A compleat practice of physick.: Wherein is plainly described, the nature, causes, differences, and signs, of all diseases in the body of man. VVith the choicest cures for the same. / By John Smith, Doctor in Physick.

LETHARGY, Is an invincible necessity of sleeping, and the sleep is heavy, with a delirium, and hurt-memo∣ry, and a continual Feaver.

The Cause with the Antients, was fleam collected in the Head, which by its moisture and cold breeds astonish∣ment, and by its putrifying heat, cau∣seth watchings; but this is impossible. The cause is rather a Narcotick vapour elevated in concomitant Feavers, as a Quotidian, Continual, bastard Tertian, and Semitertian: or if it come on with∣out a Feaver, from flegmatick blood causing Inflammation; When, as For. observeth, there is such an Inflammati∣on, oft times which ends in Sphacelus: and so there is a double cause of Le∣thargy.

Diagnosticks. Being stirred up, they scarce answer being asked, they forget

all; the pulse is great by reason of brea∣thing, but small from forgetfulness. Their Urine is like Beasts urine. It dif∣fers from Carus by a Feaver.

Prognosticks. They dy in seven days: if they passe them, they escape. Sweat often, Trembling, Convulsion, Hickop, are mortal. Swelling, a Palsey, swel∣lings behind the Ears succeeding a Le∣thargy; if the Lethargy cease, it is good: else mortal. If a Leach set to the Fore-head will not stick, or if you rub your Fore head with Bread or fat Bacon, and offer it to your Dog, and he refuse it, it is mortal. Men say the same holds for all pains in the Head.

The Cure, Consists chiefly in Revul∣sives, and opening a Vein, which must be quickly ordered: sometimes more sparingly, in cold weather, when it cometh from flegmatick blood, some∣times more largely. Opening a Vein of the Fore-head or Foot, Cupping glasses, Scarifications, Chafings and Ventoses set to the Neck, Suppositories, Clysters, Leaches are useful. Purge af∣terwards: for it is a sharp disease. Then

apply repelling Topicals. In a flegma∣tick Head-ach, For. useth no Repe••••ers; but in the Lethargy they must be wa∣kened, we must not leave off Revul∣sives; after this it is cured as a flegma∣tick Head-ach, both outwardly and in∣wardly. If in vain, lay Synapisms to the shoulders and the crown, strengthen the Head. The Chymists commend sweet oyl of Vitriol, extract of Castore∣um, and chiefly the Brimstone of silver. Hairs burnt anointed on with Vinegar, Castoreum, Hares-brains roasted, and Bisquet are Antidotes.