Medicina practica, or, Practical physick shewing the method of curing the most usual diseases happening to humane bodies ... : to which is added, the philosophick works of Hermes Trismegistus, Kalid Persicus, Geber Arabs, Artesius Longævus, Nicholas Flammel, Roger Bachon and George Ripley : all translated out of the best Latin editions into English ... : together with a singular comment upon the first book of Hermes, the most ancient of philosophers : the whole compleated in three books / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. X. Loss of the Use of Limbs.

I. IN many people here in England there is a loss of the use of their Limbs, the most part caused by taking great Colds; and sometimes it is the effect of the Palsie: the like may hap∣pen in the West Indies; but though in those hot Coun∣tries it is possible to proceed from such a Cause, yet it is oftner, and more generally known to proeeed from the Belly-Ach, and that kind of Belly-Ach, which pro∣ceed from dryness and Co∣stiveness of Body.

II. If it proceeds from tak∣ing of Cold, though Sudori∣ficks are commonly used yet they ought rather to be used after a Legitimate pur∣ging and clensing the Body: let the Sick first take our-Pilùlae Mirables from a Scru∣ple to a dram. And repeat the same for 2. or three times with due Intervalls be∣tween each Purging, as of two or three days or more, as they are in Age and strength.

III. After sufficient purging and cleansing the Body, let the Patient sweat well with new London-treacle, for 3. or 4. times or oftner as you see occasion; and be very cautious that the Sick takes no Cold again: and in the time of sweating, Frictions ought to be used to the help∣less Limb, with course Cloths: that as by the Diaphoresis, the nervous juice becomes depu∣rated and clean; so also by the rubbing the natural Spirits may be called back again.

IV. After Sweating the weak Limbs are to be bathed alternatim with Pow∣ers of Amber and Powers of Juniper; and in strong ro∣bust Bodies, and where the Skin is very thick, with Oyl of Amber pure and simple, for some few daies; and

then afterwards with Powers of Amber, &c.

V. If it be caused from a Palsie; there ought to be some gentle Purging, but with such things as more particularly carry off the cold, glutinous, and clamy Humour, which has de∣volved upon the Nerves; among which our Vinum Catharticum is none of the meanest: if it be a strong Man, and in the flower of his years, you may, with cau∣tion, give the former Pilulae Mirabiles; if he complains of a fulness and heaviness in his Stomach, give him One Two, or Three Doses of our Impetus Mineralis, and you shall find a wonder succeed.

VI. But during all this, you must sweat oftentimes, and powerfully by giving our Vinum Catharticum inwardly, and provoking the Sweat with Spirit of Wine, in Hart∣man's Chair, if you have such a one, using Frictions withal, as before directed.

VII. Outwardly let the paralytick Limbs be well a∣nointed, Morning and E∣vening, with this following Oyntment, Take Chymical Oyl of Rosemary and Anni∣seeds, of each an ounce: Vo∣latile Sal Armoniac in fine Powder half an ounce; Palm Oyl half a pound; mix them for use: Rub it well in be∣fore a good Fire.

VIII. Inwardly, let the Sick take every morning this: Take our new London Trea∣cle, Volatile Sal Armoniack, ana Five grains; mix it with pulp of Figgs, and give it: an hour after the taking of it give this: Take our Spi∣ritus Cosmeticus half an ounce, Powers of Rosemary half a drachm, Spiritus Antiastmati∣cus Twenty Drops mix, and give it in a Glass of Sack, or Ale; and give the same at Night, continuing this course for a month together.

IX. But when it proceeds from the dry Belly Ach, as for the most part it does in the West-Indies, this follow∣ing method is necessary to be pursued: First, Give the following Clyster, R. Chicken Broth a pint, Honey or Salt, half an ounce; Tinctura Au∣rea One Ounce, (or instead thereof, boil two ounces of the Pulp of the bitter Gourd in the Broth) then exhibit

the clear Liquor warm, if it comes away without any ap∣parent effect, repeat it a∣gain.

X. Then purge with our Pilulae Mirabiles, two, three, four, or six times, as need requires, with intervals be∣tween each Purge; but for poor People, who cannot go to the charge of these Pills, or if they be not to be had, use this: Take a large quantity of Peach Leaves bruised, viz. about fourty hand∣fuls; Pulp of the bitter Gourd Six ounces; boil all in a gal∣lon of Water to two Quarts, strain and sweeten with Sugar and Honey: Dose from half a pint to a pint, according to Age and Strength: This Purge, at due intervals, is to be repeated three, four, five, or six times, as you see need.

XI. This done the Bowels, and all the pained Parts and lamed Limbs, are to be bathed with Powers of Amber Morning and Evening; or with Oyl of Turpentine two ounces, mixed with Hogs-lard Eight Ounces.

XII. Lastly, In the loss of the use of Limbs, proceed∣ing from what cause soever, this following Drink must be constantly used and no o∣ther, without which a per∣fect Cure cannot be ex∣pected: Take Juniper Berries well bruised, Seeds and all Four Ounces; Fountain Water a Gallon; boil all to Three Quarts or Five Pints: strain out the clear, and put to it of Spirit of Wine Four Ounces; sweeten with White Sugar, and drink it as your ordi∣nary Drink. This Dyet will seldom or never fail the desired end, which is to restore the Sick to the per∣fect use of their Limbs, and without which it can scarce∣ly be done. Salmon.