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.

The Causes of all these Kinds of Bleeding from divers Parts of the Body, is either from the Solution of Conti∣nuity, by opening of the Mouths of the Veins, or the solu∣tion of Continuity from the Hurt done to some Veins or parts underneath.

Some comes from the opening of the Mouths of the veins accor∣ding to their diversity. * 1.1

The inward Veins of the Ears opened by Anastomosis, somtimes bleed much; and this comes from the plenty or the thinness of the blood in the head but seldom, for then Nature would rather send it forth by the Veins of the Nose, except it flow both wayes: as we shewed.

The inward Veins of the Nose that come from the jugu∣lar Vein, that ascendeth by the Jawes to the Brain, being opened by Anastomosis, cause an Haemorrhagy. The Cause of this Anastomosis is the plenty of blood, which Nature desires to discharge, by these tender Veins in that place of the Nose, which are more easily opened, in Men who have no easier Passage for it. For that Evacuation which they have by the Haemorrhoids, which is seldom, and but in some, is onely of that blood which is in the branches of the Gate-vein. But in Women, if they be so full of blood, that it cannot be sufficiently discharged by the menstrual Veins of the womb, or when the Terms are stopped, Nature doth often send it forth by the Nose. And this Haemorrhagy though it be not usual, yet it is Natural, except it be immoderate. Also when Blood is too hot, it opens the Veins of the Nose, either when it is so hot by Nature, or by Motion, Sunning or Baths. Or if it be infla∣med in hot Diseases of the Head or Feavers, it breaks forth at the first, or in the heighth of the Disease by Crisis or ju∣dicially. Also thin blood and more watery, and mixed with Choller, which sooner pierceth the Mouths of the Vessels, causeth bleeding at the Nose. Hence in evil Habit, Drop∣sies, and Jaundies, although blood abound not, this blee∣ding may be. But if more Causes agree, the Flux will be the greater. And this is oftner and greater, if the Veins be loose by Nature or often purging. Also it flows and is increased by force, as violent and often blowing of the Nose, which opens the Veins by force of the blood thi∣ther.

If the Veins in the Neck of the Womb, that come from the hollow Vein, be opened by Anastomosis, there is great Effusion of blood. For as when these open at their set time, they cause the Natural Flux of the Terms, so when they open at other times, they cause a pr•••••• natural Flux which is immoderate, or the like which is unseasonable, but like to the Courses which we mentioned before. When the Mouths of the Veins are open by plenty of blood sent thi∣ther, in a Plethory, and they bleed sooner and oftner, which is unseasonable, or when they bleed at the appoint∣ed time, but immoderately: Or when the blood there, by its Heat and Thinness, opens the Mouths of the Vessels, and causeth an immoderate Flux: Or when Nature dis∣charging her self by this way of Superfluities, with the Blood at the time of the Courses, or otherwise causeth this unusual and large Flux: In which the Blood is some∣times watery, and somtimes impure. But this Flux is greatest, when much blood either pure or impure, is in the Veins of the Womb, from the long stoppage of the terms, and suddenly breaks forth, and so enlargeth the Mouths of the Veins by its violence, that blood is not only out of the womb, but other great Vessels which supply, and the Body left as it were without blood.

And as this is in the Veins of the Neck of the Womb, so it is in those of the bottom thereof, in Women that have had their Courses long stopped, which swells their bellies: as we shewed in Tumors, and when they open suddenly they cause a dangerous Flux.

Somtimes there is a Flux of Blood from violence, when the Mouths of the Veins of the Neck of the Womb are on∣ly opened without Solution of Continuity. And this is often at the first Copulation, not by reason of the skin cal∣led Hymen, being broken (as they suppose) because a Membrane hath no blood, and if it came from thence, it should be torn away. But which is more probable, it is from that sudden and strong enlarging and dilating of the Orifice of the womb, or from the Rubbing of the Neck of the Womb, which it hath not felt before, that the menstru∣al Veins are a little opened, and send forth blood like the Courses, or at least some Sprinklings.

Also there may be a Flux of Blood at the womb, from Medicines that open the Veins thereof, especially if they be strong, or things put into the womb, as Pessaries, &c.

And, there may be an immoderate Flux after Child∣birth, from the Causes that the Terms over-flow: and as it is Natural, to have the Vessels open and bleed, so it is preternatural when the quantity is too great, or the blood too thin.

As the Haemorroids come Naturally from the opening of those Veins which come from the branches of the Gate∣vein, yet they flow not so as the Terms, (by which it is necessary that that blood in women that are fit to con∣ceive, which is laid up for the nourishing of a Child, should be avoided every month till they do conceive) but onely then, when the blood in the Meseraicks aboundeth, or is hot and chollerick (as we shewed in the Causes of inter∣mitting Feavers that Choler is chiefly increased) and aboundeth there, not carried into the hollow Vein, or purged by the Gall, and therefore is sent forth by the Fun∣dament which is near, and which is ordained for other E∣vacuations also. So when these Veins are too open, or too long closed, Nature, being provoked by the plenty of blood, or the Heat thereof, or by Choler, which may cause great Diseases, endeavors to make an immoderate Flux, and the rather, when the Veins are so open, that they cannot close themselves. From which Cause I shew∣ed you that two very Learned Men who lived a sedentary Life, and procured the Haemorroids by Art, were brought to such a violent Flux, which could not be stopped, but caused their Death.

But if Nature being moved, neither by Repletion or Im∣purity of blood, but by other Causes, doth send forth good Blood from the Meseraicks without Necessity; this Flux will be preternatural, neither usual nor profitable.

By the opening of the Veins of the skin, blood cannot flow through it or the Pores, nor by the Rarefaction or Diapedesis of the skin, can blood strain through the like Sweat, because it is thither, and the Pores very little, ex∣cept the skin be divided, but if it be under the skin with the Sweat there it stayes, and causeth the Hypochyma or Suffusion of Blood, which I spake of. And although as I shewed in the Boy with the Dropsie, it was sprinkled about the body, yet it past not through the skin, but stuck in the Pores, and this is very rare.

There are many Fluxes of blood that come from the Solution of Continuity in divers parts, * 1.2 which differ in that Respect.

If the Tunicles of the Eye be rubbed when they itch, or divided, the Veins may be hurt, and they may bleed though but a little.

Also they may bleed from the hurting of the horny Tu∣nicle; For I observed in a Boy that had a piece of sharp Glass in the Pupilla of his Eye which I drew forth, that the blood was discussed without any hurt.

If the inward Veins of the Ears be hurt by things thrust into them, a little blood may come forth; or more from a Fall or Stroak, when the Veins are broken.

If the inward Veins of the Nose be hurt, they bleed. This is done by the Nails when they are pricked some∣times, or with other things, by which Men willingly cause Bleeding; as when they provoke Sneesing it may happen. The same comes from a blow or stroak upon the Nose, or a sharp Humor in the Nostrils. In the Gravedo, that is, when a raw Humor falls into the Nose, the blood wil flow, especially when it is much blown. As also from the rub∣bing off of a Scab therein.

If the Catheter or Instrument thrust into the Yard, do hurt the same, there is a flux of blood alone, or with piss. And this may come also from a stone that passeth through the same.

Also the Veins of the Neck of the Womb being hurt cause bleeding: as in hard travail, after the drawing a∣way of the Secondine, which teareth the Vessels. Or by the Child, which passing through a narrow place teares the same. Or from the Abortion, when the Vessels of the Child growing to those of the womb, will not so well be separated, as when the Child is ripe, but are violently broken.

Or there is a Flux from violent Copulation at the first or afterwards.

There often follows a Flux of Blood, from the using of a widening Instrument to the Neck of the Bladder, when they take out the Stone.

Also from the hurt of the strait Gut; the Veins thereof are of two sorts, if the internal Veins be hurt, which come from the Meseraicks; there is a Flux of Haemorrhoids, but it doth no good: But if the inward Veins of the Fun∣dament that come from the hollow Vein, there is but a small Flux.

This comes often from things voided, as hard Excre∣ments, or from sharp things eaten, or sharp Suppositories, or from difficult Travail, which hurts the Fundament by straining.

Or from a hollow Ulcer, going from the Neck of the Womb to the strait Gut, the Terms may pass through the Fundament. For without a wound it cannot be so, be∣cause Nature cannot make her way, where there is no Continuity of Veins, with the Menstrual which come from the hollow Vein and the Haemorrhoidal which come from the Gate-vein.

The Cause of all Bleeding in the outward Parts, is So∣lution of Continuity from internal or external Causes: and they are divers in respect of the Parts.

If the skin be flea'd off by scratching, when it itcheth or the like, there may be a little bleeding.

There will no great Flux come from a wound, only in the skin, when you cut it for the crooked Veins curing, or for Tumors, it bleeds but little, till the Veins be opened.

If any great Vein be opened under the skin, * 1.3 there is bleeding, especially if it be cut, as in Phlebotomy, which so much u∣sed to prevent and cure Diseases, in which there will be a great Flux, except it be stopped: Or when any great Vein, as the Jugular is cut. And somtimes when the crooked Veins are cut. And it hapneth that when the skin is cut for other Causes, for Ruptures, or preternatural Tumors that the Veins are cut and bleed; or by a Wound by chance.

Sometimes the Veins open of them∣selves, and bleed as if they were cut. * 1.4 This is caused by Plethory, or Fulness, or by Heat, which may open the mouths of the Veins, but seldom break them, except the Vein be very much stretched, as in the crooked veins. Or when Nature hath been used to be often discharged at one part, and seeks to get out by the same, which is the ea∣sier done, when the skin is thin, and the veins larger from the often opening.

When an Artery is opened by Art or otherwise there is a great loss of Arte∣rial Blood. * 1.5 Also there may be a strong and long Flux of Blood from an Artery pricked or torn under the Teeth: If the Gums be onely hurt, the bleeding is little. And if you open an Aneu∣rism that is let out the Blood that came from the Cutting of an Artery to lodg under the skin, there follows a dan∣gerous Flux of Blood.

If many Parts be wounded, * 1.6 the blee∣dings are divers. Some wounds are made to cure Diseases, as Imposthumes, Tumors, the Stone in the Bladder, Rup∣tures: Others are by accident. In which if one or more of the great Veins or an Artery be cut, the bleeding is greater. And because Nature hath placed those great Veins, that they may be safer under the Muscle of the Arms and Thighs, the bleeding is greater. And as in great Vessels, so if the small Veins only are hurt, or if the fleshy Parts be only wounded, the Flux is less. And in great wounds of great veins, if the blood fall into the in∣ternal Cavities, as of the Belly or Breast, there will be no great flux at the wound. When such wounds are made by art, not only the blood but matter, which you desire may be let out therewith.

The greatest Fluxes are from the Cutting off of Mem∣bers, which must be done when they are uncurable or pu∣trified; or when an Arm or Leg is cut off first, and then the bone sawed asunder; or when the smger is cut about the flesh, and then the bone nipped off with a pair of For∣ceps; or when any Parts that stick out and want bones, are cut off as the Nose, Ears, Lips: or wounded by chance.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The opening of the mouths of the Veins or Anastomosis in the Ears, nose, neck of the womb, strait gut or skin is the Cause of bleeding in those Parts.
• * 1.2

  The dividing of the veins in the Eyes, ears, Yard, Womb, Funda∣ment, Skin, is the cause of Bleeding.
• * 1.3

  Opening of a Vein causeth Bleeding.
• * 1.4

  When the mouth of a vein opens of it self, it cau∣seth a Flux.
• * 1.5

  The cutting of an Artery, the cause of bleeding.
• * 1.6

  A wound in the Parts is a Cause of Bleeding.