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. VI. Shortness of Breath.

I. Against shortness of Breath.

TAke of Saffron in Pow∣der one Scruple, of Musk in Powder one Grain, give them in Wine; after take Spiritus Antiasthmaticus in Wine.

II. For the same.

Take Juniper Berries two Ounces, boyl them well in two Quarts of Water, and drink of the Decoction first and last, and at other times. This helps all Diseases of the Chest, and will make you breath freely. Salmon.

III. Against shortness of Breath, with a Cough.

Take the Roots of Vale∣rian and boyl them with Liquorice, Raisins stoned, and Anniseeds, and drink of the Decoction often; this is singular good against the said Diseases; for it openeth the Passages, and causeth the Phlegm to be spit out easily.

IV. Shortness of Breath.

Physicians commonly say, That the strongest Purges are most proper in this Di∣sease, if the Matter be high∣ly peccant and inveterate: Paulus advises even to Purge with Coloquintida: Some de∣spise Aganick, tho' a Pleg∣magoge, because of its weakness. Elaterium is a good Purge, not only in a Dropsey, but also in an Asthma and Orthopnaea, for that they are caused by gross Matter; it may be given of it self (in a proper Vehiele) to five, or six Grains; in Composi∣tion you may give it thus. Take Scammony ten Grains, Gambogiae five Grains, Ela∣terium half a Grain; all be∣ing in fine Powder, mix them for a Dose, if the Sick be strong. Galen also ap∣proves of the most violent things. Take Mustard-seed one Ounce, common Salt half an Ounce, Elaterium fifteen Grains; grind them together, and make Troches. (Galen saith eight Troches; so that in each Troche you will have almost two Grains of Elateri∣um.) Or you may give it in Powder, with a little Ho∣ney, or the Pap of an Apple: But that the Cure may he safe, Emollients Clysters may be given afore-hand, and half a Pint of Aqua Mul∣sa after. These Purges may be given every fourth or fifth Day. Salmon.

V. Shortness of Breath cured by Vomiting.

Experience shews, That when a great quantity of impacted Matter lies in the Lappets of the Lungs, espe∣cially if there be a Sickness at Stomach also, that then I say, Vomits are of great use, and sometimes the Pa∣roxysm is taken off with this Remedy alone. Salt of Vi∣triol may be given, from half a Drachm, to a Drachm: Aqua Benedicta, from three to four Drachms, or one Ounce to an Ounce and a half, if to very strong Per∣sons: My Catharticum Ar∣genteum, given from one to two Drachms, is one of the best of Remedies. Salmon.

VI. Shortness of Breathing Cu∣red by reiterated Clysters.

Take Mutton-Broth eight

Ounces; Tincture of Colo∣cynthis half an Ounce; In∣fusion of Croous Metallo∣rum; Elixir Proprietatis, of each an Ounce; mix, and give it warm: In this case Clysters ought to be given in small quantity, lest the Guts too much distended, should press upon the Dia∣phragma, and make the Pa∣roxism more vehement and dangerous; and they ought also often to be repeated. Salmon.

VII. For a vehement shortness of Breath.

I have often given with great Success, my Syrupus Nephriticus (see it in my Phy∣laxa, Lib. I. Cap. 34. Sect. I.) for that causes the Matter contained in the Cavity of the Breast to be avoided with the Urine through the Blad∣der, the Urine for the most part being much, thick, and troubled, by which the pec∣cant Humours are carried not only from the Breast, and places of Respiration, but also from the head Veins and other parts: I have done wonders in this case by the assiduous use of Spirit of Sul∣phur per Camp. given in pectoral Drinks. Salmon.

VIII. A Pectoral Drink.

Take Raisins of the Sun stoned, Figs slit, ana, Li∣quorice bruised two Ounces, Elecampane Roots bruised, one Ounce, Spring water a Gallon; Boyl all to two Quarts, and strain it for use Dose half a Pint three or four times a Day. Salmon.

IX. Of the use of Opiates.

If Rest has been long wanting, and there be with∣al a vehement Flux of Rhoum and Cough, though the stop∣ping of the Catarrh cannot be without sensible danger, yet you must immediately give an Opiate, such as my Laudanum Volatile cum Aloe; for otherwise the Obstructi∣on will so increase with the Catarrh, that before you are aware the Breath will be stopt, which there is no great fear of by giving the Opiates; for that all Opiates stop the Flux by no other way than by thickning the Matter, whereby it cannot so easily flow to the part; the Humour then being thus

thickned through the whole Man, and not flowing to the Bronchia of the Lungs as formerly, it at length finds a vent by other ways, and that for the most part by Sweat, Urine, or Stool, ei∣ther of which ways you must endeavour to promote, ac∣cording as you see the disposi∣tion of the Body is inclina∣ble. Salmon.

X. An Inveterate Asthma.

I Cured an Inveterate Asthma, that had been of fifteen or sixteen Years standing, by giving my Pi∣luloe Mirabiles twice, and then my Family Pills, as they are now prepared by me, (not as Hollier pretends to make them) once; letting a Day or two be between each; and so reiterating this Course two or three times, as you see occasion. Salmon.

XI. Shortness of Breath in a Woman with Child.

Truly, because I saw the peril of her Life was not small, by reason of her be∣ing with Child. I could not pursue the usual methods of Cure, I took the following course. I gave her my Vola∣tile Laudanum, at Night going to Bed, and the Spiri∣tus Antiasthmaticus in all her Drink; and by this course in about a Months time she was freed perfectly from her Disease. Salmon.