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.

All the Causes of Discolouration whether it be general or particular in the Skin, Eyes, Teeth, Nails and Hair, come either from Humors, as Seed, Blood; nourishing Juyce, Choller, or from evil Humors or Filth or other de∣filments: or from Heat, Cold, or Dryness, as shall be in order explained.

As we shewed in Deformity, that it came in respect of Number in Deformi∣ty, * 1.1 that it came in respect of Number of Parts, Magnitude and Figure from the Parents seed many times; so from the same comes Discolouration, and heredi∣tary Spots; which also as the Diseases in form and figure, come from the seed; and the Natural colour of the skin is derived from Pa∣rents to Children, as that blackness which is counted un∣comely, comes Naturally from Parents of the same colour: and Children are grey or black eyed like their Parents, and haired, black, yellow or red like their Parents. And as in men often so alwaies in Beasts, they produce their like in colour. This hath been observed to be true also in Birds especially Pidgeons, of which if one or two only be black or different in colour, all the rest being white, there shall be so many and no more of that colour: and if the Eyes of the Pigeon be black, yellow or crystalline, the young will have the like. They that study Pidgeons, are so obser∣vant therein, that they remove those whose colour they like not, least the young should prove of the same.

As this similitude of Natural colours, comes from seed rightly and Naturally ordered and disposed, so if it be o∣therwise, divers colours and strange spots, may come as we said concerning Deformity; namely by transmutation or permistion and divers Causes, amongst imagination can do so much, as that if a woman in the time of Conception or after when with Child, apprehended any thing strongly by sight or imagination, the same shall have impression upon the Child: as Histories report a Woman to have brought forth a black More, by beholding the Picture of a black More in the time of Copulation; also other spots come from hence, as of Mulberries, Cherries, and the colour of a Peacocks Neck and other representations, which we have observed to be Natural (from Parents imaginations) in their Children; some have taught that Beasts have the same imagination to produce the like to what they phan∣sie. As the Scripture witnesseth of Jacob, who that he might get Cattel from his Father Laban, used an Art, by barking and peeling Rods, that they might be of divers colours, to cause the sheep which looked upon them at the time of Copulation, to produce party coloured young. Pliny saies that Pidgeons will produce Pidgeons of divers colours, if the Dove-house be painted with divers colours.

From the Blood which is over the skin and the flesh, * 1.2 (which in the Des∣cription of a Phlegmon I shewed to be Natural, in regard it is not only gathe∣red in the small Veins of the skin, but the substance of flesh and skin covered therewith) as I say, there ariseth from the blood, a proper colour of the Skin inclining to Rendess, to be seen through the Cuticula or scarfe Skin; or as there is a perfect Redness in some parts, as the Lips and Yard by reason of their spungy flesh con∣taining more blood, and in the Yard by reason of Arterial blood, and in the Cheeks, in which the blood is more fre∣quent then in other parts (especially in some constituti∣ons): so, if this blood should be carried more to the Su∣perficies or outside then ordinary, there will be a redder colour but chiefly in the Face, which by reason of its ten∣derness and looseness receiveth blood more easily. As we see, when the blood is drawn outward with the spirits by external heat, the Body begins to be red, and the Face to blush, and the very white of the Eyes to be dyed therewith: or by the passions of the Mind, in which the blood with the spirits being raised is thrown outward; as from anger the Face will be inflamed and from shame blush, which yet when the blood returns, do all vanish away; in some soo∣ner in some later. For I have observed in some, that red∣ness coming from anger and shame, hath continued a long time after burning in the Cheeks.

As these things come by Blood in the Superficies of the body, * 1.3 so when it is there wanting, the flourishing colour is gone, and Paleness follows, which turns blew in those parts which ought to be red by Nature as in the Face, Cheeks, Lips and Yard as also the Nails, which when by reason of the red flesh be∣neath shineing through them they are red, if blood fails are seen to be blew.

These parts are destitute of Blood, through Hunger, Sad∣ness, Bleeding, and Diseases; or if the blood flie from them, they are pale till it return, as the Yard is pale when there is no occasion for blood. And as it is when exter∣nal cold repells it, the skin is not so well coloured as when hot.

And in them whose Cheeks being red, the Blood being congealed with cold, seems to be of a livid and lyad color, lastly, the same thing happneth when the blood with the Spirits is suddenly down in, as in Fear, Terror and other Passions or in swoundings and faintings, which cause Pale∣ness till the blood and spirits return.

Also divers sorts of spots proceed from Blood, either as it is in the true Skin, or in the Pores, or as it is under the scarfe Skin.

In the Feaver synochus hot and burnt blood spread into the true Skin, * 1.4 causeth that Redness which joyned with heat is called Erisipelas, sometimes Meazles and small Pox, how this was done was explained formerly.

And if blood throw it self to the skin by any other cau∣ses internal or external, which expel it or draw it forth, it caufeth other red spots; as those Erysipelata which are in one place, and that Redness of Legs which comes from the heat of the Sun, which we formerly spake of.

Also through plenty of Blood, Thinness and Heat, and sometimes Impurity of the same, those blood spots do come into the Face and other parts into which Nature sends it.

And first the Redness of face called Gutta rosacea, as it may proceed from the aforesaid causes, so from often and immoderate use of Wine, it is usual with Drunkards, be∣cause by Drunkenness the parts ordained for sanguifying or making of Blood, and the blood it self being both too hot: that blood being sent in great Quantity and often, into those parts which are ordained by Nature to receive it, doth at length by often supply, cause this continual red∣ness and Pustles. This Infirmity is of long continuance, for Blood not falling from its Natural part is not suppura∣ted, nor is it easily discussed other waies; also it anoys the Face cheifly, because that seems more to abound with blood then other parts, and Redness is more Naturally there, especially in the Cheeks, which in some are red Na∣turally, or speedily grow red by blushing, and this shews that Blood can easily go to the Face, and return, if Nature be not hindered: but this is seldome done when it either offending in Quantity or Quality is often sent thither, but being there fixed it begets this permanent and lasting Dis∣ease.

It happens also that if any Portion of blood which is sharp come to the Skin, it causeth those red and uneven spots by exasperation and corrosion, which we call Ring∣worms, and the Germans Zittermahl.

The blood being carried to the Pores of the skin, * 1.5 and spreading it self a little space about them, sometimes produceth small spots. Also in swea∣ting, the Blood being carried to the Pores with the water, and there fixing such spots remain: and we may per∣ceive the same to be done by stinging of Creatures and bi∣ting of Flees, such spots are left, which are soon discussed because small.

If Blood get out of the true skin, in which we shewed that it Naturally is un∣der the scarse skin, * 1.6 then being out of its place and not able to return, there it lies and shineing through the scars skin, causeth those spots of the color of blood out of the place, and left by Nature and therefore black and cloddy, such as are in a bruise, and they are little broad, or long according as the stroke was, and these will last long, if the blood corrupt not as it often happens when it is inclosed; sometimes when the blood is thin and spreads abroad, they are yellow and broad and when it is discussed they vanish, sometimes the blood corrupts and eateth through the scarf Skin.

The cause of Blood thus breaking through the skin is u∣sually a contusion made in the Veins or true skin, by which its continuity being divided within, the blood is carried from thence to the scarfe skin, for which reason, there are divers sorts of Marks, as from a whip or rod, they are long according to the strokes. And the Eyes are black from a stroake, because the blood by that gets out of the Veins of the adnate Tunicle, or into the horn Tunicle. After blood-letting you may sometimes see such spots, when the Vein is pricked through, the blood doth not all come forth but some remains under the scarfe skin: there are none but these violent causes which divide continuity, which bring the blood under the searfe skin.

Yet from great heat inwardly or outwardly in Diseases, when the skin is thereby dilated and the Blood dispersed, we have seen bloody spots under the skin.

And this also may come from thinness of blood, if when it is come to the Pores it sweat not forth, but staies there by drops; and this is rarely seen as also sweating blood although we shewed in the Treatise of Excrements that hath sometimes been so.

A general Discolouration and divers spots come from the nourishing Juyce, which is made of blood turned into the parts by assimulation, according as it is conveighed (when changed) either into the whol body or to some parts.

When crude and unconcocted Juyce, * 1.7 goes through the Body to nourish it, the flourishing colour thereof is destroyed, and another ac∣quired as is shewed in Cachexia or evil Habit, of which there are divers sorts, as the Juyce is only crude, or also serous and filthy; for if it be crude such as is Natu∣rally in the mass of Blood, and makes the part which is called Flegm, and that nourisheth, being carried with the blood through the Body for the same purpose, if this a∣bound in the blood, or if the greatest part of the Blood be such because not perfectly made red, and yet not so cor∣rupted but it is fit to nourish the Body; then this being joyned to the substance of the Body for to nourish it, still it makes the flesh and skin of the same colour pale and white; and the colour is as far from the true Complexion as the blood is, being so, or when mixed with evil Juyce or water from evil Concoction. In Women, especially Vir∣gins, when that thick Blood flows not so plentifully to the Veins of the womb, nor Nature, which allots the pu∣rest blood for nourishing of the Child, and for moneth∣ly Evacuation, doth not continue her course to carry it thi∣ther, and send out the crude and evil Blood; there will be an evil Habit, and want of Terms (as we shewed,) the defect or want of the Terms, not being the cause of that evil Habit, but the evil Habit the cause of the want of Termes.

But if with the evil Habit, Cachexy and Cacochymy, there be also evil Humors about the Spleen which are car∣ried from hence to the meseraick Arteries; there will also be as I shewed, a Palpitation of the Heart and other Sym∣ptomes, by reason of the Cacochyma and Diseases of o∣ther parts.

But if this Juyce be crude, and plentiful, and long be∣fore it nourish the Body, so that it swell therewith, the ca∣chexy is turned into a Leucophlegmacy or white Flegm; and if there be much water, the Leucophlegmacy will be serous: or if the water abound in a Cachexy, there wil be tumor of the Feet, and of the Belly and Body growing less, and the Dropsie called Ascites wil follow the cachexy or evil Habit.

Or if this Juyce, which ought to nourish the body, be so bad, that it will not nourish, or be very little in Quantity, there will be a decay of the Body, and the Cachexy will be turned into an Atrophy. As we shall see in the Dropsie Ascites and Atrophy how they follow a cachexy.

This crudity of Blood, if there be serosity or waterish∣ness, or cacochymy or suspicion of a Dropsie: comes of∣ten from the Nourishment, if such things be taken which produce crude Juyce or Water: as we said in the Imbecil∣lity of the Stomach, as Summer fruicts that will not last, which if they be taken immoderately by young People, make them subject to a Cachexy, especially by Virgins being weak and using Exercise.

This crude Blood which causeth a Cachexy, and evill Juyce which causeth a cacochymy, or water which causeth a Dropsie comes from the Distemper of those parts which are ordained for Sanguification or making of Blood and Chyle; as from the Stomach, Liver, Spleen, and the Ves∣sels and Membranes thereto annexed. And if the con∣coction be made imperfect, by the Distemper, Weakness or other fault of the Stomach; the Chylus be crude and im∣perfect, or foule and watery, which after in the second concoction produceth the like Blood, because it cannot be sufficiently boiled, and the rather if the parts ordained for the second concoction are also infirme. We have shewed treating of the pain of the Heart what kind of Diseases are from the Stomach, and cause pain.

Blood that is crude, unconcocted, foule and watery, is made by the Infirmities of the Liver, Spleen and Veins, because these parts are ordained for the Generation of blood. The Liver is the Instrument of Sanguification. And that Sanguification may be hindered by the Diseases

of the Spleen, (many former Arguments being omitted, by which we shewed that the Spleen also is the Instrument of sanguifying, and that it may be hindered by the Distem∣per of the spleen) we can prove, because as appears by A∣natomies, when the Liver is sound, and the Spleen rotten, there have appeared those faults of Sanguification which have been mentioned, and have caused a Dropsie, so that we need not make the consent between the Liver and the Spleen, to be the cause. Moreover from the Distemper of the Veins, (seeing they help to make Blood, whether prin∣cipally, as some think, or make it better after it hath been wrought by the Liver, which all confess,) the Blood is less concocted and more crude. And this cheifly caused by the Distemper of the meseraik Veins, that come from the Liver and Spleen, because the first change of the Chyle and preparation of it for Blood is by them, for they snatch it and retain it first; the Diseases which befal the Liver, Spleen or Veins, by which the sanguification being dimi∣nished, the blood becomes crude, and thence comes the Cachexy, either alone with Cacochymy, or Weakness, Distemper, Obstruction, Hardness or the like.

Weakness of the Liver, Spleen and Veins (which by con∣sent with the Bowels unto which they are joyned, suffer with them) is properly that which comes from want of Natural heat, if it hinder the Functions, so that the blood be not sufficiently wrought, and therefore too crude. Thus it is the cause of a Cachexy, in which the Native colour of the body is lost, and it grows bigger, there is a shortness of breathing by reason of the Distemper of those parts, and a pressing pain of the belly, the Urin by reason of crudity is waterish, especially if through the plenty of Water they cannot be tinctured with Choller; if this Weakness last long it turns the cachexy into a Leucophlegmacy by a∣boundance of crudity, which if it come from other causes also will make a Leucophlegmacy serous or watery. Al∣so if from the weakness of the attractive faculty of the Li∣ver, there be aboundance of Water not sufficiently attra∣cted by the meseraik Veins, the Dropsie Ascites, as we shewed in the Treatise of the Dropsie, will follow; but if their weakness be such, that the Blood be not only crude, but not enough to nourish the Body, it will produce a ca∣chexy, in which the Body is rather less then bigger: or if by this weakness the sanguification is lost, an Atrophy will follow. A cachexy is known to come from this weak∣ness, if there be no other accidents or Diseases in the Bo∣wels, it appears by the evil colour of the whole Body that they are weakned, and the Patients so affected, are called Hepatick or Splenetick.

This weakness comes from this dispersing of the Natural heat, which is from inward Causes from Birth or through Age: or from external causes, and remaineth after divers Distempers of the Bowels, or other long and acute diseases. Among which are Feavers, after which the Bowels being weakned by too much heat, or cold Drink which is usual, there follows a Cachexy which by continuance caused the Feet, Belly or whol body to swell. Moreover great loss of blood, especially of the Menstrual causeth a cachexy, not only by the loss of Spirits, but because the Veins want re∣freshment by their emptiness, and want of heat with which they were nourished: not onely by reason of that crude Juyce which is then produced, but because the Body be∣ing exhausted looseth its flourishing colour. And if the loss of blood were great the body would rather grow less then swell. Also other Evacuations by which the Spirits are consumed do the same; among which too much Ve∣nery in Man especially.

The Distemper of the parts and Vessels ordained for san∣guification, may produce a Cachexy, either simple or mix∣ed with Leucophlegmacy, or the Dropsie Ascites; by cau∣sing the weakness which we mentioned to continue, and by hindering the Actions of the parts. The first is a cold Di∣stemper which chiefly hinders the Functions, and proceeds by over much and long use of cold things: from external cold to which the Body hath been exposed; from which the constitution is known to be such and in regard there is no Thrist, and the body appears colder with all signes of a cold cause.

But although the hot Distemper of these parts, especial∣ly of the Liver, doth not at the first, nor by long continu∣ance produce this cachexy or evil Habit, Paleness or swar∣thy colour, but it appears rather in a fresh colour, (as we see in the faces of Drunkards) and brings no great hurt as yet, but only a constant Thirst by which this hot and dry Distemper of the Bowels is discerned: yet in continuance of time, in some sooner, some later; by weakning the bo∣wels, and making them unfit for action (the Sanguisica∣tion being so hindered) the body is thereby discoloured and of evil Habit which is a cachexy. And this is turned into a Dropsie (which appears first by swelling of the Feat and shortness of Breath, after by other signs) because by continual heat the bowels grow hard, dry and cloven; as we shewed in the Dropsie Ascites, whose causes are chiefly constant use of hot Wines and Meats or hot Diseases.

The stoppage of the Liver especially of the porta and hol∣low Veins, may be the cause of a Cachexy or cacochymy, because it gives occasion to the production of evil and cholerick Humors especially; which we declared (in the causes of Feavers) to be mixed with the blood in the me∣seraick Veins, by reason the exact separation of them from the blood by the second concoction is hindered; if impure blood be sent into the body, there is rather a foul then a white colour, and it is brown, swart, green or yellow, yet not so yellow as when the Pores that conveigh the choler are obstructed, and the choler is not separated from the blood as we shall shew in the causes of the Jaundies, by which means the Urine in that is not so watery as in a ca∣chexy, but it is somewhat high coloured. But if this chol∣lerick filthiness retained by the same Obstruction, and sent back into the Meseraiks, be not much dispersed through the body, there is rather a strange Paleness then a colour in the cachexy, also the Urine is more crude and waterish, and by reason of the plenty of choler in the Meseraiks, there is a loosness rather than binding of the Belly, and the Excrements will seem rather chollerick then white, contra∣ry to the Jaundies. And if from the Obstruction mentio∣ned, there follow a weakness of the Liver, as it may be from thence, or other causes; then because the working of the Blood is less, there wil be a cachexy of crude blood; in which crude Juyce nourishing the Body makes it swell. But if the Obstruction be so great, that by reason thereof, the distribution of the blood, whether crude or concocted cannot be made into the hollow Vein, or such foul blood is produced that it cannot sufficiently nourish the Body, it will decrease: as we shall shew how an Atrophy comes either when the distribution of Blood is hindered by a great Obstruction, or when the blood is unfit for to nou∣rish.

The cause of this Obstruction in the Liver, is either thick or vicid Chyle, made of the like the food when it is fastned to the passages, and grows more condensed and stops the parts; or, as some say, crude chyle, by reason of heat rai∣sed through violent motion or baths used after Meat, which gets too soon into the Veins, and is there retained til it stop them. And this may come also from dryed and burnt Blood, as we have observed by looking into the Li∣ver of beasts which hath produced such Obstructions by being hindered, and burnt into the ashes in the Vessels. The same Observations in Man and Beast, have taught us that Obstructions of the Liver may come from a serous or watery Humor. For we have found, in them that former∣ly by urine have voided Gravel, the same red Gravel to be in the Vessels of the Liver, sometimes turned to a brittle stone, which being dispersed through the Vessels are like white Coral or Ice-sickles. And these came from the Earthiness of the Serum which fixeth it self in the small passages, as we have shewed in the Treatise of the Stone in the Kidneys. It is generally concluded that these Obstructi∣ons come chiefly from Flegm, which if it be not bred as o∣ther

Excrements in the Liver of crude chyle and blood, and there laid up; it comes from the Stomach and Gutts, where it is usually abounding, being brought thither by the meseraik Veins with the chylus, and there continuing it causeth these Obstructions, and the sooner if it be slimy, or thin and waterish, which will more easily get into the Mouths of the Meseraiks, if by long continuance in the Veins, it grows thick by the heat of the Liver, and so be∣come viscous or slimy.

Also an a Obstruction in the Spleen may cause a Cachexy and such ••s is cacochymical, which declares it self by a filthy colour, in which if the evil Juyce get into the Arte∣ries, there will be beating of Heart and Arteries; and the reason is, because when the Spleen is stopt, Sanguification is hindered, and evil Humors are heaped up in the bran∣ches of the Spleen and gate Vein, which may from the left side thereof go to the right, and so into the Liver and then be distributed with the Blood.

A crude or cacochymical Cachexy, as from other Obstructions, so it may rise from the Hardness of these parts or Scirrhus which grows in the substance thereof, or other hard Tumor which turns to an Imposthume, for then the passages are either partly or totally stopped. And this turnes to the Dropsie Ascites, if from the Distemper or Hardness the parts be not only stopped but left open. And because it is usual so, we shall shew the causes of the drop∣sie Ascites more at large hereafter. And in an Atrophy how it cometh, as also those hard Tumors of the Liver and Spleen, what are the causes of them, and in what manner they are, how they come either from too much drowth of the Bowels, or too thick Juyce which nourisheth them.

They write that besides these Tumors, the spleen may swell from wind; but I perceive not how wind can be there to blow it up when it is not hollow. It may be when the wind is gathered into the left side, and stretcheth either the stomach which is most on the left side is swo∣len with wind, or the colon which reacheth to that part, and this they think to be in the spleen.

The nourishing Juyce being communicated to divers parts, causeth divers spots, as it insinuates either into the Pores of the skin or some division.

When the Juyce which should nourish the Hair, * 1.8 comes to the Pores of the skin where they grow, it produceth these spots which are like Lentils viz. Freckles called Lentigines; for being like them in colour, it spreads about the Pores, it produceth spots: dark co∣loured or like the Hair. This spread∣ing of the Juyce in the Pores comes from the Heat too much attracting it, and dilating the Pores: if then the juyce which nourish the Hair, is not on∣ly fastned to the Roots of it, but spread further, and there staies to produce spots browner or lighter according to the colour of the hair. And these appear most in a white skin, especially in those Men that have red hair; on their Head, Eye-brows, Face, Breast, and especially Hands because these are openest to the Heat of the Sun. And these depart not while the weather is warm.

The too much openess of the Pores may cause this also, by which means the Juyce doth not only nourish the hair, but infect that part of the skin which is about them, which is hardly taken off, by reason of the continual coming of the same Juyce to nourish the part, and being juyce that is so fit for Nourishment, it will neither be suppurated nor corrupted. This openess of the Pores being most where the skin is tender, is the cause that, Freakles grow there and are most conspicuous: and we see that they are more in the back of the Hands then in the Palm.

Also the spots may grow from the abundant Juyce, which is sent to nourish those Hairs which are plucked up by the Roots of those parts which are most often washed or rubbed, as Face and Hands:

If the Juyce be evil which nourish∣eth the hair and goes into the Pores then it produceth the Morphew, * 1.9 when brought to the Pores, it is unfit to nou∣rish or produce hair, but spreads it self upon the skin: as we shewed concer∣ning sreakles. So this juyce as it is qua∣lified, produceth sometimes white sometimes blackisn Morphew which causeth the hair there to fall for want of Nourishment and if they grow again, there are imperfect from the fault of the Juyce, thin and like down, and other∣wise coloured then formerly, and the skin being corrupt and insensible, thereby sends forth being pricked not blood but matter, and these break forth sometimes in one place, sometimes another, wheresoever Nature sends this juyce to the Pores.

And this evil Juyce by the depraved assimulation of the part where these spots are, by which assimulation that Blood which is brought thither for Nourishment, is chan∣ged not into convenient Juyce, but into evil juyce like the part corrupted, of which it is nourished, as in the Elephan∣tiasis, which we shewed to be large in many places of the skin, but this is in a narrow space and fewer places. And as in that by a peculiar Insection of the skin other diseases come, so do these spots come from others yet not so diffe∣rent from that of an Elephantiasis, because Morphew often foreruns an Elephantiasis. A certain venemous force is cause of this depraved assimilation as of an Elephantiasis either like it, or unlike it coming from the seed, or lying hid in the Blood and other Humors or by Contagion of the body; for by no other means, can either Flegm or Melancholy which they say produceth these spots cause them by their qualities; nor can they be produced of crude Blood, as some say, for in a Cachexy which comes from thence, there is no such spots, and if they should come from thence, as the whol Body grows great with crude blood, so would it be all over spotted.

Choller being high coloured, * 1.10 if it be sent to the superflcies of the Body, it wil stain it, and cause the Jaundies. And it appears more the whiter the place is, as in the white of the Eye, and a clear Skin, as in the Palms of the Hands and under the Nayles.

This is not done by that Natural choller which is in the Veins, and is the thinner part of the blood, and is not yel∣low but red, but by that which is called Excrementitial, which being in the Mesoraiks, is separated from thence in∣to its proper bladder; and it is yellow, or is preternatu∣ral, and is green or black. This kind of choller if it be carried from the meseraik Veins by the Serum, which is the Vehiculum of all Humors, and therewith carried with the blood into the hollow Vein, and from thence by the benefit of the same Serum, carried with the blood by the Veins to the exterior parts of the body, and be there spread upon the skin and other Membranes, as the Tuni∣cle of the Eye, not by points, as when it produceth spots and Pustles, but all abroad; then insinuating it self gives it a colour, not being mixed with Serum or Whey doth it burne, as it doth when it breeds Pustles of it self, onely it causeth sometimes itching in places very sensible: also part of this choller carried with the serous part to the Reins and so to the bladder, makes the Urine of the same colour and thick.

There are divers causes, why when this choller is carri∣ed from the Meseraiks to the branches of the hollow vein, and thence is fixed in the skin and outward parts, that it is not dispersed by sweat. The chief causes are Segrega∣tion and Excretion.

The Segregation of choller in the Meseraik Veins when it is done in the Liver and from thence by the gate Veins carried to the branches of the chollerick Pore, and the Bladder adjoyning if it be hindered by any Disease of the Liver, or cannot be perfected by reason of the great quan∣tity, being retained in the branches of the gate Vein, at

length as we said it breakes into the branches of the Vena cava or hollow Vein.

This comes often from the Obstruction of the passages of the Choller in the Liver, for then although it be separa∣ted from the Blood in the Veins of the Liver, yet by reason of the Obstruction of the Pores, it cannot be refined in the Gall, and therefore being sent with the Serum and Blood into the hollow Vein, and distributed though the whol bo∣dy, it gives it a tincture of its own colour. This Obstru∣ction we have declared to come from the causes of other Obstructions in other Vessels which cause a Cachexy; from Chylus, Blood, Whey or Flegm, if these while the choller doth distribute it self into the Pores, go in with it, and being there detained grow thick, or turn to sand, as we have seen in Anatomies. The same Obstruction may come from thick slimy Choller, which sticks long in the narrow Pores, especially if it grow as hard, as it doth somtimes in the Ears, whereby they are stopped while it is drawn out, and this may be either from the clamminess of the Choller, or from the heat of the Liver which burneth it: and also it may be in the Gall and in the Pore that reacheth to the Guts, and somtimes be turned into a stone, if there be an Obstru∣ction as we shall after declare.

Also Tumors and Scirrhus of the Liver, as they shut up the Vessels of the Liver, and a Cachexy so when they stop the Passages of choller they cause a Jaundies, which fore∣runs a Dropsie: as shall be shewed.

And if any Imposthume or Filth happen in this part, it may be then, that the humors not being separated but con∣fused, there may follow both a Dropsie and Jaundies.

Also an Inflamation of the Liver, by making the passa∣ges in like manner straighter, and by inflaming the choller, and driving it into the hollow Vein, doth couple a Jaun∣dies with its Symptoms.

Sometimes it falls out by the plenty of choller and its a∣bundance in the Meseraiks, that when all cannot be sepa∣red into the Gall, and it cannot receive it, although it be sometimes very large, then some of it carried into the hol∣low Vein, and thence carried outward, being yellow, if it keep the Nature of excrementitious Choller, or otherwise green or black, doth infect the Skin with the same colour, and cause either a black or yellow Jaundies. And this it doth sometimes before it cause another Disease, when it is plentiful there, and breaks into the Veins, it produceth a jaundies a forerunner of other chollerick Diseases. Other∣wise when it lies and putrifieth and produceth intermitting Feavers, because in the fits thereof there is some part there∣of alwaies sent into the Veins, it is dispersed by Sweat, and if this be not enough it joynes a jaundies to the Feaver: or if all the matter of the Feaver be sent by a crisis from the Meseraiks to the skin, it produceth a Jaundize that cures the Feaver. And this may be in other Diseases that come from corruption or abounding of Choller in these Veins, and so a Jaundize may either accompany or follow them, as we said it was often in a cholick pain from Choller, if it partly be carried to the Gutts, and partly remain it joyns a jaundize with the cholick, or when the Cholick ceaseth being not sufficiently purged by Nature or Medicines, it leaves a jaundize behind which is easily cured, as is men∣tioned in the Treatise of these Diseases. For often by Na∣ture help which will not endure that which is hurtfull be∣ing stirred up by a sharp Humor, which while it is in the Veins is tempered with Blood, and so may lie longer con∣cocted, it is carried into the great Veins if not to the Guts in which the Meseraiks end, as is usual by purging.

And this may be the cause why a jauudize may come af∣ter Poyson taken, Nature so disturbing and moving the Humors, except it doth it by some other occult or hidden Quality, by which in Poyson it attempteth divers Operati∣ons especially in those who are very chollerick.

From which cause as divers kinds of jaundies do pro∣ceed, as aforesaid, so it will be sooner produced if any dis∣ease of the Liver aforementioned do hinder the separation of choller.

Some have taught that this separation may be hindered in the Spleen, by its Diseases, as by Obstruction and hard∣ness as in the Liver; and then black choller which they suppose to be lodged in the Spleen will run into the veins, and cause the black jaundies. But since we can perceive no such choller in the Spleen, nor any place to receive it, it cannot be so, nor if it were there could it be carried into the hollow Vein which toucheth not the Spleen with any branch thereof; and if it should be carried into other Vessels, it should be into the branches of the Artery which are annexed to the Spleen: and then greater accidents would follow then a jaundize. Therefore it is not neces∣sary to seek for this black choller in the Spleen, since it is contained in the branches of the gate Vein, the right whereof is carried to the Liver, the left to the Spleen, (by which we do not deny but some Portion is carried to the Spleen) if it be preternatnral, as is said, and be yellow, green and black, nor can it be by any way either on the right side or the left, sent into the hollow Vein but by the Liver. And except this be, the Disease only of the Spleen will never cause the jaundies: we have shewed that the causes of this black choller, or green or yellow abounding in intermitting Feavers, which come from thence are (as a quartan) from Choller, and not from that choller which is in the Spleen.

If there be not a voiding of Choller by the Porus choli∣dochus into the Guts, then it will rise from the Gall, and ascend by the top of it into the Liver and its Veins, and is not separated, but goes into the hollow Vein and causeth a jaundize, and then the Excrements of the Belly being not died with Choller, are not coloured, nor do they provoke the Belly to discharge them.

And this may be done by the same causes, by which the separation is hindered through Obstruction of the Vessels, as Humors, when they fall into the Pores and obstruct them; or Tumors if they press upon the Neck of the gall∣or the Pore that descendeth: or by the proper Disease of the Gall, or its Inflammation or Tumor; or stones there∣inwhich are sometimes found of a Gold or Silver colour, as also when the Choller is made more sticking and thic∣ker, as that in the Ears, the like whereunto we have found in the Gall being dissected; and these if they get into the narrow parts of the Gall, and stick in the Pore, wil hin∣der (as I said) the descending and purging of choller.

But the Jaundies is not only from the coming forth of the choller, after this manner, but being thrown from the hollow Vein to the skin, which may be evacuated by the Pores by which Sweat with the Serum, as is usual, but if not, it will stay there and discolour the skin, and the less if any be spent by sweat, and not at all, if all be drawn forth by sweat. This suppression of sweat, comes from the binding or closing of the Pores of the skin, from divers causes otherwhere mentioned. Hence is it that in a chollerick sweat, where it is abounding and when it hath been caused by heat and Baths, if they suddenly go into the the cold, they have often their skin yellow, which with sweating again will be gone. I had lately a Patient which was often all over of a Saffron colour, and this went away as often as he did sweat, and returned again presently af∣ter.

The spots of which we here speak are not of pure chol∣ler, nor the Freakles, which we have shewed to proceed from Nutriment; as other spots and Pustles, which rather trouble with heat and pain then discolour, as Anthonies fire; of which we spake concerning pain.

Divers spots rise from evil humors in malignant Diseases, as in pure, * 1.11 putrid, malignant, pestilential and venemous Feavers and in the small Pox, Elephantiasis, Scurvey and the like: as we shewed. Which Hu∣mors or Poysons by what force they do it in those Diseases which they cause, as well as spots, we have shewed as much as we could find out in such hid∣den Causes.

The colour of the Skin is poluted by filth adhering, * 1.12 as we shall shew when we speak thereof in things cast off.

Also the dirt that gets in between the Nail and the Skin, where they are divided, shining through the Nails make them look black and filthy,

The teeth are very subject to pollution, and either yel∣low, or blew or black, and when they are most white it ap∣pears soonest, the causes whereof we shall shew hereafter in things rejected.

The Skin, * 1.13 Teeth, and Nails, and Hair may have divers Colours from divers fouling things, or that disco∣lour. So the skin of the Hands is made black by touching of Walnuts, and so continueth for some daies: sometimes it is made yellow, red, blew, or the like by herbs and Paints. And the Americans do paint themselves be∣ing naked, that they may be comely. And wanton Boys with us, scarifying the skin and rubbing in Gun pouder, do make certain Markes and Characters thereupon very artificially. Also the Teeth are so coloured, among which astringent things do chiefly black the Teeth. The Nails are discoloured, and made black, in Curriers by often touching Lime and Lye or Lixivium and it lasteth long.

Heat, as we shewed, by attracting the Blood makes a lively red Co∣lour, * 1.14 and cold by repressing the Blood makes Paleness, also Heat by dilating the skin makes the red co∣lour shine forth better, and cold by astringing makes it less clear, and this is the cause that they which are hot have a fresher Colour; and they which are cold are more swarthy.

Also over dryness of the skin chan∣geth the Colour and makes it more obscure, * 1.15 because by Dryness the skin is made thicker, and by astringency or binding it wrinkled; because thickness makes it black, and Wrinkles making a shaddow render it more obscure: as we see the skin be∣ing burnt and dryed by the heat of the Sun becomes blac∣ker, and being withered by age it is more dusty and black. The same comes to pass, if the skin be made by a Disease or looser by the Consumption of the flesh under it be∣comes wrinkled, which before was stretched out; or if over moistned with bathing it will wrinkle.

In the Eyes there are white Spots or Scars, by reason of the horny Tunicle dried and made hard.

And by reason of the drying of the watery Humor this white spot or suf∣fusion, * 1.16 appears through the seat of the horny tunicle that is night against it, when the prespicuity with which the Tunicle and Humor ought to be adorned is lost, and that Whiteness follows it. And we see the raw white of an Egg is clear and bright, but being boiled or rosted it becomes exactly white, and looseth its prespicuity. We have sufficiently declared in the defects of the sight, which come from spots what is the driness and hardness in the bright parts of the Eye, and from what causes it cometh.

There are also white spots in the Nails, * 1.17 where their transparency is lost in a point from the like causes; and this comes from the Nourish∣ment, if there be in it the least porti∣on differing from that which should repair and preserve the clear substance of the Nails though it be sit to nourish otherwise, being different from the thick Nourishment of the Bones, and mixed with this more bright Nourishment of the Nails, the Nail makes that por∣tion which is contrary unto it obscure, white, and not clear white as the rest is. And this is most usual in young Peo∣ple, because while their Bodies grow, their bones grow al∣so, and it is then more plentiful because they abound with Nourishment, and there may easily cause these spots; as we have declared, divers hard Tumors to grow from the confusion of nourishing juyce.

Moreover, we have observed that the Nails have not been only streaked with white spots in some parts, but that in some old people they have been all thick white, they being so dryed by age and hardned, that they have totally lost their cleaness and transparency; from this reason we may observe that Hornes, Bones, and Quills, being burnt grow white.

The same is in hair, * 1.18 they grow white and grey after they have lost their clearness (which the hair hath as well as the Nails and the horny Tunicle although by reason of their smaleness it is not so apparent, but it may be known by the splendor and shining) through dryness and hardness. And this happens often to them as to the rest more often, because they are very dry: and therefore in age they grow dryer as other parts, and they are dryed first about the Roots, and so grow altogether grey, and some sooner, some later, as they grow dry soo∣ner or later, and they are grey either in the beginning or progress, or end of their age. This is not done by other causes, because the hair is not easily altered, albeit it is supposed by the vulgar that care and griese wil make them grey, which can scarse be done but by their hastening of age: although it be recorded that some have suddenly turned grey. That hair is white in divers places distinct, in some and not in others, the uneven Disposition of the hair and the skin wherein they grow, may be the cause. And this is to be observed, that the thicker the hair is the sooner it turnes grey, and black sooner then red, because when grey hairs appear they are sooner discerned. And this is the Cause that the Beard being younger then the hair of the Head, yet is sooner grey.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Parents seed is the Cause of Discolouration. and spots origi∣nal in the Skin, Eyes and Hair.
• * 1.2

  Blood in the super∣sicies of the Body is cause of Redness.
• * 1.3

  Want of blood in the superficies of the body is cause of Paleness.
• * 1.4

  The blood spread into the true skin, is cause of Erysipelas, Mea∣zles, Pox, and blood spots, the Rose drop and Teter.
• * 1.5

  The blood which is about the Pores, is the cause of red, lit∣tle, and bloody spots.
• * 1.6

  Blood under the scarfe Skin, the cause of black and blewness.
• * 1.7

  If the juyce which nourisheth the whole body be crude, it cau∣seth evil habit, if bad it causeth ill Digesti∣on, or Cacochymia.
• * 1.8

  The Juyce which nourisheth the hair, being dis∣persed into the Pores is the cause of spots or freck∣les.
• * 1.9

  Juyce nourishing the hair if evil, it gets into the Pores causeth Morphew.
• * 1.10

  Choller sent to the superficies of the Body, is the cause of Jaundies.
• * 1.11

  Evil Humors in ma∣lignant Diseases, are the cause of evil spots in infectious Feavers and the Pox.
• * 1.12

  Filth is the cause of an evil Colour in the Skin, under the Nails, and of the Yellowness and Blackness of the Teeth.
• * 1.13

  External colours are the causes of Discolo∣ration of skin, Nails and Teeth.
• * 1.14

  Heat which enlargeth the skin, is the cause of a red and lively color. Cold which thickneth the skin is the cause of a dull Colour.
• * 1.15

  The dryness of the skin is the cause of a worse Colour, as black.
• * 1.16

  The dryness of the Membranes of the Eye is the cause of the white spots there∣in.
• * 1.17

  The dryness of the Nails is the cause of the white spots in them.
• * 1.18

  The dryness of Hair is the cause of Bald∣ness.