Praxis medicinæ reformata: = or, The practice of physick reformed Being an epitome of the whole art: wherein is briefly shewed, the true causes, signs, prognosticks, and cure, of most diseases. Published for the benefit of all persons. By Robert Johnson, Med. Professor.

CHAP. II. Of the Palsie, and Apoplexy.

THE Palsie is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, quod a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. a solvendo, eo quod nervorum genus resolutum, facultate ani∣mi * 1.1 defluere prohibita sensu motuque destituatur.

It may be also called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. di∣midia Apoplexia.

In Latin it is called nervorum resolutio vel relaxatio.

It is a Privation of sense and motion of one side of the Body, or of some particular part.

The Apoplexy is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, * 1.2 ex 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, percutior, attonitum reddo.

In Latin 'tis called stupor corporis, it being an Abolition of sense and motion through the whole Body.

The parts affected are the Brain, Spinalis medulla and Nerves; the motion of the Ani∣mal spirits through them being deprav'd.

The causes are either external, or internal.

The external is much cold and moisture, * 1.3 which doth chill and over moisten the Head, and extreme parts; and this seems to prove * 1.4 that phlegmatick and watry Humours abi∣ding about the Ventricles of the Brain, and

Nerves, may over moisten, and perhaps so far loosen the Tunicles or Membranes of them, that it may render them unfit to let the Animal spirits pass through them; hence it is that sometimes one particular Member hath been Paralytick by too much Cold and Moisture; and sometimes more parts have more or less lost sense and motion.

It is the opinion of most eminent Physici∣ans both ancient and modern; that the Ani∣mal spirits being severed from the Bloud in the Brain, &c. are from thence carried through all the Nerves to exercise the external senses and Animal motion; which is continual and equal in healthy persons, but changeable and unequal, according to the divers diseases of the Body or Mind.

Wherefore when no Animal spirits are car∣ried to the Organs of the external Senses, or Animal motion; the functions of seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing and touching: and the sense of heat, as also of motion in the Palsie and Apoplexy, cease all that time.

The Signs of the Palsie are manifest; to wit, deprivation of sense and motion of the * 1.5 Paralytick parts; the Eye, and half the Tongue, (viz. of that side affected) is much weakned, and deprav'd.

The signs of the Apoplexy approaching are these, a sudden crying out for help, with an abolition of sense and motion.

1. If the Palsie, or Apoplexy do invade the sick in the decrease of the Moon, and the Pa∣tient * 1.6 be old, 'tis an ill sign.

2. If the sick do snort, and is droughty, and cast spume or froth out of the Mouth, and have great sweat with difficult breathing, 'tis mortal. But if the Person be young, and a strong Fever immediately happen, 'tis a good sign; for the Fever consumes the superfluous moisture, and makes a Dissipation of the gross and phlegmatick Matter.

3. A Palsie coming after the Apoplexy is ill, and many times turns to the Apoplexy again.

When any of the extreme parts be Paraly∣tical, * 1.7 or when the Head is ill affected by the external coldness of Air, Water or Snow; or a stoppage of the Head be also bred there∣by, or the defect of the Animal spirits chiefly urge; then the sick may be cur'd by driving out whatsoever cold has pierc'd into the Head, or any other parts of the Body, which may be done by spirituous and volatile Sudo∣rificks; for they do not onely alter and correct the cause of Cold, and other Evils accompa∣nying it, but do also amend the harm entring into the Body, containing, and contained.

To this end I commend this following Form.

Take of Treacle-water one ounce; Fennel∣water, * 1.8 and Epidemical-water, of each two ounces; Syrup of red Poppies, and Syrup

of the Juice of Scurvigrass, of each half an ounce; Bezoar-mineral, Antimony Diapho∣retick, of each ten grains; Laudanum opiat. three grains; Spirit of salt Armoniack twen∣ty drops; Oil of Cloves four drops; mix it, give the sick three or four spoonfulls of it, and expect to sweat, being meanly covered; and a spoonfull every half hour afterward, till the sweat break forth; then give them some pure Broth, with a little Wine in it, whereby strength may be recreated, and the Patient enabled to bear a Sweat longer; for nothing so much helps the sick as a sweat continued mildly a while, which experience hath often taught me.

For by the help of this spirituous, and vo∣latile, and also Aromatick medicine, or one like it, the troublesome Cold, and dulness of motion are discust.

They who let bloud in this Distemper cau∣sed * 1.9 by external Cold; or think they can car∣ry out the Cause of this Evil either by vomit or siege, put the sick into danger of death, or at least of most grievous Evils.

But when phlegmatick and watry Hu∣mours stick about the Nerves, &c. And too much moistening and loosening their Mem∣branes and Marrow, be the cause of the Palsie and Apoplexy, and if the same humours much abound in the Body; then Phlegma∣gogues, and Hydragogues may conduce to

the Cure, after Clysters, and internal Aro∣matick Sudorificks.

Wherefore to begin the Cure of this; you may first give this or the like Clyster, which must be made strong.

Take of sweet Marjoram, Betony, Sage, Pen∣ny-royal, * 1.10 Hyssop, Rue, Mercury, Marsh-mal∣lows, the lesser Centaury, the Flowers of Chamomel, and Stoechas, of each half a hand∣full; Anise-seed, sweet Fennel-seed, Juniper-ber∣ries, of each half an ounce; let them be cleansed, bruised and boiled in a quart of Fountain-wa∣ter, till half of it be boiled away; then strain it, and dissolve in it the Electuary Diaphoenicon, benedicta laxativa, of each half an ounce; pil. Co∣chioe twenty grains; common Salt one drachm; Oil of Rue two ounces; mix it for a Clyster.

The next day (if the sick have a Pletho∣rick body) you may draw bloud from either arm, to eight or nine ounces.

If Phlebotomy cannot be done, apply Ven∣toses with Scarification to the shoulders; af∣terward sweat the Patient with the aforesaid Sudorifick.

Sometimes Suppositories may be used in stead of Clysters.

This may serve for Example.

Take the Powders of Coloquintida, Salt∣niter, * 1.11 Hiera-picra simple, of each one drachm; Euphorbium half a drachm, Honey boiled as much as will make it into a Suppository.

But if it appear that phlegmatick and viscous Humours do abound in the Body, Purgers may be prescrib'd most conveniently in the form of a Pill, because the Gums are most apt (above all other Medicines) to loosen and cut viscous Phlegm; neither can they be easily dissolv'd in any liquour.

Let this, or such a like form of Pills serve.

Take the Gums Amoniacum, and Galbanum, of each two drachms; dissolve them in Vine∣ger * 1.12 of Squills, strain it, and boil it, to a due consistence; then add Powders of Troches, Alhandal, Scammony, Mastick, of each one drachm; Oil of Anise-seed eight drops; make it into a Mass of Pills according to Art.

Let the sick take five or six small Pills of this in the morning fasting, and an hour af∣ter drink some thin broth.

If the humours be more serous, I commend this Electuary.

Take Juniper-berries one pound; boil them in six pints of Fennel-water, till * 1.13 half of it be boiled away; then add the Fruit of Tamarind eight ounces, and pulp them both through a Sieve: To which add Pow∣der of Jalap, and Scammony prepar'd, of each three ounces; Cinamon, sweet Fennel-seed, of each half an ounce; white Sugar one pound, make it into an Electuary according to Art.

The dose of this effectual Medicine, is to half an ounce, to people of age; a Child may

take from half a drachm, to a drachm, either by it self, or dissolv'd in Whey, or Parsley∣water, or in any other convenient Vehicle.

After universal evacuation hath been made, and the Patient's stomach be still nauseous, this vomit may safely be given.

Take the Infusion of Crocus metallor. Vi∣negar * 1.14 of Squills of each one ounce, give it in the morning with Care: After the ope∣ration of it, give some of this Cordial Julep.

Take the Waters of Sage, Couslips, Lil∣lies * 1.15 of the Valley, of each two ounces; Ci∣namon-water one ounce; Syrup of Peony∣flowers, Stoechas, of each six drachms; Spi∣rit of Castor two drachms; Spirit of Salt as much as will make it of a gratefull taste, of which you may give the sick three or four spoonfulls every fourth hour.

To correct a slow ferment, and also to a∣mend Phlegmatick viscous humours, a Me∣dicinal Wine may be prepared for the rich, in this form.

Take the Roots of Galangal, Elecampane, * 1.16 of each half an ounce; the tops of Worm∣wood, Mint and Calamint, of each one hand∣full; Powder of Cinamon, Anise-seed, of each half an ounce; Nutmegs two drachms; let them be cleansed, bruised and insused in six pints of White-wine.

The sick may drink of this Physick-wine at dinner and supper, adding to every

draught, five or six drops of Elixir pro∣prietatis.

When the wine is almost consum'd, more may be poured on, till it cease to be Aro∣matical.

External means for the Palsie, and Apo∣plexy are also to be used.

Bathing is much commended, both natu∣ral and artificial; and how excellent it is daily experience doth manifest.

This artificial Bath, or one like it, may be prescrib'd, where a natural sulphureous or nitrous Bath cannot be had.

Take Sage, Penny-royal, Betony, Organ, * 1.17 sweet Marjoram, Hyssop, Rue, Time, Ground∣pine, of each six handfulls; Flowers of Cha∣momel, Melilot, of each four handfulls; Roots of Briony, Pellitory, of Spain, of each four ounces; Bay-berries, Juniper-berries of each three ounces; Brimstone six pound; Salt∣niter two pound; let all be bruised and boiled in twenty Gallons of Spring-water, till the third part be consumed.

Let the sick be well bathed with this as often as strength will permit.

After bathing, anoint the hinder part of the Head and Neck, and down the Vertebra of the Back with this Oil; upon which let a Fox-skin drest be worn.

Take Chymical-oils, of Juniper-berries, * 1.18 Turpentine, Spike, of each half an ounce;

Oils of Chamomel, Earth-worms, Rue, Foxes, of each one ounce; Spirit of Castor two drachms; mix it.

This plaister may be applyed to the Head.

Take Galbanum, Opopanax, of each half an ounce; Mustard-seed, white Pepper, Euphor∣bium, * 1.19 Castor, of each two drachms; Chymical Oil of Sage and Rue, of each twenty drops; Oil of Spike and Turpentine, of each a drachm; make it into a Plaister which you may spread on leather, and apply it warm to the Head.

Or you may make the quilted Cap as is prescrib'd in page 6. to wear constantly; Oil of Nutmegs is good to embrocate the Ears and Nostrils; also Errhines, Sternutato∣ries, and Apophlegmatisms may be used with good success.

Take Castor, sweet Marjoram, Betony, * 1.20 Root of white Hellebor, of each a drachm; beat them all into a fine Powder. Blow up some of this Powder (with a quill) into the Nostrils, to cause sneezing.

Let the Patient's diet be such as may not breed Phlegm, and let it be thin and spare, as Water-gruel, in which boil some Mace; or you may make Broth of Mutton, &c. in which boil Sage, Rosemary, Time, sweet Marjoram, Couslips, &c.

Of this broth you may make Panado's

with the Crums of white Bread, and the Yelk of an Egg.

Let Anise-seed, or sweet Fennel-seed be baked with the bread.

Abstain from all clammy Diet, as Fish and Milk, &c. and eat little or no supper.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Paralysis.
• * 1.2

  Apoplexia.
• * 1.3

  Cause.
• * 1.4

  Cause in∣ternal.
• * 1.5

  Signs.
• * 1.6

  Progn.
• * 1.7

  Cure.
• * 1.8

  Cordial to cause sweat.
• * 1.9

  Observa∣tion.
• * 1.10

  Clyster.
• * 1.11

  Supposi∣tory.
• * 1.12

  Purging Pills.
• * 1.13

  Purging Electuary.
• * 1.14

  Vomit.
• * 1.15

  Cordial Iulep.
• * 1.16

  Medici∣nal Wine.
• * 1.17

  Bath.
• * 1.18

  Oil.
• * 1.19

  Plaister.
• * 1.20

  Sneezing Powder.