallon; Juice of Scurvy Grass, Three Pints; Juices of Tarragon, Water-Cresses and Brooklime, of each one Pint; Shavings of Horse-radish Roots, Mustard seed bruised, of each Four Ounces and an half; put the Ingredients into a Bag, which put into the Ale and Juices, first mix'd together, let them work up all together; and when the Fermentation is over, and the Drink settled, which will be in about Five or Six Days, Bottle it off, putting a Clove slit into each Bottle, and also an Ounce of White Sugar.

In half a Pint of this Drink the Drops are to be taken, and the Drink may be drank by it self at Table, or any other time, if the Patient pleases. But where the Case is slight, or the Patient cares not for the trouble of preparing this Drink, the Paralytick Elixir may be taken in a Glass of Wine and Water, or any other convenient agreeable Liquor.

By the Volatile and Operative Quality of the Drink and Elixir, a speedy flowing of the Spirits will be let into the Genus Nervosum, for they not only al∣ter the Blood and Juices of the whole Body, but also remove the offending Cause, circulate the Spirits, and give Strength, and that as well in all manner of Di∣seases of the Nerves, as in the Palsy, and with that good effect, that 'tis believed no Medicines can do more.

A certain Gentleman by a Fall from his own Coach hurt his Back, that he could not stand upright, at length it brought on a Palsy, some part of the Nerves of the Seventh Vertebrae being hurt in their Original; to cure him many things were ap∣ply'd,

but in vain, till being told of my Curing Di∣seases of the Head, Brain and Nerves, he sent to me an Account of his Case; I gave the Messenger a Bottle of my Paralytick Elixir, and another of my Nerve Fotus, which he taking and using as I directed, be∣came perfectly well in Twelve Days time, tho' he had kept his Bed Seven Weeks before.

CHAP. X. Of the Epilepsy or Falling-Sickness, also Convulsions and Cramp.

THE Epilepsy or Falling-Sickness, is a Con∣vulsive Motion of the whole Body, coming by Fits, depriving the Sick suddenly both of Reason and Sense, wherein the whole Body is contracted. Galen calls the Falling-Sickness always a Convulsion, but improperly, for it is not a true Convulsion, but a Convulsive Motion of the whole Body, wherein all the External and Internal Senses are abolish'd.

It is call'd the Falling-Sickness, because many times the Persons afflicted, fall down when their Fits come upon them; it is also call'd Morbus Sacer, either because it doth contaminate, as it were, the Sacred Soul or Life, or because it is seated in the Head, the Sacred Temple of the Soul, as Philoso∣phers say, or else call'd so from the Greatness of the Disease, or rather because it is a Disease not often cured (if it be inveterate) by Humane Help, but by Divine Aid. It is also by Authors call'd Morbus Herculeus, and that either because Hercules, as the Poets feign, was taken with this Distemper, or be∣cause it is hard, like his Labours, and difficult to cure. Others call it Morbus Puerilis, because Chil∣dren when they begin to have Teeth, are often seized with this Disease, also Morbus Comitialis, be∣cause it takes Men on a sudden when they are in

Company; also Morbus Lunaticus, because People are generally seized with it, at certain times of the Moon, as the New and Full; likewise Morbus Sonticus, because it is a Distemper that much afflicts and hurts the Person who has it.

When the Fit comes, the Patient falls down, is plucked up together, trembles, turns about, snorts, crys out, and foams at the Mouth, and makes a kind of roaring or howling Noise, clashing or gra∣ting and closing his Teeth, fast shutting and holding together his Fingers, voiding his Urine and Excre∣ments insensibly, and foaming at Mouth froth, like the White of an Egg work'd with a Wisk.

It is caused of gross Flegm, or sharp Choler, ob∣structing the Passage of the Spirits in the Ventricles of the Brain, which within pulls or twinges the prin∣cipal Nerves, and thereby causes a straitning of the Passage, by which there follows a drawing back and shutting up of the Animal Spirits which cause Sense; from defect of which there follows immedi∣ately all the Symptoms of this Disease, and by which the Parts suffer a Convulsive Motion.

Tho' what has been said to be the Cause, yet there are many afflicted with this Disease Heredita∣rily, from the same Diseasy Principle in their Parents, so that they bring it into the World with them; but upon general Observation it is a Disease chiefly oc∣casioned by some Posterous Accident.

There are differences of this Disease according to its Cause, and the Constitution it seizes on. One is recent, or but newly begun, the other inveterate and of long standing. There is also another more mild, in which some certain Parts suffer only a Convulsion; or else more grievous, wherein there is a Convulsion of the whole Body. Another is periodical, coming once or twice a Year or once or twice a Month, at New

or full Moon, or oftner, but always keeping its certain times, tho' others again I have known to be surpriz'd with the Fits unawares.

It is a Disease to some, from an Epileptick Dispo∣sition in the Brain, to others from a preceding Cause in the inferior Parts, to others from Distempers of the Stomach, to others from Worms, to others from the Womb, and to others from hurts of the exter∣nal Parts; it never seizes some till they are grown up in Years, and others never but in their Infancy; but tho' it most commonly happens to Children, yet it sometimes afflicts grown Persons, and it is remark'd by Galen to be a Disease incurable if it takes them after the Age of Twenty five Years.

The Cure of this Disease is twofold, when the Di∣sease is upon them, and when the Fit is over.

When the Fit is upon them, Authors advise to give a few Drops of Spirit of Hartshorn, Castor, or the like, in a Glass of fair Water, and to smell to the same, rubbing the Nostrils a little with it, or with Oil of Amber. And when the Fit is over, to pre∣vent it for the future, they order Blisters, Glisters, Purges, Vomits, Cuppings, and the like, and give Specificks inwardly, which they prescribe, but they are so numerous that it is inconsistent with the bre∣vity I design in this Treatise, to note them, as 'tis judg'd they would, many of them at least, be as in∣significant if I did.

I have attended many Patients in my time both in and out of the Fits, and tho' I have used many things recommended, I could not find any thing come near my Epileptick Spirit following, both to recover Pa∣tients when in Fits, and to rectify the Indisposition of the Parts in order to prevent them for the future. But the Method I use when I see any one in a Fit, is this, I immediately blow a little of my Apoplectick

Species, prescrib'd in Chapter the 8th, up each Nostril, and give inwardly a few Drops of the Epileptick Spi∣rit, as Thirty to a grown Person, and Five or Six to Children, in a Glass of fair Water, rubbing the No∣strils, Temples, top of the Head and Nape of the Neck with a little of the Spirit also, which almost In∣stantly, as soon as the Species begin to operate, brings the Patient out of the Fit. After that is done, to pre∣vent the Fits for the future, I first purge the Patient with my Cephalick Pills prescrib'd in the 1st Chapter, giving them, as there directed, according to Age or Strength, every third or fourth Day; and in the in∣termediate days, I give Thirty, Forty or Fifty Drops of my Epileptick Spirit, every Night and Morning in a Glass of fair Water, which is the best Vehicle; and order the top of the Head, Nape of the Neck, Tem∣ples and Back-bone, to be rubb'd with my Nerve Fo∣tus, prescrib'd in the 9th Chapter, every Night and Morning, which wonderfully corrects and alters the Humours of the Body, and strengthens the whole Man, especially if the course be continued for some time after the time the Fits usually return, and I be∣lieve scarce One Patient in Twenty, where the Disease is not Hereditary, will by this Method ever fail of being cured.

The Epileptick Spirit is thus made:

TAKE Forty Live Swallows; Six Young Magpies; Two Ravens; beat them all to mash, Feathers and all; White Peacock's Dung, half a Found; Misletoe of the Oak, and Male Piony Roots, of each Six Ounces; Ca∣stor, an Ounce; Man's Skull, Four Ounces; Piony Seeds, Acorns Roots, of each an Ounce and half; the Blood of a Deer fresh kill'd, Four Pounds; Lavender and Rosemary Flowers, of each Four Handfuls; bruise them all small, put them into a Retort, and pour upon them of

the strongest compound Piony Water, Two Quarts; fit a Receiver to the Retort, luting it well, and set it to di∣gest for Forty Days in Horse Dung; then distil in Sand with a Moderate Heat (lest the Ingredients burn) to dry∣ness. To every Pint of the distilld Spirit, add Spirit of Amber, Lavender, and Rosemary, of each an Ounce; Spi∣rit of Man's Skull, Elks-hoof and Hartshorn, of each Six Drams; Tincture of Luna and Coral, of each Two Ounces; Volatile Salt of Amber and Man's-Skull, of each half an Ounce; mix all together very well, and let it stand close stop'd in a Sand Heat till the Salts are dissolved, and the whole is intirely incorporated, which will be in about Five Days, and it is done. Dose Forty or Fifty Drops.

The like good Service will these Medicines I have now mentioned do in Convulsions, which is a Di∣sease from a forced Contraction of the Nerves and Muscles towards their Original, which is the Brain and Spinal Marrow, wherein the voluntary Motion of the Joints is hurt, the natural form and situation is deprav'd or changed, and the Parts affected are annoyed with a most sharp Pain.

There are Four kinds of Convulsions, one when the whole Body is bended or drawn forward, another when the whole Body is convulsed and drawn back∣ward, another when the Convulsion is equally both ways, so that the whole Body is stiff like a Stake, that it cannot be moved any way, and the other is when it happens to a particular Part, as the Hands, Arms, Legs, Thighs, Hips, and sometimes remarka∣ble when it happens to the Bowels, Stomach, &c. When it happens to the Hands, Arms, Legs, &c. it is what is call'd the Cramp.

The Brain is oftentimes affected in this Disease, and sometimes the Marrow of the Back or Spina Medullae, as also the Nerves and Muscles as said before.

The Signs are manifest, and the Causes many, as from Wounds, loss of much Blood, cold Humours, Flegm, the taking of Hellebore, Drunkenness, Sur∣feiting, pricking a Nerve or Tendon, Worms, biting of venemous Beasts, or the like. But be the Cause from what it will, I could never find the Cure bet∣ter or sooner accomplish'd than by the Method and Medicines a little before mentioned and prescribed, which if followed as directed for the Falling-Sickness, answers the Intention so much, as I may presume to say nothing can do more. And one thing I can't but note before I leave this Chapter, which is, that for the Cramp of the Legs, &c. which many People are often troubled with, there is not a better Medicine upon Earth to bathe with, than my Nerve Fotus, mentioned in the 9th Chapter, as they that use it will say.

CHAP. XI. Of the Incubus or Night-Mare.

THE Night-mare, or, as some call it, the Hag, is a Nocturnal Disease arising from thick Va∣pours which chiefly obstruct the hinder part of the Brain, by which the Flux of Animal Spirits being stop'd, Breathing is hindred, the Voice intercepted, and the Body so oppress'd (as it were between sleep∣ing and waking) with a weight lying upon the Breast and holding fast the Man, that, notwithstanding all his Endeavours, the whole Faculty of moving seems for a season to be abolished.

I say, in the time of the Fit, the Patient endea∣vours and strives with vehemency to stir, move, and shake off his Burden, but in vain; for when the Fit is off, and he comes to himself, he find's he is not moved an Hair's breadth, but lyes in the same Place and Posture, tho' he thought he struggled strongly with what oppress'd him, and that he cry'd out, when indeed

he never spoke one Word; but because of the great Oppression about the Heart and Midriff, and fear of Suffocation, he commonly groans, and thereby ex∣presses the Weight of his Affliction with Fear and Terror. And tho' this Disease so strongly seizes the universal Man in the Fit, as to abolish all manner of external Motion, yet it hurts the Understanding and internal Senses but little, nor indeed the common Sense of Feeling, because if any one, being by, does but touch or pull the Patient, tho he be in the heighth of the Fit, he will immediately come to him∣self, and perfectly remember and tell all the Circum∣stances of the Affliction.

As from the great oppression the Patient groans, so also are the inward Senses of many so disturb'd, as that they believe it was a Spirit that held them, or that they were hag-ridden (whence comes the Name) or that some Witch or Devil, sometimes in one Shape, sometimes in another, as of a Dog, a Cat, Bear, &c. lyes upon and oppresses them, and will possitively tell you, and themselves verily believe it, that they struck the Devil or Witch, when at the same time they never stirr'd their Hands or Arms, as aforesaid, an Hair's breadth from the Place.

This Disease happens to those who sleep on their Back, and rarely to those who sleep on their Sides Those who have this Disease much and often, are in danger of falling into the Apoplexy, Vertigo, Madness Palsy, or Epilepsy; many Children dye of this Di¦sease in the Night, by reason of abundance of thick Vapours arising from the Milk they suck, by which means many Nurses have been hardly and unjustly censured for Over-laying their Nurseries, when i•• Truth they have dyed of this Disease. Those tha•• use a Temperate Dyet, are seldom molested with th•• Night-Mare, but it chiefly happens to such as ar••

loaded with Crudities, and are Intemperate; as also to Corpulent People, and Children, and others who eat too much, especially at Night, and have bad Digestions.

The Indications of the Cure of this Distemper are threefold: First the Humour or Matter that interrupts the Flux of the Animal Spirits is to be removed, which is done by proper evacuating Medicines. Secondly, the discrasy of the Blood is to be rectified and re∣duced to its prestine state of Health, which is done by Specifick and Alterative Medicines. Thirdly, the Parts affected and weaken'd by the Force of the Morbifick Matter, are to be strengthen'd; to do which, the same Order and Method, and the same Medica∣ments that I have recommended in the last Chapter, for the Cure of the Falling Sickness, are most proper, tho' truly, Medicines less in Power and Virtue than they are endued with, might in this Disease serve the turn; tho' I cannot but say as they are the most powerful, so they are more certain and speedy in their Operation, and less of them than others will suffice to compleat the Cure. I do therefore for those Reasons recommend them, and assure the Patient that he will not be mistaken in his Expectations of a Cure by their Use,

CHAP. XII. Of a Catarrh or Defluxion of Rheum, hurting the Sight, Hearing, Smelling, Tasting, Swallowing, &c.

A Catarrh or Defluxion, or as some call it, a Di∣stillation, is a flowing of some Excrementitious Humours from the Brain to the lower Parts, as to the Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Palate, Throat, Lungs, &c. so that the Brain is chiefly affected, the concoctive Faculty of it being hurt, or the expulsive Faculty irritated and stirred up, from an abundant Repletion

of Flegmatick Rheum, either generated in the Brain from the hurt of the concoctive Faculty, or through the fault of the Brain it self.

There are many kinds of those Rheums, some more thick, others more thin, some acrid and salt, others more sweet, some flow more violently, others more slowly. If it be hot, 'tis sharp and thin, flowing by the Nose and Mouth, the Forehead and Face are hot, and the Nose many times swells. If it be cold, there is a Pain and Dulness of the Head; the Humour that floweth down is not sharp or pricking, but the Patient is drowsy, his Eyes dazle, his Hear∣ing thick, his Nostrils stop'd, all his Senses dull, his Eyes and his whole Body heavy and lumpish, and each of these is more or less, as the Humour falleth more or less upon that Part: If the Rheum falls upon the Eyes, they look red, swell'd and sore, da∣maging the Sight if not soon cured; if upon the Nose, there is Stoppage of the Nostrils, loss of Smell∣ing, and the Nostrils are sore, by the sharpness of the Humour, and violent Sneezings follow; if it falls upon the Ears, it causes Pain in them, Deafness, and oftentimes Imposthumes; if it descends upon the Pa∣late, it causes Inflammation of it, Relaxation of the Ʋvula (which old Women call the falling down of the Palate) Swelling and Soreness, also hurt of the Taste; if the Rheum falls upon the Throat, it causes Inflammation and Swelling of the Glandules (vulgarly call'd the Almonds of the Ears, and deem'd their falling down) and hinders Swallowing, so that no∣thing can be got down but with very great diffi∣culty; if the Rheum rushes down upon the Lungs, it causes, if it be sharp and violent, a dangerous Suf∣focation, or at least an Obstruction of the Lungs, from whence often ensues shortness of Breath, difficulty of Breathing, and a vehement Cough, which if not in

time remedied, brings the Patient into a Consump∣tion; if the Catarrhous Humour translates itself upon the Limbs. Joints, or Nerves, as it will in time if not carried off, there is Pain, Weakness and Trembling.

Sometimes the superfluous Humour is thrown upon the Glandules of the whole Body, which alters their Tone, so that if it happens upon the Glands of the Mesentery, there follows a Watry Dispo∣••ition of the whole Body, which sometimes endangers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dropsy or other desperate D••sease.

The Causes of those Rheums are many, as Cor∣••upt Air, hot Liquors, and Spices taken out of mea∣••ure; but the chief Cause is an over hot, or over cold, or moist Distemperature of the Brain; but ••ome Authors say, that a hot Liver and cold Stomach ••re the two chief Seminaries of Rheums. But as in every Catarrh it is evident the Matter flows from ••he Head, that and the Brain are chiefly to be taken ••are of; so as that they be purged with proper Purges, and after that corroborated, the superfluous Moisture dried up, and the Part or Parts to which ••he Rheum flows, must at last be strengthen'd.

To accomplish this, I know nothing better than ••irst to purge with my Cephalick Pills, prescrib'd in ••he first Chapter, to be taken every other Day till ••he Rheum is abated, and also on those Days you do not purge, to take at Night going to Bed, and in ••he Morning at rising, a Dose of my Cephalick Elixir, ••ikewise prescribed in the said first Chapter, and to ••athe all the Head, Nape of the Neck, Temples and ••ehind the Ears, with my Nerve Fotus, prescribed ••n the Ninth Chapter, which strictly followd, will ••oth remove the offending Humour, corroborate ••he Head and Brain, and strengthen the weakened ••arts, beyond any thing perhaps known or used.

FINIS