If any want serum or natural moisture it is in vain to provoke them to sweat: * 1.1 also when it is plentiful and turned another way, except it be against natures intenti∣on; for if nature incline to sweat we must not use o∣ther evacuations, but hinder them. Also in Obstructi∣ons and crudities if we intend to evacuate by sweat, they must first be opened and the matter prepared. But if there be abundance of excrementitious moisture in the Veins and habit of the body, we must use this eva∣cuation for the preventing and curing of Diseases, and it must be attenuated and concocted from its thickness and crudity: and first we must remove external causes which may hinder sweat, and then give Sudorificks or medicines to cause sweat such as follow.
Among Sudorisicks, * 1.2 some are such as cause sweat by a great quantity of Liquor taken in when there is external heat to further it; hence it is that when we drink fasting and warm in bed in any quantity, sweat wil follow.
And this is caused by cold drink as well as by hot, for the entrals being suddenly cooled, the heat external sooner draws the serum to it.
And this is soonest done by things that are piercing, and sharp, and these are called Sudorificks.
Among which distilled waters by reason of their thinness are the best, as for example, of hot herbs, Cherfoyl and Carduus, of cold plants, Fumitory and Lemmons.
Many Decoctions are made for this purpose as of Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, China, and other Woods, Roots and Herbs, boyld in much water. Or Hors∣tail, or the lesser Polygonum, or the like, boyled in Wine.
This following is commended. Take Millium or Pannicum hulled, one pugil, boyl it in Water, to four oun∣ces of the Water strained, add two ounces of white Wine for one Draught, this is called St. Ambrose his Syrup.
Or this. Take Hysop and Marjoram, boyl them in Chicken Broath, and ad thereto two drams of the Emulsion of Hemp-seed.
This is excellent. Take Nep and Citron seed each one dram and an half; Water of Carduus and Sorrel each one ounce and an half or two ounces; make an Emulsion, add Syrup of Carduus or of Sorrel six drams, of Roses two drams, let it be given at bed-time, some give the root of Asa∣rabacca two darms in pouder in three ounces of Carduus water which is a good Sudorifick.
Treacle and other sleeping medicines are given dis∣solved to provoke Sweat, for in a deep sleep Sweat doth easily come forth.
Also the juyce of Elder or Danewort given with di∣stilled waters, or in a Decoction doth the same.
Or, Take Saffron one scruple, Ginger half a dram: give them in Pouder with Almond Milk.
Or, Take one dram of Brimstone with the Yolk of an Egg.
The Chymists give Salts, Oyls, and Spirits, as Spi∣rit of Vitriol with convenient Liquors. Their Bezo∣ardine Mineral, Diaphoretick Sol and Luna, Diapho∣retick Antimony, the Sulphur of Antimony, Spirit of Tartar, and the Treacle water of Crollius, the secret of Carduus, and the like.
All things that outwardly heat the body, so that the blood may be carried thither, and the serum with it and open the pores do cause Sweat: And they may be, greater or less as the humor aboundeth and the Consti∣tion requireth, as follow.
As many Cloaths and Coverings, Skins, and Fea∣thers, Hot Air caused by the Sun, or Fire, which out∣wardly inflames the body.
Hot Water either natural or Artificial.
Oyntments for the Back and great Veins, which gently heat with Oyl of Lillies, Pellitory, and the like.
Also Violent motion.
And the passions of the mind which inslame the spi∣rits and humors, as Anger, Joy, or such as shake the spi∣rits, produce Sweat, as Terror, Fear.