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.

Of the Rheumatism.

WE conclude that this Affect proceeds from the congress and mutual effervescency of Salts that are of a different origine and Nature, viz. of the fixt Salt coming from the Blood, and of the acid Salt coming from the nervous Liquor: The Subjects of both Salts are superfluous Dregs, depos'd from the foresaid Humours forc'd into certain Turgescencies, and discharg'd sometimes on these Parts, sometimes on those: Wherefore that the Disease may be Cur'd, both let the Turgescencies of the Hu∣mours be appeas'd, and their superfluous Dregs be purg'd forth, and let the Salts degenerating both ways be reduc'd to a State of volatility.

For the two first intents a gentle Purge and Bleeding are chiefly requir'd, and now and then, as the strength will bear, they ought to be repeated; and also let Diureticks and Diaphoreticks be now and then given which any way convey forth the Saline Serosities. And that these Evacuations proceeding calmly, and

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with a well-bearing, and Nature assisting, may succeed the better, let Opiats frequently be us'd. For the other Intent in which the chief stress of the Cure consists, Alteratives, and especially such as are endow'd with a volatile Salt, greatly conduce: Wherefore in this case its a vulgar, but no contemptible Medicine, to give twice or thrice a day to four or six ounces of the Infusion of a Stone∣horse Dung, made in a small Wine or Ale, or in an appropriate Di∣still'd Water: and a Medicine somewhat more grateful, and no less efficacious, may be prepar'd, if a Water be distill'd from that Dung, with Antiscorbutick Ingredients infused in White-wine or Ci∣der, which may be given to three or four Ounces twice a day. I have often prescribed Spirit of Harts-horn, and of Blood, in this case, with a mighty benefit to the Diseased.