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.

It is necessary that in all Pains of the Habit of the Bo∣dy mentioned, that the sensible parts be affected as the Muscles, Membranes, and Nerves, from whence come stretching pains, or pains from compression, solution of continuity, simple distemper, congestion of Humors, In∣fluxion, or evil Quality.

Vehement Stretching of the parts cau∣seth this pain, * 1.1 by immoderate Motion in Exercise and Labour: Hence comes the stretching lazy pain mentioned. And violent motion, when the Muscles are contracted with the Cramp: As we shewed in Spasmus. Also it comes from Extension of the Muscles by straining, which cause Bleed∣ing, such as is in inflamed or ulcerated Laziness, or such as increaseth by touching and motion. This pain is som∣times in the broad Muscle of the Breast, which moveth the Arm, coming from strong holding of the bridle in ri∣ding; sometimes in the Feet and Knees, from riding in short Stirrups.

Or in the Back, from stretching of the Membranes and Ligaments, by the great Bowels, lying upon them; or by a Tumor, as in divers Diseases of the Liver, Spleen, Guts, Mesentery, and Womb, and in women with child, as we shewed.

Or it is from wind that is bred by moisture or weak heat, or coming from other parts, which lifteth up and stretcheth the muscles, as we shewed in windy Cramp. And if it be between the membranes, it is a pain like that from Defluxion, but not so fixed, but wandring, and stretching, and not long lasting. And if it come to the skin, the pain is with palpitation or beating, as we shewed.

Also Compression of the parts may cause pain without breaking of the skin which if it is, * 1.2 belongs to Diseases of the skin. As from long lying in a great Disease, when there is a pain in the Back, and in other sensible parts; and from external violence, as when from pressing of the El∣bow, there is a numness and pricking of the two Fin∣gers.

Or when the Bones are out of their places, and lye u∣pon the Muscles, Membranes, or Nerves, there is pain, which is greater and longer, when there is Swelling or Heat, as when there is a great pricking pain, from a vio∣lent motion of the Back or Neck, or from Bones out of Joynt, while they lye upon these parts, and hinder moti∣on: As we shewed in want of Motion from a Disloca∣tion.

The same pain may be from broken Bones out of their place, which tear the parts, and hinder motion, as we shewed in want of Motion from a Fracture. Or from the Spondils of the Back broken out, which cause Pain, Swel∣ling, and Ulcers, before they come forth; as I knew in a Child of seven years old, who was born crook-baked, and had a Tumor in his left Shoulder, out of which came ma∣ny small bones of his Back, with much matter.

Solution of Continuity internal in a sensible part, causeth pain, * 1.3 as when the Membrane about the Belly is broken: Especially when the guts come forth, and there is an Hernia. As for other sensible parts, as Muscles and Nerves, they can scarce be broken without an external force. Of these we shall speak in the Diseases of the Skin.

Also Distemper causeth pain, * 1.4 whether cold or hot. If it be outward, it is to be referred to Diseases of the skin; if in∣ward, it comes from Defluxion, or con∣gestion of Humors: as shall be shewed. And in the Fits of Agues, the pain felt in the Back and Members, comes first from Cold, and then from heat, be∣cause the Cause lyeth in the great Vessels which are near the Back, and inflame the Nervous parts.

An Humor heaped, which is corrupt from evil Nourishment or Weakness of Concoction or crude, * 1.5 causeth pain in the bloodless parts, about the Bones, Periostium, and Membranes; where by reason of Cold, they are more easily heaped up, and more slow∣ly discussed. This is often in the Head, between the skul and skin, by reason of the plenty of Veins, which afford Excrements, which cannot easily be discussed, by reason of the thickness of the skin: Hence comes Cephalaea or Heach-ach external. This may be in other places upon bare Bones, like that in the French Pox, with Swelling, and Nodes, when the Nourishment of the part aboundeth, and turns to a Callus: as shall be shewed in external Tu∣mors.

Also when these Humors are hea∣ped without the Skull, * 1.6 there comes a pain external, which goes before De∣fluxions, and Joynt-gouts.

The same Excrements about the bloodless Region of the Joynts, not flowing from other parts, may cause a kind of Joynt-gout. This comes by degrees, not suddenly, as that which comes from a De∣fluxion, nor doth it cause great pain, and the tumor is only oedematous. This Arthritis or Joynt-gout seldome comes first, but follows the other, which comes from De∣fluxion, when the part is weakned, from which Defluxions & new Excrements are gathered. Hence they are free from the Gout, but there is some sign of it, either from Deflu∣xion or Congestion of Humors. Or if there be another kind of Arthritis from both, as a Sciatica: It lasteth long, and hath great changes.

A Defluxion of Humors causeth sud∣den pains, * 1.7 and they are either simple Defluxions, or Arthritical. The Hu∣mors either flow from within the Ves∣sels, or otherwise.

Humors congested without the Ves∣sels that cause these two sorts of pain, are supposed either flegmatick or waterish, but a waterish Humor, or pure Whey flowing to these parts, causeth resolution or tumor without pain, rather then with great pam. And therefore it must be mixed with other Excrements, and then as it is more cholerick, sharp, or salt, or evil, it stretcheth and tearing the part more or less, and causeth pain accor∣dingly.

The Original of this serous Humor comes from the Head, and flows downwards. And it is somtimes con∣gested in the inward part thereof, within the Skull from the Blood which is plentiful in the Head, when it is crude or impure. And when any part thereof is unfit for Nou∣rishment, and will not be concocted, there are Excrements in the Brain, which fall down, and cause pain. Before which there was a Heaviness in the Head, from the Mat∣ter heaped up, and other accidents. Also excrementiti∣ous blood sent to the Brain, comes from the weakness of the first or second Concoction, or from its Crudity, and the rather if the Brain be weak. Hence it is that though good blood be bred in the first Concoction, yet because it cannot be assimilated, or brought into substance in the third, there are many Excrements, and more when it is not at first well concocted, or mixed with Excrements. This cause of the weakness of the Brain, is either from the Parents, or from age and Disease, especially from Wine and Venery, the one stupefying, and the other spending the Spirits, and both weakning the Nerves and Brain, and taking away strength: Of the excess of which the Gout is the punishment. The plenty of this humor in the brain causeth it to flow down, or external cold wind, or moist∣ness that pierceth the Brain, and straineth and squeeseth it, or heat of the Sun or Baths causeth Defluxions, rather by opening the passages, and stirring up the Faculty to expel, then by melting the Flegm, as they call it. Also great motion that shakes the Head, by Neesing, Coughing, or the like, causeth the abounding Humor to slow down.

And we have shewed that the same humor may be with∣out the Skull, and flow down, and cause pain, before which was Head-ach, or Heaviness, and Swelling of the skin. And also we shewed the Cause why Humors are easily gathered there. And the same Causes that made the Humor flow which was internal, may move the exter∣nal, as cold and heat; and sooner, as we ordinarily may perceive.

The Defluxion of this Humor, which is both within and without the Skull, is divers. For if that flow, which is in the Skull, it causeth Diseases in the Habit of the Bo∣dy, and others also, as it falls into the bottom of the skull into the three cavities. For if it fall into the upper cham∣ber next the Forehead, then it is strained through the holes of the straining Bone, and comes like clear water out of the Nose, and is called Coriza. If it fall into the middle Cell or Chamber, which goeth to the Pallate with many holes, it either passeth thin presently, or continueth, and turneth thick into Snot, and so is blown out at the Nose, or hawked out. Or if it flow towards the Eyes, it is turned to Tears: as we shall shew in things sent forth. But if it follow the passage of the Nerves, in the middle cell, or fall into the hinder Cavity of the Skull, which is lower and larger, through the great hole behind, which contains the the narrow, from whence come the pain of Nerves, it fals into the Habit of the Body, into fleshy parts or Joynts, and causeth the Gout. Also when the Humor gathered with∣out the Skull, flows down under the skin, it causeth pains according to the parts, as we shall shew.

If it flow upon the fleshy parts, either inwardly or out∣wardly, then it gets between the Muscles and nervous Membranes, or between the Flesh and Skin, and Glandles, and causeth Heaviness, when it is much, or stretching, or pricking, when it is of evil Quality, or a Tumor occult or manisest, like an Oedema, and if the pain be great, and cause a Flux of Blood, it causeth Inflammation, which somtimes is known by heat and beating pain. And if it be outward, there is apparent Tumor and Redness. These pains from Defluxions are usually in the Back and Neck, and Face, and Breast somtimes, and Joynts, as we shewed. And when these parts have been used to Defluxions, they are weaker and loofer, and more apt to receive them.

If this Humor from within the Skull, flows by the ways of the Nerves into the Joynts, or from without under the skin, as Fernelius saith it may, then as it is about the Lips, Shoulders, Knees, Arms, Feet, or Finger-joynts, Back, or Cheeks, in one or more places, it causeth divers kinds of Gouts. In which they suppose the Joynt to be the part affected, and some think the inward part chiefly, because the pain is felt there, or increased by motion. But in re∣gard the moving Joynt is compounded inwardly, of two Bones, which have no Periostium in that part, but only a hard Gristle, and there is no Nerve there, and therefore they are all infensible, the pain cannot be within. Nor in the Joynt of the Thigh, where there is an insensible Liga∣ment. Moreover in regard the Bones are so exactly joyn∣ed in the Joynts, that there is no space between, and out∣wardly are closed with Ligaments, so that nothing can get in, how can any humor get in to breed the Gout, when there is no passage nor Vein. Moreover the Ligaments without that bind the Joynt, are infensible, or if they have any feeling, it is from the Periostium to which they grow, and that is very little. How then can there be so great pain in the Gout, if it be there? Neither can it be from the Tendons, which have little or no feeling. Besides, the Tumor without, which is at a distance from the Joynt, and the pain which is remote, shews that the pain is not in the Joynt. Also the chalky Matter, and the Nodes in the Gout, are not alwayes found in the Joynts, but in the parts adjacent. And though they grow in the Joynt som∣times, yet is not the pain therefore in the Joynts, or in the insensible parts whereof they are made. For they are

from other Causes, and cannot cause pain, except it be by hurting the part adjacent, nor other inconvenience, but Deformity and Hindrance of Motion. For no pain can be but from a sensible part, which is not in the Joynts. Therefore the Gout-pain is not from the Joynts, but the parts adjacent, as the Nerves, Muscles, and Membranes. And the reason why the pain is so near the Joynt, is the meeting of the Nerves there about, where they are com∣prehended in a little room, and bound about with Mem∣branes, and Ligaments, and solded together to move the Joynt, when in other places they are free, and go straight along the Body. Hence it is that when any matter falls into these narrow and crooked places, it easily stays there, and afflicts the Nerves causing pain. Which pain, if there be a Humor, is fixed in the strait passages, through which the Nerves run; as in the Sciatica, where the pain is a∣bove the Joynt, almost in the Loins, where the fourth Nerve goes to the Leg, and is bent outwardly, from the Cavity of the Hip, while the Humor sixeth, and when it removeth, the pain removeth to the Knee, to which the Nerve goes, or to the Foot; the pain is the same in the Shoulder. And when the Matter is much the pain is in di∣vers parts, where it is fixed, and in those narrow passages, where the Nerves pass through the holes of the Bone, as in the Back-bone, where it easily stayes, and causeth pain, and chiefly where the net work of the Nerves goes from the Neck to the Arms, and from the Loins to the Thighs.

The Disease that causeth this pain, is either stretching from much Humor, such as when it falls in a fleshy part, differing only in that the humor in this flows to the Mus∣cles next the Joynts, and causeth not so great pain, as when the Nerves are afflicted, and there is an Oedema in in the part. And if the humor be evil and infect the Nerves, the pain will be worse, and heat and redness will come from the Flux of Blood, and lastly a Swelling: as we shall shew in the Gout, from a Flux of Blood. Al these cease when the Excrements are consumed, and return u∣pon a new Defluxion. And after many Defluxions, some reliquies remain not discussed, which if they be glutinous, turn by degrees into Chalk. And if they are earthy, as serous humors use to be, as I shewed in the Stone, they turn to Stones. This is chiefly in the Hands, and Feet∣Joynts, because the humor can fall no further.

The Disposition of the part receiving, is a cause also why the humor goes hither or thither, as when the passages of the Nerves, and the places about the Joynts, are too loose. Or when there is haereditary Weakness in the Nerves or Brain, or when there hath been a Disease, or is a Deflu∣xion constantly stretching the passages. Hence it is that the humor, though it be not in great plenty in these pas∣sages so stretched, and made loose, as it is usually, when it causeth pain, yet it easily goes thither. And because it useth to go to the extremities by its thinness and the o∣penness of the passages, rather then stop by the way; and not only loosen the place, but separate the parts one from another. Hence it is that the Podagra, of Foot-gout, and Chiragra, or Hand-gout, are more usual then the o∣ther Gouts. And why after once, they come again monthy and yearly, and cannot be quite driven away. And the Sciatica, and other Gouts above, though the Matter stop in them, yet it is more seldom, because the matter descends, and the pain will not be so loosned as in the Hands and Feet, except there be a continual Defluxi∣on. And a general Arthritis or running Gout, is not so usual as the other kinds, because the humor that causeth it, must be a great quantity, to go into almost all the Joynts. And because the seldom coming thereof wea∣kens the parts but little, and also because (as I shall shew) it comes often from another Cause then a Defluxi∣on from the Head.

When Blood in the Veins falls about the Joynts, it be∣gets a hot Gout, with a Feaver, and Inflammation, and the like: as it doth Distention and Heat in any other part.

This is from the abundance of it, or when it is too hot, and causeth a Synoch Feaver, which usually presently follows the hot Gout, and attends it. And as an Erysipelas comes in a Synoch Feaver, from the Blood sent to the skin, so doth the Gout from the same sent to the Joynts, and they who are subject to the Gout, are subject to a Synoch, with Erysipelas. And the Patient hopes somtimes it will be but an Erysipelas, when he is subject to have both. Also the Blood being made more impure and thin by excrementi∣tious Whey, may cause an Arthritis, with a smaller Fea∣ver. And when the Gout is more general in many parts, and comes oftner, it is from Blood, which easily goeth through the Body, and not from a Defluxion from the Head, which is seldom the cause, but when it is in great quantity. Although a particular Gout, as the Feet and Hip, may be often from blood, with a Feaver. In these Gouts from blood, if it be very hot, and inflame the Nerves, the pain and burning is greater, with redness and tumor, (except it lye low, as in Sciatica) and with an erysipelated Phelg∣mon. But if the blood be waterish, the tumor will be spread like an Oedema, and the pain less, and not very troublesom, but because it is in divers parts.

The cause of the heat and foulness of the Blood is men∣tioned in Synochs, as the use of stronge wine excessively which weakens the brain by astonishment, and makes the blood increase, grow hot and thin, which is easily there∣fore inflamed, to produce a Feaver, by which a part of it is sent to the Joynts. This is the cause and punishment of the Gout. Hence it is the rich mans Disease, who u∣seth excess in wine, and spiced meats, that inflame the blood. And somtimes the poor mans from other causes, as is the Feaver with Erysipelas. It comes to all by the Disposition of the Part through weakness, and by loosness of the passages; as we shewed in Arthritis from Defluxion, especially if the Flux hath been often, which causeth grea∣ter weakness.

Also Blood sent to other parts that are fleshy in Sy∣nochs, as into the Emunctuaries of the Kernels there, may cause pain, with a Tumor and Feaver: as we shewed in Feavers. Or disturb by its plenty and thinness, when it goes to any part of its own accord, or by labor or pain.

An occult malignant Quality, as ap∣pears by the effect, being external, * 1.8 cau∣seth the pain about the Bones, which is called the fourth sort of French Pox. This Quality comes from the Body of a∣nother infected, whether totally or in part: Therefore Whores infected, though they walk abroad, and have not great accidents, may infect others. And somtimes a Whore takes it, and gives it to the next Customer, and clears her self. This Quality insecteth by touch, especially of the naked tender Privities in Copulation, and so it passeth from one Instrument of Generation to another, and so to the whole Body. Hence it is that it came from the In∣dies to us. And it may come by insected Excrements o∣ther wayes, as Sweat in Hankerchers or Shirts, or from Spittle, even as the poyson of venemous Breasts is com∣municated by biting; therefore beware of Spoons and Cups, wherein they drink, and Kisses by which Nurses in∣fect Children. For in my Fathers time in our honest Fa∣mily, my Mother was infected with her Child that she gave suck to, by that means, through a Harlot that was infected, and her servant. And my Father with the help of a Chyrurgion, cured them both by ordinary means. It may come also from the touching of mattery Clouts. And a Midwise of sixty years old in Paris, delivering a woman that had a venereal Ulcer, had an Ulcer in her Hand, by which means she infected many honest Women, when she touched their Privities, as Lewisa Burgesia, the famous Midwife to the Queen of France, recorded in her Book. Few Bodies are thus infected, but Infants and very tender People often touched. Nor can it come by breath, for then more would be infected; although many to smoo∣ther their unlawful Lechery, pretend it.

This Quality is in a Vapor or Humor, and goes from the Body to Body, and infects the Part it first toucheth, and seldom stayes there, but goes like poyson through the bo∣dy, especially into the membranous parts; and if it be outwards, it is like an Elephantiasis, and causeth loss of Hair, Pustles, and Ulcers: As that shall be shewed in dis∣eases of the Skin from the Pox. If it be deep in the solid parts, then it gets into the Periostium and Membranes, and causeth pain about the Bones, especially when there is no Flesh, and where many Membranes and Nerves meet in the Heart, Breast, Skins, and the like. These pains are increased with heat, and produce Nodes, after the Periostium is eaten away; as we shewed in Cepha∣laea, from congestion of humors. And few other inconve∣niences, but no great change in the Spirits and Humors, nor doth any thing appear of that Nature in the Urin, Ex∣crements, and Hurt of the Functions, except accidents do arise from great pain, and long continuance, or violent medicines, which we must rather study to cure then the Pox.

There is also inwardly a secret Malig∣nity, * 1.9 which being an enemy to some parts, causeth pain in the Habit of the Body, like this, such as we shewed might come from the Pox, taken from with∣out, or a Head-ach external without the Pox, when besides the distemper causeth pain, there is also Malignity, by which it lasteth longer. And some pains of the Joynts that come from Defluxion, * 1.10 when the Hu∣mor is malignant, may produce somthing malignant, and un∣known, formerly in divers Diseases, which is often and la∣sting, and hath its proper accidents, and can scarce be cu∣red. And we may very well con∣ceive that the pain in the Cramp, * 1.11 which runeth through the Body, comes from a perverse quality that is offensive to the Nerves, by the wonderful and strange accidents it produceth for a long time, by the Nerves, through the whole Body, to the ex∣tremity of them, where the pain is greatest. * 1.12 And those Diseases which are called Colds and Heats, come from Malignity, as appears by their prodigious Symptoms.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Distention or Stretching, is the cause of pain, where o∣ther Symptoms are greater.
• * 1.2

  A Compression is the Cause of pain in which the Symptomes are greater.
• * 1.3

  Rupture is the cause of pain in the Her∣nia.
• * 1.4

  Distemper cau∣seth pain, with other Symptoms joyned.
• * 1.5

  Congestion of Hu∣mors causeth an ex∣ternal Head-ach.
• * 1.6

  Congestion of Hu∣mors, causeth out∣ward Heaviness. Congestion of Hu∣mors causeth the Joynt-gout.
• * 1.7

  A Defluxion of Humors, causeth the Joynt-gout and other pains.
• * 1.8

  An evil qua∣lity causeth the French Pox.
• * 1.9

  An evil ma∣lignant quality causeth external malignant Head ach.
• * 1.10

  A malignant Quality causeth a malignant gout.
• * 1.11

  A malignant quality is the cause of the run∣ing pain in the Cramp.
• * 1.12

  A malignant quality is the cause of pain in depraved Touching.