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CHAP. 2. Of Medicines apropriated to the Breast and Lungues.
THe Medicines apropriated to the Breast and Lungues, you shall find called all along by the name of [Pectorals] that's the term Physitians give them, when you hear them talk of Pectural Syrups, Pectoral Rowls, or Pectoral Oyntments, now you know their Use.
They are divers, some of which regard the part afflicted, others the matter afflicting.
But although sometimes in Ulcers of the Lungues we are forced to use binding Medicines, to joyn the Ulcer, yet are not these called Pectorals, because binding Medicines are extream hurtful to the Breast and Lungues, both because they hinder ones fetching his breath, and also because they hinder the avoi∣ding that Flegm by which the Breast is oppressed.
Such Medicines are called Pectorals, which are of a* 1.1 lenifying Nature, for by their operation is the breath the easier fetched, and what sticks to the Sto∣mach the easier spit out.
Neither yet is the way or manner of provoking this same spitting alwaies one and the same, for som∣times the matter is so thin that it cannot be cast up by the motion of the Lungues, but it slips besides. A∣gain, Sometimes it is so thick that it cannot be cast out by the narrow Arteries of the Lungues. These then are the genuine operations of Pectorals, viz. Some to make the thin matter thicker, others to make the thick matter thinner.
Besides, Those which make thin matter thicker are of two sorts, viz. Some are mild and gentle, which may safely be administred, be the matter hot or cold which offendeth, (the degrees of temperature will sa∣tisfie, which such be among the Simples, neither shall you want instructions among the Compounds) O∣thers are very cold, which are used only when the mat∣ter offending is sharp.
But because such Medicines as conduce to the cure of the Phtisicks (which is an Ulceration of Lungues and the disease usually called, The Consumption of the Lungues) are also reckoned in amongst Pectorals. It is not amiss to speak a word or two of them.
In the cure of this disease are three things to be re∣garded.
- 1. To cut and bring away the Concreated Blood.
- 2. To cherish and strengthen the Lungues.
- 3. To conglutinate the Ulcer.
And indeed some particular Simples will perform all these, and Physitians confess it; which shews the wonderfull Mysterie the All-wife God hath made in the Creation, That one and the Same Simple should perform two contrary Operations on the same part of the Body; for the more a Medicine clenseth the more it conglutinates; And it is wisely done of Phy∣sitians to shut their Eyes against such a Mysterie, and against Astrology also, which is one means to reveal it, they make a long Harvest of little Corn, and get the more money by it. They usually in such cases first use Medicines which are more clensiing; lastly, Me∣dicines more binding and strengthen the Lungues all the time.
To conclude then, Pectoral Medicines are such as either cut and clense out the compacted humors from the Arteries of the Lungues, or make thin Defluxions thick, or temper those that are sharp, help the Rough∣ness of the Wind-pipe, or are gently lenitive and soft∣ning, being outwardly applied to the Breast.