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. XXIV. Of the Stoppage of Urine, and the Stran∣gury.

THE Stoppage of Urine is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ab 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 comprimo, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Urina.

'Tis called in Latin Urinoe suppressio.

The Strangury is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. urinoe difficultas, vel urinoe per guttas excretionem. Ex 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 stilla, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 urina.

These differ onely in degree, for when the Urine is totally obstructed, it may be called Ischuria, but when little is voided, and by drops, it may be called Stranguria.

These distempers may be caused by vis∣cous * 1.1 Phlegm, or coagulated Bloud in the Ureters, or Urethra, especially if a Stone, or some Gravel do also stick in the Passage, by which the obstruction will be more strengthned.

Sometimes it is caused by a schirrous Tu∣mour, or other excrescency of Flesh, as a Carbuncle, &c. growing in the Urethra, or Chanel of Urine.

Sometimes it is caused by a preposterous holding in of the Urine, either, for shame or

want of opportunity to evacuate it; so that the Bladder being extremely fill'd and dis∣tended, it hath not power to contract it self, hence the voiding of Urine is supprest.

It may also be caused by sharp humours, fretting and ulcerating the internal Superfi∣cies of the Bladder, by which it is continu∣ally stirred up to contract it self, and expell the Urine which is in it; so that the Bladder is empty, having little or no Urine in it, as I have known by experience.

This may be called a Bastard Ischuria, which may be also caused by some hurt in the at∣tractive or expulsive faculty of the Reins.

If the aforesaid Causes be violent, it cau∣seth an Ischuria, but if remiss, then a Stran∣gury is stirred up, in which there is a per∣petual Irritation to extrude the Urine, al∣though slowly; and by drops, with exceeding pain and trouble.

Suppression of Urine is dangerous, and if * 1.2 it continue long, it is mortal; especially if the Patient's Breath stinck of Piss, or hath a Hiccough, or Tenasmus.

If the Cause be in the Neck of the Blad∣der * 1.3 or Urethra stopt, you may clear it, and draw away the Urine with a Catheter, as I have often done both from Men and Women with good success.

If the Cause be from the Reins or Ureters,

seek the Cure in the Chapter of Nephritick pains, &c.

Glutinous Phlegm, and coagulated Bloud, may be cut and attenuated with Aromaticks boild in Water or Wine, and mixed with oily volatile Salts, Spirit of Niter, &c.

Stone-Horse dung is rich in Volatile Salt, wherefore if you mix the Juice of it with Rhenish-wine, and drink it often, you will admire its wonderfull effects, in curing not onely Stoppage of Urine, but most other obstructions.

Those Diureticks prescrib'd in page 266, 267. are also very effectual here.

Let the Belly and parts affected be anoin∣ted with Dears-suet, which will conduce much to give ease.

When the Urethra is obstructed by a Ca∣runcle, &c. You must gently thrust in a hol∣low Instrument made of Lead or Silver, be∣ing first anointed with some consolidating Ointment.

You may leave the Instrument in, till the fear of a new Closing of the Passage be re∣mov'd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cause.
• * 1.2

  Progn.
• * 1.3

  Cure.