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. XCV. Of a Chlorosis, or the Green-Sickness.

THe Green-Sickness is a vitious Habit of the Body proceed∣ing from Obstructions, it is accompanied most commonly with a Palpitation of the Heart, Difficulty of Breathing, and a longing for absurd things, and with an Unfitness for Motion, and other Symptoms.

The Diagnostick manifestly appears by the following Series of Symptoms. First, The Face and whole Body is pale, and sometimes of a leaden, livid, and green Colour. Secondly, An Inflation, and as it were a Swelling, appears upon the Eye∣lids; the Legs also swell, especially about the Ankles. Third∣ly, There is a Dulness and Unwillingness for Motion. Fourth∣ly, There is a Difficulty of Breathing, especially when they move much, or go up Stairs. Fifthly, There is a Palpitation of the Heart upon Motion. Sixthly, There is a heavy, and often a lasting pain of the Head. Seventhly, The Pulse is quick. Eighthly, The Sick are drowsie, and incline to Sleep. Ninthly, There is a great Aversion for wholesome Food. Last∣ly, The Disease increasing, and the Obstructions being multi∣plied, a Suppression of the Courses at length follows which shews the Disease is confirmed.

As to the Prognostick, This Disease most commonly is no•• dangerous, but if it be neglected too much, it occasions great Diseases, as a Scirrhus, Tumours, a Dropsie, and other griet¦vous Diseases, which at length kill the Patient.

When the Disease is small, and chiefly arises from Obstructi∣ons of the Veins of the Womb, it is easily cured by Marriage in Young Virgins.

Women that have had this Disease a long while, are either barren, or bring forth Children that are Sickly and short liv'd.

There is great Hopes of Cure, when the Courses keep their exact Periods, and flow in a due Quantity and Quality.

The Cure of this Disease is performed by opening Obstructi∣ons, by purging off the vitious Humours, by Correcting the Intemperies of the Bowels, and by Strengthning them.

First therefore, A gentle Purging Medicine must be given that is agreeable to the Constitution, that the first Region may be only emptied; and if the Belly be bound, a Glister must be given first of all.

Afterwards Bleeding must be ordered, unless the Disease is very inveterate, and the Maid be inclined to a Cachexy.

But a Vein in the Arm must be opened, though the Courses are stopped, for at that Time if you should bleed in the Foot, the Obstructions of the Veins and of the Womb would be increased: That quantity of Blood being taken away that is necessary, pro∣per Purges must be used, viz.

Take of the Pill Coch Major two Scruples, of Castor powdered two grains, of Peruvian Balsam four Drops; make four Pills, let her take them at five in the Morning, and let her sleep after them.

Let these Pills be repeated twice or thrice every Morning, or every other Morning, according to the Strength of the Sick and their Operation.

After the purging Pills let her take the following.

Take of the Filings of Steel grains eight, with a sufficient quan∣tity of Extract of Wormwood; make two Pills to be taken in the Morning, and they must be repeated at five in the After∣noon. She must continue this Course for thirty Days, drink∣ing presently after the Pills a Draught of Wormwood Wine.

If a Bolus be more pleasing.

Take of the Conserve of Roman-Wormwood and of the Conserve of the yellow Peel of Oranges, each one ounce; of candied Ange∣lica, and Nutmegs candied, and of Venice Treacle, each half an ounce; of Ginger candied two drams, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Oranges, Make an Electuary.

Take of this Electuary one dram and an half, of the Filings of Steel well powdered eight grains, with a sufficient quantity

of Syrup of Oranges, make a Bolus to be taken in the Mor∣ning, and at five in the afternoon, drinking upon it a draught of Wormwood-wine.

Take of choice Mirrh, and of Galbanum, each one dram and an half; of Castor sixteen grains, with a sufficient quantity of Peruvian Balsam; make twelve Pills of each dram. Let her take three every Night at Bed time, drinking upon them three or four Spoonfuls of compound Briony water through the whole Course: But if these Pills should purge, then the following must be used instead of them.

Take of Castor one dram, of Volatile Salt of Ambar half a dram, with a sufficient quantity of Extract of Rue; make five and twenty small Pills. Let her take three every Night at Bed-time.