CHAP. LVI. Of the Diabete, or inabilty to hold the Urine.
THe Diabete is a disease, wherein presently after one hath drunke, the u∣rine is presently made in great plenty, by the dissolution of the reten∣tive * 1.1 faculty of the reines, and the depravation of immoderation of the attractive faculty. The externall causes are the unseasonable and immo∣derate use of hot and diureticke things, and all more violent and vehe∣ment * 1.2 exercises. The internall causes are the inflammation of the liver, lungs, spleen, but especially of the kidneyes and bladder. This affect must be diligently distingui∣shed from the excretion of morbifick causes by urine. The loines in this disease are molested with a pricking and biting pain, and there is a continuall & unquenchable thirst: and although this disease proceed from a hot distemper, yet the urine is not co∣loured, * 1.3 red, troubled, or thick, but thin, and white or waterish, by reason the matter * 1.4 thereof makes very small stay in the stomacke, liver, and hollow veine, being pre∣sently drawn away by the heat of the kidneyes or bladder. If the affect long endure, the patient for want of nourishment falleth away, whence certaine death ensues. For the cure of so great a disease, the matter must be purged, which causes or feedes the inflammation or phlegmon, and consequently blood must be let. We must abstain * 1.5 from the foure cold seedes, for although they may profit by their first quality, yet will they hurt by their diuretick faculty. Refrigerating and astringent nourishments must bee used, and such as generate grosse humours, as Rice, thicke and astringent wine mixed with much water. Exceeding cold, yea Narcotick things shall be apply∣ed * 1.6 to the loins, for otherwise by reason of the thickness of the muscles of those parts, the force, unless of exceeding refrigerating things, will not be able to arrive at the reins; of this kind are oile of white poppy, henbain, opium, purslain, and lettuce seed, mandrage vinegar, and the like: of which, cataplasmes, plaisters, and ointments, may be made, fit to corroberate the parts, and correct the heat.