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.

CHAP. XII. Of want of Appetite.

The Kinds.

WE call it a Defect, or want of Appetite, when men neither hunger nor thirst, or when they disdain certain things, which are to be eaten and drunk.

Some hunger not at convenient times, that is, when the Stomack is empty, and the Appetite is wholly, or for the most part gone, this is called Anorexia, and if they disdain, or loath Meat and suppose it unpleasant, which is pleasant, it is called Nausea and Apositia, and if all meat be re∣fused, Asitia. If this be in some men, except the cause be manifest, it presageth Diseases, because all men require meat, that are sound. In some it is a usual Symptom of Diseases; and there∣fore in Children and Beasts, though they cannot other∣wise declare it, we take it for a certain sign of sickness, if they refuse to eat.

If they thirst not, and refuse all drink, it is called Oligoposia, or Aposia, this is rare, for though some sound men drink little, and live upon moist meats, which is seldom; yet is it ordinary that they which desire no meat, desire drink, and they which Eate desire drink. In Diseases though the appetite of meat be dejected, yet they are so far from being not thirsty, that they are very dry, so that they had rather have moist things then other.

If usually happens that things that are usually eaten, and are pleasant to the tast, as most nourishments are, and sower sweets that are clean and good, are disdained of some; And this is either by an aversness of nature, to some things which abhors them, and by which they receive hurt, as we have known by many concerning Cheese, who though they eate Milke and Butter, they disdain. Others hate Wine by nature called Abstemious men, from Abs which signifyeth without, and Temetum which signifyeth Wine. Others hate other things: This is also usual in Diseases, they hate some meats, that nou∣rish, and not only for being fleshy, fat, and unctious, but for the scent. Also sweet things, which most love, are disdained by them, and Wine. Others refuse things offered from a distaste, supposing their tast to be other∣wise, as we shewed in Drepraved Tast.

The Causes.

In regard the Stomach desires by its natural sense, Meat and Drink, it is necessary that it should be affli∣cted in all kinds of defect of Appetite, so that it either looseth sense of hunger, of thirst, wholly, or in part, or is afflicted with a contrary sense, and loathing of all Meats, or of some. This may be from the lightest afflictions of the Stomach, because the Stomach must be well constituted, that it may rightly hunger, or thirst, and therefore this Disease is so frequent, both in sound and sick. And it is either from its constitution, or Repletion, or Offense, or Distemper, or Weak∣ness.

The Stomach hath originally such a constitution, or temperature many times, from innate causes, that it disdaineth some things, as Cheese, or Wine, which other natures abhor not. Which temperature we cannot describe, but that it delights in some meats and refus∣eth other, as some creatures can digest things that a man cannot, as Birds do Stones, and Estridges Iron. Yet the Apprehension of the Mother being with Child, hath been a cause, from her dislike, and loathing of certain Meats, especially if she were troubled with the Pica, or longing which made an impression upon the Child. And we have seen Children refuse the same, as soon as they were born this loa∣thing they bring with them into the world. Also we find that the con∣stitution of the Stomach in other

causes, is so changed by apprehension that it refuseth those meats that it is wont to take, because they have been taken either immoderately, or indecently, or un∣cleanly. Or because in Diseases, they have been ab∣horred; as after a Feaver, we have known some long abstain from Flesh, others never eat any more thereof.

Custom is another nature, and therefore we delight in things we have usually eaten from Infancy, and abhor things that are universal, though rare and Savory: And this is the cause why divers kinds of Creatutes are not used but in extremity, and that they who use themselves to eat Frogs and Snails, take delight therein, which cause Loathsomness to those that never eat them before. And why? Raw flesh and the like unclean things are nauseous to people that are used to a clean Diet.

Repletion of the Stomach which stupifieth the sense thereof, takes away appetite which is caused by the Chyle which it maketh, and retaineth too long: as when it is cleansed from the Chyle, it desireth more meat to make new; therefore while the old Chyle re∣maineth, it desireth no more meat; And this comes from the defect of distribution of the Chyle, from the Obstruction of the Meseraick Veins, from abundance of blood in the Meseraicks and the Stomach, therefore when they suck little or not at all, there is little or no Appetite; because the Stomach being full of blood desires no new juyce. As in plethorick men that exercise not (in regard the substance of the body consumeth slowly, they have no such need of other juyce, being it is slowly distributed) these hunger lit∣tle, except they have gotten preternatural hunger from a custom of gorging.

The same comes from a stuffing of the Stomach with humors: As when it abounds with Slime, with which the Guts are naturally a∣nointed and the stomach also, and which the Butchers use to scrape away when they wash them; Then the Stomach be∣ing covered with this slime waxing hard, loseth sense, and is satisfied therwith being sweet, & not so disagree∣ing as Chyle. Fat and clammy meats cause this, used immoderately. Also this want of Appetite may come from fat which groweth on the left side of the stomachs bottom, where it is found in Anatomies; or about the orifice thereof as Fernelius observeth. Also if any other humor, or crude excrement, unsavory, waterish, or sli∣my, or flegmtaick, bred of meat or drink, or flowing thither from another part, fill the stomach or stick fast thereto, it de∣stroyeth appetite in the like man∣ner: And if the stomach be con∣tinnally moistned thereby, they never thirst.

If the stomach be greatly offen∣ded it causeth vomiting, if but a little, an inclination to vomit, which is loathing called Nausea, by which it disdaineth things therein, and which ought to be taken. This may come from sharp meats, Me∣dicines and Poysons. Especially from Choler, Yel∣low, Green, or Black, in many Diseases that come thereof; or other humors, bred in the stomack or brought thither.

A hot distemper of the stomach taketh away appetite not only by relaxing it, but by causing Thirst; because Thirst and Hunger can∣not meet together in the Stomach and when one prevaileth, the other is quiet, as we she∣wed. Also if the body be so hot from an internal or external cause, so that the stomach be inflamed, which causeth Thirst, they desire drink rather than meat: And if they use hot meats, when the stomach is empty as when strong Wine is drunk at meat, or sweet or spi∣ced things be eaten first, they lose Appetite. And in all hot Diseases in which either the stomach alone or with other bowels adjacent, or the whol body, as in Feavers is inflamed, the appetite is cast down.

Other Weaknesses which hinder Concoction, and distribution, take away appetite which serveth them. And if they be right the appetite is good. These come from the birth, or age, or great Diseases, and the Stomach digesteth slowly, and less desireth meat. And passions of the mind also ceaseth the Cardialgia or Stomach-pain, and they who are grieved in mind, and sad at heart lose ap∣petite. And in regard the Stomach being very seusi∣ble, consenteth with so many darts, it cometh to pass that the appetite is gone in divers Diseases of other parts.

Also if from stupefaction of the sto∣mach in the sense of touching which is joyned with Tasting, it be decay∣ed, there is no appetite: This may come from the use of Narcoticks, especially from the Decoction of Nightshade in Wine, which Mathiolus saith cureth the Glutton. And I suppose the reason why Drunkards eat so little, is not the heat of the Wine, but the stupefactive quality thereof.

That natural Ferment or sharp juyce which is in the Stomach for Concoction, is the cause of want of Appetite in Man or Beast.

The Cure.

When sound men want Appe∣tite and eat not with delight, it must be cured, but in other Dis∣eases which have greater accidents it is not so much regarded, especi∣ally when eating wil do hurt: And when the Disease being cured it wil return, though it be last, and that by which we discover health. Want of Thirst, in re∣gard it hurts not of its own self, is cured if it be preter∣natural, by no other than taking away the cause in the Stomach which breedeth other inconveniences. Nau∣sea or Loathing both in the sound and sick if it incline to Vomiting, must be cured as we have shewed in Vo∣miting. It is hard to cure the loathing of some meats, which is natural from the Birth. In all these kinds of what cause soever, we must use these divers Medi∣cines.

Custom is of great consequence to keep up appetite at a certain time; therefore keeping constant meals accustometh nature to an appetite. And without that there is a confusion as in other operations of nature. And as we shewed in the causes, custom is the cause of loving and loathing of some things, we may alter it to the coutrary by degrees, perswasions, and deceits, as we have seen in them that have hated Wine or Cheese. Fasting is good if it come from Repletion of meat, or Chyle, or abundance of Blood, or Fat; or when the stomach is foul with slime, or wet with water; for it wil consume them all, and they wil be taken away

by the Meseraicks which are not idle: But it is worst in Choler abounding.

Moderate execrcise, and strong in those that can en∣dure it, stirreth up all the Functions, and Appetite, by distributing the meat, rather then Concoction. This must be before meat, hence fome laboring men eat three or four times in a day: and they who are idle, scarse once; in sick people that cannot excercise, Fri∣ctions are good.

They say sleep takes of loathing, but it provoketh not Appetite, but by accident, because distribution of the chile is rather in the time of waking, and that done the Appetite presently returns. Therefore we sooner hunger being awake, between meals, in the day time, then in the night.

Vomiting is good, if it proceed from Excrements, Humors, or Choller, or the like in the Stomach. And if they stick fast, it must be caused by sharp cleansers, as Oxymel, and Syrup of Vineger, with other Li∣quors.

If Vomiting doth it not, Purge the Stomach, espe∣cially with bitter things, which cleanse and strengthen it, with Aloes, Pills of Hiera, Alephanginae.

Or thus in any Humor: Take Rheubarb, Citrine Myrobalans, of each one dram; species Hiera two drams, Mastick, white Sanders, of each half a scruple; with syrup of Wormwood: Make a Mass, give one dram, or sharpen them with Diagredium.

Or give Wormwood Wine, with Rhubarb, Myro∣balans and Senna, and if Flegm prevail, with Agarick infused.

Other things restore Appetite, by cooling, if it be lost by heat, either actually, or Potentially, especially sower things, which allay the sharpness of Choller, if that be the cause. Others prick and stir up the Sto∣mach, by a propriety, as shall be shewed in Depraved Appetite. As the sharpness of Melancholly juyces, from the Spleen, is supposed to do; But we impute that rather to the sharpness of the chile, and its natural Fermentation, of which we spake formerly, in regard every Vomiting, if not after Wine, is sower; especi∣ally if sower things have been taken: which take away the force of stupefying Narcoticks. Also others do it by cleansing, as Salt things which purge slime, and sweet juyce, and prick the Stomach. Bitter things do the same, by cleansing Flegm, and Choller, which de∣ject the Appetite. Others do it by an unknown pro∣perty. Things pleasant to the tast, stir it up chiefly, and abate loathing. Therefore in Feavers they refuse sweet, and desire sharp things, and a little Salt. Also strengtheners of the Stomack, take away loathing, but these are best when it is weak; they are hot and astrin∣gent, and these cause thirst.

If Appetite be lost from heat, let the meat and drink be actually cold.

Cold Water is good before Meat.

And they who drink water have the best Stomackes; therefore beasts that eat crude things, and drink water, eat so much.

Let the meat be seasoned, with the juyce of sower Fruits; as of green Grapes.

Also let the bread be well Leavened, and Salted.

And in hot Natures let sharp wine be given to those that have used Wine.

Use Vinegar in Broaths, and Salats; or drink it be∣fore meat.

If loathing come from drinking Wine, with Night∣shade boyled there in, give Vingar; or if it come from other Narcoticks.

Peaches that are green, are good in a hot cause, use Oranges, and Lemmons sliced, with Rose water, and Sugar.

Also the German Sallats, of Picklet, Colewarts, and Turneps.

Also Sorrel, and Purslain, with Vinegar.

Also Olives, and Cappars for sallats.

Garlick is good to get an Appetite. Thus, stamp Garlick, and mix crums of Bread, and sweet Almonds therewith, and give it with broath.

Drink Wormwood Wine before Meat, if it come not from heat, it is good in all other cases.

Also give the Essence, or Tincture of Wormwood, Zedoary, Master-wort, and Saffron before Meat, with Broath or Wine.

Also Syrup of Peaches, juyce of Citrons, Pomegra∣nates, Currans, Grapes, Sorrel, Vinegar, and Sugar, of Wormwood boyled with Vinegar are good.

Or thus: Take juyce of Peaches one pinte, of Pomegra∣nates, and sower Apples four ounces, juyce of Citrons two ounces: boyl them with Vinegar and Sugar: give one ounce.

Or this Electuary which cleanseth: Take Honey one pound, scum it, add juyce of Pellitory, and Wormwood, of each four ounces: Boyl them, give morning and Eve∣ning as much as a Chesnut.

Or, Conserve of Roses, Sorrel, Currans, of each one ounce.

Chamomel water drunk provokes Apetite.

Things that strengthen shall be after mentioned, among which Pepper is commended, by Dioscorides. Also Pouder of Masterwort, and Hens gizard skins which help Concoction and Apetite, and a Sopp in Sack; season the meat, with Mints, Calamints, &c. these take away Aposia, or want of thirst.

Cleansing Clysters are good, when the Stomach is foul: as that of the Urin of a Boy, or gentle Lixi∣vium.

Also: Take white Beets, with the roots, Mercury, Cole∣worts, of each one handful; Barley one pugil, Agarick one dram, Senna two drams, Carva seeds one dram: Boyl them, and add the urin of a Bay, or Lixivium four ounces; strain it, and dissolve juyce of Mercury, or Beets one ounce; Ho∣ney one ounce and an half, Salt one dram; give it without Oyl that it may cleanse well.

If it come from heat in a Feaver, give cooling Cly∣sters: As, Take Lettice, Endive and Violet water, of each four ounces; juyce of Purslane, Lettice, of each one ounce; Oyl of Lillies, Violet, of each half an ounce.

Sweet sents correct Loathing, as we shall shew in stopping of Vomiting; as of Vinegar, sower Fruits, Wormwood.

Apply to strengthen the Stomach, cold or hot astrin∣gents, as the cause is: Take heed of Oyly sents that are unpleasant, as we shewed in other Symptoms of the Stomach.

Use the Epithems that are prescribed to cool the Liver, if Loathing come from a hot cause, as in Fea∣vers.

External cooling of the Body, is good in a hot cause, as cool Air, is better then hot; also Bath, and wash the Feet in cold water: Also change the Shirts and Linnen often, to get an Appetite.

It is good to let blood, if there be Plethory, and if the Disease, of which want of Appetite is a Symptom, will permit.

Notes

• Anorexia, or Appetitie dejected.
• Nausea or loathing.
• Aposta; or not drin∣king.
• Loathing of some Meats.
• A certain constituti∣on of the Stomack, is the cause of loathing of divers Meats.
• Apprehension, is the cause of loa∣thing of some Meats.
• Want of Custom is the cause of Loathing.
• Slime, Fat, or Hu∣mors in the Stomach cause want of Appe∣tite.
• Moistness of Sto∣mach causeth want of Thirst.
• Offence of the sto∣mach causeth loath∣ing of some meats.
• Heat of the stomach causeth want of Ap∣petite.
• Weakness of the Stomach causeth want of Appetite.
• Dulness of the Stomach causeth want of Appetite
• The Leaven or Fer∣ment of the Stomach being consumed caus∣eth want of Appetite.
• The Cure of Appe∣tite dejected and loa∣thing of Meat and Drink.