Dr. Willis's practice of physick being the whole works of that renowned and famous physician wherein most of the diseases belonging to the body of man are treated of, with excellent methods and receipts for the cure of the same : fitted to the meanest capacity by an index for the explaining of all the hard and unusual words and terms of art derived from the Greek, Latine, or other languages for the benefit of the English reader : with forty copper plates.

The Therapeutic or Curatory Method.

IN the Curing of the Epilepsie, I judg it fit to begin with a Cathartick, and if the sick can easily bear vomiting, first let an Emetick be administred, and for several months let it be repeated, four days before the full of the Moon. For infants and youths, may be prescribed wine of Squils, mixed with fresh Oyl of Sweet Almonds, or also of Salt of Vitriol, f•…•…om half a Scruple, to 1. Scruple: For those of riper years, and of a

stronger Constitution may be prescribed the following forms of Medicines. Take * 1.1 of Crocus mettalorum, or of Mercurius vitae gr. iiii. to vi. of Mercurius Dulcis grain xvi. ℈ i. let them be bruised together in a mortar, mix it with the pap of a rosted Apple or of Conserve of Burage one Ounce, make a Bolus; or you may take an infusion of Crocus Mettalorum or Mercurius Vitae made in Spanish Wine from half an Ounce to an Ounce and a half, or take of Emetick Tartar of Mynsicht gr. iv. to vi. who are of a tenderer Constitution, let them take of the Salt of Vitrial ℈ i. to ʒ ss, and half an hour after let them drink several pints of posset-drink; then with a feather or finger put down the throat, let vomiting be provoked, iterate it often.

The day following the vomiting, unless any thing shall prohibit, let blood be taken out of the Arm, or from the Hemerhod Veins with a Leech: then the next day after, let a purging medicine be taken, which afterwards may be repeated constantly four days eve∣ry new Moon.

Take Resine af Jalop ℈ ss, Mercurius Dulcis ℈ i. of Castor gr. iii. of Conserve of the Flowers of paeony one ounce, make it into a Bolus. Take pill faetida the greater ℈ii. of Hysteri∣ca * 1.2 what will suffice, make thereof v. pills. Take of the strings of black bellibore mace∣rated in Vinegar, dried and powdered half an ounce of Ginger ℈ss. of the Salt of Wormwood gr. xii. of the Oyl of Amber drops ii. make a powder, let it be given in the Pap of an Apple. Take of the powder of Hermodactils compound one ounce, of humane Skull prepared gr. vi. make a powder, let it be given in a draught of the decoction of byssop or Sage.

On those days that they do not purge, especially about the time of the changing of the Moon, let there be administred Specifick Remedies morning and evening, which are said to cure this disease, with a certain innate and secret virtue: of these there are extant a very great company, and are prescribed in various forms of Compositions.

The most simple Medicines which experience hath found to be very Efficacious, are * 1.3 the Root of the male Paeony, and the seeds of the same. Take of the Root of the male Paeo∣ny dried and powdered one ounce, to ii. or iii. let it be given twice a day in the following Tincture. Take of the leave of Mesletow of the Oak two ounces, of the root of Paeony slic'd half an ounce, of Castor one Ounce; let them be put into a close Vessel with simple water of Betony or Paeony, and white-wine, each lb i. of the Salt of Misletow of the Oak or the common Misletow two Ounces, let them digest close in the hot sand for ii. days, let them take three Ounces with a dose of the aforesaid powder.

Poor people may take of the aforesaid powder in a decoction of Hysop or Castor, made with fair water and white-wine.

At the same time let the Root of Paeony be cut into little bits, and being strung upon a thred, hung about the neck. Also let the Roots being fried in a pan, or boiled tender, be eaten daily withs their meat.

Take of the Root and Seeds of the male Paeony each two Ounces, of Misletow of the Oak, of the boof of Elk one dram each let them be sliced and bruised, and put into a thin silk bag, and hang at the pit of the Stomack.

Among the Specisicks, this powder is greatly commended by many Authors. Take * 1.4 of Caster Opoponax, Dragons blood, Antimony and the seed of Paeony, each alike, make a powder, of which may be taken half an Ounce to one Ounce every morning, with wine or some proper decoction, or with black Cherry water.

Take of a mans Skull prepared one Ounce, of Misletow of the Oak, of Counterfeit Cina∣ber, of an Elks Claw, each half an Ounce, so mingle them. The dose is ℈ ss. to a Scru∣ple.

If the form of powder be distastful to any one, or if it should become loathsome by the long use of it, Electuaries, Pills, Troches, Spirits, and Elixirs, each of which agree with specifick medicines, are wont to be prescribed.

Take of the Conserve of the male Paeony, of the Lilly of the Valley each three Oun∣ces, of the seed and root of the male Paeony powdered each ʒ ii. prepared Coroll ʒ i. of * 1.5 the powder of Pearls, and of humane Skull prepared, each two scruples, of the salt of Missletow of the Oak ʒ i. ss. with what will suffice of the Syrop of Corall, make an Electu∣ary, let them take of it morning and evening, the quantity of a Nutmeg.

Take of the Powder of the root of the male Paeony one Ounce, of the seeds of the same half an Ounce, of Misletoe of the Oak, of an Elks claw, of humane Skull, prepared each two drams; of the roots of Angelica, Contrayerva, Verginian Snakewood, each ʒ i. of the whitest Amber, of Calcined Corall each ʒ i. of the Common sort of Misletow, ʒ ii. of Sugar Candy eight ounces dissolved in what will suffice, of the Antiepileptical water of Lan∣gius. Make a Confection, of which take twice in a day the quantity of a Nutmeg.

These Powders, by adding to them the Salt of Amber, and harts-horn, with what will suffice of Balsome Capivi may be formed into a pillurary Mass, of which may be taken * 1.6 iii. or iv. pills, in the morning and evening, drinking after them a draught of some ap∣propriat Liquor.

Or of those sorts may be prepared an Elixir, of which may be taken viii. drops to x. twice in a day, in a spoonful of a proper Julup, drinking a little of it after it.

Take of Hungarian Vitriol vi. Pints, let them be distill'd with a Glass retort in hot * 1.7 sand for 24 hours, then let the same retort, being desended or done over with Clay, be put with a large receiver in a reverberating Furnace, that the acid spirits may be forced with a most strong fire, till they come forth. The whole Liquor being distilled, let it be drawn off in hot sand, in a lesser Glass retort, and let there be poured into the Matrace, of the roots of Male-Paeony cut into pieces and dried, four Ounces of the seed of the same, one Ounce of humane Skull prepared, of Elks claws and red Coral each half an Ounce, Missletow of the Oak ii Drams, let it digest with a gentle heat for several days, to the extraction of a tincture, the Liquor being decantated, let it be drawn off in a Glass retort to a third part remaining: being stilled forth, keep it by it self: to those remains, pour of the rectified spirit of Wine a little quantity, impregnated with the infusion of the same ingredients, and let it digest for six days in Horse dung, the Dose of which is half a Scruple to a Scruple. The distilled Liquor may be given from half a spoonful to a whole spoonful, for the same intentions.

Or let there be prepared an Oil, out of the Salt of Venus, or Copper, according to the description of Henry Van Heers, and given as there prescribed.

Among the specifick Remedies, which (when the former shall not be profitable) * 1.8 ought also to be tried, are the Livers of Frogs, the Gall of a Boar dried with Urine, the Powder of Bryony Root. The Powder of a Cuckoe, of Crows; the Runnet and Lights of a Hare, the Liver of a Wolf, stones taken out of Swallows, the Liver of a Kite, the Eggs of Crows; with many more, to be daily taken with Food or Medicine; a famous Catalogue of which is extant of Henry Van Brays, a Physician of Zutphen: and from which prescripts for poor people may be taken, easie to be prepared, and without great cost.

Whilst these kind of Remedies are to be taken inwardly, according to the aforesaid method, some outward administrations being applied, bring help, and are deservedly admitted to part of the cures; therefore, always Issues are made in this Disease, in one fit place or other; and also more often Vesicatories or Blisters.

Amulets hung about the Neck, or born at the pit of the Stomach, are thought to * 1.9 be useful: The fresh Roots of Paeony cut into little squares, and being strung like Brace∣lets, and hung round about the Neck, and as soon as they are dry, let new be put in their places, and they being reduced to Powder, may be taken inwardly: Take of the Roots and Seeds of Paeony each ii. Drams, of an Elks Claw, and humane Skull pre∣pared, each one Dram, of Missletoe of the Oak half a Dram, let them be beaten into gross Powder, and sewed in a piece of red Silk, and like a little bag, let it be hanged about the Neck.

An Amulet of a Stalk of the Elder, found growing in the Willow-tree, is greatly com∣mended.

It agrees with some, to have their heads shaven, and a Plaister applied to the fore∣part. * 1.10 Take of the root and seeds of Paeony, of Castor, Missletoe of the Oak, of humane Skull most finely Powder'd, each one Dram, of Bettony Plaister two Ounces, Caranna, Tacamahacca, each two Drams, Balsum Capive, what will suffice, make a mass, and let it be spread upon Leather, make a Plaister for the suters of the Head.

Let the Temples and Nostrils be often anointed with Oil of Amber, by it self, or mixed with Oil Capive.

Sneezing Powders, and such as purge the Head of Rhume, are to be used daily in * 1.11 the Mornings: Take of white Hellebore one Dram, of Castor, and Euphorbium, each half a Dram, the Leaves of sweet Marjorum, and Rue, each two Drams, make a Pow∣der; make a decoction of Sage or Hyssop, with Mustard dissolved in it, with which gar∣gle the Mouth and Throat.

A Glister may be sometimes used, as need shall require.

Sometimes the more solid Medicines are to be moistned with liquids, or they ought to be drunk after them, for which end Distilled waters should be at hand, Julups, Tinctures, or Decoctions; which are endued with a certain Specific virtue against this Disease.

Take of Hungarian Vitriol four Pound, of the Powder of fresh human Skull, four * 1.12 Ounces, of the root of Paeony sliced, six Ounces, let them be bruised together in a Mor∣ter, put to them either of Spanish-wine, or small white-wine, or wine made of the juice of black-Cherries, a quart; being fermented in a Vessel, let it be distill'd in a Glass∣retort, in hot sand.

Take of the shavings of Box-wood, of Hungarian Vitriol, each two pound, of the Missletoe of the Oak, or the common Missletoe leaves, three handfuls, of Rue two hand∣fuls,

being bruised together, put to it of Spanish-wine, four pints: Let them be distill'd in a Glass Cucurbit, with hot sand.

Take of common Vitriol fix pound, of the root of the Male Paeony six Ounces, of * 1.13 the Missletoe of the Oak one Ounce, of green Walnuts eight Ounces; being cut and bruised, let them be distilled in a Glass. pot, a Glass Alembick being placed upon it, in hot sand. Take of this Liquor one pint, of black Cherry-water, and of the water of the flowers of the Toil, or Line-tree, each half a pint, of white-Sugar four Ounces, mix them, and make a Julup; the Dose two Ounces to three Ounces, twice or thrice in day.

Oxymel of Squils, also an bony decoction with Hyssop, are much praised by the Ancients. Or an Apoz•…•…m of this kind may be prepared, of which may be taken four Ounces, to six or seven, twice in a day.

Take of the roots of Male Paeony, Angellica, Imperatoria, Valerian, each six Drams, of the leaves of Betony, Sage, Lilly of the Valley, Penny-Royal, each one handful, of the * 1.14 seeds of Rue, Nigella, each three Drams, Paeony half an Ounce, of Raisins three Ounces, of Liquorish half an Ounce, being cut and bruised, let them be boiled in six pints of Spring-water, to the consumption of the third part. Towards the end, add of black Cherry-wine half a pint, or ten ounces, strain and keep it in close Vessels. The Dose is from six to eight Ounces, twice in a day, after the afore-prescribed Remedies.

Or the aforesaid ingredients, excepting the Liquorish, and Raisins, may be boiled in six pints of Hydromel, or Water and Hony, or Meath, to the consumption of the third part. The Dose four to six Ounces.

If that the aforesaid method, consisting in the use of Catbarticks, and Specificks, being for some time tried, and altogether in vain, you must come to Remedies of another * 1.15 kind, and chiefly to those called Great, or Notable: In this rank are placed Diaphore∣ticks, Salivation, Bathes, and Spaws.

Alphonsus Ferrius affirms, That he had cured many Epileptical people, with a de∣coction of simple Guaicum, being prescribed twice in a day, and taken to six or eight Ounces, and its second decoction drunk (as in the cure of the Pox) instead of ordinary drink. If to such a decoction the roots of Paeony and other Specificks should be added, perhaps it would be more efficacious. It seems probable, that a Salivation strongly excited from Mercury, and afterwards a Sudoriferous or Sweating-Diet following, might certainly cure this Disease. What Baths, or Spaw-waters are able to do, I have not observ'd, either by my own or others experience. Perhaps I have made trial, that our Artificial Spaws sometimes have been available in curing the Epilepsie, to wit both those impregnated with Iron, and also with Antimony, and taken in a great quantity for many days.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vomitaries.
• * 1.2

  Purges.
• * 1.3

  Specisicks.
• * 1.4

  Powders.
• * 1.5

  Electuaries.
• * 1.6

  Pills.
• * 1.7

  Elixir.
• * 1.8

  Emperical Remedies.
• * 1.9

  Amulets.
• * 1.10

  Plaisters.
• * 1.11

  Sternutories or sneezing powders.
• * 1.12

  Distill'd Wa∣ter.
• * 1.13

  Julups.
• * 1.14

  Apozems.
• * 1.15

  Great Reme∣diet.