Pharmaceutice rationalis: or, The operations of medicines in humane bodies. The second part. With copper plates describing the several parts treated of in this volume. By Tho. Willis, M.D. and Sedley Professor in the University of Oxford.

5. Lohochs and Electuaries.

Take conserve of red Roses, of Dog-rose, of each two ounces,* 1.1 powder of white Poppy and Henbane seeds, of each two drams, species Diatragacanth. frig. one dram and half, of Blood-stone, Dragons-blood prepared, of each half a dram, Syrup of red Poppyes what will suffice to make an Electuary. Take the quantity of a Chesnut evening and morning, at other times let him lick with a liquorish stick.

Take conserve of the greater Comfry flowers, of Water-lillies,* 1.2 of each an ounce and half, Troches of Winter-cherries, of Diatragacanth. frig. of each a dram and a half, syrup of Jujubes what will suffice to make a soft Electuary, of which lick often.

Take of the white of an Egge well beaten two drams, Sugar of Roses one dram, of white Starch three drams, make a Lohoch to be taken often with a spoon.

Take of Conserve of red Roses 3 ounces, Leucatella's Balsam half an ounce, Troches of Winter-cherries two drams, Syrup of red Poppies what suffices to make a soft Lohoch: the dose is the quantity of a Chesnut night and morning.

II.* 1.3 The second preservatory Indication exhibits such remedies, which by contain∣ing the blood in its right temper, and the Lungs in their due frame, do provide a∣gainst a relapse of spitting blood, and the following of a Phthisis. Such things which respect the blood,* 1.4 either are mild evacuators by Stool, Urine or Sweat; or are meerly Alteratives. Every of these are usually prescrib'd either in form of Potion, Powder, Electuary, or Pills: We will here shew you the most select patterns of the chief of them.

1.* 1.5 As to Evacuators, a gentle Purgative is sometimes appointed after this man∣ner.

Take of the best Senna three drams, Cassia fistula bruised one ounce, Tamarinds three drams, Coriander-seeds a dram and a half, boyl them in Spring-water to 6 ounces, to it strain'd add syrup of Chichory with Rhubarb one ounce, clarifie it with the white of an Egge. Or,

Take 4 ounces of Gereons decoction of Senna, Syrup of Apples purging one ounce, mingle them and make a potion.

2.* 1.6 That the good temper of the blood may be preserved, and the superfluities drained from the Lungs may be continually discharged by Sweat and Urine, these following Alteratives, or some of them are for the most part receiv'd in constant use; which also being endued with a healing power, do succour the weak Lungs, or those whose Unity is dissolv'd.

For ordinary drink, let simple water, especially in a hot constituion, or being colour'd with a little Claret-wine, be drunk. Those with whom this doth not agree, a Bochet of China, Sarsa, with shavings of Ivory, Harts-horn, with white Sanders, or small Beer, or small Ale, with the leaves of Harts-tongue, Oak of Jerusalem, and the like infused, are frequently used with good success.

Pectoral Decoctions or Hydromels with temperate Vulneraries are taken twice or thrice a day to 6 or 7 ounces.

Take of fresh Nettles,* 1.7 Chervil, of each one ounce, Harts-tongue, Speedwell, Mouse-ear, Ground-Ivy, St. Johns wort, of each a hand-full, boyl them in three pints of Spring∣water, to two points, adding Raisins stoned an ounce and half, Liquorish two drams, to it strain'd add Syrup Byzantine two ounces, clarifie it with the white of an Egge, make an Apozeme to be taken from 4. ounces to 6, twice or thrice in a day for a month. In a more cold or phlegmatick constitution, let the Liquorish and Raisins with the Syrup be omitted, adde at last of Hony well? clarified two ounces, strain it and keep it for use. The Dose is the same.

The use of these is sometimes intermingled with a distilled water appropriate for that use, which likewise is more frequently taken by such who nauseate and loathe Apozemes.

Take the tops of Cypresse,* 1.8 leaves of Ground-Ivy, of each 6 handfulls, of Snails half boyled one pound and half, of all the Sanders bruised of each one ounce, being cut and bruised infuse them in 8 pound of fresh Milk, distill it in common Organs, the Dose 3 or 4 ounces with a spoonfull of Syrup of Ground-Ivy, to be taken twice in a day.

2.* 1.9 In respect of the Lungs, viz. that without obstruction or opening of the vessels, the Union of parts, and due conformation of the whole may be preserved, temperate balsamicks chiefly conduce. To this intent Leucatello's Balsam is commonly prescri∣bed to be taken daily and for a long season. Chymists and certain Noble women do cry up with great praise a balsamick Oyl drawn by distillation, called by them the Mother of Balsam.

It would be easie here to reckon up very many other remedies against spitting blood, very much celebrated by the ancient as well as by modern Writers; notwithstand∣ing the harvest of these already gathered together doth at present seem rich enough. But it remains, that I illustrate as well the Theory of this disease, as the curatory method above delivered, by a History or two of sick Patients.

A noble young man,* 1.10 when after a scorbutical Cachexia he was affected with a Pal∣sie, and for curing this disease, remedies not only great but improportionate to the blood and spirits were experimented by him, viz. Salivation and the use of Baths,

he contracted a spitting of blood, whose fits (of all I ever knew not presently mor∣tal) were most fierce. Presently on the first appearance of this disease, spitting blood followed the Operation of Hues's powder (from which having for some time suffered a flowing of the Mouth, without his Palsie being cured he was reduced to great weak∣ness:) Then being afflicted with a Catarrh, and a Cough very troublesome, he began to discharge a discolour'd Spittle, sometimes stained, and sometimes sprinkled with blood; but this disease being mild from the beginning, did suddenly vanish away by the use of remedies, and after going into the Countrey, and sucking in a more pure air, he became better, and after a while feeming healthful enough in his breast, he went to the Bath, for the benefit of his Palsie; where daily bathing for a fortnight in those hot waters, he again contracted a Cough, and a little after an horrid Haemoptoe or a spitting of blood, so that in the space of 24 hours, coughing often and plenti∣fully, he poured out blood in a vast quantity.

I first visiting him in this condition, provision being made for the whole, I pre∣scribed presently Phlebotomy for revulsions sake: notwithstanding after this admini∣stration (both then and ever after) he either repeated the bloody spittle, or grew worse. Moreover, I exhibited Juleps, Lohochs, Decoctions, and also Hypnoticks, which helping little or nothing, ligatures made about his arms and thighs, did first of all restrain the tyranny of this disease: And when afterwards the Evil broke out again, I perswaded him at length, (his drink of Beer being left) that he should con∣stantly drink the decoction of China and Sarsa with the Pectorals. By the continual use hereof, observing moreover an exact course of diet, and altogether abstaining from wine, more hot aliments, and Salt, and Sugar, for above two years he was well in health.

But afterwards when by being crouded in a Court of Judicature, he grew mighty hot, he relapsed back again into a terrible spitting of blood. A Physitian being sent for, he was presently let blood in the arm, whence his spitting of blood became more sharp; and when afterwards letting blood was repeated the second and third day, and the evil grew worse every time, at length Ligatures (as at first) being administred, and the pe∣ctoral drink and a Linctus being often taken, the disease presently remitted, and in a short space wholly ceased; notwithstanding he continued the use of his pectoral de∣coction and slender diet, viz. no flesh-meat, for a fortnight; and from thence he obtain∣ed truce from his enemy for three years; and when afterwards at any time the blood sweeling by drinking of wine, or taking more dainty food, began to break out from the Lungs, presently by ligatures, and the use of the Decoction and Lohoch, and a thin diet, its assault was wont to be repulsed. But he did not so safely escape, but that it was necessary for him for the most part to keep perpetual watch against that enemy always lurking: for not long since by reason of the intemperature of the year, he contracted a troublesom Catarrh, with a Cough, a plentifull spittle, and some∣times bloody, and then the former medicines effected less; wherefore, he betook himself by his own advice to new things, and in the first place took evening and morning a spoonfull of Syrup of Ground-Ivy, and thereby ensued a notable help: but when that Syrup became quickly loathsome by reason of the Sugar, he took the pow∣der of that herb well prepared to half a dram, or one dram twice a day in a spoonfull of some liquor; by the long use of which Medicine he was much better as to his Catarrh and Cough. But when the spitting of blood now and then broke out, though in little quantity, he chang'd again his Medicine, and took twice in a day the powder of the tops, and chiefly of the hairy excrescences of Cynorrhodon or Dog-bryer: which only medicine a certain Physician renowned for merly for the cure of spitting blood, used with great success. Neither did our Patient receive a less happy effect from that medicine, for presently after he escaped altogether free from a Cough, a Ca∣tarrh and bloody Spittle, and so remained for a long while: untill at length believing this disease of the Breast to be wholly subdued, and therefore slighting it, he assu∣med weapons against the other more ancient enemy the Palsie. Wherefore, while his Haemoptosis or Spitting of Blood was neglected, he daily took a large dose of hot Me∣dicines to conquer that other distemper, viz. magistral waters distilled with Wine, spirit of Harts-horn, of Sa't Armoniack, and Aromatick Powders and Confections; Besides, whilst he indulg'd himself in a more plentiful diet, with a moderate drinking of Ale and Wine, the roaring Lion that at first seem'd to sleep, was again stirr'd up, viz. he had not long continued in that antiparalytical Method, but the Spitting of blood returned with its greatest fierceness, so that in the space of a day and a night he

coughed out above three pints of spumous blood. But afterwards a Physician being sent for who presently prescribed Phlebotomy, the spitting of blood began to cease up∣on bleeding (as formerly it was always wont to do) but then fell into sharp fits again: which however by the use of Ligatures, and a Lonoch and pectoral Decoction daily taken, was presently asswaged, and a while after wholly ceased. And when afterwards he used the pectoral Decoction three months, and a very slender Diet, viz. without any flesh, only of Herbs, Barley, &c. and Milk-meats, in a short time he recovered his former health, and now lives in that state, so triumphing over that cruel disease, that many Haemoptotic persons consult him as their Oracle, and for a Cure do propound a method of this kind of living to be followed before the Physicians advice.

What is most wonderful in this case is,* 1.11 that after so many breaches so often hap∣pening in the Lungs, this famous Person was not in the intervals affected with a Cough, neither fell afterwards into a Consumption; whereas most after any of the smallest vessels being open in the Pracordia, for some time after labour with a Cough with plen∣tiful and thick spittle, and at length frequently become consumptive. And that it hap∣pened otherwise to our Patient, I chiefly attribute to the balsamic constitution of his blood, viz. in the mass whereof the serous recrements are either less collected, or so strictly mingled, that they cannot be easily separated thence; wherefore after the ves∣sels were broken, or their unity dissolved, a plentiful I chor or sharp humor (being wont to generate a Cough and Spittle) did not sweat out as in many others. Moreover what he himself observed, contrary to many others, that his spitting blood happened never in winter, but in Summer, came also so to pass by the same reason: because when the blood did less abound with vaporous recrements, the opening or obstruction of the Pores were neither an advantage nor prejudice to it; nevertheless the blood growing hotter than it ought to be, seeing it exhaled not, there was a necessity it should break out of the vessels; and when again diminished in quantity, sending away little or no serous Ichor out of the orifices of the Vessels, the spitting of blood ceased without a remaining Cough. The same reason holds of many that spit blood, wherefore some are found much inclinable, others not prone to a Consumption. This Gentleman ever found the use of the pectoral Decoction advantageous to him: wherefore when he often varied other Medicines he always retained the same Decoction: moreover he hath commended it to many others spitting blood with success. The form of the Prescription was this.

Take of all the Sanders of each six drams,* 1.12 infuse them for twelve hours in seven pints of Spring-water, then hoil them to a confumjption of a third part, after add leaves of Colis-foot, Maidenhair, Mouse-ear, Speedwel, flowers of St. Johns-wort, each two handfuls; sweet Fennel-seeds six drams, Liquorish half an ounce, Raisins stoned half a pound: boil them to four pints, afterward strain it, and keep it for ordinary drink.

Moreover the spitting blood threatning and pressing upon him he took thrice or oftener a day the quantity of a Nutmeg of the following Electuary, drinking after it seven spoonfuls of a Julep.

Take conserve of red Roses three ounces,* 1.13 conserve of Hips, Comfry, each an ounce and half; Dragons blood a dram, species of Hyacinth two scruples, red Coral a dram, with a sufficient quantity of syrup of red Poppies, mix them and make a soft Electuary: let him take hereof evening and morning a dram and half, drinking after a draught of the following Julep. At other times let him lick it with a Liquorish-stick.

Take Plantane and Spawn-Frog water, each six drams;* 1.14 syrup of Coral, dried Roses, each an ounce; Dragons blood two scruples: mix them, and make a Julep.

Among the examples of them that spit blood the case of that Reverend person Dr. Berwick S.T.P. and lately Dean of St. Pauls Church ought not to be omitted, which some while since I learned partly from the Patient himself, and partly was communicated to me from his Brother that most skilful Physician Dr. Berwick my most dear Friend.

That most renowned Divine fifteen years before he died laboured with a most ob∣stinate Cough,* 1.15 and sometimes with a bloody and falt spittle, with a grievous breath stinking like Heel; by which being made lean by a pining away of the body, he want∣ed but little of being almost extinguished by a Consumption. As often as his spitting blood intermitted, the rankness of breath and spittle ceased also; afterwards the re∣turn hereof declared constantly that other affect to be presently attendant. In this

languishing condition, when this Renowned man was discovered to favour the Kings Party at that time oppressed with a grievous Tyranny, and being cast into a strait Prison, did drink meer water instead of ordinary drink, he recovered his health beyond the hope and expectation of all persons, and so remained indifferently healthful for above ten years space. Nevertheless afterwards, I know not by what occasion, unless by the hardship of a cold winter, not only the aforesaid evils, viz. a Cough with bloody and salt stinking spittle did become fierce upon him, but also over and above, a debility of stomach, want of appetite, and a nightly Feaver did accrue. But not long after these Symptoms a little remitting, fair weather again seemed to shine out; until on a certain day, the air being suddenly changed into an intense cold, towards night he was assaulted with great straitness of breast and difficult breathing, with a quick and weak pulse, and fainting of all his spirits, as if he had been expiring. Nevertheless from his danger he suddenly escaped by the interposition of a Crisis, viz. by a plentiful spit∣ting of blood, and after by a breathing Sweat: but from that time his spittle remitted much of the usual stench, and something of its saltness; and when in a short time af∣terwards the last and most painful invasion of spitting blood threatned him, that usual presage from stench of breath was wanting; but the subsequent spitting of blood being very plentiful, did so dcebilitate his strength, that from that time declining sensibly, he expired within a month: and when a little before his decease, by reason of a sharp pain in his side, a Vein was breathed, his blood seemed to fail so, that almost none streamed out. Moreover in his body dissected after death very little quantity of blood was found: nor could they find any footsteps of the other most notable Symptoms, viz. spitting of blood and of the stinking breath and spittle; for there was no colle∣ction of any filth or stinking and putrid matter, nor any cavity in the Lungs made by an Ulcer or Wound; but only one lobe of this bowel, or rather the whole left side was so hardned from a scirrhous Tumor, that the blood could not easily or but very little pass through the frame being so obstructed, and as it were stony: wherefore it is no marvel, if the blood that should have passed most swiftly through the Lungs, did now and then burst out in some place from the vessels, which were joined together, or suffered not a circulation by reason of the Schirrosity.

Notwithstanding here a greater difficulty ariseth,* 1.16 viz. whereas his Lungs were found altogether free from any Ulcer or notable wound, whence that most dire stench of spit∣tle and breath, always a forerunner and companion of the bloody spittle (the last inva∣sion of this disease only excepted) proceeded. We have in another place given re∣marks upon all these things, as that Ulcers of the Lungs and the purulent spittle of con∣sumptive persons seldom or never stink, but the matter cast out of an Imposthume of the Lungs doth frequently stink: but that in the sick Doctor the Lungs being free from either affect, breathed out so horrible a breath, the reason will best of all appear, if we inquire of the manner and cause of a stench in general. For we observe this to be excited when the impure Sulphur is dissolved either by a lixivial, or an acid Salt, and is precipitated by the other. Let common Sulphur, or Sulphur of Antimony be dissol∣ved by Oil of Tartar or Stygian water; afterwards if you pour on this solution a disso∣lution of fixed Salt, and upon that, Vinegar, a most hideous stench will arise. In like manner we may conceive in the case proposed, that the sulphureous particles of the blood being very impure, were corroded by the fixt Salt, with which its juice abounded very much; afterwards when the acid humor, having endured a flux, re∣flows from the nervous parts into the mass of blood, it precipitates the dissolved Sul∣phur, and so causes that stench to be exhaled from the Lungs, and whilst it forces the blood into a turgency, a little after it compels to a spitting of blood. I have known some endued with a breast firm enough, and free from all Coughs and consumptive dis∣position, who have for the most part breathed out a most hideous stench: which could proceed from no other cause, besides what even now we have observed. The impure blood abounding with Sulphur dissolved with Salts, if perhaps while it is rarified with∣in the Lungs, and loosned in its frame, it meets with an acid humor, it will exhale in breathing putrid and horrid effluvia's. It happens by the like reason of the blood otherwise disposed, that as the breath of some persons is very stinking, so of others ve∣ry sweet. And indeed the breath or air reciprocated through Respiration, for that it carries out with it the effluvia's of blood highly rarified within the Pracordia, one while disperses a grateful vapor, another while a most unpleasant.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Electuaries.
• * 1.2

  Lohochs.
• * 1.3

  The second Indi∣cation.
• * 1.4

  The first inten∣tion in respect of the blood.
• * 1.5

  A Purge.
• * 1.6

  Alteratives.
• * 1.7

  Decoctions.
• * 1.8

  A distilled water.
• * 1.9

  The second in∣tention respects the Lungs.
• * 1.10

  The first Hi∣story.
• * 1.11

  The reason of the case.
• * 1.12

  A Drink.
• * 1.13

  The Electuary.
• * 1.14

  The Julep.
• * 1.15

  The second Hi∣story.
• * 1.16

  The reasons of the case.