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. 8. Of Fluxus Hepaticus, or Flux of the Liver.

A Flux of the Liver, is that in which serous and bloody Humors like water wherein flesh hath been washed, are voided

This Disease is produced from the Liver being weak and out of tune; by reason whereof it cannot breed good blood, but turneth the Chylous Matter into thin and ferous blood, which because it is not fit to nourish, is sent by Nature into the Intestines, from whence comes this flux of the Liver.

This weakness and disorder may come from any distemper: For by the excess of any of the first qualities, the native heat, and its power to make blood, is dejected. Yet this hath a doubt rising from Experience, because we see often, that great distempers of the Liver, and excess in the first qualities, do produce other diseases, and not this. And again, this flux is many times without the excess of the first qualities. That therefore the Nature of this Disease may be declared, we must say with wise Varandaeus my Master, There is somthing more than an ordinary distemper for produ∣cing of this disease. And it is occult or hidden, consuming the radical moisture in the Liver, which also destroyeth the Natural heat.

This evil disposition, and occult distemper may come by burning and swooning Feavers by a hot distemper of the Bowels, which melteth the Oyly substance by occult corruption, and corruption of Humors, by a great coldness from flegm and Melancholly abounding, which doth oppress and cor∣rupt the Natural heat; and it may come by outward Causes, as great draughts of cold Water, Snow, or Ice, extraordinary eating of raw Sallets, Poyson, and Medicines that purge too vehemently. By drinking of too much new Wine, salt, sharp, and peppered Meats, and strong things which parch the substance of the Liver. To these you may add al other Causes which by too much cooling or hea∣ting do dissolve the strength and tone or order of the Liver.

Hitherto is declared a true and proper flux of the Liver which hath this sign, there are Liquid and ferous stools, like washings of flesh, from the weakness of the Liver, which cannot sanguifie or make blood well, or from a malignant distemper which spoileth the Natural heat and moisture.

There is also a bastard flux of the Liver, which comes of a simple distemper without any fault of the radical moisture; by which distemper the faculty is not hurt, but the work hindered, so that instead of pure blood, there comes impure and corrupt, or the good turns into evil, when in a true of the Liver there is never any good blood in the Liver.

The Blood is corrupted, either by the mixture of Choller, or Melancholly, or some other impure Matter, or from its too long staying in the Liver, and the parts adjacent, by which it is made thicker or burnt, or rotteth; or from the fault of the Spleen, which doth not suck away the drossie blood; and in this bastard flux, somtimes thick, somtimes black, and somtimes blood is voided mixed with Humors of divers colors.

The signs of this Disease may be gathered from what hath been said. For in a true flux there ap∣pear moist stools like washings of flesh, which is not in other bloody fluxes, if in a Dysentery at any time, it is seldom, and then there is choller, flegm, and excrements of divers colors voided: and in a Dysentery there is pain and torment of the belly, but in this none.

The Signs of the Causes are known by their proper Characters: For if the weakness of the Liver come from a hot distemper, there went a burning and consuming Feaver before, or there is green vo∣mits or stools, thirst, and a Feaver, foulness of Body, and want of appetite, and stinking Evacuations; but if it come from a cold cause, the stools are less stinking, neither is there thirst or consumption; the whol Body is colder and blewish.

Somtimes there comes a Feaver from the putrefaction of Humors, which changeth the said symp∣tomes; but you must examine the Causes afore going, which will declare both distempers. Also in this cold distemper the Patients desire much strong Wine.

A moist and dry distemper are known by the contrary effects. A moist causeth more and oftener stools, very thin; but a dry, little and thicker stools, but there is also great thirst.

Lastly, The external Causes are known by the relation of the Patient, and those that are with him.

A bastard flux of the Liver hath almost all signs of a Dysentery, only there is no pain of the belly, nor pieces of flesh in the stools as in a Dysentery.

The Prognostick of this Disease useth to be evil and deadly; for when a principal part is very ill, by consumption of the radical moisture, whose reparation is scarce to be hoped for, we can expect for the most part nothing but destruction, especially when the Disease comes of heat.

When this disease comes in Feavers, there presently follows a melting of the Body, and great pu∣trefaction, which presently kils the party: For in malignant and pestilent Feavers the danger is en∣creased according to the evil condition of the Cause. But when this Disease comes of a cold distem∣per, it useth to last longer, and turn into an incurable Dropsie.

Lastly, A bastard flux of the Liver, although it be dangerous, yet is it less than a true, because it comes only from a simple distemper and evil disposition of the Humors, the tone and strength of the Liver remaining sound, and may be cured by taking away the Causes that defile the Blood▪

The Cure of this Disease is wrought by Medicines that strengthen the Liver, correct its distemper, and stay the flux. And because it comes oftenest of a hot distemper, therefore we wil first speak of the Cure of that distemper, because it comes seldom of a cold Cause, and is to be cured as a Dropsie.

First therefore (although Evacuations seem to be needless by reason of the greatn••ss of the flux) you may give Rhubarb either alone, or with Myrobalans, as in the Cure of Dysentery, because it doth strengthen the Liver, and the rather if you sind any filth in the stools: for many Patients have been cured by only one scruple of Rhubarb given many daies together in Conserve of Roses.

Clysters are here of little worth, because the Liver is affected; yet somtimes you may give one of chaly beat or steeled Milk, or of a gentle astringent Decoction, lest the Guts should be too much re∣laxed.

But you may make Juleps to strengthen the Liver, and correct its distemper, thus:

Take of Succory, Graminis (or Dogs Teeth) and Sorrel Roots, of each one ounce: Endive, Succory, Plantane, and Dodder, of each one handful: Sea-wormwood half a handful: red San∣ders one dram and an half: the shavings of Ivory and Spodium, of each two scruples: Cor••ander seeds prepared one dram: red Roses one pugil: boyl them to ••••e pint and an half; dissolve in the straining Syrup of Quinces, and simple Syrup of Vinegar, of each two ounces: Make a Julep for four Doses to be taken morning and evening. Or,

Take of Plantane Water four ounces: Syrup of dried Roses one ounce: Spirit of Vitriol a•• much as will make it moderately sharp: make a Julep to be repeated often.

He may also take of these Syrups following, often in a spoon:

Take of Syrup of Myrtles, Quinces, and dried Roses, of each one ounce: the Syrup of Succ•••••• simple or compound with Rhubarb, one ounce and an half: mix them.

There is an excellent Syrup made of the Tincture of Roses, made in Rose Water, and with Sugar of Roses brought into a Syrup.

Also this following Pouder given to the quantity of half a dram or a dram once or twice in a day in a rear Egg, Broth, or other fit Liquor may be used with profit.

Take of Plantane and So••rel seeds, of each one dram: Endive, Purslane, Dodder, and Corian∣der seeds, of each one scruple: red Roses, and Troches of Spodium, Gum Tragacanth torrefied, of each half a dram: the inward skins of Hens Gizzards dried, half a scruple: make a very fine Pouder.

Or the Lozenges made of the three Sanders, with a double quantity of Rhubarb given to two drams at a time, are good to strengthen the Liver; as also this following Opiate:

Take of Conserve of Succory Roots one ounce: Conserve of old Roses half an ounce: the pulp of Currans six drams: Crocus Martis one dram: prepared Coral, shavings of Ivory, and Harts∣horn, of each one scruple: with the Syrup of dried Roses make an Opiate, adding half a scruple of Spirit of Vitriol, of which let him take the bigness of a Chesnut three hours before meat. You may also add the Liver of a Wolf prepared, which is a specifical proper Medicine according to divers Authors.

Raisons of the Sun, because they are good for the Liver, are commended in this disease, therefore you may eat them in great plenty with their stones: which that they may be better taken, may be beaten first in a Marble Mortar.

Or make a Rob or Syrup of Raisons, boyling them in red Wine, if it be not too hot, and then straining out the Juyce, and boyling it again til it is thick: which you may use alone, or in some of an Opiate, with these following:

Take of Currans half a pound, boyl them to the thickness of a Pultis in old Wine; pass them through a sieve, and mix with the straining, candied Citron peels half an ounce: the pouder of the three Sanders, and Diamargariton frigid, of each one dram: Coral prepared, and red Roses of each four scruples: the Liver of a Wolf prepared three drams: make an Opiate.

The Syrup of Coral is very excellent to strengthen the Liver, and stay the flux thereof: but the Tincture thereof is far better: As also the Extract or Magistery given in Plantane Water.

The Juyce of yong Nettle tops given either by it self to two ounces, or with Water and Vinegar every morning for three daies together, stops the flux, and purifieth the corrupt blood.

But because in this Disease the Body is much consumed, a restoring distilled Water that wil also stay a flux, either must be given often by it self, or with all other Drinks.

Take a fat Capon▪ and a Partridg, and pulling of the Feathers and the Guts ou••▪ ••ill their Bellies with Succory, Agrimony, and Snails, of each one handful: Conserve of Ro••es three ounces: Plantane and Coriander seeds prepared, of each two drams: Citron Myrobalans one dram: Blood-wort half a handful: the Troches of Amber and of Spodium, of each four scruples: the pou∣der of the Electuary de Gemmis (or precious Stones) the three Sanders, and D••amargariton frigid, of each one dram: Sprinkle them all with astringent Wine, and putting them into the bellies of the Fowls: boyl them in a close vessel in four pints of Water til half be consumed: then put them al in∣to a glass Limbeck with three ounces of good Wine; distil them in Balneo Mariae for the use afore∣said.

For Drink, let the Patient take the Tincture of Roses, or the Decoction of Succory, and Dogs∣tooth, with Syrup of Quinces, and some few drops of Spirit of Vitriol.

Things made of Barley, Almonds, and Rice, are best in his Meats.

Outwardly to his Belly apply those things which were prescribed in the Cure of Dysentery, with some things for the Liver, as Wormwood, Roses, all the Sanders, Spodium or burnt Ivory, &c. Which anointings of the Belly must reach to the region of the Liver.

You may al o apply the following Epitheme to the Liver:

Take of Endive and Succory, of each one handful: Dodder, and both sorts of Wormwood, of each half a handful: red Roses one pugil: red Sanders one dram and an half: Spodium two scruples: boyl them to one pint and an half, and dissolve in the straining two ounces of Rose Vine∣gar: boyl them again gently, and make an Epitheme.

Let the same part be anointed with the following Oyntment:

Take of Cerat of Sanders two ounces: Oyl of Quinces▪ and of Wormwood, of each three drams. Mix them for a Liniment.

Lastly, If the Patient be troubled for want of sleep, as is usual, because this kind of flux is most in the night, you must use Narcoticks, such as were propounded for the former fluxes.