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. X. Of the dry Belly-ach.

THIS cruciating disease may be called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and in Latin Spasmus Abdominis, quod sub umbelico est ad Pubem; and because of the additional Tor∣ments, it may be also named Tormen Abdomi∣nis, quod dolore torquetur Abdomen.

This disease doth also need as well the Name, as the invocation of Miserere mei Deus; the sick being in such extreme misery, that 'tis incredible to all but them that have endur'd it.

The most urgent and exquisite pain under this affect, being in that most tender and sen∣sible part, viz. the Belly, may seem to have some Alliance with the Iliack or Colick pas∣sion; and indeed they are sometimes its Con∣comitants, but much different from it.

The causes of this lamentable Distemper, are either external, or internal.

The external general occasional cause is contracting Cold in the Region of the Belly, &c. which doth cramp not onely the Muscles of the Abdomen, but also the tender Fibres of the Intestines, cruciating all the affected parts with obdurate Contractions; which is

more aggravated when the Moon doth come to opposition with the Sun. Which may be al∣so observ'd in all Spasms and convulsive mo∣tions, that about the full of the Moon, the tide of such nervous diseases doth rise highest: Espe∣cially in those places where the direct aspects of the nocturnal luminary have the most power; which demonstration will evince to be between the Tropicks, which many of our Mariners, (who have sailed that way) can tell by wofull experience.

Another external procuring cause of this grievous disease is a mineral Gas ascending from the Caverns of the Earth, infesting the Air with its poisonous Fumes, whereby not onely the tender fibrous, and nervous parts of the Belly are oft times crampt with Con∣vulsive spasms; but the mineral Fumes be∣ing inspired with the Air into the Body, pro∣duce most eminent apparent evils, as the Corruption of the Chyle into porraceous and adust Choler, from whence followeth irrita∣ting Vomitings, and the Constipation of the Belly, with obdurateness of the excre∣ments, which inflames the Bowels, and en∣tails a Symptomatical fever, with a heavy and slow pulse; and as the pain doth aggravate more and more, there is want of sleep and rest, with other uneasiness, and commotions of Body and Mind; as the Operatours in Chymistry have sometimes experience of

(to their cost and trouble) in mineral pre∣parations; for if a Vessel chance to break, the sharp and acid Vapours, or Gas of the mine∣ral, immediately seiseth the Animal spirits of all that are in the Elaboratory; by which they are mov'd unequally (against the will) through the Nerves to the Musculous parts, which causeth Convulsive motions, with trembling and shaking of the Limbs, and other accumulated evils.

The like grievous Symptoms (though not so violent) happen to many People that inhabit near the mineral Mines in Hungaria, and also in some Places of England as Derby∣shire, &c. Where there are Lead-works, from whence mineral Fumes continually ascend from the separating Oar, which infesteth the Air, and is a great producer of such Convul∣sive effects.

At the first seisure of this evil, the Muscles of the Abdomen, and sometimes those of the Breast and Back, (through contractions) prove hard and painfull, as in our ordinary Cramps; which Symptoms will evince, that these Vapours are peccant in an acid Acri∣mony.

The internal Cause, is also sour Vapours ari∣sing most commonly out of the small Guts; which the concurring symptoms (consider'd and weighed with an attentive mind) will confirm; for these Vapours being sharp, are

driven forward into the Nerves, and gnaw∣ing them with great pain, aggravate and produce this Convulsive spasm.

1. If this miserable and afflictive Distem∣per hath continu'd to a long durance, it causeth such obstructions in the fibrous and nervous Passages of the Muscles, that there∣by Lameness and an Atrophy soon succeeds, increasing the Weakness of all the Members of the Body, till at length it ends in a Para∣litical resolution of them.

2. If a pregnant Woman, or a Woman af∣ter Abortion, be afflicted with this grievous evil; it is very dangerous, and many times mortal.

As for the Cure, we must endeavour to ease the pain, and strengthen the weak parts with all expedition,

The pain may be eased, and diminish'd as well by internal, as external Anodynes and Narcoticks; to allay the violent Motion of the Animal spirits, and abate the grievous Spasms succeeding.

The following Cordial Diaphoretick opiate is excellent in this Case.

Take the Waters of Fennel, Peony, Treacle, of each one ounce; Syrups of Stoechas, Peony, Scurvigrass, of each half an ounce; Powder of Crabs-eyes, Antimony Diaphoretick, Be∣zoar-mineral, Salt of Tartar vitriolated, Salt of Amber, volatile Salt of Harts-horn, of

each one scruple; Tincture of Castor two drachms, Spirit of Salt Armoniack, Oil of Cloves, of each four drops; Laudanum opiat. six grains; mix it, and give four spoonfulls every three hours.

By the frequent taking of this Volatile and Anodyne Sudorifick, the peccant humours will be temper'd and diminisht, and the in∣ordinate, involuntary, and impetuous mo∣tion of the Animal spirits will be reduc'd, and brought to tranquillity, by which the binding Constrictions of the Belly-ach will be the easier remov'd.

Bathing in this distemper, hath been of∣ten us'd with admirable success; for by the frequent use thereof, the cutaneous and mus∣cular Fibres will not onely be relax'd from contracted Spasms; but the pores will be al∣so kept open for the constant discharge of transpiring Particles.

A natural Bath, such as is in the City of Bathe, is excellent; but when it is not to be had, an artificial Bath may be very usefull for the ends propos'd.

For example.

Take of Elder, Dwarf-elder, Vervain, Be∣tony, Chamomel, Bays, Rhue, Time, Hys∣sop, Ground-pine, Organ, Penny-royal, Sage, sweet Marjoram, of each six handfulls;

Flowers of Stoechas, Chamomel, Melilot, of each four handfulls; Roots of Pellitory of Spain, Briony, Master-wort, Virginia Snake∣root, of each four ounces; Spicknard, Ber∣ries of Juniper and Bays, of each two oun∣ces; Brimstone six pound; Salt Niter two pound; let them be cleansed, bruised and boiled in twenty Gallons of Fountain-water, till a third part be boiled away.

Let the sick be well bathed in it, as often as strength will permit; and let them sit there∣in, as long as they may well bear the same.

Then let them be rub'd dry, and remov'd into a Bed; and let the affected parts be well anointed with this (or the like) fragrant Ointment.

Take Oil of Earth-worms, Ointment of Orange-flowers, Jessamy, of each three oun∣ces; Oil of Mace by expression one ounce; Oil of Juniper, Bricks, of each two drachms; mix it.

As often as the Body is costive, let a Sup∣pository, or carminative Clyster be admi∣nistred to make it soluble.

Let the weakned parts be fortifi'd with the aforesaid unguent; upon which apply a Plaster of Sylvius's carminative Emplaster spread on Leather, which you may remove once in twenty four hours, using warm frictions to the pained parts, and apply the Plaster a∣gain; and over it you may apply a Fox-skin

drest, which will keep the parts warm, and conduce to the cure, which course may be continu'd 'till strength be restor'd to the grie∣ved Limbs.

Notes

• Causes.
• Signs.
• Progn.
• Cure.
• Diaphore∣tick. Opiate.
• Bath.
• Ointment.