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.

9. Pills.

Take a pint of the juice of Ground-Ivy clarified in the Sun, flowers of Colts-foot dried, the tops of Hysop, Sage, Pennyroyal, each a handful; Aniseed, Caraway-seeds, sweet-Fennel-seeds * 1.1 bruised, each half an ounce; distil them in Balneo Mariae to half; strain it and distil it to the consistence of Pills, by adding half a dram of juyce of Liquorish, powder of Elicampane, flour of Brimstone, each three drams; flowers of Benzoin a dram, Balsam of Peru half a dram, tincture of Sulphur three drams, tartarizated Laudanum two drams: make it into a mass, and form it into small Pills to be taken three or four evening, and first in the mor∣ning.

10. Decoctions, as I have above prescribed for a stubborn Cough, are used with suc∣cess * 1.2 against a beginning Phthisis. In a case almost desperate I have prescribed the fol∣lowing Decoction to be taken twice aday, and also instead of odinary drink with very good success.

Take Lignum vitae four ounces, China, Sassaphras, each two ounces; of all the Sanders each an ounce, shavings of Ivory, Harts-horn, each three drams: infuse them, and boil them in twelve pints of Spring-water to half, adding Liquorish an ounce, Raisins stoned four ounces: strain it.

11. Distilled Waters, such as we have before prescribed, are specific here, whereto may be added Solenander-water, of Hogs blood and Turpentine; also Balsamic Waters * 1.3 distilled from Turpentine with Pectoral Ingredients.

Take leaves of Ground-Ivy, white Horehound, Hysop, Pennyroyal, each three handfuls; roots of Elicampane, Orris of Florence, each two ounces; Turpentine dissolved in Oyl of Tartar four Ounces, Hysop-water four pints, Malaga wine two pints; distil them in a sand Bath: let all the liquor be mixed, the Oyl separated: the dose two or three spoonfuls twice aday, with a spoonful of Syrup of Ground-Ivy.

12. In the last place we must describe the forms of Vapors and Fumes; the admini∣stration whereof doth use to profit more than any other remdies in a Phthisis not yet * 1.4 desperate, for that they arrive at the very Lungs, and so purge them by an immediate affect, dry them, and keep them from putrefaction, strengthen and open all their passa∣ges, 1. Therefore a moist steam may be made after this following manner.

Take leaves of Hysop, Ground-Ivy, white Hore-hound, each two handfuls; Elicampane * 1.5 two ounces, Calamus aromaticus half an ounce, Aniseeds, and Caraway-seeds, each an ounces boil them in a sufficient quantity of Spring-water: let the vapor of the hot strained liquor be drawn by the Lungs through a paper rolled up like a cone or funnel: and used morning and evening for a quarter of an hour.

2. A fumigation or dry vapour, is made one while more mild out of meer Balsamics, another while more strong out of Sulphurs, and sometimes out of Arse∣nicals.

Take of Olibanum, white Amber, Benzoin, of each two drams, Gum Guaici, Balsam of Tolu of each one dram and half, powder of red Roses, and red Sanders, of each one * 1.6 dram to be strewed upon burning coals.

Take Gum of Ive, Frankincense, of each two drams, Flower of Brimstone one dram and half, Mastich one dram, with a dissolution of gum Tragacanth, form Troches. * 1.7

Take of white Amber, Olibanum, of each two drams, prepared Orpiment half an Ounce, Styrax, Labdanum, of each one dram and half, with solution of Gum Tragacanth, make * 1.8 Troches for fumigation.

Mountebanks do ordinarily prescribe the smoak of Arsnick to be suckt into the mouth, like Tobacco kindled in a Pipe, and sometimes with good success: Moreover * 1.9 it is in practice with the Vulgar, to burn like Tobacco in a Pipe little bits of cloth stained with Arsenick (such as wherewith the walls of Taverns are hung) and so suck the smoak into the consumptive Lungs for cure.

3. These things being thus unfolded concerning a Cough, and a Phthisis begin∣ning, both as to what belongs to the Pathologie, and cure; it remains now lastly to * 1.10 discourse of a more painful Phthisis confirm'd, and almost desperate; and to con∣sult what is to be perform'd, when the Lungs being very much vitiated and affected with one or more filthy ulcers, neither the air nor the blood do rightly pass through them, but choak or corrupt the mass thereof, by continually suggesting filthy cor∣ruption; insomuch that a hectick feaver and an Atrophie, by reason of nourishment being frustrated infest the diseased, with the loss of all their faculties, and by daily weakning their strength precipitate them to the grave. The most certain sign of this disease growing desperate, uses to be accounted a pain very troublesome with an inflammation of the throat; for this symptom argues a great putrefaction of the Lungs from whence the putrid effluvia's exhaling are thrown about in the narrow passage of the throat, which wound and grievously irritate those tender fibres there. In this * 1.11 case the cleansing of the Lungs, as also the drying up of the Ulcer are in vain designed: for all hotter Medicines ordain'd for those purposes, and fit enough in the beginning of a Phthisis, are not to be endured in a confirmed one; inasmuch as augmenting the inflam∣mation of the Lungs they procure a hectick feaver, thirst, watchings, and other more painful symptomes, or call them back afresh. For truly in such a state of this disease where onely the prolongation of life is proposed with a little toleration and an easie death; those remedies help chiefly, which bridle the fervour of the blood, allay the heat in the Pr•…•…cordia, and restore the spirits, and gently cherish them. Hence for food, Asses Milk, also Water-gruel, Barly-broths, Cream of Barley; and for drink, Ptisan, Emulsions, water of milk distilled with Snails and temperate pectoral herbs, are usually of greatest success. Syrups and Linctus's, which appease the inflammation * 1.12 of the Throat and Lungs, and facilitate expectoration, but chiefly the more mild Hyp∣noticks, whereby moderate rest may be procured, may be frequently or daily taken. The forms of these are common enough; but however according to our method we will annex some of the more select of each kind.

Take of Barly half an ounce, candied Eringo roots 6 drams, parings of Apples one * 1.13 handfull, Raisins stoned two ounces, Liquorish three drams, boyl them in three pints of spring-water to two, make a Ptisan to restrain thirst: take it 3 or 4 times aday, also in the room of ordinary drink if it agree.

Take the tayls of twenty Crevises, candied Eringo roots one ounce, a crust of white-bread, Raisins stoned two ounces, Liquorish 3 drams, boyl them in 3 Pints of Spring-water to two, strain it, and take 3 or 4 ounces three times aday. After the same manner is prepared the Decoction of Snails. * 1.14

Take of Snails half-boyled and cut three pound, ground-Ivy 6 handfuls, Nutmegs sliced numb. 6. crum of white-bread two pound, fresh milk 8 pounds, distill it in a Pew∣ter Still. The same way is distilled the water of Crevise-tayls. The dose 3 or 4 ounces three times aday, sweetned with pearl'd Sugar or Sugar of Roses.

Take ears of green Wheat as many as convenient, distill them in a common still; drink three or four ounces three times aday, sweetn'd with pearl'd Sugar. * 1.15

Take syrup de Meconio three ounces, water of green Wheat 6 ounces, mix them, drink two or three spoonfuls at bed-time, every or every other night. * 1.16

Take Conserve of Mallow-flowers wild or garden three ounces, Lohoch de pino two oun∣ces,

Syrup of Jujubes two ounces, make a Lohoch, of which take often a dram end half, or two drams.

What hitherto we have discoursed of concerning a Cough of every kind (whether it be solitary and simple, or the forerunner and companion of a Phthisis) also what is to be prescrib'd in every case touching the method of healing, it would be easily il∣lustrated by the history of Cures, or by the Anatomical observations on those that have dyed by that disease. For instances of this sort, and very many examples are every where had, and happen daily; it pleases us here to annex a few of the more select out of the large choice of these, accommodated to the chief kinds of a Cough, and Phthisis. And first I will endeavour to illustrate the type of a simple Cough by one history or two, and which takes its rise of it self, and is altogether •…•…bid of the suspicion of a Phthisis.

It is now many years since I took care of the health of a certain Student, obnoxious to a Cough from his tender years, and who was wont frequently to undergo the more * 1.17 painful affections of it, and those of long continuance. This person seemed of a me∣lancholick temper, of a sharp wit, of an indefatigable spirit, of a constitution indiffe∣rently strong, but that his Lungs originally being infirm, did suffer when the blood dissolv'd into serosities. In Summer as long as he transpired freely, he lived healthily enough; but in the Spring and Autumn, when the blood changing its temperament, those serous fluxes came upon him either of their own accord, or from any sleight oc∣casion, he fell easily into a Cough with abundant and thick spittle; notwithstanding this distemper frequently within six or seven dayes, as soon as the mass of blood was purged throughly by the Lungs, vanished leisurely without any great use of remedies. But if to the aforesaid occasions of this disease were added some stronger causes, as chiefly the obstruction of the pores, and errors touching his diet, sometimes a more prodigious and stubborn cough, neither presently nor easily yielding to remedies, and threatning nothing less than a Phthisis, did come upon him; then manifestly the patient for the first days suffered light shiverings in his whole body, and the sense of a Catarrh in his Larynx; afterwards by frequent coughing with thin spittle, toge∣ther with a giddiness, he was afflicted with numness of his senses, and a dropping at his nostrils.

In this state his best remedy was wont to be, and frequently tryed with success, to drink a little more freely generous Wine, and any other liquor very sparingly: for so the acidity and fluor of the blood being suppressed, and transpiration procured more freely, he was much eased, and sometimes recovered health in a short time. Moreover at night and early in the morning he was used to take seven or eight drops of the tincture of Sulphur in a spoonful of Syrup of Violets, or of the Juice of Ground-Ivy, or

Take Conserve of red Roses three ounces, spirit of Turpentine two drams mingled, the dose the quantity of a chesnut evening and morning.

If that these remedies together with the Canary Antidote and thin diet effected little, the disease not being so cured, spinning out into a long period, and pressing him sharply for many weeks, yea sometimes months, it reduced the sick to a remarkable leanness, and to the very brink of the Grave. For then the Cough daily encreasing and being very troublesome, did very much impede and break his sleep, his strength languished, his appetite was dejected, heat and thirst molested him; in the mean time spittle every day encreased, and was cast forth in great plenty; so that not only the Serum of the blood, and the recrements, but also the nutritive Juice, and the drain∣ings of the solid parts being continually poured out upon the Lungs, turn'd into cor∣ruption, which was abundantly cough'd out; moreover his breath was difficult, his joints very infirm, and his flesh very much consumed.

When of late our Patient laboured after this manner, we prescribed the following method, and remedies, by the continued use whereof at length he recovered his health. First of all, a thinner diet being appointed him, and for the most part Ale being forbidden altogether, he took twice in the day of the following Apozeme about six ounces warm, and a little at other times cold to restrain his thirst.

Take of the roots of China two ounces, Sarsaparilla three ounces, white and yellow Sanders of each one ounce, Ivory and Harts-horn of each three drams; infuse and boyl them in 8 pints of water to half, adding Raisins of the Sun 3 ounces, Liquorish 3 drams, strein it, and keep it for ordinary drink.

Take Tincture of Sulphur three drams, take from seven drops to ten, at night and in the morning, in a spoonful of Syrup of Violets, or of syrup of the juice of Ground-Ivy.

When he began by continual use to nauseate this Medicine, in its place the follow∣ing Eclegma was appointed.

Take conserve of red Roses three ounces, spirit of Turpentine two drams, mix them; the dose is one dram, at the same hours.

Afterwards instead hereof the following Powder was fometimes taken.

Take of the powder of the leaves of ground-Ivy dryed in the Summer Sun three ounces, Sugar-candy half an ounce, mix them, the dose half a spoonful twice in a day, with three ounces of the following water.

Take Ground-Ivy 6 handfulls, Hysop, white Hore-hound, of each 4 handfulls, Lambs∣lungs half-boyl'd and cut small, pour upon them eight pound of Posset-drink made with small ale, distil it in common Organs, the liquor being mixed, let it be sweetned to the taste as it is used with Sugar-candy or syrup of Violets.

To appease his almost continually troublesome Cough, he swallowed the following Troches, and sometimes a little of the extract of Liquorish. * 1.18

Take of the species of Diatragacanth. frig. 3 drams, Annise, Carue, sweet Fennel-seeds, of each half a dram, flower of Brimstone two scruples, flowers of Benzoin one scruple, extract of Liquorish dissolv'd in Hyssop-water; make a paste which form into Troches. Or,

Take of Species Diaireos, è pulm. Vulpis, of each two drams, flower of Sulphur, of Elecam∣pane, of each half a dram, Oyl of Anniseeds ℈ss. Sugar dissolv'd in a sufficient quantity of Penniroyal-water and boyl'd to a body ℥ vj. form Lozenges of half a dram weight, let him eat one, swallowing it by degrees, as oft as he will.

In the midst of this course, although he was endowed with a weak pulse and more cold temperature, we breath'd a vain in his arm: moreover, with these remedies, the chiefest help accrued to him from the open air, which for the most part he daily enjoyed, either by riding on Horse-back, or in a Coach; for from hence he first be∣gan to recover his appetite, his digestion, and sleep; whereto afterwards a relaxati∣on of the other symptoms did sensibly follow, till at length he recovered his entire health. As often as he was afflicted since then with a stubborn and tedious Cough, he used a method like this, and with the like success; and now although he lives alto∣gether exempt from that distemper, notwithstanding he is constrained to decline care∣fully all occasions or causes whereby either the pores might be shut, or the flux of blood or its precipitation into serosities might be provok'd; which were chiefly his going by water on the Thames at London, and drinking of acid liquors, as Cider, French or Rhenish wine.

From the above-mentioned history, you may easily conceive both the means and the reason of healing of the Cough, (which caused by the fault of the blood, is without the limits of a Phthisis): The other follows, which illustrates the nature of the same distemper, when it chiefly proceeds from the nervous juice.

A Boy about ten years of age, of a hot temper and fresh countenance, from his in∣fancy obnoxious to a frequent Cough, in his succeeding years sustained more grievous * 1.19 and lasting fits and assaults of this distemper, and by turns was used to labour with a strong and shrill Cough, without spitting, which almost continually afflicted him day and night, and so infesting him many days, yea weeks, brought the sick to utter weak∣ness. * 1.20 Afterwards the period of his disease being come (which happened not but by consuming the store of the morbific matter) he again in a short time became healthy enough, and very free from any sickness of the Thorax: till the morbific matter (as it seems) being heaped again to great abundance, without any evident cause, the same di∣stemper returned and performed its Tragedy with its wonted fierceness. About its first beginning the Cough was troublesome only morning and evening: afterwards the evil by little and little increasing, he almost continually coughed whole days and nights, and if at any time sleep happening of it self, or by the use of Anodynes, afforded any truce, a more outragious fit of coughing succeeded his wakening. After this manner most frequently and fiercely conghing without any spittle, he laboured for three or four weeks, till he was brought to an extreme leanness and weakness; and then the sickness leisurely remitted, so that he coughed somewhat seldomer, and enjoyed moderate

sleeps; afterwards in few days growing very hungry, being quickly made full of flesh and vigorous, he recovered his former health in a short time. Fits of this kind more sel∣dom infested him in Summer-season, but in the rest of the year, repeated three or four turns, and brought the sick even into great hazard of life.

If disquisition be made of the nature, causes, and formal reason of this unwonted and as it were irregular kind of Cough, it is manifest it proceeds like all others, from the provocation of the Lungs; nevertheless as to the matter exciting, its seat, and manner of affecting it is doubted: because neither thick spittle nor plentiful thin (as is usual in other distempers) is here cast out; neither doth the Patient complain of feeling a Catarrh, nor of any weight of the Lungs. Wherefore, not as in a common Cough, does the serous humour either slowly or plentifully sweating out of the Trachea or Pneumonic vessels into the little bladders or Pipes of the Trachea, induce the afore-mentioned symptoms: But it is plain from thence that the passages of the aspe∣ra Arteria are wholly empty of the serous or thick humour, because the deep and sounding Cough throws off nothing. Moreover, neither from the blood impacted in the Membranes of the Lungs, doth this Cough take its origine, because neither fea∣ver, nor thirst, nor pain, are present here as in a Peripneumonie. Besides, neither doth the morbific matter seem to adhere to the nerves or muscles appointed to the function of breathing; because then besides a Cough, Asthmatical or otherwise con∣vulsive fits would sometimes urge with a sense of a strangling; which notwithstanding did not happen to our Patient.

Having frequently and seriously meditated about the Aetiologies of this very diffi∣cult case, I am at length induced to think, that a certain serous and sharp matter, as being loaded with a scorbutical taint, falling from the head by the passage of the nerves, doth enter into the nervous Fibres and Membranes of the Lungs or Trachea; which cleaving thoroughly to them, is by degrees encreafed to a fulness, and at length be∣ing * 1.21 chaf'd, and grown turgid with a perpetual provocation, creates so troublesom a Cough. We have in another place declared the matter of this kind impacted in the Coats of the guts, and the neighbouring parts about them, not rarely to excite a scorbutical Cholick, for many days, yea sometimes weeks, infesting them with vo∣miting and most sharp torment; and what else is this Cough, but a certain Convulsive Distemper of the Lung's, whose taint notwithstanding, according to the capacity of the part labouring, is imprest rather and more on the motive, than on the sensitive Power. For the Lungs however twicht and hurt, do suffer small pain, or scarce any at all; not∣withstanding from any light occasion, they are invaded by storms and fits of Coughing. Indeed we compare this distemper of coughing so much the rather to the Cholick, because the subjects of either of them, that is to say, the Trachea, and the guts, as to their coats, vessels, little fibres and glandules, are after the same manner fashioned.

The chief cause of the Cough now described, depends upon the morbific matter heaped together within the little fibres of the rough Arteries to a provoking fulness; wherewith when they are loaded, first a quick and painful breathing infests only, with a mornings Cough; because from the beginning only some small portion of that matter being disquieted provokes the part: afterwards when the whole mass thereof growing turgid, almost perpetually twitches the fibres, there follows a most troublesom Cough; which also being often repeated, endures a long season; because the Morbifick mass impacted in the parts affected, is neither presently cast off by the strength of na∣ture, nor easily gives place to any remedies.

For in all the fits of this Disease, I have made tryal of various methods of curing, and of Medicines of divers kinds, though with little success. That distemper begin∣ning at any time, is wont to make a long period, maugre all remedies. The medicines commonly called Pectoral, as Syrups, Lohochs, Eclegma's, or Lambitives, have con∣ferred little benefit to its cure; notwithstanding sometimes it hath seemed good to admit of them into use for this purpose, that they might make slippery and moisten the Lungs, lest they run the hazard of being rent by a violent Cough, and their vessels burst asunder: for sometimes a more fierce fit troubling our sick Patient, he hath been wont to Cough out a little blood, though no thick spittle.

A gentle Purge both in the beginning and declination of this Distemper hath succeed∣ed well. Opening and diuretical A pozemes are ever administred with success, both which he used enough through his whole course instead of ordinary drink. Evening and Morning he took some drops of the Tincture of Sulphur with the Milk-water of Snails; late at night I was sometimes constrained to administer a Dose of Diacodion or of liquid Laudanum: his belly for the most part loose enough, that it seldom required Clysters: in two of his fits he breathed a vem, whereby nothing of success ensued.

In the last •…•…it, beginning about the Autumnal Equincctial, which passed away a little more lightly and gently, this following method of healing was observed.

First of all this Purge was given, and after four days repeated. Take of Mercurius dulcis ten grains, Resine of Jallop four grains, mix and make a powder to be taken in a spoon∣ful * 1.22 of Syrup of Violets.

Take China-roots sliced a dram, Grass-roots three ounces, Chervil an ounce, candid Eringoes six drams, shavings of Ivory, Harts-horn, each three drams; Raisins of the Sun stoned thr ee oun∣ces: boil * 1.23 these in three pints of Spring-water to two pints, strain it and use it for ordinary drink.

Take Syrup of Jujubes two ounces, Diacodion an ounce, spirit of Salt Armontac with Gum Ammoniac a dram, mix them: the dose a spoonful at night and early in the morning. He * 1.24 was much relieved with this Medicine, notwithstanding he took it only every other or third day, and for change sometimes a dose of the tincture of Sulphur with syrup of Violets.

The Disease declining a Purge was twice repeated, and afterwards, recovering his health by degrees, within two weeks he became healthy enough. But when I beheld him not only obnoxious to frequent relapses of Coughing, but every fit to be irresisti∣ble when it assaulted him, and its stay very long notwithstanding the use of remedies, and all this threatning no less than a Phthisis at length; I advised that as well for his preservation, as for the more easie Cure of the Distemper, if it should return, he should travel into a hotter Region. Hereupon he did not much delay, but fails into France about the beginning of November, and from thence by a strait journey to Montpelier, where abiding half a year he was sick only twice and both times lightly: afterwards returning into England quite free from a Cough, praise be to God he enjoys his perfect health.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pills.
• * 1.2

  Decoctions.
• * 1.3

  Distilled Waters.
• * 1.4

  Fumes and Va∣pours.
• * 1.5

  Formules of the former.
• * 1.6

  Forms of the more gentle Fume.
• * 1.7

  Of the more strong.
• * 1.8

  Arsenicals.
• * 1.9

  Smoak of Auri∣pigment.
• * 1.10

  Of a confirm'd Consumption.
• * 1.11

  The formal rea∣son thereof.
• * 1.12

  Forms of reme∣dies in a despe∣rate Consumpti∣on.
• * 1.13

  Decoctions.
• * 1.14

  Distilled wa∣ters.
• * 1.15

  Hypnoticks.
• * 1.16

  Eclegmas.
• * 1.17

  The History of a Cough threat∣ning a Consump∣tion.
• * 1.18

  Troches.
• * 1.19

  The second re∣markable Histo∣ry.
• * 1.20

  A hooping Cough.
• * 1.21

  The conjunct cause of the Di∣sease.
• * 1.22

  The usual method of curing.
• * 1.23

  A Drink.
• * 1.24

  A Mixture.