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.

SECT. III. (Book 3)

CHAP. I. Of Purging and Purgative Medicins.

PUrging seems to be a motion or disposition quite contrary to vomiting, or rather * 1.1 vomiting at the wrong end, because in one as well as the other we set forth from the same barrlers of the stomach toward a different Race-end. For as in Vomiting, the inner fleshy fibres of the stomach being inflated or blown up at their left ends by the sudden incursions of the spirits, and consequently, being contracted, cause the bot∣tom and sides of it to be drawn together, and upward toward the left orifice, that so the matter therein contained may be thrown out the upper way; so in Purging, the same fleshy fibres, being in the same manner inflated at the right ends, force all the body of the stomach together, and make it lean toward the Pylorus, which causes an evacuation by siege. Now as the expulsive motion begun by the stomach is conti∣nued, in Vomiting, through the Weazon, so is it in Purging, through the Guts; and is propelled on both sides by the fleshy fibres, from one part to another, till it get out. In both cases the motion of the Stomach is violent, and in a manner convulsive; nay now and then the one is changed into the other. For Purgation, if caused by a Me∣dicin too strong and quick, does oftentimes produce Vomiting; and so on the other side, a Vomit is many times attended with a Purge: the reason of which is, because the animal spirits being vehemently provoked, and exploded or discharged, fly diffe∣rently sometimes into these, and sometimes into those ends of the fleshy fibres; some∣thing after the same manner as if you spur a metled Horse too much, you will make him one while run forward, and another as much backward.

Purging therefore is an expulsive motion in the Stomach and Guts, which by rea∣son * 1.2 that their fleshy fibres are swiftly and regularly contracted, is more frequent and •…•…imble; whereby not onely the Chyle and Dregs of it, but also the drossie and cor∣rupt part of the Humours which are there engendered, or brought thither from other places, are pushed on from part to part till they are discharged by siege, as through a Sink, or Common-Sewer. For the stomach being irritated by the sharp particles of the Purge, and so contracting it self more nimbly and closely toward the Pylorus, poureth whatsoever is in it forth into the Duodenum, whilest at the same time the Guts also being twinged by it, repeat more frequent and greater expulsive convulsions, whereby the greatest part of what is contained in them, that was either gathered thither before hand, or attracted and drawn forth at that instant, is thrown out. Now Purging is onely the violent and forced performance of that evacuation, which Nature when sedate and undisturbed, designed to effect leisurely and by intervals; which also, when she is provoked she cannot perform without some sort of tumult and disorder. It is therefore requisite (in my opinion) to the more perfect knowledge of the Nature of Purging, that we first shew what kind of matter is properly con∣tained in the stomach and Guts, and then what comes thither from other parts, to be evacuated by Stool. Which being premised, it will be easie to explain how and with what difference Purging Medicins perform their operations.

1. As to the first, The chief contents of the Stomach and Guts are the mass of * 1.3 Chyle, and the dregs of it that remain after the distribution of the nutritive juice, the sli∣my matter in these Entrals, which smeers over the hairy veil, and the water that sticks in the glandules thereof; to which you may add the serous water issuing forth from the mouths of the Arteries, as also the drossie parts of the Bloud and Humours that are conveyed into the inner cavities thereof through the Choler vessels, the Sweet∣bread passage, mouths of Arteries, and likewise through the ends of the nervous fi∣bres, and it may be other ways beside. For very frequently the filth of the whole Body is thrown out by passages in the Guts as it were through a Sink; which filth if it settle within, doth either swell, by reason of its great quantity; or is so sharp, that by lubricating [making glib] or stimulating [pricking or spurring, as it were] the belly, causes more frequent and plentiful evacuations.

2. Besides this kind of contents, there is also another sort resulting from them, and * 1.4

that is Wind, which being usually created in the Stomach and hollow of the Guts, more than in any other part of the whole Body, seems to be thus produced: whilest the food (which is concocted and digested in the Bowels) is dissolved by the ferments and heat of them, a great number of effluvia [or particles that flow from it] go out * 1.5 of it; which if they could get a free and open passage, would flie and vanish into air; but being shut up in a membrane and crouded together, make an heap (as it were) of vapours like unto wind, which oftentimes bloats and distends the Guts, and where it can find vent goes forth with violence, promoting evacuation in its passage; but when it is shut up and kept in, it causes very frequently the Gripes, and many times swellings in the belly. The Wind that is created in the Bowels by the dissolution of Food, is generated after the like manner as when Pearl or Coral, or other concrete or hard matter is put into a matrace [a Chymical Vessel] and dissolved by their men∣struums [or dissolving Liquors:] for in such dissolutions there are a great many va∣pours that flow forth, which if they are strictly kept in, force the containing vessel to break and fly in pieces: so when the Food in the first passages is either dissolved, con∣cocted, or fermented, a vast number of such small particles flow from it, which being gathered together and shut up within the membranes, cause wind, to the more copious increase whereof, there are also other things that contribute. For it is notably pro∣duced by the struggling and boyling of juices which are not easily to be mingled. For whilest foreign humours, or heterogeneous matter, and especially Medicins, fer∣ment with the other things which are contained in the Stomach, a great number of particles that flow from them, are gathered into a vapour by the mutual refraction of them. Moreover since many exhalations arise on every side from the boyling of the bloud, part of them breaking forth out of the Arteries into the cavities of the Bowels increaseth the stock of wind which is there already generated. But to the further augmentation of Wind, the extensions and convulsive swellings of the Bowels do likewise conduce. For whilest the membranes by reason of the greater explosions * 1.6 and inordinate excursions of the Spirits are very much distended, the inward cavity, like a bladder blown full of wind, is much enlarged, in so much that part of the Hu∣mour inclosed within that empty space (which is like a cucurbit after the flame is out) is rarified into wind; which afterward, when the membrane slackens, or remits of its distension, breaks out with violence, or ever now and then tumultuously breaks through the next passages of the Guts. For this reason, when any part of the Guts is obnoxious * 1.7 to convulsive extensions, through inflammation or setling of sharp Humours, there is wind also immediately produced, and grows extraordinary troublesom. Having opened a great many Bodies that died of an inflammation in the Colon, I have found in all of them the Guts extremely stretched, and as it were blown full of wind; which no doubt happened, not because the flatus or wind was first generated, and then had di∣stended the Bowels; but the membranes being mightily stretched by the spirits which were much provoked, and exploded or discharged within their fibres, therefore these flatus or parcells of wind were produced secondarily, and by consequence to fill up the void or empty space. From this cause I before intimated that the Tympany did arise, and shall shew the same perhaps in another place more at large. Whereas therefore the increase of wind uses to be very plentiful in the Stone in the Kidnies, the Colick, Hypochondriack distemper, and Fits of the Mother, that is not the cause of such diseases, but the effect onely; that is to say, when in the Fits of such Distem∣pers the membranes are extended, and the hollow Bowels swell with spirits which are violently exploded or discharged, a kind of moisture therein inclosed, is presently re∣solved into vapours (from which wind proceeds) to fill the empty space. And that is the reason that when the distention of the affected part is slackened, the flatus or wind that was so suddenly produced, is pushed forward by the falling together of the m•…•…mbranes, into some other part. So much for that which is contained in the Sto∣mach and Guts, and is the object of Purging Physick, let us now in the next place inquire, as to its subject, what kind of motion that of the Bowels is, whereby the mat∣ter contained in them, being softly moved forward, is leisurely, and by intervals thrown out, or being hastily tumbled down, is voided in an hurry.

Because, for the preserving of life, all Animals stand in need of frequent and plen∣tiful * 1.8 feeding, it is therefore necessary that the reliques of the Food, which is con∣stantly altered into nutritive juice, should be seasonably carried off, and that thereby the dregs of the old nourishment should ever now and then give place to its new supplies. For when the more pure and perfect part of the chyle (in which the elements being totally dissolved, are freed from the bonds of mixture) are squeezed into the chyliferous or chyle-carrying passages, that which remains, partaking of thick sul∣phur and sharp salt, contracts a grievous stinking scent; wherefore it ought to be

removed out of the Neighbourhood of the new mass of Chyle into the bigger Guts, and at last be thrown quite out of the Body. Which that it may be the better done, Nature hath planted an expulsive motion in the Guts, (that is almost constant, and as it were solemn or at certain times) whereby the dregs of the nourishment are push∣ed still softly on, and hath appointed many Spurs as it were, or incitements to the same.

1. As to the first, the expulsive motion of the Guts as well as of the Stomach, is performed altogether by the fleshy fibres of each bowel, that compose the middlemost * 1.9 coat, of which I have observed two orders or rows in the whole passage of the Chyle, to wit, from the Oesophagus or Weazon, even to the Rectum, or Arse-gut. The out∣ward row of fibres in the Guts, runs all along upon the surface of them in a strait line, as you may see it expressed in Fig. 2. of the sixth Table: but the inward row or rank consists of annular or ringy fibres that encompass the passage of the Guts in every part, with thickset circles, as is represented in the third Figure of the same Table. And when both these kinds of fibres are contracted, at the same time they streighten the cavities of those Entrals in every dimension; which being pe•…•…formed successively and in order, as it were by several joggings of the matter conteined, it must necessarily fol∣low that all things therein contained must be pushed still forward slowly and with a kind of creeping motion, the former part being continually thrust on by the latter. This motion of the Guts is commonly called the Vermicular or Wormy motion, be∣cause as when a Worm creeps it is continued from one part to another like the creep∣ing of a Worm; and according to the necessity of Nature, it is more or less perfor∣med at all times, even when we our selves do not perceive it; because indeed those Bowels ought to disburthen themselves by degrees; and lest they sometimes should be idle and desist from this their task, they are upon occasion stirred up with many incitements.

For first of all the very bulk of the Chyle and the dregs of it, oppressing the ner∣vous * 1.10 fibres of the inner coat, upon which it lies, with the weight of it, and conse∣quently provoking them, impresseth upon them a sense of trouble; whereupon they presently, being already satisfied with nutritive juice, and weary of any other load, excite the fleshy fibres to vermicular or worm-like contractions, in order to thrusting * 1.11 of the matter contained still outward. When, in this manner, the contents or stuff contained in the belly, being pushed still leisurely forward from one part to another, are come down near the end of the Colon, because at that time there is a pressure felt by the musculous part of the Rectum or Arse-gut, therefore the voluntary motion helps the natural, whereby after the sphincter [or muscle that shuts the Anus, or Arsehole] is opened, and the muscles of the lower Belly pressed together, the excrements are forced out. Moreover the Instruments of Respiration do somewhat contribute to this expulsive motion of the Guts, in as much as they continually moving the lower Belly, to and fro, cause that which is contained in it, by their shaking of it, to move slowly forward.

Besides the forementioned irritation or provocation, by which the fleshy fibres are * 1.12 moved by instinct of Nature, and constant custom to frequent, and almost continual worm-like contractions, there are also some other incitements and various instigations that upon occasion do increase or hasten those expulsive endeavours, and oftentimes force them into convulsions; in so much that the Belly is compelled to cast forth its load in great plenty, with great impetuosity, and as though it were moved by a Purge. Now those internal provocations of the Belly are, first of all incongruous or immo∣derate diet, the corruptions of bad chyle, the copious dregs of the bloud and nervous juice, or sharp humours that flow from the Glandules and other Emunctories or Drains of the Bowels, and especially out of the Gall-bladder and Sweet-bread passage; yea and ferosities [or wheyishness] or Humours that are superfluous and incongruous, setling within, and proceeding from the Bloud, Nerves, or habit of the Body. Of the chiefest whereof (because in Purging they often discover themselves, and heighten the operation of the Medicin) I shall speak particularly, and in short.

1. First therefore Food, if in the concoction it be at any time perverted, or can∣not * 1.13 be digested, very frequently causes a Lask; as after hard drinking over night, by inordinate Diet, eating things disagreeable, and other errours, or from depravations the Stomachs ferment often happens. Yea, for want of concoction, and sometimes through obstructions in the Mesentery or passage of the Guts, from too much fliminess of the glandulous coat, or in the mouths of the vessels, the distribution of the nutri∣tive juice is hindered, and consequently the whole matter that is taken in, being ga∣thered and restrained in the first passages, produceth more frequent and plentiful evacuations.

2. The dregs of the Bloud, and the nervous juice being gathered together in the Glandules of the Bowels, the Bladder of Gall, the Pancreatick or Sweet-bread passage, and perhaps in other receptacles too, if at any time they overflow through fulness or irritation, and are abundantly discharged into the cavities of the Guts (in as much as * 1.14 they there twinge the nervous fibres, or boyl up with other juices) they oftentimes cause a Lask. The Gall seems to be a kind of natural Purge, which flowing in a great quantity out of the Choler Vessels, causes Purgation of its own accord.

3. The Purgative matter being sometimes transmitted from a still more remote * 1.15 region, to wit, from the mass of Bloud, the nervous Juice and its emunctories, or from the whole habit of the Body into the Guts, provokes the nervous fibres thereof, and consequently excites the fleshy ones into expulsive convulsions. For in the aforesaid parts and places, and especially in the mass of Bloud, the ill superfluous humours that swell there, being not easily or sufficiently to be purged by Sweat, or Urine, oftentimes retire inward, and flow out at the mouths of the vessels that are in the Guts and gape very thick to discharge them, whereby they cause frequent and waterish Stools. Yea sometimes the Bloud it self, when vitiated in its constitution, and apt to coagulate, if it circulate not readily through these small Vessels, breaks out frequently in a great quantity, and produceth a Dysentery. But you may observe, when the ex∣ternal pores are bound up by the cold from without, or that Tumours or Swellings in the Skin, do suddenly disperse themselves, that they are commonly attended by a Loosness. I have known many People who have been subject to be bound in their Bodies, to have been cured with this sort of remedy; to wit, by rising early in the morning out of their Bed, before the usual time. For look how much is taken away from the wonted perspiration, so much is added to the lubricating [or making glib] the Guts.

These things being thus premised concerning the divers sorts of matter contained in the Guts (as well that which it generated there, as that which comes out of other places) as likewise touching the expulsive motion (both natural and constant, as well as violent and compelled) of these Bowels, and also of the various incitements or provocatives, whereby the Belly either of its own accord is naturally loosened, or in∣ordinately disturbed, it will be easie to shew you how, and with what difference Purging Medicins move the Stomach and Intestines to evacuations, and cause that which is in them sometimes severally, and sometimes jointly to disembogue.

When Purging Medicins are taken in a liquid form they are immediately ready * 1.16 enough to operate; but if they consist of a solid substance, and being so swallowed into the Stomach, are dissolved and impregnated by the ferment thereof, they make as it were a kind of Tincture, which in the same manner as the Purging Liquor be∣comes Cathartick [or evacuating] as follows. That kind of Liquor being shut up first in the Stomach, and then in the Guts, immediately impregnates the hairy threds of the inner coat with its glandules, and whilest it sticks close to them, the particles of it enter into the nervous fibres, and bloud-carrying as well as chyle-carrying ves∣sels, provoking each of them, as also the choler-passage, and that of the Sweet-bread, to give up and spew out, as it were, that which is in them. In the mean while, when the nervous fibres of the inner coat are twinged partly by the Medicin that they have drunk in, and partly by the humours squeezed into the cavity of it, the fleshy fibres of the outward coat begin to suffer expulsive contractions, whereby to remove all that which is troublesom to them. How these things are performed; first in the Stomach, and then successively in all parts of the Guts, and what kind of Humours are drawn forth in the whole passage, we will consider a little more accurately.

1. As to the Stomach, it seems to be as follows; that is to say, the Cathartick or * 1.17 Purging Tincture being diffused in the Stomach, doth first impregnate the hairy threads of the inner coat, and sticking fast to them, is from thence by degrees delivered over to the nervous fibres; which having entered, and quickly filled, till they are sated with it, it begins at last to irritate or provoke them: and they being thereby pre∣sently shrivelled up, endeavour to dissolve or discharge the Liquor that they have drunk in together with their own juice and the slimy flegm that is between the wrin∣kles of the Stomach. Moreover some other particles of the same Medicin (whilest it stays in the Stomach) get into the mouths of the Vessels and Glandules, which they twinge, and make them to disburden themselves of serous matter and other Humours. So whilest the bottom of the Stomach and the nervous fibres are oppressed and pro∣voked by such offensive things as these that are in it, the fleshy fibres being excited in∣to expulsive contractions, draw the bottom and sides of the Stomach upward, and make it lean toward the Pylorus, that so the load within, together with the Medicinal Tincture, may be cast forth and transmitted into the Guts. Hence for a time the

Stomach enjoys some quiet, till the nervous fibres by drinking in a new stock of the same Tincture, that still sticks partly in the hairy threads, are again provoked; and when by that means a new load is poured into the cavity of the Stomach, and there di∣sturbed, the fleshy fibres repeat the same expulsive contractions to throw it out; and * 1.18 thus are these things performed many times one after another, till the virtue of the Medicin be quite and clean washed out of the hairy threads, and that the spirits which reside in the fibres remit their heats; which sometimes easily and quickly comes to pass, in so much that the Stomach after one or two hours, is free from all offence which the Medicin gave it, and the remaining part of the disturbance is altogether re∣moved into the Guts. Yet it frequently happens, that presently after taking of a Purge some People Vomit very excessively, and that notwithstanding they have thrown up the Medicin, yet they Purge very plentifully afterward. The reason of which is, that the irritation being too violent at the beginning, causes stronger convulsions, that is, such as happen in vomiting: but then when the force of that provocative is over or remitted, the gentler contractions grow purgative. For the virtue and manner of operating in a Vomit and a Purge doth not differ onely in their specifick qualities, but also chiefly in this respect, to wit, that the offence given by the provocation of a Purge may be longer and more easily endured, and at last transmitted to the Guts, but not so of that which is caused by a Vomit. But forasmuch as after the operation of a Purge that hath wrought plentifully by Stool, People sometimes vomit, the rea∣son seems to be, because the Tincture of the Medicin which was deeply drunk in by the hairy coat, is not easily wiped away: whereupon, after many vain motions to eva∣caute, at last a contractive motion to vomit cleareth it quite away. 'Tis common for men, if they eat before their Stomachs are cleansed of the Medicin, to vomit mightily and be very sick withall; and the reason is, because through the hindrance or depra∣vation of concoction, the chyle degenerates into an incongruous and irritating pu∣trifaction: though for the most part a Purge slips out of the Stomach too soon, and without sweeping away the dregs thereof, but layeth out its greatest forces upon the passage of the Guts. Now how that comes to pass, is the next thing that falls under our consideration.

2. The Tincture of the Purging Medicin being thrown out of the Stomach, and * 1.19 thence carrying along with it a sort of excrementitious matter, flows into the Guts; where it presontly impregnates the threads of the hairy coat in its passage through the Duodenum and upper part of the Ilium, sticking fast thereunto; after which the parti∣cles of the Medicin being more plentifully diffused about those parts, get into the ner∣vous fibres, and likewise into the passages of the Glandules, and other vessels, provo∣king the Spirits that re•…•…ide in them, fermeuting with the humours that abound there∣in, and forcing them out as it were by squeezing or milking of them, in so much that that causes a great disturbance in them: by which means the fleshy fibres being bloated and contracted by the spirits that are irritated, and driven to discharge themselves, are set upon expulsive contractions in order to cast forth that which is offensive to them. Hence it is, that when the upper part of the Guts is provoked to more frequent and strong vermiculations [or Worm-like motions] whereby to thrust the matter contained in them forward, the expulsive motion being begun there, is propagated to the other Guts, and then being stimulated, or provoked by the matter contained in the upper∣most, which is thrust down into them, are put all along into expulsive contractions, till the excrement that is outermost be voided, whilest there is still more and more comes into the room of it. The purging Tincture, as it is offensive to the Spirits, puts the nervous fibres upon shrivelling themselves, and causes very often most painful extensions, provoking the fleshy fibres also to expulsive contractions, as I have shewn: then for as much as it fermenteth with the Humours and matter contained in the Guts, it makes an •…•…ullition or bubling in the cavities thereof, creates wind therein, and variously bloatech and distendeth the containing membranes, and consequently produces eva•…•…ations of the belly, with gripes, or breaking of wind.

While•…•…t the nervous and •…•…leshy fibres are thus provoked, through the spirits being irritated by the purging T•…•…cture, to offensive sensations, and expulsive contractions; * 1.20 the passage also of the Gall and Sweetbread juice being twinged and shockt, pour •…•…orth their humours, spewing them as it were into the cavities of the Guts: by both of which, and especially by the Gall, if it flow too copiously, the membranes being vel∣•…•…cated or t•…•…ged as much as by the Medicin it self, are urged to more frequent and greater expulsions; and therefore when the exc•…•…ments are died with the yellowness of that humour, it is commonly (though falshy said) that the Gall is drawn forth, and that peculiarly by such a medicin: but if the humours that flow out of those passages do mu•…•…ually boy•…•… up, and, as some struggle with each other very furiously, then

there will be in the cavities of the Guts, a still greater disturbance, with a swelling of the humours and wind.

Nor are the Gall and Sweetbread juice onely squeezed, or pres•…•…ed by the Purge into the passages of the Guts, but also there are serous humours (milked as it were out of * 1.21 the Glandules of the inner coat, that are bound up by being twinged, and likewise out of the mouths of the Arteries, which are rubbed against and opened) which more di∣lute or wash down the matter contained in the Belly, and not only by lubricating, but by irritating promote evacuation. But the very sl•…•…me of the Guts that smears over the hairy veil, if it be washed off by such serous humours, and be wiped clean away by reason that the nervous fibres are shrivelled and shockt, is an addition to the excre∣ments, and increaseth their bulk. Yea, sometimes when this slime is very much wi∣ped away, and the mouths of the vessels are thereby much twinged, and as it were shaven, pure bloud comes forth and causes gory Stools.

Thus do Purging Medicins operate in the cavities of the Stomach and Guts, in as much as they provoke the spirits and ferment with the humours. But from what par∣ticles or ingredients of the Medicin this irritative or provoking, and likewise the fer∣menting quality proceeds, we shall by and by inquire; in the mean time I observe, that the operation of a purging Medicin reaches far beyond the first passages, to wit, into the mass of bloud, the nervous liquor, and consequently into the brain, heart, and other parts or bowels.

1. As to the Bloud, it is manifest that the particles purging Medicins are received * 1.22 into the mass of it, and circulate [or go round the body] with it, from this, that the Urine borrows its smell and colour from some of them. The Milk of a Nurse that hath taken Physick, purgeth the Child. Some Medicins evacuate the Water of those that are troubled with a Dropsie by Stool. Resin of Jalap uses to purge forth a Lieish Serum that smells like piss. Moreover from the common observation of both the Ancient and Modern Physicians, a Purge that is opportunely given in the declen∣sion of a Fever, draws forth the feverish matter that was before ripened and apt to come away. Wherefore I make no question, but that some particles of the purging Medicin are admitted into the Bloud, and diffused through its whole body or mass. And indeed we need not trouble our selves to make any long enquiry about the passa∣ges at which it enters, for of necessity some particles of the purging Medicin being mixt with the nutritive juice, must creep in at the milky vessels. Moreover since there is a thick Wood as it were of Veins, inserted or planted in the inner coat of all those Bowels where concoction is performed, it will be natural enough to conceive, that some parts of a Medicin as well as of the Food, may be carried through these passages in∣to the Bloud; and being diffused in great quantity, first into the Veins, and then into the Arteries (if they are altogether heterogeneous [or of a contrary nature] and un∣tamable) disturb the mass of Bloud, toss it to and fro, and provoke the exoneration or exclusion of themselves as well as that of the Blouds dregs: but the Bloud being so disturbed, and put into an expulsive fermentation, dischargeth the particles of the Medicin together with other recrements or dregs that are to be thrown out through the mouths of the Arteries belonging to the Guts (which at that time are likewise twinged and opened by the Medicin) into the cavities of those Entrals, in order to their immediate evacuation. In this manner the serous or wheyish excrements and cor∣ruptions or superfluities of the Bloud are purged out of its mass, together with the pur∣ging Tincture that is remanded [or sent back] into the Guts. Moreover when the bloud vessels begin by this means to be emptied, then other superfluous or dreggy hu∣mours, that were setled about the Bowels, Heart, Brain, or habit of the Body, are again •…•…ucked into the mass of Bloud, and being drawn immediately (whilest the expulsive fury of it yet remains) toward the Guts, are cast forth any way that is then open; by which means purging Medicins work upon the whole Body, and draw forth incon∣gruous and noisom matter from all parts, be they never so remote.

As therefore I formerly observed that there were three degrees of a Lask proceeding from Humours, or a natural Purge; so I thought fit at present to make as many kinds or ranks of Purges that are caused by Medicin. The first of them I take to be when * 1.23 by reason that the nervous fibres of the Guts are gently irritated, the fleshy ones being contracted beyond their usual rate a little faster and shronger, thrust forward all the looser matter that is in them more swiftly from one part to another, till at last they kindly cast it forth. In the second sort of Purgation, some other Humours that are pressed out of the Gall passage, the Sweetbread passage, and mouths of the vessels which are vellicated by the Medicin, are voided together with the excrements of the belly. In the third, not onely these passages being more vehemently provoked, do pour forth a greater quantity of Humours of all kinds into the cavities of the Guts, but also there

is a recrementitious sort of matter that is brought by the Arteries out of the Bloud (which is dissolved and precipitated by the particles of the Medicin that are admitted into it) and by consequence also out of the nervous juice and other parts, into the Guts, through which it is evacuated.

Hence I think it is very manifest, that Purging is performed onely by irritation, fer∣mentation, and expulsion, and not (as the Vulgar suppose) by attraction. Nor ought * 1.24 any Philosopher or other, that pretends to give the reason of things, or to use his own, to assert, that any Medicins through the similitude or likeness of their substance, or by reason of any (I cannot tell what) specifick qualities, act upon any particular and de∣terminate humour, so as to purge that forth peculiarly by it self. But whereas some∣times Gall, Phlegm, Serum [or Whey,] or Melancholy [black choler] is supposed to be separated and discharged apart from any other, that seems to be, either because the Medicins provoke the Entrals in a different manner, or that they ferment divers ways with the Bloud and other Humours: or lastly, that they give a tincture or die to the very excrement it self. And it will be worth our while to give some reasons and in∣stances for each of these cases.

First therefore Medicins, according as they contain particles that are more volatile * 1.25 or fixed, gentle or sharp, smooth or rough, do variously irritate or provoke the Bowels, and consequently cause expulsive contractions either weaker, or stronger, and some∣times in one place sometimes in another, sooner and with more force. For example, Roses, Violets, Cassia, Manna, and other the like, that are compounded of subtle and thin parts, most commonly disturb not the Stomach at all; but when they are got over the Pylorus they begin to irritate the nervous coat of the Duodenum, which is more exquisitely sensible, and before they go any farther, spend almost all their force there; and by that means the passage of the Gall being shockt through the vellication * 1.26 or twinging and shrivelling of that coat, the excrements are mixt with Gall when we void them. On the other hand other Medicins, as Gum Ammoniack, Opopanax, Sagapenum, Turbith, and the like, that consist of a thicker and more viscous matter and particles more obtuse or dull, are not so ready in their operations, as presently to provoke the parts, but when they are dissolved in the Stomach, and from thence got into the Guts, begin their vellications or twingings, not on a sudden, but when they are advanced some space, and have stuck for some time to their coats, and that below the passage of Gall: whereupon, besides the common excrements and some serous humours that are squeezed out of the mouths of the Vessels, they shave and wipe off the slime that covers the Guts, and thereby cause Stools that are seemingly petuitous or phlegmatick.

2. In as much as Medicins, being indued with particles of several kinds, do va∣riously * 1.27 ferment with the Bloud and other juices, they cause evacuations sometimes of serous, sometimes of cholerick, or other kinds of Humours. For some, as Aloes espe∣cially, and Rhuba•…•…b, because they contain in them particles of matter that is, as it were, adust, beget such like particles in the Bloud; so also they excite the adust dregs thereof to motion, and force them more plentifully into the choler passages: so that when by this means the choler is more copiously gathered together, and flows out of its receptacles into the Guts, the excrements become more cholerick. I have known some that by drinking raw, plain Milk, to the quantity of two pints, have usually been purged, and voided excrements altogether yellow: The reason of which is, that the Milk it self turned to choler, as by bitter Belches and heat of the Bloud, which was presently caused (as if the Gall swelled up) I might reasonably conclude. Moreover other purging Medicins, as Jalap, Colocynthis, Elaterium, and some Preparations of Mercury, consist of sharp particles, which are often corruptive, and being admitted into the Guts, and thence transmitted into the Bloud, do notably dissolve the mass thereof, and precipitate it very strongly into a serous or wheyish constitution; yea, sometimes they do as it were invenom it, and corrupt the temper of it. Then, if at the same time that the Bloud is so dissolved, there be a vellication in the Guts, the serous dregs of the Bloud, with its corruptions and meltings, are spewed out of the mouths of the Arteries, that are there opened, into the cavities of the Bowels, and by that means our Stools are very waterish. But if, after the Bloud is so melted, as it were, by the Medicin, and injured in its temper, a man hath but few Stools, the Bloud becomes still more depraved by that incongruous and corruptive mixture, and thereby gains a notable ill temperament; or else by distributing its dregs and corruptions into the habit of the Body, makes pustles and watery bladders break out in the Skin. For so, by the un∣skilful use of Physick oftentimes great evils do ensue. Nor is it for nothing that the * 1.28 vulgar are so afraid, if at any time a Medicin doth not work as they expect, lest the virulence thereby contracted and left in the body, after it hath lain there a considera∣ble

time, may at last produce bad effects: for from such an occasion sometimes Le∣prosies, as it were, arise. Not long ago, a purging Powder (and as I supposed, Mercu∣rial too) was given to a certain persons two sons at Oxford, by an Emperick or Quack; whereof the one was purged for the space of 24 hours an hundred times at least, with * 1.29 gripes and great fainting of his spirits; whilest in the mean time the other, who was something the elder, had never a Stool; but in a few days his hair came off his nails grew black, and in a short time after watery Pushes broke out all over his Body, which being hardened into one continued scabby scurff, fell away, and immediately new ones arose in the room of them: which Distemper, through the extraordinary vitious∣ness of the temper of his bloud, which was as it were poisoned, being altogether incu∣rable, tormented the poor Youth most grievously for above two years before he could be perfectly cured. Nor is the mass of Bloud depraved by Mercurial Medicins onely, but sometimes also by other Purges, taken from the Family of Vegetables, in so much that it cannot be restored, or renew under a long time. So that it is not without cause that Helmont complains and says, that purging Physick doth not always or onely draw forth Humours that are in the Body, but also by its corrupting qualities depraves them.

3. The errour of elective Purging hath taken root yet deeper, from this, that Li∣quids * 1.30 which are voided through the belly (being they borrow sometimes their colour from the Medicin, are falsly believed, because they are cholerick or melancholick before hand, to be educed or drawn forth apart from other humours. Nothing is more usual, than for Urine and Siege too to be died yellow by Rhubarb, Alloes, Roots of Termerick, and some other Medicins that People take▪ so also the Infusion of Senna, and purging Medicins that have Chalybeate or Vitriolick ingredients in them, make the excrements which they evacuate; look black. Moreover a different constitution of Body, and temperature of the humours, produces divers appearances in the excre∣ments. For since in some the choler Vessels swell with the humour they contain, and in others vitriolick Salts which are the Parents of that black tincture settle in the first passages, whilest some again by reason of their ill diet, have abundance of serous matter gathered in their whole Body, it therefore makes People think, that when such Stools follow upon the taking of such or such a Medicin (if it happens that one sort of Humours are purged by that which they commonly call a Cholagogon [or Gall-purger] and another sort by a Melanogogon [black Choler-purger] and so another by an Hydra∣gogon [or Water-purger] that such Humours are purged by such a Medicin electively [or as it were out of choice.] Wherefore as to the choice of purging Medicins, al∣though those classes or peculiar sorts of Medicins appropriated to this or that juice, do not at all please me; yet I think that all Purges are not to be used indifferently in all cases; but on the contrary, you must take the advice of a good Physician, who can tell how to distinguish between them, and according to the strength of the Patients, their temperament, the strength, and constitution of the Bowels, their ability, custom in Diet, and imagination, yea, and according to the nature of the Distemper, as also the time and condition of it, may apply a weaker or a stronger Purge, of hot or tem∣perate, gentle or sharp, solid or liquid, or any other kind of Medicins.

The ancient Physicians, to whom also the Modern ones, (a great many of them) assent, affirmed not onely Purging to be elective, but also that a preparation of the * 1.31 Humours was previous, and as it were necessary to it: Wherefore in their practical Books, where-ever Purging is prescribed, you have very formally and pompously, as it were, a long Bedrol of Preparatives designed for such and such Humours; the use whereof, although it seems very plausible, yet is, methinks by no means advantagious; because indeed there are no such humours in nature, as I have elsewhere clearly shewn. But seeing Purges are not convenient at all times, nor in every constitution of the Body, for the right performing thereof there is required both opportunity and * 1.32 some sort of preparation too; both of which respect or concern not onely the first passages, but the mass of Bloud.

As to the first, If at any time the Stomach is oppressed with a load of slimy phlegm, * 1.33 or troubled with a boyling of the Gall when it swells, it is oftentimes in vain or irre∣gular to purge, unless the matter contained therein be first cleansed away by a Vomit, or that their oppression and heat be taken off by Digestives.

But as to the Bloud, many times a Purge is unseasonable, and sometimes also in∣congruous; * 1.34 and in neither of these cases do Preparatives, but onely things that alter it, agree: for those imaginary Humours are not to be disposed for evacuation, but the bloud it self ought to be reduced, either from a troubled and confused state to a calm; or from weakness or ill temper to strength and an even constitution. Whilest the Bloud, as it boyls in a Fever, is disturbed in its mixture, Purging is always found

to be hurtful; and therefore it is condemned by Hippocrates and the Ancients: So also whilest the mass of it, being languid and weak, doth not rise to a due ferment, all such Medicins are forbidden. Moreover when the Bloud is excessively full of Choler or Water, or is inclined too much to coagulations or dissolutions, Purges for the most part do not remove such defects or depravations of it, but oftentimes in∣crease them. But rather in such cases Medicins that alter the Bloud are proper; that is, such as may destroy the hurtful separations or combinations of Salts, Sulphur, or Serum, and remove all other their enormities. Of which Medicins for purging, whether previous [or preparative] or (which most commonly are the better of the two) such as supply the place of a Purge, to wit, digesting and altering Physick, I shall speak hereafter in particular.

Concerning the Theory or speculation of purging Physick, I shall not say much * 1.35 more; unless it be, that seeing (as is manifest from what I have already told you) that Purges not onely provoke the spirits that reside in the fibres of the Bowels (some of them) to resent the trouble given them, and (consequently others) to contract themselves into expulsive motions, but also ferment the Humours and the Bloud, com∣pelling them into various dissolutions and separations of the parts; it remains that we enquire, upon what sort of particles, whether Elementary or Secondary, and (if I may so say) qualitative particles, both those qualities (as well the irritating as the fermen∣ting * 1.36 quality) depend. Hereupon in general I have observed what shall hereafter be confirmed by instances, to wit, that the irritating quality which is usually exerted in the Bowels, and by the instinct whereof the purging contractions are caused, proceeds * 1.37 in no wise from the principles or particles of the Medicin, whether spirituous, watery, or earthy, no nor from the Salt or Sulphureous ones alone, but from them always joined together, and sometimes also when joined with others. For though that Salt and Sulphur are the chief instruments of purging Irritation, yet neither of them by it self uses to be so offensive to the Bowels as to excite the motive fibres into expulsive contractions; but when they are joined together, they exalt and sharpen each other; yea, they put our Bodies into a temperature which is very hurtful and never to be re∣duced. The tincture of Antimony, as likewise the Ceruss of it, give no offence to the Stomach, but are rather grateful and cordial. But Crocus Metallorum, Stibium, But∣ter of Antimony, and other things prepared out of Sulphur and Salt mixt together, are excessive strong Vomits or Purges. In like manner I have elsewhere observed, that sulphureous and saline particles, when separated from each other and alone are grate∣ful enough both to the smelling and the taste, but when they are intimately mixed with each other, gain presently a stink, or ranck rotten smell.

But now as to the purging Fermentation, it doth not so plainly appear, whether * 1.38 the same particles that provoke the spirits to expulsive contractions, do also dissolve the Bloud and make it separate into several parts, so as to pour out the dregs of it through the mouths of the Arteries into the cavities of the Bowels. Indeed the Bloud, like Milk, is usually dissolved and precipitated into serous Humours, most commonly by Acids onely, as I shall by Experiments and Reasons hereafter plainly demonstrate. Alchali Salts, fixed and volatile, yea, and nitrous too, do not at all dissolve the mix∣ture of the Bloud, but rather keep it entire, and restore it when dissolved; so like∣wise doth Spirit of Wine, and other things that are purely sulphureous; but so far are Acids from promoting purgation, that nothing doth more infringe, or weaken, and totally take off the purging quality of Medicins.

That therefore we may make a judgment concerning Purges by sense, I think it probable, that they (being endued with a taste that is most commonly sharp, and some∣what poignant) together with Sulphur, are impregnated with a kind of volatile and sharp Salt, which in the stronger sort of them, is in some measure putrefactive; and that such particles in them, which are sulphureosaline, do not dissolve the Bloud like Acids, or other precipitating Salts, that is to say, by embracing some parts of it, more intimately and closely, and so separating them from their associates, to oblige them to become their own companions; but on the contrary, the purging particles, being disagreeable to the whole mass of Bloud and all its particles, as also immiscible [or not mingleable with it] and untameable, put them all into confusion like themselves, and excite them to an expurgative effervescence [or boyling up]; which by the imme∣diate assistance of the pulse of the heart, growing quicker, is not allayed or cooled before all heterogeneous parts are thrown out, together with some portion of the serous Humour wherewith they are mingled, and sometimes also other dregs of the Bloud too.

The mass of Bloud being impregnated with the particles of a stronger sort of Purge boyls up at the same rate, as generous Wines, when other sorts are thrown

into the same Vessel, are said to ferment anew to expel that which is disagreeable to their body; and therefore sometimes they continue to bubble up in the Fat, till either the Vessel breaks, or their temper be quite vitiated. But this doth not happen so frequently to the Bloud, because not onely the incongruous particles of the Purge are thrown out of the Arteries (which are open in all parts, but especially somewhat more apparently into the cavities of the Guts) but also the other parts of the Bloud it self, which are vitiated and separated, are easily evacuated. Although purging Medicins too some∣times, if they are too violent, do much pervert the temper of the bloud, and as it were poison it. For indeed some of them that plainly corrupt the bloud, work by way of Lask, just as Cantharides do by Urine; that is, they in some measure melt and cor∣rupt the mass of it, and then those melted parts of it together with the rejected parti∣cles of the Medicin, do by their sharpness very much provoke, or many times corrode the parts that they pass through. Wherefore let those that desire health or long life, avoid all Quacks that use hardly any thing but Mercurial and strong Medicins, more than they would a mad Dog or a Serpent.

CHAP. II. The several sorts of Purges, with the Receipts and Reasons of some Compositions.

MInerals do not much contribute to the number of things that are purging, though * 1.39 the best Vomits and Sweating Medicins are taken chiefly out of that Store∣house: but purging Medicins, being of a midling and a different operation, cannot be formed out of those impure and harder substances. For if the purging quality, though never so correct, be in any measure left as a Spur, in the mixt body, whatever irritation proceeds thence in the Stomach, will prove a Vomit; but if that quality be totally removed, then there will be no evacuation caused in the Bowels, but through the virtue of some Reliques of the Sal Alchali, all the operation will end in Sweat. For vomiting Medicins seem to be such, as being not by any means to be subdued and * 1.40 tamed in the Stomach, but impregnated with sharp, and as it were, pointed particles (that is to say, Sulphureosaline ones) provoke it to violent, expulsive contractions, to the end that they may be thence exterminated, or discharged by the shortest pas∣sage, which is immediately by Vomiting: on the contrary, Sweating Medicins though they cannot be subdued and tamed, yet if their sharpness be taken off, and their par∣ticles broken into round bits, as it were, which have no edge, they do not at all pro∣voke the Stomach, but passing into the mass of bloud, ferment it (as being unmingle∣able and untameable) and put it into an universal heat, whereby they make way for themselves to evaporate along with the serous Liquor and other dregs of the bloud. But Purges being endued with particles that are incongruous, more dull, and weak, do not either immediately or vehemently irritate the fibres of the Stomach; but when they are got somewhat deeper into them, they first cause an offensive perception, and then, that they may cast forth what is troublesom without any great disturbance, they increase and multiply the usual expulsive and ordinary motions, that is to say, through the passages of the Guts.

But some purging Medicins are taken out of Minerals, as Mercurius Dulcis, Lapis Lazulus, Armenus, and some other, which for all that, are improperly so called, for * 1.41 they are very uncertain in their operation, in so much that they are seldom used fo•…•… that end by themselves, though with other purging Ingredients they are given very successfully.

But when we come to Vegetables, here we enter into a Field that is broad, and largely planted with things that are purgative: which since they are of many sorts, * 1.42 are used to be recounted and distributed in several manner; that is to say, into the more gentle sort, the middling sort, and the stronger; so also into Gall-Purgers [Cho∣lagoga] Melancholy-Purgers [Melanogoga] Phlegm-Purgers [Phlegmagoga] and Wa∣ter-Purgers [Hydragoga]: and furthermore, into Excoproticks [or Dung-Purgers] Mi∣noratives [or lesseners] and Eradicatives, [or rooters out of any Humour.] I need not insist upon each of these divisions, but will reduce all Purges to three kind onely: that is, in the first place I will give you, such as make no great irritation in the bowels, and cause in the bloud and humours no more than a gentle fermentation: of which * 1.43 sort are Violets, Cassia, Tamarinds, Roses, Rhubarb, Senna, Myrobalans, Epithymum or Dod,

der, Carthamus or Wild Saffron, Agarick, Aloes and the like. Secondly, Such as create not onely a twinging in the Bowels, but also a something stronger effervescence [or boyling] in the humours; in so much in these latter great disturbances, and those sometimes feverish ones too, are raised; and in the former, [to wit, the Bowels] con∣tractions, and gripes, though not very intolerable, are excited: in which rank there are placed Scammony, Turbith, Hermodactyls, Mechoaca, Jalap, Ebulus or Dwarff-Elder, or Wallwort, Elder, Opopanax, Sagapenum. In the last place I shall shew you such as vellicate or twinge and lance, as it were, the Stomach and Guts extremely; yea, such as very much disorder the bloud and other humours with a kind of putrefactive quality, melting as it were, and dissolving the mixture of it. Such are Hellebore, Elate∣rium, Soldanella or Bind-weed, Euphorbium, Esula or Spurge, Coloquintida, &c.

Vegetables do not always need, as Minerals do, any long preparation to open their * 1.44 composition; for they oftentimes whilest their mixture is entire (quite contrary to what I have observed concerning Minerals) work the more strongly. For such things whose virtue consists in a subtle and fugitive composition, ought not to be reduced in∣to Extracts, Magisteries, or Quint-Essences by any great chymical trials or prepara∣tions: but many of them, as Rhubarb, Manna, Cassia, Senna, Myrabolans, &c. being re∣duced into Pills or Powder, or infused or boyled in a convenient liquor, work not onely better but more easily too; which, if they be tortured with too much artifice, either totally lose their purgative quality, or exert it very slowly and with some relu∣ctancy. It hath been usual to draw forth the tinctures of Vegetables by impregnating * 1.45 the liquor, into which they are infused, with Salts of Tartar or Wormwood; for by that means it quickly gains a deeper colour. Although I do not disapprove of this method, in as much as the fixed Salts of Herbs boyl up with the acid juices of the Sto∣mach and Guts; yet I may lawfully discover the cheat that lies hid in it, for the Salts do not draw forth that full Tincture, but onely make it appear. For if you put the Salt of Tartar into an Infusion of Rhubarb, Senna, or any other vegetable, which is * 1.46 already made and strained, immediately the tincture or colour of it will become dee∣per: the reason of which is, because the Salt-fixed particles, being very obtuse or blunt, stop the pores of the Liquor, in so much that the rays of light are very much refracted in their passage: wherefore any tincture, which is made deeper by the Salt of Tartar, will become presently more clear and thin, by pouring into it the spi∣rit of Vitriol, whose particles are sharp, without the precipitation of any matter at all.

But yet among vegetable Purgers, some are mended by Chymical preparation; for in those that are filled with Salt and Sulphur, in which active and kind particles can be separated from the more dull and hurtful ones, and be reduced into resinous, or otherwise compendious extracts, no question, but the resolution and new composi∣tion of them may be performed with good success. Wherefore, when we would rightly prepare some sorts of Purges, we extract with spirit of Wine, the sulphureous part, and something of the saline too, as in the resinous magisteries of Jalap, Scam∣mony, Mechoaca, &c. For others we use saline menstruums [or Liquors to dissolve them,] to wit, distilled Vinegar, or Waters sharpened with spirit of Vitriol, or Salt of Tartar, and that in a double respect; that is, either that the Medicin may be compo∣sed in a less bulk and a neater form, through the separation of the active particles from the earthy matter; or that all the vehement or virulent qualities of the mixed body, may be drawn out or tamed.

It would be an infinite pains and trouble to me particularly to relate in this place all the simple Purges, with their Preparations, Dispensations, and Doses: but it is suf∣ficient for my purpose, since the principal compositions of Purging Medicins are Po∣tions, Powders, Boluses, Morsels or Tablets, and Drinks or Infusions in Wine; to lay down some choice Receipts of each, and those of a threefold nature; according as * 1.47 the operation of the Medicin ought to be, gentle, middling, or strong; to which I shall add, in the fourth place, the Receipts of purging Medicins that are easily had, for the benefit of the Poor.

1. Gentle Potions.

Take of Rhubarb shreded ʒ iij. of Citron-coloured Santalum [or Sanders] ʒss. of Salt of * 1.48 Tartar ℈ j. infuse it cold all night in water of Cichory, and of white Wine ℥ij. ss. of the clear straining ℥ iij. add to these of Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb ℥ss. of Cinamon water ʒ ij. make a Potion.

2. Middling Potions.

Take of the best Senna ʒ iij. of Rhubarb, Agarick trochised, of each ʒ j. ss. of Citron-co∣loured Santalum ℈ ij. of Salt of Tartar ʒ ss. of Coriander seeds ʒ j. infuse it close and * 1.49 hot ℥ iij. of white Wine and as much Fountain water, all night; of the straining thereof ℥ iv. add to it of the Syrup of Citron or Oranges ℥ j. of aqua mirabilis ʒ ij. make a Potion. Or, Take of the Decoction of Senna Gereon ℥ iv. of Syrup of Roses dissolved ℥ j. of Cream of Tartar ʒ ss. of Cinnamon water ʒ ij. Make a Potion.

Take of the best Senna, of Cassia Fistula, and Tamarinds, of each ℥ ss. of Coriander Seeds ʒ ij. boyl in Fountain water ℥ x. of it, till the third part be consumed of the straining clarified with the white of an egg, adding of the Syrup of Citron or Oranges ℥ j. Make a Potion.

3. Strong ones.

Take of the 'Decoction of Senna of Gereon (with the addition of the fibres of black Helle∣bore, and Agarick, of each ʒ j. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.) ℥ vj. of Syrup of Roses dissolved, or of Orange * 1.50 flowers ℥ j. of aqua mirabilis ʒ ij. Or,

Take of the best Senna ℥ ss. of the fibres of black Hellebore, of Turbith, of each ʒ ij. of Ci∣tron-coloured Sanders ʒ j. of Coriander seeds ʒ j. ss. of Salt of Tartar, ʒ ss. make a close and hot infusion in ℥ viij. of white Wine all night, of the clear straining ℥ v. add to it of Electuary out of the juice of Roses ʒ iij. Syrup of the Purging Thorn ʒ vj. of Cin∣namon water ʒ ij. Make a Potion.

4. Potions that are easily had for the benefit of the Poor.

Take of Purging Flax one handful, of the seeds of sweet Fennel ʒ ij. boyl them in Spring water, as much as is sufficient, to ℥ vj. add of white Wine ℥ ij. Make a Potion. In the same manner you may make a draught, to purge you, of the flowers of red Damask Ro∣ses; as also of the leaves of the Orange Tree, and of the Roots of Eupatorium of Avi∣cenna.

II. Pills. First of a more eas•…•…e operation.

Take of Stomach Pills with Gum ℈ j. to ʒ ss. of Tartar Vitriolized gr. ij. of Balsam of Peru as much as is convenient, make iij. or iv. Pills. You may make them in the same man∣ner * 1.51 from a mass of Pill Ruffi, Mastich of Amber, or sweet Gum, and also of my Extract dissolved, the description whereof you may see in my Treatise of the Scurvy.

2. Middling ones.

Take of Stomach Pills with Gum ʒ ss. Rosin of Jalap gr. iv. to x. of Tartar vitriolated gr. vj. of Ammoniack dissolved a convenient quantity, and make iv. Pills. In like man∣ner * 1.52 you may make them out of a mass of Pills of Succinum, Tartarized according to Quercetan. So also in the room of Rosin of Jalap put of Scammony sulphurized gr. vj. to xij. or Rosin of Scammony gr. viij. to xiv. Or, Take of Stomach Pills with Gum, of each ℈ j. of Rosin of Jalap gr. vj. to xij. of Balsom of Peru, a convenient quantity, and make iv. Pills.

3. The stronger.

Take of Pill Rudy ʒ ss. Rosin of Jalap gr. viij. to xij. of Balsom of Peru a convenient quan∣tity, and make iv. Pills to be taken according to order. In like manner you may prepare * 1.53 them out of a mass of Pill Cochy of Sagapenum. Take of the Pill of two ingredients ℈ j. to ʒ ss. of Calamelas ℈ j. make iv. Pills, to be taken according to order.

4. Those that are easie to be got, and of a less price.

Take of the Powder of choice Jalap ʒ ij. of Diagridium ʒ j. of Cloves Ginger, of each ℈ j. of Ammoniack dissolved a convenient quantity, and make a mass. The Dose is ʒ ss. * 1.54 Take of Pill Cochy ʒ ss. to ℈ ij. and make iv. Pills.

III. Powders. First Gentle ones.

Take of Rhubarb pulverized ʒss. of Salt of Wormwood ℈ ss. of Cloves gr. ij. make a * 1.55 Powder and give it in a spoonful of clear Cinna•…•…on Water, or in a draught of Ale.

Take of the Powder of Senna major compound. ʒ ss. to ʒ j. give it in a draught of Posset drink.

Take of the Powder of the leaves of Senna ℈ j. of Calamelas, gr. xvij. of Citron-coloured Sanders ℈ ss. make a Powder, and give it in a Spoonful of Panada•…•….

2. Middling ones.

Take of the Powder of Diasenna ʒ j. of Cream of Tartar ℈ j. make a Powder, •…•…d give * 1.56 it in a draught of Ale.

Take of the Rosin of Jalap gr. x. of Calamelas ℈ j. of Cloves gr. vj. make a Powder, and take it the same way.

Take of the species of Diaturbith with R•…•…ubarb ʒss. to ʒ j. of Cream of Tartar ℈ j•…•… to ʒ ss.

3. Strong ones.

Take of Turbith and Hermodactyls of each ʒ iij. of Diagridium ʒ j. of Ginger ℈ j. ma•…•… a * 1.57 Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. to ʒ j.

Take of the Powder of Cornachinus [a Mans Name] ʒ j. give the Powder of Hermoda∣ctyls compounded, the same way; as likewise the Hydrotick, or Water-purging Powder of Riverius.

4. Such as are cheap and easily gotten.

Take of the Powder of the Roots of choice Jalap ʒ j. of Ginger ℈ j. Give it in a draught * 1.58 of White Wine. So likewise of the Powder of the Roots of Mechoaca, as also of the Leaves of Senna to ʒj. Take it in any Liquor.

IV. Bolusses and Electuaries. First, Such as work gently.

Take of Lenitive Electuary ℥ ss. of Cream of Tartar ʒss. of Syrup of Roses a convenient * 1.59 quantity: make a Bolus. Take of fresh Cassia ℥ss. of the Powder of Rhubarb ʒss. of Cream of Tartar ℈ j. of Syrup of Roses as much as suffices, and make a Bolus.

2. Middling ones.

Take of Lenitive Electuary ℥ss. of Cream of Tartar ʒss. of Rosin of Jalap gr. vj. of Sy∣rup * 1.60 of Roses a convenient quantity, and make a Bolus.

Take of Electuarium Diaphaenicum ℥ ss. of Powder of Hermodactyls comp. ʒ ss. of Syrup of Elder a convenient quantity, and make a Bolus.

3. Strong ones.

Take of Electuary of the juice of Roses ℥ss. of Rosin of Jalap gr. x. of Cream of Tar∣tar * 1.61 ʒ ss. Syrup of Elder a convenient quantity, and make a Bolus.

Electuaries are compounded of the same ingredients in a greater quantity, adding thereto Conserves of Damask Roses, or Peach Flowers the Dosis being the quantity of a Chesnut, to be taken every day early in the morning, or t•…•…ice or thrice in a Week.

4. Bolusses and Electuaries that are easily had.

Take of Powder of the Roots of Jalap ℥j. of Mechoaca •• ss. of Ginger ʒ ij. of Cloves ʒ j. * 1.62

of Cream of Tartar ʒ iij. of Salt of Wormwood ʒ j. of Sugar ℥ ij. of Syrup of Roses dissolved, a convenient quantity, and make an Electuary. The Dose is the quantity of a Wallnut.

The loosening Medicin called Confectio Solutiva, and that made of loosening Raisins, as also the Diaprunum [or Medicin made of Prunes] by Sylvius, are to be found in Praxis Medica, p. 30.

V. Morsels or Tablets of indifferent operation.

Take of the Powder of Mechoaca, and of Gummy Turbith, of each ℥ss. of Scammony sul∣phurated * 1.63 ʒ ij. of Rosin of Jalap ʒ j. of yellow Sanders ʒ j. of Cream of Tartar ʒ ij. of Conserve of Violets ℥ j. of Sugar dissolved in Rose water, and baked into Tablets lbj. according to Art; let the weight of each Tablet be ʒ j. The Dose i. or ij. purging Tablets: in Sylvius Praxis Medica, p. 28.

VI. Infusions in Wine and Ale, or the like, or gentle Purgers.

Take of the Leaves of Senna ℥ j. ss. of Turbith and Mechoaca, of each ʒ vj. of the fibres of * 1.64 black Hellebore ʒ iij. of Cubebs, of the Roots of Gallingal, and of sharp Cinamon, of each ʒ ij. put them in a large Glass with four Pints of Rhenish Wine, and of Salt of Tartar ʒ j. ss. Let them stand cold and close six days, then put to them of white Sugar ℥ iij. and strain them through Hippocrates's sleeve. The Dose is ℥ iij. or iv.

Take of the Leaves of Senna ℥ iij. of the Roots of Polypody of the Oak, or Oak Fern, of Sharp Dock prepared, of each ℥ ij. of Turbith and of Mechoaca, of each ℥ j. ss. of Epithymum or Wild Time, and of yellow Sanders, of each ℥ i. of Coriander Seeds ℥ i. ss. shreded and bruised, and prepare according to Art, a small Bag of them for iv. Gallons of Drink. The Dose is from ℥ xij. to a Pint, every day early in the morning, or twice or thrice a Week.

The Reasons of some Chymical Preparations.

Mercurius Dulcis.

Take of Mercury sublimate, corrisive ℥ vj. of Quicksilver very well purged ℥ iv. ss. pound * 1.65 them together in a Glassen Mortar to a perfect mixture, then let them be sublimed in a Furnace of Sand, increasing the Fire to the height by degrees, for 12. hours, then sublimate them again and again, adding the Mercury, which in the subliming grew crude: at last when the matter is perfectly sublimated, pure and white, take out the dross, and gathering it together, keep it for your use. The Dose is gr. xv. to xxx. by it self, or with the addition of other Purging Ingredients, to carry the Mercury quickly off by Siege, without the danger of salivation.

Corrosive Mercury sublimate, out of which the Mercurius Dulcis is made.

Take of calcined Vitriol lb j. of Sea Salt calcined, and of the best Nitre, of each lb ss. of * 1.66 purged Mercury lb j. pound them in a Glassen or a Woodden Mortar to a perfect mixture, adding a little Aqua fortis, or Spirit of Vinegar. Sublime them in an Oven of Sand, increasing the fire gradually to the height; do it over again, if need be, that the mat∣ter being sublimated to the sides of the Vessel, may gain a white, snowy colour. This bu∣siness will go the better forward, if the Quicksilver be dissolved in Aqua fortis distilled out of the aforesaid Minerals, and then the matter, when the moisture is taken away, be sublimed upon a fierce fire.

Now as to the reason of the aforesaid Medicin, in the first place, concerning the * 1.67 corrosive Sublimate it is plain enough, that the Mercury is dissolved by Salts (whether they are in the Minerals themselves, or in the Aqua fortis) and being as it were coa∣gulated with them, is sublimed by the force of the fire: and then that by the same Salts which congele the saline particles of the Mercury, and hide the rest of them within their pores, the snowy colour, as it were, is produced; and that at the same time the corrosive quality arises from the extreme sharp small surfaces of the same Salts, Furthermore, as to the taking off of that same sharpness by the repeated sublimation after the Quicksilver is added and incorporated, in almost an equal quantity; the rea∣son

is, because the sharp salt particles are so rebated and weakened by the Mercuiral ones that are copiously augmented, and stick to them on all sides, that they do not prick or lance (as it were) the sensitive fibres at all in that manner as they did before: Besides, The Powder of this sublimate when it is pounded in the Mortar grows yellow by reason of the quantity of Mercury that doth as it were emerge. But that the com∣mon Precipitate, in which the Mercurial particles exceed the Saline ones that are con∣gealed, is extremely corrosive; the reason is, because the small parts of the fire sharpen all the mineral particles, in as much as they drive out all the gentle atoms, and stick or cling to the mineral corpuscles themselves, which are excessively pungent or pointed.

2. Rosin of Jalap.

Take of the Roots of Jalap, that is ponderous, black and bright, beaten somewhat thick * 1.68 lb j. of Spirit of Wine lb iij. digest them close and hot for two or three days, then put the tinged [or died] spirit into a glassen Cucurbit [or Gourd] a Chymical Vessel so called] and draw it off [or let it evaporate] till the fourth part onely remains; into which if you put or instill cold Water, the Rosin will sink to the bottom of the Vessel, which when you have washed from the dregs and dried it, you may keep for your use. The Dose of the Powder thereof is gr. vj. to xij. or xiv.

In this Preparation the Spirit of Wine extracts or draws forth the sulphureous parti∣cles * 1.69 of that substance, and so much the easier, in as much as these were before hand, of themselves, separated and gathered together in the mixed body; as you may con∣clude from the Veins which are rosiny and shine. Whilest the sulphureous part is extracted, some quantity also of the saline seems to be joined with it; and that is the reason that this Rosin which smells very strong, and is sharp to the taste, purges vio∣lently, and is easily set on fire. This works stronger, and in a less quantity than the mixed body it self when it is whole, for as much as all the active particles are united together, and the dull ones removed.

3. Rosin of Scammony.

This is prepared in the like manner as Rosin of Jalap; but in this Medicin, in as much as the saline particles, many of them, fly away whilest it dissolves, and are not * 1.70 all gathered together in the Rosin with the sulphureous ones, the operation thereof is gentler and weaker than that of the whole mixed body. For though there be a great quantity of Sulphur in the Scammony, yet the operation thereof depends very much upon the saline particles: wherefore whilest the Powder of it is smoked by Sulphur burnt under it, the purging quality is much weakened; in as much as the acid Salts that are sent forth with the Smoke, do subdue or fix the particles of that mixt body which are otherwise saline. After the same manner as out of Jalap and Scammony you may make rosiny Extracts out of Turbith and Mechoaca.

4. Extract of Black Hellebore.

Take of the fibres of black Hellebore lb ss. bruise them in a stone Mortar, sprinkling them with * 1.71 ʒ iii. of the best spirit of Salt; then put them into a Matrace, and pour to them 3 pints of thin spirit of Wine impregnated with Salt of Tartar till it grows yellow, adding of Lignum Aloes and Cloves bruized, of each ʒ ij. Digest them close and hot in Sand for three or four days; then filtrate all the Liquor, and let it evaporate over the heat of a gentle Bath to the consistence or thickness of an Extract. The Dose is from ℈ j. to ʒ j.

This Medicin works in a lesser quantity and more gently than the Powder of the roots, because the active and benign particles being separated from the rest, which are both duller and virulent, as likewise being more fixed and subdued by the Salts of the Menstruum are of themselves reduced to a mass: And moreover, by reason of the Salts joined with it, which boyl up and ferment with the Salts that are in the Bowels and Humours of our bodies, it is more effectual.

So much for Medicins, that being swallowed into our Stomachs, direct your opera∣tions most commonly through the most open passages, and as it were, the Kings High∣ways, to wit, upward or downward, through the Weazon into the mouth, or through the Guts to the Anus, or Fundament. There are a great many others of several sorts, which, designing to go both the ways that those do, exert their actions upon the bloud and the nerves with different respect to the Heart, Brain, Reins, and other Bowels, or the habit of the whole Body. Of which at last we will speak in their turn, after that I have said somewhat first of excessive purging, and especially of the Dysentery [or Flux] at London.

CHAP. III. Of the Remedy for excessive Purging, or of Medicins that stop too violent Purgation, or a Lask. As also of the London Dysentery, into the Nature and Cure where∣of we here inquire.

TO order Purges as well as Vomi•…•… aright we must make use of Bridles as much as Spurs, that is, something to restrain Nature, as well as to provoke it. For as Purging Medicins are sometimes of necessary use to lubricate the Belly, or to cause a plentiful evacuation; so, if that evacuation be immoderate, or not easily to be born, you must apply remedies that are contrary and antidote to a Lask of Flux, called a Dysentery. How and in what manner purging Medicins perform their operations, and also for what reasons, and upon what occasions spontaneous Purging doth fre∣quently happen, I have formerly shewn. At present I shall lay down in every case, to wit, both in excessive Purging caused by Medicins, and also in a Lask and Dysentery, the ways to cure them, with the choicer Receipts for their Remedies.

A purging Medicin that is disproportionate either in quality or quantity, worketh * 1.72 more strongly and longer, not onely for that, by irritating the nervous fibres too much, it forces the animal Spirits into disturbances that are not easily appeased, but also in as much as it dissolves, and as it were, melteth the bloud and humours; so that the melting parts of them being discharged into the cavities of the Bowels create still grea∣ter expulsive irritations.

The method of Practical Physick respecteth both the prevention and curing of ex∣cessive * 1.73 Purgations. As to the first there is need of consideration and care before the Dose is given, in its operation and after it. For first of all you must cautiously weigh * 1.74 the constitution, strength and usage of the body that is to be purged; then the nature, dose, manner of operating, and ordinary effects of the Medicin that is to be given: and lastly, it must be considered, from comparing of Symptoms or Tokens, how to proportionate the force of the agent to the strength of the Patient. Secondly, Whilst the * 1.75 Medicin is a working, see that the Bowels that serve for concoction as also the bloud and animal spirits be kept free from all other disturbance. Wherefore at this time you must eat nothing that is thick or clammy, or so much as to molest the stomach; and have a great care of the outward cold, whereby the pores of the Body are bound up; in fine, let the mind be always calm and serene, and void of care, or serious con∣templations. Thirdly, When the operation of the Medicin is over, you must allay the * 1.76 fury of the animal spirits, and cool the boyling of the bloud and humours: to which ends you may give an Anodynous, or gentle, sleepy Medicin, according to the fol∣lowing Receipts.

Take of the Water of Cowslip flowers ℥ ij. of Cinamon infused with Barley, of Syrup of Poppies, of each ℥ ss. of Pearl ℈ss. and make a draught, to be taken when you go to bed. Or, Take of Conserve of red Roses vitriolated ℈ ij. of Diascordium ʒss. of Pearl ℈ss. of Diacodium a convenient quantity, and make a Bolus, to be taken at night when you go to bed.

But if so be that notwithstanding ought by omitting this kind of caution, excessive Purging follows upon the taking of such a Cathartick Medicin, immediately the Pa∣tient * 1.77 must be put into a warm bed, and treated in manner following. In the first place you must apply either a Plaister of Treacle, or a Fomentation of the decoction of Wormwood, of Mint and Spices, in red Wine, with locks of Wool, dipped in and squeezed: then presently let the Patient take either a Bolus of Treacle of Androma∣chus, or the dissolution of it made in Cinamon water. Besides which, let him drink burnt Wine, diluted with Mint water oftentimes by Spoonfuls. If he be troubled with the Gripes, let him take a Clyster of warm Milk with Treacle dissolved in it; and in the mean time let his outward parts be rubbed with warm clothes, and sometimes bound about in certain parts, to call the bloud outward, and keep it from too great colliquation and flowing into the cavities of the bowels: after which, at Evening, if his strength will permit it, and that the Pulse be strong enough, let him take a Dose of Diacodium or Liquid Laudanum, with a convenient vehicle.

As to other sorts of excessive Purgations, which, without giving of a Purge, are * 1.78 wont to happen from se•…•…eral causes and upon several occasions, and require a Medi∣cin,

I say, that many of them being meerly symptomatical depend upon other Distem∣pers, and that the cure of them is altogether the same as that of those other Diseases whose off-spring, as it were, they are. So if in the Scurvy and a Consumption it hath been usual for the Parties so affected to be troubled with loosness, the method of curing them respecteth not this symptom at all, but the cause of the primary Distem∣per, which is to be removed. But yet notwithstanding, the loosness of a mans belly (which is ordinarily called either a Diarrh•…•…a [or Lask] or a Dysentery [or Flux)] seems sometimes a Disease of it self; and indeed in this City of London, since this sort of Distemper, which hath used to reign almost every year, is commonly accounted popular, and almost proper to the Place and People, it will be convenient here to in∣quire into the Nature, Causes, and Cure of it a little farther.

Although the word [Dysentery] in the common acceptation thereof, signifies a Bloudy Flux of the Belly, as a Diarrhaea [or Lask] doth that of the Humors; yet, saving * 1.79 the Etymology, I shall apply that name to this London Disease, even when it is not at all bloudy. For I have often and a great while since observed, that there are two * 1.80 very different sorts of this same Flux, which almost every year is wont to be so rife here about Autumn, and is commonly called in our language, The Griping of the Guts; in the one whereof the Stools were watery, and as it were, limpid [or clear] with a sud∣den weakning of the Body; in the other they are bloudy, but tolerable; whilest in the mean time the siege is rarely cholerick or phlegmatick (whilest either of these Distempers reign) which shews that the malady is not so obstinate as one would think. Now that you may clearly know both these dysenterical Distempers, as to their for∣mal reasons and causes, as likewise their differences from each other, I think it will be necessary to subjoin in this place an Account of them both as they were observed (and then exactly described) by me some years since when they were rife.

In the year 1670. about the Autumnal Aequinox [or in Autumn, i. e. the Fall * 1.81 of the Leaf] a great many were sick of an unbloudy, but a very sharp and dan∣gerous Dysentery. The Distemper came upon them on a sudden, and oftentimes without any manifest cause, and reduced the Patients, by grievous Vomiting, fre∣quent Stools, and those watery ones, in a short time to very great weakness, horrid faintings of their spirits, and destruction of their strength. I knew a great many that though the day before they were well enough and very hearty, yet within twelve hours were so miserably cast down by the tyranny of this Disease, that they seemed ready to expire, in that their Pulse was weak and slender, a cold Sweat came upon them, and their breath was short and gasping: and indeed many of them that wanted either fit Remedies, or the help of Physicians, died quickly of it. This Distemper raged for a whole Moneth, but began to decrease about the middle of October, and before the first of November was almost quite gone. Few at that time had bloudy Stools, and not many cholerick ones, but a great many had both Vo∣mitings and Evacuations that were waterish, almost limpid, and in great quantity. And whilest this common Dysentery raged so severely within this City, there was scarce any one sick of it in the Country, or at least above three miles off. Moreover though very many were sick in this place, the Disease did not seem to be infectious, but onely to affect those that were predisposed to receive it. For in the same Fa∣mily those who conversed with the sick, were no sooner seized by it than such as most avoided their company.

For the cure of this Distemper, no Evacuation availed, but on the coutrary, * 1.82 Bloud-letting, Vomiting and Purging were always hurtful; but Remedies that were most commonly Cordials, and those very hot; that is, such as abounded with vo∣latile Spirit, and Sulphur or Salt, were helpful; insomuch that Spirit of Wine a little burnt with Sugar, was the popular, and as it were epidemical or universal Remedy; and in such a Dysentery almost always good; though in the other, which was bloudy, being indifferently used, it was often found to be dangerous. The Method of curing it, that I took at that time in most cases and with success, and that which I upon the like occasion still use, was as followeth.

Take of Treacle of Andromachus ʒ j. or ʒj. ss. and take in Bed, drinking thereupon of * 1.83 the following Julap vij. or viij. Spoonfuls, and repeat it every third, or fourth, or fifth hour.

Take of Mint water, and of Cinamon infused with Barley, of each ℥iij. of strong Cinamon, * 1.84 of Plague and Treacle water of each ℥ij. of Powder of Pearl ʒj. of Sugar chrystallized ℥ss.

mingle it, and make a Julap. At the same time take a Cake of toasted Bread spread over with Treacle, and dipped into hot brisk red Wine, and apply it to the Stomach, changing it for another ever now and then.

At Evening, if the Pulse and breath be strong enough, let the Patient drink of Li∣quid * 1.85 Laudanum prepared with Quinces gr. xx. in a draught of Plague water.

Take of Diascordium ʒ j. of Liquid Laudanum ℈ss. of Powder of Crabs Claws compoun∣ded ℈ j. of Cinamon water a convenient quantity, and make a Bolus, to be taken when you go to bed.

Those that cannot take Treacle or Mithridate, but find it disagrees with them, may take a Dose of the following Water, or spirit of Treacle, every third hour with the Julap.

Take of the Powder of Crabs Claws compound. of the Roots of Contrayernum and Virginia * 1.86 Creeper of each ʒ j. of Cinamon and the Roots of Tormentil, of each ʒ ss. of Saffron, and of Cochinele, of each ℈ j. and make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss to ℈ ij.

Take of Spirit of Treacle Armoniack ʒ iij. The Dose is ℈ i. with the Julap, every fourth * 1.87 hour, or between times before and after the Doses of the Powder. In the same manner you may use Spirit of Hartshorn or of Soot. Let your drink be Ale with a Toast and Mace, and Cinamon, sweetned; or burnt Wine diluted with Mint water. Let your food be Chicken broth, or Grewel, or Panada with shavings of Hartshorn, Ivory, Roots of Scorzonera, &c. boyled in it.

Concerning the reason of this same popular Distemper, in the first place let us in∣quire * 1.88 what may be the principal or immediate cause of it: that is to say, what humour that is which by its offensive and burdensom quality doth so infest the bowels, and ir∣ritate or provoke them into expulsive contractions with Gripings, disturbance of the whole body, and a sudden debilitation or weakening of all its forces. Surely no man will think it to be the Gall or Sweetbread juice, or any other that is generated within the passages of the Guts: nor indeed do I believe it to be poured forth from the bloud alone into the bowels (as it often happens in the Crisis of a Fever) but I rather suppose (what a man may guess from the sudden languidness, quick fainting of the ani∣mal spirits, and weakness of all the parts) that in this Distemper, the best juices of the Body, that is to say, the nervous and nutritive, that is joined and united to the solid parts, are totally vitiated in their temper, and being made fluid, as it were, are melted, and so run into the mass of bloud; then immediately from thence (since they are in∣congruous, unmingleable, and unapt to be carried off by Urin or Perspiration) they are transferred through the Vasa caeliaca [Belly Vessels] toward the Stomach and Guts, and there flowing out at the numerous thickset mouths of the Arteries, cause these horrid symptoms of a Dysentery. Moreover it is likely that the very bloud also be∣ing mixed with a deluge of other humours is melted at the same time, and being dissol∣ved in its temperament, poureth out its melted parts with its other dregs into the cavi∣ties of the Bowels.

Most certainly there is no other reason why all the motive fibres should be so sud∣denly * 1.89 weakned, and the whole Body languish, but that the humour that actuates or enlivens them, and in which the animal spirits reside, forsook them totally, and flowed out; and indeed we suppose it to flow out, in as much as being vitiated in its tem∣per, it not onely molesteth the containing parts like sowering Milk, but puts them up∣on shriveling themselves with such a motion as throws that Humour out. Besides, I almost always observed that this Distemper began with a chilness; but not such as was followed with the heat and burning of a Fever, because the bloud, although in it self but little vitiated, yet being almost overwhelmed by a Floud of other juice that came in upon it, could not recover or recollect it self so far as to boyl up feverishly or into a Crisis. For this reason Cordials (but none except the strongest and hottest) as also hot Waters and Spirits, Treacle, Mithridate and the like were of use: that is, such whose particles being extreme active, would repel or drive back the Humours that were ready to flow out, whilest they easily get into the mouths of the Splenchnick [or Bowel] Vessels; and likewise such as gradually insinuating into the mass of bloud might strengthen and excite it to a fermentation and a motion to sweat; whereby it might not onely recover its former temperament, but also retort or throw back in∣to the habit of the Body what ever was carried into it that was disagreable.

So much for the immediate or conjunct cause of this distemper, the more remote are original or antecedent, and manifest or evident; the former of which denotes from what occasion or original this kind of morbid and infectious disposition pro∣ceeds, and the latter, through what causes it the sooner breaketh forth into a Dysen∣terical * 1.90 Distemper. As to the former, this Distemper, because it rages most commonly in Autumn is ascribed by many to the immoderate eating of Summer, or rather Au∣tumnal Fruits; which indeed I could easily admit to be partly the cause of a Bloudy Flux; nay, I have reason also to think that in some persons the aforesaid Disease had from thence a kind of seminal origination. But that this is not the total and adequate cause of that Distemper is plain even from hence, because many Inhabitants of this City, who abstain from Fruits, or use them more cautiously, were sick of an unbloudy D•…•…sentery or Flux, whilest it was Epidemical or rife; and others that eat a great deal of Fruit in the Neighbouring Villages, were altogether free from this, though troubled with other Fevers, but without any •…•…ripings or Fluxes. For I have oftentimes obser∣ved (what happened also in this year) that after an exceeding hot and dry Summer, an Epidemical and unusual Fever hath been very rife at Autumn in many places of England, and that at the same time in London very few have been sick of that Fever, but a great many of the Dysentery or Flux: the reason whereof seems to be, that since our Bodies, by reason of the foregoing unseasonableness of the Summer, are * 1.91 disposed for autumnal Fevers, those, in this smoaky thick Air, are the rather determi∣ned to this kind of Distemper. For when transpiration is hindered, the corruptions of ill Humours, being unapt to make their passage through the pores of the Skin, settle on the inside, and there breaking forth out of all the Arteries at once, are the cause of these horrid effects in the Bowels.

Moreover the Summer, as it is more or less hot or cold, moist or dry, maketh a great * 1.92 alteration in the Humours of our Bodies, as it doth also in all fermentative juices, and changes them oftentimes from their natural habit into a sharp, sower, or adust temper. And then some years this change is impressed chiefly upon the bloud, though in other years it is more upon the nervous juice. From the former most commonly follow Autumnal, or acute, or intermitting, but very severe Fevers. From the latter arise ir∣regular and unusual Fevers; in which very dangerous diseases in the Brain and Nerves ensue, and are very rife without any great heating of the Bloud, or Crisis of the distem∣per. Moreover in this sort of Distempers, either the dregs of the nervous juice which gradually and insensibly decays, being slowly and by degrees without any critical tur∣gescence, or swelling gathered together, and remaining for a long time within the containing parts, produce Fevers in the Nerves with sluggishness and dizziness (such as I formerly described in my Treatise called Spasmologia [or of Convulsions:] or the corruptions of that juice which is suddenly and much altered in its temperament, being more fierce and active, swell with a kind of fluidity, and run over out of the fibres, the nervous and solid parts on all sides into the mass of bloud, and from thence flow∣ing presently into the cavities of the Bowels produces this unbloudy kind of Dysen∣tery, such as is here just now described. And indeed that this same watery Flux pro∣ceedeth from a depravation and colliquation or melting, as it were, of the nervous and nutritive juice, rather than of the Bloud it self, is evident, not onely from the sudden and great dejections of the Spirits (which such an effusion of more bloud could never cause) but likewise from hence that those who are sick of this Disease, are not trou∣bled with heat or droughth in their mouths, or roughness on their tongues, but well endure the hottest Medicins; and as soon as by the application of such Medicins the peccant or offending humour is inverted, and retorted into the habit of the Body, they quickly recover without either Fever, wakening, or any other consequences of corrupted bloud.

As to the evident causes of this Distemper I need not say much, since the constitu∣tion * 1.93 of the Year is such, that through the malign influence of the Air or Heavens, the juices that are generated from the bloud, that is to say, the nervous and nutritive do degenerate from their genuine temper, into another nature, which is offensive, and as it seems, sower, and consequently dysenterical, or inclined to a Flux. Errours in Diet, and other unnatural things at that time committed, do cherish and augment that ill disposition, and bring it much the sooner to a fulness that swells even to evacuation. It will not be worth my while here to recount particularly all the manifest causes and occasions by which they are produced, but rather let us go on and shew the nature of that other, to wit, the Bloudy Dysen•…•…ery or Flux.

Of the Bloudy Flux.

The Fall of the Leaf in the Year 1670. (which was famous for the Unbloudy Flux * 1.94 just now described) was attended by a Winter that was exceeding cold, and such an one as scarce any man living had ever known: nor did the following Summer participate less of the other extreme, being extreme hot and dry; and in the Autumn after that there was an Epidemical or universal Fever that raged almost all over England. This Fever, observing the form of an intermitting one, had Fits sometimes every day, and sometimes every other day, but with none or onely very little cold, though with excessive heat, which lasted for many hours together, and many times above a day and a night, but hardly passed into Sweat, or if it did, it was but in some parts, and that oftentimes interrupted too, without any remission after it. Those that had this Distemper were presently taken with an unusu•…•…l languidness, with wakening, dizzi∣ness, and oftentimes the Head-ach very intolerably: and the disease which was sel∣dom or never capable of a perfect Crisis [or Judgment of Physicians] continued very long, and oftentimes having fixed an incurable Malady in the Head or Brest, ended in a Distemper that was sleepy or consumptive, and many times deadly. I formerly described a Fever that was like this in my Treatise called Puretologia [or an Account of Fevers] together with the Nature and Cure of it; before which also went the like constitution of the Year.

But whilest this Fever raged almost in all parts of the Country, through the Villa∣ges * 1.95 and Towns, there was a Flux at London which was really a Bloudy one; and not onely so, but extraordinary sharp and severe, insomuch that it tumbled a great many People suddenly into their Graves. When this Distemper came first upon a man, he most commonly voided Bloud very plentifully and frequently with pains and gripings in the belly; long watchings with feverishness, and extreme thirst used to afflict him; yet their strength continued still so firm, that those who were so affected, after they had been sick about a Week, and gone to Stool almost twenty times every day, could rise out of their Beds. Though the bloudy evacuations seemed terrible, yet the Pa∣tients did not die suddenly, but continued several Weeks, yea sometimes Moneths, voiding Bloud every day in great quantity; and at length, when the Distemper growing still worse and worse, tended to their destruction, there appeared before their death other symptoms, and especially watchfulness, roughness of the tongue and mouth, thirst, and sometimes destructive Thrushes; and if the Flux were restrained, or stopped unseasonably, or sooner than it should have been, those symptoms broke forth the sooner, and signified great danger of death. Poor People that had for a long time been used to an ill sort of Diet, and such also as had either no care taken of them at first, or at least all remedies misapplied, oftentimes died, or with great dif∣ficulty recovered: On the other hand, those that were happy in a better habit of Bo∣dy, and trusted to seasonable and proper Physick, many times escaped. Moreover the Distemper it self, though it were Epedemical, or universal, yet it was not equally malignant in all persons, but seemed in some more mild, and in others more severe; that is, the Flux at the beginning was sometimes gentle, and not unlike to a Diarrhaea, or Lask, in which tho the Stools were frequent, yet being without pain, or much bloud, they were easily, and sometimes quickly cured. But sometimes again this Distemper seemed very sharp and horrid, that is to say, when the bloud was poured forth in great quantity, with gripes and extreme torment. But in some People the Stools were li∣quid and died with pale bloud, like the washings of raw flesh, whilest in others they were thicker, full of bloud, and also stuffed with a whitish slime, as likewise very often with bits of membranes. The seat of pain being sometimes higher and sometimes lower, shewed that the small Guts in some, and that in others the bigger were the more affected.

The way to cure this Distemper, with remedies that I found helpful to very many People, was as follows. * 1.96

First, In some measure to stop or moderate the Flux.

Take of Treacle of Andromachus ʒ j. of liquid Laudanum prepared with Quinces gr. XX. * 1.97 and make a Bolus, to be taken when you go to bed.

Take of Conserve of Red Roses vitriolated ℥ ij. of Treacle of Andromachus ℥ j. of Powder * 1.98 of the Roots of Tormentil and contrayernum, of Pearl and prepared Coral, of each ʒ j.

Syrup of dried Roses a convenient quantity, and make a Confection, to be taken every fourth or fifth hour in the quantity of a Chesnut, drinking thereupon ℥ iij. of the fol∣lowing Julap.

Take of Mint Water, of Balm, and of Cinamon, Barly Water, of each ℥ iv. of Treacle and * 1.99 Plague Water, of each ℥ ij. of Pearl ʒ j. of Sugar ℥ j. mingle it, and make a Julap.

After one or two days give this purging, and yet stre•…•…thening Potion.

Take of Rhubarb shreded ʒ ij. of yellow Myrobalans shreded ʒ j. ss. of Red San•…•…ers and * 1.100 Cinamon, each ℈ j. Make an infusion all night in Plantaign Water and Cinamon in∣fused with Barley, of each ℥ ij. ss. Squeez it well and put to it of strong Cinamon Wa∣ter ʒ ij. ss. and make a draught.

Every Evening, and in some cases also in the day time, I used to give a good Dose * 1.101 of Laudanum; nor did I ever know that this Medicin was hurtful to any one that was troubled with a Dysentery of Flux; whether it were that the stupifying quality of the Medicin was overpowered, and as it were, tamed by the more acid juice of the Stomach, or rather, that the particles thereof being transmitted to the bloud, are thrown out again presently from thence along with the Bloudy Stools, that they may not af∣fect or hurt the Brain.

Those that cannot take, or do not find it convenient to take the aforementioned Confection, let them take in stead of it this following Powder.

Take of Red Pulvis Pannonicus, or Hungarian Powder ʒ j. of Contrayernum Root ʒ ss. and * 1.102 make a Powder, dividing it into three parts, of which take one part in any Liquor. Or, Take of Bole Armeniack, an Alexiterium (that is, impregnated with the juices of the leaves of Tormentil, Bistort, Red Roses; &c. and dried in the Sun) and of Contra∣yernum Root, of each ʒ j. of Pearl, of Red Coral, and the whitest Amber, each ʒ ss. Make a Powder. The Dose is from ℈ ij. to ʒ j.

Take of Radix Caryophillata or Avens' root, of Scorzonera, of each ℥ j. of Tormentil, Bistort * 1.103 and Contrayernum, each ʒ ij. ss. of Harts born burnt ʒ iij. of Shavings of Ivory and Harts horn, each ʒ ij. of Cochinele ʒ ss. of the Flowers of Red Roses ʒ ij. and boil them in a convenient quantity of Spring water to two Pints. About the time that you have so done, put to them, of the Conserve of Red Roses ℥ iij. and to the clear straining of it add of Plague water ℥ iv. The Dose is ℥ iij.

For allaying the Gripings in the Guts, and to cure the gnawings in them many times Clysters are of good use.

Take of the Decoction of the tops of Hypericon or St. Johns Wort, with Sheeps Feet, or the * 1.104 Mesentery of a Sheep ʒ viij. or xij. of Treacle of Andromachus ʒ ij. of Oil of Hypericon ℥ j. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and make a Clyster.

I here omit many other Forms of Medicins that are extant every where in the Books of Practice, and which every one upon occasion may and ought to prescribe. We have nothing else to do but to enquire a little into the reason of this Distemper which was Epidemical, or rather popular and peculiar to such a place.

From what I have already said, it is evident enough that the Dysentery or Flux (neither the Unbloudy, nor the Bloudy one) doth not proceed meerly from the shar∣per matter which is contained in the Guts. Moreover as that other Distemper seems to have had its original from the flowing of the Nervous Liquor and Nutritive Juice, that was degenerated, so this had it chiefly from the corruption and vitiation of the Bloud; and therefore as there was elsewhere a Distemper of the Nerves which was contemporary of that Endemious or popular malady in this place, so when a Bloudy Flux afflicted the Londoners, an intermi•…•…ting Fever much like to a Semitertian (as it is described by the Physicians) infested all England besides. And indeed it will be easie enough to conceive, that since the Bloud being roasted, as it were, with the Summer heat, and consequently about Autumn apt to rise into feverish effervescences [or boy∣lings] and like Wines, into immoderate Permentations, whereby they are purged, if

it cannot ca•…•…ry off the degenerous and excrementitious particles (by reason that Transpiration is hindered in a thick Air) the ordinary way by Sweat, that being still in a boyling heat, it transmits them toward the Guts, and endeavours to throw them out through the mouths of the Arteries that are there thick set and much wider than the pores. But then if the incongruous dregs, or morbid corruptions of the Bloud when degenerated, being throughly mixt with it, and intimately confounded in it, cannot be easily separated or drawn off; it therefore being big and oppressed with this load, is very much streightned in its circulation, as it passes through the smaller Vessels; and consequ•…•…ntly about the inward surface of the Guts, where the coats of the Arteries are mo•…•… •…•…ender, and the mouths wider, the Bloud that begins there to swell, and at the same time is thickened by the heterogeneous particles, wherewith it is filled, being apt to coagulate, doth easily break forth; and seeing it cannot sepa∣rate and cast forth its dregs, it pours forth some portions of it self that are most of∣fensive to them.

Wherefore to cause a popular Dysentery, these three things must needs concur; * 1.105 that is, In the first place the mass of Bloud must be vitiated, through the unseasona∣bleness of the Year, whereby it may be inclined to feverish effervescencies [or boy∣lings] either on its own accord, or occasionally. And that is the reason that when this Distemper is at London, an irregular Fever uses to rage in other places. Secondly, The dregs and corruptions of the Bloud, so boyling and degenerated from its temper, are so intimately mixt and confounded with it, that they cannot be easily separated, or be thrown out either by Sweat or Urine of a sudden. Whereupon I have observed, that the Fever which was contemporary with this Dysentery, was always of a long continuance, and very hardly capable of any true judgment; as also that the Fits of it scarce ever ended in a remission. Thirdly, Add to these the stoppage of the Pores (which determins the aforesaid dispositions into a Bloudy Flux) which is caused by the smoky and thick constitution of the Air: For this directeth the purgative boy∣ling of the Bloud toward the Guts; where seeing the dregs thereof cannot be separa∣ted and easily parted from the other mass of Liquor, it self spontaneously flows forth by portions that are most infected, and consequently ready to be extravasated or thrown out of their Vessels.

By this means the ordinary London Dysentery, which is not very malignant, is usually * 1.106 produced; which though it be presently horrid or dreadful by reason of its bloudy Stools, and most commonly of a long continuance, yet it is not very contagious, nor often mortal. But this Distemper also being sometimes virulent, and as it were pe∣stilential, kills a great many People, diffusing its infection very largely by contagion. Moreover in such an habit of the Bloud, the parts of it being touched with a kind of malignity, begin to be corrupted as in a Plague, and ought immediately to be separa∣ted from, and thrown out of the rest of the mass, lest the whole should be thereupon infected: which portions, notwithstanding, being thicker than ordinary, and conse∣quently apt to be purged forth through the Belly rather than through the habit of the Body or by Urine, are carried by the passage of the Arteria Caeliaca and Mesenterica into the coats of the Guts; where they do not easily part from the rest of the bloud, but partly breaking out of the Vessels, cause bloudy Stools, and partly fixing in the mem∣branes of the Guts, beget in them either inflammations or ulcers, or sometimes also mortifications, which occasion sudden destruction.

So much of the causes (both immediate and antecedent) of a Bloudy Flux, as it uses to be the peculiar Distemper of this place about Autumn. As to the manifest causes or occasions that bring the morbid disposition the sooner into act, they are to be reckoned chiefly an ill course of Diet, and the pravity or badness of the Air that we breath in: and that is the reason that in all Countries it is very common in Camps among Souldiers, and in Prisons among Captives, by reason of the stench of the place and their ill diet. Moreover many other errours in unnatural things ought to be referred to this head, of which I have no leisure, nor were it worth while in this place particularly to discourse.

The chief and primary means into which the method or practice of Curing this * 1.107 Distemper, which is before shadowed out, may be resolved, are four; that is to say, two in respect of the Bloud, and as many in respect of the Bowels. And first, as to * 1.108 the Bloud, it will be necessary to drive forward not onely the dregs and corruptions thereof (that would go inward) outward toward the habit of the body, to the end that they may exhale by transpiration, but also to dissolve the coagulations of it, and re∣store its temper as much and as soon as possible. The former of which is performed by Sweating Medicins, and the latter by convenient Alexipharmica, or Medicins that resist and rectifie corruption. Secondly, as to the Bowels, the painful sense of the * 1.109

nervous fibres ought to be allayed, as likewise the irritation or provocation of the fleshy ones, by which they are excited to expulsive convulsions, and also the mouths of the Vessels ought to be shut, lest they pour forth the bloud and humours into the passages of the Guts. The former of these is usually effected by Opiates, and the other by Remedies that are styptick or astringent; besides which you ought to take care of the most urgent symptoms and evil dispositions that are usually inci∣dent to this Distemper, of which sort in the first place are a Fever with Thirst and Watching, Gripings of the Guts, and sometimes Gnawing, Inflammation, and Ulcers.

It will not be necessary to insist upon these primary Indications, particularly and successively, but it is my business to comprise them all together, and set them forth at the same time. Wherefore the Receipts of such Medicins ought to comprehend Re∣medies of several kinds, to wit, Alexiteria, or Medicins to expel or rectifie infection; Stypticks, or astringent Medicins; Diaphoreticks, or Sweating Medicins; and Opiates, or sleeping and resting Medicins. But because it will not be easie to reduce these Medicins into a certain Method, or into precepts that may suit with so many consti∣tutions, I therefore thought it better to give you at present some Examples of Dy∣senterical Cures, done in the Autumn of the Year 1671. when this Distemper raged very much.

A young Gentleman about 25 years of Age, of a sanguine temper, and a constitu∣tion * 1.110 formerly very hale, about the first of October, fell into a Dysentery without any manifest cause; and though immediately from the first day his stools were plentiful and bloudy with Gripings, yet being still strong and well in heart, he deferred taking of Physick till the third day; at which time I was sent for late at night, and prescri∣bed him this following Bolus.

Take of Treacle of Andromachus ʒ j. of Liquid Laudanum prepared with Quinces ℈ j. mingle them, and let the Patient drink thereupon a small draught of the following Julap.

Take of Water of Tormentil, Mint, and of Cinamon, Barly water, each ℥ iv. of Treacle and Plague water, each ℥ ij. of Pearl ʒ j. of Sugar ʒ j. make a Julap.

Then every third hour he took of the following Electuary about ʒj. ss. with the same Julap.

Take of Conserve of Red Roses ℥ ij. of Treacle of Andromachus ℥ j. of the Powder of the Roots of Tormentil, Contrayernum, Pearl and Coral prepared, each ʒ ss. of Syrup of Rhead Poppy, a convenient quantity.

With these Remedies the fury of the Distemper was soon taken off, so that in four and twenty hours he had scarcely more than 6 or 7 stools, and such too which did not appear very bloudy as before, but full of little bits of flesh, as it were, pieces of the membranes: which no question was occasioned by some small portions of the hairy veil which were gnawed off: every Evening he took Opiates with Laudanam.

The fifth day that he was sick he took the following draught.

Take of Rhubarb shreded ʒ ij. of yellow Myrabolans ʒ j. ss. of yellow Sanders ʒ ss. of Cina∣mon * 1.111 pulverized ℈j. of Salt of Wormwood ℈ss. make an Infusion all night in Plantaign Water and Cinamon, Barley Water, of each ℥ ij. ss. to the straining of which, add of strong Cinamon water ʒ ij.

He purged three or four times, whereby he found ease, and the next day his Fever being abated he was better; in so much that seeming to grow well again, he eat flesh; but by that means he fell into a relapse, and the Dysentery immediately return∣ing with a Fever, was more severe than at the beginning: at which time, seeing the former Medicins began to be nauseous to him, I prescribed in manner following.

Take of the Powder of the Roots of Tormentil, Contrayernum, and of the Bolus called Ale∣xiterium, * 1.112 each ʒj. of Pearl, red Coral prepared, and the whitest Amber, each ʒ ss. and make a Powder. The Dose is ʒss. in ℥ iij. of distilled water.

Take of the Tops of Cypress and Myrtle, each iv. handfuls, of the leaves of Medowsweet, * 1.113

Pimpernel, and St. Johns wort and Avens, of each iij. handfuls, of the Roots of Tor∣mentil and Bistort, each ʒ vj. of the Flowers of Red Roses iv. handfuls, of Berries of Chermes ℥ iv. of Cinamon and Mace, each ℥ j. when you have cut them and bruised all to pieces, pour to them of red Florence Wine, and of red Rose water, each iv. Pints; distil them with the common Instruments, and let the whole Liquor be mingled and sweetned when he takes it with Syrup of Corals.

He also took three of four times a day of the following Decoction ℥ iij. orr iv.

Take of Avens root and of Sconzonera, each ℥ j. of Tormentil ʒ ij. of Harts horn burnt and * 1.114 pulverized, ʒ vj. of shavings of Ivory and Harts horn, each ʒ ij. of the tops of Hypericon one-handful, of Flowers of red Roses, and of Balaustians, each one small handful. Boyl them in spring water till three Pints sinks to two, add at the end of Lisbon red Wine ℥ iv. of Conserve of red Roses ℥ iv. Let them boyl close for an hour, and then strain it through Hippocrates Sleeve.

He every night took of Liquid Laudanum ℈ j. in ʒ iij. of the Dysenterical water just now described, with Syrup of Clove Gilliflowers.

For his ordinary Drink he had a Decoction of Harts horn burnt, with Barley, a * 1.115 Crust of Bread, Mace and Cinamon, of which half a pound was put to a Pint of new Milk.

The purging Infusion was taken again, by the help of which and the former Re∣medies, within ten days the Fever went off, and the Dysentery abated very much; which, though it were without Gripings, or much bloud, yet it still continued with small pieces of flesh, bits of the Membranes, and phlegm or bloudy slime which he daily voided.

Therefore to strengthen and heal the Guts, the following Remedies were given.

Take of the tops of Cypress, of the leaves of Vinca Pervinca, or Periwinkle, and Mouse-ear, * 1.116 of each one handful, of the Flowers of red Roses two small handfuls: boil them in the Broth of Sheeps Guts. To a Pint of the straining thereof, add of Oil of Hypericon, St. Johns wort ℥ ij. of Honey of Roses ℥ j. ss. mingle it for two Clysters, of which the one was given in the morning, and the other at 5 of the Clock in the Afternoon.

He wore a Plaster of Red Lead and Paracelsus upon his Belly; and took also every * 1.117 day twice; of Plantaign juice squeezed out with Water of Scordium or Water German∣der and Plague Water, ℥ iij. and likewise eat each day a Quince scooped, filled with * 1.118 the Powder of Olibannm, Mastick, and Balsam of Tolu, and roasted under the Ashes.

Having used these Remedies constantly, he perfectly recovered in a Moneths time.

About the same time another strong young Man fell into a terrible Dysentery; and from the very first day his stools came from him very fast, and mighty bloudy, * 1.119 with pain and gripings; as likewise an extreme Fever with excessive vomiting, thirst and watching did afflict him; but when by his taking of Opiates these symptoms were somewhat mitigated, he was taken strait with a degree of madness, called a Pelirium, and a swimming in his Brains, with an intermitting pulse, and horrid numness, in as much as the malignant matter, being kept within, flowed presently into the Brain and Nerves; but these indispositions were soon over, as often as the flux and vomit∣ing returned. The fifth day he vomited a gory matter, and complained of the great pain and torture in his stomach as if he had had an ulcer in it; in so much that I really thought there might be some inflammation, or ulcer there, as it usually happens about the Guts: but by taking of gentle Broths, his vomiting and gripings in the sto∣mach were soon allayed, though the Flux in the mean time increased. He took that night of Diacodium ℥ j. with small Cowslip and Cinamon water, of each ℥ j. ss. by which Medicin he was so much relieved, that he continued for a night and a day pretty well, without vomiting or pains, and onely a few stools, wlth a tolerable good pulse and frequent slumbers; but the night following, though he took the same Opiates again, yet the Flux returned upon him very frequent and bloudy. The day after he took

Infusion of Rhubarb, with Myrabolans, Red Sanders, and Cinamon. He often voi∣ded cholerick matter, extreme sharp and altogether unbloudy; and then that Even∣ing he took of Liquid Laudanum prepared with Quinces gr. xxv. in a Spoonful of Cina∣mon-barley Water, after which he had moderate and more quiet rest. Afterward be∣ing averse to any more Physick, he onely took an Opiate every Evening, sometimes one and sometimes another, and in a short time recovered.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Purging con∣trary to Vomit∣ing.
• * 1.2

  The description of Purging.
• * 1.3

  The chief con∣tents of the Stomach and Guts, that are thrown off by Purging.
• * 1.4

  Wind.
• * 1.5

  The production of it in the Bowels.
• * 1.6

  Wind is some∣times the cause and som times the effect of ex∣tensions in the Bowels.
• * 1.7

  How wind is generated in convulsive Di∣stempers.
• * 1.8

  Of the natural expulsive mo∣tion of the Guts.
• * 1.9

  How it is per∣formed.
• * 1.10

  How the expul∣sive motion of the Bowels is excited.
• * 1.11

  1. With the load and noi∣somness of the excrements.
• * 1.12

  2. By many o∣ther accidental causes.
• * 1.13

  Food that is in∣congruous, &c.
• * 1.14

  Ga•…•… and the Sweetbread∣juice.
• * 1.15

  Humours out of the Bloud, the Nervous juice. the habit of the Body &c. move us to evacua∣tion by stool.
• * 1.16

  How Purges work upon t•…•…e Stomach and Guts.
• * 1.17

  How they act in t•…•…e Stomach.
• * 1.18

  The cause of the frequent repea∣ted motions to Purg•…•….
• * 1.19

  The operation of Purges in the Duodenum and the small Guts.
• * 1.20

  How they work upon the G•…•… and Sweet∣bread juice.
• * 1.21

  And how upon the Glandules and months of the Arteries.
• * 1.22

  How Purges work upon the Bloud: and also upon the whole babit of the Body.
• * 1.23

  Three degrees of Purging by Medicin.
• * 1.24

  Purges do not work by attra∣ction or speci∣sick qualities, &c.
• * 1.25

  The differences of Purging ope∣rations.
• * 1.26

  1. From their different irrita∣tions in the Bowels.
• * 1.27

  2. As they va∣riously ferment with the Bloud.
• * 1.28

  The Ills that follow from strong Purg•…•…s.
• * 1.29

  A notable ex∣ample of it.
• * 1.30

  Whence came the errour of elective Purge.
• * 1.31

  Purging not needful to pre∣pare the Hu∣mours.
• * 1.32

  Wbat Prepara∣tion is requi∣red for Purging,
• * 1.33

  1. In respect of the Stomach.
• * 1.34

  2. In respect of the Bloud.
• * 1.35

  The virtue of a Purge is ti∣ther irritating or fermenting.
• * 1.36

  upon what par∣ticles both of them depend.
• * 1.37

  1. The irrita∣ting quality.
• * 1.38

  Upon what par∣ticles the fer∣menting quality depends.
• * 1.39

  Scarce any Purges made of Minerals, though Vomits and Sweating Medicins are.
• * 1.40

  The reason of that difference.
• * 1.41

  Some Purges are taken from Minerals, but are improperly so calle•…•….
• * 1.42

  Purges are ta∣ken most from Vegetables, and are of various sorts.
• * 1.43

  This sorts of Purging Vege∣tables.
• * 1.44

  Purging Vege∣tables do not need much chy∣mical Prepara∣tion.
• * 1.45

  Some of them are bettered by extraction.
• * 1.46

  What Salt of Tartar contri∣butes to the ex∣tracting of a Purging tin∣cture.
• * 1.47

  The chief Re∣ceipts for Pur∣ges.
• * 1.48

  Gentle Potions.
• * 1.49

  Middling ones.
• * 1.50

  Strong ones.
• * 1.51

  2. Gentle Pills.
• * 1.52

  Middling ones.
• * 1.53

  Strong ones.
• * 1.54

  Those that are easie to be bad, of a less price.
• * 1.55

  Gentle Pow∣ders.
• * 1.56

  Middling ones.
• * 1.57

  Strong ones.
• * 1.58

  Cheap ones.
• * 1.59

  Gentle Bolusses and Electua∣ries.
• * 1.60

  Middling ones.
• * 1.61

  Strong ones.
• * 1.62

  Such as are ea∣sily had.
• * 1.63

  Morsels or Tablets.
• * 1.64

  Infusions in wine and Ale, &c.
• * 1.65

  Mercurius dul∣cis.
• * 1.66

  Mercury subli∣mate corrosive.
• * 1.67

  The reason of both.
• * 1.68

  Rosin of Jalap.
• * 1.69

  The reason of this Prepara∣tion.
• * 1.70

  Rosin of Scam∣mony.
• * 1.71

  Extract of black Hellebore.
• * 1.72

  The reason of excessive Pur∣ging caused by Medicins.
• * 1.73

  The care to prevent it;
• * 1.74

  1. Before the Medicin is gi∣ven.
• * 1.75

  2. In the ope∣ration of it.
• * 1.76

  3. After the operation of it.
• * 1.77

  The Cure of ex∣cessive Purging.
• * 1.78

  What is to be done in Sympto∣mical Luks.
• * 1.79

  The London Dys•…•…tery.
• * 1.80

  Two sorts of it, a bloudy and a watery one.
• * 1.81

  A Discription of the former.
• * 1.82

  The Cure of it.
• * 1.83

  A Bolm.
• * 1.84

  A Julap.
• * 1.85

  Opiates.
• * 1.86

  A Powder.
• * 1.87

  A Spirit.
• * 1.88

  The reason of this Distemper.
• * 1.89

  It arises first from the vitia∣tion of the ner∣vo•…•… juice.
• * 1.90

  The remote •…•…au∣ses of it. Why it is Au∣tumnal and E∣pidemical.
• * 1.91

  The first causes of it are, 1. The thickness of London Air.
• * 1.92

  2. The unsea∣sonableness •…•…f the year.
• * 1.93

  The evident causes of it.
• * 1.94

  The Description •…•…s it.
• * 1.95

  An irregular Fever uses to be at the same time with this in other parts of England.
• * 1.96

  The way to cure it.
• * 1.97

  A Bol•…•…
• * 1.98

  An Electuary.
• * 1.99

  A Jalap.
• * 1.100

  A gentle P•…•…rge.
• * 1.101

  Opiates.
• * 1.102

  A Powder.
• * 1.103

  An Apozeme, •…•…r, D•…•…coction.
• * 1.104

  A Clyster.
• * 1.105

  Three things concur to cause this Distemper.
• * 1.106

  This Distemper is either more mild or malig∣nant.
• * 1.107

  The ways to cure it.
• * 1.108

  Two in respect of the Bloud;
• * 1.109

  And two •…•…s to the Bowels.
• * 1.110

  The first Story of Cures in cast of the Dysen∣tery.
• * 1.111

  A Purge.
• * 1.112

  A Powder.
• * 1.113

  A Distilled Water.
• * 1.114

  A Decoction.
• * 1.115

  A Decoction for ordinary drink∣ing.
• * 1.116

  A Clyster.
• * 1.117

  A Plaster.
• * 1.118

  A Quince made a Medi∣cin.
• * 1.119

  The second Sto∣ry.