Bazilica chymica, & Praxis chymiatricæ, or, Royal and practical chymistry in three treatises : wherein all those excellent medicines and chymical preparations are fully discovered, from whence all our modern chymists have drawn their choicest remedies : being a translation of Oswald Crollius, his Royal chymistry, augmented and inlarged by John Hartman : to which is added his Treatise of signatures of internal things, or, A true and lively anatomy of the greater and lesser world : as also, The practice of chymistry of John Hartman, M.D., augmented and inlarged by his son
Croll, Oswald, ca. 1560-1609., Hartmann, Johann, 1568-1631., Lover of chymistry., Hartmann, Johann, 1568-1631. Praxis chymiatrica. English.

Diseases of the Mesentery.

Obstruction and Inflammation of the Mesentery.

Grievous are the Obstructions and Inflammations of the Mesentery, which often prove the Authors of great evils, yet are difficultly known, unless per∣ceived by Tumours about the Navel, in the Mesentery and * kernel under the Ventricle; therefore the exquisite diligence of the Physi∣tian is in this case chiefly required.

The Disease being known, such medicaments ought to be applyed, as in this case seldom are, for what is usually administred, seems rather to exasperate the grief, which indeed is no wonder, since the distemper is so little considered by the Physitians, wherefore oftentimes from such like affects, the Iliack pas∣sion is produced.

Therefore most worthy to be praised, is the famously learned Fernelius, who by his singular industry, and ingenious dexterity, hath discovered such things, as in this place, may gently help the practical Physitian.

The Disease being perfectly known, a Remedy as easily may be found. The whole cure consists in resolving and emollient medicines.

Resolving, are those Lenitives made of Vitriolate Tartar, wine of Iron, Ga∣chectick powder, and sowerish things both Natural and Artificial: Artificial, see Platerus in his Observations of Discoloration. For these do wonderfully resolve all the contracted filth in the Mesentery and Pancreon.

Page  102 But if in Tumours of the Mesentery, the slow dejection of the belly which is usually concomitant, be not by these means removed, Tartarisate spirit of Wine given drop by drop, makes the belly soluble. Emollient, are powerful externals; if among these a Plaister of Hemlock be applyed, the Cure will more readily be affected; It is observable, that oftentimes, from the applying of this Plaister dolours begin to arise, which is a most certain sign, that the putrid filth contracted from the preceeding inflammation is disturbed, and resolving into imposthumation; it hath been often seen, that by this means the corrupt matter is rarified and almost dissolved, then this Plaister must be removed, and a Clyster injected.

Note, That in this case there is nothing better then to prescribe a temperate order of diet, well observing what things weaken the stomack, and are pre∣judicial to the whole body; by this means and applying often only simple Clysters of Milk and Oyl Olive or fresh butter, the belly is delivered from those noxious pollutions, not removed by the more interior purgations, and at length the cure happily follows.

After the Cure is perfected, it is convenient once or twice yearly, to use Lenitive purgations, least the part again receiving those impurities, be made apt to retain them and a more contumacious return of the Disease unavoidably follow.