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 VIII. Of the quantity of purgation.

THat we may purge as much as is convenient, * 1.1 and no lesse, we are to use diligence, first to know the quan∣tity of the peccant humour, that from thence the quan∣tity of the purging medicine may be determined, for the quantity of the purging medicine ought to be such that it may evacuate all the peccant humours, least any part thereof remaine in the body, and corrupt the other hu∣mours, and afterwards cause a ralapse.

But whether the peccant humours ought to be evacuated together, and at once, * 1.2 or at severall times is to be known from the store of humours, and strength or weaknesse of the Patient; for if the matter be much, and if the strength be great, yet it is better to divide the purgings, nor by too large evacuation rashly to debilitate the strength, but if the matter be too little, and the strength great, you may purge all the humour at once; if the strength be weake, and many, or few humours are to be evacuated, tis more commodious to evacuate at severall times, then to debili∣tate the strength by one strong purge. * 1.3

Moreover you must attentively consider how the strength will endure purging, and all those things which may disco∣ver present strength as well as that is to come, and all those things are to be weighed which are numbred amongst per∣mitting things, and such as prohibit purgation: amongst which the first is the naturall propriety of body, for some having taken stronger, and greater doses are scarce moved by purgers, others are purged very easily having taken any purging medicine, therefore if the propriety of natures be not sufficiently discerned, tis better to try with gentle things, then rashly to meddle with the strongest; custome also and habit of body is to be known, and tis to be consi∣dered

whether the sick can beare strong medicines or not.

The perfect fignes of purging Hippo. * 1.4 delivers 1. Apho. 23. he saith Excretions are not to be valued by their quanti∣ty, but if they are such as they ought, and so goe out that the sick can easily endure it; whereof the first is if such as ought are evacuated. Secondly if the sick can well beare it. Thirdly thirst happens through evacuation, according to Apho. 19. Sect. 4. whosoever are purged having taken a purge, and doe not thirst, the purge hath not reached home to the marke before they doe thirst.

But if due evacuation be not made it shall be promoted sparingly by moderate exercise of the body, * 1.5 as tis in Hippo. 4. Apho. 14.15. but if it be too much, you must use sleepe and rest.

Too great evacuations are hindred by Ligatures, and rubbing of the extreame parts, by sweates, Cupping-glasses applying to the navell, astringent Topicall Medicines put to the Region of the stomach, taking of new Treakle, or old, with a graine of Opium, as also with meate, drinke, and Medicines given, that have astringent qualities.

Notes

• * 1.1

  How much to purge.
• * 1.2

  Whether the peccant humours are to be evacuated at once or severall times.
• * 1.3

  Permit∣tents and Probibents.
• * 1.4

  Signes of perfect purgation.
• * 1.5

  More s••a∣ring purga∣tion how to be provok∣ed. Overmuch how to be hindred.