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.

The Cause of every Alienation of Mind, is one Pre∣ternatural proceeding from an evil Spirit, the other Natural, a certain affect so affecting the Brain the seat of Reason, by it self if the Cause lie hid in that, or by consent if it be else where that the Functions of the Mind are rather depraved then impaired; but there is somtimes aquality working by an occult propriety, which doth it, the which seeing we are not able to ex∣plain, from the effect we will call one the drunken ver∣tue, the other the poysonous: but otherwise it will be some Disease to wit a certain distemper of the Brain, of which sort is that abstruse and unknown one, whose high efficacy is sufficiently known by this, that it vehe∣mently disturbs the Mind, but seeing that makes an evil of long continuance, and yet in the interim the sick do no waies lie by it, when nevertheless other manifest distempers of the Brain if they continue long, are very dangerous for hurting the Brain; certainly it is very difficult to be explained which we do certainly find that this comes to pass by reason of the Spirits of the Bain which are every where implanted in it, and connate and bound up to the substance of it, do call a to great Agitation and Confusion of the Spirits of the Brain and the other Species we would rather call a per∣turbation of them, or a mixture of them with a strange matter, then feigne such a distemper, which cannot cause that, as they write of the cold one: but a manifest distemper of the Brain, also inducing a dangerous Dis∣ease, may likewise cause it; of which sort is a vehe∣ment hot one, especially if it be joyned with a Tumor: and also a fault in conformation; also some speck or putrefaction found in the Brain, all which how they do Alienate the Mind, we shall express in order.

An Evil Spirit the Devil, because he is the enemy of mankind, * 1.1 doth not only continually infest the Mind, the most ezcellent and as it were the divine Function of Man, and so trouble them, that acting many things evilly against the divine Law he leads them into sin; but also exagi∣tating, bewitching with his Arts doth oftentimes induce a grievous Melancholy, or a Diabolical. Madness, or altogether entring the Body, makes them called the possessed and Daemeniacal the which to dispute or enquire how it is done, is not our intent, (although Matthiolus that he might refer all these kind of Madnesses to black Choler, affirms that the Cacodaemons do this by Media∣tion of that Humor, in which he saith they have their residence) this surely is certain, that there were such also in old time, as divers Histories Sacred and Pro∣phane do testifie, as also we can no waies deny but that they may be found in our Age too.

The Drunken Disposition so called be∣cause it assailes the Head, * 1.2 arising from the propriety of certain things, pro∣duceth an Alienation of the Mind, which they call Drunkenness or Te∣mulency, this proceeds from those things, which accor∣ding to the diversity of Natures, and as they are used

can induce Sleep and Stupidity and for that reason also are called Narcoticks.

Some of which taken inward do it, as Wine more commonly then the rest, because it is ordinary Drink, which causeth this species of Temulency called Drunken∣ness if it be drank too immoderate or strongly, yet not so far as to cause a perfect stupidity; and that for this cause, because by its propriety it lightly obscuring the Senses (whence is the beginning of Stupidity) amongst which the memory for the most part is wont first to fail, by producing a certain oblivion of griefes and labours, it brings a foolish joy and that effusion which happens with reason from Wine yet moderately taken; its heat moreover helping, by which at once heating and infla∣ming the spirits it doth to much exagitate the actions; which happens more powerfully from distilled Wine, because its concenterd Vertue, and heat is greater, upon which account Country Fellows are wont to drink it in the morning, that afterwards they may be more chearful to perform their services. This also the Juyces of some other Plants will do, if those Plants be eaten, or their Juyce prest forth be given or extracted by Decoction; as are Hops from which Beer takes its Vertue of foxing, and flies if they drink of it do dye taken with stupidity, Hemp also, whose Pou∣der if it be given with Wine, doth fox the sooner; the seed of Darnel and Gith perhaps the false Nigella in Bread, which faults of Corn if they abound, the Bread made of these makes Men sleepy, and by continual use hurts ma∣ny every where, the which notwithstanding they do not observe: and such is that Plant, or rather the seed of it, a sort of Millet called Avate of which the Indians make an intoxicating Drink called Caou-in; but also other Narcoticks may do it, especially if they be used mixt with things very hot, both Vertues then acting, as was said even now of Wine as if Henbane seed be boiled in Beer as some are wont to do, it foxeth sooner and vehe∣mently; if the Bark of Mandrake be boiled in Wine till it look red; if Opium be drank with the strongest wine; as Bellonius relates Turks do drink without any harm O∣pium half a dram with Wine when they go forth to bat∣tel, that being more bold and furious they may less fear danger; as also Dioscorides writes that Hemlock taken with Wine doth work more effectual and kill the sooner; yet all which as we have said formerly of wine do more or less make mad, according to the variety of Tempera∣ments: as also I have observed, that a weakness of the Brain may be the cause that they are sooner affected, in him who by reason of a fall had a peice of his Skull ta∣ken out, and therefore was quickly drunk.

Some things applied to the Head can do the same as Rondeletius witnesseth bringing an Example of him, who whenas he had applied Henbane leaves to his Head to procure sleep, became mad.

By Inspiration also drawing in the fume of Henbane of Peru, which they cal Petum or Tobacco, sucking it through their mouthand Nose, or as the English call it drinking it who for the voiding of Flegm, and also to induce Mirth do highly esteem the accustomary use of it, that men are made like to Drunkards, and loose all Appetite of eating and drinking and so can suffer Hunger a long time, those that have writ of it, and tried the same, do witness. The which also happens as Matthiolus shews if the root of the greater Nightshade, which they cal deadly be infused in wine, & the Infusion given that hunger & thirst do cease; til by taking of Vinegar that fault is corrected but Sleep coming doth cure them both, as also in others.

A poysonous Quality entring the Body from without, * 1.3 or proceeding from things taken in (for concerning that which is raised intrinsecally in the humors, shall be spoke off in a Melancholly humor) from some poysons which hurt rather by Alienating the Minde then any other way, as the effects and hurts of Poysons are Various, may also disturbe the Mind; of which sort Dioscorides proposeth many things which can do it ra∣ther by a poysenous then narcotick quality and we pur∣posely omit them when as they are rare with us: a∣mongst which also Pliny thought, that menstruous blood devoured, was able to make Mad both Men and Dogs.

As also we oftentimes find by experience that from biting of Creatures turned Mad, the Poyson entring mans Body by the Spittle, the like Madness doth befal them, especially from Dogs, which do easier become Mad then other Creatures, to wit, about the heat of the Dog daies, so called for this Reason; or also about the grea∣test cold as Dioscorides will have it; and they are known by this, that they loath meat, send forth a foam, hang down their tail, and fly upon those also which before they loved, and bite them: whose biting though at first it bring no greater discommodity then the wound and pain, yet if it be neglected, somtimes the first fortieth day, somtimes sooner, somtimes after six months or a year, it induceth that Hydrophobite and Madness won∣derfully changing the Mind of a man, as was said for∣merly, and converting it into doggish manners. In which there is so great vertue of Poyson, that some amongst whom Avicen is one, have dared to testifie for truth, that some have pist forth Whelps or some flesh like to them: and Dioscorides proves by the Testimony of one that this evil hath layen hid for seven years, and then first of all broke forth; and Matthiolus writes that the touching of certain woods especially the Dog-tree and the Bloody-rod, will occasion that this Madness do sooner appear: and Dioscorides also hath delivered, that by the Conversation only with one infected, a certain man contracted the like affect; and Galen teacheth that the spittle of Mad Dogs, if it touch the naked parts of the Body, is able to make Men Mad, all one as if they were bitten.

Which things as they do more commonly happen from Mad Dogs because they live with men in great plenty and more familiarly then other Creatures, so al∣so they witness that they happen from Wolfes run Mad and I have twice observed a dreadful and deadly Mad∣ness proceeding thence, and doubtless as Aristotle hath write the same from the bitings of other Mad Creatures as of the Camel and Horse, and Avicen of the Mule so also the same may happen from the bitings of a Fox, a Weasil, a Poulecat, a Ferret whose bitings at other times have somwhat of Poyson in them, Nay of an Ape also, and even of a Man himself now sick of this Mad∣ness whose spittle hath put on the Nature of Poy∣son.

As it is very likely also that Madness may be raised from the Blood of some Poysenous Beasts as other acci∣dents from other Poysons, of which seeing we are destitute in our Countries, and therefore no danger hangs over us from them, tis needless here to speak more.

The too great Agitation or Confusion of the Spirit of the Brain, * 1.4 inducing not only a light or short affection which presently ceaseth, but somtimes an imprinted and permanent affect, is the cause of a commotion of the Mind in those especially which are disposed to it, or who by reason of their cowardize, or weakness of reason, cannot resist affects; but that is done by that Commotion which is done sud∣dainly with a certain violence as by Joy, Anger, Fear,

or by that which is wont to happen vehement and of long continuance as in Grief, or that which happens long conti∣nued and depraved in counterfeit Folly.

Great joy for some thing obtained, especially if it hap∣pen unexpectedly, and that to the weaker sort as old Men and Women it begets that foolish species of pertur∣bation of the Mind with foolish joy as was said, the spirits being so poured forth with the Blood, that the Face is not only over spread with red, but tears drop forth of their Eyes and all their Members being heated are un∣quiet.

Anger for some offence raiseth that furious species of commotion of the Mind the spirits and blood being vehe∣mently inflamed, and cast forth with desire of revenge, yet by and by returning again by reason of grief of mind, whence they look so red at first, by and by wax pale and yellow; the which happens more easily to hot∣ter and cholerick Natures, and to those who are first heated with Wine, and made sottish, hence then many Causes concurring together, they are as it were mad.

A Fright or grievous Fear especially happning of a sud∣dain doth not only astonish the Mind, but if it be so im∣printed in the mind, and move, change and confound the whole Body and Spirits, especially in those dispo∣sed, that it can either never, or very difficultly be got out of it, it oftentimes induceth a true Melancholy and that most grievous and worst almost then that which hap∣pens from an internal Cause, as shall be said by and by, the impression being so made upon the Spirits and Hu∣mors, and the Brain it self, that it can hardly be drawn forth, unless the whole Mass of Blood be exhausted, as shall be explained; and this is that species of Melancholy in which as it hath been shewed, they are vext with hor∣rid and wicked Temptations, the which species I have often met withal, possessing both Women and Men, not sparing even the younger sort.

But this proceeds either from some horrid Vision ap∣pearing either by Dreams or in deed as of some Ghost, or the Carkass of a Man hanged, as in that Maid who behol∣ding one hanging upon a Cross without the citty, fell into such a Mnlancholy which ending in Convulsions cau∣sed her Death; and a Woman who passing by a Gibbet late, and fearing least being shut out of the, City she should be forced to lie there all Night fell into a long continued Melancholy; another also who by chance be holding the Carkass of a Theefe, who hanged himself in the Prison, whiles he was put into a Barrel to be cast into the River, being astonish't in Mind, miserably re∣maining many years Melancholick could scarce any more come to her self: the which also oftentimes pro∣ceed from the Imagination only and fear of some Dan∣ger of Theeves when they converse alone in Woods, or at night in the dark, in which all things become more dreadful; or they proceed from fear of eternal Judge∣ment for some grievous sin committed, as that Concu∣bine of the Priests pretended in her grievous Melancholy, because she had brought forth so many Children from an unlawful Bed; which imagination and perswasion conceived from that, even those that do now suffer this affect do retain, and do express by words and very deed such like things which gave them the occasion, as was said in the accidents of Melancholy.

Sadness or vehement Grief lasting long doth also beget a Melancholick Perturbation of the Mind, which also may degenerate into the true one if it take deeper roote and disturb the Spirits, and change the Temperament of the Body; or it induceth a certain Phansie sometimes foo∣lish, sometimes maddish, and sometimes desperation as we have described in explaining the kinds.

But this Sadness of Mind proceeds from grief or mour∣ning most commonly for some things lost of Money, Honour, or any other thing, as the Death of Children, Parents, Friends, with which the Mind oftentimes is wonderfully tormented and afflicted for a long time; or from Shame and Bashfulness, with which generous minds especially are so troubled for some error commi∣ted, that it is plain some have thereby been driven to despair; as they write it happened to Homer, because he could not resolve the Fisher-men their Riddle. Envy also doth so afflict a man, and as they are wont to say gnaw the Heart, that these also become wholly Melan∣cholick and by their Face and Gestures express envy all manner of waies, as Ovid sets it forth. Also divers af∣fects of the Mind proceeds chiefly from the too great Ap∣petite or Concupiscence of some thing honest or dishonest which they perswade themselves will be profitable or honest; as seeing by the immoderate study or Science men oftentimes being too intent, do procure to them∣selves a certain Phansie, and those whom ambition and vain glory torments, and who are taken with the love of themselves (Philauty) boastingly, they talk and do many foolish and ridiculous things, which the Comaedi∣ans have elegantly shown in the vain glorious Souldier under the persons of Thraso and Pyr, Gopolynices in their Comaedies, or when the desire of revenge not ceasing af∣ter anger, being carried into a permanent Hatred, and Enmity, which can scarce any more be blotted out, con∣tinually thirsting Revenge, and intent on that, they do nothing rightly, but most things unhappily, being trou∣bled in Mind; or carried on the Coveteousness, the love of Riches; they are so madded, that they run headlong in∣to many Vices, Sins and enormous Deeds; whether. also that Dotage of the Alchymists ought to be referred∣who seeking the Phylosophers stone with so great heat, all though they see they loose their Labour and Cost, and can do nothing, nor know nothing done by others yet they bate not of their unwearied Labour, and led on by continual Hope, no waies ceasing from their Labour, they wast their whole substance; last of all and chiefly that vehement Heat and Concupiscence proceeding from love in both sexes, when they cannot alwaies enjoy it, or not all, 'tis a Cause of that Grief (for every Lover mourns) with which being overcome at last, they are vext and tormented with so many different Passions of the mind, that despairing they think attempt and perform, things ridiculous or weighty and dangerous, as was said in the accidents to which love, sometimes and elegant beauty, sometimes lovely conditions, every one according to his Phansie, for the most part with a blind judgment, sometimes a certain Sympathy and confirmity of man∣ners, gave the beginning, occasion, and fomented it.

Counterfeit Folly and long continued, constantly exagitate∣ing the spirits depravedly doth cause that by this custom changing Nature, some Fools who for their gullet Belly and profit sake, exercise their Folly before great Men, who delight in the Conversation of Fools, seeing they have fitted and accustomed themselves to this from their Youth, they acquire that Habit in it, which after∣wards seeing it can no waies be blotted out, they con∣tinue Fools indeed.

A perturbation of the Spirits of the Brain not that which raised from the Affections of the Mind doth too much exagitate and confound them, * 1.5 or aflects them with an occult qua∣lity of which we have spoken alrea∣dy, but that which being raised intrin∣secally from some matter mixt with the Spirits doth cloud obscure, darken the animal Spirits which ought to be bright clear lucid and most pure; may induce the said

Melancholly and Madness also, if it Act more vehe∣mently:

Which matter they cal Melancholick because they think it is black, and they contend that it doth alter the Mind not only by troubling the Spirits, but also by cooling the Brain; seeing they hold this humor is cold and dry, but seeing we have shewed in Sleepiness and Supidtiy that from the coldness of the Brain, whether joyned with moisture or driness its Functions would rather be impaired or abolisht, then intended; this Melancholick matter which we also call Turbulent impure and filthy doth not by cooling, but because tis mixt with the spirits disturbs them, and the Brain in whose substance the Spirits are every where connate, we have proved in Anatomy; and by a certain Malignity which it hath also attained it doth at last imprint that hurt from which follow such enormous, accidents, the which notwithstanding cannot therefore suddainly bring Death, because it is an evil of long continuance. The which matter is either a Melancholick vapor or humor.

A Melancholick filthy Vapor troub∣ling the Spirits and affecting the Head breeds that Species of Melancholy which they call Hypochondriacal, * 1.6 because they chiefly complain of that place affected; for the cause of this evil lurkes in the parts of the Belly under the Ribes or Hypochondries, which the Arabians call Mirach and from thence denominate this Species mirachal melancholly, and from that part a vapor raised upwards to the Head at a certain time, then when it assails it, it makes this melancholly exert it self. Most men write that the fewel of this is the Spleen because it is the natural seat of melancholly and be∣cause they are most troubled in the left side, but others affirm that this matter is contained in the stomach also which doth most possess the left hypochondria, and in its neighboring part: others also place in the Liver and Mesentary and the Veins of that called mesaraicks: which we also affirm is heaped and lies hid in the mesarick Veins not only those that through the mesentery and call, but also the other natural bowels, especially in those places where these branches of the Vena porta being more and greater do tend towards the Spleen and Stomach in the left side, although this mat∣ter may be heaped up also in other places, upon which account they feel their pain most commonly in the left side, yet somtimes in the right part of the hypochon∣dries and back, where the Spleen and chief bowels lie hid.

But most do give out that the matter lying there, from which this evaporation rising doth affect the mind, to be melancholly blood, which we also can no waies deny, but we deny it to be cold, seeing that burning which the Patient feels in that place where the humor lurks doth sufficiently declare the acrimony and heat of the hu∣mor: for as it was said in Feavers that the blood in the Vena cava did cause continual Feavers, but that in the branches of the Vena porta, being more cholerick and excrementitious which is continually heaped up from the meat and drink lately changed into chyle, when it putrifies it doth by its evaporation cause intermitting Feavers; so also it happens in this case, as we shall by and by shew, that as from melancholly blood contained in the branches of the Vena cava the true melancholly is cau∣sed, so from that which is accumulated in the branches of the Vena porta and there fils up the Veins in certain places, yet doth not putrefie, but is adust, faeculent, and hath also some malignity; if the vapors of that raised up, keeping the condition of the humor from whence they proceed, do assail the brain they wil cause a melan∣cholly returning by course which lasts so long, til they be∣ing discust again do grant some ease to the Patient, so long til new vapors arise, which for the most part is e∣very day.

And hence it comes to pass that this melancholly other∣wise than the true, hath its intermissions, then especially when some excretion of wind chiefly, with which this e∣vaporation doth fil the Stomach and Guts, is made by belching; which carries with it a heat by reason of the humor from whence it proceeds, and an acidity by rea∣son of the Stomach, in which that a certain acidity is alwaies contained we shal declare in its proper place, or when these vapors which tend upwards are partly emptied by vomiting or partly reveld by Farts and Stools, or when by cold meat yet moderately taken, those heats being mitigated and vapors represt they do a lit∣tle ease the evil, as by taking that which is hot and plentiful, that affect by reason of the boyling of those parts and plenty of wind, is exasperated: because the stomach is comprest with these and pained puft up, and together with the Guts makes a murmuring, rumbling and waving the aforesaid windes are so frequent in this affect, that it is called also the windy melancholly and di∣vers Excrements thrust thither from the mesaraick Veins are the Causes, by reason of which also they then feel hears in those places where this matter princi∣pally lurks, as hath been said: but also these filthy va∣pors ascending upwards, because the heart also by the way is oftentimes grieviously affected they complain of a palpitation of the heart, and beating of the Arteries and the Midriff being somwhat hindred of some suffocation: so that scarce any other evil doth so long torment a man as this affect doth, if he lie not down by the Disease, with so many accidents in the hurts of the natural, vital, animal parts infinite of which they continually com∣plain.

But the cause and original of this melancholly blood col∣lected in the mesaraick veins proceeds from an ill course of Diet long continued, begetting the melancholly juyce, or thick cholerick, whence by degrees a great filth of it is heaped up at length: as in intermitting Fe∣vers for the like reason we said that cholerick blood was produced; which may come to pass from all meats of evil juyce, hard concoction, being corrupted, and from those that are hot, rather than from the cold and dry (unless in as much as these being hardly disgested do corrupt also) in which we offend chiefly for gluttony and pleasures sake, whenas they are sweet, salt Fat, Acrid: although most men believe the flesh which is taken from wild Beasts and from solitary or melancholly creatures, as that of Hares, Venison, to be more apt to produce a me∣lancholly juyce, as amongst Plants, Colewares, and Lentils; and it gives a great and principal occasion of this evil, if the excretions went to be made at some certaintimes, by which nature was wont to evacuate these things at first collected in the stomach or guts, as loosnesses of the belly or Vomiting be no more; or if this filth being col∣lected in the mesaraick Veins, the Hemorrhoids be sup∣prest, especially if they did once flow, which somtimes is the chief original of this evil.

The humor producing true melancholly and oftentimes madness is called a me∣lanchollick blood such as they think to be either black choler it self, * 1.7 or that which is faeculent, but we have already said formerly that this matter doth no waies want some malignity and we may by right also call it poysonous seeing it can∣not

otherwise be rightly explained, as Galen shews l. 6. de loc. affect. that a poysonous matter is generated from seed and blood corrupted; the which its enormous ac∣cidents do sufficiently declare, which show themselves in them as if they were struck with poyson especially madness; when notwithstanding there is no other hurt, no manifest disease nor danger of death, and see∣ing they suffer these things for many years, oftentimes without any other damage; which certainly can no waies be caused from a cold humor, such as they think the dregs of blood to be, nor from black choler which if it be confounded with the blood is wont to bring the black jaundies and other grievous diseases of the Skin; therefore we should rather recur to a malignant poysonous and occult quality such as we shal often declare is found in many the like pertinacious and horrid diseases, which they thought did spring from black Cho∣ler, as hath been said, and in which by reason of their malignity Mathiolus asserted the Cacodaemons had their residence; then teach and allow of those things for true, which are thus believed out of a certain custom and thought it to be seen in that blood let which is black, when notwithstanding congealed blood of its own nature even in the sound is wont to look blackish, and bein kept long, to appear black like pitch and we wil embrace truth rather than Opinions, or we will o∣penly confess that we are not able rightly to explain the true cause.

But the blood now mentioned is contained in the branches of the Vena Cava as that which caused a hypo∣chondriacal melancholly is in the branches of the Vena por∣ta and therefore it raiseth a melancholly or madness perse∣vering not invading by courses as the hypochondriacal doth, unless as it hath its exacerbations and remissions, as we said also it came to pass in continual Fevers for the same cause; as hath been explained that by reason of the difference of these Veins, in which the matter of Fevers is contained, for the same reason they become continual or intermitting.

But it is certain that the matter is contained somtimes in the veins of the head only, & other times in the veins of the whol body, especially in the greater, and upon that account doth cause more grievoius or more mild accidents; for as it was declared in continual Fe∣vers if the matter putrifie about the heart there is caused a most burning Fever called a Causus, so it fals out here, to wit, that if such matter be contained in the ventricles of the brain, where otherwise the blood of the Veins and Ar∣teries confounded together is very hot, a madness or grievous melancholly is raised or if about a more noble part as the Womb the Blood which is wont to abound there and the seed also being retained be corrupted and chan∣ged into that poysonous matter as was alleadged formerly by the testimony of Galen; it causeth that madness of the Womb in which they so much desire enormous and bru∣tish copulation, as hath been demonstrated by the ex∣ample of a Woman who by reason of a long continued sickness of her Husband, by reteining her seed fell into this disease, and coveted copulation with dogs: and by how much the further scituation it hath from a principal part in the lower parts, by so much the more mild melan∣cholly ariseth.

All which things must be judged how they are, by the nature of the accidents, and from this that no other external causes went before, as was said of a fright from which a grievous melancholly is commonly caused; ra∣ther then by the constitution, which they set forth to be melancholly from the hairs of the body, the color of the Skin, and the habit also from the excrements, seeing these disea∣ses may happen not only to people swarthy, lean, and sad by nature, but to all Na••••tres, all Ages, as I have often ob∣served.

But that the cause of it may depend upon a melanchol∣ly constitution, which they have contracted to them∣selves by nature or by an ill course of living, as was shew∣ed in the hypochondriacal, we do no waies deny, seeing melancholly blood being turbid and impure doth the easier acquire malignity; as also we have somtimes found that hypochondriacal melancholly hath passed into the true one, the blood in the Veins being at last infected by the long continued evaporation of heat: and also that me∣lancholly which proceeds from the affection of the mind if it fall upon a fit constitution, called the melanchollick it wil have a double cause concurring to excite a true melan∣cholly; lastly from the suppression of such excrements which easily pass into this poysonous matter, as from the re∣tention especially of the menstruous bleod or seed, as som∣times a Suffocation of the Womb doth proceed, so at o∣ther times a madness of the Womb as hath been explain∣ed.

A hot distemper affecting the brain and its membranes, * 1.8 for the most part cause that first a pain of the Head and if it be more intense, a dotage, by too much exagitating the functions of the mind; but it grows hot somtimes from a hot vapor which is raised up either from hot meat and drink but unless then there be joyned a Narcotick or madding faculty as was said of Wine, heat alone wil scarce bring a deliration but only a pain of the head: but this is soon∣er done from hot humors, blood too much evaporating, especially if it contract some malignity also which is wont presently to make the brain mad, as hath been shewed in the causes of melancholly, which easily happens in blood altered or putrified whether in the Veins or out of them that by corruption it acquires some malignity, from that therefore the like vapor being carried up to the brain it breeds a bastard phrensie so called, in many dis∣eases generated from such like humors, whose symptom it is.

So somtimes a dotage is wont to follow, a hot expira∣tion raised foom blood in diseases generated from inflam∣ed blood, as in diary Feavers, a sinochis and internal in∣flammations, which is known to proced from thence by the disease accompanying it: also from humors putrify∣ing and so getting a preternatural heat a dotage doth somtimes invade all putrid Feavers at what time chiefly the hot expiration doth very much assail the head, as in intermitting Feavers oftentimes at the beginning, otherwise about the State, and then also chiefly in con∣tinual Feavers; the heat of the brain helping, which by reason of the Fever together with all the parts of the body is heated also; for the same reason also Children do oftentimes Rave, by reason of Worms when they putrifie a Fever for the most part coming upon it. Chol∣ler poured forth into the Stomach sending also a hot evapo∣ration to the brain, because it is acrid and subtile, doth rather cause a pain and a Vertigo than a dotage as shall be said in its place.

Also Blood made too hot and especi∣ally too thin contained in the ventricles and Vessels of the Brain, * 1.9 inflaming the brain not only by a vapor but also by its proper substance induceth a bastard Phrensie; as it somtimes comes to pass, when by a blow, or Fall, or in Fea∣vers it flows thither.

But if that it be carried out of the Vessels and poured upon the brain and its membranes, * 1.10 it breeds an Inflammation or Erysipelas ac∣cording as the Blood is, then it causeth a true Phrensie which also is called a Syriasis especially if it befal Children whose ex∣ternal and violent Cause may be that which shatters or hurts the Head, or the internal, a Fulness of Blood and in∣flammation of it whence a synochus Feaver arising, pour∣ing forth a portion of its hotter blood into this princi∣pal patr, which before did very much abound with blood it makes this grievous Disease, whose Companion is a continual Feaver as hath been declared in Feavers: differ∣ing therefore from a bastard Phrensie, because the feaver in that goes before the Dotage but in a Phrensie they both in∣vade together; by which signe also tis chiefly known.

An evil Conformation of the Brain, as if it be too big, or little, or otherwise be not rightly formed for the most part creates the said Foolishness bred in some from their Birth, whenas this proceeds from implanted Causes, as from the seed of the Parents, who either were Fools themselves, or their seed had contracted some fault; and tis easily known by this that they were Fools from their Birth, because the Head answers the unshapen Brain in Greatness or Smaleness or Deformity; * 1.11 which fault if it reach to the Nerves also and other parts tis no wonder that these are somtimes born as we have described, either deaf or dum or crooked, or or otherwise faulty; the which certainly is the chief Cause of Original Folly, as somtimes this appa∣rent Deformity of theirs doth shew, somtimes tis not discovered but by opening after Death.

So also we do not deny that this may happen from an evil Distem∣per of the Brain, * 1.12 the which notwith∣standing seeing it cannot be righ∣tly explained, nor corrected, is no further to be enqui∣red into.

It hath been somtimes found out, that a certain black speck in the brain or mem∣branes discovered by Dissection, * 1.13 hath been the Cause of Madness, as some∣times also Putrefaction bred in some part of the Membranes of the brain, * 1.14 from which tis likely that filthy Va∣pors being continually raised did trouble the Spirits, which some also have delivered may happen from Worms generated in the Brain; * 1.15 which hidden faults seeing they are first manifested after Death by opening the Skull, we can hardly conjecture what they are while the Man lives, unless in General, from this, because o∣ther signs are wanting here which should demonstrate other Causes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Evil Spirit the Cause of those possessed.
• * 1.2

  The Temulent quality caused by Drunkenness.
• * 1.3

  A poysonous Qua∣lity the cause of Madness.
• * 1.4

  The Agitation of Spirits the cause of commo∣tion of Mind.
• * 1.5

  A perturbation of the Spirits the cause of Melan∣choly and Mad∣ness,
• * 1.6

  A Vapor the Cause of the perterbation of Spirits in Hypo∣chondriacal Melan∣choly.
• * 1.7

  A melancholly humor is the cause of the perturbation of the spirits in melancho∣ly and Mad∣ness.
• * 1.8

  A hot distemper the cause of dotage, a hot vapor the cause a hot distemper and dotage in a bastard phrensie.
• * 1.9

  An hot Humor it the Cause of a hot Distemper and D••tage in a bastard Phren∣sit.
• * 1.10

  An Inflammation is the cause of a hot di∣stemper or Dotage in a Phrensie,
• * 1.11

  An evil Conforma∣tion, the Cause of Folly.
• * 1.12

  Distemper the cause of Foolishness.
• * 1.13

  A speck in the brain the cause of Madness.
• * 1.14

  Putrefaction in the Brain the Cause of Madness.
• * 1.15

  Worms in the Brain the Cause of Mad∣ness.