Platerus golden practice of physick: fully and plainly discovering, I. All the kinds. II. The several causes of every disease. III. Their most proper cures, in respect to the kinds, and several causes, from whence they come. After a new, easie, and plain method; of knowing, foretelling, preventing, and curing, all diseases incident to the body of man. Full of proper observations and remedies: both of ancient and modern physitians. In three books, and five tomes, or parts. Being the fruits of one and thirty years travel: and fifty years practice of physick. By Felix Plater, chief physitian and professor in ordinary at Basil. Abdiah Cole, doctor of physick, and the liberal arts. Nich. Culpeper, gent. student in physick, and astrology.

The Causes.

In all the foremention'd kinds of Sleep and Stupidity with Languishing, Convulsion or Rigor it must needs be that the Brain is affected whenas all motion and sense proceed from that. Neither here as they would have it, are the Functions diversely weakend, as the former, middle or hinder Ventricles of the Brain are hurt; nor as the Brain is affected before or behind, whenas the substance of the Brain doth on every part perform its Functions, but as it is more or less hurt, it looseth more or fewer Functions. For if the hurt be great so affecting

the Brain that all the senses be abolisht, then it must needs be that motion also doth cease; other Functions in the interim remaining, which the Brain is not the cause of, as the Pulse which the Heart yeids; and when∣as the motion of breathing is partly Natural, partly Voluntary, and therefore doth proceed from the Or-Organs of both motions, both the Midrif and Lungs, tis no wonder, that that also, if the Brain be very much hurt, so that all Voluntary motion do cease as it comes to pass in the Apoplectical the Midrif or Muscles of the Breast then contributing nothing to Motion, but the Lungs only after a sort moving themselves stil, and whils they are dilated and filled with Air, which they do by their prover Natural motion, a little lifting up the Breast) do a little while Persevere, but very much hinderd and difficult, so that unless that hurt of the Brain do speedily cease, the Patient must needs be choaked breathing being wholly taken away; but when volun∣tary motion is not wholly taken away with the senses, that then respiration doth remain still more free. But if the Brain be affected with a less affect compared to the former, by which the senses are only opprest as in a sleepiness or gentle Stupidity, then motion, though it do rest a little by reason of Sleep and Consternation, yet ne∣vertheless it doth persevere; or if this come to pass only by reason of the spirits of the Brain only extravagant, as shall be said in a Convulsion and Catalepsis that motion doth also continue, and they sooner return to them∣selves; as shall be explained how this comes to pass, in the Particular causes from which these proceed. But the causes of all Consternation of Minde that happen are, either some offect so hurting the Brain (which gives Sense and Motion) by it self or by consent that these its Functions do more or less fail; as are Distemper, Repletion from a fleg∣matick or sanguine Humor: some eminent hurt; a Tumor, a distemper of the Brain proceeding from a Vapor or Malignant quality; or a defect of the Animal spirits of the Brain; of all which causes and their effects we will now treat in Par∣ticular.

A cold Distemper only without mat∣ter altering the Brain, * 1.1 because it is wont to hurt the Functions, may make it Stupid. And if it be Moist too, which is seldom without mat∣ter, it may also cause Immoderate Sleep; as somtimes by Reason of Age or the continuance of a Disease, a distemper left in the Brain, doth make men perpetually Prone to Sleep or as it was said in the Weakness of the Minde more dul; which we have taught doth happen rather by reason of Weakness then Cold∣ness.

Or induced by other causes, especially from the cold external Air, the North Wind blowing, outwardly cooling the Head, or by the Pores percing to the Brain, it may cause a great Stupidity.

They write also that a watchful Stupidity or Catalepsis may arise from a Cold and dry distemper congealing the Spi∣rits: but whenas the Spirits cannot be congealed, or if they could be, then a greater Stupidity would follow, we cannot at all allow of this.

That Convulsions are somtimes caused from Dryness which they call Inanition is a common opinion, which doth not happen in this Convulsion, but in a Particular one as we shall there explaine.

Flegm is very often the cause of Sleep and Supidity (un∣der which Name we comprehend all the Watery, Cold and Moist Excrements of the Brain) which immode∣rately heaped up within the Skul (as the Brain doth ever and a non heap up such things, from Flegmatick blood varried up to it. and the weakness of the part) if it be supprest and flow not forth through the passages ap∣pointed for it, then if it perfuse the substance of the Brain with a large humor, and cool it, it causeth a Carus. Or if by its long impulse it so moisten the same, that that great bulk of the Brain becoming more soft and lax, do suddainly flow abroad and sink and press the original of the Nerves at the basis of the Skul procee∣ding from the Brain, and stop the passage of the Animal spirit, it procures a grievous Apoplexy. As when Flegm doth suddainly fill the Ventricles or Cavities of the Brain, not by obstructing, whenas the Animal Spirit is not seated in them but every where in the substance of the Brain and Nerves, neither doth it pass through the Ventricles but after the same manner by oppressing the basis of the Brain, it may also induce an Apoplexy; the which notwithstanding, if the humor descending from them, do follow the course of the Nerves, may end in a Palsie. That all these things are thus in a Carus and Apoplexy we have learnt from the dead, because this humor hath somtimes flown from their mouths in a plentiful manner. And we have observed also by dili∣gent dissection, that the thick Membrane of the Brain open'd, in some abundance of Humor hath presently lept forth, by the Region of the Head, and descended even to the Breast: and the very substance of the Brain in a certain old Woman which died of an Apoplexy dissol∣ved like to Cream, after the same manner hath run all over her Face. But we know that these affects procee∣ded from the Cause, by the precedent constitution of the Body, especially in old Age, which is Obnoxious to this evil; and from a cold constitution of the season and Air; and because they have first complained of a heaviness in the Head and a weight with slaggishness, darkness of the sight, and also of a want of that accusto∣mary voiding of Flegm by the Nose and Mouth: and because in the dead, of an Apoplexy especially, oft times a great quantity of Flegm flows forth by the said pas∣sages.

From the same Flegmatick Humor obstructing the pas∣sages of the Brain; many have written that as an Apoplexy so also an Epilepsie may be caused; and therefore as in that so in this, that all the senses are abolisht, but do presently return again, because the Brain by concussion, doth speedily shake it of; and then that motion with the senses doth no way cease here, as is an Apoplexy be∣cause the Ventricles are not altogether, but only in part, obstructed, or as others will have it, the former only are obstructed, the hindermost being unhurt, so that a portion of the Spirits may nevertheless pass by to the Nerves. Which though it may be condemned for many things, yet let it suffice to have brought this espe∣cially to destroy this opinion; viz. that if a sufficient quantity of the Animal Spirits did not descend, the Functions of the Brain would rather follow to be im∣pared in sense and motion, then partly abolisht, partly depraved; and that if Flegm were the cause, and that suddainly shaken of from the Brain did flow down, it would induce that Palsie which is wont to follow an Apoplexy for the same Reason.

They teach that Flegm putrifying in the Brain, doth Cause a Lethargie, and a Feaver its companion is kindled from thence: but whenas we have shewed in Feavers that from the Putrefaction of Flegm especially in the Head, that a Feaver can in no wise be kindled; and we find no reason, how the same Flegmatick Humor being putrified, by its coldness can cause a Carus, and by its heat a Feaver, and one and the same thing can be cold and hot, when as contraries are inconsistent in the same subject; we shall assign a far different cause of a Le∣thargie by and by when we treat of a Carus caused by

consent, and that not much different, from the Carus which follows Fevers.

They teach also that flegm not simply but mixt with cho∣ler, doth cause a watchful stupidity or Catalepsis for this reason, Fleam causeth Sleep, Choler, Watchings, and so from the mixture of contrary causes are produced con∣trary effects; which indeed might be, if they were in divers places, but two contraries mixt and confounded in the same subject, do produce a certain middle effect, or rather one compounded of them both, than contra∣ry: for which reason, these causes were found out rather from the effect, than their certain signs, that they might shew by what means at the same time, a man might be stupid and watchful (not sleeep, since tis impossi∣ble to sleep and watch at the same time) and attribute to each its proper humors.

Blood also continued as yet in the ven∣tricles of the brain, * 1.2 as there is at other times a great quantity of it there, so it abounding more yet, if it be more crude, serous, cold, by oppressing the brain may make it more stupid, or by cooling it, may make it sleepy; The which doubless a pain of the head praeceded, and somtimes doth still remain its companion, and this is known by a fulness of blood and redness of the face.

Aetius tels us that from much blood abundantly and sud∣denly overwhelming the substance of the Brain, that Species of a Catalepsis is generated, from which a yong man was freed by a flux of blood from his nose; which flux of blood being often accustomary in solution of Diseases by natures motion, cannot therefore argue this Disease proceeding from blood, for which we shal propound a∣nother cause; as we can neither grant that lighter speci∣es of it, called an Aphony when the voice only is inter∣cepted, to proceed from a fulness of blood inter∣cepting the passage of the animal spirit, as Hollerius writes, for which we shal by and by alleadg another cause. Neither can we allow that an Epilepsie which some also have delivered from plenty of blood possessing the Ventricles of the Brain, and obstructing the passages of the spi∣rits, doth arise from this humor and after this manner. As neither from Blood or a melancholly or Cholerick juyce from which some teach, that species of a Catalepsis is ge∣nerated, which is wont to happen to persons melancho∣lical: and by reason of the coldness and driness of that hu∣mor the spirits to be so congealed, as was said in the like distemper, which we have denied to be for that reason, and from Melancholly we have thought to proceed me∣lancholly accidents rather than those of a Catalepsis un∣less some other cause be joyned, as shall be said; nei∣ther can we by any means admit an Fpilepsie also to arise from the same obstructing the Ventricles as some have spred abroad these opinions: when as the aforementio∣ned affects as lasting no longer, but seazing and ceasing by course have no fixt cause in the Brain, but happen, that being affected only by consent, as shal afterwards be declared.

The Blood carried out of the Vessels, if infused into the sub∣stance of the Brain, it breeds not an Inflammation, and then a Phrensie would follow, but it obstruct the Windings and Ventricles by suddenly filling of them, and it oppress the be∣ginning of the Nerves then it causeth a Stupidity and Apo∣ple y•••• as it often happens a Vein being broke, and that somtimes by reason of a fulness of the Vessels, especially in those in whom some accustomary Haemorrhages of the Courses, Haemrods or Nose are stopt: in whom yet living, and after their death, I have observed that a great quanttity of blood hath broken forth from their mouth and nose, that somtimes I have perswaded my self, that this was the chief cause of an Apoplexy. The same may happen from an external violent cause, as a Con∣tusion of the Brain from a Blow or Fall although the sub∣stance of the Brain be no waies wounded that the blood also may fil up the Cavities of the Brain, and its substance, in those places especially where it is contused; as Wo∣men do daily see comes to pass in the Brain of Buls kil∣led with a Hatchet, whenas they first purge the Brain from the clotted blood, before they boyl it; fromwhence it must needs be that an Apoplexy doth suddenly arise unless the blood presently break forth by the Nostrils, Ears, and other parts or adjoyning passages, as some∣times also it doth; or if the fall be lighter, there follows rather a lighter obstupulesency: though oftentimes also the flux of blood turned into clots and retained a long time if it putrifie it causeth a Phrenzy, Convulsions which before death do follow Lethargies and Apoplexies and kill the Patient.

But also from the same violent external cause, if the substance of the Brain be hurt, by Contusion, or by cutting or pricking, seeing it is a principal part, whose action is then destroyed, it must needs be that an Apoplexy doth suddenly follow. * 1.3 Or if the Skull be only broken thereby or deprest so that it press the Brain lying under it, it hap∣pens also that a Stupidity doth follow. Or if from some stronger force the bulk of Brain rush together and press the begin∣ning of the Nerves, an Apoplexy likewise follows; all which are made manifest from the causes forego∣ing.

A hard preternatural Tumor, * 1.4 affect∣ing rather by its weight, than distem∣per causeth a Stupidity by degrees in∣gendred with the Tumor, but of long continuance: which is hardly disco∣vered till after death the Skull being opened, as was found in Noble Bonecourtius who for some years like to one astonisht as was said before, lay Stupid; viz. a great hard Glandule being generated over a callous bo∣dy with plenty of humor, which watring the Brain, did cause a sleepiness joyned with a Stupidity, as we have formerly expounded this kind. The cause of which might be a blow with which he was struck on the head, although it were done a long time before he fel into the disease; but they being ignorant also of the true causes of a Catalepsis, phancying many other besides those a∣bove mentioned, they have thought also that it might proceed from a Tumor of the Brain. And some also have writ that a Lethargie doth proced from a flegmatick Imposthumation; the which whenas we have formerly shewed, that a Fever could not be caused from any cause lying in the brain, the same we assert cannot happen here: and some also have held that an Abcess may be the cause of it, the which notwithstanding generated in the brain from hot stumors, doth cause rather a Phrensie and Convulsions than a Lethargy A Vapor carried up to the Brain, * 1.5 or heaped up there, may be the cause of immoderate sleep caused by consent if it be carried thi∣ther plentiful and steeming do oppress the spirits, or being crude it do so moisten the brasn, that it becomes languid to perform its actions.

Such a one is raised from plenty of Meat or drink, or from that which is vaporous or more moist; which if they be more moderate, procure that sleep which is wont••o molest men after dinner or supper, especially if they drink Wine as 'tis usually the custom, which we shal by and by shew hath certain narcotick vertue, and the constitution of the brain be moist, as it is in old folks which propension to sleep is customary after meat, the

rest of the body also doth very much further, which af∣ter labour whiles they take their repast, is compleated by sitting stil, and so much the more also inviting the mind to rest by sleep by how much they are longer at dinner or supper, and if the heat of a South Sun be joyned, or of the Country or place as of a hot-house, it helps som∣what, both because heat cals the vapors upwards, and because recreating the wearied bodies, and more aptly disposing them to quiet, it causeth that the mind also is inclined to rest. But immoderate Sleep also may be caus∣ed from the immoderate use of meat and drink or certain nourishments not dulling the brain by a stupefactive quality, but filling of it with many vapors: which is known by this, if after carrousing though not to drunkenness, of which hereafter, or after the use of certain meats, they suffer thus, and afterwards come to them∣selves.

Vapors raised up and and down the body from humors and vaporus and moist excre∣ments are somtimes wont to beget sleep. * 1.6 If they be gathered together in the Sto∣mach or Womb, whence many other dis∣eases of the brain caused by consent do proceed, and somtimes also they induce immoderate sleep, if the brain be troubled with those vapors which is easily known by the affects of those parts, that it proceeds from thence, from Worms putrifying in the Guts, such evaporations sent to the head do often cause sleep especially in Infants: and by the signs of Worms 'tis shewn from whence it proceeds although this sleep is commonly promoted by reason of a Fever accompanying.

The matter intermitting Feavers putrify∣fying in the mesaraick Veins as the most ca∣pacious receptacle of humors corrupting for a light cause by reason of the neerness of the Guts, * 1.7 and the most dangerous fuel of many diseases, being attenuated by heat and carried plentifully up to the head cespe∣cially at the first invasion, breeds this Sleep hapning in some Tertians and Quartans at the beginning of the fit, while coldness yet possesseth them, and the body is not yet through hot, and somtimes it lasteth to the end of the fit. And also in continual Fevers I have often observed that the Brain weaken'd with a long continued and grievous pain foregoing in the vigor or after it, being struck with a Carus following, hath brought the Patient into a great deal of danger. The which also if it happen in the be∣ginning of continual Fevers and by and by, by reason of too much evaporation, this principal part the brain, e∣specially by some means disposed to a Carus, be so wea∣kened, that a heavy sleep do follow, it wil be that Lethar∣gie which is coupled with a continual Fever and presently after invades with it, no otherwise differing from that other Carus which happens in the declination of Fevers, which is also dangerous, but in this that it presently be∣gins with the Fever.

Many assert that from evaporations from the Stomach, Womb, and the rest of the body assailing the brain, an Epi∣lepsy by consent is caused: as also some have written that some species of a Catalepsis doth proceed from Melan∣cholly vapors, and how it is done they variously assign, whenas some of them think it is done by filling up the Ventricles of the brain, or affecting it some other way, or by irritation; the which notwithstanding how it comes to pass by reason of the nervous kind affected, we shal by and by explain.

Somtimes an occult quality by an unknown propriety is wont to be the cause of Sleep and Stupidity of which kind is the narcotick vertue, which acts not by coldness as hath hitherto been beleeved, but by that propriety by which it lulls asleep the senses; and by such medicines taken and entring into the body (although by their smell also they may offend somwhat, * 1.8 but being only applied they scarce work so far as to induce a Stupidity) if they be gentler they cause a sleep not natural but as it were artificial•• but if it work more powerfully stronger things being given, it makes them so stupid, that like to the Apoplectical they lie without sense and motion, and unless they come to themselves they are choaked for want of breath; as we have often found hath hapen'd from the juyce of Poppy and other things, upon which account their use is very dangerous; and also from the immoderate use of Wine; not by reason of the evaporations as some have thought, but by reason of its narcotick vertue, immederate sleep and stupi∣dity also do follow in Drunkards, which makes them no less astonisht, than if they had taken Opium and often kils them: as it happens also from the Liquor extracted from Wine which they call the Spirit of Wine, and by so much the more powerful, as its force is redu∣ced and collected into a narrower compass, by the drinking of which we have seen killed some Infants that drink of it by chance, and some of riper age lying asto∣nisht.

Some venemous things do cause the same effects by a hidden vertue, * 1.9 being outwardly infer'd, by a stroke of certain Beasts, as from the biting of the Asp a deadly sleep fol∣lows, as Plutarch writes in the death of Cleopatra which kind of malignant vertue may be raised also in the body from the humors degenerating into a poyso∣nous quality: in malignant and pestilent Fevers, by whose evaporations the brain infected, may be opprest with a hea∣vy sleep and Lethargie which happens also in an Epilepsie proceeding from thence, towards the end of the fit, that they are longer opprest than with sleep or stupidness; not so much by reason of the brain tired by too much stir∣ring, as because these malignant vapors which before did cause those Epileptical motions by affecting the ner∣vous parts, as shal be said by and by, afterwards weak∣ning the brain do induce a sleep or stupidness for a while, til these vapors are discust, and the fit be ended: which also may happen in a Catalepsis for the like reason, since that it is a certain species of Convulsion.

If the cause of that doting sleep proceed from the Devil with which he deludes Witches 'tis not our task to search out those hidden causes, * 1.10 which the Witches attribute to the oyntments with which they anoint things, by the Devils command, or to Decoctions with which they dream they can cause Hail, and draw Clouds from Heaven: such as Eotis in Apuleins and Homers Circe did prepare by bruising together Garlick Wild Time and stinking Plants which we renounce.

By reason of a defect of animal spirits in the brain, it must needs be also that a stupidity follow, the functions of the brain being taken away; which may happen upon a dou∣ble account, they being either wasted or at leastwise pou∣red forth and extravagant.

The Animal spirits being wasted in the brain, * 1.11 if they were only impaired or too few whence follows a weak∣ness of the brain, its functions also must be weakned, as hath been said in the Weakness of the mind: but if they be altogether, or so far consumed as that not only a weakness of the functions do follow, but a total Oblition of them, there wil be a grievous Apoplexy and suddenly killing the Patient, of which we have oftentimes seen old men die of, and the com∣mon

People still hath believed it caused from a Flegma∣tick Humor; as we see the vital Spirit being impared there follows a want of strength, but being wholly consumed Death.

The Animal Spirits being shed or poured forth from the Brain into the Nerves continuous with the Brain (for they can be extravagant no where else, * 1.12 whenas they can con∣sist no where but in the Brain and Nerves) then it happens that the Internal sense, either all or some do cease, according as a greater or less quantity of them leaves the Brain; but the motive power is no waies abolisht, since as those Spirits do yet persist in the Nerves, neither are the Nerves left destitute of them, as it comes to pass in a resolution, their passage from the Brain to the Nerves being then hinderd: furthermore since that the Animal spirit is contained also in the Nerves, as well as in the Brain, of which they are portions, though the the Functions of the Brain may cease for a while, yet they nevertheless may still for a time exercise the power of moving, which they contain in themselves: the which also we may very well guess doth proceed rather from the Nerves, then the Brain in some creatures, who excel more in motion then in the senses, because they have none or a very little Brain, but a marrow of the Back, large and plentiful, part of which also cut off from the rest, yet nevertheless moves for a while: and this is the true and Legitimate cause, why the senses being abolisht, yet motion nevertheless may persist for a time: in sinding out of which both the ancient and moderne Physitians have so much tormented themselves, and delivered their far different opinions, viz. This effusion of the Spirits into the Nerves: which proceeding chiefly from two causes produceth accidents somwhat diverse, as shall presently be explained.

The first of which is the too much, Vehement, and Perse∣vering operation of the internal Senses by which, as in great passions of the Heart, we see the vital Spirits so carried forth, that thence follows a Fainting away: and so if there be a dissipation of the Animal Spirits into the Or∣gans of the external senses by a more vehement Cogita∣tion and intention upon some thing, it may come to pass that as men astonisht they may be lightly stupid, and either by and by, they returning again they may come to themselves, or if they continue longer, those diverse Species of a Catalepsis may proceed, which we have demonstrated in the explication of the former kinds, to have somtimes happen'd from too much Study, or Love, or some other great affects of the Minde, especially Melancholly (whence it came to pass that many have put a Melancholly juyce as the Cause of a Catalepsis) In which if the Spirits being not wholly poured forth, some por∣tions of them remain in the Brain, some Sences also wil remain, the other ceasing, and as they are poured forth into the Nerves, Motion may also either at least remain, or exercise it self with a rigidness without concussion, if there be no contraction of the nerves as shal be said in an Epilepsie and this seems very likely to be the cause of the diversity of Species of a Catalepsis as we have shewed formerly in diverse Histories of it, yet as also if the spi∣rits be so carried forth, by a violent affect of the Minde, that for awhile they cannot recollect themselves, we have seen them fal down like to the Epileptical their pulse remaining, by which they were distinguisht from those that faint away and some when they made a speech or despute at great meetings, by reason of the too great contention of the Minde and Senses, fear somtimes or shame coming upon them, the Spirits being troubled, have sufferd the like; from whence perhaps because the same was wont to happen for this reason at some mee∣tings, an Epilepsie was called the Comitial Disease. In which vehement motions of the Minde as it may come to pass, so it is commonly believed also that from Anger Convulsions may easily proceed; which opinion happily had its rise, because in those disposed, the fit is by this means promoted: unless perhaps this may happen by the stirring of Choller through Anger, as we shal declare by and by.

But the other and more frequent Cause of pouring out the Spirit into the Nerves, from whence follow the more grievous Symptoms of an Epilepsie and Catalepsis is an irrita∣tion of the Brain: such a one by which its expulsive fa∣culty stirred up, rising to cast of that which is trouble∣some to it, doth together drive forth the Spirits: as Nature every where feeling pain and trouble is wont to thrust Spirits thither, and together with them blood also, oftentimes so powerfully that there follows an in∣flamation of that part which receives them.

Which trouble or irritation of the Brain indeed, they demonstrate to happen rather by consent, and compassion with some part then from its proper effect; because we see Convulsions happen rather from an affect and Disease of another part. Somtimes also far distant from the Brain, then of the Brain it self, as from a Nerve Prickt, or some violent Medicine taken: where as if it did happen from some grievous Disease of the Brain (as indeed it must needs be a grievous Disease, which must induce so vehement a Symptone) the acci∣dents of Convulsions which it causeth, would not so soon remit; as also in other hurts of this principal part, we see there succeeds long continued and lasting symptoms as you see in an Apoplexy: and those affects which hap∣ning to the Nerves do cause Convulsions as a Puncture Inflamation if they were in the Brain would not cause them, but an Apoplexy and Phrensie; although the Brain thus molested by consent also, if the cause of∣fending be great, and follow continually, not only irritating the Brain it self, but also by its vehemency and frequency so hurting it, that it contract also its pro∣per disease, then the contention of Convulsions lasts almost continually, neither do the sick exactly come any more to themselves, or the fit wholly cease, till the Patient be quite dead. Yet it may be also that from the same Cause as we shall by and by speak of that which is Poy∣senous, both the Nervous kind and the Brain hurt together, Convulsions may happen coupled together with other hurts of the Minde,

But that we may find out this part which is first af∣fected, and with which the Brain condoles, if we con∣sider the Symptoms, viz. the inordinate motion and privation of senses, that must be it which hath so great consent with the Muscles exercising voluntary motion, and with the Brain communicating senses, that that being hurt, the Muscles are forced and the Brain ceaseth a while from its Function which we say is that Nervous kind because it proceeds from the Brain and ends in the Mus∣cles, under which Name we understand all the Nerves of the whol Body both within and without the Skul, especially those endued with the sense of feeling and the Nervous parts which are compounded of them, which are of most exquisite sense: the which being so hurt, that the Functions of the Brain are abolisht by sympathy and those of the Muscles augmented, it must needs be that Convulsions follow; which how it comes to pass we will Explain.

The offence of the Nervous kind, not that which weakens its Functions, but that which by bringing trou∣ble to it doth rather stir up its faculty, if it be caused either in one place or more, a Nerve or Nervous part

is affected; and if the offense be great, then the whol nervous kind rising up, whiles it endeavors to shake off that with which tis offended, doth together exagitate the Brain from whence it proceeds, and draws it into con∣sent, so that that also feeling these affects of the Nerves whiles it endeavors to help them to expell the trouble, driving the animall Spirits from it self into the begin∣ning of the Nerves, tis a while left destitute of its Fun∣ctions: no otherwise then we observe somtimes in a Syncope that the Heart without any proper affect of its own, the Spirits wandring for some other cause, doth cease from its Function til they return again. In which effusion of the Spirits into the Nerves, it happens that the motive Power doth continue in them, not only as was declared formerly, by also by reason of the plenty of Spirits of the Nerves, the Muscles also are stirred up to exercise Motion; but cheifly that inordinate and vio∣lent Motion in the beginning of Epileptical Fits is per∣formed for this cause, that whiles the nervous kind doth endeavour to expell this Offense, it is contracted into it self, and then again dilated, and it forceth the Muscles of the whol Body, into whose beginnings the Nerves are inserted, by consecution to commit those inordinate Motions, by pulling or drawing, and then remitting them; and that so long till the hurtfull Matter is ex∣pel'd from them, or by reason of dejection of strength and as it were weariness, when they can no longer ex∣ercise Motion, yet notwithstanding they retain their Limbes convulsed or artracted, stiff and fixt for a while, till at last they come wholly to themselves. The which happens in a Catalepsie presently at the beginning, no a∣gitation of the Body foregoing, perhaps because in that there is not so great an effusion of spirits into the nerves, whenas in that somtimes some senses do yet remain, and there is a less irritation of the Nerves, whence it may be accounted a certain lighter sort of Epilepsie, yet very sel∣dom happning, otherwise proceeding from the same cause which breeds an Epilepsie, but which either doth less affect the nervous kind by irritation or else hath that propriety, that it produces that stupidity or rigidness of the Members rather then Convulsions.

But that these causes of offense to the Nervous kind, from whence an Epilepsie often proceds, a Catalepsis more seldom, are diverse and frequent it is no wonder, when∣as the Nerves by reason of their most exquisite sense, are not only unable to endure great troubles or pains, but also are so easily offended by the slightest, that they cannot suffer the touch of a Body, (on which account, whiles they are carried in the body, Nature hath provi∣ded for them that they touch not the bones, neither are they joyned to any other parts, besides those into which they are inserted) from which notwithstanding they are not exasperated by divers incursions; unless they be great and violent, so that they be convulsed; of which sort are those which may happen to them from a wound, irritation or infection either acting singly, or more of them together.

That a Convulsion may be caused from a Wound made either in a Nerve, or nervous part such cases frequently hapning, do sufficiently declare; yet not from every wound of a Nerve, but only from that almost, by which a Nerve is hurt by pricking, Convulsions are wont to follow its function, being there stirred up by reason of the of∣fence, which if the Nerve be wholly cut in two, is ra∣ther abolisht; for which reason also, if we cut off a Nerve convulsed, we cure the Convulsion caused in it; but this molestation of the Nerve, proceeding from the so∣lution of its continuity, is yet more increased by an In∣flammation, or putrefaction from the corruption retained in the narrow hole of the Puncture of the Nerve, and by the great pain from thence, which for the most part do attend this affect: or if the Wound happen from Iron of its own Nature an enemy to the Nerves, commonly by reason of its Rust, or because tis infected; or a bite or blow of a poysenous Beast.

But also a nervous part being wounded especially in that place, where the Nerves go under it, and constitute the great∣er part of it; as the Bladder being hurt at the Neck, the Muscles about their beginnings either by chance or whiles the Chirurgion and lithotomist attempt a Section of the Body, most commonly dangerous Convulsions succeed; which a difficulty of swallowing going before (which the Chirur∣gions so greatly fear, calling of it as was said before, a spasme of the Stomach) is wont most commonly to fore∣tell.

An irritation of the nervous Kind, if it be vehement, may also cause Convulsions; the which proceeds either from the cause which because it torments the Nerves with grie∣vous pain, maketh Convulsions by accident, or the which by it self stimulating the Nerves by a manifest Quality, and causing Pain or none together with it, doth convell them: which cause proceeds either from Medicines or in∣ternall Humors as Blood, Choler and Flegm molesting the Nerves by their proper substance, or by a Vapor only.

But Convulsions are chiefly caused by occasion of pain, either if the Torments be unreasonable and of long continuace such as in Cholicks do often cause Convulsions, or if they trouble Bodies endued with most exquisite sense and which by reason of their Tenderness, do hardly under∣go such torments: on which account also Infants, not only in diverse sorts of sicknesses, but when they begin to breed Teeth, being exasperated with pains, are often times convulsive: and also immoderate Tickling made in the like Bodies, because that also gives trouble and a sad sence, experience doth testisie hath caused Convulsions in some; nay tis confest by all that even a light Tickling caused by Wormes creeping up and down the Gutts and Stomach, and sucking them with their Mouths, doth move in Infants not only horrors, and scratching of the Nose, but also light epilepticall Convulsions.

Medicines taken which stimulates the expulsive Facul∣ty of the stomach and Guts, if they excite those parts too much, as they cause a convulsive Motion which is by Hic∣coping; so if they be very biting and burning, as those things put up into the Nose, they move Sneezing; and so a purging Faculty especially joyned to them, by which they sollicite Nature at once very much both by Vomit and stool, by reason of their eminent efficacy they often produce Convulsions, such as happen from Hellebore and the use of other things; and those deadly too if by too much insinuating themselves into thee parts, they cease not to exagitate them: but not yet deadly if when they first begin to sollicite Nature, being repulsed by her, they be cast forth upwards and downwards; as I have observed from the use of Antimony and Asarabacca some feeling only forerunings of a Spasme in their Thighes but others also convulsive, to have returned to them∣selves.

Corrupt and putrifying Blood if it be carried into the nervous kind by affecting of them, may also cause Convul∣sions. As it sometimes happens from a blow of the Head penetrating the Skull, yet not deviding the substance of the Brain (whence rather an Apoplexy would follow) but only wounding the Membranes of the Brain; the Blood then being poured forth, and retained under the Skull, which putrefying infects the Membranes of the Brain with a maligne quality, by consent of which and also that sinking, and possessing and affecting the begin∣ning of the Nerves produced from the Basis of the Brain, it breeds Convulsions which follow Wounds of the

Head: which sort of Convulsions also in Imposthumati∣ons, are somtimes wont to follow a Phrenzie that went before.

Choler of all humors is wont to be the chief, both the Yellow, and the Green and Black, which by its acrimony is wont to stimulate and irritate the Nerves and nervous parts the which also by its thinness it easily enters: which in Pains of the Colick doth cause those Convulsions, not only because it breeds these Torments, but also because insinu∣ating it self into the Stomach and Guts, it doth too much sollicit them with a kind of caustick vertue, which Con∣vulsions last, as long as this acrid humor ceases not to irritate; that there is no need to fancy any other reason that it is far fetcht to the Nerves, if it ought to cause Convulsions: and also if a Convulsion proceed from an∣ger, they think it may happen by reason of the boyling and effusion of Choler, although that rather proceed, from this too much motion of the mind, stirring up the spirits as was said before.

Also from thin salt and acrid flegm falling down from the brain into the spaces through which the Nerves are carried and pulling of them, an Epilepsie may be caused; as in a Palsie somtimes bedewing the Nerves, it first causeth Resolutions, afterwards by its acrimony, which it either had before, or by putrafaction hath newly acquired, soliciting the Nerves, it raiseth those Convulsions which sometimes follow Palsies; which, sneezing arising, from the same flegm, distilled also from the Brain into the Nose, is wont to go before and foretell; whence perhaps the custom of praying after sneezing took its first rise, when∣as they had somtimes observed that sneezing was a fore∣runner of an Epilepsie.

Also filthy and acrid vapors especially if some malignity be joyned, as shal be said, being raised in the body and e∣specially pulling the beginning of the Nerves or else where solliciting, especially the greater, do beget an Epilepsie which they say is caused by consent such as are from viti∣ous, corrupt and putrid meats, humors, excrements, worms, collected in the stomach, guts, womb, veins, in divers diseases of those parts, or of the whol body as those raised from Fevers which do produce Convulsions which are wont to follow these diseases.

But those things which cause Convulsions by a poysonous and pernicious quality are various; which according to the divers nature of the poysons, and as they are either ini∣micous only to the nervous kind, they do infect that only, or also the brain together with that, do produce either Convulsions or the brain being hurt also other acci∣dents, which somtimes also after the Epilepticall fit is over do continue in the hurts of the senses, especially in an alie∣nation of mind and depraved motion, as hath been said. Amongst which poysonous causes that somtimes also offers it self, which by its propriety and private hurt brings forth the accidents of a Catalepsis rather than of a true Convulsion; yet because 'tis a disease very rare, it evidently shews, that seldom such a venenate quality, is raised in our body, which may produce such an effect in the body, as also that which causeth true Convulsions is most often: but of what kind soever that be, its Foun∣tain and Original somtimes lurks intrinsecally in the brain, or bowels, or in the veins or babit of the body and sometimes extrinsecally to the body.

Fernelius witnesseth that he hath found by disection, an Epilepsie of long continuance caused in the Brain from the corruption or imposthumation of the membranes of the brain and by reason that a filthy vapor raised from them, at set times entring the ventricles did cause the fits; but that these things do cause rather short and deadly than long continued Epilepsies and not because they send a filthy vapor to the Ventricles, but for another rea∣son, hath been demonstrated formerly, whenas if they did possess the substance of the brain or its Ventricles and so much hurt them, they would induce rather an A∣poplexy than Convulsions. In the interim notwithstanding we do no waies deny the cause of an Epilepsie oftentimes to lie in the head; and we confess we meet with many faults within the Skul, both in the membranes of the brain, and in its substance also, or in its humors, which raging with their poysonous and adverse quality at set times as the nature of the poyson is, by soliciting the membranes and nervous kind, do cause that long conti∣nued Epilepsie and almost incurable. Yet the nature of which cause as also of other poysons, we can no other∣wise know, then as by dissection made, somtimes a Speck is discovered, somtimes some humor black or froathy in some inward part of the Skul or bone or membrane or brain, but somtimes nothing at all; but that 'tis a poysenous faculty we collect from this, because it is not with a ma∣nifest cause, or of such moment, nevertheless produces such horrid symptomes, and yet in the interim doth not kil the man, nor yeilds to no Remedies.

And also this poysonous cause lying in the bowels pro∣duceth the like long continued and pe••inacious Epilepsies; as poysons taken in the Stomach and Guts which have some propriety of begetting an Epilepsie: or meat changed in∣to the nature of poyson or excrements putting on a venenate quality conteined in those places, or also in the Womb as they would have it. Of all which that these are the causes and do lie in the veins is judged and known from the affects concurring with them, as hath been said, or from others offering themselves about the heart strings and the veins, and from the faults of the womb and sto∣mach.

The Veins also if they be filled with malignant and ve∣nenate humors of this kind, as it often happens in pernici∣ous diseases especially in the pestiferous, epidemical, and contagious, and that malignant vertue do besiege not on∣ly the heart but especially the nervous kind, then deadly Convulsions do follow, such as are wont to happen in Fevers, not by reason of too much extinction of the Nerves from vehement heat, but by reason of the ma∣lignant nature of the humor: or also if without these diseases a humor heaped up in the veins changed into a ma∣lignant quality do put on that nature inimicous to the brain and Nerves, that induceth rather epileptical acci∣dents than others (as in melancholy that such a poysonous quality is there also wont to cause the true melancho∣ly and madness we shal shew in the alienation of the mind) then I suppose that long continued and incurable Epilepsie doth chiefly proceed from this cause: as also a poyso∣nous cause raised from the same place, doth cause that madness that lasts so long; the which also for the like rea∣son 'tis probable doth happen in the mesaraick veins such matter being collected there, which do produce rather an Epilepsie than hypochondriack melancholly: where also many do write that a Catalepsis is conteined, to wit a melancholly humor which we moreover hold to be ma∣lignant, from whence vapors raised up do cause it. And the manner of curing a Catalepsis they apply to this place and humor, as we shall by and by shew.

And also in Women such matter is wont more com∣monly to be heaped up about the veins of the Womb; where also the blood reteined and corrupted rather than the seed (which we think can scarce come to that maligni∣ty) doth cause Convulsion, such as are often wont to happen in Virgins and Women that are hysterical their cour∣ses being stopt before and after their childing, and it may also give an occasion for a Catalepsis.

That the like quality may arise in the habit of the body and cause an Epilepsie experience witnesseth; with which Galen and Fernelius being instructed they write that they have observed, the one that an Air in an Epileptick Child ascending from his Foot, the other that a Vapor

running from the Crown through the outward parts of the head, did give occasion of the Epileptical fits as often as they came; and we also have somtimes observed that an Air running from the hand where afterwards an Imposthume hath bred as also from the feet other or places hath done the like.

That the like poyson entring the body from without doth occasion Epilepsies for the like reason, as in other Countries the bitings of virulent Beasts especially of the Viper and stinging of the Scorpion do shew; so in our Countries 'tis manifest that it doth happen from the biting of a mad Dog and besides the symptomes of madness and other cruel ones, they are endangered by Convulsions and at length by many fits the Patients are carried a∣way.

'Tis not yet sufficiently manifest, whether there be any things found out, which can produce an Epilepsie a∣new only by their malignant smel yet that epileptical fits are furthered by the smel of some things is certain, which do it either by a certain propriety, of which are reckoned, the ashes of an Asses hoof, Goats horn, Weathers feet burnt, also the smel of Bitumen, Myrrhe, Smallage, and also the breathings of the Goats flesh, or the Liver of the Hee-Goat and so much the more if they be eaten: or because by a vehement and subtile vapor they assail the head and the nerves, made weak by the continuance of this disease (as also Wine which besides this, doth easily al∣of its own nature trouble the Nerves) they occasion Epileptical fits.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A cold Distemper, the Cause of Stupi∣dity; a Moist; of immoderate Sleep.
• * 1.2

  Blood the cause of a Carus and Apoplexy.
• * 1.3

  A hurt of the Brain is the cause of a Stupidity & Apoplexy.
• * 1.4

  A Tumor of the Brain is the cause of a Stupidity and Apoplexy.
• * 1.5

  A Vapor the cause of fleep.
• * 1.6

  A Vapor the cause of deep sleep.
• * 1.7

  A Vapor the cause of a Carus and Lethargie in Fevers.
• * 1.8

  A Narcotick ver∣tue is the cause of sleep and stupidity
• * 1.9

  A poysenous quality is the cause of sleep and stupidity
• * 1.10

  The Devil the cause of Daemonical sleep.
• * 1.11

  The Consumption of the animal spi∣rit is cause of an Apoplexy▪
• * 1.12

  Too great a pouring forth of the Animal Spirit from the Brain into the Nerves is the cause of a Stupidity of divers kinds of a Catalepsis and Epi∣lepsie.