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THe Symptomes that infest and annoy ma∣ny of the internal senses at once and to∣gether, and are, the Waking Coma (as they cal it) and the Lethargy.
The waking Coma is a propension to sleep, and yet withal an utter disability thereunto, arising from Narcotick (or dul sleepy) Va∣pors, that induce and cause a drowsie and sleepy disposition, and withal trouble and dis∣quiet the mind.
The SIGNS are, a Connivence or win∣king with the Eyes, and yet withal a frequent opening also of the Eyes; a mopish or doting kind of discourse in the Patient; and likewise an inordinate motion of the hands and thighs.
The CAUSE is conjectured to be Nar∣cotick Vapors, unto the which there is ad∣joyned somthing that brings along with it a necessity of waking; and so doth a Phrensie, a Malignant Feaver, &c. It somtimes also proceedeth from an extream debility of the strength and powers of the body, contracted ei∣ther from some vehement Diseases grievous and intolerable pains, and an excessive immoderate Evacuation; and then in this case it is very dangerous, if not deadly.
The CURE is very difficult, in regard that the affect is easily changed into the Leth∣argy or Phrensie. It is very doubtful, if the parties speech be hindered: if while they breath a murmuring noise be heard in the throat; if the sick persons cannot swallow down what he drinketh without much ado; and lastly, if a thin Humor 'distil from out of the Nostrils. It is Performed (if there be any Cure at al to be expected) by Revulsion, and the Evacuation of the Matter, from which it proceedeth, and hath its first rise and origi∣nal, &c.
A Lethargy is an insatiable propension to sleep, together with a gentle Feaver, forgetfulness, and a dul sloathfulness or Laziness; arising from a Pituitous or flegmy kind of blood putrifying in the hinder nooks, windings, and Cels of the brain.
The parts affected are the Posterior or hinder ventricles and Cels of the brain; in regard that in this distemper the Memory is that which is cheifly hurt.
The SIGNS are, an insatiable desire af∣ter sleep, as being never satisfied therewith; by reason that the brain through its over moistness cannot possibly be expanded; and because like∣wise that the Animal spirits are as it were bound and lock'd up, by unwonted extraordi∣nary obstructions. Another sign is, a mild and gentle Feaver, in regard that the putri∣fying Humor is not extreamly sharp and fret∣ting, and that the heat is allayed and qualifyed by its Contrary; but then this Feaver is Con∣tinual, in regard that the heat (being as it were to boyl it up) is continued, and in a manner perpetual, and ever more, from day to day, rerturning about the beginning of the Night. Another sign is Oblivion or forgetfulness, be∣cause that the hinder part of the brain is hurt. Another, slowness of breathing, in regard the Nerves of the Thorax, breast or Chest, are affected. Another, a Cough, by reason of the Flegms Defluxion into the Larinx, or en∣trance of the wide rough Artery, (we common∣ly cal it the winde-Pipe.) Another sign is a Turbed, That is to say, a thick, pudled, and troubled Ʋrin, in regard that the Crude Hu∣mors are agitated and driven about by the hear, and yet are not separated. Another sign is, great Pulses, by reason of the Feaver that ac∣companyeth it; but then such as are not very quick and frequent, but slow, by reason of the imbecillity of the Natural strength and powers of the Body. It differeth from the Catalepsie, by the winking and shutting close of the Eyes; from Carus, by the Feaver that is present herewith; from the Apoplexy, because it doth not suddenly, and al at once invade the party; neither doth it deprive of al kind of motion: It differeth from the Hysterical Passion (we term this affect the fits of the Mother) in that the Lethargical persons are able to speak and make answer (the others not so) and withal they are affected with a moderate and gentle Feaver: and lastly it differeth from Coma, by that excessive and insatiable desire of sleep (of the which they have never enough) and out of which they are no sooner rouzed & awakened, but they immediatly fal back again there∣into.
The CAUSE is Flegm or snivel, rotting and putrifying in the hinder parts, (we usual∣ly cal them the ventricles, nooks, and Cels) of the Brain. Where it is to be noted as Observ∣able,
CURE there is none for it, if it be such as is rightly and properly so called; if the strength &
powers be day after day wasted and weakened, if there be an increase of the cold sweat of the head; and lastly, if it end in a Sphacelus. The Cure is very doubtful, if it happen unto one that is young, and in the hot Summer time; if the Urins that are made are become cleer and thin; if the Excrements that are thrust forth by the belly be many, and also liquid; in regard that this proceedeth from the resolution, weakness, and wasting of Nature: if there happen withal a kind of trembling, be∣cause that this imports either great plenty of matter, or else the resolution of Nature; and lastly, if a phrensie chance to follow immediatly upon it. There is some good Hope of a Cure, if so be the seventh day be over past and gone without any sensible hurt and prejudice unto the party; if the Animal actions be not greatly impaired; if the sick persons find themselves the better, after the expulsion of the matter unto the Nerves; if the matter when it is pu∣trified hath an Evacuation by the Ears or No∣strils; and lastly, if there happen an impo∣stumation behind the Ears. The Cure is to be effected.
It is divided in a two-fold manner.
I. One is that which is Legitime, and proper∣ly so called; of which we hitherunto been spea∣king. Another is that we term Noth••s; which is altogether without a Feaver, and is (indeed) nothing else but a profound and deep sleep, and as it were of a middle Nature betwixt Caros and the waking Coma.
II. Another there is that is such by its own Essence; touching which, al before said is to be taken and understood. Another is by consent; there being a certain matter communicated and den••••ed unto the Brain, by reason of the sup∣pression of the courses, or of the Hemorrhoids; or else by means of some other Disease.