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. CXXIII. Of Agues.

AS to the Cure, I have for many years taken notice how dangerous it is to endeavour to cure by Su∣dorificks, in Tertians and Quotidians, when they are new, and have not yet formed themselves, being at present like continual Fevers: For though it is well known, that upon Sweating, the restlesness and other symptoms presently vanish; yet if Sweat be forced too much, the Fever will be made continual, and the Life of the Sick will be endangered. Having therefore con∣sidered how ineffectual this method is, and the incon∣veniency of other Evacuations by Bleeding and Purg∣ing, I suppose the Peruvian Bark would do best; and I can truly affirm, notwithstanding the prejudice of the common People, and of a few Learned Men, I never perceived any injury by the use of it, nor can imagin

any; only they that have used it a long while, some∣times fall into a scorbutick Rheumatism; but this sel∣dom happens upon this occasion, and when it does, it is easily cured by the Remedies proposed for it in the Chapter of a Rheumatism.

Being called to a Patient of a Quartan Ague, for in∣stance, on a Monday, I do nothing if the Fit be to come that day, only I give the Sick hopes that he may be freed from the next Fit; and therefore on the two well days, namely, Tuesday and Wednesday, I give the Bark in the following manner.

Take of the Peruvian Bark finely powdered, one ounce, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Gilliflowers, or of dried Roses, make ad Electuary to be divided into twelve parts, whereof let him take one every fourth hour, beginning presently after the Fit, drink∣ing upon it a draught of some Wine. Or if he likes Pills better,

Take of the Peruvian Bark finely powdered, one ounce, with a sufficient quantity of the Syrup of Gilliflowers, make Pills of a moderate bigness, whereof let him take six every fourth Hour.

But an ounce of the Powder may be easier taken, and as successfully, mixed with a quart of Claret-wine, eight or nine spoonfuls of it being taken every fourth hour. On Friday when the Fit is feared, I give nothing, for most commonly no Fit comes; but lest the Disease should return, eight days exactly after the last Dose, I give the same quantity of Powder, viz. One Ounce di∣vided into twelve parts, according to the method above-mentioned: But though most commonly by giving the Powder after this manner, the Disease is commonly Cured; yet to secure the Patient from a relapse, it is safe to repeat it three or four times, at the same inter∣vals, especially when the Blood has been weakened by foregoing Evacuations, or by catching Cold.

But though this remedy has no purging quality, yet by reason of the peculiar Constitution of some Bodies, it often happens, that the Sick is violently purged by it; in this case it is necessary to give Laudanum with the

Powder; wherefore I give ten drops of Laudanum in Wine, after every other Dose, if the Loosness con∣tinues.

I use the same method for Tertians and Quotidians; but Tertians and Quotidians often are almost continual, and there is only a remission of those days they should intermit, especially when the Sick has been confined to his Bed, and has used too hot a Regimen, and Medi∣cines: In this case I give the Powder, as soon as I per∣ceive any remission.

But there are some that cannot bear the Bark, nei∣ther in the form of a Powder, nor of an Electuary, nor of Pills; for these I infuse in the cold two Ounces of the Bark grossly powdered in a quart of Rhenish-wine, and four Ounces of the Infusion standing some days, seem to contain the vertue of one Drachm of the Pow∣der; and because it is neither unpleasant, nor oppresses the Stomach, it may be taken as often again as any other form of this Remedy.

Sometimes it happens, that before this Disease is come to a regular Type, the Sick cannot retain the Bark in any form, by reason of continual Vomiting; in this case the Vomiting must be first stopp'd before the Bark can be given, to which end I order, that six or eight times in the space of two hours, one spoonful of the fresh juice of Limons be taken with a scruple of Salt of Wormwood; afterwards I give sixteen drops of liquid Laudanum in a spoonful of strong Cinamon-wa∣ter, and soon after, if the Vomitting stop, the Jesuits Powder. For Infants, whose tender Age would scarce bear the taking of this remedy in another form, at least so much of it as would cure the Disease; I use to pre∣scribe the following Julep,

Take of Black-cherry-water, and of Rhenish-wine, each two ounces, of the Peruvian Bark finely powdered, three drachms, of the Syrup of Gilliflowers one ounce, mingle them, make a Julep; let one or two spoonfuls of it be taken according to the age, every fourth hour, till the Ague is cured. If there be a Loosness, you must give a drop or two of liquid Laudanum with every other Dose.

As to the Diet, the Sick may eat any thing that a∣grees with his Stomach, only he must avoid cold Li∣quors and Summer Fruits, and let him use Wine mo∣derately for his ordinary drink, by which alone I have cured some Patients that could not be cured with the Jesuits Powder.

The Disease being taken off, the Sick must care∣fully avoid all evacuations, for the gentlest Purge, yea, only a Glister of Milk and Sugar, will be apt to cause a Relapse.