A systeme of anatomy, treating of the body of man, beasts, birds, fish, insects, and plants illustrated with many schemes, consisting of variety of elegant figures, drawn from the life, and engraven in seventy four folio copper-plates. And after every part of man's body hath been anatomically described, its diseases, cases, and cures are concisely exhibited. The first volume containing the parts of the lowest apartiments of the body of man and other animals, etc. / by Samuel Collins ...

CHAP. LXXIII. Of the Palsey.

THE noble Compage of the Brain being a systeme of numerous fine Fibrils, branched through the Cortex, Corpus callosum, Fornix, Cor∣pora striata, Nates, Testes, Medulla oblongata, (Cerebellum, and its Processes) and through the Medulla Spinalis as an elongation of the Brain.

These innumerable minute Fibrils of the Brain, Cerebellum, * 1.1 and Medulla Spinalis, being the constituent parts, are framed of many small Filaments, whose Interstices are receptive of the Animal Liquor and Spirits, by whose spirituous and elastick Particles, the Fibrils are rendred plump, tense, and fit to exert the acts of Sense and Motion, which are also imparted to the Nerves of the whole Body, as so many outlets of the Brain, and the conti∣nuation of its fibrous Compage, the first Origen and rudiment of all nervous Divarications, overspreading, and invigorating all the Apartiments of the Body, with their select Liquor, and their more refined Particles, giving Sen∣sation, motion, and nourishment.

The Faculties relating to the said Operations, are lessened, depraved, * 1.2 or abolished, by the errors of the Brain, as being a systeme of innumerable Fi∣brils, containing the nervous Liquor and its Spirits, giving vigor and tenseness to the fibrous frame of the Brain, and its appendices, which are chiefly hurt in reference to Sense and Motion, in Two disaffections, either as they are de∣praved by Convulsive motions, or when pain ariseth in point of Sense; * 1.3 or when the Functions of Sense and Motion are very much lessened, or abolish∣ed in a Palsey, causing an impotency in the Limbs, when the fibrous parts of the Brain, and Limbs, lose their vigor and tenseness.

A Palsey may admit this description, That it is a resolution, or relaxation of the fibrous Compage of the Body, proceeding from defect of a due tense∣ness of the nervous Filaments; whereupon the Faculties of Sense and Moti∣on cannot exert their due operations, in some, or all parts of the Body.

A resolution happens to the nervous parts, when the Succus Nervosus, * 1.4 and its spirituous Particles are denied an access to the fibrous parts of the Brain, Cerebellum, and Medulla Spinalis; or when the Animal Spirits losing their due volatil, or elastick parts, do not influence the Nerves with due Spirits, and Tenseness, especially when they are affected with high Narcotick steams, which despoil them of their laudable temper and tone.

The motive Faculty is impeded, or abolished, * 1.5 by reason the Origens of the Nerves, are obstructed in the Cortex, or their progress in other Processes of the Brain, Cerebellum, or Medulla Spinalis, or in the Trunks of the Nerves, and their diverse Plexes, and divarications.

The origination of the Nerves, * 1.6 may be obstructed by the grossness of the Succus Nervosus, as not being capable to be received into the beginning of the Interstices, relating to the nervous Filaments, constituting the body of the Nerves.

The grossness of the nervous Liquor may arise from a thick faeculent al∣buminous part of the Blood, the Materia substrata of the Succus Nervosus; * 1.7 or when the cortical Glands being not well disposed, as having too large ex∣travagant

Vessels or Pores, are not able duely to percolate the more thin, mild Particles of the Blood, from its more gross parts; whereupon the thick Animal Liquor is not capable to insinuate it self into the Origens of the fi∣brous parts of the Brain, * 1.8 which are also rendred too close and straight, by the swelling of the neighbouring parts, coming from the cortical Glands, by a quantity of extravasated Blood in Inflammations, or of serous Recrements (in a Hydrocephalus, in a Hydropick constitution of the Brain) compres∣sing the Origens of the nervous Fibrils in the ambient parts of the Brain.

And not only the Origens of the minute nervous Fibrils in the Cortex, * 1.9 but the progress of more large Fibrils (in the Medulla oblongata, and Medulla Spi∣nalis) may have the spaces of their Filaments so closely conjoyned to each other by a quantity of Blood, or Pus, or by the tumors of the adjacent parts, that the current of the Animal Spirits is intercepted; whereupon the ad∣joyning Nerves grow flaccid, and unfit for Sense and Motion.

A Palsey also may arise from a Solution of the unity of parts, * 1.10 when the fi∣brous Compage of the Brain is wounded, or affected with a great blow, or by Concussion, when the order of the fibrous parts of the Brain is perverted, as it hath the Fibres too much separated, or too closely united, dashing one against another.

A greater or less obstruction or compression of the fibrous parts of the Brain, often produceth an Apoplexy, Carus, Lethargy, Hemiplegia: and when the Paroxysmes of these Cephalick Diseases are gone, * 1.11 a Palsey often succeedeth, sometimes affecting one, other times both sides of the Body; so that sometimes one or more Limbs, and other times the Limbs of the whole Body, are disabled in point of Motion.

As the matter of the Disease is more or less imparted to the Nerves of the Brain, Cerebellum, and Medulla Spinalis, so the parts affected are not on∣ly rendred destitute of Motion, but of Sense too in some cases.

And if some curious persons be so inquisitive, * 1.12 as to be informed of the reason, why the Sense remaineth where motion is taken away, this may be offered in point of their satisfactions, that Physicians have assigned some Nerves to celebrate the act of Sensation, and others to motion; but if this Opinion be not satisfactory (as being improbable) because all Nerves are endued as well with Sense as Motion; I will presume to give the courteous Reader another Reason, which may seem more probable, that the act of mo∣tion is more difficult and laborious, as supposing an action, whereas Sensati∣on intimates only a Passion, which is more easy then the other, and may be performed by a sensible impression, continued from the common Sensory, by the continuation of the coats of nervous Filaments, propagated from the Brain to the Medulla Spinalis, and other parts of the Body; But Motion is accom∣plished by a higher nixus of the Nerves, requiring a greater quantity, and more refined Animal Spirits, expa••ding the nervous Filaments, and rendring them plump and stiff, in order to motion

The Compression of the Corpora Striata, * 1.13 may arise from some extravasated Blood, or serous Recrements outwardly crouding the Interstices of the Fi∣laments relating to the Corpora Striata; whereupon the progress of the ner∣vous Liquor and Spirits being checked, the Nerves grow relaxed, and their motion abolished.

The Medulla oblongata, * 1.14 and the elongation of it, the Medulla Spinalis may be the seat of the Palsey, when the Fibrils of the said parts are obstructed inwardly by some gross Matter, or outwardly by the compression of some stagnated Blood, or faeculent Humors, or by the Tumors of some adjoyning

parts; sometimes this disaffection is placed in the Nerves, * 1.15 without the li∣mits of the Brain, Cerebellum, and Medulla Spinalis, either in the Trunks, or smaller Branches of Nerves stopped by obstruction, compression, or by solu∣tion of their unity; Whereupon, the progress of the Animal Liquor and Spi∣rits is interrupted, and the Filaments of Nerves, become loose and flabby, as having lost their tenseness, a requisite condition of the action of the Nerves.

Immoderate Cold being a great enemy to the nervous, * 1.16 as well as vital Li∣quor, doth incrassate the Animal Spirits; so that they loose their volatil and elastick Particles, and are rendred unfit to invigorate the Nerves, in reference to Motion.

The immoderate use of Opiates (which being taken too frequently, * 1.17 and in too great a quantity) doth vitiate the I one of the Animal Spirits, an dits energetick disposition, which is also produced by the venenate Fumes of Mi∣nerals; So that Miners working in Mineral Earth, are affected with the steams of Antimony, Mercury, and Auripigmentum, or Arsnick, which cause Tumors in the Limbs; as also sometimes a relaxation of the Nerves; where∣upon ensueth a paralytick distemper, taking away the use of the Muscular parts, the proper Engines of Motion.

For the most part the Brain is not only affected, but the Medulla Spinalis, and sometimes the Cerebellum is concerned by serous Recrements (diffused between the Skull and the Coats of the Brain) which afterward fall down and compresse the Fistula Sacra, or Silver Cord; * 1.18 whereupon Convulsive moti∣ons, and a Palsey ensue.

A young Man being tortured with great pain of the Bowels, and Con∣vulsive Motions, afterward died Paralytick; and his Skull being taken off, a quantity of watry humours gushed out, which was lodged about the Du∣ra Menynx, Occiput, and Cerebellum, some of which fell down to the Medulla Spinalis, and the Nerves swam in serous Liquor.

Sometimes the Brain is clogged with a pituitous Humor, * 1.19 and watry Recre∣ments, which afterward are imparted to the Medulla Spinalis; whereupon it is rendred tumide, as having its substance oppressed with faeculent Matter (extravasated in the Interstices of the Vessels) compressing the Origen of the vertebral Nerves, and producing a Palsey. Of this Learned Platerus giveth an instance, Practi. Lib. 1. Cap. 2. Part. 2.

A pituita (Ait ille) seu excremento cerebri aqueo, seroso, frigido, humido, cerebrum irrigante, vel nervorum omnium principium premente, uti Apoplexiam, quae totius corporis resolutio, generari, sic si hoc in nervis accidat Paralysim fieri censemus. Talis enim humor a cerebro in Apoplexia, quam prius procrearat, ex∣cussus, vel sine ea profluens, non per Dorsalis Medullae aut nervorum substantiam, sed vel cavitatem dorsi vertebrarum dorsalem Medullam continentem descendens, illicque vel circa principium aut progressum illius subsistens; vel ulterius per du∣ctus, quos nervorum paria a dorsali Medulla progressa, circa omnem Connexum undique in corpore permeant, delabens, aut etiam a capite nervorum conjugationum similes ductus sequens, alicubi{que} circa nervos haerens, quocun{que} loco, sive hoc cir∣ca dorsalem Medullam, sive nervorum paria aut conjugationes accidat, ea compri∣mendo, vel irrigando, uti si hoc in cerebro fiat, Apoplexiam, sic si hoc in jam dictis locis accidat, Paralysim plurium pauciorum{que} partium, prout generalis particula∣risve nervus afficitur, procreat, cum si copiosus humor eo affluat, angustis illis in locis pondere suo nervos comprimendo spiritui Animali intercipere possit eo{que} diu∣tius si crassior & mucosus longiore mora detentus evadat: Praecipue vero quod hu∣miditate sua nervorum substantiam continuo irrigans & adimplens refrigerans{que}

eo in loco propriam ipsorum temperiem destruat, & quo minus Spiritu Animali impleri eo{que} perfrui possint, impediat: unde & propter inutilem hanc interpositam nervi affecti portionem, reliquo qui ad partes deducitur nervi ductu ad functionem edendam simul inepto facto, resolutionem perfectam, si magna fit laesio, partium quibus hi communicantur sequi necesse est, eamque eo diuturniorem & pertinacio∣rem, quo major nervi offensa existit. Quam veram Paralyseos pituitosae causam esse, intumescente ex aqueo humore dorsali Medulla, sectione deprehendimus; ut non opus sit obstructionem quandam in nervis, hic, qui solidi sunt, aut ex fila∣mentis consiti, nec cavitatem ullam, quae humorem illum crassum uti quidam scri∣bunt, admittere possit, excogitare: vel si nervorum hanc humectationem quidem concordant, id tamen hac ratione, quod nervi longiores laxiores{que} facti, ad motum edendum inepti fiant, cum Nervi partem minime attrahant, fieri asserere.

And a Palsey is not only a primary Disease, * 1.20 but also succeedeth others, and very often is a companion, or consequent of a gentle Apoplexy, determin∣ing into a Hemiplegia, which is a loss of motion in one side of the body, as the offensive humors are discharged into one Mediety of the Medulla Spinalis, which consisteth in two parts, separated from each other; that one portion of the spinal Marrow may be affected, and the other unconcerned.

An instance may be given of this case in a Patient, * 1.21 an Inn-holder, committed to my care, who long indulged himself in the immoderate Cups of Wine, Brandy, and strong Drink; whereupon he grew very cor∣pulent, as having a Body full of Blood and serous Recrements, which had first a recourse to his Head, and afterward were partly discharged in the Left part of the Medulla Spinalis, where the Origen of the Nerves were compres∣sed (as I humbly conceive, by a tumor of the spinal Marrow in the Left side) whereupon followed a Hemiplegia, a resolution of the vertebral Nerves be∣longing to the said side, affecting all the Muscles of it; whereupon ensued a loss of motion in one half of the Body.

In order to the Cure of the Apoplexy, * 1.22 I did often advise Bleeding in the Neck, Arm, Cupping-glasses, Vesicatories, Purgatives mixed with Cephalicks; as also Cephalick Apozemes, Electuaries, &c. whereupon his Apoplexy ceas∣ed, and his Palsey much abated, and afterward went he to the Bath, which I conceive was beneficial to him, in order to the recovery of the lost use of his Limbs.

Othertimes a Palsey succeedeth Convulsive motions and Fits of an Epilep∣sy; so that the peccant Matter was carried into the Interstices of the Fibrils of the Brain, and afterward into the Trunks, and smaller branches of Nerves; which being obstructed by some serous fixed saline Recrements, which first make Convulsive motions, as long as the Nerves are able to act, in order to expel the offensive Matter; and when they are so far debilitated, that they lose their farther nixus, the Filaments of Nerves grow relaxed, as not able to make any more opposition. In Convulsive motions also one Muscle, being Convulsed, the other is Resolved, as being wholly at liberty; when the Antagonist is highly disaffected, as not able to balance the opposite Muscle and reduce the part to a tonick motion.

A Palsey also succeedeth great pains of the Stomach and Intestines, * 1.23 as they both have various branches of Nerves; which hold consent with the fibrous parts of the Brain, as the said Nerves are propagated from it; so that a sharp and offensive Matter, is imparted from the Fibrils of the Cortex, through the several Processes of the Brain to the Medulla oblongata, and thence to the Trunk of the Par vagum, and by various branches, to the Stomach and Interstices, producing severe pains of the said parts; and sometimes this Mat∣ter

is carried from the Spine to the vertebral Nerves, and thence to the up∣per and lower Limbs of the Body, and also the Stomach, Liver, and Blad∣der of Gall are very much disaffected with Colick pains.

An Instance of this case may be given of a young Maid, * 1.24 who laboured of aspurious, tertain, intermittent Fever (proceeding from an obstruction of the Liver and Bladder) and then fell into Colick pains, and a paralitick disaffe∣ction, which continued the space of a year, and at last she died, afflicted with a Delirium, and Convulsive motions. The Palsey first affected the Arms and Head, and afterward descended to the Thighs. This Woman having the Abdomen opened, the Liver was found to be over-large, with reference to the Body, and very much obstructed, and the Bladder of Gall filled with gross Black Choler, and the Stomach much distended with Green Excrements, and the Colon full of hard Faeces, and dilated with much flatulent Matter; and the Brain being dissected, a Water was discovered to gush out and follow the Knife; and the same Liquor was discerned to fill up all the space, interce∣ceding the coats of the spinal Marrow, where the Fibres, the Origens of the vertebral Nerves were seated; Whereupon, the beginnings of the verte∣bral Nerves being compressed, the current of the nervous Liquor and Spirits was intercepted, and the Filaments of the Nerves relaxed, and the use of the Arms, Hands, and Thighs lost.

Persons also obnoxious to Arthritical disaffections sometimes fall into a Pal∣sey, by reason the acide and saline Particles of the Blood, * 1.25 infecting the ner∣vous Liquor, do vitiate its refined Particles; whereupon the Animal Spirits losing their expansive nature, do not invigorate the Nerves; so that they grow limber and unfit for motion, whence ariseth a Palsey.

Scorbutick habits of Body are liable to this Disease, * 1.26 as having an ill mass of Blood, debased with acide saline Particles, which spoil the albuminous part of the vital Juyce, the Materia substrata of the Succus Nervosus, which being dispirited, doth not duely invigorate the nervous Fibrils; whereupon arise Tremors in the Limbs, proceeding from faint Animal Spirits, not ren∣dring the nervous Filaments Tense, and apt for motion, whence floweth a Paralytick disposition, which also proceedeth in Cachetick Bodies, from a quantity of serous Recrements, sometimes inwardly obstructing the spaces of the Filaments, and othertimes outwardly compressing the Origens, Trunks, and Branches of Nerves; whereupon they grow flabby and relaxed, as not receptive of nervous Liquor, and its spirituous tensive Particles.

A Palsey may also arise a soluta unitate from a wound of the Skull and Brain, lacerating sometimes, and othertimes cutting asunder its Blood-vessels; * 1.27 whereupon the Brain is affected first with an inflammation, by a source of ex∣travasated Blood (lodged in the substance of the Brain) which afterward degenerates into a purulent Matter, compressing the sibrous frame of the Brain, and hindring the influxe of Animal Spirits into the Nerves, productive of a Palsey.

A Souldier was wounded in the hinder part of his Head with a weapon, * 1.28 not only dividing the Skull, but penetrating the coats into the substance of the Brain, which generated first an Inflammation, and afterward an Abscess; where∣upon the Patient complained of a vertiginous disposition, and of a pain in his Right Eye; and afterward was affected with an Hemiplegia of his Right side, and a Carus, and Convulsive motions of his Right Arm, the fore-runner of a more fatal storm of death.

The Skull being taken off, a great part of the Brain, was overspread with a fungous Matter, which is very common in wounds, Inflammations, and

Abscesses of the Brain, into which an Incision being made, an Aposteme of the Brain was discovered, and the Right Ventricle distended with a clear serous Liquor, compressing the nervous Fibres of the Right side of the Brain, and intercepting the progress of the Animal Liquor into the Right mediety of the Spinal Marrow, and Origens of the vertebral Nerves; whereupon ensued a resolution of them, belonging to the Right side.

A Palsey may also happen upon a wound of the Medulla Spinalis, * 1.29 bruising or cutting the Origens of the vertebral Nerves; whereupon the motion of the Animal Liquor and Spirits is checked, in reference to the nervous Trunks and Branches, (propagated from the Spine) so that they grow loose and flabby, wholly indisposed for action.

A Maid being shot into her Back with the Bullet of a Pistol, * 1.30 was immedi∣ately sensible of a great pain, and defect of the motion of her Limbs, a Re∣solution being made from the middle of her Loins to her lower parts, which proceeded from the wound of the Origens of the vertebral Fibres, seated in one side of the Spine, and from a Bullet lodged in the Spinal Marrow, out∣wardly compressing the beginnings of the vertebral Nerves.

The Patient heing dead, a round hole was found penetrating the Musculi longissimi and Sacrolumbares; and afterward the Spine and its Marrow, where∣in was discovered a Bullet, lodged in its substance, and compressing the Ori∣gens of the vertebral Nerves.

Having discoursed the continent causes of a Palsey, * 1.31 illustrated by many instances of several cases in this Disease; I will now Treat somewhat of its antecedent causes, of which the chief is an ill mass of Blood, generated by an ill Diet, either of too much Meat, or hard of digestion, or the immode∣rate drinking of Wine, and strong Drink, and Tobacco, and Fumes, and Metallick Vapours, or vehement Passions of the Mind, making great alte∣rations in the vital Liquor, the Materia substrata of the Succus Nervosus, which is highly discomposed by the Sex res non naturales, some of which are very offensive, producing a kind of Narcosis in the Animal Spirits, despoiling them of their brisk elastick nature, thereby rendring the Nerves Laxe and re∣solved.

And the Locomotive power of the Limbs and Body is not only abolish∣ed, * 1.32 but also lessened in point of Impotency of motion, proceeding from a de∣fect of Animal Spirits, not fully invigorating the Nerves; hence ariseth a trembling of the Head and Limbs, so that the motive Faculty is not able easi∣ly to sustain the weight of the Limb, produced from the weakness of the Nerves, rendring the Antagonist Muscles, not able to balance each others Contractions, and reduce the Limbs to a tonick motion, by containing them in a firm fixed posture; whereupon the weight on one side, so depresseth the Limbs, and the Nixus of the Antagonist Muscles, that they are not able to make good their tonick Motion.

The Limbs grow disordered by various tremulous motions, * 1.33 derived from contrary principles, of the weight of the Limbs, and of weak nervous Fi∣bres, which putting forth their utmost Nixus, make different successive agi∣tations, originally flowing from an ill Succus Nervosus, not impraegnated with volatil and elastick Particles; whereupon sluggish Animal Spirits, being not endued with an expansive nature, do not render the nervous Fibres plump and stiff.

There are many kinds of a Palsey, * 1.34 sometimes the Sense is lost and the Motion preserved; and other times the Motion is taken away, and the Sense remanent.

The sensitive Faculty is abolished (and the Motive not disaffected) when the Sight, Hearing, Tast, and Smell, * 1.35 are highly discomposed or taken away, as the Nerves appropriated to the said Senses, are obstructed by gross Recrements, or compressed by extravasated Blood or Recrements, shutting up the spaces of the Visory, Auditory, Tasting, or Smelling nervous Fila∣ments; whereupon the progress of the Animal Liquor is stopped, and the ner∣vous Fibres (consigned to the sensitive powers) rendred relaxed, and dis∣abled to accomplish the operations of the outward Senses.

The Motion is taken away by the paucity of the Animal Spirits, * 1.36 or rather by the indisposition of them, when they have lost their tensive and elastick quality, not expanding the Interstices of the nervous Filaments; so that they have not been stiff and plump, and thereby made uncapable to execute the motive faculty of the Limbs.

Some have imagined that the Sense of Touching hath been abolished, * 1.37 and Motion at the same time preserved entire; to which, this reply may be given, That this Hypothesis wanteth a clear stating, whether these different operations of Sense and Motion be meant of the same, or of diverse parts; if it be understood of the same, it is improbable, by rea∣son that the Cutis is the organ of Touching, but not of Motion, which is performed by carnous Fibres of the Muscles, which are deficient in the Skin, only endued with nervous Fibrils (the instrument of Touching) and when they have lost their Sensation, as it is sometimes found in Scorbutick Habits of Body, the Succus Nervosus, and the Animal Spirits relating to the Coats, are depraved; whereupon the cutaneous Nerves grow flabby and relaxed; and lose their sense of Touching (as in a paralytick distemper) and yet at the same time the carnous Fibres of the Muscles retain their Motion, as their Nerves are rendred Tense by the Spirits, and elastick Particles of Animal Li∣quor, invigorating the nervous Filaments, seated in the Muscles, which is taken away in the Limbs, and most parts of the Body, upon the compressi∣on of the spinal Marrow by Blood, or serous Recrements, falling down from the Brain in an Apoplexy (whence ariseth a Hemiplegia, a loss of Motion in half the Body) or this defect of Motion in the Musclar parts, may proceed from a wound in, or great blow upon the Spine, in which ca∣ses the current of the Animal Liquor and Spirits is intercepted.

As to the Prognosticks of this Disease, it is very hard to be cured, * 1.38 as the Brain, Spinal Marrow, and Nerves, are affected; and as a resolution of one or more parts is made, which is removed with great difficulty, especially if this Disease be a consequent of an Apoplexy, Carus, Lethargy, and the like; As the Palsey is caused by a defluxion of ill Humors from the Brain to the Medulla Spinalis (where a Paraplegia is produced) and from thence the offensive Matter sometimes hath a recourse to the Brain, as some Learned Men will have it; but it seemeth more agreeable to Reason, that a new Apoplexy is made by a farther stagnation of Blood, or other gross Recre∣ments, (compressing the nervous Compage of the Brain) which are brought into the Brain by the carotide Arteries, so that the offensive Matter com∣pressing the Medulla Spinalis, is not brought upward from thence into the substance of the Brain.

The Palsey is less dangerous, when only the Sense or Motion is taken a∣way, and worse where both are disaffected, and the danger is greater when the Brain, or Medulla Spinalis are obstructed or compressed, which often pro∣veth fatal to the Patient.

A Palsey is hardly cured, which proceedcth from an extraordinary Con∣tusion of any Vertebral, or some other eminent Trunks of Nerves, which doth not only proceed from the Attrition of Nerves, but also from the inflam∣mation of the neighbouring parts by extravasated Blood, coming from lacera∣ted vessels; whence ariseth a Tumor, compressing the bruised vertebral Nerves, and aggravating the Palsey.

A Tremor supervening this Disease, speaketh somewhat of hope, as it denoteth some vigor of the relaxed parts, productive of a tremulous Motion; whereby the progress of the Animal Liquor and Spirits, is in some degree promoted.

And if the resolved Limbs be acted with heat, it giveth some hope of re∣covery, as it is enlivened in part by Vital and Animal Liquor; if the indisposed Limb do labour of an Atrophy, or hath lost its natural heat, and vivid colour, it speaketh a great difficulty of Cure, because the part affect∣ed is destitute of vital heat, and nourishment, which is occasioned by the de∣fect of the Succus Nervosus, a main ingredient of Nutricion, as confederated with the Albuminous parts of the Blood, and assimilated into the substance of the part.

In all disaffections of the Nerves, * 1.39 as in paralitick Diseases, flowing from cold, serous, and pituitous Recrements; a Fever is very advantageous (as discharging the offensive Matter, by a free transpiration, and frequent Sweats, passing through the Pores of the Skin) which warms and exsiccates the Nerves; and as to the Fibrils heat enlargeth the narrow spaces of the nervous Fila∣ments, and maketh way for the reception and progress of the Animal Liquor, rendring the Nerves Tense, and disposed for motion.

The Cure of this Disease is very various, * 1.40 as proceeding from several cau∣ses, speaking different methods and Medicines, appropriated to diverse kinds of this Disease, as it is successive to other Diseases; or proceeding from some evident, or some antecedent, or from procatarctick causes.

In reference to a Palsey, supervening an Apoplexy, Carus, Convulsive motion, and the like; which being primary Diseases, (productive of a Pal∣sey) do indicate Bleeding, * 1.41 and Purgative Medicines, mixed with Cephalicks, Clysters made of Emollients and discutients, to which may be added pur∣ging Electuaries, Syrupes, &c. As also Cupping-glasses, Vesicatories, Ster∣nutatories, Cephalick Julapes, Pills, Powders, which have been already more largely Treated of in the Cure of an Apoplexy, Carus, &c. And if this pa∣ralytick Disease, be not conquered in a Fortnight or Fifteen days; as it groweth radicated and habitual, it relates to a preservatory Indication, which I intend hereafter to propound.

A Palsey derived from an evident cause, * 1.42 of a Stroke, Fall, Wound; that the prejudiced part may be restored again, an apertion of a Vein may be proper (as lessening the mass of Blood, and diverting it from the part affected) after an emollient and discutient Clyster hath been administred, and rejected, gentle Diureticks, and Diaphoreticks may be safely advised, to make good the circulation of the Blood, and discharge its serous Recrements, whereby the part aggrieved is eased.

As also Diuretick Powders, made of the Four cooling Seeds, Chervil, Golden-rod, and the like, mixed with Sugar; or a Powder recited in the Augustan Dispensatory, drinking immediately after it an Apozeme, prepared with opening and Diuretick Medicines, or vulnerary Diet-drinks. * 1.43

Or if a Dislocation be made of the vertebers of the Spine, they are to be reduced to their natural situation by a dextrous Chyrurgeons hand: And

afterward Balsomes, Liniments may be applied; as also Fomentations, Cataplasmes, Emplaistres of Oxycroceum, e Minio, e Mucilaginibus, of Para∣celsus; and if the Tumor of the Chine remain, resolving and discutient Ba∣things may be outwardly administred.

An habitual Palsey (depending upon Procatarctick and antecedent causes) being considered in actu signato, or exercito, in fieri, or factum esse, * 1.44 doth chal∣lenge to it self a peculiar way of Cure.

As to the Procatarctick causes belonging to this Disease, * 1.45 a care must be had of the Sex res non naturales, that they may be disposed in good order accord∣ing to Art.

And the intentions of a Palsey in relation to its antecedent causes, do denote the goodness of Chyle and mass of Blood, which is effected by a good Diet, and proper Ferments of the Stomach, depending on a laudable Vital, and ner∣vous Liquor, the Materia substrata, and subject of the Animal Spirits.

To this intent courses of Physick may be administred, * 1.46 prepared with Ce∣phalicks and Antiscorbuticks, mixed with purging medicines, and after them in a Plethorick Body, Bleeding may be advised, and then Chalybeat Medicines may be taken of Tinctures, Syrupes, Powders, given in Electuaries made of Temperate Scorbutick and Cephalick ingredients, drinking after them a good draught of a proper Apozeme.

Vomitories may be prescribed in a foul Stomack, * 1.47 (opening the obstru∣ctions of the Liver, Spleen, Pancreas) made of the infusion of Crocus me∣tallorum, Salt of Vitriol, Oxymel, or Wine of Squills, or some few grains of Mercurius vitae, which is not to be given but in robust Bodies.

Fontanels may be made in the Neck, between the Shoulders, * 1.48 in the Thigh, or Leg, which are very beneficial in this case.

Ale is proper, medicated with the Leaves of Sage, Betony, Rorismary; as also the Flowers of Lime, Lily of the Valley, Sage, Paeony, Rorismary, Betony, and the like.

And not only the Continent, and Procatarctick causes of a Palsey, are to be considered, but the ill habit of the body too, * 1.49 if the Disease groweth ha∣bitual, as highly radicated, and in this case a care must be had, that Bleeding and violent Purging be omitted, as Nature is highly weakened by the length of the Disease; so that gentle Purgatives, mixed with Antiscorbuticks, Diure∣ticks, may now and then be given; as also Cephalick Apozemes, Electuaries, prepared with Chalybeats, which do refine the Blood, nervous Liquor, and Spirits, and corroborate the Nerves, which are relaxed, or resolved in this Disease.

In a Palsey, proceeding from pituitous or serous Recrements of the Brain, * 1.50 an Electuary may be advised, prepared with the Leaves of Water-cresses, the Flowers of Sage, Betony, Paeony, Rorismary, and Condite Eryngo-roots, Condite Nutmegs, Mace; as also with the Powders of Crabs Eies, Millepedes, and a little of Castor and Amber, made up with Syrupe of Sage-Flowers, or Lavender, drinking after it, a good draught of an Apozeme, made of Sarza∣parilla, China, Guiacum, Sassafras, infused and boiled in fair water; and to the Colature, may be added of the Leaves of Betony, Sage, Rorismary, of the Flowers of the same, which may be arotamised with Mace Nutmegs, &c. and sweetned with Syrupe of Lavender, or Lime-Flowers.

Or a Milk-water may be thus prepared; Take of the Bark of Winteran, * 1.51 of the chips of Auranges, and Limons, of each Two Ounces, of the Roots, or Leaves of Cuckowpintle, of the Leaves of Garden Scorby-grass, Water-cresses, Sage, Betony, of the Flowers of Lavender, Sage, Rorismary, Nut∣megs,

Millepedes, which may be besprinkled, First with Wine, and stand a convenient time, and afterward a large quantity of Milk may be added, and a distillation made in a Rose Still. To every Dose of this distilled water may be added some drops of Spirit of Salt Armoniack succinated, * 1.52 or of Spirit of Hartshorn, Sutt, Blood, &c.

Dr. Willis adviseth Tincture of Mercury, Terebinth, or Tincture of Anti∣mony, or Amber; Elixir proprietatis, or Paeony, &c.

The Powder of the Flesh of Vipers, and of the Hearts and Livers, may be given in distilled waters of the Flowers of Lavender, Sage, Betony, Ro∣rismary, &c.

Bezoar Mineral. Solar. mixed with Powder of Cloves, Nutmegs, Mace; and once in Four or Five days, gentle Purgatives, prepared with Cephalicks, are to be advised.

Trochischi de Mirrha, * 1.53 or Hysterici, as also Pills made of Castor, Amber, Powder of Millepedes, and of the Roots or Leaves of Ground Pine, made into Pills, with Syrupe of Paeony may be beneficial.

Powder of Zedoary, Galangal, Cardamom, Specier. Diambr. may be given in a draught os some Specifick, or Cephalick water; or in the Magi∣stral Milk-water, prescribed above.

And last of all in this Palsey, * 1.54 proceeding from cold causes, the Spine may be bathed with compound Spirit of Lavender, or the Queen of Hungarys Water, or with Oil of Amber, and the like.

Natural Baths, * 1.55 which being sulphureous and Bituminous, do heat, dry, and corroborate the Brain and Spinal Marrow, and are very advantageous after universal evacuations have been celebrated.

A Palsey proceeding from Bilious Recrements, * 1.56 oppressing the Brain and Medulla Spinalis, doth indicate more mild and temperate Medicines, as Electuaries, made of Conserve of Lime-Flowers, Lily of the Valley, Peagles, Betony, Fumitery, mixed with Species Diambrae, Powder of Red Coral, Crabs Eies, prepared Pearl, Crabs Claws, made into an Electuary, with the Syrupe of Lime-Flowers, or Lily of the Valley, drinking after it a draught of Milk-water, made with the Leaves of Betony, Water-cresses, Brook-lime, Ground Pine, Cowslips, Mountain Sage, of the Flowers of Lime, Li∣ly of the Valley, Sage, Rorismary, distilled with Milk in a Rose Still.

And in this case, * 1.57 an Apozeme may be given made of China, Sarza-parilla, shavings of Ivory and Harts-horn, infused and boiled in Water; in the Co∣lature may be infused the Flowers of Betony, Cowslips, Lime and Paeony, to which being strained, Syrupe of Lime-Flowers may be added.

A Palsey taketh its rise from a Scorbutick indisposition of Body, spoil∣ing the Albuminous part of the Blood, the ground of the Succus Nervosus, and its more refined Particles.

This indisposition is regulated by proper Antiscorbuticks, * 1.58 made of the juyces of Garden Scorby-grass, Brook-lime, Water-cresses, Auranges, which being depurated per residentiam, may be given in a proper Milk-water, made of Antiscorbuticks, and Cephalicks, distilled in a small proportion of White Wine, mixed with a large quantity of Milk, in a Rose Still.

Electuaries, * 1.59 made of the Conserve of Garden-Cresses, Chervil, Water-Cresses, Garden Scorby-grass, prepared with the Powder of Egg-shels, Red Coral, Pearl, Ivory, Crabs Eies, made into the Consistence of an Electuary, with the Syrupe of the opening Roots, drinking after it a good draught of a Diet-drink, * 1.60 prepared with China, Sarza-parilla, Ivory, and Hartshorn shavings, Raisins of the Sun stoned, and in the Liquor, being boiled and strained, may

be infused the tops of Pine and Firre, and the Colature being strained, may be sweetned with the Syrupe of Cowslips, or Lime-Flowers.

Pills made of testaceous Powders, Millepedes, formed into Pills, * 1.61 with Venice Turpentine, may be proper in a Scorbutick Palsey, drinking after it a draught of Diet-drink, made of China, Sarza-parilla, &c. as above. Or a Decoction made of Ground Ivy, and Antiscorbuticks, and Cephalicks, of Mountain Sage, Water-cresses, Brookelime, Flowers of Betony, Paeony, Sage, Rorismary, &c.

Diaphoreticks may be of great use in this Disease, * 1.62 as Sweats do depurate the Blood and Succus Nervosus, produced by Diet-drinks of Sarza-parilla, China, &c. or by testaceous Powders, Spirits and Extracts of Guaicum, Flowers and Spirit of Salt Armoniack succinated, Salt and Wine of Vipers, Diaphoretick Antimony, Bezoartick Mineral, &c. drinking after them a good draught of a proper Diet-drink.

Mercurial Medicines, productive of Salivation, * 1.63 are propounded by some in desperate and habitual Palseys, which method of Physick may prove fatal in weak Bodies; as Mercurial Medicines highly infect the Brain, Spinal Marrow, and Nerves.

And last of all, when universal evacuations have been administred, * 1.64 To∣picks may be applied, made of Spirit of Wine, in which the Flowers of Sage, Rorismary, Lavender may be infused.

As also Balsomes, mixed with Oil of Fox, Worms, Castor, the Queen of Hungarys Water, with which the whole Spine is to be annointed, and after∣ward covered with Flannel. * 1.65

And at other times, when Ointments are not applied, the Spine and Re∣solved parts may be invested with several sorts of Furrs, which much cherish the relaxed and weakened Limbs.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Fibrils of the Brain and Cerebellum, are composed of many Fila∣ments. In the exer∣cises of Sense and Motion, the Fibres are rendred tense.
• * 1.2

  The lessened, or abolished, or depraved Functions, come from er∣rors of the Brain.
• * 1.3

  The Function of Sense or Motion, are lessened, or abolished in the Palsey. The descri∣pti••on of a Palsey.
• * 1.4

  The cause of the resolution of the Nerves.
• * 1.5

  The motive Faculty is hin∣dred, when the Origen of the Nerves is ob∣structed.
• * 1.6

  The Origen of the Nerves may be stop∣ped by a gross nervous Liquor.
• * 1.7

  The cause of a gross ner∣vous Liquor.
• * 1.8

  The Origens of the Nerves are straight∣ned by the Tumors of the adjacent parts.
• * 1.9

  The progress of the Fibrils may have their Fila∣ments over∣close.
• * 1.10

  The solution of the unity of parts may be a cause of a Palsey.
• * 1.11

  A Palsey of∣ten succedeth an Apoplexy. The cause of the Palsey, how it is more or less universal.
• * 1.12

  The cause why Sense re∣maineth when motion is ta∣ken away.
• * 1.13

  The Com∣pression of the Corpora Stri∣ata hinder the progress of the Animal Liquor.
• * 1.14

  The seat of the Palsey.
• * 1.15

  Sometimes this Disease is seated in the Nerves without the Brain.
• * 1.16

  Cold, as in∣crassating the nervous Li∣quor, may be the cause of a Palsey.
• * 1.17

  The immode∣rate use of Opiates may cause a Palsey.
• * 1.18

  The Palsey may arise from the Compression of the Medulla Spinalis. A quantity of watry Recre∣ments may be the cause of a Palsey.
• * 1.19

  Pituitous and serous Recre∣ments im∣parted to the Medulla Spi∣nalis, are sometimes a cause of the Palsey.
• * 1.20

  A Palsey is sometime consequent of other Disea∣ses.
• * 1.21

  An instance of a Patient la∣bouri g of a Palsey.
• * 1.22

  Bleeding is proper for an Apoplexy. Afterward Vomitories, Purgatives, with Cepha∣licks were given; as also Cephalick Electuaries, Vesicatories. A Palsey is a consequent of Convulsive motions, and Epileptick Fits.
• * 1.23

  A Palsey sometime suc∣ceedeth great pains of the Stomach and Intestines.
• * 1.24

  An instance of a Patient dy∣ing of a Pal∣sey, proceed∣ing from pains of the Stomach and Intestines.
• * 1.25

  An Arthri∣tis some∣times degene∣rates into a Palsey.
• * 1.26

  Scorbutick habits of Body are oboxious to a Palsey.
• * 1.27

  A Palsey may proceed a Soluta unitate Crani••.
• * 1.28

  An Instance of the said case in a Palsey.
• * 1.29

  A Palsey co∣ming from a bruised Me∣dulla Spinalis.
• * 1.30

  An Instance of this kind of Palsey.
• * 1.31

  An ill mass of Blood is the chief antece∣dent cause of a Palsey.
• * 1.32

  The Locomo∣tive Faculty is lessened and abolished by the d••fect of Animal Spi∣rits.
• * 1.33

  The cause of tremulous Motions.
• * 1.34

  Many kinds of a Palsey.
• * 1.35

  In one kind the Sensitive Faculty is abolished, and the Motive preserved.
• * 1.36

  The Motion is taken away by the paucity or indisposi••i∣on of Animal Spirits.
• * 1.37

  Some con∣ceive that the Sense of Touching hath been lost, and Motion preserved.
• * 1.38

  The Prog∣nosticks of a Palsey.
• * 1.39

  A Fever is good in Para∣litick Distem∣pers,
• * 1.40

  The methods of a Cure of a Palsey are dif∣ferent, as they succeed various Disea∣ses.
• * 1.41

  Bleeding and Purging Me∣dicines are proper, when a Palsey is a consequent of an Apoplexy, Carus, &c.
• * 1.42

  A Palsey pro∣ceeding from an evident cause, indi∣cates Bleed∣ing, after a Clyster hath been injected. And then gen∣tle Diureticks and Diapho∣reticks may be admini∣stred, Diuretick Powders.
• * 1.43

  The disloca∣ted Vertebers are to be re∣duced.
• * 1.44

  An habitual Palscy claims a peculiar Cure.
• * 1.45

  A respect must be had to the Sex res non naturales, in the cure of a Palsey.
• * 1.46

  Medicines prepared with Cephalicks and Anti∣scorbuticks; As also Chalybeats are goo din this Disease.
• * 1.47

  Vomitories may be advi∣sed in a foul Stomach.
• * 1.48

  Fontanels ve∣ry prope•• in a Palsey.
• * 1.49

  The ill habit of the Body is to be consi∣dered in a confirmed Palsey. Purgatives, and Altera∣tives, as Apo∣zemes, Electu∣aries, are pro∣per for a habi∣tual Palsey.
• * 1.50

  Medicines for pituitous or serous Recre∣ments of the Brain.
• * 1.51

  A distilled Milk-water.
• * 1.52

  Spirits of Salt Armoniack succinated, or of Harts∣horn, Sutt, Blood, &c. Tinctures of Turpentine, Antimony, or Amber, or Elixir Propri∣eratis. Bezoar Mine∣ral.
• * 1.53

  Trochischi and Pills.
• * 1.54

  Fomentation of the Chine.
• * 1.55

  Natural Baths
• * 1.56

  A Bilious Pal∣sey doth indi∣cate more milde and temperate Medicines.
• * 1.57

  Apozemes,
• * 1.58

  Antiscorbu∣tick Juyces.
• * 1.59

  Antiscorbu∣tick Electua∣rics.
• * 1.60

  A Diet-drink.
• * 1.61

  Pills made of Millepedes, and of testa∣ceous Pow∣ders, &c. A Diet-drink.
• * 1.62

  Diaphoreticks are very use∣ful in a Palsey.
• * 1.63

  Some pro∣pound Mercu∣rial Medicines in a stubborn Palsey.
• * 1.64

  Topicks may be applied when univer∣sal evacuati∣ons have been made.
• * 1.65

  The Parali∣tick parts are to be warmly clothed, with Furrs, or the like.