The idea of practical physick in twelve books ... / written in Latin by John Johnston ... ; and Englished by Nich. Culpeper, Gent. ... and W.R.

Article, V. Of the Palsie.

The Palsie is a spautaneous and voluntary abolition of motion in the parts, (without any the least hurt of the Reason,) arising from a defect and want of the Animal spirits, through some fault and errour in the Nerves.

There is here no need of SIGNS; the mo∣tion for the most part perisheth, the sense and feeling stil remayning, there is likewise a kind of softness and tenderness in the part affected; a coldness also, a weak pulse, &c.

The CAUSE is a defect and fayling of the Animal spirits, which happeneth by some fault of the Nerves.

There is no CURE at al to be expected, if it chance to be from an extream and forcible Relaxation or Loosing of the Vertebrae, in re∣gard that then the Nerves are greatly crushed together and very much bruised, insomuch that an inflamation followeth thereupon; if it pro∣ceed from an incision or cutting of some one of the greater Nerves, or the the spinal Marrow, because there is then no Hope of a Coalition or closing together again of the incision. The Cure is likewise exceeding Difficult and hard to be effected, if it happen unto aged people, in regard that it denoteth an imbicillity of the heat; if the member be extenuated, and the natural vegetative heat thereof be changed and altered; especially if the eye on that side be impaired, because it argueth then that the heat is wel nigh extinguished, if there be many of the nerves and muscles affected; if it succeed and follow upon an Appoplexy, in regard that then the cause is over vehement. But the Cure is more easie, if the resolution be in the thinges or feet, because that in those parts the nature and constitution of the nerves is dryer than else∣where; if the member resolved and loosened be actually hot; and lastly; if a trembling, or a feaver follow upon it. It is to be instituted and ordayned, according to the nature of the causes, and the differences.

The differences of a palsy are very vari∣ous.

I. One is Ʋniversal, in the which either the whole body (the head alone excepted) is seized upon, or at least, the one halfe thereof or one side of it. And then, if the Face be af∣fected, the brain also, (together with the spi∣nal marrow) is affected: But if al the parts beneath the face, then the begining and first entrance into the spinal marrow (which we cal the marrow of the back bone) is very far a∣miss in its transverse situation: but if the affect surprise only the one half of the body, one side then only of the Said spinal marrow is likewise affected, and becometh faulty.

Another is particular, when alone some one certain part suffereth. And then, if the Arms and hands be deprived of their motion, then the nerves that proceed forth from the vertebre of the hinder part of the neck, offend and are faulty. If the Feet, then those nerves that are in the vertebrae of the Loyns, and the Os sacrum or channel bone. If the eyes, then the second pair of nerves is affected, If the Tongue, then the seventh payr of the nerves is affected. And lastly if the voice fail, then those nerves that are called recurrentis, they only are affec∣ted and do suffer.

II. Another difference there is, arising from a distemper in the nerves themselves, by reason of phlegmy and cold humors, that relax or loo∣sen and dissolve their tone: and these for the most part descend from the head. These hu∣mors may be known and more fully under∣stood what they are, out of the Chapter touch∣ing the distemper of the head. The Cure is to be wrought,

• 1. by a gentle evacuation and imploying of the first and most principal passa∣ges, least that otherwise the preparatives draw the crude humors into the stomach; (and here vomiting procured and excited by the use of Crato his vomitary made of the Juyce of the reddish in the which black hellebor hath bin steeped and infused, hath its place if the sto∣mach be stuffed ful of flegm) but then if the matter be in its flux and motion, the evacua∣tion ought to be so much the stronger.
• 2. by a preparing of the matter, more than once, by Cephalick medicaments; among which Iva Arthetica, primrose flowers, the Flowers of Lilies of the Vally, are the best that are now adayes in use.
• 3. by purging, with mechoa∣can, or the Pils so much used by Solanander and Mathiolus.
• 4. by exciting and provoking of sweats with the Hidrotick of Quercetan, and the sudorifick of St. Ambrose; unto which there must be added, Guajacum, china, Treacle, Bezoardicum Lunare; together with other apropriate remedies; al which are to be followed and attended with frictions of the neck or the spina dorsi with onions, and the new fresh root of the flowerdeluce.
• 5. by a particular evacuation of the brain, by errhines, Apophlegmatisms, &c.
• 6. by the application of Topical remedies; where have their place, frictions, rubbings and chaifings with the water

• leaves infused in Malmesey, Bathes with formi∣cetes, Rubifications (or rubbing the part til it become red) with green Nettels and other suchlike; inunctions with the unguent of vipers, the unguent likewise of the several sorts of pepper, the Unguent of Castor, the grease of the wild Cat, mans fat, &c. Natural or Artificial hot baths; touching which se fur∣ther in Heurnius his method.
• 7. by a diet that is hot and dry; concerning which consult the Practitioners in Physick.

Another is from the straightness or narrow∣ness of the Nerves; which is caused,

• 1. By an obstruction, proceeding from a pituitous flegmy humor, and other things that are sub∣servient hereunto, and conducing unto the pur∣pose aforesaid. Then the cure hath regard unto the Cause; touching which we have spoken sufficiently above,
• 2. a Constipation from some tumor or swelling, that hath its first rise in the substance of the spinal marrow, or of some nerve.
• 3. Compression, and that either from some external cause, or else from a Tumor, &c.

III. Another is from those Causes that dis∣solve or make a solution of unity in the nerves, in the number of which there is,

• 1. a Contusi∣on, fal, or blow. And then a vein is to be o∣pened lest there should happen an afflux unto the contused or bruised part. Astringents to∣gether with discussives are likewise to be appli∣ed and layed upon the part affected, unless (haply) there be present an inflamation.
• 2. a dissection; and for this there is no remedy at al to be had,
• 3. a relaxation (or loosening) of the vertebrae of the Back, suddenly caused, of the which sufficient hath been spoken in the se∣cond Book.

Another is from things narcotick, as for ex∣amples, a touching of the sea fish Torpido, quick-silver, and the immoderate unseason∣able drinking of wine, which rendereth the spirits extreamly stupid and dul: and here in the cure whereof there ought to be a special re∣gard had unto the nature and quallity of the Cause.

IIII. Another is Colical, when a humor from the intestines is moved, not so much unto the begining of the orifice or first enterance of the nerves, as unto the very muscles and ten∣dons. The Cause hereof is a thin humor, that is both chollerick, and wheyish. In the Cure we must deal cheifly and principaly by clisters, that so the perverse motion of nature may be in∣verted. A vein is to be opened, if there be present a Plethory and orver great abundance of pure and good blood. We ought then to purge with gentle purgers (as we terme it) by an E∣picrasis or an often reiterated evacuation, and drawing forth of the peccaut matter, leisurely and by degrees, some now, some then, and not al at once. Let sudorificks then follow, administred in primrose water, and the water of Lilleyes of the vally. The spirit of Niter is also of excellent use in this case.

Another is that which we terme Scorbutick; touching which see more in the Scurvy.

Another is that we cal Hysterical; of which also we may see more in its own proper place.