The London practice of physick, or, The whole practical part of Physick contained in the works of Dr. Willis faithfully made English, and printed together for the publick good.

THE LONDON PRACTICE OF PHYSICK, Contained in the First Part of the Pharmaceutice Rationalis of Dr. WILLIS. (Book 1)

CHAP. I. Instructions concerning Vomiting, with Precepts of Vomits.

THat a Vomitory Medicine may be duly Admini∣stred; We ought to consider what are the Indications or Signs which foreshew the want of it, what things permit it, and which pro∣hibit it.

It is a sign that a Vomit is needed, when a bilous and bitterish humour floats in the Ven∣tricle, so that from thence a nauseousness, an ungrateful savour, or a Head-ach is caus'd: Also if the Stomach be burthen'd with a viscous Phlegm, as in the longing disease of Maids, and in Men after Surfeiting, and disorderly eating or drinking.

In most cases when with a difficulty of breathing, the loaded Ventricle is affected with a lothing of meat or nauseousness, up∣ward Purging is a common Remedy.

Moreover, when the Stomach is beset with some Exotick fer∣ment, so that it presently casts up whatsoever is taken into it, even though the cause of it proceeds from some remote parts; Vomiting is often advis'd with good success: for by this means, the Vessels that contain the Gall being very much drain'd, the Choler is emptied from the Blood in a more plentiful manner, and its Feaverish distempers are taken away.

Again, forasmuch as the Superfluities or Stagnations of the Ner∣vous humour are most easily Cur'd by this means of Evacuation; the use of Emeticks contributes not a little toward a Cure in the Gout, Asthma, Epilepsy, Madness, and very many other Di∣seases which are accounted great, and most difficult to be con∣quered.

Secondly, As to things that permit this Remedy, it may be given where there is a strength of the Viscera, and a firm consti∣tution of Body, and especially to those whose Neck and Breast are but short, so that there is a nearer passage from the Stomach to the Mouth: We are encourag'd also to give a Vomit to such as Vomit easily, and bear it well, and when the matter to be ex∣pell'd is lax, and comes away readily; also when we find Nature in a calm, and as it were at leisure for such an undertaking.

Thirdly, The use of Emeticks seems to be prohibited, where there is a difficulty of Vomiting, or an unaptness to it found by former experience, where there is a tender and weakly Constitu∣tion, a tall and slender Stature, infirm Inwards, and especially if there be a Consumptive Disposition, with an Ulcer of the Lungs, or Spitting Blood; also where there is a too great Cachexia, in which there is danger, lest the humours should be forc'd from the whole Body all on a sudden into the Ventricle: Moreover an un∣usual effervescence of the Blood, the fits of Feavers, and an expe∣ctation of a Crisis, do wholly exclude this sort of Medicine.

Prescripts of Vomits.

TAke Oxymel of Squils an Ounce and a half, Wine of Squils two Ounces; mingle them and make a Vomitory.

Take from Six to Nine fresh Leaves of Asarabacca; bruise them, and put them into three Ounces of Whitewine; squeeze them forth, and let it be taken cum Regimine.

Take Powder of the Roots of Asarabacca, from a Dram to four Scru∣ples; Oxymel of Squills an Ounce and a half; mingle them, and let it be taken in a draught of Posset-drink.

Take Salt of Vitriol, from a Scruple to two Scruples, or a Dram; let it be taken in a draught of Posset-drink.

Take the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum, from half an Ounce to an Ounce, or an Ounce and a half; let it be taken in a draught of Posset-drink cum Regimine.

Take the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum six Drams, Wine of Squils an Ounce and a half, Syrup of Vinegar simple half an ounce, mingle them and make a Vomitory.

Take Sulphur of Antimony from six Grains to eight, Cream of Tar∣tar a Scruple, mix them and let it be given in the Pap of an Apple, or in a Stew'd Prune, or in a spoonful of Panada.

Take Mercurius Vitae from three Grains to six, let it be taken after the same manner; after the like manner may be taken the Flowers of Antimony, Aurum Vitae, or the Solar Praecipitate, and Turbith Mi∣neral.

CHAP. II. A Cure for over-working of Vomits; and Anti-Emetick Medicines, or such as stop Vomiting, with Instructions.

IF a Vomit over-works, let the Patient presently be put to Bed, and let him make use of both External and Internal Reme∣dies; and first of all to appease the disorders in the Stomach, let there be outwardly administred to it, either a warm-Fomenta∣tion of the decoction of Sea-Wormwood, Mints and Spices in Red-Wine, or let a slice of the Pith of Bread be Toasted, and dip'd in Claret-Wine warm'd and apply'd thereto: Let there be a Glister given of Milk, with Treacle dissolv'd in it. Let also warm fricti∣ons of the Members be us'd, and strong Ligatures above the Knees to keep Convulsions from those parts; let the Stomach in the mean time be kept empty, unless an inclination to faint, or swouning otherwise requires, but as soon as it is able to receive any thing of Food, or Medicine, give some Cordial Water or m•••••••• Burnt-Wine: In case the Affect be very violent, and the Pulse admit it, Venice Treacle or Diascordium, sometimes also a Solution of Laudanum or an Opiatick Tincture do well.

Praeternatural Vomiting stirr'd up from other causes, is either Critical or Symptomatical: In the former nothing must be done too much in haste or unadvisedly; that excretion so there be a sufficiency of strength ought not to be stay'd, but the discharge

of the matter to be expell'd, is either to be facilitated or hastn'd, or it is to be converted some other way; hence when a person is urg'd by a nauseousness, or striving to Vomit, you may properly give either plain Posset-drink, or with the Leaves of Carduus boil'd in it; also sometimes Oxymel or Wine of Squills, or Antimonial Wine; sometimes it may be good to use Glisters, sometimes also a gentle Purge carries away the matter offending the Stomach, by a more easie way of Evacuation through the Intestines.

Symptomatick Vomiting proceeds from a conjunct cause, either subsisting in the Ventricle, which produces that Idiopathick Affect, or fix'd in other parts, which stirs up their Convulsions, and con∣sequently Vomitive Convulsions of the Ventricle, by a commu∣nication of the Nerves; the Cure of which Sympathick Vomiting depends on the Cure of the Primary Disease.

When the Stomach is Primarily Affected, it is because its Fi∣bres are irritated to an Excretion by some matter which it can∣not duly digest or overcome, or press forwards into the the In∣testines, which matter becomes so disagreeing or refractory, ei∣ther by its own offensive quality or quantity, or through the fault of the Stomach it self, its Tome being become lax, and its Fibres so weak, that they are not able to brook or indure the Chyle it self, much less the Excrementitious humours, but cast all forth by Vomiting: There being various cases and manners of affect∣ing of both these, we shall here briefly set down some of the chief of them together with the Remedies.

The Emetick matter subsisting in the Ventricle, is either brought into it from elsewhere, or what for want of digestion, or because it is vitiated, is engendred there; in either respect, the present offensive load is first of all to be carried off, and then care must be taken to prevent any farther supply of it.

To cleanse the filthy Mass of viscous matter forth of the Sto∣mach, prescribe a gentle Vomit of Carduus Posset-drink; or of Oxymel, or Wine of Squills, or of a Decoction of the Flowers of Chamomil, or of the Roots of Eupatorium, or give a Solution of the Salt of Vitriol, or such like; then let the remainder be gently carried off by Glisters, or by a Purge of Pilulae Mastichin: or Pil. Stomach. cum Gummis, Tinctura Sacra, or an Infusion of Rhubarb.

Moreover, when an impure or rank Blood, conveying ever and anon new Stores of offensive matter to the Stomach, either by the Arteries, or by the Gall-Vessels which often overflow, causes a disposition to Vomit, Bleeding frequently affords relief, and therefore Women with Child troubled with Vomiting, are often Cur'd by this means; those things also do good which so temper the Blood, that they keep it free from breeding adust Excre∣ments: Hence Whey, Mineral Waters, Juices of Herbs, Sal Pru∣nella,

and such like, for as much as they fuse the Blood, and convey its dreggy Particles some other way, often remove Vo∣miting dispositions. These sorts of Remedies may also be us'd in case a frequent and daily Vomiting proceeds (as some think it may) from the meetings and contest of the Bilous and Pancrea∣tick humours, and from their regurgitation into the Ventricle.

The more frequent Vomiting, and harder to be Cur'd, is that which proceeds from a disagreeing matter, and consequently E∣metick engendred within the Ventricle, to wit, by reason of the vitiated ferment of the Stomach, whatsoever is taken into it de∣generates into an irritating Mass of Corruption; wherefore in this case, after that the filth of the Stomach is cleans'd forth by gentle Evacuatives, Remedies commonly call'd Digestives are generally us'd; which according as the fermenting Juice of the Stomach (being for the most part of a Saline Nature, and sometimes of a Sulphurous) is in a various state of fixtness, flowing, or adusti∣on, are variously prescrib'd, and sometimes these, sometimes the others do most good.

In Belching and Acid Vomiting, these following Medicines may be try'd, and you may fix upon your method of Cure according to what you find agrees best.

Take Powder of Aron Compound an Ounce and a half, Salt of Worm∣wood two Drams, Sugar of Roses three Drams, make a Powder: give a Dram of it in the Morning, and at five a Clock in the Afternoon, in a little draught of Beer boil'd with Mace and a Crust of Bread, or give it in the distill'd Water, or Tincture of Roman Wormwood.

Take the Powders of Ivory, Crabs Eyes, and red Coral, of each two Drams, Calcind Coral one Dram, red Saunders, Cinnamon of each half a Dram, make a Powder: the Dose is half a Dram after the same manner.

Take the Powders of Lignum Aloes, yellow Saunders, Winters Bark, of each two Drams, of white Chalk six Drams, Sugar-Candy half an Ounce, with the Solution of Tragacanth in Mint Water as much as suffices, make a Past, and let it be form'd into Troches, weighing half a Dram; let the Patient take three or four of these thrice, or oft∣ner in a day.

Take Tincture of Salt of Tartar an Ounce, the Dose is from a Scru∣ple to half a Dram twice a day in some proper distill'd Water.

In hot and sharp or tartish Vomiting, Medicines endow'd with a sharp or tartish and vitriolate Salt are more proper. The famous Medicine of Riverius in this case does well.

Take Salt of Wormwood a Scruple, give it in a spoonful of Juice of Limmons.

Take prepar'd Coral two Drams, Salt of Wormwood a Dram and a half, Juice of Limmons four Ounces, let all stand in a large Glass;

add to it of strong Cinnamon-water two Ounces, give a spoonful or two twice a day, first shaking the Glass.

Take Powders of Ivory and Coral of each two Drams, Vitriol of Steel a Dram, Sugar-Candy a Dram, mix them, then divide the whole into six or eight parts, of which take one part twice a day in some convenient Vehicle.

In this case, Purging Mineral Waters which have much Nitre in them, also Waters that come from an Iron Mineral, and like∣wise our Artificial Chalybeate Waters prove of notable effect.

When at any time the Stomach perverts the most part of what comes into it, into a bilous and bitterish Mass of filthy cor∣ruption (as it often uses to do) and for that reason is prone to frequent Vomitings, then both acid and bitter things are pro∣per.

Take Elixir Proprietatis an Ounce, the Dose is a Scruple twice a day in some fit Vehicle.

Take Rhubarb Powdred twenty five Grains, Salt of Wormwood a Scruple, Cinnamon-water half an Ounce, Juice of Limmons an Ounce, let it be taken alone, or with some other Liquor.

Take Powder of Aron Compound an Ounce and a half, white Chri∣stals of Tartar three Drams, Vitriol of Steel a Dram, Sugar half an Ounce, make a Powder: the Dose is half a Dram, or two Scruples eve∣ry Morning, drinking after it a draught of the Tincture of Roman Wormwood, or some Coffee.

Take Powder of Crabs Eyes half an Ounce, Chalybeat Tartar two Drams, Sugar-Candy a Dram, make a Powder: the Dose is half a Dram, with a fit Vehicle twice a day.

Oftentimes the cause of a frequent and habitual Vomiting, is not so much the matter irritating the Ventricle, as the extream debility of its Nervous Fibres, which are neither able to Concoct what is taken into the Stomach, nor to endure the weight or burthen of it, but are presently irritated by any thing lying up∣on them, and stir up the Carnous Fibres to Excretory Convul∣sions.

There are two principal causes of this sort of Affect, viz. ei∣ther the debility of the Stomach arising from the Fibres them∣selves, is gotten by disorder in eating and drinking, so that those Fibres, for as much as they are beyond measure extended or o∣ver-heated, and as it were scorch'd, are not capable of admitting or containing a sufficient plenty of Animal Spirits: Or Secondly, These Fibres though they may be well enough dispos'd of them∣selves, yet for that the Nerves are in some other place obstruct∣ed, they are destitute of a due Afflux of Spirits, whence becom∣ing languid and flaxid, they cannot bear what is taken in, but pre∣sently finding themselves over-charged, throw all forth by Vo∣miting.

In the former Affect, those Remedies are indicated, which by their Styptick force cause the too much distended and tenuated Fibres to corrugate and contract themselves into a shorter space; also such as by their most grateful refreshment enliven their lan∣guishing Spirits, and allure others more plenteously to them.

Take Mynsicht's Elixir of Vitriol an Ounce, give from ten Grains to fifteen twice or thrice a day in a spoonful of the following distill'd Water, drinking seven or eight spoonfuls of the same after it.

Take Cypress Tops six handfuls, Clary Leaves four handfuls, the out∣ward Coats of twelve Oranges, Cinnamon, Mace, of each an Ounce, the Roots of Cyperus and the lesser Galingal of each half an Ounce, be∣ing slic'd and bruis'd, let them be put into eight pounds of Brunswich Beer, and distill'd in an ordinary Still.

Take Tincture of the Balsam of Tolu, extracted with the Tincture of Salt of Tartar an Ounce: the Dose is twenty Grains with the same Vehicle: the Tincture of Wormwood prepar'd with the same Menstruum may also be try'd.

Take Powder of the Leaves of Wormwood and Myrtle dri'd in the Sun in the Summer time, of each two Drams, Cinnamon, Flowers of red Roses of each a Dram, Cubebs, Roots of the lesser Galingal of each half a Dram, red Coral prepar'd a Dram; make of all a subtle Pow∣der, then with six Ounces of double refin'd Sugar dissolv'd in Cinna∣mon-water, and boil'd up to a consistency, make it up in little Cakes, weighing half a Dram, let one or two of these be eaten often in a day, as the person pleases.

Take Conserve of red Roses vitriolated four Ounces, Myrobalans con∣dited six Drams, Ginger condited in the Indies half an Ounce, Species of Hyacinth two Drams, the reddest Crocus Martis one Dram, Syrup of Corals what will suffice, make of all an Electuary, the Dose is a Dram twice a day, drinking after it a little draught of the distill'd water.

In the debility or resolution of the Ventricle, by reason of the Nerves being somewhere else abstructed, Paralytick Remedies joyn'd with Stomachicks must chiefly be insisted on.

Take Elixir Proprietatis Tartariz'd an Ounce, the Dose is a Scruple twice a day, with the water above prescrib'd. The Tinctures of Salt of Tartar, of Coral, of Antimony may be us'd after the same manner. In this case also the sweet spirit of Salt, tht spirit of Sal Armoniack, or its Flowers are of great effect: Moreover Vomits, Purges, and even Diaphoreticks are often successively administred, I have known this Distemter sometimes happily Cur'd by Bathing in our hot Baths at Bathe.

CHAP. III. Instructions concerning Purging, with prescripts of Purges.

AS Nature often Purges it self according to three Degrees, so there are three Degrees of Purging by Medicine.

The first is soft and easie, gently expelling any loose matter contain'd in the Ventricle and the Intestines.

The second reaches not only that, but Purges likewise other humours from the Bilous and Pancreatick Passages, and from the Mouths of the Vessels.

The third performs all this, and that in a more full manner, and going yet farther, strongly Purges from the Blood, and con∣sequently from the Nervous Juice and other parts, an Excremen∣titious matter which is brought by the Arteries into the Inte∣stines.

As for what concerns the choice to be us'd in Purging Medi∣cines, though we do not approve of those cry'd up Classes of Medicines appropriated to this or that Juice or Humour; yet we do not think that all Purges are indifferently to be us'd in all ca∣ses, but that there is need of a strong Judgment, and a wary cir∣cumspection in a Physician, that according to the strength of his Patients, their temperament, the state and ability of the Viscera, their bearing, custome, and fancy, and so according to the nature, of the Disease, its time and quality, he prescribe a Purge more gentle or strong; and that of hot things, or temperate, gentle or more smart, and in a solid substance or a liquid, or something of some other certain kind and form, as he shall see good.

A Purge therefore being not convenient at all times, nor in every state of Body; to proceed as we ought, we must take a fit season, and use a certain preparation, and both these have regard to the first passages, and to the Mass of Blood.

As to the first, if at any time the Stomach be loaded with a Mass of viscous Phlegm, or troubled with the boiling of Turgid Choler, a Purge most commonly either becomes of no effect or does hurt, unless those contents are first of all cleans'd forth by a Vomit, or unless their oppression and effervescency be corre∣cted by digestives.

As to what regards the Blood, a Purge is often unseasonable, sometimes also inconvenient, and in neither of these cases Prepa∣ratives commonly so call'd, but only Alteratives are proper, for

the business is not to dispose those imaginary humours for evacu∣tion, but the Blood it self ought to be reduc'd from its troubled and confused state to a calm condition, or from its debility and fall'n Crasis to its vigour and ev'n temperament. Whilst the Blood Feaverishly boiling is disturb'd in its mixture, Purging is always found hurtful; and so whilst its Mass being become lan∣guid and weak, does not arise to its due fermentation, that sort of Evacuation is no less forbidden. Moreover, when the Blood is too bilous or watry, or too much inclin'd to Coagulations or Fusions, Purges for the most part do not take away those its defaults or depravations, but most commonly encrease them: Wherefore in those cases altering Remedies are rather Indicated which may destroy the undue Separations and Combinations of the Salts, Sulphur and Serum, and take away other their enormi∣ties. Of these Digestives and Alteratives which supply the place of common Preparatives, we shall speak particularly here∣after.

The chiefest Compositions of Purging Medicines being Potions, Powders, Bolus's, Electuaries, Morsels or Tablets, and Physick-Ales or Wines, we shall here set down certain of the more Select Forms of each of them, and those of a threefold kind, according as the operation of the Medicine ought to be gentle, mean, or strong; to which in the fourth place we shall add Prescripts of easily pre∣par'd Purges for poor People.

1. Gentle Potions. Take Rhubarb slic'd three Drams, yellow Saun∣ders half a Dram, Salt of Tartar a Scruple, make a cold Infusion all Night in Cichory water and White-wine, of each two Ounces and a half, to three Ounces of Cleer straining, add Syrup of Ci∣chory with Rhubarb half an Ounce, Cinnamon water two Drams, make a Potion.

2. Mean Potions. Take of the best Senna three Drams, Rhubarb, Troches of Agarick of each a Dram and a half, yellow Saunders two Scruples, Salt of Tartar half a Dram, Coriander-seeds a Dram; let them have a close Infusion all Night in Spring-water and White-wine made warm, of each three Ounces; to four Ounces of it strain'd, add of the Purging Syrup of Apples an Ounce, Aqua Mirabilis two Drams, make a Potion: Or, Take the decoction of Senna Gerionis four Ounces, Syrrup of Roses Solutive an Ounce, Cream of Tartar half a Dram, Cin∣namon water two Drams, make a Potion.

Take the best Senna, Cassia Fistula, Tamarinds, of each half an Ounce, Coriander-seeds two Drams, boil all in ten Ounces of Spring-water, till a third part be consum'd, strain it, and Clarifie it with the White of an Egg, add to it the Syrup of Apples an Ounce, make a Potion.

3. Strong Potions. Take of the decoction of Sena Gerionis (with the addition of the strings of black Hellebore and Agarick, of each a

Dram and a half) six Ounces, Syrup of Roses Solutive, or of the flow∣ers of Peaches an Ounce, Aqua Mirabilis two Drams: Or,

Take of the best Sena half an Ounce, strings of black Hellebore, Tur∣bith, of each two Drams, yellow Saunders a Dram, Coriander-seeds a Dram and a half, Salt of Tartar half a Dram; let it infuse close all Night in eight Ounces of White-wine made warm, to five Ounces of the Cleer straining, add of the Electuary of the Juice of Roses three Drams, Syrup of Buck-thorn six Drams, Cinnamon water two Drams, make a Potion.

Potions of easie preparation for the Poor. Take of Flaxweed a handful, sweet Fennel-seeds two Drams, boil them in a sufficient quantity of Spring-water till it comes to six Ounces, add to it of White-wine two Ounces, make a Potion. After the same manner you may make a Purging Potion of the Flowers of Damask Roses; also of Peach Leaves, and so of the Roots of Eupatorium Avicennae.

PILLS. First of a gentle Operation. Take of Stomach Pills with Gums, from a Scruple to half a Dram, Tartar vitriolated two Grains, Balsam of Peru what will suffice, make thereof three or four Pills. After the same manner may be made Pills of the mass of Pilul. Ruffi, of Pilul. Mastichin: of Pilul. de Succino, and of our extract Solutive, the description of which you may find in our Tract of the Scurvy.

2. Mean Pills. Take of Stomach Pills with Gumms half a Dram, Rosin of Julap from four Grains to ten, Tartar vitriolated six Grains, Ammoniacum dissolv'd, as much as will suffice, make four Pills. After the same manner may be made Pills of the mass of Pilulae de Succino, Tartari Quercitani: Also instead of Rosin of Jluap, you may put Scam∣mony Sulphurated, from six Grains to twelve, or Rosin of Scammony from eight Grains to fourteen. Or, Take Stomach Pills with Gumms a Scruple, Rosin of Julap from six Grains to twelve, Balsam of Peru as much as will suffice, make four Pills.

3. Strong Pills. Take Pilulae Rudii half a Dram, Rosin of Julap from eight Grains to twelve, Balsam of Peru what will suffice, make four Pills to be taken cum Regimine. After the like manner Pills may be made of the mass of Pilulae Cochiae, de Sagapeno. Take of Pilulae ex duobus from a Scruple to half a Dram, Calamelanos a Scruple, make four Pills to be taken Cum Regimine.

4. Pills easily prepar'd, and cheaper. Take Powder of the best Ja∣lap two Drams, Diagridium a Dram, Cloves, Ginger, of each a Scru∣ple, Ammoniacum dissolv'd, as much as will suffice, make a mass, the Dose is half a Dram.

Take of Pilulae Cochiae, from half a Dram to two Scruples, let four Pills be made.

POWDERS. First, such as are gentle. Take of Rhubarb Pow∣dred half a Dram, Salt of Wormwood half a Scruple, Cloves two

Grains, make a Powder, give it in a spoonful of small Cinnamon-water, or in a little Broath.

Take of the greater Compound Powder of Sena, from half a Dram to a Dram, in a little draught of Posset-drink.

Take Powder of the Leaves of Sena a Scruple, Calamelanos seven∣teen Grains, yellow Saunders half a Scruple, make a Powder, give it in a spoonful of Panada.

2. Mean Powders. Take Powder of Diasena a Dram, Cream of Tartar a Scruple, make a Powder, give it in a little draught of Broath.

Take Rosin of Jalap ten Grains, Calamelanos a Scruple, Cloves six Grains, make a Powder, and take it after the same manner.

Take Species of Diaturbith with Rhubarb, from half a Dram to a Dram, Cream of Tartar from a Scruple to half a Dram.

3. Strong Powders. Take Turbith, Hermodacts of each three Drams, Diagridium a Dram, Ginger a Scruple, make a Powder, the Dose is from half a Dram to a Dram.

Take Pulvis Cornachini a Dram; after the same manner may be given the Compound Powder of Hermodacts; also the Hydrotick Pow∣der of Riverius.

4. Cheap Powders and easie to be got. Take Powder of the Roots of the best Jalap a Dram, Ginger a Scruple, give it in a little draught of White-wine; so you may give Powder of the Roots of Mechoachan, also of the Leaves of Sena in any Liquor.

BOLUS's and ELECTUARIES. First, such as work gently. Take of the Lenitive Electuary half an Ounce, Cream of Tartar half a Dram, Syrup of Roses what suffices, make a Bolus. Take fresh Cassia half an Ounce, Powder of Rhubarb half a Dram, Cream of Tartar a Scruple, Syrup of Roses as much as suffices, make a Bolus.

2. Mean. Take of the Lenitive Electuary half an Ounce, Cream of Tartar half a Dram, Rosin of Julap six Grains, Syrup of Roses what suffices, make a Bolus.

Take of the Electuary Diaphaenicon half an Ounce, of the Com∣pound Powder of Hermodacts half a Dram, Syrup of Elder what suffi∣ces, make a Bolus.

3. Strong Workers. Take of the Electuary of the Juice of Roses half an Ounce, Rosin of Julap ten Grains, Cream of Tartar half a Dram, Syrup of Elder what suffices, make a Bolus.

Electuaries are Compounded of the same things made up in a great∣er quantity, by adding Conserves of Damask Roses, or of the Flowers of Peaches; the Dose is the quantity of a Chesnut to be taken betimes every Morning, or twice or thrice a Week.

4. Bolus's and Electuaries easily prepar'd. Take Powder of the Roots of Julap an Ounce, of Mechoachan half an Ounce, of Ginger two Drams, of Cloves a Dram, Cream of Tartar three Drams, Salt of

Wormwood a Dram, Sugar two Ounces, Syrup of Roses Solutive what suffices, make an Electuary, the Dose is the quantity of a Wallnut.

Confectio Solutiva, & Passulae Laxantes, the Diapranum of Sylvius in the 30. Page of his Practice of Physick.

5. Morsells or Tablets of a mean operation. Take Powder of Me∣choacan, Gummous Turbith of each half an Ounce, Scammony sulphu∣rated two Drams, Rosin of Jalap a Dram, yellow Saunders a Dram, Cream of Tartar two Drams, Conserve of Violets an Ounce, Sugar dissolv'd in Rose-water, and boil'd up to a fit consistency a Pound. Make Tablets according to Art, each weighing a Dram, the Dose is one or two. The Purging Tablets of Sylvius, Page the 28. of his Pra∣ctice of Physick.

6. Physical or Purging Wines and Ales of a mean operation. Take Leaves of Sena an Ounce and a half, Turbith, Mechoacan of each six Drams, strings of black Hellebore three Drams, Cubebs, Ga∣lingal Roots, choice Cinnamon of each two Drams: Put all in a large Glass, with four Pounds of Rhenish-wine, adding to it Salt of Tartar a Dram and a half, let it stand cold and close cover'd for six days, add to it Sugar-Candy three Ounces, strain it through Hippocrates Sleeve, the Dose is three or four Ounces.

Take Leaves of Sena three Ounces, Roots of Polypody of the Oak, and of sharp Pointed Dock prepar'd, of each two Ounces, Turbith, Mecho∣acan, of each an Ounce and a half, Epithymum, yellow Saunders of each an Ounce, Coriander-seeds an Ounce and a half; let them be slic'd and bruis'd, and put in a Bag according to Art, for four Gal∣lons of Ale. the Dose is from twelve Ounces to a Pound, either every Morning, or twice or thrice a Week.

CHAP. IV. A Cure for Over-purging, or of Medicines that stay too much Purging, or a Looseness: Also the Cure of the London-Flux; with Instructions in each Case.

TO prevent over-purging upon giving any Purging Medicine, we must proceed thus: Before we give a Purge, we must first consider well the Constitution, Strength and Custome of the Body to be Purg'd; as also the Nature, Dose, manner of Work∣ing, and ordinary effects of the Medicine to be given, and then

by comparing the one with the other, we must proportionate the vertue of the Agent according to the bearing of the Patient. Secondly, whilst the Medicine is working, let the Viscera where digestion is perform'd, the Blood, and the Animal Spirits be kept free from any other perturbation: Wherefore during that time, let not the Patient eat gross or viscous food, or too great a plenty of any food, which may offend the Stomach, let him carefully avoid the admittance of any outward cold, by which the Pores of the Body are shut up, also let the mind be kept calm and undi∣sturb'd, free from all Cares and toilsome Studies. Thirdly, The Operation of the Medicine being ended, we must appease the an∣gry rage of the Animal Spirits, and allay the effervescence of the Blood and Humours; for which ends let an Anodine Medicine, or a gentle Hypnotick be given according to the following forms.

Take Water of Cowslip Flowers two Ounces, Cinnamon-water hor∣deated, Syrup of Maeconium, of each half an Ounce, Pearls half a Scruple, make a draught to be taken going to rest: Or,

Take Conserve of red Roses vitriolated two Scruples, Diascordium half a Dram, Pearls half a Scruple, Diacodium what suffices, make a Bolus to be taken going to sleep.

In case this Provision be either omitted, or does not hinder a Purging Medicine from working to excess, let the Patient pre∣sently be put into a warm Bed, and be ordered as follows. First, Let either a Plaister of Mithridate be apply'd to his Stomach, and to the whole upper Region of the Belly; or let those parts be fo∣mented with warm Linnen Cloaths, dip'd in a decoction of Worm∣wood, Mints, and Spïces in red Wine, and so wiung forth; present∣ly upon it let him take inwardly either a Bolus of Venice Treacle, or a Solution of it in Cinnamon-water. Moreover, let him drink every now and then a spoonful or two of Burnt-wine, diluted with a little Mint-water; if he be troubled with Gripes, give him a Glister of warm Milk with Treacle dissolv'd in it, and warm frictions must be us'd to the remote parts, and sometimes Liga∣tures to draw the Blood outwards, and so keep it from too great a Colliquation, and from discharging it self into the Cavities of the Viscera; then in the Evening if there be strength, and a pretty good Pulse, let him take a Dose either of Diacodium, or of Li∣quid Laudanum with some fit Vehicle.

As to other kinds of excessive Purging, which are wont to happen without the Administration of a Purging Medicine, for the most part they are meerly Symptomatical, depending on other Diseases, and their method of Cure is wholly the same as of those Diseases, whose off-spring they are: Nevertheless sometimes a Looseness, or Flux seems to be a Disease of it self, and because this kind of Distemper Raging almost yearly in the City of Lon∣don,

is commonly accounted Endemious, or a Disease peculiarly attending Inhabitants, I shall here set down its method of Cure.

I have often and long observ'd that there are two, and that very different kinds of that Flux (usually call'd the Griping of the Guts) which happens here almost yearly about Autumn: In one of them the Stools are watry, and in a manner cleer, with a sud∣den failing of the strength; in the other they are bloody, but to∣lerable withal.

In the Year 1670. about the Autumnal Equinox, a World of People here were seized with a most dangerous Flux (though without Blood) and joyn'd with a cruel Vomiting, which pre∣sently caus'd great faintings, and a total decay of strength.

For the Cure of this Disease no Evacuation did good, nay Bleeding, Vomiting, and Purging always did hurt; only Cordi∣als, and those of the hottest nature, to wit, such as abounded with Spirit and Sulphur, or a Volatile Salt prov'd commonly of good effect; insomuch that Brandy burnt a little with Sugar was a Popular, and as it were Epidemick Remedy, and in that sort of Flux was seldome given without success, though in the other sort of Flux which carry'd Blood with it, having been us'd with∣out due regard, it has often been found to be hurtful: The me∣thod of Cure which I then took successfully enough with many, and am wont still to take in the like case, is after the following manner.

Take Venice Treacle from a Dram to a Dram and a half; let the Patient take it in Bed, and drink after it seven or eight spoonfuls of the following Julap, and let him repeat this Dose every third, fourth, or fifth hour.

Take Mint-water, Cinnamon-water hordeated, of each three Oun∣ces, strong Cinnamon-water, Plague-water, Treacle-water, of each two Ounces, Powder of Pearls a Dram, Sacchari Crystalin half an Ounce, mingle them and make a Julap: At the same time take a piece of Bread, spread some Treacle on it, and dip it in Sack or Red-wine warm'd, and let it be apply'd to the Stomach as hot as it may be suffe∣red, and change it every now and then.

In the Evening, if the Pulse and Breathing seem strong enough to bear it, let the Patient take of Liquid Laudanum Cydoniated twenty Grains in a draught of Plague-water.

Take Diascordium a Dram, Liquid Laudanum half a Scruple, Compound Powder of Crabs Claws a Scruple, Cinnamon-water what suffices, make a Bolus to be taken going to sleep.

To those to whom Treacle or Mithridate prove nauseous or disa∣greeing, give a Dose of the following Powder, or Spirit of Trea∣cle every third hour, with the Julap.

Take Compound Powder of Crabs Claws, Roots of Contrayerva, or Serpentaria Virgin, of each a Dram, Cinnamon, Roots of Tormentil, of each half a Dram, Saffron, Cochinele of each a Scruple, make a Powder, the Dose is from half a Dram to two Scruples.

Take Spiritus Theriacalis Armoniacus three Drams, the Dose is a Scruple, with the Julap every fourth hour, or give that, and the Doses of the Powder interchangeably, one, one time, and the other, the other: After the same manner the Spirits of Harts-horne. or of Soot may be given; let the persons Drink be Ale or Beer with a Crust of Bread, Mace, add Cinnamon boil'd in it and sweeten'd; or let it be Burnt-wine diluted with Mint-water; let his Food be Chicken-broth, Gruel or Panada, with the shavings of Ivory, Hartshorn, and the Roots of Scorzonera, &c. boil'd in it.

About the Autumnal Equinox, in the Year 1671. a desperate Bloody Flux seiz'd on many persons in this City; from the first seizing they voided Blood by seige in abundance, and that fre∣quently, and for the most part it was attended with a Belly-ach, and Gripes, continual watchings also with a Feaver, and a mighty thirst usually troubled them; nevertheless their strength held com∣monly pretty well for some considerable time, and if the Flux were stopt sooner than it ought, it rendred the Patients conditi∣ons worse.

The method of Cure, with the Remedies which I found to give Relief in many persons, was according to the following manner.

Take Venice-Treacle a Dram, Liquid Laudanum Cydoniated twenty Grains, make a Bolus to be taken going to rest.

Take Conserve of red Roses vitriolated two Ounces, Venice-Treacle an Ounce, Powders of the Roots of Tormentil, Contrayerva, Pearl, Co∣ral prepar'd, of each a Dram, Syrup of dry'd Roses what suffices, make an Electuary to be taken every fourth or fifth hour, and let the person drink after it of the following Julap three Ounces.

Take the Waters of Mint, Baum, Cinnamon hordeated, of each four Ounces, Treacle-water, Plague-water, of each two Ounces, Pearl a Dram, Sugar an Ounce, mingle them and make a Julap.

After a day or two give a Purging Potion, which leaves an Astringency.

Take Rhubarb slic'd two Drams, yellow Mirobalans slic'd a Dram and a half, red Saunders, Cinnamon of each a Scruple; let them in∣fuse all Night in the Waters of Plantain and Cinnamon hordeated, of each two Ounces and a half, wring it forth hard, then add of strong Cinnamon-water a Dram and a half, make a Draught.

Every Evening, and also in certain cases in the Day-time, I was wont to give a pretty large Dose of Laudanum; nor have I ever known this Medicine to have done any prejudice to a person

troubled with the Flux, which happen's either because the Nar∣cotick force of the Medicine is subdued, or made more gentle by the Acid Juice of the Stomach, or rather that its Particles which are transmitted to the Blood, are thence presently cast forth a∣gain with the Bloody Stools, so that they do not affect the Brain.

If the above-mention'd Electuary be found nauseous to any per∣son, or disagrees with him, the following Powder may be given in its stead.

Take Pulvis Pannonici Rubri a Dram, Roots of Contrayerva half a Dram, make a Powder, divide it into three parts, and give one part in any Liquor.

Take Bole Armenick alexiteriated (that is, impregnated with the Juices of the Leaves of Tormentil, Bistort, red Roses, &c. and dry'd in the Sun) Roots of Contrayerva, of each a Dram, Pearl, red Coral, white amber, of each half a Dram, make a Powder: the Dose is from two Scruples to a Dram.

Take the Roots of Avens and Scorzonera, of each an Ounce, of Tormentil, Bistort and Contrayerva, of each two Drams and a half, burnt Harts∣horn three Drams, shavings of Ivory and Hartshorn, of each two Drams, Cochinele half a Dram, red Rose-leaves two Drams, boil all in a sufficient quantity of Spring Water, till it comes to two Pounds, to∣wards the end of the boiling add conserve of red Roses three Ounces, to the Cleer straining add Plague-water four Ounces: the Dose is three Ounces.

To appease the Gripes and fretting of the Bowels, Glysters are commonly prescrib'd.

Take the decoction of the Tops of St. John's-wort, in which Sheeps Trotters or their Mesentery has boil'd eight or twelve Ounces, Venice-Treacle two Drams, Oyl of St. John's-wort an Ounce and a half, make a Glister.

The Therapeutick Indications into which the method before exprest of curing the Bloody Flux may be resolv'd, are chiefly four, &c. two regard the Blood, and as many the Viscera. First, as to the Blood, its recrementitious and depraved dreggs which tend inwards, must be driven forth into the habit of the body, that they may exhale by perspiration, and its coagulations must be dissolv'd, and its Crasis restor'd, as soon as may be. Secondly, as to what regards the Viscera, the irksome sensation of the Ner∣vous Fibres, and the irritation of the Carnous Fibres to excre∣tory Convulsions must be appeas'd, and the Mouths of the Vessels must be shut, to keep them from discharging the blood and hu∣mours into the Intestines. The first of these is usually perform'd with Opiats, and the other with Stiptick or Astringent Remedies: Besides these we must have regard to urging Symptoms, and ill affects usually attending this Disease, the chief of which are a

Feaver, with a Thirst and Wakings, Gripings of the Guts, and sometimes their fretting, Inflammation, and Ulcers.

We must not proceed upon those four chief Indications seve∣rally and successively, but we must take them altogether, and set upon them at once; wherefore the Prescripts ought to com∣prehend Remedies of divers kinds, to wit, Alexipharmicks, Styp∣ticks, Diaphoreticks and Opiats: And because it is not an easie thing to put these into a set method, and under set Rules, which may be generally apply'd; I have rather chosen to give you here some Examples of Cures performed by me in the Bloody Flux in the year 1671.

To a Gentleman 25 years of Age, to whom I was call'd the third day after he was seiz'd. I prescrib'd the following Bolus.

Take Venice Treacle a Dram, Liquid Laudanum Cydoniated a Scruple, mix them, let him drink after it a little draught of the fol∣lowing Julap. Take waters of Tormentil, Mints, and Cinnamon hordeated, of each four Ounces, Treacle water and Plague water of each two Ounces, Pearl a Dram, Sugar an Ounce, make a Julap. He took besides of the following Electuary about a Dram and a half every third hour, with the said Julap.

Take Conserve of Red Roses two Ounces, Venice Treacle an Ounce, Powder of the Roots of Tormentil, Contrayerva, Pearl, Coral prepar'd of each half a Dram, Syrup of Red Poppies what suffices.

By the use of these Remedies the rigour of the Disease soon a∣bated, so that he had not above six or seven stools in the space of twenty four hours, and those also were not very Bloody as be∣fore, but appear'd full of little flakes of Flesh, and of fragments, as it were of Membranes: Every Evening he took an Opiate with Laudanum.

The Fifth day of his illness he took the following Potion.

Take Rhubarb slic'd two Drams, yellow Mirobalanes a Dram and a half, yellow Saunders half a Dram, Powder of Cinnamon a Scruple; Salt of Wormwood half a Scruple; let them infuse all night in the wa∣ters of Plantain and Cinnamon hordeated, of each two Ounces and a half, to the straining add strong Cinnamon water two Drams

It purg'd him three or four times, and gave him ease, and the next day the Feaver being abated, he was better; so that seeming to grow well, he eat flesh. But shortly upon it fell into a Relapse, so that the Flux returning with the Feaver, it presently became more violent than it was at first: Then because the former Medi∣cines began to nauseate him, I prescrib'd after the following man∣ner.

Take Powders of Tormentil Roots, of Contrayerva, Bole Armenick Alexiteriated, of each a Dram, Pearl, Red Coral prepar'd, White Am∣ber,

of each half a Dram, make a Powder, the Dose is half a Dram in the following distill'd water.

Take Tops of Cypress and Myrtle, of each four handfuls, Leaves of Meadow-sweet, Burnet, St. Johns-wort, Avens, of each four hand∣fuls, Roots of Tormentil, Bistort, of each six Drams, Red Rose-flowers four handfuls, Kermes Berries four Ounces, Cinnamon, Mace, of each one Ounce. Being all slic'd and bruis'd together, pour to them Red Florence Wine, and Red Rose water of each four pounds; distil all in a common Still; let the whole Liquor be mingled and sweetned with Syrup of Coral. He took also three or four times a day of the fol∣lowing decoction three or four Ounces.

Take Roots of Avens and Scorzonera, of each an Ounce, of Tormen∣til two Drams, Hartshorn burnt and powdred six Drams, shavings of Ivory and Hartshorn, of each two Drams, Tops of St. Johns-wort a handful, Flowers of Red Roses and Balaustiae, of each a pugil. Boil all in three pounds of fountain water, till it comes to two, adding towards the end of the boiling, of Red Lisbon wine four Ounces; let it boil close cover'd for an hour, then let it be strain'd through Hippocrates Sleeve.

Every night he took a Scruple of Liquid Laudanum in three Ounces of the Bloody Flux water ev'n now describ'd, with three Drams of Syrup of Clove Gilly-flowers in it.

His common drink was a decoction of burnt Hartshorn with Barley, a Crust of Bread, Mace and Cinnamon; to a Pint and a half of which, a Pint of new Milk was added.

He took the Purging Infusion a second time, by the use of which, and the things before mentioned, within ten days the Feaver left him, and the Flux became much more gentle, which though without Gripes or much Blood, yet still continued with the little pieces of Flesh, the fragments of Membranes, and a bloody Phlegm or Gelly, which daily came from him.

Therefore to strengthen and heat the intestines, the following things were given.

Take Tops of St. Johns wort, Leaves of Perwincle and Mousear, of each a handful, Red Rose Flowers two pugils: Boil them in the Broath of a Sheeps Guts: To a pound of the Liquor strain'd, add Oyl of St. Johns-wort two Ounces, Honey of Roses an Ounce and a half: mingle them for two Glysters, whereof one was given him in the Morn∣ing, the other at five a Clock in the Afternoon. He wore Emplast. de minio & Paracelsi upon him Belly. He took moreover twice a day three Ounces of Juice of Plantain wrung forth with water of Scordium and Plague water. He eat also every day a Quince made hollow, and fill'd with the Powders of Olibanum, Mastick, and Balsam of Tolu, and so rosted in the Embers.

By the constant use of these Remedies, he grew perfectly well within a Month.

About the same time another robust young man, fell into a dreadful Bloody Flux; from the first day he was seiz'd, frequent stools and very bloody, presently brake forth with violence, be∣ing accompanied with a Pain and Gripes: Moreover a strong Fea∣ver, with a cruel Vomiting, Thirst and Wakings molested him. These Symptoms being a little mitigated with Opiats, a Delirium and a Vertigo, with an intermittent Pulse, and horrible extensi∣ons and contractions of his Limbs presently seiz'd him; this hap∣ning because the malignant matter which was inwardly restrain'd, presently flow'd into the Brain and Nerves: Nevertheless as often as the Looseness and Vomiting return'd, these affects were pre∣sently appeas'd. On the fifth day Vomiting up a bloody matter, he complain'd of a great torture in his Stomach, and of a Pain, as though it were Ulcerated, and in truth I suspected that there might be a beginning of some Inflam'd Blisters, or Ulcers in it, as it usually happens in the Intestines; but by giving him Emollient Broths with Milk in them, his Vomiting and the tortures of his Stomach soon ceased, his Flux in the mean time encreasing. He took that night of Diacodium an Ounce, Cowslip water and small Cinnamon water, of each an Ounce and a half; by which Medicine he was so much reliev'd, that in twenty four hours space his Vo∣miting and Pains left him, and he was only troubled with a few Stools, and having a good indifferent Pulse, and frequent Sleeps, he was pretty well; yet the following night, though he took a∣gain the same Opiate, his Flux return'd, and that with very fre∣quent Stools, and bloody as before. The next day after, he took an Infusion of Rhubarb with Mirobalans, Red Saunders and Cinna∣mon: He often voided Bilous and very sharp Excrements, but without the least of Blood; then in the Evening he took Liquid Laudanum Cydoniated twenty five Grains in a good spoonful of Cinna∣mon water hordeated; he had moderate and quiet Sleeps. After∣wards loathing any more Medicines, he took only an Opiate eve∣ry Evening, sometimes of one sort, and sometimes of another, and in a short time grew very well.

CHAP. V. Instructions concerning Diuretick Medicines, or such as work by Ʋrine, with Diuretick Prescripts.

THe chief Scopes, or ends of Diuretick Medicines, are as fol∣lows.

First, If at any time the Blood becomes so compact and tena∣cious from a fixt Salt, Sulphur, and Earth fermented together, and mutually combin'd in it, that the Watery Particles do not easily separate from the rest, Diureticks fit to loosen its Texture, and to fuse the Serum, must be such as excel in a volatile or acid Salt; for such Particles chiefly dissolve any coalitions caus'd by a fixt Salt. But in regard this disposition is common both to a Feaver and the Scurvy, in the former affect, the most proper Diureticks are the temperate Acids of Vegetables; also Sal Nitre, the Spirits of Sea-Salt, of Vitriol, &c. And likewise such as have a Volatile Salt, as the Spirits of Hartshorn, of Sal Armoniack, Salt of Amber, of Vi∣pers, and others of this kind which we have also rang'd amongst Diaphoreticks. In a Scorbutick disposition when the Urine is but in a small quantity and thick, the Juices of Herbs, and preparati∣ons both of a sharp, or tart and acid nature are of excellent use; also Salt and Spirit of Ʋrine, of Sal Armoniack, of Tartar, &c.

Secondly, Sometimes the Blood does not retain the Serum long enough within its Body, but either being obnoxious to Fluxions, or rather Coagulations, it deposes it here and there in a great a∣bundance, even more than enough; whence it breeds Catarrhs, or Tumours in many places: Or, the Blood being become of a weak habit, and withal of a depraved constitution, to wit, incli∣ning to a sourness its apt to coagulate, as to its more gross Par∣ticles, so that the more subtle Particles being every where thrown off in circulating, and falling on the weaker parts, cause some∣times distempers of the Head or Breast, sometimes an Ascites, or Anasarca: And we shall hereafter shew how a Diabetes happens from the like cause: And in truth many difficult Diseases which are falsly imputed to the ill constitution of the Viscera, arise from hence, viz. that the Blood being distemper'd and obnoxious to coagulations, when it cannot continue its full course of circulati∣on, deposes the Serum in many places, this being too apt of it self to recede from it. The Diureticks to be given in these cases, are such as do not fuse the Blood, but make void its coagulati∣ons;

of this kind are those things that are endow'd with a fixt Volatile, and likewise Alkalisate Salt; and they must be such as re∣store and strengthen the Ferment of the Reins, which is done by certain Sulphureous and Spirituous things. For these ends are given Sulphureous and mixt Diureticks, Lixivial Salts of Herbs, Powders of shells, Salt and Spirit of Ʋrine, &c. Millepedes, Horse-Raddish, Parsly-seed, Nutmegs, Turpentine, and preparations made of it, Spirit of Wine: The vertues of all which are not to fuse the Blood, and to precipitate serosities from its Mass (these things are chiefly done by Acids, and in those cases do commonly hin∣der any Purging by Urine) but to dissolve the coagulations of the Blood; so that its Body recovering a perfect mixture, and be∣ing more readily circulated through the Vessels, drinks up the Serum every where extravasated or depos'd, and finally delivers it to the Reins to send it forth. Now we shall shew after what manner according to both these, as it were opposite, ends of Cu∣ring, Diureticks of all kinds operate, and in what forms they are chiefly prescrib'd.

The Kinds and Prescripts of Diuretick Medicines.

FIrst then, as to Saline Diureticks, we say that any Salts what∣soever of a differing nature being put together, lay hold of each other, and are presently join'd in one, and that whilst they are so combin'd, other Particles freed from the mixture, separate from each other, or fly away. This is plainly seen when a fluid or Acid Salt is put to a fixt, or Alkalisate Salt; and so when a fluid or fixt Salt is put to a Volatile, or a sharp Salt; and indeed on this only disposition of Salts, depends the whole business of Solutions and precipitations of what kind soever: Wherefore since the Blood and humours of our Body very much abound with Salt, which Salt is also wont to be variously chang'd from one state to another, and so to cause a Morbid disposition; and likewise since Saline Diureticks are of divers kinds, to wit, consisting of fixt, fluid, nitrous, volatile, or Alkalisate Salts, it will always require a great discretion and judgment in a Physician to see that the Sa∣line Particles in the Medicine differ from those in our Body: We shall shew after what manner this ought to be done, by running through each Species of Diuretick Salts.

Amongst Diureticks containing an Acid Salt, Spirit of Salt, or of Nitre; also Juice of Limmons, of Sorrel, Whitewine, Rhenish and Cyder, are of chiefest note amongst the vulgar, and pretty often perform that intent, for these things without the help of

others fuse the Blood, and precipitate it into serosities, as when an Acid is dropt into boiling Milk; but this does not happen e∣qually to all persons, nor to every one alike. In a sound constituti∣on, or not very far from it, the Salt of the Blood is partly fixt, partly nitrous, and partly volatile; also in some Scorbutical and Hydropical persons, it becomes for the most part fixt: In every of these cases Diureticks containing an Acid Salt are given with success; but in Catarrhous affects, and in some Hydropical and Scorbutical distempers, when the Salino-fixt Particles of the Blood are exalted to a state of flowing, and the volatile are de∣prest, (as it often happens) Medicines of an Acid nature com∣monly rather do hurt than good; insomuch as they more pervert the Blood already degenerated from its Crasis, and Medicines con∣taining a fixt or volatile Salt, are more proper to be us'd by such persons.

Prescripts of Diureticks that have an Acid Salt for their Basis.

TAke choice white Tartar powder'd, Crystal Mineral of each a Dram and a half, Powder of Crabs Eyes a Dram: Make a Powder, the Dose is from half a Dram to two Scruples in a fit Vehicle, repeat∣ing it every sixth or eighth hour.

Take Tartar vitriolated or nitrated two Drams, Powder of Egg∣shells a Dram and a half, Seeds of Parsly, or of wild Carrots half a Dram: Make a Powder, the Dose is half a Dram, after the same manner.

Take of the best Spirit of Salt two Drams, Hartshorn burnt and powdred, what will suffice to imbibe it: Make a Powder, the Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram.

Take Juice of Limmons two Ounces, Radish water Compound, an Ounce and a half, Syrup of the five Roots three Drams: Make a Potion.

Take Juice of Sorrel two Ounces, Whitewine six Ounces: Mingle them for a Potion.

Take Radish water Compound two Ounces, Water of Pellitory of the Wall four Ounces, Spirit of Salt a Scruple, twenty five drops, Salt of Tartar fifteen Grains, Syrup of Violets half an Ounce: Make a Potion.

That Medicines containing a fixt or Lixivial Salt move Urine, it plainly enough appears from the Vulgar and Empyrical Practice of Physick, which commonly gives them for Curing Hydropical persons: For its a usual thing in an Anasarca, and sometimes in

an Ascites, when the Viscera, or Fleshy parts are very much swollen by a loading of Waters: To give a Lixivium made of the Ashes of Wormwood, or of Broom, or of Bean-stalks with Whitewine, whence it frequently happens that a very plentiful evacuation by Urine follows, and that the Disease is taken away. Nevertheless I have observ'd that this Medicine has not prov'd Diuretick to some per∣sons, and rather to have encreast the Hydropical disposition, than to have cur'd it. The reason of which if we enquire into, we shall find by what is said before, that Lixivial Salts neither fuse Milk, nor Blood, or precipitate them, and therefore that they are not Diuretick in their own nature, though that effect sometimes follows; because that a fixt Salt taken in a good plenty, destroys the Energy of the Acid, and coagulative Salt predominating in the Blood; so that the said Blood, which before being too apt to fusion, and unable to contain its Serum, did cast it off from it self in divers places, now by the intercession of the fixt Salt, re∣covers its due Crasis, and therefore drinking up again its extrava∣sated Serum, and constantly carrying it to the Reins, causes a large Evacuation by Urine.

Prescripts of Diureticks, which have a fixt Salt for their Basis.

TAke Salt of Tartar, or of Wormwood two Drams, Coral calcin'd to a whiteness, a Dram and a half, Nutmegs half a Dram: Make a Powder, the Dose is from half a Dram to two Scruples.

Take Tincture of Salt of Tartar, from a Dram, to a Dram and a half, Radish water Compound, an Ounce and a half: Mingle them, give it in a draught of Posset drink which has had the Roots and Seeds of the great Bur-dock boild in it.

Take the Deliquium of Salt of Tartar which (whilst the Tincture is extracted) floats under, and is impregnated with the Sulphur of the Wine, from two Scruples to a Dram and a half, Whitewine from four Ounces to six, Syrup of the five Roots half an Ounce: Mingle them, and make a draught to be repeated twice or thrice a day.

Take Ashes made of the Prunings of the white Vine half a pound, Nutmegs two Drams, pour to them of White or Rhenish wine two pounds and a half; let it stand a day in a moderate heat, and close cover'd, then keep the straining for use: The Dose is four Ounces twice or thrice a day.

Let Flints be made red hot in the Fire, and be quencht in White wine, or stale March Beer: Give of the Liquor from six Ounces to eight twice a day.

Take Water of quick Lime, from four Ounces to six, Tincture of Salt of Tartar, from a Dram to a Dram and a half: Make a draught to be taken twice or thrice a day.

For the same reason as fixt Salts, sometimes also volatile Salts are given with good success to move Urine in a sourish distemper of the Blood, to wit, forasmuch as its Particles when admitted into the Blood destroy the predominancy of the fluid Salt in it; so that the Blood recovering its due mixture, and being freed from coagulations and fluxions, drinks up again what Serum is extravasated, and conveys what is superfluous, to the Reins to be sent forth by the Ureters. But we may note withal, that Medi∣cines prepar'd of a volatile Salt, having particles somewhat fierce in operation and instigating, when they correct the Crasis of the Blood, dispose what there is superfluous of Serum to be discharg'd, sometimes by Sweat as much as by Urine. In this order of Diu∣reticks, not only the bare volatile Salt drawn forth of Animals and Minerals ought to be numbred; but likewise the integral parts of Animals and Vegetables, such as are the Powders and Extracts of Insects and Vegetables of a smart nature.

Prescripts of Medicines that have a volatile Salt for their Basis.

TAke Salt of Amber, Pure Sal Nitre, of each two Drams: make a Powder, the Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram, in a fit Vehicle.

Take Flowers of Sal Armoniack, Crystal Mineral, of each two Drams: Make a Powder, the Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram, in a good spoonful of Radish water compound. Salt of Ʋrine may be given after the same manner.

Take Powder of Bees a Scruple, Lovage-seed a Scruple: Make a Powder, give it in a spoonful of distill'd water.

Take Spirit of Ʋrine, from a Scruple to half a Dram, Radish wa∣ter compound, from an Ounce to an Ounce and a half, Juniper water three Ounces, mingle them, make a draught. Spirit of Tartar may be given after the same manner in a double quantity.

Take Millepedes prepar'd two Drams, Flowers of Sal Armoniack half a Dram, Nutmegs powder'd half a Dram, Venice Turpentine what suffices: Make Pills, let four be taken twice a day.

Take Powder of Burdock-seeds two Drams, Wild Carrot-seed a Dram, Salt of Amber a Dram, Oyl of Nutmegs half a Scruple, Balsamum Ca∣pivii what suffices: Make a Mass, form it into little Pills; of which let four be taken in the Evening, and as many the next Morning.

Take Roots of Chervil, Stone Parsly, Fennel, Eringo, Cammock or Rest-harrow, of each an Ounce, Leaves of Saxifrage, Clivers or Goose∣grass, of each a handful, Seeds of Gromwel, Hartwort, of each half a handful, Juniper Berrys six Drams, boil all in four pounds of fountain water till half be consum'd; then add Rhenish Wine a pound, fine Honey two Ounces: Make an Apozem, the Dose is six Ounces twice a day.

Take fresh Millepedes two pounds, Leaves of Clivers, Chervil, Saxi∣frage and Golden Rod, of each two handfulls, Roots of Horse Radish six Ounces, Nutmegs an Ounce, Juniper Berrys, Wild Carrot-seeds, of each two Ounces; being slic'd and bruis'd, pour to them of White∣wine Posset-drink eight pounds, distil it in a common Still: Let the whole Liquor be mixt, the Dose is four Ounces twice or thrice a day.

Take fresh Millepedes wash'd, from forty to sixty, Nutmegs half a Scruple; being bruis'd together, put to them distill'd Water of Saxi∣frage three Ounces, wring it forth hard and drink it.

Take Leaves of Chervil, Macedonian Stone Parsly, of each three handfulls, being bruis'd together, pour to them of Whitewine a pound and a half, wring it forth hard and keep it in a Glass; the Dose is three Ounces twice a day.

Prepare a Tincture of Millepides, Bees, Grashoppers or of Cantharides dry'd with the Tincture of Salt of Tartar; give it from fifteen to twenty or thirty drops in a fit vehicle.

Nitre is a sort of Salt, but differing from any other Salt, or from the nature of Saline Particles, being neither Acid, fixt or volatile, but holds the mean state as it were betwixt those three. And in truth Nitre is the thing by which all Plants have their ve∣getation, all Animals live and breath, and every Sublunary Flame or Fire is kindled and maintained.

But as to our present purpose, it's well enough known that Sal Nitre cools the Blood, and powerfully provokes Urine, though it seems somewhat strange how this, which is of so fiery a nature should so quallify the Blood, and run it into Aquosities to move Urine.

I conceive that Nitre works those effects in a two-fold respect, to wit, as it is a Salt, ally'd both to a fixt Salt and a volatile, and as it carries a living Root of Fire in it. As to the first, we observe that Nitre (ev'n as fixt and volatile Salts) being put into Milk, hinders or takes away its coagulation; so likewise Blood whilst warm, being pour'd to this, is preserv'd from coagulation, and from being discolour'd no less than if put to those. Where∣fore since Particles of Nitre inwardly taken preserve the mixture of the Blood entire, or restore it, it follows that they prevent or take away the fusions or coagulations of the same, from which

heats, and a suppression of Urine, very often arise. So again, Nitre in regard it carries in it a living Root of Fire, when in∣wardly taken, cools the inflamed Blood, and moves Urine, be∣cause (according to what is hinted before) it adds a vigour to the flame of the Blood, which before was troubled and full of fumes, and so renders it more clear and pure, and consequently more mild; since therefore the Blood burning clearer by the ac∣cess of Nitre becomes of a more loose consistency, the serous Par∣ticles easily get clear of the more gross, and pass away in a more plentiful manner.

Prescripts of Diureticks that have Sal Nitre for their Basis.

TAke Nitre prepar'd, two Drams, Barley water with Grass Roots, and Candied Eringo Roots boil'd in it two pounds, Sy∣rup of Violets two Ounces: Mix them, the Dose is four Ounces twice a day.

Take Sal Prunella two Drams, Sugar-Candy a Dram, make a Powder to be divided into six parts: Let one be taken in a convenient Liquor thrice a day.

Take Sal Prunella two Drams, Salt of Amber a Dram: Make a Powder, the Dose is half a Dram thrice a day.

Take Sal Prunella, Crabs Eyes, Salt of Wormwood, of each two Drams: Mix them, the Dose is half a Dram thrice a day.

Its also well known that Powders of Shells, and of certain Stones, containing an Alchalisate, or Petrifying Salt sometimes promote an evacuation by Urine. For Powders of Egg-shells, of the Claws and Eyes of Crabs have been to some a present Remedy in great sup∣pressions of Urine; and if we enquire into their manner and way of working, we shall soon find that these Medicines do not fuse the Blood, nor sensibly precipitate it; wherefore it must be said that these things in a fourish Dicrasie of the Blood and Humours, some∣times prove Diuretick, inasmuch as closing with the Acid Salts, they bind them and keep them under; so that the Blood being free from fluxions and coagulations, drinks up again the extra∣vasated Serum, and conveys it to the Reins.

Prescripts of Diureticks that have an Alchalisate Salt for their Basis.

TAke Powder of Egg-shells, from half a Dram to a Dram: Give it in a draught of Whitewine, or of Posset drink, or of a Diu∣retick decoction twice a day.

Take Powder of Crabs Claws, or of Crabs Eyes two Drams, Salt of Amber, Sal Nitre, of each a Dram, Nutmegs half a Dram: Make a Powder, the Dose is from half a Dram to two Scruples in a fit Vehicle. Or let the said Powder be mixt with as much Venice Tur∣pentine as will suffice, and make it into small Pills. The Dose is three or four Evening and Morning.

Not only Saline, but likewise some Sulphureous and Spirituous substances justly take place amongst Diureticks, these often pro∣ducing the like effect. Many substances of the Larix Tree, as chiefly Turpentine, and things prepar'd from them; the Oyls drawn by di∣stillation from Juniper, Nutmegs, Wax, and other Pinguous sub∣stances, taken inwardly, move in many persons a large Evacua∣tion by Urine, and this carrying a smell like Violets. I have known that in some Hydropical and Scorbutical Persons, Brandy and Strong waters; nay, and strong Wine freely drank have caus'd a Purging by Urine. The reason of all which is, that when the Blood being weak, or turning sour, or what for want of fermen∣tation, or through the predominancy of an Acid and Coagulative Salt in it, has not so sprightly and continued a Circulation, that it can contain the superfluous Serum within it self, till it delivers it to the Reins: The afovesaid Remedies forasmuch as they pre∣serve the mixture of the Blood entire, or restore it when faultering, conduce to the promoting of that evacuation by Urine.

Take Ivy Berrys, Juniper Berrys, Laurel Berrys fresh gather'd, of each half a pound, wild Carrot-seeds four Ounces, Nutmegs two Oun∣ces, all of them being bruis'd together, put to them in a Glass Retort of Venice Turpentine one pound, Rectified spirit of Wine four pounds, distill all in a sand Furnace, with a moderate heat till it grows dry, carefully avoiding an Epyreuma, and you will have a spirit, and a yel∣low Oyl, both of them egregiously Diuretick. The Dose of the Spirit is from a Dram to two or three Drams, of the Oyl from half a Scruple to a Scruple in a fit Vehicle.

To the remaining faeces in the Retort, pour Tincture of Salt of Tar∣tar one pound; let them digest for many days close luted in the sand Furnace, that a red Tincture may be drawn from it: The Dose of which is from a Scruple to two Scruples or a Dram in a fit Vehicle.

Take Millepedes prepar'd three Drams, Nutmegs one Dram: be∣ing bruis'd, pour to them the purest Spirit of Turpentine, and Tincture of Salt of Tartar, of each six Ounces, distill it with a gentle Bath heat, and you will have a Spirit, Oyl, and deliquium of Salt of Tar∣tar, each of them notably endow'd with a Diuretick force.

CHAP. VI. Instructions and Prescripts for Curing too much Pur∣ging by Ʋrine, and particularly the Diabetes or Pissing Evil.

IN a Diabetes, as in most other affects there are three Primary Therapeutick Indications, viz. Curatory, Preservatory and Vital. The first of these regarding the Disease, and attempting to stay the too great Effusion of Urine cannot be accomplish'd without the second, which aiming at the cause of the Disease, en∣deavours to preserve and restore the mixture and due Crasis of the Blood: Wherefore as to the Cure of this Disease, the chief inten∣tions of healing must be to keep the Blood from fusion, and in case that happens to take it away.

First the fusion of the Blood is prevented, so its gross and a∣queous parts reciprocally contain each other, and do not readily and abruptly sever themselves, which thing is effected by Incras∣satives (commonly so called) whose viscous and glutinous Cor∣puscles being admitted into the Mass of Blood, strongly adhere to its Active Particles, and so part them from each other, and hinder them from mutually combining betwixt themselves, or with Saline Particles coming from elsewhere, as might otherwise happen through fluxions. In this respect, Rice, Amylum, Mucila∣ginous Vegetables, also Gumms and some Rosins are wont to give re∣lief in this Disease.

Secondly, To restore the Blood after fusion, those sorts of Re∣medies are indicated which dissolve the concretions of Salts, so that all the Elementary Particles in it coming again to be at li∣berty, recover their former places, and so restore the Crasis of the Blood to its first vigour. Now its well known that this effect is produc'd in coagulated Milk by the addition of a fixt, volatile, or a nitrous Salt to it; also by the infusion of Spirit of Hartshorn,

of Sal Armoniack and the like. The reason of which doubtless is, that whilst the Salino-fixt, volatile or nitrous Particles, being in a sufficient quantity put into the Milk, meet with the Acid or Precipitatory Particles, and are combin'd with them; the other Saline Particles which before were bound, being now freed, and diffus'd through the Mass of the Liquor, loosen the Sulphureous and Earthy Parts combin'd betwixt themselves, and disperse them every way, so that all the Particles being again equally mixt, mu∣tually contain themselves, and are contain'd; yet because Saline Medicaments are accounted by many to be always Diuretick: We do not give them lightly, or without consideration for the Cure of a Diabetes, though in this Disease I have prescrib'd the Tincture of Antimony with good success. And a water of the Solution of quick Lime with the Raspings of Sassafras, Aniseeds, Raisins and Liquorish, according to the vulgar Receipt, is highly commended by some.

The Vital Indication is made good in this Distemper by a thickning and gently cooling Diet, and by temperate Cordials, and chiefly by apposite and seasonable Hypnoticks.

A Nobleman in the vigour of his Age, became very prone to an excess of Pissing, and when for many Months he had been us'd at times to undergo this great Flux of Urine, he fell at length into a confirm'd Diabetes as it seem'd, and almost past hope of recovery: For besides that, in the space of twenty four hours, he voided near a Gallon and a half of clear water, and wonderfully sweet, as though Honey were mixt in it: He was moreover affected with a cruel Thirst and a Fever, seemingly a Hectick, with a mighty Languor of the Spirits, a fall of strength, and a Consum∣ption of the whole Body. I then prescrib'd him the following Remedies, by the use of which he seem'd in a short time to re∣cover.

Take Cypress Tops, eight handfuls, Whites of Eggs beaten two pounds, Cinnamon half an Ounce, being cut small, pour to them of new Milk eight pounds, distill it in an ordinary Still, taking care of an Empyreuma. Let him take six Ounces thrice a day.

Take Gum Arabick, and Gum Tragacanth, of each six Drams, Pe∣nids an Ounce: Make a Powder, let him take about a Dram, or a Dram and a half twice a day, with three or four Ounces of the di∣still'd water.

Take Rhuba-b powdred fifteen Grains, Cinnamon six Grains: Make a Powder, let him take it in the Morning, and renow the Dose with∣in six or seven days.

Take Cowslip water three Ounces, Cinnamon water hordeated two Drams, Syrup of Meconium half an Ounce: Make a draught to be taken every Evening.

His Diet was only Milk, which he took pretty often in a day, sometimes crude or diluted with the distill'd water, or with Barly water; sowetimes boil'd with White-bread, or with Barly: Growing daily better by the use of these things, within a Month he seem'd to be almost Cur'd: As he began to grow a little well, his Urine which was Insipid, did not much exceed the quantity of Liquids he took, and afterwards turning a little Salt, it became less in quantity than what he drank, and so by degrees recovering the wonted tone of his Spirits and a good strength, he took to his former Diet.

Nevertheless the disposition to this Disease did not so through∣ly cease, but afterwards being apt frequently to Relapses upon disorders in Living, and haply upon changes according to the seasons of the year; he first made Water in a greater measure than ordinary, which by degrees grew clear and sweetish, a Thirst and Fever, with a Languor of the Spirits accompanying it: But by the use of the same Medicines he us'd in a short time to reco∣ver again: Not long since after a large interval of health, a little before he fell into a Flux of Urine, he found great irregularities and failings in the Genus Nervosum; viz. He was seiz'd with a dull numbness of his Brain, and a Vertigo, and was taken with sudden Cramps in his Limbs, and felt little Leapings of the Tendons, and various runnings about him, as though it were of a wind creeping here and there. And when by the use of fit Remedies, the aforesaid Symptoms seem'd to be Cur'd; the Diabetes after its wounted manner burst forth afresh; viz. the matter flowing forth in abundance from the Fibres and solid parts into the Blood, and thence to the Reins and the Urinary Passages.

In this Juncture the same Remedies were prescrib'd again, by the use of which, when within a few days he began to grow bet∣tr, he was ordered to take thrice a day Water of quick Lime to five or six Ounces: Having continued this Remedy four days, he made water in a moderate quantity well ting'd, and somewhat salt, and as to other things he seem'd well as he was before.

By the same method, and chiefly with the Water of quick Lime, I Cur'd another of a Diabetes, who was look'd upon as past recovery.

The Kinds and Prescripts of Medicines that stop Ʋ∣rine flowing in excess.

A Stringent Medicines properly so call'd, to wit, such as are austere, acerb, and stiptick, do little or nothing in stop∣ping a Diuresis; for the vertue of those things has no effect on the Mass of Blood, nor does it reach to the Reins and Bladder: But the Remedies that chiefly do good in the Diabetes are of two kinds, as we have hinted before: viz. First, those that hinder the combinations of the Salts, and consequently the fusion of the Blood, such as the Incrassatives before mentioned.

Secondly, Those that dissolve the Concretions of the Salts, and consequently restore the mixture of the Blood, of which kind are Saline Remedies of a contrary nature, which are apt to cleave to the Acid Salt, and so withdraw it from the combinations it has entred into within the Blood, as chiefly Medicines endow'd with a fixt, volatile or alchalisate Salt. Besides these two Primary kinds of Medicines that restrain Urine, there rests a Secondary kind, to wit, Hypnoticks, which putting some stop to the Animal Aeconomy, cause the vital function to be perform'd with more calmness, and consequently with less fusion of the Blood, or pre∣cipitation of the serous and nutricious humours. It remains now to set down some Select Forms of each kind of these Medicines.

I. The first Scope of Curing, to wit, by which we endeavour by thickning the Blood to prevent its fusion, or to take it away, is effected by the Medicines following.

Take Gumm Arabick, and Tragacanth powder'd, of each an Ounce, Sugar Penids half an Ounce: Make a Powder, divide it into sixteen parts. Take one part thrice a day, dissolving it in the distill'd water, or in the docoction of the Roots of Comphry in fountain water or Milk.

Take of the Resumptive Electuary three Ounces, Species Diatraga∣canthi frigidi an Ounce, Red Coral prepar'd two Drams, Confection of Hyacinth a Dram and a half, Gelly of the cast Skins of Vipers what will suffice: Make an Electuary, of which let the Patient take twice a day the quantity of a Wallnut.

Take white Amber, Mastick, Olibanum powdred, of each an Ounce, Pulvis Haly two Ounces, Balsam of Tolu half an Ounce: Make a Subtle Powder, the Dose is half a Dram twice or thrice a day.

Take Roots of great Comphry, and Water Lillies, of each three Oun∣ces, Dates slic'd two Ounces, Seeds of Maliows, Cotton-plant, Plan∣tain, Fleawort, of each half an Ounce, Boil them in four pounds of

fountain water till half be consum'd, to the straining add Syrup of Wa∣ter Lillies two Ounces: The Dose is four Ounces thrice a day.

Take of the decoction of Barly with Water Lilly-roots a pound and a half, Sweet Almonds prepar'd an Ounce and a half, Seeds of white Poppies, Purslain, Lettice, of each half an Ounce: Make an Emulsion according to art, the Dose is four Ounces thrice a day.

Take Cypress Tops six handfuls, Clary Leaves four handfuls, Flowers of blind Nettles, Comphry, Water Lillies, of each four handfuls, Roots of Water Lillies and Comphry, of each half a pound, Mace an Ounce, all being small slic'd together, pour to them of new Milk eight pounds, distil them in an ordinary Still: The Dose is four Ounces thrice a day, with the Powder of Electuary above written.

II. In the second place, though Saline Medicines of every kind and condition are accounted Diuretick, and every of them in cer∣tain cases, inasmuch as they fuse the Blood, and cause a copious separation of its Serosities, are in some sort Diuretick. Never∣theless for the reason above-mention'd, to wit, for that meeting with the Acid Salt, when it is predominant in the Blood, they prevent and take away its fusion and dissolution. I do not doubt but sometimes they may be given with good success to stop Fluxes of Urine. And I have heard for certain, that one was Cur'd of a Diabetes by an Infusion of quick Lime. Now in re∣gard the Saline Medicaments (which we suppose to take away the predominancy of the Acid Salt, and to fetter it, as it were) contain either a fixt, volatile or Alchalisate Salt: I shall give you some Forms of Diureticks, which have each of these for their foundation.

1. First then when a fixt Salt by it self, or join'd with Sulphur is requir'd for a Basis.

Take Tincture of Salt of Tartar, or its Deliquium what suffices: Give it thrice a day in a draught of the decoction or distilld water be∣fore describ'd.

Take Tincture of Antimony, let it be taken after the same manner thrice a day: I have found by frequent experience the use of this to be very profitable in this Disease.

Take Tincture of Salt of Coral a Scruple, let it be taken after the same manner.

Take of the Infusion of quick Lime a pound: The Dose is three or four Ounces thrice a day, giving before a Dose of the Electuary, or Pow∣der above prescrib'd.

Take Conserves of the Flowers of blind Nettles, and of the great Com∣phry, of each four Ounces, of the reddest Crocus of steel half an Ounce, Coral calcin'd to a whiteness two Drams, Syrup of Comphry what suffi∣ces. Make an Electuary, the Dose is two Drams thrice a day.

Take Lapis Specularis calcin'd an Ounce: The Dose is from half a Dram to a Dram twice or thrice a day. Country People with this Medicine successfully Cure their Cattle that piss bloody water.

Take Coral calcin'd to a whiteness and powdred three Drams, Pow∣der of Gumm Arabick and Tragacanth, of each a Dram: Make Powder, divide it into ten parts, let one part be taken thrice a day with a fit Vehicle, to wit, with the decoction or the distill'd water.

Take the reddest Crocus Martis six Drams, Gumm Lac powdred half an Ounce, red Saunders a Dram: Make a Powder, divide it in∣to twenty parts, whereof let one be taken thrice a day.

Take Hartshorn burnt and powdred half an Ounce, boil it in four pounds of the water of a Smiths forge till half be consum'd, adding towards the end a Crust of Bread, Roots of great Comphry, and water Lillies dry'd, of each an Ounce and a half, Sacchari Perlati two Ounces, let him take four Ounces thrice a day.

2. Medicines containing an Alchalisate Salt, such as Coral, Pearl, Cuttle-bone, Hartshorn, Ivory, Powders of Shells and the like, as they are commonly us'd against Rheumatick affects, so likewise for a Diabetes: And inasmuch as they imbibe the Acid Salt abounding in the Blood, and so free the Mass of Blood from fusion, we may justly expect a benefit from them.

Take red Coral ground to a great subtlety, Cuttle-bone, of each half an Ounce, Hartshorn Philosophically calcin'd three Drams, Pearl, Ivory, Crabs Eyes, of each a Dram: Mix them, make a Powder, the Dose is half a Dram thrice a day, with a fit Vehicle.

Take of the said Powder three Ounces, Species Diatragacanth frigid two Ounces, Sugar Candy two Ounces: Make a Powder, and with a sufficient quantity of the Solution of Gumm Arabick make a Paste; and let it be form'd into Troches weighing half a Dram, let three or four be taken thrice or oftner in a day.

Take of the said Powder two Ounces, of the Resumptive Electuary four Ounces, Conserve of the Flowers of water Lillies three Ounces, Syrup of the same what suffices: Make an Electuary, let him take the quantity of a Chesnut thrice a day, drinking after it a draught of the Apozeme, or of the distill'd water above prescrib'd.

3. For the same reason as Medicines endued with a fixt and Al∣chalisate Salt seem proper in Curing the Diabetes; for the same reason do such as have a volatile Salt. For these as well as those lay hold on, and draw of the Acid Salt, (by which the Blood is fus'd and dissolv'd into Serosities) so that its Liquor recovers its due Crasis.

Take the Solar Tincture prepar'd (as I readily do it) with Sal Ar∣moniack an Ounce, The Dose is twenty Drops thrice a day. The Spi∣rits of Blood, Soot and Hartshorn, may also be try'd in this Disease.

Take Salt of Amber a Dram, the reddest Crocus Martis two Drams: Mix them, divide it into twelve parts, the Dose is one part thrice a day.

III. As to the third kind of Remedies in the Diabetes, to wit, Hypnoticks, which by putting a stay to the Animal Spirits, re∣tard the course of the Blood, and so hinder in some measure its effervescency and fusion. I use to prescribe to some persons Dia∣scordium to be taken every Evening, and when that does not do, I give sometimes every Night, and sometimes every other Night Liquid Laudanum Cydoniated or Tartariz'd, and that with good suc∣cess.

Take the decoction of Barly, with the dry'd Roots of Comphry six Ounces, white Poppy-seeds two Drams, sweet Almonds prepar'd in number six: Make an Emulsion according to art, let it be taken every Night going to sleep.

Take of the Magistral distill'd water above prescrib'd four Ounces, Solution of Tragacanth two Drams, Diascordium from half an Ounce to six Drams. Give it going to sleep.

Take Conserve of the flowers of water Lillies two Drams, Lauda∣num Tartariz'd or Cydoniated a Scruple, Tincture of Saffron six Grains: Make a Bolus to be taken going to sleep.

CHAP. VII. Instructions concerning Sweating and Diaphoreticks, or Medicines causing Sweat, with Prescripts of them.

FOr a ready and plentiful eruption of Sweat, these three things are requir'd. First that the Blood boiling more than its wont, circulates with a more rapid motion. Secondly, That its Latex abounds with many watry Particles, and those loose, that is, apt to be separated from the rest of the Liquor, and to be resolv'd into Vapours; for if there be a deficiency of Serum, or if it be not easily separable from the Blood through its too great com∣pactness, or incrassation by reason of Faeculencies strongly mixt in it; scarce any sweat at all will follow, though the intense heat of a burning Fever presses for it, and most powerful Diaphore∣ticks

are given at the same time. Thirdly, The Pores of the whole Body must be set wide open for a free passage of the Sweat.

Therefore Sweating Medicines to be taken inwardly must be such as make the Blood boil more than ordinarily, and conse∣quently cause it to evaporate: Also such as somewhat loosen and fuse its often too compact and incrassated Mass, that its Serosi∣ties may more readily depart from it and be separated, and they must be such as at the same time dispose them so separated, rather to pass forth by Sweat, than by Urine or Seige. As to the third thing requir'd, to wit, the opening of the Pores, this is done in a manner wholly by outward Administrations.

Now because the same Saline preparations which are given to procure Sweat, are often given to move Urine, and sometimes also for Cordials; we must shew by what preparation, and other requisites, Sweating is to be promoted alone without the other intents.

And we observe that Sudorificks inwardly taken, seldom or ne∣ver work of their own accord, as Emeticks, Catharticks, or Di∣ureticks; but always need some Governance to actuate the Medi∣cine, and to determine it to that Energy: Wherefore a Diapho∣retick being given, the Patient must presently be so ordered that the Pores of his Body may be open'd, and the beat of his Heart very much heighten'd. For these ends, either let him be kept in a Bed, Bath, or Hot-house, or let him exercise his Body with some quick or laborious motion; and that these things may suc∣ceed the better in promoting Sweat; when it is in our power, let us make choice of a fit time and subject for it, viz. when the Blood enjoying a laudable, or not very evil Crasis, both suffici∣ently abounds with a Serous humour, and has not its Particles in too great a confusion or perturbation, but is in a disposition readily to be loosen'd, and to separate it self, and run into parts. For in a Bilous temperament, in a thin and dry constitution, and in the mindst of a burning Fever, when all things are in a trouble and undigested: Diaphoreticks commonly prove of no effect or do hurt. Moreover when Diaphoreticks are judg'd proper, we must not give all sorts of them indifferently, but peculiar Medi∣cines must be chosen according to the various disposition of the Blood, and the different predominancies of the Element in it, sometimes of this, sometimes of that, and according to the states of the Salts.

The Kinds and Prescripts of Diaphoretick Medi∣cines.

SUdorifick Medicines being manifold, and of divers kinds, and being wont in a various respect to be rang'd in order, and reduc'd to Classes. In the first place I have thought fit here to distinguish them, and set them down, both as to their form and manner of Composition, and as to the matter out of which they are made. Their most usual forms are 1. a Powder. 2. Chymical Liquors. 3. A Potion. 4. A Bolus. 5. A Diet.

The matter of each of these are either the integral parts of the whole mixt Body, or certain Elementary parts of some mixt, re∣solv'd by Chymistry, and those are either simple, viz. either Spi∣rituous or Saline: The latter of which also are either volatile or fixt, Acid or nitrous. Or lastly the Sudorifick Particles so divi∣ded and separated by Chymistry, are Elementary parts compoun∣ded betwixt themselves, viz. Spirituo-Saline, and Salino-Sul∣phureous. As we run through each of these Species in or∣der, we shall adapt to each matter the more Select forms of Pre∣scripts.

Diaphoreticks which have the integral parts of a mixt for their foundation, in which also a smart or volatile Salt is predominant, in this respect often conduce to provoke Sweat, that their Parti∣cles being admitted into the Blood, and being immiscible with it, and not to be subdued, exagitate its Mass, greatly divide it, and draw it asunder as it were into most Minute parts; so that at length the texture of the Blood being very much loosen'd, and set a boiling, the superfluous Serosites, Recrements, and taints of the Blood are cast forth together with the Particles of the Me∣dicine, which are expell'd by reason of their Heterogeneity. Those that are of this rank are usually given in the form of a Powder, Bolus, Potion and Diet, according to the following forms of Pre∣scripts.

Take Roots of Contrayerva, Serpentaria Virginiana, Butter-burr, of each a Dram, Cochinele, Saffron, of each half a Dram: Make a Pow∣der, the Dose is half a Dram, with a fit Vehicle.

Take Powder of Vipers a Dram, give it in some convenient Li∣quor.

Take Powder of Toads prepar'd, from half a Dram to a Dram.

When Diaphoreticks ought to predominate in Sal Alchali alone, or mixt with the former.

Take Oriental Bezoar, from a Scruple to half a Dram, give it in a spoonful of distill'd water, or some other Vehicle.

Take Powder of Crabs Claws Compound, from a Scruple to half a Dram, give it after the same manner.

The Bezoartick Powder is made after this manner.

Take Powder of the Roots of Contrayerva, of Crabs Claws simple, of each two Ounces, Pearl, both sorts of Coral, white Amber, Crabs Eyes, Hartshorn, Crystal prepar'd. of each an Ounce, Occidental Bezoar, Lem∣nian Earth, of each half an Ounce, Ceruse of Antimony two Ounces, Cochenele half an Ounce, Ambergreece a Dram and a half, Musk half a Dram: Make a subtle Powder, and let it be form'd into little round Balls with the Gelly of the Skins of Vipers, the Dose it from a Scruple to a Dram.

Take of this Bezoartick Powder a Scruple, Powder of Toads pre∣par'd six Grains: Make a Powder, give it in a spoonful of Treacle water.

2. Bolus's which have for their Basis the integral parts of some mixt, made in the form of an Electuary, Extract, or Con∣serve.

Take of Mithridate, from half a Dram to a Dram, of the Bezoar∣tick Powder, from a Scruple to half a Dram, Syrup of the Juice of Ci∣trons what will suffice; make a Bolus. Instead of Mithridate you may put Treacle, or Diascordium, or Confectio Liberantis, de Hyacintho: So likewise Bezoar powdred, or the Roots of Contrayerva, and the Powders of the like things may supply the place of the Bezoartick Powder.

Take of the Extract of Treacle, from half a Dram to a Dram, of the Bezoartick Powder a Scruple: Make a Bolus.

Take of the Extract of Carduus half a Dram, Bezoartick Powder a Scruple. Salt of Wormwood fifteen Grains, with a sufficient quantity of the Syrup of the Juice of Citrons: Make a Bolus.

3. Potious which have for their Basis common decoctions of Vegetables, or Infusions and Tinctures.

Take Roots of Butter-burr an Ounce, Seeds of the same two Drams, Eringo Roots Condited six Drams, Carduus Seeds two Drams, boil all in a pound of fountain water, till half be consum'd: In the cleer strain∣ing dissolve of Mithridate half a Dram or two Scruples: Let it be taken warm in Bed.

After the like manner the Leaves of Carduus, the Flowers of Ma∣rigolds or Cammomile may be boild in a sufficient quantity of Pos∣set-drink, of which six or eight Ounces may be given warm either alone, or with some Powder, Electuary, or other Diaphoretick ad∣ded to it.

4. Diaphoretick Infusions and Tinctures of divers kinds may be prepar'd by extracting the vertues of simple Vegetables, and Confections with Wine, Vinegar, or distill'd water, which after∣wards

being strain'd and clarified by setling are often given with success: To this place ought to be referr'd the Bezoartick waters, Wines and Vinegars prepar'd by Infusion, the forms of which are every where to be found amongst Authors. Moreover Tinctures of Vegetables which are of very great effect in a small Dose, are made after this manner.

Take Roots of Contrayerva a pound, being bruis'd and put into a Matrass, pour to them Spirit of Wine three Pounds: Let them digest to draw forth a Tincture; then strain it, and draw it off in Balneo to the consistency of Honey: Keep the Spirit first drawn off apart from the rest, pour it again to what stays behind, and draw the Tincture a∣gain: The Dose of which is from half a Dram to a Dram, in a fit Vehicle.

5. Diets, whose foundations are decoctions of Woods design'd for the Cure of the French Pox, and other Cronick Affects deep∣ly rooted in the Blood and humours.

For indeed a very intense and frequent Sweating, viz. continued for a long time, day by day is requir'd for the Cure of some Di∣seases, to wit, that not only the Impurities and Corruptions of the Viscera and humours, may be purg'd forth, but ev'n the Morbi∣fick Taints, deeply Imprinted in them may be wholly abolish'd, or as it were eradicated: To effect this it will not be enough to give a Sudorifick Powder or Bolus now and then at times; but an entire Diet must be ordered for this purpose. Wherefore let all the drink the Person takes be a Diaphoretick Decoction, after a Dose of which taken each Morning, let a copious Sweat be pro∣moted, by adding to it the heat of a Bath, or of a Hot-house; and after that by this means the Pores of the Skin are open'd, and Nature is inclin'd to Seeat, let the Recrements of the Blood and Nervous Juice for that whole day evaporate by perspiration, which must be still maintained by the use of the said Drink: By this me∣thod not only the French Pox is most safely, and for the most part, most certainly Cur'd, but also some other most difficult Di∣seases are sometimes easily overcome.

Take the Raspings of Guaiacum four Ounces, Sarsaparilla six Oun∣ces, Chinna two Ounces, all the Saunders, of each an Ounce, Shavings of Ivory and Hartshorn, of each half an Ounnce, Antimony powdred and tied in a rag six Ounces: Let them Infuse and Boil according to Art in sixteen pounds of founntain water, till half be consum'd, and strain it; to the remaining Magma, add the like quantity of water, let them in∣fuse and boil till a third part be consum'd, adding to it Raisins a pound, Licorice an Ounce: Let the straining be kept for a common drink.

In case of a Bilous Temperament, and a sharp and hot Blood, leave out the Guaiacum, and augment the quanntities of the China and Sarsa.

Diaphoreticks which consist of the Integral parts of the whole mixt, and are easie to be gotten for poor people, may be prescrib'd according to the following forms.

In Malignant Fevers. Take Conserve of Wood Sorrel a Dram, Mi∣thridate two Scruples and a half, mix them: Let it be taken, drink∣ing after it a draught of Posset-drink, that has the Leaves of Carduus, Scordium, or of Camomil Flowers, or Marigolds boil'd in it.

Take Powder of the Roots of Virginia Serpentary, from half a Dram to a Dram: Give it with a fit Vehicle, or give Powder of the Root of Butter-burr a Dram after the same manner.

In ordinary cases give the Decoction of Gromwel, of the Roots of Butter-burr, or Virginia Serpentary, or of the Roots and Seeds of the great Burr-dock: In the French Pox a Decoction of Soap-wort, or of the Raspings of Box, and the like may supply the place of the De∣coction of Woods, which are of greater price.

2. Sweating Medicines prepar'd from the Elementary parts of a mixt, have for their Basis either a Spirit, or a Salt, sometimes simple, sometimes combin'd with another Salt, or with Sulphur. Let Spirituous things be prescrib'd according to the following forms.

1. Let the Spirit of Treacle Camphorated be given, from half a Dram to a Dram, or a Dram and a half in a fit Vehicle. After the same manner many other Spirits distill'd from the Juices of Vege∣tables, maturated by fermentation, and appropriated to certain Distempers, may be given to provoke Sweat, when it is Indica∣ted: Of which kind are the Spirits of Black-cherries, of the Berries of Elder, Ivy and Juniper, with many others; the Spirits of Hartshorn, Soot, Blood and the like, ought rather to be numbred in the rank of Salts.

2. Diaphoreticks, whose Basis are Spirits, with other Elemen∣tary Particles combin'd, may be prescrib'd after this manner. Take of the simple mixture a Dram, give it in a convenient Vehicle. To this place also may be referr'd those things that consist of a Spirit, fixt Salt, or a Sulphur combin'd: Of which kind are the Tincture of Salt of Tartar and Antimony: The Dose of which are from a Scruple to two Scruples in some other Liquor. Moreover distill'd waters in which the Spirituous Particles are diluted with watry ones, are often gi∣ven to provoke Sweat with good success.

Take Roots of Butter-burr and Valerian, of each two Ounces, of Ze∣doary, Contrayerva, Virginia Serpentary, of each an Ounce and a half, Flowers of Butter-burr four handfuls, Saffron two Drams, being slic'd and bruis'd, pour to them four pounds of Sherry Sack, distil it accor∣ding to Art: Let the whole Liquor be mixt, the Dose is from two Ounces and a half to three Ounces. Or take Roots of Angelica, and Master-wort, of each four Ounces, of Zedoary, Ele-Campane, Swal∣low-wort,

low-wort, Gentian, the lesser Galingal, of each an Ounce, Tops of Car∣duus, Rue, Angelica, of each three handfuls, the middle Bark of the Ash six Ounces; being slic'd and bruis'd, add Mithridate, Venice Treacle, of each two Ounces: Mix them, and pour to them of Ca∣nary six pounds, distill'd Vinegar two pounds, distil it according to Art: The Dose is three Ounces.

The Doses of the aforesaid Waters may be actuated by the ad∣dition of Chymical Liquors or Salts. These sorts of Medicines endow'd with a Vinous Spirit are proper chiefly, and in a man∣ner only for old people, and such as are of a cold temperament, and are subject to the Plasy and Dropsy: But in a hot constituti∣on, and when there is a fervent heat of the Bowels, and a Feve∣rish boiling of the Blood, by scorching those, and enflaming this too much, they usually rather do hurt than good.

Diaphoreticks, whose Basis is Saline, as they are of a various nature, viz. according as the Salt is volatile, fixt, Acid or Ni∣trous, so they are of a different use and operation, and hence in certain cases these, and in others those and those are most prop∣per to be given, as we have before observ'd in Diureticks.

1. Fixt and volatile Salt is most propper for those whose Blood very much abounds with a serous humour. Moreover, when at any time the Juice which Irrigates the Viscera, and the Genus Ner∣vosum begins to turn sharp, as it usually happens in Hydropical and Cacochymical persons, and in such as are subject to Convul∣sive Distempers, those Medicines are most effectually give to cause a Sweat; because that whilst they meet the Acido-Saline Particles of the humours, and are combin'd with them, they loosen the Texture of the Blood, and at the same strongly agi∣tate its Mass by reason of their Heterogenous mixture: Hence for a ready separation and driving forth of the Serosities through the Pores of the Skin, those things are prescrib'd in the form of a Powder, Bolus and Liquor.

Take Flowers of Sal Armoniack half a Scruple, Cristal Mineral fif∣teen Grains, Bezoartick Powder a Scruple, mix them: Let it be given in a spoonful of Sudorifick water.

Take Salt of Tartar a Scruple, Ceruse of Antimony twenty five Grains: Make a Powder, let it be given after the same man∣ner.

Take Powder of Bezoartick Mineral, from a Scruple to half a Dram, Gascoins Powder a Scruple: Make a Powder, let it he given in like manner.

Take Ceruse of Antimony, from a Scruple to half a Dram, Flowers of Sal Armoniack half a Scruple: Make a Powder.

2. Those things may be given in the form of a Bolus, by mix∣ing the aforesaid Doses with Treacle, Mithridate or Diascordium, or with the extract of Carduus, Gentian, or the like.

Take Bezoartick Mineral a Scruple, Flowers of Sal Armonicak six Grains, Mithridate half a Dram: Make a Bolus.

Take Salt of Hartshorn eight Grains, Bezoartick Powder fifteen Grains, Extractum Theriacale a Scruple: Make a Bolus, or three Pills.

If a Liquid Form be more proper, Take Spirit of Hartshorn, or of Soot, or of Sal Armoniack, from fifteen Grains to twently, Sudori∣fick water, from an Ounce to three Ounces: Make a draught, let it be taken with governance.

Take Flowers of Sal Armoniack half a Scruple, Salt of Tartar fif∣teen Grains, Sudorifick water three Ounces: Mix them, make a draught.

3. Diaphoreticks, which have a Nitrous Salt for their Basis, are wont to give relief generally in the same cases, as those above, made of a fixt and a volatile Salt; because they destroy the pre∣dominancy of the Acid Salt, and dispose the mixture of the Blood after such a manner, that as it boils, its Serum and Recrements are readily separated and discharged from it.

Take Cristal Mineral three Drams, Salt of Hartshorn, or of Soot, or of Vipers a Dram: Mix them; the Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram in a fit Vehicle.

Take Sal Prunella two Drams, Bezoartick Mineral; or Ceruse of Antimony a Dram: Make a Powder, the Dose is from two Scruples to a Dram.

4. Diaphoreticks, whose ground is an Acid Salt, have a pecu∣liar efficacy against the predominancy of a fixt Salt, and Sulphur, viz. if at any time the Mass of Blood by reason of Salino-fixt Par∣ticles combin'd with Sulphureous or Terrene Particles in it, comes to be too much lock'd up and close bound, that it does not easily let go its Serosities to be expell'd by Sweat (as it some∣times happens in continual Fevers, and in Scorbutick affects) the Acid Salt, after the Medicine is given, meeting the fixt Salt in the Body, and laying fast hold on it, makes void its undue combinations, and so opens the boiling Blood, and disposes it for a Sweat.

Take Spirit of Tartar, from half a Dram to a Dram, Sudorifick water three Ounces, Flowers of Sal Armoniack half a Scruple: Mix them.

Take of the simple mixture, from half a Dram to two Scruples, Give it in a spoonful of Treacle water, or Bezoartick water.

Take Bezoartick Vinegar, from half an Ounce to an Ounce, Car∣duus water two Ounces, Plague water six Drams: Mix them, make a draught.

Take Spirit of Guaiacum a Dram, Sudorifick water three Ounces: Mix them, make a draught.

Some things meerly, or for the greatest part Sulphureous are commonly plac'd in the rank of Diaphoreticks: As for instance some Natural, and other Artificial Balsams, also Chymical Oyls, as chiefly of Guaiacum, Box, Camphire, Hartshorn and Soot: So likewise the Resinous Extracts of Ponderous Woods, with many others, which though by themselves they do little for raising Sweat; yet being join'd with the other Saline Medi∣cines, I do not think them altogether unprofitable, because in a cold and Over-phlegmatick Constitution, Sulphureo-Saline Me∣dicines Rarify the Blood which is then become too watry, and dispose it to a free evaporation, no less than such as are Spiri∣tuous.

Take of Opobalsamum, from Six Drops to twelve, Water of Baum, or of Ground Ivy three Ounces, Sudorifick water half an Ounce: Let it be taken every Morning to provoke Sweat for many days together. It is proper for Phthisical Persons, and such as have Ʋlcers in the Reins.

And so, but in a greater Dose, may be given the Balsam of Pe∣ru; also the Tincture of the Balsam of Tolu, and likewise compounded Balsams gotten by distillation.

Take Rosin of Guaiacum powdred two Drams, Chymical Oyl of the same a Scruple, Bezoartick Mineral, Gumm Guaiacum, of each a Dram and a half, Balsam of Peru what suffices: Make a Mass for Pills, the Dose is from half a Dram to two Scruples, drinking af∣ter it a Dose of the Sudorifick water, or of the Decoction of Woods.

CHAP. VIII. Instructions and Prescripts for Curing an Excessive, or Depraved Sweating.

FRequent and immoderate Sweating, is sometimes the Sym∣ptom of some other Disease then affecting the Person; for in the Phthisick and Scurvy this is a common thing: The rea∣son of it is, that the Blood tainted with some filthy infecti∣on, or become of an ill habit, is not able duly to concoct and assimilate the nutritive Juice still passing into its Mass, and there∣fore

always degenerating, and coming now and then to be full charg'd by the addition of other Excrements, it separates them, and expells them by Sweat.

The Cure of this Sweating depends wholly on the Cure of the Diseass whose Symptom it is: In the mean time those copious Night-sweats happening in those Diseases, plainly shew that the Persons Diet ought to be altogether of light food; viz. Milk, Grnel, Cream of Barly and the like, whose gentle and mild Par∣ticles the Blood can bear, and not of Flesh, or strong substan∣ces.

Sometimes an excessive Sweating is the effect of some fore∣going Disease which is brought to an end, and this is so common a thing after long Agues, that scarce any recover of them; but this Indisposition still sticks upon them more or less. I knew a young man, who as he grew well of a Quartan Ague, which had held him ten Months, and began to lose its fits, daily melted into such profuse Sweats, that he was fain to change his Shift and Sheets thrice a Night, being as wet as though they had been dipt in water: This Evacuation continuing so for many Weeks, his Flesh so fell away, and his strength was so exhausted, that he look'd like a Skeleton. This Person when he had us'd many Me∣dicines a long time without much benefit; at length by drinking Asses Milk Mornings and Evenings, and his other Diet being or∣dered of Cows Milk, he grew very well in a short time.

The chief cause of frequent and copious Sweats seems to consist in the ill habit and weakness of the Blood, in that it is apt conti∣nually to be fus'd and precipitated into Serosities: The Pores of the Body in the mean time being open and free for an Evacuation by Sweat. Now the Blood is so apt to fusions and flowings for the most part from a predominancy of a Fluid or Acid Salt in it, and sometimes the Nervous Juice growing sharp, empties its A∣cid superfluities into the Blood, and so precipitates its Mass into Serosities.

This excessive Sweating does not only arise from the vitiated Crasis and Fermentation of the Blood, but sometimes from its de∣praved Accension, and through an excess of Sulphur in it, as sometimes through a deficiency of it.

In order to the Cure of this Over-Sweating, the Therapeutick intentions must be chiefly these three. First, To take away or correct the ill habit or weakness of the humours. Secondly, gently to close the Pores of the Skin which are too open. Third∣ly, To derive the Serum of the Blood, and the watry superflui∣ties to the Reins.

1. The first of these is perform'd by those Remedies which destroy the predominancy of the Acid Salt in the Blood, or Ner∣vous Juice; and which promote the Exaltation of the Sulphur (if haply it grows weak) for which ends Anti-scorbuticks, Chaly∣beats: Also medicines endow'd with a Volatile, Nitrous or Al∣chalisate Salt most commonly prove effectual. I shall set down certain forms of each of these.

Take Conserve of the Flowers of Cichory and Fumitory, of each two Ounces, Powder of Ivory, Hartshorn, Coral prepar'd, of each a Dram, Pearl half a Dram, Species of Diarrhodon Abbatis a Dram, Lignum Aloes, Saunders both red and yellow, of each half a Dram, Sal Pru∣nella four Scruples, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Fumitory, make an Electuary: Give the quantity of a Wallnut in the Evening, and the next Morning, drinking after it either of the following Julap or distill'd water, three Ounces.

Take the Waters of Fumitory and Wallnuts simple, of each six Oun∣ces, the Waters of Snails and Earth-worms, of each an Ounce, Sugar six Drams: Mix them, make a Julap.

Take tops of Firr, Tamarisk, Cypres, of each four handfuls, of Myrtle two handfuls, Leaves of Watercresses, Brooklimes, Agrimony, St. Johnswort, Harts-Tongue Fluellen or Speedwel, of each three hand∣fuls, the outward Coats of twelve Oranges: Being slic'd and bruis'd, pour to them of Brumswick Beer eight pounds, distill it in common Or∣gans: Let the whole Liquor be mixt, and sweeten it at pleasure, the Dose three Ounces twice a day.

Take Leaves of Dandelion, Watercresses, Plantain, Brooklimes, of each three handfuls, being bruis'd, pour to them of the distill'd water above written a pound, wring it forth hard: The Dose is from three to four Ounces in the Morning at Nine of the Clock, and at Five in the Afternoon.

According to this method, I use to prescribe in a failing of strength and Night-sweats after long Agues, and if these remedies do no good, we must come to Chalybeates.

Take Syrup of Steel six Ounces; let a spoonful be taken in the Mor∣ning, and at five in the Afternoon, with three Ounces of the Water above prescrib'd.

Take Powder of Ivory, of Coral prepar'd, of each two Drams, Crocus Martis, Salt of Steel, of each a Dram and a half: Make a Powder, the Dose is half a Dram twice a day, with three Ounces of the same distill'd water.

Take Tincture of Salt of Tartar an Ounce: The Dose is from twen∣ty to thirty Drops twice a day with the distill'd water. After the same manner may be given the Tincture of Coral, and Tinctures prepar'd out of Gums and Balsams. Moreover in these cases the Spirits of Hartshorn, Ʋrine and Seet are given given with success.

The second intention for the Cure of excessive Sweating, con∣sisting in a due state of the Pores, is perform'd in a manner only by outward Administrations: For which end let the whole Body be anointed with Oyl of Date-kernels, with an Oyntment of Orange Flowers and the like, and let Linnen done over a little with the same be worn; sometimes Bathing in cold Water, or in a River, sometimes change of Air may do well.

It seems here proper to speak a little of a certain troublesome Distemper, relating to Sweating, or at least to an excessive per∣spiration. I often observe that some Persons have their Bodies so disposed, that if upon any occasion the least Breath of Wind or Air comes upon them, their Spirits are presently in a mighty trouble, all their Powers are in a Consternation, and their whole Body is discompos'd.

This extream tenderness in some Persons more than in others to take cold, or to be offended with it, happens either through the fault of the Animal Spirits, or of the Blood, or of the Pores of the Body, to wit, of one of them, or of more of them together.

1. First, The Animal Spirits are sometimes in fault, because be∣ing very weak, they are not able to endure any thing harsh, or rough outwardly pressing upon them; but presently upon the ap∣pulse of the bare Air, are put to flights and distractions. And sometimes this Indisposition happens through their fault, for that being degenerated, and become of an eager, restless and uneasie disposition, they are put into disorder upon every such pressure of Air. Wherefore those who by reason of the Spirits so dispos'd become Hypochondriacal, being also subject to the Affect before mention'd, on every little occasion are troubled with Cold.

2. The Blood disposes to a habit of depraved Perspiration in a two-fold manner, viz. both in respect of its temperament, and of its mixture: As to this latter oftentimes the Texture of the Blood is so loose and open, that upon every light accident, and e∣spccially upon the appulse of a cold moist Air, it's presently stirr'd to fluxions and precipitations of Serosities; insomuch that Persons who have such Blood, dare not step forth of doors, nay scarce look forth. Again, the Mass of Blood being often hot in its tem∣per, and very full of vapours, Breaths forth Effluvia's very sharp and penetrative, by which the Pores of the Skin being too much loos∣ned and laid wide open, the Spirits and the Vital Flame are expos'd to the injuries of the naked Air, and the Winds more than they ought.

3. The ill constitution of the Pores, gotten either by sickness, or other ways, or being natural from our Birth, very much in∣clines to that habit of depraved Sweating. For in regard those passages being too wide, do always in a manner gape, the Blood

and Spirits in the whole Body, or in certain parts of it are not sufficiently guarded against the encounter of the outward Air.

The Intentions for Curing this Distemper are chiefly these three' viz. first to help the weaknesses, or dejections, or depauperations of the Blood and Spirits. Secondly, To take away their Dyscrasies if they have any. Thirdly, To procure a due Confirmation of the Pores.

The chief stress of this business consists in the first intention, which regards the strengthning of the Animal Spirits, and the in∣largement of the whole sensitive Soul; for unless the Patients re∣solve to take courage, so as to attempt to go abroad, to set forth their strength to their utmost, and accustome nature daily to in∣ure it self to hardship, all medicines prove useless: Wherefore a plentiful and cheerful way of living are no less necessary than Phy∣sick, that thereby the stock of Animal Spirits may be daily re∣new'd and increas'd, and so confirm'd in strength by greater pra∣ctices now and then insisted on; for which ends strong Wines with good Dishes of meat are very proper. Moreover all Studies and Cares, (with which the Soul is deprest) being laid aside, let the time be past in idleness and recreatious, or in moderare exer∣cises. As by such a kind of living duly ordered, the Animal Spirits are greatly refresh'd, so it repairs the decay and depauperations of the Blood.

For the same ends also the following Medicines may be given with good effect.

Take Spirit of Amber Armonicacated what suffices; fifteen or twen∣ty drops be taken in the Evening, and the next Morning in aspoonful of the following distill a water, drinking after it nine spoonfuls of the same.

Take Leaves of Sage, Rosemary, Time, Savory, Marjoram, Costma∣ry, of each four handfuls, Roots of Angelica and Master-wort, of each six Ounces, of Zedoary, the lesser Galingal, Calamus Aromaticus, Florence Orris, of each an Ounce and a half, Cubebs anOunce and a half, Nutmegs, Cloves, Cinnamon, of each an Ounce, the outward Coats of twelve Oranges, and of six Limmons; being slic'd and bruis'd, pour to them of Whitewine and Canary of each four pounds: Distil it in common Organs, let the whole liquor be mixt and sweetn'd with Sugar perlated. In the distil∣ling hang in the head of the Alembick a Nodulus, with a Scruple of Amber-greece in it, and half a Scruple of Musk.

Take Tincture of Antimony, or of the Balsam of Tolu an Ounce; let fifteen or twenty drops be taken in the Morning at Nine a Clock, and at Five in the Afternoon, in a spoonful of the water before prescrib'd, drinking after it three Ounces of the same; or rather in the Morning drink after it a Dish of Tea, or Cofee, or Chocholate prepar'd of a De∣coction of Sage.

A little before Dinner drink a Glass of Sherry, Sack.

When these things have been used some time, and you think good to intermit them, take the following things in their place.

Instead of the Spirit, take a Dose of the following Electuary in the Evening, and early in the Morning with the distill'd water, or Viper Wine.

Take of wet preserv'd Citron Pills, an Ounce and a half, Miroba∣lans Condited an Ounce, Nutmegs, Ginger Candied, of each half an Ounce, Confection of Hyacinth, Alchermes, of each three Drams, Pearl prepar'd, red Coral prepar'd, of each a Dram and a half, with the Sy∣rup of the Juice of Kermes make an Electuary.

Let the ordinary drink be a Physick Ale made after the follow∣ing manner, viz. into a vessel of four Gallons put the following bag.

Take an Old Cock half boil'd and mash'd, Leaves of Sage and Harts-Tongue dry'd, of each two handfuls, six Dates slic'd, Raspings of Sassa∣fras two Ounces; being slic'd and bruis'd, mix them, put them in a little bag, and hang it in a Vessel after it had done working.

The second intention which undertakes to correct the Dyscra∣sies, or depraved dispositions of the Blood and Spirits, is perform'd by the same Remedies, as in the Hypochondriacal distemper and Melancholy: Wherefore the prescripts which I formerly gave for the Cure of those affects may serve here.

As to the third intention, which for keeping the Pores in a due State, ordains a meet way of Government as to cloathing, the Air, the Fire, &c. there is little left for a Physician to do; for commonly every Patient will be his own Councellour as to these things: There is only one kind of advice which they are apt to receive, and is wont to do them good, viz. that they change their habitation, by which often the Mind is also chang'd; for those that are never so much addicted to keep themselves pen'd up in a Chamber, or in Bed, when they travel into foreign Coun∣tries, where they breath a warmer and more serene Air: It's almost incredible in how short a time they recover.

So much concerning this depraved Perspiration which has not been touch'd by others.

There remains yet a third kind of this immoderate Sweating which is not as the first, the Symptom or effect of another pre∣sent or past Disease; but it self first beginning, is either a Disease of it self, or the parent of some Morbid affect: To the first sort chiefly belongs the Pestilential Sweat, which was heretofore call'd Sudor Anglicus: But I shall not now, go about to prescribe Medi∣cines for a Disease which I hope will never return.

CHAP. IX. Instructions concerning Cordial Medicines, and A∣lexipharmicks, or Preservatives against Venome, with Prescripts of them.

IF the thing be duly considered, the notion of Cordial Medicines was not well introduc'd, but is a meer vulgar errour; for since it is not the Heart which is the Subject of Life, but chiefly, and in a manner only the Blood, and in regard the Soul it self (on whose existence and act in the Body Life depends) is founded partly in the Blood, and partly in the united stock of Animal Spi∣rits, it plainly sollows that Medicines which preserve Life entire, or restore it when in danger, do rather and more immediately re∣gard these parts of the Soul, to wit, the Blood, and Animal Spi∣rits than the Heart, which is a meer Muscle, serving for the Circulation of the Blood, and as often as it slackens in performing this duty, or gives it off: This does not happen through its own fault, but through that of the Blood and Animal Spirits, by which it is actuated.

Therefore to know the ways and manners of working of those Medicines which are call'd Cordials, we must consider these two things, viz. First, how many, and particularly what ways the Blood being ill dispos'd, and often endangered, either as to its accension, or mixture, requires Physical helps, which may preserve or cor∣rect it. Secondly after what manner by reason of a defect or de∣linquency in the Animal Oeconomy the Heart is hindred, or per∣verted from its due motion, so that Medicines are Indicated, which encrease the stores of the Spirits, and better compose them. [To be well instructed concerning these things, read Dr. Willis at large.]

The Kinds and Prescripts of Cordials.

A Ccording to what is said before, we distinguish Cordial Me∣dicines (commonly so call'd) into two kinds; some of them chiefly and more immediately affect the Blood, others the Animal Spirits. In the first rank of those that are design'd for regulating the accension of the Blood, we place those which by encreasing, or exalting its Sulphureous Particles cause its over-cold and slow moving Liquor to boil more, to be more freely kindled, and to burn with more life; of which kind are good Wines, Com∣pound Strong-waters distill'd, the Spirit and Tincture of Saf∣fron, Quercitans Elixir of Life: the Tincture of Salt of Tartar, of Steel, and other things that chiefly abound with Spirit, and havd a plenty of Sulphur; of which sometimes these, sometimes those may be taken as every patient lists. When by reason of the Bloods being not kindled, and consequently of its too great∣corwding and stagnation, as it were, within the Praecordia, a lan∣guishing and failing of the Spirits, with a great oppression of the Heart happens, then Aqua Mirabilis, the waters of Cinnamon, Cloves, Wormwood Compound, also of the Rines of Oranges di∣still'd with Wine are proper; to which sometimes a Dose of some Spirit, Elixir or Tincture may be added.

But here great caution is needful, that a person do no in∣dulge himself too much to these kind of Cordials, for many by often sipping of them, get an ill habit, continuing their daily use, and encreasing the Dose, which at length proves fatal to them; for the Liver chiefly, and other entrails are so dry'd and scorch'd thereby, that the stock of Blood being diminish'd, and its Crasis perverted, an unhealthy Cacochymia follows, or an abbreviation of Life.

In the second Rank of Cordials, we put those Medicines which somewhat appease the too great boiling of the Blood, and put a little stop to, and allay its immoderate deflagration, of this kind are distill'd Waters, Acids, and Nitrous things.

Take the waters of Wood-sorrel, of whole Citrons, of Straw-berrys, of each four Ounces, Syrup of the Juice of Citrons an Ounce, Pearl Powdred a Dram: Make a Julape; the Dose is two Ounces three or four times a day.

Take the waters of Pippins, or Garden Apples, of Rasberrys, of each four Ounces, Syrup of Violets an Ounce, Spirit of Vitriol twelve Drops: Make a Julape.

Take fountain water a Pound and a half, Juice of Limmons two Oun∣ces, Sugar an Ounce and a half: Make a drink, of which let three Ounces be taken at pleasure.

Take Grass Roots three Ounces, Candied Eringos six Ounces, two Apples slic'd (or Corinths two Ounces) Shavings of Ivory, and of Harts∣horn, of each two Drams, Leaves of Wood-sorrel a handful, boil them in three pounds of fountain water to two pounds; to the clear straining, add of Sal Prunella a Dram and a half, Syrup of Violets an Ounce and a half, Make an Apozem, the Dose is three or four Ounces thrice a day.

Take Conserve of red Roses vitriolated four Ounces, fountain water two pounds, dissolve it close cover'd and warm, then strain it; the Dose is three Ounces at pleasure.

Take Conserve of Barberrys, Rob of Rasberrys, of each an Ounce and a half, Pearl prepar'd half a Dram, Confection of Hyacinth a Dram, Syrup of the Juice of Citrons what suffices: Make a Confection; the Dose is half a Dram thrice a day.

The third rank of Cordials furnishes those sorts of Medicines, which being destinated against the exorbitancies of the boiling Blood, loosen and open its close texture, for the separation and discharge of its drossy superfluities. These being chiefly, and in a manner only of a saline nature, are also of divers kinds accor∣ding to the manifold state of the saline Particles of which they consist; but for the most part their Basis is either a Volatile, Al∣chalisate, Acid, Fixt, or Nitrous Salt, we shall set down certain forms of each of these.

In the First place Cordials endow'd with a volatile Salt, are wont to be given with good effect according to the following prescripts, both in Feavers, in respect of the Blood, and also in swoonings, and sudden faintings in respect of the Animal Spirits.

Take Spirit of Hartshorn, from fifteen Grains to twenty, Treacle water two Drams, give it with a spoon, drinking after it a draught of some appropriated Liquor. After the same manner may be given the Spirits of Blood, of Mans Scull, of Soot, of Sal Armoniack Com∣pound.

Take Salt of Vipers a Dram, Sal Prunella two Drams, Powder of Crabs Claws Compound a Dram and a half: Mix them, make a Pow∣der; the Dose is from half a Dram to two Scruples, in a spoonful of Cordial Julape, drinking after it a little draught of the same.

Take Flowers of Sal Armoniack half a Scruple, Bezoartick Mine∣ral a Scruple: Make a Powder, give it in a spoonful of some proper Liquor.

Secondly, Those are chiefly call'd by the name of Cordials by the Vulgar, whose Basis is an Alchalisate, or Petrifying Salt, as particularly Oriental Bezoar, Pearl, Coral, and other Powders of Shells and Stones.

Take Gascoins Powder, or Powder of Crabs Claws Compound, from a Scruple to half a Dram; give it in a spoonful of Cordial Julape, drinking after it two Ounces of the same.

Take Oriental Bezoar, from six Grains to twenty; give it after the same manner.

Take Powders of Crabs Claws, and Crabs Eyes of each a Dram, Pearl, both sorts of Coral prepar'd, of each four Scruples, both sorts of Bezoar half a Dram, the best Bole-Armoniack, Aurum Diaphoreti∣cum, of each two Scruples, Bezoartick Mineral a Dram: Mix them, make a Cordial Powder; the Dose is from a Scruple to two Scruples, or a Dram, with a fit Vehicle.

In Persons seiz'd with a Plurisie, the following things are ac∣counted the most proper Cordials, for as much as by destroy∣ing the predominancy of the acid Salt, they take away, or pre∣vent the Coagulations and Extravasatings of the Blood.

Take the Powder of a Wild Bores Tusk, from half a Dram to a Dram, Cristal Mineral a Scruple, Powder, of red Poppy Flowers half a Scruple: Make a Powder to be taken in any Liquor. After the same manner may be given the Powders of Crabs Eyes, and of the Jaw-bone of the Pike-fish.

To this place belong also preparations of Nitre, which are oft∣en given with good effect in Fevers, according to the following Forms.

Take Cristal Mineral a Scruple, Volatile Salt of Hartshorn, from three Grains to six, mix them: Make a Powder, give it in a spoon∣ful of Cordial Julape.

Take Cristal Mineral, Antimony Diaphoretick, of each a Scruple, Bezoartick Powder half a Scruple: Make a Powder, give it after the same manner.

Medicines whose Basis is a fluid, or acid Salt, are prescrib'd in Fevers after the following Forms, to loosen the Texture of the Blood.

Take Spirit of Vitriol, from four Drops to six, Carduus water three Ounces, Treacle water two Drams, Syrup of the Juice of Citrons three Drams, Pearl half a Scruple: Make a draught to be taken twice or thrice a day. Spirit of Salt, or of Nitre may be taken after the same manner: For the same the drink Cherbet, called also the Di∣vine drink of Palmarius are proper.

Take Powder of Hartshorn Calcin'd, or of Antimony Diaphoretick three Drams, Spirit of Vitriol, or of Salt a Dram; bray them toge∣ther

in a Glass Mortar, and let them dry: The Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram, in a spoonful of Cordial Julape.

Fixt or lixivial Salts of Herbs often enter the Compositions of Alexipharmicks: Moreover, Medicines which have these for their Basis, as they are accounted very famous Febrifuges, so they ought to be numbred amongst Cordials; for instance we pro∣pose that known Medicine.

Take Salt of Wormwood a Scruple, Carduus water three Ounces, Spirit of Vitriol, or Oyl of Sulphur a Scruple, Syrup of Violets three Drams: Make a draught to be taken three or four hours before the Fit.

Take the waters of whole Citrons, and of Wood Sorrel, of each half a pound, Salt of Tartar a Dram and a half, Juice of Limmons two Drams, Sugar half an Ounce, mix them, make a Julape; the use of it is in Anomalous Fevers, which though always burning, have daily returns of sharp fits: The Dose is three Ounces twice a day.

The last rank of Cordials, and truly in some respect the chief∣est, is of Alexipharmicks, because these are more vital than the rest. But Alexipharmicks being either for preservation, or for Curing: In the first place, we shall set down Select Medicines to be given to persons, whilst yet in a state of health, against the In∣fection of the Plague, or any Malignity whatsoever; omitting in the mean time what is usually ordered concerning the alteration and rectifying of the Ambient Air: And then in the second place we shall give you Select Forms of Prescripts to be used after the Contagion is taken.

1. Antidotes for Preservation.

TAke Conserve of the Leaves of Rue four Ounces, Mithridate, and Confectio liberantis, of each an Ounce, Confection of Hyacinth two Drams, Salt of Wormwood two Drams and a half, Pulvis panno∣nici rubri half an Ounce, Bezoartick Vinegar what suffices: Make an Electuary; the Dose is the quantity of a Chesnut thrice a day.

Take Powder of the Roots of Virginia Serpentary, Contrayerva, Ze∣doary, Species liberantis, of each two Drams, Camphire two Scruples, Sugar dissolv'd in Bezoartick Vinegar, and boil'd to a consistency for Tablets six Ounces: Make Tablets according to art, each weighing half a Dram; let one or two be eaten often in a day.

Take Roots of Virginia Serpentary three Ounces, boil them in three pounds of fountain water till half be consum'd, to the straining add of the best Honey two Ounces, Venice Treacle an Ounce, dissolve it warm and close cover'd, and strain it: The Dose is two or three spoon∣fuls three or four times a day.

Take Flowers of Sulphur four Ounces, melt them in a Crucible, then put into it by spoonfuls one after another, Salt of Wormwood four Ounces, stirring them together 'till the whole Mass grows red: then add the Powders of Aloes, Myrrh, Olibanum, of each a Dram, Saffron half a Dram; stir them again for a quarter of an hour, till they are incorporated; the Mass being cool'd, and put on a glass plate; let it stand till it dissolves into an Oyl, like a most beautiful Ruby: The Dose is from ten drops to twenty in an Ounce and a half, or two Oun∣ces of the Bezoartick water twice a day.

Or pour to the said Powder some spirit of Wine rectified on the Roots of Contrayerva and Virginia Serpentary, till it cover them three fingers over; draw forth a Tincture: The Dose is from twenty drops to thirty in a fit Vehicle.

Or, Take of the same Powder half an Ounce, pour to it of the best Canary two pounds, let it dissolve close cover'd and warm: The Dose is a spoonful twice or thrice a day.

After the Contagion is receiv'd, and the Crasis of the Blood is vitiated, and begins to corrupt, the same Medicines are still pro∣per to be taken, but in a greater Dose, and oftner. Moreover the Vinegars, and fixt Salts of Herbs, are very often added with good success to Alexipharmicks, because by them the Coagulati∣ons of the Blood are resolv'd, and then all Heterogeneous Parti∣cles evaporating, and the other being brought into a due mix∣ture, its liquor at length recovers its former state, and keeps it. There being innumerable Medicines in the Books of Physicians for this end; I shall here only set down a few.

Antidotes for Curing.

TAke of the Bezoartick water two Ounces and a half, Bezoartick Vinegar half an Ounce, Venice Treacle a Dram, mix them, by shaking them in a Glass: Make a draught, let the person take it, and sweat upon it.

Take Gascoins Powder, Roots of Contrayerva, and Virginia Serpen∣tary, of each from a Scruple to twenty five Grains: Make a Powder, give it in a spoonful of Treacle water, drink after it a little draught of the same, or of a Cordial Julape.

Take Powder of Teads prepar'd, Powder of Crabs Claws Compound, of each half a Dram: Make a Powder, give it after the same manner.

Take Bezoartick Mineral half a Dram, Venice Treacle a Dram, Camphire six Grains, Bezoartick Vinegar what suffices: Make a Bo∣lus to be taken after the same manner.

Take the waters of Wood Sorrel and Dragon-wort, of each four Oun∣ces, Water of Scordium Compound two Ounces, Treacle water and Bezoartick water of each an Ounce, Powder of Pearl a Dram, Syrup of Clove-Gillyflowers (or of the Juice of Citrons) two Ounces, spirit of Vitriol twelve drops: Make a Julape; the Dose is three Ounces often in a day, sometimes by it self, sometimes with other Medicines.

CHAP. X. Of the Passions of the Heart, and their Remedies.

AFter Cordial Medicines, vulgarly, though improperly, so call'd, it now follows for us to treat of the Passion of the Heart, in which the Heart is really ill affected, and therefore requires true Cordial Medicines: Under that name two affects, somewhat dif∣fering betwixt themselves are commonly denoted, to wit, The trembling of the Heart, and its panting: In both affects the motion or beat of the Heart seems to be disorderly, and in a manner Convulsive; but the irregularity of the first consists in the frequency of its Vibrations, and of the other in their vehe∣mency.

As to the Cure of the panting of the Heart, since its Causes are various and manifold, its Cure also must be various; for what some affirm, that those sorts of Remedies vulgarly call'd Cordials, which are reputed to revive the Heart, and to relieve it when ill affected, are proper in any of all these Cases, it is con∣trary both to reason and common experience.

We say then that the palpitation, or panting of the Heart, proceeds either from the fault of the Blood, or of the Arteries belonging to the Heart: If it happens through the fault of the Blood, the chief intent of Curing must be to raise the Blood to a better Crasis, it being then become too watery and unmeet for accension and fermenting, and to exalt or encrease its active principles which are then depress'd or diminish'd; for which end spirituous Medicines, also saline Medicines of all kinds, Sulphu∣reous and especially Chalybeates conduce: And to this place may be referr'd those things which are wont to be prescribed in the Pica or longing Disease, in the Leucophlegmatia, and in the cold Scurvy.

Take Conserve of Sea Wormwood, the outward yellow Coats of O∣ranges and Limmons, of each two Ounces, Powder of Winters Barke two Drams, Species of Diacurcuma a Dram, Steel prepar'd with Sul∣phur three Drams, Salt of Wormwood a Dram and a half, with a suf∣ficient quantity of Syrup of Citron Pills: Make an Electuary, the Dose is the quantity of a Nutmeg in the Morning, and at five in the Af∣ternoon, drinking after it of the following Julape three Ounces, and walking upon it.

Take water of the Leaves of Wake Robin a pound, of Pennyroyal and Hyssop, of each four Ounces, Sugar an Ounce: Mix them, make a Julape.

Take of the Tincture of Antimony an Ounce; the Dose is from twenty to five and twenty drops twice a day, with the said Julape. Moreover, amongst these we may place the Tincture of Steel, and its Syrup, also Elixir proprietatis, with many others.

Secondly, The panting of the Heart, which is more frequent, and much more violent, happens through some fault in the Arte∣ries belonging to the Heart, which fault is either an Obstruction, or a Convulsive affect.

The first default for the most part is continual, and often in∣curable, but especially if it arises from Consumptive Lungs, or because the Roots of the Arteries are half stop'd, or compress'd, by reason of some Tuberculum, or bony Excrescency in them: And in this case all that can be done, is to give some ease now and then by Hypnoticks.

Moreover, it is not improbable that the Arteries sometimes are almost fill'd up with Polypous Concretions engendred in them, and sometimes within the Cavities of the Heart it self, and that thereby the free passage of the whole current of Blood is hin∣dred; but as it is diffcult to be satisfied when this is so, so it is as rare to find a Cure for it. When there is a suspicion of it, Sa∣line Medicines seem to be most proper, and of those we must give such as have a Volatile, or Acid Salt; but we must not give them together, but for a time those (which failing of success) try the others.

Take Spirit of Sal Armoniack Compound, viz. distill'd with Mille∣pedes, or with other Anti-Asthmaticks three Drams, the Dose is from fifteen drops to twenty thrice a day, with the Julape, or some proper distill'd water: After the same manner you may try the Spirits of Hartshorn, Soot, Blood, and of an old Scull.

Take Spirit of Sea Salt, or of Vitriol distill'd, and often Cohobated with the Spirit of Wine, impregnated with Pneumonick Herbs three Drams; the Dose is from fifteen drops to twenty after the same man∣ner; for these purposes the Spirits of Tartar, Guaiacum, and of Box are often us'd.

The panting of the Heart is very often a Convulsive affect, and wont to be produc'd from the like Cause, and manner of affect∣ing, as other Hypochondriack and Asthmatick affects; and its Cure also ought to be attempted by Antispasmodick Remedies; but a cholce of them must be made with some difference, ac∣cording as the Disease happens in a hot or cold temperament.

In respect of the former, the following Medicines may be prescrib'd.

Take Spiritus succini Armoniaci three Ounces; the Dose is from fifteen Drops to twenty twice a day, with the Julape, or some proper distill'd water. After the same manner may be given interchangeably the Tincture of Tartar, of Steel, or of Antimony.

Of the trembling of the Heart, and its Cure.

THe trembling of the Heart is an effect distinct from its panting or Palpitation, and of a different nature from it, for in that its carneous and moving Fibres seem affected by them∣selves, nor does the Morbifick Cause, as in the other affect seem to lie in the Blood; or in the Arteries of the Heart.

The trembling of the Heart may be well describ'd to be a Spas∣modick Convulsion, or rather a trepidation of its flesh, by which the moving Fibres hastily, and only half contracted cause most swift turns of the Systoles and Diastoles, but broken, and as it were at halfs; so that the Blood is brought into, and carried forth of the Sinus's of the Heart, only in very small Portions.

As to the method of Cure to be us'd in the trembling of the Heart, since this affect is meerly Convulsive; therefore they are not Cordial Remedies, but rather Cephalicks, and Nervous Medi∣cines that are Indicated; which nevertheless according to the temperament and constitution of the Patient, must be either more hot or moderate, or, now of this, now of that nature. To comprehend all in a few words, since there are three sorts of Me∣cines, that are wont to be mighty successful in this Distemper, viz. testaceous Medicines, Chalybeates, and such as are endow'd with a volatile Salt: I shall here briefly set down certain forms of each of these and their use. Therefore in the first place a provision be∣ing made for the whole by evacuatives, and a choice being made of that sort of Medicine which promises best, you may prescribe as follows.

Take Coral prepar'd, Pearl, of each two Drams, both Bezoars, of each half a Dram, white Amber two Scruples, Amber-greece a Scruple: Make a Powder, the Dose is half a Dram twice or thrice a day, with a distill'd water, or some proper Julape.

Take Powder of Crabs Claws Compound two Drams, Powder of Male Peony Roots, and of Mans Scull prepar'd, of each a Dram, Flow∣ers of Male Peony, of Lillies of the Valley, of each half a Dram: Make a Powder to be taken after the same manner.

Take Ivory, red Coral powdered, of each three Drams, Species Diam∣brae a Dram, double refin'd Sugar, dissolv'd in a sufficient quantity of water of Navews, and boil'd to a consistency for Tablets seven Ounces: Make Tablets according to Art, weighing half a Dram; let one or two be eaten often in a day, as the person pleases.

Take Conserve of the Flowers of Lillies of the Valley six Ounces, Powders of Coral prepar'd, Pearl, Ivory, Crabs Eyes, of each a Dram and a half, Vitriol of Mars a Dram, Syrup of Coral what suffices: Make an Electuary; the Dose is from a Dram to two Drams twice a day, drinking after it a draught of the following Julape.

Take the water of Navews, and of whole Citrons, of each six Oun∣ces, of Orange, Rines distill'd with Wine two Ounces, Sugar half an Ounce: Make a Julape.

Take of our Syrup of Steel six Ounces, the Dose is a spoonful in the Morning, and at five in the Afternoon, with two Ounces of the Ju∣lape before written, leaving out the Sugar, or with distill'd water.

Take Powder of Ivory, and of Coral, of each two Drams and a half, Species Diambrae a Dram, Salt of Steel two Drams, Sugar eight Ounces, Amber-greece dissolv'd half a Scruple: Make Tablets weith∣ing half a Dram, the Dose is three or four Drams twice a day.

Take fresh Strawberies eight pounds, the outward Coats of twelve Oranges, fresh Filings of Iron half a pound, being bruis'd together, pour to them eight pounds of Wine; let them ferment in a Pot close cover'd for twenty four hours, then distill it in common Organs.

Take Spirit of Hartshorn, or of Blood, or the like, three Drams: The Dose is twenty drops twice a day, with a fit Vehicle.

Take Flowers of Sal Armoniack, Coral prepar'd, of each two Drams: The Dose is a Scruple twice a day.

Take Crystal Mineral two Drams, Salt of Amber a Dram, Salt of Hartshorn a Scruple: Mix them, the Dose is from fifteen Grains to twenty twice a day, with the distill'd water.

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.

CHAP. XI. Instructions concerning Opiats, or Medicines that cause Sleep, with their good and ill Effects; to∣gether with Prescripts of them.

OPiats exert their Force not by raising vapours to the Head, nor by opening the Pores of the Brain, for any vapours or other Soporiferous matter to be admitted into it, but only by destroy∣ing some of the Animal Spirits, so that the residue being in a con∣sternation, or forc'd inward, or at least called back from their wonted Emanation into the nervous parts, quit their office, or in some measure remit of it.

The Narcotick force of Opiats consists in this, that as the Ani∣mal Spirits are most subtile Corpuscles, compos'd of Spirit and a volatile Salt united together, and exalted to a very high pitch; so Opiats on the contrary consist of a fetid Sulphur, that is, of a Sulphur, together combin'd with a fixt Salt, and an Earthy matter, and carried up to a most high degree in like manner: Which sort of Concrets are well known to be so contrary to the subtile Texture of the Animal Spirits, that sometimes they put them to flights, or subvert them at a distance by meer Effluvia's, which are very hardly, or indeed not at all perceivable by the smell.

Opiats given in a small quantity chiefly and in a manner only regard those Spirits to which the particular charge of natural and ordinary sleep is committed, the rest being either untouch'd, or little letted by them: Wherefore after a Dose of Laudanum is taken, both the inward and outward senses are bound, but the Pulse, Respiration, also the functions of Concoction and Separa∣tion are continued after their usual manner, and after some time the Spirits of the first employ return to their wonted Post.

But if an Opiat be stronger than it ought, it extends its Force father into the Province of the Animal government, so that an over-great Dose of it being taken, the Appetite for the most part is dull'd, Respiration is much streightn'd, and rendred not only difficult, but likewise uneven or interrupted, and sometimes also the motion of the Heart is so far debilitated, that the Pulse pre∣sently grows weaker, with a cold Sweat, a deadness, and an E∣clipse as it were, of all the faculties, so that a perpetual sleep sometimes follows this Medicine.

The good Effects of Opiats.

FIrst then, Opiats are most properly and necessarily Indicated, in case of want of sleep, for then being seasonably and duly Administred, they give a refreshing repose.

Secondly, In Delirous affects Opiats are given with good ef∣fect, (though sometimes they rather do hurt than good, as we shall shew hereafter) because the Spirits being then mov'd with too much eagerness within the Brain, and as it were struck with a rage, and passing their wonted bounds, the Opiats repress them, and make them quietly retreat into their former sta∣tions.

Thirdly, Opium is accounted of most excellent use for appea∣sing all sorts of Pains: For since Pain cannot be caus'd or con∣tinued, but a great plenty of Spirits must always abound in the part affected, in case the Nerves are so clos'd, that the passing of the Spirits to the place griev'd be hindred, or much diminish'd, (which Opium effects) it follows of necessity that the Pain must cease: For the Particles of this Medicine besetting the extream parts of the Brain, do not only quell the forlorn Spirits in its out∣most part, but likewise strongly suppress them in their Original source within the Brain, and in the midst of the Cerebellum, and consequently hinder their Emanations from thence into the Genus Nervosum; so that during the Energy of the Opium, they are sent more sparingly and thinly into the Precordia and Viscera, nay, and into all other parts. Hence the Pulse and Breathing remit of their vehemency and frequency; many times also all the Members and Limbs are seiz'd with a Languor and Lassitude. Moreover, hence the Viscera before irritated into Convulsions, either tending to Excretions, as by Vomit, or seige, or causing Pain, as in the Colick or Stone, depose their disorders.

Again, the good effect of Narcoticks is notoriously known in the Cure of the Scorbutick Colick: In Pains of the Gout they also do excellently well, and so in the Pain of the Stone in the Bladder, which Disease, when it cruelly torments Old Men, and cannot be Cur'd by Cutting, admits no ease from any other Remedy, but from Narcoticks: Wherefore in this case I have advis'd some to the constant and daily use of Laudanum and Diacodium, which they have put in practice, to the great comfort of their life, re∣ceiving no hurt thereby, though sometimes augmenting its Dose, they have taken to a great quantity.

Fourthly, Opiats are seasonably given, if at any time the Pulse

or Breathing are more quick or vehement than they ought; for when in Feavers the Motion of the Heart and Lungs being made more intense, give a most rapid Circulation to the Blood, so that it is greatly perverted, both as to its Accension, and as to its Cra∣sis, and is not able to separate its drossy Excrements, which are so throughly mixt with it: After a Narcotick is given, presently the Impetus of those parts is somewhat broken, so that the Blood coming then to a gentle and moderate Circulation, diffuses a less intense heat, and being loosen'd in its Texture, it purges its Serum and impurities by Sweat and Urine.

Respiration not only as it is urgent, but moreover as the same is interrupted, Convulsive, or otherwise variously irregular, often requires a Narcotick Medicine: In a violent or very frequent Coughing always troubling us, this uses to give relief before all other Remedies. Again, in fits of the Asthma, when the Organs of Respiration are so laboriously exercis'd, that the Person affe∣cted seems to be brought to the Agony of Death, a Dose of some proper Opiat, makes all things presently serene and calm. More∣over in horrible Vomiting, in excessive or violent Purging, this usually gives great ease. Fluxes can scarce be Cur'd without O∣pium, not that this Medicine fixes the boiling and raging Juices and Humours, but stops the Excretory Convulsions of the Fibres, and that partly within the Cavities of the Viscera themselves, it stupifying by its meer contact the Spirits there Implanted, and partly by suppressing the Spirits within the Cerebellum, which con∣tinually flow to those parts, whereby the others being destitute of supplys from them readily remit of their Convulsive rage.

Fifthly, In Catarrhs and Defluxions of all kinds, we often fly to Opiats, as to our last refuge, they powerfully stay excretions of Blood, and moderate and restrain serous Evacuations, when at any time they are excessive, and tend to a Colliquation. They repress the Immoderate Ebullition of the Blood in a burning Feaver, and lessen its excessive Accension. Briefly they most readily appease all turbulent commotions in our Body from what cause soever they arise, and let the Blood be never so much disturb'd, they most commonly reduce it to a calm and quiet state.

Opiats, where they agree, most commonly fuse the Blood, and after the manner of Alexipharmicks powerfully provoke Sweat, and move Urine, as Dr. Willis gives us here an Instance of a Person troubled with the Dropsy, and severely tormented with Night-pains caus'd by the Pox, who by the constant use of Lau∣danum, fell at length into great Sweats and Evacuations of Urine every Night, and so was Cured.

A Lady, who for many years was subject at times to cruel pains of the Colick, as often as she fell ill of that Disease, and

found the pains grow intolerable, could get no ease from any Re∣medy but from Opium: Wherefore she took a Dose of this each Night, till the Morbifick matter being consum'd by degrees, she became at length free from all grief and pain.

Of the evil Effects of Opium, with cautions concern∣ing its Ʋse.

WE have found, by sad experience in many, the Use of Opi∣um to be sometime hurtful and destructive; for that some presently after taking it, have fallen into a perpetual sleep, and others by taking a Dose of it too great, or unseasonably, have either shortn'd their Lives, or by injuring their principal facul∣ties, have rendered it afterwards uneasie and burthensome. I have known some, who upon taking a Pill of Laudanum, have fallen presently into so profound a sleep, that they could never be rais'd from it, they liv'd indeed for three or four days, and as to their Pulse, Respiration, and Heat were pretty well, but could never be brought again to sense, and waking, by any Remedies or tor∣tures. I have observ'd others, who after taking Opium, have slept but moderately, nay sometimes little or scarce at all; but as to their Pulse, Respiration, and Heat presently grew worse; so that incontinently after the Medicine, they began to have a failing of strength, and then, growing short and thick Breath'd, to de∣cay more and more, nor could their vigour be renew'd by any Cordials, but fainting by degrees they died. I have elsewhere related a story of a robust man kill'd by Opium, who had no sleep at all after it, till his last and mortal sleep, viz. Death it self fol∣lowing it; this Man presently after he had taken the Medicine, complained of a great heaviness upon his Stomack, and of Cold, then he was taken with a great Languor, and a Consternation of all his Spirits, with a coldness of his extream parts, and within some hours complaining that his Eyes grew dim, and at length that he was quite blind, he died.

I shall now relate what evils from the improper, or unseason∣able use of Opium, sometimes happen in the Head, what in the Brest, and what in the Belly.

As to the first, it's well known that the principal functions of the Soul, viz. the Memory, the Reason, and the Acuteness of the understanding are very often extreamly injur'd by Narcoticks. A frequent use of them weakens the Memory in many persons; I knew a person, who by taking a great Dose of it in a Feaver,

wholly lost the use of that faculty, and after some weeks, when the use of it began to return, he remembred only things done within a peculiar tract of time, and nothing of those that were done before or after. I have known some that have grown dull and stu∣pid by this Medicine, and others that have grown mad. And it's observ'd, that those Turks that eat much Opium, though they seem to be well, and not injur'd by it, yet they are rendred more cold, and their functions become worse; they appear always as though they were drunk and besotted, and are affected with a Coma, or a continual inclination to sleep, being stupid and uncon∣stant, sometimes affirming a thing, and sometimes denying it, so that they are unfit to deal or converse with men.

Secondly, We find that Opiats are sometimes hurtful to the Precordia and Brest, because they depress and lessen the Pulse and Breathing, sometimes also (as we have said before) they make them faulter, and by degrees wholly to cease: Wherefore in Fea∣vers, when the Blood being mightily deprav'd, seems to admit of no Crisis, or not a good one, and that at the same time it fur∣nishes but very few and weak Spirits to the Animal Oeconomy. Narcoticks are in a manner always destructive, and as it were poysons: For though in the Plague and Malign Feavers, whilst the Pulse and Respiration are strong, Treacle, Mithridate, and Di∣ascordium, nay and Laudanum are often given with good effect, yet if at any time in those Diseases, and in other Feavers that do not carry so much malignity, the vital faculty languishes, those famous Antidotes must be us'd but very sparingly, and the stron∣ger Opiats not at all. Moreover in a violent Cough, the Phthisick, Plurisy, Empyema, and other Diseases of the Brest, viz. in what ills soever nature is stirr'd up to discharge it self on a sudden of that which is offensive, and oppresses the Brest, and lifts at it with its greatest effort, and at the same time the Organs of Respirati∣on being destitute of a sufficient plenty of Spirits, faulter and per∣form their work with great pain and difficulty; we must in such a case forbear Opium no less than poyson, for then Narcoticks increase and fix the weight to be remov'd, and lessen the strength of the parts that labour to throw it off.

Thirdly, As to the parts within the Belly, we find that Narco∣ticks often taken, proved sometimes very injurious to the princi∣pal faculty, viz. the appetite of food (on which all nutrition, and the Root of Life depends) because they very much blunt it, and often wholly destroy it: For when the Spirits residing in the in∣teriour Coat of the Ventricle are stupified, or destroyed by the Particles of the Opiat; so that those Nervous Fibres though em∣ptied, no longer are corrugated, then all hunger ceases, and there is no appetite to food, nay the same being then offer'd to the

Stomack, proving rather troublesome than delightful to it, is presently thrown up again. Moreover, for the same reason the concoctive force of the Ventricle is weakn'd, and the excretory motions as well of this, as of the Intestines grow tardy; for it's a common observation, that a slowness of concoction, and a tar∣diness of going to stool, are the familiar effects of an Opiatick Medicine.

From what is said, it will not be difficult to draw Physical Precepts and cautions concerning the right use of Opiats, which we may do by observing the four following things, viz. before a Narcotick Medicine be given, we must consider, First, What kind of constitution the Patient is of. Secondly, What kind of Disease it is he labours under. Thirdly, In what state the Ani∣mal Spirits are, in respect both of the Animal and Vital functi∣ons. Fourthly, In what condition the Blood and other humours are.

1. As to the first, when a Hypnotick is indicated, see that the temperament, habit of Body, or Indisposition, Custom, or man∣ner of Life of the Patient do not indicate the contrary. For ex∣ample, those that are of a mean stature, have a strong, well-set, and square Body, with a hot Blood, and a lively or quick aspect are wont to bear this Medicine best, and most commonly re∣ceive benefit thereby; which also they may much more securely adventure upon, if they have been us'd to it before; on the contrary it does not agree with, nay sometimes it proves very prejudicial to those who are too corpulent or very thin; also to those who being of a subtle texture of Body, have their Spirits easily dissipable, or being of a cold temperament, have their Flesh soft and flaggy, and being of a sluggish and intractable Nature, are of themselves dull and sleepy; to which this thing may be ad∣ded, and it augments the weight of the rest, if they never made a Trial of that Medicine before.

The nature of the Disease is sometimes of great moment for, or against the use of Opiats. None but flattering Physicians will make use of them in slight affects. Moreover in some great Di∣stempers they are either forbidden, or their use is much suspect∣ed: In the Palsy, Vertigo, Incubus, Apoplexy, Orthopnaea, the Dropsy of the Brest, or of the Abdomen in the numbness and trembling of the Limbs, in very malign Feavers, and in the fits of intermitting Feavers, or in the Crisis of others, Narcoticks are most common∣ly forbidden. Again, in a Cough with much and thick Spittle, the Asthma, and in any other affects of the Brest, with an oppres∣sion of the Lungs, and in Hysterick and other Convulsive Passi∣ons, they are to be given but rarely, and not without caution, and the advice of some prudent Physician: But in a violent Head∣ach,

Catarrhs, the Colick, Plurisy, ordinary Feavers, in Vomiting, the Bloody Flux, in Nephritick Fits, or fits of the Gout, and in any pains whatsoever, Opiats are not only allow'd, but we have re∣course to them as to a Divine Panacaea.

3. But as often as an Opiat is propos'd, or comes to be deli∣berated on, we must farther consider in what state the Ani∣mal Spirits presiding in each faculty are, for if they are but few, or being opprest, flag already, and do not sufficiently display them∣selves, certainly they must by no means be farther lessen'd, or put in a consternation by a Medicine: Wherefore whilst the Animal faculties do not appear quick, nor with sufficient vigour exert themselves as to sense or reason; or when the Pulse and Respi∣ration have the courses of their Reciprocations but weak, also more quick or slow than usually, or disturb'd, and inequal: And lastly, if a stupor and enervation with an unwonted Languor has seiz'd the Members and Parts for Motion, we must wholly forbear Hypnotick Medicines; but we may be free to use the same, if at any time they are Indicated by reason of some great affects, and that the Animal Spirits at the same time are strong enough, ac∣cording to these and the other respects, or also if they are too much expanded, or grown too raging and unruly.

4. In the mean time the state of the Blood and humours is not to be neglected, for sometimes the uneven, or ill condition of these wholly forbids Opiats, or permits them to be taken but spa∣ringly, and with some restriction. The Blood Indicates against their use when it is amiss either in its quantity, or in its quality, or Crasis: As to the former, the bloody Latex either abounds, or is deficient, and in both respects it excludes Narcotick Medicines. For first, if at any time the Blood grown turgid through its plenty, and withal boiling in a Feaver, so exceedingly extends the Vessels as to make them strout forth; and therefore the precordia mighti∣ly labour to circulate it as quick as possible, by most swiftly repeat∣ed turns of the Systoles, lest it somewhere stagnates or overflows; then certainly to give a Narcotick, whereby that labour and last effort of the Heart, so necessary for preserving Life, would be hindred, were rather the Office of a Poysoner, than of a Physici∣an. Wherefore in an over fullness of Blood, Phlebotomy ought always to precede the use of Opiats. Secondly, No less damage is threatn'd from Narcoticks, if given when there is a want or scar∣city of Blood, as after great Haemorrhagies, long Fastings, or long sicknesses: For when the current of the Blood is very slender, and by reason of its smallness scarcely continued, the Heart being mov'd with as quick a beat as may be, endeavours (as it were with redoubled efforts) to give it a most quick Circulation, lest its course be interrupted, and consequently ceases: Hence it is ob∣vious

to conceive how greatly prejudicial Opiats are, which put a stay, or lett to this endeavour of the Heart, so very necessary in such a juncture. And indeed it seems to be for this reason, that we forbid sleep to Women presently after Child-birth, when the Lochia flow in abundance, and to all others when a conside∣rable quantity of Blood has been taken from them, and in great Hemorrhagies, to wit, lest the Heart be deserted by the Spirits during sleep, with which it swiftly circulates the lessen'd current of the Blood. Moreover sometimes the Blood being faulty in its quality, or (to speak more properly) in its Crasis, Indicates a∣gainst the use of Opiats; for when in a Cacochymia, or Feaver, the Blood being mightily fill'd with drossy Excrements, ought to be agitated with a greater effort of the Heart, and be more swift∣ly circulated, to wit, that the Heterogeneous Particles may be subdued, and soon evaporate; the Operation of a Narcotick in∣tervening, puts a stop to these endeavours of the Praecordia, and consequently retards the Purification of the Blood, and sometimes disappoints it.

As to other Excrementitious humours usually heap'd together in the Ventricle, or the Intestines, these also must be purg'd forth by Vomit or Seige before an Opiat be given: For other∣wise being there fixt, they will stick more pertinaciously: For the Fibres of those parts being stupified by the Medicine, are not irritated as before; nor do they readily set upon excretory Con∣vulsions for expelling those drossy superfluities, or perform it with any vigour. Wherefore according to the ancient Precept; If any thing be to be Evacuated, let it be done before a Narcotick be given.

The Kinds and Prescripts of Opiats.

THe safest Narcotick, and which is generally approv'd of by long experience is the Poppy and preparations of it: Where∣fore as often as we endeavour effectually and safely to provoke sleep, the whole stress of the Medicine is Plac'd in Opium or Dia∣codium.

As to the Heads of white Poppies, with the Seeds out of which Diacodium, also Decoctions, Emulsions, and other Hypnotick Confections are made; it plainly appears that these have much less of a Narcotick Sulphur in them, than the concreted Juice of Opium; and what they have of it, is much more pure and inno∣cent: Wherefore we give oftner, and with more safety Medicines

made of these, nor ought we to use Laudanum, but when through the violence of Symptoms, Diacodiats will not serve: Again since these have in them less of virulency, they do not want much preparation, but either a simple Decoction, or Infusion, or Ex∣pression being made of them, they may be apply'd to Physical use. Now Opium is seldom prescrib'd simply, and by it self, but is wont to be corrected and compounded after a various and diversifyed manner of preparation, that it may become a safe A∣nodine.

The wild Poppy has a certain Hypnotick vertue, but much more mild and gentle than that other; wherefore in certain ca∣ses it agrees excellently well, and we may be more secure as to its use. Of this a Syrup and a distill'd water is always ready pre∣par'd in Apothecaries Shops, which in many continual Feavers are often given with good success, and they are judg'd to have a certain specifical virtue in Curing the Pelurisy, because they take away pains, and by putting some stay to the Pulse, abate the Feaverish boiling of the Blood. Moreover a Tincture is made of its Flowers Infus'd in Brandy, which is a famous Medicine a∣mongst Empiricks and good Women, and is averr'd to be good against Surfeits. The reason of which effect seems to be, that the Spirit of Wine frees the Contents of the Stomack from pu∣trefaction, and the Narcotick force of the Flowers prevents the Invasion of the Feaver.

I shall now set down certain Select Forms of Narcoticks; which I shall also digest into certain Classes, according as the O∣piats have for their Basis, either the Syrup or distill'd water of the wild Poppy, or Diacodium, or Laudanum Extractum, or Li∣quidum, or Pilul. de Styrace, or de Cynoglosso, or lastly, Philo∣nium.

Take the water of wild Poppies, and Cowslip water, of each six Oun∣ces, Syrup of red Poppies two Ounces, Sal Prunella half a Dram, mix them: Make a Julape, the Dose is three or four Ounces thrice a day in the Pleurisie, Pains, watching without a Feaver, or any mani∣fest Cause.

Take of Poppy water, from four Ounces to six: Let it be taken now and then by it self twice or thrice a day for the same in∣tent.

Take Diacodium, from half an Ounce to an Ounce, Cowslip water three Ounces, Treacle water three Ounces: Make a Potion.

Take Carduus water three Ounces, Diacodium half an Ounce, Spi∣rit of Hartshorn, from half a Scruple, to a Scruple: Make a draught for procuring sleep and sweat.

Take Diascordium half a Dram, Gascoins Powder a Scruple, Diaco∣dium two Drams, mix them: Let it be taken in a spoon.

Take Diacodium three Ounces, Snail water an Ounce, mix them: Its proper in the Cough and Phthisick: The Dose is a spoonful going to Rest, and if need be, take it again after Midnight.

Take London Laudanum a Grain, Powder of Claws Compound from half a Scruple, to a Scruple, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Clove-Gillyflowers: Make three Pills to be taken going to Rest.

Take Laudanum a Grain, Stomack Pills with Gumms half a Dram: Make four Pills to be taken going to rest, in the Colick.

Take Laudanum, from a Grain, to a Grain and a half, Diascordium a Scruple: Make a Bolus, instead of Diascordium, you may put the Con∣fection of Alkermes, or of Hyacinth.

Take Laudanum a Grain, dissolve it in a spoonful of Treacle water, add of Cowslip water two Ounces: Make a draught.

Take of our Liquid Laudanum tartariz'd twenty Drops, give it in a spoonful of Aqua Mirabilis, or of Cinnamon water, or of any other fit Vehicle: Its proper in Colick, Nephritick, or Gouty pains.

Take Species of Hiera half a Dram, of the foresaid Laudanum twenty drops: Make four Pills, let them be taken going to rest, for Purging, and easing pains of the Colick at the same time.

Take Liquid Laudanum Cydoniated, from fifteen Drops to twenty: Give it in a spoonful of small Cinnamon water for the Flux.

Take Conserve of red Roses an Ounce, Venice Treacle, Confection of Hyacinth, of each two Drams, Pulvis Pannonici Rubri a Dram, Lau∣danum Cydoniated two Drams, Syrup of Coral what suffices: Make an Electuary, the Dose is a Dram every fourth or fifth hour, in a vio∣lent Bloody Flux with Gripes.

Take Pilul. de Styrace, from five Grains to six, Lac Sulphuris half a Scruple, Oyl of Anniseeds a Drop, Balsam of Peru what suffices: Make three Pills to be taken in the Cough, Asthma, &c.

Take Pilul. de Cynoglosso, from six Grains to eight: Make two Pills to be taken going to rest for the same intents.

Take Philonium Romanum, from one Scruple to two, Conserve of Clove-Gillyflowers half a Dram, mix them: Make a Bolus to be taken going to rest. Its proper for the Colick in a cold temperament.

I shall now say something concerning the Effects of the great Anti-Hypnotick Coffee.

Coffee, though in some cases it be very profitable and Physical, in others it is hurtful and unwholesome; for we see that great Coffee-drinkers become lean, and are very often subject to be Pa∣ralytick, and grow impotent for generation.

Yet as to Affects of the Brain, and the Genus Nervosum, I very often prescribe this Drink for them.

For indeed in very many Cephalick Diseases and Infirmities, viz. in Head-aches, Giddiness, the Lethargy, Catarrhs, and the like, where with a full habit of Body, and a cold temperament, or

one that is not hot, and a watery Blood, there is a moist Brain with a sluggishness and dullness of the Animal Spirits, Coffee has often a very good effect, for being daily drank, it wonderfully clears and enlightens each part of the Soul, and disperses all the Clouds of every function. But on the contrary, those who being thin, and of a Bilious, or Melancholick temperament, have a sharp, or burnt Blood, a hot Brain, and the Animal Spirits too much stirr'd and restless, ought to forbear this Drink altogether, as be∣ing apt to pervert both the Spirits and humours in a greater measure, and to render them wholly unfit, and unable to perform any functions: For I have observ'd many, not having a sufficient plenty of Spirits, and being also subject to the Head-ach, Verti∣go, Palpitation of the Heart, and a trembling or numbness of the Limbs, who presently after drinking Coffee became worse as to those Affects, and suddenly found an unusual Languor in their whole Body.