To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
VVE call that a watery Excretion, when a moist Humor, thicker or thinner, made of the Excre∣ments of Flegm, or of that which is Natural and crude; and of the Serum or Whey mixed together, so that the one is more then the other floweth forth. Which Excretion is preternatural, chiefly when it is much and often, and cor∣rupted, or comes not out at the proper place. This comes from divers parts, besides that of Spitting, Vomiting,
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉
Pissing, and Purging: Of which shall be spoken in their places.
Tears flow from the Eyes often, which are like Whey, * 1.1 or Serum, or Flegm mixed with water, they break out in sound people, especially in Children, and doting old Men, from a small Cause, and in others from a great Passion of Mind. And therefore are not counted preternatural. But when they are trou∣blesom, and of long Continuance, in some Diseases of the Head and Eyes, they are Symptomes of the same. Some Tears are hot and sharp, others cold.
There is often water from the Nose which is natural, * 1.2 because it is by the right way, but when it aboundeth, it is preter∣natural. And it is in some from whose Nose, water flows like tears, and a drop hangs at the end of it. Or it is like slimy Flegm which being usual in chil∣dren, is counted less noisom then in Men.
The same is in the Kind of Defluxion called Coryza; * 1.3 there falls at the first a thin moist Hu∣mor constantly, actually cold, sometimes hot and sharp, that makes the Nose smart, and pro∣vokes Neesing, and causeth Tears, inflamming and corro∣ding the Nostrils and Lips, with great Spitting, Hawk∣ing, and Coughing somtimes. And this Humor at the last, is thick, white, or of another Colour.
The same happens in other Diseases of the Head and Defluxions: As was shewed.
There comes a water out at the Ears thin, or thick somtimes, * 1.4 but seldom. And a cer∣tain Maid had divers measures of water that flowed from her Ear without any other hurt.
It is usual in Women to have the white Flux. * 1.5 And because it useth to come when women are past their Courses, they are cal∣led the white Terms. But these use to be out of order, and with women that have their Courses, and last more or less time. And somtimes they trouble such as have their Courses stopped: As those who are past them, and are in old Women. In Virgins it is but seldom, and often in women with Child.
Somtimes this Flux is of water, and very much, and clear, and milk, somtimes sharp or salt, yellow, green, or black, somtimes mattery, stinking.
Sometimes it is mixed with Flegm that is tough, without scent, cold and little, or as much or more then the water.
If this Flux be immoderate, there is no other accident, and both Wives and Virgins have it many months and years without hurt. But if it be immoderate, there is an evil Habit of Body therewith: Also Faintness and Weak∣ness, also Barrenness in some, although it hinders not some. If the matter befoul there is an Itching, Pricking, and Heat in the Privities. And it is very noisom when it stinks, and makes the Husband loath her.
Usually there sweats a whey or water out of the Pores of the skin, * 1.6 it is Natural and common to all Complexions: but it is pre∣ternataral, when it is too much or soul, as it is in Diseases, and somtimes without.
There is too much Sweat without a Disease, when it is caused oftner then it should be, or continued longer, so that they faint, and if it be often, they grow faint.
The Sweat is evil when it stinketh. This is somtimes al over the Body, or in the parts, as Feet, as we shewed con∣cerning the Stink of the Feet. Also that which is cold and clammy, not hot, moist and like water, is preterna∣tural: As also that which staineth the shirt with any Co∣lour, or like Saffron.
That Sweat is also counted unseemly, when the Hands and Soles of the Feet are constantly, or for no, or little Cause, wet as is usual with some.
In Diseases, if Sweat be not convenient, or at an unsea∣sonable time, as in Feavers, or too great, as in the English Sweats, it is preternatural, because the Patient is not re∣freshed thereby, but is worse and weaker. Also it is evil, when the Sweat is not over all the Body, but only in some certain places. And if it be cold and tough, but when it stinks, if it be beneficial, it is not evil: as we shewed in Feavers and other Diseases.
In the Dropsie Ascites when the Belly is opened, there is great store of Water, * 1.7 and if the Thighs be opened, it drops and continueth long. Also in the Water-rupture it flows freely from the Codd being opened, and out of the Bladder, Pustles, and watery Tumors. Also there flowes a watery Humor from Ulcers; as we shewed in Ulcers.
This watery Humor which flows at the Eyes, Ears, Nose, Womb, Pores, and other openings, comes from the Brain, or from other parts of the Body.
It is plain that Tears come from a Defluxion of Water from the Brain, * 1.8 be∣cause they are somtimes without sharp∣ness, and heat, like water, but somwhat clammy. As Flegm somtimes thin and clear, as whey, somtimes sharp, salt, cholerick and hot. And that these Humors flow from the Brain is plain, because Tears break forth so speedily, and in such plenty. For though that Moisture with which the Eyes are moistned for their better Motion, come from the Serum which sweats through the Veins of the Eyes; yet those little Veins cannot contain so much as will make Tears to flow. This Defluxion of water into the Eyes to make tears is more easie, because there is an usual Passage to the Nose, by which it is evacua∣ted Naturally, by a private Hole at the Roots of the Eyes, and another in the inward Corner of the Eye. By which means upon the least Motion, the Eye is filled with tears. Also an Excrement of Flegm and Water, gathered in the brain, as we shewed, may flow forth divers wayes, and so it may descend into the Nose and Eyes. We cannot grant that the tears should flow by an internal or external Veins, as some have supposed; because the Veins carry Blood, and not Flegm, and the water cannot be quickly separated from the blood, but we say it comes from the Brain by Passages ordained therefore. And if by Chance such excrementitious humors should flow to the Eyes from without the Skull, we suppose it would rather lye under the skin and Eye-lidds swell them, then make many tears.
And the reason why this Flegm and whey is carried in∣to the Eyes and causeth tears, which in sound people are flegmatick, in sick more watery, which are of long Conti∣nuance, is the abundance of those excrementitious humors in the Head, by which means they flow into the Nose, and also into the Eyes, keeping them alwayes wet and full; and the rather, when the Eye is made fit to receive it by be∣ing often watered, or is weak, and loose from some Dis∣ease. And these Kinds of Tears do not wayes inconveni∣ence, but by their Moisture, especially when they come from a flegmatick Humor. But if they come from abun∣dance of water, being salt, sharp or hot, with Itching, or redness of the Eye-brows, mentioned in Epiphora, they are troublesom.
Also from an Ulcer of the inward Corner, or the Eye, when the little flesh that grows there is consumed, and the Hole enlarged, by which the Moisture of the Eye falls up∣on the Nose, or from a Fistula there, when it falls into the Nose, and fills the Eyes, and causeth a continual weeping. As we shewed in Epiphora, or Rhewm of the Eyes, and fi∣stula lacrymalis.
The expulsive Faculty being stirr'd up by the provoking of the Eye, or the parts adjacent, driving the Humors sud∣denly into the Eyes, causeth tears, though not of long Continuance. As the Sun-shine, Smoak, any sharp Fume, as of Onions, or Mustard, and the like, or things fallen in∣to
to the Eyes cause Tears. Also the pain of any part near, as the Tooth-ach.
Tears usually break forth from a violent motion of the Humors by straining; or from a disturbance of the mind, in which, by reason of that wonderful Convulsion of the Muscles, Cheeks, Lips and Eyes, which we observe to go before tears in crying: these watery Humors near the eyes being moved, insinuate themselves into the Eyes, and cause tears. As we may observe tears to fall from violent laugh∣tre, when the Mouth is strained with too much Joy. Al∣so we may observe that tears will fall in other strainings or forcings, as at stool, or in Child-birth, with Coughing or Sneesing.
VVhen a moist Humor falls from the Brain into the Nostrils that are ordain∣ed for the discharge thereof, * 1.9 it causeth the dropping of the Nose. In which the Flux is greater, by how much it a∣boundeth in the Brain. And there fals a thin Humor like water, if it comes di∣rectly from the Brain, because it is gene∣rally that of the Brain, and if it be kept long in the Cavi∣ties, it quickly grows thick and clammy. Also there is a serous Humor in the Brain which is an Excrement as we shewed in other Defluxions mixed with Flegm, and flows to the Nose, and either causeth or increaseth this Flux, and then it is thinner, sharper, and hotter, and causeth Itching and Sneesing, and that which is called Coriza or Pose. The Collection of Humors in the Brain causeth this Defluxion: And these things that stir up the expulsive Faculty, do in∣crease it. As we shewed in other Diseases from Defluxi∣ons, especially in the Cough.
That water which flows out at the Ears comes from other parts besides the Brain, * 1.10 for it cannot come to the place of hearing any way, but by the hole in the hearing Nerve, and if it should en∣ter by that, it can only come into the internal seat of hearing, and cannot pass to the external, except it pierce through the Tympane, which it cannot do without hurting of it, and loss of hea∣ring. But when this Flux is without the loss of hearing, and comes externally, it is plain that the water was carry∣ed to the outward Passage of the Ear, into which the serous Matter sweating through doth moisten; and when it is too much, it comes from the Veins there about, and cau∣seth this Flux: this is seldom, because there are better Passages for it; and but somtimes, especially when the Passages are loosned. As we shall shew in the Whites, that water and flegm comes from the Veins.
As we shewed that the Terms come from the veins of the neck of the womb, * 1.11 so the Whites come from the same; and not from the Cavity of the womb, as some dream, because that is so narrow, that it cannot hold such a quantity as usually floweth, neither can it be con∣tained therein, or pass through the veins which are small, and are not enlarged till the woman be with Child; as it may through the Veins of the neck of womb which are larger. And this is, when this excre∣mentitious Humor is mixed with blood, or with the terms, which makes it ill-coloured; or after the terms are gone, when it presseth by the same wayes they did, for which Cause it is called the white Terms. And this may be at other times, when Nature is burdened, both in such as have, or such as are past their Courses. As it is somtimes in women with Child: In whom in regard the inward O∣rifice of the womb is closed it cannot flow from the cavity of the womb, but from the neck; and in them who are not with Child it is the same. Nor is it a wonder, that nature should purge these Excrements by the same way that blood is evacuated, because she doth the like in other Vessels or∣dained for other Evacuations. And the reason why they are white. and without Blood is, because Nature discha••∣geth them at that time, when there is no blood to be sent forth. As also because Nature separates the blood from the Impurity, and keeps it, and sends out the Excrements as noxious. Which Excrements, if serous or watery, come from the whey, if flegmatick, from crude blood, if mattery from blood stained. And if other Humors be mixed, as yellow, green, or black Choller, it is discoloured therewith. And if they be sharp, or the whey salt, then by pricking, and burning in the Parts to which it sticketh, it causeth Itching, and sense of Heat; and if it continue long, ulce∣rateth. But when it is alone, it flows without sense, like water, or the white of an Egg beaten, nor is it then noxi∣ous, except it be immoderate.
The Cause of these Excrements in the Blood which feed this Flux, is that which is eaten or taken in, and the weak∣ness of Concoction, and of those Bowels which separate the Excrements, as in a Cachexy, of which we spake suffi∣ciently. These Excrements are sent forth by nature when she is burdened, and the sooner if there be weakness of the womb, as may be from divers Causes, and also from this Moisture which wets and cools the Part. As also when Nature is stirred up to expel them by other means. As we have known women who never had the whites before af∣ter they have taken a Purge, which stirred up Nature have had them. And many have had the same by sitting long in a Bath, not from Infection, as they have thought from other that were in at the same time. But Nature throw∣ing out Excrements by bathing, doth cause the whites which are too thick to be sweated forth.
That water which is swet forth through the whol Body, is serous; * 1.12 and mixed with blood, gets into the Superficies of the Body, by an obscure solution of con∣tiguity of the skin, it goes through the Veins.
This Solution of Contiguity comes from the opening of the Pores, or Anastomosis, or Rarefaction of the Skin, or Diapedesis: For then the Serum being very thin, passeth through the Pores of the skin, and causeth Sweat, being either drawn, or driven thither.
Serum or water is attracted by Heat external, for then that with the Blood is snatched to the superficies of the bo∣dy, and goes through the skin, as water is distilled from Plants, as I shewed. And the rather, when the water is made thin and hot, that it may pierce. And if there be plenty, or if it be thin, sharp, or cholerick, it will be more easily drawn out by the heat. And as Heat doth cause a Natural sweat, so if it be vehement or long it is pre∣ternatural. This Heat is from Exercise or Baths, dry and moist, and the immoderate use of these causeth immode∣rate Sweats. Therefore Baths are said to weaken.
In Diseases, as Feavers, though the whol Body burn, yet it scarce sweats, till Nature expells the Cause thereof by sweat, which is in intermitting Feavers when the heat cea∣seth in the day of rest, and in continual Feavers, when they decline. For when the Body is hot, and Nature is busie in the Concoction of the Cause of the Disease, it cannot be sent forth by sweat, but when it is prepared, and made thin it may.
Nature drives water to the Superficies of the Body, where it is burdened therewith, and then the expulsive Fa∣culty labours to cast it out by sweat.
Nature is burdened, when the quantity or quality of the Serum is offensive; when it is too much in the Veins for want of Evacuation by Urin; then when it cannot be pur∣ged from the blood, otherwayes it is sent forth, or drawn forth by sweat. Therefore they which piss little, sweat much, especially they that use moist Diet, and drink much.
If it be offensive in quantity, and be impure by mixture of other Humors, and so burdensom to Nature, it is sent forth by sweat as well as urin. In Cacochymicks or Bo∣dies of evil Juyce, Sweats are not Natural, but are stink∣ing or clammy, and somtimes discoloured; now all over
the Body, and somtimes in some places only; wherefore some sweat in their Hands and Feet, and are filthy: as we shall shew in Filth. All these Sweats are evil, and fore∣runners of Diseases.
If the Cause of a Disease be in the Blood, part whereof is Serum; as in Feavers, Nature if she can find no other way, as the Urin sends it forth by sweat. And this if it comes kindly is healthful, though it stink and be discolou∣red. But if it be immoderate, or not sufficient, or at an unconvenient time, when Nature is not prepared for Ex∣pulsion, it is evil and unprofitable. This is usual in Con∣tagious Diseases, Nature oftentimes sends forth the evil Quality with the Whey with Sweat, which is sometimes healthful, and somtimes deadly. And if it come when Na∣tural Heat begins to be extinguished, and the Body is out∣wardly cold, then a cold sweat will appear. All which we have mentioned in such Diseases.
Also when Nature is moved by Passion, and drives the Spirits inward or outward, there will be sweat, which will presently be cold, if the heat go in, as in a swounding, and in the pangs of Death.
There follows a Flux of moisture from solution of continuity in any part of the Body; * 1.13 and if the skin be only scratch∣ed, the water is little, as in Scarificati∣on, Incision, Burning, in Water-pusles, or Hydropick Leggs: but if the Orifice be large, by cutting, pricking, tapping in a Dropsie, or when water is taken out of the Codd, or from watery Tu∣mors. Or when it comes from an Ulcer, it is larger.
Some Tears are to be cured, * 1.14 some not. For if they come from a Cause that continu∣eth not, as Passion of Mind, or be provoked by Brightness, Scents, Smoak, and the like, they will be gone, when they are removed. And these are to be avoi∣ded that are subject to Tears. But those Tears that come from a lasting Cause which returns, require Cure. And if they are joyned with Redness, Heat, and Itching, as in Epiphora or Flux of the Eyes, and come from thence, it is cured as that is. Also if tears be with an ulcer of the Eye or Lachrymal Fistula, and come from thence, they must be first cured before the tears will cease. And in regard these Diseases of the Eye are hard to be cured, the tears from them are hard to be cured also. Except it happen as som∣times it did in the Cure of a Lachrymal Fistula, that it grows so big, or there be so great a hole from the eating a∣way of the bone of the internal corner of the Eye, that all the water falls no longer by the Eye, but from the Nose.
If often, or constant tears be without the Diseases men∣tioned, by reason of water flowing not by usual Passages, but into the Eyes, it must be cured. Thus the Humors that abound in the Head must be purged, and they are to be hindered in their Passage, and the Flux sent from the Eyes to another Passage, and stopped, the tears consumed, and the Eyes strengthened.
Thus you must purge by stool, by mastication, or chew∣ing, by sneesing, for though sneesing cause tears, yet be∣cause it sends them to the Nostrils, it doth good: such as are prescribed in Defluxions, and the Pain they cause, in the Cough, Ophthalmy, or Inflammation of the Eyes, and in Weakness of Sight.
Sweating often doth chiefly take away those Moistures from the Head and whol Body, which may be done by the Decoction of Guaicum, and other Sudorificks long conti∣nued, because Baths are not so good for the Eyes: As we shewed in Defluxions.
We hinder the increase of these Humors by a wholsom, slender Diet, by applying and giving things to the Head that dry and strengthen, and by Fumigations, mentioned there.
VVe divert or turn away these from the Eyes by Cup∣ping-glasses, Frictions, and other things that revel and de∣rive: And last of all use Causticks and Vesicatories to the Neck behind, and to the Shoulders. And use actual and potential Cauteries to thoseparts, or to the Crown of the Head.
Every day after he hath combed his Head, let him rub his Neck with a rough Cloth, this is good against all De∣fluxions.
Apply Dryers and Binders to the Fore-head and Tem∣ples, to hinder the comming down of the Humor, especi∣ally the Emplaster, mentioned in the cure of a salt rhewm in the Eyes.
At Bed-time, use things to the Eyes at their corners, that they may be better kept in, with Cotton, or Spunge, the Patient sleeping upon his back; or Oyntments, or Pouders, or Fumigations.
Those are prescribed in Epiphora, and in the Cure of the Ulcer of the Eyes, as that Pouder in Epiphora which begins thus. Take Cadmia, or Brass, Ore &c. Or thus: Take Antimony prepared, or that of Blood-stone, Smoak of Frankincense, &c. and that of Salt, and the Collyria or Eye∣medicines made of white Vitriol, and the strong astringent Pou∣der there mentioned.
And the Oyntments mentioned for the Ulcers of the Eyes, both white, red and black, and that with Sarcocol, &c. And the three Collyriums of Rhasis, called Eleiser, of Lead, and Polycreston, leaving out the Opium in the two last.
Besides these you may add some drying Waters, as of Myrtle, Honey-Suckles, Sumach, Agrimony, Privet leaves, wild Vine, Osiers; or of sharp Fruits, Pomegranates, and Sloes distilled.
The Decoction of the same is good, chiefly of Pomegra∣nates, and Dioscorides commends the Decoction of plain Tree leaves.
He also commends Buck-wheat, and dryed Flower.
Also the Pouder of Ebeny.
This is an excellent Oyntment to put into the corner of the Eyes. Take the Juyce of sour Pomegranates, or of Bram∣ble tops, or Roses as much as you please, boyl it to the con∣sumption of half, mix it with Pouder of burnt Myrobalans, sour Grapes, and add a little of that Juyce which is taken from a Blood-stone, or a Hone, such as Barbers set Raysors with, be∣ing rubb'd with another Whet-stone, and convenient Liquor. And other drying Pouders.
Burnt Vittiol with Sugar dissolved in Water is excel∣lent.
In regard the dropping at the Nose and Snot, is an Excrement of the Brain, * 1.15 you must rather prevent the increase of the Humor then stop it.
In the Coryza or Pose, * 1.16 water slows from the Nose abundantly, and the No∣strils are offended, and the Parts adiacent, which brings also a Cough. You must purge the Excrements of the Brain and the Defluxion, as there mentioned; Not neglecting the Nostrils which are sore, but using things against Inflammations and Ulcers.
If a Water-flux from the Ears be little, and do no other hurt, * 1.17 you need do nothing but take away the Humor in general, and if it be large, use things that hinder the in∣crease of the Humor, and purge it with wa∣ter-purgers and Diureticks that is by urin; of which there are divers in the Cure of the Dropsie Ascites. If it be thick Snot, and flows not so readily as the other, you must use Cleansers: such as are used to purge the Ears, there mentioned.
The Whites, although women have them without hurt a long time; yet at length it makes them discoloured, and slothful, and unfit to conceive, and distastful to Men, for which Cause they desire much to be cured: which is dif∣ficult when it is old, and scarce absolutely to be done so, but it will return. And if the Whites be malignant, then besides the Filthiness and Stink, there are hurts in the neck
of the womb to the bottom and ulcers: And somtimes o∣ther Diseases are caused by the too great Evacuation.
The way of Cure is, to hinder the Bleeding of these Hu∣mors in relaxation to the Stomach, and so fetch them out of the Body, and consume them, and to draw them, and turn them from the womb, and to dry and strengthen the Part. But if other Diseases be joyned therewith, that came before, or after it, as Cachexy, Dropsie, then you first must look to them; and those parts that are ordained for Concoction, and are faulty, must be amended. If barrenness follows, and the woman be troubled therewith, you must aim at both in the Cure: And if Conception be hindered by moistness or plenty of Excrements, you may use the Course mentioned in the Cure of Barrenness. But for the Whites alone, you must use things to evacuate and to alter as follow.
There are divers Evacuations to purge these Excrements from the whol Body, as Blood-letting, Purging, Vomiting, and Sweating.
Blood-letting is good in full bodies, because some of the Excrements are taken away thereby, either at a Vein or with Scarification: As also by provoking the terms is stopped, because thereby the Excrements that cause the Whites are totally taken away or in part.
First we must purge, and the more by how much the greater the Flux is: and we must regard the Constitutions and purge with things proper for the humor abounding, alwaies using those Purgers which have an astringent qua∣lity, as in other Fluxes.
In moist bodies, in whom this Flux is most ordinary, we prepare before purging; first we give a Clyster or a Laxa∣tive, then we give these following three, four, or sive daies.
As this Julep. Take Honey of Roses, Syrup of Hysop, each two ounces; Syrup of Staechas, Mugwort, each one ounce; Water of Balm, Bettony, Nep, Penny-royal, Sage twice as much as the Syrups: mix them with a little Cinnamon, or Diamoschum, or Diambra.
Or this Decoction. Take Orris roots one ounce and an half, Madder, or Valerian one ounce, Cypress roots, Elicam∣pane, each half an ounce; Bettony, Nep, Balm, Mugwort, or the like, three or four handfuls, Rosemary tops, Lavender, Wal∣flower, red Roses, each one pugil; the great hot Seeds two drams, the lesser hot Seeds one dram, Pease one pugil: boyl them in Waters, and with Sugar, and Honey, and Cinnamon, mix them for four or five doses.
Purge afterwards thus. Take of the Decoction mentioned as much as will serve for once, add Carthamus seeds, and Senna each half an ounce; boyl them, and infuse two drams of A∣garick well mixed with Honey of Roses: make a Potion.
Or give Diaphaenicon, Diacarthamum, de Citro soluti∣vo alone, or dissolved with the Decoction, or preparing Waters, or Pills of Agarick, Cochy, Foetidae.
You must purge often, gently, as with Pills of Hiera, Mastick, Assaiereth, Alephangine, or with the stronger mentioned, among which the preparative Decoction in∣creasing the quantity thrice, and adding Agarick five drams, Turbith three drams, Ginger half a dram may be given ordi∣narily: Or you may infuse them all in Wine, with a little Wormwood.
Things good to prepare and purge Flegm, as in Deflu∣xions, are good also here.
When the body is corrupted, and the humor malignant and evil coloured. Prepare thus,
A Julep. Take Honey of Roses two ounces, Syrup of Bet∣tony, Endive, Fumitory or Hops, each one ounce; Wormwood, Maiden-hair, Bugloss, and Fennel-water twice or thrice as much as the Syrups, take it often.
Or with this Decoction. Take Liquorish one ounce and an half, Succory, Fennel, Dandelion, Elder, and Danwort barks, each an ounce; Endive, Succory, Bugloss, Fumitory, Hops, Bettony, each one handful; Cordial Flowers, and Broom∣flowers, each one pugil; the four great cold Seeds half an ounce, Fennel, and Anise-seed, each two drams, Dodder seed one dram: make a Decoction, strain it, and sweeten it with su∣gar, Cinnamon, and Diarrhodon.
Purge thus: Take of the preparing Decoction, as much as will serve, add Senna half an ounce, yellow Myrobalans one dram and an half; boyl them, infuse Rhubarb one dram, Sy∣rup of Roses one ounce and an half, or Juyce of Roses one ounce: make a Potion.
Or with the Potions mentioned in the Flux of the terms beginning thus. Take Tamarinds, Prunes &c. Or, Take yellow Myrobalans &c.
Or give the Electuary of the Juyce of Roses, Diasenna, Confection Hamech, dissolve it with the aforesaid Deco∣ction or Waters, or Goats whey; or give aggregative Pills.
When we will purge often, we give gentle medicines, Catholicon, Diasebesten, Tryphera Persica, or Syrup of Roses, or the Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, Agarick, or of Fumitory, or Epithymum, or stronger mentioned.
Or this Apozem. Take the Decoction mentioned to pre∣pare, add Raisons ten pair, Prunes six, Tamarinds one ounce, Polypody two ounces, Senna three ounces, Epithymum two drams, Myrobalans yellow, Chebs and Indian, each two drams; boyl them in water, and infuse the straining Rhubarb three drams, Spike one scruple, strain them, add Sugar to sweeten it.
You may use many Preparatives and Purges, mention∣ed in Cachochymy, and the like Diseases, as Cachexy and Dropsie, when the Body is inclined thereunto.
A Vomit makes a great and sudden Evacuation, and is good here. When the body can endure it afore meat; or after, meat when they are weak. And this draws the hu∣mors upwards.
Diaphoreticks are either insensible by transpiration, or sensible by Sweat, and they are good in flegmatick bodies, when the Diseases are old.
Also Exercise to provoke Sweat, is good.
And to lay on Cloaths to provoke Sweat.
But a hot House is best, because it is stronger, especial∣ly if it be heated with the Decoction of things that pro∣voke Sweat: As Chamomil flowers, Melilot, and other sweet Herbs, of which we shall shew how to make moist Baths, in which they may sit. And which also do pro∣voke Sweat.
Fumigations also for the whol Body, and Oyntments for the Back-bone; these do not only sweat, but dry the body, and consume the humidity. Among which is that of Cinnabar for the Pox. But here we use but a little with other things, least the Jawes should be infected, and it is good when the Disease is desperate.
Also you may give things to drink, that provoke Sweat. And continue them for some weaks, when the Disease is old, with a spare Diet. And this is to be done by the de∣coction of Guaicum and Sarsa, as in the French Pox.
You may give Alteratives to dry and consume the Hu∣midity if it be very watery, with Astringents if it be immo∣derate; such as are mentioned in the Cure of the over∣flowing of the Terms, which stop them, and may also these. But because the filth is purged by these, and not profitable blood, as in the Courses, and the body is not so much or so soon weakned by these, they are not so suddenly to be stopped, therefore let the medicines be rather drying then binding, and warm to comfort the womb: They are thus made.
Pouders are best alone with red wine, or steeled wine, or the like, or with Sugar in tablets.
The first Pouder. Take burnt Harts horn two drams, I∣vory one dram, red Coral burnt one dram and an half: make a Pouder.
Another. Take Amber two drams, Frankincense, or Mastick one dram, Gum Arabick, or Traganth half a dram, make a Pouder.
A third Pouder. Take Date-stones burnt two drams, sour Pomegranate kernels, or Rose-seeds one dram, the inward down of Chesnuts, or Hazel-nuts half a dram.
The fourth Pouder. Take burnt Cork two drams, Grains
of Sumach one dram, Acacia, or Hypocistis half a dram.
The fifth. Take dryed Berbery seeds, of the two low Bram∣ble-berries, Ras-berries, or Mulberries, Myrtles, each one dram, Agnus Castus seeds half a dram: make a Pouder.
The sixth. Take Comfrey leaves two drams, Ladies-man∣tle, or Yarrow one dram, Mints half a dram: make a Pou∣der.
To any of these you may add half a dram of the follow∣ing Pouder which is pleasant. Take Cypress roots, and Ga∣langal, each one dram and an half; dryed Citron peels, Cin∣namon, each one dram; Anise-seeds (which Dioscorids com∣mends) one dram and an half, Coriander seed parched one dram, Spike one scruple.
Or, Take as much Aromaticum Rosatum, Diagalanga, or other Dryers.
Of these you may compound others. Others are of the Roots of Avens, Fullers thistle, Mead sweet, Oak leaves, Brambles, Sumach, wild Tansey, ••ungwort, Adders∣tongue, Moonwort, Rosemary, Flower gentle, Millium, Roses, Piony seeds; also Ashes of Cray-fish, Shell-fish, Spunge.
If you must bind more, you may add some of this Pou∣der following to the former. Take Galls, or Pomegranate∣peels one dram, Pomegranate flowers half a dram, Bole, or the like one dram, Bloodstone half a dram, Acacia, or Dragons blood half a scruple. Or use the Astringents, mentioned in other Fluxes.
You may make Decoctions of the same Plants, or you may make Wine in the Infusion of them dry.
You may also use the Juyces of the same, alone, or with other Drinks.
You may make Syrups of the same, or give some astrin∣gent usual Syrups, mentioned in the Terms, as of Mug∣wort, Stoechas, &c,
Drink Waters of Plantane, Oak budds, wild Tansey, Yarrow, Ladies-mantle, Roses, Water-lillies, Mints, Ser∣vice-berries.
Conserve of old Roses, Pomegranate flowers, Acorus, Rosemary flowers, Stoechas, candied Citrons.
You may make Electuaries of the same, with Pouders and Conserves, and give Waters to drink after them.
Pills of Bdellium are good here, as in other Fluxes.
Cymbalaria, or that wall herb which is like Ivy, is good in Sallets, and Bee-nettle.
The Chymicks cry up the Vitriol of Iron for a great se∣cret, and give every night one grain thereof at bed-time for a month, in Plantane-water, or red Wine, and make Pills of Magistery of Coral and the same.
Many things are applied outward, which dry up the hu∣mors, and being astringent, do six the Vessels about, which conveigh the humor, and strengthen the womb.
The use of Natural Baths for many daies, or weeks after purging often, and good Diet, with drying and sweating, is good; therefore women that have the Whites, and are barren, do much use them. All Dryers are good, as in Sterility or Barrenness, Allum, Niter, Salt, actually hot by Nature or Art. Also the Sulphur Baths, by use whereof women as I shewed had the Whites, and were cured by the same.
Artificial Baths to sit in, do the same, used long or often, as we shewed in Barrenness: Of Salt, Allum, Sulphur, boyled in Rain-water, till the water tast of them, adding Vitriol to bind, or Rust of Iron.
Or you may use Iron-waters, with burnt Plaister of Pa∣ris to make it dry more.
Baths of Plants, decocted in the Waters mentioned, or with Iron-water, or Bean-water, or Lye, or red Wine, with Snakeweed roots, Docks, Madder, Valerian, Cypress, Per∣wincle, Mugwort, Bettony, Tamarisk, Savine, Ivy.
If you will bind more, use Galls, Acorn-cupps, Pome∣granate peels, Cork, Sumach, Roses, Pomegranate flo∣wers, Oak moss, Myrtle-berries, and the like. In cold women, add the hot sweet Plants, as Penny-royal, Organ, Calamints, Mints, Balm, Sage, Nep, Marjoram, Rosema∣ry, the great and less hot Seeds, Rue, and Agnus Castus. To which Decoction add Earths that are dry and salt or Bole, or Blood-stone, and then they will astringe more.
You may use Fomentations instead of baths, or bags to be sitten upon hot, full of the said Herbs, wild Rocket boyled in wine, is the best. It is good to put in some sweet plants to take away the stink of the excrements, chie∣fly Bay leaves, and Myrtles, Angelica roots, Coriander∣seeds, Cloves and the like, Vinegar of Roses, Elder flo∣wers, or the like.
Oyntments and Plaisters applied to the Privities, Reins, and Loyns, stop this Flux, as well as that of the terms: and the Oyls there mentioned, especially of Henbane. To which you may add hot things, because the humor is watery, and some of the pouder for a Pessary. Gallia Moschata, Musk, & Ambergreece, yet the scent wil be lost with other things.
Many things are put into the neck of the womb to dry, and astringe the loose Orifices, and stay the Flux, and strengthen the Part.
Some Herbs are put in stamped, Perwincle, Yarrow, Ta∣marisk, and the like, also Asarum roots which cleanseth, and takes away the stink.
A drying Pessary is thus made. Take Galls, or Acorn∣cupps three drams, Cypress-nuts two drams, Pomegranate flo∣wers one dram, Frankincense one dram and an half, Ashes of Tawarisk one dram, Savine, or Mugwort half a dram, Goats dung, or Ashes dryed one dram, with Juyce of Shepheards∣purse, and the White of an Egg, and fill a bag for a Pessary.
To take away the evil Scent. Take Cypress roots two drams, Marjoram, Mints, Penny-royal in Pouder, each one dram; Schaenanth, Spike, each half a dram; Cloves one dram: make a Pouder to be used alone, or with the afore∣said, you may add Sanders, and wood Aloes.
Gallia Moschata, Musk, and Ambergreece will make a better Scent.
You may use cleansing Injections, such as are mention∣ed in the Ulcer of the Womb, and these following.
You must make drying and astringent Injections of the Decoction that dryes and heal the Ulcer of the womb, or of the Baths and Fomentations, which we use outwardly. And if there be a stink, let them be qualified as afore.
Fumes pierce best into the womb, they dry, bind, and strengthen, and refresh the womb by their Scent.
These are made of the Decoction of Plants, mentioned for a Bath hot, and taken in with a Funnel, or under the Cloaths.
Or you may cast Pouders, or the Troches, mentioned in Barrenness, upon Coales, Or thus: Take Mastick two drams, Frankincense, Labdanum, each one dram; Amber, Hypocistis, Storax, Benzoin, each half a dram; with Bde∣lium, make a Pouder.
Keep a good Diet. Let the Air be dry, and avoid cold and moisture. Eat little, and that which is of a good Juyce and breeds little superfluous Moisture. Let the D••ink be little, rather wine then water. Avoid idleness and too long sleep.
Evil Sweats that stinke, are clammy, * 1.18 or stain Linnen, because they purge Excrements from sound and sick must not be stopped, but rather furthered. And you must cure it by taking away the Cause of the abundance of Excre∣ments, and prevent those Diseases which sweating fore∣runneth. And if this Sweating be in a Disease, and the Disease not cured thereby, you must use all diligence to take away the remainder of the Cause of the Disease.
There is nothing peculiar for cold Sweats, for in Dis∣eases they are deadly. If they come from fainting, they cease when the Patient comes to himself. If Heat causeth sweating with faintness, that must be allayed. If the a∣bundance of Moisture that must be diminished. If Sweats in Diseases be superfluous and unprofitable, and cannot be well stopped without weakness: though Nature endeavors to discharge her self thereby, yet being so great that the Patient may sooner die then the Disease be discharged, they must be stopped.
We open a Vein when there is fulness, and the Body sweats too much, that with the blood some water may al∣so come forth.
Also by purging water, or such humors as make it too fluid. Also in Diseases, if the Sweat be too much, and neither cures nor abates the Disease, we are thereby admo∣nished to purge again often.
Forcing of sweat doth somtimes cure sweat that comes of it self, as often bathing, or hot Houses, which taketh a∣way the Matter.
We give Drinks to thicken the water, to cool and a∣stringe, and so hinder Sweat. As we shewed in immode∣rate Pissing, that they would stop it, which are proper here, if we mix Restauratives when there is weakness, al∣so the Diet there mentioned is proper here.
Provoking of Urin doth hinder sweating, by diverting and evacuating it.
Also Syrups, Decoctions, Waters, Conserves, Mucila∣ges, Pouders there mentioned, with Cordials, as Diamar∣gariton frigidum.
Outwardly apply things to repel the Flux of water, and that bind the skin, and stop the Pores, by degrees.
Anoint the Back and other parts, with Oyl of Willow∣leaves, or of Myrtles, Roses, Quinces.
Or, Take Oyl of Willows three ounces, Myrtles two ounces, Juyce of Housleek, or Nightshade, Vinegar, each one ounce and an half; boyl them till the Juyces be consumed.
To this you may add things to close the Pores, as of Mu∣cilage, of Fleabane, or Quinces, one ounce and an half, Infusi∣on of Gum Arabick, or Traganth in Rose-water one ounce, one white of an Egg, and Wax.
Or, Take Mastick two drams, red Sanders one dram, red Roses, Pomegranate flowers, Myrtle leaves or Berries, each half a dram; with this Oyl mentioned make a Liniment, or with Wax an Oyntment. Dioscorides adds Sulphur, Gypsum, and the Stone Morochthus.
Smoak the Linnen with Frankincense, Mastick, Gum of Juniper, Roses, and Pomegranate flowers, to dry the Bo∣dy.
The Smell of Camphire in Rose-water is commended.
Actually cold things close the Pores, if they touch the skin, these are to be used by degrees, not suddenly.
Cold Air is the best, by opening windows, and casting off Cloaths, or by sprinkling cold water in the Chamber, Vinegar, or cool Herbs.
Sprinkle the Face with water and vinegar, it is excellent.
Apply cold things to the Heart and Pulses, being cor∣dial.
Let the Air be free, and not hot, and the Garments thin. Let Baths be avoided, the Exercise moderate. Let sleep be little, if the Sweat be most then.
That Flux of water which comes from the tapping for the Dropsie in the Belly, * 1.19 or from other pricks or cuts, or burnings in the Water-rupture, or in Pustules, or watery Tumors, or Ulcers is cured: As we shewed in Tumors and Swellings.
Tears.
The dropping at the Nose.
Coriza or Pose.
Water from the Ears.
The Flux of the womb or the Whites.
Preternatu∣ral Sweat.
The Voiding of Water at other Parts opened.
A watery humor from the brain, is the Cause of tears.
A moist Humor comming to the Nose from the brain, is the cause of dropping and Coryza or Pose.
A watery humor comming from the Veins, is the cause of the moist Flux of the Ears.
A moist Humor coming from the Veins to the neck of the Womb, is the Cause of the Whites.
Serous Matter getting through the Pores, is the Cause of Sweat,
Moisture getting into the openings of the skin, is the Cause of the flux.
The Cure of Tears.
The Cure of the dropping at the Nose.
The Cure of the Coryza or Pose.
The Cure of matter from the Ears.
The Cure of pre∣ternatural Sweat.
The Cure of a wa∣tery Flux from a Tumor opened, or an Ulcer.