The art of memory a treatise useful for such as are to speak in publick / by Marius D'Assigny ...

CHAP. IV. Some General and Physical Observa∣tions and Prescriptions for the remedying, strengthning, and re∣storing a Memory injured by the ill Temper of the Body, or the Predominancy of one of the four Qualities in the Brain. (Book 4)

THE Excellency of Memory, as we have taken notice, depending whol∣ly upon the Health and good Disposition of the Body, 'tis not to be doubted but that which restores Health to the one, is by consequence useful and assisting to the Welfare and Operations of the other. Chiefly, if the Head or Brain be any ways damnified, incumbred or prejudiced, such Medicines as are proper to remove the ill Qualities, or to restore Soundness, are also proper to help Memory: Divers therefore are prescribed by the most emi∣nent

Physicians, answerable to the several Distempers of the Brain, and the Causes from whence they proceed.

First; If by reason of extraordinary Loosness and immoderate Evacuations, or of any internal Driness, the Memory be prejudiced, we must seek a Remedy from a convenient Diet, which may strengthen the Body, and comfort the Spirits and Senses. In such a Case juicy Meats are to be used, and such as are of easy Di∣gestion in the Stomach; good and whol∣some Drinks are to be taken, as Claret Wine, Metheglin well made, &c. We are likewise to exercise our Bodies mo∣derately, and without being tired; we ought to rub the Head and Temples soft∣ly with Woollen Clothes, and endeavour to restore the Body to its ordinary Tem∣per by Sleep, Bathing, and other natural Means. But if the Brain and Memory be injured by reason of an internal Cold, Heat must be applied to expel it (as Humidity is used to remedy the Driness of the Temper) but always with a con∣venient Moderation; for we must take heed that we heat not the Brain too much, nor totally dry up the internal Humidity, for fear of falling into a more

dangerous Distemper, which may deprive us both of Life and Memory together. When the Brain is out of order by rea∣son of Cold and Moisture, the Air is to be chosen for the Patient to live in which may be hot and drying: and in wet and cold misty Weather, the Chamber or Dwelling where he is, ought to be per∣fumed with hot and odoriferous Herbs, as Sage, Marjoram, Lavender, Rose∣mary, Thyme, wild Thyme; and let a Smoak be made of some of these well∣scented Herbs in the Chamber, together with Juniper, (for such Perfumes will dry the Air, and help the Brain) chiefly of that Indian Amber that is named the Gum of the Soul. The Diet ought to be according to the Distemper, of such Meats as are of an easy Concoction; and tho some Physicians forbid cold Sallets, I suppose they may be of great use, chief∣ly in the Spring and Summer, to some hot Stomachs, as Lettice, Purslane, Spinage, Corn-sallet, Cichory, Endive, and Na∣sturtium; the latter being good to stir up the Spirits, and a natural Remedy a∣gainst Sloth; from whence comes the old Direction to a Sluggard, Vade & ede Nasturtium. Likewise it is very proper

in many Distempers of the Brain, to open a Vein, and free the superiour Parts from the over-flowings of Blood, and to give a gentle Purgation, either by Potions, Pills, or other usual Means, according to the Advice of experienced Physicians, and the Nature of the Distemper. Now such Diseases incident to the Brain are either in the Cavities, or the Substance of the Brain; in the first are chiefly these, Vertigo, Catarrh, Epilepsia, Apoplexia, Pal∣sy, Convulsion, Trembling: in the Substance are these, Phrenzy, Melancholy, Madness, Loss or Hurt of Memory, sleepy Dis∣eases, &c. All which, as they bring a present Prejudice to the Faculty of Me∣mory, so they are to be removed and cu∣red before it can act with Vigor.

But if the Disease proceeds from a too great Increase of the Humours, such skilful Physicians are to be consulted, and proper Remedies are to be applied for the correcting and removing of those Humours, as Bleeding, Purgations, Glis∣ters, Vomits, Issues, &c.

Now 'tis most certain that divers Oint∣ments, Snuffs, Perfumes, Plaisters, and Medicines are applicable to the Head and Temples, for curing several Distempers of

the Brain: But this being a Subject that more properly concerns the Physician, I shall only advise the Patient to be very cautious in making use of Remedies for the removing of Diseases of the Head, which is a tender Part; and when once the Part or Organ is wounded, 'tis a ve∣ry difficult Task to cure it, and with∣out a Miracle it can never be made whole.