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 ...

SCHOLIA. The THEORY of the EPILEPSY.

By the Author W. Salmon.

CXLV. The Pathology of the Falling-sick∣ness; and first of the Notation thereof.

1. The Names. It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Latin, Epilepsia, Morbus Comitalis, Morbus Sacer, Morbus Puerilis: also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Morbus Herculeus; and in English, the Falling-sickness.

2. The Definition. The Falling-sickness is a convulsive Motion of the whole Body, coming by Fits, depriving the Sick both of Reason and Sense, wherein the whole Body is contracted: Galen calls an Epilepsy, always a Convulsion, but improperly: For it is not a true Convulsion, but a Convulsive Motion of the Body, wherein both all the external and internal Senses are abo∣lished.

3. The Kinds, or Differences. First, it is either Idiopathetick or Sympathetick, if it be Idiopathetick, the Cause is primarily in the Brain it self; if it be sympathetick, to wit, by Consent, it is either from the Stomach, or other Viscera, or in the extream parts: secondly, it is either Recent, to wit, but newly begun, or In∣veterate, of long standing: thirdly, it is either mild, or else strong and vehement: fourthly, it is either Periodical, coming at a certain time, or Irregular, coming now and then at unawars: fifthly, it is either Accidental or Hereditary: sixthly, it is either in Infants or in people of years; all which differences have some thing special in them in respect of the Cure; the parts afflicted are primarily the Brain, afterwards the original of the Nerves, and the Nerves them∣selves by consent.

CXLVI. The signs of the Falling-sickness.

1. The Pathognomick sign of the Falling-sickness, is a Foaming at the Mouth; for that it is scarcely observable to be common with any other Disease.

2. The Diagnostick signs are, a falling down to the ground, by reason of the Convulsion of the parts, there is a heaviness, giddiness, and pain of the Head, a paleness of countenance, and an inordinate motion of the Tongue, and coldness of the extream parts, there is also a fearfulness and sadness in the Sick.

3. Sometimes one part is contracted, by the force of the Convulsion, sometimes many parts; one has his Hands contracted, another turns round, some run up and down, and others sit, fome cry out aloud, as if they were extreamly frighted, some snort and gnash their Teeth, some have an involuntary excretion of Excre∣ments, but most, if not all Foam at Mouth.

4. An Idiopathetick Epilepsy, is known by the Distemper of the Brain, heaviness of the Mind, slowness, dullness, decay of Memory, Vertigo, pain of the Head, and troublesome Sleeps; the Sick, also suddenly falls down with∣out the least foreknowledge or sense of the fit, and coming to himself again, remembers not any thing that was done.

5: If it be sympathetick, and proceeds by consent from any other part, it is known by the proceeding Distemperature of these parts.

6. If it be from the stomach, it is troubled with weakness, indigestion, want of appetite, Wind, loathing and pain.

7. If it be from the spleen, there is common∣ly a heaviness, a dull pain and tumor upon the part.

8. If from the Mesentery, there are nauseous Vapors, paleness, sometimes an Atrophia, or pining; sometimes Melancholy preceeds, as also such as are called Hysterick fits.

9. If it be from the Womb, fits of the Mo∣ther, or Vapours often preceeded, from all which, certain Vapours are sent to the Brain, or some of the Nerves of the par Vagum being hurt by the tumultuous approach of the Animal Spi∣rits extending and twitching the Nerves, causes the Brain immediately to be affected by con∣sent.

10. If it be from the extream parts, it is known by certain Vapours, or thin and subtle matter creeping upwards by degrees; suppose in the Foot, the Sick is sensible of the fit before it comes, and a certain Vapour, resembling al∣most as it were a Living thing, creeps upwards by degrees, first from the Toes, thorough the whole Foot, then from the Heel, to the Ankle and by degrees creeps up to the Calf of the Leg, then to the Knee, afterwards to the Thigh, Hip, whole Side, up the Shoulder, by which the whole Arm and Hand is immediately affected and siezed, from thence to the Neck drawing it a lit∣tle aside: Lastly, the Head, where it siezes the Brain and the original of the Nerves, upon which the Sick immediately falls down with a great shreiking and crying out; and for the most part toward the end of the fit, with a foam∣ing at the Mouth.

11. Now in this Case, when the Disease pro∣ceeds from the extream parts, as is aforesaid, the Sick is perfectly sensible of its first approach, and feels it as perfectly to creep upwards by degrees, as if he should put his Foot into cold Water and so shove it into the water deeper and deeper gradually, whereby the Water rises high∣er and higher upon the part, in such manner in all respects, and with like coldness as the coldness of the water, does the fit begin and take its progress to the Brain; insomuch, that he can tell you of its coming, and how gradually it pro∣ceeds, and talk rationally with you, even till the cold Vapour siezes the Brain it self; which will be about the time, that you can leisurely tell a hundred, or more.

12. If the Disease be mild, all the foregoing signs which we have ennumerated, are not seen in the sick at once, but sometimes one, somtimes another, and many times, at the end of the fit, there is no foaming at the Mouth.

13. If it be strong and vehement, the most vehement signs will be present, and almost all of them; besides the falling, and divers motions of the Body, there will be a staring and thrusting forth of the Eyes, a great difficulty of Breathing, a strong Convulsion of the parts, especially on one side, with a certain foaming at the Mouth.

14. And it may be known, whether it comes from the right or left side of the Head, by this, that on that side, the Head will be more dull, with a kind of obtuse pain, there will also a noise be on the same side, with a kind of thickness of hearing, and the Eye on that side will be more dark and obscurer than the Eye on the other side.

15. That which is Periodical, comes com∣monly at the New or Full Moon, or at the Quarters, or twice or four times a year, so that by observation, the sick can certainly tell when the Fit will be.

16. If it be Irregular, it comes twice or thrice a day, or oftner, somtimes two or three times a Week; but what time soever it comes, the in∣tervals between each Paroxysm, are always un∣equal, so that when the fit comes upon the Pa∣tient, it is as it were by surprise.

17. If it be Hereditary, it is known by the Father and Mother, and their Generations before them, being Epileptical.

18. If it comes not from Hereditary Parents, it is always Accidental.

19. That which is in Infants, commonly makes them black in the Face, like a Man that is Hang'd and the blood settled, but that which happens to Age, causes not such discrepancy in the colour of the Countenance.

20. Hitherto of the signs of a perfect and present Epilepsy, but there are other signs shew∣ing an approaching Epilepsy, or an Epilepsy to come; in respect of the Animal Functions there is an accustomed trouble and disturbance of Mind, dullness and heaviness of the Head, Headach, Vertigo, desire of much Sleeping, troublesom Dreams, dullness of Mind, fear, trembling, sorrow, perplexity, forgetfulness, sloth, heaviness of moving, a deprivation of the Sen∣ses, a cloudiness in the Eyes, noise in the Ears, heaviness or dullness of hearing, stinking of the Nostrils, unnatural Sneezing, Yawnings, &c.

21. The vital Functions are also hurt, the beating of the Pulse is unequal or irregular; scarce at all to be felt at one time, and at another time beating with extream vigour and vehe∣mency, there is also difficulty of Breathing, shortness of Breath, and an inclination to Anger upon triffles, or no occasion.

22. In respect of the natural Functions, there is either a nauseating or loathing of Meat, indi∣gestion, Heart-burning, or pain of the Stomach, or there is an immoderate hunger, so that the Sick thinks he could devour all things, he spits much, his Urine is thin and crude; there is paleness of Face, swelling at the Brest and Sto∣mach, as if the party would burst, and an indis∣position to stir and move, as if idleness or sloath had siezed the person.

23. These are all of them signs of an ap∣proaching Epilepsy; and sometimes of a fit rea∣dy to come, in those that have had it already, but all these signs are not to be expected to be found in one person, but some of them in one, some in another, according to their various Natures and Dispositions, Qualifications, Habits and Constitutions.

CXLVII. The various Causes of the Falling-sickness.

1. There are many Causes of an Epilepsy, which arise in part from the quantity or quality of the matter causing.

2. The place where the prime Cause lodges, is within the Encephalon, and springs from the indisposition of the parts within the Skull.

3. But it may be demanded how that can be in those kinds of this Disease, where the Parox∣ysm begins in the extream parts, and ascends by degrees up to the Head.

4. Truly, this seems only to be so, and hap∣pens by meer Accident: For that the Morbifick Cause subsists about the Encephalon it self, thereby causing immediately a great insensibili∣ty and dis-order with a vehement Contraction of most of the Members and Viscera.

5. By which it appears, that the Encepha∣lon and original of all the Nerves are possessed with the Morbifick Cause.

6. The opinion of Galen was, that an Epi∣lepsy was caused from an imperfect obstruction of the Ventricles of the Brain; but the true Cause of an Epilepsy is, from the sudden Rari∣faction and Explosion of the Animal Spirits in∣habiting of the middle the Brain, and these are the first and immediate Cause of this Disease, by which the Brain being as it were blown up and tumefied, is rendred insensible, and the Nerves appending thereto are put into Convulsions, whence comes, the sudden accession of the Fit, & the deprivation of both the internal and external Senses.

7. The Procatartick Cause of the tumultua∣ting of the Animal Spirits we do not just now deliver, that being known almost to every one, but the Proeguminine Cause deserves a little to be enquired unto.

8. For that the Animal Spirits should be so rarifyed, as to tumultuate and to make those preternatural Explosions of their own accord, is not reasonable to believe, but there must be somewhat that must go before, as the Act of the sensitive Soul, to stir up those kinds of pertur∣bations, viz.

9. There must be something, which must ob∣struct their regular and natural Motions, and

this in some persons which we have seen open∣ed, that dyed of an Epilepsy, was either a bag of water in the Cavities of the Brain, or a viscous water, or other corrupt matter, yellow, green, blew, &c. filling the said Ventricles, by reason of which, the said Spirits assemble together in a tumultuous manner, as aforesaid.

10. These Spirits making their explosions upon the the original of the Nerves, and indeed the Nerves of the whole Body, affect the other spirits in the nervous system by way of Consent, whence it is, that though the Disease seem to be∣gin in the Hand or Foot, yet the original thereof is absolutely in the Brain it self.

11. Barbet says, that the nearest Cause is the Lympha vitiated in the Brain, and irritating the Nerves by its sharpness, and indeed he was not far off from the Truth.

12. For Nature being hurt by such a kind of sharpness, sends as it were Floods of Spirits towards the relief of the parts afflicted, but by reason of this vitiated Lympha, falling upon the original of the Nerves, the influx of the Animal Spirits is hindered, whence follows immediately Convulsion.

13. And by reason that the Community be∣twixt the nervous Systeme and the animal Spi∣rits, is cut off by the Matter interposing, thence follows the so sudden deprivation both of Reason and Sense, and of all regular motions.

14. Decker is of the opinion, that it is an acid Lympha, that Causes this Obstruction, and in∣deed that is most probable, because that nothing can prick or vellicate so much as acid things; and all Obstructions made by Acids, are com∣monly great, and the Coagulations difficult to be dissolved.

15. Whence it is, That Diseases arising from an Acid Salt, as for certain the Epilepsy does, are of so difficult Cure.

16. Deckers saith, That from the Thumb of the left Hand, he had somtimes observ'd a sharp matter to be mov'd towards the Heart and Brain, so that the Patient was sensible of it.

17. This is nothing but what we said before, of this Disease, proceeding by consent from the extream parts.

18. But the chief Observation that Deckers makes hereof, is this, That the said Thumb be∣ing bound, had sometimes kept back the Fit, and that the sick had been several times so delivered from the approaching Fit.

19. This is confirm'd by Galen de locis affe∣ctis, lib. 3. cap. 5. Also Johannes Schenkius de Epilepsia, Lib. 1. Obs. 82. affirms the same.

20. I knew the person very well, that had it arising from the Foot aforementioned, 'tis pro∣bable the same thing might have succeeded in him, but my Youth and want of Skill in Phy∣sick; for it is near twenty years since, hindred my putting the thing in tryal.

21. If it proceeds from the Womb, pains of Loins does preceed; for those Women are for the most part troubled with vehement Head-aches.

22. The remote Causes thereof, says Barbet, are to be sought in the milky Glandules, the Womb and other parts; for whatever it is, whe∣ther it be Choler, Flegm, the Pancreatick juyce, the Seed or menstruous Blood, that makes the Lymphatick Juyce sharper, easily causes an Epilepsy.

23. The Brain not being rightly disposed, the region of the Brain is by all concluded to be the primary seat of this Disease.

24. But Willis will by no means admit, water heaped up within the Ventricles of the Brain, nor a thick viscous humor impacted in the pas∣sages of its Pores, to be the Conjunct Cause of this Distemper; for, saith he, such Causes are begot by degrees, and would shew some certain signs before hand of their first coming upon one.

25. To which we answer, that so they do, else how comes it to pass, that we have so many previous signs of an approaching Epilepsy, as we have a little above enumerated.

26. But saith he, the assault of the fit being over, such a matter could not wholly be discussed in so short a time, but that from its Relicts, some impediments of the Animal Functions would remain, which rarely happens in the Epilepsy, unless it be inveterate.

27. To which we Answer, that there is no such need, that the matter should be wholly dis∣cussed in so short a time; for it has been ob∣servable that the intervals between each fit,

comes not so much from the discussion of the matter, as by the quieting of the Animal Spirits, which force their way through the Obstru∣ction.

28. So that when the continuity of the ner∣vous System is made up with the original fountains of the Animal Spirits, the Fit passes off, but when the obstructing matter, fluctuates a∣fresh, and dissolves again that continuity, then there comes an accession of a new fit.

29. From hence it may certainly be conclu∣ded, That the middle of the Brain is always the primary Seat of the Epilepsy, and that originally the morbifick Cause is stored up in that Re∣gion.

30. But the Distemper growing inveterate, it gradually spreads it self through the whole Brain, enlarging its dominions after a wonderful manner, scattering the Morbifick Matter every where up and down, which subjects the whole, much like Garrisons in Conquered Countries, keeping the vassallated people under subje∣ction.

31. Its dominions being enlarged through the whole Head, extends it self likewise to the nervous Appendix, so that the semination of the Disease, like lightning, is diffused thorough the whole nervous Systeme; but sometimes one Nerve is more affected than another, whence Convulsions follow; sometimes in one part, somtimes in another.

32. And if the nervous System be univer∣sally a like affected, the Convulsion generally affects the whole Body.

33. The Cause why Epilepticks fall down with violence, is partly from the surprize and sudden coming of the fit, whereby all their Rea∣son and Sense is taken from them, and partly from the Convulsion of the Nerves adjacent to the Head, which being strongly contracted, the whole Body is vehemently carried forth and falls violently.

34. From these Contractions other parts be∣come swelled and tumifyed as the Lungs, max∣illary Glandules both upper and lower, out of which the Lymphatick Juyce, being strongly pres∣sed and squeesed, forthwith the Spittle appears like foam at the Mouth.

CXLVIII. The Prognosticks of an Epilepsy.

1. The Epilepsy is a Disease hard to Cure; if it be inveterate, or of long continuance, it is so much the more difficult: and the Idiopathetick is harder to Cure, than that which is by con∣sent.

2. That which is in Infants, is of all the easiest to Cure, and much more easy while it is Recent, the Child having had but few fits.

3. That which is Hereditary, is never to be cured, and antient Physicians were of the opi∣nion, that if it happened to people, which were much in years, that it was also incurable, but experience has contradicted that.

4. For we have known people above fifty years of age Cured, but we confess it has been with great difficulty.

5. In some persons it is cured without the help of Physick, in whom, siezing upon them young, it has continued ten, twelve or fourteen years, but at their arriving at puberty or ripe∣ness of age, or in Virgins at the coming down of their Terms, the Disease of its own accord has left the Patient.

6. Though in this Case, I am very apt to be∣lieve, that there might be some congruous and benevolent Directions in Heaven, of the princi∣pal Stars or principal Significators, which might be adjuvant to the Native at that time.

7. If all the Functions be abolished, the Con∣vulsion vehement and strong, the Paroxysm of long continuance, and Excrements flow forth of their own Accord, the Cure will be exceeding difficult.

8. If it comes from external Causes, or evil Diet, Surfeiting or Drunkenness, the Convulsion mild, and the fits not long, the Disease will not be very difficult to Cure.

9. Hippocrates says, That an Epilepsy com∣ing in Boys at fourteen years of age, and in Girls before twelve, is curable; but after the age of twenty five it is incurable, as appears by his Sect. 5. Aphor. 7. and of this opinion is Galen; but the latter part of this Prognostick, as we said before, is not always true.

10. A strong Epilepsy often kills the Patient in the fit; or else turns into an Apoplexy by

reason of the strength of the Symptoms, where∣by there is a great Concussion of the Brain, and a profligation of the strength of the whole Bo∣dy.

11. Riverius tells us a strange kind of Story; that somtimes the Concussion of the Brain will be so great in the fit that some pieces of the Bones called Processus Mamillares will come out of the Nostrils.

12. If the Falling-sickness comes of Melan∣choly, it commonly degenerates into Madness, by which means the morbifick matter offends the very substance of the Brain it self, whereby being corrupted, it obfuscates or darkens the Animal Spirits, whence comes a Melancholy Dottage.

13. If the Epilepsy proceeds from a thick Lymphatick Juyce, it for the most part degene∣rates into an Apoplexy or Palsey.

14. If a Quartan Ague, or a violent burn∣ing Feaver comes upon an Epilepsy; it com∣monly Cures it, because by the vehemency of the heat, the Morbifick matter comes to be dis∣solved, rarifyed and discussed.

15. If the fits are often repeated, and every time grow stronger and stronger, the Animal Faculties will be quickly obliterated, by reason of which, the Vital Spirits come to be tainted, from whence, the Vital Functions comes by de∣grees to be profligated.

16. And this seems to be by consent of the Nerves serving the Praecordia, so that at length the whole Body languishing, the Pulse being quell'd, the Vital flame is not long after ex∣tinguished.

17. The reason why this Disease often ends in a Palsy, Madness, or Melancholy, is from the conformation of the Brain, being depraved by the manifold and tumultuous rushings forth of the Animal Spirits, whereby its natural state is so perverted, that the morbifick Particles of ano∣ther kind are admitted, whereby the Animal Spirits, are either fixed or become dull and sluggish, being depressed by the Morbifick mat∣ter afflicting.

18. If the Falling-sickness happens to Chil∣dren, and they be not freed from it about ripe∣ness of age, being overcome by a new and na∣tural fermentation of the Blood, the Disease will continue, and 'tis much if it be not incurable to Death.

CXLIX. The Method of Curing the Epilepsy, and first of the Cure of Infants.

1. The Cure of the Falling-sickness in Chil∣dren, differs something from that in elder peo∣ple; for that in the latter, strong Evacuations are commonly used, which we cannot do in Children, nor indeed is there that need and ne∣cessity, because such a heap of morbifick matter cannot be supposed to be in them, as is in those of elder years.

2. The chief things we use to Children, are Revulsives, Discussives and Specificks.

3. For Revulsion, Blysters may be applyed to the nape of the Neck or behind the Ears, or an Issue may be made behind the Ear, whereby the Morbifick matter is plentifully drawn away, or the Seton may be applyed to the nape of the Neck, which may run for two, three, or four Months.

4. Blystering Plasters also applyed to the soles of the Feet may be very profitable; for by rea∣son of the consent of parts, they sometimes Cure to a miracle.

5. Issues a so in the Arms and Legs are also approved of by many Learned and Experienced men; if the Child be two or three years old, Cupping-Glasses with Scarification may be ap∣plyed to the Shoulders, Loins, or both.

6. I knew a Chyrurgian, which lanced the Head, and cut many deep flashes even to the Cranium, whereby the Child bled extreamly, after which he healed them forthwith up again, upon which the Child recovered, and had no more fits.

7. If the Paroxysm be tedious and violent, and a watery humor flows forth at the Nostrils, it will be good to shave the Head of the Child, and to apply a Vesicatory over the whole Head, this I have known sometimes to Cure at the first drawing, it may be repeated if occasion be, two or three times.

8. It cannot be done in vain, but with great advantage to the Sick, forasmuch as that the

watery juyce or degenerated Lympha, which is the Conjunct Cause of the Disease, is clearly drawn away.

9. And this is more admirably done, and with greater advantage in Infants than in persons of elder years, because as yet in Children the Su∣tures of the Skull, are not perfectly closed, whereby not only the aforesaid degenerated Lymphatick Juyce, but also the preternatural Vapours lodged in the Cavities of the Brain are drawn forth.

10. This done, the Soar being healed, we must make use of Discussives, of which the Powers of Amber are of mighty force, being Bathed upon the whole Head, so all the Powers of Sage, Rose∣mary, Lavender, sweet Marjoram, Thyme, Tansey, Featherfew, Savory, and such like.

11. For they pierce and penetrate through the flesh, Pericranium and softness of the Skull, whereby not only the Menings of the Brain, but the Brain it self are marvellously dryed, comforted and strengthened, and the Animal Spirits themselves recreated.

12. The Temples, Forehead and Nostrils, ought to be bathed with the same, and this ought to be done twice a day for two or three Weeks together.

13. After which, the Epileptick Emplaster of Franciscus Valesius may be applyed to the Coronal Sutures; for as much, as it is said, that that Plaster alone never fails of the Cure; the Composition and Preparation whereof you may see, sect. 73. § 4. aforegoing of this Chap∣ter.

14. Moreover, it will be profitable that the the Hands and Feet should be bathed with these Potestates or Powers aforenamed, not only be∣cause it might probably have a rise from those parts, but also by reason of the consent and sym∣pathy of the same.

15. The third Intention, consists in the exhi∣biting of proper Specificks, if the Child be two, three or more years old, the Gilla Theophrasti, or Salt of Vitriol may be profitably given.

16. For, as Paracelsus says, They are speci∣ficks in rooting out the Falling-sickness, espe∣cially in Children; for by gentle Convulsions of the Stomach, they cause Vomiting, whereby the root of the peccant matter is taken away, the Stomach cleansed and strengthened, from whence an laudible Chyle is generated, whereby strong and salutiferous Spirits are bred in the Heart and Brain.

17. This same salt of Vitriol may be given two, three or four times according as you see the Disease increase, and it is so safe, that it may be given even to young Children: the Dose to Chil∣dren is ten grains to half a dram, according to their Age and Strength.

18. If it be given by a wise Hand; it will not only evacuate the humor upward, but also de∣rive a part of the morbifick Cause down∣wards.

19. Some commend Hiera picra, or the In∣fusion thereof in a proper Liquour, truly the thing is good, but 'tis too bitter to be given to Children.

20. The following things, I have proved as Specificks in this Case: Take pouder of Male-peony, seeds and roots, of each one dram and half: pouder of Mans skull, salt of Hartshorn and pouder of Nutmegs, of each a dram: Elks-hoof prepared, half a dram: mix them in a fine Pouder; Dose from 15 grains to half a dram.

21. Take Castoreum, a dram and half: prepared Amber, half a dram: pouder of Peo∣ny-seeds and Peacocks dung, of each two scru∣ples: Oyl of Lavender, ten drops: mix them; Dose ten grains to a scruple.

22. Take Nutmegs, a scruple: pouder of Peony-roots and seeds, of each two scruples: Misleto of the Oak, one dram: Castoreum, Mans skull prepared, Musk in fine pouder, of each four scruples: mix them together, and make an Electuary with the Extract of black Cherries: Dose one dram to two drams: giving after it a little Cinnamon water.

23. Take Tincture of Castoreum, Tincture of Mans skull, of each an ounce: Tincture of Lavender-flowers, Tincture of Saffron, of each six drams: spirit of Mans skull, half an ounce: Powers of Amber, two drams: mix them; the Dose one dram or more in proper Liquor.

24. Take Water of the flowers of the Line-tree, Water of the flowers of the Lilly Convally, of each six ounces: syrup of the juyce of Alker∣mes, syrup of the juyce of Male-peony-flowers, of each four ounces: spirit of Angelica the greater Composition, spirit of Castor, of each three ounces: strong Cinnamon-water, Aqua Coelestis, of each two ounces and half: Powers of Rosemary, Sage, Lavender, Origanum and sweet Marjoram, of each half an ounce: white sugar, enough to sweeten them well: mix all to∣gether, and so you have a Liquor whitish red; of which you may give the Child half a spoon∣ful every Morning and Evening alone, or in a glass of Sack.

25. With this following Pouder, I have cu∣red several: Take choice Musk, one dram: Ambergrise, Cochineal, Salt of Mans skull, of each a scruple: mix and make a Pouder, which may be given with a little Conserve of red Ro∣ses, drinking after it a Glass of choice Ca∣nary.

26. Also our Epileptick Pouder which we have commended in the Cure of the Vertigo is inferiour to very few things.

27. Riverius commends this, Take Peony-seeds a dram and half: Lavender-flowers, a pugil: Amber, two scruples: make a fine pou∣der.

28. Columna saith, That the root of Wild Valerian given in pouder in Milk, has cured ve∣ry many.

29. Ʋntzerus, commends the Gall of a black sucking Puppy, but of a Bitch for a Girl, to be taken to three or four drops in Tile-flower wa∣ter; he saith, it will cure to a Miracle.

30. Riverius commends the Back-bone, and the Members contracted, to be anointed with this following Liniment. Take Oyl of Rue, Oyl of Earthworms, of each two ounces: Oyl of Castor, a dram: and with a little Aqua Vitae, make a Liniment, it ought to be well rub'd in twice a day, Morning and Evening.

31. That learned Man and great Chymist Maxy, commended to me this as a great secret, that would never fail: Take Venice Treacle, Confect of Alkermes, of each half an ounce: salt of Mans skull, fine pouder of Cocheneel, Musk in subtle pouder, of each two drams: Ambergrise, a dram: mix and make an Ele∣ctuary, of which the quantity of a Nutmeg may be given the Child every Morning.

32. He also commended to me salt of Vi∣pers, mixed with equal parts of salt of Mans skull and Musk, as a remedy that had scarcely any equal.

33. Moreover he told me, from manifold and large experiences, that all fixt Alchalies, if often and long taken, would infallibly Cure this Disease; for that they enervated the Acid juyce, and the sowerness of the Blood, which he conceived to be the Cause of this Di∣sease.

34. And that he knew more to be cured by taking of Volatile and Fixt Alchalies, such as are Salt and Spirit of Mans skull, Hartshorn, Salt of Amber, Pearl, Coral, Crabs-Eyes and Terra Sigillata, &c. than by many other highly magnified Remedies; for that these were cheap and easily prepared, other Specificks being cost∣ly and more difficult to be gotten.

35. But this he observ'd, that unless they were long given, they profited nothing.

36. If the Childs Belly be bound, you ought to loosen it by an emollient Clyster, I know by experience, that the Infusion of Rhubarb in White Wine or small Cinnamon-water, is an admirable thing, being given for many days to∣gether.

37. To the former Specificks, you may add Ens Veneris, see more of this Cure in our Sy∣nopsis Medicinae, lib. 3. cap. 22. sect. 3. and cap. 29. sect. 11. of the last Edition.

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