A new and needful treatise of spirits and wind offending mans body wherein are discovered their nature, causes and effects / by the learned Dr. Fienns ; and Englished by William Rowland ...

CHAP. XIII.

Of the common Cure of windy Diseases.

SOme will wonder, that I shall order the cure of Symptoms mentioned, which of them∣selves admit no Cure. But we do it for the pro∣fit of the Reader: For he that discusseth wind, takes away the cause, he that corrects the di∣stemper, and mends the faults in conformation, and restores the solution of unity, cures the dis∣ease: But he that cures the pains that come from the diseases, looks at the Symptoms. Therefore we have called windy Diseases Sym∣ptoms, looking at the pains they produce, for the better method, and then we have ordered the mitigation of Symptoms, and the Cure of Diseases. The knowledge of the disease gives the indication of cure. The disease is the di∣straction of the parts by wind that stretcheth them, which pain doth follow, as a shadow, and the disease vanisheth with the cause, and the parts come to their old natural habit. There∣fore diseases from wind are to be cured by three sorts of remedies. 1. By diet that is attenuating, hot and dry. 2. By medicines that open obstructions, and cut gross clammy

matter, and purge, which you shall find in every Chapter. 3. The discussing of wind speedily before the strength abate by pain; which is done by medicines of thin parts, which if there be pain, will abate it, and strengthen the weak heat, and extenuate the thick spirit, and open the thickness of parts. Also according to the difference of parts, the medicines must be alter∣ed, because the faculty is stronger or weaker.