CHAP. I. Of the Nature of a Hectick Fever.
ANd so these things of putred Fevers are handled, * 1.1 and consequently the first sort of Fevers, whose heat ac∣cording to inclination, disposition, or habitude, is in the living parts of the body; It still remains that we speak of Hecticks, wherein the Feverish distemper becomes as it were habitual, and so possesseth the living parts of the body, that although it be fostered by no cause, yet neverthe∣less it can subsist without it.
There are two things necessary for the generation of this Fe∣ver, * 1.2 aptness of the subject to receive and entertain preternatural heat, and a continual and vehement action of causes heating and introducing Fevers. An apt habit of body to take this Fever, is a hot and dry body, whether it be natural, or from what cause soever it proceed.
These Fevers are generated two ways; * 1.3 for either they follow other Fevers, whether burning or lasting, when their heat is ve∣hement; or being durable, it possesseth all the parts, and con∣sumes their moisture; or they arise from themselves, and from evident causes, which if they are weaker or lighter, they produce Ephemeraes; if stronger, they bring forth Hecticks.
But there are certain degrees of a Hectick Fever: The first is, * 1.4 when the rorid humidity is dried. The second, when the fleshy and fatty substance perisheth. The third is, when the heat like∣wise invadeth the 〈…〉〈…〉: And indeed when the rorid hu∣midity only grows 〈…〉〈…〉 is not as yet consumed, 'tis called a Hectick without a Consumption; but when that humidity is consumed and dried up, 'tis called a Hectick with wasting or marasmodes.
A Hectick also is somtimes simple and alone, somtimes 'tis joyned with putrifaction.