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. XI. Of the Cholick or Belly-ach.

I. To Cure the Belly-ach in a Child. Take the best Brandy a Quart, Cinna∣mon, Cortex Winteranus, ana half an Ounce, Anni∣feeds an Ounce and half, Rheubarb very thin sliced, or grosly bruised, two Oun∣ces; mix, and in a gentle heat of a Bath make a Tin∣cture. Dose from two Spoon∣fulls to eight, alone by it self, or sweetned with Su∣gar; but to Children give it sweetned with Sugar, and mixed with a little Ale: It is a thing not to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and which I have proved almost a thousand times. Salmon.

II. Where a continuing and long lasting Belly-ach, has been with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Flux, I have Cured 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the following Diet Drink. Take strong Ale a Gallon, choice Bran∣dy a Pint, Rheubarb thin sliced four Ounces, Anni∣seeds bruised I Ounce: Tie them up in a loose thin Rag, with a Stone in it, and put them into the Ale and Bran∣dy, and let the Sick con∣tinually drink of it: I have used it in several Cures of Patients, and never found it fail. Salmon.

III. For the Cholick, ac∣companied with a Quartane Ague. Take Butter of An∣timony rectified from Regu∣lus of Mars, 'till it is clear. You may give of this from two drops to five, in our Aqua Bezoartica. Salmon.

IV. For a Pocky Cholick, or the Belly-ach in Pocky Habit of Body. This is difficult to be remedied, and many times not without much trouble, and sometimes dan∣ger to the Sick; this follow∣ing is of wonderful use. Take

Crude Antimony, Sal Armo∣niack, of each as much as you please; reduce them into an Impalpable Powder, then su∣blime; so will you have red Flowers: Take of these Flowers à Gr. iij. ad vj. Of white Proe∣cipitate well edulcorated à Gr. iij. ad 8. Mix them, and with Balsam de Peru, a sufficient quantity, make a Mass for one Dose of Pills. 'Tis a wonder∣ful Medicine, and not e∣nough to be praised: But if the Patient be Young or Weak, you must proportion∣ably lessen the Dose. You may give it in the Morning Fasting, and let the Sick be∣ware of taking Cold. Sal∣mon.

V. The Cholick, with a ve∣hement Catarrb and Cough. Where the Griping of the Bowels is with Costiveness of Body, which is for the most part accompanied with a great Cough and Catarrh, there is no better Remedy upon Earth than our Spiri∣tus Anticolicus, of which the Sick may take half a Spoonful every Morning and Evening, in a Glass of Ale or Wine; and if it be vehement, in all the Drink they take. Salmon.

VI. The Cholick, with a vi∣olent Flux of the Belly down∣wards, and a vehement Ca∣tarrb upwards. I have seve∣ral times seen this preter∣natural Flux, though it be not common: Once I re∣member I had a Patient af∣flicted therewith, and in a most deplorable Condition: I Cured him by giving a Spoonful, or Spoonful and half of my Tinctura ad Ca∣tarrhos, Morning and Eve∣ning in a Glass of Ale, and in a Weeks time he was perfectly well. See it in my Phylaxa Med. Lib. 2. Cap. 9. Sect. 1. Salmon.

VII. One Purge saith, Rol∣fincius, given with Judg∣ment in the Cholick does that alone, which ten Clysters will scarcely reach, especially in the Cholick pain from Ob∣struction of the Excrements a∣bove the value. It was ob∣served when a Patient had thirty Clysters given him without any benefit, that a∣nother Physician gave him an Ounce and half of Man∣na,

with two Ounces of Oyl of sweet Almonds, in fat Chicken Broth, and eased the Patient of his pain. We in the West-India's in this case, where the Constipa∣tion is great, give a strong Decoction of the bitter Gourd, or bitter Squash made in Water, which ef∣fectually does the Cure at once, if given in the begin∣ning of the Disease: Pulp of Colocynthis here will do the same. In the West-India's (where Peach-Trees are plentlful) the Disease is Cu∣red by taking three or four times Syrup of Peaches; or by taking a very strong De∣coction made of the bruised Leaves of the Peach-Tree. Salmon.

VIII. Sometimes when Cly∣sters are given, they come not a∣way, but almost suffocate, by reason of their ascension be ing stopt by much Wind; in this case if one, two, or more Clysters do not come away, you must either put up a very sharp Supository, or recall them with a small Clyster made of a strong Tincture or Decoction of Pulp of Colloquintida.

IX. Where the Cholick pro∣ceeds from a kind of Glassy Phlegm, weak Clysters may not be given, made of Oyl, Hiera, and the like; these, though in a gentle Cholick, may do some good, yet in a violent one, can do no∣thing, rather mischief: In this case nothing less than a strong Clyster made with our Tinctura Aurea (see Phy∣laxa, Lib. 2. Cap. 5.) will do any good. After the Clyster has been taken, and is come away, let the Pa∣tient be three or four times Purged with our Pilula Mi∣rabiles (see Phylaxa, Lib. 2. Cap. 59.) and he will be so perfectly Cured, that the Disease will no more recur from that numerick Cause. Salmon.

X. In a vehement Cholick, with Obstruction of the Courses, I gave the following things. 1. I Purged the Sick well with my Pilulae Mirabiles thrice. 2. I gave the follow∣ing Powder. Take Livers and Galls of Eeles, dry them

and make them into Powder. Dose from one Drachm to two in white Wine. Salmon.

XI. A Venereal Cholick. There is no better Medicine upon Earth, then to give e∣very day for a Week toge∣ther (if it has been of long continuance) our Vinum Herculeanum, a Sack Glass full at a time, three or four times a day. The way of making it see in Phylaxa Med. Lib. 1. Cap. 47. Sect. 15. It is much beyond all the the Spicy and Aromatick Things in the World. Salmon.

XII. A Clyster against the Cholick. Take Decoction of Juniper Berries a Pint, Spiritus Aureus one Ounce, Aqua Benedicta four Oun∣ces, Oyl of Olive two Oun∣ces; mix them; this works in a small time; but which is admirable, even before it works the pain ceases. Sal∣mon.

XIII. Another Clyster for the same. Take Decoction of Dates, made in Mutton-Broth a Pint, Vinum Eme∣ticum five Ounces, mix for a Clyster; it gives ease al∣most in an Instant, and brings away the morbifick Cause or Matter after a wonderful manner. Salmon.

XIV. Rondeletius saith that Castoreum and Euphorbium are of good use, if the pain be constant and stir not from its place; yea, he e∣stimates them not only as a present, but as the ultimate Remedy: If you take six, eight, or ten Grains of Ca∣stor in Wine, and drink a little after it, it will quickly Cure: And five or six Gr. of Emphorbium may be In∣fused, and taken (the clear Infusion) in the same quan∣tity and manner.

XV. If the pain be in the upper part of the Belly, above the Navel, Clysters seldom do any good; for they ne∣ver reach the Morbifick or offending Matter; yet sometimes, even in these cases, when the pain is very violent, and the Humours crude, Clysters may be gi∣ven, but they ought to be made of strong Attractives,

such as the afore-mention∣ed.

XVI. This Clyster has done much good. Take fat Broth a Pint; Aloes dissolved two Drachms, Turpentine one Ounce and a half, or two Ounces: Truly it is a Me∣dicament not to be despised, I remember once above (all the rest of the times I used it) I recovered a young La∣dy even from the Jaws of Death with it: The Sick had been three daies and three Nights tortured with incessant Pain: Clysters of most kinds had been given by an Apothecary, by the Prescript of a Physitian: moreover, there had been given previous to those, Aromatick Bolus's, bitter De∣coctions, and lastly Opiates, but all in vain; nor could the Opiates do any good, for that they constipated the Bowels much more, which were before costive, and so rendered the disease, to all appearance, uncurable, so void of true Medical Sense or Knowledge, were those Men of great names, which had been before concern'd with her: In short, they neither gave her any Ease, nor made her go to Stool; so that what with the An∣guish and Pain, she was given over and lay for dead. In this state and Condition, a Gentlewo∣man then present, moved that I might be sent for, which was accordingly done, when I came thither, I viewed my Patient, no appearance of Life could be discerned, so that I had but small encouragement to act; however, being entreated by her grieved Parents, I was perswaded, even for their satisfaction. The A∣pothecary was sent for, and gave me an account of all that was done; I could not forbear blaming the Physitians, for acting so preposterously, against the rules of Art, as to prescribe Opiates in a Cholick, with a strong constipation of the Bowels: The Apothecary could no waies take their part, but was of my Opi∣nion. But the business was now, what was most fit to be done; nothing could be given by the Mouth, for her Teeth seemed to be

set; I immediately bethought of the former Clyster, which was presently given, and in half an hour came away, with many hardned Excre∣ments, after which, the Sick was discerned to breath: I caused the same Clyster to be administred again, and all the Region of the Ab∣domen, to be bathed very well with Powrs of Amber, and a Flannel moistned with the same, to be laid hot over the afflicted Parts. The Clyster stayed Two Hours with the Sick, and then came away with more hardned Excrements; after which she opened her Eyes, and seemed to move her self; and in about six hours time speak. The first Clyster was given about Ten in the Morning, the second before Eleven: About Eight at Night I prescribed this, Take Mutton Broth three quar∣ters of a pint, Aqua Benedicta three Ounces, Venice Turpen∣tine two Ounces, Oyl one Ounce, mix and make a Clyster. She confessed she had great Ease before this was exhibited; but after she had received this last, she confess'd she was in perfect Ease; it came away from her, in about an hour and quarters time: After which, I first gently purged her with a Dose of my Family Pills; then with two Doses of my Pilulae Mi∣rabiles (but withal giving her respite to recover Strength) after which she constantly took my Spiritus Anticolicus, in all her Drink, and be∣came perfectly well. Sal∣mon.

XVII. A Cholick proceeding from Gravel, obstructed in the Reins; It was plainly per∣ceived to be an Obstruction of the Reins, because the Sick could not make Water. I prescribed the last of the afore-going Clysters, which was repeated three times, once every day; and the Patient, by this means alone, was perfectly cured: And this might possibly be per∣formed by the Balsamick and Diuretick Particles of the Turpentine, being received into the Lacteal Veins, whereby it was mixed with the Lacteal Juice, and so entred into the mass of Blood, and was circulated

with it; whereby, altering its Crasis, it opened the Ob∣structions of the Passages, and so provoked Urine; for alwaies after the Clysters, the Sick made a very large quantity of Urine. This thing I have many times experienced. Sal∣mon.

XVIII. In some Patients the best Clysters do little good; and by I know not what hidden cause, the Pain, in a day or two, or three, returns again, as bad as ever, or worse: these, by the fol∣lowing suppositories, have not only found present Ease, but the Cure has succeeded, as if it had been done by In∣chantment. Take Honey One Ounce, boiled to a thickness, that it may be wrought with ones Finger; then add in Powder Sal Gem two Scruples, Troches Alhaudal half an Ounce, and with distilled Oyl of Wax, ten drops, make and form a Suppository, which let be put up in the Paroxysm.

XIX. Whether the Cholick comes from Choler or Vitreous Flegm, sharp and emollent Cly∣sters, are of excellent Use: And sometimes Clysters made only of Oyl, on of Oyl three parts, Turpentine one part, have saved the Life of a Patient. For since the Cho∣lick is caused by the Colons being obstructed by plenty of Matters above, Wind in the middle, and a great quantity of hardned Excre∣ments below, whereby the Wind can neither get up nor down, or get out: It is necessary first of all, to open the lower Passages, and to help the dryness of the Bowels, which may be done by Lenitive and Emolient Clysters; and if the matter be tough and viscous by sharp, inciding and attractive ones, such as we have be∣fore described, which must be so long continued, till all the hardned Excre∣ments are taken away: Nor must Oyl be omitted, be∣cause it mollifies and loosens much more than any A∣queous Body, and leaves the Bowels in a better temper. Salmon.

XX. Fienus advises to mix Narcoticks or Opiates with Pur∣gers. And this may be good where the Constipation is not Great; for by this means

the sick has present ease; the tough flegm or matter is afterwards carried off, and the wind descending into the Colon, is discussed. In this case take this: Take Extract of fine Aloes one Scruple, Scam∣mony in fine Powder eight Grains, of our Volatile Lauda∣num, with Aloes, five or six Grains: Mix and make a Dose, to be given at night. Salmon.

XXI. Bartholinus saith, that Clysters of Tobacco-Smoak are excellent, and a present help. There is a Pipe made on pur∣pose for this use; but the Smoak may be blown up the Anus by a common Tobac∣co-pipe, which for the most part effectually brings away the hardest Excrements, dis∣cusses Wind, and even clean∣ses the Intestines of cold glas∣sie Phlegm.

XXII. An Electuary to purge with in a Cholick: Take of Dates, pulp of Raisins of the Sun, of each half an Ounce; Scammony in fine Powder twelve Grains, Bezoar mi∣neral a Scruple: Mix them for one Dose. Salmon.

XXIII. If the Excrements be very muchhardened, Cly∣sters of pure Oil ought first to be given; then such as are more sharp: For the Oil first dissolving the Excre∣ments, they are the more easily brought away by a sharp Clyster, such as this: Take Broth, Oil Olive, of each seven Ounces; Elixir proprieta∣tis sine Acido one Ounce and half; mix them. 'Tis a thing beyond Commendation, if seasonably used.

XXIV. If the Cholick proceeds of billious humours, whereby the Constipation of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vehement; one of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of simple things, is Syrup of Peach-blossoms three Oun∣ces given at a time: Or this, Take Extract of fine Aloes, Calomelanos in fine Powder, ana one Scruple, Scammony seven Grains; mix and make Pills for one Dose; it sel∣dom fails. Or, Take pulp of Raisins half an Ounce, Calome∣lanos a quarter of an Ounce; mix for a Dose: After which, drink an Infusion of Sena and Rheubarb, sweetned with Manna and Syrup of

Roses. After the Purge has done working, give eight or ten Ounces of Oil of sweet Almonds; and let the sick repose himself. Salmon.

XXV. Rondeletius tells us he has cured several with a Clyster made of Decoction of Hedge-mustard, especial∣ly being made with Wine: You may sweeten it with Honey.

XXVI. Hercules Saxonia saith, I mustingenuously confess, I have cured several in one day with this Medicine: Take Diaphoenicon half an Ounce, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hiera three Drams; or a Bolus.

XXVII. in some cases, especi∣ally where Convulsions attend a Cholick, it is good to make Revulsions by vomit. Some prescribe a Vomit by Leaves of Asarabacca, and it is a good one: But there is no better Emetick for this pur∣pose, than our Pulvis Eme∣ticus, or our Cartharticum Ar∣genteum. The first may be given from three Grains to six or eight in Broth or Pos∣set drink; the second to a Dram, or a Dram and half, in like manner: They are easie and safe. Salmon.

XXVIII. Insome Constitutions troubled with a Cholick, Wine and strong Liquors are very pernicious, and always gene∣rate the matter causing those pains: In those cases drink∣ing of Water is the only re∣medy, and Fountain-water in which Sal Prunella (a Scruple to half a Pint) is dis∣solved, and well sweetned with Sugar; and this is al∣ways certain in a bilious Cholick, especially if accom∣panied with a Feaver; in which cases, as also in an In∣flamation of the Colon, this Remedy never fails.

XXIX. This is also to be noted, That where there is occasion of using my volatile Laudan. Guttoe Vitoe, new London Treacle, or any other of that kind, that they ought to be used while there is yet strength: For if they be used when the For∣ces are wasted, and the sick consumed, or near death, they will not only do hurt, but also hasten the Patient's death, taking away Life and

Sense together: Nor ought they to be given by any means, if the Pulses be low, languid, and weak: Yet if they be at all used, they ought to be applied external∣ly, or only used in a Clyster, in a proper Vehicle; and the Clyster being given, the sick to lie on the pained side. Salmon.

XXX. They are also most ef∣fectual, if taken after Univer∣sals, as proper and fit Eme∣ticks, or Catharticks, or both, such as we have before de∣scribed: And without these Preparatives, they ought not indeed to be taken. Salmon.

XXXI. Authors say, Clysters should first be given, as of Oils alone, from six Ounces to a Pound, which the sick is to keep all night. If evacuation of Excrements follow not that, then exhibit five Ounces of fat Manna, dissolv'd in Broth, aromatiz'd with Cinnamon or other Spices; for that by its softness, moistness, and subtilty of parts, loosens and penetrates, and by softning expels the Excrements. If this does not, Oil may be given again, from six or seven Ounces to a Pound. When the Excrements are brought away, purge with this: Take Sena an Ounce, Aniseeds bruised a Dram and half, Salt of Tartar one Dram, Juice of Liquorice half a Dram, Spring-water a Pint; make an Infusion over a gentle beat for twelve or sixteen hours, and strain it out for four Doses. This will effectually cleanse the Bowels, and take away all the Excrements, or re∣maining morbifick matter Or instead thereof, you may use our Tinctura Aured, from half an Ounce, to a whole Ounce at a time, till the whole Cause is removed. Salmon.

XXXII. Should the Disease yet return, and the Cholick pains be violent, there is a necessity of having recourse to Opiates: You may give them from 2 to 4 or 6 grains of our Vo∣latile Laudanum; after which give this: Take of our Spiritus Cosmeticus a spoonful, or spoon∣ful and half, choice Canary six spoonfuls to eight; mix them, to be given immediately after; and the whole Region

the Abdomen is to be bathed with our Spiritus Anodinus: And these things are so much the better, if the Constitu∣tion be hot: But if cold, the morbifick matter is made thicker, and the Disease be∣comes yet more stubborn.

XXXIII. When the Bowels or their Tunicles are thus afflicted with a gross, tough, and cold matter, heating things ought to be used, whether they be Ca∣thartick, or Alterative only. In this case you may purge with this: Take of our Tinctu∣ra Aurea from half an Ounce to an ounce, Powers of Anniseeds half an ounce; mix them with a Glass of White-wine or Ale, for a Dose. An Al∣terative Essence of Garlick is an admirable thing; for it exceedingly heats & warms; discusses Wind profoundly, and withal prevents the breeding and increase of the cold flegmatick Humor.

XXXIV. To make the Essen∣tia Allii, or Essence of Garlick, of so great use in this case. Take a large quantity of Garlick, beat it well in a Marble Mortar, and reduce it to an impalpable Pap as much as you can; put it into a long∣neck'd Matrass, or large Bolt-head; which seal up hermetically, or otherwise well close it; set it to digest in Horse-dung, or a Sand∣heat of equal strength for forty days: Then open the Vessel, take out the matter; which will most of it be re∣duced into a slimy Liquor; strain out the thinner part by pressing: Digest again in a little Sand-heat, or rather in B. M. that there may be a residence of the grosser parts: The thinner separate by inclination, which per∣fectly purifie by adding to every quart of the Liquor from half an Ounce to a whole Ounce of its own fixt Salt; or for want of the same, as much Salt of Tartar; di∣gest again for forty days, then separate the pure from the impure, and keep the Essence for use in a Glass close stopt: It will keep a long time, and be as it were incorruptible: Dose from half a spoonful to one or two spoonfuls, or more. The Essences of Plants made af∣ter this manner, will be transparent, either of an Em∣rald

green, or of a red Orien∣tal Granate, according to the quality and quantity of Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, pre∣dominating in each Plant. Salmon.

XXXV. To make the Essen∣tia Apii, or Essence of Smal∣lage, which is a specifick in this Disease.

Take a great quantity of Smallage when in Flower, beat it well as aforesaid; di∣gest in a long-neck'd Ma∣trass for forty days close stopt, in a Sand-heat; strain out the thin by pressing: Digest again in a very gentle Sand-heat, or B. M. to make a farther separation: Separate the thinner by in∣clination; which perfectly purifie by adding to each pint of Liquor from two Drachms to half an Ounce of its own fixt Salt; or for want of it, as much Salt of Tartar; digest again for for∣ty days then separate the purely clear, and keep it close stopt for use. Dose from a spoonful to two or three spoonfuls, or more, in a Glass of Wine. This is a Medicament not enough to be valued. Salmon.

XXXVI. These Essences thus drawn from the whole Plant, or its parts, are purified and exalted until they arrive to the nature of their first Being, which will eminently pos∣ses all the central Virtues of their mixt; for here Art and Nature, in this Prepa∣ration, have preserved all the seminal Powers with which it was endowed; and these Essences contain in themselves all the efficacy and Virtues of the Plants of which they are made. The addition of the Salt of the Plant, not only adds to its virtue, but it also causes to se∣parate all the heterogeneous and slimy matter which did hinder the exaltation and perfection of the Medicine, and brings it to the highest clarity and purity imagi∣nable. If three or four Oun∣ces of white Sugar be added to every Pint of the Essence, it will not only help to its conservation, but also be more pleasant to the Pati∣ent: And withal, if you put a little Spirit of Wine, or

instead of the Sugar, five or six Ounces of our Syrupus Volatilis, the Preparation will not be the worse for it. Note also, these Essences may be given in Wine, Water, Broth, or Decoction, as the sick best likes. They restore decayed strength, and bring Nature back again into its old path, for the health and preserva∣tion of the Body. Salmon.

XXXVII. The Essence of Peach-leaves.

Take Peach-Leaves (long before the Fruit is ripe) so many as by supposition you may have six Quarts of juice from; beat them well as be∣fore; digest all according to the former method for forty days: Strain out and digest again, separate the thinner part, and with its own Salt, or Salt of Tartar, in the for∣mer proportion; by dige∣stion purifie and perfect the Essence by another forty days space of time. I astly, adding three or four Ounces of white Sugar to every Pint or Quart, keep it close stopt for use. Dose from twospoon∣fuls, to four, six, or eight, according to age & strength: It purges well, and carries off the morbifick cause to a Miracle; but it ought to be taken three, four, or six times, as the exigency of the Disease requires. This is a specifick in a Cholick beyond most other things, and withal very safe. Salmon.

XXXVIII. Among Carmi∣natives, or Discussers of Wind, I commend (from a very long and large Experience) our Powers of Anniseeds, Powers of Ca∣raways of Juniper-berries, Limons, Cloves, Nutmegs, Rosemary, and the like. Out of these the following Com∣positum may be made: Take Powers of Cloves, Nutmegs, ana one Ounce, of Anniseeds, Carraways, ana an Ounce and half; of Juniper, two Ounces; of Limons and Rosemary, ana two Ounces and a half: mix all for the Uses afore-mention∣ed. Dose half a spoonful in a Glass of Ale or Wine. Sal∣mon.

XXXIX. This is also certain from a very great Experience, That as vehement Cholicks are often caused from a cold, tough, viscous Phlegm, stick∣ing

to the Stomach and Guts, and Wind thence a∣rising; so that not only the said Wind may be gradually discussed, by the assiduous use of the said Potestates or Powers, but also by the use thereof, that viscous Phlegm adhering to the Tunicles of the Stomach and Guts, will be by degrees incided, corrected, and removed. Salmon.

XL. But though these Aro∣matick Potestates are admi∣rable in the precited case, and so powerfully resist the Cause; yet it is my Opinion, That nothing exceeds my Spiritus Anticolicus, being profitable to all the intentions of the Cure; for that it not only corrects hoth Phlegm and Choler, and discusses Wind when bred, but also hinders it from breeding. It not on∣ly discusses Wind, or con∣denses it, but prevents its new extention, or rarifica∣tion again. I could produce several Histories of this Cure, performed by this Medica∣ment alone.

XLI. Some, after all other Remedies have failed, have been cured by a Decoction of Guaiacum; and its Bark. And several Histories of Cures performed by it are extant; but the most eminent is that of a Bath-keeper of Vienna, after he had been tortured with a most vehement Cho∣lick for nine months, and used a great number of things to no purpose, his Disease still increased upon him, and by drinking of Spaw-waters was still exas∣perated. He was married to a young Wife, and she was also afflicted with the same Disease, and dead of it: He feared the same fate, and began to be convulsed in his whole Body; so that his Physicians began to fear, that the Disease was or would be translated to the Genus nervosum, or nervous Stock, and so cause a Palsie. Having stopt his Convulsions by other Medicines, he gave him Guaiacum Wine, accor∣ding to the Advice of Ama∣tus Lusitanus, Cent cur. 32. to cause him to sweat, which he did for five days, and was perfectly cured: Germ. Eph. An. 3. P. 487. This Cholick the Physician judg'd

from phlegmatick Hu∣mours, the Seminaries of Wind, which being dissol∣ved by that diaphoretick Wine, were spent by Sweat. Some Laxatives were also given between whiles.

XLII. In a Cholick proceeding from a hot cause, hot things, whether for inward or outward use, must be avoided, lest an Inflammation be caused: In this case purging Waters, clari∣fied Whey with Sena, and Syrup of Violets, drank plen∣tifully, are given with good success: and outwardly to the Bowels, Willis advises to Fomentations of a Solution of Nitre, or Sal-Armoniack, as in pains of the Gout; and sometimes, as Septalius re∣ports, of simple cold Water.

XLIII. If the Cholick be caused by hard Excrements, hindring the passage of the rest of them, and of Wind, Emollients must first be u∣sed, and afterwards sharp things to irritate the faculty. Sennertus.

XLIV. I had a Patient that for Four Months had been troubled with an almost In∣vincible Colick; at length he desired my help; I only gave him my Spiritus Anti∣colicus, two Drachms at a time, in a Glass of Wine, and made him sweat upon it; and by the using of a∣bout two or three Ounces thereof, he was Cured.

XLV. A Man, about sixty Years of Age, mightily com∣plained to me of a grinding pain in his Groin, which always seized him just at Night, and this had con∣tinued with him for three or four Months; the Con∣stitution of the Bowels all this while being as it should be, for, he was neither Costive nor Loose; from whence I conceived it to be rather a Flatulency in the Muscles of the Abdomen, than in the Colen, and so it proved; for I caused him Morning, Noon, and Night, to bathe the Part afflicted with Powers of Amber; and this alone in about a Weeks time (without taking any thing inwardly) cured him.

XLVI. I have several times

cured an Inveterate Colick, with loss of the use of Limbs, by giving Turpethum Mine∣rale, so as to raise a Flux, which has sometimes lasted twenty Days, or more; for by this means the peccant Matter lodged, and as it were, rooted in the Ner∣vous System, which could not be removed by other Medicines, is taken away: For the Mercurial Particles, by diffusing themselves every way, dissolve, divide and dissipate the morbifick Mat∣ter, into almost insensible small Particles, and at length wholly expell them. And this I experienced in a mi∣serable Lame Patient, whom I Cured by this means, even while this present Book was in Writing.

LXVI. I am of opinion, that Catharticks, mixt with Opiates, are of good use: I have used this following, with a wonderful success: Take Extract of fine Aloes, Extract of Colocynthis, of each twelve Grains; Laudanum Volatile Nostrum, five or six Grains: mix them for a Dose. It is true, the Purge works not presently, by reason the Opiate is mixt with it, and therefore I give it over Night, but it commonly works by the next day∣noon: yet this is very ob∣servable, That the Patient does not feel himself as if he had taken a Purge, but lies very quietly and pleasantly all Night, the Physick not disturbing him, griping him, nor making him sick; and when it does work, it is with a great deal of pleasantness, without any pain at all; and by this silent way (as it were) of carrying off the Humour, the Paroxysm is many times presently at an end.

XLVII. If the Pain, as I said before, be not in the Bowels, but in the Muscles of the Abdomen (from what cause soever, it does not so much matter) it is some∣times cured by a Vesicatory applied upon the part, or a little below the Navel; and this is often done with very great success: But you must by no means lay it upon the Navel; lest Convulsions or Swooning follow, by reason

of the commerce of the um∣bilical Vessels and the Heart. For a man certainly dies, if the Skin be flea'd off the Navel, though 'tis possible he might live, if he was flea'd in any place besides; which is a note, worthy observing.

XLVIII. Authors say, That Mercury- Water, inwardly taken, radically cures the Cholick: I have not had the experience of it, but this I know; That being my self seized with a vehement Cholick, I drank about a quarter of a Pint of Wine, digested a Month upon my Hercules, and it cured me momentarily, or upon the spot: And some years since that time, I have several times been troubled with that Disease, and in like manner applying my self to that same Remedy, I have always found the same suc∣cess, to my very great satis∣faction: but the Philosophi∣cal Reason of this thing, is not very easie to be pene∣trated into.

XLIX. Alexander Benedictus commends this: Take Nitre two Ounces; dissolve it in a sufficient quantity of Water, with which mix as much Oyl, and exhibit it by Clyster, of a due bear. This, they say, wonderfully draws out the thick Matter, and dry com∣pact Excrements. It may be a good thing for all that I know, but I have had no experience of it. This is probable, That if it pro∣ceeds from a hot Distemper of the Viscera, or Intestines, this Medicine may do good; but if from a Cold, it must be infallibly naught.

L. Speedwell, is com∣mended by Crato, as a Spe∣cifick in the Cholick. 1. By drinking the Decoction thereof made with Wine, with half a Drachm of Myrrhe. 2. By exhibiting, Clyster-wise, a Decoction thereof in Chicken-broth. He also says, That when no other Remedies would do, he cut Root of Master∣wort, put it into a Glass of Wine, and gave it to drink every Day before Supper, which made the pain ceaso.

LI. This following Cly∣ster has cured many. Take Malmsey, or Muskadel, or for want of them Malaga, or Ca∣nary six Ounces; Oyl of Nuts four Ounces; Powers of Juni∣per, and of Rue, of each an Ounce and a half; mix, and exhibit it hot. Inwardly, you may give by the Mouth our Tinctura Anticolica, from half an Ounce to one Ounce in Wine: Or this Powder: Take Powder of the Testicles of a Horse, or of Castoreum one Drachm, Anniseeds in Powder one Scruple: mix, and give it in Wine or Broth: Or, half a Dram of the Powder of the Spunge which grows upon the wild Bryar.

LII. A Cholick proceed∣ing purely from taking Cold I cured, by anointing, the whole Region of the Abdo∣men, with Balsam of Amber.

LIII. This following mix∣ture being first given in a proper Vehicle, by the Mouth, Secondly, well ba∣thed three, four, or five times upon the whole Regi∣on of the Abdomen. Thirdly, Given Clyster-wise in a lit∣tle Broth, I have often-times found to cure the Cholick miraculously. Take Powers of Caraways, of Limons, of Nutmegs, of Cloves, of Vir∣tues, of each a like quantity; mix them; to be used after the manner aforesaid. Salmon.