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

Article. III. Of the Stone of the Kid∣nies.

The stone of the Kidnies, is a solid and stony substance, mucilaginous, s••imy, carter∣ous, endued with a stone making faculty, a∣rising in the kidnies by the help of heat.

The Signs are principally five,

• 1. A Pain, which affects in the loyns, causeth a sence of heaviness, by reason of the substance of the kidnies void of sense: in its descent into the ureters 'tis increased, by reason they which consist of a crosse and thick membrane, are distracted, especially if the stone be great, craggy, and rough. 'Tis distinguisht from the chollick, because 'tis neither so grievous, nor so large, because 'tis fixt, and is circum∣scribed with the region of the kidnies, and if it fal into the bladder, it follows the course of the ureters, and affects not with winde.
• 2. Bloody urine by reason of the wounding of the parts through which it passes, which at first is little and waterish, by and by supprest, the stones being removed out of the kidneys, tis tur∣bulent, and having a sandy sediment.
• 3. A Numness of the thighs which hapens not in the paine of the chollick, because the muscle on which the kidney lyes, and which is appoin∣ted for bending of the thigh, and is inserted into the inner part of the thigh, is comprest.
• 4. A retraction of the testicle of that side, by reason of the retraction of the neighbouring ves∣sels, which lead to the stones, and are inserted in them.
• 5. A ••auseousness and vomiting; for the kidnies are knit to the stomach by the me∣diation of the peritoneum, whose membran each bowel participates, and two nerves of the sixth conjugation issuing from the stomach are implanted into the internal coate of the kidneys. The voiding of gravel is a signe of the stone in making.

The Cause is not flegme, for many are troubled with that, who have no commerce with the stone-growing juice; hence chose that have the stone oftentimes make water, which is like mucous matter, and presently concretes into a stone. But this proceeds from the faecu∣lency of the nourishment, which if it be retai∣ned, glues it self to this or that part, by the new arrival of matter is dayly increased, being increased by degrees it is dryed, and where it finds a viscous, thick, earthy matter, it coagu∣lates it, and afterwards the internal spirit of the microcosmical salt comming, the which by reason of its natural viscousness, or clam∣miness that Tartar easily receives, and hides within it self, at last 'tis Coagulated into a perfect Stone.

The CURE is Difficult if bubbles for some daies are perceived to continue in the Urin, be∣cause they shew a great quantity of Tartar ous and mucilaginous Humors, together with wind doth abound in the Kidneys. If from Urin remaine subtile, and last so for some time, because it argues a great obstruction. If the it an Ulcer of the Kidneys ensue. If the Pa∣tient be of Nephritical parents. It respect.

• I. Prevention that either it be not generated, or do not ••ncreafe, and then.
  • 1. There must be care had of the Diet, in which meat and drink making for the stone must be eschewed; the contrary meats made use of amongst these are commended, asparagus moderately boy led, with Oyl of Vineger and Butter, taken at first Course, the fruit of Eglantine, the stones of the same boy led in broths, Chevil, Radish, Oyl of Olives and sweet Almonds.
  • 2. The matter collected must timely be emptyed, that it do not concrete. By vomits given every month twice or thrice, by lenitive Medicines, especially Cassia, Turpentine, and chose that purge wa∣ter. By things that break it, if any thing be concreted, amongst which are commended the Decoction of the Nephritical wood, of Ale∣hoof, the Juyce of Speedwel with the Water, and other things, of which hereafter.
  • 3. The Peins must be reduced to their state, and hert bleeding prevails, if the Liver hath raised▪ hot distemper in them, the administration of Strawhetry, Purslain, Barley Water and a∣noynting with cold Unguents.
• II. The taking away of the stone generated, which is perfor∣med,
  • 1. By clensing of the first Passages by gentle Evacuaters, corrected with things that discuss wind.
  • 2. By opening a Vein in the Arm, if there be a plenitude in the whol body, and the pain be great; of the Anckle, or Ham, if it be fallen upon the affected Part.
  • 3. By Relaxing and making slippery the Passages, in wardly with the Syrup of Marsh-mallows, Liquorish, Violets. Outwardly with an Oyntment Compounded of Oyntment of Di∣althea, two drams; Hens Grease, new Marrow of a Hart, each one dram; Oyl of White Lillies, one dram; of Scorpi∣ons, two scruples; Oyl of Wax distilled and spirits of Turpentine, of each one scruple; Wax, and Saffron a liltle. By a Bath of sweet Water, in which may be taken, Oyl of

• • fresh Almonds, two ounces; Oyl of Turpen∣tine, six drops, With a drauft or Warm wine.
  • 4. By Removing, Breaking and expelling the Stone by Medicines that wil do that: the more Excellent of simples are, the magistral of Tar∣tar Vitriolate, of Crabs Eyes, of the mandi∣ble of a Pike, and the Jewish Stone.
  Lapis Prunella, the essence of Crystals, the Ne∣phritical Stone, the Aqua Vitae of Juniper. Horstius, T. 1. P. 481. Of compounds, Zacutus his Confection or conserve of the Nephritical Stone. l. 8. c. 16. Mynsichutus, his Nephritical liquor, Armament. P. 338. The mixture of magistral of Tartar Vitriolate dissolved, Crabs Eyes, Lapis prunella, the volatil Salt of Amber, and Ʋntzerus his Saxa∣frage Water. The generous Wine of the same Author, in which a sharp radish with the Rind taken off, and cut into thin slices, was steeped a whol day, given with the magistral of Crabs Eyes and spirit of Salt. The mixture of Muffet the English man, Cistae Medicae, p. 34. Of Libavius of white Saxifrage water, with Sugar of Violets and Roses streined, with a little Spirits of Vitriol. Zuingerus his ex∣peller of the Stone, Cist. Med. p. 35.
• 3. The removing of the pain, which is performed by the Oyntments formerly prescribed for relax∣ing of the Passages, with a half bath prepared of things anodine, Cratoes Cataplasme of pellitory of the Wal, Parsly, Onions, &c.
• 4. The Discussion of wind, if there be any. See concerning the Stone, the excellent & most satisfying Treatises of Ʋntzerus, Franciscus Collutius, and Beverovicius.