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 Astriction, or binding of the Belly.

BY Astriction of the Belly, we do not understand all kind of supression, by which nothing is ••et forth downwards, as in the Ileos. But only a dull and slow dejection, by which the faeces and reliques of Meat are seldom and not according to the quantity of Food thrown forth; therefore they are necessarily indurated, because of their long continuance being dried with heat, and some moisture is alwaies drawn from them by the Meseraick, which reach not only to the thin, but thick Guts. It is a Symptome of the Expulsive faculty diminished, or the retentive encreased, and it is the cause of many diseases; therfore the Excreta and Retenta are reckoned among the six things not Natural, which not keeping the Law of Nature, produce divers Diseases, so it being bound, sends vapors to the Head, and produceth Catarrhs, and other Diseases of the Brain, disturbs the Concoction of the Stomach, and the actions of other parts.

The Causes of this Symptome are many: And first, hardness of the faeces, and driness, are not on∣ly Effects, but also Causes of them, because being hard, they are more difficult to be voided, and do less provoke the expulsive Faculty. They become dryer and harder chiefly, and oftenest from the excessive heat of the Liver, which powerfully draws away all the moisture contained in the Inte∣stines, and leaves the faeces dry. This is also caused by violent motion, especially riding: also by few Excrements through want of food, or because they have no actimony to prick the Intestines, as it happens in cold Meats; and when the Choller doth not go to the Guts, as we observe in the Jaun∣dice. And lastly, Many diseases of the Guts may cause this constriction, as a cold and dry Distem∣per, Tumors, Obstructions, Numbness of the Anus, and Palsey, and many others.

The Signs depend upon the knowledg of the Causes, which must be taken from their proper Fountains.

The hot distemper of the Liver is to be taken out of its proper Chapter. Also Tumors, and other Diseases of the Guts, have their proper Diagnosis, or signs, and so the external Causes, as little Meat, or coldness thereof, riding, and the like, are known by relation of the Patient.

As for the Prognostick: The Constriction of the Belly is more or less dangerous, according as the Cause is greater o••less. For if it come of Inflamation, or other Tumor of the Intestines, it is very dangerous: but from other Causes less. It useth to be contumacious and long when it comes from the faeces indurate; and thence come often Chollicks, which return after they have been cured, by reason of the new dryness of the faeces; as also because though the Belly seems to have been made sufficiently soluble by purging, and many liquid Excrements are discharged, yet there remains som∣times many hard Excrements in the Guts, which breed new pains, and cannot be taken out, but by many Clysters given after Purging.

The Cure of this Disease depends upon taking away the Causes, which are to be taken from their proper Chapters. But because it is commonly long, especially when it depends upon a hot distem∣per of the Liver, and dryness of the Guts; and in the mean time the Belly bound brings many incon∣veniences. We will speak of its Cure by its self, which is generally done by Emollients, and Laxa∣tives made thus:

Take of Althaea, or Marsh-mallow, and Lilly Roots, of each two ounces: Mallows, Marsh∣mallows, Mercury, Violets, and Brank Ʋrsine, of each one handful: Lin-seed and Foenugreek of each half an ounce: Annis seed one dram and an half: sweet Prunes three pair: Chamomel and Meltlot flowers, of each one pugil: boyl them to a pint and an half. Dissolve in the straining Oyl of Lillies and Lin-seed, of each two ounces: fresh Butter one ounce and an half: Diacatho∣licon, and Diaprunis simple, of each six drams. Make a Clyster to be given as often as need requi∣reth.

Somtimes instead of this use the following:

Take of the Deco••tion of Sheeps entrals one pint: fresh Butter two ounces: Cassia, Diacatho∣licon and Diaprunis simple, of each half an ounce: red Sugar one ounce: Make a Clyster.

Also twice in a month, or thrice, you may give one pint of common Oyl alone for a Clyster.

And because Nature will grow dull by too much use of Clysters, and at length will never officiate that way; but when she is provoked by one, you must endeavor to mollifie the Belly with other means.

For this end, sweet Prunes and roasted Apples with Sugar, may be taken one hour before dinner, as Galen sheweth 2. defacult. alim. cap. 31. For if they be taken immediately before dinner, they will not work. Or take Chicken Broth, or other Broth, in which have been bovled, beets, Bor∣rage, and some Apples, or one spoonful of Oyl of sweet Almonds newly drawn without fire, with as much Syrup of Maiden-hair, or two spoonfuls of this Syrup following:

Take of the Mucilage of Fleabane seeds, and of Quinces drawn with Mallows Water, one pound and an half: white Sugar one pound. Make a Syrup according to art.

That the Prunes may work better, let him drink half a glass of Vinum Lymphatum, or Wine and Water, before and after he taketh them, fresh Butter taken an hour before Dinner the bigness of a great ••ut, and drink Wine and Water will do the same thing.

Once in a week let him use one of these following Medicines:

Take of Cassia new drawn one ounce: Cream of Tartar one dram: Make a Bolus.

Take of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one ounce, or an ounce and an half: Mix it with Broth, and take it in the mor∣ning. Or,

Take of Oyl of sweet Almonds, and Manna, of each one ounce: Dissolve them in Broth to be taken two hours before dinner.

Take of pulp of Cassia two ounces: Tamarinds and Manna, of each one ounce: the pouder of Senna half an ounce: Cremor Tartari two drams: With Syrup of Roses solutive make an Opiate. Let him take half an ounce or an ounce.

Or dissolve in the Decoction of Prunes half an ounce, or an ounce of Manna: let him take it one hour before dinner as all the aforesaid, for so they will work better.

Ptisans of Succory, Agrimony, and Sorrel, cast into Water that begins to warm, and infused one night, either drunk alone, or with Wine, for ordinary Drink doth keep the Body loose.

This following Broth doth most certainly loosen the Belly, and keeps it so.

Take of Beets and Mercury, of each one handful: Boyl them in Broth, and take it one hour be∣fore dinner. Or,

Take of Conserve of Damask Roses with Manna and Sugar, of each equal parts, one ounce for adose.

Lastly, A Bath, or Tub with a Decoction of Emollient Herbs is very profitable to moisten all the parts Natural and mollifie the Belly.