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. IV. (Book 4)

CHAP. I. Of Purging by Urine, and of Medicins that provoke it.

I Have formerly treated very largely concerning the Nature and Composition of Urine, as likewise of the Offices thereof, whilest it is a part or dreg of the Bloud, together with its ways of separation. I shall now in this place observe, that there is * 1.1 some affinity between that and Sweat; in so much that they oftentimes change turns, and the matter of the one is conveyed forth at the Emunctories or Drains of the o∣ther. For perspirations through our skin, if they are too strong and impetuous, take away with them very much of the serous liquor that was designed for the Reins or Kidnies, and turn it into Sweat; so on the contrary, when the Serum is poured through the Kidnies in greater quantity than ordinary, it calls in to it a great many small particles, such as used to breath through the skin, and involving them in its torrent carries them off by the passages of Urine. Hence it comes that Diapho∣retick and Diuretick Medicins [or such as provoke Sweat and Urine] are very nearly related as to their use, and sometimes reciprocal [or such, as that one may be taken for the other.] By both of them, when taken, the mass of Bloud is dissolved or pre∣cipitated, or at the least compelled to divide into several parts, to the end that the Serum or Whey, being separated from the rest of the Bloud, may be thrown out at the most easie passage.

Although the immediate matter of Urin flows onely from the bloud and be carried * 1.2 to the Kidnies and Ureters solely by the conveyance of the emulgent Arteries; yet it often uses to have many mediate fountains and those very different too; which may be distinguished in a threefold respect at most; that is to say, Piss is either a meer excrement, and a watery part of the bloud when it grows stale; which having cir∣culated with it for some time, gains a lyish tincture from the saline and sulphureous particles that are incorporated with it. Or, Secondly, It is that dilute part of the Chyle, whilest it is yet crude, which being poured into, mixed with the bloud in great quantity, is separated again before it be infected with the tincture, and makes the Urin extraordinary clear. Thirdly and lastly, The matter of the Piss is often great part of it a kind of Water, poured, or as it were exstilled out of the bloud into the solid parts, glandules, and lymphaeducts, which being copiously gathered there, and afterwards of its own accord, or occasionally gaining a fluidity, and running out of its receptacles through the lymphaeducts] or water-passages] is carried back into the Veins; from whence with a swift motion, going through the Arteries unmixt, it is discharged into the Kidnies; and because no particles of Salt or Sulphur are mingled with it by reason of its short stay in the bloud, the Urine therefore is limpid or clear, as water. The Urin of men in health does most commonly partake in some measure of each of these, and according as this or that, or any other matter prevails, they ap∣pear more or less, or not at all died. The Serum whencesoever it comes, when mixed with the bloud, is separated again from it in its circulation, in divers places, but espe∣cially in the Reins. For the bloud boyling up, and being very much rarified within the Arteries, must of necessity cast off its serousness, and divert it some other way, that being separated thence it may pass into the Veins. Now this, as it is performed in all parts of the whole Body, so it is more copiously and in a peculiar manner within the Veins. But though People generally know and acknowledge that the separa∣tion of the Serum is made in this place, yet there are great controversies among them about the ways whereby it is performed, whilest some say that the serous Liquor is at∣tracted * 1.3 to the Reins; others, that it is onely strained there; and others guess that there

is a kind of ferment which lodges in the Reins, by the mixture whereof the whey of the bloud, like that of Milk, is dissolved and precipitated by the acid Rennet, as it were: and indeed the rancid and ungrateful smell and taste of this Bowel seem to ar∣gue that the thing is in some measure so. Before we can determine any thing cer∣tainly concerning the virtues and operations of Medicins that provoke Urine, we must of necessity explain this doubt, to wit, what is done in the Kidnies by the ordi∣nary course of Nature, and what in the mass of bloud, for the separation of the Serum.

And first of all, that the Serum is not attracted to the Reins, needs no proof among * 1.4 Philosophers, since similar attraction is of late days quite exploded by most Virtuosoes, and all local motion declared to be performed by impulse onely. And truly, as to the present affair, to all those that are acquainted with the circulation of the bloud, it is very manifest, that as the bloud, so also the Serum of it, which is its constant compa∣nion within the vessels, is driven forward toward the Reins by the meer motion or impulse of the heart. But in order to shew you whether it be there separated by per∣colation onely, or also by a kind of precipitation it seems necessary to inquire a little more accurately into the-Anatomy and use of the Reins.

Of the Structure or Make and Use of the Reins, since many, Ancient and Modern * 1.5 Authors have given us several accounts, the famous Bellinus hath most accurately de∣livered the Anatomy of them. Indeed every one may easily perceive that the bloud is carried to the Reins by the emulgent arteries, and back by the veins. This the Laws of circulation and ocular testimony do manifestly declare. But in what places, through what conveyances, and by what art the Serum is separated in the Reins from the Bloud, and discharged into the Pelvis [or Basin] was long unknown to the most dili∣gent inquirers; till the asoresaid Author by great good hap found out that the sub∣stance of the Reins was neither a Parenchyma [or stuffing] as that of the Liver or Spleen; nor fleshy fibres, as the bodies of the heart and muscles, but an heap of mem∣branous small pipes; and that the Serum being carried through those passages, though very extraordinary small ones, from the circumference of the Kidnies to the center of it, was exstilled into the Pelvis or Basin. For the emulgent Artery being divided first into greater branches, and then into lesser, and at last into very small sprouts, conveys * 1.6 the bloud every way all over the outmost surface of the Kidney; and when the bloud boyling up and being rarified, flows out at the mouths of the Arteries, whilest the bloudy part, that is to be carried back, is received into the Veins, the serous or wheyish part gets into the exceeding narrow pores of those small pipes, which are impervious [or unpassable] to the bloud, and flowing through them every way toward the Pelvis, is discharged into the substantia papillaris [a part of the Kidney so called] out of which it drops by little and little into the Pelvis.

From what I have said, it is manifest that the Serum is separated from the Bloud by a kind of percolation in the Reins, after the same manner as when it is discharged in * 1.7 many places out of the Arteries into the Glandules to supply matter for tears, spittle, snot, and other excrements. But I am also of opinion that this is likewise performed in some sort by dissolving of the Bloud, which is in its own nature thick and apt to curdle, whilest it passes through the Reins, is very much dissolved and attenuated by the leyish ferment of this part; in so much that the serous liquor separates from it the more easily. For the Piss being impregnated. with a Saltness, whilest it continually * 1.8 washes through the very streight passages of the Reins, affixes on them saline particles, and consequently infects them with a kind of leyish odour or tincture, with which when the bloud is influenced as it passes through those parts, it is kept from thickening, still fluid, and apt to divide into several parts by percolation; as in like manner Milk is preserved from curdling by throwing Salt of Tartar into it. Yea the bloud it self, though out of its Vessels, it presently uses to grow thick and curdle, yet if you pour into it a quantity of Salt of Tart or Sal Armoniack, it remains fluid. The fer∣ment therefore in the Reins doth, as it is commonly supposed, precipitate the bloud, but keeps it in such a state as that it may it self the more freely circulate, and the Se∣rum of it be separated in a due quantity by percolation. And indeed that the Reins are impregnated with such a leyish ferment, is sufficiently manifest from the flesh of them, when prepared for eating; in that it hath from thence a very rank and un∣grateful smell and taste.

Whilest the Serum is separated on this manner in the Reins, partly by fusion and partly percolation, not only the bloudy part, but also most part of the nutritive juice too, escaping * 1.9 through the narrow pores of this same Strainer, is remanded with the bloud through the veins, whilest in the mean time the serous liquor it self, being impregnated with a saltness, not onely in the mass of bloud, but also by the ferment of the Reins, gleets down

through the Urinary pipes, or small passages perpetually into the Pelvis, and washeth away with it some of the more thin, and elaborate part of the nutrutive juice which is the fediment of found Urine.

But indeed the Piss or matter of the Urine, as to its substance, quantity and qualities, * 1.10 proceeds chiefly from the mass of bloud. For since there are three chief and special offices which this performs (as I have elsewhere shewn) that is to say, by kindling or causing an heat to keep in the fire of life, by instilling the animal spirits into the Brain, and distributing the nutriment to all parts of the Body; for all and every of these pur∣poses it must of necessity be diluted with a great deal of waterish humour, and like∣wise be moistened perpetually with it still fresh and fresh, after it hath sent away that which is stale; and that this be performed in a due and constant method is of great consequence to the preserving of health.

The fresh serous liquor is very easily introduced into the Bloud along with the nutri∣tive juice, and is throughly mingled with it most commonly without any impediment; but the stale doth not part from it always so readily and rightly as it should do; but there are many errours in the separation of it, from whence many Diseases are occasioned. For the Serum sometimes sticks to the Bloud unseasonably, and cannot deliver it self * 1.11 from the embraces thereof: as in Fevers, of which there is no judgment at all, or at least but an ill one to be made, as also in a Leucophlegmatia or Dropsie caused by white phlegm and a cacochymia or depravation of the Humours. But sometimes though it is expelled from the Bloud, it leaves the Reins (which is the natural way of voiding it) and goes another way; as in Catarrhs, Gouty or Scorbutick defluxions, and in all sorts of Dropsies; and sometimes too on the other hand, the Serum getting too soon out of the Bloud, runs away before it hath done its task or office, and sucking in some protions of the humours that are more useful, carries them along with it; as in a Diabetes, and great discharges of Urine that sometimes fall out, and presently cease again. In these cases, that is to say, as often as the quantity of Urine is either defe∣ctive or excessive, the Reins are not always, or chiefly, but the Brain, and the Bloud most of all uses to be in the fault; in as much as the mass thereof being sometimes too strict and compact doth not easily dismiss the Serum and other things therein con∣tained, which ought to be evacuated, and being otherwhiles too loose and apt to dis∣solve, cannot contain or keep in the Serum and nutritive juice long enough. Now from what causes and operations such Irregularities proceed, we will a little en∣quire.

And indeed to resolve this doubt, the analogie or resemblance of Milk to Bloud * 1.12 (which, because I have explained more at large elsewhere, I will here but briefly touch upon) doth very much couduce. Of Milk you may observe, that as long as the mix∣ture thereof is preserved entire, though it boyls or bubbles up upon the fire, all its par∣ticles being promiscuously mingled make up one uniform liquor; but if you drop into it, whilest it is boyling, any thing that is acid, the thicker particles of it turn presently into a grosser curd, and the watery ones in the mean time are dissolved, with many of the saline ones, into a thin and plentiful liquor. Besides, it is a common ordinary ob∣servation, that if Milk that is kept so long till it grows sowre, be boyled upon a fire, it curdles of its own accord without pouring of any acid matter into it. And on the contrary, if at any time Milk be impregnated with any Salt of a nature different from acid Salt, (as for example, fixed, nitrous, or volatile) that is first dissolved in it, it is not at all curdled by an acid poured into it, when it is boyling upon the fire. For this I have often tried with Salt of Tartar and Wormwood, with Mineral Chrystal, with Flower of Salt Armoniack, with Spirit of Hartshorn, and other things of the like kind. Moreover (which is still a stranger thing) if you drop any of these Salts, or any dissolution of them into the Milk whilest it is a boyling upon the fire, and curdled by the acid matter that was infused into it, the curdling which was before, is for the most part dissolved, the white thick and hard substance presently vanishes, and the li∣quor is made thin and almost limpid again, though it does not totally resume the form and homogeneous nature of Milk. And indeed that such alterations as these do con∣stantly happen, I have sufficient knowledge by frequent experience; to wit, that if you put Ale, or White Wine, or Cider, or Vinegar, or any acid juices into Milk whilest * 1.13 it is boyling upon the fire, it all presently loses the form of Milk, and turns to a white Curd and thin Whey. Then afterward, if you pour into the whole whilest it is yet hot, either Salt of Tartar, of Wormwood, or any other Vegetable dissolved, or the dis∣solution of Salt of Nitre, or Armoniack (yea the Flowers or Spirits of it, as also of the Spirit of Harts•…•…orn, Soot) and the like, and mixture be a little disturbed, most of the thick part of it will dissolve, save onely some few remaining small portions, and little curdled •…•…its, that will swim here and there upon the top of the liquor. Moreover on

the other hand, if you throw fixed or nitrous Salt, or Flower or Spirit of Sal Armo∣niack, or Spirit of Hartshorn or Soot into boyling Milk, and then put Ale or White Wine, or Cider, or any other acid liquor into it, the Milk will not thereby dissolve or coagulate. How and from what causes these things happen and proceed, and what analogy or resemblance they bear to the dissolving or inseparability of the Scrum in the mass of Bloud, I think it worth while here to consider.

From the Anatomy of Milk it plainly appears, that there are in it some few spiri∣tuous, a great many waterish, a pretty many sulphureous and earthy, and likewise * 1.14 some saline particles, which are partly volatile and partly fixed; whilest therefore the mixture is preserved entire, the saline particles sticking to the sulphureous ones, divide them from each other, and likewise hinder them from flying away, or uniting with the earthy ones; in the mean time the serous ones, being put in between the rest that are so equally mixed, fill up all the void spaces, and make the whole liquor as it were homogeneous: but whereas by the dropping in of the acid matter there happens pre∣sently a dissolution and coagulation of the liquor, the reason is, because the particles of fluid Salt in the acid matter catch hold of any other saline particles, whether fixed or volatile, in the Milk; to which, whilest they are fast united, the sulphureous parti∣cles getting out of the embraces of those that are acid and salt together, gather into one body, and so being united mutually among themselves, and with the earthy ones, they make up that thick curd that separates from the rest of the liquor: whilest in the mean time the watery Humor (in that its pores are almost quite destitute of sulphur and earth) being impregnated with little else besides the combinations of several Salts, grows pre∣sently thin and diluted. That it is really so, is very evident from the experiment just now cited, in as much as that curdling of the Milk is hindered, or taken off by the in∣jection of fixed, nitrous, or volatile Salt: for every one of these Salts takes hold of the acid Salt which is in the Rennet that is infused, and by that means either preventeth or breaks off its union with the saline particles that are in the Milk: but whereas, though curdling of the Milk be taken off, yet its former hue is not restored to it, the reason is, because the extraneous particles of the Salts that are put into it, remaining still in the mixt body of it, do hinder the entire restoration of its mixture; but without doubt if those particles could be again expelled, or driven out, the former mixture would re∣turn as like Milk as before. Wherefore I may conjecture of the Bloud, that though it be sometimes depraved by fusion or coagulation, because it uses to exterminate or drive out from it all heterogeneous particles, may recover its due and former mixture.

But whereas Milk that is kept too long and grows sowre, is curdled of it self upon the fire without any acid matter infused into it, the reason is, because in that liquor, which then tends to putrefaction, the saline volatile particles (as is usual) being depres∣sed to a fluidity, become acid; and therefore they (since the pores of the Milk are opened in the boyling) catch hold of the saline fixed particles that are allied to them; to which whilest the sulphureous ones that came out of them, stick fast and close, (be∣ing also mutually united among themselves, and likewise with the earthy ones) they make a white Curd whilest the Serum with the combinations of the Salts is dissolved into a waterish humour. Cold Milk will not curdle either of it self, nor if you put an acid into it; because when the pores are closed, the inward particles, however disposed, do not easily set themselves upon making either new unions or separations; but when the pores are opened by the heat, then as occasion is given, they presently make divi∣sions and private combinations.

Having premised these things concerning the dissolution, coagulation, the preven∣tion of that condition, and the reduction of it to its former state; let us now consider whether any thing like or analogous to what I have said, agree to the Bloud or no. Now truly though we cannot resolve, variously separate, or curdle the Bloud when * 1.15 taken out of the Vessels (and then reduce it to its former state again) by the affusion of saline matter, nor divide it into its constituent parts, as we can Milk upon the fire; because indeed the consistence of Bloud is thicker than that of Milk, and more apt to grow grumous [or into a Gelly] and also that when the vital flame of it is extinguished, that consistence is very much changed from what it hath in the Vessels; yet I have often tried and known (what the experience of others also doth confirm) that the same liquors that dissolve and precipitate Milk, as distilled Vinegar, Spirit of Vitriol, the dilution 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Salt or Nitre, and other acids, when poured into hot Bloud, do presently curdle and discolour it, in such a manner, as that when the whole mass grew black, one part turn into a thick Cake like Gelly, and the other into a thin, watery Serum * 1.16 or Whey. So likewise those things that hinder or take off the curdling of Milk, as Oil of Tartar, the fixed Salts of Plants, the dissolution of the Salt of Nitre, or slacked Lime, Spirit of Sal Armoniack, of Harts horn, and the like, if poured into the Bloud

when it is hot, preserve its mixture entire, or rectifie it, as we may conclude from its ruddy bright colour, and the consistence of it that remains so long and so even: so that it easily follows from hence, that Bloud consists of the same elementary parti∣cles as Milk, though in a different proportion. For in the Bloud there is a greater quan∣tity of Spirit, Sulphur, Salt, and Earth, and less Serum than there is in Milk. From whence we may conclude, that the Bloud when rightly disposed, that is, the thicker sort of it, is too apt to curdle or turn to a Gelly, but is not so liable to dissolution, * 1.17 or being turned into many serous parcels; and yet, that whilest it passcs through the Reins in its circulation, all superfluous waterishness is separated and carried off from it, partly by the strainer of the Reins, and partly by the ferment of them, which keeps the Bloud from too excessive coagulation. But when the Bloud is vitiated in its tem∣per, there are many irregularities both in the constitution of it, and in the separation of the Serum. As to the first, the Bloud sometimes is too hot and sharp, and other∣whiles too thick and faeculent or dreggy, as at other times also excessively thin and waterish; and according to these several degenerated conditions or states of it, se∣veral Distempers do arise, of which it is not proper in this place particularly to treat. But how soever the Bloud is disordered in its temper, yet whilest the Serum of it is se∣parated in its due measure and method, the Party is not therefore presently very sick upon it. But a great many Distempers happen to spring from the ill separation of the Serum. And in this case, as there are many sorts of errours, so most commonly the fault lies either in excess or defect. For sometimes the serous Liquor sticks too close and * 1.18 fast in the embraces of the Bloud, and on the contrary, sometimes slips away too soon; and in this respect, the Bloud being not able to keep in the Serum, spews it out at the mouths of the Arteries in many places, almost all over the Body; and by that means discharging it into the Bowels, or the habit of the Body, produces an Ascites [a Drop∣sie so called] or an Anasarca [another kind of Dropsie] yea and sometimes sending it immoderately into the Reins, causes a Diabetes. The Bloud when it keeps in the Serum, * 1.19 too strictly, either boyls up for the most part in a Fever, and is more compact in its constitution (whilest the thicker particles at the same time are mixt, and contempered with it) so as that the thinner particles do not easily break forth; or being filled with scorbutick Salt and Sulphur, it becomes very clammy and glutinous, in so much that the serous parts can scarce get away out of the company of the rest. Now seeing that the separation of the serous Liquor is hindered or peryerted so many several ways, there are also Diuretick Medicins of a different nature and operation; which yet may be distinguished; and first of all, as to their end, as they respect the mass of Bloud, or * 1.20 the Reins, or both together. Secondly, As to their Matter, as they are either sulphu∣reous or saline: and these again are very various, according as the saline particles are in a state of fixedness, fluidity, or volatility, or otherwise, nitrous or Alchalized. Thirdly, As to their Form, these Medicins are very different; but most commonly the Compositions of them, as to their appearance, are either Potions, or Powders, or Bolusses, or Pill•…•…, or Chymical Liquors, of which hereafter we will particularly di∣scourse. In the mean time, although it may seem that the explanation of the parti∣cular designs and ends of Diureticks belongs more to the speculative than the practi∣cal part of Physick, yet I think it necessary in this place briefly to point out the chie∣fest of them. Then in the second place, to distinguish Diuretick Medicins, as to their Matter, which in every one of them is most commonly saline onely. And in the last place, to subjoin the choicest Forms of Receipts in every kind.

First therefore, when the Bloud becomes so thick and clammy through the mixture * 1.21 and mutual combination of fixed Salt with Sulphur and Earth together, that the watery particles cannot easily part from the rest, the Diureticks, to loosen its constitution and dissolve the Serum, ought to be such as are full of volatile or acid Salt: for such parti∣cles chiefly dissolve the Combinations made by the fixed Salt. But seeing this dispo∣sition is common both to the Fever and the Scurvy, in the former case the most proper Diureticks are not onely the temperate acids of Vegetables, as also Salt of Nitre, Spirit of Sea Salt, Vitriol, &c. but also such as are impregnated with volatile Salt, as Spirit of Harts horn, and of Sal Armoniack, Salt of Amber, of Vipers, and others of the same kind; which we have hereafter recounted in the number of Diaphoreticks also. In the Scurvy, seeing the Urin is but little, and that thick too, the juices of Herbs, and Preparations, both acid and sharp, are of great use; as also Sal and Spirit of Piss, of Sal Armoniack, of Tartar, &c.

Secondly, Sometimes the Bloud doth not keep the Serum within it long enough, but being obnoxious either to fluxions, or rather coagulations, dischargeth it here and * 1.22 there in very great quantities, and causes Catarrhs, or Tumors in several places; or the Bloud being habitually weak, and at the same time of an ill temper, that is incli∣ning

to acidity, is apt, as to its thicker particles, to curdle; in so much that the thin∣ner parts of it being sent away, whilest it circulates, and settling in the weaker parts, produce sometimes pains in the head or breast, and sometimes an Ascites or Anasarca [two sorts of Dropsies]. Moreover from the like cause I shall by and by shew that a Diabetes proceeds. For indeed many obstinate Diseases that are imputed to the ill temperament of the Bowels, arise from this cause; to wit, for that the Bloud being of an ill temper and liable to coagulation, seeing it cannot continue the whole motion of its circulation, doth in many places discharge and leave the Serum which is too apt of it self to separate, and lodge where it should not. In these cases such Diureticks are to be given that may not dissolve the Bloud, but take off its coagulation onely; such as are Medicins impregnated with fixed, volatile or even alchalized Salt; and likewise such as corroborate and restore the ferment of the Reins, as some sulphureous and spirituous ones. To these ends serve Diureticks that are sulphureous and mixed, lixivial or leyish Salts of Herbs, Powders of Shells, Sal and Spirit of Piss, &c. Millipe∣des [or Woodlice] Roots of Horse-radish, Parsley Seeds, Nutmeg, Turpentine and the Preparations of it, and Spirit of Wine; the virtue of all which, is not to dissolve the Bloud, and precipitate serous matter out of the mass thereof (for that acids do best, and in such cases often hinder the flowing of the Urin) but to dissolve the curdling of the Bloud: so that the constitution of it having recovered its entire mixture, and circulating more swiftly through the Vessels, may suck back the Serum that is any where extravasated [i. e. out of its Vessels] or lodged where it ought not to be, and may at last deliver it to the Reins to be by them carried off. How Diureticks of all kinds work according to both these, almost opposite ends of Physick, and under what Forms they are most commonly prescribed, I shall now in the next place shew you.

CHAP. II. The sorts and forms of Diureticks [or Medicins that purge by Urin] as also the Reasons of the Chymical Preparations of some of them.

FIrst therefore, as to Saline Diureticks [or salt Medicins that purge by Urine] that which I have oftentimes inculcated, ought to be here taken notice of, to wit, that what ever Salts of different tempers are put together, they mutually lay hold of each other, and are immediately conjoined; and that whilest they so combine, the other particles, being loosened from the mixture, divide or fly several ways. This is evident∣ly seen when fluid or acid Salt is put to fixed or alchalized; and likewise when fluid * 1.23 or fixed is mixed with volatile or sharp Salt. Indeed the whole business of Dissolutions and Precipitations depends upon this one quality of Salts. Wherefore since the Bloud and Humours of our Bodies abounds with much Salt, and that usually altered * 1.24 from one state to another, and consequently the cause of various indispositions; and seeing furthermore that there are divers kinds of saline Diureticks, filled with fixed, fluid, nitrous, volatile, or alchalized Salt, it will require great discretion and judgment in a Physician so to order it, that the saline particles in the Medicin may differ from those in our Bodies. How this may be done I will shew you by running over each kind of saline Diureticks.

Among saline Diureticks impregnated with acid Salt, the Spirit of Salt or Nitre, as * 1.25 also the juice of Limons, and Wood Sorrel, White Wine, Rhenish Wine and Cider are of prime note among the Vulgar, and oftentimes perform that intention: for these alone dissolve the Bloud, and precipitate it into Serum, as when an acid is drop∣ped into boyling Milk. But this doth not happen alike in all, nor even to any equally. In an hale constitution, or such as is not much different from it, the Salt of the Bloud is partly fixed, partly nitrous, and partly volatile; so also in some Scorbutick and Hy∣dropical Bodies, it becomes most commonly fixed. Wherefore in every of these ca∣ses, Diureticks impregnated with acid Salt, are used with success; but in Catarrhs, and * 1.26 some hydropical and fcorbutical Distempers, when the saline-fixed particles of the Bloud are exalted into a state of fluidity, and the volatile ones are depressed (as it often happens) acid Remedies usually do more hurt than good; in as much as they more pervert the Bloud, that is already degenerated from their right temper: but in such cases, Medicins impregnated with fixed or volatile Salt will be more helpful.

The Forms of Diureticks that have acid Salt for their Foundation.

Take of the Powder of choice white Tartar, of Chrystal Mineral, each ʒj. ss. of Crabs eyes * 1.27 pulverized ʒ j. and make a Powder. The Dose is from ʒ ss. to ℈ij. in a, convenient vehicle, repeating it every sixth or eighth hour.

Take of Tartar vitriolated, or nitrated ʒ ij. of the Powder of Egg-shells ʒ j. ss. of Parsley or wild Carret seed ʒ ss. and make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. to be taken in the same manner.

Take of the best Spirit of Salt ʒ ij. of Harts horn burnt and pulverized, a convenient quantity as much as will imbibe the Spirit, and make a Powder. The Dose is from ℈ j. to ʒ ss.

Take of the juice of Limons ℥ ij. of compound Radish Water ʒ j. ss. of Syrup of the five * 1.28 Roots ʒ iij. and make a Drink or Potion.

Take of the juice of Sorrel ʒ ij. of White Wine ℥ vj. mingle them and make a Potion.

Take of compound Radish Water ℥ ij. of Pellitory of the Wall ℥ iv. of Spirit of Salt ℈ j. xv. drops, of Salt of Tartar gr. xv. of Syrup of Violets ℥ ss. and make a Potion.

2. That Medicins impregnated with fixed or lixivial Salt, provoke Urin, is very * 1.29 manifest from the vulgar and quack Physick that is commonly used to cure Dropsies; for in an Anasarca [or Dropsie that goes through the habit of the Body] and some∣times in an Ascites [a Dropsie that makes the Belly swell like a Bottle] when the Bowels or Flesh are excessively swelled with a conflux of Water, they frequently give a Lixivium or Lie, made of the ashes of Wormwood, or Broom, or Bean-stalks, with White Wine: from whence commonly proceeds plentiful pissing, by which the Distemper is removed. But yet I have observed, that that Medicin in some People hath not been at all Diuretick, but hath increased rather than cured the dropsical in∣disposition: of which if you would know the reason, it is manifest from what I have already said, that lixivial Salts do neither dissolve nor precipitate neither the Bloud nor Milk, and therefore are not in their own nature diuretick; but yet that effect some∣times follows, in as much as the fixed Salt, being copiously taken in, destroys the ope∣ration of the acid and coagulative or curdling Salt that predominates in the Bloud; and consequently the Bloud, though before it were too apt to be dissolved, and could not contain its Serum, but thrust it forth in all places, yet now by the approach of the fixed Salt, recovers it due temper, and therefore sucking back the Serum that was ex∣travasated, and carrying it down to the Reins, it causes plentiful pissing.

2. Forms or Receipts of Diureticks that have fixed Salt for their Foundation. * 1.30

Take of the Salt of Tartar or Wormwood ʒ ij. of Coral calcined till it be white ʒ j. ss. of Nutmeg ʒ ss. make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. to ℈ ij.

Take of the Tincture of Salt of Tartar ʒ j. to ʒ j. ss. of compound Radish Water ℥ j. ss. mingle them, and give it in a draught of Posset drink, with Roots and Seeds of Burdock boyled in it.

Take of the Deliquium [or Oil] of Salt of Tart, that floats beneath, whilest the Tincture is extracting, and of Wine impregnated with Sulphur ℈ ij. to ʒ j. ss. of White Wine ℥ iv. to vj. of Syrup of the five Roots ℥ ss. mingle them, and make a draught, to be repeated twice or thrice a day.

Take of the whitest ashes of Vine twigs half a Pint, of Nutmeg ʒ ij. pour to it of White or Rhenish Wine two Pints and an half. Let them stand hot and close for a day, and then keep the straining for your use. The Dose is ℥ vj. twice or thrice a day.

Take Flints heated red hot in the fire, and quench them in White Wine or old March Beer, and drink of that Liquor ℥ vj. or viij. twice a day.

Take of slacked Lime water ℥ iv. to vj. of the Tincture of Salt of Tartar ʒj. to ʒj. ss. make a draught, to be taken twice or thrice a day.

2. For the same reason that fixed Salt is used, in a sharp indisposition of the Bloud, to provoke Urin, they use also volatile Salt sometime, and that with success; in as much as the particles thereof being admitted into the Bloud destroy the predomi∣nancy of the fluid Salt that is in it; and consequently the Bloud, recovering its due * 1.31 mixture, and being freed from curdling and defluxions, sucks back all the Serum that is extravasated and delivers over to the Reins all that is superfluous to be carried off through the Ureters of Piss-vessels. But yet those Medicins which are prepared with volatile Salt, (because they have particles that are somewhat strong and elastical or sprindgy) when they mend or rectifie the temper of the Bloud, dispose that part of the Serum, that is superfluous, for evacuation by Sweating sometimes as well as by Pissing. Now to this rank of Diureticks, not onely pure and sheer volatile Salt, drawn out of Animals or Minerals by Distillation, but even the integral parts both of living and vegetable creatures (such as the Powders and Extracts of Insects and Vegetables that are sharp) ought to be referred.

3. Forms or Receipts of Medicins that have Volatile Salt for their Foundation.

Take of the salt of Amber, and of salt of Nitre, each ʒ ij. make a Powder. The Dose is * 1.32 ℈ j. to ʒ ss. in a convenient vehicle.

Take of the Flower of Sal Armoniack, and of Mineral Chrystal, each ʒ ij. and mingle them. The Dose is ℈ j. to ʒ ss. in a spoonful of compound Radish water. Give the Salt of Urin after the same manner.

Take of the Powder of Bees ℈ j. of Lovage seeds ℈ ss. make a Powder, and give it in a spoonful of distilled Water.

Take of the spirit of Urin from ℈ j. to ʒ ss. of compound Radish water from ℥ j. to ℥ j. ss. * 1.33 of Juniper water ℥ iij. mingle tkem and make a Potion. You may give the spirit of Tartar after the same manner in a double quantity.

Take of Millepeds prepared ʒ ij. of the Flower of Sal Armoniack ʒ ss. of Nutmegs pulve∣rized * 1.34 ʒ ss. of Venice Turpentine a convenient quantity, and make them into Pills. Let the Patient take iv. twice a day.

Take of the Powder of the Seeds of Burdock ʒ ij. of wild Carret ʒ i. of the salt of Amber ʒ j. of Oil of Nutmegs ℈ ss. of Capivy Balsam a convenient quantity. Make a Mass and form it into small Pills, of which you may give iv. might and morning.

Take of the Roots of Chervil, Parsley, Fennel, Ringo, and Restharrow, each ℥ j. of the * 1.35 Leaves of Saxifrage and Clivers, each one handful, of the Seeds of Hartwort and Grum∣wel each half an handful, of Juniper berries ʒ vj. boyl them in iv. Pints of Spring wa∣ter till half be boyled away, and them put to it one pint of Rhenish Wine, and of the best Honey ℥ ij., and so make an Apozeme or Decoction. The Dose is ℥ vj. twice a day.

Take of fresh Millepeds two pints, of the Leaves of Clivers, Chervil, Saxifrage, and of Golden Rod, each two handfuls,, of wild Radish roots ℥ vj. of Nutmeg ℥ j. of Juniper * 1.36 berries, of Seeds of wild Carret, each ℥ ij. cut them to pieces, bruise them and pour to them of Whey, made with White Wine viij. pints, distil them in the common vessels and mingle all the liquor. The Dose is ℥ iv. twice or thrice a day.

Take of fresh Millepeds washed, from the number of 40. to 60. of Nutmeg ℈ss. which when you have bruised, pour to them of the distilled water of Saxifrage ℥ iij. Strain * 1.37 it and drink it.

Take of the Leaves of Chervil, and Parsley of Macedonia, each three handfuls: bruise them, and pour to them of White Wine a pint and an half; then strain it well, and keep it in a glassen Vessel. The Dose is ℥ iij. twice a day.

Prepare a Tincture out of Millipeds, Bees, Grashoppers or dried Catharides, with the * 1.38 Tincture of the salt of Tartar. You may give it from 15 or 20 drops to 30, in a conve∣nient vehicle.

4. That Nitre is a kind of Salt, is very manifest from the figure, colour, taste, with other properties and accidents belonging to it. But yet this is different from all other sorts of Salt, or any state of saline particles, nor is it either acid, or fixed, or volatile, but as it were a mean betwixt both. It so far participates of volatile Salt, as that * 1.39 when it is made, it ought to be elixiviated, or prepared with a Lie, and joined to fixed Salt, that it may thereby gain a kind of concretion or bulkiness. Moreover, When it is melted, if you put any Sulphur into it, it immediately takes fire and flies away: but it so far communicates with fixed Salt, that being melted in a crucible, it indures a long, and it may be, perpetual fusion, without any considerable diminution of its parts or particles. Indeed it is Nitre onely, whereby all Plants flourish, all Animals live and breath, and wherewith all sublunary fire is kindled and fomented or kept in; as I have shewed in another Treatise, which I have no necessity here to repeat.

But as to what concerns our present business, it is sufficiently known, that the Salt * 1.40 of Nitre cools the Bloud, and provokes Urin very strongly: but the reason of both these effects is not so very evident: for Nitre is so far from containing in it such cooling particles, that on the contrary, nothing is more fiery, as you may see in Gun∣powder; and if you distil it, you would think a flame rather than a vapour or fume came forth into the Receiver: Besides that, the stagma or distilled liquor that drops from it, burns and corrodes all things that come near it, just like to actual fire. Nor have we less reason to wonder how this Body, whose nature is so exceeding fiery, should so dilute the bloud, and dissolve or melt it into waterishness in order to pro∣voke Urin.

Upon these things, that I may give you my conjectures, I say, that Nitre conduces to the production of those effects in a double respect; to wit, both as it is a Salt, some∣what allied to fixed and volatile Salt, and also as it is a fiery body. As to the former, I have observed that Nitre (like fixed and volatile Salts) being put into Milk, doth either hinder or take off the curdling of it; and likewise that if you pour Bloud whilest it is hot, upon this, as you do upon those it will preserve it from curdling or being discouloured. Wherefore seeing the particles of Nitre taken inwardly, do either keep the mixture of the Bloud entire or restore it, they consequently will prevent or take off the meltings or curdlings thereof, from whence proceeds heat and difficulty of making water.

But furthermore Nitre, as it is a fiery body, if inwardly taken, will cool the Bloud when it is in an excessive heat, and provokes Urin; in as much as (which I intimated before) it augments, by coming in, the flame of the Bloud, which before was dim and mixed with smoakiness, and making it more clear and pure, doth consequently ren∣der it more gentle; and when by that means the Bloud (whilest it burns more bright through the intermixture of the Nitre) is more loosened in its constitution, the fe∣rous particles are more easily extricated, or disengaged from the thicker, and do more plentifully run away.

4. Receipts of Diureticks, that have Nitre for their foundation.

Take of Nitre prepared ʒ ij. of Barley water, with the roots of Grass and candid Ringo boyled in it, two Pints, of Syrup of Violets ℥ ij. mingle them. The Dose is ℥ iv. twice a day.

Take of Sal Prunella ʒ ij. of white Sugar ʒ j. make a Powder, to be divided into six parts, * 1.41 whereof take one in any convenient liquor, thrice a day.

Take of Sal Prunella ʒ iij. of Salt of Amber ʒ j. and make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. thrice a day.

Take of Sal Prunella, of Crabs Eyes, and of Salt of Wormwood, each ʒ ij. mingle them The Dose is ʒ ss. thrice a day.

5. It is also very vulgarly known that some Powders of Shells and Stones, that are impregnated with an alchalized or petrifying Salt, do sometimes provoke Urin. For * 1.42 to some that have been troubled with great Stranguries, or difficulty of Pissing, the Powder of Egg shells, and of the Claws or Eyes of Crabs, hath been a present reme∣dy. Of which if you inquire into the manner and reason of their operation, it is very manifest that such Medicins do not dissolve or sensibly precipitate the Bloud. Wherefore we must conclude, that these are sometimes (upon a sowre indisposition of the Bloud and Humours) diuretical, or apt to provoke Piss, in as much as they by

their combination or sticking together do bind and restrain the acid Salts, so that the Bloud, being freed from all fluxions and coagulations, sucks back the extravasated Se∣rum, and transmits it to the Reins.

5. Receipts of Diuretick Medicins, that have Alchalized Salt for their foundation. * 1.43

Take of the shells of Eggs powdered ʒ ss. to ʒ j. give it in a draught of White Wine, or Posset drink, or Diuretick Decoction, twice a day.

Take of the Powder of the Claws or Eyes of Crabs ʒ ij. of Salt of Amber, and of Nitre, each ʒ j. of Nutmeg ʒ ss. make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. to ℈ ij. in a convenient ve∣hicle. Or take the aforesaid Powder with a convenient quantity of Venice Turpentine, and make it into small Pills. The Dose is iij, or iv. night and morning.

You may justly reckon among such things as are Diuretical, not onely saline * 1.44 Bodies, but also some sulphureous and spirituous ones too, in as much as they often produce the same effect. Many Gums, as especially Turpentine, (and such Medi∣cins as are prepared out of them) Oils of Juniper, Nutmeg, Wax, and that which drops from other fat things, being taken inwardly, provoke Urin (in many People) very plentifully, which hath a smell like that of Violets. I have known in some hydro∣pical and scorbutical persons, that the spirit of Wine, and hot Waters, yea and generous Wine also, if largely drunk of, hath provoked Urin; of all which the reason is, be∣cause when the Bloud is weak or sowrish, or, through the defect of fermentation, or the predominance of an acid and coagulating Salt, doth not circulate so briskly and equally as it should do, so as to contain the superfluous Serum within it, till it can de∣liver it over to the Reins, the aforesaid Remedies (in as much as preserve the mixture of the Bloud entire, or restore it when decaying) conduce very much to the provo∣king of Urin.

Take of the fresh Berries of Ivy, Juniper, and Laurel, each half a pound, of the Seeds of wild Carret ℥ iv. of Nutmeg ℥ ij. After you have bruised them, put to them in a * 1.45 Glassen Retort, of the best Venice Turpentine one pint, of Spirit of Wine rectified four pints, distil them in an Oven of Sand with a moderate heat till they are dry, taking care that they burn not, and you will have a Spirit and an yellow Oil, which are both exceedingly Diuretick. The Dose of the Spirit is from ʒ j. to ʒ ij. or iv. of the Oil ℈ 〈◊〉〈◊〉. to ℈ j. in a convenieut vehicle.

To the dregs that are left behind in the Retort, pour of the Tincture of Salt of Tartar one pint; and let them digest close in an Oven of Sand for several days, that the red Tin∣cture * 1.46 may come forth; of which the dose is from ℈ j. to ℈ ij. or ʒ j. in come forth; of which the dose is from ℈ j. to ℈ ij. or ʒ j. in a convenient ve∣hicle.

Take of prepared Millepeds ʒ iij. of Nutmeg ʒ j. bruise them, and pour to them of the purest * 1.47 spirit of Turpentine, and of the Tincture of Salt of Tartar, each ℥ vj. distil them with the gentle heat of a Bath, and you will have a Spirit, an Oil, and the deliquium or melting of the salt of Tartar, each of them impregnated with a notable diuretick quality.

The Reasons of some Preparations.

1. Sal Prunellae, or Chrystal Mineral, which is nothing else but purified Nitre.

Take of choice Nitre a convenient quantity, and dissolve it in Spring or Rain water; * 1.48 boyl it a little, and lay it up in a deep glassen Vessel, to chrystallize, in a cold place: then pick out the whitest and most clear chrystals onely, which you must again by often dissolutions and chrystallizations, reduce to the highest degree of purity; and they after that, being melted in a crucible and poured out into a silver Vessel, will harden into very white stone. Of this, when pulverized, the Dose is from ℈ j. to ʒ ss. or ℈ ij. which cools the boyling of the Bloud, and provokes Urin.

This Preparation is so ordered, that the nitrous particles, as much as is possible, * 1.49 may be separated quite and clean from the fixed Salt, and harden into Chrystals di∣stinct by themselves: for when the Nitre is first made out of the Earth, and drawn forth by a Lie, the particles thereof are so unapt to grow together, or chrystallize, that

it is necessary for the nitrous Lie to be again elixiviated with ashes, and impregnated with fixed Salt, to the end that the nitrous particles, being partly united to the Leyish ones, and partly, by the intervening of them, thrust out of the pores of the Water, may gain a kind of concretion or hardness: wherefore seeing the Body or Salt of Nitre is for∣med in that manner, see that the particles of fixed Salt be, by frequent dissolutions and chrystallizations, purged away, as much as possible, to make it the purer for Phy∣sical uses.

2. Spirit of Nitre.

Take of the purest Nitre lb j. of Powder of Bricks lb ij. which when you have well poun∣ded and mixed, put them into a glassen Retort, luted or into an earthen one, and distil * 1.50 them in a reverberating Oven with a fire gradually augmented. The red Fumes will make the Receiver glitter with a kind of flame colour, and when they are condensed will make a distilled liquor which is acid and exceeding corrosive. The Dose is iv. to vj. in a convenient vehicle.

Although Nitre, mixed with Sulphur, is soon set on fire by the least particle of ig∣neous matter, and breaks out into flames; yet, being destitute of that, it may be mel∣ted * 1.51 in a crucible, or distilled in a Retort, without any bruning at all. The Powder of Bricks is added to it, that when the Salts are melted by the fire, they may not mutually get hold of, and chain together each other, but being divided and separated from one another, may, by the force of the fire, be driven forth from their subject.

Nitre, when melted, retaineth its inflamable quality; but the distilled liquor will sooner put fire out than kindle it. For if at any time you put it among sulphur, that mixture can very hardly, and not so soon as sulphur, be kindled by it self; the reason of which is, because the nitrous Salt, having undergone a dissolution, is quite altered from its natural state, and gaineth much such another sowre temper, as other Salts that have suffered the like mutation; yea out of Sulphur there is drawn an acid stag∣ma or liquor, that rather destroys than augments inflammations.

3. Spirit of Sea Salt.

Take of Sea Salt, dissolved and powdered, lb j. of Bricks coarsly pulverized lb iij. pound them together, and mix them: then put to them some good big Brick-bats to the quan∣tity * 1.52 of lb ss. when they are well mixt and put into a strong Retort, distil them with a fierce reverberating fire for 24. hours; rectifie the distilled liquor with the heat of Sand in a glassen Cucurbit, drawing off the phlegm or waterish part; and there will remain in the bottom a Spirit, of an yellow or greenish colour, that hath a smell and taste very grateful.

This Salt is very difficult to be driven or forced into a sharp liquor, because the par∣ticles thereof, more than any other saline ones that are in Minerals, to wit, in Vitriol, * 1.53 Nitre, Alum, &c. being most strictly united, cannot easily be parted from each other, or separated from the embraces of the Earth; wherefore when they are loosened by the fire, mingle with them the Powder of Bricks, in a threefold quantity, to keep them from running together; and besides that, I thought fit to put between them good big pieces of Bricks, that the mass that is to be distilled, being hollowed as it were with holes through it, might be every where penetrated or pierced by the fire. Yet notwithstand∣ing, as you distil them, the Salts being dissolved by the fire, will very often run toge∣ther, in so much that afterward that cannot be driven forth with any force of fire.

That it is so, is very plain, because if by Art this union of the Salts among themseves * 1.54 and with the Earth be broken off, they are easily forced into an acid stagma, or di∣stilled liquor. For example;

Take of the Spirit of Vitriol not rectified one pint, and in a glassen Retort, pour it into Sea Salt calcined and pulverized, and immediately distil it in Sand, the spirit of the Salt being expelled as it were by the other, will easily ascend, whilest the spirit of Vitriol stays in its room; that is, this spirit of Vitriol being more ponderous and stronger, and likewise bereft and covetous of an earthy habitation, drives the other out of its possessions, and at the same time invades them it self.

4. Spirit of Piss.

Take of the Piss of a sound man that drinks Wine, what quantity you think fit, and when

you have put it into a Cucurbit with a blind Still, let it rot in dung for a moneth; then distil it in Sand. The liquor distilled from it being rectified in a deep Cucurbit, affords a spirit and a volatile Salt.

This operation may be performed more compendiously, if you evaporate fresh Urin to a fourth part of what you first took, to wit, that when the phlegm is exhaled, the saline particles may mor•…•… closely incorporate with the sulphureous and earthy ones. To this thick composition (after you have put it into the Cucurbit) pour either a Lie made of Ashes or Salt of Tartar, or the dissolution of slacked Lime; and then putting on the Still, distil it in an Oven of Sand; and you will easily gain a Spirit, and a vo∣latile Salt, which by rectification are purified and separated.

The reason of these proceedings is, because in that the Urin consists of a double * 1.55 kind ef Salt, that is to say, a nitrous and a volatile, together with a great deal of Sul∣phur and Earth, the particles of volatile Salt (whilest the mixture remains entire) are so detained and strictly compacted by the other saline ones, together with the rest of the thicker elements, that the spirits cannot break forth, or be divided and separated by the force of fire; but when by long rotting [in the dung] the mixtion of the li∣quor is loosened, the saline volatile particles, which at length do extricate or disen∣tangle themselves from the rest, ascend first in the distillation. Moreover the same effect also doth easily ensue, when a fixed Salt that is different from the nitrous, is poured in; for whilest the particles of the nitrous Salt are laid hold on by those of the other Salt that is infused, the volatile Salt escaping out of its restraint, doth easily make its way and is gone. Hither you may refer what I shall hereafter say of the di∣stillation of Sal Armoniack.

5. Tincture of Salt of Tartar.

Take of the purest Salt of Tartar ℥ vj. melt it and let it remain in the crucible till it gain a blew, or almost a green colour; then, having pulverized it whilest it grows hot, and * 1.56 put it into a strong Matrace or Glass Still with a long neck, pour to it rectified spirit of Wine the depth of three or four fingers, and let it digest in an Oven of Sand upon a quick fire for several days, till the tincture be extracted. For by long digestion the spirit of Wine gains a ruddy colour, in as much as the particles of fixed Salt, being in some measure exalted, are united to the vinous sulphur. In the mean while the remain∣ing salt of Tartar, which is diluted with the phlegm of the Wine, sinking down into Deliquium or Oil, and floating by it self will separate below; which is much better than the common Oil of Tartar, in that it participates of the vinous sulphur; and in some cases, where there is a necessity for a lixivial Diuretick, it is a very good Medicin. The Dose is ℈ j. to ℈ ij. or ʒ j. The Tincture is given from ʒ j. to ʒ j. ss. or ʒ ij.

The tincture of Salt of Tartar, by reason of the union of the vinous salt and sulphur, hath a very grateful smell and taste. If you distil the liquor to an half, the remaining * 1.57 part will retain in it more salt and sulphur, but little of the vinous spirit; and the spi∣rit which is drawn off and poured to fresh salt of Tartar, if it be digested, will hardly gain a Tincture, in as much as it is void of sulphur to unite with the salt.

Now indeed, that in the spirit of Wine, the sulphureous part is distinct from the pirituous, I learned from this Experiment.

Take of the sharpest spirit of Vitriol half a pint, of spirit of Wine rectified, one pint; mingle them in a glassen Retort and distil them in an Oven of sand, till the liquor (which * 1.58 at first seems homogeneous or of one nature) being drawn off, a deal of thick sediment remains in the bottom: pour this spirit again to the caput mortuum, and so repeat the distillation with fresh matter two or three times; at last you shall have two distinct, unmingleable liquors; to wit, one acid-spiritous that sinks downward, and the other very clear and oily that swims on the top; which, without doubt is the pure and mere sul∣phureous part of the Wine, separated by it self, whilest the spirituo•…•…s part joins with the acid salt.

6. Salt of Amber.

Take of the whitest Amber, pulverized lb ss. distil it in a glassen Retort either with a very strong heat of sand, or a weak heat of a reverberating Oven; first there will * 1.59 arise a phlegm and an yellow Oil with some quantity of spirit; then a volatile salt

will ascend into the neck of the Retort and sides of the Receiver; and last of all a black Oil will come forth before it ascends: this must be taken out and the Receiver changed, lest the Salt should be polluted by it.

This Salt being at first white, and of a very grateful smell and taste, unless it be * 1.60 kept in a vessel very fast stopped, becomes in a short time yellow, and then grows red and stinks. The cause of which is, because this Medicin contains in it much sulphur; the particles whereof, as long as the salt predominates, being subdued and clogged with others, are altogether obscured; yet afterward, when the composition of the mixed body is loosened, they get out, and shewing themselves above the rest, demon∣strate their excellency to several of our senses. The Dose of it is from ℈ss. to ℈j. The best way of keeping or giving this Salt of Amber is, if it be mingled with a dou∣ble quantity of the purest Nitre.

CHAP. III. Of excessive Pissing, and the Remedy for it; particularly of the Diabetes [or Pissing Disease] into the Theory and Cure of which we here inquire.

THe Diabetes was a Disease so rare among the Ancients, that many famous Phy∣sicians * 1.61 have not so much as mentioned it, and Galen never knew above two that were troubled with it; but in our Age, that is given so much to drinking, and especially to guzzling of strong Wine, we meet with very frequent, not to say daily examples and instances of this Distemper. But though it be familiar, and in its ap∣pearance well known among us, yet what are the causes and the true nature of it, we are almost wholly to seek. Upon which, that I may venture to philosophize, or rather, give you my opinion, in the first place I shall lay down the description of this Di∣stemper in all its circumstances, or the principal phaenomena [or appearances] of it; and then I shall endeavour to find out, from what vitiated part or humour all those arise.

The Diabetes, so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 [Diabaino] transeo [to pass through] is said to * 1.62 be a swift passing of the potulent matter [or drink] or a great flux of Urin. Such as are troubled with this Distemper, piss much more than they drink or take of liquid nutriment; and likewise they have a continual thirst, a lingring Fever, and as it were an Hectick always upon them. But as to what several Authors say, that the Drink is little or nothing changed, there is no truth in their assertion: because in all People (that I ever happened to know, and I believe it to be so in all) their Urin was very different not onely from the Drink that they took in, but also from any other humours that are usually generated in our Bodies, being exceedingly sweet, as if there had been Sugar or Honey in it. The occasion of the aforesaid errour (I sup∣pose) was from the colour of the Urin, which always looks crude and waterish, as in those that are troubled with the Green-sickness or Dropsie. To find out the reasons of these symptoms, let us enquire first, why the Urin is voided so copiously and so quickly, and then proceed to the remaining causes of this Distemper.

Whereas some assign, for the cause of a Diabetes, the attractive quality of the Reins, * 1.63 I do not like their reason; for the Bloud is not attracted to the Reins, but is driven thither by the motion of the heart. Nay farther, Neither doth the Serum seem to be drawn out of the Bloud whi•…•…est it runs through them, or to be, as it were, milked out, but to be separated partly by percolation, and partly by a kind of fusion or precipitation, as I have formerly and clearly shewn. Wherefore I hold that a Diabetes is rather * 1.64 and more immediately a Distemper of the Bloud than of the Reins, and that it takes its original from thence, in as much as the mass of Bloud doth as it were melt and is too copiously dissolved into serousness; which indeed is very manifest from that vast quantity and great augmentation of Urin, which cannot proceed but from the melting, as it were, and consumption of the Bloud. And that is the reason also why the remaining part of the Bloud, when the Serum of it flows away so plentifully, grows much thicker and more apt to curdle, as you may conclude from the quickness and strength of the Pulse: for at that time the heart moves more readily, to keep the Bloud by an unusual exagitation of it, from curdling. Moreover to continue the flui∣dity thereof, which is apt to be in great danger through the great expence of serous liquor, they use to drink great quantity of potulent matter by reason of their excessive thirst, and likewise the humours that are got into the solid parts, are sucked back by

the Bloud, yea the very parenchyma or stuffing of them, is melted to supply it; in so much that those who are troubled with this Distemper, are very thirsty and consume away for droughth in a short time.

That therefore I may venture to tell you the immediate cause and true nature * 1.65 of the Diabetes, I am inclined to believe that the temper or mixture of the Bloud is so loosened, and in a manner dissolved, that the watery particles cannot be kept in by the thicker ones, but flying quickly out of their embraces, and being impregnated with salt ones, run out through the most open passages of the Reins. But in the mean time to dilute the Bloud, and keep it from curdling, other humours both from without and within too, are drawn to, and mingled with it, and the heart is put always into a far more violent motion.

Yet farther, I think that the Reins also, sometimes are some part of the immediate cause, because their ferment uses oftentimes to be so vitiated, that it cannot keep the * 1.66 Bloud by the influx of its lixivial Salt in a due mixture and fluidity, in so much that the Serum is separated from it by mere percolation; but it sometimes happens, that the Bloud, whilest it passeth through the Reins, is precipitated by an acid Salt that lodges there, (as it were by a kind of Rennet) into a plentiful quantity of Serum, which is immediately carried off by the Ureters. Hence you may observe that in many Peo∣ple, who are liable to the Stone in the Kidnies, that when the fit comes they make water clear and in great quantity. The reason of which is, because the acid humour which is brought thither through the nervous passages, and causes the pain (as I have shewn elsewhere) dissolves the Bloud that flows into the Reins, and causes a more co∣pious flux of Urin for it.

But it is probable enough that copious pissing proceeds in some measure from the ill conformation or make of the Reins; in as much as the lymphatick or water-pipes thereof are too wide and open, and do too easily receive the serous liquor, and swiftly transmit it without any let or stop, in so much that the greater part of it runneth out into urin. But though I grant that these Pipes or Passages are sometimes, and especially in those that are troubled with the Stone, two wide, yet by that reason the Piss should come away rather bloudy than in too great quantity. And indeed I think that pissing of Bloud principally proceedeth from such a cause. Moreover when co∣pious pissing and pissing of Bloud come together, I am of opinion that an ill temper of Bloud, and an ill make of the Reins do concur as causes of that effect; as I shall by and by shew you in a notable case of a person troubled with that Di∣stemper.

In the mean time I do not question but that the principal and most frequent cause * 1.67 of the Diabetes consists in the Blouds mixture being too much loosened and dissolved; as on the contrary, in like manner our pissing little, and less than we should do, depends oftentimes upon the constitution of the Bloud being too much bound, and as it were, locked up in the vessels. And here it will be convenient to inquire whether the to∣tal suppression of the urin doth not sometimes proceed from such a cause? For though it be vulgarly known, that the cause of a strong and obstinate Ischury [or retention of the urin] which is very often seated below the Kidnies, doth altogether * 1.68 depend upon the total obstruction of the urinary passages; and though when I my self have opened many that have died of a total suppression of the urin, I have found in them all, that the invincible cause of their death was the stopping of one Ureter; which a little before was wide open (the other being a long time before quite closed) by a stone newly got into it: Yet the learned Dr. Riverius tells us of two cases, wherein two People that were troubled with a total Ischury [or suppression of urin] for several days, and were meerly cured by letting of Bloud; and therefore he ascribes the cause of the Distemper to the emulgent veins being excessively distended, in so much that they could not contract themselves to throw out the Serum, as we often see it is in the blad∣der of urin, which being very full, is not easily disposed for discharging the Piss. But indeed, though I believe his Stories, as I ought to do, yet I cannot think I ought to ascent to his reason. For that which this excellent person assigns to them is not the office of the emulgent vessels; for they are not Veins but Arteries, that constantly carry the Serum with the Bloud, without any danger of fulness or obstinacy of the urin; and when the Serum doth not easily run out into the open passages, the reason seems to be, because the mass of Bloud being too close and compact, doth not dismiss the watery liquor which is mixed so intimately with it, out of its embraces, without some difficulty.

To this purpose I will tell you of an Anatomical observation lately made upon the body of the Reverend Bishop of Chester. When that excellent person, who was long * 1.69 troubled with the Stone, at last died of a long suppression of his urin, immediately

all People presumed that the cause of his death was a stoppage in his Ureters caused by a Stone or other gravelly matter; but having made a very strict inquiry into it by Anatomy, they could find no obstruction at all in those passages, nor any stoppage of the urin. Such another observation as this, which was not long ago made by him∣self, Dr. Lower told me of; that is to say, where a mortal Ischury had left no tracts at all of it self about the urinary passages: from whence a man may easily conjecture, that seeing the Reins also were sound and well, the cause of the Distemper consisted totally in the excessive concretion and compactness of the bloud.

But to return thither from whence we digressed; Not that we have shewn you the * 1.70 immediate cause and true reason of a Diabetes, let us proceed to find out the pro∣catarctical or more remote and original causes thereof. If therefore you enquire why the constitution of the Bloud grows so lax and dissolute, and apt to melt, as it were, into Serum, I say, that the fusion of this, just as of Milk, proceeds from the meeting and associating of several kinds of Salt in the mass of it, whereby the other particles, being freed from the saline ones (that separate them from each other, and keep them in a due mixture) divide themselves presently into several parties. Now if you inquire * 1.71 farther how those Salts (by whose private combination we suppose the Blouds mixture to be dissolved, and the fusion of it introduced) come thither; I need not trouble my self long to shew you: for it is very manifest that there are always naturally in the mass of Bloud both saline-fixed and volatile particles, to which if there be added an acid or fluid Salt in a good quantity, it will easily cause the aforesaid effect. Hence it is that Rhenish Wine, Cider, and all acid Liquors, if you drink them, cause a more plentiful evacuation by urin than ordinary; and therefore likewise it is, that in some valetudinary or sickly People, whose Bloud abounds with an acid Salt, all Medicins impregnated with fixed or volatile Salt are used to provoke urine. Nor doth this Di∣stemper proceed onely from things that we take in, but very often also from hu∣mours generated within. You may observe, that a great many, who are subject to Convulsions, before and after their Fits, make a vast quantity of clear water; of which no doubt the cause is, for that the dregs, or refuse of the bloud and nervous juice which are gathered together in the solid parts, if at any time, after they are turned sowrish, they swell and flow back into the bloud, they cause a fusion or dissolution in it, and consequently a great flux of Urin. Wherefore seeing such a flux of the Urin is constant and habitual, nothing can be said more probably, than that the excremen∣titious humours which are carried out into the solid parts, and after they have contracted a sowerness there, return thence into the Bloud, dissolve the liquor of it into too great a quantity of Serum, and consequently cause such a continual and excessive evacuation.

But for a principal share in this malady, we may justly bring in the nervous juice; * 1.72 for I have elsewhere shewn that this same juice, if ever it degenerates from its right temper, becomes very malignant and hurtful not onely to other humours, but to the solid parts: and that is the reason that from the depravation of this, the mixture also of the Bloud is very much in danger to be perverted. But that the nervous juice it self is perverted, we may conclude, because in a Diabetes the animal spirits are excee∣ding fainty, and all nourishment is immediately frustrated.

Moreover, for an extraordinary confirmation of this opinion, I have observed in many People who have been subject to this disease by intervals, that a little before they fell into such a flux of urin, they felt flying, running pains through their whole Bodies, and corrugations, sometimes with dizziness or stinging, and other whiles with frequent contractions or convulsions, twingings of the tendons, and other distur∣bances and restlessness of the spirits; which was a certain sign that the liquor which moistened the nervous fibres, being degenerated from its temper, and filled with dregs, did irritate or provoke the spirits, and force them into disorders. And then after∣ward, when the recrements and superfluities of the nervous juice, having gained a fluidity, ran out into the mass of bloud and caused a Diabetes, the aforesaid sym∣ptoms ceased, but then there ensued a languishment in the spirits, and a weakness all over the body.

A Diabetes is commonly called Hydrops ad matulam, i. e. a Dropsie in the Chamber∣pot, * 1.73 and some will needs have both those Distempers to be really the same, and to have the same causes and reason of their being, and that the symptoms in them are varied only according to the measure of evacuating the Serum; to wit, that the bloud in both Distempers alike being not able to contain its Serum, but forced to discharge it by the Arteries, in the one, poureth it forth into the habit of the body and cavities of the bowels; and in the other throws it out into the Reins, to be carried away in great quantity by the Ureters. But indeed, if the thing be more accurately weighed, you shall find a very notable difference between these two Distempers: For an Anasarca

[or Dropsie that runs through the habit of the Body] oftentimes takes its original first from the Blouds being weak and too cold, which is the reason that it is not sufficiently kindled and heated, so as to perfect assimilate and volatilise the chyle which conti∣nually comes into it, in such a measure as that it may keep it within its embraces whilest it circulates; but must of necessity spew it out in all places, together with the serous liquor, and leave it in the intersticies or distances between the Vessels; and then after, when the Distemper grows stronger, the bloud becomes not onely weak by reason of crudities, but being degenerated in its temper, is liable to fluxions and coagulations, and consequently begets serous humours, and that in a greater quantity, pouring them with extraordinary violence into parts that ought not to receive them. But on the contrary in a Diabetes the bloud is kindled, and heated enough at least, yea many times too much; and concocts the ehyle that comes into it very quickly, and beyond all measure: besides that it melts, as it were, the solid parts, and sucks in their meltings, carries them with it round through the vessels, and digests them more than it should do: but yet, when through the concurrence of the Salts, the composi∣tion of the Bloud is quite dissolved and melted into Serum, such portions of it as can get away, being separated within the Reins, run out at the Ureters. If a Disease like to the Diabetes, though inverted (that is to say, in which the bloud being dissolved into a serous matter pour•…•…th forth all its meltings into the whole Body) doth any where at all present it self; without doubt it was formerly the epidemical Fever, commonly called the English Sweat; when the Bloud melting into a waterishness, throw out all Humours as well good as bad, even to the expence of the vital nutriment it self, into the pores of the Body, to be by them discharged.

Thus much for the nature and causes of the Disease called Diabetes, that is to say, the immediate and original or more remote causes: as to the evident ones, to wit, the oc∣casions * 1.74 whence the acid juices that cause the fusion or coagulation of the Bloud, are generated in our Bodies: these are of a different kind, and from a different origina∣tion. An ill sort of Diet, and especially a daily and immoderate drinking of Cider, Ale, or Wines that are acid; sometimes also sadness, or long sorrow, as likewise con∣vulsions, and other depressions and disorders of the animal spirits are used to gemerate or foment this morbid disposition. I knew a certain person who having used Rhe∣nish Wine for his ordinary drink twenty days together, contracted an incurable Dia∣be•…•…s; of which, notwithstanding the advice of many excellent Doctors, and whatever Remedies they could use, he died in a Moneths time. I remember two Women, who being subject to convulsive and hypocondriacal Distempers, happened ever now and then to have a great flux of Urin, with languishing and consumption of their flesh.

Having already explained the Theory of speculative part of this Disease, it still remains that I give you the reasons of the most notable symptoms in it. Now some * 1.75 of these I am of opinion are very plain from what I have said; that is to say, why in a Diabetes the evacuation of the Urin is so swife and copious: but whereas the Parties troubled with this Distemper are feverish and very thirsty; the reason is partly be∣cause * 1.76 the humours and juices wherewith not onely the bloud, but the folid parts are both moistned and refreshed, are through a continual drain by Urin exceedingly ex∣hausted; * 1.77 whereupon the jaws are dry, and the heart burns extremely; and partly by the instinct of Nature the heart and lungs are forced into more rapid motions, that the bloud, being deprived of the Serum to dilute it, may be kept from coagulation or c•…•…∣cretion, and continued in its due circulation.

But it seems more hard to demonstrate, why the Piss of such as are fick of this Distemper, is so wonderful sweet, or should taste like Honey; when rather on the * 1.78 other hand, if according to my hypothesis, the dissolution of the bloud, and (which is the consequence of it) the flowing of the •…•…in happens through the combinations of Salts, the liquor surely that were impregnated there with should be sal•…•…ish more than sweet. But to this I easily reply, and say, first that the Urin is deprived of any salt taste, in as much as several Salts that are of a different nature are united in it. For this is evident from the manifold experiments among Chymists, that when Salts, that are of a different kind (as fixed or volatile) are mingled with an acid, the sharpness of them both is r•…•…bated or lost: wherefore we have no reason to wonder that the Urin of those who are sick of a Diabetes is not at all falt. But why it should be so wonderfully sweet, like: S•…•…gar or Honey, is a knot not easie to untie.

A body would think that this effect arose from hence; to wit, that not onely the fresh nutritive liquor, but also the dissol•…•…tions of the solid parts were c•…•…ried off along with the Serum that ran out through the Reins; wherefore it seems very probable that this s•…•…eetness proceeds from those rich •…•…uices being mi•…•… with the Uri•…•… But inde•…•… fr•…•…m that mixture there cannot proceed a•…•… Honey ra•…•…, but onely a gentl•…•… soft one

like that of Milk or Flesh Pottage: and likewise to this, which is not onely grateful, but in some measure poignant too, the saline sharp particles, and the delicate smooth sulphureous ones too (as I have elsewhere shewn) ought to concur. Wherefore as we justly refer or ascribe Sugar and Honey to a concretion of Salt and Sulphur, so we * 1.79 may imagine, that the Urin in a Diabetes is so sweet, because some sulphureous parti∣cles taken from the consumption of the solid parts, grow to the Salts that are united in the Serum.

As to its prognosticks or fore-knowledge, this disease at first beginning is often∣times easily cured; but when grown strong upon a man, very seldom and with great * 1.80 difficulty; in as much as the temper of the Bloud, being a little loosened, is reduced without much ado, but when it is much dissolved, so that most of its parts separate from each other, it is hardly or never to be restored.

But as to the Cure of it, it seems very difficult in this Distemper to point out the true way of curing it; for as much as the cause of it lies hid in such obscurity, and hath an original so very deep and remote. For as to the common opinion, that the Reins and other solid parts, which contain or transmit the Serum are in fault, in that they too suddenly let go that which is in them, and consequently, that we should, chiefly and almost onely insist upon things that are astringent; I say, that not onely Reason but Experience too, do both contradict this supposition and practice; because few or none at all are cured by this Method; and it is highly improbable (not to say, impossible) that such an excess of pissing should proceed from such a cause.

Therefore in this Distemper, as in several others, there are three primary Indica∣tions * 1.81 or ways pointed out how to cure it; to wit, the Curatory, Preservatory, and Vital. The first of these respecting the Disease, and endeavouring to restrain exces∣sive Pissing, cannot be performed without the second, which aiming at the cause of the Distemper, strives to preserve or restore the due mixture or temper of the Bloud. Wherefore in the cure of this Distemper, the chief ways of perfecting it will be, to prevent the dissolution of the Bloud, and to remove it, if in any measure already cau∣sed. * 1.82 First the fusion of the bloud is hindered, if so be that the thicker and more wa∣terish parts thereof contain or keep in, and are mutually contained by each other, so that one part do not so continually and speedily separate from the rest; which is brought to pass by remedies that are commonly called Thickning Medicins; that is, such whose very viscous or clammy and glutinous particles, being admitted into the mass of bloud, do obstinately stick to the active corpuscles thereof, and so separating them from one another, are an hindrance to their floating, and mutually uniting among themselves, or with the saline ones that are poured in from other parts. To this end Rice, White Starch, slimy Vegetables, and also Gums, and some resinous bodies are used to prove good in this Distemper. Secondly, To take off the dissolution of the Bloud when it is in any measure caused, you ought to use such Remedies as dissolve * 1.83 concretions of the Salts, so that all the elementary particles that are in it, being again restored to their native circumstances, may recover their former situations, and by that means renew the original temper of the Bloud. I formerly told you that this kind of effect is produced in Milk that is curdled by the addition of fixed, volatile, or nitrous Salt, and likewise by the infusion of Spirit of Hartshorn, Sal Armoniack, and the like. Of which (as I have there also intimated) this without doubt is the reason, that whilest the saline-fixed, volatile, or nitrous particles, being put into the Milk in a good plenti∣ful quantity, meet with the acid or precipitatory particles, and are united to them; the other saline ones, which before were bound, being now freed and scattered through the mass of the liquor, may every way disunite and separate the sulphureous and earthy ones that are united among themselves, and consequently, that all the par∣ticles being again equally mixed, may contein or keep in, and be contained by each other. How much the Bloud, that resembles Milk, is altered by pouring salt distilled liquor into it when it is hot, I have there also declared by Experiments that I have ci∣ted. But for the Cure of a Diabetes, we do not easily, or inconsiderately give salt Medicins, because by most men they are looked upon to be always Diuretical; though in the mean time neither reason nor experience contradict this method. For I ma∣ny times in this Distemper have prescribed the tincture of Antimony with good suc∣cess, and the Water of slacked Lime, with Shavings of Saxaphras, Aniseeds, Rai∣sins, and Licoris, according: to the common Receipt, is by some very highly com∣mended.

3. The Vital Indication is performed by thickning and moderately cooling Diet, and by Cordials that are temperate, and especially by convenient and seasonable hy∣p•…•…oticks * 1.84 or sleeping Medicins, of which some of the chief sorts and choicest Re∣ceipts are laid down in the following Chapter, and in the end of this, for a farewel,

I thought fit to tell you the Story of a certain Nobleman that was sick of this Distem∣per whilest I first meditated upon, and afterward wrote this Discourse.

A certain noble Earl, renowned not onely for the splendour of his Birth, but for the extraordinary qualifications and endowments of his mind, being of a sanguine * 1.85 temper, a florid complexion, and in the very vigour of his Age, (no body knows upon what occasion) became much inclined to excessive Pissing; and when for several Moneths he had been used ever now and then to make great quantities of Water, he at last (it seemed) fell into a Diabetes that was obstinate, strong, and almost desperate. For besides that in the space of 24 hours he voided almost a Gallon and an half of limpid, clear and wonderful sweet water, that tasted as if it had been mixed with Honey; he was likewise troubled with an extraordinary thirst, and as it were, an Hectick Fever, with a mighty languishing of his Spirits, weakness in his limbs, and consumption of his whole body.

When at this time I was sent for to consult with these excellent Physicians Dr. Mi∣chlethwait, and Dr. Witherly, they had prescribed the following Remedies, by the use of which, he in a short time, seemed to grow well again.

Take of the Tops of Cypress viij. handfuls, of whites of Eggs beaten together, two pints, of * 1.86 Cinamon ℥ ss. when you have cut them small, pour to them of new Milk viij. pints distil them in the common Instruments, taking care that it burn not: and let the Patient take ℥ vj. thrice a day.

Take of Gum Arabick, and Gum dragant, each ʒ vj. of Peneds ℥ j. make a Powder, and let him take about ʒ j. or ʒ j. ss. twice a day with ℥ iij. or ʒ iv. of distilled water.

Take of Rhubarb pulverized, gr. xv. of Cinamon gr. vj. make a Powder and let him take it in the morning, repeating it within 6 or 7 days.

Take of Cowslip water ʒ iij. of Cinamon-barley water ʒ ij. of Syrup of Poppies ℥ ss. make a Potion, to be taken every night.

His Diet was onely of Milk which he took sometimes raw, and diluted either with distilled or Barley water, and sometimes boiled with white Bread, or Barley, several times in a day. By the use of these things growing daily better and better, he seemed within a Moneth to be almost quite well: when he began to be pretty hearty, his Urin which was insipid, did not much exceed the quantity of that liquid matter which he took in; and afterward growing somewhat saltish, it was less than what he drank, till at last by degrees recovering his usual tenor of spirits and strength, he returned to his former Diet.

But yet the disposition to this Distemper did not so totally leave him, but that af∣terward, oftentimes, through disorders in his Diet, and perhaps irregularities in the seasons of the Year, being inclined to a relapse, he made water at first in great quan∣tity, * 1.87 and then clear and sweet, with thirstiness, feverishness, and languishment of his spirits. But by the use of the same Medicins he was usually cured again in a short time. Not long ago, after a long interval of health, a little before he began to suffer his flux of Urin, he underwent great enormities and consumptions in the nervous parts; that is to say, he felt drowziness and whimsey in his Brain, •…•…dden convulsions in his limbs, twinges of the tendons, and various runnings, as it were of a wind, to and fro. After which when the aforesaid symptoms seemed to be removed by the use of proper Me∣dicins, the Diabetes after its usual manner (that is, when the matter flowed out of the fibres and solid parts into the Bloud, and from thence into the Reins and urinary pas∣sages) returned afresh upon him.

About this time the aforesaid Physicians being called to a consultation prescribed almost the same method and remedies as before, by the use of which, being in a few days somewhat better than before, they thought good to prescribe to him water of flacked lime, to be taken thrice a day, by ℥ v. or vj. at a time; which remedy when he had used four days together, he made water very moderately, that was of a good co∣lour, and something saltish, and seemed in almost all other circumstances, to be as well as ever he had been.

CHAP. IV. The several Sorts and Receipts of Medicins that stop excessive Pissing.

THose Medicins that are properly called Astringents, that is to say, such things as are austere, sower, and styptick or binding, which by wrinkling up the fibres of the bowels, and drawing them into a lesser space, rebate their expulsive and eva∣cuating faculty, and consequently hinder purging both upward and downward, though they are commonly prescribed, yet they do little or nothing toward the restraining of Urin: for their virtue is of no force in the mass of bloud, nor doth it at all reach the Reins or the Bladder. Wherefore in a Diabetes it is to no purpose that they prescribe * 1.88 the Bark of Pomegranates, Balaustians, Medlars, Roots of Tormentil, and the like; as Reason dictates this, so Experience confirms it. But the Remedies which are found to be of greatest use in a Diabetes, and most exactly to square with my Hypothesis, are, as I formerly intimated, of a twofold kind; that is to say, first, such as hinder the combinations of the Salts, and consequently the fusion of the bloud; of which sort are * 1.89 those that are commonly called Thickeners, and have viscous and glutinous particles, which being admitted into the mass of Bloud, stick fast to the active particles thereof, and disjoin them, and keep them from uniting either among themselves, or with the saline ones that flow from other parts. Secondly, Such as dissolve the accretions or unions of the Salts, and consequently restore the mixture of the Bloud; of which kind are those saline parts, of another nature, which are apt to stick close to the acid Salt, and by that means to separate it from those combinations that are made within the bloud; as are chiefly Medicins impregnated with fixed, and also with volatile and alchalized Salt. Besides these two chief kinds of Ischuretick Medicins, there remains another with a secondary sort, to wit, Hypnoticks, or sleepy Medicins; that is to say, such as by putting a stop to the animal motion cause the affairs of living to be carried on much more sedately, and consequently with less fusion of the bloud, or precipitation of the serous and nutritive humour. It now remains that I subjoin some select Receipts of every sort of these Medicins.

1. The first thing that the Physician aims at, that is to say, by thickening the bloud * 1.90 to take off, or to prevent the fusion thereof, is attained in manner following.

Take of Gum Arabick, and Gum Dragant pulverized, each ℥ j. of Peneds ℥ ss. make a Pow∣der, * 1.91 and divide it into 16 parts. Take one part thrice a day, dissolving it in distilled water, or in the decoction of Comfrey roots, in Spring water, or in Milk.

Take of resumptive Electuary ℥ iij. of the Species of Gum Dragant cold, ℥ j. of red Coral * 1.92 prepared ʒ ij. Confection of Jacinth ʒ j. ss. of the Gelly of Vipers skins a conve∣nient quantity; make an Electuary to be taken thrice in a day, the quantity of a Wallnut.

Take of the whitest Amber, Mastich, and Olibanum pulverized, each ℥ j. of Pulvis Haly * 1.93 ℥ ij. of Balsam of Tolu ℥ ss. make a small Powder; whereof the Dose is ʒ ss. thrice or four times in a day.

Take of the roots of greater Comfrey, and of Water Lillies, each ℥ iij. of Dates cut in pieces ℥ ij. of the Seeds of Mallows, Cotton, Plantaign, and Flea-wort, each ℥ ss. boyl them in * 1.94 Spring Water iv. pints to an half; to the straining of it put of the Syrup of Water Lillies ℥ ij. The Dose is ℥ iv. thrice a day.

Take of the Decoction of Barley, with roots of Water Lillies one pint and half, of Sweet * 1.95 Almonds prepared ℥ j. ss. of Seeds of white Poppies, Pursley, and Lettice, each ℥ ss. make an Emulsion according to Art. The Dose is ℥ iv. thrice a day.

Take of the tops of Cypress m. vj. of the leaves of Esalarea m. iv. of the Flowers of Arch∣angel * 1.96 or white Nettle, of Comfrey, and of Water Lillies, each m iv. of the roots of Wa∣ter Lillies and Comfrey, each lb ss. of Mace ℥ j. when you have shreded them altogether very small, pour to them of new Milk viij. pin•…•…s; distil them in the common Vessels. The Dose is ℥ iv. thrice a day, with the Powder or Electuary before prescribed.

Secondly, Although salt Medicins of every sort and state are looked upon to be diuretical, and every one of them in some cases, as far as they dissolve the bloud, and cause the serous parts of it more copiously to separate, are in some measure really diu∣retical, for this reason, though the use of them in a Diabetes may be justly suspected, * 1.97 yet upon the account of what I have before said, to wit, that by meeting with the acid Salt (when it predominates in the bloud) they take off and prevent the fusion and melting thereof, I do not at all question, but that sometimes they may be given with success for the stopping of immoderate evacuations by Urin; and as soon as ever I have an opportunity, I am resolved to trie the truth of this by a cautious experiment: and indeed that such an experiment may be with safety made, is manifest enough from this, that I have heard for a certain of one who was cured of a Diabetes by an in∣fusion of slacked Lime. But because those saline Medicins (which we suppose do either take off, and as it were fetter the acid Salt) are impregnated with fixed, or vo∣latile, or alchalized Salt, I will cite some Receipts of Ischuretick Medicins, in which each of these are the foundation.

First therefore when fixed Salt by it self, or joined with Sulphur, is required for the * 1.98 foundation.

Take of the Tincture of Salt of Tartar, or the Diliquium of it, a convenient quantity; * 1.99 give it in a small draught of the Decoction, or distilled Water just now prescribed thrice a day.

Take of the Tincture of Antimony, and give it the same way thrice a day. I know by frequent experiments that the use of this is very advantageous in this Distem∣per.

Take of the Salt of Coral ℈ j. to be given in the same manner.

Take of the infusion of slacked Lime one pint. The Dose is ℥ iij. or ℥ iv. thrice a day, gi∣ving * 1.100 first of all a Dose of the Electuary or Powder before prescribed.

Take of Conserve of the Flowers of Archangel, and the greater Comfrey ℥ iv. of the reddest * 1.101 Crocus of Iron ℥ ss. of Coral calcined to a whiteness ʒ ij. of Syrup of Comfrey a convenient quantity: make an Electuary. The Dose is ʒ ij. thrice a day.

Take of Lapis Specularis calcined ℥ j. The Dose is from ʒ ss. to ʒ j. twice or thrice a day. * 1.102

Country men with this Medicin do very successfully cure their Cattle that are trou∣bled with pissing of bloud.

Take of Coral calcined to a whiteness and pulverized ʒ iij. of Powder of Gum Arabick and Gum Dragant, each ʒ j. make a Powder, and divide it into 10. parts, whereof take one, thrice a day in a convenient vehicle, to wit, the Decoction, or the Distilled Water.

Take of the reddest Crocus of Iron ʒ vj. of Gum lac. pulverized ℥ ss. of red Saunders ʒ j. make a Powder, and divide it into 20. parts, of which take one thrice a day.

Take of Harts horn burnt and pulverized ℥ ss. boil it in iv. pints of water wherein Iron is * 1.103 quenched till it waste to half, then add at the last a crust of bread, and of the roots of the greater Comfrey, and of dried Water Lillies, each ℥ j. ss. to the straining whereof put of Sugar of Pearl ℥ ij. Let the Patient take ℥ iv. thrice a day.

2. Medicins impregnated with alchalized Salt, such as Corals, Pearls, Cuttle bone, * 1.104 Harts horn, Ivory, Powders of Shells, and the like, are very commonly used, not onely against Rheumatical Distempers, but also in a Diabetes, and indeed according to my Hypothesis, in as much as they receive the acid Salt which abounds in the bloud, and consequently free the mass of bloud from dissolution; you may from them expect benefit, and that most commonly with success.

Take of red Coral ground very small, and of Cuttle bone, each ℥ ss. of Harts horn philoso∣phically * 1.105 calcined ʒ iij. of Pearl, Ivory, and Crabs Eyes, each ʒ j. mingle them and make a Powder. The Dose is ʒ ss. thrice a day in a convenient vehicle.

Take of the same Fowder ℥ iij. of the Species of Gum Dragant cold ℥ ij. of Sugar Candy ℥ ij. make a Powder, with a convenient quantity of the dissolution of Gum Arabick, and make a Paste. Form it into Trochies of the weight of ʒ ss. of which take iij. or iv. thrice or oftener in a day.

Take of the same Powder ℥ iij. of resumptive Electuary ℥ iv. of the Conserve of the Flowers of Water Lillies ℥ iij. of the Syrup of the same a convenient quantity, and make an Ele∣ctuary. * 1.106 Let the Party take the quantity of a Chesnut thrice a day, drinking thereupon a draught of the Apozeme or destilled Water before prescribed.

3. For the same reason that Medicins impregnated with fixed and alchalized Salt * 1.107 seemed good to cure a Diabetes, those also that have volatile Salt in them may con∣duce to the same effect. For the latter as well as the former receive and separate the acid Salt (whereby the bloud is dissolved and melted into a serousness) and conse∣quently the liquor thereof recovereth its due temperament.

Take of Tinctura Solaris with Sal Armoniack (prepared as I use easily to do it) ℥ j. The * 1.108 Dose is 20. drops thrice a day: Spirit of Bloud, Soot, Harts horn may also be tried in this Distemper.

Take of the Salt of Amber ʒ j. of the reddest Crocus of Iron ʒ ij. mingle them, and divide * 1.109 it into 12. parts. The Dose is one part thrice a day.

As to the third sort of Remedies against a Diabetes, that is, Hypnoticks; which by * 1.110 stopping the animal Spirits, retard the course of the bloud, and consequently some∣what hinder the boyling and dissolution thereof; I use in some cases to prescribe Dia∣codium, to be taken every Evening; and if at any time that doth not do the business, to give Liquid Laudanum, prepared with Quinces or tartarized, sometimes every night, and sometimes every other night with good success.

Take of the Decoction of Barley, with ℥ 〈◊〉〈◊〉. of the roots of dried Comfrey ℥ vj. of white Popp•…•… Seeds ʒ ij. of sweet Almonds prepared in number vj. and make an Emulsion •…•…cording to Art, to be taken each night when you go to bed.

Take of the Migistral Water before prescribed ℥ iij. of the dissolution of Gum dragant ʒ ij. of Diacodi•…•… ℥ ss. to ʒ vj. to be taken at night, when you go to sleep.

Take of the Conserve of the Flowers of Water Lillies ʒ ij. of L•…•…danum tartarized or pre∣pared with Quinces ℈ j. of the Tincture of Saffron drops vj. make a Bo•…•…us, to be taken when you go to sleep.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Relation between Piss and Sweat.
• * 1.2

  What the mat∣ter of urin is, and from whence it com•…•…s. It is threefold.
• * 1.3

  How the Seram is separated from the bloud.
• * 1.4

  The Serum is not attracted to the Reins.
• * 1.5

  The make of the R•…•…ins, &c.
• * 1.6

  The use of them.
• * 1.7

  The Seru•…•… is separated by per∣colation.
• * 1.8

  The R•…•…ins have a ferment in them.
• * 1.9

  Part of the nu∣tritive juice is carried away thorow the Reins with the S•…•….
• * 1.10

  The matter of the Urint proceeds chiefly from the mass of Blo•…•….
• * 1.11

  The Seram is separated from the Bloud some∣times with dif∣ficulty, and sometimes too easily.
• * 1.12

  The reason of it is best explained by the dissol∣ving, curdling and reducing of Milk.
• * 1.13

  How to hinder the curdling of Milk.
• * 1.14

  The reason of these things is given.
• * 1.15

  There is some∣what in the Bloud analo∣gous to the cur∣dling of the Bloud, &c.
• * 1.16

  what altera∣tions Chymical Liquors poured into Bloud •…•…hen it is hot, do produce.
• * 1.17

  T•…•…at the Bloud may rightly se∣parate the Se∣rum it ought to be kept from growing too thick or too thin.
• * 1.18

  The excessive separation of the Serum.
• * 1.19

  The defective separation of the Serum.
• * 1.20

  A division of Diuretick Me∣dicins,

  • 1. As to their End.
  • 2. Their matter.
  • 3. Their Form.
• * 1.21

  1. Saline Diu∣reticks: 1. Such as a∣gree best when the Bloud is too compact.
• * 1.22

  And 2. what agree best when it is too loose.
• * 1.23

  The diverse states of Salts.
• * 1.24

  Their various affections.
• * 1.25

  Diureticks im∣pregnated with acid Salt.
• * 1.26

  Where they are agreeable.
• * 1.27

  Powders.
• * 1.28

  A Drink.
• * 1.29

  Diureticks im∣pregnated with fixed Salt.
• * 1.30

  Their Forms or Receipts.
• * 1.31

  Diureticks im∣pregnated with volatile Salt. Why they do good.
• * 1.32

  Powders.
• * 1.33

  Potions.
• * 1.34

  Pills.
• * 1.35

  A Decoction.
• * 1.36

  A distilled wa∣ter.
• * 1.37

  Strainings.
• * 1.38

  A Tincture.
• * 1.39

  Diureticks that are impregna∣ted with a ni∣trous Salt.
• * 1.40

  The reasons of its effects.
• * 1.41

  Powders.
• * 1.42

  Diureticks im∣pregnated with alchalized Salt.
• * 1.43

  Their Forms or Receipts.
• * 1.44

  Diureticks that are sulphureous and spirituous.
• * 1.45

  Their Receipts. Distilled water.
• * 1.46

  A Tincture.
• * 1.47

  A Spirit and an Oil.
• * 1.48

  Sal Prunellae.
• * 1.49

  The reason of it.
• * 1.50

  Spirit of Nitre.
• * 1.51

  The reason of it.
• * 1.52

  Spirit of Sea Salt.
• * 1.53

  The reason of it▪
• * 1.54

  A more compe•…•…∣dious way.
• * 1.55

  The reason of it.
• * 1.56

  Tincture of Tartar.
• * 1.57

  The reason of it
• * 1.58

  Sul•…•…hur or Oil of wine.
• * 1.59

  Salt of Am be
• * 1.60

  The reason of it.
• * 1.61

  The Diabetes was formerly rare, and is not yet well known.
• * 1.62

  The description of it.
• * 1.63

  It doth not pro∣ceed from an attraction in the Reins.
• * 1.64

  But rather from a fusion in the Bloud.
• * 1.65

  The immediate cause of it is chiefly in the Bloud.
• * 1.66

  Sometimes part∣ly in the Reins.
• * 1.67

  This Distemper proceeds most commonly from the dissolution of the Bloud.
• * 1.68

  Suppression of the Urin pro∣ceeds from the compactness of bloud.
• * 1.69

  It is confirmed by Anatomical Observations.
• * 1.70

  The original cause of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.71

  As chiefly acid humours, that get into the Bloud, and fund or precipi∣tate it like Mi•…•…k.
• * 1.72

  Such acid hu∣mours proceed chiefly from the Nerves and the nervous parts.
• * 1.73

  How a Diabe∣tes and a •…•…∣psie differ.
• * 1.74

  The evident causes of a Dia∣bites.
• * 1.75

  The explication of Symptoms in a Diabetes.
• * 1.76

  Whence frequent and copious pis∣•…•…ing.
• * 1.77

  Whence a Fever with thirst and consuming droughth.
• * 1.78

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the Piss of these that are suck of this Dis∣ease is sweet like Honey.
• * 1.79

  It proceedeth from a mixture of Salt and Sulphur.
• * 1.80

  The fore-know∣ledge of this Disease.
• * 1.81

  Three Indica∣tions pointing to its •…•…ure.
• * 1.82

  The chief in∣tentions of the Cure: 1. To hinder the fusion of the Bloud.
• * 1.83

  2. To remove it when caused:
• * 1.84

  3. The Vital Indication.
• * 1.85

  A Story.
• * 1.86

  An instance of a C•…•…re.
• * 1.87

  The R•…•…lapse of this Distemper.
• * 1.88

  Astringents do no good in a Diabetes.
• * 1.89

  Three ways to cure it.
• * 1.90

  For thickning the Bloud.
• * 1.91

  A Powder.
• * 1.92

  An Electuary.
• * 1.93

  A Powder.
• * 1.94

  A Decoction.
• * 1.95

  An Emulsion.
• * 1.96

  A distilled wa∣ter.
• * 1.97

  The reduction or fixing of the bloud.
• * 1.98

  Medicins im∣•…•…regnated with fixed Salt.
• * 1.99

  Tinctures.
• * 1.100

  An Infusion.
• * 1.101

  An Electuary.
• * 1.102

  A Powder.
• * 1.103

  A D•…•…coction.
• * 1.104

  Medicins im∣pregnated with •…•…lchalized Salt.
• * 1.105

  A Powder.
• * 1.106

  An Electuary.
• * 1.107

  Medicins im∣pregnated with volasile Salt.
• * 1.108

  A Tin•…•…re.
• * 1.109

  A Powder.
• * 1.110

  Hypnoticks.