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 Want of Appetite, or Loathing of Meat.

INappetentia, and Loathing, is either from the abolished or diminished Action of the stomach: When it is Abolished it is called Anorexia, & Apositia: but when it is Diminished it is called Dusorexia, but by Custom Anorexia, & Apositia are used for both.

The Causes of this Disease are divers, which that we may bring into Order, let us consider the Natural Causes of Hunger or Appetite: These are called by Galen, lib. 1. de symp. caus. cap. 7. Symptomes: and are Five, The First whereof is emptiness of the parts. The Second is the Natu∣ral Appetite of those parts so emptied. The Third is the Sucking and Attraction of the Mesaraick Veins in the Stomach and Guts. The Fourth is the sense of their sucking in the Stomach. The Fifth is the Animal Appetite wch cometh from the Nerve in the mouth of the stomach which comes from the Brain, and is endued with great sense and feeling. As also the Melanchollick Humor which comes from the Spleen to the mouth of the stomach, which with its sharpness gnaws the inmost Tu∣nicle of the stomach, and is like sawce to stir up Appetite; which that it may be natural, it is necessa∣ry that al those Causes be in Order; for if there be any fault in either, then there is a hurt or hinde∣rance of Appetite.

Therefore the First Cause which is Emptiness of Parts, if it be wanting there is no Attraction made by them from other parts and the stomach, and so there is no Appetite: now this Emptiness is wanting either when the parts are filled with plenty of crude juyces, by reason of gluttony or drun∣kenness; or for want of exercise, or usual evacuations, or when there is so much fat that it is suffi∣cient to nourish the parts: Also the great stoppage of the pores of the skin, doth hinder the empti∣ness or the parts: or great weakness of the natural heat, so that it can disperse none or but little of the substance of the Parts: or the calling of that heat to the concoction of the matter of a Disease wher∣by the nourishment of Parts is neglected, as in Feavers.

The Second Cause is Natural Appetite, and the Attraction of nourishment to the stomach; and this is depraved when the Parts though empty, wil not draw by the veins, by reason they have lost their strength, but languish and forget their duty: As happeneth in acute, malignant, pestilential, syntectick, and hectick Feavers: And in immoderate evacuations, as in Flux of the Liver, Womb, Haemorrhoids, Bleeding at the Nose, Great Sweat, much Lechery, long Fasting, and the like.

The Third Cause is, The Attraction of the stomach by the Mesaraick Veins, which useth to be de∣praved by stoppage of those veins, by which means the empty Parts cannot attract their Chylus, nor make the mouth of the stomach sensible: so we may perceive in Children troubled with Struma, to consume by a long Flux of Chyle, by reason al the Mesentery is full of Glandles which stop its Veins, and hinder the passage of the Chyle to the Liver, by which means it is sent half concocted forth by siege, and the Parts are deprived of their necessary nourishment.

The Fourth and Fifth Causes, which are Sense of Sucking, and Animal Appetite, do require a good disposition in the Stomach, brain, and nerves: Therefore whatsoever can al••er their dispositions may also destroy Appetite; so every great distemper of the belly, especially if it be hot and dry doth hinder Appetite. Great heat by dispersing the moist substance of the stomach, doth take away Appetite; as also great Cold not only positive as when the bowels are so cold that they are stupified by Air, Water, Frost, Snow, and the like; but also privative, when the native heat is spent, which Galen cals Na••cosis or Stupefaction, as by long bleeding, feavers, and the like, by which the strength of the stomach and other Parts is consumed. Evil also and corrupt Humors; whether hot or cold, do cause want of Appetite: The hot are chollerick, adust, putrid, or virulent, whether they are bred in the stomach for want of Concoction, or brought from other infirm Parts.

The Cold Humors are, Flegmy and Slimy, gathered in the stomach by evil Concoction, or co∣ming from the whol body, as in them who by often Vomitings bring the corruption of other Parts into the stomach.

Or from the Brain by Catarrhs in which the stomalch useth to be troubled with Flegm: The sup∣pression of the Terms and Haemorrhoids also, by choaking and smoothering the natural heat do also diminish the Appetite.

Moreover, The distemper of the Brain and Nerves Cause that the Sucking is not flet in the stomach in them who have lost or depraved the Animal Faculty; therefore they are ••ick in mind, as in an A∣poplexy, Lethargy, Phrenzy, Madness, and the like; as also in a Palsie by reason of the Obstruction

of the Nerve of the sixth Conjugation which comes to the Stomach, or by reason of the stupefaction thereof, by the use of cold and narcotick things.

The knowledg of this Disease is manifest, for the Patient will complain of his want of appetite, and loathing of Meat. But the signs of the Causes are partly manifest, and partly to be discovered by art.

And first, they which cause the want of emptiness, are known by former high feeding, repletion, want of exercise, or evacuation, long sleep, and other Causes of crude Juyces; as also if the body be full, and the Veins swoln. Also the thickness of the Skin signifieth the same, for that hinders the dispersing of the nourishment, as also some great disease in some particular part, by which there is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dispersing of the Natural heat in the whol Body, so that it is so weak that it cannot concoct the nourishment brought to the parts, and supply its wants.

The signs of the second Cause are manifest, namely acute, malignant, pestilential, and syntectick•• Feavers, strong evacuations, and other Causes, by which there is a great decay of Natural heat in the parts, so that they cannot attract necessary nourishment.

The signs of the third Cause are obstructions, whose signs are known in the diseases of the Liver, Spleen, and Mesentery.

The signs of the fourth and fifth Cause, need a more curious search, and first heat in the Praecordia, especially in the Stomach, thirst, dryness, and bitterness of the Tongue and Jaws, and a Feaver, do signifie a hot distemper of the stomach, and abundance of Choller. And if this hot humor do flow from other parts, the disease of that part will shew it, as inflamation of the Liver, or other part. But if no other part seem to suffer, you must conjecture that the fault is in the Stomach, or that e∣vil meats have been received. To these are joyned Cardialgia, Heart-scalding, Nausea or loathing, Vomiting, and Purging, the Nature of which humors are known by what is sent forth. A cold di∣stemper and much flegm is known by cooling Causes afore going, or such as disperse the Natural heat, and extinguish it; as also from the sence of weight in the Stomach, from sharp belching, or from a slimy thick humor sent out of the mouth, or by stool.

The same is signified by a long Catarrh, and a disease in some part which may send flegm or me∣lancholly to the Stomach, as of the Spleen, Womb, or the like. Also the distempers of the Brain and Nerves are to be known by their proper signs.

As to the Prognostick: As a good Appetite is good in all Diseases; as Hipp. Aph. 33. Sect. 2. saies, To be right in mind, and to be willing to take that which is brought, is good: so want of Ap∣petite useth to be an evil sign. For it sgnifieth a great digression from the Natural state; and it comes, as Galen teacheth, Com. in 3. Epid. either from evil Humors in the Mouth of the Stomach, o•• from the loss of the Faculty, whose duty it was to be sensible of the want of nourishment, and con∣sequently to desire it. So Hipp. in 1 Epid. saith concerning men in Consumptions that died in the time of an Epidemical disease, they alwaies abhorred meat and drink. And so Galen, Comment▪ in 3. Epid. saith that he hath seen many in a Plague time which could take no sustenance, and died: But some who were stronger, and took courage, and did eat, recovered. So in Hipp. 3. Epid. Sect. 1. Aegr. 2. Hermocrates, who died the twenty seventh day, abhorred meat all the time, and in the last daies could not tast. And Sect. 2. of the same Book, Aegr. 6. Euryanactis her daughter, abhorred meat all the while, and drank nothing worth speaking of, died about twelve daies after.

But we must observe, that loathing of meat is sad if it come from the destruction of the Natural heat: but it is not so dangerous if it come from abundance of evil humors, and Cacochymia; as you may see in Hipp. 7. Epid. by the Son of Cleomenis, who without a Feaver abhorred meat for two months, through abundance of crude and viscid flegm, which he at last vomited up. So in the be∣ginning of Diseases, and especially of Feavers, want of Appetite is not so dangerous, because then Nature being busie about the concocting of filthy humors, is called from her usual desire of meat. But after, when the Feaver is appeased, and the humors that caused the Disease being spent, she returns to her old custom.

In Children, want of Appetite is worse than in others, because their substance is moist, and easily dissipated, and requires more use of nourishment to restore them.

In men recovered of a Disease, loathing threateneth a relapse, by reason the reliques of the Disease cause it.

In a continual Disease, loathing and sincere dejections are evil. Hipp. Aph. 6. Sect. 7. loathing is an evil sign in long diseases: but they who are like to escape, have the contrary; that is, a good appe∣tite. But sincere dejections coming, do cause a worse Prognostick; because Hippocrates under∣stands by sincere dejections, such as have no humidity mixed with them, when the humor alone with∣out any Water, is cast forth, whether Choller or Melancholly; for these stools do shew that all the Natural humidity is burnt up by the heat of the Feaver.

In long Diseases of the Guts, loathing of meat is evil, and with a Feaver worse; Hipp. Aph. 3▪ Sect. 6. when there are deep and putrid Ulcers in a dysentery, the Stomach suffering with the Guts

••oth not well concoct, which offence arising higher, affects the mouth of the Stomach with loathing. There are some in Dysenteries, who abhor meat from the beginning of the Disease, by reason of the wil humors which come from the Liver; for the superfluous part of them comes to the mouth of the Stomach, which is not alwaies dangerous. But in long Diseases when it is so, there is either a putri∣••action about the Ulcer, or a great Inflamation, both which are desperate.

The Cure of this Disease, if it come from the distemper of other parts, must be by the Cure of it. But if it come only from a fault in the Stomach, it is to be reduced to a hot or cold distemper joyned with matter.

A hot distemper is to be cured first by purging of Choller gently and often. And this may be made of Rhubarb, Myrobalans, Tamarinds, Syrup of Roses, or of Succory with Rhubarb; Or if the Pati∣••nt be subject to vomiting, you must give him a gentle one.

The same Humor is to be altered with Juleps or cooling Broths, in which you must not omit the Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur; because all sharp things do not only allay Choller, but provoke an ap∣••etite. Hence it is that we use Sallets in Summer, to provoke appetite.

Or you may alter and purge this Humor at once with a convenient Apozeme, to which, for the Stomach, ad half a handful of Sea Wormwood, and half an ounce of Citron Myrobalans.

After Purging, Marmalad of Quinces is good to strengthen the Stomach; or the Syrup mixed with Syrup of Wormwood, the Lozenges of Diamargariton frigid, or Triasantalon, or Diarrhodon ••bbatis, if there be a suspicion of Obstruction. Or this Opiate:

Take of Candied Lettice, and Guords, of each one ounce: Conserve of Sorrel, Roses, Succory, and Bugloss, of each half an ounce: red Sanders, Coral, and Pearl prepared, of each half a dram: ••he Troches of Spodium and Sorrel seeds, of each one scruple. With Syrup of Lemmons make an Opiate, of which let him take the quantity of a smal Nut morning and evening, drinking after a little Wine and Water.

Anoint the Stomach outwardly with this Oyntment.

Take of Oyl of Roses, Myrtles, and Quinces washed with Vinegar of Roses, of each two ounces: all the Sanders, red Coral, Coriander seed prepared, and red Roses, of each one dram: grana Ker∣••nes and Spodium, of each half a dram: white Wax as much as is sufficient. Make a Liniment, with which anoint the Stomach with your warm hand only twice or thrice in a day, putting in a little Rose Vinegar at the same time.

Or lay on a Rose Cake sprinkled with Rose Vinegar, or steeped therein, which you must remove before it groweth hot.

Lastly, In the continuance of the Disease a Bath is good twice or thrice used, by which many are brought to their former appetites.

Vinegar, and all sharp things are good with their meat.

A loathing cometh from a cold distemper, when flegmy melanchollick humors are gathered into the Stomach, and hinder its office; or being drawn from all other parts of the Body, as in them who using to vomit, draw the impurity of other parts to the Stomach, or from the Brain, Spleen, and Mo∣ther, and other parts.

In the Cure hereof, you must first look at the distemper of the parts from whence they come, which must be amended with Remedies laid down in their proper Chapters.

Then you must apply Medicines to the Stomach by Evacuation of the Humor offending, and strengthening the parts.

Evacuation may be made by vomit or stool.

By Vomit, If the Patient be Nauseous, and easie to vomit, with Medicines for that purpose.

But if the Humors be thick, and fastened upon the Tunicles of the Stomach, and the Patient is not used to vomit, they must be purged, especially with Pils, because they stay longest in the Stomach; as Galen sheweth cap. 7. lib. 4. de sanit. tuenda. Who exceedingly commends Pils of Hiera; which may be given to two scruples or a dram in the morning two hours before meat: and you may make them fresh, thus:

Take of the best Aloes washed with the Juyce of Wormwood one ounce: Agarick trochiscated two drams: the pouder of Rhubarb sprinkled with white Wine one dram: Nutmeg and Spicknard of each half a dram: Salt of Tartar, Mastich, and Cinnamon, of each one scruple: With Syrup of Wormwood make a Mass of Pills; of a dram whereof make six Pills guilded. Let him take them in the morning if you will purge much; or give half a dram two hours before dinner twice or ••hrice in a week, They may be quickened with Diagridium, if you will have them stronger.

If you fear the Liver is too hot, you may mix cool things; as red Roses, Sanders, Diamargariton: and make up the Mass with Compound Syrup of Succory.

Strong Pills are not good, because they wil draw humors from other Parts to the stomach.

If he cannot swallow Pills, you must give him Hiera to drink with a convenient Liquor. Or,

If a Potion shal be unpleasant, make an infusion of Senna, Myrobalans, Rhubarb and Agarick in

Wormwood Wine, or the stomach Decoction, dissolving in it a little of the Electuary of Citrons solutive, if you wil make a stronger.

If this Disease comes from slow, slimy Flegm, before Purging you must dissolve it with Honey of Roses, and Oxymel, with syrup of Hysop and the like, with a cutting and clensing Decoction.

Or, This following Apozeme will do both.

Take of the Roots of common Acorus▪ Cypress, and Calamus Aromaticus, of each one ounce: dried Citron peels, and Sarsa, of each six drams: Wormwood, Mints, Marjoram, Germander, and Chamaepitis, or Ground-pine, of each one handful: Citron and Annis-seeds, of each two drams: Senna, two ounces: Carthamus-seeds bruised, one ounce: Agarick trochiscated, three drams: Dodder of Thyme, or Epithimum Flowers, Sage, Rosemary, and Lavender, of each one pugil: boyl them to a pint and an half: in which dissolve of the Syrup of Wormwood and candied Citron-peels, of each two ounces: make a cleer Apozeme, and scent it with a little Cinna∣mon, and pouder of Aromaticum Rosatum for four mornings draughts: in the first and last wher∣of you may dissolve for the better Purging three drams of the Solutive Electuary of Citrons, with one scruple of the pouder of Rhubarb.

The use of Turpentine is good, because it clenseth al the Bowels; especially if you make it into Pills with Rhubarb.

It is not good to let blood in this Disease, except the Liver be very hot.

After sufficient Purging, you must come to Strengthning; both Internally, and External∣ly: Thus,

Take of Syrup of Wormwood, one ounce: Let him Drink it Fasting many mornings: or Wormwood-wine.

Take Conserve of Mints, Citron peels candied, and candied Mutmegs, of each half an ounce: one candied Myrobalane: of Confectio Alkermes, three drams: the inward skins of Hens∣maws poudered, two drams: Cinnamon and Aromaticum Rosatum, of each one dram: with syrup of Mints make an Opiate: or candy them with sugar of Roses; use it in the morning, drin∣king after it a little Wine.

Salt of Wormwood is good to be put to the aforesaid Medicines, Or, Oyl of Mints Chymi∣cal.

Or, Salt of Wormwood with Orange peels, or either of them to half a dram in Wine, or Broth.

This following Syrup is most excellent:

Take of the syrup of Quinces, and Citron Barks candied, of each two ounces: Cinnamon wa∣ter, one ounce: Oyl of Sulphur twelve drops: mix them to be taken now and then a spoon∣ful.

Clarret Water is usual, and it is made thus:

Take of Cinnamon grosly poudered two ounces: steep them in one pint of Aqua Vitae in a glass; in another glass put six ounces of sugar with half a pint of Rose water: let these Glasses stand two or three dayes; every day shaking them often; then mix them both together and strain them by fil∣tration; keep the Liquor in a Glass close stopt, and let the Patient take a spoonful or two Fa∣sting.

In Paris the Syrup of Wormwood made by Pena is highly esteemed; made thus,

Take half a pound of candied Citron barks sliced: boyl them in equal parts of the Waters of Suc∣cory and Agrimony, make a strong expression and put to it the juyce of Quinces, and Wormwood water, of each half a pint; in which infuse for four dayes four ounces of Schoenanth in a close vessel well glassed and set upon the Embers; dissolve in the straining as much sugar as is needful; then boyl them to a syrup, in which when it is hot dissolve one dram of ash-coloured Amber: keep it in a close Glass.

Cinnamon Water alone is excellent good in a Cold Stomach, or with other Medicines, as Syrup of Wormwood, Mints, or Coral; to which you may also put Amber-greece.

The Syrup of Cinnamon made with Aqua Vitae, according to Quercitanus Dispensatory is no less powerful.

And Cinnamon Water distilled with Juyce of Quinces.

And also the Spirit of Mastich made thus,

Take three ounces of Mastich, one ounce of Galangal, half a pint of spirit of Wine, digest them and distil them.

The Elixir Proprietatis, described by Crollius, is good, if you give twelve or fifteen drops in Wine they wonderfully strengthen the Stomach.

You may make Tablets for the same purpose thus:

Take of the pulp of Rinds of fresh Oranges, and Aromaticum Rosatum, of each two drams: white Sugar dissolved in Orange flower water four ounces. Make Lozenges.

Tablets of Aromaticum Rosatum, Opiata Solomonis, and old Treacle are good for the same.

A Decoction of Guajacum or Sassaphras taken many dayes tog••ther with a little sweating, or without in weak people, is very good in this Disease, being o•• long continuance.

Also Sulphurous and Nitrous Baths, as our Bellilucanae being taken in great quantity many dayes, do powerfully clense the Stomach and Gutts from al slimy filth.

Take of Agrimony, Centaury the less, and common Wormwood, of each half an handful: boyl them to half a pint, and ad one ounce of sugar, drink it, either in a cold or hot Cause.

Hartman exceedingly commends the use of Zeadoary in these words, The often use of Zedoary doth so strengthen the stomach, as nothing more, therefore we may commend it having tryed it of∣ten, and never missed; you must eate it often.

Costaeus Commends hot Wine thus, Hot Wine drunk ordinarily doth am••nd the imbecillity of the stomach: It is usually observed that they who have been continually vexed with Wind and Pain from an evil Concoction when they have begun to drink warm drink, have been cured, and lived after a long time more comfortably.

You must give him Wine in Water, wherein Coriander hath been boyled, for his ordinary Drink.

But observe, That if a hot distemper of the Liver meet with that of a cold stomach, as often it doth, you must give hot Medicines warily, and rather those that are temperate.

Zechius Commends this Bolus following, in these words, That the stomach may be warmed gent∣ly and not dryed, you can use no Medicine inwardly more powerfull.

Take of washed Turpentine two drams: Pouder of Mastich half a dram: Aromaticum rosa∣tum ha••f a scruple: make a Bolus to be taken two hours before meat.

This digestive Pouder is usual to help Concoction,

Take of Coriander seeds prepared half an ounce: sweet Fennel seed and Annis seed of each two drams: Cinnamon and Cloves of each half a dram: Sugar twice as much as the rest: make a Pouder, of which let him take one spoonful after every meal.

The Ballom of Peru is good if you give a few drops in Wine one hour before meat.

Or in form of a Pill, one or two drops in sugar for many dayes.

There are some ordinary Medicines for this, Hippocras Wine, a Decoction of Annis, Coriander and Cinnamon mixed with sugar for ordinary drink.

The Dukes Pouder, commonly so called, made of two parts of Sugar and one of Cinnamon, to sprinkle upon al meats.

A Salt to be eaten with meat, made of Coriander, Annis seeds, long Pepper, Galangal, and Nut∣megg, mixed with an equal proportion of Common salt.

Some Grains of Pepper whol or beaten, taken fasting.

Acrons stuck with Cloves and Cinnamon, and candied with Sugar, Citron, and Orange peels can∣died together, Annis seeds, Fennel, Coriander and Cinnamon infrosted with Sugar, al these men may use as they please.

Citron Peels are more pleasant than the rest, but because it wil grow so dry that it wil hardly be chewed; we are often constrained to make it up in a Mortar with Rose Water, in the form of an Opiate.

Candied Myrobalans and Nutmegs may be used for the same, and be made up as the former, though they are not so apt to grow hard.

The Essences of Annis, Cinnamon, Citron peels, Nutmegs, and Olives, are excellent to strengthen the stomach, and they must be used as above in the Diseases of the Heart.

Of Meats, They which are Salt do most provoke Appetite, and Sharp things in a smal quantity; and mixed with other things lest they cool the Stomach.

Outwardly apply Liniments, Fomentations, and Emplaisters, thus made:

Take of Cypress Roots, Galangal, Flower-de-luce, and dried Citron peels, of each two oun∣ces: Mints, Hysop, Sage, Rosemary, and Marjoram, of each one handful: Annis seeds, Bay∣berries, Nutmegs, Cloves, and Cinnamon, of each three drams: the flowers of Stoechas, Schoe∣nanth, and Rosemary, of each one pugil; slice those that must be sliced; and bruise those that must ••e bruised, according to art, and put them into two Bags with holes pricked through, and steep them in strong Wine, and lay them warm to the stomach one after another.

Take of the Oyl of Wormwood, Mints, and Spike, of each half an ounce: Oyl of Nutmegs, two drams: Wood of Aloes, Mace, and Cinnamon, of each one scruple; with a little Wax make a Liniment, which will be better if you ad six drops of Oyl of Cloves, and of Musk and Amber∣greece, of each eight grains.

Also there is a Liniment of Oyl of Nutmegs, Balsom of Peru, or of Oyl of Wormwood, Mastich, and Balsom of Peru.

Take of the Emplaister of Mastich one ounce: Aromaticum Rosatum one dram: Oyl of Nut∣megs as much as is fit to make a Plaister like a Buckler for the Stomach.

Crato doth wonderfully commend this following Plaister:

Take of Labdanum two ounces: Wax four ounces: Oyl of Nutmegs three drams. Make an Emplaister.

Galen adviseth 7. meth. not to keep these Plaisters long upon the part, for at length they will dis∣solve the heat.

Many Practitioners do not only apply these Remedies before to the Cartilage called Xiphoides, like a sword; but also behind upon the thirteenth Vertebra, because the proper orifice of the Sto∣mach inclineth backward; but the thickness of the Vertebra is such, and of the Muscles under them, that the strength of the Medicine cannot pierce through to the Stomach.

Take of Galangal, and Calamus Aromaticus, of each three drams: Mastich, and Cloves, of each two drams: one Nutmeg: dried Citron peels half an ounce: Annis seeds one dram and an half. Make a bag of these being bruised and put into red silk pricked through, and into musked Cotton, to be worn alwaies upon the Stomach.

The Skin of a Vultur dressed and worn upon the Stomach, is commended for the same: in want of which a Hairs Skin, or a piece of Scarlet may be used.