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.

CHAP. III. Touching the Cure of excessive Vomiting, as also of Medicins to stop it.

WHere Nature is put into a violent motion, she often goes beyond her bounds, * 1.1 and over-shoots the mark, in so much that sometimes she lacks to have a stop put to her career. This is evident in Vomiting, if at any time, through the operation of a Medicin, or other occasions, it be immoderate: and therefore it is the business of Physick, as well to asswage, as to provoke this fury in the stomach. How many ways and from what causes Vomiting uses to proceed without taking a Vomit, I have for∣merly declared; but besides that, it is obvious to our common observation that this evacuation, when caused by a Medicin, is sometimes so violent, and continues so long, that unless it be stopped by the help of Art, a mans life is thereby in manifest danger. As therefore in the Practice of Physick Emetick Medicins [or Vomits] are of necessa∣ry use; so sometimes, to stop that way of discharging [what is in the stomach] (as often as it is excessive or preternatural) we must use remedies quite contrary to the others, or Antidotes against Vomiting. I therefore shall shew, First, what Medicins cure excessive Vomiting, that is caused by taking a Vomit, and then, in the second place, how and by what remedies Physicians stop preternatural Vomiting, which pro∣ceeds from other causes.

As to the former, Vomiting that is caused by a Medicin, becomes more violent, and continueth longer, because the Animal spirits being extraordinarily provoked, and set on fire (as it were) do not easily or presently lay by their fury, but being often explo∣ded [or discharged] cause violent motions to vomit, which they several times repeat. Moreover, that explosive force being begun in the stomach, is propagated oftentimes into the spirits that inhabit the neighbouring parts, and from thence into others, till at last sometimes it gets into the whole race of them; in so much, that after Vomi∣ting there come gripes and convulsions in the bowels; after that, in the parts near the heart, and lastly, in the whole body, to the manifest hazard of a mans life.

The spirits are irritated or provoked either by a Medicin onely, which is dispropor∣tionate * 1.2 to them in quantity or quality; or over and above by other humours, as Gall, sharp Serum, and other things poured into the stomach whilest we are vomiting. Moreover in some People the Animal spirits are so tender and elastical, that when there is any motion to vomit, though but small, not onely those which reside in the stomach, but also all that are near it, are stirred into convulsive explosions. And hence it is, that many People when they have taken a Vomit, complain of the Spleen, [pains in] the Womb and other Bowels, as if they were very much out of order, and not easily recoverable, imputing the whole matter to vapours raised by the operation of such a Medicin, when really and truly that comes to pass by no other means than that the Animal spirits are put into too brisk a motion, and are not easily to be re∣duced.

In excessive Vomiting, caused by a Medicin, the Pa•…•…nt must be presently put to Bed, and plyed very carefully with outward as well as inward remedies; and first of * 1.3 all, to appease the Inhabitants of the stomach, either you must use an hot fermenta∣tion made of the decoction of Wormwood of Pontus, Mint and Spices in red Wine, or a Cake made of Crums of toasted Bread, and dipped into hot Claret. Give the Party a Clyster of Milk and Treacle: let him be rubbed with warm clothes and bound hard above the Knee, to prevent Convulsions in those parts. In the mean time let the stomach be kept empty, unless in case of fainting; but as soon as he can take any Food or Physick, let it be Cordial Water, or hot burnt Wine. In an extraordinary commotion, if the Pulse allow it, Treacle of Andromachus, or Diascordium, as sometimes dissolved Laudanum, or Tincture of Opium are good.

In preternatural Vomiting, that is caused by other means, you must consider, whe∣ther * 1.4 it be critical or symptomatical. In the former case, we are to do nothing rashly or on the sudden; let not such a discharge, if the Body can bear it, be stopped by any means; but let the passage of the matter which is to be expelled, be made more easie or hastened, or turned some other way. And hence it is, that when any maukishness, or motion to vomit comes upon a man, it is proper to give him Ale, either in Posset, or by it self, or altered with the leaves of Cardu•…•…s boyled in it, and sometimes also Oxy•…•…el, or Wine of Squils, or Stibiate. So likewise sometimes a Clyster will do well, and otherwhiles a gentle Purge carries off the matter that swells in the stomach an ea∣sier way through the Guts.

In symptomatical Vomiting the conjunct cause (as I told you before) either is in the stomach, where it produces such an effect, or in other parts, where it causes Convul∣sions, and by communication of the Nerves, causes motions to vomit in the stomach, as in fits of the Stone in the Reins, the Colick, Fits of the Mother, Meagrim, and ma∣ny * 1.5 other Distempers it usually happens; the Cure of which sympathical Vomiting de∣pends upon the curing of the primary or original Disease.

When the stomach is first affected, the reason is, because the nervous fibres thereof being irritated above measure, set the other motive ones upon contractive expulsions. But they are provoked by an improportionate object, to wit, in as much as a certain matter lies upon them, which they cannot well concoct, subdue, or thrust down into the Guts; but must of necessity cast it out as soon as possible by way of Vomit. That matter grows so incongruous or unruly, either through its own illness, as it offends in quality or quantity, and disturbs the nervous fibres; or through fault of the stomach, that is, when the tone of it is loose, and the fibres thereof so weak, that they cannot master, or endure so much as the Chyle it self, much less excrementitious humours, but being impatient of all burdens: throw off all that is within, by Vomit. Of both which cases, since there are several instances and various ways of bringing it so to pass, I will here briefly lay down some of the chiefest, together with the remedies and the reasons of them.

The matter that gives the Vomit, being in the stomach, is either poured into it from other Vessels, or through defect, or depravation of concoction, is therein generated; but in both respects the present load ought first to be removed, and then care to be ta∣ken how to prevent its farther growth for the future.

That therefore the impure conflux of viscous matter may be cleared out of the sto∣mach, let the Patient take a gentle Vomit of Whey with Carduus infused in it, or Oxy∣mel, or Wine of Squils, or with the Decoction of Camomile Flowers, Roots, the Dissolution of Salt of Vitriol, or other the like Medicins; and then let the reliques be carried a∣way gently by Clysters or Purging, with Mastich stomach Pills, Gum, or Tinctura Sa∣cra, or the Infusion of Rhubarb. Moreover when the Bloud being impure or putrid, brings new supplies of incongruous matter into the stomach, either through the Arteries or Choler vessels, which oftentimes overflow, and thereby disposeth a man to vomit, Bloud-letting sometimes is good, and therefore vomiting in Women great with child is frequently cured by this kind of remedy. Those things also are helpful, that so temper the Bloud, as that no adust or dry filth may be generated in it. Hence Whey, drinking the Waters, the Juices of Herbs, Sal Prunella, and the like, very often remove that disposition to vomit, in as much as that they set the Bloud a float, and carry the drossie part of it another way. And these kind of remedies too will be useful, if fre∣quent and daily vomiting proceed from the contention and struggling of the Gall and Sweetbread juice which rejounce (as some think) into the stomach.

That Vomiting is more frequent and harder to be cured, which proceeds from in∣congruous matter, that is consequently emetical [or vomitive] and generated within the stomach; in as much as all things which the Party eats, through the vitiated fer∣ment of the Bowel, degenerate into a provoking kind of putrifaction. Wherefore in * 1.6 this case, when the filth of the stomach is carried off by gentle Purges, the Remedies commonly called Digeste〈…〉〈…〉 are wont to be made use of; which, according as the fermenting juice of the stomach (which is most commonly of a salt nature, and some∣times of a sulphureous) differs either in fixedness, fluidness, or adustness, are of divers sorts, and work sometimes one way and sometimes another.

In belching and sower Vomitings, try the Medicins following, and take your mea∣sures * 1.7 for the use of them from the help you find by them.

Take of the Powder of Cuckow-pintle compound ℥ j. ss. of Salt of Wormwood ʒ ij. of Su∣gar of Roses ʒ iij. make a Powder and give ʒ j. of it in the morning, and at five of the Clock in the afternoon, in a small draught of Mace Ale, and a Toast, or in distilled Water, or the tincture of Wormwood of Pontus.

Take of Powder of Ivory, Crabs eyes, and red Coral, of each ʒ ij. of calcined Coral ʒ j. of red Sanderi and Cinamon of each ʒ ss. make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. after the same manner.

Take of the Powder of Lignum Aloes, Citron-coloured Sanders, and Winter Bark, of each ʒ ij. of the whitest Chalk ʒ vj. of white Sugar ℥ ss. of Gum dragant dissolved, with Mint Water a convenient quantity, make a Paste, and form it into Trochies or

Balls of the weight of ʒ ss. of which let the Patient eat iij. or iv. three or four times a day.

Take of the Tincture of Salt of Tartar ℥ j. The Dose is ℈ j. to ʒ ss. twice in a day in distilled Water made on purpose.

2. In sharp and hot Vomiting Medicins that have acid and vitriolick Salt in them are more proper. * 1.8

That famous Medicin of Riverius takes place in this case.

Take of the Salt of Wormwood ℈ j. give it in a Spoonful of the juice of Limons.

Take of prepared Coral ʒ ij. of Salt of Wormwood ʒ j. ss. of juice of Limons ℥ iv. let them stand in a Glass big enough, and put to them of strong Cinamon Water ℥ ij. The Dose is one Spoonful or two twice in a day, shaking the Vessel first.

Take of the Powder of Ivory and Coral, of each ʒ ij. of Vitriol of Mars ʒ j. of white Sugar ℥ j. mingle them and divide them into 6 or 8 parts, and let the first part be taken twice in a day with a convenient vehicle, or matter to convey it down in [as Wine or the like.

In this case Mineral Waters that are purging, having a great deal of Nitre in them, as likewise Iron stone Waters, yea and our artificial Chalybeates or Steel-waters too, use to afford extraordinary help.

3. If the Stomach at any time by changing most things that are taken into it, to * 1.9 cholerick and bitter putrefaction (as it is often used to do) doth thereby incline to frequent Vomitings, then such remedies are most proper as are acid and bitter.

Take of the Elixir proprietatis ℥ j. The Dose is ℈ j. twice in a day in a convenient vehicle.

Take of the Powder of Rhubarb gr. xxv. of Salt of Wormwood ℈ j. of Cinamon water ℥ ss. of juice of Limons ℥ j. mingle them, and take it either by it self, or with any other Liquor.

Take of the Powder of Cuckowpintle comp. ℥ j. ss. of white Chrystalline Tartar ʒ iij. of Vitriol of Mars ʒ j. of Sugar ℥ ss. make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. or ℈ ij. drinking upon it each morning a draught of the Tincture of Wormwood of Pontus, or Coffee.

Take of the Powder of Crabs eyes ℥ ss. of Chalybeate Tartar ʒ ij. of white Sugar ʒ j. make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. with a convenient vehicle twice a day.

The cause of frequent and habitual Vomiting proceeds oftentimes not so much * 1.10 from the matter irritating the stomach, as the weakness of the nervous fibres thereof, and their too great aptitude to be provoked; in as much as they being very tender and infirm, can neither concoct what comesin, nor endure the burden or load of them; but on the contrary are presently disturbed by any thing that lies upon them, and con∣sequently, in order to expel and drive out whatever is troublesom to them, excite the fleshy fibres to put themselves into a motion of Vomiting.

Of this Indisposition there are two several cases: to wit, either this weakness of the * 1.11 stomach, being in the fibres themselves, is caused by inordinate ways, as by Cropsick∣ness, Debauchery, for last nights drinking constantly and to excess, frequent guzling of Wine, or hot Waters, and other errours in our Diet; in as much as the fibres be∣ing beyond measure distended, or too much heated, and as it were roasted, cannot admit, or keep in them, animal spirits enough: Or secondly, those fibres, though well * 1.12 enough disposed in themselves, and through the obstruction of the Nerves in some part or other, are deprived of the due afflux of spirits, and consequently being languid and slack or lank, cannot indure what is brought in, but presently force it upward by way of Vomit. So I have known several persons, that without any uncleanness of the stomach, or languidness contracted by inordinacy, being troubled with a kind of Palsie in this part, have wanted an appetite, and were subject to perpetual Vomiting.

In the former of these cases, such remedies are proper, as may by their styptick or * 1.13 restringent virtue cause the fibres that are too much distended, and thin, to shrivle and

contract themselves into a lesser space; and also such, as by their grateful allurements may entice the spirits thither in greater plenty, and likewise refresh or recruit them, when weak.

Take of Elixir of Mynsichts Vitriol ℥j. The Dose is from gr. 10. to 15. twice or thrice a day, in a spoonfal of the following distilled Water, drinking of the same thereupon 7. or 8. spoonfuls.

Take of the tops of Cypress m. vj. of the leaves of Clary m. iv. the outward rinds of 12. Oranges, Cinamon and Mace of each ℥j. of the roots of Cyper•…•…s [one kind of Galingal] and the lesser Galingal, of each ℥ss. which having cut and bruised, pour to them lb viij. of Mum. Distil them with the common instruments.

Take of the Tincture of Balsam of Tola, and of the T•…•…cture of Salt of Tartar extracted ℥j. The Dose is gr. 20. with the same vehicle. Tincture of Wormwood prepared with the same menstruum, may be tried.

Take of the Powder of Wormwood leaves, of Myrtle dried in the Sun, of each ʒij. of Ci∣namon, and the flowers of red Roses, of each ʒj. of Cubebs, of the roots of the besser Ga∣lingal, of each ʒss. of red Coral ʒj. make of them all a small Powder, then of the whitest sort of Sugar, dissolved in Cinamon Water, being made into Tablets ℥vj.and let the weight of each Tablet be ʒss. Let the Patient eat one or two of them at any time when be will.

Take of the Conserve of red Roses vitriolated ℥iv. of preserved Myrabolans ʒvj. of Ginger pickled in India ℥ss. the species of Jaci•…•…th ʒij. of the reddest crocus of Iron ʒj. of Syr•…•…p of Corals, as much as will ferve, and make an Electuary. The Dose is ʒj. twice a day, drinking upon it a draught of the distilled Water.

2. In case of weakness or slackness in the tone of the stomach by reason of an obstruction somewhere in the Nerves, those Medicins which are antiparalytick, or * 1.14 good against the Palsie, together with stomach remedies too, will be of special use.

Take of Elixir Proprietatis tartarized ℥j. The Dose is ℈j. twice a day with the Water formerly prescribed. Tincture of the Salt of Tartar, of Coral and Antimony, may be used the same way. In this case Spirit of sweet Salt, as also Spirit of Sal Ammoniack, or the flower of it, do a great deal of good. Vomits, Purges, and even Sweating Me∣dicins are oftentimes helpful. I have known this Diftemper cured sometimes by bathing in our Baths at Bath.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Immoderate Vo∣miting proceeds either from an Emetick Medi∣cin, or other Causes.
• * 1.2

  The reasons of the former are explained.
• * 1.3

  The Cure of it.
• * 1.4

  Natural Vomit∣ing is either critical or sym∣ptomatical.
• * 1.5

  The latter is ei∣ther idiopathi∣cal or affecting one proper part, or sympathical affecting two, by consent. What Method we ought to use when the Sto∣mach is first af∣fected.
• * 1.6

  How Vomiting that arises from a vitiated Sto∣mach is to be cured.
• * 1.7

  Remedies a∣gainst the too acid ferm••nt thereof.
• * 1.8

  Against the too sharp ferment of it.
• * 1.9

  Against the bit∣ter ferment of the Stomach.
• * 1.10

  Vomiting cau∣sed by the weakness of the Stomach.
• * 1.11

  Vomiting cau∣sed by weakness of the Stomach. Two cases.
• * 1.12

  Either the fi∣bres are too much relaxed; Or the Nerves are obstructed so as that the animal Spirits cannot flow in∣to them.
• * 1.13

  The Cure in the former case.
• * 1.14

  How the Palsie in the Stomach may be cured.