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

Article, I. Of Incubus, or the Night-Hag, and Catalepsis.

THe Symptoms that hurt the Internal sen∣ses, the Reason and motion, together with the senses External, are Incubus or the Night-Mare (as we usually term it) Catalepsis, (we commonly cal it a Taking) the Epilepsie or falling sickness, Carus, and the Apo∣plexy.

Incubus (the Night-haggs) is an intercep∣tion of the motion, especially that of breathing, and the Voice, with a false and Erroneous dream of some heavy and weighty thing lying along upon the Breast, and thereby causing a suffocation (as it were) and choaking of the Party, by means of the impeding and hin∣dering the free penetration of the spirit (the Passages being obstructed and stopt) unto the Nerves.

The part affected is the Brain, espeacially in the hinder part thereof, by which the pas∣sage reacheth and attaineth unto the beginning of the spinal Marrow. The Diaphragm is likewise compressed, and kept down.

The SIGNS are, a heaviness, and im∣movableness of the body, and cheifly the Chest or Breast, a slow and dul sense, and imagination and conceit of a suffocation, (especially in the first beginning of sleep, & the party lying upon the back) and as it were an oppression and keeping down by somwhat lying heavy upon it; insomuch that the Patient can by no means distinctly cal and cry out, but only make a confused and unintelligible Noise. The alone interception of breathing and the voice is brought and offered unto the imagination; in regard that the motion of the breast alone is mainly and principally necessary in the time of sleep.

The CAUSE is, an interception of the Animal spirits, arising from a light Obstructi∣on of the Ventricles of the brain, and more especially of the beginning of the spinal Mar∣row. That that Causeth this obstruction is a Gross and thick Vapor, that is oftentimes cold, yea even Narcotick; and hence it cometh to pass, that the party thus affected is so hardly awakened. That which proceedeth from a gross and thick Flegm, or from a Melancholy Humor sticking fast in the Hypochondria, and neer about the Precordia, this (in these per∣sons) from Gluttony, furfetting and drunken∣ness (the stomach being thereby sur-charged) from Crudities, or other such like Causes be∣ing swoln and puffed up, and then moved, exhaleth and compresseth the Diaphragm and the Lungs, rusheth violently into the beginning and enterance of the Nerves, and so creeping (as it were) and insinuating it self into the very seat of the Imagination, there intermingleth it self with the spirits.

The CURE is the less to be hoped for, if from an internal cause it fieze upon those that are wel in yeers; if it be of long continu∣ance, and frequent, and such as after which the sick person remayneth stupid and block∣ish; if it happen unto the party while he is half asleep and half awake, because that then it cometh the neerer to the Epilepsie or falling sickness; if after the awakening a cold sweat, a trembling of the heart, a spasm, convulsion; or a syncope follow thereupon. It respecteth,

• 1. the Paeroxysm, in the which the sick persons are to be awakened & rouzed up, & the vapor is then to be dissipated by frictions and Vehement

• rubbing.
• 2. The Cure respecteth the time out of and after the Pharoxysm, in which.
  • 1. A Diet is to be kept, which exactly requireth a thin and pure Air, sparing meals, especially a light and sparing supper, the use of no other Wine or beer but what is diluted and so made weak and smal; and lastly, a careful avoy∣ding the supine posture of the body, or lying upon the back, when they go to sleep.
  • 2. The matter that Foments the Vapors (if it be deep∣ly seated) is to be Prepared by such Medica∣ments as cut and cleanse; and then forthwith to be Evacuated in a due and fit manner.
  The opening of the Cephalick or the Hepatick vein, and if Women (that complain of the suppression of their Menstrual blood) the ope∣ning of the Saphena Vein, (especially in case a Plethory be present) is very much to be ap∣proved of.
• 3. The head being first wel pur∣ged, is, without delay, to be strengthened; in∣ternally, with the Black seed of the male Piony; and likewise with Treacle exhibited and administred in the water of the male Pio∣ny; externally, by Lotions made of Cepha∣lick Medicaments.
• 4. The Vapors that offend after meats, are to be Remedyed and prevented by the frequent use of Diacydonium, Corian∣ders prepared, &c.

Catalepsis, or Catochus, is a sudden sur∣prisal of al the senses, the motion, and the mind, with the which those that are fiezed up∣on and invaded, remain and abide stiff in the very same state and posture in which they were taken and surprised, with their Eyes open and immovable.

Of SIGNS there is no need. As tou∣ching the Cause, the learned differ among themselves. It is most probable, that the spirits are fixed and rendered immovable by a Fixative Vapor, in such like manner as we read, that both men and Bruit Beasts have been Rendered stiff and immovable by lightening, Vapors, and exhalations breaking forth of the Earth. Yet notwithstanding even in this Dis∣ease there are to be recounted several Degrees. For some of them neither see, nor hear any thing; others both hear and see, but speak not at al; some again are seen to move their heads; and some of them being driven and thereunto forced, do walk. For the Cure of this most rare and sad affect, see more in the Practical Physitians. In the Topical Remedies hereunto apperteining, we ought to abstain from Vinegar, lest that by it the Congelative power should be augmented.