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. LXXVI. Of a Diarrhea.

A Diarrhea, is that sort of a Loosness, in which excre∣mentitious Humours, without Blood, Chyle or Ul∣ceration of the Intestines are voided by Stool.

There is another Species of a Diarrhea which is called colliquative, arising from the Colliquation of the Sub∣stance of the Body.

If a Diarrhea be critical, and is easily born, and the Disease goes off by it, or is greatly diminished, the Sick is benefited by it.

But if a Diarrhea be Symptomatical, it occasions a great deal of Pain to the Sick, the Strength greatly de∣creases, and the Disease upon which it comes is considera∣bly augmented, or at least does not decrease.

As to the Cure a Symptomatick Diarrhea rises for the most part from bad and corrupted Humours, therefore the Cure of it is to be begun with the Evacuation of the Pec∣cant Humour.

Take of the best Rhubarb six grains, of the Seeds of Corian∣der bruised two scruples, infuse and boil them in a suffici∣ent quantity of Fountain-water, to three ounces of the strained Liquor, add of Rubarb torrified one Scruple, of the Syrup of Succory with Rubarb one ounce, mix them, make a Draught to be taken in the Morning.

A Vomit is also sometimes convenient, because it makes a Revulsion and Evacuation of the Morbisick Matter.

If there be Signs of abundance of Blood, and the Body being strong, Bleeding is necessary in the be∣ginning.

The Body being sufficiently evacuated, both by purging Medicines, and the Loosness it self; astringent and strengthning Medicines are to be given, as well by the Mouth, as injected by Glisters, and applied to the Belly.

Take of Diascordium grains twenty five, of the compound Powder of Crabs-Claws grains seventeen, of Syrup of Mint a sufficient quantity, mix them, make a Bolus to be re∣peated upon Occasion.

Take of Epidemick-water half an ounce, of Cinnamon-water hordeated three drams, of black-cherry-water, two ounces, of Liquid Laudanum prepared with Juice of Quinces fif∣teen drops, Syrup of Mint a sufficient quantity; mix them, let the Sick take this Mixture after the Bolus above prescribed, and at Bed-time.

Take of Epidemick-water, and of Cinnamon-water hordeated each three ounces; of Mint-water one ounce, of Black Cherry-water five ounces, of Syrup of Mint a sufficient quantity; mingle them, let him take six spoonfuls after the Bolusses.

Take of Hartshorn calcin'd two ounces, of Nutmeg four Scru∣ples, of the Roots of Tormentil three drams; boil them in Fountain-water to three Pints, adding towards the end an ounce of White-bread, add to the strained Liquor two ounces of Doctor Stephens's water, and sweeten it with Syrup of Quinces, let him take it for his ordinary Drink. Or,

Take of Diascordim three drams, of Cinnamon-water, and simple Angelica-water, each five ounces; infuse them hot in a close Vessel to draw a Tincture, strain it, and add to it fifty drops of Laudanum Cydoniated, and a suf∣ficient quantity of Syrup of Mint; mingle them, let him take two Spoonfuls every Night at bed-time, and in the Day a spoonful after every Stool. Or,

Take of London Laudanum three grains, of Doctor Stephens's water, and of Cinnamon-water hordeated each one ounce, of Syrup of Quinces one dram, mingle them, make a Draught, let him take it at bed-time, repeat it at three in the Morning, and at eight in the Morning.

Take of the Leaves of Mint, the tops of Wormwood each four handfuls; of Zedoary, Galingal, Cyperus, sweet smelling Flag, Nutmeg, sharp Cinnamon, Mace, each half an ounce; of Cubebs, Cloves, each two drams; make two Bags to be boiled in Clarret-wine and Smiths-water, each a quart; press them hot out of the Liquor, and apply them by turns to the Region of the Stomach.

Take of Conserve of common Wormwood half an ounce, of old Mithridate Six drams, of Powder of Mastich a sufficient quantity, make a Plaister to be spread on Leather, and to be applied to the Region of the Stomach, you must spread the Margin with Paracelsus's Plaister to make it stick. Or,

Take of the Stomach-plaister three drams, of Oyl of Mace by Expression two scruples, of Chymical Oyl of Wormwood, and of Chymical Oyl of Mace, each two drops; mingle them, make a Plaister to be applied to the Stomach.

Take of Diascordium six drams, of Venice Treacle two drams▪ boil them in Cows Milk, let eight ounces of the strained Liquor be injected for a Glister, and let it be repeated thrice. Or,

Take of the Roots of Tormentil three drams, of Yellow Miro∣balans two drams, of Balaustins one dram and an half, of the Flowers of red Roses half an handful, of Rice bruised half an ounce, of Coriander-seeds half an ounce, boil them in a sufficient quantity of Fountain-water, to fourteen ounces, strain it, and make a Glister of half of it, and give the other half four hours after if the loosness con∣tinues.