CHAP. XLVIII. Of spitting of blood.
THe spitting of blood is an alteration of blood in the veins, which alteration is so much, that Nature provoketh it to the stomack, from whence it had his Originall, and doth not come of a vein broken as many have said, as thou maist well see the truth; for if the vein were broke, the blood would come forth at one time or instant without any tarrying, and they would die quickly, the which cometh not by spitting of blood, for they spit none untill the alteration cometh: and this is caused of a kind of Fever that cometh inwardly, that ingen∣dereth that alteration, and when his fit cometh, the blood doth alter, and the veins swell, and the blood doth come forth at the proper mouthes of the veins, and so they spit it forth; and when they spit blood, it is the beginning of the Fever Hectick. the which when it is confirmed, is uncurable and mor∣tall: But if thou wilt take it at the beginning when they spit blood, it may be helped with ease, and that thou shalt doe with giving them three or four times of our Petra Philosopha∣le twelve grains, with halfe an ounce of Sugar Rosate, every third day once; that being done, let him take every morning Oil of Vitriol iiii. grains, with Julep of Violets ℥. i. because there is no better medicine in the world that disposeth the al∣teration of the blood, then our Petra Philosophale, and the oil of Vitrial mittigateth the heat and extinguisheth the acci∣dent. You shall note, that this which I have written is not understood of many as I understand it. And likewise the Medicines to use in that case hath not been put in practise of any man, and the cause is this. That since Physick hath been in use untill this time, the Physicians have not understood of other then the Theorick, and none they cured of pra∣ctise and experience, and that is the cause that so few have found the truth. But I that continually doe travell in practise,