The store-house of physical practice being a general treatise of the causes and signs of all diseases afflicting human bodies : together with the shortest, plainest and safest way of curing them, by method, medicine and diet : to which is added, for the benefit of young practicers, several choice forms of medicines used by the London physicians / by John Pechey ...

CHAP. LXI. Of the Palpitation of the Heart, and of the Trembling of it.

THE Palpitation of the Heart is so violent sometimes, that it may not only be manifestly felt, but also seen and heard at some distance: And some Authors of note say, That by the violent Vibration of the Heart, the Ribs have been broke, or thrust out in young People.

As to the Cure, it must be varied according to the variety of the Causes.

First therefore, when this Disease proceeds from a fault in the Blood, the curative Intention will be, to exalt the watry Blood, and to render it more apt for Fermentation; to which purpose Spiritous Medicines, also Saline of every sort and Sulphurous, especially Chalybeats; and also those things which are used for the Green-sickness, or Lucophleg∣matia, and a cold Scurvy, do good.

Take of the Conserves of Roman Wormwood, of the yellow Peel of Oranges and Lemons, each two ounces; of the Winteran bark powdered two drams, of the Species Dia∣curcuma one dram, of Steel prepared with Sulphur three drams, Salt of Wormwood one dram and an half, with a sufficient quantity of the Syrup of Citron-bark; make an Electuary.

The Dose is the quantity of a Nutmeg in the Morning, and at five a Clock in the Afternoon, drinking upon it three Ounces of the following Julep, and walking after it.

Take of the Waters of Wake-robin leaves one pint, of Penny-royal and Hyssop, each four ounces; of the water of Worms, Snails, and Mirabilis, each one ounce; of Sugar one ounce; mingle them, make a Julep.

Take of the Tincture of Antimony one ounce. The Dose is twenty or twenty five drops twice a day in the same Julep.

Moreover, Tincture of Steel, or the Syrup of it, also Elixir Proprietatis are proper.

Secondly, The Palpitation of the Heart is oftner and much more violent from a fault in the Cardiack Arteries, which is either an Obstruction or a Convulsion. The first is most commonly continual, and often incurable, especially if it be occasioned by tabid Lungs, or by reason the roots of the Arteries are half filled or compressed by a Tubercle, or bony Excrescence; which Causes, when they are and can be perfectly known, it is to no purpose to endeavour to remove; and then all that can be done, is only to give ease by Hypnoticks.

Moreover, It is probable, that the passage of the Blood is hindred, sometimes by a Polypus growing within the Sinus of the Heart: But it is difficultly known, and hardly cured; when there is a Suspicion of it, Saline Medicines seem most proper, and of those such as are vo∣latile or acid: But they are not to be given together, you are to try one sort first, and if that does not do, you must try the other.

Take of Compound Spirit of Sal-armoniack, viz. distilled with Millepedes, or with other anti-asthmaticks, three drams. The Dose is from fifteen Grains to twenty thrice a day, in some proper Julep or distilled Water.

In the same manner Spirit of Harts-horn, of Soot, of Blood, and of a Scull dug up, may be tried.

Take of Spirit of Sea-salt, or of Vitriol, distilled with Spirit of Wine, impregnated with Pectoral Herbs, and often cohobated, three drams. The Dose is from fifteen to twenty drops.

Spirit of Tartar, of the Wood of Gujacum, or of Box, may be used to the same purpose.

Thirdly, The Palpitation of the Heart is often Con∣vulsive, and proceeds from the same cause as other Hypo∣chondriack or Asthmatick Passions do, and must be cured also by Antispasmotick Remedies; but respect must be had to the Constitution of the Sick.

Take of Spirit of Sal-armoniack with Ambar three drams. The Dose is from fifteen to twenty drops twice a day, in some proper Julep or distilled Water.

Tincture of Tartar, of Steel, or of Antimony, may be also given by turns.

As to the Cure of the Trembling of the Heart, Medi∣cines proper for Convulsions must be given, it being meerly Convulsive. Wherefore having made sufficient Evacua∣tion, the follow Medicines may be given.

Take of prepared Coral, and of Pearls, each two drams; of both the Bezoars, each half a dram; of white Ambar two scruples, of Ambar-grease one scruple; make a Powder. The Dose is half a Dram twice or thrice in a day, in some proper Julep or distilled Water.

Take of Compound Powder of Crabs-claws two drams, of the Powder of the roots of Male-peony, of Mans Skull pre∣pared, each one dram; of the flowers of Male-peony, and of Lillies of the Vallies, each half a dram; make a Powder to be taken the same way.

Take of Ivory, and red Coral powdered, each three drams; of the Species Diambra one dram, of white Sugar dis∣solved in a sufficient quantity of Orange-flower-water and boiled to Tablets, seven ounces; make Tablets each weigh∣ing half a dram: Let him take one or two often in a day, or when he pleases.

Take of the Conserve of the Flowers of Lillies of the Vallies six ounces, of Coral prepared, of Pearls, Ivory, and Crabs-eyes, each one dram and an half; of Vitriol of Mars one dram, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Coral, make an Electuary. The Dose is one or two drams twice a day, drinking upon it a Draught of the following Julep.

Take of the Waters of Orange-flowers, and of the whole Citron, each six ounces; of Orange-peels distilled with Wine two ounces, of Sugar half an ounce; make a Julep.

Take of Syrup of Steel six ounces. The Dose is one Spoonful in the Morning and at five in the Afternoon, in two ounces of the Julep above prescribed; but you must omit the Sugar.

Take of the Powder of Ivory, and of Coral, each two drams and an half; of the Species of Diambra one dram, of Salt of Steel two drams, of Sugar eight ounces, of Am∣bar-grease dissolved half a scruple; make Tablets, each weighing half a dram. The Dose is three or four drams twice a day.

Ta••e of fresh Strawberries eight Pints, of the outward Peel of twelve Oranges, of the fresh Filings of Steel half a pound, beat them together, and pour upon them four quarts of Wine: Let them ferment together in a close Vessel twenty four hours; then distill them in a cold Still.

Take of Spirit of Harts-horn, or of Blood, or the like, three drams. The Dose is twenty drops twice a day in some proper Vehicle.

Take of the Flowers of Sal-armoniack, and of Coral pre∣pared, each two drams. The Dose is one scruple twice a day.

Take of Sal-prunella two drams, of Salt of Ambar one dram, of Salt of Harts-horn one Scruple. The Dose is from fifteen to twenty grains twice a day in some proper Liquor.

Note, Such of these Medicines as agree with the Con∣stitution of the Patient are to be chosen.