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. VII. Of Diseases in Number.

THE second sort of Diseases of Composition or Organick Diseases are Diseases in number; * 1.1 for when there is a certain number of the parts compounding to make up the natural composition of every organ, how often soever that is not observed a Disease in number doth arise.

A Disease in number is two-fold, * 1.2 either in defect, when that is wanting which should be present, or in excesse, when that is present which should be wanting.

That which aboundeth is either to nature, as the sixth finger, or preter-natural, as stones, and Worms are according to Galen; which nevertheless is disputable. Nor indeed are such things, since they are substances, as such Diseases; but as some conclude causes, by which an aptness and a certain disposition against nature is brought into the part, whether it be in respect of number, or passages, about which authors disagree.

Deficiency in number, * 1.3 is when there is a Disease by which either a whole part perisheth, or is wasted: those which are wholly want∣ing are cleerly according to nature, nor can it be a defect against nature; such a Disease may they be said to have who want their number of fingers, or of teeth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of Disea∣ses in num∣ber.
• * 1.2

  The diffe∣rence of a Disease of number. Abound∣ing.
• * 1.3

  Wanting.