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IT is exceeding profitable to know the times of diseases, * 1.1 but especially the state, but the signes of times are taken first from the form, and Idea, secondly from the time of the year, and other such like things: Thirdly from the comings (or
fits) and circuits, increasing and decreasing. Fourthly, from the Symptomes of diseases, or from the Essence, and Idea, the causes, and those things that precede the disease, and by the Symptomes, and those things that accompany a Dis∣ease.
As to the form of a Disease, * 1.2 by how much the motion of a Disease is swifter, by so much it is nigher to its height, and is a token that the Disease will be shorter, but by how much the flower the Disease is moved, by so much the more remote it is from the state.
Secondly, * 1.3 that Disease which happens in the Summer is neerer to its height, that which happens in the Winter is more remote: In hot Regions, Diseases are more acute and short, but in cold, longer; those that are hotter by na∣ture, are subject to hotter Diseases, and so shorter; those that are colder, to more cold, and consequently more la∣sting; hotter, and dryer Victuals, generate hot humours, and thereby shorter Diseases; colder, and moister dyet generates pituitous humours, and so more lasting Diseases; great strength of nature in a Disease that is not mortall, * 1.4 shewes that the Disease is short, but weaknesse shewes it will conti∣nue longer; but strength in a disease that is mortall, shewes that it will continue longer, but weakness signifies that it will be shorter.
Thirdly, * 1.5 in the fits the houre is to be considered in which the Paroxysme returnes, the time of duration, and the vehemency of Symptomes, for if the fits returne soo∣ner, and the latter be longer then the former, and more vehement, it is a token the disease is increased: on the contrary, if the latter fits return slower, and endure a shorter time, and are not so violent, it is a signe the disease abates; but sometimes Paroxysmes, enveigh equally and all of them return at the same houre, which most commonly is a sign of a long disease, but sometimes they come not e∣qually, but at severall houres, which shewes that the disease will be shorter, and is neerer to the state.
Moreover, if the fits come sooner, and that equally, the signs of concoction not appearing, it is the beginning, but if they anticipate more hours then before, it is in the in∣crease; when they observe equality again a good while, it is the state; when lastly the omitting or abating of the fits happens to be various, it is the declination: If the order of
the fits, so that sometimes they come too soon, sometimes too late, and sometimes equally, and at certain times. When the fits do equally invade without the signes of concoction, tis the beginning, but when they anticipate not, tis the aug∣mentation; when they observe equality, it is the estate: And lastly when the coming late happens again, tis the de∣clination; but if the order of fits be various, so that some∣times the Paroxysmes invade equally, sometimes anticipate, and sometimes come later; when the fits equally invade without signes of concoction, the beginning is; when they come too soon no more, the state is; but when they come too late, the declination is.
As for the longitude and magnitude of fits, * 1.6 if the time of intermission or declination be short, and they are neither plainly intollerable, nor altogether free from Symptomes, it is a signe of the increase. On the other side, if the abating or the intermission be long, easie to be indured, and free from all Symptomes absent, declination is shewn.
But the most certain signes of the times of diseases, are di∣gestion and crudity, for whensoever a sign of concoction ap∣pears suddenly, it shews the disease will be short and termi∣nate in health, but a signe of crudity shews the disease will continue long, or even prove deadly; and if grievous Symptomes grow upon the sick, so that they come with signes of concoction, they need to trouble no man, but if they happen without signes of concoction and with crudi∣ty, they portend danger.
Signs of the times of diseases.
From the Idea of a disease.
Time of the year. Region. Temperant of bodies. In respect of dyet.
Strength of nature.
From the course of fits.
In longi∣tude.