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 Cure.

We will divide the Cure according to the diversity of the Kinds, and we will explain in every one what is to be done.

What must be done both in a general and particular Convulsion, * 1.1 hath been taught in Convulsions; in that also cal∣led a Convulsive Palpitation, in as much as this threa∣tens true Convulsions we must study to prevent it by Application of the same Remedies, but by reason of its motion, seeing it is not very urgent, nothing peculiar is applied to the members.

In Restlessness, * 1.2 if that spring from a perturbation of the mind, what then must be done in respect of the Disease and also of this Symptom, by reason of which, how it ought to be quieted with Dormitives and be restrained by using of force, hath been explained in an Alienation of the Mind.

If they be restless by reason of Pain, * 1.3 then smoothing the pain with Anodines and things enducing sleep, and if it urge more vehemently cau∣sing a Stupidity, together with the Pain, we correct the Restlessness.

But if the Restlessnes arise by reason of the Heat, not only of the Heart and Brain, but also of the whol Body in Feavers, then this Symptom because it dejects the strength, draws the Cure to it self; the which yet is used no otherwise, than that which is wont to be applied to Feavers in quenching that burning, except that here the strength of the Remedies must be increased and upon that account when the Cure urgeth, we attempt a more plentiful Evacuation and diversion of the Blood, unless somwhat hinder, or we reiterate it: also we increase the quality of Coolers both with Internal and Exter∣nal Remedies, * 1.4 and those things which may augment the Heat we take away, as too much cloathing, and the roomes being shut up, we open them, and chiefly in respect of the Symptom, by rubbing the body diverting from the Nerves the vapors which do cause or increase the the restlessness, and afterward lenifying it with anoyn∣ting the Back-bone, with Oyl of Violets, sweet Al∣monds &c. we correct that tossing of the body: the which also is done if we admonish the sick, that they weaken not themselves with too much motion, or hinder Sweats by making themselves bare, and that we may somwhat quiet them, we may procure Sleep.

In Trembling we must proceed according to the Nature of the Cause, and if they tremble from some Passion of the Mind, or by reason of Labor above their strength, those ceasing, the Trembling also ceaseth.

But if the Spirits being dissipated or wasted by reason of old Age or Venery and other profuse Evacuations, * 1.5 or it fol∣low after grievous diseases, 'tis easie to repair the strength dis••••pated, but very hard that which is lost: the which yet must be tried by that called a Restorative Cure, which is chiefly accomplisht, by a fit and moderate sleep, by moderate and seasonable exercise, the which wil profit more, if the Trembling were induced by vehement la∣bor, if it be gently undertaken, than altogether idleness; by a cheerful Mind, or if the Trembling remaineth, from some passion of Mind, it is corrected by the con∣trary passion of the Mind, by a cleer temperate Air, pure and sweet, by nourishments of good juyce and wel nourishing, also by things that repair the spirits and increase the heat, as Wine, which moderately taken doth so refresh, that it doth correct the Trembling caused by Wine, by its refreshing, if it be taken as hath been said.

But if it proceed from a Disease of the Nerves and is as it were an imperfect or dimunite Palsie and it be from the Birth, * 1.6 or otherwise from a grievous disease, it somtimes is incurable. But if it proceed from an Excrementitious humor possess∣sing the Nerves, no other method of Cure is applied for the curing of this disease, then what was spoken of in a Palsie, and is applied to other disea∣ses of the Brain and Nerves, ingendred from excre∣ments, amongst which also is a Convulsion, which if they would use timely, and continue in it, doubtless they would be sooner cured than the paralytick, but be∣cause they neglect it, unless the trembling be very much, or are content with a few things, it comes to pass that the Trembling doth not only not cease, but old age comming on, it is increased.

As therefore it hath been said in a Palsie, so here also we must proceed, and the body first of all must be ge∣nerally purged, and that, if the evil persist, must be re∣peated at certain times and particular Evacuations and Diversions must be ordered, & the same altering things must be drank, and the like must be outwardly applied, and Baths must be ordered, if it yeild not to other things; and we must chiefly take heed, that the trem∣bling hands be not exposed to the cold, or washed with cold water, instead of which they may be washed with Decoction of Sage, Lavender flowers, and the like, a∣mongst which Lotions they teach that if the parts be washt in the morning with Piss, it doth very much, help.

If the Trembling have its original from Poyson those Alexiphamaca which resist this must be used; and if this be from the use of Quick-silver, which more fre∣quently comes to pass, they give Treacle or Cordial Medicines, with which they mix the filings of Gold, seeing they say that Gold hath such an affinity with Quick-silver, that if it be in the body, and Gold be drank, that so draws it with it that afterwards voided by the stool, it is found pure in the Excrements sticking to the Gold, which affinity of theirs they have taken from that, that in gilding, Gold can be fastned to no Mettal but by the intervention of Quick-silver.

At this day the Electuary of Orvietanus is chiefly commended for a singular Remedy in this case of which kind if this following be not, yet it may supply its room. As, Take of the roots of Gentian, Bistort, Car∣line, Tormentil, white Dittander, Aromatick cane, round Birthwort, Wolfsbane, the herb blessed Thistle, the seeds of Vipers Bugloss, Alkanet, Citron each one ounce; make them all into a fine Pouder, to which add the roots of Vipers grass pouderd the weight of them all, of Honey clarified, with a sufficient quantity of generous Wine three times as much, and towards the latter end of boyling, mix of the best Treacle one pound and an half, keep it for use, the Dose is from half a dram to a dram.

There are some who have taught that they can draw Quick-silver out of the body by Sweats, that it shall stick plainly to the Skin like Sand, and afterwards be∣ing washt with water shal appear shining, by this means, if every other day in a Stove suffumigating the body one day with the Wine of the Decoction of Sage and Wormwood poured forth on red Bricks, but the other day with Frankincense cast upon the Coles, they draw forth Sweat, and as often as they go out of the Bath they must rub their body with Aqua vitae distilled with Balm, and continue it for twelve or fourteen daies: afterwards let them anoynt themselves six daies with Oyl of Turky, Millet and Foxes til as they say, the aforesaid Sand doth stick to the Skin, but we who profess that Quick-silver in substance, cannot pass the body neither by its Suffumigations nor anoyntings, as no other Medicines also, but that they attempt what they perform, by their vertues only carried thither we do judg this opinion of the Vulgar and of some Physi∣tians to be false, although it be very much imprinted in the minds of men, and Deceivers pr••••••ely con∣veighing quick-silver in a Plaster, confirm it in the vul∣gar: and in the like case, we advise that Gold-smiths whiles they gild, do sit out of the house in the open Air, as for the most part they are wont to do, that the Wind may drive the smoak from them; and if there be need of quick-silver in the Cure, we give order that it be fit∣ly and moderately administred; yet if a trembling a∣rise from thence, we advise the same Remedies especi∣ally the Topical mentioned in a Palsie, which help the Nerves rather by strengthening and somwhat binding as Rondoletius wil have it, than by affecting them with an eminent heat. And we wash the trembling parts with the Decoctions before quoted.

If the trembling arise from Narcoticks, and their

force causes it; how it must be broken hath been said in a Numness: but if the Trembling remain, the same Topicks shal be tried which by strengthening do heat also, not because the Nerves are cooled by Narcoticks, as they think, but because when they are stupid, they are stirred up by heat. But if Drunkeness with Wine hath caused a trembling, either it ceaseth of its own accord, if it be not accustomary, but if Drunkenness hath been already a long while continued, the Trembling arising thence is hardly any more taken away, especially when Drunkards have contracted so perverse a habit, that unless they fil themselves again with Wine and are heated by it, as hath been said in the Causes, they are troubled more with the Trembling, yet in the interim they may mend this perverse kind by Temperance and Sobriety of life, also the Remedies that strengthen the Nerve wil do good both given and applied.

In that called a Rigor if it be gen∣tle, * 1.7 or only a Horror, seeing it doth not much trouble, or continue long, we need not take pains to correct it, and also if it be vehement seeing Na∣ture by that in the beginning of Feavers, doth endea∣vor to expel the hurtful matter, neither is it then easily to be curbed, or Natures Motion to be hindred, as nei∣ther if it go before a Crisis, seeing Hippocrates saith, a Rigor coming upon a Burning Feaver, its dissolved.

But if it so trouble the body, together with a trouble∣some sense of Cold, that the sick suffers it with a great deal of trouble, and are weakned by it, then 'tis rather to be mitigated, then wholly to be hindered, seeing this cannot be done without dammage, and the Rigor be∣ing wholly taken away, the course of the whol Feaver is stopt, or is caused, that it is not decently, so that though those Remedies which suffer not the Rigor to break forth, are beleeved to cure a Feaver, yet by re∣tarding it they do rather cause, that afterwards it fol∣lows worse, or is changed into more grievous acci∣dents; unless perhaps that unprofitable Rigor persist rather from custom than the Morbifick cause which is already taken away, for then also it must be wholly prevented, as these things have been largely explained in Feavers.

Also by what means the Fit of the whol Feaver may be hindred with the Rigor hath been likewise taught in Feavers, but for Mitigation of it the things following wil suffice,

If the body be somwhat actually heated, for whiles we provide against cold, also the Rigor is appeased; which is with less hurt done in the Feet, heating them with Cloaths or other waies, as with warm water in a Brass Vessel, or with Stones or Tiles heated and wrapt in a cloth.

Diverting the matter by Frictions and Ligatures of the extream parts, we amend the Rigor.

That is ••••fly performed by anoynting the Back∣bone with any heating Oyls and proper to the Nerves. As, Take of Oyl of Chamomel, Dill, St. Johns wort, each half an ounce; anoynt it, first besprinkling the hands with Aqua vitae.

Or after this manner. Take of the flowers of Chamo∣mel, St. Johns wort, the Leaves of Southernwood dried, pou∣dered, each two drams; Pellitory of Spain one dram, pour as much Oyl of Nuts as to cover them, Aqua vitae two drams; boyl them, strain it, and anoynt the Back∣bone.

Or of Juyces and Oyls. Take the juyce of Mugwort, Southernwood, each half an ounce; Oyl of Dill, Rue, each one ounce; Aqua vitae two drams, Saffron half a scruple, boyl them a little, make an Oyntment.

Many mix Treacle with Aqua vitae and Oyls and anoynt the Back-bone, others if the Cold be great mix Spices.

The Oyntment of Spiders explained in Feavers, as also other things exprest there do the same also, with which also the soals of the feet are rubbed.

There are some who approve of Baths, if the Feave∣rish heat hinder not, and the Rigor lie highly hurtful, of the Decoction of Pennyroyal, Calamint, Rue, Sou∣thernwood, Mugwort, and the flowers of Chamomel, and Melilot.

In Reaching and Yawning, * 1.8 see∣ing these can bring no dammage, but rather do good, there wil be no need of any Cure there, unless in as much as, if these together with a Spontaneous weariness do as signs foretel Diseases, they do admo∣nish us to apply Remedies that we may prevent them.

If from Yawning the lower Jaw be easily luxated, we advise that they do somwhat repress it, and gape not with such a wide mouth, as also in reaching, be∣cause it is uncivil too much to extend the Members, we teach them somwhat to restrain their limbs, for Ci∣vilities sake, rather than any benefit.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Cure of a Convulsion.
• * 1.2

  The Cure of restlessness from trouble of mind.
• * 1.3

  The Cure of rest∣lessness by reason of Pain.
• * 1.4

  The Cure of Rest∣lessness by reason of by reason of heat.
• * 1.5

  The Cure of Trembling from defect of Spirits.
• * 1.6

  The Cure of Trembling from an af∣fect of the Nerves.
• * 1.7

  The Cure of a Rigor from acrid Humors.
• * 1.8

  The Cure of reach∣ing & yawning from halituous Vapors.