The remaining medical works of that famous and renowned physician Dr. Thomas Willis ...: Viz I. Of fermentation, II. Of feavours, III. Of urines, IV. Of the ascension of the bloud, V. Of musculary motion, VI. Of the anatomy of the brain, VII. Of the description and uses of the nerves, VIII. Of convulsive diseases : the first part, though last published, with large alphabetical tables for the whole, and an index ... : with eighteen copper plates / Englished by S.P. esq.

CHAP. IX. Of a Putrid Feaver.

SO much for a Continual Feaver, which is raised from the most simple heating of the Blood, or its lowest degree of inordinate heat; that which depends on a greater degree of heat follows, viz. when the Oily or Sulphureous part of the Blood, being too much heated, swells up above measure, and as it were forced into a flame; and therefore from the similitude, by which humid things putrifying, con∣ceive an heat, this kind of Ebullition of the Blood, because it induces an immoderate heat, is called a putrid Feaver: which name ought to be retained without injury, be∣cause that in this Feaver, the Synthesis of the Blood, (as is wont to happen in putri∣fying Liquors) is very much unlocked. When the Spirits only grow inraged, (as in an Ephemera) the frame of the Blood is somwhat set open, and loosened, that it is more dissolved, by the Ferment of the Heart, than is wont, and more Particles than na∣turally use to do, leap forth, and diffuse a more intense heat; but yet the mixture of the Liquor, as to its chief parts, is conserved. But when the Sulphureous matter taking fire, grows hot above measure, the bond of the mixture, for the greatest part, is loosed, that its Principles are almost wholly drawn away, by the Ferment of the Heart, and the active Particles, being loosned from the mixture, break forth as it were into a flame. Wherefore, the Liquor of the Blood being after this manner rarified, in the Heart, and as it were inkindled, is from thence carried, through the Vessels, with a most rapid motion, and disperses very many Effluvia of heat, from its deflagration. Hence, the whole mass of Blood, (like water put over the fire) con∣tinually boiling, distends the Vessels, pulls the Brain and Nervous parts, raises up Convulsions, and pains in them, very much destroys the Vital Spirits with its heat, wasts the Ferments of the Bowels, hinders the Offices of concoction, and dispensation, often depraves the nourishing Juice, destinated for the Nervous stock, that from thence exceeding great disorders of the Animal Spirits follow; yea almost perverts the whole oeconomy of Nature.

The course of this Disease shews it self after this manner; It rarely begins without a procatartic cause, or previous disposition: to wit, the Sulphureous or oily part of the Blood, is first too much carried forth, and exalted beyond its due tenor, which after∣wards, either of its own accord, (like Hay not eventilated) begins to grow hot, or by the coming of an evident cause, it is forced into a preternatural heat. But when it grows turgid in the first place, by reason of the admixtion of a crude Juice with the Blood, now a shivering, now heat infests, which shew themselves unequally, like fire, which is covered with green wood, sends forth now smoak, now flame: But at length, the fire glowing more largely, as here the victor fire spreads it self abroad, so there (sooner than said) the whole mass of Blood is inflamed, and is urged at once with heat, and a most swift motion: Nor is this immoderate heat of the Blood appeased, before its active particles being loosned from the mixture, and then successively in∣kindled in the Heart, are wholly burned out, which doth not happen, but in the space of many days. And then at length this Feaver ceases, when the remaining Liquor of the Blood, the Spirit and Sulphur being very much consumed, being made lifeless and poor, is fit only for a weak and small fermentation. From this kind of deflagration of the Blood, and also of the alible Juice, (by the same fire burnt out) the recre∣ments, or little Bodies of torrified matter, are heaped up in the Blood; which yet do more promote its fervor, and ebullition, and for a time, increase the Feaverish distem∣per. After the Blood hath very much burned forth, and these kind of little Bodies, are gathered together to a fulness of swelling up, the vital Spirit endeavors a separa∣tion, and tries to concoct, and to overcome, (what it may) these adust recrements, and then, having put a great many of them into a swelling up, a Flux being risen, strives to shut them wholly out. And indeed, in the subaction, and seclusion of this matter, chiefly consists the event of this Disease; for if the vital Spirit being strong, the Bloody humor (when it hath sufficiently burned forth, and shall be freed from

these adust particles) should recover its pristine tenor, whereby it is made fit for moti∣on, and a due fermentation in the Heart, the sick tends towards health; but if, by a long deflagration, and an inextricable confusion of the morbific matter, the liquor of the Blood, being wanting of Spirits, and more pure Sulphur, or those same (by the impure mixture growing ill) being as it were put under the yoak; is rendred so life∣less, that it is not any longer rarified, by the ferment of the Heart, or inkindled; by degrees, its heat, and motion, together with Life it self decays.

The procatartick causes, which dispose to this Disease, are, an hot and humid Tem∣per, an active habit of Body, a youthful Age, the Spring time, or Summer season, a high and rich Dyet, besides the often drinking of rich Wines, a sedent••ry and idle life, a Body full of gross humors, and stuffed with vitious Juices; but above all the rest, it appears by observation, that the frequent letting of Blood, renders men more apt to Feavers; wherefore it is commonly said, from whom Blood is once drawn, that unless they do the same every year, they are prone to a Feaver. The reason of this is, (un∣less I am deceiv'd) by the frequent letting of Blood, the Sulphur is more copiously gathered together, in the mass of Blood; in the mean time, the Salt (which should bridle it, and hinder it from raging) by this means is drawn away; for the Blood, the older it grows, becomes so much the more Salt, the Salt of all the Elements not eva∣porating. But by how much the more the Blood abounds in Salt, by so much the less it abounds in Sulphur; for Salt eats and consumes the Sulphur, and makes it evaporate: wherefore, they who are lean, and abound with a Salt Blood, are less prone to Feavers. But when, by the letting of Blood, the ancient Blood is drawn forth, in its stead another more rich, and more impregnated with Sulphur, is substituted; so that it becomes less Salt, and more Sulphurous. Hence it is, that those who often let Blood, are not only prone to Feavers, but also are wont to grow fat, because of the Bloods being more impregnated with Sulphureous Juice.

The evident causes, which deduce the latent disposition of this Feaver into act, are of the same sort, which procure an Ephemeran Feaver, and simple Synochus; in this rank chiefly come, Transpiration being hindred, and Surfeiting. By reason of the effluvia being restrained, the mass of the Blood being increased in bulk grows turgid, and conceives a Fervor, as it were from a certain ferment, inspired anew, and cruelly boyls up; from thence, presently the pores are more obstructed, by the infartion of the effluvia, and the frame of the Liquor being loosned, the particles of the Sulphur, ex∣uberating in the Blood, leap forth from the mixture, and are inflamed by the ferment of the heart, as it were by fire put to them, and so they enkindle a very intense Feaver. But from a Surfeit, both an immoderate fermentation is induced in the Blood, and also a nitrous Sulphureous matter, apt for adustion, and an inkindling is conveyed, as it were food, to the burning Blood.

In this Feaver, four times or seasons are to be observed, in which, as it were so ma∣ny posts, or spaces, its course is performed: These are then, The Beginning, the Aug∣mentation, the Height, and Declination. These are wont to be finished in some sooner, in others more slowly, or in a longer time. The beginning ought to be computed, from the time the Blood begins to be made hot, and its Sulphur to conceive a burning, untill the ardors, and burnings are diffused, thorow the whole mass of Blood. The In∣crease or Augmentation, is from the time, that the Blood being made hot, and inkind∣led thorow the whole, burns forth for some time, and its mass is aggravated with the Recrements, or burnt Particles, which increase the fermentation. The state, or stand∣ing of the Disease, is when (after the Blood has sufficiently burned forth, and its burning now remits) the long vexed Blood, like a noble wrestler, when his adversary is a little yielding, recollecting all his strength, endeavours a bringing under, and a separation of that adust matter, with which it is filled to a plenitude, and also, a Crisis or separation being once or oftner attempted, an expulsion of it forth of doors. The Declination succeeds after the Crisis or secretion, in which the Blood grows less hot, with a languishing fire, and either, (the vital Spirit being as yet strong) overcomes what is left of that adust and extraneous matter, and by degrees puts it forth, until it is restored to its former vigour; or, whilst the same Spirit is too much depressed, the liquor of the Blood, is still stuffed with adust recrements, and therefore becomes troub∣led and depauperated, that it neither assimilates the nourishing Juice, nor is made fit for an accension in the heart, for the sustaining the lamp of Life.

1. When therefore any one is taken with a putrid Feaver, the first assault is for the most part accompanied with a shivering or horror: for when the Blood begins to

grow hot, there is a flux made, and a swelling up of the crude Juice, freshly gathered together in the Vessels, even as in the fit of an intermitting Feaver, heat, and somtimes sweat follow, upon the shivering, by which, the matter of that crude Juice is inkindled, and dispersed: afterwards, a certain remission of the heat follows, but yet from the fire still glowing in the Blood, a lassitude, and perturbation with thirst, and waking, conti∣nually infest: A pain arises in the Head, or Loins, partly from the ebullition of the Blood, and partly from the motion of the nervous Juice being hindred; also a nause∣ousness, or a vomiting offends the Stomach, because the Bile, flowing out of the Cho∣leduct Vessels, is poured into it, and a Convulsion from Vapors, and from the sharp Juice brought thorow the Arteries, is excited in the Stomach. In the mean time, al∣tho the heat be more increased, and inequal, it is not yet strong, because the Blood as yet abounding with crude Juices, is only inkindled by parts: and therefore burns out a little, and then ceases, and at last returns; like a flame that is made by wet, and moist straw. In this condition for some days, the Disease remains, the Urine is more red than usual, by reason of the Salt, and Sulphur being more dissolved, and infected with the serum; It still retains its Hypostasis or substance, because the Coction and assimila∣tion are not altogether depraved; it appears greater than ordinary, in its sediment, which is yet easily separated, and falls to the bottom of its own accord. At this time, they may let Blood, and administer Physick by Vomit, or Purge, so it be done without any great perturbation of the Blood: it often happens, from these kinds of evacua∣tions, timely performed, that a greater increase of the Disease is prevented, and the Feaver as it were killed in the shell. The limits of this stadium or space, are variously determined, according to the temper of the sick, and other accidents of the Disease; somtimes, the first rudiments of this Feaver, are laid in a day or two; somtimes the beginning of the Disease is extended to more; if in a corpulent Body full of Spirit, Juice, and hot Blood, or it happen in a youthful Age, and very hot season, if the dispo∣sition to a Feaver be potent, and the evident cause coming thereupon be strong, the Feaverish heat, being once begun, quickly invades all the Blood, and on the second or third day, having rooted it self, the Disease arises to its increase; but if the Feaverish indisposition, be begun in a less hot Body, a Phlegmatic temper, or a melancholy, and in old age, or a cold season, the entrance is longer, and scarce exceeds the limits of this first stadium or space, before the sixth, or seventh day.

2. The increase of this Disease, is computed from what time, the burning of the Feaver hath possest the whole mass of Blood: that is, the Sulphur, or the oily part of the Blood, having been long heated, and growing fervent in parts, at length, like Hay laid up wet, breaks forth, after a long heating, all at once into a flame; the Blood at this time cruelly boils up, and very much inkindled in the Heart, by its deflagration, diffuses as it were a fiery heat thorow the whole Body, and especially in the precordia; hence the sick complain of intolerable thirst, besides a pain of the head, pertinacious wakings, and oftentimes a delirium, Phrensie, and Convulsive motions infest: all food whatsoever is loathsom, either it is cast up again by Vomit, or if retained, being baked by too much heat, it goes into a Feaverish matter; besides, there happens a bitterness of the mouth, an ingrateful savor, a scurfiness of the Tongue, a vehement and quick Pulse, an Urine highly red, and for the most part troubled, full of Contents, without Hypostasis or laudable sediment; when the Blood is at this time almost wholly inkind∣led by its deflagration, it begets great plenty of adust matter, (as it were ashes remain∣ing after a Fire) with which the serum being very much stuffed, renders the Urine thick, and big with Contents: Also the Blood, being filled with a load of this, to a rising up, is irritated into Critical motions, by which this Feaverish matter, (if it may be done) being brought under, and separated, is shut out of doors; and indeed, this state of the Feaver induces that, in which a Judgment is discerned, between Nature and the Disease, the strife being as it were brought to an aequilibrium; and therefore the evacuation, which follows from thence, is called the Crisis.

The state therefore, or height of a putrid Feaver, is that time of the Disease, in which Nature endeavors a Crisis, or an expulsion of the adust matter, remaining after the deflagration of the Blood. To this is required, in the first place, that the Blood hath now for the most part burned forth; because in the midst of its burning, Nature is not at leisure for a Crisis, nor is it ever prosperously endeavored, nor in truth procu∣red by Art with good Success. Secondly, that the spirit of the Blood, doth first, by some means subdue this adust matter, or Caput mortuum, separate it from the profitable, and render a period to the expulsion, for otherways, tho a copious evacuation happens,

Nature will never be free from her burthen. Thirdly, that this matter, be gathered together in such a quantity, that by its turgency, it may irritate Nature to a Critical expulsion. If these rightly concur, a perfect Crisis of the Disease, for the most part succeeds, in which, even as in the Fits of intermitting Feavers, a Flux being arisen, whatsoever extraneous and heterogeneous thing, is contained in the bosom of the Blood, is exagitated, then being separated, and involved with serum, it is thrust forth of doors; when any thing of these is wanting, the Crisis, for the most part, is in vain, and not to be trusted, and rarely cures the Disease. For if in the midst of the burn∣ing, before the Blood hath sufficiently burned forth, an evacuation happens, by Sweat, a Lask, Bleeding, or any other way, the adust matter is not all separated, or else, if for the present, it be drawn away for the greatest part, the Blood more largely flaming out, presently substitutes new, and will renew the Feaver again, that seemed to be vanquish∣ed: If that this matter, not being yet overcome, nor brought to a fulness of rising up, be irritated to an expulsion by Nature, an imperfect, and partial Crisis only follows; and when the first indeavor of excretion shall be in vain, rarely a perfect, and curatory succeeds after that one time.

The Crisis in a continual Feaver, is almost the same thing, as the Fit of the inter∣mitting Feavers. For as in this, when the mass of Blood, is filled to a fulness of swel∣ling up, with the particles of depraved alible Juice, and fitted for maturation, there are made a Flux, secretion, and expulsion out of doors of that matter: so in a conti∣nual Feaver, from the deflagration of the Blood, and alible Juice, very many little Bodies of adust matter are gathered together, with which, when the Blood is aggrava∣ted, and is at leasure, a little from the burning, it overcomes them, by little and little separates them, and then a Flux being raised up, endeavors to cast them out of doors: wherefore, as the Fits of intermitting Feavers come not but at a set time, and after so many hours, so also the Critical motions, happen from the fourth day to the fourth, or perhaps from the seventh day to the seventh, for in this kind of space, the Blood being inkindled burns forth, and with its burning makes an heap of adust matter, as it were ashes, which being troublesom to Nature by their irritation, induces Critical mo∣tions.

Therefore, what some affirm is not true, That the Crises depend altogether on the influences of the Moon, and Stars, and follow their Aspects, Quadrations, Oppositions, or Conjunctions: because the Critical evacuations are only determined, by the gathe∣ring together, and the swelling up, of the adust matter. For, as soon as the Blood is at leasure, from the deflagration, and being filled with the particle of that adust matter, is able in some measure to overcome, and separate them, presently a Flux, or swelling up being risen, it endeavors to thrust them forth by any way; which, for that they are easily to be separated from the Blood, and the breathing places of the skin are sufficiently open, being involved with serum, are sent away with sweat. And this is the best way of the Crisis, which if it rightly succeeds, very often, wholly, and at one time, perfectly cures the Disease without danger of relapse: To this next, follows the Crisis, which which is endeavored by the Hemorrhage or bleeding at nose; for this matter, as it were the flowring, being moved with the Blood, (if it be not cast forth by sweat, by reason of a less free transpiration) is transferred from the heart, into some remote part, and frequently is cast into the head, by the impetuous rapture of the Blood; where, if a passage be open, from the private holes opening into the nostrils, the morbific matter, leaps forth of doors, with a portion of the Blood. But other∣ways being oftentimes fixed in the Brain, brings a phrensie, delirium, or other grievous, and tedious Diseases of the head; yea, tis to be observed, that almost in all continual Feavers whatsoever, when they are hardly or imperfectly cured, so that the Blood is infected, for a long time with the Feaverish matter or adust recrements, that from thence, the nervous Juice (as it seems) contracting an infection, pertinacious distem∣pers, to wit, watchings, also Deliriums, Tremblings, Convulsive motions, and long ad∣hering weakness of the nervous parts follow. Also, there are other ways of Crisis, by which Nature endeavors, not at once and wholly, but by little and little, and by parts, to expel the Feaverish matter; now by Urine, now by Vomit, or Stool, now by breakings forth, and buboes, or biles; by what way soever, that it may be done with a good event, it is required, that the deflagration of the Blood be past, and that the adust matter be concocted, and rendered fit to be separated.

The state or standing of the Disease, is therefore not one, and simple, nor always happens after the same manner, but with a various difference of symptoms, and tend∣ing to far different events. But by a prudent Physician, a Prognostication is ex∣pedient to be given, in what space of time, the Disease will come to its height or standing, and what end it will have.

If the Feaver be vehement from the beginning, and suddenly invades the whole mass of Blood with a burning; if it urges constantly, and equally without any re∣mission, with a ferocity of symptoms; for the most part, the Blood will so much burn forth, in the space of four days, that the adust matter, will arise to a fulness of swel∣ling up, for the making a Crisis. But if its beginnings are more slow, and the ac∣cension of the Blood often interrupted, the Feaver will come to its acme or height, about the seventh day. If it should begin yet more remiss, the standing of the Dis∣ease is wont to be drawn out, to the Eleventh or Fourteenth day. In the mean time it is to be noted, that as the Fits of intermitting Feavers return at set times, so the Critical motions in continual Feavers, (but for the most part they observe the fourth day:) for altho the Crisis may be perfectly prorogued to the fourteenth, seventeenth, or perhaps the twentieth day, because all things, requisite to the full curing of the Disease, do not sooner concur; yet in the time betwixt, more light motions happen, by which the Feaverish matter arising leisurely, to an increase, is a little emptied, and as it were cut off by parts, until Nature may be able to enter upon its more full dis∣cussion; but when the great provision of the adust matter, in the burning Blood, is heaped up in the Vessels, Nature, unless otherways disturbed, on every fourth day, be∣ing tyred with the plenty of matter, trys to shake off part of its burthen by a certain swelling up: wherefore, for the most part, the Critical motions happen on the fourth, seventh, eleventh, and fourteenth days, not by the direction of the Planets, but by reason of the necessity of Nature.

As to the event, whether the Crisis shall be good or not, certain foreknowledges are taken, from the strength of the sick, the Pulse, Urine, and other signs, and concourse of symptoms: If the sick appear with some strength, the fire of the Feaver urging, hath a strong and equal Pulse, if the Urine be of a moderate consistency with some sediment, with a separation of the Contents, and easily falling to the bottom, if the Disease shall make its progress, without great Vomiting, Watchings, Phrensie, Con∣vulsive motions, and suspition of malignity, the standing will be laudable, and to be expected with a good Crisis: if the contrary to these happen, viz. that presently strength is cast down, and that the sick is obnoxious to frequent Swoonings, Convul∣sions, a delirium, with a weak intermitting or unequal Pulse, if pertinacious watch∣ings, intollerable thirst, and Vomiting continually infest; if the Urine be thick and troubled, without sediment, or sinking down of the parts, if, the burning yet troubling, Nature is provoked to critical evacuations, a very dangerous state of the Disease is im∣minent, nor may there be hoped for any thing of good from the Crisis.

Concerning the Crisis of a Putrid Feaver, we will here subjoyn a particular Prog∣nostication, in which, though the things, which from the beginning did appear, might promise a most desired event, a very deadly one is imminent; I have often observed, in a Putrid Feaver, which begins slowly, and with a small burning, if the Urine be red, and when rendred presently troubled, and thick, which is not precipitated, nei∣ther by the cold, nor of its own accord, puts down a sediment, and if at the same time, the sick lie for many days without sleep, tho quiet, and that they toss not them∣selves up and down, their condition is in danger: and the suspition will be more, if in the mean time, they are neither troubled with a strong Feaver, nor infested with thirst, or with a very troublesom heat; because those distempered after this manner, are incident for the most part, about the state of the Disease, to a delirium, Convul∣sive motions, and oftentimes fall into madness, from which they are quickly cast into death; and when these symptoms arise, the Urine is altered, from a thick and red, into a thin and more pale Urine. It seems in this case, the mass of Blood, beink taken with the Feaver, not to grow turgid, so with Sulphur exalted to the height, as Wines or Beer are wont in their Effervescencies; but (the Salt, and the terrestrial Lee or Dregs, being stirred together with the Sulphur) to be affected after the same way, as Wines and Beer, being suddenly disturbed with Thunder, and growing sour; wherefore, altho the Blood does not presently conceive an immoderate heat from the Feaver, yet its disposition being changed, it wholly depraves the Juice destinated to the Brain, and Nervous parts, and therefore, about the beginning of the Feaver, pertinacious watch∣ings

happen, then the state growing urgent, the oeconomy of the whole Nervous stock is perverted. Melancholic persons are most obnoxious to these sort of Feavers, in whom the unruliness of the Sulphur, are a little restrained, by the Salt, and Earthy dregs being stirred up with it, notwithstanding which, all being leisurely carried forth, break forth afterwards, with a greater slaughter.

When the Disease shall come to the standing, either the business is done at one con∣flict, and from thence with a manifest declination, there is made a translation to life, or death, or there are made frequent skirmishes, between Nature and the Disease, and critical motions are often attempted, before the victory is yielded to either party.

1. As to the first, If after the Blood hath sufficiently burned forth, with a good pre∣cursion of signs and symptoms, and its burning hath remitted, the adust matter being equally brought under, and subtilated, arises from a full increase, to the motion of boiling up; and Nature being free from any impediment or depression, is strong with able strength enough, for the decertation or strife, the Feaverish matter, for the most part, is exterminated at one motion of its flowring or putting forth, and the Blood being freed from its fellowship and infection, soon recovers its former vigour.

2. But if Nature is stirred up, to a critical motion, before the Blood hath perfectly burnt forth, or that adust matter is prepared for excretion, altho, as to the rest, things are in a moderate condition; yet from hence, but an imperfect Crisis follows, by which indeed, somthing of the load or burthen, with which the Blood is oppressed, is drawn away; notwithstanding presently another springs up afresh, in its place, and then at set times, (perhaps in four, or seven days space) like the fits of intermitting Fea∣vers, the critical motions are repeated, the second, and perhaps the third time, before the strife being ended, the matter openly inclines to this, or that party.

3. But when, with the preceeding evil appearance, of signs and symptoms, the burning of the Blood yet urging, the critical motion is provoked, without any coction of the Feaverish matter, somtimes Nature is overthrown at the first conflict, nor doth she recollect herself, but yielding her powers overcome by the Disease, is precipitated into death. Nor is the business much better, when the Crisis is at first imperfect, and in vain, celebrated, without any ease to the sick, and from thence, the next to this succeeds worse, and then in another, and perhaps another conflict, the Disease prevails, until the strength being wholly broken, and cast down, there is a plain end of life.

Thus much concerning the state and Crisis of the Disease, on whose good or impros∣perous success, the event of the Disease depends; the declination of the Feaver, takes its period of this, of which we must speak next.

4 Altho the Declining of the Feaver, for the most part, is taken in the better part, that it denotes the condition of the sick growing well of the Disease, in which the Blood being almost freed from its Effervency, recovers leisurly, strength and spirits, that were lost, and expels what extraneous thing is left remaining in its bosom; yet, in a genuine enough signification, it may be used for that state, when from an ill Cri∣sis, or in vain, the Blood being depauperated, and infected with an extraneous and Feaverish mixture, still declines for the worse, until at length (like Wine changed into a lifelessness) being made wholly unable for circulation, and accension in the Heart, it calls on death. Therefore, in this place, the name of declination signifies the condition of the sick, and of the Disease, which follows the standing, whether it tends to life, or to death; whether the Feaver, or life it self of the sick, at this time, declines.

As to the times of declination, it will be worth our labour to inquire, what the temper of the Blood may be, and what turns of alterations it has undergone, as often as from a good, or bad Crisis, there has been made a progress of the Disease, towards Health, or Death. To wit, first, what the disposition, or condition of the Blood and Spirits may be, from a good Crisis, and with what alterations, its spoiled Liquor re∣covers its former vigor. Secondly, what their temper is, from an evil Crisis, and by what degrees it still tends to worse; and lastly, how they are, when from a doubtful state, and long weakness, the sick hardly get up at length, and recover their health.

The vice, or depauperation, which the Blood hath contracted from the Feaverish heat, consists in this: The Spirit very much evaporates, and is lost: the Sulphureous part is too much scorched, and is much wasted by the deflagration, and from its bur∣ning, the adust matter (as it were the Caput Mortuum) is left, with the Particles of which, the mass of Blood is aggravated, and debilitated; in the mean time, the Sa∣line and earthy parts, are too much exalted, even as is wont to come to pass in Wine, or Beer, by the use of too much Ferment. The Blood, by these ways being spoiled,

evilly assimilates the provision of the Nutritious Juice, yea also, by reason of the roasting of the Sulphur in the Heart, or defect of it, not rightly Fermenting, or in∣flamed, it untowardly dispenses the Vital Spirit, in the mean time, from the adust matter, and Salt too much exalted, it grows more fervent than it should, and more wasts it self.

1. From a good Crisis, the Spirit, tho made weaker, yet gets the upper hand, wherefore, what is left of the Feaverish matter, it by degrees overcomes, and expels, and concocts, and assimilates (so what is brought be thin or slender) the Nutriti∣ous Juice: from thence, the mass of Blood is amended anew, with Spirit and Sul∣phur; and the Blood which now being Salt and sharp, did continually grow hot, ac∣quires at length a Sweet and Balsamic Nature, and being quickned with a lively mo∣tion and heat, rightly performs the offices of life and sense.

2. From a bad Crisis, the business is otherways, the Liquor of the Blood (like Wine too much Fermented) degenerates, almost into a vappidness or lifelessness; its Spirit is greatly deminished; the Reliques which remain, are intricated, and as it were over∣whelmed, with the Particles of adust matter, from whence there is yet a continual growing hot remaining in the Blood, yet without concoction, or assimilation, of the Alible Juice, or separation of the profitable, from the unprofitable: The benign Sul∣phur, and the Food of the Vital flame, is much consumed, so that the Blood is less inkindled in the Heart, than it ought to be; in the mean time; from the adust recre∣ments, and also the Salt, and Earth being too much carried forth, it perpetually burns in the Vessels, with thirst and heat. And because it is dayly depauperated, the Spirit and benign Sulphur being wasted, and more infected, with the Salt, and Earthy dregs being too much exalted, its Liquor in a short time becomes tastless, and is made unfit for circulation, and for the inkindling in the Heart, for the sustaining the Vital fire: wherefore there is a necessity that life be lost, even as the flame of a Lamp is extinguished, when instead of the wasted Oil, a Salt and Muddy Liquor only sup∣plies it.

3. From an imperfect and doubtful Crisis, when the sick being weakned by a long imbecillity, become not well, but of a long time, the business is after this manner. The Spirituous and Sulphureous parts of the Blood, are very much consumed, by the slow deflagration; the remaining Liquor, being not Purged from the adust recrements and feculencies, is rendred very impure; but when there is yet remaining, somthing of Oil for the Vital Lamp, nor Spirits are altogether wanting, for the subduing the Feaverish matter, the Blood is still circulated, and (tho but smally) is inkindled in the Heart: yea, and by little and little the Spirits recollect themselves, set upon the matter remaining of the Feaver, and what they are able, begin to overcome it: then by a pertinacious assiduity, of coction, like a flame, wavering and half extinct, among green wood, at length rise up victorious, and restore anew, both with heat and mo∣tion, leisurely renewed, a quick and lively Fermentation, in the Heart.

So much in general of the Feaver called Putrid: it remains, before we descend to the kinds, and particular Cases of it, that I recount the symptoms, and signs chiefly notable, in the course of this Feaver, and subjoyn the reasons, and causes of them, and their manner of being done.