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SCHOLIA.
XXVIII. Of the principal Kinds of Di∣seases.
1. In regard that we shall Write a new The∣ory of Physick; it is to be understood, that we shall not altogether follow the Conceptions of other Men, any further than we Judg them to be followers of Nature, Right-Reason, and Truth: Therefore we hope all the Lovers of Art will hold us Excused, if they find some things in these Discourses not agreable with their Appre∣hensions; for since I Tread not in a beaten Tract, it may be supposed that many new things may be met withal; which some out of a Ca∣pricious Humour of Carping against all that is not of their own Complexion; may Condemn, and it may be, not for want of the Knowlege of a Reason of the things herein contained, but only out of Spite or Envy to the Author, which they may Broach under the pretence of Novelty: But leaving those to their own Masters, or to Hugg and Embrace their old Sentiments, for the most part more Venerable for their Antiquity than for any Demonstration of Truth: We shall now come to a particular Explication of our In∣tentions.
2. In order to unfold this our Theory; these general things following are principally to be un∣derstood; 1. The Nature, or Kinds of Diseases in general, which we make to be three-fold, viz. Diseases of Intemperature, Diseases of Reple∣tion, and Diseases of Ablation.
3. Diseases of Intemperature are the most simple of those which befall Humane Kind, which, what they are in special, shall in the Pro∣gress of this Work be declared: However in general, those are called Diseases of Intempera∣ture, wherein heat, cold, dryness, and moisture, are either defective, or abundant, under or above the equal or natural Disposition of those Quali∣ties.
4. Diseases of Repletion are such, wherein various kinds of preternatural Humours, and other Matters either thin and solid, abound above the equality or design of Nature; as Water in a Dropsy, Rhume in a Catarrh, Chalk or Nodes in the Gout, the Stone or Gravel in a Nephritis, Pus in an Apostume, with many others of like kind, which in their places shall be Demon∣strated.
5. Diseases of Ablation are such, wherein there is a deficiency of the Natural Juyces, Hu∣mours, or parts of the Body; as of the Humi∣dum Radicale in a Tabies, of the Chylus Juyce in a Atrophia, of the substance of the Lungs in an Ulcer thereof, &c.
6. These are all the principal kinds of Disea∣ses, from the Nature of which, the general In∣dications of Cure are taken: For in the first, It is necessary that we remove the Intemperature, which is all that is to be done, and that is done by the Exhibition of Alteratives, as is seen in a sim∣ple Feaver without Putrefaction: In the second Case, That the preternatural Matter super-abounding, be taken away, and this is done som∣times with Catharticks, somtimes with Emeticks, somtimes with Diureticks, Sudorificks, Salivatiks, Errhins, Sternutatories, and sometimes by Vesi∣catories, Issues, application of the Seton, &c. In the third Case, that there be made a Reparation so far as is possible of the Natural matter which is Defective: This is done by the exhibition of great Openers, Attenuaters, Inciders, Analep∣ticks, or Restoratives, &c.
7. In order to the performance of these things, there is a necessity of the Knowledge of the Di∣sease, of the Cause, or Causes, and of the hope of Cure; which we shall consider in the Patho∣logy of each Disease in particular. Next of the Therapia, or particular method of Curing, which * 1.1