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. 3. Of WEAKNESSE.

ALthough Weakness of Strength doth generally comprehend the hinderance of al Actions, Ani∣mal, Vital, and Natural; yet more particularly it comprehends the Vital which are known by a Weak Pulse: yet this Weakness useth to be found in al great Diseases, in which Nature doth yeild or resist the Cause.

Therefore as in Palpitation the Action of the Heart that is Pulsation is depraved, so in Weakness it is diminished.

Which is the same with a Syncope, but it differs in this, In a Syncope it is so little that it is hardly perceived; but in Weakness the Pulse is manifest and not so little.

In this also the Animal Faculty is alwaies offended: Hence comes weak motion without hurt of the Brain, Nerves, or Muscles, but from the defect of Vital Spirits which are not so sufficiently sent to the Head that they may be made Animal.

The immediate Cause of Weakness is Defect of the natural heat and spirits from which the life and strength of the parts do depend.

And this Defect is in every part from the Defect of Vital Spirits, and heat flowing from the heart.

Now the Vital Spirits are Defective, either because they are not bred many; or because they are dissipated after they are Bred, or Corrupted, or Suffocated, as we said in a Syncope, where there is this difference, That in a Syncope the Causes of Defect of Spirits, do suddenly produce their effect; but in Weakness they operate by degrees. And therefore in Syncopes and Leipothymia al the Vital Spirits almost, do suddenly fail, but in this there are fewer then ought to be communicated to every part.

Moreover, When the Natural heat wants not only adventitious heat, but also radical moisture to feed upon: if this moisture be wanting and diminished, the natural heat must be less, and the strength abated.

Now the Causes which hinder the spirits from being Generated, or maketh them disperse themselves, or Corrupt, or Suffocate them, are propounded in the Treatise of a Syn∣cope.

The Diagnosis of this Disease needs no Explication because it is manifest, and the Patients do complain of their Weakness. But the signs of the Causes were Propounded in the Syncope.

The Prognostick depends upon the various disposition of Causes, for as they are greater or less, there is more or less danger.

The Cure of this Disease is to be directed to two things, To the taking away of the Cause, and the Restauration of the Heart and vital spirits.

The Causes are, almost al great Diseases, in which either Nature yeilds to, or resisteth with diffi∣culty, therefore the taking away of the Cause belongs to the Cure of almost al Diseases: which you must take from their proper Chapters.

But the strengthning of the Heart, and restoring of the vital spirits are to be here declared; som∣times to be preferred before the Cure of the Cause, when death seems to be at hand: but we must alwayes take heed least when we encrease the strength we encrease the Cause of the Disease: and therefore in a hot Disease you must use more temperate Cordials, but in a Cold Disease those that are more hot.

First then mix Cordials in his nourishment, as Confectio Alkermes, or Confectio de Hyacyntho in Broths, or with pleasant Wine or Cinnamon Water, if there be great weakness.

Boyl also between two Dishes a piece of a Leg of Mutton, after the skin and fat is taken off, and after that let the Patient drink the Broth, being strained, at one daught. Or,

Take the Flesh of a Capon after the skin and fat is taken away, cut it in pieces, and put it in a glassed Pot well Luted, and set it in Balneo Martae to boyl for five hours, then let the Patient take two or three spoonfuls of the Liquor in all his Broths.

Or you may make a distilled Water thus:

Take a Capon or an Hen, after the skin is taken off, and the fat, cut it in pieces; then powr upon it Water of Bugloss, Borrage, Sorrel, Roses, and Orange Flowers, of each half a pound: the Pouder of three Sanders, Aromaticum Rosatum, and Cinnamen, of each half an ounce: yellow Sanders one ounce: Lemmons sliced, three. Distill them according to art, which must be given every hour by the spoonful.

The Juyce of Legs of Mutton only is of much use.

Half roast a Leg of Mutton, and slash it upon the Spit; take the Juyce and boyl it a little in the dish, and give it either alone, or with Broth, or with Yolks of Eggs.

Valeriola doth much commend the Juyce taken out of Sheeps Hearts. And Zacutus Lucitanus confirms it by his Experience, saying, That he with this only Medicine a mouth continued, cured a rich man, who often swouned through weakness of the Vital Faculty, and resolution of the Blood and Spirits, when many other Medicines had been used in vain.

The Juyce is thus taken forth:

Slit the Heart of a Sheep or Goat in the middle, then wash it well, and last wash it with Rose Water; then cut it in slices and put it in a glassed Vassel with a few Cloves, and no other Liquor. And after the Pot is well luted, put it into the Oven after it is drawn, till the Juyce come forth. Give this to the Patient to drink.

The Italians use Caudles of Yolks of Eggs, Wine, Sugar, and Cinnamon, which is very resto∣rative.

Zacutus Lucitanus makes a fine dish of twenty Yolks of Eggs; as you may see in the 107. Ob∣servation, Lib. 2. of his Admirable Practice.

You may make Cordial Juleps thus:

Take of the Water of Bugloss, Roses, and Orange flowers, of each one ounce: Syrup of Apples and Lemmons, of each half an ounce: Confectio Alkermes one dram: Cinnamon Water two drams. Make a Julep.

Or make this following mixture:

Take of white Sugar two ounces: moisten it well with the best Cinnamon Water; then put to it as much Spirit of Vitriol as is sufficient to make it sharp; then ad of the Essence of Cinnamon four drops; the Essence of Mace, Nutmegs, and Annis seeds, of each three drops; the Essence of Cloves two drops. Mix them, and take it either by it self, or in Broth.

You may also make a restoring Opiate thus:

Take of Conserve of Roses, Bugloss, Borrage, and Clove gilli-flowers, of each one ounce: Ci∣tron Barks, and Nutmegs candied, of each three drams: one candied Myrobalan; Confectio Alkermes half an ounce: the Spirit of Roses, and Essence of Citrons, of each half a dram: the Essence of Cinnamon six drops: With the Syrup of Apples make an Opiate; take it often.

This Water following is excellent:

Take of the Jelly of Harts-horn drawn with white Wine, four pints: the Blood of a Lamb and a Calf clensed with the hands from all fibres, of each two pints: Muschadel, Canary, and Mala∣go Wine, of each three pints: of Calfs Hearts cut in pieces four: Crums of new white Bread dipped in Milk two pound and an half; the Juyce of Balm one pint and an half: Rose and Orange Flower Water, of each one pint: great Citrons sliced three: Cinnamon four ounces: Mace one ounce: Put them in a large glass Still, and still them in Balneo Mariae.

You may make a most excellent and precious Cordial Water after this manner:

Take of Amber-greese two drams: Musk two scruples: Lignum Aloes one dram and an half: the white part of Benjamin three drams: after they are bruised and mixed, put them into Spirit of Wine, and setting them upon a gentle fire draw out the Tincture fully; and then filter off the Li∣quor, and draw off half the spirit with an Alembick upon the ashes with a very gentle fire; keep the Liquor close stopped in a Glass, with a Cork waxed over, and a bladder; of which you may give two, three, or four drops in Broth, or in Juleps, or in this following Syrup.

Take of Cinnamon Water four ounces: the best Rose and Orange flower Water, of each six ounces: Mix them, and dissolve therein as much Sugar candy as you can, and make it into a Syrup without fire; with a spoonful whereof, mix four Drops of the aforesaid Cordial Liquor.

Of the Ingredients remaining from the former Liquor, with as much of Damask Roses, and four times as much Benjamin, you may make Cakes to perfume the Chamber.

Apply both Liquid and Solid Epithems to the Heart, and yong Pidgeons slit and sprinkled with Cordial Pouders.

Apply to the Stomach, bags of Spices dipped in Wine. Let the Stones and privy Members be fo∣mented with Confection of Alkermes dissolved in Wine.

Let the Arteries of the Temples, Hands and Feet be touched with Confectio Alkermes, adding a little Cinnamon Water.

Apply this following to the Nose:

Take of the Leaves of Balm, Bazil, and Marjoram, of each two drams: Citron peels, yel∣low Sanders, and Cloves, of each one dram: Saffron half a scruple: Amber-greese six grains: Musk four grains: tie them in a clout and dip them in Rose and Cinnamon Water, and smell thereto often.

Or make a Balsom to anoint the Nostrils with the Chymical Oyls aforesaid of Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Cloves, with a little Wax.