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Of the intermitting Pulse, and its Cure.
AMong the Passions of the Heart, the intermitting Pulse may justly be numbred, because in this affect, or at least in some kind of it the Heart it self labours, though in somewhat a different manner than in its panting, or trembling; for in these it is ill dis∣pos'd, and irregular as to its motion, but in that, as to its rest, this being sometimes twice longer than it uses to be in its ordi∣nary course.
This intermitting Pulse, or over-long Cessation of Motion in the Heart does not proceed from the mixture or Crasis of the Blood, but only from the irregular dispensation of the Animal Spirits, from the Cerebellum into the Nerves that pass to the Heart, and thence into its Tendons, which irregularity happens, because those Nerves are somewhat obstructed.
Although this Affect being very often without present hurt or danger, does not require an over-hasty Cure; yet for preservati∣on sake, lest some great Diseases follow it, Remedies and a me∣thod of Cure ought to be used; at least for the whole remain∣der of the Persons Life, let him keep to a Diet well ordered in all respects.
Moreover, let some gentle Course of Physick be prescrib'd him to be constantly observ'd Spring and Fall; viz. That all the Seminal Roots of Diseases founded in the Brain, or apt to be there engendred, may be taken away, as much as may be; for this end we here direct you to the Prophylactick method, with the Medicines prescrib'd by us elsewhere, against the Fits of the Apoplexy.