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 Dr. WILLIS'S Tract OF CONVULSIVE DISEASES. (Book 3)

CHAP. II. Instructions and Prescripts for the Cure of the Falling-sickness.

THE Epilepsy, or Falling-sickness is thus describ'd; First, as to the Idaea of the Disease, a Fit of the Epilepsy seems to be an Universal, and only a more violent sort of Convulsion; in which the Spirits that are in the Brain be∣ing first irregularly mov'd, and as it were in Confusion; all the rest residing in the Appendix both Medul∣lary and Nervous of the Brain fall together into Convulsive

motions, or disorderly contractions, and continue them for some time, with frequent twitchings. The access of the Disease for the most part is by way of surprise, so that the Diseased fall sud∣denly on the ground, grind their Teeth, foam at Mouth, and often beat their Heads against the ground; their Arms, and Leggs in the mean time, nay and their Neck and Back either presently become stiff, or are twisted in and out with various Flexions; some violently beat their Brest, others stretch forth their Arms and Leggs with great force, and impetuously throw them, and sometimes the whole Body from one place to a∣nother: In many the Praecordia and Hypochondres, and all the lower Venter swell, and are greatly blown up: After some time, which is sometimes shorter, and sometimes longer, these Symptoms cease on a sudden, and then the Sick come to them∣selves again, and recover their Senses, there remaining never∣theless after the Fit a pain of the Head with a drowsiness, and a deadness of the Senses; and often a Vertigo and Scotoma. Epileptical Fits are wont to return sometimes, at set times of the day, month or year, but for the most part they are wont to have a more certain return, and to seize more violently ac∣cording to the greater changes of the year, or the conjunctions, or opposite aspects of the Moon or Sun; sometimes the ac∣cesses are erring and uncertain according to the occasion and variety of evident causes: And the Fits are sometimes more mild, soon passing away, so that the Diseas'd scarce fall on the ground, or are depriv'd of Sence; sometimes they are more violent, keeping the person Senseless for many hours, and in∣ducing other dreadful Symptoms. Sometimes, though seldom, certain Signs, forewarning a Fit, give notice to the Diseas'd be∣fore hand, as a heaviness of the Head, a flashing of the Eyes, a ringing in the Ears: Sometimes in some exteriour part, to wit, in the Arm, or Legg, or also in the Back, or Hypochondres, a Convulsion precedes, which, ascending thence like a cold wind, and creeping towards the Head, seems to cause a Fit of the Falling-evil: Nor is it less usual for it to have its beginning in the Stomack, Spleen, Womb, Intestines, Genitals, and other of the Viscera, and to pass thence to the Head in like manner.

It is to be observ'd that sometimes the Epilepsy terminates of its own accord, viz. about the time of Puberty, so that those who are not Cur'd before that period is past, viz. the twentyfifth year, scarce ever recover their Health: For about the time of Puberty a double alteration happens to humane Body, and there∣fore often a release from the Epilepsy, or any other Disease more deeply rooted: For First, at this time the Genital Hu∣mour begins to be gather'd together in the Spermatick Vessels,

whence it follows that the Spirituous Particles, and the Nitro∣sulphureous which are wont to accompany them, and such as are Morbifick, are not only depos'd in the Brain, but also in the Testes, wherefore if the Heterogeneous Combination of the Spirits, before taking to the Brain, and causing the Epilepsy, be freely carried into that new Store-house, the Brain also be∣ing more free, often shakes off the Epileptical, or otherwise Morbid Disposition. Secondly, about the time of Puberty, as the Blood conveys somewhat, which before was design'd for the Brain, to the Genitals by the Spermatick Arteries, so also it receives some ferment from those said parts by way of re∣turn by the Veins, viz. some particles imbued with a Semi∣nal Tincture are carried back into the Mass of Blood, which strengthen it, and inspire into it a new and sprightly Vigour, wherefore at that time the endowments of the Body and Mind chiefly exert themselves, the Hairs shoot forth, the voice be∣comes more sonorous: The Menses flow from Women, and other Accidents supervene, by which it manifestly appears that the Blood and Nervous Juice are impregnated with some new Fer∣mentation: Wherefore unless the Morbifick Ferments, or Semi∣nal Roots are overcome by this new Natural Ferment, they continue afterwards unconquered to our dying Day: If the E∣pilepsy does not cease about the time of Puberty, nor can be Cur'd by the use of Medicines, it either terminates immedi∣ately in Death, or is chang'd into some other Disease, viz. a Palsy, Stupidity, or Melancholy, for the most part incurable.

Concerning the Cure of the Falling-sickness the Indications (as vulgarly set forth) are either Curatory, having regard to the Fit, and either keep it off as it is coming, or soon force it off when it has seiz'd: Or they are Prophylactick, and re∣gard the cause of the Disease, which if they remove, its accesses will be kept off for the future.

As to the first intention, general Evacuatives have scarce place; nor ought a Vomit, or Purge, and very seldom Bleed∣ing to be us'd in a Fit; if the person continues depriv'd of Sense a long time, Clysters are sometimes wont to be admi∣nistred; but the chief thing to be done is to fix the Animal Spirits, which are too Exorbitant and Volatile; and to sup∣press their beginning Explosions: For which ends two kinds of Remedies chiefly conduce, viz. First, Such as repress the Animal Spirits, apt to rise to an Exorbitancy and to shoot, and repel them by a certain Fumigation as it were ungrateful to them; and force them into their due course: Which Medicines en∣dow'd with a Volatile, and Armoniack Salt, or also with a Vi∣triolick Sulphur will effect. Of which kind are Salt and Oyl

of Amber, Spirit of Blood, of Harts-horn, of Soot, Tincture of Castoreum and the like: For these being inwardly taken, or held to the Nostrils often give relief; nay and are thought to drive away the evil Spirits of this Disease, even as in Tobit the Fume of the Gall of a Fish burnt did the Devil. Secondly, the Animal Spirits are diverted, or hindred from entring upon Explosions, when they are allur'd to, and kept imploy'd in some work that is usual to them, wherefore in the Fit, Frictions us'd over the whole Body, and continued for some time often do good: But as to raising up persons seiz'd, and wholly re∣straining the Arms and Leggs from the Convulsive motion, or binding them in this or that Posture (as some people use to do) and so, as to blowing Sneezing-powder into their Nostrils and pouring strong Cordials into their Mouths, or applying Cupping-glasses and Scarifications, and dealing roughly with the Diseas'd by other ways of Administration, thus disturbing the course of the Fit: I say this sort of practice is very often ill taken in hand, because by this means Nature is doubly toil'd, viz. both by the Disease, and no less by standers by, and Ser∣vants, whereas it were much better to let the Fit pass ac∣cording to its course, that so the Diseas'd might escape with one affliction.

Truly the greatest care of a Physician and efficacy of Re∣medies is in the Prophylactick part of this Disease, that its cause being taken away, or its root cut off, all the Fruit may wi∣ther: The Medicines requir'd for this Indication have regard to many intents, which nevertheless may be reduc't to these two chief heads, viz. First, that the fuel of the Disease sup∣plyed immediately from the vitious Blood and Nervous Juice, and more mediately from the Viscera and first passages, be cut off; And then Secondly, that the evil Disposition of the Brain, and Spirits in it, which is peculiar to the Epilepsy, be remov'd.

As to the first thing indicated, here Vomits, and Purges, and other both Evacuatives, and Alteratives, nay and Bleeding, and Cauteries have place; for as much as by these means and ways the Impurities both of the Viscera and Humours are drawn away, and their Discrasy is corrected: For though these Me∣dicines and Physical Administrations seldom or never Cure the Epilepsy alone, yet they remove Impediments, raise up Nature, and stir her up to set upon her Enemy: They also pre∣pare the passages that thereby Specifick Remedies may more certainly and efficaciously exert their Vertues: Wherefore when the Cure of this Disease is attempted Spring and Fall, and at other fit seasons, by Secrets and Arcana's, it's usual to use betwixt whiles those sorts of Medicines.

As to Specifick Remedies which are affirm'd even alone, though not always, to reach the cause of the Epilepsy, and to over∣come it, of which kind are the Male Peony, Mistletow of the Oak, Rue, Castoreum, Elks-hoof, preparations of Mans Scull, Amber, Coral, with many others: In regard these things are taken without any sensible Evacuation, or even Disturbance following in the Viscera or Humours, it seems strange by what formal way, or Vertue of working they are wont ever to do good in this Disease.

If there be any room for conjecture in this intricate and obscure thing, in regard the Procatarctick cause of the Epi∣lepsy consists in the Heterogeneous Combination hapning to the Spirits in the Brain it follows that those things which over∣come, and remove such a cause are of such a Nature, that by strengthening the Brain, and constringing its Pores they keep off that Combination, and so fix, and as it were constipate the Spirits that abound in the middle of the Brain, leaving their Combination, that they are no longer apt and prone to ir∣regular Explosions: After the like manner haply as when the Powder of Aurum Fulminans ground with Sulphur, and sprinkled with Spirit of Vitriol loses its fulminating Vertue: And in truth we may conjecture nay in some measure discover that these kinds of properties, to wit, one, or both of them toge∣ther, are in many Antiepileptick Remedies; for the Peony, Mist∣letow, of the Oak, Rue, Lillies of the valley, with many others excel in a manifest sort of Astriction, whence it is very likely that their Particles inwardly taken, and so, by the Vehicle of the Blood, or Nervous Juice, convey'd to the Brain, so constringe and close its over Lax and Gaping Pores, that they no longer lie open for the entrance of the Morbifick matter: Moreover because these concrets breath forth an Armoniack as it were, and dis∣sipating vapour, therefore the same are said to purify the Ani∣mal Spirits, and to fix and corroborate them, having left their He∣terogeneous Combination. This Vertue of purifying the Spirits, proceeding from the Armoniack Salt, shews it self most in Re∣medies taken from Minerals and Animals, such as are the pre∣parations of Mans Scull, Blood, Amber and Coral; as the o∣ther Astringent Vertue appears most in the parts and prepara∣tions of Vegetables.

There is no need for us here to set forth a compleat Method of Curing the Epilepsy with exact Forms of Prescripts, be∣cause general Precepts and excellent Remedies are every where to be had amongst Authors, and a prudent Physician will easily accommodate both the Indications, and that plentiful Apparatus of Physick to particular cases of sick persons: But because we

give a clearly new Theory of this Disease, a Therapeutick Method also adapted to the same ought to be here given; Which we shall presently fully delineate, after I have given you a story of a person troubled with the Epilepsy.

The Daughter of an Alehouse-keeper at Oxford had been very subject from her Infancy to a Catarrh falling on her Eyes, be∣ing otherwise strong and sound enough, she liv'd also daily us'd to hard labour; about the fourteenth year of her Age she be∣gan to be seiz'd with Fits of the Epilepsy, whereof she under∣went many, they chiefly following her according to the greater changes of the Moon: Being entreated to endeavour her recovery, I gave her a Vomit of the Solar Praecipitate, and advis'd her to repeat the same three Days before every new and full Moon, and likewise that every time, for four Days after the Vomit taken, she should take twice a Day a Dram of Pow∣der of the Roots of Male Peony, with a draught of black Cherry water: By these Remedies the Fits intermitted so long that the Disease seem'd to be Cur'd. When afterward they return'd again, she was again recovered by the use of the same Medi∣cines: And then her Menses hapning to flow, and keeping their due course, she continued for the time to come free from that Disease.

The Therapeutick Method.

IN the Cure of the Epilepsy I judge we must begin by Purging, and if the Diseas'd easily bears Vomiting, let him take a Vomit in the first place, and let it be repeated for many Months four Days before the full Moon: To Infants and Children let Wine of Squills mixt with fresh Oyl of sweet Almonds be given, or also Salt of Vitriol from half a Scruple to a Scruple: To Adult persons and such as are of a robust Constitution let the fol∣owing Forms of Medicines be prescrib'd.

Vomits.

TAke Crocus Metallorum, or Mercurius Vitae from four Grains to six, Mercurius Dulcis from sixteen Grains to a Scruple, let them be ground together on a Marble, mix it with the Pap of a boil'd Apple, or with a Dram of Conserve of Borrage, make a Bolus. Or give from half an Ounce to an Ounce and a half of the Infusion

of Crocus Metallorum, or Mercurius Vitae made in Sack. Or take Mynsicht's Emetick Tartar from four Grains to six: Those that are of a more tender Constitution may take Salt of Vitriol from a Scruple to half a Dram, and after half an hour let them drink upon it many pints of Ale-Posset-drink, then a Quill, or the Finger being put into the Throat, let Vomiting be provok't, and let it be sometimes repeated.

The Day after the Vomit, unless somewhat indicates the con∣trary, let Blood be taken from the Arm, or from the Hae∣morrhoid Veins by Leeches: Then the next Day after let a Purg∣ing Medicine be taken, and let this afterwards constantly be repeated four Days before the new Moon.

Purges.

TAke Rosin of Jalap half a Scruple, Mercurius Dulcis a Scruple, Castoreum three Grains, Conserve of Peony-flowers a Dram; make a Bolus. Take the greater Pilulae Faetidae two Scruples, Ro∣sin of Jalap five Grains, Ammoniacum dissolv'd in Aqua Hysterica what suffices; make five Pills. Take Threads of black Hellebore ma∣cerated in Vinegar, dried, and powdred half a Dram, Ginger half a Scruple, Salt of Wormwood twelve Grains, Oyl of Amber two Drops make a Powder, give it in the Pap of a boil'd Apple. Take Com∣pound Powder of Hermodacts a Dram, Mans Scull prepar'd six Grains, make a Powder, give it in a draught of the Decoction of Hyssop or Sage.

In the Days in which he does not Purge, especially about the times of the Moons changes, let Specifick Remedies be given Morning and Evening, which are said to Cure this Disease by a certain Secret and innate Vertue: There is an immense num∣ber of these, and they are prescrib'd according to various Forms of Compositions.

Specificks.

THE most simple Medicines, and which experience has prov'd to be very efficacious, are the Roots of the Male Peony and its Seed: Take Roots of the Male Peony dryed and powdred from a Dram to two or three Drams, let it be given twice a Day in the following Tincture. Take Leaves of Mistletow of the Oak two Drams, Peony Roots slic't half an Ounce, Castoreum a Dram, let

them be put in a close Vessel with Betony water, or simple Peony water, and White-wine of each a Pound, Salt of Mistletow of the Oak, or of common Mistletow two Drams, let them digest in a close Ves∣sel by a Sand heat for two Days; let him take three Ounces with a Dose of the Powder before prescrib'd.

Let poor people take the said Powder in a Decoction of Hyssop or Castoreum made in fountain water, or White-wine.

At the same time let the Root of Peony, cut in slices, and run through with a Thread, be hung about the Neck: Let the Roots also fryed in a Frying-pan, or boil'd till they are tender, be daily taken with his Food.

Take Roots, and Seeds of the Male Peony of each two Drams, Mistletow of the Oak, Elks-hoof of each a Dram; being slic't and bruis'd, let them be sown up in very fine Linnen, make a Bag to be worn on the Pit of the Stomack.

Amongst Specificks this Powder is greatly commended by some Authors. Take Castoreum, Opoponax, Sanguis Draconis, An∣timony, Peony Seeds, of each a like quantity: Make a Powder, let it be taken from half a Dram to a Dram every Morning with Wine, or an appropriated Decoction, or with black Cherry water.

Take Mans Scull prepar'd an Ounce, Mistletow of the Oak, factitious Cinnaber, Elks-hoof, of each half an Ounce; mix them, the Dose is from half a Scruple to a Scruple.

If the Form of a Powder be ungrateful to any Person, or if it's long continued use makes it loathsome, Electuaries, Pills, Troches Spirits, and Elixirs, each of them consisting of Spe∣cifick Medicines, are wont to be prescrib'd.

Electuaries.

TAke Conserve of Male Peony-flowers, of Lillies of the valley, of each three Ounces: Seeds and Roots of the Male Peony pow∣dred of each two Drams, Coral prepar'd a Dram, Pearl powdred, Mans Scull prepar'd, of each two Scruples, Salt of Mistletow of the Oak a Dram and a half, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Coral, make an Electuary; let him take Morning and Evening the quantity of a Nutmeg.

Take Roots of Male Peony powdred an Ounce, Seeds of the same half an Ounce, Mistletow of the Oak, Elks-hoof, Mans Scull prepar'd, of each two Drams, Roots of Angelica, Contrayerva, Virginia Serpentary, of each a Dram, white Amber, Coral calcin'd, of each a Dram, Salt of common Mistletow two Drams, Sugar-candy dissolv'd in a

sufficient quantity of the Antiepileptick water of Langius eight Ounces, make a Confection, let him take twice a Day the quantity of a Nutmeg.

Pills.

LET those Powders, Salt of Amber, and of Harts-horn, being added to them, be made into a Mass for Pills with a suf∣ficient quantity of Balsamum Capivii whereof let three or four Pills be taken in the Morning and Evening, drinking after it a draught of an appropriated Liquour.

Or let an Elixir of this kind be prepar'd, whereof let eight or ten drops be taken twice a Day in a spoonful of an ap∣propriated Julape, drinking after it a little of the same.

Elixirs.

TAke Hungarian Vitriol six Pounds, let it be distill'd in a Glass Retort by a Sand heat for twentyfour hours; then let the same Retort luted with a large receiver be put in a Reverberatory Fur∣nace, that the Acid Spirits may be forc't so long by a strong Fire till they go forth: Let the whole Liquour distill'd be drawn off in a less Glass Retort by a Sand heat; and in a Matrass let there be pour'd to it Roots of Male Peony cut in slices and dry'd four Ounces, Seeds of the same an Ounce, Mans Scull prepar'd, Elks∣hoof, red Coral of each half an Ounce, Mistletow of the Oak two Drams, let it digest with a gentle heat for many Days till the Tincture be extracted; let the Liquour being decanted, be drawn off in a Glass retort till only a third part of it remains, let that which is distill'd be kept apart by it self: To the remainder pour a like quantity of Spirit of Wine highly rectified, and impregnated with the Infusion of the same Ingredients, and let them digest for six Days in Horse-dung: Make an Elixir, whose Dose is from half a Scruple to a Scruple. Let the distill'd Liquour be given from half a spoonful to a whole one for the same intentions.

Or let an Oyl be prepar'd of Salt of Venus according to the pre∣script of Henricus ab Heers, and let it be given as before.

Empirical Remedies.

AMongst Specifick Remedies, which (in case those before do no good) may also be try'd, we may account the Liver of Froggs, the Bladder of a Boar, dryed with the Urine, the Powder of Briony Roots, the Powders of a Cuckow, or of Crows; the Rennet and Lungs of a Hare, the Liver of a Wolf, Stones taken out of Swallows, the Liver of a Kite, Crows Eggs daily to be taken amongst your Food and Medicines, with many other things, a famous Catalogue of which you may find in Henricus a Bra a Physician of Zutphen; and out of which prescripts for the poor may be taken, as being easy to be had, and of a small price.

Whilst these kinds of Medicines are inwardly taken accord∣ing to the foresaid Method, some Administrations outwardly ap∣ply'd contribute help, and are justly taken in as a part of the Cure. Wherefore always in this Disease let Issues, to wit, one or two be made in fit places, also let Vesicatories be often apply'd.

Periapts hung about the Neck, or worn on the Pit of the Stomack are judg'd to be of use. Let fresh Peony Roots cut into bits and run through with a Thread be made into Bra∣celets, to be worn all round the Neck: Assoon as they are withered, let new ones be put in their place, and let those be made into Powder to be taken inwardly. Take Roots and Seeds of Peony of each two Drams, Elks-hoof, Mans Scull prepar'd of each a Dram, Mistletow of the Oak half a Dram, being grosly powdred, let them be sewen in red Silk, and make a Bag to be hung about the Neck.

An Amulet of a young Shoat of Elder found growing on a Willow is greatly commended.

Plaisters.

IT is proper for some to have their Hair shav'd off, and to have a Plaister applyed to the Sinciput: Take Roots and Seeds of Peony, Castoreum, Mistletow of the Oak, Mans Scull very finely powdred, of each a Dram, Betony Plaister two Ounces, Caranna, Tacamahacca of each two Drams, Balsamum Capivii what suffices; make a Mass, spread it on Leather, make a Plaister for the Sutures of the Head.

Let the Temples and Nostrils often be anointed with Oyl of Amber by it self, or mixt with Oleum Capivii.

Let Sneezing Powders and Apophlegmatisms be constantly us'd Mornings. Take white Hellebore a Dram; Castoreum, Eu∣phorbum of each half a Dram; sweet Marjoram, Leaves of-Rue, of each two Drams; make a Powder. Let a Decoction of Hyssop or Sage, with the Confection of Mustard-seed dissolv'd in it, be gar∣gal'd in the Mouth and Throat.

Let Glysters sometimes be given according as need re∣quires.

In regard Solid Medicines ought sometimes to be diluted with Liquids, or these to be drank after those, let distill'd waters, Julapes, Decoctions, or Tinctures that are endowed with some Specifick Vertue against this Disease be in a readiness for this purpose.

Take Hungarian Vitriol four Pounds, fresh Mans Scull powdred four Ounces, Peony Roots slic't six Ounces; being bruis'd together in a Mortar pour to them of Sack, or small White-wine, or Wine of the Juice of black Cherries fermented in a Vessel two Pounds, let them be distill'd in a Glass Retort by a Sand heat.

Take Raspings of Box, Hungarian Vitriol of each two Pounds, Leaves of Mistletow three handfuls, Leaves of Rue two handfuls, being bruis'd together pour to them of Sack four Pounds, let them be distill'd in a Gourd-glass by a Sand heat.

Take common Vitriol six Pounds, Roots of Male Peony six Ounces, Mistletow of the Oak an Ounce, green Walnuts eight Ounces; being slic't and bruis'd let them distill in a Glazed Pot with a Glass Alembick set over it by a Sand heat: Take of this Liquour a Pound, water of black Cherries and of Lime-tree Flowers, of each half a Pound, double refin'd Sugar four Ounces, mix them, make a Julape: The Dose is two or three Ounces twice or thrice a Day.

Oxymel of Squils, also Hydromel with Hyssop boil'd in it, are very much commended by the Ancients: Or let this kind of Apozeme be prepar'd, whereof you may give from four Ounces to six or eight twice a Day.

Take Roots of Male Peony, Angelica, Master-wort, Valerian, of each six Drams, Leaves of Betony, Sage, Lillies of the valley, Penny∣royal of each a handful, Seeds of Rue, Gith of each three Drams, of Peony half an Ounce, Raisins three Ounces, Licorice half an Ounce, being slic't and bruis'd let them boil in six Pounds of Foun∣tain water to a consumption of the third part. Towards the end add Wine of black Cherries half a Pound, or ten Ounces; strain it and let it be kept in Vessels close stopt; the Dose is from six Ounces to eight twice a Day after the Remedies above prescrib'd.

Or let the foresaid Ingredients, the Licorice and Raisins excep∣ted, be boil'd in six Pounds of Hydromel to a consumption of the third part, the Dose is from four Ounces to six.

But if the foresaid Method, consisting in the use of Cathar∣ticks and Specificks being tryed for some time, proves wholly without effect, we must come to Remedies of another kind, and especially to those which are call'd great: In this rank we place Diaphoreticks, Salivation, hot Baths, and Mineral waters.

Alphonsus Ferrius says he has Cur'd a great many Epileptical persons, by a simple Decoction of Guaiacum, being prescrib'd twice a Day from six Ounces to eight, and a second Decoction of it being taken instead of ordinary Drink, as is usual in the French-pox. If to such a Decoction the Roots of Peony and other Specificks be added, haply it will be more efficacious. It seems probable that a Salivation powerfully rais'd by Mercury, and afterwards followed by a Sweating Diet Drink, will infal∣libly Cure this Disease: What hot Baths or Mineral waters will do, is not yet known to me either from my own experience or that of others; I shall try haply some time what our arti∣ficial Mineral waters, viz. impregnated both with Iron, and Antimony being taken for many Days in a great quantity will be able to effect towards the Cure of the Falling-sickness.

CHAP. II. Instructions and Prescripts for Curing the other kinds of Convulsions, and in the first place of the Convulsive motions of Children.

IT happens that Infants and Children are so generally, and frequently, troubled with Convulsive affects, that this may be accounted as the chief and almost only kind of Convulsions; for those kinds of Symptoms in Adult persons are denoted by other Names, and are wont to be refer'd to the Epilepsy; Hysterick, Hypochondriack, or Colick passions, or also to the Scurvy; but in Children, as it were by way of excellency, they are call'd Convulsive motions.

Concerning these we may observe, that Children are found to be very subject to Convulsions chiefly at two times, viz. within the first Month after they are Born, and about the time of the eruption of Teeth: Though Fits of this Disease happen also often at other times, and for certain other causes.

For, in those in whom the Seeds of a Convulsive Disposition are rooted, these Seeds sometimes display themselves, and come to a Morbid Matureness either presently after the persons are Born, (as is said before) or lying hid for a while, sometimes precede in them the Eruption of Teeth, sometimes follow it at a great distance of time after, and at length in an uncertain course break forth in act for other evident causes, viz. either inward or outward, such as are an unhealthy or pregnant Nurse, Milk coagulating in the Ventricle, or degenerating into an acid or bitter Cor∣ruption, a Feverish Distemper of the Head, and Ulcers of other parts, breakings forth suddenly disappearing, changes of the Air, Conjunctions or Opposite Aspects of the Sun and Moon, and the like.

These Convulsions in Children are wont to infest three Regions of the Body, viz. the parts of the Head and Face; the Mem∣bers and outward Limbs; and the Praecordia and Viscera: And we observe that sometimes these, sometimes the others, some∣times two of them, or all the Regions together are troubled with the Morbifick cause, according as the same is fixt either about the Origines, or extremities of the Nerves. And when the first of these happens, according as the superiour, middle,

or lower spinal part of the Medulla Oblongata, to wit, one of them alone, or more of them together are set upon by the Morbifick cause.

In Children obnoxious to Convulsions hereditarily, the Con∣vulsive Fits are excellently provided against, if presently after a Child is Born an Issue be made in the Nucha, and Blood be drawn from the Jugular Veins by Leeches, for by the for∣mer the Corruptions of the Nervous Juice are convey'd away, and by the latter the impure Efflorescencies of the Blood are withdrawn from the Head: A person whose Children dyed all of Convuisions within three Months time, at length to pre∣vent the like fatal Accident in a Child fresh Born, sought for Remedies: Being call'd after some Days after the Birth, I ad∣vis'd that in the first place an Issue should be made in the Nucha, and then the next Day after, that a Leech being ap∣ply'd to the Jugular of both sides, Blood should be drawn to the quantity of two Ounces: moreover that near each of the Conjunctions and Opposite Aspects of the Sun and Moon about five Grains of the following Powder should be given in a spoonful of Julape for three Days, Mornings and Evenings.

Take Mans Scull prepar'd, Roots of Male Peony of each a Dram, Pearl powdred half a Dram, double refin'd Sugar a Dram, mix them, make a subtile Powder.

Take black Cherry water three Ounces, Langius's Antiepileptical water an Ounce, Syrup of the Flowers of Male Peony six Drams, mix them.

I ordered also that the Nurse at the same Physical hours should take a draught of Whey, in which Seeds and Roots of the Male Peony, and Leaves of the Lilly of the valley were boil'd: The Infant continued well for about four Months, but then began to be troubled with Convulsive affects: At which time the same Remedies were given in a greater Dose both to the Infant, and to the Nurse. Vesicatories were also applyed behind his Ears, and Blood was drawn by Leeches from both Jugular Veins; and within two or three Days the Child grew well: afterward when within four or five Months the Con∣vulsions return'd at times, still by the use of the same Re∣medies he was Cur'd: After a year and a half the Convulsive affects wholly ceast, but about the lower part of the Back∣bone a Tumour without Pain grew up, whence some Crooked∣ness of the Vertebrae, and a weakness of the Leggs, and at length a Palsy were caus'd. It seems in this case that the Convulsive matter which was wont to assail the Origines of the Nerves, at length entering the Spinal Marrow, and be∣ing thrown down into its lower part, wholly stopt the Mouths

of the Arteries belonging to it; to wit, because to the ex∣plosive Particles, other narcotick and grosser Particles had joyn'd themselves.

The Therapeutick Method against Convulsive affects in Children.

IN Infants and Children we must take care either to prevent imminent Convulsions, or being already begun to Cure them.

For if former Children Born of the same Parent have been found obnoxious to Convulsions, that evil ought to be pre∣vented in the rest of the Children Born afterward by a season∣able use of Remedies: For this end it is usual to pour into the Mouth of an Infant newly Born, assoon as it begins to Breath, some Anticonvulsive Medicine: Hence some are wont to give it some drops of most pure Honey, others a spoonful of Canary sweetn'd with Sugar, and others Oyl of sweet Al∣monds fresh drawn: By some persons a drop of Oyl of Am∣ber, or half a spoonful of Epileptical water is put into its Mouth.

Besides these first things given Children, which truly seem to be of some moment; certain other remedies and ways of Administration ought to be us'd; viz. let a spoonful of a Liquour appropriated to this affect be drank twice a Day. For Ex∣ample;

Take water of black Cherries and of Rue of each an Ounce and a half the Antiepileptick water of Langius an Ounce, Syrup of Corral six Drams, Pearl prepar'd fifteen Grains, mix them in a Glass.

On the third or fourth Day after it is Born, let an Issue be made in the Nucha, then if it has a Florid Countenance, let a little Blood to an Ounce and a half, or two Ounces, be drawn from the Jugular Veins by Leeches, care being taken lest he Bleed too much when he Sleeps: Let the Temples and Neck be gently rub'd with such a Liniment.

Take Oyl of Nutmeggs by expression two Drams, Oleum Capivii three Drams, Oyl of Amber a Scruple; let a Periapt of the Roots and Seeds of the greater Peony with a little addition of Elks-hoof be hung about the Neck.

Moreover let Anticonvulsive Medicines be daily given the Nurse: Let her take Morning and Evening a draught of Whey in which the Roots and Seeds of Male Peony, and the Seeds of sweet Fennel are boil'd.

Take Conserve of the Flowers of Betony, Male Peony, and Rosemary

of each two Ounes, Powder of the Roots and Flowers of the Male Peony of each two Drams, red Coral prepar'd, white Amber of each a Dram, Roots of Angelica, Zedoary prepar'd of each half a Dram, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Peony, make an Electuary: Let ber take the quantity of a Nutmegg Morning and Evening.

Take Powder of the Roots of Male Peony two Drams, Seeds of the same a Dram, make a Powder; double refin'd Sugar dissolv'd in the water of Lime-tree Flowers, and boil'd to a consistency for Tablets three Ounces, Oyl of Amber a Scruple: Let Tablets be made ac∣cording to Art, each Weighing half a Dram, let her eat one every sixth hour, and let her keep an exact Form of Diet.

In case any Infant be actually affected with Convulsions, be∣cause an Issue works but little and slowly, it is proper to ap∣ply a Vesicatory to the Nucha, and behind each Ear, and un∣less a cold Temperament forbids it, let Blood be drawn from the Jugular Veins by Leeches: Let Liniments be applyed about the Temples, Nostrils, and Neck, and Plaisters to the Soles of the Feet: Let Clysters be daily injected, which plen∣tifully empty the Belly: Moreover Let Specifick Remedies be taken inwardly often in a Day, to wit, every sixth or eighth hour.

Take Oleum Capivii, and Oyl of Castoreum of each two Drams, Oyl of Amber half a Dram, make a Liniment.

Take of the Emplaster Oxycroceum two parts, Galbanum dissolv'd one part, Oyl of Amber a Scruple, make a Plaister for the Soles of the Feet: Let the Powder of Gutteta according to the description of Ri∣verius be given twice or four times a day.

Take Mans Scull prepar'd, Peony-seeds, Elks-hoof, Pearl prepar'd, of each half a Dram, Amber-greice six Grains, make a Powder, the Dose is six Grains in a Spoonful of the Liquour beneath, written three or four times a day.

(Or) Take Mans Scull prepar'd, Pearl, of each half a Dram, Salt of Amber a Scruple, Sugar of Pearl a Dram, the Dose is half a Scruple.

(Or) Take Spirit of Harts-horn three Drops, let it be given every sixth or eight hour in a Spoonful of the Julape beneath prescrib'd.

To poor peoples Children let Powder of the Root of wild Va∣lerian be given from half a Scruple to a Scruple; let it be given twice a day in a Spoonful of Milk, or of an Appropriated Liquour.

Ʋntzerus greatly commends the Gall of a Sucking Whelp, viz. that all the Juice of the Gall-bladder be taken forth and given to the Child with a little Water of Lime-tree-flowers.

A Learned Physitian lately told me that he had known many Cur'd with this Remedy: Moreover Empiricks, after the Gall is

drank, are went also to give to greater Children to eat the Li∣ver roasted.

Julapes, distill'd Waters, and other Appropriated Liquours may be prepar'd according to the Forma following.

Take black Cherry-water three Ounces, Antiepileptical-water of Lan∣gius an Ounce, Sugar of Pearl two Drams, mix them.

Take fresh Roots of Male Peony cut into slices six Ounces, Hunga∣rian Vitriol eight Ounces, Mans Scull two Ounces, Antiepileptical Water of Langius half a Pound; mix them, and let them distill in a Glass Retort by a Sand heat: The Dose is from a Spoonful to two Spoonfuls.

Take fresh Roots of Male Peony slic'd four Ounces, being bruis'd in a Marble Mortar, pour to them of Spanish Wine a Pound; express it strongly, add Manus Christi perlated half an Ounce, let it be kept in a Glass close stopt; the Dose is a Spoonful or two, twice a day.

When Convulsions happen by reason of a difficult breeding of Teeth, this Symptome is look't upon as secondary, and not dan∣gerous, and therefore in the Method of Cure it is not always the first or chief thing which requires help, but sometimes we are rather sollicitous of appeasing the pain, and removing the fe∣verish Distemper, wherefore both the Patient and Nurse ought to use a thin and cooling Diet; when the Teeth are upon eruption, let the passage be made open for them, either by a rubbing, or Section of the Gums: And also let Anodines be applyed to those parts when swollen and full of pain: Clysters and Bleeding often have place here: We must procure sleep, and allay the fervour of the Blood: Mean while let Anticonvulsive Remedies be us'd, but of the more moderate kind, and such as little trouble the Blood and Humours; Vesicatories, in regard they evacuate the Serum, which is too apt to be discharg'd on the Head, often give relief.

When Children are troubled with Convulsions, and that nei∣ther presently upon their Birth, nor by reason of an Eruption of Teeth, but through other occasions, and accidents, the cause of such an affect for the most part lyes either in the head, or somewhere about the Viscera of Concoction. When there is a suspicion of the former, as it is wont to appear by signs which shew that a Mass of Serous Filth is gathered together within the head; the above-cited Remedies ought to be given in a little lar∣ger Dose; moreover in those who bear Purging well, sometimes a Vomit, and a gentle Purge may be order'd them: Wine and Oxymel of Squills, also Mercurius Dulcis, Rhubarb, and Rosin of Jalap are of excellent use.

As often as the cause of the Convulsive Affect appears to be in

the Bowels, either Worms, or sharp Humours causing Gripes in the Belly are found to be in the fault.

Against Worms a Purge of Rhubarb, or of Mercurius Dulcis, with the addition of Rosin of Jalap is ordered.

Formerly to a Child miserably troubled with Convulsions, so that he seem'd even a Dying, I gave a Dose of Mercurius Dulcis with Rosin of Jalap: With his Stools, whereof he had four, he voided twelve Worms, and presently grew well.

Take Roots of Virginia Serpentary powdred a Dram, Coral caloin'd to a whiteness half a Dram, make a Powder, the Dose is from half a Scruple to a Scruple twice a day for three days one after the other, drinking after it a Decoction of Grass Roots. Take Species of Hiera a Dram and a half, Venice-treacle two Drams, make a Plaister for the Belly, or let a Plaister of Galbanum be applyed to the Navel.

If the Convulsive motions are thought to proceed from the Irritation of the Ventricle, and the Intestines, caus'd by sharp Hu∣mours, a gentle Purge, either by Vomit or Seige, or of both, the one after the other, ought to be ordered. For this purpose let gentle Emeticks of Wine of Squills, or of Salt of Vitriol be taken; to wit, if at any time the Diseas'd be of their own ac∣cord seis'd with a straining to Vomit; but if the Evacuation seems rather fit to be attempted downwards, an Infusion of Rhu∣barb, or its Powder, Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb, or of Roses with Agarick ought to be given: And I have often seen a Convulsive affect in Children Cur'd by these Remedies when sea∣sonably administred; moreover Clysters in this case are of fre∣quent use: But withal let not outward Medicaments be omitted, viz. Fomentations, Liniments, and Plaisters to be applyed to the Belly.

Take Cammomil Leaves small slic't two handfuls, let them be put into two bags made of fine Linnen or Silk, which being dipt into warm Milk, and wrung forth must be applyed successively to the Belly.

Take Tops or Flowers of Mallows slic't, boil them in fresh Butter, or Hogs Lard, and let them be applyed to the Belly in the form of an Ointment or Cataplasm.

CHAP. III. Instructions and Prescripts for Curing Convulsive Dis∣eases in Adult Persons, hapning by reason of the Origine of the Nerves being chiefly affected.

THough Convulsive affects which happen to Adult Persons, being denoted by other Names, are also vulgarly accounted to have another Origine, and are wont to be refer'd to those they call Hysterical, Hypochondriacal, or Colick passions, or to the Scurvy; nevertheless if the thing be a little more attentively considered, it will easily appear, that certain Convulsive Symptoms frequently happen both to Men and Women, which properly and duly claim the name of a Convulsion: Now these may be va∣riously distinguisht according to the Manifold seat of the Mor∣bifick cause, but especially into these three kinds, viz. into cer∣tain Convulsions caus'd by reason of the Origine of the Nerves being chiefly affected, and into others which are caus'd by rea∣son of the extremities of the Nerves being stopt with a Morbi∣fick Matter; and lastly into others whose Morbifick Matter de∣scending from the Head, gets possession of the whole, or the greatest part of the Ductus's of some peculiar Nerves, or of them altogether. We shall treat of each of these kinds of Con∣vulsions one after the other.

Therefore first of all as to Convulsions hapning by reason of the Origine of the Nerves being affected, we must note first that the Morbifick Matter besetting the Origines of the Nerves, sometimes passes chiefly into the foremost Pairs of Nerves, viz. which attend the Muscles of the Eyes and Face; and thence Con∣tractions and tremblings sometimes of the Nose, Cheeks or Lips, sometimes of the Eyes or Mouth ensue. Secondly, sometimes the Par Vagum and Intercostal chiefly imbibe the Heterogeneous Particles, and then Inflations or Contractions of the Abdomen and Hypochondres, and also a Palpitation and Trembling of the Heart, a difficult and interrupted Breathing, an intermitting Pulse, and other Symptoms of the middle or lower Region of the Belly chiefly molest us. Thirdly, but sometimes the Morbifick Cause lying behind, chiefly affects the Spinal Marrow; and there∣fore the outward Members and Limbs are rendred obnoxious to Twitchings and Contractions.

Moreover as we may conjecture from various Types of the Con\vulsive affect, it seems that the Convulsive Matter going to these or those Nerves, or to many of them together, either lodges it self in a manner only about their Origines, so that upon frequent Explosions of the Spirits there, an almost continual and very troublesome Vertigo arises; and so Tremblings, and a short Faint∣ing, and danger of Swounding are perceiv'd about the Praecordia, and often Twitchings and gentle Contractions in the Bowels or Muscles: Or Secondly, the explosive Particles convey'd to the Origine of the Nerves, enter deeper into their Processes, and often falling down into the Plexus's of the Nerves, belonging to the Prae∣cordia, or Viscera of the Belly; or also to the outward Members, make there other seats, as it were of Convulsive affects, so that as often as the Spirits are forc't to Explosions about the Origine of the Nerves, presently Fits, as it were Hysterick, Asthmatick, or otherwise Convulsive arise in the Belly, Thorax, or outward Members. I shall now give you some instances of Persons in whom the Morbifick Matter besetting the Origine of the Nerves, and not yet fall'n deeper into their Processes, caus'd frequent Vertigo's, and only gentle Convulsions of the Viscera and Praecordia.

1. A Lady of great Quality, about Thirty years of Age, of a tender Constitution, and of a thin habit of Body, was wont to be sorely afflicted every Winter with a Catarrh distilling on her Trachaea and Lungs, with a Cough, Hoarsness, and great Spit∣ing, but the last year, through a diligent care and caution us'd, she escaped that evil: But after the Winter solstice, upon taking cold, she was seis'd with a violent Head-ach, a ringing in the Ears, a Vertigo, with a mighty Distillation of Rheum at the Eyes and Nose, whence it easily appear'd that the filthy Mass of Serum which was wont before to distil on the Brest, was then wholly depos'd within the Head and Brain: The effect whereof more∣over was, that as often as she began to sleep, she was very much troubled with a sort of Hysterick Fits, to which she had never before been obnoxious: For if at any time beginning to sleep, she clos'd her Eyes, presently it caus'd a rising of a heavy thing in her Belly, a Suffocation in her Throat, and Tremblings and Twitchings about the Praecordia: Which affects nevertheless, when she was perfectly awak't, presently ceas't, so that the Dis∣eas'd was forc't to abstain in a manner wholly from sleep for many days and nights together.

Being call'd to this Lady after she was become very weak up∣on many days Sickness, I was forc't to use only gentle Medi∣cines: Therefore I ordered four Ounces of Blood to be taken from her Foot, and a Clyster of Milk with Sugar to be daily

given her, after which she was wont to have three or four Stools: Moreover every eighth hour I gave her a Dose of Spirit of Harts∣horn in a Spoonful of the following Julape.

Take Water of Penny-royal, Wallnuts, black Cherries of each three Ounces, Hysterick Water two Ounces, Syrup of Clovegilly-flowers an Ounce and a half, Castoreum tyed in a Nodulus, and hung in the Glass half a Dram, Pearl powdred a Scruple, mix them.

I applyed with good effect Vesicatories behind the Ears, and Ca∣taplasms of Leaves of Rue, and Aron, with Bryony Roots, Sea Salt, and black Soap to the Soles of the Feet.

Sometimes in the Evening I gave half an Ounce of Diacodium in a little Draught of the Julape before ordered, which was fol∣lowed by a moderate sleep without being attended according to wont with Convulsions: Which kind of effect I have often ex∣perienced in such a case after Opiats given: For quenching Thirst I gave a Ptisan with Diuretick Ingredients boil'd in it: By the use of these things she was very much reliev'd within a short time: But that which fell out much for her good was, that an Abscess in the left Ear, breaking of its own accord, first dis∣charg'd a yellow Gore, and afterward for many days a vast quan∣tity of thin Ichor: After which Evacuation the Convulsions of the Bowels and Praecordia wholly ceasing, the Disease was per∣fectly determin'd.

I have known many Persons both Men and Women Diseas'd after this manner, who being ill of a Head-ach, an oppression of the hinder part of the Head, or a Vertigo, perceiv'd in their sleep presently Convulsive motions in the Praecordia or Bowels, or in both of them together: Which happens from the Salley of the tumultuary Spirits reflected from the Brain into the Ori∣gines of the Nerves: And as an Opiate gave the Patient before mention'd a quiet sleep without the wonted Sequel of Convul∣sions, so I have often successfully Cur'd terrible Convulsive Fits, both Asthmatical, and as it were Hysterical, by giving Opiats.

1. A Woman sixty seven years of Age having still a florid Coun∣tenance, and being of a gross habit of Body, and who first had liv'd long subject to a Swelling of the Face, and great Fits of the Head-ach, upon the Weathers growing very cold in the Winter, fell into a very grievous Vertigo, with a Trembling of the Heart, a Fainting of the Spirits, and a frequent striving to Vomit: Be∣ing put to Bed if she open'd her Eyes, or was turn'd from one side on the other, she was presently seiz'd with a mighty Scoto∣mia, a danger of Swooning, and moreover with a cruel Vomit∣ing. As I was to see her I did not doubt but the cause of the Disease was the Convulsive Matter convey'd from the outward

Region of the Head to the inmost Recesses of the Brain, by the ill Breath, or Heterogeneous Combination of which the Animal Spirits being struck, they rais'd the Vertiginous affects as they made their disorderly sallyes towards the Brain, and when they tumultuarily rusht into the Roots of the Nerves, they caus'd the Scotomia, the disorders of the Praecordia, and the striving to Vomit: The Cure of this was perform'd within a few days by the application of large Vesicatories to the Nucha, and behind the Ears; the dayly injection of Clysters, and by a frequent use of Spirit of Harts-horn, and a Cephalick Julape.

Dr. Willis gives Instances of Persons in whom some portion of the Morbifick Matter which besets the Origine of the Nerves, descending from the Head, often enters deeper into the Ductus's of the Nerves, and so about their middle and extream Processes and Plexus's makes a fomes of an explosive matter, as it were of Gun-powder: But for brevity sake I omit them.

It is observ'd that when a Convulsive Fit begins within the Brain, at the Origine of the Nerves, presently the remotest Spi∣rits residing in the extremities of the Nerves (as many as are pre∣dispos'd for that Symptom) fall upon Explosions, and so con∣vey upwards, the Convulsive affect there more strongly be∣gun; which happens for this reason, that when some whole Se∣ries of Spirits is disturb'd, those which are in the extream parts, are first destitute of their Original Influx, wherefore those, before others begin to grow in a tumult, and to be irregularly dispos'd, as when a Nerve of the Arm or Thigh is constring'd by lying on it, so that it is hindred of its wonted influence of the Spirits, a stupor with a sense of pricking is first perceiv'd in the Fingers or Toes of the hands or Feet; whence it creeps upwards by de∣grees towards the places affected: And hence it is we find that if whilst the outmost Spirits are exploded, a strong Ligature, or Compression intercepts the succession of others into the same space, or their progress towards the parts, the Convulsion is usu∣ally hindred from ascending upward: Wherefore (as Physical Histories testify) when a stupor beginning at the top of a Finger or Toe of a hand or Foot, creeps to the upper parts with a sense of Formication, or like a cold wind; and at length taking to the Brain, causes terrible Convulsions: If presently at the first seizure the Arm or Leg be strongly bound about, the Convulsion being not able to pass that place, is hindred from getting to the Head: Nay and its an usual thing for Hysterick Women, assoon as a Swelling of their Belly, or an ascent of a heavy lump is first perceiv'd in their Abdomen, to bind about hard the Trunk of their Body with Swathes, and so commonly the Praecordia, and

the Region of the Head are kept from being affected with the Convulsive Fit.

It's likewise observable that if Blood be let forth of a Vein in the midst of a Covulsive or Apoplectical Fit, it presently seems to be congeal'd, so that being receiv'd in a Bason, it does not keep an even and plain Surface like Liquids, but accumulating it self drop upon drop, it rises in a heap like Tallow melted and distill'd into a cold Vessel: Yet as to what some conclude hence, viz. that Convulsions depend wholly on the thickness, obstructed mo∣tion, and stagnation of the Blood, we must not allow of it: For Blood drawn from Persons that are subject to Convulsions a little before the Fit, is diluted with Serum, and fluid enough: Wherefore we may opine that that Congelation is caus'd by the Fit it self: To wit, because in Convulsive motions, from the ex∣cessive Contractions of the Muscles and Viscera, the Blood passing bet wixt them, its Spirit and Serum exhaling, is a little solv'd in its mixture, and therefore is somewhat coagulated, just as when Milk by reason of its too great agitation and Separation of parts one from another, hardens into butlter, wherefore this kind of Coagu∣lation of the Blood seems rather to be the effect of Convulsions than their cause.

The Therapeutick Method.

AS to the Cure of these kinds of Convulsive affects, which in Men or Women proceed from a Morbifick cause, besetting the Origines of the Nerves: The first Indication will be to with∣draw the fuel of the Disease, viz. to hinder the Blood from dis∣charging on the Head, the Heterogeneous Particles, either engen∣dred in it self, or receiv'd from elsewhere from the Bowels. For this purpose an Evacuation, ordered both by Purging and Bleed∣ing, unless somewhat indicates the contrary, is wont to be ad∣ministred with good success.

Vomiting very often gives relief, wherefore let Vomits of the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum, or of Salt of Vitriol, or of Wine of Squills, be given in the first place. Then in a few days let Blood be drawn, either by opening a Vein in the Arm, or by Leeches applyed to the haemorrhoid Veins; then afterwards let a gentle Purge be ordered either of Pills, or of a Purging Apo∣zeme, and let it be repeated in due and convenient time.

Take Crato's Pills of Amber, or Bontius's Pills of Tartar two Drams, Rosm of Jalap sixteen Grains, Castoreum a Scruple, Oyl of Rosemary or of Amber half a Scruple, Gum Ammoniacum dissolo'd in a

sufficient quantity of Hysterick-water, make sixteen Pills, let four be taken every sixth or seventh day.

Take Roots of Polypody of the Oak, sharp pointed Dock prepar'd, and of Chervil, of each six Drams, of Male Peony three Drams, Leaves of Betony, Germander, Ground-pine, Vervain, Male Fluellin, of each a handful, Seeds of Carthamus and Burr-dock, of each three Drams, let them boil in four Pounds of Fountain-water to half, add of White∣wine a Pound, let it be strain'd into a Matrass, to which put Leaves of choice Sena an Ounce, Rhubarb six Drams, Gummous Turbith half an Ounce, Epithimum, yellow Saunders of each two Drams, Salt of Worm-wood, and of Scurvy-grass, of each a Dram, the outward yel∣low Coats of Oranges two Drams, let them digest close luted in a Sand heat for twelve hours, let the straining be kept for use: Let it be sweetned (if need be) with a sufficient quantity of Syrupus Augustanus, or with Syrup of Cichory with Rhubarb; the Dose is six Ounces once or twice in a week.

Each day in which Purging is omitted, let Remedies be given for strengthning the Brain, and for garding the Animal Spirits from incurring Heterogeneous Combinations, or from entring upon Explosions: Of which nevertheless let a certain choice be made according to the Temperament, Habit of Body, and Con∣stitution of the Diseas'd: For to such as have a thin habit of Body, and a hot Blood, Medicines must be given which are not hot, and which do not stir the Blood too much: On the contrary to phlegmatick and gross Bodies, whose Urine is thin and watery, and whose Blood circulates but dully, let hot Remedies be or∣dered, and such as are apt notably to ferment the Humours: In the former case you may prescribe after this manner.

Take Conserve of the Flowers of Betony, Tamarisk, and Male Peony of each two Ounces, Species Diamargariti Frigidi, a Dram and a half, Powder of the Roots of Peony, and of the Seeds of the same of each a Dram, red Coral prepar'd two Drams, Vitriol of Mars two Scruples, Salt of Worm-wood two Drams, with a sufficient quan∣tity of Juice of Oranges, make an Electuary: Let it be taked twice or thrice a day, drinking after it a little draught of the Julape be∣neath prescrib'd.

Take of red Coral ground with the Juice of Oranges on a Marble, or in a Glass-mortar, and dryed half an Ounce, Powder of Mistletow of the Oak, and of the Roots of Male Peony, of each two Drams, Sugar of Pearl three Drams, make a Powder; the Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram, twice or thrice a day.

Take Species Diamargariti Frigidi two Drams, Salt of Worm-wood, three Drams, Aron Roots powdred a Dram, mix them, make a Powder, let it be divided into twenty parts, and let a Dose be taken in the Morning, and at four of the Clock.

Take Powder of the Roots of Butter Bur an Ounce, the Dose is from half a Dram to a Dram twice a day.

Take Leaves of the Bur-dock, and of Aron, of each six handfuls, being slic't and mixt together, let them be distil'd: The Dose is from two Drams to three twice or thrice a day after a Dose of the Electuary or Powder.

Take of this distill'd Water two Pounds, of our Steel prepar'd two Drams, mix them in a Glass, let them be taken after the same manner.

Take Water of Wallnuts simple, and of black Cherries, of each half a Pound, of Snails four Ounces, Syrup of Flowers of the Male Peony two Ounces; the Dose is from an Ounce and a half to two Ounces after the same manner.

Take Shavings of Ivory, and Harts-horn, of each three Drams, Roots of Chervil, Bur-dock, Valerian, of each half an Ounce; Leaves of Betony, Ground-pine, Scolopendrium, tops of Tamarisk, of each a handful: Barks of Tamarisk and of Bitter-sweet of each half an Ounce, let them boil in four Pounds of Fountain-water to the consumption of a third part, add of White-wine eight Ounces, strain it into a Flaggon, to which put Leaves of Brook-limes, and of Cuckow-flower, of each a handful, make a warm and close Infusion for four hours, let the straining be kept in Glasses close stopt: The Dose is six Ounces twice a day, after a Dose of a solid Medicine. Sometimes in such an Apozeme let two Drams of our Steel be infus'd, and taken after the same manner.

In the Summer time the use of Mineral Waters is proper, for want of them let our Artificial Waters be given in their stead.

But if for the reasons above cited hot Medicines are indicated, we may proceed after the following method.

Take Conserve of Rosemary-flowers, and of the yellow Coats of Oranges and Limons, of each two Ounces, Wallnuts, and Miroba∣lans condited, of each in number two, Lignum Aloes, yellow Saunders, Roots of Serpentaria, Contrayerva, Angelica and Aron, of each a Dram, Vitriol of Mars (or prepar'd Steel) four Scruples, Salt of Worm-wood and of Scurvy-grass of each a Dram, with a sufficient quantity of Preserve of Wallnuts, make an Electuary. Let the quan∣tity of a Nutmeg be taken twice a day, drinking after it a Dose of an appropriated Liquour.

Take Roots of Male Peony, Angelica, red Coral prepar'd, of each two Drams, Sugar dissolv'd in water of Snails boil'd to a consistency for Tablets six Ounces. Oyl of Amber highly rectified half a Dram, make Tablets according to Art, each weighing about half a Dram, let one or two be taken twice or thrice a day, drinking after it a Dose of an appro∣priated Liquour.

Take Roots of Virginia Serpentary, Contrayerva, Valerian of each two Drams, red Coral prepar'd, Pearls, of each a Dram, Winters-bark, Roots of bastard Ditany of each a Dram, Vitriol of Mars, Salt of Worm-wood, of

each a Dram and a half. Extract of Centory two Drams, Ammoniacum dissolv'd in Hysterick-water what suffices, make a Mass for Pills. Let four Pills be taken in the Morning and at four in the Afternoon.

Take Spirit of Harts-horn, or of Soot, or of Mans Blood, or of Sal Armoniack what suffices, take from ten to twelve Drops Morning and Evening in a Spoonful of the Julape, drinking after it a little draught of the same.

Take Leaves of Betony, Vervain, Sage, Cuckow-flowers, Aron, Bur-dock, of each two handfuls, green Wallnuts in number twenty, the Coats of six Oranges and four Limons, Cardamoms, Cubebs, of each an OUnce; being slic't and bruis'd, pour to them Whey made with Cider or White-wine six Pounds, let it distil according to Art: The Dose is two or three OUnces twice a day after a Dose of a solid Medicine: To two Pounds of this add of our Steel two Drams.

Take Water of Earth-worms, and of Snails, of each six Ounces; of Wallnuts simple four Ounces, Raddish-water compound two Ounces, double refin'd Sugar two Ounces, make a Julape: The Dose is four or six Spoonfuls twice a day after a Dose of a solid Medicine.

Take Millepedes cleans'd a Pound, Cloves slic't half an Ounce, pour on them of White-wine two Pounds, let them distil in a Gourd-glass; the Dose is from an Ounce to an Ounce and a half twice a day.

We may prescribe for poor People Remedies more easie to be had after this manner.

Take Conserve of the Leaves of Rue made with an equal part of Sugar six Ounces. Let the quantity of a Nutmeg be taken twice a day, drinking after it a Decoction of the Seeds and Roots of Bur-dock made in Whey, prepar'd of White-wine.

Or let a Conserve be made of the Leaves of the Tree of Life, with an equal part of Sugar; the Dose is from half a Dram to a Dram twice a day.

Take Powder of Millepedes prepar'd three Drams, Ameos-seeds a Dram, make a Powder, divide it into ten parts, let a Dose be taken twice a day. Or twelve Millepedes being bruis'd with White-wine pour'd on them, let the Juice be exprest, make a draught, let it be taken twice a day.

In the mean while that these Remedies are taken inwardly, it is proper sometimes to raise Blisters by applying Vesicatories on the Nucha, or behind the Ears; for so the Serous and sharp Humours are very much deriv'd from the Head: Moreover Sneezing-powders, and Apophlegmatisms often give great relief. The drawing of Blood from the Haemorrhoid Veins, or from the Foot ought to be sometimes repeated: And during the Fit, Plaisters or Cataplasms are applyed to the Soles of the Feet with good effect: It is good also to apply Epispasticks about the Legs and Thighs.

CHAP. IV. Of Convulsive motions, whose cause lyes about the Extremities, or within the Plexus's of the Nerves.

THat Convulsive affects, sometimes without any fault in the Head, arise from the Irritation and Explosion of the Spi∣rits lying about the extremities of the Nerves, it plainly appears even from this, because when Medicines smartly twitch the Coats of the Stomack or Intestines, or when Worms gnaw them, Con∣vulsions do not only follow in those parts, but likewise Convul∣sive motions are sometimes retorted on the Members and out∣ward Limbs: For as we have shewn elsewhere, when a sense of great pain torments any part, and is communicated from that to the Primum Sensorium, presently upon it, the Spirits being there irritated, an involuntary and irregular motion is wont to be thence reflected; and that not only by those Nerves, by which the sense of pain was brought, but sometimes the Convulsion is reciprocated also by others, either of the same pair, or belonging to a pair wholly differing: Thus a Stone fixt in the Ureter cau∣ses Convulsions, not only in the Vessel affected, but in a man∣ner in all the Viscera of the Belly, and cruel vomitings for the most part follow upon it: Wherefore it is not to be doubted but Convulsive Diseases also, and some such Symptoms are often caus'd by reason of some outward offence offer'd the extremities of the Nerves within the Membranes, Muscles or Viscera: Nay and if at any time in Hysterick, Hypochondriack, and certain other pas∣sions, Convulsive motions are rais'd through the fault of the Womb, Spleen, or some other of the Viscera, the Head being without hurt; truly those arise and are propagated on every side into various Regions of the Body only this way, viz. by the an∣noyances of the rest of the parts by the Way of the Nerves, and not at all by vapours convey'd to the Head. I shall now give you some instances and observations of Convulsions arising from the Extremities of the Nerves.

A delicate Virgin about the sixteenth year of her Age falling from a Horse, and dashing her self against a rough Stone, sorely hurt her left Brest, whence a Swelling with a pain arose, which Symptoms nevertheless at first seem'd to be mitigated by the use of Remedies, and afterwards for a long time to pass indifferently well; but after three years upon taking cold, and having us'd a

very ill Diet, all things began to return a new; the place hurt swelling up in a greater bull, was affected with a most acute and almost continual pain, so that the Diseased, through the mighty torment, passed many days and nights without sleep; nor could she indure that the Glandules of her Brest, then become more swollen, shonld be toucht or handled, nay nor any noise or con∣cussion to be made in her Chamber.

When to this Tumour, degenerating towards a Cancer, Fo∣mentations and Cataplasms of Hemlock and Man-drake, and other stupifying things, and Repercussives were apply'd, the noble Lady began to undergo certain Convulsive affects, which often molested her: In the first place as often as a violent pain came in her Brest she felt there prickings, and likewise Convulsions and Contractions shooting in and out: Presently after the Ven∣tricle and Hypochondres, and after that the whole Abdomen were wont to be blown up, and mightily distended with a rumbling and a straining to Vomit: By and by the same affect being con∣vey'd by degrees to the upper parts, took away her Senses, and shortly upon it so strong Convulsions followed in her whole Body, that the Diseas'd could scarce be heal'd by three or four robust Men.

These kinds of Fits at first came at random, and were only rais'd occasionally, viz. they ensued as often as the pain of the Brest was rendred more intense by some evident cause: After∣ward those Convulsions more frequently molested her, and at length becoming periodical and habitual, they return'd twice a day, viz. constantly justsomany set hours after Meals: And when Diseas'd had been miserably afflicted after this manner for six Months; at length she began to be troubled with a certain Ver∣tiginous affects which continually followed her: For which evil when a Fomentation of Aromatick and Cephalick Herbs had been for some time applyed, she grew better as to her Vertigo; but from thenceforwards she was continually molested with a new and very wonderful Symptom, viz. a violent dry Cough follow∣ing her day and night, unless when she was fallen asleep: After this noble Virgin had tryed divers sorts of Remedies, prescrib'd by several Physicians, without much benesit, at length vpon the use of the Baths of a moderate heat at Bathe, she was reliev'd, and being marryed presently upon it, after conception and her being delivered of a Child, she recovered by degrees.

As to the violent Cough above mention'd, it seems that that Symptom depended on the Origine of the nerves being affected, and not on any stuffing in the Lungs, for she spit forth nothing with the Cough; we say therefore that the Morbifick matter de∣por'd near the Origint of the Nerves being rarified and mov'd

by the Fomentation, entred deep in at the Mouths of the Nerves that go to the Lungs, and stirr'd up perpetual Convulsi∣ons in the Fibres and Filaments thereof.

A noble Matron Fifty years of Age, after that her Menses had ceas'd to flow for a year and a half, first began to complain of a pricking pain in her left brest, then afterward that affect ceasing, she was taken ill about the Stomack: To wit, a hard, and as it were schirrous Tumour arose there with an oppressing pain; this was presently followed by an inflation of the Ventricle, with a diffi∣cult Breathing, a Nauseousness and frequent Vomiting. Then the Disease growing worse and worse, with a more acute pain, and shooting in and out every way, she fell into Conulsive af∣fects of the Ventricle: To wit, the Convulsions shooting in that place several ways, she was almost continually in such a torment, as though the Stomack were torn in several pieces: Moreover a continual Perturbation of mind, and frequent Fainting Fits lead∣ing even to Death's door, accompanied with a Thirst and Watch∣ings, pursued the sick Lady; all which Symptoms she plainly per∣ceiv'd always to arise from that Tumour of the Ventricle (to wit, its sharp and heterogeneous Particles continually entring the Ex∣tremities of the surrounding Fibres and Nerves.) To this Per∣son all Vomitory, Cathartick, Antiscorbutick and Hysterick Me∣dicines, without giving any ease, seem'd rather to have prov'd offensive and prejudicial: After Bleeding by Leeches, and the use of Asses Milk she receiv'd some benefit, and afterward by long drinking Mineral Waters, she was very much reliev'd.

What has been said here of Convulsions from a Morbifick cause besetting each end of the Systema Nervosum will be made more clear when hereafter we shall treat particularly of the chief kinds of Convulsions, viz. of Hysterick, Hypochondriack and other Passions: In the mean while it will not be necessary to add a The∣rapeutick method to this Hypothesis of Convulsions hapning by reason of the Extremities of the Nerves being affected; because the ways of Curing this affect may better be accommodated to those that we shall hereafter deliver in particular.

I have found also by ocular evidence, that there are Convul∣sive affects whose cause, or Morbifick matter lyes within the Plexus's of the Nerves: For opening the Body of a noble Lady, who had been horribly troubled with those affects they call Hy∣sterical a little before her decease, I found the Womb wholly without fault, but along the Nervous Plexus's of the Mesentery, which (as it seem'd) had been wont to swell and rise up in a bulk, I found the Membranes of that Entral loosen'd and severed from each other, so that they appear'd every where swoll'n and lax, as if blown up in little bubbles or bladders. Nor is it less

probable that the pains of the Colick often proceed from a sharp and irritating matter contain'd in those same Plexus's Moreover such a kind of matter within the Pexus's of the Heart, seems to cause there horrible Tremblings and Passions, and with∣in the Plexus's of the Lungs or Neck, terrible Fits of the Asthma, &.

CHAP. V. Of Convulsive motions arising from the Liquour ly∣ing in the Nervous Bodys, and irritating all their Processes into Convulsions.

IT is obvious almost to daily experience, that Convulsive affects ren through the whole Genus Nervosum, and infest sometimes these parts, sometimes others, sometimes many together: For in some we may observe that the Tendons of the Muscles every where leap, and are drawn with Convulsions; in others that all the outward Members are in many places bent or extended this way, and that, with various flexions and contorsions: We see some forc't by a masterless and ungovern'd impetus of the Spi∣rits, sometimes being struck as it were with a rage, to run or leap, sometimes strongly to belabour the earth, or any thing that comes in their way with their Fists, which unless they did, they would fall presently into Swoonings and horrible Faint∣ing Fits. It would be too tedious to enumerate all cases of those general Convulsions passing through the whole Genus Nervosum: But such like Symptoms, though various and manifold, may in some sort be reduc't to three chief heads, viz. as they chiefly depend on three sorts of causes: For since in these Convulfions passing from place to place, we ought to suppose the whole Ner∣vous Liquour to be vitiated, and the Animal Spirits, every where abounding in it, to be adulterated, and consequently to be al∣most continually exploded: We may observe that that taint for the most part is communicated both to the Nervous Juice, and the Spirits every where accompanying it, by one or the other of these three ways; viz. First, Either from Poyson or Witchcraft; Secondly, from a malignant or ill-determin'd Fever, viz. in which the Morbifick matter is discharg'd on the Brain, or Genus Ner∣vosum; Or Thirdly, When the Nervous Liquour in long process

of time, by reason of a Scorbutick or otherwise vitiated affect, degenerates from its due Crasis into a sharp, acid, or otherwise Preternatural and Convulsive Liquour. We shall here consider of each of these cases, and first of Convulsive Fits, which are product from Poyson or Witchcraft.

First therefore, That some Poysons act on the Nervous Li∣quour rather than on the Blood, and depraving it, cause chiefly Convulsive affects, it plainly appears from eating of Cicutaria Apium risus, deadly Nightshade, the wild Carrot, and other offensive Herbs, which is wont to be followed in a short time after with horrible Contractions of the Stomack, a Numness, Delirium, and Twitchings and Convulsions in the whole Body of the tendons: Moreover those kinds of Convul∣sive affects ensue in such as are bitten by a mad Dog, and other Venemous wild Beasts when the Virulent Miasm receiv'd by the Nervous Juice, having lay n hid in it a long time, at length exerts it self, and infects and poysons with its ferment the whole Mass of the Liquour in which it is involv'd: And this is more clearly manifested by the wonderful Symptoms, viz. the pain∣ful Convulsions, and continual Dancing which are affirm'd by Authors of Credit to ensue upon the bite of a Tarantula: Which doubtless happen, because upon the bite of that Animal, some Ve∣nemous Miasms are convey'd into the Body of Man, which ne∣vertheless being little injurious to the Blood and vital Spirit, assoon as they have past from it into the Nervous Liquour, pre∣sently spread themselves like a Ferment, through its whole Mass, and infect the Animal Spirits, every where abounding in it; so that they being forc't apart from one another, and driven hi∣ther and thither in a disorderly manner, cause Convulsive affects, which sometimes are accompanyed with a Contraction of the containing parts, sometimes with a languor and resolution of them.

If it be asked why the painful Convulsions which are rais'd by the bite of a Tarantula, being presently appeas'd by Musick, are wont to be chang'd into a Dancing, I answer, that the Ve∣nom communicated to the Nervous Juice by the bite of a Taran∣tula is more mild than to be able wholly to extinguish the Ani∣mal Spirits, or altogether to dissipate and force them to very vio∣lent explosions, being driven into divers parts; but can only put them to flight, and being driven hither and thither, egg them to slght, and in a manner only pain-causing Convulsions: Now Musick by its gently soothing Nature, readily gathers together in one, and mutually associates the Spirits so dissipated: Where∣fore when the said Spirits, by reason of Virulent Miasms sticking to them, are continually prone to Involuntary and Convulsive

motions, the Melody disposes and directs them, being allur'd together, into such Convulsions, that entring the Bodys of the Nerves in a certain feries and order, they are carryed in certain limited I racts as it were, till at length the Particles of the Venom being wholly evaporated, and the fury and impetus of the Spirits wearyed, they have wholly shaken off that rage: And indeed Musick readily forces sound and sober Men, even against their wills, or thinking of other things, to actions emulating the Tune heard; so that a Piper no sooner begins his Lesson, but the standers by begin to move their Hands and Feet: We need not wonder therefore in Men bitten by a Tarantula, where the Ani∣mal Spirits being stimulated to motion as it were, are forc't to skip and wander from one place to anothe of themselves, if up∣on playing on a Harp, they are put upon Dancing, and observ∣ing of regular motions.

To this is a kin the Evil, which is call'd the Dance of S. Vitus, concerning which Horstius relates, that he spake with certain Women, who visit yearly the Chappel of S. Vitus, which is within the Precincts of Ʋlmes, and there exercise themselves so long in Dancing day and night, with a Perturbation of mind, till they fall on the Ground like Persons in an extasy: By which means they seem to be restor'd to themselves, so that they feel little or nothing for a whole year, till the time of May following. and then they declare themselves tormented with such a rest∣lessness of their Members, that they are forc't to betake them∣selves again about the Feast of S. Vitus to the foresaid place, to renew their Dancing.

Indeed it is a usual thing (as I have often observ'd) both for Men and Women to be infested with such a restlessness, and cer∣tain rage as it were of the Members, that they are forc't to walk till they are a weary, and also to dance and run up and down, by this means to avoid greater Disturbances and Swoonings, which would otherwise seize them: The reason of which seems to be, that the Animal Spirits, because stimulated in the whole Genus Nervosum from a Heterogeneous Combination, become wholly in a rage and ungovernable, which therefore ought to be so exercis'd and wearied, both that they themselves may be mastered, and that the Heterogeneous Combination may be shaken off.

That Convulsive affects are sometimes caus'd by Witchcraft, it is both vulgarly believ'd, and every where affirm'd by many Authors that deserve Credit: And to grant that wonderful affects are often produc't in the Body of Men by tricks of the Devil, viz. in as much as by the wonderful subtlety in operating, in which he excels, he insinuates Atoms or Heterogeneous Cor∣puscles

into the sensitive Soul, or the Texture of the Animal Spirits, and so sometimes stimulates its Functions, sometimes binds them, sometimes violently perverts them: Nay and far∣ther in some manner he enters the Body of Man himself, and be∣ing as another Soul of a more powerful Nature, is co-extended to it, actuats all the parts and members, inspires them with an unwonted Vigour, and governs them at his pleasure, and stirs them up to the performance of wonderful and supernatural acti∣ons: Grant this I say, yet all kinds of Convulsions which appear prodigious, as being besides the common course of this Disease, ought not presently to be imputed to inchantments of Witches, or tricks of the Devil, for often, though appearing strange, they proceed from meer natural causes, and stand in need of no other Exorcisms for a Cure, than Remedies which are wont to be pre∣scrib'd against Convulsive affects: In truth the Animal Spirits when indued with a very great explosive Combination, and dis∣charg'd together by it, exert so much of strength and vigour above their proper and wonted force, as a flash of Gun-powder above the burning of a common flame, so that such, who, being obnoxious to this Disease, may when they are out of the Fit be govern'd, carryed, and led at pleasure by the guidance of one Man, when the Fit comes upon them, are not to be manag'd by the greatest strength and endeavours of four or more robust Persons: But if when any Person is distempered there be a suspi∣cion of Witchcraft or Fascination, there are chiefly two kinds of motion which are wont to create and maintain it; viz. First, If the Patient uses such Contorsions and Gesticulations of the Members, or of the whole Body, which no sound Man, even a Mimick, or any Tumbler, is wont to imitate; And secondly, if he exerts a strength, which exceeds all humane force, to which if there be joyn'd excretions of monstrous things, as when heaps of Pins are cast up by Vomit, or living Animals are voided by seige, it comes to be without dispute that the Devil has, and acts his part in this Tragedy.

CHAP. VI. Of General Convulsions which are wont to be rais'd in Malignant, Ill-determin'd, and some Anoma∣lous Fevers.

EVery Man knows that Convulsions sometimes happen to Per∣sons in Fevers, and that from thence a great Prognostick is taken of death or danger: For as in Malignant Fevers, and sometimes in ordinary Fevers of an Ill-determination, a Vertigo or Delirium arise from the Morbifick Matter's being depos'd from the Blood in the Brain; so from the same fall'n into the Genus Nervosum, Contractions and Twitchings of the Muscles and Ten∣dons, and also sudden shakings of the Members and Limbs, and sometimes horrible stiff extensions in the whole Body ensue, which forts of Convulsive affects happen for the most part about the height of Fevers, when the Morbifick Matter, first heap't to∣gether in the Blood, is convey'd thence into the Brain, and that being either presently past through, or infected together with it, is carryed into the Systema Nervosum, and thence Convulsive affects, with or without a Delirium are rais'd.

Nevertheless besides these kinds of Convulsive affects which ensue upon Fevers, and are secondarily rais'd, we may observe sometimes in a Malignant Constitution of the Air, and after a breath of a pestilential Contagion, that the Nervous Liquour is infected before the Blood, or apart by it self from it, and that then a Delirium and Convulsions precede the Feverish Distemper. Moreover I have often observ'd that some Anomalous Fevers have been rife, in which the Blood being scarce seen to boil or to be extraordinary hot, the beginnings of a slow, and very dan∣gerous Fever have been first laid in the Nervous Humour; which being rais'd by degrees to a Maturity, caus'd Convulsive affects with a Delirium or Mania, and other failings or exorbitancies of the Animal Spirits: For the Diseas'd not complaining of heat or drought, on a sudden becoming weak, and as it were enervated, were presently rendred obnoxious to a frequent Giddiness, also to Tremblings and Leapings as it were of the Limbs, and likewise to Twitchings and Contractions of the Muscles and Tendons, and to pains moving from one place to another. This kind of Sickness, in regard it seems to consist in the solid parts, rather than in the Blood, is call'd by some Physicians a Malignant

Hectick Fever, when in truth the same being chiefly rooted in the Nervous Humour, is better said to be a Convulsive Disease of the Nerves.

Horstius mentions a Convulsive and Malignant Disease, which heretofore was Epidemical in Hassia, Westphalia, and the Neigh∣bouring parts; those that were seiz'd with it, without any Fe∣verish heat, or immoderate effervescency of the Blood, as they were about their househould affairs, on a sudden scarce per∣ceiving themselves sick, were wont to feel a Formication with a Numness passing in and out about their Hands or Feet, and sometimes in both: Presently after their Fingers and Toes, and likewise their Arms and Legs, one while were closely contracted, another while strongly extended, as though they had grown stiff: These Contractions and Extensions followed each other alterna∣tively, and now and then chang'd places, so that at one time the affect lay in this part, and then presently in another: But in case (as it often fell out) the Disease seiz'd the whole Brain all at once, Universal Convulsions, and often Epileptical Fits infested the Dis∣eas'd; Moreover they were obnoxious at certain times to a Di∣lirium, Mania, and sometimes to a Lethargy: This Distemper continued a long time without a Crisis, or being perfectly resol∣ved, and could scarce ever be so throughly Cur'd, but ill and morbid Dispositions of the Brain and Nervous parts lasted after∣wards during the whole Life.

It plainly appears that this Disease and its Symptoms wholly depend on the Corruption and mighty Depravation of the Ner∣vous Juice: And the reason why in this Nervous Fever, there happen'd a difficult, or rather no Grisis, or Solution at all, was because the Nervous Juice being tough and mucilaginous, as it were, and consequently slow in motion, is not purg'd as the Blood, by an excretory effervescence, nor does it easily fall into such a fermentation, whereby the pure is separated from the impure.

I have known a Disease like this, often to have reign'd in our Country, and to have past through whole Families, at least amongst the Children and younger People. Some years since a popular Fever sorely infesting the Brain and Genus Nervosum very much reign'd about Oxford, and indeed almost throughout England: The Narrative of which Disease, written at the time it reign'd, viz. An. 1661. I shall here briefly insert; for from hence it appears after what manner, and by what causes Con∣vulsive Symptoms which happen in all Fevers, are wont to be rais'd.

An Account of an Epidemick Fever, reigning An. 1661. which chiefly infested the Brain and the Genus Nervosum.

AFter the Vernal Equinox An. 1661. a certain Anomalous and unusual Fever, seiz'd some Persons here and there, which nevertheless within a Month became so Epidemical, that in many places it began to be call'd the New Disease: Reigning chiefly among Children and young People, it was wont to afflict them with a long, and as it were, Chronical Sickness: Nay and sometimes though rarely it infested Persons stricken in years, and aged, but it kill'd them sooner, and more certainly: The affect first seizing any Person, so tacitely stole upon him, that the begin∣nings of the Sickness were scarce perceiv'd: For arising with∣out any immoderate heat or great thirst, it presently caus'd a great weakness in the whole Body, with a languor of the Spirits, and a deadness of the Animal Functions: The Stomack loathed all Food, and found it self opprest by what was taken into it, and nevertheless it was not inclin'd to Vomit. The Diseas'd be∣ing indispos'd to all motion, sought only to lye on a Bed, and do nothing: Within a short time, and sometimes from the first invasion of the Disease, they complain'd of a great Giddiness, a ringing in the Ears, and often of a turbulent motion and great perturbation in the Brain: Which sort of Symptoms were usually accounted a Pathognomick sign as it were of the sudden approach of this Disease; in case it happen'd that these were wanting, or remiss in some Persons, instead of the Head being affected after that manner, the Disease fixt it self deeper in the Brest, and rais'd a Cough, as we shall presently acquaint you: Now whilst upon the Brain and Nervous Appendix, their being affected after this manner, the Animal Spirits presently from the beginning of the Sickness wax't dull, a slow and hectick Fever as it were, was kindled in the whole Body: Nevertheless the effervescence of the Blood, which was scarce continual, but hapning at ran∣dom, and uncertain, was more intense in some, and more remiss in others according to the Crasis of the Blood it self: And con∣sequently the Thirst, roughness of the Tongue, and other Symp∣toms, which depend on the Feverish Distemper, troubled them more or less. Sweating did not happen of its own accord, nor could it readily or with ease be rais'd by Art: Nay farther, nei∣ther this kind of Evacuation or any other ever hapning as it

were by way of Crisis, put an end to this Disease on a sudden: But continuing for many Weeks and sometimes Months, it brought the Diseas'd into a mighty Atrophia, and often cast them into an incurable Consumption.

About the time of the Diseases increase, which in most Per∣sons happen'd within eight days, if the affect (as it often was wont) seiz'd chiefly on the Brain, and Systema Nervosum, severe Symptoms, viz. a plain Frensy, or deep Stupor, or a total insensi∣bility commonly infested their Oeconomy: For I have frequent∣ly observ'd in many Children, and often in Women, after seven or eight days of their being seiz'd, that they have wholly lost both Sense and Speech, so that they have lain for some time, nay sometimes for a whole Months space, without knowing Per∣sons present, and their Excrements passing from them after an insensible manner: And if the use of their judgment and reason in some measure held, yet they were troubled with a frequent Delirium, and always talk't light-headed in their sleep. But in Men, and others of a hot Constitution, upon the Morbifick Mat∣ter's being convey'd to the Head, instead of a Crisis, a Fury or dangerous and often deadly Frensy ensued: But if neither a Stu∣por nor violent Distraction seiz'd them, a Scotomia, Convulsive motions, with Contractions of the Members, and Twitchings of the Tendons greatly molested them: Almost in all the Dis∣eas'd, the Belly for the most part was loose, and voided plenti∣fully sometimes yellow, sometimes thin and serous Excrements, which stank mightily. It was seldom that any were seiz'd with a Vomiting: The Urine in the whole course of the Disease (un∣less when the Morbifick Matter taking plentifully to the Brain, threatn'd a Frensy) was of a deep red colour, so that some by reason of its deepness, judg'd this Fever to be absolutely Scorbu∣tical: Which nevertheless appear'd to be otherwise, because An∣tiscorbutick Remedies, (whereof a great many, and almost of all kinds were tryed) had little or no effect: It was very much to be admired, how soon after the seizure of this Disease, the Flesh of the Sick fell away, so that they were brought to the dryness of a Skeleton, when in the mean time there was no exceeding great heat to consume the Solid parts by little and little, nor any violent Evacuation greatly to waste them.

Besides these evils infesting the Region of the Head, an affect no less dangerous often seiz'd on the Brest: For in some a very troublesome Cough, with much and thick Spittle was rais'd: This in some Persons happen'd about the declining of the Disease, viz. when the Confines of the Brain obtain'd a calm, the Clouds, as it were, being discharg'd thence on the Brest, a mighty Catarrh presently fell on the Lungs. But in some, especially who suf∣fered

little from the Disease in the Head, presently from the beginning of the Fever, a violent Cough, and a Spitting of fil∣thy Matter, accompanied with a Consumptive Disposition, as it were, seiz'd them, and precipitated them, suddenly and una∣wares into a Consumption; from which nevertheless, by a sea∣sonable use of Remedies, they often unexpectedly recover'd: I observ'd in some, after a long failure of the sensitive faculty, and an oppression of the Brain from the Morbifick Matter, that at length Tumours ensued in the Glands about the Neck, from which, assoon as ripen'd and broken, a thin and stinking Ichor flowed for a long time, and gave ease: I have seen also Watery Wheals sais'd in other parts of the Body, which have past into bollow Ulcers with difficulty to be Cur'd: Sometimes small Spots; and as it were Flea-bites appear'd here and there: Though I have not heard that broad and livid Spots ever were to be seen in Persons sick of this Disease: However notwithstanding this Fever had not any very Malignant breakings forth, yet it was not free from Contagion: For in the same Family it seiz'd almost all the Children and younger People one after the other; and often Persons stricken in years, who attending the sick, famili∣arly us'd about their Beds and Bed-cloaths, were infected with the same Disease: Yet I must say there was not so great a sus∣picion of infection, that for that reason the Friends of the Sick, should be wholly forbidden to visit them, or converse with them.

Though all along the course of this Disease (unless when the Brain was greatly assail'd) it appern'd only mild, and past with∣out any dreadful Symptom, nevertheless its Cure was always dif∣ficult, and was not perform'd but after a long time: For the Diseas'd seldom recover'd within three or four Weeks, nay for the most part scarce within so many Months: But if this Dis∣ease fell on Men of a decayed Age or Strength, especially on such as were before subject to Cephalick Diseases, as the Lethargy: Apoplexy or Convulsions, it often kill'd them in a shorter space. Or if there were any hope of recovery, it could be carryed on very slowly, (scarce any Remedies affording a sensible relief) so that the Diseas'd were no sooner gotten without the Sphere of this Fever, but they found themselves within the Confines of a Consumption.

If the formal reason and causes of the foresaid sickness be en∣quir'd into, it plainly here appears that the Liquour which lies in the Brain and Genus Nervosum, for the most part, together with the Blood, was in fault, and was the immediate cause of the Symptoms that seem'd chiefly pressing, viz. in as much as the Latex, presently from the first invasion of the Disease was be∣come

more impoverisht than its wont, and effaete, as it were, and therefore a Languor and Enervation, with a Spontaneous Lassitude, and a Disability to motion, together with a sudden Consumption of the Body, happen'd to the Diseas'd: Though still the default of this Latex necessarily depends on the Dyscrasy of the Blood, and of the ill Constiution of the Brain [but here, as in other places, I refer you to Dr. Willis himself, for a fall Aetro∣logy of Symptoms.]

I have often observ'd in this Fever, after Oat Broath, a De∣coction of Barley, and other thin Dyet, that no less Ebullition of the Blood has been rais'd, than by a full Meat Broath: For indeed on one side as well as the other, the Nutritive Juice sent from the Chyle into the Blood, in regard it was not imploy'd in the work of Nutrition, troubled the Blood, as some Hetero∣geneous thing that would not duely mix with it: And by rea∣son of the Particles of this superfluous Juice, sent off in a plenti∣ful manner with the Serum, the Urine was very thick and red, and mightily fill'd with Contents: And for this reason the Belly for the most part was loose, in as much as the Blood being full of a Nutritious Juice, suck't a less Portion of Chyle from the Lowels, and discharg'd again into the Intestines a part of that which was brought into it; moreover the Feverish Distemper stuck for so long time in the Blood, because till upon the Resti∣tution of the Animal Governance, Nutrition was rightly per∣form'd, that superfluous Matter was heap't together in the Mass of Blood. I shall now give an instance or two of Persons af∣fected with this Disease.

A Robust and Florid young Man, about the beginning of the Spring, An. 1661. falling sick without any evident cause, soon became weak, and as it were enervated, with a loss of Appetite, and a languishing of the Spirits: Cathartick Remedies, Antipy∣reticks, Digestives, nay and Antiscorbuticks, and others of ei∣vers kinds, being given him, according to the prescripts of fa∣mous Physicians, did not the least good: But the Diseas'd still continuing in a languishing condition, lay by it for six weeks, with a slow Fever of uncertain returns, a quick and weak Pulse, and a deep red Urine. Moreover being mightily pined away, he complain'd of a ringing in his Fars, and an Undulation of sound, as it were, in his head: Though he was affected with a great Stupor, yet his Sleeps were very much troubled and inter∣rupted with a talking Light-headed. After forty days, the Fever not yet declining, it was thought good to draw about four or five Ounces of Blood from the Vessels of the Fundament by Leeches. Hereupon presently the Fever began to be very much exasper∣ated, for the heat became more intense, with a Thirst, Watch∣ings,

and an almost continual tossing of the Body, the Tongue also growing dry and rough; shortly after a troublesome Cough, with much and discolour'd Spittle ensued: There were careful∣ly given him Almond and Barley Drinks, with temperate things against the Cough boil'd in them, Water of Milk distill'd with Snails and Herbs appropriated to the Thorax, Powder of Shells, Niter prepar'd, and likewise Cordial Opiats; which nevertheless scarce giving any relief, the Diseas'd still became weaker: And when after this manner, having been sick above two Months, the Feverish Distemper, and the Cough also daily growing worse, he seem'd to be at Death's Door, at length a Sweat hapening of its own accord, which sometimes came upon him every night, sometimes every other night, he grew better by degrees there∣by, and using afterwards the foresaid Medicines, he became per∣fectly well within six weeks.

Whilst this Person lay ill, I went to see another about Twelve years of Age, affected after the like manner; but this, when I was first call'd, having lain ill above a Month, was reduc't to a Skeleton: Moreover he was affected with a Giddiness, a ring∣ing in the Dars, and a Deafness, and likewise with a violent Cough th•• accompanied with a yellow, and as it were Consump∣tive Spittle: His Pulse was quick and weak, his Urine red and thick, his Appetite very much dejected, his Spirits so faint, and his Strength so fall'n, that he could not keep himself from his Bed: To this Person I gave often in a day Milk distill'd with Snails and temperate Herbs: Moreover instead of ordinary drink, I ordered him daily to take an opening Decoction, such as is us'd in the Rickets: By the help of which Remedies he seem'd to be restor'd to his health within a Months space.

This Fever in a certain Noble Mans Family, prov'd very fatal amongst his Children, who had been originally subject to Ce∣phalick affects. About the Vernal Equinox, a Boy of about Eleven years of Age, began to fall sick. In the first place with∣out an intense heat or drought, a loss of Appetite, and failing of Strength came upon him. Moreover an almost continual Ver∣tigo molested him, with a frequent inclination to Fainting, so that he often thought himself ready to fall in a Swoon: To this Per∣son, by the advice of some Nurse that attended him, Glysters were daily given: And afterward when from the foulness of his Tongue and Mouth, the manifest signs of a Fever appear'd, that Empirick gave him a Vomit of the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum. And the seventh day giving him a Cordial Powder, and cover∣ing him over with Cloaths, she made him Sweat: His Skin no sooner began to be moist, but presently speaking Light-headed,

he complain'd that his Cap was fall'n into water, soon after be∣coming Speechless he dyed, (whilst I was sent for) within four hours.

Shortly after, the same Disease seiz'd his Sister who was younger; whose sickness nevertheless, because it was accompa∣nied with a frequent Coughing and Spitting, was first thought to be only a cold taken: But within a few days, that Cough became manifestly Convulsive; for in Coughing the Diaphragm being rais'd upward, and so held for some time, by a repeated Systole, a mighty Shrill noise, as though she were suffocated came from her: Afterward this little Girl growing more manifestly Feverish, and complaining of a thirst and heat, past the nights without sleep, with a mighty tossing in her Bed, and after a while speaking Light-headed, she complain'd as her Brother had done before, that her Cloaths were fall'n into the water; and as all things grew worse, she began to be troubled with Convul∣sive motions, first in the Limbs, shortly after in the Face, and then in the whole Body: The Fits returning frequently, viz. twice or thrice within an hour, very sorely pursued her, so that this poor Wretch dyed within the space of twenty four hours after the greater Convulsive affects had seiz'd her, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Animal Spirits being wholly subverted. Whilst the Convul∣sive Fits prest upon her, the Pulse was very much disordered, and often intermitted, and she was affected with a frequent Vomiting.

Because this Fever seizes some Persons predispos'd for it almost yearly, and haply hereafter may at some time become Epidemi∣cal, by reason of the ill Constitution of the year, I think it may not be amiss to delineate some method in order to its Cure.

The Therapeutick Method.

COncerning which in the first place, you may note, that Cri∣tical days are by no means to be observ'd in this Fever, as in the vulgar continual Fever: For in this the Blood, assoon as it begins to boil, presently discharges from its Embraces on the Head or Thorax, a part of the Morbifick Matter, crude as it is, and not digested: Wherefore it would be to no purpose to ex∣pect that the Blood should permit its Heterogeneous Particles to be gathered together in its Mass, and then that an Excretory effort arising at set intervals of times, should purge forth the same being subtilised: Nay rather the said Blood, when boiling, Rises not to a great and open flame, but like a fire covered with Turf,

emits a moist Smoak or Breath, rather than a Flame: Yet so that from thence by reason of the Nervous Juices being presently de∣praved in its Crasis, and often by reason of the Lungs being stuft with a Morbifick Matter, Convulsive or Ptizical Symptoms are particularly pressing throughout the whole course of the Disease.

I must set down the Curative intentions according to the va∣rious times of the Disease, and the diversities of Symptoms that are chiefly pressing. About the beginning of this Fever, letting Blood seem'd to agree in a manner with all: I have often found this Remedy of good effect in Children: For by this means a Breathing place, as it were, is open'd for the Mass of Blood, which tacitely and covertly lies a boiling, and obtrudes its foul smoak on the more noble parts, and consequently its impure Ef∣florescencies are withdrawn from the Head and Lungs: There∣fore though this ill dispos'd Fever be said in some sort to be Ma∣lignant, yet in as much as the Blood is not apt presently to be coagulated, but to be fus'd too much, and to discharge its Sero∣sities on the noble parts, viz. the Head and Lungs, therefore Bleeding, so it be us'd in the beginning of the Disease, agrees in a manner with all Persons.

For the same reason of Curing, Cathartick Medicines, and e∣specially Vomits, are given presently at the beginning of the Dis∣ease, for these do not only empty the Vessels of Concoction, and so withdraw both the first, and as it were original fuel of the Dis∣ease, but likewise draw Serosities from the Blood, and so cause its filth rather to be discharg'd in the Stomack and Intestines, than on the Head or Lungs. Moreover in as much as the Glands which receive the Lymphaeducts, are twitcht and strongly sha∣ken by Emeticks, the Superfluities of the Nervous Juice are thereby press'd forth into the lower Viscera, that they cannot of∣fend the Brain, and its Appendix: And for this end, let the Bel∣ly still be kept soluble by the frequent use of Glysters. In the mean time, while the Blood, being defil'd with the taint of this Disease, threatens ill to the Brain or Praecordia, it will not be safe to attempt any thing with Diaphoreticks or Diureticks, or also with strong Catharticks: For these sorts of Medicines, greatly fusing the Blood, and driving its Serosities into the places most open to receive them, easily obtrude on the Brain or Lungs; if at any time they are of a weak Constitution, any dreggy filth which is apt to depart from the Mass of Blood: So in the Youth above mention'd, a Sweat being unseasonably rais'd, it was fol∣lowed by a loss of Speech: And I have known that Sudorificks, in like manner as Chalybeats, have brought a Consumption in a Morbid Disposition of the Lungs.

Therefore Bleeding, and if need be, a Vomit or Purge, viz. one of them, or both being presently ordered at the beginning of the Disease, the other intentions will be to divert the Morbifick Serosities of the Blood, which are apt to flow to the Head and Brest, and to derive them, off gently by other ways of Evacua∣tions, and to clear them forth: For this end Vesicatories ought to be applyed on the Nape of the Neck, or behind the Ears, near the Arm-pits, in the Groin, or on the Thighs, or Calves of the Legs, viz. sometimes in this part, sometimes in that; to wit, that the little Sores made here and there, flowing continually, may plenti∣fully discharge the Serum filled with Heterogeneous and Morbid Particles.

Moreover Remedies gently conveying the Serum to the Reins and Urinary passages, are often given with good effect; for this purpost let Diuretick Apozems ans Julapes be ordered accord∣ing to the following Forms.

Take Roots of Scorzonera, Chervil, Grass, Eringo's preserv'd, of each six Drams, one Apple slic't, Leaves of Burnet, Meadow sweet, of each a handful, Raisins an Ounce and a half, burnt Harts-horn two Drams, being slic't and bruis'd, let them boil on a clear Fire, in four Pounds of Fountain-water till a third part be consum'd, to two Pounds of the clear Straining add Syrup of the Juice of Citrons, or of Violets two Ounces, Sal Prunella a Dram and a half, make an Apozeme; the Dose is from four Ounces to six thrice a day.

Or let that Straining be pour'd on fifteen sineet Almonds blanch, and on the four cold Seeds of each a Dram being lruis'd, make an Emul∣sion according to Art.

Take water of Dragon-wort, and of black Cherries of each four Ounces, of Scordium compound two Ounces, Treacle-water an Ounce and a half, Syrup of Clove-gillylowers two Ounces, Spirit of Vitriol twelve drops, wake a Julape.

Let Sal Prunella be giben often in a day in small Beer or Whey, from half a Dram, or two Scruples.

Moreover in this Fever Medicines gently promoting Sweat, e∣specially such as restore the Animal Spirits, and free them from any Heterogeneous Combination, are of excellent use: Where∣fore either let Powder of Pearl, or Spirit of Harts-horn, or of Blood be given in a small Dose twice a day, viz. Morning and Evening.

Let Glysters be injected alniost daily, and if it seems convenient, let a gently loosning Medicine be repeated twice in a week.

Let none but a thin Diet be ordered, viz. such as is wont to be in other Fevers; Flesh or its Broath being wholly forbidden, let the Sick eat only Oat or Barley-broath, let his Drink be small Beer or Whey.

But if notwithstanding any Physical provision, the Morbifick Matter gets possession of the Brain or Lungs, or both of them together, so that a failing and disorder of the Animal faculty, or also a violent Cough come upon the Diseas'd, we must consider what is to be done in either state of the Disease, rais'd after this manner to an ill condition; for then the Curative Indications ought to respect a stupor or madness, or the Cough; and at length, if the Disease being upon declining, these Symptoms re∣mit, let appropriated Remedies be given against the Atrophia, it being as the last fortress of this Disease.

1. Therefore if the Morbifick Matter, as it frequently is wont, being brought to the Head, causes there a Stupor or Sleepy af∣fects, Remedies ought to be carefully administred, which draw it to another place, and derive it some way or other from the Head, and likewise such as raise up the Animal Spirits, and make void the impure Combination: Wherefore in this case, let the use of Epispasticks be very much encreast outwardly, let Spirit of Harts-horn be given every sixth hour in somewhat a large Dose, let Blood be drawn again from the Jugular Veins, the Salvatella, or also from the Veins of the Fundament by Lee∣ches. If the affect does not remit, the Hair being shav'd off, let Emollient Fomentations be often applyed to the Head: More∣over let Cupping-glasses, Plaisters and Cataplasms be applyed to the Soles of the Feet; and other ways of administration, such as are vulgarly indicated for Curing a Stupor, ought to be us'd: In like manner, if to the evil or defect of Crisis in this Fever, a Frensy or Mania Supervene, let Remedies appropriated to those affects be administred.

2. But if, together with, or without this Detriment brought on the Head, the Lungs also are injur'd by the Disease, so that the Diseas'd, not yet freed of their Fever, seem to have fall'n into a Consumption or Ptizick, with a troublesome Cough, much and thick Spittle, and that often discoloured, Medicines com∣monly indicated in such affects are proper; wherefore Pectoral Decoctions, Lohoch's, Syrups, Waters of Milk and Snails di∣still'd, and other Remedies of this kind, ought diliently to be us'd: The Forms of which are to be found in their above writ∣ten cases.

Hitherto we have describ'd a continual Fever, for the most part Convulsive, and taking its rise both through the default of the Nervous Juice, and of the Blood: I shall now set before you an example of a Disease, resembling an intermitting Fever, and chiefly radicated in the Nervous Juice.

A fine Woman, of a very tender Constitution, and a weak tem∣per of the Brain and Genus Nervosum, and consequently very sub∣ject to Convulsive affects, after she had conceiv'd, about the fourth Month of her Child-bearing, upon taking cold, was most sorely afflicted with Asthmatick Fits, and likewise with frequent Faint∣ings of the Spirits: But by the use of remedies endowed with a Volatile Salt, she grew well of these Distempers within a fort∣night; nevertheless after six weeks were past, an unusual, and ve∣ry wonderful affect seis'd this Lady.

On a certain morning awaking after her sleep, which had been somewhat troubled that night, she felt in her whole body a light shivering, as tho' the fit of a Tertian Ague were coming upon her: Frequent Gapings and Retchings follow it with a frequent straining to Vomit: Then her Urine, which just before was of an Orange colour with a laudable sediment, became pale and watery, and was very frequently voided, viz. every munute of an hour. Moreover about the Loins and Hypochondres, and in other places, pains with light Convulsions passing from one place to another were rais'd. Which kind of Symptoms, being manifestly Convul∣sive, with the frequent making of Limpid Water continued from the morning almost to the evening: In which space of time a vast quantity of Urine, viz. thrice more than the Liquor drank, was made: In the mean while the Heat became not more intense, nor did Thirst seem pressing, nor was the pulse rais'd: In the eveing the foresaid affects ceast, and the Urine came again to be of an O∣range colour, and in a small quantity; and she enjoyed a moderate sleep during the whole night; and then the next morning the Fit returned near the same hour, accompanied whol'y with the like Symptoms, and daily acted over the very same Tragedy.

Going to see this Lady after the had lain ill after this manner for twelve days; I judged that this disease being chiefly rooted in the Genus Nervosum, depended on the effervescency and flowing of the Humour that lies in the Nervous parts: to this Breeding person I Prescribed Bleeding, and to take twice a day a Powder made of Coral, Pearl, Ivory, and other Cordial things in an ap∣propriated Liquor: morning and evening she took twelve drops of the Tincture of Antimony, the effect whereof I have found to be singular in a too great Flux of Urine: by the use of these things all the Symptoms in a short time remitted.

CHAP. VII. Of General Convulsions which are wont to arise by reason of a Scorbutick disposition of the Ner∣vous Juice.

SOmetimes universal Convuisions, without Poyson, or a Fever∣rish Miasm, are caus'd by reason of aScorbutick or other wise vi∣tious dyscrasie of the Nervous Juice; for the Liquor which lies in the Nerves, and Nervous parts, sometimes falling from its natural and due Crasis, is so much fill'd with Heterogeneous and Explosive Particles, that the Animal Spirits admitting an incongruous com∣bination, some ways accruing to them, are irritated to continual Explosive Convulsions; which kinds of affects of the Spirits are either divided or separate, betwixt which no Communication or dependence happens, viz. when many parts of the body are af∣fected together with so many Convulsions peculiar to them, which do not follow each other successively, but are terminated in the same Mnscle or Member where they begin: Or secondly, The Convulsive affects which are rais'd together in the whole Genus Nervosum, are continual or connected, and being continued by a per petual sort of Vicissitude betwixt themselves, succeed each o∣ther, so that the disorderly motions of all the Members through a Mutual Succession when they begin at one part, presently pass in∣to the others. We shall consider the nature of both those convul∣sive affects, and shall shew what method of Gure is to be us'd in each case.

1. As to the former kind it plainly appears that such affects are not simple, but complicated, viz. of a Convulsion and Palsey, for though the Muscles and Tendons are continually intested with Convulsive Motions, yet the Diseas'd being Enervated cannot move strongly any Members, or the whole body: nay to these affects Pains Diffus'd through all the Limbs are added: hence we may infer that the Animal Spirits are indued with a Manifold Combination, viz. with particles both Explosive, and Narco∣tick, and in some sort irritative; so that tho' being always op∣prest, they fall upon Explosions, yet neither many of them to∣gether, by reason of other Particles of another kind mixt with them, nor indeed any of them have a free and lively Explosion wherefore the Impetus of Motion does not reach far, but is al∣ways

short and interrupted. A strange instance of this affect take as follows.

A nobleman descended from Parents and Ancestors who had been subject to evil affects of the Brain, or other Morbid disposi∣tions of the Nerves, about the time that his Age. began to de∣cline, first was wont to be troubled with a weakness, a numness, and gentle Convulsions in his Limbs, after having lain long un∣der these affects, at length he went to Bathe for a Cure, but ufing there the hot Baths too other, instead of a cure he got only so great an exasperation of his disease; that from that time the foresaid Symptoms did no longer follow him at times, but almost constantly, viz. Convulsive Motions, and Painful Tensions inces∣santly occupied all his Limbs, nay and each part of his Body, so that all the Muscles together were perpetually Convuls't with repeated Twitchings, and that not without a mighty Torture: the only way of appeasing which was, that sometimes his whole Body, sometimes some of its Members were continually exer∣cis'd with a local Motion: for as long as he was awake, he was forc't to be kept moving in his Bed, or in his Seat, or to be car∣ryed in a Coach, or to have his Members prest or rub'd; for which end Chairs and Beds were made for him with rockers, like Childrens Cradles, in which as he lay, or sate upright, he was continually rockt to and fro: without which, he was tor∣mented with a cruel Pain, and a violent Tension of the Muscies; the diurnal oppression of this Convulsive affect was followed in the night time, and presently after sleep with much more severe Syniptoms; for he no sooner awaked, but presently his whole Body fell a shivering, the Muscles were very much toyl'd with painful Convulsions, and all the Limbs, as in an agony of Death, were wont to be all over in a foul Sweat, which was so Corrosive, that the sheets, unless they were presently washt, were soon eaten and rotted by it, as by Aquafortis: the sick person during this con∣flict, was tortur'd betwixt Sweating and Shivering for many hours, till being quite tired, a sleep stealing upon him, brought some ease: but if, as the fit was coming, he was taken out of his Bed, he was better, and so he prevented the wonted violence of the Fit: therefore assoon as he was awaked from his sleep, tho' this happen'd within half an hour, presently to escape the torture, he call'd his servants, and was taken forth of Bed: being well e∣nough as to his Akppetite, he did Eat without nauseousness, nor was his Stomack troubled by what was taken into it, yet he of∣ten complained of a Cardialgia; and sometimes a troublesome Spitting, with a stinking Breath, as tho' he had taken Mercury, molested him for many days; any Hot things, as well Food as Phylick, did not agree with his constitution: he dar'd not so

much as Sip of Wine, or Strong-beer: in the first years of his Sickness he was seiz'd with a horrour at the sight of Fire, afterward becoming weaker, her refus'd to sit by the Fire, even in the Winter: his Urine was always of an Orange Colour, which if Evaporated on Coals in an Earthen Pot, a Saline filth, amounting to above half the Liquour, fell to the bottom: The Belly being always Costive, never depos'd its burthen unless irri∣tated by a Medicine or Glyster: Moreover, besides the Convulsive Motions, a Bastard Palsey possest all the Members of his Body, for he could neither lift up his Hands, nor walk with his Feet; his Tougue faultring brought forth only imperfect words, but some∣times when on oocasion his mind was possest with a sudden Joy, his Spirits and Strength being strangely rais'd, he was able on a sud∣den to rise from his Chair and to walk upright, and skip about without help; which interval nevertheless scarce lasted a minute of an hour, but the Members faultered afresh, and were troubled with their wonted Languor and Trembling. As this person was ill after this manner above twelve years, he got the advices of the most Famous Physitians of all England, and tryed a great many remedies and almost of all kinds, viz. Antiparali∣ticks, Antiscorbuticks, Drying, and Sweating Dyets, Purges, Cauteries, Baths, Liniments, nay and was twice Salivated but could not be Cured by any of those Methods, wherefore all hope of Cure being laid aside, for the seven latter years of his life he used only remedies that had regard to some of the chief Symp∣toms; viz. he took thrice a week a Loosening Medicine of Sena and Rhubarb with Correctives, sometimes in the form of a Sy∣rup, sometimes of an Extract; he us'd to take every night a Dose of an Opiate made of temperate Conserves and Species: Moreover he had a Julap in a readiness to be taken on occasion, when the Spirits faultered: He also Drank Oat-bear, Alter'd with temperate and Diuretick Herbs: By the use of these things he past at least seven years, without any great alteration for the worse: At length Old Age pressing opon him and the Disease together, the Convulsive fits growing more violent, seis'd him, not as before when his sleep was over, but as soon as he was warm in his Bed, so that he was forc't wholly to forbear going to Bed, and he put off his Cloaths but seldom, unless it were to change Linnen: Hence transpiration being hindred, the Serous and o∣ther Filthy Dregs which were wont to evaporate, were fixt on the Lungs, which first brought a thick Breathing, afterward an Asthmatick affect, and lastly a Mortla Consumption.

If the reasons of the foresaid affects be enquired into: it will appear that all these Evils proceeded from the ill Constitution of the Brain, and Genus Nervosum, and more immediatly from the

Dyscrasy and Default of the Juice that lies in these parts.

The reason is plain why this Disease, first increasing by degrees, was soon rais'd to a far worse state by the use of hot Baths, for it is manifest by experience that hot and sulphureous Baths very much exalt the Saline, and other Morbid Particles, that a∣bound within the Viscera, or Humours of Human Body, and soon carry them to the highest pitch, viz. by exagitaing them they render them more wildly exorbitant, and froce them from the first passages into the Blood, and thence into the Brain and Genus Nervosum, nay and joyn them together being first sever'd, and lying idle, and stir them, up to a certain Fermentation: Wherefore such as being hereditarily obnoxious to the Gout or or Stone, have not yet felt any Fits of those affects, after the use of hot Baths, very often find that both those diseases are pre∣sently brought to a maturity in them. [You may find the reasons of the other Symptoms in Dr. Willis at large.]

So much for universal Convulsions, which for the most part being joyn'd to the Paralytick affect, are raised at once in many places separately: there remain others which we call continual, viz. because being conveyed on a sudden from these parts to o∣thers, they mutually succeed each other, and force the Members sometimes these, sometimes others, and often the whole Body to be mov'd involuntarily, and to be bent and agitated divers ways. I shall give you an instance or two of this affect.

A Beautiful Virgin, tall and thin grown, begotten of a Father obnoxious to very great distempers of the Genus Nervosum, a∣bout the twentieth year of her Age was afflicted for many days with a very violent and Periodical Head ach, at length the Win∣ter Solstice being near at hand the pain of her head remitted, but in its stead, a mighty Catarrh succeeded, with thin and much Spittle, and with an Ulcerous affect of the Nostrils, Mouth, and Throat; having undergone the tediousness of this for some time, at length by the advice of some old Women she drew into her Mouth the smoke of Amber through a Tube, and was presently Cur'd, viz. the Catarrh was suddenly stopt, but presently upon it she complain'd of a mighty giddiness, with a Pain of the Head, and a Ringing in the Ears: on the third day the Tendons of the Neck were Convuls't that her head was bent sometimes forward, some∣times backward, sometimes sideways, and sometimes it stood stiff and immovable, in a short time after this such a Convulsive affect seiz'd the ontward parts of the whole Body, and the Limbs: the Arms and Hands were so wonderfully twisted, that no Jugler of Mountibank was able to imitate their Flections and Convolutions: Her Legs qand Feet were forc't awry this way and that, and were made to beat aginst each other, and to cross each other alterna∣tively

after this manner she was perpetually affected with Con∣vulsive Motions either sitting in a Chair, or lying in Bed, unless when she was overwhelm'd with sleep; and when she contained her members a little, by much forcing her self, presently she was seized with a difficult, and short Breating, and with a danger of being Choakt, yet in the mean time the Eyes, Jaws, Mouth, and inferiour Viscera continued free from any Convulsion: Nor was she troubled with a Vomiting, Rumbling, nor Inflation of the Hypochondres: Moreover her mind held always sound, and she duly performed the functions of Memory, Understanding, and Imagination, she neither spake nor did any thing shewing want of Reason, or Indiscreetly: but amongst all these stupendi∣ous evils always using Pious and Vertuous expressions, she gave an admirable specimen of Christian Patience and Piety: her appe∣tite was soon dejected, so that she was averse from all food unless very much press'd to it; but thirst continually prest upon her, she was so very weak, she could neither stand nor go: Her Urine was of an Orange Colour, very much Impreguated with a Saltness, on the Surface of which a thin Tartareous Film grew.

Being call'd to this Lady the sixth day after her being ill, I pro∣ceeded in order to her Cure as follows: In the first place having made a gentie preparation of the Body, I gave her a Loosning Potion of an Infusion of Sena and Rhubarb, with the addition of Yellow Saunders and Salt of Wormwood, whereby she had twelve stools which gave her great ease; the day following I drew eight Ounces of blood from her left Arm, every evening I gave her an Opiate of the Water and Syrup of Cowslip flowers with the Powder of Pearl: Moreover once within six hours I ordered her a Dose of Spirit of Harts Horn to be taken with a little draught of the fol∣lowing Jalape.

Take Water of black Cherries, Wall-Nuts, and Peony Flowers of each three Ounces, the Antiepileptical Water of Langius two Ounces, Syrupe of Male Peony Flowers two Ounces, Pearl powdred a Scruple, mix them make a Julape. Because she could not bear much Pur∣ging, Glysters of Milk and Sugar were frequently us'd: Besides Anticonvulsive Liniments apply'd to the Neck and Spine, we or∣dered Frictions of the Members affected with Woollen Cloths moistned in an appropriated Oyl, and warm'd.

By the use of these things, within six days the diseased seem'd to be very much relieved; for the Convulsive Motions in a manner wholly ceast, she could keep her Members in their due Site, and without Motion, only she was forc't sometimes by a slight Con∣traction to bow her head gently this way and that: Moreover she was able to arise from her Chair and Walk a little, but as she Walk't, she did not go upright, but inclining to one side's Par∣ting

from her at that time, I left her in a manifest state of Reco∣very, she seeming to be much better: But somewhat more then a week after, a boistrous North Wind arising in the night time, and blowing strongly on the diseas'd as she lay in her Bed, the window being not well shut; presently upon taking Cold she fell into such a relapse, that she became not only obnoxious to Convul∣sive affects, but likewise to a Universal and Periodical Palsey: For from thence forward her Head and Members being bent and toss'd again from Morning to the Evening as before, she was made to Wind, Bend and variously Wrest all her Limbs successively; till about night those Motions being wholly appeas'd, a Resolution or Palsey of the Members ensued, so that she could neither move Hand, nor Foot, nor any part else, or exercise any effort of Moti∣tion of the Body, lying in the Bed like a Stone, immovable: But being somewhat refresht with sleep, about the morning, as she recovered some strength of the regular moving Faculty, viz. e∣nough, to bend the Arms and Leggs, to and fro, tho' weakly, so also the Convulsive and Involuntary Motions constantly re∣turn'd, and continued for the whole day after, which in the e∣vening were again Chang'd into resolutions of the Limbs.

From what is said it plainly appears, that the sick Lady lay un∣der a double disease, viz. APalsey, and Convulsions: And besides the remedies before mentioned a great many others almost of all kinds, viz. Antiscorbuticks. Antiparaliticks, Sudorificks, Decoctions, Distilled Waters, Spirits, Elixirs, Tinctures, Baths, Liniments with many others were carefully administred; by the use of which the Symptoms were a little remitted, but the disease was not perfectly Cur'd: The Universal Palsey ceast in a short while, so that she could move her Limbs and bend them to and fro at all times; nay and the involuntary Motions of her Members sel∣domer molested her, yet she still continued faint and weak, and as she was of a tender Constitution, and inclin'd to a Consumpti∣on, and now become unapt for all exercise, the filthy Dregs of the Blood depos'd in the Lungs, by reason of her letted transpiration, brought a Cough, which dayly growing worse and worse, she dyed at length Pthisical.

Many years since I was call'd to a noble Virgin taken almost after the same, and somewhat a worse manner. For this under∣went Involuntary Motions of the Head and Members, viz. ei∣ther Shakings of them, or Bendings this way and that, or Wrest∣ings of them, returning almost in a constant Course: Moreover she was affected with a very troublesome, and wholly wonderful Convulfion of the Diaphragm, and Muscles that serve for respirati∣on for every minute of an hour and oftener, the Back Bone a∣bout the middle of it was made crooked, and at the same time

Breast Springing forward, and the Hypocondres contracting in∣ward, a very Sonorous Sobbing, and the same sometimes doubled, sometimes tripled, but still less and less Shrill came from her; she was wont to continue these Motions, and Reciprocation of noise many hours, so that she was heard throughout the whole house; if at any time a short intermission of this happen'd, present∣ly she was forc't strongly to beat or clasp her arms and hands one with the other, sometimes her Legs and Feet, and some∣times to throw her Head after a most violent manner; by and by to hold her Neck as it were still and immovable. Sometimes in speaking her Tongue was so taken, that she repeated the same word often, nay more than at least twenty times. When the Convulsive Motions were strong in the Exteriour Members she was a little somewhat free from that stridulous Sobbing affect; and she call'd this the space of Intermission and the time of her ease; tho' in the mean while her Head and Members were drawn every way with violent Motions: If at any time she lay on her Left Side, presently an inward Contraction of the right Hypo∣condre, with a Sobbing happen'd, within a few days, her strength being very much dejected by the assidnity of these affects, she got such a weakness in her Loins and Knees that she could nei∣ther stand nor go: The Stomach being affected either with a Languor, or Convulsion threw up all by Vomit that was put into it.

Coming to her the fourth day I gave her a Vomit, after which she Vomited sever times a viscous Flegm, with store of Yellow Choler; but without any relief: The day after I drew six Ounces of Blood from her Arm, wereupon the Blood presently taking violently to the Head, she complain'd very much of a Head-ach and Giddiness; but being Blooded in the Foot, within three days, she was better: She tooks afterwards remedies appro∣priated to the Nerves, viz. Spirit of Harts-horn, and of Blood, Powders of Shells, Bezoars, Anticonvulsive Julaps, and Electu∣aries: by the use of thse things the Symptoms seem'd some∣what to abate, yet continued still in some Measure according to the Forms before described: After a fortnight, by the advice of some Country Woman, she took six spoonfuls of Blood, drawn from the Ear of an Ass, in a draught of bear, whereuopn on a sudden she seem'd to be Cur'd: For the Convulsive Motions presently all ceast, and she past twenty four hours free from them, nevertheless the disease returning shortly upon it with its wonted violence, yielded not easily to that Medicine, nor indeed to any other whatsoever, therefore for the time to come she took Me∣dicines methodically prescribed: She Purg'd gently once in six days, besides she took a Powder made of Bezoar, Pearl and Coral, with the Seeds and Roots of Peony, also the Electuary prescribed

by Horstius against these kinds of marvellous Convulsions; and like∣wise Julaps and Decoctions appropriated to Convulsive affects: Glysters were frequently given: Frictions, Vesicatories and Line∣ments, were administred with good effect; within a fortnight the Sobbing affect wholly ceast, nay and the rest of the Convulsive Motions, being rendred more mild by degrees, remitted very much; but as she was recovering of those affects she was so troubled with a Catarrh falling on her Throat, that she Spit forth almost continually a Sharp, and as it were Corrosive Spittle, as if a Salivation were rais'd by taking Mercury: Which kind of remedy the event prov'd to be extreamly proper in this case; tho' I whol∣ly forbore using it, because the diseased and here friends were not free to admit of it.

After that this Copious and very troublesome Spitting had con∣tinued for many days the disease seem'd to be in a manner wholly Cur'd: So that the Noble Lady, being free from theConvulsive Motions, walk't abroad, and had a good Strength and Stomach••: Only she complain'd that at certain times in the day, she was affected on a sudden with a Shivering of her whole Body for a∣bout a quarter of an hour: which kind of affect, sometimes also hapning by night, broke her sleep. Within a months space this Symptom also, and likewise the Catarrh, wholly ceast: but after∣ward she was so afflicted, sometimes with a Sharpness in the Ventricle and Passage of the Aesophagus, sometimes also in the Jaws and Palate, that she fear'd lest those parts, the inner Skin being worn away, would contract an Ulcerous affect: More∣over often in her sleep, and sometimes also waking, she us'd to be troubled with an Incubus. I ordered her a gentle Purge to be given Spring and Fall with the use of Antiscorbutick remedies, and sometimes Chalybeats: Which kind of Method she observed with so great advantage to her, that she has enjoy'd her health for many years, and enjoys it still.

Among many remedies which she took against that Sharp∣ness, and Ulcerous disposition as it were of the Palate and Aeso∣phagus, I ordered that she should Drink every Morning her own Urine fresh made: This for the most part being very Salt, was wont to give a mighty relief; but at certain times the Urine that came from her was thin, and in a great plenty, which ne∣vertheless was not Salt, but manifestly Acid like Vinegar, after the Drinking of which she found little or no benefit. The rea∣son of the good effect of the one, and not of the other is this: In as much as Saline Particles of a differing state, and not those that are of the same, mutually act on each other, and weaken their strength, therefore the Salt Urine and not that which was Sharp of sour Cur'd the Sharpness of the Throat: And it

appear'd from hence that the Humour distilling on the parts of this Ladies Mouth and Throat was Acid and drew near to the na∣ture of a Vitriolick Vinegar, because the smoke of Tobacco receiv'd in the Mouth of the Diseas'd seem'd wonderfully Sweet as it uses ot do in any that tast Vitirol before.

Ten years since I went to see the daughter of a certain Noble∣man, troubled with Convulsive Motions after such a manner, that some thought her obsess't with an evil Spirit: This Virgin being about sixteen years of Age, Fair, and well in flesh, but begotten of a Father troubled with the Palsey, about the winter Solstice began to be ill without any evident cause: First for some days she was affected with a Head-ach and a Giddiness, though in no severe manner; afterward she perceiv'd a Trembling, and sud∣den Contraction in one Arm, and presently in the other, which kind of Convulsions, returning often that day, scarce lasted a mo∣ments space: The next day after sitting by her Sister in a Chair, on a sudden she started up, and made a leap or two, and many others successively to many feets distance with a wonderful Agility: Then when she was come to the end of the Room, she stood for some while leaping up in the same place, and every time to a wonderful height, when her legs were able to hold Leaping no longer, she fell on the ground and presently threw her Head several ways, as though she would have thrown it off her Neck, assoon as she ceast from this Motion, through her being tired, presently the same fury seiz'd her Hands and Feet, that she was forc't to keep these members a going in a violent manner, striking them against the Walls and Doors, or stamping on the Floor: When through Modesty, or Reverence due to Friends, or Persons pre∣sent she kept her self from these Motions by main force (for she was always present to her self and spake with sobriety) presently the affect being convey'd inward, she was very much infested with mighty oppression of the Heart, a Sighing, and very loud Sobbing, then when she gave way to her self, presently the Rage being con∣vey'd to the Muscles of the outward Limbs, she was forc't either to Leap, or to throw her Head or Arms this way and that in a violent manner, or also to run swiftly up & down the Chamber, or to stamp on the Ground with her Feet: Thus these kinds of violent Com∣motions of the Limbs or Viscera mutually succeeded each other, the Tragedy of the distemper returning as it were in a Circle.

Coming the fifth day after this Lady had been ill, I gave her a Vo∣mit of the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum, Wine of Squills, and Salt of Vitriol, after which she Vomited a great store of Aeruginous Cho∣ler, with a mixture of a most Sharp, and as it were Vitriolick Hu∣mour: The next day after I drew ten Ounces of Blood from the Saphaena Vein: Moreover she took twice a day Antidotes of the

Powders of Precious Stones, Mans Scull, and the Male Peony: by the use of these things seeming to be recover'd, she liv'd for ma∣ny days after free from the foresaid affects, but after a fortnight, the full Moon coming, she fell into a relaps of the same disease more violent than before, for besides the wonderful Leaps, the vi∣olent Contorsions, and Convolutions of the Head, and Members, she was also forc't to Run up & down in a Vehement manner in her Bed Chamber: She took at this time, by the Praescripts of o∣thers, Antihysterick Remedies, and Purges at some set intervals of time, but without any relief: Being call'd again, in re∣gard thatshe was of a Robust habit of Body, and seem'd affect∣ed with a mighty raging of the Spirits, I gave her a strong Vo∣mit, after which she Vomited ten times a Choler as green as Ver∣d••grease, with a Flegm as Sharp as Aqua Stygia, and was suddenly reliev'd: I gave her afterward, every morning a draught of White-wine Diluted with Black Cherry Water, pour'd on Mil∣lepedes bruis'd, and strongly exprest. By the use of these things seeming to be Cur'd, she was perfectly well for a Month, and more: and when afterward she at any time perceiv'd any forerunning signs of a return of the affect, presently by the use of a Vomit, and the same expression of Millepedes, she kept off the Fit: With∣in three Months she so recover'd her former Health, that she has now lived many years wholly free from such Convulsive af∣fects: But from the time that the Convulsive Passions wholly ceast, she was sometimes troubled about the parts of the Mouth and Throat with a Defluxion of a most Acid Humour, like the distill'd Liquor of Vitriol: Moreover she has sometimes been obnoxious to the longing disease of Maids, sometimes also to a Cough with a discolour'd Spittle threatning a Ptizick, which ne∣vertheless were easily Cur'd by remedies usual in the like cases.

Whilst I was writing these things, I went to see a Noble Vir∣gin, who was troubled with Convulsive affects of another kind, and those Universal, and no less Admirable: This about the eighteenth year of her Age, being of a fresh Colour, Handsome, and before sound enough, now happening unawares to incur the danger of being infected with the Plague, it being rife here∣abouts, fell into a Panick Fear, with frequent Swooning Fits, the night following the underwent such Failings and Disorders of the Spirits that she seem'd even ready to Dye. But having past that evil with much ado, she had afterward every day Convul∣sive Fits, though returning first at uncertain hours, and in several forms: But within a short time the accesses of the disease be∣coming regular, they return'd constantly twice a day, viz. at ele∣ven of the Clock in the forenoon, and at five in the afternoon, that no intermitting Fever keeps its periods more exactly, nay and

all the circumstances of the Fit happen'd daily after the same manner.

When she had been thus ill three weeks, I was call'd on a cer∣tain day, that I might observe all the Symptoms, and the whole form of the disease: Rising from her Bed at ten a Clock in the Morning, she was well, and carryed her self so well in her coun∣tenance, walking, and discourse, that no man would have sus∣pected that any thing ail'd her: At eleven, a Clock she began to complain of a Plenitude, and as it were Inflation in the Brain, and a Deadness of the Spirits with a light Scotomia: by and by she felt in the left Hypocondre a mighty beating, and Spring∣ing as it were of a live Animal: I plainly felt this Motion by ap∣plying my hand to her side, then a Retching and great Crying followed, whereupon she was presently led to Bed, and given to be held by a maid servant sitting on the Bolster: This person clap∣ping her Arms about the middle of the diseas'd, held her very hard in her Lap, during the Fit. Moreover servants were at hand, and relations standing about her, who sometimes held her Hands and Arms, sometimes prest down her Belly and Hypocondres which rise to a mighty Bulk, still forcing upwards: The chief Symptoms of the disease, which being rais'd by turns, divided in a manner the whole Fit, were these two, viz. Sometimes violent Convulsions of the Viscera infested her, so that the Abdomen rising to a mighty Bulk, withstood the hands of standers by, prest against it, that it could not be kept down, and withal the Praecordia being drawn upward, the Motion of the Heart and Blood was in a manner stop't: For which space of time the Virgin hanging down her head, with a weaken'd, and no Pulse as it were, lay Speechless and almost insensible: After two or three minutes of an hour these Fits ceast: And then the Sick raising her self, look't round her chearfully, and for some time converted the Impetus of the disease into Discourses and Songs, both which she uttered most Pleasantly and Elegantly above her Natural disposition; she past such Sayings and Scoffs on all persons about her, that there is nothing in any Comedy to be met with more facetious; then she would Sing most Sweet and Pleasant Tunes of Harmony, such as neither any person else could Sing, or herself at another time: After the she had thus past about six or seven Minutes of an hour, in Jesting and Singing, she fell again into the Convul∣sions of the Viscera and Hypochondres, and the loss of Speech as before: And these remitting in a short time, and the Impetus of the Spirits flying back from the inferiour Nerves to the Brain, she gave her self again to the pleasantryes of Talking and Singing. When at any time she discourst with the standers by, if any thing that was Sharp or Ignominious were replyed by them, she fell

into more Violent and Lasting Convulsions of the Bowels: After this manner she uses to be troubled with an alternate affect of the Viscera and Brain for about the space of an hour: Then the Fit drawing toward an end, the Convulsions of the Bowels becom∣ing more gentle, return'd three or four times with very little in∣termission: Afterward these wholly ceasing, the Impetus of the disease passes into the outward Members, whence presently it whol∣ly vanishes: For the Arms and Legs undergo contractions and twitchings for a minute of an hour, and presently after the dis∣eased rising up, comes off from her Bed, and is free from all Con∣vulsion till a new Fit returns, nay and having an indifferent good strength, walks up and down the house, and during the interval of the affect, cheerfully performs the usual Offices of Life, still excepting that her Stomach being weak, loaths food during the day time, in the evening after the second Fit of the disease, she eats a little supper.

About the beginning of this sickness of the Convulsions of the Bowels were much more violent, and she lay Senseless with them, and during their intervals she would talk absurdly, Sing Songs out of tune, and fall out a Laughing, or Crying, without any ground of reason: But at length the Animal Spirits being forc't into lasting explosions, perform'd them so regularly, sometimes this way, sometimes that, as it was most proper, that they seem'd to be done in some sort by the moderation and command of the will.

After I had been again to see this Lady, having lain under these periodical Fits for many weeks, I ordered that three hours before the second Fit, ten Ounces of Blood should be drawn from the Vein of her foot, whereupon the Fit, expected in the Even∣ing, wholly left her, nor did it ever return afterward: But the other Fit obsrving its ancient course return'd daily, till upon Bleeding a little before its coming, the Patient was free of it that day, which nevertheless returning the next day after followed her for many months according to the same form: In the mean while, because the winter cold was very fevere, she delai'd for some time the use of Remedies: But as the Spring came on the noble Lady being brought to Oxford was cur'd by the following Me∣thod.

In the first place I gave her this Purge, and took care for it to be repeated every sixth or seventh day.

Take Sulphur of Antimony six Grains, Mercurius Dulcis a Scruple, Rosin of Jalap four Grains, Ginger six Grains: Let them be bruis'd together on a Marble, then adding Conserve of Violets a Dram, make a Bolus. It was wont to make her Womit twice or thrice, and to give her three or four Stools: Her Menses constantly flowed from her at set

time in a plentiful manner: Wherefore her Blood seeming to be in great plenty and hot, in the middle time betwixt the monthly periods I ordered Bleeding twice or thrice: Moreover on all those days that she did not Purge, she took four Pills of the fol∣lowing Mass, Drinking after it a little Draught of the Julap beneath prescribed.

Take Roots of Male Peony half an Ounce, of Virginia Serpentary, Contrayerva, and Bastard Dittany of each two Drams, Mans Scult prepar'd a Dram and a half, Elks Hoof a Dram, red Coral prepar'd, Pearl Powdred of each a Dram, Salt of Wormwood two Drams, Salt of Coral a Dram, with a sufficient quantity of Syrupe, of Male Peony flowers make a Mass.

Take the Waters of Male Peony Flowers, Black Cherries, and Wall∣nuts of each four Ounces, the Antiepileptical Water of Langius two Ounces, Syrup of Peony Flowers an Ounce and a half, Castoreum tyed in a knot and hung in hte Glass a Dram, mix them make a Julap.

When she began to loath the Pills, omitting them, she took twice a day, viz. early in the morning, and late at night, about a Scruple of the following Powder in a spoonful of the Julap, Drinking after it four or five spoonfuls of the same.

Take Bezoar Stone of both kinds, White Amber, Pearl prepar'd, Red Coral of each a Scruple; Mans Scull two Scruples, Roots of Virgi∣nia Serpentary, Seeds of Rue of each half a Dram, mix them, make a Powder, let her take a Scruple Morning and Evening with a Dose of the Julap above prescribed.

Afterward when this also began to nauseate her, she us'd Pills, or also Elixir Proprietatis, sometimes also Spirit of Harts-horn for many days: afterward at long run upon taking that Powder daily for some space she began to find help.

Inthe mean while that this Method of Cure was followed; her Hair being Shav'd off, her Head was cover'd only with a thin Dress, she wore the Hysterick Plaister with a mixture of Galba∣num on the Abdomen: She drank for her ordinary drink a Bo∣••het of Sarsa and China with the Roots of Male Peony, and o∣ther appropriated things infus'd and boil'd in Fountain Water: Within a Month the Fits remitted a little: Afterward becoming more mild by degrees and lesser, at length they ceas'd in a manner altogether, unless that near the time of her Menses she was wont to be troubled with an assault or two of that disease: Moreover she was troubled almost with a constant Giddiness and a loathing of Meat; in the midst of Summer the drank Astrope Waters for six weeks, and grew perfectly well.

As to the way of Cure to be us'd in general for such Marvel∣lous Convulsions, it is not an easie thing to assign Remedies e∣qual to so Hereulean a Disease, or a certain method of its Cure

confirm'd by frequent experiments: For besides that cases like those seldom occur, we may likewise observe, that the same Medicine which did good to this sick person at one time, gave not the least relief to another person, or the same, when given at another time, the reason of which seems to be that the cause of the Disease seems to consist in the Discrasy of the Nervous Juice: Which liquor is not always perverted after one and the same manner: But from the manifold combination of the Salts and Sulphurs, gets a Morbid disosition of a various kind and con∣dition, and often changes it: Wherefore in those difficult affects, we must not prescribe vulgar Medicines, taken from Apothecaries Shops, but Magisterial ones, as occasion requires, according to the appearances of the Marvellous Symptoms. A Gentle Vo∣mit, a Purge, and Bleeding ought in the first place to be us'd, and sometimes to be repeated, as it shall seem convenient. And as to Specifick Medicines, and such are appropriated in those cases, since the chief Indication will be to amend the Crasis of the Nervous Juice, we may try a great many things and sift their vertues from the effect: Therefore we may try what things endued with a Volatile or Armoniack Salt will do: For this purpose let the Spirits and Salts of Harts-horn, Blood, Soot, the Flowers and Spirits of Sal Armoniack be taken: These giv∣ing no relief we must come to Chalybeats; let the Tinctures and Solutions of Coral and Antimony be given: which sort of Medi∣cines must be given in such a Dose, and form, and for so many times, that some alteration may be made by them in the Blood and Nervous Juice: Again, if these have not success we must proceed to Alexipharmicks, which are good against Poyson and a Malignity gotten into the Humours, viz. of these we must or∣der Decoctions, Destillations, Powders, Conserves, and o∣ther Preparations of Vegetables, and we must variously com∣pound them the one with the other, and administer them several ways: It seems likely that those sorts of Medicines which being inwardly taken are wont to do good to such as are bit by a Viper, or by a Mad Dog, and likewise against Wolfs-bane, and Napel∣lus, may also be of use in the above mentioned Convulsions: We may here, after the example of Gregor Horstius in his Tracts of the Malign Convulsive disease, prescribe also Magisterial Remedies in form of a Purging Electuary, also of a Powder, and Convulsive Antidote for these Marvellous Convulsions, and variously Com∣pound the same of Simples, partly Alexipharmical and partly An∣tiepileptical.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Affects which are vulgarly call'd Hysterical.

IF at any time an unusual sort of Sickness, or of a very Secret Origine occurs in the Body of a Woman, so that its Cause lies hid, and the Therapeutick Indication be wholly uncertain, presently we accuse the evil influence of the Womb (which for the most part is guiltless) and in any unusual Symptom, we cry out that there is somewhat Hysterical in it; and consequently the Physical intentions and the uses of Remedies are directed for this end, which often is only a starting hole for Ignorance.

The passions which are wont to be rank't in this number are found to be various andmanifold, which seldom agree in divers Women, or happen wholly after the same manner: the most common of them, and which are vulgarly said to Constitute the formalstate of an Hysterick affect, are these, viz. A Motion in the lower part of the Belly, and an Ascent as it were of some round thing there, then a Belching or Straining to Vomit, a distention of the Hypochondres and a Rumbling with a Belching forth of Wind, an uneven and for the most part a letted Respira∣tion, a Suffocation in the Throat, a Giddiness, an Inversion, or Rotation of the Eyes, often Laughing, or Weeping, a Talking Idly, sometimes a Speechlesness and Immobility with an ob∣scure or no Pulse, and a Cadaverous aspect, sometimes Convulsive Motions rais'd in the Face, and Limbs, and sometimes in the whole Body: But universal Convulsions seldom happen, and not unless the disease be raised to its worst state, for the Tragedy of the Fit is acted through for the most part without any contraction of the Members only in the Belly, Breast and Head, viz. one of them, or successively in all. Women of all Ages and Con∣ditions are obnoxious to these affects, to wit Rich and Poor, Virgins, Wives, and Widows: I have observed those Symptoms in Girls before the time of Puberty, and in old Women after their Menses ceast to Flow, nay and men are sometimes troubled with such kind of Passions, instances of which are not wan∣ting.

The cause of these Symptoms must not be imputed to the Ascent of the Womb, and to vapours rais'd from the same; nor to the Impetuous rushing of the Blood into the Lungs, as the Learned Highmore has Judg'd; But we say that the affect call'd Hysteri∣cal,

chiefly, and primarily is Convulsive, and depends principally on the Brain and Genus Nervosum being affected, and is produc't wholly by the exposions of the Animal Spirits, as o∣ther Convulsive Motions. And whatever disorder or irregula∣rities happen else about the Motion of the Blood, they are only secondary and depending on the Convulsions of the Viscera. The way of the difference whereby the kinds of this disease both differ from each other, and from the other Convulsive affects is taken from the various Origine, and chiefly from the extension of the Morbisick Cause: for the Origine of this, as of many o∣ther Convulsive affects sometimes resides in the Head, the Womb being wholly without fault: Though sometimes this affect hap∣pens through the fault of the Womb, and sometimes through that of other parts: As to the extension of the Disease, from whatever Origine it proceeds, for the most part it chiefly af∣fects the Interiour Nerves, to with those that particularly regard the Viscera and Precordia and their appendixes, and chiefly troubles the Spirits lying in them: Sometimes also, though rare∣ly, the Spirits that presides in the Exteriour Nerves and likewise those in the Brain and Cerebellum, are involv'd in the same affect.

As to the Morbifick Matter, or Explosive Combination, which, accruing to the Spirits within the Brain, and deriv'd with them in∣to the Processes of the Nerves, often is the cause of the af∣fects, which are vulgarly call'd Uterine, or of the Mother: We say this to be Heterogeneous Particles sent from the Blood, as in other kinds of Convulsions; and which are wont to be made to cleave to the Spirits that pass into the Origines of the Nerves, on two chief occasions, viz. either through the fault of the Spirits themselves, or through the great force of the Matter: in∣stances of both kinds every where occur: Through the fault of the Spirits themselves as when through a sudden Passion, suppose of Fear, Anger, Sadness, they are very much Troubled and forc't into Irregularities; through the Exorbitant force of the Matter, as in the evil Crises of Fevers, also in any Malignant, and Scorbutical, and other Chronical affects of an ill Determina∣tion: these causes are much upheld and promoted by an ill or weak Constitution of the Brain and Genus Nervosum, whe∣ther it be hereditary, or acquir'd by an ill dyet, hence Women are more obnoxious to Convulsive affects than Men, and those one more then another.

Tho' these they call Hysterical affects very often arise from the Brain, yet sometimes they are rais'd by a cause beginning either in the Womb, or in other of the Viscera; and this either by rea∣son of a solution of continuity, through a Tumor or Ulcer,

or Stimulation of the part; or by reason of the obstruction of the Nervous Juice in its Circulation; thus when some accusto∣med evacuation, whereby the superfluities of the Nervous Li∣quour were wont to be discharged, is stop'd, as upon the sudden stopping of Issues, or drying up of old Ulcers without Purging, many have fallen into Convulsive affects, which sometimes also happen to Virgins and widows through a retention of the Se∣mianl homour, which ought to be Voided its proper way: And sometimes the Nervous Juice regurgitates toward its Origine, because its passage is somewhere stop't by a Cancrous or Scirr∣hous Tumour. To illustrate our doctrine of the, vulgarly call'd, Passions of the Womb; I shall now give an instance of a person troubled with them.

A Renowned Lady, extreamly beautiful, and endowed with an excellent temper of mind and manners, lately lived in these parts, who for many years was obnoxius to Convulsive affects, she having contracted this valetudinary disposition fro her Birth, or Hereditarily, and having found in herself these fruits of the morbid root almost every fourth year of her Age; but especially as often as she conceived with Child (as she often had, and undergone frequent Abortions) she was wont to be extraor∣dinarily troubled with Convulsive passions, in a manner Hysteri∣cal: For presently upon the stopping of the Menses, the Hete∣rogeneous Particles being convey'd to the Brain, and Genus Ne∣vosum, brought violent Fits of the distemper.

After that she had last conceived, in the first Months accor∣ding to her ancient wont, she was often troubled with Convulsive affects, about the uinth week of her being with Child, upon taking Cold, she fell into a dangerous Fever, in which very acute Pains sorely infesting her in the Loins, and about the lower part of the Belly, seem'd to threaten an Abortion: But those Pains, as it appear'd at last, being rather to be judg'd of the Co∣lick, proceeded from a Sharp humor, falling from the Brain into those parts by the Ductus's of the Nerves; for about the de∣clining of the Fever, that matter being convey'd elsewhere, a Diarrhaea, Pains of the Feet, and a Blistering as it were ensued.

As soon as this Lady grew well of her Fever, and Pains, the Convulsive affects returned, for every morning as she awaked from her sleep, she was wont to undergo violent Contractions and Convulsions about the parts of the Mouth and Face, and also in the Arms and Legs, which Syptoms doubtless arose from the Serous filth heap'd together in the Head about the Origines of the Nerves; and deeply Imbib'd by them during the sleep, toge∣ther with the Juice that passes in them; and when afterward the same matter was caryed again by the conveyance of the In∣teriour

Nerves, into the Plexus's of the Mesentery, and the Loins, most violent Pains of those parts, and likewise Fits as it were Hysterical sorely infested her.

For those Convulsive Motions of the Face and Members ceast in a short time, yet she continued still Weak and Infirm, with a Pale Countenance, Trembling as she went, and having a mind to no Food but such as was improper, and to hot Liquors: a∣bout the end of the third Month, at which time she used con∣stantly to Abort, her Menses broke forth, which passing from her for two or three days together, with pieces of broken Mem∣branes, she expected the Abortion: But the Flu ceasing, Pains, like those of a person in Labour, arose in the Abdomen and Loins as before, and miserably tormented her day and night for a week: At length having us'd a Bath of Emollient Herbs, and then being put to bed to sweat, she was delivered of the burthen of her Womb: the Conception thus passing from her with a mighty torture was as a Pea-hens Egg in bigness and figure; the outward coat of this was ragged and broken; the inward coat remaining whole, contained about half a pound of clear Water, and nothing else: And no rudiments, of a Faetus that was form'd, or about ot be form'd, did appear: Afterward for four or five days the Lochia flowed from her with some pieces of Membranes: Mean while Pains troubled her with their wonted violence: And in regard that after a week was past, they did not cease of their own accord, at length remedies were desir'd for appeasing them.

For this end in the first place, Liniments, Fomentations, Baths, and Glysters were freuently administred: And Medi∣cines cleansing the filth of the Womb, on which the cause of the whole distemper was charg'd, were inwardly taken: Upon the use of the former, short intermissions of the Pains followed: But now and then the affect returned and was mighty tedious: Nay and within three weeks, the disease growing much worse brought many other horrible Symptoms along with it: For besides the Pains in the Abdomen and Loins, which grew daily more vio∣lent, she was now troubled likewise with a great torture in her Back, Neck, Shoulder Blades, also in the Arms and Leggs, and that more severely as often as she grew warm in her Bed: More∣over she was afflicted with a frequent Giddiness, a Vomiting and Nauseousness, and often in a day with vehement Convulsive Fits, viz. First a great heavy thing seeming to Ascend in the lower parts of the Belly, presently raised up the Belly with violence: By and by, respiration being stopt, she became senceless with a Cadaverous aspect: After that she had lain thus dead, as it were, for three or four minutes of an hour, she was wont to start up

on a sudden, that she could scarce be kept down or held by persons present: Then followed violent contractions and distor∣tions in all the parts of the Mouth and Face, and in all the Mem∣bers of the Body. These Symptoms were judg'd really Hysteri∣cal, because the noble Lady had so lately Aborted.

But considering all these things, I was at length of this opi∣nion, That the cause of both Fits, viz. the Paining, and Convul∣sive, depended wholly on the evil affects of the Brain and Genus Nervosum, without any fault in the Womb, to wit, that the sharp humour heapt together within the Brain, descended thence, by the passages of the Nerves, into parts very remote, and lying in the Membranes and Fibres, and fermenting with the humour coming to it from the Mass of Blood, irritated them very much, and caus'd violent pains: then afterwards, when the heterogeneous and explosive Particles, admitted into the Brain with that Hu∣mour, and entring the Ductus's of the Nerves, joyn'd with the Spirits, thereupon the Convulsive disposition, now and then break∣ing forth into violent Fits, was caus'd, as it will by and by appear more at large.

Directing my curative intents according to this Aetiology, I ordered the sick Lady, at the time she was extreamly ill, that Blood should be drawn from the Saphaena Vein, That a gentle Purge should be given her within two days, and that it should be repeated once or twice a Week: Also on other days I gave her, Morning and Evening, Spirit of Harts-horn; and at other hours, twice or thrice in a day, Powder of Pearl and Crabs-eyes, with a Dose of the following Julape.

Take Water of Snails, Magisterial Water of Earth-Worms, of each three Ounces, Water of Saxifrage, and of Black-Cherries, of each four Ounces; Hysterick Water, an Ounce; Syrup of Coral, an Ounce and a half; Tincture of Castoreum, a Dram: mix them.

She us'd frequently a Bath of fresh Herbs when necessity requi∣red it; she took Opiats always with good success: Vesicatories were applied to the inward part of each Thigh, and to her Neck. Moreover Fomentations, Liniments, Glysters, Cupping-glasses, Sneezing-powders, and many other ways of Administration were prescrib'd, according to the exigency of Symptoms.

After this method of Curing used about fourteen days, the no∣ble Lady, being very much relieved, was wholly without the Convulsive Fits; nay, and the pains of the Bowels and Members, and other Symptoms, being very much mitigated, gave us a ve∣ry fair hope of a speedy Recovery; but after this, partly by rea∣son of an ill Dyet, to which the Diseased, upon never so little an amendment, always indulg'd herself, but especially by reason of a sudden passion of terriour or sadness, which a severe accident

happening within her own House, had rais'd, falling into a Re∣lapse, the Disease was presently brought to a much worse condi∣tion; for both the Convulsions, and Pains troubled her in a more violent manner, nay, and the Stomach, being stirr'd up in a man∣ner with a continual Vomiting, neither admitted Food nor Me∣dicines: she took Asses Milk for some days, with some Benefit; yet in regard it turn'd to Choler in her Stomack, and gave her some offence, it was soon left off. At length, in despite of all Remedies prescrib'd with all diligence by the advice of many Physitians, the noble Patient languish't daily more and more, and by degrees drew near to Death. Two days before her De∣cease, the pains of her Belly and Loyns remitted very much, and becoming more chearful than her wont, she had some hope of her Recovery; but in the mean while she complain'd of a pain and a mighty oppression of her Head; and falling into a profound Sleep, about the beginning of the Night, upon her awaking, she fell into a very horrible Convulsive Fit, which presently past into a mortal Apoplexy, for becoming insensible and speechless, she departed this Life within twelve hours. The Body of this person being open'd after her Decease, the Womb was found wholly without fault, tho' many of the Viscera were preternatu∣rally dispos'd: in the Mesentery, about the midst of it, where it is fixt to the Back, and contains great Plexus's of the Nerves, a lax substance, and blown up as it were with many Bladders, was seen, it equalling a hands breadth in extent: opening this place, I found no Humour in it, but only that the Membranes were separated from each other, and that nothing was included in the spaces betwixt them but a Wind, which Separations doubt∣less were caused by the Convulsions and Explosions of the Spi∣rits, sent from the Head into those Plexus's: and as to those pains in the Belly, and the ascent of the great heavy thing, as it were, and the Inflation of the Abdomen in the Convulsive Af∣fects, it is not to be doubted but the Seat of the morbifick Cause lay hid in that part of the Mesentery.

As to the method of Curing to be us'd in the Passions vulgar∣ly call'd Hysterical, since the greatest part of the Symptoms of this Disease are Convulsive, it is thence plain that anticonvulsive Remedies, such as above written, are chiefly indicated. Ne∣vertheless, since these Affects very often happen to the Female Sex, in which the Menses, and other accidents of the Womb, are most commonly taken in as a part of the Morbifick Cause; there∣fore Medicines having regard to various dispositions of the Womb ought to be added to the former, and be sundry ways complicated with them. The Therapeutick Indications are ei∣ther Curatory, to be us'd in the Fit, or Preservatory, which be∣ing

prosecuted out of the Fit, remove the cause of the Disease, and prevent its Accesses. As to the former, if the Fit be but small, let it pass off of its own accord, without any farther per∣turbation of the Spirits; but if it so forely presses that it is need∣ful to give aid to Nature, as being greatly opprest, let this one thing be endeavoured, That the Spirits being made free from the Embraces of their Heterogeneous Combination, remit of their Disorders and Explosions: For this end it is very usual in the first place to apply to the Nostrils stinking and strong-smel∣ling things, the effluvia's of which repress and reduce to order the Spirits, which are grown too wild and apt to make exorbi∣tant efforts, nay and discuss their Heterogeneous Combination, and often wholly exterminate it. Assa Foetida, Castoreum, Gal∣banum, tyed in a fine Linnen Cloth, and held to the Nostrils, are proper; also the Feathers of Partridges, or old Shoes burnt, or Sulphur kindled: moreover the Spirit and Oyl of Soot, or of Harts-horn, often give help; tho' I have known that these kinds of Suffurnigations have prov'd very offensive to some Women, and have encreas'd the Fit; it's probable that sometimes they irritate the Spirits too much, and force them into greater dis∣orders. As stinking things held to the Nostrils, so the like be∣ing pour'd into the Mouth, often give help; wherefore we of∣ten give with good success, to Hysterical persons, the Tincture of Castoreum, Solutions of Assa Foetida, and of Galbanum, also the Spirits of Harts-horn and of Soot, with appropriated Wa∣ters.

Take Spirit of Harts-horn, from twelve drops to fifteen or twenty, let them be taken in a little Draught of the following Julape.

Take Water of Penny-royal and Mugwort, of each four Ounces, Wa∣ter of Bryony compound, two Ounces; Castoreum tyed in a Nodulus, and hung in the Glass, half a Dram; double refined Sugar, an Ounce; Mix them.

Take Tincture of Castoreum; from, a Scruple to half a Dram; let it be taken in a little Draught of Small-beer. Take Assa Foetida, or Galbanum, two Drams; let them be dissolved in Spirit of Wine till a red Tincture be extracted: the Dose is a Scruple in two or three Spoonfuls of Water of Featherfew, Riverius greatly extols that of Solenander; Take Musk, Dragons-blood, of each a Scruple; let more or less be taken in three or four Ounces of Water of Navews. Jo∣hannes Anglicus commends the Seeds of Parsnips, or of Columbines in Wine, or an appropriated Water, as most certain Remedies. If the Fit, continuing a long time, renders the Person senseless, or without any Pulse, let smart Clysters, as of the Roots of Bri∣ony, with Carminatives boil'd with them in Water, be injected; let Frictions be us'd to the Legs and Feet; and if we must pro∣ceed

to stronger things, let Cupping-glasses be applied to the Belly or Groin, nay and let sneezing be often provok'd: it is good for some to give them, in the midst of the Fit, a Draught of cold Water, either simple, or in which Camphire has burnt.

The preservatory Indication comprehends these three chief in∣tents, viz. First, To take away, or to drive to some place else, the impurities of the Blood, which are apt to be discharg'd on the Brain and Genus Nervosum. Secondly, To fortifie the Brain, and so strengthen the Spirits in it, that they either admit not at all the Heterogeneous Combination, or readily shake it off. Third∣ly, to amend whatsoever is amiss in the Womb, and contributes to the Convulsive Disposition.

1. The first Intention is perform'd by Purging and Bleeding, and other common ways of Cleansing and Purging the Blood and Humours. If there be room for a Vomit, I Judge we must al∣ways begin with that, especially in Cacochymical persons, or such as are troubled with the longing disease, in whom a migh∣ty load of Viscous Phlegm, sticking in the Folds and Coats of the Stomach, hinders the vertues of other Medicines: Within a few days after the Vomit, (unless somewhat indicates the contra∣ry,) let Blood be drawn, in Women of a hot temperament, presently from the Arm, and afterward, if need be, from the Foot, or from the Veins of the Fundament, by Leeches; but in Bodies troubled with obstructions and less hot, let Blood be drawn more sparingly and rarely, and only in places seated below the Womb. After these evacuations (provided always that they are indicated) being duly perform'd, let a Purge be given once within six or seven days according to the forms following.

Take Pil. Foetidae Majores a Dram and a half, Rosin of Jalap twelve Grains, Tartar Vitriolated, Castoreum of each a Scruple, Ammo∣niacum dissolved in Hysterick Water what suffices, make twelve Pills for three Doses. (Or)

Take Rosin of Jalap eighteen Grains, Calomelanos a Dram, Castoreum a Scruple, make a Powder, divide it into three parts for three Doses, give it in the Pap of a boil'd Aple, or in Conserve of Borage: To persons of a Hot temperament a dose of our Extract, or Loosning Syrup may be properly given: For the revulsion of the Morbisick mat∣ter from the Head an Issue in the Leg, or Thigh, and somtimes Vesicatories, Ligatures and Painful Frictions are wont to be us'd. Nor must we only have regard here to the cleansing of the Blood, and to the Revulsion of its superfluous Dreggs from the Head, but likewise to the alteration of its Liquor, and the reducing of it to its due Crasis: Wherefore in certain Hysterical persons Chalybeats prove beneficial, in others Mineral Waters or

Whey, in some the use of Hot Baths are wont to do mighty good.

2. The second intention, viz. the rectifying of the Brain, and of the Animal Spirits, is perform'd by Cephalick and Particularly by Anticonvulsive Medicines, and let them be carefully given al∣most every day when there is no Purging, or Bleeding; There being various kinds and ways of Administration of such Medi∣cines, I shall here give you some of the more choice forms of them.

Take Faecula of Briony, Assa Foetida, Castoreum, of each a Dram, Salt of Coral, Amber, and of Jupiter of each half a Dram; Galba∣num dissolv'd in Hysterick Water what suffices, made a Mass; the Dose is from half a Scruple to a Scruple, Morning and Evening, Drinking after it a Dose of an appropriated Liquor.

Or, Take seeds of Wild Parsnips and of Nettles of each two Drams, Vitriol of Mars a Dram, extract of Gentian and Feverfew, of each a Dram and a half, with a sufficient quantity of a Syrup of Mugwort make a Mass, let it be taken to half a Dram after the same manner.

If the form of a Powder be more grateful. Take roots of Vir∣ginia Serpentary and Contrayerva of each a Dram and a half, Co∣ral prepar'd, Pearl, White Amber of each a Dram, mix them, make a Powder, the Dose is from a Scruple to half a Dram Morning and Evening with an appropriated Liquour.

Let Opiates be made after this manner. Take Conserves of the Flowers of Lillies of the Valley, Male Peony, and Betony of each two Ounces; Peony Seeds, Red Coral prepar'd of each two Drams, Powder of Bastard Dittany a Dram and a half, Salt of Wormwood two Drams, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Citron Pills, make an Electuary. The Dose is Morning and Evening the quantity of a Nutmeg. After the same manner to the Poor, let Conserves of the Leaves of the Tree of Life, or of the Leaves of Rue be given twice aday.

The Liquours appropriated to Hysterical affects, and to be Drank after the foresaid Medicines are either Distilled Waters, which may be taken by themselves, or with others in the Form of a Julape, or they are Decoctions, or Tinctures and Infusions.

Take Water of Mugwort and Pennyroyal of each half a Pound, Hysterick Water four Ounces, Tincture of Castoreum half an Ounce, Syrup, of Coral an Ounce and a half mix them; the Dose is from an Ounce to an Ounce and a half with any of the Medicines above prescribed.

Take Leaves of Penny-royal, Feverfew, both Southernwoods, Cala∣mint, Nep, both Horehounds, of each a Handful; Briony Roots four Ounces, Parsnip-Seeds two Ounces, being Slic't and Bruis'd, pour to them of White-wine or Sider six pounds distil them according to Art.

Take roots of Male Peony, Angelica, Valerian, of each half an Ounce, Leaves of Mugwort, Ground Pine, Calamint, Peny-royal, Misteltoe, of the Oak of each a handful; Seeds of both the Wild Carrots of each three Drams, Raisins a handful; let them Boyl in four Pounds of Fountain Water till half be Consum'd; add of Whitewine two Pound and a half: Strain it, Let it be kept in Vessels close stopt. The Dose is three or four Ounces twice a day.

Take Seeds of Wild Carrots bruis'd two Ounces, Castoreum an Ounce, put them in a Glass with two Pounds of White-wine. The Dose is two Ounces twice a day.

3. As to the third intent, which putting a stop to the disor∣ders of the Womb, advances the Cure of the Hysterick affect: I say in the first place that what was formerly believ'd concerning the Cause of the Disease, and the Scope of Curing it, viz. That the Womb did Ascend, and therefore that it ought to be restor'd to its due place, is altogether Fictitious, as we have shewn else∣where: The descent, or falling forth of the Womb often hap∣pens, but this seldom or never produces Hysterical affects: More∣over a Dislocation of the Womb sometimes happens to Child∣bearing Women presently after Child-birth, viz. When the body of the Womb being enlarged and newly emptied, does not settle in a right place within its Cavity, but leans high, sometimes to the right side of it, sometimes to the left, and there be∣ing Constring'd like a Purse is folded up in a great Lump, which Lump lying a long time in the side of the Inguen, is wont to Cause suspicion of another Foetus, or of the after Birth being left be∣hind, or also of a Scirrhous Tumour there Growing but afterward, when upon the Lochia's passing away freely, the Womb is re∣duc't to its due magnitude, that Tumour vanishes by degrees: And whilst it continues there, unless haply the Lochia are there∣by stop't, it does not cause Hysterick Passions: For the quick re∣ducing of this part to its due position, Fomentations, Liniments, and Plaisters contribute much: But very often that Symptom passes away of its own accord without any further offence: We have shewn elsewhere ex professo to what affects else the Womb is obnoxious after Child-birth, and with what methods of Physick we must obviate them: As to the other Distempers of this part, which happen to other Women, viz. to such as do not Bear Children; we observe those chiefly to be either a Disease of the Womb caus'd by a Solution of continuity, which is either a Tumour or an Ulcer; or to be a Stoppage of some usual Excre∣tion, viz. either of the Sanguis Menstruus, or of the Fluor albus, or of the Seminal Humour; by reason of the Menses retain'd the Heterogeneous particles being often discharged on the Head

Cause Convulsive Passions: In like manner when the White Hu∣mour is stop't the Excrementitious Matter being drank in again by the Blood is delivered to the Brain and Genus Nervosum. Moreover when a wonted evacuation of the Seed is stop't, the superfluities of the Nervous Humour Regurgitate into the Brain, and infect the Spirits in it with a Morbifick and Explosive Tincture. It will not be necessary for us to discourse particular∣ly and at large on these particular affects of the Womb, but to Complicate Medicines and Physical Administrations appropriated to Womens Diseases, with Anticonvulsive Remedies.

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.

CHAP. X. Of the Convulsive Cough and Asthma.

IT is Usual in Children (and I have known it also sometimes in Men) for a Cough to arise from Mass of Serous Filth flow∣ing in the Lungs: Which being at first Simple and Moderate af∣terward becomes vehement, and Convulsive, so that in Cough∣ing the Diaphragm being contracted upward, and so held by a long, or very often repeated Systole; the Lungs are greatly straitned and very much hindred, in their motion: Mean while by reason of the respiration being hindred, and the Blood being restrain'd within the Praecordia, and con∣sequently its Stagnating in other places, the Diseas'd are in danger of being Suffocated and often turn of a Livid or Cadave∣rous aspect: Moreover in this case, besides Convulsions with a violent Coughing, rais'd about the Praecordia, the Stomach also being often drawn in as a party concern'd, throws up all by Vo∣miting that is contain'd within it; nay and I have known, in some Tenderlings affected after this manner, that the Disease now and then passing into other parts, has rais'd Convulsive Motions in the Face, Eyes and Limbs, and at length has become Mortal. This Convulsive Cough happens very often amongst Children, and in certain years it seizes so many, that it seems plainly Epidemical, when it has got a Root, it is very difficultly con∣quered with remedies, but commonly drawing out in length, is scarce ever Cured but upon the change of the season of the year.

The cause of this Distemper seems to be from the Redun∣dancy of the Scrous Humour in the Mass of Blood, and in some measure in the whole Body: A portion of which matter Di∣stilling from the Mouths of the Arteries on the Lungs, creates an ordinary Cough; afterward when the Serous Filth, still aboun∣ding in the Blood, and being fill'd with Convulsive Particles, is conveyed also into the Head, the same entring the Nerves of the Lungs, raises the Simple Cough to a Convulsive one: Moreover, when it sometimes happens, that the same Matter gathered together in the Head, enters some other Nerves; then other sorts of Convulsive affects often ensue upon the Convulsive Cough.

As a Cough arises, neither only, nor always through a fault in the Lungs, but sometimes from a Convulsive cause alone, though oftner from this coming upon an affect of the Lungs: So we may say the same of the Asthma; for whether this Dis∣ease be continual or periodical, in both cases the Symptom which chiefly presses, is a difficulty of Breathing; which indeed seems therefore to be rais'd, because the Lungs being too much puft up and Distended greatly, Fill the Cavity of the Thorax, and do not subside by turns as they ought: Hence neither can the Breath which lies within be freely sent forth, nor indeed the fresh Air be easily introduc't, by reason of the space being fill'd before. Whilst the Lungs are thus detain'd, for a long time in a continued, or little remitted dilatation, oftentimes the Dia∣phragm, against its Custom, is forc't to a violent Systole, and being contracted upward, is wont to raise the Lungs more and more, and to withstand their Subsiding: Whence it happens that the Breathing becomes yet more difficult and laborious.

That this affect of difficult Breathing sometimes happens through the fault of the Lungs, it has plainly appear'd to us by an Anatomical Inspection; for if a mighty Mass of Serous Filth depos'd in the Thorax, very much stuffs the Lungs, that the Blood being letted in its Circulation, does not pass freely the Pneumonick Vessels, then persons so affect∣ed are always short and thick Breath'd. Again, as often as the Blood becoming too Hot, or being rarified by exer∣cise, or the heat of a Bed requires a larger space for its Cir∣culation, Then presently on such an occasion every thick Breathing, or an Asthmatick Fit is rais'd, which often becomes Terrible and almost Suffocative when the Serum Boyls very much within the Lungs. Moreover sometimes besides the Roots of an Asthma fixt about the Praecordia, some Branches of the same disease springing from the Brain meet with the former, and being Complicated with them, produce more Terrible fruits of a difficult breathing.

There are Instances enough of these affects, viz. of a diffi∣culty of Breathing, rais'd through the Single and Partial fault of the Lungs: For nothing is more usual than that persons troubled with an inveterate Cough, or with some other evil disposition of the Lungs, at length upon the access of a Drop∣sie or Scurvy, become Asthmatical, to wit, when the Blood be∣ing rendred very impure deposes also its Serous Filth in the Head, this enters more readily and easily the Nerves of the Lungs than others, as being become Weak, and frequently Ir∣ritated in their extremities, and heaps together in them a mat∣ter for a Convulsive straitness of Breath.

Moreover I have sometimes observed that great Fits of the Asthma have happen'd without any considerable fault in the Lungs, so that I have really judg'd this Disease sometimes to be meerly Convulsive, and that its Fits are only rais'd because a Se∣rous Filth, fill'd with explosive Particles, entring the Nerves that serve for the Dilatation of the Lungs, joyn'd with the Spirits there abounding, which afterward through a fulness, or Irritation being exploded together, and for some time, the Lungs are held as it were stiff, and blown up, that they can neither perform the functions of Expiration nor Inspiration: But the Fit being ended, and also before it is begun, the Breath is drawn free and evenly enough, there appearing no signs of a Cough, or of a Valetudi∣nary disposition of the Lungs: I shall give an Instance of a person troubled with this Shortness of Breath.

A Gentleman of a Robust and Gross Habit of Body having us'd for some time a full and disorderly dyet, without any exer∣cise, about the beginning of Winter began to find himself ill: First he was affected with a Heaviness and Pain of his Head, with a mighty Giddiness, and danger of Swooning, believing himself now and then, even a Dying, being otherwise sound e∣nough; within a few days these Symptoms past into a manifest Stupor or rather Lethargy; Being let Blood in the Arm, I ordered that Cupping Glasses, Vesicatories, smart Glysters, with many o∣ther remedies shoul'd be carefully administred to him: With∣in the space of twenty four hours, coming to himself, he was sound in his mind and shook off all Stupidness: But though his Brain came to be clear, he was seiz'd with a great Weakness and Deadness in his Members: which affects nevertheless were Cur'd in a short time with Antiparalytick, and Antiscorbutick remedies: But after a fortnight he complain'd again of the heaviness of his Head, and the Giddiness, and the next day after he fell into a horrible Asthma, so that the Lungs were blown up on a sudden, and rise upward; and being scarce at all able to draw his Breath, which was very short, painful, and greatly letted, he was in danger of being Suffocated every minute of an hour. This fit, as Violent as it was, past off within twelve hours with∣out a Cough, Spittng, or Vomit, and for above a week afterward he was without any impediment in his Thorax: But then a like fit of the Asthma returning, treated him a little more mildly, and afterward he was wont to be troubled with a like assault of the Asthma upon great changes of the Air, especially when an intense Cold and Snow were at hand.

Moreover we judge that sometimes this Convulsive straitness of Breath is rais'd by reason of the Bronchia of the Trachea being too much straitn'd, and often wholly clos'd by the Constriction

of the Nerves and stocks of Nervous Fibres, which every where compass about the Ramifications of the Aspera Arteria, that Con∣striction happening when those Nerves are forced to frequent Convulsions from a Morbifick matter besetting them.

A fine young Virgin, of a soft and tender Constitution, and of a florid Countenance, was scarce turn'd of eight years of age but began to be sorely troubled with Asthmatick Fits; and she lived at least four years obnoxious to them before she was com∣mitted to my care; sometimes she continues two or three Months free from any Invasion of this Disease, yet oftentimes, by reason of errors committed in Dyet, or upon great changes of the Year, or of the Air, she falls into cruel Fits of straitness of Breath, so that the Lungs being blown up and raised towards the Throat, and there held by an almost continual dilatation, the Diseased can scarce breath at all: mean while the Diaphragm and Muscles of the Breast are laboriously occupied in thick repeated efforts of motion, in order to draw the Breath by one means or other; this access, within seven or eight hours, remitting by degrees, ceases a while; but now and then within a Week or two it is wont to return either of its own accord, or on any light occasion being offer'd: after the violence of the Disease is past, its matter being spent in many such Fits, the young Lady continues well enough for many Weeks, nay sometimes Months, and being free from any Distemper of the Thorax, she Breaths freely. I order'd her Spring and Fall the following Method of Cure; and now she has been without any Fit of the foresaid Affect above two Years.

Take our Sulphur of Antimony six Grains; Cream of Tartar, six Grains; mix them: Let it be given in the Pap of a boiled Apple. After taking this Medicine, she is wont to Vomit four or five times: After four days, she takes this Purge, which also she is wont to repeat twice, allowing six or seven days betwixt whiles.

Take Calomelanos twelve Grains; Rosin of Jalap five Grains; Castoreum four Grains; with a sufficient quantity of Ammoniacum dissolved: make three Pills. She takes besides every day, Morning and Evening, twelve Grains of Tincture of Antimony in a Spoonful of the following Julape, drinking after it six or seven Spoonfuls of the same.

Take Water of Snails, six Ounces; of Earth-worms, four Ounces; Water of Pennyroyal and Rue, of each four Ounces; Hysterick Water, three Ounces; Castoreum tyed in a Nodulus, and hung in a Glass, half a Dram, double refined Sugar, an Ounce: Mix them in a Glass; make a Julape.

About Autumn the last Year, another young Girl of Quality, being ill after the like manner, viz. with a Periodical Asthma,

was brought to me to be cured, who using the foresaid Reme dies in a little less Dose, and repeating the same the last Spring found a mighty Relief.

As to the Remedies and Method of Cure that ought to be us'd, if at any time to a Cough, or straitness of Breath, first raised through a fault in the Lungs, Convulsive Symptoms also super∣vene, by reason of an injury communicated to the Brain; let care be taken that Anticonvulsive Medicines be aptly complica∣ted with such as have regard to any intents whatsoever of the Thorax; and also sometimes, That one while, these, another while the others being given apart, the times of Curing be in∣terchangeably observed. It will be needless to give here Bechick or Pneumonick Medicines and their forms, whereof there is a vast store every where to be found amongst Physical Authors; it will be more to our purpose to set down a method of Physick, and some select Remedies that are proper in a Cough and Asthma, which are meerly Convulsive.

As to the former Affect, which is chiefly familiar to Children, and for the most part is not Cured but with difficulty, and after a long time; the chief Indications will be, both to purge the se∣rous and sharp Humours from the Blood and Viscera, for pre∣venting their Incursion and discharge on the Brain, and some∣times haply on the Breast, and to strengthen these parts that they do not easily admit into them the Superfluities of the boiling Serum: for these ends Vomits and gentle Purges in a manner always are conducing, and ought by some means to be re∣peated. Vesicatories are often beneficial; and if the Disease be obstinate, let Issues be made in the Nape of the Neck, or in the Arm, or about the Arm-pits: Let Drink and Liquid Food be taken in a less quantity than usual; instead of Drink, let a Bochet of Sarsa, China, the Saunders, Shavings of Ivory and Harts-horn, with Diuretick and Anticonvulsive Ingredients, be used. In this case certain specifick Remedies as it were are greatly commended, of which kind are Cup Moss, given in Powder, or boil'd in Milk, and so given frequently every day; the Decoction, or Syrup, of Ca∣storeum and Saffron, the Decoctions of Peony-Root, Misteltow of the Oak, also of Hyssop, have helpt many; Water of Black-Cherries, of Saxifrage, Water of Snails distilled with Whey, and appropriated Ingredients, are often given with success.

2. I have shewn you before by what method, and with what Bemedies I have Cured a Periodical Asthma in some; but besides, the famous Riverius has observ'd that Vomits do most good to many affected with this Disease; for that Medicine, greatly sha∣king and irritating the Emunctories that are seated about the

first Passages, strongly expresses and draws away from the same the filthy Dregs of the Blood and Nervous Juice, which were apt to be forc'd into, or to stagnate in the Brain and Genus Nervo∣sum. Zacutus Lusitanus greatly extols, and not without reason. Cauteries burnt, sometimes in the Bregma, sometimes in the Nape of the Neck, or about the Arm-pits: Preparations of Millepedes, viz. in the form of a dry Powder, or of a Distill'd Liquor, seldom want success; for such withdraw the superfluities of the Serum or Genus Nervosum from the Head, and convey them to the Urinary Passages: For the same reason gentle Purges, and such as evacuate per Epicrasin, are frequently used: for this purpose the Decoction of an old Cock, with altering and gently Purging Medicines, sown up in the Belly of it, is commended by many. Besides the Remedies hitherto mentioned, some are said to be ap∣propriated to, and as it were Specificks for the Asthma, such as are Balsam of Sulphur Teribinthinated; also Spirit of Harts-horn, or of Soot, impregnated with the same; Syrup of Tobacco, of Ammo∣niacum, our Syrup of Diasulphur, Lohoch de allio, Pills of Elecampane Roots, Milk of Sulphur, Flowers of Benzoin, made up with Tar or liquid Amber; with many other things, which it would be tedious here particularly to enumerate.

And now having given you the ways of curing the chief kinds of Convulsions, it seems time to put an end to this Tract; but since there remains another kind of Disease, viz. the Scurvy, which contains Passions of a mixt nature, viz. partly Convulsive, and partly arising immediately from the Dyscrasies of the Blood and Viscera, I think it expedient to give you briefly the way of Cu∣ring that; for both these Affects, viz. the Scorbutick, and Con∣vulsive, being placed together, will mutually illustrate each other.