Iatrica, seu, Praxis medendi, The practice of curing being a medicinal history of above three thousand famous observations in the cure of diseases, performed by the author hereof : together with several of the choicest observations of other famous men ... : wherein for the most part you will find 1. the constitution of the body of the sick, 2. the symptoms predominant, 3. the cause of the disease, what? 4. the exact method which was taken in the cure, 5. an exact account of the medicines exhibited, with the order of their exhibition, various doses and success thereupon ... / perform'd by William Salmon ...

The Chapter of the Falling-sickness continued.* 1.1

VII. The Falling-sickness in a little Boy.

1. This little Youth by reason of a fright, fell into fits, not very unlike those, which we call Fits of the Mother, which fits by degrees and length of time degenerated into a true Epilepsy.

2. The Child was the only hope of its Parents, and Heir to all their Fortunes, which made them so much the more concerned for his Cure, he first fell into the Hands of several Men of great repute and fame for their Learning, but chiefly for their knowledge in Physick, these men did him no good at all mistaking the Cause of the Disease.

3. For when he was a little Infant, he had a sore in one of his Leggs near the Ankle, this drying up, or being healed by Art, without pur∣ging, brought upon him an evil habit of Body, so that he often complained of a heaviness or dull pain of his Head.

4. From whence I conceive, that the Disease might rather be caused from the Translation of the matter to the Brain, than from any fright, how great and sudden soever, though I believe Nature might take advantage thereby to make the first manifestation of the Disease, and no fur∣ther I believe it to be a Cause.

5. The first thing I did in order to this Cure, was to make a couple of Issues, the one, on the same Legg where the Sore formerly was, the other on the Thigh of the other Legg.

6. This done, I applyed Vesicatories, first to the Soles of the Feet, then to the Nape of the Neck, upon the Vertebrae thereof, also I made a gentle kind of Revulsion by Sternutatories and Errhines applyed to the Nostrils.

7. I purged him gently with Sena, stewed with Prunes, which was repeated five or six times, and was, indeed, all the purges I gave him.

8. Afterwards, I caused him to take my spe∣cifick magistral Antipileptick Pouder, and to continue the same for two or three months.

9. His Drink, I ordered to be a Decoction; made as follows: Take Guajacum, Sarsa, Sar∣safras, China-root, Liquorice all rasped, of each half a pound: Raisons of the Sun, blew Cur∣rans, of each a pound: Anniseeds, Carraways, Parsley-seed, all bruised, of each two ounces: make a Decoction in sixteen or twenty quarts of Water; boyl a third away: then strain, sweeten with sugar, and with Ale-Yest, being warm, work it up, when cold and settled, bottle it up.

10. This was his constant Drink, during the Cure, and by the means of which things, he was perfectly restored to his Health; outward∣ly his Head and Leggs were anointed often with the Apoplectick Balsam mentioned in the for∣mer Cure.

VIII. The Falling-sickness in a Melancholy Woman.

1. This Woman was about thirty five years of Age, neither fat nor lean, of a Melancholy habit and constitution of Body, which Melan∣choly though it was continual, yet seemed to have certain Paroxysms, wherein the Melancho∣ly disposition became stirred up to a height; if not to a Frenzy, yet to a Foolishness, when the fit was over, she would be as rational and sensible as ever, but yet very Melancholy.

2. After she had been in this Condition four or five year, she was taken with a Vertigo, which usually came once or twice a Month, and com∣monly a little before the Melancholy fit, this Vertiginous Distemper grew stronger and stron∣ger upon her, so that at last she would fall down, but retaining her Senses, and as yet without any symptom of the Epilepsy.

3. But as the Disease grew stronger, and the fits more numerous, so at length she seemed to fall with a kind of Convulsion, this continued upon her about a quarter of a year.

4. Some judged it to be the Falling-sickness, others not; however the principal Symptoms of an Epilepsy were absent, yet notwithstanding in length of time, by the continual increase of the Disease, the fit siezed her with a forcible falling down and foaming at the Mouth, by which the Disease first specified was confirmed.

5. After that she had several Fits, irregu∣lar as to their Intervals, but they at length be∣came more certain, and siezed her only upon the change, full, and quarters of the Moon, whereby she was a little forewarn'd of the time of their coming.

6. Moreover she would say, That she knew of the coming of the fit, two or three hours before-hand, by reason of a certain alterati∣on which she found in her Head, which is no usual thing.

7. She would complain of a dullness and heaviness of her Head, and although not much pained of a Vertigo or Giddiness, by which things did not seem so much to turn round, but rather topsy turvey, heels over Head, so that she would often complain, though she sat never so securely, that she was falling back-ward:

8. By which it appeared, that the conjunct Cause of the Disease lay in the Occiput or hin∣der part of the Head, and assaulted the Noble Ventricle or Original of the Nerves, which was confirmed the more; for that when she fell, she fell not sideling, turning as it were a little round, and as is usual in this Disease, but all together backward, so that upon the approach of the Pa∣roxysm, she would often cry out, some body was pulling her backward.

9. As to the Cure hereof, many things were attempted, but altogether in vain; several Phy∣sicians delivered their Judgment, that she was Incurable, grounding their Opinions upon the Authorities of Hippocrates and Galen, that if an Epilepsy happened to any one above the Age of twenty five, it was always Incurable.

10. However notwithstanding these great Oracles, the contrary was proved upon this Pa∣tient, though indeed the Cure was difficult: many Methods and Processes were used in vain, being long and tedious and several-years under Cure, yet at last it was happily accomplished, as in the sequel of this History you may perceive.

11. This Woman had been for a long time without her Courses, to wit, three or four year, and it was the opinion of her former Physici∣ans, that if they were produced, or an equiva∣lent quantity of Blood taken away instead of them, that it was possible she might be Recove∣red.

12. According to this advice, she was se∣veral times let Blood, and several-times even to Fainting; so that it was supposed several quarts of Blood was taken from her.

13. By this means she seemed to be much better for a considerable space of time, as to the Epilepsy; but she was made more pale, wan, thin, and lean than before, and her Melancholy Distemper seemed rather to increase, for the diminition of the Blood was no doubt the dimi∣nition of the Spirits; forasmuch as the Blood is the Vehicle of the Spirits.

14. However though the fits seemed to be ab∣sent for a very considerable time, yet they were not totally removed, for after four months time, they return'd again with much greater violence.

15. Whereupon the Doctors advised her to the same course of Bleeding again, which she and her Friends were unwilling to; for that she had been so much weakned by the former bleed∣ing, and that not yet recovered: they also saw, that the fit returned with so much the more vio∣lence by how much she was weaker, which could be no encouragement to such a kind of Cure.

16. She had also taken several things inward∣ly, whereby she had such a loathing and avers∣ness to any thing of Physick, that it was difficult to perswade her to the taking of any more; so that what we were to do, we were forced to do chiefly by outward application, which was no small discouragement to the hopes of a perfect Cure.

17. Her Husband however earnestly requi∣red my help, and did at length engage me in this so difficult an undertaking: by reason she was so averse to inward means: my Consultation was, what outward Courses were to be used, as most probable to do her good; at length I con∣cluded upon applying Vesicatories to the Soles of her Feet, which I did, repeating them several times; to wit, five or six times, and it was done to a very considerable advantage of the Sick.

18. For although the Epileptick fits were not taken away thereby, yet they were much dimi∣nished, as to their vigour and time of continu∣ance, also that which was most remarkable of

all, that they saw often, reiterating of the Bly∣sters, totally removed the Melancholy humor, and from a dull, heavy, unpleasant, melancho∣ly Creature, she became very lightsom, lively, pleasant and merry.

19. And whereas she had formerly com∣plained of a pain in her left side, and Hypochon∣der, which was not very extream, but a dull, slow kind of pain, and what she said, she could well endure, provided she was free from her fits; yet upon so often repeating of these Blysters, this pain went also quite away.

20. She was apt to be bound in her Body; which I constantly kept open with a Laxative Clyster; wherein some ounces of Crocus Metal∣lorum was put, or a spoonful or two of the Tin∣cture of Colocynthis.

21. These brought a great quantity of cold, watery, slimy, and pituitous matter: these were reiterated every day, or every three or four days; as occasion required, for a Month toge∣ther, whereby the Bowels became well cleansed of a sharp, acrimonious humor; so that she seem∣ed to be exceeding pleasant, and to grow every day more chearful than other.

22. After this, I thought of other ways of Revulsion; I caused two large Vesicatories to be applyed, one upon each Shoulder; these, after healing, I reiterated twice.

23. I also caused two Issues to be made, one in each Arm, in the Brauny part above the El∣bow; they ran freely and well, and vended a large quantity of matter.

24. These things being done, I caused the Hair of her Head to be shaven off, and I ap∣plyed a Vesicatory over the Head; this also was repeated three times, after which her Head was very lightsom and pleasant; also a dimness of Sight, which she had for some years complain∣ed of, was perfectly taken away and cured; so that she confessed her self to see as well as she ever could in all her Life.

25. Her Head being healed, after the appli∣cation of the third Vesicatory; I caused the Se∣ton to be applyed to the nape of the Neck, put∣ting a Skein of Silk thorough the hole, this was kept open, and running for above four Months; and to her Head being shaved, was applyed the Epileptick Emplaster of Franciscus Valesius, which she wore a long time.

26. In all this time, we could not prevail with her to take any thing inwardly, save the following Diet, which she took for her ordinary Drink: Take Water, twenty quarts: Guaja∣cum rasped, a pound: Sassafras, half a pound: boyl to the consumption of six or seven quarts: then add these following things: take Sarsa, Lig∣num Rhodium, of each six ounces: boyl again for half an hour, after which add Misleto of the Oak, Male peony-roots and seeds bruised, of each four ounces: Carraway and Coriander-seeds, Nutmeg, of each two ounces: boyl them a while, then strain all out hard by pressing: to the strain∣ed Liquor add juyce of Male-peony-flowers, a quart: Virgin Honey, enough to make it sweet, mix them well together; and whilst yet warm, add Ale-yest, a pint: let it work, putting these following things into it in a Bag. Take Rosemary, Lavender-flowers, Sage, Bawm, sweet Marjoram, of each a handful: Juniper-berries well bruised, four ounces: put all into a bag with a stone in it, in the time of working: where let it stay about six days, till it is fit to bottle, after which it may be bottled up, putting into each bottle, half an ounce, of white Sugar, and one Clove, or a piece of Limon-peel.

27. Of this drink, she drank about a bottle a day, and somtimes more, for six whole Months together, to wit, from the first of our taking her in Hand: by reason of this drying Diet, and the many evacuations that were made, the Epi∣leptick fits grew fewer; they came more sel∣dom, and stayed a much lesser time; so that in the sixth month after the undertaking of this Cure, she had not one in seven Weeks, where∣as formerly she used to have one every Week; to wit, every quarter of the Moon, so that in∣deed it was matter of encouragement to go on.

28. I at last of all prevailed upon her to take the following Confect: Take Electuarium ad Tabidos, two ounces: Volatile Salt of Mans Skull, two drams: Volatile Salt of Harts-horn and of Amber, native Cinnabar, Peacocks-dung, of each one dram and half: with syrup of Al∣kermes, a sufficient quantity; mix and make a Confect.

29. I ordered her the continual taking of this Electuary for three or four Months at least, which she exactly performed: also if her Body was at any time bound, that she should keep it open with the forementioned Clysters.

30. And with much perswasions, I gained up∣on her to take now and then a Purge of Sena, made by boyling it with Prunes, the syrup of which she took without any disgust, and it purg'd her very well.

31. Also I ordered her, that once a quarter at least, if not oftener, she should apply Vesi∣catories to the Soles of her Feet, because they so powerfully attract from the Head, and emp∣ty the universal Body of all sorts of humors.

32. Upon the provoking of the Terms, she had a sharp pessary put up, and she swallowed every night going to bed, about four or five nights before the time that the flux was expect∣ed, Pills of washed Aloes half a dram; and af∣ter them about the time of expectation; one ounce of the Tincture of Colocynthis.

33. By means of which, and the Pessary afore∣said, her Terms were effectually brought down, and she confessed she found much benefit.

34. Now whereas she complained, that when the Epileptick fit came upon her, it was as if she had been pulled backwards, I caused all the hinder part of her Head, and nape of the Neck; as also the whole Back-bone it self from the Ver∣tebrae of the Neck to the Os Coccigis to be very well bathed twice a day with the Powers of Am∣ber alone, and somtimes with the Powers of Am∣ber mixed with the Powers of Rosemary, Sage and Sassafras.

35. These were constantly used for five or six Weeks, by which she found not only her Head and Brain comforted, but her whole uni∣versal Body warmed and strengthned.

36. Thus was this supposed incurable Crea∣ture, after a long use of Medicaments perfectly restored to Health, although but a very few Medicines were given inwardly; and she re∣mained well and free from Epileptick fits, for several years; nor do I know that she was ever troubled with them after.

37. In this observation there is somewhat worthy of remark, to wit, an old Hypochon∣driack Melancholy was totally abolished, or ta∣ken away, by only drawing Blysters at the Feet, without the use of any Internal Medicament.

IX. An Epilepsy, acconpanied with the Scurvy.

1. There was a young man who was for seve∣ral years troubled with the Scurvy, and last of all, taking cold in the wet; he fell into an Epilepsy about midnight in in his bed.

2. He was of indifferent gross Body, flaggy hair, smooth skin, and of phlegmatick habit of Body.

3. Those fits when they first took him, came now and then, but afterwards by de∣grees they seised more and more upon him, untill they came two or three times a day, whereas formerly they came but once a week, somtimes twice, somtimes once every other day.

4. They came constantly with an exceed∣ing Crying out and a great fall, the Physicians which had him in hand, took away a great deal of Blood from him, almost to fainting; but that did no good.

5. They likewise purg'd him, with several things, but all in vain; For the Brain was so weakned, and the passages so straitned, that without the strengthening of the one and opening of the other, there could be no hopes of a Cure.

6. I Chose such a Medicament that had both these properties, to wit the tincture of Luna, of which I gave eight or ten drops Morning and Evening in a glass of wine: moreover I purg'd him with Pil. Lunares, three or four grains at a time; which was Administred once or twice a week, according as the Exigency required.

7. But whereas the Epilepsy fell in a Scorbu∣tick habit of Body; Antiscorbuticks were Essential to this Cure, without which it could not be well performed.

8. Take spring water, twenty pound, Gua∣jacum, sarsa, sarsafras, of each half a pound: boyl all together to the Consumption of a third: Coriander-seed, Rocket-seeds, Mustard-seed, of each three ounces: put them in just at the last boyling; let the Liquor stand till it is almost cold, then strain, and add these following

things; Juniper-berries bruised, half a pound: juyce of Scurvy-grass, Brook-lime and Water-Cresses, of each ten ounces: mix them toge∣ther, and with a pint of Ale-yest, work them all up; and having done working; let it be put up into Bottles, as you did the diet in the for∣mer section.

9. The constant taking hereof will alter the habit of the Body, and by degrees take away the Scurvy, and be the cause of the rooting out of the other Diseases also.

10. For if an Epilepsy comes upon a Scor∣butick habit, it is Impossible it should be cured till the evill habit be clearly removed.

11. He also drank now and then in his Broth, a few drops of Tincture of Antimony; which has an Essential power against this Dis∣ease.

12. Lastly, over the futures of the Head I caused to be applyed Franciscus Valesius his Epileptick plaster, and in a short time he be∣came well: this Caution is alwayes to be obser∣ed, not only in the Scurvy, but in all other Diseases concomitant with the Epilepsy, that those things good against those Diseases, be always mixed with Antepilepticks.

X. An Epilepsy in young Woman from a disaffection of the Stomach.

1. This Disease had long layn hid or secret, nor did it make it self manifest, till it had got singular advantages on the Animal spirits, af∣terwards it assaulted the young Woman, af∣ter an exceeding violent manner, and with so great a pain and weakness of the Stomach, that she her self, nor the standers by thought she would live.

2. Somtimes she was so sick as to Vomit a great deal of green Choler, and somtimes a great deal of tough viscous and yellow Flegm: af∣ter which she would be well for several days, as if she ailed nothing.

3. From whence it appeared that the Cause was really lodged in the Stomach; upon her next complaining, I provided for her the fol∣lowing Dose: Take Infusion of Crocus Metal∣lorum, six drams: salt of Vitriol, two scru∣ples: mix them, and give it her warm; this gave her eight or nine several easy Vo∣mits.

4. This vomit I repeated the fourth day following: after which I gave her several spe∣cificks, as the Tinctura of Luna, spirit of Harts-horn, and salt of Harts-horn, spirit of Sal Armoniack, and such like, all which were of a singular good Use for the pain of the Stomach.

5. After these things were done; her Courses came down, nor were they stoped any more.

6. To her feet I applyed Blisters, which made a good Revulsion of the matter; and I now and than caused her to take a Glass of spiced wine, upon any Illness or faintness of the spirits, cheifly that of Pope Adrian, where∣by the weakned Nerves are restrained to their former strength.

7. Her diet was that common to the houshold, nor could a little Irregular diet hurt her, by Reason she stayd not long up∣on it.

8. Nor can indeed change of diet create any evil habit of Body: nothing can do that unless it has been long used; because the Sto∣much being nourished and cherished by things which it likes, poduces a good and laudable Chyle, and a good Chyle, a good Blood, where∣by health of Body is attained at last.

9. This young Gentlewoman by looking up∣on another wishly, at the time of her falling down, caused her also, as it was thought, to fall into the same Disease; and some think it is done by the Effluvia of the Eyes, wherein the Venom of the Disease is secretly con∣veyed.

10. But whether it did or not, I will not here determine, though it is the absolute opi∣nion of many great Phylosophers, and some Circumstances are so strange that a man can scarcely misbelieve it, without doing a great deal of violence to his Reason and Under∣standing.

11. Much such an Example does Platerus give in his observations; which thing is well worth the Considering.

XI. A simple Epilepsy Originally in the Brain.

1. A Youth, fifteen years of Age, had been more than six or seven years obnoxious to an Epilepsy, he was of a fresh colour, sanguine Com∣plexion, great high spirit, and of a singular Wit and Ingenuity.

2. The disease crept upon him by little and little, the fits being very gentle at first, after∣wards more Extream: when they had held him about two years time, they left him for a year of their own accord, without Physick: but by being accidentally frighted, after an Inter∣val of about fifteen months space, they af∣flicted him again, with an exceeding deal of violence.

3. The youth was sensible of the fit before it came, and would Cry out, Oh, 'tis now a com∣ing! when he was come to himself again, he would declare how its approach was.

4. First he felt a lightness and swiming in his Head, which made all things seem as if they turnd round, presently after his Head would be dull and heavy, and he would sud∣denly be taken with a Convulsion, as though his Neck and Soulders would be drawn toge∣ther, whereupon he immediately fell with violence, foaming mightily at the mouth.

5. I beheld him in several of these fits, but that which is more Admirable is, that these fits should visit him four or five times in a week, and somtimes two or three times a day, and then all of a sudden, so to leave him, that he should be without them for a month or six weeks together.

6. For which space of time he would seem to be perfectly well, being as merry and brisk as if he had never ailed any thing; and then of a sudden without any known or praevious Cause, to fall into the same again, with all the force and vehemence immaginable.

7. The reason of this Phenomenon I might give here, but I design to do it in another place, to which I shall refer you, however the method of the Cure, and by what I perform'd it, was as follows:

8. In the first place, I caused Blisters to be laid to the soles of the Feet, because they universally, and also in a special manner derive, from the Head,

9. His head being shaved was morning and eve∣ning anointed with this following Balsam: Take Oyl of Nutmegs by expression, two ounces: Liquid storax, Chimical Oyls of Amber, Rosemary, and sweet Marjoram, of each two drams: Chimical oyls of Lavender and Sage, of each one dram: mix and make a Balsam for the Head: with which it was anointed morn∣ing and evening, for near half an hour together before hot Embers.

10. After which was applyed over the whole Head, the Epileptick Emplaster of Franciscus Valesius, by which the Head, the Brain and the original of the Nerve were mightily com∣forted and strengthened.

11. This constant drink was this following: Take spring-water, twelve quarts: Missletto of the Oak, Rosemary, Sage, Betony, Bawm, win∣ter-savory, Thyme, Hyssop, Mint, of each three handfuls, Angelica, Tansy, Rue, of each one handful: bruise all gently: and boyl them in the Liquor, to the Consumption of two quarts, or more; then strain it out by pressing, to which add Juice of Plantain and Taragon, of each a quart: mix them with the decoction, then put thereinto a bagg with Juniper-berries well bruised, four ounces: seeds and roots of Male-peony, of each six ounces: Caraway and Cori∣ander-seeds, bruised, of each one ounce and half: put all into the bag with a stone in it, which put into the Decoction, making it work with the Ale-yest, having first made it pleasant with honey or sugar.

12. After it had done working it became the youths constant Drink, and was repeated till he had drunk it six or seven months.

13. I commonly purg'd him once in three weeks, or a month, with Pil. Lunares, which I repeated six or seven times; also the specifick which I gave him him was Crato's Antepilep∣tick pouder, which he constantly took for a month, afterwards our magistral Antepilep∣tick pouder, which he took for a month lon∣ger

14. Lastly, to the compleating and per∣fecting

of the Cure, he took this following spe∣cifick, a Medicament of wonderfull vertues: Take Musk, two drams: Ambergrise, salt of mans skull, Powder of male peony-roots and seeds, of each one dram: mix them, he took it for four months constantly.

15. By the assiduous use of which, for so long time, he became perfectly Cured, so as that he never had any more fits. Here is to be Noted also, that the back bone was also anointed twice a day, with the former Balsam for the Head.

XII. An Epilepsy which was Cured only with a Sternutatory.

1. A young man of twenty years of Age, was seised with the Falling-sickness, the fits came somtimes once a week, somtimes once in two or three days, somtimes every day.

2. This person had been troubled with this Disease for several years, nor in the twenty sixth year of his age was he freed from it, many Physicians had him in-hand; and almost all methods were tryed, as derivation, Revulsion, Medicaments internal and external; Vomits, Purges, Clysters, Blysters, Application of the Seton, Issues, Gargarisms, Errhines, Sternu∣tatories: long and continued Diets, with va∣riety of specificks, but all these things were done vain; and after a long use of every thing that was thought to be proper, the sick was given o∣ver as Incurable.

3. And thus continued almost two years, afterwards without taking any Physick, where∣in he had fits almost every day, but at the Change full and quarters of the Moon he ne∣ver failed of them, and could always predict them himself, almost to an hour.

4. Last of all, he met with a man Reputed an Emperick, who told him, he would cer∣tainly Cure him, provided he would follow his Counsel, and that with three or four doses of Physick at most, the thing that was Exhibit∣ed, was a pouder, a sternutatory, and indeed it was that of Deckers, whose principal Ingro∣dient is Turphethum Minerale, the composition of which you have in our Pharmacopaeia, lib. 4. cap. 21.

5. A little of this was blown up each No∣stril, but in somewhat a larger proportion, than what the Author limits, when it was reiterated four times with fit Intervails, the success was admirable, but the Operation ve∣ry troublesom and dangerous, and the whole Head, Face, Neck, Throat and Tongue, was swell'd mightily so that the Patient could not speak.

6. But he avoided by the Mouth and No∣strils, such a lage quantity of filthy Corrupt Pus or matter, that I should scarcely have be∣leived it, at the report of another, had not mine Eyes seen it, it could not be Judged to be less then three quarts.

7. Where, or in what place, this Corruption could be lodged is the question, it is certain the Head could not hold it all, but without doubt the Violence of the Medicament, made an At∣traction from all parts; and cleared his Brest and Lungs, as well as his Head.

8. For he had a long time a mighty Obstru∣ctions of the Lungs, with a difficulty of breathing, and a disaffected Spleen, which, by vertue of the Operation of this single Medicament, was Cu∣red, together with his Epilepsy.

9. For after the fourth dose of this Medica∣ment, as the Emperick had before predicted, he had no more Epileptick fits, and so it fell out in this patient. For he was freed from all his Diseases at once.

10. I remember it is the opinion of some Physicians, that a violent Feaver coming upon an Epilepsy commonly Cures it, the matter causing the Disease, being by the vehement heat of the Feaver either dissolved or dissipat∣ed, and I am apt to believe, that the opera∣tion of this Medicament was not much unlike.

11. For besides the Actual drawing forth of the large quantity of that Corrupted matter there was a mighty Inflamation of the whole Head; the whole Head and parts Adjacent being so Inflamed, that one could not lay ones hand long upon them with pleasure; this mighty In∣flamation by degrees vanished, as the matter evacated, by means of which, as aforesaid, the Patient was Cured.

XIII. An Epilepsy, with a great pain of the Spleen, and disaffection to the Joynts, by some, supposed to be the Gout.

1. This man aged about forty years, had been for a long time troubled with a great Pain and Obstruction of the Spleen: with ve∣hement pains in his extream parts, chiefly the Joynts, both of Hands and Feet, of which he had lain ill several weeks together.

2. He was much given to drinking, and on a certain time playing the good Fellow, having, as it was supposed, drunk too much; fell into certain kind of fits, which the by-standers knew not what to make of, he was taken with the first sitting between two, so that he could not well fall, but the foaming of the Mouth, gave evi∣dent demonstration of the nature and quality of the Disease.

3. In the Interval of one of the fits, I was sent for, to discourse the Gentleman about his Cure; when all in a sudden as he was Earnest in discourse, he fell down sidewayes, and as it were a little turning round, not long after foaming at the Mouth.

4. I perceived plainly that it was the Fal∣ing sickness: and did my Endeavour that time to Restore him to himself again.

5. I Caused to be put into his Mouth the spirit and Tincture of Castor; I also caused his Forehead, Temples and Nostrils, to be bathed with the Powers of Amber, which I take to be a specifick in this Case, so that partly by the use of these Medicaments, and partly by hard Frictions, &c. We restored him again.

6. After he was brought to himself, I felt up∣on his left Side, where I felt a very great and hard Tumor, the like of which I was never sensible of, but once before in a yong Maid, which I did formerly Cure, the History of which will follow in its proper place.

7. The Tumor in this our Epileptick Pati∣ent was very hard, and of a great Magnitude, much about the bigness of a two-penny loaf; his Joints, especiall in his Hands, seem'd to be Knoted, though I beleive they were free from Chalk, Stones or any such kind of hard∣ness.

8. Probably it might only be a pituitous matter collected in those parts, not yet indu∣rated, I never saw him in any of his Arthri∣tick Paroxysms; but I ordered forthwith to be laid over all his Joynts, and other places where the pain used to Assault him Ʋnguentum Nostratibus, commonly called flos Ʋnguentorum, by the continual application of which, all those nodes were in a little while disolved.

9. Also upon the Region of the Spleen, I applied Mynsicht his Emplastrum de Galbano Crocatum, which went not without its effects; but before the Application of this Plaster; I caused the said Region of the Spleen, to be extreamly well Bathed before a Chaffingdish of Coals, with the Powers of Amber, which was done constantly twice a day for seven days, by which he confessed he found much relief.

10. So that by the use of these means and the in∣ward Medicaments here after described, this Scirrhus hardness of the Spleen: (For such a Tu∣mor indeed it was) became perfectly Resolved.

11. Thus much for Topicks Relating to the Arthritis and the Splanchnick affection, we come now to Internals, the first thing I prescri∣bed, was a proper Diet, which was made thus:

12. Take white Wine six quarts: Juniper berries bruised, so that the seeds within may be broken, eight ounces: Gout Ivy, four ounces: male Peony roots and seeds, of each three oun∣ces: boyl all for half an hour or more: swee∣ten it with white sugar, strain it, and let the sick take it as their constant Drink.

13. But this is to be noted, That for poor people, you may use Spring water instead of white wine; no man can tell the vertues of Juniper-berries, in resolving any hard Tumor, in the Liver or Spleen, I have done things be∣yond belief, only with a simply Decoction of the said Berries; In such like disaffections of the said Visera: but though the Vertue and Powers thereof be very great, it performs nothing unless it be long used; and taken as a constant Drink.

14. For all Scirrhous, Oedimatosous, and Cancerous Tumors, are always rebellious, and are never Mastered but by a constant and un∣wearied

use of the means for a very long time, yet notwithstanding the contumaciousness of these disaffections, my Experience has confirm∣ed to me, no more Excellent a thing, than a strong Decoction of Juniper-berries in wine or water, as aforesaid, to be long taken.

15. The Maid above mentioned, which I have cured of a Scrrhous of the Spleen, Drunk the said Decoction for no less time than a whole year together.

16. But this by the way; to return to this our sick Patient, finding in him an Complica∣tion of Diseases, I was forc'd to Use a Com∣plication of remedies.

17. And finding that his Stomach was out of order, so that he could not well digest his Food, nor did ever scarce Eat with an Appe∣tite; I immediately caused this following Clyster to be exhibited: Take Mutton broth, twelve ounces: Cambogia dissolved therein, one dram: Tincture of Colocynthis, one ounce: Oyl of Roses, four ounces: Honey, three spon∣fulls: mix them, to be exhibited warm; this was given over night.

18. The next morning I gave him two drams of my Catharticum Argenteum mixed with a little broth, which wrought exceeding well, and both upwards and downwards.

19. The fourth day following, I repeated the same dose again: and with very admira∣ble success.

20. The eighth day after, I exhibited this following Cathartick: Take Pil. ex duobus, one scruple: Turpethum Minerale, four grains: Elaterium, two grains: Oyl of Lavender, two drops: mix, and make four pills for one dose: they wrought excellently, and evacuated the morbifick matter to a wonder.

21. I reiterated this purging dose common∣ly once in eight or ten days; with which In∣tervals of time he continued the use thereof for about four months.

22. In the Intermediate days of purging, I caused the following things in order to be ex∣hibited: Take our Electuarium ad Tabidos, two ounces: native Cinnabar, powder of male-peony-roots, and seeds of Misletoe of the Oak, mans skull, of each two drams: mix, and with syrup of Alkermes, or juyce of male Peo∣ny flowers; make an Electuary: Dose every morning fasting, the quantity of a large Nut∣meg.

23. An hour before Dinner, I ordered for∣ty or fifty drops of the Elixir Proprietatis, made with the Antepileptick Spirit of Vitriol to be given in a little glass of Pope Adrians Wine.

24. Lastly, at night going to bed, our Ma∣gistral Antepileptick pouder was constantly ta∣ken in a spoonful or two of the syrup of the juyce of Male peony flowers.

25. Moreover during this whole Cure, all the Sutures of the Skull, Forehead, Temples, Nostrils, Vertebrae of the Neck, Spina Dorsi, even to the Os Coccygis, were bathed twice a day with the Powers of Amber and Lavender alter∣natively used first one, then another.

26. By the use of these Remedies, according to the former Directions; this our wretched Pa∣tient was restored perfectly to Health, and made so absolutely well, as if he had never been trou∣bled with any Disease, notwithstanding his Di∣seases were so complicated and rebellious.

XIV. An Epileptick afflicted with the Ob∣struction of Ʋrine, which proved Mortal.

1. A young Man about twenty six years of Age, having been for eighteen month very much afflicted with the Falling-sickness; assaulted with its Paroxysms almost every day; at length was taken with an Obstruction of the Urine, whereby he could make no Water.

2. Great endeavours had been used for the Cure of his fits, but nothing prevailed, and af∣terwards when the stoppage of Urine came upon him, nothing was left unattempted in order to his delivery therefrom; there were exhibited proper Inciders, Openers, Specifick Nephreticks, and such things as might not only prepare and fit the Body for a Diuretick Evacuation, but they were also given with Oleaginous bodies, things naturally to be exhibited in a Nephritis, that as well as the passages might be opened, they may be made smooth and slippery.

3. Ten days passed over, wherein not so much as one drop of Water was made; notwithstand∣ing

the Catheter was made use of, so that now all hopes of Life was dispaired off.

4. Upon the eleventh day after this stoppage of Urine, the Sick was taken with the last of his Epileptick fits, in which he dyed.

5. 'Tis wonderful to be observed, that after his Death, a flood of Water came out of his Mouth, near to the quantity of two gallons, clear and a little viscous.

6. Afterwards the Body was opened, and the substance of the Brain on the left Side was found resolved into a kind of Mucilage; in the Cavities a great quantity of humor was found, not much unlike thick Milk, his Liver and Spleen were sound and firm; the Cystus of the Gall, not differing from those in perfect Health.

7. But that which was most admirable to behold, was, that in the superficies of the Lungs there was a great many Bladders full of Water; some as large as English Currans, some as big as Hazle-nuts, and some bigger; and one great Bladder, which probably might hold two or three pints or more (and not much unlike the Bladder of the Urine) which was found almost empty, with two or three spoonfuls of Water in it, the Reinal passages being wholly stopt up with a matter resembling a soft kind of Clay.

8. This without doubt, was the true reason that the Course of the Serum was converted to the Lungs, where Nature form'd a Receptacle, much resembling the Urinal Bladder, and out of which, without all doubt, Issued that vast quanti∣ty of Water, presently after the expiration of the Sick.

9. And this I am more induced to believe, because that during the whole time of this stop∣page of Urine, and some Weeks before, when it came away in a very small quantity, he never complain'd of any pain in those parts, except on∣ly a kind of heaviness.

XV. A simple Epilepsy in a Girl of nine years of Age.

1. She was bred up under careful Parents, so that there was an equality and moderation, both as to her Eating and Drinking, and Exercise; whereby it could not be supposed, that there could be any great production of evil humors, from the Irregularity of the six Non-naturals.

2. As she was dear to her Parents, and their only Child, so they spared for no Cost, in order to her Recovery, a Consultation of six or seven Physicians was immediately held, in whose dis∣course her Father told me, there was no Con∣gruity, quot homines, tot capita, quot mentes, tot sententiae, every Man was of a different opinion.

3. So that her Father being a Wise man, ha∣ving sometimes studied Physick himself, forth∣with relinquisht them all; he hearing of me, came to me, and gave me a Relation how his Child was affected, how tenderly and carefully he had brought her up, what Consultations of Physicians he had, under various opinions, and how Heterogene, in his opinion, they were to Truth; & therefore desired my thoughts thereof.

4. I asked him, if she had any forewarning of the coming of the Fit? he told me no, and that she never had the least apprehension thereof, till it was upon her, from whence I concluded this Disease to be Idiopathetick, or essentially in the Brain.

5. From her careful bringing up, I conclu∣ded there could be no Cacochymick habit of Body, but rather a simple dis-affection of the Brain.

6. He askt my opinion, if I thought, Purging, Vomiting, or Bleeding might be good for her, to which I made answer, That as from the Antecedent signs, I could perceive no fullness of humors, but rather that she was of a spare body, so I held that evacuations of that kind would be prejudicial to her, and diminish her native heat, radical humidity and vital strength, which we ought to preserve.

7. To which opinion her Father immediately conceeded, and that he was always against any of those kind of evacuations, because of her thin∣ness of Body, yet she would Eat and Drink with a good Stomach, would digest well, and walk in the strength thereof, he desired my further thoughts concerning the Cure of his Child.

8. I told him, as I did believe, it proceeded from a dis-affection of the Brain, that the true method of Cure, whether external or internal must be derived from that principal Indication of altering, comforting and strengthning of the

part afflicted, which if it could be happily accom∣plished, I doubted not but his Child would sud∣denly acquire its pristin Health.

9. As to the Cure, my Judgment was, that she should not so much use drying things, as Cephalicks, or Neuroticks, which might restore the Head, Brain and original of the Nerves.

10. And for which purpose, I commended to him, this following Neurotick Wine: Take choice Canary, six quarts: Rosemary and Laven∣der-flowers, tops of red Sage and sweet Marjoram, Garden Thyme, Musked Cranes-bill, Misleto of the Oak, Male peony roots seeds and flowers, of each six ounces: Nutmegs bruised, one ounce and half: Zedoary, Gentian, contra yerva, Vir∣ginia snake-root, of each one ounce: Cloves brui∣sed, two drams: Volatile salt of Mans Skull, half an ounce: choice Musk in fine pouder, Vo∣latile salt of Hartshorn and Amber, of each two drams: Ambergrise in fine pouder, one dram: mix all together, digest in a warm place, and af∣ter ten or twelve days, let her drink of the clear, three ounces in a Morning fasting, three ounces an hour before Dinner, and as much at night go∣ing to bed.

11. This I ordered to be continued for about ten or twelve days, after which time she should take it twelve days more, twice a day, to wit, Morning and Night, and after that every Mor∣ning fasting only, for about two months toge∣ther.

12. Outwardly, I ordered him to Bath her Head with the Powers of Rosemary, twice a day for two or three Weeks more or less; her Head being first shaved, and then to apply over the same, the Antepileptick Plaster of Francis∣cus Valesius.

13. The Gentleman highly approved of my Council, followed my Directions, and in less than three mouths time his Child became perfectly well, for which he not only gave me his acknow∣ledgments, but a very grateful reward.

XVI. An Epilepsy, in an old Woman, which degenerated into a Palsy.

1. This Woman being more than sixty years of Age, of a fat and gross-body, swarthy Com∣plexion; robust or strong for her years, was taken with the Falling-sickness.

2. She had been under the Hands of many Physicians, by whom she had passed almost tho∣rough all Methods, endeavouring the Cure of her Distemper; in so much, that what with Diets, Blisterings, Cuppings, Issues, application of the Seton, Errhines, Sternutatories, Apo∣phlegmatisms, Vomits, Purges, and Specificks; often repeated and long taken, scarcely any thing else could be thought upon for a Cure.

3. After all which, she applyed her self to me; to whom I delivered my opinion, that I much feared, by reason of her great Age, that she sought after what she would never find, and therefore desired her to desist any further thoughts thereof.

4. Only I told her, that to comfort and cherish her, she might constantly take some proper An∣tepileptick Wine; however being wearied with her, I was forced at last to attempt something; and that which I did, was neither more or less, but that application of Vesicatories to the Soles of her Feet, which were reiterated three or four several times; by means whereof her Epilepsy totally left her, so that to her Dying day, she never had any more Fits.

5. But she was forthwith taken with a Palsy on both sides; so that she could not make her self ready nor unready, nor Feed her self, or be helpful in any kind.

6. This Palsey was without pain, only with a little numbness, joyned with a trembling and weakness of the parts; it continued upon her to her dying-day, nor by the greatest help of Art could she meet with any the least benefit, much less a Cure.

7. In this person the Morbifick matter first afflicted the Brain, whence came the Epilepsy, but by a translation of the said matter, to the Original of the Nerves, and thereby to their various Branchings, the Disease was changed from a Falling-sickness to a Palsey.

8. This Woman after that the Epileptick Fits had left her, and the Palsy had siezed her, by I know not whose advice, began to take Opiates, which she continued the use of for

some years, and as she conceived with a manifold advantage to her self.

9. She always said, she found her self better after the taking of the Opiate than before, and conceived it added very much strength to her; for that after she had been used to it a while, if she pretermitted for one night the taking there∣of, she should be the next day sick, heavy, and unpleasant, and stomachless as to her Food.

10. After the taking of the Opiate for a year or somewhat better, she came to a good use of one of her Hands, and she could also a little use the other, which benefit, no body could beat her out of, but that she received it from the assiduous taking of the Opiate.

11. And did verily believe, that had not her great Age been an obstacle in the way, that very Medicament alone would have restored her to her perfect Health; such was her opinion, and for any thing that I know, there might be some∣what of Truth in it.

12. But however, the consideration of this Observation, makes me believe, that there is yet a greater excellency and vertue in Opiates, than the World is awar of; and I doubt not but some experiments of this kind might more con∣firm this Judgment.

13. I remember Roger Dickson, a Chyrur∣gian in Thames-street told me, that he had once a Paralytick Patient, to whom he gave upon occasion a Dose of an Opiate for rests sake, af∣ter which, his Patient would never let him rest, without some few doses of it by her; which she took for six or eight months together, and there∣by became Cured of a Palsy, which had afflicted her many years.

XVII. The Falling-sickness in a middle aged Woman, proceeding from Melancholy.

1. A Gentlewoman about forty years of Age, having had for a long time a great deal of dis∣content upon her Spirit, was extreamly trou∣bled with Melancholy; and to that degree af∣flicted with this pernitious humor, that she has confessed that she had many times tempted to make away her self; but the Cause or Reason of this trouble she would never reveal to any one.

2. Some thought it to be unlawful Love, and some thought it to be Discontent; others, some private grudge between her and her Husband; but those that had been her associates and fami∣liar acquaintances for many years, knew the contrary; but guessed it to be from other things.

3. Some thought it to be a discontented Mind, because she could not attain that Glory, Pleasure, Fortune and such like in the World, as her equals had arrived to, or that her ambitious Spirit might aspire after, although she then lived hap∣pily, genteely, and free from any care, trouble, or turmoil.

4. But what ever the true original of her Melancholy was, I could never learn, nor hear her confess: this Melancholy discontented Con∣dition so far increased upon her, as to render her very unhappy in her person, made her very thin and lean, brought upon her great weakness; so that sometimes she would Faint or Swoon away.

5. Afterwards, as the evil increased, these fits degenerated, and from Fainting and Swoon∣ing Fits, she became affected with other Fits, not much unlike the Mother.

6. After these had afflicted her, for about four or five months, they still augmenting their force, became at length Epileptical, in so much that when or wheresoever they siezed her, she fell down with a great Crying out, and a froath and foaming at the Mouth.

7. She had been under a Knights hands, re∣puted a great Physician; by whose advice and directions, her Husband said, he had spent two hundred pounds, but without the least amend∣ment, he rather thought she grew worse and worse.

8. When I understood what was done, I partly conceived the cause of the miscarriage, for whatsoever Antepileptick Specificks he might give her, he gave her nothing which might re∣press these Hypochondriack disaffections and distempers of the Womb.

9. Moreover her Courses had been preter∣naturally stopt for about two years together; during all which time, she had a very large flux

of the Whites, which was a great trouble and weakning to her.

10. I began in the first place to give her things that might evacuate the Melancholy hu∣mor; among which was an Infusion of Rhubarb and Sena in white Wine, with black Myrobalans and a small proportion of Castoreum; with this I gently purged her for many days together.

11. In the next place, I provided an Injection for the Womb, which was thus made: Take Plantan water, three quarts: Infusion of Cro∣cus Metallorum, six ounces: spirit of Wine, eight ounces: fine Aloes in pouder, half an ounce, or something more: Roch Alum, Salt of Vitriol, of each three drams: Saccharum Saturni, two drams: juyce of Liquorice, one dram: sal pru∣nellae, six drams: mix, dissolve, decant the clear from the faeces; filter it through brown Paper, and keep it for use.

12. With this I caused the Womb to be Sy∣ringed three or four times a day, and somtimes oftner; by the use of which Medicine, and the internal means afore-mentioned, I perfectly re∣moved and cured her of this great flux of the Whites, at which the Woman was very much pleased, and became much more chearful than before.

13. And because through the oppression of the Melancholy humor, her Spirits had been much cast down, I caused her to take the follow∣ing things. Take juyce of Alkermes, six ounces: choice Canary, eight ounces: blood red Tincture of Castoreum, five ounces: spirit of Hartshorn, two ounces: Salt of Mans Skull, three drams: white sugar candy in fine pouder, half a pound: mix all well together dissolve it over a gentle fire, and keep it for use.

14. Of this she took two large spoonfuls eve∣ry Morning fasting; drinking immediately af∣ter the same, about an ounce or somewhat more of the best Angelica Water, by the constant use of this Medicament she confessed her self to be so much cheared and revived, so that she was in great hopes she should once again be well.

15. Now although these Medicines had not done much as to the Epilepsy; for indeed they were not levelled against it, yet they had much abated the vehemency of her fits; and also had altered the times of their coming, so that where∣as she had used to have them sometimes two or three times a Week, or oftner, she had them not now, once a Week, and sometimes but once a fortnight.

16. So that I apparently saw, that we had got ground upon the Disease; and therefore I advised her still to continue the same in the Morning, as hitherto she had done; and at Noon to take this following Medicament:

17. Take Electuarium ad Tabidos, one dram and half: Mans Skull prepared, Misleto of the Oak, pouder of Male peony roots, of each a scru∣ple: mix for a Bolus to be given an hour and half before Dinner.

18. Lastly, at Night going to Bed, I caused her to take of this following Electuary: Take choice Musk, one dram: Ambergrise, salt of Mans Skull, of each half a dram: salt of Vi∣pers, of Hartshorn, and of Amber, choice Civet, of each one scruple; those things being reduced into Pouder which ought to be, make them into a Bolus, with a sufficient quantity of Venice Trea∣cle, of this she took one dram every Night go∣ing to Bed.

19. For her ordinary Drink, a Decoction of Guajacum, Sarsa, Sarsafras, Lignum Rhodium, Rosemary and Lavender flowers, Misleto of the Oak, Male peony roots and seeds, with Coriander seed, all in equal proportion, to be boyled in a sufficient quantity of fair Water, then strain it and sweeten it with white sugar; wrought up with a little Yest, and so bottled up.

20. This was her constant Drink she took, during the whole Cure, so that what with the use of this Diet and the former Medicaments, together with Bathing all the Head, Temples, Ver∣tebrae of the Neck and Back-bone, the Stomach, the Region of the Spleen and Abdomen, with the Powers of Amber, this our Patient was through the Mercies of God, in about eight months time perfectly restored to Health, although this Com∣plication of Diseases had afflicted her for many years together.

XVIII. An Epilepsy in an elderly Ma∣tron.

1. This Woman being about forty years of

Age, was siezed with the Falling-sickness as was thought from an Accident, which was the peril of Drowning.

2. At first it only afflicted her once a Week, but the Disease getting strength, constantly af∣flicted her every day, insomuch that she would have somtimes two or three fits a day.

3. As it came from a fright, so I conceived the Disease Central in the Brain; and therefore applyed my self to these Indications of Cure, which might rectify the Distemper thereof.

4. I caused her to smell to the Spirit of Sal Armoniack, from which she received very great advantage; every two hours, I caused her to take two or three spoonfuls of this following Ju∣lep: Take Aqua Caelestis, commonly called A∣qua Vitae Matthioli, Aqua Angelicae magis Composita, choice Cinnamon water, of each six ounces: choice Canary, ten ounces: spirit of sal Armoniack, so much as may make it pretty sharp.

5. At Night going to bed, I ordered her to take the Electuary of Musk, mentioned in the former Cure; taking after the same an ounce or somewhat more of Cinnamon-water.

6, Her Hair I caused to be shaved off; I caused her whole Head to be bathed, twice a day, with this following Compositum: Take Powers of Rosemary, of Amber, and of Sassafras, of each two ounces: Powers of Oranges and Limons, of each one ounce: Powers of Lavender and Sage, of each half an ounce: Musk in fine pouder, half a dram: Ambergrise in pouder, ten grains: mix all together, which keep in a Glass close stopt for four or five days; then make use thereof as aforesaid in bathing of the Head.

7. After Bathing; apply over the whole, the Specifick Antepileptick Plaster of Franciscus Valesius; by the use of these things in a little time, we had the hopes of Cure.

8. And one thing let me here observe to the Reader, concerning the Vertue of Musk, Ambergrise, and the like Odoriferous things, that they have a specifick Influence upon the Brain, above all other things in Nature; and comfort its Functions and Faculties, beyond what I am able to express in Words; the which I have pro∣ved in manifold Diseases of the Head, to my great wonder and almost amazement.

9. But in the use of these Perfumes, a small Dose performs nothing; one may be bold to give twelve or fourteen grains of Musk, and as much of Ambergrise and Civet, as may encrease the Dose to a scruple, though in this Case, where they are simply used, it may not often be neces∣sary to give a Dose above once in two days, but I must confess I have given such a Dose twice a day.

10. A young Woman about twenty three years of Age, was also accidently taken with the Falling-sickness, by means of a Fright, whom I Cured in few Weeks time, by the method of the Observation, now recited with very little diffe∣rence.

11. She had not above three or four fits be∣fore application was made to me, nor she had but two after she began to take of the abovementio∣ned Medicaments, and she was perfectly well in about a months time.

XIX. An Epilepsy in a little Youth, who was afflicted with a scald Head.

1. This Youth was about eight years of Age, and was at once afflicted with a scald Head, and the Falling-sickness; two evil Distempers met in one person.

2. I caused his Hair to be clipt off with Scis∣sers, not shaved with a Razor, to which I apply∣ed, the Cataplasmum ad Porriginem, which was applyed duly according to the Directions which I have given in my Doron Medicum, lib. 3. cap. 7. sect. 1. whereby, I perfectly cleared it from the said Scald.

3. But this being not all the Work which was to be done; there being a great humidity lod∣ged in the Brain and Ventricles thereof, I ap∣plyed a Vesicatory over the whole Head, which after healing, I repeated three times, whereby without giving any Physick inwardly, the Epi∣leptick fits were much chang'd and abated in their Vigour.

4. However I thought it necessary gently to Purge the Youth, the which I did with Pilulae Lunares, repeated once a Week for six or seven Weeks together.

5. His Drink was a small Decoction of Gua∣jacum and Sarsa.

6. In the Intervals of purging, I sometimes gave him my Magistral Antepileptick pouder; sometimes the musked Electuary, mentioned in some of these Epileptick Observations, and sometimes I gave him Crato's Antepileptick powder, which were of good use, yet they took not totally away the fits.

7. Upon the advice, which I received from another Physician, to try a few Doses of Lauda∣num, I made an attempt with one grain and half; afterwards continuing the exhibition thereof for six or seven days, I encreased the dose to two grains; and to two grains and half, by the use of which thing the fits absolutely ceased.

8. I was the more willing to make Tryal thereof, because of the worth and experience of my Friend, who told me, that he had many times proved it in a Falling-sickness with great success, and that for the most part, he found it do the Cure when all other things failed.

9. Upon this assurance, I made this Tryal, and found it in all Cases to answer the Chara∣cter he gave of it, and my Expectations; in about ten or twelve times taking thereof, the Youth was freed from his Epilepsy, nor had he it ever any more.

XX. An Epilepsy in a Consumptive person.

1. Whether the Epilepsy was the cause of the Consumption, or the Consumption the cause of the Epilepsy, I will not determine; because their beginnings were so nearly together.

2. This our Patient was about twenty four years of Age; a young man formerly fleshy, and of a good strong habit of Body to appear∣ance, before this Disease siezed him, though now become exceeding thin and lean; at the first coming of the fits, they afflicted him but seldom, as once every change, and full of the Moon.

3. But afterwards growing stronger upon him, they came every quarter of the Moon, and now at the time of undertaking of this Cure, sometimes once or twice a day.

4. 'Twas an Epilepsy arising from the extream parts; for he could feel it coming upon him in his Fingers and Toes, a considerable time before it took away his Senses, so that he could tell the by-standers that the fit was coming, and also provided a place to fall down in.

5. This Disease he told me, crept so sensibly upon him, and he could as easily discern it creeping up both his Legs and his Arm, as if he had thrusted them down gradually into cold water.

6. During this affliction; as there was a pining of his whole Body, so he had a very weak Stomach, seldom desiring to Eat, nor well digesting when he had Eaten. For this purpose, I gave him the following Emetick: Take Crocus Metallorum, six drams: Salt of Vitriol, two scruples: mix and give it in a little Broth; this wrought very well with him, and gave him about eight Vomits and five Stools.

7. The fifth day following, I gave him a dram and half of my Catharticum Argenteum, which wrought excellently both upwards and down∣wards.

8. This done, I caused him to take in all his Drink, six or eight drops more or less of the Antepileptick Spirit of Vitriol, or so much at least, as might make this Liquor so sharp as he could conveniently drink it; and this I or∣dered him to continue the use of for some cer∣tain time; whereby his Stomach was comforted and strengthened, and he began to eat his Food in good order.

9. Morning and Evening, I ordered him to take of this following Electuary: Take Electua∣rium ad Tabidos, four ounces: Misleto of the Oak in pouder, pouder of Male-peony roots and seeds, Mans Skull levigated, of each six drams: native Cinnabar, Pea-cocks dung, pouder of the Liver of Frogs dryed, of each four drams: Musk in fine pouder, one dram and half: Am∣bergrise in fine pouder, half a dram: Civet, half a scruple: mix all together, and with syrup of the juyce of Male-peony flowers, make an Electuary according to Art.

10. Of this he took the quantity of a Chest∣nut every Morning fasting, and every Night going to bed, which was continued for near a quarter of a year together.

11. Outwardly, his Stomach, Hypochonders and Back-bone, from the Vertebrae of the Neck,

down to the Os Coccygis was anointed with this following Balsam: Take Oyl of Nutmegs by expression, four ounces: Oyl of Amber, Oyl of Rosemary, Oyls of Rue, of Sage, and sweet Mar∣joram, all Chimical, of each half an ounce: mix them well together, and anoint, as aforesaid.

12. His Head was shaved, and bathed all over with the Powers of Amber, Morning and Night, over which was put this following Emplaster: Take Rosin, per Rosin, Venice Turpentine, of each four ounces: Oyl of nutmegs by expression, three ounces: sheeps Suet, ship Pitch, of each one ounce: Oyl of Amber, two ounces and half: Wax, a sufficient quantity; melt, mix and make an Emplaster, which apply over the whole Head, after bathing, as aforesaid.

13. By the constant use of these Medicaments, our Patient in the space of ten Weeks was per∣fectly Cured; but he continued the use of the Medicines for some time after.

Observations from other AƲTHORS.

XXI. A Falling-sickness in a Child.

1. A Boy three years old, had a fit of the Falling-sickness, from which he was freed with the Smoak of Tobacco.

2. It was done by a Servant drawing it out of a Pipe, and blowing it into the Mouth of the Boy being open; the Child fell a Vomiting, and the fit ceased. Riverius, Cent. 2. Observ. 160.

XXII. The Falling-sickness in a young Mai∣den.

1. I have often experienced, and can testify the same by many Witnesses, that Peony gathered under its proper Constellation, viz. when the Moon is descendant in the sign Aries, does re∣move the Falling-sickness only by external ap∣plication.

2. And I caused a certain Virgin of eigh∣teen years of Age, who had been troubled with this Disease from her Child-hood, and dayly fits, being in the Hospital, to wear it about her Neck and Arms; after which she was perfectly cu∣red.

3. Hence it is apparent, of what consequence Astrology is in the practice of Physick. Rive∣rius, Cent. 4. Observ. 387.

XXIII. The Falling-sickness accompanied with a Dead Palsy.

1. A Girl named Katherine Bognole, ten years old, of a flegmatick Constitution, broad well-set Body, was afflicted five or six Months with the Falling-sickness, by fits almost every day, yea sometimes twice or thrice in a day, which was attended with a privation of motion and sence in her right Arm.

2. This Girl being brought into our Hospital in the month of December, 1643. in the first place, I prescribed her a potion purging flegm, with a Cephalick Decoction, which after some days was repeated, and she used between whiles Preparatives, and specifick Medicaments, but without success.

3. At length I gave her about two drams of Montagnana his Opiate, four or five days toge∣ther, which being over, she began to move her Fingers, and soon after her whole Arm; she was not so frequently taken with Fits of the Falling-sickness afterwards.

4. So that within twenty days (taking every Morning of the foresaid Opiate) she was perfect∣ly cured of both Diseases.

5. The Opiate was made as followeth: Take Roots of Male-peony, Staechas, Costus, of each ten drams: Agarick, five ounces: Pellitory of Spain, Carraway-seeds, Anniseed, Assa faetida, and Aristolochia Rotunda, of each two drams and a half: juyce of Squils and choice Honey, of each one pound and two ounces: let the juyce of squils and Honey boyl together over a gentle fire, unto a good consistence, then add the Pouders and make then all into an Electuary. Let the Dose be two drams every Morning, three hours before Meat. Riverius, Cent. 4. Obs. 395.

XXIV. A Falling-sickness proceeding from the Mother.

1. The Wife of Mr. Polemarchus de Sumenes, was divers years together vexed with many Sym∣toms of the Mother, which had a resemblance of the Falling-sickness.

2. She tryed many Medicines prescribed by able Physicians, but all in vain.

3. At last by advice of a Woman, she took the flesh of a Wolf brought into Pouder, wear∣ing a piece of the same flesh salted continually about her; after which she was perpetually freed from the said Symptoms. Riverius, Cent. 4. Observ. 502.

XXV. Of the Falling-sickness by sympathy with the Stomach.

1. As from the knowledge of the Fact, Law∣yers understand what is Law and Right in the Case, so from the knowledge of the Disease, we must understand the way of Cure.

2. I was told of a kind of Fainting, expressed by uncertain signs common to other Diseases, which by Intimation I Judge to be much like a Syncope or Swooning.

3. But you affirm, by undoubted signs, that the Disease is the Falling sickness, not properly ari∣sing from the Brain, but by sympathy with the Stomach, and that it has its certain times of e∣gress, which commonly happens in the wain of the Moon.

4. Matters going thus, the Cure must be thus undertaken: six or seven days before the com∣ing of her fit, give her a Clyster, which be∣sides other things that are convenient, must have in it half an ounce of Hiera picra, and half an ounce of Diaphoenicon.

5. Let her feed very sparingly the same day on a thin Diet; prepare the humour to be pur∣ged with Oxymel simple or compound.

6. Purge her the day after, with the Infu∣sion of Rhubarb and Agarick, of each one dram: in which two drams of Hiera Diacolocynthidos must be mixed.

7. But if that Medicine be not to be had, dis∣solve therein Hiera simple and Diaphoenicon, of each one dram and a half; when you consider the strength of your Patient and the greatness of the Disease, you may better determine of the quantity of the Medicaments.

8. The third day, let her forbear all evacuati∣ons and other Medicaments, unless you may think it fit to give her a dram of the best Mithridate.

9. On the fourth day give her a Vomit, which is a proper and efficacious Remedy in these Di∣seases, the humours having stuck fast in the Sto∣mach, and other adjacent parts.

10. Now, that is likely to be most effectual, which is made of two scruples, or one dram of Asarum roots, dissolved in Hydromel, or a De∣coction of Raisons, with a little Cinnamon and Syrup of Violets.

11. The following days till the time of the fit be over, give her every Morning four scruples of this Opiate: Take Conserves of Rosemary and Betony flowers, of each one ounce: old Mithridate, two drams and a half: Venice Treacle, four scruples: Misleto of the Oak, Peony-seed, Mans Skull poudred, of each two scruples: mix them, let her take it by it self, or in Betony-water.

12. If you can get Male-peony, there is no∣thing better, either the Seed or the Root ga∣thered in the Wain of the Moon; one dram in weight. These must be used three or four times near the time of the fit. Ex Consiliis Fernelij.

XXVI. A Falling-sickness in a Boy of eight years old, with the loss almost both of Reason and Memory.

1. Take leaves of Rosemary, Betony, Mar∣joram, Staechas, Sage, of each one handful: of the Cordial-flowers, of each a pugil: boyl all in two pints of Water, in the strained Liquor steep all night Epithymum, two drams: Sena, four ounces: Ginger, two drams: choice Cinnamon, four drams, in the Morning: boyl them a little and press out the liquor, wherein dissolve of the best Honey, and whitest Sugar, of each half a pound: make all into a syrup indifferently boyled, that is to an indifferent height; let him take of it once in a Week, one ounce and an half; with Decoction of Betony.

2. Item, Take Conserve of Bugloss and Rose∣mary-flowers, of each one ounce: the best Mi∣thridate and Treacle, of each half a dram: Seeds and Roots of Male-peony, Misleto of the Oak, Mans Skull, Harts-horn poudred, of each two drams: mix all into an Electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of Violets; let him take one dram or four scruples, three

or four Mornings together after Purgation, three or four hours at least before Dinner.

3. Let him drink no Wine at all: let his drink be simple water, in which Hartshorn was boyl'd with a little Ginger.

4. Let him abstain from Fruits, especially such as will not keep, from Milk and whatsoever is made of it, from Beans, Pease and Fishes. Ex Consiliis Fernelij.

XXVII. The Falling-sickness with many other Symptoms.

1. This most deplorable Disease of the Fal∣ling-sickness proceeding from a strong inveterate Cause in an impure and ill habited Body, will hardly admit of any Cure; the Patient is so weak, that no part (the Lungs excepted) is freed from great disorder.

2. His Head is afflicted with Pain, Swiming, Melancholy and the Falling-si••kness, his Bowels are exceedingly impure, by means whereof the Body is infected, his Urine thick and gravelly, which argues an obstruction and heaviness in his Kidneys; nor is the old pain in his Thigh as yet removed.

3. In so great a Concatenation of Diseases, the Cure must be begun with Purging; and be∣cause it can scarcely with safety be perform'd by Purgatives, we must attempt the doing it ra∣ther by a think drying Diet with Guajacum.

4. Let him then be purged first either with the Syrup formerly prescribed, or by a Medi∣cine of the Infusion of Rhubarb and Agarick, with two drams of Diaphoenicon.

5. The second or third day after, let him be∣gin his thin Diet, but let him feed sparingly on Roast Meats, and let him drink a simple Deco∣ction of Guajacum Wood without the Bark, that he may the better inure himself to it.

6. Let him Sup at seven in the Evening, and let him drink at five or six in the Morning, and again at four in the Afternoon a Cup of strong and pure Decoction made of the Wood and Bark of Guajacum and of Polypody with Sage, Beto∣ny and Stoechas, and in the first days this shall be instead of a preparatory Apozeme; do not force him to Sweat.

7. When six or seven days are past, and the humours prepared and stirred, let him again be purged with the former, or some other fit Me∣dicament, or to which Sena and Epythymum are added.

8. And then let him begin to Sweat with the aforesaid Decoction, that the inner parts of the Belly being evacuated, the upper parts conse∣quently may be disburthened of its Super∣fluities.

9. When the Sweat shall freely evacuate and cleanse his Body, so that it becomes more exte∣nuated and lean, it will be time then to use Topi∣cal Medicaments.

10. Fomentations that are attenuating and dissipating must be applyed to his Thigh, which was the first Cause of all his weakness, and af∣ter the Fomentations a Cataplasm of the crude Roots of Bryony and wild Cucumer, with Mu∣stard-seed, and the pulp of Figs mingled together in a convenient proportion.

11. If these things have not done enough to∣wards the Cure, a Phaenigmus at last must be applyed of Leven and Cantharides till the roots of the Disease be pluckt up; for you shall do more by these strong attractives than with a very long Ulcer or Issue, which only receives the Humours, but does not draw them.

12. Afterwards you must also open the Hae∣morrhoid Veins either with the juyce of Mercu∣ry-leaves, or of Figs; or with a Suppository of Hiera simple, with the root of round Birthwort, but so as that an emollient Fomentation be pre∣mised.

13. Or, if they cannot be opened enough, or will not run, it will be good to open the Vena Saphena in the left Foot, and to let him Bleed as his strength will bear.

14. While you apply these Topicks to the Cure of his Thigh, you may apply Topicks to his Head, and in the first place Errhina, which may draw Snivel out of his Brain, then use Fri∣ctions of his Head, with bags of discussing seeds, Millet, and Salt, fryed.

15. After which his Head being shorn to the Skin, lay on a Plaster of roots of Florentine Or∣rice with Hermodactyles and Mustard-seed: which being poudered must be made up with Melilot Plaster, and a sufficient quantity of Tur∣pentine.

And afterwards use a stronger, if need require.

16. And to the same purpose Cupping-glas∣ses, sometimes without, sometimes with Scari∣fication, may be fastned to the hinder part of his Head, and you must continue the use of these things, with the foresaid Diet of Guajacum till both the inward and outward parts of the Body shall be cleansed from bad humors.

17. Setons in the hinder part of his Head, and Issues in the Coronal Suture have not that attra∣ctive faculty, as was said before; nor can they perform (as experience teacheth;) that which the other remedies are able to do, and many times they most sadly torment the Patients to no purpose.

18. When the body and all its parts have been thus accomodated, if yet any suspition of the Falling-sickness remains, those Medicaments may oppertunely be applyed, which are known by their whole substance and hidden properties to Cure the said Disease. Ex Consiliis Fer∣nelij.

XXVIII. An Epilepsy easily cured.

1. A Maid that had the Falling-sickness was Cured by taking Oxycratum, a draught where∣of she took every Morning, and before her Fit she drank pure Vinegar.

2. After the Disease was cured, she was taken with pains in her Limbs, which were removed by hot Baths. Riverius, Observ. 601.

XXIX. The Falling-sickness in a young Girl.

1. A Girl of twelve years old was frequently tormented with the Falling-sickness, for the Cure whereof many Remedies were used but all in vain.

2. She was taken also with a Pleurisy, for which she was at divers times let Blood, and from that time she was never afflicted with the Fal∣ling-sickness. Riverius, Observ. 609.

XXX. The Falling-sickness coming every day.

1. Experimented and approved by the Testi∣monies of many sick persons: among whom (I shall speak of the rest else-where) was the Daughter of David Schon a Joyner and Citizen of Lauginga, who being ten years old, did for the space of three months, fall every day into Epileptick fits.

2. For towards Evening, she did suddenly fall down, being deprived of Sense and Motion: but after a short space of time, she came to her self, and would rise of her own accord.

3. I being desired by the Damsels Mother, undertook the Cure of this grievious, cruel and long Disease, after this manner. Having well purged her Head, I gave her to drink five days together in the Morning fasting, and at the com∣ing of her Fits three drops of the Oyl of Lignum Heraclium; by the use whereof, to the wonder of all that knew her, and the Glory of God, she was perfectly freed from that long lasting and dayly afflicting Disease, which for these many years hath never troubled her since.

4. To God alone be the Honour and Glory, who have Implanted in the said Oyl an hidden force and faculty, to Cure the Falling-sickness, Rulandus, Cent. 2. Observ. 6.

XXXI. The Falling-sickness in a Child half a year old.

1. Experimented upon the Child of John Reschinger, Chief Register in the Monastery of Medinga near Lauginga, being half a year old, who Night and Day was many times vexed with grievious Epileptick fits.

2. It foamed at the Mouth, trembled, was frighted, its Eyes were drawn awry, &c.

3. Being called, I gave it being near a fit, se∣ven drops of the Oyl of Lignum Heraclium, by which (God be praised) the fit abated, the In∣fant came to its self; and was perfectly cured, and never after troubled with the like Disease; but from that time, many years afterwards it lived well and free. Rulandus, Cent. 3. Ob∣serv. 61.

XXXII. The Fall••ng-sickness arising from Blood.

1. Gordonius, a most expert Physician, in his Chapter of the Falling-sickness professes, that this Disease is incurable, for he ingeniously con∣fesses, That he never saw any one cured in all his

Life. I, as many other Authors have done, have seen many perfectly cured by Physick.

2. A Gentle-woman of Quality, twenty four years old, strong and full of Blood, is taken with a dangerous Epilepsy; for violently turning of her Eyes, and fiercely writhing of her Hands, she was moved with so great and so reciprocal a mo∣tion of her whole Body and Head, with the loss of her understanding and senses, that you would have thought her to be possessed with Devils.

3. I address my self to the Cure, like Saint George to fight with the Dragon; I pour Venice Treacle mixed with the sharpest Vinegar into her Mouth and Nostrils: I prescribed sharp Cly∣sters.

4. I bound her Thighs so hard as to cause pain, and I applyed Cupping-glasses to her Ribs: I put strong Errhines into her Nostrils. Last∣ly, when the seventh fit had cruelly afflicted her for the space of twelve hours, and I feared the Disease would turn to an Apoplexy, when the fit was over, I opened the Vena Cephalica so called, which is in the Arm.

5. After this evacuation, the eight fit came much more gently, and she had her Senses a lit∣tle: which seeing, I let her Blood again more plentifully in the Head Vein of the other Arm. Having used these Evacuations, and her Belly being liberally purged by the use of biting Cly∣sters, she recovered this so grievious Malady. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 18.

XXXIII. A Falling-sickness cured by a Cau∣stick.

1. I have seen a wonderful Case. A certain man had a trembling in the Thumb of his left Hand, a long time together.

2. This ceasing (when the venomous Vapour was risen from his Thumb into his Brain) he was frequently taken with this Disease by fits, the Physicians devised several ways to Cure the same.

3. At last with an actual Cautery (after the manner of the Ancients) applyed to his diseased Thumb, he was cured: for there issued abun∣dance of crude humors from the Ulcer. Za∣cutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 19.

XXXIV. The Falling-sickness, cured by syrup of Tobacco.

1. Wonderful are those things which are re∣lated by Monardus, Clusius, and others diligent Writers of Spices, concerning the admirable Vir∣tue of Tobacco in the curing of cold Diseases; but that is more wonderful which I have expe∣rimented concerning its Power to Cure this Di∣sease.

2. I have known diverse grown persons and of years, to whom I have been given many Medi∣cines both such as work by open; and such as operate by secret qualities, and Issues have been made in the hind-part of the Head and round a∣bout, and have been long kept open, and all in vain, for they have grown worse and worse, and must certainly have dyed of these most violent Paroxysms, had not the Malady been overcome by this invaluable remedy.

3, Now the Medicament was a Syrup made of Honey and the juyce of green leaves of Tobacco, whereof they licked; (their Bodies being first well purged) three hours after Supper, the space of forty days, taking in that time the quantity of three ounces, and none of these relapsed.

4. If you cannot get green Tobacco, use the dry leaves which are strongest and soonest pro∣voke Sneezing. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Ob∣serv. 20.

XXXV. One preserved from a cruel Epilep∣sy by a Vomit.

1. That Vomiting is very apt to bring Pa∣roxysms of the Falling-sickness, the most re∣nowned Septalius informs us, Lib. 6. Caution. Medicar. No. 50. where he thus Writes.

2. Take heed you do not provoke Vomit in the Epileptick fits, for I have known some at∣tempting to do this in the Paroxysm, led by the Authority of certain Writers, who suddenly kil'd their Patients.

3. For the Head being more filled by that violent motion, and the matter being strongly moved which was in the Head before, they cau∣sed an Obstruction, whence an Apoplexy is wont to follow, &c:

4. This is very true in driving away the Epi∣leptick fits. But for the preserving of Patients

from the Fits, the antecedent matter being void∣ed which would Cause the future Paroxysm; that a Vomit is a most excellent Remedy, does appear by this example.

5. A man of an ordinary condition, had at times a most violent Epilepsy which arose from the Stomach: Before the Paroxysm there were rumblings and croakings in his Belly, he voided much thick and clammy Spittle, his Head did swim, and his Eyes grew dim.

6. He had tryed for three years innumera∣ble Remedies to no purpose; this wretched man being in horrid pain by reason of his Fits that came seven or eight times in a Month; and being too weak to bear such strong Medicines as were prescribed him by Physicians, he askt my advice; to whom I prescribed a very easy Vo∣mit, which taking every day fasting for a year together, he was cured of this violent Dis∣ease.

7. The Vomit was made of four ounces of the Decoction of dry Tobacco, with an ounce of Oyl of sweet Almonds, whereby he went twice or thrice to Stool, and voided much clammy and snotty flegm by Vomit, and broke Wind up∣wards.

8. Now whether a Vomit is good in Diseases about the Throat, although it seems to carry humours in the Head, the most Learned San∣torellus amongst all the rest, Answers affirmative∣ly, lib. 22. Antipraxis cap. 4. having very many Reasons to back him.

9. Concerning which Argument Oribasius, lib. 1. Synop. 18. Mercat. 1. Indicat. 9. and the most elegant Fernelius, lib. 3. Method. cap. 2. have excellently discoursed. Zacutus Lusitanus, Lib. 1. Observ. 21.

XXXVI. A most excellent Remedy against the Falling-sickness.

1. A very young Boy was taken with a most fierce Epilepsy, who, in his Paroxysm did so strangely toss his Head and Rowl his Eyes, that if the by-standers did not hold him in, he would throw himself out of the Bed upon the ground.

2. When he was out of the Fit, he had several Medicines prescribed him, he had an Issue made in the nape of his Neck, of the exceeding rare effects whereof Jacchinus, lib. 9. ad Almans. cap. 14. Rondelet. cap. 37. Meth. Mercural. lib. 2. Varlect. and many others do speak much.

3. A Cucupha or quilted Cap, with Medica∣ments that strengthen the Brain was put upon his Head, and Purgatives was given according to his years.

4. But nothing could recover him save this following Electuary, whereof when he had for a month together taken a scruple every Morning fasting, he was freed of his fits, and using the same afterwards for two years together, he ne∣ver after found any hurt.

5. The Electuary was thus made: Take Confect. de Hyacintho, Conf. Alkermes, Electuar. de gem∣mis, Laetificans Rhasis, of each a dram: Treacle of Andromachus, half a dram: Smaragds, two drams: Bezoar stone, two drams and half: Aromaticum Rosatum, Diamargaritum Cali∣dum and Frigidum, Diarrhodon Abbatis, of each half a dram: Diamoschum, one dram: Tro∣ches of Gallia Moschata, one scruple: Pearls prepared, Granates prepared, Rubies prepared, each a dram: red Coral, two drams: Male-peony, the seed thereof, Mans Skull, young Swal∣lows burnt, of each two scruples: pouder of Bramble-Worms, of dry Rue, each a scruple: burnt Harts-horn, Ʋnicorns-horn, of each a scruple: burnt Ivory, Cinnamon, each a scruple and half: Crystal prepared, half a dram: Misleto of the Oak, a scruple: Angelica, Rosemary-flowers, Lig∣num Aloes, of each a dram: Dittany, Zedoary, Valerian, Been white and red, each a scruple and half: crude silk torrified, a scruple: Galangal, Basil-seed, Cardamons, each a scruple: pouder what requires poudering very fine, and incorpo∣rate the same with this following syrup: take seeds of Bawm, a dram: of Betony, two drams: flowers of Stoechas, two drams and half: Indian Spike, half a dram: Sage, half a handful: seeds of Annise, of Fennel, of each one dram: Indian Myrobalans bruised, twenty: Borrage-flowers, a dram: Acorus roots, half a dram: boyl them in four pints of Water till half be wasted: to the strained Liquor add clarified Honey, four oun∣ces: white sugar, a sufficient quantity to make it into a syrup wherewith make the foregoing species into an Electuary.

6. This I always found the most effectual Remedy in the World, to tame this rebellious and stubborn Disease, and other cold Diseases of the Brain, both in old and young people. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 22.

XXXVII. A cruel Epilepsy after Child-Birth, cured by applying Horse-leeches to the in∣ner part of the Womb.

1. After Child-birth, especially when the Labour hath been hard, a venemous Air arises from the Prison of the Womb, by the retention of the suppressed and putrifyed Blood, which breeds venomous and mortal Diseases, as Galen says in his third Book. Epidem. Sect. 3. Com. 37. where he thus Writes.

2. For the suppression of the Courses is offen∣sive, but not so much as when they are suppres∣sed after Child-birth; because they produce not only abundance, but an exceeding great pra∣vity of humours: for the Child drawing the better Blood to nourish it self, and leaving the worser behind, Causes the Childing Woman to be full of bad Humours, which Nature voids after Child-birth, &c.

3. A woman upon this occasion, was taken with a most Cruel Epilepsy, with the loss of her understanding and senses: who because of the vrgent danger, was twice let Blood in the saphena vein, because she was but a little purg∣ed after her Child-Birth, and other revelling re∣medies being applied the same day to the Ori∣ginal of the Flux.

4. At last three Leeches were applyed to the inner part of her Womb, with Strings tyed to them, that they might not creep in, loosing a great quantity of Blood, she was better and her Epileptick fits ceased. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 23.

XXXVIII. The Falling-sickness in Women with Child, arising from their Wombs, are safely Cured by Bleeding in the Ankle.

1. A Gentlewoman being in her seventh month with Child, of an excellent habit of Bo∣dy, of a close Contexture, have wide Veins, full of Blood well digested, was miserably af∣flicted with a vehement Epilepsy.

2. In her Fits, her Countenance being rud∣dy, and her Eyes full of Blood; the Physicians by reason of the danger of the Disease was of opinion that it was the best way to let her Blood; but in what part to open a Vein they knew not well.

3. For if the Epilepsy be from the Womb, bleeding in the Arm would avail nothing, be∣cause we are to see to the original and the begin∣ing thereof: If we should let her Blood in the Ankle, the Child would be endangered and choaked by drawing much Blood to the Womb, in so full a Body.

4. Being puzled by these Reasons, they were at a stand, and so sent for me; I came and let her Blood three times in the Saphaena Vein, by which she was perfectly cured, and was de∣livered of her Child in a good time, and in due season. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 24.

XXXIX. The Epilepsy took a Woman with Child in her ninth Month, she was cured by ap∣plication of Leeches to the Hoemorrhoid Veins.

1. A Woman in her ninth Month by the obstruction and stoppage of a Customary eva∣cuation by the Hemorrhoids, fell into a very fierce Epilepsy, upon which she grew extreamly Melancholy.

2. Besides Clysters and Diversions of the In∣feriour parts, and the Veins of both Ankles ope∣ned, she could not be cured, till she had Leeches three times applyed to her Haemorrhoid Veins; whereupon she grew well and was safely deli∣vered of a Child. Zacutus Lusitanus, Lib. 1. Observ. 25.

XL. The Epilepsy in a Man, he was delivered herefrom by frequent opening the Saphena Vein.

1. A man forty years old, both strong and well Complexioned, was divers times afflicted with such violent Epileptick Fits, that it was feared it would turn into an Apoplexy.

2. He had both in and out of his Fits many good Medicines applyed to him, and the flegma∣tick humour was frequenty purged; for it was supposed to be the Cause of the Malady.

3. This mighty Herculean Disease was at last overcome by Blood-letting. He was let Blood out of his Fits, every month in the Ankle, the Vessels

being emptied, and the plenty of Blood being e∣vacuated, which was caused by the Constitution of his Liver, which bred too much Blood, and the Blood being drawn to the remote parts of the Body, and keeping a good Diet, he was after∣wards freed from his Disease.

4. It was said by a famous Physician, Those that are subject to the Falling-sickness, must bleed in their Legs to preserve them from their Fits; there is a Falling-sickness from Blood, which he has shewed in many places, and among the rest is explained by Petrus Salius, lib. de Curat. Morb. Partic. Cap. 3. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 26.

XLI. The Epilepsy, in a Wonan that had her Courses actually flowing, is Cured by a Vein opened in her Nose.

1. A young Woman well made and strong, fell into a greivous Epilepsy, which was usher∣ed in by a swimming of the Head, and dim∣ness of sight, and followed by a total oblivion of all things.

2. Her Courses at the time of her fit did duely flow, she was let Blood in the inferiour parts, but was not thereby cured: and the Di∣sease proving very dangerous by its acuteness, Cupping-glasses being first applyed to her Thighs; I took Blood from her Cephalick Vein.

3. Cupping-glasses were set to her shoulder-blades with scarification; she was also let Blood in the forehead, and lastly, a vein being opened on the tip of her Nose, she began to speak and came to her self. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 27.

XLII. The Epilepsy cured by Stibium.

1. The most Renowned of the Modern Phy∣sicians have been of the mind, that prepared Stibium, (commonly called Antimony) hath a divine faculty to vanquish Melancholick Dis∣eases, especially when the dreggy humour is far from the first passages of the Body.

2. I saw a Porter, who after strange moti∣ons of his Hands and Tongue, extream Head∣ach, paleness, turbulent Imaginations of Ghosts, turnings of his Head, and dimness of sight, did fall to the ground, as if he had been Planet striken, and when he was on the ground he did shake his body so violently, and turn his Head round about, that you would think he was possest by the Devil.

3. This man had used many remedies for a year together, but to no purpose: For he was taken three or four times or oftner in a month, and could not be rid of this vexatious Disease.

4. And because the breeding of this Melan∣choly humour could not in any wise be hinder∣ed, and it was so rebellious, that it would not give way to Purgations: at last having taken four times the spirit of Stibium rightly calcined in Wine, and having voided upwards and down∣wards, much clammy Flegm, mix with a large quantity of Melancholy, he was cured of this sad Disease. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Ob∣serv. 28.

XLIII. The Epilepsy proceeding from an old Ʋlcer, shut up in the tip of the Nose, cured by an Issue made in the Leg.

1. There came to me a woman seventy years old, in the tip of whose Nose a filthy Ul∣cer broke forth once every three months, send∣ing forth a great quantity of a Virulent humour for three days, after a while the part was co∣vered with a Scar.

2. And having for eighteen years together been troubled with this Malady, and yet other∣wise lusty and in good health, having no pain in any part of her Body, and now growing wea∣ry of this loathsome Disease, especially when the Ulcer was open and running, by the advice of a Quack salver, she laid Diapompholygos thereunto.

3. A day was not past, till she fell into a dreadful Epilepsy, having before a greivous Head-ach.

4. Being sent for, I presently let her Blood at the Cephalick vein, gave her a sharp Sup∣pository, bound her Thighs till they ak'd, and so she was free from her fits.

5. Because her old Evacuation was stop'd for six months, she continued like a Fool, and out of her senses; making no Answer to such Questions as were put to her: I ordered her a purge to draw the retained humour from her

Head, which was wont to be evacuated.

6. This evacuation doing no good; and she her self saying, That in the first day when the humours did flow through the opened Ulcer in her Nose, she felt the humour arising from her Lower parts, and an heat in the Region of her share.

7. Considering this, I thought how to Re∣call the humour to the Original of the fluxion; and having caused Issues to be made in her Thighs, near the fountain of the Malady, and the humour flowing therefrom; she was no more troubled with her Dotage, the Falling-sickness, and her old Ʋlcer. Zacutus Lusitanus, lib. 1. Observ. 29.

XLIV. A strong Epilepsy in a Woman, that bore three Daughters, presently after which she died thereof.

1. A Woman forty years old, having accu∣stomed her self in the time of her being with Child to Eat good Chear and Drink good Wine, got an Athletical habit of Body; her Body was large, goodly and well set, her Veins full of Blood, she bled sometimes at the Nose.

2. This Woman in her ninth month brought forth two Daughters, and after she was delivered of the third, there remained some Portion of thick Blood in the Womb, out of which a veno∣mous Vapour arising, did trouble and vex the Brain, which afterwards did bring the Epilepsy, wherein she did wreath all her Joints, and void∣ed abundance of froth out of her Mouth.

3. In her last fit her strength being spent, and her Disease being Conquerour, she died. Wherefore, as Hippocrates says, Aphor. 1.3. these Athletick and full habits of Body are dangerous, not being able to advance, they go back and grow worse.

4. For as Seneca says, whatever is come to its utmost height, makes hast to its End. And therefore it is a saying of Cornelius Celsus, When a Man seems more full, more goodly and better coloured than he has wont to be, he ought to suspect all is not well with him. Zacutus Lu∣sitanus, lib. 1. Obs. 30.

XLV. The Falling-sickness in a Boy frighted with the shooting of Guns, died thereof.

1. That terror, sadness, and other passions of the Mind, may cause the Falling-sickness, is so far from being doubted, that 'tis confirmed in all Authors; more especially in Children, who being very tender and fearful, are more sub∣ject to sudden Maladies.

2. A Boy being naked upon the Sea shore, where he had been a Swimming, and a Gunner to take his Farwell discharging some Ordnance, which the Boy was not awar of; who unexpect∣edly hearing the report of the Ordnance, fell suddenly to the ground, and wallowed and tum∣bled about, being in that Interim taken with an Epileptick fit, and dyed within a quarter of an hour. Zacutus Lusitanus, Lib. 1. Observ. 31.

XLVI. The Falling-sickness in a Child.

1. A Child of Mr. Walkers, of Amington Minister, aged six months, afflicted with the Fal∣ling-sickness, by consent; was thus freed, first I caused round pieces of Peony-roots to be hanged about the Neck.

2. In the Paroxysm, I ordered to be applyed with a Spunge to the Nostrils, the juyce of Rue mixed with white Wine Vinegar, by which it was presently recovered, and falling into the Fits again, it was removed in the same manner.

3. To the Region of the Heart was applyed the following: Take Venus Treacle, two drams: roots of Peony pulverised, half a dram: mix them: and thus the Child was delivered from all its fits. Hall on English Bodies, Cent. 1. Ob∣serv. 35.

LONDON, Printed for Th. Dawks, and L. Curtiss.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Numb. 63.