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CHAP. XII. Of the Palsie.
* 1.1THe Palsie is the resolving or mollification of the nerves, with privation of sense and mo∣tion, not truly of the whole body, but of the one part thereof, as of the right or left side. And such is properly named the Palsie: for otherwise and less properly the reso∣lution of some one member is also called the Palsie: for when the who•••• body is resolved, it is an Apoplexy. Therefore the Palsie sometimes takes half the body, otherwhiles the upper parts which are between the navel and the head, otherwhiles the lower which are from the navell to the feet; sometimes the tongue, gullet, bladder, yard, eyes; and lastly, any of the particles of the body.
* 1.2It differs from a Convulsion in its whole nature. For in a convulsion, there is a contention and contraction of the part, but in this a resolving and relaxation thereof: besides, it commonly hap∣peneth that the sense is either abolished or very dull, which usually remains perfect in a Convul∣sion. There are some which have a pricking, and as it were great pain in the part.
* 1.3The causes are internal or external, the internal are humors obstructing one of the ventricles of the brain, or one side of the spinal marrow, so that the animal faculty, the worker of sense and motion, cannot by the nerves come to the part to perform its action. The external causes are a fall, blow, and the like injuries, by which oft-times the joints are dislocated, the spinal mar∣row wrested aside, and constrictions and compressions of the Vertebrae arise, which are causes that the animal spirit cannot come to the Organs in its whole substance. But it is easy by skill in A∣natomy perfectly to understand by the resolved part the seat of the morbifick cause, for when there is a Palsie properly so called, that is, when the right or left side is wholly seized upon, then you may know that the obstruction is in the brain, or spinal marrow; but if the parts of the head be untoucht, either of the sides being wholly resolved, the fault remains in the original of the spinal marrow; if the armes be taken with this disease, we may certainly think that the matter of the disease lies hid in the fifth, sixth, and seventh Vertebrae of the neck. But if the lower mem∣bers languish, we must judge the Paralytick cause to be contained in the Vertebrae of the Loins and Holy bone. Which thing the Chirurgeon must diligently observe that he may alwaies have re∣course to the original of the disease. The Palsie which proceeds from a nerve cut, or excee∣dingly bruised is incurable, because the way to the part by that means is shut against the ani∣mal spirit. Old men scarce or never recover of the Palsie, because their native heat is languid, and they are oppressed with abundance of excrementitious humors; neither doth an inveterate Palsie which hath long possest the part, neither that which succeeds an Apoplexy, yeeld us any better hope of cure. It is good for a feaver to come upon a Palsie, for it makes the dissipation of the resolving and relaxing humor,* 1.4 to be hoped for. When the member affected with the palsie, is much wasted, and the opposite, on the contrary, much encreased in quantity, heat, and colour, it is ill: for this is a signe of the extream weakness of the afflicted part, which suffers it self to be defrauded of its nourishment, all the provision flowing to the sound or opposite side.