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. IX. Of Affects vulgarly call'd Hypochondriacal, which are shewn to be for the greatest part Convulsive, and by the by of Chalybeate Medicines.

AS we have shewn before that the Passions vulgarly call'd Hysterical do not always proceed from the Womb, but oftner from the Head's being affected: So though it has been vulgarly held that the affects call'd Hypochondriacal are caus'd for the most part by Vapours arising from the Spleen, and running hither and thither; yet in truth those distempers are for the greatest part Convulsions and Contractions of the Nervous parts; which may better appear after we have considered the Symptoms.

As to the affects therefore which are vulgarly call'd Hypochon∣driacal it is to be observed that they chiefly happen to persons of a Melancholick Constitution, with a wan aspect and a thin habit of body: It is seldom that Disease troubles persons who are well in flesh, and have a florid, or also an over Phlegmatick countenance: About the time that persons come to a set age it discovers itself with manifest signs; Men are found to be more frequently obnoxious to this than Women, in both being become habitual it is cur'd with great difficulty, or searce at all; in Wo∣men by reason of their weaker Constitution, it is attended with far more Convulsive affects: Wherefore it is commonly said in this Sex, that the Hysterick affect is joyn'd to the Hypo∣chondriacal.

The Symptoms which are accounted as belonging to this Dis∣ease are commonly very many, and of a differing Nature, nor have they in all a like Origine, or the same mutual dependance on each other: For we see that in these the Viscera of the Belly, in those the Praecordia, in others the Confines of the Brain are most affected: in a great many, but not in all, the Stomach much Labours; as to appetite it has often too much of it, but is pre∣sently opprest by what is taken into it; and when the food through slowness of Concoction tarries a long time in it, the Saline par∣ticles of it being rais'd to a state of flowing, pervert the whole mass of the Chyle into a Pap, sometimes Acid or Austere, some∣times Salt or Tart: Hence a Cardialgia, a mighty store of Flatus's, a Rumbling, and a frequent Vomiting ensue; and be∣cause through a defect of a Pneumatosis the Chyme is not volatilis'd throughout, and carryed forth, but a Mass of Viscous Matter, sticking to the Coats of the Stomach is left behind, an almost continual Spitting molests them, a distention in the left Hypo∣chondre and often there and under the Ventricle a violent beating is felt, and there pains every where arise; which shoot here and there at random, and miserably torture the person with a certain pungent Pain for many hours. Mean while, from the Contractions of the Membranes and the Fluctuation of the Flatus's thence rais'd, Croakings and Rumblings are produc't: So in the Thorax there is often a great Straitness and Constriction, so that the Breathing becomes difficult and painful upon any mo∣tion; nay farther, in some very terrible Astmatick Fits supervene: Moreover the diseas'd are wont to complain of a Trembling and palpitation of the heart, with a mighty oppression of the same, also frequent Failings of the Spirits, and danger of Swooning come upon them, that the diseased always think Death at hand: In this Region about the Membranes, and especially the Mediasti∣num, an acute Pain, which one while is determin'd in one part; another while is extended to the Shoulder, is a familiar Symp∣tom of this Disease: But in the Head an Iliad of Evils for the most part troubles Hypochondriacal persons, to wit, most violent Pains Periodically returning arise; also Scotomia's, frequent Gid∣diness, Obstinate Watchings, a Fervency and a most troublesome Fluctuation of thoughts, inconstancy of mind, a disturb'd fan∣cy, a dread and suspicion of every thing, an Imaginary being Af∣fected with Diseases of which they are free, and many other distractions of the Spirits, nay sometimes Melancholy, and a Mania accompany this Sickness: Besides these interiour Regions of the Body being beset with this Disease; wandring Pains, al∣so Cramps and Numbnesses with a sense of Formication seise like∣wise almost all the outward parts; Night Sweats, Flushings of

Blood in the Face and Palms of the Hands, Fevers of uncertain returns, and many other Symptoms of an incertain Origine on all hands arise, of which in regard it has not been easy to assign the Genuine causes and ways of their coming to pass, Physicians have charg'd, (though unjustly) all the blame on the Spleen: In the mean while it is to be observ'd that the chief Symptoms of this distemper are convulsive and depend immediatly upon the Irregularities of the Animal Spirits, and Nervous Juice, rather than on the Dyscrasies of the Viscera that serve for Con∣coction.

As a great many have ascribed this valetudinary disposition to the only fault of the Spleen: So others making all the confines of this Entral a party in the fault, will have the Blood lying in any part soever of the Vessels of the Spleen and Epigastrick Region to give the Origine to this evil. But the renowned Highmore has charg'd the chief cause of this Disease wholly on the faulty Con∣stitution of the Stomach.

Concerning this opinion, though I so far agree with this fa∣mous Author, that I may grant the Ventricle to be often greatly distemper'd in this affect: Yet I cannot be brought to think that all the Symptoms of the Hypochondriacal Disease depend on∣ly on the Ill constitution of the Ventricle, for I have known many sorely afflicted with that Distemper, whose Stomachs were well enough; and I have known others who through an ill dyet have brought their Stomachs to be greatly Distempered, yet, as to the Precordia and Animal Faculties being sound enough, they were not at all accounted Hypochondriacal.

As to what the Spleen contributes to this Disease, Dr. Willis first curiously observing the use of this part, to wit that from the Blood brought to it from the Arteries, a certain Dreggy Por∣tion, viz. consisting of an Earthly matter and a Fixt Salt, is de∣pos'd in this Entral, which being there exalted as it were by Di∣gestion, and rais'd to the nature of a Ferment, is again com∣mitted to the Blood as it passes back by the Veins, which in∣spires it with a certain Fermentation, and performs the same thing as to its Pneumatosis, as our common Leaven does when mixt in a Mass of Meal, so that as the Leaven inables the sluggish parts in the Bread for Motion, so the Ferment of this Entral raises the sluggish Particles of the Blood to a state of activity. And secondly considering the intimate communication betwixt the Brain and the Slpeen by the means of the Nerves, of which there are a world of Plexus's and Fibres arising from them in this part; he says that the ways of affecting with which the Spleen being evil dispos'd, produces, or at leastwise contributes to the rise of the Symptoms of the Hypochondriacal Distemper are chiefly these following.

Viz. First it sometimes happens that the spongy substance of the Spleen is very much stuff't and obstructed by the Faeces of the Blood sticking too much in its Pores and there Stagnating, so that afterward it does not admit into it the Dreggs of the Mass of Blood as much as it ought, but the same being brought thither, but not receiv'd, Regurgitate into the neighbouring Branches of the Caeliack Artery, whence presently they are convey'd into the Membranes of the Ventricle, the Caul and Me∣sentery, and other neighbouring parts, and are wont to stick in them, hence the Tone of those Viscera is so much perverted, that they cannot rightly execue their due Functions in order to the Concoction of the Chyle, and the Circumjacent Mem∣branes, being very much fill'd with Heterogeneous and Irritative Particles, become mightily obnoxious to Convulsions arising here and there, to running Pains, Contractions, Distentions and a multitude of Flatus's.

2. Though the Slpeen should receive freely enough the Me∣lancholy Juice brought by it from the Blood to the Arteries, yet often it does not duly Concoct the same, but the salt being very much exalted, perverts it into a humour too Sharp, or Austere, or faulty some other way; wherewith when the whole Mass of Blood, and the stock of Nutritive Juice contained in it, are in∣fected, the fruits of a Hypochondriacal seed display themselves throughout the whole body; the Blood boiling more then it ought, is driven violently into certain parts, and at the same time in others it is apt to stagnate: Hence some presently up∣on eating have Flushings in the Face, the palms of their hands burn, &c. In some again running pains with a Pricking happen in many parts of the Body.

3. From the Blood thus deprav'd through the fault of the Spleen, a prejudice also is often brought on the Animal functi∣on, the Heterogeneous and Convulsive particles being often dis∣charged on the Brain and Genus Nervosum, hence persons are troubled with fancies and thoughts, with Giddiness, Scotomia's, Head-aches, and often Paralitick affects. Then as the Morbifick matter passes from the Brain into the Genus Nervosum, Convul∣sive affects are raised in many parts of the Body, but chiefly a∣bout the Precordia, and Viscera of the Belly, the Spirits that are in the Nerves which regard those parts being greatly troubled by the passions of the mind.

4. It is also very probable that the Nervous Fibres (whereof there are a world disperst through the Spleen, sometimes receive

into them its most Sharp Juice, which creeping up the Passages of the Nerves, often is the cause of Convulsive Motions: And there being an intimate commerce betwixt the Spleen and the Brain, we judge that besides the long way of the Blood, they have a nearer way of communication by the Nerves of the Par Vagum and Intercostale by which they mutually affect each o∣ther; so that sometimes the Melancholy being disturb'd in the Spleen, conveys thence the passion to the Brain, whence disor∣derly and Hypochondriacal fancies happen: And on the contrary, when a violent Passion of the mind, occasionally rais'd within the Brain, troubles the Spirits residing in it, the impression given the fancy, is convey'd to the spleen by the course and successive affect of the Spirits, lying within the Nerves of the Per Vagum and Intercostale; whence many disturbances are caus∣ed in that Entral and in the parts adjacent. I shall now give an instance of a person troubled with the Hypochondriacal affect.

An honourable person of a Melancholick temperament, and al∣ways accounted to be troubled with the Spleen, complained very much of a Pain and Inflation of the left Hypochondre, with a frequent Rumbling, and a Sour Belching, also a Trembling of the Heart, a continual Giddiness, a want of Sleep, and a Troubled Fancy; about the thirty fifth year of his Age, the Dis∣ease growing worse, he began to get Sleep with difficulty, or very seldom by night, and so in the day time to be troubled with a Fervency and Inconstancy of thoughts, to be suspicious of all things and persons, and to be Scar'd at every thing that came in his way; the Praecordia seem'd to be very much Constring'd and Straitn'd, and to fall in, as though the Heart it self were de∣prest into the Belly, which Symptom pressing him he became very sad, and dejected in mind: Yet afterward, those affects of the mind remitting, he plainly felt at once both the heart to be a little rais'd, and the Praecordia to be Relax't and Dilated: Moreover he had very frequently Pains and Contractions vari∣ously rais'd about the Muscles of the Viscera and Membranes, and passing from one place to another.

He us'd a great many Remedies and Physical Administrations a long time for the Cure of this Affect, but without any great good; at length, being somewhat relieved by the use of Mineral Waters, and afterwards growing better by degrees, he became free from those severe Symptoms, tho' he still continues obnoxi∣ous to the Hypochondriacal Affect.

The Therapeutick Method to be us'd against Hypochondriacal Affects, requires chiefly these four general Indications, viz. First, that the Impediments of the Cure be remov'd, which intention chiefly regards the cleansing and keeping of the first Passages. Se∣condly,

We must endeavour to correct the Obstructions or other disorders of the Spleen. Thirdly, we must see that the excrementi∣tious Dregs of the Mass of Blood be Purg'd forth, and that its due Crasis be restored. Fourthly, that the Irregularities of the Brain and Genus Nervosum, and also of the Humour and Spirits residing in them, contracted through the fault of the Blood and Spleen, be amended or abolish't. Since we must drive at many of these Intents together, or at all of them, let fit Seasons be chosen, in which we may satisfie each of these purposes without any prejudice to, or neglect of the Rest.

1. As so the first Indication, since a great Mass of crude or adust matter is wont to be heapt together in the first passages, and since the Tone of the Stomack uses to be weaken'd, and its Ferment to be variously perverted, let us seasonably obviate these Evils of each kind with fit Remedies; therefore mild and gentle Evacuations, both by Vomit, if it comes easily, and by Seige, ought to be given. I advise those whose Stomack easily discharges its Contents upwards, that once in a Month, by taking the Liquor of Squills, or Salt of Vitriol, and drinking good store of Posset-drink, or warm Water, they cause themselves to Vomit several times: In the interval of time, let a gentle Purge, and only le∣nitive, be often given. For this end the Pilul. Tartareae Bontii, or Stomac. cum Gummis, or our Solutive Pills, may be used

Take of the best Senna, an Ounce; Rhubarb, six Drams; Epi∣thymum, three Drams; Yellow-Saunders, two Drams; Salt of Worm∣wood, two Drams; Celtick-spike, a Dram: being sliced and bruised, let them digest in White-wine and Fumitory-water, of each ten Ounces, for twenty four hours, let the clear straining evaporate by a gentle Bath-heat to the consistency of an Extract, adding toward the end, Powder of Senna, Rhubarb, and Cream of Tartar, of each two Drams; let them be bruised together in a Glass Mortar, and reduced to a Consistency for Pills. The Dose is from half a Dram to two Scru∣ples or a Dram.

The Remedies that regard the Tone and Ferment of the Sto∣mach, since they are manifold, and of divers kinds, let such as are most proper for the Constitution of each Stomach be chosen; for with one Person bitter things, with another Salt, with others sharp, or haply smart things, best agree. Of the number of these Medicines (which are vulgarly called Digestives) are Elixir Pro∣prietatis, Tinctura Sacra, the Compound Powder of Aron Roots; Salt of Wormwood, Cream of Tartar, Tartar Vitriolate, Vitriol of Mars, with many others. Besides these inward Remedies, outward appli∣cations also often give help: For to a Stomach ill dispos'd a fomen∣tation of White Wine with Wormwood, Centory and other bitter

Plants boil'd in it; also Liniments or Plaisters often give relief, of which it will not be needful to discourse particularly, and to prescribe forms of those Medicines.

2. The Indication that undertakes to amend the Faults of the Spleen, (whether the same be an Obstruction, or a Tumour or Pain, or a simple Dyscrasy) is wont to be perform'd, or at least∣wise attempted by Remedies both inward and outward; those that are of the former kind are coincident with those that are indicated in the third place, (to wit, with which the purifying of the Blood is intended) for since the chief, or in a manner all of that which is brought into or carried out of the Spleen, is by the conveyance of the Blood, the Irregularities, both of the blood's Latex, and of that Entral, ought to be cured by an associated Operation, the vertues of the Medicines being joyn'd together; and we shall presently shew after what manner: meanwhile some outward applications, in the form of a Plaister or Liniment, or Fomentation, have a more near and immediate regard to the body of the Spleen, and often give a mighty relief, viz. in as much as they discuss the Tumours, restore to Circulation the melancholy Filth there stagnating, nay and ap∣pease and restrain the Corrugatious and Convulsive Affects of the Fibres. There is a mighty store of these outward Medicaments to be found every where amongst Authors, the choice of which, in regard it ought to be ordered according to the various pas∣sions of the Spleen, and the differing Constitutions of Patients, it will not be expedient in this place to deliver particular forms of them.

3. The Remedies indicated in the third place, viz. such as take away the Dyscrasies of the Blood, contracted by the Spleen, and withal cleanse the primary taint of the Spleen, are manifold, and of a differing kind and condition; the choice of which ought to be made according to the various taint of this and of the other. Of these some are more compounded, to be prepared ac∣cording to the prescript of a Physician, as Electuaries, Powders, Apozems, Tinctures, Infusions, and the like: others are more simple, as Whey, Asses Milk, Spaws, and hot Bath Waters.

There are two chief Cases of sick persons, in which Magi∣sterial Remedies ought to be accommodated according to their strength and qualities, viz. either the Blood is thick, coldish, and earthy, with an Obstruction of the Spleen, which requires hot fermenting, and especially chalybeat Medicines; or the Blood be∣ing manifestly adust, and intensely hot, ferments above measure, and withal the Hypochondres are in a great trouble, and the Blood and Vapours boyl in them, in which state only temperate Reme∣dies

are indicated, for appensing the fervency and immoderate Fer∣mentation of the humours, where Chalybeats are altogether to be shun'd.

When therefore to a cold Stomach cold Dyscrasies also of the Blood and Spleen are joyn'd, I use to prescribe according to the following forms.

Take Troches of Rhubarb, Powder of Aron Roots, Winters bark, of each two Drams; Roots of Virginia Serpentary, Contrayerva, Diatrion Santalon, Crabs-eyes, of each a Dram; Extract of Gentian and Cen∣tory, of each a Dram and a half; Ammoniacum dissolved in Water of Earth-worms, what suffices; make a Mass for Pills: let four Pills be taken in the Morning, and at four a Clock in the Afternoon, drink∣ing after it a little Draught of Wormwood or Chalybeat Wine, with a moderate Exercise.

Take Conserve of the Yellow Coats of Oranges and Lemons, of each three Ounces; Myrobalanes Condited, in number two; Species Aro∣matici Rosats, Winters bark, of each two Drams; Salt of Wormwood, two Drams; Vitriol of Mars, a Dram (or Steel prepar'd, three Drams) with a sufficient quantity of the Juice of Citron-Pills make an Ele∣ctuary; let it be taken twice a day, drinking after it a Draught of Wormwood-wine, or of Wine in which the Bark or Flowers of Tamarisk are infus'd.

To those that like none but nice Medicines, and in a small quantity, you may properly give the Tinctures of Antimony, of Coral, also of Steel prepar'd with Spirit of Wine, (the Body being first open'd by fit Menstruums, and brought to a Calx) nay, and I have known that Spirit of Soot, also of Blood or of Harts-horn, taken twice a day, to twelve drops, more or less, in an appropriated Liquor, have proved mighty beneficial, above any other Medicines. Again, the assiduous drinking of Coffee, and of Tea, has done some very much good.

But if a Fervency and over-great Fermentation of the Blood be joyn'd to the Hypochondriacal Affect, with a fervent heat of the Spleen, and a restlesness of mind.

Take Conserve of Hips, six Ounces, (or of Flowers of Tamarisk, and Leaves of Wood-sorrel, of each three Ounces) Species Diarrho∣don Abbatis, the Confection of Alkermes, of each a Dram; Ivory Powdered, a Dram and a half; Pearl, half a Dram; Salt of Tamarisk and of Wormwood, of each a Dram; with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of the Juice of Citrons, or of Clove Gilliflowers: Make an Opiate; let the quantity of a Nutmeg be taken twice a day.

Take Ivory Powdered, two Drams; Pearl powdered, a Dram, Species Diarrhodon Abbatis, and Diamargariti frigidi, of each a Dram and a half; make a subtle Powder; add of double refined Sugar dissolved in Baulm Water and boiled to a Consistency for Tablets, six Ounces; Make Tablets according to Art: Take from a Dram and a half to two

Drams twice a day. Or to other Medicines of the like kind let the use of Spaw-waters be joyn'd, which indeed in either, nay in any cases of Hypochondriack Melancholy, are in a manner always taken with good Success. For wa•• of these Waters, let our Artificial Spaw Waters be taken in th•••• stead: nay, and let Whey, and if there be a considerable Atrophia, let Asses Milk be daily taken.

Besides these inward Remedies, and the other outward Ap∣plications above mentioned, let Bleeding or Drawing of Blood from the Vessels of the Fundament by Leeches, be frequently used, nay, and it is proper sometimes, according to the Prescripts of the Antients, to open the Salvatella Vein. Moreover Cauteries and Issues, which continually derive forth the Recrements of the adust Blood, and discharge them by little and little, are wont to do good to all.

4. The Fourth Indication, having regard to the Affects, or Convulsive Symptoms of the Brain, and Genus Nervosum, which ensue upon the former, is seldom put in practice by it self, and apart from the others, but the Remedies appointed for this end are complicated with those above written. Liquors endowed with a volatile or Armoniack Salt, as Spirit of Harts-horn, of Soot, are very proper for this intent, and often likewise for the others, even now mentioned: Wherefore let such Remedies, unless somewhat indicates the contrary, be daily given at a seasonable hour: Moreover, when the Spaw Waters are Drunk, let Tablets or Pills, such as are above prescrib'd for Convulsive Affects, be taken at least twice a day. In a frequent giddiness. and Scotomia, also in Passions of the Heart, Faintings of the Spi∣rits, with a fear, and a dread, as it were, of present Death, I have known a mighty Cure often performed by the use of Chalybeat Medicines.

Of Chalybeate Medicines.

SInce mention is here made of Chalybeate Medicines, it seems expedient to enquire into the various Preparations of them, and consequently into the divers sorts of Affects which they are wont to produce in the Body of Man, that hence it may appear by what means, and on what accounts, these or other Preparati∣ons of Iron mightily benefit some Hypochondriacal persons, and very much injure others.

Steel or Iron consists chiefly of Salt, Sulphur, and Earth; it has very little of Spirit and Water; and the Particles of the former Elements, especially the Sulphureous and Saline, in the mixt, combin'd together with the Earth, remain wholly fixt and without Action; but being loosed, and divided from each other, they have a very efficacious Energy.

The foresaid Particles are dissolv'd and set at Liberty for Acti∣on two ways, viz. either by Art, when Medicines are prepared, or by Nature, after they are inwardly taken. We shall consider both.

1. The Filing of Iron inwardly taken is dissolved by the Fer∣ment of the Stomach, as by an acid Menstruum; and upon the Iron's being dissolved within the Viscera of Concoction, the active Particles, both Sulphureous and Saline, plentifully display them∣selves, and mixing with the nutritive Juice, are carried into the Blood, and as they are of a differing virtue, often both of them, as it were by joint Forces, conspire for the good of the Diseased. The Sulphureous Corpuscles, passing into the Blood, furnish it with a new and more plentiful stock of Sulphur, so that its Mass, if it were before depauperated and effaete, ferments more sprightly within its Vessels, and being more kindled in the Heart, acquires a Heat more intense, and a deeper colour. Thus many troubled with a Leucophlegmatia, and the longing Disease, whose Coun∣tenance is pale, and whose Blood is cold and watery, after the use of Steel soon become of a more florid Aspect, the Blood being given a more intense Tincture and Heat. Again, upon the Filing of Iron being dissolved in the Stomach, the Saline Particles also are displayed, and often produce good effects, both in the solid parts and the Humours; for being of a vitriolick and stiptick nature, they astringe and corroborate the over Lax and weaken'd Fibres of the Viscera, and so restore their broken Tone: More∣over they stop the Impetus of the Blood, repress its over boiling

and rising to a Froth, and keep it in an even Circulation. And again, (which is their greatest Virtue) they straiten and close the over lax, open, and gaping Mouths of the Arteries so that neither the Serum nor bloody Latex may distil forth, or break off the thread of Circulation; Wherefore in Dropsies and Haemorrhagies Remedies endued with the Saline Particles of Iron are of nota∣ble use and efficacy; for many Diseases proceed from this Cause, That the little Mouths of the Arteries being too open, and the Interstices of the Vessels being become too lax, the Serum or bloody Latex breaks forth; which kind of Affects are oftentimes cured by the Vitriolick Particles of Steel, they constringing and corroborating the Blood-Vessels and the Nervous Fibres.

After this manner the Filing of Steel inwardly taken seems at the same time to put Spurs to, and check the Blood; but in regard that this Medicine is much more powerful in instigating than restraining, therefore it ought to be given only to those whose Blood is very thick and cold, as to Rusticks and very Ro∣bust persons: It is not proper in a very hot and spirituous Blood, and in hot Bowels. Moreover in persons of a delicate and tender Constitution there is danger lest small Portions of Steel, when they are not able to be dissolved, are thrown on the Membranes of the Viscera, and sticking pertinaciously to them, cause Ulcers and mortal Gripes, which I have really known to have some∣times happen'd.

2. After the Filing of Iron, the next way of preparing it is by Calcining it with Sulphur, and reducing it to a Powder; in which Preparation of it, some of the Sulphureous Particles exhale: In the mean time the Saline Particles seem to be encreased, new ones accruing to them from the burning Sulphur, so that the active Particles of both kinds, viz. the Sulphureous and Saline, come near to an Aequilibrium; and since by this means this Medi∣cine, the Texture of the Metal being loosened, may be brought to a very fine Powder, it becomes of a much more excellent use than the Filing of Iron. In many cases, where Steel ought not to be given in substance, as in a Cachexia, the longing Disease, and the like, it is proper to use this Medicine.

3. In the third place follows the Preparation of Steel with Vinegar, sprinkling the Filings of Steel with Vinegar, and drying it till it may be reduced into an impalpable Powder. In this Preparation the greatest part of the Sulphureous Particles eva∣porate, and the Saline are much encreased by reason of others accruing to them from the Vinegar. This Powder does little in opening the Obstructions of the Viscera, or in restoring the Fer∣ment

of the Blood; nevertheless in a hot Constitution, in Hae∣morrhagies, and in the Hypochondriacal affect it is wont to be given with greater success, than the foregoing Pre∣parations.

4. The rust of Iron follows, in which there being but few Sulphury Particles, it does not so powerfully Ferment the Blood, or open the obstructions of the Viscera, as Steel prepar'd with Sulphur, nevertheless in Hot dyscrasies of the parts or humours, it Egregiously performs the Intents required from a Chaly∣beate Medicine.

In this Classis our preparation of Steel is justly plac't, in which all the Particles of the Metal being freed from the Bond of Mix∣ture, are contained together: Which also (the Concrete being first reduc't to a Powder) are immediatly dissolv'd in any Latex, or Menstruum. This Powder inwardly taken excels in the same ver∣tue, as Steel Calcin'd with Sulphur; But to the Menstruum or Liquor in which it is dissolv'd, it Communicates chiefly and in a manner only the Saline or Vitriolick Particles, the Sulphure∣ous flying away, and the Earthly Particles subsiding in the bot∣tom: I use to give common Water impregnated with this disso∣lution instead of Natural Spaw Waters, in a great quantity; And often with excellent Success: Moreover I make Medicinal Wine, Beer, Cider, Whey, and other Liquours by dissolving this Powder in them, and order them to be taken for various Physical intents. So far of preparations of Iron in which the Elementary Particles of each kind, though in a various proportion are comprehended: There remain others in which the Particles in a manner only of one kind, viz. the Saline or Earthy are left, the rest for the greatest part being driven away, of which kind chiefly are Vi∣triol of Mars, Salt of Steel, and Crocus Martis.

5. Salt of Steel prepar'd as you may find here in Dr. Willis, has a Sweetish Tast with somewhat of a Rough Stiptickness, and so much partakes of a Vitriolick nature, that it seems not much to differ from Green Copperas: Taken inwardly as a Medicine it somewhat ferments the Humours, and powerfully constringes the Nervous Fibres: In Cold and Phlegmatick Cachexia's, be∣cause no Particles of Sulphur are exerted, this Medicine is not proper. It is often given with success either by it self, or mixt with other Medicines as a Spur, in Hot Dyscrasies of the Viscera, with a predominancy of adust Sulphur, also in Flitting, Scorbutical, and Irregular Boylings of the Blood, and Nervous Juice. Not∣withstanding in tender Constitutions there is danger lest through

its acrimony, and too great constriction, the Tone of the Sto∣mach, and the Fibres be injur'd.

6. In the last place comes the astringent Crocus Martis, pre∣par'd by long Calcination in the Fire: This Medicine is of egregious use in some cases, and yields to none of the Chalybeats. viz. in every Extravasating, and too great Eruption of the Blood and Serum, as in inward, and out∣ward Haemorrhagies, in a Diarrhaea, a Diabetes, in a Vehement Catarrh, also in an Ascites or a beginning Dropsie I have known nothing more excellent than this Medicine, & I have heard it late∣ly mightily commended by a Famous and Expert Physician of our Country, of which Medicine nevertheless in regard it is wholly destitute both of Saline and Sulphureous Particles, and in a manner only consists of such as are Earthy and Fiery, it is much in dispute with what Faculty it operates and produces so lauda∣ble an effect in humane body. For it might seem that nothing should remain in this more than the Caput Mortuum, or Terra Damnata of Vitriol, and of other Minerals distill'd by a most in∣tense Fire. To give my opinion concerning these things, it seems in the first place, that a certain activity whereby it exerts it self and displays its virtues, either by opening obstructions, or by Astringing the Vessels and Nervous Fibres of the Viscera, ac∣crues to this preparation from the Fiery Particles being included in the most fixt Earth, and from their breaking forth within the Body. But the chief way of giving help consists in this, that the Earthy Particles being wholly depriv'd of the Saline, (to which they were most closely bound) most earnestly seek to be reunited to the same, or the like: Wherefore that Crocus Martis being Immerg'd in our Bodies, suddenly catches to it self any sorts of Salts that come in its way, and closely binds them to it, and so whilst it drinks up like a Sponge a great ma∣ny Saline Particles, it takes away many Enormities chiefly a∣rising from the Flowings of the Salts. This way it is that Harts∣horn burnt, Spodium, and Diaphoretick Antimony exert their vertues, if at any time they give help.