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.

CHAP. II. Instructions and Prescripts for the Cure of Spitting Blood.

THe Indications for Curing a Spitting Blood, are chiefly these two, viz. First, presently to moderate and stay the Flux of Blood: And then in the Second place to heal the dissolution of Unity, without leaving a Consumptive Putrefaction in the Lungs.

In reference to the First, These two things are chiefly to be procur'd: First, That the Blood do not flow to the part affe∣cted: Secondly, That withal the Aperture of the Vessel be some way clos'd.

1. To keep the Blood from flowing to the part affected, ma∣ny intentions of Curing must be set upon together, viz. We must lessen the quantity of Blood, moderate its fervent boiling, alter its ill temper, retard its motion, or divert it another way: For which ends Blooding, Ligatures and Frictions most commonly do well. Moreover, Julapes, Decoctions, Emulsions, and Juicy expressions of Herbs ought to be given, and likewise moderate Hypnoticks; especially Diacodiats are taken with good success: For these by putting a stay to the motion of the Heart, allay the fervour of the Blood.

2. To close the Aperture of the Vessel, Astringent Remedies, and Agglutinatives are most proper: The chief of these are usu∣ally given in the Form of a Linctus, so that some of its Particles in swallowing, falling on the Aspera Arteria may more immedi∣ately communicate their vertue to the part affected. But the way of this Operation seems to be of no great moment, because the Efficacy of the Medicines reaches chiefly, and in a manner only by the way of the Blood to the Root of the Disease: Where∣fore not only Lohoch's, but likewise Decoctions, Powders and Pills of Traumatick, and Balsamick Ingredients are successfully prescrib'd.

The Second Indication, which is for preservation, having re∣gard to the Cure of the dissolution of Unity, without leaving a∣ny blemish in the Lungs, ought to provide against two sorts of evils, viz. That the Spitting Blood (to which the Persons affe∣cted will be always subject) does not return at times; and that

the Consumption, which threatens all those that Spit Blood, does not follow it: For which ends in order to the prevention of this Disease, we must take an assiduous care of, or use a constant method of Cure to the Blood and Lungs.

1. As to the Blood, its Mass ought always to be kept in a due quantity, a just temper, and a gentle and continued motion: Hence lest it abound too much, or being affected with an evil temperament, grows turgid, or deposes impure dregs in the Brest, we must sometimes use Bleeding, and a gentle Purge; an exact Form of Diet is always necessary. Moreover, drinking of Asses Milk, or of Mineral Waters contribute sometimes egregiously to the purifying and sweetning of the Blood.

Again, Decoctions, Distill'd Waters, Juices of Herbs, which take away the Dyscrasies of the Blood, and derive the Serum and other Impurities from the Lungs, and carry them forth by Sweat or Urine, must be diligently taken: Issues also mightily conduce for this end.

2. Nor must less care be taken of the Lungs themselves, that their whole frame, and especially the place affected, be preserv'd in a due Conformation, and right Tone: Hence all violent moti∣on, by which Unity is farther dissolv'd, or its restauration hin∣dred, is carefully to be avoided. Let the Person live in a clear and brisk Air, though it must not be too sharp and piercing. Let him abstain from gross Food, long Sleeps, large Suppers, and o∣ther errours in Diet, which cause a Repletion, or Obstruction in the Praecordia: Besides this, let Remedies be us'd, which are said to Cure the Lungs, by a peculiar or certain Specifick Ver∣tue.

Having given you the method of Curing Blood Spitting, I shall now set down some Select Forms of Medicines, answering to each of the Therapeutick Indications, and to the various intentions of Curing that belong to them: And we justly give the precedency to those which encountring the most urgent Symptome, pre∣sently stop the flowing forth of Blood, cast out of the Lungs by a Cough, or otherwise: In the First rank of these Medicines, we place those which hinder the Blood from flowing to the part af∣fected, and have a certain Astringency, together with an Agglu∣tinative Vertue, by which the Aperture of the Vessel is clos'd; and after a Glyster and Blooding (unless the weakness of the Pulse, and a deficiency of heat forbid it) they are presently given in the form of a Julape, Decoction, Emulsion, Juicy Expression, Powder, Pills and Lohochs: I shall give you some of the choicest and most efficacious prescripts of each of these, as also of Hypno∣ticks, which nevertheless must not be us'd at random, and indif∣ferently, but every of them methodically and seasonably, accor∣ding

to the various Constitution of the Patient, and Nature of the Disease, as a prudent Physician shall direct.

1. Julapes and distill'd Waters.

TAke the Waters of Purslain and red Poppies, of each six Ounces, Dragons Blood finely Powdred half a Dram, Syrup of red Pop∣pies two Ounces, Spirit of Vitriol of Mars, half a Scruple: Mix them, the Dose is three Ounces, repeating it within five or six hours.

Take Plantain water a pound, the Gums Tragacanth and Arabick Powdred, of each half a Dram; mingle them and dissolve them, then add Syrup of dry'd Roses, an Ounce and a half: Make a Julape, the Dose is three or four Ounces every third or fourth hour.

Take the Waters of Oak-buds, red Roses, and Nymphaea, of each four Ounces, Blood-stone very finely Powdred, Bole Armeniack Pow∣dred, of each half a Dram, Syrup of Nymphaea two Ounces: Mingle them, the Dose is three or four Ounces, three or four times a day.

Take of the Dew or insipid Phlegm of Vitriol a pound, Syrup of Myr∣tles two Ounces: Mix them, the Dose is two or three Ounces, often in the day, or in the night.

Take Cypress tops eight handfuls, Willow Leaves or Flowers six handfuls, Roots of the greater Comphrey and Nymphaea, of each half a pound, Balaustia two handfuls, all being slic'd small together, pour to them of fresh Milk eight pounds, distil them in Common Organs: The Dose is three or four Ounces, thrice or oftner in a day.

Take of this distill'd water, and of Plantain water, of each half a pound, the Gums Tragacanth and Arabick, of each two Drams: Dis∣solve them, the Dose is three Ounces every third hour.

The following Mixture is prescrib'd by Frederick Deckers, to be taken a Spoonful at a time, and seems to be a good Medi∣cine.

Take Plantain water two Ounces, Cinnamon two Drams, Confecti∣on of Hyacinth a Dram and a half, distill'd Vinegar half an Ounce, red Coral prepar'd half a Dram, Balaustia, Dragons Blood, of each half a Scruple, Laudanum Opiatum three Grains, Syrup of Myrtles an Ounce: Mingle them.

Take the Waters of Plantain, red Roses and Purslain, of each four Ounces, Blood-stone and Dragons Blood reduc'd into a fine Powder, of each half a Dram, Sugar Candy six Drams: Make a Ju∣lape.

A Solution of common Vitriol, or of Vitriol of Mars made in foun∣tain water, and apply'd to a Wound with a rag, excellently stops all Fluxes of Blood, but it is not proper to be given inwardly.

2. Decoctions, Tinctures, and Emulsions.

TAke Leaves of Blood-wort, Perwincle, Mous-ear, Plantain, Wood∣sorrel, both sorts of Daisies of each a handful: Flowers of red Roses half a handful, Barley half an Ounce, Raisins two Ounces, boil them in three pounds of Water, in which red hot Iron has been quench'd, till it comes to two pounds; add to the straining Syrup of St. Johns wort two Ounces, or of Mous-ear: Make an Apozeme, the Dose is four or six Ounces thrice a day.

Take Leaves of St. Johns wort, Roots and Leaves of Tormentil, great Burnet, Meadow-sweet, of each a handful, Seeds of Purslane, Plantain, and Sorrel, of each a Dram, Conserve of red Roses half a pound, fountain water four pounds: Let them boil close in B. M. for twelve hours; to the straining, add Spirit of Vitriol of Mars, half a Scruple, take it after the same manner.

Take Barley water with madder Roots boil'd in it, a pound and a half: Put into it, when grown pretty cold, of red Rose Leaves a handful: Add Spirit of Vitriol a Scruple, let there be a close and warm infusion for three hours: Make a Tincture, to the straining add Syrup of the Juice of St. Johns wort, an Ounce and a half: Take three or four Ounces, thrice or four times in a day.

Take of the Decoction of the Roots of fresh Nettles, a pound and a half, Seeds of white Poppies, and of Henbane, of each two Drams, Melon seeds pill'd six Drams: Make an Emulsion according to Art, sweetned with Sugar Penids: The Dose is three Ounces, three or four times a day.

3. Juices of Herbs, and Juicy Expressions.

TAke Juice of Plantain Leaves half a pound: Let two or three Drams be taken thrice a day, with three Ounces of the distill'd Water above written, and sweeten it at pleasure.

Take Leaves of fresh Nettles, Plantain, the lesser Daisy, of each three handfuls; being bruis'd together, pour to them of Purslain water six Drams: Wring it forth hard, take it as the former.

4. Powders and Pills.

TAke Powder of Blood-stone, of Dragons Blood ground on a Marble with Rose-water, and of Pearl, of each a Dram, Bole Armeniack, Terra Lemnia, of each half a Dram, Troches of Winter Cherries two Drams: Make a Powder, divide it into twelve parts; let one part be taken thrice a day with the distill'd water above written.

Take of the Seeds of Henbane, and white Poppies, of each ten Drams, Terra Sigillata, red Coral, of each five Drams, Sugar of Roses three Ounces: Make a Powder, the Dose is a Dram Morning and Even∣ing. This Composition brought into a soft Consistency with some pro∣per Syrup, is call'd Helidaeus's Electuary, so Famous heretofore in Germany.

The foresaid Powders may also be made into convenient Pills and Tablets, by adding the Solution of Tragacanth, or some fit Sy∣rup.

The spungy Excrescency usually growing to the fruit of the Dog-Rose Tree, made into Powders, and given twice a day to the quantity of half a Dram, is a very good remedy in spitting Blood.

Take Yarrow bruis'd and dry'd in the Summer Sun, what you think good: Make it into a fine Powder, and keep it in a Glass for Ʋse: The Dose is from half a Dram to a Dram, twice a day in a fit Ve∣hicle.

The Powder of Julius Caesar Scaliger, or rather of Serapion is mightily commended: The Dose is four Drams, twice or thrice a day.

5. Lohoch's and Electuaries.

TAke Conserve of red Roses, and of the Dog-Rose, of each two Ounces, Powder of the Seeds of the white Poppy, and of Hen∣bane, of each two Drams, Species Diatragacanthi frigidi, a Dram and a half, Blood-stone, Sanguis Draconis prepar'd, of each half a Dram, Syrup of red Poppies what suffices: Make an Electuary, let the quantity of a Chesnut be taken Evenings and Mornings, and at other times suck it with a stick of Licorice.

Take Conserve of the Flowers of great Comphrey, and of Water-Lillies, of each an Ounce and a half, Troches of Winter Cherries, and Dia∣tragacanthum frigidum, of each a Dram and a half, Syrup of Jujubes what suffices; Make a soft Lohoch, of which take often with a stick of Licorice.

Take of the White of an Egg well beaten two Drams, Lucatellus's Balsam half an Ounce, Troches of Winter Cherries two Drams, Syrup of red Poppies what suffices: Make a soft Lohoch, take the quantity of a Chesnut Morning and Evening.

The Second Indication being for preservation, suggests to us those Remedies which keeping the Blood in a just temper, and the Lungs in a due Conformation, provide against a relapse of Spitting Blood, and an ensuing Consumption; such as regard the Blood are either gentle Evacuatives by Seige, Urine, and Sweat, or meer Alteratives. Every one of these are wont to be pre∣scrib'd either in the Form of a Drink, Powder, Electuary or Pills: We shall set down some Select Forms of some of the chief of them.

1. As to Evacuatives, a gentle Purge may sometiems be orde∣red after this manner.

Take of the best Sena three Drams, Cassia bruis'd with the Fistula an Ounce, Tamarinds three Drams, Coriander-seeds a Dram and a half: Boil them in a sufficient quantity of fountain water to fix Ounces, to the straining add Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb an Ounce, Clari∣fy it with the White of an Egg. Or,

Take Gereons Decoction of Senna four Ounces, Purging Syrup of Apples an Ounce: Mix them, and make a Potion.

For preserving the Blood in a good temper, and that its dreggy Excrements deriv'd from the Lungs, may be continually dis∣charg'd by Sweat and Urine, the following Alteratives, or some of them must be constantly taken; which being also of a heal∣ing Nature, relieve Lungs that are infirm, or dissolv'd in their Unity.

For ordinary Drink, let it be pure Water, especially in a hot Constitution, or water a little ting'd with Claret Wine: Those with whom this Drink does not agree, may use with as good success a Bochet of China and Sarsa, with the shavings of Ivory, Hartshorn, and white Saunders in it, or sinall Beer, or Ale, with the Leaves of Harts Tongue, Oak of Hierusalem, and the like in∣fus'd in it.

Let Pectoral Decoctions, or Hydromels with temperate Trau∣matick Herbs be taken twice or thrice a day, to six or seven Ounces.

Take Roots of fresh Nettles, and Chervil, of each an Ounce, Leaves of Harts Tongue, Speedwel, Mous-ear, Ground Ivy, St. John's-wort, of each a handful: Boil them in three pounds of fountain water to two pounds, adding Raisms stone'd an Ounce and a half, Licorice two Drams; to the straining add Syrupus Byzantinus two Ounces, Clarifie it with the White of an Egg: Make an Apozem to be taken to four or six Ounces twice or thrice a day for a Month.

In a cold or Phlegmatick Constitution, the Licorice and Rai∣sins being omitted with the Syrup, add towards the end two Ounces of the best Clarified Honey; strain it, and keep it for use: The Dose is the same as the former.

Let these things sometimes be taken betwixt whiles with a distill'd water appropriated to the same end; which also may be more frequently taken by some Persons, to whom Apozems are nauseous and loathsome.

Take Cypress Tops, Leaves of ground Ivy, of each six handfuls, Snails half boil'd a pound and a half, All the Saunders bruis'd, of each an Ounce: Being slic'd and bruis'd, pour to them of new Milk eight pounds, distil it with common Organs: The Dose is three or four Ounces with a spoonful of Syrup of the Juice of ground Ivy twice a day.

2. In respect of the Lungs, viz. that the Union of its parts, and the due Conformation of the whole may be preserv'd without any obstruction, or opening of its Vessels, temperate Balsamicks are of chiefest use: For this end Lucatellus Balsam is perscrib'd even by the vulgar to be taken constantly, and for a long time by such as Spit Blood. Chymists and some famous Women cry up above all things a Balsamick Oyl drawn by distillation, which they call Mother of Balsam.

I shall now illustrate this Method of Cure by a Story.

A famed young man falling from a Scorbutick Cachexia into a Palsey, and for the Cure of this Disease, having try'd Remedies not only great, but likewise disproportionate to his Blood and Spirits, viz. Salivation, and the use of hot Baths, happened to be seiz'd with a Spitting of Blood, and its fits (of all I ever knew that were not presently mortal) seem'd the most dread∣ful.

The First appearance of this Blood Spitting was after the ope∣ration of Hews's Powder, by which having for some time un∣dergone a Salivation, though without Curing his Palsey, he was brought to a great weakness: Then being afflicted with a Catarrh, and a very troublesome Cough, he began to cast forth a discoloured Spittle, and sometimes ting'd with Blood, sometimes sprinkled with it. But this Disease being mild at First, soon va∣nish'd by the use of Medicines, and afterwards the Person going into the Country, and breathing a purer Air, grew better, and in a while seeming to be sound enough in his Brest, he went to Bath to Cure his Palsey: Where Bathing every day for six Weeks in the hot waters, he got his Cough again, and soon after fell into a terrible Spitting of Blood, so that in twenty four hours space Counghing up Blood almost continually, and in a large measure, he threw forth a vast qantity.

Going to see him the First time in this Condition, provision being made for the whole, I presently ordered Bleeding for Re∣vulsion, though after its Administration (both then and ever after) his Blood Spitting either return'd a fresh, or was provok'd more by it. Moreover I gave Julapes, Lohoch's, Decoctions, and even Hypnoticks, which doing little or no good: I ordered Li∣gatures about his Arms and Thighs, which first of all gave a check to the Tyranny of this Disease: And as now and then the Evil burst forth again, I perswaded him at length that forbearing the use of Beer, he should drink constantly a Decoction of Sarsa and China with Pectorals: By the almost continued use of this, observing likewise an exact Form of Diet, and abstaining wholly from Wine, hot Aliments, and Salt and Sugar, he had his health well enough for above two years.

But afterwards being very much heated in a Crowd, he fell a∣gain into a terrible Spitting of Blood: A Physician being call'd, he was presently Blooded in his Arm, after which his Blood Spit∣ting became more violent; and when on the Second and Third days after he was Blooded again, the Evil encreas'd upon him each time: At length Ligatures being us'd (as before) and a Pectoral Decoction, and a Lohoch carefully taken, the Disease presently abated, and in a short time wholly ceas'd: Neverthe∣less he continued the use of his Pectoral Decoction, and thin Diet, viz. without any Flesh above six Weeks, and thereby ob∣tained truce from his Enemy for three years: And when after∣wards sometimes after drinking Wine, or too plentiful a Diet, the Blood growing turgid, began to burst forth of the Lungs, presently by the Ligatures, together with the use of the De∣coction and Linctus, and the thin Diet, the force of it was al∣ways allay'd.

Nevertheless he became not so secure, but was forc'd to keep in a manner always watch and ward against that lurking Enemy: For not long since through the Distemper of the Season, he was seiz'd with a very troublesome Catarrh, accompanied with a Cough, and much Spittle which was now and then Bloody, and then the former Medicines did not do: Whereupon of his own head he betook himself to new things; and First of all he took Evenings and Mornings a spoonful of the Syrup of the Juice of ground Ivy, and found thereby great good: but that Syrup, by reason of the Sugar, growing in a short time loathsome to him, he took twice a day in a spoonful of some Liquor to half a Dram, or a Dram of the Powder of that Herb well prepar'd; which Re∣medy being us'd a long time, he became much better as to his Catarrh and Cough, but his Blood Spitting breaking forth now and then, though it were in a small quantity, he chang'd his Me∣dicine

again; and took twice a day a Powder of the Tops, and e∣specially of the hairy Excrescencies of the sweet Bryar Tree: Which Medicine alone, a certain Physician formerly renown'd for the Cure of Spitting Blood, had us'd with great success: Nor did our Patient receive a less prosperous effect from that Reme∣dy: For by it he presently got wholly free from his Cough, Ca∣tarrh, and Blood Spitting, and so continued for a very long time, till at length thinking this Disease of his Brest wholly conquer'd, and therefore to be slighted, he took up arms against the other more ancient, viz. the Palsey. Wherefore whilst neglecting his Spitting Blood, he took daily to overcome that Distemper, a large Dose of hot Medicines, viz. Magistral waters distill'd with Wine, Spirit of Hartshorn, of Sal Armociack, Aromatick Pow∣ders and Confections, and indulg'd himself likewise to a more plentiful Diet, drinking Ale and Wine moderately, the roaring Lion which seem'd before a sleep, rous'd himself again, viz. he had not long continued that Antiparalitick Method, but the Blood Spitting return'd with a very great violence, so that in the space of twenty four hours, he Cough'd forth above three pounds of forthy Blood; and afterwards when a Physician being call'd, he was presently Ordered to be Let Blood, after bleeding the Blood Spitting beginning to be abated (as it was always wont before) was provok'd a fresh: Which nevertheless after the Applicati∣on of the Ligatures, and the diligent taking of the Linctus and Pectoral Decoction, was presently mitigated, and in a short time wholly ceas'd. And when afterwards he had us'd above Three Months the Pectoral Decoction, and an entirely thin Diet, viz. without Flesh, and of meer Herbs, Corn, and Milk Meats, he revocered in a short time his former health, and now lives in that state, triumphing over that cruel Disease.

This Person always found the use of the Pectoral Decoction to do him good: Wherefore though he chang'd now and then his other Medicines, he always retain'd the same Composition of that; and recommended it to many other Persons seiz'd with a Blood Spitting with success.

The Form of the Prescript is thus.

Take all the Saunders, of each six Drams, Infuse them for twelve hours in seven pounds of fountain water, then let it boil till a third part be wasted, after add of the Leaves of Coltsfoot, Maiden hair, Mous-ear, Speedwel, Flowers of St. John's-wort, of each two handfuls, sweet Fennel-seeds six Drams, Licorice slit half an Ounce, Raisins ston'd half a pound, boil them to four pounds; then strain it, and use it for your ordinary drink.

Moreover, when the Blood Spitting was upon him, or was coming, he took thrice, or oftner in a day the quantity of a Nutmeg of the

following Electuary, drinking after it seven spoonfuls of the Ju∣lape.

Take Conserve of red Roses three Ounces, Conserve of Hipps and Com∣phrey, of each an Ounce and a half, Dragons Blood a Dram, Species of Hyacinth two Scruples, red Coral a Dram, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of red Poppies, Mix them, and make a soft Electuary, take at Night, and early in the Morning a Dram and a half, drinking after it a draught of the following Julape; at other times let him take it with a stick of Licorice.

Take of the Waters of Plantain, and of the Spawn of Forgs, of each six Drams, Syrup of Coral, and of dry'd Roses, of each an Ounce, Dragons Blood two Scruples: Mix them, made a Julape.