Nine books of physick and chirurgery written by that great and learned physitian, Dr Sennertus. The first five being his Institutions of the whole body of physick: the other four of fevers and agues: with their differences, signs, and cures.

CHAP. III. Of the Cure of a Hectick Fever.

LAstly concerning the cure: * 1.1 The hot and dry distemper in∣dicates cooling and moistning, the strength requires pre∣servation, and whatsoever of the humid and solid parts is consumed and dried, is to be restored with moistning things; and indeed moistning things are more safe; but in giving cool∣ing things we must be cautious, lest that the native heat already being weak, should by that means be extinguished. But if a Hectick Fever have a Putred one joyned therewith, the Hectick cannot be cured, unless the other Fever be first taken away.

Medicines cooling and moistning are, Violets, Burrage, * 1.2 Bu∣gloss, Waterlillies, Roses, Endive, Succory, Mallows the four greater cold seeds, Poppy. Out of which several medicines for present use may be prepared.

Externally, A Bath of fair water may be used most profitably, * 1.3 of which Galen 10. Meth. Medend. cap. 10. Which that it may moisten the more, Mallows, Violets, Bearsbreech may be added: 'tis convenient also to use a Bath of warm milk. After the Bath, let the body be anointed, but principally the spine of the back, with oyl of Violets, sweet Almonds, Water lillies, Roses; Cool∣ing and moistning medicines may be also applyed both to the Breast and Liver, as also to the Reins.

But the greatest hope of cure consisteth in Diet: * 1.4 The Ayr should be temperate, or moderately cold: Meats should be cool∣ing and moistning, easie of concoction, and of good juice, ha∣ving in them few excrements, and such as is not presently disper∣sed. In the first place Milk is profitable, which as Galen 4. de Simp. Medic. Facult. cap. 17. teacheth, 'tis cold and moist, ea∣sie of concoction, of the best nourishment, and hath great pow∣er of moistning and refreshing the substance of our bodies; Which lest it should be coagulated in the stomack, some Sugar or Salt should be mixed therewith; and it should only be taken in such a quantity as may well be concocted by the stomack. Strengthning and Restorative Broths are also profitable, of which 'tis spoken else-where, as also food of Almonds, Pine, and Pi∣stack nuts, the four greater cold seeds, and of white Poppy.

But meats in such as are sick in Hecticks, should be given in small quantity, but often, by reason of the imbecility of their strength. Their drink in our Countries should be Ale or

Beer, or Water and Wine, white and sweet. Their sleep should be somwhat longer. If a Putred be joyned with a Hectick, we must endeavour that the Putred Fever may be first taken away, yet the Hectick not to be neglected, lest that whilst we use re∣medies only for the Putred Fever, the Hectick may be encrea∣sed; if we use means only to cure the Hectick, the Putred may be increased.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Indicati∣ons and Cure.
• * 1.2

  Medicines
• * 1.3

  External things,
• * 1.4

  Diet.