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.

The PALSEY is made when the Nerves are either cooled or moistned by fleam, choler; for all Choler is not sharp, as appeareth in those that have the Jaundies; for either their Forces are laid asleep, or pressed by weight by a melancholy humour, or their conti∣nuity is dissolved.

Prognosticks. If a Member with the Palsy be made less, it is not, or is hardly curable; But if it should proceed from cold or a humour, the disease cannot be so violent, nor would it resist the most vehement Remedies, and those that are Cacochymical should be Paralitique, Nor yet from dryth, for so hectical peo∣ple should be Paralitique. If the feeling cease, the motion remaining sound, then the Nerve, which is fastned into the Membrane of the part is affected, that being safe which goeth into the fl••sh.

The differences, Weakness differs from the Colick, and from the Palsey, be∣cause in this the Head and marrow of

the Back, in that the Limbs only are af∣fected as the cure sheweth; for medi∣caments are laid to the part affected, and the Intestins. 2. In that there is oft times great pain, and it goeth oft into a Convulsion. 3. That is cured at first in a short time: the same is the condition of a Palsey, Scorputick, only that in those that are sick of it, there re∣maineth some motion, and soon goeth away and returns. The cause of weak∣ness is often Cholerick and raw; it co∣meth not from the Head, because that is seldom affected in the Colick, nor would the Colick cease; But the very same matter is carried through the Veins into the Limbs, as a Pleuresy comes from a dysentery stopt.

But Erastus saith, Wherefore should not nature provoked by Clysters, rather cast forth the matter by the Belly?

Answer, The Passage is not free. Spiegelius will have it done by the Ar∣teries, and by them the purgative force of Clysters is carried to the Heart.

The Cure. If it be from fleam that must be evacuated by Generals, taken away by Topicals. The same cure is for stupidity. Topical Resolvers.

If it come from a sharp humour, as from the Colick, in the Scurvey, in that we must not dry so much, nor respect the Brain. Generals and Topicals are all useful. Monav. ep. 242. saith, that this that followeth is good in weak∣ness. Take the fat of a Gray, a Fox, a Hen, a Duck, a Goose, a Stork, of each one ounce; juyce of Sage and Worm∣wood thickned, of each half an ounce; oyl of Bays, one ounce; anoint after Bathing. Specificals are, Marigolds, Lavender, Berries and shavings of Ju∣niper, Meadsweet, Primroses, wine of the infusion of Marigolds, La∣vender for one Month, one or two spoonfuls; It must be set in the Sun at an open window. If it come by way of Crisis, the Flux must not be stopped.

In the Palsey of the Tongue, after Ge∣nerals, For. opened a Vein under the Tongue: Cupping glasses without sca∣rification must be set under the Chin. Vomit is not good. Gargarisms must be first attenuating, then add such things as draw fleam. Cauteries to the Neck. The juyce of Sage alone rubbed on the Tongue, recovereth the speech.

In a Palsey of the Weasand, soft things can hardly, but gross things may easily be swallowed.

In a Palsey of the Bladder, add torre∣fied Turpentine, Trochis Alkekengi, without Opium. An astringent fomen∣tation to the neither part. A Potion of the roots of Cyperus, Galanga, of each two drams; Lignum Aloes, sweet Ca∣lamus, Cypress nuts, Balaustia, Pome∣granate Pills, Myrtils, Acorn cups, roots of our Ladies Thistle, great Com∣frey, of each one dram; Galls, Fran∣kincense, seeds of Agnus Castus, Rue, of each one scruple; &c. If all fail, use this that followeth approved. Take Acorns, I ounce & half; Galanga, half an ounce; boyl them in 2 pound of red Wine and Smiths water; Frankincense, 2 drams; boyl & strain & drink them. Topicals. If the Yard, it is cured with a Fomen∣tation of a Ly, of the ashes of a Hart and Buls pisles. Foment the Spondils. Prescribe such things as take away bar∣renness. If the Fundament, use drying Clysters & astringent; apply Cupping glasses to the Buttocks. Make Fumes of the bark of the Pine-tree, one ounce;

bark of Frankincense, half an ounce; Pix, Colophonia, Frankincense, Mastrick, of each three drams; Castoreum, one dram; shavings of Harts-horn, half a dram.

If it be from a fall, apply to the part Coolers, Astringents, for fear of In∣flammation, and hot Resolvers.

If it be with wasting, Topicals and Internals must be moderate.