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

CHAP. III. The several sorts, Preparations and Receipts of Opiates

NOw that I have delivered to you the Doctrine of Narcotick Physick in general, and sufficiently explained the Reasons and ways of its operation, my next bu∣siness is to recount, and particularly to consider those Medicins that are endued with such a quality, both Simples and Compounds, and so to make a kind of Opiological Treatise of it.

First therefore, According to the Method observed by most Authors, I thought it * 1.1 proper in this place to distinguish such Remedies as are called Anodyna [Medicins to remove Pain] into two Classes, that is to say, as they are stronger or weaker. For some of them being meerly Narcotick, do not onely force sleep preternaturally, but when occasion requires, procure a freedom from pain and a numness, and being un∣duely given, many times death it self. But there are other Medicins said to be of this kind, in as much as when the spirits are heated and in disorder, they entice and kindly compose them to rest, not by destroying or stupifying, but onely by mollifying and soothing of them.

1. To the former sort of these (which are the onely ones properly called Narcoticks * 1.2 or Opiates) we usually refer Poppy both white and red; and some other more veno∣mous things, which for that reason are not to be prescribed. But of some of them that are not so unwholsome, the Roots, Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, and thick Juices, are frequently used, and (as I have before shewn) are often taken with the greatest success. But seeing each of them have some poison mixed with them, therefore you must not prescribe sometimes one sort and sometimes another indifferently, as in the other parts of practical Physick, but trie only such things as are most safe and approved by long ex∣perience. Hence custom hath at last so far obtained upon us (from which we may not * 1.3 recede without hazard of mens lives) that Poppy and the Preparations thereof, are the basis or complement of almost all Opiate Medicins. The Seeds of Henbane and the roots and juice of Cynogloss or Dogs Tongue, are ingredients in the compositions of some Hypnoticks; but yet whenever we have a desire effectually and safely to provoke sleep; the whole force of the Medicin is placed in Opium or Diacodium. I shall not need in this place to describe white Poppy, out of which these are made, nor the extraction of the Opiate Juice, or to give you the Composition of that Syrup, because all this is done at large in the Botanical and Antidotary Books [or Books that treat of Plants and Antidotes] both of the Ancient and Modern Doctors. As to what remains therefore; and makes most to our purpose, I will endeavour to shew you the elementary parts of Opium, and from thence demonstrate the virtues of both that and Diacodium, with the reasons why they intoxicate.

The body of Opium may be examined and distinguished, as to its constitutive * 1.4 parts, better when it is entire and untouched, than when it is Chymically taken in pieces: For if it be distilled by fire, then through the plenty of impure sulphur that is in it, it burns horridly, and at the same time •…•…ends forth a very noisom stink. But yet it is obvious to sense that there are abundance of sulphureous particles in this body; which also its nasty stinking smell and inflamableness do manifestly declare. And though it be equally certain that there are saline particles joined with this sulphur, and consequently that this body consists chiefly of these two together, with some small quantity of Earth; yet of what nature, and in what state that Salt is, I cannot posi∣tively tell,; onely I can guess by the effects of it, that this sulphur-saline body is alto∣gether contrary and destructive to the texture of animal spirits, which is spirituous and salino-volatile. And indeed a man may gather from many instances that the Narco∣tick * 1.5 virtue lies in the sulphur joined with the sharp or aculeate salt, from whence it hath its stinking smell: For of this nature are white Poppy, Mandrake, Henbane, and Tobacco, and other Opiates, all which have an ill smell, almost like one ano∣ther, which is very offensive to our spirits whilest we smell it. Moreover according * 1.6 as the animal spirits in several bodies are of a somewhat different texture, therefore Opiates work more virulently and strongly in some than in others. Turks and Aegy∣ptians, whose spirits are more fixed and less volatile as being generated out of adust bloud, eat Opium without any danger, at least without hazard of their lives; not so of Europeans, who have more pure and subtile spirits: Dogs eat Opium in a great * 1.7 quantity without any sleep or danger of death. A very small dose of it kills a Cat

immediately, because the spirits of that Creature being very salino-volatile, cannot by any means endure the Narcotick sulphur. And hence it is, that one drop of the Oil of Tobacco, put upon the end of this Animals tongue immediately creates Convul∣fions and a dizziness in it, which are attended with present death. I once saw ʒij. of Opium put into a piece of Bread and given to a Cur-dog; and a little while after growing verysick he became dull or rather stupid, and by his difficulty and striving to breath, seemed to be just a dying; but afterward within half an hour, he eased him∣self in great quantity with the nastiest stink that I ever yet smelt, and immediately grew well and lusty. Now that so great a quantity of Opium did not hurt this Creature, the reason proceeded from the extraordinary acid ferment of his stomach, whereby the sulphureous particles of the Narcotick might be rebated and in some measure sub∣dued; and so this sulphur being very much dissolved by the acid menstruum in his stomach, his excrement came forth very foetid or stinking. For we may observe of other bodies, that whilest an acid works upon a sulphureous body, it causes an ungrate∣ful smell: For so it is when Aqua stygia, or spirit of Vitriol, is poured upon the filings * 1.8 of Iron. So also when spirit of Vinegar is put to a Lie made with Antimony; and I could tell you a great many other things of this sort. But yet we must not deny but that the particles of the Opium do work upon the spirits of the Dog, which not∣withstanding resist the Narcotick poison more stoutly than either those of a Man, or other four-legged Animals; as appears by the Story which I just now told you: for that though a dulness, difficulty and straitness of breath began to arise, by reason that the spirits of the brain were affected or overpowered with a drowsie quality, those symptoms immediately vanished as soon as the Narcotick matter was thrown off by purging. Moreover I knew the •…•…uth of this opinion still more confirmed by an Anatomical Experiment. Many years ago I saw about three ounces of the Tincture of Opium, made very strong in Canary Wine, and transfused into the jugular vein of a live dog. When his vein was closed, the Dog ran about as he used to do, seem∣ing to be little or not at all affected with it: but after a quarter of an hour, he began to be a little dozed, to nod his head, and at last to fall asleep: but we having no mind he should, when we had hindered him for some time from it by beating, threat∣ning him, and trying to make him run, at last by that means his sleepy inclination was quite off of him, and he became very sound and lively. From whence it is ap∣parent, that the poison of Opium is either so far subdued within the bowels of con∣coction by their ferments, or resisted by the animal spirits themselves, that it is not always alike in all Creatures, either sleepy or mortal.

As to the heads of white Poppy, with the seeds of which Diacodium is made, and likewise Decoctions, Emulsions, and other sleepy Confections, it is evident that these are much less impregnated with Narcotick sulphur than the concrete juice of Opium; and that what there is in them of that kind, is much more pure and innocent. Where∣fore we very often give Remedies compounded of these with a great deal more secu∣rity. For we must not go so high as Laudanum, unless when through the vehemency of the symptoms, Diacodiate Medicins will not do the work. Moreover since these * 1.9 have less virulency in them, they do not want much preparation, but may be put to a physical use after plain boiling, infusion, or expression, or squeezing. But Opium is seldom prescribed alone and by it self, but useth to be corrected and compounded with various and different Preparations, that it may be made an Anodynon, safe enough to be taken.

The Preparation of Opium is either Simple or with Dissolvers and Correctors joined to it. The manner of the former consisteth chiefly in this, that the mass of it being * 1.10 cut into several small pieces like Dice, it be exposed to the heat of the Fire or the Sun so long, till the Narcotick sulphur being partly evaporated, that which remains be∣comes friable [or fit to be rubbed in pieces] and less offensive to the nose; which Pre∣paration of it is usually put in practice before most others. For whether we would make a Tincture, Extract, or Confection of Opium, it is first dried and reduced into a Powder by this precedent means. Moreover to this you must refer the smoaking of it with sulphur, in the same manner as we tame Scammony: for an acid vapour ascending from common sulphur, whilest it flames, doth much subdue or weaken the virulency of both the other sulphurs, both the Purging and the Narcotick or sleepy.

There are many and very different Preparations with their adjuncts, or rather com∣positions * 1.11 of Opium; whereof some have been more usual and famous among the Modern Physicians. But the Opiates of the Ancients which were most noted are Pilula de Cynoglosso [Pill of Dogs-tongue] Requies Nicolai, and Philonium, of which last there are four sorts, to wit, Romanum, and Persicum, (the use of which is in some mea∣sure retained even to this day) and likewise Philonium Galeni, and Philonium Mesuae.

The Descriptions of all these are common enough to be seen in most Antidotaries [or Books of Antidotes] so that I need not here to repeat them. The reason of these very Anodynous compositions, though it stands upon a false foundation, yet in ano∣ther respect it is found to be good enough. For upon a false supposition that Opium is cold in the fourth degree, many things which are hot in the same degree, as wild Pellitory, Euphorbium, white Pepper, and the like, are added to the Philonia, which have in them a great quantity of it. But they do not subdue the Narcotick sulphur of the Opium and rebate its virulency, because their heat opposeth thats coldness (for indeed it is not cold, but rather hot) but those sharp bodies, by being full of volatile salt, are the cause of such an effect.

The Opiates of the Modern Doctors, upon account of the laudableness of such * 1.12 a Medicin, are vulgarly called Laudana; and some also because they remove Pain, call them Nepenthes. When these were first found out Renodaeus complained very in∣geniously, That there were a company of Quacks started up, who in stead of the known Pills, called Pilulae de Cynoglosso, give us a Confection of Opium, which they call Laudanum, wherewith they promise not onely to procure sleep, but to cure all Diseases. The Quacks (saith he) give such an Encomium of this Medicin, that there is no Emperick, no dull Piss-Doctor, no nor any pitiful Barber but professeth himself a Laudanist, or an Admirer of Laudanum. Without doubt this Custom, though the worst that is, and most pernicious to humane life, is not yet laid down. For there are yet among us not a Troop or Company, but rather a Swarm of Pretenders to Physick; where of each one brags of his peculiar Laudanum, which they give in every Distem∣per, or any state of a Distemper without any consideration; and if perchance it hap∣pen that the Patient sleeps and wakes again, immediately they triumph and claim some token of preheminence, when oftentimes they deserve a Gallows more than any thing else, in as much as when the Pulse and Breath is dejected by an Opiate unseasonably administred, many times all hopes of a Crisis or a Cure are gone: wherefore whoso∣ever values their life, ought to be admonished to have a special care of those unskilful Laudanists.

Nor ought the use of Opiates onely, but much more the Invention and Prepara∣tion of them be denied to Empericks and Quacks: for it is the work of a good and learned Physician so to temper poisons, that they may not prove a Venome but an Antidote. Wherefore Laudana, which were found out by none but skilful persons who had long experience of them, ought onely to be admitted into practice; of which sort there is enough already received and approved on, so that there needs no new ones to be daily added. The ancient Laudana invented by Paracelsus, Crollius, Querce∣tan, Hartman, and other famous Chymists, and described also in most Pharmacopaeias [Books shewing how to make Medicins] are compounded onely under the form of an Extract; in all which for a foundation there is the tincture of Opium drawn forth with a fit menstruum; to which are added other Tinctures, as of Saffron, Castor, (which Guianerus calls the Bezoar of Opium) of Species Diambrae, and the like; and so * 1.13 when they are all mixed together, distil them in a Bath, so that the menstruum being evaporated, the remainder be reduced to the consistence of Honey; and in fine, for the compleating of it, put into Magisteries, pretious Powders, Chymical Oils, and other things that are reckoned Cordials: and when the Medicin is thus made up, it is most commonly given in the form of a Pill.

Though these kind of Laudana seem efficacious enough, and elegantly made up, yet * 1.14 the Modern Physicians have somewhat altered the forms and made the consistence of them liquid, that they may be the better taken in any liquor. To which you may add, that whereas an Opiate Pill (which was no less famous for doing hurt than good) was a terrour to some People, a Dose of Liquid Laudanum may be better concealed (if it be necessary, and the Patient be averse to it) and when it is poured into other liquor, may go for a Cordial rather than a sleeping Medicin. And indeed sick People sometimes are too cautious as well as too careless in the use of Opiates, and therefore, as in one case they ought to be admonished, so in another they should be cheated and deceived. For the making of liquid as well as solid Laudanum, you must extract the tinctures of Opium and its adjuncts severally, in the same manner; which having afterwards mixed all together, and drawn off the menstruums to the one half, there will remain a Medicin which is of a shining red colour, the Dose whereof is from ℈ss. to ℈j.

Concerning these Laudana of hoth kinds, it is of greatest moment with what men∣struum * 1.15 the Tincture of Opium is extracted; in so much that this is grown to be a great controversie among some Chymists of no small account, whilest some of them supposing it to be cold, use spirit of Wine; and others on the contrary, to abate the heat of the Opium, dissolve it in spirit of Vinegar, or juice of Citron: now indeed

each menstruum is agreeable enough, and one almost as good as the other, so it be re∣duced to an Extract; but if you give it in a liquid form, there is no better dissolver of Opium than spirit of Wine, impregnated with salt of Tartar volatilized. For this most readily dissolves the mass thereof, receives a Tincture that shines like a Ruby; besides which, it somewhat subdues the Narcotick sulphur, and takes off its noisome smell: for to say truth, salt of Tartar is the best correcter of, or rather Antidote against Opium. Hence that same Empericks Opiate Pill, in which salt of Tartar mingled with Oil of Turpentine is the dissolver of the Opium, is reckoned very good: to which Composition they add Powder of white Hellebore, but not for any other reason, I suppose, than because some men maintain a Paradox [a position against common reason] and say that Venoms when they are tamed become the best Medicins.

For some few Years last past the use of a kind of Liquid Laudanum hath been fre∣quent; of which Helmont is commonly said to be the Author. It hath for its men∣struum * 1.16 [or dissolver] the Juice of Quinces put into a fermentation by the Yist of Ale: with which a deep tincture both of Opium and Saffron is extracted, which being strained and aromatized, is drawn off in a Bath to the one half; then part of the remaindee is kept for use, and is this Liquid Laudanum: of which the Dose is from 15 to 20 drops. The other part by further Distillation, is reduced into the form of Pills, and given from gr. j. to ij. I have given that liquid Opiate, in dysenterical cases, often∣times with great success. But my Liquid Laudanum (which I most commonly use) hath for its menstruum, the Tincture of salt of Tartar raised to the highest redness by long digestion: and since the Tincture of Opium extracted by this is the ground of the Medicin, for a Complement I add Saffron, Castor, Cloves, and Lignum Aloes: of this the Dose is from 15 to 25 grains.

2. After white Poppy and the opiate Preparations thereof, I come next to tell you * 1.17 of wild or Erratick Poppy, which hath, no question, a kind of hypnotick or sleepy qua∣lity in it, but much more mild and benign than that other; wherefore in some cases it is very suitable, and we may be more secure in the use of it. For this there is a Syrup and a Distilled Water prepared, and to be had in Apothecaries shops, which are often given with success in most continued Fevers, and are supposed to be helpful in the Pleurisie by a kind of specifick virtue, which they have, because they remove pains, and by stopping the Pulse in some measure, depress or cool the feverish boyling of the bloud. Moreover out of the Flowers hereof, infused in spirit of Wine, you may draw a Tin∣cture, which among Empericks and good Women is a famous Medicin, and said to be good against a Surfeit by hard drinking. Of which this seems to be the reason, be∣cause the spirit of Wine keeps all that is in the stomach from putrifaction, and the Nar∣cotick quality of the Flowers prevents the Fever which is coming upon a man.

3. Having done with the Medicins made of Poppy, Mandragoras, or Mandrake, Henbane, Cynogloss or Dogs tongue, and Tobacco, come in the rank of Narcoticks, next before us. Of the two former of which, because they are scarce ever received into the practice of Physick (except the seeds of Henbane); I need not make many words, but Cynogloss, because it breaths, as it were, a soporiferous smell or flavour, * 1.18 doth openly prosess its Narcotick nature, and by the beauty of its form, doth as it were, invite us to take it up. For it is a very fine Plant, with soft leaves, of a pleasant green colour, and is crowned with delicate purple flowers. The Powder of the roots thereof is an impediment of, and gives denomination to that ancient and famous Opiate called Pillulae de Cynoglosso. The Juice of the whole Plant (gathered about the begin∣ning of the Spring) being squeezed out and depurated by close and hot digestion, and then decanted from the dregs, gives you a clear liquor, which is shiningred like a Ruby. This may be used either as a Menstruum to compound other Narcotick Con∣fections, or an Hypnotick [or sleepy] Syrup is prepared out of it. Or lastly, being gently evaporated, it is reduced into an Extract, out of which, as out of Opium, Tin∣ctures and Extracts are made with convenient Menstruums [or Dissolvers.]

Tobacco brings up the Rere of Narcotick Medicins, and justly claims a place among them. For though it be no ingredient in their Compositions, yet the smoak of it ta∣ken * 1.19 through a Pipe, produces many times the same effect as they do. Yea, which is more to be admired, it doth not onely procure sleep alone, but sometimes also the contrary of it, which is watchfulness. I need not trouble my self to tell you the ori∣ginal or usage of this invention, which is so commonly known and practised by men and women of all sexes, ages, and conditions. The reason why I put it in the number of Opiates is, because it works almost the same effect among our Countrymen, as Opium doth among the Turks: for both of them dispose men to do or suffer any thing (by affecting the animal spirits with a kind of unusual motion, and rendering them as it were astounded) without any great sense of pain or weariness. Wherefore

to the smoak of Tobacco taken in at the mouth, according to the common custom, they ascribe not onely many; but different, yea contrary virtues and effects, that are repugnant one to another. For it is vulgarly said to heat us when we are cold and chill, and to cool us when we are hot; to procure or prevent sleeping; and likewise to satisfie or excite hunger and thirst: the reason of all which, consists in this, that the * 1.20 animal spirits being gently agitated, and as it were put into a kind of Dance by this exhilarating fume, are totally deaf to the molestations of any troublesome object; yea, whatsoever of difficulty they have to do or suffer, they perform insensibly and without any disturbance. Whereupon the use of Tobacco is not onely good, but almost ne∣cessary * 1.21 for Souldiers and Seamen, where it agrees with them, in as much as it makes them both undaunted in all dangers, and able to endure hunger, cold, and labour. But that this smoak is very Narcotick and injurious to the spirits (before it grows familiar to them by long usage) is manifest from this, because when they first attempt to take it, there is hardly any one but suffers very great disturbances in their Brain and Nerves. For when a man is initiated in this dry kind of drinking, he is immediately taken with a swimming and a cloudiness in his Brains, which is often attended with vomiting and purging; their feet fail them, their hands tremble, and their tongue stammers, or talks idly. Many times also a cold sweat and terrible fainting fits ensue thereupon, the cause of all which is, for that the animal spirits, being as it were intoxicated by the Narcotick sulphur, are in their whole Government very much distracted, and forced into disorders: nor onely at the first or second bout, but from the beginning it is ma∣ny times a long while before the smoak of Tobacco can be taken without great con∣fusion in the spirits. But as soon as that custom is become usual and familiar to a man, it likewise grows very grateful, and affects the animal spirits with so much pleasure, that some men had rather abstain from meat or drink than from the use thereof. The reason of which is, because this smoaking doth gently raise, and as it were tickle the animal spirits whenever they are dull and sluggish, and puts them into pleasant expan∣sive motions, with which they are recruited and refreshed in a wonderful manner, as after drinking of Wine.

So much for the principal Narcoticks with their Preparations, and the manner of using them, who belong all to the family of Vegetables. But lest it should be thought that Minerals are of no effect in this case, some men will tell you, that even out of those harder bodies they have prepared most excellent Opiates, without any Opium at all in them. Quercetan prescribes the making of a certain Nepenthe [Pain-removing Me∣dicin] (which is very efficacious to allay and take off all pains and languishings) out of the Narcotick sulphur of Vitriol, and Oil of Sol and Luna [i. e. Gold and Silver] with Tincture of Coral, and other famous Cordials: of which Medicin I am so far from admiring the Virtues, that I rather think, that either there are no such metallick sul∣phurand Oils at all, or that they are of little or no force. Therefore contemning those things, and returning to the genuine and real Narcoticks, I will for a farewel, subjoin some forms of them, which I will likewise digest into several Classes or Orders, accor∣ding as the Opiates have for their ground either the Syrup or Distilled Water of red * 1.22 Poppy, or Diacodium, or Laudanum in an Extract or Liquid, or Pills of Storax or Cynogloss, or a Philonium.

Take of red Poppy Water, and Cowslip Water, each ℥ vj. of Syrup of Rhead Poppy ℥ ij. of * 1.23 Sal Prunella ʒ ss. mingle them and make a Julap. The Dose is ℥ iij. or iv. thrice a day, in a Pleurisie, Pains and Watchings, without any Fever or manifest cause.

Take of Poppy Water ℥ iv. to vj. and let it be taken sometimes by it self twice or thrice a day for the same intentions.

Take of Diacodium from ℥ ss. to ℥ vj. of Cowslip Water ℥ iij. of Treacle Water ℥ iij. and * 1.24 make a Potion.

Take of Carduus Water ℥ iij. of Diacodium ℥ ss. of Spirit of Harts horn, from ℈ ss. to ℈ j and make a draught to provoke sleep and sweating.

Take of Diascordium ʒ ss. of Gascoign Powder ℈ j.of Diacodium ʒ ij. mingle it, and let the Party take it in a spoon.

Take of Diacodium ℥ iij. of Snail Water ℥ j. and mingle them. It is good in a Cough and Pthisick. The Dose is one spoonful when you go to Bed, and if need be, repeat it after midnight.

Take of London Laudanum gr. j. of Powder of Claws compounded ℈ ss. to ℈ j. with a convenient quantity of Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers. Make 3 Pills to be taken when you go to Bed.

Take of Laudanum gr. j. of Pilulae stomachieae cum gummi ʒss, make iv. Pills, to be taken * 1.25 when you go to Bed, for the Colick. * 1.26

Take of Laudanum gr. j. to gr. j. ss. of Diascordium ℈ j. make a Bolus. In the room of the * 1.27 Diascordium you may put Confection of Alchermes, or of Jacinth.

Take of Laudanum gr. j. dissolved in a spoonful of Treacle water, and put to it of Cowslip * 1.28 water ℥ ij. make a draught.

Take of my Liquid Laudanum tartarized xx. drops, and give it in a spoonful of Aqua Mirabilis * 1.29 or Cinamon water, or any other that is fitting. It is good in pains of the Colick, Stone, or Gout.

Take of Species Hierae ʒ ss. of the same Laudanum xx. drops, and make iv. Pills, to be taken when you go to Bed to purge, and likewise to allay pains in the Colick.

Take of Liquid Laudanum prepared with Quinces, from xv. ro xx. drops, and give it in a * 1.30 spoonful of small Cinamon water, in dysenterical Diseases.

Take of the Conserve of red Roses ℥j. of Treacle of Andromachus and the Confection of Ja∣cinth, each ʒij. of red Pulvis Pannonicus ʒj. of Laudanum prepared with Quinces ʒij. of Syrup of Coral, a convenient quantity, make a Confection. The Dose is ʒj. every four or five hours, in a very bloudy Dysentery [or Flux] with gripings.

Take of Pil. de Styr. [or Pill of Storax] gr. v. to vj. of Lac Sulph. ℈ ss. of Oil of Anise seeds j. drop, * 1.31 of Balsam of Peru a convenient quantity, make iv. Pills to be taken in a Cough, Asthma, &c.

Take of Pills of Cynogloss gr. vj. to viij. make 2 Pills to be taken at bed time for the same end. * 1.32

Take of Philonium Rom. ℈j. to ℈ij. of Conserve of Clove-gilliflowers ʒ ss. mingle them; make a * 1.33 Bolus to be taken when you go to Bed. It is good for the Colick, in a cold temperament.

After Narcotick remedies, which I have now sufficiently exposed to their view, I should in the next place say something of Medicins that are meerly Anodynous; that is to say, such as gently quiet and compose the animal spirits when they are any way di∣sturbed, or in an heat, not by subduing or stupifying, but onely by mollifying and soothing of them. But the •…•…n of these (i. e. whether there are any such in nature or no?) ought first to appear, before we form a Discourse of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 [i. e. why they are so.] For besides that Fomentations, Pultises, and Ointments outwardly applied, and Clysters injected into the Guts do sometimes allay pain, I know no other effect that is performed by those meerly Anodynous Medicins, at least when they are taken in at the mouth. Wherefore I do not think it worth while to frame any reasons for such, because we can∣not at all rely upon them for procuring of sleep, or easing of pain, when it is very sharp upon us.

But seeing we have hitherto discoursed so largely of Opiates, with their Preparations, and the ways how they work, according to the former method, I should now in order * 1.34 speak of such Medicins as are contrary to them, or Anthypnoticks; that is to say, such as by keeping sleep off, when it comes too fast upon us, make us watchful; if I had not formerly performed this task in almost all particulars, in a Discourse concerning the Brain (where I treat of the Lethargy and other sleepy Distempers, with their Reme∣dies) so that there is no need for me in this place to repeat the same thing over again. But since in that Book, and also in other places, I have made frequent mention of a * 1.35 certain liquor called Coffee, which is very effectual for the expelling of drowsiness, I do not think it altogether improper to add seme few words more in this place concern∣ing that Drink with its effects, and the reasons of its operations, which I have hinted elsewhere. It would be besides our purpose here to discourse of the ancient and com∣mon use of it, now among the Turks, and formerly among the Arabians and other Eastern Nations; but seeing that this Drink hath been used even by our Country-men too, for some years last past, and almost every body knows by experience what great virtue it hath in driving away drowsiness, therefore let us now inquire into the reasons of this so well known and tried effect. The reason of this I have told you in the * 1.36

Chapter De Pervigilio [of Watching] consists in this, that the Coffee insinuates adust particles (wherewith you may know by smelling as well as tasting, that it abounds) im∣mediately into the bloud, and then into the nervous juice; which particles do by their disagreeableness, and also by their restlessness, not onely keep the pores of the outward Brain still open, but likewise give such spurrs and provocations to the spirits, (which are disengaged for all bonds of drowsiness besides) as may excite them still to perform their offices: for to procure sleep these two things are necessarily required, of which sometimes the one and sometimes the other is most effectual: that is to say, all the pores and passages of the outward Brain or the Cortex of it, must be very much stuffed and filled with a Liquor that distills as it were from the bloud, and flows into those parts, and by that means be closed up; and then afterward to produce that effect, it is ne∣cessary that the animal spirits being excluded out of those pores and passages, and also many times clogged with nutritive and serous particles, should betake themselves to∣wards the middle of the Brain and lie idle. In these Preparatives to sleeping, there is not always one and the same order. For sometimes the animal spirits do first and of their own accord forsake those places, whilest the nervous juice immediately runs into them when they are emptied; and sometimes the nervous humour that flows thither with the serum in great plenty, gets into those passages first, driving the spirits out of them even against their inclinations, and forcing them inward.

But the operation of Coffee seems contrary to both these effects: For immediately after the drinking of it, the adust particles, which are extraordinary active and nimble, being conveyed into the bloud, do somewhat dissolve the liquor of it, and separate the serous part toward the reins and into the habit of the body; and then those particles coming to the Brain, do very easily open the pores of it, and keep them also by their restlessness very wide. Afterward being joined to the spirits, they strip them of all other particles that either oppress or are nutritive, and consequently put them, being now light and volatile, into several motions, and cause them to be expanded through the whole circuit of the Brain, which is freed from all oppletion [fulness] and obstruction.

But in the mean while, when the spirits being exercised in this manner centinually * 1.37 and indefatigably, are deprived of the access and assimilation of the nervous juice, their forces are not sufficiently and in the usual manner recruited. Indeed the old Spirits are made more active and nimble, but the supplies of new ones are diminished. So that it appears from hence, that this drink though very common in use, and in some cases very beneficial, and extraordinary physical, yet in some others perhaps is noxious or less wholsome. And that it is so, not onely reason but daily and common obser∣vation tells us, in as much as Coffee-drinkers, that take it to excess, become many times lean Fellows, and subject to the Palsie as also averse to, or unfit for Venery. The for∣mer effect is so frequent and well known, that I have for that reason alone forbidden * 1.38 a great many to drink Coffee, because it makes them grow lean.

For seeing the bloud, by the daily and too frequent use thereof, becomes sharp and more heated or dried, it is therefore less able to nourish. But as to the indispositions of the Brain and Nerves, I think I sometimes prescribe this Drink, for the curing of them, as much as any man: for I use to send some of my Patients to the Coffee-houses rather than to the Apothecaries shops.

Indeed in most diseases and maladies of the Head, as the Head-ach, Swimming, Lethargy, Catarrhs, and the like, where there is a moist Brain, but a dulness and num∣ness of the animal spirits, joined with a full habit of Body, a cold or not an hot consti∣tution and watery bloud, Coffee is taken many times with great success: for being daily drank, it wonderfully clarifies and illustrates or purges the Brain, and dispels all the clouds from off every function whatsoever: but on the contrary, such People as are thin, cholerick, or melancholick, and have sharp and hot bloud, an hot brain, and their animal spirits too much disturbed and discomposed, ought altogether to abstain from this kind of Liquor; because it the more perverts both the spirits and humours, rendering them unfit and unable for any functions whatsoever. For I have observed many People that have had no great plenty of spirits, and likewise such as were sub∣ject to the Headach, Swimming in the Brains, Palpitation of the Heart, and trembling or numbness in the limbs, that have immediately been the worse for drinking of Coffee, in those respects, and have thereupon presently felt an unusual languishing in their whole Body.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The distinction of Anodynous Medicins.
• * 1.2

  1. The Roll or Catalogue of all Narcoticks.
• * 1.3

  White Poppy.
• * 1.4

  The Nature and Parts of Opium.
• * 1.5

  In what the Power of Opium consists.
• * 1.6

  It doth not work the same way in all.
• * 1.7

  It doth not hurt a Dog, as it doth a Cat or a Man.
• * 1.8

  Some instances of it.
• * 1.9

  Diacodiates.
• * 1.10

  The Prepara∣tion of Opium.
• * 1.11

  The Opiates of the Ancients.
• * 1.12

  Laudana, or Opiates inven∣ted by the Mo∣dern Doctors.
• * 1.13

  Laudana in the form of an Ex∣tract.
• * 1.14

  Liquid Lauda∣na.
• * 1.15

  What is the best menstruum to make Lau∣danum with.
• * 1.16

  The Laudanum of Helmont.
• * 1.17

  2. Red Poppy and the Prepa∣rations of it.
• * 1.18

  Cynogloss and its Prepara∣tions.
• * 1.19

  Tobacco.
• * 1.20

  The effects of smoaking it.
• * 1.21

  And the reasons of it.
• * 1.22

  The grounds of Narcoticks.
• * 1.23

  1. Water and Syrup of Rhead Poppy.
• * 1.24

  Potions.
• * 1.25

  2. Laudanum extracted.
• * 1.26

  Pills.
• * 1.27

  A Bolus.
• * 1.28

  A Draught.
• * 1.29

  3. Liquid Lau∣danum tartari∣zed.
• * 1.30

  4. Liquid Lau∣danum prepared with Quinces.
• * 1.31

  5. Pills of Storax.
• * 1.32

  And of Cyno∣gloss.
• * 1.33

  6. Philonium.
• * 1.34

  Medicins that hinder sleep.
• * 1.35

  Coffee, and its Effects.
• * 1.36

  The reason of it.
• * 1.37

  Its convenien∣ces and incon∣veniences.
• * 1.38

  It makes People lean, and Pa∣ralytick, &c.