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. XIII. Of Depraved Appetite.

The Kinds,

WE say the Appetite is Depraved, if they desire Meat or Drink more immoderately than is na∣tural, or when they desire other things besides meat and drink.

There is immoderate hunger, when more meat than is fit is desired, * 1.1 when they are not satisfied, or desire more before the first is concocted. This is sometimes in sound men, sometimes the symptom of a Disease called Boulimos, or insatiable hunger; with other accidents somtimes, as heaviness of the sto∣mach from great gorging til it is digested. Others take more than they can bear, * 1.2 and vomit it up again as a Dog doth; some∣have a Loosness after gorging which car∣rieth it away. Others faint if they eat not presenly and swound and die: this comes to some from weakness and pain in the Cardialgia, the Appetite being rather a∣bated than increased, and if they have been long so; they have a weak stomach and loathing.

They Thirst immoderately who desire drink much between meals, * 1.3 or when they cannot quench thirst. It is usual with sick and sound, and intollera∣ble, worse than Hunger, because the want of things that quickly satisfie and cause sudden delight doth more af∣flict than the want of those that do it slowly. There∣fore in Feavers they complain most thereof and in o∣ther diseases; They that are thus, spet white and froa∣thy and speak with difficulty and stammer, because their Tongues (as they say) stick to their mouthes, and if they want Drink they faint.

When People desire other things besides meat and drink, * 1.4 it is called a vicious Appe∣tite, or Pica. Men have it seldome, but Women with child often, in the first month sometimes, and then it is called Malacia, * 1.5 and it is sometimes in the Green-Sickness in Maids.

There are divers kinds hereof according to the diver∣sity of things desired, some love raw flesh like Men∣eaters, some have been like beasts and bitten peoples Arms by violence. Others desire and eat Sawces and Sallets, and Spices in abundance without hurt, as one that eat pounds of Ginger, another that drank Vinegar in abundance, and the like. And another that came to me, being an Hostess that eat abundance of Pepper, without any hurt or heat of the stomach. Commonly they love dry things as Meal, Ashes, Chalk, Clay, Shels, old Rags, and Leather; which they eat with great de∣light. And Fernelius mentions one who eat abundance of unslaked Lime without hurt.

The Causes.

All immoderate Hunger or Thirst comes from a na∣tural cause, that is from the natural Appetite, which if immoderate is preternatural, as from the sense of the stomach from want of nourishment or moisture. Som∣times this overgreat and strange appetite is from a pre∣ternatural cause, as a cold and dry distemper of the sto∣mach or other quality.

The stomach desireth from sense which is mixed with Touching and Tasting and if it be exquisite it is easily afflicted, * 1.6 and feels a De∣fect, and desires more. * 1.7 This is from the Birth in some who eat more then others from the Cra∣dle; some have it from a custom of gorging continu∣ally not suffering the stomach to be empty; and ex∣cept it be ful alwaies, crave; as Gluttons, who serve their bellies night and day not so much from pleasure as from custom, or inbred ravening.

Want of nourishment which is dayly consumed as it causeth a natural hunger; * 1.8 so if it continue long it makes people ra∣venous. This is from a long want of meat, or because they have eaten things of small nourishment and quick digestion; or because they have long sickness, and want of Appetite eaten little or nothing: therefore upon re∣covery they are greedy. And when they have eaten, nature suddenly draws away the Chyle, which causeth them to be usually costive as I shewed in the suppressi∣on of the Belly; they are presently hungry again, and if they moderate not themselves, they get hurt and the accidents of Boulimos mentioned, and relapse into their Disease.

If the Chyle be snatched from the stomach too soon by exercise evacuation, sweats, * 1.9 the same hap∣pens. Or if the Chyle be wasted too much as Rondoletius observes with moist meats or drinks, and stay not in the stomach but descends pre∣sently. Or if it be snatcht away by Worms as they say, which must needs be very many to cause such a Disease. Some suppose it comes from the broad Worm, which is longest if it be so, it is not because the Worm∣seeds upon Chyle which is not alive as I shewed, but because the Chyle breeds it.

As a natural Thirst is for want of moisture, * 1.10 is so the preterna∣tural when it is long absent: And this is like Hunger for want of meat, when drink hath long been wanting or not actu∣ally cold which quencheth Thirst the best. This may be also from long Spetting which drieth the mouth and stomach; Hence they say much talking which causeth spetting causeth Thirst.

Some say that a cold distemper of the stomach causeth immode∣rate Appetite, * 1.11 because they saw some who lived in a cold Air and drank cold water eat very much. But in regard cold doth not whet the sense but blunt it, we propound ano∣ther cause if the stomach be hot, and the Appetite lost therby, as we shewed cold by correcting the Heat, and bringing the stomach to its natural temper, provoketh Appetite, rather than causing a cold distemper. And because in Winter through outward cold in cold coun∣tries, the heat is driven in and there contracted as Hip∣pocrates saith, the stomach is more hot, men need more meat, And therefore desire more meat: so, that as the same Hippocrates saith they that grow have more natu∣ral heat which increaseth the Appetite, and Cold dimi∣nisheth it. This being so, neither doth a sharp humor cause a Dog-like Appetite, although it may restore a dejected Appetite, and raise the stomach, as we shewed in defect of Appetite. Nor can a Melanchollick or

flegmatick Humor as they suppose, do the same by coldness or sharpness,

Driness of the inward coat there∣of, * 1.12 which goeth to the Gullet and Jaws if it be in any part thereof, causeth preternatural thirst, as on∣ly the want of natural moisture causeth thirst. And the greater the driness, the more the thirst. Heat causeth it by consuming the moisture, and the thirst is greater, because the stomach being hot also, desires cold as wel as moisture; As when the whol body is inflamed and the stomach by the same, Bathes, motion of body or mind, and in Fea∣vers, there is great thirst, And if the heat be great the heat is intollerable: Or if the stomach only be infla∣med from things taken in, as Wine, sweet things or Spices, or with sharp things, Herbs, rotten Cheese, or the like, all these taken intemperately cause a preterna∣tural thirst. Also from the Heat of a Purge there is thirst. Also Choler in the Stomach from meats eaten, or sent thither in Diseases causeth thirst, and the greater when it is hotter. And this may also come from hot vapors sent thither: And from things which only dry and do not (of their own nature) heat as all Salt things and such as are smoak-dryed: Also by Air long taken in with an open mouth, because it drieth the Jawes and the stomach by consequence. Some write that thirst may come from the heat and driness of the Wind-pipe and Lungs, to the Stomach. But, in re∣gard the Lungs want sense of feeling, if thirst come them or from other Diseases of the Breast, it is from the consent of the Tunicle of the Stomach, Gullet, and Wind-pipe, that the stomach is affected: Or by rea∣son of much spitting, or from a Feaver. Neither doth white spittle signifie that it comes from the Lungs; for the same may be made in the mouth from driness, and Air.

If any quality or propriety al∣ter the stomach; * 1.13 so as to raise the Appetite, it is the cause of disor∣derly Appetite, as we observe by melancholick humors which breed in the mesaraicks and mix with the blood, and get into the stomach by the Veins of the Spleen and other branches of the Gate-vein: which cause it not so much from sharpness which is in melancholy, and astringeth the stomach which causeth appetite; as from an hidden quality, which stirs up immoderate sence: which we conjecture to be so, be∣cause, sour things that bind prick, nor cold, as we she∣wed, nor other quality manifest, can so stir up the fun∣ction, as to increase, but rather allay appetite; except there be some hidden force in the humor. As those humors which Physitians cal melancholly, corrupted, and burnt to ashes can put on divers venemous quali∣ties, and cause Dog-like Appetite or Pica which is a desire of abominable things. And therefore the cause of these is a ve∣nemous force, * 1.14 which is better known by the effect than descri∣bed, in the humors sent to, or bred in the stomach, As Dioscorides speaks of some Poysons that tou∣chedor taken in do the same; or cause thirst as the bi∣ting of the Serpent Dipsas; such humors Galen saith may breed in the body and be turned into Poyson. That it is no wonder that women with Child and Vir∣gins that want their Terms should have the Pica. Or others a depraved appetite from a Cacochymy or evil juyce.

The Cure.

Of the three kinds of evil Appe∣tite if Hunger or Thirst cannot be satisfied, * 1.15 or if it be they are sick or pained at heart, or Vomit, or purge; or if they be weak and faint for being satisfied; this is to be cured. And it is more easily done in Hunger than Thirst, and great Hunger is easier taken away than satisfied. When strange things are desired that must not be neglected, because it signifieth a preternatural cause in the body: as also because they delight in such things and think they cannot hurt, which they find otherwise.

First be temperate in eating and drinking, not too much nor too little; especially after long fasting and sickness, and then take a little and often, such as is of good juyce and nourisheth wel and is easily concocted. In other causes, eat things that fil much and are solid, and not soon digested, yet in small quantity; for as an evil custom maketh Gluttons and Drunkards, that they are not well except ful, so a good and decent cu∣stom takes away immoderate appetite, and brings it in∣to good order.

Vomiting is good if there be an evil humor that causeth it, and if it come not of it self, provoke it. And in Dogs Appetite, at the first, before it is too violent, provoke it to take away the cause. In other cases vo∣miting increaseth it, except it come from choler; In which also thirst is raised, which ceaseth when that is spent.

Purging is good in these cases mentioned both a∣gainst Thirst and Hunger, not in other, except there be a Diarrhaea, in which you must help nature to take away the cause, with things that are gentle and a∣stringe; First preparing the Humor. All these we choose, by other observations than by the sharpness of flegm or melancholly. And though purging cause thirst, if it come from Choler they may be used. If it come from Worms give bitter things to drive them down.

We use hot and dry things for the stomach when this Disease comes from humors after they are purged. Which do not alter the coldness of the stomach, but heat and dry it, causing thirst, which cureth hunger: give meat actually and potentially hot, spiced, and sweetned, which are best fasting. And sweet Wine that is strong and spiced, and Aqua vitae which the labour∣ing people drink in the morning, that they may better endure hunger. Also hot medicines for the stomach, as sweet, sharp, burning, and wel scented: Or anoynt foment or Plaister the stomach with hot things. Or use exercise and Baths.

Things that loosen, or are fat or viscous, subvert the stomack, and by greasing it take away the sense, and Appetite, as Butter, Oyl, Fat, Glutinous, as Calfes, and Sheps Feet, and if they be loathsom they are the better; as they speak of roasted Dormice.

Things take away Appetite by propriety, by their adverse force, or loathsomness. As Wine in which an Ele hath been drowned, causeth men alwaies to loath Wine: But this must do it by another quality, if they that are ignorant of it are cured thereby. Antidotes do the like, if it come from venom. Others stupifie the sense of the stomach, as we shewed in the causes of dejected Appetite. And Wine or spirit thereof taken fasting, doth the same, not by heating, but stupifying. And the infusion of nightshade roots in Wine; Also

Treacle and Mithridate, with Wine, are stupifying by reason of the Opium; And other Opiates, though no Antidotes, abate Appetite, but it will return again by taking Vinegar.

Cold and moist things, Cure all sorts of thirst; And Rhazis saith, that cold, or cold water hurts the actions of the Stomach, largely taken, and cold Air cures Hun∣ger.

Drink doth this chiefly by wetting the dry Belly, if it be actually cold and potentially also.

Water actually cold (which we shewed to be poten∣tially temperate) is best, either crude or boyled to take away the windines. Or with sour Juyces, or Vinegar, or with Spirit of Vitriol-waters cure Thirst.

Wine may be given to them that are used to it, es∣pecially if small, or mixed with Water.

Also Milk to young Children, and such as use it, and Whey: But they are prohibited in Diseases in which they corrupt easily.

An Emulsion of sweet Almonds in water, called Al∣mond-milk, is pleasant.

Or Decoctions, as that of Barley-water, or beaten Bread, or of cold Seeds, or of Prunes, Cherries, Ray∣sons, with Cinnamon, Anise, Fennel, &c.

Broaths of Flesh-Capons, let the Fat be taken off, restore and quench Thirst.

Beere or Ptisan, with Juyces. As, Take Water two quarts, Juyce of Pomegranates, or Grapes two ounces, Sugar half an ounce: boyl them a little.

Or of distilled Waters. Take Sorrel, and Endive, wa∣ter, each two pints, Juyce of Currance, and Grapes, or Pome∣granates, each three ounces; Juyce of Lemmons, or Apples: boyl them, and sweeten them a little.

Julep Alexandrinum. Take Rose-water one pint, Su∣gar half a pound: boyl them to a consistance, add Wa∣ter boyled.

Or thus: Take Water one pint, Rose-water four oun∣ces, Juyces of Cherries, or Grapes two ounces, Sugar four ounces: boyl them.

Sharp Syrups, as of Currance, or Goos-berries, Grapes, Medlars, Cherries, Prunes, Pomegranates, Sorrel, or Vinegar, with Water or distilled Waters, or Syrup of Violets.

The Juyce of ripe Anguriae, or Pomegranates, is good.

Other solid things to chew, made of Sorrel, or wood∣sorrel, Lettice, Purslane, Endive, Succory, Bugloss∣flowers in Sallets.

Coleworts, Rapes, Apples boyled, Bar-berries.

Medlars, Peaches, Apples, Cherries, Prunes, Pome∣granates, Bar-berries, Grapes, Raisons green or dryed, Liquorish chewed, quencheth Thirst: Also Sugar can∣dy, with Syrup of Violets held in the Mouth.

Manna, Sugar of Roses, and Conserves, with Spi∣rit of Vitriol, Conserve of Violets, candied Lettice, Coleworts, Guords, Citrons.

Or: Take Conserve of Roses two ounces, of Sorrel one ounce, of Violets, Bugloss, Water-lillies, of each half an ounce; of Currans, as much as will make a sharp Elect∣uary.

Take the Mucilage of Fleabane, and Quince seed, Gum Traganth extracted, with Rose water, with Sugar, or Syrup convenient: Make a Linctus.

Take of the Mucilages mentioned one ounce, Syrup of Grapes half an ounce, with Sugar: Make a Linctus.

Or put seeds of Fleabane, and Quinces, in a clout, and add Sugar, cool it in water, and lay it upon the Tongue.

Take the four cold seeds, of each one dram; Purslane seed, Search, juyce of Liquorish, of each half a dram; with Gum Traganth: make Troches to hold in the mouth.

Or Troches of Salt-peter, that is, Salprunella, with Sanders, and Suger, and Gum Traganth.

It is good to cool the mouth with water, and Vine∣ger, Candied Coleworts, or with Rose water, or Sor∣rel water, &c. or to hold Crystal, or a Stone, or Ice in the mouth and chang it often.

Some anoynt the Tongue with Mucilage of seeds, and Oyl of Roses.

Cold air Cures thirst, by cooling the Lungs, if it come from them: and by correcting the heat of the whol body, in regard the Tunicle of the Mouth, and of the stomach, are all one.

Baths for the Feet and Hands of cold water, and change of Linnen doth the same.

Also Epithems applied to the Liver and Heart.

And anoynting of the Throat and Neck with Oyl of Violets, Water-lillies, Willows, Poppies,

Some anoynt the Head in Feavers, with the same, because the Nerves of the Head consent with the sto∣mach: but I suppose it doth good by provoking sleep.

Hippocrates saith that sleep slaketh thirst, not because it moistneth, as some say, but because heat is carried outward by sleep, as appeareth by sweating, which is then most easie to be cause.

Rest is good, because it keeps the body cool.

And also little talk, for much increaseth thirst.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Boulimos or great Appetite.
• * 1.2

  Doggs Ap∣petite.
• * 1.3

  Immoderate Thirst.
• * 1.4

  Pica.
• * 1.5

  Malacia.
• * 1.6

  Exquisite sense of the stomach causeth too great Appetite.
• * 1.7

  Or Evil Custom.
• * 1.8

  Want of Appetite.
• * 1.9

  Distribution of the Chyle too soon caus∣eth quick Appetite.
• * 1.10

  Want of moisture in the stomach cause of Thirst.
• * 1.11

  Coolng of a hot sto∣mach restoreth Ap∣petitie.
• * 1.12

  Driness of the Sto∣mach causeth Thirsl preternatural.
• * 1.13

  An occult quality in the Stomach is the cause of Dog-like Appetite.
• * 1.14

  An occult quality in the stomach is the cause of Pica. Poysons cause Bou∣linos and Thirst.
• * 1.15

  The Cure of Boui∣mos or great Appe∣tite of Thirst and Pica.