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.

CHAPTER III. The Differences of the Epilepsie, and the reasons of some of the Symptoms are unfolded. Also its Curatory Method is represented.

THus far of the essence, and the Causes in generall of the Epilepsie, it shall be now our next task, to explicate the differences of this Disease, also the rea∣sons of some of the accidents, and Symptoms, belonging to it: to which we will lastly add, Observations and Histories of sick people, with the method of Curing.

The most notable difference of the Epilepsie, is wont to be taken from the Sub∣ject, to wit, that the brain, or part of it, labouring with this disease, is either primarily, and Idiopathetically, or properly, affected, or secondarily, and not but by consent, with other parts: concerning the former kinde, we have hither∣to discoursed, as to the other, to wit, in which the falling down seems to arise, from some place without the head, and then lays hold of it secondarily, and as it were by a blast sent from elsewhere; It is to be observ'd, that this kinde of di∣stemper (as Galen hath noted) proceeds either from the external, or internal parts: we meet with many examples of Epilepticks, in whom the fit being just coming upon them, a spasm is felt, with a numness in the hand or toe, or other particular member, which presently from thence, as it were with a pricking of tingling, creeps towards the head, which when it hath attained, immediately the sick party falls flat on the Earth, and is hurried into Insensibility and disorder of spirits, and other proper demonstrations of the Symptom of the falling sick∣ness: neither is it a less usuall proaemium of this disease, that there first arises as it were a conflict, in the stomach, spleen, womb, Intestines, genitalls, or other inwards; or that some kinde of perturbation is raised in some of them; then from that place, the ascent of (as it were) a cold air is perceived, to which distem∣per, follows the accession of the falling evill, with its most horrid provision of symptoms: hence it was commonly believed, that the cause of the Epilepsie, lay hid in the part, seen to be so primarily affected, and propagated its evil to the brain, of its self innocent.

But in very deed, as to this, we must say, that in every Epilepsie, not only the procatartick or remoter Cause, but also the conjunct, remains wholly in the Brain; to wit, that the spirits inhabiting it, being disposed to explosions, and there being explosed, bring on or Cause every falling Evill. As to those praeli∣minary Symptoms in some Epileptical people, they sometimes have the place of an Evident Cause, and sometimes only of a signe: For when the evill disposition of any inward, as the stomach, spleen, or womb, happens with the disposition of the Epilepsie, as often as any perturbation is begun in that distempered In∣ward, it easily happens, by reason of a transmission of the ferment from thence, or a continuation of the spasm to the head, an Epileptical fit is excited in the Brain prae-disposed to act.

But these kind of symtoms of the falling evil, which being suscitated from without, seem to propagate the distemper to the Brain, do often arise from the consent of the Brain it self, and are only signs of the approach of the Epileptical Fit, or of the spi∣rits beginning to be exploded, in the brain: For when the animal spirits planted in the middle parts of the Brain, and Cerebel, and also those in the oblong pith or marrow, neer the beginnings of the Nerves, are so filled with an heterogeneous Copula, that, for the Casting of it off, they are ready to bring on the assault of the Disease, before they are all exploded heap by heap, some spirits lying more outward, in some private Nerves, because they are destitute of the wonted in∣flux of their superiors, fall into certain inordinations, and so begin spasms, which spasms (as it is often the manner in this kinde of distemper) begin at the extre∣mities or ends of the Nerves, inserted to this or that member, or Inward, from whence by degrees, they creep forward to their beginnings; whether being come forth with the spirits, thorow the whole Encephalon, before disposed to explosions,

being moved by that spasms, and so being snatch'd away with a fiery enkindling, are suddenly exploded or thurst out; so they seem to stir up the Epileptick Fit, be∣ginning at first from themselves, as it were secondarily, and by instinct, brought from some other place. After this manner, sometimes the Histerical passions, when beginning in the bottom of the belly, they are Communicated to the Brain, are thought to arise from those Viscera, and to be stirred up by their fault; when in the mean time, the morbific cause subsists chiefly, about the beginnings of the Nerves, as we have elsewhere signified, and shall again show hereafter, when we come to treat particularly of the Spasmodick distempers.

There yet remain other differences of the Falling sickness, to wit, that it is ei∣ther haereditary, or acquired; again, either kind is variously distinguish'd, by rea∣son of the Age, or time, in which it first comes upon one, to wit, when the first coming of it happens before, or about the puberty, or being of ripe age, or af∣ter it; further as to the Efficacy of the disease, into strong, and weak, for as much as the Paroxysms or fits, are with, or without the disorder of spirits, and falling, as to its inordinate manner, whose assalts are wandring, and uncertain, moreo∣ver, it is wont to be distinguished, according to the peculiar symptoms, in these, or those sick people, by reason of some disposition, or manifold Idiosyncrasy, or propriety, of the Temperament.

But from what has been said before, of very many of the Symptoms, which are to be met with in this Disease, the causes do easily appear, so that there will be no need here, to consider all of them: but of some of them, which seem more in∣tricate, it will not be from the matter, to discourse in this place.

We will therefore first of all inquire, why those sick of this Disease, do not fall as those that are apoplectick, or have swounding fits, but are rather stricken down with violence, against the Earth, or any other bodys, that are by chance opposite to them, as if they were smitten down by some wicked Spirit, so that very often, some part of the head, or face, is hurt, with the violent fall: And those so distempered, even like the Daemonaicks in the Gospel, are frequently flung into the fire, or the water: but it may be here declared, that the Epilepticks become obnoxious to these kinde of evills, for that the fit coming upon them, all knowledge or providence is taken from them; and further the nerves neigh∣bouring to the head, being strongly contracted, the whole bulk of the Body is car∣ried away headlong: but in the Syncope, and Apoplexie, the fall of the distem∣perd Body, seems as the ruines of a building, which happens, by reason that its props are taken away: but indeed in the falling Sicknesse, it is no otherwise than if a house were overthrown, by the blowing up of Gunpowder, which is remo∣ved much from the place where it stood.

2ly. It is commonly esteemed a great pathognomick, or peculiar Symtom of the Epilepsie, if when the diseased being fallen to the earth, and suffering most horrid Convulsions, there flows from the mouth, a spumous Spittle or foam, which indeed is thought to be pressed from the Brain, being strongly contracted, into the palate: But in truth, though it be granted, that this flux of spume be very often a signe of the falling Sicknesse, yet it is not so appropriated to this di∣sease, but that the same sometimes happens in the Apoplexie, in deep sleep, in hysterical distempers, and other convulsive diseases: Besides, this kinde of Foam, does not descend from the Brain, for there is no passage open, by which it may pass, but from the Lungs being inflated, and elevated even to the Larinx, or the top of the sharp arterie, from whence spittle foams forth, with a certain fer∣vency and ebullition: For the fit of the falling evill growing urgent, when most of the nerves in the whole Body are drawn together, those also that serve for the motions of the Lungs, and Diaphragma, suffer most cruel convulsions, and lifting up all the praecordia upwards, continue them almost immovable, in a long Systole, so that the breathing, and pulse, cannot be at all perceived: In the mean time, because the blood straitned within the bosom of the heart, distends it, and also almost choakes it, the Lungs however hindred, that they cannot be moved after their wonted and natural manner, perform what they can, with a thick and hasty agitation, whereby the blood may be drawn forth from the Heart; by which endeavour of theirs, the shaking aire, by the frequent or thick respira∣tion, raises the viscous or clammy humidity into froth, like the shaking of the white of an egg; by and by it lifts it upwards towards the Cavity of the mouth,

and so at last drives it out of doors: wherefore, a foam or spumous spittle does often succeed in other distempers, where the pneumonic or breathing nerves are either contracted, or are hindred from performing their Function.

3ly. Moreover, from the same reason it comes to passe, that some Epilepticks being fallen to the ground, beat most greviously their Breasts with their Hands, and are hardly to be held from it: for when the Praecordia, being troubled with the Spasm, and hindred that they cannot move themselves, after their wonted manner, and the blood stagnating in them, not without a great oppression of the heart, threatens a suffocation of Life; then it is that the sick strikes their Breast, to wit, that the praecordia so shaken, and as it were moved up and down, might renew their motions, and so the blood might be relieved from its stagnati∣on, and the heart from its heavy oppression: and this is done after the same man∣ner, as when some that are sleeping being tickled, or bit by a flea, unknown to themselves, presently rub, or scratch the affected place.

As to the Prognostication of the disease, we have already declared, that it is of very difficult Cure, which difficultly consists in this, that the middle of the Brain (in which is the chief spring and fountain of the animal Spirits) is very much debilitated, not only by the morbifick cause, but also by its effects, to wit, the se∣veral fits; and its pores loosened, so that they ly open for the entrance of every heterogeneous matter: and so the morbid disposition it self being confirmed, by the repeated Paroxisms, and taking deeper root, it is hardly taken away. But it is to be observ'd, that the Epilepsie sometimes terminates of it self, and is some∣times overcome by the help of medicines: which happens about the age of puber∣ty, and then only, so that, who are not cured, that time being elapsed, that is be∣fore the twenty fifth year of age, they scarce ever after recover their health, for about the time of ripe age, there is a twofold alteration of the humane Body, and therefore, there often happens a Solution or loosing of the falling sicknesse, or of any other disease deeply rooted: For first, at that time, the genital humour begins to be heaped together in the spermatick Vessells, from whence it follows, that the Spiritious particles, and what are wont to grow to them, nitro-sulphureous and morbifick particles, are layd up, not only in the brain, but also in the testicles: wherefore, if this heterogenious Copula of the Spirits, be more plentifully cary∣ed to that new storehouse, from thence, the brain becoming free; often leaves the epileptical or otherways morbid disposition. 2. About the time of ripe age, as the Blood pours forth something before destinated for the brain, through the Spermatic Arteries, to the genitals, so also it receives as a recompense, a certain ferment from those parts, through the veins: to wit, certain particles imbued with a seminal tincture, are caryed back into the bloody mass, which makes it vigorous, and inspire into it a new and lively virtue, wherefore at that time, the gifts both of the Body and minde, chiefly shew themselves; Hairs break out, the voyce becomes greater, the courses of women flow, and other accidents hap∣pen, whereby it is plain, that both the blood and nervous Juce, are impregnated with a certain fresh ferment: wherefore, the morbific ferments or seeds, unlesse they be overcome by this new natural firment, they afterwards continue untame∣able even to Death.

But that the Epilepsie is sometimes cured by the help of medicines, Experience doth testifie: we shall anon discourse of the method of healing, and shew the rea∣sons of the most famous medicines; in the mean time, as to what further belongs to the prognostication of this Disease, if it end not about the time of ripe age, neither can be driven away by the use of medicines, there happens yet a diverse event in several sick Patients, for it either ends immediatly in Death, or is changed into some other Disease, to wit, the Palsie, stupiditie, or melancholly, for the most part incureable.

As to the former, whenas the fits are often repeated, and every time grow more cruell, the animal function is quickly debilitated; and from thence, by the taint, by degrees brought on the Spirits, and the Nerves serving the Praecordia, the vital function is by little and little enervated, till at length, the whole body languishing, and the pulse being loosned, and at length ceasing, at last the vi∣tal flame is extinguished.

But that this Disease often ends in the Palsie, melancholly, or madnesse, the reason is, because the tone, and confirmation of the brain is depraved, by the of∣ten

explosions of the animal Spirits, and at length its natural state is so pervert∣ed, that, by the morbifick particles of another Kinde also admitted, the spirits are fixed, nor are any more exactly prone to explosions, but rather sometimes, by a contrary vice introduced, their Elastick virtue is too much wanting, so that they become dull and sluggish beyond measure; even, as oftentimes the intempera∣ture of the blood, being more cold than it should be, admits the more intense burning of a feavour: and indeed, these depressions of the spirits happens partly by their own proper fault; for that their more agill particles being too much ex∣plosed, the more dull or heavy are only left, and from them they are supplyed, but partly, as we have said, they happen from the fault of the brain; for that its pores and passages, are so dilated and opened, from the often paroxisms of this falling evill, that afterwards, there is an open passage made, for any hete∣rogeneous, and divers kindes of morbifick particles, to enter with the Ner∣vous juce.

Thus much for the Diagnosis and Prognosis, the description and judgment of the Epilepsie, or falling sicknesse; in the unfolding of which, it was necessary to bring reasons not altogether abstruse, and different from the common Pathologie, neither are we constrained to receade, in the Therapeatick or Curatory part of this Disease, from the common and usuall method of curing, in other Distem∣pers: But in truth, are prescriptions of such who follow the ordinarily received Opinions, by which, for the most part, they endeavour to carry away, and whol∣ly to eradicate the morbific matter, by Catharticks only, do little or nothing a∣vail in the falling sickness, yea they are wont frequently to be hurtfull to it. I have known some famous Practitioners, omitting wholly the series of the Curato∣ry intentions, betake themselves to certain Empirical Remedies, without any foresight of the whole: this kind of practise, tho sometimes it succeeds happily, would much more certainly perform the proposed cure, if the Body being right∣ly prepared, they should in like manner take away all Impediments, by other me∣dicines.

Wherefore, the Indications concerning the Cure of the Falling Sicknesse, shall be (as they are Commonly set down) either Curatory, which have respect to the Fit, and drive it away either coming on, or when upon them, to set it going the sooner: or prophylactic or preventory, which have respect to the Cause of the Disease, which if they can take away, its accessions will be inhibited after∣wards.

A general evacuation has scarce any place in the former Intention, for in the fit neither a Vomit, or Purge, and very rarely the opening a veine, are wont to be administred; if the amazed Insensibility and disorder continues very long, some∣times a Clyster is wont to be used, but what that chiefly aimes at is, to fix the too fierce and Volatil animal Spirits, and also to suppress their begun Explosions: For which ends, two kinde of Remedies chiefly are made use of, to wit, First, such as repress the animal spirits, being too apt to grow firce and to leap forth, and repell them with some perfume that is ingratefull to them, and Compell them in∣to order: which thing indeed medicines imbued with a volatile, or armoniack salt, or also with a vitriolic sulphur do effect, of which kinde are salt and oyle of Amber, Spirits of Blood, Harts-horn, Sut, tincture of Castor, and such like: for these being inwardly taken, or put to the nose, often times bring help, and the evill Spirits of this Disease, are thought to be driven away, even as in Tobit, the Devill was by the fume of the gall of a fish. Secondly, the animal spirits are call'd away, or hindred from their begun explosions, when they are allured, or held busied in some work, they are accustomed to: wherefore, the fit urging, frictions being used and for some time continued, thorow the whole body, do often help: But some that set upright the diseased, and altogether hold or restrain their Arms and legs, from their Convulsive motion, or hold them violently in this or that posture; that also blow things into their noses to make them sneese, and power down strong Cordials at the mouth, and apply either Cupping glasses, and Scarrifications, and handle more sharply with other manner of administrations those sick people, and disturb the manner of the fit, I say this kinde of practise is most often too roughly instituted or ordained: because after this manner, there is a double trouble put upon nature, to wit, one from the disease, and the other not lighter from the standers by, and helpers, when it were wuch better, for the Fit

to be suffer'd to pass over after its own manner, and the sick to endure but one trouble only.

Truly the chiefest care of a Physitian, and efficacy of medicines is used about the prevention of this Disease, that the cause being taken away, or its root cut off, all the fruits might wither; medicines requisit to this Indication, respect ma∣ny Intentions, which may yet be reduced, to those two chief heads: to wit, in the first place, that the enkindling or matter of the disease, being supplyed immedi∣ately from the vicious Blood, or nervous Juice, and mediately from the viscera, and first passages, be cut off; then in the second place, that the evill disposition of the Brain, and the spirits its Inhabitants, which is peculiar to the Epilepsie, be ta∣ken away.

As to the first Indication, here Vomits, purges, and other things, both evacu∣ating, and altering, yea phlebotomy, and Cauteries, have place; for as much as by these means and ways, the impurites both of the viscera, and humours are sub∣dued or brought away; and their dyscrasie or evill disposition amended: for al∣though these kinde of medicines, and medicall administrations, rarely or never cure the Epilepsie, by themselves, yet those take away impediments, set nature upright, and incite her to encounter her enemy; also, they prepare the way, that so specific Remedies might more certainly, and efficaciously shew their virtues; wherefore usually, whilst they take care to cure this disease with secrets and hid∣den mysteries, they make use of those kinde of medicine between whiles, in the spring, and autumn, and other fit times.

2ly. As to specific Remedies, which indeed only, though not allways, are able to reach the Epilepsie and to subdue it; of which sort are the male Paeonie, Missle∣tow, Rew, Castor, the Claws of an Elk, preparations of a dead mans Skull, Am∣ber, Corrall, with many others. Forasmuch as these are taken without any sensible evacuation, or also perturbation, following in the viscera or humours, it is a wonder, by what formal reason, or virtue of acting, they are wont at any time to help in this disease.

Concerning this matter, intricate and obscure enough, if there may be place for Conjecture, when as we have already asserted, the procatartick Cause of the Epilepsie, to consist in the heterogeneous Copula, joyning or cleaving to the spi∣rits, inhabiting the Brain, and inciting them to praeternatural explosions; it fol∣lows, that those things which take away, or resist such a cause, must be of that nature, that by strengthening the brain, and binding up its pores, may exclude that Copula, and so fix, and as it were binde the spirits, flowing within the mid∣dle or marrow of the Brain, from leaving their Copula, that they shall not be a∣ny more apt or prone, to irregular explosions; Perhaps after the same manner, as when gunpowder or aurum fulminans being pounded with sulphure, or sprinkled with spirit of Vitriol loses its thundering virtue. And indeed, these kind of pro∣perties, to wit, one or both of them, may be suspected, yea, in a manner detect∣ed, in most anti-epileptick Remedies: For truly, Paeony, Missletow, Rue, the Lil∣ly of the vally, with many others, abound in a certain manifest astriction, that 'tis likely, their Particles being taken inwardly, and so dilated to the brain, by the Vehicle of the blood, and nervous Juice, do so binde, and shut up its too loose and open pores, that afterwards, they do not ly open, for the Passage of the morbifick matter: Besides, for that these vapourous Concerts, breath forth as it were an armodiack scent or scattering, therefore they are sayd to purifie the a∣nimal spirits, to fix them, and to strengthen them, having put off their hetero∣geneous Copula: This virtue purifying the spirits, proceeding from an armoniac salt, is more apparent in Remedies, which are taken from the famuly of Mine∣ralls, and Animalls, such are the preparations of the humane Skull, of blood, amber, and coral, as the other more binding, rather exists, in the parts and prepa∣rations of Vegitables.

It will not be needfull here, for the curing of the Epilepsie, to propose a com∣pleat method of healing, with exact forms of prescriptions, because there are ex∣tant every where among Authors, general precepts, and most choyce Remedies, and the Prudent Physitian will easily accomodate, both the Indications, and that plentifull provision of medicinal stuff, to the particular Cases of the sick. But be∣cause we have exhibited a quite new Theorie of this Disease, here also ought to be rendred a Curatory method fited for it: which we shall describe by and by more

fully, after we have shewn you some cases or Histories, of people sick of the Epi∣lepsie.

A fair maid, sprung from parents indifferently healthfull, being her self very [Observation. 1] well, till about her coming to ripe age, about that time, she began to complain of her head being ill: And first of all, she felt neer the fore part or her head, by fits, a Vertigo or giddinesse, whereby all things seemed to run round; and also whilst this Symptom continued, she was wont to talke idlely, and to forget whatever she had but just done; These kinde of fits at first pass'd away within a quarter of an hower, and came again only once or twice in a month, in the interval of which she was well enough: Afterwards, the assalts being made more grievous, by de∣grees, they also return'd more often, and within half a year, her brain being dayly more weakened, this giddinesse or turning round, was plainly chang'd into the Epilepsie, that the sick being struck down to the ground, at every fit, was af∣fected with Insensibility, and horrid convulsions, and also with foam at the mouth. The Domesticks observ'd, that she allways fell on the same side, so that siting neer the fire, if she sate in the right Corner she would be flung in the midst of the fire, but if in the left Corner, she fell against the wall of the Chimny: once when be∣ing left alone in the house, she fell upon the burning Coals, and so miserably burnt her face, and forepart of her head, that the skull being made bare of the skin and flesh, a deep and large escar was burnt into it: and afterwards the outer shell of it fell off a hands bredth. In the mean time the sick maid, so long as the ulcers contracted by the burning, ran with filthy matter, she was free from the fits, but afterwards, they being healed up, the falling evill returned: This Disease began first to shew it self about the time of puberty, for this maid, presently after the begining of it, had her Courses, and afterwards they constantly observed their set times, though her distemper grew dayly worse: Various kinds of medicines be∣ing administred to this sick Creature, availed nothing, because it was the custome and practise, of her, and her friends, quickly to change both the Physiti∣an, and method of Physick, if an happy event did not presently follow, and to be∣take themselves very much to every Empirick, and outlandish Mountebanks.

That in this Case, the Vertigenous Distemper, with a short delirium, was the forerunner of the Epilepsie, it plainly argues, the original of this Disease be∣ing planted in the middle of the brain, to depend upon a certain inordination of the Spirits; to wit, those dwelling there, at the begining, begun to admit an he∣terogeneous Copula; which being more plentifully heaped up, being moved ei∣ther of its own accord, or occasionally, while it was shaken off, induced, by rea∣son of the spirits being disturbed, and not yet very explosive those former distem∣pers; Afterwards, from the same cause, by degrees growing worse, the pertur∣bations of the Spirits did raise up their manifest explosions, and chang'd the ver∣tigo, and Delirium, into the Epilepsie.

But that this maid began to be sick, about the time of ripe age, it hence evi∣dently follows, as the natural ferment, so sometimes the praeternatural, expli∣cates it self, first at that time; wherefore, as it happens, that the menstruous purgations doe then first break forth, so the seeds of the falling sicknesse, whether innate or acquired then budded forth a little, and by degrees were ripened into fruit: when the praeternatural Ferment first appears, ofttimes the natural fol∣lowing, blots it out, hence the Epilepsie of young ones, often ends about the time of puberty or ripe age, but if that Firment, or taint of the disease, comes after the menstruous flux, or together with it, and ceases not presently, it remains for the most part afterwards, during Life, of it self untameable, and not to be over∣come by any Remedies.

From this observation, that a Cautery accidentally, and by chance being made on this sick party, freed her from the fits of the Disease, it may be inferr'd that fontanells or Issues, may be profitably administerd, in the Cure of the Epilepsie: for wheresoever an emissary is opened, for the constant carying away of the se∣rous water, both from the blood, and nervous juce, there very many heteroge∣neous and morbifick particles, flow out with it, that therefore the brain might remain free.

The Daughter of a Brewer of Oxford, had been very obnoxious to a Rheume [Observation. 2] falling into her eyes, from her Infancy, otherwise strong and sound enough, also accustomed dayly to hard labour, about the 14th. year of her age, she began to

be tormented with Epileptick sits, of which she suffered neer the greater changes of the moon, especially then returning: Being asked to endeavour her Cute, I gave her a Vomit of precipitate Solar, and order••d it to be renewed three days before every new, and full moon; besides that she should take at every turne, for four days after the Vomit, twice in a day, a dram of male-Paeonic root in powder, with a draught of black Cherry water. By these remedies, the fits so long intermitted, that the Disease seem'd to be Cured. Afterwards when they returned again, she was again recovered by the use of those medicines: and then the menstruous flux breaking forth, and observing its true periods, she remained for the future, free from that disease.

The Therapeutic or Curatory Method.

IN the Curing of the Epilepsie, I judg it fit to begin with a Cathartick, and if the sick can easily bear vomiting, first let an Emetick be administred, and for se∣veral months, let it be repeated, four days before the full of the Moon. For in∣fants, and youths, may be prescribed wine of Squills, mixed with fresh Oyle of Sweet Almonds, or also of Salt of Vitriol, from half a Scruple, to 1. Scruple: For those of riper years and of a stronger Constitution may be prescribed the fol∣lowing forms of Medicines. Take of Crocus mettalorum, or of Mercurius vitae gr. iiii. to vi. of Mercurius Dulcis grain xvi. ℈ i. let them be brused together in a mortar, mix it with the pap of a rosted Apple or of Conserve of Burage ℥ i. make a Bolus; or you may take an Infusion of Crocus Mettalorum or Mercurius Vitae made in Spanish wine from ℥ ss. to ℥ i ss. or take of Emetick Tartar of Mynsicht gr. iv. to vi. who are of a tenderer constitution, let them take of the Salt of Vitriol ℈ i. to ʒ ss, and half an hour after let them drink severall pints of posset drink: then with a feather or finger put down the throat, let vomiting be provoked, iterate it often.

The day following the vomiting, unless any thing shall prohibit, let blood be taken out of the Arm, or from the haemorhod veins with a Leech: then the next day after let a purging medicine be taken, which afterwards may be repeated constantly, four days before every new Moon.

Take Refine of Jalop ℈ ss. Mercurius Dulcis ℈ i. of Castor gr. iii. of Conserve of the Flowers of Paeony ℥ i. make it into a Bolus. Take pill faetida the greater ℈ ii. of Hy∣sterica what will suffice, make thereof v. pills. Take of the strings of black helle∣bore macerated in Vinegar, dry'd, and powder'd ℥ ss. of Ginger ℈ ss. of the Salt of Wormwood gr. xii. of the Oyl of Amber drops ii. make a powder, let it be given in the pap of an Apple. Take of the powder of Hermodactils compound ℥ i. of hu∣mane Scull prepar'd gr. vi. make a powder, let it be given in a draught of the de∣coction of Hyssop, or Sage.

On those days that they do not purge, especially about the time of the changing of the Moon, let there be administred Specifick Remedies morning and evening, which are said to cure this Disease, wirh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 certain innate and secret virtue: of these there are extant a very great company, and are prescribed in various forms of Compositions.

The most simple Medicines, which Experience hath found to be very Efficaci∣ous, are the root of the male Paeony, and the seeds of the same. Take of the Root of the Male Paeony dryed and powder'd ℥ i. to ii. or iii. let it be given twice a day in the following Tincture. Take of the leave of Messletow of the Oak ℥ ii. of the root of Paeony slic'd ℥ ss. of Castor ℥ i. let them be put into a close Vessel with simple water of Betony or Paeony, and white-wine Each lb i. of the Salt of Missletow, of the Oake or the Common Missletow ℥ ii. let them digest close in hot sand for ii. days, let them take ℥ iii. with a dose of the aforesaid powder.

Poor people may take of the aforesaid powder, in a decoction of Hysop or Ca∣stor, made with fair water and white-wine.

At the same time, let the Root of Paeony be cut into little bits, and being strung upon a thrid, hung about the neck. Also let the Roots being fryed in a pan, or boyled tender, be eaten dayly with their meat.

Take of the Roots and Seeds of the male Paeony each ℥ ii. of Missletow of the Oake, of the hoof of Elk ʒi. each let them be fliced and brused, and put into a thin silk bag, and hang at the pit of the Stomack.

Among the spicificks, this powder is greatly commended by many Authors. Take of Castor Opoponax, Dragons blood, Antimony, and the seed of Paeony, each a∣like, make a powder, of which may be taken ℥ ss. to ℥ i. every morning, with wine, or some proper decoction, or with black Cherry water.

Take of a mans Skull prepar'd ℥ i. of Missletow of the Oake, of Counterfeit Cinaber, of an Elks Claw, each ℥ ss. so mingle them. The dose is ℈ ss. to ℈ i.

If the form of powder be distastful to any one, or if it should become loathsome by the long use of it, Electuaries, Pills, Troches, Spirits, and Elixirs, each of which agree with specifick medicines, are wont to be prescribed.

Take of the Conserve of the male Paeony, of the Lilly of the Valley, each ℥ iii. of the seed and root of the male Paeony powder'd each ʒ ii. prepared Corall ʒ i. of the powder of Pearls, and of humane Skull prepared, each ℈ ii. of the salt of Missletow, of the Oake ʒ i ss. with what will suffice of the Syrop of Corall, make an Electuary, let them take of it morning and evening, the quantity of a Nutmeg.

Take of the powder of the root of the male Paeony ℥ i. of the seeds of the same ℥ ss. of Missletow of the Oake. of an Elks claw, of humane Skull, prepared, each ʒ ii. of the roots of Angelica, Contrayerva, Verginian Snakeweed, each ʒ i. of the whitest Amber, of Calcined Corall each ʒ i. of the Common Salt of Missletow, ʒ ii. of Sugar Candy ℥ viii. dissolved in what will suffice, of the Antiepilepticall water of Langius. Make a Confection, of which take twice in a day, the quantity of a Nutmeg.

These powders, by adding to them, the Salt of Amber, and Harts-horn, with what will suffice of Balsome Capivi may be formed into a pillulary Mass, of which may be taken iii. or iv. pills, in the morning and evening, drinking after them a draught of some appropriat Liquor.

Or of those sorts may be prepared an Elixir, of which may be taken viii. drops to x. twice in a day, in a spoonful of a proper Julup, drinking a little of it after it.

Take of Hungarian Vitriol vi. pints, let them be distill'd with a glass retort in hot sand for 24. hours, then let the same retort, being defended or done over with Clay, be put with a large receiver in a reverberating Furnace, that the acid spirits may be forced with a most strong fire, till they come forth. The whole Li∣quor being distilled, let it be drawn off in hot sand, in a lesser glass retort, and let there be poured into the Matrace, of the roots of Male-Paeony, cut into pieces and dryed ℥ iiii. of the seed of the same ℥ i. of humane Skull prepared, of Elks claws, and Red Corall each ℥ ss. Missletow of the Oak, ʒ ii. let it digest with a gentle heat for several days, to the extraction of a tincture, the Liquor being decantated, let it be drawn off in a glasse Retort to a third part remaining: being stilled forth keep it by it self: to those Remains pour of the rectified Spirit of wine a little quantity, impregnated with the Infusion of the same ingredients, and let it di∣gest for six days in horse-dung, the dose of which is ℈ ss. to ℈ i. The distilled Li∣quor may be given from half a spoonful to a whole spoonful, for the same Inten∣tions.

Or let there be prepared an oyl, out of the Salt of Venus or Copper, according to the description of Henry Van Heers, and given as there prescribed.

Among the specifick Remedies, which (when the former shall not be profita∣ble) ought also to be tryed, are the Livers of Frogs, the Gall of a Bore, dryed with Urine, The powder of Bryony Root. The powder of a Cuccow, of Crows; the runnet and lights of a Hare, the Liver of a Wolf, stones taken out of Swallows, the Liver of a Kite, the Eggs of Crows, with many more, to be dayly taken with food or Me∣dicine; a famous Catalogue of which is extant of Henry Van Brays, a Physitian of Zutphen: and from which, prescripts for poor people, may be taken, easie to be prepared, and without great cost.

Whilst these kinde of Remedies are to be taken inwardly, according to the a∣foresaid method, some outward administrations being applyed, bring help, and are deservedly admitted to part of the cures; therefore, allways Issues are made in this disease, in one fit place or other, and also more often Veficatories or Blisters.

Amulets hung about the neck, or born at the pit of the Stomach, are thought to be useful: The fresh Roots of Paeony cut into little squares, and being strung like bracelets, and hung round about the neck, and as soon as they are dry, let new be put in their places, and they being reduced to powder, may be taken inward∣ly: Take of the roots and seeds of Paeony each ʒ ii. of an Elks claw, and humane Skull prepared, each ʒ i. of Missletow of the Oak, ʒ ss. let them be beaten into gross

powder, and sowed in a piece of red silk, and like a little bag let it be hanged a∣bout the neck.

An Amulet of a stalk of the Elder, found growing in the Willow-tree, is greatly Commended.

It agrees with some, to have their heads shaven and a plaster applied to the fore-part. Take of the root and seeds of Paeony, of Castor, Missletow of the Oak, of humane-skull most finely powder'd, each ʒ i. of betonie plaster ℥ ii. Caranna Tacama∣hacca, each ʒ ii. Balsum Capive, what will suffice, make a mass, and let it be spread upon leather, make a plaister for the suters of the Head.

Let the Temples and Nostrills, be often anointed with Oyl of Amber, by itself or mixed with oyl Capive.

Sneezing Powders, and such as purge the head of Rhume, are to be used dayly in the Mornings: Take of white Hellebore ʒ i. of Castor, and Euphorbium, each ʒ ss. the leaves of sweet Marjorum, and Rue, each ʒ ii. make a powder; make a decoction of Sage or Hyssop, with Mustard dissolved in it, with which gargle the mouth and throat.

A Glister may be sometimes used, as need shall require.

Sometimes the more solid Medicines are ro be moistned with liquids, or they ought to be drunk after them, for which end, distilled waters should be at hand, Julups, Tinctures, or Decoctions; which are endued with a certain Specific Virtue against this Disease.

Take of Hungarian Vitriol four pound, of the powder of fresh humane-skull, four ounces, of the root of Paeony sliced, six ounces, let them be bruised together in a morter, put to them either of Spanish wine, or small white-wine, or wine made of the juce of black-Cherries, a quart; being fermented in a vessell, let it be distill'd in a glass retort, in hot sand.

Take of the shavings of box-wood, of Hungarian vitriol, each two pound, of the Missletow of the Oak, or the Common-Missletow leaves, three handfulls, of Rue two handfulls, being bruised together, put to it of Spanish wine 4 pints: Let them be distill'd in a glass Cucurbit with hot sand.

Take of Common Vitriol six pound, of the root of the male-paeony six ounces, of the Missletow of the Oak one ounce, of Green-walnuts, viii. ounces, being cut and bruised; let them be distilled in a glass-pot, a glass alembick being placed upon it, in hot sand. Take of this Liquor one pint, of black cherry water, and of the water of the flowers of the toil, or Line-tree, each half a pint, of white-Sugar, ℥ iiii. mix them, and make a Julup, the dose ℥ ii. to iii. twice or thrice in a day.

Oxymel of squills, also an hony-decoction with Hysop, are much praised by the An∣cients. Or an Apozem of this kinde may be prepared, of which may be taken ℥ iiii. to vi. or viii. twice in a day.

Take of the roots of male-paeony, Angellica, Imperatoria, Valerian, each ʒ vi. of the leaves of Betony, Sage, Lilly of the Valley, Penny-Royall, each one handfull, of the seeds of Rue, Nigella, each ʒ iii. Paeony, ℥ ss. of Raysons, ℥ iii. of Liquoris ℥ ss. being cut and bruised, let them be boyled in vi. pints of Spring-water, to the Con∣sumption of the third part. Towards the end, add of black Cherry-wine; half a pint, or ten ounces, strain and keep it in close Vessells. The dose is from vi. to viii. ounces, twice in a day, after the afore-prescribed Remedies.

Or the aforesaid Ingredients, excepting the Liquoris, and Raysons, may be boyled in vi. pints of Hydromel, or water and hony, or meath, to the Consumption of the third part: The dose ℥ iiii. to vi.

If that the aforesaid Method, consisting in the use of Catharticks, and Specificks, being for some time tryed, and altogether in vain, you must come to Remedies of another kinde, and chiefly to those called Great, or Notable: In this rank are placed Diaphoreticks, Salivation, Bathes, and Spaws.

Alphonsus Ferrius affirms, that he had cured many Epileptical people, with a decoction of simple Guaicum, being prescribed twice in a day, and taken, to vi. or viii. ounces, and its second decoction drunk (as in the cure of the Pox) instead of ordinary drink. If to such a decoction the roots of Paeony and other specificks should be added, perhaps it would be more efficatious. It seems probable, that a Salivation strongly excited from Mercurie, and afterwards a sudoriferous or Swea∣ting-Diet following, might certainly cure this Disease. What Baths, or Spaw-wa∣ters are able to do, I have not observ'd, either by my own or others experience.

Perhaps I have made tryall, that our Artificial Spaws, sometimes have been a∣vailable in Curing the Epilepsie, to wit, both those impregnated with Iron, and also with Antimony, and taken in a great quantity, for many days.

Notes

• The Reason of the Epilepsie which is said to be excited by consent.
• The Conjunct Cause of the Epilepsie con∣sists only in the brain.
• Other differen∣ces of the Epi∣lepsie.
• Why Epilep∣ticks fall down with violence.
• From whence the Foam at the mouth of these troubled with the fal∣ling sickness comes.
• Why some in the Falling knock their Breasts.
• The prognosti∣cation of the Disease.
• The Epilepsie is changed in∣to other Di∣seases.
• Of the Cura∣tory part of the Epilepsie.
• In what the Virtue of the specificks con∣sists in the Epilepsie.
• Vomitories.
• Purger.
• Specificks.
• Powders.
• Electuaries.
• Pills.
• Elixir.
• Emperical Re∣medies.
• Amulets.
• Plasters.
• Sternutories or sneezing powders.
• Distill'd Wa∣ter.
• Iulaps.
• Apozems.
• Great Reme∣dies.