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

CHAP. VIII. Instructions and Prescripts for curing the Palsey.

THE middle of the Brain, or the Corpus callosum, where we have assign'd the Seats of the Vertigo and Apoplexy, seems al∣so to be the place primarily affected in the Epilepsy; but of this, as also of convulsive Diseases, we have treated elsewhere: where∣fore let us descend to other lower Regions of the Brain, and its Ap∣pendix, and next let us describe the affects that belong to the Cor∣pora striata, medalla oblongata, and also to the nerves and nervous Fi∣bres.

These Parts execute all the Functions that regard motion and sense, wherefore the failings or enormities of these must be affects of those Bodies, or of the Spirits residing in them: now sense and motion are injur'd chiefly two ways; for both are wont to be perverted, or stop∣ped; when motion is perverted, Cramps and Convulsions; when Sense, pains arise; when either Function or both of them together are letted or abolish, the Affect thence rais'd is call'd the Palsey; of which we must treat at present.

The Palsey is described after this manner, viz. That it is a Resolution, or Relaxation of the Nervous parts from their due Tention; by reason of which Motion and Sense, to wit, either one of them alone, or both of them together cannot be exercised in the whole Body, or in certain parts of it after a due manner.

The Nervous Parts are resolved because the animal Spirits doe not sufficiently irradiate, raise, and actuate them with vigour: The cause of which defect is, either an obstruction of the Ductus's, whereby their passage or conveyance is hindred; or an impotency of the Animal Spi∣rits,

inasmuch as being affected with a stupefaction, or being but few, they do not display themselves vigorcusly enough: By reason of these various ways of affecting, divers kinds of the Palsey arise: For first, as to motion by it self, this spontaneous faculty (which chiefly, and in a manner only, is obnoxious to the Palsey) sometimes in the whole Body, or in certain parts, is wholly abolish'd; but sometimes it being only letted, is diminish'd or deprav'd. Secondly, in like manner we observe as to Sense by it self, that either one Sense, or many together, sometimes wholly are taken away, and that sometimes they are very much diminished or vitiated. Thirdly, sometimes it happens that both powers are injur'd together; we shall speak of each of these in order, and in the first place of the Palsey, in which spontaneous motion is abolished; which we conclude to happen chiefly for two causes, to wit, by reason of the Ductus's being obstructed, or of the Animal Spi∣rits being struck with a stupefaction, or, as it were, with a certain malignant blast.

As to the former, the Interception of the Spirits from the Parts re∣solved by reason of the Pores being obstructed, it being always above the Parts, is wont to happen in various places, and for divers causes; but especially either in the primum sensorium, viz. in the Corpora Stri∣ata, or somewhere about the Caudices Medullares; or lastly, in the Nerves themselves; and so lightly it happens either in their origines, or in the middle of their Processes, or in their extream parts, viz. the Nervous Fibres. When the Injury happens to the Corpora Stri∣ata, or Medulla oblongata, or Spinalis, it either obstructs the whole running of the marrow of the Back-bone, whence a universal Palsey arises beneath the place affected; or one half of it, whence a Hemi∣plegia: or it affects the heads of some certain Nerves either in one side, or in both together, whence resolutions are caus'd in this or that member separately from the others.

There are many ways, by which the passages of the Animal Spi∣rits in the foresaid bodies are obstructed; viz. either, first, their Ductus's are fill'd with an extraneous matter forc'd into them; or se∣condly, they are compress'd by extravasated Blood, a glut of serous filth, or some tumour lying on them; or thirdly, there is a solution of their continuity, as by a wound, stroak, concussion, also by an ex∣cess of heat or cold.

As often as a Ʋniversal Palsey, or Hemiplegia (as is usual) ensues up∣on a Lethargy, Carus, or Apoplexy, it is obvious to conceive that such a change of the Disease happens by reason of the removal of the matter, viz. inasmuch as this passing at length from the pores and passages of the Corpus Callosum (which if first possest, and falling a little lower,) enters into the medullary tracts of one Corpus Striatum, or haply of both.

If it be askt why Sense is not always hindred as well as Motion in the Palsey, since both are performed by the same Nerves and Fibres, and as it seems, within the same medullary tracts, so that one faculty is only the inversion of the other; it seems here to be said, that, as Light passes through Glass where the Wind is excluded, so also Sense continuing en∣tire, Motion often is abolisht: Moreover, Sense is only a Passion, and sensi∣ble impression, which is propagated by the continuity of the nervous pro∣cess, from the Organ to the sensorium commune, without any effort or force of the Spirits, which might be done, tho the Sensorium Commu∣ne be somewhere obstructed, and the Spirits residing in it are grown dull; But Motion is a difficult and laborious Action, to which it is re∣quired that the Spirits display themselves vigorously, and make as it were explosive affects, not only in the moving Organs, but especially about the parts where the principle of Motion and its first Impetus is, also in the whole passage through the Nervous parts. Wherefore, whereas a few Spirits, and those disabled, suffice for Sense, many are required for Motion, and those free and prompt as to their Expansions.

I have observed in many that when they were first affected with an Indisposition of the Brain, a Dulness of the Mind, and a Forgetfulness; and afterward with a Stupidity and Dotishness, they fell afterward (as I was wont to predict) into a Palsey; viz. the morbifick matter be∣ing fallen by degrees, and at length heap'd together to an opilative plenitude somewhere within the Caudex Medullaris, where the medul∣lary Tracts are more straitned than in the Corpus Striatum.

What before we said in the Apoplexy, we affirm now in the Palsey, that the morbid Particles are not only opilative, but sometimes narco∣tick, and extinguish the Spirits; thus the steams of Antimony, Mercury, and Auripigment, cause weaknesses, tremblings, and often, resolutions of the Members to some using amongst furnaces of Metals. In like man∣ner we may imagine, that in certain scorbutical and very cacochymical Persons, heterogeneous Particles, and seemingly of a vitriolick nature, enter the Ductus's of the Nerves, and subvert certain files of the Spirits, or suppress their motion; hence stupors or resolutions sud∣denly arise in the Members or Muscles, sometimes in these, and some∣times in those, they often removing from place to place, and some∣times a fixt Palsey is settled: And in every Palsey caused by obstructi∣on, the morbifick matter is not a gross and viscous phlegm, (as Galen and many Physicians affirm) for such does not pervade the Brain, much less the Ductus's of the Nerves; but seems to consist of subtle and very active particles, tho injurious to the animal oeconomy, for the Palsey happens to men, as a blight or rust does to Plants; for some Winds endued with Vapours more than cold, viz. of a vi∣tious or vitriolick Spirit, when they blow upon young tender Plants presently cause them to wither; viz. in as much as the tender stami∣na interwoven every where like Nerves in the Leaves and Branches

are so throughly constring'd by the blast of the malignant Air, that they no longer admit the Juice sent from the Trunk and Root, through defect of which they wither: after the like manner extraneous, and as it were, vitriolick Particles admitted within the Organs of Sense and Motion, in as much as at the same time they stop the Pores, and de∣ject the animal Spirits, or restrain them from Motion, bring as it were a blast on the respective Parts.

As to the evident causes of an habitual Palsey, viz. through what occasions those that are disposed to this Disease contract it sooner, or being already seized with it, are more severely troubled with it: I say all such things make for this, which add to the vitiating of the Blood, also which fill the Brain, and its nervous Appendix, or raise suffusions of a morbifick matter in it, those things likewise wich affect the Spi∣rits with a Stupefaction, or diminish their Stores: in the number of these first occur disorders in the six non natural things, an ill form of Dyer, a drinking of strong Wines, or hot Waters, too much or unseasona∣ble Sleep, Idleness, and a sedentary Life, immoderate Venery, too great losses of Blood, a moist and marshy Air, houses fresh plaistred, metallick Fumes and Vapours, frequent use of Narcoticks, or To∣bacco, an excess of Cold, Heat, or Moisture, vehement and long con∣tinued Passions of Sadness and Fear, with many other things, which I shall not here stand to relate.

There is another kind of this Disease depending on the scarcity and fewness of the Spirits, in which tho motion fails wholly in no Part or Member, yet it is performed but weakly only, or depravedly by any: to wit, the affected, tho not become without Motion, yet they are not able to move their Members, or to sustain any Burthen with strength; moreover in any moving effort they are troubled with a trembling of the Limbs, which is only the effect of Weakness, or a broken strength in the moving Faculty.

Persons become subject to this affect by reason of an extream or va∣letudinary old age, also through immoderate losses of Blood or Seed; and likewise by reason of being very scorbutical, or cacochymical: and many recovering with difficulty and slowly from a chronick di∣stemper are troubled with a languishing of the Limbs, and a great re∣solution of the Members from their due Vigour and Strength; so that tho their Stomack holds good, and their Pulse and Urine be well dis∣posed, yet being enervated, as it were, and without Strength, they scarce dare to set upon any local motion, and if they begin it, they cannot hold it long: nay some, without any considerable sickness, keep their Beds for a long time, as Persons ready to dye; whilst they lye undisturbed they discourse with their Friends, and are chearful, but they neither will, nor dare be raised up, or walk about, nay they ab∣hor all motion as some dreadful thing. Doubtless in these, tho the ani∣mal spirits in some sort actuate and irradiate the whole Genus Ner∣vosum;

yet their Stores are so slender and loosly set together, that when many Spirits ought to be gathered together somewhere in it for motion, there is great danger lest presently in the Neighbourhood their Conti∣nuity be broken off, and consequently the tension in the Nervous Parts ber esolv'd. Wherefore, in regard the Spirits residing in the Brain are conscious of the Weakness of the others plac'd in the Members, they refuse to impose local motion on their Companions, as being a task too difficult for them; for which cause the affected are scarce led by any perswasion to try whether they are able to go or not: but those who being troubled with a scarcity of Spirits, will force them as much as they may to local Motions, are able at their first rising in the Morning to walk, move their Arms this way and that, or to lift up a weight with strength; but before Noon the store of the Spirits which influ∣enc'd the Muscles being almost spent, they are scarce able to move Hand or Foot. I have now a prudent and honest Woman in cure, who for many years has been obnoxious to this kind of bastard Palsey, not only in the Limbs, but likewise in her Tongue; This Person for some time speaks freely and readily enough, but after long, hasty, or labo∣rous speaking, presently she becomes as mute as a fish, and cannot bring forth a word, nay, and does not recover the use of her Voice till after an hour or two.

In a certain species of the Palsey the sensitive faculty is hurt by it self, motion being still entire; this is obvious enough concerning the Organs whose Nerves are only relating to Sense, as of the Sight, Hear∣ing, Tast, and Smell, and the Reason is plain enough. But that in the uttermost habit of the Body, or the Members, sometimes the touch perishes, the locomotive Power being without hurt; as it is every where seen in Persons affected with the Leprosie, Elephantiasis, and in some troubled with the Mania who are wont to go naked, and to lye on the Ground, and who are become so insensible in the Skin and the Flesh of the Muscles, that they do not feel the cuts of a Pen∣knife, or Needles any where thrust into them. This I say is very dif∣ficult to be explained; But concerning this it must be said, that the same Nerves haply convey forward and backward the instincts of Mo∣tions, and the Impressions of sensible things; but that the same Fibres which are locomotive are not alway, or chiefly sensible: We have shewn elsewhere that the muscular and tendinous Fibers execute the former Power, but the sensible Species is received in a manner only by the membranous Fibres; wherefore the outward Skin is the primary Organ of the touch; after this the Membrancs that cover the Muscles, and lastly, those that compose the Viscera are in the same sort affected by the tangible Object, wherefore the hurt or loss of the touch happens by reason of an Injury offered the outward Membranes; viz. when the Fibres of these are obstructed with a Vitriolick Matter, or are very much constipated by an excess of Cold, so that the animal Spirits which

ought to receive their Impressions, are excluded from their Organs, and that these Inhabitants of the outward Members are only affected it thence appears, because the Members deprived of Sense do not wither as those deprived of Motion, but continue full and fleshy; which is a sign that the animal Spirits still entring the Nerves and carneous Fibres give their vertue to the Function of Nutrition: but when Motion being abolish'd, the Spirits are in a manner wholly banish'd from those parts, the Flesh withers away, because the nutritive Matter tho brought to them by the Arteries, is not assimilated.

As to the Prognostick of the Palsey, 1. Any Palsey that happens, the knowing and vital faculties being unhurt, ought not to be judged an acute Disease; but being free from sudden danger, admits of a cure at long run, or at leastwise of an endeavour for it.

2. This disease hapning through an evident cause alone, as by a stroke, a fall from an high Place, a wound, &c. or coming upon an Apoplexy, Carus, Convulsion, Colick, or other affects of the Brain, or Systema Nervosum, if it be not altered for the better, or yeilds to Medicines in in a short time, for the most part proves incurable.

3. If upon the origine of the medulla oblongata being wholly ob∣structed, or through the Spine's being vehemently hurt, a total resolu∣tion follows and takes away Sense and Motion, the affect is cured with difficulty, or scarce at all.

4. A Palsey hapning to men that are Aged, Cacochymical, greatly Scorbutical, or intemperate, tho the affect be not great, is cur'd with difficulty.

As the Types of the Palsey are many fold, and its causes divers, so its cure ought to be undertaken not always after one manner, but by a various method, viz. appropriate to each species of that Disease: for the most part there will be these three kinds of it, or rather there will be three wayes of healing, whereof sometimes this, sometimes that, or the other, ought to be entred upon in order to the cure of this Disease, to wit, according as the resolution (of what kind soever, and in what place soever it be) is either first caused on a sudden by an outward accident, viz. a stroke, a fall from an high Place, a wound, an excess of cold, or the like; or secondly, succeeds some other affect, viz. The Apoplexy, Carus, Colick, or a long continued Fever; or thirdly, being a Disease primarily, and of it self, depending of a Proca∣tarxis, or previous apparatus, is raised by degrees: we shall speak of each of these particularly.

1. When therefore a Palsey is caused by reason of some accident, with a violent hurt, there will not be many Intentions of curing, but only that the part injured may recover its ancient confirmation; and first, left the Blood and other humours flowing to it, as being af∣fected and weak, and there staying, increase the evil, let Phlebotomy, which most commonly is requisite in this case, be presently put in

practice; afterward a thin dyet, if the case requires it, or a dyet of easie concoction being ordered, we must insist chiefly on moderate Hydroticks; to wit, that whilst the diseased, put to bed, is kept in a gentle sweat, all sorts of Superfluities withdrawn from the part injured may plentifully exhale, and that the Spirits being gently agi∣tated within the Pores and Passages of it, so opened by the warm ef∣fluvia, may recover their former Paths and Tracts.

For this end, let the Powder for a fall, described in the Pharmacopoea August and be given to the quantity of about a dram in a draught of White∣wine, or of Posset-drink made with it, (it being usual amongst us to give to the like quantity of Irish-slat,) and let it be repeated every six or eight Hours: Moreover let a Traumatick Decoction, if it may readily be had, either of the Roots of Madder, or Butter-burr, or of the Flowers of St. Johns wort in Posset-drink be frequently given.

Moreover, let the place affected in the mean time be diligently search'd after, which will easily be known, partly from the hurt in∣flicted on it, and partly from the member resolv'd. If any thing be dislocated in it, we must endeavour that it be presently put in its place: If a tumour, contusion, or wound be made, let relief be given them by balsas, liniments, fomentations, or cataplasms: But if no∣thing preternatural appears outwardly, let as much as suffices of the Oxycroceum and Red Lead Plaisters, mixed together in an equal quan∣tity, be applied to the part hurt, and let the Diseased by kept at rest, and in a moderate warmth for three or four days: if the resolution continues obstinate, and an afflux of new matter be not feared, let more resolving and discussing Remedies be applied about the places affected; wherefore let fomentations, and hot liniments, nay, and natural hot Baths, if it be convenient, or at leastwise artificial ones, be used: Sometimes it is good to put the members affected in warm Horse-dung, or Grains, and to keep them there for some time: and now and then to interlace Clysters and gentle Purges with the use of these things. But if no relief follows these Administrations, this af∣fect ought afterward to be handled with the like Method, and the same Remedies with which an habitual Palsey, or any other that is confirmed, or follows upon other Diseases is dealt with: which way of cure we shall give you beneath, in regard it is common to every Palsey deeply rooted.

2. When a Palsey, hapning upon a Fever, Apoplexy, Carus, or other Cephalick or Convulsive affects is great, and comes on a sudden; we must chiefly use a Physical means for the removal of its Conjunct cause, which has its seat in a manner always in the Medulla oblongata, or Spinalis: Wherefore in the beginning of the Disease let Blooding and Purging (if nothing indicates the contrary) Clysters, Vesicatories, Cupping-glasses, Sneezers, Liniments, and other administrations usual in Cephalick Diseases, viz. such as some way drive out, or with∣draw

the morbid matter sticking in the Caudex Medullaris, or the little Heads of the Nerves proceeding from it, be us'd: And if the first effort of Physick does nothing within fifteen or twenty days, the affect afterward, in regard it is firmly rooted, and become habitual, is to be overcome by a long method, and by Preservatory, as well as Curatory Indications; of which we shall presently speak.

3. An Habitual Palsey, depending of a Procatarxis, is either in fieri, or in its disposition, or in facto, or in its habit; both require a peculiar way of Cure.

Of the former there are two chief cases, in both of which the The∣rapeutick method, regarding only the Procatarctick causes, is ordered af∣ter the like manner: to wit, whether any Person be in danger of being seiz'd with the Palsey, or recovering from it, be in hazard of a relapse, we must insist in a manner on the same Medicines.

Therefore the Intentious of Curing must be, first, that the functions of Chylification and Sanguification being duly perform'd, a laudable matter for the generation of Animal Spirits be sent to the Brain in a sufficient plenty: and then, secondly, that the Brain being still firm and of a due conformation, admits into it, and duly exalts into Ani∣mal Spirits all apt particles, excluding such as are heterogeneous; for these ends we have thought good to propose the following method, which ought to be varied according to the various constitutions of the Diseased.

Spring and Fall, let solemn courses of Physick be entred upon, nay, and the whole year besides, let some Remedies be constantly used: Bleeding is not generally proper for all Persons: and if we forbid this, it is not for the same reason with the Ancients, supposing the Palsey to be a cold Disease; but because the Animal Spirits are both engendred from the Blood, and become elastick within the moving Fibres, by reason of a sanguineous combination; therefore if the store of this be lessened too much, they will fail and flag. Which truly I have observed in many, and that for the most part in the Arm, from which the Blood was drawn, languishings and tremblings have begun. Nevertheless, a spare and moderate Bleeding sometimes agrees with some that are endued with a Blood that is hot and sharp, and apt to too great effervescencies, tho they are disposed to the Palsey.

About the Equinoxes, purging ought to be ordered, and to be re∣peated by due Intervals three or four times; but in the first place let a Vomit, if nothing indicates the contrary, be given of Salt of Vitriol, Sulphur of Antimony, or an Infusion of crocus metallorum, or Mercurius vitae; afterward let Pillulae de succino or Aloephanginae be taken by them∣selves, or with Rosm of Jalap, every seventh or eighth day: At other times let Cephalick Remedies, such as we have prescribed for the sleepy affects, viz; Electuaries, Powders, Spirits and volatile Salts, Tinctures,

Elixirs, with distill'd Waters or Apozemes, viz. sometimes these, some∣times those, or others be frequently used. Let Issues be burnt in the Arm or Leg, nay, in gross and cachectical Persons together in both, or near the Shoulder-blades. Let a Physick-drink of Sage, Betony, Stoechas, the wood Sassafras, Winters bark &c. be drank the whole year. Wine and Venus ought either to be forbidden, or to be allowed only spa∣ringly.

But if the Palsey, after a previous disposition in the whole, or in one side, or in certain members, throughly seises, and, notwithstand∣ing the first encounter of Physick, comes on again; for its cure a long and complicated method, which is alwayes requisite, often times does not suffice; for not only the Disease, or its conjunct or procatarctick Cause severally, but all together, must be assaulted: for which ends, blooding for the most part being forbidden, only a gentle purge, and that but now and then, is proper. Again, and indeed chiefly, against the Proca∣tarxis of the Disease, Cephali•••• and Antiscorbutick Medicines are wont to do good: but not all of these kinds agree with all Persons, but, as we have observed in the Scurvey, according to the various Constitu∣tions of the Diseas'd, the Remedies also must be of a differing kind and vertue: for with bilous paralyticks, in whose sharp and hot blood there is much Salt and Sulphur, and very little Serum, hot Medicines, and such as are endowed with very active Particles, do not agree, nay often prove offensive to them; which nevertheless prove greatly beneficial to phlegmatick persons, whose blood is colder and contains a great deal of Serum, and a few active Elements. Wherefore, accor∣ding to this two-fold state of the Diseased, it seems fit for us to pro∣pose here a double method of Cure, and two Classes of Medicines, whereof this will do well to be given to cold paralyticks, and the other to such as are hot.

In the former case, for the removal of the procatarctick Cause, after a Vomit and a Purge duely ordered, I advise to be prescribed according to the following forms.

Take Conserve of the leaves of Garden Scurvy-grass, and of Rochet made with an equal part of Sugar, of each three ounces, Ginger condited in the Indies an ounce, the yellow coats of Oranges and Limons preserv'd of each six drams, powder of the Claws and Eyes of Crabs of each four Scruples, species diambroe two drams, winters-bark a dram and a half, roots of Ze∣doary, the lesser Galingal, Cubebs, the seeds of Garden-cresses, rochet, of each a dram, Spirit of Scurvy-grass, and of Lavender, of each two drams, Syrup of the conditure of Ginger what suffices, make an Electuary: Let the quantity of a Walnut be taken at eight a clock in the Morning, and at five in the Af∣ternoon, drinking after it a pound of the following decoction, or six ounces of the Tincture of Coffee, with the Leaves of Sage boyled in it, or three ounces of Viper-wine.

Take Raspings of Guaiacum six ounces, Sarzaparilla, Sassafras of each four ounces, red and yellow Saunders, shavings of Ivory and Harts-horn of each half an ounce, infuse them according to art, and boyle them in sixteen pounds of fountain-Water, to a half, adding Crude Antimony, powdred and tyed in a Nodulus, four ounces, roots of Calamus Aromaticus, the lesser Galingal of each half an ounce, Florentine Orris an ounce, Cardamum six drams, Co∣riander seeds half an ounce, six Dates, make a Decoction, and let it be used for ordinary drink.

Going to Bed, and early in the Morning, let a dose be taken either of the Spirit of Soot, or of Harts-horn, of Sal Armoniack succinated, of Blood, &c. with three ounces of the following distilled Water.

Take of the Leaves or Roots of Aron a pound, Leaves of Garden Scurvy-grass, the greater Rochet, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Time, four handfuls, Flowers of Lavender three handfuls, the outward rinds of ten Oranges and six Limons, Winters bark three Ounces, Roots of the lesser Galingal, Cala∣mus Aromaticus, Florentine Orris of each two ounces, Cubebs, Cloves, Nutmegs, of each an ounce, all being slic'd and bridsed, pour to them of White-wine and Brunswick Beer of each four pounds, let them be distilled with common Organs, and let the whole Liquour be mixt.

Sometimes instead of the Electuary, for fifteen or twenty dayes let a dose of the Tincture of Sulphur terebinthinated, or the Tincture of Antimony, or of Amber: sometimes also let the Elixir Proprietatis, or of Peony be taken in a spoonful of the distilled Water, drinking after it three ounces of the same.

Sometimes also let the following Powders or Tablets have their turns in the course of Phyfick.

Take powder of Vipers Flesh prepar'd at Montpellier an ounce, Hearts and Livers of the same half an ounce, Species Diambroe two ounces, make a Powder, let a dram be taken twice a day, with three ounces of the di∣stilled Water, or with Viper Wine, with a decoction of the Leaves of Sage, of the Roots and Seeds of the great Bur-dock, and Eringo roots condited made in a sufficient quantity of Fountain-Water to a half, to the quantity of six or eight ounces warm in the morning, expecting a sweat.

Take Solar Mineral Bezoar half an ounce, Cloves powdred two drams, mix them, make a powder, to be divided into twelve parts; let one part be taken twice a day after the same manner; with the use of these kinds of Remedies, let gentle Catharticks be pretty ften interlac'd.

Take powder of choice Roots of Zedoary, and the lesser Galingal of each a dram and a half, Species Diambror a dram, powder of the Seeds of Mustard, Rochet, Scurvy-grass, Water-cresses, of each half a dram, make a subtle powder of all: add pure Oyle of Amber half a dram, with six ounces of white Sugar dissolved in compound Peony Water, and boyled to a Consistency for Tablets, make Tablets according to Art, each weighing half a dram, let three or four be eaten twice a day, drinking after it a dose of some one of the Liquors even now mentioned.

Take powder of the roots of Virginia Serpentary two drams, of the lesser Galingal a dram, of the Gummous extract from the residency of the distilla∣tion of Quercitans Elixir of Life a dram, Flowers of Sal Armoniack (or of pure volatile salt of Soot, or of Harts-horn) a dram, Balsam of Peru a scruple, Balsamum Capivi what suffises, make a Mass, let it be made into little Pills, rowling them in species Diambrae, the dose is half a dram evening and morning. (or)

Take Rosin, or Gum of Guaiacum three drams, species Diambrae a dram, Chymical Oyle of Guaiacum excellently rectified a dram and a half, liquid Amber what suffices, make a mass, let it be formed into Pills, to be taken after the same manner.

But if a Palsey, hapning in a bilous Temperament, or in young Per∣sons, admits only mild Medicines, being wont to be exaspirated by any that are hot and elastick, the following forms will be of use for removing its Procatarxis.

Take Conserve of the Flowers of Betony, Fumitory, Primrose Flowers of each two ounces, species Diambrae a dram, Ivory, Crabs Eyes, Crabs Claws of each four scruples, Powder of Peony Flowers two drams, Lignum Aloes, yellow Saunders, of each a dram, Salt of Wormwood, a dram and a half, with a sufficient quantity of Syrup of Peony Flowers make an Electuary, the dose is two drams a day, drinking after it either of the simple Water of the Leaves of Aron, or of the following compound Water three ounces, or of a Decoction of Sage, with the Leaves of Tea infused in it four or six Ounces.

Take Rots of Aron, male Peony, Angelica, Masterwort, of each half a pound, Leaves of Sage, Rosemary, Marjoram, Booklimes, Water-cresses of each four handfuls, the Flowers of Primroses, Cowslips, Marygolds, of each three handfuls, the yellow coats of six Oranges, and four Limons, all being slic'd and bruised pour to them of new Milk six pounds, Malaga-wine two pounds, distill them with common Organs, let the whole Liquour be mixt.

Instead of the Electuary sometimes for fourteen or fifteen dayes, let the use of the Syrup of Steel be interlaced, wherefore let a spoonful be taken in three ounces of the distilled Water, it may be made after this manner. Take double refined Sugar dissolved in black Cherry Water, and boyled to a Con∣sistency for Tablets eight ounces, adding of our Steel powdred three drams; let them be stirred together on the Fire, and then pour to them by degrees, Rose∣mary Water warmed twelve ounces, let them seeth gently for a quarter of an hour, taking off the froth, and pour it out warm through a hair Strai∣ner.

Chalybeat Tablets also may be made after this manner; viz. To the Sugar sufficiently boyled with the Steel add Oyle of Amber, or Chymical Oyle of Rosemary half a dram, and presently pour it forth that it may run abroad into a Consistency for Tablets, the dose is two drams twice a day, drinking after it of the distilled Water, or of the following Apozome six ounces.

Take China Roots an ounce, shavings of Ivory and Harts-horn of each half an ounce, white and yellow Saunders, Mastick-wood of each half an ounce, let there be a warm and close infusion for a Night, in six pounds of Fountain-water, in the Morning add Roots of Chervil, Avens, Butchers-broom stone-Parsley of each an ounce and a half, dryed Leaves of Ground-Ivy, Sage, Germander, Betony, of each a handful, Coriander Seeds three drams, let them boyle to a half, then add of White-wine half a pound, and strain it into a Bottle on two handfuls of Leaves of Water-cresses bruised: make a warm and close infusion for two hours, strain it again, and keep it in a stopt Vessel.

In a scorbutick Palsey Juices and Expressions of Herbs often give an excellent relief.

Take fresh Leaves of Brooklimes, Water-cresses, Plantain, of each four handfuls, being bruised together, pour to them of the distilled Water even now described eight ounces, express it strongly, keeping it in a Glass, and let three or four ounces be given twice or thrice a day.

At the earliest and latest physical Hours, viz. in the Evening and early in the Morning, let the following Pills be taken.

Take Millepedes prepared three drams and a half, Pearl a dram and a half, Roots of bastard Dittany a dram, Venice Turpentine what suffises, make a mass, form it into small Pills, the dose is half a dram, drinking after it a little draught of the distilled water.

For ordinary drink let either a Bochet be prescribed of Sarsa, China, yellow Saunders, &c. or small Ale, with the dryed Leaves of Ground-Ivy boyled in it, and of Sage, with the wood Sassafras infused.

While these things are done for removing the Procatarxis of the Disease, no less a curatory endeavour is required for its conjunct Cause, viz. that any places obstructed, being again opened, may admit and give a free passage to the animal Spirits, freed from stupefaction.

There are two chief kinds of Remedies which conduce much for these ends; viz. the one particular and special, to be applied to the Places affected, to wit, that by Fomentations, Liniments, Plaisters, and other outward Applications the stupified Spirits may be raised up again, and their Ductus's be opened: the other universal, to wit, that the Blood and Spirits, and the other humours (and the active particles abounding in the whole Body) being very much agitated and put in a more rapid Motion, making as it were a swift current, may force from before them and remove damms, or Obstacles any where sticking, by which the Spirits are obstructed.

The Administrations to be used to the outward Parts, are so gene∣rally and vulgarly known, that it would be superfluous to insist here in describing them at large. First, let Liniments of Oyles, Unguents, and Balsams, more or less hot according to the temperament of the diseased, be applied twice a day with Frictions. Let Fomentations of a Decoction of Cephalick Herbs and Aromaticks in Fountain-wa∣ter

be sometimes us'd before these; adding sometimes hot Waters, Wine or Beer, or their Lees: moreover, it is proper sometimes to apply Vesica ories, Cupping-glasses, a Pication, or Urtication about the places affected. Bags, and Playsters oft do good. Again, if the case admits it, it is profitable for the resolv'd Members to be put into Grains, or the Dregs of Grapes remaining after pressing, or to be thrust into the Belly or Thorax of a Beast fresh killed, or also be bath'd in an artificial Bath, or natural hot Baths, and to be kept in any of these for a long time.

But if these things do no good, we must come to the Universal or great Remedies: such as chiefly are Diaphoreticks, Mercurials raising a Sali∣vation, and strong Vomitories: of each of which we shall speak in short.

There is no one of the Vulgar but every where observes that Dia∣phoreticks sometimes do great good in the cure of the Palsey, and that sometimes they prove very prejudicial. Wherefore it much concerns us that the reasons of so different an effect should be explicated; to the end that Indications may be thence taken concerning the use, or rejecting of them.

Therefore a copious sweating is wont sometimes to prove very ad∣vantageous to Paralyticks, chiefly for two reasons; to wit, that it may plentifully drive forth the impurities of the Blood, and nervous Juice, which are apt to exhale, so that the morbifick Matter may no longer flow to the Brain, and the Parts affected, and that that which has alrea∣dy flown to them may in part be conveyed forth. And then secondly, that the effluvia of heat passing from the boyling Blood very much open the Ductus's of the Nerves before obstructed, as they pass through them in evaporating, and open wayes for the Spirits. Wherefore this Ad∣ministration agrees chiefly and in a manner only with those, whose Blood, being not filled with a fixt Salt and Sulphur, is diluted with a limpid and insipid Serum: for on the contrary, Paralyticks, whose Blood and Humours are greatly stor'd with wild, Exotick, and fixt Particles of exorbitant Salts and Sulphurs, and such as are unfit for exhaling, often receive a great damage from a sweat violently raised, of which effect we assign these two Causes, to wit, that the morbifick Particles being too much exalted by reason of their Agitation, become more exorbi∣tant: and then secondly, that being driven plentifully into the Brain, and Genus Nervosum, they often increase the ancient Obstructions, and not unfrequently produce new.

For raising a plentiful and easy Sweat, both inward Medicines and outward Administrations are wont to be used: the former stir the Blood or Serum to effervescencies, or stimulate the Heart to quicker Motions, and thence (whether one of them, or both be performed) when the Liquor of the Blood, being rapidly circulated through the Heart and Vessels, is put into a frothy Turgescency, it cannot but

discharge from it self a great many Effluvia, which are the matter of Sweat: for this end Medicines of various kinds are recommended to Paralyticks, of which those of chief note are, a decoction of Guaiacum, Sarsaparilla, &c. Spirit, and Oyl of Guaiacum, mixtura simpelx, Flowers and Spirit of Sal Armoniack, Aurum Diaphoreticum, Salt, Powder, and Wine of Vipers, mineral solar Bezoar, Tincture of Antimony, &c.

Outward Administrations promote a Sweating, for as much as they raise and keep a moderate heat in the whole circumference of the Bo∣dy, and then the Blood being heated, is forc'd to move more swiftly, and to evaporate more, and withall, the pores of the Skin being open'd, more readily let forth all Particles apt to exhale; for this end, besides Bed-coverings (which only keep the Effluvia of heat emitted from the Body in its circumference) a Cradle likewise with Charcoal, or Spirit of Wine, kindled, a Hot-house, and Baths of various kinds and forms, and natural Hot Baths are wont to be used; but above all, our Hot Baths at Bathe, than which (if they agree well with the tem∣perament of the Patient) no more excellent Remedy can be imagin'd, which is sufficiently shewn by the Crutches of a great many Persons cur'd of resolved Members, hung up as so many Trophies of the Con∣quest of this Disease.

Nevertheless, as generous Medicines, if they do not prove Alexi∣pharmicks, often pass into Poysons, so the use of hot Baths, when it has not cur'd some Paralyticks, has rendred them much worse; so that more Members, and such as were before affected, being more re∣solv'd, there has been no other occasion for the Diseas'd for leaving their Crutches there, but that being rendred more weak they could use them no longer: we have hinted the cause of this before, to wit, that bathing exagitating the Blood and all the Humours, exalts more all Morbifick and heterogeneous Particles, and being rendred more exorbi∣ant, drives them from the Viscera into the Mass of Blood: whence (in regard they cannot easily evaporate) entring the Brain, and Genus Ner∣vosum, they increase the Paralytick affect, and often bring a Convulsion with it: for this reason Bathing sometimes first actuates a Nephritick, and Gouty Disposition, moreover, it brings to many a Blood-spitting Asthma, or Consumption, where no Disposition was; wherefore hot Baths ought not to be tryed without the advise of a Physician, and being try'd, if they seem not to agree, they ought soon to be left.

I have it sufficiently confirmed both by my own Experience, and that of some other Physicians, that some Paralyticks are cured by a Saliva∣tion raised by Mercury, but I judge that this kind of Remedy is to be us'd only in an habitual Palsey, viz. which has a Procatarxis in the Blood and Brain readily enough to be moved, and a conjunct Cause in the nervous Appendix, which is not very fix'd: but when that affect is caused by an outward and great hurt, or happens upon a Carus, Apo∣plexy, or Convulsions, Salivation is attempted in a manner always in

vain, and sometimes not without a mighty Prejudice; and let not those who, having a weak or over-lax Brain, are frequently subject to a Vertigo, drowsiness, and convulsive Motions, use Mercurial Medicines inconsiderately. But sometimes a Salivation does mighty good in an habitual Palsey, and which is not very fix'd, for as much as by taking away the Impurities of the Blood, it cuts off all the fuel of the Disease; and in as much as some Mercurial Particles, whilst having past the Brain, they enter the Ductus's of the Nerves, divide the Morbifick matter sticking in them, and severing its parts one from another, disperse them several ways, some forward and some backward. Whereas it is a common fault of other Medicines, that often they press forward only the damm that obstructs the ways of the Spirits, and therefore if they do not force it asunder, they drive it more firmly into the places obstructed.

And it is in some sort for this reason that Vomitories often do egre∣gious service in Curing the Palsey: to wit, that they withdraw the fuel of the Conjunct Cause, and do not drive only forward the matter sticking in the Nerves, but revulse it, mightily shake it, and often break it into minute parts, so that when the Continuity of the damm is broken, the animal spirits themselves easily dissipate the Particles of the Morbi∣fick matter sever'd from each other; we have intimated before another reason concerning the relief of Emeticks in the sleepy affects, which has also in some sort place in the Palsey.

So very many Examples and Instances of Paralyticks daily happen every where, that the various Types and Histories of them (if they were described) would fill a mighty Volume, wherefore I shall only set down here some of the more rare, viz. one or two, with which each chief species of that Disease may be illustrated, and since it would be to little or no purpose to give a Relation of Resolutions of Mem∣bers hapning by reason of some outward Accident, as a fall from an high Place, a Wound, or a Stroke, I shall insist only in describing those Cases, where the Palsey arises either by it self after a previous Dispo∣sition, or follows upon some other Disease.

Some time since, a certain Gentleman, Robust, well in Flesh, and above forty years of Age, having been in a manner always in health, at length giving himself to a sedentary Life and Idleness, and after∣ward becoming more dull than usual, refused any exercise and vi∣gorous motion of the Body: moreover, being melancholy and sad, on any light occasion, nay, sometimes without any manifest cause, he was wont to break forth into a weeping and tears: this Person a short while after (which I have also observed of many others) was affected with a Weakness and a Trembling of all the Members, and afterward with a Resolution of the lower Parts, by which Disease (being me∣lancholy and soon a weary of Physick) yielding himself overcome, and growing weaker by degrees, he dyed within six months.

I remember many others, but especially two committed to our care, being as to the first part of their Life mighty Ingenious, and well Learned, who afterward in their declining Age, partly by reason of a Cacochymia of the Body, and partly through a trouble of mind growing dull and forgetful, at length (notwithstanding the use of Remedies in the beginning of the Disease) became Paralytical.

A young man of a sanguine temperament, clear spirited, and for the most part Healthy, sitting in a Chair after a plentiful Supper, and an immoderate Drinking of Wine, was so affected with a stupidity in his right Hand, that his Glove, which he happened to hold, fell down against his will; afterwards standing up and endeavouring to go, he perceived a resolution in the Leg and Thigh of the same side, fal∣ling a little afterward into a certain dulness of Mind, and a stupidness, tho without an Apoplexy, for he was always present to himself, an∣swering aptly enough, tho slowly, and with some trouble, to things asked, and doing things that were commanded him; a very skilful Physician being presently called, Blooding, Vomiting, Purging, were used in order, Cupping-Glasses, a Scarification, Liniments, Frictions, and other fit Administrations were diligently applyed: nevertheless the Palsey increas'd, so that besides Motion almost taken away from the Members of the right side, he lost also the sight of that Eye: yet, tho dull and sleepy, being still Compos mentis, he knew his Friends, and being conscious of his Infirmity, and sollicitous for the recovery of his Health, he took all Remedies offered, but notwithstanding this, the animal functions daily fail'd more and more, and through a consent with them, at last the vital, so that about the seventh or eighth day falling ever and anon, sometimes into a Delirium, sometimes into Convulsions, and other distractions of the Spirits, at length his strength being gone, he yielded to Death.

A certain Noble-mans Bayliff, about forty years of age, having a sharp Blood and a bilous temperament, and long obnoxious to a Vertigo, as he rode through a certain Village in the Country, being seiz'd on a sudden with a Scotomia, fell head-long on the ground; where being presently ta∣ken up by the Inhabitants, and put to Bed, he lay for many hours insen∣sible, and dead as it were; but afterward awaking, he found all the members of both sides resolv'd into a Ʋniversal Palsey: going to see him the next day after, I presently drew about twelve ounces of Blood, and forthwith prescribed other Remedies, both as to out∣ward administrations, and inward Medicines to be diligently us'd, and indeed with good success; for after five or six days he began to stretch forth, or bend his feet, nay, to move them from their place this way and that, tho slowly; afterward, by the constant use of Re∣medies, he was able within two months to raise himself, stand on his feet, and go a little with Crutches, then having us'd at his house an artificial Bath for some time, he daily gain'd in the motion of his

members, and his strength; at length, assoon as the season of the year was fit, going to Bathe, and by the use of the hot Baths perfectly re∣covering within six weeks, he returned sound, leaving there his Crutches.

The following Relation will manifestly shew that the Palsey does not only follow upon Cephalick affects, but also on the Colick and Scurvy.

A handsome Woman, and young, after Child-birth fell into a Tertian Ague, this afterward becoming a Quotidian, and the cure protracted, brought a very violent Cholick, and of long continuance. Pains first raged only in the Abdomen, with a vomiting and most bitter tortures: being long tormented, and almost worn away with these, at length she began to be troubled with a stupor, and a sense of pricking, such as arises in members lain on. Nor was it long after but a Palsey (which that other affect very often fore-runs) followed in the whole Body. In this state being brought to Oxford, she was committed to our care; another famous Physician, D. D. Lydall, being called to joyn with me. Not only all the greater Members of this Diseased, but even the lesser of each Limb were so wholly resolved, that she was not able to stir from its place either Hand or Foot, or any finger of either hand. Moreover, she was so far affected with an Atrophia, that the flesh being wholly vanished, the Skin scarce stuck to the Bones, yet she still had a good Pulse and vivid Aspect, from which alone we gathered some∣what of hope.

After that we had given this Person for many Weeks the choicest Medicines both Antiparaliticks, and Antiscorbuticks, almost of every kind, and according to various Methods, without any success, at length we proposed to her self and her Friends a Salivation, as a Remedy more powerfull than any others, but withall dangerous: not delibera∣ting long concerning this, they resolve rather to try a doubtful Medicine than none, or which is the same, one wholly ineffectual. Therefore we gave her Precipitatum ex Mercurio cum sole in a small Dose, and re∣peated it the next day after: on the third day, an easy and gentle Sali∣vation beginning, went on fairly for a Week without any malign Symp∣tome; but then the Diseased complaining of a great Head-ach and Ver∣tigo, begun to be affected with Convulsive Motions, so that we were forced presently to let fall the Salivation, and to break off this Course as soon as we could, withdrawing the fluxion of the serous latex from the head towards the other parts, which frequent Clysters, Epispastick and Revulsive Plaisters applyed in various places, together with Cor∣dials and Opiats inwardly given, soon effected; and presently upon it the noble Lady being somewhat better, begun to stretch forth and bend the Joints of her Hands and Feet, and to move sometimes those members or these from their place, the Spitting ceasing: being gently purged, she took for many days a decoction of China, Sarsa, red Sannders, Ivory, &c. with the addition of the dryed leaves of Sage,

Betony, Speedwell, &c. with which she was wont to interlace the use of Spi¦rit of Harts-horn, or of Soot, of a Cephalick and Cordiack confection, also of an appropriate Powder and Julep: within a Months space she was able to stand on her Feet, and to walk a little in her Chamber being support∣ed by Servants: moreover, getting Sleep, and taking Food in∣differently, the bulk of her Flesh and her strength daily increas'd, and at length using the temperate hot Baths at Bath she grew well.

But that hot Baths do not do good to all Paralyticks, nay (as we have intimated before) that they do great hurt to some, the follow∣ing relation will plainly shew: A London Merchant after a Luxation of a Joynt of the Foot, became lame in that part, being otherwise sound enough, and robust: when Topick Remedies of various kinds, tryed for some, time did not do, at length by the advice of a Physician go∣ing to Bathe, he began to try the temperate hot Baths, from the farther use of which (becoming forthwith worse upon it, the Palsey presently beginning in other Members) he had abstained, but the Physician be∣ing then present, assuring him that he would be better afterward, ad∣vised him to persist: wherefore he took the hot Baths again for about thirty dayes, till all the lower Members, to wit, from the Os sacrum to the Feet being wholly resolv'd, were withered, and that in the Thorax a very great and as it were Asthmatical dyspnaea was raised: for the Muscles imployed in Respiration (being as it seem'd affected also with the Palsey) the brest was not able to be dilated for drawing the Breath deep enough, wherefore, being always out of Breath, he labour'd under continual affects of those Parts, and an Agitation of the whole Thorax. In this state departing from Bathe, he is commanded by his Physician to abstain for a whole Month from any Remedies taken from Pharmacy: which when he had religiously observed, through hope as it were of a Resurrection, that time being past, all deliberation was now late concerning the use of Medicines: for besides the Paralytick and withered Members, his Belly swelled, his Respiration was yet more difficult and letted, that the diseased was scarce able to draw his Breath: his Pulse being very weak, with frequent Swoonings, and Faintings hapning upon any Motion of his Body: so that hereby scarce any place at all being left for Catharticks, he must insist only on Car∣diack and Paralytick Remedies: notwithstanding the use of which, the diseased within six weeks labouring under a very great dyspnaea for many hours, at length dyed: the immediate cause of whose decease I conceive to be Polypous Concretions of Blood in the Heart, for in regard the Motion of the Praecordia was greatly letted for a long time, nothing seems more probable than that those kinds of carneous lumps as it were, were concreted within the Ventricles of the Heart.

For illustrating a little farther the Theories of the Palsey, and also of the Lethargy and Carus, I shall here give you another Example, with Anatomical Observations, which hapned whilst the precedent things were printing.

A child, little more than three years of Age, of a moist Brain, as it appear'd by sore Inflammations of his Eyes, and watery pushes of his Face (to which he had been sometimes obnoxious) at the beginning of Autumn being ill, with a slow Fever and a dejected Appetite, became very drowsie and sleepy, so that he slept almost continually day and night; but being awak'd, he knew the standers by, and answer'd aptly enough to things ask'd: meet Remedies, viz. Clysters, Vesicatories, Catharticks, also Juleps, Spirit of Harts-horn, Powders, with many other things usual in this case, being forthwith, and carefully given him, did so much good, that within six or seven dayes the diseased being free from his Feaver, waking sufficiently, and desiring Food, seem'd to recover, and scarce to have any more need of Physical help, But in a short while after (I know not on what occasion) undergoing a relaps, and being drowsie again, he was presently affected with a great Stupefaction, so that being with difficulty to be awak'd, he scarce knew any thing, or did any thing with Knowledge; the next day after, being utterly stupid, tho being pinch'd hard, he would open his Eyes, and roul them this way, and that, he saw nothing: and within a day or two a Palsey of the whole right side followed: The former Remedies repeated to him, and likewise Sneezers, Apophlegma∣tisms, drawing of Blood, Cataplasms to be applyed to the Feet, and Epispasticks to the whole Head shaved, with other Medicines and wayes of Administrations prescribed in order, did nothing; but the diseased, after he had lai so for three or four dayes insensible, the Pulse and Respiration at length failing, he dyed.

The Scull being opened, the formost Region of the Brain, almost as far as the Insertion of the fourth Sinus, was swollen, being covered with a limpid Water shining through the Membranes, which upon the dissection of the Meninges presently flowed forth; Moreover, at that place the portions of the Brain cut off by piece-meal appear'd too moist, and almost without red or bloody specks; but in the hindmost part of the Brain the Vessels were red with Blood, and the cortical Sub∣stance appeared more low and firm without a Tumour, or being floated with Water: from these things (as we have concluded before) it will manifestly appear that the Cause of the Lethargy depends on a watery glut of filth in the outward part of the Brain.

The Brain being cut off piece-meal, and a hole being made into the foremost cavity, strouting with a lympha, the limped water sprung forth as tho it had been pent up in too narrow a space before: whose mighty store had filled all the Ventricles to the top, and (as it seem'd) by compressing the Thalami Optici had caused the blindness, and by entring or compressing one Corpus Striatum, or its Pores, had brought the Palsey.

The Plexus Choroeides appear'd as parboyled, somewhat white, and almost without Blood, its probable that all the Lympha, or the great∣est part of it, wherewith the Ventricles of the Brain were floated,

distilled from those Vessels; tho in this case if (as some think) the watery latex sinking lower from the cortex of the Brain, at length ha∣ving wholly pass'd the Brain, could fall into those Sinus's, a reason may not uneasily be thence taken wherefore the Lethargy seeming first to be cured, by and by being more violent, return'd again, with a Blindness and Palsey joyn'd with it, to wit, as at first the store of soporiferous matter fell from the Cortex of the Brain into its cavity, the animal Function grew a little clear; but afterward, when a new matter sprung in the Cortex of the Brain, and this falling into the Sinus's, was gathered together to a fulness, thereupon a Relapse of the former Dis∣ease happened with the addition of a blindness and Palsey.

Now tho the Dropsy of the inner part of the Brain, or an inunda∣tion of its Ventricles, by compressing the corpora striata or thalami optici causes a Palsey, or blindness, or by twitching the Origines of the Nerves, Convulsive affects; yet it most evidently appear'd by a late observation, that the Lethargy does not arise from such a Cause, but only from the outward part of the Brain being floated or compress'd.

A certain Gentleman, long sickly, after that he had been troubled almost for five Months with a Colick, or rather with a most violent scorbutick and running Gout, (in which not only the Viscera and Fi∣bers were affected with great Gripes, but likewise the Membranes, and all the Muscles of the whole Body almost with continual Tortures) and at length suffer'd in his Members sometimes horrible Convulsions, sometimes Apoplectick Invasions as it were, or an offuscation of the Sight, at last his Strength being spent, and the Stores of his Spirits wholly exhausted, he dyed. For seven dayes before his decease (ex∣cepting only the last save one) being more lively as to his Sense and Understanding, he lay almost continually awake: a little before this long waking, upon a Vesicatory's being applyed to his Neck, a vast quantity of water flowed to it; and thence-forward flowed forth daily, even to his death, that I may hence suspect he continued thus with∣out sleep, by reason of the watery humour withdrawn from the Brain in too great a plenty.

The Head of the defunct being open'd, the inward Cavities of the Brain, or all its Ventricles appear'd fill'd to the top, and strouting as it were with a limpid water, nay about the top of the Spine the Funis medullaris it self seem'd to be surrounded with, and immerg'd as it were in Waters there heapt together. Without doubt for this reason such violent pains and cramps infested him in his Loyns and Members, and in the whole Habit of the Body; and by reason of the deluge in the Ventricles, he became obnoxious to frequent offuseations of the Sight, and resolutions of the Limbs: nevertheless there was no Lethargy here, tho the long watching was caus'd by reason of the waters deriv'd in too great a plenty by the Vesicatories from the circumference of the

Brain. This Person had also gotten a Dropsie in his Breast, by reason of the Lungs being much vitiated: the Liver being of a vast bigness, appear'd every where with white spots, and almost without blood; so that the depravations of the blood and nervous juyce ought to be as∣crib'd in some sort to these faults of the Viscera.