A treatise of the asthma divided into four parts : in the first is given a history of the fits, and the symptoms preceding them : in the second, the cacochymia which disposes to the fit, and the rarefaction of the spirits which produces it, are described : in the third, the accident causes of the fit, and the symptomatic asthmas are observed : in the fourth, the cure of the asthmas fit, and the method of preventing it is proposed : to which is annext a digression about the several species of acids distinguish'd by their tastes, and 'tis observ'd how far they were thought convenient or injurious in general practice by the old writers, and most particularly in relation to the care of the asthma.

Thirdly, By Chalybeat, or Vitriolic, and Sulphurous Digestives.

Extractum Ecphracticum cum Aloe, seems the best digestive for Asthmatics, for tho' the Steel by its stypticity stops the breath, yet Aloes helps the Steel off the Stomach. Most Asthmatics complain that Steel heats them, stops their Stomachs, and Breaths, and thickens the Phlegm, and at last produces a severe Effervescence which gives the Fit.

Baccius assures us, that Steel-waters by their stypticity offend the Asthmatic, in them they occasion Rheums and Catarrhs and fill them full of Serum; the Steel af∣fects the Head with a drowsiness and gid∣diness, as all Steel Wines do: Those I have recommended to the Steel Waters have much complained of them; and the German Spaw-waters did increase my Fits; but I will confess I have discoursed some Persons, who have been much bet∣ter for those Waters, the quantity of cool Water doing more service than the Steel could do injury.

I believe Vitriolum Martis inconvenient, because of its great stypticity; though it raises no Effervescence in the Blood, yet whatever gives a violent motion to the Humors produces the Asthma. All Steel Wines are mischievous, as well as all other Medicines infused in Wine. Lower's In∣fusion of Steel and bitter, swelled my Sto∣mach, that I could not bear it, because of the strong Waters in it.

The Effervescence of the Chyle we call a hot Flatulency, and that of the Blood an Ephemera Fever; both these ought to be stopt, and the occasions avoided, as Surfeits, much Drinking, stoppage of the

Pores, violent Motions, Passions, Study, all these Causes rarefy the Air included in the Bubbles, which constitute the fluids in Animals, and thereby produce Flatu∣lencies, Effervescencies, Heat, and Ex∣pansion of Spirits.

For the suppression of all Effervescen∣cies in our Humors, the Method prescri∣bed in the Cure of Ephemeras, and the Asthma, must be used, but for prevent∣ing it nothing more likely than the use of the Cortex. Take ℥i. of it after your quarterly Vomits and Purges; I boil it in Pectoral Drinks, for in substance the styp∣ticity of it oppresses the Stomach, and makes a greater straitness than usual.

Though the Cortex cannot prevent the Fits in a Pneumonic Asthma depending on a great Tuberculum, nor in the flatu∣lent Asthma, where there is a great Ca∣cochymia, yet I perceive it greatly relieves the Sweats and Faintness attending the Fits, and Head-achs, and makes the In∣tervals of the Fits longer, but it is no ways proper to give it in a Fit, for then it ex∣ceedingly huffs up the Stomach.

It seems to me a rational design, to try more Antifebriles against the Asthma, after general Evacuations and Digestives

are tried, of which kind this seems proper in the Summer time, and it is commend∣ed by Rulandus as very good in the Asthma.

Take 20 or 30 Leaves of Houseleek, pound them, and express the Juice, put∣ting to them first a little Water, and two drams of Sal Armoniac: This Houseleek and Salt are proper to prevent Efferves∣cies in the Blood, for which reason also we may try Ribwort, Plantain; for Plan∣tain is used against intermitting Fevers: Boil Mij. in Posset-drink one Pint.

I drank the Water distilled from the Juice of Houseleek lbiv. with ℥ii. of Sal Armoniac in a Sand Furnace; this cools well, but a Syrup would have been much better.

These are the best Febrifuges to be used in the Summer.

1. Watery cool Liquors, distilled Milk, Water drinking, Decoctions of Sarsa.

2. Acids▪ as the Tartar Acids and A∣cerbs, acrid Acids of Vinegar, Sulphur Acids, Salsoacid Spirits, vitriolic Acids, nitrous Acids.

3. Vitriolated Salts, or Salfoacids, Sal Armoniac, Niter, Sal Prunel, Sal Suc∣cini.

In the Winter Bitters are the best Fe∣brifuges, as Venice Treacle, bitter De∣coction, Oxymel Scilliticum, and the Acetum, Elixir Proprietatis, with an Acid.

The watery Toast and Water for ordi∣nary Drink, or else lbi. in a Morning, after Dinner lbss. and as much at Night. Maxima continentium febrium remedia, haec duo sunt, venesectio & frigida potio.

The old Practisers gave as much cold Water to drink, as the Patient could bear, lbiii. or iv. and they affirm, Ipsius febris qua febris aqua frigida est remedium. I am very well assured, that if an Asthmatic could drink no fermented Liquor, he would rarely have the Asthma Fits. I usually drank lbi. of Water heated with a Toast in the beginning of my Fits.

The Decoction of the Woods is very useful Morning and Night.

Take Liquorish bruised ℥i. steep it in fair Water all Night (about lbii.) with∣out heat, and drink every Morning a large draught, or else use it for ordinary Drink; others must use a fifth or sixth part of Sack or White Wine, with a large proportion of Water; others may use Waters boiled with Cinnamon, or Aniseed, and Raisims.

I use this Hydromel, Take Honey lbi. boil it in one Gallon and a half of Water to one Gallon, scum it well, then add to it Ginger 3 races, Cloves 30, boil it and strain it, then when 'tis cold bottle it, and use it Night and Morning with a Toast and Butter, or else for ordinary Drink.

Take boiling Water lbii. Cinnamon ʒii. the crum of white Bread a good quantity, Sugar ℥iii. steep them, and put them through Hippocrates Sleeve.

'Tis usual to add an Acid to the Water, and then less Water will do; thus, Take Water lbi. Spirit of Vitriol ℈i.

This Water drinking is very agreeable to all Chronical Diseases, in which there is an Effervescence of Humors, as the Gout, from whence it is observed, Ra∣rissimum exemplum ut quis Hydropota fiat Arthriticus. By Water drinking all Salt and other vitious Tastes of our Humors are diluted, and made more mild and less corrosive: Water drinking is proper for all Defluxions which depend on the Ephe∣mera, as Head-achs, the Hysterical, Fal∣ling Sickness, Tremblings, dull Sight, the Melancholic, Bilious, Hemorragies, Putri∣factions of the Mouth, Fluxes of Humors by Stool, Urine, the Womb, and is cer∣tainly

very useful for all the hot Cacochy∣mias, as well as all very hot burning Fe∣vers. I have oft put by my Fits, and cured the Inflation of the Stomach by the Hydroposia, for which reason I cannot but recommend this to other Persons.

The next and most prevalent cooling Taste, is, of the Acid Febrifuges, which coagulate the consistence of Humors, ga∣thers or compresses the Globuli of the Blood, and makes the Blood of a blacker colour; they cool the Spirits, and prevent their too great rarefactions: I will first con∣sider the varieties of Acids, common Ve∣getables, and then those observable in Ani∣mals, and Minerals, and propose the best Forms of them that I could collect out of Authors, to be tried in the Asthma.

1. The styptic acerb Tastes, such is Plantain, Polygourd, spotted Aresmart, Sorrel, the Seda; amongst these the Sedum Majus has been tried, and recommended in the Asthma by Rulandus, as I mention∣ed above. Dr. Baynard tells me a Rela∣tion of a Woman relieved in the Asthma by Sorrel, a Posset-drink made with the Juices of the Seda, or Sorrel may be tried, or a Syrup made of the Juices, and dis∣solve it, an ounce of it in four ounces of

the distilled Water of the same Plant, and use in with ʒss. of depurated Niter, or gr. 15. of Sal Armoniac. See the Se∣rum de Sed•• in Bates's Dispensatory.

The Virtue of these Acerbs is to cool Inflammations, Fevers, and astringe all Fluxes of Humours: Their Tartareous Acidity makes them cooling and diuretio, and their Stipticity makes them proper for intermitting Fevers, and in these Cases these acerb Acids must be used.

The most Physical Acerbity we ob∣serve in the Fruits of Trees, as in Med∣lers, Services, Quinces, Granates, Rhue, Opsoniorum, Barberries, Grapes, Sloes, Bilberries, Cherries, Pears.

The most acerb Tastes are too styptic for the asthmatic; but the fermented Acids are commended in the Asthma, as old Verjuice and Vineger.

The acerb Taste depends on the want of a due Fermentation in the Fruits, for in a farther and perfect Maturation, they become sweet and more acid, with a less Astringency: The crude acerb Juice of Grapes has no Acrimony, but Vineger having undergone, first, a vinous or per∣fective Fermentation, and after that, a se∣cond putrefactive Fermentation, it be∣comes

something acid, and is properly an Acid acrid: From Fruits fermented by Nature a pure Acid is produced, such is that of ripe Fruits, and I call it,

2. The tartareous Acid; such is the Juice of Limons, Lime Juice; this may be called the sweet Acid; in these there is a Tartar too cool, but no Stypticity to bind; but these Acids purge most, and are used chiefly for Thirst and Fevers; but these ferment too much for the Asth∣ma.

Take Conserve of Wood Sorrel, Hipps, Rob of Berberries; each ℥i. Crem. Tart. ʒiij. Syrup of Limons; mix them.

Drink Limonade, Limon Posset-drink, or Verjuice Posset-drink, Decoction of Pippins, sweetned with the Syrup of Li∣mons, Citron, adding Spirit of dulcified Salt, Niter or Vitriol.

All Meats ought to be acidulated with Oranges, Limons, Sorrel, and the Drinks too, as Barly Water, lbij. Juices of Oran∣ges or Limons, ℥iiij. Cinnamon Water, and Syrrup of Rasberries, of each ℥iij. sweet dulcified Spirit of Niter, ℈ij.

See Tabulae Tartareae, and Cicera Tartari in Bates, and Julapium Fragorum and Ide∣um, for proper Forms.

Instead of common Salt use Tartar poudered with all your Meats, or Cream of Tartar, ℥ij. with Juice of Oranges, ℥ij. may be dissolved in lbii. of Barley Broth to loosen the Belly; one Spoonful of crude Tartar may be used in Broth, to loosen in a Morning, or else Honey and Cream of Tarter mixed; take three Drams.

Pulvis hepaticus rubeus is made of Cream of Tartar irrorated with Spirit of Vitriol: It cools and prevents Drunkenness.

Take Cream of Tartar irrorated with Spirit of Vitriol, Crabs-Eyes prepared with Vineger, of each ℥i. Oyl of Cinna∣mon, Cloves, of each ʒss. Sugar, lbss. make a digestive Powder.

3. I will next consider the acid acrid, or Vineger Acids, and give the Forms.

The old Posca made of Vinegar ℥i. Wa∣ter lbi. given ʒvi. three or four times in a Day: 'Tis good for the Cholera and He∣morrhages, and consequently for all other Effervescences: Rose Water, Vineger di∣stilled, and Sugar, of each ℥i.

Pliny commends Vineger Medicines as very useful, Vini Vitium transit in Reme∣dia; it excites our Appetites, and recom∣mends our Meats to our Palates: It may be mitigated with Water or a Toast,

Wine, Pepper, Salt makes it hotter, otherwise Vineger is of its self of a cooling; and no less discussing Quality; it ferments with the Earth, and breaks Stones, which Fire cannot; by which we observe that 'tis proper for Stones; if it be drank it takes off Nauseousness, Hickops, and sneezing by smelling to it: Vineger is useful in Eye Medicines, and in Garga∣risms for the scorbutic Putrefaction of the Mouth.

Vineger is proper for diary Fevers, from Heat of the Sun, and for Thirst; and for these the Ancients used the Aceta Theriacalia.

Vineger was used by the Ancients for leprose Scurfs, Ulcers, Bites of mad Dogs, or other venemous Stings; outwardly for Hemorrhages, 'tis applied with a Sponge, and two Cuatha may be taken inwardly to dissolve the Blood.

Vineger is applied to the Procidence of the Arms or Vulva; it helps the old Cough, Orthopnea, and Decays of the Teeth.

Agrippa had his Legs immersed into hot Vineger in a cruel Fit of the Gout; by this it appears, and many other Prescrip∣tions, that Acids were used outwardly for

the Gout, and Crato used Oyl of Vitriol five Drops in Broth to prevent the Gout.

The old Writers always used the Acid of Vineger and Niter to cool the Hu∣mours, and to abate the Heat, Acrimony, and Bitterness of strong Medicines: I will give Pliny Commendation of the Ace∣tum Scyllicitum, which all the old Writers commend in the Asthma.

The old Vineger of Squills is most ap∣proved of; it is profitable in the Acidity of Digestion, and to those who vomit fa∣sting; it cures the Stench of the Mouth, Lungs, and Gums; confirms the Teeth, gives a healthfuller Colour to the Face, helps Deafness by gargarising, sharpens the Sight; 'tis proper for the Epilepsie, melancholic, vertiginous, hysterical, brui∣sed, infirm Nerves and Faults of the Kidneys: Thus the Ancients used their medicated Vinegers instead of acid Spirits, and false acid chymical Salts, and they seem more natural to our Humours than the others: From the medicated Vine∣gers they order a Posset-drink thus, take two Spoonfuls of Vineger, mix them with lbi. of Milk, to make a Posset-drink, and any specific Juice or Scurvy-grass may be added.

The Spirit of Vineger is not so acid as the common Vineger, and less to be va∣lued, but the Dose is ʒij. to ℥ss. in any Julap. Tincture of Steel with Spirit of Vineger, Tincture of Opium with Vine∣ger, may be used in hot Cacochymias.

Sylvius preserved himself from the Plague by Vineger, one Spoonful in the Morning. Vineger is good in Surfeits, Vomiting, Hickops; and outwardly ap∣plied to the Stomach with Leaven and Mint. Vineger corrects Opium, if a Draught be taken after it: I think we want an Opiate extracted with Vineger and Canary for a Menstruum, or Vineger Spirit alone; this is more proper for the Asthma and Fevers, than the Brandy Spirits: The Fumes of Vineger excite the Lithargy, and those that faint by Dissipa∣tion of Spirits by bathing: Vineger hin∣ders Imposthumes, and inwardly and outwardly is used for the Erisipelas; it is proper for the Scab, Impetigo, Burning, it is proper for the Gout, with Sulphur in Embrocations, it stops Fluxes of Blood; the Vapour of Vineger cures the Noise in Ears and Deafness, and the same Fume is good for the Dropsy: Vineger is com∣mended for an old Cough, and Dyspnea.

Avicenna gives these Virtues of Vineger. I will not only commend Vineger with the Ancients, but also tell its Faults as they observed them.

Vineger is injurious to the Hypochon∣driacals, because they too much abound with an acid acrid Humour, but for some Diseases of the Spleen, as Tumours, In∣flammations, Galen commends it both outwardly and inwardly; Vineger usu∣ally gripes the Hypochondrias.

Vineger does Injury to the Womb by stopping the Menstrua, which are pro∣duced by an Orgasmus, Effervescence, Ebullition, or Turgescence, which im∣plies not only a quick Circulation of the Blood, but also an intestine or fermenta∣tive Motion before the Menstruum hap∣pen for two or three Days, which gives Pains in the Back and Loins, with a Las∣situde, Pulsation and Heaviness in the Limbs, Pain in the Head, Inflation in the Hypochondria, and I hope by these Symp∣toms I may say that Women have then an Ephemera, which occasions the Flux of their Blood, which being rarified, sti∣mulates the circulating Vessels for its Ex∣cretion: But Vineger, if mixed with Bit∣ters or Hony, does not suppress the Men∣strua,

but is proper to cool and cleanse the Womb.

4. Vineger produces Sterility, by re∣pressing the Flatulency of Spirits, and co∣agulating the Sperm, which it will do as it does coagulate Milk.

5. Vineger is injurious to the Nerves and Nervous Parts when obstructed in a Palsie, but no way in those Diseases which depend on the hot Cacochymias, as Deliriums, Phrenities, Epilepsies, Con∣vulsions, Asthmas, Fevers.

6. Vineger corrodes the Parts ulcerated, as the Guts and Kidneys; it extenuates the Body, by evacuating the Succus Nutriti∣us; it depresses the natural Fermentati∣on of Humours, and breeds the Dropsy and Cachexy in cold Constitutions.

Vineger is made more acrid and acid by Distillation from Niter, Salt, and Sal armoniac; or if ℥ss. of Sal armoniac be added to distilled Vineger; by this it will dissolve Stones and Metals.

The Ancients made purging Vineger with Sena or Agaric, and an Elixir Salu∣tis may be made with the same Ingredi∣ents as that in Bates's only; use Vineger for the Menstruum, or else Vineger with an equal Quantity of Spirit of Wine. Ga∣len

prescribes Aloes to be dissolved in Vineger, or else Scammony, or ʒi. to lbi. Hiera Picra may be infused in it, as well as in Canary or Brandy; the Oxy∣sacchary, made by the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum in Vineger, are certainly more agreable and most innocent: I have observed stomachic Vinegers with Quin∣ces or Mint, diuretic Vinegers with Juni∣per Berries, cordial Vinegers with Cloves, styptic Vinegers with Roses, pectoral Vinegers with Squills, diuretic, antihy∣dropical Vinegers with Elder Flowers, cephalic Vinegers with Rosmary Flow∣ers, uterine Vinegers with Myrrh or Sa∣vine, Pennyroyal, Castor, Assa-foetida; Vineger with Niter or Sal Armoniac for the Stone; Aromatics and Hony may be added to all the Vinegers, or Suger to make them more agreable: We prescribe ℥iv. of Vineger with Pepper for Obesity every Morning, I have often doubled. Whether ℥iv. of the Cortex might not be infused in lbi. of Vineger, to the great Advantage of hot Patients, who cannot well bear the bitter: A styptic Vineger may be made with Sloes, lbss. in lbii. of Vineger, or else by the Infusion of Oak Bark; an alexipharmic Vineger is best of

Venice Treacle, Myrrh; of each ℥i. Saf∣fron, Camphir; of each ʒi. Vineger, lbii. or prescribe thus, Syrrup de Scordio, Aqua Epidemica, ʒio. Aceti Bezoardic, Dos. Cochl. i. ad iii.

For pectoral Cases, ℞. Aceti Scyllitici, Syrrup. de Prassio, Aqua Brion. composit. cum ʒiv. Dos. Cochl. i.

Infinite are the Prescriptions I have met with in the Ancients, made of Vine∣ger, with all Sorts of Specifics; but I shall reserve them for a Treatise of simple Me∣dicines, digested under their several Tastes, but here design to add more about the Use of Oxymels, which were the pe∣ctoral Acids of the Ancients, but I must not omit that Bellis Minor is an Acid acrid, and may be properly infused in Vineger; the Chymists use a Tincture of the Flow∣ers with Spirit of Vitriol for the Asthma: Anagallis Flore Phaeniceo may be infused in any Liquor for Fevers, being an acrid Acid, and so is Ʋrsa Solis, in Aqua Theri∣acalis: All the Tythimals and Hellebores are corrected by Vineger, which shews the Virtue of Vineger to correct vitious Humours which are corrosive.

The most acid Oxymel hath the fourth Part of Vineger, in respect of the Hony,

the most sweet, the eighth Part in viscous Humours the Acid is to be used, and in others the sweeter.

Take of any pectoral Decoction, lbiiij. Acetum Scylliticum, lbss. Hony lbij. boyl it and scum it.

I have made Oxymel Scylliticum thus; ℞. Aceti & Mellis cum lbss. Aquae lbss. co∣que cum Scyllae ℥i. & Macis, adde cum lbi.& reservetur.

The acid Spirit of Turpentine is the best Diuretic, and the Acid of Guaicum the best Acid diaphoretic amongst Vegetables.

I think not fit to multiply any farther Receipts from vegetable Acids, but will pass to the Acids of Animals, where But∣ter-milk Posset-drink is the chief, and Butter-milk distilled with Sorrel or Li∣mons; and these I may call the Tartar Acids in the Chyle of Animals.

The Salso-Acids from Urin, or volatile Salts mixed with Acids, as Sal armoniac: Let the Patient drink six Ounces of his own Urine with Specifics: Take Niter and Sal armoniac, dissolve them in Vineger, and crystallize them, or Sal Polychrest. lbi. Sal armoniac, ℥i. dissolve and crystal∣lize them.

Take the volatile Salt of Sal armoniac or Harts-horn, fix it with either Spirit of Sulpher, Niter, Vitriol, or Salt, putting as much as will dissolve it, then filter and crystallize it, or evaporate it to be a facti∣tious Sal armoniac.

Take Flowers of Sal armoniac, Grains xv. in Conserve of Hipps for a Month, or the acid Spirit of Sal armoniac, mixing ʒiii. in a lbi. of the Tincture of Cordial Flowers, the Dose one Spoonful in fair Water Night and Morning.

℞. Flowers of Sal armoniac, ℈i. Aquae An∣gelicae, Cardui, aa. ℥iss. Syrup. Citri, ℥ss. mix for a Sudorific.

℞. Flowers of Sal Armoniac, Mortiat.℈i. take it in a Spoonful of Wormwood Wine in the Dropsy.

℞. Take Sal Prunel. ʒiij. Volatile Salt of Harts-horn, ʒi. Flowers of Benjamin ʒss,mix them, Dose ℈i. ad ʒss.

℞. Juice of House leek, lbiv. Sal Armoni∣niac,℥ii. distil them, or else use them in a Syrup with Sugar for the Asthma.

Sal armoniac may be used for common Salt.

Amongst Minerals we have Sulphur Acids, which are to be used in Fevers.

Ol. Sulph. ℈ss. ad ℈i. in four Ounces of Purslane Water.

Gas. Sulph. one, two, or three Spoon∣fuls in a Glass of Water, or any Julap or pectoral Ptysan.

Take spring Water, lbiii. Spirit of Sulphur, Liquorice, Coriander Seeds; of each ℥ss. boyl them in a Glass Vessel: Bri∣ony Water, lbss. Ol. Sulph. ℥ss. Dos. Cochl.

Take any Cordial or specific Water or Brandy ℥iv. Ol. Sulph. per Campanam cin∣nam aa. ℥ss. Digest them to a Tincture; the Dose is thirty Drops in Beer.

Take any pectoral Syrup, lbss. Ol. Sulph, ʒi. the Dose is one Spoonful.

All the Drink or Wine may be sulphu∣rated; many heat their Drink with a sul∣phureous hot Coal, and light their To∣bacco with a Match, and the Tobacco may be washed in sulphurated Water; the Water cleanses away much Filth, and the Sulphur Acid corrects the narcotic Quality of Tobacco.

2. The salse acid Spirits, which are properly diuretic and stomachic.

℞. Aqua Feniculi, Flores Sambuci, adlbi. Raphani composit Lucubric. Syr. de 5 Ra∣dicibus. add ʒiij. Sals. Absynthii ʒij. Spir. Salis ʒi. Dos. Coch. 3. cum quolibet Liquo∣re

〈◊〉〈◊〉 The sweet Spirit of Salt, twenty Drops in Beer.

Sal▪ Gem. may be used as common Salt, or the Rock Salt found in Cheshire may be powdered and used as common Salt.

3. Vitriolic Acids, for the cooling the Blood, Oyl of Vitriol, or Spirit, six Drops in Broth or Water, ℥vi.

Plantain Water, ℥x. Spirit of Vitriol, ℥ss. Ol. Vitriol. Grains four in Wine or Broth, twice in a Week: Crato gives it for the Gout, and he prescribes thus; Syrup of Betony ℥iij. Oyl of Vitriol, Grains nine. He first gives one, then two or three Spoonfuls to them fasting, and says it helps a pituitous and moist Stomach, for it ve∣hemently dries, deterges, and astringes, and excites the Appetite; but by its Use the arthritic are made Cachectical, and it injures dry Bodies.

The Tincture of Roses, with Spirit of Vitriol is useful in Effervescences, Fevers, Inflammations; in which Cases the Mi∣neral Acids are most useful.

Hartman used Oyl of Vitriol with Man's Grease externally, for an Atrophy of any Part.

Give volatile Spirit of Vitriol, twenty Drops in a cephalic Julap, for the Epilep∣sy.

Elixir Vitriol is useful for the Appetite, ℈i. to ʒi.

Mixtura Simplex ℈i. to ʒv. in Aqua Lactis is a Diaphoretic in Fevers.

Spirit of Vitriol is mixed by Chymists, with Cream of Tartar, or Crystals of the Juice of Wood Sorrel.

Take Hydromel, aromatized with Ginger lbss. Cream Tartar ℥ij. or Tar∣tar vitriolated ℈ij.

If Vitriolum Martis be convenient, give it with Oyly Pectorals thus;

Take Juice of Liq. or Bals. Lucutell. one Ounce, Tart. Vitriolate, and Vitriolis Martis, of each ʒi. mix them with Oyl of sweet Almonds, or Syrup of Balsam: The Dose is ʒi. or ℥ss. and drink the An∣tiscorbutic Milk Water after it.

This Method may agree with the Hy∣pochondriac Asthmas, or else Extractum Ecphracticum, to an Ounce of which add Vitriolum Martis ʒi. make it into Pills.

4. Nitrous Acids to cool in Fevers.

℞. Aqua Cardui lbij. Rob. Ribi. aa. ℥x. Sacchari ℥ij. Nitri prep. ʒij. this cools.

Barly Water lbiij. Niter ʒss. Syrup of Violets ℥iij. take it with Rhenish Wine.

Niter may be used instead of 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ in Broth or with Meat.

Sal Polychrestum ʒi. take it in Water.

℞. Vitriolum Martis ʒi. Arcanum Du∣pli•••• Sal Prunell. aa. ʒij. Dose ℈i. in long Fevers.

Take Niter ••ii. Vineger lbi. the Dose is one Spoonful in great Effervescences.

The most powerful Cooler is made by Distillation of Spirit of Niter and Oyl of Vitriol.

Spirit of Niter is d••lcified, and the Dose ℈i. two or three times in a Day, or in a pectoral Decoction, or else Spirit of Niter three Drops in a carminative Julap for Cholick and Flatulency.

Take Sal Prunellae, Cream of Tartar, and Powder of Liquorice, and Sugar Can∣dy, of each ʒij. Dose ʒi.

Avicenna observes that Niter has no Stypticity, but cleanses much, and is gi∣ven in a Decoction of Rue and Dill: It cures Leanness, but a great Use of it blackens the Choler.

Bartolet commends a ••actitious Niter with Spirit of Niter, and Oyl of Tartar to make the Diospoliticum, which because of the Niter is laxative, and good for Fla∣tulencies.

Take Diaspoliticum ℥i. Hony ℥vi. Sal Armoniac ℥ss. mix them: The Ancients gave Diaspoliticum before or after Meats; it may be given in Broth.

If the Rue▪ Cummin, Pepper, and Niter be in equal Parts, it loosens the Bel∣ly; commonly the Niter is but half a Part.

I would make a Diaspoliticum thus: Powder of Cinnamon▪ Nutmegs, of each ʒii. Niter▪ ʒi. Sugar Candy ℥ij. Mix them with Gum Dragon dissolved, Lozenges may be made, and ʒii. of Flower of Brimstone added. Or thus:

Take Niter ℥i. Sugar ℥ii. Ol. Cinnam. or Nutmegs or Cloves ℈ss. the Dose two Drams in Water.

Salts vitriolated, Diagridium, Grains three or four, Tartar vitriolated ʒss. take it in Wormwood Wine, for Drop∣sies to purge.

Take Tart. vitriol. Salt Prunell. Cream of Tart. aa. ℥ss. Sugar. Candy ℥i. for twelve Doses, take one Morning and Night.

Take Tartar, Vitriol, ℥i. Rhenish Wine, lbi. Decoction of Barley with Raisins lbi. Syrup of Violets and small Cinnamon Wa∣ter, of each half a Pound, the Dose is ℥iii.

twice in a Day; 'tis a Digestive and Fe∣brifuge.

Hartman orders it thus.

Tartar vitriolated ℥i. dissolve it in a Pint of Wine of Squills; add to it two Pints of a Decoction of Raisins, Cinnamon ℥ss. boyl them in three Pints of Water to lbii. take a Draught thrice in a Day.

℞. Tartar prepared with Niter ℥i. O∣range Pills ℥ss. infuse them in a Pint of Parsly Water.

Take Sal Prunell. ʒi. Spirit of Vitriol Grainsten, in a Decoction of Barly, and the Roots of Sorrel.

℞. Sal Armoniac▪ ʒi. Niter ℥ss. Bo∣rax ʒss. Flowers of Sulphur ℈i. to the colliquated Niter in a Crucible add the rest.

Arcanum Duplicatum ℈i. in Broth: The Ancients used ʒv. of common Salt to make Epythimum, purge and boyled them in Aqua Mulsa: Twelve Grains of Sal Succini may be given in a Julap, or the acid Spirit of Amber twelve Drops to thirty when an Acid is necessary for cephalic Cases.

I could not omit the various Species of acid Medicines, because no Fit of the

Asthma can be cured or prevented with∣out an Acid.

The Galenical Acids, for Flatulencies and Effervescencies, were Vineger and Niter; the chymical are the acid Spirits, and mixed Salts: But because a long Use of Acids corrodes the Belly, soures Hu∣mours, dries the Succus Nutritius, sup∣presses the natural Rarefaction of Hu∣mours, and introduces a Cachexy instead of the Effervescence, the Ancients wisely mixed their hot Medicines, as Acrids, Aromatics, and Bitters, with their acid Medicines, and the bitter helps the Di∣gestion of Humours, whilst the acid cor∣rects their Effervescence, and both toge∣ther keep the Body soluble, and drive out the Flatulencies.

Trallian boyls Marrubium in his Oxy∣mel.

All Authors agree, that the asthmatic Medicines ought to be inciding without any vehement Heat, because by Heat the Humours become more viscid; therefore no hot Pectoral ought to be used, but in an Oxymel, nor no Sulphur without Ni∣ter, or acrid Gums without Vineger▪ ac∣cording to ancient Practice: From whence I learnt Galen's bitter Acid,

of which I take ʒij. or ℥ss. every Night when I fear a Fit, and drink Toast and Water after it; this generally cures the Inflation at the Stomach, and puts off the Fit; At first it ought to be taken fourteen Nights together, but after∣wards three Nights before and after the Change of the Moon, and upon Surfeits, and Changes of Weather, and ill Dige∣stion, and when the Inflation affects the Pit of the Stomach.

I will give some Remarks out of Ga∣len, to shew his Opinion, and Cure of the Asthma: He calls those asthmatic, who breath like one out of breath by run∣ning; and he observes they inspire too little, though their Breast is much dila∣ted, because of a Straitness in their Lungs, caused by an empyematic Hu∣mor, or by an Inflammation, or by vi••∣cid Humors, or else a Tumor like an Ab∣cess: He cures the viscous Humours by Evacuations, and the Use of attenuating and deterging Medicines; and the vis∣cous Humors require much Drink to di∣lute and expectorate them: He observes that all Medicines for the Asthma, ought to attenuate without Heat, and for that purpose, Vineger and Oxymel of Squills

are useful; and since all thick Humors are made more viscid, by too much Heat, he doubts of the Use of Millepedes, which attenuate and discuss much.

He observes those Medicines which cool too much; such as the Opiates, are injurious, by thickening the Humors; such are Poppy, Mandrake, Hemlock, Henbane, and Fleabane, Linseed, by their Mucilage.

He commends all Astringents.

He commends moistening, both in Di∣et and Medicine, for diluting thick Hu∣mors, and commends a thin Diet. 'Tis observable, that most of the hot Medi∣cines he cites from Archigenes, are taken with Vineger, or Niter, or Oxymel, or Water; of which I will give an Instance thus.

Take Seeds of Rue ℥ss. Aristolochia, Southernwood, Wormwood, Ammoni∣ac, Sulphur, aa. ℥ss. make Pills with Vineger, give two with ℥iiij. of Oxy∣mel.

He purged with Coloquintida, or Ela∣terium, and gave Niter or Salt in Aqua Mulsa after them.

From Andromachus he had this Medi∣cine; take Squills, Sulphur, Bitumen; ad Dos. ʒss. cum Oxymilite.

He mentions Eugenius, who mixt Opi∣ates with Pectorals, for the Abfcess; the hot Pectoral, as Myrrh, Sulphur, Bitu∣men, Gums, are recommended.

Avicen commends Niter with the De∣coction of Hyssop, Oxymel with Iris and ••epper, and other Acrids, as Nettels, Leeks, Cabbage boyled in Vineger, and puts to his Ptysans, of Hyssop, Thyme, Origanum, Niter instead of Salt; and or∣ders the Breast to be covered with Oyl, Niter, and Salt, soaked with Wool; the Chapter of the Cure of the Asthma is lost unhappily.

Trallian approves of the mixing the hot Medicines with the cool, for viscous Hu∣mors in thin Bodies and Fevers, and says, that in such Cases all the Physicians used Mustard Seed, Niter, and Sulphur; but he treats not particularly of the Asth∣ma.

Aegineta vomits with Raphanus▪ and commends Niter thus; Verum in his qui suffocantur: ℞. Aphronitri ʒiij. capiat in Aqua Mulsata cyathis tribus, aliquando cum Cardiamomo, facit & ad coxendium Morbum: Or ℞. Aphronitr. ʒix. Sulph.ʒss. Piperis ʒi. dato▪ cochl. cum Aqua ca∣lida.Take Mustard Seed ʒi. Niter ʒss.

Elateri••m ℈ss. mix them and make eightPastilli; the Dose is two; it vomits with∣out Trouble.

Oribasius commends the Vineger of Squills, as well as all the former; he commends two Parts of Orris, with one of Niter, to rub the Breast; and mentions many bitter and acrid Medicines.

Aesius perfectly transcribes all the for∣mer Authors; he says▪ in a crude Tuber∣culum there is neither great Weight, nor are they much asthmatic; but if it ri∣pens, a Fever attends it, with putrid Spit afterwards.

He commends Wormwood, Orris, Castor with Vineger; he uses Coloquinti∣da with Acetum Scylliticum, and Elateri∣um with Niter.

Actuarius cures the Asthma as a Ca∣tarrh.

Cornelius Celsus has all the hot Pecto∣rals, but that which I like is datur utiliter aut Nitrum, aut Nasturtium.

Nicolas Myrexsa has many Anticlotes for the Asthma, but his Diospoliticum, in which there is Niter, is the best.

Marcellus commends Acetum Scylliti∣cum, and prescribes Sulphur, Niter of each ʒi. Abrotan. p. 1. give two Spoon∣fuls, with hot Vineger.

Avicenna observed the Paroxysms of the Asthma to be like those of the Epilep∣sy and Convulsion, and prescribes the Medicines for a Catarrh, strong Vomits and Purgers: He uses Medicines mixed with Acids, Cummin Seeds, or Nettle Seeds, and Squills with Vineger, and prescribes thus: Take Castor, Ammonia∣cum, Aristolochia rotunda, of each ʒi. mix them with the Rob of Grapes, and give the Quantity of a Bean with Oxy∣mel.

He commends Bitters, the Decoction of Centaury, or five Drams of Aristolo∣chia rotunda every Day, in Water or Gentian constantly: He prescribes Arsnic or Sulphur, whose Fumes are acid. And Arsnic inwardly in Aqua Mellis; but all this seems hazardous, and 'tis better to use what he advises, attenuating Medicines, without any vehement Heat: He much extols Crocus, and a Decoction of Faenu∣greeck, with Figs and Hony.

He cautions much against Baths and flatulent things; he prescribes Aphonitri ℥ss. Seed of Nausturtion ʒij. in a Decocti∣on of Hydromel.

Avicenna de Juvamentis Syrupi acetosi, observes, that it incides, subtiliates, and

opens without Heat, & hujusmodi via, est magni Juvamenti, multae Ʋtilitatis, & Sufficientiae in arte Medicinae: This extin∣guishes Fevers, and cools the Liver (that is, the Blood) and incides gross Humors, allays Thirst, in Inflammations; other acid Syrups have a Stypticity, as that of Apples, or too much Water, as the Sy∣rup of Citrons; but the Syrup of Vineger cools Choler, and excites Appetite, in∣cides Phlegm, and 'tis proper for the Asthma, and the Squill Vineger, he re∣commends in Epilepsies, if made into a Syrup, and then it does not injure the Nerves, but this Syrup is inconvenient in Excoriations, and the Cholic, and Pain of the Womb, and Palsies, Tremors, in which it injures the Nerves, and the Me∣lancholic Influxes of Urine and the Spit∣tle, and in Rheumatic Pains of the Back and Knees, and in the Cancer, and those who have a Sowerness at the Stomach; it hinders Coition and Fertility, and it in∣troduces the Dropsy in those who are not of a hot Constitution, and much Flesh. From these Observations we may learn the Benefit and Injury of all acid Medi∣cines.

Joh. Anglus Prescribes the Lungs of a Fox, two Drams, in Aqua Mellis, and says, it is Medicina Sublimis & experta in Asthmate. He recommends Ammonia∣cum in an Oxymel, or Nettle-seeds, boil∣ed with Figs in Barley-water: He ad∣vises the Juice of Fenil with Milk, to sucking Children: He prescribes Medi∣cines too hot, supposing the Asthma to depend on viscid Humours, and a Ca∣tarrh.

Horstius gives many Examples of the Asthma, and Cures them by Oxymel Cratonis, or Quercitan's Oxymel de Peto: He Purges the Hydropical with Pills of Hiera, with Agaric ʒi. Diagr. gr. v. Oil Fenil, make Pills: He gives Balsam of Sulphur in a Diuretic Oxymel.

Sennertus thinks the Asthma does not depend on a Catarrh from the Head, but the Arteries, and that what is imputed to a Flatus ought to be attributed to a rare∣fied fermenting Serum; and he believes Piso's Opinion, That this Disease de∣pends on an Effervescence of the Serum.

This is Crato's Oxymel▪

Take Hyssop, Veronica, Scabios. Hore∣hound, Origanum, Penyrotal, Carduus, of each M. i. Orris ʒvi. Ginger ʒiss. Agaric

℥ss. infuse them three Days in a Glass-Vessel warm, in lbiss. of Vinegar, Speedwell and Carduus Water, of each lbss. boyl them; and to lbiss. add Honey lbss. The Dose is two or three Spoonfuls.

Sennertus advises this, to shew his Opi∣nion of Acids, Take Pectoral Water ℥vi.Syrup of ••••••rehound ℥iss. Spirit of Vitriol℈ss. mix them.

Hartman commends Vomits of Aqua Benedicta, and this,

Water from Bryony-roots lbss. Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur ℥ss. Dose one Spoonful; and also Sal Armoniac rectified from decre∣pitated Salt in Wormwood Wine.

Sylvius imputes the Asthma to a Flatus, and partly to a Catarrh, and recommends a mixture of a volatile oily Salt, with a dulcified acid Spirit.

Dr. Willis observes the Orgasmus, or Effervescence in the beginning of the Asthma Fit, and prescribes Sal Prunel in cool Juleps to check it; but I could ne∣ver find any benefit by his hot Pectorals, and Antispasmodics, Tincture of Castor, of Sulphur, Spirit of Sal Armoniac, Syrup of Garlic, &c. All that I found useful in him was a Vomit, and Opiates; he takes too little notice of Niter, Oxymels, and common Sal Armoniac.

The best Medicines of the Antients, and the present Age, has too much fol∣low'd his unsuccessful Practice by hot Me∣dicines, no way suited to the Febrile Ef∣fervescence in the Asthma, which requires an Acid to abate the heat of all his Spe∣cifics.

Sir Theodore Mayherne treats the Asth∣ma as a Catarrh by too hot Pectorals Sulphur of Benjamin, Saffron, which are intolerable to the Asthmatic, if not given in cool Liquors, or with Acids.

Etmuller observes, That there are more humid Asthmas, through the fault of the Stomach, than that of the Lungs, and that happens in the Hypochondriacal and Seorbutic: He recommends the fol∣lowing Digestives; Sal Armoniac ℈ss. cum gr. xv. Tartar Vitriolat, Crem Tar∣tar, and Salt of Tartar, Spirit of Salt or Niter dulcified, Arcanum Duplicatum, Elixir Proprietatis Paracel••i, Spiritus Carminativus secretus; and Prescribes thus, ℞ Hyssop-water ℥iij. small Cinnamon-water, Oxymel S••ylliticum, Briony Compound water, of each ℥i. Cum Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar ʒii. Spir. salis ducl.

For Flatulencies thus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Carmi∣native Seeds, and give them with Spirit of

Niter▪ dulcfied, or Spirit of Niter, or Spirit of Aniseeds, and give it in a De∣coction of Camomil-flowers, with Aniseeds nad Caroways in Beer. He gives Spirit of Sulphur in distilled Water in the Fit, and commends the Asthmatic Spirit of Verdi∣grease, Sulphur, Ammoniacum, 20 or 30 drops in Briony-water.

He says the Convulsion of the Dia∣phragme gives an Asthma without Ster∣tor, or Cough, and he describes the Pneu∣monic Asthma from Mineral Fumes, Ab∣scess, Vomica, Empyema, coagulated Blood, Serum, Cachexy, Terror, drinking cold Water when hot, crude Tuberculae, Grando Stones, Gibbosity.

Helmont gives many Asthmatic Histo∣ries, and disproves the Opinion that it is from Phlegm, because it happens sudden∣ly, and goes off without Spitting, and that the Spit is the product of the Fit, from the Injury done to the Lungs, and therefore he thinks Pectorals useless, and Medicines to the Head upon the account of Catarrhs; and confutes the Opinion, that the growing of the Lungs to the Sides is the occasion of the Asthma.

Grembs is an Helmontian, and prescribes Cinnabar of Antimony; he uses Oxy∣mels,

and Syrup of Tobacco; he observes that a Cachexy or Hydrops at the begin∣ning resembles the Asthma, and they are to be cured by Purging, and Dige∣stives; but the Vis Crescitiva of the Vis∣cera by Mercury. He observes some Asthmas to depend at last on a Vomica; condemns Purging in the Dropsy of the Breast, and only allows a Paracentesis.

Riverius describes the Asthma as a Ca∣tarrh, and gives all the hot Pectorals; but prudently adds O! Sulphuris to his Oil of Sugar, and prescribes Spirit of Sulphur 4 or 5 drops in Broth, and prescribes his Gum Pills thus, ℞ Ammoniacum Bdellum dissolved in Vinegar of Squills, of each ℥ss. Flowers of Sulphur ʒiii. Oxymel of Squills q. s. make Pills, Dose 4. Lac Sulphuris is milder than the Flowers, and may be given in an oily Mixture: He commends the Oxymel with Agaric, and this is his best Medicine; Take Cinnanon-water ℥ii. Oxymel of Squills ℥i. take one spoonful of∣ten.

I have mentioned all these Authors Pra∣ctice, to shew they always used the mix∣ture of some Acid, with their Anti-Asth∣matic; and I could not withstand the common Practice of hot Pectorals, and

Anti-Convulsions, if I had not so much Authority as well as Success by the con∣trary Method I have proposed. I shall next add those Prognostics which the old Writers give, That young Men are difficultly cured; old Men, and the He∣reditary Asthma is only palliated; Chil∣dren are usually Suffocated by it: If a Pe∣ripneumonia happen with the Asthma, and Phrenitis, I generally observed it fa∣tal. The Asthma usually ends in a Con∣sumption in lean Bodies, and then Tuber∣cula are bred in the Lungs, by the Hu∣mours frequently stop'd on the Lungs, as I have observed in a Dissection of a Consumptive Asthmatic, for whom I am certain no hot Pectorals can be conveni∣ent. It seems to me much more con∣venient to keep the Tubercula from Im∣posthumating by Acids, and by a cool Regimen, than to endeavour to cure them by a hot one.

The Polypus in the Heart oft kills Asth∣matics suddenly, and the Asthma fre∣quently ends in Abscesses, Tumours, Vo∣micas, Ulcers, Spitting of Blood.

The Liver is stopt, and the Asthma∣tic are subject to the Jaundice, both in the spitting and dry Asthma.

The Dropsy or Tympany succeeds the Asthma, either from too serous Constitu∣tions, or the Rupture of the Lymphatics, by the Tumors of the Viscera, which compress them or the Constriction of the Blood Vessels.

As to the Head, the Asthma very much affects that, with Pain, Fulness, Vertigo, Lethargy, Apoplexy, or Palsy.

Dr. Willis gives a History of a Convul∣sive Asthma, after a Vertigo, Pain of the Head, with a fear of Swooning, which after a few Days became a Lethargy, and this settled into a Paroxysm of the Asthma; and this he cured by Vomiting with Sul∣phurs of Antimony, Cream of Tartar, of each gr. vi. taken in the Pap of an Apple, and Purging with Resin Jalap gr. v. Merc. Dulcis gr. xii. Castor gr. iv. Ammoniac. solut. q. s. f. Pil.

I remember an old Asthmatic, who was troubled with difficulty of swallow∣ing, upon which his Asthma left him; he seemed to me to have some Tumor, or Palsy in the Oesophagus, but no Me∣thods would relieve it; but since that he has continued seven or eight Years with∣out the Asthma, who formerly had the Fits periodically for fourteen Years, and

they were ocasioned, as he tells me, by drinking Small Beer: The Powder of Ju∣niper-berries most relieves the Difficulty of his Swallowing.

I have observed many Asthmatics, to have the Stone and Gravel, and to die of it, with a stoppage of Water.

A Patient, who had a Convulsive Cough from his Father, was seized with the Asthma, and a sort of Diabetes, with frequent returns of an Intermitting Fever, with Lethargic Symptoms; he spit much, and had sharpness of Urine, and frequent Stools; but the Decoction of the Cortex, Vomiting, and Steel-waters cured him for a Twelve Month, when he relapsed into the same Symptoms: His Legs swel∣led, the Asthma returned by Fits; he was obscurely Feverish, and died full of Flesh. All these Symptoms depended on an Intermitting Fever originally.

I have observed divers Asthmatics with Rheumatic Pains, and Looseness at last, and others consume by a Diabetes, and a great quantity of Water is made out of the Fits, as well as in them; and when this flux of Water stops, the Asth∣matic become Hydropic, their Legs swell, and their Breasts are filled with Water.

I shall add some particular Cases of Asthmas, communicated to me by my Ingenious Friend Dr. Fred. Slare.

Mr. Orlibar of the Temple▪ having been some Years Asthmatic, died suddenly; in his Body opened, the Lungs were free from any Imposthumation, or other Cause of his Death; but the Ventricles of the Bram were full of Water, and on that depended his Drowsiness, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and a constant Asthma upon motion long before his Death.

Capt. Brent had the Asthma with swel∣led Legs, and could not he down in his Bed▪ he died suddenly, by stooping to take up an Orange; his Breast and Head were full of Water.

He gave me also a farther account of a Child very Ricke••y with a swelled Head, who was for some Months Asthmatic, without any Injury appearing in the Lungs, by Dissection, but the Head was full of Water.

Dr. Slare gave me a particular account o•• Sir Patient Ward's Asthma, with an Hae∣moptoe, which lasted about a Year: He often hawk'd up Blood mixt with tough Phlegm; the Cortex did him no Service, after he became Hydropical, the Legs and

Belly swell'd; two spoonfuls of the Acetum Scylliticum vomited him, and made him to make much Water; then Steel and Diuretics relieved him for some time; and Laudanum help'd his Dyspnea always. When he was opened, 4 or 5 Quarts of Water was found in his Belly, and two in his Breast, his Lungs were without Schirrous Matter, or Tubercula; the Lungs stuck to the Right Side: He be∣lieves this Asthma to have been Nervous, and the Dropsy to have happened at last: He observed the Left Kidney full of Wa∣ter, and Hydatides encompass it without, from whose Rupture the Dropsy might come; the Cartilages of the Sternum were grown Osseous, the Gall in the Bladder was thick and muddy; there appeared no Vestigia of the Haemoptoe mentioned, upon his Lungs.

The Inundation of the Brain, Breast, Abdomen, by an Hydropical Serum, is commonly the effect of an old Asthma, and the Anasarcous Tumors of the Body, depend all on the frequent Constriction of the circulating Vessels, by the Asthma Fits, by which they are weakned, ob∣structed, and broken, and the digestion of Humours decays; as the Circulation

is depressed, a thin Serosity also gives matter to all the sorts of Dropsy, into which the Asthmatic fall, through too much Bleeding, or Haemorrhages, as it might be in the Case described.

I shall next give a remarkable Case, communicated to me by the Ingenious and Learned Dr. Tyson, by which my Hypothesis will be plainly demonstrated, that the Asthma Fit may depend on the contraction of the Vesiculae, and Bronchia of the Lungs; and how far that may de∣pend on the straining the Lungs by swift running, or the Causes the Dr. mentions I must leave the Reader to judge.