The practice of physick in seventeen several books wherein is plainly set forth the nature, cause, differences, and several sorts of signs : together with the cure of all diseases in the body of man / by Nicholas Culpeper ... Abdiah Cole ... and William Rowland ; being chiefly a translation of the works of that learned and renowned doctor, Lazarus Riverius ...

Chap. 1. Of Asthma, or Difficulty of Breathing.

THe Breath is hindered by divers Causes, either by sympathy, or propriety of part.

The hinderance of breathing by propriety called Idiopathica, comes from the Lungs distem∣pered, and therefore every Disease of the Lungs hurts their action, which Diseases are either in the substance of the Lungs, or in the Vessels thereof.

In the substance of the Lungs come inflamations, pimples, imposthumes, ulcers, and somtimes a drying, and atrophy of the part; somtimes a serous watery humor is suckt into the spungy substance of the Lungs, and hinders their free dilatation; somtimes, though seldom, there is a schirrus, a stone, or hard swelling in them.

In the Vessels of the Lungs, there are often obstructions, which hindering the free passage of the Air, cause difficulty of breathing.

Breathing is hindered by sympathy or consent from other parts, which are not only neer, but re∣mote, so the Membrane that goeth about the ribs being inflamed, or the Diaphragma, or Mediasti∣num, the breath is hindered. So by custom there is a great and often breathing when the heart is in∣flamed, as in Feavers; and on the contrary, when the Heart is cold, as in dying men, it is diminished

and ceaseth; the same happeneth in swouning or syncope, when the action of the Heart, and conse∣quently Respiration ceaseth.

So in the Empyema, or Dropsie of the Breast, when matter or water is collected in the Cavity of the Thorax, the Dilatation of the Lights, and Respiration is also hindered.

So the Muscles of Breathing being hurt, hinder Respiration, as in wounds and tumors of them, e∣specially in an Apoplexy, when the influence of the Animal Spirits is kept from them.

Moreover, The Inflamation of the Muscles of the Larynx makes difficulty of breathing in a Squinzy.

So also the Diseases of the Hypochondria do hinder Respiration by consent, as tumors of the Li∣ver, Spleen, Sweetbread or Pancreas, do by their weight draw down the Diaphragma to which they are joyned, and so hinder the motion of it. Also vapors and wind sent from those parts compress the Diaphragma, and hinder its action, from whence comes a flatulent Asthma. The same happeneth by the abundance of wind or water contained in the belly of an Hydropical man, and compressing the Diaphragma. Lastly, Vapors coming from the Mother hinder Respiration, from whence this dis∣ease is called, Suffocatio Hysterica.

Among the aforesaid hinderances of Respiration, the Asthma is handled by it self, because the o∣ther depend upon other Diseases; they shall be mentioned in their places.

Although Asthma used generally, comprehendeth in a large signification, all kinds of difficulty of breathing; yet it signifies more specially that shortness of breathing which comes from the stuffing of the Lungs, and the obstruction of the Bronchion, or Gristles of the Wind-pipe; which of its self es∣sentially is without a Feaver, although somtimes it be joyned therewith. And again, it is subdivided into three other kinds; as first, Dyspnoea; the second called also Asthma; the third Orthopnoea.

Dyspnoea is a difficulty of breathing, in which the breath is drawn oftener and thicker, from the stuffing of the Lungs. This is less than Asthma, or Orthopnoea, because the matter obstructing is less, and it rather stops the substance of the Lungs, than Gristles or Bronchia: hence it is that there is no snorting at all, which comes from the commotion of the humors contained in the Bronchia, with the Air continually passing through.

Asthma is a great and often breathing, in which the Diaphragma, the Intercostal Muscles between the Ribs, and of the Abdomen, are violently moved, joyned with snorting and wheesing. For in a true Asthma properly so called, the Btonchia of the Lungs are filled with flegm, which (as is said) being moved by the Air, make that noise.

Orthopnoea is a great difficulty of breathing, in which the Patient cannot breath but sitting, and with the neck extended upright; and the aforesaid Muscles are not only moved vehemently, but al∣so those of the Breast and Shoulders.

The names Dyspnoea and Orthopnoea, as we said of Asthma, are used commonly for all difficulties of breathing, which happen in Pleuresies, or Inflamation of the Lungs, or the like.

The same may be said of Apnaea, which doth not only signifie a depravation of breathing as the former, but also a diminishing or abolishing thereof; and this happeneth in syncope, Hysterical Passions, and strong Apoplexies.

The humor which causeth an Asthma, is for the most part flegm, which falls from the Head into the Lungs, and obstructs the Bronchia or Wind-pipe. Somtimes it comes from crude and serous humors brought by Arteria Venosa into the Lungs, and if these flow to the Bronchia, they produce a true Asthma with snorting; but if to the substance of the Lungs, or smooth Arteries, they cause a bastard Asthma without snorting.

This kind of Asthma, which is unknown to vulgar Physitians (who will acknowledg no other cause but a defluxion from the Head) is confirmed, not only by not snorting, but from the thick and tur∣bulent Urine of the Patient at that time, especially in the sit, because some part of those thick and crude humors in the Veins is sent to the Reins and Bladder. And some Asthmatical men are subject to stoppage of Urine, and when they are so, they are free from it. But when the fit of the Asthma comes, the difficulty of Urine ceaseth, because the matter of the disease contained in the Veins goes from one place to another: We have also seen some subject to a flux in the Belly, who while they were so, were free from the Asthma; but when that stopped, the Asthma returned. Moreover, this kind of Asthma which is without snorting, is so directly opposite to bleeding, that when a Vein is o∣pened in the fit, as soon as it bleedeth, the Patient begins presently to breath better, and in the end, or after a little space, they are cured of their fit. And finally, these kind of Asthmatical men, are for the most part of an ill habit of body, and have an oedematous humor in their feet, which sheweth that the cause of the Asthma at that time came from the Liver, and is contained in the Veins, so that somtimes a Dropsie followeth in many. Hence Aretaeus reckoneth a wind in the Midriff, and bel∣chings, without reason among the signs of an Asthma at hand, which certainly do come from a crude matter moved in the Midriff.

That flatulent matter doth of its self somtimes produce another kind of Asthma, which is called

Asthma flatulentum, or Hypochondriacum; when many thick vapors rising from the Hypochondria, do compress the Diaphragma, and hinder its motion, whence comes great difficulty of breathing, with∣out snorting.

The Knowledg of this Disease, and its kinds, may be by what hath been said.

In a Dispnoea, the breath is thick, without noise or anhelation, and with less trouble.

In an Asthma the Breast is more heavy, the Breath thicker and quicker, with anhelation, snorting, and wheesing.

But in Orthopnoea, the Patient cannot breath but with his neck upright, and if they lie down, they are ready to be choaked.

The Signs of the Causes are these:

If Asthma come from gross humors gathered in the Lungs, the difficulty of breathing comes by de∣grees, by little and little, and is continual.

But if Humors come at a distance from other parts into the Lungs, the difficulty of breathing is not continual For albeit Asthma which comes from matter contained in the Lungs, useth to be encrea∣sed by external causes, as Anger, Southernly winds, and the like; yet in Asthma which comes from matter flowing from another part, the encrease is more manifest. If this matter come from the brain, there is a manifest Catarrh; but if no signs of a Cararrh appear, you must conjecture that the matter comes by the Veins to the Lungs, and the swelling of the feet, and evil habit of body called Cachexia, is a sign that the Liver is affected.

If a thick humor be contained in the Bronchia of the Lungs, the Respiration is with noise and cough; as also by spitting the disease ceaseth, or is diminished.

If the Humor be in the Veins, or substance of the Lungs, there is no noise, and there is seldom any spitting by Cough.

As to the Prognostick. An Asthma is a Chronical disease, and very hard to be cured, and often ends in a Cachexia or Dropsie. Yong men are somtimes cured, and not without great labor, but old men never. Infants except they be speedily cured, die by a Catarrh, which followeth:

They who grow crooked upon an Asthma or Cough, die before they come to ripeness of age, because the gibbosity hindereth the convenient growth of the breast, nevertheless get their due encrease and bigness, but having not room enough to dilate themselves; from whence the heat of the Heart being not sufficiently fanned, the patient dieth.

A Pleuresie, or Peripneumonia commg upon an Asthma, is deadly, because the Lungs being weak∣ned by a long disease, cannot resist so great a disease coming thereupon, and expel the matter.

The Cure of the Asthma is two-fold. namely, in the Paroxysme, and out or it.

In the fit, presently you must open a Vein, a Clyster being given, if the blood do seem any way to abound: for when the Veins are empty of blood, the Respiration is more free. But if the disease be elder, and blood hath been often drawn, it is better to abstain from bleeding, because by diminishing the natural heat, it will encrease flegm.

It is good to open the Veins in the Ancles in this disease, coming by consent from other parts.

After bleeding, or if it be omitted as not thought fit, you must purge flegm, with the things pre∣scribed in the Cure of the cold distemper of the brain, putting to them alwaies things proper for the breast as much as may be.

Vomits, althongh disallowed by some in this disease, yet are they most convenient, as frequent experience hath taught, and somtimes the sit is taken away with a vomit only.

Among these the chief is Aqua Nicotiana, or Tobacco Water. given in the quantity of an ounce; and it may be made into a Syrup with Sugar: In want whereof you may use the Salt of Vitriol, Aqua benedicta Rulandi. Now the reason is excellent why Vomits do so much good in this dis∣ease. For while the thin humor falling from the head insinuateth it self into the Aspera Arteria, and the Bronchia of the Lungs; and the thick falls into the Stomach, and is there so fixed that it can scarce∣ly be taken away. And while the weak heat of the Stomach doth stir the matter, thick vapors are produced, which puffing up the Stomach, compress the Diaphragma, and cause difficulty of brea∣thing. Hence it comes that when the Stomach is emptied, the fit ceaseth, or is much less. Moreover, An Asthma somtimes (nay often, according to Sennertus) cometh of crude humors about the Liver, and in the Veins, which are carried by the Vena Arteriosa into the Lungs, and compress the Bronchia, from whence cometh an Asthma. For the evacuating and revelling of these humors from the Lungs, a Vomit is very good. As also for this cause, the Remedies purging humors downward are very ex∣cellent.

The Juyce of our Flowerdeluce, doth gently move and purge downward, taken to the quantity of half an ounce, with one ounce of Hippocras, which Placerus in his Observations saith he hath used with good success.

You may give two ounces of the juyce of Flowerdeluce, if the former did work suffici∣ently.

Also you may use sharp Clysters often for revulsion. But they must be given in smal quantities, lest by filling the Bowels the Diaphragma be compressed.

You must also use Frictions to the inferior parts, and apply many Cupping-glasses thereon, as also to the Neck. Afterwards you must extenuate and dissolve the thick humors, and discuss the vapors that come from them. For which purpose you may give a spoonful of Cinnamon Water, ei∣ther by its self, or with Syrup of Violets: as,

Take of Cinnamon Water two ounces: Syrup of Violets one ounce; or instead of that, mix with the Water one ounce of Oxymel to discuss the humors better.

It is also profitable to give three, four, or five drops of Chymical Oyl of Sage, Rosemary, or Annis feeds with a little Wine; or sprinkle therewith the Tablets of Diatragacanth frigid, and so let the Patient eat them.

Others commend one scruple of Saffron given in a spoonful of Wine. Also Aqua Clareta thus made is very good.

Take of Aqua vita four ounces: Water of Colts-foot and Scabious, of each two ounces: Cinna∣mon six drams: strain them through an Hippocras Bag. Let him take two or three ounces.

Tobacco taken in a pipe hinders the sit; so doth the Leaf chewed: and also the smoak of Cloves in a pipe.

In the mean time you must use expectorating Medicines, which bring forth the thicker matter up∣wards. As,

Take of the Syrup of Horehound, Liquoris, and Coltsfoot, of each two ounces: Oxymel simple one ounce. Mix them, and let him lick it by little and little.

Take of washed Turpentine one ounce: Ammoniacum two scruples: Flower of Brimstone one scruple: mix them into soft pills, of which let him take one every second hour with half an ounce of the Syrup of Hysop.

Take of the Oyl of sweet Almonds new drawn without fire six ounces: Sugar Candy▪ two oun∣ces: Mix them for a Lambitive. Or

Take of candied Elicampane three drams: Sugar-candy half an ounce: Syrup of Hysop and Horehound, of each one ounce: ammoniacum dissolved in Aqua vitae half a dram. Mix them for a Lohoch. Or,

Take of Conserve of Violets and Elicampane, of each six drams: the pouder of the Electuary Diatragacanth frigid, Diaireos Solomonis, of each one dram: Syrup of Violets and Maidenhair, of each as much as will make a Lohoch.

Take of Althaea Roots one pound: Elicampane four ounces: Quinces, or Marmalet thereof, sixteen ounces: boyl them in Water till they are dry: Beat them and strain them, adding two pints of Honey: boyl them again gently. Take them from the fire, and ad of Cinnamon one dram: flow∣er of Brimstone half an ounce: Liquor is perfumed with Musk and Rose water two drams. Make a soft Electuary; of which let him hold now and then as much as a Hazel nut in his mouth: 'tis also very good to take half an ounce thereof morning and evening, when the fit is off.

Also you must anoint the Breast with Mollifying and discussing Oyntments and Liniments, thus made:

Take of the of Oyl of Chamomel, Flowerdeluce, and sweet Almonds, of each half an ounce: fresh Hens grease, one dram: the Pouder of Marsh-mallow roots and Flowerdeluce, of each one dram: the meal of Linseed and Foenugreek, of each two drams: Gum Ammoniacum dissolved in Wine one dram and an half: Wax, as much as is sufficient. Make a Liniment. Or,

Take of the Mucilage of the seeds of Quinces, Line, and Foenugreek drawn with Scabious and Coltsfoot Water, of each six drams: the Pouder of Flower deluce root and Hysop, of each half an ounce: Saffron one scruple: Oyl of Lillies and sweet Almonds, of each two ounces: Wax as much as will make a Liniment.

If the fit be long, clap a Vesicatory to the hinder part of the head.

Out of the fit you must stop the Defluxion, and also cut, clense, and expectorate that which hath fallen into the Lungs.

For staying the defluxion, all those Remedies are good which were mentioned in the cure of the cold Catarrh.

But you must take a Caution concerning some of them.

First, In Apozems, Syrups, or the like, you must not make them two hot and dry, which by con∣suming of the thin parts, may make the remainder thicker, and so the Disease will be worse, But you must rather mix moisteners, as Raisons, Figs, Liquoris, Jujubes.

Secondly, Instead of Head Medicines, you must use things fit for the Breast, above mentioned.

Thirdly, For the Derivation of the Humors that abounds in the Head, use Errhines, Sternutato∣ries, Gargarisrus, ar Apophlegmatisms: Which last are not so proper, by reason of the neerness of the

part by which the humor runs to the Lu••gs. But Errhines and Sternutatories may be used safely.

Fourthly, To strengthen the Head, and dry it, Fumigations are there commended; which are not so proper in this, especially if taken in at the mouth and nostrils, because they make the breath shor∣ter, and bring the fit. But with them you may air the Patients Caps, without, from the Cham∣ber.

For to clense and expectorate the thick Humors that stick to the Bronchia of the Lungs, the Medi∣cines already mentioned, or these following, may be used.

Take of Elicampane root, and Polypody of the Oak, of each half an ounce: the Leaves of Ori∣gan, Calamints, Hysop, Savory, Maidenbair, Scabious, and Coltsfoot, of each one handful: the seeds of Marsh-mallows, and Cotton, and Carthamus, of each three drams: Liquoris and Raisons stoned, of each six drams: Jujubes, Sebestens, and fat Figs, of each five, make a Decoction to a pint and a quarter of Hydromel; dissolve in the straining a pound and a quarter of white Sugar; make a Syrup well boyled, for a Lambitive.

You may make a better and cheaper Syrup thus.

Take of Elicampane Roots three drams: Spanish Tobacco one dram: infuse them a whol nigh•• in six ounces of Aqua Vitae: in the morning strain them, and ad of the best Sugar four ounces; stir it well upon the fire, and ad of the syrup of Erysimum or Coltsfoot two ounces: Oyl of Sulphu•• as much as will make it sharp: make a Lohoch.

These following are proper for to unstuffe and cleer the Lungs.

Take of Ammoniacum, and Bdellium, dissolved in Vinegar of Squills, of each half an ounce: Flower of Brimstone three drams: the leaves of Coltsfoot and dryed Savory, poudered, Diaireos simple, of each half a dram; with syrup of Hysop and Oximel of Squills make a mass of Pills; of a dram whereof make six Pills, and let him take three of them two hours before supper twice in a week▪ Or,

Take of Aloes Succatrine, half an ounce: Myrrh and Ammoniacum, of each half a dram: Saf∣fron half a scruple: Flower of Brimstone half a dram: with the syrup of Coltsfoot make a mass of Pills, of which let him take a dram two hours afore dinner for some dayes.

Let the Water which is taken out of a hollow Briony Root, be distilled in Balneo Mariae to eight ounces, whereof mix half an ounce of Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur, let him take every day a spoon∣ful fasting.

Take of Tobacco Leaves, Hysop, white Horehound, and Maiden-hair, of each two handfuls▪ the Roots of Flower-de-luce and Liquoris of each half an ounce: boyl them to a pint and an half, dissolve in the straining of white Sugar one pound▪ of the best Honey half a pound: make a syrup: well boyled, clarified, and perfumed, with a little Saffron and Cinnamon, let him take a spoonful or two every morning.

The Oximel and Syrup of Tobacco invented by Quercetan, prescribed in his Dispensatory, is of the same vertue.

The Tincture of dry Tobacco is drawn with Aqua Vitae, a little thereof mixed with Honey, and that held in the Mouth as big as a Pease or Bean, swallowing it by degrees, this draws Flegm in abun∣dance from the Stomach and Lungs.

Hogs Lice, called Millepedes, or Aselli, in number twelve, put into a linnen Cloth, are to be steep•• in white Wine▪ and then strained and so given to be drunk, and do in a short time clense the Lungs.

Oleum Sacchari doth powerfully dis••olve thick glutinous Humors in the Lungs, and causeth ex∣pectoration: But the Compound Oyl following is best.

Take of the Roots of Flower-de-luce, and Elicampane poudered, of each half an ounce: the Pulp of Dates and Raisons, of each three drams: Citron and Orange peels, of each one dram and an half: Benjamin two drams: Saffron one dram: infuse them two dayes in the spirit of Wine well rectified: then take of the liquor by inclination, dissolve as much Sugar Candy poudered as you can therein, then fire the spirit of Wine stirring them continually till▪ it comes to a liquor as thick Oyl, then mix as much Oyl of Sulphur as will sharpen i••▪

A Decoction of Red Coleworts taken many dayes with a little Sugar, doth help the Asthma.

But the Juyce of Red Coleworts with Sugar of Roses, or Syrup of Coltsfoot, taken in form of a Julep for many dayes is better.

The Spirit of Sulphur doth dissolve slymy Flegm, and open the Bronchia if four or five drops are taken in Broth, or convenient Syrup.

Turpentine is much Commended for this use▪ given often to two or three drams with the Oyl of sweet Almonds or Conserve of Violets, or you may make it into the form of an Opiate thus.

Take of Turpentine well washed in Clotsfoot Water one pound: fat Figgs half a pound: Pe∣nides four ounces: Oyl of sweet Almonds one ounce: mix them into an Opiate.

Saffron in Sawce is good for the Breast; also a Junke•• made of Mustard seed and Honey doth ex∣pectorate.

Oxymel also with Agarick taken two spoonfuls in a morning, doth purge the Lungs.

The flower of Brimstone made into Pills with fresh Butter, given three daies together to one scru∣ple, doth much help the Asthma. Lac Sulphuris doth the same better in ••ight grains, which is the greatest dose.

Also these Tablets following are excellent.

Take of the pulp of Marsh-mallow roots, and of the greater Comphry, of each two ounces: flow¦er of Brimstone two drams: the flower of Benjamin half a dram: Sugar dissolved in white Lilly Water eight ounces: make Tablets, which let the Patient hold often in his mouth.

The Decoction of an old Cock is commended, and it is thus made:

Take of the Roots of Elicampane, and Flower deluce, of each half an ounce: Hysop and Hore∣hound dried, of each six drams: Carthamus seeds one ounce: Annis and Dill seed, of each two drams: Liquoris and Raisons stoned▪ of each three drams: the pouder of Fox Lungs prepared two drams. Beat them, and fill the belly of an old Cock therewith; then boyl him in fifteen pints of Water till his flesh comes from his bones. After it is well strained, set it in a cold place that the thickest may settle, and the thin may be taken off; of which let the Patient take six ounces with one ounce of Oxymel simple.

If you will make it purging, you may ad two or three drams of Senna for every dose, or half an ounce of Manna. Or if you will have it stronger, you may somtimes put in some Electuary that purgeth flegm.

Platerus prefers the following Preparation of a Cock before the rest:

Take an old Cock, kill him, pull him, and draw him; stuff him with these things following: Fox Lungs fresh, or prepared and dried, one ounce: Raisons stoned, and Figs, of each two ounces: Elicampane one dram: Hysop, Savory, Horehound, Thyme, Calaminth, Penyroyal dried, of each one dram: Fennel and Annis seed, of each one dram: Carthamus seeds bruised and Polypody, of each half an ounce: white Tartar one dram: Salt half an ounce: two yolks of Eggs: fresh Butter half an ounce: Cut them and bruise them, and sew them into the Cock, boyl him till his flesh comes from his bones in a large vessel with so much Water as you may need to ad no more: then strain it, and put to ten pints, one pound of pure Honey that it may not quickly corrupt. Let him take a Porrenger full every morning; in which let him dissolve Manna and new drawn Cassia, of each half an ounce, continuing it for a month and longer; which will be the better, if presently after he take a dram of Turpentine with Penides in form of a Bolus, or otherwise.

Ludovicus Septalius in his Practical Observations condemneth these Cock-broths as unprofitable, or hurtful: His Reasons are, Because they do not answer Experience, and have been used in vain by him and other Physitians of Millane. For by long boyling, the nitrous parts (by which those Broths are thought most to profit) do settle, and are lost in the straining: but the slimy, glutinous, thick, and fatty, from the skin, feet, wings, musculous and nervous parts do remain. Hence the matter is made thicker, and less fit to be expectorated.

But Septalius his Experience, must not be preferred before so many famous Physitians Experience, both old and modern. For if it did not profit some which he and others have cured, many other things might hinder, as namely, the evil disposition of the Patient, and contumacy of the disease, or other things not well ordered which concerned the Cure, or the Medicine it self not well made. And whereas he saith, that the nitrous parts do fall to the bottom by long boyling, and are lost in the strai∣ning, it is ridiculous; for only the Earthy parts do settle, but the nitrous part once taken into the liquor, is never separated. Hence it is that the longer you boyl Broth the Salter it is. But this Salt doth cut, extenuate, and open, it is so far from incrassating being salt. Neither hath the flesh, or other parts of a Cock, such a glutinous substance as he imagineth, as you may find in Neats feet▪ or Calves feet, but rather an attenuating quality, because it is full of nitrous substance. And if purging and al∣tering Medicines be made according to the Precepts of Pharmacy and Art, they do leave all their strength in the Decoction, because dayly Experience teacheth us that such Broth of an old Cock doth purge. And if we may oppose our Experience to that of Septalius, we can truly say, that we have found admirable effects of these Broths in violent Asthmaes and Chollicks. But this we use to alter in these Broths; We give many draughts in a day lest it should be spoiled by keeping. But this is the Example of what we prescribe in this disease:

Take of the Roots of Elicampane and Flowerdeluce, of each one dram and an half: Hysop and Coltsfoot, of each one handful: Liquoris and Raisons stoned three drams: fat Figs four: Sen∣na three drams: Polipody of the Oak and Carthamus seeds bruised, of each half an ounce: Annis seeds one dram and an half: Boyl them with the third or fourth part of an old Cock: make a Broth for twelve or fifteen daies.

By this Purging Wine following, Platerus cured a Woman of a Dyspnoea, inclining to a Dropsie:

Take of Flower-de-luce-Roots one ounce: Elicampane, and Squills prepared, of each half an ounce: Horehound one handful: Elder Bark and Danewort, of each one dram: Senna one ounce and an half: Agarick two drams: Ginger one dram: shake them well together, and ad of Wine four pints, boyl them a little: she drank hereof six dayes together when she went to Bed, the Dyspnaea ceased, the Tumor vanished, and she was finely Cured.

But we must observe that we repeat Purging often in this Disease, under divers formes, lest nature should be used too much to one Medicine: So Clensing, Cutting, and Expectorating Medicines, and the rest are to be alterated for the same reason.