Diureticks.

I. THe Origins of many Diseases happen for want of a due separation of the Serum: but as to this separation, seeing there are faults of divers kinds, the offence is for the most part either in defect or excess: for sometimes the Serum does too pertinaciously adhere to the Blood; and on the contrary, sometimes it parts too soon from it, and in this regard the Blood being not able to contain the Serum doth spue it out of the mouths of the Arteries in many places and almost every where; and so depositing it in the viscera or the habit of the Body, procures an ascites or anasarca, and sometimes sending it off immoderately to the Kidneys it cau∣ses a diabetes. When the Blood is too tenacious of the serum, for the most part it is either over hot through a Fever, having its compages too strict, and the thicker Particles so incorporated with it, that the thinner cannot easily get therefrom; or being filled with scorbutick Salt and Sulphur, it becomes very clammy and tenacious, so that the serosities do difficultly slide out of the embraces of the rest. And seeing the departure of the serum from the Blood is hindred or perverted so many ways, Diu∣retick Medicines also are of a different Nature and Operation, which yet may be distinguished 1. as to the End, according to which they respect the mass of Blood, or the Kidneys, or both together; 2. as to the Matter, in which respect they are either Sul∣phureous or saline: And these again are various, according as the saline Particles are in a state of fixity, fluor, or volatility; or are moreover nitrous or alkalizate: 3. As to the Form, these Page  739 Medicines are of divers kinds, Drinks, Pow∣ders, &c.

II. When the Blood, through an incorporation and mutual combination of the fixed Salt with the Sulphur and Earth, becomes so thick and tenacious, that the watry Particles do not easily part from the rest, the Diureticks which may loosen its com∣pages and fuse the serum, must be of such a sort, as are endued with a volatil or an acid Salt; for such Particles do chiefly dissolve the combination that the fixed Salt has entred into: And seeing this dispo∣sition is common both to the Fever and Scurvy, in the former the most proper Diureticks are both the temperate acids of Vegetables, and also the Salt of Nitre, the spirit of Sea-salt, of Vitriol, &c. likewise those endued with a volatil Salt, as the spirit of Hartshorn, of Sal Armoniack, the Salt of the juice of Vipers. In a scorbutical Disposition, when the Urine is both little and thick, the juices of Herbs, and both acrimonious and acid Prepara∣tions are of notable use: also the salt and spirit of Urine,* of Sal Armon. of Tartar, &c.

III. Sometimes the Blood keeps not its serum long enough within its compages, but being subject to flu∣xions or rather coagulations, and depositing the serum here and there in great plenty, it raises Ca∣tarrhs or Tumours in divers places: Or the Blood being habitually weak and withal dyscratick or in∣temperate, namely inclining to sowrness, is apt to coagulate as to its thicker Particles; so that in the circulation the thinner being thrown off every where, and falling upon the weaker Parts, cause sometimes Cephalick or Thoracick Distempers, sometimes an Ascites or Anasarca; and from a like cause we think a Diabetes also springs: For many dangerous Diseases, which are mistakingly ascribed to the dyscrasies of the Viscera, arise from this cause: namely inasmuch as the Blood being of an evil temper, and liable to coagulations, cannot conti∣nue the thread of the circulation entire, but in divers places deposits the Serum that is too apt to depart from it. The Diureticks to be administer'd in this case are such as do not fuse the Blood, but take away its coagulations, as are those endued with a fixt, volatil, and also an alkalizate Salt; moreover those that strengthen and restore the Fer∣ment of the Kidneys, as some sulphureous and spi∣rituous. For these purposes are sulphureous, and mixt Diureticks, the lixivial Salts of Herbs, Shell-Powders, the Salt and Spirit of Urine, &c. Hog-lice, the roots of Horse Rhadish, the seed of Smal∣ledge, Nutmeg, Turpentine and its Preparations, the spirit of Wine, the vertue of all which is not to fuse the Blood, and to precipitate the Serosities out of its mass (these things acids chiefly do, and in those cases often hinder making water) but to dissolve the coagulations of the Blood, so that its compages recovering an intire mixture, and being circulated more quickly through the Vessels, it resorbs the Serum that was every where extrava∣sated and deposited, and at length delivers it to the Kidneys to be sent off. We shall shew after∣wards how the Diureticks of every kind ope∣rate according to these two almost opposite ends of curing.

IV. As to saline Diureticks, we must know, that what Salts soever of a different state are mixed to∣gether, do catch hold of one another, and by and by are joined together; and while they are so combined, that other Particles which are loose from the mixture, do retire by themselves or fly away. This is seen when a fluid or acid Salt is joyned to a fixed or alkalizate; also when a fluid or fixed is put to a volatil or acrimonious. From this affection alone of the Salts does all the matter of all Solutions and Precipitations whatsoever de∣pend. Wherefore seeing the Blood and Humours of our Body abound with very much Salt, which uses to be diversly changed from one state to ano∣ther, and thereupon to acquire a morbid disposition; and seeing moreover there are divers kinds of saline Diaphoreticks, namely such as are endued with a fixt, fluid, nitrous, volatil and alkalizate Sal•, there will always be need of the great discretion and judgment of the Physician, that the saline Par∣ticles in the Medicine differ from those in our Body▪ In what manner this should be done, we will set forth by running through all the kinds of saline Diureticks.

1. Amongst the Diureticks imbued with an acid Salt, are the Spirits of Salt or Nitre; also the juice of Lemons and Sorrel, White Rhenish Wine and Cy∣der are of greatest note with the vulgar, and of∣ten perform that intention: For these alone fuse the Blood and precipitate it into serosities, as when an acid is poured into boiling Milk: But this happens not alike to all, nor equally to every one. In an healthful constitution the Salt of the Blood is partly fixed, and partly nitrous, and partly volatil: Also in some Scorbutical and Dropsical it becomes commonly fixt: wherefore in all these cases Diure∣ticks endued with an acid Salt are given with suc∣cess. But in catarrhous Distempers and in some Dropsical and Scorbutick, when the saline-fixed Particles of the Blood are promoted to a state of fluor, and the volatil are depressed (as often hap∣pens) acetous Remedies use to do more hurt than good, inasmuch as they yet more pervert the Blood that is already degenerated from its right crasis: So that Medicines endued with a fixed or volatil Salt will be more profitable for these: As for example: Take of choice white Tar∣tar, of Crystallum Minerale of each a Drachm and half, of Crabs Eyes a Drachm; make a Powder, the Dose whereof is from half a Drachm to two Scruples, in a fit vehicle, repeating it once in six or eight hours.

2. That Medicines endued with a fixed or lixi∣vial Salt provoke Urine, appears plainly enough from the vulgar and empirical Remedy that is wont to be given for the cure of Dropsies; namely it is usual in an Anasarca, and sometimes in an Ascites, when the Bowels or Flesh swell very much by a collection of Water, to give to drink a Lye made of the ashes of Wormwood, Broom or Bean-stalks infused in White-wine; whereupon it often hap∣pens that there follows a plentiful Pissing, and the Disease is cured. Yet I have observed that in some that Remedy has not proved Diuretick, and has ra∣ther increased than cured the Dropsical disposition; the reason whereof if it be inquired, appears from what has been said above, That lixivial Salts do not fuse or precipitate either Milk or Blood, and therefore are not Diuretick in their proper Na∣ture: nevertheless that effect sometimes follows, inasmuch as a fixed Salt being taken plentifully destroys the energie of an acid and coagulative Salt prevailing in the Blood; so that the Blood, being before too apt to be fused, and not able to retain its Serum, but throwing it off in every place, does by the advent of a fixed Salt re∣cover its due crasis, and therefore resorbing the extravasated Serum and conveying it continually to the Kidneys, causes a plentiful Pissing. As for Example: Take of the Salt of Tartar or Wormwood two Drachms, of Coral calcin'd to whiteness a Drachm and half; of Nutmeg half a Drachm; make a Powder, of which the Dose is to two Scruples.

3. For the same reason as a fixed Salt, is some∣times also a volatil given with success for pro∣voking Urine in an acetous dyscrasie of the Blood: namely inasmuch as its Particles being admitted into the Blood, destroy the preva∣lence of the fluid Salt therein; whereupon the Blood recovering its due mixture, and being freed from Coagulation and Catarrhs, resorbs all the Serum that is extravasated, and delivers what is superfluous, to the Reins, to be sent Page  740 off by the Ureters. To this class of Diureticks ought to be referr'd not only the pure and unmixt v•latil Salt drawn from Animals or Mi∣nerals by Distillation, but also the integral parts of Animals and Vegetables, (such as are the acrimonious Powders and Extracts of Insects and Vegetables.)

4. Nitre appears to be a certain kind of Salt, yet it is different from any other Salt, and is neither acid, nor fixt, nor volatil, but as it were in the mean betwixt both states. Thus far it partakes of a volatil Salt, that while it is made, when it should be lixiviated with the ashes and joined with the fixed Salt, it acquires a certain concretion: moreover when it is melted, it is presently set on a flame and flies away upon throwing any kind of Sulphur upon it. But in this respect it communi∣cates with a fixed Salt, that being melted in a Cru∣cible it endures a long and it may be a perpetual fusion without any notable loss of Parts or Particles. Indeed Nitre is that by which all Plants vegetate, all Animals live and breathe, and all sublunary flame or fire is kindled and fed. Now 'tis well enough known, that the Salt of Nitre cools the Blood, and powerfully provokes Urine, but the reason of both effects appears not so clearly; inasmuch as Nitre is so far from containing cooling Particles in it self, that on the contrary nothing is more igni∣parous or a greater breeder of fire. Nor is it less wonderful how this, whose nature is so fiery, should dilute the Blood so, and fuse it into aquosities for procuring Urine. As for my self, I think that Ni∣tre contributes thereto, both as it is a Salt some∣what akin to both a fixed and volatil, and also as it is a thing combustible. As to the first, we observe that Nitre (like fixed and volatil Salts) being put in Milk, does hinder or remove the coagulation thereof; likewise that Blood as yet hot being pou∣red upon this, is preserved from coagulation and discolouring no less than when it is poured upon those: So that the Particles of Nitre being taken inwardly keep the mixture of the Blood intire or restore it, inasmuch as they prevent or take away the fusions and coagulations of the same from which an aestus (or heat) and Ischury often spring. And moreover Nitre, as it is fiery, being taken inwardly cools the burning Blood and provokes urine, inas∣much as by its advent kindling more the flame of the Blood that before was turbid and mixed with smoak, it makes it more clear and pure, and there∣fore more mild: and so seeing the Blood, while it is made by the Nitre to burn more clear, is loo∣sened more in its compages, the serous Particles are easilier disentangled and more plentifully depart from the thicker.

5. 'Tis known that Shell Powders and some Stones, being endued with an Alkalizate or Petrefying Salt, do sometimes provoke Urine, seeing in great Ischu∣ries (or Stoppages of Urine) the Powder of Egg∣shells, of Crabs Claws or Eyes, hath been a pre∣sent Remedy to some: The manner and reason of whose operation if it be inquired, it is very clear that these Medicines do not fuse, nor sensibly preci∣pitate the Blood; and therefore we must say that these things are sometimes Diuretick in an acetous dyscrasie of the Blood and Humours, inasmuch as by their combination they tye and bridle the acid Salts, so that the Blood being freed from fluxions and coagulations, resorbs the extravasated Serum and carries it to the Kidneys.*

V. But Saline Medicines are not only reckoned for Diureticks, but justly also some Sulphureous and spirituous, because these often produce that effect. Most Medicines derived from the Pine or Larch-tree, especially Turpentine and its Preparations, the distilled Oils of Juniper, of Nutmeg, of Wax and other fat things taken inwardly, cause in most a plentiful Urine, and that endued with a violet-like smell. I have known in some hydropical and scorbutick Persons, that the Spirit of Wine and Strong waters, yea generous Wine it self being drunk largely has promoted Pissing; the reason of all which is, that when the Blood being weak, or growing sowr, does not, either through the defect of Fermentation or the dominion of an acid and coagulative Salt, circulate briskly enough and equa∣bly, and so keep the superfluous Serum so long with∣in it self as till it may deliver it to the Kidneys, the foresaid Remedies, by keeping the mixture of the Blood intire, or restoring it when it faulters,* con∣duce to the provoking of Urine.

VI. Helmont in his Treatise of the Stone (c. 5. Sect. 17.) thus distinguishes Diureticks as to their effects: 1. Some sharpen the Urine with a corrosive Poi∣son, as Cantharides; 2. Others provoke an acidity, and leave it in the Urine and raise a Strangury, such as is new Beer or Ale; 3. Others make the Urine abstersive, as acidulae or Mineral waters, Vi∣triolum Martis, Crabs eyes; and also the Herbs that every where are called Diuretick, and do all of them contain a volatil alkali, or at least acquire it in Di∣gestion: 4. Some stimulate the sluggishness of the Archeus, and increase in it the expulsive Faculty, such as are Horse-rhadish, Asperagus, &c. 5. Some refresh the Urine and Kidneys with a grateful smell, as Mace, Nutmeg, Turpentine, Mastich, Juni∣per, &c. as if the Kidneys being comforted by the Odour, became mindful of their office: 6. There are some also which from a lixivial alkali pass un∣der digestion into an acrimony that cleanseth the passages of the Urine, like Soap, and stimulate the expulsive Faculty, and incide the filth that sticks to the passages; of which sort are those which are gathered from Shells and Stones, and the ashes of things appropriate, and which alone seem to deserve the name of Lithontripticks or Stone∣breakers, especially if they be brought into a de∣gree of volatility: 7. There is a kind of Diuretick which in a small quantity pours forth a great deal of Urine from the whole Body, as hog-lice, and what things soever contain a volatil Nitre, and which by their property excite the sluggish Kidneys: 8. There is also a kind which is profitable for al∣laying Pains in the Kidneys, comforting them when they hesitate; such a vertue there is in Saffron, Rhubarb and Cassia, when they are deprived of their loosening quality. I add those also which not only by an abstersive Faculty, but also by a resolutive thrust forward, incide and expel the tartareous dross as well out of the Hypochondres as Kidneys: Thus Spirit of Sea-salt, and of Vitriol are not on∣ly Diuretick, but do moreover dissolve the Tartar and bring it out by the urinary Passages. Seeing therefore there is great diversity of them, they are not every of them alike fit to be administred to every affection and morbifick cause, but the na∣ture of each is to be examined more accurately. Thus in the Dropsie we fitly use those which are properly called Diureticks, which make the Urine abstersive, and incide the filth that sticks to the Passages, and by their acrimony excite the expul∣sive Faculty: but those are not to be used here which yield much watriness. Likewise Diureticks properly so called are good when there stick thick tartareous Humours in the Hypochondres and all the Veins; for these can attenuate, resolve, ab∣sterge and send them forth by Urine. The morbi∣fick cause also is to be well examin'd; for we must first lessen its plenty through other places of excre∣tion, lest whil'st it rushes into the narrow Veins it obstruct them. If there be acrimonious, salt and other sowr Humours present in the Body, their acrimony is first to be mitigated or contemper'd, either by specifick digestives, or other appropriate Precipitants, lest they affect the rest of the Parts in their passage. If lastly the urinary Passages also and other adjacent Vessels be either exulcerated or inflamed, or labour under some such Distemper, Page  741 the vitious Humours stagnating in the Body are not fitly moved by Diureticks to these affected and weak parts, unless the matter of the Ulcers be withdrawn both by Clysters and Catharticks. When the viscera are obstructed, unless the Diure∣ticks be of that nature as to open, and absterge the Humours withal, they will procure a greater mis∣chief to the Sick, and often do so prejudice the Bowels appointed for Concoction, that a Cachexie after a while ensues.* See an example in Horstius in Epist. Med. s. 8.

VII. It is to be noted, that all Diureticks are not indifferently convenient in any distemper or Hu∣mour, for the benefiting of the sick by provoking Urine: but one is to be used in one Disease or of∣fending Humour, and another in another. Some indeed are good for bringing out Choler, and o∣thers phlegm offending, by Urine: Proper for Choler are the juice of Citron, the emulsion of Barley, Straw-berries, the Spirit of Salt, the Salt of Tartar vitriolated, &c. and for Phlegm, amongst Chymical Medicines, the volatil Salt of Urine, and otherwise all volatil Salts, the distilled oils of Ju∣niper-berries, of Amber, &c. yea and also the A∣cids commended just now for choler, because they no less alter-Phlegm (yea Acids drive it forth by Urine) than do Aromaticks and such as consist of a volatil Salt, as experience alone has taught us: yet the latter are for the most part observed to be the better, and fitter for restoring health, seeing they not only correct Phlegm, but also preserve the Cho∣ler in its natural state:* But Acids though they in∣cide Phlegm and promote its passing out by Urine, yet they do withal infringe Choler, and carry it from its natural state, and in that respect hurt.

VIII. Diureticks are most proper in those Disea∣ses that are firmly rooted, and have their founda∣tion in a Tartareous Saline Dross, in which it is pro∣fitable to evacuate by little and little the occasio∣nal cause of the Disease by the Urinary passages. Thus in the Hypochondriack and Scorbutick we empty out of the Body those Tartareous Humours, and preternatural Salts tinged with a Scorbutick ferment and springing from depraved digestions; I say we empty these out of the Body more fitly by degrees by Diuretick aperitives, otherwise called Antiscorbuticks,* which withal saturate the force of the excited Salts, than by bare Sudorificks or Purgers only.

IX. By what means do Diureticks provoke U∣rine, and together with it drive forth the pituitous and serous Humour, seeing they differ very much one from another both in taste and smell, and other sen∣sible qualities? That this may the more easily ap∣pear, we must know, that we here speak proper∣ly of those Diureticks that draw forth serous and Phlegmatick Humours abounding in the Body; wherefore the reason of that superfluity is first to be considered, which is seldom one alone, but most often manifold. For Serum or Phlegm abound in the mass of Blood, either because they are not separated from it, or because they are produced in so great plenty, that they cannot be sufficiently separated and discharged from it. If the Serum or Phlegm (pituita) be not separated from the mass of Blood, I think that happens not so much through the fault of the Kidneys as of the mass of Blood it self, yea all the fault that is sometimes observa∣ble in the Kidneys, is for the most part to be de∣duced from the same mass of Blood, seldom from their own primary fault, which then is to be de∣duced chiefly from external cold, or heat. Now the separation of the Serum and Phlegm from the Blood, fails for the most part through a more inti∣mate conjunction and union of the parts of the Blood than was fitting, whence there uses to be separated and expelled not only less Urine, but less also of the contents that use to be separated and expelled together with the Urine, when they abound in the Body and all things are well. And that more intimate union of the parts of the Blood through which neither the Serum,* nor other things to be separated with it can be separated or expel∣led, happens, according to my hypotheses, through an acid, sometimes and more seldom through a more pure salt Lye in the Body, whence there is a more intimate conjunction and union of all the parts of the Blood.

X. Whether ought Diureticks precede the use of Sudori∣ficks? We must know that sweat may sometimes be provoked without provoking Urine, especially when the Humours are only contained in the ex∣treme Vessels: But it is far safer if Diureticks precede, first, Because the Physician does not cer∣tainly know whether the serous Humours are re∣tained in the greater Vessels,* or only in the ex∣treme. Secondly, Because it is easier to provoke Urine than sweat, and we must always begin with the easier.

XI. We must note by the way, that as sweat does not always presently follow the use of Sudorificks; so there does not always presently follow an ex∣cretion of much Urine and such as is full of vicious Humours, upon the taking of Diureticks: The reason whereof is manifest; for when the vicious Humours are not apt or disposed for separation and consequently for expulsion, there ought to pre∣cede such a preparation of them as is requisite to it, that is, a kindly separation and secretion,* upon the performance whereof there readily follows an expulsion of them: Now most Diureticks prepare for excretion, and separate the vitious Humours no less than expell them.

XII. Diureticks have a notable faculty to sepa∣rate from the mass of Blood the vitious Humours that are more intimately mixed therewith, and to prepare them for some manner of excretion: wherefore amongst Diureticks those are always to be chosen which have moreover a faculty to correct the offending Humour. That I may now omit those Medicines which are vulgarly known, I here greatly commend the sweet Spirit of Salt and Nitre as the most agreeable for correcting Choler that is more Acrimonious and encreases the burning,* as al∣so for glutinous Phlegm, and is withal Diuretick.

XIII. Amongst the ways of evacuation Diuresis (or purging by Urine) is of the greatest profit; for by its use and help such Diseases are often cu∣red, as neither Purging nor Bleeding nor other e∣vacuation could root out. And this is universal, and is reckoned among the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or common evacuations by*Galen; and though it purge primarily the gibbous or upper side of the Liver, the Kidneys, Bladder, and the Vessels that belong to these, and evacuate the watry and serous Humour; yet by a certain consequence it may purge the other parts of the Body also and all both Veins and Arteries. Nor does it only purge forth that part of the Serum which like a vehicle hath carried the aliment to the parts, and having done its office tendeth to the urinary passages and is by them expelled, but together with the Serum Tartare∣ous Salt and other Acrimonious Humours: Hereby the viscera are freed from many impurities where∣with they abound; superfluous Tartareous Hu∣mours being incided and attenuated are exhausted, the whole mass of Blood is restored to its integrity and the constitution of the Body is rendred firm and temperate: so that by this sort of evacuation,* what is fitting being premised very many Diseases use to be cured.

XIV. The time of the Disease fittest for the Diu∣resis is either universal, or particular. They com∣monly say that the Humours are first to be prepa∣red; and that it is not convenient in the begin∣ning of the Disease, nor in the augment, when the matter being as yet crude would rather be agita∣ted than evacuated; but in the declension, rarely Page  742 in the state. But this opinion being understood of Diureticks taken generally and indifferently, fails greatly: For there are Diureticks that are withal digestives, which by strengthning the fer∣ments of the viscera do powerfully resolve the mor∣bous excrements that they meet with in their way, do open obstructions, attenuate thick Humours, drink up acids, bridle the ebullition of the Blood, and by making the Urine abstersive expel the Tar∣tareous Mucilage, such as are D. Mabius's tinctura a∣peritiva, Spiritus Martis striat. Arcanum tartari soluti, Sal Martis aperitivum diureticum, &c. These indeed may be given with great benefit, and may be born well by the Sick in any term of the Disease especially chronical, what is convenient being premised, and strengthning Cordials used between whiles: But such as are not of this sort, but do only plentifully eliquate the Urine, and have an attenuating facul∣ty joyned with a watriness, especially the stronger hot ones, are not convenient till the matter be concocted or digested, and the impetus and fury of the morbifick matter allayed: But the former may be good even when the matter is as yet crude, as Galen himself teaches, who before con∣coction gives a decoction of Smalledge and Dill, (1 ad Glauc. c. 9.) For they concoct the crude Hu∣mours, and make a separation of them from the mass of Blood, and expel them by Urine; they cause the morbifick matter to follow Nature, and themselves emulate Nature. Whence also we see, that in Fevers as well continual as intermitting, af∣ter we have used them, the Urine that was crude becomes concocted, and the febrile heat and other Symptoms remit. Where yet we must note from Galen (Meth. Med. c. ult.) that if there be plentiful matter in the first wayes, we may first use Loosen∣ers: in which case I also am of opinion that 'tis best to mix Diureticks and Looseners together.*

XV. Such Diureticks may be safely given to In∣fants, Children, Women that are with Child or are Lying in, as consist of an abstersive vertue from an alkali, and by their kindly acrimony incide and purge out the filth of the Urinary wayes, such as the stone of Perches, Crabs-Eyes, lapis Judaicus, Ne∣phriticus, Spongiae, the Stones of Fruits and their ashes. Hot and dry Bodies are not long nor vehemently to be forced to Purge by Urine by hot Diuretick De•octions, seeing fr•m their use an Inflammation of the Liver, a Fever and an extenuation of the whole Body may follow. On the contrary, the fat, the cold, such as have a soft and loose Skin, and abound with a watry Humour and thin juices, are ve•y fit to be purged by Urine.*

XVI. Those who use Diureticks in such as abound wi•h crudities, for the most part hurt the Sick, be∣cause very often crudity does more in prohibiting than indicating: I say often, not alwayes, because whilst the Urine is detained in the upper parts and is altogether suppressed, although there be great crudity, yet nevertheless we have recourse to the most powerful Diureticks,* such as Canthari∣des.

XVII. We must never deal with Diureticks, espe∣cially such as are veh•ment, in passions of the Reins or Bladder that depend on much juice, before the whole Body be purged, and there be made the greatest revulsion by vomit that may be, and deri∣vation to the intestins, and that is to be done by Medicines that are mild and are void of a malig∣nant quality (not so far as that they have nothing of an attractive:) Because those which purge vio∣lently, do also provoke Urine and the Terms; and even upon this account cause Abortions, as justly seemed to Averrces. For if while the Body is full of bad juices a Diuretick be given, and that be weak or moderate, it will certainly cause the ex∣crements to flow together towards the ways affec∣ted, and to be heaped and crammed up there, by which means they will be the less apt to go forth: And if a violent one be given, so that it is able to break through this stoppage also, the same will also have the power to exulcerate, whereby it will ex∣ulcerate the Stomach and Intestines before it come at the place affected, and so will irritate both the upper and lower part of the Belly, and also by the pain that it causes will call excrements to the Bel∣ly; and it will come to pass, that what was given as a Diuretick, will by accident act the part of a Vomit or Purge, but with great mischief to the Pa∣tient,* seeing it does not Purge by an attractive fa∣culty, but corrupts by an exulceratory.

XVIII. After the tryal of Medicines of all sorts for 29 years, I have hardly observed, that Diure∣ticks, which quickly pass through by Urine, do e∣vacuate excrements more than usual: And let the Readers know, that there are no Medicines which so purge by Urine, as there are that purge by stool. Because that is said to be Diuretick which moves by Urine, I see not why a Diuretick should carry with it such things as ought to be Purged: For Mineral Waters are called Diuretick, because they themselves pass; nay there are rarely found Diu∣reticks which are altogether and wholly evacuated by Urine: For if any one drink ten pints of Mine∣ral Waters, and there pass out by Urine, nine or ten pints, such will be esteemed very good Diure∣ticks: but we say not so of purging Physick, be∣cause half a scruple of diagridium will evacuate an Hundred scruples and more of excrements. The same we say of other things, for the smell of Aspe∣ragus passes by Urine, but it carries little or nothing with it of other excrements; yea the Spanish Fly that provokes Urine the most strongly, causes heat by driving forth only a few drops of Urine, and not any great quantity of it or other excrements. It would be indeed a great happiness if such Diure∣ticks were to be had in the Shops,* as would eva∣cuate by Urine not only themselves, but more o∣ther excrements contained in the Veins, because they would expeditely overcome all those evils that are contained in the Veins.

XIX. The continued use of Diureticks,* as if they be taken Morning, Noon and Night, doth encrease their vertue and efficacy.

XX. Diureticks ought not to be mixed with meats. I do not indeed reject Pottage of Roots, Herbs and other aperitives, but yet they must not be supt at Dinner, but an hour or two before: for if they be mixed with other meats, it is to be fear∣ed they will hurry the undigested chyle along with themselves. How great their vertue is, Pi∣graeus (lib. 10. cap. 20.) speaking of the Spaw-Wa∣ters shews, viz. that they hurry along with them whatsoever they meet with, even Anniseed comfits themselves whole. A Citizen of Friburg being ta∣ken with a stoppage of Urine, and suffering great pains for some dayes, and having taken many things in vain, at length, having first purged, took Crab-fish stamped with Winter-Cherries, whereby Urine was so provoked,* that the stones of the Winter-Cherries were expelled with this Urine, and that not without the greatest pain and torment.

XXI. We must note concerning the cold Seeds, that their Diuretick vertue resides most in their husks, for the pulp doth moisten and nourish.*

XXII. We must learn from Galen that when our intention is to provoke Urine, the Remedies are to be taken with Sugar or Honey: Therefore As∣clepiades saith,* that a Remedy of Cichory or Endive (prescribed on account of the Liver) provokes U∣rine because it is made up with Honey: The same we may think of Sugar.

XXIII. I will open the safest way to use Canthari∣des by infusion: Let a scruple of Cantharides being powdered be infused in three or four ounces of Rhenish Wine or Brandy, and let it stand in Infu∣sion for some dayes, then filtre it through brown Paper that nothing of the substance of the Canthari∣desPage  [unnumbered] be mixed with the Liquor: Mix one spoonful of the strained Liquor in seven of Wine or Beer; and of this mixture give to drink the first day one Spoonful, the second two, and so on. In a virulent Gonorrhoea, suppression of Urine and the Stone, Mr. Dr. Jac. Franc. Kotzone found a good success of this prepared Potion.* Chymists write truly, that Salt is the chief Diuretick, hence Cantharides most pow∣erfully provoke Urine, for they are endued with an acrimonious volatil caustick Salt that is meltable in the Urine, which being received into the Vessels does therefore so stimulate in the Reins and Blad∣der,* as both to erode, and cause a Bloody Urine.

XXIV. Volatil Salts being taken for continuance, even together with meat, bring Phlegm down to the Kidneys, and carry it out with the Urine; inasmuch as they not only incide and correct gluti∣nous Phlegm, but drive forward part thereof to the wayes of Urine, and expel it in the form of se∣diment, which yet fails in the Urine by little and little, and in that very respect yields an undoubt∣ed sign that the greatest part of the Phlegm is cor∣rected and overcome: Which I would have to be taken notice of here for the sake of the Juniors, because there are some Seniors, who being less versed in the preparation of the more powerful volatil Salts, and therefore also less accustomed to observe their virtues, do make slight of them not without some suspicion of envy:* Thus many find fault with those things they do not understand, nor will be at the pains to learn.

XXV. Let Tartar with its off-spring carry the Bell amongst Diureticks, and let it be of the choi∣cer sort, and as if it had been crystallized of it self: what hinders why it should not be given washed only, (as we have long and securely used to do even with the shining red) without any depuration (invented by some Mens too great officiousness) which manifestly carries away the most subtil part (as the remaining water that serves for the solution of many things teaches) but not wholly the arenosi∣ties: or if any fear some feculency (which yet is very full of volatil Salt) let him depurate it only once and that warily, (as it commonly comes un∣der the name of Acidum Tartari) without the vain affectations or separate repositions of the white,* cream or crystals (that are indeed indifferent.)

XXVI. The Roots of crude Asarum, though they cause Vomit with great anxiety; yet being boiled in water and not in Wine, they are changed into a deoppilative Diuretick and a Remedy for slow Fevers, which shews that there is an aroma hid therein: To this as to the only Remedy did D. Oheimius fly in long continued Fevers that depend∣ed on inveterate obstructions of the Hypochon∣dres.*

XXVII. Now amongst Diureticks I observe that two sorts are recommended by Authors, some more gentle that bring no force upon the Body; and others more violent, which finding no noxious Humours in the Body to act or put forth their vertue upon, or that may also blunt them, do bring harm to the Body, yea expel pure Blood (and sometimes the Soul with it) together with the Urine; and therefore these are dangerous and su∣spected by me, and I think we should neither use them rashly nor often. Amongst these are first the Scorpion, the ashes whereof, being burnt, are given in Wine, even according to the Ancients, to pro∣voke Urine. Secondly, Hog-lice, whose juice they give pressed out with Wine. Thirdly, Cantharides, whose use is frequent enough in a virulent Gonorrhoea (See their preparation § 23.) Fourthly, May worms that are black,* very stinking and powerfully provoke Urine in the Feet-gout.

XXVIII. But we must note that these latter Diureticks are not so proper for bringing out by Urine Humours abiding in the Blood or other∣where, as for expelling the Urine already separa∣ted: so that the gentle Diureticks are more uni∣versal and to be used in all cases; these latter more particular and more proper in some certain Distempers: These latter, inasmuch as they some∣times drive forth pure Blood instead of Humours from the Blood, or offend otherwise, are deserved∣ly reputed dangerous Medicines, and therefore not to be used but with great, continual and pru∣dent caution: yet they may be sometimes (but prudently) used where the more gentle have been given in vain, and where a great malady urgeth; always attending to the effect, which as long as 'tis good, their use may be persisted in,* but assoon as the least hurt is observed, we must cease from their further use.