CHAP. I. THE CONTENTS. A Description of the Scurvy. The Internal and nearest Cause of it is chiefly in the Blood, and also in some part radicated in the Nervous Liquor.

THere is so rare Mention, and so slender Description in the ancient Medicine of this Disease, which we call the Scurvy, that some have doubted, whether there were in the times of old any such Sickness, though now epidemical in many places, and almost every where or∣dinary, and with which every one is troubled, or at least thinks himself troubled with it; and which like the Pox and the Rickets, is derived a great way down to the Children: but certainly it is plain by the testimonies of Hippocrates, Areteus, Pliny, and others, that this Affection though known by other Names, was taken notice of by the Ancients, and that its cure hath been trcated of though after a slender manner.

Being not very solicitous concerning the appellations of this Disease, we will presently proceed to the knowledge and application of its Nature: which as it is so diffuse and extends its self into so various and manifold Symptoms, that it can neither be comprehended by one definition, or scarce by a singular description, it will seem best first of all to recite all the Phaenomena of this Disease, or to relate the History of the more notable accidents of it, and thence to accommodate a certain Hypothesis for the right solving its appearances.

As to the first, there are reckoned up a great company of Symptoms in the Scur∣vy, and manifold Affections and of diverse kinds; and which sometimes are of an * oppo•…e or contrary nature to it: yea if any unusual accident, never before heard of in an humane Body happen, when it cannot be referred to any other kind of Disease certainly, we presently without doubting pronounce it the Scurvy: so that this Disease, like one condemned, and of an evil Name, suffers for others Page  170 faults: In the mean time it is wont to excite symptoms very many from its own power, which appear almost in every part of the Body, a recital of which will be best performed by a distribution of the parts of the Body. Therefore that we may thorowly handle the marks of the Scurvy, from the beginning to the end, we will begin first from the fountain of it in the Head: and to this belong great and habi∣tual * Headaches, and those either by certain fits, or at certain times, sometimes a num∣ness or stupidness of Spirits, sometimes pertinacious Wakings, frequent Giddinesses, and Swimmings in the head, Convulsions, Palsies, plentiful Spittings, Ulcers in the Gums, a loosness of Teeth, a stinking in the Mouth. Secondly, sometimes in the region of the Breast, pains in divers parts of its membran•…s, and chiefly about the Sternum, which being often sharp and piercing, do miserably 〈◊〉 those labouring with this Disease night and day, a frequent Asthma, difficult and •…nequal, a strait∣ness * of the Breast, a striving with an empty Cough and inordinate Pulse, a trembling of the Heart, srequent Swoonings, and often faintness of Spirits, or a fear of it almost continual. Thirdly, this Disease, as it were fixing its chief seat in the lower belly, produces an Iliad of Diseases: for often they have Nauseousness, Vomitings, Belchings, * gnawing at the Heart, Inflammations, and grumbling of the Hypochondria, often Colicks, and troublesome Griefs running up and down here and there, almost a continual Diar∣rhaea or Loosness, sometimes a Dysentery or Flux, or a desire of going to stood, a wasting away of the Flesh, and sometimes an Ascitis.

The Urine, for the most part red and lixivial, with a crustiness swimming in it, or else sticking to the Urinal: sometimes also by fits it is pale and waterish and in abun∣dance. Fourthly, besides these Affects of the Belly, there are wandring pains and those not seldom highly painful, and troubling chiefly at night in the external Members, yea * thorow the whole habit of the Body they feel a heaviness and spontaneous weariness, a wasting of the Flesh, an ach about the Loyns, and a debility and enervation of other Members; in the Skin spots of several colours, Tumours, Pimples, and often vene∣mous Ulcers shew themselves about the Muscles: a Numness, Stifness and pricking, and as it were the ascension of a cold air, Also Contractions, and leapings of the Ten∣dons: Besides to scorbutical Persons happen inordinations of the Blood, uncertain Effervescencies, wandring Intemperaments, erratick Fevers and great Haemorrhagies. Besides these more common and accustomed symptoms of the Scurvy, of which some have more some less, and which infest them now after one manner, and now after ano∣ther manner, and in another kind, oftentimes there happen other unaceustomed and pro∣digious accidents to this Disease.

For the more full knowledge of this Disease, it seems good that we here observe as it were lightly, what concerns the original, beginning or first invasion of it. For * we are to inform you, that the Scurvy may be produced by reason of several Cau∣ses and Occasions: for although an ill course of Diet, a sedentary life, the inordina∣tion of the Spleen, and the Crudities heaped up in the first passages are very much accused; yet there is wont to be a further cause, as the unwholsomness of the Air, and the evil Crasis of the blood, vitiated by former Diseases: wherefore the Scur∣vy or Scorbute is often venacular or peculiar to marish places, and to the Sea Coasts: and frequently falls on those who much use the Sea, and feed much upon salt and smoak-dry'd Meats, and who are forced to drink putrrified Water: and often succeeds to continual Fevers, and to other chronical Diseases ill cured; also to great H•…morrha∣gies and other evacuations; and to usual excretions, as the Piles and monthly Courses being suppressed: Moreover this Disease, without any great forerunning cause, is exci∣ted not seldom by contagion, and sometimes is also hereditary.

It manifestly appears from what we have observed concerning this scorbutick Affe∣ction, that the material cause of this Disease is not contained in any private place or * singular Mine, but is diffused thorow the whole body and every part of it, both within and without: from whence we gather that the scorbutick Miasm or Contagion, is poured forth, either in the Blood or in the Nervous Juice or in both. And indeed, the eruptions of Spots, and little whelks, the redness, and as it were lixivate urine, or like lie, plainly testifiethe Contagion to be placed in the effervency and inordinateness of the Blood; to which another like prognostick may be added, the divers production * of this disease, which for the most part, succeeds the depravation of the Mass of Blood: no less the troublesome dolors, both within in the Membranes & without in theMuscles, the debility of the Members or resolutions, the Vertigo, Cramps, and frequent fai•…ings of the Spirits declare the fault or vice to be in the nervous Juice. Therefore, when both the general Humours are in fault, we will see which is first and chiefly vitiated, and from whence it draws its Contagion, and by what means it communicates its harm to another humour, and to any other parts, that are wont to be affected.

Page  171 As to the Blood (in whose mass the Scurvy seems most of all to be rooted) we have elsewhere shown, that its disposition is even almost of the same temper, and of such like particles composed, as Wine: for that we have hinted, the Blood, even as Wine, to be sick, chiefly from two causes, to wit, either, because that there is something extraneous, and not to be truly mingled with it, poured into one or the * other, or else because the disposition of the Liquor, or its temperament is per∣verted, that is, for as much as some things that are to be in Subjection, either to one Element or to another, and which ought to be subjugated, are exalted.

As to the first we have observ'd of some, that when the faces, are first secreted, * and thrust up from the bottom, they are by being moved, lifted up; or if any exotick thing be cast into the Pipe, as Sewet or Sulphur, presently a notable p•…rturbation is stirr'd up; by which, unless it be soon quieted, the whole Crasis of the Wine will be in danger to be subverted. In like manner there are many things not miscible, which disturb the Motion and Circulation of the Blood, by being poured into it, and hinder it, that it cannot perform its due oeconomy, the nutritious Juice being full of the fecu∣lencies, does inordinately ferment the Blood, and as we have formerly shown, that Liquor becoming degenerate stirs up the paroxysms of intermitting feavers; the va∣porous Recrements of the Blood, the serous, bilous, and melancholy being retained in the bosom of it, bring forth Catarrhs, Dropsies, Jaundice, Mellancholly, and many other Diseases: but if that extraneous thing be removed in time, it soon, even as VVine frecd from its extraneous mixture, recovers its pristine Condition. But either Li∣quor, being for a long time infected with those heterogeneous contents, so that the due Crasis is at length degenerate, it is not then easily to be restored.

2. Besides, both Wine, and Blood, by reason of many other causes, depart from their right Temperament. As to Wine there are many ways and reasons whereby * its Liquor is perverted from its legitimate disposition: which may also be parallel'd, by as many, if not more, in the dyscrasie of the Blood. (For this is often wont to be suddenly empoyson'd and broken, which does not easily happen to Wine) 1. There∣fore, we may observe of Wines, that they do not sometimes attain to maturity, but for want of Spirit they remain crude, for as much as the Spirits, and the other active prin∣ciples of Sulphur and Salt being overwhelmed with more thick and gross parts, can∣not extricate themselves; wherefore they become without Spirit, but having a thick consistence, and ungrateful, taste degenerate into a tastless VVine: and almost after the same way it is, when the Blood, the Spirit, and Sulphur depressed becomes crude and watry, and without Vigor, and unable to be inkindled afresh in the Heart. And this kind of disposition of the Blood Horstius affirms to be the cause of the scorbutick affection; but this same disposition, seems rather to infer the Pica, or strange longings of women with child, as also the Dropfical disposition, than the Scurvy, as we shall shew more at large anon. 2. The sulphureous parts of Wine being exalted above the rest, cause an immoderate effervescency or ebullition in the Liquor, and is called in our idiom or proper Speech, Fretting of Wine: In like manner, the sulphureous parts of the Blood being too much provoked or carried forth, causes a feverish intemperance, and is apt to be inflamed in the Heart, and indeed is the cause of very many feavers together. 3. Not seldom the Spirit in Wines growing weak, and theSulphur being bound up, the saline part being carried into a flux overcomes the rest; wherefore theLiquor be∣comes sour. The famous Sennertus thinks the Blood in the Scurvy to be altered as VVine degenerated into Vinegar, which we shall shew by and by, to be otherways. And we * have formerly shewed, the dyscrasie of the Blood, being grown sour, causes Mellancholy. 4. There yet remains another ill disposition of Wines, to which we may very aptly compare the scorbutick Disposition of the Blood, to wit, when the Spirit being de∣pressed, the sulphureous and the saline Particles being combined together, are exalted, and as this comes to pass in Wines, after a two fold manner, so also by the like affection of the Blood we may deduce from thence a two fold Kind of Scurvy, as we shall shew more clearly anon. It is then a common observation in VVines, that be∣sides their degenerating into a tastless Liquor, and into sour Vinegar, they do some∣times, the Spirit being depressed, and the Sulphur and Salt being together exalted, become rancid, or ropy, or mucilaginous; in proper terms, Wines that are fretted, or ropy. In either mutation, the Spirit being subjugated, the sulphureous and the saline * Particles being associated together, exceed the rest of the Elements, and cause the dis∣position of the Liquor, to become of their Nature. But yet the business is not per∣formed, altogether after the same manner, in both: for that in the former dyscrasie of the Wine the Sulphur is something more potent, than the Salt, but in the latter the Salt exceeds the Sulphur: so that either of them being the stronger, their Lord, Page  172 the Spirit, being cast off; they agree one with the other, and surmount the due tencur. The reason of either, may seem to be unfolded after this manner.

When generous Wines have grown hot for a long while, the particles being much agitated and striking one against another, the Spirit partly evaporates, and partly over∣whelmed in the more thick Elements, is suppressed: In the mean time, the Sulphur (of which there is the greater plenty) being more carried forth by the agitation, and so casting off the yoak of the Spirit, adheres to the Salt, and lifting up, alters the mixture of the Liquor, which by reason of the rising up of the Sulphur combined with the Salt, becomes rancid, or fretted: In like manner, when thin Wines have been kept long, the Salt is carried forth, and depresses the Spirit, overcome by its fluor, and so subjected by its wat'rishness, the Liquor becomes sour or sharp; after that the Salt growing eminent, the Sulphur (of which there is a less quantity) cleaving to it, and intimately uniting, converts the Consistency of the Liquor from thin to thick, and as it were of an oily s•…bstance; and from an acid, sour tast to a very ingrateful and as it were musty.

It is probable that after the same manner the B'ood is altered in the affection of the Scurvy, as Wines, as often as they become too hot, degenerate into fretted and ropy, for it is an argument, that this disease does not depend so much on the feculencies mix∣ed with the Blood (though such should there be, they might be at last driven forth, and their supplies cut off) but on the habitual dyscrasie of the Blood; because the Scurvy being radicated, is so difficult and sometimes not at all, to be cured. Moreover we may affirm, the dyscrasie of the Blood which causes the Scurvy, to be two fold, as of the Wine, to wit, a sulphureous saline and a saline-suphureous disposition. For as there are very great variety of affections, which are stirred up by the Scurvy; yet all of them may be aptly enough reduced to two principal Heads, orasit were twoFountains of evil, to wit first, that the blood being touched with the scorbutick Miasm or Con∣tagio n, becomes either very fervid or hot, in which the Sulphur having dominion, as∣sociates it self powerfully with the Salt: wherefore it being made more rancid or fretting, grows inordinately hot in the vessels, and perpetually sends forth from it self adust recrements, to wit, concretions of Sulphur and Salt, and disperses them here and there, which spreading outwardly, produce spots, pimples, whelks, or ulcers: but being inwardly laid up, bring forth a disposition to Vomit, pains about the heart, Loosness, Fluxes and grievous pains. In this kind of Scorbutick rancidity or frettedness of the Blood temperate Remedies only are convenient, and often Blood-letting, Scurvigrass, Horse-radish, or other things endued with a sharpness and incitation: e∣ven by the like means as fretted VVines are cur'd, by discharging them from their faeces, and by pouring into them, Milk, Flower, or Starch, Glew, or other Demulsions or Sweetnings, this is helped. Or in the second place, in blood nourishing the Scurvy, Salt has the chief dominion, and associates Sulphur to it self, wherefore it is not so fervid, but like ropy Wine becomes thick and mucilaginous, and is slowly circulated in the Vessels, and is apt to stuff the Viscera in its passage, and to affix there its feculencies as it were mud. Those affected after this manner, for the most without any pustulaes or eruptions of the skin, become sluggish, breathless and feeble, and labour with spon∣taneous weakness and straitness of the Breast; and are found to be obnoxious to the passions of the Heart, the Vertigo, and Convulsions: In the scorbutick disposition of this kind, more hot Remedies, and such as are indued with a volatile Salt, yea Cha∣lybeates or steel Medicines, which may fuse and agitate thorowly the Blood, are wont to be most used, and are to be handled even after the same way, as ropy Wines, to wit, to be soundly shaken and agit agitated; and also to them are put Lime, burnt Al∣lum, Gypsum or Playstering, Sea salt calcined, and the like, indued with an high acri∣tude or sharpness. So much for the beginnings of the Scurvy radicated in the Mass of Blood: There yet remains to be unfolded, for what causes the Blood degenerating from its proper nature, conceives this or that morbifick disposition, bringing forth the Scurvy. But it first behoves us to shew by what means the seedsof this Disease * lye hid in the nervous Juice, the other general humour.

We have elsewhere declared that from the Blood driven to the confines of the Brain, there doth distil a subtle Liquor, both for the matter and for the vehicle of the animal Spirits, and that it doth disperse it self every where thorow the Encephalon, and the nervous Stock: This Latex, so long as it is right and good, consists chiefly of Spirit and Salt combined or volatilised in it, and with these and the modicum of Water, wherewith they are washed, there seems to be little need of Sulphur and Earth: but yet this concretion of Spirit and volatile Salt doth indeed constitute the most pretious humour which penetrates, passes thorow, actuates, and irradiates all things, concerning which the Chymists have dreamt of their Alchaest. At the beginning of the Scurvy, Page  173 whilst the Crasis of the Blood and the tone of the Brain are not thorowly vitiated, this watring liquor of the Brain and Nerves, being as yet spirituous, sweet, and not very unsit, performs all the functions to which it is destinated: but afterwards out of the bloody Mass made poor and very much weakned, a much thinner Latex and in∣clining towards Vinegar drops forth: and further, from the foeculented Blood and as it were rancid or fretted or ropy, heterogeneous Particles and very much infested are carried to the animal Regiment, and that being made weak within the Brain, they are admitted without repulse, and thence poured forth with the moistning Juice on its Appendix, both medullar and nervous: and from hence in several Regions of the flowing animal Spirits, sometimes faintings and wantings of strength, sometimes painful and spasmodick, or cramplike distractions, and explosions do follow. Where∣fore a Paralysis or Palsy, Convulsions, Vertigo or turning round or giddiness in the head, tremblings and other preternatural Affections of the Brain and nervous Stock, are wont to fall on those who have the Scurvy deeply rooted: concerning which we will hereafter speak more particularly. In the mean time we will take notice in general, that the scorbutick Contagion affixed in the nervous Juice, consists in one of these three or in all of them together, viz. that the moistning of the Brain and Nerves becomes much thinner or poorer; or that it degenerates from its saline disposition into sour∣ness; or that it is stuft with heterogeneous Particles.

Hitherto we have shown after what manner the first seeds as it were of the scorbu∣tick Affection are sown in the Blood, and from thence in the nervous Juice. Before we will consider of the fruits or symptoms of the Disease, excited by reason of the evil disposition of either of the humours and the reasons of them, and their manner of becoming so; we must inquire into the more remote causes and differences of the Di∣sease it self: to wit, that it may appear from what causes or occasions, and by what provision the scorbutick disposition is impressed on the aforesaid humours.

CHAP. II. Of the more Remote Causes of the Scurvy, by which its Contagion is af∣fixed on the Mass of blood, and consequently on the nervous Juice.

HAving shown in the former Chapter, what is the conjunct and nearest cause of the Scurvy, viz. the evil disposition impressed on the Blood and nervous Juice, it now remains, that we inquire into the more remote Causes, by which the Contagion of either humour, and chiefly of that which is chiefly and first in fault, is carried into the Blood: for the depravation of this being detected, it will easily appear, how the morbifick Miasm or Contagion is derived to the other Juice. There∣fore as we have determined, that the scorbutick Affection is chiefly founded in the vi∣tiated Blood, and that the evil of it consists, whilst the Spirit is depressed, in that the Salt and Sulphur, as in Wines becoming fretting and ropy, is unduely exalted; we will seriously consider, how this or that disposition is impressed in the mass of Blood.

But we ought not to pass over what other Authors, diligently searching after the nature of the Scurvy, have determined concerning its Causes and Subject: As there * are many opinions of this thing, almost all agree in this respect, that the fountain and origine of this Disease is derived from the fault of the Viscera, and the seat of its pro∣duct is placed in the bloody Mass, to wit, that this being almost only infected with their vitiousness, contracts the scorbutick Contagion. The more Antient did impute the chief cause of this Disease to the Spleen, not rightly performing its office: but as the office of the Spleen was conceived this thing by some, another thing by others, and a different thing by these; they shewed the production of this Disease after a several manner. Wierius, Ecthius, Albertus, Ronseus, Engalenus with many o∣thers, supposing that the Spleen was the receptacle of the excrementitious melancho∣lick Juice separated from the Blood, have determined the internal and next cause of the Scurvy, to be a plenty of lutulent or muddy humour, and of melancholly only, or also of that mixed with others, framing a peculiar form of corruption, which abounds about the Spleen and Liver, and in the Veins themselves. This opinion might desenvedly challenge our assent, if it had pronounced the secretion of the me∣lancholick Juice from the Spleen being neglected or hindred, to be sometimes and in Page  174 part the cause of the Scurvy; but that this Disease is held to arise always and altoge∣ther from the default of the Viscera, is very highly improbable; as will hereafter be made plain, when we shall declare the far more potent causes of the Scurvy. Other Authors attributing the office of sanguification to the Spleen, say that the Scurvy is produced, for that the Spleen does not turn that part of the Chyle destinated to its self, into laudable Blood. But again others, as Reusnerus, &c. have thought the more humid and watry parts of the Chyle to be prepared in the Spleen, and to be converted into Blood. Therefore they judged the next and internal cause of the Scurvy to be the watry and serous humours, which not being received by the Spleen, were poured on the Blood, and so produced the original of the Scurvy. In the mean time others, as Platerus, Bauhinues, &c. said that the thicker part of the Chyle being drawn by the Spleen, was the cause of sanguification, and by it too be prepared for it self, and other parts convenient Blood. From this supposition Gregory Horstius said the cause of the Scurvy to be the crude and ichorous Blood in the whole Body, but yet chiefly in the Hypochondria, offending not only in quantity but with a kind of specifick cor∣ruption, proceeding from the imbecillity of the Spleen, viz. because thorow the pre∣ternatural Affection of the Spleen, the more crude parts of the Chyle, are not averted from the sanguification of the Liver, from whence the blood in the veins of the Liver and Spleen is first depraved, and then by the Commixtion of strange matter the San∣guification of the Liver is hindred, by reason of the object not rightly disposed, for as much as the chyle, by reason of the hurt of the Spleen, was not depurated in its just measure. Hors. appen. ad. lib. 2 part. 2 Sect. 1 de Scorbuto. This opinion easily falls to the Ground, because he asserts contrary to the Laws of Sanguification, the Spleen to san∣guifie and to draw the more crude parts of the chyle to it self; when 'tis well known, there is no passage for the Chyle to the Spleen. Also this mistake is refelled by the opinion of Reusnerus and others, which affirm the next and internal cause of the Scurvy to be the serous and watry humours which the Spleen ought to draw, and by its pecu∣liar office of Sanguification, to convert into Blood.

The most learned Sennertus, although with the former he attributes also the office of Sanguification to the Spleen, Institut. lib. 1. cap. 9. yet he derives the cause of the Scurvy otherways than from the fault of this Viscus. For he affirms, that by reason of the evil Concoction of the Chyle in the first passages, and being destitute of Spirit, salt and tartareous Feculencies to be heaped up, about the Mesentery and Cawl, and these being continually augmented by the approach of new matter, and moistened by the Serum, to be at last transferred into the Spleen and Liver, and from thence into the Stock of the veins, and so in them to infect the whole bloody Mass, and to render it crude and salt. He calls this first Mine of the Scurvy, gathered together in the first passages, a melancholly Humour; which besides he says to be serous, stopped up with pituitous humours, and by reason of its stay in those parts, corrupted after a pe∣culiar manner: Then he adds, that this humour is generated by the fixion of the Spirit and volatile Salt, after the same manner, when as wine changes into Vinegar.

Several Reasons of no small moment do convince me, that I cannot in all things as∣sent to this opinion; however probable it seems. For besides, that this Doctrine does * not exactly quadrate with the Circulation of the Blood, since by its Law the humours in the mesaraic vessels are scarcely gathered together apart from the other kind of Vessels, at least there is not any passage for them from thence into the Spleen, more∣over it is not rightly determined, that the Scurvy begins only in the first passages; for sometimes it is contracted by mere Contagion. Neither also do we think that this Disease proceeds from the fixedness of the Salt, or from the Crudity of the Blood and humours: for oftentimes it succeeds to long continued Fevers, and that rather seems to proceed from adustion and too great deflagration of the Blood, than from any ad∣vention of the Chyle and other humours in the first passages: moreover sometimes a Sea and marish air induces this Disease, though no Crudities are begotten about the Viscera: and the sick do not complain from the beginning, of their Appetite and Di∣gestion. Indeed wee grant, as to what belongs to the Crudity and the fixity of the Salt, in the Chyme (or second digestion) or the Blood, and defect of Spirit, that from these causes a sickly Disposition is oftentimes produced, but not therefore pre∣sently the Scurvy, but rather the Malacia of longing women, Pica of Virgins, the phleg∣matick Dropsie, or some other dropsical disposition succeed. Therefore since the Scor∣butick Aetiology hath been delivered by Authors, to whom the Circulation of the Blood was not known, and agrees less with the Truth, we will open the whole matter with that Key, and to the best of our Skill more accurately unfold the cau∣ses, Page  175 both procatartick and evident, of this Disease, according to the Law of Sangui∣fication.

We have already hinted that there are many occasions and procatartick means from which the Scurvy seems to deduce its original. 1. In some places it becomes national or peculiar, so that the morbifick Contagion is drawn in together with the vital Spirit, by reason of the evil Influence of the Air, and of the vapours, wherewith it is stuffed. 2. Very often this Disease follows upon long continued fevers, and other Chronical Diseases, and is very deservedly accounted the effects or products of them. 3. Sometimes it is hereditary, and is propagated by traduction from Scorbutick Parents. 4. Sometimes again it is taken by mere Contagion. 5. An evil manner of living, inordi∣nations as to the things non-natural, an innate or acquired Dyscrasie of the Viscera sometimes induce a Scorbutick affection, more often contribute to its birth, or nourish the inkindling. We will consider the reasons of every one of these effects.

1. There is none of the ordinary sort of People, but confesses that the Scurvy is very often contracted by the fault of the Air, and it is almost in every bodies mouth, that places neer the sea side, marish lakes, and moist places, render the Dwellers ob∣noxious to intermitting Fevers, or the Scurvy: wherefore the sickly, or such who * have any regard to their health, do choose their habitations far from such kind of pla∣ces. Indeed such an humid Air, continually diffusing filthy exhalations and infection, becomes unwholesome in a double respect, and often brings forth the Scurvy, viz. by reason of Transpiration being hindred: and because of the susception of an incongru∣ous Ferment. For in the first place, people dwelling in a thick and not purified Air, have the Passages and Pores of their skin much closer, or shut up: wherefore when the Effluvia of the Blood are not duly exhaled, but the same retained within, ferments the rest of the bloody Mass, and disposes its active particles to various inordinations. Then in the second place, for as much as at the same time filthy vapours, stinking, in∣congruons Salt and Sulphurs are sucked in, by reason that the Spirits of the Blood are greatly depressed, and in the mean time its sulphurous and saline particles are carried forth to the extremity, and from thence the Crasis of the sanguineous Mass being by degrees chang'd, it degenerates into an evil disposition. And indeed, the sulphureous part of which being exalted by it self induces a notable rancour to the Blood; and there is wont to be excited, sometimes continual, but often intermitting fevers so fami∣liar, by the unwholsome air, for the reasons elsewhere shewed. If from such an occa∣sion (as it very often happens) the saline Principle is carried forth together with the Sulphur, such a scorbutick disposition as we have above described, like to fretted or ro∣py Wine is impressed on the Blood. Not only a great tract of humid and vaporous Air, is unwholsome after this manner, but also to dwell in houses situate neer any ma∣rish, or encompassed about with a pond or moat, or in houses new plastered with lime, renders persons obnoxious to this Disease.

2. A Fever of long continuance, very often induces the Scurvy: the reason * of which manifestly appears from our hypothesis; for from the often, and too much deflagration of the Blood, the Spirits are very much wasted, and like liquor that becomes poor and liveless; by its burning, a great plenty of the more pure Sul∣phur evaporates, and in the mean time what is left of it, associating to it self the Salt, carrying it up, is wont to cause the Crasis of the Blood to become planely morbid and scorbutick. It is to be observed, after a long Fever, by reason of the Spirit and Sulphurs too much exhaling, and very much of the Salt being for a long time concocted with the remaining Sulphurs, that the Blood becomes very falt, and as it were lixivial, so indeed that from thence, it is scarcely enough inkindled in the heart to perform the circulation: such a disposition of the Blood is not to be restored, but by a long time, and is very difficultly hindred from running into the Scurvy. Not only after fevers, but also after other chronical diseases, evilly cured, the Scurvy is induced, and that for a double reason or means of affecting, to wit, either be∣cause the Blood is changed by the present disease towards a scorbutick disposition, or because the disease hinders the sick for a great while, from any exercise, or motion, and from thence they are inclined, by a long Idleness and fitting still, to the Scurvy. The first is discerned in Melancholly, when by the depression of the Spirit, and the Salt being carried out into a ftuor, the Blood turns to a Sourness. This kind of Crasis, the Sulphur afterwards associating with the Salt, and both of them being carried forth easily passes into the Scurvy. The Hypochondriack Affection is so much of kin to the Scurvy, that it very often takes it for a Companion: for the melancholly feculen∣cies, which only after the nature of that affect pollutes the Blood, afterwards perverts its Crasis, and renders its scorbutick: in like manner the Jaundice and Dropsie which at first only infects the Blood by an impure and incongruous Mixture, after a long Page  176 stay, quite changes its Temperament. 2. Many other Diseases accidentally ind uce the Scurvy for as much as the sick are hindred from any kind of Labour or Exercise; so that their blood is very little eventilated, but retained, like Wine a long time upon its lees, looses its Crasis or Temperament, and is liable to the inordinations of the Salt, and Sulphur. After this manner the Palsie, Lumbago, or feebleness of the Lions, the fracture of Bones, Ulcers, Wounds long time in curing render Men obnoxious to the Scurvy.

3. The Scurvy is sometimes contracted by succession, so as the contagion of the * Disease being derived to Children from their Parents, without any other external or internal causes, produces infected fruits exactly like the nature of the scorbutick Affection: So have I known Children sprung from sickly Parents, to have been af∣fected with wandring pains in their Limbs, an eruption of Spots, an erosion and rottenness of the Gums and Teeth. Besides it is observed, the Children of Parents touched with the venereal Disease, to be obnoxious to most grievous symptoms, like to scorbutick Affection. The reason of these sorts of affections seems to consist in this, for that the filthy taint being impressed on the genital humour, becomes like empoy∣soned ferment, which although it for a long time lies hid, being involved with other Particles, at last exerts its power and raises up the symbolick Elements of Sulphur and Salt in the Blood or nervous Juice, and by carrying them above the rest of the Particles, inclines to the scorbutick taint.

4. By the same reason and means of affecting, the Scurvy is propagated by conta∣gion, *viz. the Effluvia's proceeding from an infected Body, and entring into the Pores of one that is near or inspired by the Breath, ferment either the Blood or the nervous Juice, or both of them together: and so by carrying up the spirituous-saline, and sulphu∣reous Particles, pervert the Temperament or Crasis of the Liquor, according to their nature.

5. The causes of the Scurvy hitherto cited, respect more immediately the bloody Mass, * and shew the disease to begin from its latex, without any great fault in the first pas∣sages. But lest we should think this Region, to which some attribute all the fault; to be wholly free; it seems to be determined according to the judgment of others, that the rudiments of the Scurvy is also sometimes conceived within the Viscera of Concoction, and from thence traduced into the Blood: For when it happens from the Chyle, being for a long time vitiated, that the nutricious Juice becomes incongruous, and is stuffed with Particles of enormous Salts and Sulphurs, which it carries to the bloody Mass there is a necessity that its Crasis will at length be changed, & perverted according to the na∣ture of the matter, by which it is constantly & daily supplied. VVherefore it is observed, that those who eat much of salt or smoke-dry'd Meats, and drink much Wine and strong Wa∣ters, by which means Salt and sulphureous Particles are violently carried into the Blood, are found to be very much obnoxious to the Scurvy: Besides those who seed much on Swines flesh or Fish, although fresh, but especially on Shell-fish, for that these Aliments have in them plenty of rank Sulphur and Salt (as may be gathered by the extreme stink of their putrefaction) are very apt to fall into the Scurvy, and which is more, sometimes into the L•…prosie. On the contrary, they are not so incident to this Disease, who eat milk meats, raw and unripe fruits, fresh Cheese and other absurd things, which heap up in the Ventricle a great quantity of Phlegm; neither is the Juice nou∣rishing the Scurvy, produced from depraved or ill digested meats; but sometimes Ali∣ments fit or convenient enough turn into a morbifick matter by the fault of the Visce∣ra; which indeed happens not always by the fault of the Liver or Spleen, as some have thought, for these have no business with the Chyle, but the Stomach it self being en∣dued with an extraneous ferment, perverts every thing that is put into it, and changes it sometimes into a sour, sometimes into a Salt or vitriolick pulp, and it is very like∣ly also that the incongruous Juice from the Pancrace, or the cholidical passage, may be mixed with the Chyle, and imbue it with an heterogeneous tincture. We do not deny but that the Spleen and the Liver do not seldom contribute to the production of the Scurvy, but yet not the Chyle but more immediately the Blood suffers for their faults when the Liver is obstructed; so that the adust recrements of the Blood are but little or smally separated, by reason that its Mass being more feculent, becomes too luxuriant with the particles of Salt and Sulphur concocted together. As to what re∣lates to the Spleen, it is not altogether undeservedly, that so many complaints are ex∣hibited against it, as to the production of the Scurvy: For as the office of this Bowel (as we have before shewn) consists in this, that it doth receive and separate both the atrabilary or melancholly feculencies of the Blood, which consist in a fixed Salt and Earth, and also that it digests the same by a further concoction into a ferment, to be mingled again with the Blood: If then at any time the Spleen does not rightly per∣form Page  177 these its Offices, the mass of Blood is wont to be infected in a double respect: to wit, either because the atrabilary or melancholly faeculencies are not wholly received by the Spleen being obstructed or debilitated; or because being received, the same are perverted into an unfitting and corruptive ferment of the Blood: After this man∣ner and sometimes after that, the sanguinious Mass becomes evilly disposed, and not rarely by this only occasion, or by the accession of other causes, degenerates into a scor∣butick disposition: And indeed from such a foregoing cause, we have formerly de∣clared the hypocondriack affection to arise, to which truly the Scurvy (as even now we hinted) is so near a kin, that it most often is a companion with it, or follows hard after it. But it plainly appears by the observation before cited, that the Scurvy does not always and only arise from the fault of the Spleen: For some time past there was a noble Gentleman, who for many years had laboured under a scorbutick affecti∣on, accompanied with very many and grievously horrid Symptoms; The Physitians whilst they had this Gentleman in cure, concluded his sickness to be contracted by the fault of the Spleen; and all those heavy evils to come upon him for the sake of that Bowel: At last after being afflicted almost with continual pains, for the space of ten years, and also with the Paralysis and miserable Convulsions, wasting away, he died with a Consumption. The Corps being opened, it appeared to the sense, that the Spleen so evilly defamed was free from all fault; for this inward was very laudable in figure, magnitude, substance, and colour, and without any tumour or obstruction: Be∣sides, the sanguiferous Vessels being opened and freed from their stuffings, the nervous Fibres appear'd firm enough, and the Blood contained within the pores of the Spleen, free from corruption.

Among the causes of the Scurvy, that are wont to be derived from the inordina∣tion * of the non-naturals, we may here deservedly place sadness, for it is every where observed, that men, through some occasion struck with sorrow, and so remaining for a long time sad, do become scorbutick. The reason of which seems to be this, great sadness immediately affecting the inferior or bodily Soul, compells inwardly both its parts, to wit, the sensitive and the vital, straitens their Systases or constitutions, inhibi∣ting their wonted expansions, and draws them into a lesser space. Hence the Animal Spirits being hindred from their due expansion, remit their Oeconomy, wherefore the Blood repeating its Circuits in a lesser compass, is apt to be heaped up about the bosom of the heart, and there to stagnate for this reason, when the Spirits of either Govern∣ment, viz. either animal or vital are depressed, and the Blood and nervous Juice begin to be altered in their complections, either of them by degrees losing their vigor, turns from a generous Liquor to one sour and liveless: Besides, the Viscera of Concoction being denyed the wonted influx of Spirits, perform very untowardly their Offices. Hence from the Chyle not rightly concocted, or being depraved in its coction, the nutricious Juice being stuffed with feculencies, becomes vitious; and is poured on the bloody Mass, whereby it more perverts its Crasis, and causes it easily to pass into a scor∣butick disposition. Moreover for this reason, immoderate and too serious studies, and the continual intention of the mind, for as much as from hence the, Spirits being de∣pressed, and the offices of the Viscera subverted, the chief Crasis of the humours altered for the worse, they often acquire a scorbutick taint: To which we may add, that both sad and studious persons, for the most part lead a solitary life; for which cause, both the Blood and nervous Juice, as water wanting motion contracts mud, is wont to be vitiated and ready to fall into a scorbutick corruption.

These are, if not all the procatartick or more remote causes of the Scurvy, yet at * least the chief of them which affix its taint on the Blood; there will not need any other Aetiologie, to shew how it is derived from the hurtful Blood into the nervous Juice, for the Blood by its accustomed rite and law of circulation, distills a portion of its spirituous Liquor into the Brain: But as we have before shewn, from the Blood de∣pauperated a thin latex, and from that a sharp liquor and salt withal, is drawn off after the manner of salts when they are distilled: Also besides from the feculent Blood, and as it were, muddy heterogeneous Particles, infesting the animal Kingdom, are brought forth; which notwithstanding are not easily admitted into a firm and sound Brain. Wherefore as such Particles, being received within the Encephalon, do induce thereupon paralytic affections or Cramps; some causes precede, by which the con∣stitution of the Brain is debilitated, of which sort they use to be, 1. Its evil hereditary Disposition. 2. Frequent Surfeits or eating too much, immoderate drinking of Wine, noon Sleeps, great Haemorrhagies, and other occasions, whereby either the animal Spi∣rits are too much consumed, or the pores and passages of the Brain, relaxed, and too much opened, that they admit of every thing brought from without.

CHAP. III. Of the differences of the Scurvy, also of the Signs, Symptoms, and Causes of this Disease; and chiefly of those which arise by reason of the taint be∣ing impressed on the Blood.

FRom the causes of the Scurvy hitherto described, it will be easse to assign the dif∣ferences * of this Disease: For in the first place, this affection may be distingui∣shed according to the twofold Region of the conjunct Cause, viz. the Blood and the nervous Liquor, for that it is either of this or that Kingdom chiefly, and is more deeply rooted now in the Blood, now in the nervous Juice. Secondly, according to the double taint of the Blood affected, to wit, as that shall be either sulphureous-saline, or saline-sulphureous, it shall also signifie the Scurvy by divers Names, or it shall be called according to the vulgar appellations, either, bilous or hotter, shewing it self in spots or whelks, and other more apparent symptoms; or Melancholly, whose poyson lying hid, as it were covered with ashes; is known rather by the intrinsick hurt of the faculties, than by outward eruptions. Thirdly according to the Original & manner of invasion of the Disease, to wit, for as much as it is received either by contagion, or that it arises through an internal procatarxis or remote cause; also according to its various state, it is many ways distinguished, and is either beginning, more perfect, ordesperate, and requires adivers manner of Indications as to the Cure, of which we shall treat more largely here∣after. In the mean time, it is our business to recite the signs and symptoms of the Scurvy, and to add the causes of them, and after what manner they happen.

The Signs by which Prognosticks or Indicia of the Scurvy are taken, are either extrin∣sick, to wit, certain accidents and circumstances, which till the more certain notes of the * Disease appear, give a suspition of it: So we may deservedly think, any one having a ve∣ry sickly disposition, to have contractedsome taint of the Scurvy, if he be sprung fromscor∣butick Parents, or if he have long conversed with a Wife, or Companions affected with it; or if he live near the Sea Coast or marshy or otherways unwholesom places, or if he should have had before a long Fever or other Chronical Diseases, or if he shall be sensible of help by anti scorbutick Remedies, and that such ill disposition be without aFe∣ver, or certain signs of any other Disease. Or Secondly, the signs of this Disease are present affects and symptoms, to wit, inherent to the sick body; which sort as they are manifold, are wont to be variously distributed, & reduced into certain Classes, that is to say, for as much as they are proper to the Scurvy, or common to it, with other diseases, also for that they are excited, either about the beginning or in the increase of the Di∣sease, or in its worst state or condition. Further, they are distinguished according as they shall be excited in the various parts of the Body internal or external, also for as much as they may happen either in the Head, Breast, the Abdomen, or about the Members or habit of the Body: By this way we have already recounted the scorbutical symp∣toms. But they may be aptly enough distributed according as they arise, either by rea∣son of their taint, being fixed chiefly in the Blood, or by reason of the faults of the ner∣vous Juice, or by reason of the congression, or as it were conjunct influences of either humour becoming enormous. We shall as much as we can, insist on this method, in re∣citing and unfolding the signs and symptoms of the Scurvy, although in the mean time, very many affections which seem to proceed from the singular fault of this or that hu∣mour, procure some fault of the other humour, to be also a part of the cause: As to what relates to the preternatural affections of the first passages, and the Viscera in the Scurvy, although they sometimes proceed from errors in living, yet most often the sicknesses of these parts becoming indeed permanent arise by reason of the Blood or nervous Juice, as shall be declared hereafter in its proper place. In the mean time, we will shew at once how the chief symptoms of the Scurvy proceed from the fault of this or that humour, or conjunctly from both. *

1. When as the Blood is very much infected with a scorbutick taint, evil symptoms follow for three chief Reasons, viz. 1. Because its Liquor being depauperated, wants its wonted vigor so that it can neither be inkindled in the heart freely, nor be circulated lively and equally: For which Reason, a dejection, and as it were a falling down of the whole Soul, Sadness, Anxiety, difficultness of Breathing, a straitness of the Breast, inter∣mitting Pulse, frequent Swoonings, and inordinate suffusions of Heat and Cold follow. 2. The Blood abounding with feculencies, pours all about its Recrements on the parts which it washes; Wherefore Spots outwardly, Pimples, VVhelks, Pustles and Ulsters are Page  179 excited. Hence also, Catarrhs, the Dropsie, a swelling of the Members, Ulcers of the Gums, Vomitings, Lasks, Fluxes, great Spittings, Sweats, a lixivial Urine, or filled with Contents, as also tumors of the Viscera, or obstructions do not seldom follow. 3. A poor and feculent Blood supplies the Brain and nervous stock with but a vicious Liquor; and so by the means of those Parts it communicates its faults: Besides a depraved Blood does not afford presently a Copula or joynting to the Spirits, every where abound∣ing within the Fibres, convenient enough explosive for the acts of the locomotive fa∣culty, from whence a spontaneous lassitude, or weariness, and impotency to the moving of the parts proceed.

2. In the Scurvy, the moistning juice of the Brain and nervous stock, after it is infect∣ed * with the filthy taint, offends in a treble respect. 1. For as much as it declines from a noble and spirituous, into a poor and thin Juice, from whence a languor and enervation of the whole Body, and in some part also an Atrophy proceeds. 2. For as much as this Li∣quor is changed from a spirituous-saline, into a four, acetous Juice, from whence melan∣cholly and fear, a failing of Spirits, and a suppression from their wonted vigor, and also almost continual griefs and irritations of the nervous parts, and a crackling of the Bones are induced. 3. For that this Liquor is stuffed with heterogeneous Particles, and infesting the animal Regimen; Convulsions, Spasms, or Cramps, Palsies, Vertigo's, soporiferous Af∣fections, or pertinacious VVatchings, at last Foolishness, or Moping, or Madness arise.

3. In a more heavy and invetera•••curvy, the recrements of the Blood and nervous juice, being deposited together in divers parts, for as much as they are endued with * saline Particles, which are of a divers nature, they encounter one with another; and by a mutual striving and effervescency, produce most horrible Symptoms. From hence arise intollerable dolors, chiefly at night, wandring pains in the Joynts, Rheu∣matisms, and other affections of this kind. After this manner, from the double foun∣tain of the scorbutick taint, very many Rivulets of evil affections running every where in all parts of the whole Body, create griefs.

4. That yet a more full knowledge may appear, it will not be from the matter, to recount each of the aforesaid Symptoms, and the reasons of every one of them, and how they come to pass particularly to deliver.

1. The first sign of the Scurvy, by which oftentimes a suspicion of the beginning of this Disease is given, is a spontaneous weariness, to which are added impotencies as to mo∣tion, * also a debility of the Thighs, and as it were a sense of weight or heaviness. These Symptoms are wont to arise about the beginning of this Disease, and are derived ra∣ther * from the fault of the Blood, than of the nervous Liquor, which is as yet scarcely in∣fected: But this may be done in a double respect, viz. in the first place, for as much as the Blood being made impure, flings out serous feculencies in its circulation, and insi∣nuates them into the pores and passages of the Muscles, wherewith they are stuffed and loaden, so that the Spirits being hindred, and intercepted, they perform not freely e∣nough nor lively their locomotive explosions: Besides, the parts being loaded as it were with a certain Burthen, they are not easily and readily moved as formerly. 2. From a vici∣ous Blood, the explosive Copula of the animal Spirit becomes degenerate and weak, where∣fore they neither readily accomplish, or nimbly perform the local motions: We be∣lieve in an inveterate Scurvy the impotency as to motion to arise also from depravati∣on of the nervous juice, and from the want of Spirits.

2. Difficult breathing and a shortness of breath upon any motion, is a familiar sym∣ptom of the Scurvy, of which as there are wont to be two causes, it depends now upon * one now upon the other, and sometimes on both together. The scorbutick Dyspnoea or shortness of breath, if it be very frequent and almost constant, comes from the very poor, and as it were, liveless state of the Blood, whereby it is indeed apt to stagnate, and not to be easily inkindled in the Heart: wherefore from any motion, as the Muscles urge the sanguiferous Vessels, by compressing every where their contained liquor, the Blood rush∣es somewhat more plentifully into the bosom of the heart, which when it is not there presently inkindled, and carried forth of doors, it lies heavy at the heart, and threatens a decay of the vital function: Therefore the Lungs that they may bring help, are moved more swiftly, that the Blood may be drawn forth quickly, and so for this end, to wit, the circulation of the liveless Blood, and of it self almost immoveable, the often and short breathing is caused. In this case, with laborious breathing there is also a quick and small Pulse. 2. Sometimes the scorbutick Dispnoea or short breathing proceeds from the fault of the nervous stock, for after the morbid or filthy taint has occupied the Brain and its appendices, the heterogeneous Particles sent from the Encephalon, as they are of kin to o∣ther nerves; so also to other Spirits, to wit, those serving to the motion of the Diaphrag∣ma, and the Muscles of the Breast, come to the Brain; and so according as those Nerves are either inhibited or perverted from performing rightly their offices, a difficult respira∣tion, Page  180 is produced of a various kind, and is for the most part either Paralytick or Convulsive: For the morbifick Particles entring into the nervous stock, and about their foldings or extremities being more plentifully heaped up, are fixed with plenty of Spirits. Hence it sometimes happens from such a cohaesion of Particles, (if perhaps they be Narcotick) that the Spirits inhabiting those Nerves, are every where bound and hindred from their de∣signed actions: When respiration being hindred, other Spirits the guests of Nerves yet free, that they may perform the common task by their own strength, are very much stir∣red up, and so as much as they may, they cause a more frequent and laborious respirati∣on. But whenever the Spirits flowing within certain Nerves, for the office of respiration are affected with an heterogeneous, explosive, or spasmodick Copula or joynting of the ends of the Muscles, for the sake of whose pressing out, when they are excited through plenitude or for other occasions, they run into convulsive motions: And from thence the Lungs are detained with laborious and often repeated turns, now of Systoles now of Diastoles, like to asthmatick Paroxysms. In these cases, sometimes the Nerves of the Diaphragma, sometimes the Pneumonick, and those absolving the motion of the Breast, also sometimes perhaps those embracing the Fronchia, sometimes these, sometimes those apart from the rest, are stupefied or obnoxious to cramplike affections, and for that reason the various differences and ways of the anomal or unequal respiration occur: Some kinds and examples of which we may add hereafter. I know some ascribe the causes of the aforesaid Symptoms to the Vapours elevated from the Ventricle and its Neighbourhood, whose opinion in another place we have deservedly rejected, with reasons shewn to the contrary. Eugalenus, Horstius, and Sennertus, whom others follow, deduce the cause of the •…orbutick Dyspnoea or pursiness, from the Viscera of the lower belly, being inflated or tu∣mefied, and by that means pressing the Cawl, as it uses to come to pass in Hydropicks, and women big with Child. But I cannot assent to this opinion, because this symptom does not seldom happen to those, whose Belly and Hypocondria, are soft enough, and who have the sinking below the Ribs, and the space for the motion of the Diaphragma, free enough, as I have often found upon examination. But, that difficult respiration falls upon Hypochondrlacks, & sometimes also upon Scorbuticks, upon the perturbation of the Spleen, the reason is, because the splenick Nerves communicate with the pneumonick: Therefore indeed when either of them are beset with the morbid, viz. the spasmodick matter, and the same being moved in either of them, stirring up Cramps; draws the others into a consent of affection, as I have already manifestly declared, discoursing of the hypochon∣driack passions: In ad difficult respiration excited by reason of the fault of the nervous stock, the Pulse though for the most part strong enough, yet becomes quicker than it ought to be, and sometimes intermitting.

A straitness of the Breast heavily infests some scorbutick persons, which kind of symp∣tom hathjoyned with it a difficult respiration, and commonly is ascribed to the same Cause, * to wit, from the compression of the Caul by the elevated Viscera: But yet though the Breast be sometimes by that means straitned, that those pursily affected can hardly draw their, breath, but that the taking in of the breath terminates in the midst of the Thorax, yet sometimes on the contrary they draw in the Breath too deeply, so that they breath it out again hardly and difficulty: which certainly by no means ought to be attributed to the inequalities of the inferior Viscera in the Diaphragma; but either to the undue accension of the Blood in the Heart, or rather to the preternatural affection of the Nerves, serving for respiration: By the like reason also the cause of more difficult inspiration or taking in the Breath, is deduced from the same fountain, viz. in either case the Nerves ser∣ving for the drawing in and thrusting out the Breath, for that they are possessed with a morbifick matter, and that either Narcotick or Spasmodick, they perform in the execu∣ting their proper Offices either more or less than they need to do. But sometimes scor∣butick Persons are troubled with a straitness of Breast, without the breathing much hin∣dred; so that they feel the compass of the Thorax to be more strictly drawn together, and to be contracted into a narrower space: In the mean time, those so affected complain ra∣ther of the anxiety of the heart, than of any hindrance of the motion of the Lungs: The cause of this seems to be, that the Membranes investing the Praecordia; for as much as being too much irrigated with a serous humour, together with the nervous, become more con∣tracted like wetLeather: So that their Fibres being irritated, wrinkle themselves toomuch into short Convulsions or Spasms, and from thence they force the containing parts to be straitned: Besides, this kind of straitning of the Praecordia, follows in some part the motion of the Heart it self: For whilst the Blood is made poorer, it does not leap forth strong∣ly enough from the bosom of the Heart, nor flames out openly into the Lungs. Where∣fore these need the less to be dilated or expanded, but rather that they may answer to the circulation of the Blood, performed in a lesser compass, and exactly quadrate to the investing Membranes, & to the nervousFibres destinated to their motion theyare regula∣ted Page  181 according to the weak limits of expansions: Wherefore this constriction of the Prae∣cordia, as I have observed in very many, is wont to be suddenly remitted and intended, by reason of the occasions of Joy and Sadness, even as the Blood leaps out more plenti∣fully, or more sparingly from the bosom of the Heart, the greater or the lesser space is proportionated to its Circulation.

4. An unequal and an intermitting Pulse, also frequent swoonings and fear of the same, very often happen in the more grievous Scurvy, the same reason of which as of unequal * breathing, is ascribed deservedly, now to the undue accension of the blood in the Heart, and now to the inordination of the nervous stock. The Blood being made more saltish, and besides much stuffed with scorbutick feculencies, is but unequally and brokenly in∣kindled, like the oyl of a Lamp imbued with Salt and muddy filths: Wherefore from hence an irregular Pulse, with a wasting of the vital spirits in the Brain is stirred up. Moreo∣ver, when the cardiack Nerves are also beset round with a morbifick matter, so that the influx of the animal Spirits, by which the motion of the heart is continued, is not perfor∣med in a just dimension and equal manner, by that means it happens that the motion of the heart is somewhat hindred, and its reciprocations variously disturbed; an inequal or intermitting Pulse, and a small & weak seems to proceed from the dyscrasie of the Blood, but if it be great and strong enough, from the fault of the animal function.

5. The trembling palpitation and great leapings of the heart often happen to those scorbutically affected; these sort of passions are merely convulsive, and altogether de∣pend * on the cardiack Nerves, to wit, belonging to the heart it self or Pericardium, be∣set with a spasmodick and explosive matter: For the animal Spirits, the inmates of the Nerves themselves and of the Fibres, and their appendices being inordinately explosive, compel the whole joynting of the heart to be cruelly shaken and moved. In the mean time, whilst the whole bulk of the heart is agitated by that means, it does often rightly perform the proper motions of Systole & Diastole, as I have observed in many, who with such a shaking of the heart have had an ordinary and laudable Pulse.

6. ErratickFevers, also sudden suffusions of heat & cold in several parts of the Body, use to come upon an inveterate Scurvy: The reason of the former is, because the extraneous * matter being often carried to the Blood with the nutritious Juice, for that also the alible Juice it self is made degenerous, because it is not rightly mixed with the Blood, they stir up its extemporany effervescencies. In the mean time, a Fever observing a regular type, for that cause excited, rarely happens to Scorbuticks, because the salfuginous Blood, although it be taken with a feaverish burning, does not burn long nor much, at least not equally: As to the sudden suffusions of heat and cold, they indeed seem to be inferred somewhat by reason of the affection of the nervous stock; for that the Nerves and Bran∣ches and nervous succours, do diversly embrace & compass about the sanguiferous Vessels in most parts of the Body, perhaps for that use, that the course of the Blood might be urged & restrained, as it were with Goads and Bridles, according to the force of the passi∣ons, and other exigencies of Nature: it is very likely that when the oeconomy of the animal Kingdom is perverted by the scorbutick taint, that most of the Nerves and Fi∣bres and their Appendices, being stretched out here and there; do every where run into spasms or convulsive motions, and also by reason of their hurt, the irregularity of the Arteries and Veins are contracted: So that the Blood is compelled into these parts more than it ought, and is too much estranged from them, from whence these kind of inordinations of heat and cold proceed.

7. Plentiful Sweats chiefly at night, are wont to be very troublesome to some scorbu∣ticks, * the reason of which is, that as the nutritious Juice being daily brought into the mass of Blood, by reason of the dyscrasie or evil disposition of this, and the impurity and filth of that, is not assimilated; but being rejected of the Blood is sent away under the form of Sweat. But that the nutritious Juice in the time of its assimilating, becoming degene∣rate; does not produce an intermitting Fever after its manner, the cause is the saluginous intemperature of the Blood, which therefore becomes less able for periodick deflagrati∣ons; this sort of immoderate sweating happens chiefly in the Scurvy, following upon a long Fever or other Chronical Dyscrasies, where the nutritious Liquor is perverted, ra∣ther by the default of the assimilating Blood, than of the concocting Viscera.

8. In a more certain Scurvy, as in other Diseases, we consult the Urinal: For if the U∣rine appears intensly red, and as it were lixivial without a Feaver or the Jaundise, we un∣doubtedly * pronounce this a sign of that Disease: For whilst the serous Latex is circula∣ted for some time with the soluted Salt, and Sulphur, the faline and sulphureous Particles being inconcocted in the same, bestow on it a very deep and as it were lixivial tincture: Also that such Urine abounds very much with contents, which, the stale being cold, pre∣cipitate to the bottom, it altogether owes it to the Particles of the degenerate nutritious Juice snatched away with the Serum. But yet the Urines of the scorbutick persons often Page  182 vary, for sometimes they appear of a Citron colour, with a Cream swimming in it or fixed to the sides of the Glass, from whence an indicium is taken, that the Blood doth a∣bound with saline rather than sulphureous Particles: Indeed if such an Urine be exhaled at the fire, the saline residence will remain in almost the double quantity of the Liquor. Moreover, sometimes the Urines of the Sick are changed from this or that state to the contrary, so that what was to day red or of a Citron colour, to morrow is made lim∣pid, clear, and thin, and in abundance: Which kind of Piss, as it appears, was not cir∣culated long with the Blood (because it hath received no tincture from it) we judge to come to pass from the watry recrements of the Blood and nervous juice, contained part∣ly within the Lymphae ducts, and partly deposited within the Pores and passages of the solid parts, which when they are gathered together to a fulness, every where run forth of their Receptacles with the rising flood, and rushing into the bloody Mass, are from thence sent away presently by the Reins.

9. There follows upon this Disease being grown very grievous, a plentiful spitting, and * for the most part a bloodiness of the Gums, and then a looseness of them, and at length a putrefaction, which is wont to be accompanied with an Erosion, Looseness, or falling out of the Teeth, and with a stinking Breath: That the reason of which may the better ap∣pear, in the first place, you are to be advertised, that there are ordained about the pe∣culiar parts of the mouth, certain Pipes or passages, to wit, salival, by which the serous humours are plentifully sent forth: These arising from various Glandula's, to wit, the Parotides being in the Wesand or Throat, the Maxillar for those belonging to the Jaws, and those under the Tongue for the most part terminate about the Gums or near them: The constant and ordinary Office of these, is to lay up the Spittle for some necessary uses in the Cavity of the mouth. Besides, it is observed that the superfluous humours, yea the more thick and vicious are perhaps sent away forth adoors by this way, rather than separated from the Blood as by Urine, Sweat, and otherways. Quicksilver prepared with Salts and taken inwardly, or the Body anointed with it, is minutely dissolved by the saline Particles of our Body, and being with them involved, mixes it self most deeply: These kind of Concretions of Salts and Mercury, being diffused thorow all the humours, and into all the parts of the whole Body, as Nature endeavours to expel the trouble they afford; the best indeedand most easily performs their execution by these emunctories of the Mouth: For the Blood, and perhaps in some part the nervous Liquor being burthened with those mercurial-saline Recrements, endeavour by every way to shake them off; which however, when they are more thick and fixed, that that they can be exhaled or distilled forth by sweat, or sent away, being precipitated by the ferment of the Reins through the Urine; they are sometimes breaking thorow the little mouths of the Arteries, inserted in the Intestines, in some part excluded by the Belly: But yet the particles of this Medicine being involved with the Serum, and most readily deposited in the afore∣said Glandula's, and in others belonging to the Mouth and Throat, flow out by saliva∣tion more plentifully excited; by which effluxion it happens that the Gums and other parts of the Mouth are ulcerated, and the Teeth are loosened with a stinking of the Mouth. But this kind of salivation sometimes succeeds of its own accord, instead of a Crisis with∣out Mercury, in the declination of ill judgedFevers, and the humour to be excerned, sweat∣ing forth not only from the more open holes of the salival passages, but also from the little mouths of the Arteries every where thick planted, daub over the Cavity of the Mouth with a whitish scurf. The like reason of these accidents, may be rendred of these sort of Symptoms in the Scurvy: For indeed when in a depraved Blood, more and thicker recrements of the enormous Salt and Sulphur are gathered together than can be excer∣ned by evaporation or by Urine or Siege, they are carried to the emunctories of the Mouth; by which the more salt purgaments of the Blood are wont to go forth: these salt things b•ing diluted with the Serum, sweating not only from the salival Vessels, create great spitting; but also being carried thorow the Arteries, enter into the soft and spungy flesh of the Gums which first of all, their pores being filled with an ichorous Blood, swell up; but afterwards the salt Ichor going forth from the Blood, and being continually excreted, the flesh of the Gums, by reason of the defect of laudable nutri∣ment, grows flaggy, leaving the Teeth almost naked. Further, by a long afflux of mat∣ter plainly corrosive, the flesh of the Gums is eaten away; so that the Teeth can hardly stand, but grow loose or fall out of the corrupted Stalls: And by reason of the saline-sulphureous Particles, partly of the excreted humour, and partly of the putrefying Gums, being continually breathed forth, the filthy stinking smell of the mouth is excited.

10. Spots breaking forth in the Thighs and in other parts of the Body, are accounted a * pathognomick sign of the Scurvy: These are sometimes about the bigness of a Penny, and often as big as a Shilling, sometimes the Skin seems to be marked or spotted an hands breadth or more in some part: Besides, these Spots are of divers colours, to wit, now Page  183 Citron Colour, now Dark, now Purple, and sometimes appear livid, blewish or black: Besides, some have whelks variously swelling, viz. now lightly, now with a hard, and as it were a crusty skin, or they break out with scales here and there in all the members of the Body: Among the spots and breakings forth whether tumid, or equal, or rough, this difference is noted in general, viz. that these contain a matter not congruous with the Blood, wherefore being secreted from its Mass in its circuit, they are fixed in the Skin; neither are they altogether forsaken by the Blood, but that the Blood passing by adds to them others & new Particles, whereby it comes to pass that the extravasated matter, by the continual approach of the Blood, is either at length supp'd back again, or being subtilised is breathed forth, (and sometimes it is effected partly one way and partly the o∣ther) or lastly that matter being ripened, runs into an Ulcer or Sore. Moreover, Whelks almost of every kind do generally happen not only in the Scurvy, but in many other Di∣seases, yea if at any time the Blood does immoderately boyl up through any occasions. But spots are portions secreted from the Blood, and every where forsaken by it; so that there is nothing of commerce between them & the circulated Blood, wherefore they in∣crease not in bulk, nor suppurate, nor easily evaporate. The Citron or darkish Spots seem to be some portions of Choler or Melancholly, poured forth from the Blood into the Skin: But as to the black or Purple marks, it is to be known, that they are not excited in any o∣ther diseases, besides pestilential Fevers, the venereal disease, and the Scurvy: In the Plague and malignant Fevers they seem to be certain rejected parts of the blasted and deadly affected Blood, to which always a Malignity and Contagion are joyned, as we have else where shown more at large: In the Pox and Scurvy, though there is not so much malignity found, that the Spirits of the Blood are greatly mortified, or that its liquor becomes so greatly blasted, yet we may well suspect, that in either disease, grow∣ing grievous, the Blood being apt to be in some measure broken and coagulated, it grows together into lesser Clotters; which sort of Concretions of the Blood being extruded at the mouths of the Arteries, are fixed in the Skin, and according as these portions are greater or lesser, and participate more or less of the corrupted Blood, the Spots also, as to their bigness, and colour, are fixed in the Skin.

11. A Flux and loosness of the Belly happens frequent enough in the Scurvy, so that * the Faeces of the Belly, which are sometimes liquid and sometimes compacted, and of di∣vers Colours, seem to exceed in quantity the aliment that is taken in, which sort of Flux, although it appear immoderate if it be stayed by the use of Medicines, presently the Sick are wont to find a swelling of the Ventricle and Hypochondria, a hardness of Breath, or a wasting of the Spirits. The cause of the scorbutick Diarrhoea, is partly, that the Chyle is not rightly cook'd, neither is it soon enough, or sufficiently born through the milky Vessels; hence stagnating in the Intestines and becoming degenerous, is cast forth adoors, but this chiefly happens, for that the impurities admitted within, from the bloody Mass, drop out from the little mouths of the Arteries, wherefore the things excreted are more copious sometimes than those put in.

12. By the like reason, Scorbutick and Hypocondriack persons are found obnoxious * to frequent Vomiting, nauseous Belching, and heart pains: which Symptoms indeed do frequently happen in this Disease, partly because the Tone of the Stomach is loos∣ned, and its Ferment vitiated, whereby it comes to pass, that the reliques of the Chyle evilly concocted, is turned into an austere Salt, Vitriolick, or otherways degenerate pulp, and besides, though the Stomach be ill, because the recrements of the Blood restag∣nating within, are poured into its Bosom.

13. Sometimes a dysenterick Affection, also frequent haemorrhages or flowings of Blood * at the Nose, the Fundament, Reins, Thorax, Gums and other places, follow those sick of an inveterate Scurvy: The cause of which Symptomes is, for that the Blood being made more salt, and therefore more apt to grow hot, easily breaks forth at the mouths of the Vessels; but chiefly, because when the tone of the solid parts is weakned, and that the Fibres are made very lax, the mouths of the Vessels become broader and disconti∣nued, so that it does not rightly lead the passages from the extremities of the Arteries into the little mouths of the Veins, but that the Blood being intercepted between the openings of the Vessels, and being there apt to stagnate and flow out, by what it can, it easily breaks forth, and slides it self forth adoors.

These are the chief Symptoms, which are wont to be inferred by the Scurvy, by rea∣son of its taint; being impressed on the mass of Blood, and from thence translated immediately into other parts, some of which also happen to be caused, partly by the de∣pravation of the nervous Liquor. Now we will next consider of the Effects and Acci∣dents of this Disease, which are wont to be excited, almost only or chiefly by the fault of the nervous Juice.

CHAP. IV. The Symptoms and Accidents which are wont to arise in the Scurvy, by reason of the Taint impressed on the Brain and nervous Stock.

1. VVE have already intimated, that in the more grievous Scurvy, the moistning Liquor of the Brain and nervous appendix is wont to become * thinner and poorer, whereby it comes to pass that most of the animal Functions are performed untowardly and slowly, hence, the locomotive power flaggs very much, so that the sick loving Idleness and ease, shun exercises and labors of the Body, go a∣bout unwillingly any Task, and presently being weary give it off. I have known in some the whole sensitive Soul to seem lessened, and as it were made unequel for the Body, so that the sick, believing themselves not able to walk, nor stand; have ref•…sed altogether to be raised, or to rise from their Beds; when as yet no evident cause did hinder, but that they were strong enough to do what was required: Besides such, however ingenious they were before, abhorred the Studies, and labours of the Mind, and plainly affected to wear out their Life by doing nothing.

2. In an inveterate Scurvy the nervous Juice declines from a spirituous-saline dispo∣sition * towards a sour one; hence, as we have elsewhere shown, Melancholly, a fluctuati∣on of the mind, an often mutation, and inconstancy of purposes, proceed: moreover, as the nervousFibres are perpetually watered by the influx of such an humor, from hence, in some part, come the more light Spasms or Twiches, cramp-like contractures, and wandring Pains. But indeed the chiefest vice of the nervous liquor, is wont to be, that being stuffed with filths and faeculencies, it contains heterogeneous particles, and divers ways hurtful to the animal regiment: wherefore happen very often to Scorbuticks hor∣rid and grievous Affections, of which sort, are the following Symptoms.

3. Paralytick Affections, viz. Impotency, or the resolution of one or more of the Mem∣bers, * also stupor, or lack of feeling, and a sense of tingling, or pricking, often follow upon a deep and heavy Scurvy: which sort of Symptoms are not however, for the most part, very much fixed and permanent, but sometimes they cease or remit, and anon are repeated or increased. The scorbutick Palsie is wont to be excited chiefly from three sorts of causes, which now conjunctly now divisively produce this Disease. 1. For the * Debility, or resolution of the Members, happens, because of the nervous Juice being departed, there wants a sufficient plenty or stock of the animal Spirits, whereby all the members should be actuated: Hence, the sick have the locomotive faculty flagging, or weak, as if infeebled by old age, about the thighs, and feet, and sometimes in other extream parts, to which the influx of the Spirit doth not plen∣tifully reach: perhaps afterwards, as greater afflux of the Spirits is carried to the affected Member, and is in the mean time elsewhere deficient, the disease ceases, or is transferred to another place. 2. Sometimes the animal Spirits, although they are plentifully and sufficient enough, in the parts, yet they are infected with Heterogeneous, and as it were narcotick particles, brought along with the nervous Juice, so that being as it were bound, & almost overwhelmed, they are not able sufficiently & nimbly enough, to perform their explosive endeavours, or labors: hence arise not only the impotency of the motive faculty, but also a certain depravation of the sensitive, viz. a benummedness, and a sence of stinging, tingling or pricking, for that whilst the animalSpirits are loaded with an incongruous Copula, their irradiation, like the beams of the Sun, passing thorow a cloudy air, is performed, but refractedly, and disturbedly. 3. Although the animal Spiritsare dispensed in a sufficient plenty, and are free and clear of any narcotick quality, yet oftentimes their passages are obstructed, so that the Commerce between the inflow∣ing Spirits and those implanted within some members, cannot be performed conveni∣ently; for it sometimes happens, that the more thick and earthy Particles do enter into the bodies of the Nerves with the moistning Juice; which so stuff the passages, a∣bout the enfoldings of the Nerves and other nervous windings, with their full burthen, that the irradiation of the Spirits in this or that member is wholly hindred. So I have known some, who have had a hand or foot wholly enfeebled or resolved, whilst the arm, or thigh, with the rest of the Body was well.

Page  185 4. From the like cause, viz. scorbutick Faeculencies, fallen upon the Bodies of the Nerves, Griefs or Pains also, which are esteemed the most frequent Symptoms of this Disease, do in some sort proceed; But as they are of a divers kind, they also arise some∣times from other Causes. For indeed, the scorbutick Pains are either more light, uncer∣tain, * and quickly passing away, which depend sometimes upon a Flatus, or Wind disten∣ding the Membranes, and sometimes on a sharp or Salt matter, poured forth, now from the Blood, now from the nervous Juice, upon the nervous parts; which kind of matter, for that it is improportionate to the nervous Fibres, pulls or hawls them, and irritates them into corrugations or wrinklings and becomes painful: but, for as much as the same is quickly washed off by the flowing of the Serum, or dissipated by heat, the troublesom sense brought in from such a cause is more easily removed. Or in the second place, the scorbutick Dolors, are more grievous, very acute and hard to be moved, which sort also, are either fixed, or determinated to some particular place, or wandring transfer the Pain, and that most grievous, from one place to another, as may be per∣ceived in a wandring and Scorbutick Gout, and Rheumatism, concerning which we shall discourse hereafter: In the mean time, fixed Pains and a long time remaining, are wont to be excited in divers parts, but chiefly in the Belly, Loyns, Thighs, Ster∣num or Chest, and in the Head: It will be worth our labour, briefly to describe the Pathologie belonging to every one of these places.

1. The pain of the belly is so familiar to the Scurvy, that according to the German *Idiom, it should take from thence its name. This Symptom, though in a lighter de∣gree, almost continually afflicts some sick persons, to which is joyned now a loosness, and now a high binding up of the Belly: the reason of which seems to be, for that, when both the Blood and nervous Juice abound with impurities, both the Arteries and Nerves carry the plenty of excrementitious matter towards the sink of the Belly, which being fixed about the Coats of the Mesentery, or the Intestines, stirr up con∣stant Pains, by a perpetual pulling the nervous Fibres. But besides there happen to some scorbutical persons, Paroxysms or fits of very acute Pains, as it were Colical, * Affections which being protracted fro many dayes, yea sometimes weeks, miserably torment the sick: so that they think their Bowels to be pulled, and torn to pieces with the grievousness of the Pain: these pains are wont hardly to be allaied with any remedies, unless with the more generous Opiates; and as soon as the virtue of the Hypnoticks is consumed, they are repeated with their wonted Cruelty, but continu∣ing with a longer fit, very often torments in the Loins and Back are propagated and at length are diffused on the members of the whole Body: to this sort of affection a Pal∣sie does not seldom succeed. But then in respect of the Cause of the Scorbutick Colick, it is not probable that it should arise from a sharp matter, deposited within the Cavi∣ties * of the Intestines, neither from any simple humor, however mischievous it be im∣pacted in their Coats: for this is quickly shaken off, or goes into an Ulcer, besides that is easily exterminated by the use of Clysters, or Purges: but indeed, these cruel torments of the Belly can come from no other cause, than the mutual strivings and effervescencies of the Salts (which are of a divers Nature) fighting or strugling together, whereby truly the Nervous Fibres are pulled, and as it were torn asunder. For we may suppose, that certain sour recrements of the nervous Juice, like to vitriolick Stagmas, being gathered together about the foldings of the Mesenterie, or other nervous parts of that region, to which comes a serous Colluvies from the arterious Blood growing hot, abundantly stuffed with the particles of a fixed, and as it were a lixivial Salt, and with those swellings up produces as it were piercing Pains. From thence it may be argued that the mine of the former morbid Stock descends from the Head, by the passage of the Nerves, into the lower Belly, for that great headaches, also the Vertigo and Swimming, or turning round in the Head often praeceed, and not rarely succeed this kind of Colick. Besides, it appears that from the Bloody Mass there is a large supply sent of particles of fixed Salt, passing as it were by Deliquium or a straining thorow; because the fitt of this Disease being very urgent, the Urine of the sick appears of a deep colour, and is very much stuffed with Salt, and as it were lixivial, and oftentimes its superficies is variegated with divers Colours, like the train of a Peacock: But so soon as the Di∣sease begins to decline, the Urine is better, and from hence they are wont to assume hope and signs of growing well. But that this affection of the Belly is often propa∣gated into the Loins, the reason is because the nerves of the Loyns and the mesente∣rery intimately communicate, and in very many places are mutually inoculated: wherefore when the dolorifick matter superabounds in the passages of these, it easily passes into the neighbour processes of those: But then that the Disease encreasing, the pains being diffused thorow the whole Body, almost every Joynt and Member are afflict∣ed, the reason is, because when a more plentiful provision of the morbid seed is begot∣ten Page  186 in the head, then can be derived to the whole stock of the first affected Ner∣ves, viz. the moving and intercostal pair; part of it entering into the Bodies of the other Nerves, and also spinal Marrow, spread, abroad this morbifick mine, participating of acetous Salt into very many parts of the whole Body, which every where by the ac∣cession of the fixed Salt, from the bloody Mass becomes dolorifick: and lastly, after that the plenty of Spirits is profligated by the incongruous matter, the residue after the mutu∣al effervescencies of the Humours, being in very many of the Nerves together beset, and mightily filled or stopped up, the waies of Emanation are obstructed, and their mu∣tual commerce is broken off, so that 'tis no wonder if those long Pains end at last in a Palsie, not only in the middle of the Belly, where the morbifick cause seems to subsist, about the foldings of the Mesenterie, but in other places round about, Pains * not inferior to the Colick, are wont to arise. I know a noble Maid that was ob∣noxious to most cruel Torments, near the os Pubis, during about the space of a Month, and were wont to be repeated upon any occasion, given without any suspition of the Stone, or Ulcer in the urinary Passages: which kind of affection I judge to de∣pend upon a morbid matter impacted in the nervous foldings, planted in the Hy∣pogastrium. Further, it is familiar to scorbutical Persons, to find fits of very cru∣el Pains, sometimes in the right, sometimes in the left Hypochondria, and sometimes about the Region of the Ventricle: the causes of which we think to ly hid in the nervous foldings, belonging to the Viscera planted in that place.

2. Scorbutick Pains, are wont sometimes to infest the Loins, and also the Region of the Back, now above, now below, without any praevious Affection of the Abdomen,* or of the Reins. I have known several keeping their Beds with such a Distemper, perpetually crying out Day and Night, by reason of the intollerable torment: The cause of this kind of Passion may be ascribed to the acetous Recrements of the ner∣vous Juice poured on the Membranes, and Tendons of those parts, and so stirred up into effervescency by the accession of the Sanguinious saltishness.

3. By reason of the same conjoyning of Salts, affixed on the Membranes, Cloath∣ing * the Praecordia very troublesom Pains about the region of the Breast, and not ea∣sily to be removed, are often induced; hence the Bastard pleurisie is so frequent a symptom of the Scurvy. I have known many scorbutical persons very much troubled for a long while, with a most grievous Pain under the Sternum, so that in several so affected, I could not but think there was some Ulcer, abscess lying hid in the Mediasti∣num; when in truth this symptom did depend only upon the heterogeneous mat∣ter, brought thither, partly by the Nerves, and partly by the arteries, and there growing hot, being affixed to the Membranes; as the event often proved: for that the sick were freed, by the long use of antiscorbutick Remedies.

4. Hitherto we have recounted the chief kinds of Pains, infesting the middle parts of the Body. But in the Scurvy there is felt those no less troublesom, in the extream * parts, viz. the Head, Thighs and Leggs. As to the first, Headach is so rarely wan∣ting to this Disease, that many by this effect are satisfied, chiefly that it is the scorbutick Venom; by which they become obnoxious to most grievous fits of this evil, and handled for a long time, and oftentimes repeated. The cause of this is obvious to every one, that it may be ascribed to the humours poured on the Meninx or Films inwrapping the Brain, which also Anatomie hath proved. For the Skulls of some of the dead being opened, I perceived both the membranes grown together, and every where set thick with little Whelks, and scirrhous tumors, which kind of tumors and concretions, seem to have risen from the mutual coagulations of the two-fold painful humour, after many effervescences.

5 Nor indeed is it any otherwise to be determined, as to the Pains most griev∣ously * afflicting the Thighs and Leggs of the sick, chiefly in the night time: for ma∣ny labouring with an inveterate Scurvy as soon as ever they are warm in their beds, are wont to endure intollerable torments, about the calves of the Leggs, Shins and Thighs and sometimes about other parts, so that they cry out their flesh is gnawn, or torn in pieces like the biting of Dogs: These tortures if they leave their Bed, do somewhat abate; otherwise the afflicted are most miserably tormented all Night long. In this case there can nothing be more aptly conceived, than the acetous recrements of the nervous Juice, to fall down on the Leggs, as into a place having a great decli∣vity and to be copiously affixed to their Membranes, to which whilst the rejected Salts do come from the Blood notably rarefied and agitated, thorough the heat of the Bed, & do ferment with these after the manner of Salts, therefore indeed from the mutual stri∣ving and effervescency of the Particles of divers kinds, the nervous Fibres being pul∣led and hawled beyond measure, run into painful Corrugations, neither do indeed these dolorifick Pains cease or remit, till the particles are gathered together, either evapo∣rate Page  187 or by their mutual wrestling being brought under are worn out, are quiet from their effervescencie; but then within a little space, fresh provision of either matter dispo∣ses to a new paroxysm, by reason of the mutual effervescencie, and coalition. Of these kind of Salts of a diverse kind, proceeding from a twofold humour, the wandring Gout, the Rheumatism and cartain other affections are produced, which we deservedly im∣pute to the conjunct dyscrasies, and as it were evil confederations of the Blood and nervous Juice. Moreover in the same Class certain species of scor butick Pains but now handled, ought to be placed; but because they are of kin to other Pain, arising from the Sole Vice of the nervous Juice, or of the Blood, therefore we have here joyned toge∣ther the divers Theories of the dolorifick Affections.

As there is a conflux of Symptoms of a divers kind in the Scurvy, so there is begot∣ten a manifold morbifick matter, and of a divers nature: viz. Heterogeneous particles coming into the Brain and nervous stock, with the moistning Juice, are sometimes narcotick, bringing forth the Palsie, and sometimes saline, causing Pains, (as we have said) also sometimes they are nitro-sulphureous and explosive, from which the spas∣modie or cramp-like affections arise: but by reason of particles of this sort go to∣gether in the Brain, there happen to scorbutical persons, Vertigos, swimmings in the head and outragious assaults, like the falling sickness: From the like cause, possessing the nervous Stock, proceed convulsive motions, trembling, shakings and very often horrid contractions in the Viscera and in the Members. We have already spoken largely enough of the nature, differences and causes of Convulsions. Besides we have fully described certain admirable cases of this affection, arising from the scorbutick infection, so that it seems needless to discourse any more of this matter, for it may be easily accommodated by the hypothesis before delivered, to all the spasmodick sym∣toms of the Scurvy whatsoever.

6. Those labouring with an inveterate Scurvy are very obnoxious to a Vertigo: * Concerning this affection, and also of many other Cephalical, we have made special disquisitions, which may perhaps be sometimes made publick. In the mean time we will in one word signifie that this Symptom arises, for that the animal spirits are in some measure perverted from the wonted ways of their expansions, to wit, being either hindred on otherways driven from their series, state, and orders are compelled to break off: this happens to come to pass as in other cases, so chiefly in the Scurvie especially for two causes, either for the one, or the other, or for both together; viz. either because the commerce of the Spirits is obstructed somewhere, in some passages and Pores of the brain, being possessed by some extraneous guest, or secondly, some companies of the Spirits, being burthened with an heterogeneous Copula, or joynting are compelled to stay behind the rest, or to go out of their tracts: In this Disease the liquor indeed instilled to the brain from a very impure blood, brings with it very many Faeculencies, by which it can be no otherways, but that the heterogeneous par∣ticles should every where stuff up the Pores of the Brain, and growing to the animal Spirits, oppose them or force them into explosions.

7. Almost for the like cause, sleepiness and torpor, or heaviness frequently hap∣pens * to Scorbutick, persons, viz. for as much as the animal Spirits being burthened with watery or narcotick Particles, and very much oppressed, cannot perform rea∣dily their expeditious and quick motions within the Brain very much also obstructed, neither continue long the acts and exercises of their functions, but love to ly down and to indulge themselves with idleness and rest. Moreover, this sort of affection sometimes is stirred up by the defect and want of the animal Spirits; for from the Blood very much vitiated and as it were dead, the Brain and nervous Stock is supplied but with a thin Liquor, and almost lacking of all Vigor: From such a Prophasis or occa∣sion, I have known a Lethargie excited in those about to dy; by which the affected though they seemed to indulge themselves with a continual sleep, yet being called are wont to know those standing about them, and to answer those who speak to them; but the store of the animal Spirits growing weary, they were neither able to wake long nor to attend to discourse. When I have opened such who were overwhelmed with perpetual sleep, I have found the Brain dry enough and altogether free from a Dropsie, or serous Collu∣vies, with which lethargick persons are wont for the most part to be affected.

But sometimes on the contrary, some scorbutick persons are molested with almost continual waking. Which kind of Symptom proceeds sometimes from the affections * of the mind, Grief, convulsive Passions, fear of Swooning, passions of the Heart, and also from the perturbations of the Stomach and of other Viscera; for as much as the Spirits being vehemently moved in every part of the sensitive Soul, their whole Hypostasis is detained from entering into rest, or a tranquil condition. For I have known some touched with a scorbutical Taint, who though they were free from Pains Page  188 or Spasms, and also clear from any immoderate affection of the mind, have been in∣duced to watchings day and night for many weeks, and oftentimes could get no sleep, though they had taken strong opiates: In the mean time they continued lively enough and ready to the performance of Labours, without any heaviness of the Head, and with∣out any torpor or sluggishness of the mind or senses, as if they had wanted no sleep. The reason of this seems to be, that sometimes together with the nervous Juice, certain nitro-saline Particles of a fierce and unquiet nature, (of which sort are the Effluria's falling from Aqua fortis, or the spirit of nitre) growing to the Spirits, compell them to be perpetually agitated and to be continually in motion: for even as Vapors brea∣thing forth from stygian Waters, are never altogether fixed or at rest, so the hetero∣geneous Particles which are of that sort of Nature, adhering to the Spirits inhabiting the Brain, suffer them scarce ever to be idle or to indulge sleep. These are the chief symptoms that are wont to be stirred up in the animal regimen, by reason of the scor∣butick taint being impressed on the moistning liquor of the Brain, and Nerves; which with those before mentioned happen by fault of the Blood, degenerating from its right Crasis. But as to those great & Herculian Diseases, to wit, the assaults of the Apo∣plexie and the Epilepsie, which sometimes happen to scorbutical Persons. In these ca∣ses the former affection, being as it were married to another more worthy, loses its name, and passes into the Pathology of that, as it were into its Progeny; lastly we will inquire what are the symptoms of the Scurvy by reason of the conjunct Dyscrasis of the Blood and nervous Juice, as it were joyning their alliances in Evil.

CHAP. V. Of the symptomes of the Scurvy which arise by reason of the Conjunct Dyscrasies of the Blood and nervous Juice.

IN this rank, in the first place is set the scorbutick Atrophy or consumption of the Flesh: for who labour long with this Disease often fall into a Marasmus with∣out any signal fault of the Lungs, or suspition of a Consumption or Phthisis, so that the Flesh wholly falls away, and the Skin becoming very flaggy, scarce sticks on the Bones. The cause of which ought not only to be attributed to the fault of the Blood degenerating from its right Crasis or disposition; for this however depraved it be, for the most part assimilates some portion of the nutricious Juice, and bestows it on the parts to be nourished: but indeed when as the nervous Juice is also bad, the nutritive faculty is altogether inhibited; for that by the defect or fault of this, the nutriment elaborated by the Blood becomes. altogether unprofitable and unfruitful: By what means, as to nutrition, either Liquor, to wit, the Sanguinious and nervous discharge themselves, we have elsewhere shewn. From that hypothesis, which seems to be built upon sufficiently probable reasons, it easily follows that the Atrophie, familiar to the Scurvy depends from the conjunct irregularities of either nutritive faculty. For as much as the Blood gives only vicious aliment, and that the nervous Liquor fails in the actuating & assimilating it, there is a necessity for the solid parts, being continually de∣frauded of their food, to wither away.

2. The scorbutick Gout, which is very much wandring, and affects now this Part now that successively, now more parts together, and leaps about from one place to a∣nother, or from these places to those, seems to depend upon a double Stock, even as the Colick above described, but the manner altogether inverted. For indeed it is to be supposed in this Disease, that very many heaps of the fixed Salt, from the bloody Mass are disposed here and there about the Members and Joynts as so many Nests: which indeed being hid within so many distinct Cells, remain as the Eggs of Fishes, or as the feminine Seed, to which afterwards the acetous four recrements of the ner∣vous Liquor come as the masculine Seed, and renders them fertil, to wit, in as much as the Salts of a divers nature, being commixed, they greatly ferment or grow hot; and so by the mutual wrestling and agitation of the particles, the Membranes and ner∣vous Fibres being notably hauled, they are carried into dolorifick Corrugations. In truth, it from hence appears that the first Mine of this disease as also of the common Gout, is to be placed in the bloody Mass, and to be actuated by the Recrements of the nervous Juice, because when the assaults of the Pains arise in various parts toge∣ther, or successively, the Blood seems not to grow hot above the measure, nor its sal∣saments passing by Deliquium at that time flow out more plentifully; for that neither the Pulse becomes quicker nor the Urine lixivial. But in an urgent fit, very often a foregoing Headach, an heaviness of the Head or Vertigo, inquietude of the Members and often a leaping of the Tendons, which sort of Symptoms often praecede or ac∣company Page  189 the assaults of pains, argue the sour recrements of the nervous Juice to suf∣fer a flux. To this appertains that the acid liquors being drunk up, provoke the gouty Paroxysms. In the Scurvy indeed either Mine is more plentifully begotten, the nests of the Gout are longer published, and the pains in these do spring sooner by far: besides from a very impure Blood, a saline or tartarous matter is heaped up not only in the Joynts of the Feet or Thighs, but almost every where about the membranes and the interspa∣ces of the Muscles, to which also an acetous Copula or joynting being poured out in many places from the nervous Juice, it becomes fruitful of Pains; then for as much as either Mine consists in a matter less thick, and is gathered in open places, it is ei∣ther washed away in a little time by the Serum flowing to it, or it is dissipated by heat, or else being sucked again by the Blood, it is transferred to some other place. *

3. The Rheumatism, as it is described by modern Authors, often comes upon an inveterate Scurvy. Which sort of affection, exciting Pains almost in all parts of the Body, one after another, although it appears like to the wandring Gout, but now described, yet it differs from it both in respect of the pains, which in a Rheumatism quicklier pass over, and oftner change their seat, and that with them are very often joyned a small Fever, and the tumour of the affected parts, and a phlegosis or Inflamma∣tion; as also by reason of the conjunct Cause, which indeed being of Kin to that which brings forth the scorbutick Colick, is clean contrary to the cause of the wandring Gout: For it seems that in the first preparation of this Disease, an acetous Mine is deposited in very many places from the nervous Juice, as it were the female Seed; to which sort of Symbols left in divers places here and there, whilst that the blood grow∣ing hot, pours forth its plentifully rejected saline reliques, presently upon the wrest∣ling and Congression of dissimilar Particles. Pains are caused moreover, because the re∣crements of the Blood being exposed in the middle of its Course, they something hin∣der its motion, therefore a tumour and Inflammation is brought upon the part affect∣ed then, because the Blood at last licks up again the Matter, but now rejected by it self, and transferrs it to some other place, those often shiftings and mutations of Pains happen. This Affection deserves a peculiar consideration: but this may suffice to have said these few things of it in general, to wit, as it is a symptom of the Scurvy.

Hitherto we have unfolded the Symptoms of the Scurvy, arising from a threefold kind of Cause, the Pathologie of which contains in it self other manifold Affections, and very different in themselves: of which it is worthy to be observed, that as many Diseases, belonging to the Brain and nervous Stock, which exist very often alone and of themselves, come also upon the Scurvy; yet as to their formal reasons and as to the method, to be observed in the curing of these or those, a very great difference oc∣curs. But when a Palsie, Vertigo, Convulsion, Lethargy, and other Diseases, of that kind happen of themselves, they always depend upon a more fixed cause, and very much on some notable fault of the Head and nervous Appendix; and as Cephalick remedies and appropriate to those Diseases only, are convenient, yet the success does not easily nor alwaies answer to their Wishes. In the mean time either little care is taken for the Emendation of the Blood, or if it be, for the most part it is in vain: But when these affections are brought in by the Scurvy, there is less danger, and al∣though * they have oftner fits, yet they more easily pass away; but the cure of the Di∣sease is performed more happily by Antiscorbutick Remedies then by Specificks & by reduction of the Blood to a due Crasis or Complexion, rather then by administring any thing to the evils of the Brain and nervous Stock. The same observation is to be had in Tumours, Ulcers, the Dropsie & many other Distempers brought in by the Scorbu∣tick infection, which otherways when excited by themselves, are healed only with antiscorbutick Remedies. The reason of which is, that in the Scurvy, the conjunct cause of the Symptoms and of very many Affections, consists for the most part on∣ly in the humours, to wit, in the Blood and nervous Juice, and not in the solid parts, viz. the Viscera, Praecordia and Brain, wherefore when their Dyscrasies or evil dispositions may be more easily mended, then the evil formations of the other Di∣seases of this kind, are more certainly and easilier or with less trouble cured, when excited by reason of the Scurvy than when they come to themselves. But when the Disease is more deeply rooted, and that the principle solid parts are hurt, (as it many times happens) viz. when the recrements of the Blood and nervous Juice, be∣ing impacted for a long time in them hurt their Tone, stuff their Pores and Passages, and bring forth in them Scirrhous Tumours, very often, or Ulcers; the aforesaid Symptoms, although imputed only to the Scorbutick Taint, seldom or never admit of a Cure, and by reason of this invincible Cause, at last the Scurvy is self becomes de∣sperate and deplorable.

CHAP. VI. The Prognosticks of the Scurvy.

WHen in the scorbutick affection very many and sometimes very cruel and hor∣rid symptoms together are wont to opprefs, there is expected a prognosis from * the Physician: Yea he himself, that he may the better institute the method of Curing, carefully weighs what may be the future event of the Disease: Notwith∣standing Judgments in this case ought to be cautious, a long while suspended and not too rash, for very many (as have fallen under our observation) esteemed desperate, have grown well. I have known some whom a frequent and horrid Asthma had al∣ready seemed to have choaked, others continually dying with frequent swooning, and also others troubled either with the Palsie, or convulsive Paroxyfms, or with a most grievous Colick, to be wholly freed in a short space by the help of Medicines. I have again known some scorbuticks swelled with the Dropsie through their whole Body, others reduced by an Atrophy to an extreme leanness, at last restored to perfect health. Therefore although those labouring with this Disease, are sometimes urged with af∣fections highly dangerous, yet if the Viscera be still indifferently whole or at least not much vitiated, we ought not to despair of those evils, excited through the mere taint of the Scurvy. But on the contrary, when symptoms less terrible appear, if the Contents of the Hypochondria and Abdomen become hard and as it were schirrous, or if the Lungs begin to be corrupted; there is no great matter or benefit to be pro∣mised as to the cure of the Disease: But in cases not desperate, where a hope of re∣covering health is left, or at least the fear of sudden death is far off, if perchance the question be asked how soon or how long, how easily or difficultly the Cure may suc∣ceed, let the answer depend on these sorts of judgments.

1. The Scurvy as it does not strait kill those affected with it, or precipitate them into an incurable state, so neither is it soon or easily cured: For the chief cause of the Disease consisting in the dyscrasie of the Blood, is not easier to be taken away, than Wines to be restored to their due complexion when they are made fretted or ropy: Wherefore those corrupted with this taint, endure its hurt for many months, and sometimes years, yea sometimes through their whole life.

2. This Sickness depending on the sulphureous-saline intemperateness of the Blood, or like to the mere hot fretted Wine is more hardly cured; than if the same pro∣ceeded from the saline-sulphureous dyscrasie, or less adust like to ropy Wine: For this evil constitution of the Blood or Wine, may be after a sort brought again to the condition from whence it fell, but that is wont not easily to be reduced into the state which it departed from.

3. The Scurvy coming upon long Fevers and other Chronical Diseases, is cured, or coming upon an originally, or for some other occasions, sickly constitution, is esteem∣ed of a more difficult cure, because indeed in these cases both the Crasis of the Blood is more vitiated, and not seldom also some hurt is affixed to the Viscera. Next to these they are hardly cured, who by reason of an evil manner of living, and chiefly by the assiduous drinking of the more generous Liquors, have contracted this taint with hurting the tone of the Ventricle and other Viscera: But those who are become scorbuticks by reason of Contagion, the unhealthfulness of the Air, going to Sea, or a sedentary Life, are more often and with less trouble restored to health.

4. This Disease being yet fresh, so long as the taint being included only in the bloody Mass, is not yet impressed on the Brain and nervous stock, nor hath excited durable symptoms in the solid parts, often admits of a perfect Cure: But if the affec∣tion being more deeply rooted, is propagated into the animal Kingdom, and there pro∣duces spasmodick and dolorifick passions, and that its poyson hath spread it self more largely by the eruption of spots and breakings forth, and by the rosion or eating a∣way of the Gums and Teeth, and by other pathognomick signs, it is scarce ever wholly extirpated; but the chief business of Medicine is imployed in giving help to the Symp∣toms most grievously urging, and in suppressing their encrease and extremities.

5. Those who labour with an inveterate Scurvy, refuse to live moderately, but in∣dulge their sickly appetite, readily desiring what is nought: And besides they are ve∣ry morose and difficult to take Remedies, so that they very often delude the labour of the Physician that in truth it is better to leave them to their evil genius, than to de∣same Page  191 profitable Medicines prescribed in this case altogether in vain.

6. Because this affection growing grievous, the morbifick matter is manifold and of divers sorts, so that the cause of the Symptoms of a various kind and nature, is en∣gendred; therefore Remedies not only of one kind are administred, but when a cer∣tain method of Medicine, though prescribed with the best judgment, profits little or nothing in the Cure, the sick are not presently to be left off, but other medicaments and then others are to be tryed: For indeed the same things are not convenient to all, nor always to the same person. In the sick Body the powers and combinations of Salts and Sulphurs every where vary, so also Medicines not helping should be as often changed, till something congruous and helpful be light upon.

7. If that notwithstanding or by the use of Remedies not rightly administred, the Scurvy by degrees growing grievous, is carried da•…ly into a worse condition, at length it induces a Dropsie or Consumption, the next passage then is to Death, either from this or that Disease: For after that the Blood is very much depraved, it pours forth its recrements, being more plentifully heaped up either on the Lungs, or in the Vis∣cera of the lower Belly; and so causes an affection of this or that kind equally mortal.

CHAP. VII. Of the Cure of the Scurvy.

AS to what respects the Cure of the Scurvy, for that it is not one simple preter∣natural affection, but a whole Legion that is to be put to flight; therefore the method of Curing ought to comprehend manifold indications, and those variously complicated and subordinate, which after the ordinary mode may be referred * to these three heads: to wit, that they be preservatory which respect and take away the cause of the Disease, and curatory which respect and take away the Disease it self and its symptoms, and lastly vital, which may defend or restore the power and strength of the Patient.

At the very beginning of the Cure we ought to aim at the cause of the Disease, for this like the Root being cut off or pulled away, presently the Trunk, Branches, and * Fruit wither: Therefore as we have shown the cause of the Scurvy to be founded in the dyscrasie of the Blood, viz. being either sulphureously-salt or saltishly-sulphure∣ous; the first work must be that it may be mended and made better, both of this or of that sort or nature. To this end in the first place impediments are to be taken away, then the primary intention it self is to be performed; for either scope or pur∣pose Remedies are required, from Diet, Chirurgery, and Medicine: As to Diet, there shall be shewn hereafter a special method of living, in the mean time we will proceed to the rest.

The Reduction of the Blood to its due Crasis by appropriate Remedies, is chiefly hindred by these two ways, viz. In the first place, because a provision of vitious nu∣tritious Juice is continually inferred by it: Then Secondly, because the Recrements brought into its bosom are not sufficiently sent away, through convenient sinks: There∣fore care must be taken that the business of the Chyle may be rightly performed in the first passages, both that the vaporous Recrements may be sufficiently purged forth by Sweat, the serous by the Reins and Lymphaeducts, the bilous, by the gallish Cystis, the me∣lancholy of the Spleen, and all the others of every kind by their proper emunctories; then these offices being rightly instituted we must endeavour to reduce by specifick Medicines, and chiefly those endued with a volatile Salt, the dyscrasie of the Blood: Re∣medies respecting every one of these intentions, ought to be used and administred to∣gether, but by what means and by what manner of administrations, shall be yet more particularly designed.

1. That the Chyle may be perfectly concocted in the first passages, care must be ta∣ken that the load of excrementitious matter heaped up in them may be exterminated * that the ferment being lost or depraved may be restored, that the passages and pores any ways stuft and obstructed may be opened: To these ends, Cathartick, Digestive, and opening Medicines are destinated.

2. The Excrements gathered together in the bloody Mass, when they are not suffi∣ciently sent away by their proper emunctories, may be drawn forth by other conve∣nient ways: For this purpose also Catharticks or Purgers, and besides Diaphoreticks and Diureticks, or Medicines that evacuate by Sweat and Urine, are convenient.

3. The scorbutick dyscrasie of the Blood should be mended by Phlebotomy and spe∣cifick Remedies: Wherefore that the whole business of the preservatory indication Page  192 may be reduced to one point, the Remedies which perform its chief intentions are Catharticks, Blood-letting, Digestives, opening Medicines, Diaphoreticks, Diureticks, and Anti-scorbuticks or Specificks. Then, for that indeed Digestive and opening Me∣dicines are imbued, either of them with acid, biting, or saline Particles, they more of∣ten overcome; besides, for that Medicines of this sort move convenien•…ly enough by Sweat or by Urine, therefore the Curatory provision requisite to the aforesaid intenti∣ons, may be yet reduced to straiter limits; to wit, that it may almost only consist in Ca∣thartick, Digestive, and Anti-scorbutick Medicines, to which Phlebotomy may be ad∣ded as occasion serves: It now is my part to design some forms and prescripts of them, and also the manner of using them.

CHAP. VIII. Of Medicines of every one of the aforesaid Forms respecting the Scurvy, being excited in a more hot Constitution, and sulphureous-saline Dys∣crasie of the Blood.

IN some scorbutical persons, the using much of the aforesaid sharp things, as Scur∣vygrass, Horse-radish, Winteran Bark, and others endued very much with a vo∣latile salt, hath been found hurtful: Wherefore in such like cases where the morbifick cause consists in a more hot dyscrasie of the Blood, like to ropy wine, tem∣perate Medicines less agitating the particles of the humors, apt to grow hot of them∣selves are prescribed: Wherefore we will here add the forms in the same order as the former, and first we will begin with the solid Remedies.

CHAP. IX. Of the Curatory Indication of the Scurvy, by which help is afforded to the Disease it self, and to the Symptoms chiefly afflicting.

VVE have hitherto treated concerning the Cure of the Scurvy, and shewed what belongs to the preservatory indication, to wit, the taking away of the mor∣bifick cause, viz. both the intentions of healing and manifest Remedies. Which kind of method being timely entred upon and rightly instituted, oftentimes performs the whole business, for that the cause of the sickness or the Root being cut off, the di∣stempers depending upon it wither away of their own accord. But yet we may not al∣ways follow this course directly, but sometimes stepping of one side, go another way to work, because sometimes more grievous accidents and symptoms happen, which re∣quire peculiar and as it were extraordinary help of Medicine, which ought to be at∣tended upon immediately, and the general Cure often interrupted: As to this it is to be observed, that when the distempers which follow upon the Scurvy, require proper Remedies according to the nature of every one of them, and the disposition of the Patient, yet there ought always to be mixed with these Anti-scorbuticks. There will be no need to institute a curatory method, against all the diseases and distempers with which the Scurvy is wont to environ one, for so I might transcribe the whole practice of Medicine, but we shall have regard only to the symptoms chiefly afflicting, by which either the life of the Patient is endangered, or the principal Cure is hindred: By what means and with what Medicines such may be cured, we shall now shew.

CHAP. X. Of the Vital Indication, in which are included Cardiack Medicines, Opiates, and Diet, or the manner of living as to Eating or Drinking, requisite in the Scurvy.

WE have hitherto largely unfolded the Indications both Preservatory and Curatory, which belong to the Cure of the Scurvy, it yet remains that we speak of the vital Indication, to wit, that we may declare by what method and by what Remedies, the strength of the sick being too apt to languish, may be sustained, or being lost and cast down may be restored. For these ends, Cordials and Opiates are prescribed to be taken, according to the exigencies of the sick, and besides a right way of living as to Diet, and if need be an analeptick or restorative, and al∣ways anti-scorbutick is prescribed.

As to Cardiack Medicines, to wit, which throughly agitate the Blood, stagnating in the heart, resuscitate or raise up its half spent flame, restore the animal Spirits oppressed or distracted to a free and due irradiation, it is obvious that very many Remedies which properly are called Anti-scorbuticks, do perform these intentions, of which sort are the compound water of Radishes, the magisterial of Snails and Earthworms, the Spirits of Hartshorn and Soot, the shelly Powders with many others, which are not only taken with benefit at certain hours, according to a method or∣dained in a certain order, but also as occasion shall serve when ever a syncope or saint∣ing of the Spirits shall happen.

But besides those who are found very obnoxious to passions of the Heart, frequent Swoonings, Nauseousness, Vomiting, Tremblings, Vertigo's and other horrid Symp∣toms, have also ready other sorts of Medicines, more properly Cordials, by which they give relief immediately to their fainting Spirits. To this end is very convenient the Elixir Vitae of the greater composition, in the distillation of the same Elixir, the se∣cond water may be given to a spoonful sweetned, also the Bezoartick Water, Aqua mirabilis, Gilbert's temperate water, Treacle and Cinnamon water, to each of which compounded or of themselves, may be added Confectio Alchermes, Confectio de Hyacin∣tho, powder of Pearls or the magistery of Coral, Syrup of Clove Gillyflowers, of Coral, of Citron peels, or of Cinnamon: Of these and others of this Rank, divers forms of Medicines are wont to be prescribed, as for Example.

Take of Treacle water and Aqua mirabilis each ℥iij, of Balm water ℥iiij, of the Syrup of Clovegilly flowers ℥iss, of the Confection of Alchermes ʒj, mingle them: The dose 3 or 4 Spoonfuls.

Or take of Aqua mirabilis ℥vj, of Snails and of Walnuts each ℥ij, of the Powder of Pearls ℈j, Confection de Hyacinth. ʒj, of the Syrup of Clovegilly flowers ℥j, min∣gle them.

When scorbutical Women are wont to be troubled with hysterical Distempers, or Men with Convulsive; take of Balm and Pennyroyal water each ℥iij, the com∣pound water of Briony ℥iiij, of the tincture of Castor ℥ss, of the tincture of Saffron Page  212 ʒj, of the Syrup of Clovegillyflowers ʒiss, of Castor tyed in a rag and hung in the glass ʒj, the dose is 3 or 4 spoonfuls.

For those who had rather have Cordials in a solid form, Electuaries or Tablets are prescribed.

Take of the Conserves of Clovegillyflowers ℥iij, of the Confection of Alchermes ℥ss, of the powder of Pearl ʒ, with as much as will suffice of the Syrup of Coral, make an Electuary.

Take of the species of Diamargarit. frigid. of Diarrhodon Abbatis each ʒiss, of Pearls powdered, of the best Sugar dissolved in Treacle water, and boyled up to Ta∣blets ℥iiij, of the oyl of Cinnamon 6 drops, make Tablets according to Art.

As to what relates to Opiates and anodyne Medicines, in some distempers of Scor∣buticks, I had rather want the use of any other kind of Medicines besides than of these, for indeed I have found by often Experience, that there is no better Remedy, not only against pertinacious pains and wakings, but in asthmatical paroxysms, in Vomiting, Fluxes, and also in the Vertigo, and in the Convulsive Distempers, as often as nature being irritated or provoked above measure, hath fallen into most cruel inordinati∣ons, than that Sleep might be allured by some safe Narcotick being given: In the mean time there is need of caution, that they be not taken when there is any thing in the constitution of the Sick, or in the condition or time of the Disease, that may for∣bid the exhibition of such a Medicine.

Besides the hypnoticks usual in the Apothecaries Shops, viz. Opiate, Laudanum, Nepenthe, Philonium, Diacodium, and Syrup of wild Poppies, I know two preparati∣ons of Opium, which I am wont to give in the form of a Tincture or more liquid ex∣tract, with any other appropiate Liquor from 10 to 20 drops.

Diet or the manner of living, to be observed by Scorbuticks in the curatory method, is not of the least moment, which being neglected or ill instituted, the other pre∣scripts of Medicine profit very little or nothing towards health: As the diaetetick Rule extends it self to various things, yet chiefly it is imployed about the Air, the soyl of the habitation, Meat and Drink, and the motion and rest of the Body.

As to the first, what kind of places and mansions in respect of the Heaven and Soil, do breed the Scurvy, and therefore ought to be avoided, appears sufficiently by what we have above declared. Those who studie to prevent or to cure this Di∣sease, let them endeavour to chose and Aire moderately hot and dry, and which shall be also thin and pure and sufficiently eventilated or winnowed.

Meats only for good Juice and well cooked are convenient; heavy, slimy, putre∣fied, fennewed and meats dryed in the Smoak, also unfermented aliments, or greatly compounded, Pulse, Milkmeats, and unripe Fruits are to be shunned, Sweat meats or things candied, or very much imbued with Sugar, I so much blame, that I am apt to think the Invention and immoderate use of them, to have contributed very much to the cruel increase of the Scurvy in this Age. For indeed that Concreet is made up of a Salt sufficiently sharp and Corrosive, though mitigated with Sulphur, as may plainly appear by a Spagyrical Analysis made of it. For Sugar (as we intimated before) being distilled by it self, yields a liquor, little inferiour to the Stygian Wa∣ter: for if you shall distil it, being poured to a good deal of spring Water in a Bladder, although the fixed Salt does not so ascend, yet it produces a Liquor like to the sharpest Aqua vitae, burning and highly pricking: Therefore as Sugar being commixed almost with every aliment, is so plentifully taken in by use, it is very likely that from its daily use, the Blood and the Humours are rendred salt and sharp, and from thence Scorbutick. A very famous Author hath attributed the cause of the English Phthisick, or Consumption, to the immoderate use of Sugar among our country men, and I know no reason, but that I may rather think the increase of the Scurvy derives it self from this enkindling.

Let the Drink be midling Beer, mild and clear, and altered with antiscorbutick Ingredients, but without any ingrateful taste; let it not be thick nor sweet, nor too salt and sour, and let it be taken in a moderate quantity and almost only at the set times of Dinner and Supper: That which with many is thought a good Custom, to wit, that as soon as they are out of their beds, to indulge themselves with (as they usually say) a large mornings draught, seems to be very pernicious. For by this means, for that the sanguiferous Vessels are too much filled with the provision of fresh Chyle, almost perpetually poured in, both Crudities and morbifick Faeculencies are begotten in the Blood, and the office of Sanguification greatly weakned. It is better indeed for most men (unless such, who whilst they are empty and used to have their Ventricle grievously wrinkled and drawn together) to remain fasting till dinner, nor is it a less adversary to health according to the usual custom, to fill them∣selves Page  213 with drinking full Cups presently after Dinner. Wines or Cyder so they be mild, right and not adulterated, and moderately taken, do not hurt; but there is nothing more hurtful and injurious to our health, than those adulterated, ropie, sharp and growing sour.

Exercise and Labour is so very profitable, both for the curing and the preventing of the Scurvy, that many by this remedy only have recovered their Health, or pre∣served it intire: For in those leading an idle and sedentary Life, the Blood and ner∣vous Liquor like standing Water contract a slimeness and muddy setlement: But by much and assiduous motion of the Body, the Humours and the Spirits grow clear and vigorous, the excrementitious and heterogeneous Particles evaporate, the stuffings of the Viscera are discharged and their tone strengthned.

CHAP. XI. Some Histories and rare Cases of Scorbuticks.

VVHAT we have thus delivered, concerning the Theory and the Cure of the Scurvy, shall be yet illustrated more clearly by examples of sickness, or by * Histories brought to light and explained according to the aforesaid Hypothesis. As there are manifold and divers cases extant of those labouring with this Disease, we shall here propose some more rare, excited by reason of the Taint being affixed in the Brain and nervous Stock, no less than in the Blood.

A Gentlewoman, tall and handsome, about 25 years of age, had contracted the scorbutick Taint by reason of various errors in living, or manner of life, the signs of which were a spontaneous weariness, difficult breathing, pains and spots in her Legs, besides her Gums swollen and bloody; in the spring time after miscarriage falling in∣to a tertian Feavour, suddenly the became languishing and weak, from which disease, however she had been quickly recovered, being at first methodically cured, but that greedy of flesh and other incongruous things, she soon fell into a Relapse. But then growing weary of Medicine, she took only empirical Remedies, by which sometimes her Ague fits were driven away, then soon after they returned: In the mean time she remained pale, weak as to motion, breathing short and swollen, and blown up near the Ventricle and Hypochondria. About the third month of her sickness she began to feel cruel Pains and Torments in her Belly; which afflicted her almost continually night and day, running about, now at her Back, now in her Stomach; Besides she was affected sometimes with hysterical Fits, and with a frequent Vertigo, also being trou∣bled with often Vomiting, she daily cast forth a clammy and frothy Flegme. Within a months space this Disease displaying its ends, stirred up Pains in the Back, Loyns and then in every part of the Body. But at this time she complained of a great strait∣ness of her Breast, and a great contraction of the Viscera. In the mean time the ha∣bit of her Body became very lean, that the Bones being destitute of flesh, the Skin could hardly stick on them. Her Urine was little and red, on whose Superficies was a little Skin coloured like the tail of a Peacock. A little time after this, she felt a stu∣por or numness and a sense of pricking, sometimes in her Belly, and sometimes in her Limbs, and then the Pains and Torments began to be remitted, but in their place a Palsie succeeded, which within the space of a week so invaded theMembers of her whole Body, that she could neither bend her hand or foot or any other part, nor move one jot from the place.

As to the Aetiology or the reason of the aforesaid case, this is plain that these more grievous Symptoms did wholly spring from a scorbutick Root; for by reason of the * Taint being fixed chiefly in the Blood, the spontaneous weariness, the difficult breath∣ing, and also the intermitting Feaver wavering and often returning, and other previ∣ous and as it were more light Skirmi•…es of Symptoms were induced: further, the lixi∣vial Urine and of variety of Colours, plainly indicated or shewed, a Blood corrupted with a sulphureous Saline dyscrasie or evil complexion: which kind of Piss by that means well known, I have taken notice of in several others affected with the like Di∣•…ease. But when the morbid Seed in this sick Gentlewoman, being plentifully in∣creased, and flowing thorow the Mass of Blood, did spread into the confines of the Page  214 Brain and nervous Stock, the more grievous distempers did then arise; to wit, the morbifick Matter, consisting of heterogeneous and irritative Particles, being deposited within the Brain, brought in the Vertigo and Swimming, or turning round, and the spasmodick or cramplike Disposition; then a Portion of it falling upon the Nerves of the intercostal and moving Pair, and being by their passages cast upon the mesenterick Foldings, stirred up the scorbutick Colick; and when the same matter being hugely increased, had come to many other Nerves, the painful Distempers were propagated almost into every part of the Body; for that the acid Recrements like to vitriolick Stagmas, being deposited every where from the nervous Liquor, did incounter with the lixivial Salts, every where also poured forth from the Blood: Then lastly when all the Nerves being by degrees filled and stuffed with the morbifick Matter, were so much obstructed that the irradiation of the Spirits and their commerce were hindred, the Palsie followed upon the whole Body.

This Gentlewoman living far from hence, had taken Medicines by the advice of a * neighbour Physician, usual against the distemper of the Colick; notwithstanding which, when the Disease grew grievous, the Patient being brought to Oxford, made tryal of very many Remedies, both Antiscorbutick and Antiparalytick almost of eve∣ry kind and form, but without any benefit. Therefore after that every ordinary me∣thod of Curing, seemed not sufficient for this Disease, it was thought good to proceed to great Remedies, and indeed not altogether free from danger: wherefore we ad∣ministred to her, as sick, weak and lean as she was, a mercurial Medicine for saliva∣tion. The effect of which succeeded to wish, for the Flux at the mouth being risen within two days, and persisting gently for many days without any evil Symptom, brought great ease to this Gentlewoman. For the Pains being mitigated, she began to move a little her Members, and to desire and to digest better her Food, and also to enjoy quiet Sleep. The Salivation being finished, she took a Decoction of Sarsa and China with Antiparalytick ingredients for a few days; then being carried to the Bath, she there used for some time the more gentle and temperate Baths, and presently recovered an indifferent state of Health. All the Winter, she constantly took Medi∣cines against the Scurvy and the Palsy, and when the following year, she repeated the use of the Baths, she grew perfectly well, and afterwards became the joyful Mother of several Children.

A Man about 40, of a Melancholly temper, labouring for many years with the Scur∣vy, * was wont to be sensible of divers and manifold Symptoms of it, at several times of the year. There appeared about his Thighs Spots and black large marks as if coming of strokes; pains of the Belly, with a Looseness often troubled him; his Urine for the most part appeared like Lye, and he almost constantly had a spontaneous wea∣riness, a failure of his strength, and a want of Appetite: Besides these ordinary evils, and as it were customary, he lived obnoxious to most cruel Fits of Sickness, and those of various kinds. Two years before, when I first saw him, he complained most grie∣vously of a difficulty in Breathing, as if he were in danger to be choaked, with a trembling of the Heart, with a fainting of the Spirits, and of a constant fear of Swooning: Besides, if any of these Distempers in the Praecordia ceased a little, for the most part an heavy giddiness in the head, and Vertigo assaulted him. After that he had taken for some time Antispasmodick and Antiscorbutick Remedies mixed to∣gether, he seemed to be perfectly well; but then within a few weeks he was affected with a nauseousness and pain about the Heart, with an inflation of the Hypo∣chondria; his Urine was little and very lixivial, and shortly after the Abdomen swelled up, and then his Feet and Legs with a great waterish swelling, shewed the signs of a growing Dropsy: afterwards the same Tumour invaded the flesh of his Thighs, Arms, and Back also: which Distemper however though it seemed desperate, was easily cured with antiscorbutick Remedies, with the addition of Catharticks and Di∣ureticks. But yet this remarkable person, although he was restored to health, did not continue so long: for two quarters of the year were scarcely past but he began to complain of a grievous Head-ach, with a Vertigo and a pertinacious waking, and then without any evident cause, he was taken with most horrid Vomiting: a little while after, his asthmatical fits, with the trembling of his Heart and sinking down of his Spirits, returned. Also at this time, when he almost seemed desperate, he again grew well in a little while, with the use of antiscorbutick Medicines. It plain∣ly appears by this case, how many evils the scorbutick infection, like to Ferment ly∣ing hid both in the Blood and nervous Juice, and as occasion serves, spreading abroad its Poyson, can cause; which kind of distempers, how horrid and terrible sover they seem, whilst they depend only of the Humors vitiated in their Complexion, and that the Viscera are not at all hurt in their Tone or Conformation, are wont to be cured Page  215 most commonly very easily, or without much trouble, viz. with an antiscorbutick Method aptly designed, both according to the condition of the Patient, and of the Disease.

A Lady about 25 years of Age, of a sanguine Complexion, of a slender make of * Body, of a fair skin and beautiful, had laboured for some time with the scorbutick distemper; for besides broad spots and red swellings breaking forth in divers parts of her body, she was wont to be troubled of a long time with cruel pains and tor∣ments, chiefly vexing her at nights, sometimes in her Legs and sometimes in her Arms: She had often begun to take Physick for the Cure, but being with Child was forced to give it over. After her last Child, for that she had great fluxes, she remain∣ed for many days languishing and weak, with difficulty of breathing, and upon any motion breathless. Being risen up after lying in her month, and endeavouring to walk she fell into a most grievous dyspnoea or shortness of breath, with the trembling of the heart and a frequent fainting or sinking of the Spirits: Being presently put to Bed, yet trembling and with quick palpitations, she continued so for almost a whole day; besides her lower Members as if they had been dead, were altogether stiff and cold, and could not be made warm with the applications of warm cloaths or by rub∣bing: At length the night being almost past, she found her self better about her Prae∣cordia, strong Cordials having been often administred to her, but there succeeded a very acute pain on the top of her Thigh nigh to her left Groin, reaching even down to the Calf of her Leg, and within a few hours a hard tumour resisting the touch possessed all that space. Being sent for at this time whilst the sick was gaping for breath, a Clyster being prescribed and taken, I gave her 12 drops of the Spirit of Hartshorn, in a spoonful of the following Julap, ℥ij of the same being drunk after∣wards. Take of the water of Snails ℥vj, of hysterical water ℥iiij, of Walnuts sim∣ple and of Pennyroyal each ℥iij, of Sugar ℥j, of Castor tyed in a Rag and hung in the Glass ʒj. These Medicines were repeated every sixth hour. I took care to have a large Vesicatory to be applyed to the inward part of her Thigh, then in the evening for that she had continued all this fit without any sleep, I gave her j grain of Laudanum, of the powder of Pearls vj gr. of the Confection of Alchermes without Musk ʒss. She slept quietly, and in the morning was very much refreshed, the pain and tumour of her Thigh were somewhat abated, also while she lay quiet in her bed she was well at her Praecordia, but if she sat up or turned of one side, she presently seemed as if she would expire with the dyspnoea or want of breath. She continued to repeat the use of the Hartshorn and Julap every sixth hour for some dayes: but because she was oppressed with a troublesome thirst, and that her Urine was little and the Contents red and high coloured, she took a dose to ʒvj, twice aday of the following Apozem. Take of Grass Roots, Chervil, Eringo's preserv'd, each ʒvj, of the shavings of Ivory and of Harts horn each ʒij, of Hartshorn burnt ʒjss, of Raisins of the Sun ℥ij, 1 cut Apple, of Liquorish ʒijss, being cut and bruised let them be boyled in 3 pints of Spring water, to the consumption of the third part; then add of Whitewine ℥iiij, let it be strained into a Jugg, to which put of the leaves of Scurvygrass and of Brooklime each m. j, of the Salt of Wormwood ʒij, make an Infusion close shut and warm for 3 hours, being strained let it be kept in close Vessels: Sometimes every day, sometimes every other day they gave her Clysters. By the daily use of these she seemed to be better, so that within the space of a Week she was able, being raised from her bed, to sit up in a Chair by the fire side for 2 or 3 hours: But if she sat up a little too long, or did but endeavour to stir, she presently fell into an asthmatical fit or dyspnoea; so that one day having stayed somewhat longer out of her Bed, having suffered a most heavy assault of the Disease, she was afflicted with a difficulty of Respiration, with a trem∣bling of her whole Body, and continual sinking of her Spirits: By reason of this Re∣lapse of the sick Lady, at last I being sent for, gave her 20 drops of the Spirit of Harts-horn with the above prescribed Julap, and at night a dose of our Laudanum; but when she began to be better about her Praecordia, the pains and tumors succeeded in her right Thigh and Leg as had happened before in her left: I also ordered a Vesicatory to be applyed to that Thigh, and besides the Remedies hitherto cited, she took twice aday of our Wine of the Juice of Scurvygrass ℥iiij, with ℥ij of the magisterial antiscorbu∣tick water. Besides I ordered a Purge of our solutive Syrup above prescribed, which succeeded so well, that I repeated it again within 3 or 4 days. With these Remedies she grew well within a Month.

As to the Reasons of the Symptoms observed in the aforesaid case, first it is ob∣vious from the spots and pains of the Limbs, that the Blood and nervous Juice had * been for a good while touched with the scorbutick taint, which notwithstanding lay hid within the afore•…aid humours, as it were subjugated and without any signal evil, Page  216 so long as they were strong in the Vital and Animal Spirits: But after the great hae∣morrhage or Flux of Blood, when the Blood and nervous Liquor grew weak in their Crasis or Complexion, the particles of the morbid seed like to ferment, being moved, stirred up those terrible distempers: That grievous Dys•…noea or want of breath, seemed to arise from a double cause, or a concourse of a double evil, to wit, because certain pneumonick Nerves being beset with the scorbutick matter, were hindred as to their office of Respiration: For from hence there was a necessity that the Lungs should be swiftly moved, that they might draw the Blood from the heart, and the act of Respiration being more weak by reason of the Nerves being hindred, it became therefore more short and very laborious: A fit of the Dyspnoea urging, when as the Blood about the Praecordia was very much agitated, the extreme parts (which were then almost wholly wanting) by reason of its absence grew stiff and cold; afterwards when as the Spasms or Convulsions of the Lungs abated, that the Blood being great∣ly embued with the morbifick matter, which it had there supped up, loosned from its stagnation, was returned to Circulation, that rushing impetuously into her Thighs, first into her left, then into her right, the other being deserted and so overflowing its Channels, being extravasated with the serous filth, caused that sudden tumour with the red swelling. But by reason of the shifting of the morbifick matter into the more ignoble paras to and again, the Disease though it seemed very dangerous, easily gave way to Remedies, altering the dyscrasies or evil dispositions of the humours, and gently carrying away the Reliques of the morbifick Mine.

A Noble gentleman about 33 years of Age, of a sanguine Complexion as he feem∣ed to be, tall and slender, of a very sharp wit and great understanding, although he * had exercised himself very much for a long time in immoderate and unseasonable stu∣dies, together with an inordinate way of living, yet to that time being fresh and full of vigor, he seemed to enjoy a whole mind in a sound body; a little more than two years before, when he had very much tyred himself in dancing a whole night amongst his Guests, in the morning going into a cold Bed in a Chamber somewhat moist, de∣sirous of a little Sleep he began to be Sick; for being awaked he fell into great per∣turbations about the Praecordia, with great fainting of the Spirits: After having taken a draught of Wine and some Cardiack Remedies, he was somewhat better; but by and by he relapsed, so that both himself and his friends feared all that day a mortal swooning or an imminent Apoplexy. But after this Assault of the Disease had passed over, he lived after that still obnoxious to daily passions of the Heart, and upon any more great error in living, he was wont again to be troubled with most grievous fits. Notwithstanding the use of Remedies, the Disease encreasing upon him within a few Months, it not only infested the Praecordia, but in the whole habit of his Body, Suffusions sometimes of cold sometimes of heat, and besides a stupor or numness, or sense of tingling or pricking, or light and sudden Convulsions or Contractions in his Limbs were excited: And of late besides these Symptoms spoken of already, which although they were very grievous to this Noble Gentleman, yet he was further troubled after a terrible manner with a frequent Vertigo, and with distractions and decay of the Spirits, that inhabit the forepart of the Brain, insomuch that he was forced to abstain from Studies and Political Affairs (to which he was always addicted) yea and from every more serious intention of the Mind; for otherways he felt those sort of perturbations both in the Head and in the Nervous Stock, that made him fear an Assault of the Astonishing Disease, or most horrid convulsive Affections: Whilst he had the more grievous Fits of this Disease, his Ventricle also was disturbed for the most part, but he often received ease by Vomit, either by the free assistance of Na∣ture, or by the help of an emetick Medicine. Hence some thought the cause of the Disease, to subsist altogether about the Stomach or the Hypochondria, but Catharticks, Emeticks, Digestive, Cephalick, Anti-scorbutick, Chalybeate, and other Medicines al∣most of every kind, prescribed him for two years by the most famous Physicians, and also by Empiricks and Quacks, profited little towards the Cure of the Disease. Of late having tryed Astrop waters, he found himself worse for the use of them, presently desisting, he was next advised to be carryed to the sulphureous waters at Knasborough in Yorkshire, but with what success I have not as yet learned.

This case because by reason of the Concourse of various Symptoms, it can belong to no other kind of Disease besides, it is not undeservedly referred to the Scurvy; for it may be suspected that the procatarctick or Remote Cause of this Sickness, lay in the evil disposition of the Blood, to wit, that its Liquor was degenerated from a Bal∣samick and a spirituous, into a sharp and sulphureous-saline, by reason of these Ele∣ments being carried up above measure, which indeed seems to have happened partly from Errors in living, for that this Noble Person being often kept by business or more Page  217 serious Studies even till Midnight, was wont to sup at that time, and presently to go to bed to sleep: Further, this Disease did partly arise from a sickly disposition of the Spleen, and perhaps of the other Viscera, supplying the Blood with a morbid fer∣ment, neither is it altogether without reason, that we judge the Spleen should be ac∣cused.

The Blood labouring with the aforesaid Dyscrasie, and from thence gathering to∣gether * heterogeneous Recrements, easily poured the same on the head, being helped by the evident cause: Wherefore when the Brain by reason of immoderate and un∣timely studies, being something debilitated became less strong to resist the evils, and when for that occasion before cited, the bloody Mass being carried up into a greater ebullition, the pores of the whole Body being by and by shut up, it could not be so well eventilated, its great suffusion or spreading into the head brought on the first mani∣fest sickness, to wit, from the Blood too much heaped up about the region of theHead, first the swelling up and Phlogosis or inflammation of the Face came: Further, from the same at that time imputeously rushing on the borders of the Brain, and there stag∣nating the heterogene Particles, partly Narcotick, partly explosive, fell down into the Ori∣gin of the Nerves, which being so beset with incongruous matter, those perturbations stirred up about the Praecordia, (for the Reasons shown in the spasmodick Pathology) did succeed. Further, for as much as the same matter being dilated towards the hinder part of the head, coming upon the Nerves, arising from the spinal marrow, it inva∣ded the extreme passages and processes of them all, and stirred up through the whole Bo∣dy, a stupor, pricking, and the lighter Cramps or Convulsions. Moreover, because the Nerves and their branches compassing about the sanguiferous Vessels, being affected with Convulsions were variously contracted, those sudden diffusions or spreadings of heat and cold, by reason of the Bloods being as it were sometimes restrained with a Bridle, and sometimes agitated forward with a Spur, did arise through the whole Body.

About the beginning of the Disease, because the morbifick matter being suggested from the Mass of Blood, breaking forth first either on the Region of the Cerebel, or if admitted into the Brain, being from thence presently sent forth, it fixed chiefly about the original of the Nerves, therefore the chief taint appeared in the nervous Ap∣pendix, and about its exteriour processes without any Vertigo or previous swimming or Scotomy, or any notable hurt in the chief powers of the Soul: But afterwards by reason of the dyscrasie of the Blood being daily encreased, and the constitution of the Brain or Encephalon being more weakned, the heterogeneous Particles also break∣ing through into the anterior Brain or the regal Palace of the Soul, they brought on both the distractions and meltings or sinking down of the Spirits inhabiting there: So that this Disease after that its Roots being once planted somewhere within the Ence∣phalon, did daily shew its intentions, notwithstanding the use of Medicines, as that at first only the original of the nervous wandring pair, and the intercostal were infect∣ed, and then afterwards the morbifick matter entred into the processes and interior passages of the other Nerves of the whole Body, which being filled full, at length that being carried by the as yet impure Blood into the Brain it self, it possessed its more noble Cells, which kind of Cephalick Distempers, I have observed to have made the like progress in many, so that it plainly appears these Symptoms excited by such a Series, arise by reason of the aforesaid Causes, and not from Vapours suppo∣•…ed to be elevated from the Viscera or Inwards.

But that a fit urging oftentimes the Ventricle was disturbed, also that it was wont to be suddenly eased by Vomit, it will not be difficult to shew the reasons without prejudice to this Hypothesis. As to the first, there is nothing more plain than that the Ventricle is subverted, and that a nauseousness or Vomiting doth succeed, by rea∣son of some grief inflicted on the Origin of the Nerves, as we have at large already declared, then there is more reason for that Vomiting should bring present help: For in the first place, as the Nerves of the wandring pair and the Intercostal are ve∣ry much shaken, (as it is the manner of the Nervous Parts) they presently remit their inordinations excited from an internal cause, as an itching or pained member is freed from grief if it be scratched or rubbed. But the aforesaid Nerves being greatly sha∣ken together and contracted in Vomiting, they easily shake off the morbifick Matter, fixed to their ends or extremities; by which it comes to pass, that oftentimes a sharp or acid Matter, or otherwise infestous, being heaped up within the first Passages, and there either infecting the Blood, with its hurtful Ferment, or irritating the ner∣vous Bodies, into Convulsions, is brought away by Vomit, and so the Fountain or Provocative of the Disease is carried forth.

Page  218 As to the therapeutick or curatory Method, to be used in this case, and others like it, there are two intentions which are chiefly to be insisted on, viz. In the first place to make pure the Mass of Blood, and to bring away the noxious Ferment administred from the Ventricle, Spleen, and other Viscera. Secondly, that the Brain and nervous Stock be strengthned, lest they admit of extraneous Particles: and that the nervous Juice watering those parts, degenerating from a right into acetous or otherwise morbid Crasis, may be rectified and restored. The first of these are to be performed by Ca∣tharticks, Emeticks, Phlebotomy, and chiefly by specifick Medicines, correcting the scorbutick Taint of the Blood, or carrying it quite away: But as to this Iron or Vitrio∣licke Spring, celebrated for the purging the Blood, that they were rather hurtful than helpful to this Gentleman, the cause seems to be, both for that the Brain being made weak by reason of those Cephalick Distempers, hardly excluded the filth of the Water sent from the Blood, but was in danger to be overflown, by its falling more furiously upon its Confines; and also because when the nervous Liquor dege∣nerating from its Crasis, turns sowr, it is wont to be more preverted by the fluid Salt of those purging Waters. Wherefore we have still observed, that the drinking those Waters, in a Rheumatism and the Gout, hath increased the morbid Disposition. The second intention is best instituted by cephalick Remedies, and chiefly those indued with a volatile Salt, of which sort are Spirits, and Salt of Blood, Soot, and Harts-horn, of the Roots and Seeds of Peony, the leaves of Mistetoe, &c. With which Antiscorbu∣ticks may be mixed.