CHAP. III. Of the Vertigo, or Giddinesse.
THe Vertigo is a sudden darkning of the eyes and sight by a vaporous and hot spirit which ascendeth to the head by the sleepy arteries, and fills the brain,* 1.1 disturbing the humors and spirits which are contained there, and tossing them unequally, as if one ran round, or had drunk too much wine. This hot spirit oft-times riseth from the heart upwards by the internal sleepy arteries to the Rete mirabile, or wonderfull net; otherwhiles it is generated in the brain it self, being more hot than is fitting; also it oft-times ariseth from the stomach, spleen, liver, and other entrails being too hot.* 1.2 The sign of this disease is the sudden darkning of the sight, and the closing up as it were of the eyes, the body being lightly turned about, or by looking upon whee is running round, or whirle-pits in waters, or by looking down any deep or steep places. If the original of the disease proceed from the brain, the patients are troubled with the headache, heaviness of the head, and noise in the ears, and oft-times they lose their smell.* 1.3 Paulus Aegineta for the cure bids us to open the arteries of the temples. But if the matter of the disease arise from some other place, as from some of the lower entrails, such opening of an artery little availeth. Where∣fore then some skilfull Physician must be consulted with, who may give directions for phle∣botomy, if the original of the disease proceed from the heat of the entrails; by purging, if occasioned by the foulness of the stomach. But if such a Vertigo be a critical symptom of some acuse disease affecting the Crisis by vomit or bleeding,* 1.4 then the whole business of free∣ing the patient thereof must be committed to nature.