The art of curing sympathetically, or magnetically, proved to be most true by its theory and practice exemplified by several cures performed that way: with a discourse concerning the cure of madness, and an appendix to prove the reality of sympathy : also an account of some cures perform'd by it in London / written originally in Latin by H.M. Herwig ...

The particular Cure of Madness.

§ 8. This is the true way to cure Madness. Give a Vomit, prepared espe∣cially out of the Mineral Kingdom. Aqua Benedicta is commended, but its virtue in this distemper is not very great. After the Vomit let the Patient for some days take a decoction of Herbs that are attractive and comforting to the Brain,

and let it be made without any other ad∣dition. Let him by no means have Wine Capital Lixiviums are very prejudicial because they close up the pores, and so encrease the internal heat beyond it•• just due. This being done, then bleed▪ In doing of which, consider if the body be full every where: If so, open the com∣mon Vein, and let out 5 ounces of blood After bleeding the Patient should take my comforting Bolus, which by degrees will make him sweat. This evacuation being done, let him rest three days without taking any Physick. The three days being over, evacuating Medicines should be given for some days. Then I recommend my incomparable Drink for Madmen; nay, indeed for all De∣liriums, be they of what sort soever. It ought diligently to be observed from the beginning of the cure, that in re∣gard the matter always rises upward, to apply reducing Medicines. The Drink before-mentioned is very necessary in all sorts of Melancholy; nay, in the ve∣ry Epilepsie; and in short, the whole cure, in all Deliriums, Melancholy and Epilepsie, is perform'd by this Drink Practicers have many Remedies, as

well internal as external. Some, as the last refuge in this Distemper, when o∣ther means fail, have recourse to apply∣ing a strong Caustick to the Head be∣tween the Crown and Sagittary Su∣tures▪ leaving it on till it eat so deep that it looks like an open mouth. Then open the Skull with a Trepan, and let the place be open for a month. This being done, they say the Patient will be cured of his Madness. After this close up and heal the wound according to art. But this method of Cure looks more like an Executioner than an inge∣nious Physician.

§ 9. By the Blessing of God I have cured above eleven persons of Madness in this City of Culemburg, besides what I have done elsewhere. Anno 1694. in May, a very honourable Matron of Cu∣lemburg, above fifty years of age, (whose name, upon account of the modesty and prudence that ought to belong to a Phy∣sician, I forbear) a person of extraordi∣nary modesty and courtesie towards all, fell into a desperate Jaundice, after into a Catharral Fever, and so at last was taken mad; she raved day and night, and continued to roar so loud, that it

was impossible to procure her any sleep I administred some Narcotick Medicines prepared of Opium, but without any effect. Afterwards I gave her restoring Medicines, evacuating Choler, and comforting the Brain, and those furious spirits began to diminish; then she took my most successful Drink against Mad∣ness for eight weeks. When she had drank all the Drink, her Choler being purged, and her Body strengthened, she was entirely freed from any symptoms of Madness, and continued all the days of her life in good health, and in her right sences.

§ 10 One S. L. a man of forty six years old, being of a sanguine melancholic•• temper, formerly an Assistant to the Judges of this City, handsome, of tall stature, not observing rules of Diet, but rather indulging his Appetite; he lov∣ed Meat partly hot, and such as in∣creased Choler, partly windy; he drank a great deal of Stale Beer, and abundance of Wine. From this he be∣gan to be afflicted in his Brain, so that for some months he did not say any thing that was rational. In tract of time he fell mad. He had for nine

years in his own family a person that was reputed infallible for the cure of Madness. Anno 94, upon account of some ill affairs returning home he began to break every thing that lay in his way, and look very terribly upon all those he met in the house; they secured him, for if he could have got a Knife or Sword, he would have murdered every body. His Wife asked my advice, what was requisite to be done in this affair: I ordered him my Medicines, that have been often ap∣proved against this distemper. After three months he began to be calm and composed. And though he was not entirely restored to the perfect use of his Reason, yet he is now so well recovered, that at this time he uses an Ax, Saw, a Knife, and other instruments, without hurting himself or any body else.

§ 11. Michael Dollo, a young man of twenty four years: Mad by name and omen, being of a sanguine melancho∣lick temperament, was a Servant to the most serene Princess of Waldeck; he was delirious from his Childhood. At last, in Iune 96, he imagined himself to be some great Noble-man, afterwards a Prophet; then followed a most deplorable Madness.

When he was in these fits, he was forced to be chained Hand and Foot, or else he had murdered himself and those about him. By the command of the Princess I administred Medicines proper on this occasion. After he had taken them for a Month in his common Drink, he was so well as to be un∣chained. He lived very composed for a year, and then died very quietly.

§ 12. The same year one D. T. a Ci∣tizen of fifty years old, living in the New City of Culemburg, of a Melancho∣lick Phlegmetick temper, a person o∣therwise very honest and modest, was much troubled with the palpitation of the Heart, afterwards with a Syncope, and at last with Madness. I was sent for to him in that sad condition, to re∣lieve him from that misery. At first I gave him Laxatives, because he was bound, then I gave him my other Me∣dicines in order. At last, after five weeks, he recovered, and lives very se∣dately, does his business, but has not so good a judgment as he had before.

§ 13. In the year 1697, Mary Bouters, of a Sanguine Phlegmetick temper, o∣therwise a diligent and Industrious

woman, falling very sick in May, at last became Mad; other Physicians being made use of before, I also was sent for. After I had used my means, at five weeks end she was very well, and en∣joys the right use of her reason as be∣fore, to this very time.

§ 14. In March 1698, D. of E. a very worthy Gentlewoman in the County of Waldeck, was▪ vehemently afflicted with Madness for some months, so that four strong men could scarcely hold her. At the beginning of night I gave her my resolving Tincture. After she had taken the Tincture she was very quiet; then I administred the other Medicines according to order and prescription: in a months time she took leave of Phy∣sick, and now is, and always conti∣nues free from any sign of Madness.

§ 15. The same year in Iune, ANNA CARLS, thirty six years old, had a most excessive pain in her Head and Heart∣strings, by reason of the retention of her Menstruums; in a months time she fell melancholy, and that was followed by Madness. The Magistrate of the place considered what was best to be done, and in regard she was a poor

woman, he sent for me to assist her. This Madness in a short time by dili∣gent care was cured; in two months time, by Gods blessing on the Medicines she recovered, and now continues well in the right use of her reason.

In August 1698, Mary N. of a Sanguine Phlegmetick temper, about twenty four years old, coming off a Journey, had a continual Fever, the Fever ceasing, she was troubled with a great pain in the head. She was mad for some days, and upon that account endured severe tortures, day and night, she had a very stern countenance, and was stark mad for four weeks. When I was sent for to her, I gave her my common medicines against Madness. In a month she recovered, and is now sound and strong, and every way in her right sences. I have omitted a great many examples of the curing of Madness, that I might not seem long and tire∣som to my Readers. So, friendly Rea∣ders, enjoy these at present, and in a little time expect more: So farewel.

Orandum est ut sit Mens in sana in corpore sano.