THE 
Practice of Physick, 
OR 
The Law of GOD (called NATURE) 
IN THE
BODY of Man:
Confuting by manifest and manifold Experiences of 
many learned Men, as well as the Authors, the Rules and Methods 
concerning Sicknesses and Changes in Mans Body, delivered by the An-
tient Physicians, and Moderns that followed them : Shewing also what 
the Order and Method of Nature is, as well as what it is not: With a full 
and fair Examination of their Causes, Inwardly detected, by manifold 
Dissections; and Outwardly, by Symptoms, and Philosophical Demonstra- 
tions ; With their Differences, Prognosticks, Methods and Medicines, 
curing them ; verified by Experience and Reason. 
SET FORTH
I. In a Monitory Proœmium wherein be Reasons for, and Experiences 
in the Stars, influencing upon, and altering our Bodies. 
II. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
III. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
IV. ln Tractate of Dropsies. 
ALSO 
In the Second Part pf this Book is a Practice of Physick, drawn from the 
best of Moderns, and compleatly treating of those Diseases 
specified in the Table. 
to which is added, A Treatise of Diseases from WITCHCRAFT. 
By William Drage, Med. & Philos at Hitchin in Hartfordshire.
LONDON, Printed for George Calvert, at the Half-Moon 
in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1666.



WILLIAM DRAGE D.P. 
HIS  
Monitory Proæmium 
To the Candid Readers.
MAny when they shall read in Riverius, Sen-
nertus, Primrose, Rondeletius, Stocherus, John- 
stonus, and others, that there are no more Dis- 
eases treated of in such a Part or Bowel, will 
presently imagine that there are no more or 
other Distempers of that Part or Bowel, than 
what they have writ in their Practices of Phy- 
sick, especially writing so numerously one 
after another of the same, and often of all the 
same, and no more than same Diseases
also the Reader will imagine that all the 
Causes, and no more than they that Authors set down, are in all Bodies 
that have such a Disease, and that all that have that Disease must be 
just in such an Order, or so handled, as Practical Authors have delive- 
red : Moreover, the Reader reading such and such Prognostick signes 
to be good, and such to be tokens of death, by the description of Pra- 
ctices of Physick, will imagine that it should always (if he be a young 
Practitioner) so fall out : Moreover, for Diagnostick signes, the Rea- 
der will imagine a Disease, as the Inflamation of the Liver, or Ob-
A2  struction  

4  A Monitory Proæmium.
obstruction of the Spleen, &c. should have all and onely those Diagno- 
stick signes that practical Authors have delivered, and that the Infla- 
mation or Obstruction must be just so and such a one as they have deli- 
vered. 
Also for the Cure: When the young Practitioner reads such a Me- 
dicine will cure, or such a Receipt never fails, or by this or that me- 
thod 20 have been cured, he imagines he can cure all, and that such Me- 
dicines are certain Cures, and such a method is alike successful in all Bo- 
dies, and that a Jaundice, Dropsie, Cough, Gout, &c. is just one and the 
same in all Persons, and therefore as he expects all persons to have such, 
all such, no more nor no other signs, causes, nor prognosticks of their sick- 
ness, or such a particular Disease, than what Authors have one after ano- 
ther set down in their Practices of Physick: so also the Cure he expects to 
be the same in all: as for Example: He may read in Jo. Hartman his Pra- 
ctica Chymlatrica, & in the Chapter of the Cholick ; Ponater in Colica mag- 
nes super umbilicum & statim cessabit dolor : Let the Loadstone be put up- 
on the Navil of one that hath the Cholick, and the pain will instantly 
cease. Riverius in his Practice of Physick, and Chapter of the Epilep- 
sie, hath this ; Radix Valerianæ Sylestrius a Fabio Columna, tantopere cele- 
bratur, ut semel aut bis exhibita ab Epilepsia liberare affirmarunt, referique se 
hanc multis amicis dono dedisse, qui deindè divino priùs numinme & fautore 
glorificato, pulvere hujus Radicis fibi restitutam sanitatem affirmarunt ; dosis 
autem est Cochleare semis cum Vino, Aqua, Lacte, aut quovvis liquor ap- 
propriato, pueris vero in minori dose cum Lacte datur : In English, The 
Root of wild Valerian is exceedingly praised by Fabius Columna so that 
once or twice given, he affirms it will cure them of the falling sick- 
ness ; and he saith, That he hath given this to many Friends, who did 
restore Health to themselves, glorifying God : its Dose is half a spoon- 
ful with Wine, Water, Milk, or any appropriated liquor ; to Children 
it is given in less quantity, in Milk. Jacobus Sylvius in his Methodus 
Curandi, and Chapter of the Jaundice, hath this ; Prassti item decosti ex 
vino albo tenni unciæ quatuor Saccharatæ matutinis aliquot, potæ, omnem icte- 
rum sanant: That is, Four ounces of the Decoction of Horehouud gi- 
ven in white Wine sugared, for several Mornings, cures every Jaundice. 
We mention onely these for Example, for a thousand such may be seen 
in Authors; and when the young Practitioner reads them, he doth pre- 
sently conceive he must, as these write, cure all such Diseases by such 
Medicines or Methods ; but he shall be deceived : yet often such 
Cures have been ; but Authors have deceived, by not telling how oft 
such a Medicine hath failed, as well as how oft it hath cured : for there 
is no Medicine in use, but hath cured some, and there is none so excel-
lent

A Monitory PROæIUM.  5
lent as to cure all; nor are all Diseases, though never so slight, curable ; 
nor are all diseases, though never so dangerous and grievous, always 
and in all incurable. 
Candid Reader, It Is my zealous desire to Truth that thou shouldest 
really and truly understand all these things, and when thou readest any 
Author know thereby how to judge of them : For the Moderns, who 
come nigher to Truth in their Practices of Physick, than the Ancients, 
or Galen or Hippocrates, are very much misled. I chiefly commend 
Felix Platerus in his Practice of Physick, who followed his own Experi- 
ence and Observations, though his own Experience was insufficient to 
demonstrate the Truth, all the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, in 
all Diseases. I have been much troubled to see how superstitiously Phy- 
sicians have been led by the Traditition of Galen, Hippocrates, Erius,
Ægineta and Others. 
I. For their Names given to Diseases, therein was much disorder :
Some they called from the Cause, others from the Effects or Symptoms; 
some they called Obstructions or Scirrhs, or Inflammations of the Liver, 
Spleen or Lungs, those were denominated from the Cause ; some they 
called Swounding, Panting of the Heart, Epilepsie, Convulsion, &c. 
these were so called from the apparant affliction or outward appearance, 
whenas the cause of each of these Symptoms or Effects was various, 
physicians having reckoned so many Diseases of the Lungs, as a Cough, 
Phthisick, Pleurisie, spitting of Blood, Empyema, or spitting of Mat- 
ter, Peripneumonia and Asthma ; divers Physicians reading them, will 
think, as formerly they have, (for so it is best judging what will be, by 
what hath been) that every Disease of the Lungs is one of these, and 
that the Lungs can be affected in no other manner than in one of these 
Diseases; and in that Disease, so for Order and Measure as Authors 
have in their Practices of Physick described : How great an Errour and 
Mistake is it in the generality of Practical Physicians coming to a Pati- 
ent, if they finde it a Disease of the Lungs presently to conclude it one 
of those Physicians have writ Chapters of? As, If it be not an Empye- 
ma, it must be a Phthysick ; if it be not the Phthysick or Consumption 
of the Lungs, it is an Asthma ; if it be not reckonable as an Asth- 
ma, it must be proceeded against in cure, by the directions in the Chap- 
ters of Coughs ; if none of these, then it must be Hæmoptoe, and cu- 
red just as the Practical Chapters of Hæmoptoe direct : Nature runs 
not in these Orders, Nature is not bound up to such Rules, we shall 
hardly finde two in any one Disease exactly alike ; yet those that have 
exquisite Pleurisies do the most concur in Symptoms of any Diseases I 
know, nor are the Causes of an Empyema, Hæmoptoe, Pthisis, Tus- 
sis

6  A Monitory PROæIUM.
sis, Asthma, &c. such and so many, no more, nor no others than what 
Practical Physicians have writ; but there be many Causes, and diverse 
from those the Ancients especially took notice of, to produce the Disea- 
fes they write ; and consquently the Signs, Prognosticks and Cure 
must vary, where the Causes do so vary, Nature not running in that 
Method as the Ancients, and also the Moderns, dancing after their 
Pipes, have imagined. 
2. As to the Definition of Diseases : In some Bodies and in some 
Diseases accidentally they may prove exactly true, but for the most 
part they do not: for where there are such difference of Diseases that 
they can neither properly be called one or another that are writ down in 
Practices, and where the Causes in each Disease may be so contrary and 
manifold, it will necessarily follow, the Signs much vary, and there is 
the Definition chiefly grounded on the cause and signs, the Foundation 
of any thing being infirm or corrupted, the Superstructure must needs 
be infirm and instable : but I say accidentally, in some Diseases, in 
some Bodies, at some times, we may meet with an exact coherence of the 
definition of that Disease with the Parties case, which being the suming
up of the Disease, and the most general and chief causes and signs that 
happen to most in that Disease, it is much (if Nature did go to a Rule, 
and was bound up to a Method) so few should be found (amongst many 
sick persons that have Diseases) correspondent exactly to the Definiti- 
ons in Practices of Physick.
3. For the Causes of Diseases: Physicians went huge conjecturally 
to work, and guessed by outward appearances what must be inward, and 
by the Effect they did judge the Cause, the contrary to which, is the 
way to finde out Truth; they did not use to anatomize and see the 
wonderful variety there is in dead Bodies, and how Nature follows no 
Method in Diseases: As for instance, In Diseases of the Heart, the 
Ancients, and so recent Authors, have set down two, viz. Swounding 
and Palpitation, now Experience hath found thorough Dissection, that 
Side-pains, Bastard-Pleurisies, Gripings, Aguish distempers, Symptoms 
of Worms, Symptoms of ill Digestion, and Singultus &c. do arise of- 
ten from the Heart, as well as Vicine parts; and Experience hath 
fully shewn that the Heart is not affected as the Ancients thought com- 
monly and most often ; yet this we shall allow the Ancients and Mo- 
derns that have followed unquestioned Tradition, that the Heart is 
sometimes affected with one or more of those causes they attribute to 
it, and the more in casual and intermitting Distempers of it, but in 
confirmed Distempers of the Heart, or the same will hold of all the 
other Bowels, onely we instance in one ; the causes were Ulcers, or 
Worms,

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  7 
Worms, or Stones, or Bones, or clottered Blood, or mutation of the Si- 
tuation, or Consumption of the Parenchyma, or swiming in serous 
matter in the Pericardion, or absence of the Pericardion, wasted tho- 
row Diseases; or the growing amiss of the Heart, either for 
magnitude or figure, or other adnascences of fangous Flesh, or Scirrhs, 
or growing to the Lungs, &e. this is intended for all Bowels, in which 
the Ancients were as much mistaken as in the Heart ; all Bowels, as Li- 
ver, Spleen, Middriff, Lungs, Gall, Pancreas, Mesenters, Uterus and 
Testes, have variety of Diseases, found by opening of diseased Bodies 
after their deaths, which the Ancients did not know, nor could finde by 
conjecture, nor in any of these is Nature bound up to a Rule and Me- 
thod ; for in one the Liver is full of little stones, in another one 
great stone hangs appendent to it, in another is an Aposthumation, in 
another is an Aposthumation of another kinde, in a third may be also oan 
Aposthumation of the Liver, yet differing from either of the former, in 
one it suppurates, in another it turns a Schirr, or hard Boil, in another it 
turns stony,and in others Glandules, such wonderful variety there is in 
the progress and changes of Diseases, even as the outward Signs in 
many sick Persons do demonstrate by their frequent changes ; in some 
the Liver is burnt up as it were, and parched, in others it is found 
quite wasted, in others it is found thrice as big as usually, specially in 
consumption of the Lungs, where the Liver grows out to fill up the 
void space, the Diaphragm yeilding : Sometimes the Liver is enfissu- 
red or cloven, and in it are many Bladders of Water, sometimes it is 
corrupted, and hath many small Aposthumes or Abscesses of black Cor- 
ruption or Sanies, sometimes it looketh pale, sometimes is grown to 
some Vicine Part, sometimes one part of it is quite fangous, or quite 
consumed, the other part being intire ; and thus for other Bowels, they 
have the like. 
Object. These are found so sometimes, and looked upon an singular Cases, 
and where strange Symptoms have been in a Body, Physicians have opened such, 
and not so commonly others, that died in ordinary manners ; and also many 
have sicknesses, pains and affects that come and go often in their Life-time, 
and there is likely no such Transmutation, Corruption or Consumption of the 
Bowels, and for these the causes assigned by the Ancients, as Galen, Hippo- 
crates, Celsus, Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, Etius and Others, might hold 
good : For those things that cause Death, might not cause curable Diseases, 
for they are not fixed likely in the Parenchyma of the Bowels. 
Answ. I think there is nothing else that can be alledged for the An -
cients, and the Moderns that have followed them : 
1. It is not sometime and as a wonder that they are found so, but 
com-

8 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
commonly and in most; and to satisfie my Reader, let him open the 
twenty next Patients that die under his hands, and he will see in all of 
them singular things, as to what the Ancients writ, and will also finde 
that Nature is not bound up to a Method, or such an Order as some will 
have ; the more any man desires to be satisfied of the Causes or Signs 
that happen in Hydropicks, and the part or parts affected, and how, the 
more he shall admire, seeing still strange and wonderful variety ; and if 
so much in one Disease, what Method doth Nature go in for different 
Diseases ? Beyond-Sea they open such as they can get leave for, even 
as it happens, and strange things to the Sons of Superstition and Tra- 
dition, are familiar, and most commonly seen by the Sons of Experi- 
ence. 
2. For the most part those things that in an extream degree cause death, 
in a mean or middle degree cause a Disease; so do Worms, Stones, 
Aposthumes, Hydropick Bladders, Glandula’s, Adhæsion, Corruption, 
Consumption, Excrescence, &c. of the inward Bowels, all these in a 
remits degree cause a Sickness or a Disease, and the self-same in an 
higher degree cause Death : Yet I confess windy Inflations, Indigesti- 
on, corruption o£ the Fæces, and intermittent Evils, do often come 
from Humours in the first Wayes, and Vapours, and Putrifaction, and 
too swift Excretion, or strong Retention, nor in many that die of ma- 
lignant Diseases may alteration in their Bowels be seen, because it was 
a venomous Quality that killed them, and sometimes so suddenly that 
no Bowel can be so soon labifactated. 
3. The Ancients were apparantly out; to write onely of the Disease 
of the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder, and so for the place and kinds 
of Worms; there is no peculiarity in the Kidneys or Bladder to have 
the Stone, they are frequently found in the Gall, Stomack, Lungs, 
Head, Liver, Uterus, and Joynts, and outward parts : and those things 
that are generated in the outward Flesh, as Spots, Tubercles, Boils, 
Carnous Excrescences, Struma’s, Glandula’s, Worms, Stones, Phly- 
ctenæ, Bladders of Water, &c. are also frequently found in the inward 
Bowels. As for the Stone, as to the place, and kindes, and causes of 
it, so for Worms were the Ancients out, and all the Moderns that have 
pinn’d their Faith on their Sleeves; commonly we confess the ordinary 
Worms incident to Children are found in the Body, commonly they 
are in the Guts or Stomack, and Ascarades or Bots are often in the Bo- 
dy, yet nothing so frequent as the ordinary Worms Children void ; 
twenty have the ordinary Worms, to one that hath Ascarades or Maggot- 
Worms; the Ancients did some of them mention the Tænia or Lumbri- 
cus larus, or broad Worm, fifteen or sixteen Ells long, the length of all 
the

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  9
the Guts, and these were all: Now by Anatomizing the Dead, and by 
other Excretions of Creatures, it is found that Worms of all sorts 
in all parts of the Body, and some are referable to Terrestrial Crea- 
tures ; but because they have no seed from any Creature, for the most 
part they have no coherence of form ; some are footed like Quadrupe- 
des, some Bi-pedes, some crawling Worms, some hairy, some like Newts, 
some exact Maggots, some like Milli-pedes, or Wood-lice, some large 
like Serpents, &c. There is a wonderful variety in these things, and 
we have heard of Serpents in two or three, found in Englishmen of late 
years, of the Lumbricus latus, Cray-fish in similitude, vomited by a child. 
Worms in the Face, &c. by which we justifie Authors : But we have 
written a Chapter of these Creatures in our Physiology and Jatrosophy, 
a Work that can never be too much read, or studied. 
What shall we say ? doth Nature proceed in no Method, or Order, 
or Coherence in causing Diseases? Yes, there is some, but not as for- 
mer Ages have generally supposed; it is the spirit and quality of that 
spirit in every living, moving, and growing Being, that is the Cause, 
and wherein is the Method ; and the Stars, principally the Planets and 
Moon, by the Air, alter the quality of the Humours in our Body, and 
thence comes such variety in our Bodies : but yet if the Inward Cause 
in our Bodies comply not with the Outward, there is nothing done ; the 
quality of the Air by its seeds sown incur Humours or Blood, trans- 
mutes or changes them into the nature of the Seeds, the Blood findes a 
matter in it whose Spirit is of a quality Heterogenious and Heteropathe- 
tical to the Blood, and so works to throw off its Enemy ; and in the Pox, 
Measles, Plague, and Purples, it throws off that Heterogenious matter 
by the Skin, Pores, or Habit of the Body; but where the matter in the 
Blood is not so venemous, or exceeding adverse qualited to our Nature, 
the Veins throw it off on some part: for in the Body like draws like to 
it, as in the Earth, and Terrene Things, and puts off or separates any 
matter that is of a quality adverse or contrary to the Blood and Nature 
of the Spirits constituting our vitality : Now we see Water in the Blood, 
sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner, sometimes limpid, sometimes 
oleaginous, sometimes yellow, sometimes black, &c. and yet because 
this Humour hath not a quality Heterogenious to the Blood, it rests very 
well in the Blood, and is not endeavoured by Nature to be cast off, nor 
causes any Disease, for a thing that looks exactly as another, may be no- 
thing like it in nature, so Sperma Humanum, and some glutinous and 
thick Flegm we raise from our Lungs or Palate of our Mouth, look ex- 
actly alike, and are in confidence the same ; and yet there is a Spirit of 
an enlivening nature in the Sperma Humanum and onely a cold stupify-
ing 

10 A Monitory PROæMIUM
ing quality in the pituitous matter; fo Stibium, and the red Glass of 
Church-Windows, may in taste, smell, look and confidence of Body be 
the same, and yet there is a purgative Virtue or Quality in Stibium that 
the Glass hath not : So for Alabaster and some pieces of Arsenick, how 
much do they differ in quality, and how little in bodily appearance? So 
in the Body of Man, if we could see the Humours and affected Parts, 
and the current of the Blood, we could not tell whether People would 
live or die of those Distempers, or how they would change, or what 
they would become for the most part: for an Humour looking like ano- 
ther in an abscess of the Liver, Spleen, Reins, or Lungs, shall not raise 
Symptoms alike, nor work alike, became the quality that is in it, alters 
it and works it; in one abscess there is a petrifying quality, and that turns 
all the matter in a little time into perfect stone, one or many ; in ano- 
ther Abscess, Ulcer, Aposthume or Tubercle of any of these Bowels, 
the matter looking the same with the former, is a vivifying spirit, and 
that matter takes some or other strange and commonly different form, 
and enlivens and increases; another Abscess hath a matter like the for- 
mer, but in this is an Earthy Gummy Spirit, and insipid, and this turns 
all the matter into a Caruncle or Fungus, or if it be a little otherwise 
qualified, a Glandule, or many Kernels ; in another Abscess is a fermen- 
ting qualitied spirit, and that makes them Aguish, and this differs 
hugely in quality inter se ; for some fermentative matter is colder and 
duller, because it wants the sharp and hot spirit that is in other Hu- 
mours, and this causeth colder Agues ; the sharper and hotter the spirit 
in this matter is, the hotter is the Ague : therefore many times they that 
drink much strong. Water make a cold Ague all hot Fits. Again, this 
matter differs in the peculiarity of the quality, some fermenting twice 
in one day, some once in twenty four hours, some once in two days, 
and some but once in three or four days : In another Excrementitious 
Matter is an Ossifick quality, and then a Bone is generated of the big- 
ness and shape with the Excrementitious Matter, for the Ossifick Spirit 
transmutes it as it lies ; even as our Wells in England, and Earth about 
Shefford, turns the Wood into perfect Stone in the same figure it was ; 
and to a few Grains of Ens Auri, or Essence of Gold, transmutes 
much Lead or Quicksilver into perfect Gold ; we see multitude of Ex- 
amples from Seeds thrown into the Ground, or Animals Semen, either 
injected into Uterusses, or laid in Flesh, Mud or Earth, or Fruits, 
which works upon the fit matter it is in, and turns it into the form of 
the Creature from whom this Seed came, and it enlivens. And the 
Stars do very much qualifie and alter the Seeds in our Humours : Hence 
it is that often Coughs, malignant Pleurisies, Quinzies, malignant Ter- 
tians,


A Monitory PROæMIUM  11
tians, and divers strange confused kindes of Agues, are Epidemical; 
and I have observed the mutations in divers Diseases to be from the 
Moon, and the other Planets, especially that Planet that was Lord of 
the First and Sixth House, at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; and a Pra- 
ctioner of Physick in this Town told me, when he had a long sickness, 
he could always tell when his Paroxisms , or times of greater illness 
would be, when the Sun was afflicted by the Body or Aspect of Saturn, 
or his Signficator afflicted ; and did not Venus stand his Friend in ma- 
ny such evil Aspects, he thought he should have died. 
Now such a Method doth Nature observe, that it is the casual influ- 
ence of the Planets (simply, or conjoyned with fixed Stars of the great- 
er Magnitudes,that are milde or gentle-natured) upon our Blood and Hu- 
mours, and as the quantity and quality of our Blood and Humours vary, 
so the Stars act variously : for the Agent can do nothing, if the Patient 
is not fit; and one Planet doth not so powerfully alter one mans Body as 
anothers, because in one it was his Significator at his Nativity, in the 
other a Significator of his Fortune, in another a Significator of his Re- 
ligion at his Nativity; and so though our Humours and Constitutions 
are much alike, yet in this respect the Planets vary. There is natural- 
ly in some matter, a greater proneness and aptitude to petrify ; in other, 
to ossify ; in other, to vivify or animate ; in other, to carnify ; in other, 
to sanguify ; in other, to lactify ; in other, to spermafy and crinify : 
and though the greater number of Planets that are stongest at such a 
time, do dispose the Humours to putrify or vermify, (for at sometimes 
both old Folks and Children have Worms more than in other seasons) 
yet in all Bodies there be not those Humours; and in all Bodies that those 
Humours be, yet there is not in them a like putrifying quality ; At such 
a time Venus is Lady of the Ascendant, commands Jupiter, Mars, the 
Moon, &c. in her House, is strongest of any in the Scheam, and yet all 
men at this time are not Veneriously inclined, for some are never 
libidinous ; yet at this time they may be more libidinous than others ; 
and at such a time an evil-minded men is the likelier to accomplish his 
incestuous Desires. VVe see huge mutations and changes dayly and 
hourly, sometimes in some sick persons, and how do these come, but from 
the motion of the Morbifick Cause ? and how is that changed and mo- 
ved so strangely, but by the Attoms in the Air, drawn into our Body in 
our Breath, which are qualified from the Planets ? 
We have in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, sufficient- 
ly demonstrated the force of the Heavens on all sublunary Beings ; but 
we will here adde some more ; Whence is it in Moon-Ey'd Horses their 
Eye or Eyes grow full at full Moon,and then they are bind; and as the
B 2  Moon 


12  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moon decreases, they decrease, and then they see better ? Many Coun- 
trey-mens Experience attests this. 
2. Concerning the alteration of Diseases, changing of Symptoms, 
and of all diseased Parts, dying and growing sick, it is apparantly seen 
in some Diseases by the alteration of the Moon, and divers have told 
me, That when the Plague did rage in this Town of Hitchin, most fell 
sick or died at change of the Moon, or full Moon, and four or five were 
buried then together, and when the Moon was at her full state, was the 
sickness in many in its Crisis or Exaltation; and it is apparant to many 
intelligent Physicians, that our Bodies are fuller of moisture at full 
Moon, than other times; and Experience shews us, the Epileptick and 
Convulsive have fits at full Moon commonly, and the Reason may be, 
because water in the Brain is oft found by Dissection to cause Epilepsies, 
and other Diseases, which the Practical Physicians hitherto did not ima- 
gine: NoW we know the Moon rules over Moisture much, witness the Eb- 
bing and Flowing of the Sea; doth it not in divers places of this Land 
increase and swell higher at full Moon, and in the declination of the 
Moon fall, and sink lower ? 
Moreover the monthly Fluxes of Women, or Menstrues, are caused 
partly by the Moons influence, and partly by a created aptitude or na- 
tural faculty in them; we see often they are, when stopt, easilier pro- 
voked at full Moon, than in its declination; the Moon rules princi- 
pally in Moisture, and principally in the Moisture of Feminines, for she 
is a Feminine Planet; yet in Men the Hæmorrhoids are periodical some- 
times and monthly, and some have (but rarely) a Fluxus Sanguinis per 
Penem monthly. 
Farmers did observe in these late years of Infection amongst Horses, 
that their Horses sickened or died familiarly at New or Full Moon : is 
not the Disease Lunatick so called from the Moon, for that at full Moon 
they are afflicted monthly ? and Physicians have observed Catarrhs and 
Defluxions to rise or fall from the Moon, and to be governed much 
thereby. Guainerius did observe one spake a strange Tongue he never 
learned, in New Moons; and other melancholy persons have at such 
changes of the Moon alone spake a strange Language they never learn- 
ed : If any think we speak slightly or conjecturally of many of these
things, let them search in their proper Chapters Examples in our Physi- 
logy, and they shall see them confirmed. It is written of the Clupæa 
Fish in Sagona, a River of France, that in the encrease of the Moon it 
is white, and in its decrease black : So the Piscis Lunaris, or Luna-fish, 
is so appellated from the strange alteration the changes of the Moon 
makes in her, and her figure : We might be numerous in Examples. 
Pliny


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  13
Pliny lib.2.cap.4l. writes, That at Full Moon, Oysters, Shell-fish 
and Periwinckles increase, but decrease at decrease of the Moon. 
Kekerman, l. c. saith, The Skins of Sea-Calves and Sobles are stiff with 
the standing upright of the Hair, when the Moon increases ; but in the 
Moon decreasing, they grow weak and fall down. 
Dropsical People are often most molested at Full Moons, and there- 
fore at that time, saith Johannes Johnstodynus, they commonly die; and 
then it took away that Reverend Man, D. Martin Gratianus, Superin- 
tendent of the Reformed Churches in Greater Poland. 
Libavius, Epist.15. Schnitzer, saith, It is better to give Medicines a- 
gainst Epilepsies the day after, than in the Opposition of the Luminaries; for 
in the hour of ☌ the Moon is quiet, but afterward the works and begins 
to augment the Humours. 
We shall not give Examples here of the force and quality of the Moon 
in Nativities to dispose mens Bodies and Mindes ; nor of the Vulgars ob- 
servation in cutting of Cocks , nor shall we insist on its force upon in- 
animate things, to cause fulness & flaccing, juyciness and driness, as that 
increases or wanes; as, in Vines, Onyons, Palm-Trees, Basil, Lapis 
Selenites. Keckerman, Disp.Phys.3.Coroll.11. saith, Lillies and Roses open 
their Buttons or Heads in the night alone, as loving the Moon; and Marigolds, 
Tulips, &c. open onely to the Sun, and shut up against the Moon : Nor shall 
we here dispute (as we might finde matter and occasion largely to do) 
of the peculiar Government of Plants by Rich and such Planets, and 
how they are fuller of Virtue pulled up at such a time, whenas the Pla- 
net governing them is Essentially fortified, than at another time: 
Not yet shall we here speak much of Sigils and Telesms insculpt in Wax 
or other impressible matter, the Seal made at a fit time, according to the 
Position of the Heavens, and the Engraving or Impress of that Seal 
must be at a due time, as the Planet governing the Disease, and Lord 
of the Hour, are Essentially fortified, aspected by Others, and seated in 
significant Houses, and accordingly hung about the sick party. In our 
Philosophical Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, and 
in the last of these have we treated of Sigils and Telesms ; whither the 
Reader may have recourse. 
The Moon indeed is most generally significant in all Distempers, of 
all the Planets; and in every Scheme we take of sickness, the Moon and 
her Dignity, and House, and Sign she is in, and to whom she applies, is 
very considerable, next to the Lord of the Ascendant, Signifier of the 
sick Person, and Lord of the sixth House, Significator of his Sickness, 
and Lord of the Eighth, Significator of Death ; yet the Sun in the next 
place, of all the Planets, hath most influence upon our Bodies ; and by 
his


14  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
his heat and warmth more than other Planets, he enlivens and alters 
most Animate and Vegetative Bodies ; as also by Light: Now if the 
Sun, having in it the seed of Light, can enlighten the Stars and Moon, as 
they approach him ; and when the Moon is gone a good distance and 
while from the Sun, the seminary Principle of Light it received from 
the Sun, dies by degrees, until it comes to the Sun again and then the 
Moon receives fresh Seeds of Light, which grow (as the Seeds of Infc- 
&ion taken into our Bodies) to maturity, which is when she is run half 
her course, and just opposite to the Sun, then is the Moon at the Full, 
and the Seeds of Light like our Life, and the maturity of our Age ; and 
other Animals and Vegetables are as long a declining or dying, as en- 
creasing and growing to maturity ; and no question this of the Sun and 
Moon is a great cause of the maturation and corruption of Bodies, and 
gives great insight into the method of working, encreasing and dying in 
other Seeds; And if the Sun thus alter the Moon, why not other less and 
inferiour things ? 
I going one day in Summer in the hot Sun without Gloves, did so 
strangely burn my hands, that they felt sore to the touch, and looked of a 
red colour, as if netled ; and I have heard the like of others, whose 
hands have been high blistered with the Sun, but in a far different man- 
ner from fire, for that scorches and burns us long sensibly , and then the 
the fire remains not so in our flesh, and so long as the Sun's quality, 
for from the Sun it rather looks as if venemed ; yet to touch fire will 
make a soreness longer. 
Many mad People do chiefly rage when the Sun is in the Tropical 
point Cancer, and about the Summer Solstice, partly the heat, and partly 
the quality of the Air, makes divers mad in Summer, that are pretty 
well all the year beside : Herbs of the Sun are strongest when they are 
gathered in the Hour and Exaltation of the Sun , or when the Sun is in 
Leo; and we have observed several such things. We have mentioned 
three Observations of the greater force of Herbs gathered when the 
Planets governing them are strongest in our Book of Physiology and Ja- 
trosophy, and particularly in our Nosology ; but Astronomical Physicians 
have gone upon slight grounds in giving such an Herb to such a Star, 
and another to such a one, many times; and the Reasons of their 
grounds would be sifted: for if the Foundation be false, we can never 
make a true Superstructure. 
We see the Sun's heat drives away Agues and cold Distempers, it rai- 
seth Head-ach to those that sit too long therein, especially bare-headed, 
and in the Spring, and that are subject to Head-ach ; also those that fit 
in February or March in the Sun for warmth, do oft catch Agues : and I 
when


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  15 
when I was a Boy, catched an Ague by sitting shivering in the Sun to 
warm me : It is also so pleasant at its return : The absence of Things 
makes them the welcomer to us at their return : By Sundew, Heliotrope, 
Marigolds, Hinca, &c. is the Sun's particular Domination over Planets 
seen. 
But we will not insist onely on these two Planets, the other Five, Sa- 
turn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, Dragons Head, Dragons 
Tail, and some of the fixed Stars of the greater Magnitudes have great 
Influence upon our Bodies, and alter and move our Humours, and by 
consequence our Mindes, as they are most prompt to be wrought upon. 
The Scorpion stings most dangerously when the Dog-star is up, and 
men used to observe the rising of the Dog-star for cutting of Frankin- 
sence-Trees, as then fittest for Use, and fullest of Juyce: and in the 
Terceræ Islands the Windes called Etesia arc mild Windes, that rise eve- 
ry year two days after the rising of the Dog-star; and the Disease Syri- 
asis is so caused from Syrius the Dog-star, and called so, because divers 
did observe that at the rising of that Star Infants were inflamed in their 
Heads; so that we see those Stars have Influence upon Animate and In- 
animate bodies; and if the Dog Stars Syrius and Procton can raise winds, 
they can in the Air in all likelyhood communicate their quality to our 
blood; but we do not observe the force and influence of the Dog Stars 
in our Climate or Countrey, as in other parts ; for in the Dog dayes 
they give no Physick, and Wounds and Ulcers heal badly, Hippocrates 
Aphorismes, Sect. 4. aph. 5 υπbxυvα xγ προς εργω dεες αi φαgαιiαl,
about the rising of the Dog-Star, and before its rising, purging 
by Medicines is very molestuous ; but we say, Canis non mordet in An- 
glia, the Dogs bite not in England : It is certain, some Stars have a 
greater power over some Countreys then over others. 
Cardanus and Casper Wolphius, Did observe Headach to arise in some 
persons with the Sun,it was chiefly in the Forehead; every day the Head- 
ach arose in these, as the Sun arose in the morning, and at noon, when 
the Sun was nearest, it grew most vehement; but as the Sun went far- 
ther off, the Headach did decline ; and at evening when the Sun did 
wholly hide himself, the Headach was absolutely gone, and began the 
next morning when the Sun arose, and encreased as that grew higher; 
but in one of these parties it was a pain rather of the eye, sometime a- 
bove one eye, and sometime above mother. 
Joachimus, Comm. ad 9. lib. Rhasis, cap. 4. observed another that had 
Headach about noon, but as the Sun went down it declined ; signes of 
Choler were in him, which the Sun moved to his head ; he was cured 
with purging of Choler, and strengthening his bead.
Salius

16 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Salias cap. 12. Annotat. ad Altomar. Gract, Observed Megrims to be 
raised and mitigated according to the course of the Moon, in some per- 
sons, and to have continued so for three years. 
It would be too tedious to write of many new Diseases, Epidemical, 
and some of them Contagious, that do happen in all Ages and Coun- 
tryes, sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes in one place, somc- 
times in another; they certainly come from the Air, and the Air is 
qualified by the Stars, and Seeds and Attoms swim and fluctuate in 
the Air, as Wood and heavier matter doth in the Water, that is a more 
sollid, and lesse penetrable body than Air. 
We should too much stay the Reader here to give an accompt only of 
the experience we have had of the Progress, Changes and Crises of 
Diseases according to the alteration and motion of the Planets, but 
who so is well skilled in Astrology and Physick, and shall at the dccum- 
biture, or chief time of the sickening of his Patient, draw a Scheam 
of the Heavens, and observe all along the mutations of the Planets, and 
his sick Patients distemper, he shall in most Diseases find great satis- 
faction, and say, It is far more certain Prognosticating by the Heavens, 
then symptoms in Diseases: Yet in confused Distempers, and such as we 
cannot well refer to any name in Riverius his Practice, Astrology is most 
illuminative. 
There are divers observations extant of the operation of the Planets 
on mens Bodies, but few, in regard of the use there would be of them, 
and excellency thereof; but these would require much time and pains 
to describe to purpose, therefore we shall omit them. 
We see also there is a strange Antipathetick quality in Lightning to 
bereave us suddenly of Life, and a blast of Air blasts many ; some in 
the field, some standing at their door; some are bereaved of sence, 
some of motion ; some in the whole body, some only in one particular 
part; some in one manner, some in another ; some in one degree, some 
in another. 
We will speak a little here in the Vindication of Astrology, it may 
satisfie some, it need hurt none ; Truth alone must please God, and fram 
pia be condemned. 
1. The various motions of the Planets, argue an intention of Pro- 
vidence, more in making them then other fixed Stars ; five especially 
have no other reason of their wandring to and from, backward and for- 
ward ; sometime in one Sign, sometimes in another ; sometimes swif- 
ter, sometimes slower; sometimes in Conjunction, sometimes in 
Opposition one to another; nothing was made in vain, no not the least 
part in the least Creature, nor nothing to be idle.
2. God


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  17 
2.God doth all by natural causes, and what shall we say are the causes 
of such and such things, but what we experience ? if one thing here doth 
sympathize and antipathize with another, and one depends upon ano- 
ther, and one governs another; Why may not the Stars more pure, 
high and great bodies influence upon, and alter these lesser, grosser and 
low compositions, every Agent being more noble than the Patient ? and 
the Air is the mediate cause. 
3. There may as well be quallifications of peculiarity in the Sun, 
Moon, and five other Planets in the Macrocosm, as in the Heart and 
Brain in the Microcosm, and Liver, Spleen, Gall, Lungs and Reins; 
and if God hath planted Originally in all such bowels peculiar quali- 
ties, and these operate accordingly upon the rest of mans body, inferi- 
our in dignity to them ; why may not the bodies of the Stars have' also 
peculiar natures and qualities implanted Originally into them, and ac- 
cording to these they operate ? for it is certain all things were made 
for an use, and why they should observe such strange motions and or- 
ders, no other reason can be given, than what man hath found by ex- 
perience ; and that for which every thing is most fit, for that it was 
made, and that is the right use of it: It would be tedious to relate. the 
wonderful qualities, and Spirits of strange and stupendious Natures, 
that are placed in many bodies, slight and sorry to look on, as the at- 
tractive force in the Loadstone ; in Herb Moonwort, the chastity of 
Emeralds and Sobriety, the shivering of Quicksilver in fire or hot wa- 
ter, and its flying to Gold ; the fighting of Spirit of Tartar and Vitriol, 
the quality of moving Love in some Plants, of dissolving strife in others; 
of releasing the bewitched, and driving away Spirits ; of causing mad- 
ness, and inducing sleeping to death : See these in one place or other 
of out Physiology and Jatresophy, with many more strange and prodigi- 
ous qualifications of the Spirits of Plants and Minerals. We do not 
deny but things affect one another by the Attorns and Exhalations that 
aries from their bodies but what accompt can any give, why the Attorns 
of one is of such a quality eto cause Sobriety, and the Attorns breath- 
ing from another to cause Love , and the Attoms breathing from 
another to cause madness ? every body, as it is a body and 
earth is not active, or moveable ; doth neither taste, nor small, nor hath 
a colour for the most part, but the Spirit that is in it, moves and acts it, 
makes it grow, taste and smell; and as soon as this Spirit or Soul is eva- 
porated from it, it looks oftentimes pale, but constantly loseth its scent 
and taste ; so when our Souls are gone, we look pale, and corrupt pre- 
sently, even as Plants as soon as their Spirit or Soul is gone : bodies 
were only made for Receptacles of Spirits or Souls, and these Souls or 
C Spirits


18  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Spirits do act and move these bodies; and according to the peculiar na- 
ture or quality of these Original implanted Spirits, so they act diversly  
now why may not the peculiar qualitied Spirits of the Stars operate and 
alter the Spirits placed in the bodies of terrene and gross things, ac- 
cording as they are fit and changeable, especially seeing every minute 
we must draw in Air ? and if the laying of Plants about us, and Mine- 
rals and Animals, do so alter the Air, that sometimes we are sick, some- 
times comforted by them; the Stars may as well do it: What influence 
hath the Sun for heat upon this world, more then a thousand Cities 
set on fire ? and yet the Sun is at a vast distance so to heat the Air all a- 
bout. The exactly demonstrating these things, would require a larger 
discourse than we are willing here to spend thereupon. What is our 
Brain? what doth it look like ? a Gelly, or knotty Flegm ; yet in this 
matter is a choice quality implanted, our sensation and motion ; what 
is the Heart to look upon, or to feel, or touch, or taste, or smell? 
meerly flesh: and yet see how it differs in dignity of quality; and there 
are nobler Spirits placed in it, than in other parts of the body; it hath 
the Seed of Blood, and is able to change all nourishment into red hot 
Spirituous Blood, specially as Nature shall have need thereof; and 
hereby doth it influence upon all the body, as the Brain by motion and 
sensation operates and alters all the body ; GOD could as well have 
placed the Seminary Principle of Blood, or Sanguification in the Spleen, 
and the Soul in the Liver, for the flesh doth nothing ; he could 
have made any flesh capable of the highest qualities and faculties. 
4. Allowing this force to the Planets, and some fixed Stars as they 
happen to be joyned with them, vindicates GOD from injustice ; for 
certain it is, that the humors alter our minds, and our constitutions 
change our judgements, and lead us to divers appetites: and the Or- 
gans are not alike fitted in all to be wise or foolish, ingenuous or fro- 
ward alike. 
If he that is born a natural Fool, shall repine and say, Why was I not 
born capable of knowledge as other men ? what had I done In the Womb to 
make my Creator more partial to me, than the rest of man-kind ? It may be 
Answered, It was his lot to be begotten, conceived and born at such 
an unfortunate time, when the Planets operating upon the propitious 
matter in utero so disposed him. 
Another may Object, why was I made of such a melancholy temper , to 
he dejected at every small business, and to swoon at every light grief, and to 
he discontented with my life? Some must be melancholy, as some are mer- 
ry; there must be variety ; and it fell according to their nativity, to be 
such, without any partiality, or ill respects in GOD towards them: so
for 


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  19
for the passionate, that suffer for their Tongues, and cannot help it, 
they wish they were of another temper, and could forbear; and are 
apt to be angry that they are so apt to be angry: but some must be angry, 
else there would be none patient if all were alike; and it fell casually to 
their lot to be so : if God did immediately, without contingent causes, 
ordain or make them so, they might have somewhat more to say and to 
repine at; but now God is blameless, for where the cause accidentally 
falls, the effects follow : but the causes are so wisely from all eternity 
ordered, that they shall keep in a mean, and not much trangress; as
those causes that dispose men to be natural fools, or Atheists, shall not 
come so often by one to a hundred, as those causes that cause Wisdom 
and Worship ; nor shall they come altogether, but shall happen now 
and then, that Nature may have some variety. 
Perhaps a good mans Barn is burnt by Lightning, and his Neighbours, 
a wicked mans, is unhurt; God is no respecter of Persons nor partial, 
it fell out according to natural causes, that the Lightning did direct to 
this mans Barn in a contingent manner; and it is the nature of Light- 
ning, where the Beams and Attoms ate conglomerated, and so made 
stronger, to burn ; if God had with material hands took a Torch and set 
it on fire, as Enthusiasts seem to think him to act, surely then the just 
man had had somewhat to have said : it is a dignity to God to act by 
causes, and one cause under another; the outward cause operates up- 
on the inward cause, and the remote upon the vicine, the primary up- 
on the instrumentary : If a King would have any thing done, and must 
do it himself, it would not be such honour to him, as to do it by subser- 
vient means, and messengers; so God is the more dignified and ho- 
noured by Nature, then if, as Enthusiasts would have him, he did all im- 
mediately by material Hands, Feet and Mouth, without the intervene 
of natural causes. 
Sometimes it Rains twice as much in one Land or Soil as needs, and 
in another Land or Soil at the same time is not half Rain enough, so 
that both are spoiled, one by a flood, the other by drought ; and if God 
did this immediately by immediate counsel, and with material hands, 
as if he should pour down buckets, without the contingency of natural 
causes, how might men complain, and say, God dealt hardly with them. 
Many times upon the Sea a VVinde arises and drowns a good mans 
Ship, wherein are far better persons than in another Ship, that at that 
time arrives safe. 
Many times a good man is wounded of Thieves going abroad, is kil- 
led by a fall, or taken with the Plague, or killed with Lightning, when 
many far worse at the same time, and in that place may escape; and
C2  were


20  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
were it not that all things here happen alike to all in a contingent man- 
ner to us, though predestinated and pre-ordained by GOD, we might 
repine; the Sun shines on the good and bad, and rain falls on the just 
and unjust : And Man is ordained as Astronomers will shew by cal- 
culating a Mans Nativity, to this or that good or mischief that he will 
hardly avoid ; and because we do not fore-know or fore-see, we must act 
warily and wisely ; for we do not know, though it is predestinated to us 
to be poor or miserable, or evil, but by our endeavour we may avoid it; 
for we do not know our Endeavours will be bootless, till we see the 
event ; so we act as if nothing was predestinated : All our labours and 
endeavours, if it be not ordained, shall not make us rich, or eminent, 
or favoured, or lucky. 
Yet GOD commonly ordains a Thing by ordaining the Cause; as such 
a man is ordained to thrive; why? because he is made of a cunning 
industrious and parsimonious temper; yet many a great Drinker, sloath- 
ful and unskilful fellow, in companion of such, shall thrive and grow 
richer: Nature is full of variety , and degrees, and kindes in every 
kinde. 
Did not things also in States and Kingdoms fall out according to a for- 
tuitous and accidental hap, and the fortune of Mens happy Nativities, 
why did Mahomet that Great Impostor, arise to that credit and honour 
in the World ? Why did not God make him an untimely birth, or cause 
his dayes to be short, that he should not corrupt the World with his Doc- 
trine ? or raise other causes to have deterred his Followers from credi- 
ting him ? Is he not CHRIST’s Opposite ? and did he not take up- 
on him to be Mediator betwixt GOD and Man ? And how miraculously 
hath he prospered through many Nations and Ages ? 
To this adde the remarkable Affairs of this World, to wit, The expun- 
ging and debellating of Christianity by the Turk, and the setting up of 
Mahometism in all those parts where Christianity did at first with much 
difficulty and blood shed, and persecution gain rise; but I will not say 
that they upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell, were greater sinners than others, 
nor he that was born blinde ha finned in or by his parents more than others 
that were born seeing, but according to Natures course, which when God 
contradicts, it is a Miracle, and Miracles rarely happen : What is be- 
come of the seven Churches of Asia their founded Christian Religion ? 
Hath not the Turkish Power overcome ? and is not MAHOMET ad- 
vanced in Throne above CHRIST in all those Quarters ? Yet I say,
Existus


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  21 
Exitus acta probat, careat successibus opto 
Quisquis ab eventu facta not anda putet. 
I wish that they may never speed 
Who by Events e'er judge the Deed. 
Non aliena putes homini quæ obtingere possint; 
Sors hodierna mihi, cras erit ilia tibi. 
Think nothing strange that Man cannot decline, 
For what's to day my Lot, to morrow's thine. 
And so we all undergo vicissitudes and variety, Cappadocia, Asia the less, 
with Phrygia, lonia, Pamphylia, Licaonia, Pontus, Bithynia, Galatia, 
Greece, Syria, Ephesus, Smyrna, Thiatira, Philadelphia, Pergamos, Judea, 
Jerusalem and Palestine ; are not all these under the Turk , and subject 
to the Doctrine of Mahomet, where the Doctrine of JESUS did so 
spring forth and arise and flourish for the time ? 
The Jews were thought a peculiar People to GOD, beloved by their 
Creator above all Nations and Languages of the World, and yet what 
Nation hath suffered more ? how oft hath Jerusalem been won, and ran- 
sacked, and sometimes quite demolished, and re-built ? How oft have 
they changed their Governments ? The King of Assyria conquered 
Israel, and captivated them, and the King of Chaldea the Jews ; since they 
have been conquered & enslaved to the Persian, the Grecian, the Arabian, 
the Roman ; the Turk now governs all, and the Jews and Christans live 
by permission, and pay Tribute. What became of those hundred thou- 
sands of men that went to redeem Jerusalem, and CHRIST’s Sepul- 
chre from the Turk, in the appellate Holy War ? Surely Enthusiasms are 
not regarded by GOD : Many think they are holier than other Men, and 
that GOD must prosper them, or that GOD is engaged to make them 
successful over the wicked, as they imagine : I say, No : GOD will 
not alter the course of Nature, unless upon weighty grounds, and those 
Miracles are ordained to come seldom. 
Yet whoever thou art, do not think I think it good to sin, or that it is 
bootless to be good; thou wilt hereafter repent, a thousand times re- 
pent the wilful commission of every evil Action, but thou must not think 
GOD is obliged to defend thee in Fire or Water, in Battel or Tempests 
more then others thou imagined far worse than thy self: for GOD is 
impartial, and Effects must follow the Cause, and the Causes must go 
on as GOD set them Originally to go. 


22  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
And let none mistake me concerning Predestination, I do not med- 
dle with Predestination to Salvation or Damnation in any; that is onely 
in GOD’s Cabinet-counsel, nor can any tell any thing thereof ; nay, 
though Spirits have told several Secrets of the future Being, they durst 
never divulge any thing of moment to Mankinde, concerning how we 
shall live hereafter, or who shall be happy, and who unhappy, or how 
many, or how and in what manner.  
Now seeing we see apparantly the universal order, gradation, pro- 
gress and event of things, is after this manner of contingency; what evil 
or absurdity is it to allow it a cause ? and why may we not as honest- 
ly and lawfully say, The Stars, under GOD , are the natural cause 
of all these Contingents and casual Events (casual, meerly, as to our fore- 
knowledge) as any other things ? 
Furthermore, the Planets operate upon out Mindes, not onely by mo- 
ving, encreasing and altering the quality of our Humours (which we 
have largely shewn in several places of our Physiology and Jatrosophy, but 
chiefly in out Chapter of the place of the Soul) but by raising Contin- 
gents and intervening Accidents : 
Est aliquid quod nos animos mutando gubernat 
Mores res contingentesqi; sequuntur humores, 
Proxima namq ; Deo sunt horum causa planetæ: 
That that doth change our Mindes, doth surely guide 
Our Actions, and our Manners do depend 
upon Contingents ; our Humours beside 
Alter our Wills, these the Planets do bend. 
One man is minded to go a Journey, a shower of Rain falls, and al- 
ters his minde. 
Another intends to revenge himself upon his Adversary ; he falls 
sick, and that changes his minde, which before he resolved should not be 
changed. 
Another intends to do much work on his Trade, and that he will not 
be drawn away by company to bezel and drink ; but company come and 
perswade him, and his minde is changed, and he goeth with them with 
delight. 
One resolves he will never be a Quaker ; but out of Curiosity and 
Novelty he will hear the Quakers, with hearing them his mind is chan- 
ged, so that he becomes a Quaker. 
One resolves to kill or such a Person, and he resolves his minde 
shall


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  23 
shall not change, nor none shall intercede for him ; yet when that per- 
son comes and asks forgiveness, acknowledges his fault, and promises 
and supplicates, his mind is changed; and he hath rather ( a minde 
now quite Contrary to his former minde) to do him good. 
Another intends to live bravely,) and spend freely, and build fine 
Houses ; but he sustains a great loss in his Estate, and then his inten- 
tions alter. 
But abundance more may be heaped up unnecessarily, which the 
common capacity of Men, if they would but consider, may see cle- 
lie. 
And no man I believe, but at divers times is in divers mindes, and 
of different Intentions and Inclinations, though there be nothing in- 
terposes, nor no differing or fresh Contingents; and this suddain and 
often variation of our Mindes, Intentions, Desires, Appetites and Af- 
fections, must have a Cause ; and what wickedness or absurdness is it to 
attribute it to the Planets? for Experience shews it, and in Reason 
their various and differing motions answer to the various and differing 
motions of our Humours and Affections. 
I know by my self, and have heard others say, They were most melan- 
choly, when they had least cause ; and Lovers are sometimes wonder- 
fully inflagrated towards one another ; and at another time, no oc- 
casion given, quite off from desiring one another. But we might be 
infinite in these things: And Sennertus, in Epitom. Scientiæ Nat. saith, 
Experience shews the Humours are altered by the Stars, and the Minde by the 
Humours : Mores sequnntur temper amentum corporis ; Experientia con- 
tradicere nefas: The Manners follow the temperament of the Body , and 
it is unlawful to gain-say true and manifold Experience. 
5. All Mankinde was made Upright, with the Countenance upwards, 
and all Beasts look downwards to the Earth ; that was somewhat in 
Providential Intention that Man might look up to the Stars, and weigh 
the Majesty of the Heavens, and Beasts were made onely to feed and 
grovel on the Earth , therefore they had not their looks made upwards, 
to view the Glory, and Power, and Wisdom of their CREATOR, in 
the Heavens and Starry Globe. It was a good Observation of Ovid, 
Pronaque cam spectant animalia cætera terram,
Os hominis sublime dedit, cœlumque tueri 
Fussit, & erectos ad Sidera vollere vultus. 
6. The multitude of Astronomers that have been in some Countreys, 
and in many Ages, have had experience of the force of the Stars; but 
the  


24  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
the Rules of the Antients, as our Physical Rules, are many, infirm, and 
true but sometimes, and were ill grounded ; and God hath so wisely or- 
dered it, that man shall not be certain always therein, for then he would 
be presumptuous: In many Scheams an Astronomer draws, there are 
as many Arguments against as for the thing, so that he knoweth not 
which to judge ; in most Scheams there are some Planets that by the 
Sign they are in, or House, or Degree, or Aspect, deny, according to 
Astrological Rules, that, that others affirm; and in such Cases we must 
take the strongest, and conclude from the position of the greater num- 
ber ; as in an Assembly most Voices carry it. 
7. Let us consider the Air: What causes Rains, Thunder, Winde, 
Mills, Snow, Frosts, muddy and bright Weather ? do not the Planets, 
and fixed Stars as they are conjoyned with them ? and how doth the 
Air change out Bodies ? I my self having weak Eyes, have found them 
far more misty and asking against Rain and in moist Weather ; others 
against Frost and in frosty VVeather, have Itching, and Pustules break 
forth, some almost always ; some against Rain have their Corns ake; 
divers do prognosticate change of VVeather by their Corns : some will 
say in dark foggy weather they are far more melancholy, dull and drow- 
sie ; and some then have their Heads ake : we know some Bodies are 
huge sensible of cold, and every small thing casts them down; some 
will in VVinter go bare-legged, and in Snow and catch no harm ; the 
Constitution and Custom are both to be considered ; some that have had 
Bruises will feel pains there upon alteration of weather, and no time 
else, after the Bruise is healed : divers when the weather begins to be 
open at Spring, and warmer, have Pustules, VVheals and Itch break 
forth; and so in some at fall of the Leaf; some have a matter breaks 
forth always at Spring and Fall; and we see Tertian Agues are most rise 
at Spring, Quartains at the Fall or Autumn. To enumerate no more, 
Hippocrates writ of these things, and of the qualities of the VVindes, 
and he will be believed, and in such things his experience may be ta- 
ken, though we must not look to finde things so as he writ in each other 
Body, concerning the change of the Air and Weather; if they hold 
true in every tenth Person, it is somewhat: for we shall finde ten whose 
Bodies are not sensibly altered by Rain, or VVinde, or Thunder, to one 
that is : so Bruits and Plants forshew of VVeather. 
Because we would fairly and fully satisfie our Readers concerning the 
Influence of the Planets, we shall proceed to take off a few Objectons 
made by the contrary-minded and opinioned; theirs is onely Opinion, 
which comes from Opinor, I think ; ours Experience, which comes from 
Experior, to have tried, or made proof of. 
Object. 1.


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  25
Object 1. Twins are born both at once, and yet often not alike, nor have 
fortune alike, nor die at a time. 
Answ. Often Twins are so alike, that they are fain to tie Threads or 
Ribbands about them, if both of one Sex, to distinguish ; but in the 
birch of divers Twins is a quarter, or half an hour, or more distance, 
and then they may have two Significators, and the Signs may be gone 
off those Houses : and also if the birth of the Twins was very exact, as 
to time, it is probable they were not conceived at once, and that is ve- 
ry material, and may change their Dispositions: VVhat is the Reason 
the Children of one man and woman should often times so exceedingly 
differ in Complexion, Conditions, and Fortunes, were there not some- 
what to alter ? 
Object. 2. Those that are killed in Armies in Fights, were not born all 
at once, but had several Nativities , and a Death alike at one time. 
Answ. A man may be born in January, February, March, April, or 
any other Month or day of the Month, and have an unlucky Nativity ; 
some are killed by the Combustion of their Significator, or Lord of the 
Ascendant; some by his Aspect with Saturn or Mars, or Conjunction 
with the Lord of the Eighth House, the House of Death ; and some 
were killed in the 18, some the 19, some the 20, 21, 22,23, 24th (and 
so onwards) Year of their Age, nor were they all born in one 
place.
Object 3. ’Tis an uncertain and fallible Art. 
Answ. The Vulgar say, if a thing comes to pass that Astronomers or 
Astrologers predict, They are Witches, and do it by the Devil; if it 
fails, they say, It is a Delusion, and there is nothing in it; even as they 
judge in other respects: for if a Medicine cure one, they think it must 
cure others, though of another Disease ; and if they they knew one die 
of the Jaundice, they will pronounce Death to all: One Swallow makes 
not a Summer: One Experiment is too slight, or two,or three, to ground 
our belief upon in some matters. If it had never failed, men would 
have been presumptuous, most would have gone to have known their 
Fortunes ; and that would have been an inconvenience in all Govern- 
ment, Trading and Actions Men do undergo : GOD made all things 
upon grave Counsel, and well-weighed Considerations, that they should 
hold together ; assist, not confound one another; each to keep its 
place, and nor to do anothers office. 
Moreover, If Astrology was certain, Men would say it was of the 
Devil: If we condemn it for incertainty, better may we condemn the 
Practice of Physick, for that is more uncertain ; it is termed, Ars Con- 
jecturalis. Let any Physician by the Signs he findes in ten persons judge
their


26 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
their Distempers thus and thus ; and when these come to be opened, 
more by much are false than true, that he did imagine ; yea, where di- 
vers of the most learned Physicians have been called to give their ad- 
vice and an accompt of one sick person ; one hath said the Disease was 
this, and thus ; another, that, and so ; every one differing; but when 
the party hath been opened, - another cause hath been found in their Bo- 
dy, of Death, differing from each of these? So in Prognosticks; what 
Sign or Signs hold for Life or Death in all ? The Tokens in the Plague 
are held the most infallible sign of Death, and so indeed they be, and 
yet Physicians have observed divers having the Tokens, to have escaped: 
nor are the Crises of truth, nor the Cure : What Medicine are we sure 
will cure two in one Disease ? no Medicine cures all, and each Medi- 
cine hath cured some: I dare confidently affirm that there is not one 
Drug or Medicine in an Apothecaries Shop, but at one time or other by 
one or other is used for an Ague ; and the use of nothing would be up- 
held, did not some think themselves thereby eased or helped. 
Object. 4. Scripture speaks against it.
Answ. The Scripture speaks against the abuse of it: for in those times 
and Countreys when and where Scripture was writ by the Jews, the 
Astrologers trusted too much to it, and disowned the Supreme Creator 
and Rector, and presumed much upon it, and assumed all the honour to 
themselves, and called the Months and Days by Planets Names, and 
worshipped such Planets on such Days, and diverted men from patient 
submission to a superiour Hand of Providence, thinking these the alone 
and Supreme Deities, because changes fell upon Earth as they had ob- 
served them to change. Of all the relations ever I read of the Com- 
merce betwixt Witches and evil Spirits, or also heard, I never could find 
the Devils told them any thing of the Stars, nor do they know any there- 
of, or practice any thing thereby; they are GOD’s Creatures made for. 
our Books, to read such Destinies as it pleaseth GOD man should fore- 
know. 
The Scripture doth extol the Science, admire the frame of the Hea- 
vens, demonstrate the Influence the Planets have, and shew what they 
were made for : But, if because of the abuse, nothing must be in use, 
every thing must be laid aside ; the best things are most apt to be cor- 
rupted : and, Optimorum corruptio est pessima, as Philosphers say : See 
Gen.1.14,15,16,17,18. Judg.5.20. Job 25.5,6.Chap.3 8.7. dc 29.30, 
31,32,33.-Psal. 136.7,8,9. Job 9.9,10. Psal.8.3,4. & 19.1 and divers 
o her places of Scripture assent hereto. 
Astra a regunt Homines, sed regit Astra DEUS.
Object.5.

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 27 
Object 5. It makes men Atheistical and Heathenish. 
Answ. It may be abused, and many without it may be Atheistical 
and Heathenish, and most with it are sincere Adorers of a Deity ; re- 
ally the Stars and Planets, and the Poles, and the Clouds, and their Of- 
fices and Actions are clear demonstrations of a GOD, as divers of the 
fore-cited places of Scripture hint forth. There are abundance of peo- 
ple that hear what others say , and believe with the most, and never 
question or trouble their heads about a GOD, or his Attributes; as the 
Ignorant is related to give an accompt of his Faith : I believe as Mr. 
Vicar believes, and I believe he knows , for he is Book-learned, and I am not 
Book-learned. All the works of GOD dignifie and exalt him, and the 
more we know, the more we must see the Power, Wisdom, and Love of 
GOD : we see such and such things come to pass, and what wickedness 
is it to attribute them to a cause? If we made GOD to do them with 
material hands, and to be bodily present, and to use Instruments as we 
do, to effect them, it would hugely degrade and vilifie his Maje- 
fty. 
Object 6. It may wrong divers. 
Answ. That is in the Men, the Art doth not constrain them; there 
are Knaves in all Societies, that are a scandal to the rest, and vitupe- 
rate the Profession : but the better and higher things be, so much the 
more they endamage when abused. 
Object.7. If they go too far, they may have to do with Devils. 
Answ. By a Retort: If they have to do with Devils they may go too 
far; but it is possible some men may be instigated by their Curiosity to 
contract with the Devil, to make them capable of telling Fortunes, and 
fore-knowing things, seeing Astrology is oft so uncertain ; but of such 
we must judge what may be, by what hath been ; they have seldom been 
Astrologers : and few Witches have any judgement in Astrology, if 
any ; not doth the Devil will them to learn any thing thereof, or teach 
them therein ; and without Astrology men may have as much desire as 
with it to foreknow : that way that is really good, the farther men go 
in it the better, and lazy men & unlearned, and void of scrutiny spoil all 
professions, and are a scandal to what ever they profess; and so is Wis- 
dom without a good practice. We shall conclude with the Dogmaticks 
of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, σνυπαΦυν τα αγα τοis xατω, Things be- 
low do Sympathize with things above. 
Yet the Stars do not so far alter and govern, but there are many 
things fixed, and alwayes the same as to their Nature and Basis, as 
Plants, Animals, Minerals, Man, &c. Also in man are fixed Prin- 
ciples of Blood, Bone, Flesh and Marrow ; and in his Minde Univer- 
fally


28 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
fally is, first, An apprehension of a Deity : Secondly, A propensity to wor- 
ship this conceived Deity; in Prosperity to thank him, and in Adversi- 
ty to pray : Thirdly, Almost all mankinde believe they shall live after 
this Life; or that their Souls be immortal: Fourthly, All mankinde do 
believe that GOD is able to do all things, be Omnipresent, in all pla- 
ces, be Omnivident, knowing all secrets, and to be Eternal and Im- 
mortal : Fifthly, All mankind do think, this Being Eternal, Omnipotent 
and Omnivident, must make them happy after this life,and punish them  
for their Evil Deeds: Sixthly, All men hold Love, Chastity, Patience, 
Meekness, Charity, Humility, Affability, & Honesty, good ; and Cruelty, 
Persecution, Lying, Fraud, Murder, Theft, Adultery, Reviling, and 
Cursing, evil: And these are stamps of the Divine Essence in Man, 
which are Universal, and the Stars onely alter, not take away: Yet 
there are Athiests, it is true, and others to contradict what we have said, 
but the universality of men of our Form and Parts in the World, of all 
Nations are possessed of these six things, and they are true: For GOD 
would not give to the Universal Nature of Man to believe that that is 
false : Yea, the very Bruits seem to have a Conscience, so that when 
they have done a fault, they shrink or hide themselves, or run away; and 
when they have done well, and go upon warrantable grounds, how bold, 
cheerful and confident are they ? 
4. Next will follow to be spoken of the Signs of Diseases: and in 
these is an high misunderstanding, both in those that write,and those that 
read Practices of Physick, chiefly the last : for if the Ancients, and 
most of the Moderns or Neotericks were out in the Causes, they must 
needs be in the Signs that they appropriated to such and such Causes : if 
there be any dispute about this, let my Antagonists observe the twenty 
next Patients that come under their hands, (for in so many the Rules of 
Nature may be discovered) and see if their Diseases and Signs will hold 
and run parallel with those of the Diseases they read in Barrow, Ronde- 
letius, Etius, Ægineta, Primrosius, Riverius, &c. Truly so far as I have 
observed many Patients, (having writ about 1400 Obfervations for my 
own private use hitherto) and read Observations of many other men, I 
cannot finde Nature is confined to a method, or runs in that road Au- 
thors have delivered  and who so opens many, shall finde that the Li- 
ver, Spleen, Reins, Gall, Stomach, Lungs, &c. are otherwise affected 
than as the Ancients thought; and that they do onely casually and acci- 
dentally light to be so affected as the Ancients have deciphered; the 
affection of the Bowels in the dissected, agrees chiefly in disagreeing: 
The Truth is, where we have one Patient that by concurrence of Signs 
seems


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 29 
seems to have any one Disease named in Practices of Physick, we have 
three that are referrable to none of those Diseases ; and in many Pati- 
ents sometimes together, we finde such rare Cases that never before we 
saw or read of. Also the Change in Diseases is very considerable ; to 
day, or in this hour, the Sick most complains of Headach ; to morrow, 
or the next hour, the Headach is gone, or with it remaining is a Stomach- 
pain ; the next day it is changed into vomiting and purging, and then 
perhaps that stops, and the Party is Heart-burned : and a multitude of 
such various Changes are sometime in some sick People, that lie long ; 
and what shall we call this Disease ? sometimes many Bowels are weak 
or diseased together, and by the Signs, where shall the Disease be ? 
For Example sake, we will shew by one how the Course and Order of 
Nature may be guessed at in many. 
Here died lately a Gentlewoman of Hitchin, she lay six weeks sick ; 
had a fall out of a Coach, being with child; she was very well, her con- 
dition of child-bearing considered, for a fortnight after, she was a little 
bruised betwixt the shoulders, all seems to be well; a fortnight after the 
fall she grows ill, as formerly in child-bearing she had been, of windy 
pains and stitches ; it took her with a little Cough and raising, and the 
pain did remit, and go into her Shoulder and Back, her Urine high, and 
Pulse pretty swift, some signs of a windy, some of a legitimate Pleuri- 
sie : after a week she grew better for a day or two, then worse ; her 
spitting and excretion encreased, and pain fixed in her right side ; she 
could hardly swallow, that shewed the Oesophagus hurt, and upwards on 
high, any hard thing hurt her ; she took Lohocks, and raised much or- 
dinary Flegm, like an Empyema : then a week after her raising conti- 
nuing now and then, she spat Blood, her Coughing frequent, and one 
morning she vomited much Blood by Coughing and Excretion; but af- 
ter that the new symptom Hæmoptoe ceased, she was partitis vicibus let 
Blood : after a month or three weeks she grew finely well, her stomach 
to meat was recruited, her sleep greater, her coughing not so much, and 
the purulency less ; then a week being passed, she grew worse, she com- 
plained no more of the Oesophagus, her Expuition and Cough urge, and 
her Legs swell, and she grows Asthmatical, she raiseth much fætid 
Flegm, but now void of Blood; sometimes a fit of raising eases her side- 
pain, which the last weeks did not much trouble her, and sometimes not;  
and sometimes her Asthma fits were eased by coughing, and sometimes 
not; her Asthma sometimes left her, and then she was hugely provoked 
to cough and raise; she wanted sleep and an appetite to any food ; her 
Asthmatical fits being but three or four, though she was always at last  
shortwinded, left her before her death, and she raised, as if matter did 
flow 


30 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
flow into the Lungs from some vicine part exceeding ; and two hours 
afore death she felt her self oppressed with this matter, and raised nigh 
half a pint, coughing and spitting it forth; and after this great fit of 
raising, fainted, and her Head shook, and she died with ratling of the 
matter in her Chest : she desired to rise before she died, and talked chear- 
fully, and much, the night before she died; and these in many are to- 
kens of death, but not in the generality. Here were divers other symp- 
toms and changes of less note, that came on, and went off again : she 
was delivered very easily, and during two or three dayes of purging, 
after her delivery, her Coughing was easie, she raised less, and her 
pain and Asthma very little, but her Lochyes stopping, she Asthma and 
Purulent Matter encreased, and she died three or four dayes after. Most 
Physicians thought her delivery would have freed her ; the Childe was 
very lively in Utero, notwithstanding her sickness, and born well, but 
died a week after, having principles of Corruption in it from the Mo- 
ther ; one thought it a true Pleurisie, another a bastard one at first ; then 
it seemed an inflamation of the mouth of the Stomack; then some Signs 
shewed it in the Stomack; for in Child-bearing she used to vomit, and 
this was restrained after she sickened : some signs were for Adhæsion of 
the Lungs, some for an Empyema; some that the Lungs did swim in 
purulency, some of stopped Blood; some Signs argued it inwardly, as 
hurt in swallowing, some outwardly as her soreness in her side to touch ; 
some argued Wind, for when it went into her shoulder and back, it a- 
bated in the side. 
A month after she sickened (but she was let blood before) her blood 
looked like yellow fat Broath when it was cold, and in it were several 
congealed fleeces, like bits of corrupted flesh. 
VVho would think in those that have pissed purulent matter, that 
it came from the Heart, as appeared by dissection ; in vivo omnia sunt 
pervia. 
5. Let us consider the Prognosticks ; He is a wife Physician that is 
not rash herein: I know a Physician of mean parts, and great practice, 
that I have admired he should happen to judge Life or Death so falsly, 
insomuch that other Physicians have made it a rule to go by, that such a 
party will live, because such a Physician saith, She will die, and so on 
the contrary: what can be found in the Pulse and Urines ? 
They talk of a Serratile or Saw-Pulse, Vermiculating or Crawling 
Pulse, and Intermitting Pulse. I could never find any thing here- 
in worth taking notice of; in well people the Pulse will intermit as 
well as in sick, and in dying people it is seldom found; and it is 
oft the fancy of the Physician that must make all things, so as he 
reads:


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 31
reads : the chief difference in Pulses is, the swiftness, and slownesse, 
strength and faintness of the beating ; and what may be judged hereby, is  
this; in sickness, (for in health with working or running, the Pulse will
beat faster, and in some persons naturally stronglier than in others, and
than at other times) The swiftness of the Pulse argues an Enemy in the 
Blood, or an Humour of an Heterogenious quality to it, that the Heart> 
as the Blood passeth through it, tasts and feels ; and therefore lets it 
out as soon as ever it is in, and being out by Fuga Vacui, dilating it 
self, draws in more, and so sends it swiftly about the whole Body ; if 
there be an high Heterogeneity the Heart expels it the Blood by the 
Pores and Habit of the body, or some particular part, if the Heart is 
strongest, and there be Principles of Fermentation in the humor so qua- 
lified : now if with this swiftness there is strength of the Pulse, it argues 
Nature is strong, and the Spirits are not extinct; if with this swiftness 
the Pulse is faint and weak, the Spirits are sunk, and there is feebleness 
and fainting ; for in Syncope and Deliquiums scarce any Pulse is found, 
or very little and small. 
Urines are looked upon by the Vulgar, as the greatest Prophetical 
matter about the Body of Man ; how familiar is it, and as ridiculous and 
absurd as familiar, to carry waters to Physicians,to know parties distem- 
pers, not telling a word of their Symptoms to the Physician ; judging 
him silly and unlearned in all other things, that cannot tell all their Ails 
by their Water ? and this they do frequently, not intending to take Phy- 
sick, but to bestow a Groat to know what their Disease is, (which they 
understand as much as Geese) and how and when they may recover, and 
whether they shall live or die by their Water; the which, if a Physician 
knows all the Symptoms about the sick, and his Constitution, and could 
see into his Body, he could not oftentimes truly determine of: in dy- 
ing people frequently the Water grows better,and in well people it will 
change strangely, be sometimes paler, sometimes redder ; sometimes 
thicker, sometimes thinner: the Nights Water is oft unlike to the Dayes; 
and some well persons make thick crude Water, and in others, when it 
is cold, it is thick and sedementary like the sick ; the very food we eat, 
and liquor we drink, alter our Urine. I have read of a Fruit in the new 
World, a kind to Coecus Baphicus, that when our Countrey-men ate of 
it, it so coloured their Urine, that they thought they had pissed blood,  
and were afraid to eat any more : so I have heard of other things, some  
that use to drink much Wine, piss the same for smell and colour. 
Furthermore, when the Urine passeth only by and through a few parts, 
I see not how it should shew the Constitution of all parts ; it doth shew 
chiefly distempers of the Kidneys and Bladder, but that being the Sink 
and 


32 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and Channel, Nature strives to wash off, and throw much filth that 
way by the Kidneys and Bladder, and Urine, as Water is good to wash 
off and make Fæculency and Sordity swim away ; that is some reason 
therefore, that both in Cronical and Critical distempers, thick muddy 
sedementary Urine is good, when the Disease is breaking away, especi- 
ally, if before the Urine was clear and limpid , and as if it was strained 
from all foul matter. 
Indeed I have often, to satisfie people, guessed at their Distempers 
by their Urines, and one may often please them ; if it was an high red 
Water, I judged a Feaverish temper, and then I guessed that they had 
Head-ach, Back-pains, Thirst, want of Appetite, Heat, want of 
Rest, Faintness, one day worse than another, &c. with variation ; if 
the Urine was pale and thin, I guessed at Obstructions,that it was strain- 
ed; and in Obstructions usually are these symptoms, Windiness, pain 
at Stomach, and stoppage, and loading there with inappetence and Bra- 
dupepsia, or ill digestion ; short-windedness, Aches in Knees and Shoul- 
ders ; and by fits in the Head, paleness of Countenance, dulness to 
Action and Weariness, heaviness of the Mind, &c. but in Men and 
Women is great variation; indeed we shall rarely find two exactly alike 
in all things; but these things thus conjectured, have often pleased; 
Populus qui vult decipi decipiatur, That people that will be deceived, let 
them be deceived. Some will undertake to tell them, whether it is 
a Mans or Womans Water, their Disease, and whether they will die or 
live. 
Indeed in Halr-pissing, VVorm-pissing, (which Rondeletius saith, He 
would not believe, till he had once seen them) Stones, Gravel, Blood, 
yellow Urine, mucus or pus and such like; somewhat is shewen of the 
very thing that causeth the disease, but how it is seated in the Body, in 
what degree, and in what part, we are often to seek not withstand- 
ing. 
Hippocrates his Aphorisms of Prognosticks were pretty good, so much 
as he wrote thereof, and founded upon what he had experienced ; yet 
because we meet with such variety, we must not expect them to hold 
good (as to the plurality of them) in each other person that they con- 
cern ; tis well if in one in three they hold good ; and some of them will 
rarely be found true, because Hippocrates writ them from the Observa- 
tion of some one singular case we shall seldom see again, or especially to 
terminate so. 
We will here write a few Progostick Signs, that the Reader in read- 
ing other books may not be deceived in his understanding, or expect more 
then he shall find.
APHORISMS

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 33
APHORISMS.
I. Every Disease how dangerous and truculent soever, is not in all 
and at all times Mortal ; nor is any Disease so slight and trivial, but at 
sometimes in some it may lead to death. 
II. Rarely in any one sick person shall we find all Signs Mortal, ex- 
cept nigh death; nor rarely in any considerable sickness shall we finde all 
signs of health ; but we judge from the major number, and most con- 
siderable ones. 
III. That Disease that is slight and small at first, may be mortal at 
last, for that that in a remiss degree causeth sickness, in an extream may 
cause death, a minimis maxima, from the least beginnings are often great 
events; but we are in all cases to be sparing in Prædiction for Life or 
Death, for that is only in the fore-knowledge of God. 
IV. Some sicken one day and die the next; some have many Crises, 
and do hold out divers years; and some after a tedious sickness die, o- 
thers live; if we would prædict herein, the chief thing is, to tell whe- 
ther any of the principal Bowels are wasted, changed or corrupted, in all 
this while. 
V. All intermitting distempers (quoad intermissionem) are safer than 
confirmed and continued, because these shew Wind or Water, or some 
Fluxible matter, and that the parenchyma of no part, or mass of blood 
is much affected ; and also in the Intervals, Nature gets strength and 
relief, and the greater they be, the more. Furthermore it shews, that 
there are some Seeds in the Blood and Humors, that grow to maturity 
in such a time, and trasmute so much matter ; and then the spirits of a- 
nother nature to it, fight with it, raise a fermentation, and throw it off; 
and then Nature is quiet, till the remaining Seeds grow to maturity, 
and have infected much more matter. 
VI. Nature doth not observe that order or method of proceeding in 
Crises, as hath most generally been thought; but to some a Crisis is the 1st, 
to some the second, to others the third, fourth, fifth or sixth day ; and 
then, three, or four, or five, or six dayes after: nor do most that die, 
die in a fit, but for the most part after divers fits, which do not come at 
set times, nor are just of an equality, and of one manner; the sick die 
in calmness and setledness of mind, and as the Vulgar observe, do of- 
ten lighten before death ; And that is a bad sign, when the sick shall 
say, They are well, and feel no pain or ail, suddenly, and on no apparent 
cause, that were very sick & weak a little before. lndeed we see Feavers 
observe Crises or Paroxismes, and therefore call them intermitting Fea- 
E  vers


34 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
vers and Agues; and if there be any set fits or Crises in Fevers, they 
are of Nature to the former, though less apparant, which I think they 
call continual Tertians, Quartans, or Quotidians, and some have axacer- 
bations every seventh day, else I cannot find it verity any more than by 
accident, that they should have Crises on the third, seventh, eleventh 
and one and twentieth days of Acute Diseases, or in one of these : for 
the Crises are onely from the alteration of the Planets governing the 
Disease, and Moon, and those happen not so, or at any set times; there- 
fore some People in twenty four hours, grow extream sick like to 
to die, and have perhaps no more Critical fits of five or six days af- 
ter. 
VII. In all Diseases observe what was wonted to the Sick in health, 
those things are not so bad in sickness: every Disease so far as it differs 
from Nature, the worse; any thing that wont not to be in health is bad, 
or if it be in either extreme. 
VIII. If those things that should refresh, as sleep, ease, nourish- 
ment &c. make the worse after them, ’tis bad ; and joyned with other 
ill Symptoms may give suspicion of death. 
IX. There is no Disease but one time or another, in one or other, is 
cureable ; and there is no Disease so slight and momentless, but in some 
or other, at one time or other, it is incureable : yet though from Pra- 
ctices of Physick we reckon of onely so many and just such Diseases, 
yet there are many grand Alterations, Transmutations, Corruptions, 
Enfissures, Animification, Petrification, Apostemation, Adhæsion and 
Assumption of Parts and Bowels, that are commonliest in the begin- 
ning and lowest degree incureable : 
1. They are hard to be known by signs, and then fit Medicines are
not prescribed. 
2. The Medicines taken, come not nigh those parts. 
3. The Medicines are not long enough, or largely enough taken, 
though very proper. 
X. All Diseases of Malignity, wherein there is a separation of the 
infected matter in the Blood, from the Blood, if that recoils and sinks 
into the Blood again, it sheweth death, and rarely otherwise, if the 
matter have an high Heterogeneity to the quality of our Spirits consti- 
tuting our Vitality ; therefore few that have the Plague-Sores or Car- 
buncles that go in and fall flat, or in the Pox, but they die ; but in Flea- 
Spots, Red Gum, Spots of Children, Ring-Worms, Tetters, Impeti- 
go, &c. because the matter is not so contrary to our Blood and Humours;
if it fall back, or sink into the Blood, it kills not commonly : Yet Phy- 
sicians have gone on hugely blinded in these things; for whatsoever 
mat-


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 35
matter by Feaver and Fermentation is cast forth of the Blood by the 
Skin and Habitum Corporis, if it lie outwardly a few days, and the Par- 
ty sweat and be hot, the Spirits of that Humour that contain the quali- 
ty inimical to our nature, fly forth and exhale ; and then if the insipid 
and mild Blood or Humour be soaked up again, it doth no harm ; for Na- 
ture finding it purged of those high Antipathetick Spirits, receives it as 
a similar matter : Every thing, yea, Inanimate things, apply to, and 
draw to them things not agreeing in figure but quality, and things of 
contrary qualified Spirits put off and withdraw from one another; and 
lest any should think this opinional onely, (as most received Princi- 
ples are) we have related many found Experiments and Observations 
in our Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography , which 
none denying, all must confess, 
Silentia non negat. 
XI. In every Disease, Acute or Cronical, if a Dyspnæa or Asthma
supervene, it is an Evil Sign ; because we live by breathing, and be- 
cause the Heart, the Fountain of Life, wants fanning and blowing up, 
to keep the natural fire of our Bodies from dying or going out. 
XII. In all sicknesses, though there be no pains, no apparant ill sym- 
ptoms, and though all the Bowels seem firm, and the Party is pretty 
strong, yet if the Heart, the Fountain of Life, sink, and faint, and lan- 
guish, without intermissions, and the Spirits are depressed, be not too 
secure ; for the evil qualities of the malevolent Planets, raise the sick- 
ness, and destroy our Life in a Confused Disease, without any known 
Cause. 
XIII. In all Diseases wherein Deliriums, Fluxes of Blood, Vomit- 
ing, Loosness, Singultus, or great Appetite, do supervene, sometimes 
Death, sometimes Recovery suddenly terminates and ends that Dis- 
ease ; yet there is probability why Fluxes in some may cure, and lead 
to Death in others : for the same Signs and Accidents are not likely 
to signifie so bad in some Cases and Constitutions, as in others. 
XIV. If any one is inwardly afflicted, and seemingly in Noble 
Parts, and afterward he is outwardly afflicted , and in the Extremities 
or Superficies, usually it is looked upon as a good sign, and so indeed it 
is, unless it be an Expatiation of the Morbifick Matter, and not a 
Translation; for if withal the Inward and Nobler Parts are as much 
afflicted as before, when the Superficies and Extremities of the Body 
were not swoln, it is an Argument of Death, and weakness of Nature to 
repel.  
E2 XV.

36 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
XV. In prognosticating concerning any outward Humour, Abscess, 
or Flegm, we must consider whether is most in fault, the part affected, 
that being naturally or casually weakened, cannot repel; or being sti- 
mulated, doth violently draw ; or the foulness and fulness of the Body, 
that sends Matter and Humours to a part weaker than others: if the 
fault lies principally in a remote part that cannot repel, or else attracts, 
commonly it is not so bad as when the Blood is loaded with fæculent 
Humours, and doth there on heaps disgorge them, and makes it its 
Channel, thither to send its off-purgings; yet when both are together, 
the worse; therefore swelling of the Legs after Agues are often of 
troublesome consequence. 
XVI. In all Diseases the more the Spittle, Urine, Excrements and 
Sweat break forth in quantity or manner, contrary to Nature, and what 
those people used to have in health, so much the worse; and the more 
Winde, Flegm, and Water we see in the sick, the worse, because they 
shew defect in the Concoction, Heat, and free passage in the Bowels and 
Body. 
XVII. In all Diseases, where there are signs of no Bowel to be al- 
tered, or wasted, or corrupted, and that the mass of Blood is not affec- 
ed, there is great hope of cure, and that by vomiting, purging and open- 
ing : for Diseases that come from corruption of the Food, putrefaction 
of Humours, and Obstructions in the first ways, lie liable to have their 
Cause easily removed , and then the Effects cease : Tolle Causam, & 
cessat Effectus. It is a great piece of Art to distinguish inter similia; be- 
twixt unlikes every stupid man may discern: Windiness, gripings, inter- 
mitting pains, vomiting, loosness, unsavory belchings, breaking winde 
downwards, pursiness, clogging and short windedness, the colour, smell, 
and consistence of things cast out, and what is retained, shew Diseases 
in the first Ways, or Stomach, small Guts and great Ones, or Urinary 
passage. 
XVIII. Where in a sick Person we finde many Symptoms, some 
seeming to shew a Disease in one Part, some in another, some Sym- 
ptoms of long lasting, others of a sudden termination of the Disease; 
we must judge from the most and strongest, what and where the Disease 
is, and how and when it will cease ; also those Symptoms that last
longest, and without intermission, and that came first, are most  
significant.
XIX. Most Diseases that come from an outward, procatarctick and 
known Cause, commonly are most void of Danger, and sometimes by 
forbearing what they knew gave occasion to the rise of the Disease, are 
cured by Nature: In others, the knowing of what caused a Disease, 
gives

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 37
gives good grounds for the appropriation of Medicines to cure it: As 
the Vulgar use to say, A Disease well known, is half cured. 
XX. We are to consider the nature of the Bowels: for a Humour 
in such a part familiar thereto, is not so dangerous as in another part; 
witness Flegm in the Lungs, Winde in the Intestines: Stones, Iron, 
Bones, hard Things, Bullets, &c. in the Stomach, being things swal- 
lowed, and accustomed to the Stomach, are not so dangerous as in other 
Parts not accustomed thereto, and not having a capacity for, and ways 
to avoid, and the faculty to digest them ; in the Brain and Heart, be- 
cause they are the Nobler Parts and Seats of the Heat, Spirits, Motion 
and Sensation in us, those Humours that both for quantity and quality 
may not hurt in other parts, may in these kill; and in all Diseases of the 
Bowels, Blood, or Humours, we are chiefly to consider whether the quan- 
tity or quality most offend; for accordingly we must presage and metho- 
dize our Cure. 
These things are good for a Physician to know, and do hold true for 
the most part: but it is very frequent that we finde those that seeming- 
ly will not dye, to dye; and divers that seem by all Symptoms likely to 
dye, recover; yea, and some that are thought departing, and have their 
passing Bell rung, recover: thence is the Vulgar Proverb, So long as life, 
there is hope. 
We will here give the Reader one Example, whereby he may judge 
of others, and of the Cause and Current of many Diseases, after this 
manner; but the Stars shew more in Acute than Cronical Distem- 
pers. 
A Kinsman of mine, one Mr. Norton, a Minister of a Neighbour 
Town called Barton, falling sick about the beginning of August 1662, 
died August 15. in the morning, I drew a Scheam of his sickness, but 
had not the time of his Decumbiture, but found his sickness corre- 
spond exactly with the Scheam, according to the common Rules of A- 
strology : Cancer was upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the House of 
Sickness, a Sign that governs the Brest, and is Watery; and he was chiefly 
afflicted in his Brest, and much troubled with moisture and winde, and 
vomited : the Moon Lady of the Sixth being weak, and afflicted by Mars,
made him troubled with Choler ; Mercury was his Significator, 
Lord of the Third, being a Kisman, he was Retrogade in the sixth House, 
and nigh Combustion, going to it in his Retrograde Motion; that ar- 
gued him very weak, faint, and oppressed with heat, and so he was, yet 
not clearly a Feaver, as divers have; his Urine moderately high, he  
was given to sighing; when Mercury came to Cazimi with the Sun, 
he

39 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
he died not, but when the Moon, Lady of the House of Sickness, came
to a perfect Quartile Aspect with Mars, Lord of the House of Death, 
then died that Good Man: The night before he died, the Moon applied 
to a Sextile with Jupiter, and Trine with Mercury, and then he had Re- 
freshment, and they were in hopes of his Recovery ; but leaving 
those Aspects, she drew to an Aspect of Enmity with Mars, Lord of the 
Eighth, and then he suddenly changed. There were several Signs of 
his death ; Mercury his Significator, in the sixth House, Retrograde, un- 
der Combustion ; Mars Lord of the Eighth House, and Saturn there- 
in, and the Moon weak; Cancer upon the Sixth, being a moveable Sign, 
and Mars afflicting the Moon : There were some Tokens of the Jaun- 
dice sometimes, and he vomited Cholerick matter, and waterish; and 
though he took a vomit, it still lay at his Chest. 
6. Let us take notice of the Judicatations and Cure, both for Me- 
thod and Medicine, that the Ancients and Neotericks that follow them 
have set down : In Cacochymy, we must alter; in Phlethory, purge, and 
bleed, and sweat; in Cold, we must heat; and in Heat, cool; we must 
moisten the Dry, and dry the Moist : These are approved Philosophi- 
cal Rules, and are certainly true and good, quoad modum & gradum: 
Consideratis considerandis.
In the cure of all Diseases, we shall chiefly meet with two differen- 
ces, 1. Diseases of Quality, 2. of Quantity. 
Diseases of Quality are cured with, 1. Antidotes, 2. Specificals. 
Diseases of Quantity are cured with Vomiting, Purging, Bleeding, 
Sweating, and Diureticals; wherein are introduced Driers, Moistners, 
Heaters, Coolers, Openers and Stypticks. 
First. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quality, these things are 
most considerable ; That every peculiar quality must be opposed by a 
peculiar quality opposite to it: in our Bodies, in one or other, at one 
time or other, are most, if not all the qualities that are in the Earth, in 
Animals, Plants and Minerals; and we finde such a Plant agrees 
with scarce any man, and another agrees with this man, and not that ; 
it is because in the first Plant was a qualified Spirit Heterogenious to 
the common Nature of Mankind; in the second a quality there was He- 
terogenious onely to the peculiar qualification of the Humours in some 
Bodies: those that are used to take Poysons, take them harmlesly, be- 
cause their Blood is by the frequent use of those things changed into their 
nature, and so not being contraries do not fight; One thing is an Anti- 
dote for the Plague, because in it the Spirits are of an heterogenious and 
adverse quality to the quality that ferments our Blood; another thing
is 

A Monitory PROMæMIUM. 38
is an Antidote for the Pox, and kills the the venom or quality thereof, 
that is not so peculiarly opposite to the Pestilence; another killeth the 
quality of the Blood, and Juyces in the French Pox, that hath no adverse 
Spirit to the Small Pox : One thing is good in a malignant Pleurisie, 
Angina, or Peripneumonia, that doth no good in ordinary Quinzies or 
Pleurisies: Riverius did well observe that bleeding People of a malig- 
nant Disease, in one City all died ; in another, where the Disease seem- 
ed the same, all lived that were let blood : See Riverius his Accompt 
of Malignant and Pestilent Diseases, their Causes from the Stars, in 
Capite de Febre Pestilenti. 
What is the Reason in things Inanimate one kills and deads another, 
one draws one to it, and expels or draws back from another ? is it not 
the adverse and inimical qualities in them ? They that please to search 
our Physiology of Qualities, Sympathies and Antipathies, may finde ma- 
ny Examples and large Experiences thereof: So that it is a weakness in 
those that know not Nature or its variety, to conjecture such Effects 
come about from the form or figure of things, and correspodent pores in 
things that receive the Attoms of such a figure. 
We read of two Thebane Princes, Eteocles and Polynices, two Brothers, 
who bore one another a deadly hatred in their Life-time, and fighting a 
Duel they killed one another ; and according to the manner of the Gre- 
cians were to be burnt to Ashes, to keep their Ashes Monumentally in 
a Pot, and so never bury them in the ground as we do; their Bodies be- 
ing both laid in one fire together, the flame divided, and went up in 
two tops, so that their dead and senceless Bodies seemed discontented 
to lie together, who in life had so hated one another. 
Without doubt many acute, malign, and confused sicknesses, would 
be best, easiliest and certainliest cured by Plants of that Planet that are 
antipathetical to the Planet that is found to cause the Disease ; also by 
Sympathy, that way Plants may cure ; as, take an Herb of Venus to cure 
a Disease caused by Mars.
I wish Physicians would take notice how many ordinary illiterate 
People cure Diseases frequently with one Trifle or small Simple, when 
they with their Methods and many Compositions, Intrinsicks and Ex- 
trinsicks, fail to do it: often they give but one Medicine or two, the vir- 
tue of it, and that a Simple for the most part; witness the cure of ma- 
ny Gripings, Pains and Stitches, which they cure commonly and pre- 
sently with Acorns, or Stich-Holly, or Powder of refined Rosin; Jaun- 
dice they cure easily and oft with Specificals , as, Lice, Saffron, or 
Turnerick, Earth-Worms, or Chelidone-Roots : Dropsies they cure 
without such Methods and several Intentions without compositions, and 
multi-

40 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
multiplication of them, with Horse-Radish-Roots, Eldern or Dane- 
wort, flower-de-luce-Roots, or Guaiacum : Agues they cure easilier 
and speedilier with Camphir hung about their Necks, than with all 
the Methods and Compositions Physicians use commonly : So with de- 
coction of Five-leav’d-Grass, or decoction of Herbigrass, Feaverfuge, 
and Centuary, or any one of them, do the Vulgar, thrice given be- 
fore their fits, oft drive away Agues; or with Yarrow, Plantain and Net- 
tles bruised, and laid to their Wrists, or Garlick and Gunpowder, be- 
cause these are Specificals. Almost in all Diseases of quantity, is a pecu- 
liar nature and qualification of the morbid Humour : What variety is 
there in the Method of Physicians? and how in one Distemper let se- 
ven or eight unknown to one another, be set to prescribe, and they will 
variously direct, not onely for Medicines but Method ; one will think 
purging requisite, another not; he may rather approve of vomiting; 
this may be against it, and hold bleeding most requisite ; another is a- 
gainst all evacuation, and holds onely alteration good: another he is 
for Astrological Cure, and sees what Planet gave the distemper , and 
uses an Herb of an Enemy Planet to cure by Antipathy, or of an Ami- 
cal Planet to cure by Sympathy ; yet we may find some Herbs under the 
dominion of such a Planet, very improper; but a wise Physician will 
take those that are proper for the Disease, sua Natura: One or two 
Specificals that sure and tried Experience manifest, do more than large
Compositions hodge-podge, and mish-mash, and Chaos’s of Simples. 
I wonder, not onely the common People, but Physicians, and in other 
respects wise ones, that they should idolize Mithridate, Venice Trea- 
cle, and Mathiolus his Antidote, &c. large Miscelanies of all together, 
that were intended to be good for every thing, and special for no- 
thing. 
I ask whether Compositions have Virtues that none of the Simples 
have? If they receive their Virtue from the Simples, then he that 
knows the nature of the Simples, may best judge the force, and nature, 
and dose of the Composition. I ask whether every Simple doth not 
retain its virtue and force ? if not, why were they put in ? if they do, 
then are there contradictions, to insist onely on Mithridate , by which 
all others may be judged after that manner. If any give it for the Head, 
it must be because some of the Simples, or most, are good therefore, and 
thence the composition receives its virtue ; Fennel Seed, Oil of Nut- 
megs, and Castorium are appropriated thereto, & what are these to forty 
other things improper, in a dram of Mithridate ? very few, if any grains 
of these are therein, and were they not the stronger given alone in due 
quantity ? 
Beside,

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 41 
Beside if we intend to help a stupid distemper of the Brain by Mithri- 
date, because in it are Peppers, Stæchas, Castorium, Fennel Seeds, Ol. 
Nucistæ, &c. do we not do more hurt by the Opium that is in Mithri- 
date ? What Disease may not some of the Simples be proper for ? and 
what Disease is the whole Compound fit for ? be not Agarick, Opopa- 
nax, Ornis and Asarabacca-Roots purging? Hypochystis, Acatia, red 
Rose Leaves, Frankinsence and Storax binding ? Turpentine, Cassia 
Lignea, Scordium, Fennel Seeds, Acorus, Saint Johns Wort, Valeri- 
an, are somewhat opening; and Cinamon, Spicknard, and Celtica , 
Gum Arabick, red Rose Leaves, Opium, Acatia, Hypocistis, &c. stop 
up and bind, hinder all Fluxes, and stop and indurate the Humours ; 
some are violently hot, as the sorts of Peppers, Acorus, Myrrh, Saf- 
fron, Ginger, and Mustard Seed, Castorium, Cardamoms, Cubebs, 
Opopanax, &c. and Opium withstands them all; so that if they are gi- 
ven in a cold Disease, because most are hot, Opium adds to the Disease; 
if an hot Disease, because Opium stops motion the producer of heat, the 
other will inflame ; so that it can be given no way to do good, but ano- 
ther way it may do harm : some things are proper in any Disease, and 
some improper in any Disease : in Contraries must needs be contradicti- 
on : besides, some are proper for one part, some for another, so that 
the Composition is peculiar to none ; Some are Arthritical, as Costus, 
Fennel Seeds, Castor, Ginger, Stæchas, Acorus; some Pectoral, as 
Styrax, Gum Arabick, Saffron, Myrrh, and red Rose Leaves ; some 
Hysterical, as Galbanum, Opopanax, Sagapen, Opium and Castori- 
um; some are Hepatical, as Gentian, Asarabacca, Orris and Cassia 
Lignea ; some are breaking Wind, or Carminative, as Cubebs, Car- 
damoms, Peppers, Castorium, Acorus, Anise and Fennel Seed, &c. 
and Opium contradicts all; for that, besides other things, makes the Me- 
dicine unfit in Windy Distempers. This clearly confutes those that 
make one Medicine to be proper for all Diseases, when each quality 
doth only oppose its contrary. 
I ask whether one ounce of Castor, or of Galbanum, or of Valerian 
Roots, given alone, would not do more, then to mix either of them 
with four times so much of that that is improper, and then give but one 
ounce for a dose ? 
I know divers may flie to that false Ayslum or refuge, Experience in 
this case touching Mithridate: I have observed it, and nothing is done 
by it, but such as in all likelyhood Nature would have effected, or else it 
makes no mutation at all commonly, or people grow worse : Tradition 
is the only plea, not experience ; for experience, not phantasically and 
conceitedly taken, will not vindicate it; but abundance of Composi- 
F  tions


42 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
tions have we generally received in several Dispensatories, only messes 
of altogether ; and how rediculously are they composed and multiply- 
ed ? We should read to judge, not to learn of Tradition in such cases, 
when we think our selves fit to practise ; for Tradition doth many times 
consent only in dissenting; he that only reads, and remembers what  
he hath read, to go by, and to justifie his practice, is not fit to be a Phy- 
sician ; but he that can demonstrate all his proceedings upon grounds 
and accounts of his own ; for what he remembers he hath read, is ano- 
ther mans wit, none of his ; and he shall hardly find three Patients in 
ten that he can tell how to compare to Practical Chapters of Physick 
touching Diseases ; and if he hath no ground of his own to regulate Au- 
thors, he may go to a wrong Chapter, as well as a right. I have used 
to charge Compositions well with the Specificals I trusted to, and to 
have a great care they were in their full force and virtue ; for other 
things that are but sweetners and Vehicles, it is no great matter what 
virtue they have: I have chiefly trutsed to Simples commended by Ger-
rards and other Herbals, for they were experienced good in such Di-
stempers they are praised ; also I drew out all the choice Remedies for
Simples I could find in those Authors I had, and such I did affect to use 
for Compositions : he that knoweth good Simples, may make good Com- 
positions. Yet even in Diseases of Contagion and epidemical, we must 
take away Impediments, else our Alexipharmicalls will not take place. 
In some vomiting is good to clear the Stomach, which may hinder our 
Cure; so the foulness, stoppages, and putrified Matter in the small or 
great Guts, must be took away by Lenitives in Malignant Diseases, else 
such Impediments will hinder the taking place of other things ; So it is 
apparent in Chyrurgery, that the Chyrurgions Office is only to take a- 
way Natures Impediments; he cannot heal, Nature doth that: the 
Similar and Homogenious parts in Ulcers and Wounds desire to unite, 
were the Impediments took away, as is Foulness, Sanies, Apostema- 
tion, Sarcosis or Excrescent Flesh, Pain, Swelling, Heat, Inflama- 
tion, and Afflux of Humours. There are some Medicines indeed glew- 
ing and glutinative, but these cannot heal, but draw together the Lips 
of Wounds, and so united parts grow together ; yet also they glutinate 
and draw up Orifices of corrupted sores, and so the bottom being foul, 
a worse is made, and an hollow Ulcer ; so that nothing properly can 
be termed an Healer, only they all do their Office, some one way, some 
another, to take away Natures Impediments: all the best Medicines 
in the world shall not cure some Ulcers, especially, not till such a 
time, and then perhaps a trivial thing, of Nature on her own accord 
will do it; for if we strive when Nature is not disposed, in all Diseases
we

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 43 
we do nothing, Nature alone will do more: the Stars are a principal 
cause ; for if any one be wounded or bruised at such or such a time, he 
will not be healed of a long time, and till that time come all our Arts 
and Remedies never so choice shall not avail; and when the time is 
come, an old Womans Plaister, or some petty thing chances to cure 
it. In some tumors no suppurating Plaister or Oyntment will make them 
ripen that are not naturally, specially at that time, disposed to ripen and 
suppurate ; and in others, no discussing or dissolving Topicalls will hin- 
der them from ripening ; so that if we chance not to light of the right 
time, and to assist Nature in that way she is disposed and inclined ; yet 
in many tumors, specially if we wait, in some longer, in some a shorter 
time, Discussion is made by Discutients, and Suppuration by Matura- 
ters ; because Nature was thereto suaptè inclined or disposed, or else 
did stand neuter; and so by outward force, as by a weight put into Scales 
that were even, the Ballance was turned. 
In Exanthemata and most Eruptions & Tumors, the proper way next 
to sweating is, to use Topicalls, εìς diαοòρnσν, to open the Pores, and 
let out the evil Quality or Heterogenious Spirit of the Diseased Matter, 
specially in malign Pustules and Tumors; for the malign Quality be- 
ing evaporated by insensible Transpiration, the Mass left is insipid and 
void of Heterogeneity,and so is sucked up again by the Veins, and recei- 
ved by the Blood; for inimicalls love not to be joyned together. 
I have observed in the use of Dialthea Oyntment, Oyl of Lillies, of 
sweet Almonds, and some like hereto, that swellings anointed here- 
with, make their dimensions and extensions the larger, specially if we 
do anoint farther then the swelling reaches, and before the matter is 
fixed, while it is fluxible and thin,; for though these Diaphoreticalls 
and Emollients are very proper to let out the fiery sharp or Inimical 
Spirits of the humour that caused the Blood to separate it, and throw 
it off upon a part weakest, and that could not repel,and nighest; yet they 
loosen the subjected flesh, and make the capacity larger for the humor 
to swim in, and the skin to be distended ; yet we must not look any 
thing should happen alike in all ; we are sure the Medicines have al- 
wayes such virtues, and connatural operations; but the difference is in 
the Body, and there is agreement only as to disagreement; yet we may 
properly say, (denommatio sumitur a majori) that such is the ordinary 
course of Nature, that happens most frequently amongst so many vari- 
eties and diversities. 
Reader, what ever I deliver, that I do not prefix or annex to it, I
think, I think, It is probable, or the like, thou mayest take for a sure 
F2  and


44 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and found Truth ; for I have not given my self to believe Tradition or 
any Opinions of men, but have judged them, and brought them to the 
Bar of sure Experience; and where I could not find two or three good 
and infallible witnesses in Nature for them, I rejected them, especial- 
ly if the course of Nature in other things did not harmonize and hold 
therewith. 
I do not desire any man should believe any thing because I believe it; 
let him believe the Experiences, Examples and Histories that men have 
in divers Ages and Countreys consentaneously writ; no projects of 
their own Brain, nor Imaginations; for that hath spoiled all Learning 
every where, because men will not contemplate the works of GOD, 
and know all the Secrets and Varieties in the wonderful course of Na- 
ture, the real effects of a GOD. How would men agree in all Points 
of Religion, and of Opinion concerning GOD, and how He is to be 
worshipped, what He is, and wherefore He made this World, and the 
Office of Man, did they truely and really (void of all fond Concepti- 
ons and Imaginations) adhere to the course of Nature, and search her ? 
Doubtless God did not give a Rational Faculty to Man, to deceive and 
entrap him ; and we see what one Eye apprehends black or white, ano- 
ther doth ; and what one Pallate tastes sweet, another doth; and what 
one Eat hears found shrill or loud, another doth ; and what one Nose
smells unsavory, another doth ; and what one Hand touches hard or soft, 
the Hand of another feels it so ; I mean purely according to Nature : 
Then let us conclude these things are all true, and really so, that the u- 
niversal Nature of Man consents to own and approve of ; and that o- 
ther things are questionable, and must be brought to the Bar of sure Ex- 
perience, to be tried ; for GOD gave us not our Senses, Hearing, See- 
ing, Smelling, Feeling, and Tasting, to deceive, and entrap, and con- 
found us: All mankind might be satisfied in one Religion, as well as 
in unanimity in Philosophy, were things cleared, that one mans Eye 
might see them as well as another ; no man surely would deny Experi- 
ence, that he could both see, hear, feel, taste, or smell himself : So the 
Doctrine of Spirits is writ by the experience of many men; and did not 
the self-same things happen in our Age and Countrey, we might 
distrust tradition : When we hear men say they saw such things them- 
selves, and they were addicted to no fond belief, and in all other things 
staid and prudent, we may have reason to believe them.  
2. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quantity, we might say some- 
what, whereof hath partly been spoken before ; and touching Vomit- 
ing, Purging, Bleeding, Sweating, and Ureticks, we have spoke in our 
Book of Nosology, in our Physiology and Jatrosophy whether we refer 
the


45 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
the Reader: yet because we did not there describe the Humours to be 
purged, and their diversity and nature, so that the Reader might sin- 
cerely and throughly apprehend the Truth of those four Humours, 
Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy, we shall discourse a little 
thereof here. 
I do allow, with the Ancients and Neotericks, that the Humours of 
the Body may be called properly, Φλέγκμ, Flegm, Χολή, Choler, udωg,
Water, υελαyχολiα from μsλæν, black, and Χολή, Choler, Melancholy, 
or black Choler: But that the Reader may know the truth, we shall 
give these Exceptions: 
First, That the Names are onely Figments and Phancies of 
Men. 
Secondly, That Nature observes no Method or Order herein, 
as, that that Humour that is not Flegm , must be Melancholy ; 
or that that is not truely Melancholy, according to Physicians 
Description thereof, must be Water ; and that Humour that cor- 
responds not with either of these , according to Ancient Rules 
and Authorities, must be Choler ; There is no such thing in 
Nature. As for Example : Melancholy by its Name sigifies 
black Choler ; by their Attributes it must be black, and a kind 
of Choler, it must be fluid and thin ; by the taste, say they, 
tart; by nature of mutation, Scirrhous, and apt to grow fæcu- 
lent : I answer, We may finde an Humour that is black , and 
very bitter; in the one it accords with Melancholy, in the o- 
ther with Choler ; what then shall we call it ? Another Hu- 
mour is found black, thin like Water, not coagulative ; what 
shall we call this ? also sweet in taste, so that the taste agrees 
with Flegm, the consistence with Water, the colour with Melan- 
choly. So in the generality. 
Thirdly , Why should we give Names to Humours, and those
naturally to be so qualified, when we finde not so in the course 
of Nature, not as a Rule, onely as a Contingent and Accident ? 
For suppose any Physician should open a Mans Head, or other 
Part, and finde therein the cause of his Death to be a gellied 
Water, black, stinking, and insipid ; must we therefore write 
of all mankinde, there is an Humour in all Bodies which we 
thus call, which is gellied, black, stinking and insipid, when we may ne- 
ver find exactly the same again ? For in another that is dissected, we 
may find the blackness of an humour, but not the absence of taste ; or 
the gelliedness of an humour, and not the blackness ; or the stinking of 
an humour, and not the gelliedness :  and so it is as purely accidental 
that

46 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
that we meet with Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy in the Bow- 
els, especially Choler and Melancholy, just as they describe: Water in 
the bellies of Hydropicks agrees the most together, and in all may pro- 
perly be called Water; yet in some it is thicker, in others thinner; in 
some clear, in others yellow, in others blackish; in some stinking, in 
others sweet, in some bloody; so that it is hard to say whether it is 
waterish Blood, or bloody Water: and in other parts of the Body, Wa- 
ter (if it be good to use such a general name to express our selves) differs 
more, so that it is hard to say whether it be waterish Choler, or a chole- 
rick Water ; or a waterish Flegm, or a flegmatick Water; or a water- 
ish Melancholy, or melancholy Water : They that intend to be sais-
fied in Truth alone, and to acquiesce therein, had best build their Faith 
on sure Foundations, and read Observations, Anatomies and Dissecti- 
ons, and consider all from what they can experience, or what many others 
have experienced, not conjectured.
I think it the best way to teach any, to let them read onely Observa- 
tions, and Experiences, and Similitudes, and therefrom, with their own 
consideration, and comparing one thing with another, make general 
Rules and Tenents in Philosophy. What man can imagine (that did ne- 
ver experience himself, or read, or hear it to have been experienced) 
that there is such variety in fire ? that some fire will burn and not be 
seen ; and some look like flame, and yet not burn ; that some should be 
quenched with Oyl, and kindled with Water; that some should burn in 
the depth of the Earth, and in the Sea, and in Lakes ; that Wood rub- 
bed together should burn ; that Fire should be procured from a Glass of 
Water set in the Sun, Toe laid betwixt, and many such things: It is not 
fit men should write of a thing, that know little thereof, onely conje- 
cturally ; for therein men lose their time and pains, and cannot assert 
any thing but from such a mans ita dixit, or ipse dixit, or so many men 
are of that minde, when by experience the thing might be put out of 
all dispute.
Of 

47 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Of the New Method, or Astrologo-
Physical Way of Studying and Practi-
sing Physick. 
In all sick Parties, more notice is not to be taken of the sick Parties
Information, than of the Position of the Heavens at the time of
the Parties falling sick, or when his Decumbiture and first lying
down was or when grievous Symptoms did arise: if this time
cannot be taken, then the Physician must draw a Scheam of the Hour
and Minute he was first sent for in, and wherein the Parties Urine was
brought, and the Question made from the Sick, and Advice taken
first.
The Physician in this Scheam must consider the Lord of the Ascen-
dant, or first house, to be significator of Sick; and the Lord of the
sixth House, to be Significator of the Sickness; the Lord of the Seventh
personates the Physician, and Lord of the Tenth the Medicine or Phy-
sick. 
Yet if the sick Party enquire not himself, the Lord of the Ascendant
shall signifie the Enquirer or Querent; and if it be a Brother that is
sick, the Lord of the third House shall be his Significator, or for a Neigh-
bour ; if a Father be sick, the Lord of the Fourth; if a Wife, the Lord
or Lady of the Seventh ; if a Child, the Lord or Lady of the fifth house;
and so as to other Relations, according to Astrological Rules, too tedi-
ous here to go thorow ; yet I alwayes thought the Lord of the Ascen-
dant to have, in all figures a great signification.
The Moon in all figures, especially of Diseases, hath great signi-
cation, though she be neither Lady of the Ascendant, Sixth, Eighth, or
Tenth House.
In Scheams for the Sick, the principal Significators of the Sick, and
his Disease, and the Moon, if they be in the first House, or first sign
Aries, afflicted, they signifie the Sick is afflicted in the Head, or some
part thereof, as Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Face, &c.
If in the second House, or in the second Sign Taurus, they shew Dis-
eases

48 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
eases in the Neck and Throat, as, Struma’s, Kings Evils, and melan- 
choly sicknesses; but the Lord of the Sixth, the Sign thereof, and the 
Moon, must chiefly shew what the sickness is. 
The principal Significators in the third Sign and House, chiefly shew 
ails in the Arms, Shoulders or Hands; and Gemini shews distempers of
blood, in what House soever. 
In the fourth Sign and House, the Stomach, Brest and Lungs are affe- 
cted ; Cancer gives scabbedness and waterishness. 
In the fifth House, and in Leo, the Party is afflicted in the Back and 
Loins, or Heart, or about the Ribs; and Leo shews Choler, or too much 
high Blood. 
The sixth House, and Sign Virgo, shews distempers in the Mesentery 
and Abdomen-Guts, and first Ways ; Virgo is melancholick, and gives 
Fluxes and Windiness. 
The Lord of the Ascendant, of the sixth House, and Moon, in the se- 
venth House, and seventh Sign Libra, shew the Disease is in the Kidneys 
or Loins, in the Buttocks or Groin and Privities; Libra gives heats 
and surfeits, and venerious distempers. 
In the eighth House and eighth Sign Scorpio, shew affects in the Pri- 
vities, Anus, and Share, in the Huckle-bones and Buttocks; Scorpio 
sometimes shews Piles, Stone in the Bladder and Tenasmus. 
The ninth House and Sign Sagitary, the Hips, and Hams, and But- 
tocks are affected: Sagitary gives Itchy fistulous corruption, and Scia- 
tica’s. 
In the tenth House and tenth Sign Capricorn, the Knees and Hams, 
and upper Leg is affected : Capricorn oft gives outward blemishes, and 
those from Melancholy. 
In the eleventh House and eleventh Sign Aquaris, the Skin, Legs and 
Anckles are amiss. 
In the twelfth House and Sign pisces, the Anckles, and Feet, and 
Toes are afflicted. Judge by other Signs the nature of the Dis- 
ease. 
It cannot be expected that in all or in many figures we should finde 
the first Sign Aries, on the Cusp of the Ascendant, or Taurus on the 
Second, or Gemini on the Third; therefore we must judge from the 
greater probability ; for there will be great alteration in all Scheams: 
nor must we expect to finde often the Lord of the Ascendant, or Signi- 
ficant of the diseased man, the Lord of the sixth House or of his Sick- 
ness, and the Moon, all in one Sign or House; but we must judge from 
the greater probabilities ; two are greater than one, and the Lord of 
the Sixth is most significant, as to the part afflicted; the Sign he is in,
and

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 49 
and the Sign that descends on the sixth House,and the Degrees of those, 
chiefly shew the part or parts afflicted ; compare the Sign the Moon is 
in with these. 
In the next place (having found out the part affected) we must see how 
it is affected, or what the cause is ; and therein we must consider, First, 
the nature of the Sign that is upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the 
House of Sickness, and also the nature of the Sign that ascends, which 
is somewhat, though less considerable, than the Sign of the sixth. 
If Aries descend on the sixth, it shews the Sickness fiery and hot and 
cholerick: Aries shews Pushes, Wheals, smarting Pimples, Tooth- 
ach, Headach, Noli me tangere, Ring-worms, &c. 
Taurus is an earthy cold dry melancholy Sign ; and that shews, 
Kings-Evils, Wenns, Fluxes of Rheum, Quinzies bastard, Apo- 
stems. 
Gemini is an airy, hot, moist and sanguine Sign; it shews Putrescence 
of the Blood, Windiness, distemper of the Judgement and Phan- 
tasy. 
Cancer is a Tropical Sign, the only House of the Moon, waterish, cold
moist and Flegmatick; its shews upon the sixth in a Disease, a cold Sto- 
mack, abounding of Flegm, Pthysicks and Catarrhs, Coughs, Dropsies, 
waterish Apostemations, Cancers in the Dugs or Paps, and other Infir- 
mities of those parts it governs. 
Leo is the only House of the Sun, its nature is hot, dry, cholerick, and 
accordingly signifies Inflamations, specially in those parts it governs, 
Pleurisies and Side Pains, Back Pains and Oppression of the Heart and 
Spirits by heat, Heart-panting and Burning Feavers, and Malignant 
Affects, Feaverish Jaundices, &c. 
Virgo is an earthy, cold, melancholy Sign; it signifies Wind, cold 
Cholicks, Stoppages, Worms, Engendring of Stones, Observations of 
the Meserick Veins, &c. 
Libra is an airy hot moist and sanguine Sign; it signifies Stones m 
the Reins and Bladder, Heat and Putresence of a retained Matter in 
the Back, Loins, and Groin, Infirmities of the Ureters and Urinary Pas- 
sage, exulceratious pissing of Blood. 
Scorpio is a cold watery and flegmatick Sign, and accordingly shewes 
Diseases, as Fistula’s, Dropsies, Gonorrhæs, cold Apostems, and 
moist Exulcerations, Flegmatick Swellings, and Obstructions therefrom 
in the lowest parts of the Belly, Diseases also specially of flegm and 
moisture in Utero et Pudendis : yet it is a token also of Child-bearing 
and fruitfulness. 
Sagitary is of the fiery Triplicity, hot dry and cholerick; it shews 
G  Putrescence

50 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Putrescence of the Blood in those parts it governs, whence may be sharp 
Exanthemata, and fiery Swellings, Itches, Inflamations and Aposte- 
mations, from a separation or corrupted and hot Blood thrown off upon 
those parts, which according to the degree and nature of it, and the 
qualification and strength and disposition of that part to receive, some- 
times this, sometimes that, sometimes more, sometimes less. 
Capricorn upon the sixth, shewes a Disease cold dry earthy and 
melancholy; from hence may be judged,that the party is diseased much 
about his Knees, and that there is some swelling pain or breaking out 
from some earthy cold and melancholy humour, or else it doth concrete: 
But we cannot stand so long as to describe the tenth part requisite for 
the Physician to know, he must first study Astrology, and therein he may 
be informed of many other things ; adjoyning thereto the knowledge 
of the Humours, and their various Motions, Mutations, increase and 
decrease, also, the Vessels and the Parts, and their natural Offices and 
life, and which way aptest to be spoiled, or most capable of Corruption. 
Aquaris is an airy, sanguine, hot and moist sign, governing the Legs 
and Ancles. Hence may be guessed, if upon the sixth House, or the 
Lord of the sixth or Moon be therein, that the party is there (however in 
other parts besides afflicted, and that there are varices or goutish 
windy Pains or Swellings, or Lameness, or Cramps, &c. of that na- 
ture ; but it requires abundance of curiosity, more certainly and accu- 
rately to describe particulars, 
Pisces, is cold, moist and flegmatick, shewing Gouts, Lameness, Fleg- 
Flematick Swellings, Dropsies of the Feet, Chilblanes, Phlyttenaaquofa, 
Flegmatick Apostemations, &c. of like nature. 
Now for the Planets, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, 
Luna. 
Saturn, characterized, Lord of the Ascendant, in a Scheme that is 
drawn at the decumbiture of the Sick ; denotes the Person of the Sick, 
and that he is of a cold earthy dry melancholy Constitution, or incli- 
ned more or less thereto ; Lord of the sixth House, the House of Sick- 
ness, it argues the Disease to be in that part, that the Sign he is in prin- 
cipally governs, compared with the Sign desceding upon the Cusp of 
the sixth; and observe the Degrees he is in in that Sign, for accordingly 
the chief Grief is higher or lower in that part; also by natural sympa- 
thy he principally rules the Spleen: These things considered,and that he 
is Cronical, portending Diseases of long time, Astrologers have ob- 
served, that all Impediments in the right Eare, and Teeth, that Quar- 
tane Argues, all dry and melancholy Distempers, Lepra and Elephanti- 
asis, Palsies, Tremblings, loss of Hearing, Carus and Coma, Sopor and 
Stupor

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 51 
Stupor, Gouts, vain Fears, Ruptures that grow Scirrhous, Dog Hun- 
ger, Hæmorrhoids, &c. of like nature proceed from Saturn. 
Jupiter ♃, signifies, when he personates the sick party, that he is 
moderately hot constitutioned, abounding with blood, and if well dig- 
nified, that is, of very good inclinations of mind, affable and grateful : 
When he is Lord of the sixth House, and personates the Disease accor- 
ding to the Sign he is in that principally governs such a part, and the 
Sign upon the sixth, there chiefly the Sickness lyes, and the Sign that the 
Moon is in; yet Jupiter peculiarly governs the Liver, and the venal 
Blood in that part may be inflamed, or apostemated, or break forth: 
he is observed to cause most Diseases that arise from Putrefaction of 
the Blood, Pleurissies, Inflamation of the Lungs & Liver, heart-beating 
from Blood offending in quantity or quality, Qunizies, Pains in the 
back, because he governs Leo, Putrid Feavers, &c of like quality. 
Mars, characterized ♂, Lord of the Ascendent, or that House that 
shewes the person of the sick ; shewes his temperament to be hot and 
dry, cholerick, and of a fiery angry mind.  
When he signifies the Disease, he shews the Jaundice ; he chiefly by 
Homogeneity of Nature, governs the Gall: Also Astrologians ascribe 
to him these Diseases, Evils of the left Ear, Tertian Feavers, Megrims, 
Carbuncles & Pestilent Agues, Malign & Epidemical feavers,Fistula’s, 
Ringworms, St Anthonies Fire, sharp and cholerick Eruptions, Boiles 
and Exanthemata, Wounds, Cuts, Burnings, Scalds, Passions of the 
Mind, as Anger, Fury, Frenzies, Deliriums, and others consonant and 
deducing their cause from Choler. 
Sol, or the Sun, the Fire and Light of this World, is characterized 
thus, ☉, he sympathises by Homogeneity of Nature with the Heart, 
the Microcosmical Sun; and as the greater of like nature by sympathy 
or similiar attraction, influences upon the less, so the Sun upon the 
Heart of Man. The Solar Man is hot and dry, but more temperate than 
Mars ; he shews fault in the Arterious Blood and Heart, as Palpitation 
and Syncope, vitiated or defective Sanguification : If the Sun be Lord of 
the sixth and very weak,and afflicted by Saturn, judge the Seeds of San- 
guification are almost extinguished. Mans right Eye is given to the Sun, 
and Womens left : therefore in Infirmities of the Eyes, the Sun is 
to be considered : The Sun shews in all Figures, but more where he is 
a significator, Strength or Weakness of the Vital Spirits ; and though a 
Man hath many and great Enemies, yet so long as he is strong to keep 
them out or over-power them, it is nothing ; bur where Nature is weak, 
and can make no resistance, a little thing dejects her. 
Venus is thus characterized, ♀ : The Ancients called her, Cytherea,  
G2  Aphrodite, 

52 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Aphrodite, Vesperugo, Phosphorus, Ericina; she chiefly signifies Diseases 
ofnthe Matrice and Privities ; in scroto et testiculis, the Lues Venerea, 
Gonorrhœa, Priapismus, Tengio, Satyriasis, Coitionis Munera, belong 
to her, specially if her Sign Libra is on the sixth House ; If Taurus, be- 
cause that shewes Diseases in the Neck, descends on the sixth, she shews 
watery or flegmatick Apostemations in the Neck or Throat, bastard 
Quinzies, Rheumatick Swellings, Flegmatick Kernels, or Venereal 
Exulcerations; Lady of the Ascendant, she shews the Temperance of 
the Sick or Querent to be moist, flegmatick, and something inclined to 
Sanguine; if well dignified, she shewes good Conditions, Mirth, a lo- 
ving and pittiful Nature. 
☿ Mercury follows next, the least of all the Planets, who alwayes ac- 
companies the Sun ; the furthest distance is 27 degrees : he of all the 
Planets is only a Neuter, neither Masculine or Feminine, but as he is 
joyned to a Male or Female ; he chiefly rules the Tongue & Language, 
Wit and Eloquence : when he is ill dignified, if a material significator, 
the Sick is in danger to be light-headed, but more or less as it may be, 
Madness, Lethargies, Phrensies, dull memory, Giddiness, Hoarsness, 
Coughs, Imaginary Sicknesss, Dumbness, Stammering, Numbness, &c. 
are given to him as the Causer and Signifier. 
☽ the Moon is chiefly considerable concerning Sicknesses, though 
she is neither Lady of the Ascendant, or sixth House, or Significatrix of 
the person of the Sick, nor Lady of the eighth, the House of Death; she 
shwes much how the Disease will change ; and it is much to be consi- 
dered who she applies to, and from whom she separates, her Dignity, 
and the Nature of the Sign, and House she is in ; she signifies Water in 
the Head, that may cause Stupor Tremor, Palsies, Apoplexes, Verti- 
go’s, Epilepsies, Lunasie, Convulsions, Madness and Dullness, as the 
Water is milder or sharper, hotter or colder, more vellicating or nar- 
cotical qualitied; she by her Sign Cancer governs the Breasts, she causeth 
Dropsies, Water-bladders, Rheumatismus, Catarrhs & Coriza, Rheums 
of the Eyes, in the left of Men, and right of Women when she repre- 
sents the sick Person, she shews his Temper, cold moist and phlegma- 
tick ; she signifies Diseases changeable ; Mercury Diseases fixed, Sa- 
turn Diseases most cronical, Mars acute Distempers, the Sun and Ju- 
piter acute, but less acute than Mars; Venus shewes Diseases cronical 
and more mild, but these alter and vary as they are dignified and posi- 
ted, and in conjunction with such or such, and as they are in fixed move- 
able or common Signs. 
Concerning Crises in Diseases, Hippocratists and Galenists, set the
third

53 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
third or fourth day, the seventh, the ninth, the twelfth and fourteenth, 
doubling three or four, and so to twenty one, for critical dayes; but 
experience finds truth in somewhat else: indeed in many Sicknesses, 
which therefrom we call Agues, or intermittent Feavers ( every Ague 
is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague ;} the Crises come once 
a day, that we call a Quotidian, or twice in 24 hours, that we call a 
double Quotidian, or when one Crisis or Fit is off, strait succeeds ano- 
ther ; another hath a double tertian, viz., a Crisis twice in three dayes, 
that a first had it but once in that term. A Paroxysme truly considered, 
is nothing but a Crisis ; and there are no other certain legitimate and 
methodical Crises; another hath a fit but once in four dayes, that we call 
a Quartane, or two dayes sick, one well; which therefore the vulgar 
call A third days Ague ; another every fifth or seventh day is sick ; and 
now in these I allow, the Galenical Crises,but not in common acute and 
not feaverish Distempers, as continual Tertians, Quotidians and 
Quartanes ; for the Quality of the morbifick Humour may be such, that 
it may make one sick every day, and yet a fit comes but once in three 
or four, where in is Exacerbation ; and here continual Feavers differ
from intermitting, because in the Crises or Paroxysms of continual Fea- 
vers, the infected Matter is not thoroughly expelled ; in pure intermit- 
tings it is, only the Seed of such a nature, lies in the Blood that trans- 
mutes in two or three dayes as much more morbid Matter, which the 
Blood perceives, and ferments to separate, and doth effectually by 
Sweat, Urine, Vomit, or Exanthemata do it. The word κρίσis comes 
from κρίνω to judge : And Avicen faith, Crisis est velox motus mor-
bi ad salutem, vel ad mortem; so that we gather that is truly a Crisis in the 
meaning of the Ancients, that is a suddain change, so that Death or Life 
may be judged apparently. 
To which I answer; How many, as the vulgar say, do lighten afore 
death, are very well rid of their pains and miseries, and seem past all of 
a suddain, and die within few hours after ? how many are there that 
have many sharp Crises afore death ? at least two or three frequently, 
and the Sick escapes them, and growes better after each, and yet dies at 
last, sooner or later: in such a Crisis, or after the Crisis is over, the 
sick die quietly and easily. 
παξνσμos, a Fit comes from παρoξνεiv, to stir up ; and I know not 
what great difference can be made twixt Crisis and Paroxysmus, for the 
Crisis is a Paroxysme, but every Paroxysme they mean is not a Crisis; 
and why ? because Crisis portends a suddain change ; and we can there- 
by judge of the death or suddain recovery of the Sick. 
I answer; there is no such thing in the bounds of truth, only acci- 
dentally

54 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
dentally some may guess death or life, and as easily speak the contrary; 
nor are Crises alike in sick persons for number, greatness, or conformi- 
ty of kind or invasion. The truth is this, the Motion of the Moon, of the 
Lord of the Ascendant, Lord of the House of Sickness, and of the House 
of Death, only and truly shew the motion Paroxysmes, Exacerbations 
and Crises or Decretory Dayes, in such confused and acute Diseases as 
they attributed Crises to ; and if that appears, Crises must not happen 
every third, or fourth, or seventh, or twelfth, or fourteenth, or seven- 
teenth, or twenty one day, and no other, as they did falsely conceit: 
When the Moon applies to a Qartile or Aspect of enmity to the Lord of 
the Ascendant, or Lord of the sixth, then is like to be a sick fit; when 
she applies to a Sextile or Trine Aspect, to either of them, then is like- 
ly to be an interlude or refresliment, other Aspects and Planets motion 
not causing the contrary ; the Moon in opposition to the significator of 
the Sick, or sickness causeth extraordinary illness ; also when the 
Lord of the House of Sickness (the more if he is a malevolent Planet, 
as Saturn or Mars) comes to a Quartile Aspect, or Opposition to the Lord 
of the Ascendant, there is raised in the Sick a Paroxysme or Crisis, the 
Lord of the Ascendant being weak, and by nature an enemy to the Lord 
of the sixth, so much the worse, the more the Sick is cast down, the 
Lord of the eighth being the House of Death, if he be strong and ma- 
levolent, and come to a Quartile Aspect with the Lord of the sixth (any 
Aspect with him is bad) and the Lord of the sixth, and also of the first
House be weak, and otherwise afflicted, we may suspect death ; but if 
the Sick through strength or friendly Aspects of Jupiter or Venus, or Lord 
of the seventh or tenth, the House of Physick or Physicians do pass that 
fit, it is likely they will recover: but the true Significators of the Sick 
and his Sickness should be taken at his Decumbiture, and so considered 
all along in their places, Signs, Houses, Dignities, Motions and Aspects 
with other Planets; yet if we draw a Schem at the Decumbiture or first 
falling sick, and Mars be Lord of the Ascendant, and Mercury of the 
sixth, and we draw another a day, two or three after, there may be ano- 
ther Planet Lord of the Ascendant, and another Lord of the sixth House, 
but the course of the first are to be considered most; and seeing there 
is such great change in most, both Critical and Cronical Ailds, the pre- 
sent Lord of the Asendant, sixth and eighth House, are to be weighed 
in every Scheme we draw upon changes of the Sick ; but in all things 
consider the Moon, though Lady of none of the aforesaid Houses, also 
Jupiter and Venus, though by government of houses no Significators or 
consignificators, yet if joyned by body, or friendly Aspect applying to the 
Lord of the Ascendant or sixth House, especially if strong, they bring great
refresh- 

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 55
refreshments, ease, & alleviation to the Sick; so the malevolent Planets, 
Mars and Saturn, though they; be Lords of Houses unconcerned in the 
Sickness, which shews their ill-will and power the less, and the less to 
respect or tend towards the Sick, yet joyned by body or by Quartile 
Aspect or Opposition reflecting upon the Lord of the Ascendent or sixth, 
or Moon, they do deject the Sick, and increase his Griefs ; indeed any 
Aspect, though Trine or Sextile, of the Significators with them, is bad ; 
that part is most afflicted according to the Sign they cast an inimical 
Aspect to, and are in: but in most Schemes and Figures that we draw; we 
shall find much and many contradictions, in some it is hard to say one 
or other, there are as many reasons or arguments for a thing, as against it; 
and we know not whether of them are most or greatest : And even so we 
find things in the universal course of Nature here below, to be answer- 
ing to the divers Motions, Stations, Fortitudes, Aspects, and Retrogra- 
dations of the Planets ; for in one mans happiness is this or that un- 
happiness, so that we can hardly say, he is more happy in his wealth, 
than he is unhappy in his sickness. I have well considered it; and he 
that knowes these things, and doth well consider, and compare, shall as- 
suredly, find that the contingents and things on earth, that happen to, 
and are in and about Man, come and fall out just according to the me- 
thod and order of the Heavenly Bodies ; and what detraction can it be 
from God, or Heterodoxity to say, The one is governed or guided by the 
other, being we see assuredly they do fall out, and have their current 
and ordinary natural motion so and in that manner? for every thing hath 
its cause ; and if good comes immediately from God without the inter- 
vene of contingent and natural Causes, so then would Evil be made im- 
mediately wilfully and partially to arise from God, if it did not acci- 
dentally according to the Order of Nature so fall out ; which Order in 
Nature God hath committed to the course of the wandring Stars, so far 
as our reason and knowledge, experience and capability can reach ; 
which course of the Planets God at first made, and that is the wonder 
they have ever since continued and he knew how they would change 
and vary, and what and when, and how things would be changed and ef- 
fected. 
There may be many exceptions made which in one place or other of 
our Writing, or Scripture, we have endeavoured to give satisfaction 
in. 
In all Schemes we must compare one thing with another; for as in the 
Heavens are good and bad and indifferent Signs, so in one sick Body, 
some Signs shew Shortness, some protraction of the Disease, some shew 
Death, some Recovery, and some are neither.  
Moreover

57 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moreover, in all Changes we must see what Planets afflict the Moon, 
and Lord of the Ascendant and sixth House, and judge of the Humour  
accordingly: Saturn governs the Petrifying, Scirrifying, gross and earthy 
Spirit in Man : Mars governs the fiery sharp thin Evaporative and 
caustick Quality in Man : the Sun and Jupiter chiefly govern the San- 
guisick Quality in Man, the Sun more properly the Sanguisick Princi- 
ple, or Heart; the Liver and Venal Blood are given to Jupiter, and 
animisick Qualities. 
The Moon gives Waterishness and Moisture, specially encreasing;
decreasing she decreases it : Venus chiefly governs the Spermatifick
Quality ; and Mercury the Sense or Rationality of the Brain; but 
Venus gives Flegm chiefly ; Mercury inclines the Way, or that, as he is  
conjoyned with others. 
We Shall next proceed to the Astrological Cure of all Diseases, and 
treat as briefly thereof as we may conveniently. 
If the Disease is caused by Saturn, we may cure by Sympathy with a 
Plant of Jupiter, the Sun or Mercury, for they are friends to Saturn; or 
we may cure a Disease caused by Saturn, by Antipathy, by a Plant of 
Mars or venus, his enemies. 
If Jupiter cause the Disease, or be Lord of the sixth, or afflict the 
Lord of the Ascendant at Decumbiture, all Medicines cure by Sympa- 
thy ; all the Planets being by Astrologians reckoned friends to Jupiter, 
but Mars, and a Plant of Mars may cure by Antipathy. 
If Mars cause the Disease, or be Lord of the Sickness, that is cured 
by Sympathy by a Venerial Plant; by Antipathy by Medicines Gover- 
ned by any of the other Planets ; yet in this case, the Sympathy with 
Venus is of greater force than the Antipathy of Mars, with the rest of the 
Planets. 
A Disease of the Sun is best cured by a Plant of Saturn antipatheti- 
cally for Saturn alone is his enemy; but by Sympathy by a Plant of 
any of the other Planets, indifferent friends with him. 
A Sickness caused or governed by Venus, is best cured by Antipathy, 
by a Plant of Saturn, Contraria contraijs curantur ; but the Plants of 
all other Planets being friends, if they cure it is by Sympathy. 
A Sickness caused by Mercury, is cured sympathetically by a Plant of 
Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, being his friends ; antipathetically, by Plants 
or Drugs or Minerals of Sol, Mars and Luna, being Mercuries ene-
mies. 
A Sickness caused by the Moon, is cured antipathetically by a Plant of 
Mercury or Mars; sympathetically by Medicaments under the govern- 
ment of Venus,
Secondly, 

A Monitory Proæmium. 57 
Secondly, This is to be considered, that we drawing a Scheme at the 
sick mans desire, or at his Decumbiture, or first visit, or water sent, or 
the like, we must consider the Lord of the tenth House, signifying the 
Medicine, and Lord of the seventh, signifying the Physitian : if the Lord 
of the tenth be a Fortune and strong, give a Plant that is governed by 
him, or Plants, elected as we shall shew in the following note or obser- 
vation ; but if the Lord of the tenth House, or the House of Physick, 
be weak, afflicted, or in a Quartile Aspect, or opposite to the Lord of the 
Ascendant or sixth house, and be also an Infortune, which makes it the 
worse, give not a Medicine that is governed by him, for that is likely to 
do harm, no nor give any thing at that time, not until the Lord of the 
tenth is well dignified, or a new and friendly Lord of the tenth arise by 
mutation of Signs, and also a well-dignified and qualified Lord of the 
seventh, and that are in good Aspect, and nigh as may be with the Lord 
of the Ascendant and sixth House; give no Medicine governed by the 
Lord of the eighth, or house of Death: every Artist must look to find 
huge variation in the heavenly Bodies ; and rarely all these good Signs 
or Aspects can be found together, these enough to give directi- 
on, unless men have studied the Grounds and Rudiments of Astrolo- 
gy. | 
Thirdly, In the Astrological Cure of Sickness, we must not only give 
a Plant, Mineral, Gum, Stone, or Animal governed by such a Planet that 
is at sympathy with the Planet causing of governing chiefly the Sickness, 
or a Plant of another Planet, Antipathetical to the Planet ruling the 
Disease, nor yet a Plant of either of the aforesaid Planets sympathe- 
tick or antipathetick, though it be strong and Lord of the tenth house, 
unless it be somewhat proper to remove the cause, or oppugn the sharp- 
ness, grosness, waterishness, stoniness, vermifying, &c. of the Hu- 
mour. 
As for Example; Mercury is Lord of the sixth House; a Vertigo, Le- 
thargy, or depraved Ratiocination is the Disease; we would cure it by 
sympathy or antipathy; see the Lord of the tenth, or House of Medi- 
cine, he is Mars, he is strong and well aspected to Mercury ; well then, 
give a Plant, Stone, Mineral, Animal, or other kind of Medicine that 
is under the dominion of Mars, but not any Plant, Stone, Mineral or 
Animal, but such as experience shews proper, and reason demonstrates 
to-be opposite qualitied to the Quality of the Humour, Matter or Va- 
pour causing the Disease : observe Physical Experiences, what Medicines 
have been found to cure in such cases, and then look which of these are 
under the dominion of Mars, or which of those Plants under the go- 
vernment of Mars are found available in such cases, for Plants of other
H Planets 


58 A Monitory Proæmium. 
Planets have also been used, and have done good sometimes in those ca- 
ses, that will not help another; and that is a great reason, why one is 
cured by this, another nor eased by that, yet is by another thing, as nigh  
to the formers Mans condition as may be. 
Other Books must direct what Plants, Stones, Minerals, Animals are 
governed by such and such Planets: yet herein I must needs condemn 
Astrology ; for Astrologians have not questioned these things on good 
Grounds, and certain and manifold Experience, and do differ in judge- 
ment therein : Indeed for many Drugs it is hard to learn by any Rima- 
ting Experience, what Planets they are peculiarly ruled by; all such 
ought to be gathered when the Planets ruling them, are essentially for- 
tified, as nigh as may be, and given when the Planet governing it, is
strong, and well aspected by the moon, and Lord of the sixth and first 
Houses. 
Moreover, if any Planet be Lord of the sixth, strong, and well as- 
pected, a Plant of his own may help that Sickness by sympathy. 
As for example; the Sun, the heat of the world, sympathizes with the 
Heart, the Sun and heat of Mans Microcosm, the Sun may cause swoun- 
ding. Heart panting and lypothimy ; then observe what Plants 
the Sun governs, and chuse out such as have been found good not only 
in general for the Heart, but in particular for such Distempers of it; and 
those Medicines may be, Balm, Saffron, Rhue, Marigolds, Piony, Ros 
Solis, Rosemary, and Wine. 
Cum tua non edis carpis me a crimina Leli, 
Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua.
A


59 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
HEAD 
We shall divide Diseases of the Brain into two 
parts: 
1: Diseases of Sense.
2: Diseases of Motion.
The first we shall divide into two parts:
1: Diseases of Stupidity and Astonish-
ment.
2: Diseases of aggravated Sense or Mad-
ness.
The second we shall also divide into two
parts:
1: Diseases of Motion lessened or abolished. 
2: Into Diseases of Motion depraved: so that under these two, Di-
minution, Depravation, or Abolition of Sense and of Motion, we shall 
comprehend a Discourse of all the Diseases of the Brain. 
I. For Diseases of Stupidity or Astonishment: The Ancients were 
pleased to call them Coma, or Carus, Catalepsis or Cataphora, Apoplexia, 
H2 and   

60 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and Lethargus, Subeth Araborum, &c. And now seeing they ordained 
Nature a course to go in which she doth not observe, we shall finde 
somewhat to examin : 
Tradition ought not quite to be rejected, nor superstitiously protected. 
The Ancients, and Moderns that danced after their Pipes, did di- 
stinguish and ordain the differences, and kindes, and degrees of Nar- 
cotical Diseases, to be thus and these.
1. An Apoplexy, that is, a privation of sense and motion in the whole 
body, from a thick flegmatick humour in the brain, difficult breathing, 
and stertor; the two chief inseparable symptoms. 
2. Catalepsis, or Catoche, said the Ancients, were another kind of so- 
por, or stupor, wherein of a sudden all the faculties of the Soul, and 
motions of the Body perished, the Sick lying in that very state wherein 
he was first taken, neither speaking nor hearing, arising from a cold and 
dry distemper, not of the substance, but hinder ventricles of the brain 
for the most part. 
3. A Coma, or Cataphora, (some of the Ancients differed in the names, 
and which two should be put together, as nigh related) a propensity to 
sleep so earnestly, that the sick cannot open their eyes: they distinguished 
betwixt Coma vigilans and Somnolentum, thus ; in the vigilans Coma they 
cannot hold open their eyes, but are awake; in the Somnolentum they 
both shut their eyes and sleep: the cause, they said, was a strong refri- 
geration of the brain, from a flegmatick humour. 
4. Carus: This, said the Ancients, is a sudden immobility and in- 
sensibleness of the whole body, the breathing being free, whereby it dif- 
fers from an Apoplexy, from a Lethargy by absence of a Feaver, and 
because in this the sick answer not, but in Lethargies commonly have 
that reason and power; the cause, they said, was Flegm, or a cold hu- 
mour obstructing the sore ventricles of the brain.
5. A Lethargy: In which Reason and Memory were impaired, if not 
absolutely defunct, an irresistible necessity of sleeping , a Feaver from 
putrified flegm in the substances not ventricles of the brain. We might 
adde a sixth, and that is, lost Memory, from a cold distemper and 
flegm. 
Indeed Johannes Johnstonus in his Idea Medicinæ practice, hath many 
choice distinctions of all Diseases, whereby Truth is exceedingly de- 
monstrated, and the Reader the better understood of these things; yet 
he did follow Tradition, as Sennertus chiefly, who is a far better Pat- 
tern and President for Truth, than Galen, Hippocrates, Celsus, Ætius, 
Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, and other Ancients. 
if any man will object against me that the Diseases of the brain are 
such


A Trotate of the Diseases of the Head. 61
such and onely such, and in that degree and manner, and in no other 
than what the Ancients and Moderns have delivered in their practices 
of Physick, I shall wish him to observe twenty or thirty of the next Pa- 
tients he meets with, and see if their cases correspond with the Chap- 
ters of the Disease he thinks these have : so also for the Cause, let any 
man open twenty or thirty (for in so many, if there be any Method and 
Order in Nature, it may be found out) and let him see if the causes 
were such or so many, and onely such and so many, in that place and 
degree the Practicks have delivered : It is sure Nature observes some
Orders, but it is not as to the Bodies of things, but their Spirits; a 
Narcotick quality in any matter, as Water, or Blood, or Cholerick 
looked corruption, will cause a Coma, Carus, lost Memory or Lethargy, 
and in what part soever, if it may be communicated to the brain, it will 
astonish sense : Whence is the force of the Torpedo or Crampfish com- 
municated at such a distance ? how doth the Lye of the Salt of Worm- 
wood astonish the hands ? bitter Opium is Narcotical , and nautious 
Henbane ; the fume of Charcoal in a close Room makes sleepy, hot
Spirit of Wine makes drunk like dead for several days : Platerus hath a 
notable History of one dead drunk with being in a Wine Cellar, that 
working, and he closed up : by Thunder, Air, and some Baths, are men 
made stupid : Whatsoever hath a Narcotick quality, it opposes the 
Brain, because the Brain alone of all the Body contains its contrary; it 
is a quality opposite to sense and motion, which the Brain con- 
tains.
These procatarctick and outward causes do nothing, unless they work 
upon the inward ; for all are not alike made to sleep with opium, or asto- 
nished with Spirit of Wine; all are not made Apoplectick with a box 
of the Ear, or sudden fright,and yet some have: Nature abounds with 
variety, and in every sick person almost we finde somewhat singular ; 
and almost every other or third case is a rarity. 
Secondly, If we consider the inward causes of stupid, and torpid, and 
sleepy Diseases, they arise not all from one cause, or one matter, it is 
the Narcotick quality in the humour or matter that benumeth and dul- 
leth ; yet I must needs say this, there is as much variety in the kindes 
and degrees of astonishment, as in the cause: in some there is onely a 
sleepy temper and dulness. Marcellus Donatus brings two examples of 
those that slept many years together, and had no illness or Disease : eve- 
ry thing hath its extream of little, and extream of much, and Medium or 
Mediocrity. 
Some when they have been opened, have had a ball of viscous flegm 
in the Brain, that did dull and somnify the Brain; others opened have 
had

62 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
had their Brains loose and waterish, and scattered as it were; others 
opened have had an abscess and purulency found in the fore part of their 
Brain, that did die Lethargically ; others about the Ophthick Nerve 
have had a purulent abscess and slimy water, others from Worms; and 
we see Children that have Worms, or rather a sweet mild humour pu- 
trified, are sleepy; so in fits of the Mother, some lie 2 or 3 days stone dead 
as it were : In two dissected were found water ; in one reddish, in the 
other paler, in both in the hinder part of the head ; and the Veins that 
ran from the fore to the hinder part of the head, full of black blood : 
In Apoplecticks the head being opened , blood hath flowed forth like 
Ink; in another Apoplectick, a thick and viscous humour is found nigh 
the Context retiform in the head : In the heads of other stupid persons 
have much glutinous but clear water been found in the brain ; so that 
however it looks, if a Narcotick quality is in it, it makes stupid and 
senseless ; or in what part soever a Narcotick quality is, it opposes it 
self to the brain ; for Opium lies in the Stomach or Guts, when it raiseth 
sleepiness. 
Yet this we will allow the Ancients, that where an humour looks black 
or red, commonly there is not a Narcotick quality in it, as in flegm 
glutinous water, not that the colour impedes the quality, but the quali- 
ty the colour ; for a fiery Spirit in an humour, makes it high coloured, 
and sharp tasted, and strong scented. 
I ask what makes the astonishment ? if they say the coldness and wa- 
terishness of the humour; I answer, Blood and visibly Choler caused it: 
if they say such a thing ; I ask why it is not found in all ? for astonish- 
ment was in all these, and that that caused the Astonishment was in all 
these; but neither thinness or thickness of the humour, aquosity or vis- 
cosity, redness or paleness, taste or odour was in them alike ; therefore 
they did conduce nothing thereto, onely to be fit Bodies for a Narcoti- 
cal qualified Spirit to be seated in: Indeed often in Apoplexies, blood 
by blows or falls, stopping up all the passages of the animal Spirits, and 
compressing the Brain, causes stupidity, but not commonly in stupidity 
and drowsiness. 
Possibly abundance more might be found in Authors , that have been 
opened, dying of stupid and somnorous Diseases ; but in these what 
shall we conclude (to go on in the Rules of the Ancients) is the Cause? 
if we say Flegm, some were found to have clear water; if we say wa- 
ter, some were found to have black blood; if we say black blood, some 
were found to have viscous purulency or mature; if we say viscous puru- 
lency or sanies, some were found to have pure uncorrupted gelly trans- 
parant; if we say pure transparant gellied water is the cause, some 
were

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 63
were found, as in the comunicated Observations to Riverius, to have 
a black stinking humour like Ink, that caused sottishnesss and foolishness ; 
in others it seems balls of Flegm have been in the substance of the 
Brain, and the Brain hath been waterish, and dissolved, and loose in 
others. 
Secondly, To particularize on any one of these, how shall we hold 
with Galen and Hippocrates, touching the four humours ? for if we say 
Flegm is white, thick and sweet; Choler yellow, thin and bitter; Melan- 
choly black, fæculent and fowr; Water clear, thin and insipid; where or 
when shall we find Flegm, Choler, Water, or Melancholy the cause of 
Disease? It is by as great an accident that we finde Humours just thus 
qualified and principled, as any other thing : and why should the An- 
cients make Posterity believe that most commonly, for that shews a 
thing most natural, Flegm, Choler, Water, and Melancholy, or Blood, 
as some will have, are the cause of all Diseases ? for where once we 
shall find an humour pure Flegm, or pure Choler, or pure Melancholy,or 
pure Water,as the Ancients described, we shall find them ten times 
contrary ; so that it will be hard to say, whether they come nighest the 
nature of Choler, or Blood, or Water, or Melancholy ; for if they have 
the taste of one, they want the colour ; if the colour, they want the con- 
sistence ; if the consistence, they want the smell ; if the smell they have, 
they want the Virtue, Nature, Quality or Properties of that Hu- 
mour.
We shall not here shew all the diversity of signs and differences in 
Stupid and Somnolent Sicknesses: The Ancients should have done well 
to have called all Stupid or Somnolent Sicknesse , and so have made 
distinction according to observation; but describing onely five kindes, 
as, Lethargy, Apoplexy, Catalepsis, Coma and Carus, and they to be so as 
we have described, the Reader is much deceived : for, for any to be 
sick of any Torpid or Somnolent Disease just as they have described, is 
very rare ; and why should they deliver that as a common Rule and 
Method in Nature, that is as accidentary and casual as any thing ? for 
to which can we refer many Soporous Sicknesses ? neither Lethargies, 
because they arise from another cause than what the Ancients did set ; 
and not Apoplexies, because they hold them in a different manner: so 
that neither in the Cause or Symptoms are they exactly referrable to 
any of their Names, nor perhaps Natures. 
II. We shall treat of the Sickness of the Brain, wherein is an aggra- 
vation of Sense, and exaltation of the Spirits, contrary to the other 
of Stupidity and Drowsiness.
The

64 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
The Ancients, and also Moderns, call them Phrenitis, Mania, and Me
lancholia.
Phrenitis, say they, is a continual raging, with a sharp Feaver, 
wherein the Imagination alone, sometimes the Reason is hurt, from 
an Inflamation of the Membranes, or the Brain it self; therein is, 
say they, a stoppage of Urine, breathing small and frequent. 
Mania, say they, is a fury tiuturne with boldness and fierceness, from 
the fire of the Spirits moved, or yellow Choler burnt; as Etius saith, 
from putrified blood : there is no Feaver in this, some say, because 
there is no putrefaction. 
Melancholia, say they, is a raging without a Feaver, with Fear and 
Sadness; without a Feaver from a melancholy humour, which they 
said was either in the Head it self, or did in vapour steem up thither, as 
from the Hypoconders and Spleen. This short description I take, as 
most generally received by the Moderns from the Ancients; but to go 
to search how all differed , might find an industrious and wife man suf- 
ficient tediousness; in many things indeed they agreed onely in dis- 
agreeing ; and sometimes both were right, and sometimes neither:
for there is such wonderful variety, that if they all differed, as it might 
be, they might all write true. 
Now we will examine all the kindes of aggravated Sense, and see if 
they be onely so many and such as the Practical Physicians have writ 
Chapters of; and we will see if that Delirium or raving that is not con- 
sentaneous to the description of Mania, be Phrenitis; and if that di- 
straction that is not a Phrenitis, be Melancholia ; and we will observe 
whether Nature observes any such Method, that if a distraction or ra- 
ging be not in the Symptoms, Cause, Manner, and Measure of a Mania, 
it must be a Phrensie ; if it be not correspondent with the Signs 
and Causes of a Phrensie, it must be a Melancholy : Also we will ob- 
serve, if it be a Madness, whether commonly it is exactly so, or acci- 
dentally ; or whether in one sick Person most familiarly, which is most 
natural, and should have been writ of accordingly there : Are not Sym- 
ptoms some of Mania, or Madness ; some of Phrenitis or Phrensie ; 
some of Melancholia, or Melancholy ? or at least, some Symptoms argue 
one, one time ; and change of Symptoms argue another Disease, ano- 
ther time. Whosoever distrusts the Truth of our Experiments, and 
Examples, and Anatomies, may be satisfied from Skenkius, to go no 
further; he hath collected abundance of mens observations : But to 
these we have added the Observations collected from many men, by 
Marcellas Donatus; divers collected by Johannes Johnstonus; divers 
by Thomas Bartholinus, and his own ; as the others also did adjoyn their 
own

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 65 
own with collecions ; also Felix Platerus, Petrus Pawns, Laz. River. 
Tulpius Renealmus, Horstius, Antonius Benivenius, our own; by which 
we can judge the truth of others, and confirm what we write , did not 
the universal consent and harmony of Observators, univocally testifie
it : but we were loth to write from our own Observations alone, because
one man is not alwayes a sufficient witness; one may mistake, one may 
be superstitiously addicted, and phantastically principled : I think I have 
about 13 or 1400 Observations of my own writing by me, but most of 
them trivial, and such as most practical Physicians meet withal; and 
therefore are of the smaller concernment, for I think it bootless to tell 
men only what commonly they knew before. 
Platerus in his Practice of Physick, went a method by himself, indeed 
from his own Observations and Experience, and wrote the Genera or 
Kinds caused by such a Quality, not the Signs, as others did, of such a 
particular Disease : And Johnstonus in his Idea Med. Pract altered the 
road and method of Practices, by making distinction of the Causes, and 
distinction of Signes upon those Causes ; for we need no other Signes 
than the particular Signes of such and such Causes, after we have de- 
scribed the Genera or Kinds, for there is no other certainty of Signes; 
for if to day possibly in any one we find all (and alone they) Signes of a 
Mania, as the Antients described, tomorrow the Sick may have Signes 
of Melancholy dotage, and the next day a Phrensy, the fourth day dif- 
ferent from any of these, or some Signes of each. 
First, Kinds of Madness or heightened and moved Sense. 
One is quarrelsome, laments and rages, speaks indecently and much, 
sleeps not. Hors.Obs. p. 106. 
A Woman did rage by fits, and with that raging did sometimes laugh, 
she had no Feaver, spoke obscenely, and often, endeavoured to strangle 
her self. Horst. p. 110 
A Man runs mad by fits, sometimes outragious, sometimes absurd, 
from jealousie, he playes divers tricks, carries his child into the field and 
hides him, Plat. Obs. p. 57. Two more also, pag. 60. from jealousy 
fell one into melancholy trouble of mind,and desperateness to kill; the 
other into fury, who killed his wife. 
Another, because of sadness, ran mad; he was more tame, and did dote 
and pull straws, and cut his cloaths in pieces. Plat. Obs. 86. and pag. 
87. Another deprived of her Love, delired, and talked often, and called 
him; and the same pag. another was forty years mad with great fury, 
be used to pull all apieces, and after this term, he came well to him- 
self. 
I  Another,

66  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.
Another, pag. 88. of Plat. Obs. had womb-fury, and was very mad, 
and did call to passengers to lye and copulate with her, and did vehe- 
hemently desire coition,and speak very obscenely and immodestly, and 
died ere long. 
Another being maddish, was stark mad with drinking Wine, he did fear, 
and went with his Sword, and said snares were laid for him; and one stri- 
ving to hold him, he killed him : Another ran mad, and did cry and 
bark like a Dog, being bit by a mad Dog. Another fell mad that was 
bit by a Wolf that was mad ; he feared water, and howled. Another, 
pag. 90. feared water, not bit of a Dog ; he had some Convulsions, and 
molestation of mind, from a fright he died. 
Two, in pag. 92, and 93. did constantly dance, and leap, and laugh, 
and called others to do the same, they could not stand still; but one was 
tired to death, the other recovered. 
A Woman after delivery hath an high Feaver, rages chiefly at those 
she used to love most, yet sometimes talks religiously, her face and eyes 
looked very red. One with short breathing and deflux of Rheum, a 
raging supervened with great heat, and he died. Plat. Obs. 170. 
Dodonæus in his Observations, quotes one that grew foolish on nights, 
clamoured, jumped up and down, and ran about, twisted his arms 
about. 
Valleriola Obs. lib.2. Obs.2. From love one did rage, and was furious 
sometimes ; again another time most loving and complemental and 
merry. 
Orthæus observed a madness adjoyned with leaping, so much, that 
for weariness he fell down, he had melancholy Phantasms. 
Divers talk in other tongues they never learned, and do foretell; 
others laugh extreamly, and then are sad extreamly. 
Fernel, lib. 5. chap. 2. of Pathology, saith, One troubled in mind and 
melancholy, did not sleep in Fourteen Months. 
Λνυανθ,aπia, infaniæ species ; see in Skenk. pag. 129. also Enthusiastick 
Infanio, pag. 135. which he calls thus, Mira apud medicos veteres Infania,
quam Enthusiasmum nominærunt annotata, saltandi furore, Musica, Pharma- 
ciaq; et diæta coercita. 
But why should we insist on these things, where there is a multitude 
of variety in the kinds of all Diseases, and the more we know, the more 
we see we have still to know ? 
Divers are strangely handled, possessed by the Devil, that do rage and 
leap, and jump from place to place, whose necks are sometimes twisted 
behind them, and Convulsions draw up all their parts; in some is a Fea- 
ver, in some not ; some blaspheme, and some have intermissions, where- 
in

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head  67
in they come to themselves, and speak well, and good things. Some pos- 
sessed or bewitched, find somewhat rise up in their breast as if they 
should be choaked. And some see the Witch or her Imp, come in form 
of a Spider or Beetle, and creep in at their mouths, and then they are 
hoven, and rage and delire, and are convulsive; and some lye as dead 
several dayes, and some do not sleep nor eat of divers dayes, that are 
bewitched or possessed of evil Spirits. 
I have searched more than most men, and I cannot find the Evil Spi- 
rits in all their Orders and Degrees, nor in their million of numbers, 
do know the mind or thoughts of Man ; God alone is Cardiognostes, it is 
his Prerogative; nor can they change the mind of Man, but by real pos- 
sesion, or through Witches, or by altering contingents and mens out- 
ward affairs. 
We shall not insist much upon the outward, moving & apparent cause 
we have already in part described; both the inward Cause that is moved 
by the outward , and the outward Cause, being but one and the same, 
in two parties, have different effects; nor is any thing much to be attri- 
buted to the colour or consistence of an Humour, but an hidden quality 
in it: for it is apparent that the same Humour visibly that causeth the 
Falling-Sickness in one, causeth Apoplexies in another, and Palsies 
and Stupor in another, and in another they seemed to ail little in the 
Head, until they were opened. 
The outward Cause of all exacerbated or aggravated fence, is prima- 
rily the Stars operating upon the inward Cause, and giving it such a qua- 
lity ; and a nature at such times to ferment and work, and make Fits and 
Crises, even according to the motions of the Planets causing the Di- 
sease, and the Moon.
Sadness, Fears and Scars, Jealousie, Discontents betwixt Man and 
Wife, the most lacerating of all Grief; bitings of Dog, Wolves, Wines, 
Strong-Drinks, and Hot-Waters, heat of the Sun, retained Semen In 
Mulierbus, retained Hæmorrhoids, &c. are the foregoing, exciting and 
procatarctick Causes; as also loss of Love, and Disappoitment in Mar- 
riage, destiny of Friends, and loss of Estates, soaring Phantasms, and 
deep Excogitations, &c. 
Now a little of the inward Cause of Exacerbated Sense or Distract- 
on, whereby the Reader may guess truly of the rest, and of other things. 
Petrus Fawus Obs.8.of Anatomies, opened a Man, that for two years 
did complain of a pain of his Head in the hinder part, then took with a 
Phrensy and Convulsive Motions, he suddenly dyed ; the thick Mem- 
brane of the Brain was eaten through with divers holes, chiefly in the 
I2  Bregma

68  A Tractate the Disases of the Head.
Bregma under the Arrow Suture ; from those holes flowed forth hard 
and thick blood, black and adult, very stinking throughout that Mem- 
brane ; with the like blood were the Vessels filled that ran through the. 
Superficies of the thick Meninx, and thorow the small ones of the thin 
Meninx, that involves the Brain; in the Cerebel was an Abscess of a 
yellowish humour inclining to white the Cerebel was loose and softer 
than the Brain. 
Yet Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2-. Histor. 34. opened one that had been 
wounded in the Forehead, and died thereof the tenth day ; he had an 
Aposteme in the Brain, with abundance of Purulency, which did turn 
the Vicine Parts to black ; he died sleepily and drowsy, nor had he any 
Delirium, Palsy or feaverish Pulse. 
Two more there he mentions that had Apostemes of the Brain, that 
differed both from these, and from each other : indeed the Part it is in, 
as well as the Quality of the Matter, is to be considered.
Jo. Skenkius from Neretus Nervitius, a Florentine Physician, had this 
Observation ; That one was opened that died of a Phrensy 1583. in the 
new Hospital of Dom. Mariæ, the Ventricles of his Brain were full of 
a skie-coloured Water, and the left Ventricle was eaten thorow ; Ja-
cobus Belga, a Physician that stood by, tasted of it, and it was very 
sharp. 
At Huntingdon, about the year 1653. died a Gentleman at an Inn, 
that was Doctor Sympcots his Patient; after a feaverish illness he fell ra- 
ving and doting, his Feaver still continuing ; he hid the Cause, till to- 
wards the last he revealed it, that he and several others had drunk strong- 
waters for wagers, and to outvy one another; in his feaver and raging 
he died; after his death abundance of Blood ran from him out of his 
Head. See now what varieties there be in the Causes of one Distemper, 
and see how one Cause hath divers effects, commonly drinking much 
Strong-Waters, or the Spirits of Wine astonish Men, so that they are 
many times buried alive : and Apoplexies quite contrary to Phrensies, 
are apparently caused by much and hot Blood, compressing the Brain ; 
and Blood in Apoplecticks hath flowen forth as in this Phrenitick. 
Coiter his Anatomical and Chyrurgical Observations, opened a 
Womans Head that died of a burning Feaver, she had loss of Reason, 
and did laugh, jest and sing ; Blood that was drawn out of a vein, did 
look flegmatick, raw and wheyish, her Head aked much ; after her Head 
was opened, in the Sawing of the Skull, there did flow out a great deal 
of Water like the washing of raw flesh, the thin Membrane and Plexus 
Choroidis, were full of thin and pituitous Water, both Ventricles full 
of Water, no inflamation of the Brain or Involucrums; from the bo- 
somes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 69
somes of the hard Membrane, were strings taken like worms made of 
glutinous Felgm; and this he called a Phrensie.
Certainly and the Planets put a Quality upon the Humours, that makes
one torpid, another garrulous; one raging, another loving; one at one
time stupid, a while after phrenitick: for visibly from one and the same
Cause, come divers Effects, and from divers and different Causes; as 
to our Senses of Seeing, Tasting, Smelling and Feeling, come one and the
same effect. God that did to all Bodies at first give such a Soul, or a 
Spirit, and to that Spirit a peculiar Quality, can give to Flegm by the 
same way and causes, a caustick and sharp Quality, and to red spirituous
Blood, a Narcotick Principle, or stupifactive Quality. 
Secondly, We shall proceed to Diseases of Motion, wherein we shall, 
I . treat of Motion lessened or abolished, and, 2. of motion depraved. 
Motion is lessened or abolished in the former Diseases, and by those 
Causes, as in Apoplexies, Lethargies, Catalepsis, Coma's and Ca-
rus.
Here we shall more peculiarly write of the loss or depravation of Mo- 
tion, the Senses and Understanding remaining : they may be divided in- 
to two Heads; I. Resolution of the Muscles or Nerves ; 2. Convulsi- 
on or Rigor. Physicians have reduced Resolution into Palsy and Trem- 
bling, and others add Stupor or Numbness. 
A Palsy, said the Antients, is not in the whole body, but in parts sub- 
jected to the Brain, sometimes Sense, sometimes Motion, sometimes 
both perish, viz. the Sense of feeling and of acting the parts : the Sense 
of feeling may perish, Motion remaining in that part, and Motion may 
perish, feeling remaining ; because, said Galen, they have two kinds of 
Sinews, one for motion, one for feeling, and which soever are hurt, the 
office thereof is hurt; sometimes it is in one half of the body, all the 
right or left side, and parts thereof; sometimes but in one particular 
member : the Cause was attributed to a cold distemper from thick and 
viscid Humours, or from bruising, wounding, scirrh or inflamation of 
the spinal Marrow; it is a Cronical Disease, not Acute; if the spinal Mar- 
row be cut or luxated, the Disease is uncurable. 
Trembling, said they, is a voluntary Motion depraved, the weight of 
the Member tending downwards,and the faculty of the Muscles lifting it 
upwards ; arising from a cold temper and weaknesse the Sinews, from 
drunkneness, use of cold things, that make thick and cold juice. 
Now let us examine whether the Antients set down all the Kindes of 
Numbness and lessened Motion, or whether Nature errs allwayes just 
thus


70 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
thus, if the errs in Motion ; or whether other ails, and quite other, and 
more Causes than the Antients described, do not as naturally and more 
frequently come. 
Alexander Trallianus, lib. i. cap. 16. saith, One had a Palsy or Reso- 
lution from sadness and much sollicitude and fasting, he taking Hiera Picra, 
was in the whole body immoveable like to dye ; he with Moisteners, Nourish-
ers and Baths, was restored. 
Gregor. Horstius. Obs. Med. lib. I. pag.24. relates of a Maid fourteen 
years old, that loved clay, chalk and earth, fell into a Feaver with sus- 
picion of Pox, they then reigning ; the Pox come out slowly, but a Pal- 
sy mixed with Convulsive Motions, supervened ; the Palsy was but in 
some parts, and the Convulsion followed ; she was was soon cured. 
A Woman in the 210. page of his fourth Book, had her Menstrues 
stopped, Cholical Pains of the neather Parts, desire of food, but ill con- 
coction, vomiting and nausea sometimes troubled her; then followed 
pains in the outward parts, weakness of the hands and feet, with dag- 
ging pains, so that they were almost immoveable, all the Funcions of 
her Brain still right and firm. 
Tulpius Obs. Med. lib. I. cap. 23. shewes a relation of trembling of 
the Thumb after letting of Blood, or of the Hand alwayes in an Iron 
Smith, which should teach Physicians, saith he, to search the peculiarity of 
mens Tempers. 
The same Nicholaus Tulpius, cap. 12. of the first Book, observes Peri- 
odick Trembling in Margaret Brentia of a flegmatick temper; it held 
three years,it began in all her Members, but continued only in her Arms 
and Thighs; a fit lasted almost two hours, with hoarse, and suppressed 
speaking : under the Dog Stars she was worse ; the order of her fits 
did agree with the Moon, and rise of the Sun, and were moved by the 
Moon as the Sea, sometimes oftener, sometimes seldomer; sometimes 
greater, sometimes less; but under the Dog Star Sirius, she had so ma- 
ny fits as there were hours, in winter fewer. She was helped at last. 
Platerus Obs. 167. did observe trembling of the whole body in some, 
and of divers parts in others, in sleep preceding death. 
He did observe a particular benumbedness of one Arm, with heavi- 
ness of the Head ; and in another the same numbness of the Arm from 
binding. 
So many men, so many rarities, every case hath somewhat singular in 
it, and Nature is bound to no such method or progress, that all dimini- 
shed, abolished or depraved motion must be just so, and in those Dis- 
eases only that Practical Authors have set down; for what they set down 
to happen generally, we can rarely find by experience. 
Plat.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 71 
Plat. Obs. pag. 96. observes another that had hurt and lessening in 
feeling, and withal burning and pricking paines in the Extremities, run- 
ning under the skin, that lasted many years. 
He observed one from a wound in the Spina Dorsi, to have a Palsy of 
all the nether parts, from the middle downwards. Another after a ge- 
neral Palsy, had a Palsy of the tongue. 
Skenk pag. 85 brings Experience to shew that the Tongues of those 
that have Palsies, have a slower motion at New Moons, than at Full 
Moons; and yet divers Physicians will not believe the Stars have any 
influence upon our Bodies; nor will they study to know so. 
Cætius writes from Avicen, that one could make a Palsy of his whole 
body when he would. 
Another had all parts resolved but his Face. Another had all his Ex- 
tremities and lower parts resolved, but his Hands, from a fall; another 
only his Thigh, another his Lip. 
Benedict. lib. I. cap. 39. de morbis curandus, Marcus Bassadonius,
from an acute Feaver and Phrensy, was weakned in his right Arm, so 
that he lost all sensation, and power of motion therein. And after this 
manner, to ennumerate no more, runs the common course of Nature. 
And if any Physitian will be diligent to write Observations of all he sees, 
he may see the same from his own Experience, which the common ra- 
tional Faculty God hath placed in all Men, blusheth to deny. 
Now let us see what is the internal Cause of Numbness, trembling 
and deadness of Parts, or the whole Body ; for we would chiefly inform 
Physicians, specially young Learners, in those things they shall ever re- 
tain, being multifariously built upon the sure Basis of Experience ; also 
those things that are of greatest dignity, and which being known, the 
rational faculty of man leads him to discover Appurtenances, and Cir- 
cumstances thereto adhering, nor are they ever to be unlearned again, 
as the Phantasies and Chimæras of Mens Brains are, nor shall the Rea- 
der often meet with such in other Books, and therefore have we chief- 
ly written in this manner, and these things. 
Of Procatarctick, open, or outward Causes in the Kinds of Resolution, 
we have spoken somewhat, and much needs not be spoken: it sometimes 
follows Cholicks, and Cholicks that ; an Air men know not how blasts 
and withers, sometimes one part, sometimes half the Body, and some- 
times all, the Body more or less suffering impair of motion ; so hath 
lightening done, loosing all the Joynts, and melting the Bones. After 
that manner did it to a Patient of mine, a Minister of Cambridgshire: 
And after the former, an Air suddenly surprized a Kinsman; all differ, 
and

72  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and the outward Cause differs ; some tremble from fear, some from ve- 
hement cold ; some in old age, some afore death. Quick-silver in those 
that are anointed, gathering together, not well killed, leaps in the Veins; 
so it doth in hot Liquor, or a Loaf, and so causes a Palsy. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. I. Hist. 93. A Convulsion and Palsy dissolved a 
Feaver. 
Fernelius observed that a Feaver turned into a Palsy, he thought the 
Choler ran into the spinal Marrow. 
We might infinitely insist on these, but by a penny we may guess how 
a shilling is coined. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. Med. relates a melancholy young man had a 
Palsy of the left, and Convulsions on the right side, had fits often, some- 
times resembling the Falling-Sickness, with a great Feaver, the Veins 
of the thin Meninx on the right side, did swell, aperto cadavere, with much 
black blood, and hardened, and nigh was a collection of apostemated 
matter in the Brain, black in colour. 
Brassavolus Comment. ad Aphor. 9. lib. 7. Hippocr. saith, One was 
and insensibly in his whole body, and died, bleeding much from nose, 
and no Medicines learned Physitians used, helped him. 
Benedictus, lib. I. cap. 33. curand. morb. saith, One by a staff did re- 
ceive a blow on the Shoulder, the Fingers of that hand were resolved or be- 
numed, nothing helped until he was plaistered in the Neck. This shews the 
Place, the former the Cause. 
Platerus, pag. 136. observed the giving of Opium in a Clyster, caused 
a Resolution of the Tongue, hindering speech, and the party stam- 
mered. 
Another he relates there, paralitick in both Sides, strook in the Neck 
with a stick, losing both speaking and hearing, but he eat and slept; but 
lived so a year or two, and died. 
Two others from blowes on their Heads, could not speak ; one had a 
loss of going, the other Convulsions of his Eyes; one saw things double, 
the other died. Blowes or cuts of the Back-Marrow also hath cau- 
sed the like, though not so frequently ; for many times nothing is to be 
seen in the Brain, the Sinews, and only some pairs being particularly 
resolved.
But secondly, We will shew somewhat of Convulsions, contrary 
motions to Resolution and Numbness, and the Kindes of Epilepsies 
joyned with the Kindes of Convulsions; there cannot a competent 
difference be gathered : for where we shall see these things clear and 
fully, and distinct, as Authors have deciphered in Practices, we shall ten 
times

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.  73 
times see diversity and different cases; yet Epilepticks hold a manner 
as conformable one to another, as almost any Disease : in the Genera or 
kindes, we shall also shew diverse degrees, and divers moving and out- 
ward causes of convulsive motions. 
When I was a Youth, I took white Hellibore for my Quartain Ague, 
and I had a Convulsion of my Gullet; so that it seemed to cleave to- 
gether to my apprehension, and to rise as if somewhat was in my 
throat. 
We read of Sardis or Apium risus, an Herb that brings convulsions of 
the Face, Eyes and Cheeks, and men dye as if it were laughing, there- 
fore that is called Risus Sardonius.
Toadstools, or Fungi arborei, bring convulsives, and Wrangling Sym- 
ptoms to some. Forrest, Obs. 116. lib. 10 observed a Woman that 
had her Eyes pulled up, her mouth distorted, her Cheeks drawn aside, 
her tongue immoveable to speak, vehement contractions of her hands 
and feet, but without stiffness, from Toadstools. 
Quickfilver in its fumes and evaporations, received into the Brain, 
is very bad ; the same Forestus besides others, relates thereof ; A Gil- 
der therefrom could not sleep or rest, but turned him this way and that, 
did tremble in all his whole Body, his Face grew pale, and for two 
months was grievously held ; but he used much Quicksilver for that 
Goldsmiths, Peuterers, and Gilders must use. 
Fernelius relates of a Painter that, unadvised, took Vermilion ; he 
fell into Palsies and Convulsions ; at first he perceived all his parts 
more torpid and immoveable, then they began to be contracted, 
and to be drawn cold, and fixed, and rigid , his going was taken away, 
his Arms and hands were most free of pain, but about his Stomach, 
Guts, and Hypoconders, were most intolerable pains, which the crush- 
ing of his Belly gave some mittigation to ; he had Intervals and Fits, 
and sometimes the matter did work most in one part, then in another, 
and in another manner : He was after a fortnight restored. 
Jo. Johnstonus in Thaumatographia, a man exceedingly deserving in 
Physick, writes from Mathiolus, that Napellus, a Plant, was given to a 
Thief ; he said it tasted like Pepper; he first felt a Palsie and stiffness 
in his left Arm and Leg ; then it seized upon his right, leaving the for- 
mer ; then he was cold, and had Convulsions of his Eyes and Mouth; 
he vomited like Leeks, and thought he had a Ball at his Navil; he was 
sometimes rational, and again doted ; blinde, and saw again thrice ; 
and wept, and was cheared; he thought he must instantly dye, and pre- 
sently the poyson leaves and intermits ; he thrice was blinde, and saw 
again, and thrice in an Agony of Death; his Tongue of all his parts 
K harm

74 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
harmless; he had huge beating of his Temples, and after a long con-
flict Nature overcame, and he recovered.
I could produce many more such relations of the nature of Plants 
and Minerals, and Creatures, to raise Convulsions, and the varieties  
of vitiated motion, as also all other ails man is subject to , but these 
may suffice here. We have shewed in our Book called Physiology, Ja- 
trosophy and Pneumatography, how man is taken from, and made of the 
Earth, and how most of those Principles are found in his body; and 
therefore is it that one Plant sympathizes with him, and another antipa- 
thizes; one sympathizes with such a part of his body, and not another, 
because in that part is a quality of Homogeneity to the quality of the 
Plant; so some Medicines spoil one part and not another, because in 
that part peculiarly is a matter of an antipathetick spirit to the spirit of 
the Plant, and so they fight: Were there nothing in the body of man 
of contrary quality to the blood, and spirits, and natural Juyces, there 
would be no Diseases ; for Friends and Consimilars do not fight; that's 
the reason that a poyson in one man works thus, in another so, because 
the constitution and quality of the humours are not the same; and as 
Plants do operate, or Minerals, or Animals on the Body of man vari- 
ously, according to the various nature of them, and the variety of the 
subject, so do humours : for what qualities are in Plants or Minerals 
heterogenious to the quality of, our spirits that constitutes our vitality, 
sense, and motion, such may also be in the humours; and the humours 
of themselves inimically qualified by the air, aliment, or otherwise, 
may raise the same, and such diversity of Convulsions , or other Ails 
whatsoever, as Plants and Minerals, and Animals do. 
There is a strange kinde of depraved motion, called Viti saltus, of 
constant leaping and dancing, in some with contractions, in others 
with Delirium : Some superstitiously believed that praying to St. Vitus 
Would help them. 
Tulp. Obs.14.lib.I observed a Maid fifteen yea old to have Con-
vulsions or drawing up of her Nerves, always sitting, but when she stood 
or walked, she had none: and Obs. 15. he observed a contraction of 
of the Nerves periodically, or by fits ; it arose first from Euphorbium 
taken, the which an inordinate horror did follow, and then Spasms, the 
fits were very bad, and shook all his Body, and, his minde and speech 
was took way. And Obs. 17. a Campensis woman had a peculiar depra- 
ved motion ; she stook her Knee first with one hand , then the other, 
long together very violently,nor could she be disswaded therefrom; imi-
tating with distinction of black-Smiths beating upon he Anvil; 
the Houshold could not help her a cushion upon her knees, so
that her continued and hard her the less In

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 75 
In others is a striking Knee against Knee constantly and hard, from a 
depraved motion in the Nerves, occasioned by a secret qualification of 
the humours and Astral Influence. 
Any matter, as it is a matter, is dead, but the Spirit in it is active
and communicable; and every Spirit, according to the quality GOD 
gave it, different from others, acts and officiates : Into all pure terrene 
Bodies, GOD did at first according to his good pleasure, implant a Spi- 
rit of a peculiar Quality; he could have made Sulphur purging, and 
Scammony binding; he could have made Rhubarb to have onely a pro- 
priety for the Head, and Sage, Rosemary and Betony to respect pecu- 
liarly the Liver ; for the Bodies are nothing but the Spirits they con- 
tain, and the peculiar qualities of these Spirits: so in mans Body, the 
humours, to look and consistence, smell and taste, may be the same, 
and yet have qualities, 
Betwixt common Falling-sickness and Convulsions and fits of the 
Mother, many times is little difference ; but what variety is there here- 
of? such an one is so handled, it is hard to say, whether they be Uterine 
Convulsions, or a Convulsive Hysterick Passion ; in all these some fall, 
in all these some do not fall ; in all these some feel a rising up of some- 
what within them, and in all these in others there is no such apprehen- 
fion : In Vertigo’s they fall, turn round, and there is such variety, and 
Nature is not bound to a Road or Order; that many persons it is 
hard to say whether they have a Vertigo, Epilepsie, Convulsion, or 
Hysterick Passion, or Swoonding : Some do affirm that men have Hyste- 
rical fits, so like to women ; and others say the Lungs are the cause 
thereof: some foam at mouth, and snort; some fore-see their fit, and 
sit down, and so prevent their falling : In Epilepsies some turn round 
as in a Vertigo, and then fall, and then have heavings of their Brest, 
as in Hystericks, and then have Convulsions, and then have foamings 
of the mouth, as in Madness or Drunkenness, and then snort as in A- 
poplexies, and then stare and talk strangely, as in Phrensies, and then 
forget all for a while, as in Lethargies ; and what disease shall we call 
all these Symptoms ? some Hystericks do fall, they gape, and strerch, 
and seem choaked, then have fast contractions and convulsions, then 
perhaps lie stiff, and inflexible, and senseless divers days, as in the 
most exquisite Apoplexy, pinched not feeling. 
Cornax, Encherid. Med. observed one stiff all over, his skin harden- 
ed like Leather, his skin seemed as if it was stuffed, and stiff like the 
bark of a Tree; his Gullet was resolved, but Brain, Stomach, Anus, 
and Urinary passage well; he was stiff in all outward parts, and back- 
bone could not be bent, nor his Joynts. 
k2 Sole 

76 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Solenander observed one with pains and contractions of her Arms, 
Shoulders, and Knees ; see those distant parts should be affected toge- 
ther. 
Marcellus Donatus Hist. Med. Mirab. observed one that the great 
Toe of her Foot must always be moved, even in sleep, upwards and 
downwards. 
Salius Annotat. ad Cap. 13. Pract. Altomar. observed in one Mem- 
ber one while a Palsy, another while a Convulsion raged. 
Cardanus observed one after a Feaver and Convulsions, to have pant- 
ing and distension, Legs immoveable, and the Body leaping and tos- 
sing. 
Jaechinus Com. ad cap. 13. lib. 9. Rhasis observed the Muscles and 
Tendons stiff, and stretched, drawing as it were part from part, to dis- 
solve Unity. 
Fernel. lib. 5. cap. 3. Pathol, observed a flatulent Convulsion, diffe- 
rent from all these, that did twice or thrice a-day afflict, strong con- 
tractions and coldness. 
Heurnius de Morbis Cap. observed one that had his Intestines, Abdo- 
men, Testes and Spermatick Vessels drawn up; another was spasmatical 
in the Anus: Divers observed the eating of Quails brought the falling 
Sickness and Convulsions. 
Concerning the inward and obscure causes of Convulsions and Epi- 
lepsies, we will shew somewhat; the outward, apparent, movent, and 
procatarctick Causes, appear in Practices of Physick , though defe- 
ctively, and some false. 
Neretus Nerutius a Florentine Physician, opened one that had an 
Headach, then a Rheumatick Distillation, a Convulsion of the Neck, 
and Posteriors; dying, three spoonfuls of water was found to be ga- 
thered betwixt the hard Meninx, and the hinder feat of the Cere- 
bel. 
We shall think it sufficient to translate Thomas Bartholin, who to save 
others the pains of disquisition, hath collected many Anatomies and 
Dissections made by other men, Cent. 2. Hist. 92. 
A Falling-sickness by consent of the-lower parts rarely leaves any 
footsteps of it to be seen in the Brain after Death ; for vapours are dis- 
sipated with our Life : but if the Brain hath in it self contracted any 
fault, it is easily seen in the Dead. Bontius Obs.i.med.ind. in the Brain 
of a Souldier that had the Falling-sickness, found the Ventricles filled 
with a tough matter, and glutinous, of a clay colour, like yolks of 
Eggs, but stinking. Smetius in lib. 10. Miscel. found an abscess of 
white pus, Ballonius. lib, I. Ephem. found small and thin Bodies like 
hairs

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 77 
hairs in the Ventricles, to be the cause : That thin and limpid Water 
was the cause, both Volcherus, Coiter, in Obs. Hildan. In Obs. Hevartus 
in Annot. ad lib. 2. Confil. Ballon. River. Cent. I. Obs. 37, observed 
by dissections: That Pus in the menings of the Brain was the cause, 
Fernelius, lib. 2. abdit Caus. l. 15. Salmuth Cent. I. Obs. 17. found : 
That it was caused by a Corruption or Sphacelus of the Brain, Glandor- 
pius, Spec, chir. Obs. 6. did find. Sometimes the Ventricles of the Brain 
are so fallen down in Epilepticks, that there is not an easie and free 
passage for the Spirits; even as Adrianus Falcoburgius an Anatomist 
did observe, in opening publickly a Boy of fifteen years old, that died 
in the very fit: there was no other visible cause of Death, or of the 
Falling-sickness, than that the Ventricles of the Brain were very much 
compressed, and falling one upon another, without any manifest cavity; 
but in the top of the Brain, nigh the Cranium or Skul, he found har- 
dened blood ; and this my Brother Erasmus Bartholinus saw. 
Also Cent. 3. Histor 80. relates of a Maiden, well-fleshed, and of a 
florid Complexion, took with a Flux of the Belly, hardness in the right 
Hypochonder, heat of the whole, thirst, watchings, pains of the Head, 
white Excrements ; an Epilepsy supervened, and she quickly died ; o- 
pened, the whole Region of the Back, from the nape of the Neck, to 
the last Vertebra of the Spina, was black ; the Stomach in the left side 
black, as if putrified and filled with a green humour; Liver scirrhous, 
and weighed ten ounces ; Gall large and filled with Choler; but the 
Brain weighed five pound, filled with Water, and with Bladders full 
of Water. 
It were an excellent thing, if all Symptoms differing, were com- 
pared to each differing cause, and so to find out what is the peculiarity 
of the cause, that doth cause that diversity in the condition of two sick 
Parties, seemingly by the greater and most permanent Symptoms, to 
have one and the same Disease ; yet where the parts are alike affected, 
or humours alike corrupted, the constitution will raife diversity. 
Concerning the cure of all these Diseases specified, we will give 
these general Rules and Directions; for indeed in each of those Diseases 
named, Carus, Coma, Apoplexia, Subeth, Catalepsis, Memories, Læ-
sa, Lethargos, Mania, Melancholia, and Phrenitis, Paralysis, Stupor, 
Tremor, Convulsio, Epilepsia, &c. There is no Method general; for 
sometimes contrary causes produce the like seeming effects, and one 
and the self same cause seemingly, though of a diverse quality, works 
various events ; and we have sufficiently expressed by the causes, the 
diversity of cure in every one of these Diseases,for that is the best insight 
we 

78 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
we can give to this credulous Age, and addicted to fond opinion, to 
shew the diversity of Causes, which according to the Vulgar Proverb, 
Once known, the Disease is half cured: And according to Phylosophy, 
Tolle Causam & cessabit Effectus, Takeaway the Cause, and the Effect 
ceaseth. 
APHORISMS.
I. In every Disease, as the Symptoms vary, so the Cause; and as 
the Cause varies, so in every Disease our Method must vary ; for in 
any sickness there be scarce two hold alike in all things. 
II. The Constitution especially, but also the Age, Customs and times 
of the year are to be weighed in the cure of every Person, so that the 
method formerly delivered by Sylvius, Rondeletius, Riverius, Heurnius, 
&c. is not sufficient to learn any to practice well and faithfully, unless 
they have distinguishing knowledge of their own; in some, one ounce 
of the Emetick infusion will work 20 times, in another ten, in another 
scarce once, in anothor it works onely downwards; in one, one scruple 
of Jallap is a sufficient dose, in another of the same age, Sex and strength, 
one ounce will hardly work, and so in the same manner for all other 
Medicines; that that excites one Lethargick will not move another; 
and that that restores Palsies in one, moves no sense of feeling in ano- 
ther, for the sense of feeling naturally is not alike in all. 
III. Observe the Time of the Stars ; for if given when Nature doth 
not co-operate, we do nothing ; if Nature draws one way, and our Me- 
dicines pull the other, a confusion is made. 
IV. Observe what contradictions there be in all Distempers ;take 
away the greatest of two evils first, and tha that will be longest ere 
it kill, may be suffered longest ere cured : Also observe in curing one 
infirmity, we do not aggravate or make another; and also observe what 
infirmities the sick usually was prompt to, and judge that that was usu- 
al to him in health, is the less dangerous in sickness, yet not without 
some exceptions; also observe which way the sick used to have his 
blood purged of Heterogenious matter.
V. Physicians are Natures Servants, and therefore must observe her 
Dilates in any of these Diseases; we may Purge, or let Blood, or Sweat, 
or move by Urine, or Salivate, or Synapisate, or use Leeches as we 
see blood abound, and as we finde Nature oppressed, or beginning an 
Excretion such a way, or of such a matter, and in such a place. For 
Example, If any in a Stupid and sottish Disease bleeds much at Nose, 
hath the Hæmorrhoids or courses that used to flow, stopped, hath heat 
of the Body, beating of the Pulses, swelled Veins, though it is contra-
ry

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 79 
ry to Physicianns Directions in stupid Diseases to Bleed; yet it is con- 
venient here in these cases to let blood, and chiefly in the Arteries; or 
if Arteriotomy may not be allowed, or cannot be celebrated, a Vein of 
the Forehead, Temples, or behind the Ears, or Jugulars, are to be o- 
pened, for they draw immediately from the part; and experience will 
witness for it, against those of the Circulation, that in all cases will 
bleed in the Arm, because of the community of Vessels : Furthermore, 
if in Falling-sicknss, Convulsions, Distraction, Light-headedness, and 
Melancholy or the like ; if any thing break forth by the Ears, or No- 
strils, or any other way ; we are to judge the Morbifick matter like to 
it, and we are to draw it forth by those parts Nature hath begun and 
shewed us the way. 
VI. We must endeavour, if we perceive it is a Matter or Humour that 
doth cause the Disease, to draw it outwardly, and from the more Noble 
to the less Noble Parts; Also we must observe the Emunctories of 
Nature, in most Diseases of the Head, shaving of the whole Head, and 
applying blistering Epispasticals were good , particularly behind the 
Ears, and upon the Sutures; vehement purging will do nothing in a 
confirmed Distemper, and where Humours are setled and coagulated, 
and the Brain corrupted. 
VII. This alone, what ever Practical Authors have writ, is conve- 
nient to all persons in a sleepy Disease, and to all persons in a raging 
Disease, and to all persons in a depravation, or abolition of feeling 
and motion ; to give Specificks, to oppose the quality of the Humour, 
that is Narcotical, or Maniacal, or Spasmastical, or Paralytical ; in 
all those fits of falling, as Vertiginous, Hysterical, Epileptical, Ca- 
taleptical, Convulsive and Syncopical, Pæeony, Castorium or its Spi- 
rit, Succinum or Oil of Amber, Elks Claw, &c. are convenient, be- 
cause in these is an occult quality, opposite to that occult quality in the 
Humour that causeth the falling : in all sleepy sicknesses, Rosemary,
Betony, Castorium, Juniper Berries, Sage, Marjorum, Lavender, 
Lillies of the Valley, Tile-Tree, Chamepitis, Assafœtida, and Phu- 
Silvestre, are Specifical, because these in all Causes, and in all Hu- 
mours, endued with a Narcotick Quality, whereby they work and 
change our Bodies, do by an opposite quality in them oppose and over- 
power the Narcotical qualified Spirit of those Humours.
In an agil, and hot, and spirituous qualification of Humours, which 
doth produce raging, madness, and fury, and dotage, and is of high 
Heterogeneity to the Quality of our Spirits and therefore several Poy- 
sons will cause Deliriums and Madness, Rosemary, Fumitory, Beto-
ny, Couslips, Hpithsimum, Lapis Lazuli, are Specifical against Dot-
age 

80 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
tage, and loss of Ratiocination : but to stop the furious vapours of hot 
Blood, and the fermenting in hot and acrimonious Humours, and to 
obtund their Acrimony, and stop their Motion, Opium, Laudanum, 
Poppies, Nightshade,Lettice, Violets, Mandrakes, Henbane, Stramoni- 
um & Housleeks, have an Antipathetick Quality; for these cause rest, and 
are , of the same Nature and Quality that the humours are of, 
that cause Coma, Carus, and Lethargy; for man being deduced from the 
Earth, hath its qualities (I think all) naturally, or by custom, or by 
corruption in his Blood and humours, that are to be found in Mine- 
rals, Plants, or other Animals: in some persons Opium will not make 
sleepy ; in some Tobacco will not cause Vomit, eaten ; in some Spiders 
will distend and swell them no more then their ordinary nourishment; 
some eat Arsenick and Hemlock harmlesly. The only reason of these 
things is this, By custom (or otherwise by a peculiar Temper) such 
things eaten, turn the Blood and Juyces into their Nature and Quality, 
and so being Homogenious do not fight, and that is the reason of Ap- 
petites ; one loves one thing, another another, because of a Juyce of 
such a quality in his Stomach, that sympathizes and antipathizes with 
such nourishment. 
Let the Palsy, Convulsion and Stupor, or trembling Motions come 
from what cause they will, hurting the Sinews, Earth-worms, Rhue, 
Castorium, Sage, Rosemary, Betony, Chamepitis, Succinum, or 
the Oyls of these outwardly help ; why ? because in all, the Sinews are 
hurt ; now these assist and strengthen the Sinews by a peculiar quality, 
implanted originally by God at their first making, according to his good 
pleasure; and why Rhue Should have a quality to help the Sinews, and 
Henbane to hurt them, we can give no account: It pleased GOD in 
such a Plant to put a Caustick Spirit, in such a Narcotick qualitied 
Spirit; and in such an one a quality to respect the Brain, in another to 
respect the Liver. 
VIII. If two or more parts are corrupted, inflamed, obstructed, 
&c. we must chiefly in cure, respect that that was first, for perhaps 
that caused the other; a great deal of Water, or Ichor, or Sanies may 
be heaped up in such a part, though sent from another; as in Dropsies, 
all the Bowels are oft found corrupted and totted, and yet all were 
not the cause, but that or they that gave occasion to the water to en- 
crease, which corrupted all : so if much Water, or Blood, or Choler 
be heaped up in the Head, we must respect the part sending, as well as 
the part receiving ; perhaps the Uriters do not carry so much Urine as 
was wont; perhaps the Gall doth not separate the Choler, it used to 
do, and eject it; perhaps the Blood is not let out or excerned, or sweat 
out or separated, or purified as it ought or used to be. More-

81 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Moreover observe in all Spasms and Resolutions, to observe the head 
of the Nerves,and to anoint the nape of the Neck or Back-bone, whence 
the affected Nerves do proceed, where ere they be. 
IX. A great help to the curing all Diseases, is in Dyet; if any know 
what caused the Disease, the best way is to abstain from the cause, and 
to observe their own Constitution, what hurts or helps them ; for 
one mans meat is anothers Poyson : the outward often stirs up 
the inward, which without the motive cause would lie still often- 
times. 
X. As we said before of Specificals, so of Alterers; We must oppose 
cold Medicines to an hot Disease or Constitution ; hot Medicines to a 
cold Distemper; moistning in a dry Distemper and Constitution ; and 
drying must be opposed to too great moisture : but concerning drying 
Medicaments, we must not imagine that Guaiacum, Sarsaperilla, Chi- 
na, Sassafras, &c, drie, for nothing dries any other way, then conse- 
quentially, expelling or absorbing the moisture; for there is nothing 
wasts, but all Air is conceded into Water, and Water is ra- 
rified into Air, and so they are in perpetual change; for if Water by 
Guaiacum, Sassafras, China, &c. was annihilated, then there would 
be less Water, and less in the world, and in a Million of years the Sea 
might be dryed up: I confess Litharge will drie much, because it doth 
suck up moisture into its own body; and so do Mucilages of Gum-Ara- 
bick, specially Gum-Tragacanth, and Spunges, but they must be ei- 
ther Sweaters that are drying, or Diureticks ; sweating spends in Va- 
pour and Exhalation, per habitum Corporis, or Urine-purgers 
send it out by the ordained motions of the Parts, or Natures instituted 
Channels in its whole Substance and Body; and those that do not 
spend moisture by expelling it by sweat through the Skin, or by the In- 
stituted motions of Nature by the Kidneys and Bladder, do not dry. 
L A

82 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES
OF THE 
LUNGS. 
It hath been thought, that a Cough, Asthma, 
Pleurise, Peripneumonia, Empyema, Hæ- 
moptoe, and Phthisis were all the Diseases 
of the Lungs, and that the Lungs had no 
more, nor no other, according to an or-
dinary method in nature: A cough is but a
Symptome, and may be in all Diseases of 
the Lungs, and I know not why it should be 
called a Disease, for in a Peripneumonia, 
or inflamation of the Lungs, the cause gives 
the denomination, for in that may be a 
Cough; so Hæmoptoe also is a Symptom, and may happen in many Di- 
stempers, and from divers Causes. 
Nor have these Diseases mentioned just such causes and no more, or 
no other then what practical Authors writ. 
I shall save my self the pains to write the Diagnostick and Progno- 
stick Signs; as also the Causes and Method of curing Diseases described
in 

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 83
in Practices of Physick, they may be compared with what we draw 
from Observations, nigh as well as if they were here writ together or 
premised. 
The Lungs are the Bellows or Fan of the Heart, the fire of our Bo- 
dies, which they blow up, and keep from dying, falling round about 
the Heart, filled with Wind, which they draw in and let out, as our ar- 
tificial Bellows do; and as soon as these Natural Bellows cease drawing 
and letting out of Air; the fire of our Bodies wanting fomenting and 
stirring up, dies, and we grow cold and pale. 
The Lungs have also another Office, to receive Flegm, and cough 
it forth, and wheresoever the Lungs burdened cannot cough, we are 
apt to be choaked. 
These are the two Natural Offices of the Lungs; and we would give 
insight to the Reader how many wayes, and how diversly these may be 
diminished, vitiated or abolished ; for properly and plainly, the An- 
tients should have described these two, diminished, vitiated or abo- 
lished, and have brought all the several causes, and the signs of such 
particular causes, being found by Dissection ; and the degrees of each 
kind, and the variety of Natures Order and Progress, and how the 
Lungs may be affected from other parts by community of Vessels, or 
super-incumbency, or affinity of Nature; and Philosophically they 
should have described the peculiarity of the nature of the Lungs, differ - 
ent from other parts, that made them have Diseases different from other 
parts, they being of a more flegmatick, airy and spongy Substance and 
Quality. 
I have known many different kinds,and differing degrees in all those 
kinds of short breathing, and different causes of those different kinds, 
viz. outward and precedent causes ; for I never saw a man opened that 
died of any Disease ; and sometimes large eating, the Diaphragm be- 
ing crushed up, and capacity of the Thorax streightned, hath caused a 
Disnaea; sometimes Wind which hath been eased, as the former, when 
the cause removed ; sometimes swift motion, specially in Green-sick- 
nesses, for with motion they are almost out of breath ; in obstrucions, 
as in the Jaundice and Cachexia, they are very short winded, because 
cold clammy humours do sometimes abound, and the Thoracical Mus- 
cles move heavily, and the parts are crushed up by windiness distend- 
ing, which in Dropsies is occasioned by Water; so in Apoplexies breath- 
ing is short, or where breathing is not difficult and very short, I sup- 
pose it improper to call that sleepy stupid sickness an Apoplexy. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 91. observed an Old woman that eat much 
Fruit, she had a Catarrh, she was cured with a Phlegmagoge and Sto-
L 2 machical


84 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
machical pouder, when an Asthma supervened ; he accounted it Wind 
in the Stomach, crushing up the Midriff, and tough Flegm sticking to 
the sides of the Aspera Arteria.
And Obs. 176. a Maid was exceedingly troubled with short breath- 
ing, and so against Food, that she almost pined away for want of appe- 
tite to eate; He cured this, and two more (Obs. 144. and Obser. 145.) 
with Stomachical, Chymical purging Powders once or twice given ; so 
that he adjuged these Asthma’s caused from distention and Wind of the 
the Stomach, thrusting up the Lungs, and from Flegmatickness of the 
Stomach or Midriff. 
Another ate Fruit, and was so inflated at Stomach; that he breathed 
difficultly, but he (in his Obs. 144.) had a dry Cough with his hard 
breathing; signs of Choler, Thirst, bitterness of his Mouth, and pain of 
his Head. 
Felix Platerus in Respirat. d fectu. Obs. 1. One had a Cough a long 
while, specially he coughed on Mornings, and in the Evening ; he did 
spit forth raw Matter, often Sneez; he had falling down of Rheum 
by his Nose sometime, and was short winded if he wen up an Hill. 
And (page 170.) one had short breathing, and felt, like a girdle about 
him, pain on the Region of the Stomach, and a Feaver. 
Another had a sudden short with a Cough and spitting 
forth of Matter.
Another had a Periodick short breathing from defluxions.
Another had a great shortness of breath, like to suffocate him, with a 
Cough, and a falling down of Rheum, but was cured. 
Skenk. de. dyspnæa. Obs. 1. Relates, one had difficult breathing, if he 
did but walk once about his Parlour; most have when they lie down; 
standing upright commonly they breath best ; Even as Dodonæus Obs.  
Medic. cap. 20. Observed a Merchant not cured of short breathing by 
bleeding or other Medicines, and that for diverse years be had never 
lyen down, but sat and slept, else he would have been suffocated ; and 
at last a Gout and pain of his Kindneys troubled him, and his Asthma 
that could not be cured by Art, was derived by Nature to some other 
parts. 
Nicholas, Ser 4. Tract. 2. cap. 25. An Asthma or difficult breathing 
did oppress one once a week, commonly on Fridays. 
Another, in Horst. Epist. Med. preparing a Lee to wash Clothes as 
the Lee boiled, hung her head over it, and the steems came into her 
mouth, and she had such a difficult breathing presently thereupon, which 
encreased and continued seven dayes, she thought she should be suffo-
cated; and did die.
These

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 85
These are only to shew the variety of Symptoms, and difference in 
one Disease amongst all persons; also to shew how one and the self same 
effect, may arise from sundry causes, and one and the self same thing 
produce divers effects in two persons : Also that a Catarrh, Cough, Hy- 
drops Pectoris, Corruption or Apostemation of Blood, Empyema, Pe- 
ripneumonia, Pleuritis, Hydrops, Apoplexies, Inflatious and their likes, 
may in some cause difficult breathing, in others not; may in some 
cause a Cough, in others not ; may in some cause a pain of the 
brest, in others not; in some these, one or more; and sometimes 
one, sometimes another; and sometimes three or four may follow 
upon short breathing together ; sometimes separate, or one after 
another ; and sometimes one of them, sometimes another; and 
sometimes two or three may concomitate an Asthma or Cough, or be 
complicated together; But we cannot write all the particular Observa- 
tions to prove all these, but they shall see such and much more variety 
in the Lungs, and their sicknesses, that do read divers Physicians Ob- 
servations thereof, which are not altogether singular cases, but the com- 
mon and ordinary Method of Nature also, so far as (he doth Observe any 
Type or Order. 
By the divers kindes and degrees of short breathing, and the variety of 
outward and exciting Causes, & concomitant Sicknesses, already shewn, 
may be guessed how Coughs, spittingof Blood, of Matter, Inflama- 
tion of the Lungs, Pleurisies, &c. do vary in kinde and degree ; and 
are sometimes simple, as a Disease ; or joyned, as a Disease to another 
Disease ; or happening as a Symptom in other Ails, or supervening ; 
we shall quote many Histories and Observations of those that have been 
opened, and withal shew the various handling of these persons; some 
were alike, where the Cause seemed disalike ; and some were dis- 
agreeing in Diseases, Symptoms, and greatness thereof most, where 
by the Cause one would think they might be most like. But the want 
of having many Histories of all things, and seeing all the Varieties of 
Nature, and the want of distinguishing betwixt likes, hath hugely spoil- 
ed true Learning, or the Learning of Truth. 
We shall make thirteen or fourteen Distinctions of the Causes of 
Sicknesses from the Lungs, which may be reckoned as so many Diseases, 
and such and such are their Symptoms.
I. Abscesses are in the Lungs, as in other parts, and vary; of each 
kinde are various kindes, and of each of them several degrees: Colum- 
bus, lib. 15. found not onely Steatomatous Abscessus, but Bones and 
large, in the Lungs of Francisous Capellus. 
Holler.


86 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Holler. de morb. intern, cap. 23. lib. 2, opened a Monk, of whom he 
did satisfie himself touching the cause of an Asthma that suddenly kil- 
led him, finding an Apostem in the Vena Arteriosa, and sine pari, the 
Lungs safe.   
Tulp lib. 2. cap. 6. Obs. One was let blood in a Pleurisie, but too 
late, it neither eased the cough, nor pain ; at last much purulency by 
suppuration brake forth under the Arm-holes, and after a larger abscess 
arose in the Navil, or nigh thereto, and the purulency ran forth , and 
the Sick presently recovered. 
Pet. Pawns Obs. Anat. p. opened a young man that was so wasted he 
had scarce any flesh, both sides of the Lungs were bound to the Sides 
or Ribs; there were divers purulent abscesses in the Lungs, and Flegm 
in divers parts of the Lungs was discerned to concrete, and in some 
places plain stones for hardness, were found ; abundance of Water, 
though he was so dried, was found in the Pericardium ; he had fault al- 
so in his spinal Marrow, and the Vena Cava rose from the Liver in him 
in that place the Porta useth to rise; but whether these did contribute 
to his Tabes, onely the Lungs, is to be questioned. Also Obs. 22. 
he found an abscess of the Lungs in a Woman, the Lungs were tied 
with innumerable ligaments in various places, to the Pleura, also 
to the Pericardium and Midriff ; the Liver herewith was pale , as void 
of Blood, but not scirrhous ; the Lungs under the left Clavicle in the 
less part, had a great abscess, in it four pound of Sanies was ; and be- 
sides this, thirty or forty small abscesses of thick purulency and Scirrhs 
in other places. 
And Obs. Anatom. 25. A Woman died of an Atrophia, a wasting 
different from a Phthisick, the whole Lungs were purulent, any where 
white Pus did flow out; she had scarce any flesh left, and it was here- 
ditary to her.  
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2. Obs. 19. opened one that died of a slow 
or lingring Feaver; so wasted, that not onely Fat but all Flesh seemed 
consumed ; all parts were corrupted, the Omentum gangrened and al- 
most wasted, the right Kidney putrified, the Liver, great, hard, and full 
of Tubercles, Spleen onely discoloured, as the Intestines were , the 
Mesentery was wholly consumed Stomach and Bladder good,the Heart 
small and dried, but the Lungs (which is the business in hand) 
were purulent, full of knots, out of which white matter did flow ; but 
the lower part of the Lungs were drie and hard, and a pretty deal of 
water gathered in the Cavity. 
We shall in these give the Reader as much satisfaction, if he will 
minde, as if we should write a particular Treaise of the promiscuous 
affects


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 87 
affects of all the Bowels together: The Reader may easily see the Me- 
thod and Current of Nature, that one part consents with another, and 
frequently in those that dye, all or most of the Bowels are corrupted, 
and for the most part in different manners and degrees; nor are the 
parts so affected by Vessels running from one to another palpably al- 
ways, but they do transude and transmit both vapours and matter tho- 
row their Parenchyma, or Body ; in vivo omnia sunt pervia: The in- 
ward parts have pores, and do lie one upon another, and so affect one 
another. 
And as the Bowels are by Dissection found alike to be affected, and 
all to vary in this Affection or Disease, so the outward Symptoms va- 
ry ; and there are in the current of some Sicknesss nine or ten Diseases, 
which sometimes are looked upon as Symptoms. It is clear Physicians 
have writ very defectively ; but Truth and Experience are the sure Wit- 
nesses of Nature ; they shall never be controled : Nor shall I therefore 
ever be controled, though the Envyers of Truth speak and write against 
me. 
Laz. River. Cent. I. Obs. 60. Opened one of spitting of Blood, a Cough, 
Feaver, short-windedness, pains of the Shoulder-blades, beating of the 
Heart, and in the right Hypochonder, deceased ; the Mediastinum was 
full of wheyish Blood, it crushed together the Lungs and rough Artery, 
and caused the Asthma; the Lungs every where had a purulent and 
stinking matter, the left Testicle spongy, black, and gangrened, the 
Heart not hurt: Riverius supposed the affected Testicle did hurt the 
Heart; and what consent is there of these parts ? and what communi- 
ty of Vessels have these more than other parts ? 
II. and III. We shall shew that Bones and Stones are found in the 
Lungs, and what Diseases or Symptoms they produce , how they va- 
ry, and with what they are complicated. 
Columbus, lib. 15. found great Bones there. 
Of Stones. We have already related them among other Ails of the 
Lungs; they do cause Coughs, spitting of Blood, Asthma’s, Phthisicks, 
Atrophia, &c. or at the least, they are found in such person's o- 
pened. 
Alexand. Trallianus, lib. 5. cap. 4. One spat forth a Stone smooth and 
well formed, no congealed matter. 
Paul. Ægineta, lib 3. cap. 31. saw one with a grievous Cough, 
that raised much blood, therewith stones, flinty; he dyed ta- 
bid. 
Beniven. cap. 24. de abditis : One had a grievous side-pain, and drie 
Cough,

88 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Cough, he voided from his brest a stone as big as a Chess-Nut, and was 
eased quite. 
Gerardus Bergensis saw some in Coughs cast forth many stones toge- 
ther. 
Cornel. Gumma lib. I. cap. 6. saw many little white exceeding hard 
stones coughed up from the Lungs; to omit the observations of Kent- 
mannas, Wierus, Ferrandus, Cardanus, Fernelius, Jacotius, Sebastianus,
Platerus, Gabelchover, Oetheus,&c. enow to testifie the truth, that stones 
bigger or less, more or fewer, rounder or flatter, are the cause, and fre- 
quent cause of the aforesaid ails and sicknesses; these saw them coughed 
forth. 
We shall shew some Examples thereof by Dissection too, so that di- 
vers that have such stones in their Lungs, or Pipes, or in all other parts, 
there may be no appearance. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician in an Epistle of his signifies 
that a Roman Woman thirty five year old, for many years was trou- 
bled with inappetence, and a dry Cough, and Asthma, she had advice 
of divers Physicians in vain ; opened, her Stomach was found full of 
hardened Fibra’s, and black; three Lobes, of the four the Lungs have, 
were stony, or hardened like to stone ; the Milt did not exceed a Pullets 
Egg in bigness. 
Platerus, Obs. de respiratione defectu, pag. 180. found stones in four 
Asthmatical and short-winded persons, in one he found stones in the 
middle of the intersepient Membranes in the Brest. 
Petrus Paw. in his ninth Dissection, in one that died of a Consum- 
ption, found Apostemations, Tubercles full of Pus, many in the Lungs, 
and in some parts absolutely petrified ; he was wasted and dried excee- 
dingly , yet good store of Water was found in the Pericardium, We 
could bring many more Examples, but these may suffice. 
IV. Animalia, Worms, or various kindes of living Creatures are 
the Cause of many Sicknesses and Affects, not onely peculiar to other 
parts, but coincident to the Lungs also, and each part Extrinsick as well 
as Intrinsick, chiefly a pertinacious Cough is stirred up by Worms; 
sometimes they are joyned with stones, and there is short breathing, 
and pains of the Clavicles; they are sometimes like Worms in Wood, 
Maggots, Flies, and sometimes like Pine-Kernels; more have been cast
up by Cough, in flegmatick matter, then have been found in the Disse- 
cted : We shall not stay the Reader in the particular Histories. Johan- 
ner Skenkins, Obs. Med. pag. 217. hath collected Authors enow, if any 
should distrust the Truth , to witness it. None could guess at 
Worms


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 89 
Wormes by the Symptomes hardly, except they saw the like. 
V. Coughs are caused by things got into the Trachæa Arteria, or
Lungs ; as short and difficult breathing. Nic. Tulp. Obs. 7. of his third 
Book, relates of a Citizen of Amsterdam, for seven years hugely molest- 
ed with a Cough , and very strait breathed, so that he grew lean; at 
last with violent Coughing he brought up the shell of an Hazel Nut, as 
big as a mans Finger-Nail, and he was thence-from delivered of his 
long and tedious Cough and Dyspnæa; it stuck about the Head of the 
Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe. 
Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. Cent. 2. Obs. 27. relates of a Woman of Pata 
via, that eating Chess-Nuts laughed, and it seems some part got into 
the Wind-pipe, which she did not know ; for two months she was mi- 
serably afflicted with a Cough, with a Feaver, and wasting of the 
whole Body; a Phthisick was feared, divers Physicians were advised 
with ; at last she took a vomitive potion, and brought up the Kernel, and 
was presently restored to health.
VI. The Lungs are sometime found spongy ; Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. 
Anatom. Cent. 3. His. 2. found them so ; they were light like a Feather, 
yet in some parts tied to the sides ; their colour outwardly was good, 
but inwardly they had little Blood, but Sanies in some places issued out; 
his Heart great and full of Blood, found ; he died consumptive, scarce 
any flesh left on his Body ; his sickness began with muteness , and a 
great swelling under the Chin : Let the Reader in all these judge how 
it is with others, and how one part consents with another in being af- 
flicted together, that is more remote, and hath less Community of 
Vessels many times ; and how all being affected in one Body, and one 
Disease, they vary each perhaps in the kinde of affection ; so that it is 
clear, Physick is Ars Conjecturalis ; and to finde those Diseases Ancients 
writ of, so and no other, and in all things just so full, is a rarity ; for 
I suppose some of them writ by one case how all were, and so do the 
ordinary people; that that cures one, they think must cure all; and if 
died so, they pronounce all sick of that distemper ( as well as they can 
guess) to die : In this man the Caul was quite consumed, the Ileon- 
Gut looked black, the Liver looked dark, the Bladder of Gall full, most 
of the parts very found. Heurnius found the Lungs like these. 
VII. Sometimes the Lungs or Lights are found waterish, as Riverius, 
Cent. 2. Obs. 78. A Woman had a short breathing for fifteen years, en- 
creasing gradually , she had sometimes a swelling of her Cheek, and
M Erisy-


90 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Erisypelas of her Leg, she had sometimes a falling down of Rheum,
which encreased her Dyspnea; she coughed not at all till one day before 
she died, and that is the wonder, her Lungs being full of water : for 
how in Dropsies do some cough with their Dyspnæa, through the transu- 
dation of water, and soaking thereof in the Lungs? With the water- 
ishness and corruption of the Lungs, the Spleen is found putrified, so 
that with crushing it fell in pieces; the right Ventricle of the Heart in 
the interior part denudated of its Membrane, and looked putrid and 
exulcerated, the right Auricle large and found ; and this was a reason 
of the inequality of Pulse : for in another Riverius opened, where was 
the like inequality of Pulse, the right Auricle was bigger than wont, 
and filled with a flegmatick hard concrete substance : In another he o- 
pened, an Ulcer in the middle of the Heart caused it.
VIII. A Dropsie of the Lungs is like to this, but in the purity of 
the Water, and quantity they vary ; and in this the Parenchyma of the 
Lungs may not be corrupted.
Tulpius, lib, 2. Obs. 16. A Boy had a moist head, and frequent distil- 
lation, a light Feaver, a Cough, and very difficult breathing, a great 
sleepiness, and often fainting : opened, the Brest was full of Water, 
the Lungs hung flaccing, the left Auricle of the Heart eaten with divers 
Ulcers, a slinking humour belching out, which might be the cause of 
the Childs often fainting. 
T. Barth. Cent. 2. Hist. Thomas Cartier, a sanguine man, incli- 
ned to an atrabilarious temper, laboured of a light Cough, and Feaver- 
ishness; they encreased; he grew Asthmatical, specially on Nights; 
his Feet swell, Pain troubles his left Side : dissected, ten pints of 
putrified and stinking Water was found in his Thorax ; the Lungs, ex- 
cept in the left part, putrilaginous; the Spleen putrid and slinking, in 
the greatest part of it; ten or twelve Clots of thick concreted Blood 
were found in the Ductus of the Aorta, near the Heart. 
IX. The Lungs are found in some discoloured alone; not that the 
colour causeth any thing, but that that caused the colour; even as a poi- 
sonous quality infecting the Body, changes the colour of the inward 
Bowels. 
Riverius, Obs. 87. Cent. 1. One troubled with Cardialgia pain of the 
left Scapula and Arm, Flux of the Belly, then a Cough, with difficulty of 
breathing, and after that spitting of Blood ; Medicines and Bleeding 
availed not, she spat Blood hugely afore Death : Dissected, the Lungs 
were white, sticking to the Ribs, and Midriff, and Pericardium, as if 
one

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 91 
one Body; the Heart white and exulceratcd, and the matter from that 
caused the Cough, and spitting of Blood.
He found them livid in another, page l55. 
In an observation communicated to him from Hen. Rufus, is found, 
how that a Maid had a long and lingering sikness, melancholy and pale, 
and short winded, but not likely to die, nor did she lie by it; when she
lay down she had sometimes a dry Cough, no thirst, she grew weakly; she 
died, not being thought mortally diseased : many specks or spots, li- 
vid or red were seen ; the Lungs had whitish circumferential lines,and 
seemed blasted ; all the bowels but the Liver safe, that was tainted with 
Leeky Choler ; the Pleura and intercostal Muscles were coloured green 
from an humour; the Pericardium void of juyce and putrified; the 
Heart and Brain safe; he seldom coughed; the Pericardiom might affect 
the vital Spirits in the Heart, and so cause unexpected death. Many 
the like may be seen in Histories under the other Heads, but we are 
loth to write one Observation twice, though it may witness three or 
four things.
X. The Lungs are very frequently found to stick to other parts, be- 
ing of a clammy Substance, and flegmatick Nature; in all infirmities 
of the Brest, they may stick, or adhere, or grow out of order, to one 
part or other they are nigh, especially too as that part consents in cor- 
ruption with them. 
Pet. Paw a Tabid Person opened, found both parts of the Lungs 
sticking or growing firmly to the Ribs. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Hist. 2. in another Tabid or Phthisical Person, 
found the Lungs; being light and spongy, to be grown 16 the Ribs; 
and in the 76 History of his 2 Cent. a Pthisical Person was opened, the 
Lungs were void of Blood, and dried, and grew firmly to the Ribs on 
the right side. 
Riverius. Observat. Cent. x. page 84. found in one that died of an 
Ulcer of the Heart, spitting of Blood, Cough, difficulty of breathing, 
pain of the side, &c. that the Lungs were firmly knit to the ribs and 
Diaphragma, and Pericardium, as if united into one Body. 
Columbus Lib. 15. Anatomiæ, saith, He hath frequently found the 
Lungs knit to the Pleura, sometimes in one side sometimes tn another, and 
sometimes in both. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. relates one laboured of a defluxion upon his 
Lungs and Brest, a Diarrhæa preceeded; he had a Cough, great stretch- 
ing out of the Stomach, belching and nausea, he was disposed to goutish
and Stone-Cholical pains formerly; dying suddenly, and opened, the 
M2 lungs 

92 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Lungs on the right side did cleave to the side swelled, as if inflamed, 
the left part swam in bloody Water, such as Bauhinus nere saw before ;
in one Kidney was diverse smaller, and one great Stone , the other 
Kidney wasted ; Water was in the Belly ; the Stomach that by the sym- 
toms seemed affected, is not mentioned to be hurt, 
Hercules Saxonia did find in two, with some difference, that the 
cause of their Asthma and spitting of Blood, was an inward corruption 
of the Lungs, and outwardly their growing to the Pleura or side ; but 
one of them seemingly died of a Dropsy. 
XI. The Lungs or Lights are sometimes found dryed, and void of 
Blood, and light, as Tho. Barth. 76. Hist. Cent. 2. tesisies, recited 
before : to which also comes the observation of Petrus Spehrerius afore 
related.
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 2. Hist. 35. saith, In Phthisicks he hath seen 
the Lungs so hardned and dryed they might be crumbled. 
And the next observation but one, was a dissection of a dropsical par- 
ty that coughed, was short winded and Phthisical; his Lungs were ra- 
ther dry then moist, and void of Blood, hanging flaccing. 
Most of these things make against the Moderns, especially such as I- 
dolize the invention of the right wayes the Blood circulates in ; they 
attribute much to the Heart, Spirits, and too swift or flow motion of the 
Blood, and other sangles about the Vessels and their community, which 
are but sometime, if at any time, in any measure true : Men must ima- 
gine still, that Nature must change and alter, as the Vertices of their 
Brains whirl about. 
Cent. 2. Hist. 76. Tho. Barth, found in one dying of a Consumption, 
the Lungs dryed, void of Blood, and grown to the sides, and yet much 
yellow water in the Thorax and Abdomen.
XII. The Lungs are found Scirrhous, as all other inward Bowells 
are ; sometimes full of hard knots, sometimes they have thick Mat- 
ter in them; sometimes like Atheroma, sometimes like Steatoma, and 
sometimes like Melicerius ; and sometimes they have Worms, Stones, 
and concrete Matter or Blood therein ; and sometimes they are Spon- 
gious, and sometimes pure Caruncles : Yet the Pracical Physicians
wrote only of Scirrhs of the Liver and Spleen, as if they were peculi- 
ar to those parts alone ; they are indeed in those parts as well as others, 
but as rarely so, and such as they describee, as any other; so that from 
one or two Observations they chanced to see, (if they were grounded 
on Observation) Experientia interdum Fallax; they laid down the Me- 
thod

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 93 
thod of Nature, which Observation might be as great a rarity and pe- 
culiar case as any, for in the dissected two are not exactly found alike, 
or at least rarely by one man in all things. 
Many times a dispute is more about the sense or signification of a 
Word, or the name of the thing, then any thing else ; one meaning 
one thing by such a word, another another; one takes the word from 
the Genuine signification of the Word, or Radix, or that from whence 
it is derived ; another from the common acception, or what such have 
seemed to mean by it ; that should alwayes first be known what they 
mean by such Words, or Titles, or names of things, for perhaps 
thereby they might at first understand one another, and be recon- 
ciled. 
But the word Scirrh was took by the Ancients and Moderns, as it 
purely signifies, being a Greek word σxiρροs, from the Verb σxiρροω to 
make hard; yet they mean not only an hardness, but hard swellings 
thereby : Indeed many times the common use of a word, this way or 
that way, makes it proper this way or that way. 
Johannes Bauhinus, as we have afore related, found the Lungs har- 
dened, but liker a Phlegmone then Scirrh, as the Ancients described; 
we shall rarely see any thing in all points exactly cohere with their de- 
scription. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician, found them hard, as afore re- 
lated, but as it were turned into perfect stone.
Schenchius filius writes of one that had a masse of flesh weighing 
three pound,that was concreted or hardned,as if the flesh was laid plate 
upon plate, and outwardly was a Tumor in the side. 
Johannes Hessus, in an Observation communicated by Joachim Cam- 
rarius to Jo. Schenkius writes , That one that spat Blood with a salt di- 
stillation and Cough was opened, and in his right side was found a Tu- 
bercle sticking to the Lungs, it was large and like a Sponge, so that it 
is appertinent to the sixth head. 
Nicholaus, Serm. 4. Tract. 2. Cap. 6. One almost suffocated, cough- 
ed up a piece of hardned flesh,large, and other pieces smaller, and was 
eased ; a year after the same seemed to be regenerated, and he died, choak- 
ed thereby. 
Benivenius, cap. 88. de abditis, A woman seemed for a good while, as 
if she should be choaked or suffocated, and stopped up; at last she fell in- 
to a very troublesome Cough, and brought up a piece of hard flesh, and 
was eased quite. 
Forestus

94 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Forestus observed an Asthmatical so, by coughing up an hard Caruncle,
eased. 
One voided in Skenkius a Tabid, that had a Cough diverse years, with 
much matter like a fishes Bladder or Swimmer, as some; Lohoch Sanum, 
and de pulmone Vulpis, &c. did no good till this came up. 
We may reduce things to Heads, but in all these heads are so many 
varieties, that they are scarce reduceable under any one name, they do 
so vary; so that it is hard to say, whether they belong to this or that 
kind, or to any, or whether they are a Gennus by themselves, ora Species 
of some strange and different Genus. 
Shenk. pag. 218. hath gathered two Observations, 
One from Hollerius: One died of a Dropsie of the Brest, a Cough, and 
great thirst, the Lungs were found wonderfully dried ; but this is refera- 
ble to the eleventh head. 
The other from Franciscus Michinus, of one that supposedly died of 
an Empyema or Dropsy of the Brest, the Pleura, and so the Lungs, Me- 
diastinum, and partly the Spleen and Midriff, were thick and callous, or 
brawny fleshed.
Who would have imagined that Mr. Francis Edwards of Alesy in this 
County, troubled-long with an oppressing and stuffing at his Chest, ease- 
able by no Pectorals, should have had an Animal like a Serpent bred 
there ? he died at London, about the year 1661 and was opened, the Phy- 
sicians desiring to see the cause of his stuffing and clogging that they 
could not help. 
Nor are all these things we have writ, such strange and rare Cases as 
some may imagine , but if men were opened, they would be thought 
the common causes of sicknesses, the wonderful variety of Nature con- 
sidered. 
Jo. Bilgerus in his Epistle to Gregory Horstius, intimates how a Maid 
that had a stuffing and short breathing many years, at last that encreasing, 
she died, was opened ; the Lungs found blackish, but no other fault in 
them, (this is referrable to stregthen what we said in the ninth Head) 
but when the Aspera Arteria, according to its longitude, came to be 
cut up nigh the passages of the Lungs, through which Air is to be brought 
for fanning native heat, many black Caruncles like little knots or 
Pease, some bigger, some less, were found together, filling up the passa- 
ges of the Lungs; the Veins about the Heart and Diaphragma were full 
of Blood; she had her Courses stopped, and so that might add to the 
growth of these : so that these things do not commonly happen, not 
so as the Practical Physicians thought, but many times not in those parts 
or places as they did imagine. 
Pet.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 95 
Pet. Paw. found, besides one great Apostem in the Lungs, thirty little 
ones like knots, in his Anatomical Observations annexed to Thomas 
Bartholinus. 
XIII. Distinction of Causes is took from Consumption or absolute 
wasting away of the Lungs, as all other parts of the intern Body do ; 
and truly there is scarce any thing we have writ of the Lungs, but is 
found in other parts ; and what causes are found in other parts, confide- 
ratis considerandis, may be found in the Lungs; and therefore we have 
been the larger to describe all particulars. 
A Gentlewomans Son, whom I knew at Huntingdon, was opened at 
London, dying of a Phthisick, he had but a little bit of his Lungs left, 
his Liver huge large. 
A Kinsman of mine in Holburn was Phthisical many years, and lived 
beyond expectation; he had six or seven children, all died, but some li- 
ved till four or five years of Age; one they opened, thinking it to have 
died of a Dropsy; but as I remember, the Mother told me it had scarce 
a pint of Water in its Belly, but the Lungs were wasted, and the Liver 
filled up the vacuum or yielding of the Lungs, it did so thrust th Dia- 
phragma, but it was very knotty. 
Columbus lib. 15. Anatomiæ, Dissected one that had scarce any piece 
of his Lungs left; there was a great deal of difference twixt him and 
those two, Sylvius and Putem write of, that had five Lobes of the Lungs, 
when naturally men have but four. 
Georgius Crasecchius in tract. de Pulmonum Vitiis, Dissected one that 
died of a Cough, and difficult breathing Phthisical; in the left capacity 
of the Thorax was much Water, purulent and fæculent, and some did 
assimilate to Pultis, and a very small part of the Lungs left. 
By these it is clear, man may live with a little piece of his Lungs; and 
he oftner dies of their stoppages or diversity of corruption, then of their 
wasting, ten to one; and after this manner Nature acts in the rest of the 
intern parts. 
Petrus Forestus, in Scholio ad Observat, 37. lib. 2. Relates of one 
from a wound, that spat up his Lungs, as they turned into purulency, for 
a long time ; so that when he was opened, the Heart was left bare, with- 
out any Lungs about it. 
Sometimes just half the Lungs are wasted, the other half being 
found. 
Moreover the Reader may observe, which perhaps we shall clearly 
demonstrate in our Treatise of the Dropsie, that always the affection 
of the Lungs do not shew a Disease by outward Symptoms.
Thomas

96 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 4. Obs. 17. found Pus & Sanguis sine 
Phthisi: An Hectik Feaver is sometime without hurt of the Lungs, 
(though we have shewn many Examples thereof before, indeed there is- 
scarce any such distinct or peculiar Feaver, or rarely to be found.) Pet. 
Pawns, Obs. Anatom. 16. Fat in great quantity found in the Cavity of 
the Thorax, without any detriment to the Patient: T. Barth. pag. 170. 
and 266. A Phthisis from the Heart, Thom. Bartholin. Cent. 1. Hist. 
50.
River. Obs. p. 74. observed a Pleurisie from Worms, the Lungs un- 
hurt ; so in an Empyema, the Lungs being safe, Sanies was in the side. 
Marcellas Donat. pag. 280. The Cause of an Asthma was not found in 
the Lungs, but Vena Arteriosa and sine pari: Riverius found the Cause 
of an Asthma in the Diaphragma, pag. 286. Skenk. 237, and 222, and  
217. Worms are generated of divers kinds and bignesses , sometimes 
in the Lungs, sometimes in the Aspera Arteria, and sometimes in the 
Vicine parts of the Thorax. See Horst. Obs. pag. 456. Outward Signs 
not agreeing with inward Causes : See Riverius, Observ. pag. 306, Ma- 
ny parts are affected together within the Body, so that we know not 
which to refer a Disease to, or which did cause, or was caused to cor- 
rupt, Tho. Barth. Cent. 2. pag. 177. But he that reads all the foregoing 
Histories, and observes what he reads, shall see more than these will 
make out. 
Our Ardor and Zeal to Truth, and to reconcile all to one mind, and 
to make men attain to that they may ever acquiesce in, and put to si- 
lence all Gain-sayers, hath instigated us to take these pains, and make 
these Scrutinies into all things. 
The Readers perhaps will expect we should deliver somewhat of the 
Cure of all these Distempers, or of their particular Causes. 
Many of those Aphorisms concerning the cure of Head-Diseases, are 
so general, they are to be consulted in each of these. 
If the cure of every Disease is by taking away the Cause, than we 
have given a good insight into the Cure, by shewing all the Causes: But 
because there is such variety and alteration of Distempers, and their 
Causes, the wisest Physician in most weighty businesses, goes conjectu- 
rally to work; and thence it is, every inferiour unlearned fellow, will 
cure the sick Hab-Nab, and sometimes when the Learned cannot do it; 
yea many an old Woman with a few odde Specificals, cures many busi- 
nesses that the Learned cannot accomplish with a Course of Physick, 
not using those Specificals. 
Two things are chiefly considerable in all Sicknesses: First to respect 
the 


A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 97 
the Cause, secondly the Symptom; that is done by Specificals, or Pla- 
netary Medicines. 
I. We noted Abscesses in the Lungs. In those we must use ripen- 
ing and emollient Drinks inwardly, with Wound-Herbs. Take this 
for a Formula : 
IV Hyperici, Saniculæ, Consolidæ, Bugulæ, an. miss. Rad Glyciriræ,
Hordei Gall. Ficuum Pinguium, an. 31. fol. Malvæ Alikæe, Meliloti. an. 
M.S. Boil all in four pints of Water gently, and close covered, till 
the third part is wasted by evaporation ; strain it, drink a quarter of a 
pint thrice a day ; this will serve to cleanse and break Apostematous 
Abscesses too ; Oyntments and Cataplasms also are fit, outwardly 
made, after that manner as Authors prescribe ; opening the side or 
brest is the last, or blistering to to bring out the matter, also cough- 
ing. 
II and III Heads were of Bones and Stones engendered in the Lungs. 
They ate to be coughed up, the Apostmes in which lie, broken, if possibly 
they are to be dissolved; Juyce of Chamomile, Goats Blood, and 
sharp Vinegar dissolve them ; the Cough is to be appeased by mild, sli- 
pery emollient Medicines; though saccharate and sweet things are used 
for the Lungs, they are apt to thicken, and grow clammy, and turn to 
Flegm, and aggravate many Distempers. 
IV. Worms. They are to be killed, and coughed forth, the Lungs 
are to be cleansed ; Mercurius Dulcis is of chief use, and a pectoral 
Drink of Horehound, St. Johns. Wort, Hyssop, Aniseeds, and Grass 
Roots, with Oyl of Vitriol and Brimstone, or Vinegar of Squills, with 
Oyl of Sulphur. 
V. Those great or hard Bodies that from without are got into the 
Wind-pipe or Gullet, and so compress the Wind-pipe, must be cough- 
ed up, or vomited forth ; or if they may go down into the Stomach, 
’tis good to let them go : Oyl of Lillies, sweet Almonds, &c. that di- 
late the Flesh and passages, are good to cause a slipery and easie coming 
forth. 
VI. Concerning the Sponginess of the Lungs, or their lightness, 
fussiness and vacancy of Blood, there is scarce any Remedy ; a Pecto- 
ral moistening and Analeptick Diet, is likely to do most. 
VII and VIII. Waterishness of the Body and Lobes of the Lungs 
is found the Cause of many Griefs, and so the swiming of the Lungs 
in water, though perhaps they may be dry, as they are found divers times 
in a Dropsie of the Brest, else we need not make such distinction : That 
that dries the Body in other cases, is good here, sweating and provoking 
Urine: for the Kidneys should attract or receive all the Water, the 
N Guts

98 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Guts, the Excrements and thick Food, the Liver and Gall, the Choler; 
and when and where any of these are the Cause, we must look to the 
part whose office it was to separate and discharge these : we must some- 
times look for contrary indications; for in a Dropsie of the Brest, dry- 
ing means are convenient; yet because the Lungs therein may be dry, 
they do harm one way as they do good another : Some have handled 
the Cure of such particular Dropsies, to whom I may refer you : Chy- 
surgery, if it be confirmed, is likeliest to do most.
IX. In Discolorations of the Lungs alone is no need, nor no Effica- 
cy of Medicines, but that that gives the green colour, or yellow, or 
black, or white, or livid, of all which colour the Lungs have been 
found ; and sometimes not otherwayes ailing any thing : That that 
gives the Colour is specifically to be purged forth, but this is not fore- 
seen. 
X. The slicking, cleaving or growing of the Lungs to other parts, 
any that are nigh, specially that participate in corrupting with them, is 
not alwayes discoverable, and as seldom curable ; if we perceive they 
do adhere we cannot tell exactly to what part, in what kind, from what 
cause, and in what degree, little or much; hinderers of Putrifaction, 
spenders of moisture, outward heaters and drawers forth of moisture, 
are medicinal, as vomiting to loosen them, and purging to take away 
the antecedent cause, may be, and sneezing, jumping, vociferati- 
on, &c. sweet things, Lohocks, Syrups, specially Gum Arabick, Traga- 
ganth, Starch, &c. are bad, glewing, and apt to be clungy; such things 
are good to mix with Flegm, and to bring it up, and raise Coughing, 
whereby the Lungs are disburdened; also for stopping thin Rheum,and 
imbodying it, that it may be coughed up or raised; or to asswage Sharp- 
ness and Excoriation of the Wind-pipe or Lungs, else they often do 
hurt: and I am perswaded the glutinous and flegmatick nature of the 
Lungs is encreased thereby. We may judge from outward things best, 
many times, how inward things be; and by things we see, those we can- 
not come at to see; Sugars, Syrups, Lohochs, &c. of that nature with 
heat, dry, and grow tough, and birdlimy and clungy, and so ’tis impossi- 
ble they should act in the body, but the supply of moisture keeps them 
from sudden coagulation, or inspissation. 
XI. When the Lungs are dryed, void of blood, and light, there is 
scarce any help ; for though we moisten and nourish the body, yet per- 
haps they are not capable of drawing any nutriment to themselves, or 
at least not to convert it to a right use, the tone and office of them being 
so extinguished: in such cases we must endeavour to make Life as plea- 
sant as we may, and abate the Symptoms. It is a part of wisdom al- 
wayes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 99 
wayes those things we cannot take away, to endeavour to mitigate 
them. 
XII. The Lungs are found scirrhous, hard ; sometimes moist Scirrhs, 
and sometimes light, dry Scirrhs, as Spunges; and sometimes stony 
Scirrhs. To help this, softning Oyntments, and Cataplasms are suita- 
ble, if we can observe the Cause of this Cause ; that is a main matter 
in the cure of all things, to see and observe all along what helped and 
harmed, and with what, and in what times the evil seemed to encrease 
most ; Lohoch and Eclegmas, and Pectoral Drinks are convenient; but 
the difference of Scirrhs asks for diversity. Caruncles are to be cured 
otherwayes than Stones; and Spunginess another way ; and hardned 
Apostems another. A Lohoch made of the Syrup of Juyce of Chamo- 
mile, Gum Ammoniacum, Resina Larirea, Liquorish, flos Sulphuris, and 
rad Althææ is medicinal: Chamomile, Lilly roots, Althea , Lin-seed, 
Fænigreek-seed, Oyl of sweet Almonds, Emplastrum Meliloti, Compo- 
situm pro Splene are outwardly helpful; A juvantibus & nocentibus opti- 
ma sumitur indicatio; by such things as help, and such as hurt, we may 
find out the nature of the Distemper. 
Non est in Medico semper relevetur ut æger,
Interdum Docta plus valet Arte malum. 
The Doctor cannot alwayes cure, sometime 
The Sickness doth above the Med'cine clime. 
xiii. Wasting of the Lungs, are chiefly restored by Causes contrary 
to those that did cause wasting, for they differ in differing people ; 
commonly this is called a Consumption, though there be divers kinds: 
and in some Consumptions the Lungs are firm ; yet where the Lungs 
are wasted, seldom but there is a Consumption, so that we may make 
this distinction : Every wasting away of the Lungs is a Consumption, 
but every Consumption or wasting away of Fat and Flesh, is nor a wast- 
ing of the Lungs, or proceeded there from. The foolish Vulgar call all 
that lie long sick, and waste, Consumptives, and so indeed they be ; 
for Consumption doth only signifie a wasting or Consuming ; and so in 
all diseases, they that lie long sick and cannot eat their food, for the 
most part waste, and yet the Lungs safe, nor are an Atrophia, Phthisis
and Hectick Feaver all the wasting and kinds thereof that do happen ; 
nor doth all wasting waste after one or other of these kinds. 
Those Medicines that are good against Phthisicks or Consumptions 
the Greeks call Restoratives, Nourish- 
ers, and Fatners. N2 Next

100 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Next we shall respect the Symptoms or manifest Griefs depending 
on these and other unknown Causes. First, for short or difficult brea- 
thing, in any Causes these are specifical, or have a propriety. 
Conserve of the roots of Holly-Oaks or Garden-Mallows made with 
Honey, experienced by Benedictus Victo, Faventinus, Empyricis. 
Conserve of the flowers of Honeysuckles, Caprisolium: Experienced 
by N. C. 
Crocus, Experienced by many; so Millipedes or Aselli, Sows: Ex- 
perienced by Platerus and others. Zedoary, rad Brioniæ, Angelicæ, Sul-
phur , sem Anisi. I have experienced in divers ; and Oximel of Squils, 
with Saffron and Aqua Anisi. 
To ease Coughs from all Causes; yet they are not always to be stop- 
ped, for Nature ordained that motion to the Lungs, to keep us from 
choaking up. 
Decoction of Juniper berries in Wine for Infants, Exper. Platerus. 
The Decoction of Gourds, and Veronica, was proved by the same. 
A draught of Poppy water with Sugar, is held a secret, took every 
night, to stop a molestuous Cough. 
Garlick, with Bears Grease anointed on the plants of the feet. 
Ziziphæ are praised by Hartman, Pract. Chym. macerated in Spirit 
of Wine, and took every morning. 
The Decoction of Thyme for Chincoughs is praised.
A Decoction of Box-wood, shaved; Rosemary, roots of Hounds- 
tongue, and Cough-down is excellent. 
To stop Coughs, Laudanum and Narcoticks are most effectual, but
warily to be used. 
Of Side-pains, from Wind; Tobacco leaves anointed and applied ; 
Heurnius. Wormwood fryed with Grease, and applied hot, Emp. 
Acorns in pouder, Decoction of Stich-Holly, and Chamomile flow- 
ers, I have experienced. 
Spirit of Wine, Camphire, and red Sanders boiled together, for ba- 
thing the Side, is an Experiment of Plater. in Prax. Medica. 
Side-pains from Inflamation, are experimentally found easable by 
Boars-Tush, Bulls Pizzle given in Cardus-water; Plater. Rondeletius, 
River. Johnston. Prevotius, &c. 
Barrow, Quercetane, used Olibanum, to ease the Stitch. Johnstonus in 
id. Med. Pract. praises Resina ; Sperma Ceti I know very available. 
Lodovicus Septalius praiseth two Medicines, Honey of Roses with 
fresh Butter, and Oyl of sweet Almonds with Manna. Crabs Eyes, red 
Coral, Violet Flowers, Cardus Benedictus, Scabiosa, Nettles, Rhubarb, 
Poppy-

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 101 
Poppy-flowers, are specifical, and give ease, and most speedy help after 
bleeding in Pleurisies : Let none tell me some are hot, some cold; some 
binding, some loosning; some pectoral, some hepatical; some nephritical, 
some carminatives; some makers of wind; they do it assuredly; and 
let our Reason follow Experience, they do it by Astral Influence, and 
Sympathy or Antipathy: that is the reason many ordinary learned Fel- 
lows and Women help divers by one peculiar odde Medicine, that 
Physicians cannot without a tedious method and repetition of many Me- 
dicines : for in many compositions sometimes there is scarce one or two 
Specificals, and those perhaps in little quantity; yet we approve much 
of Rules and good Methods, but they will scarce hold practiceable in 
two persons alike : Spitters and Expectoraters are necessary. 
Now for Spitting of Blood to cease the Symptom :
Water and Vinegar is experienced by Rondeletius. 
Juyce of Nettles four Ounces, with one Drachm of Powder of the 
true Bloodstone in Knot-Grass-Water, is praised by Jo. Schmitz.
The constant use of Germander, by Crato.
Lohoch of Purslane-Juyce,with Dragons Blood, Terra Lemnia, 
praised by Plater. 
Syrup of Juyce of Purslane, by Riverius.
Spirit of Vitriol half a Scruple, with four Ounces of Plantane-Wa- 
ter, is experienced by Riverius. 
Juyce of Nettles above all was successful to Amatus Lusitanus. 
Lapis Hæmatitis to Trallianus. 
Hartman used the Remedy of Riverius, of Vitrioli Sc.s. Aq. Plan- 
tag. ℥ 4. 
Gerrard in his Herbal praises the Juyce of Periwinkles to one Ounce 
drunk often, that it never fails stopping blood. 
Opium, Poppy Seed, Laudanum, Henbane Seed, and such Narcoti- 
cals, are the last Refuge. 
Sennertus for all Fluxes of Blood wheresoever, all other things fail- 
ing, saith, The red Jasppar, or true Bloodstone, applied so that it touch the 
Skin, hath been most efficacious. Also for Hæmorrages of the Nostrils, 
we have known the application of the true Bloodstone successful beyond 
other things. 
For Phthisicks, or those whose Lungs waste away, which is onely to 
be guessed at by Symptoms, and leanness of the whole Body, these are 
best experienced by Authors. 
There is an Herb known to Sheep, Avenroar saith, He saw the Ulcer 
of the Lungs of a Sheep healed thereby ; they know that by natural in- 
stinct, that we cannot find out by experience ; And Hermes Trismegi
stus

102 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
stus thinks if man knew all the opposite Qualities in Animals, Plants 
and Minerals, he might do no less things than to be supposed Witch- 
craft, Jac. Sylvius in Meth. Med. 
Matthias Gradi healed a Phthisical with the heat of an Oven; the dry 
Air drawn often into his Mouth dried up the Ulcer. Idem, Ibidem.
An agglutinating Lohoch of Turpentine, Bole of Armenia, and 
Myrrh, is wonderful: Eracastorius. 
Trallianus with Lapis Aimatites cured many Phthisicks.  
Quercetan with Ground-Ivy, or Tunhoof, juyced and made into a 
Lohoch with Honey or Sugar, Flos Sulphuris added. 
The use of Conserve of Red Roses constantly, cured many. Mesue 
and Avicen. 
Womans Milk is moistening and nourishing, connatural to us, and 
the fittest to restore mans flesh and moisture, is most easily converted 
into the substance of our Body. Platerus, in Prax. Med. 
The Decoction of Lignum Sanctum cured others: The Decoction of 
River-Crabs in Barley-Water, others. 
Schenkius, Optimè humanæ salutis Meritus, from divers Authors, hath 
gathered all these : Saccharum Rosatum, that Avicen, Mesue, Crato, 
Valeriola and Forestus used successfully. Hedera Terrestris, praised by 
Langius ; Pulmonariæ, by George Hamberger; Ros. Solis Herb, by Lobe- 
lius, and Fil. Skenk. Betrys, by Joac. Camerar. Pseudocostus or Ingras- 
siæ di porci of Italy by Camerar. Balsam, Sulphuris, by Skenkius Filins, 
and Georgius. 
We have used this Lohoch successfully, a Compound of the former: 
ꝶ Powder of Hedera Terrestris ʒ ii, Lapidis Hæmatitidis, Glyciriræ, 
Floris Sulphuris, an ʒ i. Nucleorum pini ʒ i.s. Syr. Juglandibus imma- 
turis ℥ ii. Penidiorum ℥ i. Cons. Rosarum Rubrarum ʒ i. s. misce fiat Lo- 
hoch, cum Syr. Pectorali, q. s. ad consistentiam idoneam. 
We must give out Readers this Caution, That Authors for Symptoms 
in Diseases, and for Dissections in dead Bodies , did write commonly 
impartially and uninterestedly, and therefore are the more to be belie- 
ved in what they say they saw : but in the Cures they did, many were 
hugely given to boasting, specially the Chymical Writers, for they 
crack their Medicines much, thinking to get Fame, and Vend for such 
things; nor have Physicians commonly dealt candidly and fairly, in de- 
livering how oft such a Medicine hath cured, and not how oft it hath 
failed: If a Physician use a'sorry Medicine many times, it is hard if 
more then one or two are not helped by it. Authors must be consider- 
ed, their Temper, Sincerity, Modesty and Sobriety, and wherein they 
write upon their own Interest. 
A 

103 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF 
DROPSIES. 
I Do not intend by Dropsies onely to give the 
insight of that Distemper to my Readers, 
but to shew the Course and Order of Nature 
in change of all the Bowels: In these things 
under this Title may be seen the variety of 
Distempers, and in what little Order and 
Method any Distempers run. If the Rea- 
der well considers all the Histories, and the 
Reasons wherefore we writ them, he will see 
apparently how the inward Bowels are or 
may be affected in sickness, how one suffers 
with or by another; how, in one sick person, one bowel is thus affect- 
ed, another so : For we see Medicines that are one and the same, in 
divers Bodies have divers Operations; so the same humours alike qua- 
litied, in two bowels produce divers effects; one bowel by the same 
matter is turned scirrhous, another is resolved into purulency : both the 
peculiarity of the quality of the Humour, and the apt disposition of the 
passive Cause, is the cause which we cannot foresee; and when we do 
see it, give no reason thereof: This may justly reprove those thae state- 
lily think to sum up all the Ways and Works of GOD in one Rule, or 
general

104 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
general Term ; His ways are past finding out by the wise, much more 
by the superstitiously addicted, and such as build on their own Reason 
without the Foundation of Experience ; that which he hath ordained as 
the food for our capable , docile, and tractable Souls , to encrease in 
knowledge by, and grow up in true knowledge. The Indians of Ameri- 
ca, did admire how any one could signifie his mind to another in a piece 
of Paper, and thought it supernatural, and done by Spirits : even so do 
all of us admire those things we have no experience of, which are never- 
theless in the course of Nature, and in GOD’s Ordination ; and the 
reason why men still admire at them, is, because they will not search for 
Truth, and take pains to see the Ordination of God, and to find out 
the true and sincere Method, and Course, and Variety of Nature : Men 
may write Books of Romances, and Imaginary Conceptions of their own 
Brain, easily and readily, festinanti calamo; and so slight the observance 
of the Works of GOD, and prefer a few Jingles and high-derived 
Words and Philosophical Rules of Mens making, when the Course of 
Nature is GOD’s, and of greater Dignity : for I can make truer Rules 
of Nature than others, and if so, better; and if so, why should I boast 
or glory with theirs ? I value not what any Man hath writ, for I am a 
Man as well as he; and to him that thinks so, my Writing is of as great 
Authority: But let the Course of Nature, the Work of a GOD be 
Judge betwixt Us ; let the Autopsia of the thing shew which guessed 
the truest of it, unseen: Let no mans Opinion (if it be onely the Opi- 
nion of a Man) be much built upon, especially if its grounds be no 
more then its self, viz. Opinion. 
We shall first shew the signification of the word Dropsie, its rise, 
and what is its common acceptation, which may differ from the sincere 
meaning of the Original Word; and then shew the divers kindes that 
according to vulgar acceptation, or common meaning of the word, may 
be, or are called the Dropsie ; And herein many, many times, dispute 
about they know not what; one meaning one thing by the word, ano- 
ther another. 
The Dropsie or Hydropsie in English, comes from Hydrops in Latin, 
and that is only a change of the Greek letters into Latine, those tongues 
being writ in differing letters: Well then, υδραι in Greek is derived 
from νερό, water; so that it is not proper to call any swelling a Drop- 
sie, unless a waterish swelling, according to the genuine signification 
of the word ; but according to common acceptation, other swellings 
are called Dropsies. 
1. Ascites, the word for common Dropsies, comes from ασκo; a Greek
word,


A Tractate of Dropsies. 105
word signifying a Bason, Laver, or Pitcher, because their Bellies refer 
to the Bellies of Pitchers,or Water-Vessels ; so that from the fashion 
of the tumid Belly, it is proper to call them Asciticks, though Water 
is not the Cause, but as the word is commonly taken, improper. 
2. Tympanites in Latine, and Tympany in English, according to the 
common meaning, shews a windy Dropsie ; but the fence of the word 
shews a Drum ; or that the Belly strutting forth and sounding like a 
Drum, may in any person be called a Tympany, though it may be with- 
out wind; yet water without some wind will scarce yeild a noise : It 
comes from τύμπανο, that signifies a Drum. 
3. A third kind, or name of distinction used by the Ancients, was 
Anasarcha, or Leucophlegmatia, they commonly meant by the use of 
those words a puffing up of the Body and Face from Flegm, the Skin 
loose, Face bluffed and pale; if we go to the meaning of the word in the 
Original Derivation ανάκαρνό, per carnem, it signifies some humour or 
matter spread throughout the Flesh, or imbibed therein, or throughout. 
But people have been deceived in these, for Nature imitates no such 
Order or Rule, there is no necessity for a Dropsie, if it be not according 
to the description of Ascites, to be Anasarca, nor if it be not Anasarca 
must it be Tympanites: To see a party just as Galen described, is as rare 
as those they count strange Cases. We shall let the Reader see the 
Truth, as far as man hitherto can find a method in Nature, which in- 
deed in these cases is to want a method ; specially as to peculiar and 
small things: the quality in every matter, if we could see it, or know 
it, would give us the truet insight how it must work, and what it must 
effect. 
The matter, said the Ancients, is either Water, Wind, or Flegm; the 
Bowel or Subject was the Liver ; the Cause was cold, and these onely: 
the precedent or procatarctick causes, were too great evacution of Blood, 
or suppression of Courses or Hæmorrhoids, a Jaundice, Cochexy, or 
drinking of Water ; these were the principal, with the distinctions 
aforenamed, that the Ancients delivered ; the Signs and Concomitant 
Symptoms they delivered are not worth naming : for those that they 
wrote aright in, are common ; others are nothing of Rule, but acci- 
dental, so that they might have numbered a thousand Symptoms or Ails 
that many Hydropicks, one or other amongst them had had. 
The Moderns, as Sennertus, Hercules Saxonia, Riverius, Platerus, 
&c. did introduce diverse new things from experience, and found that 
heat as well as cold, was the Cause , and that sometimes cool things 
that open, do good ; also they saw that the Kidneys and Spleen, as well 
as the Liver, might cause the Dropsie. 
O WE


106 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
We shall not stand to describe or transcribe the Causes, Signs, Progno- 
sticks and Cures differing in Ascites, Tympanites, and Anasarca, that 
the Moderns have laid down, they may be read fully in their Practices, 
and compared with what follows; they are defective, and rarely found as 
they have described, yet are in some or other, at one time or other, in 
some measure or other true : as for example ; Jo. Johnstonus, Idea Med. 
Pract. cap. de Tympanite, saith, In a Tympany the Skin is streched out and  
glisters, it looks like a Drum Cover, gives such a founding ; it 
thrusts out the Navil very much outwardly, the Belly is puffed up, but no 
sense of great weight; crushed, the finger leaves no impression, but the Skin 
presently rises up again ; belchings and breaking wind downwards are often 
and rumbling in the Belly : the cause is heat, or terrifying great heat, 
which resolves the matter into Vapours; (which the Antients acknowledg- 
ed not.) The place is not in the Stomach, for there the wind would 
be belched forth ; nor in the Guts, for then per anum it would be cast 
forth; but a Tympany is generated commonly betwixt the Coats of the 
Mesentery and Intestines ; for in a Tympany are pains about the Navil, 
and pains of the Loins, and gripings of the Mesentery tied to these 
parts, being distended by wind. 
Cure is by bringing forth the wind, a Carminative Wine, a great 
Cuppinglass applied, Frictions, Foments, discussing wind, inwardly such 
as warm and correct the distemper of the Bowel causing the wind. 
Now one in a Tympany may have some wind, and most water; for 
they are seldom absolutely separate, then it may be called both : Many 
Hydropicks are puffed up, and windy ; if it be nothing but wind, the 
sick may have one of these signes and not another, but other not here 
mentioned; if he have all those signs, he may not have a like inward 
Cause; if the inward Cause in two be exactly alike, yet the outward 
or fomenting antecedent Causes might be quite contrary, that stirred
up inward Causes alike; if the inward Causes be visibly exactly alike, 
yet they may have different effects or events, for death may ensue to 
one, life to the other : and thus doth Nature vary , whose Method in 
those things Physicians wrote a Method of, is to want a Method or 
Rule. 
We will now from our own Observations, bringing tbe Witnesses of 
many Authors,fide dignissimi, to attest what we write by their impartial 
uninterested and non-superstitions Experience, shew the Course of Na- 
ture, and more particularly the swellings of the Body from wind or wa- 
ter, introducing a multitude of other things : So that this particular 
Tractate may be useful as a general Practice. 
1. We have observed divers Maids and Women, in stopt Menstrues, to 
have

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 107 
have their Bellies swell, and Feet, gradually, on Nights first,and then so 
largely, that they were swelled on days too, largely, as full as Skin could 
almost hold, pitting, or leaving the dint of the finger crushing them, in 
them, along while ere they rose up again to equal heighth with the rest 
of the flesh; the surest token that water was the swelling matter ; I ob- 
served these Hydropick swellings of the feet commonly to come with 
pain, redness, and then itching ; the Attoms of the Blood that did at 
first flow, exhaling, the swelling turned paler, less hot and painful, and 
clearly waterish, and so it is in most outward Tumours, and this is a 
chief Universal Method in Nature ; yet no General Rule is without 
Exceptions ; for I have had both my hands swelled up like Bladders, 
and from Cold, without any foregoing Flux of Blood ; if I laid my hand 
against the Mantle-piece, and my forehead upon the back of my 
hand, in a little time it had so crushed the water away on either side
that I could have seated an Egg on the back of my hand, in the presure 
of my forehead, very fast ; and this huge pit or hollow would by de- 
grees rise up again to its former heighth and equality with the other 
Skin; I found that none of my inward parts were the cause of this; I 
always drank very little : so I have known some had their Legs hydropi- 
cal, standing in cold water, others with a sore, or pain in their Legs, 
others after Agues, the Belly also swelling, but no harm to the inward 
Bowels was in fieri. What shall we say ? Maids or Women that want 
their Courses, their Bellies swell, and Feet: is it an Ascites, because in 
the Feet apparently is water ? is it a Tympany, because in the Belly ap- 
parently is wind, or retained blood, and wind, and Ichor in the Uterus? 
is it a Dropsie at all, because none of the Bowels, no not the Liver, 
is cooled or hurt in some ? it goes away naturally : sometimes if their 
Courses come not down, some are held a long time, and know not whe- 
ther they are with Child, or in a Dropsie ; for sometimes the Symptoms 
of a Dropsie in one, prove the Symptoms of Gravidity in another. 
Plater in Observ. Extuberantiæ, about page 659, and 660, relates of 
three particular Women that thought themselves (being swelled) big 
with Child, and the swelling did cease in all naturally, as it arose ; but a 
4th woman being so swelled, and in suspicion of being with Child, died. 
In another woman in suppresion of Courses he observed the Belly 
swelled up, yet no Dropsie; she was restored by Remedies. 
2. Another kind of Dropsies we may call an Inflation ; I have both 
seen it, and been informed of the like in others ; these were suddenly 
in two or three days swelled up, the Eyes almost closed in, the face ex- 
ceedingly puffed, the Belly turgid, Legs and Hands swelled, a good ap- 
petite, Strength and Reason remaining ; yet in these two or three I ob-
O 2 served


108 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
served what I write from, there was difference, so that in each distin- 
tion we must make distinction, if we would have clear and sincere 
Truth, and punctually decide Controversies; one was helped by Plan- 
tane-Water, or rather on Natures accord; the other by good Medi- 
cines , and Anti-hydropicals ; others are totally and suddenly in- 
flated, different from these, and in one thing or other from each 
other. 
Platerus, Obs. Extuberantiæ, pag. 632. relates of a Maid swelled all 
over, Face, Feet, Belly, and elsewhere, a difficult breathing ; and in a 
few days recovered as quickly, as she quickly fell so : Nor can these be 
imputed to Poysons. As I remember Nicolaus Tulpius hath an Obser- 
vation like these, of a total swelling of the Body like a Dropsie , that 
arose in a few days, and ceased again spontaneously. 
3. A third kind we have observed in two, but not found the like in 
Authors; They were loose skinned, and full of water outwardly, the 
Feet did a little swell, but no symptom illness was therein; they 
had many water-blisters on their Flesh, specially their Paps or Teats 
did run much, their skin was very subject to break into blisters of pure 
water, void of Accrimony, except sometime a little itching; nor were 
the inward parts by any outward signs at all in fault, though in divers 
symptoms they did somewhat vary, yet both had one Cause, viz.
Drinking Strong Beer or Ale constantly on mornings first of all, which 
they were not used to: & I have heard a third person say, that if he drank 
Ale on mornings fasting, it made his Blood waterish; but though the 
outward Cause is surely one and the same, yet the variety of Constitu- 
tions is stupendious: If in these the redundant water of the blood was 
excluded as unnecessary for Natures use, and heterogenious to the blood, 
to the outward parts, or Cutaneous Superfice, and there did gather in 
bladders, and those broke, poured forth Serum, and then filled again ; 
why may not Nature, being overburdened by water, in the blood that 
offendeth, either in quality or quantity, or both, cast off this Serum in- 
to the inward Bowels, and there raise bladders, and those break and 
pour out the Serum into the capacity of the Abdomen, and then fill a- 
gain ? for we know nothing will endure a superabundance , and more 
Serum still ousing and pressing into these bladders, breaks them, and 
they fall down flat, and by degrees gather more Serum, and are disten- 
ded; indeed there is rarely any Botch, Struma, Glandula, Callus, Apo- 
stem, Tumour, Ulcer, Gangrene, Fistula, Cancer, Sphacelus, Discolora- 
tion, Tubercles, &c. that happen to the outward parts, but they happen 
to the inward Bowels , as Liver, Spleen, Heart, Reins, Mesentery, 
Lungs, Uterus, Pancreas, Gall, &c. 
4. In


A Tractate of Dropsies. 109
4. In the next place, occurs another kind, which Hercules Saxonia
lib. 3. pract. cap. 32. saith, Is a Dropsie of Blood, if it is proper to say 
so ; it is quickly made, in few dayes kills : So Mercurialis opened one 
swelled with fourteen pints of Blood in him : Another with an Hernia or 
Rupture fell suddenly, swelled and died. Tulpius and Horsius in his 
Appendent Observations to Marcellus Donaus, mention the like. If 
we consider that in all things are different kinds, and in all kinds differ- 
ing degrees, We must allow the extream of bloody Water, to be pure 
Blood; for every thing hath its two extreams of exceeding little, ex- 
ceeding great, and its mean or medriocrity: we see in swelled Hydro- 
pical Legs, and other swellings of the outward parts, the matter, 
seems red hot Blood at first flowing, then by corruption, or the 
Atoms of the Blood exhaling, it turns pale, wheyish or waterish often- 
times; so in the Body of many Hydropicks Blood may first slow, and 
by lying, looseth its colour, as heat I suppose, when it is extravasated 
will quickly make it do, some have tryed it they say. 
To make this the more probable, Plater Obs. Extuber. pag. 650. found 
one full of yellow Water, most stinking, in one that died Hydropical 
and of a Rupture ; and this might be bloody Water, or waterish Blood, 
or water first flown out into the Belly, and then Blood mixed there- 
with, which with standing might grow more waterish, and cause 
the water to stink ; the Liver in this Party was putrid, and little else 
in fault. 
Scholiographus ad cap. 39. Lib. 1. Hollerii de Morbis internis, writes, 
that yellow water like washings of Flesh, or bloody, was found in one 
Hydropick ; it is hard to say, whether it were waterish Blood, or bloody 
Water. 
Thomas Bartholin. Cent. 1. obs. 2. found the water in an Hydropicks 
belly, bloody and stinking: see Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. one voided much 
blood upwards and downwards. 
5. The most common kind of Dropsie, or that that most properly 
may so be called, is after this manner of rise, though with variation 
in all; the feet begin both alike to swell towards evening ; the walking
and heating them, makes the Serum fall down , which in the 
morning by rest is gathered into the Belly ; this swelling daily en- 
creases, and the Belly in a month more or less, doth more or less swell, 
with short-windedness ; sometimes a Cough, Thirst, dejection of Ap- 
petite, Laziness, Pursiness, pale Colour, and Rheumatick Tempers ; 
succeeding for the most part to Cachexyes, Jaundices, Tertian or Quar- 
tain Agues, moist Diet, cold Water, Hæmorrhages, or other Cro- 
nical Distempers , the Liver, Reins or Spleen, or alltogether, are 
found

110 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
found either fissured, cleft with bladders of Water, or corrupted, or 
perforated and stony, or pale, and of extinguished vitality; and in 
most common Hydropicks, all the parts are found corrupted or wasted, 
or grown to one another, one in one manner, another in another, as 
may afterward be shewn ; for one and the self same cause, or at least 
seemingly so to us, produces divers effects in divers bowels; for though 
the thing acting may be one and the same, yet the patient, or thing to 
be acted upon, is not capable to be altered alike with another; there- 
fore one part is grown to another, another part is quite wasted, a third 
is full of Stones, a fourth is grown larger then naturally, a fifth is pale 
and dried, void of blood ; and thus they vary in one Body, in one Dis- 
ease : but we are principally to consider what parr was first in offence, 
and which do consent, for the contamination did for the most part be- 
gin in one bowel, and that made water, and the other bowels stopped 
therein did corrupt, but divers times it is hard to say which Bowel was 
first in fault, for all seem alike corrupted ; and indeed all perhaps are 
originally, sometimes in cause, as well as caused to corrupt, for the 
quality in the Blood and Juyces, and Aliment is alike operative to all:
in every Body there is a Quality or peculiar Nature, which acts moves 
and alters it; and the fight or outward appearance of any Body or Mat- 
ter, doth not alwayes and exactly, if ever exactly shew the quality in 
the Body or Matter; for sometimes a Poyson (if it is proper to call 
anything so) will alter all the Bowels strangely, and where there is 
no Dropsie, the parts are thus affected, which we may shew here- 
after. 
6. Another kind of Dropsie, as it hath been taken, is from Glandu- 
les or Apostemes, or Fat, which we will here involve in one Head. 
Petrus Pawus, Dissect. Anatom. 24. when all the water was drawn 
out, all the Gutts, Mesentery, Caul and Liver were found Fat. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 33 & 34. In one saw two Steatoma's in the Mesen- 
tery, one of them was not full of corruption ; the other did pour out 
much Sanies and water into the Belly; these did so swell her, that she 
was rather thought with Child then Hydropical, but being opened, it 
was found the Womb was so crushed up by these Apostemes, that Gra- 
vidity could not be ; there was no water in the hollow of the Belly, till 
by dissection it was let out of one of the Abscesses ; in another bladders 
of water were held in one in the Mesentery. 
Horstius, Epist. med. Sect. 5. A Woman supposed to die of a Dropsie 
was opened, it was found to be the Uterus that distended the Belly, it 
weighed 87 pound, it was full of an hairy and woolly matter, with 
fat and yellow Ichor.
P. Paw.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 111 
P. Paw. ob. Anatom. 29. in a general Dropsie, a Woman was so big, 
three Ells scarce compared her ; her Utertus did stretch out exceedingly 
to the making that greatness; and it was full of many schirrous knobs, or 
Condylomata. Platerus found some that represented Dropsies, that had 
only Glandules, and in some glandulous or knotty swellings of the 
Mesentery.
7. We may name another kind of Dropsie, relating to the Tympany 
of the Ancients, Plater. Obs. 657. A Boy ten years old had a twisting, 
of his Guts and stoppage of Excrements ; they came up by his mouth: 
he was hugely swelled, his Belly distended with wind , according to 
the Practicks description of a Tympany : he lived thus fourteen dayes; 
then dying, he was opened; the Guts were found twisted up together, 
and in some of them Worms with dung in great number came forth ; 
in other Guts was abundance of wind, exceedingly distending them, 
and breaking forth with great violence as soon as they were cut; no wa- 
ter was found in him. I do not fee it so proper to call this a Tympany, 
as an Illiack passion ; and if it had been joyned with water, it had not 
so properly been called a Tympany neither, so that with Water (Wind 
commonly being made through Rarefaction of Water by heat into Air) 
it might be called a Water-Dropsie with Inflation, without Water an 
Inflation, Illiack or Cholical distemper : Indeed where there is much 
Water, commonly is some Flegm ; and where both these be, common- 
ly there is windiness, because they are made of a moist, cold, raw, and 
spiritless disposition of the Blood and Bowels. 
We shall discover no more kinds of Dropsies in this Order, but un- 
der the Concommitant Symptomes we shall enumerate, much more 
variety may appear; but to go curiously to discriminate of each of those 
seven Heads, we may make as many solid Divisions in each, specially 
in the fifth. 
I. The first and chief Symptom that troubles Hydropicks is an Asth- 
ma or difficult breathing, that is most general. Plater. pag. 638. A 
Woman with Child had a Dropsie ; breathing was so difficult, she was 
often nigh suffocated ; she bringeth forth, and having good natural 
purgations, is delivered of her Dropsie. And Obs.pag. 64. A Noble- 
man drew his breath with exceeding straitness in a Dropsie, he used to 
drink hot and strong Liquors ; he died. 
Skenk pag. 417. One Ascitick, was not commonly so strait-breathed, 
but when he went to eat or drink or to sleep, he was almost choaked. 
River. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. mentions an Asthma in a Dropsie, as an high 
trouble to the Hydropick party he mentions ; And 
Nic. Tulp. lib. 2 obs. 34. mentions one that for divers years was very
hard

ll2 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
hard breathed, died hydropical; opened, there was a swelling of the 
Mesentery weighing twenty pound, that was three years increasing, and 
crushed up the parts, for the Lungs and Brest, and all other parts were 
found; and Observ. 39. an Asthma in an Hydropick was exceeding 
great, water ran out dayly per scrotum, but gave no ease. 
Jo. Bilgerus, Epist. ad Gregor. Horstium  mentions a Dropsie of the 
Brest, four years encreasing, with hard breathing, which grew strong and 
great; opened, the Lungs outwardly were spotted, inwardly putri- 
fied. 
Plater. Obs. Extuberantia, pag. 646. In one (that he opened) he 
found the Kidneys exulcerated and perforated, and no other matters of 
corruption to or in other parts considerable, yet the crushing up of the 
Diaphragma and Lungs, by the redundancie of water, caused a great 
Dyspnæa; the party afore Death had let out much water by blisters, 
made in the lower parts, and the Belly did asswage and sink therefrom, 
and the Dyspnæa abated, so that the quantity of water crushing up the 
parts of respiration, was apparently the Cause ; and the soaking of wa- 
ter into the Lungs, Dlaphragma and Muscles of the Brest, doth in some 
occasion hard breathing, ; but the party aforenamed, the water being 
lessened, and seemingly she in a better condition, died with faint- 
ing. 
2. A second Symptom or Concomitant Affect in Dropsies, is Wind, 
which in some is more, in some less ; in some it more afflicts at one 
time, in others at another; in some in one part, in others in another; 
and many of the many and different symptoms and ails that afflict Hy- 
dropicks, arise partly from Wind and Flegm as well as Water. 
A Dropsie first began with inflation, the Belly was Tympanitical, 
then the feet began to to swell with Water, and other signs of a Water- 
Dropsie arose, cured, River. Cent. 3. Obs. 86. 
Also Felix Platerus in Observationibus, in an Ascites,or Water-Drop- 
sie saw abundance of wind, or a Tympany therewith. 
In a Lady I knew that was Hydropical, after letting Blood, wind did 
so increase that she died Tympanitical; the taking away Blood in such 
cold Distempers, which all are not cold, weakens Nature, and adds to 
the Morbifick Cause. 
Those swellings that come suddenly all over , or in the Belly either, 
though the swelling dints like water, yet there is much wind therein. 
See Tulp. Obs. Med. lib. 2. and Plat. pag. 632. two such were cured: 
All things have their variety, and divers kindes, and every kind its spe-
cies, and every species variety and degrees ; two Extreams, and one 
Medium: the greastest wisdom to distinguish between likes; that 
might 

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 113
might put an end to many Controversies ; and to know Natures variety 
might end many Disputes ; and when one saith a thing is thus, another 
saith, Nay, but it is so, and both these may be true ; for in one it may 
be so, in another thus; one saith this is the Cause of a Dropsie, ano- 
ther that, and both may be in the right; for both these are in some the 
Causes. 
Sometimes there is much wind without any water, as in our seventh 
Head or Distinction of Kinds, and sometimes there is much water 
without any wind or flatuosity; sometimes they are equally quanti- 
zed ; and sometimes in an Inflation is a little water, and in an Ascites 
a little wind ; and so for Flegm, which is onely thickned water, or glu- 
tinated moisture. 
3. The third Symptom or Ail in Dropsies is Flegm,or a clogging up, 
stoppage, or Obstructions therefrom. The Ancients made three Drop- 
sies, the Water-Dropsie or Ascites, the Wind-Dropsie, or Tympanites
the Flegm-Dropsie, or Leucophlegmatia, which also they called Ana-
sarcha but the signification of these two words differ, though in com- 
mon acceptation they may be one : Anasarcha as we said, signifies
matter or humours in the flesh, or diffused under the skin throughout 
the flesh, λευκοφλεγματικός comes from λευκό, white, and φλέγμα, Flegm, 
put together, it signifieth white Fleam, or Flegm; so that if the Ancients 
had took Leucophlegmatia for the Cause, and Anafarcha for the Effect, 
these two together might mystically have shewn a Disease : We must 
say of this, as of wind, sometimes there is much water or wind without 
any flegm, and sometimes much flegm without any water or wind ; 
sometimes a little flegm, a little wind, and much water, arc complica- 
ted together in one Body ; sometimes a Tympany and Leucophlegmatia 
seem most to exsuperate, sometimes an Ascites and Tympany, sometimes 
an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, and sometimes they are separate and 
distinct : but then I think it not so proper to call white flegm and wind 
a Dropsie, without any water, though they distend the skin in all pla- 
ces. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. At first the party had a Leucophlegmatia, 
and then an Ascites supervened, and was added to it; cured. 
In another, Obs. 166. he saw an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, or wa- 
ter and white flegm equally swelling the body for two years, and he 
cured it. 
And Obs. 195. he observed that those that were puffed up with white 
flegm had cloggings of their Stomach, rawness and pursiness, and he 
cured two or three with Vomits of Chymical Powders; and he men-
tions little or no water in the last, which also Plater. Extub. Obs. pag. 
630.

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
630. mentions not; but this Leucophlegmatia came from two large 
drawing forth of Blood, or Phlebotomy ; how frequent is it in most 
Dropsies to see the face bluft, puffed up as it were with pale Flegm,and 
sometimes it goes before Dropsies, as Horstius in Obs. lib. 4. Obs. 31. 
& Obs. 29. He observed little Urine made in one to the proportion he 
drank, to effect most apparently a Tympany, or rather a windy than wa- 
terish. 
Swelling of the Body, difficult breathing, weariness, pursiness, 
dulness, bad colour, vitiated sanguification, puffing up, loss of appetite, 
Cachexyes, &c. arise as much from flegm as water in many Hydro- 
picks; yet in those that are opened, no flegm is conspicuous, but the 
parts are often clammy, and grown together, and have viscous corru- 
ption in them, and Glandules, and Apostems : We know in outward 
things (for by them it is best judging of inward, and by apparent and 
visible things, things occult and invisible) the thin parts exhaling, the 
Remains are made thicker, specially in saccharates and gummy things, 
which have most syngeny and coherence with flegm. 
I suppose that which some call a Leucophlegmatia, others call a Ca- 
chexia, for indeed there is no difference but of degrees ; for what won- 
derful variety is there in Nature ? and those are mistaken that think 
Nature is bound to make it a Leucophlegmatia, as they describe it, if it is 
not a Cachexia as they describe it ; for to find a Leucophlegmatia just 
as they describe, or a Cachexia just so, is rare : Many distempers are
like either in some symptoms, and like neither in some.
4. A fourth Symptom is Leanness ; yet this happens not in many 
Dropsies, but in some the party is fat, as River. Obs. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. 
shews, and most are noted for neither; often though the Belly, Legs, 
and nether parts be turgid, the upper are emaciated, River. Cent. 2. 
Obs. 85. and so Cent. 3. Obs. 17. Most that we have observed in Drop- 
sies in the face seem fat, that being bluffed, and some have a good co- 
lour. See the seven following. 
5. But where the colour is wan and bluft, they call it a Cachexia, if 
they are also obstructed, weary, short-winded, loose-skinned, &c. Ri- 
verius, Cent. 3. 0bs. 33. observed such complicated with the water- 
swelling : and so Plater. Obs. pag. 638. The last in a Virgin that wanted 
her Courses, a Chachectick distemper seized her, with water-swelling 
or Dropsie, but with this and her pale colour, her thirst was extream; 
one would think likelier to be hot Dropsies; her Appetite dejected : 
A Dropsie sometimes follows Cachexeys, as well as to have this conditi- 
on complicated therewith. 
6. It is sometimes coupled with a Quartane, as Paul Renealm. Obs. 
29.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 115 
29. observed; but the Quartane was a year before that : Divers Terti- 
ans also degenerate into Dropsies, or continue still with the Drop- 
sie. 
7. A continual Feaver with implacable thirst and restlesness, was 
complicated with a Dropsie, River. Obs communicatis ab aliis Medicis,  
pag. 285. A Feaver supervening, hath sometimes been mortal. 
And Riverius, in his communicated Observations from other Physi- 
cians, pag. 316, relates in one there was watching, inappetence, diffi- 
cult breathing, sloth to move, swelling, and hardness of the Spleen, 
with wasting; cured. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. A Boy twelve years old, his Belly, and his 
Legs, and Scrotum were swelled with water ; yet he was lean and wa- 
sted ; Worms he had in his Belly, with his Chyle and Food, and Parsly 
as he eat it, came forth of an hole of his Navil, that naturally sponta- 
neously opened ; he died. We relate these that out Readers may 
guess at the like in others, and that all may see all the symptoms, and 
how they are joyned together, and with what variety in persons. 
Johannes Aicholtzins, in his Epistles, testifies of a Woman that in- 
Summer and Autumn had a swelling of her Belly, she was newly marri- 
ed, and they thought her with Child ; in Winter grievous pains tear- 
ing and stretching out, vexed her, specially on Nights ; no other parts 
swelled, no seeming windiness, she grew rather leaner, her Belly rose 
in bigness; when they saw no motion of an Infant, she was thought with 
Child no longer, but to have a Dropsie : she died of wonderful pains ; 
and being anatomized, abundance of fat was found in her Body, no 
loose water, but bladders of pure water here and there in the passages, 
that did distend the Belly; no wind, her parts were found, Liver pale 
and Caul very little. 
8. Fainting and weakness was coupled with one Dropsie , Riverius,  
Cent. 3. Obs. 33.
9. A Scirrh of the Spleen, and swelling thereof outwardly was in 
one Hydropick, Riv. Cent. 3. 0bs. 16.
10. One had a huge heat for a long time in his right Hypochondes, 
and a Diuturne sickess ; died Hydropical: the Liver did grow to that 
side, many yellow stones in Liver, and Gall obstructed : Jacobus Came-
nicenus Epistola ad Matthiolum. 
11. A Dropsie is sometimes coupled with bleeding upwards and 
downwards, as Nicholaus Tulpius, lib. 2. Obs. 35. did observe ; there 
were signes of wind that puffed up, as well as water; the Body anato- 
mized, the Spleen was found swelled, the Liver torrid, and the Kidneys 
putrid. Many mil not believe the extraordinary vomiting of Blood 
P2 comes 


116 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
comes from the Spleen, but this demonstrates it; and we could in- 
stance in others, that the Spleen holds sometimes many quarts of blood, 
and casts it forth by vomit, and then downwards. 
12. Pthises, and Rheums, and Defluxions are found to forego or 
accompany many Dropsies ; Riverius in his Obs. mentions two or three 
such ; Rondeletius observed the same : but of Phthisicks we have men- 
tioned leanness afore. 
13. An Hernia or Rupture Platerus saw in two coupled with a Drop- 
sie, and so did Mercurialis. 
14. The Jaundice : Plater. Obs. lib. 3. Discoloratione, pag. 616. saw 
the black Jaundice joyned with swelling of the Feet and Belly, like a 
Dropsie, which he cured. 
15. In Divers Hydropicks the Navil struts forth, and in some the 
inward skin breaks, and it shines as a bladder ; the water in some breaks 
this pelluced bladder in the Navil, and runs out : We have mentioned 
somewhat of this afore , and more may be mentioned hereafter. 
Skenkius hath collected, and Platerus seen divers such. 
16. The Hæmorrhoids opened in one, but did no good to his Dropsie, 
Plat. 643. 
17. Skenk. Vir Optimus, pag. 414. brings an Example of one excee- 
dingly swelled, that voided a Serpent per Anum two Cubits long, piece- 
meal, like another Serpent; he died presently after: her Dropsie was 
so great, that she could neither sit nor lie, and breathed difficult- 
ly. 
18. In another Hydropick, such huge pains in one Thigh molested
him, that he used to cry out miserably : Skenk. 417. 
19. Little Urine, or stoppage thereof, is found in some Hy- 
dropicks. 
Horstius lib. 4. Obs. 29. In the beginning of a Tympany was little 
Urine made, and crude, the Feet did swell, and an Asthma was en- 
creased. And in the beginning of another Dropsie, he observed with 
little Urine, the Feet and Belly began to swell with water; there was 
inappetence, paleness of face, weariness, straitness of Brest, and 
swoonding. 
Plater. 638. observed little Urine to begin a Dropsie. 
20. Thirst is in many Hydropicks, and dejection of Appetite, which 
we have by the way instanced in before ; but in some is no Thirst, and 
yet dejection of Appetite ; in some is neither Thirst nor Appe- 
tite. 
Plater. pag. 638. Obs. found huge Thirst in a pale Virgin subject to 
the Green-sickness, that was coupled with her Dropsie; she wanted 
her

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 117
her Courses, and had dejection of Appetite : this seemed a cold 
case. 
Bat Riverius, in Observ. Commnnic. pag. 285. relates of implacable 
Thirst in a Dropsie, where a continual Feaver was complicated. 
A Dropsie began with Vomiting, Heart-pains, Jaundice and Thirst, 
Plater. Obs. 635
Some in Dropsies have neither want of Appetite not Thirst, as divers 
of our aforegoing Observations, relating all the Symptoms that hap- 
pened to divers Hydropicks, mention; as also Tidicæus, in his Epistles 
to Jo. Schenk, testifies. 
21. There are many other and varying Symptoms happening to Hy- 
dropicks, though not peculiar thereto ; as also all the Symptoms in Hy- 
dropicks do happen in most other sicknesses; which could not be, if 
Nature observed such a Rule and Method in Diseases as the Practicks 
thought: Sometimes a Cough troubles Hydropicks, which we have 
observed, and to be from Serum transuding into the Brest , and by its 
mild sharpness tickling the Lungs and rough Artery ; and thence, by 
the faculty of Expulsion given them, they cough, that nothing may stop 
our breathing : Two we have known recovered, that coughed pretty 
much in Dropsies; though Hippocrates, Sect. 6. Aphor. 35., saith, 
Those that have water betwixt the 
Skin, a Cough coming, it is evil: Scoliographus ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. 
de Morb. int. also saith, In some Dropsies, a Cough is no evil sign : We see 
reason in many Hydropicks for Coughs, the Lungs being found so faul- 
ty in such a different manner when they are opened. 
Next we shall shew from the Truth of Observation in divers, the 
beginning of Dropsies, or how any may best (though never certainly) 
tell the coming on of a Dropsie : Indeed the knowledge of the Stars 
for all foreseeing is more certain than Galenical, or Hippocratical 
Rules. 
We related two Observations before out of Horstius, of a Tympany 
with water, that began with little Urine, and crude, swelling of the 
Feet, Lassitude, and short breathing : In another water swelled with- 
out Inflation ; the beginning was inappetence, lassitude, pale colour, 
faintings, and difficult breathing. 
In one a Dropsie began with swelling of the Feet towards night, and 
bad breathing. Plat. Obs. 632. And 
Plat. 641 page of Obs. Extuberantia, One used to drink much varie- 
ty of Wine, he had a Distillation, a Cough, difficulty of breath, and a 
Dropsie ensued.  
And

118 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
And Pag 653.  First the Hæmorrhoids were stopped in one that 
they used to flow in, then the Urine was stopped for three days, but 
both were moved again, and at liberty; but then the feet swell, a Fea- 
ver comes, but that soon ceaseth ; then comes thirst, vomiting, Heart- 
pains, and Jaundice, and they also cease in part; the Dropsie encreases, 
and continues. 
Plater, lib. 3. Obs. Extub. pag. 655. A Woman hath her Belly grown 
great, and distended like a Tympany, or windy puffing up, then her 
feet towards evening begin to swell ; being timely taken, she is cu- 
red.  
Johannes Fridericus did observe, in Obs. Med. a Diarrhæa, Strangury, 
and hard breathing together, to begin a Dropsie. 
And Plat, observed little Urin, thick and Saffron-coloured, in begin- 
ing of one Dropsie, and very red in another. 
Riverius observed two or three Rheumaticks to fall therefrom into 
Dropsies, and to be pestered with Distillations in Dropsies. 
We will endeavour to be short : Nothing holds alike in all ; some 
Symptoms come before the Dropsie, and then cease; some begin with 
the Dropsie, and go thorow with it; some supervene, and last till af- 
ter the Dropsie is cured. 
Daretus commenting upon Hippocrates in Coacis, observed in one 
Dropsie an Epilepsie arose or supervened ; and to that Falling-sickness
an Apoplexy, that took Life away : Epilepsies are caused often of wa- 
ter in the Brain, and therefore in reason they might oftner occur in 
Dropsies. 
Next we shall discover what Diseases or Affects Dropsies follow up- 
on, that all may see what Method and Course is in Nature, as nigh as 
we can, briefly. 
Marcellus Donatus, Hist. Med. lib. 4. cap. 21. writes that he hath 
seen Dropsies to follow sometimes upon a wasting of the Lungs, some- 
times upon Exulcerations of the Lungs, and sometimes after spitting 
of Blood much. 
River. Cent. 1. Obs. 70. found a Dropsie follow a continual and in- 
termitting Feaver : And Cent. 2. Obs. 67. it arose after a Tertian Fea- 
ver; and after a double Tertian, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. 
A Dropsie arose after a sharp Feaver, Horstius, lib. 4. Obs. 28. 
Johannes Fridericus Trafelmannus Obs. Med. writes, One was subject 
to Tertian Agues, and Erysipela’s for five years, then he was troubled 
with a difficult breathing, or short-windedness, a Strangury and Diar- 
rhœa then his belly swells, and he died Hydropical; eighteen pints of 
water


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 119 
water were found in him ; the Liver was pale and hard, the Kidneys 
small and the Bladder, but the Heart and Lungs were large, the Spleen 
small. 
Jacobus Caminicenus, in Observatione per Epistolam ad Matthiolum missa,
Relates how one had a Jaundice for a long time, then a Dropsie comes 
upon it, and the party dies : opened, the bladder of Gall was found 
Turgid, and the way to the Guts from it stopped with a Stone, the Li-
ver grew to the Diaphragma, and was filled with many black stones. 
A Dropsie or swelling of Water arose after an Asthma, that still con- 
tinuining with the Dropsie, River, Obs. Cent. 3. Obs. 8. 
To a Flegmatick blust and pale swelling, came a swelling of the 
whole Body from Water, Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. 
A pain in the Region of the Spleen went afore a Dropsie Riv. 
Cent. 3. Obs. 17. 
One had beating of the Arteries, a stopt and Flegmatick Distemper, 
the Courses were long stopped, and to these a Dropsie puts a period, 
Plat. 638. 
A Maid thirty years old had long a beating of her Heart and Arte-
ries, difficult breathing, a pale colour, then comes a Dropsie, where- 
in was great thirst ; the middle of her Body, or half was macilent, de- 
jected appetite, stopt courses, and swelling of her Face also were pre- 
sent, idem ibidem. 
One that was subject to Cholical Nephritical and Arthritical pains, 
had sometimes his Joynts contracted, he used many strong hot Drinks,
and being old, none of his former Distempers, but a Dropsie superven- 
ing, took him away, Plat. Obs. 641. 
After supression of Hæmorrhoids and Urine, bringing a feaver, 
the Feaver ceasing, a Jaundice ensues with Vomit and Thirst ; those 
ceasing, or at least mitigated, a Dropsie takes rise, and yet is cured, 
Plat. pag. 653. 
A Dropsie did ensue on large bleeding, and frequent Hæmorrhages, 
Schenk. in Obs. med. pag. 414. in divers. 
Next we will deliver some observations of the difference of Drop- 
sies concerning their Cronicalness, or Acuteness and Criticalness, 
though divers such have been discovered amongst the Observations 
preceeding. 
In an Hydropsie and flegmatick puffing up, one lived two years, Paul
Reneal. Obs. 166. 
A Dropsie was three years encreasing gently in a Maid, that was 
thought for the first year with Child, then they seeing themselves de- 
ceived,

120 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
ceived, suspected it a Dropsie; at last dying, and Anatomized, all the 
inward parts were found safe, only the Mesentery was lifted up into 
an huge Tumour, full of Bladders or Skins of Water, Tulp. lib. 2. 
Obs. 34. 
A Dropsie of the Brest was four years encreasing, all that while short- 
windedness, did afflict, and daily encreased : dying, the Lungs were 
found spotted outwardly, and being cut, did inwardly appear putrified,
Johannes Bilgerus, Epist. Med. 
Hercules Saxonia and Mercurialis, Observed some Dropsies, soon 
made, in few dayes killing; dissected, much Blood, to fourteen or fifteen 
pints, were found in the Capacity of the Belly. 
We commonly have observed Dropsies, as they differ in all other 
things, so in the Acuteness and Cronicalness ; some die in a quarter of 
a year, some in half a year ; some at the years end, and some not till 
two years : and so some recover in a quarter, some in half, some in a 
whole year ; and some recover after two years Hydropicalness, but this 
not very frequent; they are best and easiliest cured at first. 
Durius Ejicitur quam non admittitur Hostis. 
We may better keep out an Enemy, then having let him in, to 
thrust him back again. 
Divers in Dropsies finde one thing that cures them or lessens their 
evil, and then through uncarefulness, or Astral Ordination, they fall 
back and die ; and sometimes are cured upon a relaps, but not so com- 
monly:that Medicine that gave help or ease at first, upon a relaps for the 
most part will avail little. 
In the next place we shall shew somewhat of Prognostick Signs : 
Though nothing is more uncertain; many things may be gathered from 
what Observations preceded: for we set down at the end of the Re- 
lations of the Symptoms, such an one died, or recovered, or was cured, 
to avoid the trouble of writing all those Observations over again here, 
for the Prognostick Signs therein for unless in many the whole Rela- 
tion is shewn, it cannot well be judged how desperate or hopeful the 
Party might be by one Symptom alone rehearsed; but when he sees all 
the Symptoms, and the Cause by dissection manifested, he might judge 
truly of Life or Death in another, the acuteness or slowness of the 
Disease in another so handled, did two exactly accord, or have the 
event exactly alike. It is the part of a wise man to suspend judgement, 
especially


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 121
especially rashly in the most clear cases, for we are never able to fore- 
see the effects and divers operations of Nature ; We must endeavour all 
things, but the work is of God  as Scaliger well saith, Sanitas opus est Dei,  
opera vero nostra. 
Dodonaus, Obs. 38. A man Tympanitical, his Belly struck gave a 
found ; his Excrements and Urine were both suppressed, and he Sud- 
denly died. 
Those whose Urine or Excrements are altogether supprest, and yet 
they eat and drink we may the most certainly predict their death in a 
shorter or longer time, if they do not go to Stool, or make Water, un- 
less Nature takes care to void it by the Navil or other places, which is 
rare; but what is this Prognosis to a Physician ? cannot every Rustick 
say and see so much ? 
Platerus in Obs. Med. Writes of one whose Urine was so stopped, 
and broke the Bladder,and flowed out into the hollow of the Abdomen, 
as dissection did demonstrate any Countrey People, if they could tell 
how the business was (which the Physician could not, before opening) 
might predict Death ; however, as we have seen such died Swelled, 
whose Urine could not be voided,or to any quantity, so might any ima- 
gine, as well as Physicians. 
So for Gangræned Exulcerations of the Legs, Thighs or Navil, any 
would predict Death, if they Should continue rotting, the Water con- 
tinue running, and the Belly continue Swelling; but who can tell 
whether these will continue encreasing,or if they do, when or how they 
will kill ? 
A Tabes did of the Stomach, then of the whole Body, with drinking 
of Bath-Waters were permanent in one,whom a Dropsie following did 
presently kill, Vidus Victius lib, 10. cap. 5. 
Capiracius, lib. 3 .pag. 648. Pratt. With a Cautery in the Knee, 
was made Gangrenation, and the party died. Many times of Natures 
own accord doth the Navil break, and pour out water, and so the Legs 
and Thighs, by blisters or bladders of the Skin ; and Sometime Hydro- 
picks are so cured ; but three to one are not cured thereby ; but as the 
water ouses out by those holes so it encreases within the Body fre- 
quently, that the Dropsical are never the better; and frequently if those 
water-blisters or Ulcers run long in some Bodies, from a Secret Cause 
they kill by Gangrene, or infecting the Blood with a poysonous quality 
they contract by long Corruption ; which PUterus did observe, as we 
also have been informed ; Specially if by art such Ulcers, Blisters or 
watery Eruptions have been made; for as Hippocrates faith in that truly, 
Ulcers in Hydropic Bodies scarce admit of Cure.
Amatus 

122 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Amatus Lusitanus, Capiraccius, Forestus, Marcellus Donatus, Ga- 
belchoverus, and Others, have observed divers Hydropicks that died, 
when water by Art or Nature, on heaps or by degrees, ran or was drawn 
forth of the Navil. 
Nor is Paracentesis in Dropsies commonly lucky ; for when all the 
water, is drawn out on heaps, sometimes they die presently, even as Je- 
annes Ludovicus, sixty years old, the water drawn forth, died in the Ar- 
tists hands, Mich. Joann. Paschalius, lib. I. cap. 44. Method. Cur. 
Morb. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 39. A Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one 
Hydropick, that was hugely swelled, the water ran out by degrees day- 
ly, and yet he died. So 
Plat. lib. 3. Obs. Extub. observed that though the water ran out fine- 
ly and gradually, and the Belly fell, and Dyspnœa abated, yet in a lan- 
guishing the party died : It is no judging in whom Paracentesis will 
take well; if they can be cured other wayes, Paracentesis is not to be 
used ; if they cannot be cured otherways, Paracenteis is like to be an 
hastener of Death: Yet the word of Medicines or Administrations 
have cured, or seemingly helped some, or else they would never be kept 
in use; and the best will not cure all. 
The opening of the Hæmorrhoids that did formerly flow in one Hy- 
dropick, did no good, Plater. 643. 
Vidus Victius did observe a Dropsie that followed constant pains of the 
Stomach, vomiting and nausea, that was mortal. 
Relapses for the most part are mortal, but not always ; one will say 
this is the cause another that; but if we could see the inward Bowels, 
many times we could not tell the cause, or how they might change, live, 
or die. 
Many that have had many, and the worst of Symptoms, have lived ;
and those that seemingly have not been dangerous, have died : and in 
Dissections it is abundantly cleared, that some live till all their parts 
are rotted or wasted, or corrupted ; some till two or three are wasted, 
rotted, or corrupted; and some die when scarce any Cause can be found 
worthy of separating the Soul from its Case the Body: But the quality 
and heterogeneity of all matter to our Blood and Spirits, and that qua- 
lity that constitutes our vitality, is the chief Cause, which we can hardly 
see into. 
Johannes Johnstonus, in his Thaumatographia de Luna potestate inter 
subluna, saith, Dropsies are much moved by the Moon, and they die at Full 
Moons; and just then it took away a Reverend Prelate of the Reformed 
Churches of Poland : And we can confirm it; for the Moon rules over 
Water,

A Tracatate of DROPSIES. 123 
Water, and alters and moves it, lessens and augments it ; nor is any 
thing of greater certainty to judge of the Acuteness or Cronicalness of 
sicknesses, or the event thereof, then to draw Schemes of the Hea- 
vens at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; but these are sometimes ambi- 
guous even to the best Artists, and they find sometimes as many Rea- 
sons for a thing, as against it; and sometimes, the Lord of the seventh 
House impeded, the Artist shall miss in Judgement; as also for other 
Causes. 
Of the CAUSES of DROPSIES:
And first of the moving, antecedent, apparent, or procatarctik 
Cause. 
We have shewed before what Diseases Water-swellings or Tym- 
panies do follow , as Feavers continual and intermitting, as Tertian 
Agues chiefly (and that shews that Dropsies familiarly arise of heat- 
ing Causes, contrary to the Doctrine of the Ancients) Quartane A- 
gues, Asthma’s, suppression of Urine, of Courses and Hæmorrhoids, 
Jaundices, Cholicks, Rhematismus, Phthisicks, spitting of Blood, and 
Hæmorrages, which may more exactly and particularly be found before, 
as we have laid them down one by one, and shewed more Examples of 
one then of another, because it happens more frequently in the course 
of Nature. 
Riv. Cent. 2. Obs. 65. Too much water being drank in the fits of a 
Tertian, a Dropsie followed : And also, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. much drink 
was taken in a double Tertian, which raised a Dropsie. 
G. Horstius, Obs. p. 256. It arose sensibly from drinking, after a sur- 
feit. 
Paulus Renealmn. Obs. 146. and also Plater. Obs. pag. 637. do both 
alike relate the Dropsie to have arose in two women with Child, from 
drinking abundance of cold water. 
Swelling of the Spleen in a Tertian Ague, gave rise to a Dropsie, Ri- 
ver. Cent. 3. Obs. 16. 
Tulpius and Platerus observed it to come from hot antecedent Causes, 
as Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. relates of two that died, the Liver dried and 
burnt as it were; the one ate much Garlick, the other drank Wines, 
Plater. 641. 
A Gentleman drank divers Wines and hot Liquors, and used an hot 
Dyer, but lastly he drank many Acid Therm Waters ; and so, which 
caused his Dropsie is disputable, or whether either did; for many drink 
Q2 both

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
both those largely, and have no Dropsie; nay, sometime to cure a Drop- 
sie ; he died: his Kidneys were exulcecrated and perforated , letting 
out the serous Urine into the Belly : Plater. did impute all to heat, in 
the spiced and hot Food, and Wines he took. 
Schenkius brings several Examples, pag. 415 and 417. of bleeding at 
the Nose, or downwards, that a Dropsie did arise therefrom; also from 
long pissing of Blood in one. And 
River. Cent. 3. Obs. 33. found that an immoderate Flux of Men- 
strues, gave occasion to the Dropsie. 
Skenk. 412 pag. It arose from Colliquation, or melting ; and indeed 
Plater, did find in one opened, Fat melted as it were from the Kidneys, 
and slicking here and there in pieces, to the Guts; this might arise 
from heat; those Fluxes preceding cooled the Body, and thence arose 
the Dropsie, and from the sanguifick Spirit, or Principium Seminarium 
Sanguinis weakened. 
When my Hands up to my Wrists were swelled two or three Win- 
ters, and brake with blisters or bladders pouring forth water, I found it 
was nothing but Cold ; they were exceedingly swelled with water, 
and would pit so much as that an Egg might lie therein, yet no part else; 
nor was it from vice of the inward parts ; warmer weather cured them ; 
but the Ulcers were hardly cured, constantly pouring out water. I have 
heard of others that have had a particular Dropsie of the Legs, from 
standing in cold water. 
Hydrocephali, or Head-Dropsies, have arose in Infants from their Mo- 
thers imagination in time of bearing them. 
Secondly, We shall shew the inward Cause of Dropsies, and which 
are the principal parts affected, how many and how, and how those 
and so may be affected where this is no water gathered, and of the 
strange and stupendious variety, and secret order of Nature therein, 
onely referrable to occult qualities in the parts or humours. 
It may be thought that I have a prejudice to Antiquity, and all Tra- 
dition ; I confess I do honour and respect Antiquity and Tradition as 
much as most men ; but wherever in Person or Profession in Antiqui- 
ty or Novelty, is Falsity and Deceit, I must be against that; Pacem cum 
Hominibus, bellum cum Vitiis oportet habere ; We should be peaceful with 
Men, but fighting with their Vices : So I honour Antiquity, but not its 
Falsity. I have delivered all things as nigh as I can, that the Readers 
may clearly understand the Truth of Nature, and may read Tradition 
with the less misapprehension ; and also be able to confirm or enervate 
her. 
It

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 125
It is certain that the Ancients delivered little or nothing of Truth, 
concerning the inward causes of Dropsies, nor can the Reader under- 
stand one thing in twenty, rightly as he should, by their Practices, even 
in most Diseases; specially concerning the inward causes of the Disease:
nor did they understand Natures variety, nor Vermifick, Lapidifick, 
Crinifick, Ossifick, Fermentative Putrefactive, and Preservative Fa- 
culties, or Qualities. 
We will first shew the quantity of water that lifts up the Bellies of 
some, and is the cause of their swelling. 
In two opened by Thomas Bartholin, the quantity of water half filled 
a Tonna ; the Nephew of the Illustrious Prince of Hafnia, scarce a 
year old, had 15 pints of water found in it. 
A Kinsmans Childe of mine, died, they thought of a Dropsie, it 
was swelled, and like water: opened, not above one Pint of water was 
found in it: the Liver was huge large and knotted, but the Lungs 
wasted, the Liver made the Belly seem so big. Familiarly in diverse 
that were opened where the Lungs are wasted, the Liver growes out to 
possesse the room they have left; my Kinsman had six or seven Chil- 
dren, and all died; he was Tabid and Consumptive himself, and so his 
semen contaminated : they none of them lived to above five or six yeers 
of age as I remember ; they opened onely one. 
The Quantity of water in a old woman, filled two water Pitchers, 
Pet. Pawus. Obs. Anatom. 5. and in another he opened, all the Bowels 
swam in Water. 
One woman was so swelled with a Dropsie, she was three Ells in 
mpasse and when she was dissected, 56 Pints of Water flowed out 
of her, P.P. 
Ninety Pints in one Hydropicks body, River. Obs. communicat. p. 285. 
Thirty Pints found in one who, alive, was held Tympanitical as 
well as Ascitical; the Liver seemed rotted, and Spleen swelled, Tulp.
lib. 2. Obs. 35. 
Twenty Measures were let out in a Womb-Dropsie, Guliel. Fab. 
Hild. Epist. Gr. Hor. 
One that was used much to drinking, when dead of a Dropsie, as soon 
as his Belly was cut, the water flies out with violence and force, to the 
quantity of 60 Pints ; and nigh as much before had ran our by Blisters 
and water-Ulcers; also some was found in the Capacity of the Thorax; 
his Kidneys were perforated, Gall swelled, Omentum and Mesentery 
wasted, and yet cleer, against the Ancients and most Modernes, both 
Liver and Spleen were unhurt, and Heart is not mentioned to be amitse; 
for now some begin to say, the Heart is the cause ; but Experience will 
not

126 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
not shew it, it is onely a Phantasie or Imagination; though the Heart, 
I believe, is the Seminarium Sanguinis Principium ; Plater. Obs. Med. 
Pag. 647
Joannes Fridericus opened one that had 18 Pints of Water; the 
Liver pale and hard, Kidneys and Milt small, Heart and Lungs great 
and strong. 
2. Now we have given insight to the Studious Readers of the Ex- 
treams, and Mediums, and variety of the quantity of Water found in 
the Bellies of Hydropicks, we shall shew the difference of the nature, 
colour, consistence, or smell of that Water.
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Ob. 2. found it bloody and stinking; and Cent. 3.
Obs. 81. he found it in a Child one year old, dirty and stinking ; and 
Obs. 83. of that Cent, he found it vary from Water onely in colour, it 
was yellow. 
Pet. Paw. Anatom. 13 the yellowness of the Water found a most 
grievous stench ; what is the reason of these things , cannot well be 
known; I will not spend time and pains to guesse, others may do that as 
well as I; it is too frequent for many to write confidently upon guesse, 
which young Students believe, and so are built up in falsity; in the 
party, when all the Water was out, all the Guts, Caul, Liver, Mesentery, 
&c. were found fat, like Suet. 
Mercurialis found the matter pure blood, to 14 Pints in quantity, 
in the Belly. 
The Water was yellow and stinking, in one, Pet. Paw Obs. Anat. 24.
and it was much ; and Obs 28. it was yellow and corrupted. 
Much Yellow Water, and most stinking, in an Herniose, and Hy- 
dropick, where Liver was putrid, and little else putrified, plat 650. page. 
The water was like washings of raw flesh, or bloody, Scholiographus ad 
cap. 39. lib. I. Holler. de morbis internis. 
Tulp. lib 2. Obs. 40. Brings some examples of blood ; doubtless 
blood at first may, by corruption, turn water; that is cleer by many 
things ; it is hard to say, whether it is waterish blood, or bloody water; 
but we have spoke of this before. 
In some the water is pure, clear, and sweet. 
Next comes to be demonstrated the inward Cause of Dropsies, as by 
dissection hath been numerously demonstrated ; and first of the Liver. 
I. The Liver was found pale, Aicholizius in Epist. and Pet, Paw. 
Dissect. 5, and Dissect. 19. it was of a burnt or adust colour. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. found it look as if roasted and dryed; we shall shew 
more


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 127
more of the variation of the colour, in the following Heads.
II. Swellings of the Liver are in Hydropicks, as we mentioned o£ 
a Kinsmans Child of ours : and P. Pawus Obs. 28. the Liver was swel- 
led, of a Saffron colour, and scirrhous, the Gall was obstructd, the 
Omentum wasted, and an involution of the Mesesraicks. 
III. Of the wasting of the Liver in Dropsis, contrary to the grow- 
ing, or out-swelling of it: Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anatom. 29. in a woman 
found Fifty eight Pints of Water; the Liver, Spleen, Reins and 
Omentum were all quite wasted, and the Diaphragma in part, ere she 
died ; tis wonderful she held out so long. And in his 31. Obs. Dissect : 
the Liver was again found quite wasted, only some few Fragments of the 
Veins left, the Spleen also with it was confumed, Johannes Johnstonus  
de Epate & Splene, and Schenkius in Obs. de Hep. have gathered some 
Examples of those that have been dissected, and had neither Liver or 
Spleen ; I mean not both together, but one hath been absent in one, 
and the other in the other; and yet no Dropsie. 
IV. The Liver was putrified, tied to the Diaphragma, with abun- 
dance of Fat, and almost bloodless, Th. Barth Cent. 4. obs. 20.
Pet. Pawus. Obs. 24. found nothing else but the Liver corrupted. 
Obs. Anatom. 27. Ulcers were in the bunch of the Liver; they went 
to the Parenchyma, which was conglomerated, half an Urne of cor- 
ruption poured forth. 
Plat. Obs. 650. Liver stuck to the Spleen, and Peritonæum: cut 
open, it looked like black condensed blood,the Spleen and Reines were 
found, onely changed in Figure. 
V. Liver dried : it was pale and hard, P. Paw. Obs. s15. 
P. Paw. Obs. 19. It was of an adust colour, yet crushed, it fell in- 
to putrifaction; yet this caused no Dropsie, and should have come 
hereafter. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. Liver was burnt and dried, with swelled Spleen, 
blasted Intestines, and putrid Kidny, in an Ascites and Tympany. 
And Obs. 36. in one opened of a Jaundice and Dropsie, it was dried, 
void of Juyce, like a Leather, and very small: cut open, like Ink and 
yellow choler were in it; in the party all the inward Bowels were dis- 
coloured from choler, or corrupted by water. 
Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. found the Liver dried, and enfissured, and in 
those cracks little Bladders of water; and this he attributed to heat; 
also it is clear that some Dropsies come from heat, for cool things 
cure. 
VI. The Liver is sometime grown to a part, to the Diaphragm
with Fat, as Th. Barth. c. 4. Obs. 20. found. 
Pet.

128 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anat. 16. found it bound in the gibbous part, by 
many nervous filiaments, to the Peritonæum. 
- P1at. p. 649. Liver and Spleen firmly stuck to the Peritonæum, that they 
could not be pulled away without tearing, in one that had a Rupture as 
well as a Dropsie. 
Jacobus Camenicenus In Epist. ad Matthiolum, writes, how after a 
Jaundice one fell into a Dropsie and died, and was dissected ; and the 
Liver was found bound, or grown to tht Diaphragma, and its Vessels 
were obstructed with many stones; the Gall also was full, and obstru- 
cted; the Sick in his sickness did much complain of pain, and very 
great heat in his right Hypochonder; and that might be from adnas- 
cence of the Liver. 
VII. In Dropsical Dissections the Liver is found enfissured divers 
times. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. Great pits of water in a Child a year 
old, the Liver enfissured, it looked like a boiled Liver, and the Spleen 
was so too ; when the Liver was cut, much water ran out. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 36. in the Liver dried, where a Jaundice was cou- 
pled with a Dropsie, could find no fissures ; as Fernelius did write : In- 
deed there is scarce a like affection of the Bowels in any one Disease 
exctly in two persons. 
Plater. Obs. Med. pag. 635 & 648 found two Hydropicks Livers 
enfissured, and cracked, and in those cracks were bladders of water; 
and outwardly did stick to the Liver bladders of water, which broke, 
and emptied themselves into the hollow of the Belly, and closed up, 
and filled again; the Spleen was vitiated after another manner, the Gall 
had stones in it, the Kidneys had holes, or were perforated. 
VIII. In some Hydropicks the Liver was found stony, or fun- 
gous. 
Tho. Bartholin. Cent. 3. Obs. 37. found the Liver livid and scirrhous, 
and then the Spleen was large, and filled with Blood, as if it did the 
Office of the Liver. 
In one part of the Liver a fungous did grow to it, and somewhat was 
concrete therein, the Spleen within vitiated, and the Veins and Ab- 
domen full of water; Womb white and thick, like an Egg for bigness. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 667 A Boy died of an Inflation, no water found in 
him, the Guts were involved, and contorted, like an Ihack-passion ; 
and in some wind was so much, that it broke forth with violence; in 
other Guts, Worms with Dung did distend, the Liver was found cor- 
rupted, stony, and gravelly ; the Spleen less then it should be, and 
Lungs affixed to the side. 
Jaco-

A Tractate of DROPSIES 129.
Jacobus Camenicenus, in one of his Epistles to Matthiolus writes, He
found in a Dropsical Cadaver the Liver large and black, the Veins sto-
ny, or full of small stones, which did outwardly look black, but broken 
were inwardly yellow; the passage which goes from the bladder of Gall  
to the Intestines, was slopped with a stone : This might be the cause 
the Jaundice that this man had, long before his Dropsie. 
Johannes Schenkius Obs. Med. pag. 395. shews Examples of Stones 
in the Liver, which do not always cause Dropsies alone, but sometimes 
Jaundices, and sometimes other grievous Symptoms and Affects, dif- 
fering from these, having often death at end. 
Next we shall come to declare the faults of the Spleen in Dropsies:
The Spleen as well as the Liver, Kidneys, and other parts, is found just 
so, or otherwise affected, more grievously than in the Dropsie, and yet 
no Dropsie, but other evils arise therefrom; therefore it is hard to say 
what Bowel causes a Dropsie, or what particular affect of that Bowel 
doth it; since when it is so affected in others , other distempers arise 
therefrom : the qualities in all matter, as we have sufficiently demon- 
strated in our Book of qualities, in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneu
matography give the motion and alteration to all Bodies, specially as 
they are influenced upon by the Air, altered by the qualities of the 
Stars.
Platerus and also Tulpius, Riverius, Barthol. &c. found the Liver, 
Spleen, and Reins the most conjoyned in suffering, or corruption; yet 
in some Dropsies, both Liver and Spleen are safe, and in others , both 
Liver, Spleen and Kidneys. 
I. The Spleen is fissured or cloven, and Bladders of water stick in 
those sometimes, sometimes to the outward sides, and sometimes both, 
Plater. Obs. 635.
Though the Liver, Spleen, and Reins are conjoyned in being af- 
fected together, yet rarely are they found affected alike, but one vi- 
tiated in one manner, another in another. 
II. The Spleen was corrupted in one Hydropick, it looked like Tar, 
or Pix liquida, and the Liver was found, Riverius, Obs. Commun. pag. 315.
III. The Alteration of form in the Spleen was found in one Hydro- 
pick, a Child ; the Spleen was filled with water huge big, it did grow 
to the left Kidney, and there it received its water; it had three ap- 
pendices to it , Th. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. 
It grew out both in length and latitude : Pet. Paw. Anatom. 5. 
IV. Swelling is coincident to the Spleen, as well in Dropsies as 
other Affects and Sicknesses.
R Tho. 

130 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
Tho. Barth. cent. Obs. 25. it was Apostemated, and crushed, Puru- 
lent matter did ouse forth. 
Pet. Paw. observed it very hard in an old woman, and hugely large : 
also Obs. 13. it was so swelled, it weighed three pound. 
Tulpius. lib. 2. Obs. 35. found the Spleen swelled in one that 
seemed to have much wind, or a Tympany in conjunction therewith ;he 
voided much blood upwards and downwards, without question from his 
Spleen ; with this Extumescence of the Spleen,the Liver looked rotted, 
the Intestines blasted, or corrupted in look ; one Kidney was putrid ;
thirty pints of water were in the Capacity of the Abdomen. 
V. Contrary to swelling of the Spleen, is the wasting, which is found 
partly a Cause of Dropsies as well as the swelling of it, and both these 
in other persons are found in other Diseases. 
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Histor. 2. and C. 3. Obs. 83. found in two Hydropicks 
the Spleen wasted and very small. And Pet. Pawus Obs. 29. one Hydro- 
pick that had fifty six pints of water, the Liver, Spleen and Reins were 
all quite wasted : and Obs 31. in a general Dropsie he found the Liver 
and Spleen again wasted away. 
It was wasted or dried away in a dry Dropsie, where the Liver was 
corrupted, and had stones in it, Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. 
Both the Liver and Spleen have been found in some absolutely con- 
sumed, I mean the Spleen in one, and Liver in another; it was thought 
they never had any, however the Dropsie did not follow in all these : see 
Johnston. Thaumatographia Cap. de Hepate & Liene, and Schenk. de Hep. in 
his collected Observations. 
Next we will shew the Diseases of the Kidneys, or how they are 
found in Dropsies, and so they are found in other Sicknesses , where is 
no collection of water; and as they are variously found in other Sick- 
nesses so also in other Dropsies, for every new dissected Person hath 
somewhat differing or new in his Bowels. 
I. Quite wasted. P. Paw. Obs. 29. the Kidneys were quite wasted, with 
the Liver, Spleen and Omentum in one woman. 
II. Figure of the Kidneys changed : Plater. Obs. page 650. One 
that had an Hernia and Dropsie,, most parts were firm, the Liver and 
Spleen grew to the Peritonæum, the Liver inwardly corrup:ed ; the 
Kidneys changed in Figure like those of horned Beasts. 
III. Exulcerated and perforated : Plater. Obs. pag. 647. the Liver and 
Spleen were safe, the Kidneys perforated, and Bladders of water did 
cleave thereto, pouring out Serum into the hollow of the Belly, and the 
Mesentery, Caul and Lungs were corrupted ; most likely the water from 
the


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 131
the Kidneys corrupted them, But the like reason is not to be given for 
all; that that holds good in one will not in another: if the restagnating 
water did corrupt the Mesentery and Caul, and also Lungs that are  
more distant, why not the Liver and Spleen, more in the midst of 
the water?
The Kidneys were black and perforated, a Finger might be thrust in- 
to their holes, the Gall full of Stones, Liver cleft, and had bladders 
of yellow water, Spleen also vitiated in another manner: see Plat. 
Obs. pag. 648.
Before we have, as conjoyned in affect, mentioned the Reins with 
the Liver and Spleen; and we may hereafter occasionally , as we find 
them vitiated with other parts, mention more of them ; being loth to 
write things several times over, except very consultedly ; The Kidneys 
are the Channels to convey, and have the faculty given to draw water, 
and where they have no great visible labefacation , yet not drawing 
and separating Urine they may cause a Dropsie. Every like draws its 
like, the greater the lesse ; the Lungs draw Air, or Wind; the Gall, 
Choler; the Spleen, grosse fæculent blood , being of such a matter it 
self, and the Kidneys, Serum or water ; now if any of these fail in their 
office, man is burdened with that humour, that is not separated from 
the Blood, and cast off by the Conduits of Nature , and perhaps in 
one it turns whayish, in another, vermifies, in another, petrifies, in 
another putrifies, in another ferments, &c. and perhaps little altera- 
tion is found in the Parevchjma of the bowell: fometime though the 
office is depraved or abolished, God that appointed diverse aliene and 
hetrogenious humours to be in our Blood, and generated by our Diet, 
appointed divers parts to separate or carry off these aliene humours ; 
or because he had made divers parts in mans Body of such faculties (for 
they exist for no other use) he ordained Excrements to encrease, to make 
these parts useful: and so indeed is the whole Creation made one for 
another, and one depending upon another; and all Contraries make 
one harmonious Fabrick. 
Next, as a considerable part in causing, or in being vitiated in Drop- 
sies, comes the Mesentery. 
I. Which was wasted in one Hydropick, with the Omentum, and 
the fat Tunicle of the Reins was dried, and these were folded up to- 
gether ; and pieces of Fat along the Guts did cleave on gobbets, that 
probably might be melted from the aforesaid parts: but the chief Cause 
of this Dropsie was the perforation of the Kidneys, letting out the Se- 
rum or Water into the Belly, also the Bladder, Platerus, Obs0erv. pag. 647.
R2 II. Con-

132 A Tractate of DROPSIES.  
II. Contrary to wasting, it was found swelled in one, Nic. Tulp. lib. 
2. Obs. 34. saw dissected : Indeed there is nothing but variety, and 
the whole Cause of the Dropsie in this party was the Mesentery ; other 
parts were not corrupted, not did the water lie loose in the capacity, or 
hollow of the Belly, as commonly it doth ; but to the quantity of twen- 
ty pints lay in distinct and distinguished bladders, all held in one Tu- 
mour, or complicated in one bunch within the Mesentery ; this Drop- 
sie was three years encreasing. 
III. Apostemations of the Mesentery are found in Dropsies : Tulp. 
lib. 2. Obs. 32. A woman swelling gradually, for long time, was thought 
with Child, but afterward it appeared a Dropsie, she died : dissected, it 
was found that too great Steatomata of the Mesentery did so press the 
Uterus together, that she could not bear: one of these Apostems was void 
of putrefaction, the other being broke or cut, poured forth much water 
and corruption into the Belly. 
IV. The Mesentery was coloured with a livid and adust colour, in 
one that died of a Dropsie, where the Gall was stopped, Petrus Pawus, 
Obs. Anatom. 28. 
Most that Physicians have writ and talked of, is, obstruction of the 
Meseraick Veins, which is seldom or never found, they did so go aguess 
at things, and miss of Truth; the Mesentery is commonly affected, 
and the Cause of many Griefs we little imagine, following Tradition 
in Practices of Physick. It may be subject to twenty kindes of altera- 
tion, and yet the Antients guessed at one or two that happen the sel- 
domest, and are the slightest, for any thing I can find. 
Next we shall relate how the Gall is found in Dropsies : both of that 
and the Mesentery we hinted divers things in the affects of the Liver 
and Spleen aforegoing. The Gall is partly a Cause of Dropsies, spe- 
cially,as it being stopped makes a yellow humour (that it should separate 
and cast off to the Intestines) regurgitate upon, and spoil and corrupt 
the Liver, to which it is appendent. 
I, Pet. Pawns, Obs. 28. Swelling of the Gall is found , many yel- 
low and dirty stones were therein ; the Liver stony, scirrhous and yel- 
low. 
Plat. Obs pag. 647. The-Gall was swelled, and very large, its Neck 
was filled with Water and Choler; this and the perforation of the Kid- 
neys were the Cause. 
II. Stones are found in the Gall, as in the Obs. of P. Paw. 
Plater.pag.648.Many stones and other vices were found in the Gall o£ 
a certain Hydropical woman.


A Tracate of DROPSIES. 133 
Jacobus Camenicenus Epist. ad Matthiolum mentions a stone that was 
found stopping the passage of the Gall to the Intestines, where the sick 
for long time had a Jaundice before his Dropsie. 
Next follows somewhat to be said of the Middriff, or Diaphrag- 
ma. 
Petrus Pawus in two women, at two several times opened, that died 
with Dropsies ; found the Midriff (where the Liver, Spleen, and Reins 
were wasted and consumed) with some difference, in both made hol- 
low and holey, and eaten as it were with a Sphacelus. 
Next the Caul or Omentum comes ; It was wasted in an old woman, 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 83. Also quite wasted away in Christopher 
Raphelengius, P. Paw. obs. 28. yet nothing else wasted with it ; but in Obs. 
Anatom. 29. the Liver , Spleen and Kidneys were wasted with it; and 
if onely being sopped in water was the Cause of its wasting away, why 
is it not wasted in other Hydropicks ? and why alone ? and why some- 
time other parts are wasted, and not the Caul ? yet I scarce believe the 
Caul to be any primary Cause of Dropsies. 
Plat. Obs. pag. 647. found that, and the Mesentery, and the fat Tu- 
nicle of the Kidneys wasted, but the remains of them were folded up 
together. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Omentum, with the Peritonæum 
or Rim, putrified, and fell in pieces like dirt. 
Also P. Parvus, Obs. 19. found the Peritonæum and Caul quite putrid, 
onely a Membrane, which he thought to be the Reliques, with many 
nervous filiaments appendent; to which did adhere many bladders of 
water, that, being crushed, poured out Serum into the Belly. 
Of the Rim of the Belly, or Peritonæum, we have little to write; 
It is related with other things of greater concernment. 
River. in Obs. Communic. p. 286. found in a Dropsie the Peritonæum 
grown to the Stomach.. 
Next the Pancreas or Sweet-bread is to be spoke of; But that being 
inconsiderable, we may speak, somewhat of it in another place. 
Bladder remains. P. Paw. Obs.9. saw no remains of it, it was quite 
consumed. 
Plater. in Obs Med. found where the Belly was swelled with water, 
and Urine was stopped, that the Bladder had been distended, and was
in- 


134 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
inwardly broke, and had poured out the Water, or Urine, into the 
Belly. 
The Uterus or Matrice, in a general Dropsie, was found by Joannes 
Posthius, absolutely corrupted; and nothing else he relates to be the 
Cause, but the Liver somewhat faulty; she was recovered, and then 
relapsed, and died ; See more of this business hereafter, in particular 
Dropsies. 
The Intestines are in divers Hydropicks found altered, in look espe- 
cially. 
Scholiagr. ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. de Morb. Writes that the Inte- 
stines were syderated, or blasted and corrupted, as if sphacelated ; and 
the humour that did distend the Belly, was very bloody ; and he relates 
no other Cause of the Dropsie in this person. 
Next the Veins may give Reason for somewhat to be said there- 
of. 
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 4. Obs. 25. found the Veins in a Noble Ma- 
tron filled with water, and poured it out into the Belly; they were all 
complicated or folded in a Membrane, and had adjoyned three Vesicles 
or large Bladders filled with water. 
And Platerus, in one that died of a Rupture as well as Dropsie, 
where the Liver and Spleen did firmly grow to the Peritonæum, and the 
Belly full of yellow stinking water, the Veins were full of water, espe- 
cially the Vena Umbilicalis, and the Scrotum was like a bag of wa- 
ter. 
Some have experienced this; they fast a Dog two or three days, then 
he drinks largely water; then they choak him, and cut him open, and 
find the Veins exceedingly distended : I suppose the Emulgents, I was 
not told which. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. found in one three emulgent Veins, and three 
emulgent Arteries. 
But the Heart and Lungs surely deserve to be spoken of ere these;
but because they are in an upper Ventricle, and seperated by a Mem- 
brane from the Bowels that lie most in the water, we omitted them 
till now. 
Some now adayes think the heart must be the Cause of Dropsies be- 
cause the chief Instrument of Sanguification; but their prepossessed
Conceptions must vail to Experience ; We should think nothing to be 
so

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 135
so, till we find it by Experience: Of all the Bowels, the Heirt is the 
least corrupted in Dropsies. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. It was void of blood ; in a Child a year 
old, the Heart did swim in the Pericardium that was full of wa- 
ter. 
Plater. did indeed finde it loose and flaccid in one or two, and a bone 
in it, in one Hydropick. But very little alteration is in the Heart, as in 
the other inferiour Bowels, therefore that causes and suffers the 
least.
Of the Lungs in general Dropsies, these things are observed; 
In a Dropsie with a Phthsick, the Lungs were rather drie then moist ; 
the right Lung grew to the side, Tho. Earth. Cent. 2. Obs. 37. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. They grew almost in a hundred places fast to the 
Pleura and Ribs. 
Platerus, pag. 647. found the Lungs, in a general Dropsie, inequal- 
ly coloured, and in part vitiated ; water was in the Thorax, and yet Li- 
ver and Spleen found. 
In a pure Tympany with a Convolvulus, Platerus found the Lungs 
corrupted, and grown to the Side, the Liver had stones in it, and the 
Spleen was wasted. 
We will now shew a few Examples of the Method of Nature in ma- 
king Bladders, Blisters or Vesicles to hold water where the Parenchyma of 
any Bowel is pestered therewith, either through moist aliament, or stop- 
ing of the right passage of that water by the Kidneys, and so regurgitating 
upon this part or that ; or else the blood is waterish, and throws it off 
there ; or else the part is apostemated, and the blood turns to water ; 
in this Case, Nature ordains bladders to grow, to contain the superflu- 
ous moisture in these Bowels : and because it is so frequent and fami- 
liar, as we have shewn already by many Examples, we may look upon it 
as the Rule, or a Method in Nature ; yet as often exsuperating water 
gets no bladders to hold it in. Yet if the Antients had wrote of Wa- 
ter-bladders in the Body of Man, their Causes, Signes, Differences, 
Prognosticks and Cures, they had done somewhat of reality and mo- 
ment, and might have exhibited one of Natures Rules, giving there- 
withal large exception, and diversities. 
Plater. pag. 635. found Bladders of water affixed to the Superficies of 
the Liver, some small, some as big as Hens Eggs. 
And pag. 648. The liver was cleft, (even as we have seen the Kid-
ney of a Calf, and Bladders of water therein) and in those clefts little 
bladders of water. 
Johannes

136 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Johannes Acholizius in Epist. found no water in the hollow of the 
Belly, nor Wind, but here and there many bladders of water growing 
to divers parts, and fat also was in the parties Body; she had no swelling 
of the Legs, but lived in great pains. 
Cordæus in his Comment, upon Hippocrates, found many bladders of 
water kicking both within and without to the Bowels, of all sorts, but 
no water was in the hollow of the Belly, that did cause distenion, the 
Heart had also bladders of water affixed to it, so the Liver, Stomack 
and Intestines. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 34. found the Mesentery weigh twenty pounds, 
onely filled with bladders of water, all conglomerated in one, no 
water in the Belly, no part hutt. Ozia Aimar in his fifteenth Observation 
communicated to Lazarus River. shewes how an Hydropick had an 
Abscesse in the right part of his Abdomen, and out of it came an in- 
numerable company of little bladders, filled with water, they issued 
out diverse dayes to the number of two hundred ; and this, saith he, is 
the lesse strange, since Schenkius relates that one Hydropick dissected 
had many bladders filled with water sticking to the Perltenaum and 
other parts : see Schenkius, pag. 413. and pag. 392, and 395. brings ma- 
ny more examples, but it is needless here to recken up more witnesses:
But these bladders of water more or fewer, greater or lesse, are often 
found sticking in, or unto all sorts of Bowels, where there is no 
Dropsie; and sometimes they swell so much they break, and pour the 
water into the hollow of the belly, and so distend it, healing up and 
filling again, and sometimes they do not break, or pour forth any water, 
though many and great. 
Next it will be requisite to shew how that the Liver, in many general 
Dropsies, is not vitiated at all, and how it is vitiated and corrupted in 
many very much, & after the manners and measures here afore related, 
and yet no Dropsie : also we shall shew that the Spleen, Kidneys, Heart, 
Mesentery, Gall, Pancreas, Omentum, Diaphragma, &c. if there be 
more, are affected in other Diseases, or worse, after the manner here 
afore related in Dropsies. From what hath preceded the Reader may 
see much hereof, or tending to this purpose and in our Monitory Proæmi- 
um to the Readers we have given the reasons thereof. 
In a general Dropsie, Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Liver un- 
hurt, and Cent. 3. Obs. 83. it was found, neither Scirrh nor Putrescence 
in it, onely the flesh of it looser then ordinary. 
River. Obs. Com. pag. 315. Liver was safe, but Spleen corrupted and 
like Tar. Riolanus, then in his Anatomy was mistook to say what ever 
part


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 137
part was ill affected or corrupted in a Dropsie, to be sure the Liver was 
as the chief Cause. 
Plat. pag. 648. The Liver and Spleen both safe in a great Dropsie, 
though many other parts and Kidneys were corrupted, and perforated, 
pouring the Serum into the Belly. 
Schenk in obs .Med.pag.4.l4.. the Liver being found, a Dropsiee arose 
from the vitiated Testicles in a Woman , other parts also being safe : 
there is no part alwayes altered in each Hydropick, and there is none of 
the Bowels of the Abdomen or Thorax, but in some, and at sometime 
are egregiously corrupted. 
Nay in one Hydropick, both the Liver, Spleen, Kidneys,lntestines 
Mesentery,Gall, Bladder, and Uterus were safe, and onely the Heart 
sound flagging, the Stomack corrupted, and the Peritonuem , and the 
Duadenum Gut amisse
Now we will shew that all these things happen to all these parts a
foresaid,after that or a worse manner and measure,and yet no Dropsie,or 
Collection of water distending the Belly or Body, any where, followes.
Johannes Bilgerus, Epistol ad Gr.H, saw Bladders of water affixed 
to the Kidneys and Liver, where was no appearance of any Dropsie, 
alive. 
Plater, pag. 635. saw Bladders of water , sometimes more, some- 
times fewer, lesse and greater, some as big as Hens Eggs,assixed to the 
Liver in cachecticks, where was no extuberance of the Belly or othe 
tokens of a Dropsie. 
The Liver was found hard, swelled, and stony, and growing to the 
sides,and the Spleen ill affected in one,where was no Dropsie. 
Pet, Paw. Obs. Anat. 27. found an Ulceration of the Liver, in 
Gibba parte, half an Urne of corruption poured forth, and yet no 
Dropsie. 
And Obs.19. It looked burnt, crushed, it fell into putrifaction, the 
Heart was dried up, and much wasted , and Lungs bound to the Side, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
So hardness,adnascence, putredo, &c is found in the Spleen , where 
the Liver also is ill affected, and yet no Dropsie. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 14. found the Pancreas grown to the hollow of the 
Liver and hardened like a stone, and Obs. 16. the Pancreas was hard- 
ned and grew to the Liver and Stomach and Vena Porta, the Liver 
was also grown to the right Side, the Diaphragma and Spleen amisse, and 
yet no collection of, or distension from water or wind. 
Also the same Obs l4 and 19. of Anatymes : found the Heart swim 
in a virulent water in one, and in another it was dried up like a Pear,
had S 

132 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
had no Succulency in It, hung slacking, and the Liver was putrifled too, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
Joannes Schenkius may satisfie any farther, he hath collected many 
observations to that purpose, as may be seen de Liene,pag.407,498. de 
Epate,vel jerere,pag. 388,and 389.de Mesenterio,pag.385,386,and 387. 
de Veftex fellea, pag. 401,402.403, and 404. de Renibus, pag. 439,440, 
and 441. de Corde, 256,257,258, and 259. ad 262.
Schenkius by these may save us a labour , whither we refer the 
Reader.
We have hinted before somewhat of particular Dropsies, we will 
here treat a little thereof a part: We related a Dropsie of the Legs,and 
Hands,to which we may here add a Dropsie of the Throat, found in one 
in Skenk Obs.and a Dropsie of the Head, of which, as I remember, 
Gul.Fab.Hild. or Foreflus, faith,He found eighteen Pints of water in the 
forehead of one Hydrocephalos. The Breast and Lungs have peculiar 
Dropsies , though they are often distended with water in general 
Dropsies. 
Petrus Pave. Obs. Anatom. 29. knew a Woman reputed Hydropical, 
she was three Ells in compasse; dying, and being dissected, the cause 
was found to be a Mola, or rude lump of many Scirrhous Condylo- 
mata in the Uterus ; she had also water in Cavo Abdominis, and Obs. 31.
in another Woman thirty four years old , a suspected Dropsie , was 
found a Mola like coagulated matter, it looked like Honey and did 
distend the Uterus. 
Horstius Epist. Med. Sect.5. A Woman suppofed to have a Dropsie of 
the Uterus, was opened ; the Uterus .weighed eighty seven pound, it was 
full of hair,and woolly Fibra's in a fat matter,and yellow Ichor. 
Two observations are extant of two Hydropical Women dissected, 
that the Testiculi, or Testes muliebres, were found the Cause, and no 
other Cause, the rest of the bowels being safe; Schenkius quotes one, 
Obs. Medic, pag.4.14. and Gulielmus Fabriuus Hildanus, in Efifl. ano- 
ther ; the right Testicle alone, in this last, was affected; it was found 
full of hairy Fibrous matter ; and twenty measures of water ran forth 
of her Belly. 
In a particular Dropsie of the Breast, the Lungs have been found 
wasted, the Pericardium filled with water, the Heart flaccid, and big-, 
ger then ordinary, filled with black blood. 
The Heart, in one, wanted the Pericardion; all the bowels were 
grown over with fat, in it was black blood, and the right Auricle Was 
like an Aneurisma, Tho, Baribol, Cent,4 obs.20.
Johan

A Tractate of Dropsies 139.
Johan. Bilgerus in Epist. ad Gr. Horstium, relates how one was very 
short-breathed for four years, encreafing by degrees, being light at 
first ; and suddenly dying unexpectedly, was dissected ; it was found 
a Dropsie of the Thorax ; the Lungs swam in water, they had outward- 
ly many black spots, and divers Colours; and being cut, from within 
there issued out black blood; the water was much in quantity, and 
green in Colour, and rushed out impetuously upon the Section. 
Of the CURE of a Dropsie.
The Cure of a Dropsie is as various as the Signs and Causes; for one 
is curable, another not; and he that is curable , differs from another 
in the way of method he must be cured in, as well as particular 
Medicines. 
I. We shall say somewhat of the chief and most successful quality in 
Medicines, and that is, a Diuretick force: Diureticks, as we have well 
observed, are most generally helpful; and those Purgers that, withall, 
do move Urine ; for it is contrary to Nature to expel redundant Serum 
by the Guts, the faculty of the Kidneys, Emulgents and Ureters must 
be excited; purging of weakens Nature, not carryes forth the Dis- 
ease: but nothing is so bad, that helps not some; nor any thing so ex- 
cellent, that will cure all: and I have known in divers Hydropicks, 
as well as other Sicknesses, one simple vulgar Medicine hath done 
more then Methods of Bleeding, Sweating, Purging, Vomiting, and 
Opening. 
Juyce of our Flow-dc-luce-Roots helped one in two or three dayes, 
not helped by other Medicines; the Lee of Broome Ashes, another; 
Horsradish, one Rustick did boast,would cure all ; and another Woman 
helped divers with common Sambucus; Another I know, uses Broom 
Beer : almost so many Hydropical persons, so many Medicines; but 
they try often times divers Medicines, ere they light on that they think 
cures ; but the inward disposition of the body, and lucky time, accord- 
ing to the Stars, when that Medicine was given, is to be considered. 
I found best success in a Drink of Orris, Danewort, Cort, Sambuci,
Saldonella , Guaiacum, Juniper-Berries, Wood-Nightshade , with 
Liquorish and caraway feed: and Platerus ( who indeed used the best 
Medicine to cure the Dropsie, of any I read) used such like, Obs. 632, 
633. He cured two cam decocto Sambuci,Iridis,Dulcamaræ,& Absinthii* 
And pag 634. he cured one with an apozem of Senna , Orris, Ebulus, 
Absinth, and sem carni. A fourth he cured with Rob Sambuci, ebuli, and 
spirit of Juniper, pag.633 and pag 637 a Gravid Woman, windy, as
we 52

140 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Well as Hydropical, he cured with decost.R. Ebuli, Sambuci & red Docks. 
Pag. 639  he cured with Rheubarb, Saldonella, Orris Hedera Terrena 
Petrofelinum, Bitter-sweet, Elderne and Wormwood : Pag.639, an In- 
fusion of Flower-de-luce-Roots, Enula, Ebulus, Sambucus, Hore- 
hound, Absinth, Hedera, in Wine drunk for three dayes, gave huge 
relief, and the Belly fell; so 653, he cured another. 
River, in Obs. often used Decoctions, or Powders of Cychory, As- 
paragus, Bruscus, Agrimonia, Adianthum, Ceterach, Pimplnella ; but 
these come short of Platerus his Simples afore-related : Cent.i,Obs.7o. 
Cent.2.0bs.65.and 67. cured Hydropicals with Openers. 
We were told of one cured alone with Wormwood ; Diureticks com- 
monly do open,and most Openers have some Diuretick force with them, 
for the provoking of Urine is most effectual. 
Decoction of Bruscus Roots cured one, in a Months time , River. 
C.3. obs.4. Juyce of Orris another in twice or thrice taking ; and we 
have heard the same in the County of Northampton, of one so sudden- 
ly cured thereby, far gone, that Purges, but chiefly Urine, Pla- 
ter. 634. 
One Dram of the bones of Animals given for a Month in white 
Wine and Juyce of Parsly cured one, River. Obs Com. p. 327. but the 
white Wine and Parsly might do most. Flints made red hot, and often 
extinguished in white Wine, and that drunk, did cure, River Obser. 
Com. pag. 369. and Salt of Millipedes is praised. 
Paulus Renealmus. Obs, 29. with the use of the Decoction of Male 
Feme Roots , cured one Droplie, coupled with a Quartane ; but he 
gave a Chymical Febrisick Powder first for the Ague. 
Avicen. Cap. Curatio. Ascitidis, relates one hugely swelled, that eat 
abundance of Pomegranates, and was cured ; these were binding, but 
their sharpness might provoke Urine ; they were cool, but many Drop- 
sies are hot, wherefore Schenkius: Obs. Medic, pag. 419. relates some 
Histories of those that were cured by drinking much cold water, when 
in others it causeth the Dropsie.
A Juvantibus & nocentus optima desumitur indicatio : From those 
things that help, and those that hurt, we may judge of the cause; and 
Christopher a Vega cured one Hydropick by Epithemes to the Liver, 
of Juyce of Endive,Cychory and Vinegar ; this was a flight business, 
yet it is questionable, if they did it by cooling ; for Cychory being bit- 
ter, is held hot. 
I have known Plantane help some ; that is not likely, to have any 
Spirituous hot pans in it ; yet Sennert.Epitom. Scientia Naturali,p.648
faith, Plantane hath amixt force both of binding and cleaning: For this 
and

A Tractate of Dropsies 141 
and Pomegranate* are very binding, and so is Oake Bark, with the De- 
coction of which one Hydropick was cured. 
It was related to me, that a Gentlemans man being much swelled, 
was told that Guaiacum was excellent for a Dropsie; he therefore took 
one of his Masters Bowls, and either boyled or powdered it, and was 
cured by it; his Matter afterward missing his Bowl, it was ingenuosly 
confessed, That his Man had took it for his Dropsie; the Matter seeing
his Man cured, and as they attested, by that, forgave him. It is held 
drying, but there is no such thing in Nature, but it must expel moisture 
by Sweat, insensible Transpiration, or Urine, for nothing wasts; in- 
deed Gum Tragacanth and Litharge will absorb Liquor into their bodies, 
but this doth not so. Frogs or Toads, (they differ in Colour, and 
crawling, and perhaps in Quality,) are praised for the Dropsie : 
Forestus, lib. ip.Obs. 35. praiseth Frogs and Toads both inwardly and 
outwardly to provoke Urine in Hydropicks ; the Kidneys are anointed 
with an Oyl, wherein they are boyled, so Libavlus .lib .2. Batrachorum, 
Cap.20. and Solenander Consil.Med.Sect.5.p.15. 
And wieruslib.3. Cap. 35. of the Deceits of the Devil, relates first 
the use of Land Toads ; A man lived miserably possessed with a Drop- 
sie, had spent his Means ; his Wife, seeing her Husband likely to die, 
and if he lived longer, he would spend all, got Toads, dryed them in 
an Oven,. and gave him the Powder and this set him a making water, 
largely, and instead of ending, was a mending to him.
II. Of Purges ; And first, River. found them successful in three 
Patients, mixed with Openers; one of them had the Purgers mixed 
with their Openers in a Masse, as Diarrhodon, Steel, Rhubarb, Aga- 
rick, &c.
I know one that hugely praiseth Steel, Rhubarb, Manna, and Syrup 
of Roses mixed together, to take dayly of; and one at hugely 
swelled, and his Scrotum like a bag, was cured hereby, by a Ladyes 
Direction; and it hath helped others; but the Rhubarb and Steel do 
the business. 
Riv.Cent.3.Obs.8 found a purging Clyster do good; but commonly 
they will not: in three he found purging Medicines do good, and they 
were delivered : he gave great Doses of Scamony , and Calomelanos 
Turqueti, or Mercurtus Dulcis ; Cent.2.obs.94.Cent.3 obs.16 mind 86. 
but commonly strong Purgers do harm; the Bowels are often wasted,or 
exulcerated,or corrupted ; Elaterium is most commended. 
Paul. Renealmus, Obs. 166. cured one that had an Ascitis, with a 
Leueophlegmatia, for two years, with a Stomachical Chymical Powder,
that

142 A Tracate of Dropsies. 
that wrought upwards and downwards, and cured in four days; And 
Ohs. 122. He cured one in eight days with a Chymical vomiting
Powder; it wrought both ways : He also gave the Decoction of Straw- 
berries, and Spirit of mercury; the Party for divers months had a 
Leucophlegmatia, with an ascites, and Languishing. 
III. For bleeding :we knew it very bad in one,and a large swelling 
from wind or inflation,increased, and the party died. Lax. Riverius let 
blood in two or three Dropsies, and did well; also in one Tympany, 
Cent. 3. Obs. 86. Bleeding commonly is not good, but in any Disease 
it may be proper or improper, as the cause of the Evil is, and the qua- 
lification of the Body in which it is. 
IV. Sweating is very available; we have known it. 
Jo. Schenkius, obs.pag.420. by a natural or spontaneous sweat one 
was cured.
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3, obs. 23. A young man Several times had the 
Dropsie, his Skin was pellucid, naturally, not by any Art ; he sweat 
out water fo that all his Linnen was wet ; it run through his Skin, as 
water ouses through a doth, when strained; Several times he did this 
critically evacuate, yet the water gathered again, and his natural Spi- 
rits and strength declined, and he died. 
V. Concerning Vomiting, we recited two Observations out of Re* 
nealmus; one Woman with Child drank much cold water, was hydropi- 
pical; a Chymical vomiting powder brought up three pints of water, 
and water went by seigh for two days, and health followed , P, Reneal. 
Ohs. 146. 
The same Powder,a little altered with small additions, cured two 
other Hydropicks, working Sharply upwards and downwards. 
c.Marcellus Donatus, lib. 4. de Histor. Medica. Mirabili, relates how 
one was cured by vomiting on Natures own accord, no Medicament 
took. 
But another from Nicolus, Serm. 5. Tract.5. Cap. 15. died in vehe- 
ment Vomiting, that happened in his Dropsie.
Jo. Schenkius pag. 420. writes how one was observed from being 
Sea-sick, to vomit, and that Vomiting cured his Dropsie.
We have experienced nothing of it: In any Sickness, if the Sto- 
mach is stopped or oppressed. Vomiting may do well ; and if the Sto- 
mach is clear, and not affected, Vomiting is unnecessary in most dis-
eases;it  may bring up much raw Flegm, if not water, in some Hydro-
picks

A TraUate of Dropsies. 143 
picks ; yet because it is very sick Physick, certain to make sick, and un- 
certain to make well, it is to be superfeded in most Dropsies.
VI. Dyet: We have heard of some,and River. Obs. relates others, 
and Schenk more, that were delivered of Dropsies, onely abstaining 
from drink, and some from all potable Aliment. 
Nicolus,Serm. 5. Cap. 25. One was cured by Dyet, void of moisture, 
and Diuretick Parfly was put in exenterated Fowls he ate roasted, he 
ate Bisket, and drank a little Wine after it, and drank no more all day, 
except by chance,and then Wine was mixed with Water ; and another 
hugely swelled,was so cured; but this is not to be trusted to commonly. 
VII. We shall promiscuously in the next place shew divers strange 
wayes, and unusual means, whereby some have been cured of the Drop- 
sie, and most of them accidentally, and on Natures accord : Nature 
endeavours to free her self, and call out her Enemy; yet if the inward 
parts are corrupted, though she vents the water by Holes, Apostems, 
Bladders, &c. the party often dies. 
An Abscess from Nature opened in the right side of the Abdomen, 
and many bladders of water ran forth for divers days; the Sick was cu- 
red, River. Obs. Commnus. ult, 
Rhasis, Cent, 21, A woman with a Womb-Dropsie, being a washing 
Clothes stoutly over a Tub, buckling down often, avoided, per uterum, 
many pints of water, and was delivered. 
Schenk,418. One by dayly Labour, another by Nature were healed : 
And 420. another by natural sweat, and another by being Sea-sick, cu- 
red : By a wound given by one in anger in the belly, the Water of one 
Hydropick ran forth, and was healed. 
Another was burnt by chance in the Thigh, there arose a blister, and 
brake, and dayly the water vented thereby, and did cure. 
Ex præcisis unguibus essuens aqua curatus est unus. 
In two Asciticks Nature opened an hole in their Navils,water ran out 
dayly gradually, and they were healed; In another a bladder arose in: 
the Navil, water ran out by it, and the party was healed. 
Nature spontaneously made an Orifice betwixt the Peritoneum and 
Muscles of the belly, from whence two hundred bladders of Water 
were drawn forth. See Schenks Collett. Obs. pag. 420, 421, 422. 
Valerlola, lib. 4. Obs. 3. Nature opened the Navil of one, and wa- 
ter ran out gradually and dayly, and the Diseased recovered. 


144  A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. faith, Blisters or Ulcers spontaneosly opening 
in the Feet or Scrotum do pour out much water, sometimes dayly, and 
easeth the Sick, yet often the Spirits languish, and death follows. 
Water ran forth by the Feet of one, and he was healed, Schenk, 
pag. 420. 
A Vesicatory applied to one, set the water a running, which did con- 
tinue till the party was healed, River. Obs. Com. page 323. 
And Marcell. Donatus,pag. 420. brings the like Examples. 
An Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one Hydropick, swelled 
as big as ones head, dayly the water ran out to eight or ten Ounces, yet 
he died, his inward parts likelily being corrupted, Tulpius, lib. 2. 
Ohs. 39. 
paracentesis and Blisters made in the Legs by Cauteries, Tulp. lib. 2. 
obs. 39. condemns by two or three Examples. Sometimes the Belly 
sinks, and they breathe better, yet die soon languishing, though the 
water is gradually drawn out ; but where by Paracentesis it is let out by 
a tap on heaps, they sometimes die suddenly, all the Bowels sink and 
fall down, the water that used to support them, being suddenly gone; 
it may be compared to Child-bed-Women. 
Plat. Obs. Med. pag. 646. Blisters gave ease, but they looked black 
at last and the Party died. Secret Gangrenes kill some that way. 
A Noble Matron, her belly and feet much swelled with water, she 
used to be short-winded, and to drink much water, she was with Child, 
and was delivered of her Child and Dropsie together, being well natu- 
rally purged in Delivery, Plat. 637. 
So another great bellied woman was delivered of her Dropsie, 638. 
Another used oft to be hydropical when she was with Child, and did 
abort, then was freed of her Dropsie ; but the fourth or fifth time died in 
abortion. Idem, ibidem. 
If after the water is let out of the belly by Paracentesis, the Party 
doth relapse or swell again, death for the most part ensues; yet one is 
cured after such a Relapse, Schenk, 421, He and Felix ‘Platerus bring 
three or four Examples of Hydropicks, whose Navil, the inward Skin 
being broke, did protuberate, and look like a pellucid bladder full of 
water; in some they brake, poured out much water, eased the ‘Dyspnea, 
and the belly fell, but most died when the water was ran forth : One 
had Cardialgia, vomiting and sinking of her Spirits supervening the 
free emission of the water. 
Now we will deliver somewhat of the Cure of particular Symptoms, 
or concomitant Ails in Dropsies,

A Tractate of Dropsies. 145 
A Dyspnea or Asthma, Plat. Extub. Obf. pag.. 652 saw apparantly  in 
divers, and in other places he mentions it; the letting out of the wa- 
ter commonly, to abate the short-windedness, that did depend upon the 
heaving up of the Belly, distension making compression ; he gave 
Juyce of Orris, with Sugar-Candy, and Vinum Hippocrat. 3i. the Party 
vomited much viscous and tenacious Flegm, and had three stools, and 
breathed pretty freely. 
Another Asthmatick in a Dropsie begun, was helped by Squills,
Enula, Orris , Prassium Sambucus, Ebulus, Senna and Agaric. made 
by Keeping into a gentle Apoxem. 
Inflations in Dropsies : Plat. helped two, pag. 632. one with Deco- 
ction of our Flower-de-luce-Roots, or Orris, eldern, and Bittersweet, 
used for four days; the other with Harts-horn,took three or four times, 
boiled in Broath and though this seem strange, we knew one use of this 
to that purpofe successfully ; and why not, by an occult quality, as well 
as Wolves Guts help Cholicks, Foxes Lungs, the Lungs ; Boars Tush, 
the Quinzey and Pleurisie ; Bulls Pizzle, the pleurisie ? &c. 
A Black jaundice coupled with an Ascites, was cured, Plat, lib.3. dis- 
colorated with a mass of Pills, whose Ingredients were Agarick, Rhu 
barby Diagrid, Gum Amoniacum, &c. a Wine steeped with Orris, Sal- 
donella, sambucus,ebulus, cychery, dent-de-lion; all these are choice med
dicines in Dropsies : Also he had a Powder of Diagallanga, Dyacimini,
Sentalis, Cinamon, S. Anisi, and Coreandri. 
A Tympany with an Ascites begun, Plater. cured with Wine of the 
Roots of Ebulus, Sambucus, Dulcamara, Absinhium, and Orris ; he 
sweat, with Spirit of Juniper ; his Belly was anointed with Aqua visa, 
Spirit of Jumper, and Caraway-Seed Obs. pag. 656. 
The End of the First part. 




A 
TABLE 
OF THE 
DISEA S ES 
Treated on 
In the Second Part of this Book.
Of the Diseases of the Head.
Chap.1. Of a dry Distemper of the Head.
Chap. 2 Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Chap.3 Of Palms of the Head from an Hat
Chap.4. Of Headache from cold.
Chap.5. Of a Dropsie of the Head, or Hydrocephalo 
Chap.6.of Headachefrom waterish humours.
Chap.7. Of Headache from Choler. 
Chap.8. Of Headache from Flegm. 
Chap.9. Of Headach by consent from the Womb.
Chap 10

A TABLE 
Chap.10. Of Numbness or Stupidity. 
Chap.11. Of Headach from the Stomach. 
Chap.12. Of Headach from Drunkness. 
Chap.13. Of Headach from Blood.
Chap.l4. Of Headach from a Melancholy humour. 
Chap.15. Of Headach from windiness. 
Chap. 16. Of a Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head
Chap.17. Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
Chap.18. Of a Cephalæa, or old Headach.
Of the Diseases of the Eyes. 
Chap. I. Of Dimness of fight, or Blindness, called Am- 
blyopia, or Amaurosis.
Chap.2. Of Nyctalopia, or Night-Blindness. 
Chap.3. Of Strabismos, or squint Eyes.
Chap.4. Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes, 
called Albugo or Leucoma. 
Chap.5.Of a Cataractor Suffusion 
Chap.6. Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflammation of the Eye.
Chap.7. Of Pannus, or bloody Veins in the Eyes.
Chap. 8. Of Clouds
Chap.9. Of Midriasis, or a dilatation of the apple of 
the Eye. 
Chap. 10. Of Procidence, or going forth of the Eye. 
Chap. 11. Of Pushes,.or little Wheals of the Eye.
Chap.l2. Of Proptosis, or procidence of the Urea. 
Chap

of the Diseases, &c. 149
Chap. 13. Of Phthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil. 
Chap. 14. Of Eyes bloodshot. 
Chap.15. Of Emphysema, or a windy Tumour of the 
Eye-lids. 
Chap.l6. Of Hydatis, or little Apostems of the Eye-lids.
Chap.l7. Of Chalazion, or a round Tubercle. 
Chap.18. Of Crithc, or the Corn of the Eye-lids.
Chap.19 Of Ulcer of the Cornea. 
Chap.20. Of Hypopion,or matter under the Cornea. 
Chap.21, Of CaLus and rough Eye lids galled Scleroph- 
thalmia, Ptilosis, and Trachoma. 
Chap.22. Of itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthal- 
mia. 
Of the Diseases of the Nostrils, Tongue. 
Teeth, and Lips. 
Chap.l. the Pose, or Distillation by the No- 
strils. 
Chap.2. Of hurt of smelling. 
Chap.3. Of Sneezing. 
Cbap.4. Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
Chap.5. Of Polypus, or Excresctnce of Flesh out-of the 
Nose. 
Chap.6. Of the Stench of the Nostrils.
Chap.7. Of depraved smelling, or mis-scenting of things 
Chap.8. Of Sarcoma.
Chap 9.

150 A TABLE 
Chap. 9. Of Ptyalismos, or immeasureable spitting. 
Chap. 10. Teeth edged, or astonished. 
Chap. 11. Of Teeth eroded or broken away.
Chap. 12. Of Toothing of Children, and pains. 
Chap. 13. Of Paroulis, or Inflammation of the Gums. 
Chap. 14. Of Rhyas, or Consumption of the weeping flesh. 
Chap. 15. Of Encanthis, or too great growing forth of that 
Flesh.  
Chap l6. Of Ulcers of the Gums, or Mouth ; also of a 
Fitsula, Putrifaction, and Exesion of the 
Gums, and of a Cancer thereof. 
Chap. 17. Of Excrescence of the Gums.
Chap. 18 Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
Chap. 19 Of swelling of the Lips. 
Chap. 20. Of the Fissures or chaps of the Lips. 
Chap. 21. Of Hare-Lips, or cloven lips. 
Chap. 22. Of Discoloration the Lips; of their paleness 
or lividity. 
Chap. 23. Of Mouth writhing or Convulsions the Face. 
Chap. 24. Of the Vice of Speaking or defect of right
Pronunciation, and Stuttering. 
Chap. 25. Of a Palsy of the Tongue, and the Black swel- 
ling of the Tongue.
Chap. 26. Of Tongue ty'd Infants, or the Frog, so called, 
bring a Ligature under their Tongue. 
Chap. 27. Of a Tumour, or Increment of the Tongue. 
Chap. 28. Of an Ægylops.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 151 
Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Chap. l. Of Hoarsness. 
Chap. 2. Of Of a Catarrh, or Distillation of Rheum.
Chap. 3. Of an Asthma, or hurt of Breathing.
Of vomiting Blood from the Spleen. 
Of Diseases of the Midriff. 
Of Blood extravasated and clottered in the Bladder.
Of Inflamation of the Bladder. 
Of the Diseases of the Uterus or Matrice. 
Chap. l. Of Distemper thereof.
Chap. 2. Of Narrowness of the Vessels. 
Chap. 3. Of Weakness. 
Chap. 4. Of Inflamation thereof. 
Chap. 5. Of Pains therefrom. 
Chap. 6. Of Worms of the Matrice.
Chap. 7. Of Stones therein.
Chap. 8. Of a Cancer Uterinus.
Chap. 9. Of a Womb-Dropsie. 
Chap. 10. Of Inflammation. 
Chap. 11. Of Mola, or false Conception.
Chap. 12. Of Condyloma Uteri. 
Chap. 13. Of Prurient Pustules.
Chap. 14.  

152 A TABLE 
Chap. 14. Of Womb-Melancholy. 
Chap. 15. Of divers Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied- 
Women. 
Chap. 16. Of Abortion, or Miscarriage. 
Chap. 17. Of the dead Child.
Chap. 18. Of a Feaver after Delivery, or a Feaver of 
Milk.
Chap. 19. Of Diarrhæa’s, or Fluxes following Deli- 
very. 
Chap. 20. Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Chil- 
dren.
Chap. 21. Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of deli- 
vered Women, as fault in Quantity or Quality 
of Loches, or Child-Bed-Purgations: of 
Throes, or after-Pains : of stopt Secandines, 
or After-Burdens staid, &c.
Of FEAVERS.
Chap. l. Of a Quotidian, or every-day Ague. 
Chap. 2. Of an Hemitrice, or Semitertian Ague.
Chap. 3. Of an Intermiting, Quartane, or Third Ague.
Chap. 4. Of an Hectick Feaver.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 153
Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair, and 
of outward Eruptions. 
Chap. 1. Of a Defluvium Capillorum, or general 
falling off of Hair. 
Chap. 2. Of Psilothra, or Medicines taking away super- 
fluous Hair. 
Chap. 3. Of Baldness. 
Chap. 4. Of Ophiasis. 
Chap. 5. Of plating of the Hair, of cleaving of the Hair, 
of Worms in the Hair. 
Chap. 6. Of Alopecia. 
Chap. 7. Of Medicines hindering the growth of supserflu- 
ous Hair. 
Chap. 8. Of Curling, or Colouring the Hair, to take away 
gray Hair, &c.
Chap. 9. Of Scurfiness in Hair. 
Chap. 10. Of Phtheiriasis, or the Lowsie Evil.
Of Evils, and Outward Ails. 
Chap. 1. Of the Kings Evil. 
Chap. 2. Of Corns. 
Chap. 3. Of Bronchocele, or a Throat-Rupture. 
U Chap. 4.


154 A TABLE, &c. 
Chap. 4. Of Warts. 
Chap. 5. Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Athero- 
ma, Steatoma, and Meliceris. 
Chap. 6. Of Kibes or Chilblanes. 
Chap. 7. Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek. 
Chap. 8 Of Ecchhimoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or 
Livor in Latine, in English signifying black 
and blew Marks, or Discoloration of the Skin 
from Bruises, or other ways. 
Whereunto is Annexed 
A small Treatise of Sicknesses and Disea- 
ses from Witchcraft, and Supernatural 
Causes; Being useful to others besides 
Physicians, in that it confutes Atheisti- 
cal, Sadduciftical, and Sceptical Princi- 
ples and Imaginations. 
Morbi

155
Morbi Capitis. 
All these papers, or chapters were form- 
erly writ, about the year 1658. and 
were compiled by Transcription from 
such Authors as are mentioned: I 
strove to omit nothing of chief con- 
cernment, so that what one had not, 
I found in another, and so thought 
to make up things compleat ; but 
since I have writ many Observa- 
tions, and read more, so that I see the Authors of those Pra- 
ctices of Physick went conjecturally to work in some things, 
and upon mistaken Experience in others; in many true, but 
those, not all the truth, nor the most material truth ; yet of these 
Diseases I then wrote of, they do as little infringe Experience as 
any ; for Authors were most mistaken in those Diseases it 
chanced we had not wrote of; and therefore we were the wil- 
linger to put these to Publique View : yet the Reader must not 
think to find the Sick just thus, as we have described, accord- 
ing to Practical Authors, in these Diseases; so many Men, 
almost so many Varieties and Differences : we have best shewn
the Method and Course of Nature, and what most commonly 
and truly happens to and in the Head by the discourse of Head- 
Diseases preceding, drawn from true and sure Experience and 
Observations; not onely Angular Cases, but chiefly all ordi- 
nary Distempers of the Head may be Judged thereby : and 
that, that in an extream degree causes Death, in a remisse degree 
U2 is


156 MORBI CAPITIS.
is the cause of a Disease. I have not picked Observations for 
me, or left out those against me ; for indeed I do not set my 
self to be for one or other, and then bring Experiences that 
make for me to prove-it; but impartially, leaning neither to 
one, or other, I search Experience, and to the Truth I apply, 
and subject my Opinions thereto. Yet here will come in some
things considerable, besides what hath gone before ; different 
from what Practical Authors have writ, or over and above 
what they writ.  
1. As to the Subject or Part, Head-ach varies; the Antients 
onely distinguished a ημικρανίον, which comes from ημισυ, sig- 
nifying half, and κρανίο the Skull, in Latine, Hemicrania
in English, the Megrim : now for pains to happen just so, 
is a rarity ; for they fall no more on one side , than another, 
and oftener on the forepart of the Head, then either Side ; and 
as often in the hinder part of the Head : they are sometimes, viz.
Paines, in the Crown ; sometimes in the Sutures, sometimes 
at Root of the Nose and Eyes; sometimes in one Temple, or 
both sometimes in one Ear, or both. 
2 . So for matter of Genera, or kinds of Head-aches, the 
Antients did not know all, and those they wrote for, the com- 
mon Course and Method of Nature are as seldom found in, as 
those things they count Rarityes; in all Diseases, as Epilepsies, 
Apoplexies, Lcthargyes, Madness, Phrensy, Delirium, Con- 
vulsions, Palsies, Stupor, &c. may be pain of the Head, ac- 
cording as a waterish Flegm, or green, or yellow, or black 
water, or gelly, or purulency, or Apostematous matter is gene- 
rated in this part or that of the Head, more or lesse for quantity, 
more homogenious or heterogenious in quality. 
Some have a pain of the Head alwayes at Sun rise, and as the 
Sun draws nigher, the more vehement; and after Noon, that 
the Sun goes farther off, the pain fades. 
Others have a pain onely at Noon, a dayes. 
Others

MORBI CAPITIS. 157 
Others have pain in the Head, according to the course of 
the Moon; as the Moon encreaseth, greater; as it decreaseth, 
lesse. 
Sometimes pains of the Head are Epidemical, sometimes 
they are continual, sometimes they come by certain Periods, 
and Paroxysmes, as Agues; sometimes a Dispostio patibilis, 
Capitis, as Platerus, in Praxi Medica, observes, is the Cause 
every light motion, imagination, fretting, heat of the fire, 
lying awaken, &c, raiseth Head-ach. 
Sometimes the pain is a shooting and dogging, sometimes
an heaviness and dullness, sometimes like pulling and dilacera- 
tion, sometimes a fence of violent distension, and burdening ; 
and there are more Varieties still. 
3. Nor are the Causes the same, and no more than what Pra- 
ctical Authors write. 
Stones of divers forms and magnitudes are found the cause 
of many sharp and Cronical Head-pains; these Stones lye 
sometime in one part of the Head sometimes another; some- 
times they are sneezed forth, and Head-ach hath ceased there- 
from; sometimes they have killed, and been found by Dis- 
fection. 
Worms also of divers shapes and magnitudes are generated 
in the Brain, or parts of the Head, even as they and Stones are 
generated in all parts of the Body besides; they cause great 
itching in some, pain and dogging in the Heads of others. 
Sometime Critical, sometimes Cronical, sometimes they 
creep forth or are sneezed out; sometimes they kill, and are 
found by Anatomy. 
Epidemical Head aches have been found from a Tempera- 
ture and quality of the Air, turning the Humours in the Head 
into Worms, even as the Air disposeth Children to verminous 
affects in Guts or Stomach. 
In others that are dissected, there are found bladders of water, 
or Apostemes of a sharp matter, or Inky matter, or yellow wa-
ter.  


158 MORBI CAPITIS.
ter, Abscesses, Gellyes, Globes of Flegm, pure water; causing 
either eating asunder some parts in the Head, Distension, Vel-
lication, contamination, or poysoning to the Brain, &c. thence 
raising great Head-ach. 
An Acquaintance of mine, a prudent Physician, told me 
that two or three years since, a Child was opened nigh Peter- 
borough, I think by Doctor Wright, it had long been trou- 
bled with Head-pains, and grievous; in the forepart, there was 
found a Bladder of water lying in the forehead, as it was be- 
twixt the eyes. 

MORBI CAPITIS. 159 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Dry Distemper of the Head. 
This alone effects not pain simply of it self, unless heat, or cold 
be adjoyned.
Its Causes are, 1. A dryer constitution of the Air. 2. Hunger 
and Fasting. 3. Too great and long continued Exercise and 
Sweats. 4. Lechery and venerious acts, 5. Perturbation of mind, ei- 
offensive or pensive ; as Wrath and Studying. 6. Watchings. 7. Too 
great emptying, whether natural or artificial. 
Sig. 1. Diagnost. are perceived by the Nose, sending forth few or 
no Excrements. 
2. By the Eyes being hollow, if watching preceded. 
3. The skin of the Head is felt dryer than naturally it should be. 
4. Want of sleep, and the Senses are sharpned. 
5. Squallour of the Face, or a wrinkled look. 
6. There went before a dyet tending to dryness, or some or all of the 
aforesaid Causes. 
Dyet. 1. Where the Air is moist. 2. Dyet moistening and yielding 
good nutritive Juice, are to be chiefly prepared; Cock's Stones, or the 
Broath of a Pullet, Cock or Capon, or other Yelk of Eggs, 
Pheasants, Patridges and the like, which nourish much, are very proper 
Dyer. Salt Meats are not alowable. 
For Drink may be made Emulsions of the four great cold Seeds, with 
Barly-water, and sweetened with Syrups of Violets ; if Wine may be 
permitted, it must be thin, and well allayed with water. 
Baths of sweet Water warmed, are to be frequented. 
But carnal pleasure, great excercise, fasting, thirst, all perturbations 
of the mind and watching, are to be eschewed, as adding to a dry Di- 
stemper ; neither is costiveness beneficial: therefore Lenitives are good, 
used now and then, to set the passages free. 
In Topicals, or application, Oyls for Unction, chiefly of the fore-seam 
of 

160 MORBI CAPITIS.
of the Head, or Os triquetrum, are commended; as Oyl of Fleawort mixt 
with Oyl of sweet Almonds, Oyl of Gourds and of Violets, a Lini- 
ment or Unguent may also be prepared of them, adding Goose-grease
and Hans-grease. 
Embrocation of Water-Lillies, Violets, Mallows, Lettice-leaves, &c.
are very useful, and all such things that are proper for the Head, and of 
a moistening quality. 
CHAP. II 
Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Moisture seldome alone raises Headach, but as 'tis commixed 
with Humours; therefore we think it improper to intitle it 
as a cause of Headach, but only treat of it as ’tis a bare Di- 
stemper of the Quality. Yet heat or cold mixed herewith in 
the Head, may effect pain. And seldom but there is an humour joyned 
with moisture.
Its Causes are, 
1. Air of a moistening temperature; as Rainy. 
2. Dyet, where those things that multiply blood, greatly further it. 
3. Medicines of a moistening quality, either internals or externals; 
as Baths and Unctions. 
Diagnosticks are gathered, 
1. From much filth flowing out at the Nostrils. 
2. From fulness and puffing up of the Eyes, with moisture in them. 
3. From propensness to sleep, and proneness to a lethargical state, 
especially if a pituitous Humour be collected. 
4. From fulness and pulsation of the Veins. 
5. Catarrhs for the most part follow. 
Dyet. All things that moisten, are to be shumed. A Dyet generally 
composed of drying Meats, is to be used, and such an one as is prescri- 
bed for a Lethargy ; and contrary to that directed for a dry Distemper; 
chiefly use of Guaiacum-drink. 
Externals : Caps made of Cephalicks and Aromaticks, Suffumes and 
dry Bags, perfuming the Cap at night with the smoak of Gum Anime, 
and Nigella-seeds, is very profitable, if also Headach be present. 
CHAP.


MORBI CAPITIS. 161
CHAP. 111. 
Of Pains in the Head from an hot Cause. 
Pain in the Head, or Headach, is reckoned threefold by Galen.
The first kind whereof the Greeks call Cephalalgia: some abu- 
sively Soda; the Latines, Capitis dolor. The second Kind is cal- 
led by the Greeks and Latines Cephalæa, and is an invetterate old 
Headach. The third Kind is the Megrim, possesing only one side of 
the Head, called both in Greek and Latine, Hemicrani.
Of the first of these we think it convenient to treat distinctly accor- 
ding to its various Causes.
And first therefore of a Distemper. And first from Heat. 
A bare Distemper of the Quality without presence of any Hu- 
mour. 
This Distemper is caused by all such things as kindle and stir up Hu- 
mours, whether internal or external. 
1. Internal Causes are, First, Such as raise Humours, and enkindle 
and inflame the Blood and Spirits, as are immoderate motion of the 
Body. Secondly, Of the Mind, as Anger, Furiousness and Solicitudes. 
Thirdly, Plenty of spirituous Blood, whereby the Head quickly grows 
hot, and conceiving preternatural heat, is pained, according to Plate- 
rus.
2. External. First, as Heat of the Sun, which is a main cause, and 
happens to such as stand long bareheaded in the Sun. Secondly, Heat 
of the Fire, specially having a great flame. Thirdly, Hot Baths. Fourth- 
ly, Use of Meats and Drinks, 1. too hot in-nature, 2. vaporous, 
as Garlick, Leeks, Onions, Wine, &c. Fifthly, Keeping in an air 
that is heat, or naturally of too hot a temper. 
Prog. If there be with Heat vellication or distention, ’tis bad ; for 
it shewes that there’s a Matter fomenting. Cholerick persons are most 
troubled herewith. 
Platerus saith, There's a Dispositio Patibibis, or a Disposition of the  
Head, to aking without the arising from any manifest Cause, as maybe per- 
ceived, but is rather from a too exquisite sence, or hereditary, or contracted 
by evil custome in such to whom there is with it no hurt of the other Functi- 
ons. 
X The 

162 MORBI CAPITIS
The place of the Headach, saith Platerus, is inter Calvaria, or in the 
Menings of the Brain, or Brain it self; in the Menings, because they 
are endued with a sense of Touch; in the substance of the Brain, (when- 
as ’tis insenible ; many think there can no pain arise there, but in the 
Nerves proceeding therefrom, in the sore and hinder part of the 
Head. 
Sign. 1. The pain is somewhat violent with heat, intense, and to be 
felt, with dryness of the Skin. 
2. The sprinkling of cold things refreshes and delights. 
3. The Eyes look red. 
4. Beating of the Pulse of the Temples within the Skull. 
5. Little Sleep.
6. Changing of the imagination and quietness of the Senses.
Dyet 1. First, Air cool ; if not so naturally, to be acquired by 
Art: the Air is tempered and cooled, 
1. By strewing Boughs and cooling Herbs, and such as have also a 
grateful smell, as Violets, Roses, Water-Lillies, Willow-Leaves, 
Vine-Leaves, Endive, and the like. 
2. By sprinkling cold water in the Floor, distilled Water of Roses for 
the richer sort, or other cooling distilled Waters for that use, would be 
more beneficial ; or by pouring of cold Water out of one Vessel into 
another. 
3. By smelling to Posies, or Nosegayes, made of Roses, Violets, 
Clove-Gilliflowers, and other Herbs, that cool and refresh the Brain ; 
or a little Camphir dissolved in Vinegar and Rose-Water, or to snuff 
up Rose-Water into the Nose : Jo. Prevotius adds unction of the No- 
strils with Oyl of the Flowers of Willow, made by Isolation. 
4. By freeness of the Air, and openness of the Room; against which 
make much company, that by their breathing do apparantly and very 
much heat the Room. 
5. The North Air is best ; if a Chamber may be had commodiously 
for the Sick, whose Windows open Northward. 
Secondly, Quietness and Rest is by all means to be procured: where 
1. All perturbations-of the Mind are to be eschewed, and the occa- 
sions of them.
2. Noises, fretings, clamours, are no ways Innocent. 
3. Motion and Labours are to be avoided, and Carnal Copula- 
tion. 
4. Sleep by all means procured; for ’tis not altogether impru-
dency

MORBI CAPITIS. 163
dency to make his sleeps now, longer than before they were wont to be, 
which is much furthered by smelling to Herbs that cool and refresh, and 
are a little soporiferous, as Roses, Violets, Water-Lillies, Lettice, 
Cowslips; stronger, are Flowers of Poppies red and white, Night- 
shade, Mandrakes, Henbane, Hemlock, &c. with Opium, which 
are seldom (unless watching be very much excessive) to be used alone, 
and then but sparingly, or mixed with some of the aforenamed 
gentler Narcoticks; they may be laid upon the Patients Pillow com- 
modiously for him to smell to, when he is about to compose to rest; the 
Forehead and Temples also may be anointed with Oyl of Roses, Vio- 
lets, and Water-Lillies, Poppies, of the Apples of Mandrakes: of 
such may be made an Oyntment for the aforesaid purpose, both to alter 
the Distemper, and appease the Pain also : as thus: 
ꝶ Oyls of Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Poppies, ana ℥i. Pow- 
der of Sanders, Lettice-seed, ana ʒii. Camphir, ʒi. with white Wax 
as much as may be sufficient, make it of a due thickness for an Oynt- 
ment. 
Embrocations also, and Epithemes may be made for washing the Fore- 
head and Temples, of Waters and Juyces, (which are of greatest effi- 
cacy) adding Vinegar for penetration, and Powders commixt. Also 
washing the Feet in Decoction of Housleek, Nightshade, Lettices, 
Roses, Water-Lillies, or the like, is very good to temper the heat, and 
mittigate it: If yet watching be not lessened, one or two grains of 
Laudanum may be given at night. 
Dyet 2. Where, 1. All things that are of hard digestion, 2. Vaprous, 
as Milk, 3. Heating, are to be shunned. 
And where are to be chosen, 1. All cooling, 2. Not fuming, 3. Good 
digestive Meats : Ptisan-Broath, Almond-Milk, Broath of Chickens, 
Birds of Mountains, Rabbets, Fish tender, and of gravelly places, 
Bread dipt in cooling Juyces, as of Pomegranates, Lemons, Vinegar, 
&c. for Meats for several sawces be made to temper and correct their 
vices. Also in Broath may be boiled proper Herbs. 
Strong Beer and all sorts of Wine are prejudicial ; Early water, 
or water wherein a little Cinnamon is boyled, or tempering pleasant 
Julaps are to serve for ordinary drinking. 
1. Internals. 
In Cure, 1. Respect is to be had to the constitution of the Belly: 
by no means Costiveness is to be connived at, for thereby alone oft- 
times is pain made from vapours not permitted a passage and the Body
X2 wants 

164 MORBI CAPITIS. 
wants the ventilation Nature requires: a cooling, emollient, lenitive 
Clister, is therefore to be premised. 
2. Letting blood is to be instituted, for Evacuation of the quanti- 
ty, and correcion of the hot temper of the blood: some like opening 
the veins in the foot ; but commonly the Cephallick Veine of the Arm 
is taken ; ’tis best done at Fall, or Spring.
3. Purging with more gentle Medicines, chiefly Aholagoges, Potions 
in great quantity, and Specificals for the Head. 
2. Topicks: Where first Repellers, and Stoppers of the flowing of 
humours, and prohibiters of inflamation, are to be applyed ; such as 
with cooling, have a penetrive quality, and stupifie not much, are to be 
chosen; Oyl of Roses, Emphacine, a little Vinegar added, to anoint 
the Head all over, first being shaven, is praised Lud. Septal, bids Oxit- 
hodes to be dropped from on high, upon the Coronal Suture, because 
so they temper more, a decoction of Plantane, Red-Roses, Purslane, 
Housleek, &c. boiled in Water and Vinegar, may serve for a Laviment 
of the Forehead, Face, and Sutures: after which, the Herbs themselves 
may be applyed upon the Forehead and Temples, also fresh Moss, and 
boiled Mallows, applied to the Temples, excels. 
II. Coolers, Where, 
1. Observe such that are of a binding quality, though cooling, as 
Juyce of Quinces Medlars, &c. are to be shunned. 
2. Such as are of a stupifactive Nature must be as warily as may be 
dealt withall, here; as is crude Opium, Poppies, Nightshade, Man- 
drakes, Henbane, Hemlock, and Thorn Apples; yet they may more 
safely be applied to the Forehead then Sutures, which being porey, would 
more quickly snatch in their Narcotick force into the Brain, and so do 
great hurt: neither are they, as admonisheth Lud. Septal. to be used so 
much for pain, as for watching, that weakens ; nor are they to 
be inwardly taken to alter the distempers, except there be great watch- 
ing present. 
A select Oyntment may be made after this manner, void of 
danger, and sufficiently cooling ; ꝶ Oyl of Violets, Water-Lil- 
lies, an. ℥i. Juyce of Housleek, Ducks-Meat, Purslane, an. ℥ß.
Camphir, ʒi, Seeds of Lettice, White Poppies, Cucumbers, an ʒii. Wax 
sufficient, make an Ointment. These things may be actually cold ap- 
plyed, yet more warily in old People and Children : moreover, in the 
life of applications we must regard that they lie not too long, nor grow 
hot, but are oft to be removed; neither is free transpiration to be letting, 
by having the head bound up with many clothes, which greatly aug- 
ment


MORBI CAPITIS. 165
ment the heat together, which apply to the head ; Padilotions also may 
be used profitably, made of Coolers. 
3. For the Symptome, Pain, Externals are chiefly in use; yet 'tis not 
altogether frivolous to use cooling quieting Medicines, that quiet Hu- 
mours, and render them milder and hinder ascent or motion of Vapours, 
as such an one; ꝶ Water of Nightshade, Poppies, Violets and Roses, an. 
℥iiii. Syrupes of Violets, Water-Lillies, Mints and Poppies, an ℥i.  
made tart with spirit of Vitriol.
Moreover, in more urgent pain, from which both a Feaver and 
gathering of Humours may be suspected, to give Narcoticks inwardly 
is not altogether irrational ; nor is opening a veine in the forehead 
to pacifie, cool and lessen the enkindled and fiery Spirits, alwayes un- 
succesful. 
Topicks: Anodine, the best are Oyl of Dill-seed, of Roses, Eldern, 
Purslane, Ducks-meat, Privet, Nightshade, Water-Lillies, Fleabane 
Lettice, Camphir, Cucumbers, Plantane, Housleek, and Poplar- 
Buds; of these may Oils, Unguents, Lotions, Epithemes, Embro- 
cations, and Powders be made. 
First therefore an Oyntment of great force may be made after this 
manner. 
ꝶ Oyl of Fleabane, (but, say Astronomers, the Fleabane must be 
gathered in the Hour of Mars, he being, if it be possible, in Aries, in a 
good Aspect to the Moon) ℥i. Poplar Buds, and Eldern Buds, an. ʒi. 
Camphir, ʒß. Vinegar of Roses for penetration, ʒii. with white Wax 
a sufficient quantity, compose all for an Oyntment; with which anoint 
the Forehead, Temples, and about the Ears, where may be suffered by 
absence of Hair, when pain urges, or chiefly at night, at lying 
down. 
In the morning wash the Face all over with Vervain, Rose, and Flea- 
bane-water, and a little Vinegar in it. 
Emplaisters may be made of the afore-going Simples; but because 
by their long lying on,they heat, and hinder the free passage of the hot 
Vapours, and Spirits, by binding up the Pores too straitly, therefore 
Pultesies especially to be applyed in an exacerbation, are more conve- 
nient fot Transpiration, and Ventilation : as thus, 
ꝶ Vervain, Mints, Housleek, an. mi ; Seeds of Lettice, Mallows, 
and Eldern-Flowers, an. ʒii. boil all in Water and Vinegar ; then drain 
out the superfluous Liquor, with which, moderately heat, bathe the 
places afore-directed ; and then apply the Herbs, with Clothes mode- 
rately strait bound on. 
If 

166 MORBI CAPITIS. 
If Pain be more intense, and remits not with these gentler safe Re- 
medies, then we must use Narcoticks, such as were prescribed before 
for such as watch over much : yet they are rather to be sorborn (unless 
Delirium, Feaver or Inflamation is evidently foreseen to follow upon 
the greatness of the pain) in Children, for their Constitution is colder 
and moister, that may congelemamnous, and bring them into Epilepsies 
and other Diseases : 2. Not to old men, lest through extinction of their 
weak heat, and stupifaction, they be brought into cold Diseases, &c. 
e Caput: 3. Not in Women of soft and tender Skins : 4. Not so fit 
where the Sutures arc looser; nor indeed are they fit to be laid to the 
Sutures, for so as we said before, they cool and dull the Brain too much; 
therefore tis more safe to use them in application to the Forehead 
onely : 5. Not in Catarrhous Constitutitutions : 6. Less useful in 
pain than watching, and least of all in heat. 
Lastly, It would not be amiss (together with the continuation of the 
afore-going Medicines for some time) always to wear Cucupha made
according to Art, of the following Simples, powdered and interwo- 
ven. 
ꝶ Red Rose-Leaves, Nutmegs, white Sanders, ana ʒifs. Violets, 
Water-Lillies, ana ʒi. Seeds of Roses, Fleawort, Purslane, Plantane, 
Flowers of Melilot, Mint, Bettony, Lettice, Couslips, ana ʒß. Vervain,
ʒii. mix them for a Powder : this will corroberate the Brain, hinder 
the gathering and stuffing of humours in it, and if any be impacted dis- 
cuss them, and hinder relapses of pain. 
We think it not convenient to adde discutient Digesters, and Dis- 
cutients, for a bare Distemper alone, without the afflux or congestion 
of any Humours, but treat of them in other Chapters of Headach 
caused by Humours. 
CHAP. IIII. 
Of Headache from Cold. 
A Cold Distemper without afflux of humours, is made from exter- 
nal Causes, cooling; as is outward Cold, going bareheaded; 
as also by application of cold things to the head, or Medi- 
cines, or whatever may induce Cold, which in Bodies, pure 
and not Cachochymical nor Plethorick, make no apparelling of Hu- 
mours, but onely do distemper. 
Signes


MORBI CAPITIS. 167
Signes are quite contrary to those of Headach caused by heat: 
1. Head not hot when felt unto, though Headache may be violent 
enough. 
2. No redness of the Face nor Eyes, nor be they hollow, nor is the 
Face shrunk, but as it were distended and pale. 
3. Cold things bring offence to them, and alleviate not, but hot 
things are delightful. 
4. Heaviness of the Head, a drowsie disposition, and propenseness 
to sleep. 
Dyet. 1. Air that is cold is by all means to be eschewed, a 
fire is therefore to be kept. 
2. Sleep not excessive, nor too mean. 
3. Excercises good, as riding or walking. 
4. Molestation of Mind, Sadness, Studies, deep Speculation, and 
all other Affections of the Mind, that be immoderate. 
5. Meat: Where Flesh of all Water-fowls is to be eschewed, and
all Meats that be cold potentially. 
Flesh of Hens, Chickens, Partridges, Pheasants, rere Egs, &c. with 
Wine, are good Food. 
Cure. The Distemper is to be taken away, to make way for which, 
1. Costiveness is to be letted. 
2. if the Body be Cachochymick, ’tis to be corrected, or ta-
ken away, 
1. By Internals: Where such things as heat the Brain are to 
given onely for alteration-sake, as Water of hot Bathes, and of Brim-
stone. 
2. Externals : Where 
1. Hot Bathes are ordained.
2. Odorants, where all ill-scented and suliginous-vapoured things are 
to be shunned ; a Pomander of Aromaticks and Cephalicks are appro- 
ved ; or to snuff up decoction of Vervain into the Nose. 
3. Topicks, all heating and friendly to the Brain , yet the greatness 
of the Distemper, and Constitution of the Brain, are first to be consi- 
dered, and accordingly Medicines suited thereto. 
First therefore, as most commendable, we prescribe such an Oynt- 
ment for the Temples, Forehead, Nostrils, and holes behinde the Ears. 
ꝶ Oyl of Vervain ℥i. Oyl of Rhue, and of the Seeds ofCow-Pars- 
nip, an. ℥fs of Nutmegs, ʒii. Aniseeds, Roots of Piony, Sage, Betony, 
ana ʒi. with Wax make an Oymment.
These  


168 MORBI CAPITIS. 
These following are commended by Authors for Pain from a cold 
Cause; 
1. The leaves of the Tile-tree applied like a Pulteis. 2. Tobacco- 
leaves used in like manner. 3. The kernels of Peaches beaten with 
Bettony, or Vervain-water. 4. Amber-greese mixt with Oyntment of 
Orange-flowers. 5. Oyl of Vervain, by all is recorded as special. 6. Juice 
of Prucedane with Oyl and Vinegar, or an Oyl made of the Herb. 
7. Oyl of Serpillum, or Mother of Tyme, with Vinegar, is excellent.
8. A Garland of Peniroyal, or root of Vervain, worn about the neck 
in manner of Amulets. 
Authors direct Vesicatories for Cauteries, to be applied to the Head ; 
and Setaues for the Neck; but because in a bare Distemper there is no 
matter to extract, we omit them. 
A Cucupha, is very convenient to be worn for long time, to strengthen 
and rightly constitute the Brain; for which, these Simples thus com- 
posed we think most excellent; ꝶ. Flowers of Cowslips, Marigolds, 
Camomile, ana ʒ i. Nutmegs, wild Time, or Mother of Time, Stæchas, 
or French-Lavender, Bay-berries, Piony-seed, ana ʒ s. Castoreum, 
℈i. Eldern-flowers, Mint, Featherfew, ana 9 ij. Vervain gathered in 
the hour of Venus, she ascending fortunately, ʒ ij. Reduce all into gross 
Pouder, and interweave, or few it in a Sattain-Cap, and wear it constant- 
ly, the hair being first cut very thin, so that the force of the Pouder may 
the better pass to the brain. Of these Simples may several Compositions 
be made, seeing they are all very conducible for Pain.
Also Cephalical Electuaries and Conserves for internal use, would be 
very neccessary and advantagious, being continued a good while toge- 
ther. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Dropsie of the Head. 
Hydrocephalos is a watery swelling, or Dropsie of the Head, made 
from collection of a serous Humour, or windy Matter, in some 
part of the Members making or constituting the Head. 
Place. 'Tis either within or without the Skull, between the Pericrane 
and the Skin, or the Pericarnium and the Mouth, or between the Mouth 
and the Membranes of the Brain. 
Cause,

MORBI CAPITIS.  169
Cause is the same with a Dropsies Cause ; viz. collection of water,
which runs out by Anastomosis or Diapedests of the Veins. Fæbrit. found 
in the fore Ventricles of the Brain, eighteen pound of clear Water. 
2. It happens to Infants from the violence of Midwives in deli- 
very. 
3. From the waterishness and moistness of the maternal Heat in the 
Infant. 
Secondly. This Tumour is sometime windy from weakness of Heat 
in the lnfant, and causes generating wind; and then ’tis called Emphy- 
sema. 
Thirdly. 'Tis fometime a more fæculent and bloody matter. 
Sign. Diag. 1. ’Tis a Tumour soft and tractable to the feeling (un- 
less it be betwixt the Crane and the Membranes. ) 
2. Conspicuous to the sight; 1. As ’tis in respect of its magnitude ; 
2. its good colour. 3. Happens most to young Children. 
II. If internal, then, I. there is headach and heaviness present ; 
2. the eyes weep. 
III. If it sounds, or gives no place to the touch, ’tis an Emphyseme 
from wind. 
Prog. 'Tis bad, 1. Because in a noble part. 2. Because the 
subject is tender. 3. By reason of the great danger that there is of a 
Convulsion, Lethargy or Apoplexy. 
2. There’s no cure, 1. If it affects the internal parts. 2. Mor- 
tal, if it be made in the Brain it self. 
3. 'Tis best, if, 1. More external. 2. Without the concomitance 
of bad Symptomes: yet then its hard to be cured. 
Dyet. Such as is prescribed for cold affects of the Head, abstaining 
from Wine. 
I. Internal. 
Cure. I. We must draw forth the water after preparatives by Hy- 
dragoges, if their age may bear it. 2. By Diureticks. 3. Sweaters. 
4. We must use drying Cephalicks. 
II. External. Where, 
First, Resolving Topicks and discussing Foments, of Lee, Salt and 
Sulphureous Waters, or the water of Quick-lime, commended by Aqua- 
Y pendius


170 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Pendius for Children, an Oyntment of Powder of Brimstone, Bay-berries 
and Orris, with Wax, and Oyl of Camomile. 
Secondly, Dryers. 
Thirdly, Causticks. 
Celsus appoints one or many according as the part is greater or 
smaller : Some use them to the neck. 
II. Chyrurgery. Paulus openeth the Tumour in the descending 
part, makes many sections; but this is somewhat dangerous, epecially 
if, 1. We have not a care of anointing the temporal Muscles. 2. To eva- 
cuate the matter by degrees: if betwixt the Pericrane and Crane the mat- 
ter be collected, double section is to be made. 
Lastly, The Brain is to be dryed by inward Cephalicks, and reduced 
to its right temper. 
Diff. I. From the Humour;
I. Either water, and that more pure, or mixt with fæcculent Humours, 
and Blood or Wind. 
II. From the Scituation; 
1. One is made betwixt the Skin and the Pericrane ; Another 
betwixt the Pericrane and Crane; A third betwixt the Crane and 
Membranes. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Headach from watery Humours.
It is a serious Distemper of the Brain : Its Cause being water derived 
to the Head ; Either 1. gradually, specially with the very Spirits 
and arterious Blood ; Or, 2. on heaps, by reason of stronger out- 
ward Causes, as all extraordinary exercising, furiousness, and much 
drinking of wine. 
Sig. The pains are not settled, but wandring. 2. The Mouth is 
alwayes very moist, and there is much spittle. 3. Defluxions of Rheum 
are very often molesting. 
Cure is done, 
1. By evacuating the waters ; 1. By water-purgers proper to the 
Head, no premising of Preparatives. 
2. Let blood if Heat and a Feaver be present, for they cause fluctua-
ting

MORBI CAPITIS. 171 
ting of the water in the Head ; also if any accustomed evacuation be 
stopped. 
3. Sweaters ; as decoction of Sarsaparilla is best; but hot ones, as 
Antimony, Diaphoreticum, are accounted bad. 
4. Diureticks, which also profit for the Spleen. 
5. Gargarismes, that draw much water from the Head ; as of Mustard, 
or of Pellitory, and a little Staneatre excel, 
6. Errhines, where Juice of Primroses is choicest. 
II. Dryers and Correcters of the Distempers ; where such, like 
an Electuary, taken to the quantity of a Nutmeg every morning and 
night, may greatly help both to dry and consume the Cause, quiet the 
Symptoms, and strengthen the Brain. ꝶ of Sarsaparilla, ʒij. Nard, of 
Indian Nutmegs, ana ʒi. dry Sage, mens Bones prepared, ana ʒ fs, 
Conserve of Betony, Rosemary and Marjoram, ana ℥ i. with Syrup 
of Pæony, confect an Electuary. 
III. Topicks, (which, first, consume and dry up and discuss the Cause; 
Secondly, ease the symptome pain) are to be used together with the 
former. 1. The Root of the greater Valerian, fresh, bruised, warmed 
and applied. 2. Rie, beaten and sprinkled with Vinegar, bound hot to 
the head by some ; As also 3. Vinegar of wild Thym to Wash the fore- 
head and temples for the pain, are praised. 
Some Empericks hold these for secrets in Rheumatick Distempers and 
Molestation of the Head. 
1. Decoction of Pimpernel, drank morning and evening. 
2. To smell to an Onion, being newly rosted and fuming, often and 
for long time. 
3. To bathe the head, forehead and nostrils with the Liquor of stewed 
Onions. 

171 MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Headach from Choler. 
Platerus saith, If we mean such Choller as being separated from 
Serum, or a wheyish water in the Head, is purged meet and pure 
into the Ears; that being poured forth to the Menings and 
Brain, without doubt would stir up great and pricking pain ; but 
that scarcely happens being washt with with a wheyish serous matter ; nor 
then alwayes doth it beget pain ; when as to those that have the Jaun- 
dice, the Head in no wise akes, unless some other accident happens. 
Thus far Platerus. 
1. All Causes that generate Choler ; as Garlick, Onions, Red Her- 
rings, Old Wallnuts, salt things, which make it exsuperating and luxu- 
rious, all things that heat and dry the body. 
3. All aggravations of it generated, as Care, Anger, Exercise, labo- 
rious Pains, abstinence and long watching, all which enkindle it. 
2. Smelling to Myrrh, Saffron, &c. Sun-heat, &c. may bring it into 
agitation, cause it to abound more, and render it sharper and hotter. 
Sig. 1. A Cholerick temper, and youthful age for the most part. 
2. The Pain is like to that that happens upon reflecion of the hot 
beams of the Sun upon a bare head,but rather hotter, and more pricking, 
according as Choler is more tame, or sharp, more or less in quantity, 
or hotter or colder qualited. 
3. If with gravity ; I, It shews multitude of the Humour. 2. If with 
knowing the Acrimony of it. 3. If with Pulsation, Inflamation. 
4. If with distention without gravity and beating, 1. It argues 
Choler very vaperous, or abundance of Cholerick vapours ; 2. Dri- 
ness of the Mouth, and Tongue and Eyes ; 3. Bitterness of the Mouth ; 
4. A sence of preternatural heat in the Head; 5. Excrements of the 
Eares, many, and more yellow. 
Diff. I. 'Tis distinguished from Headach, from Blood, for that of- 
fending by plenty, there is Pulsation and Gravity, but Choler being 
little, is without Gravity, and is more biting from its Acrimony. 
2. Fumes may arise from yellow Choler in the Stomach, or lower 
parts ; and is distinguishig from Choler in the Head by sign of those
parts
 

MORBI CAPITIS. 173
parts affected, by Symptoms, as nausea, 1. Disdaining of Meats, bitter- 
ness of the Mouth, vomiting, &c. 2. There is no gravity, as in a plen- 
tiful matter, but distension onely, with levity, is effected by the ascent 
of vapours, and this is not essential, but by consent. 
Progn. Want of Sleep is bad, arguing the Brain too much affected 
by heat and dryness : If after Sleep there is ease, ’tis good; if not, a 
pernitious Sign. 
Dyet. Where, 
1. Air is to be cold and moist; if not so naturally, ’tis to be procu- 
red by Art, as in foregoing Chapters. 
2. A cool and moist Dyet, gravelly-Rivered-Fish; no Wine, nor 
strong Drink, no vexings, nor movings of Passion, or inordinate 
motion of the Body, or watching, are any wayes innocent. 
1. Preparation of a double kinde, first to thicken and prepare 
Choler for expulsion, secondly to cool and render it stiller, milder, and 
less Acrimonious. 
2. For the second, Cooling and Anodine, Internals and Externals,
having somewhat a stupifactive force; for pain that is raised from light- 
er Causes, as wrath, is quelled by Mittigaters, and also Medicines that 
dispose to quieting and rest. 
1. For the first. Prepare thin hot Choler, with Syrupes of Violets, 
Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, Gourds, Barley, Jujubins, Sebestens, 
Pruins, Sorrel, Purslane, &c. of which confusedly named, may Deco- 
ctions, Apozemes, Syrups, Julaps, &c. be made. 
2. Evacuation. Here Hartman praiseth greatly Aqua Benedicta, for a 
Vomit, to extinguish all pains of the Head, and Mercatus, Stibium. 
A Clyster is good to be premised, before purging downwards, of 
Lenitives and Coolers, with Cassia; and because Cholerick Habits 
are most commonly costive, they are good to be used often, which 
purging is most commodiously done with cooler and more gentle Sim- 
ples, as Pulpe of Cessia Fistula and Tamarinds. 
Some commend Potions of the Infusion of Senna, with black Helle- 
bore, also Scammony, Merc. Vitæ, and Flower of Antimony; but 
these seem too exasperating and heating at the first, till Choler is some- 
what tamed and cooled.
Potions are more innocent of Infusion of Rhubarb, Senna, and Epi- 
thimum, in Cychory or Endive-Water, adding to the strained Liquor 
Syrups of Violets, or Epithimum. and Pulpe of Cassia, the like. 
But

174 MORBI CAPITIS. 
But these Pills following are of greatest benefit, and are not much 
unlike those of Fernelius in materials : 
ꝶ Aloes, ʒi.Senna, Red-Roses, Violet-Flowers, Water-Lillies, 
Purslane and Coriander-Seed, white Sanders, ana Gr. xv. with Syrup 
of Violets make a mass, for Pills ; of which, ʒss. in four Pills may be 
taken every night, for a month. 
To some delicate persons that nauseate Potions, and cannot swallow
Pills, this Bole may be a sufficient Purge : 
ꝶ Diacridium, ℈ß. Conserve of Roses, ʒij. Cinnamon, Gr. v. 
3. Blood-letting is to be instituted, both for evacuation, and also 
cooling, and making mind Cholerick Humours : If the Occiput be most 
pained, ’tis to be cured by opening the Forehead-Vein, saith Hollerius, 
for there come two Branches from the Jugulars, one whereof is brought 
to the Occiput, the other to the Forehead; by which Branches there is a 
certain communion twixt the fore and hinder parts of the Head. In 
Bleeding, whether by the Arm or Forehead-Veins, we must not draw 
out so largely as in the Headach caused of Blood ; nor at once is it so 
good to take our whole quantity, for the Cholerick and hot Humours 
are more tempered and cooled by repeated Phlebotomy : some instead 
of opening the Forehead-Veins, set on Leeches. 
Platerus saith, Arteriotomy in contumacidous and persevering Head- 
aches, with great pulsation and heat, hath often helped; specially if 
therewith there is a Vertigo. 
4. Derivation and Revulsion is done by Cups, with Scarif to the 
Neck and Shoulders, to draw from the affected part; also to the But- 
tocks and Legs, to pull back from the Head. 
Errhines and Sneezers also serve here, but are to be superseded, if 
the Eyes be weak and obnoxious to fluxions, as also Masticatories ; but 
saith Lud. Sept. they are to be suspected, whenas the Cause is a thin se- 
rous hot humour, left they should violently draw that from the Head, 
which falling upon the Lungs might effect a Ptisick, or some other Dis- 
ease there. 
5. Consumption of the Reliques by Topicals : Where, 1.Camphir, be- 
cause 'tis thought to cause watching, is disallowed: 2. Others insti- 
tute Discussion in its place; where Oyls of Camomile, Dill, Rheu, are
good, or Pouders of Nutmegs, Stæchas, Rosemary-flowers, Camomile- 
flowers, Eldern, Vervain, wild Time, Rhue, &c. some adde Mosch, 
to penetrate and corroberate, as saith Rondel. Of these Caps or in- 
terbasted Frontals be made ; yet the Powders alone strewed, are better 
than


MORBI CAPITIS. 175
than interwoven in Caps, because so their virtue is not so nearly com- 
municated to the Brain, through the Caps. 
This, with the aforesaid Pills, may be used for some time, to spend 
and discuss the remainder or regenerating of Choler in the Head, and 
therefrom Relapses. 
CHAP. VIII 
Of Headach from Flegm. 
Flegm, or pituitous Humours, collected and cooling the Mem- 
branes, but not the Brain it self, for then would a Stupor fol- 
low, or Drowsiness : This is of the same nature with that 
Mucus, or filth that being actually cold, is wont to flow out by 
the Nostrils, and Headach from the efflowing of such Humours,as in the 
Pose is often eased. 
Causes generating Flegm (being received and made effecting, from 
first a cold Brain, secondly a cold and moist Liver, which may send thi- 
ther vaporous Blood) are, A Dyet of sweet and fat Meats, cold and 
moist qualitied, Fish, Things raw, Milk, Cheese, Sugared Meats* 
Fruits, Olives, &c. 
Adjutant hereto be, 
1. An Air cold and moist. 
2. Idleness, and neglect of Exercise. 
3. Sleeping over-much, especially on a full Stomack. 
4. Actual external Coldness, as by application of Medicines, where- 
by the cold penetrates inwardly, and induces a Distemper. 
Sign. All that indicate a cold and moist Distemper: As, 
1. Whiteness and moistness of the Face ; unless from blood fallen 
to the part it should be suffused with redness. 
2. Much and profound Sleep, Dulness of Senses, slowness to 
action.
3. Abundance of excrements flow out by the Nostrils; but if a Catar- 
hous matter be abundantly sent to the Nose and Jaws, and raises a 
Cough, sleep may be lessened and Flegm loosened. 
4. Pain is more in the hinder part of the Head from Flegm, taking 
its possesion there, and afflicts most from the third hour of the night to 
the ninth.
5. There


176 MORBI CAPITIS,
5. There is a sense of fulness and gravity in the Head.
Dyet. 1. An Air naturally hot and dry; if not, made so Artificial- 
ly, keeping a bright fire, into which may fine-scented-things be cast, 
for rectifying bad vapours ; as, Wood of Aloes, Storaax, Benjamin, 
Juniper-Wood, Labdanum, Cinamon, Gum Anime, Frankinsence, and 
the like. 
2. Meat; where Roast is better than Boiled : Spices are very com- 
modiously used ; Bisket-Bread, or Bread baked with Aromaticks, chief- 
ly Nutmegs and Aniseeds; let his Bread be well levened, and his Flesh 
be of those Creatures that are void of Excrements, used to Exercise, 
and condite with hot Sawces: But all these Aliments are not to be too 
much glutted off, for a sparing Dyet is best. 
3. Drink; where thin and small Wine is allowed, as is also the in- 
fusion of Aromaticks in it: To which adde Exercising, as very helpful. 
Cure of Headach from Flegm: Where, 
First, We respect the Cause : Where, 
1. A Dyet convenient hereto, is to be ordered, as is afore-written. 
2. Preparers of pituitous Humours for expulsion; where hotter Pre- 
parers at first are bad, for they melt the gross matter by their heat, 
Whence it being made larger requires greater room, and therefrom di- 
stends and pains : 2. Strong Heaters are not to be given after meat, 
for so are obstructions made. 
3. More mild Preparers at first : as, 1. Healing and dry Cephalicks 
say some, for alteration: 2. Attenuating and cutting Simples, say others, 
for incision and attenuation, ought to be used, which we think thus well 
reconciled; the first suits in a thin, and moveable, and more waterish
pituitous matter, such are Nutmegs, Cloves, Pepper, Castor, Laven- 
der, Marjoram, Sage, Betony, Rosemary, wild Time, &c. the second 
are more meet in a thick tenacious and compacted Flegm, for which 
Organy, Savory Winter and Summer, Marjoram, wild Time, Hyssop, 
Stcæhas, Oxymels, especially of Squills, are most beneficial. 
Secondly, The Humour being prepared, evacuate it; Proper Purgers 
of Flegm from the Head, are to be given, mixt with Alteratives, and 
repeated ; Pills for this purpose, are thought most prevalent, of Aga- 
rick, Collocinthis, Laureata, Turbith ; yet say some, Agarick is not to 
be given in substance, for so it causes Vomiting, but in Infusion; yet 
mixt in Pills it doth not: These are given one hour after Supper, that 
their Virtue may be carried to the Head, with the Vapours of the 
Meat. 
Clisters


MORBI CAPITIS. 177
Clisters also are commended for pulling back Vapours and more flux- 
ible Humours that are going from the Head ; in which, for evacuation 
sake, some Irritaters of the expulsive faculty of the Intestines, are con- 
venient. 
Letting Blood is wholly to be omitted, unless we see much Blood to 
abound in the Body. 
Physicians make a distinction in the Cure of Redundancy of pitui- 
tous Humours ; for some, as we said before, institute onely Cutters and 
Makers thin of a viscid tough thick Flegm ; whenas others appoint dry- 
ing, sweating, and Diuretick Medicines, by which we guess they mean 
for a waterish or thin loose pituitous Humour, wherein drying Drinks 
of Guaicum, China, Sarsaparilla, &c. are helpful. 
But in the following intention we may treat generally, composing 
both under one kinde of Method, to be cured ; As, 
Thirdly, Diverting of the Flegm from the Head to the lower Parts : 
Where, 
1. Clisters drawing sensibly from the Head, help. 
2. By the Nose, Derivation is good, 1. By Errhines, as of dry 
Leaves of Tobacco put into the Nostrils, Juyce of Beets, and Juyce of 
Ground-Ivy, which is excellent; as also Juyce of Laureata. 2. By Na- 
salia, in form, sharp at one end, and broad at the other, to put up the 
Nose, made of sharp irritating Simples. 3. Sneezers, yet too great 
concussion hurts. 
3. Evacuation made by the Pallate, which is instituted by Nature 
for that use, where 1. Gargarisms, 2. Masticatories. 
4. By the Ears, into which may be put some harmless opening Oyls, 
being all Emissaries of the Brain, and by which it is eased. 
In the the use of which Gargarisms, which divert fluent Humours 
from the Eyes, they, with all Head-Purgers, are to be used after purg- 
ing. 
Masticatories are ordained, whenas there is no peril of a Catarrh 
falling to the Brest. 
Errhines, and Nasal, and Sneezers best, whenas Nature was wont be- 
fore to send out excrements by the Nose, which now are supprest: Yet 
these are not good in a thin pituit, they are bad in affects of the Eyes 
or Nostrils, being obnoxious to Ulcers. 
Lastly, Topicks : whereby, 1. The matter is insensibly consumed, 
2. Evacuated, as by Cauteries to the Coronal Suture. 
Then we must provide that the Brain be rightly constituted, and ga- 
ther not such Humours again by the taking and applying of fit Corro- 
borative Remedies, as before in the precedent Chapters. 
Z As  

178 MORBI CAPITIS. 
As to the Symptom, Pain, of whose Cure we have and shall treat 
very large in precedent and subsequent Chapters ; we shall omit too 
much troubling the Reader, it being also a General Rule, Take away 
the Cause, and the Effect will cease. 
Of Siriasis. 
Defin. 'Tis an Inflamation of the Brain and Membranes happening 
for the most part to Infants and very young Babes, taking 
its name from  or Sirius, in Latine a Star, otherwise called Cani- 
cula the Dogstar, of some in other Countries Das Blat Schiffen, because 
the Membrane of the Brain slacking, there is made hollowness.
Cause in being. Is an Inflamation of the Brain, and its Membranes; 
the proper substance of the Brain, as in a Phrensie, is inflamed, and 
not the Menings alone, saith Riolanus. 
Causes efficient, or that effected this Inflamation not in being, were, 
1. Material, 2. Exciting. 
The first material Cause might be Milk, that the Infant is nourishied 
withal, that being too hot, and made so from Nurses using a more spiri- 
tuous and hot Drink, as Lucretius saith. That young Children may be 
made mad from sucking meerly Goats Milk. 
The second material Cause may be flegmatick Blood putrified. 
II. The exciting Cause ; It was called Siriasis for some Reason, for 
though the aforesaid Causes be set down by Authors, as general, and 
all that it arises from, yet the distinct propriety of it proceeds from the 
ruling of the Star Sirius, at which time this Disease raigns most, and 
from this (whose force is most perpetrated on them that are conversant 
in the Sun) may the aforesaid Causes be transacted, by the great Influ- 
ence the Stars have upon Humours in Mans Body. 
Diag. 'Tis known, 
1. By great pain of the Head. 
2. By hollowness or lankness of the forepart of the Head and Eyes. 
3. By the ruling of the Sirius or Dog-star, and by the Childs too 
much abiding in the Sun, specially about that time. 
4. As we may by sight discern the hollowness of the forepart of the 
Head, so by touch the bones in the upper part of the forepart of the 
Head, where the Sagittal and Coronal Suture meet, seem membranous,
and ends of them seem hardened. 
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 179 
Progn. It most troubles Infants, seldom those of riper years; 'tis 
very acute, and commonly kills in three days. 
In Cure the Belly must be loosened, the Nurses Milk must be rectified, 
if there be cause ; she must use a cold and moist Dyet, and dwell in a 
cooler Air, or keep her Body in cool temper : too great use of Coolers 
may take too deep effect in such young Infants Brains ; Oyl of Roses 
may be used at first, and then Oyl of Camomile may be added for un-
ction of the parts diseased. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Headach from the Womb. 
Gallen saith, Pains of the Head from consent of the Womb are 
chiefly stated in the hinder part, which also Lud. Mercat. as- 
sents to, by reason of the Veins and Arteries which about the 
Back do come hither; others say these vapours causing pain 
are transferred from the Womb to the hinder part of the Head and 
Crown, by the Nerves and spinal Marrow. 
Cause immediate, is a matter, saith Sennertus, sent from the Womb by 
the Veins and Arteries to the Head, and by vellicating and stretching 
out the parts effects pain , but though it may arise from vitious 
blood, or humours, yet not without a vapour. 
Cause remote is some vice of the Menstrues that went before. 
Sign. 1. It possesses the back part most, or for the most part it doth 
so. 
2. The Womb is otherwise affected , and the Menstrues 'tis like 
have not or do not perform their legal evacuation. 
3. Anxiety, palpitation, and swooning succeed from the Heart; al- 
so drawn into consent with the Womb by the Arteries, by which those 
vapours are also communicated to the Heart. 
4. These pains debilitate, cause Watching, and much afflict the 
Sick. 
Differences of the Humour are known, 
1. By heaviness, and sudden invading and ceasing again of the 
Z2 pain,

180 MORBI CAPITIS. 
pain, which argues the ascension of Vapours. 
2. By the contrary we may guess it an humour, and that 1. Either 
from Blood, where an heavy pain is the greatest : 2. From Choler,  
which is discerned by gnawing and pricking: 3. From Flegm, wherein 
there is a greater propensness to sleep ; 4. From Melancholy, wherein 
they are more sad ; 5. Commixtion of two or more of these Humours, 
or a windy matter together, for these humours are hardly pure, and a- 
lone, but commixt, and for the most part wind is the chief Cause. 
Cure respects the Cause, Parts, and Symptom. 
First, for the Cause. 1. The Womb is to be looked to, that sends 
matter up to the head, its vices are to be corrected : see an Epilepsie 
from consent of the Womb. 2. The Head that receives these Va- 
pours is to be respected, from whence we must repel and drive them 
back. 3. Care also is to be taken if they afflict the heart, then pull 
them back by sharp Clisters, suppress Frictions of the nether parts, 
and give Cordials. , 
Secondly, The Symptom, Pain ; Of this we have treated sufficiently 
in other Chapters, and think a needless repitition superfluous.  
CHAP. X. 
Of Numbness or Stupidity, 
Defin. STupor is a difficulty of sense and moving, being a palsey
in a low degree, or its fore-runner, a kin to an Apoplexy, 
sense and motion in a manner being both hurt. 
Cause is, 
I. Either cold or compression of the Nerves, prohibiting the influx 
of the Spirits. 
2. A contract of Drowsiness. 
3. Too great use of Narcotical and stupefactive Medicines. 
4. Bearing of heavy weights, or lying upon some Member. 
5. Constriction of the Nerves by hard binding. 
6. Phlegmone or a Scirrh. 
7. The Bone either luxated or broke. 
8. From wounds of the Brain. 
Sign. 'Tis known by relation of the Affected.
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 181
Progn. Stupidity upon wounds of the Brain, is deadly ; from a me- 
lancholy humour, that being removed, it ceases of it self.
Cure. We must first know the Cause ; whenas 'tis a Palsey lessened 
the same cure may be ordered for it, as for a Palsey; observing, as that is 
of a low degree, so more gentle Medicines may serve to its cure. 
In internals we must respect the Head, to heat and uphold the Spirits 
and Faculties; for such an Intention may an Electuary be made, or 
Water be distilled from Rosemary, Sage, Betony, Marjoram, Wood- 
Sage, Pellitory of Spain, Couslips, Balm, Piony, wild Time, and La- 
vender English or French, to which may be added some drops of Oyl of 
Fennel Seeds, or rather Oyl of Rosemary, as much as may be conveni- 
ent. 
In Lochals the Chymical Oyl of Marjoram, to anoint the Nape of 
the Neck and spinal Marrow, greatly strengthen the Nerves. 
2. Rondeletius saith, The best Remedy is to wash the stupid Member 
with Mustum, or new Wine, Tempore Vindemiarum. 
3. A Pulteis of the Root of Garden-Bears-breach fresh rosted in 
Embers, beaten, and applied Pultis-wise is commended for Numbness 
in the Hands or Feet. 
Of Headach from Quicksilver. 
'Tis made from Unction of Quicksilver in the French Pox, or at 
other times, whereby Quicksilver insinuates it self, and lies with- 
in the Flesh, and effects very great pain and symptoms, and fixed in 
one place, and very contumacious, sometimes vexes most in the 
night. 
Here Physick avails not; Gold is to be put up into the Nostrils; a Ce- 
phalick Emplaister with Leaves of Gold, is to be applied to the Head, 
being first shaven ; a Gold Ring is to be held in the mouth, Plates of 
Gold are to be applied to the pained part, and always worn ; and if the 
Gold be white, ’tis a sign the Quicksilver is extracted; and if this Gold 
be cast upon Coals, it receives its true colour again. See Riverius, 
Obs. 91. Cent. 2. 
CHAP.

182 
MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. XI.
Of Headach caused of the Stomach. 
Before we treated of Headach that was essential to the Head, cau- 
sed from Distemper, and Humours there placed. 
Now we shall begin with all those Parts that effect pain of the 
Head by Sympathy and Consent, sending thither Vapours, and 
communicating Humours from the communion of those parts with the 
Head. 
Cause. Therefore we will begin with the Stomach, causing Head- 
ach by consent, and which sends corrupt and noxious Vapours, from 
corrupt and putrified Humours remaining there, specially in the mouth 
of it, which disturb and pain the Head. 
Sign. 1. First from the pain, which is not constant; secondly, But 
when ’tis made, it vellicates, and is sharp; thirdly, The more hunger 
the sick suffers, the more pain rages, for then the Humour is not al- 
layed. 
2. From the Stomach, which is first vomitishly disposed, especially 
if its mouth be affected ; secondly, Nauseating, inappetence, or the 
like, are often joyned. 
In Dyet ’tis good to use some astringent things, to hinder the ready 
exhalation of those bad Humours to the Head; 2. To avoid those things 
that send hurtful Vapours to the Head, as Saffron, Pine-Nuts, Quin- 
ces, Milk, &c, which are apt to encrease Headach, if taken inwardly. 
Cure. Here Vomits are chiefly necessary and helpful to bring forth 
the Cause, to wit the Humours feated in the Stomach; some with the 
drinking of warm water, and the Patient to put a Feather, or his Fin- 
ger into his Throat, and provoke Vomit; which may serve in a light 
Affect, but hardly effectual enough at all times.
Preparation of the Humour, which may be suppofed to be viscous, and 
stick fast, is advised by others, and that not without reason : The best 
thing for that purpose is Vinegar of Squills, from to ℥i. to ℥ij. according 
as its operation may be desired, weaker or stronger, given for two or 
three times, then administer a Vomit of Emetick Wine, or Infusion of 
Crocus


MORBI CAPITIS. 183 
Crocus Metallorum; the dose of which to men may be from ℥iß. to ℥iiß. 
Some praise a Radish Vomit with Oximel. 
Vomits are of two sorts; gentle, which onely purge the Stomach, and 
evacuate what they finde there; strong, which draw Humours from 
other parts to the Stomach, and cast them out forcibly , without any 
other help: but Hellebore and strongest vomitory Medicines are not 
without danger; nor are mean Vomits safe in Ptitsicks, or Asthmaticks, 
or in Affects of the Eyes, because they raise fumes to them. 
If Vomits may not be requisite for the Habit and Constitution of the 
Patients Stomach, Pills may carry down the Humour, and be very pre- 
valent, they may be taken to ʒß. or ℈ij. before supper, or at going to 
Bed, in Syrup of Violets, Pap of a roasted Apple, or what else the Par- 
ty best likes; they may be made of greatest efficacy, according to this 
Example:
R: Aloe, ʒij. Senna, ʒj. Mint, Red-Rose-leaves, Cinnamon, and Co- 
riander Seed, ana ℈i. Salt of Wormwood, ℈ss. with Syrup of Violets 
make a mass for Pills ; these are rather convenient than Vomits, for 
thick, flegmatick, sowr, and salt Humours, that more aptly descend to 
the bottom of the Stomach ; but for Choler that is most desposed to float 
in the mouth of the Stomach, vomits are most helpful. 
Topicals are to be made, 
First for the Head ; 1. To strengthen it, that it may not so easily ad- 
mit of Vapours ascending to it: 2. To repel and drive back the Cause 
that is already received ; but some hold these needlesss, and not help- 
ful, but after a Vomit, and the prescribed Stomach-Pills; Medicines 
applied to the Head, may together be beneficial. 
Secondly, For the Stomach: An Oyntment composed of Stomachi- 
cals and Astringents may hinder the disposition of the Vapours arising 
from those Humours upwards ; but this is best after a Vomit, or Pills, 
that have first carried away the Humours; for if they be viscous, by 
Astringents they may be made worse, and more fastened. 
Lastly, Corroberate both Head and Stomach, chiefly by Internals, 
with Medicines appropriated to them and their vices.


184 MORBI CAPITIS 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Headach from Drunkenness. 
Causes are evident enough to be Liquors that fume to the Head, 
and disturb the sensitive Faculties, and cause Headach; such 
be either Wines, specially generous Wines and Sack, Strong- 
Waters, Ale, Strong Drink, or fumes of hot Humours so 
ascending and filling the Brain with Vapours, which if it be hot, is so 
much the more quickly taken, saith Galen; and such as have the Os Tri- 
quetrum, and Sutors closer shut, bear Drink less then others ere they 
be drunk. 
The same Cause works molestation of the Senses divers wayes, ac- 
cording as the occult Natures of men are disposed. For, 
I. In some it effects Raging, Staring, Swearing, Cursing, Fight- 
ing, and the like. 
2. In others the contrary, for some will then be most complemental, 
most flattering, Smile and Laugh, and be wantonly disposed. 
From hence was brought that proverbial Verse, 
Per multum risum potuis cognoscere Stultum. 
By much laughter thou mayest know a Fool. 
3. Some are more melancholy and Stupid, forget almost all things, 
are more busied in pensiveness of Mind, and more sad.
4. Others be more Merry, Sing, Play, Rant it, and are Lascivi- 
ous, Blasphemous, are more vigilant, and remember things better. 
Signs are apparent enough. 1. By dulness of their Eyes. 2. By 
the carriage of their Body. 3. By their Speech; often they Vomit, 
they Stutter, Babble, Stagger, and can hardly stand, and fall, Head 
akes; think all turns round ; Eyes are disposed to moisture ; after the 
Wine or Drink is a little digested, they sleep, after which for the most 
part they are eased. 
Progn. Though Wine be hot, it begets cold Diseases, for through too 
much accustomed drinking Wine or Ale, there follows often weakness of 
the Nervs, Palsies, Trembling, Convulsion, Falling-sickness and 
Catarrhs,


MORBI CAPITIS. 188
Catarrhs: if the Drunken Man be made Dumb, he will die of a Con- 
vulsion, unless a Feaver supervenes, or he recovers his voice at that 
time wherein Surfeits are wont to be dissolved, saith Hippocrates. 
Cure is double, first Preservative ; where, 
1. Divers Medicines are set down by Authors to preserve from be- 
ing Drunk. As 1. Milk drank fasting will that day defend from being 
Drunk. 2. Rhue, whence the Poets said, Ruta tibi convertit pocula 
tuta. 3. Æctius bids every morning to eat six or seven bitter Al- 
monds, and to drink Wormwood-wine fasting. 4. To burn Swallows, 
Feathers and all, in a Crucible, and eat the Ashes of them in a Morn- 
ing. 5. Peach Kernels, whole force some attribute to their Diuretick 
force. Arculanus saith, if a Man eat in the morning fasting, a top of Rhue or 
Wormwood, it will secure him from being Drunk. 
2. As Medicines, so Precepts are set down by Authors to impe- 
dite Drunkenness. 
Platerus saith, Let them drinks very sparingly at first. 
Mnesitheus the Athenian bids three things to be observed; 1. To 
have their Wine mixt. 2. Not to Eat or Junquet overmuch at the second 
Course. 3. Before they sleep, to Vomit ; which Sylvius is against, saying,
That fills the Head more with the Vapours. 
Secondly, If Drunkeness be already made, we must first Evacuate 
the Wine, if yet undigested.
1. By Vomit, by warm Water, or stronger Vomits, Roots of Ara- 
rum, of Primroses, of Betony , white Births or Colworts, with fat 
Broath, or Mallows boild in Barley-Water, all which are very cool 
and gentle Vomits, and may hardly work of themselves without the 
Stomach much nauseates them, or they be provoked. 
2. By Evacuation downwards, by Clisters and Catharicks, which 
are less profitable and available at first, unless the Liquor be somewhat 
digested and carried downwards. 
3. After Vomit, sleep and rest do profit much, fasting, also drink- 
ing of Water, or exicrate, or sharp astringent Juyces mixt therewith. 
Forestus gave small Beer to Drunkards, bidding them to sleep upon 
it, Si nocturna tibi noceat potatio Vini, hoc mane rebibas & erit tibi Medi- 
cina.
For Dyet. Cooling Meats, not fuming, grateful to the Stomach, and 
of good digestion; some attrictive Sawces to keep back fumes are al- 
lowable ; Cooling Herbs in Broath, specially Colworts and Lettice, 
which by a propriety help ; Bread steeped in Water ; abstaining from
Dates,
Aa


Dates, Mesch, Saffron and the like, that fill the Head again with Va- 
pours, and raise pain. 
But food is denyed specially to be given liberally or presently, but 
abstinence and fasting are very wholsom. 
In the mean while we must not neglect the use of Specificals, and such 
as by a propriety drive away Drunkeness ; Observing also that 1. Va- 
pours are to be prohibited from ascending. 2. The Head comforted ; 
Specificals are, Broath, or decoction of Colworts, or of Lettice, Syrup 
of Garden-Currants, Vervain, Centuary, Harts-Horn, Bay-Leaves,
Amethist worn, or a Garland of Colwort-Leaves : Platerus saith, this 
Pouder avials; ꝶ Seeds of Colworts ʒi of Plantane, Purslane, Barberies 
ana ʒß Coriander-Seeds prepared, ʒij. Red-Rose-Leaves, Water-Lil- 
lies, red Saunders, ana. ʒß. Mastick ℈i. Camphir gr. ij. this prohibits 
Vapours, cools the Head and comforts the Stomach. 
Topicals are for both the last named intentions ; For the first there- 
fore to drive back and keep Vapours from the Head, Repellers are used, 
as Oxirhodines. Fox the second many Medicines have been set down 
in precedent Chapters to reduce the Brain to its right temper and 
strength after Diseases. Simeon Partlicius saith , An Amethist Stone 
bound to the Navil, instantly makes a Drunken man Sober. 
Lastly, Discussion of the Reliques, if any thing be left and im- 
pacted in the Head, for which use Oyl of Orris, of Bays, of Dill, 
Rheu, Camomile, &c. together with Frictions, Walkings, Exercises, 
and the rest.
2. The Symptom pain is to be cured, which may be done almost by 
the same way directed for Headach from Choler, by Oxirhodines; but 
the best of helps for Headach from Drunkeness, is the Oyl of Tree- 
Ivy-leaves, to anoint the Temples, Forehead and Nostrils, also to 
snufF some of the Juyce up into the Nose. 
They say Eelop put into Wine or Beer, and suffered to die in it, he 
that drinks that Liquor, will never love it afterwards.

MORBI CAPITIS. 
Of Headach from Feavers. 
Commonly this is a Symptom, and alwayes less or more at one time 
or other, either at beginning, middle, or end of the Feaver; 
'tis an inseparable Symptom, therefore we must consider whether it be 
only a Concomitant Symptom, either from the beginning of both con- 
tinual and intermitting Feavers, or whether it urged not before the 
state of the Feaver, by which we may judge it Critical, and curing of 
it is to be superseded ; And say some Astronomers, If the Moon 
come to the Opposition of the Sign and Degree she was in at the falling 
sick of the affected Person, or if she or her Beams extend so far as that 
place she then was in at the Parties falling sick, (it, as the other, pre- 
tending a Decretory Hæmorrhage, or bleeding at Nostrils, or Vomit- 
ing to follow) no Physick is then to be given ; but if vehement and 
pulsant, (as in acute Feavers, with watching, redness of the Face 
and Eyes, and sometimes with a Delirium, and coming not in the state 
of burning and continual Feavers alone, and in the fits alwayes of in- 
termitting Feavers) 'tis to be respected and mitigated : and though a 
Symptom, yet may be worse than the Disease it depends upon ; 1. As 
to its Molestation. 2. As to the Dangers that it may bring in some, 
especially where not Vapours alone, but also hot and Cholerick Hu- 
mours are carried to the Brain, or Blood, hot and much perfufed with 
Choler. 
Cure. For its cure therefore (neglecting, as needless, the penning of 
Causes, or Diagnostick or Prognostick Signes, looking to the Disease 
it self, viz. a Feaver, of which this is but a Symptom) Phlebotomy of 
breathing the Cephalick-Vein of the Arm; this may respect both Fea- 
ver and Headach, though we intend here not to speak of the Cause, the 
Feaver, but only of curing the Headach arising therein and therefrom: 
If it be not sufficient in the Arm, opening a Vein of the Forehead, or 
Arteriotomy, is greatly praised by some ; and experience hath often 
found not only successful, but safe also : Hereby the Fiery and Feaverish 
Spirits that are in the Blood, and sent to the Head, from consent of 
the whole Body, are let out. 
2. Keep the Body soluble, for costivess in Feavers often causes 
the ascent of Vapours (their free passage downwards being narrowed) 
which molest and pain the Head; we may not use Purgatives of any
great strength, lest they enkindle the Feaver more. 
Aa 2 But

188 MORBI CAPITIS, 
we must use Topicks to appease the pain, which are first to be re- 
pelling, that so they may stop and hinder the flowing of Humours, or 
gathering of hot Cholerick Vapours to the Head ; but as we said be- 
fore, where there be signs of Concoction, and Headach comes nigh up- 
on the Crisis of the Feaver, Natures endeavour to expel that matter by 
a flowing of Blood out at Nostrils, or some other way, may be stopped, 
and so the Disease either increased, or the matter fixed there, may effect 
some pernitous Disease afterward for to repel therefore Oxirhodon 
is chiefly used: A red-Rose-Cake sprinkled with a little, is to be ap- 
plied to the Forehead, after the anointing of this Oyntment there first
ꝶ Buds of the Poplar-Tree, Housleek, Red-Roses, Water-Liilies, ana 
ʒj. Leaves of Primroses, Violet-flowers, Camphir, ana ʒfs. Vinegar 
of Vervain, ℥j. Oyl of Poppies, of the Seeds of Cucumbers by extra- 
ction, ana ℥fs. Capon-Grease, ℥j. white Wax as much as may suffice, 
make an Oyntment, which may serve for all Intentions, both for repel- 
ling, cooling, to cause sleep, and ease the pain : For which,
1. The Root Rhodium being cold in quality, and so called from its 
good smell, a Pulteis of it beaten, boild in Vinegar and Oyl of Roses, 
and laid to the Forehead and Temples, excells. 
2. So doth an Emplaister of Aloes of America, with Juyce of Hous- 
leek, and a small portion of Camphir. 
3. Hartman advises to a stupifying Frontal, which is best in great 
watching, and if a Delirium be present, thus made ; ꝶ of Laudanum 
Opiatum, gr. x. Rose and Nightshade-water, ana ℥iij. Rose-Vinegar, 
℥ifs. mix them exactly, and a linnen cloth dipt therein, apply it to the 
Forehead Blood-warm.
4. Plantane-Root is thought to help by a propriety, either held in the 
Mouth, or hung about the Neck, which way also Vervain may be 
used. 
5. Ivy-Leaves beat in form of a Liniment with Oxirhodon are  
praised. 
6. Also River-Crabs prepared, are applied by some, together with 
the use of some of these, which the discreet Physician best likes ; the 
Sick may smell to Rose-Water, Vinegar and Camphir, hold cooling, 
astringents, but pleasant Waters or Juyces in his mouth; apply a Ra- 
dish-Root slit, first washed in Salt and Vinegar, to his Feet, which is 
commended, together with Irrigation, or washing of the Coronal Su- 
ture with Decoction of some or most of the Specificals we have na- 
med. 
If yet the pain be not eased, make Blisters in the Neck, Forehead, 
or fore-part of the Head, for therefrom may many serous and hot sharp 
Humours of the Blood be evacuated.
After

MORBI CAPITIS. 18
After these, Discussion of the Reliques is done by Oyls of Orris, of 
Dill, Camomile, Mother of Time : Or these boiled in Oyl; ꝶ Mo- 
ther of Time, Camomile, Eldern, ana p.i. Nutmegs, Peucedane-root, 
Zedoary, Tobacco-Leaves, and Marish Mallow-Roots, ana ʒj. boil all 
in Oyl, strain them out, and use it for unction of all the fore-part of the 
Head and Sutures. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Headach from Blood. 
WE treated before of Headach from distemper without the ad- 
mission of any Humours: Now we treat of it diversly, 
from several kindes of Humours, of which it is caused : 
And first of Blood; not humerous, but pure, unmixed, of- 
fending onely in quantity. The Greeks call it Phlethora, the Latines 
Plenitudo in English Plethory, Plenitude or Fulness. 
Cause. First, ’Tis made, 
1. Originally from Plenitude and abounding of Blood in the Body, 
made from things too much nourishing and increasing Blood whether 
Meats or Drinks, being too plentifully taken. 
2. To this adde the omitting of Exercises, Sweatings, and Evacua- 
tion, natural or artificial, as Bleeding, Purging, &c. 
Secondly, ’Tis brougnt into Action being thicker or thinner, more 
or less spirituous, colder or hotter, sharp or milder, or less humerous 
and pure) from too great affects, which bring either heat or pain to the 
Head, so that the Blood filling the large dimensions of the Brain is
over-heat, whence follows heat and distentive pain, yet acquires it 
not such a heat, as that a Delirium should follow. 
Thirdly, Particular Causes that both attract and make this Blood to 
pain, be chiefly, 
1. Drinking of Wine. 
2. Heat of the Sun. 
3. An hot House and Baths. 
4. A Blow or Fall. 
5. Much Crying, vehement Coughing, or the like. 
6. All perturbation of Mind, and immoderate motion, of the 
Body. 

190 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Signs Diagnost.
1. The pain is pulsant, there is distension and gravity, unless it come 
from any external Cause, specially austro flante. 
2. The Temple-Veins beat more strong and lustily than those at the 
Wrists, and the pulsative faculty is very great and vehement.
3. Urine muddy and thick. 
4. Swelling of the Veins, and redness of the Eyes and Face. 
5. The pain infects the fore-part of the Head chiefly from the ninth 
hour of the night to the third hour of the day.
Progn. Hipp. Aph. 10. Sect. 6. saith, Blood issuing out by the Nostrils,
Mouth or Ears, dissolves a vehement or grievous Headach. 'Tis often 
changed into Phrensies, and other grievous Diseases of the Head: Yet 
if in any Disease this comes Symptomatically, and shews a Crisis, ’tis 
better to be silent in Medicines, and wait its state, specially no Feaver 
nor Inflamation cerebrifeavered. 
Dyet. Cool and dry ; all meats nourishing much, as Flesh, rere 
Eggs, are to be shunned.
2. All Meats tempered and made wholsom, or their Inimical quali- 
tie corrected by Sawces of Coolers; cool Herbs, as Cychory, Lettice, 
Violet-Leaves, Endive, Borrage, Purslane, &c. Sallads also of such 
Herbs are very good. 
Barly-Water may serve for his ordinary drinking, or small Cinna- 
mon-Water; Wine is not to be permitted, yet white Wine is least
hurtful to the Head and Sinews. 
Let sleep not exceed, let not Crosses disturb, let Exercise not be im- 
moderate, but moderate doth good, as do Frictions, but not of the 
Head, till he is perfectly whole. 
Cure. 1. We must premise a Clister. 
2. Open the Arm-Vein, the sooner the safer, for there is fear of In- 
flamation, the Cephalick on the same side with the pain, is best ; draw 
out Blood largely : if that may not suffice, opening a Vein of the Fore- 
head hath been wonderful helpful. Lazarus Riverius, Obs. 89. Cent. 
2. in a violent pulsant and diuturnal Headach, many Remedies first 
ufed in vain, letting out ℥iij. of Blood from the Forehead-Vein pre- 
sently mittigated and quelled the pain: An agglutinative Emplaister of 
Mastick, Bole, Dragons Blood, Frankinsence, White of an Egg, and 
Hares Hairs, ate to be applied upon the wound to stop the Blood, and 
agglu-

MORBI CAPITIS. 191
agglutinate the wound. Obs.40. Cent. 3. Riverius tells of another that 
after often letting Blood in the Arm, opening the Ankle-Vein, did it 
instantly. However this is to be tried in Courses stopt in Women. Ar- 
teriotomy, saith Johnston, is not to be tried by reason of a Neurisma. 
3. Evacuation is to be instituted, of cooler and gentler Medicines, 
made of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, &c. with altering Cephalicks, a 
Clister first premised, for the Humour may become adust, and get Acri- 
mony, unless means be used to detract from it, and render it purer:
Rondel. advises gentle laxative Apozems to be given one hour before 
Dinner, that the gravity of Meat may be the better carried downwards, 
and fumes may not ascend upwards, to offend the Head. 
Clisters also had in frequent use, may do good for the same purpose, 
specially if the Patient be disposed to Costiveness, which is not to be 
slighted. 
1. Topicals : Which are to be applied to the sore-part, for Blood pos- 
sesseth the Forehead to the Temples, and the Coronal Suture ; they are 
held hurtful to the Marrow of the Back, if they be applied to the hin- 
der. 
They are to be first repelling,and the stronger the better to strengthen 
the part, and keep back the Flux of Blood ; in liquid forms, to pene- 
trate the easilier,for Emplaisters sticking close heat more : Oxirhodinum
with Oyl of the Sloe-Bush, or the Leaves of the Sloe-Tree, boiled with 
Self-heal, Plantane, Housleek, &c. in Oyl and Vinegar, in winter they 
are to be cold onely potentially, but in summer actually. 
2. Digesters: Yet in great pain that is first to be mittigated, saith 
Rondeletius: 1. By such as dull the Sense, as Narcotical and cold 
things, Oyl of the Seeds of Poppies, which hurts less than the Juyce, 
as not being so cold ; Oyl of the Apples of Mandrakes are good for 
unction, Henbane and Nightshade are thought to induce foolisness ; 
fumes also of Opium or soporiferous Herbs boild in Oyl, to smell to. 
2. Relax the Part distended, where Oyl of sweet Almonds, Violets, 
Sesamum, and Melilot, Marish Mallows, have place. 3. Correct the 
Acrimony of the Blood, if that offend, by demulcent things. 
For digestion and dispersion of the Reliques of the matter, Foments 
are useful here; the best Simples are such as respect the Headach, and 
are Specificals, as Camomile, Eldern, Dill, Melilot, Mint and Mal- 
lows. The Oyntment of Alablaster, of Bened. Vic. Faven, is praised 
by Platerus and divers others, and is made thus: ꝶ Juyce of Camo- 
mile, ℥ij. Juyce of Red-Roses, ℥j. Juyce of fresh Rheu and Betony, 
ana ʒvj. Juyce of the Root of Althea, ℥j. purest Alablaster finely pu- 
lu. ℥j. Ol. Ros. Ompha. ℥xij. macerate them, and with ℥iij. of Wax 
boil them to an Oyntment. 
Also

192 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Also for Discussions sake, some with the applying to the Head of the 
Liver or Lungs of any Animal, ora Cock-Pigeon, which though the 
blood be all repelled and gone, yet it leaves behind it a fumous and va- 
prous matter, that is aptly dispersed and vanquished by such as these
that we have rehearsed : if the pain be more inward, hotter and strong- 
er Digesters are to be used. 
Others instead hereof, viz. of Discutient Medicines, institute emp- 
tying out of the Blood, after repulsion, by Milfoil, or Nose-bleed, so 
called from its property, put into the Nose, and section of the Forehead- 
Vein, if the hinder-part be affected. 
However, it would not be amiss to use Errhines to purge the Head 
by the Nose, as of Juyce of Primrose-Roots, snuft up, which also much 
prevails against the pain, or Juyce of Beets. 
Lastly, the Head is to be corroberated by Internals apd Externals ; 
Cucphas are made more unwholsome in some, where they are over- 
much moistened by sweat. 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Headach from a Melancholy Humour.
Headach from a Melancholy Humour is divided into Essential and 
Sympathetical by content from the Spleen. 
1. Essential in the Head, is often mixt with a flegmatick 
Humour, as in the French Pox, saith Rondeletius, and is discovered 
by a Delirium, adjoyned with Fear and Sadness, Sleeps are trouble- 
some, and molested with Visions, sometimes there is sudden loss of 
motion. 
Cause. All such things as ingender or increase a Melancholy Hu- 
mour. 
Progn. Cure is easier at first. 
1. In Cure, Melancholy is to be prepared with Heaters and Moist-
ners ; ’tis not to be delayed, lest the Brain be over-dried thereby. 
2. Opening of the first wayes premised, we must purge out the pec- 
cant Humour, chiefly with Potions, and at first more gentle ; Apozems 
with Splenical Medicines and Specificals, as black Hellebore, Epithi-
mum 

MORBI CAPITIS. 193 
mum, Lapis Lazuli, Senna, &c. Errhines also serve for evacuation-sake, 
which with Purgers are to be used often , and by courses, for once not 
twice will not suffice to empty out that thick Humour. 
Letting Blood, if the Blood be blackish and thick, is very conveni- 
ent, but if not, may be less emptied out: Other things prescribed for 
Madness and Melancholy may be used here. 
3. Corroborate and strengthen the Brain and Spirits, more hurt by 
the impression of dryness than the coldness of Melancholy, therefore 
in Topicals, Bags and Suffumes are less beneficial than Lotions or Un- 
ctions. 
4. A good Dyet is to be observed; Vinegar (fermenting Melancho- 
ly) is to be shunned. 
II. By Consent: Yet Melancholy being thick and viscid, affects not 
by consent, but by sending Vapours to the Brain, raises pain ; This 
comes chiefly from the Spleen, where that is to be respected, or from 
Hæmorrhoids or Courses stopt ; where opening of them, then revul- 
sion and opening the Ankle-Vein, are helpful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Headach from Windiness. 
Pain of the Head from windiness is a distentive painful sense of 
feeling in the Head, from wind made from its generative Cau- 
ses, and either gathered there from weakness, or transmitted 
from inferiour parts from their repletion. 
Causes are, 
I. More general, as from a constitution apt to engender wind. 
2. Abundant eating of windy or wind-breeding things. 
3. Obstruction, whence fuliginous Vapours from Excrements re- 
tained cannot pass out. 
4. Weakness of the Head, and parts of it, whence Crudities are  
accumulated, and cannot be digested from impaired heat. 
5. Odours, smelling to stinking things, Metals, fume of Coals, 
&c. do raise heavy sense of feeling to the Head. 
Sign. In crudity and quantity of flatuosity, there is distention with- 
out pulse and gravity, noise in the Ears, and tinkling pain in the Tem-
Bb ples;


194 MORBI CAPITIS. 
ples ; sometime a Vertigo ; it quickly rises and remits : Where the 
Humours are more sharp, and the temper of the Brain more hot and 
cholerick, pain is felt more sharp and pricking. 
Progn. Aph. 51. S. 6. They that are suddenly taken, and present- 
ly are made dumb, and snort, unless a Feaver supervene, die ere these- 
venth day pass but a Feaver coming, resolves the pictuitous and windy 
Humours that produce these effects. 
Dyet. Such things as ingender not windiness, are onely to be 
used. 
Cure. After generals, as Purging, a Carminative Clister premised, 
which may draw down the Vapours from the Head, we come to To- 
picks; in the use of which, the first intention is to repel; adding af- 
ter a while concoctive and discutient Medicines: Oyl of Roses is here 
most necessary for all purposes , which may be mixed afterward with 
stronger Concocters, Discusters, and Anodines ; as Oyls of Dill, of 
sweet Almonds, Camomile, Rhue, Melilot, &c. which are very profi- 
table ; yet we must not use too strong Discussers before time is given 
for concoction of it. 
Riverius wishes to sprinkle on the Head the sequent Powder, (the 
Head first rubbed with Bags : ) ꝶ: Nutmegs, Cloves, Pellitory of Spain, 
Pepper, ana ℥ß. Leaves of Sage, Bay-Berries, ana ʒij. Mustard-Seed, 
Cresses, ana ʒvj. sprinkle it on, and rub it in ; and the next morning 
comb it our, and sprinkle on more; the Vertues of Powders sprinkled, 
is better communicated to the Brain, than Caps. 
In Oyls for Unction may be mixed hot Carminatives in a colder Con- 
stitution ; among which Mother of Time, Nutmegs, and Tobacco- 
Leaves, are most profitable. 
In a more hot temper of the Head, and youth fuller Habit, Epithemes 
may be commodious for the Forehead and Temples to be washed there- 
with or the whole Head being first shaven : Among such, this of Ri- 
verius seems most applaudable : ꝶ: pulu Zedoar. ʒj. Waters of Betony, 
Vervain, and Eldern, of each ℥j. apply it moderately hot with Scarlet 
Clothes. 
Sneezings are allowed of, of white Hellebore, care of catching cold 
after it being observed. 
So are Odours, as smelling to Castorium, Ambergreese, and their like, 
that are friendly and comfortable to the Brain. 
Lastly, The Head is to be strengthened, Carminative Cephalicks 
taken

MORBI CAPITIS. 195
taken inwardly, that help weakness and coldness of the Head, and hin- 
der the regeneration of wind in it, for which also a Cucupha is to be 
worn for a good while after. 
Differ. First, from internal Causes. 
1. One Essential (of which we treat generally) where pain is more 
constant, there be signs of the Head affected, and other parts well con- 
stituted. 
2. By Consent of the lower parts, (viz. of the Stomach, Liver, or 
Spleen) and its signs are, Distension of the Neck-Veins, Urine is full 
of bubbles, wind ascends by the fore-parts with stretching out of the 
Thorax, and deep beating of the Arteries or hinder-parts, with tensi- 
on of the Veins and Arteries there ; Revulsion is here most necessary, 
specially by Clisters and Repellers, for Topicals meet rather then in the 
Head affected. 
Secondly, External Causes, as unwholsom Metals smelt to, and va- 
pours rising from unwholsom places, sume of Coals, and the like ; where 
amending of the stinking Air, or flying their unwholsome vapours, use 
of Zedoary, Antidotaries, Sternutatories, are chiefly to be expected
helpful.
To these some adde a sharp pain about the Eye-brows, called Cla- 
vus, from a sharp windy matter included between the Crane and the 
Pericrane. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head. 
Vertigo is a Symptom of depraved Sense and Imagination, where- 
in they think all things turn round, and are hurried about in a 
preposterous manner, made from agitation and swift circum- 
volution of animal Spirits, or airy matter, contained in the 
anterior Ventricles of the Brain. 
Subject is the Brain, or fore-part thereof, in whose Ventricles the 
animal Spirits are immoderately agitated, or die vaporous Humours 
are moved; and it is no Wonder; if these Organick parts be affected 
that are made to rule, if the imagination and sight be not according to 
Nature; and if the Fountain of Sense be amiss, the Streams must
needs be molested thereby, having influence and force only herefrom.
Bb 2 Cause

196 MORBI CAPITIS, 
Cause is circular motion of the animal Spirits, made from aireal Hu- 
mours, or an exhaling matter, exciting great agitation and molestuous 
disturbance of the imaginary faculties. 
Causes of these vapours are twofold : 1. Primary, whereof they 
are made : 2. Secondary, whereby they are put upon action.
First, Primary : Herein some suppose the original to be from Flegm, 
and raw Humours ; others from whatever supplies bad vapours from a 
peculiar bad quality it yeildeth to the Head, as Radishes, Mustard, Gar- 
lick, Wine, &c. Vapours are made also from Emptiness as well as 
Crudity or Fulness, also from imperfect Crisis after long Diseases, from 
suppresion of accustomed evacuation, from an hot distemper of the 
Brain, dissolving Humours into a flatuous and airy matter, or a cold 
distemper therof, whereby Crudities are not digested, and through weak- 
ness of the force of concoctive heat, many gross crude winds are heap- 
ed up; from plenty also of hot Blood do vapours plentifully arise. 
Platerus saith a waterish pituitous and fluctuating Humour is cause 
thereof. 
Secondly, Secundary : wherein are observed.
1. Great heat, (or mean sometimes) as of the Sun, or of fire, where- 
by the Humours are dissolved into Vapours, and the Vapours agita- 
ted. 
2. The looking stedfastly upon Whirl-pools, or Wheels, or what- 
ever turns round, or the looking down steep Hills, or from height, cau- 
ses a turbulent harmony of the Spirits, and deceives imagination. 
3. Violent motions, great pain, perturbations of both Body, and 
Mind, wrath, &c. excite and much exasperate. 
4. From violent purging, the South-winds blowing, a moist and hot 
temper of the air, and from rowsing up winds from parts below to fill 
the head, a Vertigo is often excited. 
The Causes take effect from the Brain, which is either obstructed, 
wherein the animal Spirits are stirred up to an inordinate motion, but 
cannot go the right way, which obstruction may arise several ways, ei- 
ther through plenitude of gross humours within obstructing, or with- 
out compressing the Arteries or Fractures. 
Or too readily applies that airy circumrotative vapour, and sucks it 
into the Veins and Arteries, whereby the animal Spirits are hurried 
out of their due station, and beyond their natural and ordinary 
course. 
Or is distempered, whereby it makes many vapours, and either 
through the force of heat expelling them hither and thither, or weak-
ness

MORBI CAPITIS. 197
ness of the parts, in not digesting and repelling them, the quiet harmo- 
ny of the Spirits is disturbed. 
Signs Diagnostick, that are in all causes evident, are the false imagi- 
nation of the Diseased, that all things turn round, and are carried round 
and whirl about in a circular preposterous manner: also depraved see 
ing, whereas the eyes being fixed on such things, discern not their rest 
and abode, but are affected with a mistiness; sometimes they fall 
and are affected much after the sort as Children that turn often round, 
for then they are dizzey, think ail turns round, even House and all, 
and are scarce able to stand; There is sometimes Headach, and tink- 
ling of the Ears. 
Other Signs are taken from the Differences. 
And Differences are taken from the Causes, which are either internal 
or external. 
Internal are either Humours, or Vapours; Humours are either San- 
guine, wherein things are discerned to be red; there is redness of the 
face, and beating of the Arteries: or Cholerick, wherein the Sick deems 
things to be yellow, that are not; and so of the rest. 
Vapours arise from Humours essentially in the Head, or by consent 
from other parts: other parts that send up Vapours to the Head, and 
cause a guiddiness, are either the Stomach, which chiefly offends, and 
that either when it is empty, and so plenty of virulent windiness a- 
bounds therein, and is sent up to the Head; or when it is too full, 
which is chiefly from things bad in quality, as Drunkenness, or un- 
wholsome vaporous Meats and Drinks, then there is a gnawing in the 
Stomach, like to that the Vulgar call the Heart-burn also there is a 
disposition to vomit before the fit, the evil afflicts now and then, accor- 
ding to the putrefaction or stirring of a Cholerick or Pituitous matter 
in the Stomach; or from the Womb, in suppression of the Courses; or 
from the Liver and Spleen, or Intestines, in suppression of the Hæ- 
morrhoids and Fæces, together with which signs of those particular parts 
affected, may be demonstration of the Cause to arise from thence 
External Causes are either Objects set before the eyes, which are ei- 
ther low, and steep-down low places, and the cause is natural, for fear 
dissipates the Spirits, and frighting recals them to the center, whence 
they are hurried in a contrary motion. 
Or things that turn round, and whisk about, as Whirl-pools, Wind- 
Mills, Wheels, and the like, whence the beholding of such, causes a 
circumvolution also of the visive Spirits, which communicate such a
false 

198 MORBI CAPITIS.
false sense to the apprehension, so that they imagine all things turn 
round. 
Or strong heat, as of the Sun and fire, which is known by the Sick re- 
lating his too long stay in the hot Sun, or nigh the hot fire, either bare- 
headed or covered. 
A Vertigo is also divided doubly by Galen and Hippocrates: one is a 
plain Vertigo, of which we have spoken: another is called by the Greeks 
Scotoma, and Scotodinos, in Latine Tenebricosa Vertigo, or a dark Verti- 
go, wherein sight is wanting, and a very mistiness or blindness possesses 
the Sick, together with his imagination of turning round, caused from 
atrabilis, and grosser thicker vapours: But Fuchsius, and others, would 
not have a difference to be made, conceiving it to be only a greater 
degree of a Vertigo, and not of a different nature. 
Prognosticks. It often degenerates into an Apoplexy, and Falling- 
sickness, and is often a fore-runner thereof, but the dark Vertigo is 
nighest to the Falling-sickness, but there is most fear if it last long, for 
If neither Apoplexy nor Epilepsie be made, the sick at last often are 
used to swoond and faint with it; the Scotoma is worst in Winter; to 
Cholerick persons there is most danger in Summer, and to Melancho- 
lick in Autumn, because then it is most vehement to such; it is bad to 
old men because their Brain is weak; that that is primary is more dan- 
gerous than that made from consent of parts; if Objects appeared to 
them, there is most fear of a frenzy; it is timely to be helped lest a worse 
Disease succeed it. 
Dyet, in what cause soever, is to be modelized of Meats easie to di- 
gest, and of pure Nutriment; ail windy things shunned, Crudity and 
Drunkenness, too great satiety, or fasting, use of Onions, Leeks, Mu- 
stard-seed, old Wine, Milk, Garlick, Radish, and things of like na- 
ture are not to be permitted: wholsomer food is River-Crabs, Partridg- 
es, Pheasants, scaley Fishes, Veal, Pullets, and Chickens, Meats that 
are pleasant to the Pallate, not vaporous, sauced with some Astrin- 
gents that prohibit the ascent of hurtful vapours from the Stomach, are 
to be allowed him; white Wine is allowed for drink sometimes, but 
where the affect is grown inveterate, Physicians commend Guaicum- 
Drink to be drunk for their ordinary Beer. 
Air Austral, or hot and moist, is to be avoided, so is also cloudy wea- 
ther, and Sunshine too sometimes hurtful;  they are not to be permitted 
to see things that turn quick about, or to look from steep high places; 
keep

MORBI CAPITIS. 199
keep their minds quiet, stir not up and exasperate Humours by the Pas- 
sions enraged; also too great heat and stirring of the Head brings da- 
mage to the Sick. 
Let sleep be moderate, and let him be two hours always, or above, ere 
he lies down to sleep; sleep doth some much good, because it discus- 
seth vapours.  
Cure is first directed to the Cause, secondly to the Part.  
I. The Causes are various, and therefore the method of curing cannot 
be one and the same: For, 
1. If Phlethory offend, and Blood abound too copiously in the Head, 
it is necessary, 1. To respect the whole, as by opening of the Hepatick 
Vein of the Arm: 2. The Head, by opening the Arteries behinde the 
Ears by a skilful Artist; but Blood is gradually to be drawn away, for 
some fall upon every light occasion: Cupping-glasses, with Scarificati- 
on, may also be applied to the hinder part of the Head. 
2. If Flegm and gross crude Humours be impacted in the 
Head, after preparation thereof, they are to be purged forth; Revul- 
sion is to be followed, as by rubbing and bindings, Gargarisms, Sternu- 
tatories, and Errhines, the two last whereof are condemned by Septali- 
us, because Vapours being inordinately moved in the Brain, the Symp- 
tom is exacerbated, and an Epilepsie sooner made, when as little of the 
Morbifick matter is extracted thereby: Cauteries are to be applied be- 
hinde the Ears, chiefly to the Sinciput, saith Zach. Lusitanus; natu- 
ral Baths, specially those flowing from Allom, are good; also Embro- 
cations, and Topicks, to digest. 
3. If Indications of a Cholerick or Atrabilatious Humour abound- 
ing in the Head, be present, they are cured as Headach, and distemper 
of the Head from those Humours. 
4. If windy Exhalations and bad Vapours, either in the Head, or 
other inferiour parts, be cause hereof, Repel by Oxirhodinum, give in- 
wardly things that stop and settle vapours; revulse, where Clisters and 
Suppositories are good; Frictions also and Ligatures for aversion; 
Odours are to be held to the Nostrils, that amend and correct the qua- 
lity of those fumes, and by a propriety help a Vertigo. 
II. Respect the Part: Where if the Cause lie primarily in the 
Brain, the Brain is to be purged, as afore; then stengthened by Inter- 
nals and Externals. 
If from consent of the inferiour Bowels, Cure is to be directed to
them; 

200 MORBI CAPITIS. 
them; where if the Stomach suppeditate vapours to the Head, a Vomit 
for bringing forth of putrified Humours is sometimes very effectual; 
then give Alortick Pills, both to cleanse and strengthen the faculty of 
good digestion: Astringent Powders are always to be given after meat, 
to prohibit and rectifie vapours. 
2. If from a putrifaction of Cholerick Humors in the Mesentery-
Veins vapours are transmitted to the Head, prepare with Wormwood- 
Wine, and the five Opening-Roots, then purge forth that Humour, and 
keep back Vapours arising from thence. 
3. If from other Bowels, as Liver, Spleen, Intestines, and Hypo- 
chonders; we must diligently look into, and correct the vice of those 
parts, evacuate the Humours there seated, and intercept their vapours, 
whole Remedies, as things also for all other intentions, are to be found 
out in the list of Medicines that are held to help a Vertigo from a pro- 
priety and specifical quality in them; and they may be variously used 
and applied, according to the Causes, and preceding Institution. 
Those things therefore that help a Vertigo by a propriety, or an 
hidden Sympathetical or Antipathetical Quality in them, are Southern- 
wood, whole Decoction in Wine taken often (as all others are to be) 
is said to be a most effectual Remedy; not less praise hath the Heat 
Bittersweet, born about the Neck in manner of a Garland; or Vinegrb 
of Squills taken every morning fasting, Syrup of the sharp Juyce of 
Citrons, Bears-Ear, Extract of Scorzonera-Roots, Dung of a male Pea- 
cock dried, for a Man, and of a female for a Woman; and flowers of 
the Tile-Tree are choice Specificals. 
Compositions of greatest effect, and of the choicest Simples are 
thus made: 
ꝶ of Romane Doronicum, or Wolfs-bane, Scorzonera Roots, the fæ- 
ces of Juyce of Briony, of each ʒj. Flowers of Couslips, of the Tile- 
Tree, of Lavender, Sage, and Holy Thistle, of each ℈ij. make thereof 
a Powder, and give from ʒß. to ʒjß. in some convenient Wa- 
ter. 
ꝶ of Dung of a Peacock, Southernwood, of each ʒiß. Emeralds, 
Flowers of Sage, Betony, Lillies of the Valley, Featherfew, of each 
ʒß. Castorium, ʒj. Pellitory of Spain, Penny-royal, China-Roots, white 
Beets, of each ℈j. with the treble weight of Sugar dissolved in some 
Cephalical Water, make an Electuary. 
ꝶ of Squills dried, Southernwood, Holy Thistle, of each mj. Cat- 
mint, Featherfew, Cowslips, Alheal, of each mß Bay-Berries, Laven- 
der, Bears-Ear, of each ʒiij. Castorium, Amber, Cinnamon, of each  
ʒij. prepared and mixt with white Wine, let them be distilled, and of 
that


MORBIT CAPITIS. 201
that Water ℥ß or ℥j. may be taken every morning and night fasting, be- 
fore or after food, two hours or more. 
A specifical Purgative may be thus made in form of Pills: 
ꝶ of Collocinthis, ʒj. Agarick, ʒiß. Root of Briony, ʒij. Carraway- 
seeds, and Cinnamon, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of the Juyce of Briony, 
make Pills; two Scruples, or more, whereof, may be taken at once, and 
is most proper in a flegmatick Cause, and by an hidden quality insinu- 
ate themselves, and draw forth the matter of a Vertigo. 
Marcellus commends the Juyce of black Beets, anointed on the Tem- 
ples. 
Quercetanus praises a Powder of native Cinabrium; as, ꝶ of true 
Mineral Vermilion, ℥ß. Pearls, and red Corral, of each ℈ij. Saffron, 
℈j. Leaves of Gold, in number ten ; it is given to a ℈ weight in Val- 
ley-Lilly-Water. The same Author also greatly praised the Dung of a 
Peacock dried, and given in Powder. 
Partlicius and Platerus commend Crystal, hung about the Neck. 
Others commend anointing of the Forehead with the fat of Land- 
Snakes, strewing of the Powder of Silk-Worms on the Crown, a Garland 
of Penny-royal, and an Emerald Ring, to help by propriety, and their 
whole substance. 
All these are to be used as the Cause doth most require, and accor- 
ding to the fore-going Precepts. 
In the Fit peculiarly, these things are to be observed: 
1. To take meat before it, for so it is made more mild, as saith Pla- 
terus. 
2. To bring them to quiet, lay them on their Backs, their Nostrils 
higher than their Head; use Oxirhodinum to repel vapours; put a Tent 
dipt in Cinnamon-Water, up their Nostrils, which sometimes suddenly 
helps; rub their Nostrils with Oyl of Amber. 
3. To bring them again, as is needful in some, hold Peucedane-root 
dipt in Vinegar, to their Nostrils, and Galbanum; rub their Forehead 
and Temples with Oyl of Penny-royal, or Rosemary and wild Marjo- 
ram boild in Vinegar. 
Lastly, To preserve from an Apoplexy, the Seeds of Caraways steep- 
ed in Wine, are commended.
Cc Chap. 

202 MORBI CAPITIS. CHAP. XVII.
Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
LOVE is a depravation of the Phantasie, erring from Judgment, 
and arising from an inward Cause affecting the Heart with Pas- 
sion, upon the apprehension and pondering upon the outward 
Subject.  
Cause is obscure, nor can the Reason hereof sufficiently be rendered; 
onely such as are so deeply in love, are such as for the most part are very 
subject to be altered, and have their Passions moved upon every light 
Cause, as will quickly fligger with Joy, or despair with Sadness; some 
attribute it more specially to redundancy of the Seed, and Idleness; 
Whence Ovice writ, 
Otia si tollus periere Cupidinis Artes. 
If Sloth you take away, the god of Love’l decay. 
Some call it the Noblemans Madness, but Poor are strook with
Cu- 
pid's Dart as well as Rich.
Signs are not always the same of all; the Pulse in most is very wa- 
vering, either very high, or very low, very unconstant; whence Era- 
sistratus found out Love-Sickness: when they are dejected and in de- 
spair, their Pulse is very small and low; but if their Love be but talked 
of, or come in sight, or they hear any joyful news thereof, presently their 
Pulse is augmented. 
2. When they are in despair, or cannot have Him or Heir that is de- 
sired, they mourn, lament, sigh, are very thoughtful, forget to eat their 
Food at due seasons, cannot sleep, not are at all delighted in the ma- 
nagement of their Businesses; but when they are elevated by his pre- 
sence, or good news from him, or talking of him, they break forth into 
exceeding Joy; sing, play on Musick, talk many lascivious and fond 
Sentences; yea, and sometimes are very forward, and offer themselves 
to perpetrate unlawful Copulation. 
3. After some continuance of time, with anxieties, solicitudes, and 
deplored thoughtfulness of mind, they grow very pale, which is in ge- 
neral to all. 
And lastly, Some through despair either turn mad, and are distracted,
or 


MORBI CAPITIS. 203
or else lay violent hands, or make away themselves, or bring themselves 
into other grievous Diseases, that kill them in the end. 
Cure. They will not use any Remedy, nor hear any Advice, nor 
receive any comfort, nor hardly have their thoughts diverted, and set 
on any other Object, or Subject, If they be lascivious, and abound 
with Blood, it is good to let them Blood, let them use a thin and spa- 
ring Dyet; and such things as cool, enervate, and consume the Seed; 
let them have some employment set them that may busie their Mind, 
and indulge venerious thoughts the less: If they incline to a melan- 
choly temper, things, and the Method ordained for Melancholicks are 
proper, onely avoiding such things as increase Seed, and provoke to 
Venery, 
If they be distracted and desire, they must be cured as Mad People. 
Sometimes Medicines are given to cause Love, which the Latines 
call Philtra, which bring the Party taking them into a raving and rest- 
less condition after the Party desired; or else are such as vehemently 
stir up lust; as many Whoremongers use to give Cantharides for 
that purpose, which do not cause mutual Love, but by their Acrimony 
mightily tickle and irritate to Venery.  
Against such kind of Love-Potions that so enrage the Affections in- 
to a fury, Hartman advises to (as a Specifical) the Pouder of a Secun- 
dine, being first dried in an Oven, and then given with Treacle, or 
some Antidotary water for certain times. 
Ernestus commends Aurum Vitæ for the Plague, and for Love-Poti- 
ons taken by Women; from which, faith he, they are wont to pine a- 
way, not have they any desire to Venus. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of Cephalæa, or an old Headach. 
CEphalæa is an inveterate and old Headach, that hath remained 
for a long time, not risen of a sudden from light Causes, but 
of long continuance from Humours seated in the Head, and 
and afflicts with exacerbations. 
The Cause is the same as Cephalalgia, or a sudden or periodick Head- 
ach is caused of, as to Humours; but all flight Causes of the Cepha- 
lalqia cause not a Cephalæa. 
Cc 2  Signs

204 MORBI CAPITIS,
Signs are only necessary for distinction of the Humour predominant, 
and are easily found out by a diligent perusal of the aforegoing Chap- 
ters of Headach.  
Prognosticks. This is worse than Cephalalgia, because of the durance 
of it, and the contumacy of the Cause, and is more easily or hardly 
cured, according to the Cause, which is easily found out by the afore- 
going Chapters. 
Cure also varies as the Cause, and every particular Cause is taken 
away as in the foregoing Chapters is directed. 
Onely in a Cephalæa there is need of more forcible Medicines, and a 
longer continuation of them. 
As longer purging by Apozems and Pills, letting Blood in the Arm, 
and after that in the Forehead; if need be, oftner. 
Gargarisms, Errhines, Sneezers, Blisters, and Rubificatives to the 
hinder part of the Head, and behind the Ears. 
Ludovicus Septalius saith, In Diuturn pains, where the matter hath been 
thick, experience hath shewn that the Head being shaved , and a Vesica- 
tory applied thereon, hath cured, whenas other Remedies failed. So the An- 
tients, both Greeks and Arabians, did much use Rubificatives and Syna- 
pisms in contumacious Headaches, that did attract and draw forth the 
matter through the pores of the skin; and attenuating a thick matter, 
did avoid it by insensible transpiration. 
In an hot Cause, Medicines cooling, and in a cold Cause, heating; 
as is shewn in the foregoing Chapters of particular Causes, are to be 
administred. 
Lest the Head should be over-weakened, the use of Cephalick Ele- 
ctuaries, and Caps, prescibed in the other foregoing Chapters, are 
constantly to be used. 
So are all Topicals as are prescribed in the precedent Chapters to be 
used; and effectual in a Cephalæa, the Cause considered.
MORBI 

205
Morbi Oculorum. 
ALL these Diseases of the Eyes were 
writ about 1658. and were collected 
from Authors, the best things I could 
find; and where I found any Author 
wanting, I made a supply from ano- 
ther; They contain the chief Method 
and Medicines, Signs Diagnostick, 
Prognostick, and Causes, writ by the 
Antient and Modern Practical Physi- 
tians: Yet since I wrote them, I see by my own Experience, 
and the pure and uninterested Experience of others they are 
defective, and the Readers of them cannot know the Truth 
fully and clearly of the Method of Nature thereby yet in 
these Diseases I happened to write upon, Authors writ the 
most experimentally, because they had not so many Ambigui- 
ties and Intricacies, and the Causes were more palpaple: I did 
also draw out all the best Medicines and Specificals, which be- 
cause they were commonly founded on good and reiterated 
Experience, they will hold throughout, all Ages; and what- 
ever is not surely founded on Experience will be contradict- 
able: Yet in Experience many have been deceived, wri- 
ting of one how all others must be, when we scarce find
two

206 MORBI OCULORUM. 
two alike in any one Disease in all things: And so the Antients 
writ Chapters by one or two; or three sick Persons they saw, 
and perhaps they were different cases from the most common: 
It is certain, under twenty or thirty Patients, seeing the varie- 
ties in them all, we cannot punctually conclude of any thing, 
in any one Disease. Yet do all these things happen in some, 
and much as they are found writ. We did most lean to the 
Moderns, and the belt of them, as Sennertus, Riverius, Pla- 
terus, Johnstonus, &c. And with what I have delivered in o- 
ther places, I think these indigested Papers may so well, and 
the Readers be much bettered thereby: And these were 
more cleerly writ from Experience than others we have omit- 
ted. Most of these Distempers of the Eyes have been exami- 
ned by Oculists that have practised peculiarly that way, and 
yet I perceive in their Writings, though they had Experience 
enough of their own to write by, they wrote after the Anti- 
ents in most things; finding that the easier way, and the Me- 
thod ready drawn to their Hand, and in Credit and Popular 
Applause.
CHAP. 


MORBI OCULORUM. 207 
CHAP. I. 
Of Dimness of Sight, or Blindness. 
DImness of Sight, or Blindness, is a defect of Seeing, either 
perfectly, or unrightly, made from want of visive Spirits, 
Obstructions of the Optick Nerves, or other Causes hurting 
the visive faculty, no vice or spot being to be seen in the Eye. 
CAUSE 
Is either from the fewness of Spirits, as happens after long Diseases, 
or from the Brain not supplying Animal Spirits, or from fault of the 
Animal Spirits, which are thickned, cooled, and weakned, as in old 
men, whenas they ought to be lucid, thin, and many; and then it is 
called  Amblyopia.
2. From the Optick Nerves; which are, 1. Obstructed either by 
Melancholy, or Flegmatick Humours falling from the Head, as in a 
Palsey, so that the Optick Spirits cannot pass to the Eyes. 2. From 
Constriction as well as Obstruction of those Nerves, is Amblyopia made, 
they are narrowed and compressed divers ways; for in Phrensies, In- 
flamation, and other Diseases of Plenitude of Blood, from Bruises al- 
so, whence Pus is gathered, and Tumours compressing the Nerves, so 
that the Spirits cannot pass, as hath been found in those that have been 
opened, 3. Wounds and solution of the continuity of those Nerves 
from the same reason cause Blindness, and then it is called Am aura- 
sis. 
Some adde a third kind, viz. Myopia, which is whenas they see one- 
ly what is nigh them, made from weakness of the visive Spirits, and 
thickning of the Coats from Humours. 
Antecedent and generative Causes were, 
1. Crudities and Drunkenness. 
2. Reading, and that after meat, and of small Letters, or by Can- 
dle-light. 
3. An evil-kind of Dyet, meats of bad digestion, and exhala- 
tive.
4. Strong 


208
MORBI OCULOM, 
4. Strong Vomits or Purges, that violently stir up Humours, that 
are carried to the Optick Nerves. 
5. The Sun-Beams, and too great-light. 
6. The immoderate use of Venery passions of the mind, and for- 
row, 
7. Shedding of many tears, and immoderate weeping. 
8. All intent looking of the Eyes, and the beholding of things small 
very wishly, or things that whisk and turn about; fire, smoak, dust, a thick 
Air and Baths are also hurtful: Collyries of Opium, Poppies, and the 
like, thicken the Pupil, and dull and thicken the visive Spirits also.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
There is no vice appearing in the Eye, so that sight by degrees grows 
dimmer and weaker, and no film, cloud or spot is seen in the Pupil un- 
less that the Pupil be larger, and more big then naturally accustomed, 
and sometimes black. 
There is sometime like a Gnat before the Eye, a little obliquely, 
which shadow is seen most in an open and clear Air; it groweth bigger 
in time, and there is another made to it, so that whithersoever the Pa- 
tient looks, if it be abroad in a light time, these two shadows are always 
like two Gnats, a little obliquely before their Eyes. 
Moreover, we must guess at the Cause and Disease by the foregoing, 
of things hurtful by Pain, Heaviness, Fulness, and Heat in the Head, 
that preceded, whereby were the noxious Humours translated to the 
Optick Nerves: if none of these preceded, and we cannot gather that 
they are either obstructed or constrict, we may suppose the fault to be in 
the Optick Spirits, and the more if from old Age. 
Amaurosis is soon made sometimes, but Amblyopia by degrees 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Amblyopia therefore is better than Amaurosis, because in that so con- 
tumacious a stoppage of the Nerves is not suddenly made, whence 'tis 
also easier cured. 
Amaurosis is bad, because the Nerves obstructed are hard to be reco- 
vered, as in Palseys; yet if imperfect feeing be onely made, there is 
hope, though it yields not after the use of much Physick; if it be made 
from constriction of those Nerves, it ceases upon the taking away or 
ceasing of the Cause that crushed the Nerves together: if it come 
suddenly from violent vomiting, by taking another Vomit the Hu- 
mours have been taken from thence, that were moved thither by the 
same Cause before; the like also, if it come from disturbance of Hu-
Mours, 


MORBI OCULORUM.
mours from violent Purgers, 'tis taken away by Purging again. 
Women with Child at time of Delivery, or before, are delivered 
from their Blindness; but old men hardly recover sight again, because 
the defect in them made through Age, cannot be repaired. If sight in 
sick men fails suddenly, it argues death. 
If Humours be more loosly seated about the Nerves, though they 
have been very dim for a long time, yet there is great hopes of Cure; 
especially if the Sick shutting the sound Eye, the Pupil or Apple of the- 
other be dilated. 
CURE 
Consists, 1. In good regiment and order of Dyer, where all things 
that hurt are to be avoided and shunned, as Air that is misty, thick, and 
rainy, caliginous and Austral; Flesh, and meats of bad juyce, and hard 
concoction; fly the use of Leeks, Onions, Garlick, Radish, Colworts, 
and strong Spices, as Mustard, Ginger, especially too immoderately 
used; Toadstools, Milk, Fishes and Fruits. 
Meats must be moderated and medicated; use not unwholsome or 
too much food at Supper, sleep not presently thereupon, let not also 
that exceed; lie on the Back, shun too great light and sunshine, exer- 
cise moderately; yet fly all things that bring Humours to the Eyes, as 
smoak, dust, wind, too intense reading, and looking on things, watch- 
ing, tears, sadness, &c. Gourdon his Verses are, 
Hac Oculos multum Sol. pulvis fumus & astus 
Ventus Cum steiu Vina, Venusque nocent. 
2. In Medicines, where, 1. We must respect the part, whether the 
Cause be Essential, or affecting by Consent; if Essential, look to the 
Head; Capital Pills are made of Senna, and Aloes, of each ʒj. Dia
gridium, ℈j. Seeds of Rheu, of Fennel, of each ℈j. Nutmegs and 
Cloves, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of Eyebright make Pills; take every 
other day a convenient dose; or Apozems be used in their stead, 
and be continued long, wherein may be put Specificals for the Eyes. In 
Amaurosis also we must use Apophlegmatisms, Errhines, Gargarisms, 
and the like Head-Purgers, Cupping-Glasses to the Shoulders, Setons 
to the Neck; Sternutatories, and Errhines too, are disliked by most, and 
therefore may be left untried, other ways of helping being so plentiful, 
and more effectual. 
In the next place we must come to take away the Obstruction of the 
Optick Nerves, stengthen the feebleness and restore the deficiency of 
the visive Spirits, these are such as by a propriety strengthen the Brain 
D d  and

210 MORBI OCULORUM.  
and sight, and are made the more effectual, used after Purging hath 
made preparation for them, and are to be continued with and after the 
use of the former things for long time, as well to strengthen the fight 
restored for fear of a Relapse again, as restore it being decayed: a- 
mong such, Eyebright is chiefly praised, it is steeped in white Wine,and 
called Eyebright-Wine, which hath cured some of a years Blindness, 
and brings acuteness of fight to aged People. Some advise to take in 
Powder a ʒ every morning, and say the very looking on it sharpens the 
fight. 
A Water may be composed of the following Specificals, distilled in 
an Alimbeck. 
ꝶ Eyebright, miij. Rheu, Fennel, Chelidone, or Sellondine, Ba- 
stard-Parsly, of each mj. Nutmegs, Cloves, of each ℥j. macerate them 
in white Wine a due time, being all rightly mixt, and prepared, and 
distil them; a draught of this Water may be taken every morning and 
night, falling before and after it: the same way also may ʒ of the se- 
quent Powder, of great vertue, be taken: ꝶ Flowers of Eyebright, 
ʒij. Seeds of sweet Fennel, ʒj. common Fennel-Seeds, Nutmegs, 
Cloves, Vervain, Rosemary, of each ʒß Sugar, ℥j. make of all a Pow- 
der. Rheu is commended also, taken inwardly; whence the Poet 
spake,  
Nobilis est Ruta, quia luminis reddit acuta; 
Auxilio Rutæ, vir lippe videbis acute. 
An Electuary also, to whom it may be more pleasing, may not be less 
efficacious: as, ꝶ Conserve of Eyebright, ℥ij. Pulpe of Juniper-Ber- 
ries drawn with Fennel-Water, ʒiij. sweet Fennel-Seeds, ʒj. Seeds of 
Mountain-Siler, Ashes of Swallows, Ebony-Wood, of each ʒß. with 
some Cephalical Syrup make an Electuary hereof. Condite Mirobo- 
lanes also, and condite Nutmegs, Wormwood-Beer, Vinegar of Squils, 
&c. are good for the Eyes and visive Spirits; some ordain sweating, 
and the use of Bituminous Waters to dry the Head. 
Topicks are of little use here, because the Cause is internal, and there 
is no excrescent matter upon the Eye, yet Topicals are thought to 
avail much in Amblyopia, for succoring and corroberating the Op- 
tick Nerves, and Visive Faculty, as Foments of Decoction of Rheu, 
Eyebright, Spiked-loose-strife, Tormentile, Vervain, Lovage, Fennel, 
Chelidone, and Centuary; such kinde of Waters as this, are much 
commended: 
ꝶ of Rheu, Vervain, Chelidone, Eyebright, Fennel, Clary, of each 
mj. the Liver of a Goat cut small, Sal gem. ʒij Spiked-loose- 
strife,

MORBI OCULORUM. 211 
strife, mjß. distil them by an Alimbeck, any proper moisture being first 
added thereto. 
All Galls, except of venemous Beasts, are good; the Liquor of Se- 
raplo is useful, dropping from the Liver of a Bear roasted, sprinkled with 
long Pepper in the roasting. 
Also the Pouder of a burnt Magpy mixt with Fennel water of Ge- 
rardus a solo; but these scarcely penetrate to the Optick Nerves. 
Other local Medicines are also used to the Head, Cucupha's and Pow- 
ders to sprinkle in the Hair, to dry the Brain, where we suspect a moist 
Distemper. 
2. If by Consent of Parts, as ’tis seldom made, though agravated, 
being always essential to the Head, though somented by fumes, and bad 
vapours anrising from the Stomach, generating more matter, and a more 
contumacious Disease, therefore digestion is to be rectified, let them not 
eat great suppers, not deep presently thereupon, forbear all evaporative 
things, give a Pouder to prohibit that always after supper, of Corian- 
der-Seeds, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Fennel-Seeds, Wormwood, Cloves, 
&c. which also perfects digestion, and turns the quality of the vapours 
from hurting to helping; for which also Turnips in Meat are thought by 
a propriety to help the Eyes, and Broath and Flesh of Vipers; Meats 
are also to be condite with Spices, as Ginger, Cloves, Nutmegs, sweet 
and common Fennel-Seeds, &c. Let concoction be perfected before 
they eat again, else crude vapours are carried to the Head; In an He- 
ctical state of the Body, an Analeptick Dyet, and such as is ordered for 
Hecticks, is to be directed, whereby the animal and visive Spirits may 
be restored. 
CHAP. 11. 
Of Night-Blindness, or Nyctalopia. 
NYctalopes are such as see nothing in the night, and but badly the 
Sunsetting, from thickness of the Spirits and Tunicles.
CAUSE. 
The reason hereof is from weakness of the Head, and vislve Spirits, 
or thickness of them, or of the Tunicles of the Eyes, whereby Light 
hath not such an influence, as not able to penetrate, or penetating not 
sufficiently, used from weakness and fewness of Spirits; the Tunicles 
are also thought to be thickned more on nights through moisture from 
Dd 2 influ- 

212
MORBI OCULORUM. 
influence of the Moon, and mens fight is thought to be more acute and 
quick in the New Moon, than when she is come to her Full: Some see 
better on nights than they do a days, which is a very rare thing, and 
comes from rarity of the Spirits, that are dissipated by sight. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
If it be essential to the Brain, the other faculties of the Brain are 
hurt; if it had a sudden rise, the Optick Nerves were stopt through 
the sudden falling thither of some Humours; if it hath had a long time 
of encreasing, there is distemper of the Brain, and grosness of the 
Blood and Spirits therefrom. Celsus saith, It never happens to Women that 
have due and ordinate flux of Courses. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be attenuating that thicken the Blood are to be 
shunned. 
CURE. 
If signs of Phlethory or Fulness be present, we must let Blood, 
however Cephalical Purging Pills are te be used as are directed for 
Amaurosis; yet where we have no Indications of plenty of Humours, 
less purging will serve: Some premise preparation, and add Masti- 
catories, Gargarisms, Vesicatories, Cupping-Glasses, &c. for Revul- 
sion and Derivation, which do good in a plentiful matter, and where 
the Head redounds with Humours. 
Next hereto are strengtheners of the Head and Optick Nerves to be 
directed, as may be plentifully exemplarized out of the Chapter of Am- 
blyopia and Amaurosis. 
Topicals are used here, and commended; as the Liver of a Goat, 
which applied to the Eyes, is said to make men see as well on nights as 
days, and the reason is thought to be from Sympathy, because the Goats 
see as well on nights as days; yet there is no coherence betwixt the 
Liver and the Eye. 
This is also various ways prepared for this use, as roasted and basted 
with Galls of Animals, and the liquor that drops therefrom is put into 
the Eye; or it is roasted, being cut and stuck with Fennel, Chelidine, 
Rheu, and the Liquor dropping therefrom reserved for use; the vapour 
of it also boiling is appointed: Some advise it to be eaten with Salt of
Eyebright often.  
The Water of Honey, also or Galls of Animals, the water of a Sa- 
phire-Stone, the Colliry of Gentilis of Pompholix and Stibium, washt 
in Fennel-water, &c. are useful. 
Forestus


MORBI OCULORUM. 213 
Forestus used the Liquor of the Liver of the Fish Elpuick that fried 
therefrom in torrifying, as a secret. 
Sharp Medicines are hurtful, and too much washing the Eyes with 
cold water, thickens the Tunicles and Spirits, and renders the Disease 
the worse. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Squinting, or Strabismos. 
STrabismos is a depraved motion of the Eyes, which is either natu- 
ral, from faulty Situation, whenas the Eyes are moved to the sides, 
or the Crystal-Line is distorted; or not natural, which is made in Chil- 
dren and Infants looking always one way to the Light; or in elder Per- 
sons, from convulsion of the Muscles moving the Eyes, made from 
their driness or repletion.
CURE.
The Cure is not performed in that which comes naturally: That 
which is made from a convulsion of the Muscles, is cured as Spasms, a 
Palsey of the Eye; and Tortura, Orris, the Pouder of Swallows Heads 
blown in, or a Magpy burnt. Turtles Blood, &c. are proper: That 
which comes through vice of looking awry in Children, is timely to be 
looked to; for if it be inveterate, 'tis hardly helped; therefore Cases 
for the Eyes for such are to be made, so that they cannot see but by look- 
ing streight-forth through them. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes. 
Aule in Greek signifies a Cicatrice, or Skar, which happening in 
the black of the Eye, or pellucid part of the Cornea, and being 
white, is called Lencoma in Greek, and Albugo in Latine; if 
more bright and splendent, it is termed by some paralampsis; if this 
white spot be less, it is called in Greeek Nephelion, and in Latine Ne- 
bula, a Cloud; if it be more thin, it is called in Greek and 
Call go in Latine signifying a Mist.
CAUSE.  

214 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CAUSE. 
Its Cause is either external, as a Cicatrice, a Wound or Ulcer fore- 
going; or internal, as a Flegmatick matter gathered twixt the Mem- 
branes, or an Humour seated and soaked into the Cornea twixt the coats, 
and there concrete and compacted. 
SIGNS 
Be a white spot, which is thicker and whiter than other affects happen- 
ing to the Cornea, and thickning it so that a passage is denyed in the visi- 
ble species, and the Sick sometime seem to see as if it were through 
smoak and mists. 
Some are more superficiary, some more deep, and incline to black, 
where the Urea is sometimes offended, sometimes the albuginous Hu- 
mour, in which they are not so conspicuous. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If not inveterate, if in Children, if onely from a thick pituitous mat- 
ter left there from Opthalmles, it is the easilier cured; but if inveterate, 
if in old Persons, if from a Cicatrice hard and gross, and in a part so 
exquisite of sence, wherein sharp Medicines fit for it may not be endu- 
red, it is hardly cured. 
CURE 
Is internal, as by generals, Purging and Bleeding in Phlethorick and 
Cacochymick Bodies, to take away the antecedent Cause, and an exact 
Dyet for prohibiting encrease of Humours, which are gathered, and fall 
upon a part that is weak; Or external, where first, revulse, if the Sick 
be apt to defluxions, into his Eyes; apply Cupping-Glasses to the sides 
of has Neck, Vesicatories to the Crown, and nape of his Neck to pull 
back and draw forth Excrements apt to tend to the Eyes. 
Secondly, apply Topicals to the Eyes, 1. To mollifie the concrete 
matter: 2. To attenuate it; 3. To wipe it away , which is done by 
things abstergen and that have a peculiarity to take away Pearls, Spots, 
and Webs from the Eyes.  
In the use of such, we must observe these things: 1. That they be 
not too sharp; 2. If they may not be cured, they are to be changed in- 
to another, colour; 3. Herewith such as preserve the strength of the 
Eye are to be used.  
These Simples and Compounds, above others, are applauded: 
1. The Pouder of Liquorish put often into the Eye, being very fine- 
ly poudered, as all Eye-Pouders ought to be. 
2. The


MORBI OCULORUM. 215
2. The Juyce of Pimpernel, With the blew Flower dropped upon 
the Web. 
3. A Colliry (of Lapis Calaminaris thrice burnt, and twice extinct in 
Wine-Vinegar, ℈j. Myrrh, burnt Lead, and washt, of each ℈ß Ori- 
ental Saffron five Grains, Opium six Grain, burnt Brass ℈iiij De- 
coction of Fennigreek, ℥j. beaten and mixt upon a Marble) of John- 
stonus. 
4. The Water of Honey, which saith Platerus, most certainly blots 
out all spots of the Eyes. 
5. A Water (of Honey, ℔ij. Fennel, Eldern, Eyebright, of each 
two Pugils', with Sugar-Candy ℥iv. distilled in Balnco Mariæ) of Ama- 
tus Lusitanus. 
6. The Juyce of Pearl-Tresoile, so called from its vertue of taking 
away Pearls and Webs from the Eyes, 
7. The Pouder ofithe Stone sound in the Head of a long Snail, blown 
in, or put upon the Web. 
8. The Juyce of Herbs that be bitter, and indued with a nitrous qua- 
lity, mixed with Honey, for so they stick better upon the Pupil, and are 
not so apt to flow to the corner, such be Draconts, Chelidone, Ground- 
Ivy, Pimpernel, Centuary, Amurca, sowr Grapes, Rosemary, &c. 
9. Galls of Animals, as of Goats, Eagles, Vultures, Lizards, 
Kites, &c. 
10. The fat of the Liver of Lampreys (that being put in a Glass, 
and set in the Sun.) of Hartman, to anoint the Eye-lids at going to Bed, 
together with eating the Pouder of Thistles of the Meadow several 
times. 
11. Let a Child often lick the Spot with his Tongue. 
12. Or put in the Seeds of Clary into his Eye, which afterward 
will come out again, being compassed with much matter: If sharp 
things hurt, we murt leviate and appease pain from acrimony, 
Use mucilaginous matter, as of Flea-Seeds, Marish-Mallow-Seed, 
and Fennigreek: wash with Milk, and let sharp Medicines be temper- 
ed by mild ones. 
Some commend the Leaves of Hemlock applied onely upon the Eye- 
brows, to have a propriety to take away Pins, Webs, and Spots; or 
the same Hemlock-Leaves to mß. and Bay-Salc, mj. bruised, and appli- 
ed with renovation to the Wrists. 
If the Spot may not be taken away, yet its white colour is changed 
by Juyce of Pomegranates some make them black with burnt Lead, 
Vitriol, Litharge, Galls, Bark of Pomegranates, Cipress-Nuts, &c. 
used by the Ancients, but not so much respected by Modern Men; for 
although

216 MORBI OCULORUM.
although they are said onely upon the Cornea, yet by falling upon the 
white of the Eye, they make that black. 
If a yellow Colour, as happens to those that have the Jaundice, seiz 
upon the Cornea from Choler poured out thither, and affecting a false 
imagination, as to the colour of objects, which seem yellow; it is cu- 
red by a fume of Vinegar cast upon red hot Tiles, and received by the 
Eye held over it: But if we would not be hasty in having of it cured, 
it would cease spontaneously with the ceasing of the Disease, viz. the 
Jaundice, on which it is grounded. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Cataract or Suffusion. 
DEFINITION. 
A Cataract or Suffusion is an Obstruction of the Pupil or Apple of 
the Eye, from an Humour: Or, as others well, A corrupt Wa- 
ter congealed like a Curd, and hindering the fight. 
CAUSE 
Paraus saith, is a Skin obstructing the Pupil; others say, A Water con- 
gealed: Certain it is, 'tis an Humour either sincere or mixr, and great 
standing-out Eyes does give great-occasion to the gathering of it, be- 
cause the Virtue diffused is more weak in a Urge space, and yeilds an 
easie coming to of Humours, which are originally bred from Meats 
yeilding ill juyce, and transferred thither either by way of evaporation 
from the Stomach to the Brain, where bad concoction in probability 
went before, and ’tis reckoned as Cause of a Bastard-Suffusion; or the 
effusion of them (being either serous, or Phlegmatick, others adde 
Melancholick) into the space betwixt the Cornea and Crystal Humours. 
Weakness of the Eyes commonly goes before, whereby they are less 
able to repel the falling down of Humours that are collected in the 
Head; which weakness is either native, as in the Eyes sticking forth, or 
accidental, made by blows, bruises, hurts, Baths, rainy Air, heat of 
the Sun, long reading, specially on nights late, and by Candle-light, in 
Books of small print, and with intensness; and whatever exagitates, 
irritates, or sets Humours in motion; also weeping, and shedding of 
tears from great sorrows and troubles of mind, produce this, through 
weakening of the Eye, and stirring and irritating Humours.
THE 


MORBI OCULRUM. 217 
THE PLACE. 
The coming of this Humour is by the Veins of the Tunicles, Urea, 
or Nerves Optick, those Veins being many, are derived from the Pe- 
ricrane passing to the conjunctive Tunicles, from thence to the Cornea 
and Urea; or from the Menings of the Brain, whence Branches are 
derived to the Membranes of the Eyes, from which chiefly the Urea 
Tunica may with facility drop the Humour into the watery Humour; 
they easily also come from the Brain by the Optick Nerves to the Cry- 
stal Humour, and than the matter of the Suffusion sticks to the Crystal, 
sometime by fluxion, and sometime by congestion, wherein weakness 
of the expulsive faculty is a main Cause. 
NAMES. 
It hath divers, according to its growth: 1. When 'tis fresh, Authors 
call it a Suffusion: 2. Whenas there's a matter gathered in the Apple 
like water, they term it Water: 3. When 'tis confirmed, and sight dark- 
ned, they call it a Cataract or Hypochyma. 
SIGNS are expressed in DIFFERENCES. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are not healed till they be grown; Sky-Colour, Sea-Green, 
or of the colour of Chess-Nuts, are curable: Those that are not dila- 
ted by rubbing, if it be not already made, and unconfirmed, it may be 
cured by Medicines, by which may also a Bastard-Suffusion, wherein 
are as it were appearances of flies, and is made chiefly by vice of the 
Stomach sending hurtful vapours. If they follow Feavers or vehement 
Headach, if it happens in Children or old men, then cure is bad; if the 
Sick discerns no light, no cure. That which is with a consumption of 
the Eyes, that that comes from great Diseases, incurable; or where Head 
disses, as Phrensies, Headaches, Peripneumonies, &c. very difficultly 
cured: That which is caused by a Blow, though the suffuse Humour be 
extracted by the Needles, yet the eye being hurt and bruised, never 
perfectly recovers sight again. Some make seven kinds of Cataracts, 
four whereof are, and three are not curable: The first of the curable 
ones is bright like Alablaster, the second white like Sky-Colour, the 
third Gray, or Ashes-Colour; the fourth Citrine. 
Of one newly begun and not yet confirmed, and curable by Medi- 
cines, the Cure, or at least the encrease hindered, if not too far grown, 
and then it must grow more to the Cataract. 
Ee DYET.

218 MORBI OCULORUM. 
DYET. 
A thin and attenuating Dyet, inclining to heat and drying let their 
Supper be very moderate, abstaining from Wine and Broath, fasting and 
abstinence also are very advantagious; whereby a young Woman think- 
ing to kill her self by hunger, and a most thin Dyet, being thereby ex- 
ceedingly wasted, was delivered of the Cataract called Gutta Serena, 
from an absumption of the moist substance, through defect of nourish- 
ment, as in Riverius his communicated Observations; Venery must 
be avoided, and the frequenting hot Baths, or the like, hurt much. 
2. Concocters of the watery Humour; also Preparers of a pitui- 
tous matter superabounding, are to be had in use; among such, they are 
to be chosen that are most specifical, and proper for the Head and 
Eyes. 
3. Evacuation of the watery Humours; but this evacuation is to be  
continued throughout the whole Cure, and reiterated Evacuation may 
avail; but once, twice, or thrice do little in so consumacious an Af- 
fect: Yet Phlebotomy is seldom to be acted herein, left: the Brain be 
over-cooled, and accumulate more watery Humours, and send them to 
the Eyes. 
4. Averters, where chiefly do avail Cupping-Glasses, and Vesica- 
catories, a Cautery to the Crown, or behinde the Ears, Setons, also 
Clisters, Suppositories, and painful Frictions are useful. 
5. Dissolvers of the Reliques of the matter, and dissipaters; where in 
internals, observe to give them at night, that the force of them may be 
the better carried with the vapours of the meat to the Head. Topicks 
must be discutient, mixt with Emollients and Abstergents, beginning al- 
ways with mildest, and so by degrees proceeding to the strongest: for 
the Eye having an exact sence of feeling, will not endure so strong Me- 
dicines at the first, as it may do afterward, being accustomed thereto; 
among which, gentlest Medicines, proper for this affect, are good: a 
Water distilled from Fennel, Eyebright, Rheu, Celondine, and the like, 
to wash the Eyes every morning, Aqua Mellis or Honey-Water, is 
reckoned one of the best Remedies; the Pouder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy put often into the Eyes, or the Pouder of Swallows with Heads burnt, are 
helpful: Fonseca saith, A Water distilled from Swallows with Bread 
in white Wine, is miraculous: Avicen above others praises Sagapen 
dissolved in Honey-Water and, Trypochymia; the Urine of a Child 
distilled with abstergent Ophthalmicks, to drop a drop or two often 
into the Eye, is commended: the Water of Crocus Metallorum, three 
or four drops at a time, is greatly praised by Quercetanus, in his Dispen-
satory, 


MORBI OCULORUM. 219 
satory; ’tis made by infusion of ʒj. of Crocus Metallorum, in ℥vj. of 
Celondine-Water: Sylvius saith, The Pouder of Os. Sepiæ put into 
the Eye wipes off these Waters: Zechius also praises Water distilled 
from Bread, made with Powder of Rheu, Chelidon, Betony, Fennel, 
and Honey. Gulielmus Lozellus describes a Water with which he cured 
many that were stark blind, made of Goats Liver, Eyebright, Chelidon, 
Sarcocol, Aloes, Pepper, Rheu, Rosemary, Galls of Birds of prey, &c. 
Where we fee the evil more contumacious, and not yeilding to ordina- 
ry Remedies, we must try stronger; as is Botius his Remedy of Cocks 
Gall, ℥ß. Blood of a Mouse, ʒiijß. with Womans Milk make it like a 
Colliry; or the Water of Mans Dung, or Doves Dung rather, with the 
Gall of a Hare, and of a Weasel, with white Sugar-Candy, and Pearls, 
are very prevalent; the strongest Waters are made of Honey, the 
Galls of Birds of prey, of Vultures, Kites, Partridges, with Ophthalm- 
Herbs, Myrrh, Pepper, &c. distilled in a Glass Alimbeck; the strong- 
est Galls are those that are venemous, as of Vipers, Mad-Dogs,  Ser- 
pents, &c. But Sylvius saith, Alexiph. Med. are to be used, because 
they being poysonous may pass by the corner of the Eye, and hole of 
the Pallate, into the Stomach: Other strong eating Medicines are made 
of Vitriol, Rust of Brass, and the like, either used by way of fine Pou- 
der, and so said just upon the Cataract, or mixt and dropped in: 
But in using all these strong Remedies, we must greatly caution their 
use, for they by encreasing pain bring greater fluxion, and many dim- 
sighted have thereby grown quite blind; and therefore to mittigate the 
acrimony mix them with muscilage of Fennugreek-Seed, Flea-Seed 
&c. or wash the Eye afterwards with warm Womans Milk; licking of 
the Eye for a long time with a Childs or Whelps Tongue, much avails, 
so doth a young Pigeon unfeathered cut in the middle, and applied 
warm to the Eyes: Fumes also and Foments of the precedent things may 
be very beneficial. 
Of the Needle. 
WE are not to try the Needle, if the Cataract be in the Cen- 
tre of the Pupil, where things seem holey, for there is fear of 
the Eye being filled, and so an absolute loss of sight. Dr. Banister 
sometime in couching Cataracts had the whole Eye filled with a milky 
substance, which he supposed to be the matter of the Cataract; and in 
others upon couching, Blood hath been so diffused all over the Eye: 
Some are so sollid and viscous, that being depressed by the Needle, do 
Ee 2 again

220 MORBI OCULORUM.
again rise, whenas others are so soft that Needle pierces them, and 
takes no hold, although of seven or eight years growth: again, Others 
so pertinaciously bound to the Urea, that there is greater danger of distor- 
ting that, than removing the Cataract: In all we must see they be grown 
and old, else there will not be success; for the Needle will not take 
hold; they must be quite blind ere they are to be couched; neither are 
wasted Eyes, nor old Mens, nor Chil- 
drens, wherein ’tis incurable, to be 
tried by the Needle; in Coughs also, 
as admonishes Lud Sept. 'tis danger-
ous to cut them for fear of a disruption 
that supervening; Sneezing also hap- 
pening is inconvenient; for avoiding which, the finger is to be held up- 
on the greater Corner of the Eye; that the Needle make not a Rup- 
ture, compress the Pupil with the finger: before couching, most Physi- 
cians approve of evacuation, and cleansing of the Head by Pills, &c. 
Apozems. 2. To prepare the matter by champing Fennel, or Cum- 
minseeds, and Pepper, and breathing into the Eye; after this, on a 
morning fasting, place him opposite on a stool, shut his found Eye, ex- 
hort him to patience, to endure, for his tractability furthers the dispatch 
much; then with your left hand lift up the upper Eye-lid, and with 
the right hand put in the Needle (made of Iron, which others great- 
ly condemn, thinking that if the Cataract should prove hard in draw- 
ing down, the point of it, being a brittle Metal, might break in the 
Eye, and so spoil sight for ever, and therefore they order it to be made of 
Gold or Silver, or Spanish Lattin) in the middle space betwixt the 
lesser Cornea and the Iris, avoiding the Veins, thrust the Cataract 
downwards, the Sick must look with his Eyes towards his Note, and if 
the Cataract return back, draw it down again, and then take it away 
with the point of the Needle: Some use to eat raw Onions, Beef, and 
Goats Flesh, to ripen it, but not afterward: ’Tis cured by the Needle. 
Let the Moon decrease, let it be 
two or three days after the Full; 
let her not be in Aries, let there  
be no Headach nauseating, &c.
Then a most exquisite Dyet is to be observed; the Sick must feed sparing- 
ly; great nutrition doth great hurt, specially presently after the act, 
by engendering much Blood; let his Drink be Water, or Wine well 
limpate or tempered with VVater; all kind of Meats that engender 
bad Juyce, and spoil the Blood, are to be avoided, and a regular Dyet, 
specially for a good while after the Cure, is diligently to be obser- 
ved. The Brain is also to be comforted and strengthened, and the vi- 
sive Spirits upheld and quickened by continuing the taking of this or the 
like Electuary: ꝶ Cloves, ʒij. Eyebright, ʒj. sweet Fennel, Rheu, 
and Mountain-Siler-Seed, ana ʒß. Conserve of Sage, Betony, Rose-  
mary,

MORBI OCULORUM. 221
mary, of each ℥j. with Syrup of the Juyce of Rheu, of Eyebright as 
much as suffices, make an Electuary. Or this that follows, set down as 
principal by some: ꝶ Cloves, ℥ij. Nutmegs, Saffron, ana ʒiß. Ca-
stor, ʒj. with treble weight of clarified Honey, make an Electuary; 
where sears are abounding, the addition of some specifical Astringents 
will be very commodious. 
Outwardly to the Eyes themselves apply an Emplaister of the white 
of an Egg upon Flax, and so let him keep his Bed till nine days are ex- 
pired; renewing the Emplaister often, and keeping him from light: 
If need be, it will be good to keep open an Issue in the fore-part of the 
Head: Also for long time after we must ever and anon use purging, for 
fear of a Relapse, shunning all such things as are offensive to the Eyes; 
washing the Eyes with Wine every morning; the use of Spectacles also 
are very convenient, that repsesent objects just as they are, neither big- 
ger, nor less. 
DIFFERENCES of a Suffusion are many: 
1. In a black and clear, there’s no Cure; here the Eye-lids move 
much in a trembling fashion, the original Cause is from the Mothers 
Womb, and therefore they that have these, are for the most part born 
blind; the Nerves Optick are stopped, and their faculty mortified, 
therefore all trial of cure is in vain; thoagh many to their end see the 
light of the Sun, or stature of a Man. 
2. Copulation doth yet much hurt in this; the colour shews the 
Humour of which they are made. 
3. Skie-colour, not curable; Glaucus not; like Quicksilver, not cure- 
able. 
4. Sea-green not curable, or very hardly; green is most dangerous 
of all, being produced from great coldness of the Brain, and the peri- 
cussion of it, and sometime through great fasting and emptiness. 
3. Barrow: The third kind of incurable Cataract is, when the Pupil 
of the Eye is dilated, and spread so far that there’s no circle seen with- 
in the Tunicle of the Eyes; and the Eyes shew totally affected either 
with Blackness or Whiteness, all over. 
5. Yellow not curable. 
2. One is true, which only occupies one Eye, or if both, not at once, 
or not in like manner; whose Symptoms are continual, they see clear- 
est about break of day, because a few Spirits dispersed by a greater light, 
by a less are collected; a true commonly grows in six months, some- 
times in a few days; Fernelius saith, confirmed in one day, but that’s ve- 
ry strange. 
2. Bastard

222 MORBI OCULORUM.
2. Bastard, which is contrary to signs in a true, and is made from 
vapours arising from the inferiour Parts, and ceases upon taking away 
the affect; from vice of the Ventricle as in Children and Drunken 
Men; there’s like appearances of Gnats before their Eyes; or when 
he reads, he thinks the Letters green; or some other false colour or 
twinkling things before his Eyes: Some, saith Banister, are like Spiders 
Webs, and are of ten years growth, and yet they can read Letters, 
though imperfectly, which if arising from Rheum, and deflux, are to be 
cured, not without Purging and Specificals: In Bastards, no darkness 
Appears in the Pupil, as in a true; ’tis many years growing. 
In place they differ, for some be in the center of the Apple, 
where objects are represented pertuse, seem holey, as if fenestris, and 
’tis bad trying cure by the Needle, left the whole Pupil be filled. 
2. Some be betwixt the Urea and Cornea, and then the Apple is seen 
more deeply to be darkened, and is of necessity dilated from the Hu- 
mour defending. 
3. Another is betwixt the Urea and Crystalline Humour, and then 
things appear opposite. 
4. Deeper, wherein the Pupil is narrow, or less deep, and then ’tis 
broader. 
5. Diff. In degrees and growth, for in a new begun, like Gnats or mi- 
sty Bodies are perceived; Or 2. Increased, and then the Sea-colour of 
the Apple appears, or is like to the Air abounding with mists: 3. Per- 
fect, and then the white colour of the Apples appear, and the sick see not: 
Some are confirmed in ten Months, when as some are almost so many 
years ere fully grown: Here Medicines do no good, and the Needle is 
onely now, and not before it be confirmed, to be used. 
6. By reason of Cause, 1. The matter is thin and fluxible, as is wont 
in the beginning: 2. Tough, or tenacious: 3. The matter is of the 
species of pure Air, of Quicksilver of Gypsum.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM.
223 CHAP. VI. 
Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflamation of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
OPhthalmy is an Inflamation of the annate or adnate Tunicle from 
sharp Blood, or yellow Choler, distending its Veins.  
CAUSE 
Is shedding of many Tears, and they hot and sharp, occasioned from 
Causes producing Sorrow and Lamentation; herefrom the Eyes are 
swoln with continual anguish and pain, seeming to the Patient as if his 
Eyes were full of Thorns, or sharp Gravel; evil Dyet, Phlethory, 
Acrimony of Humours, Bites, Winds; Vide Diff. Hipp. S. 3. Aph. 12. 
Winter, Southerly, rainy, and warm, and a Northerly and dry Spring, 
there’s inflamation of the Eyes, and the 14 Aph. to some a dry and 
Northerly Autumn causes hot inflamation in the Eyes. Outward Cau- 
ses, Sun, Dust, Wind, drinking Wine, Smoak, &c. External, a Blow, 
Fall, Bruise, a moist catarrhous Brain for long time, and sanguine Tem- 
per. 
TIME. 
They commonliest happen in August and September, Autumn.
NAMES.  
Traxie is lighted, as from some light Cause suddenly raised. 
Chemosis is when ’tis very great, and the white swells above the black.  
SIGNS. 
A Tumour, redness and pain, sometime the Eye with its lid, is glew- 
ed to; succeeding also, there is a stretching out of the Pupil, or lessen- 
ing of it by consuming, or a suffusion; the Inflamation reaches, some- 
time to the Jaws, and the Eye sends forth Tears; Sometimes Thores, 
Ulceration follows. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Southerly, rainy, and warm Winters, the Spring dry and Northerly; 
So likewise a Northernly and dry Autumn are bad, S. 3. Aph, 12, 14. 
In hot Regions, as ’tis soon made, so soon dissolved; ’tis worse to cure 
in Winter and cold Regions, because the Members are bound ; ’tis bad 
in Children, because it flows continually, their Heads being weak: so 
is


224 MORBI OCULORUM.
is much pain, for it shews the matter very sharp, or distending, or sup- 
purative: If it come by consent of the other parts, and made from 
outward Causes, 'tis easilier cured then if otherwise; so 'tis also if there 
be a more copious Flux of Tears, and sharp, because then 'tis like to 
come sooner to its end. 
DYET and ORDER. 
1. Dyet cooling, and Air made cool by Art; darkness is most con- 
venient, helping both to pleasure and quiet: Avoid too great feeding; 
for when the parts want nutriment, they will retain that they have, and 
so both the greatness and diuturness of the flux will be abated; We 
must not use Wine when the Veins of the Eyes are full of thick Blood, 
then Flesh and Blood breeding things; Sleep conducing to quiet the 
Humours, and all Frettings, and Passions of the Mind too, for they 
exasperate the Humours, and consequently the Inflamation. 
2. Averters, or Turners away of the flowing Blood, for which, 
bleeding of the same Side; in great Plenitude cut the Cubit-Vein be- 
fore you cut the Cephalick; bleed young Men more largely; also 
some bid to open the Frontal-Veins; Cuppers to the shoulders, Seta- 
ces to the Neck, &c. which Ph. in one hour sometime Opthalmies have 
asswaged. 
3. To the Forehead, &c. use Repellers of the matter, if the mat- 
ter flow by the Veins and Arteries without the Crane, as 'tis almost 
always, this Tunicle being adduced from the Pericrane: Here an Em- 
plaister of Pompions, with Astringents to the Eyes. 
Repellers are oftenest used, but condemned, and not unwor- 
thily, by some who have experienced divers to be made blind by use of 
too many and great variety of Medicines to the Eyes ; Rose-water,  
Plantane-Water, Bastard wild Poppies, Juyce of Acatia, Housleek, 
Eratine, &c. do excel to repress the hot flowing Blood; Womans milk 
also is commended, or the Water of Milk distilled: Cataplasms also 
are made of the Pulpe of Crabs; unripe Quinces, with a little Frank- 
incense, and the paring of an Apple laid upon the Eyes all night, doth 
often much good: to repel we must often use warm things inclining to 
cold. 
Where painful Ulcers are adjoyned, Balsam of Sugar melted in the 
white of an Egg that is boiled hard. 
Pains: Here Opiates are frequently used, which not, unless in most
implacable Torments, are to be admitted; for they thicken the Optick 
Spirits, and they stopping the Humours, make them more sharp, where- 
by they exulcerate; hardened also are thereby the Tunicles, and sight 
dulled.

MORBI OCULORUM. 225
dulled. If we do use Opium, it must not be much nor often: It cools, 
but saith Lud. Sept. by its bitterness raises some pain to the Eye: The 
use of Womans Milk, or the Water of it distilled, is praised for a good 
Anodine; but if Milk be left long in the Eye, from the vehement heat 
of the Eye, it gets Acrimony, and is corrupted; therefore ’tis either 
to be wiped gently, or washed off: If after Foments, pain is encreased, 
it argues need of purging; an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made in 
Milk, with Alb. Ovi. 
If great flux of tears provoke, and accrimonious, we must use Li- 
niments and Mollisters; strong Astringents are bad, because they stop 
in the matter, nor glewing-qualitied things, nor such as dry, and grow 
acrimonious; the white of an Egg, with Red-Rose and Myrtle-Water, 
and a little Pouder of Tutty, is safest, and of great efficacy: Juyce of 
Housleek in Pulpe Cidoni, or much use of Locals doth much prejudice 
the Eyes: Jo. Prevot. praises an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made 
in Milk, dropt in warm, or mixt with white of an Egg, and Pulp Piony, 
for hot sharp flux. 
4. Preparers of the thick matter in Cachochymia; Cephalick Medi- 
cines are here proper; Wine by some is approved from Hippocrates, 
because it liquifies and attenuates a pituitous matter, and doth some- 
time much avail in Ophthalmy. 
5. Evacuation of the matter, as P. Ph. &c. 
DIFFERENCES 
Are Taraxis or a perturbation, which we know from only a sense of heat 
and redness, there being no copious flux of Tears; Its Causes are 
outward, As heat of the Sun, or Fire; then Coolers. 2. Headach 
made from Suns heat; then Universals should be premised. 3. From 
Wind, Smoak, or Dust; then wash with Milk, and Sleep. 4. From a 
Blow or Fall; then Ph. presently. The fluxion being raised there- 
from, ’tis best to use mucilage of Fennugreek-Seed made in Rose-Wa- 
ter; for the Roses repel, and the Fennugreek discusses the fixed: Al- 
so to quiet and repel the motion of the Humour, a cool Air, Womans 
Milk, with the white of an Egg, and Red-Rose-Water is a Vulgar Me- 
dicine. 5. Striking of Bees, Hornets, Wasps, or the like; then use of Re- 
pellers, Alb. Ovi cum Lact. mulieb. 
2. Another is a true Ophthalmy, which comes either from hot or 
cold Causes; alt. is Χηυοsis enuosis whenas the Eyelids are as it were turned 
inward, nor can they be shut, and the white swells above the black of 
the Eve, requires stronger Remedies: For this is greatly praised, and  
Ff prove

226 MORBI OCULORUM.
proved by some to be singular, the Pouder of white Sarcocal, wherewith 
the Patients Eye is to be filled, and he is to lie with his Eye wide open, 
till it be consumed, laying upon the Eye flaxen hards wet in cold water, 
and drained therefrom. Forestus commends Crocus Metalor, the yolk of 
an Egg beat with the flesh of a Flie, spread upon a Cloth, and laid 
on. 
Alt. is periodick which keeps its Intervals, and is familiar to hot and 
moist Heads, and at last wasts the Eye, sanguine Temper; Riverlus 
cured such an one after Ph. and P. and Cuppers to, and a Cautery twixt 
both Scalps, and an Unguent of Tutty, Camphir, Lap. Calm. with a 
little virid-aris received with fresh Butter; Rose-Water alt. which 
keeps not its Periods; alt. contag. alt. moist, alt. dry, in which is lit- 
tle rheum or watering, and at night the Eye-lids are hardened, it arises 
from a little Salt and Nitrous Humour; or its with itching, and if the 
Tears lightly flow, 'tis called Psorophthal. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Pannus 
DEFINITION. 
PAnnus, or Cloth, is a certain red thing like to rags, arising from 
abundance of Blood in the exteriour Veins of the Eyes, derived 
to them, (being either mixt or pure alone) either by way of fluxion or 
congestion, either by the external Vessels, or Internals, &c. 
CAUSE. 
Ophthalmics, also evil Dyet, great Pains, and the Megrim oft went 
before, where the extremity of the pain rising into the Temples, and 
therefrom into the Eyebrows, causes a beating with pain to the Eyes, 
whereby is Pannus often made. 
SIGNS.
It appears as a carnous Web, chiefly in the superficial part of the An- 
nata, with itching pain, by the Eyes offended by light. 
CURE. 
After general evacuation and rectifying of the Blood and Humours, 
are proper abstergent Medicines, the extract of the Gall of a Pike with 
Saccarum Saturni, and Spirit of Wine, or a Water distilled from whites 
of

MORBI OCULORUM. 227
of Eggs, is excellent: Also the Pouder of White - Sugar Can- 
dy. 
Chyrurgery, advised by some, is condemned by others, for fear of 
prejudicing the Tunicle, ere that be removed. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Clouds. 
THere be several kinds of differences of mistiness, and darkning 
of the sight, wherein onely some particular things make differen- 
ces: As, some imagine some thick Bodies to be betwixt them and the 
light, like some dark shaddows, arising from vapours thick and Chole- 
rick, exhaling from the Stomach into the Head, and so disturbing the 
visive Faculty. 
2. To others there appears like mistiness, or thin Clouds in a clear 
Air, to be seated before their Eyes; arising from Fumes of Choler, and 
Dyet generating such Cholerick Vapours, hapening to Cholerick per- 
sons. 
CURE. 
The Stomach, if that sends evil Vapours and Exhalation, and do 
not perfect its digestion, we must correct that, 1. By cleansing it, 2. By 
strengthening it, and giving Medicines that stop the ascent of vapours. 
If from evil Dyet, we must institute a more wholesome and regular, 
and such meats as neither engender Choler, nor are apt to fume up to 
the Brain, nor hard to be digested. 
For the last, Topicals are commended, as the Pouder of a Saphir- 
stone put once a day into the Eye, for some while; or the Call of an 
Hare dried and poudered, used in like manner, is thought of no less 
efficacy.
Ff 2 CHAP. 

228 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Mydriasis, or a dilatation of the Apple of the Eye. 
MYdriasis is a dilatation of the Pupil, or enlarging of it beyond 
Nature, about the Circle of the Iris, from natural conformation, 
or accidentary Causes, and is a Disease of bad Conformation. 
CAUSE 
Arises either from a natural conformation from the Birth, or preterna- 
tural Causes, whereof the proximate, internal and immediate is a 
stretching forth of the Urea, of which the Pupil is the hole: This di- 
stention of the Urea is effected two ways; 1. By dryness, that stretches 
out the Urea, even as we see in holey skins dried; this dryness also 
hath a cause, as Watchings, Feavers, and other drying Causes. 2. By 
moisture, which causes an enlargement and distention of every Part, 
and makes the Parts to swell forth beyond their accustomed bounds, and 
that are allotted by Nature. This also is caused by too much abound- 
ing of the watery Humour, by flux of serous Humours insinuated there, 
which are the primitive or remote Causes; distension also is made from 
winds, as in Child-bearing. 
Moreover, solution of the continuity of the Urea, causes the space of 
the Pupil, or Apple of the Eye to be enlarged; this is done by Rup- 
ture or Wounds, whence a dilatation is suddenly made. 
External Causes are bruisings and falls from high, whereby the Urea  
is broke, or distorted, or a flux or congestion of Humours made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnostick Signs are taken, 1. From a preternatural bigness of the 
Pupil, that is to be seen about the Iris, and is so enlarged that it equali- 
zes the circumference of the Iris, and then it is more easily known. 
1. From sight mutilated, which according to the greatness of the affect 
is lessened more or less; and they see best in dark places, being the vi- 
able Species and Objects are thus much illustrated, and light goes in too 
plentifully; therefore a mean bigness of the Pupil is most requisite for 
right seeing; and they that go out of the light into the dark, scarce see, 
because therefrom the Pupil is suddenly contracted; but after their stay 
in the dark, from the Pupil dilating by degrees, they see better, all 
things seem less to them they cannot well look upon the ground or 
down-right.  
3. In 

MORBI OCULORUM. 229 
3. In a natural constitution, if one Eye be shut, the Pupil of the other 
is dilated, but it is not so here; for the Urea distended from a preterna- 
tural Cause cannot be more expatiated. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from Nature, another from preternatural Causes. 
2. Sometimes onely one Eye is affected, sometimes both. 
3. One from internal Causes, another from external; which some- 
times effects, 1. A rupture, or solution of continuity; 2. Or a distor- 
tion; 3. Or constriction from excess of moisture, or dryness, induced 
from their several Causes; 4. Or dilatation of the Pupil from the same 
Causes. 
4. One from violent Causes, as wounds, suppression of the breath in 
Womens Travel, or Trumpetting; another not. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That is better that is made from Nature, than that from preternatu- 
ral Causes, for therein they see best, but it is altogether incurable; that 
that is not natural is very hardly cured, because the Urea is membranous: 
that made from moisture is easilier cured by far than that that arises 
from dryness, except vehement Headach preceded; from a rupture of 
the Urea, or a Wound, it is hardly cured, though they may be healed: 
from bruises or falls, if it be without infiamation, ’tis more easily cured; 
the fresher, the easier cured from all Causes. It most often happens to 
Children, and such as have Black Eyes. 
CURE 
Is as various as Causes: For, 1. In too great moisture, a drying atte- 
nuating Dyet is to be used, avoiding Bathings and Lotions of the Head, 
Wines, &c. with Evacuation, and drying of the Head, opening of the 
Veins of the Temples, and those in the corners of the Eyes; Cup- 
ping-Glasses are to be applied to the Occiput for Revulsion-sake, and 
Leeches behind the Ears: Then we must resolve, discuss and dissipate 
the Humours that are flown and settled by fit Topicals, as a Foment of 
Dill, Fennel, Eyebright, Chelidone, &c. boyled in Salt or Sea-water; 
no sharp things, which call forth Humours to the Part, and distend the 
Membrane, are to be used. 
Then must follow the Use of Astringents to render the Pupil narrow- 
er, and contract it: ꝶ of Pouder of Tucty, Bark of Frankinsence, 
Red-Rose, Sarcocol, Myrrh, Acatia, of each a like quantity; put them 
into a fine silken Cloth, and boil them a while in Rose-Water, then 
strain

230 MORBI OCULORUM. 
strain out the Decoction, and drop thereof into the Eye , or foment 
therewith, and lay the Bag so boiled upon the Eye afterwards. 
Fernelius used the sequent: ꝶ of dry Roses, Mint, and Spikenard, 
of each ʒij. Myrrh, and the Bark of Frankinsence, ana ʒß Spodium, 
Pompholix, Acatia of each, washed, ʒj. Aloe, 3j. being Poudered with 
a mucilage of Gum Tragacamh dissolved in Rose-Water, make Tro- 
ches; forbear the use of too strong Binders, for they harden, and some- 
times bring a Tabes. 
2. In too great dryness, an Analeptick and moistening Dyet, is help- 
ful; Bathes of sweet Water, and of Milk, but Goats Milk is best, 
wherein the Eye is to be dipt. 
3. In violent Causes, as, 1. Wounds, we must try at beginning to 
stop and hinder its amplifying and encrease; let Blood and repel, then 
corroberate, and use contracting and consolidating Topicks. 2. In 
blows, falls, and contusions, where if there be inflamation, take dire- 
ction from the Chapter of an Ophthalmy; if not, use Discussers, with 
some Astringents; Doves Blood, dropt in often, helps much to heal all 
Contusions of the Eyes. 
4. In winds, and distentive flatuosity universal evacuation afore-or- 
dered, discuss wind by Internals and Topicals, wherein some Astrin- 
gents to strengthen, may be added; as that of Rondeletius, of Fennel- 
seeds, Rheu, Dill, Rose-Leaves, Myrtle-Berries and Saint-John's- 
Wort, boiled in white Wine for a Foment; which used at the begin- 
ning (saith he) will stay its encrease. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Procidence. or going forth of the Eye. 
DEFINITION. 
ECpiesmos is a going forth of the Eye out of its Orb unacustomedly, 
so that it cannot be covered by the Eye-lids; made from violent 
Causes, and solution of continuity. 
CAUSES 
Are either Internal, or External: First, Internal are either from 
Humours, which violently by a defluxion extend it: Or 2. From re- 
laxation of the Ligaments, resolution of the Muscles and Nerves, 
whereby the force of retention is made weak: 3. From the forcible 
rushing thither of winds, and distentive flatious matter, Nature stri-
ving 

MORBI OCULORUM. 231
ving to make expulsion thereof, which happens chiefly to such as are 
strangled, to such as blow very hard with Trumpets, and in retention 
of the Breath in Child-bearing, in going to stool, vomiting, and such- 
like strivings of Nature. 
2. Externals are either first from violent Causes, as a Blow, or Fall, 
specially if great pain also thereupon ensue, and the Parts be more ten- 
der and loose: Secondly, from dissolved Unity of the part, as from 
Wounds and Ulcers.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Signs Diagnostick are known by sight, the particular Cause is com- 
monly related by the Sick, there is sometimes present heaviness of the 
Head, and the Pupil is enlarged.  
CURE. 
Herein we must respect antecedent and suppeditating Causes; as by 
letting Blood to prevent Inflamation, and purging to take away Hu- 
mmours flown, as well as flowing. 
Externally: 1. We must drive and repel Humours, and conse- 
quently Inflamation; Cuppers to the Occiput. 
2. The Eye Must gently be put up. Hartman advises the part to be 
mollified, and then sprinkled with the Pouder of Beetles that are found 
in Horse-dung, being dried in a Glass. 
3. It being put up, we must labour the retention of it in its place; 
that is done by Astringents, Bathes, Unctions, Foments, Cataplasms, 
&c. of Roses, Oak-Buds, Balaustians, Sumach, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, 
Roots of Tormentile, Pomegranate-Rinds, Bramble-Buds, Hypochi- 
stis, Sea-Water, &c. It must also be kept up with easie and straight li- 
gature. 
If too much moisture be the Cause, drying Topicks and Universals 
are useful. 
If Windiness be in Cause, use hotter Medicines both actually and 
potentially; in other Causes they may be applied cold upon the Eye- 
lids, being shut, but here they do hurt, if applied cold. 
If there be resolution of the Nerves and Muscles, it is convenient 
to use Apophelgmatisms. 
If it may not be put up into its place at all, nor is to be helped, it is 
totally to be taken forth, if all things seem convenient hereto. 
CHAP.


232 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XI. 
Of Pushes, or little Wheals of the Eye. 
THese Pushes or Wheals called Phlyctena by the Latins, of the A- 
rabians, Bothor, are made in the Cornea, and Annata or Adnata from 
a sharp serous Humour lifting up the Tunicles. 
CAUSES 
Be sharp Humours made from fulness of such an ill Blood. 
SIGNS 
Be, 1. Its magnitude, which is not above the bigness of Millium, 
or grains of Millet 
2. Its Colours, which is black in the Cornea, more ruddy in the Ad- 
nata-Tunicle, in the Compass or Superficies of the Cornea; if they be 
more deep, the Cornea is sometimes white. 
3. As to its substance, they are little Bladders of Water, even as 
Bladders and watery Blisters are wont to be made throughout all parts 
of the Body, either from serosity of the Blood, or Burns or Scalds: 
these little Bladders or Water-Whelks contain in them a pure Cry- 
stalline-Bubble, or drop of Water, which possesses both the Membranes 
as well as superficies of the Eye. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is with Inflamation, another without it. 
2. One is the Cornea, another in the Adnata. 
3. Some are more superficiary called Epicaumata, which are more 
black: Others are more deep under a second or third film, called En- 
caumata, which by reason of the whiteness of the Cornea do seem more 
white. 
They differ from Procidence of the Urea, because they do not put 
forth a white Circle in the bottom. 
In Phlyctenæ. there is blackness every where, but in falling out of the 
Urea, that onely that’s come forth, is black. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are common Tubercles to the Cornea and Annata, sometime 
afflicting with pain and inflamation, which are so much the worse; and 
these

MORBI OCULORUM. 233 
these are made either in the Adnata, where they are less dangerous, or 
Cornea, where they are more dangerous, and hardly cured, especially if 
the Cornea be broke in its inward part, and the nearer they are to the 
Pupil, the worse; if they be superficial, there is less danger, and more 
hope of Cure; if more deeply seated, we may fear Erosion of the whole 
thickness of the Cornea, and either from ruption of the Cornea the wa- 
tery Humour may flow out, or Procidence of going forth of the Urea. 
A Cicatrice also succeeding, hinders sight. 
CURE. 
In Cure, before we use Topicals, we must observe these Precepts: 
1. To premise generals. 
2. After that, use a cooling Dyet. 
3. Avoid sneezing, too great motion, anger, too great brightness, 
detention of the breath, much speaking, and immoderate drinking of 
Wine. 
We must resolve the conjoyned matter; Topicals must at first be re- 
pelling, then discuss; Leaves of Mallows applied, Gall of Birds, of 
an Hen, of a Goose, with Honey to anoint them, Water of white Vi- 
triol, Extract of Fennugreek-seeds: In the progress we must dry and 
dissolve more with proper Topicks. 
If therewith there be inflamation, Saccharum Saturni, dissolved in 
Rose-Water, or Eyebright-Water, is most excellent; also together 
with pain, these are good in this case, A Mucilage of Fennugreek-seeds 
in Plantane-Water, Rose-water, the white of an Egg beat in Plantane 
or Nightshade-Water; and if Inflamation and Pain be very intense, 
adde a little Opium. 
If herefrom we fear a great flux of Humours, we must revulse, use 
Cupping, Repellers, as Verjuyce, Plantane, Red Rose and Myrtle- 
Water, Water of Milk, of Quinces, &c. 
We must hinder their suppuration or turning ulcerous, made by the 
breaking of the little film or skin asunder, which by the former Rules 
observed, is most often prohibited.
Gg CHAP.

234 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Proptosis, or Procidence of the Urea. 
PRoptosis is a going forth of the Urea from dissolved Unity of the Cor- 
nea, being a vice in situation. 
CAUSES 
That effect the Ureas falling forth of the Cornea are solution of conti- 
nuity, a Wound or Ulcer, which break the Cornea. 
SIGNS 
Are, 1. from change of the figure of the Eye, and situation of the Urea: 
2. There is a white circle in the bottom about the Rupture, from the 
lips of the Cornea eroded, but that is black which comes forth: 3.The 
Pupil seems in a certain part of it to be pulled up, or appears not from 
the divulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure in general is hard, and the harder if the greater; Myocepha- 
lon is easilier cured by moderate Astringents, as the Rupture of the Cor- 
nea; and a fresh Staphyloma is sometimes cured, but a callous cannot, 
nor when there is whiteness. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Paulus reckons up four kinds: 1. The first is Myocephalon, because it 
hath the form of the Head of a Fly, and happen whenas a small por- 
tion of the Urea goes forth, and hath not yet encreased: 2. A second 
kind is called Staphyloma, from the form of a Grape Kernel, and is a 
greater Rupture of Procidence of the Urea: 3. A third and greatest Eru- 
ption of the Urea is called Melon, whenas it comes to the bigness of an 
Apple, and passeth the Eye-lids: 4. A fourth is called Elos in Greek,
Clavus in Latine, and is whenas the Procidence is inveterate, and ren- 
dered callous, which Ætius calls A Callous Nail. 
CURE 
Is done by Astringents that have no sharpness or roughness, such as are 
propounded in the Rupture of the Cornea and Ecpiesmos; if it yeild not 
to Medicines, as old ones seldom do, we must use Chyrurgery; some 
speak of drawing it artificially with a little Pipe; the Antients, as Cel- 
sus, Paulus and Ætius used Chyrurgery, whose event is very doubt- 
ful, and therefore rejected by Modern Practicks. 
CHAP.


MORBI OCULORUM. 235 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Pthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil.
DEFINITION.  
PThisis or Myosis, is a narrowness or lessening of the Pupil, contra- 
ry to Mydriasis or a narrowness or a Dilatorum of the Pupil, made from contra- 
cting of the Urea, and is a it might also cause Mydriasis, 
by filling and distending the Pupil, yet here it may cause a diminu- 
tion of it by relaxating. Disease in conformation. 
CAUSE. 
1. Is from too great humidity, contracting the Urea from the Cir- 
cumference to the Center; for although 
2. Is from too great siccity and driness, made either, first from Con- 
sumption of the watery or albuginous Humours, as in Wounds, where 
the albuginous Humour is evacuated, it is very soon contracted; se- 
condly, or from other Causes drying and binding up, and causing a con- 
striction thereof. This also might cause Mydriasis or enlarging of the 
Apple of the Eye, because in that tention and stretching out, was made 
from Humours dryed, but driness in this is from defect of moisture, and 
a Consumption of the watery Humour, so that it wrinkles and wasts 
therefrom. 
3. 'Tis from a lesser afflux of the visive Spirits to the Pupil; either, 
first, through obstruction of the Nerves Optick; or, secondly, from pau- 
city or fewness of Spirits, which often happens to old Men that have 
their Pupil contracted. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK, 
Are taken, first, from the Pupils magnitude; which is less then na- 
turally should and was wont to be, which is known by comparing it 
with the other Eye. Secondly, By blindness at first when we go into 
a dark place, by reason of the constriction of the Pupil, yet after it is 
dilated they see better, but best in bright places; and Objects are re- 
sented greater, because the visible Species being received in by the nar- 
row hole, they are dilated in a more ample space towards the Crystal- 
line: A moderate bigness of the Pupil is therefore necessary for re- 
ceiving the visible Species. Moreover the Pupil is more obscure, rug- 
ged and wrinkled, and pains of the Head sometimes preceded.
Gg 2 PROG.  

236 MORBI OCULORUM.
PROGNOSTICKS 
Are taken from the Causes, that made from Consumption or loss of 
the watery Humour, is incurable; because that once effused cannot be 
regenerated: yet if made from a Wound in Children, tis sometimes re- 
paired: It is also incureable when there is a defect of the white; also 
in old Men; from siccity tis more hardly cured then from humdity or 
moisture, from which yet if inveterate, it is very hardly also cured: the 
freshness and newness of all Diseases makes much for their more easie 
Cure.
DIFFERENCE. 
One is from the Birth and Natural Conformation, who (saith Galen) 
see more acutely.  
Another from Preternatural Causes, and that either driness, or its 
contrary, too great moisture; either from vice of the Visive Spirits, or 
Nerves Optick.  
CURE 
Is to be done by contradicting the Cause, and though the same 
cause produce contrary affects, as Mydriasis and Pthisis both; yet these 
differing affects proceeding from one and the same Cause, are cured 
one and the same way. 
1. Therefore for Siccity or Driness, whether Consumptive or Con- 
tractive, we must attract and draw nourishment, foment with warm 
Milk and a little Sack; some add Emolients, but others dislike them; 
a Colliry of Mucilage of Flea-Seed, Milk, and Oyl of Lin-Seed, fo- 
ment also with warm Water. 
2. For moisture, see the direction in the Chapter of Mydriasis of 
dilatation of the Apple; Rhue, Chelidone, &c. that are drying Oph- 
thalmick Remedies, are also useful. 
3. For obstruction of the Optick Nerves, see Amaurosis, or Ambly- 
opia, or also for Restauration of the fewness and weakness of the visive 
Spirits.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 237
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Eyes Blood-shot. 
NAMES and DEFINITION.
Hyposphagma or Aimalops, in Greek; Sugillatio or Sanguinis effusio, 
in Latine: sometimes Macula is that which in English is called 
Blood-shot, and is an effusion of Blood into the Cornea chiefly, and Ad- 
nata-Tunicles of the Eye, appearing at first red, and afterwards livid, 
or black and blew, arising from violent Causes. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause immediate, is Blood poured forth into the Cornea and Ad- 
nata or Conjunctive Tunicles, by the Veins dispersed there, and open- 
ed. 
Exciting Causes, were either contusion, as a fall or blow, or a vio- 
lent rushing of Blood thither by loud clamours, blowing with Trum- 
pets, &c. where there was plenty of Blood in the adjacent vein. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs be, first, its visibility, it being at first redder, because Blood 
at first breaking forth of the Vessels is red; afterwards black and blew, 
because Blood after it is out of the Vessels cools, and grows livid or 
black, possessing the Cornea or Horny Membrane, and sometimes the 
Adnata or Conjunctive Membrane, and sometimes both; and if it be 
more plentiful, it is at last often changed into Pus or Matter, and 
when as it cannot be discussed, it makes an Hypopyon. 
Secondly, Its Symptoms; it makes all Objects to seem red, even 
as Glasses that are red or green make us think all things that we see in 
them of that Colour. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Cure is easie in the beginning; if inveterate, ’tis more contu- 
macious; it is bad, if it turns to Hypopyon, or a purulent Matter under 
the Cornea. 
CURE 
In Cure for a fresh one, and if Blood abound, let Blood; use To- 
picals to discuss, but with astringents to repel the flux of Blood, and in- 
flamation therefrom: The Whites of new-laid-Eggs, beaten and ap- 
plyed to the Eye with fine Flax, are commended, and the Blood of a 
Turtle

238 MORBI OCULORUMM. 
Turtle Dove or Pigeon, with Womans Milk dropt in, is commended 
by all for a fresh Hyposphagma. 
If it be more old, and the part look livid, or black and blew; Topi- 
cals must discuss more, and somewhat attenuate, wherein the most 
effectual, are, 1. a Colliry of extract of Fennugreek-Seeds, in Camo- 
mile and Melilot-Water, adding thereto a little Saffron, Lapis Hema- 
titis, and Aqua Mellis, &c. of the Fat of the Bird Questula, with 
juyce of holy Thistle and Chelidone. 2. A Cataphasm of Roots of 
Salomons-Seal and holy Thistle boiled in Fennel, Chelidone, or Eye- 
bright-Water, or of Hysop boild and applyed, which is greatly com- 
mended by Galen, Avicen &c. which takes out the Blood so sensibly, 
that the Cloath in which it is applyed to the Eye is bloody there- 
from. 3. Fumes of Decoctions received by the Eyes, as of Cheli- 
done, Eyebright, Fennel, Myrrh, America, &c. 4. Foments, as of 
Decoction of Myrrh, Saffron, Frankinsence, Colwort-leaves, Fennu- 
greek-Seeds, Roots of Devils-bit, &c. or of juyce of Radish, which 
put upon the Cornea, saith Rondeletius, discusses it; Or that of Ætius, 
of the Urine of a found Boy, beaten in a Brass Morter, with a Brass 
Pestil in the Sun, and afterwards mixt with Honey. Such as were set 
down to resolve Phlyclenæ, and for suffusions, are good here; only we 
must have a care of sharp and acrimonious Medicine, least we draw 
more blood to the Eyes. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Emphysema, or a Windy Tumor of the Eye-lids. 
A Loose tractable and flatulent Tumour of the Eye-lids is called, 
Emphysema Ophthalmon by the Greeks; Inflatro Palpebræ by the 
Latines, and is a puffing up of the Eye-lid from a windy Matter. 
Causes, Internally or Externally fomenting it; as watchings, in Fevers, 
& Cachectick Bodies, often a serous Matter falling or translated thither, 
effects these kinds of swellings; sometimes an Airy matter puffs it up. 
The stinging of Bees, Wasps, Hornets, or Nettles, are External 
Causes. 
CURE. 
In Cure, we must first use Generals, and respect the habit, specially 
in Cachectick Hydropick Bodies, where such a matter is generated 
from plenty, or a crude, and vaporours Airy Matter, and weakness of na- 
tive heat in digesting it: Topicals must be emolient and dissipating, and
withal 


MORBI OCULORUM.  239 
withal, corroborating, and resolving Cataplasms of Cummin-Seeds, 
with Milk, of Lentiles, and Honey, of Ætius: if it come through sting 
of a Bee, Wasp, Hornet, Nettle, &c, some advise to Treacle mixt 
with Plantane-Water, or the Bee that stung is to be bruised and apply- 
ed; also a Colliry of Pulp of Crabs, Yolks of Eggs, and Womans 
Milk, is good in such a case; above other things, some extol greatly an 
Emplaister of holy-Thistle, beaten with Whites of Eggs spread upon 
flaxen Hards, for the Eye-lids swelled and pained from the stinging of 
Bees, and other venemous Creatures. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Hydatis, or little Apostemes of the Eye-lids. 
HYdatis, is a Tumor in the upper Eye-lid, referring the Species of 
Meliceris or Steatoma, arising from an increment and growing 
forth of the fatty Substance, and resembles a piece of fat under the up- 
per Eye-lid, betwixt the Skin and Cartilage, or Membranes of the Eye- 
lids, in the midst of which is that Flesh which Physicians call the Un- 
ctuous Substance; this affect most molests Children, by reason of 
great moistute in them ; and in some becomes Oedematous, and so grieves 
the upper Eye-lids, that they may not be lifted up; it pours forth an 
Humour much in quantity, and serous in quality, and that chiefly on 
mornings, or at day break, because they are more copiously gathered in 
the Night, they most often sleep upon their Faces; some call it Aquula, 
and Celsus, Vesica. 
CURE. 
If it be fresh, fasting Spittle doth sometime cure it, and it may be re- 
solved by Dissolvers, as Oyl of Camomile, &c. Salt chewed with Cum - 
ming-Seeds, unless pain prohibit it: if it be inveterate, if it be includ- 
ed in a Skin or Membrane, as Meliceris and Steatoma, it is cured by 
Chyrurgery, and the Bladder also by overthwart incision is taken away, 
left a new matter be gathered afresh in it; after manual operation, the 
whole Eye must be covered with an Emplaister of the white of an Egg 
beaten with red-Rose-Water; or if the Bladder may not be drawn out, 
it is to be wasted by Cathereticks, or eating Medicines, which are cau- 
tulously to be used, consideration of the Part being had. 
CHAP.

240 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Tubercle of the Eye-lid, called Grando, or 
the Hail-stone. 
CHalazion of the Greeks, Grando, or Tuberculum Rotundum Palpe- 
bra, of the Latines, is a Tumor of the Eye-lids, made from Col- 
lection and Coaservation of Humours there, which are condensated 
and thickned, and make a Tumor like an Hail-stone, which differs 
from Crithe or Hordeolumt because this is, 1. More stony and hard. 
2. More round. 3. More shining and clear. 4. It is moveable this 
way or that way. 5. It is more hard and stubborn to be cured by Me- 
dicines. 
Ætius reckons two kinds, One more bright, wherein is included a 
matter like the White of an Egg hardned, and not paining; the other 
more blackish, bigger, and paining upon the touch; sometimes it is 
more externally placed on top of the Eye-lid, sometimes more inter- 
nally under the Lid. 
CURE. 
Cure, if it may be done by Medicines, is by an emolient Emplaister of 
Gum Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, mixt with Wax, Hens-Grease, &c. 
Turpentine, in due quantities: if this be not effectually used, Chyrurge- 
ry is to be tryed; and if the Tubercle or little knot be more outwardly 
seated, it is taken away by excision, and pluck’t away with a Chyrur- 
gions Honk; if under the Eye-lid, turn up the Eye-lid, and by inci- 
sion take forth the matter; and lastly, use Consolidaters: See more in 
the Cure of Hydatis and Crithe, or the Come of the Eye-lids. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Crithe, or a Tubercle of the Eye-lids. 
CRithe or Pesthion in Greek, Hordeolum or Preputiolum in Latine, is 
a little long Tubercle of the Eye-lids, softer then Grandoy grow- 
ing externally on the top of the Eye-lid, included in a Membrane, like 
Atheroma, and suppurating, (which it doth not easily) it refers the fi- 
gure of a Barly-Corn, and thence had its name.
CURE. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 241 
It is cured by Barley chewed fasting, and applied to it. or it may be 
rubbed with the Body of a Fly: Forestus and Avicen used the Blood of 
a Turtle. It is sometimes dissolved by an Emplaister of Amoniacum: 
Anthony Musa used Galbanum with Niter; Galen the Blood of Birds of 
prey; Chyrurgions open it with a Bistory, take forth all the matter, and 
deterge it with Honey, and Yolks of Eggs: Celsus seared the matter, 
if not let out by incision, might corrupt the Cartilage; afterward We 
must use some repelling Colliry to drive back Humours that are apt to 
slow, and heal the fore. 
If the Tubercle be more hard, round, and moveable, it is called 
Grando or Hailestone, of which see more elsewhere. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Ulcers of Cornea. 
ULcers of the Eyes are taken variously, & have divers denominations 
according to their degrees and situation, those in the Superficies 
are called Achlys Nephelion; about the Circle of the Iris or Rainbow, 
they are called Argemon; if deep, Bothrion; and deepest, Cæloma; if foul 
and crustulous, ’tis called Epicauma, or Encauma, generally also ’tis 
called Ægylops Coiloma, &c, 
CAUSE.
They are wont to succeed to Ophthalmies suppurated, to Phlyctenes, 
or Blisters of the Eyes being broke, from white Pushes preceding 
and breaking, from Causes external and procatarctick, from prick- 
ing with a Thorn, or hurt from Glass, from Blows, Contusions dilacera- 
ting the Cornea, which is thick; Internals are flux of sharp Humours, 
or Humours made by Congestion. 
SIGNS.
Signs Diagnostick and Prognostick have their grounds and rise from 
Differences: Where, 
1. Observe some are more superficiary, and broad, less deep, and are 
called Coiloma. 
2.v Others are more deep, crusty, sharp, and sollid, called Epicanma, 
and Encanma, chiefly from the quality of the sordid Ulcers, and Bothri- 
Hh on,

242 MORBI OCULORUM. 
on, and Cæloma, from the depth; these are easie to know, and to be di- 
stinguished by sight, have sharper pain. 
3. Some are situated in the Circle of the Iris, and called Argemon, 
and from some Ulcus Coronale, these are ruddy towards the outward part 
of the Iris, towards the inward part white. 
4. Some are in the Cornea, which appear in the black of the Eye, are 
harder to cure; there is fear of an efflux of the Humour Aqueus, or 
watery Humour, or Procidence of the Urea, from erosion of sharp Hu- 
mours; if healed, a Cicatrice sometimes hinders sight; fluxes of rheum 
also sometime following, cause blindness. 
5. In the Adnata, there is redness in the white of the Eyes from 
the Veins of its Tunicles stuft with Blood; they are better in conditi- 
on then those of the Cornea. 
CURE. 
In Cure, First, Evacuate by Catharticks, in which proper Medicines 
for the Eyes are intermixt. 
Secondly, Let Blood if need be, if inflamation or an Ophthalmy be 
present. 
Thirdly, Divert Humours by Frictions and Cuppers, Ligatures, &c. 
Fourthly, Interception, where Medicines applied to the Forehead 
and Temples, intercept the flux. 
Fifthly, To the Ulcer it self we must, 
1. Use Detergents; yet more mild, because of the tenderness and 
exquisite sense of the part; a Liniment of Powder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy and Honey, or Mucilage of Fennugreek, extract in Juyce of Saint- 
John's Wort, are to be used; also Vervain, Rheu, Chelidone, and 
Eyebright-Water. 
2. We must dry the Ulcers, but Pouders are gritty, and by their 
harshness hurt the Eye; sharp Medicines also provoke a greater flux of 
thin Humours, and watery ; but things that dry potentially, and with- 
out sharpness, having some propriety to the Eyes, are here useful; Aloes, 
Tutty-stone, Sarcocol, Frankinsence, Mastick, Myrrh, Lycium. 
3. Agglutinate. Hartman praises Water of the whites of Eggs 
Montanus the Pouder of whites of Eggs; Sarcocol also infused in Brest- 
Milk, and Frankinsence are praised; ꝶ of the Pouder of the white of 
Eggs, of Frankinsence, of each ʒj. Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth ex- 
tract in red Rose-Water, ʒij. Aloe ʒß Cream what may fuffice, make 
a thin Medicine. 
4 Induce a Cicatrice, where this is effectual: ꝶ whites of Eggs, 
beat them in a Leaden Mortar, with Water of Milk; adde thereto Ce- 
russ, Frankinsence, Aloe, of each two parts, Pouder of red Roses, of 
Myrtle-

MORBI OCULORUM. 243 
Myrtle-Berries, and Sarcocol, of each one part; Tutty, Lapis Calami- 
naris, of each one part and in half; Cream and Oyl of Roses what may 
suffice to make it of a convenient consistence. 
Lastly, We must correctt Symptoms: In great pain, a Colliry of the 
white of an Egg in Rose-Water, and a little Opium, if need, added, is 
effectual; if acrimony be adjoyned, temper that with Brest-Milk, water 
of the whites of Eggs, Mucilage of Psyllium-seeds, Fennugreek, and 
Lint-seed: if they turn cancerous, where there arises great pain, we 
must palliate with cooling Anodines: if the fight be hurt, or we fear  
blindness, from what Cause soever, give inwardly to restore sight, Salt 
of Eyebright, Eyebright-Wine, Extract of Rheu and Valerian; fly Wines, 
and hot evaporative things. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Hypopyon, or matter under the Cornea. 
HYpopyon is a collection of Pus or matter under the Cornea-Tunicle 
of the Eye, from an ulcerous disposition of the part. 
NAMES 
Hereof with the Greeks are Hypopyon and Pyosis, with the Latins Un- 
guis, and Pus sub Cornea. 
CAUSES 
Are Ulcers or Inflamations suppurated; adjutant Causes also are open- 
ing of the Veins through plenitude, and there imparting a muddy limen- 
tary matter, so that it possesses half the black of the Eye, sometimes co- 
vers all the Pupil, and hinders fight; also by reason of Blows, Falls, 
Contusions, &c. letting out Blood, which under the Tunicles grows 
pale and black. 
SIGNS 
Are from inflamation, that cannot be terminated but by suppuration, 
from precedence of manifest causes, from pulsative pain, redness of the 
Eyes; or at least it went before: the Eye being, moved, the matter un- 
der the Cornea seems also to be moved; also there is a white colour of 
the part shewing a purulent matter. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Whenas the Eye is filled with matter, the Greeks call it Pyosis as if 
an heap of viscous matter, which the Ancients divided twofold, one  
Hh 2 they

244 MORBI OCULORUM. 
they called Onyx, the Latins Unquis or a Nail in Engish, referring the 
figure of a Nail cut off, compassing the circuit of the Iris from a cor- 
rupted and limous matter gathered in an ulcerous cavity. 
Another is called Hypopyon with the Greeks, and Pus sub Cornea by the 
Latins; and in this is a more copious matter gathered under the Cor- 
nea whereby the whole Pupil is sometime covered, and fight is hin- 
dered. 
CURE. 
Opening a Vein and purging, are better helpers in its growing than 
growth. Inflamation, if that preceded, is warily to be respected, left 
this evil ensue by its suppurating; some open not onely the Arm, but 
also the Temple-Veins, and those seen in the Corners of the Eyes, to- 
gether with which other Prohibiters of Inflamation are necessary; Dis- 
cussers are to have emollients mixt with them, lest that part of the 
matter that is not hereby resolved, should be made thicker and unresol- 
vable; Fomentation of Cammomile, Melilot, Fennugreck, and Lint- 
seed, Fleawort-seeds, &c. wherein fine Linnen may be dipped, and ap- 
plied to the Eye; also Colliryes, or Waters to wash the Eye, of Eye- 
bright, Chelidone, Fennel, &c. with Honey: Some speak of shaking 
forth this collection of purulent matter by great concussion of the Head; 
others, and they more generally and probably, advise to, and use Chyrur- 
gery, which is done by opening of the Cornea with a Lancet, and suck- 
ing out the Pus; this is to be doneby a skilful Artist, left the watery Hu- 
mour with the Pus should also flow out, by reason of which it is not 
much used; after it, Astringents and Comforters of the Eyes are to be 
used. 
CHAP. XXI. 
Of Callous and rough Eye-lids, called Sclerophthalmia, 
Ptilosis, and Trachoma.  
SClerophthalmia, otherwise called Ptilosis and the Greeks; 
and Lippitudo Dura, Hirsutin, and Asperitas Palpebrarum by the 
Latins, is a Disease of the Eye-lids, wherein they are red, thick, rough  
and hard. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is attributed to an adult, salt and sharp Humour, and of- 
ten to sharp Colliryes and Eye-Medicines. 
It

MORBI OCULORUM. 
It is variously divided; for one is called Sclerophthalmia, or hardness 
of the Eyes, wherewith is an hot distemper and thick Humour, some-
time with itching pain and redness, and sticking together of the Eye-lids 
after sleep, from the aforesaid thick Humour. 
Another is called Ptilosis, which is a callous thickness and red, with- 
out inflamation, itching or pain. 
Trachoma is a roughness and scabbedness of the Eye-lids, called also 
Sycopis when ’tis more grown, wherein oftentimes there be pushes like 
Millet-seed, and the ulcerated sore places sometimes chap and grow cal- 
lous; it is more inwardly than outwardly. 
If the Humour causing these be Choler, then little Pustules are made; 
if Flegm that is salt, there is more serosity; if Blood, there is less 
itching if a more melancholy Humour, that may be discovered by co- 
lour of that that comes forth: and according to the difference, of the 
Humour, is the difference of the Tumour. 
CURE. 
One Cure may generally suit with all, as to Evacuation and Aversion 
of the matter: secondly intercepient and emollient Topicks; but not 
in reipect of differences, for in Sclerophthalmia stronger are used, as 
Water of Lime much praised, Vitriol-Water, with Myrrh, Aloes and 
Saffron; but before these be used, more mild Medicines are to be tried, 
by degrees proceeding to stronger. 
Where there is more heat redness and pushes, together with the 
thickness and callosity, Coolers are: to be used that inflame not, as a ba- 
thing of it with warm water, wherein Mallows and Tutty have boiled, 
or the white of an Egg with Oyl of Roses, a Colliry of Myrrh dissolved 
in Womans Milk, mixed with Butter and Hens Grease. 
If withal there be fissures and soreness, acrimony and saltness of the 
Humours must be tempered: Avican used the Mucilage of Fennugreek 
seeds drawn in milk. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthalmia. 
PSorophthalmia is a redness of the Eyelids, with a flux of Humours, 
from a salt rheumatick mattter, exulcerating the Corners of the 
Eyes, causing great itching and heat therein. 
Xerophthalmia is a dry distemper of the Eye-lids, with redness, but
no

246 MORBI OCULORUM. 
no sweliing nor rheumatick matter distilling, made from a Melancholy 
Humour stirring up great Itching and more Pain then in a Psorophthal- 
my. 
CURE. 
Cure of Psorophthalmia, is first by opening the middle-Vein of the 
Forehead, by lenifying the sharpness and saltness of Humours, and inter- 
cepting their course; Topicals are to be emollient, as whites of Eggs 
beat in Rose water, and applied. This also is greatly praised: ꝶ of 
white Lead washed, ℥j. white Starch, ʒvj. Gum Tragacanth, Sarcocol, 
and Tutty prepared, of each ℥ß. Thebaick, Opium, Camphir, of each 
ʒj. with Rose-Water make a mass thereof, which being dissolved, drop 
sometimes a drop or two into the Eye with a Feather: the Decoction of 
Bramble-Buds boiled in white Wine, and dropped in twice or thrice a  
day, is also commended. 
In a Xerophthalmia, Baths, and such as draw moisture to the Eyes, 
are good; such also as lenify and make tractable, and mollifie the Eye- 
lids; the Eye-lids are to be anointed over-night, lest they stick together, 
and be not easily opened in the morning. 
For the Symptom Itching, which sometimes is very molestuous, are 
commended, 1. A Colliry of Aloe, Tutty, Ceruse, equally mixt with 
Rose-Water: 2. The Water of the Flowers of Mead-sweet, or Queen 
of the Meddow, with Juyce of Daysies, dropped in, and a Clout wet 
therein, and applied; 3. More sharp Medicines that want a propriety 
are good against itching, as Coperas, Salt, Licium, sharp Vinegar, the 
Urine of the Sick, being stale, Sugar, &c, we must have a care that only 
the Eye-lids, and not the Eyes, be touched with such Medicines.
OF

247 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 
THese Diseases, or most them at least, 
may not be found in some Practices 
of Physick, therefore they may be 
very convenient here: It is supposed 
few will come to the reading these, at 
to practice by them, that have not 
read, or have the Books to reade, all 
greater and more frequent Diseases. 
Authors were the least mistaken in 
these: Dissection is not so clearly satisfactory in these Distem- 
pers of the Nose, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips; such small Dis- 
eases of small Parts can shew but little in Anatomizing; but 
there is great variation of the kinds, and degrees, and different 
Productions of all these, which we have collected from good 
Authors, and composed them as fully for matter, and as short- 
ly for words, and as commodiously to be well understood, as 
we could. 
CHAP.


248 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. I. 
Of the Pose, or Distillation by the Nostrils. 
COryza in Greek, in Latin Gravedo, is a kind of Catarrh, 
or a deflux of crude Humours, or thin Excrements contain- 
ed in the sore-Ventricles of the Brain by the Nostrils, with 
a frequent Sneezing, and sense of Obstruction in the passa- 
ges of the Noftrils. 
DIFFERENCE of it is according to CAUSES. 
1. An hot Distemper of the Brain, or Heat that melts and pours 
out pituitous moist Excrements, being collected and retained in the 
Head, that is effected or caused by outward Causes, as immoderate 
drinking of Wine, keeping too long in heat of the Sun, or using Hot 
Baths.  
2. By an hot Distemper of the Liver, are hot and sharp Poses made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. 'Tis easily known by the Patients own discerning. 
2. 'Tis easily cured, and safer then Catarrhs. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. 'Tis bad in Diseases of the Lungs. 2. If the Distemper is stub- 
bornly rooted. 3. By its Acrimony, it often ulcerates the Nostrils, 
and produces other affects. 4. If from an hot Distemper in the Liver, 
whence also are produced hot and sharp Catarrs. 5. Better if outward 
Causes produce it. 
CURE.  
'Tis Cured as a Catarrh from an hot Cause. 1. We must evacuate. 
2. Revulse or pull back the flowing Humour. 3. Derive: the use of 
Errhines are condemned, because they draw too violently, but Apo- 
phlegmatisms and Masticatories are safely used to stop and restrain Va- 
pours, are much approved, specially a Vapour of Mario, boiled in its 
own

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 249 
own Water, and received into the Nostrils; or a Vapour of Vinegar, 
wherein hot Iron hath been quenched; Gum Anime, or the Oyl of it 
cast upon Coals for a Suffume. 
2. A cold Distemper, that is made from inward Causes, as Flegm 
and crude moisture collected in the Head. 1. Through the digestive 
faculty weakened from a cold Distemper. 2. From outward Causes 
cooling the Brain, whereby it is compressed like a Sponge, and sends 
forth the moisture to the subjected parts; the Brain also from penury 
of heat concocting all Aliments badly, gathers new matter, and more 
moist pituitous Excrements, that upon every light occasion are shut out 
by the nearest open wayes, by the expulsive faculty. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. From a cold and bad concoctive force and constitution in the 
Brain, 'tis hard to cure perfectly. 
2. If older, the worse to cure. 
CURE.
After Universals, a Fume; Nigella-Romana. Seeds, Frankinsence, &c. 
cast upon Coals, to dry and consume the cold moist superfluous humidi- 
ty of the Brain; the Seeds of Nigella-Romana, also rosted, put into Silk, 
and often smelt to, are commended; so is the taking of Tobacco, 
sprinkled with Oyl of Anni-Seeds, to such as are accustomed there  
to.
CHAP. II. 
Of hurt of Smelling. 
OLfactus or Smelling, may be taken away, lessened, or depraved, as 
the rest of the Actions of the Body, and only differ in degrees or 
magnitude Of Depraved Smelling, we shall speake in a Chapter by it 
self.  
CAUSE.
Made from a Distemper of the Brain, cold and moist, which either 
occupies the anteriour part of it, and then taste is abolished from tHe 
Propagine of the third pair of the Nerves of the Brain, efforming the 
(Tongue ling. rather) Speech affected; a cold and moist distemper, or 
with a pituitous Matter adjoyned, is wont to dull any Sense, whence 
in Catarrhs and Poses, smell is often hurt: and native heat being 
Ii deficient,


250 Of the Disease of 
deficient, the function of pans are hurt, and Nature bedulled.
Aliis est Obstruct.
Ossi-Ethmoidis. 
2. Obstruction from the same pituitous Humour, as well senseless 
as the passages of the Nostrils; or insenseless, as the 
Pores of the Brain, and Processus Mamillares; that 
Scents cannot pass to those parts; to this may be 
joyned a Polypus Sarcoma, or the like, that may stop or fill up the 
Passages. 
3. Astriction made from the same pituitous Humour, gathered in 
the forepart of the Brain, and compelling, the Processus Mamillares; 
that astriction may also come from a Native Conformation, if they be 
so depressed and narrow, that there lies not open a free passage for 
Scents. 
SIGNS. 
1. A Distemper cold and pituitous, may be gathered by those Signs 
of flegm, from flegm in the Head, and by a Mucous Pituit stilling 
from the, Brain. 
2. Are divers, according to Causes. 1. If from those Nerves, that 
constitute the Organ of Smelling affected, then there is perceived no 
hurt either in the Brain, or rest of the Sences, the voice remains clear. 
3. From narrowness. 1. In the Brain, and then gravity is present. 
2. In the passages of the Nostrils, or Bone-Ethmoides affected; then 
there is, 1. Hurt of Voice, because the Nostrils help to form the 
Voice. 2. Resperation is vitiated. 3. Wonted excrements are re- 
strained. 4. Smelling is sometime totally abolished, if Pituit be har- 
dened in the Holes of that Bone. 
4. From Hoping of the Passages of the Nose, by excrescences of flesh, 
as Sarcoma, Polypus, or the like: we mutt seek out their signs in their pro- 
per Chapters. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Lessened or abolished Smelling, is dangerous in a Carnus, Apo- 
plexy, or other affects of the Brain. 2. 'Tis incurable, if from ill con- 
firmation of the Nostrils, as Noses by Nature flat. 3. ’Tis hardly cured, 
if inveterate, and from a Distemper confirmed; but fresh and newly 
made, ’tis more hopeful. 
CURE 
Varies as Causes; from a cold Distemper, correct that with hot Ce- 
phal. with such Remedies as are taught in the Chapter of Head-ach, 
from a cold Distemper, and of a Catarrh; extract of Marjoram taken 
to ℈ß. every night and morning, is held a Specifical; but obstruction 
of the Nostrils or Ethmoid-Bone, from pituitous Humours, is best taken  
away after purging of the Redundancy of Pituitous Humours in the 
whole

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 251 
whole Body; 1. By a Nasale of the Root of Gentian, put into the 
Nose. 2. Errhines, where Juyce of Red Beets is best, and draws out 
stuff, flegm, or decoction of Nigella-Seeds with Castor. 3. Sternutato- 
ries (which avail most, saith Hartman, when the Vice is in the Eth- 
moid-Bone) as of Elatery, ,&c. 
4. Odours, as Oyl of Nigella-Seeds, but the best way is to take the 
Seed of Roman Nigella-Seeds and torrifie them, and so wrap them in fine 
Silk, and often smell unto them when they are hot. 
5. Sinapismos in a contumacious evil. 
2. From narrowness in the Brain it self; here Sternutatories most 
help, and Errhines are less useful. 2. Apophlegmatisms. 
3. From a blow, specially, if fresh, it may be cured, if a Pipe of 
Lead be put into the Nose. 
4. From stopping up of the passage of the Nostrils, from Excrescences 
of Flesh, as Sarcoma and Polypus. See the Cure in the Chapters of 
them.  
CHAP. III. 
Of Sneezing. 
DEFINITION. 
SNeezing is a Symptom of the voluntary faculty, or a concussion of 
the Brain, and of neer affinity to an Epileptick passion, endea- 
vouring a casting forth of some offending and tickling matter, either 
Flegmatick, or more watery, and thin, or windy, or other causes be- 
yond Nature, stirring up a deprived motion of the Animal Spirits, and 
breaking forth with noise and concussion. 
SUBJECT 
Is either the Brain, Nostrils, or Jaws, Trachart, or Lungs, but rather 
somewhat molestuous, that sticks about, or tickles the Trachæ' a-Artery, 
or top of the Nostrils. 
CAUSE. 
1. Proximate the Lungs, contracting themselves suddenly and for- 
cible, so that by the Breath is suddenly cast out that that did molest.  
2. Remote Causes are either Internal or External. 
1. Internal, are either flatuous or humorous Causes, which humours 
are more thick or thin, as in the Pose. 
2. These Humours arc brought into Action from catching cold.
I 2 whereby 


252 Of the Diseases of 
whereby the Brain sends down some sharp thin Matter to the Membranes 
of the Nostrils, that are endued with an exquisite sense, so that attracting 
Air, the Lungs with violence contracting themselves, cast forth the 
Breath with that force, and on heaps, which coming at the Nostrils 
causes a sound. 
2. From Nature irritated by the sharpness of some matter provoking 
the expulsive faculty generally, so that not only from the Head, Jaws, 
Nose, Rough Artery, Lungs and Breast, is the oftensive matter ex- 
cussed, but also from the Womb and lower parts. 1. This Vaporous 
moisture, is either restrained, and wanting its free passage out, irritates; 
Or, 2. Having free passage and running out, tickles the parts from the 
retentive faculty of the Brain weakened through cold, as in Catarrhs 
and Defluctions, where Sneezing is sometime very urging: As Forestus 
relates, Obs. 127. lib. 10. of one that had a sharp and salt Catarrh; 
and though the Membranes of the Brain may be irritated, yet there is 
no Sneezing before the offensive Matter comes to the Membranes of 
the Nostrils. 
3. In Feavers, saith Avicen, 'tis made from sharp Vapours carried 
from the whole Body up to the Head, Verte fol. per Caus. exter. 
4. From eating of Vaporous things, as Onions, Mustard, &c. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a good Sign, and Nature’s help in Diseases of those parts, that 
it may ease, 
1. Because it shews the faculty strong, 2. Concoction of the Mat- 
ter, 3. The aptness of Nature to be lightned and unburdened. 2. In 
accute and malignant Diseases and Feavers, it doth often great good, 
and promises Health, and though it may raise an Hæmorrage of the No- 
strils, that seldom doth hurt. 
2. But 'tis bad in Catarrhs and Poles, because the Humour requires 
quietness to be concoted. 
3. In Fits of the Mother, or difficult Birth, Sneezing is helpful, 
Aph. 35. Sect. 5. 
4. For Pituit, gathered in the lappets of the Lungs or Breast, that 
may not be expelled by Coughing, may by Sneezing. 
5. In a Singultus or Hickop, it greatly profits, and tis often ceased 
hereby. 
6. In Soporiferous affects, its good; and if in Appoplexies, by Ptar- 
micals put into the Nostrils, they sneeze not, it portends danger, Na- 
ture sinking under her burden. 
2. ’Tis-bad in Diseases of the Lungs, as Ptissicks, and Peripnen- 
monies


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 253 
monies, or inflamation of the Lungs, or Pleurisie, not avoiding the 
Morbifick Matter, but encreasing the evils by violent disturbing and 
tearing the Lungs. 
3. If too often and too violent, whereby, saith Rondeletius, many 
have been taken with an Epileptick Fit; and thence came the Supersti- 
tious saying, I pray God bless thee. 
2. External Causes, as 1. that are put into the Nostrils, 
to cause Sneezing, by their irritation and acrimony. 
2. Sometime tis made from holding up the Head to look at the Sun 
Beams, which causes, 1. Melting and loosening of the Humours. 
2, Contraction of the Brain that squeezes them out; Or, 3. From a cold 
Air received at the Nostrils. 4. From smelling of Vaporous things, 
whole fumes irritate, 5. From Feathers, or the like, put into the 
Nostrils, provoking the expulsive Faculty. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnosticks be conspicuous of themselves, and by relation of the 
Sick, from feeling this Matter avoided, and the part that was molested, 
eased. 
CURE. 
Cure, is not alwayes necessary, unless it be immoderate, and do 
molest and shake the afflicted or diseased parts. 
1. From External Causes, and then they removed, it ceases. 
2. Internals: And 1. hot : Here Bleeding, Purging, Revulsion, 
Derivation and Discussion, are to be premised with friction of the Eyes, 
Nose and Forehead, strong combing, compression of the Veins in the 
Corners of the Eyes, retention of Breath ; cleanse the Nostrils, and 
pluck the Ears, and hold the Hands in cold Water : If after these, the 
faculty expulsive be still disturbed, from some acrimony or the like, 
take the fume of warm Water up the Nose, or snuff up fresh Milk, or 
Oyl of Sweet-Almonds : These not helping, use Narcoticks, smell to 
cold things, Roses, Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Opium it self, 
and snuff up Deception of such like; smell to no Spices. 
2. Cold, here preparation premised, use Lenitives, Revuse, Derive, 
and Discuss the Cause , as afore directed ; Friction, Ligatures, hot 
Decoctions drawn into the Nostrils, Pomanders of Aromaticks to smell 
to, and whatever may conduce to rectifying the cold distemper. 
Of


254 Of the Diseases of 
Of an Erysipelas of the Nostrils. 
An Erysipelas of the Nostrils, after Generals, as Purging, letting 
Blood, and the like, as for Erysipelas in General.
CURE. 
’Tis restrained after the manner of other Erysipela's of other parts; a 
Specifical, is the Menstrues of a Virgin washed in distilled Rose-Vinegar, 
per applicationem calide in petiis: If vehement pain urge, Roots of Hen- 
bane beat with the Leaves, and Hogs-Grease, to an Oyntment, helps.  
CHAP. IV. 
Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
AN Ulcerated Cancer, is 1. to be stopt from its eating and spread- 
ing: Here Juyce of Bistort or Snake-weed excels; many Medi- 
cines may be made of Cetuse, White-Lead, Mastich, Frankinsence, 
Pompholix, Litharge, Tutty, Camphir, &c. that may be conducible 
hereto.  
2. To kill and correct its quality, for which the Water of Arsenick 
made of equal parts, of White-Arsenick, and Salt of Niter, made 
mild with Plantain or Peach-Leaf-Water, is efficacious: Goats-Dung 
with Honey, saith Petrus Hispane, kills a Cancer; but 'tis better mixt 
with Juyce of Beets in form of a Liniment. 
CHAP. V. 
Of Polypus. 
DEFINITION. 
Tis a Carnous Excrescence sticking with small Roots to the Bone of 
the Nose, broad, and hanging down to the lower part of the No- 
strils; and sometimes also descending upon the Pallate, referring to 
the likeness of the Fish Polypus whence it had its Name; But Rhasis 
calls them Hæmorrhoids of the Nose, because somewhat like Hærmor- 
rhoids in the Anus or Tuel. 
CAUSES.

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 255 
CAUSES. 
1. Causes are, 1. Viscid Humours, as Pituit chiefly, mixt with 
Blood, falling from the Head into Ulcers of the Nostrils, and there 
cleaves; sometime a melancholy Humour is admixt, and then there 
is fear lest it should turn into a Cancer. 
2. ’Tis made, when as that fungous Flesh within the Nostrils is 
more loose and thin, and receives a viscid and flatuous Matter sent 
from the Head, being of a very moist constitution, so that by puffing 
up and stretching out that Spongy Flesh, a great Carnous Excrescence 
seems to be made. 
3. For particular Causes, as of some differing from others in white- 
ness, redness or blackness: 1. They that are white, are made of more 
pure viscous Flegm. 2. The red, of a more excrementitions bloody 
matter. 3. The black, Cancrous, from Melancholy. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a fleshly lump, and soft, with small Roots, but broader in its 
Body; sometime filling the whole Nose, and hangs forth; sometime 
is throughout the whole passage, by which the Breath is brought, and de- 
scends upon the Pallate, specially when ’tis placed in the upper part 
of the Nostrils, and may easily be seen behind the Uvula. 
2. This Caruncle, or hanging piece of flesh, is in colour sometime 
whiter, sometime redder, sometime of a blewish black, according as 
the humour causing it is coloured. 
3. 'Tis greatly swelled in a Southerly Air, yea and in South-Winds, 
sometimes strangles; also in full Moon ’tis much enlarged; but on the: 
contrary, in a Northerly Wind, and drier constitution of the Air, and, 
in new, tis greatly lessened and abated. 
DIFFERENCES from Sarcoma, 
1. By all the precedent Signs. 2. Sarcoma, is in the lower parts; 
of the Nostrils, and more fleshly; but a Polypus grows in the upper part 
and top about the Root of the Nose. 
DIFFERENCES of Polypus it self be divers, 
One White, that is, 1. Soft. 2. Void of pain; 3. More easily 
cured. Specially, if, 1. it be more tender, 2. Fresher, 3. Lower 
seated in the Nostrils; for if towards the top, Medicines cannot be so 
well accommodated to it. 
2. Red or subruse, which is also curable, though worse then White. 
osnes. 3. Livid.


256 Of the Diseases of 
3. Livid or black; which, 1. Degenerates into a Cancer, or there’s 
great fear of it. 2. Therefore at first requires speedy help, lest future 
danger happen. 3. If not prevented, 'tis hardly cured. 1. It cance- 
rates. 2. 'Tis hard. 3. Painful. 4. Stinking sometime. 
2. As they differ in colour; so also, 1. In touch, as some hard, some 
soft: 2. In place, as higher, that’s more dangerous, as nigher the Brain: 
2. Growing in the lower parts of the Nostrils, which is discerned by the 
Eye. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. ’Tis hard to, cure, but easiest in the lower or middle parts of the 
Nostrils. 
2. Easier to stop its growth, than grown, to extirpate it. 
3. Cancrous, painful, black, hard and stinking ones, are bad to be 
medled withal, unless by gentle Medicines to hinder their growth. 
4. 'Tis worse if made in both Nostrils, for then there is danger of 
choaking, specially if they sleep not with their mouth open, whereby 
breathing is more free. 
CURE is double: 
First, To hinder its growth by taking away the Cause: 
1. By Universals, (an attenuating and drying Dyet being also obser- 
ved) as Purging, Revultion, Derivation, and drying of the Head used 
in decrease of the Moon, because then ’tis less, and all Medicines take 
greated place then, specially Topicks; the use of Guaicum. Drink with 
a drying Dyet, is commended by Authors. 
Cupping-Glasses are applied to the Neck, and some direct Bleed- 
ing.  
2. Topicks: Upon the part in the mean, while Astringents of the 
strongest sort, with Causticks, Dryers, and Discutients, are to be ap- 
plied. 
2. As hindering its quantity, so its quality: We must hinder its de- 
generating cancrous; Here observe that hot humours be not by unwa- 
ry courses caused to mix with pituitous. Letting Blood, as also, all 
other Evacuation, Derivation, and; Revulsion, may prove helpful. 
2. An Unguent of Yolks of Eggs, beat in a Leaden Mortar till they ac- 
quire the colour of the Lead, and mixt with ℈j. of Camphir; also the 
Liniment of Pouder of Red Roses, with Juyce of unripe Pomgra- 
nates. 
Secondly, If grown, to take it away. Here observe, 
1. That gentler Medicines be used at first, which will sometime cure 
it, if more fresh, tender, and well-qualified; such Medicines are large- 
ly described by Authors; the chief be Cypress, Poragranate-Rinds, 
Allom,


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 257 
Allom, Litharge, Galls, Ceruse, Gentian, Pompholix, &c. of which 
Waters, Liniments, and Ponders may be prepared without sharpness, 
and to dry up and consume the excrementitious Humour. 
2. Stronger are to be used, if, it be more contumacious and will 
not yeild to the precedent Remedies, among which excel, 1.Pollipody 
of the Oak, plaister-wise applied: 2. A Tent made of the Juyce of Ivy, 
a little Cotton dipt in, put up the Nose, and renewed as there  shall be 
need, seems most laudable: 3. Juyce of Nettles so used: 4. Juyce 
of Dragons, which is somewhat stronger than the rest: 5. Juyce of Bi-
stort: 6. Of Adders Tongue; all these consume it, and help by pro-
priety and their specifically quality: 7. A Tent made of Gentian-
Roots as greatly praise by Hartman, which is first to be daubed with
an Oyntment of Mallow-Leaves, and Althea-Roots beat and searced, 
and mixed with Goose-Grease.  
3. If these suffice not by reason of its contumacy, we must come to 
strongest means, and Cauteries, which are first potential; where we 
must observe, 1. To defend the sound parts of the Nostrils, that they 
be not touched and hurt by applying things on the Polypus. 1. by unction 
of those parts, 2. by conveying Medicines to the Polypus by a Silver- 
Pipe. 2. To attempt this cure in decrease of the Moon, for then 'tis 
less, and Medicines may be better applied upon it, having more room
in the Nostril; potential Causticks are, Arsenick, green Coperas, Orpent,
Ritt of Brass, Mercury, precipitate Antimony, &c. of which a glutinous 
Emplaister may be made, according to the pleasure of the discreet Phy-
sician : Gum Lacer applied Plaister-wise with Coperas and Verdigrease
is praisd: Some advise first to scarifie it, and then dip a Lint in Oyl of
Vitriol, and apply it. 
4. If it may not be taken away by Medicines, we must come to Chy- 
rurgery; it must be cut off by Pincers, or sharp Instruments, and it
ought to be extirpated wholly, for the root remaining grows again; 
therefore a potential Cautery is to be used after its cutting off to hin- 
der its growth again: Some advise to cutting of it round about its root 
or top, and if so not wholly extracted to use corrosive Medicines to 
consume the remainder. 
Kk CHAP.

258 Of the Disease of. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Stench of the Nostrils. 
CAUSES. 
1. THe Cause is putrified Flegm, stopping in the Ethmoid-Bone, 
thence sending forth a stink of bad favour; this Flegm is stopped 
through obstruction, and putrifies in a hot and moist, distemper of the 
Brain; also mattery Pus or filth is restrained in the Nose, through too 
great constriction, as flatted Noses, and so putrifies and sends forth 
a bad stench.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From flatness of the Nose , incurable. 
CURE. 
Cure is by taking away the Cause: 1. Errhines, as Juyce of the red 
Beet for extract, excels: 2. Sweet things in Errhines, to alter the smell, 
as sweet smelling Reed, Storax, Cloves, Cypress, Myrrh, Marjoram, 
Orange-Flowers; some things to thicken and make them stick longer 
in the Nostrils, as things made in form of Nasales, that remain fast in 
the Nostrils. 
II. This Humour may be in the sore part, of the Brain, nigh the Pro- 
cessus Mamilares, or Os Cribosum, there retained, through heat and moi- 
sture of the Brain putrifies, and therefrom ill scents are transmitted to 
the Nostrils. 
SIGN. 
Then there be no apparant Signs. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
Fresh, easilier cured; hardly, if inveterate. 
CURE. 
The Head must be purged of Flegm, and if the Body be flegmatick- 
ly affected, that must first be cleared, a sweating Dyet instituted, then 
abstergent and odorous things must be used as afore-directed. 
III. From the Ethmoid-Bone corrupted. 
IV. From putrified Ulcers may this bad stench arise, as in Ozana, 
Sarcoma, and Polypus; these are easily discerned, and are first to be cu- 
red: For the Cause taken away, the Effect ceaseth.
CHAP. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 259 
CHAP. VII. 
Of depraved Smelling or mis-scenting of things. 
’TIs a bad Odour continually offending the Nostrils.  
CAUSES 
It is made from the lying of rotten flegm in the Ethmoid-Bone, or 
Ulcers of the Nostril whereby exhalation always suppeditated from 
these, infect all scents and odorus things, so that they seem to be of 
the same smell that vitious stench is of; nor scan the true and sweet 
fresh smell of any-thing be rightly perceived, but is over-powred by 
that exhalation that comes from the aforesaid places, and always mo- 
lests the Nostrils ; if if even as it happens to the Tongue, when ’tis infe- 
cted with bitter Choler, all things that are taken within the Mouth 
seem to relish of the same bitter taste. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
’Tis bad in acute Diseases, whenas a stench is perceived in the No- 
strils. 
CURE.
It may be cured after the same manner as stench of the Nostrils, the 
Cause from whence it arises being diligently enquired, and found out. 
CURE, 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of SARCOMA. 
EXcrescences of Flesh in the Nose, are of two kinds, Sarcoma and 
Polypus, being Tumours above Nature.  
CAUSES. 
1. Sarcoma is a fleshly excrescence in the Nose, wanting a certain 
figure; happens often in feeding; and virulent Ulcers, that have cer- 
tain loose excrescences of Flesh, as in Ozena and Polypus ulcerated. 
CURE. 
In Cure hereof we must chiefly look to the cure of the Ulcers, as in
KK 2 their

260 Of the Diseases of 
their Chapters it directed: Then the superfluous flesh must be consu- 
med with Caustick Medicines, or cut off with Instruments. 
2. Of a superfluous nourishment of the Nostrils turned into luxuri- 
ous Flesh. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
'Tis easilier cured. 
CURE.
In Cure, pituitous Humours, or the antecedent Cause, is to be taken 
away; 2. Consuming of the excrescent Flesh with potential Caute- 
ries, but gentler are to be used at first, then if need be proceeding by 
degrees to the strongest as Spirit of Vitriol, Sandarach. Rust of Brass, 
Orpement, Mercury, &c. but we must have a care they hurt not the
Nostrils, for which cause they are first to be daubed with some defen- 
sative Oyntment; and for more security they are be put in by a Sil- 
ver-Pipe.  
3. A viscid and thick Hnmoun falling from the Brain, to which some 
Blood is gathered. 
PROG.
This is somewhat dangerous of degenerating into a Cancer. 
CURE. 
In Cure we must, 1. Purge the Head of excrementitious and fleg- 
matick Humours. 2. Proceed as in the aforegoing direction.  
CHAP. IX. 
Of Immeasurable Spitting, or a Ptyalismos. 
PTyalismos is an inordinate gathering and flux of moisture making 
spittle to the Mouth, arising from a moist Brain, and moistening 
Causes, and cast forth without coughing or hawking, offending onely 
in quantity, and molestuous.  
SUBJECT.
The Subject is either the Brain, which unburdens it self of moist Hu- 
mor's and waterish Excrements, which falling upon, and being com-
municated to the Thorax, cause a Catarrah; to the Winde-Pipe, or Aspe-
ra Arteria, an Hoarsness; into the Nostrils, a Coryza, or Pose, and 
lastly, into the Mouth and Pallate frequent spitting, called Ptyalismos, 
or Plyousmos, of Ætius.
Or,

the Nostirils  Tongue  Teeth, and Lips. 261
Or, 2. The Stomach, which is moist and flegmatickly affected, of 
weakened, after Cronical Diseases, and through weakness of its heat 
and concoctive force, waterish and pituitous Excrements are abundant- 
ly made, which are continually suppeditated, and sent to the Mouth, 
which is done without coughing or hauking, and happens often in Quar- 
tanes, to Melancholicks; for spittle by its lightness swims above 
the Meat, and sweats forth from the Ventricle where in great plenty it is 
gathered, and made, by communion of the Membrane to the Mouth. 
Or, 3. The Spleen, whence Splenitiques and Scorbaticks are often 
affected herewith, and Hypocondriacks. 
Or, 4. The Whole Body, as in Children that abound with moisture, 
or were affected from bad alimentary matter in the Womb.  
Or, 5. The Lungs and Brest, as in Catarrhs and-Dissillations, Di- 
stemper or weakness of them. 
Or, 6. From the Intestines, whenas Worms abound. 
CAUSES are either internal, or External: 
Internal are either irritating and attracting: As first Aphthæ, or Ul- 
cers of the Mouth, by whole pain a flux of serous Humours, are made, 
and the Head being more moist, and abounding with such Humours 
sends them plentifully to the Mouth, which by concoction are made 
Spittle; but the attractive faculty of this Part, causes the motion of 
the expulsion of the Brain; so also in inflamation of the Mouth and 
Jaws, Apophlegmatisms, and the like, a serous pituitous matter is 
drawn from the Head, or a weakening, whence the part cannot repel, 
but needs must receive the flux that falls upon it, as 1. in weakness of 
the Stomach aforesaid; 2. distemper of the Mouth and Jaws, which 
give occasion to the gathering of moisture, and cannot consume, dry, 
and expel that matter; chiefly, 1. Of the Glandules or Tonsils, which 
readily receive a pituitous and waterish Excrement, transmitted from 
parts ill affected by communion. 2. Of the Columella or Uvula, in whose 
relaxation is a frequent and molestuous fluctuating of Spittle and moi- 
sture in the Mouth; whereby the flesh is made spongy and thin, and the 
hole of the Pallate dilated, so that a copious pituitous Humour falls 
continually from the Head, suppeditating it into the Mouth, having no- 
thing to obstruct its passage, or dissipate it. 
It is aggravated or continued longer then naturally it would, from 
Custom. 
External Causes are either moist Meats or Drink, or in unction of 
Quicksilver, or taking it inwardly, in the French Pox, &c. whereby a 
most plentious salvation is made.
SIGNS.  


262 Of the Diseases of.  
SIGNS 
Are taken from too great plenty of spittle, which whenas it is ordained 
by Nature to moisten meats, and help right pronuntiation in speaking, 
and right tasting, ought to be mean, neither offending in quantity nor 
quality; as also it doth whenas it is more thicker waterish, stinking or 
evil-tasted. 
A Ptyalism is greatest on mornings, and sometimes after meat; some- 
times fasting; it is not voluntary, unless by custom. 
The Causes are known, and the parts from whence the Original is 
deduced; for if the Mouth be affected, that draws from heat, or cannot 
repel through weakness, which is perceived by its Causes; from the 
Lungs it is brought forth more froathy and thick, and comes by hauking 
or excreation, rheumatisms and Catarrhs causing it, are easily known; 
so are outward Causes, as anointing with Quicksilver, and moistening 
Causes that precede it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
One is from hot, another cold Causes: One is Critical, another not: 
One is from superiour parts whose retentive faculty is overthrown, a- 
nother from inferiour parts, by whose expulsive faculty spittle is sent 
upward to the Mouth. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is sometimes healthful, and preserves from Diseases, as some acute 
Feavers by copious casting forth of spittle have been healed: It is bet- 
ter or worse, according to the degree, and nature, and greatness of the 
Disease whereby it is raised, and whereon it depends; it often presa- 
ges vomiting, sometimes also putrifies and begets stench of the Mouth, 
difficult Respiration, and Coughs.
CURE.
The Cure consists in taking away the generative cause, and corro- 
borating of the parts: in distillations we must follow the direction 
for Catarrhs; from bad concoction in the Stomach, we must purge by 
Aloeticks, crude serous Flegm, dry and heat by, Galanga Red Roses, 
Cinnamon, and Guaicum, a Pouder made thereof; Mustard-sauce, 
Frankinsence and Mastick, given in Wine. 
In the French Pox, Scurvy, Vice of the Bowels, Spleen, and Hypo- 
chonders; the Disease from whence it arises is first to be taken away. 
Astringent Gargarisms are for the Symptom, and to strengthen the 
Tonsils

the Nostrils, Tongue Teeth, and Lips. 263 
Tonsils, and Uvula and drie; as ꝶ of Cinnamon, Red-Roses, Pom- 
granate-Peeles, Mirtle-Teaves, of each an equal quantity; boil them 
in steeled White-Wine for a Gargarism: Or, ꝶ Roots of the Sloe- 
Tree, Wood of Aloes, Root of Hounds-tongue, of each ʒiij. Cy- 
press-Nuts, Cinnamon, Mastich, Galls, of each ʒij. boil them in Wa- 
ter, and add Vinegar of Quinces, and Syrup of dry Roses, of each 
what may seem sufficient. 
Sennertus saith, A Sponge held in the Mouth drinks up the moisture. 
If the Evacuation be Critical, we may not stop its Flux. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Teeth Edged or Astonished. 
HÆmodia in Greek, Stupor Dentium in Latine, is a certain mole- 
stuous sence the Teeth have in eating; induced from sowr things 
that have first been eaten. 
CAUSE.
Cause, is from eating sharp, tart, and sowr things, whereby the 
Teeth are set on edge, and are exasperated in eating; the Membranes 
participating with them, from the cold austere faculty of Fruits; for 
this acidity or sharp tartness is inimical to the Nerves and Bones. 
Moreover by acid, and fowr Humours, are the Teeth sometime 
edged or astonished, which sometime are cast out by Vomit; to Hypo- 
chondriacks also, that Vomit for long together, acid humours, or 
where acid and sharp Vapours arc more plentifully and directly 
carried to the Teeth. 
Imagination is also very apt to effect this; for the only seeing of ano- 
ther eat sowr things, or hearing of Cork cut, or the like noises, do, as 
it were, astonish and molest the Teeth; for the Organ of hearing is 
hurt, and little Nerves going from its Membrane to the Roots of the 
Teeth, carry thither a sense of horrour. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from the Patients perceivance, who cannot bite or 
eat any thing, by reason of a molestuous titillation that presently aris- 
eth in the Teeth, from the Membranes, perceiving the sharpness im- 
pressed and soaked in before, by the pressure of the Teeth, in biting, or 
unequal chewing.
Sennertus 


264 Of the Diseases of 
Sennerius saith, They are then endued with an exquisite sense of 
Feeling, and therefore cannot properly be called stupified or astoni- 
shed, for then they should not feel at all; but, now if they be but touch- 
ed, they presently feel, and are offended thereby, by a peculiar painful 
feeling, which Platerus saith, Is rather a molestation, then pain.  
Sometime the Teeth have such an exquisite sense, as they are offend- 
ed, and ake, by hot or cold things, or, hard things, made from weak- 
ness and distemper.  
CURE. 
Purslane is chiefly and above other praised for Hamodia, for that it 
is most certain, and speediliest helps; the Juyce hereof is to be sucked 
out by chewing of the Leaves, which is to be continued; or the Juyce 
alone may be used, as a Gargarism; or the Leaves alone, as a Mastica- 
tory; for this by its slimy Substance, and a propriety, takes away He-
modia.
Rhasis and Johnstonus, commend chewing of Wax. 
Harman wishes to rub them with Salt, or to bite an Hairy Cap, or 
Fuzzy Cloth.
Others commend Lees of Oyl boiled to the thickness of Honey, in 
a Brass Vessel; the Yolk or an Egg rotted or boiled hard, chewed, 
or applyed, beaten to the teeth; Gargarise with hot Wine, with Oyl, 
or Wine and Mucilages; Pulpe of Bread, and of Cheese, bitter Al- 
monds, Liquorish Mastick, Kernels of Walnuts and Filbirds have-been 
experienced by some also.  
CHAP. XI. 
Of Teeth erode, or broken away.
DEFINITION. 
IT is a lessening of their due and natural bigness from Causes ero- 
ding, and causing solution of continuity. 
CAUSE.
1. The Cause is a continuated fluxion, specially more hot and sharp; 
2. Meats, which either as Sugar, and other sweet things, for them ; 
or by staying in them, as all Flesh is wont to do, putrifies, and oo rots 
the Teeth; which is so much the sooner effected, when as the Teeth 
were

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 265 
were hollow before: Also hot things, whence came the Verse, 
Pultes serventes faciunt corrumpere Dentes. 
And cold things cast in presently after; also Oyntment of Quick- 
silver, Worms, and the like, rot the Teeth, and sometime make Fi-
stula’s. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Teeth are black, rotten, stubby and broken; if from a de- 
fluxion, there is commonly pain; if a Fistula, there is a greater stench of 
the Mouth. 
CURE. 
If there be a defluxion from the Head, we must consider and stop 
that; the Humour is to be stopt, the Head dried; then use Medicines 
that resist putrifaction and corruption; wash them with Salt and white- 
Wine, deterge and cleanse them after Meat; Decoction of Capers, 
Allom, Mastick, Nigella, Ginger, Myrrh, &c. are good to garga- 
rise, to hinder their erosion and wasting; a Pouder also of Five-leav’d- 
Grass, Mint, Red-Roses, Mirtles, Myrrh, Ginger, and Ashes of a 
burnt Hare, to rub the Teeth with, is good; also Salt Gem and Armo- 
niack; also a Suffume of the Seeds of Henbane is praised. 
Miraldus praises Water of the Root of Pellitory of Spain distilled 
in Wine.  
If Stench be present, put in sweet things, and hinderers of putre- 
faction if Worms, because they are to be killed, then Astringents to 
fix and confirm the Teeth are to be used. 
Hollow Teeth are to stopt up with Camphir, Root of Pelletory of Spain, 
and Wax; But Rondeletius thinks Wax mollifies too much, specially 
the Nerve: Medicines also to make them fall out are to be used, if so 
be they cannot be cured, or not to do any service, but offence; such 
Medicines are not to touch their sound, lest they also be loosened and 
fall out; nor the Gums neither, lest they be inflamed or excoriated 
from their sharpness: an Oyntment of Juyce of Spurge and Oyl of 
Henbane, with Flower put into the Hollow Tooth, or Juyce of Spurge 
and Flower; or Globules of Henbane, Onion and Leek-Seed, made up 
with Goats Suet, and put into the Cavity of the Tooth, are useful, to 
the intent to make the Teeth fall out: Many more, and good Medicines 
are rehearsed in the Chapter of Tooth-ach, that cause a fall, and com- 
ing forth of rotten, useless, and paining Teeth.
Ll CHAP. 


266 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Toothing of Children, and Pain. 
TOothing of Children is a molestuous Symptom, with pain and other 
concomitant accidents. 
SIGNS DIAG. and PROG. 
The Children, at such time as they Toothe are very froward, cry, 
and are Feaverish; sometimes Convulsions and Loosness arise, which 
are not so dangerous, as when they proceed from other Causes; if they 
have a looseness, they are less subject to Convulsions; if they are bound 
and costive, they are more drowsie, and more Convulsive; there is a 
little redness in the place of the Jaw that is affected; the Teeth are 
perceived to put forth and rise in swelling the Gums: they commonly 
come forth in the seventh Month, at which time Parents have no com- 
fort of their Children; greatest pain ariseth at coming forth of the 
Dog-Teeth. 
Hardness and thickness of Gums hinder the readier budding forth, 
and so causes more pain. 
CURE. 
Authors have left Medicines, and Rules for this Symptom. 
1. Therefore for Precepts, observe, whether Inflamation be present 
and mitigate and lenify that; where Night-shade, Lettice, Juyce of 
Housleek, with Oyl of Roses, Mucilage of Lin-Seed, and Marsh- 
Mallow-Seed, mixed with fresh Butter, are effectual; the like also for 
appeasing pain. 
2. Mollifie and laxate the Gums; here Juyce of Mallows, of Marsh- 
Mallows, with Honey or fresh Butter, are frequently to be used, which 
in inflamation may not be used actually cold. 
ꝶ of the Oyl of sweet Almonds, ℥i. Honey, ℥ss. Hens-Grease, ℥ss. 
make an Oyntment. 
The Brains of Hares are chiefly commended; so also the Brains of 
Chickens and Birds; the Brains also of Lambs and Goats; the Juyce 
of River-Crabs, with the Water of the Flower of Beans, Bitches Milk, 
&c. are commended by Authors, and thought greatly to help the erup- 
tion of the Teeth. 
Forestus stamps the Brain of an Hare and Honey together, and rubs 
the Gums with that.
Platerus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 267 
Platerus wishes to boil them in Wine, or mix them with Butter, or 
Honey, after Forestus’s way, wherein the Finger is to be dipt, and the 
Gums gently rubbed therewith. 
Hartmanus saith, To annoint them with the fresh Blood of a Cocks- 
Comb often, makes them come forth without any further trouble or 
accidents. 
Amulets are much spoken of, and variously recited by Authors, which 
are thought by an hidden propriety to do much. 
Miraldus saith, That the Tooth of a Colt of a year old, hung about 
the Neck of the Infant, causes it to bring forth Teeth. 
Calves Teeth of that age, or Mans Teeth so hung, are thought also 
to purpose: much credit is given to the Right Dog-Tooth of a Wolf, 
hung about the Neck Others commend a Male Vipers Tooth so 
used. 
Ætius, praises the Roots of wild Colocynthis, used the same 
way. 
Mathilolus ascribes as much vertue to the Stone found in the Head 
of Naked Snails; but he bids to bind it to the parts affected: and 
so probably if the other were used, they might be of greater efficacy. 
Paræus opened the Gums with a Pen-Knife, and found it very suc- 
cessful in divers, from great pain, inflamation, and a Feaver, that they 
may labour withal: Also sometimes from Mid-wives rash loosing it 
with their Nails, or edge of Money; in opening also sometimes they 
are made mad, if it be black, fuscous, hard, and insensible, it is 
Cancerous, and then we may touch it; yet for the most part it is void 
of danger, and seldom cured by resolution. 
CURE. 
After general Evacuation suted to the Age, Constitution and strength 
of the Sick, to take away the Antecedent Cause; for which Cause al- 
so, Gargarisms, Errhines, Apophlegmatisms, and Sternutatories are 
useful; if it be more inveterate, Sweaters and Cauteries are used. 
Then Topicks for resolution of the Tumour are often, to be put under 
the Tongue; some use Astringents first, others use Astringents with 
Revolvers, as Bark of Pomegranates, Galls, Salt Gem, Salt of Ar- 
moniack, Balaustians, Allom, burnt Brass, torrifyed Tragaganth, with 
Root of Hermodactils: more resolving, are Salt and Hyssop, Salt-Ar- 
moniack, with Sage, Organy or Mugwort.  
Forestus counsels to rubing of it with Salt Gem; some use Oyl of 
Vitriol. 
If it will not thus be resolved, but tend to suppuration, open it 
L l 2  Suddenly

268 Of the Diseases of 
suddenly by incision, or a Caustick; open it largely, for else the mat- 
ter yeeks in, and the Tumor is made afresh; make long cutting, that 
all the Matter may flow out, then wash it first with Lenients, and then 
Detergents or Mundifiers; if we cannot draw Forth all the Vomica or 
Bag; we must consume it with Verdigrease, and Then 
it is to be cured as an Ulcer. 
Gulielmus Fabritius cured his Brother that was Dumb for four years, 
by cutting off this Ligature of his Tongue. 
Paræus advises to use an actual Cautery, which is better approved 
of, if it be malign; but in these we must have a diligent heed that the 
sound parts be not touched and hurt hereby. 
If the Disease returns again, it must be cut again, or use an actual 
Cautery. 
If it be a Caruncle, it must be cured, as with Remedies for a Po- 
lypus. 
If it be black, fuscous, hard and cancerous, ’tis not to be medled 
withal, for thereby ’its most irritated and exacerbated. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Paroulis, or Inflmation of the Gums. 
PAroulis, otherwise is at Inflamation of the Gums, with 
swelling and painful redness.
CAUSE.  
The Cause arises from defluxion of Blood, either pure or impure, 
fallen from the Head by the Vessels. 
SIGNS. 
It is made in some part or other of the Gums, and stretching to the 
Roots of the Teeth; the neer parts are distended, red and hot, their 
swelling is to be seen. 
If the Tumour be hotter, pain is greater; if made from a more Pitui- 
tous Blood, they are colder, Inflamation and pain are more remiss; 
the Pus breaks forth at Roots of the Teeth covered with a small co- 
vering.  
PROGNOSTICK. 
This often degenerates into Ulcers. Fistula’s, Cancers, and Gan- 
grenes,

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lip, 269 
grenes, and therefore the sooner represt the better; for if it apostemate 
it may turn to bad affects, as aforesaid. 
CURE.
Cure is by purging and bleeding, then open a Vein under the 
Tongue, and Cuppers to the Neck, Astringent Gargarisms to repel, 
wherein sharp biting things, and Vinegar that pains, are to be shunned, 
they not being Putrid or Eroded; a Decoction of Bramble-Buds, Rose- 
Leaves, Purslane, and Sal Prunella is most excellent; Oak-Buds, Sal 
Nitri, Plantane, Housleek, Self-heal, and Mulberry-Leaves are also 
Medicinal. 
Galen above others praises Oyl of the Mastich-Tree, being new, and 
temperately hot, held in the Mouth; in a cold Cause, and Pituitous De- 
fluxion, add hotter Resolvers; Decoction of Barley, Liquorish, Mal- 
lows, Jujubes, Agrimony, &c. A Gargarism Collution of Decocti- 
on of Self-heal, Sage and Water-cresses is commended; or a De- 
coction of Self-heal in the Water of English Tobacco, with Sal Pru- 
nella. 
If it be not dissolved by Discutients, but tend to Suppuration; it is 
to be opened, its maturity being made by Suppurators; some set Leeches 
to the swollen Gums. 
But a Pen-Knife to open it, if it open not spontaneously, is best ap- 
proved; then the Ulcer is to be cleansed, dried, and heated; and if an 
Hæmorrhage or Flux of Blood should follow, use the first Gargarism in 
this Chapter. 
The pain, as a very vexing Symptom, is to be appeased; warm Milk is 
to be gargarised alone, or wherein red-Rose-Leaves have boiled; out- 
wardly a Cataplasm of Crumbs of White-Bread boild in Milk, is to be 
applyed warm. 
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Consumption of the Caruncle, or weeping Flesh in the 
greater Corner of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
RHyas is a Diminitution or Consumption of the weeping Flesh or 
Caruncle of the greater corner of the Eye, arising either from Cor- 
rosion, or defect of Aliment, inducing a constant weeping, and sheding 
of tears involuntarily. CAUSE.

270 Of the Diseases of 
CAUSE. 
Cause is either from the foregoing of a FiStula Lacrymalis, or of a 
Leucoma and Encanthis, which were badly cured; sometimes it suc- 
ceeds Epiphora, or a large or more sharp flux of Humours, or sharp 
Medicines, causin erosion of it; it is sometimes made from the POX, 
sometimes by Excisions, &c. 
SIGNS. 
The use of this glandulous Flesh, seated in the Corner of the Eye, 
being to stop the hole tending therefrom to the Nose, and suck up, and 
impedite Tears, and unvoluntary weeping; whenas it is deficient, 
there is a constant unvoluntary weeping, whereas before the Humours 
falling from the Brain to the Os Cribrosum, were thence derived to the 
Nostrils, and cast out. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That which is plainly eaten up, is not cured; if only in part, we are 
to go about the Cure. 
CURE. 
Is by Sarcorticks, with Consolidaters and Astringents: a Colliry of 
Aloe, Tutty-Stone, and Mucilage of Psyllium-Seed is good; or Cy- 
press-Nuts, Red-Roses, Myrtles, Sumach, Dragons-Blood, Bark of 
Pomegranets, Myrrh, &c. prepared after those wayes as may seem most 
convenient; some stop up the hole, and supply the place of the Carun- 
cle with some matter; but regeneration of that flesh should rather be 
made, so that the work of Nature might be done thereby.
CHAP. XV.  
Of too great growing forth of that flesh. 
DEFINITION. 
ENcanthis in Greek; Additio Carnie Lacrymalis in Latine, so called 
by Avicen, is an immoderate Eminence or growing forth of the 
Caruncle in the greater corner of the Eye, made from too plentiful 
nourishment, or redundant Blood, sometimes malign, and effecting 
pain. 
CAUSE. 
It-comes from evil cure of Ptergium from too much Aliment, or 
Blood.
SIGN. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips.  271 
SIGN. 
It is quite contrary to Rhyas; for in this the Caruncle of the corner 
of the Eye or weeping Flesh sticks out, and is much bigger then natu- 
rally it should, and accustomedly was wont to be.
DIFFERENCES. 
1. Is malignant and painful, which is blew, hard, rough, resitting 
Medicines. 
2. Another not; which contrary to the other is smaller, ruddy, looser, 
soft, and without pain, and is made from Blood, or a more pure Ali- 
ment. 
3. Another is from melancholy Blood, which partakes of the Na- 
ture of a Wart. 
4. Another is from excrescence of Flesh after Ulcers. 
5. From reduction of Cataracts thither, which there are kept and 
nourished.  
CURE. 
In a more soft and benign Encanthis, drying and more mild eating 
Medicines are to be tryed at first; as this of Ætius, praised by him; 
ꝶ of Allom and Mysum burnt, Vitriol, of each equal parts; mix them: 
we must proceed to stronger by degrees; some touch it with Oyl of 
Vitriol, or Sulphur.
If it be great and old, it is only cured by Chyrurgery, it is tyed 
about with a strait Thread, and then the superflous part is cut off 
with a Bistory or Razor; others use an hot Iron, or actual Cautery; 
then we must lay Driers upon the part to prevent its growing again. 
But before we too rashly undertake the Cure by Chyrurgery, these 
things are to be considered. 
1. That Evacuation of the Body be made, to take away fluxions that 
are to arise to the pained part. 
2. We must use Corrosives first for tryal, before Chyrurgery. 
Wherein, 1. we must use gentlest, as aforesaid. 2. Defend the 
other parts about Encanthis from being touched by them. 3. We must 
have a care that the whole Caruncle be not consumed by them, but on- 
ly what is superfluous, else it will turn to the contrary affect, Rhyas: the 
like is to be considered in Cure by Chyrurgery.  
CHAP.

272 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Ulcers of the Gums. 
ULcers of the Gums are made from erosion by sharp Humours, from 
inflamation and pustules suppurated and broke, from Worms and 
the Scurvy.
DIFFERENCE. 
Some are proper to Scorbaticks, some are more creeping and eating, 
others less; some succeed to foregoing affects, others arise of them- 
selves.  
CURE. 
Their Cure, after purging and letting Blood, if the matter be more 
hot and sharp, is by Revulsion, Blister, and Cup and Cauterize, to avert 
and turn away the Flux; then Dryers are to be used. Riverus proved 
this Balsam, wherewith the Ulcer was anointed often in a day; ꝶ of 
Myrrh and White-Sugar-Candy, as much as may seem convenient, 
put them into an Egg, and rost them, and then make use of the mix- 
ture; things are best used at time of sleep, for then they best stay in, and 
molest least; if they be more foul, and are suppeditated by vitious Hu- 
mours, Driers are not sufficient: touch them with Oyl of Sulphur; if 
the Cause be colder, hotter Remedies; If hot, colder Remedies are to 
be used: if the Tooth next to it be rotted, that must be taken away, else 
the Ulcer will not fully be healed; see to the peculiarity of the Cause. 
Of a Fistula of the Gums. 
A Fistula of the Gums is caused as an Ulcer of them, and Cured 
as Fistula's of other parts; a Decoction of Agrimony with Allom, one 
drop of Gum-Ammoniacum Honey of Roses, with Oyl of Vitriol, are 
held peculiar; some add a Caustick. Celsus advises to pulling out of 
the Tooth. 
Of

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips, 273 
Of Loosness, Putrefaction and Exesion of the Gums. 
CAUSE. 
CAuse is from deflux of sharp or vitious Humours, from the Scurvy, 
&c. 
SIGNS are best discerned by Sight. 
CURE. 
It is cured, after Universals, by washing with the water of Colum- 
bines; if there be putrefaction, we must use Detergents, else onely 
confirm and restore the Gums decayed, by Topicks; a Pouder of Galls, 
Myrrh, Root of Bistort, and Bark of Pomgranates, is most excellent; 
to stay their wasting, Mastick is to be chewed; they are also to be rub- 
bed with Sage Leaves; wash them clean every morning with Water 
of Columbines, or Sage, or of Self-heal, or Bramble-Buds, with Allom: 
If they be Scorbatickly affected, see to the Cure of the Scurvy. 
Of a Cancer of the Gums. 
A Cancer of the Gums is made from an Inflamation of them, turn- 
ing apostematous, and breaking ulcerous, which Ulcer not healing, 
turns cancerous: The Juyce of Rheu applied by a Linnen Cloth dipt 
therein, and a Gargarism of Decocton of Allom, and Root of five- 
leav’d-Grass in White-Wine, are praised. 
Guordonius used Birthwort, Allom, Hellebore, Balaustians, and Brim- 
stone, with Juyce of Agrimony. See for more direction herein the 
general Chapter of a Cancer. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Excrescence of the Gums. 
EPoulis is a carnous Excrescence of the Gums, sometimes with 
pain, and a Feaver. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is from vicious, serous, and corrupt Blood, flowing plentiful- 
ly to the Gums, which is easily received from their spongious rarity; 
also from Ulcers ill, cured.
Mm  SIGNS. 

274 Of the Diseases of 
SIGNS. 
It happens frequently to Scorbaticks; it is sometimes so big that the 
Grinders are covered, and puts the Teeth out of their Sockets, and 
hinders close Shutting of the Mouth; sometimes the excrescent Flesh 
is loose, wavering and filthy; sometimes it follows inflamation, and is 
partaker of putrefaction, other times not. 
CURE. 
If it be light and without putrefaction, ’tis more easily cured by A- 
stringents and Repressers; Columbines are held most effectual, either 
the Water of them to gargarise, the Pouder of them for Friction, or an 
Oyntment thereof for Unction, may be used; also to rub them with 
Mint till they bleed; Pouder of the Root of the Sloe-Tree, Rasp 
Leaves, &c. are useful: The Juyce of Water-Caltrops are very effe- 
ctual. 
Johnstonus saith this Pouder is proved by much Experience: ꝶ of 
the Leaves of Collumbines, Sage, Mint, Nutmegs, of each ℥ß. burnt 
Allom, ℥j. Honey despumated ℥iv. make a Liniment for the Teeth. 
If it be greater and with putrefaction, stronger Eaters and Consu- 
mers of it are to be used; as Aqua-Fortis burnt Allom, burnt Salt, Vi- 
triol, and Galls; but we must have a care they be not swallowed; wash
the mouth before and after meat with salt Water. 
Others, if it be greater, bind it dayly harder and harder with a thred 
till it fall off, or cut it off, or pull it off with a pair of Pincers. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
A Fistula of the Teeth arises as a Fistula of the Gums; there is a 
corrupt Humour and Sanies always coming forth, which is often 
stinking; sometimes it flows out by the Roots of the Teeth, and Holes 
of the Jaw-Bone, or Vessels thereof; sometimes it is derived out- 
wardly, and stirs up Tubercles in the Cheek or Chin, and sometimes 
opened, it always leaves an Ulcer remaining. 
CURE. 
It is cured by taking forth of the Tooth, which is done by Instru- 
ments or Medicines that make the Teeth to fall out, as with fat of 
green Frogs that live in Trees.
Taber 


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 275 
Tuber Montanus praises Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, and mixt
with Henbane-Seed; or Goblets of Flower and Juyce of Tithimale or 
Spurge, incorporate with dissolved Amoniacum, are effectual. See more 
of these in the Chapter of Toothach, and erosion of Teeth, and the Pre- 
cepts as to their use. 
If an Ulcer of the Gums remain afterward, see the Chapter of an 
Ulcer of the Gums. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Swelling of the Lips. 
THe Lips which the Greeks calls Cheile, the Latins Labia, from the 
word Lambo, to lick, are variously affected; sometime from vice 
of Conformation; sometimes from adventitious Causes; sometimes 
they are affected with Tumours, Ulcers, Fissures, Inflamation, change 
of their natural Colour, defect of right motion and action; their use 
being, 
1. For decency, and close closure of the mouth, and keeping out 
whatever being hurtful or offensive might enter thereinto. 
2. For forming the Voice, specially some Letters and Syllables. 
3. For the more ease assumption or better taking of both Meat and 
Drink, and retaining of it there to a due while. 
4. To beautifie, and keep the Teeth, which sometime are black, rot- 
ten and unhandsome, and Gums, from sight; also to keep in the Tongue; 
and he would seem like a Monster that had them not. 
5. To cast Spittle out of the Mouth, or what else we would spit forth. 
6. For blowing, or rendring a sound, as for whistling, trumpetting,
piping, &c. 
7. For Infants to suck withal: And he that had them not, would look 
as a Dog doth when he girns, saith Riolanus. 
These ate variously affected, as we said before, and do sometimes 
suffer Diseases of magnitude, wherein the Lips be greater than natu- 
rally they are accustomed to be; and they that are thus affected are cal- 
led Labeones, or great-Lipped, which cometh, 1. Naturally, from evil 
conformation from their Nativity: 2. Or is accidental and adventiti- 
ous, induced from sundry Causes, which are curable; As, 
1. From stinging of Bees, Wasps, or Venemous Flies, whereby one 
Lip (unless both be stung) is bigger then the other, and more swelled in 
one place, or one side, than on the other. 'Tis known by relation of the 
M m 2 afflicted 


276 Of the Diseases of 
afflicted: The sting is then first to be plucked out, if it may be; then 
apply the same Creature bruised that stung: Juyce of Mallows, and 
Marsh-Mallows also are available. 
2. From Poysons, sharp blistering Medicines, handling of Mush- 
rooms, and touching the Lips thereupon, or things sticking to the Lips: 
These are easily known by relation of what preceded: Antidotary and 
Lenifying Emollient Medicines are useful. 
3. From Contusion, which calls a Flux of Humours, and they In- 
flamation; a Flux of Humours may also be made from other Causes: 
Repellers and Discutients are to be used. 
4. From salivation in the French Pox, then they are puft up, and black 
like Carcinoma, and are to be cured with Specificals for the French Pox. 
5. Sometimes they are cancrous; then see to the Chapter of a Can- 
eery for their Method of Curing. 
6. They are hard like Steatoma, and are not helped by Suppuraters 
or Discussers, but Section. 
7. From a dry putrefaction, where there’s no sign of matter; and 
this goes often before death. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of the Fissures or Chaps of the Lips 
FIssures of the Lips are a solution of the Continuity thereof, from 
Siccity and Tension. 
The Greeks call them Ragades, the Latins Scissuras, and Fissure, 
CAUSES. 
Causes are, 1. Air that is cold, and North Wind, that hurts and 
chaps the Lips, whole contexture of covering is of so great Tenuity and 
Tenderness; and the lower Lip is sometimes cleft in twain , where the 
two extremities of the Muscles end. 
2. Dryness and stretching out are made from vapours hot and dry, 
ascending thither either from the Stomach or Head; this happens in 
Feavers. 
3. From Humours, there is extuberancy, soreness and itching; 
which Humours being sharp, are cast down from the Head; or salt and 
sharp Humours do arise from the lower parts by the Oesophagus, and are 
translated to the Lips. 
It comes to Women marriageable from dryness of their Womb, 
and

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 277 
and to Infants from hardness of the Teats they suck; or from hotter 
Milk, Poysons, &c. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. If from cold and wind, ’tis known by relation of the Affected.  
2. If it proceeds from driness of the Womb in leacherous Women, 
then the fissures are not very deep, not very frequently made, not hard, 
nor are they hot, or itch. 
3. If from dryness alone, and want of moisture, there is no sticking; 
Feavers sometimes, or an hot constitution of the Body, and dry, is pre- 
sent; dust also, or the like, preceded. 
4. If from Humours, the Lips are more sticking; if they be more 
hot, there is greater itching, and deepness of the chaps. 
From Cuts or Poysons as Cantharides, or hardness of the Teats that 
Infants suck, the relation of the party diseased, and them about them, 
can relate.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From Nativity, they are difficulty cured; if adventitious more easily, 
unless they degenerate cancerous: In some Feavers they are Critical, 
and argue thinness of the Humour; if they be not well ordered or look- 
ed to, they may prove ulcerous, otherwise commonly they onely smart 
sometimes, and are not handsome to the sight; Sometimes they last 
long.  
CURE. 
In Cure, We must respect the Cause: As, 
1. IF from dryness, whether made and induced from internal or ex- 
ternal Causes; we must moisten, give inwardly Apples, Cucumbers, 
&c. Outwardly to the Lips, apply Mucilages, the fat exstilling from 
wooden Kitchin Spoons fried in the fire, Goose and Capon-Grease, 
Marrow of Oxe shanks; or this Liniment of greatest force, ꝶ of the 
Mucilages of Fleawort and Quince-seed, of each ℥ß Lycium, ʒij. Juyce 
of Housleek, Oyl of sweet Almonds, of each ℥j. Yolk of an Egg, ℥ß.  
beat all into a Liniment, which is to be used in all Causes, as most ef- 
fectual; Juyce of Crabfish with Cream. 
2. If from hot and sharp Humours, we must take them away, purge, 
and let Blood, and intercept their course to the Lips, the part offen- 
dent being first found out. 
We must use Topicks, cooling, lenifying, and agglutinative; the 
fume of Henbane-seeds is held marvellous; Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, 
and of Wax also, excel: Grease of a Capon, Oyl of Roses, Tallow, 
Oyl of Wheat, Mucilage of Tragacanth, &c. are useable; an Oynt- 
ment of Rosin of the Fir-Tree, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, and Juyce of 
Henbane is very good. 
If

278 Of the Diseases of 
If in Children from sucking hard Nipples, anoint their Lips with the 
fat fried from a Spoon that is used about Grease, with Oyl of sweet Al- 
monds, and Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, which is best, also Oyl of 
Wax. 
All must eschew the outward air, keep the Lips inward; fly hot, dry 
and sharp things, and hold moist things in the mouth. 
CHA. XXI. 
Of Hare-Lips, or Cloven-Lips. 
HAre-Lips, or Clefts of the Lips, are called by the Latins Labia 
Leporima, Rostra Leporlna, or Leporis, or Fissura Labrorum, by the 
Germans Hasenschart, Tis whenas from vice in conformation, the 
Lips do not cohere, or joyn unitely. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is from the Birth, from the Womans imagination at time 
of Conception, who then either saw an Hare, or some what else so af- 
fected; or longed to eat thereof, and could not have it. 
Sometimes accidentally such fissures are made in the Nose or Ears, 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences hereof are onely as to the magnitude; for some are lit- 
tle, some very great, wherein there seems as if a piece of flesh was ta- 
ken away. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Evil is better born sometimes than the Remedy; ’tis dangerous 
in Children that suck to use Chyrurgery, also to old men, and Hydro- 
picks, where we may fear a Cancer therefrom, and very bad scars are 
left after Chyrurgery.
CURE. 
Cure is by Chyrurgery, the Patient must be aptly placed, then the 
skin of the dissited and gaping Lip must be cut off with a Penknife on 
either side of its gap, then conjoyn the Lip that is so excoriated, and 
with a Needle and Thread, while it is yet bleeding, make future of it, 
and so let the Thread hold the parts together till they grow together na- 
turally, which in eight or nine days it often doth; after this, draw out 
the Thread, and use Astringents to anoint it; the fat that fries out of 
Wooden Kitchin Spoons (that have been used about fat and dripping)
being

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 791 
being laid in the fire, Oyl of Wax, of Eggs, &c. correct excrescent 
flesh, and lastly induce a Cicatrice: Oyl of Eggs is said to take away 
the Deformity of the Scar made by Chyrurgery. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Lividity, Paleness, Blackness or Blewness of the Lips. 
LIvor is a paleness, or a blackness and blewness happening to the Lips. 
from fear, and sudden frights and passions, or from an evil dispo- 
sition of the Bowels, and Blood infected. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be done by Paints, as of Spanish Red, of Madder-Roots, 
and Aukanet-Roots; by rubbing them with a piece of Sheep-skin dyed 
red, or steeped in a Decoction of red Sanders, with Gum Arabick, made 
in Aqua-Vitæ, 
Chalybeates are to be taken inwardly. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are taken from Causes: For, 
1. One is from fear, sudden frights, and moving of Passions, Wrath, 
&c. whereby the Blood flows back to the Center, and they ceasing, it 
returns, and the colour is restored again. 
2. It happens to Women, 1. Labouring with the Green-Sickness: 
2. With the pale Colours or white Flux of Menstrues, both which be- 
ing cured, it ceases. 
3. From an evil disposition of the Bowels, the Lips want their pure 
ruddy colour, as in Cachecticks; 2. This evil disposition is seated va- 
riously in parts; sometimes in the Liver, sometimes in the Spleen, 
and sometimes in the mouth of the Stomach, affcting from communion 
of parts, even as we see trembling of the Lips in a fit of vomiting. 
4. Lividity of the Lips sometimes happens in continual Feavers, 
which is a deadly sign, and shews extinction of native heat. 
5. and 6. From Elephantiasis or the French Pox, which being cured, 
it ceases.
CHAP. 

280 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XXIII. 
Of Mouth-Writhing, or convulsion of the Face. 
WRithing of the Mouth, or a Convulsion of the Jaws, arises 
from a depraved motion of the Muscles or Nerves, drawing 
awry the Mouth and Skin of the Face. 
NAMES. 
It is called Spasmus Cynicus, from the figure of distortion of the mouth, 
which is like to the grinning of angry or mad Dogs; and is called by 
the Latins, Canina Convulsio, a Dog-like Convulsion. 
Some call it Risus Sardonius, from the Herb Sardia, which is called 
Batrachium, and of some Apium Risus, because those that take thereof 
have their Mouths pulled awry, and distorted, and seem to laugh dy- 
ing: It is mort commonly called Tortura Oris, signifying a simple draw- 
ing awry, or distortion of the Mouth.
CAUSE.
Its Cause is from resolution of the Muscle of the Jaw, or Muscles of 
the Face, or the stock of Nerves spread over the Face, affected; or the 
Nerves of the third or fifth Conjugation, or those that descend from 
the first Vertebra's of the Neck, or from the Spinal Marrow betwixt the 
second and third Vertebra, brought from Causes cooling, as in those that 
remain in a cold Air, and windy, after sweating or obstruction of the 
Nerves. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Distincton is to be made betwixt Tortura Oris, Spasmus Cynicus, and 
Risus Sardoneus; as also twixt a Paralitick and Convulsive Motion: 
For, 
1. Tortura Oris, or a drawing awry of the Mouth, which is more 
simple, comes from the broad Muscle of the Mouth affected, wherein 
is stretching out of the Mouth; sometimes the upper Lip is drawn to- 
wards the Eye, from the Nerve of the third pair being hurt, which also 
causes the drawing awry of the Cheeks and adjacent Skin, because the 
affected part draws the sound; the Nose, Eyes, and half the Face, are 
distorted, whenas the Brain is half affected. 
Spasmus Cynicus, or Caninus, is whenas the whole Face is drawn con- 
vulsively from the Propago, or set of Nerves spread over the face affected.
Risus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 281 
Rlsus Sardoneus is such a contraction of the Muscles that the Skin is 
drawn up and distended, as is wont in them that laugh, and the party 
seems to laugh. 
SIGNS. 
General Signes are taken from a Convulsion, wherein the found parts 
are drawn by the affected parts; there is often pain foregoing, a numb- 
ness of the Skin, and beating; in a Palsey the affected part is drawn to 
the sound obliquely, the use of the Teeth is spoiled, they cannot draw 
their mouth to laugh, nor pronounce the Letter O; the Eye-lid falls 
down from resolution of the forces, and strength of the parts; the face 
loosens and flats downwards, and is not drawn in wrinkles, as from a 
Convulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is not easily cured, and threatens Epilepsies, Palsies, Apoplexies, 
and Death especially, if prolonged; or if it supervened a Palsey of the 
whole, or a general Convulsion; if it be strong and convulsive, it is 
deadly from the matter translated to the Brain, and Death arrests them 
sometimes ere five days expire, sometime not in ten days: The Body 
free from Feavers, Head-Diseases, and strong, and the Disease fresh, 
and the face but in the half part affected, we may draw from hence some 
hopes of Cure, and that they may cease sooner, and sometimes spon- 
taneously, or of Natures own accord. 
CURE. 
In Cure it is requisite to consider the part affected, whether Convul- 
sively or Paralitickly, by what Nerves or Muscles affected, and whence 
those have their Root and Original. 
We may proceed in its Cure much after the same Order as for gene- 
ral Spasms and Palseys, the part peculiarly respected: A Clister there- 
fore premised, we may prepare the matter with such as are prescribed 
in the Chapter of Palseys and Convulsions; then purge the Brain with 
strong Cephalick Pills and Phlegmagogues: if there be fulness, open- 
ing of a Vein, first in the Arm, secondly in the Tongue, is approved; 
Cuppers may be applied to the Neck; Internals, Nervals and Cephali- 
cals are good, as were directed for Palseys and Convulsions; Mastica- 
tories, Gargarisms, and Collutions of the Mouth are useful; Troches 
also may be held under the Tongue, made in form of Lupines, of Pel- 
letory of Spain, with Castoreum, Gum Bdellium, Pepper, Mustard-seed, 
and Aqua-Vitæ; Vapours from convenient Decoctions may be received 
into the face. 
Anointing of the Face, and Head, and Nape of the Neck, specially 
N n the

282 Of the Diseases of 
the Roots of the Nerves affected, to the Vertebra's of the Neck for 
from the second and third do arise the Nerves moving the Jaws: ꝶ Oyl 
of Been, of Castor, of each ℥j. Pelletory of Spain, Sage, Rosemary Cow- 
slips, Rheu, of each ʒj make a Liniment. 
ꝶ of Bettony, Sage, Rosemary, Couslips, Bay-leaves, Eldern, Or- 
gany, Calamint, Fleabane, of each an equal quantity; put them, being 
reduced into Powder, into Linnen interwoven, spiinkled with Spirit 
of Wine, and heat hot, after anointing, apply it to the whole Face, 
or that half of it that is distorted. 
Some use Ligatures to draw it strait from the opposite part to the 
overthwart part. It is not accounted a Disease, but onely a figure vi- 
tiated; the Cramp it self being onely a Symptom of the Matrix-facul- 
ty hurt. 
If the upper Lip be drawn upwards towards the Eye, the Nerve of the 
third pair there affected, Being cut a little below its compass, it is heal- 
ed. 
CHAP. XXIV. 
Of Stuttering, Stammering, or defect of right Pronuntiation.  
STuttering, stammering, and lisping, are defects of right pronuntia- 
tion of Words and Syllables, called by the Latins Balbuties and 
Blæsitas arising from several Causes. 
CAUSES.
As, 1. Palsey of the Tongue, where the Cause lies in the Nerves, 
being obstructed by a moist pituitous matter, or viscid Flegm, or relaxa- 
ted or overcooled therefrom, then motion of the Tongue hurt from the 
Nerves of the seventh pair or Cunjugation being hurt: See more of 
this in the Chapter of a Palsey of the Tongue. 
2. A Ranula or Tumour under the Tongue, called the Bond or Li- 
gature, whereby Childrens Tongues are bound so straitly that their 
speech is impedited there from; and it is wont to be taken away by Mid- 
wives with their Nails, whereby right Pronuntiation and Speaking is af- 
terward procured: See for better information herein the Chapter of 
Ranula, 
3. Too great moisture, or a moist distemper making the Tongue more 
soft and loose, so that it exercises not its motion; this happens to Chil- 
dren from their Nativity, who cannot pronounce R;  yet by growth com- 
monly

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 283 
monly that superfluous Humidity is spent; but if that moist Distemper 
still continue, so long they stutter or speak imperfectly: This happens 
also to elder People from Drunkenness, or deflux of Catarrhs, and Rheu- 
matick Distillation, which are sooner acquitted again; but worse, if 
the same Distemper be in the Brain. 
4. From too great siccity or dryness of the Tongue, whereby speech 
is vitiated, coming often in Feavers. 
5. From solution of Continuition, as Wounds and Ulcers.  
6. From magnitude, 1.Encreased, hindering its motion, which is 
either from natural Conformation, or a swelling of the Tongue preter- 
natural; which swelling is either with or without Inflamation: See 
more of this in the Chapter of a Tumour of the Tongue. 2. Lessened, 
which also is made either by ill Conformation , or Accidents, as 
Wounds, Ulcers, hard Cicatrices, &c. which shorten and lessen the 
Tongue. 
7. From fault in the Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe, being the Pipe 
by which both natural and vocal respiration is put forth; also from con- 
striction or obstruction of the clefts of the Larinx, is made ill utte- 
rance. 
8. The Uvula, or Gargareon, being either defective, or the natural 
situation or bigness of it changed, being very instrumental to forming 
the voice, causeth imperfect pronuntiation. 
9. Vocal Respiration obstructed or mutilated, we cannot speak clear- 
ly and perfectly; this is made either from stopping of the breath sud- 
denly from suffocation, or Tumours in the Jaws, or it is changed and 
mutilated from weakness, Whence they cease to speak, and it is called 
Aphonia: See the Chapter of Aphonia, or Dumbness. 
10. Those that are born Fools, and infatuated from their Birth, 
speak not plain; which may be supposed to arise from too great moi- 
sture in the Tongue and Brain, effecting too great flexibility thereof
SIGNS. 
Signs both Diagnostical and Prognostical, are gathered from the pre- 
cedent several Causes. 
DIFFERENCES are four-fold: 
1. The first is called Aphonia, or Dumbness, wherein they speak not 
at all. 
2. The second is called Balbuties and Blæsitas, or a stuttering and stam- 
mering, wherein Words and Sentences are not rightly uttered, and 
they cannot pronounce some Letters, as R, or in others K and T. 
N n 2  3. The

284 Of the Diseases of 
3. The third is Hæsitantia Lingua, wherein they cannot bring out all 
the word, or that very drawlingly. 
4. The fourth is Antidoglosser, called Tongue-ty’dness, from short- 
ness of the Tongue, and is peculiar to Children. 
CURE. 
If from defect of parts, that cannot be restored; it is incurable.
From a Palsey, and Ranula under the Tongue, see their Cures in 
their proper Chapters. 
From Tumours, also Wounds and Ulcers of the Tongue or Jaws, seek 
their Cure in their proper places; and they being cured, this Affect 
ceaseth. 
From natural Conformation, whether the Tongues be too thick, or 
too short, it is not curable. 
Moisture indicates drying, and Dryness moistening; if flegmatick 
impacted Humours hinder vocal Respiration, they must be attenuated 
and excussed, the Brain must be dried and stengthened; little Lozen- 
ges in form of Lupines are held under the Tongue, made of Sage, Mu- 
stard, and Rheu-seeds, Lavender and Rocket-seeds, with Mucilage of 
Gum Tragacanth to embody them, also Gargarisms of Spirit of black 
Cherries, Spirit of Wine wherein have been steeped Lillies of the Val- 
leys; Frictions of the Tongue also, with Sage-leaves, Couslips, and 
Lavender: It is said that to rub Childrens Tongues with Salt Gem and 
Honey, makes them speak presently. 
CHAP. XXV. 
Of a Palsey of the Tongue.
A Palsey of the Tongue is an abolition of its actions and speaking, 
induced from the Nerves, resolved. 
CAUSE. 
Cause arises from relaxation, obstruction, or refrigeration of the 
Nerves, which if they be of the seventh Conjugation, there is a Pal- 
sey of the whole Tongue, and motion totally perished: These Nerves 
come from the Brain, near to the beginning of the Spinalis Medulla, or 
Back-Marrow, and are carried to the Muscles moving the Tongue, which 
being hurt as before,or wounded, the motion of the Tongue is depraved 
or abolished and is well called a Palsey.
More-

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 285 
Moreover, a Palsey is sometime lateral, as of the right or left side; 
Taste is also spoiled from the Nerves of the third pair affected.
SIGN. 
Signes are taken from motion hurt, from vice in speaking, and taste 
hurt, which sometimes is safe if the Nerves of the third pair be unhurt; 
sometimes all, sometimes but half the Tongue is paralitick; the Tongue 
looks red, and seems to be hot, at other times cooler and moister; there 
are sometimes present signes of a cold distemper of the Brain, and it 
sometimes succeeds to Apoplexies. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In more aged People, in Apoplectick, or those that are generally 
Paralitick; from a distemper of the Brain, tis more dangerous and more 
hardly cured, and if an Apoplexie hath not precaded, nor is present, 
there is great danger that it will ensue. 
In a lateral Palsey of the Tongue, and in youth and flourishiing habits, 
tis better, and some hopes there is of Cure. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be begun with Catharticks, wherewith specifical Cephalicks 
are admixt to carry their force to the Head; general sweaters 
are then to be insisted upon; Salt of Pearls is given to x. gr. in Malmsey; 
Black-Cherry-Water, Oyl of Rosemary, &c. are commended: this 
Pouder serves best to dry and strengthen the Brain and Nerves, ꝶ: of 
Castor, Pirethrum, of each ʒss. Marjoram, Sage, Lavender, Spike, Be- 
tony, Stæchas, of each ʒj. Cloves, Nutmegs, of each ℈j. Sugar to the 
weight of all, make an exquisite fine Pouder, whereof ʒj. may be ta- 
ken every morning in Black-Cherry or Sage-Water, except on those 
mornings we interpose some purging Apozem, or the like. 
Topicals: To shake off and extract the Humours, and free the Nerves 
from obstruction by impacted Humours, and strengthen them, are very 
effectual and commodious, 
1. Gargarisms of Juyce of Sage, of Oximel of Squills, and Oyl 
drawn from Mustard-seed; of Decoctions of sweet Marjoram, Sage, 
Lavender, or Spike, Organy, Cloves, &c. with Spirit of Castor, are ve- 
ry profitably and commodiously used. 
2. Lupines, or little flat Cakes held under the Tongue, there to 
melt by continuance of time, made of Mucilage of Tragacanth, Pulpe 
of Mustard-seed, Rocket-seed, Sage, Pelletory of Spain, Wood-Sage, 
and the like, are useful and effectual. 
3. Rub

286 Of the Diseases of 
3. Rub the Tongue with Sage-Leaves, Rocket-seeds bruised, To- 
bacco, or lay upon it Oyl of Anniseeds, of Cloves, and Spirit of Black- 
Cherries. 
4. The Neck or place of the Original of the Nerves must be anoin- 
ted with Aqua-Vitæ, and Spirit of Castor: Some use Vesicatories to 
the hinder part of the Head; and Avicen applies a Cupping-Glass 
under the Chin; Cucupha’s and Errhines are also useful. 
To recover Speech, Spirit of Black-Cherries, Juyce of Sage, and 
Primroses gargarised, are greatly applauded; so are the Flowers of Val- 
ley-Lillies distilled in Wine. See more in Aphonia. 
There is another Disease of the Tongue, called by the Germans, De 
Braun and it is a great swelling thereof, with blackness, ruggedness, and 
dryness; with it also is a Delirium, Insanies, and light-headedness, a 
Disease not mentioned by the ancient Authors, but cometh nearest to 
that of Paulas Ægineta, called an Erisypelas of the Brain: It comes 
familiarly to Souldiers, that lie in Camps in the open and cold raw air. 
CURE. 
After generals, as opening a Vein under the Tongue, Purging, &c. if 
it seem requisite, a Gargarism of Decoction of Prunella, or Self-heal 
in Water, a little Vinegar added, is the best Remedy, and held very 
certain for the Cure hereof. 
CHAP. XXVI. 
Of the Frog, or Infants Ligature of their Tongue. 
DEFINITION.
BAtrachos in Greek, Ranula, and by some Ranunculus in Latine, is a 
Tumour of soft flesh risen under the Tongue, referring the form 
or a Frog, to which as to a girt or band the Tongue adheres, causing im- 
pediment in speech. 
CAUSE. 
It arises from viscid and pituitous Blood, flowing thither and stirring 
up a soft Tumour: sometimes 'tis only a fleshy excrescence without an 
humour.  
SIGNS. 
1. As to its Figure; It is like a Frog, thence called Rana and Ranu- 
la, for the rift in the middle separating the right part of the Tumour 
from

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth and Lips. 287 
from the left, the hinder part in figure and colour resembles a Frog. 
2. As to its Substance; It is much of the nature of Oedema some- 
times, sometimes like to Atheroma and Steatoma. 1. Because it is in- 
volved in a Bag or Follicle; 2. Because the matter within is like to 
the matter of these, or more nearly resembles both in colour and con- 
sistence the white of an Egg; therein also sometime hath a stone been 
found. 
3. As to its Magnitude and bigness, it is seen under the Tongue in 
bigness of a Bean or Chesnut; sometimes it grows so great that it co- 
vers the Teeth, and the Mouth will hardly hold it, and induces great 
danger of suffocation, and seems like another Tongue, the veines under 
the Tongue being so mightily extuberated, and puffed up also, from 
the abundance of a muddy viscous pituit fallen from the Head. 
4. As to the Effects and concomitant Accidents: As, 1. They can- 
not speak plain not clearly, but croakingly like Frogs, because the 
Tongue is not stretched forth duely, but held down, and kept straiter 
and shorter then is requisite to speaking. 2. The Tongue is found 
lifted up more or less according to the growth or bigness of the Tumour. 
3. There is sometimes present Inflammation, sometimes danger of 
Choaking or Suffocation, where 'tis very great, sometime it is Cancerous. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The greater the more dangerous, it is often mortal, both from Suf- 
focation, which it may bring if it be the greater, and near the tough Ar- 
tery and Laxinx, and also a Quinzy that it may bring to elder People. 
CHAP. XXVII. 
Of a Tumour or Increment of the Tongues. 
IT is divided variously, for one is an only distension and enlarging of 
it from a plenteous aliment, so that it is neither Erisypelas, nor Scir-
rhus, nor Oedema: It is without pain; sometime it is less at night, than 
in the morning; herein the Tongue is sometime black or livid from the 
blood being cold. It is to be cured by evacuation as a Phlegmone and 
Repulsion, a cloth dipt in Juyce of Lettice and laid upon the Tongue; 
other coolers and repellers of nourishment are also convenient. 
2. Another is a carnous Swelling, or fleshy increment of the Tongue, 
made from superfluous flesh, which had its rise from vitious excre- 
ments, and a pituitous Superfluous alimentary matter; Preparatives 
premi-

288 Of the Diseases of 
premised, if curable, we may expect most from Chyrurgery. 
3. Another is from Blood, and is an inflammation of the Tongue, 
whose Cure is described in the Chapter of Inflammation of the 
Tongue. 
4. Another is from deflux of a pituitous matter, and then it is Oedema, 
or a softer and loose Tumour, according as the matter is thicker or thin- 
ner, moister or more dry: If it be Oedematous, Cure is as Oedema; if a 
soft and loose Tumour, we may open the Sublinguar Veines, purge and 
revulse, use resolving and ptarmick Gargarisms, some using scarrifica- 
tion, have cured by flowing forth of the swelling matter. 
5. Another is Erisypelatous from Choller, wherein is Inflamation, 
and for which, see the Chapter of Inflamation of the Tongue. 
6. Another is Scirrhous, from Atrabilis: Cure it as a Scirrh. 
7. Another is Cancrous, wherein is small hopes of Curing; and pu- 
trifaction coming at the Root of the Tongue, or a flux of Blood in 
Tongues eroded, the Sick die. 
8. Another is from the French-Pox, anointings with Quicksilver, 
poysonous and venemous funges: Shun Purges in this, and use specifi- 
calls; wash with Juyce of Plantane, Scabious and Lemons; if it be of 
the nature of Oedema, use Remedies fit for an Oedematous swelling; if 
it be great, we must beware lest it bring danger of Suffocation. 
Some have their Tongues remain without their Mouthes, and this 
progress of it may be called the falling out of the Tongue, and hurts 
chiefly by deforming. 
I knew a Gentlewoman in London, Sifter to one that married my 
Cousin, that if a lock of hair that hung out of her hood behind her Head 
( which she shewed me when she told me the reason ) was put up under 
her Hood, or in her Head-clothes, with the rest of her hair, she could 
not shut her mouth, so that she alwayes wore this little brown lock hang- 
in down behind: I told her it could not be according to the course of 
Nature, there could be no natural cause for it; if so, it must be superna- 
tural; and if so, by the Devils Agents, Witches, which we could shew 
by divers other Histories and Relations, and Reasons, but they are im- 
pertinent here; she those of two evils the least, rather to have her lock 
of hair not very long, hanging without, than to go with her mouth open, 
but I never asked her why she cut it not off; I suppose she suffered it 
not to grow at length, being shorter than commonly womens hair is by 
farre.
CHAP.


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 289  
CHAP. XXVIII. 
Of an Ægylops. 
AN Ægylopsli a little Tubercle situated betwixt the bone of the 
Nose and the greater corner of the Eye, which before it be broke 
is called Anchylops, and breaking, turns Fistulous, and is called Fistula 
Lacrymalis: The Arabians call it Caræb.
CAUSE 
Arises from vitious humours falling from the Head, which are either 
more watry or thick, muddy and virulent, driven to the corner of the 
Eye, and there seeking a passage, but being retained they putrify, and 
rot also the bone, effecting also a cavity, wherein, being broke, is a fi- 
stulous Ulcer. 
SIGNS. 
It is a little Tubercle or Prominence betwixt the root of the Nose 
and corner of the Eye, reddish, and equally molesting at all times, con- 
ceiving within it a cavity, and breaking, turns a Fistula. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from a more slow and thick humour, is contained in a bag 
or skin in form of pap and honey mixt, together, effecting no solution 
of continuity, that opens not, but is taken away by Section, and turns 
not Fistulous; which the Latines call Abscessus Ocularis, and the Greeks 
Anchylopa and Anchylops. 
2. Another from effusion of a serous blood from adjacent veins, 
driven forth by blows, or the like, conceiving Inflamation and pain; 
and breaking, turns an hollow Ulcer or Fistula, wherein sometimes the 
Bone is corrupted, and then it is called Ægylops. 
In this also be differences, for some be benign, others cancrous, 
wherein touch doth much irritate; the colour of them is pale and livid, 
the veins appear full and ill coloured. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Anchylopa is better than Ægylopa; tis the worse if Inflamation and 
corruption of the bone be present, tis incurable if cancerated; the 
worse also the more deeply it is seated: a Fistula is bad to heal, and like 
to prove a Cronical Affect, yet the fresher the better, the farther off 
O o of

290 Of the Diseases of &c. 
of the Eye the better; through nearness to which, and tenuity of the 
bones of the Nose, it is most to be feared; the continual affluxes of the 
Matter also, and motion of the Eye, hinders its drying up, and healing. 
CURE. 
Cure is by Revulsion and Repulsion, if not yet ulcerated; if it be ul- 
cerated, dilate the Ulcer, put in a Tent of Gentian-root, deterge and 
mundifie. Some use Astringents for repressing the defluent humours, 
which others dislike, and use resolving and maturating Topicks, the Pus 
is all to be crushed out and then use Topicks, the Collyry of Rhasis, ꝶ 
of Aloes, Frankincense, ℥i. Sarcocol, Dragons-blood, Balaustians, Al- 
lom, Crude-Antimony, of each ʒi Verdigrease xv. graines, with Eye- 
bright-water, make a Collyry. Discussers are to be used, as Rhue boyl- 
ed in Lee; rank Nuts and Saffron boild in Alica the Juyce of Festuca or 
St. Peters Corn, is thought by a propriety to help, so also is the Milk of 
Almonds. 
SYMPTOMES. 
Before it be consolidated we must look to the Symptomes: 1. Infla- 
mation is to be cautioned, for which repellers, letting blood, &c, 
are useful. 2. Hinder its turning Cancerous; where revulsion is good, 
an actual Cautery, or touching it with oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol. 3. Look 
to the Bone, if that be rotted or corrupted, scale it. Causticks (as a Pou- 
der of Verdigrease, Festuca, Myrrh, and Gentian roots) are usefull, dila- 
tation of the Ulcer being first made, also an actual Cautery. 4. If a 
Callows grow, take that away by Corrosives and Chyrurgery; then use 
Sarcoticks and Cicatrizers: See a Fistula of the weeping flesh.
Of 


291 
OF THE 
Diseases of the Lungs 
THese three Distempers, Hoarsness, 
Catarrh, and Asthma, were writ 
long since, compiled from the 
best Authors, compared and laid 
together, all things of moment 
that were not in one, We extra- 
cted from others, and from all 
abjected what was most unne- 
cessary: Our precedent Discourse of the Lungs and 
their Diseases, will shew what these want: Here the 
Readers may see the Rules and Method of the Antients, 
and compare them. We endeavoured to draw out all 
the choice Specificals, and appropriated Medicines 
that ease the Symptom, and do good in all Causes  
so that if the Antients were mistook in the Causes, yet 
in those open Affect the Medicines are prevalent, and 
being found out by sure Experience, never fail.
O o 2 CHAP. 

292 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Hoarsness. 
HOarsness is a Depravation of the Voice, from an Hu- 
mour falling upon the Wind-Pipe, and making of it 
rough. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a defluxion of Rheumatick Humours from the Head to 
the sharp Artery, or Winde-pipe, made either through cold weakening 
the retensive faculty of the Brain, or heat dissolving and pouring forth 
Humours, whose collection and generation came from moistening Cau- 
ses, or airy Exhalations from the Stomach, which turned to a waterish 
matter which preceded, and were either from too much Drink, Wines, 
Bathes, moistening Meats, and raw Fruits, and other things, sending 
many moist Vapours to the Head. 
SIGNS. 
There needs no Signs to be set down whereby to know it, onely to 
distinguish twixt an hot and cold Cause; which are, if the Head be hot, 
if the Defluxion be more sharp, if the Nose and Face look red, and the 
Party perceives the Head hotter than accustomedly it used to be; and 
if heating Causes preceded and went before, we know it is from an hot 
Distemper, and heating Causes; if the contrary Signs to thesebe pre- 
sent, we may well guess they have taken cold, either being bare-headed, 
or by Clamours, whereby the Mouth was long kept open, and cold air 
drawn in.
CURE. 
In Cure, it is good, 1. To prevent a Feaver in an hot Cause: 2. To 
concoct and thicken the Humour for expulsion, which is done by Pecto- 
rals: As, ꝶ of Maiden-Hair, Liquorish, Figs, Jujubes, of each equal 
parts, boyl them in Water, and adde Syrup of Violets and Poppies, of 
each what may seem sufficient to sweeten the Clarified Liquor. 
After this, purge with Cephalick Pills and lastly, dry the Brain. 
Medi- 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 293 
Medicines that respect the Symptom, and that besides their faculty 
of lenifying the roughness of the Wind-Pipe, and the tickling sharpness 
of the Rheum, do by a propriety help, are these: ꝶ of Juyce pressed 
from green Liquorish, ℥j. Juyce of Sage ℥Ss with Sugar boil it sy-
rup; then adde Storax, Calamitis, Myrrh, Gum Tragacanth, Saffron, of 
each ʒj. make hereof a Lohoch, to be often licked of with a Liquorish 
Stick, suffering it to melt and slip down by degrees. 
Or, ꝶ Leaves of the Fig-Tree, Five-leav’d-Grass, of mss. Seeds 
of Srubb-thlaspeos, Dropwort-Roots, of each ʒij. Poppy and Violet- 
Flowers, of each Pug. 1. boyl them in Water, then strain them, and 
adde to the Liquor Sugar for the boyling of it up into a Syrup; Gum 
of the Cherry-Tree dissolved in Wine, Mucilage of Quince, and Psyl- 
lium-Seeds in honied Water, are also very proper for Hoarsness. 
This is much praised, ꝶ of Spirit of Sack, ℥ss make it as thick with 
Sugar-Candy, as a thick Eclegma, or Lohoch, and take thereof often; 
but in an hot Distemper Oyl of sweet Almonds so thickned with Sugar- 
Candy, and a Decoction of Penny. Royal well sweetened, is of great 
account with some. 
Hartmanus saith, If it be from Cold, a a Draught of good Wine well tempered 
with Sugar, takes it away. 
Rondeletius saith, To clear the Voice there is nothing better than to use fre- 
quently our Pills Benjonum, or this, which (saith he) helps in all Hoars- 
nesses, from what Cause soever; ꝶ Conserve of Violets, ℥j. fresh But- 
ter and Milk drawn from Almonds, of each ℥ij. Meal of Orobus, ℥ss. 
Tragacanth, and Penedies, of each ʒjss. mix all together into form of a 
Lohoch. 
CHAP. II. 
Of a Catarrh or Distillation of Rheum. 
CAtarrhos is a Symptom of things cast out, being a Flux of Rheum 
falling from the Head upon the subjected parts, arising from Cold 
or Fulness. 
SUBJECT.   
A Catarrh is taken for a Defluxion of Waterish and Rheumatick Hu- 
mours upon any part, as upon the Jaws and rough Artery, into the Nose, 
Ears, &c. Eyes; but here it is specially taken for a deflux upon the Lungs.
CAUSE. 

294 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CAUSE.
Cause is effectual in the Brain, which either weakened in its reten- 
tive, or irritated in its expulsive faculty, cast forth, or lets fall such se- 
rous Humours upon the lower parts: Causes hereof are either remote 
or nigh; remote are such as engender plenty of such a matter and se- 
rous Blood, such be all vaporous things, and moistening Causes, as im- 
moderate drinking, Bathes, Wines, Apples, and crude Things in the 
Stomach, which either sends vapours to the Head, or the Head draws 
them from thence, by immoderate heat in it. 
Or, an hot Distemper of the Liver, or Obstruction of it, cause a Ca- 
tarrhous Matter to be heaped up in the Head; from an hot Liver, an hot 
Matter is sent, and is the Cause of an hot Catarrh; from Obstruction 
are those Humours also forced upwards, that were wont to have their 
passage downwards in their proper Channels, which may happen in a cold 
state of the Liver, and where heat in the Head more forcibly attracts; 
the same is also from obstruction of the Spleen and Courses. 
Or distemper of the Head, which if cold, it first repells not Hu- 
mours and crude Vapours sent thither; secondly concocts not that ex- 
crementitious pituitous matter, from coldness and weakness: The south 
Air and rainy Weather cause it, as Sect. 3. Aphor. 5. 
Nigh, are such as weaken the retentive, as cold Air, or cooling Cau- 
ses; or move the expulsive, as heat, and plenty of the matter, or sharp- 
ness of it.  
SIGNS. 
General Signs are heaviness of the Head and Senses, dulness of the 
Sight and Hearing, often Sneezing, a sense of the Humour distilling, 
which is sometimes more sharp, other times milder; sometimes salt 
and flegmatick, sometimes fresh, and coloured like Saffron, and trou- 
bles the Eyes, Nose, Jaws, and Lungs too sometimes, whence a Cough 
is raised. 
Particular are taken from Difference of Causes: For, 
1. One is from Plethory, where antecedent Causes were such as fil- 
led the Head with Vapours, or Humours, and comes by consent, as 
from Liver, Spleen, Courses stopt, and Stomach, and then there are 
Signs of those parts, evil affected, and obstructed; or from Crudity, 
Drunkenness, an Aquitonian constitution of the Air that preceded; 
may easily be known also by a sense of distention and fulness in the 
Head. 
2. Another from heat, or a hot distemper of the Head, which is 
known, 1. By heat perceived in the Head, both by the Patients sense, 
and

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 295
and also by feeling to it. 2. The Humour is more thin, hot and sharp, 
so that the Nose thereby is sometimes exulcerated, the Face and Nose 
be red, and sometime a Feaver follows. 
3. Another from cold, which is indicated by taking cold, either by 
being bare-headed, or too much conversant in cold windy Air, also by 
absence of heat; the Humour is more thick and flegmatick, obstruct- 
ing the Ethmoid-Bones, and causing hoarsness of the Voice, and a 
greater sense of heaviness and distension in the Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is familiar to Winter, and not dangerous; unless, 
1. It be joyned with Headach, and a Feaver. 
2. Or be more frequent, and happens to moist and Catarrhous Con- 
stitutions. 
3 If they run with violence, called Choaking Catarrhs, wherein is 
danger of Suffocation, falling in so plenteous and preposterous a mea- 
sure and manner upon the Lungs and sharp Artery. 
4. In Old men, for there they admit no Concoction, for their Bo- 
dies be cold. 
DYET. 
As touching Dyet, and things to be observed, note the Cause; for 
in a Cold Cause all cooling things are hurtful, as Dyet or Air cooling 
actually or potentially, North Winds: In an hot Cause, a cooling Dyet 
and Air is good, South Winds hurtful, Vexations of Mind, Watching, 
&c. bad. 
Generally note, 
1. To esehew moistening Dyet, and too much sleep. 
2. Vaporous things, as Garlick, Mustatd, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Onyons, Wine, and strong Odours. 
3. What ever things accumulating or dissolving Humours, as chang- 
ing of the temper of the Head from Heat to Cold, Baths, the Sun and 
Venery are hurtful; let him sleep most upon his Belly, that so the mat- 
ter may the more readily break out by the Nostrils.
CURE. 
In Cure, First, The matter is to be prepared not with Incidents and 
Detergents, but Thickners and Concocters, which at first are to be 
more weak; rest and sleep moderate help much. 
2. Let Blood if the Liver be hot, if the Body be full and Sanguine, 
if Pleurisies and Quinzies be endangered therefrom, or a Feaver, which 
enkindles the Humours; or if the Head be hot, letting Blood is 
good 

296 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
good to hinder its drawing more to it; otherwise omit Phlebo- 
tomy. 
3. Purge the matter by Apozems, not too strong, least the matter be 
too much agitated; not too often, (Corroboraters interposed) lest they 
be over-weakened; in a thicker and more remote matter Phlegmagogues 
in form of Pills may be used. 
4. Pull back, derive, and turn away the flux, Frictions and Ligatures 
to the Extremities, Cupping-Glasses to the Buttocks, Setaces, Cau- 
sticks behind the Ears: Arculanus applied Causticks to the Crown, and 
by the sores drew forth much matter; but Septalius saith, Cauteries to 
the Coronal Suture are evil, and by experience we never find good ef- 
fects therefrom, but the Membranes, Veins, Nerves, and Fibra’s are 
inflamed therefrom; Revulsion is also made by Clisters, Errhines, Gar- 
garisms, Apophlegmatisms, &c. are used by some to evacuate the mat- 
ter contained in the Head, and condemned by others because they draw 
the matter in greater force and plenty from the Head upon the Lungs 
and Aspera Arteria, whence may be made a suffocative Catarrh, Infla- 
mation or Exulceration of the Wind-Pipe, or Quinzies, though not al- 
wayes. 
5. Strengthen the Brain, because a part strong may do more by Na- 
ture, than the Physitian by Art, and moreover stopping or binding up of 
the matter is not so good or healthful, as Natures expulsion of it if 
without damage to her; among other things Serpillum, or Mother of 
Thyme is held to have a Propriety herein, or the Wine of Pope Adrian, 
ꝶ of the Bark of all sorts of Myrobalans with the Kernels dried, of 
each ʒijß Cinamon, ʒj. Cloves, Galanga, Cubebs, Cardamoms great- 
er and less, of each ℈ss. Red Roses dried, ʒjss. Lavender and Rose- 
mary, of each ʒss. bruise them, and steep them in seven pints of Wine 
for twenty four hours, then drink morning and evening thereof.
6. Dryers, as a Drink of China, Sarsaparilla, Guaicum-Wood, of Rose- 
mary, &c. 2. Or a Pouder of Nigella-Seeds, red Roses, Succinum, and 
Bark of Frankinsence: 3. Or a Cap of Pouders interwoven in Flocks 
twixt fine Linnen, as ꝶ Seeds of Romane Nigella, Amber, of each ʒij. 
red Roses, Myrtle-Berries, Styrax, Calamitis, Galls Omphacite, of each 
ʒjss. Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Coriander-Seed, Labdanum, of each ʒj. re- 
duce all to a gross Pouder for a Cucupha, or loose Powders may be 
strewed in the Head. 
The Seeds of Nigella and Cummin parched and applied warm, (the 
Head being shaven) interbasted in fine Linnen, being first poudered, 
are said to be a most present remedy: 4. Suffumes to dry the Brain, are 
also very effectual, as of Nigella-Seeds, torrified, and smelt to, or of 
this

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 297 
this Pouder cast upon Coals, over the Fume of which the Head is to 
be holden; ꝶ of Succinum, or Amber, Frankinsence, Seeds of Cori- 
ander, Rosemary, Mother of Thyme, Gum of Juniper, Tobacco, of 
each ʒij. mix them.
Or, ꝶ of Nigella-Seeds, and Amber, of each ʒiij. Storax, Gum of 
Juniper, Rosemary, and Coriander-Seed, of each ʒij. Myrtle-Berries, 
red Roses, Mastick, Nutmegs, of each ʒj. mix and pouder them grosly, 
for the aforesaid use. 
7. Respect the Flux or Symptom, which if it offend in quality, cor- 
rect that, as I. Sharp, and then use Emulsions, and tempers of Acri- 
mony, that the parts be nor excoriated, exulcerated, or inflamed from 
sharp pain ; ꝶ of Barley-Water, ℔iv. boyl therein Liquorish, ℥j. 
white Poppy-seed, ʒij. St. James-Wort, Flowers of red Poppies, of 
each mss. to the strained Liquor adde Syrup of white Poppies, and Vio- 
lets, of each ℥ij. mix all for a Drink, chiefly to be used at going to 
rest; or Laudanum is given by some to the quantity of four or five 
grains, which where it may safely be given, is very effectual : Chy- 
mists commend Oyl of Butter, given to ℥j at one Dose. 2.Salt, where- 
in Johannes Prevotius proceeds thus ; in salt Rheums or Spittle, the De- 
coction of Barley, Jujubes, Liquorish, and sweet Pruines, chiefly in a 
Liquor that is made by boiling of the Feet or Head of a Calf or Lamb 
is good; so are Snails of the Wood, or Hodmondods, and Emulsion of 
the four less cold Seeds, with Almonds, adding the Flower of Starch, and 
Cream of Ptyfan, a Ponatel of the same Emulsions, adding white Poppy- 
seeds, if the saltness be more urgent; or lick up the Juyce of fresh Prunes, 
or Butter, or a Syrup of sweet Prunes juyced, and Juyce of Purslane boiled 
with Honey to a Syrup. Thus far Prevotius. 
3. Hot and thin, and then Coolers and Thickners are conducing, 
those that were prescribed for an hot matter , and Rotula's of Saccha- 
rates to hold under the Tongue, arc useful here; for example-sake, ꝶ 
of Sugar penidiate, ℥jss Gum Arabick, Tragacanth dissolved in Poppy- 
Water, of each ʒij. Root of Hounds-Tongue, red Roses, Wood of 
the Frankinsence-Tree, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Poppies make Rotu- 
la's to hold under the Tongue, and melt by degrees. 
4. Cold and thick, and then Attenuates and Heaters are more pro- 
per both for the matter in the Head, and that that is already flown into 
the Lungs, a Pouder of Valerian-Roots, Spiknard, Rosemary, Mother 
of Thyme, Myrrh, Sage, Saffron, Costmary, and Spignel-Roots, is 
then most excellent; or a Wine of Rosemary, Indian-Nard, Spignel- 
Roots, and Nigella-Seeds, with Aromaticals for the Head , and Pecto- 
rals or the Lungs. 
Pp    2. In


298 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
In quantity, if it offend, as sometimes, it induces fear of Choak-
ing ; we must stop it gradually, dull and retard its quick, violent, and 
preposterous motion, by Intercipients applied to the Forehead, as an 
Emplaister of Mastich, Frankinsence, Cummin, and Nigella-seeds, with
Oyl of Jasmine-Flowers; Or taken inwardly, as this Pouder much 
commended, ꝶ Bole Armonick, Mans Skull burnt, Hounds-Tongue 
Storax, Liquorish, Frankinsence, Myrrh, of each ʒj. Saffron, ʒss. Opium, 
Thebaick, ℈j. with Syrup of white Poppies, make Pills: These also are 
praised, and held from a propriety to stop Catarrhs; Poppies, Rosema- 
ry, Ragwort, Strawberries, Amber, Valerian-roots, Spignel, or Meum-
roots, Hounds-Tongue, Storax, Myrrh, Root of the Sloe-Tree, Honey- 
Water, and Rosa Solis-Water, Neck-Laces, or Beads of Amber hung
about the Neck, fume of Onyons stewed in an Oven, Leaves of Laurel 
and Winter-Bark snuft up the Nose, Tobacco taken in a Pipe, and a 
Decoction of Pimpernel,taken morning and night in fulness of the Head 
from Rheumatick Humours.  
Renodæus reckons up these things that stop a Catarrh ; Syrup of Pop- 
pies, Jujubes, and Quinces, Liquorish and Myrtles, Leaves of Colts- 
foot condite, Hyssop, Bole of Armenia, Hounds-Tongue, Troches of 
Camphir, and Oyl Omphacine. 
Hartmannus saith, An Amulet of the Root of Female-Verbascus, or 
Mullein, gathered from the fifteenth of August, to the eighth of Septem- 
ber, the Moon decreasing, being hung about the Neck, is the most soveraign 
Remedy for a Catarrh. To intercept the Flux also, Intercipients appli- 
ed to the Head shaven, specially to the Crown, are available, as a Bag 
of Succinum sprinkled with Spirit of Wine, or of the Pouder of Chame- 
pithis sprinkled with Oyl of Succinum. 
Lastly,The Symptoms are to be considered ; If it happen to Infants, 
the Nurse is to be dieted, Milk is to be rectified, and she must be purged, 
and take Pectorals; One grain of Frankinsence in Pouder given to the 
Child, is held a secret; the Head is to be sprinkled with Pouders that 
be astringent and strengthening, but not too strong. 
If a Feaver be joyned, let Blood, give Coolers, and omit hot Medi- 
cines ; if a Cough molest much, it must be suffered awhile, till the Cause 
which is the Catarrh, be cured : so also Excoriation, and pain from 
sharpness, and heat of the matter, is helped by the aforesaid things that 
cool and make mild the flux of Humours ; too great sneezing may law- 
fully be mittigated : See the Chapter of Sneezing, to hinder a Quinzy 
impendent; a Decoction of Lentils are thought to be effectual.
CHAP.



Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 299 
CHAP. 111.
Of an Asthma, or hurt of breathing. 
An Asthma is an hurt of breathing, with noise and frequency, arising 
from a pertinacious Obstruction of the Lungs and its Vessels, or 
Compression thereof, and afflicting without a Feaver. 
Respiration is the proper action of the Lungs, which we ought to know 
what its right medium and constitution is in bodies not affected, where- 
by we may also distinguish how much it is depraved ; it is twofold, free 
or strait; Free Respiration is a facility of Breathing, with little mo- 
tion of the Chest, from the Middriff and Lungs tightly constituted,and 
not diseased, whereby it is voluntarily lessened or enlarged, drawn in or 
sent out, more quickly or slowly, and is called Natural Respira- 
tion. 
Unnatural Respiration is very divers and various , according to its 
celerity or rarity, greatness or smallness, motion and respite, equal or 
unequal. For, 
I. Macropnæa is a Vice of Breathing, wherein plenty of Air by in- 
spiration distends the Brest exceedingly, and the whole Thorax is moved 
by all the Muscles, because the Heart (for cooling of which, breathing 
is ordained) being over-heat, as in Feavers, or almost suffocated with 
fuliginous Vapours, requires much Air to fan and cool it by inspiration, 
and sends out many fuliginous Vapours in expiration. 
2. Tachypnæa is a greater and more frequent respiration from the 
same Causes, being greater.
3. A third kind of depraved breathing is called Dyspnæa, or a short 
breathing. 
4. Asthma, which is more frequent drawing of Breath. 
5. Orthopnæa, whenas the sick are forced to stand upright to fetch 
their Breath. 
6. Apnæa, or an ablation or total abolishing of sensible respiration, 
wherein is great danger of Suffocation ; it comes sometimes from eat- 
ing of Toad-stools, sometimes from swoonding, and in suffocation of 
the Womb, wherein the Heart is thought to be ventilated, refreshed, 
and cooled by Transpiration, or Perspiration , of which it being the 
Author, and all the whole Body being spirable, within and without, ac- 
cording to Hippocrates, why may not perspiration by the pores of the 
Body supply the Heart in a defect of respiration ? and Galen saith, If that
Pp 2 pores 


300 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
pores of the Skin be obstructed, so that Transpiration is prohibited, and 
so consequently the fuliginous vapours retained, putrid Feavers are rai- 
sed, whose Basis is the Heart. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is either the Lungs, Middriff, or sharp Artery, and the Organs 
of breathing by the Animal Spirits and Nerves.
CAUSES. 
Causes of Asthma are either obstruction of the Lapets and Grisles of 
the Lungs, by a thick flegmatick impacted matter, or stones, and crude 
Tubercles, risen in its substance, and causing obstruction either through 
weakness of the Lungs, and then it is gathered and made by degrees, 
or from vice of other parts, which transmit such a matter to the Lungs. 
Sennertus thinks it to come from the Liver by the Vena Arteriosa, because 
Asthmaticks are so often Cachectick, and have their feet swell; and 
though Catarrhs be present, whereby it may be thought that the matter 
falls from the Head, and is thickned and dried in the Lungs, yet be- 
cause a Cough would be made, if the Humours came by the sharp Arte- 
ry from the Head to the Lungs, he doth not think the matter comes 
from the Head, and because sometimes it ceases without expectora- 
ting. 
Or, 2. Constriction of the Pipes and Vessels of the Lungs or Mid- 
driff, which may come, 1. Through dryness, as in Ptissicks, specially 
when they are nigh Death. 2. From the smoak and fume of Quicksil- 
ver, of Coals, Lime, anointing with Quicksilver, gross Vapours, a- 
rising from the Womb to the Aspera Arteria and Pipes of the Lungs, 
cause a constriction, straitening and narrowing of those parts. 
Or, 3. Compression of the Lungs and Middriff, which is made ei- 
ther, 1. Through plenty of Blood, as in the Hæmorrhoids stopt, whence, 
the parts of Breathing are straitened by compressing and crushing to- 
gether : Or, 2. of Water, as in Dropsies, by whose turgency and abun- 
dance, distention of the Abdomen is made, so that a compression of the 
Lungs and Middriff is made therefrom, whereby free breathing is im- 
pedited, and hurt. 3. From swelling also of the Liver, Spleen, or 
other Bowels, or extraneous Bodies, causing Compression of the afore- 
said parts, cause a Dyspnæa, or short breathing. 4. From abundance of 
Vapours collected in the inferiour Ventricle, sometime being more be- 
nign, sometimes malignant, which are carried to the Middriff, and hinder 
its free motion and Office of Respiration. 
To these also may be added Defluxions of a thin matter falling upon 
the 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs.  301 
the Muscles of the Brest, and ordained for its motion, or intercostal  
Muscles and Nerves of the Middriff, so that free motion and acting of 
those parts is impedited, and hindered ; or the Spondils of the Back 
luxated inwardly, or lying along on their Backs, whence the Breast falls 
upon the Back, and the way of the Breath is made more narrow, and 
so Orthopnicks are suffocated. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are more common : As , 1. Thick and frequent breathing,
which is aggravated by running,or great stirring, by lying on their Back, 
or taking cold, to which the Lungs and Middriff are exposed, and very 
obnoxious too : Or, 2. A Cough from a matter in the Lungs ; 3. A 
noise or ratling in breathing, from the Air breaking through the parts 
obstructed by a pituitous matter: 4. Expiration is easier than Inspira- 
ration, for in that the Instruments do spontaneously fall down, being 
void of Air, that stretched out their Capacity ; but in this they are har- 
der to be raised and distended to receive the Air, that is to be drawn in, 
from the agglutination of the matter, and heaviness, oppression and 
weakness of the Organs of Respiration. 
Or less common ; which come from particular Causes : As, I, From 
a defluxion upon the intercostal and Muscles of the Brest, and then the 
Brest is moved heavily, and there is great pain thereof ; 2. From a 
crude Tubercle, or botch in the Lungs ; there is a Feaver present if it 
be apostematous, and this being suppurated, the matter is cast out with 
the Cough ; if onely an excrescent swelling, or some outgrowing Tu- 
bercle, or stony hard concrete matter, sticking in the substance of the 
Lungs, then the Symptoms and short breathing encreased gradually as 
that encreased; they are not so much troubled with difficulty of Breath- 
ing, they have no Feaver, the Disease is continual, and they are found : 
The same Signs also are present in obstruction of the Lungs and Wind- 
Pipe from a glutinous flegmatick thick Humour, onely that Stertor or a 
ratling noise in breathing is also present. 3. If the Cause be from the 
Liver, then there are Signs of the Liver being weak and ill-affected;
there is a Cachexy, or ill habit of the whole Body, Clorojis, stopt Hae- 
morrhoids, and swellings of the feet. 4. If the Cause come from the 
Head, as Catarrhs do, which sometimes in an high degree suffo- 
cate or Quarchn, as the Vulgar term it) it is more periodick, or comes 
at times; molests chiefly in Autumn and Winter,and is worst on Nights.
DIFFERENCES.  
One is continual, another periodick, or that comes by fits ; one 
comes suddenly from Catarrhs and Deflexions, or a matter translated 
from


302 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
from other parts to the Lungs; another by degrees, and congestion of  
an Humour more thick, and pertinaciously adhering : Differences also 
are made from parts offended and offending ; from Causes also, as Com- 
pression, Constriction, or Obstruction, of all which we have sufficiently 
spoken heretofore. 
SYMPTOMES.
Symptoms are a Cough, Catarrh, Noise, want of Breath, specially 
in going fast or up-hill, swellings of the Feet, difficulty in making Wa- 
ter, which troubles sometimes, and arises from a matter sent to the 
Reins ; sometimes also a Feaver, Hoarsness and Expectoration are 
Companions. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In driness of the Lungs and a Ptysical state, in old men, and an in- 
veterate obstruction, there is little hopes ; also if they are made bun- 
chy from it, or in an acute Feaver, because by its heat the matter is 
made drier and harder, and not easily cast out by Expectoraters ; it 
sometimes strangles Children, and ends in Dropsies and Peripneumo- 
nies sometimes; sometimes by its diuturnity and stubborness kills ;
many times if they be weak they swound, because their breath is gone : 
cold weather is bad for them ; free breathing is a great sign of health, 
and they that breath freely die not, as Hippocrates observed. 
CURE.
In Cure, Consideration of Dyet and Regiment is first to be had, 
wherein observe these things: If it be from a Flegmatick matter 
obstructing, as most often it is, Dyet must be heating and drying, 
with which Attenuaters, and Cutters of a thick matter are meet to be 
mixt; Partridges, Capons, Hens, are good, which are rather to be 
roasted then boiled ; Flesh of Fish, Fruits and Pulse are bad and engen- 
der crude and clammy Humours ; Drink is to be little, because by fla- 
tuosity and distention of the Diaphragma or Midriff, the evil is encreas- 
ed ; if they thirst, Meats must be less hot, because the heart is over- 
heat ; Drink is then often to be held in the Mouth to moisten, say 
some ; but others, more wisely, advise to drink freely, so the thick 
matter is made thinner; Air is to be hot also and dry; the Breast is of- 
ten to be rubbed gently ; Exercise is to be moderate. 
In an hot Cause and dry, as in Ptissicks, Inflamation of the Lungs, 
and a Feaver, the contrary to these are to be used and endeavoured.
Cure

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 303 
Cure of an Asthma from thick and clammy Humours is performed. 
1. By attenuation and thinning of it; this is done by cutters and 
makers thin of a thick matter, which are hot and dry; and because reason 
shews us that those things that dry too much make such a matter more 
thick and dry, whereas by preparation we intend to make it more thin 
and moist, and easie to be brought forth by Expectoraters,they are not to 
exceed in heat or driness. Among such as are held fit preparatives for 
such a matter, the most excellent are, Oxymel of Squills, Syrup of 
Horehound, Hyssop, Liquorish ; these may be mixed with Waters in 
form of Julips, as ꝶ of the Water of Horehound, of Enula Campana, and 
Water of Honey, of each ℥iv. Syrup of Maidenhair, Lungwort, and 
Oxymel of Squills, of each ℥j. with Oyl of Brimstone, make it of a 
pleasant tartness: or ꝶ of the Conserve of Enula Campana and Orris, of 
each ℥j. of the Powder of Oak of Jerusalem, Horehound, Coltsfoot, 
and Liquorish, of each ʒj. Figgs drawn through a Sive, being first bea- 
ten with Angelica-Water ℥ss. Syrup of Horehound, what may suffice 
to make an Eclegma. 
Also Decoctions may be made of Herbs, Roots, and Seeds, and 
sweetned with Syrups; or an Oxymel may thus be made. ꝶ of Oak of 
Jerusalem, Lungwort, Hyssop, Scabious, of each mj. Nettles, Thyme, 
Figs, of each mjss. boil them in Vinegar, and being streined, add there- 
unto Honey, and make an Oxymel. 
2. Preparation being made, purging of those Humours is to follow, 
where among other things, such an Apozem for divers Doses is most ex- 
cellent, ꝶ of Agarick sliced thin, ʒiij. Roots of Briony grosly beaten, 
℥ss. Roots of Wild Cucumbers, and Rubarb, thin sliced, of each ʒij. add 
thereto some Aromaticks, and let be infused in Thyme and Hyssop 
Water, and add thereunto some Pectoral Syrups to sweeten it. 
To those that nauseate Potions, such Pills may be given, ꝶ of Collo- 
cynthis, Elatery, or Juyce of Wilde Cucumbers dried, of each ℈ss. 
Agarick ℈j. Zedoary, Aniseeds, and Mustard-Seed, of each v. Grains, 
with Syrup of the Juyce of Orris or Flower-de-luce-Roots, make Pills 
to be taken in three Mornings ; some like Pills better then Potions, be- 
cause they stay longer in the Stomach, and draw better from remote 
parts. We must purge by Intervals, but not in the Fits for fear of suf- 
focation. 
3. Vomiting is much credited by some, and rejected by others; 
Rhasis, Riverius, Hartmannus, and others, wish to vomit, and com- 
mend it from their own experience, and that sometimes the Sick are de-
livered 


304 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
livered thereby ; Primerosius saith, Sometimes it hurts not ; but Ludovi- 
cus Septalius condemns Vomiting, specially in a strong fit; because
thereby the Brest, saith he, is wonderfully tortured, and there is danger of 
Suffocation, the Matter being violently drawn to the Aspera Arteria ; others 
are silent hereof, neither using nor condemning it: See more hereof 
hereafter in Cure of an Asthma from vice of the Liver, and in Ca- 
chexies. 
4. Sylvius advises to revulsion of the Matter, and aversion of Hu- 
mours, as by application of Cupping-glasses a little above the Reins, 
Errhines and Apophlegmatisms. 
5. Expectoraters or promoters of Spittle, which bring forth such 
thick matter by Anacatharsis or Spitting; such were they that were di- 
rected for preparation of this Matter, ꝶ of clear Turpentine ℥j Sy- 
rup of Colworts, of Horehound, of each ℥j. Powder of Orris, Brim- 
stone, and Enula Campana, of each ʒj. Amoniacum dissolved in Oyl 
of Sweet-Almonds ʒiv. make a Lohoch. Jacobus Sylvius saith, The 
Root of Aron or Cucopints prepared any way, and mixt with Pectorals, is 
the best things to promote spitting. 
6. Discussion of the Matter is next useful, that is done by Externals, 
the Brest being first rubbed that the Pores may be opened, and then fo- 
ment with hot Oyls and Laxating, as ꝶ Oyl of Orris, of Sweet Al- 
monds, of each ℥j. Saffron ʒj. mix them for Unction : or Rx of the 
Meal of Fennugreek, Melilot, Hyssop , Calamint, of each equal 
parts, boil them in White-Wine, and add Honey and Flower of Brim- 
stone a sufficient quantity to make a Cataplasm for the Brest. 
Also the Brest may be fomented with Sponges dipt in Pectoral Oyls 
or Liquors; and these are to be used some at one time, and some at 
another for change, and because they should not lie on too long. 
7. Extracters of the Reliques of the Matter, as by rubbing of the 
Brest with blistering Medicines, and stinging Nettles; and burnings, 
described by Ætius, were used by the Ancients, but left by Modern 
Practicks. 
8. Dryers of the parts of breathing, as Lungs, &c. is to be ordered ; 
that is done by Fumes, as of Frankinsence and Brimstone, to stay long 
about Baths of Brimstone, or an hot and drying Air, Brimstone Baths ; 
the use of Aromaticals: Gentilis commends the fume of Arsenick to 
be wonderful herein, but because Arsenick is of such a poysonous qua- 
lity,we ought to be cautulous in its use, and correct its vice with Aro- 
maticks. 
Secondly, In Dyspnæa’s and Asthma’s from vice of the Liver,transmit- 
ting a matter to the Lungs,as in Cachecticks is apparent; These things 
are moreover to be observed. 1. Let 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 305 
1. Let Blood, a Clister premised, for hereby those Humours are 
lessened in quantity, and corrected in quality ; and the Veins less 
swelling, Breathing is made more free.
Galen proves Phlebotomy in a dry Orthopnæa, but in Ptissicks and 
dried Bodies, and others, where we fear native heat thereby to be im- 
paired, and so greater plenty of crude, pituitous Humours are gene- 
rated, it is not good to open a Vein. 
2. Purge, as before directed, frequently and more mildly, chiefly with 
Potions and Apozemes, together with Purgers being admixt, such things 
as respect both Liver and Symptom. 
3. Vomit. 1. Because Humours redound in the whole Body. 
2. Because the Stomack is often ill affected. 3. Because by Vomit, Hu- 
mours and Vapours, making compression or construction, are moved and 
brought forth. 
Platerus used the following with good success, ꝶ of the Juyce of 
Orris, or Flower-de-luce-Roots, ℥ß. Hyppocras, ℥j. mix them for a 
Vomit. 
Hartmannas saith, Asthma, Orthopnæa, and Dyspnæa are quickly at 
first cured with a Vomit of Aqua Benedicta; but if through stubbornness 
and oldness of the Disease, they are not cured after two Vomits, pro- 
ceed to other things. 
Riverius saith, Among other Vomits for this purpose, The Juyce of 
Tobacco drunk to ℥iij obtains the principal place. 
4. Diureticks are useful here, because Nature strives also to expel a 
great part of the Noxious Humours by the Reins, which Septalius saith, 
Are not to be used generally, because that in a thick matter they dry, 
and carry off the serous part of the Humour, whence the rest is left 
more hard and dry, but here they seem to be very necessary and helpful. 
3. If the Matter come from the Head, be directed by the Chapter 
of a Catarrh to dry the Head, and stop defluxions that fall upon the 
Lungs. 
4. If the Middriff be affected, and that by Vapours, causing com- 
pression, Clifters more strong and frequently given, are useful: For 
saith Rondeletius, Asthmaticks are wont to be grieved with much windi- 
ness, from which sometime an Asthma is made, distending the Septum 
Transversum or Middriff, from whence they cannot breath freely : See 
for Medicines proper against Windiness in the following List of such 
Medicines as peculiarly help short-windedness. 
5. If any hurtful things by fume hurt the parts of breathing, or Or- 
gans of respiration, their force is to be opposed by Antidotaries; toge- 
ther with other things that generally are good for an Asthma,and short 
Q q and


306 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
and frequent breathing ; in the fit we must only Palliate, not Vomit, 
Purge or give Clisters, for fear of stirring the matter too much, and en- 
dangering suffocation; by exercising before meat, many have been 
choaked, which may be from the fit suddenly thereupon invading,there- 
fore let them not move violently or suddenly before meat; then the 
Breast may not be rubbed ; then are to be given such things as respect 
the Symptom, and are helpful against shortness of Breath, among 
which Saffron is chiefly commended, which is said to restore breathing 
afresh in dying men ; the Green Roots of Angelica condite, a Linctus 
of Sulphur washt  often in Colts-foot Water, with Syrup of Oak of Je- 
rusalem of Heurnius ; Seeds of Southernwood, Waters of hot Baths that 
proceed from Brimstone ; the Broath of an old Cock, with Pectorals, 
and Agarick of Benedictus, Victorius, Faventinus and Prevotius, Syrup 
and Oxymel of Tobacco of Quereetanus, Millepedes, or Sows, in White- 
Wine, macerated ; Lac or Quick Brimstone, with Benjamin 
and Salt in an Egg, or the extract of Hors-Radish-Roots, with Essence 
of Sugar, or of Enula with Oyl of Aniseeds of Hartmannas, a draught 
of Wine ℥ij. Amoniacum ʒj. Water of Hyssop , ℥iv. of Johnstonus 
Natural Balsom; Cardomoms which the Physicians of Malaver give to 
Asthmaticks, Pine-Kernels, Oyl of Sulphur, Vinegar of Rheu, or of 
Squills, an Oxymel of Rheu, Squills, Seed of Woodbine, Mustard, 
Nettles and Anise, boild in Vinegar, and then a sufficient quantity of 
Honey added ; also the Chymical Oyl of Turpentine, of Hyssop, 
Thyme and Aniseeds; Roots of Briony, of the greater Centaury, Peu- 
cedane, Cummin, Nigella-Seeds, Rhubarb, Bay-Berries, German- 
der, and a Conserve of Roots of Holyoak, are most worthily praised.
Of Vomiting of Blood from the Spleen. 
DEFINITION. 
'Tis an Ejection of a thick Excrementitious Blood from the Spleen, 
by the Mouth, and Seigh, or Stool. 
CAUSE 
Is obstruction of the Spleen; or too great quantity of feculent and 
melancholy thick gross Blood sent thither, whereby the Spleen having 
more then it can digest and acquit her self of, this dreggy and thick ex- 
crementitious Blood is forced upwards, and so the Stomach being 
offended therewith, casts it out with violence ; Portion of it going also 
downwards by stool is cast out, the Excrements being less or more co- 
loured without it.
SIGNS

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 307 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Blood is cast forth, 1. By Vomit, which is dreggy, black and thick. 
2. Cast out by violence, insomuch that it often causes fainting and 
swooning. 3. In great plenty. 4. By Stool, where tis not cast forth 
so violently and plentifully, nor on heaps, but sent forth mixt with the 
Excrements, sometimes more plentifully , sometime only giving them 
a little Tincure. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
It doth not often happen, but when it doth,the more violent and of- 
ten they Vomit, the worse ; a Tympany of hard and difficult Curation 
sometime succeeds.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect the Spleen, see that it be not obstructed. 2. Look 
to the forces and strength to uphold them. 3. Hinder future dan- 
gers. 
A Specifical, and that only that cures it, is Wormwood taken constant- 
ly for a due time together ; it may be used in divers forms and manners, 
but because of its bitterness, in Pills or Goblets it may be more plen- 
tifully and acceptably taken. 
Of Diseases of the Middriff. 
THe Middriff being the chief Instrument of Respiration, and lying 
obliquely, separates the Abdomen, and Thorax or Brest ; and is af- 
flicted either from other parts by consent, or essentially in it self ; in 
it self it is diseased either through Distemper, Tumours, Inflamation 
or Wounds. 
DISTEMPER.
Distemper of it is either hot or cold, a cold Distemper arises as a cold 
Distemper of other parts; there is no Delirium nor Feaver : they that 
have pain of the Middriff without Inflamation, a Feaver arising,are 
delivered. Hippocr. Aphor. 40. Sect. 6. 
A hot Distemper is of nigh affinity, though not of so high a degree, 
or so dangerous as an Inflamation of the Middriff, which arises from 
Hot and bileous Blood entering into the thickness of the Middriff or 
Diaphragma, and puts forth it self by these Symptoms. 
1. An Acute Feaver, and continual. 
2. A Delirium or doting rage following thereupon. 
3. A beating or palpitation of the Hypochonders on the borders of 
Qq 2 the


308 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
the Middriff, the Hypochonders from the Membrane of the Peritonæum 
are also plucked and stretched out. 
4. Respiration is inequal, sometimes frequent, sometimes seldom, 
sometimes little. 
5. Pain. 
6. Convulsions at last are mads herefrom. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
Cure is difficult by reason of the great danger from its connexion and 
fellow-feeling with Heart, Liver and Brain ; it is very acute, and the 
Sick rave, and are deprived of rationality, whence they are not easily 
perswaded to the use of such Medicines as might be most conducible to 
Curation.  
CURE. 
In Cure (which is like that of Inflamation of the Lungs) we must 
press flowing Blood by Internals, and Topicals applyed to the Brest 
warm, but that have a cooling force to mitigate the Inflamation and 
Ebullient Blood, we must chiefly hinder and beware a Delirium, by rea- 
son of the danger thereon ensuing ; washing of the Extremities, and 
Revulsives, Repellers to the Head, and Corroborates, are useful. 
Of Swellings or Tumors of the Middriff.
TUmours of the Middriff are either hot or cold, of hot we have 
already spoken, under the Title of Inflamation. 
Cold arises from a crude and thin matter, which penetrates the thick— 
ness of the Middriff, and insinuates it self thereinto, and effects a Tu- 
mor : the collection of this Matter hath its Original from Compression, 
as in those that lean hard on their Brests in Writing ; or concussion, as 
Blows, Bruises, &c, 
SIGNS. 
It it is known by tension of the Hypochonders, a Dyspnæa ; there is 
no appearance of the Tumour outwardly, or Delirium. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The fresher, the easier to Cure; if they last long, they consume the sick 
by degrees, by a Tabes, as saith Fernelius, without any kind of a Deli- 
rium; but if a Delirium be present, the Disease is more critical and dan- 
gerous. 
CURE

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 309 
CURE. 
In Cure the matter is to be evacuated by Hydragogues, strengthen
the Bowels from a new collecting of such matter, outwardly apply Dis- 
cutients, with Emollients, Sarfaperilla is commended; but Dryers, 
that evacuate all the serous matter, and leave the other remaining 
thicker, do hurt : sometime it may turn to an Abscess, and the matter 
be cast forth into the Capacity of the Brest, and so cast out by coughing. 
Of Wounds of the Middriff. 
Wounds of the Middriff, say Authors , bring the Wounded to  
dye laughing, cause a Delirium, and retraction of the small- 
Guts upwards, and Stomach sometimes ascends into the Thorax, with 
great sense of weight and pain there. 
Wounds in the Carnous be not so dangerous as in its Nervous part, 
wherein ’tis held incurable ; a Convulsion sometimes takes them away; 
where-ever it be hurt, from its continual motion it is not easily conso- 
lidated.
CURE. 
Its Cure is the same as for Wounds of the Lungs. 
Of Blood broken out of the Vessels of the Bladder, and there 
clottered and putrified. 
DEFINITION.
'Tis an eruption of Blood from some Vein distended, and from 
breaking and pouring forth the Blood into the Bladder, which 
sometimes and in part is cast out, the rest remaining in the Bladder clot- 
ters, and induces oftentimes a Gangrene, Faintings, obstruction of the 
Bladder, or other bad Symptoms. 
Its CAUSE is expressed in the DEFINITION. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs Diagnostick be at first a fungous or spongy Flesh, which some- 
times grows within the Bladder, and filling the Bladder do greatly in- 
jure its actions, made from a Hæmorrhoid or Vein swelling which at 
last


310 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
last breaks, and empties the Blood into the Bladder. 
Secondly, When ’tis broke,there is a voiding of Blood by the Urine 
in part, though the other part clodders, and grows thick ; upon which 
there is made, 
1. Faintings, Heart-qualms, &c. 
2. Change of the colour to paleness. 
3. His Pulse small beating often, and various. 
4. His courage fails, spirits are dull, he is sorrowful and listless. 
5. The forces decay, his strength declines, and heat is enfeebled ; 
putrified Blood, as putrified Seed, brings many desperate Symptoms. 
6. There is often clotted Blood pissed forth : Aph 8.S.4. Whosoever 
pisses Blood thin or clottered, and is pained in the Hypogaster , or that part 
of the Belly betwixt the Navil and Secrets, or Pinæum, or Pecten, the Dis-
ease is about the Bladder. 
7. If it thus thicken and curdle in the Bladder, by the motion of 
Urine, the clotters of Blood will sometime be carried into its Neck, 
or Urine-passage, and there stop the going forth of the Urine, there- 
fore by some ’tis called Obstruction of the Bladder, or reckoned among 
the Causes of Obstruction of it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Great are the Symptoms that arises from Blood clottered and putri- 
fied; Primrose saith, ’tis pestiferous ; Riolanus saith, it quickly becomes 
gangrenous. 
CURE. 
Cure must be speedy, for delaying brings greater danger; there- 
fore. 
I. In a great Hæmorrage, or when the Blood breaks out immoderate- 
ly in the Bladder, opening a Vein of the Arm is to be instituted and re- 
peated, drawing out the Blood by times. 
2. Cupping-Glasses are to be affixed to the Loins and Ilia ; the ex- 
tream parts bound. 
3. Applications, (which are to be done after due situation of the sick, 
who is to be laid with his Hips upwards) and they are to cool and re- 
press the flux of Blood; Sponges dipped in Posca, laid to the share; Ir- 
rigations also, and Foments, and Cataplasms of Astringents, and such as 
stop Bloody Fluxes, as Plantains, Knotgrass, Shepherds Purse, Blood- 
wort, Horsetail, Nettles, Comfrey, Bramble-Leaves, Pomegranate- 
Rinds, &c. boild in Posca, or Vinegar and Water mixt in equal Pro- 
portion, therewith fomenting the Region of the Bladder, or boyling 
them thicker, draw them through an Hair Sieve, for a Cataplasm to be
applied


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 311 
applied blood-warm to the Region of the Bladder, binding it on con- 
veniently with linnen Clothes. 
4 Together with these to stop the coming down of Blood from the 
opened Veins into the Bladder, injections of Juyces that bind and con- 
stipate by a Syringe, are profitable. 
5. In the mean while we must not neglect internals, that may prohi- 
bit the aptness of the Blood to flow, and bridle it; which is done also 
by astringent Medicines, and chiefly such as are aforenamed. 
Secondly, We must look to the Blood that remains in the Bladder, 
which clotters there, and putrifies, and may beget very bad Symptoms; 
for which, 
I. Inwardly are to be taken Medicines that hinder Blood from clot- 
tering, and dissolve it being clottered ; Garden-Cresses in Breath, or 
a Decoction of them in white Wine, are most laudable, which both dis- 
solve Blood already clottered, and also hinders it from coagulating in 
any part of the Body : Very prevalent to break and cause the clods to 
come forth, be the Decoction of Bugle, Thyme, Masterwort, or Herb 
Gerrard ; of these also may Wound-Drinks (as they are termed) be 
made, to drink of plentifully on Mornings, Afternoons, and Nights. 
Platerus cured a Maid that pissed at first pure, then clottered Blood, with 
two Potions of Mummy, Cubebs, and Cinnamon, in Shepherds-purse- 
Water, and of Gum Carabe and Mummy in Whey; Decoction of a black 
Hen, her feathers on, boiled with Shepherds-purse, and an Unguent for 
the Pinæum : Such a Pouder (or Electuary made of the following 
things, by adding some proper Syrup) for such as like not Potions or 
Decoctions, may be of great force to dissolve and drive forth the clots 
of Blood sticking in the Bladder, or its Neck; ꝶ of Rhubarb, ʒ of 
Sperm of the Whale, or Sperma Ceti, ℈j. Seeds of Radish, Bitumen, Ju- 
daicum, Absinth, Mummy. ana ʒß them for a Pouder. 
2. Outwardly may Foments and Bathings be used, of Chervil, Mal- 
lows, Parsly, Bistort, Wormwood, &c. Injections also to bring forth 
those clots sticking in the Neck of the Bladder, and stopping the Urine 
are very good, which if they avail not to do, a Syringe must be put up 
to loosen the passage : If all these do no good , Death is impendent,
unless by Chyrurgery the concreted Blood be taken away.  


312 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Of Inflamation of the Bladder.
'Tis a Distemper made from great heat residing in the Bladder, or 
rather its Neck, with a sharp Feaver, and other acute Symptoms 
accompanying. 
CAUSE 
1. As to the Cause, 'tis Blood fallen thither putrified and inflamed, 
caused from outward violent Causes, or inward, as Phlethory, or heat of 
the Blood, or sharpness, and other Causes, expressed in the Chapters of 
the inflamation of other parts. 
2. As to the place, Fernelius saith, The Neck alone is the subject, as 
being more thick and fleshy than the substance of the Bladder, which 
(also saith Johnstonus) in its substance being thin, and without Blood, 'tis 
not so likely Inflamation should be seated there, but rather in the Sphin- 
cter, the Muscle of its Neck. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. There is an Acute Feaver. 
2. Great and vehement pain in the Pinæum or Share; and from these 
two arise many other great and dangerous Symptoms, as Deliriums, 
Watchings, alienation of the Mind, and Inquietude. 
3. Heat and redness, and sometimes hardness of the Share. 
4. Distention of the Share and Pecten, from plenty of Urine, be- 
cause the Urine is suppressed. 
5. binding of the Belly, because the strait Gut, or rectum Intestinum,
is straitened through the greatness of the Inflamation; and though they 
have a desire to go to stool, yet, Tenasmus-like, they void nothing. 
5. The Ordure and Excrements for the most part be thin, and with- 
out residence. 
6. Suppression of Urine, with an earnest incitation and desire to 
piss. 
7. Sometimes vomiting of a Cholerick Matter. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
I. Of Diseases of the Bladder this is the most dangerous, and dead- 
ly for the most part about the seventh day. 
2. ’Tis sometime dissolved from the slowing forth of Urine copiously, 
or an Erysipelas rising on the Skin. 
3. There is hopes if it be more light, the Feaver remiss, the Infla-
mation


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 313 
mation changed into Pus, and the Abscess inwardly broke, and purged 
out by Urine. 
DTET. 
Thin Drinks, as Cinnamon-Water, or Barley-Water ; let him eat 
no Flesh, nor their Broaths, &c. as in other Inflamations. 
CURE.
1. Internals : 1. Generals, letting Blood by the Ham or Ankle- 
Vein ; 2. Purging at first is in no wise to be used , because by stirring 
Humours, and making them have recourse to the diseased part, it much 
aggravates the Evil, and for this Cause Fluxes of the Belly at this time 
are to be stopt. 
Clisters to bring forth hard Dung that may cause pressure of the Blad- 
der, of mild and emollient Medicines, are very allowable. 
2. Externals : 1. We use Repellers, upon these we must not insist
too much, because the Bladder is membranous,and may by coldness hurt 
sinewy parts: 2. Hinder free passing out of the Urine ; 3. Prohi- 
bit resolution of Humours : Things are to be applied actually warm, 
and their repelling Vertue counter-poised with Anodines and Lini- 
ments ; the Bladder inflamed indures not, so well as the Reins, astrin- 
gency. 
If pain urges much, we may adde Opium to Oyntments ; Cata- 
plasms and Emplaisters are not so good as Bathings, Lotions, Foments, 
or Unguents, because by their weight they press and crush the Blad- 
der. 
A Liniment of White-Bread-Crums, boild somewhat thick in 
Oyl of Roses, with a little Saffron and Camphir, with some grains of 
Opium, if pain be very intense, is very helpful; Some use Foments of 
hot water applied in Oxes Bladders. Insessions to fit in are very conve- 
nient for the aforesaid purposes, then the Sick may better void the 
Urine.
Then we must come to Resolvers of the matter into Pus, which 
is done by Emollients and Suppuratives. If we fear its turning gan- 
grenous, a Cataplasm of Orobus, Beans and Lupines boild in Wine, is to 
be applyed. 
Lastly, The Symptomes are to be respected , as a Feaver, 
Watching, Raving, Ischury, and Disury; a Syringe is sometimes put 
Rr into


314 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
into the Neck of the Bladder, to bring forth the Urine. See the Cure of 
these in their proper Chapters. 
3. Revulsion by Frictions, Bindings, Cuppers, with Scarification up- 
on the part, are directed; yet Cupping-Glasses are condemned by some 
as bringing more hurt than profit. 
4. Blood is to be cooled, and humours tempered, and pain appeased ;
Julaps, Emulsions, and Glitters may serve hereto, also Anodine Suppo- 
sitories, or little Bags wherein are put Yolks of Eggs, with Opium, and 
Juyce of Henbane ; but 'tis better to boil Poppy-shells, Camphir, Saf- 
fron, and Henbane-Seeds, in Oyl, and therein dip Wool, and wear 
that in the Anus so long as may be convenient. 
We must not use any Diuretick Medicines, nor any Irritaters, salt, 
sharp, or erodent Things; nor may they drink much ; the Urine is to 
be kept milde, and made slippery, that thereby the Bladder be the less 
offended. 

315
OF THE 
Diseases of the Uterus. 
Here are not all the Diseases and 
Affects of the Uterus ; They are
most of them such as are not in
many Practices of Physick that 
treat but of a few Diseases; so
that it is supposed the Physical 
Reader may have Books of those 
Diseases that here are wanting, 
and these may be such as are wanting in some such 
Books, and so as it were compleat a Practice toge- 
ther : We did indulge our Genius and Fancy in Wri- 
ting these thus out of order ; for one time We wrote 
a Disease of the Uterus, another time a Disease of the 
Lungs, and another time a Disease of the Head ; and 
We having wrote these, seeing many things in Obser- 
vations, and in our own Experience, somewhat devi- 
ating herefrom, ceased to write the rest in this Order 
and Method. All these Signs, Causes, and Cures are
found in many, and the Readers may reap good, and 
benefit thereby, specially our Cautions and Animad-
R r 2 versions

316 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
versions joyned herewith, being considered, and well 
compared. There are abundance of Books of all 
sorts extant, and dayly put out; and We were loth to 
obtrude upon the World matter of that old and drossy 
Mould, without some Alteration or Refinement, or 
Additions of some Rarities, and new Experiments. 
But it must not be expected that all People should 
be found thus, and no otherwise handled than is de- 
scribed in these Chapters of Diseases of the Uterus, nor 
must any think that here be all the Maladies and Di-
stempers incident to the Uterus ; and those that have the 
Diseases here set down, are not always so handled as 
those Diagnostick Signs specific ; nor do they always 
arise from those, and no no other; nor no more Causes 
than what be there described: Sometimes the Uterus 
is full of stones, sometimes smaller and more, some-
times larger and fewer ; and sometimes it is all stone, 
as we read of the Vesica Urinaria. A Gentleman told 
mean old Woman, a Witch, was dissected some few 
years since in London, and had a large Teat, like a Sow’s, 
outwardly and inwardly her Uterus was turned to a 
perfect stone: This year at Rome a Serpent was bred 
in the Uterus of one Woman. Lycosthenes, Pliny Rei- 
nerius, Paræus, Vierus, Bodinus, Rondeletius , Ludovicus 
Vives, and Others, have delivered their Experiences 
of divers sorts of Animals, both for bigness and form, 
bred in the Uterus ; as some like Frogs, some like 
Puppies, Mice, Rats, Kitlings, Magpies, Harpies, 
Moles,



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 317
Moles, Lizards, Horsleeches, &c. Also many little 
Worms are bred in the Uterus, and Glandules watery 
or scirrhous, Water-Bladders, Bones, Hairy Apo- 
stems, Grumous Blood, and Apostems of fat Crinis 
and Ichor together ; the Uterus weighed in one that 
was so filled, eighty seven pound: Many sorts of Mo- 
la’s and Fleshy Lumps, Bladders of gorey Matter, and 
purulent, are found in some dissected; also Gangrenes, 
Fissures, Ulcers, and Discoloration, incident to all 
other parts of the Body of Man, have been found by 
Dissection in the Uterus ; and most do arise from dif- 
ferent and some from strange Causes, and have been 
very difficult to be known by the Signs, or relation of 
the Sick, specially thereby to be distinguished one 
from another. 
Horace. Si quid novisti rectius istis
Candidus imperti, si non his utere mecum.
CHAP.




318 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Distemper of the Uterus. 
One is hot, known by Veneriousness, Fowlness, Yel-
lowness, Blackness, & Adustion of Menstrua; 'tis either
from the Birth or after the Birth, from outward Causes, 
chiefly Venery.
2. Another is Cold, more frequent then an hot Distemper, caused by 
immoderately cooling Medicines on external Causes; it is less Lust, 
and in Copulation not so much pleasure : the Menstrua are Pituitous, there
there is windiness from multitude of cold, Pituitous Humors, and weak- 
ness of concoction, they are more pale and listless.
3. Moist, there is cold adjoyned, plenty and waterishness of Men- 
ses, Womans Flux and continual moistness of the Privities, bring mo- 
lestation, there's aptness to abort ; the Seed is cast out, and they have 
no desire to Venus. 
4. A drie Distemper of the Uterus is made also in a general driness 
of the Body, from defect of Humours or old Age, or drying Causes, 
as Inflamation and Heat, there are sent forth few Menstrua, and Seed; 
the Mouth of the Uterus is dry, blackish and clefty, they desire not 
much Copulation. 
5. Compound Distempers, as of heat and driness, of cold and 
moisture may be made, whose Causes and Signs may be gathered from 
the four aforesaid Differences. 
CURE.  
In cure of them all we are to observe;
1. That Heat indicates Coolers to be necessary, cold indicates Heat- 
ers to be necessary ; and so for driness and moisture, their contraries; 
and for compound Distempers, if heat and driness be conjoyned, In- 
dications are for cooling and moistening Medicines; and if cold and 
moisture be adjoyned, we must heat and dry by Medicines, as well 
outwardly applyed, as inwardly taken. 
2. In


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 319
In the choice of such Medicines as heat, dry, cool or moisten, we must 
elect such as are proper to the Uterus, called Histericals. 
3. In a bare Distemper there is no need of Purgers, because we do not 
suppose that Choler, Flegm, or Melancholy are present, but that by their 
aforegoing, they may effect a Distemper to the Uterus ; and we treat here, 
onely of the Distemper, and not of hot, cold, dry or moist Humours. 
4. We may not use Medicines hot, cold, dry, of moist, in the third 
degree; 'tis best to have them of the first degree of temper; nor may 
they be too long used, lest the Uterus be changed from one Distemper in- 
to a worse, and its Functions be violated. 
CHAP. II.
Of the Narrowness of the Vessels of the Uterus. 
CAUSE. 
'Tis an Interception of them, made either, 1. From outward Cau- 
ses, as Baths, binding Medicines. 
2. From Cicatrices, or from a thick or membranous Flesh, cleaving 
to the Orifices of the Vessels. 
5. From stoppage of them by the multitude, and thickness of Hu- 
mours, which may be endeavoured by Nature to be avoided there, which 
had not heat to thin them, or they are essential to the Uterus it 
self. 
4. From Scirrhs, hard swellings, or too great Fat, either consisting 
within or out of the Uterus.
SIGNS. 
Signs of it differ as the Causes, in all the Mestrua are detained ; 
cold Distemper is discerned by its proper Signs, as see the Signs of a cold 
Distemper of the Uterus in the aforegoing Chapter: From this Distem- 
per we may guess the thickness and indigestion of crude and flegma- 
tick Humours which stop the Veins, and the Blood is less apt to 
flow. 
Tumours, Scirrhs, and the like, causing Compression, are also known 
by their proper 
PROGNOSTICKS.
From Tumours, Scirrhs, pieces of Flesh, Cicatrices, and Membranes 
growing there, ’tis hard to cure ; from outward Causes, and fatness of 
the near parts, ’tis more easie.



320 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Cure varies as the Cause 1. From binding Medicines, and then we 
must use Moisteners and Emollients. 
2. From obstructing Causes; the Cause being first taken away, we 
must move the Menstrua; bitter, sharp, Histerick, and Chalybrate Me- 
dicines are to be used. 
3. If there be fatness that causes it, ’tis to be cured by Extenuaters; 
we must detract from its nourishment, and look to its original. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Weakness of the Uterus. 
Weakness of the Uterus is a dulness or deficiency in undergoing 
its duty, made from Distemper, occult Qualities, and weak- 
ness of native heat. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are windiness, little desire to Copulation or Venery , and when 
they do couple, they take little pleasure therein; they are often barren; 
sometime they conceive often, but abort; the Menses slow weakly, and 
untimely, and there is an impotency of ejection of the Seed in the Car- 
nal Act; all which are the Actions of the Uterus, she should do, and 
through weakness cannot perform her office. 
CAUSES. 
Causes are the same that cause Distemper, either hot, cold, dry, or 
moist; and therefore the Chapter of Distemper may give sufficient 
light both as to the Causes and Cures, especially from cold and moist 
Causes, under which the Uterus is most defective in doing her Functi- 
ons, and in hot Distempers she over-does; therefore that cannot so well 
be added as a Cause effecting a weakness, or a languishing of the Uterus 
in effecting its Office and several Actions : for though Humours may be 
the Cause of Weakness, yet it is not weakened till thereby it be first 
brought into some Distemper.
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 321 
CHAP. IV. 
Of the Inflamation of the Uterus.
The heat, pain, and Feaver being abated, we must digest and resolve; 
ꝶ of the Roots of red Lillies, Mallows, and marsh Mallows, of 
each two parts; Barley-Flower, one part; Flowers of Chamomile and 
Melilot, of each half a part; boil them in austere Wine with Oyl, then 
beat them, and draw them through a Sieve, and apply them in manner 
of a Cataplasm. 
Oyls, Liniments, Foments, and the like, may be made for this pur- 
pose, of the aforegoing things, and their like. 
But if it will not be resolved, but suppurate (which is known by en- 
crease of Symptoms, as Resolution of it was known by their remitting) 
then hasten its which is done with such things as helped its  
resolving, whenas it was naturally so disposed ; but for Example-sake, ꝶ 
of Pulpe of Figs drawn through a Sieve, of the Leaves of Mallows, and 
marish Mallows, boiled soft in Brest-Milk, and beaten to Pap, Hogs- 
grease, and Mucilage of Fennugreek, of each what may seem sufficient
for a Cataplasm. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of Lillies, ℥j. Butter, Hogs-grease, Mucilage of Althea- 
Roots, of each ℥ß. make a Liniment. 
When Pus is made, heat and pain wax less, there is a sense of fluctua- 
tion, then we must strive to break the Abscess with loud Vociferations, 
Coughing, Sneezing, and application of Cupping-Glades, exercise of 
the Body, and Pessariess, whereof Riverius sets down this, ꝶ of Goose- 
Fat, ℥ß. Turpentine, ʒij. Pouder of Rheu, Niter, and Orris-Roots, of 
each ʒß. mix them, and use it with Wool for a Pessary ; when the Ab- 
fcess is broke, we must cleanse and consolidate, as is wont to be done to 
other Ulcers.
During the Cure, an exquisite and thin cooling Dyet is to be observed, 
Ptysan-Broath is commended, Wine is to be shunned, and all hot, salt, 
and sharp things, all violent motion is hurtful; let them rest at quiet, 
and sit still, in a dark House, if their senses be distempered. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms occurrent, and to be respected, are,
1. The Feaver, for which letting Blood, cooling Julaps, Emulsions, 
and cool Herbs in Broaths, are necessary.
Ss 2 Pain


322 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
2. Pain which is to be mitigated by Foments and Cataplasms, in 
Unctions, half Tubs, Baths,and Pessaries, wherein Opium is to be put; 
inject Womans-Milk with Hens-Grease, Mucilages of Althea-Roots,
Fleawort-Seeds, Fennugreek-Seeds, and the like. 
3. Watchings and disquietings of Nature, to compose which, give 
Narcoticks with moderation. 
4. Pains of the Middriff, Heart, Head and Stomach ; for which re- 
vulse, use Frictions, Ligatures, and Cupping, repel Vapours, and 
strengthen those parts by Remedies proper thereto. 
CHAP. V. 
Pain of the Uterus.
Pain of the Uterus is made from Causes dissolving, continuining and 
inducing a sad sence of feeling, 1. The pain is vellicating : first, 
from sharp Humours: secondly, from corrupted Seed, retained and 
made sharp; or sharp Humours coming down in Womans Flux, or there- 
from the Menses vitiated , which set forth themselves chiefly (by 
gnawing) in the Neck of the Uterus, and is like to the Chollick from 
bilious Humours.
SIGNS. 
The Blood is found sharp in other things; there went before bad Dy- 
et, and Cold perhaps made the Humours sharper. 
CURE. 
Appeasers of Acrimony, as warm Water, Milk, Oyl of Sweet Al- 
monds ; with Anodines, and if need be, Narcoticks. 2. Takers 
away of the Cause. 
II. Distentive. 1. From Winds, which are more stirred up, and 
raise more vehement pain, from taking in cold Air after delivery, oc 
when the Menses are coming or already in flowing, or induced from the 
same Causes of Chollical Pains. 
SIGNS. 
From this Cause,as from all other, pains insest free (as well as great- 
bellied) Women ; there is chasing, rumbling, and Signs of Wind are 
present, to which if there be anxiety, faintings and disquietings, there 
is fear of a malignancy in those breathy Vapours.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 323
CURE.
Winds are to be discussed as in the Chollick; a draught of hot Wa- 
ter helps; Insessions, Foments, Baths, and Emplasters of Carminatives; 
if we adjudge these to be malignantly qualified, we must add Anti- 
dotes ; Seeds of Nettle in Pouder drank in Wine, are most benificial 
for flatulent Pains. Heurnius hath this Electuary, ꝶ Castor, Myrrh, 
Styrax, Saffron, ana ʒij Orris, Spicknard, Malabathrum, Roots of 
Asarbacca, ana ʒj. Opium, ʒß with Syrup of Mugwort, make an 
Opiate; also Oyl of Rhue, for unction of the Region of the Uterus, if 
commended for its Pains from flatuosity. 
2. From clottered Blood, which cannot pass out but is there retain- 
ed, there preceded that, a Copious Flux of Blood from the Uterus. 
SIGN. 
The pain is fixed and specially perceived about the Orifice of the 
Uterus, and is very sharp, if the Blood hath acquired putrifaction, the 
Blood cast out, it ceases, or is mitigated, and then returns again ; it 
draws into consent the streight Gut and Bladder, when as a Tenesm
and frequent making Water are made therefrom. 
CURE. 
I. Dissolve the clottered Blood. 2. Evacuate it. 
III. Burdening Paine, or a sense of gravity, made from Menstrual
Blood, the Blood be either too thick, and that may be caused by the 
Womans drinking cold drink, after any heating of her Body extraor- 
dinarily, or other Causes preceding gave occasion to it, or the Vessels 
of the Uterus are less open, whereby the Uterus is overburdened, and 
not speedily delivered of that burthen fom excrement. 
SIGN.
Signs of suppreft Menses are present, or that they observe not their 
legal Course, sometimes Hysterical fits invade. 
CURE. 
Respect the Cause, and mitigate the Symptom, for which these are 
specifical; Seeds of Piony, of Cow-parsnips, and Plantaine, a foment of 
Decoction of Mugwort, Devils-bit-Seeds, of Agnus Castus, and Line- 
Seed ; or a Bath may be made of them for the Woman to fit in, or af- 
ter Bathing with the Foment, the residue or boiled Herbs may, being 
strained, be applyed hot to the Region of the Uterus, in manner of a 
Cataplasm. Ss 2 IV. Ulce 

324 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
IV. Ulcerous Pain; or of dissolved unity,from Wounds and Ulcers, 
here injection of Juyce of Plantane by a Syringe is best. See Wounds 
and Ulcers of the Uterus. 
V. Inflammatory ; for which also look in its proper place. 
CHAP. VI.
Of Worms of the Matrice or Uterus.
That Worms, though of different kinds, be bred in all parts of our 
Body, is a truth not to be gainsaid.
CAUSE 
Is the same as of Worms of other parts, viz., viscous and cold, and 
raw Humours, which by their clamminess, adhering to the Orifice or 
Neck of the Uterus, by degrees rotting, and receiving heat and nourish- 
ment, grow to living Bodies. 
SIGN.
There is great molestation, itching of the Uterus, and Belly, with  
inquietude and want of sleep, hereupon ensues an inordinate Feaver, 
whereby the sick sometime consume ; there is often moistness of the 
Lips of the Uterus; sometimes the Worms themselves come forth, 
which unless they do, all other indications are but doubtful. 
DYET
Must be such as may not encrease their Aliment, as things that breed 
thick, sweet, and Phlegmatick corruptive Juices,may do; Drink may be 
altered with some Antidotes against Worms steeped in a Jug, but a  
moistening Dyet is not to be used. 
CURE. 
1. We give Catharticks after Preparatives, and openers of the first 
Passages. 
2. We come to Medicines killing the Worms, which are better in- 
jected then taken by the Mouth ; such Medicines are expressed in the ge- 
neral Chapter of Worms : Clisters may be had in use also, and Em- 
plaisters, whereby the Worms be not only killed, but forced out by the 
expultrice faculty of Nature set on-work ; such an Emplaister as this 
may seem most requisite hereto, ꝶ Pouder of the Pulp of Collocin- 
this, ʒj Savin, Rhue, Tansy, Roots of Birthwort, ana. ʒss. Aloes,
ʒij, Frankinsence, ℥j. Ox Gall, as much as may be found needful 
for


325 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for the confidence desired, make an Emplaister or Cerot, to be apply- 
ed upon the Region of the Uterus and Privities. 
It would not be amiss to use a Purgative Apozem after these, for se- 
veral mornings together. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Stones of the Matrice. 
CAUSES.
Causes be Internal, the same as the Stone of the Reins is caused 
by, viz.  
1. A Material, as crude, slow and tough Humours, sticking to 
the Tunicles of the Uterus, otherwise they would easily be cast forth. 
Hippocrates saith, Pus remaining in the Uterus, is dried, hardned and 
concrete into a Stone: Many Histories do tell us of these Stones bred in 
the Matrice, and by some the Uterus hath been found stony. 
2. Efficient, as great heat of the Uterus. 
Feeding or suppeditating Causes, be ill Dyet, encreasing crude and 
viscous pituitous Matter, as Cheese, Milk, Fish, Pulse, and gross 
Nutriments, and bad Air. 
SIGN. 
There is pain in the Region of the which being crushed, 'tis 
much exacerbated ;it hinders Conception, and causes immoderate flux of 
Menses. Ætius discovered them by putting his Fingers up the Fun- 
dament. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If too long delayed are Cured, the Uterus being the common sink of 
gross and vitiated Menstruous Blood, it may be so encreased, that the 
whole Uterus may be made stony. 
Nicholas Fontanus saith, That, he hath known it fill the whole capacity of 
the Uterus, and totally suppress the Menstrua, therefrom being made cor- 
rupt and purulent Ulcers. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet set. Preparation by Saxifraga's is to be 
instituted. 2. Evacuation of the Antecedent and Suppeditating Mat- 
ter. 3. Solution of the Stone, and lenition or appealing of Pain, with 
slippery making Medicines, may pass all under one ; Juyce of Mallows, 
of Pellitory of the Wall, Bisinallows, Liquorish, Fenugreek-Seeds, Line- 
Seeds, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, Broath of Licers, &c. Clisters also 
of


326 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
of those Herbs, and the like, may be often injected, onely to mollifie 
and lenify. 
Insessions also, Half-Tubs, Foments, and other Applications, are not 
altogether to be slighted.
After these, Extraction is to be made by the Midwife, putting up her 
Finger into the Fundament, and pressing down the Belly upon the Bones 
adjoyning near the Privities, that the place the Stone is feared in may be 
lifted up ; then with a Crows Bill, or Nippers, artificially drawing it 
out. 
This done, a Prophylactick Method is to be kept for some while 
after. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of a Cancer of the Uterus. 
DEFINATION.
CArcinoma Uteri, or a Cancer of the Uterus, is an uneven, sublivid, 
and painful swelling, made from Atrabilis and adust Melancholy ; 
sometime from the matter sharper ulcerating, and of bad curation. 
CAUSES. 
Causes be, first and chiefly a Scirrh, for a Scirrhous Cause is onely 
Melancholy thickened, and not yet adust, but receiving adustion, it turns 
a Cancer, and is called Scirrhus Carcinodes : Cancers often follow 
Scirrhs of the Uterus, being ill cured ; for then they easily degenerate 
cancerous. 
2. Its Original Cause is an atrabilarious Humour, menstruous Blood 
is sometime detained, and afterwards made dry, and acquires adustion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. 'Tis a Tumour hard and renitent, blewish, uneven, and very pain- 
ful, in the Capacity or Neck of the Uterus.  
2. The Tumour may sometimes be seen by Speculum Matrices.
5. There is pungent pain about the Share, Abdomen, and Loins. 
Signs of a Scirrh degenerating into a Cancer, be, If before, because
the matter was more cold and dry, there was no pain; and now from the 
matter growing mote acrimonious and hot, it begins to pain, but hard- 
ness remains as did in a Scirrh, without effecting a Disease of extraor- 
dinary magnitude ; yet Riolanus saith, The magnitude of the Uterus is 
greatly
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 327
greatly encreased thereby, so that sometime it hath been teen as big as an 
infants Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. At first it might be remedied, but then, because it brings not much 
molestation, 'tis disregarded. 
2. Grown, tis incurable; and so much the worse, because feculent 
excrementitious Blood is always nourishing it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are twofold : 1. Not ulcerated, made from a milder Hu- 
mour, whereof we have hitherto treated. 
2. Ulcerated, from a more sharp Humour ;  Adustion and Putrifa- 
ction make Humours sharp; it hath more sordid Lips than a Non-ulce- 
rate, from whence efflow a thin, yellow, or black stinking Humour; nor 
is its pain gentler, but of harder curation than a Non-ulcerate-Cancer,
called by some notwithstanding, An hidden Ulcer. 
CURE.
Cure is treble : 1 To stop its generation in a Scirrhous matter. 
2. For a whole Cancer. 
3. For an ulcerated one. 
First, To prohibit the turning cancerous of Scirrhs, or mutation of 
the scirrhous matter into a Cancer.
1. Letting Blood is thought very conducible ; it may be made in Ham 
or Arm, chiefly in Hæmorrhoids, for they vent out gross feculent parts 
of the Blood, and avert: Bleeding is best in Spring and Fall; if she 
have not her Menstrua, chuse the Saphena-Vein. 
2. Such Simples as purge Melancholy are to be prescribed, of not too 
heating Purgers; this must be frequently done , and better it is to take 
two too weak, then one too strong; Senna, Epithimum, Myrobalans, and 
the like, conveniently mixed, both in quantity, and with due Corre- 
cters, steeped in Whey, in form of a Nodulus for half an hour, the Whey 
being first made scalding hot, then lightly pressed out and drunk ; the 
force of the Nodulus may last four or five times for so using. 
3. All Subtracters from the antecedent Cause, are to be used, of which 
the aforementioned are not to be neglected. 
4. Topicks, which are to be applied to the Privities, being moderately 
cold, and drying, and mild ; an Oyntment of Oyl of Roses, and Yolks 
of Eggs, with Camphir, prepared in a Leaden Mortar, is most excel- 
lent. 2. Juyces maybe injected into the Uterus, as of Herb-Robert,
Milfoil, and Mullein, which are commended; or Decoction of green 
Cori-


328 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Coriander, Nimphea, and Poppies boiled in Milk ; or Unguents dissol- 
ved in Milk, or suitable Decoctions, may be injected. 
Riverius saith, With the following Receipt, the cancrous swelling of 
the Paps have been healed ; ꝶ of the Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, ℥ij. 
Juyce of Nightshade, Pauls Betony, and Housleek , ana ʒiij, crude 
Mercury, ʒij. let them be beat in a Leaden Mortar, with a Leaden Pe- 
stil, till they attain to the thickness of a Liniment; Foments also for 
the washing of the parts affected, of the precedent things, or their like, 
may be made very useful. 
Secondly, If the matter be already made cancerous, and the Cancer 
hath received growth, though not brought to perfection, there is little 
hope of Cure; if confirmed, there is none: Here,if there be any hope of 
Cure, (after using of Generals, as in the Direction for preventing its 
growth, is instituted) we must flee to Specificals, but mild, for 'tis apt 
easily to be enraged, and pain to exacerbate ; therefore injections of Sac- 
carum Saturni, beat in a Leaden Morter, with Juyce of River-Crabs, are 
specifical ; Decoction of Frogs, or Herb-Robert so injected, Oyntments 
of Pompholix, Ceruss, Camphir, Saccarum Saturni, Oyl of Roses, &c. 
with a Cataplasm of Frogs boyled, are specifical. 
If it be confirmed, we must onely use Palliatives, that misery may 
be the less, and life the longer; the part being now hardened, 'tis most
difficult mollifie it , and restore it to its former sanity ; therefore the 
chief thing now must be mittigation of the pain ; Injections of emol- 
lient Anodine Simples, with Sperm of Frogs, Foments and Insessions, 
are to be had in use , Narcoticks and great Dullers of the pain, in more 
urging Torments, are allowable. 
Thirdly, If ulcerate, we must accommodate Medicines to it, as Me- 
tals, Mineral-Waters, Dryers, Dullers of Acrimony, and Protracters 
of its augmentation, the Ashes of River-Crabs washt in Nightshade- 
Water, mixt with Lead, or Antimony, is much trusted to by some in an 
ulcerate Cancer. 
If much Blood flow from the ulcered Cancer, as often do, the best is 
Juyce of Plantane and Frankinsence injected into the Uterus. 
Lastly, If it may be hindered or cured, a Prophylactick Method is to 
be observed, lest a Relapse should happen afterward. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 329 
CHAP. IX.
Of a Dropsie of the Uterus.
DEFINITION.
A Dropsie of the Uterus is a repletion and distention of it from Wa- 
ter collected in it, either from fault in it self, or other parts, in- 
ducing a swelling and impotency. 
CAUSE.
Cause is either essential, where, 1. The stoopping of their wonted 
Menstrua, by a close closure of the Uterus, and the presence waterish 
Humours in the Uterus, which not having passage out, because of the 
close shutting up of the Orifice, but heaping up more and more, do ef- 
fect a Dropsie. 
2. As a stopping of the Menstrua, and of the Uterus induces it, so al- 
so a weakness in the Uterus ; native heat being very weak, and not able 
to make good digestion, nor expulsion of Humours that are gathered 
thither. 
Causes inducing a weaknese of the Uterus, are either, 1. Abortion.  
2. Laborious Births. 3. Immoderate flowing of Menses dilating that 
heat. Or, 4. Suppression of them, suffocating and choaking that heat.
5. Or windiness of it. 6. A Mola. 
3. 'Tis made from copulation with one that hath an Ascites and Tym- 
pany of the Belly. 
Secondly, By Consent: As, 
1. From the Liver, which cooled over-much, and weakened, Drop- 
sies generally spread over all the Body; Yet, as Hippocrates saith, Drop- 
sies of particular parts may be made without any defect in the Liver : From 
the Liver comes forth the encrease of pure Blood, if its Sanguification 
be not spoiled ; which if if be, instead of pure Blood, Water is made 
and distributed in the Body, in great quantity. 
2. From the Spleen, which is contumaciously obstructed, but is the 
most seldom cause of all. 
3. Distilling of a serous Humour from the Vena Cava into the Uterus. 
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Uterus, Water being either collected and retained in its 
Capacity through close closure and shutting of it up, (Primrose denies 
this, saying, 'Tis not made in the Cavity ; for if so, Water would flow out, 
as out of the month of a Vessel) or made in little Bladders within the 
T t Uterus


330 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Uterus, like Hydata, out of the which the Water comes not into the Ca- 
pacity of the Uterus, or 'tis included in a Membrane. 
SIGNS. 
Signs of it are swelling of the Uterus, so that they are often thought 
to be with Child; it dints, if the fingers do crush the Region of the Ute- 
rus ; 'tis very discernable by sight; the Woman perceives a squabling of 
the water upon turning of her in her Bed from one side to another. 
2. There is difficulty in fetching her Breath. 
3. There is Nausea, and disdain of Food. But, 
4. Great thirst from thin and salt Flegm, though seated in the Uterus, 
yet communicating its vice to the Stomach, by the common Vessels and 
Wayes. 
5. Softness of the Paps, and want of Milk. 
6. Shakings, Heart-pains, and Feaverish fits often afflict her.
7. The Menstrua are stopt, or if they do slow, they are very few, or  
like washings of flesh.
8. Smallness and leanness of the Neck of the Uterus.
DIFFERENCES.
First, As to its Causes: 1. Essential, and then some Distemper or 
Disease of the Uterus went before, and there be signs of the Uterus being 
hurt: 2. By Communication, as from the Liver; then there be Signs 
of the Liver affected, the Blood is waterish, and there be Signs of great 
coldness and weakness of the Principal Bowels. 
Secondly, As to the Subject or Part: 1. 'Tis made in the Capacity 
or Orifice of the Uterus; then by touch the Uterus is felt close shut, a 
great loose swelling is perceived, and the duration of Water there ; 
sometimes it happens in Child-bearing, and is not cast out till the Birth, 
which is destroyed by so much stinking water. 2. 'Tis contained in 
certain Bladders and Vesicles adhering to the substance of the Uterus, 
in which the Orifice of the Uterus seems to be fallen together; there be 
greater Pains, there is less fluctuation and rumbling of the Water.
DIFFERENCES betwixt it and other Diseases.
I. It differs from an Ascites, 1. By less fluctuation : 2. By situation 
of the Tumour: 3. By signs of the Uterus onely affected: 4. An Asci- 
tes also rises from superiour parts, and goes down to lower parts, and
possesses the Legs. 5. There is als a bad colour of the Face. 
2. It differs from Gravidity, or Great-Belliedness. because, 1. The 
motion of the Infant is felt; 2. The Brests are made more solid and full 
of Milk: 3. In a Dropsie there is a swelling of the Uterus according to 
the amplitude of the Belly and Uterus; but in conception 'tis more
round


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 331 
round and heavy. 4. There is a bad bloody Humour flows from the 
Uterus, soon ended, and comes not orderly again, which is not so from 
the birth. 
3. It differs from an Inflamation of the Matrice, because in that 
there is, 1. A great burning and continual Feaver. 2. The Region 
of the Uterus feels harder. 3. Nor is there so much of waterish slimy 
stinking Excrements flowing away from the Uterus, as is made in a 
Dropsie. 
4. It differs from Inflamation of the Uterus, for then there is pre- 
sent, 1. A Sounding, specially if the Uterus be struck. 2. Tension, 
or stretching out of the Uterus. 3. There is not so great a burthen and 
heaviness as in a Dropsie. 
5. 'Tis distinguished from a Mola, because herein are, 1. A greater 
weight in the bottom of the Belly. 2. The Paps at birth time do 
swell. 
6. From a Scirrh of the Uterus, for in that is great hardness, but a 
shining, softness and lankness of the flesh in Dropsies.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. If it be in the whole Orifice of the Uterus, the Child growing 
bigger, the Woman grows better ; 'tis cast out at time of delivery, the 
Uterus all the while before being close shut. 
2. If Water be shut up in Blisters and little Bladders adhering to the 
Uterus, 'tis harder to cure. 
3. In general 'tis a Cronical Disease, not quickly killing, or quick- 
ly forsaking the Diseased. 
4. If the Water be not corrupted nor sharp, in time 'tis cured. 
5. If it be not Essential, if obstructions be present, there is great feat 
of an Universal Dropsie. 
6. If it comes before, it hinders Conception; if after Conception; it 
causes Abortion.
DYET
Must be hot and dry, all moist things must be avoided; she may 
drink pure Wine, or rather some pleasant Dyet-drink. 
Air must also be hot and dry, either naturally or artificially,according 
to Galenists; see further direction for Regiment in the Chapter of the 
Dropsie-Ascites. 
CURE. 
In Cure, 1. Blood-letting is to be superseded, unless, 1. The Par- 
ty be Phlethorick and Sanguine-coloured, young, lusty, and in the 
Spring time (for letting Blood weakens the inbred heat, and extinguish-
T t 2 eth


332 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
eth the Spirits.) 2. If the Diseased wants her accustomed Evacuation 
by the Uterus, a Vein of the Ankle may be opened, with repetition. Or, 
3. if the Hæmorrhoids be supprest, Nature having used to make a vent 
th at way, are to be opened by Leeches. 
2. Purging (to which some premise Preparers, which unless there 
be thick Humours present, are useless ; for Water neither concocts nor 
is made thick) which saith Hartman, Doth little good, unless when the  
vice proceeds from Liver or Spleen, then Antimonial Pills shew their effi- 
cacy. 
3. Diureticks excel Purgers, but are not so excellent as in General 
Dropsies; the best are the Roots of Flower-de-luce, Bark of Eldern, 
and of the Roots of Danewort, Saldonellas, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Juniper and Broom burnt to Ashes, and steeped in White-Wine, and 
the Wine drunk: Medicines also from their specifical affinity to the part, 
are rather to be chosen, being good for Dropsies, than those that respect 
the part not at all. 
4. Education of the Water by Injections, by Semi-Cups, or Half- 
Tubs, by Foments, or a Pultis of Saldonella to the Privities, are com- 
mendable ; Issues are not good, but Pessaries, Clisters, and Emplai- 
sters, such as are prescribed in the general Cure of Dropsies, are helpful : 
the skin of a Sheep new killed, and being yet warm, sprinkled with. 
Wine, and applyed to the Belly, is commended. 
5. Openers and Movers of the monthly Menstrua, if they be stopt, 
or flow not rightly, are chiefly to be insisted upon ; Chalybrate Pills, 
and Histeticks, having also a diuretick force and drying, are to be 
chosen. 
6. Carminatives, either by the Mouth, or in Fomentations, or in 
Clisters, are to be used, because commonly there is great plenty of 
windiness,which disturbs much. 
If the Water stick fast in little Bladders and Skins, and be not educti- 
ble, or to be brought forth, Clisters are often to be given, and Vo- 
miting,with Emeticks, may chance to break those Pellicles by its tear- 
ing, and plucking working;, great and strong exercise also, leaping, 
jumping, and the like, may sometime break them, and cause them to 
send forth their Water. 
Riverius also, to break these, commends this Bole to be taken twice 
a week, ꝶ Mineral Borax, ʒss. Saffron, ℈ss. with Juyce of Savine, 
make a Bolus. 
If the Vena Cava doth distil a Watery Matter, Hartman commends 
for a rare secret, Vitriol of Mars. 
Lastly, The Uterus is to be strenghtened and reduced to its right
temper-


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 333 
temper again, to perform its duty in due measure and manner. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Inflamation of the Uterus. 
Inflamation of the Uterus, is a preternatural Tumour risen from hot 
Blood gathered there and putrified, infesting with many Symptoms, 
and terminated in a Scirrh or Botch. 
CAUSE 
Is Blood which is hot and boiling, fallen by the Vessels into the sub- 
stance of the uterus, either from an hot Liver, or plenitude of the 
whole Body, attracted and moved thither by violent causes. As, 
1. Falls and Blows. 
2. Retention of the Menstrua. 
3. From cold Air, after a Womans Delivery unwarily taken in, it hap- 
pens often, the Loches being supprest thereupon. 
4. Hard Travel and Abortion, where the great pain, heat, and 
opening of the Vessels, causes the afflux of much Blood. 
5. Violent drawing forth of the Secundine. 
6. Exulceration. 
7. Immoderate use of Venery. 
8. Too swift diambulations, and overmuch painful journying, speci- 
ally in time of bearing, or when their Mestrua arc flowing. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK 
Be generally taken, 1. From the Uterus it self, which is, first, Swel- 
led, which is discerned by sight upon the Region of the Uterus. Second- 
ly, Pained, which is as from an Inflamation or burning heat. Thirdly,
Shut up, and drawn back towards the inward parts. 
2. From the Symptoms which are present herein, and are, 1. An 
acute Feaver, constant and burning, from the Heart consenting with the 
Uterus by the Arteries and great Vessels; sometimes a Lypiria, where- 
in inwardly they are very Feaverish and hot, but outwardly cold, from. 
tension of the Humours towards the inward parts. 
2. Headach, which vexes most in the hinder part, and reaches to the 
Roots of the Eyes, from Vapours arising from the Uterus. 
3. Pains of the Share and Loins, of the Middriff also, and Cannels 
Bones of the Neck.
4. A 



334 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
4. A suppression of the Excrements of the Belly from heat and dri- 
ness of the Uterus, and thrusting together of the Passages by the Uterus,
stretched out. 
5. Menstrua do suddenly sometimes go forth, but few in quantity 
and prave in quality. 
6. The Pulse is small and often.
7. The Stomach is evil affected, from consent and bad exhalations. 
8. Cramps and Convulsions in the Arms, Fingers and Neck. 
9. A Delirium, and talking idley. 
10. A fainting and sailing of Spirits from the violence of the Dis- 
ease, and Symptoms concomitant herewith. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure is hardly to be attained, if it hath gotten the Nature of an Ery- 
sipela, which kills the Child, and causes Abortion, nor if it be Gangræ- 
ned ; it is very doubtful if all the Uterus be affected, if Symptoms be 
many and great, if it turn to rotting, and break, for then there is an in- 
curable Ulcer made, whence noysom Vapours are carried upwards,and 
affect the principal parts by consent, and at last may kill the Sick with a 
slow Feaver. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Are either, 1. from the part; whereas, 1. It is of the whole uterus,
wherein is pain all over. 2. Of one of the sides, where the privy parts 
on that side are most hot and pained, and the Leg on that side is badly 
moved. 3. Or of the back part, in which pain urges more towards the 
Loins and Back, and retention of Excrements is greater from its lying 
upon and straitening the Rectum Intestinum. 4. Of the sore-part, in 
which, because it coheres with the Bladder, there is hurt of making Wa- 
ter, or a Strangury, and there is greater pain about the Secrets. 5. Of 
its Neck, where heat, swelling and pain are most felt, it is to be discern- 
ed red, and its Veins like Spiders Webs filled with Blood. 
Or, 2. From the Humour ; where, 1. It is made of pure Blood, 
wherein all Symptoms are more remiss. 2. Of Chollerick or Atra- 
bilatious Blood, wherein all things are more cruel and dangerous. 
Or, 3. From the Events; whenas, 1. It degenerates into a Scirrh; 
Symptoms are here more mild ; a sence of gravity is perceived in the 
Womb, the evil lasts long, and at last a Dropsie of the Womb is fre- 
quently made. 2. Into an Abscess, then Pain, Feaver, and all Sym- 
promes are increased ; Horrors about evening especially do invade; 
there is a sense of somewhat fluctuating ; it being broke, the Mat- 
ter is sometimes poured out into the Capacity of the Womb, sometime 
into Vicine Parts. Cure 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 335 
Cute is begun with letting Blood in the Veins of the Arm, whereby 
Evacuation, Revulsion and Interception of that hot and Chollerick 
Blood is made, and they derive better from the Liver, then the Saphæna, 
which some appoint chiefly to be cut, because by reason of its vicinity 
and neerness to the Uterus, they think it draws Blood from thence most 
immediately ; but opening of the Leg-Veins are condemned by others, 
because in a deficiency the opening of them draws Blood to the Uterus, 
but the Ham-Veins are better approved then the Feet-Veins for Deri- 
vation ; and letting Blood is frequently to be performed according to 
the constitution, strength and age of the Sick, and condition also ; if 
that she be not with Child, and so abortion may be endangered, or if it 
comes not after abortion,, wherein the Woman voided blood very larg- 
ly, and is faint : Blood also is to be drawn forth more largely or penu- 
riously, according as the Feaver remains more intense or remiss, which 
is chiefly respected in opening the Cubit-Vein ; and when as the turgent
and redundant Blood is emptied, the cutting of the Saphæna is more 
effectual, and less hurtful. 
2. See that the Belly be not Bound or Costive, if it be, give cooling 
and Emolient Clisters. 
3. For Revulsion, apply Cupping-glasses to the Shoulder-Blades and 
Loins, and with Scarification to the Hips, binding of the upper parts, &c. 
4. Choller and sharp Humours are to be purged from the Blood, and 
though strong Purgatives are not allowed, because they irritate too much 
and move Humours to fall upon a part weakned, and not able to repel 
them, yet gentle benign Medicines do not hurt, but help and bring ease, 
as Cassia extract with Syrup of Violets, Manna dissolved in Broath, &c. 
Avicen, Fontanus, &c. think Clisters more conducible for Eva- 
cuation of the peccant Humours, but if they be very strong, so as to 
evacuate and carry Humours to any purpose, they exacerbate much, and 
may encrease the Inflamation ; if they be gentle and emollient onely, 
they evacuate not the Humours, but Excrements of the Guts only, and 
are proper, if the Belly be Costive as above said. 
5. Topicals are in the mean while to be applyed, as Epithemes, and 
Fomentations, Cataplasms, Insessions, Pessaries, &c. which are to 
be made cf things that cool and moisten without any astriction ; yet we 
must observe that things that are too cold, or too long adhere to the part, 
are inimical to the Uterus, that being the place of Conception. Second- 
ly, Things too cooling and repelling, may harden the Matter, and cause
it to turn Scirrhous, for fear of which, some Resolvents and Emolients 
are to be mixt. 
ꝶ


336 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Night-shade, Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, 
and Violet Leaves, boil them in Water for an half Tub, or foment the 
Region of the Uterus therewith. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Purslane, Red-Rose-Leaves, and Water-Lillies, 
boil them in Milk and Barley-Water, for a Cataplasm. 
Dip a Sponge in Vinegar of Roses, and lay to the bottom of her Belly, 
betwixt her Navil and Share. 
ꝶ of Juyce of Plantane, Sengreen or Purslane, and therein dip 
Wooll, and put it up for a Pessary. 
ꝶ Juyce of Plantane, inject by a Syringe. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of the Balsom-Tree, Juyce of Plantane, of Purslane, of 
each equal parts, for an Injection. 
A Decoction of the Roots of Endive and Cichory, or of Plantane- 
leaves in Whey is held specifical, to be drunk for Inflamation of the 
Uterus. 
Hartman and Johnstonus are highly opinioned of Mother of Time, 
boild in Steeled Water and drunk,or the Decoction applyed by Sponges. 
CHAP. XI.
Of the Mola in the Matrice. 
DEFINITION. 
A Mola is a shapeless lump of flesh, without Bones or Bowels, 
growing in the Uterus from an imperfect Conception, from fault 
of the Seed, belying a true Birth, and gotten instead thereof. 
Galen defines it to be a mass of flesh without form. 
Ætius and Paulus, An hard Swelling. 
Platerus saith, It is an immoveable and insensible Body of soft flesh, that 
is void of a certain Figure.
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, first from faulty Seed, and that as well masculine as fe- 
minine together, (others onely allow the Womans Seed to be the cause 
hereof) which wanting a forming quality, and being drowned in men- 
struous, thick and humourous Blood, a shapeless mass is made, and by 
heat hardened. 
SIGNS. 
It is a Mass of Flesh, void of a certain form, immoveable and in- 
sensible, lying like a stone, with a great sence of weight. 
I. It belies or counterfeits a true Birth, because, 1. Herein is longing. 
2. Loss of Appetite. 3.Swelling of the Brests. 4. Stopping of the Men-
strua, 5. A bad colour. 
2. It


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 337
2. It is distinguished, First, From a true birth, because in this is, 1. No 
perceivance of its Body for many months, and then an hard sensless and 
immovable Body, is perceived. 2. There sometimes follows a pricking 
pain, which is not in a true Conception. 3. The Woman perceives a 
motion like trembling and panting, distinct from that of the Infant. 
4. Though the Breast swell, there is no Milk, it is from supprest Men- 
strua, and they flag afterward. 5. It differs in the bulk and figure of the 
Uterus, for in a true Conception it is chiefly lifted up towards the Navil, 
and softly straitened towards the sides; but in this the Belly is lifted up 
into all its dimensions. Secondly, From a Dropsie of the Uterus, for 
in that there is a soft swelling, it yeilds to pression of the Hand and Fin- 
gers, and the dints made therefrom, rise again in height, there is a rum- 
bling and sense of water; which things are not so in a Mola, though a 
Dropsie may follow, and be conjoyned with it in time. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Some are more soft, watery, slimy and bloody ; and some more fecu- 
lent and hard; some flaulent, or puffed up, and spongy : They are not 
known to be in the Uterus of Bruits, they not abounding with Menstrua, 
as Women do. 
Sometime they grow in the Neck, sometime also in the Bosom of the 
Uterus.
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is dangerous, 1. Because in time the Liver sometimes is weakened, 
and a Dropsie ensues. 
2. They carry it in their Uterus two or three years sometimes, and 
sometimes is incurable if not looked to at the beginning. 
3. It is sometimes very great, and is expelled with a very doubtful 
Erysis, and large fluxes of Blood accompany its egress, so that some- 
times the Spirits being exhausted, and an Inflammation, Feaver and Deli- 
rium being raised, she dies in the act of ejecting it. 
It is excluded sometimes before, sometimes with the Birth, and some- 
times without it. 
CURE. 
In Cure we are, 1. To hinder its growth and encrease, and take away its 
aliment, for which Blood is to be drawn forth by the Arm and Ankles; 
Copulation, adding more weak Seed, is to be shunned ; the Menstrua are 
to flow, and we must purge tenacious and vitious Humours from the Ute- 
rus : In Dyet, all fat, cold, gross, viscous, windy Meats are to be shun-
ned ; let her drink Wormwood Beer or Wine : Exercise is not so good 
here, as for Expulsion, if the growth of it may not be hindered ; for it 
Uu rather



338 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
rather moves flux of Humours that encrease its growth; but moderate 
and gentle exercises are not to be abandoned. 
2. If grown, to expel it: Here such as are for ejection of the dead 
Child, and moving of the Menstrua, are useful : and such things as are 
contrary to those used for preservation of the Child in the Uterus, are 
to be instituted : In Meats, Openers, Attenuaters, and Dissolvers of 
concreted matter, are good ; Exercise, as leaping, jumping, running, 
that were for the dead Birth, are good.
Then after Preparation, give Purgers,and things that move the Men- 
strua, whereof take this for an Example: ꝶ of Borax, Savin, Cina- 
mon, and Diptamy of Creet, of each ʒj Motherwort, Nigella Romana- 
Seeds, Assafœtida, Saint John's-Wort, of each ʒfs. take ʒj. for a dose in 
sugared White-Wine.
The Juyce of the Leaves of Lovage drunk in Mugwort-water is held 
a secret. 
Hartmannus saith, A Secret is not more happily given for exterminating 
this, than the Pouder of Secundines, which is to he given more often, (if the 
Mola hath continued long) in Mugwort, Gentian, Penny-Royal, or Nettle- 
Water, some Cinamon-Water being always added ; and that hereby he cured 
many generous Women, which by learned Physitians were thought des-
perate. 
Externally are many things to be used to relax the parts, and discuss 
and shake off the impacted matter, as are Insesssions, Fomentations, Ca- 
taplasms, Oyntments, Pessaries, &c. of emollient and resolvent Me- 
dicines, as Chamomile, Mallows, marish Mallows, Mellilot, Mugwort,
Dill, Rheu, Motherwort, &c.
Natural Bathes also, and such as have force of rarifying and dissol- 
ving, are good. 
Some apply dry Capping-glasses , and painful Ligatures about the 
Calves of the Legs for attraction sake. 
If all Medicines fail, and the Woman is like to miscarry therefrom, 
Platerus advises, That it he taken away by Manual Operation, or in extream 
peril, by section made by the Abdomen into the Uterus.
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms happening herein ate to be respected. 
As, 1. A Dysentery, that commonly goes before the expelling of 
the Mola, and is to be cured as other Dysenteries. 
2. Windiness, which causes great rumbling and distention, and is 
taken away after preparation and purging of the Humours, by Clisters, 
Pessaries of Juyce of Mercury, and Cardamoms, Insesses and Unction 
of


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 339
of the Pecten, with Oyl of Dill, Cummin-Seeds and Castorium. 
3. Fainting and Swounding fits, that follow upon the great Hæmor- 
rhages that happens in the Expulsion of the Mola, and are helped by Cor- 
dials, and such as strengthen the forces, and uphold Nature. 
4. Clotted and congealed Blood, for whole Cure, if there be need, 
see the Chapter of Blood clotted in the Bladder. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Condiloma Uteri. 
Condylomata, are swellings of the Rinkles in the Neck of the Uterus, 
rising in height, and inflicting pain and heat there. 
CAUSES
Are thick and adust Humours, or Humours that have flowen thither 
and are become rotten ; they are often made after some Exulceration 
there. 
SIGN. 
They are like Hyposarcoses, they appear to the Eyes, they are Tu- 
berculous and Membranous, they are rather lifted up while the Menses 
flow out, they are often joyned with Rhagades. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet prescribed. We must take away the Cause, we 
must repercus and dry ; if there be Inflamation, we must correct that 
by Anodines and Coolers, as by Oyntments, Insessions and Perfumes ; 
if old and inveterate, 'tis good to use first Emolients, and then Di- 
gesters and Driers. 
Rondeletius advises to this Pouder, which is to be sprinkled upon the 
parts, ꝶ Savine, ℥j. Burnt Hermodactils, and Mirtil Ashes, ana ʒiij. 
Chalcitis, Allom, ana. ʒij. Red Orpment, ʒj. mix them all into a 
Pouder; this is rather to be used when they are hardned by long conti- 
nuance, for then Consumption by Causticks, or a pair of Pincers, are to 
be ordained to take away the Tumid Flesh, and an Astringent Pouder 
presently sprinkled on the place that is nipt by the Pincers of Steel, 
Pouder of Egg-shells, and Mulleint Leaves. 
Much more might have been spoken of this affect, but seeing they 
are caused and cured much after the same manner as Condylomata of the 
Fundament, we refer it thither. 
U u 2 CHAP.



340 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Itching, or Itching Pushes in the Uterus. 
Pushes of the Uterus, are Tubercles risen in the Neck,and effecting 
by their sharpness great Itching and Pain.
CAUSE.
Cause is sharp, bilious, and sometimes adust Humours insinuated 
there, and producing their effects.
SIGN. 
There is great itching, which is sometime more painful; sometime  
scaley matter falls off; they are best discerned by Speculum Matricis. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
By encreasing it may degenerate into Ulcers; they are sometime 
very hard to cure, especially if they be Malign or Venerial, which often 
happen in Womb-Fury, yet may be made when that is not; and Womb- 
Fury may be caused without the conjunction of this. 
CURE. 
Preparation is made by Endive, Hops, Fumitary, Borrage, Let- 
tice, Cichory, &c. then we must correct the quantity and quality of 
Peccant Humours.
Topicks used in Bathes and Insessions, a washing of the part with 
Wine and Niter, and such things as prohibit Itching ; for which see 
Chapter of Itching. 
If they be Venerious and Contagious, a Lotion of Plantane and 
Rose Water, with Aloes, and a little Erugo Æris artificially dissolved 
therein, is to be used. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 341 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Womb Melancholly. 
DEFINITlON. 
Melancholly of Women is a Delirium, and sadness, with pertur- 
bation of the Mind and Sences, coming by Intervals, and with- 
out a Feaver; made from base exhalations from the Uterus, affected with 
a Melancholly Humour, dulling the Animal Spirits. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is Melancholly, and an earthly gross feculent Humour seated 
in the Uterus, and there exhaling to the Brain fuliginous melancholly 
Vapours, which deprave the Animal Spirits, and sensitive Faculty, 
drawing the original of its growth from natural and dry Evacuation in 
the Uterus impedited, as either suppression of the Menstrua or retenti- 
on of the Seed, or both, which thereby putrifie. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
1. There is fearfulness, sadness, unsatisfiedness in every thing, de- 
jection of mind, and sometime raging, anxiety and weeping, they 
sleep little. 
They laugh, dote, talk idley, and are most garrulous at such time that 
the Menstrua might be expected. 
2. Distemper of the principal parts, from the Vapours sent to them 
and afflicting. As, 1. to the Heart there is made anxiety, sadness, the 
Arteries of it beat vehemently about the Milt and Back. 2. To the 
Stomach there is made loathing of Meat, and want of Appetite, so that 
sometime the Sick thereby arc greatly wasted. 3. To the Thorax are 
made great Pains from Vapours transmitted by the intercostal Arteries, 
and vellicating the Membranes of the Thorax; the side also, from the 
Region of the Heart to the left Pap, is often pained. 4. To the Jaws 
there is made a Sense of Choaking, and they are much vexed with dri- 
ness there. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
’Tis a Disease of some difficulty to cure, both in respect, 1. Of the 
Symptoms it hath with it. 2. Of the parts thereby Afflicted. 3. By 
reason of the stubbornness, being a cold and dry affect. 4. Of the 
great danger there is of the Brain being primarily affected, through 
long


342 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
long continuance of this Disease, whenas 'tis very hard (if at all cura- 
ble,) to be removed. 
CURE.
Bleeding is first to be instituted (after an orderly Dyet, as is prescri-
bed in the General Chapter of Melancholy) by Bleeding, open the 
Cubit-Vein first; then, if the Mestrua be stopt, open the Ankle-Vein 
some days before they are to come down: If Blood be more hot and black 
according to Galenical Rule, we may more freely draw it out. 
2. Preparation, and Alteration of the melancholy Humour, is to be 
made, by Cordials and Specificals for Melancholy ; Borage, Bugloss, 
Dodder of Time, Balm, Rosemary, Archangel, Woodroof, Violet- 
Leaves, Vipers Bugloss, Fumitary, Featherfew, &c. boild in Whey 
clarified, and drunk ; or Syrups of the Juyce of Apples, of Dodder 
of Time, of Borage, and the like, or Julaps of those Syrups and White- 
Wine, or Cordial distilled Waters are good for variety and change, 
which sometimes greatly pleaseth the Sick. 
3. Purge with such as properly purge Melancholy, and are made 
friendly to the Uterus, by the mixing therewith Specificals to carry the 
force of the Medicine to operate more specifically upon the Uterus.
If she be Costive, help that by often Clisters. Medicines in sub- 
stance, as in Pills, do dry too much, therefore Potions, or purging Ju- 
laps are preferred ; Extract of black Hellebore, of Lapis Lazuli, &c. 
are Medicinal. 
Venery is very helpful for her, acted moderately and seasonably. 
Emollient and moistening Bathes are good, both to moisten and tem- 
per, and hinder thick and dry Evaporations, and appease watching; for 
which, if it be immoderate, we must use fomnoriferous Emulsions, Julaps 
and Applications to her Head, Pomanders to smell to; and in extremi- 
ty of watching, Laudanum to two or three Grains, may be given. 
Comforters of the Heart, and Cherishers of the Spirits, are conti- 
nually to be given, and whatever may avert and turn away Melancholy, 
and make her chearful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied-Women. 
Many, various and great are the Diseases and Symptoms that arise 
to Women during the time of their going with Child : The first, 
and that happen in the first times of her going with Child, is, 
1. A Spasm or Cramp, chiefly vexing the Calf of the Leg, which is 
eased by anointing with Oyl of Bays by the fire, and wrapping an hot 
oollen Cloth thereupon.
2. A 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 343 
2. A Diarrhæa or Lientery, wherein the Meat passeth through the 
Body just as it was chewed, no alteration being made. 
3. Illiack Passion, wherein are great Torments and Belly-pains from 
the Guts inflamed, and involved one within another, called by some 
Convolvulus ; and whatsoever here is swallowed down, is presently cast 
up again by Vomit, either because it cannot pass, or because Vapours 
arising herefrom disturb and evert the Stomach. 
Cure it as a common Illiack-Passion, respecting the Fruit in the Uterus,
and condition of the Woman. 
4. Nausea, and Vomiting; This, as in Child-bearing, so also after 
Delivery, is very molestuous , and sometime Food, sometimes onely 
Humours, if the Stomach be empty, are cast our. 
Disdain of Food is often concomitant herewith, and the Woman nei- 
ther affecteth the thing she eateth, nor eaten, doth she keep it, or not 
without great offence. 
The Stomach is to be streghthened : a clensing Potion premised, give 
Decoction of Wormwood, Centuary, Mint, Cinnamon, Enula Roots, 
&c. but if a Decoction be too strong, steep them, being aptly prepa- 
red, in her Beer; if she dislike them so, from great Weakness of her 
Stomach, compose them into a mass, to be swallowed in Pills: give her 
every night going to Bed the quantity of a Nutmeg, of this or the like 
Electuary, ꝶ Marmalades of Quinces, ℥ij, conserve of Roses, ℥j. Cin- 
namon, Mace, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Mint, make it into a due form; 
Strengtheners and astringent Oyntments also for the Stomach, for Ex- 
ternal Use, are to be used. 
5. Womens Longings, and coveting of divers and and strange Aliments. 
See the Cure in the Chapter of Womens Longings. 
6. Belly-ach, from Wind and bad Vapours. ’Tis taken away with 
Carminatives, and as is directed in the Chapter of Wind from the
Uterus. 
7. Toothach. 
8. Headach and Vertigo, which also are made from filthy exhalations, 
and unwholsom vapours sent from the Uterus to the Head. See their 
Cure in the Chapter of them; particularly, I. Respect the Cause ; 
2. The part from whence they arise. 
II. In the middle time of her going, with Child, are, 
I. A Cough; This arises, 1. From compressure of parts. 2. Sup- 
pression of Humours, which putrifie and send molestuous and irritating 
vapours to the parts destinated for breathing; this sometime in the last 
Months doth urge most ; and the reason may very well be, because then
a



344 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
a greater quantity of noxious Humours are heaped up, than were at 
first. 
PRGONOSTICKS. 
'Tis bad in Women with Child, because thereby the Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime broke, and therefrom ensues Abortion. 
CURE. 
In Cure avoid all sharp and irritating things, give Ptysans, and sweet 
Wine, avoid such meats as stop the Pipes of the Lungs, and encrease 
an aliment apt to turn a pituitous Excrement: If the matter be more te- 
naciously feared in the Lungs, give expectorating Syrups, Lohochs, De- 
coctions, and Ptysans; Oyl of sweet Almonds is very helpful; anoint 
the Brest with loosening pectoral Unctions.
2. Fainting, panting of the Heart, and Lipothimy, from fuliginous 
and malignant Vapours communicated from the Uterus, whereby the 
Heart striving to expel those exhalations, doth frequently stretch and 
contract it self. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms hereunto annexed, are, Tremblings, want of sleep, De- 
spair, Leanness, and a wasting condition. 
CURE. 
In Cure, Diversion of the Vapours, after a Lenitive, is to be en- 
deavoured; Frictions of the lower parts, Ligatures, Cuppers, &c. are 
convenient; give her Balm-Water, Syrup of Mint, with other Cordi- 
als : If this doth no good, breathing the Basilick Vein is sometimes 
very helpful, both to refresh the Heart, and the Infant too, being almost 
strangled from the great quantity and bid quality of humorous Blood; 
yet we do it with some moderation, and supposing the Woman be young, 
fleshy and strong. 
3. Pain of the Loins and Hips. See its Cure in the general Chapter 
of Pain, in our Chyrurgery. 
4. Swelling of the Legs; this proceeds from abundance of gross 
cold Humours, through redundancy of them in the Body, being thrust 
down thither; this happens also in the last Months of her going with 
Child, they are scarce perfectly healed till they be delivered; yet in the 
mean time we are not to procrastinate the Cure, left from the part too 
much weakened, and the Humour by long being seated there, growing 
more contumacious, a worse Case befal afterward, and it be harder to 
be cured. 1. We must go about Discussion, and Dissolution of the 
Humours and swelling. 2. Strengthen the part. If by the coldness of 
the


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 345
the part we fear a Gangrene, ’tis prevented by scarifying of the part, for 
so 'tis ventilated, and putrifaction impedited. 
5. An Hæmorrage of the Uterus, or Hæmorrhoid-Veins, sending out 
Blood either from too great plenty of it, made from abounding of it in 
the whole Body, or weakness of the Birth, not attracting that that is 
sent thither for its nourishment, or prave Humours stimulating the ex- 
pultrice force of the Uterus.
CURE. 
Here we must, 1. Respect the Cause, which is either to lessen or 
amend the Blood, or to tame the acrimony of it; 2. The Effects, which 
is an Hæmorrage, which indicates a suppression ; that is done by Astrin- 
gents and Medicines that thicken the Humours, and fix them, and make 
the parts rough. 
III. In the last months of her going with Child, is, 
1. Costiveness, and hard Signs made from the Uterus, compressing the 
strait Gut; or secondly, from the driness of the fæces, the moisture of 
the alimentary matter being sent to the Uterus. 
PROG. 
By hard striving to go to stool, the Cotyledons and Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime loosened, and there is fear of Abortion.
CURE.
Clisters are not now so good to be used, the Child being come to such 
a growth, but Suppositories in their head; fat Broaths with Mallows, 
Syrup of Prunes, or Prunes first stewed,then pricked, and steeped in In- 
fusion of Senna, then eaten, are very good; moistening and slippery 
food is best for her. See more in the Chapter of Costiveness. 
2. Stopping of Urine, made also from largeness of the Uterus crush- 
ing the Bladder; or it may be made from other Causes, which, and whose 
Cure, see in the Chapter of an Iscury. 
3. Swelling and puffing up of the Veins from gross and flatulent Blood ;
Phlebotomy, or opening a Vein, because it detracts nourishment from 
the Child, is not allowed : We must palliate, and keep a good Dyet till 
time of Delivery, for then these Affects are wont to be dissolved. 
4. An effusion or pouring out of water from the Uterus, which was 
gathered in the time of their going with Child 'twixt the Membranes 
comprehending the Birth, and being now heaved up in great plenty 
(specially in such as have lived an idle and sedentary life) Nature casts 
it out after this manner; It hath with it paleness of face, linkness of 
Xx the


346 Of the Diseases of Uterus. 
the skin, windiness, and are like to those in Dropsies, there is fear of it 
turning to a Dropsie, the retentive faculty is weakened, and the 
Child not free from danger ; nor may such a proper Cure as ought, be 
administred; she must use a drying Dyet, roasted Meats, Bisket made 
with Aniseeds, Sarsaperilla-Drink, and Fruits that are dry, and have 
some Astringency. 
Emplaisters may be applied to the Pudendum, and some gentle laxa- 
tive Apozem cannot bring any great prejudice, being discreetly admi- 
nistred. 
CHAP. XVI.
Of Abortion.
DEFINITION. 
Abortion is a depraved action of the the Uterus, the Infant being im- 
maturely and before its legitimate time cast out, unperfected and 
violently being excerned, caused from weakness of the retentive or too 
great force in the expulsive faculty of the Uterus. 
The Seed not as yet conformed, is called Seminis effluvium, that is, 
Cast out : for whenas Nature propagates greedily its own Sex,in reference 
hereto the propensity in Man to ejaculate Sperm, is not greater than 
the greedy coveting in the Woman to suck it in, and Nature is as indu- 
strious now to keep it, and cherish it; the Uterus after the act being close 
shut, as before covetous of receiving it, the Uterus then gaping ; but 
from impotency in it, or provocation,made from their several Causes, it 
cannot keep it, or is forced to cast it out before it be formed.
CAUSES. 
The Causes of Abortion are either Internal or External: 
I. Internal; which is either, First, From vice of the expulsive fa— 
culty; made to act either from acute Diseases, or sharp Humours, from 
winds, Inflation, and Inflamation of the Womb, whereby the parts are 
sorish, and cannot well endure to be crushed : 2. From great astriction 
of the Belly, so that great straining is made to cast out the hard Excre- 
ments : And Hippocrates saith, The Tenasmus, or a Disease moving many 
and troublesome Stools, coming upon Women with Child, causes them to abort, 
3. Violent Causes, as strong Vomits, and purging Medicines, or a natu- 
ral Flux, exceeding in quantity, and too frequent in motion, from shard 
may stimulate the expultrice. 4. From great weight of Humours, and 
burthen,


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 347
burthen, so that Nature is forced to abort, or cast out, to ease her 
self. 
Seconly, from vice in the retentive faculty, which arises, 1. From
abundance of moisture, and slippery Humours, or flegmatick and loose; 
whereby the Ligaments are laxated, and the Child slides away. 2. From 
two or more Children, which the Uterus cannot well contain. 3. From 
often use of Venery, whereby the Uterus is made slippery, and more 
open. 4. Fatness of the Uterus, whose Bodies also usually are
fat. 
Thirdly; From weakness ; which is made, 1. From bad Affects and 
Symptoms, so that it hath force no longer to retain the birth, as are
Convulsions, Swoonings. 2. Loosness of the Ligaments,from long last- 
ing, waterish fluxes, and moisture. 3, From Distempers, as too great 
heat, cold, driness, or moisture. 
Fourthly, From Diseases of magnitude, as, 1. A Mole, 2. Scirrhs, 
or great fleshy Substances, so that the Child is crushed , wants room, 
and is sometimes suffocated, and dies. 3. From Apostems in the 
Uterus. 
Fifthly, From Nourishment: And first, From want of it, the Infant 
dies, and abortion follows ; that is, 1. From letting her Blood too much 
in the time of her going with Child; 2. From a Tabes or Consumption 
that the Woman labours under. Secondly, From too great plenty of it, 
as surfeiting of too much Meat and Drink, strangles it. Thirdly, From bad 
quality in the Nourishment, and Medicines, moving the Menstrua, poi- 
sons. &c. 
Sixthly, From evil Conformation of the Uterus; as, 1. Very great 
and bulky, so that the Child is not fitly closed and comprehended in it, 
but is loose and slips out upon any light occasion. 2. From too great 
straitness of it, whereby both the Child is killed, and not having room, 
is forced out also; as straitness of the Stomach may cause vomit- 
ing.  
II. External Causes are either, First, In the Air; which is hurting 
either, 1. Naturally, as is hot and moist; Hippocr. Aph. 12. Sect. 3. 
saith, If Winter was Austral and Rainy, or dry, and a North Wind blow, 
Women, to whom their Birth happens in the Spring, upon every light occasion 
do abort, 2. Artificially made unwholesome, as stinking, made from 
Bogs, Jaques, or fumes of Assafœtida, Galbanum, Castorium, the snuff
of a Candle, or the like evil Stenches; for the Uterus flies stinking 
things, and embraces sweet. 
Secondly, In Dyet; which belongs to external Causes; but of that 
we have already spoken.  
X x 2 Thirdly,


348 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Thirdly, From violent Causes ; which, 1. Either cause solution of 
continuity, or too great concussion and shaking of the Uterus, as is free- 
zing, jumping, leaping, running, dancing, blows, falls, and the 
like.
Fourthly, Vehement vexings, disquietings, chidings, anger, wrath, 
perturbation of the Mind and Senses. 
Fifthly, Sudden frightings, swooning, failing of the Spirits, the noise 
of a Gun, clap of Thunder, and the like, do sometimes cause, and much 
further abortion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs preceding Abortion, are, 1. A lessening of the Nipples and 
Paps extenuated, which shews the want of Blood in the Veins of the 
Uterus, and of  the Paps, or that through violence of the Birth, or rup- 
ture of the Vessels, the Blood is rushed into the Uterus, from the Veins 
of the Paps; for then the Paps that were full and plump before, slack, 
and become lank and small : Hippocrates saith, If a Woman hath Twins, 
and one be a Wench, and the other a Boy ; if the right Brest is suddenly dimi- 
nished, she loseth her Boy ; and if the left, her Girl. 
2. Much Milk flowing from the Nipples. 
3. Pains about the Belly and Loins, which end about the Share, and 
Os Sacrum ; 2. About the Region of the Reins, defending to the Hy- 
pogaster, chiefly arising from Cold ; 3. Painful Throes. 
4. The Child is fallen down lower then duely it ought, and the ex- 
pultricc faculty is mightily provoked to cast it forth. 
5. There flows out a thin watery and bloody evacuation from the 
Uterus; or Menstrua being black; and Throes accompanying, certainly 
denote Abortion near. 
6. If in acute and dangerous Diseases she happens to be in Travel, 
both she and the Child too, are usually killed thereby. 
7. Shakings of the parts, and trembling motion , and redness of the 
Face, and a disturbance in her. Body, are sometimes Foretellers and 
Forerunners of Abortion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Abortion is most dangerous, or they are most apt to abort in the 
sixth, seventh and eighth months.
2. Frequent Abortion causes Barrenness.
3. From violence and disturbance in Nature, acting contrary to its 
mutual, Harmony, Abortion is far worse than a legitimate and natural 
Birth.
4. Sometimes Abortion threatned, by Medicines is stayed or defer- 
red for a while, and then returns again.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases the Uterus. 349
CURE. 
Cure is altogether preventive, in which, 1. We must respect the 
Cause, which if it be from Phlethory, letting Blood is rather to be 
done then refused, Fernelius asserting, that unless a sufficient quanti- 
ty of Blood be drawn out before that she looks for Delivery, the Child 
will be overwhelmed and suffocated with plenty of Blood,which may 
fall out of the Veins into the Uterus, they opening through fulness: some 
bid a Vein to be cut before Conception. 2. If Cacochymy offends, we 
must purge, and take away the irritating Cause, and temper Acrimo- 
ny. 3. The Bowels must be corroborated, the retentive faculty con- 
firmed, Distemper corrected, and things hurtful avoided; all which 
prevent well,if used before conception. 
Zacutus Lusitanus found Cauteries of exceeding excellency for Deri- 
vation and Evacuation of Humours; which if they be too thick,we must 
thin them, if too thin and waterish, thicken them. 
In too great moisture, Sweating and Dryers are useful ; in Drinesse, 
Moistners and Nourishers. Precaution before Conception, by fitting 
the Body, and freeing it from all infirmities, is as useful as defending 
it, when it is conceived, from Death and Miscarriage. 
Before Abortion is nigh, these Medicines are good Preservatives. 
1. Sage-Ale drunk every morning,or Cinnamon boild in Beer. 2. Au-
rum Potabile, which strengthening Nature in her Center, fortifies all 
Parts. 3. Juyce of Lobsters given twice a Month in Wine,or the
Salt of them, are good Preservatives against Abortion. 
These are held for Secrets, and if the Child be not yet divulsed from 
the Cotyledon, certainly prevent Abortion; ꝶ of the Leaves of Gold, xii. 
Spodium, ʒfs. Mastich, Roots of Tormentil and Bistort, of each ʒj. 
mix them ; give ʒj. for a Dose every morning in Plantane-Water, or 
rather in a draught of Ale wherein Tansy is steeped, for Tansy by a Mag- 
netick Quality draws the Child , keeps it in its natural place and or- 
der. 2. The Stone Ætitus, or Lapis Prægnans, so called, because there 
is one within another, and signifying the Stone with Child ; this if 
hung about a Womans Neck, so as it touch the Skin, will the most 
finely, among helps, preserve the Child in the Uterus till time of deliver 
ry. 3. Garden-Tansy bruised, sprinkled with Muskadine, and apply-
Ed to her Navil: Also the Load-stone applyed to the Navil, or Coral, 
Emeraulds, and Jasper-Stones; or Bones of a Stags Heart worn about 
the Neck, or under the Arm-holes, are held Specifical. Zach. Lusi- 
tanus commends a Girdle of Sea-Horse-Skin, or Wolf-Skin. These 
following Pouders are also proper against Abortion, ꝶ Roots of Bistorr,
shavings 

350 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
shavings of Ivory, ana. ʒij Red-Coral, Amber, Borax. ana. ʒiß.
Coriander-Seeds, ʒiij. Cristal, Kermes-Berries, Magister of Pearl, and 
Coral, of each ℈ß. mix them into a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Shavings of Ivory, Date- 
Stones, Mastich, Roots of Bistort, ana. 3ij. Manus Christi Perlata, ℥ß 
Leaves of Gold, n°. vi. : make a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Cochineal, Coral, Roots 
of Bistort, Plantane Seedds, ana. ʒj. Cinnamon, Red-rose Leaves, ana. 
ʒss. Leaves of Gold, n°. iv. cut small, and mixed with the rest in Pou- 
der; Astrigents in several forms are outwardly to be used: together 
with the use of these the Labouring Woman must beware of too violent 
motion. Sit in rest and quiet, flie all molestations, and whatever may 
enrage the Humours. Copulation must be shunned, for in taking in new 
Seed, the young Birth not well firmed, is loosened and ready to fall 
out ; a good Dyet must be kept, and not apt to engender Wind. 
SYMPTOMS.
Symptoms, as vehement pain, &c. are to be lenified, and the forces 
upheld by all means we can devise, and the Heart is to be comforted by 
Cordials. 
If Abortion cannot be prevented, then we must promote the coming 
forth of the Child ; dispose all things to its easie and orderly coming 
forth, taking direction from the Chapter of a Legitimate and Mature 
Birth. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Dead Child. 
THE Child dies in the Uterus, sometime sooner, sometime in the 
last Month, from defect or bad quality of nourishment,from vio- 
lent Causes, Internal or External, or about time of Delivery, from 
hard labour, &c. 
CAUSES
I. Defeat of Aliment is made, 1. From the Womans small nou- 
rishment. Or, 2. from the Nourishment extracted, as is made in let- 
ring Blood in great Hæmorrhages, whereby Nature sends all the Nou- 
rishment from the Child, to make good Blood to fill up the Veins that 
are empty in the Woman. 
II. The badness of Alimentary Juyce, or redundancy of Vitious 
Humours that kill the 'Child, the Womans Body being Cacochymick ; 
or it is made bad from other Causes. 
III. From

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 351 
III. From Violent Causes. I. Inward, as violent strong and ini- 
mical Cathartick Medicines. 2. The falling down of abundance of 
slippery moist Humours, that loosen the Ligaments, and slacken the 
Vessels. 3. Violent Feavers, wherein are bad and dangerous Symp- 
toms concomitant. 
2. External. As, 1. a Blow, Riverius Obs. 34. Cent. 3. by too 
great Exercise after a Blow. 2. Forcible Percussion, or Excussion, as 
Coughing vehemently, loud crying, and earnest Vociferations, Snee- 
zing, &c. 
3. Frights, and sudden and dreadful scares and terrours. 
Lastly, It dies by hard labour, by indisposition in the Woman, made 
from several Causes, or unskilfulness in the Midwife in delivering it. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are, 1. A sudden falling and slacking of the Breasts, so soon 
as the Infant is dead. 2. Coldness of the Navil, and also Belly. 3. No
motion of the Child is perceived, but she perceives a kind of fixt and 
unmoveable Body in her Uterus. 4. Wet your Hand in warm Water, 
and lay it on her Belly, and the Child, if alive, will stir thereby. 
5. Her Urine is thick, stinking, and full of base Sedementary Matter. 
6. There be Dreams of dead Men, and frightings out of sleep. 7. She 
covets strange Aliments, not ordained to be eaten. 8. She looks 
scurvily. 9. Her Breath stinks. 10. She wants her usual mirth. 
12. She perceives a distast of Spittle coming to her Mouth. 12. The 
Child is apt to swag and sway to this side or that, as she turns her, more 
then it did when it was alive : Yet when Children are alive, but mis- 
placed in the Uterus, they are apt upon the stirring of the Woman to 
have a preposterous swaying to this side or that; but some advise to hold 
the Stone Ætites, or the Herb Tansy, to the Navil, which will remedy 
that swarving, if the Child be alive, but not if dead. 13. Half a 
point of White Wine burnt wiih ℥ss. of Cinnamon, and Drunk, if 
Child-pains come then upon the Woman, the Child is dead; if not, it 
may be weak or sick in the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Assoon as we are certain of its being dead, we must bring it away,
with Medicines Internal and External; Internal are such as are set down 
for bringing away the Birth, and expelling the Secundine. 1. Therefore 
in form of Pouders most efficacious Simples may be reduced and com-
posed. Riverius hath two excellent Pouders,the first is this, ꝶ of the dry 
Leaves of Savine-Roots, of Birthwort, Myrrh, Castoreum, of each, 
ʒj. Cinnamon, ʒss. Saffron, ℈j. mix them all into a Pouder, give ʒj.
for

352 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for a Dose in Savine-Water; or take of Diptamy of Creet, Savine 
Borax, of each, ʒj. mix them into Pouder. 
Prevotius sets down, as excellent,this Pouder, ꝶ of Mineral Crysocol- 
la, ℈ij. or Borax, ʒj. Cinnamon and Saffron, ana. ℈j make a Pouder, 
give a dram in White-wine or Mugwort Water.
The Pouder of Diptamy alone is very prevalent.
Angelus Sal a greatly applauds Mercurius Vitæ for its force, in sending 
out the dead Child, given to four or five Grains. 
2. Potions also as well as Pouders are prepared, and of as great 
efficacy for expelling the dead Child. Where, 1. a strong Decoction 
of Hyssop drunk hot, or its Juyce, when it may be had, obtains the 
chiefest place. 2. The Juyce of Lovage, or in Winter, if that may 
not be had, the Seeds of Lovage in Mugwort-Water, are held a singu- 
lar secret. 3. Fontanus his Pouder of Euphorbium, Diptamny, of each, 
℈j. Borax, ℈ss. Cantharades prepared five Grains, taken in ℥iij. of 
Decoction of Savine, for a Draught or Potion, is exceeding strong, and 
is warily to be given. 4. Juyce of Scordium, ℥fs. with Saffron. 
5. The Milk of a Bitch, newly having pupped, is commended. 
In External things, or Topicks. 1. The Stone Ætites, being held to 
the Privities, by a magnettick vertue draws away the Child. 2. Hart- 
man saith, The Eyes of an Hair dried, and with Pepper bound to the Crown, 
forces out the Child dead or alive.
Clisters, Suppositories, and Pessaries, of proper and irritating Sim- 
ples, are convenient. 
Foments and Unctions of those parts appertaining to the Uterus, to 
make slippery, mollifie, and dilate the Passage, and provoke the Ex- 
pultrice Faculty of the Uterus, are not to be neglected; Oyl of Tansy, or 
the Juyce of it, to anoint the Privities, is principal. 
Suffumes of Galbanum, of Asses-Hoofs, (by a Funnel, of the cast 
Skin of a Serpent) and of Brimstone, are Medicinable.
Things also applyed to the Thighs, as was directed to facilitate the 
Birth, are useful. 
If yet by all these it be not avoided (as it will hardly but be) and be 
very hurtful to the Woman : Chyrurgery mud be exercised, the Child 
must be drawn out with Instruments, considering the strength of the 
Woman, and the disposition of the Pulse, that it may be done with more 
safety. 
Riverius, after the use of all inward Medicines, advises a good strong
to be taken, whereby sometime, with the abundance of Humours 
in the Uterus that are evacuated by it, the Child also is sent out. 
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 353 
CHAP. XVIII.
Of a Feaver happening after Delivery, or a Feaver of Milk.
Hippocrates saith, Diseases happening after Delivery are very bad vehe- 
ment , and dangerous, in respect of the feculent bad matter they are 
made of, which is sometimes kept long, and putrified ; all the purest 
part being sucked by the Infant, the dreggy, thick, black and melancholly groß 
Blood, is retained still in the Veins of the Uterus (being very large) from sup- 
pression of the Loches, or a vitious habit of the Menses retained longer then 
due, and corruption of them doth induce a continual putrid Feaver. Errors 
in Dyet do often adde fuel to fire, and where the cause is often times 
of it self too weak to raise a Feaver, eating of bad meats put on a viti- 
ous apparelling of the Humours, whence the matter is provoked to acti- 
on, and Nature is impedited in digesting it otherwise. 
2. As Feavers arise, 1. from the ill quality of the Humours, 2. from 
suppression of them, so 3. from redundancy of milk, which are Feavers 
of one day, and called Feavers of Milk.
SIGNS DlAGNOSTICK.
1. From Milk, wherein is great swelling of the Brests from fulness 
of it, there is great pain of the Back and Shoulder-Blades, the Loches 
rightly flow, and unless the Paps be inflamed, or milk coagulated, are 
wont to cease the third or fourth day, and to be without danger. 
2. From suppression of the Loches, or evil disposition of seculent hu- 
morous Blood ; there went before a bad Dyet ; there be Signs of the 
Humours corrupted, the wonted evacuation Nature used to have after 
the Delivery, is stopt, whence a putrid and continual Feaver arises. 
PROG. 
That made from Milk is of lesser danger, and shorter continuance 
then that that is made from stopping of the Loches, or vitious apparel- 
ing of the Humours in the Uterus; that from Milk commonly ends the 
third or fourth day, and is a kind of Ephemera, or a Feaver of one day, 
as 'tis called ; 'tis for the most part without danger, and is to be com- 
mitted to Nature,a good Dyet being kept; and is wont to be terminated 
by sweat. 
CURE. 
In Cure thereof we are onely to use Remedies to such as are caused 
Y y from

354 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
from Humours; where, 
First, If the Loches be stopt, cut a Vein of the Ankle ; if that bleed 
not sufficiently, apply Cupping-Glasses with Scarification to the Legs 
and Thighs ; if time of the Flux be gone, and the Feaver still perse- 
vere, the Cubit-Vein may be opened,for this draws the Blood upwards, 
as the Ankle-Vein opened drew it downward ; yet Galen saith, If a Vein 
be opened in any part of the Body, it will empty and draw from the Vessels of all 
parts. Astringents are to be shunned. 
Secondly, From an evil state of the Humours, or corruption of them,  
we may use gentle Purgatives; the Humours must be altered, sharp and 
too cold things are specially to be avoided. 
The Feaver, if vehement, is to be respected ; Cordials and Coolers 
for the Heart and Spirits, are to be given to the sick Woman, and Na- 
ture is to be strengthened with Electuaries, Julaps, Confections, Lozen- 
ges, Ptysans, or what else the Sick best affects, made of such things as 
are generally prescribed for Feavers. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of a Loosness following a Feaver, after Womens Delivery.  
A Loosness often supervenes the Feaver, and is sometime and most 
commonly void of pain and acrimony, and flows healthfully, if 
not immoderate, chiefly in long lasting, for so it may weaken much, 
and lessen the vigour of the Spirits; and then 'tis to be restrained by 
strengthening Nature and the parts, by gentle and wary means. 
CURE. 
It will not be amiss first to prescribe a gentle Purge, made of Infusion 
of Rhubarb, Myrobalans, &C. in Plantane-Water; to the strained Li- 
quors convenient Syrups to sweeten, as for a Julap, being added : Fallo- 
pius saith. Rhubarb dries up superfluous moisture in the Vessels of the Uterus ; 
but whether it dries so much, or no, it purges, & leaves behind a binding 
quality, & strengthening to the parts, and therefore best of all Purgatives 
in fluxes ; and Astringents are not to be used till the irritating or aboun-
ding Humours be evacuated, both which, Rhubarb doth effectually and 
methodically : After the parts are eased of the burdening Humours, the 
retentive faculty is to be restored and confirmed, which is done by mo- 
derate Astringents that have not a glewing force, but are friendly to the 
Bowels by correcting their slippery and non-retaining Distemper: they 
may


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 355
may be used in several forms most convenient both for internal and ex- 
ternal use. 
To this sometimes succeeds, and of it is made a Dysentery, or Bloody 
Flux, which brings with it a Feaver, cruel Torments, Watchings, and 
frequent Seighs. Here we may use the aforegoing Direction, onely ad- 
ding the use of Clisters made of Plantane, Cinckfoil, Mallows, Pimpi- 
nella, or Burnet, Red Rose-Leaves, &c. boiled in Milk; yet the premi- 
sing of a clensing Clister before one absolutely binding, is not altogether 
irrational. 
Opening a Vein also, specially if the Liver be distempered, is very 
needful ; choice is made of the Basilick or Salvatella-Vein in the 
Arm. 
Many more might be added, but if need be, reourse may be had to 
the Chapter of a Dysentery, whence may be had ample Directions, and 
many Medicines very suitable hereto ; so that Reiteration seems need- 
less, and double labour, where single will serve, is to be avoided. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Children. 
MAny and very differing are the forms of deformed and monstrous 
Births; some being either ill conformed, as double-Bodied, a 
double Brain, when other Limbs are single; some parts placed upwards, 
as sometimes are the Genitals in the Forehead, that should be below ; 
and sometime a single Body downwards, whenas 'tis double upwards ; 
some are maimed, and some want Limbs and Parts; some are altered 
in respect of Sex, as Hermophrodites ; some have Bestial forms; some 
in form of Birds, others four-footed, Diabolical and cruel, made of the 
seed of the Devil ; some ate an Ell long. 
CAUSES. 
1. The Cause is not certainly natural, say Divines, but the Hand of 
GOD miraculously effecting it, as sometimes it is; One Woman com- 
plaining of the many Mouths she had to feed, viz. her Children,brought 
forth a Child without a Mouth.
2. Astrologers refer it to the Stars, and position of the Moon in de- 
ficient degrees at time of Conception. 
3. The Cause is Imagination of the Woman at time of Conception, 
diligently applying the sight of those things she saw, to her self: Hence 
Y y 2 it


356 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
it is that some, having looked and pondered upon the sight of a ravenous 
Bird called Harpa, have brought forth such a one : Another brought forth 
a Negro, looking upon the Picture of a Negro that hung in her Cham- 
ber at time of Conception ; A Woman at Pisa is reported to have 
brought forth a Child all hairy, like a Camel, because she used to bow eve- 
ry day to the Image of John Baptist cloathed in Camels Hair; Some 
Women in seeing an Hare, bring forth a Child with an Hare-Lip: One 
Woman seeing a Boy at time of Conception with two Thumbs, brought 
forth a Boy also on both hands double Thumb’d, as was the Boy she saw: 
Another Woman at time of Conception seeing a Child that had a great 
Head,from Water gathered in it, called Hydrocephalus, or a Dropsie of 
the Head, brought forth a Child with a great Head also, that was spon- 
gy, and the skin puffed up, but not filled with Water. As Women , so 
also Sheep are thus affected from the strength of the imaginatrice facul- 
ty at time of Conception; for Jacob laying peeled Rods in the Gutter 
where they were to drink, they brought forth parti-coloured Lambs; 
Women that seriously and deeply think of the ill-shapen Members they 
see in others, conceive and bring forth Children so mis-figured ; also  
'tis very bad for Women at time of Conception to see Pictures on a wall, 
or Images, for fear they bring forth Children of like conformation. 
Some think that Children are like the Mothers true Husband , that are 
got by another, because the Woman was in fear when they were got, and 
so conceived by the imagination alike : Bur, say they, If the same man  
get them when the Woman is not in fear, but secure, and her Husband 
far from home, the Child will have the likeness of its true Father or 
Begetter, because the Mothers Mind doth the Child dispose. 
Moreover, some, according to the Vulgar Stories, having been 
struck with a piece of Flesh, the Child hath had the Mark of that piece 
of meat in the same place that the Woman was struck in ; and some ha- 
ving struck a Woman with a Mouse on the Cheek, she hath brought 
forth a Child representing the figure of a Mouse on its Cheek : And why 
may not feeling, as well as seeing, move the imaginatrice faculty to ef- 
fect these? 
4. A Cause of many being born Crook-Back’d, great-Headed, from 
abundance of Humours, or full of running sores, or leprous, may be from 
the Act of copulation done at such time as she had her Menstrua on 
her.
5. Monsters are either made, 1. By the Devil, or also by the imagi- 
nation of the Woman; or begotten by Beasts coupling with Women, 
the feed of the Beast, or bruit Animal, mixt with the Womans feed ; so 
that the Birth participates of the likeness of both Getter, and Bearer,
Na-
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 357 
Nature striving always to beget her like : So Men coupling with Bruits 
beget Monsters,half a Man, and half a Beast; and hence perhaps it came 
that some People are horned, wild, and live on Grass,Herbs, &c whose 
forms most shew them to be Men ; some also have Tails as Beasts, and 
many are variously formed, as if there was a form made equally concur- 
ring to Mans and Beasts; sometimes the sore parts are like a Man, and 
the hinder represent a Beastial Form. 2. Or by natural ill conforma- 
tion in the Uterus, as where there was a deficiency in Nature, in making 
two distinct Bodies of matter so prepared and disposed, that is, confused 
and crushed all into one,so that double-Bodied-Infants with their Mem- 
bers displaced, are herefrom made. Also such as want full Limbs, or 
deficiency either in quantity or number of Members, may be from a 
simple fault in the Seed and Uterus, or some hidden quality making a de- 
viation from Natures accustomed course in forming. 
See more in our Book of Philosophy, called Physiology, Jatrosophy, and 
Pneumatography, in divers places ; in our Book of Generation, the first of 
the Twelve Books of that Book; in our Book, of the necessary parts God gave 
to all Creatures according to their knowledge, or the necessary Knowledge God 
gave to all Creatures, according to the Parts and Bodies He gave them ; and 
also in our Chapter of divers shapes of Men.
CHAP. XXI. 
Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of delivered Women, as
fault in quantity and quality of Loches, or Child-Bed- 
purgations ; of Throes, or After-pains ; of 
stopt Secundines, or After-Burdens staid. 
I. An Inflamation of the Matrice, caused from hot and boyling 
Blood retained in the Vessels, and putrifying. 
’Tis known by the Signs of Inflamation of the Matrice in general, and 
cured so. 
II. Fissures or Wrinkles, which are raised from the stretching in 
bringing forth the Child, and flux of Menstrua. 
They are cured with gentle astringent,and contracting Medicines, In- 
jections by a Syringe of Comfrey-Roots, Bramble-Beds, Balaustians, 
Sumach, Pomegranate-Rinds, Cypress-Nuts, and the like, or a Pessary 
of them, or Oyntments, are effectual.
III. Ga-


358 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
III. Gaping of the Matrice, and loosness of the Privy Parts ; they 
are to be seasonably contracted, else they may possibly hinder the Wo- 
man for having any more Children.  
Here the foregoing Remedies may be used , adding stronger Astrin- 
gents, as Deceptions and Baths of Oak-Buds, dry Sloes, Acatia, Hypo- 
chistis, Roots of yellow Water-flag, Medlars, Mastick, and Madder- 
Roots, or Oyntments of Dragons Blood , Gum Tragacanth , extract
of Comfrey-Roots, Pouder of Tobacco Pipes, Oyl of Myrtles, of Ma- 
stick, &c. Natures work in contracting those parts that were before so 
dilated, is admirable. 
IV. Excoriation of the Uterus after Delivery, being excoriated in the 
lower part. 
Oyl of Saint John's-Wort for Unction, is most excellent; and a vul- 
gar Remedy is Oyl of sweet Almonds taken inwardly. 
V. Hæmorrhoids or Piles do happen to Women that bring forth fre- 
quently, and with difficulty straining to force out the Birth ; the inward 
Piles are most often opened. 
They are cured by Pollipody-Drink (after the Saphæna-Vein in the 
foot is opened, and some lenitive Medicine to keep her Body soluble)
by a rosted Onyon beat with Oyl, and applied Plaister-wise ; or, if too 
hot a Medicine, Oyl of Snails, or Hodmondods excels ; or a Pulteis of 
Wood-lice, bruised and mixt with Oyl, is incomparable good. 
VI. There arises a Feaver from laborious and hard labour, and great 
pains. 
VII. The Genitals swell from irritation by hard labour, and striving 
to thrust forth the Infant. 
VIII. Sometime Convulsions arise; then draw Blood from the Arm 
and from the Foot ; foment with Emollients, and laxative Medicines. 
Hippocrates saith, They are very dangerous, because they argue a great weak- 
neß, and exceeding torments are wont to follow. 
IX. An immoderate flowing down of the Menstrua or monthly 
Courses ; this infirmity seldom happens to Women after their Delive- 
ry, but when they do flow after Delivery so immoderately, we must stop 
them.
A thickning and binding Dyet inclining to cooling, is most expedite; 
Broaths made of Comfrey and Knotgrass, are transcendent; or Shep- 
herds-purse boyled, or taken in Medicine by a specifical Vertue to the 
Privities; or Leaves or Flowers of Bramble so taken, do cure them ; 
Foments also, and Oyntments of Astringents, and Epithemes to the Li- 
ver (if that be distempered) are not to be neglected ; Nicholas Fontanus 
saith, If the Womans strength will bear it, there is not a surer remedy than 
letting 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 359
letting Bloody, which is to be done twice or thrice in the Basilick-vein ; bind- 
ing of the upper parts, rubbing of the Extremities, and Cupping-Glasses 
to the Brests, are also by some used. 
X. Sometimes an illegitimate stoppage of them follows, and then 
they are cautiously to be provoked to their due and orderly efflux, for 
which take advise with the Chapters of deficiency of Menstrua, or of 
their not duely and ample flowing. 
XI. The immoderate flowing of Loches after the Birth ; after the 
Child is brought forth, the spaciosity and thickness of the Uterus is gra- 
dually lessened by the effusion of Loches, which are nothing else but the 
Reliques of Blood gathered in Child-bearing between the fungous 
Conditories of the Uterus.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, 1. From immoderate opening of the Vessels. 
2. From breaking of them.
3. From heat of the Blood, made from hot and sharp Medicines in 
painful Travail, to cause Delivery. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
They are sometimes, both after a legitimate Birth, and Abortion also, 
so abundant, and slow with such an unbridled rashness, that often times 
therefrom is not a little danger of perishing ; they are wont to cease 
within forty days, sometimes sooner. 
CURE.
Cure is as for Menstrua immoderately flowing ; this flax is not to be 
stopt, but moderated, and that with great wariness; for if by Astringents 
they be stopped, many and cruel Symptoms arise thereupon; Aliments 
must thicken, and have some astrictve force to restrain the violence of 
the Blood; Yolks of Eggs, Panatels, Rice Broath, Gellies, Meats 
sprinkled or dipt in Sawces effectual to this purpose; steeled Water, 
or wherein Gold hath been quenched, for ordinary Beer: Draw Blood 
by Revulsers to the superiour parts; bind the Belly up gently with a 
swadling Cloth, for so the vessels be compressed ; Clothes dipt in Oxi- 
crate are to be laid to the Loins. To temper the Blood in the Vena Cava,
Internals may be given,as Julaps, Electuaries,Conserves, Syrups, &c, 
Aurum Potabile cures a flux, and provokes it where it is not, doing all 
things as Nature her self would have it. Externals also, as Oyntments, 
Foments, Injections; for which Gallen praises Juyce of Plantane cast 
in by a Syringe. If after these, clots of Blood remain in the Uterus, 
causing pain and tension, and other evils, by evaporations therefrom, 
they must be avoided. 
XII. Suppression of the Loches, whereby that Blood that is heaped 
up in Child-bearing, is not evacuated after Delivery of the Birth, as 'tis 
naturally 


360 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
naturally accustomed to be, and the amplitude of the Uterus is thereby 
not lessened; they may either be lessened, or quite suppressed ; where- 
upon do follow to the Woman in Child-bed most grievous Diseases.
CAUSE. 
Cause is either evil Dyet, or taking cold, or other Causes that cause
suppresion of the Menstrua. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from relation of the Sick, who hath not had that ac- 
customed and natural evacuation, the Uterus will remain stretched out 
and hard, as if it did still contain the Child in it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Many Diseases and grievous Symptoms do arise herefrom, there is In- 
flamation of the Uterus, from the Blood putrifying that is stopt, and at 
last a Gangrene arises, which brings Death inevitably. 
CURE.
We must not delay, we must draw down the Blood to the Womb, and 
open the vessels. 1. Give laxative and emollient Clisters: 2. Ligatures 
and Frictions; Cuppers to the Share and Hips are to be applied. 3. Open  
the Hæmorrhoids, if they used to flow; if not, the Saphena, or both 
Ankle-Veins. 4. Foment the bottom of the Belly, and Region of the 
Pudendum, to which adde Perfumes and Pessaries, beginning with 
mildest Simples first. 5. Internals, to open the mouths of the Vessels, 
and render the Blood apter to flow, and stir up the expultice faculty in 
Nature : Aurum Potabile, where Nature is burdened, moves a flux, and 
stays it again, when all the oppressing and hurtful Humours are avoided, 
strengthening Nature in her Center, and performing all things, as 'tis 
the duty of Nature to do ; Forestus gives successively Decoction of Squi- 
nanth in Broath. Lastly, We may give a lenitive Purge or two, nine 
or ten days after Delivery, of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, Agarick, 
Epithimum, and Mechoacan, as may seem most requisite. More Reme- 
dies may be sought out of the Chapter of suppressed Menstrua. 
XIII. After-Pains or Throes do grievously torment some Women, 
and few are free therefrom after delivery of the Birth ; but because with- 
in two or three days they usually cease, they do not desire the help of the 
Physician.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is oftenest flatulent from taking cold, whereby wind from 
Distemper of the parts is raised, and mightily molests. Wind also may 
be


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 361
be made from Humours ; without an outward distemper from the am- 
bient cold Air. 
2. The sharpness of Blood is reckoned as a great Cause hereof: Fon- 
tanus saith, It is from a multitude of thick, menstruous Blood retained : Others
say, From Clots of Blood, or Blood concreted : Johnstonus saith, They come 
from too great narrowness of the Vessels. 
3. From Meats then taken, cold and windy in quality, as Fruits, Cu- 
Hards, Cream, cold Drink, &c. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are easily known from the relation of the Woman in Childbed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Hippocrates thought Women to be most afflicted with Throes at birth of 
their first Child, but Experience shews that it is not an allowable Say- 
ing ; few but are more or less troubled herewith after Delivery, but 
commonly after three days, of their own accord they are asswaged, un- 
less some of the aforegoing Causes be in fault. 
CURE.
In Cure we must respect the Cause: Sennertus omits Purges; if a 
cold distemper and wind offend, we must use Heaters and Carminatives, 
as well outwardly as inwardly, as in Chollical pains ; but they are first 
to be prevented, if they may be, for which this Pouder is held of great 
worth, given presently after the Birth, ꝶ Roots of the greater Con- 
found, ʒj. Peach Kernels, Nutmegs, of each Amber, ʒij. Amber- 
griese, ℈ss. give one dram of it in Wine, or in Broath, if a Feaver be 
present. 
If they cannot be prevented, they must be cured ; the Belly must
gently be bound up, that the Uterus stir not out of its place: Clisters are 
to be injected of Oyl of Almonds, Cammomile, Bays, &c. that are ano- 
dine, emollient, and carminative. Internals are, Cinnamon-Water, ℥ß. 
with two grains of Amber-griese, or ʒss of Bay-berries taken in Muska- 
del, Decoction of Vervain, Decoction of the Grass of Pernassus, Oyl 
of sweet Almonds, all which excel; also Decoction of Cammomile- 
flowers, in white Wine, which Forestus holds for a Secret. 
Riverius sets down this Pouder for After-Pains, ꝶ of Date-Stones 
and Peach-Kernels, of each ʒss. Nutmegs, ℈iv. Diamargariton calid, 
ʒij. Aniseeds, ʒj. Cinnamon, ℈iij. Saffron, ℈ss. take one Dram in 
White Wine and Sugar once or twice a day ; Or the following Pouder  
excels, ꝶ Seeds of Carrots, Cinnamon, of each ʒj. Bay-berries, Date- 
stones, of each ʒss. Amber-griese, gr.iv. reduce all into a Pouder. 
Zz Topicals


362 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Topicals that help against these Torments, or After-pains, are Ano- 
dines, or such as operate by an hidden quality. 
Anodines, or the choicest of them, are, 1. An Emplaister of Tar, 
Grease, and Doves-Dung, to be applied to the Region of the Kidneys. 
2. An Emplaister of Onyons boyled well in Water, wherein, 1. Line, and 
Cummin-seed, and Cammomile-flowers have boiled, then being quash- 
ed together, mix therewith some Oyl and Pouder of Cinnamon, to be ap- 
plied to the Region of the Uterus. 
Anointings also with Carminative and Anodine Oyls, and Foments 
of Hysterick Herbs are helpful, wherewith the Abdomen and whole re- 
gion of the Uterus is to be bathed. 
Also the Skin of a Weather, being yet hot, the Weather having been 
newly killed, makes mild the Pain- 
Suffumigation also, are not a little useful, as of Bay-berries cast upon 
Coals, the fume of which the Woman is to receive by her Privities. 
Things that help by an hidden quality, are these, recorded by Johannes 
Prevotius, Ætites, or the Eagles stone tied close to the Thigh, or the 
Jaser-stone, or Coral so used , and the Loadstone held in the left 
hand. 
If these pains proceed from sharp and Chollerick Humours, they may 
be cured as a bilious Chollick; lenifying Julaps are to be given, and 
Clisters of Mallows, Marish Mallows, Pelletory of the Wall, Linseed 
and Violet Leaves boyled in Milk, or Posset-Drink, adding to ℔j. of 
the strained Liquor, Oyl of sweet Almonds, and fresh Butter, of each 
℥j. Syrup of Violets, ℥jß.
Oyl of sweet Almonds is to be taken inwardly to ℥vj. in urgent 
pain. 
If Blood be clottered in the Uterus, and therefrom pain be effected, 
'tis to be cured as Blood clottered in the Bladder, where is sufficient di- 
rection. 
Sometimes pain is in the Groin, from the Uterus conglobated there ; 
then an Emplaister of Galbanum, and Assafœtida, with some Grains of 
Mosch in the middle, is to be applied to the Navil.  
XIV. The After-Birth, After-Burden, or Secundine, is sometimes 
retained, and sticks still in the Uterus, that ought to come forth with, 
or presently after the Birth. 
The Causes of it are ascribed, 1. To fears, terrours, and passions of 
the Mind, that detract Nature from her work and duty,and molest her in 
her Centre. 
2. Taking


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 363 
2. Taking cold, specially drinking cold Beer or Water, &c. that are 
Causes of hard labour. 
3. Aromatick Drinks, or sweet, spicy, and odoriferous things taken 
and smelt to, are thought to draw the Matrice upwards, and retain it 
there. 
4. Straitness of the mouth of the Uterus, and close closure, so that 
passage of it out is impedited therefrom. 
5. Or if none of these Causes, or others that cause hard labour, be 
present; yet sometime the Secundine is fixed to the Womb, and so ad- 
heres to it that 'tis hardly pulled away. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICIK. 
The Secundine, which is onely else but a membranous Cake, wherein 
the Child is inverted and involved, wherein are many Vessels and Ri- 
volets that the Child draws in Nourishment by, and Air; at time of 
coming forth of the birth, this membranous Skin is broke, from motion 
of the Child downwards, and comes out for the most part either with 
or presently after the Child; but sometimes the Vessels of it are so 
bound to the Cotyledons of the Uterus, that it sticks fast after the birth, 
and comes not forth, but is onely broke with violence of the coming forth 
of the Child ; and pains in travail are thought to be chiefly from break- 
ing of the Vessls of the Chorion, or Secundine, from the Cotyledons of 
the Uterus; and if such pains preceded not, there is fear the Secundine 
is still affixt: If there be more children then one, there is so many Secun- 
dines as there be Children. 
PROG. 
If it be left behind, and be not extracted till it putrifie, or rot, it brings 
many cruel Diseases, and direful Symptomes, communicating noisome 
Exhalations to the Head and Stomach, and principal parts, cauling Fea- 
vers, Convulsions, Head-pains, Apostems, &c. which many times bring 
Death at last. 
If it will not come forth, it will rot in time, and then it may easily 
be taken forth, or will come forth of it self, if it produce not many 
evils in the interim : So dead Children have rotted in the Uterus, and 
all their flesh consumed, and come out by piece-meals, the Bones stay- 
ing still behind in the Womans Uterus, for long time after. 
CURE.
Cure varies according to the Cause : If it stick fast to the Uterus, the 
Matricc being open, then putting in of the Hand, being warmed, the 
Nails paired, and anointed with Grease, and loosening of the Secundine
Z z 2 by


64. Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
by gentle writhing of it this way and that way, lest the Uterus also be 
torn or pulled away, is to be done. 
Secondly, Hipocrates advises to sneezing, some Pouders being put in 
to the Nostrils, and let her hold hex breath, which forces a ruption of the 
vessels from the violent excussion that is made by sneezing. 
If these may not thus be done by reason of too strait affixion of it to 
the Uterus and weakness of the Woman, Suppurates to make it rot 
sooner, are to be used,and then it may easily be brought forth  by the hand 
put in as aforesaid. 
Among Medicines, Internals of greatest vertue and efficacy,are these 
that follow, to expel the Secundine: As, 
1. The Juyce of Vervain, taken to ℥j. or the Decoction of it boyled 
in Wine.
2. Decoction of Alisander so made. 
3. Decoction of Mugwort and Featherfew. 
4. Juyce or Decoction of Sage.
5. This Composition or Pouder, ꝶ of Thyme, Centuary, Penny- 
Royal, of each ʒjss. Roots of Angellica, Masterwort, sweet Chervil, and 
Cicely, of each 3ifs. make a Pouder.
Dr. John Smith saith, It is a wonderful Secret to drink the Juyce of Lo- 
vage in Wine, or Mugwort-Water, to drive out the Secundine.
Forestus speaks of the same, saying, A certain Midwife received it of 
a Jewish Physician, whereof a Cyath is to be taken in Renish Wine. 
Seeds of Lovage, Savin, Borax, Juyce of an Onyon, and Diptamny, 
are commended. 
Gesnerus and Augenius greatly commend the stones of a gelded Horse,
taken often in Pouder, in Broath, to the weight of a Scruple. 
Prevotius praises the same, but adds to them Pouder of Diptamny. 
Rulandus gave ʒss of Oyl of Juniper, with good success. 
Hartman praises the Pouder of Secundines, and Angelus Sala, Mer- 
curius Vitæ. 
Externals are either thick and embodied substances applied, as Mug- 
wort boiled very soft in Water, and applied hot to the Navil and Thighs, 
which Rogerius saith, will also draw the Uterus after it, if not timely re- 
moved after the Birth, and after Birth be come away. 
Or Sage so applied, or Tansy applied to the Privities, is of great force, 
and Lapis Æites, which readily draws forth the Birth and After-Birth, 
and Uterus too, if not timely removed. 
Or thinner,as Foments of Decoction of Bay-Berries, and Leaves, with 
Vinegar of Roses, of Oxe-Dung boiled in Wine.
Or

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 365 
Or Suffumiges, as that Miraldus so praises, of Marigold-flowers; 
which, saith he, doth easily bring forth the Secundine, although the 
Midwife hath lost her hold. 
If other Causes be in fault, as closure of the Uterus, the foregoing 
Foment, and this Suffume, are very available to open it, and then the 
Midwife must gently dilate the passage more, and pluck out the Secun- 
dine that lies on an heap at bottom of the Uterus.
Other Causes must be put away, as Fears and Sorrows: If cold 
be taken, we must heat, and remove all Causes that seem to bring da- 
mage herein.

366
OF 
FEAVERS.  
IN these four Chapters of Fea- 
vers are many things, according 
to the Method and Matter of the 
Antients, as in the rest of the 
Chapters of the Second Part, 
(Written some Years since ) 
which all, or most of the Mo- 
derns in their Practices have hi- 
therto retained, with some Correction and Additi- 
ons, which we have selected as beneficially as we 
could : and the Readers may take these as the most 
general Rule or Method in Nature; but there is great 
variety, we can scarce find two exactly alike in any 
one Distemper; some have the Causes here set down, 
and not those Signs ; and some have those Signs, but 
cannot be cured by that Rule, and those Medicines; 
and some are handled in a far different manner from 
this Description ; and others differ also from them : 
and

Of FEAVERS. 367 
and those that do not differ in Kind, may in Degree;  
Every Quartane must not be just so as Practicks have 
delivered, nor alwayes in that manner, nor is every 
Ague a Tertian, or every Tertian such an one ; but 
sometimes a Quartane turns a Tertian, and sometimes 
a Tertian, a Quartane, or Quotidian. There is in one 
or other, at one time or other, as much variety and 
difference as almost is imaginable ; some have all 
heat, without any sensible cold, and some have all 
cold without succeeding heat ; some have some- 
times two fits in one day, and other times two 
dayes without one fit : in such like respects, and 
as to the Causes, they are writ somewhat defectively, 
but we have from our own Observations (comprised 
into a Practical Method) delivered a clearer and ful-
ler Description of all Agues or intermitting Feavers in 
Latine. 
No Tradition ought to be rejected as it is Tradi-
tion, but as it is not Truth ; or if so, defective or 
superfluous Truth. 


368 Of FEAVERS 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Quotidian Feaver
A Quotidian intermitting Feaver, is an Ague made from putri- 
fied flegm, invading every day ; the Greeks call it Amphi- 
morina the Latines, Quotidiana Febris, because it makes 
a Fit every day. 
CAUSES.
Causes of Quotidian Agues is ascribed to Flegm putrified or rotted in 
the Miseraick Veins, or first Region of the Body. Others allot the 
place of putrifaction in Intermitting Feavers, to be in the Vena Portæ, 
and Bowels nourished therefrom. 
All things that cause encrease of flegm, may be cause hereof, chiefly 
a weak heat of the Stomach and Bowels, cold and moist Aliments, or 
too great plenty of them, together with long sleep, a Sedentary Life, 
Idleness, Winter time, old Age, and Childhood, wherein it chiefly 
happens. 
SIGNS. 
Signs hereof are, 1. and chiefly, its daily invasion, and thence called 
a Quotidian. 
2. Signs of flegm abounding, and a going before of such things that 
engendred Flegm. Signs of a flegmatick or pituitous habit of Bo- 
dy be, a bulky fat Body, a sluggish Disposition, and dull Senses; 
Dreams of Waters, and dull Actions, white and pale colour of Face, 
profound sleeps, weak Memory, &c.  
3. From the time of its invasion, which is chiefly on Nights, which 
is the worse, because that time is designed by Nature for rest and re- 
freshment. 
4. From the manner of the fit, wherein cold is not felt great in the 
first fits, but encreases by degrees, and comes like a cooling without 
shaking, sometimes a light horrour, whenas the matter is more benign, 
only troubles: Heat at first appears not sharp but airy, and augments 
but

Of FEAVERS. 369 
but slowly, nor is it called back with force and violence to the inward
parts, as in a Tertian Feaver ; and sometimes cold, sometimes heat is
perceived, but with holding their hand on them longer, in their heat 
sharpness is also perceived. 
5. From the Urine, which in the beginning is white, thin and crude, 
but in the process more thick and troubled, and often ruddy, when as 
the matter is concocted. 
6. From the Pulse, which in the beginning is inordinate, and ine- 
qual, weak and slow, nor in the augmentation and encrease of the 
Ague is the Pulse changed much, either in celerity or strength. 
7. From Sweats, which in the first fits is scarce reckonable, nor is it 
much afterward. 
8. From Symptoms: Where observe, 1. that Thirst is not intense, 
but very little or none. 2. Difflation and puffing up of the Middriff, 
5. Decoloration of the Face, which is not red, but duskish, and 
puffed up. 4. Their Vomitings, Stools, sleeping and inappetence,ar- 
gue the redundancy of Flegm. 5. They do not cease in a perfect inter- 
mission, for sometimes the fit lasts twelve hours, and sometimes twen- 
ty four hours, and it appears continual. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from variety of the Nature of flegm putrified, for if flegm 
be glazen, or vitreat, or acid, then they have invasions with rigour, and 
the sick is Feaverish and cold both together; because half the offending 
Humour is putrified, whence comes the heat, and the other half is 
not putrified,and thence cold shaking molests,and this is called, Epiala
Febria. 
2. If flegm be salt, it stirs up a kind of hot Feaver with thirst. 
3. If sweet, they are made sleepy. 
4. If acid, hungry. 
5. If unsavory or insipid, without taste, they want appetite. 
6. Thick, and then the Urine is white and thick, but afterwards 
grows redder with a Sediment. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is very seldom, and some deny it to be, saying, That 
Feavers invading every day, are either double Tertians, or treble Quar- 
tanes ; and the reason it is most seldom of intermitting Feavers, is, be- 
cause flegm is scarcely ever inflamed. 
2. It never invades young Men, or such as are hot, dry, and Chol- 
lerick by Nature, but those that are of a moist and flegmatick Temper,  
A a a that

370 Of FEAVERS. 
that use Drinking, Bathing, and Idleness; old Men and Children are 
most taken with Quotidian Agues. 
3. It lasts long, sometimes it is finished in forty dayes, sometimes 
not before three or four months. 1. Because of the thickness and con- 
tumacity of the Morbifick Humour. 2. Because there is a defect of 
heat 
4. It is dangerous, because from the Liver and Stomach being ill- 
affected, therefrom a Dropsie, Cachexy, Lethargy, or the like, may arise;
and by reason of the Stomach offended, there often happens Swoond- 
ing ; it easily obstructs the Spleen and Bowels in old Men and Chil- 
dren. 
5. We may judge of it,according as we see concoction by the Urine, 
according to the strength of Nature maturely acting for its expulsion, 
and according to the quality of the matter ; and other indications shew- 
ing the shortness or length of the Ague. 
CURE. 
Cure is performed, 1. by preparation, which is done, first, by open- 
ingof the first passages, and loosening the Body ; as by Clisters, or a 
Vomit to clear and free the Stomach : Some, for this purpose, advise to 
Radish-Vomites; some highly extol Aqua Benedicta,for extinguishing the 
Ague also ; yet premise strengtheners of the Stomach before evacuating 
and purging of it: Others advise the use of Stomachical Corroboraters 
to be after Purging of it by Vomit, which is most generally liked. 
2. By Concocters of flegm, and a thick matter, that have an attenu- 
ating and cutting force, and fit the matter for expulsion ; preparers of 
flegm are these, which also by a propriety resist the Feaver, and open 
the Conduits ordained by Nature, for the passage of such Excrementiti- 
ous Humours, viz. Squills, or this Oxymel, Simple Oxymel taken to 
℥ij. in quantity for once, or a Compound Oxymel of Smallage, Mother 
of Time, Seseli of Peleponesus, with Aromaticalls, or an Apozem of 
Fumitaty, Bettony , Agrimony, Mirobalans, Calamint, Smallage, 
and Rhue-Seeds. 
3. Purge, the Humour being thus prepared,with Phlegmagogues, A- 
garick ; Antimonial and Tartarial Pil s are most commendable.  
4. If salt pituit be the cause, some open the Liver-Vein of the right 
Arm, else not. 
5. Diureticks, and Sudorifficks, Sassafras, a Decoction of Cammo- 
mile-Flowers, and Wormwood , or a Decoction of China, and Guai-
cum, continued for twenty five dayes, is praised by Zachully Lusi- 
tanus. 
The

Of FEAVERS. 371 
The Salt of Masterwort given in weight of five Grains, or a ʒ. of 
Salt of Wormwood taken in Tobacco-Water, or decoction of Camomile 
in White-Wine before the fit is applauded by Ernestus. 
Lastly, The Stomach and Bowels must be strengthened a Cerot of 
Oyl of Quinces, and Wax, with Aromaticks, or Cataplasms of Mint 
and Wormwood, are to be applyed to the Stomach; Water, Cheese, 
Milk, Fish, Olives, unripe and corruptive Fruits, Custards ; reefed, 
salted, and Meats of ill digestion, and the like, are not to be eaten, 
but Aromatized Meats, and Flesh Rosted; Bisket-Bread, and Wine, 
are most wholesom. 
See more in the Chapter of a Bastard Tertian, or Hemitritæan Ague, 
whose curation little varies from this. 
CHAP. II. 
Of an Hemitrice Feaver, or Semi-tertian. 
AN Hemitritaus is a Compound Feaver,made of a 
an and an intermitting Tertian, having a permixtion of Flegm and 
Choller, and hath its continuity from Flegm,and its horror from the in- 
termitting Tertian, whence they are called Horrid Feavers; for if it was 
made of two Continuals, it would not be partaker of Horror, and if of 
two Intermittents, it would not be continual. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a mixt Portion of Flegm and Choker putrified in the 
Vena Cava, and Meseraick-Veins, which sometimes are equal in quan- 
tity ; sometimes Choker super-abounds, and sometimes the greater 
part is Flegm; yellow Choller putrifies without the Vessels,and thence 
comes the intermission; and Flegm, or a pituitous matter within the 
Vessels, and thence hath its continuity; or an intermitting Quotidian 
may be joyned with a continual Quartane, and both are caked Hemitri- 
tæans ; the Antecedent Cause is attributed to obstruction, whence the 
Humours be prohibited going forth, and being so retained, putrifie. 
2. They arise from inflamation of some Bowel, as of the Liver, Guts, 
Stomach, and Vicine Bowels, whence a Symptomatical Feaver joyn- 
ed with a Continual Tertian, causes a kind of Hemitritæan ; sometimes 
they are inordinate from Pus being made ; sometimes because they are 
partakers of malignity, which are sometimes popular.  
A a a 2 SIGNS.

372 Of FEAVERS.
SIGNS. 
Signs are mean twixt a Tertian and Quotidian; for its invasion is with 
horror, which is greater then that of a Quotidian, and less then that of 
a Quartane ; and its manner of invasion is twofold, for either two fits 
come together in the beginning, and invade the Patients both at once, 
or else come severally, and if Flegm exsuperates, and be the more pre- 
dominant, there is Horrours and Coldness of the Extremities, then 
Choller overcoming, there is heat, and the Feaver seems to come to 
its State ; there is vomiting of Choller, Rigour, Sweat and Thirst, if 
Cholier be more regent and overpouring. 
The fits come also, one on one day, and two on another, because the 
Quotidian causes a fit every day, and the Tertain every other day. 
If there be Malignity present, it is known by its proper Signs, and if 
it arises from inflamation of the Bowels, that may be discerned by 
Signs of those Bowels inflamed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is dangerous; 1. Because it makes an ill Stomach, a 
Lethargy, and Syncope; a Delirium, watching, third, driness of the 
Tongue; it is Cronical, by reason of Flegm, and may be prolonged to 
six or seven Months, and then end in Hecticks, Chollicks, or Fluxes of
the Belly; it hurts the Nervous parts, and is difficultly cured. 
CURE. 
Cure is varied according to the condition of the Feaver: for if it be 
Legitimate, wherein there is an equality of Choller and Flegm putrified, 
then Medicines meet for a Tertian and Quotidian are to be mixt, and 
equally divided. 
Vomits, of the Root of Azarum, which equally purges Choller and 
Flegm, given in Pouder to ʒij, or Mountain-Dwarf, Cherry-of Gesner, 
to six or seven in number taken, and Broath taken after them, so doth 
Juyce of Tobacco taken from ʒj. to ij. 
If Choller be predominant, Medicines more proper for a Tertian, and 
that evacuate Choller, are to be given ; If Flegm, those for a Quotidi-
an are to be used in greater quantity : Agarick is good for Purging ; Al- 
terers also must be accommodated to the nature of the Humours, either 
equally mixt, or either one super-regent. 
If it arises from fault of any Bowel inflamed, that is diligently to be 
considered, and cured before the Feaver that depends thereupon 
may.
If 

Of FEAVERS. 373
If there be malignity mixt therewith, or it is Epidemical, we must 
resist that by Alexiteries, by Aurum Potabile, by Angelica-Roots, 
Masterwort, Sorrel-Seeds , Tormentil-Roots, Camphir, &c. to 
respect all intentions, we must have Medicines have divers quali- 
ties. 
Specificals for this as well as other Agues, both Simple and Compound, 
are Cinkfoil or Five-leaved-Grass ( which given to ℈j. in Pouder for 
thrice before the fits, is an infallible Cure) Featherfew, whose original 
name was Febrifuge, from its vertue in driving: away Agues, taken in 
Pouder, or Decoction before the fits ; Rhue or Herb-de-grace, Cala- 
mint, Oyl of Myrrh, Salt of Tartar, of Masterwort and Wormwood, 
Roots of Masterwort, Onions, Garlick, Laserpice, Natural Balsam, 
Saint-Johns~Wort, Trefoil, or three-leaved-Grass, the greater Saxi- 
frage of Mathiolus, Meadsweet, or Queen of the Meadows, &c. which 
are to be taken either in Decoction, or Pouder, to a sufficient quantity, 
for three or four times before the fits: For better advice herein, see 
the Chapters of a Tertian and Quotidian Ague, of which this is only a 
composition.
CHAP. III.
Of Quartane Agues, and Tertian.
EVery Ague is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague; every 
Ague hath Fits, but every Disease that hath Fits not an Ague. 
Every sickness that hath Periodick Fits, with chilness and heat super- 
vening, may be an Ague, but unless they come every fourth day, not a 
Quartane-Ague, the name of a thing is only a titular Attribute, and 
doth not constitute the Nature; but the Nature the Name; but every 
Disease that may first be proved an Ague, and secondly, to come every 
fourth day, may properly be called a Quartane-Ague ; but the extream 
of one kind, is the beginning of another, and some Quartanes are 
sometimes Tertians, and some Tertians sometimes Quartanes, and then 
perhaps another while Quotidians; neither are all Agues Quotidians, 
Quartanes, Hæmitriteans and Tertians, nor all Distempers that have 
Quotidian, Quartane, Hæmitritean or Tertian day-fits, Agues. 
But the nature of the Disease, as well as its manner of proceeding, 
must goe to the making of a thing ; for some are Aguish to day, and 
ortherwise dittempered to morrow; and some are otherwise distemper- 
ed to day, and Aguish to morrow; and we must distinguish betwixt 
Essential


374 Of FEAVERS
Essential Sickness, and Accidental Symptoms: Neither are all Ter- 
tians hot Agues, not all Quartanes or Quotidians cold ; but some parti- 
cipate of the nature of both, and some of neither : and some of one, 
at one time, and of another at another: nor is Nature tied up to one 
Rule or Method, for some Agues are Symptomatical to other Distem- 
pers, and other Distempers are often Symptomatical to Agues; some- 
times Agues cause Labefactation of the Inward Bowels, and some- 
times Labefactation of the Inward Bowels brings Agues ; and some- 
times they mutually depend upon each other; and sometimes Agues are
without Labefactation of the Inward Bowels , and Labefactation of 
the Inward Bowels without Agues; the quality corrupting is more 
significant here, then the quantity corrupted. 
Sometimes outward Causes bring Agues without inward, and some- 
times Inward Causes produce Agues without the progress of Outward, 
Obvious, and Procatarctick Causes ; but commonly Agues are made 
by some outward Cause, operating upon the inward, and where in any 
Bowel, there is a previous consimiler Disposition, a slight outward 
Cause doth more, then in a firm constitution of the Inward Bowels 
great outward Causes may do ; unless the Patient is fit to receive the 
operation of the Agent, and the Agent in all things able and apposite 
to operate upon the Patient, little or nothing is done: Some catch 
Agues, specially Quartanes, at fall of the Leaf, commonly by leaving off 
Garments, standing in Water, or eating Apples, or cold Drink and 
Water, or otherwise by taking cold; and some do all these, and 
they do cause in them another Distemper different from these, and per- 
haps from each other; and others wade in cold Water, drink cold Wa- 
ter, eat Apples, go naked Breasted , Wet-shod, &c. and feel no 
harm at all; and some are so by Nature, more or less, and some by 
custom, and some by both ; and he that will know Truth, all the Truth, 
and no other or more then the Truth, must come to Critical Distincti- 
ons, for we shall rarely find two alike ; yet commonly they that have A- 
gues alike every fourth day (which the Vulgar call Third-day-Agues, not 
reckoning the two Fit-dayes, but one) have commonly Symptoms more 
alike one another, then like those that have Agues every other or, each 
day : And as these things we have written differ one from another, so 
some other things we have not written may differ from these. 
And there be many things to be considered: the course of the Stars at 
each mans first sickning, and the alteration of them ; and that Planet 
that was upon the Ascendent at a Nativity, hath great signification and 
the Moon which causes great alteration, greatly alters in Place and 
Aspect. Also the natural constitution of our Bodies, Clymates, and
Soil,

Of FEAVERS. 375
Soil, Age, Dyet, season of the Year, Gender, and other accidents 
are various to divers persons, and so the Diseases vary ; but we can 
hardly foresee what a Disease will be by any of these, except by Astro- 
logy, and that is sometime uncertain. 
Nor for the Cure of Agues is one Method or Medicine alike suc- 
cessful, or at all successful to all kinds, or to all of one kind; but that that 
cures this Quartane, may not cure the other Quartane. But quoad in- 
termissionem, all having affinity, may be cured by one ; but Quotidians 
for the most part are more stubborn then Tertians, and Quartanes then 
either ; yet some Quartanes are less contumacious then some Quotidi- 
ans, and some Quotidians shorter then some Tertians; yet commonly 
such a Medicine as Camphir hung about the Neck, or Jesuits Bark, or 
Quinque Fole took inwardly, will cure more Quotidians or Tertians then 
Quartanes, yet not quoad Tertians or Quotidians ; but as they are from 
a thinner Humour, lying more overly, and less pertinaciously seated 
in the Bowels ; neither are all Tertians cureable, nor all Quartanes in- 
cureable, some die of either, but most of neither ; sometime a Medi- 
cine that cures a Tertian, will not cure in another Tertian, and yet cures 
a Quartane ; Vomiting is more proper in Tertians; yet if the Stomach 
be offended, more in Quartanes ; it may be better there, then in Ter- 
tians where that is not; sometimes they are easieliest at the first Fits, 
sometimes at the last, when the Fits are small and gentle, and the 
Seeds of the infected matter are almost dead. 
Bleeding is not good for an Ague, quatenus an Ague, but in every 
Disease where the Body is hot, the Arteries beat, Colour is great, and 
Dyet hath been generous, Nihil non obstante, it is good ; so is purging, 
if there be fit indications for it in any Disease, and if not, it is not 
good in any, which includes Agues, as every greater doth its less ; 
Sweating opens the pores of the Skin, and melts by the heat that causeth 
it, thick Humours, and expells them by the Habit and Circumference 
of the Body; therefore good in Agues, especially when Nature spon- 
taniously offers it, for we are Natures Servants to observe her Dictates, 
and as every like applies to its like, and shuns its enemy, so she en- 
deavours to retain what is friendly and homogenious to her, and to ex- 
pel what is adverse and heterogenious, unless in striving to expel one, 
through weakness of the part, or a depraved habit, the other follows. 
The best Sweaters ate Holy Thistle, Antimonium Diaphoreticum, Salt 
of Carduus, of Wormwood, Spirit of Sait, Treacle-Water, Tincture 
of Saffron, Featherfew, &c. But some are general, as Sweaters, and 
special, as Sweaters for Agues.
CHAP. 

376 Of FEAVERS.
CHAP. IV. 
Of Hectical Feavrs, and others, 
Where-ever there is a Feaver equal, not violent, seated in the 
habit of the Body, I suppose it proper to be called an Hectick.
The question in most Diseases is chiefly what one or two or three Sym- 
ptoms do of necessity concur to make it properly so called, without 
which it is improper so to call it; for some have lingring Feavers with 
some sensible fits, and some have violent Feavers without them ; some 
are almost constantly distempered with heat like Feavers, and yet have 
now and than cold fits, like Agues ; some that have Feaverish Distem- 
pers, have no other concomitant Symptoms of an Hectick; and some 
have the wasting and dryness ascribed to Hecticks, and yet no sensible 
Feaver, and if not sensible, not to be called so ; and some have a thirst 
without dryness, and dryness without thirst ; and some seem dry in one 
part or particular, and moist in another part or particular; so that Nature 
varies some what in all, and much in most: and almost all Sickness hath 
some changes, but scarce any all; neither is wasting of the Lungs al- 
ways attended with a wasting of the Flesh ; or if it be, it is not always 
in the same measure and manner; nor is the wasting of the Lungs alone 
the cause of the wasting of the Flesh, but the wasting of other Bowels 
also may waste the Flesh; but it is sometimes hard to say whether a part 
wasted causeth wasting of the Body; or that that caused wasting of the 
Body, caused also the wasting of that part or parts : Nor are all Hecticks 
(if it is proper to call any so) mild at first, and hotter in process of time, 
but some naturally grow cooler, that used to be hot; and some naturally 
grow hot, some by fits, and some more constantly, some less, and some 
more, that used to be always cool: There is scarce any thing, a staid- 
judgmented-man and well read, can imagine, but he may find or read 
of in some : There is nothing may happen to all, but every thing hap- 
pens to some ; every thing was ordained to keep its order, as well to 
the frequency, as violence of its actions ; but from the one extreme of a 
thing to the other, is much variety; and complicated Causes produce 
complicated Effects: All things were contrived methodically of GOD, 
but fall out in an accidental and various manner, as to our Knowledge, 
and meerly contingent, as to our Foreknowledge. 
Some Hecticks are incurable, and some be curable ; and amongst those 
one is cured the first month, another the second, and so onward ; one 
the 

Of FEAVERS. 377 
the first year, another in the second, another in the third, and so may 
the variety of Nature in other things be guessed ; one is cured by Na- 
ture, another by Medicine ; one by a Method of Physick, another with 
one or two Specificals; and of these, one with Snails, another with 
Frogs boiled in Milk or Broath ; One with Gellies, another with Emul- 
sions, and some with Syrup of Walnuts, and some with Asses; and some 
use all these things, and are not cured ; and some none, and yet are ; yet 
GOD commonly appoints the Effects, by ordering the Cause ; But in 
many Medicines we give, we are not sure which doth it, or whether 
Nature might not have done the like , or whether this and the other cu- 
red alike, had their Disease caused alike in the inward parts. 
And in this manner doth Nature proceed in other Sicknesses; and as 
these vary from one another, so probably may others vary from these; but 
we endeavoured to write all such things as experience, and men may 
prove them by what they shall see clearly and plainly in their Practices. 
What we writ from Authors, may be justified by their Authority amongst 
Physicians. 
Multi multa sciunt, sed nulli omnia. 
B b b OF 

378
OF 
Diseases and Affects  
OF THE 
HAIR:
And of OUTWARD ERUPTIONS.  
These Chapters of outward Ails 
and Affects being writ in the 
year 1658, and 1659, We have 
experienced and read many Ex- 
periences since, of the variety of 
these Affects, and many things 
differing from these; yet We 
thought good to put these to 
publick View, being drawn from the best of the Mo- 
derns, as Sennertus, Platerus, Johnstonus, Rondeletius, 
Paræus &c. and writ from oculate Experience in one 
or other, by one or other. 
Divers Chapters are omitted, that are in many Pra- 
ctical Authors ; and most of those the Moderns fol-
lowed

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 379
lowed the Ancients too superstitiously in, and were 
mere deceived than in these we wrote of. 
It is supposed few will buy this Book, that have 
not other Practick Books by them, wherein are the 
Chapters that may be here omitted : And many of 
those Books are wanting as to these Diseases and Af- 
fects We have writ of, so that they may be commo- 
diously compared and joyned. 
It is supposed that most will read the first part of 
this Book first, so that these Diseases may be read 
with the better understanding : What we found defe- 
ctive in one. We supplied out of another; and where 
We found any thing superfluous, We omitted it. 
We strove to digest all into a clear Method, with 
Heads and Distinctions; and wrote (besides the best 
Medicines extant in Authors) divers of our own using 
and experiencing. 
It must not be supposed We can write by one how 
all must be, there is such variety; therefore if these 
be never so truly writ, yet the Practitioner must look 
to find many outward Ails differing from these, and 
from each other. 
We are now in a little differing Opinion (in some
of these) concerning the Causes, as to what we was 
when they were first writ ; But the first part of this 
Book will give the Reader insight thereinto : having 
since studied more Philosophy and Astrology.
B b b 2 CHAP.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Defluvium Capillorum, or a general falling off 
of Hairs. 
DEFINITION. 
A Defluvium Pilorum, or Capillorum, is a sheding of Hair, from 
Head, Beard, and all parts of the Body, without danger; 
some here and there remaining very thin and sprinklingly, 
from an Hectical state of the Cutis Capillata, or Skin of the 
Head. 
CAUSE. 
Cause, 1. is want of nourishment, as in Tabids or Consumptions. 2. Lax- 
ity of the Skin from Humours, or the Serosity of a Pituitous and Chol- 
lerick Matter, or an hot and moist Distemper; or Bathes, Sweats and 
Unguents may make the Skin loose ; sometimes scalding makes Hair 
fall off. 
SIGN. 
The Skin is thin from a Consumptive State, or loose from insinuating 
of Humours there, and then though the Hair falls off, yet 'tis not ex- 
tenuated, but from defect of Aliment it is extenuated; there went be- 
fore Causes of Emptiness and Tabes, and often it attends Malignant 
Feavers. 
DIFFERENCE. 
It differs from Alopecia and Ophiasis, from a larger signification. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
In Consumptions ’tis hardly cured, but is an evil Sign, specially 
with a Diarrhæa. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be Analeptick, and Restorative, to make good Humours. 
CURE. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE.
1. In Consumptive or Tabid states, we may neither Purge nor 
Bleed. 
2. Topicks must heat and bind very moderately, that Nutriment 
by them maybe brought to the part; too great heat may resolve too 
much, and too great Astriction repel Nourishment : a Laviment of 
Strengtheners for the Head, of Capillary Herbs, is first to be used ; for 
Fomentation, after the Head is shaved and rubbed, thickners of the 
Skin, if it be made very thin, as Oyl of the Mastick Tree, of Mirtles, 
of Burdock-Seed, are good. 2. From Laxity of the Skin, or pravity 
of ill Humours that are inimical to the Roots of the Hair; 1. Purging 
and Bleeding are allowed. 2. Some gentle Discutients. 
Medicines that generally help, may be divided into such as, 1. Hin- 
der the falling off of Hair, as Juyce of Milsoil, or a Lee of Wall-Rhue. 
2. Others restore it, and make it grow again, as an Emplaister of Line- 
seed and its Oyl, with Flower boild to a consistence to spread upon Lea- 
ther all over the Head, for three dayes or more, with renewing ; Labda- 
num boild to an Oynment in Oyl, Sheeps Suet, and Honey-Water: 
Many more are set down in the Chapter of Alopecia, which may be re- 
ferred-hither. 
If the falling off of Hair be from a Scald, Oyl of Tartar, per Deliqui- 
um, to wash the place, used warm for seven or eight or more dayes, is 
commended.  
CHAP. II. 
Psilothra, or Medicines taking away superflous Hair.
Psilothra, or a taking away of Hairs where they grow indecently and 
out of due order and place, is done by Medicines, having a force 
Septick, Caustick, or by Propriety. 
1. By a force Septick or Caustick ; the Juyce of Tithimale, anointed, 
makes the Hair to fall off; a little bag of quick Lime, two parts Or- 
pement, one part first pondered, then tied up in a little Rag, boild 
in Water, and the part rubbed therewith (the Hairs being first cut off) 
doth the like ; Bay-salt in fine Pouder, reduced into an Emplaister, with 
Gum of old Ivy Trunks and fading Spittle, doth take away Hairs by a 
Caustick force, though more weak then the former ; Aqua Fortis, by 
its Caustick force, if it may be suffered alone, is the strongest. 
2. By 

382 Of Diseases and Assects of the Hair. 
2. By Propriety, the Ashes of Horse-Leeches mixt with Vinegar; 
and the part rubbed therewith, where we would not have Hair to grow, 
causes both a falling off of the Hair, and also hinders the growing of it 
again ; so the Blood of a Bat so takes it away by the Roots, or poisons 
the place that it will never more bear Hair; but whether clear from a 
Caustick force or no may be questioned ; and it may be thought to do it 
by a bad quality in it; as also the Allies of Horse-Leeches, an Oynt- 
ment of Pigeons Dung, Gum Hederæ, or Gum of the Ivy Tree, and 
Oyl, doth it most innocently by a Propriety ; if weaker will not avail, 
which are first to be tryed, we must proceed to stronger; and if through 
using these hot inflaming sharp Medicines, inflamation be raised, we 
must cool with convenient Oyntments of Lead, Ceruss, Camphir, 
and with Opium, &c, as need shall require. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Baldness. 
BAldnefs is a defect of Hair from old age, or a privation of it from 
want of good Humours, or an Hectick dry state, or fuliginous 
Excrements, chiefly happening in the forepart of the Head, the Skin 
there flicking to the bare Bone. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is in old men, and others too, from defect of Aliment, a dry 
Distemper of the Brain, and hairy faculty of the Skin ; therefore what- 
ever things do dry, may effect it, as Watchings, Cares, Venery, &c. 
Hence Eunuches, because they are more moist, never are bald, nor 
are Women commonly so bald as Men, because not of so dry a Tempe- 
rature. 
2. An hard consistence of the flesh. And 3. Fuliginous Excrements 
do seldomer cause it. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
’Tis best discovered by the sight, and the Causes too, and by the 
pregress of drying Causes.
PROGNOSTICK. 
'Tis hard to cure it, yet there is hopes to stay its spreading greater.
CURE.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE. 
Cure, Is first by a good Dyet, wherein we must avoid all salt sharp 
binding things ; exercising of Venery is very bad, and also Wine. 
2. Respecting the Cause, correct bad Aliment. 3. Medicines moist- 
ning are to be used for driness. 4. Attracters of the good Humours 
mixt with Astringents to fortifie the Skin, both bringing a good Nu- 
tritive Humour, and making good the faculty of the Skin, producing 
Hair. 
An Unguent of Labdanum, Oyl of Mastick, and Pulpe of Fenugreek- 
Seeds may serve to these intentions ; cutting of the Hair often is very 
good, for so being shorter, it requires the less moisture, and grows 
thicker. 
Medicines by a Propriety avail against Baldness, and bring again 
Hairs where they are wanting ; as Froath of the Sea is said, by washing 
of a bald Head decently and comelily, to deck it with Hairs ; the Off- 
scouring of a Whetstone mixed with Oyi, is good; the Juyce of Onions, 
anointed for many times together (in the Sun, say some) upon the bald 
place, is very effectual to bring the Hair again; the Roots of Jacinths 
are said to procure Hair in Beardless Men; as also that the Ashes of 
Southernwood, mixt with Oyl of Radish or Organy, will quickly cause
the Beard to grow. 
See for more Remedies that may be very available here, in the Chap- 
ter of Alopecia. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Ophiasis. 
Ophiasis is a falling off of the Hair Obliquely, retaining a certain 
Figure, and therefore called so from Ophis a Serpent, which 
it imitates in creeping, proceeding from the hinder part of the Head 
in the latitude of not above two Fingers, creeping in two Heads to each 
Ear, sometimes even to the Forehead, and there the two divided 
Heads sometimes do meet, the Hair still growing betwixt them, and on 
either side of them. Moreover Ophiasis possesses altogether the Head, 
is more familiar to Children, and disposed to the. Leprosie; Ophiasis 
also often ceases spontaneously of its own accord, all which happen 
not so in Alopecia, though the Causes differ not; and they are both to 
be

384 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
be cured after one way and Method, and by the same Medicines ; and 
therefore refer you to the Chapter of Alopecia.
CHAP. V. 
Of Platting of the Hair, of Cleaving of the Hair, of 
Worms in the Hair.
1. Of Platting the Hair. 
Plica, is a folding or complication of the Hair into Tufts or Locks, 
risen from a matter unprofitable to nourish the Hairs, troubling 
Men and Horses, and bringing along with it many Symptoms. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is guessed to be an Alimentary Juyce carried to the Roots of 
the Hair, offending both in quantity and quality, to which being com- 
municated, an infection from a peculiar Vice in the place, Air, and 
Waters, and comes hereditarily. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Hair Tusts, pains infest the Joints and Bones; there be con- 
vulsive wreathings, plenty of Lice, and the Toe Nails are black and 
rough, like Goats Horns. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
If the Platting be cut off, the poisonous quality which was before di- 
sperst in the Hairs creeps in again, and the forces are more opprest ; if 
there be no pain, ’tis more hopeful, because then we may guess absence 
of the Humour, and that it is spent in the Hair; yet we have little 
hope, unless by foreseeing the Cause, the cutting off of the Tufts that 
soak up the Sweating Humour sometime bring dangerous effects. 
CURE.
Evacuation by Bleeding and Catharticks, are useless, and are likely 
to irritate more the Humour, the Cure is hidden; some use Decoction 
of Barefoot; some have been cured by Bathing, which caused a certain 
roughness, after which the Hairs were cut off, and they were clearly 
delivered. 
2. Of 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 385
2. Of Cleaving of the Hairs. 
This is much like the former, the ends of the Hairs cleaving toge- 
ther occasioned from some adust Humours, and is curable, a good and 
regular Dyet being kept; that Humour being purged by Black Helebore, 
Senna, Epithimum, Lapis Lazuli, &c. that Purge ; Airabilis, and 
the Head bathed with Decoctions of Emolient things. 
3. Of Worms in the Hair.
Tinea is a Disease, wherein the ends of the Hairs are eaten by 
Worms, and fall off in peice-meals, and so greatly shortned. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is in the nourishment of the Hair, which by heat is turned 
into Worms. 
SIGN. 
1. We may discern (though hardly from their smallness) lit- 
tle Worms sticking in the end of them, which are described by 
few. 
2. The Hairs are made shorter, and break away by bits. 
3. The Hair is infected with an Ashey Colour.
CURE. 
Universals premised, they are killed by Decoction of the greater 
Nettle Seed in Vinegar; Also by Decoction or Juyce of Scabious, the 
lesser Centuary, or Southernwood, to which a Portion of Vinegar may 
be put, and the Hair therewith be washed and fomented. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Alopecia.  
DEFINITION 
ALopeci is a general falling off of the Hair from all parts, differing 
from Ophiasis in figure, and a Defluvium by quantity, made from 
a prave and corrupted Humour, eroding the roots of the Hair. 
Ccc SUBJECT.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the Head, Beard, and Eyebrows, and all other hairy parts 
of the Body. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is a Vice of the Humour, salt, pituitous, adust and putrified; 
produced from a more hot Liver, and ill habit of the Brain, and eroding 
the roots of the Hair; eating of bad Nourishment, as Mushrooms, &c. 
also may produce it. 
Also sharpness of an humour, and driness of the pores, loosness of 
their roots from the outward skin being made dead, and the hairy facul- 
ty fails, because of bad nourishment, and the roots being eaten up. 
SIGNS. 
It keeps one certain figure. 2. The Hair generally falls off. 5. The 
skin pricked, the Blood will be watery. 4. Sometimes it waxes not red 
by rubbing. 5. The Hairs from the Beard, Eye-brows, Arm-holes, &c. do 
fall off, as well as from the Head. 6. It possesses any Age. 
DIFFERENCES.
Differences as to it self, are taken from the Humours, which are 
shewn by the colour of the skin of the Head: As, 
1. Whiteness of it shews the occupying and redundancy of a flegma- 
tick Humour. 
2. Pale yellow colour of it shews Choler. 
3. Black shews Melancholy. 
4. Scurf and Irch shews the saltness of flegm. 
5. Dyet generating such Humours also went before. 
Differences of the falling off of Hair are divers ; it differs from 
Ophiasis in figure, not in Cause. See the Chapter of Ophiasis. 
2. From a failing off of the Hair; for there the Hair falls off not so 
generally, and chiefly from the Head alone, from penury of Ali- 
ment. 
3. It differs from badness, for that happens chiefly to old Men, 
from want of nourishment, also from driness, and loosness of the Hai- 
ry Skin, and a deficiency in the retentive faculty of it. 
4. It differs from that falling off of Hairs that is made in Leprosies, 
for there, besides general notes of the Leprosie, be Wheals and crusty 
Scabs and Scurf both in the Head and Chin. 
5. From the French POX, for then the Hair soonest falls from the 
Evebrows and Beard : many Symptoms to shew the French POX, are 
present. PROG-


Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 387 
PROGNOSTICKS
In general, ’tis hard to cure, but worst, if, 1. It happens to old 
Age. 2. If the Skin be fat, thick, and smooth,and wholly peeled. 3. If 
by rubbing, it wax not red, and by pricking, sends forth Water. 4. If 
it follow Elephantiasis or the French POX. 
2, ’Tis better, and there is more hopes of Cure, if it be made, 1. In 
young and flourishing Ages. 2. If it fell off suddenly from the afore- 
going of some acute Diseases, and be fresh 3. If it be made from 
Whoredom onely, not Venerous nor Leprous. 4. If the place by 
chasing or fomenting suddenly wax red. 5. If the bordering extremities 
of the Head begin to fend forth Hair again, some still remaining.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect Cachochymy, or a common corruption of Hu-
mours generally ; here we must use various Purgers, and strong, as the 
variety of the Humours most abounding require ; praises Pills of 
Collocinthis and Scammony. 
2. Letting Blood also, specially in Phlethory, and redundancy of 
a Serous Blood; some after opening the Cephallick Vein in the Arm, 
advise a Vein of the Forehead to be opened, and the Skin of the Head, 
after rubbing, to be prickt in various places, and Leeches to be set to 
suck out the vitious Blood. 
3. Also for Evacuation sake, Apophlegmatisms, Masticatories and Er- 
rhines are useful. 
1. Topicks; Here, 1. we must repel the Humour while 'tis in flux- 
ion. 2. Digest it, being impact in the Skin, for which we must use 
Medicines of thin parts and hot, but not too dry ; also we must dili- 
gently beware, least by the use of too hot things, the Skin be burnt and 
dryed, and nourishment will be discussed and consumed; more moist 
and liquid Medicines are to be used at first, and continued, while we 
perceive they have made some alteration in the Skin, as Bathes, Oyls, 
Oyntments, &c. that open the Pores, melt and let out thick and 
viscous Humours, and add nourishment to the Skin and Hairy faculty; 
these by way of precept.  
Medicines are such as, 1. Prevent its falling off, as Ashes of the 
Roots of Reeds, or Sugar-Cane with Vinegar; an Unguent of Labda- 
num, and Bears Grease, Juyce of Mallows, and the Ashes of the Kernels 
of Wallnuts mixt with Red Wine, Juyces of Quinces, Pelletory and 
Carduus. 
2. Restore it again being fallen off; among such, most excellent is, 
Ccc 2 1. the 

388 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
i. The Juyce of an Onion. 2. The Ashes of Asphodel, with Ducks 
Create, commended by Galen, 3. Honey-Water. 4. An Oyntment 
of Oyl of Tartar, Honey and Ox-Suet. 5. Mice Dung, with the 
Ashes of Wasps and Hazel-Nuts burnt, and Vinegar of Roses brought 
to an Oyntment. 6. Oyl of Frogs, and of the Yolks of Eggs ; with 
the Brain of an Hair made also into an Oyntment. 7. Many good Me- 
dicines, but of less note are made of Maiden-Hair, Southern-wood, 
Male-Asphodel, Oyl of the Kidney, Bean of Malacca, of the Kernels 
of Peaches and Wallnuts, and of bitter Almonds, Froath of the Sea, 
Water-Cresses ; also an Oyntment of the Froath of the Roots of the 
Elm Tree boild in Wine, and Oyl of Frogs, with Pouder of Bees, to 
bring Hair again-suddenly, is commended. 
Among Authors these are extolled. 
Monavius extols Labdanum. 
Johnstonus commends an Oyntment made of the Allies of Bears Hairs, 
and Oyl of the Mastick Tree.
Dioscorides, Oyl of Euphorbium. 
Forestus found a Liniment of Bees-Ashes, and Oyl of Mirtles Em- 
plaisters of Bees, of Flies beaten with Turpentine, the Liquor of Snails, 
the place first sharply rubbed, the Fat of Green Frogs, Goats-Dung, 
and Mice burnt to Ashes, and Walnut-shels burnt with Honey, to be 
very effectual. 
Johannes Baptista commends the Ashes of Bees, and Mice-dung, mixt 
with Oyl of Roses, to an Oyntment. 
Nostredamus praises an Oyntment of the Ashes of Bees, Swans blood 
and Honey. 
Lebotius, The Excrements of a red Haired Man, distilled into a Wa- 
ter, to wash the part. 
Others commends, the Fat of Frogs used for Unction, after the use of 
a Lee of the Ashes of Frogs, first to the part, wherewith Hairs are pro- 
duced every where, even in those that are Lepers ; and the Ashes of 
Nigella-Seeds, Goldsmiths Water, wherewith they that have been 
made bald from Quicksilver, have been recovered.  
Bees, Wasps, Flies, Frogs, Mice and Snails, their Fat, Ashes, or 
Excrements, are most commended by the later Physicians. 
And left, when the Hair comes again, it should turn white, Nostre-
damus advises often to wash the  place with the Milk of a Bitch. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 389 
CHAP. VII.
Of Medicines hindering the growth of superfluous Hair.
THis succeeds to Psilothra or Medicines that take away superfluous 
Hair; and sometime these Medicines that hinder the coming forth 
of Hair too thick, or in inconvenient places, may be used before Psilothra, 
the Hair not yet being grown; for if it be grown, then Medicines taking 
it away, or Psilothra, are to be used, and after those, these that hinder 
the regeneration of the Hair again, after ’tis taken away ; to both these 
intentions (if the Hair be already sprung up) as we said of Psilothra Me- 
dicines, the Blood of a Bat, and the Ashes of Horsleeches mixt with Vi- 
negar, do both take away the Hairs by the roots, so as they will never 
grow more in that part: those do it rather by a sceptick quality, or poi- 
sonous inimical force. 
But Medicines that onely hinder the regeneration of superfluous Hairs, 
do it by a cold and dry force, because they thicken the skin, and repel 
Nourishment, as is an Oyntment of Ceruse and Henbane: Or this, re- 
cited by Primrose, ℞ of the Blood of Frogs, Sumach, Terra Sigillata 
pouder them all, and being equalized in weight, mix them with Vinegar 
and Juyce of Henbane. 
Dioscorides saith, If they that have the Hair of their Eye-lids come off, 
do bathe them with Juyce of Fumitary, and Gum Tragacanth, they will never 
grow again.
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Curling colouring the away gray Hair, &c.  
1. Of Curling the Hair. 
The Hair is made to curl, if it be wet in Sallet Oyl, and rubbed 
with Harts-horn, or they both may be mixed into form of a Lini- 
ment, and so used together; also to wash the Hair in a Decoction of the 
2. To 
Root of Dwarf-Elder, is said to make it to curl. 

390 Of Disease and Affects of the Hair.
2. To make the Hair yellow. 
Medicines that have a dying faculty, and of a yellow colour, do this ;
a washing of the Head with Decoction of Rhubarb, of the Root of Box 
and Chelidone, with Saffron, is effecual ; washed with a Lixive, or Lee 
of the ashes of the Wood of the Barbery Tree, is very effecual to turn 
the Hair yellow. A Lee of the ashes of old Colworts, with shavings of 
the Box-Tree, Liquorish, and Saffron, the Decoction of Broom-flowers 
also, and of the yellow flowers of Mullein, do the same; as also Citron 
Peels, Water and Oyl of Honey, Decoction of Alkanet-Roots, and 
the like. 
These and such-like Medicines are chiefly required whenas the Hair 
grows gray, or whenas its colour is meet to be changed into ano- 
ther. 
3. Gray Hairs, or Gray-Headed.
Canities is a changing of the Hair to white, which oftenest happens 
through old Age, but sometimes is greatly furthered by Griefs, Sor- 
row, sollicitude of Minde, and Cares, which be the efficient Causes of 
it. 
The material Cause is, a pituitous Humour coupling with a fuliginous 
matter, not much adust. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK are discerned best by seeing. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
The Cause may be taken away, or hindered, though the Affects may 
not ; many that have had their Hair changed in colour after their falling 
into some Disease, being recovered of that Disease, and their Body re- 
stored to health, their Hair afterward also hath come to its natural colour 
again. 
CURE. 
After respect had to the Cause, we must strive to make the Hair 
change from its gray colour ; that is done chiefly by Paints, by Astrin- 
gents, Alkanet-Roots, Allom, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, &c. boild for a Loti- 
on of the Head and Beard, an Oyntment of Ol de Been, Galls, burnt Iron, 
Indian Myrobalans, Litharge, Dwarf-Eldern, &c. to anoint the Hair 
with Oleum Costinam, hinders its turning gray, a Comb of Lead for the 
Head and the Beard, doth obscure the grains of the Hair ; to these may
be 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 391 
be added Medicines that are taken inwardly to restore and conserve
Youth, and keep off the gray Head; such is the Pouder of Eldern-flow- 
ers taken in Borrage-Water every Morning ; three drops of Oyl of Salt 
taken every morning in any convenient Liquor; Senna also is commen- 
ded by Mesue, for keeping back gray Age. 
4. To make the Hair Black. 
The Hairs are made black by Decoctions of astringent things, by 
Phlegmagogues, or Purgers of Flegm; Topicals are the Juyce of Dane- 
wort, or Dwarf-Elder for Lotion ; Myrobalans inwardly and outwardly, 
Cadmia, Labdanum, Lead, Cloves, Bean-stalks, green shells of Walnuts, 
a Lead Comb, &c. set down by Authors: these are to be used chiefly, 
whenas we are forced in gray Heads to give some other Tincture to 
the Hair, to take away the gray colour ; and as other things are coloured 
by things that have a dying force, so also may the Hairs be painted with 
them, as the Party affected best approves of. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Scurfiness in Hair 
Tis called Pitoriasis by the Greeks, Porrigo chiefly, Furfur and 
Furfuratio by the Latins; and is an Ulcerous disposition of the 
topmost Cuticle, not deep, not moist, but scaley, dry, loose, and 
Brun-like, which Scurfey matter by any light Scratching or Combing 
falls off, though from its cause, yet resident, it grows again.
CAUSE. 
Cause is an hot and dry Distemper of the Skin, which converts a  
sharp and thin Humour that insinuates it self, and breaths through it in- 
to scurf
A second Opinion is, That the Cause is in Ichorus Juyce, which e- 
roding the thin Skin, and drying, doth stir up certain Scales and 
Scurf. 
A third Opinion is, That they are Humours, either Serous, Chollick 
or Flegmatick, carried with the nourishment of the Hairs thither, and 
the thinner Parts being discust, the thicker remain about the Roots of 
the Hair, and turn to a scurfey matter, being attracted by a more hot  
Brain.
A 


392 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
A fourth Opinion is, That they are made, 1. From thickness and 
astriction of the Parts. 2. From an Humour adust, and therefore get- 
ten a drying and eroding quality, and therefore cleaves and dries the 
Cuticle or outward Skin, effecting an Ulcerous temper of it, and solu- 
tion of continuity; for from an Humour must needs be moisture ; from 
Erosion, Ulcers ; and from Drying, Scurfs ; but these Humours are 
made from bad Nourishment aforegoing. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly the Head and Beard, and parts 
where Hairs grow, as Eyebrows, &c.
SIGNS.
Signs are the going before of an evil Dyet, engendering a corrupt and 
unwholsome Joyce ; the Scurfs are best discovered by fight, they fall off 
by Scratching or Combing; the Skin is uneven, rough, with a white 
colour. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from that Scaley and Scurfey affect that happens to those
that have the French POX, sticking in the Palms of the Hands, and 
Soles of the Feet, nor doth it easily fall off, unless by great tearing and 
pulling it off by the Nails, and is greater (and like a continued Scale) 
then those Scurfs that be in other hairy parts of the Body. 
DYET. 
Here we must beware of Toad-stools, Fungous things, Bulbs, and 
windy Meats, filling the Head, and causing Crudity. 
CURE. 
After Evacuation and rectifying of the Blood by Internals, we must
use abstersive and discussive Topicals; which either may be, 1. To 
wall), as a Lee of Vine Branches, Draconts, Briony, Wild Cucumers, 
Fumitary, Lupines, Aron, sharp-pointed Dock, &c. or a Lotion of 
Soap, or Baths of salt Water, or an Oyntment of Oyl of bitter Al- 
monds, and of the Kernels of Rank Nuts, with Sulphur and Vitriol. 
2. Or for Friction, as with Niter Salt, Allies of a Lee ; the Hands 
being anointed with Oyl of Bitter Almonds, for so the serous Hu- 
mours are drawn forth and confirmed ; Cataplasms also of Soot, Ink, 
Oyl, Sulphur, Allom, Mallows, and Cicers, with Vinegar. 
Among others, these following are of greatest efficacy and most help- 
ful ; ℞ of the Juyce of Tithimale or Spurge, ℥viij. Juyce of Garlick,
℥vj.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 393 
℥vj Water found in the hollow places of old Beech Trees, one pound, 
mix them, and boil therein of the Ashes of Common Reed, or Sugar- 
Cane, of the Ashes of the Bark of the Ash, of the Ashes also of Fig- 
tree-Leaves, of each, as much as maybe convenient ; after a little 
boiling, strain them for a Lotion of the parts diseased. 
Or an effectual Water may be made of the Roots of Aron, Dra- 
conts, Wall-rue, Scabious, VVillow-Leaves and Fig-Tree, well di- 
gested in Vinegar and distilled. 
Unguents also of slippery things, as of extract of Fenugreek-Seeds 
in Juyce of Mallows, with Bears Grease, and Oyl of Nigella Seeds, 
excel; though they be of another quality to corroding and sharp Medi- 
cines, yet they deterge kindly, and loosen the Scurf, and render the 
Skin smooth and whole ; Euphorbium, with Bears Grease, and Orobus, 
Gum Laserpice, with Wine-Vinegar and Pepper, Darnel Meal boild 
in Vinegar, with wild-Radish-Roots and Brimstone, are commended by 
Dioscorides and others, not only for the ordinary Scurf, but that that is 
made from the French POX, Alopecia or Leprosie. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Phtheiriasis, the Lousie-Evil. 
DEFINITION.
PHhtheiriasis in Greek, in Latin Morbus Pedicularis, in English it may 
be called the Lousie Disease, is a Symptom of excretion made in the 
superficies of the Skin, either throughout the whole Body, or in hairy 
parts ; made from a putrified, but not sharp Humour, and hot and moist 
distemper of the part, chiefly afflicting Children. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is, 1. Putrid Humours collected 'twixt the Cuticle, and true 
Skin, not very sharp, and residing most in the Emunctories, and hot moist 
places that have hair to cover them, and for them to abide in. 
2. The frequent use of Figs is condemned by many; the reason is 
thought to be from a quality in them turning to such an Excrement that 
the Lice are bred of ; the frequent use of Vipers are also thought by their 
tenuity to effect the breeding of Lice, thereby expelling many Humours 
to the Skin ; also other bad things, as Fruits, that are apt to corrupt 
much further. 
3. Though a good Dyet be kept, and the Parties be not of flegmatick  
Ddd and 

394 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
and moist tempers, for in such they chiefly breed, and therefore more in 
Childhood than in elder Age; yet to such as lie in Camps long with their 
Cloaths unshifted, abundance of them are bred; and those that are of 
such apter tempers to breed them, by often drifting, and keeping their
Cloaths clean, and combing, do preserve themselves from them.
4. They grow exceedingly by the immoderate use of Waters, saith 
Aristotle, or by moistening Causes ; therefore Children are most trou- 
bled, and Women more than Men, excepted the Head, for Womens 
Heads being close bound up always, Nourishes them not so much. 
5. The fifth Cause is, by catching; one lousie Body may infect a whole 
Company, as One scabbed Sheep infects a whole Flock: The Vulgar say they 
fly in May, which thing Experience hath verified to some; yet are no 
Wings to be perceived, unless they grow then. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly that covered with Hair, as is 
the Head, which is fullest, and therein onely for the most part they live ; 
also in the Beard, under the Arm-holes, and in the Privities, and Emun- 
ctories, because there is most moist and hot matter breathed out. 
SIGNS are evident to the sight. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. They do good in young Children, and others too, feeding upon, 
and sucking superfluous excrementitious matter; and ’tis thought the  
scurfie matter, and the pores by them are kept more open for hurtful ex- 
halations; whence it is that Children much frequented with them, are not 
so subject to the Head-ach or Falling-sickness. Also in flegmatick old 
persons they are wholesom. 
2. The Skin is sometimes totally and so immoderately affected with 
them, that sometimes they bring death, therefore are not altogether to 
be slighted : Several Nobles have died under this Affect as Herod King 
of Judea, Sylla a great Roman Captain, but a Glutton, Pherisides a famous 
Philosopher, and others. 
3. They leave Dead Bodies, whereby may be guessed they accompa- 
ny healthful Bodies ; and to those that have entered into Quartane A- 
gues, all the Lice in the Body and Head have died, and not one living 
(that were wont to have abundance before their Sickness) all the while 
the Ague hath lasted ; and 'tis very probable those excrementitious Hu- 
mours were spent by the Ague. 
4. If they exceedingly multiply, it may fore-tell the Morphew or
Leprosie 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 395 
Leprosie to succeed from weakness of natural heat, which cannot di- 
gest the Excrements that arc sent to the Skin, and breed them. 
DYET. 
Let them use a good drying and attenuating Dyet ; in the Meats, let 
them eat Sorrel, Organy, Leeks, VVater-Cresses, Salt, Oranges and 
Lemmons, Mustard, Verjuyce ; use Calamint and Garlick boild in- 
wardly, saith Avicen. 
All things engendring cold, moist and flegmatick corrupt Humours, 
are to be avoided, and the Body is to be well dressed and shifted. 
CURE. 
Cure, Depends, 1. upon evacuation of the Cause, where Phleg- 
magogues have the chiefest place. 
2. Internal Dryers, because from plenty of humidity they arise. 
3. Topicks, are either to be drying and cleansing, or discussing and 
drying, as others will; here Baths, Tubs and Lotions of the whole Bo- 
dy and Head are conducible, made of bitter things, and Relaxers or 
Opners of the Pores, that the Humors, the matter of which Lice are made, 
may breath forth, therefore add some Penetraters; yet some fear there 
is, lest by too much and too long Bathing, Excrements should be more 
gathered to the Skin ; whenas Lice proceed from the whole Body, else 
bathing of the whole Body is not useable; let a Tub or Bath be prepared 
of Niter, Hellebore, Calamint, Salt, Collocinthis, Staphesacre, the 
Berry of India, called Coculus Indi, and other bitter and salt things 
boiled in Sea-water. 
A Lee of the Flower of Golden Stæchas, or Cedar-wood, Tamarisk, 
Broom, Hyssop, and English Tobacco boild in salt-water, by a propri- 
ety kill all manner of Lice and Nits ; the distilled water of the Bead- 
Tree of Capadocia, also doth the like. 
The Oyl made by Decoction or Insolation of the Flowers of the Broom 
Bush, the stronger 'tis made, the more effectual it is to kill Lice in all 
parts of the Body. 
Or a Liniment of the Oyl extracted from Mustard-Seed, Oyl of To- 
bacco, ana ℥fs. Pouder of the white Roots of Hellebore, of the In- 
ward Bark of the black Alder Tree, ana ℥ss. Hyssop, ʒj. Vinegar, as 
much as may suffice ; the vulgar remedy for Lice is Coculus Indi. 
The Emunctories also are to be anointed, because there by reason of 
the Veins more frequenting, more of the matter and heat is present; an 
Oyntment of Olibanum and Barrows Grease is greatly commended, both 
to kill them, and hinder their breeding again. 
Ddd2 The 

396 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
The Garments also are to be washed in proper Lee, as in the Lee of the 
Ashes of Broom, and Flowers of Stæchados of a Golden Colour, or 
sprinkled with the Pouder of Staphesacre and Saffron; if they be only in 
the Head, Pouders there may be sprinkled, where Oyntments some- 
times are not so commodious or convenient, by reason of daubing the 
Hair; this then among others may serve for a special Example, ꝶ Ashes 
of Broom, of Coculus Indi Berries, white Hellebore and Staphesacre, ana, 
℥j. Tobacco, Cudweed, Tamarisk, Fenugreek-Seeds, ana. ℥ss. make 
of all a Pouder. 
The Vulgar do use, when withal in Childrens Heads, there be Sores
or Ulcers, the Juyce of Sage, with Butter and Pepper, or Tobacco, and 
Coculus Indi, or Staphesacre with Butter; but in Ulcers such sharp things 
exasperate much. 
DIFFERENCE.
Difference is four-fold. 1. Lice, which are white, bred external- 
ly in all parts of the Body, creeping, and by biting, moving a little 
Itch, and are not very hurtful, unless the parts be ulcerated, or they 
exceed in number, of which we have treated largely ; they are called 
Pediculi, from their many Feet. 
2. Morpiones are more flat, commonly bred in the Share, called by 
Aristotle, Ferum Animals; and by the Vulgar Latins, Pedicolatæ, Pesso- 
latæ and Morpione; they wander hot as the Lice do, but stick fast to the 
Skin, and gnaw much ; of their Cause and Cure, see the precedent 
Cause and Cure of Lice in General. 
5. Chirones, which never break forth of the Skin,, but alwayes lie hid 
within the Skin and Flesh, and there Corrode ; chiefly they are in the 
Hands, and through negligence breed there, are caused of a more dry 
Humour then Lice, that penetrates and breathes not forth through the 
Pores of the Skin : some Women use to pull these Chirones out of the 
Flesh with a Needle, but the Cause not being taken away, they return 
again. Stupifying things that hinder the sense, and dull their biting, are 
good, as is Juyce of Henbane ; but lest that should bring trembling to 
the Hands, the Oyl of the Seed is more wholsom ; Also 'tis very good to 
dip the Hand in Salt and Vinegar, and rub the part where they are, which 
kills them,and their Itching is taken away; Also Foments of salt-water, 
or Vinegar of Henbane and Salt are effectual, But of all Remedies, 
the most effectual is Quicksilver for Unction of the Parts affected, right- 
ly killed and mixed into an Oyntment with Grease, Oyl of Bayes and 
Sope: for all Remedies failing, this sometimes alone will destroy all kinds 
of Lice, Morpions, Chyrones, Nits, and Fleas that suck the Body for 
nourishment, but 'tis not so safe as others, specially the Head, to 
be

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 397
be anointed on the Sutures or Ulcers, for therefrom come dangerous
effects oftentimes, specially to Children.
Some have found these Chirones in the Membranes of the Eyes, or
Adnata, which are very aptly with a fine Needle to be picked out, and
the Eye washed with healing Eye-Waters, and that ease the pain and
itching caused by them.
4. Nits, called Leudes by the Latins, there is a near familiarity
'twixt them and Lice ; for Heads that are very lousie, are also very full
of Nits, they are least of all the kinds, sticking very fast to the Hair,
and are confined to the Head, or very seldom elsewhere ; yet some-
times are found under the Skin, and then they cause much itch and
troubling pricking ; they are destroyed as Lice, and what are proper for
them, are proper for these ; the Hair is preserved from nourishing Nits,
or their generation is prohibited by a Lee made of the Ashes of Cud-
weed, or Cottenwood, and of Tamarisk.
OF


398
OF
EVILS
AND
Outward Ails.
CHAP. I
Of the Kings Evil.
STrumæ or Scrophulæ, in Latin ; in English, the Kings
Evil ; Are Tumours in the Throat, made in glandu-
lous parts from alimentary Juyce hardned, or vis-
cous slow Flegm, and included in a peculiar Skin or
Membrane.
NAMES.
The Greeks call it Cheiros, the Latins Scrophulæ
Struma, and Morbus Regius, the English call it the
Kings Evil, and some the Queens Evil.
SUBJECT.
Is the Glandules, sometimes they are in the Throat, and nigh the
Aspera


Of Evils and outward Ails. 399
Aspera Arteria, or rough Artery, or in the Neck; sometimes also, but
more seldom, they are found in the Arm-holes and Groin, Brest and
Paps.
TIME.
Hippocrates saith, They are made from the fourteenth to the two and for-
tieth year ; but (saith he) from that time to sixty three years of age, they are
not made : Yet Sennertus saith. After the two and fortieth year, the People
of the Alps, from drinking vitious Water, have had it.
CAUSE.
The Cause is held by some to be a pituitous viscous matter, by others
a mixtion of thick Flegm and Melancholy, by others a stegmatick or
melancholy Humour hardened : Platerus saith, 'Tis an Earthy Juyce har-
dened ; Riolanus saith, A portion of the fat being hardened in some places,
make a Scirrhous Tumour, and sometime Strumous : Sennertus saith, They
are made of slow and thick matter, vulgarly termed Flegm, to which Melan-
choly is adjoyned ; and if otherwise they were caused from other Humours,
they would not be so durable, but would rot. These Humours are carried
with the proper Juyce destinated for the Nourishment of the Glandules,
which is thought by quantity to offend, as well as quality ; whenas the
Glandules have more then sufficient, the rest becomes excrementitious,
and acquires a peculiar nature. In quality that matter may offend, as
Phlegmatick, Mclancholick, and Fæculent, which excrementitiously sent
(and cast off by Nature, as unfit Nourishiment) to those parts, Nature
there provides a Bag, or Membrane, as her Store-house,for laying up such
Excrements that do her hurt, if she should make use of.
The primitive and antecedent Cause is more certain, as crude and
thick Meats, unwholesome Waters, as those of the Alps, those also that
are in Syria and Carinthia, containing Mercury in them ; crude Aliments,
Snow-Water, &c. taken, are sometimes pregressive ; but Mine-Waters,
especially of Quicksilver, are thought to endue the Humour with so pe-
culiar a quality ; and the admixtion of Melancholy herewith, sometimes
make it degenerate cancrous; Contusion sometimes gives occasion to it.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICKS.
The Kings Evil is a scirrhous Tumour of the Glandules, shut up in a
peculiar Skin or Membrane ; these Tumours are many, and take deep
root ; this Humour sometimes possesses all the Kernels, whereby they
are all tumified ; it sometimes is found in the inward Bowels ; they are
round and pendulous, yeilding not to touch, but moveable, and some-
times painful.
They


400  Of Evils and Outward Ails.
They are sometimes onely in the two Glandules under the inferiour
Jaw-Bone, sometime in the Arm-holes, and sometimes throughout the
whole Body where there be Glandules : Some say, If it be the Kings
Evil, lay a live Earth-worm over-night upon it, and lay upon her a Bur-
dock-Leaf ; and if in the morning she be dead, 'tis; else not the Kings
Evil.
Secondly, The Membrane or Bladder it is included in, is like that
of Atheroma, and Steatoma ; from its formatrix faculty 'cis never idle :
for when it is filled, distended, and then hath poured out matter,as if the
Tumour was suppurated, it doth attain a certain knitting up, contexture,
or composure again, as if a new Membrane ; some take it for subalbes-
cent Flesh, distending and encreasing from a matter soaked in, having a
forming faculty from a peculiar quality.
DIFFERENCES.
Differences of it are, First as to its self :
1. Some are benign, well-qualitied, round, without great pain, hard-
ness, or inflamation.
2. Others are contrary to these, and of a malignant quality, very pain-
ful, hard, pulsant, and inflamed.
3. Some are Cancrous, possessing all the Glandules.
4. Some are more deep, others more superficial.
5. Some are accidental, others hereditary from Seed, and the forma-
trix faculty in the Uterus, according to Platerus his opinion.
6. Some more dangerous, others more slight and extern.
7. Some are movable, others immovable.
8. Some are outward, possessing sometimes the great, sometimes the
less Vessels ; some have been found in the Bowels and inward parts,
seventy in the Mesentery together ; but whether these Tumours possess
the Bowels as they do the outward Glandules, is doubtful, and seems
not to be credited.
Secondly, It differs from Bronchocele, or Hernia Gutturis, for that
sticks out in the fore-part of the Neck, or is a swelling forth in the large
space of the Throat ; struck, it gives a sound; and crushed by the fingers,
it sinks, and suddenly rises again, which is not so in Struma ; yet the
the Causes and Cures of a Throat-Rupture and the Kings Evil are often
the same.
Platerus makes a difference between Scrofula and Struma,saying, That
Scrofulæ sticks out like Grapes, two or Three in one Glandule ; but Stru-
ma, he saith, be great and pendent Tumours in the Throat, often deep-
ly founded and raise short breathing or impediment therein, and hoars-
ness. PROG. 


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 401
PROG.
'Tis more curable in Children, and most freqnent in them.
If folded in no Vessel, if benign, not malignant, nor cancrous, nor he-
reditary, if more fresh and superficiary, moveable, and few in number,
if small, and in smaller Vessels, and more remote from the rough Arte-
ry, or Wind-Pipe, or in the posterior parts, then there is more hopes of
Cure, and less danger.
But contrarily, if they be hard, malign, cancrous, and immoveable,
seated among the Vessels, and more anteriorly and deeply, if great, and
many in number, possessing many places, the worse, hard to cure if cu-
rable, and dangerous.
They are not cured by cutting out, without danger, by reason of the
Nerves, which sometimes being hurt, the Voice hath been lost, and if
the Nerves recurrents there be cut, the Sick either is made dumb, or
molested with a great hoarsness ; and therefore such as are neer the
Wind-pipe are dangerous lobe cut ; as also in other places, for fear of
Hæmorrage from incision of the Veins.
CURE.
Cure is first internal, where we must strive to take away the antece-
dent and suppeditating Cause: 2. The quality and infection of the Blood
and Juyces.
For the first, Catharticks are frequently to be had in use ; we must
purge Flegm, and let Blood : Some premise preparation of the Hu-
mour.
A good Dyet must be used, Meats that engender good Juyce, and of
easie digestion.
To the second, a Drink for ordinary taking, is very commodious and
helpful; and so sometimes Scrofula's are cured, that are not by outward
application ; for so long as the Blood and Juyces are universally, and so
peculiarly affected, a suppeditation of matter is ever made, and the
Disease is protracted thereby : Such a Drink for common use, is thus
most effectually made, ? of Figwort-Roots, or Scrophulary, ?ij. Roots
of Gentian, ?j. Roots of Dropwort, the lesser Chelidone, or Pilewort,
of each ?vj. let all be prepared in a right manner, to be hung in a Bag in
Wort.
Hartman saith, Struma are easily cured, if a man drink often of the Pon-
der of a Mans Skull that hath been buried.
Also if six Ounces of Sponges, with half an Ounce of their Stones,be cal-
cined in a close Pot, and of this Pouder one Dram be given every morning in
E e e white-


402 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
White Wine, fasting two hours after it, it cures Struma, saith he.
A third Specifical of the same Authors, is the Ashes of a Mole given
every day in Wine of Scrophulary, which he saith most perfectly cures
Scrophula's, if yet not exulcerated : Their Dose is half a Scruple, or
more.
Fallopius praises one Dram of Roots of Ruscus, or Butchers-Broom,
taken every day in Wine.
Arnoldus de villa Nova highly applauds the sequent, saying it cures all ;
ꝶ of Cinnamon, Sea-Sponges, and Palea Marina, Bone of the Fish Ce-
pia, or Cuttlebone, long and black Pepper, Ginger, Pelletory of Spain,
Sal Gem, Oak Buds, Galls, Cypress-Leaves, Roses, of each ʒij. mix all
into a Pouder, which is to be swallowed very leasurably and often held in
the Mouth.
An Electuary may be made for the Patients taking often,grateful,and
efficacious, of the following Specificals, ꝶ Conserve of the Flowers of
Dead Nettles, ℥ij. Roots of Orris, of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, of Drop-
wort, of each ʒß. Troches of Vipers, ℈j. with Syrup made of a strong
Decoction of Scrophulary-Roots, as much as may suffice to make it up
into form of an Electuary. These Specificks are held to operate by
sucking up and drying the strumous matter.
2. External : Where first Authors speak of insensible consumption
of the Matter and Tumour, which is most effectually done by Leaves of
Libanotis, Root Xyris, Leaves of Bupleurum, with Salt, Vermicularis,
or Wall-Pepper, Figwort, lesser Chelidone, Roots of stinking Gladon,
Fox-Gloves, Mugwort, Dasies, Valerian, Couslips, Orchis, Water-Pen-
ny-royal, wild Mint. &c. which applied, by a specifical force, cause solu-
tion of the Humours ; of which such an Oyntment may be composed, of
great force, ꝶ of Branch Ursine, Fox-Gloves, Pilewort, Roots of Scro-
phulary, of each ℥j. Leaves of Libanotis, ℈ij Mugwort, Roots of Erin-
go, Balm, Leaves of Bupleurum, Couslips, of each ʒß. Wax, ℥ß. Oyl
of milk, of Hartman, made by a Bladder of putrified milk, as much as
may seem sufficient for due consistence of an Oyntment.
Rondeletius sets down this Specifical, which he thinks not to be effe-
ctual from an occult property, as most think, but from a drying faculty ;
ꝶ of the Ashes of Agnus Castus, with the blew flower, the Skin of a Snake
cast off, of each ℥j. with Oyl of bitter Almonds, and a little Wax, make
an Unguent.
2. We must discuss by stronger Discutients, and specifical Resolvers,if
the former intention may not be to purpose ; Topicals that resolve scir-
rhous swellings, an Emplaister of Amoniacum and Bdellium dissolved in
Vinegar, and a portion of Quicksilver added, is very effectual. 2. The
Leaves


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 403
Leaves of the Cypress Tree, are said in three dayes to dissolve stru-
mous Swellings. 3. The Root of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, Leaves of
Libanotis Ashes of Vipers, and stinking Gladony made into an Em-
plaister, excels. 4. All these following may be reckoned for specifical
Resolvers, Vipers-Grass, Pilewort, Crowfor, Figwort, Garlick, Root
of Xyris Mugwort, Foxgloves, Savine, Wall-Pepper, Monks-Rubarb,
Horsmint, Ashes of Snailes, of Goats Dung, dead Nettles.
3.If Resolvers and Discutients do no good,it must be supperated. The
lesser Chelidone or Pilewort hath drawn out ℔ij. of Corruption in one
week, and cured : Roots of Althea, of White-Lillies, an Union
roasted in the Embers, are useful.
Suppuration is dangerous if the matter should turn inwardly, and
fall upon the Lungs ; unless all the matter be changed into Pus, we
may not open it, cut it ; and if they cannot well endure that, use a po-
tential Cautery, or burn it.
Some cut it in pieces, then sprinkle on it Devils-bit, Orpement, Vi-
triol, Vermilion, &c. and then take off all the dead flesh , the Ulcer
is then to be healed.
Also it is to be taken away with Ligature of Thred, or rather Hors-
hair, tyed about the bottom of the Tumour, and every day tyed hard-
der and harder, till it fall off ; which is chiefly to be done in those that
have slender roots, and be hanging.
Some apply Causticks and Septicks, and Corrodent Medicines, and
seem very rash therein : the parts about the Tumour are then diligently
to be bewared, left those strong Medicines should hurt and inflame
them, being sound.
Gargarisms of the Juyce of James-Wort, called Jacobæa, are com-
mended ; also of the Juyce of Spibed Loostrise.
Amulets of the Roots of Scrophulary, or Figwort, hung about the
Neck, are also good.
Guordonius saith, The Feet of a great Toad, being cut off when the Moon
is void of course, and hastens to conjunction of the Sun, being hung about the
Neck, cures the Kings Evil.
Rondeletius saith, To prick Struma, with the Root of a Parsnipt, cures,
and prohibites those that are growing hereto. Pliny saith, To do so with
the bone of the tail of a Sea-Frog-Fish, performs the same.
If they be ulcered, Hartmannus saith, They are most happily cured
with the ashes of Salamanders calcined in a pot, and sprinkled there-
upon.
An Unguent then to anoint them of greatest efficacy may thus be
prepared to consume and dry up the strumous matter, and correct its
quality.
E e e 2 ꝶ


404 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
ꝶ of the lesser Chelidone or Pilewort, ashes of Vipers, ashes of Snails,
of each ℥j. Burnt-lead ʒij. Roots of Scrophulary, of dead Nettles,
of each ℈ij. with Oyl and Wax make an Oyntment, and lay there-
upon a Plate of Lead.
The Kings of France especially, and the Kings of England, cure this
Evil with touching ; which Vertue is said to be given to Clodovens, the
first of that name, and of the Christian Kings of France, assoon as he
was baptized, and turned Christian, and so it lineally continued to all
his Successors ; of which the Kings of England were descended. The
manner of healing is to lay their hands upon it, saying in French, Te
Royte touche, et dieu te garrie, or guanit ; Rex te Tangis, & Deus te Sanat ;
In English, The King toucheth thee, but God maketh thee whole.
CHAP. II.
Of Corns.
COrns (called by the Latines, Clavus, Gemursa, and Morticini) are
hard and callous Tumours, bred in the Toes and Soals of the
Feet, from congestion of thick, humours, and pressure of the shoe.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the Soals of the Feet, and Toes, especially the little
Toe : sometimes they possess the Joynts, and are under the Nails.
CAUSE.
The Cause is galling, compressure, and straightness of the Shoe,
whereby gross humours by congestion, are retained there, and harden-
ed.
SIGNS.
Signes are evident to the sight ; They are very molestuous in going,
and sometimes have a very vehement pain, sometimes a Contusion
preceded.
PROG.
They are uncautulous Exterpation, sometimes brings a Gangreen,
and sometimes Inflamation and Convulsion, from cutting too deep
among the Ligaments and Tendones.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 405
DIFFERENCES.
Those in the Toes are called, Clavi, or Corns ; Those in the Soals of
the Feet, Calli, or hard brawny fleshy Tumours.
CURE
Cure Is by preparation of it for cutting, which is done by Emolients,
and renderers of it soft ; as raw Flesh laid to it for 24 hours.
If they fall in, they are raised high again with Dogs Urine, an Em-
plaister of red Wax, Eeles Blood, Oyl of Mercury of Snailes.
After preparation is made for Incision, and the Corn extracted by the
Root, we must fill up the hole with the Sand left at the bottom of a
Chamber-Pot, to hinder the regeneration of it again.
MEDICINES.
Medicines that take it away without Excision, is, 1. The Juyce of
Housleek, which is to be bathed on it several times, and a leaf of the
same Housleek worn to the Corn. 2. A second Specifical is the Pou-
der of the Root of Rest-harrow, mixt into an Oyntment, with Grease,
for Unction of the Corn, which in three dayes is said to fall there-
from. 3. A third is a black Snaile put into a linnen Rag, and torrifi-
ed by the Fire, and laid hot to the Corn, and so worn ; fomentation
also of the Juyce of Rhue, Marigolds, and Piantane, are recited
by some.
Rulandus holds this for a Sectet to take away Corns, ꝶ of the Oyl
of Brimstone ℥ß. ; the Corrosive Stone ʒij ; Seeds of Henbane 3j. ;
Opium ʒj. mix them.
Dioscorides saith, The Bark of the Willow-Tree burnt to Ashes, and
mixt with Vinegar, takes them away.
Lebotius commends the Gall of a Cow applyed in like manner,which
causes its extirpation by the Root.
The Prophylaxis is then to be instituted, which is done by Application
of Corrodent Medicines ; The Medicine of Rulandus asore rehearsed,
Coperas, &c. mixt in Emplaisters, or the Sand of Urine, may serve
to fill up the hole, and hinder regeneration of the Corn.
CHAP.


406
CHAP. III.
Of Bronchocele, or a Throat Rupture.
DEFINITION.
BRonchocele is a Tumour in the Throat, swelling out to a large space
betwixt the Trachea Arteria and the Skin, frow wind, or a slow
thick humour, made by Congestion.
NAMES.
It hath its Name from the Greeks word, Bronchos, signifying the
Throat, and Cele signifying a Rupture : The Latines call it Ramex, or
Hernia Gutturis, or Gatturosa ; The Arabians, Botium ; The Barbarians,
Crepatura and Ruptura ; In English it may most fitly be called, A Throat
Rupture.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the space in the forepart of the Throat, close to the
Trochea Arteria or Wind-Pipe, under the Skin and general Membrane :
And betwixt the Trachea Arteria, and Muscles of the Neck, some
doubt whether the Matter be contained betwixt the broad Muscle and
the Skin, or hid under the broad Muscle.
It is fourfold divided.
1. One is a Pneumatocele or a Rupture from Wind, whose Causes
are Wind ; as hapned to such as puff out their Cheeks vehemently with
Wind, and to such as void Excrements difficultly, to Women in a
difficult ejection of the Birth, and great clammours, whereby the sub-
jected Skin and Membrane are distended, and violently rent from the
Larinx, or the broad Muscle it self is seperated from the subjected
Parts ; hence a space being effected (viz. by the aforesaid, or others,
that cause such a violent distention of that part) from Fuga Cacui, a
flatulent matter breaks in violently, and elevates the Skin, and puffs it
up into a tumour.
SIGNS.
Whose Signs are these ; It is a tumour stretched forth, exercising a
large capacity, struck, it gives a sound, gives place to pressing of the
Fingers, but rises to its wonted height again suddenly, which is not so
in the following Differences; but herein a coherence of the Differences
is made, for that the Original of a Bronchocele, is allowed to be an eary
matter, first insinuating it self there, and distending ; to which other
humours


Of Evils and outward Ails. 407
humours are gathered, which are known by proper Signs.
As, 2. A Phlegmatocele, or Rupture from a stegmatick Juyce, or
mixed with Melancholly; which is familiar to the People of Piedmont,
and the Alpes, from unwholsom Waters there, specially from large
drinking of Snow Water, because most they drink at sometimes is mel-
ted Snow. Sometimes its most apparent Original is from stop of Na-
tural Excretions, as Menses or Hemorrhoids, which things either en-
creasing or heaping up a gross Pituitous, or commixt Melancholly mat-
ter, Nature expels it by degrees from the Head to the Larinx, or space
of the Throat under the Chin, by the hinder parts of the Ears, accord-
ing to Fernelius.
SIGNS.
It grows by degrees, and takes increment from a nourishment
communicated by certain Conduites (and not by the Veins) which
Nature hath destinated to such an use ; it is hard, and by touch may be
discerned not to be Wind ; which Platerus only allows to be the Cause
of Bronchocele, whom Sennertus reproves.
DIFFERENCES.
Of this also be several Differences, for one is like Steatoma, where-
in, with the fatty or honey like matter, be sometimes Hairs ; this as
the most tractable kind may be opened by a Cautery or Launcet,eschew-
ing the Veins, but where the matter is insinuated into the space of the
Muscles, there is no eradicating of it by Chyrurgery, which unless,
here is very dangerous, also if the tumour be more internal.
Another refers a kind of Aneurism, which is uncureable ; so are those
that come from the Birth and Infancy, those that are great Scirrhous
and Cancrous, repleat with many great melancholly Veins, are dan-
gerous, and not to be medled withal.
A third kind is Sarcocle, or a fleshly Rupture, Sirrhous, and re-
mains all the life time, unless maturely helped, which it is very hard
to be ; the Causes may be such as caused Phlegmatocele ; it is Cronical,
and discerned by touch and sight.
A fourth is, Hydrocele, or a Dropsie of the Throat, which is some-
times both Internally and Externally affected, from a waterish matter
collected there, Montanus cured it by Incision.
CURE General.
The Cure varies as the Causes ; but generally observe, 1. That
in the beginning, to stop the encrease of the Tumor, and repel
its nourishment, Astringents are convenient to be applyed. 2. To
respect


408 Of Evils and Outward Ails.
rescpect the Head from whence the matter is transmitted ; which is,
1. To be purged with general Cathatticks. 2. Dried and strengthen-
ed.
If it hath already taken its full growth, and is confirmed, we must use
Discussers, and Resolvers ; for a thick and hardned matter, Foment,
with Water of Nitrous Baths, or Sulphur ; an Oyntment of Goose-
grease, beaten with Hogs-grease, and applyed ; a Cataplasm of Bar-
ley Meal, with Oyl of Lillies, applyed hot ; an Emplaister of Diasul-
phur,may do good,applied upon a Plate of Lead besmeared with Quick-
silver, after friction of it, till it wax red ; the Roots of Garden Orrach
and Devils-bit, whether inwardly, by way of Gargarism, if the Tu-
mour be more inwardly, or outwardly used, are held to have a propri-
ety against inveterate and old Tumours in the Throat.
For a windy Matter, Carminative Discussers are most fitting, as
an Emplaister of Cummin-Seeds, Bay-Berries, Brimstone, Goats-
Dung and Honey.
See more for the Cure hereof, in the Chapter of Scrophula, or the
Kings Evil, for this many times is cured by the same that Scrophula's
are.
CHAP. IV.
Of Warts.
VVarts, called by the Greeks Acheochordines, Myrmecia and
Thymia by the Latins, Verrucæ, and Arabians, Boterale, are
little risings, or fleshy Excrescent Tumours, from a thick viscous mat-
ter insinuatcd there, and chiefly possessing the Hands.
CAUSE.
The general Cause of all kinds of them, is a thick melancholly
pituitous Blood, or from a Juyce destinated to the Skin and Cuticle to
be nourished by.
SIGNS.
They chiefly infest the Hands or Feet, sometimes the Thighes, Seat,
and Privities ; they are sometimes livid, and rough, and have a prick-
ing pain, and sometimes Ulcerate ; sometimes they are Malignant and
Cancerous.
CURE


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 409
CURE.
Medicines that are destinated to take away Warts, and held very
effectual and proper hereto, are very many and almost innumera-
ble.
The choicest and best approved, of which we here recite.
Johannes Hartmanus saith, The Water swiming upon the Trunk, of an
Oak, after it is cut, Cures, or takes away all manner of Warts,
Rondeletius commends the Root of Chelidone, beaten with Hogs-grease,
and applyed, to consume and take them away ; or the Blood of a Lizard de-
stilled, saith he, dries them. He also commends Agrimony applyed with
strong Vinegar, for taking them away.
Baptista Porta adviseth to rub them with the Head of an Eel that is very
bloody.
Fallopius commends rubbing of them with Willow Leaves, being first ba-
thed with the Juyce.
Paulus Ægineta, Reckons up abundance of Medicines that abolish
Warts, as Elatory, or the Juyce of Wild Cucumers mixed with Salt,
for bathing ; Juyce of Tithimales, Water issuing from the Green Twig
of the Vine, being laid in the Fire ; Niter, with the Urine of a Boy
that never yet exercised the sports of Venus ; Bark of Frankinsence with
Vinegar, and the like, too tedious, and not worth the time and pains
to rehearse them.
Rofellus praises Fomenting, with a Red Onion beaten with Salt.
Among Specificals, Zazintha, or Cichorea Verrucaria, so called,
from its Specifick force and vertue against Warts, is most excellent, and
ʒj. of the Seeds thereof given inwardly, in decrease of the Moon, are
held to extirpate and take away all kind of Warts, and excrescences of
Flesh whatsoever.
Miraldus saith, If they be rubbed with Leaves of the Fig Tree, and
afterward those Leaves be buried in a Dunghill to rot, so the Warts will in-
sensibly vanish away.
Others say the like of a piece of Raw Beef so used.
Proper also, and very effectual to take away Warts, are Leaves of
Agremone, Turnsoil, Chelidone, Marigolds, Purslane, Oleum Ana-
cardij ; stronger Medicines, and more sharp, which hurt the adjacent
tender Skin, unless it hath some desensatives, are, the Spurges, Pe-
phi. Tithimale, Aqua Fortis , with which Jacobus Primerose saith.
He cured himsef, whenas many other things were ineffectual Sulphur Vi-
vum.
Others extol unslaked Lime and Lixiuium ; or unslaked Lime and
black Soap, is held transcendent.
F f f Rondeletius


410 Of Evils and Outward Ails,
Rondeletius hath this Water, ꝶ of Salt of Amoniacum, Roman Vi-
triol, Rust of Brass, of each, ℥ij. Allum, ℥j. unslaked Lime, ℥ß.
let them be destilled in an Alembick, (Vinegar, or some quantity of
other Liquors being put thereto) throw away the first VVater, and re-
serve the second for use.
Herba Stellaria, or Starwort, is said to consume them in a very
short time ; the like is also said of the Juyce of Eldern Berries.
DIFFERENCES of VVarts are three fold.
1. The Greeks call some Acrochordones, having a more thin and
small Root, and a broader at the top, and higher ; it is so called, be-
cause it appears as if it hung by a small Cord.
Celsus saith. They often grow up many together, most troubling Children,
sometimes falling again of their own accord, they are sometimes thought to
be contagious.
CURE.
Their Cure is by Exertion, which where it may be done, doth quick-
ly Cure, saith Primerose, and is more safe then the actual Cautery : In
Galens time, some plucked them up with their Teeth, which put them
to much pain, but if they be clearly cut off, they have no root reserved
for growing again : some hold it the best to tie them with an Horse Hair,
or a Silk wet in Oil of Brimstone, and tied every day harder, till they
fall off of themselves ; some when they are thus tied hard about at the
Root with an Horse Hair, anoint their tops with an unguent of Honey
Vinegar, Juyce of Agrimony, of Purslane, with Doves Dung, and
Rust of Brass, or the Pouder of Savine, and Yellow Ocre, with Vine-
gar, and all the Medicines afore generally, proposed may (or most of
them) be useful here.
2. Myrmeciæ or common warts, they have a broader Basis ; the Roots
going deeply out, they are lower, hard, and scarce bigger then a Lu-
pine ; some be very flat : when they are felt on hard, they have a pain-
ful sense, like unto the bite of a Pismire or Ant, whence some call them
Formical ; they are sometimes painful ; they seldom cease of their own
accord, and being cut, often grow again.
Some Counsel to cut them up by the Roots with a sharp Razor, and
let them bleed, and then apply Bole, Allom, and sealed earth there-
upon ; others are rather against it, fearing thereby great Ulceration,
they having such broad roots.
If they be very hard, and not so sensible of feeling, Causticks to con-
sume them, are approved ; also close tying of them by the Roots with
Horse Hair, as afore directed for Achrochordon.
3. Thymon


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 411
3. Thymon or Thymia, so called, because it represents in colour the tops
of the Herb Thyme ; they are less than Achrochordones, but higher
than Myrmiciæ; they have a narrow foundation, and basis, but are red-
dish, rough, hard, and growing with a larger head, and are called Figs,
or Fig-warts ; they are not easily taken away by cutting the roots, yet
being inward : The rest is to be referred to Thymus, or the Fig of the
Fundament.
CHAP. V.
Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Atheroma, Stea-
toma, and Meliceris.
I. ATheroma is a Tumour contained in a Follicle, or proper Mem-
brane, and so called from the Greek word Athera, shewing the
quality of the Humour it consists of, viz. like Pap or Frumenty.
CAUSE.
The Cause is primary, as violent Causes, bruising, &c. or secundary,
as a pituitous Humour, and alimentary Juyce, or strange Bodies, as
Stones, Bones, Hair, or commixtion of various Bodies into one Folli-
cle, or Bladder.
SIGNS.
In figure it is long, 'tis harder then Meliceris to touch;and in crushing
or pressing of it with the finger, it returneth or riseth up again very slow-
ly : It is not hard, nor paining, nor is the natural colour of the Skin
changed thereby. These Tumours grow from small beginnings to great
Abscesses.
CURE.
In Cure, 'tis hard to digest Humours that are comprehended in a Cy-
stis, or Bladder : Suppuration and Excision is to be made by a Launcet
or potential Cautery, or Lapis infernalis, not purging out all the Humour
together ; the bag wherein the matter is, is to be artificially drawn out,
the Veins, Nerves and Arteries being specially bewared in the operation;
if the Bag or Follicle be left, or not consumed, more matter like the for-
mer will be gathered there ; then the wound is to be healed and cicatri-
ced.
II. Steatoma is the same, as to the Membrane or Follicle that the Hu-
mour is contained in, and as to the cause ; onely the matter of Steatoma
F f f 2 is


412 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
is like Suet, whence it had its name from the Greek word Stear, signify-
ing Suet,
SIGNS.
'Tis softer for the most part than the rest, it hath a larger Basis or bot-
tom ; pressure made by the finger riseth not up easily ; it is rounder
than Atheroma, and its substance is more thin.
CURE.
The Cure is the same with that of Atheroma.
III. Meliceris differs from Atheroma and Steatoma, because in Meli-
ceris the Humour contained in the Bag is like Honey, so called from
Meli, Honey ; it is round as Steatoma, yeilds to pressing of the fingers,
it looks more clear ; sometimes there is in it a gravelly hard matter.
CURE.
In Cure use Resolvers and Suppuraters ; if they do no good, then use
Chyrurgery, as is directed for Atheroma.
CHAP. VI.
Of Kibes, or Chilblanes.
KIbes or Chilblanes, called by the Greeks Chimethla, by the Latines
Perniones, are Tumours or Inflamations possessing the Hands or
Feet, arising in Winter-time, and chiefly to Children.
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Heel, or other parts of the Foot, the Fingers, or some-
times the back of the Hand.
CAUSE.
Cause is Winter-coldness, going in the Snow, too great straitness of
the Shoo, and whetting and galling of the Heel, therefrom attracting
Blood by painfulness.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs Diagnostick are first from the Tumour and redness, with great
itching that is present ; sometimes they come to an head, turn ulcerous,
and pour out a little Sanies ; sometimes they possess all the Fingers, and
part of the hand, are very troublesome, and loathing the fight.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ails. 413
DIFFERENCES.
One is not ulcerated, but an hard red itching Tumour, most troubling
at night, and is called a Chilblane.
Another is ulcerated, and very soar and smarting, and is called a
Kibe.
PROGNOSTICK.
The evil is diuturn, and though it ceases in Summer, yet it recurs in
Winter ; beating, or laceration of the Heel, is bad, for there is fear of
hurt of the thick Tendone that comes thither, which effects a Convul-
sion, and therefrom Death.
CURE.
Cure is double ; first for the Tumour, secondly for the Ulcer : for
the Tumour also Cure is twofold, 1. Preservative, 2. Curative.
Preservation is made by keeping of the Feet warm, by wearing of
Socks wet in Aqua-Vitæ, Foments of Salt Water, Decoction of Tur-
neps, Brine, Allom, Litharge, Oyl of Myrtles, &c.
Cure is done by putting into cold Water the diseased Member, which
drives away cold, even as we do to Apples and Eggs congealed ; and so
the cold being drawn forth, which is manifested from abatement of the
pricking pain, we must soment the part with Bay-berries and Rosema-
ry boiled in Milk.
Specifical, are Decoction of Turneps that are frozen, or the Liquor
of them, and Bay Salt baked first in an Oven, Tobacco-Leaves applied,
Oyl of Wax, a Bath of Brine most hot for friction and bathing of the ki-
bed Part ; an Emplaister of Galbanum, Neats Suet, and Gum Tragacanth,
the Juyce of Beets, of Water-Pennyroyal, of Venus Navil, Lentils,
Orobus, Roots of Burdocks, Ashes of the Wood of the Figtree, with
Grease, Oyl of Roses baked in an hollow Turnep, and a Cataplasm
made thereof ; a Liniment of Sulphur Vivum, and Oyl of Garlick, the
Feet or Hands held over for long time, and as hot as may be, to en-
dure the fume or smoak of Henbane half dry, and burnt, doth admirably
cure bloody falls, and the falling down of such humourous Blood into
those parts ; Typha, or Cats-Tail also applied, greatly helps, and Toad-
stools : If the Humours will not be discust, but ulcerate, after Mundisi-
catives, use Oyl of Roses baked in a Radish, Oyl of Tobacco, an Oynt-
ment of Cats-Tail, Gum Tragacanth and Oyl of Eggs ; some are cured
by holding their Feet over coals, as hot as they can endure, for several
times, and then they come not to maturation. When the part becomes
in a manner mortified, we must use such Medicines as arc prevalent in
Gangrenes.
CHAP.


414 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
CHAP. VII.
Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek.
DEFINITION.
PAronychia is an hot and paining Tumour risen in the ends of the
Fingers to the Nails.
NAMES.
The Greeks call these Apostems and Paronychia, and Paneris ; but Riola-
nnus saith,'tis Panaritium Arabum that affects the Tendons and Nerves at
the fingers end ; and that Paronychia of the Greeks is a light Affect, viz.
onely fissure to the root of the Nail ; the Latins call it Reduvia, the
vulgar English have many Names for it, as an Andicome, Fellone, Whit-
low, or Nail-Wheal.
CAUSE.
Cause is adust Blood and Melancholy, very hot, and participating of
a malign quality, sent thither by Nature, and afflicting the Nerves and
Tendons.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
They are known by sight ; there is great pain from the nervous parts
being affected, that it sometimes extends it self throughout the whole
Arm, and makes the Affected very impatient ; there is intimation, and
sometimes a Feaver.
PROGNOSTICKS.
From greatness of pain there is sometimes made so great Symptoms
and disquietings of Nature, that death hath ensued to some.
It sometimes comes to Suppuration, and breaks ; sometimes the mat-
ter being kept within, corrupteth and rotteth both Bones, Ligaments,
and Membranes ; and then if this be already done, we must use cutting.
CURE
Cure is to begin from evacuation of hurtful Humours, which is done
by Phlebotomy, and Catharticks.
2. We must respect the Symptom, and lenisy the fierceness of pain,
for which a Cataplasm of the Leaves of Mandrakes and Henbane boiled
and mixed with Hogs-Grease.
3. Suppuraters are to be insisted upon, to bring it to maturation as
soon as may be ; Repellers are to be shunned, lest pain should be exaspe-
rated therefrom, and the Humours impacted in the part.
Oleum


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 415
Oleum Saturni is helpful, and Bay-Salt with Yolks of Eggs applied,
Whitlow-Grass, and Roots of Briony ; of which may Oyls, Oyntments
and Emplaisters be made, or Ear-Wax, with the Skin of an Eel.
If these avail not, nor will it yet break, it must be opened with a Pen-
knife, and all the matter throughly purged out ; then the Ulcer must be
cleansed, and healed with fit Topicals.
CHAP. VIII.
Of Ecchymoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or Livor, in
Latin ; in English signifying black and blew Marks , or
Discoloration of the Skin, from Bruises,or other wayes.
ECchymoma with the Greeks, Sugillatio or Livor with the Latins, is an
effusion of Blood to the outward Skin, effecting a blackish blew co-
lour, or livid, in that part.
CAUSE.
Causes are blows, causing the effusion of Blood, which being sent to
the Skin, there becomes of a livid colour ; also from Anastamosis ; Dia-
pedesis, and Diæresis of the Veins.
SIGNS.
'Tis discerned best by sight ; it happens commonly from a blow upon
the tender flesh, betwixt the Eye and Nose.
CURE.
If the Affect be great, left Inflamation should be stirred up, we must
let Blood.
2. Use Repellers mixt with Discutients.
3. Digesters, the Root of Solomon's Seal, Leaves of Argemone, Scur-
vy-grass, black Briony, hot Arsmart, fresh Flower-de-luce-roots, Avens,
Daysie-roots, Seeds of Ammy, or Bishops-Weed, Sopewort, Ashes of
Bean Stalks, stinking Gladon, &c. are most excellent to take away the
black and blew Marks made from eruption of Blood or Humours, whe-
ther by Bruises or otherwise.
If it be greater,and Digesters profit not, we must use Medicines ten-
ding to maturate, and Cupping-Glasses are sometimes useful ; and open
it, left the matter corrupt the part, or a Fistula or hollow Ulcer be made.
If a Gangrene be suspected, the part is to be scarrified, and washed
with hot Vinegar.
FINIS.




















THE 
Practice of Physick, 
OR 
The Law of GOD (called NATURE) 
IN THE
BODY of Man:
Confuting by manifest and manifold Experiences of 
many learned Men, as well as the Authors, the Rules and Methods 
concerning Sicknesses and Changes in Mans Body, delivered by the An-
tient Physicians, and Moderns that followed them : Shewing also what 
the Order and Method of Nature is, as well as what it is not: With a full 
and fair Examination of their Causes, Inwardly detected, by manifold 
Dissections; and Outwardly, by Symptoms, and Philosophical Demonstra- 
tions ; With their Differences, Prognosticks, Methods and Medicines, 
curing them ; verified by Experience and Reason. 
SET FORTH
I. In a Monitory Proœmium wherein be Reasons for, and Experiences 
in the Stars, influencing upon, and altering our Bodies. 
II. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
III. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
IV. ln Tractate of Dropsies. 
ALSO 
In the Second Part pf this Book is a Practice of Physick, drawn from the 
best of Moderns, and compleatly treating of those Diseases 
specified in the Table. 
to which is added, A Treatise of Diseases from WITCHCRAFT. 
By William Drage, Med. & Philos at Hitchin in Hartfordshire.
LONDON, Printed for George Calvert, at the Half-Moon 
in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1666.



WILLIAM DRAGE D.P. 
HIS  
Monitory Proæmium 
To the Candid Readers.
MAny when they shall read in Riverius, Sen-
nertus, Primrose, Rondeletius, Stocherus, John- 
stonus, and others, that there are no more Dis- 
eases treated of in such a Part or Bowel, will 
presently imagine that there are no more or 
other Distempers of that Part or Bowel, than 
what they have writ in their Practices of Phy- 
sick, especially writing so numerously one 
after another of the same, and often of all the 
same, and no more than same Diseases
also the Reader will imagine that all the 
Causes, and no more than they that Authors set down, are in all Bodies 
that have such a Disease, and that all that have that Disease must be 
just in such an Order, or so handled, as Practical Authors have delive- 
red : Moreover, the Reader reading such and such Prognostick signes 
to be good, and such to be tokens of death, by the description of Pra- 
ctices of Physick, will imagine that it should always (if he be a young 
Practitioner) so fall out : Moreover, for Diagnostick signes, the Rea- 
der will imagine a Disease, as the Inflamation of the Liver, or Ob-
A2  struction  

4  A Monitory Proæmium.
obstruction of the Spleen, &c. should have all and onely those Diagno- 
stick signes that practical Authors have delivered, and that the Infla- 
mation or Obstruction must be just so and such a one as they have deli- 
vered. 
Also for the Cure: When the young Practitioner reads such a Me- 
dicine will cure, or such a Receipt never fails, or by this or that me- 
thod 20 have been cured, he imagines he can cure all, and that such Me- 
dicines are certain Cures, and such a method is alike successful in all Bo- 
dies, and that a Jaundice, Dropsie, Cough, Gout, &c. is just one and the 
same in all Persons, and therefore as he expects all persons to have such, 
all such, no more nor no other signs, causes, nor prognosticks of their sick- 
ness, or such a particular Disease, than what Authors have one after ano- 
ther set down in their Practices of Physick: so also the Cure he expects to 
be the same in all: as for Example: He may read in Jo. Hartman his Pra- 
ctica Chymlatrica, & in the Chapter of the Cholick ; Ponater in Colica mag- 
nes super umbilicum & statim cessabit dolor : Let the Loadstone be put up- 
on the Navil of one that hath the Cholick, and the pain will instantly 
cease. Riverius in his Practice of Physick, and Chapter of the Epilep- 
sie, hath this ; Radix Valerianæ Sylestrius a Fabio Columna, tantopere cele- 
bratur, ut semel aut bis exhibita ab Epilepsia liberare affirmarunt, referique se 
hanc multis amicis dono dedisse, qui deindè divino priùs numinme & fautore 
glorificato, pulvere hujus Radicis fibi restitutam sanitatem affirmarunt ; dosis 
autem est Cochleare semis cum Vino, Aqua, Lacte, aut quovvis liquor ap- 
propriato, pueris vero in minori dose cum Lacte datur : In English, The 
Root of wild Valerian is exceedingly praised by Fabius Columna so that 
once or twice given, he affirms it will cure them of the falling sick- 
ness ; and he saith, That he hath given this to many Friends, who did 
restore Health to themselves, glorifying God : its Dose is half a spoon- 
ful with Wine, Water, Milk, or any appropriated liquor ; to Children 
it is given in less quantity, in Milk. Jacobus Sylvius in his Methodus 
Curandi, and Chapter of the Jaundice, hath this ; Prassti item decosti ex 
vino albo tenni unciæ quatuor Saccharatæ matutinis aliquot, potæ, omnem icte- 
rum sanant: That is, Four ounces of the Decoction of Horehouud gi- 
ven in white Wine sugared, for several Mornings, cures every Jaundice. 
We mention onely these for Example, for a thousand such may be seen 
in Authors; and when the young Practitioner reads them, he doth pre- 
sently conceive he must, as these write, cure all such Diseases by such 
Medicines or Methods ; but he shall be deceived : yet often such 
Cures have been ; but Authors have deceived, by not telling how oft 
such a Medicine hath failed, as well as how oft it hath cured : for there 
is no Medicine in use, but hath cured some, and there is none so excel-
lent

A Monitory PROæIUM.  5
lent as to cure all; nor are all Diseases, though never so slight, curable ; 
nor are all diseases, though never so dangerous and grievous, always 
and in all incurable. 
Candid Reader, It Is my zealous desire to Truth that thou shouldest 
really and truly understand all these things, and when thou readest any 
Author know thereby how to judge of them : For the Moderns, who 
come nigher to Truth in their Practices of Physick, than the Ancients, 
or Galen or Hippocrates, are very much misled. I chiefly commend 
Felix Platerus in his Practice of Physick, who followed his own Experi- 
ence and Observations, though his own Experience was insufficient to 
demonstrate the Truth, all the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, in 
all Diseases. I have been much troubled to see how superstitiously Phy- 
sicians have been led by the Traditition of Galen, Hippocrates, Erius,
Ægineta and Others. 
I. For their Names given to Diseases, therein was much disorder :
Some they called from the Cause, others from the Effects or Symptoms; 
some they called Obstructions or Scirrhs, or Inflammations of the Liver, 
Spleen or Lungs, those were denominated from the Cause ; some they 
called Swounding, Panting of the Heart, Epilepsie, Convulsion, &c. 
these were so called from the apparant affliction or outward appearance, 
whenas the cause of each of these Symptoms or Effects was various, 
physicians having reckoned so many Diseases of the Lungs, as a Cough, 
Phthisick, Pleurisie, spitting of Blood, Empyema, or spitting of Mat- 
ter, Peripneumonia and Asthma ; divers Physicians reading them, will 
think, as formerly they have, (for so it is best judging what will be, by 
what hath been) that every Disease of the Lungs is one of these, and 
that the Lungs can be affected in no other manner than in one of these 
Diseases; and in that Disease, so for Order and Measure as Authors 
have in their Practices of Physick described : How great an Errour and 
Mistake is it in the generality of Practical Physicians coming to a Pati- 
ent, if they finde it a Disease of the Lungs presently to conclude it one 
of those Physicians have writ Chapters of? As, If it be not an Empye- 
ma, it must be a Phthysick ; if it be not the Phthysick or Consumption 
of the Lungs, it is an Asthma ; if it be not reckonable as an Asth- 
ma, it must be proceeded against in cure, by the directions in the Chap- 
ters of Coughs ; if none of these, then it must be Hæmoptoe, and cu- 
red just as the Practical Chapters of Hæmoptoe direct : Nature runs 
not in these Orders, Nature is not bound up to such Rules, we shall 
hardly finde two in any one Disease exactly alike ; yet those that have 
exquisite Pleurisies do the most concur in Symptoms of any Diseases I 
know, nor are the Causes of an Empyema, Hæmoptoe, Pthisis, Tus- 
sis

6  A Monitory PROæIUM.
sis, Asthma, &c. such and so many, no more, nor no others than what 
Practical Physicians have writ; but there be many Causes, and diverse 
from those the Ancients especially took notice of, to produce the Disea- 
fes they write ; and consquently the Signs, Prognosticks and Cure 
must vary, where the Causes do so vary, Nature not running in that 
Method as the Ancients, and also the Moderns, dancing after their 
Pipes, have imagined. 
2. As to the Definition of Diseases : In some Bodies and in some 
Diseases accidentally they may prove exactly true, but for the most 
part they do not: for where there are such difference of Diseases that 
they can neither properly be called one or another that are writ down in 
Practices, and where the Causes in each Disease may be so contrary and 
manifold, it will necessarily follow, the Signs much vary, and there is 
the Definition chiefly grounded on the cause and signs, the Foundation 
of any thing being infirm or corrupted, the Superstructure must needs 
be infirm and instable : but I say accidentally, in some Diseases, in 
some Bodies, at some times, we may meet with an exact coherence of the 
definition of that Disease with the Parties case, which being the suming
up of the Disease, and the most general and chief causes and signs that 
happen to most in that Disease, it is much (if Nature did go to a Rule, 
and was bound up to a Method) so few should be found (amongst many 
sick persons that have Diseases) correspondent exactly to the Definiti- 
ons in Practices of Physick.
3. For the Causes of Diseases: Physicians went huge conjecturally 
to work, and guessed by outward appearances what must be inward, and 
by the Effect they did judge the Cause, the contrary to which, is the 
way to finde out Truth; they did not use to anatomize and see the 
wonderful variety there is in dead Bodies, and how Nature follows no 
Method in Diseases: As for instance, In Diseases of the Heart, the 
Ancients, and so recent Authors, have set down two, viz. Swounding 
and Palpitation, now Experience hath found thorough Dissection, that 
Side-pains, Bastard-Pleurisies, Gripings, Aguish distempers, Symptoms 
of Worms, Symptoms of ill Digestion, and Singultus &c. do arise of- 
ten from the Heart, as well as Vicine parts; and Experience hath 
fully shewn that the Heart is not affected as the Ancients thought com- 
monly and most often ; yet this we shall allow the Ancients and Mo- 
derns that have followed unquestioned Tradition, that the Heart is 
sometimes affected with one or more of those causes they attribute to 
it, and the more in casual and intermitting Distempers of it, but in 
confirmed Distempers of the Heart, or the same will hold of all the 
other Bowels, onely we instance in one ; the causes were Ulcers, or 
Worms,

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  7 
Worms, or Stones, or Bones, or clottered Blood, or mutation of the Si- 
tuation, or Consumption of the Parenchyma, or swiming in serous 
matter in the Pericardion, or absence of the Pericardion, wasted tho- 
row Diseases; or the growing amiss of the Heart, either for 
magnitude or figure, or other adnascences of fangous Flesh, or Scirrhs, 
or growing to the Lungs, &e. this is intended for all Bowels, in which 
the Ancients were as much mistaken as in the Heart ; all Bowels, as Li- 
ver, Spleen, Middriff, Lungs, Gall, Pancreas, Mesenters, Uterus and 
Testes, have variety of Diseases, found by opening of diseased Bodies 
after their deaths, which the Ancients did not know, nor could finde by 
conjecture, nor in any of these is Nature bound up to a Rule and Me- 
thod ; for in one the Liver is full of little stones, in another one 
great stone hangs appendent to it, in another is an Aposthumation, in 
another is an Aposthumation of another kinde, in a third may be also oan 
Aposthumation of the Liver, yet differing from either of the former, in 
one it suppurates, in another it turns a Schirr, or hard Boil, in another it 
turns stony,and in others Glandules, such wonderful variety there is in 
the progress and changes of Diseases, even as the outward Signs in 
many sick Persons do demonstrate by their frequent changes ; in some 
the Liver is burnt up as it were, and parched, in others it is found 
quite wasted, in others it is found thrice as big as usually, specially in 
consumption of the Lungs, where the Liver grows out to fill up the 
void space, the Diaphragm yeilding : Sometimes the Liver is enfissu- 
red or cloven, and in it are many Bladders of Water, sometimes it is 
corrupted, and hath many small Aposthumes or Abscesses of black Cor- 
ruption or Sanies, sometimes it looketh pale, sometimes is grown to 
some Vicine Part, sometimes one part of it is quite fangous, or quite 
consumed, the other part being intire ; and thus for other Bowels, they 
have the like. 
Object. These are found so sometimes, and looked upon an singular Cases, 
and where strange Symptoms have been in a Body, Physicians have opened such, 
and not so commonly others, that died in ordinary manners ; and also many 
have sicknesses, pains and affects that come and go often in their Life-time, 
and there is likely no such Transmutation, Corruption or Consumption of the 
Bowels, and for these the causes assigned by the Ancients, as Galen, Hippo- 
crates, Celsus, Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, Etius and Others, might hold 
good : For those things that cause Death, might not cause curable Diseases, 
for they are not fixed likely in the Parenchyma of the Bowels. 
Answ. I think there is nothing else that can be alledged for the An -
cients, and the Moderns that have followed them : 
1. It is not sometime and as a wonder that they are found so, but 
com-

8 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
commonly and in most; and to satisfie my Reader, let him open the 
twenty next Patients that die under his hands, and he will see in all of 
them singular things, as to what the Ancients writ, and will also finde 
that Nature is not bound up to a Method, or such an Order as some will 
have ; the more any man desires to be satisfied of the Causes or Signs 
that happen in Hydropicks, and the part or parts affected, and how, the 
more he shall admire, seeing still strange and wonderful variety ; and if 
so much in one Disease, what Method doth Nature go in for different 
Diseases ? Beyond-Sea they open such as they can get leave for, even 
as it happens, and strange things to the Sons of Superstition and Tra- 
dition, are familiar, and most commonly seen by the Sons of Experi- 
ence. 
2. For the most part those things that in an extream degree cause death, 
in a mean or middle degree cause a Disease; so do Worms, Stones, 
Aposthumes, Hydropick Bladders, Glandula’s, Adhæsion, Corruption, 
Consumption, Excrescence, &c. of the inward Bowels, all these in a 
remits degree cause a Sickness or a Disease, and the self-same in an 
higher degree cause Death : Yet I confess windy Inflations, Indigesti- 
on, corruption o£ the Fæces, and intermittent Evils, do often come 
from Humours in the first Wayes, and Vapours, and Putrifaction, and 
too swift Excretion, or strong Retention, nor in many that die of ma- 
lignant Diseases may alteration in their Bowels be seen, because it was 
a venomous Quality that killed them, and sometimes so suddenly that 
no Bowel can be so soon labifactated. 
3. The Ancients were apparantly out; to write onely of the Disease 
of the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder, and so for the place and kinds 
of Worms; there is no peculiarity in the Kidneys or Bladder to have 
the Stone, they are frequently found in the Gall, Stomack, Lungs, 
Head, Liver, Uterus, and Joynts, and outward parts : and those things 
that are generated in the outward Flesh, as Spots, Tubercles, Boils, 
Carnous Excrescences, Struma’s, Glandula’s, Worms, Stones, Phly- 
ctenæ, Bladders of Water, &c. are also frequently found in the inward 
Bowels. As for the Stone, as to the place, and kindes, and causes of 
it, so for Worms were the Ancients out, and all the Moderns that have 
pinn’d their Faith on their Sleeves; commonly we confess the ordinary 
Worms incident to Children are found in the Body, commonly they 
are in the Guts or Stomack, and Ascarades or Bots are often in the Bo- 
dy, yet nothing so frequent as the ordinary Worms Children void ; 
twenty have the ordinary Worms, to one that hath Ascarades or Maggot- 
Worms; the Ancients did some of them mention the Tænia or Lumbri- 
cus larus, or broad Worm, fifteen or sixteen Ells long, the length of all 
the

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  9
the Guts, and these were all: Now by Anatomizing the Dead, and by 
other Excretions of Creatures, it is found that Worms of all sorts 
in all parts of the Body, and some are referable to Terrestrial Crea- 
tures ; but because they have no seed from any Creature, for the most 
part they have no coherence of form ; some are footed like Quadrupe- 
des, some Bi-pedes, some crawling Worms, some hairy, some like Newts, 
some exact Maggots, some like Milli-pedes, or Wood-lice, some large 
like Serpents, &c. There is a wonderful variety in these things, and 
we have heard of Serpents in two or three, found in Englishmen of late 
years, of the Lumbricus latus, Cray-fish in similitude, vomited by a child. 
Worms in the Face, &c. by which we justifie Authors : But we have 
written a Chapter of these Creatures in our Physiology and Jatrosophy, 
a Work that can never be too much read, or studied. 
What shall we say ? doth Nature proceed in no Method, or Order, 
or Coherence in causing Diseases? Yes, there is some, but not as for- 
mer Ages have generally supposed; it is the spirit and quality of that 
spirit in every living, moving, and growing Being, that is the Cause, 
and wherein is the Method ; and the Stars, principally the Planets and 
Moon, by the Air, alter the quality of the Humours in our Body, and 
thence comes such variety in our Bodies : but yet if the Inward Cause 
in our Bodies comply not with the Outward, there is nothing done ; the 
quality of the Air by its seeds sown incur Humours or Blood, trans- 
mutes or changes them into the nature of the Seeds, the Blood findes a 
matter in it whose Spirit is of a quality Heterogenious and Heteropathe- 
tical to the Blood, and so works to throw off its Enemy ; and in the Pox, 
Measles, Plague, and Purples, it throws off that Heterogenious matter 
by the Skin, Pores, or Habit of the Body; but where the matter in the 
Blood is not so venemous, or exceeding adverse qualited to our Nature, 
the Veins throw it off on some part: for in the Body like draws like to 
it, as in the Earth, and Terrene Things, and puts off or separates any 
matter that is of a quality adverse or contrary to the Blood and Nature 
of the Spirits constituting our vitality : Now we see Water in the Blood, 
sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner, sometimes limpid, sometimes 
oleaginous, sometimes yellow, sometimes black, &c. and yet because 
this Humour hath not a quality Heterogenious to the Blood, it rests very 
well in the Blood, and is not endeavoured by Nature to be cast off, nor 
causes any Disease, for a thing that looks exactly as another, may be no- 
thing like it in nature, so Sperma Humanum, and some glutinous and 
thick Flegm we raise from our Lungs or Palate of our Mouth, look ex- 
actly alike, and are in confidence the same ; and yet there is a Spirit of 
an enlivening nature in the Sperma Humanum and onely a cold stupify-
ing 

10 A Monitory PROæMIUM
ing quality in the pituitous matter; fo Stibium, and the red Glass of 
Church-Windows, may in taste, smell, look and confidence of Body be 
the same, and yet there is a purgative Virtue or Quality in Stibium that 
the Glass hath not : So for Alabaster and some pieces of Arsenick, how 
much do they differ in quality, and how little in bodily appearance? So 
in the Body of Man, if we could see the Humours and affected Parts, 
and the current of the Blood, we could not tell whether People would 
live or die of those Distempers, or how they would change, or what 
they would become for the most part: for an Humour looking like ano- 
ther in an abscess of the Liver, Spleen, Reins, or Lungs, shall not raise 
Symptoms alike, nor work alike, became the quality that is in it, alters 
it and works it; in one abscess there is a petrifying quality, and that turns 
all the matter in a little time into perfect stone, one or many ; in ano- 
ther Abscess, Ulcer, Aposthume or Tubercle of any of these Bowels, 
the matter looking the same with the former, is a vivifying spirit, and 
that matter takes some or other strange and commonly different form, 
and enlivens and increases; another Abscess hath a matter like the for- 
mer, but in this is an Earthy Gummy Spirit, and insipid, and this turns 
all the matter into a Caruncle or Fungus, or if it be a little otherwise 
qualified, a Glandule, or many Kernels ; in another Abscess is a fermen- 
ting qualitied spirit, and that makes them Aguish, and this differs 
hugely in quality inter se ; for some fermentative matter is colder and 
duller, because it wants the sharp and hot spirit that is in other Hu- 
mours, and this causeth colder Agues ; the sharper and hotter the spirit 
in this matter is, the hotter is the Ague : therefore many times they that 
drink much strong. Water make a cold Ague all hot Fits. Again, this 
matter differs in the peculiarity of the quality, some fermenting twice 
in one day, some once in twenty four hours, some once in two days, 
and some but once in three or four days : In another Excrementitious 
Matter is an Ossifick quality, and then a Bone is generated of the big- 
ness and shape with the Excrementitious Matter, for the Ossifick Spirit 
transmutes it as it lies ; even as our Wells in England, and Earth about 
Shefford, turns the Wood into perfect Stone in the same figure it was ; 
and to a few Grains of Ens Auri, or Essence of Gold, transmutes 
much Lead or Quicksilver into perfect Gold ; we see multitude of Ex- 
amples from Seeds thrown into the Ground, or Animals Semen, either 
injected into Uterusses, or laid in Flesh, Mud or Earth, or Fruits, 
which works upon the fit matter it is in, and turns it into the form of 
the Creature from whom this Seed came, and it enlivens. And the 
Stars do very much qualifie and alter the Seeds in our Humours : Hence 
it is that often Coughs, malignant Pleurisies, Quinzies, malignant Ter- 
tians,


A Monitory PROæMIUM  11
tians, and divers strange confused kindes of Agues, are Epidemical; 
and I have observed the mutations in divers Diseases to be from the 
Moon, and the other Planets, especially that Planet that was Lord of 
the First and Sixth House, at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; and a Pra- 
ctioner of Physick in this Town told me, when he had a long sickness, 
he could always tell when his Paroxisms , or times of greater illness 
would be, when the Sun was afflicted by the Body or Aspect of Saturn, 
or his Signficator afflicted ; and did not Venus stand his Friend in ma- 
ny such evil Aspects, he thought he should have died. 
Now such a Method doth Nature observe, that it is the casual influ- 
ence of the Planets (simply, or conjoyned with fixed Stars of the great- 
er Magnitudes,that are milde or gentle-natured) upon our Blood and Hu- 
mours, and as the quantity and quality of our Blood and Humours vary, 
so the Stars act variously : for the Agent can do nothing, if the Patient 
is not fit; and one Planet doth not so powerfully alter one mans Body as 
anothers, because in one it was his Significator at his Nativity, in the 
other a Significator of his Fortune, in another a Significator of his Re- 
ligion at his Nativity; and so though our Humours and Constitutions 
are much alike, yet in this respect the Planets vary. There is natural- 
ly in some matter, a greater proneness and aptitude to petrify ; in other, 
to ossify ; in other, to vivify or animate ; in other, to carnify ; in other, 
to sanguify ; in other, to lactify ; in other, to spermafy and crinify : 
and though the greater number of Planets that are stongest at such a 
time, do dispose the Humours to putrify or vermify, (for at sometimes 
both old Folks and Children have Worms more than in other seasons) 
yet in all Bodies there be not those Humours; and in all Bodies that those 
Humours be, yet there is not in them a like putrifying quality ; At such 
a time Venus is Lady of the Ascendant, commands Jupiter, Mars, the 
Moon, &c. in her House, is strongest of any in the Scheam, and yet all 
men at this time are not Veneriously inclined, for some are never 
libidinous ; yet at this time they may be more libidinous than others ; 
and at such a time an evil-minded men is the likelier to accomplish his 
incestuous Desires. VVe see huge mutations and changes dayly and 
hourly, sometimes in some sick persons, and how do these come, but from 
the motion of the Morbifick Cause ? and how is that changed and mo- 
ved so strangely, but by the Attoms in the Air, drawn into our Body in 
our Breath, which are qualified from the Planets ? 
We have in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, sufficient- 
ly demonstrated the force of the Heavens on all sublunary Beings ; but 
we will here adde some more ; Whence is it in Moon-Ey'd Horses their 
Eye or Eyes grow full at full Moon,and then they are bind; and as the
B 2  Moon 


12  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moon decreases, they decrease, and then they see better ? Many Coun- 
trey-mens Experience attests this. 
2. Concerning the alteration of Diseases, changing of Symptoms, 
and of all diseased Parts, dying and growing sick, it is apparantly seen 
in some Diseases by the alteration of the Moon, and divers have told 
me, That when the Plague did rage in this Town of Hitchin, most fell 
sick or died at change of the Moon, or full Moon, and four or five were 
buried then together, and when the Moon was at her full state, was the 
sickness in many in its Crisis or Exaltation; and it is apparant to many 
intelligent Physicians, that our Bodies are fuller of moisture at full 
Moon, than other times; and Experience shews us, the Epileptick and 
Convulsive have fits at full Moon commonly, and the Reason may be, 
because water in the Brain is oft found by Dissection to cause Epilepsies, 
and other Diseases, which the Practical Physicians hitherto did not ima- 
gine: NoW we know the Moon rules over Moisture much, witness the Eb- 
bing and Flowing of the Sea; doth it not in divers places of this Land 
increase and swell higher at full Moon, and in the declination of the 
Moon fall, and sink lower ? 
Moreover the monthly Fluxes of Women, or Menstrues, are caused 
partly by the Moons influence, and partly by a created aptitude or na- 
tural faculty in them; we see often they are, when stopt, easilier pro- 
voked at full Moon, than in its declination; the Moon rules princi- 
pally in Moisture, and principally in the Moisture of Feminines, for she 
is a Feminine Planet; yet in Men the Hæmorrhoids are periodical some- 
times and monthly, and some have (but rarely) a Fluxus Sanguinis per 
Penem monthly. 
Farmers did observe in these late years of Infection amongst Horses, 
that their Horses sickened or died familiarly at New or Full Moon : is 
not the Disease Lunatick so called from the Moon, for that at full Moon 
they are afflicted monthly ? and Physicians have observed Catarrhs and 
Defluxions to rise or fall from the Moon, and to be governed much 
thereby. Guainerius did observe one spake a strange Tongue he never 
learned, in New Moons; and other melancholy persons have at such 
changes of the Moon alone spake a strange Language they never learn- 
ed : If any think we speak slightly or conjecturally of many of these
things, let them search in their proper Chapters Examples in our Physi- 
logy, and they shall see them confirmed. It is written of the Clupæa 
Fish in Sagona, a River of France, that in the encrease of the Moon it 
is white, and in its decrease black : So the Piscis Lunaris, or Luna-fish, 
is so appellated from the strange alteration the changes of the Moon 
makes in her, and her figure : We might be numerous in Examples. 
Pliny


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  13
Pliny lib.2.cap.4l. writes, That at Full Moon, Oysters, Shell-fish 
and Periwinckles increase, but decrease at decrease of the Moon. 
Kekerman, l. c. saith, The Skins of Sea-Calves and Sobles are stiff with 
the standing upright of the Hair, when the Moon increases ; but in the 
Moon decreasing, they grow weak and fall down. 
Dropsical People are often most molested at Full Moons, and there- 
fore at that time, saith Johannes Johnstodynus, they commonly die; and 
then it took away that Reverend Man, D. Martin Gratianus, Superin- 
tendent of the Reformed Churches in Greater Poland. 
Libavius, Epist.15. Schnitzer, saith, It is better to give Medicines a- 
gainst Epilepsies the day after, than in the Opposition of the Luminaries; for 
in the hour of ☌ the Moon is quiet, but afterward the works and begins 
to augment the Humours. 
We shall not give Examples here of the force and quality of the Moon 
in Nativities to dispose mens Bodies and Mindes ; nor of the Vulgars ob- 
servation in cutting of Cocks , nor shall we insist on its force upon in- 
animate things, to cause fulness & flaccing, juyciness and driness, as that 
increases or wanes; as, in Vines, Onyons, Palm-Trees, Basil, Lapis 
Selenites. Keckerman, Disp.Phys.3.Coroll.11. saith, Lillies and Roses open 
their Buttons or Heads in the night alone, as loving the Moon; and Marigolds, 
Tulips, &c. open onely to the Sun, and shut up against the Moon : Nor shall 
we here dispute (as we might finde matter and occasion largely to do) 
of the peculiar Government of Plants by Rich and such Planets, and 
how they are fuller of Virtue pulled up at such a time, whenas the Pla- 
net governing them is Essentially fortified, than at another time: 
Not yet shall we here speak much of Sigils and Telesms insculpt in Wax 
or other impressible matter, the Seal made at a fit time, according to the 
Position of the Heavens, and the Engraving or Impress of that Seal 
must be at a due time, as the Planet governing the Disease, and Lord 
of the Hour, are Essentially fortified, aspected by Others, and seated in 
significant Houses, and accordingly hung about the sick party. In our 
Philosophical Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, and 
in the last of these have we treated of Sigils and Telesms ; whither the 
Reader may have recourse. 
The Moon indeed is most generally significant in all Distempers, of 
all the Planets; and in every Scheme we take of sickness, the Moon and 
her Dignity, and House, and Sign she is in, and to whom she applies, is 
very considerable, next to the Lord of the Ascendant, Signifier of the 
sick Person, and Lord of the sixth House, Significator of his Sickness, 
and Lord of the Eighth, Significator of Death ; yet the Sun in the next 
place, of all the Planets, hath most influence upon our Bodies ; and by 
his


14  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
his heat and warmth more than other Planets, he enlivens and alters 
most Animate and Vegetative Bodies ; as also by Light: Now if the 
Sun, having in it the seed of Light, can enlighten the Stars and Moon, as 
they approach him ; and when the Moon is gone a good distance and 
while from the Sun, the seminary Principle of Light it received from 
the Sun, dies by degrees, until it comes to the Sun again and then the 
Moon receives fresh Seeds of Light, which grow (as the Seeds of Infc- 
&ion taken into our Bodies) to maturity, which is when she is run half 
her course, and just opposite to the Sun, then is the Moon at the Full, 
and the Seeds of Light like our Life, and the maturity of our Age ; and 
other Animals and Vegetables are as long a declining or dying, as en- 
creasing and growing to maturity ; and no question this of the Sun and 
Moon is a great cause of the maturation and corruption of Bodies, and 
gives great insight into the method of working, encreasing and dying in 
other Seeds; And if the Sun thus alter the Moon, why not other less and 
inferiour things ? 
I going one day in Summer in the hot Sun without Gloves, did so 
strangely burn my hands, that they felt sore to the touch, and looked of a 
red colour, as if netled ; and I have heard the like of others, whose 
hands have been high blistered with the Sun, but in a far different man- 
ner from fire, for that scorches and burns us long sensibly , and then the 
the fire remains not so in our flesh, and so long as the Sun's quality, 
for from the Sun it rather looks as if venemed ; yet to touch fire will 
make a soreness longer. 
Many mad People do chiefly rage when the Sun is in the Tropical 
point Cancer, and about the Summer Solstice, partly the heat, and partly 
the quality of the Air, makes divers mad in Summer, that are pretty 
well all the year beside : Herbs of the Sun are strongest when they are 
gathered in the Hour and Exaltation of the Sun , or when the Sun is in 
Leo; and we have observed several such things. We have mentioned 
three Observations of the greater force of Herbs gathered when the 
Planets governing them are strongest in our Book of Physiology and Ja- 
trosophy, and particularly in our Nosology ; but Astronomical Physicians 
have gone upon slight grounds in giving such an Herb to such a Star, 
and another to such a one, many times; and the Reasons of their 
grounds would be sifted: for if the Foundation be false, we can never 
make a true Superstructure. 
We see the Sun's heat drives away Agues and cold Distempers, it rai- 
seth Head-ach to those that sit too long therein, especially bare-headed, 
and in the Spring, and that are subject to Head-ach ; also those that fit 
in February or March in the Sun for warmth, do oft catch Agues : and I 
when


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  15 
when I was a Boy, catched an Ague by sitting shivering in the Sun to 
warm me : It is also so pleasant at its return : The absence of Things 
makes them the welcomer to us at their return : By Sundew, Heliotrope, 
Marigolds, Hinca, &c. is the Sun's particular Domination over Planets 
seen. 
But we will not insist onely on these two Planets, the other Five, Sa- 
turn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, Dragons Head, Dragons 
Tail, and some of the fixed Stars of the greater Magnitudes have great 
Influence upon our Bodies, and alter and move our Humours, and by 
consequence our Mindes, as they are most prompt to be wrought upon. 
The Scorpion stings most dangerously when the Dog-star is up, and 
men used to observe the rising of the Dog-star for cutting of Frankin- 
sence-Trees, as then fittest for Use, and fullest of Juyce: and in the 
Terceræ Islands the Windes called Etesia arc mild Windes, that rise eve- 
ry year two days after the rising of the Dog-star; and the Disease Syri- 
asis is so caused from Syrius the Dog-star, and called so, because divers 
did observe that at the rising of that Star Infants were inflamed in their 
Heads; so that we see those Stars have Influence upon Animate and In- 
animate bodies; and if the Dog Stars Syrius and Procton can raise winds, 
they can in the Air in all likelyhood communicate their quality to our 
blood; but we do not observe the force and influence of the Dog Stars 
in our Climate or Countrey, as in other parts ; for in the Dog dayes 
they give no Physick, and Wounds and Ulcers heal badly, Hippocrates 
Aphorismes, Sect. 4. aph. 5 υπbxυvα xγ προς εργω dεες αi φαgαιiαl,
about the rising of the Dog-Star, and before its rising, purging 
by Medicines is very molestuous ; but we say, Canis non mordet in An- 
glia, the Dogs bite not in England : It is certain, some Stars have a 
greater power over some Countreys then over others. 
Cardanus and Casper Wolphius, Did observe Headach to arise in some 
persons with the Sun,it was chiefly in the Forehead; every day the Head- 
ach arose in these, as the Sun arose in the morning, and at noon, when 
the Sun was nearest, it grew most vehement; but as the Sun went far- 
ther off, the Headach did decline ; and at evening when the Sun did 
wholly hide himself, the Headach was absolutely gone, and began the 
next morning when the Sun arose, and encreased as that grew higher; 
but in one of these parties it was a pain rather of the eye, sometime a- 
bove one eye, and sometime above mother. 
Joachimus, Comm. ad 9. lib. Rhasis, cap. 4. observed another that had 
Headach about noon, but as the Sun went down it declined ; signes of 
Choler were in him, which the Sun moved to his head ; he was cured 
with purging of Choler, and strengthening his bead.
Salius

16 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Salias cap. 12. Annotat. ad Altomar. Gract, Observed Megrims to be 
raised and mitigated according to the course of the Moon, in some per- 
sons, and to have continued so for three years. 
It would be too tedious to write of many new Diseases, Epidemical, 
and some of them Contagious, that do happen in all Ages and Coun- 
tryes, sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes in one place, somc- 
times in another; they certainly come from the Air, and the Air is 
qualified by the Stars, and Seeds and Attoms swim and fluctuate in 
the Air, as Wood and heavier matter doth in the Water, that is a more 
sollid, and lesse penetrable body than Air. 
We should too much stay the Reader here to give an accompt only of 
the experience we have had of the Progress, Changes and Crises of 
Diseases according to the alteration and motion of the Planets, but 
who so is well skilled in Astrology and Physick, and shall at the dccum- 
biture, or chief time of the sickening of his Patient, draw a Scheam 
of the Heavens, and observe all along the mutations of the Planets, and 
his sick Patients distemper, he shall in most Diseases find great satis- 
faction, and say, It is far more certain Prognosticating by the Heavens, 
then symptoms in Diseases: Yet in confused Distempers, and such as we 
cannot well refer to any name in Riverius his Practice, Astrology is most 
illuminative. 
There are divers observations extant of the operation of the Planets 
on mens Bodies, but few, in regard of the use there would be of them, 
and excellency thereof; but these would require much time and pains 
to describe to purpose, therefore we shall omit them. 
We see also there is a strange Antipathetick quality in Lightning to 
bereave us suddenly of Life, and a blast of Air blasts many ; some in 
the field, some standing at their door; some are bereaved of sence, 
some of motion ; some in the whole body, some only in one particular 
part; some in one manner, some in another ; some in one degree, some 
in another. 
We will speak a little here in the Vindication of Astrology, it may 
satisfie some, it need hurt none ; Truth alone must please God, and fram 
pia be condemned. 
1. The various motions of the Planets, argue an intention of Pro- 
vidence, more in making them then other fixed Stars ; five especially 
have no other reason of their wandring to and from, backward and for- 
ward ; sometime in one Sign, sometimes in another ; sometimes swif- 
ter, sometimes slower; sometimes in Conjunction, sometimes in 
Opposition one to another; nothing was made in vain, no not the least 
part in the least Creature, nor nothing to be idle.
2. God


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  17 
2.God doth all by natural causes, and what shall we say are the causes 
of such and such things, but what we experience ? if one thing here doth 
sympathize and antipathize with another, and one depends upon ano- 
ther, and one governs another; Why may not the Stars more pure, 
high and great bodies influence upon, and alter these lesser, grosser and 
low compositions, every Agent being more noble than the Patient ? and 
the Air is the mediate cause. 
3. There may as well be quallifications of peculiarity in the Sun, 
Moon, and five other Planets in the Macrocosm, as in the Heart and 
Brain in the Microcosm, and Liver, Spleen, Gall, Lungs and Reins; 
and if God hath planted Originally in all such bowels peculiar quali- 
ties, and these operate accordingly upon the rest of mans body, inferi- 
our in dignity to them ; why may not the bodies of the Stars have' also 
peculiar natures and qualities implanted Originally into them, and ac- 
cording to these they operate ? for it is certain all things were made 
for an use, and why they should observe such strange motions and or- 
ders, no other reason can be given, than what man hath found by ex- 
perience ; and that for which every thing is most fit, for that it was 
made, and that is the right use of it: It would be tedious to relate. the 
wonderful qualities, and Spirits of strange and stupendious Natures, 
that are placed in many bodies, slight and sorry to look on, as the at- 
tractive force in the Loadstone ; in Herb Moonwort, the chastity of 
Emeralds and Sobriety, the shivering of Quicksilver in fire or hot wa- 
ter, and its flying to Gold ; the fighting of Spirit of Tartar and Vitriol, 
the quality of moving Love in some Plants, of dissolving strife in others; 
of releasing the bewitched, and driving away Spirits ; of causing mad- 
ness, and inducing sleeping to death : See these in one place or other 
of out Physiology and Jatresophy, with many more strange and prodigi- 
ous qualifications of the Spirits of Plants and Minerals. We do not 
deny but things affect one another by the Attorns and Exhalations that 
aries from their bodies but what accompt can any give, why the Attorns 
of one is of such a quality eto cause Sobriety, and the Attorns breath- 
ing from another to cause Love , and the Attoms breathing from 
another to cause madness ? every body, as it is a body and 
earth is not active, or moveable ; doth neither taste, nor small, nor hath 
a colour for the most part, but the Spirit that is in it, moves and acts it, 
makes it grow, taste and smell; and as soon as this Spirit or Soul is eva- 
porated from it, it looks oftentimes pale, but constantly loseth its scent 
and taste ; so when our Souls are gone, we look pale, and corrupt pre- 
sently, even as Plants as soon as their Spirit or Soul is gone : bodies 
were only made for Receptacles of Spirits or Souls, and these Souls or 
C Spirits


18  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Spirits do act and move these bodies; and according to the peculiar na- 
ture or quality of these Original implanted Spirits, so they act diversly  
now why may not the peculiar qualitied Spirits of the Stars operate and 
alter the Spirits placed in the bodies of terrene and gross things, ac- 
cording as they are fit and changeable, especially seeing every minute 
we must draw in Air ? and if the laying of Plants about us, and Mine- 
rals and Animals, do so alter the Air, that sometimes we are sick, some- 
times comforted by them; the Stars may as well do it: What influence 
hath the Sun for heat upon this world, more then a thousand Cities 
set on fire ? and yet the Sun is at a vast distance so to heat the Air all a- 
bout. The exactly demonstrating these things, would require a larger 
discourse than we are willing here to spend thereupon. What is our 
Brain? what doth it look like ? a Gelly, or knotty Flegm ; yet in this 
matter is a choice quality implanted, our sensation and motion ; what 
is the Heart to look upon, or to feel, or touch, or taste, or smell? 
meerly flesh: and yet see how it differs in dignity of quality; and there 
are nobler Spirits placed in it, than in other parts of the body; it hath 
the Seed of Blood, and is able to change all nourishment into red hot 
Spirituous Blood, specially as Nature shall have need thereof; and 
hereby doth it influence upon all the body, as the Brain by motion and 
sensation operates and alters all the body ; GOD could as well have 
placed the Seminary Principle of Blood, or Sanguification in the Spleen, 
and the Soul in the Liver, for the flesh doth nothing ; he could 
have made any flesh capable of the highest qualities and faculties. 
4. Allowing this force to the Planets, and some fixed Stars as they 
happen to be joyned with them, vindicates GOD from injustice ; for 
certain it is, that the humors alter our minds, and our constitutions 
change our judgements, and lead us to divers appetites: and the Or- 
gans are not alike fitted in all to be wise or foolish, ingenuous or fro- 
ward alike. 
If he that is born a natural Fool, shall repine and say, Why was I not 
born capable of knowledge as other men ? what had I done In the Womb to 
make my Creator more partial to me, than the rest of man-kind ? It may be 
Answered, It was his lot to be begotten, conceived and born at such 
an unfortunate time, when the Planets operating upon the propitious 
matter in utero so disposed him. 
Another may Object, why was I made of such a melancholy temper , to 
he dejected at every small business, and to swoon at every light grief, and to 
he discontented with my life? Some must be melancholy, as some are mer- 
ry; there must be variety ; and it fell according to their nativity, to be 
such, without any partiality, or ill respects in GOD towards them: so
for 


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  19
for the passionate, that suffer for their Tongues, and cannot help it, 
they wish they were of another temper, and could forbear; and are 
apt to be angry that they are so apt to be angry: but some must be angry, 
else there would be none patient if all were alike; and it fell casually to 
their lot to be so : if God did immediately, without contingent causes, 
ordain or make them so, they might have somewhat more to say and to 
repine at; but now God is blameless, for where the cause accidentally 
falls, the effects follow : but the causes are so wisely from all eternity 
ordered, that they shall keep in a mean, and not much trangress; as
those causes that dispose men to be natural fools, or Atheists, shall not 
come so often by one to a hundred, as those causes that cause Wisdom 
and Worship ; nor shall they come altogether, but shall happen now 
and then, that Nature may have some variety. 
Perhaps a good mans Barn is burnt by Lightning, and his Neighbours, 
a wicked mans, is unhurt; God is no respecter of Persons nor partial, 
it fell out according to natural causes, that the Lightning did direct to 
this mans Barn in a contingent manner; and it is the nature of Light- 
ning, where the Beams and Attoms ate conglomerated, and so made 
stronger, to burn ; if God had with material hands took a Torch and set 
it on fire, as Enthusiasts seem to think him to act, surely then the just 
man had had somewhat to have said : it is a dignity to God to act by 
causes, and one cause under another; the outward cause operates up- 
on the inward cause, and the remote upon the vicine, the primary up- 
on the instrumentary : If a King would have any thing done, and must 
do it himself, it would not be such honour to him, as to do it by subser- 
vient means, and messengers; so God is the more dignified and ho- 
noured by Nature, then if, as Enthusiasts would have him, he did all im- 
mediately by material Hands, Feet and Mouth, without the intervene 
of natural causes. 
Sometimes it Rains twice as much in one Land or Soil as needs, and 
in another Land or Soil at the same time is not half Rain enough, so 
that both are spoiled, one by a flood, the other by drought ; and if God 
did this immediately by immediate counsel, and with material hands, 
as if he should pour down buckets, without the contingency of natural 
causes, how might men complain, and say, God dealt hardly with them. 
Many times upon the Sea a VVinde arises and drowns a good mans 
Ship, wherein are far better persons than in another Ship, that at that 
time arrives safe. 
Many times a good man is wounded of Thieves going abroad, is kil- 
led by a fall, or taken with the Plague, or killed with Lightning, when 
many far worse at the same time, and in that place may escape; and
C2  were


20  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
were it not that all things here happen alike to all in a contingent man- 
ner to us, though predestinated and pre-ordained by GOD, we might 
repine; the Sun shines on the good and bad, and rain falls on the just 
and unjust : And Man is ordained as Astronomers will shew by cal- 
culating a Mans Nativity, to this or that good or mischief that he will 
hardly avoid ; and because we do not fore-know or fore-see, we must act 
warily and wisely ; for we do not know, though it is predestinated to us 
to be poor or miserable, or evil, but by our endeavour we may avoid it; 
for we do not know our Endeavours will be bootless, till we see the 
event ; so we act as if nothing was predestinated : All our labours and 
endeavours, if it be not ordained, shall not make us rich, or eminent, 
or favoured, or lucky. 
Yet GOD commonly ordains a Thing by ordaining the Cause; as such 
a man is ordained to thrive; why? because he is made of a cunning 
industrious and parsimonious temper; yet many a great Drinker, sloath- 
ful and unskilful fellow, in companion of such, shall thrive and grow 
richer: Nature is full of variety , and degrees, and kindes in every 
kinde. 
Did not things also in States and Kingdoms fall out according to a for- 
tuitous and accidental hap, and the fortune of Mens happy Nativities, 
why did Mahomet that Great Impostor, arise to that credit and honour 
in the World ? Why did not God make him an untimely birth, or cause 
his dayes to be short, that he should not corrupt the World with his Doc- 
trine ? or raise other causes to have deterred his Followers from credi- 
ting him ? Is he not CHRIST’s Opposite ? and did he not take up- 
on him to be Mediator betwixt GOD and Man ? And how miraculously 
hath he prospered through many Nations and Ages ? 
To this adde the remarkable Affairs of this World, to wit, The expun- 
ging and debellating of Christianity by the Turk, and the setting up of 
Mahometism in all those parts where Christianity did at first with much 
difficulty and blood shed, and persecution gain rise; but I will not say 
that they upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell, were greater sinners than others, 
nor he that was born blinde ha finned in or by his parents more than others 
that were born seeing, but according to Natures course, which when God 
contradicts, it is a Miracle, and Miracles rarely happen : What is be- 
come of the seven Churches of Asia their founded Christian Religion ? 
Hath not the Turkish Power overcome ? and is not MAHOMET ad- 
vanced in Throne above CHRIST in all those Quarters ? Yet I say,
Existus


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  21 
Exitus acta probat, careat successibus opto 
Quisquis ab eventu facta not anda putet. 
I wish that they may never speed 
Who by Events e'er judge the Deed. 
Non aliena putes homini quæ obtingere possint; 
Sors hodierna mihi, cras erit ilia tibi. 
Think nothing strange that Man cannot decline, 
For what's to day my Lot, to morrow's thine. 
And so we all undergo vicissitudes and variety, Cappadocia, Asia the less, 
with Phrygia, lonia, Pamphylia, Licaonia, Pontus, Bithynia, Galatia, 
Greece, Syria, Ephesus, Smyrna, Thiatira, Philadelphia, Pergamos, Judea, 
Jerusalem and Palestine ; are not all these under the Turk , and subject 
to the Doctrine of Mahomet, where the Doctrine of JESUS did so 
spring forth and arise and flourish for the time ? 
The Jews were thought a peculiar People to GOD, beloved by their 
Creator above all Nations and Languages of the World, and yet what 
Nation hath suffered more ? how oft hath Jerusalem been won, and ran- 
sacked, and sometimes quite demolished, and re-built ? How oft have 
they changed their Governments ? The King of Assyria conquered 
Israel, and captivated them, and the King of Chaldea the Jews ; since they 
have been conquered & enslaved to the Persian, the Grecian, the Arabian, 
the Roman ; the Turk now governs all, and the Jews and Christans live 
by permission, and pay Tribute. What became of those hundred thou- 
sands of men that went to redeem Jerusalem, and CHRIST’s Sepul- 
chre from the Turk, in the appellate Holy War ? Surely Enthusiasms are 
not regarded by GOD : Many think they are holier than other Men, and 
that GOD must prosper them, or that GOD is engaged to make them 
successful over the wicked, as they imagine : I say, No : GOD will 
not alter the course of Nature, unless upon weighty grounds, and those 
Miracles are ordained to come seldom. 
Yet whoever thou art, do not think I think it good to sin, or that it is 
bootless to be good; thou wilt hereafter repent, a thousand times re- 
pent the wilful commission of every evil Action, but thou must not think 
GOD is obliged to defend thee in Fire or Water, in Battel or Tempests 
more then others thou imagined far worse than thy self: for GOD is 
impartial, and Effects must follow the Cause, and the Causes must go 
on as GOD set them Originally to go. 


22  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
And let none mistake me concerning Predestination, I do not med- 
dle with Predestination to Salvation or Damnation in any; that is onely 
in GOD’s Cabinet-counsel, nor can any tell any thing thereof ; nay, 
though Spirits have told several Secrets of the future Being, they durst 
never divulge any thing of moment to Mankinde, concerning how we 
shall live hereafter, or who shall be happy, and who unhappy, or how 
many, or how and in what manner.  
Now seeing we see apparantly the universal order, gradation, pro- 
gress and event of things, is after this manner of contingency; what evil 
or absurdity is it to allow it a cause ? and why may we not as honest- 
ly and lawfully say, The Stars, under GOD , are the natural cause 
of all these Contingents and casual Events (casual, meerly, as to our fore- 
knowledge) as any other things ? 
Furthermore, the Planets operate upon out Mindes, not onely by mo- 
ving, encreasing and altering the quality of our Humours (which we 
have largely shewn in several places of our Physiology and Jatrosophy, but 
chiefly in out Chapter of the place of the Soul) but by raising Contin- 
gents and intervening Accidents : 
Est aliquid quod nos animos mutando gubernat 
Mores res contingentesqi; sequuntur humores, 
Proxima namq ; Deo sunt horum causa planetæ: 
That that doth change our Mindes, doth surely guide 
Our Actions, and our Manners do depend 
upon Contingents ; our Humours beside 
Alter our Wills, these the Planets do bend. 
One man is minded to go a Journey, a shower of Rain falls, and al- 
ters his minde. 
Another intends to revenge himself upon his Adversary ; he falls 
sick, and that changes his minde, which before he resolved should not be 
changed. 
Another intends to do much work on his Trade, and that he will not 
be drawn away by company to bezel and drink ; but company come and 
perswade him, and his minde is changed, and he goeth with them with 
delight. 
One resolves he will never be a Quaker ; but out of Curiosity and 
Novelty he will hear the Quakers, with hearing them his mind is chan- 
ged, so that he becomes a Quaker. 
One resolves to kill or such a Person, and he resolves his minde 
shall


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  23 
shall not change, nor none shall intercede for him ; yet when that per- 
son comes and asks forgiveness, acknowledges his fault, and promises 
and supplicates, his mind is changed; and he hath rather ( a minde 
now quite Contrary to his former minde) to do him good. 
Another intends to live bravely,) and spend freely, and build fine 
Houses ; but he sustains a great loss in his Estate, and then his inten- 
tions alter. 
But abundance more may be heaped up unnecessarily, which the 
common capacity of Men, if they would but consider, may see cle- 
lie. 
And no man I believe, but at divers times is in divers mindes, and 
of different Intentions and Inclinations, though there be nothing in- 
terposes, nor no differing or fresh Contingents; and this suddain and 
often variation of our Mindes, Intentions, Desires, Appetites and Af- 
fections, must have a Cause ; and what wickedness or absurdness is it to 
attribute it to the Planets? for Experience shews it, and in Reason 
their various and differing motions answer to the various and differing 
motions of our Humours and Affections. 
I know by my self, and have heard others say, They were most melan- 
choly, when they had least cause ; and Lovers are sometimes wonder- 
fully inflagrated towards one another ; and at another time, no oc- 
casion given, quite off from desiring one another. But we might be 
infinite in these things: And Sennertus, in Epitom. Scientiæ Nat. saith, 
Experience shews the Humours are altered by the Stars, and the Minde by the 
Humours : Mores sequnntur temper amentum corporis ; Experientia con- 
tradicere nefas: The Manners follow the temperament of the Body , and 
it is unlawful to gain-say true and manifold Experience. 
5. All Mankinde was made Upright, with the Countenance upwards, 
and all Beasts look downwards to the Earth ; that was somewhat in 
Providential Intention that Man might look up to the Stars, and weigh 
the Majesty of the Heavens, and Beasts were made onely to feed and 
grovel on the Earth , therefore they had not their looks made upwards, 
to view the Glory, and Power, and Wisdom of their CREATOR, in 
the Heavens and Starry Globe. It was a good Observation of Ovid, 
Pronaque cam spectant animalia cætera terram,
Os hominis sublime dedit, cœlumque tueri 
Fussit, & erectos ad Sidera vollere vultus. 
6. The multitude of Astronomers that have been in some Countreys, 
and in many Ages, have had experience of the force of the Stars; but 
the  


24  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
the Rules of the Antients, as our Physical Rules, are many, infirm, and 
true but sometimes, and were ill grounded ; and God hath so wisely or- 
dered it, that man shall not be certain always therein, for then he would 
be presumptuous: In many Scheams an Astronomer draws, there are 
as many Arguments against as for the thing, so that he knoweth not 
which to judge ; in most Scheams there are some Planets that by the 
Sign they are in, or House, or Degree, or Aspect, deny, according to 
Astrological Rules, that, that others affirm; and in such Cases we must 
take the strongest, and conclude from the position of the greater num- 
ber ; as in an Assembly most Voices carry it. 
7. Let us consider the Air: What causes Rains, Thunder, Winde, 
Mills, Snow, Frosts, muddy and bright Weather ? do not the Planets, 
and fixed Stars as they are conjoyned with them ? and how doth the 
Air change out Bodies ? I my self having weak Eyes, have found them 
far more misty and asking against Rain and in moist Weather ; others 
against Frost and in frosty VVeather, have Itching, and Pustules break 
forth, some almost always ; some against Rain have their Corns ake; 
divers do prognosticate change of VVeather by their Corns : some will 
say in dark foggy weather they are far more melancholy, dull and drow- 
sie ; and some then have their Heads ake : we know some Bodies are 
huge sensible of cold, and every small thing casts them down; some 
will in VVinter go bare-legged, and in Snow and catch no harm ; the 
Constitution and Custom are both to be considered ; some that have had 
Bruises will feel pains there upon alteration of weather, and no time 
else, after the Bruise is healed : divers when the weather begins to be 
open at Spring, and warmer, have Pustules, VVheals and Itch break 
forth; and so in some at fall of the Leaf; some have a matter breaks 
forth always at Spring and Fall; and we see Tertian Agues are most rise 
at Spring, Quartains at the Fall or Autumn. To enumerate no more, 
Hippocrates writ of these things, and of the qualities of the VVindes, 
and he will be believed, and in such things his experience may be ta- 
ken, though we must not look to finde things so as he writ in each other 
Body, concerning the change of the Air and Weather; if they hold 
true in every tenth Person, it is somewhat: for we shall finde ten whose 
Bodies are not sensibly altered by Rain, or VVinde, or Thunder, to one 
that is : so Bruits and Plants forshew of VVeather. 
Because we would fairly and fully satisfie our Readers concerning the 
Influence of the Planets, we shall proceed to take off a few Objectons 
made by the contrary-minded and opinioned; theirs is onely Opinion, 
which comes from Opinor, I think ; ours Experience, which comes from 
Experior, to have tried, or made proof of. 
Object. 1.


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  25
Object 1. Twins are born both at once, and yet often not alike, nor have 
fortune alike, nor die at a time. 
Answ. Often Twins are so alike, that they are fain to tie Threads or 
Ribbands about them, if both of one Sex, to distinguish ; but in the 
birch of divers Twins is a quarter, or half an hour, or more distance, 
and then they may have two Significators, and the Signs may be gone 
off those Houses : and also if the birth of the Twins was very exact, as 
to time, it is probable they were not conceived at once, and that is ve- 
ry material, and may change their Dispositions: VVhat is the Reason 
the Children of one man and woman should often times so exceedingly 
differ in Complexion, Conditions, and Fortunes, were there not some- 
what to alter ? 
Object. 2. Those that are killed in Armies in Fights, were not born all 
at once, but had several Nativities , and a Death alike at one time. 
Answ. A man may be born in January, February, March, April, or 
any other Month or day of the Month, and have an unlucky Nativity ; 
some are killed by the Combustion of their Significator, or Lord of the 
Ascendant; some by his Aspect with Saturn or Mars, or Conjunction 
with the Lord of the Eighth House, the House of Death ; and some 
were killed in the 18, some the 19, some the 20, 21, 22,23, 24th (and 
so onwards) Year of their Age, nor were they all born in one 
place.
Object 3. ’Tis an uncertain and fallible Art. 
Answ. The Vulgar say, if a thing comes to pass that Astronomers or 
Astrologers predict, They are Witches, and do it by the Devil; if it 
fails, they say, It is a Delusion, and there is nothing in it; even as they 
judge in other respects: for if a Medicine cure one, they think it must 
cure others, though of another Disease ; and if they they knew one die 
of the Jaundice, they will pronounce Death to all: One Swallow makes 
not a Summer: One Experiment is too slight, or two,or three, to ground 
our belief upon in some matters. If it had never failed, men would 
have been presumptuous, most would have gone to have known their 
Fortunes ; and that would have been an inconvenience in all Govern- 
ment, Trading and Actions Men do undergo : GOD made all things 
upon grave Counsel, and well-weighed Considerations, that they should 
hold together ; assist, not confound one another; each to keep its 
place, and nor to do anothers office. 
Moreover, If Astrology was certain, Men would say it was of the 
Devil: If we condemn it for incertainty, better may we condemn the 
Practice of Physick, for that is more uncertain ; it is termed, Ars Con- 
jecturalis. Let any Physician by the Signs he findes in ten persons judge
their


26 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
their Distempers thus and thus ; and when these come to be opened, 
more by much are false than true, that he did imagine ; yea, where di- 
vers of the most learned Physicians have been called to give their ad- 
vice and an accompt of one sick person ; one hath said the Disease was 
this, and thus ; another, that, and so ; every one differing; but when 
the party hath been opened, - another cause hath been found in their Bo- 
dy, of Death, differing from each of these? So in Prognosticks; what 
Sign or Signs hold for Life or Death in all ? The Tokens in the Plague 
are held the most infallible sign of Death, and so indeed they be, and 
yet Physicians have observed divers having the Tokens, to have escaped: 
nor are the Crises of truth, nor the Cure : What Medicine are we sure 
will cure two in one Disease ? no Medicine cures all, and each Medi- 
cine hath cured some: I dare confidently affirm that there is not one 
Drug or Medicine in an Apothecaries Shop, but at one time or other by 
one or other is used for an Ague ; and the use of nothing would be up- 
held, did not some think themselves thereby eased or helped. 
Object. 4. Scripture speaks against it.
Answ. The Scripture speaks against the abuse of it: for in those times 
and Countreys when and where Scripture was writ by the Jews, the 
Astrologers trusted too much to it, and disowned the Supreme Creator 
and Rector, and presumed much upon it, and assumed all the honour to 
themselves, and called the Months and Days by Planets Names, and 
worshipped such Planets on such Days, and diverted men from patient 
submission to a superiour Hand of Providence, thinking these the alone 
and Supreme Deities, because changes fell upon Earth as they had ob- 
served them to change. Of all the relations ever I read of the Com- 
merce betwixt Witches and evil Spirits, or also heard, I never could find 
the Devils told them any thing of the Stars, nor do they know any there- 
of, or practice any thing thereby; they are GOD’s Creatures made for. 
our Books, to read such Destinies as it pleaseth GOD man should fore- 
know. 
The Scripture doth extol the Science, admire the frame of the Hea- 
vens, demonstrate the Influence the Planets have, and shew what they 
were made for : But, if because of the abuse, nothing must be in use, 
every thing must be laid aside ; the best things are most apt to be cor- 
rupted : and, Optimorum corruptio est pessima, as Philosphers say : See 
Gen.1.14,15,16,17,18. Judg.5.20. Job 25.5,6.Chap.3 8.7. dc 29.30, 
31,32,33.-Psal. 136.7,8,9. Job 9.9,10. Psal.8.3,4. & 19.1 and divers 
o her places of Scripture assent hereto. 
Astra a regunt Homines, sed regit Astra DEUS.
Object.5.

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 27 
Object 5. It makes men Atheistical and Heathenish. 
Answ. It may be abused, and many without it may be Atheistical 
and Heathenish, and most with it are sincere Adorers of a Deity ; re- 
ally the Stars and Planets, and the Poles, and the Clouds, and their Of- 
fices and Actions are clear demonstrations of a GOD, as divers of the 
fore-cited places of Scripture hint forth. There are abundance of peo- 
ple that hear what others say , and believe with the most, and never 
question or trouble their heads about a GOD, or his Attributes; as the 
Ignorant is related to give an accompt of his Faith : I believe as Mr. 
Vicar believes, and I believe he knows , for he is Book-learned, and I am not 
Book-learned. All the works of GOD dignifie and exalt him, and the 
more we know, the more we must see the Power, Wisdom, and Love of 
GOD : we see such and such things come to pass, and what wickedness 
is it to attribute them to a cause? If we made GOD to do them with 
material hands, and to be bodily present, and to use Instruments as we 
do, to effect them, it would hugely degrade and vilifie his Maje- 
fty. 
Object 6. It may wrong divers. 
Answ. That is in the Men, the Art doth not constrain them; there 
are Knaves in all Societies, that are a scandal to the rest, and vitupe- 
rate the Profession : but the better and higher things be, so much the 
more they endamage when abused. 
Object.7. If they go too far, they may have to do with Devils. 
Answ. By a Retort: If they have to do with Devils they may go too 
far; but it is possible some men may be instigated by their Curiosity to 
contract with the Devil, to make them capable of telling Fortunes, and 
fore-knowing things, seeing Astrology is oft so uncertain ; but of such 
we must judge what may be, by what hath been ; they have seldom been 
Astrologers : and few Witches have any judgement in Astrology, if 
any ; not doth the Devil will them to learn any thing thereof, or teach 
them therein ; and without Astrology men may have as much desire as 
with it to foreknow : that way that is really good, the farther men go 
in it the better, and lazy men & unlearned, and void of scrutiny spoil all 
professions, and are a scandal to what ever they profess; and so is Wis- 
dom without a good practice. We shall conclude with the Dogmaticks 
of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, σνυπαΦυν τα αγα τοis xατω, Things be- 
low do Sympathize with things above. 
Yet the Stars do not so far alter and govern, but there are many 
things fixed, and alwayes the same as to their Nature and Basis, as 
Plants, Animals, Minerals, Man, &c. Also in man are fixed Prin- 
ciples of Blood, Bone, Flesh and Marrow ; and in his Minde Univer- 
fally


28 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
fally is, first, An apprehension of a Deity : Secondly, A propensity to wor- 
ship this conceived Deity; in Prosperity to thank him, and in Adversi- 
ty to pray : Thirdly, Almost all mankinde believe they shall live after 
this Life; or that their Souls be immortal: Fourthly, All mankinde do 
believe that GOD is able to do all things, be Omnipresent, in all pla- 
ces, be Omnivident, knowing all secrets, and to be Eternal and Im- 
mortal : Fifthly, All mankind do think, this Being Eternal, Omnipotent 
and Omnivident, must make them happy after this life,and punish them  
for their Evil Deeds: Sixthly, All men hold Love, Chastity, Patience, 
Meekness, Charity, Humility, Affability, & Honesty, good ; and Cruelty, 
Persecution, Lying, Fraud, Murder, Theft, Adultery, Reviling, and 
Cursing, evil: And these are stamps of the Divine Essence in Man, 
which are Universal, and the Stars onely alter, not take away: Yet 
there are Athiests, it is true, and others to contradict what we have said, 
but the universality of men of our Form and Parts in the World, of all 
Nations are possessed of these six things, and they are true: For GOD 
would not give to the Universal Nature of Man to believe that that is 
false : Yea, the very Bruits seem to have a Conscience, so that when 
they have done a fault, they shrink or hide themselves, or run away; and 
when they have done well, and go upon warrantable grounds, how bold, 
cheerful and confident are they ? 
4. Next will follow to be spoken of the Signs of Diseases: and in 
these is an high misunderstanding, both in those that write,and those that 
read Practices of Physick, chiefly the last : for if the Ancients, and 
most of the Moderns or Neotericks were out in the Causes, they must 
needs be in the Signs that they appropriated to such and such Causes : if 
there be any dispute about this, let my Antagonists observe the twenty 
next Patients that come under their hands, (for in so many the Rules of 
Nature may be discovered) and see if their Diseases and Signs will hold 
and run parallel with those of the Diseases they read in Barrow, Ronde- 
letius, Etius, Ægineta, Primrosius, Riverius, &c. Truly so far as I have 
observed many Patients, (having writ about 1400 Obfervations for my 
own private use hitherto) and read Observations of many other men, I 
cannot finde Nature is confined to a method, or runs in that road Au- 
thors have delivered  and who so opens many, shall finde that the Li- 
ver, Spleen, Reins, Gall, Stomach, Lungs, &c. are otherwise affected 
than as the Ancients thought; and that they do onely casually and acci- 
dentally light to be so affected as the Ancients have deciphered; the 
affection of the Bowels in the dissected, agrees chiefly in disagreeing: 
The Truth is, where we have one Patient that by concurrence of Signs 
seems


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 29 
seems to have any one Disease named in Practices of Physick, we have 
three that are referrable to none of those Diseases ; and in many Pati- 
ents sometimes together, we finde such rare Cases that never before we 
saw or read of. Also the Change in Diseases is very considerable ; to 
day, or in this hour, the Sick most complains of Headach ; to morrow, 
or the next hour, the Headach is gone, or with it remaining is a Stomach- 
pain ; the next day it is changed into vomiting and purging, and then 
perhaps that stops, and the Party is Heart-burned : and a multitude of 
such various Changes are sometime in some sick People, that lie long ; 
and what shall we call this Disease ? sometimes many Bowels are weak 
or diseased together, and by the Signs, where shall the Disease be ? 
For Example sake, we will shew by one how the Course and Order of 
Nature may be guessed at in many. 
Here died lately a Gentlewoman of Hitchin, she lay six weeks sick ; 
had a fall out of a Coach, being with child; she was very well, her con- 
dition of child-bearing considered, for a fortnight after, she was a little 
bruised betwixt the shoulders, all seems to be well; a fortnight after the 
fall she grows ill, as formerly in child-bearing she had been, of windy 
pains and stitches ; it took her with a little Cough and raising, and the 
pain did remit, and go into her Shoulder and Back, her Urine high, and 
Pulse pretty swift, some signs of a windy, some of a legitimate Pleuri- 
sie : after a week she grew better for a day or two, then worse ; her 
spitting and excretion encreased, and pain fixed in her right side ; she 
could hardly swallow, that shewed the Oesophagus hurt, and upwards on 
high, any hard thing hurt her ; she took Lohocks, and raised much or- 
dinary Flegm, like an Empyema : then a week after her raising conti- 
nuing now and then, she spat Blood, her Coughing frequent, and one 
morning she vomited much Blood by Coughing and Excretion; but af- 
ter that the new symptom Hæmoptoe ceased, she was partitis vicibus let 
Blood : after a month or three weeks she grew finely well, her stomach 
to meat was recruited, her sleep greater, her coughing not so much, and 
the purulency less ; then a week being passed, she grew worse, she com- 
plained no more of the Oesophagus, her Expuition and Cough urge, and 
her Legs swell, and she grows Asthmatical, she raiseth much fætid 
Flegm, but now void of Blood; sometimes a fit of raising eases her side- 
pain, which the last weeks did not much trouble her, and sometimes not;  
and sometimes her Asthma fits were eased by coughing, and sometimes 
not; her Asthma sometimes left her, and then she was hugely provoked 
to cough and raise; she wanted sleep and an appetite to any food ; her 
Asthmatical fits being but three or four, though she was always at last  
shortwinded, left her before her death, and she raised, as if matter did 
flow 


30 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
flow into the Lungs from some vicine part exceeding ; and two hours 
afore death she felt her self oppressed with this matter, and raised nigh 
half a pint, coughing and spitting it forth; and after this great fit of 
raising, fainted, and her Head shook, and she died with ratling of the 
matter in her Chest : she desired to rise before she died, and talked chear- 
fully, and much, the night before she died; and these in many are to- 
kens of death, but not in the generality. Here were divers other symp- 
toms and changes of less note, that came on, and went off again : she 
was delivered very easily, and during two or three dayes of purging, 
after her delivery, her Coughing was easie, she raised less, and her 
pain and Asthma very little, but her Lochyes stopping, she Asthma and 
Purulent Matter encreased, and she died three or four dayes after. Most 
Physicians thought her delivery would have freed her ; the Childe was 
very lively in Utero, notwithstanding her sickness, and born well, but 
died a week after, having principles of Corruption in it from the Mo- 
ther ; one thought it a true Pleurisie, another a bastard one at first ; then 
it seemed an inflamation of the mouth of the Stomack; then some Signs 
shewed it in the Stomack; for in Child-bearing she used to vomit, and 
this was restrained after she sickened : some signs were for Adhæsion of 
the Lungs, some for an Empyema; some that the Lungs did swim in 
purulency, some of stopped Blood; some Signs argued it inwardly, as 
hurt in swallowing, some outwardly as her soreness in her side to touch ; 
some argued Wind, for when it went into her shoulder and back, it a- 
bated in the side. 
A month after she sickened (but she was let blood before) her blood 
looked like yellow fat Broath when it was cold, and in it were several 
congealed fleeces, like bits of corrupted flesh. 
VVho would think in those that have pissed purulent matter, that 
it came from the Heart, as appeared by dissection ; in vivo omnia sunt 
pervia. 
5. Let us consider the Prognosticks ; He is a wife Physician that is 
not rash herein: I know a Physician of mean parts, and great practice, 
that I have admired he should happen to judge Life or Death so falsly, 
insomuch that other Physicians have made it a rule to go by, that such a 
party will live, because such a Physician saith, She will die, and so on 
the contrary: what can be found in the Pulse and Urines ? 
They talk of a Serratile or Saw-Pulse, Vermiculating or Crawling 
Pulse, and Intermitting Pulse. I could never find any thing here- 
in worth taking notice of; in well people the Pulse will intermit as 
well as in sick, and in dying people it is seldom found; and it is 
oft the fancy of the Physician that must make all things, so as he 
reads:


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 31
reads : the chief difference in Pulses is, the swiftness, and slownesse, 
strength and faintness of the beating ; and what may be judged hereby, is  
this; in sickness, (for in health with working or running, the Pulse will
beat faster, and in some persons naturally stronglier than in others, and
than at other times) The swiftness of the Pulse argues an Enemy in the 
Blood, or an Humour of an Heterogenious quality to it, that the Heart> 
as the Blood passeth through it, tasts and feels ; and therefore lets it 
out as soon as ever it is in, and being out by Fuga Vacui, dilating it 
self, draws in more, and so sends it swiftly about the whole Body ; if 
there be an high Heterogeneity the Heart expels it the Blood by the 
Pores and Habit of the body, or some particular part, if the Heart is 
strongest, and there be Principles of Fermentation in the humor so qua- 
lified : now if with this swiftness there is strength of the Pulse, it argues 
Nature is strong, and the Spirits are not extinct; if with this swiftness 
the Pulse is faint and weak, the Spirits are sunk, and there is feebleness 
and fainting ; for in Syncope and Deliquiums scarce any Pulse is found, 
or very little and small. 
Urines are looked upon by the Vulgar, as the greatest Prophetical 
matter about the Body of Man ; how familiar is it, and as ridiculous and 
absurd as familiar, to carry waters to Physicians,to know parties distem- 
pers, not telling a word of their Symptoms to the Physician ; judging 
him silly and unlearned in all other things, that cannot tell all their Ails 
by their Water ? and this they do frequently, not intending to take Phy- 
sick, but to bestow a Groat to know what their Disease is, (which they 
understand as much as Geese) and how and when they may recover, and 
whether they shall live or die by their Water; the which, if a Physician 
knows all the Symptoms about the sick, and his Constitution, and could 
see into his Body, he could not oftentimes truly determine of: in dy- 
ing people frequently the Water grows better,and in well people it will 
change strangely, be sometimes paler, sometimes redder ; sometimes 
thicker, sometimes thinner: the Nights Water is oft unlike to the Dayes; 
and some well persons make thick crude Water, and in others, when it 
is cold, it is thick and sedementary like the sick ; the very food we eat, 
and liquor we drink, alter our Urine. I have read of a Fruit in the new 
World, a kind to Coecus Baphicus, that when our Countrey-men ate of 
it, it so coloured their Urine, that they thought they had pissed blood,  
and were afraid to eat any more : so I have heard of other things, some  
that use to drink much Wine, piss the same for smell and colour. 
Furthermore, when the Urine passeth only by and through a few parts, 
I see not how it should shew the Constitution of all parts ; it doth shew 
chiefly distempers of the Kidneys and Bladder, but that being the Sink 
and 


32 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and Channel, Nature strives to wash off, and throw much filth that 
way by the Kidneys and Bladder, and Urine, as Water is good to wash 
off and make Fæculency and Sordity swim away ; that is some reason 
therefore, that both in Cronical and Critical distempers, thick muddy 
sedementary Urine is good, when the Disease is breaking away, especi- 
ally, if before the Urine was clear and limpid , and as if it was strained 
from all foul matter. 
Indeed I have often, to satisfie people, guessed at their Distempers 
by their Urines, and one may often please them ; if it was an high red 
Water, I judged a Feaverish temper, and then I guessed that they had 
Head-ach, Back-pains, Thirst, want of Appetite, Heat, want of 
Rest, Faintness, one day worse than another, &c. with variation ; if 
the Urine was pale and thin, I guessed at Obstructions,that it was strain- 
ed; and in Obstructions usually are these symptoms, Windiness, pain 
at Stomach, and stoppage, and loading there with inappetence and Bra- 
dupepsia, or ill digestion ; short-windedness, Aches in Knees and Shoul- 
ders ; and by fits in the Head, paleness of Countenance, dulness to 
Action and Weariness, heaviness of the Mind, &c. but in Men and 
Women is great variation; indeed we shall rarely find two exactly alike 
in all things; but these things thus conjectured, have often pleased; 
Populus qui vult decipi decipiatur, That people that will be deceived, let 
them be deceived. Some will undertake to tell them, whether it is 
a Mans or Womans Water, their Disease, and whether they will die or 
live. 
Indeed in Halr-pissing, VVorm-pissing, (which Rondeletius saith, He 
would not believe, till he had once seen them) Stones, Gravel, Blood, 
yellow Urine, mucus or pus and such like; somewhat is shewen of the 
very thing that causeth the disease, but how it is seated in the Body, in 
what degree, and in what part, we are often to seek not withstand- 
ing. 
Hippocrates his Aphorisms of Prognosticks were pretty good, so much 
as he wrote thereof, and founded upon what he had experienced ; yet 
because we meet with such variety, we must not expect them to hold 
good (as to the plurality of them) in each other person that they con- 
cern ; tis well if in one in three they hold good ; and some of them will 
rarely be found true, because Hippocrates writ them from the Observa- 
tion of some one singular case we shall seldom see again, or especially to 
terminate so. 
We will here write a few Progostick Signs, that the Reader in read- 
ing other books may not be deceived in his understanding, or expect more 
then he shall find.
APHORISMS

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 33
APHORISMS.
I. Every Disease how dangerous and truculent soever, is not in all 
and at all times Mortal ; nor is any Disease so slight and trivial, but at 
sometimes in some it may lead to death. 
II. Rarely in any one sick person shall we find all Signs Mortal, ex- 
cept nigh death; nor rarely in any considerable sickness shall we finde all 
signs of health ; but we judge from the major number, and most con- 
siderable ones. 
III. That Disease that is slight and small at first, may be mortal at 
last, for that that in a remiss degree causeth sickness, in an extream may 
cause death, a minimis maxima, from the least beginnings are often great 
events; but we are in all cases to be sparing in Prædiction for Life or 
Death, for that is only in the fore-knowledge of God. 
IV. Some sicken one day and die the next; some have many Crises, 
and do hold out divers years; and some after a tedious sickness die, o- 
thers live; if we would prædict herein, the chief thing is, to tell whe- 
ther any of the principal Bowels are wasted, changed or corrupted, in all 
this while. 
V. All intermitting distempers (quoad intermissionem) are safer than 
confirmed and continued, because these shew Wind or Water, or some 
Fluxible matter, and that the parenchyma of no part, or mass of blood 
is much affected ; and also in the Intervals, Nature gets strength and 
relief, and the greater they be, the more. Furthermore it shews, that 
there are some Seeds in the Blood and Humors, that grow to maturity 
in such a time, and trasmute so much matter ; and then the spirits of a- 
nother nature to it, fight with it, raise a fermentation, and throw it off; 
and then Nature is quiet, till the remaining Seeds grow to maturity, 
and have infected much more matter. 
VI. Nature doth not observe that order or method of proceeding in 
Crises, as hath most generally been thought; but to some a Crisis is the 1st, 
to some the second, to others the third, fourth, fifth or sixth day ; and 
then, three, or four, or five, or six dayes after: nor do most that die, 
die in a fit, but for the most part after divers fits, which do not come at 
set times, nor are just of an equality, and of one manner; the sick die 
in calmness and setledness of mind, and as the Vulgar observe, do of- 
ten lighten before death ; And that is a bad sign, when the sick shall 
say, They are well, and feel no pain or ail, suddenly, and on no apparent 
cause, that were very sick & weak a little before. lndeed we see Feavers 
observe Crises or Paroxismes, and therefore call them intermitting Fea- 
E  vers


34 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
vers and Agues; and if there be any set fits or Crises in Fevers, they 
are of Nature to the former, though less apparant, which I think they 
call continual Tertians, Quartans, or Quotidians, and some have axacer- 
bations every seventh day, else I cannot find it verity any more than by 
accident, that they should have Crises on the third, seventh, eleventh 
and one and twentieth days of Acute Diseases, or in one of these : for 
the Crises are onely from the alteration of the Planets governing the 
Disease, and Moon, and those happen not so, or at any set times; there- 
fore some People in twenty four hours, grow extream sick like to 
to die, and have perhaps no more Critical fits of five or six days af- 
ter. 
VII. In all Diseases observe what was wonted to the Sick in health, 
those things are not so bad in sickness: every Disease so far as it differs 
from Nature, the worse; any thing that wont not to be in health is bad, 
or if it be in either extreme. 
VIII. If those things that should refresh, as sleep, ease, nourish- 
ment &c. make the worse after them, ’tis bad ; and joyned with other 
ill Symptoms may give suspicion of death. 
IX. There is no Disease but one time or another, in one or other, is 
cureable ; and there is no Disease so slight and momentless, but in some 
or other, at one time or other, it is incureable : yet though from Pra- 
ctices of Physick we reckon of onely so many and just such Diseases, 
yet there are many grand Alterations, Transmutations, Corruptions, 
Enfissures, Animification, Petrification, Apostemation, Adhæsion and 
Assumption of Parts and Bowels, that are commonliest in the begin- 
ning and lowest degree incureable : 
1. They are hard to be known by signs, and then fit Medicines are
not prescribed. 
2. The Medicines taken, come not nigh those parts. 
3. The Medicines are not long enough, or largely enough taken, 
though very proper. 
X. All Diseases of Malignity, wherein there is a separation of the 
infected matter in the Blood, from the Blood, if that recoils and sinks 
into the Blood again, it sheweth death, and rarely otherwise, if the 
matter have an high Heterogeneity to the quality of our Spirits consti- 
tuting our Vitality ; therefore few that have the Plague-Sores or Car- 
buncles that go in and fall flat, or in the Pox, but they die ; but in Flea- 
Spots, Red Gum, Spots of Children, Ring-Worms, Tetters, Impeti- 
go, &c. because the matter is not so contrary to our Blood and Humours;
if it fall back, or sink into the Blood, it kills not commonly : Yet Phy- 
sicians have gone on hugely blinded in these things; for whatsoever 
mat-


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 35
matter by Feaver and Fermentation is cast forth of the Blood by the 
Skin and Habitum Corporis, if it lie outwardly a few days, and the Par- 
ty sweat and be hot, the Spirits of that Humour that contain the quali- 
ty inimical to our nature, fly forth and exhale ; and then if the insipid 
and mild Blood or Humour be soaked up again, it doth no harm ; for Na- 
ture finding it purged of those high Antipathetick Spirits, receives it as 
a similar matter : Every thing, yea, Inanimate things, apply to, and 
draw to them things not agreeing in figure but quality, and things of 
contrary qualified Spirits put off and withdraw from one another; and 
lest any should think this opinional onely, (as most received Princi- 
ples are) we have related many found Experiments and Observations 
in our Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography , which 
none denying, all must confess, 
Silentia non negat. 
XI. In every Disease, Acute or Cronical, if a Dyspnæa or Asthma
supervene, it is an Evil Sign ; because we live by breathing, and be- 
cause the Heart, the Fountain of Life, wants fanning and blowing up, 
to keep the natural fire of our Bodies from dying or going out. 
XII. In all sicknesses, though there be no pains, no apparant ill sym- 
ptoms, and though all the Bowels seem firm, and the Party is pretty 
strong, yet if the Heart, the Fountain of Life, sink, and faint, and lan- 
guish, without intermissions, and the Spirits are depressed, be not too 
secure ; for the evil qualities of the malevolent Planets, raise the sick- 
ness, and destroy our Life in a Confused Disease, without any known 
Cause. 
XIII. In all Diseases wherein Deliriums, Fluxes of Blood, Vomit- 
ing, Loosness, Singultus, or great Appetite, do supervene, sometimes 
Death, sometimes Recovery suddenly terminates and ends that Dis- 
ease ; yet there is probability why Fluxes in some may cure, and lead 
to Death in others : for the same Signs and Accidents are not likely 
to signifie so bad in some Cases and Constitutions, as in others. 
XIV. If any one is inwardly afflicted, and seemingly in Noble 
Parts, and afterward he is outwardly afflicted , and in the Extremities 
or Superficies, usually it is looked upon as a good sign, and so indeed it 
is, unless it be an Expatiation of the Morbifick Matter, and not a 
Translation; for if withal the Inward and Nobler Parts are as much 
afflicted as before, when the Superficies and Extremities of the Body 
were not swoln, it is an Argument of Death, and weakness of Nature to 
repel.  
E2 XV.

36 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
XV. In prognosticating concerning any outward Humour, Abscess, 
or Flegm, we must consider whether is most in fault, the part affected, 
that being naturally or casually weakened, cannot repel; or being sti- 
mulated, doth violently draw ; or the foulness and fulness of the Body, 
that sends Matter and Humours to a part weaker than others: if the 
fault lies principally in a remote part that cannot repel, or else attracts, 
commonly it is not so bad as when the Blood is loaded with fæculent 
Humours, and doth there on heaps disgorge them, and makes it its 
Channel, thither to send its off-purgings; yet when both are together, 
the worse; therefore swelling of the Legs after Agues are often of 
troublesome consequence. 
XVI. In all Diseases the more the Spittle, Urine, Excrements and 
Sweat break forth in quantity or manner, contrary to Nature, and what 
those people used to have in health, so much the worse; and the more 
Winde, Flegm, and Water we see in the sick, the worse, because they 
shew defect in the Concoction, Heat, and free passage in the Bowels and 
Body. 
XVII. In all Diseases, where there are signs of no Bowel to be al- 
tered, or wasted, or corrupted, and that the mass of Blood is not affec- 
ed, there is great hope of cure, and that by vomiting, purging and open- 
ing : for Diseases that come from corruption of the Food, putrefaction 
of Humours, and Obstructions in the first ways, lie liable to have their 
Cause easily removed , and then the Effects cease : Tolle Causam, & 
cessat Effectus. It is a great piece of Art to distinguish inter similia; be- 
twixt unlikes every stupid man may discern: Windiness, gripings, inter- 
mitting pains, vomiting, loosness, unsavory belchings, breaking winde 
downwards, pursiness, clogging and short windedness, the colour, smell, 
and consistence of things cast out, and what is retained, shew Diseases 
in the first Ways, or Stomach, small Guts and great Ones, or Urinary 
passage. 
XVIII. Where in a sick Person we finde many Symptoms, some 
seeming to shew a Disease in one Part, some in another, some Sym- 
ptoms of long lasting, others of a sudden termination of the Disease; 
we must judge from the most and strongest, what and where the Disease 
is, and how and when it will cease ; also those Symptoms that last
longest, and without intermission, and that came first, are most  
significant.
XIX. Most Diseases that come from an outward, procatarctick and 
known Cause, commonly are most void of Danger, and sometimes by 
forbearing what they knew gave occasion to the rise of the Disease, are 
cured by Nature: In others, the knowing of what caused a Disease, 
gives

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 37
gives good grounds for the appropriation of Medicines to cure it: As 
the Vulgar use to say, A Disease well known, is half cured. 
XX. We are to consider the nature of the Bowels: for a Humour 
in such a part familiar thereto, is not so dangerous as in another part; 
witness Flegm in the Lungs, Winde in the Intestines: Stones, Iron, 
Bones, hard Things, Bullets, &c. in the Stomach, being things swal- 
lowed, and accustomed to the Stomach, are not so dangerous as in other 
Parts not accustomed thereto, and not having a capacity for, and ways 
to avoid, and the faculty to digest them ; in the Brain and Heart, be- 
cause they are the Nobler Parts and Seats of the Heat, Spirits, Motion 
and Sensation in us, those Humours that both for quantity and quality 
may not hurt in other parts, may in these kill; and in all Diseases of the 
Bowels, Blood, or Humours, we are chiefly to consider whether the quan- 
tity or quality most offend; for accordingly we must presage and metho- 
dize our Cure. 
These things are good for a Physician to know, and do hold true for 
the most part: but it is very frequent that we finde those that seeming- 
ly will not dye, to dye; and divers that seem by all Symptoms likely to 
dye, recover; yea, and some that are thought departing, and have their 
passing Bell rung, recover: thence is the Vulgar Proverb, So long as life, 
there is hope. 
We will here give the Reader one Example, whereby he may judge 
of others, and of the Cause and Current of many Diseases, after this 
manner; but the Stars shew more in Acute than Cronical Distem- 
pers. 
A Kinsman of mine, one Mr. Norton, a Minister of a Neighbour 
Town called Barton, falling sick about the beginning of August 1662, 
died August 15. in the morning, I drew a Scheam of his sickness, but 
had not the time of his Decumbiture, but found his sickness corre- 
spond exactly with the Scheam, according to the common Rules of A- 
strology : Cancer was upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the House of 
Sickness, a Sign that governs the Brest, and is Watery; and he was chiefly 
afflicted in his Brest, and much troubled with moisture and winde, and 
vomited : the Moon Lady of the Sixth being weak, and afflicted by Mars,
made him troubled with Choler ; Mercury was his Significator, 
Lord of the Third, being a Kisman, he was Retrogade in the sixth House, 
and nigh Combustion, going to it in his Retrograde Motion; that ar- 
gued him very weak, faint, and oppressed with heat, and so he was, yet 
not clearly a Feaver, as divers have; his Urine moderately high, he  
was given to sighing; when Mercury came to Cazimi with the Sun, 
he

39 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
he died not, but when the Moon, Lady of the House of Sickness, came
to a perfect Quartile Aspect with Mars, Lord of the House of Death, 
then died that Good Man: The night before he died, the Moon applied 
to a Sextile with Jupiter, and Trine with Mercury, and then he had Re- 
freshment, and they were in hopes of his Recovery ; but leaving 
those Aspects, she drew to an Aspect of Enmity with Mars, Lord of the 
Eighth, and then he suddenly changed. There were several Signs of 
his death ; Mercury his Significator, in the sixth House, Retrograde, un- 
der Combustion ; Mars Lord of the Eighth House, and Saturn there- 
in, and the Moon weak; Cancer upon the Sixth, being a moveable Sign, 
and Mars afflicting the Moon : There were some Tokens of the Jaun- 
dice sometimes, and he vomited Cholerick matter, and waterish; and 
though he took a vomit, it still lay at his Chest. 
6. Let us take notice of the Judicatations and Cure, both for Me- 
thod and Medicine, that the Ancients and Neotericks that follow them 
have set down : In Cacochymy, we must alter; in Phlethory, purge, and 
bleed, and sweat; in Cold, we must heat; and in Heat, cool; we must 
moisten the Dry, and dry the Moist : These are approved Philosophi- 
cal Rules, and are certainly true and good, quoad modum & gradum: 
Consideratis considerandis.
In the cure of all Diseases, we shall chiefly meet with two differen- 
ces, 1. Diseases of Quality, 2. of Quantity. 
Diseases of Quality are cured with, 1. Antidotes, 2. Specificals. 
Diseases of Quantity are cured with Vomiting, Purging, Bleeding, 
Sweating, and Diureticals; wherein are introduced Driers, Moistners, 
Heaters, Coolers, Openers and Stypticks. 
First. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quality, these things are 
most considerable ; That every peculiar quality must be opposed by a 
peculiar quality opposite to it: in our Bodies, in one or other, at one 
time or other, are most, if not all the qualities that are in the Earth, in 
Animals, Plants and Minerals; and we finde such a Plant agrees 
with scarce any man, and another agrees with this man, and not that ; 
it is because in the first Plant was a qualified Spirit Heterogenious to 
the common Nature of Mankind; in the second a quality there was He- 
terogenious onely to the peculiar qualification of the Humours in some 
Bodies: those that are used to take Poysons, take them harmlesly, be- 
cause their Blood is by the frequent use of those things changed into their 
nature, and so not being contraries do not fight; One thing is an Anti- 
dote for the Plague, because in it the Spirits are of an heterogenious and 
adverse quality to the quality that ferments our Blood; another thing
is 

A Monitory PROMæMIUM. 38
is an Antidote for the Pox, and kills the the venom or quality thereof, 
that is not so peculiarly opposite to the Pestilence; another killeth the 
quality of the Blood, and Juyces in the French Pox, that hath no adverse 
Spirit to the Small Pox : One thing is good in a malignant Pleurisie, 
Angina, or Peripneumonia, that doth no good in ordinary Quinzies or 
Pleurisies: Riverius did well observe that bleeding People of a malig- 
nant Disease, in one City all died ; in another, where the Disease seem- 
ed the same, all lived that were let blood : See Riverius his Accompt 
of Malignant and Pestilent Diseases, their Causes from the Stars, in 
Capite de Febre Pestilenti. 
What is the Reason in things Inanimate one kills and deads another, 
one draws one to it, and expels or draws back from another ? is it not 
the adverse and inimical qualities in them ? They that please to search 
our Physiology of Qualities, Sympathies and Antipathies, may finde ma- 
ny Examples and large Experiences thereof: So that it is a weakness in 
those that know not Nature or its variety, to conjecture such Effects 
come about from the form or figure of things, and correspodent pores in 
things that receive the Attoms of such a figure. 
We read of two Thebane Princes, Eteocles and Polynices, two Brothers, 
who bore one another a deadly hatred in their Life-time, and fighting a 
Duel they killed one another ; and according to the manner of the Gre- 
cians were to be burnt to Ashes, to keep their Ashes Monumentally in 
a Pot, and so never bury them in the ground as we do; their Bodies be- 
ing both laid in one fire together, the flame divided, and went up in 
two tops, so that their dead and senceless Bodies seemed discontented 
to lie together, who in life had so hated one another. 
Without doubt many acute, malign, and confused sicknesses, would 
be best, easiliest and certainliest cured by Plants of that Planet that are 
antipathetical to the Planet that is found to cause the Disease ; also by 
Sympathy, that way Plants may cure ; as, take an Herb of Venus to cure 
a Disease caused by Mars.
I wish Physicians would take notice how many ordinary illiterate 
People cure Diseases frequently with one Trifle or small Simple, when 
they with their Methods and many Compositions, Intrinsicks and Ex- 
trinsicks, fail to do it: often they give but one Medicine or two, the vir- 
tue of it, and that a Simple for the most part; witness the cure of ma- 
ny Gripings, Pains and Stitches, which they cure commonly and pre- 
sently with Acorns, or Stich-Holly, or Powder of refined Rosin; Jaun- 
dice they cure easily and oft with Specificals , as, Lice, Saffron, or 
Turnerick, Earth-Worms, or Chelidone-Roots : Dropsies they cure 
without such Methods and several Intentions without compositions, and 
multi-

40 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
multiplication of them, with Horse-Radish-Roots, Eldern or Dane- 
wort, flower-de-luce-Roots, or Guaiacum : Agues they cure easilier 
and speedilier with Camphir hung about their Necks, than with all 
the Methods and Compositions Physicians use commonly : So with de- 
coction of Five-leav’d-Grass, or decoction of Herbigrass, Feaverfuge, 
and Centuary, or any one of them, do the Vulgar, thrice given be- 
fore their fits, oft drive away Agues; or with Yarrow, Plantain and Net- 
tles bruised, and laid to their Wrists, or Garlick and Gunpowder, be- 
cause these are Specificals. Almost in all Diseases of quantity, is a pecu- 
liar nature and qualification of the morbid Humour : What variety is 
there in the Method of Physicians? and how in one Distemper let se- 
ven or eight unknown to one another, be set to prescribe, and they will 
variously direct, not onely for Medicines but Method ; one will think 
purging requisite, another not; he may rather approve of vomiting; 
this may be against it, and hold bleeding most requisite ; another is a- 
gainst all evacuation, and holds onely alteration good: another he is 
for Astrological Cure, and sees what Planet gave the distemper , and 
uses an Herb of an Enemy Planet to cure by Antipathy, or of an Ami- 
cal Planet to cure by Sympathy ; yet we may find some Herbs under the 
dominion of such a Planet, very improper; but a wise Physician will 
take those that are proper for the Disease, sua Natura: One or two 
Specificals that sure and tried Experience manifest, do more than large
Compositions hodge-podge, and mish-mash, and Chaos’s of Simples. 
I wonder, not onely the common People, but Physicians, and in other 
respects wise ones, that they should idolize Mithridate, Venice Trea- 
cle, and Mathiolus his Antidote, &c. large Miscelanies of all together, 
that were intended to be good for every thing, and special for no- 
thing. 
I ask whether Compositions have Virtues that none of the Simples 
have? If they receive their Virtue from the Simples, then he that 
knows the nature of the Simples, may best judge the force, and nature, 
and dose of the Composition. I ask whether every Simple doth not 
retain its virtue and force ? if not, why were they put in ? if they do, 
then are there contradictions, to insist onely on Mithridate , by which 
all others may be judged after that manner. If any give it for the Head, 
it must be because some of the Simples, or most, are good therefore, and 
thence the composition receives its virtue ; Fennel Seed, Oil of Nut- 
megs, and Castorium are appropriated thereto, & what are these to forty 
other things improper, in a dram of Mithridate ? very few, if any grains 
of these are therein, and were they not the stronger given alone in due 
quantity ? 
Beside,

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 41 
Beside if we intend to help a stupid distemper of the Brain by Mithri- 
date, because in it are Peppers, Stæchas, Castorium, Fennel Seeds, Ol. 
Nucistæ, &c. do we not do more hurt by the Opium that is in Mithri- 
date ? What Disease may not some of the Simples be proper for ? and 
what Disease is the whole Compound fit for ? be not Agarick, Opopa- 
nax, Ornis and Asarabacca-Roots purging? Hypochystis, Acatia, red 
Rose Leaves, Frankinsence and Storax binding ? Turpentine, Cassia 
Lignea, Scordium, Fennel Seeds, Acorus, Saint Johns Wort, Valeri- 
an, are somewhat opening; and Cinamon, Spicknard, and Celtica , 
Gum Arabick, red Rose Leaves, Opium, Acatia, Hypocistis, &c. stop 
up and bind, hinder all Fluxes, and stop and indurate the Humours ; 
some are violently hot, as the sorts of Peppers, Acorus, Myrrh, Saf- 
fron, Ginger, and Mustard Seed, Castorium, Cardamoms, Cubebs, 
Opopanax, &c. and Opium withstands them all; so that if they are gi- 
ven in a cold Disease, because most are hot, Opium adds to the Disease; 
if an hot Disease, because Opium stops motion the producer of heat, the 
other will inflame ; so that it can be given no way to do good, but ano- 
ther way it may do harm : some things are proper in any Disease, and 
some improper in any Disease : in Contraries must needs be contradicti- 
on : besides, some are proper for one part, some for another, so that 
the Composition is peculiar to none ; Some are Arthritical, as Costus, 
Fennel Seeds, Castor, Ginger, Stæchas, Acorus; some Pectoral, as 
Styrax, Gum Arabick, Saffron, Myrrh, and red Rose Leaves ; some 
Hysterical, as Galbanum, Opopanax, Sagapen, Opium and Castori- 
um; some are Hepatical, as Gentian, Asarabacca, Orris and Cassia 
Lignea ; some are breaking Wind, or Carminative, as Cubebs, Car- 
damoms, Peppers, Castorium, Acorus, Anise and Fennel Seed, &c. 
and Opium contradicts all; for that, besides other things, makes the Me- 
dicine unfit in Windy Distempers. This clearly confutes those that 
make one Medicine to be proper for all Diseases, when each quality 
doth only oppose its contrary. 
I ask whether one ounce of Castor, or of Galbanum, or of Valerian 
Roots, given alone, would not do more, then to mix either of them 
with four times so much of that that is improper, and then give but one 
ounce for a dose ? 
I know divers may flie to that false Ayslum or refuge, Experience in 
this case touching Mithridate: I have observed it, and nothing is done 
by it, but such as in all likelyhood Nature would have effected, or else it 
makes no mutation at all commonly, or people grow worse : Tradition 
is the only plea, not experience ; for experience, not phantasically and 
conceitedly taken, will not vindicate it; but abundance of Composi- 
F  tions


42 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
tions have we generally received in several Dispensatories, only messes 
of altogether ; and how rediculously are they composed and multiply- 
ed ? We should read to judge, not to learn of Tradition in such cases, 
when we think our selves fit to practise ; for Tradition doth many times 
consent only in dissenting; he that only reads, and remembers what  
he hath read, to go by, and to justifie his practice, is not fit to be a Phy- 
sician ; but he that can demonstrate all his proceedings upon grounds 
and accounts of his own ; for what he remembers he hath read, is ano- 
ther mans wit, none of his ; and he shall hardly find three Patients in 
ten that he can tell how to compare to Practical Chapters of Physick 
touching Diseases ; and if he hath no ground of his own to regulate Au- 
thors, he may go to a wrong Chapter, as well as a right. I have used 
to charge Compositions well with the Specificals I trusted to, and to 
have a great care they were in their full force and virtue ; for other 
things that are but sweetners and Vehicles, it is no great matter what 
virtue they have: I have chiefly trutsed to Simples commended by Ger-
rards and other Herbals, for they were experienced good in such Di-
stempers they are praised ; also I drew out all the choice Remedies for
Simples I could find in those Authors I had, and such I did affect to use 
for Compositions : he that knoweth good Simples, may make good Com- 
positions. Yet even in Diseases of Contagion and epidemical, we must 
take away Impediments, else our Alexipharmicalls will not take place. 
In some vomiting is good to clear the Stomach, which may hinder our 
Cure; so the foulness, stoppages, and putrified Matter in the small or 
great Guts, must be took away by Lenitives in Malignant Diseases, else 
such Impediments will hinder the taking place of other things ; So it is 
apparent in Chyrurgery, that the Chyrurgions Office is only to take a- 
way Natures Impediments; he cannot heal, Nature doth that: the 
Similar and Homogenious parts in Ulcers and Wounds desire to unite, 
were the Impediments took away, as is Foulness, Sanies, Apostema- 
tion, Sarcosis or Excrescent Flesh, Pain, Swelling, Heat, Inflama- 
tion, and Afflux of Humours. There are some Medicines indeed glew- 
ing and glutinative, but these cannot heal, but draw together the Lips 
of Wounds, and so united parts grow together ; yet also they glutinate 
and draw up Orifices of corrupted sores, and so the bottom being foul, 
a worse is made, and an hollow Ulcer ; so that nothing properly can 
be termed an Healer, only they all do their Office, some one way, some 
another, to take away Natures Impediments: all the best Medicines 
in the world shall not cure some Ulcers, especially, not till such a 
time, and then perhaps a trivial thing, of Nature on her own accord 
will do it; for if we strive when Nature is not disposed, in all Diseases
we

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 43 
we do nothing, Nature alone will do more: the Stars are a principal 
cause ; for if any one be wounded or bruised at such or such a time, he 
will not be healed of a long time, and till that time come all our Arts 
and Remedies never so choice shall not avail; and when the time is 
come, an old Womans Plaister, or some petty thing chances to cure 
it. In some tumors no suppurating Plaister or Oyntment will make them 
ripen that are not naturally, specially at that time, disposed to ripen and 
suppurate ; and in others, no discussing or dissolving Topicalls will hin- 
der them from ripening ; so that if we chance not to light of the right 
time, and to assist Nature in that way she is disposed and inclined ; yet 
in many tumors, specially if we wait, in some longer, in some a shorter 
time, Discussion is made by Discutients, and Suppuration by Matura- 
ters ; because Nature was thereto suaptè inclined or disposed, or else 
did stand neuter; and so by outward force, as by a weight put into Scales 
that were even, the Ballance was turned. 
In Exanthemata and most Eruptions & Tumors, the proper way next 
to sweating is, to use Topicalls, εìς diαοòρnσν, to open the Pores, and 
let out the evil Quality or Heterogenious Spirit of the Diseased Matter, 
specially in malign Pustules and Tumors; for the malign Quality be- 
ing evaporated by insensible Transpiration, the Mass left is insipid and 
void of Heterogeneity,and so is sucked up again by the Veins, and recei- 
ved by the Blood; for inimicalls love not to be joyned together. 
I have observed in the use of Dialthea Oyntment, Oyl of Lillies, of 
sweet Almonds, and some like hereto, that swellings anointed here- 
with, make their dimensions and extensions the larger, specially if we 
do anoint farther then the swelling reaches, and before the matter is 
fixed, while it is fluxible and thin,; for though these Diaphoreticalls 
and Emollients are very proper to let out the fiery sharp or Inimical 
Spirits of the humour that caused the Blood to separate it, and throw 
it off upon a part weakest, and that could not repel,and nighest; yet they 
loosen the subjected flesh, and make the capacity larger for the humor 
to swim in, and the skin to be distended ; yet we must not look any 
thing should happen alike in all ; we are sure the Medicines have al- 
wayes such virtues, and connatural operations; but the difference is in 
the Body, and there is agreement only as to disagreement; yet we may 
properly say, (denommatio sumitur a majori) that such is the ordinary 
course of Nature, that happens most frequently amongst so many vari- 
eties and diversities. 
Reader, what ever I deliver, that I do not prefix or annex to it, I
think, I think, It is probable, or the like, thou mayest take for a sure 
F2  and


44 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and found Truth ; for I have not given my self to believe Tradition or 
any Opinions of men, but have judged them, and brought them to the 
Bar of sure Experience; and where I could not find two or three good 
and infallible witnesses in Nature for them, I rejected them, especial- 
ly if the course of Nature in other things did not harmonize and hold 
therewith. 
I do not desire any man should believe any thing because I believe it; 
let him believe the Experiences, Examples and Histories that men have 
in divers Ages and Countreys consentaneously writ; no projects of 
their own Brain, nor Imaginations; for that hath spoiled all Learning 
every where, because men will not contemplate the works of GOD, 
and know all the Secrets and Varieties in the wonderful course of Na- 
ture, the real effects of a GOD. How would men agree in all Points 
of Religion, and of Opinion concerning GOD, and how He is to be 
worshipped, what He is, and wherefore He made this World, and the 
Office of Man, did they truely and really (void of all fond Concepti- 
ons and Imaginations) adhere to the course of Nature, and search her ? 
Doubtless God did not give a Rational Faculty to Man, to deceive and 
entrap him ; and we see what one Eye apprehends black or white, ano- 
ther doth ; and what one Pallate tastes sweet, another doth; and what 
one Eat hears found shrill or loud, another doth ; and what one Nose
smells unsavory, another doth ; and what one Hand touches hard or soft, 
the Hand of another feels it so ; I mean purely according to Nature : 
Then let us conclude these things are all true, and really so, that the u- 
niversal Nature of Man consents to own and approve of ; and that o- 
ther things are questionable, and must be brought to the Bar of sure Ex- 
perience, to be tried ; for GOD gave us not our Senses, Hearing, See- 
ing, Smelling, Feeling, and Tasting, to deceive, and entrap, and con- 
found us: All mankind might be satisfied in one Religion, as well as 
in unanimity in Philosophy, were things cleared, that one mans Eye 
might see them as well as another ; no man surely would deny Experi- 
ence, that he could both see, hear, feel, taste, or smell himself : So the 
Doctrine of Spirits is writ by the experience of many men; and did not 
the self-same things happen in our Age and Countrey, we might 
distrust tradition : When we hear men say they saw such things them- 
selves, and they were addicted to no fond belief, and in all other things 
staid and prudent, we may have reason to believe them.  
2. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quantity, we might say some- 
what, whereof hath partly been spoken before ; and touching Vomit- 
ing, Purging, Bleeding, Sweating, and Ureticks, we have spoke in our 
Book of Nosology, in our Physiology and Jatrosophy whether we refer 
the


45 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
the Reader: yet because we did not there describe the Humours to be 
purged, and their diversity and nature, so that the Reader might sin- 
cerely and throughly apprehend the Truth of those four Humours, 
Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy, we shall discourse a little 
thereof here. 
I do allow, with the Ancients and Neotericks, that the Humours of 
the Body may be called properly, Φλέγκμ, Flegm, Χολή, Choler, udωg,
Water, υελαyχολiα from μsλæν, black, and Χολή, Choler, Melancholy, 
or black Choler: But that the Reader may know the truth, we shall 
give these Exceptions: 
First, That the Names are onely Figments and Phancies of 
Men. 
Secondly, That Nature observes no Method or Order herein, 
as, that that Humour that is not Flegm , must be Melancholy ; 
or that that is not truely Melancholy, according to Physicians 
Description thereof, must be Water ; and that Humour that cor- 
responds not with either of these , according to Ancient Rules 
and Authorities, must be Choler ; There is no such thing in 
Nature. As for Example : Melancholy by its Name sigifies 
black Choler ; by their Attributes it must be black, and a kind 
of Choler, it must be fluid and thin ; by the taste, say they, 
tart; by nature of mutation, Scirrhous, and apt to grow fæcu- 
lent : I answer, We may finde an Humour that is black , and 
very bitter; in the one it accords with Melancholy, in the o- 
ther with Choler ; what then shall we call it ? Another Hu- 
mour is found black, thin like Water, not coagulative ; what 
shall we call this ? also sweet in taste, so that the taste agrees 
with Flegm, the consistence with Water, the colour with Melan- 
choly. So in the generality. 
Thirdly , Why should we give Names to Humours, and those
naturally to be so qualified, when we finde not so in the course 
of Nature, not as a Rule, onely as a Contingent and Accident ? 
For suppose any Physician should open a Mans Head, or other 
Part, and finde therein the cause of his Death to be a gellied 
Water, black, stinking, and insipid ; must we therefore write 
of all mankinde, there is an Humour in all Bodies which we 
thus call, which is gellied, black, stinking and insipid, when we may ne- 
ver find exactly the same again ? For in another that is dissected, we 
may find the blackness of an humour, but not the absence of taste ; or 
the gelliedness of an humour, and not the blackness ; or the stinking of 
an humour, and not the gelliedness :  and so it is as purely accidental 
that

46 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
that we meet with Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy in the Bow- 
els, especially Choler and Melancholy, just as they describe: Water in 
the bellies of Hydropicks agrees the most together, and in all may pro- 
perly be called Water; yet in some it is thicker, in others thinner; in 
some clear, in others yellow, in others blackish; in some stinking, in 
others sweet, in some bloody; so that it is hard to say whether it is 
waterish Blood, or bloody Water: and in other parts of the Body, Wa- 
ter (if it be good to use such a general name to express our selves) differs 
more, so that it is hard to say whether it be waterish Choler, or a chole- 
rick Water ; or a waterish Flegm, or a flegmatick Water; or a water- 
ish Melancholy, or melancholy Water : They that intend to be sais-
fied in Truth alone, and to acquiesce therein, had best build their Faith 
on sure Foundations, and read Observations, Anatomies and Dissecti- 
ons, and consider all from what they can experience, or what many others 
have experienced, not conjectured.
I think it the best way to teach any, to let them read onely Observa- 
tions, and Experiences, and Similitudes, and therefrom, with their own 
consideration, and comparing one thing with another, make general 
Rules and Tenents in Philosophy. What man can imagine (that did ne- 
ver experience himself, or read, or hear it to have been experienced) 
that there is such variety in fire ? that some fire will burn and not be 
seen ; and some look like flame, and yet not burn ; that some should be 
quenched with Oyl, and kindled with Water; that some should burn in 
the depth of the Earth, and in the Sea, and in Lakes ; that Wood rub- 
bed together should burn ; that Fire should be procured from a Glass of 
Water set in the Sun, Toe laid betwixt, and many such things: It is not 
fit men should write of a thing, that know little thereof, onely conje- 
cturally ; for therein men lose their time and pains, and cannot assert 
any thing but from such a mans ita dixit, or ipse dixit, or so many men 
are of that minde, when by experience the thing might be put out of 
all dispute.
Of 

47 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Of the New Method, or Astrologo-
Physical Way of Studying and Practi-
sing Physick. 
In all sick Parties, more notice is not to be taken of the sick Parties
Information, than of the Position of the Heavens at the time of
the Parties falling sick, or when his Decumbiture and first lying
down was or when grievous Symptoms did arise: if this time
cannot be taken, then the Physician must draw a Scheam of the Hour
and Minute he was first sent for in, and wherein the Parties Urine was
brought, and the Question made from the Sick, and Advice taken
first.
The Physician in this Scheam must consider the Lord of the Ascen-
dant, or first house, to be significator of Sick; and the Lord of the
sixth House, to be Significator of the Sickness; the Lord of the Seventh
personates the Physician, and Lord of the Tenth the Medicine or Phy-
sick. 
Yet if the sick Party enquire not himself, the Lord of the Ascendant
shall signifie the Enquirer or Querent; and if it be a Brother that is
sick, the Lord of the third House shall be his Significator, or for a Neigh-
bour ; if a Father be sick, the Lord of the Fourth; if a Wife, the Lord
or Lady of the Seventh ; if a Child, the Lord or Lady of the fifth house;
and so as to other Relations, according to Astrological Rules, too tedi-
ous here to go thorow ; yet I alwayes thought the Lord of the Ascen-
dant to have, in all figures a great signification.
The Moon in all figures, especially of Diseases, hath great signi-
cation, though she be neither Lady of the Ascendant, Sixth, Eighth, or
Tenth House.
In Scheams for the Sick, the principal Significators of the Sick, and
his Disease, and the Moon, if they be in the first House, or first sign
Aries, afflicted, they signifie the Sick is afflicted in the Head, or some
part thereof, as Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Face, &c.
If in the second House, or in the second Sign Taurus, they shew Dis-
eases

48 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
eases in the Neck and Throat, as, Struma’s, Kings Evils, and melan- 
choly sicknesses; but the Lord of the Sixth, the Sign thereof, and the 
Moon, must chiefly shew what the sickness is. 
The principal Significators in the third Sign and House, chiefly shew 
ails in the Arms, Shoulders or Hands; and Gemini shews distempers of
blood, in what House soever. 
In the fourth Sign and House, the Stomach, Brest and Lungs are affe- 
cted ; Cancer gives scabbedness and waterishness. 
In the fifth House, and in Leo, the Party is afflicted in the Back and 
Loins, or Heart, or about the Ribs; and Leo shews Choler, or too much 
high Blood. 
The sixth House, and Sign Virgo, shews distempers in the Mesentery 
and Abdomen-Guts, and first Ways ; Virgo is melancholick, and gives 
Fluxes and Windiness. 
The Lord of the Ascendant, of the sixth House, and Moon, in the se- 
venth House, and seventh Sign Libra, shew the Disease is in the Kidneys 
or Loins, in the Buttocks or Groin and Privities; Libra gives heats 
and surfeits, and venerious distempers. 
In the eighth House and eighth Sign Scorpio, shew affects in the Pri- 
vities, Anus, and Share, in the Huckle-bones and Buttocks; Scorpio 
sometimes shews Piles, Stone in the Bladder and Tenasmus. 
The ninth House and Sign Sagitary, the Hips, and Hams, and But- 
tocks are affected: Sagitary gives Itchy fistulous corruption, and Scia- 
tica’s. 
In the tenth House and tenth Sign Capricorn, the Knees and Hams, 
and upper Leg is affected : Capricorn oft gives outward blemishes, and 
those from Melancholy. 
In the eleventh House and eleventh Sign Aquaris, the Skin, Legs and 
Anckles are amiss. 
In the twelfth House and Sign pisces, the Anckles, and Feet, and 
Toes are afflicted. Judge by other Signs the nature of the Dis- 
ease. 
It cannot be expected that in all or in many figures we should finde 
the first Sign Aries, on the Cusp of the Ascendant, or Taurus on the 
Second, or Gemini on the Third; therefore we must judge from the 
greater probability ; for there will be great alteration in all Scheams: 
nor must we expect to finde often the Lord of the Ascendant, or Signi- 
ficant of the diseased man, the Lord of the sixth House or of his Sick- 
ness, and the Moon, all in one Sign or House; but we must judge from 
the greater probabilities ; two are greater than one, and the Lord of 
the Sixth is most significant, as to the part afflicted; the Sign he is in,
and

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 49 
and the Sign that descends on the sixth House,and the Degrees of those, 
chiefly shew the part or parts afflicted ; compare the Sign the Moon is 
in with these. 
In the next place (having found out the part affected) we must see how 
it is affected, or what the cause is ; and therein we must consider, First, 
the nature of the Sign that is upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the 
House of Sickness, and also the nature of the Sign that ascends, which 
is somewhat, though less considerable, than the Sign of the sixth. 
If Aries descend on the sixth, it shews the Sickness fiery and hot and 
cholerick: Aries shews Pushes, Wheals, smarting Pimples, Tooth- 
ach, Headach, Noli me tangere, Ring-worms, &c. 
Taurus is an earthy cold dry melancholy Sign ; and that shews, 
Kings-Evils, Wenns, Fluxes of Rheum, Quinzies bastard, Apo- 
stems. 
Gemini is an airy, hot, moist and sanguine Sign; it shews Putrescence 
of the Blood, Windiness, distemper of the Judgement and Phan- 
tasy. 
Cancer is a Tropical Sign, the only House of the Moon, waterish, cold
moist and Flegmatick; its shews upon the sixth in a Disease, a cold Sto- 
mack, abounding of Flegm, Pthysicks and Catarrhs, Coughs, Dropsies, 
waterish Apostemations, Cancers in the Dugs or Paps, and other Infir- 
mities of those parts it governs. 
Leo is the only House of the Sun, its nature is hot, dry, cholerick, and 
accordingly signifies Inflamations, specially in those parts it governs, 
Pleurisies and Side Pains, Back Pains and Oppression of the Heart and 
Spirits by heat, Heart-panting and Burning Feavers, and Malignant 
Affects, Feaverish Jaundices, &c. 
Virgo is an earthy, cold, melancholy Sign; it signifies Wind, cold 
Cholicks, Stoppages, Worms, Engendring of Stones, Observations of 
the Meserick Veins, &c. 
Libra is an airy hot moist and sanguine Sign; it signifies Stones m 
the Reins and Bladder, Heat and Putresence of a retained Matter in 
the Back, Loins, and Groin, Infirmities of the Ureters and Urinary Pas- 
sage, exulceratious pissing of Blood. 
Scorpio is a cold watery and flegmatick Sign, and accordingly shewes 
Diseases, as Fistula’s, Dropsies, Gonorrhæs, cold Apostems, and 
moist Exulcerations, Flegmatick Swellings, and Obstructions therefrom 
in the lowest parts of the Belly, Diseases also specially of flegm and 
moisture in Utero et Pudendis : yet it is a token also of Child-bearing 
and fruitfulness. 
Sagitary is of the fiery Triplicity, hot dry and cholerick; it shews 
G  Putrescence

50 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Putrescence of the Blood in those parts it governs, whence may be sharp 
Exanthemata, and fiery Swellings, Itches, Inflamations and Aposte- 
mations, from a separation or corrupted and hot Blood thrown off upon 
those parts, which according to the degree and nature of it, and the 
qualification and strength and disposition of that part to receive, some- 
times this, sometimes that, sometimes more, sometimes less. 
Capricorn upon the sixth, shewes a Disease cold dry earthy and 
melancholy; from hence may be judged,that the party is diseased much 
about his Knees, and that there is some swelling pain or breaking out 
from some earthy cold and melancholy humour, or else it doth concrete: 
But we cannot stand so long as to describe the tenth part requisite for 
the Physician to know, he must first study Astrology, and therein he may 
be informed of many other things ; adjoyning thereto the knowledge 
of the Humours, and their various Motions, Mutations, increase and 
decrease, also, the Vessels and the Parts, and their natural Offices and 
life, and which way aptest to be spoiled, or most capable of Corruption. 
Aquaris is an airy, sanguine, hot and moist sign, governing the Legs 
and Ancles. Hence may be guessed, if upon the sixth House, or the 
Lord of the sixth or Moon be therein, that the party is there (however in 
other parts besides afflicted, and that there are varices or goutish 
windy Pains or Swellings, or Lameness, or Cramps, &c. of that na- 
ture ; but it requires abundance of curiosity, more certainly and accu- 
rately to describe particulars, 
Pisces, is cold, moist and flegmatick, shewing Gouts, Lameness, Fleg- 
Flematick Swellings, Dropsies of the Feet, Chilblanes, Phlyttenaaquofa, 
Flegmatick Apostemations, &c. of like nature. 
Now for the Planets, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, 
Luna. 
Saturn, characterized, Lord of the Ascendant, in a Scheme that is 
drawn at the decumbiture of the Sick ; denotes the Person of the Sick, 
and that he is of a cold earthy dry melancholy Constitution, or incli- 
ned more or less thereto ; Lord of the sixth House, the House of Sick- 
ness, it argues the Disease to be in that part, that the Sign he is in prin- 
cipally governs, compared with the Sign desceding upon the Cusp of 
the sixth; and observe the Degrees he is in in that Sign, for accordingly 
the chief Grief is higher or lower in that part; also by natural sympa- 
thy he principally rules the Spleen: These things considered,and that he 
is Cronical, portending Diseases of long time, Astrologers have ob- 
served, that all Impediments in the right Eare, and Teeth, that Quar- 
tane Argues, all dry and melancholy Distempers, Lepra and Elephanti- 
asis, Palsies, Tremblings, loss of Hearing, Carus and Coma, Sopor and 
Stupor

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 51 
Stupor, Gouts, vain Fears, Ruptures that grow Scirrhous, Dog Hun- 
ger, Hæmorrhoids, &c. of like nature proceed from Saturn. 
Jupiter ♃, signifies, when he personates the sick party, that he is 
moderately hot constitutioned, abounding with blood, and if well dig- 
nified, that is, of very good inclinations of mind, affable and grateful : 
When he is Lord of the sixth House, and personates the Disease accor- 
ding to the Sign he is in that principally governs such a part, and the 
Sign upon the sixth, there chiefly the Sickness lyes, and the Sign that the 
Moon is in; yet Jupiter peculiarly governs the Liver, and the venal 
Blood in that part may be inflamed, or apostemated, or break forth: 
he is observed to cause most Diseases that arise from Putrefaction of 
the Blood, Pleurissies, Inflamation of the Lungs & Liver, heart-beating 
from Blood offending in quantity or quality, Qunizies, Pains in the 
back, because he governs Leo, Putrid Feavers, &c of like quality. 
Mars, characterized ♂, Lord of the Ascendent, or that House that 
shewes the person of the sick ; shewes his temperament to be hot and 
dry, cholerick, and of a fiery angry mind.  
When he signifies the Disease, he shews the Jaundice ; he chiefly by 
Homogeneity of Nature, governs the Gall: Also Astrologians ascribe 
to him these Diseases, Evils of the left Ear, Tertian Feavers, Megrims, 
Carbuncles & Pestilent Agues, Malign & Epidemical feavers,Fistula’s, 
Ringworms, St Anthonies Fire, sharp and cholerick Eruptions, Boiles 
and Exanthemata, Wounds, Cuts, Burnings, Scalds, Passions of the 
Mind, as Anger, Fury, Frenzies, Deliriums, and others consonant and 
deducing their cause from Choler. 
Sol, or the Sun, the Fire and Light of this World, is characterized 
thus, ☉, he sympathises by Homogeneity of Nature with the Heart, 
the Microcosmical Sun; and as the greater of like nature by sympathy 
or similiar attraction, influences upon the less, so the Sun upon the 
Heart of Man. The Solar Man is hot and dry, but more temperate than 
Mars ; he shews fault in the Arterious Blood and Heart, as Palpitation 
and Syncope, vitiated or defective Sanguification : If the Sun be Lord of 
the sixth and very weak,and afflicted by Saturn, judge the Seeds of San- 
guification are almost extinguished. Mans right Eye is given to the Sun, 
and Womens left : therefore in Infirmities of the Eyes, the Sun is 
to be considered : The Sun shews in all Figures, but more where he is 
a significator, Strength or Weakness of the Vital Spirits ; and though a 
Man hath many and great Enemies, yet so long as he is strong to keep 
them out or over-power them, it is nothing ; bur where Nature is weak, 
and can make no resistance, a little thing dejects her. 
Venus is thus characterized, ♀ : The Ancients called her, Cytherea,  
G2  Aphrodite, 

52 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Aphrodite, Vesperugo, Phosphorus, Ericina; she chiefly signifies Diseases 
ofnthe Matrice and Privities ; in scroto et testiculis, the Lues Venerea, 
Gonorrhœa, Priapismus, Tengio, Satyriasis, Coitionis Munera, belong 
to her, specially if her Sign Libra is on the sixth House ; If Taurus, be- 
cause that shewes Diseases in the Neck, descends on the sixth, she shews 
watery or flegmatick Apostemations in the Neck or Throat, bastard 
Quinzies, Rheumatick Swellings, Flegmatick Kernels, or Venereal 
Exulcerations; Lady of the Ascendant, she shews the Temperance of 
the Sick or Querent to be moist, flegmatick, and something inclined to 
Sanguine; if well dignified, she shewes good Conditions, Mirth, a lo- 
ving and pittiful Nature. 
☿ Mercury follows next, the least of all the Planets, who alwayes ac- 
companies the Sun ; the furthest distance is 27 degrees : he of all the 
Planets is only a Neuter, neither Masculine or Feminine, but as he is 
joyned to a Male or Female ; he chiefly rules the Tongue & Language, 
Wit and Eloquence : when he is ill dignified, if a material significator, 
the Sick is in danger to be light-headed, but more or less as it may be, 
Madness, Lethargies, Phrensies, dull memory, Giddiness, Hoarsness, 
Coughs, Imaginary Sicknesss, Dumbness, Stammering, Numbness, &c. 
are given to him as the Causer and Signifier. 
☽ the Moon is chiefly considerable concerning Sicknesses, though 
she is neither Lady of the Ascendant, or sixth House, or Significatrix of 
the person of the Sick, nor Lady of the eighth, the House of Death; she 
shwes much how the Disease will change ; and it is much to be consi- 
dered who she applies to, and from whom she separates, her Dignity, 
and the Nature of the Sign, and House she is in ; she signifies Water in 
the Head, that may cause Stupor Tremor, Palsies, Apoplexes, Verti- 
go’s, Epilepsies, Lunasie, Convulsions, Madness and Dullness, as the 
Water is milder or sharper, hotter or colder, more vellicating or nar- 
cotical qualitied; she by her Sign Cancer governs the Breasts, she causeth 
Dropsies, Water-bladders, Rheumatismus, Catarrhs & Coriza, Rheums 
of the Eyes, in the left of Men, and right of Women when she repre- 
sents the sick Person, she shews his Temper, cold moist and phlegma- 
tick ; she signifies Diseases changeable ; Mercury Diseases fixed, Sa- 
turn Diseases most cronical, Mars acute Distempers, the Sun and Ju- 
piter acute, but less acute than Mars; Venus shewes Diseases cronical 
and more mild, but these alter and vary as they are dignified and posi- 
ted, and in conjunction with such or such, and as they are in fixed move- 
able or common Signs. 
Concerning Crises in Diseases, Hippocratists and Galenists, set the
third

53 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
third or fourth day, the seventh, the ninth, the twelfth and fourteenth, 
doubling three or four, and so to twenty one, for critical dayes; but 
experience finds truth in somewhat else: indeed in many Sicknesses, 
which therefrom we call Agues, or intermittent Feavers ( every Ague 
is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague ;} the Crises come once 
a day, that we call a Quotidian, or twice in 24 hours, that we call a 
double Quotidian, or when one Crisis or Fit is off, strait succeeds ano- 
ther ; another hath a double tertian, viz., a Crisis twice in three dayes, 
that a first had it but once in that term. A Paroxysme truly considered, 
is nothing but a Crisis ; and there are no other certain legitimate and 
methodical Crises; another hath a fit but once in four dayes, that we call 
a Quartane, or two dayes sick, one well; which therefore the vulgar 
call A third days Ague ; another every fifth or seventh day is sick ; and 
now in these I allow, the Galenical Crises,but not in common acute and 
not feaverish Distempers, as continual Tertians, Quotidians and 
Quartanes ; for the Quality of the morbifick Humour may be such, that 
it may make one sick every day, and yet a fit comes but once in three 
or four, where in is Exacerbation ; and here continual Feavers differ
from intermitting, because in the Crises or Paroxysms of continual Fea- 
vers, the infected Matter is not thoroughly expelled ; in pure intermit- 
tings it is, only the Seed of such a nature, lies in the Blood that trans- 
mutes in two or three dayes as much more morbid Matter, which the 
Blood perceives, and ferments to separate, and doth effectually by 
Sweat, Urine, Vomit, or Exanthemata do it. The word κρίσis comes 
from κρίνω to judge : And Avicen faith, Crisis est velox motus mor-
bi ad salutem, vel ad mortem; so that we gather that is truly a Crisis in the 
meaning of the Ancients, that is a suddain change, so that Death or Life 
may be judged apparently. 
To which I answer; How many, as the vulgar say, do lighten afore 
death, are very well rid of their pains and miseries, and seem past all of 
a suddain, and die within few hours after ? how many are there that 
have many sharp Crises afore death ? at least two or three frequently, 
and the Sick escapes them, and growes better after each, and yet dies at 
last, sooner or later: in such a Crisis, or after the Crisis is over, the 
sick die quietly and easily. 
παξνσμos, a Fit comes from παρoξνεiv, to stir up ; and I know not 
what great difference can be made twixt Crisis and Paroxysmus, for the 
Crisis is a Paroxysme, but every Paroxysme they mean is not a Crisis; 
and why ? because Crisis portends a suddain change ; and we can there- 
by judge of the death or suddain recovery of the Sick. 
I answer; there is no such thing in the bounds of truth, only acci- 
dentally

54 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
dentally some may guess death or life, and as easily speak the contrary; 
nor are Crises alike in sick persons for number, greatness, or conformi- 
ty of kind or invasion. The truth is this, the Motion of the Moon, of the 
Lord of the Ascendant, Lord of the House of Sickness, and of the House 
of Death, only and truly shew the motion Paroxysmes, Exacerbations 
and Crises or Decretory Dayes, in such confused and acute Diseases as 
they attributed Crises to ; and if that appears, Crises must not happen 
every third, or fourth, or seventh, or twelfth, or fourteenth, or seven- 
teenth, or twenty one day, and no other, as they did falsely conceit: 
When the Moon applies to a Qartile or Aspect of enmity to the Lord of 
the Ascendant, or Lord of the sixth, then is like to be a sick fit; when 
she applies to a Sextile or Trine Aspect, to either of them, then is like- 
ly to be an interlude or refresliment, other Aspects and Planets motion 
not causing the contrary ; the Moon in opposition to the significator of 
the Sick, or sickness causeth extraordinary illness ; also when the 
Lord of the House of Sickness (the more if he is a malevolent Planet, 
as Saturn or Mars) comes to a Quartile Aspect, or Opposition to the Lord 
of the Ascendant, there is raised in the Sick a Paroxysme or Crisis, the 
Lord of the Ascendant being weak, and by nature an enemy to the Lord 
of the sixth, so much the worse, the more the Sick is cast down, the 
Lord of the eighth being the House of Death, if he be strong and ma- 
levolent, and come to a Quartile Aspect with the Lord of the sixth (any 
Aspect with him is bad) and the Lord of the sixth, and also of the first
House be weak, and otherwise afflicted, we may suspect death ; but if 
the Sick through strength or friendly Aspects of Jupiter or Venus, or Lord 
of the seventh or tenth, the House of Physick or Physicians do pass that 
fit, it is likely they will recover: but the true Significators of the Sick 
and his Sickness should be taken at his Decumbiture, and so considered 
all along in their places, Signs, Houses, Dignities, Motions and Aspects 
with other Planets; yet if we draw a Schem at the Decumbiture or first 
falling sick, and Mars be Lord of the Ascendant, and Mercury of the 
sixth, and we draw another a day, two or three after, there may be ano- 
ther Planet Lord of the Ascendant, and another Lord of the sixth House, 
but the course of the first are to be considered most; and seeing there 
is such great change in most, both Critical and Cronical Ailds, the pre- 
sent Lord of the Asendant, sixth and eighth House, are to be weighed 
in every Scheme we draw upon changes of the Sick ; but in all things 
consider the Moon, though Lady of none of the aforesaid Houses, also 
Jupiter and Venus, though by government of houses no Significators or 
consignificators, yet if joyned by body, or friendly Aspect applying to the 
Lord of the Ascendant or sixth House, especially if strong, they bring great
refresh- 

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 55
refreshments, ease, & alleviation to the Sick; so the malevolent Planets, 
Mars and Saturn, though they; be Lords of Houses unconcerned in the 
Sickness, which shews their ill-will and power the less, and the less to 
respect or tend towards the Sick, yet joyned by body or by Quartile 
Aspect or Opposition reflecting upon the Lord of the Ascendent or sixth, 
or Moon, they do deject the Sick, and increase his Griefs ; indeed any 
Aspect, though Trine or Sextile, of the Significators with them, is bad ; 
that part is most afflicted according to the Sign they cast an inimical 
Aspect to, and are in: but in most Schemes and Figures that we draw; we 
shall find much and many contradictions, in some it is hard to say one 
or other, there are as many reasons or arguments for a thing, as against it; 
and we know not whether of them are most or greatest : And even so we 
find things in the universal course of Nature here below, to be answer- 
ing to the divers Motions, Stations, Fortitudes, Aspects, and Retrogra- 
dations of the Planets ; for in one mans happiness is this or that un- 
happiness, so that we can hardly say, he is more happy in his wealth, 
than he is unhappy in his sickness. I have well considered it; and he 
that knowes these things, and doth well consider, and compare, shall as- 
suredly, find that the contingents and things on earth, that happen to, 
and are in and about Man, come and fall out just according to the me- 
thod and order of the Heavenly Bodies ; and what detraction can it be 
from God, or Heterodoxity to say, The one is governed or guided by the 
other, being we see assuredly they do fall out, and have their current 
and ordinary natural motion so and in that manner? for every thing hath 
its cause ; and if good comes immediately from God without the inter- 
vene of contingent and natural Causes, so then would Evil be made im- 
mediately wilfully and partially to arise from God, if it did not acci- 
dentally according to the Order of Nature so fall out ; which Order in 
Nature God hath committed to the course of the wandring Stars, so far 
as our reason and knowledge, experience and capability can reach ; 
which course of the Planets God at first made, and that is the wonder 
they have ever since continued and he knew how they would change 
and vary, and what and when, and how things would be changed and ef- 
fected. 
There may be many exceptions made which in one place or other of 
our Writing, or Scripture, we have endeavoured to give satisfaction 
in. 
In all Schemes we must compare one thing with another; for as in the 
Heavens are good and bad and indifferent Signs, so in one sick Body, 
some Signs shew Shortness, some protraction of the Disease, some shew 
Death, some Recovery, and some are neither.  
Moreover

57 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moreover, in all Changes we must see what Planets afflict the Moon, 
and Lord of the Ascendant and sixth House, and judge of the Humour  
accordingly: Saturn governs the Petrifying, Scirrifying, gross and earthy 
Spirit in Man : Mars governs the fiery sharp thin Evaporative and 
caustick Quality in Man : the Sun and Jupiter chiefly govern the San- 
guisick Quality in Man, the Sun more properly the Sanguisick Princi- 
ple, or Heart; the Liver and Venal Blood are given to Jupiter, and 
animisick Qualities. 
The Moon gives Waterishness and Moisture, specially encreasing;
decreasing she decreases it : Venus chiefly governs the Spermatifick
Quality ; and Mercury the Sense or Rationality of the Brain; but 
Venus gives Flegm chiefly ; Mercury inclines the Way, or that, as he is  
conjoyned with others. 
We Shall next proceed to the Astrological Cure of all Diseases, and 
treat as briefly thereof as we may conveniently. 
If the Disease is caused by Saturn, we may cure by Sympathy with a 
Plant of Jupiter, the Sun or Mercury, for they are friends to Saturn; or 
we may cure a Disease caused by Saturn, by Antipathy, by a Plant of 
Mars or venus, his enemies. 
If Jupiter cause the Disease, or be Lord of the sixth, or afflict the 
Lord of the Ascendant at Decumbiture, all Medicines cure by Sympa- 
thy ; all the Planets being by Astrologians reckoned friends to Jupiter, 
but Mars, and a Plant of Mars may cure by Antipathy. 
If Mars cause the Disease, or be Lord of the Sickness, that is cured 
by Sympathy by a Venerial Plant; by Antipathy by Medicines Gover- 
ned by any of the other Planets ; yet in this case, the Sympathy with 
Venus is of greater force than the Antipathy of Mars, with the rest of the 
Planets. 
A Disease of the Sun is best cured by a Plant of Saturn antipatheti- 
cally for Saturn alone is his enemy; but by Sympathy by a Plant of 
any of the other Planets, indifferent friends with him. 
A Sickness caused or governed by Venus, is best cured by Antipathy, 
by a Plant of Saturn, Contraria contraijs curantur ; but the Plants of 
all other Planets being friends, if they cure it is by Sympathy. 
A Sickness caused by Mercury, is cured sympathetically by a Plant of 
Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, being his friends ; antipathetically, by Plants 
or Drugs or Minerals of Sol, Mars and Luna, being Mercuries ene-
mies. 
A Sickness caused by the Moon, is cured antipathetically by a Plant of 
Mercury or Mars; sympathetically by Medicaments under the govern- 
ment of Venus,
Secondly, 

A Monitory Proæmium. 57 
Secondly, This is to be considered, that we drawing a Scheme at the 
sick mans desire, or at his Decumbiture, or first visit, or water sent, or 
the like, we must consider the Lord of the tenth House, signifying the 
Medicine, and Lord of the seventh, signifying the Physitian : if the Lord 
of the tenth be a Fortune and strong, give a Plant that is governed by 
him, or Plants, elected as we shall shew in the following note or obser- 
vation ; but if the Lord of the tenth House, or the House of Physick, 
be weak, afflicted, or in a Quartile Aspect, or opposite to the Lord of the 
Ascendant or sixth house, and be also an Infortune, which makes it the 
worse, give not a Medicine that is governed by him, for that is likely to 
do harm, no nor give any thing at that time, not until the Lord of the 
tenth is well dignified, or a new and friendly Lord of the tenth arise by 
mutation of Signs, and also a well-dignified and qualified Lord of the 
seventh, and that are in good Aspect, and nigh as may be with the Lord 
of the Ascendant and sixth House; give no Medicine governed by the 
Lord of the eighth, or house of Death: every Artist must look to find 
huge variation in the heavenly Bodies ; and rarely all these good Signs 
or Aspects can be found together, these enough to give directi- 
on, unless men have studied the Grounds and Rudiments of Astrolo- 
gy. | 
Thirdly, In the Astrological Cure of Sickness, we must not only give 
a Plant, Mineral, Gum, Stone, or Animal governed by such a Planet that 
is at sympathy with the Planet causing of governing chiefly the Sickness, 
or a Plant of another Planet, Antipathetical to the Planet ruling the 
Disease, nor yet a Plant of either of the aforesaid Planets sympathe- 
tick or antipathetick, though it be strong and Lord of the tenth house, 
unless it be somewhat proper to remove the cause, or oppugn the sharp- 
ness, grosness, waterishness, stoniness, vermifying, &c. of the Hu- 
mour. 
As for Example; Mercury is Lord of the sixth House; a Vertigo, Le- 
thargy, or depraved Ratiocination is the Disease; we would cure it by 
sympathy or antipathy; see the Lord of the tenth, or House of Medi- 
cine, he is Mars, he is strong and well aspected to Mercury ; well then, 
give a Plant, Stone, Mineral, Animal, or other kind of Medicine that 
is under the dominion of Mars, but not any Plant, Stone, Mineral or 
Animal, but such as experience shews proper, and reason demonstrates 
to-be opposite qualitied to the Quality of the Humour, Matter or Va- 
pour causing the Disease : observe Physical Experiences, what Medicines 
have been found to cure in such cases, and then look which of these are 
under the dominion of Mars, or which of those Plants under the go- 
vernment of Mars are found available in such cases, for Plants of other
H Planets 


58 A Monitory Proæmium. 
Planets have also been used, and have done good sometimes in those ca- 
ses, that will not help another; and that is a great reason, why one is 
cured by this, another nor eased by that, yet is by another thing, as nigh  
to the formers Mans condition as may be. 
Other Books must direct what Plants, Stones, Minerals, Animals are 
governed by such and such Planets: yet herein I must needs condemn 
Astrology ; for Astrologians have not questioned these things on good 
Grounds, and certain and manifold Experience, and do differ in judge- 
ment therein : Indeed for many Drugs it is hard to learn by any Rima- 
ting Experience, what Planets they are peculiarly ruled by; all such 
ought to be gathered when the Planets ruling them, are essentially for- 
tified, as nigh as may be, and given when the Planet governing it, is
strong, and well aspected by the moon, and Lord of the sixth and first 
Houses. 
Moreover, if any Planet be Lord of the sixth, strong, and well as- 
pected, a Plant of his own may help that Sickness by sympathy. 
As for example; the Sun, the heat of the world, sympathizes with the 
Heart, the Sun and heat of Mans Microcosm, the Sun may cause swoun- 
ding. Heart panting and lypothimy ; then observe what Plants 
the Sun governs, and chuse out such as have been found good not only 
in general for the Heart, but in particular for such Distempers of it; and 
those Medicines may be, Balm, Saffron, Rhue, Marigolds, Piony, Ros 
Solis, Rosemary, and Wine. 
Cum tua non edis carpis me a crimina Leli, 
Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua.
A


59 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
HEAD 
We shall divide Diseases of the Brain into two 
parts: 
1: Diseases of Sense.
2: Diseases of Motion.
The first we shall divide into two parts:
1: Diseases of Stupidity and Astonish-
ment.
2: Diseases of aggravated Sense or Mad-
ness.
The second we shall also divide into two
parts:
1: Diseases of Motion lessened or abolished. 
2: Into Diseases of Motion depraved: so that under these two, Di-
minution, Depravation, or Abolition of Sense and of Motion, we shall 
comprehend a Discourse of all the Diseases of the Brain. 
I. For Diseases of Stupidity or Astonishment: The Ancients were 
pleased to call them Coma, or Carus, Catalepsis or Cataphora, Apoplexia, 
H2 and   

60 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and Lethargus, Subeth Araborum, &c. And now seeing they ordained 
Nature a course to go in which she doth not observe, we shall finde 
somewhat to examin : 
Tradition ought not quite to be rejected, nor superstitiously protected. 
The Ancients, and Moderns that danced after their Pipes, did di- 
stinguish and ordain the differences, and kindes, and degrees of Nar- 
cotical Diseases, to be thus and these.
1. An Apoplexy, that is, a privation of sense and motion in the whole 
body, from a thick flegmatick humour in the brain, difficult breathing, 
and stertor; the two chief inseparable symptoms. 
2. Catalepsis, or Catoche, said the Ancients, were another kind of so- 
por, or stupor, wherein of a sudden all the faculties of the Soul, and 
motions of the Body perished, the Sick lying in that very state wherein 
he was first taken, neither speaking nor hearing, arising from a cold and 
dry distemper, not of the substance, but hinder ventricles of the brain 
for the most part. 
3. A Coma, or Cataphora, (some of the Ancients differed in the names, 
and which two should be put together, as nigh related) a propensity to 
sleep so earnestly, that the sick cannot open their eyes: they distinguished 
betwixt Coma vigilans and Somnolentum, thus ; in the vigilans Coma they 
cannot hold open their eyes, but are awake; in the Somnolentum they 
both shut their eyes and sleep: the cause, they said, was a strong refri- 
geration of the brain, from a flegmatick humour. 
4. Carus: This, said the Ancients, is a sudden immobility and in- 
sensibleness of the whole body, the breathing being free, whereby it dif- 
fers from an Apoplexy, from a Lethargy by absence of a Feaver, and 
because in this the sick answer not, but in Lethargies commonly have 
that reason and power; the cause, they said, was Flegm, or a cold hu- 
mour obstructing the sore ventricles of the brain.
5. A Lethargy: In which Reason and Memory were impaired, if not 
absolutely defunct, an irresistible necessity of sleeping , a Feaver from 
putrified flegm in the substances not ventricles of the brain. We might 
adde a sixth, and that is, lost Memory, from a cold distemper and 
flegm. 
Indeed Johannes Johnstonus in his Idea Medicinæ practice, hath many 
choice distinctions of all Diseases, whereby Truth is exceedingly de- 
monstrated, and the Reader the better understood of these things; yet 
he did follow Tradition, as Sennertus chiefly, who is a far better Pat- 
tern and President for Truth, than Galen, Hippocrates, Celsus, Ætius, 
Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, and other Ancients. 
if any man will object against me that the Diseases of the brain are 
such


A Trotate of the Diseases of the Head. 61
such and onely such, and in that degree and manner, and in no other 
than what the Ancients and Moderns have delivered in their practices 
of Physick, I shall wish him to observe twenty or thirty of the next Pa- 
tients he meets with, and see if their cases correspond with the Chap- 
ters of the Disease he thinks these have : so also for the Cause, let any 
man open twenty or thirty (for in so many, if there be any Method and 
Order in Nature, it may be found out) and let him see if the causes 
were such or so many, and onely such and so many, in that place and 
degree the Practicks have delivered : It is sure Nature observes some
Orders, but it is not as to the Bodies of things, but their Spirits; a 
Narcotick quality in any matter, as Water, or Blood, or Cholerick 
looked corruption, will cause a Coma, Carus, lost Memory or Lethargy, 
and in what part soever, if it may be communicated to the brain, it will 
astonish sense : Whence is the force of the Torpedo or Crampfish com- 
municated at such a distance ? how doth the Lye of the Salt of Worm- 
wood astonish the hands ? bitter Opium is Narcotical , and nautious 
Henbane ; the fume of Charcoal in a close Room makes sleepy, hot
Spirit of Wine makes drunk like dead for several days : Platerus hath a 
notable History of one dead drunk with being in a Wine Cellar, that 
working, and he closed up : by Thunder, Air, and some Baths, are men 
made stupid : Whatsoever hath a Narcotick quality, it opposes the 
Brain, because the Brain alone of all the Body contains its contrary; it 
is a quality opposite to sense and motion, which the Brain con- 
tains.
These procatarctick and outward causes do nothing, unless they work 
upon the inward ; for all are not alike made to sleep with opium, or asto- 
nished with Spirit of Wine; all are not made Apoplectick with a box 
of the Ear, or sudden fright,and yet some have: Nature abounds with 
variety, and in every sick person almost we finde somewhat singular ; 
and almost every other or third case is a rarity. 
Secondly, If we consider the inward causes of stupid, and torpid, and 
sleepy Diseases, they arise not all from one cause, or one matter, it is 
the Narcotick quality in the humour or matter that benumeth and dul- 
leth ; yet I must needs say this, there is as much variety in the kindes 
and degrees of astonishment, as in the cause: in some there is onely a 
sleepy temper and dulness. Marcellus Donatus brings two examples of 
those that slept many years together, and had no illness or Disease : eve- 
ry thing hath its extream of little, and extream of much, and Medium or 
Mediocrity. 
Some when they have been opened, have had a ball of viscous flegm 
in the Brain, that did dull and somnify the Brain; others opened have 
had

62 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
had their Brains loose and waterish, and scattered as it were; others 
opened have had an abscess and purulency found in the fore part of their 
Brain, that did die Lethargically ; others about the Ophthick Nerve 
have had a purulent abscess and slimy water, others from Worms; and 
we see Children that have Worms, or rather a sweet mild humour pu- 
trified, are sleepy; so in fits of the Mother, some lie 2 or 3 days stone dead 
as it were : In two dissected were found water ; in one reddish, in the 
other paler, in both in the hinder part of the head ; and the Veins that 
ran from the fore to the hinder part of the head, full of black blood : 
In Apoplecticks the head being opened , blood hath flowed forth like 
Ink; in another Apoplectick, a thick and viscous humour is found nigh 
the Context retiform in the head : In the heads of other stupid persons 
have much glutinous but clear water been found in the brain ; so that 
however it looks, if a Narcotick quality is in it, it makes stupid and 
senseless ; or in what part soever a Narcotick quality is, it opposes it 
self to the brain ; for Opium lies in the Stomach or Guts, when it raiseth 
sleepiness. 
Yet this we will allow the Ancients, that where an humour looks black 
or red, commonly there is not a Narcotick quality in it, as in flegm 
glutinous water, not that the colour impedes the quality, but the quali- 
ty the colour ; for a fiery Spirit in an humour, makes it high coloured, 
and sharp tasted, and strong scented. 
I ask what makes the astonishment ? if they say the coldness and wa- 
terishness of the humour; I answer, Blood and visibly Choler caused it: 
if they say such a thing ; I ask why it is not found in all ? for astonish- 
ment was in all these, and that that caused the Astonishment was in all 
these; but neither thinness or thickness of the humour, aquosity or vis- 
cosity, redness or paleness, taste or odour was in them alike ; therefore 
they did conduce nothing thereto, onely to be fit Bodies for a Narcoti- 
cal qualified Spirit to be seated in: Indeed often in Apoplexies, blood 
by blows or falls, stopping up all the passages of the animal Spirits, and 
compressing the Brain, causes stupidity, but not commonly in stupidity 
and drowsiness. 
Possibly abundance more might be found in Authors , that have been 
opened, dying of stupid and somnorous Diseases ; but in these what 
shall we conclude (to go on in the Rules of the Ancients) is the Cause? 
if we say Flegm, some were found to have clear water; if we say wa- 
ter, some were found to have black blood; if we say black blood, some 
were found to have viscous purulency or mature; if we say viscous puru- 
lency or sanies, some were found to have pure uncorrupted gelly trans- 
parant; if we say pure transparant gellied water is the cause, some 
were

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 63
were found, as in the comunicated Observations to Riverius, to have 
a black stinking humour like Ink, that caused sottishnesss and foolishness ; 
in others it seems balls of Flegm have been in the substance of the 
Brain, and the Brain hath been waterish, and dissolved, and loose in 
others. 
Secondly, To particularize on any one of these, how shall we hold 
with Galen and Hippocrates, touching the four humours ? for if we say 
Flegm is white, thick and sweet; Choler yellow, thin and bitter; Melan- 
choly black, fæculent and fowr; Water clear, thin and insipid; where or 
when shall we find Flegm, Choler, Water, or Melancholy the cause of 
Disease? It is by as great an accident that we finde Humours just thus 
qualified and principled, as any other thing : and why should the An- 
cients make Posterity believe that most commonly, for that shews a 
thing most natural, Flegm, Choler, Water, and Melancholy, or Blood, 
as some will have, are the cause of all Diseases ? for where once we 
shall find an humour pure Flegm, or pure Choler, or pure Melancholy,or 
pure Water,as the Ancients described, we shall find them ten times 
contrary ; so that it will be hard to say, whether they come nighest the 
nature of Choler, or Blood, or Water, or Melancholy ; for if they have 
the taste of one, they want the colour ; if the colour, they want the con- 
sistence ; if the consistence, they want the smell ; if the smell they have, 
they want the Virtue, Nature, Quality or Properties of that Hu- 
mour.
We shall not here shew all the diversity of signs and differences in 
Stupid and Somnolent Sicknesses: The Ancients should have done well 
to have called all Stupid or Somnolent Sicknesse , and so have made 
distinction according to observation; but describing onely five kindes, 
as, Lethargy, Apoplexy, Catalepsis, Coma and Carus, and they to be so as 
we have described, the Reader is much deceived : for, for any to be 
sick of any Torpid or Somnolent Disease just as they have described, is 
very rare ; and why should they deliver that as a common Rule and 
Method in Nature, that is as accidentary and casual as any thing ? for 
to which can we refer many Soporous Sicknesses ? neither Lethargies, 
because they arise from another cause than what the Ancients did set ; 
and not Apoplexies, because they hold them in a different manner: so 
that neither in the Cause or Symptoms are they exactly referrable to 
any of their Names, nor perhaps Natures. 
II. We shall treat of the Sickness of the Brain, wherein is an aggra- 
vation of Sense, and exaltation of the Spirits, contrary to the other 
of Stupidity and Drowsiness.
The

64 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
The Ancients, and also Moderns, call them Phrenitis, Mania, and Me
lancholia.
Phrenitis, say they, is a continual raging, with a sharp Feaver, 
wherein the Imagination alone, sometimes the Reason is hurt, from 
an Inflamation of the Membranes, or the Brain it self; therein is, 
say they, a stoppage of Urine, breathing small and frequent. 
Mania, say they, is a fury tiuturne with boldness and fierceness, from 
the fire of the Spirits moved, or yellow Choler burnt; as Etius saith, 
from putrified blood : there is no Feaver in this, some say, because 
there is no putrefaction. 
Melancholia, say they, is a raging without a Feaver, with Fear and 
Sadness; without a Feaver from a melancholy humour, which they 
said was either in the Head it self, or did in vapour steem up thither, as 
from the Hypoconders and Spleen. This short description I take, as 
most generally received by the Moderns from the Ancients; but to go 
to search how all differed , might find an industrious and wife man suf- 
ficient tediousness; in many things indeed they agreed onely in dis- 
agreeing ; and sometimes both were right, and sometimes neither:
for there is such wonderful variety, that if they all differed, as it might 
be, they might all write true. 
Now we will examine all the kindes of aggravated Sense, and see if 
they be onely so many and such as the Practical Physicians have writ 
Chapters of; and we will see if that Delirium or raving that is not con- 
sentaneous to the description of Mania, be Phrenitis; and if that di- 
straction that is not a Phrenitis, be Melancholia ; and we will observe 
whether Nature observes any such Method, that if a distraction or ra- 
ging be not in the Symptoms, Cause, Manner, and Measure of a Mania, 
it must be a Phrensie ; if it be not correspondent with the Signs 
and Causes of a Phrensie, it must be a Melancholy : Also we will ob- 
serve, if it be a Madness, whether commonly it is exactly so, or acci- 
dentally ; or whether in one sick Person most familiarly, which is most 
natural, and should have been writ of accordingly there : Are not Sym- 
ptoms some of Mania, or Madness ; some of Phrenitis or Phrensie ; 
some of Melancholia, or Melancholy ? or at least, some Symptoms argue 
one, one time ; and change of Symptoms argue another Disease, ano- 
ther time. Whosoever distrusts the Truth of our Experiments, and 
Examples, and Anatomies, may be satisfied from Skenkius, to go no 
further; he hath collected abundance of mens observations : But to 
these we have added the Observations collected from many men, by 
Marcellas Donatus; divers collected by Johannes Johnstonus; divers 
by Thomas Bartholinus, and his own ; as the others also did adjoyn their 
own

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 65 
own with collecions ; also Felix Platerus, Petrus Pawns, Laz. River. 
Tulpius Renealmus, Horstius, Antonius Benivenius, our own; by which 
we can judge the truth of others, and confirm what we write , did not 
the universal consent and harmony of Observators, univocally testifie
it : but we were loth to write from our own Observations alone, because
one man is not alwayes a sufficient witness; one may mistake, one may 
be superstitiously addicted, and phantastically principled : I think I have 
about 13 or 1400 Observations of my own writing by me, but most of 
them trivial, and such as most practical Physicians meet withal; and 
therefore are of the smaller concernment, for I think it bootless to tell 
men only what commonly they knew before. 
Platerus in his Practice of Physick, went a method by himself, indeed 
from his own Observations and Experience, and wrote the Genera or 
Kinds caused by such a Quality, not the Signs, as others did, of such a 
particular Disease : And Johnstonus in his Idea Med. Pract altered the 
road and method of Practices, by making distinction of the Causes, and 
distinction of Signes upon those Causes ; for we need no other Signes 
than the particular Signes of such and such Causes, after we have de- 
scribed the Genera or Kinds, for there is no other certainty of Signes; 
for if to day possibly in any one we find all (and alone they) Signes of a 
Mania, as the Antients described, tomorrow the Sick may have Signes 
of Melancholy dotage, and the next day a Phrensy, the fourth day dif- 
ferent from any of these, or some Signes of each. 
First, Kinds of Madness or heightened and moved Sense. 
One is quarrelsome, laments and rages, speaks indecently and much, 
sleeps not. Hors.Obs. p. 106. 
A Woman did rage by fits, and with that raging did sometimes laugh, 
she had no Feaver, spoke obscenely, and often, endeavoured to strangle 
her self. Horst. p. 110 
A Man runs mad by fits, sometimes outragious, sometimes absurd, 
from jealousie, he playes divers tricks, carries his child into the field and 
hides him, Plat. Obs. p. 57. Two more also, pag. 60. from jealousy 
fell one into melancholy trouble of mind,and desperateness to kill; the 
other into fury, who killed his wife. 
Another, because of sadness, ran mad; he was more tame, and did dote 
and pull straws, and cut his cloaths in pieces. Plat. Obs. 86. and pag. 
87. Another deprived of her Love, delired, and talked often, and called 
him; and the same pag. another was forty years mad with great fury, 
be used to pull all apieces, and after this term, he came well to him- 
self. 
I  Another,

66  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.
Another, pag. 88. of Plat. Obs. had womb-fury, and was very mad, 
and did call to passengers to lye and copulate with her, and did vehe- 
hemently desire coition,and speak very obscenely and immodestly, and 
died ere long. 
Another being maddish, was stark mad with drinking Wine, he did fear, 
and went with his Sword, and said snares were laid for him; and one stri- 
ving to hold him, he killed him : Another ran mad, and did cry and 
bark like a Dog, being bit by a mad Dog. Another fell mad that was 
bit by a Wolf that was mad ; he feared water, and howled. Another, 
pag. 90. feared water, not bit of a Dog ; he had some Convulsions, and 
molestation of mind, from a fright he died. 
Two, in pag. 92, and 93. did constantly dance, and leap, and laugh, 
and called others to do the same, they could not stand still; but one was 
tired to death, the other recovered. 
A Woman after delivery hath an high Feaver, rages chiefly at those 
she used to love most, yet sometimes talks religiously, her face and eyes 
looked very red. One with short breathing and deflux of Rheum, a 
raging supervened with great heat, and he died. Plat. Obs. 170. 
Dodonæus in his Observations, quotes one that grew foolish on nights, 
clamoured, jumped up and down, and ran about, twisted his arms 
about. 
Valleriola Obs. lib.2. Obs.2. From love one did rage, and was furious 
sometimes ; again another time most loving and complemental and 
merry. 
Orthæus observed a madness adjoyned with leaping, so much, that 
for weariness he fell down, he had melancholy Phantasms. 
Divers talk in other tongues they never learned, and do foretell; 
others laugh extreamly, and then are sad extreamly. 
Fernel, lib. 5. chap. 2. of Pathology, saith, One troubled in mind and 
melancholy, did not sleep in Fourteen Months. 
Λνυανθ,aπia, infaniæ species ; see in Skenk. pag. 129. also Enthusiastick 
Infanio, pag. 135. which he calls thus, Mira apud medicos veteres Infania,
quam Enthusiasmum nominærunt annotata, saltandi furore, Musica, Pharma- 
ciaq; et diæta coercita. 
But why should we insist on these things, where there is a multitude 
of variety in the kinds of all Diseases, and the more we know, the more 
we see we have still to know ? 
Divers are strangely handled, possessed by the Devil, that do rage and 
leap, and jump from place to place, whose necks are sometimes twisted 
behind them, and Convulsions draw up all their parts; in some is a Fea- 
ver, in some not ; some blaspheme, and some have intermissions, where- 
in

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head  67
in they come to themselves, and speak well, and good things. Some pos- 
sessed or bewitched, find somewhat rise up in their breast as if they 
should be choaked. And some see the Witch or her Imp, come in form 
of a Spider or Beetle, and creep in at their mouths, and then they are 
hoven, and rage and delire, and are convulsive; and some lye as dead 
several dayes, and some do not sleep nor eat of divers dayes, that are 
bewitched or possessed of evil Spirits. 
I have searched more than most men, and I cannot find the Evil Spi- 
rits in all their Orders and Degrees, nor in their million of numbers, 
do know the mind or thoughts of Man ; God alone is Cardiognostes, it is 
his Prerogative; nor can they change the mind of Man, but by real pos- 
sesion, or through Witches, or by altering contingents and mens out- 
ward affairs. 
We shall not insist much upon the outward, moving & apparent cause 
we have already in part described; both the inward Cause that is moved 
by the outward , and the outward Cause, being but one and the same, 
in two parties, have different effects; nor is any thing much to be attri- 
buted to the colour or consistence of an Humour, but an hidden quality 
in it: for it is apparent that the same Humour visibly that causeth the 
Falling-Sickness in one, causeth Apoplexies in another, and Palsies 
and Stupor in another, and in another they seemed to ail little in the 
Head, until they were opened. 
The outward Cause of all exacerbated or aggravated fence, is prima- 
rily the Stars operating upon the inward Cause, and giving it such a qua- 
lity ; and a nature at such times to ferment and work, and make Fits and 
Crises, even according to the motions of the Planets causing the Di- 
sease, and the Moon.
Sadness, Fears and Scars, Jealousie, Discontents betwixt Man and 
Wife, the most lacerating of all Grief; bitings of Dog, Wolves, Wines, 
Strong-Drinks, and Hot-Waters, heat of the Sun, retained Semen In 
Mulierbus, retained Hæmorrhoids, &c. are the foregoing, exciting and 
procatarctick Causes; as also loss of Love, and Disappoitment in Mar- 
riage, destiny of Friends, and loss of Estates, soaring Phantasms, and 
deep Excogitations, &c. 
Now a little of the inward Cause of Exacerbated Sense or Distract- 
on, whereby the Reader may guess truly of the rest, and of other things. 
Petrus Fawus Obs.8.of Anatomies, opened a Man, that for two years 
did complain of a pain of his Head in the hinder part, then took with a 
Phrensy and Convulsive Motions, he suddenly dyed ; the thick Mem- 
brane of the Brain was eaten through with divers holes, chiefly in the 
I2  Bregma

68  A Tractate the Disases of the Head.
Bregma under the Arrow Suture ; from those holes flowed forth hard 
and thick blood, black and adult, very stinking throughout that Mem- 
brane ; with the like blood were the Vessels filled that ran through the. 
Superficies of the thick Meninx, and thorow the small ones of the thin 
Meninx, that involves the Brain; in the Cerebel was an Abscess of a 
yellowish humour inclining to white the Cerebel was loose and softer 
than the Brain. 
Yet Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2-. Histor. 34. opened one that had been 
wounded in the Forehead, and died thereof the tenth day ; he had an 
Aposteme in the Brain, with abundance of Purulency, which did turn 
the Vicine Parts to black ; he died sleepily and drowsy, nor had he any 
Delirium, Palsy or feaverish Pulse. 
Two more there he mentions that had Apostemes of the Brain, that 
differed both from these, and from each other : indeed the Part it is in, 
as well as the Quality of the Matter, is to be considered.
Jo. Skenkius from Neretus Nervitius, a Florentine Physician, had this 
Observation ; That one was opened that died of a Phrensy 1583. in the 
new Hospital of Dom. Mariæ, the Ventricles of his Brain were full of 
a skie-coloured Water, and the left Ventricle was eaten thorow ; Ja-
cobus Belga, a Physician that stood by, tasted of it, and it was very 
sharp. 
At Huntingdon, about the year 1653. died a Gentleman at an Inn, 
that was Doctor Sympcots his Patient; after a feaverish illness he fell ra- 
ving and doting, his Feaver still continuing ; he hid the Cause, till to- 
wards the last he revealed it, that he and several others had drunk strong- 
waters for wagers, and to outvy one another; in his feaver and raging 
he died; after his death abundance of Blood ran from him out of his 
Head. See now what varieties there be in the Causes of one Distemper, 
and see how one Cause hath divers effects, commonly drinking much 
Strong-Waters, or the Spirits of Wine astonish Men, so that they are 
many times buried alive : and Apoplexies quite contrary to Phrensies, 
are apparently caused by much and hot Blood, compressing the Brain ; 
and Blood in Apoplecticks hath flowen forth as in this Phrenitick. 
Coiter his Anatomical and Chyrurgical Observations, opened a 
Womans Head that died of a burning Feaver, she had loss of Reason, 
and did laugh, jest and sing ; Blood that was drawn out of a vein, did 
look flegmatick, raw and wheyish, her Head aked much ; after her Head 
was opened, in the Sawing of the Skull, there did flow out a great deal 
of Water like the washing of raw flesh, the thin Membrane and Plexus 
Choroidis, were full of thin and pituitous Water, both Ventricles full 
of Water, no inflamation of the Brain or Involucrums; from the bo- 
somes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 69
somes of the hard Membrane, were strings taken like worms made of 
glutinous Felgm; and this he called a Phrensie.
Certainly and the Planets put a Quality upon the Humours, that makes
one torpid, another garrulous; one raging, another loving; one at one
time stupid, a while after phrenitick: for visibly from one and the same
Cause, come divers Effects, and from divers and different Causes; as 
to our Senses of Seeing, Tasting, Smelling and Feeling, come one and the
same effect. God that did to all Bodies at first give such a Soul, or a 
Spirit, and to that Spirit a peculiar Quality, can give to Flegm by the 
same way and causes, a caustick and sharp Quality, and to red spirituous
Blood, a Narcotick Principle, or stupifactive Quality. 
Secondly, We shall proceed to Diseases of Motion, wherein we shall, 
I . treat of Motion lessened or abolished, and, 2. of motion depraved. 
Motion is lessened or abolished in the former Diseases, and by those 
Causes, as in Apoplexies, Lethargies, Catalepsis, Coma's and Ca-
rus.
Here we shall more peculiarly write of the loss or depravation of Mo- 
tion, the Senses and Understanding remaining : they may be divided in- 
to two Heads; I. Resolution of the Muscles or Nerves ; 2. Convulsi- 
on or Rigor. Physicians have reduced Resolution into Palsy and Trem- 
bling, and others add Stupor or Numbness. 
A Palsy, said the Antients, is not in the whole body, but in parts sub- 
jected to the Brain, sometimes Sense, sometimes Motion, sometimes 
both perish, viz. the Sense of feeling and of acting the parts : the Sense 
of feeling may perish, Motion remaining in that part, and Motion may 
perish, feeling remaining ; because, said Galen, they have two kinds of 
Sinews, one for motion, one for feeling, and which soever are hurt, the 
office thereof is hurt; sometimes it is in one half of the body, all the 
right or left side, and parts thereof; sometimes but in one particular 
member : the Cause was attributed to a cold distemper from thick and 
viscid Humours, or from bruising, wounding, scirrh or inflamation of 
the spinal Marrow; it is a Cronical Disease, not Acute; if the spinal Mar- 
row be cut or luxated, the Disease is uncurable. 
Trembling, said they, is a voluntary Motion depraved, the weight of 
the Member tending downwards,and the faculty of the Muscles lifting it 
upwards ; arising from a cold temper and weaknesse the Sinews, from 
drunkneness, use of cold things, that make thick and cold juice. 
Now let us examine whether the Antients set down all the Kindes of 
Numbness and lessened Motion, or whether Nature errs allwayes just 
thus


70 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
thus, if the errs in Motion ; or whether other ails, and quite other, and 
more Causes than the Antients described, do not as naturally and more 
frequently come. 
Alexander Trallianus, lib. i. cap. 16. saith, One had a Palsy or Reso- 
lution from sadness and much sollicitude and fasting, he taking Hiera Picra, 
was in the whole body immoveable like to dye ; he with Moisteners, Nourish-
ers and Baths, was restored. 
Gregor. Horstius. Obs. Med. lib. I. pag.24. relates of a Maid fourteen 
years old, that loved clay, chalk and earth, fell into a Feaver with sus- 
picion of Pox, they then reigning ; the Pox come out slowly, but a Pal- 
sy mixed with Convulsive Motions, supervened ; the Palsy was but in 
some parts, and the Convulsion followed ; she was was soon cured. 
A Woman in the 210. page of his fourth Book, had her Menstrues 
stopped, Cholical Pains of the neather Parts, desire of food, but ill con- 
coction, vomiting and nausea sometimes troubled her; then followed 
pains in the outward parts, weakness of the hands and feet, with dag- 
ging pains, so that they were almost immoveable, all the Funcions of 
her Brain still right and firm. 
Tulpius Obs. Med. lib. I. cap. 23. shewes a relation of trembling of 
the Thumb after letting of Blood, or of the Hand alwayes in an Iron 
Smith, which should teach Physicians, saith he, to search the peculiarity of 
mens Tempers. 
The same Nicholaus Tulpius, cap. 12. of the first Book, observes Peri- 
odick Trembling in Margaret Brentia of a flegmatick temper; it held 
three years,it began in all her Members, but continued only in her Arms 
and Thighs; a fit lasted almost two hours, with hoarse, and suppressed 
speaking : under the Dog Stars she was worse ; the order of her fits 
did agree with the Moon, and rise of the Sun, and were moved by the 
Moon as the Sea, sometimes oftener, sometimes seldomer; sometimes 
greater, sometimes less; but under the Dog Star Sirius, she had so ma- 
ny fits as there were hours, in winter fewer. She was helped at last. 
Platerus Obs. 167. did observe trembling of the whole body in some, 
and of divers parts in others, in sleep preceding death. 
He did observe a particular benumbedness of one Arm, with heavi- 
ness of the Head ; and in another the same numbness of the Arm from 
binding. 
So many men, so many rarities, every case hath somewhat singular in 
it, and Nature is bound to no such method or progress, that all dimini- 
shed, abolished or depraved motion must be just so, and in those Dis- 
eases only that Practical Authors have set down; for what they set down 
to happen generally, we can rarely find by experience. 
Plat.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 71 
Plat. Obs. pag. 96. observes another that had hurt and lessening in 
feeling, and withal burning and pricking paines in the Extremities, run- 
ning under the skin, that lasted many years. 
He observed one from a wound in the Spina Dorsi, to have a Palsy of 
all the nether parts, from the middle downwards. Another after a ge- 
neral Palsy, had a Palsy of the tongue. 
Skenk pag. 85 brings Experience to shew that the Tongues of those 
that have Palsies, have a slower motion at New Moons, than at Full 
Moons; and yet divers Physicians will not believe the Stars have any 
influence upon our Bodies; nor will they study to know so. 
Cætius writes from Avicen, that one could make a Palsy of his whole 
body when he would. 
Another had all parts resolved but his Face. Another had all his Ex- 
tremities and lower parts resolved, but his Hands, from a fall; another 
only his Thigh, another his Lip. 
Benedict. lib. I. cap. 39. de morbis curandus, Marcus Bassadonius,
from an acute Feaver and Phrensy, was weakned in his right Arm, so 
that he lost all sensation, and power of motion therein. And after this 
manner, to ennumerate no more, runs the common course of Nature. 
And if any Physitian will be diligent to write Observations of all he sees, 
he may see the same from his own Experience, which the common ra- 
tional Faculty God hath placed in all Men, blusheth to deny. 
Now let us see what is the internal Cause of Numbness, trembling 
and deadness of Parts, or the whole Body ; for we would chiefly inform 
Physicians, specially young Learners, in those things they shall ever re- 
tain, being multifariously built upon the sure Basis of Experience ; also 
those things that are of greatest dignity, and which being known, the 
rational faculty of man leads him to discover Appurtenances, and Cir- 
cumstances thereto adhering, nor are they ever to be unlearned again, 
as the Phantasies and Chimæras of Mens Brains are, nor shall the Rea- 
der often meet with such in other Books, and therefore have we chief- 
ly written in this manner, and these things. 
Of Procatarctick, open, or outward Causes in the Kinds of Resolution, 
we have spoken somewhat, and much needs not be spoken: it sometimes 
follows Cholicks, and Cholicks that ; an Air men know not how blasts 
and withers, sometimes one part, sometimes half the Body, and some- 
times all, the Body more or less suffering impair of motion ; so hath 
lightening done, loosing all the Joynts, and melting the Bones. After 
that manner did it to a Patient of mine, a Minister of Cambridgshire: 
And after the former, an Air suddenly surprized a Kinsman; all differ, 
and

72  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and the outward Cause differs ; some tremble from fear, some from ve- 
hement cold ; some in old age, some afore death. Quick-silver in those 
that are anointed, gathering together, not well killed, leaps in the Veins; 
so it doth in hot Liquor, or a Loaf, and so causes a Palsy. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. I. Hist. 93. A Convulsion and Palsy dissolved a 
Feaver. 
Fernelius observed that a Feaver turned into a Palsy, he thought the 
Choler ran into the spinal Marrow. 
We might infinitely insist on these, but by a penny we may guess how 
a shilling is coined. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. Med. relates a melancholy young man had a 
Palsy of the left, and Convulsions on the right side, had fits often, some- 
times resembling the Falling-Sickness, with a great Feaver, the Veins 
of the thin Meninx on the right side, did swell, aperto cadavere, with much 
black blood, and hardened, and nigh was a collection of apostemated 
matter in the Brain, black in colour. 
Brassavolus Comment. ad Aphor. 9. lib. 7. Hippocr. saith, One was 
and insensibly in his whole body, and died, bleeding much from nose, 
and no Medicines learned Physitians used, helped him. 
Benedictus, lib. I. cap. 33. curand. morb. saith, One by a staff did re- 
ceive a blow on the Shoulder, the Fingers of that hand were resolved or be- 
numed, nothing helped until he was plaistered in the Neck. This shews the 
Place, the former the Cause. 
Platerus, pag. 136. observed the giving of Opium in a Clyster, caused 
a Resolution of the Tongue, hindering speech, and the party stam- 
mered. 
Another he relates there, paralitick in both Sides, strook in the Neck 
with a stick, losing both speaking and hearing, but he eat and slept; but 
lived so a year or two, and died. 
Two others from blowes on their Heads, could not speak ; one had a 
loss of going, the other Convulsions of his Eyes; one saw things double, 
the other died. Blowes or cuts of the Back-Marrow also hath cau- 
sed the like, though not so frequently ; for many times nothing is to be 
seen in the Brain, the Sinews, and only some pairs being particularly 
resolved.
But secondly, We will shew somewhat of Convulsions, contrary 
motions to Resolution and Numbness, and the Kindes of Epilepsies 
joyned with the Kindes of Convulsions; there cannot a competent 
difference be gathered : for where we shall see these things clear and 
fully, and distinct, as Authors have deciphered in Practices, we shall ten 
times

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.  73 
times see diversity and different cases; yet Epilepticks hold a manner 
as conformable one to another, as almost any Disease : in the Genera or 
kindes, we shall also shew diverse degrees, and divers moving and out- 
ward causes of convulsive motions. 
When I was a Youth, I took white Hellibore for my Quartain Ague, 
and I had a Convulsion of my Gullet; so that it seemed to cleave to- 
gether to my apprehension, and to rise as if somewhat was in my 
throat. 
We read of Sardis or Apium risus, an Herb that brings convulsions of 
the Face, Eyes and Cheeks, and men dye as if it were laughing, there- 
fore that is called Risus Sardonius.
Toadstools, or Fungi arborei, bring convulsives, and Wrangling Sym- 
ptoms to some. Forrest, Obs. 116. lib. 10 observed a Woman that 
had her Eyes pulled up, her mouth distorted, her Cheeks drawn aside, 
her tongue immoveable to speak, vehement contractions of her hands 
and feet, but without stiffness, from Toadstools. 
Quickfilver in its fumes and evaporations, received into the Brain, 
is very bad ; the same Forestus besides others, relates thereof ; A Gil- 
der therefrom could not sleep or rest, but turned him this way and that, 
did tremble in all his whole Body, his Face grew pale, and for two 
months was grievously held ; but he used much Quicksilver for that 
Goldsmiths, Peuterers, and Gilders must use. 
Fernelius relates of a Painter that, unadvised, took Vermilion ; he 
fell into Palsies and Convulsions ; at first he perceived all his parts 
more torpid and immoveable, then they began to be contracted, 
and to be drawn cold, and fixed, and rigid , his going was taken away, 
his Arms and hands were most free of pain, but about his Stomach, 
Guts, and Hypoconders, were most intolerable pains, which the crush- 
ing of his Belly gave some mittigation to ; he had Intervals and Fits, 
and sometimes the matter did work most in one part, then in another, 
and in another manner : He was after a fortnight restored. 
Jo. Johnstonus in Thaumatographia, a man exceedingly deserving in 
Physick, writes from Mathiolus, that Napellus, a Plant, was given to a 
Thief ; he said it tasted like Pepper; he first felt a Palsie and stiffness 
in his left Arm and Leg ; then it seized upon his right, leaving the for- 
mer ; then he was cold, and had Convulsions of his Eyes and Mouth; 
he vomited like Leeks, and thought he had a Ball at his Navil; he was 
sometimes rational, and again doted ; blinde, and saw again thrice ; 
and wept, and was cheared; he thought he must instantly dye, and pre- 
sently the poyson leaves and intermits ; he thrice was blinde, and saw 
again, and thrice in an Agony of Death; his Tongue of all his parts 
K harm

74 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
harmless; he had huge beating of his Temples, and after a long con-
flict Nature overcame, and he recovered.
I could produce many more such relations of the nature of Plants 
and Minerals, and Creatures, to raise Convulsions, and the varieties  
of vitiated motion, as also all other ails man is subject to , but these 
may suffice here. We have shewed in our Book called Physiology, Ja- 
trosophy and Pneumatography, how man is taken from, and made of the 
Earth, and how most of those Principles are found in his body; and 
therefore is it that one Plant sympathizes with him, and another antipa- 
thizes; one sympathizes with such a part of his body, and not another, 
because in that part is a quality of Homogeneity to the quality of the 
Plant; so some Medicines spoil one part and not another, because in 
that part peculiarly is a matter of an antipathetick spirit to the spirit of 
the Plant, and so they fight: Were there nothing in the body of man 
of contrary quality to the blood, and spirits, and natural Juyces, there 
would be no Diseases ; for Friends and Consimilars do not fight; that's 
the reason that a poyson in one man works thus, in another so, because 
the constitution and quality of the humours are not the same; and as 
Plants do operate, or Minerals, or Animals on the Body of man vari- 
ously, according to the various nature of them, and the variety of the 
subject, so do humours : for what qualities are in Plants or Minerals 
heterogenious to the quality of, our spirits that constitutes our vitality, 
sense, and motion, such may also be in the humours; and the humours 
of themselves inimically qualified by the air, aliment, or otherwise, 
may raise the same, and such diversity of Convulsions , or other Ails 
whatsoever, as Plants and Minerals, and Animals do. 
There is a strange kinde of depraved motion, called Viti saltus, of 
constant leaping and dancing, in some with contractions, in others 
with Delirium : Some superstitiously believed that praying to St. Vitus 
Would help them. 
Tulp. Obs.14.lib.I observed a Maid fifteen yea old to have Con-
vulsions or drawing up of her Nerves, always sitting, but when she stood 
or walked, she had none: and Obs. 15. he observed a contraction of 
of the Nerves periodically, or by fits ; it arose first from Euphorbium 
taken, the which an inordinate horror did follow, and then Spasms, the 
fits were very bad, and shook all his Body, and, his minde and speech 
was took way. And Obs. 17. a Campensis woman had a peculiar depra- 
ved motion ; she stook her Knee first with one hand , then the other, 
long together very violently,nor could she be disswaded therefrom; imi-
tating with distinction of black-Smiths beating upon he Anvil; 
the Houshold could not help her a cushion upon her knees, so
that her continued and hard her the less In

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 75 
In others is a striking Knee against Knee constantly and hard, from a 
depraved motion in the Nerves, occasioned by a secret qualification of 
the humours and Astral Influence. 
Any matter, as it is a matter, is dead, but the Spirit in it is active
and communicable; and every Spirit, according to the quality GOD 
gave it, different from others, acts and officiates : Into all pure terrene 
Bodies, GOD did at first according to his good pleasure, implant a Spi- 
rit of a peculiar Quality; he could have made Sulphur purging, and 
Scammony binding; he could have made Rhubarb to have onely a pro- 
priety for the Head, and Sage, Rosemary and Betony to respect pecu- 
liarly the Liver ; for the Bodies are nothing but the Spirits they con- 
tain, and the peculiar qualities of these Spirits: so in mans Body, the 
humours, to look and consistence, smell and taste, may be the same, 
and yet have qualities, 
Betwixt common Falling-sickness and Convulsions and fits of the 
Mother, many times is little difference ; but what variety is there here- 
of? such an one is so handled, it is hard to say, whether they be Uterine 
Convulsions, or a Convulsive Hysterick Passion ; in all these some fall, 
in all these some do not fall ; in all these some feel a rising up of some- 
what within them, and in all these in others there is no such apprehen- 
fion : In Vertigo’s they fall, turn round, and there is such variety, and 
Nature is not bound to a Road or Order; that many persons it is 
hard to say whether they have a Vertigo, Epilepsie, Convulsion, or 
Hysterick Passion, or Swoonding : Some do affirm that men have Hyste- 
rical fits, so like to women ; and others say the Lungs are the cause 
thereof: some foam at mouth, and snort; some fore-see their fit, and 
sit down, and so prevent their falling : In Epilepsies some turn round 
as in a Vertigo, and then fall, and then have heavings of their Brest, 
as in Hystericks, and then have Convulsions, and then have foamings 
of the mouth, as in Madness or Drunkenness, and then snort as in A- 
poplexies, and then stare and talk strangely, as in Phrensies, and then 
forget all for a while, as in Lethargies ; and what disease shall we call 
all these Symptoms ? some Hystericks do fall, they gape, and strerch, 
and seem choaked, then have fast contractions and convulsions, then 
perhaps lie stiff, and inflexible, and senseless divers days, as in the 
most exquisite Apoplexy, pinched not feeling. 
Cornax, Encherid. Med. observed one stiff all over, his skin harden- 
ed like Leather, his skin seemed as if it was stuffed, and stiff like the 
bark of a Tree; his Gullet was resolved, but Brain, Stomach, Anus, 
and Urinary passage well; he was stiff in all outward parts, and back- 
bone could not be bent, nor his Joynts. 
k2 Sole 

76 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Solenander observed one with pains and contractions of her Arms, 
Shoulders, and Knees ; see those distant parts should be affected toge- 
ther. 
Marcellus Donatus Hist. Med. Mirab. observed one that the great 
Toe of her Foot must always be moved, even in sleep, upwards and 
downwards. 
Salius Annotat. ad Cap. 13. Pract. Altomar. observed in one Mem- 
ber one while a Palsy, another while a Convulsion raged. 
Cardanus observed one after a Feaver and Convulsions, to have pant- 
ing and distension, Legs immoveable, and the Body leaping and tos- 
sing. 
Jaechinus Com. ad cap. 13. lib. 9. Rhasis observed the Muscles and 
Tendons stiff, and stretched, drawing as it were part from part, to dis- 
solve Unity. 
Fernel. lib. 5. cap. 3. Pathol, observed a flatulent Convulsion, diffe- 
rent from all these, that did twice or thrice a-day afflict, strong con- 
tractions and coldness. 
Heurnius de Morbis Cap. observed one that had his Intestines, Abdo- 
men, Testes and Spermatick Vessels drawn up; another was spasmatical 
in the Anus: Divers observed the eating of Quails brought the falling 
Sickness and Convulsions. 
Concerning the inward and obscure causes of Convulsions and Epi- 
lepsies, we will shew somewhat; the outward, apparent, movent, and 
procatarctick Causes, appear in Practices of Physick , though defe- 
ctively, and some false. 
Neretus Nerutius a Florentine Physician, opened one that had an 
Headach, then a Rheumatick Distillation, a Convulsion of the Neck, 
and Posteriors; dying, three spoonfuls of water was found to be ga- 
thered betwixt the hard Meninx, and the hinder feat of the Cere- 
bel. 
We shall think it sufficient to translate Thomas Bartholin, who to save 
others the pains of disquisition, hath collected many Anatomies and 
Dissections made by other men, Cent. 2. Hist. 92. 
A Falling-sickness by consent of the-lower parts rarely leaves any 
footsteps of it to be seen in the Brain after Death ; for vapours are dis- 
sipated with our Life : but if the Brain hath in it self contracted any 
fault, it is easily seen in the Dead. Bontius Obs.i.med.ind. in the Brain 
of a Souldier that had the Falling-sickness, found the Ventricles filled 
with a tough matter, and glutinous, of a clay colour, like yolks of 
Eggs, but stinking. Smetius in lib. 10. Miscel. found an abscess of 
white pus, Ballonius. lib, I. Ephem. found small and thin Bodies like 
hairs

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 77 
hairs in the Ventricles, to be the cause : That thin and limpid Water 
was the cause, both Volcherus, Coiter, in Obs. Hildan. In Obs. Hevartus 
in Annot. ad lib. 2. Confil. Ballon. River. Cent. I. Obs. 37, observed 
by dissections: That Pus in the menings of the Brain was the cause, 
Fernelius, lib. 2. abdit Caus. l. 15. Salmuth Cent. I. Obs. 17. found : 
That it was caused by a Corruption or Sphacelus of the Brain, Glandor- 
pius, Spec, chir. Obs. 6. did find. Sometimes the Ventricles of the Brain 
are so fallen down in Epilepticks, that there is not an easie and free 
passage for the Spirits; even as Adrianus Falcoburgius an Anatomist 
did observe, in opening publickly a Boy of fifteen years old, that died 
in the very fit: there was no other visible cause of Death, or of the 
Falling-sickness, than that the Ventricles of the Brain were very much 
compressed, and falling one upon another, without any manifest cavity; 
but in the top of the Brain, nigh the Cranium or Skul, he found har- 
dened blood ; and this my Brother Erasmus Bartholinus saw. 
Also Cent. 3. Histor 80. relates of a Maiden, well-fleshed, and of a 
florid Complexion, took with a Flux of the Belly, hardness in the right 
Hypochonder, heat of the whole, thirst, watchings, pains of the Head, 
white Excrements ; an Epilepsy supervened, and she quickly died ; o- 
pened, the whole Region of the Back, from the nape of the Neck, to 
the last Vertebra of the Spina, was black ; the Stomach in the left side 
black, as if putrified and filled with a green humour; Liver scirrhous, 
and weighed ten ounces ; Gall large and filled with Choler; but the 
Brain weighed five pound, filled with Water, and with Bladders full 
of Water. 
It were an excellent thing, if all Symptoms differing, were com- 
pared to each differing cause, and so to find out what is the peculiarity 
of the cause, that doth cause that diversity in the condition of two sick 
Parties, seemingly by the greater and most permanent Symptoms, to 
have one and the same Disease ; yet where the parts are alike affected, 
or humours alike corrupted, the constitution will raife diversity. 
Concerning the cure of all these Diseases specified, we will give 
these general Rules and Directions; for indeed in each of those Diseases 
named, Carus, Coma, Apoplexia, Subeth, Catalepsis, Memories, Læ-
sa, Lethargos, Mania, Melancholia, and Phrenitis, Paralysis, Stupor, 
Tremor, Convulsio, Epilepsia, &c. There is no Method general; for 
sometimes contrary causes produce the like seeming effects, and one 
and the self same cause seemingly, though of a diverse quality, works 
various events ; and we have sufficiently expressed by the causes, the 
diversity of cure in every one of these Diseases,for that is the best insight 
we 

78 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
we can give to this credulous Age, and addicted to fond opinion, to 
shew the diversity of Causes, which according to the Vulgar Proverb, 
Once known, the Disease is half cured: And according to Phylosophy, 
Tolle Causam & cessabit Effectus, Takeaway the Cause, and the Effect 
ceaseth. 
APHORISMS.
I. In every Disease, as the Symptoms vary, so the Cause; and as 
the Cause varies, so in every Disease our Method must vary ; for in 
any sickness there be scarce two hold alike in all things. 
II. The Constitution especially, but also the Age, Customs and times 
of the year are to be weighed in the cure of every Person, so that the 
method formerly delivered by Sylvius, Rondeletius, Riverius, Heurnius, 
&c. is not sufficient to learn any to practice well and faithfully, unless 
they have distinguishing knowledge of their own; in some, one ounce 
of the Emetick infusion will work 20 times, in another ten, in another 
scarce once, in anothor it works onely downwards; in one, one scruple 
of Jallap is a sufficient dose, in another of the same age, Sex and strength, 
one ounce will hardly work, and so in the same manner for all other 
Medicines; that that excites one Lethargick will not move another; 
and that that restores Palsies in one, moves no sense of feeling in ano- 
ther, for the sense of feeling naturally is not alike in all. 
III. Observe the Time of the Stars ; for if given when Nature doth 
not co-operate, we do nothing ; if Nature draws one way, and our Me- 
dicines pull the other, a confusion is made. 
IV. Observe what contradictions there be in all Distempers ;take 
away the greatest of two evils first, and tha that will be longest ere 
it kill, may be suffered longest ere cured : Also observe in curing one 
infirmity, we do not aggravate or make another; and also observe what 
infirmities the sick usually was prompt to, and judge that that was usu- 
al to him in health, is the less dangerous in sickness, yet not without 
some exceptions; also observe which way the sick used to have his 
blood purged of Heterogenious matter.
V. Physicians are Natures Servants, and therefore must observe her 
Dilates in any of these Diseases; we may Purge, or let Blood, or Sweat, 
or move by Urine, or Salivate, or Synapisate, or use Leeches as we 
see blood abound, and as we finde Nature oppressed, or beginning an 
Excretion such a way, or of such a matter, and in such a place. For 
Example, If any in a Stupid and sottish Disease bleeds much at Nose, 
hath the Hæmorrhoids or courses that used to flow, stopped, hath heat 
of the Body, beating of the Pulses, swelled Veins, though it is contra-
ry

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 79 
ry to Physicianns Directions in stupid Diseases to Bleed; yet it is con- 
venient here in these cases to let blood, and chiefly in the Arteries; or 
if Arteriotomy may not be allowed, or cannot be celebrated, a Vein of 
the Forehead, Temples, or behind the Ears, or Jugulars, are to be o- 
pened, for they draw immediately from the part; and experience will 
witness for it, against those of the Circulation, that in all cases will 
bleed in the Arm, because of the community of Vessels : Furthermore, 
if in Falling-sicknss, Convulsions, Distraction, Light-headedness, and 
Melancholy or the like ; if any thing break forth by the Ears, or No- 
strils, or any other way ; we are to judge the Morbifick matter like to 
it, and we are to draw it forth by those parts Nature hath begun and 
shewed us the way. 
VI. We must endeavour, if we perceive it is a Matter or Humour that 
doth cause the Disease, to draw it outwardly, and from the more Noble 
to the less Noble Parts; Also we must observe the Emunctories of 
Nature, in most Diseases of the Head, shaving of the whole Head, and 
applying blistering Epispasticals were good , particularly behind the 
Ears, and upon the Sutures; vehement purging will do nothing in a 
confirmed Distemper, and where Humours are setled and coagulated, 
and the Brain corrupted. 
VII. This alone, what ever Practical Authors have writ, is conve- 
nient to all persons in a sleepy Disease, and to all persons in a raging 
Disease, and to all persons in a depravation, or abolition of feeling 
and motion ; to give Specificks, to oppose the quality of the Humour, 
that is Narcotical, or Maniacal, or Spasmastical, or Paralytical ; in 
all those fits of falling, as Vertiginous, Hysterical, Epileptical, Ca- 
taleptical, Convulsive and Syncopical, Pæeony, Castorium or its Spi- 
rit, Succinum or Oil of Amber, Elks Claw, &c. are convenient, be- 
cause in these is an occult quality, opposite to that occult quality in the 
Humour that causeth the falling : in all sleepy sicknesses, Rosemary,
Betony, Castorium, Juniper Berries, Sage, Marjorum, Lavender, 
Lillies of the Valley, Tile-Tree, Chamepitis, Assafœtida, and Phu- 
Silvestre, are Specifical, because these in all Causes, and in all Hu- 
mours, endued with a Narcotick Quality, whereby they work and 
change our Bodies, do by an opposite quality in them oppose and over- 
power the Narcotical qualified Spirit of those Humours.
In an agil, and hot, and spirituous qualification of Humours, which 
doth produce raging, madness, and fury, and dotage, and is of high 
Heterogeneity to the Quality of our Spirits and therefore several Poy- 
sons will cause Deliriums and Madness, Rosemary, Fumitory, Beto-
ny, Couslips, Hpithsimum, Lapis Lazuli, are Specifical against Dot-
age 

80 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
tage, and loss of Ratiocination : but to stop the furious vapours of hot 
Blood, and the fermenting in hot and acrimonious Humours, and to 
obtund their Acrimony, and stop their Motion, Opium, Laudanum, 
Poppies, Nightshade,Lettice, Violets, Mandrakes, Henbane, Stramoni- 
um & Housleeks, have an Antipathetick Quality; for these cause rest, and 
are , of the same Nature and Quality that the humours are of, 
that cause Coma, Carus, and Lethargy; for man being deduced from the 
Earth, hath its qualities (I think all) naturally, or by custom, or by 
corruption in his Blood and humours, that are to be found in Mine- 
rals, Plants, or other Animals: in some persons Opium will not make 
sleepy ; in some Tobacco will not cause Vomit, eaten ; in some Spiders 
will distend and swell them no more then their ordinary nourishment; 
some eat Arsenick and Hemlock harmlesly. The only reason of these 
things is this, By custom (or otherwise by a peculiar Temper) such 
things eaten, turn the Blood and Juyces into their Nature and Quality, 
and so being Homogenious do not fight, and that is the reason of Ap- 
petites ; one loves one thing, another another, because of a Juyce of 
such a quality in his Stomach, that sympathizes and antipathizes with 
such nourishment. 
Let the Palsy, Convulsion and Stupor, or trembling Motions come 
from what cause they will, hurting the Sinews, Earth-worms, Rhue, 
Castorium, Sage, Rosemary, Betony, Chamepitis, Succinum, or 
the Oyls of these outwardly help ; why ? because in all, the Sinews are 
hurt ; now these assist and strengthen the Sinews by a peculiar quality, 
implanted originally by God at their first making, according to his good 
pleasure; and why Rhue Should have a quality to help the Sinews, and 
Henbane to hurt them, we can give no account: It pleased GOD in 
such a Plant to put a Caustick Spirit, in such a Narcotick qualitied 
Spirit; and in such an one a quality to respect the Brain, in another to 
respect the Liver. 
VIII. If two or more parts are corrupted, inflamed, obstructed, 
&c. we must chiefly in cure, respect that that was first, for perhaps 
that caused the other; a great deal of Water, or Ichor, or Sanies may 
be heaped up in such a part, though sent from another; as in Dropsies, 
all the Bowels are oft found corrupted and totted, and yet all were 
not the cause, but that or they that gave occasion to the water to en- 
crease, which corrupted all : so if much Water, or Blood, or Choler 
be heaped up in the Head, we must respect the part sending, as well as 
the part receiving ; perhaps the Uriters do not carry so much Urine as 
was wont; perhaps the Gall doth not separate the Choler, it used to 
do, and eject it; perhaps the Blood is not let out or excerned, or sweat 
out or separated, or purified as it ought or used to be. More-

81 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Moreover observe in all Spasms and Resolutions, to observe the head 
of the Nerves,and to anoint the nape of the Neck or Back-bone, whence 
the affected Nerves do proceed, where ere they be. 
IX. A great help to the curing all Diseases, is in Dyet; if any know 
what caused the Disease, the best way is to abstain from the cause, and 
to observe their own Constitution, what hurts or helps them ; for 
one mans meat is anothers Poyson : the outward often stirs up 
the inward, which without the motive cause would lie still often- 
times. 
X. As we said before of Specificals, so of Alterers; We must oppose 
cold Medicines to an hot Disease or Constitution ; hot Medicines to a 
cold Distemper; moistning in a dry Distemper and Constitution ; and 
drying must be opposed to too great moisture : but concerning drying 
Medicaments, we must not imagine that Guaiacum, Sarsaperilla, Chi- 
na, Sassafras, &c, drie, for nothing dries any other way, then conse- 
quentially, expelling or absorbing the moisture; for there is nothing 
wasts, but all Air is conceded into Water, and Water is ra- 
rified into Air, and so they are in perpetual change; for if Water by 
Guaiacum, Sassafras, China, &c. was annihilated, then there would 
be less Water, and less in the world, and in a Million of years the Sea 
might be dryed up: I confess Litharge will drie much, because it doth 
suck up moisture into its own body; and so do Mucilages of Gum-Ara- 
bick, specially Gum-Tragacanth, and Spunges, but they must be ei- 
ther Sweaters that are drying, or Diureticks ; sweating spends in Va- 
pour and Exhalation, per habitum Corporis, or Urine-purgers 
send it out by the ordained motions of the Parts, or Natures instituted 
Channels in its whole Substance and Body; and those that do not 
spend moisture by expelling it by sweat through the Skin, or by the In- 
stituted motions of Nature by the Kidneys and Bladder, do not dry. 
L A

82 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES
OF THE 
LUNGS. 
It hath been thought, that a Cough, Asthma, 
Pleurise, Peripneumonia, Empyema, Hæ- 
moptoe, and Phthisis were all the Diseases 
of the Lungs, and that the Lungs had no 
more, nor no other, according to an or-
dinary method in nature: A cough is but a
Symptome, and may be in all Diseases of 
the Lungs, and I know not why it should be 
called a Disease, for in a Peripneumonia, 
or inflamation of the Lungs, the cause gives 
the denomination, for in that may be a 
Cough; so Hæmoptoe also is a Symptom, and may happen in many Di- 
stempers, and from divers Causes. 
Nor have these Diseases mentioned just such causes and no more, or 
no other then what practical Authors writ. 
I shall save my self the pains to write the Diagnostick and Progno- 
stick Signs; as also the Causes and Method of curing Diseases described
in 

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 83
in Practices of Physick, they may be compared with what we draw 
from Observations, nigh as well as if they were here writ together or 
premised. 
The Lungs are the Bellows or Fan of the Heart, the fire of our Bo- 
dies, which they blow up, and keep from dying, falling round about 
the Heart, filled with Wind, which they draw in and let out, as our ar- 
tificial Bellows do; and as soon as these Natural Bellows cease drawing 
and letting out of Air; the fire of our Bodies wanting fomenting and 
stirring up, dies, and we grow cold and pale. 
The Lungs have also another Office, to receive Flegm, and cough 
it forth, and wheresoever the Lungs burdened cannot cough, we are 
apt to be choaked. 
These are the two Natural Offices of the Lungs; and we would give 
insight to the Reader how many wayes, and how diversly these may be 
diminished, vitiated or abolished ; for properly and plainly, the An- 
tients should have described these two, diminished, vitiated or abo- 
lished, and have brought all the several causes, and the signs of such 
particular causes, being found by Dissection ; and the degrees of each 
kind, and the variety of Natures Order and Progress, and how the 
Lungs may be affected from other parts by community of Vessels, or 
super-incumbency, or affinity of Nature; and Philosophically they 
should have described the peculiarity of the nature of the Lungs, differ - 
ent from other parts, that made them have Diseases different from other 
parts, they being of a more flegmatick, airy and spongy Substance and 
Quality. 
I have known many different kinds,and differing degrees in all those 
kinds of short breathing, and different causes of those different kinds, 
viz. outward and precedent causes ; for I never saw a man opened that 
died of any Disease ; and sometimes large eating, the Diaphragm be- 
ing crushed up, and capacity of the Thorax streightned, hath caused a 
Disnaea; sometimes Wind which hath been eased, as the former, when 
the cause removed ; sometimes swift motion, specially in Green-sick- 
nesses, for with motion they are almost out of breath ; in obstrucions, 
as in the Jaundice and Cachexia, they are very short winded, because 
cold clammy humours do sometimes abound, and the Thoracical Mus- 
cles move heavily, and the parts are crushed up by windiness distend- 
ing, which in Dropsies is occasioned by Water; so in Apoplexies breath- 
ing is short, or where breathing is not difficult and very short, I sup- 
pose it improper to call that sleepy stupid sickness an Apoplexy. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 91. observed an Old woman that eat much 
Fruit, she had a Catarrh, she was cured with a Phlegmagoge and Sto-
L 2 machical


84 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
machical pouder, when an Asthma supervened ; he accounted it Wind 
in the Stomach, crushing up the Midriff, and tough Flegm sticking to 
the sides of the Aspera Arteria.
And Obs. 176. a Maid was exceedingly troubled with short breath- 
ing, and so against Food, that she almost pined away for want of appe- 
tite to eate; He cured this, and two more (Obs. 144. and Obser. 145.) 
with Stomachical, Chymical purging Powders once or twice given ; so 
that he adjuged these Asthma’s caused from distention and Wind of the 
the Stomach, thrusting up the Lungs, and from Flegmatickness of the 
Stomach or Midriff. 
Another ate Fruit, and was so inflated at Stomach; that he breathed 
difficultly, but he (in his Obs. 144.) had a dry Cough with his hard 
breathing; signs of Choler, Thirst, bitterness of his Mouth, and pain of 
his Head. 
Felix Platerus in Respirat. d fectu. Obs. 1. One had a Cough a long 
while, specially he coughed on Mornings, and in the Evening ; he did 
spit forth raw Matter, often Sneez; he had falling down of Rheum 
by his Nose sometime, and was short winded if he wen up an Hill. 
And (page 170.) one had short breathing, and felt, like a girdle about 
him, pain on the Region of the Stomach, and a Feaver. 
Another had a sudden short with a Cough and spitting 
forth of Matter.
Another had a Periodick short breathing from defluxions.
Another had a great shortness of breath, like to suffocate him, with a 
Cough, and a falling down of Rheum, but was cured. 
Skenk. de. dyspnæa. Obs. 1. Relates, one had difficult breathing, if he 
did but walk once about his Parlour; most have when they lie down; 
standing upright commonly they breath best ; Even as Dodonæus Obs.  
Medic. cap. 20. Observed a Merchant not cured of short breathing by 
bleeding or other Medicines, and that for diverse years be had never 
lyen down, but sat and slept, else he would have been suffocated ; and 
at last a Gout and pain of his Kindneys troubled him, and his Asthma 
that could not be cured by Art, was derived by Nature to some other 
parts. 
Nicholas, Ser 4. Tract. 2. cap. 25. An Asthma or difficult breathing 
did oppress one once a week, commonly on Fridays. 
Another, in Horst. Epist. Med. preparing a Lee to wash Clothes as 
the Lee boiled, hung her head over it, and the steems came into her 
mouth, and she had such a difficult breathing presently thereupon, which 
encreased and continued seven dayes, she thought she should be suffo-
cated; and did die.
These

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 85
These are only to shew the variety of Symptoms, and difference in 
one Disease amongst all persons; also to shew how one and the self same 
effect, may arise from sundry causes, and one and the self same thing 
produce divers effects in two persons : Also that a Catarrh, Cough, Hy- 
drops Pectoris, Corruption or Apostemation of Blood, Empyema, Pe- 
ripneumonia, Pleuritis, Hydrops, Apoplexies, Inflatious and their likes, 
may in some cause difficult breathing, in others not; may in some 
cause a Cough, in others not ; may in some cause a pain of the 
brest, in others not; in some these, one or more; and sometimes 
one, sometimes another; and sometimes three or four may follow 
upon short breathing together ; sometimes separate, or one after 
another ; and sometimes one of them, sometimes another; and 
sometimes two or three may concomitate an Asthma or Cough, or be 
complicated together; But we cannot write all the particular Observa- 
tions to prove all these, but they shall see such and much more variety 
in the Lungs, and their sicknesses, that do read divers Physicians Ob- 
servations thereof, which are not altogether singular cases, but the com- 
mon and ordinary Method of Nature also, so far as (he doth Observe any 
Type or Order. 
By the divers kindes and degrees of short breathing, and the variety of 
outward and exciting Causes, & concomitant Sicknesses, already shewn, 
may be guessed how Coughs, spittingof Blood, of Matter, Inflama- 
tion of the Lungs, Pleurisies, &c. do vary in kinde and degree ; and 
are sometimes simple, as a Disease ; or joyned, as a Disease to another 
Disease ; or happening as a Symptom in other Ails, or supervening ; 
we shall quote many Histories and Observations of those that have been 
opened, and withal shew the various handling of these persons; some 
were alike, where the Cause seemed disalike ; and some were dis- 
agreeing in Diseases, Symptoms, and greatness thereof most, where 
by the Cause one would think they might be most like. But the want 
of having many Histories of all things, and seeing all the Varieties of 
Nature, and the want of distinguishing betwixt likes, hath hugely spoil- 
ed true Learning, or the Learning of Truth. 
We shall make thirteen or fourteen Distinctions of the Causes of 
Sicknesses from the Lungs, which may be reckoned as so many Diseases, 
and such and such are their Symptoms.
I. Abscesses are in the Lungs, as in other parts, and vary; of each 
kinde are various kindes, and of each of them several degrees: Colum- 
bus, lib. 15. found not onely Steatomatous Abscessus, but Bones and 
large, in the Lungs of Francisous Capellus. 
Holler.


86 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Holler. de morb. intern, cap. 23. lib. 2, opened a Monk, of whom he 
did satisfie himself touching the cause of an Asthma that suddenly kil- 
led him, finding an Apostem in the Vena Arteriosa, and sine pari, the 
Lungs safe.   
Tulp lib. 2. cap. 6. Obs. One was let blood in a Pleurisie, but too 
late, it neither eased the cough, nor pain ; at last much purulency by 
suppuration brake forth under the Arm-holes, and after a larger abscess 
arose in the Navil, or nigh thereto, and the purulency ran forth , and 
the Sick presently recovered. 
Pet. Pawns Obs. Anat. p. opened a young man that was so wasted he 
had scarce any flesh, both sides of the Lungs were bound to the Sides 
or Ribs; there were divers purulent abscesses in the Lungs, and Flegm 
in divers parts of the Lungs was discerned to concrete, and in some 
places plain stones for hardness, were found ; abundance of Water, 
though he was so dried, was found in the Pericardium ; he had fault al- 
so in his spinal Marrow, and the Vena Cava rose from the Liver in him 
in that place the Porta useth to rise; but whether these did contribute 
to his Tabes, onely the Lungs, is to be questioned. Also Obs. 22. 
he found an abscess of the Lungs in a Woman, the Lungs were tied 
with innumerable ligaments in various places, to the Pleura, also 
to the Pericardium and Midriff ; the Liver herewith was pale , as void 
of Blood, but not scirrhous ; the Lungs under the left Clavicle in the 
less part, had a great abscess, in it four pound of Sanies was ; and be- 
sides this, thirty or forty small abscesses of thick purulency and Scirrhs 
in other places. 
And Obs. Anatom. 25. A Woman died of an Atrophia, a wasting 
different from a Phthisick, the whole Lungs were purulent, any where 
white Pus did flow out; she had scarce any flesh left, and it was here- 
ditary to her.  
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2. Obs. 19. opened one that died of a slow 
or lingring Feaver; so wasted, that not onely Fat but all Flesh seemed 
consumed ; all parts were corrupted, the Omentum gangrened and al- 
most wasted, the right Kidney putrified, the Liver, great, hard, and full 
of Tubercles, Spleen onely discoloured, as the Intestines were , the 
Mesentery was wholly consumed Stomach and Bladder good,the Heart 
small and dried, but the Lungs (which is the business in hand) 
were purulent, full of knots, out of which white matter did flow ; but 
the lower part of the Lungs were drie and hard, and a pretty deal of 
water gathered in the Cavity. 
We shall in these give the Reader as much satisfaction, if he will 
minde, as if we should write a particular Treaise of the promiscuous 
affects


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 87 
affects of all the Bowels together: The Reader may easily see the Me- 
thod and Current of Nature, that one part consents with another, and 
frequently in those that dye, all or most of the Bowels are corrupted, 
and for the most part in different manners and degrees; nor are the 
parts so affected by Vessels running from one to another palpably al- 
ways, but they do transude and transmit both vapours and matter tho- 
row their Parenchyma, or Body ; in vivo omnia sunt pervia: The in- 
ward parts have pores, and do lie one upon another, and so affect one 
another. 
And as the Bowels are by Dissection found alike to be affected, and 
all to vary in this Affection or Disease, so the outward Symptoms va- 
ry ; and there are in the current of some Sicknesss nine or ten Diseases, 
which sometimes are looked upon as Symptoms. It is clear Physicians 
have writ very defectively ; but Truth and Experience are the sure Wit- 
nesses of Nature ; they shall never be controled : Nor shall I therefore 
ever be controled, though the Envyers of Truth speak and write against 
me. 
Laz. River. Cent. I. Obs. 60. Opened one of spitting of Blood, a Cough, 
Feaver, short-windedness, pains of the Shoulder-blades, beating of the 
Heart, and in the right Hypochonder, deceased ; the Mediastinum was 
full of wheyish Blood, it crushed together the Lungs and rough Artery, 
and caused the Asthma; the Lungs every where had a purulent and 
stinking matter, the left Testicle spongy, black, and gangrened, the 
Heart not hurt: Riverius supposed the affected Testicle did hurt the 
Heart; and what consent is there of these parts ? and what communi- 
ty of Vessels have these more than other parts ? 
II. and III. We shall shew that Bones and Stones are found in the 
Lungs, and what Diseases or Symptoms they produce , how they va- 
ry, and with what they are complicated. 
Columbus, lib. 15. found great Bones there. 
Of Stones. We have already related them among other Ails of the 
Lungs; they do cause Coughs, spitting of Blood, Asthma’s, Phthisicks, 
Atrophia, &c. or at the least, they are found in such person's o- 
pened. 
Alexand. Trallianus, lib. 5. cap. 4. One spat forth a Stone smooth and 
well formed, no congealed matter. 
Paul. Ægineta, lib 3. cap. 31. saw one with a grievous Cough, 
that raised much blood, therewith stones, flinty; he dyed ta- 
bid. 
Beniven. cap. 24. de abditis : One had a grievous side-pain, and drie 
Cough,

88 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Cough, he voided from his brest a stone as big as a Chess-Nut, and was 
eased quite. 
Gerardus Bergensis saw some in Coughs cast forth many stones toge- 
ther. 
Cornel. Gumma lib. I. cap. 6. saw many little white exceeding hard 
stones coughed up from the Lungs; to omit the observations of Kent- 
mannas, Wierus, Ferrandus, Cardanus, Fernelius, Jacotius, Sebastianus,
Platerus, Gabelchover, Oetheus,&c. enow to testifie the truth, that stones 
bigger or less, more or fewer, rounder or flatter, are the cause, and fre- 
quent cause of the aforesaid ails and sicknesses; these saw them coughed 
forth. 
We shall shew some Examples thereof by Dissection too, so that di- 
vers that have such stones in their Lungs, or Pipes, or in all other parts, 
there may be no appearance. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician in an Epistle of his signifies 
that a Roman Woman thirty five year old, for many years was trou- 
bled with inappetence, and a dry Cough, and Asthma, she had advice 
of divers Physicians in vain ; opened, her Stomach was found full of 
hardened Fibra’s, and black; three Lobes, of the four the Lungs have, 
were stony, or hardened like to stone ; the Milt did not exceed a Pullets 
Egg in bigness. 
Platerus, Obs. de respiratione defectu, pag. 180. found stones in four 
Asthmatical and short-winded persons, in one he found stones in the 
middle of the intersepient Membranes in the Brest. 
Petrus Paw. in his ninth Dissection, in one that died of a Consum- 
ption, found Apostemations, Tubercles full of Pus, many in the Lungs, 
and in some parts absolutely petrified ; he was wasted and dried excee- 
dingly , yet good store of Water was found in the Pericardium, We 
could bring many more Examples, but these may suffice. 
IV. Animalia, Worms, or various kindes of living Creatures are 
the Cause of many Sicknesses and Affects, not onely peculiar to other 
parts, but coincident to the Lungs also, and each part Extrinsick as well 
as Intrinsick, chiefly a pertinacious Cough is stirred up by Worms; 
sometimes they are joyned with stones, and there is short breathing, 
and pains of the Clavicles; they are sometimes like Worms in Wood, 
Maggots, Flies, and sometimes like Pine-Kernels; more have been cast
up by Cough, in flegmatick matter, then have been found in the Disse- 
cted : We shall not stay the Reader in the particular Histories. Johan- 
ner Skenkins, Obs. Med. pag. 217. hath collected Authors enow, if any 
should distrust the Truth , to witness it. None could guess at 
Worms


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 89 
Wormes by the Symptomes hardly, except they saw the like. 
V. Coughs are caused by things got into the Trachæa Arteria, or
Lungs ; as short and difficult breathing. Nic. Tulp. Obs. 7. of his third 
Book, relates of a Citizen of Amsterdam, for seven years hugely molest- 
ed with a Cough , and very strait breathed, so that he grew lean; at 
last with violent Coughing he brought up the shell of an Hazel Nut, as 
big as a mans Finger-Nail, and he was thence-from delivered of his 
long and tedious Cough and Dyspnæa; it stuck about the Head of the 
Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe. 
Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. Cent. 2. Obs. 27. relates of a Woman of Pata 
via, that eating Chess-Nuts laughed, and it seems some part got into 
the Wind-pipe, which she did not know ; for two months she was mi- 
serably afflicted with a Cough, with a Feaver, and wasting of the 
whole Body; a Phthisick was feared, divers Physicians were advised 
with ; at last she took a vomitive potion, and brought up the Kernel, and 
was presently restored to health.
VI. The Lungs are sometime found spongy ; Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. 
Anatom. Cent. 3. His. 2. found them so ; they were light like a Feather, 
yet in some parts tied to the sides ; their colour outwardly was good, 
but inwardly they had little Blood, but Sanies in some places issued out; 
his Heart great and full of Blood, found ; he died consumptive, scarce 
any flesh left on his Body ; his sickness began with muteness , and a 
great swelling under the Chin : Let the Reader in all these judge how 
it is with others, and how one part consents with another in being af- 
flicted together, that is more remote, and hath less Community of 
Vessels many times ; and how all being affected in one Body, and one 
Disease, they vary each perhaps in the kinde of affection ; so that it is 
clear, Physick is Ars Conjecturalis ; and to finde those Diseases Ancients 
writ of, so and no other, and in all things just so full, is a rarity ; for 
I suppose some of them writ by one case how all were, and so do the 
ordinary people; that that cures one, they think must cure all; and if 
died so, they pronounce all sick of that distemper ( as well as they can 
guess) to die : In this man the Caul was quite consumed, the Ileon- 
Gut looked black, the Liver looked dark, the Bladder of Gall full, most 
of the parts very found. Heurnius found the Lungs like these. 
VII. Sometimes the Lungs or Lights are found waterish, as Riverius, 
Cent. 2. Obs. 78. A Woman had a short breathing for fifteen years, en- 
creasing gradually , she had sometimes a swelling of her Cheek, and
M Erisy-


90 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Erisypelas of her Leg, she had sometimes a falling down of Rheum,
which encreased her Dyspnea; she coughed not at all till one day before 
she died, and that is the wonder, her Lungs being full of water : for 
how in Dropsies do some cough with their Dyspnæa, through the transu- 
dation of water, and soaking thereof in the Lungs? With the water- 
ishness and corruption of the Lungs, the Spleen is found putrified, so 
that with crushing it fell in pieces; the right Ventricle of the Heart in 
the interior part denudated of its Membrane, and looked putrid and 
exulcerated, the right Auricle large and found ; and this was a reason 
of the inequality of Pulse : for in another Riverius opened, where was 
the like inequality of Pulse, the right Auricle was bigger than wont, 
and filled with a flegmatick hard concrete substance : In another he o- 
pened, an Ulcer in the middle of the Heart caused it.
VIII. A Dropsie of the Lungs is like to this, but in the purity of 
the Water, and quantity they vary ; and in this the Parenchyma of the 
Lungs may not be corrupted.
Tulpius, lib, 2. Obs. 16. A Boy had a moist head, and frequent distil- 
lation, a light Feaver, a Cough, and very difficult breathing, a great 
sleepiness, and often fainting : opened, the Brest was full of Water, 
the Lungs hung flaccing, the left Auricle of the Heart eaten with divers 
Ulcers, a slinking humour belching out, which might be the cause of 
the Childs often fainting. 
T. Barth. Cent. 2. Hist. Thomas Cartier, a sanguine man, incli- 
ned to an atrabilarious temper, laboured of a light Cough, and Feaver- 
ishness; they encreased; he grew Asthmatical, specially on Nights; 
his Feet swell, Pain troubles his left Side : dissected, ten pints of 
putrified and stinking Water was found in his Thorax ; the Lungs, ex- 
cept in the left part, putrilaginous; the Spleen putrid and slinking, in 
the greatest part of it; ten or twelve Clots of thick concreted Blood 
were found in the Ductus of the Aorta, near the Heart. 
IX. The Lungs are found in some discoloured alone; not that the 
colour causeth any thing, but that that caused the colour; even as a poi- 
sonous quality infecting the Body, changes the colour of the inward 
Bowels. 
Riverius, Obs. 87. Cent. 1. One troubled with Cardialgia pain of the 
left Scapula and Arm, Flux of the Belly, then a Cough, with difficulty of 
breathing, and after that spitting of Blood ; Medicines and Bleeding 
availed not, she spat Blood hugely afore Death : Dissected, the Lungs 
were white, sticking to the Ribs, and Midriff, and Pericardium, as if 
one

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 91 
one Body; the Heart white and exulceratcd, and the matter from that 
caused the Cough, and spitting of Blood.
He found them livid in another, page l55. 
In an observation communicated to him from Hen. Rufus, is found, 
how that a Maid had a long and lingering sikness, melancholy and pale, 
and short winded, but not likely to die, nor did she lie by it; when she
lay down she had sometimes a dry Cough, no thirst, she grew weakly; she 
died, not being thought mortally diseased : many specks or spots, li- 
vid or red were seen ; the Lungs had whitish circumferential lines,and 
seemed blasted ; all the bowels but the Liver safe, that was tainted with 
Leeky Choler ; the Pleura and intercostal Muscles were coloured green 
from an humour; the Pericardium void of juyce and putrified; the 
Heart and Brain safe; he seldom coughed; the Pericardiom might affect 
the vital Spirits in the Heart, and so cause unexpected death. Many 
the like may be seen in Histories under the other Heads, but we are 
loth to write one Observation twice, though it may witness three or 
four things.
X. The Lungs are very frequently found to stick to other parts, be- 
ing of a clammy Substance, and flegmatick Nature; in all infirmities 
of the Brest, they may stick, or adhere, or grow out of order, to one 
part or other they are nigh, especially too as that part consents in cor- 
ruption with them. 
Pet. Paw a Tabid Person opened, found both parts of the Lungs 
sticking or growing firmly to the Ribs. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Hist. 2. in another Tabid or Phthisical Person, 
found the Lungs; being light and spongy, to be grown 16 the Ribs; 
and in the 76 History of his 2 Cent. a Pthisical Person was opened, the 
Lungs were void of Blood, and dried, and grew firmly to the Ribs on 
the right side. 
Riverius. Observat. Cent. x. page 84. found in one that died of an 
Ulcer of the Heart, spitting of Blood, Cough, difficulty of breathing, 
pain of the side, &c. that the Lungs were firmly knit to the ribs and 
Diaphragma, and Pericardium, as if united into one Body. 
Columbus Lib. 15. Anatomiæ, saith, He hath frequently found the 
Lungs knit to the Pleura, sometimes in one side sometimes tn another, and 
sometimes in both. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. relates one laboured of a defluxion upon his 
Lungs and Brest, a Diarrhæa preceeded; he had a Cough, great stretch- 
ing out of the Stomach, belching and nausea, he was disposed to goutish
and Stone-Cholical pains formerly; dying suddenly, and opened, the 
M2 lungs 

92 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Lungs on the right side did cleave to the side swelled, as if inflamed, 
the left part swam in bloody Water, such as Bauhinus nere saw before ;
in one Kidney was diverse smaller, and one great Stone , the other 
Kidney wasted ; Water was in the Belly ; the Stomach that by the sym- 
toms seemed affected, is not mentioned to be hurt, 
Hercules Saxonia did find in two, with some difference, that the 
cause of their Asthma and spitting of Blood, was an inward corruption 
of the Lungs, and outwardly their growing to the Pleura or side ; but 
one of them seemingly died of a Dropsy. 
XI. The Lungs or Lights are sometimes found dryed, and void of 
Blood, and light, as Tho. Barth. 76. Hist. Cent. 2. tesisies, recited 
before : to which also comes the observation of Petrus Spehrerius afore 
related.
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 2. Hist. 35. saith, In Phthisicks he hath seen 
the Lungs so hardned and dryed they might be crumbled. 
And the next observation but one, was a dissection of a dropsical par- 
ty that coughed, was short winded and Phthisical; his Lungs were ra- 
ther dry then moist, and void of Blood, hanging flaccing. 
Most of these things make against the Moderns, especially such as I- 
dolize the invention of the right wayes the Blood circulates in ; they 
attribute much to the Heart, Spirits, and too swift or flow motion of the 
Blood, and other sangles about the Vessels and their community, which 
are but sometime, if at any time, in any measure true : Men must ima- 
gine still, that Nature must change and alter, as the Vertices of their 
Brains whirl about. 
Cent. 2. Hist. 76. Tho. Barth, found in one dying of a Consumption, 
the Lungs dryed, void of Blood, and grown to the sides, and yet much 
yellow water in the Thorax and Abdomen.
XII. The Lungs are found Scirrhous, as all other inward Bowells 
are ; sometimes full of hard knots, sometimes they have thick Mat- 
ter in them; sometimes like Atheroma, sometimes like Steatoma, and 
sometimes like Melicerius ; and sometimes they have Worms, Stones, 
and concrete Matter or Blood therein ; and sometimes they are Spon- 
gious, and sometimes pure Caruncles : Yet the Pracical Physicians
wrote only of Scirrhs of the Liver and Spleen, as if they were peculi- 
ar to those parts alone ; they are indeed in those parts as well as others, 
but as rarely so, and such as they describee, as any other; so that from 
one or two Observations they chanced to see, (if they were grounded 
on Observation) Experientia interdum Fallax; they laid down the Me- 
thod

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 93 
thod of Nature, which Observation might be as great a rarity and pe- 
culiar case as any, for in the dissected two are not exactly found alike, 
or at least rarely by one man in all things. 
Many times a dispute is more about the sense or signification of a 
Word, or the name of the thing, then any thing else ; one meaning 
one thing by such a word, another another; one takes the word from 
the Genuine signification of the Word, or Radix, or that from whence 
it is derived ; another from the common acception, or what such have 
seemed to mean by it ; that should alwayes first be known what they 
mean by such Words, or Titles, or names of things, for perhaps 
thereby they might at first understand one another, and be recon- 
ciled. 
But the word Scirrh was took by the Ancients and Moderns, as it 
purely signifies, being a Greek word σxiρροs, from the Verb σxiρροω to 
make hard; yet they mean not only an hardness, but hard swellings 
thereby : Indeed many times the common use of a word, this way or 
that way, makes it proper this way or that way. 
Johannes Bauhinus, as we have afore related, found the Lungs har- 
dened, but liker a Phlegmone then Scirrh, as the Ancients described; 
we shall rarely see any thing in all points exactly cohere with their de- 
scription. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician, found them hard, as afore re- 
lated, but as it were turned into perfect stone.
Schenchius filius writes of one that had a masse of flesh weighing 
three pound,that was concreted or hardned,as if the flesh was laid plate 
upon plate, and outwardly was a Tumor in the side. 
Johannes Hessus, in an Observation communicated by Joachim Cam- 
rarius to Jo. Schenkius writes , That one that spat Blood with a salt di- 
stillation and Cough was opened, and in his right side was found a Tu- 
bercle sticking to the Lungs, it was large and like a Sponge, so that it 
is appertinent to the sixth head. 
Nicholaus, Serm. 4. Tract. 2. Cap. 6. One almost suffocated, cough- 
ed up a piece of hardned flesh,large, and other pieces smaller, and was 
eased ; a year after the same seemed to be regenerated, and he died, choak- 
ed thereby. 
Benivenius, cap. 88. de abditis, A woman seemed for a good while, as 
if she should be choaked or suffocated, and stopped up; at last she fell in- 
to a very troublesome Cough, and brought up a piece of hard flesh, and 
was eased quite. 
Forestus

94 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Forestus observed an Asthmatical so, by coughing up an hard Caruncle,
eased. 
One voided in Skenkius a Tabid, that had a Cough diverse years, with 
much matter like a fishes Bladder or Swimmer, as some; Lohoch Sanum, 
and de pulmone Vulpis, &c. did no good till this came up. 
We may reduce things to Heads, but in all these heads are so many 
varieties, that they are scarce reduceable under any one name, they do 
so vary; so that it is hard to say, whether they belong to this or that 
kind, or to any, or whether they are a Gennus by themselves, ora Species 
of some strange and different Genus. 
Shenk. pag. 218. hath gathered two Observations, 
One from Hollerius: One died of a Dropsie of the Brest, a Cough, and 
great thirst, the Lungs were found wonderfully dried ; but this is refera- 
ble to the eleventh head. 
The other from Franciscus Michinus, of one that supposedly died of 
an Empyema or Dropsy of the Brest, the Pleura, and so the Lungs, Me- 
diastinum, and partly the Spleen and Midriff, were thick and callous, or 
brawny fleshed.
Who would have imagined that Mr. Francis Edwards of Alesy in this 
County, troubled-long with an oppressing and stuffing at his Chest, ease- 
able by no Pectorals, should have had an Animal like a Serpent bred 
there ? he died at London, about the year 1661 and was opened, the Phy- 
sicians desiring to see the cause of his stuffing and clogging that they 
could not help. 
Nor are all these things we have writ, such strange and rare Cases as 
some may imagine , but if men were opened, they would be thought 
the common causes of sicknesses, the wonderful variety of Nature con- 
sidered. 
Jo. Bilgerus in his Epistle to Gregory Horstius, intimates how a Maid 
that had a stuffing and short breathing many years, at last that encreasing, 
she died, was opened ; the Lungs found blackish, but no other fault in 
them, (this is referrable to stregthen what we said in the ninth Head) 
but when the Aspera Arteria, according to its longitude, came to be 
cut up nigh the passages of the Lungs, through which Air is to be brought 
for fanning native heat, many black Caruncles like little knots or 
Pease, some bigger, some less, were found together, filling up the passa- 
ges of the Lungs; the Veins about the Heart and Diaphragma were full 
of Blood; she had her Courses stopped, and so that might add to the 
growth of these : so that these things do not commonly happen, not 
so as the Practical Physicians thought, but many times not in those parts 
or places as they did imagine. 
Pet.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 95 
Pet. Paw. found, besides one great Apostem in the Lungs, thirty little 
ones like knots, in his Anatomical Observations annexed to Thomas 
Bartholinus. 
XIII. Distinction of Causes is took from Consumption or absolute 
wasting away of the Lungs, as all other parts of the intern Body do ; 
and truly there is scarce any thing we have writ of the Lungs, but is 
found in other parts ; and what causes are found in other parts, confide- 
ratis considerandis, may be found in the Lungs; and therefore we have 
been the larger to describe all particulars. 
A Gentlewomans Son, whom I knew at Huntingdon, was opened at 
London, dying of a Phthisick, he had but a little bit of his Lungs left, 
his Liver huge large. 
A Kinsman of mine in Holburn was Phthisical many years, and lived 
beyond expectation; he had six or seven children, all died, but some li- 
ved till four or five years of Age; one they opened, thinking it to have 
died of a Dropsy; but as I remember, the Mother told me it had scarce 
a pint of Water in its Belly, but the Lungs were wasted, and the Liver 
filled up the vacuum or yielding of the Lungs, it did so thrust th Dia- 
phragma, but it was very knotty. 
Columbus lib. 15. Anatomiæ, Dissected one that had scarce any piece 
of his Lungs left; there was a great deal of difference twixt him and 
those two, Sylvius and Putem write of, that had five Lobes of the Lungs, 
when naturally men have but four. 
Georgius Crasecchius in tract. de Pulmonum Vitiis, Dissected one that 
died of a Cough, and difficult breathing Phthisical; in the left capacity 
of the Thorax was much Water, purulent and fæculent, and some did 
assimilate to Pultis, and a very small part of the Lungs left. 
By these it is clear, man may live with a little piece of his Lungs; and 
he oftner dies of their stoppages or diversity of corruption, then of their 
wasting, ten to one; and after this manner Nature acts in the rest of the 
intern parts. 
Petrus Forestus, in Scholio ad Observat, 37. lib. 2. Relates of one 
from a wound, that spat up his Lungs, as they turned into purulency, for 
a long time ; so that when he was opened, the Heart was left bare, with- 
out any Lungs about it. 
Sometimes just half the Lungs are wasted, the other half being 
found. 
Moreover the Reader may observe, which perhaps we shall clearly 
demonstrate in our Treatise of the Dropsie, that always the affection 
of the Lungs do not shew a Disease by outward Symptoms.
Thomas

96 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 4. Obs. 17. found Pus & Sanguis sine 
Phthisi: An Hectik Feaver is sometime without hurt of the Lungs, 
(though we have shewn many Examples thereof before, indeed there is- 
scarce any such distinct or peculiar Feaver, or rarely to be found.) Pet. 
Pawns, Obs. Anatom. 16. Fat in great quantity found in the Cavity of 
the Thorax, without any detriment to the Patient: T. Barth. pag. 170. 
and 266. A Phthisis from the Heart, Thom. Bartholin. Cent. 1. Hist. 
50.
River. Obs. p. 74. observed a Pleurisie from Worms, the Lungs un- 
hurt ; so in an Empyema, the Lungs being safe, Sanies was in the side. 
Marcellas Donat. pag. 280. The Cause of an Asthma was not found in 
the Lungs, but Vena Arteriosa and sine pari: Riverius found the Cause 
of an Asthma in the Diaphragma, pag. 286. Skenk. 237, and 222, and  
217. Worms are generated of divers kinds and bignesses , sometimes 
in the Lungs, sometimes in the Aspera Arteria, and sometimes in the 
Vicine parts of the Thorax. See Horst. Obs. pag. 456. Outward Signs 
not agreeing with inward Causes : See Riverius, Observ. pag. 306, Ma- 
ny parts are affected together within the Body, so that we know not 
which to refer a Disease to, or which did cause, or was caused to cor- 
rupt, Tho. Barth. Cent. 2. pag. 177. But he that reads all the foregoing 
Histories, and observes what he reads, shall see more than these will 
make out. 
Our Ardor and Zeal to Truth, and to reconcile all to one mind, and 
to make men attain to that they may ever acquiesce in, and put to si- 
lence all Gain-sayers, hath instigated us to take these pains, and make 
these Scrutinies into all things. 
The Readers perhaps will expect we should deliver somewhat of the 
Cure of all these Distempers, or of their particular Causes. 
Many of those Aphorisms concerning the cure of Head-Diseases, are 
so general, they are to be consulted in each of these. 
If the cure of every Disease is by taking away the Cause, than we 
have given a good insight into the Cure, by shewing all the Causes: But 
because there is such variety and alteration of Distempers, and their 
Causes, the wisest Physician in most weighty businesses, goes conjectu- 
rally to work; and thence it is, every inferiour unlearned fellow, will 
cure the sick Hab-Nab, and sometimes when the Learned cannot do it; 
yea many an old Woman with a few odde Specificals, cures many busi- 
nesses that the Learned cannot accomplish with a Course of Physick, 
not using those Specificals. 
Two things are chiefly considerable in all Sicknesses: First to respect 
the 


A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 97 
the Cause, secondly the Symptom; that is done by Specificals, or Pla- 
netary Medicines. 
I. We noted Abscesses in the Lungs. In those we must use ripen- 
ing and emollient Drinks inwardly, with Wound-Herbs. Take this 
for a Formula : 
IV Hyperici, Saniculæ, Consolidæ, Bugulæ, an. miss. Rad Glyciriræ,
Hordei Gall. Ficuum Pinguium, an. 31. fol. Malvæ Alikæe, Meliloti. an. 
M.S. Boil all in four pints of Water gently, and close covered, till 
the third part is wasted by evaporation ; strain it, drink a quarter of a 
pint thrice a day ; this will serve to cleanse and break Apostematous 
Abscesses too ; Oyntments and Cataplasms also are fit, outwardly 
made, after that manner as Authors prescribe ; opening the side or 
brest is the last, or blistering to to bring out the matter, also cough- 
ing. 
II and III Heads were of Bones and Stones engendered in the Lungs. 
They ate to be coughed up, the Apostmes in which lie, broken, if possibly 
they are to be dissolved; Juyce of Chamomile, Goats Blood, and 
sharp Vinegar dissolve them ; the Cough is to be appeased by mild, sli- 
pery emollient Medicines; though saccharate and sweet things are used 
for the Lungs, they are apt to thicken, and grow clammy, and turn to 
Flegm, and aggravate many Distempers. 
IV. Worms. They are to be killed, and coughed forth, the Lungs 
are to be cleansed ; Mercurius Dulcis is of chief use, and a pectoral 
Drink of Horehound, St. Johns. Wort, Hyssop, Aniseeds, and Grass 
Roots, with Oyl of Vitriol and Brimstone, or Vinegar of Squills, with 
Oyl of Sulphur. 
V. Those great or hard Bodies that from without are got into the 
Wind-pipe or Gullet, and so compress the Wind-pipe, must be cough- 
ed up, or vomited forth ; or if they may go down into the Stomach, 
’tis good to let them go : Oyl of Lillies, sweet Almonds, &c. that di- 
late the Flesh and passages, are good to cause a slipery and easie coming 
forth. 
VI. Concerning the Sponginess of the Lungs, or their lightness, 
fussiness and vacancy of Blood, there is scarce any Remedy ; a Pecto- 
ral moistening and Analeptick Diet, is likely to do most. 
VII and VIII. Waterishness of the Body and Lobes of the Lungs 
is found the Cause of many Griefs, and so the swiming of the Lungs 
in water, though perhaps they may be dry, as they are found divers times 
in a Dropsie of the Brest, else we need not make such distinction : That 
that dries the Body in other cases, is good here, sweating and provoking 
Urine: for the Kidneys should attract or receive all the Water, the 
N Guts

98 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Guts, the Excrements and thick Food, the Liver and Gall, the Choler; 
and when and where any of these are the Cause, we must look to the 
part whose office it was to separate and discharge these : we must some- 
times look for contrary indications; for in a Dropsie of the Brest, dry- 
ing means are convenient; yet because the Lungs therein may be dry, 
they do harm one way as they do good another : Some have handled 
the Cure of such particular Dropsies, to whom I may refer you : Chy- 
surgery, if it be confirmed, is likeliest to do most.
IX. In Discolorations of the Lungs alone is no need, nor no Effica- 
cy of Medicines, but that that gives the green colour, or yellow, or 
black, or white, or livid, of all which colour the Lungs have been 
found ; and sometimes not otherwayes ailing any thing : That that 
gives the Colour is specifically to be purged forth, but this is not fore- 
seen. 
X. The slicking, cleaving or growing of the Lungs to other parts, 
any that are nigh, specially that participate in corrupting with them, is 
not alwayes discoverable, and as seldom curable ; if we perceive they 
do adhere we cannot tell exactly to what part, in what kind, from what 
cause, and in what degree, little or much; hinderers of Putrifaction, 
spenders of moisture, outward heaters and drawers forth of moisture, 
are medicinal, as vomiting to loosen them, and purging to take away 
the antecedent cause, may be, and sneezing, jumping, vociferati- 
on, &c. sweet things, Lohocks, Syrups, specially Gum Arabick, Traga- 
ganth, Starch, &c. are bad, glewing, and apt to be clungy; such things 
are good to mix with Flegm, and to bring it up, and raise Coughing, 
whereby the Lungs are disburdened; also for stopping thin Rheum,and 
imbodying it, that it may be coughed up or raised; or to asswage Sharp- 
ness and Excoriation of the Wind-pipe or Lungs, else they often do 
hurt: and I am perswaded the glutinous and flegmatick nature of the 
Lungs is encreased thereby. We may judge from outward things best, 
many times, how inward things be; and by things we see, those we can- 
not come at to see; Sugars, Syrups, Lohochs, &c. of that nature with 
heat, dry, and grow tough, and birdlimy and clungy, and so ’tis impossi- 
ble they should act in the body, but the supply of moisture keeps them 
from sudden coagulation, or inspissation. 
XI. When the Lungs are dryed, void of blood, and light, there is 
scarce any help ; for though we moisten and nourish the body, yet per- 
haps they are not capable of drawing any nutriment to themselves, or 
at least not to convert it to a right use, the tone and office of them being 
so extinguished: in such cases we must endeavour to make Life as plea- 
sant as we may, and abate the Symptoms. It is a part of wisdom al- 
wayes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 99 
wayes those things we cannot take away, to endeavour to mitigate 
them. 
XII. The Lungs are found scirrhous, hard ; sometimes moist Scirrhs, 
and sometimes light, dry Scirrhs, as Spunges; and sometimes stony 
Scirrhs. To help this, softning Oyntments, and Cataplasms are suita- 
ble, if we can observe the Cause of this Cause ; that is a main matter 
in the cure of all things, to see and observe all along what helped and 
harmed, and with what, and in what times the evil seemed to encrease 
most ; Lohoch and Eclegmas, and Pectoral Drinks are convenient; but 
the difference of Scirrhs asks for diversity. Caruncles are to be cured 
otherwayes than Stones; and Spunginess another way ; and hardned 
Apostems another. A Lohoch made of the Syrup of Juyce of Chamo- 
mile, Gum Ammoniacum, Resina Larirea, Liquorish, flos Sulphuris, and 
rad Althææ is medicinal: Chamomile, Lilly roots, Althea , Lin-seed, 
Fænigreek-seed, Oyl of sweet Almonds, Emplastrum Meliloti, Compo- 
situm pro Splene are outwardly helpful; A juvantibus & nocentibus opti- 
ma sumitur indicatio; by such things as help, and such as hurt, we may 
find out the nature of the Distemper. 
Non est in Medico semper relevetur ut æger,
Interdum Docta plus valet Arte malum. 
The Doctor cannot alwayes cure, sometime 
The Sickness doth above the Med'cine clime. 
xiii. Wasting of the Lungs, are chiefly restored by Causes contrary 
to those that did cause wasting, for they differ in differing people ; 
commonly this is called a Consumption, though there be divers kinds: 
and in some Consumptions the Lungs are firm ; yet where the Lungs 
are wasted, seldom but there is a Consumption, so that we may make 
this distinction : Every wasting away of the Lungs is a Consumption, 
but every Consumption or wasting away of Fat and Flesh, is nor a wast- 
ing of the Lungs, or proceeded there from. The foolish Vulgar call all 
that lie long sick, and waste, Consumptives, and so indeed they be ; 
for Consumption doth only signifie a wasting or Consuming ; and so in 
all diseases, they that lie long sick and cannot eat their food, for the 
most part waste, and yet the Lungs safe, nor are an Atrophia, Phthisis
and Hectick Feaver all the wasting and kinds thereof that do happen ; 
nor doth all wasting waste after one or other of these kinds. 
Those Medicines that are good against Phthisicks or Consumptions 
the Greeks call Restoratives, Nourish- 
ers, and Fatners. N2 Next

100 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Next we shall respect the Symptoms or manifest Griefs depending 
on these and other unknown Causes. First, for short or difficult brea- 
thing, in any Causes these are specifical, or have a propriety. 
Conserve of the roots of Holly-Oaks or Garden-Mallows made with 
Honey, experienced by Benedictus Victo, Faventinus, Empyricis. 
Conserve of the flowers of Honeysuckles, Caprisolium: Experienced 
by N. C. 
Crocus, Experienced by many; so Millipedes or Aselli, Sows: Ex- 
perienced by Platerus and others. Zedoary, rad Brioniæ, Angelicæ, Sul-
phur , sem Anisi. I have experienced in divers ; and Oximel of Squils, 
with Saffron and Aqua Anisi. 
To ease Coughs from all Causes; yet they are not always to be stop- 
ped, for Nature ordained that motion to the Lungs, to keep us from 
choaking up. 
Decoction of Juniper berries in Wine for Infants, Exper. Platerus. 
The Decoction of Gourds, and Veronica, was proved by the same. 
A draught of Poppy water with Sugar, is held a secret, took every 
night, to stop a molestuous Cough. 
Garlick, with Bears Grease anointed on the plants of the feet. 
Ziziphæ are praised by Hartman, Pract. Chym. macerated in Spirit 
of Wine, and took every morning. 
The Decoction of Thyme for Chincoughs is praised.
A Decoction of Box-wood, shaved; Rosemary, roots of Hounds- 
tongue, and Cough-down is excellent. 
To stop Coughs, Laudanum and Narcoticks are most effectual, but
warily to be used. 
Of Side-pains, from Wind; Tobacco leaves anointed and applied ; 
Heurnius. Wormwood fryed with Grease, and applied hot, Emp. 
Acorns in pouder, Decoction of Stich-Holly, and Chamomile flow- 
ers, I have experienced. 
Spirit of Wine, Camphire, and red Sanders boiled together, for ba- 
thing the Side, is an Experiment of Plater. in Prax. Medica. 
Side-pains from Inflamation, are experimentally found easable by 
Boars-Tush, Bulls Pizzle given in Cardus-water; Plater. Rondeletius, 
River. Johnston. Prevotius, &c. 
Barrow, Quercetane, used Olibanum, to ease the Stitch. Johnstonus in 
id. Med. Pract. praises Resina ; Sperma Ceti I know very available. 
Lodovicus Septalius praiseth two Medicines, Honey of Roses with 
fresh Butter, and Oyl of sweet Almonds with Manna. Crabs Eyes, red 
Coral, Violet Flowers, Cardus Benedictus, Scabiosa, Nettles, Rhubarb, 
Poppy-

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 101 
Poppy-flowers, are specifical, and give ease, and most speedy help after 
bleeding in Pleurisies : Let none tell me some are hot, some cold; some 
binding, some loosning; some pectoral, some hepatical; some nephritical, 
some carminatives; some makers of wind; they do it assuredly; and 
let our Reason follow Experience, they do it by Astral Influence, and 
Sympathy or Antipathy: that is the reason many ordinary learned Fel- 
lows and Women help divers by one peculiar odde Medicine, that 
Physicians cannot without a tedious method and repetition of many Me- 
dicines : for in many compositions sometimes there is scarce one or two 
Specificals, and those perhaps in little quantity; yet we approve much 
of Rules and good Methods, but they will scarce hold practiceable in 
two persons alike : Spitters and Expectoraters are necessary. 
Now for Spitting of Blood to cease the Symptom :
Water and Vinegar is experienced by Rondeletius. 
Juyce of Nettles four Ounces, with one Drachm of Powder of the 
true Bloodstone in Knot-Grass-Water, is praised by Jo. Schmitz.
The constant use of Germander, by Crato.
Lohoch of Purslane-Juyce,with Dragons Blood, Terra Lemnia, 
praised by Plater. 
Syrup of Juyce of Purslane, by Riverius.
Spirit of Vitriol half a Scruple, with four Ounces of Plantane-Wa- 
ter, is experienced by Riverius. 
Juyce of Nettles above all was successful to Amatus Lusitanus. 
Lapis Hæmatitis to Trallianus. 
Hartman used the Remedy of Riverius, of Vitrioli Sc.s. Aq. Plan- 
tag. ℥ 4. 
Gerrard in his Herbal praises the Juyce of Periwinkles to one Ounce 
drunk often, that it never fails stopping blood. 
Opium, Poppy Seed, Laudanum, Henbane Seed, and such Narcoti- 
cals, are the last Refuge. 
Sennertus for all Fluxes of Blood wheresoever, all other things fail- 
ing, saith, The red Jasppar, or true Bloodstone, applied so that it touch the 
Skin, hath been most efficacious. Also for Hæmorrages of the Nostrils, 
we have known the application of the true Bloodstone successful beyond 
other things. 
For Phthisicks, or those whose Lungs waste away, which is onely to 
be guessed at by Symptoms, and leanness of the whole Body, these are 
best experienced by Authors. 
There is an Herb known to Sheep, Avenroar saith, He saw the Ulcer 
of the Lungs of a Sheep healed thereby ; they know that by natural in- 
stinct, that we cannot find out by experience ; And Hermes Trismegi
stus

102 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
stus thinks if man knew all the opposite Qualities in Animals, Plants 
and Minerals, he might do no less things than to be supposed Witch- 
craft, Jac. Sylvius in Meth. Med. 
Matthias Gradi healed a Phthisical with the heat of an Oven; the dry 
Air drawn often into his Mouth dried up the Ulcer. Idem, Ibidem.
An agglutinating Lohoch of Turpentine, Bole of Armenia, and 
Myrrh, is wonderful: Eracastorius. 
Trallianus with Lapis Aimatites cured many Phthisicks.  
Quercetan with Ground-Ivy, or Tunhoof, juyced and made into a 
Lohoch with Honey or Sugar, Flos Sulphuris added. 
The use of Conserve of Red Roses constantly, cured many. Mesue 
and Avicen. 
Womans Milk is moistening and nourishing, connatural to us, and 
the fittest to restore mans flesh and moisture, is most easily converted 
into the substance of our Body. Platerus, in Prax. Med. 
The Decoction of Lignum Sanctum cured others: The Decoction of 
River-Crabs in Barley-Water, others. 
Schenkius, Optimè humanæ salutis Meritus, from divers Authors, hath 
gathered all these : Saccharum Rosatum, that Avicen, Mesue, Crato, 
Valeriola and Forestus used successfully. Hedera Terrestris, praised by 
Langius ; Pulmonariæ, by George Hamberger; Ros. Solis Herb, by Lobe- 
lius, and Fil. Skenk. Betrys, by Joac. Camerar. Pseudocostus or Ingras- 
siæ di porci of Italy by Camerar. Balsam, Sulphuris, by Skenkius Filins, 
and Georgius. 
We have used this Lohoch successfully, a Compound of the former: 
ꝶ Powder of Hedera Terrestris ʒ ii, Lapidis Hæmatitidis, Glyciriræ, 
Floris Sulphuris, an ʒ i. Nucleorum pini ʒ i.s. Syr. Juglandibus imma- 
turis ℥ ii. Penidiorum ℥ i. Cons. Rosarum Rubrarum ʒ i. s. misce fiat Lo- 
hoch, cum Syr. Pectorali, q. s. ad consistentiam idoneam. 
We must give out Readers this Caution, That Authors for Symptoms 
in Diseases, and for Dissections in dead Bodies , did write commonly 
impartially and uninterestedly, and therefore are the more to be belie- 
ved in what they say they saw : but in the Cures they did, many were 
hugely given to boasting, specially the Chymical Writers, for they 
crack their Medicines much, thinking to get Fame, and Vend for such 
things; nor have Physicians commonly dealt candidly and fairly, in de- 
livering how oft such a Medicine hath cured, and not how oft it hath 
failed: If a Physician use a'sorry Medicine many times, it is hard if 
more then one or two are not helped by it. Authors must be consider- 
ed, their Temper, Sincerity, Modesty and Sobriety, and wherein they 
write upon their own Interest. 
A 

103 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF 
DROPSIES. 
I Do not intend by Dropsies onely to give the 
insight of that Distemper to my Readers, 
but to shew the Course and Order of Nature 
in change of all the Bowels: In these things 
under this Title may be seen the variety of 
Distempers, and in what little Order and 
Method any Distempers run. If the Rea- 
der well considers all the Histories, and the 
Reasons wherefore we writ them, he will see 
apparently how the inward Bowels are or 
may be affected in sickness, how one suffers 
with or by another; how, in one sick person, one bowel is thus affect- 
ed, another so : For we see Medicines that are one and the same, in 
divers Bodies have divers Operations; so the same humours alike qua- 
litied, in two bowels produce divers effects; one bowel by the same 
matter is turned scirrhous, another is resolved into purulency : both the 
peculiarity of the quality of the Humour, and the apt disposition of the 
passive Cause, is the cause which we cannot foresee; and when we do 
see it, give no reason thereof: This may justly reprove those thae state- 
lily think to sum up all the Ways and Works of GOD in one Rule, or 
general

104 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
general Term ; His ways are past finding out by the wise, much more 
by the superstitiously addicted, and such as build on their own Reason 
without the Foundation of Experience ; that which he hath ordained as 
the food for our capable , docile, and tractable Souls , to encrease in 
knowledge by, and grow up in true knowledge. The Indians of Ameri- 
ca, did admire how any one could signifie his mind to another in a piece 
of Paper, and thought it supernatural, and done by Spirits : even so do 
all of us admire those things we have no experience of, which are never- 
theless in the course of Nature, and in GOD’s Ordination ; and the 
reason why men still admire at them, is, because they will not search for 
Truth, and take pains to see the Ordination of God, and to find out 
the true and sincere Method, and Course, and Variety of Nature : Men 
may write Books of Romances, and Imaginary Conceptions of their own 
Brain, easily and readily, festinanti calamo; and so slight the observance 
of the Works of GOD, and prefer a few Jingles and high-derived 
Words and Philosophical Rules of Mens making, when the Course of 
Nature is GOD’s, and of greater Dignity : for I can make truer Rules 
of Nature than others, and if so, better; and if so, why should I boast 
or glory with theirs ? I value not what any Man hath writ, for I am a 
Man as well as he; and to him that thinks so, my Writing is of as great 
Authority: But let the Course of Nature, the Work of a GOD be 
Judge betwixt Us ; let the Autopsia of the thing shew which guessed 
the truest of it, unseen: Let no mans Opinion (if it be onely the Opi- 
nion of a Man) be much built upon, especially if its grounds be no 
more then its self, viz. Opinion. 
We shall first shew the signification of the word Dropsie, its rise, 
and what is its common acceptation, which may differ from the sincere 
meaning of the Original Word; and then shew the divers kindes that 
according to vulgar acceptation, or common meaning of the word, may 
be, or are called the Dropsie ; And herein many, many times, dispute 
about they know not what; one meaning one thing by the word, ano- 
ther another. 
The Dropsie or Hydropsie in English, comes from Hydrops in Latin, 
and that is only a change of the Greek letters into Latine, those tongues 
being writ in differing letters: Well then, υδραι in Greek is derived 
from νερό, water; so that it is not proper to call any swelling a Drop- 
sie, unless a waterish swelling, according to the genuine signification 
of the word ; but according to common acceptation, other swellings 
are called Dropsies. 
1. Ascites, the word for common Dropsies, comes from ασκo; a Greek
word,


A Tractate of Dropsies. 105
word signifying a Bason, Laver, or Pitcher, because their Bellies refer 
to the Bellies of Pitchers,or Water-Vessels ; so that from the fashion 
of the tumid Belly, it is proper to call them Asciticks, though Water 
is not the Cause, but as the word is commonly taken, improper. 
2. Tympanites in Latine, and Tympany in English, according to the 
common meaning, shews a windy Dropsie ; but the fence of the word 
shews a Drum ; or that the Belly strutting forth and sounding like a 
Drum, may in any person be called a Tympany, though it may be with- 
out wind; yet water without some wind will scarce yeild a noise : It 
comes from τύμπανο, that signifies a Drum. 
3. A third kind, or name of distinction used by the Ancients, was 
Anasarcha, or Leucophlegmatia, they commonly meant by the use of 
those words a puffing up of the Body and Face from Flegm, the Skin 
loose, Face bluffed and pale; if we go to the meaning of the word in the 
Original Derivation ανάκαρνό, per carnem, it signifies some humour or 
matter spread throughout the Flesh, or imbibed therein, or throughout. 
But people have been deceived in these, for Nature imitates no such 
Order or Rule, there is no necessity for a Dropsie, if it be not according 
to the description of Ascites, to be Anasarca, nor if it be not Anasarca 
must it be Tympanites: To see a party just as Galen described, is as rare 
as those they count strange Cases. We shall let the Reader see the 
Truth, as far as man hitherto can find a method in Nature, which in- 
deed in these cases is to want a method ; specially as to peculiar and 
small things: the quality in every matter, if we could see it, or know 
it, would give us the truet insight how it must work, and what it must 
effect. 
The matter, said the Ancients, is either Water, Wind, or Flegm; the 
Bowel or Subject was the Liver ; the Cause was cold, and these onely: 
the precedent or procatarctick causes, were too great evacution of Blood, 
or suppression of Courses or Hæmorrhoids, a Jaundice, Cochexy, or 
drinking of Water ; these were the principal, with the distinctions 
aforenamed, that the Ancients delivered ; the Signs and Concomitant 
Symptoms they delivered are not worth naming : for those that they 
wrote aright in, are common ; others are nothing of Rule, but acci- 
dental, so that they might have numbered a thousand Symptoms or Ails 
that many Hydropicks, one or other amongst them had had. 
The Moderns, as Sennertus, Hercules Saxonia, Riverius, Platerus, 
&c. did introduce diverse new things from experience, and found that 
heat as well as cold, was the Cause , and that sometimes cool things 
that open, do good ; also they saw that the Kidneys and Spleen, as well 
as the Liver, might cause the Dropsie. 
O WE


106 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
We shall not stand to describe or transcribe the Causes, Signs, Progno- 
sticks and Cures differing in Ascites, Tympanites, and Anasarca, that 
the Moderns have laid down, they may be read fully in their Practices, 
and compared with what follows; they are defective, and rarely found as 
they have described, yet are in some or other, at one time or other, in 
some measure or other true : as for example ; Jo. Johnstonus, Idea Med. 
Pract. cap. de Tympanite, saith, In a Tympany the Skin is streched out and  
glisters, it looks like a Drum Cover, gives such a founding ; it 
thrusts out the Navil very much outwardly, the Belly is puffed up, but no 
sense of great weight; crushed, the finger leaves no impression, but the Skin 
presently rises up again ; belchings and breaking wind downwards are often 
and rumbling in the Belly : the cause is heat, or terrifying great heat, 
which resolves the matter into Vapours; (which the Antients acknowledg- 
ed not.) The place is not in the Stomach, for there the wind would 
be belched forth ; nor in the Guts, for then per anum it would be cast 
forth; but a Tympany is generated commonly betwixt the Coats of the 
Mesentery and Intestines ; for in a Tympany are pains about the Navil, 
and pains of the Loins, and gripings of the Mesentery tied to these 
parts, being distended by wind. 
Cure is by bringing forth the wind, a Carminative Wine, a great 
Cuppinglass applied, Frictions, Foments, discussing wind, inwardly such 
as warm and correct the distemper of the Bowel causing the wind. 
Now one in a Tympany may have some wind, and most water; for 
they are seldom absolutely separate, then it may be called both : Many 
Hydropicks are puffed up, and windy ; if it be nothing but wind, the 
sick may have one of these signes and not another, but other not here 
mentioned; if he have all those signs, he may not have a like inward 
Cause; if the inward Cause in two be exactly alike, yet the outward 
or fomenting antecedent Causes might be quite contrary, that stirred
up inward Causes alike; if the inward Causes be visibly exactly alike, 
yet they may have different effects or events, for death may ensue to 
one, life to the other : and thus doth Nature vary , whose Method in 
those things Physicians wrote a Method of, is to want a Method or 
Rule. 
We will now from our own Observations, bringing tbe Witnesses of 
many Authors,fide dignissimi, to attest what we write by their impartial 
uninterested and non-superstitions Experience, shew the Course of Na- 
ture, and more particularly the swellings of the Body from wind or wa- 
ter, introducing a multitude of other things : So that this particular 
Tractate may be useful as a general Practice. 
1. We have observed divers Maids and Women, in stopt Menstrues, to 
have

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 107 
have their Bellies swell, and Feet, gradually, on Nights first,and then so 
largely, that they were swelled on days too, largely, as full as Skin could 
almost hold, pitting, or leaving the dint of the finger crushing them, in 
them, along while ere they rose up again to equal heighth with the rest 
of the flesh; the surest token that water was the swelling matter ; I ob- 
served these Hydropick swellings of the feet commonly to come with 
pain, redness, and then itching ; the Attoms of the Blood that did at 
first flow, exhaling, the swelling turned paler, less hot and painful, and 
clearly waterish, and so it is in most outward Tumours, and this is a 
chief Universal Method in Nature ; yet no General Rule is without 
Exceptions ; for I have had both my hands swelled up like Bladders, 
and from Cold, without any foregoing Flux of Blood ; if I laid my hand 
against the Mantle-piece, and my forehead upon the back of my 
hand, in a little time it had so crushed the water away on either side
that I could have seated an Egg on the back of my hand, in the presure 
of my forehead, very fast ; and this huge pit or hollow would by de- 
grees rise up again to its former heighth and equality with the other 
Skin; I found that none of my inward parts were the cause of this; I 
always drank very little : so I have known some had their Legs hydropi- 
cal, standing in cold water, others with a sore, or pain in their Legs, 
others after Agues, the Belly also swelling, but no harm to the inward 
Bowels was in fieri. What shall we say ? Maids or Women that want 
their Courses, their Bellies swell, and Feet: is it an Ascites, because in 
the Feet apparently is water ? is it a Tympany, because in the Belly ap- 
parently is wind, or retained blood, and wind, and Ichor in the Uterus? 
is it a Dropsie at all, because none of the Bowels, no not the Liver, 
is cooled or hurt in some ? it goes away naturally : sometimes if their 
Courses come not down, some are held a long time, and know not whe- 
ther they are with Child, or in a Dropsie ; for sometimes the Symptoms 
of a Dropsie in one, prove the Symptoms of Gravidity in another. 
Plater in Observ. Extuberantiæ, about page 659, and 660, relates of 
three particular Women that thought themselves (being swelled) big 
with Child, and the swelling did cease in all naturally, as it arose ; but a 
4th woman being so swelled, and in suspicion of being with Child, died. 
In another woman in suppresion of Courses he observed the Belly 
swelled up, yet no Dropsie; she was restored by Remedies. 
2. Another kind of Dropsies we may call an Inflation ; I have both 
seen it, and been informed of the like in others ; these were suddenly 
in two or three days swelled up, the Eyes almost closed in, the face ex- 
ceedingly puffed, the Belly turgid, Legs and Hands swelled, a good ap- 
petite, Strength and Reason remaining ; yet in these two or three I ob-
O 2 served


108 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
served what I write from, there was difference, so that in each distin- 
tion we must make distinction, if we would have clear and sincere 
Truth, and punctually decide Controversies; one was helped by Plan- 
tane-Water, or rather on Natures accord; the other by good Medi- 
cines , and Anti-hydropicals ; others are totally and suddenly in- 
flated, different from these, and in one thing or other from each 
other. 
Platerus, Obs. Extuberantiæ, pag. 632. relates of a Maid swelled all 
over, Face, Feet, Belly, and elsewhere, a difficult breathing ; and in a 
few days recovered as quickly, as she quickly fell so : Nor can these be 
imputed to Poysons. As I remember Nicolaus Tulpius hath an Obser- 
vation like these, of a total swelling of the Body like a Dropsie , that 
arose in a few days, and ceased again spontaneously. 
3. A third kind we have observed in two, but not found the like in 
Authors; They were loose skinned, and full of water outwardly, the 
Feet did a little swell, but no symptom illness was therein; they 
had many water-blisters on their Flesh, specially their Paps or Teats 
did run much, their skin was very subject to break into blisters of pure 
water, void of Accrimony, except sometime a little itching; nor were 
the inward parts by any outward signs at all in fault, though in divers 
symptoms they did somewhat vary, yet both had one Cause, viz.
Drinking Strong Beer or Ale constantly on mornings first of all, which 
they were not used to: & I have heard a third person say, that if he drank 
Ale on mornings fasting, it made his Blood waterish; but though the 
outward Cause is surely one and the same, yet the variety of Constitu- 
tions is stupendious: If in these the redundant water of the blood was 
excluded as unnecessary for Natures use, and heterogenious to the blood, 
to the outward parts, or Cutaneous Superfice, and there did gather in 
bladders, and those broke, poured forth Serum, and then filled again ; 
why may not Nature, being overburdened by water, in the blood that 
offendeth, either in quality or quantity, or both, cast off this Serum in- 
to the inward Bowels, and there raise bladders, and those break and 
pour out the Serum into the capacity of the Abdomen, and then fill a- 
gain ? for we know nothing will endure a superabundance , and more 
Serum still ousing and pressing into these bladders, breaks them, and 
they fall down flat, and by degrees gather more Serum, and are disten- 
ded; indeed there is rarely any Botch, Struma, Glandula, Callus, Apo- 
stem, Tumour, Ulcer, Gangrene, Fistula, Cancer, Sphacelus, Discolora- 
tion, Tubercles, &c. that happen to the outward parts, but they happen 
to the inward Bowels , as Liver, Spleen, Heart, Reins, Mesentery, 
Lungs, Uterus, Pancreas, Gall, &c. 
4. In


A Tractate of Dropsies. 109
4. In the next place, occurs another kind, which Hercules Saxonia
lib. 3. pract. cap. 32. saith, Is a Dropsie of Blood, if it is proper to say 
so ; it is quickly made, in few dayes kills : So Mercurialis opened one 
swelled with fourteen pints of Blood in him : Another with an Hernia or 
Rupture fell suddenly, swelled and died. Tulpius and Horsius in his 
Appendent Observations to Marcellus Donaus, mention the like. If 
we consider that in all things are different kinds, and in all kinds differ- 
ing degrees, We must allow the extream of bloody Water, to be pure 
Blood; for every thing hath its two extreams of exceeding little, ex- 
ceeding great, and its mean or medriocrity: we see in swelled Hydro- 
pical Legs, and other swellings of the outward parts, the matter, 
seems red hot Blood at first flowing, then by corruption, or the 
Atoms of the Blood exhaling, it turns pale, wheyish or waterish often- 
times; so in the Body of many Hydropicks Blood may first slow, and 
by lying, looseth its colour, as heat I suppose, when it is extravasated 
will quickly make it do, some have tryed it they say. 
To make this the more probable, Plater Obs. Extuber. pag. 650. found 
one full of yellow Water, most stinking, in one that died Hydropical 
and of a Rupture ; and this might be bloody Water, or waterish Blood, 
or water first flown out into the Belly, and then Blood mixed there- 
with, which with standing might grow more waterish, and cause 
the water to stink ; the Liver in this Party was putrid, and little else 
in fault. 
Scholiographus ad cap. 39. Lib. 1. Hollerii de Morbis internis, writes, 
that yellow water like washings of Flesh, or bloody, was found in one 
Hydropick ; it is hard to say, whether it were waterish Blood, or bloody 
Water. 
Thomas Bartholin. Cent. 1. obs. 2. found the water in an Hydropicks 
belly, bloody and stinking: see Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. one voided much 
blood upwards and downwards. 
5. The most common kind of Dropsie, or that that most properly 
may so be called, is after this manner of rise, though with variation 
in all; the feet begin both alike to swell towards evening ; the walking
and heating them, makes the Serum fall down , which in the 
morning by rest is gathered into the Belly ; this swelling daily en- 
creases, and the Belly in a month more or less, doth more or less swell, 
with short-windedness ; sometimes a Cough, Thirst, dejection of Ap- 
petite, Laziness, Pursiness, pale Colour, and Rheumatick Tempers ; 
succeeding for the most part to Cachexyes, Jaundices, Tertian or Quar- 
tain Agues, moist Diet, cold Water, Hæmorrhages, or other Cro- 
nical Distempers , the Liver, Reins or Spleen, or alltogether, are 
found

110 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
found either fissured, cleft with bladders of Water, or corrupted, or 
perforated and stony, or pale, and of extinguished vitality; and in 
most common Hydropicks, all the parts are found corrupted or wasted, 
or grown to one another, one in one manner, another in another, as 
may afterward be shewn ; for one and the self same cause, or at least 
seemingly so to us, produces divers effects in divers bowels; for though 
the thing acting may be one and the same, yet the patient, or thing to 
be acted upon, is not capable to be altered alike with another; there- 
fore one part is grown to another, another part is quite wasted, a third 
is full of Stones, a fourth is grown larger then naturally, a fifth is pale 
and dried, void of blood ; and thus they vary in one Body, in one Dis- 
ease : but we are principally to consider what parr was first in offence, 
and which do consent, for the contamination did for the most part be- 
gin in one bowel, and that made water, and the other bowels stopped 
therein did corrupt, but divers times it is hard to say which Bowel was 
first in fault, for all seem alike corrupted ; and indeed all perhaps are 
originally, sometimes in cause, as well as caused to corrupt, for the 
quality in the Blood and Juyces, and Aliment is alike operative to all:
in every Body there is a Quality or peculiar Nature, which acts moves 
and alters it; and the fight or outward appearance of any Body or Mat- 
ter, doth not alwayes and exactly, if ever exactly shew the quality in 
the Body or Matter; for sometimes a Poyson (if it is proper to call 
anything so) will alter all the Bowels strangely, and where there is 
no Dropsie, the parts are thus affected, which we may shew here- 
after. 
6. Another kind of Dropsie, as it hath been taken, is from Glandu- 
les or Apostemes, or Fat, which we will here involve in one Head. 
Petrus Pawus, Dissect. Anatom. 24. when all the water was drawn 
out, all the Gutts, Mesentery, Caul and Liver were found Fat. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 33 & 34. In one saw two Steatoma's in the Mesen- 
tery, one of them was not full of corruption ; the other did pour out 
much Sanies and water into the Belly; these did so swell her, that she 
was rather thought with Child then Hydropical, but being opened, it 
was found the Womb was so crushed up by these Apostemes, that Gra- 
vidity could not be ; there was no water in the hollow of the Belly, till 
by dissection it was let out of one of the Abscesses ; in another bladders 
of water were held in one in the Mesentery. 
Horstius, Epist. med. Sect. 5. A Woman supposed to die of a Dropsie 
was opened, it was found to be the Uterus that distended the Belly, it 
weighed 87 pound, it was full of an hairy and woolly matter, with 
fat and yellow Ichor.
P. Paw.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 111 
P. Paw. ob. Anatom. 29. in a general Dropsie, a Woman was so big, 
three Ells scarce compared her ; her Utertus did stretch out exceedingly 
to the making that greatness; and it was full of many schirrous knobs, or 
Condylomata. Platerus found some that represented Dropsies, that had 
only Glandules, and in some glandulous or knotty swellings of the 
Mesentery.
7. We may name another kind of Dropsie, relating to the Tympany 
of the Ancients, Plater. Obs. 657. A Boy ten years old had a twisting, 
of his Guts and stoppage of Excrements ; they came up by his mouth: 
he was hugely swelled, his Belly distended with wind , according to 
the Practicks description of a Tympany : he lived thus fourteen dayes; 
then dying, he was opened; the Guts were found twisted up together, 
and in some of them Worms with dung in great number came forth ; 
in other Guts was abundance of wind, exceedingly distending them, 
and breaking forth with great violence as soon as they were cut; no wa- 
ter was found in him. I do not fee it so proper to call this a Tympany, 
as an Illiack passion ; and if it had been joyned with water, it had not 
so properly been called a Tympany neither, so that with Water (Wind 
commonly being made through Rarefaction of Water by heat into Air) 
it might be called a Water-Dropsie with Inflation, without Water an 
Inflation, Illiack or Cholical distemper : Indeed where there is much 
Water, commonly is some Flegm ; and where both these be, common- 
ly there is windiness, because they are made of a moist, cold, raw, and 
spiritless disposition of the Blood and Bowels. 
We shall discover no more kinds of Dropsies in this Order, but un- 
der the Concommitant Symptomes we shall enumerate, much more 
variety may appear; but to go curiously to discriminate of each of those 
seven Heads, we may make as many solid Divisions in each, specially 
in the fifth. 
I. The first and chief Symptom that troubles Hydropicks is an Asth- 
ma or difficult breathing, that is most general. Plater. pag. 638. A 
Woman with Child had a Dropsie ; breathing was so difficult, she was 
often nigh suffocated ; she bringeth forth, and having good natural 
purgations, is delivered of her Dropsie. And Obs.pag. 64. A Noble- 
man drew his breath with exceeding straitness in a Dropsie, he used to 
drink hot and strong Liquors ; he died. 
Skenk pag. 417. One Ascitick, was not commonly so strait-breathed, 
but when he went to eat or drink or to sleep, he was almost choaked. 
River. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. mentions an Asthma in a Dropsie, as an high 
trouble to the Hydropick party he mentions ; And 
Nic. Tulp. lib. 2 obs. 34. mentions one that for divers years was very
hard

ll2 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
hard breathed, died hydropical; opened, there was a swelling of the 
Mesentery weighing twenty pound, that was three years increasing, and 
crushed up the parts, for the Lungs and Brest, and all other parts were 
found; and Observ. 39. an Asthma in an Hydropick was exceeding 
great, water ran out dayly per scrotum, but gave no ease. 
Jo. Bilgerus, Epist. ad Gregor. Horstium  mentions a Dropsie of the 
Brest, four years encreasing, with hard breathing, which grew strong and 
great; opened, the Lungs outwardly were spotted, inwardly putri- 
fied. 
Plater. Obs. Extuberantia, pag. 646. In one (that he opened) he 
found the Kidneys exulcerated and perforated, and no other matters of 
corruption to or in other parts considerable, yet the crushing up of the 
Diaphragma and Lungs, by the redundancie of water, caused a great 
Dyspnæa; the party afore Death had let out much water by blisters, 
made in the lower parts, and the Belly did asswage and sink therefrom, 
and the Dyspnæa abated, so that the quantity of water crushing up the 
parts of respiration, was apparently the Cause ; and the soaking of wa- 
ter into the Lungs, Dlaphragma and Muscles of the Brest, doth in some 
occasion hard breathing, ; but the party aforenamed, the water being 
lessened, and seemingly she in a better condition, died with faint- 
ing. 
2. A second Symptom or Concomitant Affect in Dropsies, is Wind, 
which in some is more, in some less ; in some it more afflicts at one 
time, in others at another; in some in one part, in others in another; 
and many of the many and different symptoms and ails that afflict Hy- 
dropicks, arise partly from Wind and Flegm as well as Water. 
A Dropsie first began with inflation, the Belly was Tympanitical, 
then the feet began to to swell with Water, and other signs of a Water- 
Dropsie arose, cured, River. Cent. 3. Obs. 86. 
Also Felix Platerus in Observationibus, in an Ascites,or Water-Drop- 
sie saw abundance of wind, or a Tympany therewith. 
In a Lady I knew that was Hydropical, after letting Blood, wind did 
so increase that she died Tympanitical; the taking away Blood in such 
cold Distempers, which all are not cold, weakens Nature, and adds to 
the Morbifick Cause. 
Those swellings that come suddenly all over , or in the Belly either, 
though the swelling dints like water, yet there is much wind therein. 
See Tulp. Obs. Med. lib. 2. and Plat. pag. 632. two such were cured: 
All things have their variety, and divers kindes, and every kind its spe-
cies, and every species variety and degrees ; two Extreams, and one 
Medium: the greastest wisdom to distinguish between likes; that 
might 

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 113
might put an end to many Controversies ; and to know Natures variety 
might end many Disputes ; and when one saith a thing is thus, another 
saith, Nay, but it is so, and both these may be true ; for in one it may 
be so, in another thus; one saith this is the Cause of a Dropsie, ano- 
ther that, and both may be in the right; for both these are in some the 
Causes. 
Sometimes there is much wind without any water, as in our seventh 
Head or Distinction of Kinds, and sometimes there is much water 
without any wind or flatuosity; sometimes they are equally quanti- 
zed ; and sometimes in an Inflation is a little water, and in an Ascites 
a little wind ; and so for Flegm, which is onely thickned water, or glu- 
tinated moisture. 
3. The third Symptom or Ail in Dropsies is Flegm,or a clogging up, 
stoppage, or Obstructions therefrom. The Ancients made three Drop- 
sies, the Water-Dropsie or Ascites, the Wind-Dropsie, or Tympanites
the Flegm-Dropsie, or Leucophlegmatia, which also they called Ana-
sarcha but the signification of these two words differ, though in com- 
mon acceptation they may be one : Anasarcha as we said, signifies
matter or humours in the flesh, or diffused under the skin throughout 
the flesh, λευκοφλεγματικός comes from λευκό, white, and φλέγμα, Flegm, 
put together, it signifieth white Fleam, or Flegm; so that if the Ancients 
had took Leucophlegmatia for the Cause, and Anafarcha for the Effect, 
these two together might mystically have shewn a Disease : We must 
say of this, as of wind, sometimes there is much water or wind without 
any flegm, and sometimes much flegm without any water or wind ; 
sometimes a little flegm, a little wind, and much water, arc complica- 
ted together in one Body ; sometimes a Tympany and Leucophlegmatia 
seem most to exsuperate, sometimes an Ascites and Tympany, sometimes 
an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, and sometimes they are separate and 
distinct : but then I think it not so proper to call white flegm and wind 
a Dropsie, without any water, though they distend the skin in all pla- 
ces. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. At first the party had a Leucophlegmatia, 
and then an Ascites supervened, and was added to it; cured. 
In another, Obs. 166. he saw an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, or wa- 
ter and white flegm equally swelling the body for two years, and he 
cured it. 
And Obs. 195. he observed that those that were puffed up with white 
flegm had cloggings of their Stomach, rawness and pursiness, and he 
cured two or three with Vomits of Chymical Powders; and he men-
tions little or no water in the last, which also Plater. Extub. Obs. pag. 
630.

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
630. mentions not; but this Leucophlegmatia came from two large 
drawing forth of Blood, or Phlebotomy ; how frequent is it in most 
Dropsies to see the face bluft, puffed up as it were with pale Flegm,and 
sometimes it goes before Dropsies, as Horstius in Obs. lib. 4. Obs. 31. 
& Obs. 29. He observed little Urine made in one to the proportion he 
drank, to effect most apparently a Tympany, or rather a windy than wa- 
terish. 
Swelling of the Body, difficult breathing, weariness, pursiness, 
dulness, bad colour, vitiated sanguification, puffing up, loss of appetite, 
Cachexyes, &c. arise as much from flegm as water in many Hydro- 
picks; yet in those that are opened, no flegm is conspicuous, but the 
parts are often clammy, and grown together, and have viscous corru- 
ption in them, and Glandules, and Apostems : We know in outward 
things (for by them it is best judging of inward, and by apparent and 
visible things, things occult and invisible) the thin parts exhaling, the 
Remains are made thicker, specially in saccharates and gummy things, 
which have most syngeny and coherence with flegm. 
I suppose that which some call a Leucophlegmatia, others call a Ca- 
chexia, for indeed there is no difference but of degrees ; for what won- 
derful variety is there in Nature ? and those are mistaken that think 
Nature is bound to make it a Leucophlegmatia, as they describe it, if it is 
not a Cachexia as they describe it ; for to find a Leucophlegmatia just 
as they describe, or a Cachexia just so, is rare : Many distempers are
like either in some symptoms, and like neither in some.
4. A fourth Symptom is Leanness ; yet this happens not in many 
Dropsies, but in some the party is fat, as River. Obs. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. 
shews, and most are noted for neither; often though the Belly, Legs, 
and nether parts be turgid, the upper are emaciated, River. Cent. 2. 
Obs. 85. and so Cent. 3. Obs. 17. Most that we have observed in Drop- 
sies in the face seem fat, that being bluffed, and some have a good co- 
lour. See the seven following. 
5. But where the colour is wan and bluft, they call it a Cachexia, if 
they are also obstructed, weary, short-winded, loose-skinned, &c. Ri- 
verius, Cent. 3. 0bs. 33. observed such complicated with the water- 
swelling : and so Plater. Obs. pag. 638. The last in a Virgin that wanted 
her Courses, a Chachectick distemper seized her, with water-swelling 
or Dropsie, but with this and her pale colour, her thirst was extream; 
one would think likelier to be hot Dropsies; her Appetite dejected : 
A Dropsie sometimes follows Cachexeys, as well as to have this conditi- 
on complicated therewith. 
6. It is sometimes coupled with a Quartane, as Paul Renealm. Obs. 
29.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 115 
29. observed; but the Quartane was a year before that : Divers Terti- 
ans also degenerate into Dropsies, or continue still with the Drop- 
sie. 
7. A continual Feaver with implacable thirst and restlesness, was 
complicated with a Dropsie, River. Obs communicatis ab aliis Medicis,  
pag. 285. A Feaver supervening, hath sometimes been mortal. 
And Riverius, in his communicated Observations from other Physi- 
cians, pag. 316, relates in one there was watching, inappetence, diffi- 
cult breathing, sloth to move, swelling, and hardness of the Spleen, 
with wasting; cured. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. A Boy twelve years old, his Belly, and his 
Legs, and Scrotum were swelled with water ; yet he was lean and wa- 
sted ; Worms he had in his Belly, with his Chyle and Food, and Parsly 
as he eat it, came forth of an hole of his Navil, that naturally sponta- 
neously opened ; he died. We relate these that out Readers may 
guess at the like in others, and that all may see all the symptoms, and 
how they are joyned together, and with what variety in persons. 
Johannes Aicholtzins, in his Epistles, testifies of a Woman that in- 
Summer and Autumn had a swelling of her Belly, she was newly marri- 
ed, and they thought her with Child ; in Winter grievous pains tear- 
ing and stretching out, vexed her, specially on Nights ; no other parts 
swelled, no seeming windiness, she grew rather leaner, her Belly rose 
in bigness; when they saw no motion of an Infant, she was thought with 
Child no longer, but to have a Dropsie : she died of wonderful pains ; 
and being anatomized, abundance of fat was found in her Body, no 
loose water, but bladders of pure water here and there in the passages, 
that did distend the Belly; no wind, her parts were found, Liver pale 
and Caul very little. 
8. Fainting and weakness was coupled with one Dropsie , Riverius,  
Cent. 3. Obs. 33.
9. A Scirrh of the Spleen, and swelling thereof outwardly was in 
one Hydropick, Riv. Cent. 3. 0bs. 16.
10. One had a huge heat for a long time in his right Hypochondes, 
and a Diuturne sickess ; died Hydropical: the Liver did grow to that 
side, many yellow stones in Liver, and Gall obstructed : Jacobus Came-
nicenus Epistola ad Matthiolum. 
11. A Dropsie is sometimes coupled with bleeding upwards and 
downwards, as Nicholaus Tulpius, lib. 2. Obs. 35. did observe ; there 
were signes of wind that puffed up, as well as water; the Body anato- 
mized, the Spleen was found swelled, the Liver torrid, and the Kidneys 
putrid. Many mil not believe the extraordinary vomiting of Blood 
P2 comes 


116 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
comes from the Spleen, but this demonstrates it; and we could in- 
stance in others, that the Spleen holds sometimes many quarts of blood, 
and casts it forth by vomit, and then downwards. 
12. Pthises, and Rheums, and Defluxions are found to forego or 
accompany many Dropsies ; Riverius in his Obs. mentions two or three 
such ; Rondeletius observed the same : but of Phthisicks we have men- 
tioned leanness afore. 
13. An Hernia or Rupture Platerus saw in two coupled with a Drop- 
sie, and so did Mercurialis. 
14. The Jaundice : Plater. Obs. lib. 3. Discoloratione, pag. 616. saw 
the black Jaundice joyned with swelling of the Feet and Belly, like a 
Dropsie, which he cured. 
15. In Divers Hydropicks the Navil struts forth, and in some the 
inward skin breaks, and it shines as a bladder ; the water in some breaks 
this pelluced bladder in the Navil, and runs out : We have mentioned 
somewhat of this afore , and more may be mentioned hereafter. 
Skenkius hath collected, and Platerus seen divers such. 
16. The Hæmorrhoids opened in one, but did no good to his Dropsie, 
Plat. 643. 
17. Skenk. Vir Optimus, pag. 414. brings an Example of one excee- 
dingly swelled, that voided a Serpent per Anum two Cubits long, piece- 
meal, like another Serpent; he died presently after: her Dropsie was 
so great, that she could neither sit nor lie, and breathed difficult- 
ly. 
18. In another Hydropick, such huge pains in one Thigh molested
him, that he used to cry out miserably : Skenk. 417. 
19. Little Urine, or stoppage thereof, is found in some Hy- 
dropicks. 
Horstius lib. 4. Obs. 29. In the beginning of a Tympany was little 
Urine made, and crude, the Feet did swell, and an Asthma was en- 
creased. And in the beginning of another Dropsie, he observed with 
little Urine, the Feet and Belly began to swell with water; there was 
inappetence, paleness of face, weariness, straitness of Brest, and 
swoonding. 
Plater. 638. observed little Urine to begin a Dropsie. 
20. Thirst is in many Hydropicks, and dejection of Appetite, which 
we have by the way instanced in before ; but in some is no Thirst, and 
yet dejection of Appetite ; in some is neither Thirst nor Appe- 
tite. 
Plater. pag. 638. Obs. found huge Thirst in a pale Virgin subject to 
the Green-sickness, that was coupled with her Dropsie; she wanted 
her

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 117
her Courses, and had dejection of Appetite : this seemed a cold 
case. 
Bat Riverius, in Observ. Commnnic. pag. 285. relates of implacable 
Thirst in a Dropsie, where a continual Feaver was complicated. 
A Dropsie began with Vomiting, Heart-pains, Jaundice and Thirst, 
Plater. Obs. 635
Some in Dropsies have neither want of Appetite not Thirst, as divers 
of our aforegoing Observations, relating all the Symptoms that hap- 
pened to divers Hydropicks, mention; as also Tidicæus, in his Epistles 
to Jo. Schenk, testifies. 
21. There are many other and varying Symptoms happening to Hy- 
dropicks, though not peculiar thereto ; as also all the Symptoms in Hy- 
dropicks do happen in most other sicknesses; which could not be, if 
Nature observed such a Rule and Method in Diseases as the Practicks 
thought: Sometimes a Cough troubles Hydropicks, which we have 
observed, and to be from Serum transuding into the Brest , and by its 
mild sharpness tickling the Lungs and rough Artery ; and thence, by 
the faculty of Expulsion given them, they cough, that nothing may stop 
our breathing : Two we have known recovered, that coughed pretty 
much in Dropsies; though Hippocrates, Sect. 6. Aphor. 35., saith, 
Those that have water betwixt the 
Skin, a Cough coming, it is evil: Scoliographus ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. 
de Morb. int. also saith, In some Dropsies, a Cough is no evil sign : We see 
reason in many Hydropicks for Coughs, the Lungs being found so faul- 
ty in such a different manner when they are opened. 
Next we shall shew from the Truth of Observation in divers, the 
beginning of Dropsies, or how any may best (though never certainly) 
tell the coming on of a Dropsie : Indeed the knowledge of the Stars 
for all foreseeing is more certain than Galenical, or Hippocratical 
Rules. 
We related two Observations before out of Horstius, of a Tympany 
with water, that began with little Urine, and crude, swelling of the 
Feet, Lassitude, and short breathing : In another water swelled with- 
out Inflation ; the beginning was inappetence, lassitude, pale colour, 
faintings, and difficult breathing. 
In one a Dropsie began with swelling of the Feet towards night, and 
bad breathing. Plat. Obs. 632. And 
Plat. 641 page of Obs. Extuberantia, One used to drink much varie- 
ty of Wine, he had a Distillation, a Cough, difficulty of breath, and a 
Dropsie ensued.  
And

118 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
And Pag 653.  First the Hæmorrhoids were stopped in one that 
they used to flow in, then the Urine was stopped for three days, but 
both were moved again, and at liberty; but then the feet swell, a Fea- 
ver comes, but that soon ceaseth ; then comes thirst, vomiting, Heart- 
pains, and Jaundice, and they also cease in part; the Dropsie encreases, 
and continues. 
Plater, lib. 3. Obs. Extub. pag. 655. A Woman hath her Belly grown 
great, and distended like a Tympany, or windy puffing up, then her 
feet towards evening begin to swell ; being timely taken, she is cu- 
red.  
Johannes Fridericus did observe, in Obs. Med. a Diarrhæa, Strangury, 
and hard breathing together, to begin a Dropsie. 
And Plat, observed little Urin, thick and Saffron-coloured, in begin- 
ing of one Dropsie, and very red in another. 
Riverius observed two or three Rheumaticks to fall therefrom into 
Dropsies, and to be pestered with Distillations in Dropsies. 
We will endeavour to be short : Nothing holds alike in all ; some 
Symptoms come before the Dropsie, and then cease; some begin with 
the Dropsie, and go thorow with it; some supervene, and last till af- 
ter the Dropsie is cured. 
Daretus commenting upon Hippocrates in Coacis, observed in one 
Dropsie an Epilepsie arose or supervened ; and to that Falling-sickness
an Apoplexy, that took Life away : Epilepsies are caused often of wa- 
ter in the Brain, and therefore in reason they might oftner occur in 
Dropsies. 
Next we shall discover what Diseases or Affects Dropsies follow up- 
on, that all may see what Method and Course is in Nature, as nigh as 
we can, briefly. 
Marcellus Donatus, Hist. Med. lib. 4. cap. 21. writes that he hath 
seen Dropsies to follow sometimes upon a wasting of the Lungs, some- 
times upon Exulcerations of the Lungs, and sometimes after spitting 
of Blood much. 
River. Cent. 1. Obs. 70. found a Dropsie follow a continual and in- 
termitting Feaver : And Cent. 2. Obs. 67. it arose after a Tertian Fea- 
ver; and after a double Tertian, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. 
A Dropsie arose after a sharp Feaver, Horstius, lib. 4. Obs. 28. 
Johannes Fridericus Trafelmannus Obs. Med. writes, One was subject 
to Tertian Agues, and Erysipela’s for five years, then he was troubled 
with a difficult breathing, or short-windedness, a Strangury and Diar- 
rhœa then his belly swells, and he died Hydropical; eighteen pints of 
water


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 119 
water were found in him ; the Liver was pale and hard, the Kidneys 
small and the Bladder, but the Heart and Lungs were large, the Spleen 
small. 
Jacobus Caminicenus, in Observatione per Epistolam ad Matthiolum missa,
Relates how one had a Jaundice for a long time, then a Dropsie comes 
upon it, and the party dies : opened, the bladder of Gall was found 
Turgid, and the way to the Guts from it stopped with a Stone, the Li-
ver grew to the Diaphragma, and was filled with many black stones. 
A Dropsie or swelling of Water arose after an Asthma, that still con- 
tinuining with the Dropsie, River, Obs. Cent. 3. Obs. 8. 
To a Flegmatick blust and pale swelling, came a swelling of the 
whole Body from Water, Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. 
A pain in the Region of the Spleen went afore a Dropsie Riv. 
Cent. 3. Obs. 17. 
One had beating of the Arteries, a stopt and Flegmatick Distemper, 
the Courses were long stopped, and to these a Dropsie puts a period, 
Plat. 638. 
A Maid thirty years old had long a beating of her Heart and Arte-
ries, difficult breathing, a pale colour, then comes a Dropsie, where- 
in was great thirst ; the middle of her Body, or half was macilent, de- 
jected appetite, stopt courses, and swelling of her Face also were pre- 
sent, idem ibidem. 
One that was subject to Cholical Nephritical and Arthritical pains, 
had sometimes his Joynts contracted, he used many strong hot Drinks,
and being old, none of his former Distempers, but a Dropsie superven- 
ing, took him away, Plat. Obs. 641. 
After supression of Hæmorrhoids and Urine, bringing a feaver, 
the Feaver ceasing, a Jaundice ensues with Vomit and Thirst ; those 
ceasing, or at least mitigated, a Dropsie takes rise, and yet is cured, 
Plat. pag. 653. 
A Dropsie did ensue on large bleeding, and frequent Hæmorrhages, 
Schenk. in Obs. med. pag. 414. in divers. 
Next we will deliver some observations of the difference of Drop- 
sies concerning their Cronicalness, or Acuteness and Criticalness, 
though divers such have been discovered amongst the Observations 
preceeding. 
In an Hydropsie and flegmatick puffing up, one lived two years, Paul
Reneal. Obs. 166. 
A Dropsie was three years encreasing gently in a Maid, that was 
thought for the first year with Child, then they seeing themselves de- 
ceived,

120 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
ceived, suspected it a Dropsie; at last dying, and Anatomized, all the 
inward parts were found safe, only the Mesentery was lifted up into 
an huge Tumour, full of Bladders or Skins of Water, Tulp. lib. 2. 
Obs. 34. 
A Dropsie of the Brest was four years encreasing, all that while short- 
windedness, did afflict, and daily encreased : dying, the Lungs were 
found spotted outwardly, and being cut, did inwardly appear putrified,
Johannes Bilgerus, Epist. Med. 
Hercules Saxonia and Mercurialis, Observed some Dropsies, soon 
made, in few dayes killing; dissected, much Blood, to fourteen or fifteen 
pints, were found in the Capacity of the Belly. 
We commonly have observed Dropsies, as they differ in all other 
things, so in the Acuteness and Cronicalness ; some die in a quarter of 
a year, some in half a year ; some at the years end, and some not till 
two years : and so some recover in a quarter, some in half, some in a 
whole year ; and some recover after two years Hydropicalness, but this 
not very frequent; they are best and easiliest cured at first. 
Durius Ejicitur quam non admittitur Hostis. 
We may better keep out an Enemy, then having let him in, to 
thrust him back again. 
Divers in Dropsies finde one thing that cures them or lessens their 
evil, and then through uncarefulness, or Astral Ordination, they fall 
back and die ; and sometimes are cured upon a relaps, but not so com- 
monly:that Medicine that gave help or ease at first, upon a relaps for the 
most part will avail little. 
In the next place we shall shew somewhat of Prognostick Signs : 
Though nothing is more uncertain; many things may be gathered from 
what Observations preceded: for we set down at the end of the Re- 
lations of the Symptoms, such an one died, or recovered, or was cured, 
to avoid the trouble of writing all those Observations over again here, 
for the Prognostick Signs therein for unless in many the whole Rela- 
tion is shewn, it cannot well be judged how desperate or hopeful the 
Party might be by one Symptom alone rehearsed; but when he sees all 
the Symptoms, and the Cause by dissection manifested, he might judge 
truly of Life or Death in another, the acuteness or slowness of the 
Disease in another so handled, did two exactly accord, or have the 
event exactly alike. It is the part of a wise man to suspend judgement, 
especially


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 121
especially rashly in the most clear cases, for we are never able to fore- 
see the effects and divers operations of Nature ; We must endeavour all 
things, but the work is of God  as Scaliger well saith, Sanitas opus est Dei,  
opera vero nostra. 
Dodonaus, Obs. 38. A man Tympanitical, his Belly struck gave a 
found ; his Excrements and Urine were both suppressed, and he Sud- 
denly died. 
Those whose Urine or Excrements are altogether supprest, and yet 
they eat and drink we may the most certainly predict their death in a 
shorter or longer time, if they do not go to Stool, or make Water, un- 
less Nature takes care to void it by the Navil or other places, which is 
rare; but what is this Prognosis to a Physician ? cannot every Rustick 
say and see so much ? 
Platerus in Obs. Med. Writes of one whose Urine was so stopped, 
and broke the Bladder,and flowed out into the hollow of the Abdomen, 
as dissection did demonstrate any Countrey People, if they could tell 
how the business was (which the Physician could not, before opening) 
might predict Death ; however, as we have seen such died Swelled, 
whose Urine could not be voided,or to any quantity, so might any ima- 
gine, as well as Physicians. 
So for Gangræned Exulcerations of the Legs, Thighs or Navil, any 
would predict Death, if they Should continue rotting, the Water con- 
tinue running, and the Belly continue Swelling; but who can tell 
whether these will continue encreasing,or if they do, when or how they 
will kill ? 
A Tabes did of the Stomach, then of the whole Body, with drinking 
of Bath-Waters were permanent in one,whom a Dropsie following did 
presently kill, Vidus Victius lib, 10. cap. 5. 
Capiracius, lib. 3 .pag. 648. Pratt. With a Cautery in the Knee, 
was made Gangrenation, and the party died. Many times of Natures 
own accord doth the Navil break, and pour out water, and so the Legs 
and Thighs, by blisters or bladders of the Skin ; and Sometime Hydro- 
picks are so cured ; but three to one are not cured thereby ; but as the 
water ouses out by those holes so it encreases within the Body fre- 
quently, that the Dropsical are never the better; and frequently if those 
water-blisters or Ulcers run long in some Bodies, from a Secret Cause 
they kill by Gangrene, or infecting the Blood with a poysonous quality 
they contract by long Corruption ; which PUterus did observe, as we 
also have been informed ; Specially if by art such Ulcers, Blisters or 
watery Eruptions have been made; for as Hippocrates faith in that truly, 
Ulcers in Hydropic Bodies scarce admit of Cure.
Amatus 

122 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Amatus Lusitanus, Capiraccius, Forestus, Marcellus Donatus, Ga- 
belchoverus, and Others, have observed divers Hydropicks that died, 
when water by Art or Nature, on heaps or by degrees, ran or was drawn 
forth of the Navil. 
Nor is Paracentesis in Dropsies commonly lucky ; for when all the 
water, is drawn out on heaps, sometimes they die presently, even as Je- 
annes Ludovicus, sixty years old, the water drawn forth, died in the Ar- 
tists hands, Mich. Joann. Paschalius, lib. I. cap. 44. Method. Cur. 
Morb. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 39. A Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one 
Hydropick, that was hugely swelled, the water ran out by degrees day- 
ly, and yet he died. So 
Plat. lib. 3. Obs. Extub. observed that though the water ran out fine- 
ly and gradually, and the Belly fell, and Dyspnœa abated, yet in a lan- 
guishing the party died : It is no judging in whom Paracentesis will 
take well; if they can be cured other wayes, Paracentesis is not to be 
used ; if they cannot be cured otherways, Paracenteis is like to be an 
hastener of Death: Yet the word of Medicines or Administrations 
have cured, or seemingly helped some, or else they would never be kept 
in use; and the best will not cure all. 
The opening of the Hæmorrhoids that did formerly flow in one Hy- 
dropick, did no good, Plater. 643. 
Vidus Victius did observe a Dropsie that followed constant pains of the 
Stomach, vomiting and nausea, that was mortal. 
Relapses for the most part are mortal, but not always ; one will say 
this is the cause another that; but if we could see the inward Bowels, 
many times we could not tell the cause, or how they might change, live, 
or die. 
Many that have had many, and the worst of Symptoms, have lived ;
and those that seemingly have not been dangerous, have died : and in 
Dissections it is abundantly cleared, that some live till all their parts 
are rotted or wasted, or corrupted ; some till two or three are wasted, 
rotted, or corrupted; and some die when scarce any Cause can be found 
worthy of separating the Soul from its Case the Body: But the quality 
and heterogeneity of all matter to our Blood and Spirits, and that qua- 
lity that constitutes our vitality, is the chief Cause, which we can hardly 
see into. 
Johannes Johnstonus, in his Thaumatographia de Luna potestate inter 
subluna, saith, Dropsies are much moved by the Moon, and they die at Full 
Moons; and just then it took away a Reverend Prelate of the Reformed 
Churches of Poland : And we can confirm it; for the Moon rules over 
Water,

A Tracatate of DROPSIES. 123 
Water, and alters and moves it, lessens and augments it ; nor is any 
thing of greater certainty to judge of the Acuteness or Cronicalness of 
sicknesses, or the event thereof, then to draw Schemes of the Hea- 
vens at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; but these are sometimes ambi- 
guous even to the best Artists, and they find sometimes as many Rea- 
sons for a thing, as against it; and sometimes, the Lord of the seventh 
House impeded, the Artist shall miss in Judgement; as also for other 
Causes. 
Of the CAUSES of DROPSIES:
And first of the moving, antecedent, apparent, or procatarctik 
Cause. 
We have shewed before what Diseases Water-swellings or Tym- 
panies do follow , as Feavers continual and intermitting, as Tertian 
Agues chiefly (and that shews that Dropsies familiarly arise of heat- 
ing Causes, contrary to the Doctrine of the Ancients) Quartane A- 
gues, Asthma’s, suppression of Urine, of Courses and Hæmorrhoids, 
Jaundices, Cholicks, Rhematismus, Phthisicks, spitting of Blood, and 
Hæmorrages, which may more exactly and particularly be found before, 
as we have laid them down one by one, and shewed more Examples of 
one then of another, because it happens more frequently in the course 
of Nature. 
Riv. Cent. 2. Obs. 65. Too much water being drank in the fits of a 
Tertian, a Dropsie followed : And also, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. much drink 
was taken in a double Tertian, which raised a Dropsie. 
G. Horstius, Obs. p. 256. It arose sensibly from drinking, after a sur- 
feit. 
Paulus Renealmn. Obs. 146. and also Plater. Obs. pag. 637. do both 
alike relate the Dropsie to have arose in two women with Child, from 
drinking abundance of cold water. 
Swelling of the Spleen in a Tertian Ague, gave rise to a Dropsie, Ri- 
ver. Cent. 3. Obs. 16. 
Tulpius and Platerus observed it to come from hot antecedent Causes, 
as Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. relates of two that died, the Liver dried and 
burnt as it were; the one ate much Garlick, the other drank Wines, 
Plater. 641. 
A Gentleman drank divers Wines and hot Liquors, and used an hot 
Dyer, but lastly he drank many Acid Therm Waters ; and so, which 
caused his Dropsie is disputable, or whether either did; for many drink 
Q2 both

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
both those largely, and have no Dropsie; nay, sometime to cure a Drop- 
sie ; he died: his Kidneys were exulcecrated and perforated , letting 
out the serous Urine into the Belly : Plater. did impute all to heat, in 
the spiced and hot Food, and Wines he took. 
Schenkius brings several Examples, pag. 415 and 417. of bleeding at 
the Nose, or downwards, that a Dropsie did arise therefrom; also from 
long pissing of Blood in one. And 
River. Cent. 3. Obs. 33. found that an immoderate Flux of Men- 
strues, gave occasion to the Dropsie. 
Skenk. 412 pag. It arose from Colliquation, or melting ; and indeed 
Plater, did find in one opened, Fat melted as it were from the Kidneys, 
and slicking here and there in pieces, to the Guts; this might arise 
from heat; those Fluxes preceding cooled the Body, and thence arose 
the Dropsie, and from the sanguifick Spirit, or Principium Seminarium 
Sanguinis weakened. 
When my Hands up to my Wrists were swelled two or three Win- 
ters, and brake with blisters or bladders pouring forth water, I found it 
was nothing but Cold ; they were exceedingly swelled with water, 
and would pit so much as that an Egg might lie therein, yet no part else; 
nor was it from vice of the inward parts ; warmer weather cured them ; 
but the Ulcers were hardly cured, constantly pouring out water. I have 
heard of others that have had a particular Dropsie of the Legs, from 
standing in cold water. 
Hydrocephali, or Head-Dropsies, have arose in Infants from their Mo- 
thers imagination in time of bearing them. 
Secondly, We shall shew the inward Cause of Dropsies, and which 
are the principal parts affected, how many and how, and how those 
and so may be affected where this is no water gathered, and of the 
strange and stupendious variety, and secret order of Nature therein, 
onely referrable to occult qualities in the parts or humours. 
It may be thought that I have a prejudice to Antiquity, and all Tra- 
dition ; I confess I do honour and respect Antiquity and Tradition as 
much as most men ; but wherever in Person or Profession in Antiqui- 
ty or Novelty, is Falsity and Deceit, I must be against that; Pacem cum 
Hominibus, bellum cum Vitiis oportet habere ; We should be peaceful with 
Men, but fighting with their Vices : So I honour Antiquity, but not its 
Falsity. I have delivered all things as nigh as I can, that the Readers 
may clearly understand the Truth of Nature, and may read Tradition 
with the less misapprehension ; and also be able to confirm or enervate 
her. 
It

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 125
It is certain that the Ancients delivered little or nothing of Truth, 
concerning the inward causes of Dropsies, nor can the Reader under- 
stand one thing in twenty, rightly as he should, by their Practices, even 
in most Diseases; specially concerning the inward causes of the Disease:
nor did they understand Natures variety, nor Vermifick, Lapidifick, 
Crinifick, Ossifick, Fermentative Putrefactive, and Preservative Fa- 
culties, or Qualities. 
We will first shew the quantity of water that lifts up the Bellies of 
some, and is the cause of their swelling. 
In two opened by Thomas Bartholin, the quantity of water half filled 
a Tonna ; the Nephew of the Illustrious Prince of Hafnia, scarce a 
year old, had 15 pints of water found in it. 
A Kinsmans Childe of mine, died, they thought of a Dropsie, it 
was swelled, and like water: opened, not above one Pint of water was 
found in it: the Liver was huge large and knotted, but the Lungs 
wasted, the Liver made the Belly seem so big. Familiarly in diverse 
that were opened where the Lungs are wasted, the Liver growes out to 
possesse the room they have left; my Kinsman had six or seven Chil- 
dren, and all died; he was Tabid and Consumptive himself, and so his 
semen contaminated : they none of them lived to above five or six yeers 
of age as I remember ; they opened onely one. 
The Quantity of water in a old woman, filled two water Pitchers, 
Pet. Pawus. Obs. Anatom. 5. and in another he opened, all the Bowels 
swam in Water. 
One woman was so swelled with a Dropsie, she was three Ells in 
mpasse and when she was dissected, 56 Pints of Water flowed out 
of her, P.P. 
Ninety Pints in one Hydropicks body, River. Obs. communicat. p. 285. 
Thirty Pints found in one who, alive, was held Tympanitical as 
well as Ascitical; the Liver seemed rotted, and Spleen swelled, Tulp.
lib. 2. Obs. 35. 
Twenty Measures were let out in a Womb-Dropsie, Guliel. Fab. 
Hild. Epist. Gr. Hor. 
One that was used much to drinking, when dead of a Dropsie, as soon 
as his Belly was cut, the water flies out with violence and force, to the 
quantity of 60 Pints ; and nigh as much before had ran our by Blisters 
and water-Ulcers; also some was found in the Capacity of the Thorax; 
his Kidneys were perforated, Gall swelled, Omentum and Mesentery 
wasted, and yet cleer, against the Ancients and most Modernes, both 
Liver and Spleen were unhurt, and Heart is not mentioned to be amitse; 
for now some begin to say, the Heart is the cause ; but Experience will 
not

126 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
not shew it, it is onely a Phantasie or Imagination; though the Heart, 
I believe, is the Seminarium Sanguinis Principium ; Plater. Obs. Med. 
Pag. 647
Joannes Fridericus opened one that had 18 Pints of Water; the 
Liver pale and hard, Kidneys and Milt small, Heart and Lungs great 
and strong. 
2. Now we have given insight to the Studious Readers of the Ex- 
treams, and Mediums, and variety of the quantity of Water found in 
the Bellies of Hydropicks, we shall shew the difference of the nature, 
colour, consistence, or smell of that Water.
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Ob. 2. found it bloody and stinking; and Cent. 3.
Obs. 81. he found it in a Child one year old, dirty and stinking ; and 
Obs. 83. of that Cent, he found it vary from Water onely in colour, it 
was yellow. 
Pet. Paw. Anatom. 13 the yellowness of the Water found a most 
grievous stench ; what is the reason of these things , cannot well be 
known; I will not spend time and pains to guesse, others may do that as 
well as I; it is too frequent for many to write confidently upon guesse, 
which young Students believe, and so are built up in falsity; in the 
party, when all the Water was out, all the Guts, Caul, Liver, Mesentery, 
&c. were found fat, like Suet. 
Mercurialis found the matter pure blood, to 14 Pints in quantity, 
in the Belly. 
The Water was yellow and stinking, in one, Pet. Paw Obs. Anat. 24.
and it was much ; and Obs 28. it was yellow and corrupted. 
Much Yellow Water, and most stinking, in an Herniose, and Hy- 
dropick, where Liver was putrid, and little else putrified, plat 650. page. 
The water was like washings of raw flesh, or bloody, Scholiographus ad 
cap. 39. lib. I. Holler. de morbis internis. 
Tulp. lib 2. Obs. 40. Brings some examples of blood ; doubtless 
blood at first may, by corruption, turn water; that is cleer by many 
things ; it is hard to say, whether it is waterish blood, or bloody water; 
but we have spoke of this before. 
In some the water is pure, clear, and sweet. 
Next comes to be demonstrated the inward Cause of Dropsies, as by 
dissection hath been numerously demonstrated ; and first of the Liver. 
I. The Liver was found pale, Aicholizius in Epist. and Pet, Paw. 
Dissect. 5, and Dissect. 19. it was of a burnt or adust colour. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. found it look as if roasted and dryed; we shall shew 
more


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 127
more of the variation of the colour, in the following Heads.
II. Swellings of the Liver are in Hydropicks, as we mentioned o£ 
a Kinsmans Child of ours : and P. Pawus Obs. 28. the Liver was swel- 
led, of a Saffron colour, and scirrhous, the Gall was obstructd, the 
Omentum wasted, and an involution of the Mesesraicks. 
III. Of the wasting of the Liver in Dropsis, contrary to the grow- 
ing, or out-swelling of it: Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anatom. 29. in a woman 
found Fifty eight Pints of Water; the Liver, Spleen, Reins and 
Omentum were all quite wasted, and the Diaphragma in part, ere she 
died ; tis wonderful she held out so long. And in his 31. Obs. Dissect : 
the Liver was again found quite wasted, only some few Fragments of the 
Veins left, the Spleen also with it was confumed, Johannes Johnstonus  
de Epate & Splene, and Schenkius in Obs. de Hep. have gathered some 
Examples of those that have been dissected, and had neither Liver or 
Spleen ; I mean not both together, but one hath been absent in one, 
and the other in the other; and yet no Dropsie. 
IV. The Liver was putrified, tied to the Diaphragma, with abun- 
dance of Fat, and almost bloodless, Th. Barth Cent. 4. obs. 20.
Pet. Pawus. Obs. 24. found nothing else but the Liver corrupted. 
Obs. Anatom. 27. Ulcers were in the bunch of the Liver; they went 
to the Parenchyma, which was conglomerated, half an Urne of cor- 
ruption poured forth. 
Plat. Obs. 650. Liver stuck to the Spleen, and Peritonæum: cut 
open, it looked like black condensed blood,the Spleen and Reines were 
found, onely changed in Figure. 
V. Liver dried : it was pale and hard, P. Paw. Obs. s15. 
P. Paw. Obs. 19. It was of an adust colour, yet crushed, it fell in- 
to putrifaction; yet this caused no Dropsie, and should have come 
hereafter. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. Liver was burnt and dried, with swelled Spleen, 
blasted Intestines, and putrid Kidny, in an Ascites and Tympany. 
And Obs. 36. in one opened of a Jaundice and Dropsie, it was dried, 
void of Juyce, like a Leather, and very small: cut open, like Ink and 
yellow choler were in it; in the party all the inward Bowels were dis- 
coloured from choler, or corrupted by water. 
Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. found the Liver dried, and enfissured, and in 
those cracks little Bladders of water; and this he attributed to heat; 
also it is clear that some Dropsies come from heat, for cool things 
cure. 
VI. The Liver is sometime grown to a part, to the Diaphragm
with Fat, as Th. Barth. c. 4. Obs. 20. found. 
Pet.

128 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anat. 16. found it bound in the gibbous part, by 
many nervous filiaments, to the Peritonæum. 
- P1at. p. 649. Liver and Spleen firmly stuck to the Peritonæum, that they 
could not be pulled away without tearing, in one that had a Rupture as 
well as a Dropsie. 
Jacobus Camenicenus In Epist. ad Matthiolum, writes, how after a 
Jaundice one fell into a Dropsie and died, and was dissected ; and the 
Liver was found bound, or grown to tht Diaphragma, and its Vessels 
were obstructed with many stones; the Gall also was full, and obstru- 
cted; the Sick in his sickness did much complain of pain, and very 
great heat in his right Hypochonder; and that might be from adnas- 
cence of the Liver. 
VII. In Dropsical Dissections the Liver is found enfissured divers 
times. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. Great pits of water in a Child a year 
old, the Liver enfissured, it looked like a boiled Liver, and the Spleen 
was so too ; when the Liver was cut, much water ran out. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 36. in the Liver dried, where a Jaundice was cou- 
pled with a Dropsie, could find no fissures ; as Fernelius did write : In- 
deed there is scarce a like affection of the Bowels in any one Disease 
exctly in two persons. 
Plater. Obs. Med. pag. 635 & 648 found two Hydropicks Livers 
enfissured, and cracked, and in those cracks were bladders of water; 
and outwardly did stick to the Liver bladders of water, which broke, 
and emptied themselves into the hollow of the Belly, and closed up, 
and filled again; the Spleen was vitiated after another manner, the Gall 
had stones in it, the Kidneys had holes, or were perforated. 
VIII. In some Hydropicks the Liver was found stony, or fun- 
gous. 
Tho. Bartholin. Cent. 3. Obs. 37. found the Liver livid and scirrhous, 
and then the Spleen was large, and filled with Blood, as if it did the 
Office of the Liver. 
In one part of the Liver a fungous did grow to it, and somewhat was 
concrete therein, the Spleen within vitiated, and the Veins and Ab- 
domen full of water; Womb white and thick, like an Egg for bigness. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 667 A Boy died of an Inflation, no water found in 
him, the Guts were involved, and contorted, like an Ihack-passion ; 
and in some wind was so much, that it broke forth with violence; in 
other Guts, Worms with Dung did distend, the Liver was found cor- 
rupted, stony, and gravelly ; the Spleen less then it should be, and 
Lungs affixed to the side. 
Jaco-

A Tractate of DROPSIES 129.
Jacobus Camenicenus, in one of his Epistles to Matthiolus writes, He
found in a Dropsical Cadaver the Liver large and black, the Veins sto-
ny, or full of small stones, which did outwardly look black, but broken 
were inwardly yellow; the passage which goes from the bladder of Gall  
to the Intestines, was slopped with a stone : This might be the cause 
the Jaundice that this man had, long before his Dropsie. 
Johannes Schenkius Obs. Med. pag. 395. shews Examples of Stones 
in the Liver, which do not always cause Dropsies alone, but sometimes 
Jaundices, and sometimes other grievous Symptoms and Affects, dif- 
fering from these, having often death at end. 
Next we shall come to declare the faults of the Spleen in Dropsies:
The Spleen as well as the Liver, Kidneys, and other parts, is found just 
so, or otherwise affected, more grievously than in the Dropsie, and yet 
no Dropsie, but other evils arise therefrom; therefore it is hard to say 
what Bowel causes a Dropsie, or what particular affect of that Bowel 
doth it; since when it is so affected in others , other distempers arise 
therefrom : the qualities in all matter, as we have sufficiently demon- 
strated in our Book of qualities, in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneu
matography give the motion and alteration to all Bodies, specially as 
they are influenced upon by the Air, altered by the qualities of the 
Stars.
Platerus and also Tulpius, Riverius, Barthol. &c. found the Liver, 
Spleen, and Reins the most conjoyned in suffering, or corruption; yet 
in some Dropsies, both Liver and Spleen are safe, and in others , both 
Liver, Spleen and Kidneys. 
I. The Spleen is fissured or cloven, and Bladders of water stick in 
those sometimes, sometimes to the outward sides, and sometimes both, 
Plater. Obs. 635.
Though the Liver, Spleen, and Reins are conjoyned in being af- 
fected together, yet rarely are they found affected alike, but one vi- 
tiated in one manner, another in another. 
II. The Spleen was corrupted in one Hydropick, it looked like Tar, 
or Pix liquida, and the Liver was found, Riverius, Obs. Commun. pag. 315.
III. The Alteration of form in the Spleen was found in one Hydro- 
pick, a Child ; the Spleen was filled with water huge big, it did grow 
to the left Kidney, and there it received its water; it had three ap- 
pendices to it , Th. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. 
It grew out both in length and latitude : Pet. Paw. Anatom. 5. 
IV. Swelling is coincident to the Spleen, as well in Dropsies as 
other Affects and Sicknesses.
R Tho. 

130 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
Tho. Barth. cent. Obs. 25. it was Apostemated, and crushed, Puru- 
lent matter did ouse forth. 
Pet. Paw. observed it very hard in an old woman, and hugely large : 
also Obs. 13. it was so swelled, it weighed three pound. 
Tulpius. lib. 2. Obs. 35. found the Spleen swelled in one that 
seemed to have much wind, or a Tympany in conjunction therewith ;he 
voided much blood upwards and downwards, without question from his 
Spleen ; with this Extumescence of the Spleen,the Liver looked rotted, 
the Intestines blasted, or corrupted in look ; one Kidney was putrid ;
thirty pints of water were in the Capacity of the Abdomen. 
V. Contrary to swelling of the Spleen, is the wasting, which is found 
partly a Cause of Dropsies as well as the swelling of it, and both these 
in other persons are found in other Diseases. 
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Histor. 2. and C. 3. Obs. 83. found in two Hydropicks 
the Spleen wasted and very small. And Pet. Pawus Obs. 29. one Hydro- 
pick that had fifty six pints of water, the Liver, Spleen and Reins were 
all quite wasted : and Obs 31. in a general Dropsie he found the Liver 
and Spleen again wasted away. 
It was wasted or dried away in a dry Dropsie, where the Liver was 
corrupted, and had stones in it, Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. 
Both the Liver and Spleen have been found in some absolutely con- 
sumed, I mean the Spleen in one, and Liver in another; it was thought 
they never had any, however the Dropsie did not follow in all these : see 
Johnston. Thaumatographia Cap. de Hepate & Liene, and Schenk. de Hep. in 
his collected Observations. 
Next we will shew the Diseases of the Kidneys, or how they are 
found in Dropsies, and so they are found in other Sicknesses , where is 
no collection of water; and as they are variously found in other Sick- 
nesses so also in other Dropsies, for every new dissected Person hath 
somewhat differing or new in his Bowels. 
I. Quite wasted. P. Paw. Obs. 29. the Kidneys were quite wasted, with 
the Liver, Spleen and Omentum in one woman. 
II. Figure of the Kidneys changed : Plater. Obs. page 650. One 
that had an Hernia and Dropsie,, most parts were firm, the Liver and 
Spleen grew to the Peritonæum, the Liver inwardly corrup:ed ; the 
Kidneys changed in Figure like those of horned Beasts. 
III. Exulcerated and perforated : Plater. Obs. pag. 647. the Liver and 
Spleen were safe, the Kidneys perforated, and Bladders of water did 
cleave thereto, pouring out Serum into the hollow of the Belly, and the 
Mesentery, Caul and Lungs were corrupted ; most likely the water from 
the


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 131
the Kidneys corrupted them, But the like reason is not to be given for 
all; that that holds good in one will not in another: if the restagnating 
water did corrupt the Mesentery and Caul, and also Lungs that are  
more distant, why not the Liver and Spleen, more in the midst of 
the water?
The Kidneys were black and perforated, a Finger might be thrust in- 
to their holes, the Gall full of Stones, Liver cleft, and had bladders 
of yellow water, Spleen also vitiated in another manner: see Plat. 
Obs. pag. 648.
Before we have, as conjoyned in affect, mentioned the Reins with 
the Liver and Spleen; and we may hereafter occasionally , as we find 
them vitiated with other parts, mention more of them ; being loth to 
write things several times over, except very consultedly ; The Kidneys 
are the Channels to convey, and have the faculty given to draw water, 
and where they have no great visible labefacation , yet not drawing 
and separating Urine they may cause a Dropsie. Every like draws its 
like, the greater the lesse ; the Lungs draw Air, or Wind; the Gall, 
Choler; the Spleen, grosse fæculent blood , being of such a matter it 
self, and the Kidneys, Serum or water ; now if any of these fail in their 
office, man is burdened with that humour, that is not separated from 
the Blood, and cast off by the Conduits of Nature , and perhaps in 
one it turns whayish, in another, vermifies, in another, petrifies, in 
another putrifies, in another ferments, &c. and perhaps little altera- 
tion is found in the Parevchjma of the bowell: fometime though the 
office is depraved or abolished, God that appointed diverse aliene and 
hetrogenious humours to be in our Blood, and generated by our Diet, 
appointed divers parts to separate or carry off these aliene humours ; 
or because he had made divers parts in mans Body of such faculties (for 
they exist for no other use) he ordained Excrements to encrease, to make 
these parts useful: and so indeed is the whole Creation made one for 
another, and one depending upon another; and all Contraries make 
one harmonious Fabrick. 
Next, as a considerable part in causing, or in being vitiated in Drop- 
sies, comes the Mesentery. 
I. Which was wasted in one Hydropick, with the Omentum, and 
the fat Tunicle of the Reins was dried, and these were folded up to- 
gether ; and pieces of Fat along the Guts did cleave on gobbets, that 
probably might be melted from the aforesaid parts: but the chief Cause 
of this Dropsie was the perforation of the Kidneys, letting out the Se- 
rum or Water into the Belly, also the Bladder, Platerus, Obs0erv. pag. 647.
R2 II. Con-

132 A Tractate of DROPSIES.  
II. Contrary to wasting, it was found swelled in one, Nic. Tulp. lib. 
2. Obs. 34. saw dissected : Indeed there is nothing but variety, and 
the whole Cause of the Dropsie in this party was the Mesentery ; other 
parts were not corrupted, not did the water lie loose in the capacity, or 
hollow of the Belly, as commonly it doth ; but to the quantity of twen- 
ty pints lay in distinct and distinguished bladders, all held in one Tu- 
mour, or complicated in one bunch within the Mesentery ; this Drop- 
sie was three years encreasing. 
III. Apostemations of the Mesentery are found in Dropsies : Tulp. 
lib. 2. Obs. 32. A woman swelling gradually, for long time, was thought 
with Child, but afterward it appeared a Dropsie, she died : dissected, it 
was found that too great Steatomata of the Mesentery did so press the 
Uterus together, that she could not bear: one of these Apostems was void 
of putrefaction, the other being broke or cut, poured forth much water 
and corruption into the Belly. 
IV. The Mesentery was coloured with a livid and adust colour, in 
one that died of a Dropsie, where the Gall was stopped, Petrus Pawus, 
Obs. Anatom. 28. 
Most that Physicians have writ and talked of, is, obstruction of the 
Meseraick Veins, which is seldom or never found, they did so go aguess 
at things, and miss of Truth; the Mesentery is commonly affected, 
and the Cause of many Griefs we little imagine, following Tradition 
in Practices of Physick. It may be subject to twenty kindes of altera- 
tion, and yet the Antients guessed at one or two that happen the sel- 
domest, and are the slightest, for any thing I can find. 
Next we shall relate how the Gall is found in Dropsies : both of that 
and the Mesentery we hinted divers things in the affects of the Liver 
and Spleen aforegoing. The Gall is partly a Cause of Dropsies, spe- 
cially,as it being stopped makes a yellow humour (that it should separate 
and cast off to the Intestines) regurgitate upon, and spoil and corrupt 
the Liver, to which it is appendent. 
I, Pet. Pawns, Obs. 28. Swelling of the Gall is found , many yel- 
low and dirty stones were therein ; the Liver stony, scirrhous and yel- 
low. 
Plat. Obs pag. 647. The-Gall was swelled, and very large, its Neck 
was filled with Water and Choler; this and the perforation of the Kid- 
neys were the Cause. 
II. Stones are found in the Gall, as in the Obs. of P. Paw. 
Plater.pag.648.Many stones and other vices were found in the Gall o£ 
a certain Hydropical woman.


A Tracate of DROPSIES. 133 
Jacobus Camenicenus Epist. ad Matthiolum mentions a stone that was 
found stopping the passage of the Gall to the Intestines, where the sick 
for long time had a Jaundice before his Dropsie. 
Next follows somewhat to be said of the Middriff, or Diaphrag- 
ma. 
Petrus Pawus in two women, at two several times opened, that died 
with Dropsies ; found the Midriff (where the Liver, Spleen, and Reins 
were wasted and consumed) with some difference, in both made hol- 
low and holey, and eaten as it were with a Sphacelus. 
Next the Caul or Omentum comes ; It was wasted in an old woman, 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 83. Also quite wasted away in Christopher 
Raphelengius, P. Paw. obs. 28. yet nothing else wasted with it ; but in Obs. 
Anatom. 29. the Liver , Spleen and Kidneys were wasted with it; and 
if onely being sopped in water was the Cause of its wasting away, why 
is it not wasted in other Hydropicks ? and why alone ? and why some- 
time other parts are wasted, and not the Caul ? yet I scarce believe the 
Caul to be any primary Cause of Dropsies. 
Plat. Obs. pag. 647. found that, and the Mesentery, and the fat Tu- 
nicle of the Kidneys wasted, but the remains of them were folded up 
together. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Omentum, with the Peritonæum 
or Rim, putrified, and fell in pieces like dirt. 
Also P. Parvus, Obs. 19. found the Peritonæum and Caul quite putrid, 
onely a Membrane, which he thought to be the Reliques, with many 
nervous filiaments appendent; to which did adhere many bladders of 
water, that, being crushed, poured out Serum into the Belly. 
Of the Rim of the Belly, or Peritonæum, we have little to write; 
It is related with other things of greater concernment. 
River. in Obs. Communic. p. 286. found in a Dropsie the Peritonæum 
grown to the Stomach.. 
Next the Pancreas or Sweet-bread is to be spoke of; But that being 
inconsiderable, we may speak, somewhat of it in another place. 
Bladder remains. P. Paw. Obs.9. saw no remains of it, it was quite 
consumed. 
Plater. in Obs Med. found where the Belly was swelled with water, 
and Urine was stopped, that the Bladder had been distended, and was
in- 


134 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
inwardly broke, and had poured out the Water, or Urine, into the 
Belly. 
The Uterus or Matrice, in a general Dropsie, was found by Joannes 
Posthius, absolutely corrupted; and nothing else he relates to be the 
Cause, but the Liver somewhat faulty; she was recovered, and then 
relapsed, and died ; See more of this business hereafter, in particular 
Dropsies. 
The Intestines are in divers Hydropicks found altered, in look espe- 
cially. 
Scholiagr. ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. de Morb. Writes that the Inte- 
stines were syderated, or blasted and corrupted, as if sphacelated ; and 
the humour that did distend the Belly, was very bloody ; and he relates 
no other Cause of the Dropsie in this person. 
Next the Veins may give Reason for somewhat to be said there- 
of. 
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 4. Obs. 25. found the Veins in a Noble Ma- 
tron filled with water, and poured it out into the Belly; they were all 
complicated or folded in a Membrane, and had adjoyned three Vesicles 
or large Bladders filled with water. 
And Platerus, in one that died of a Rupture as well as Dropsie, 
where the Liver and Spleen did firmly grow to the Peritonæum, and the 
Belly full of yellow stinking water, the Veins were full of water, espe- 
cially the Vena Umbilicalis, and the Scrotum was like a bag of wa- 
ter. 
Some have experienced this; they fast a Dog two or three days, then 
he drinks largely water; then they choak him, and cut him open, and 
find the Veins exceedingly distended : I suppose the Emulgents, I was 
not told which. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. found in one three emulgent Veins, and three 
emulgent Arteries. 
But the Heart and Lungs surely deserve to be spoken of ere these;
but because they are in an upper Ventricle, and seperated by a Mem- 
brane from the Bowels that lie most in the water, we omitted them 
till now. 
Some now adayes think the heart must be the Cause of Dropsies be- 
cause the chief Instrument of Sanguification; but their prepossessed
Conceptions must vail to Experience ; We should think nothing to be 
so

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 135
so, till we find it by Experience: Of all the Bowels, the Heirt is the 
least corrupted in Dropsies. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. It was void of blood ; in a Child a year 
old, the Heart did swim in the Pericardium that was full of wa- 
ter. 
Plater. did indeed finde it loose and flaccid in one or two, and a bone 
in it, in one Hydropick. But very little alteration is in the Heart, as in 
the other inferiour Bowels, therefore that causes and suffers the 
least.
Of the Lungs in general Dropsies, these things are observed; 
In a Dropsie with a Phthsick, the Lungs were rather drie then moist ; 
the right Lung grew to the side, Tho. Earth. Cent. 2. Obs. 37. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. They grew almost in a hundred places fast to the 
Pleura and Ribs. 
Platerus, pag. 647. found the Lungs, in a general Dropsie, inequal- 
ly coloured, and in part vitiated ; water was in the Thorax, and yet Li- 
ver and Spleen found. 
In a pure Tympany with a Convolvulus, Platerus found the Lungs 
corrupted, and grown to the Side, the Liver had stones in it, and the 
Spleen was wasted. 
We will now shew a few Examples of the Method of Nature in ma- 
king Bladders, Blisters or Vesicles to hold water where the Parenchyma of 
any Bowel is pestered therewith, either through moist aliament, or stop- 
ing of the right passage of that water by the Kidneys, and so regurgitating 
upon this part or that ; or else the blood is waterish, and throws it off 
there ; or else the part is apostemated, and the blood turns to water ; 
in this Case, Nature ordains bladders to grow, to contain the superflu- 
ous moisture in these Bowels : and because it is so frequent and fami- 
liar, as we have shewn already by many Examples, we may look upon it 
as the Rule, or a Method in Nature ; yet as often exsuperating water 
gets no bladders to hold it in. Yet if the Antients had wrote of Wa- 
ter-bladders in the Body of Man, their Causes, Signes, Differences, 
Prognosticks and Cures, they had done somewhat of reality and mo- 
ment, and might have exhibited one of Natures Rules, giving there- 
withal large exception, and diversities. 
Plater. pag. 635. found Bladders of water affixed to the Superficies of 
the Liver, some small, some as big as Hens Eggs. 
And pag. 648. The liver was cleft, (even as we have seen the Kid-
ney of a Calf, and Bladders of water therein) and in those clefts little 
bladders of water. 
Johannes

136 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Johannes Acholizius in Epist. found no water in the hollow of the 
Belly, nor Wind, but here and there many bladders of water growing 
to divers parts, and fat also was in the parties Body; she had no swelling 
of the Legs, but lived in great pains. 
Cordæus in his Comment, upon Hippocrates, found many bladders of 
water kicking both within and without to the Bowels, of all sorts, but 
no water was in the hollow of the Belly, that did cause distenion, the 
Heart had also bladders of water affixed to it, so the Liver, Stomack 
and Intestines. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 34. found the Mesentery weigh twenty pounds, 
onely filled with bladders of water, all conglomerated in one, no 
water in the Belly, no part hutt. Ozia Aimar in his fifteenth Observation 
communicated to Lazarus River. shewes how an Hydropick had an 
Abscesse in the right part of his Abdomen, and out of it came an in- 
numerable company of little bladders, filled with water, they issued 
out diverse dayes to the number of two hundred ; and this, saith he, is 
the lesse strange, since Schenkius relates that one Hydropick dissected 
had many bladders filled with water sticking to the Perltenaum and 
other parts : see Schenkius, pag. 413. and pag. 392, and 395. brings ma- 
ny more examples, but it is needless here to recken up more witnesses:
But these bladders of water more or fewer, greater or lesse, are often 
found sticking in, or unto all sorts of Bowels, where there is no 
Dropsie; and sometimes they swell so much they break, and pour the 
water into the hollow of the belly, and so distend it, healing up and 
filling again, and sometimes they do not break, or pour forth any water, 
though many and great. 
Next it will be requisite to shew how that the Liver, in many general 
Dropsies, is not vitiated at all, and how it is vitiated and corrupted in 
many very much, & after the manners and measures here afore related, 
and yet no Dropsie : also we shall shew that the Spleen, Kidneys, Heart, 
Mesentery, Gall, Pancreas, Omentum, Diaphragma, &c. if there be 
more, are affected in other Diseases, or worse, after the manner here 
afore related in Dropsies. From what hath preceded the Reader may 
see much hereof, or tending to this purpose and in our Monitory Proæmi- 
um to the Readers we have given the reasons thereof. 
In a general Dropsie, Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Liver un- 
hurt, and Cent. 3. Obs. 83. it was found, neither Scirrh nor Putrescence 
in it, onely the flesh of it looser then ordinary. 
River. Obs. Com. pag. 315. Liver was safe, but Spleen corrupted and 
like Tar. Riolanus, then in his Anatomy was mistook to say what ever 
part


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 137
part was ill affected or corrupted in a Dropsie, to be sure the Liver was 
as the chief Cause. 
Plat. pag. 648. The Liver and Spleen both safe in a great Dropsie, 
though many other parts and Kidneys were corrupted, and perforated, 
pouring the Serum into the Belly. 
Schenk in obs .Med.pag.4.l4.. the Liver being found, a Dropsiee arose 
from the vitiated Testicles in a Woman , other parts also being safe : 
there is no part alwayes altered in each Hydropick, and there is none of 
the Bowels of the Abdomen or Thorax, but in some, and at sometime 
are egregiously corrupted. 
Nay in one Hydropick, both the Liver, Spleen, Kidneys,lntestines 
Mesentery,Gall, Bladder, and Uterus were safe, and onely the Heart 
sound flagging, the Stomack corrupted, and the Peritonuem , and the 
Duadenum Gut amisse
Now we will shew that all these things happen to all these parts a
foresaid,after that or a worse manner and measure,and yet no Dropsie,or 
Collection of water distending the Belly or Body, any where, followes.
Johannes Bilgerus, Epistol ad Gr.H, saw Bladders of water affixed 
to the Kidneys and Liver, where was no appearance of any Dropsie, 
alive. 
Plater, pag. 635. saw Bladders of water , sometimes more, some- 
times fewer, lesse and greater, some as big as Hens Eggs,assixed to the 
Liver in cachecticks, where was no extuberance of the Belly or othe 
tokens of a Dropsie. 
The Liver was found hard, swelled, and stony, and growing to the 
sides,and the Spleen ill affected in one,where was no Dropsie. 
Pet, Paw. Obs. Anat. 27. found an Ulceration of the Liver, in 
Gibba parte, half an Urne of corruption poured forth, and yet no 
Dropsie. 
And Obs.19. It looked burnt, crushed, it fell into putrifaction, the 
Heart was dried up, and much wasted , and Lungs bound to the Side, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
So hardness,adnascence, putredo, &c is found in the Spleen , where 
the Liver also is ill affected, and yet no Dropsie. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 14. found the Pancreas grown to the hollow of the 
Liver and hardened like a stone, and Obs. 16. the Pancreas was hard- 
ned and grew to the Liver and Stomach and Vena Porta, the Liver 
was also grown to the right Side, the Diaphragma and Spleen amisse, and 
yet no collection of, or distension from water or wind. 
Also the same Obs l4 and 19. of Anatymes : found the Heart swim 
in a virulent water in one, and in another it was dried up like a Pear,
had S 

132 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
had no Succulency in It, hung slacking, and the Liver was putrifled too, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
Joannes Schenkius may satisfie any farther, he hath collected many 
observations to that purpose, as may be seen de Liene,pag.407,498. de 
Epate,vel jerere,pag. 388,and 389.de Mesenterio,pag.385,386,and 387. 
de Veftex fellea, pag. 401,402.403, and 404. de Renibus, pag. 439,440, 
and 441. de Corde, 256,257,258, and 259. ad 262.
Schenkius by these may save us a labour , whither we refer the 
Reader.
We have hinted before somewhat of particular Dropsies, we will 
here treat a little thereof a part: We related a Dropsie of the Legs,and 
Hands,to which we may here add a Dropsie of the Throat, found in one 
in Skenk Obs.and a Dropsie of the Head, of which, as I remember, 
Gul.Fab.Hild. or Foreflus, faith,He found eighteen Pints of water in the 
forehead of one Hydrocephalos. The Breast and Lungs have peculiar 
Dropsies , though they are often distended with water in general 
Dropsies. 
Petrus Pave. Obs. Anatom. 29. knew a Woman reputed Hydropical, 
she was three Ells in compasse; dying, and being dissected, the cause 
was found to be a Mola, or rude lump of many Scirrhous Condylo- 
mata in the Uterus ; she had also water in Cavo Abdominis, and Obs. 31.
in another Woman thirty four years old , a suspected Dropsie , was 
found a Mola like coagulated matter, it looked like Honey and did 
distend the Uterus. 
Horstius Epist. Med. Sect.5. A Woman suppofed to have a Dropsie of 
the Uterus, was opened ; the Uterus .weighed eighty seven pound, it was 
full of hair,and woolly Fibra's in a fat matter,and yellow Ichor. 
Two observations are extant of two Hydropical Women dissected, 
that the Testiculi, or Testes muliebres, were found the Cause, and no 
other Cause, the rest of the bowels being safe; Schenkius quotes one, 
Obs. Medic, pag.4.14. and Gulielmus Fabriuus Hildanus, in Efifl. ano- 
ther ; the right Testicle alone, in this last, was affected; it was found 
full of hairy Fibrous matter ; and twenty measures of water ran forth 
of her Belly. 
In a particular Dropsie of the Breast, the Lungs have been found 
wasted, the Pericardium filled with water, the Heart flaccid, and big-, 
ger then ordinary, filled with black blood. 
The Heart, in one, wanted the Pericardion; all the bowels were 
grown over with fat, in it was black blood, and the right Auricle Was 
like an Aneurisma, Tho, Baribol, Cent,4 obs.20.
Johan

A Tractate of Dropsies 139.
Johan. Bilgerus in Epist. ad Gr. Horstium, relates how one was very 
short-breathed for four years, encreafing by degrees, being light at 
first ; and suddenly dying unexpectedly, was dissected ; it was found 
a Dropsie of the Thorax ; the Lungs swam in water, they had outward- 
ly many black spots, and divers Colours; and being cut, from within 
there issued out black blood; the water was much in quantity, and 
green in Colour, and rushed out impetuously upon the Section. 
Of the CURE of a Dropsie.
The Cure of a Dropsie is as various as the Signs and Causes; for one 
is curable, another not; and he that is curable , differs from another 
in the way of method he must be cured in, as well as particular 
Medicines. 
I. We shall say somewhat of the chief and most successful quality in 
Medicines, and that is, a Diuretick force: Diureticks, as we have well 
observed, are most generally helpful; and those Purgers that, withall, 
do move Urine ; for it is contrary to Nature to expel redundant Serum 
by the Guts, the faculty of the Kidneys, Emulgents and Ureters must 
be excited; purging of weakens Nature, not carryes forth the Dis- 
ease: but nothing is so bad, that helps not some; nor any thing so ex- 
cellent, that will cure all: and I have known in divers Hydropicks, 
as well as other Sicknesses, one simple vulgar Medicine hath done 
more then Methods of Bleeding, Sweating, Purging, Vomiting, and 
Opening. 
Juyce of our Flow-dc-luce-Roots helped one in two or three dayes, 
not helped by other Medicines; the Lee of Broome Ashes, another; 
Horsradish, one Rustick did boast,would cure all ; and another Woman 
helped divers with common Sambucus; Another I know, uses Broom 
Beer : almost so many Hydropical persons, so many Medicines; but 
they try often times divers Medicines, ere they light on that they think 
cures ; but the inward disposition of the body, and lucky time, accord- 
ing to the Stars, when that Medicine was given, is to be considered. 
I found best success in a Drink of Orris, Danewort, Cort, Sambuci,
Saldonella , Guaiacum, Juniper-Berries, Wood-Nightshade , with 
Liquorish and caraway feed: and Platerus ( who indeed used the best 
Medicine to cure the Dropsie, of any I read) used such like, Obs. 632, 
633. He cured two cam decocto Sambuci,Iridis,Dulcamaræ,& Absinthii* 
And pag 634. he cured one with an apozem of Senna , Orris, Ebulus, 
Absinth, and sem carni. A fourth he cured with Rob Sambuci, ebuli, and 
spirit of Juniper, pag.633 and pag 637 a Gravid Woman, windy, as
we 52

140 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Well as Hydropical, he cured with decost.R. Ebuli, Sambuci & red Docks. 
Pag. 639  he cured with Rheubarb, Saldonella, Orris Hedera Terrena 
Petrofelinum, Bitter-sweet, Elderne and Wormwood : Pag.639, an In- 
fusion of Flower-de-luce-Roots, Enula, Ebulus, Sambucus, Hore- 
hound, Absinth, Hedera, in Wine drunk for three dayes, gave huge 
relief, and the Belly fell; so 653, he cured another. 
River, in Obs. often used Decoctions, or Powders of Cychory, As- 
paragus, Bruscus, Agrimonia, Adianthum, Ceterach, Pimplnella ; but 
these come short of Platerus his Simples afore-related : Cent.i,Obs.7o. 
Cent.2.0bs.65.and 67. cured Hydropicals with Openers. 
We were told of one cured alone with Wormwood ; Diureticks com- 
monly do open,and most Openers have some Diuretick force with them, 
for the provoking of Urine is most effectual. 
Decoction of Bruscus Roots cured one, in a Months time , River. 
C.3. obs.4. Juyce of Orris another in twice or thrice taking ; and we 
have heard the same in the County of Northampton, of one so sudden- 
ly cured thereby, far gone, that Purges, but chiefly Urine, Pla- 
ter. 634. 
One Dram of the bones of Animals given for a Month in white 
Wine and Juyce of Parsly cured one, River. Obs Com. p. 327. but the 
white Wine and Parsly might do most. Flints made red hot, and often 
extinguished in white Wine, and that drunk, did cure, River Obser. 
Com. pag. 369. and Salt of Millipedes is praised. 
Paulus Renealmus. Obs, 29. with the use of the Decoction of Male 
Feme Roots , cured one Droplie, coupled with a Quartane ; but he 
gave a Chymical Febrisick Powder first for the Ague. 
Avicen. Cap. Curatio. Ascitidis, relates one hugely swelled, that eat 
abundance of Pomegranates, and was cured ; these were binding, but 
their sharpness might provoke Urine ; they were cool, but many Drop- 
sies are hot, wherefore Schenkius: Obs. Medic, pag. 419. relates some 
Histories of those that were cured by drinking much cold water, when 
in others it causeth the Dropsie.
A Juvantibus & nocentus optima desumitur indicatio : From those 
things that help, and those that hurt, we may judge of the cause; and 
Christopher a Vega cured one Hydropick by Epithemes to the Liver, 
of Juyce of Endive,Cychory and Vinegar ; this was a flight business, 
yet it is questionable, if they did it by cooling ; for Cychory being bit- 
ter, is held hot. 
I have known Plantane help some ; that is not likely, to have any 
Spirituous hot pans in it ; yet Sennert.Epitom. Scientia Naturali,p.648
faith, Plantane hath amixt force both of binding and cleaning: For this 
and

A Tractate of Dropsies 141 
and Pomegranate* are very binding, and so is Oake Bark, with the De- 
coction of which one Hydropick was cured. 
It was related to me, that a Gentlemans man being much swelled, 
was told that Guaiacum was excellent for a Dropsie; he therefore took 
one of his Masters Bowls, and either boyled or powdered it, and was 
cured by it; his Matter afterward missing his Bowl, it was ingenuosly 
confessed, That his Man had took it for his Dropsie; the Matter seeing
his Man cured, and as they attested, by that, forgave him. It is held 
drying, but there is no such thing in Nature, but it must expel moisture 
by Sweat, insensible Transpiration, or Urine, for nothing wasts; in- 
deed Gum Tragacanth and Litharge will absorb Liquor into their bodies, 
but this doth not so. Frogs or Toads, (they differ in Colour, and 
crawling, and perhaps in Quality,) are praised for the Dropsie : 
Forestus, lib. ip.Obs. 35. praiseth Frogs and Toads both inwardly and 
outwardly to provoke Urine in Hydropicks ; the Kidneys are anointed 
with an Oyl, wherein they are boyled, so Libavlus .lib .2. Batrachorum, 
Cap.20. and Solenander Consil.Med.Sect.5.p.15. 
And wieruslib.3. Cap. 35. of the Deceits of the Devil, relates first 
the use of Land Toads ; A man lived miserably possessed with a Drop- 
sie, had spent his Means ; his Wife, seeing her Husband likely to die, 
and if he lived longer, he would spend all, got Toads, dryed them in 
an Oven,. and gave him the Powder and this set him a making water, 
largely, and instead of ending, was a mending to him.
II. Of Purges ; And first, River. found them successful in three 
Patients, mixed with Openers; one of them had the Purgers mixed 
with their Openers in a Masse, as Diarrhodon, Steel, Rhubarb, Aga- 
rick, &c.
I know one that hugely praiseth Steel, Rhubarb, Manna, and Syrup 
of Roses mixed together, to take dayly of; and one at hugely 
swelled, and his Scrotum like a bag, was cured hereby, by a Ladyes 
Direction; and it hath helped others; but the Rhubarb and Steel do 
the business. 
Riv.Cent.3.Obs.8 found a purging Clyster do good; but commonly 
they will not: in three he found purging Medicines do good, and they 
were delivered : he gave great Doses of Scamony , and Calomelanos 
Turqueti, or Mercurtus Dulcis ; Cent.2.obs.94.Cent.3 obs.16 mind 86. 
but commonly strong Purgers do harm; the Bowels are often wasted,or 
exulcerated,or corrupted ; Elaterium is most commended. 
Paul. Renealmus, Obs. 166. cured one that had an Ascitis, with a 
Leueophlegmatia, for two years, with a Stomachical Chymical Powder,
that

142 A Tracate of Dropsies. 
that wrought upwards and downwards, and cured in four days; And 
Ohs. 122. He cured one in eight days with a Chymical vomiting
Powder; it wrought both ways : He also gave the Decoction of Straw- 
berries, and Spirit of mercury; the Party for divers months had a 
Leucophlegmatia, with an ascites, and Languishing. 
III. For bleeding :we knew it very bad in one,and a large swelling 
from wind or inflation,increased, and the party died. Lax. Riverius let 
blood in two or three Dropsies, and did well; also in one Tympany, 
Cent. 3. Obs. 86. Bleeding commonly is not good, but in any Disease 
it may be proper or improper, as the cause of the Evil is, and the qua- 
lification of the Body in which it is. 
IV. Sweating is very available; we have known it. 
Jo. Schenkius, obs.pag.420. by a natural or spontaneous sweat one 
was cured.
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3, obs. 23. A young man Several times had the 
Dropsie, his Skin was pellucid, naturally, not by any Art ; he sweat 
out water fo that all his Linnen was wet ; it run through his Skin, as 
water ouses through a doth, when strained; Several times he did this 
critically evacuate, yet the water gathered again, and his natural Spi- 
rits and strength declined, and he died. 
V. Concerning Vomiting, we recited two Observations out of Re* 
nealmus; one Woman with Child drank much cold water, was hydropi- 
pical; a Chymical vomiting powder brought up three pints of water, 
and water went by seigh for two days, and health followed , P, Reneal. 
Ohs. 146. 
The same Powder,a little altered with small additions, cured two 
other Hydropicks, working Sharply upwards and downwards. 
c.Marcellus Donatus, lib. 4. de Histor. Medica. Mirabili, relates how 
one was cured by vomiting on Natures own accord, no Medicament 
took. 
But another from Nicolus, Serm. 5. Tract.5. Cap. 15. died in vehe- 
ment Vomiting, that happened in his Dropsie.
Jo. Schenkius pag. 420. writes how one was observed from being 
Sea-sick, to vomit, and that Vomiting cured his Dropsie.
We have experienced nothing of it: In any Sickness, if the Sto- 
mach is stopped or oppressed. Vomiting may do well ; and if the Sto- 
mach is clear, and not affected, Vomiting is unnecessary in most dis-
eases;it  may bring up much raw Flegm, if not water, in some Hydro-
picks

A TraUate of Dropsies. 143 
picks ; yet because it is very sick Physick, certain to make sick, and un- 
certain to make well, it is to be superfeded in most Dropsies.
VI. Dyet: We have heard of some,and River. Obs. relates others, 
and Schenk more, that were delivered of Dropsies, onely abstaining 
from drink, and some from all potable Aliment. 
Nicolus,Serm. 5. Cap. 25. One was cured by Dyet, void of moisture, 
and Diuretick Parfly was put in exenterated Fowls he ate roasted, he 
ate Bisket, and drank a little Wine after it, and drank no more all day, 
except by chance,and then Wine was mixed with Water ; and another 
hugely swelled,was so cured; but this is not to be trusted to commonly. 
VII. We shall promiscuously in the next place shew divers strange 
wayes, and unusual means, whereby some have been cured of the Drop- 
sie, and most of them accidentally, and on Natures accord : Nature 
endeavours to free her self, and call out her Enemy; yet if the inward 
parts are corrupted, though she vents the water by Holes, Apostems, 
Bladders, &c. the party often dies. 
An Abscess from Nature opened in the right side of the Abdomen, 
and many bladders of water ran forth for divers days; the Sick was cu- 
red, River. Obs. Commnus. ult, 
Rhasis, Cent, 21, A woman with a Womb-Dropsie, being a washing 
Clothes stoutly over a Tub, buckling down often, avoided, per uterum, 
many pints of water, and was delivered. 
Schenk,418. One by dayly Labour, another by Nature were healed : 
And 420. another by natural sweat, and another by being Sea-sick, cu- 
red : By a wound given by one in anger in the belly, the Water of one 
Hydropick ran forth, and was healed. 
Another was burnt by chance in the Thigh, there arose a blister, and 
brake, and dayly the water vented thereby, and did cure. 
Ex præcisis unguibus essuens aqua curatus est unus. 
In two Asciticks Nature opened an hole in their Navils,water ran out 
dayly gradually, and they were healed; In another a bladder arose in: 
the Navil, water ran out by it, and the party was healed. 
Nature spontaneously made an Orifice betwixt the Peritoneum and 
Muscles of the belly, from whence two hundred bladders of Water 
were drawn forth. See Schenks Collett. Obs. pag. 420, 421, 422. 
Valerlola, lib. 4. Obs. 3. Nature opened the Navil of one, and wa- 
ter ran out gradually and dayly, and the Diseased recovered. 


144  A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. faith, Blisters or Ulcers spontaneosly opening 
in the Feet or Scrotum do pour out much water, sometimes dayly, and 
easeth the Sick, yet often the Spirits languish, and death follows. 
Water ran forth by the Feet of one, and he was healed, Schenk, 
pag. 420. 
A Vesicatory applied to one, set the water a running, which did con- 
tinue till the party was healed, River. Obs. Com. page 323. 
And Marcell. Donatus,pag. 420. brings the like Examples. 
An Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one Hydropick, swelled 
as big as ones head, dayly the water ran out to eight or ten Ounces, yet 
he died, his inward parts likelily being corrupted, Tulpius, lib. 2. 
Ohs. 39. 
paracentesis and Blisters made in the Legs by Cauteries, Tulp. lib. 2. 
obs. 39. condemns by two or three Examples. Sometimes the Belly 
sinks, and they breathe better, yet die soon languishing, though the 
water is gradually drawn out ; but where by Paracentesis it is let out by 
a tap on heaps, they sometimes die suddenly, all the Bowels sink and 
fall down, the water that used to support them, being suddenly gone; 
it may be compared to Child-bed-Women. 
Plat. Obs. Med. pag. 646. Blisters gave ease, but they looked black 
at last and the Party died. Secret Gangrenes kill some that way. 
A Noble Matron, her belly and feet much swelled with water, she 
used to be short-winded, and to drink much water, she was with Child, 
and was delivered of her Child and Dropsie together, being well natu- 
rally purged in Delivery, Plat. 637. 
So another great bellied woman was delivered of her Dropsie, 638. 
Another used oft to be hydropical when she was with Child, and did 
abort, then was freed of her Dropsie ; but the fourth or fifth time died in 
abortion. Idem, ibidem. 
If after the water is let out of the belly by Paracentesis, the Party 
doth relapse or swell again, death for the most part ensues; yet one is 
cured after such a Relapse, Schenk, 421, He and Felix ‘Platerus bring 
three or four Examples of Hydropicks, whose Navil, the inward Skin 
being broke, did protuberate, and look like a pellucid bladder full of 
water; in some they brake, poured out much water, eased the ‘Dyspnea, 
and the belly fell, but most died when the water was ran forth : One 
had Cardialgia, vomiting and sinking of her Spirits supervening the 
free emission of the water. 
Now we will deliver somewhat of the Cure of particular Symptoms, 
or concomitant Ails in Dropsies,

A Tractate of Dropsies. 145 
A Dyspnea or Asthma, Plat. Extub. Obf. pag.. 652 saw apparantly  in 
divers, and in other places he mentions it; the letting out of the wa- 
ter commonly, to abate the short-windedness, that did depend upon the 
heaving up of the Belly, distension making compression ; he gave 
Juyce of Orris, with Sugar-Candy, and Vinum Hippocrat. 3i. the Party 
vomited much viscous and tenacious Flegm, and had three stools, and 
breathed pretty freely. 
Another Asthmatick in a Dropsie begun, was helped by Squills,
Enula, Orris , Prassium Sambucus, Ebulus, Senna and Agaric. made 
by Keeping into a gentle Apoxem. 
Inflations in Dropsies : Plat. helped two, pag. 632. one with Deco- 
ction of our Flower-de-luce-Roots, or Orris, eldern, and Bittersweet, 
used for four days; the other with Harts-horn,took three or four times, 
boiled in Broath and though this seem strange, we knew one use of this 
to that purpofe successfully ; and why not, by an occult quality, as well 
as Wolves Guts help Cholicks, Foxes Lungs, the Lungs ; Boars Tush, 
the Quinzey and Pleurisie ; Bulls Pizzle, the pleurisie ? &c. 
A Black jaundice coupled with an Ascites, was cured, Plat, lib.3. dis- 
colorated with a mass of Pills, whose Ingredients were Agarick, Rhu 
barby Diagrid, Gum Amoniacum, &c. a Wine steeped with Orris, Sal- 
donella, sambucus,ebulus, cychery, dent-de-lion; all these are choice med
dicines in Dropsies : Also he had a Powder of Diagallanga, Dyacimini,
Sentalis, Cinamon, S. Anisi, and Coreandri. 
A Tympany with an Ascites begun, Plater. cured with Wine of the 
Roots of Ebulus, Sambucus, Dulcamara, Absinhium, and Orris ; he 
sweat, with Spirit of Juniper ; his Belly was anointed with Aqua visa, 
Spirit of Jumper, and Caraway-Seed Obs. pag. 656. 
The End of the First part. 




A 
TABLE 
OF THE 
DISEA S ES 
Treated on 
In the Second Part of this Book.
Of the Diseases of the Head.
Chap.1. Of a dry Distemper of the Head.
Chap. 2 Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Chap.3 Of Palms of the Head from an Hat
Chap.4. Of Headache from cold.
Chap.5. Of a Dropsie of the Head, or Hydrocephalo 
Chap.6.of Headachefrom waterish humours.
Chap.7. Of Headache from Choler. 
Chap.8. Of Headache from Flegm. 
Chap.9. Of Headach by consent from the Womb.
Chap 10

A TABLE 
Chap.10. Of Numbness or Stupidity. 
Chap.11. Of Headach from the Stomach. 
Chap.12. Of Headach from Drunkness. 
Chap.13. Of Headach from Blood.
Chap.l4. Of Headach from a Melancholy humour. 
Chap.15. Of Headach from windiness. 
Chap. 16. Of a Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head
Chap.17. Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
Chap.18. Of a Cephalæa, or old Headach.
Of the Diseases of the Eyes. 
Chap. I. Of Dimness of fight, or Blindness, called Am- 
blyopia, or Amaurosis.
Chap.2. Of Nyctalopia, or Night-Blindness. 
Chap.3. Of Strabismos, or squint Eyes.
Chap.4. Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes, 
called Albugo or Leucoma. 
Chap.5.Of a Cataractor Suffusion 
Chap.6. Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflammation of the Eye.
Chap.7. Of Pannus, or bloody Veins in the Eyes.
Chap. 8. Of Clouds
Chap.9. Of Midriasis, or a dilatation of the apple of 
the Eye. 
Chap. 10. Of Procidence, or going forth of the Eye. 
Chap. 11. Of Pushes,.or little Wheals of the Eye.
Chap.l2. Of Proptosis, or procidence of the Urea. 
Chap

of the Diseases, &c. 149
Chap. 13. Of Phthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil. 
Chap. 14. Of Eyes bloodshot. 
Chap.15. Of Emphysema, or a windy Tumour of the 
Eye-lids. 
Chap.l6. Of Hydatis, or little Apostems of the Eye-lids.
Chap.l7. Of Chalazion, or a round Tubercle. 
Chap.18. Of Crithc, or the Corn of the Eye-lids.
Chap.19 Of Ulcer of the Cornea. 
Chap.20. Of Hypopion,or matter under the Cornea. 
Chap.21, Of CaLus and rough Eye lids galled Scleroph- 
thalmia, Ptilosis, and Trachoma. 
Chap.22. Of itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthal- 
mia. 
Of the Diseases of the Nostrils, Tongue. 
Teeth, and Lips. 
Chap.l. the Pose, or Distillation by the No- 
strils. 
Chap.2. Of hurt of smelling. 
Chap.3. Of Sneezing. 
Cbap.4. Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
Chap.5. Of Polypus, or Excresctnce of Flesh out-of the 
Nose. 
Chap.6. Of the Stench of the Nostrils.
Chap.7. Of depraved smelling, or mis-scenting of things 
Chap.8. Of Sarcoma.
Chap 9.

150 A TABLE 
Chap. 9. Of Ptyalismos, or immeasureable spitting. 
Chap. 10. Teeth edged, or astonished. 
Chap. 11. Of Teeth eroded or broken away.
Chap. 12. Of Toothing of Children, and pains. 
Chap. 13. Of Paroulis, or Inflammation of the Gums. 
Chap. 14. Of Rhyas, or Consumption of the weeping flesh. 
Chap. 15. Of Encanthis, or too great growing forth of that 
Flesh.  
Chap l6. Of Ulcers of the Gums, or Mouth ; also of a 
Fitsula, Putrifaction, and Exesion of the 
Gums, and of a Cancer thereof. 
Chap. 17. Of Excrescence of the Gums.
Chap. 18 Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
Chap. 19 Of swelling of the Lips. 
Chap. 20. Of the Fissures or chaps of the Lips. 
Chap. 21. Of Hare-Lips, or cloven lips. 
Chap. 22. Of Discoloration the Lips; of their paleness 
or lividity. 
Chap. 23. Of Mouth writhing or Convulsions the Face. 
Chap. 24. Of the Vice of Speaking or defect of right
Pronunciation, and Stuttering. 
Chap. 25. Of a Palsy of the Tongue, and the Black swel- 
ling of the Tongue.
Chap. 26. Of Tongue ty'd Infants, or the Frog, so called, 
bring a Ligature under their Tongue. 
Chap. 27. Of a Tumour, or Increment of the Tongue. 
Chap. 28. Of an Ægylops.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 151 
Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Chap. l. Of Hoarsness. 
Chap. 2. Of Of a Catarrh, or Distillation of Rheum.
Chap. 3. Of an Asthma, or hurt of Breathing.
Of vomiting Blood from the Spleen. 
Of Diseases of the Midriff. 
Of Blood extravasated and clottered in the Bladder.
Of Inflamation of the Bladder. 
Of the Diseases of the Uterus or Matrice. 
Chap. l. Of Distemper thereof.
Chap. 2. Of Narrowness of the Vessels. 
Chap. 3. Of Weakness. 
Chap. 4. Of Inflamation thereof. 
Chap. 5. Of Pains therefrom. 
Chap. 6. Of Worms of the Matrice.
Chap. 7. Of Stones therein.
Chap. 8. Of a Cancer Uterinus.
Chap. 9. Of a Womb-Dropsie. 
Chap. 10. Of Inflammation. 
Chap. 11. Of Mola, or false Conception.
Chap. 12. Of Condyloma Uteri. 
Chap. 13. Of Prurient Pustules.
Chap. 14.  

152 A TABLE 
Chap. 14. Of Womb-Melancholy. 
Chap. 15. Of divers Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied- 
Women. 
Chap. 16. Of Abortion, or Miscarriage. 
Chap. 17. Of the dead Child.
Chap. 18. Of a Feaver after Delivery, or a Feaver of 
Milk.
Chap. 19. Of Diarrhæa’s, or Fluxes following Deli- 
very. 
Chap. 20. Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Chil- 
dren.
Chap. 21. Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of deli- 
vered Women, as fault in Quantity or Quality 
of Loches, or Child-Bed-Purgations: of 
Throes, or after-Pains : of stopt Secandines, 
or After-Burdens staid, &c.
Of FEAVERS.
Chap. l. Of a Quotidian, or every-day Ague. 
Chap. 2. Of an Hemitrice, or Semitertian Ague.
Chap. 3. Of an Intermiting, Quartane, or Third Ague.
Chap. 4. Of an Hectick Feaver.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 153
Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair, and 
of outward Eruptions. 
Chap. 1. Of a Defluvium Capillorum, or general 
falling off of Hair. 
Chap. 2. Of Psilothra, or Medicines taking away super- 
fluous Hair. 
Chap. 3. Of Baldness. 
Chap. 4. Of Ophiasis. 
Chap. 5. Of plating of the Hair, of cleaving of the Hair, 
of Worms in the Hair. 
Chap. 6. Of Alopecia. 
Chap. 7. Of Medicines hindering the growth of supserflu- 
ous Hair. 
Chap. 8. Of Curling, or Colouring the Hair, to take away 
gray Hair, &c.
Chap. 9. Of Scurfiness in Hair. 
Chap. 10. Of Phtheiriasis, or the Lowsie Evil.
Of Evils, and Outward Ails. 
Chap. 1. Of the Kings Evil. 
Chap. 2. Of Corns. 
Chap. 3. Of Bronchocele, or a Throat-Rupture. 
U Chap. 4.


154 A TABLE, &c. 
Chap. 4. Of Warts. 
Chap. 5. Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Athero- 
ma, Steatoma, and Meliceris. 
Chap. 6. Of Kibes or Chilblanes. 
Chap. 7. Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek. 
Chap. 8 Of Ecchhimoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or 
Livor in Latine, in English signifying black 
and blew Marks, or Discoloration of the Skin 
from Bruises, or other ways. 
Whereunto is Annexed 
A small Treatise of Sicknesses and Disea- 
ses from Witchcraft, and Supernatural 
Causes; Being useful to others besides 
Physicians, in that it confutes Atheisti- 
cal, Sadduciftical, and Sceptical Princi- 
ples and Imaginations. 
Morbi

155
Morbi Capitis. 
All these papers, or chapters were form- 
erly writ, about the year 1658. and 
were compiled by Transcription from 
such Authors as are mentioned: I 
strove to omit nothing of chief con- 
cernment, so that what one had not, 
I found in another, and so thought 
to make up things compleat ; but 
since I have writ many Observa- 
tions, and read more, so that I see the Authors of those Pra- 
ctices of Physick went conjecturally to work in some things, 
and upon mistaken Experience in others; in many true, but 
those, not all the truth, nor the most material truth ; yet of these 
Diseases I then wrote of, they do as little infringe Experience as 
any ; for Authors were most mistaken in those Diseases it 
chanced we had not wrote of; and therefore we were the wil- 
linger to put these to Publique View : yet the Reader must not 
think to find the Sick just thus, as we have described, accord- 
ing to Practical Authors, in these Diseases; so many Men, 
almost so many Varieties and Differences : we have best shewn
the Method and Course of Nature, and what most commonly 
and truly happens to and in the Head by the discourse of Head- 
Diseases preceding, drawn from true and sure Experience and 
Observations; not onely Angular Cases, but chiefly all ordi- 
nary Distempers of the Head may be Judged thereby : and 
that, that in an extream degree causes Death, in a remisse degree 
U2 is


156 MORBI CAPITIS.
is the cause of a Disease. I have not picked Observations for 
me, or left out those against me ; for indeed I do not set my 
self to be for one or other, and then bring Experiences that 
make for me to prove-it; but impartially, leaning neither to 
one, or other, I search Experience, and to the Truth I apply, 
and subject my Opinions thereto. Yet here will come in some
things considerable, besides what hath gone before ; different 
from what Practical Authors have writ, or over and above 
what they writ.  
1. As to the Subject or Part, Head-ach varies; the Antients 
onely distinguished a ημικρανίον, which comes from ημισυ, sig- 
nifying half, and κρανίο the Skull, in Latine, Hemicrania
in English, the Megrim : now for pains to happen just so, 
is a rarity ; for they fall no more on one side , than another, 
and oftener on the forepart of the Head, then either Side ; and 
as often in the hinder part of the Head : they are sometimes, viz.
Paines, in the Crown ; sometimes in the Sutures, sometimes 
at Root of the Nose and Eyes; sometimes in one Temple, or 
both sometimes in one Ear, or both. 
2 . So for matter of Genera, or kinds of Head-aches, the 
Antients did not know all, and those they wrote for, the com- 
mon Course and Method of Nature are as seldom found in, as 
those things they count Rarityes; in all Diseases, as Epilepsies, 
Apoplexies, Lcthargyes, Madness, Phrensy, Delirium, Con- 
vulsions, Palsies, Stupor, &c. may be pain of the Head, ac- 
cording as a waterish Flegm, or green, or yellow, or black 
water, or gelly, or purulency, or Apostematous matter is gene- 
rated in this part or that of the Head, more or lesse for quantity, 
more homogenious or heterogenious in quality. 
Some have a pain of the Head alwayes at Sun rise, and as the 
Sun draws nigher, the more vehement; and after Noon, that 
the Sun goes farther off, the pain fades. 
Others have a pain onely at Noon, a dayes. 
Others

MORBI CAPITIS. 157 
Others have pain in the Head, according to the course of 
the Moon; as the Moon encreaseth, greater; as it decreaseth, 
lesse. 
Sometimes pains of the Head are Epidemical, sometimes 
they are continual, sometimes they come by certain Periods, 
and Paroxysmes, as Agues; sometimes a Dispostio patibilis, 
Capitis, as Platerus, in Praxi Medica, observes, is the Cause 
every light motion, imagination, fretting, heat of the fire, 
lying awaken, &c, raiseth Head-ach. 
Sometimes the pain is a shooting and dogging, sometimes
an heaviness and dullness, sometimes like pulling and dilacera- 
tion, sometimes a fence of violent distension, and burdening ; 
and there are more Varieties still. 
3. Nor are the Causes the same, and no more than what Pra- 
ctical Authors write. 
Stones of divers forms and magnitudes are found the cause 
of many sharp and Cronical Head-pains; these Stones lye 
sometime in one part of the Head sometimes another; some- 
times they are sneezed forth, and Head-ach hath ceased there- 
from; sometimes they have killed, and been found by Dis- 
fection. 
Worms also of divers shapes and magnitudes are generated 
in the Brain, or parts of the Head, even as they and Stones are 
generated in all parts of the Body besides; they cause great 
itching in some, pain and dogging in the Heads of others. 
Sometime Critical, sometimes Cronical, sometimes they 
creep forth or are sneezed out; sometimes they kill, and are 
found by Anatomy. 
Epidemical Head aches have been found from a Tempera- 
ture and quality of the Air, turning the Humours in the Head 
into Worms, even as the Air disposeth Children to verminous 
affects in Guts or Stomach. 
In others that are dissected, there are found bladders of water, 
or Apostemes of a sharp matter, or Inky matter, or yellow wa-
ter.  


158 MORBI CAPITIS.
ter, Abscesses, Gellyes, Globes of Flegm, pure water; causing 
either eating asunder some parts in the Head, Distension, Vel-
lication, contamination, or poysoning to the Brain, &c. thence 
raising great Head-ach. 
An Acquaintance of mine, a prudent Physician, told me 
that two or three years since, a Child was opened nigh Peter- 
borough, I think by Doctor Wright, it had long been trou- 
bled with Head-pains, and grievous; in the forepart, there was 
found a Bladder of water lying in the forehead, as it was be- 
twixt the eyes. 

MORBI CAPITIS. 159 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Dry Distemper of the Head. 
This alone effects not pain simply of it self, unless heat, or cold 
be adjoyned.
Its Causes are, 1. A dryer constitution of the Air. 2. Hunger 
and Fasting. 3. Too great and long continued Exercise and 
Sweats. 4. Lechery and venerious acts, 5. Perturbation of mind, ei- 
offensive or pensive ; as Wrath and Studying. 6. Watchings. 7. Too 
great emptying, whether natural or artificial. 
Sig. 1. Diagnost. are perceived by the Nose, sending forth few or 
no Excrements. 
2. By the Eyes being hollow, if watching preceded. 
3. The skin of the Head is felt dryer than naturally it should be. 
4. Want of sleep, and the Senses are sharpned. 
5. Squallour of the Face, or a wrinkled look. 
6. There went before a dyet tending to dryness, or some or all of the 
aforesaid Causes. 
Dyet. 1. Where the Air is moist. 2. Dyet moistening and yielding 
good nutritive Juice, are to be chiefly prepared; Cock's Stones, or the 
Broath of a Pullet, Cock or Capon, or other Yelk of Eggs, 
Pheasants, Patridges and the like, which nourish much, are very proper 
Dyer. Salt Meats are not alowable. 
For Drink may be made Emulsions of the four great cold Seeds, with 
Barly-water, and sweetened with Syrups of Violets ; if Wine may be 
permitted, it must be thin, and well allayed with water. 
Baths of sweet Water warmed, are to be frequented. 
But carnal pleasure, great excercise, fasting, thirst, all perturbations 
of the mind and watching, are to be eschewed, as adding to a dry Di- 
stemper ; neither is costiveness beneficial: therefore Lenitives are good, 
used now and then, to set the passages free. 
In Topicals, or application, Oyls for Unction, chiefly of the fore-seam 
of 

160 MORBI CAPITIS.
of the Head, or Os triquetrum, are commended; as Oyl of Fleawort mixt 
with Oyl of sweet Almonds, Oyl of Gourds and of Violets, a Lini- 
ment or Unguent may also be prepared of them, adding Goose-grease
and Hans-grease. 
Embrocation of Water-Lillies, Violets, Mallows, Lettice-leaves, &c.
are very useful, and all such things that are proper for the Head, and of 
a moistening quality. 
CHAP. II 
Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Moisture seldome alone raises Headach, but as 'tis commixed 
with Humours; therefore we think it improper to intitle it 
as a cause of Headach, but only treat of it as ’tis a bare Di- 
stemper of the Quality. Yet heat or cold mixed herewith in 
the Head, may effect pain. And seldom but there is an humour joyned 
with moisture.
Its Causes are, 
1. Air of a moistening temperature; as Rainy. 
2. Dyet, where those things that multiply blood, greatly further it. 
3. Medicines of a moistening quality, either internals or externals; 
as Baths and Unctions. 
Diagnosticks are gathered, 
1. From much filth flowing out at the Nostrils. 
2. From fulness and puffing up of the Eyes, with moisture in them. 
3. From propensness to sleep, and proneness to a lethargical state, 
especially if a pituitous Humour be collected. 
4. From fulness and pulsation of the Veins. 
5. Catarrhs for the most part follow. 
Dyet. All things that moisten, are to be shumed. A Dyet generally 
composed of drying Meats, is to be used, and such an one as is prescri- 
bed for a Lethargy ; and contrary to that directed for a dry Distemper; 
chiefly use of Guaiacum-drink. 
Externals : Caps made of Cephalicks and Aromaticks, Suffumes and 
dry Bags, perfuming the Cap at night with the smoak of Gum Anime, 
and Nigella-seeds, is very profitable, if also Headach be present. 
CHAP.


MORBI CAPITIS. 161
CHAP. 111. 
Of Pains in the Head from an hot Cause. 
Pain in the Head, or Headach, is reckoned threefold by Galen.
The first kind whereof the Greeks call Cephalalgia: some abu- 
sively Soda; the Latines, Capitis dolor. The second Kind is cal- 
led by the Greeks and Latines Cephalæa, and is an invetterate old 
Headach. The third Kind is the Megrim, possesing only one side of 
the Head, called both in Greek and Latine, Hemicrani.
Of the first of these we think it convenient to treat distinctly accor- 
ding to its various Causes.
And first therefore of a Distemper. And first from Heat. 
A bare Distemper of the Quality without presence of any Hu- 
mour. 
This Distemper is caused by all such things as kindle and stir up Hu- 
mours, whether internal or external. 
1. Internal Causes are, First, Such as raise Humours, and enkindle 
and inflame the Blood and Spirits, as are immoderate motion of the 
Body. Secondly, Of the Mind, as Anger, Furiousness and Solicitudes. 
Thirdly, Plenty of spirituous Blood, whereby the Head quickly grows 
hot, and conceiving preternatural heat, is pained, according to Plate- 
rus.
2. External. First, as Heat of the Sun, which is a main cause, and 
happens to such as stand long bareheaded in the Sun. Secondly, Heat 
of the Fire, specially having a great flame. Thirdly, Hot Baths. Fourth- 
ly, Use of Meats and Drinks, 1. too hot in-nature, 2. vaporous, 
as Garlick, Leeks, Onions, Wine, &c. Fifthly, Keeping in an air 
that is heat, or naturally of too hot a temper. 
Prog. If there be with Heat vellication or distention, ’tis bad ; for 
it shewes that there’s a Matter fomenting. Cholerick persons are most 
troubled herewith. 
Platerus saith, There's a Dispositio Patibibis, or a Disposition of the  
Head, to aking without the arising from any manifest Cause, as maybe per- 
ceived, but is rather from a too exquisite sence, or hereditary, or contracted 
by evil custome in such to whom there is with it no hurt of the other Functi- 
ons. 
X The 

162 MORBI CAPITIS
The place of the Headach, saith Platerus, is inter Calvaria, or in the 
Menings of the Brain, or Brain it self; in the Menings, because they 
are endued with a sense of Touch; in the substance of the Brain, (when- 
as ’tis insenible ; many think there can no pain arise there, but in the 
Nerves proceeding therefrom, in the sore and hinder part of the 
Head. 
Sign. 1. The pain is somewhat violent with heat, intense, and to be 
felt, with dryness of the Skin. 
2. The sprinkling of cold things refreshes and delights. 
3. The Eyes look red. 
4. Beating of the Pulse of the Temples within the Skull. 
5. Little Sleep.
6. Changing of the imagination and quietness of the Senses.
Dyet 1. First, Air cool ; if not so naturally, to be acquired by 
Art: the Air is tempered and cooled, 
1. By strewing Boughs and cooling Herbs, and such as have also a 
grateful smell, as Violets, Roses, Water-Lillies, Willow-Leaves, 
Vine-Leaves, Endive, and the like. 
2. By sprinkling cold water in the Floor, distilled Water of Roses for 
the richer sort, or other cooling distilled Waters for that use, would be 
more beneficial ; or by pouring of cold Water out of one Vessel into 
another. 
3. By smelling to Posies, or Nosegayes, made of Roses, Violets, 
Clove-Gilliflowers, and other Herbs, that cool and refresh the Brain ; 
or a little Camphir dissolved in Vinegar and Rose-Water, or to snuff 
up Rose-Water into the Nose : Jo. Prevotius adds unction of the No- 
strils with Oyl of the Flowers of Willow, made by Isolation. 
4. By freeness of the Air, and openness of the Room; against which 
make much company, that by their breathing do apparantly and very 
much heat the Room. 
5. The North Air is best ; if a Chamber may be had commodiously 
for the Sick, whose Windows open Northward. 
Secondly, Quietness and Rest is by all means to be procured: where 
1. All perturbations-of the Mind are to be eschewed, and the occa- 
sions of them.
2. Noises, fretings, clamours, are no ways Innocent. 
3. Motion and Labours are to be avoided, and Carnal Copula- 
tion. 
4. Sleep by all means procured; for ’tis not altogether impru-
dency

MORBI CAPITIS. 163
dency to make his sleeps now, longer than before they were wont to be, 
which is much furthered by smelling to Herbs that cool and refresh, and 
are a little soporiferous, as Roses, Violets, Water-Lillies, Lettice, 
Cowslips; stronger, are Flowers of Poppies red and white, Night- 
shade, Mandrakes, Henbane, Hemlock, &c. with Opium, which 
are seldom (unless watching be very much excessive) to be used alone, 
and then but sparingly, or mixed with some of the aforenamed 
gentler Narcoticks; they may be laid upon the Patients Pillow com- 
modiously for him to smell to, when he is about to compose to rest; the 
Forehead and Temples also may be anointed with Oyl of Roses, Vio- 
lets, and Water-Lillies, Poppies, of the Apples of Mandrakes: of 
such may be made an Oyntment for the aforesaid purpose, both to alter 
the Distemper, and appease the Pain also : as thus: 
ꝶ Oyls of Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Poppies, ana ℥i. Pow- 
der of Sanders, Lettice-seed, ana ʒii. Camphir, ʒi. with white Wax 
as much as may be sufficient, make it of a due thickness for an Oynt- 
ment. 
Embrocations also, and Epithemes may be made for washing the Fore- 
head and Temples, of Waters and Juyces, (which are of greatest effi- 
cacy) adding Vinegar for penetration, and Powders commixt. Also 
washing the Feet in Decoction of Housleek, Nightshade, Lettices, 
Roses, Water-Lillies, or the like, is very good to temper the heat, and 
mittigate it: If yet watching be not lessened, one or two grains of 
Laudanum may be given at night. 
Dyet 2. Where, 1. All things that are of hard digestion, 2. Vaprous, 
as Milk, 3. Heating, are to be shunned. 
And where are to be chosen, 1. All cooling, 2. Not fuming, 3. Good 
digestive Meats : Ptisan-Broath, Almond-Milk, Broath of Chickens, 
Birds of Mountains, Rabbets, Fish tender, and of gravelly places, 
Bread dipt in cooling Juyces, as of Pomegranates, Lemons, Vinegar, 
&c. for Meats for several sawces be made to temper and correct their 
vices. Also in Broath may be boiled proper Herbs. 
Strong Beer and all sorts of Wine are prejudicial ; Early water, 
or water wherein a little Cinnamon is boyled, or tempering pleasant 
Julaps are to serve for ordinary drinking. 
1. Internals. 
In Cure, 1. Respect is to be had to the constitution of the Belly: 
by no means Costiveness is to be connived at, for thereby alone oft- 
times is pain made from vapours not permitted a passage and the Body
X2 wants 

164 MORBI CAPITIS. 
wants the ventilation Nature requires: a cooling, emollient, lenitive 
Clister, is therefore to be premised. 
2. Letting blood is to be instituted, for Evacuation of the quanti- 
ty, and correcion of the hot temper of the blood: some like opening 
the veins in the foot ; but commonly the Cephallick Veine of the Arm 
is taken ; ’tis best done at Fall, or Spring.
3. Purging with more gentle Medicines, chiefly Aholagoges, Potions 
in great quantity, and Specificals for the Head. 
2. Topicks: Where first Repellers, and Stoppers of the flowing of 
humours, and prohibiters of inflamation, are to be applyed ; such as 
with cooling, have a penetrive quality, and stupifie not much, are to be 
chosen; Oyl of Roses, Emphacine, a little Vinegar added, to anoint 
the Head all over, first being shaven, is praised Lud. Septal, bids Oxit- 
hodes to be dropped from on high, upon the Coronal Suture, because 
so they temper more, a decoction of Plantane, Red-Roses, Purslane, 
Housleek, &c. boiled in Water and Vinegar, may serve for a Laviment 
of the Forehead, Face, and Sutures: after which, the Herbs themselves 
may be applyed upon the Forehead and Temples, also fresh Moss, and 
boiled Mallows, applied to the Temples, excels. 
II. Coolers, Where, 
1. Observe such that are of a binding quality, though cooling, as 
Juyce of Quinces Medlars, &c. are to be shunned. 
2. Such as are of a stupifactive Nature must be as warily as may be 
dealt withall, here; as is crude Opium, Poppies, Nightshade, Man- 
drakes, Henbane, Hemlock, and Thorn Apples; yet they may more 
safely be applied to the Forehead then Sutures, which being porey, would 
more quickly snatch in their Narcotick force into the Brain, and so do 
great hurt: neither are they, as admonisheth Lud. Septal. to be used so 
much for pain, as for watching, that weakens ; nor are they to 
be inwardly taken to alter the distempers, except there be great watch- 
ing present. 
A select Oyntment may be made after this manner, void of 
danger, and sufficiently cooling ; ꝶ Oyl of Violets, Water-Lil- 
lies, an. ℥i. Juyce of Housleek, Ducks-Meat, Purslane, an. ℥ß.
Camphir, ʒi, Seeds of Lettice, White Poppies, Cucumbers, an ʒii. Wax 
sufficient, make an Ointment. These things may be actually cold ap- 
plyed, yet more warily in old People and Children : moreover, in the 
life of applications we must regard that they lie not too long, nor grow 
hot, but are oft to be removed; neither is free transpiration to be letting, 
by having the head bound up with many clothes, which greatly aug- 
ment


MORBI CAPITIS. 165
ment the heat together, which apply to the head ; Padilotions also may 
be used profitably, made of Coolers. 
3. For the Symptome, Pain, Externals are chiefly in use; yet 'tis not 
altogether frivolous to use cooling quieting Medicines, that quiet Hu- 
mours, and render them milder and hinder ascent or motion of Vapours, 
as such an one; ꝶ Water of Nightshade, Poppies, Violets and Roses, an. 
℥iiii. Syrupes of Violets, Water-Lillies, Mints and Poppies, an ℥i.  
made tart with spirit of Vitriol.
Moreover, in more urgent pain, from which both a Feaver and 
gathering of Humours may be suspected, to give Narcoticks inwardly 
is not altogether irrational ; nor is opening a veine in the forehead 
to pacifie, cool and lessen the enkindled and fiery Spirits, alwayes un- 
succesful. 
Topicks: Anodine, the best are Oyl of Dill-seed, of Roses, Eldern, 
Purslane, Ducks-meat, Privet, Nightshade, Water-Lillies, Fleabane 
Lettice, Camphir, Cucumbers, Plantane, Housleek, and Poplar- 
Buds; of these may Oils, Unguents, Lotions, Epithemes, Embro- 
cations, and Powders be made. 
First therefore an Oyntment of great force may be made after this 
manner. 
ꝶ Oyl of Fleabane, (but, say Astronomers, the Fleabane must be 
gathered in the Hour of Mars, he being, if it be possible, in Aries, in a 
good Aspect to the Moon) ℥i. Poplar Buds, and Eldern Buds, an. ʒi. 
Camphir, ʒß. Vinegar of Roses for penetration, ʒii. with white Wax 
a sufficient quantity, compose all for an Oyntment; with which anoint 
the Forehead, Temples, and about the Ears, where may be suffered by 
absence of Hair, when pain urges, or chiefly at night, at lying 
down. 
In the morning wash the Face all over with Vervain, Rose, and Flea- 
bane-water, and a little Vinegar in it. 
Emplaisters may be made of the afore-going Simples; but because 
by their long lying on,they heat, and hinder the free passage of the hot 
Vapours, and Spirits, by binding up the Pores too straitly, therefore 
Pultesies especially to be applyed in an exacerbation, are more conve- 
nient fot Transpiration, and Ventilation : as thus, 
ꝶ Vervain, Mints, Housleek, an. mi ; Seeds of Lettice, Mallows, 
and Eldern-Flowers, an. ʒii. boil all in Water and Vinegar ; then drain 
out the superfluous Liquor, with which, moderately heat, bathe the 
places afore-directed ; and then apply the Herbs, with Clothes mode- 
rately strait bound on. 
If 

166 MORBI CAPITIS. 
If Pain be more intense, and remits not with these gentler safe Re- 
medies, then we must use Narcoticks, such as were prescribed before 
for such as watch over much : yet they are rather to be sorborn (unless 
Delirium, Feaver or Inflamation is evidently foreseen to follow upon 
the greatness of the pain) in Children, for their Constitution is colder 
and moister, that may congelemamnous, and bring them into Epilepsies 
and other Diseases : 2. Not to old men, lest through extinction of their 
weak heat, and stupifaction, they be brought into cold Diseases, &c. 
e Caput: 3. Not in Women of soft and tender Skins : 4. Not so fit 
where the Sutures arc looser; nor indeed are they fit to be laid to the 
Sutures, for so as we said before, they cool and dull the Brain too much; 
therefore tis more safe to use them in application to the Forehead 
onely : 5. Not in Catarrhous Constitutitutions : 6. Less useful in 
pain than watching, and least of all in heat. 
Lastly, It would not be amiss (together with the continuation of the 
afore-going Medicines for some time) always to wear Cucupha made
according to Art, of the following Simples, powdered and interwo- 
ven. 
ꝶ Red Rose-Leaves, Nutmegs, white Sanders, ana ʒifs. Violets, 
Water-Lillies, ana ʒi. Seeds of Roses, Fleawort, Purslane, Plantane, 
Flowers of Melilot, Mint, Bettony, Lettice, Couslips, ana ʒß. Vervain,
ʒii. mix them for a Powder : this will corroberate the Brain, hinder 
the gathering and stuffing of humours in it, and if any be impacted dis- 
cuss them, and hinder relapses of pain. 
We think it not convenient to adde discutient Digesters, and Dis- 
cutients, for a bare Distemper alone, without the afflux or congestion 
of any Humours, but treat of them in other Chapters of Headach 
caused by Humours. 
CHAP. IIII. 
Of Headache from Cold. 
A Cold Distemper without afflux of humours, is made from exter- 
nal Causes, cooling; as is outward Cold, going bareheaded; 
as also by application of cold things to the head, or Medi- 
cines, or whatever may induce Cold, which in Bodies, pure 
and not Cachochymical nor Plethorick, make no apparelling of Hu- 
mours, but onely do distemper. 
Signes


MORBI CAPITIS. 167
Signes are quite contrary to those of Headach caused by heat: 
1. Head not hot when felt unto, though Headache may be violent 
enough. 
2. No redness of the Face nor Eyes, nor be they hollow, nor is the 
Face shrunk, but as it were distended and pale. 
3. Cold things bring offence to them, and alleviate not, but hot 
things are delightful. 
4. Heaviness of the Head, a drowsie disposition, and propenseness 
to sleep. 
Dyet. 1. Air that is cold is by all means to be eschewed, a 
fire is therefore to be kept. 
2. Sleep not excessive, nor too mean. 
3. Excercises good, as riding or walking. 
4. Molestation of Mind, Sadness, Studies, deep Speculation, and 
all other Affections of the Mind, that be immoderate. 
5. Meat: Where Flesh of all Water-fowls is to be eschewed, and
all Meats that be cold potentially. 
Flesh of Hens, Chickens, Partridges, Pheasants, rere Egs, &c. with 
Wine, are good Food. 
Cure. The Distemper is to be taken away, to make way for which, 
1. Costiveness is to be letted. 
2. if the Body be Cachochymick, ’tis to be corrected, or ta-
ken away, 
1. By Internals: Where such things as heat the Brain are to 
given onely for alteration-sake, as Water of hot Bathes, and of Brim-
stone. 
2. Externals : Where 
1. Hot Bathes are ordained.
2. Odorants, where all ill-scented and suliginous-vapoured things are 
to be shunned ; a Pomander of Aromaticks and Cephalicks are appro- 
ved ; or to snuff up decoction of Vervain into the Nose. 
3. Topicks, all heating and friendly to the Brain , yet the greatness 
of the Distemper, and Constitution of the Brain, are first to be consi- 
dered, and accordingly Medicines suited thereto. 
First therefore, as most commendable, we prescribe such an Oynt- 
ment for the Temples, Forehead, Nostrils, and holes behinde the Ears. 
ꝶ Oyl of Vervain ℥i. Oyl of Rhue, and of the Seeds ofCow-Pars- 
nip, an. ℥fs of Nutmegs, ʒii. Aniseeds, Roots of Piony, Sage, Betony, 
ana ʒi. with Wax make an Oymment.
These  


168 MORBI CAPITIS. 
These following are commended by Authors for Pain from a cold 
Cause; 
1. The leaves of the Tile-tree applied like a Pulteis. 2. Tobacco- 
leaves used in like manner. 3. The kernels of Peaches beaten with 
Bettony, or Vervain-water. 4. Amber-greese mixt with Oyntment of 
Orange-flowers. 5. Oyl of Vervain, by all is recorded as special. 6. Juice 
of Prucedane with Oyl and Vinegar, or an Oyl made of the Herb. 
7. Oyl of Serpillum, or Mother of Tyme, with Vinegar, is excellent.
8. A Garland of Peniroyal, or root of Vervain, worn about the neck 
in manner of Amulets. 
Authors direct Vesicatories for Cauteries, to be applied to the Head ; 
and Setaues for the Neck; but because in a bare Distemper there is no 
matter to extract, we omit them. 
A Cucupha, is very convenient to be worn for long time, to strengthen 
and rightly constitute the Brain; for which, these Simples thus com- 
posed we think most excellent; ꝶ. Flowers of Cowslips, Marigolds, 
Camomile, ana ʒ i. Nutmegs, wild Time, or Mother of Time, Stæchas, 
or French-Lavender, Bay-berries, Piony-seed, ana ʒ s. Castoreum, 
℈i. Eldern-flowers, Mint, Featherfew, ana 9 ij. Vervain gathered in 
the hour of Venus, she ascending fortunately, ʒ ij. Reduce all into gross 
Pouder, and interweave, or few it in a Sattain-Cap, and wear it constant- 
ly, the hair being first cut very thin, so that the force of the Pouder may 
the better pass to the brain. Of these Simples may several Compositions 
be made, seeing they are all very conducible for Pain.
Also Cephalical Electuaries and Conserves for internal use, would be 
very neccessary and advantagious, being continued a good while toge- 
ther. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Dropsie of the Head. 
Hydrocephalos is a watery swelling, or Dropsie of the Head, made 
from collection of a serous Humour, or windy Matter, in some 
part of the Members making or constituting the Head. 
Place. 'Tis either within or without the Skull, between the Pericrane 
and the Skin, or the Pericarnium and the Mouth, or between the Mouth 
and the Membranes of the Brain. 
Cause,

MORBI CAPITIS.  169
Cause is the same with a Dropsies Cause ; viz. collection of water,
which runs out by Anastomosis or Diapedests of the Veins. Fæbrit. found 
in the fore Ventricles of the Brain, eighteen pound of clear Water. 
2. It happens to Infants from the violence of Midwives in deli- 
very. 
3. From the waterishness and moistness of the maternal Heat in the 
Infant. 
Secondly. This Tumour is sometime windy from weakness of Heat 
in the lnfant, and causes generating wind; and then ’tis called Emphy- 
sema. 
Thirdly. 'Tis fometime a more fæculent and bloody matter. 
Sign. Diag. 1. ’Tis a Tumour soft and tractable to the feeling (un- 
less it be betwixt the Crane and the Membranes. ) 
2. Conspicuous to the sight; 1. As ’tis in respect of its magnitude ; 
2. its good colour. 3. Happens most to young Children. 
II. If internal, then, I. there is headach and heaviness present ; 
2. the eyes weep. 
III. If it sounds, or gives no place to the touch, ’tis an Emphyseme 
from wind. 
Prog. 'Tis bad, 1. Because in a noble part. 2. Because the 
subject is tender. 3. By reason of the great danger that there is of a 
Convulsion, Lethargy or Apoplexy. 
2. There’s no cure, 1. If it affects the internal parts. 2. Mor- 
tal, if it be made in the Brain it self. 
3. 'Tis best, if, 1. More external. 2. Without the concomitance 
of bad Symptomes: yet then its hard to be cured. 
Dyet. Such as is prescribed for cold affects of the Head, abstaining 
from Wine. 
I. Internal. 
Cure. I. We must draw forth the water after preparatives by Hy- 
dragoges, if their age may bear it. 2. By Diureticks. 3. Sweaters. 
4. We must use drying Cephalicks. 
II. External. Where, 
First, Resolving Topicks and discussing Foments, of Lee, Salt and 
Sulphureous Waters, or the water of Quick-lime, commended by Aqua- 
Y pendius


170 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Pendius for Children, an Oyntment of Powder of Brimstone, Bay-berries 
and Orris, with Wax, and Oyl of Camomile. 
Secondly, Dryers. 
Thirdly, Causticks. 
Celsus appoints one or many according as the part is greater or 
smaller : Some use them to the neck. 
II. Chyrurgery. Paulus openeth the Tumour in the descending 
part, makes many sections; but this is somewhat dangerous, epecially 
if, 1. We have not a care of anointing the temporal Muscles. 2. To eva- 
cuate the matter by degrees: if betwixt the Pericrane and Crane the mat- 
ter be collected, double section is to be made. 
Lastly, The Brain is to be dryed by inward Cephalicks, and reduced 
to its right temper. 
Diff. I. From the Humour;
I. Either water, and that more pure, or mixt with fæcculent Humours, 
and Blood or Wind. 
II. From the Scituation; 
1. One is made betwixt the Skin and the Pericrane ; Another 
betwixt the Pericrane and Crane; A third betwixt the Crane and 
Membranes. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Headach from watery Humours.
It is a serious Distemper of the Brain : Its Cause being water derived 
to the Head ; Either 1. gradually, specially with the very Spirits 
and arterious Blood ; Or, 2. on heaps, by reason of stronger out- 
ward Causes, as all extraordinary exercising, furiousness, and much 
drinking of wine. 
Sig. The pains are not settled, but wandring. 2. The Mouth is 
alwayes very moist, and there is much spittle. 3. Defluxions of Rheum 
are very often molesting. 
Cure is done, 
1. By evacuating the waters ; 1. By water-purgers proper to the 
Head, no premising of Preparatives. 
2. Let blood if Heat and a Feaver be present, for they cause fluctua-
ting

MORBI CAPITIS. 171 
ting of the water in the Head ; also if any accustomed evacuation be 
stopped. 
3. Sweaters ; as decoction of Sarsaparilla is best; but hot ones, as 
Antimony, Diaphoreticum, are accounted bad. 
4. Diureticks, which also profit for the Spleen. 
5. Gargarismes, that draw much water from the Head ; as of Mustard, 
or of Pellitory, and a little Staneatre excel, 
6. Errhines, where Juice of Primroses is choicest. 
II. Dryers and Correcters of the Distempers ; where such, like 
an Electuary, taken to the quantity of a Nutmeg every morning and 
night, may greatly help both to dry and consume the Cause, quiet the 
Symptoms, and strengthen the Brain. ꝶ of Sarsaparilla, ʒij. Nard, of 
Indian Nutmegs, ana ʒi. dry Sage, mens Bones prepared, ana ʒ fs, 
Conserve of Betony, Rosemary and Marjoram, ana ℥ i. with Syrup 
of Pæony, confect an Electuary. 
III. Topicks, (which, first, consume and dry up and discuss the Cause; 
Secondly, ease the symptome pain) are to be used together with the 
former. 1. The Root of the greater Valerian, fresh, bruised, warmed 
and applied. 2. Rie, beaten and sprinkled with Vinegar, bound hot to 
the head by some ; As also 3. Vinegar of wild Thym to Wash the fore- 
head and temples for the pain, are praised. 
Some Empericks hold these for secrets in Rheumatick Distempers and 
Molestation of the Head. 
1. Decoction of Pimpernel, drank morning and evening. 
2. To smell to an Onion, being newly rosted and fuming, often and 
for long time. 
3. To bathe the head, forehead and nostrils with the Liquor of stewed 
Onions. 

171 MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Headach from Choler. 
Platerus saith, If we mean such Choller as being separated from 
Serum, or a wheyish water in the Head, is purged meet and pure 
into the Ears; that being poured forth to the Menings and 
Brain, without doubt would stir up great and pricking pain ; but 
that scarcely happens being washt with with a wheyish serous matter ; nor 
then alwayes doth it beget pain ; when as to those that have the Jaun- 
dice, the Head in no wise akes, unless some other accident happens. 
Thus far Platerus. 
1. All Causes that generate Choler ; as Garlick, Onions, Red Her- 
rings, Old Wallnuts, salt things, which make it exsuperating and luxu- 
rious, all things that heat and dry the body. 
3. All aggravations of it generated, as Care, Anger, Exercise, labo- 
rious Pains, abstinence and long watching, all which enkindle it. 
2. Smelling to Myrrh, Saffron, &c. Sun-heat, &c. may bring it into 
agitation, cause it to abound more, and render it sharper and hotter. 
Sig. 1. A Cholerick temper, and youthful age for the most part. 
2. The Pain is like to that that happens upon reflecion of the hot 
beams of the Sun upon a bare head,but rather hotter, and more pricking, 
according as Choler is more tame, or sharp, more or less in quantity, 
or hotter or colder qualited. 
3. If with gravity ; I, It shews multitude of the Humour. 2. If with 
knowing the Acrimony of it. 3. If with Pulsation, Inflamation. 
4. If with distention without gravity and beating, 1. It argues 
Choler very vaperous, or abundance of Cholerick vapours ; 2. Dri- 
ness of the Mouth, and Tongue and Eyes ; 3. Bitterness of the Mouth ; 
4. A sence of preternatural heat in the Head; 5. Excrements of the 
Eares, many, and more yellow. 
Diff. I. 'Tis distinguished from Headach, from Blood, for that of- 
fending by plenty, there is Pulsation and Gravity, but Choler being 
little, is without Gravity, and is more biting from its Acrimony. 
2. Fumes may arise from yellow Choler in the Stomach, or lower 
parts ; and is distinguishig from Choler in the Head by sign of those
parts
 

MORBI CAPITIS. 173
parts affected, by Symptoms, as nausea, 1. Disdaining of Meats, bitter- 
ness of the Mouth, vomiting, &c. 2. There is no gravity, as in a plen- 
tiful matter, but distension onely, with levity, is effected by the ascent 
of vapours, and this is not essential, but by consent. 
Progn. Want of Sleep is bad, arguing the Brain too much affected 
by heat and dryness : If after Sleep there is ease, ’tis good; if not, a 
pernitious Sign. 
Dyet. Where, 
1. Air is to be cold and moist; if not so naturally, ’tis to be procu- 
red by Art, as in foregoing Chapters. 
2. A cool and moist Dyet, gravelly-Rivered-Fish; no Wine, nor 
strong Drink, no vexings, nor movings of Passion, or inordinate 
motion of the Body, or watching, are any wayes innocent. 
1. Preparation of a double kinde, first to thicken and prepare 
Choler for expulsion, secondly to cool and render it stiller, milder, and 
less Acrimonious. 
2. For the second, Cooling and Anodine, Internals and Externals,
having somewhat a stupifactive force; for pain that is raised from light- 
er Causes, as wrath, is quelled by Mittigaters, and also Medicines that 
dispose to quieting and rest. 
1. For the first. Prepare thin hot Choler, with Syrupes of Violets, 
Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, Gourds, Barley, Jujubins, Sebestens, 
Pruins, Sorrel, Purslane, &c. of which confusedly named, may Deco- 
ctions, Apozemes, Syrups, Julaps, &c. be made. 
2. Evacuation. Here Hartman praiseth greatly Aqua Benedicta, for a 
Vomit, to extinguish all pains of the Head, and Mercatus, Stibium. 
A Clyster is good to be premised, before purging downwards, of 
Lenitives and Coolers, with Cassia; and because Cholerick Habits 
are most commonly costive, they are good to be used often, which 
purging is most commodiously done with cooler and more gentle Sim- 
ples, as Pulpe of Cessia Fistula and Tamarinds. 
Some commend Potions of the Infusion of Senna, with black Helle- 
bore, also Scammony, Merc. Vitæ, and Flower of Antimony; but 
these seem too exasperating and heating at the first, till Choler is some- 
what tamed and cooled.
Potions are more innocent of Infusion of Rhubarb, Senna, and Epi- 
thimum, in Cychory or Endive-Water, adding to the strained Liquor 
Syrups of Violets, or Epithimum. and Pulpe of Cassia, the like. 
But

174 MORBI CAPITIS. 
But these Pills following are of greatest benefit, and are not much 
unlike those of Fernelius in materials : 
ꝶ Aloes, ʒi.Senna, Red-Roses, Violet-Flowers, Water-Lillies, 
Purslane and Coriander-Seed, white Sanders, ana Gr. xv. with Syrup 
of Violets make a mass, for Pills ; of which, ʒss. in four Pills may be 
taken every night, for a month. 
To some delicate persons that nauseate Potions, and cannot swallow
Pills, this Bole may be a sufficient Purge : 
ꝶ Diacridium, ℈ß. Conserve of Roses, ʒij. Cinnamon, Gr. v. 
3. Blood-letting is to be instituted, both for evacuation, and also 
cooling, and making mind Cholerick Humours : If the Occiput be most 
pained, ’tis to be cured by opening the Forehead-Vein, saith Hollerius, 
for there come two Branches from the Jugulars, one whereof is brought 
to the Occiput, the other to the Forehead; by which Branches there is a 
certain communion twixt the fore and hinder parts of the Head. In 
Bleeding, whether by the Arm or Forehead-Veins, we must not draw 
out so largely as in the Headach caused of Blood ; nor at once is it so 
good to take our whole quantity, for the Cholerick and hot Humours 
are more tempered and cooled by repeated Phlebotomy : some instead 
of opening the Forehead-Veins, set on Leeches. 
Platerus saith, Arteriotomy in contumacidous and persevering Head- 
aches, with great pulsation and heat, hath often helped; specially if 
therewith there is a Vertigo. 
4. Derivation and Revulsion is done by Cups, with Scarif to the 
Neck and Shoulders, to draw from the affected part; also to the But- 
tocks and Legs, to pull back from the Head. 
Errhines and Sneezers also serve here, but are to be superseded, if 
the Eyes be weak and obnoxious to fluxions, as also Masticatories ; but 
saith Lud. Sept. they are to be suspected, whenas the Cause is a thin se- 
rous hot humour, left they should violently draw that from the Head, 
which falling upon the Lungs might effect a Ptisick, or some other Dis- 
ease there. 
5. Consumption of the Reliques by Topicals : Where, 1.Camphir, be- 
cause 'tis thought to cause watching, is disallowed: 2. Others insti- 
tute Discussion in its place; where Oyls of Camomile, Dill, Rheu, are
good, or Pouders of Nutmegs, Stæchas, Rosemary-flowers, Camomile- 
flowers, Eldern, Vervain, wild Time, Rhue, &c. some adde Mosch, 
to penetrate and corroberate, as saith Rondel. Of these Caps or in- 
terbasted Frontals be made ; yet the Powders alone strewed, are better 
than


MORBI CAPITIS. 175
than interwoven in Caps, because so their virtue is not so nearly com- 
municated to the Brain, through the Caps. 
This, with the aforesaid Pills, may be used for some time, to spend 
and discuss the remainder or regenerating of Choler in the Head, and 
therefrom Relapses. 
CHAP. VIII 
Of Headach from Flegm. 
Flegm, or pituitous Humours, collected and cooling the Mem- 
branes, but not the Brain it self, for then would a Stupor fol- 
low, or Drowsiness : This is of the same nature with that 
Mucus, or filth that being actually cold, is wont to flow out by 
the Nostrils, and Headach from the efflowing of such Humours,as in the 
Pose is often eased. 
Causes generating Flegm (being received and made effecting, from 
first a cold Brain, secondly a cold and moist Liver, which may send thi- 
ther vaporous Blood) are, A Dyet of sweet and fat Meats, cold and 
moist qualitied, Fish, Things raw, Milk, Cheese, Sugared Meats* 
Fruits, Olives, &c. 
Adjutant hereto be, 
1. An Air cold and moist. 
2. Idleness, and neglect of Exercise. 
3. Sleeping over-much, especially on a full Stomack. 
4. Actual external Coldness, as by application of Medicines, where- 
by the cold penetrates inwardly, and induces a Distemper. 
Sign. All that indicate a cold and moist Distemper: As, 
1. Whiteness and moistness of the Face ; unless from blood fallen 
to the part it should be suffused with redness. 
2. Much and profound Sleep, Dulness of Senses, slowness to 
action.
3. Abundance of excrements flow out by the Nostrils; but if a Catar- 
hous matter be abundantly sent to the Nose and Jaws, and raises a 
Cough, sleep may be lessened and Flegm loosened. 
4. Pain is more in the hinder part of the Head from Flegm, taking 
its possesion there, and afflicts most from the third hour of the night to 
the ninth.
5. There


176 MORBI CAPITIS,
5. There is a sense of fulness and gravity in the Head.
Dyet. 1. An Air naturally hot and dry; if not, made so Artificial- 
ly, keeping a bright fire, into which may fine-scented-things be cast, 
for rectifying bad vapours ; as, Wood of Aloes, Storaax, Benjamin, 
Juniper-Wood, Labdanum, Cinamon, Gum Anime, Frankinsence, and 
the like. 
2. Meat; where Roast is better than Boiled : Spices are very com- 
modiously used ; Bisket-Bread, or Bread baked with Aromaticks, chief- 
ly Nutmegs and Aniseeds; let his Bread be well levened, and his Flesh 
be of those Creatures that are void of Excrements, used to Exercise, 
and condite with hot Sawces: But all these Aliments are not to be too 
much glutted off, for a sparing Dyet is best. 
3. Drink; where thin and small Wine is allowed, as is also the in- 
fusion of Aromaticks in it: To which adde Exercising, as very helpful. 
Cure of Headach from Flegm: Where, 
First, We respect the Cause : Where, 
1. A Dyet convenient hereto, is to be ordered, as is afore-written. 
2. Preparers of pituitous Humours for expulsion; where hotter Pre- 
parers at first are bad, for they melt the gross matter by their heat, 
Whence it being made larger requires greater room, and therefrom di- 
stends and pains : 2. Strong Heaters are not to be given after meat, 
for so are obstructions made. 
3. More mild Preparers at first : as, 1. Healing and dry Cephalicks 
say some, for alteration: 2. Attenuating and cutting Simples, say others, 
for incision and attenuation, ought to be used, which we think thus well 
reconciled; the first suits in a thin, and moveable, and more waterish
pituitous matter, such are Nutmegs, Cloves, Pepper, Castor, Laven- 
der, Marjoram, Sage, Betony, Rosemary, wild Time, &c. the second 
are more meet in a thick tenacious and compacted Flegm, for which 
Organy, Savory Winter and Summer, Marjoram, wild Time, Hyssop, 
Stcæhas, Oxymels, especially of Squills, are most beneficial. 
Secondly, The Humour being prepared, evacuate it; Proper Purgers 
of Flegm from the Head, are to be given, mixt with Alteratives, and 
repeated ; Pills for this purpose, are thought most prevalent, of Aga- 
rick, Collocinthis, Laureata, Turbith ; yet say some, Agarick is not to 
be given in substance, for so it causes Vomiting, but in Infusion; yet 
mixt in Pills it doth not: These are given one hour after Supper, that 
their Virtue may be carried to the Head, with the Vapours of the 
Meat. 
Clisters


MORBI CAPITIS. 177
Clisters also are commended for pulling back Vapours and more flux- 
ible Humours that are going from the Head ; in which, for evacuation 
sake, some Irritaters of the expulsive faculty of the Intestines, are con- 
venient. 
Letting Blood is wholly to be omitted, unless we see much Blood to 
abound in the Body. 
Physicians make a distinction in the Cure of Redundancy of pitui- 
tous Humours ; for some, as we said before, institute onely Cutters and 
Makers thin of a viscid tough thick Flegm ; whenas others appoint dry- 
ing, sweating, and Diuretick Medicines, by which we guess they mean 
for a waterish or thin loose pituitous Humour, wherein drying Drinks 
of Guaicum, China, Sarsaparilla, &c. are helpful. 
But in the following intention we may treat generally, composing 
both under one kinde of Method, to be cured ; As, 
Thirdly, Diverting of the Flegm from the Head to the lower Parts : 
Where, 
1. Clisters drawing sensibly from the Head, help. 
2. By the Nose, Derivation is good, 1. By Errhines, as of dry 
Leaves of Tobacco put into the Nostrils, Juyce of Beets, and Juyce of 
Ground-Ivy, which is excellent; as also Juyce of Laureata. 2. By Na- 
salia, in form, sharp at one end, and broad at the other, to put up the 
Nose, made of sharp irritating Simples. 3. Sneezers, yet too great 
concussion hurts. 
3. Evacuation made by the Pallate, which is instituted by Nature 
for that use, where 1. Gargarisms, 2. Masticatories. 
4. By the Ears, into which may be put some harmless opening Oyls, 
being all Emissaries of the Brain, and by which it is eased. 
In the the use of which Gargarisms, which divert fluent Humours 
from the Eyes, they, with all Head-Purgers, are to be used after purg- 
ing. 
Masticatories are ordained, whenas there is no peril of a Catarrh 
falling to the Brest. 
Errhines, and Nasal, and Sneezers best, whenas Nature was wont be- 
fore to send out excrements by the Nose, which now are supprest: Yet 
these are not good in a thin pituit, they are bad in affects of the Eyes 
or Nostrils, being obnoxious to Ulcers. 
Lastly, Topicks : whereby, 1. The matter is insensibly consumed, 
2. Evacuated, as by Cauteries to the Coronal Suture. 
Then we must provide that the Brain be rightly constituted, and ga- 
ther not such Humours again by the taking and applying of fit Corro- 
borative Remedies, as before in the precedent Chapters. 
Z As  

178 MORBI CAPITIS. 
As to the Symptom, Pain, of whose Cure we have and shall treat 
very large in precedent and subsequent Chapters ; we shall omit too 
much troubling the Reader, it being also a General Rule, Take away 
the Cause, and the Effect will cease. 
Of Siriasis. 
Defin. 'Tis an Inflamation of the Brain and Membranes happening 
for the most part to Infants and very young Babes, taking 
its name from  or Sirius, in Latine a Star, otherwise called Cani- 
cula the Dogstar, of some in other Countries Das Blat Schiffen, because 
the Membrane of the Brain slacking, there is made hollowness.
Cause in being. Is an Inflamation of the Brain, and its Membranes; 
the proper substance of the Brain, as in a Phrensie, is inflamed, and 
not the Menings alone, saith Riolanus. 
Causes efficient, or that effected this Inflamation not in being, were, 
1. Material, 2. Exciting. 
The first material Cause might be Milk, that the Infant is nourishied 
withal, that being too hot, and made so from Nurses using a more spiri- 
tuous and hot Drink, as Lucretius saith. That young Children may be 
made mad from sucking meerly Goats Milk. 
The second material Cause may be flegmatick Blood putrified. 
II. The exciting Cause ; It was called Siriasis for some Reason, for 
though the aforesaid Causes be set down by Authors, as general, and 
all that it arises from, yet the distinct propriety of it proceeds from the 
ruling of the Star Sirius, at which time this Disease raigns most, and 
from this (whose force is most perpetrated on them that are conversant 
in the Sun) may the aforesaid Causes be transacted, by the great Influ- 
ence the Stars have upon Humours in Mans Body. 
Diag. 'Tis known, 
1. By great pain of the Head. 
2. By hollowness or lankness of the forepart of the Head and Eyes. 
3. By the ruling of the Sirius or Dog-star, and by the Childs too 
much abiding in the Sun, specially about that time. 
4. As we may by sight discern the hollowness of the forepart of the 
Head, so by touch the bones in the upper part of the forepart of the 
Head, where the Sagittal and Coronal Suture meet, seem membranous,
and ends of them seem hardened. 
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 179 
Progn. It most troubles Infants, seldom those of riper years; 'tis 
very acute, and commonly kills in three days. 
In Cure the Belly must be loosened, the Nurses Milk must be rectified, 
if there be cause ; she must use a cold and moist Dyet, and dwell in a 
cooler Air, or keep her Body in cool temper : too great use of Coolers 
may take too deep effect in such young Infants Brains ; Oyl of Roses 
may be used at first, and then Oyl of Camomile may be added for un-
ction of the parts diseased. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Headach from the Womb. 
Gallen saith, Pains of the Head from consent of the Womb are 
chiefly stated in the hinder part, which also Lud. Mercat. as- 
sents to, by reason of the Veins and Arteries which about the 
Back do come hither; others say these vapours causing pain 
are transferred from the Womb to the hinder part of the Head and 
Crown, by the Nerves and spinal Marrow. 
Cause immediate, is a matter, saith Sennertus, sent from the Womb by 
the Veins and Arteries to the Head, and by vellicating and stretching 
out the parts effects pain , but though it may arise from vitious 
blood, or humours, yet not without a vapour. 
Cause remote is some vice of the Menstrues that went before. 
Sign. 1. It possesses the back part most, or for the most part it doth 
so. 
2. The Womb is otherwise affected , and the Menstrues 'tis like 
have not or do not perform their legal evacuation. 
3. Anxiety, palpitation, and swooning succeed from the Heart; al- 
so drawn into consent with the Womb by the Arteries, by which those 
vapours are also communicated to the Heart. 
4. These pains debilitate, cause Watching, and much afflict the 
Sick. 
Differences of the Humour are known, 
1. By heaviness, and sudden invading and ceasing again of the 
Z2 pain,

180 MORBI CAPITIS. 
pain, which argues the ascension of Vapours. 
2. By the contrary we may guess it an humour, and that 1. Either 
from Blood, where an heavy pain is the greatest : 2. From Choler,  
which is discerned by gnawing and pricking: 3. From Flegm, wherein 
there is a greater propensness to sleep ; 4. From Melancholy, wherein 
they are more sad ; 5. Commixtion of two or more of these Humours, 
or a windy matter together, for these humours are hardly pure, and a- 
lone, but commixt, and for the most part wind is the chief Cause. 
Cure respects the Cause, Parts, and Symptom. 
First, for the Cause. 1. The Womb is to be looked to, that sends 
matter up to the head, its vices are to be corrected : see an Epilepsie 
from consent of the Womb. 2. The Head that receives these Va- 
pours is to be respected, from whence we must repel and drive them 
back. 3. Care also is to be taken if they afflict the heart, then pull 
them back by sharp Clisters, suppress Frictions of the nether parts, 
and give Cordials. , 
Secondly, The Symptom, Pain ; Of this we have treated sufficiently 
in other Chapters, and think a needless repitition superfluous.  
CHAP. X. 
Of Numbness or Stupidity, 
Defin. STupor is a difficulty of sense and moving, being a palsey
in a low degree, or its fore-runner, a kin to an Apoplexy, 
sense and motion in a manner being both hurt. 
Cause is, 
I. Either cold or compression of the Nerves, prohibiting the influx 
of the Spirits. 
2. A contract of Drowsiness. 
3. Too great use of Narcotical and stupefactive Medicines. 
4. Bearing of heavy weights, or lying upon some Member. 
5. Constriction of the Nerves by hard binding. 
6. Phlegmone or a Scirrh. 
7. The Bone either luxated or broke. 
8. From wounds of the Brain. 
Sign. 'Tis known by relation of the Affected.
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 181
Progn. Stupidity upon wounds of the Brain, is deadly ; from a me- 
lancholy humour, that being removed, it ceases of it self.
Cure. We must first know the Cause ; whenas 'tis a Palsey lessened 
the same cure may be ordered for it, as for a Palsey; observing, as that is 
of a low degree, so more gentle Medicines may serve to its cure. 
In internals we must respect the Head, to heat and uphold the Spirits 
and Faculties; for such an Intention may an Electuary be made, or 
Water be distilled from Rosemary, Sage, Betony, Marjoram, Wood- 
Sage, Pellitory of Spain, Couslips, Balm, Piony, wild Time, and La- 
vender English or French, to which may be added some drops of Oyl of 
Fennel Seeds, or rather Oyl of Rosemary, as much as may be conveni- 
ent. 
In Lochals the Chymical Oyl of Marjoram, to anoint the Nape of 
the Neck and spinal Marrow, greatly strengthen the Nerves. 
2. Rondeletius saith, The best Remedy is to wash the stupid Member 
with Mustum, or new Wine, Tempore Vindemiarum. 
3. A Pulteis of the Root of Garden-Bears-breach fresh rosted in 
Embers, beaten, and applied Pultis-wise is commended for Numbness 
in the Hands or Feet. 
Of Headach from Quicksilver. 
'Tis made from Unction of Quicksilver in the French Pox, or at 
other times, whereby Quicksilver insinuates it self, and lies with- 
in the Flesh, and effects very great pain and symptoms, and fixed in 
one place, and very contumacious, sometimes vexes most in the 
night. 
Here Physick avails not; Gold is to be put up into the Nostrils; a Ce- 
phalick Emplaister with Leaves of Gold, is to be applied to the Head, 
being first shaven ; a Gold Ring is to be held in the mouth, Plates of 
Gold are to be applied to the pained part, and always worn ; and if the 
Gold be white, ’tis a sign the Quicksilver is extracted; and if this Gold 
be cast upon Coals, it receives its true colour again. See Riverius, 
Obs. 91. Cent. 2. 
CHAP.

182 
MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. XI.
Of Headach caused of the Stomach. 
Before we treated of Headach that was essential to the Head, cau- 
sed from Distemper, and Humours there placed. 
Now we shall begin with all those Parts that effect pain of the 
Head by Sympathy and Consent, sending thither Vapours, and 
communicating Humours from the communion of those parts with the 
Head. 
Cause. Therefore we will begin with the Stomach, causing Head- 
ach by consent, and which sends corrupt and noxious Vapours, from 
corrupt and putrified Humours remaining there, specially in the mouth 
of it, which disturb and pain the Head. 
Sign. 1. First from the pain, which is not constant; secondly, But 
when ’tis made, it vellicates, and is sharp; thirdly, The more hunger 
the sick suffers, the more pain rages, for then the Humour is not al- 
layed. 
2. From the Stomach, which is first vomitishly disposed, especially 
if its mouth be affected ; secondly, Nauseating, inappetence, or the 
like, are often joyned. 
In Dyet ’tis good to use some astringent things, to hinder the ready 
exhalation of those bad Humours to the Head; 2. To avoid those things 
that send hurtful Vapours to the Head, as Saffron, Pine-Nuts, Quin- 
ces, Milk, &c, which are apt to encrease Headach, if taken inwardly. 
Cure. Here Vomits are chiefly necessary and helpful to bring forth 
the Cause, to wit the Humours feated in the Stomach; some with the 
drinking of warm water, and the Patient to put a Feather, or his Fin- 
ger into his Throat, and provoke Vomit; which may serve in a light 
Affect, but hardly effectual enough at all times.
Preparation of the Humour, which may be suppofed to be viscous, and 
stick fast, is advised by others, and that not without reason : The best 
thing for that purpose is Vinegar of Squills, from to ℥i. to ℥ij. according 
as its operation may be desired, weaker or stronger, given for two or 
three times, then administer a Vomit of Emetick Wine, or Infusion of 
Crocus


MORBI CAPITIS. 183 
Crocus Metallorum; the dose of which to men may be from ℥iß. to ℥iiß. 
Some praise a Radish Vomit with Oximel. 
Vomits are of two sorts; gentle, which onely purge the Stomach, and 
evacuate what they finde there; strong, which draw Humours from 
other parts to the Stomach, and cast them out forcibly , without any 
other help: but Hellebore and strongest vomitory Medicines are not 
without danger; nor are mean Vomits safe in Ptitsicks, or Asthmaticks, 
or in Affects of the Eyes, because they raise fumes to them. 
If Vomits may not be requisite for the Habit and Constitution of the 
Patients Stomach, Pills may carry down the Humour, and be very pre- 
valent, they may be taken to ʒß. or ℈ij. before supper, or at going to 
Bed, in Syrup of Violets, Pap of a roasted Apple, or what else the Par- 
ty best likes; they may be made of greatest efficacy, according to this 
Example:
R: Aloe, ʒij. Senna, ʒj. Mint, Red-Rose-leaves, Cinnamon, and Co- 
riander Seed, ana ℈i. Salt of Wormwood, ℈ss. with Syrup of Violets 
make a mass for Pills ; these are rather convenient than Vomits, for 
thick, flegmatick, sowr, and salt Humours, that more aptly descend to 
the bottom of the Stomach ; but for Choler that is most desposed to float 
in the mouth of the Stomach, vomits are most helpful. 
Topicals are to be made, 
First for the Head ; 1. To strengthen it, that it may not so easily ad- 
mit of Vapours ascending to it: 2. To repel and drive back the Cause 
that is already received ; but some hold these needlesss, and not help- 
ful, but after a Vomit, and the prescribed Stomach-Pills; Medicines 
applied to the Head, may together be beneficial. 
Secondly, For the Stomach: An Oyntment composed of Stomachi- 
cals and Astringents may hinder the disposition of the Vapours arising 
from those Humours upwards ; but this is best after a Vomit, or Pills, 
that have first carried away the Humours; for if they be viscous, by 
Astringents they may be made worse, and more fastened. 
Lastly, Corroberate both Head and Stomach, chiefly by Internals, 
with Medicines appropriated to them and their vices.


184 MORBI CAPITIS 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Headach from Drunkenness. 
Causes are evident enough to be Liquors that fume to the Head, 
and disturb the sensitive Faculties, and cause Headach; such 
be either Wines, specially generous Wines and Sack, Strong- 
Waters, Ale, Strong Drink, or fumes of hot Humours so 
ascending and filling the Brain with Vapours, which if it be hot, is so 
much the more quickly taken, saith Galen; and such as have the Os Tri- 
quetrum, and Sutors closer shut, bear Drink less then others ere they 
be drunk. 
The same Cause works molestation of the Senses divers wayes, ac- 
cording as the occult Natures of men are disposed. For, 
I. In some it effects Raging, Staring, Swearing, Cursing, Fight- 
ing, and the like. 
2. In others the contrary, for some will then be most complemental, 
most flattering, Smile and Laugh, and be wantonly disposed. 
From hence was brought that proverbial Verse, 
Per multum risum potuis cognoscere Stultum. 
By much laughter thou mayest know a Fool. 
3. Some are more melancholy and Stupid, forget almost all things, 
are more busied in pensiveness of Mind, and more sad.
4. Others be more Merry, Sing, Play, Rant it, and are Lascivi- 
ous, Blasphemous, are more vigilant, and remember things better. 
Signs are apparent enough. 1. By dulness of their Eyes. 2. By 
the carriage of their Body. 3. By their Speech; often they Vomit, 
they Stutter, Babble, Stagger, and can hardly stand, and fall, Head 
akes; think all turns round ; Eyes are disposed to moisture ; after the 
Wine or Drink is a little digested, they sleep, after which for the most 
part they are eased. 
Progn. Though Wine be hot, it begets cold Diseases, for through too 
much accustomed drinking Wine or Ale, there follows often weakness of 
the Nervs, Palsies, Trembling, Convulsion, Falling-sickness and 
Catarrhs,


MORBI CAPITIS. 188
Catarrhs: if the Drunken Man be made Dumb, he will die of a Con- 
vulsion, unless a Feaver supervenes, or he recovers his voice at that 
time wherein Surfeits are wont to be dissolved, saith Hippocrates. 
Cure is double, first Preservative ; where, 
1. Divers Medicines are set down by Authors to preserve from be- 
ing Drunk. As 1. Milk drank fasting will that day defend from being 
Drunk. 2. Rhue, whence the Poets said, Ruta tibi convertit pocula 
tuta. 3. Æctius bids every morning to eat six or seven bitter Al- 
monds, and to drink Wormwood-wine fasting. 4. To burn Swallows, 
Feathers and all, in a Crucible, and eat the Ashes of them in a Morn- 
ing. 5. Peach Kernels, whole force some attribute to their Diuretick 
force. Arculanus saith, if a Man eat in the morning fasting, a top of Rhue or 
Wormwood, it will secure him from being Drunk. 
2. As Medicines, so Precepts are set down by Authors to impe- 
dite Drunkenness. 
Platerus saith, Let them drinks very sparingly at first. 
Mnesitheus the Athenian bids three things to be observed; 1. To 
have their Wine mixt. 2. Not to Eat or Junquet overmuch at the second 
Course. 3. Before they sleep, to Vomit ; which Sylvius is against, saying,
That fills the Head more with the Vapours. 
Secondly, If Drunkeness be already made, we must first Evacuate 
the Wine, if yet undigested.
1. By Vomit, by warm Water, or stronger Vomits, Roots of Ara- 
rum, of Primroses, of Betony , white Births or Colworts, with fat 
Broath, or Mallows boild in Barley-Water, all which are very cool 
and gentle Vomits, and may hardly work of themselves without the 
Stomach much nauseates them, or they be provoked. 
2. By Evacuation downwards, by Clisters and Catharicks, which 
are less profitable and available at first, unless the Liquor be somewhat 
digested and carried downwards. 
3. After Vomit, sleep and rest do profit much, fasting, also drink- 
ing of Water, or exicrate, or sharp astringent Juyces mixt therewith. 
Forestus gave small Beer to Drunkards, bidding them to sleep upon 
it, Si nocturna tibi noceat potatio Vini, hoc mane rebibas & erit tibi Medi- 
cina.
For Dyet. Cooling Meats, not fuming, grateful to the Stomach, and 
of good digestion; some attrictive Sawces to keep back fumes are al- 
lowable ; Cooling Herbs in Broath, specially Colworts and Lettice, 
which by a propriety help ; Bread steeped in Water ; abstaining from
Dates,
Aa


Dates, Mesch, Saffron and the like, that fill the Head again with Va- 
pours, and raise pain. 
But food is denyed specially to be given liberally or presently, but 
abstinence and fasting are very wholsom. 
In the mean while we must not neglect the use of Specificals, and such 
as by a propriety drive away Drunkeness ; Observing also that 1. Va- 
pours are to be prohibited from ascending. 2. The Head comforted ; 
Specificals are, Broath, or decoction of Colworts, or of Lettice, Syrup 
of Garden-Currants, Vervain, Centuary, Harts-Horn, Bay-Leaves,
Amethist worn, or a Garland of Colwort-Leaves : Platerus saith, this 
Pouder avials; ꝶ Seeds of Colworts ʒi of Plantane, Purslane, Barberies 
ana ʒß Coriander-Seeds prepared, ʒij. Red-Rose-Leaves, Water-Lil- 
lies, red Saunders, ana. ʒß. Mastick ℈i. Camphir gr. ij. this prohibits 
Vapours, cools the Head and comforts the Stomach. 
Topicals are for both the last named intentions ; For the first there- 
fore to drive back and keep Vapours from the Head, Repellers are used, 
as Oxirhodines. Fox the second many Medicines have been set down 
in precedent Chapters to reduce the Brain to its right temper and 
strength after Diseases. Simeon Partlicius saith , An Amethist Stone 
bound to the Navil, instantly makes a Drunken man Sober. 
Lastly, Discussion of the Reliques, if any thing be left and im- 
pacted in the Head, for which use Oyl of Orris, of Bays, of Dill, 
Rheu, Camomile, &c. together with Frictions, Walkings, Exercises, 
and the rest.
2. The Symptom pain is to be cured, which may be done almost by 
the same way directed for Headach from Choler, by Oxirhodines; but 
the best of helps for Headach from Drunkeness, is the Oyl of Tree- 
Ivy-leaves, to anoint the Temples, Forehead and Nostrils, also to 
snufF some of the Juyce up into the Nose. 
They say Eelop put into Wine or Beer, and suffered to die in it, he 
that drinks that Liquor, will never love it afterwards.

MORBI CAPITIS. 
Of Headach from Feavers. 
Commonly this is a Symptom, and alwayes less or more at one time 
or other, either at beginning, middle, or end of the Feaver; 
'tis an inseparable Symptom, therefore we must consider whether it be 
only a Concomitant Symptom, either from the beginning of both con- 
tinual and intermitting Feavers, or whether it urged not before the 
state of the Feaver, by which we may judge it Critical, and curing of 
it is to be superseded ; And say some Astronomers, If the Moon 
come to the Opposition of the Sign and Degree she was in at the falling 
sick of the affected Person, or if she or her Beams extend so far as that 
place she then was in at the Parties falling sick, (it, as the other, pre- 
tending a Decretory Hæmorrhage, or bleeding at Nostrils, or Vomit- 
ing to follow) no Physick is then to be given ; but if vehement and 
pulsant, (as in acute Feavers, with watching, redness of the Face 
and Eyes, and sometimes with a Delirium, and coming not in the state 
of burning and continual Feavers alone, and in the fits alwayes of in- 
termitting Feavers) 'tis to be respected and mitigated : and though a 
Symptom, yet may be worse than the Disease it depends upon ; 1. As 
to its Molestation. 2. As to the Dangers that it may bring in some, 
especially where not Vapours alone, but also hot and Cholerick Hu- 
mours are carried to the Brain, or Blood, hot and much perfufed with 
Choler. 
Cure. For its cure therefore (neglecting, as needless, the penning of 
Causes, or Diagnostick or Prognostick Signes, looking to the Disease 
it self, viz. a Feaver, of which this is but a Symptom) Phlebotomy of 
breathing the Cephalick-Vein of the Arm; this may respect both Fea- 
ver and Headach, though we intend here not to speak of the Cause, the 
Feaver, but only of curing the Headach arising therein and therefrom: 
If it be not sufficient in the Arm, opening a Vein of the Forehead, or 
Arteriotomy, is greatly praised by some ; and experience hath often 
found not only successful, but safe also : Hereby the Fiery and Feaverish 
Spirits that are in the Blood, and sent to the Head, from consent of 
the whole Body, are let out. 
2. Keep the Body soluble, for costivess in Feavers often causes 
the ascent of Vapours (their free passage downwards being narrowed) 
which molest and pain the Head; we may not use Purgatives of any
great strength, lest they enkindle the Feaver more. 
Aa 2 But

188 MORBI CAPITIS, 
we must use Topicks to appease the pain, which are first to be re- 
pelling, that so they may stop and hinder the flowing of Humours, or 
gathering of hot Cholerick Vapours to the Head ; but as we said be- 
fore, where there be signs of Concoction, and Headach comes nigh up- 
on the Crisis of the Feaver, Natures endeavour to expel that matter by 
a flowing of Blood out at Nostrils, or some other way, may be stopped, 
and so the Disease either increased, or the matter fixed there, may effect 
some pernitous Disease afterward for to repel therefore Oxirhodon 
is chiefly used: A red-Rose-Cake sprinkled with a little, is to be ap- 
plied to the Forehead, after the anointing of this Oyntment there first
ꝶ Buds of the Poplar-Tree, Housleek, Red-Roses, Water-Liilies, ana 
ʒj. Leaves of Primroses, Violet-flowers, Camphir, ana ʒfs. Vinegar 
of Vervain, ℥j. Oyl of Poppies, of the Seeds of Cucumbers by extra- 
ction, ana ℥fs. Capon-Grease, ℥j. white Wax as much as may suffice, 
make an Oyntment, which may serve for all Intentions, both for repel- 
ling, cooling, to cause sleep, and ease the pain : For which,
1. The Root Rhodium being cold in quality, and so called from its 
good smell, a Pulteis of it beaten, boild in Vinegar and Oyl of Roses, 
and laid to the Forehead and Temples, excells. 
2. So doth an Emplaister of Aloes of America, with Juyce of Hous- 
leek, and a small portion of Camphir. 
3. Hartman advises to a stupifying Frontal, which is best in great 
watching, and if a Delirium be present, thus made ; ꝶ of Laudanum 
Opiatum, gr. x. Rose and Nightshade-water, ana ℥iij. Rose-Vinegar, 
℥ifs. mix them exactly, and a linnen cloth dipt therein, apply it to the 
Forehead Blood-warm.
4. Plantane-Root is thought to help by a propriety, either held in the 
Mouth, or hung about the Neck, which way also Vervain may be 
used. 
5. Ivy-Leaves beat in form of a Liniment with Oxirhodon are  
praised. 
6. Also River-Crabs prepared, are applied by some, together with 
the use of some of these, which the discreet Physician best likes ; the 
Sick may smell to Rose-Water, Vinegar and Camphir, hold cooling, 
astringents, but pleasant Waters or Juyces in his mouth; apply a Ra- 
dish-Root slit, first washed in Salt and Vinegar, to his Feet, which is 
commended, together with Irrigation, or washing of the Coronal Su- 
ture with Decoction of some or most of the Specificals we have na- 
med. 
If yet the pain be not eased, make Blisters in the Neck, Forehead, 
or fore-part of the Head, for therefrom may many serous and hot sharp 
Humours of the Blood be evacuated.
After

MORBI CAPITIS. 18
After these, Discussion of the Reliques is done by Oyls of Orris, of 
Dill, Camomile, Mother of Time : Or these boiled in Oyl; ꝶ Mo- 
ther of Time, Camomile, Eldern, ana p.i. Nutmegs, Peucedane-root, 
Zedoary, Tobacco-Leaves, and Marish Mallow-Roots, ana ʒj. boil all 
in Oyl, strain them out, and use it for unction of all the fore-part of the 
Head and Sutures. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Headach from Blood. 
WE treated before of Headach from distemper without the ad- 
mission of any Humours: Now we treat of it diversly, 
from several kindes of Humours, of which it is caused : 
And first of Blood; not humerous, but pure, unmixed, of- 
fending onely in quantity. The Greeks call it Phlethora, the Latines 
Plenitudo in English Plethory, Plenitude or Fulness. 
Cause. First, ’Tis made, 
1. Originally from Plenitude and abounding of Blood in the Body, 
made from things too much nourishing and increasing Blood whether 
Meats or Drinks, being too plentifully taken. 
2. To this adde the omitting of Exercises, Sweatings, and Evacua- 
tion, natural or artificial, as Bleeding, Purging, &c. 
Secondly, ’Tis brougnt into Action being thicker or thinner, more 
or less spirituous, colder or hotter, sharp or milder, or less humerous 
and pure) from too great affects, which bring either heat or pain to the 
Head, so that the Blood filling the large dimensions of the Brain is
over-heat, whence follows heat and distentive pain, yet acquires it 
not such a heat, as that a Delirium should follow. 
Thirdly, Particular Causes that both attract and make this Blood to 
pain, be chiefly, 
1. Drinking of Wine. 
2. Heat of the Sun. 
3. An hot House and Baths. 
4. A Blow or Fall. 
5. Much Crying, vehement Coughing, or the like. 
6. All perturbation of Mind, and immoderate motion, of the 
Body. 

190 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Signs Diagnost.
1. The pain is pulsant, there is distension and gravity, unless it come 
from any external Cause, specially austro flante. 
2. The Temple-Veins beat more strong and lustily than those at the 
Wrists, and the pulsative faculty is very great and vehement.
3. Urine muddy and thick. 
4. Swelling of the Veins, and redness of the Eyes and Face. 
5. The pain infects the fore-part of the Head chiefly from the ninth 
hour of the night to the third hour of the day.
Progn. Hipp. Aph. 10. Sect. 6. saith, Blood issuing out by the Nostrils,
Mouth or Ears, dissolves a vehement or grievous Headach. 'Tis often 
changed into Phrensies, and other grievous Diseases of the Head: Yet 
if in any Disease this comes Symptomatically, and shews a Crisis, ’tis 
better to be silent in Medicines, and wait its state, specially no Feaver 
nor Inflamation cerebrifeavered. 
Dyet. Cool and dry ; all meats nourishing much, as Flesh, rere 
Eggs, are to be shunned.
2. All Meats tempered and made wholsom, or their Inimical quali- 
tie corrected by Sawces of Coolers; cool Herbs, as Cychory, Lettice, 
Violet-Leaves, Endive, Borrage, Purslane, &c. Sallads also of such 
Herbs are very good. 
Barly-Water may serve for his ordinary drinking, or small Cinna- 
mon-Water; Wine is not to be permitted, yet white Wine is least
hurtful to the Head and Sinews. 
Let sleep not exceed, let not Crosses disturb, let Exercise not be im- 
moderate, but moderate doth good, as do Frictions, but not of the 
Head, till he is perfectly whole. 
Cure. 1. We must premise a Clister. 
2. Open the Arm-Vein, the sooner the safer, for there is fear of In- 
flamation, the Cephalick on the same side with the pain, is best ; draw 
out Blood largely : if that may not suffice, opening a Vein of the Fore- 
head hath been wonderful helpful. Lazarus Riverius, Obs. 89. Cent. 
2. in a violent pulsant and diuturnal Headach, many Remedies first 
ufed in vain, letting out ℥iij. of Blood from the Forehead-Vein pre- 
sently mittigated and quelled the pain: An agglutinative Emplaister of 
Mastick, Bole, Dragons Blood, Frankinsence, White of an Egg, and 
Hares Hairs, ate to be applied upon the wound to stop the Blood, and 
agglu-

MORBI CAPITIS. 191
agglutinate the wound. Obs.40. Cent. 3. Riverius tells of another that 
after often letting Blood in the Arm, opening the Ankle-Vein, did it 
instantly. However this is to be tried in Courses stopt in Women. Ar- 
teriotomy, saith Johnston, is not to be tried by reason of a Neurisma. 
3. Evacuation is to be instituted, of cooler and gentler Medicines, 
made of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, &c. with altering Cephalicks, a 
Clister first premised, for the Humour may become adust, and get Acri- 
mony, unless means be used to detract from it, and render it purer:
Rondel. advises gentle laxative Apozems to be given one hour before 
Dinner, that the gravity of Meat may be the better carried downwards, 
and fumes may not ascend upwards, to offend the Head. 
Clisters also had in frequent use, may do good for the same purpose, 
specially if the Patient be disposed to Costiveness, which is not to be 
slighted. 
1. Topicals : Which are to be applied to the sore-part, for Blood pos- 
sesseth the Forehead to the Temples, and the Coronal Suture ; they are 
held hurtful to the Marrow of the Back, if they be applied to the hin- 
der. 
They are to be first repelling,and the stronger the better to strengthen 
the part, and keep back the Flux of Blood ; in liquid forms, to pene- 
trate the easilier,for Emplaisters sticking close heat more : Oxirhodinum
with Oyl of the Sloe-Bush, or the Leaves of the Sloe-Tree, boiled with 
Self-heal, Plantane, Housleek, &c. in Oyl and Vinegar, in winter they 
are to be cold onely potentially, but in summer actually. 
2. Digesters: Yet in great pain that is first to be mittigated, saith 
Rondeletius: 1. By such as dull the Sense, as Narcotical and cold 
things, Oyl of the Seeds of Poppies, which hurts less than the Juyce, 
as not being so cold ; Oyl of the Apples of Mandrakes are good for 
unction, Henbane and Nightshade are thought to induce foolisness ; 
fumes also of Opium or soporiferous Herbs boild in Oyl, to smell to. 
2. Relax the Part distended, where Oyl of sweet Almonds, Violets, 
Sesamum, and Melilot, Marish Mallows, have place. 3. Correct the 
Acrimony of the Blood, if that offend, by demulcent things. 
For digestion and dispersion of the Reliques of the matter, Foments 
are useful here; the best Simples are such as respect the Headach, and 
are Specificals, as Camomile, Eldern, Dill, Melilot, Mint and Mal- 
lows. The Oyntment of Alablaster, of Bened. Vic. Faven, is praised 
by Platerus and divers others, and is made thus: ꝶ Juyce of Camo- 
mile, ℥ij. Juyce of Red-Roses, ℥j. Juyce of fresh Rheu and Betony, 
ana ʒvj. Juyce of the Root of Althea, ℥j. purest Alablaster finely pu- 
lu. ℥j. Ol. Ros. Ompha. ℥xij. macerate them, and with ℥iij. of Wax 
boil them to an Oyntment. 
Also

192 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Also for Discussions sake, some with the applying to the Head of the 
Liver or Lungs of any Animal, ora Cock-Pigeon, which though the 
blood be all repelled and gone, yet it leaves behind it a fumous and va- 
prous matter, that is aptly dispersed and vanquished by such as these
that we have rehearsed : if the pain be more inward, hotter and strong- 
er Digesters are to be used. 
Others instead hereof, viz. of Discutient Medicines, institute emp- 
tying out of the Blood, after repulsion, by Milfoil, or Nose-bleed, so 
called from its property, put into the Nose, and section of the Forehead- 
Vein, if the hinder-part be affected. 
However, it would not be amiss to use Errhines to purge the Head 
by the Nose, as of Juyce of Primrose-Roots, snuft up, which also much 
prevails against the pain, or Juyce of Beets. 
Lastly, the Head is to be corroberated by Internals apd Externals ; 
Cucphas are made more unwholsome in some, where they are over- 
much moistened by sweat. 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Headach from a Melancholy Humour.
Headach from a Melancholy Humour is divided into Essential and 
Sympathetical by content from the Spleen. 
1. Essential in the Head, is often mixt with a flegmatick 
Humour, as in the French Pox, saith Rondeletius, and is discovered 
by a Delirium, adjoyned with Fear and Sadness, Sleeps are trouble- 
some, and molested with Visions, sometimes there is sudden loss of 
motion. 
Cause. All such things as ingender or increase a Melancholy Hu- 
mour. 
Progn. Cure is easier at first. 
1. In Cure, Melancholy is to be prepared with Heaters and Moist-
ners ; ’tis not to be delayed, lest the Brain be over-dried thereby. 
2. Opening of the first wayes premised, we must purge out the pec- 
cant Humour, chiefly with Potions, and at first more gentle ; Apozems 
with Splenical Medicines and Specificals, as black Hellebore, Epithi-
mum 

MORBI CAPITIS. 193 
mum, Lapis Lazuli, Senna, &c. Errhines also serve for evacuation-sake, 
which with Purgers are to be used often , and by courses, for once not 
twice will not suffice to empty out that thick Humour. 
Letting Blood, if the Blood be blackish and thick, is very conveni- 
ent, but if not, may be less emptied out: Other things prescribed for 
Madness and Melancholy may be used here. 
3. Corroborate and strengthen the Brain and Spirits, more hurt by 
the impression of dryness than the coldness of Melancholy, therefore 
in Topicals, Bags and Suffumes are less beneficial than Lotions or Un- 
ctions. 
4. A good Dyet is to be observed; Vinegar (fermenting Melancho- 
ly) is to be shunned. 
II. By Consent: Yet Melancholy being thick and viscid, affects not 
by consent, but by sending Vapours to the Brain, raises pain ; This 
comes chiefly from the Spleen, where that is to be respected, or from 
Hæmorrhoids or Courses stopt ; where opening of them, then revul- 
sion and opening the Ankle-Vein, are helpful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Headach from Windiness. 
Pain of the Head from windiness is a distentive painful sense of 
feeling in the Head, from wind made from its generative Cau- 
ses, and either gathered there from weakness, or transmitted 
from inferiour parts from their repletion. 
Causes are, 
I. More general, as from a constitution apt to engender wind. 
2. Abundant eating of windy or wind-breeding things. 
3. Obstruction, whence fuliginous Vapours from Excrements re- 
tained cannot pass out. 
4. Weakness of the Head, and parts of it, whence Crudities are  
accumulated, and cannot be digested from impaired heat. 
5. Odours, smelling to stinking things, Metals, fume of Coals, 
&c. do raise heavy sense of feeling to the Head. 
Sign. In crudity and quantity of flatuosity, there is distention with- 
out pulse and gravity, noise in the Ears, and tinkling pain in the Tem-
Bb ples;


194 MORBI CAPITIS. 
ples ; sometime a Vertigo ; it quickly rises and remits : Where the 
Humours are more sharp, and the temper of the Brain more hot and 
cholerick, pain is felt more sharp and pricking. 
Progn. Aph. 51. S. 6. They that are suddenly taken, and present- 
ly are made dumb, and snort, unless a Feaver supervene, die ere these- 
venth day pass but a Feaver coming, resolves the pictuitous and windy 
Humours that produce these effects. 
Dyet. Such things as ingender not windiness, are onely to be 
used. 
Cure. After generals, as Purging, a Carminative Clister premised, 
which may draw down the Vapours from the Head, we come to To- 
picks; in the use of which, the first intention is to repel; adding af- 
ter a while concoctive and discutient Medicines: Oyl of Roses is here 
most necessary for all purposes , which may be mixed afterward with 
stronger Concocters, Discusters, and Anodines ; as Oyls of Dill, of 
sweet Almonds, Camomile, Rhue, Melilot, &c. which are very profi- 
table ; yet we must not use too strong Discussers before time is given 
for concoction of it. 
Riverius wishes to sprinkle on the Head the sequent Powder, (the 
Head first rubbed with Bags : ) ꝶ: Nutmegs, Cloves, Pellitory of Spain, 
Pepper, ana ℥ß. Leaves of Sage, Bay-Berries, ana ʒij. Mustard-Seed, 
Cresses, ana ʒvj. sprinkle it on, and rub it in ; and the next morning 
comb it our, and sprinkle on more; the Vertues of Powders sprinkled, 
is better communicated to the Brain, than Caps. 
In Oyls for Unction may be mixed hot Carminatives in a colder Con- 
stitution ; among which Mother of Time, Nutmegs, and Tobacco- 
Leaves, are most profitable. 
In a more hot temper of the Head, and youth fuller Habit, Epithemes 
may be commodious for the Forehead and Temples to be washed there- 
with or the whole Head being first shaven : Among such, this of Ri- 
verius seems most applaudable : ꝶ: pulu Zedoar. ʒj. Waters of Betony, 
Vervain, and Eldern, of each ℥j. apply it moderately hot with Scarlet 
Clothes. 
Sneezings are allowed of, of white Hellebore, care of catching cold 
after it being observed. 
So are Odours, as smelling to Castorium, Ambergreese, and their like, 
that are friendly and comfortable to the Brain. 
Lastly, The Head is to be strengthened, Carminative Cephalicks 
taken

MORBI CAPITIS. 195
taken inwardly, that help weakness and coldness of the Head, and hin- 
der the regeneration of wind in it, for which also a Cucupha is to be 
worn for a good while after. 
Differ. First, from internal Causes. 
1. One Essential (of which we treat generally) where pain is more 
constant, there be signs of the Head affected, and other parts well con- 
stituted. 
2. By Consent of the lower parts, (viz. of the Stomach, Liver, or 
Spleen) and its signs are, Distension of the Neck-Veins, Urine is full 
of bubbles, wind ascends by the fore-parts with stretching out of the 
Thorax, and deep beating of the Arteries or hinder-parts, with tensi- 
on of the Veins and Arteries there ; Revulsion is here most necessary, 
specially by Clisters and Repellers, for Topicals meet rather then in the 
Head affected. 
Secondly, External Causes, as unwholsom Metals smelt to, and va- 
pours rising from unwholsom places, sume of Coals, and the like ; where 
amending of the stinking Air, or flying their unwholsome vapours, use 
of Zedoary, Antidotaries, Sternutatories, are chiefly to be expected
helpful.
To these some adde a sharp pain about the Eye-brows, called Cla- 
vus, from a sharp windy matter included between the Crane and the 
Pericrane. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head. 
Vertigo is a Symptom of depraved Sense and Imagination, where- 
in they think all things turn round, and are hurried about in a 
preposterous manner, made from agitation and swift circum- 
volution of animal Spirits, or airy matter, contained in the 
anterior Ventricles of the Brain. 
Subject is the Brain, or fore-part thereof, in whose Ventricles the 
animal Spirits are immoderately agitated, or die vaporous Humours 
are moved; and it is no Wonder; if these Organick parts be affected 
that are made to rule, if the imagination and sight be not according to 
Nature; and if the Fountain of Sense be amiss, the Streams must
needs be molested thereby, having influence and force only herefrom.
Bb 2 Cause

196 MORBI CAPITIS, 
Cause is circular motion of the animal Spirits, made from aireal Hu- 
mours, or an exhaling matter, exciting great agitation and molestuous 
disturbance of the imaginary faculties. 
Causes of these vapours are twofold : 1. Primary, whereof they 
are made : 2. Secondary, whereby they are put upon action.
First, Primary : Herein some suppose the original to be from Flegm, 
and raw Humours ; others from whatever supplies bad vapours from a 
peculiar bad quality it yeildeth to the Head, as Radishes, Mustard, Gar- 
lick, Wine, &c. Vapours are made also from Emptiness as well as 
Crudity or Fulness, also from imperfect Crisis after long Diseases, from 
suppresion of accustomed evacuation, from an hot distemper of the 
Brain, dissolving Humours into a flatuous and airy matter, or a cold 
distemper therof, whereby Crudities are not digested, and through weak- 
ness of the force of concoctive heat, many gross crude winds are heap- 
ed up; from plenty also of hot Blood do vapours plentifully arise. 
Platerus saith a waterish pituitous and fluctuating Humour is cause 
thereof. 
Secondly, Secundary : wherein are observed.
1. Great heat, (or mean sometimes) as of the Sun, or of fire, where- 
by the Humours are dissolved into Vapours, and the Vapours agita- 
ted. 
2. The looking stedfastly upon Whirl-pools, or Wheels, or what- 
ever turns round, or the looking down steep Hills, or from height, cau- 
ses a turbulent harmony of the Spirits, and deceives imagination. 
3. Violent motions, great pain, perturbations of both Body, and 
Mind, wrath, &c. excite and much exasperate. 
4. From violent purging, the South-winds blowing, a moist and hot 
temper of the air, and from rowsing up winds from parts below to fill 
the head, a Vertigo is often excited. 
The Causes take effect from the Brain, which is either obstructed, 
wherein the animal Spirits are stirred up to an inordinate motion, but 
cannot go the right way, which obstruction may arise several ways, ei- 
ther through plenitude of gross humours within obstructing, or with- 
out compressing the Arteries or Fractures. 
Or too readily applies that airy circumrotative vapour, and sucks it 
into the Veins and Arteries, whereby the animal Spirits are hurried 
out of their due station, and beyond their natural and ordinary 
course. 
Or is distempered, whereby it makes many vapours, and either 
through the force of heat expelling them hither and thither, or weak-
ness

MORBI CAPITIS. 197
ness of the parts, in not digesting and repelling them, the quiet harmo- 
ny of the Spirits is disturbed. 
Signs Diagnostick, that are in all causes evident, are the false imagi- 
nation of the Diseased, that all things turn round, and are carried round 
and whirl about in a circular preposterous manner: also depraved see 
ing, whereas the eyes being fixed on such things, discern not their rest 
and abode, but are affected with a mistiness; sometimes they fall 
and are affected much after the sort as Children that turn often round, 
for then they are dizzey, think ail turns round, even House and all, 
and are scarce able to stand; There is sometimes Headach, and tink- 
ling of the Ears. 
Other Signs are taken from the Differences. 
And Differences are taken from the Causes, which are either internal 
or external. 
Internal are either Humours, or Vapours; Humours are either San- 
guine, wherein things are discerned to be red; there is redness of the 
face, and beating of the Arteries: or Cholerick, wherein the Sick deems 
things to be yellow, that are not; and so of the rest. 
Vapours arise from Humours essentially in the Head, or by consent 
from other parts: other parts that send up Vapours to the Head, and 
cause a guiddiness, are either the Stomach, which chiefly offends, and 
that either when it is empty, and so plenty of virulent windiness a- 
bounds therein, and is sent up to the Head; or when it is too full, 
which is chiefly from things bad in quality, as Drunkenness, or un- 
wholsome vaporous Meats and Drinks, then there is a gnawing in the 
Stomach, like to that the Vulgar call the Heart-burn also there is a 
disposition to vomit before the fit, the evil afflicts now and then, accor- 
ding to the putrefaction or stirring of a Cholerick or Pituitous matter 
in the Stomach; or from the Womb, in suppression of the Courses; or 
from the Liver and Spleen, or Intestines, in suppression of the Hæ- 
morrhoids and Fæces, together with which signs of those particular parts 
affected, may be demonstration of the Cause to arise from thence 
External Causes are either Objects set before the eyes, which are ei- 
ther low, and steep-down low places, and the cause is natural, for fear 
dissipates the Spirits, and frighting recals them to the center, whence 
they are hurried in a contrary motion. 
Or things that turn round, and whisk about, as Whirl-pools, Wind- 
Mills, Wheels, and the like, whence the beholding of such, causes a 
circumvolution also of the visive Spirits, which communicate such a
false 

198 MORBI CAPITIS.
false sense to the apprehension, so that they imagine all things turn 
round. 
Or strong heat, as of the Sun and fire, which is known by the Sick re- 
lating his too long stay in the hot Sun, or nigh the hot fire, either bare- 
headed or covered. 
A Vertigo is also divided doubly by Galen and Hippocrates: one is a 
plain Vertigo, of which we have spoken: another is called by the Greeks 
Scotoma, and Scotodinos, in Latine Tenebricosa Vertigo, or a dark Verti- 
go, wherein sight is wanting, and a very mistiness or blindness possesses 
the Sick, together with his imagination of turning round, caused from 
atrabilis, and grosser thicker vapours: But Fuchsius, and others, would 
not have a difference to be made, conceiving it to be only a greater 
degree of a Vertigo, and not of a different nature. 
Prognosticks. It often degenerates into an Apoplexy, and Falling- 
sickness, and is often a fore-runner thereof, but the dark Vertigo is 
nighest to the Falling-sickness, but there is most fear if it last long, for 
If neither Apoplexy nor Epilepsie be made, the sick at last often are 
used to swoond and faint with it; the Scotoma is worst in Winter; to 
Cholerick persons there is most danger in Summer, and to Melancho- 
lick in Autumn, because then it is most vehement to such; it is bad to 
old men because their Brain is weak; that that is primary is more dan- 
gerous than that made from consent of parts; if Objects appeared to 
them, there is most fear of a frenzy; it is timely to be helped lest a worse 
Disease succeed it. 
Dyet, in what cause soever, is to be modelized of Meats easie to di- 
gest, and of pure Nutriment; ail windy things shunned, Crudity and 
Drunkenness, too great satiety, or fasting, use of Onions, Leeks, Mu- 
stard-seed, old Wine, Milk, Garlick, Radish, and things of like na- 
ture are not to be permitted: wholsomer food is River-Crabs, Partridg- 
es, Pheasants, scaley Fishes, Veal, Pullets, and Chickens, Meats that 
are pleasant to the Pallate, not vaporous, sauced with some Astrin- 
gents that prohibit the ascent of hurtful vapours from the Stomach, are 
to be allowed him; white Wine is allowed for drink sometimes, but 
where the affect is grown inveterate, Physicians commend Guaicum- 
Drink to be drunk for their ordinary Beer. 
Air Austral, or hot and moist, is to be avoided, so is also cloudy wea- 
ther, and Sunshine too sometimes hurtful;  they are not to be permitted 
to see things that turn quick about, or to look from steep high places; 
keep

MORBI CAPITIS. 199
keep their minds quiet, stir not up and exasperate Humours by the Pas- 
sions enraged; also too great heat and stirring of the Head brings da- 
mage to the Sick. 
Let sleep be moderate, and let him be two hours always, or above, ere 
he lies down to sleep; sleep doth some much good, because it discus- 
seth vapours.  
Cure is first directed to the Cause, secondly to the Part.  
I. The Causes are various, and therefore the method of curing cannot 
be one and the same: For, 
1. If Phlethory offend, and Blood abound too copiously in the Head, 
it is necessary, 1. To respect the whole, as by opening of the Hepatick 
Vein of the Arm: 2. The Head, by opening the Arteries behinde the 
Ears by a skilful Artist; but Blood is gradually to be drawn away, for 
some fall upon every light occasion: Cupping-glasses, with Scarificati- 
on, may also be applied to the hinder part of the Head. 
2. If Flegm and gross crude Humours be impacted in the 
Head, after preparation thereof, they are to be purged forth; Revul- 
sion is to be followed, as by rubbing and bindings, Gargarisms, Sternu- 
tatories, and Errhines, the two last whereof are condemned by Septali- 
us, because Vapours being inordinately moved in the Brain, the Symp- 
tom is exacerbated, and an Epilepsie sooner made, when as little of the 
Morbifick matter is extracted thereby: Cauteries are to be applied be- 
hinde the Ears, chiefly to the Sinciput, saith Zach. Lusitanus; natu- 
ral Baths, specially those flowing from Allom, are good; also Embro- 
cations, and Topicks, to digest. 
3. If Indications of a Cholerick or Atrabilatious Humour abound- 
ing in the Head, be present, they are cured as Headach, and distemper 
of the Head from those Humours. 
4. If windy Exhalations and bad Vapours, either in the Head, or 
other inferiour parts, be cause hereof, Repel by Oxirhodinum, give in- 
wardly things that stop and settle vapours; revulse, where Clisters and 
Suppositories are good; Frictions also and Ligatures for aversion; 
Odours are to be held to the Nostrils, that amend and correct the qua- 
lity of those fumes, and by a propriety help a Vertigo. 
II. Respect the Part: Where if the Cause lie primarily in the 
Brain, the Brain is to be purged, as afore; then stengthened by Inter- 
nals and Externals. 
If from consent of the inferiour Bowels, Cure is to be directed to
them; 

200 MORBI CAPITIS. 
them; where if the Stomach suppeditate vapours to the Head, a Vomit 
for bringing forth of putrified Humours is sometimes very effectual; 
then give Alortick Pills, both to cleanse and strengthen the faculty of 
good digestion: Astringent Powders are always to be given after meat, 
to prohibit and rectifie vapours. 
2. If from a putrifaction of Cholerick Humors in the Mesentery-
Veins vapours are transmitted to the Head, prepare with Wormwood- 
Wine, and the five Opening-Roots, then purge forth that Humour, and 
keep back Vapours arising from thence. 
3. If from other Bowels, as Liver, Spleen, Intestines, and Hypo- 
chonders; we must diligently look into, and correct the vice of those 
parts, evacuate the Humours there seated, and intercept their vapours, 
whole Remedies, as things also for all other intentions, are to be found 
out in the list of Medicines that are held to help a Vertigo from a pro- 
priety and specifical quality in them; and they may be variously used 
and applied, according to the Causes, and preceding Institution. 
Those things therefore that help a Vertigo by a propriety, or an 
hidden Sympathetical or Antipathetical Quality in them, are Southern- 
wood, whole Decoction in Wine taken often (as all others are to be) 
is said to be a most effectual Remedy; not less praise hath the Heat 
Bittersweet, born about the Neck in manner of a Garland; or Vinegrb 
of Squills taken every morning fasting, Syrup of the sharp Juyce of 
Citrons, Bears-Ear, Extract of Scorzonera-Roots, Dung of a male Pea- 
cock dried, for a Man, and of a female for a Woman; and flowers of 
the Tile-Tree are choice Specificals. 
Compositions of greatest effect, and of the choicest Simples are 
thus made: 
ꝶ of Romane Doronicum, or Wolfs-bane, Scorzonera Roots, the fæ- 
ces of Juyce of Briony, of each ʒj. Flowers of Couslips, of the Tile- 
Tree, of Lavender, Sage, and Holy Thistle, of each ℈ij. make thereof 
a Powder, and give from ʒß. to ʒjß. in some convenient Wa- 
ter. 
ꝶ of Dung of a Peacock, Southernwood, of each ʒiß. Emeralds, 
Flowers of Sage, Betony, Lillies of the Valley, Featherfew, of each 
ʒß. Castorium, ʒj. Pellitory of Spain, Penny-royal, China-Roots, white 
Beets, of each ℈j. with the treble weight of Sugar dissolved in some 
Cephalical Water, make an Electuary. 
ꝶ of Squills dried, Southernwood, Holy Thistle, of each mj. Cat- 
mint, Featherfew, Cowslips, Alheal, of each mß Bay-Berries, Laven- 
der, Bears-Ear, of each ʒiij. Castorium, Amber, Cinnamon, of each  
ʒij. prepared and mixt with white Wine, let them be distilled, and of 
that


MORBIT CAPITIS. 201
that Water ℥ß or ℥j. may be taken every morning and night fasting, be- 
fore or after food, two hours or more. 
A specifical Purgative may be thus made in form of Pills: 
ꝶ of Collocinthis, ʒj. Agarick, ʒiß. Root of Briony, ʒij. Carraway- 
seeds, and Cinnamon, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of the Juyce of Briony, 
make Pills; two Scruples, or more, whereof, may be taken at once, and 
is most proper in a flegmatick Cause, and by an hidden quality insinu- 
ate themselves, and draw forth the matter of a Vertigo. 
Marcellus commends the Juyce of black Beets, anointed on the Tem- 
ples. 
Quercetanus praises a Powder of native Cinabrium; as, ꝶ of true 
Mineral Vermilion, ℥ß. Pearls, and red Corral, of each ℈ij. Saffron, 
℈j. Leaves of Gold, in number ten ; it is given to a ℈ weight in Val- 
ley-Lilly-Water. The same Author also greatly praised the Dung of a 
Peacock dried, and given in Powder. 
Partlicius and Platerus commend Crystal, hung about the Neck. 
Others commend anointing of the Forehead with the fat of Land- 
Snakes, strewing of the Powder of Silk-Worms on the Crown, a Garland 
of Penny-royal, and an Emerald Ring, to help by propriety, and their 
whole substance. 
All these are to be used as the Cause doth most require, and accor- 
ding to the fore-going Precepts. 
In the Fit peculiarly, these things are to be observed: 
1. To take meat before it, for so it is made more mild, as saith Pla- 
terus. 
2. To bring them to quiet, lay them on their Backs, their Nostrils 
higher than their Head; use Oxirhodinum to repel vapours; put a Tent 
dipt in Cinnamon-Water, up their Nostrils, which sometimes suddenly 
helps; rub their Nostrils with Oyl of Amber. 
3. To bring them again, as is needful in some, hold Peucedane-root 
dipt in Vinegar, to their Nostrils, and Galbanum; rub their Forehead 
and Temples with Oyl of Penny-royal, or Rosemary and wild Marjo- 
ram boild in Vinegar. 
Lastly, To preserve from an Apoplexy, the Seeds of Caraways steep- 
ed in Wine, are commended.
Cc Chap. 

202 MORBI CAPITIS. CHAP. XVII.
Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
LOVE is a depravation of the Phantasie, erring from Judgment, 
and arising from an inward Cause affecting the Heart with Pas- 
sion, upon the apprehension and pondering upon the outward 
Subject.  
Cause is obscure, nor can the Reason hereof sufficiently be rendered; 
onely such as are so deeply in love, are such as for the most part are very 
subject to be altered, and have their Passions moved upon every light 
Cause, as will quickly fligger with Joy, or despair with Sadness; some 
attribute it more specially to redundancy of the Seed, and Idleness; 
Whence Ovice writ, 
Otia si tollus periere Cupidinis Artes. 
If Sloth you take away, the god of Love’l decay. 
Some call it the Noblemans Madness, but Poor are strook with
Cu- 
pid's Dart as well as Rich.
Signs are not always the same of all; the Pulse in most is very wa- 
vering, either very high, or very low, very unconstant; whence Era- 
sistratus found out Love-Sickness: when they are dejected and in de- 
spair, their Pulse is very small and low; but if their Love be but talked 
of, or come in sight, or they hear any joyful news thereof, presently their 
Pulse is augmented. 
2. When they are in despair, or cannot have Him or Heir that is de- 
sired, they mourn, lament, sigh, are very thoughtful, forget to eat their 
Food at due seasons, cannot sleep, not are at all delighted in the ma- 
nagement of their Businesses; but when they are elevated by his pre- 
sence, or good news from him, or talking of him, they break forth into 
exceeding Joy; sing, play on Musick, talk many lascivious and fond 
Sentences; yea, and sometimes are very forward, and offer themselves 
to perpetrate unlawful Copulation. 
3. After some continuance of time, with anxieties, solicitudes, and 
deplored thoughtfulness of mind, they grow very pale, which is in ge- 
neral to all. 
And lastly, Some through despair either turn mad, and are distracted,
or 


MORBI CAPITIS. 203
or else lay violent hands, or make away themselves, or bring themselves 
into other grievous Diseases, that kill them in the end. 
Cure. They will not use any Remedy, nor hear any Advice, nor 
receive any comfort, nor hardly have their thoughts diverted, and set 
on any other Object, or Subject, If they be lascivious, and abound 
with Blood, it is good to let them Blood, let them use a thin and spa- 
ring Dyet; and such things as cool, enervate, and consume the Seed; 
let them have some employment set them that may busie their Mind, 
and indulge venerious thoughts the less: If they incline to a melan- 
choly temper, things, and the Method ordained for Melancholicks are 
proper, onely avoiding such things as increase Seed, and provoke to 
Venery, 
If they be distracted and desire, they must be cured as Mad People. 
Sometimes Medicines are given to cause Love, which the Latines 
call Philtra, which bring the Party taking them into a raving and rest- 
less condition after the Party desired; or else are such as vehemently 
stir up lust; as many Whoremongers use to give Cantharides for 
that purpose, which do not cause mutual Love, but by their Acrimony 
mightily tickle and irritate to Venery.  
Against such kind of Love-Potions that so enrage the Affections in- 
to a fury, Hartman advises to (as a Specifical) the Pouder of a Secun- 
dine, being first dried in an Oven, and then given with Treacle, or 
some Antidotary water for certain times. 
Ernestus commends Aurum Vitæ for the Plague, and for Love-Poti- 
ons taken by Women; from which, faith he, they are wont to pine a- 
way, not have they any desire to Venus. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of Cephalæa, or an old Headach. 
CEphalæa is an inveterate and old Headach, that hath remained 
for a long time, not risen of a sudden from light Causes, but 
of long continuance from Humours seated in the Head, and 
and afflicts with exacerbations. 
The Cause is the same as Cephalalgia, or a sudden or periodick Head- 
ach is caused of, as to Humours; but all flight Causes of the Cepha- 
lalqia cause not a Cephalæa. 
Cc 2  Signs

204 MORBI CAPITIS,
Signs are only necessary for distinction of the Humour predominant, 
and are easily found out by a diligent perusal of the aforegoing Chap- 
ters of Headach.  
Prognosticks. This is worse than Cephalalgia, because of the durance 
of it, and the contumacy of the Cause, and is more easily or hardly 
cured, according to the Cause, which is easily found out by the afore- 
going Chapters. 
Cure also varies as the Cause, and every particular Cause is taken 
away as in the foregoing Chapters is directed. 
Onely in a Cephalæa there is need of more forcible Medicines, and a 
longer continuation of them. 
As longer purging by Apozems and Pills, letting Blood in the Arm, 
and after that in the Forehead; if need be, oftner. 
Gargarisms, Errhines, Sneezers, Blisters, and Rubificatives to the 
hinder part of the Head, and behind the Ears. 
Ludovicus Septalius saith, In Diuturn pains, where the matter hath been 
thick, experience hath shewn that the Head being shaved , and a Vesica- 
tory applied thereon, hath cured, whenas other Remedies failed. So the An- 
tients, both Greeks and Arabians, did much use Rubificatives and Syna- 
pisms in contumacious Headaches, that did attract and draw forth the 
matter through the pores of the skin; and attenuating a thick matter, 
did avoid it by insensible transpiration. 
In an hot Cause, Medicines cooling, and in a cold Cause, heating; 
as is shewn in the foregoing Chapters of particular Causes, are to be 
administred. 
Lest the Head should be over-weakened, the use of Cephalick Ele- 
ctuaries, and Caps, prescibed in the other foregoing Chapters, are 
constantly to be used. 
So are all Topicals as are prescribed in the precedent Chapters to be 
used; and effectual in a Cephalæa, the Cause considered.
MORBI 

205
Morbi Oculorum. 
ALL these Diseases of the Eyes were 
writ about 1658. and were collected 
from Authors, the best things I could 
find; and where I found any Author 
wanting, I made a supply from ano- 
ther; They contain the chief Method 
and Medicines, Signs Diagnostick, 
Prognostick, and Causes, writ by the 
Antient and Modern Practical Physi- 
tians: Yet since I wrote them, I see by my own Experience, 
and the pure and uninterested Experience of others they are 
defective, and the Readers of them cannot know the Truth 
fully and clearly of the Method of Nature thereby yet in 
these Diseases I happened to write upon, Authors writ the 
most experimentally, because they had not so many Ambigui- 
ties and Intricacies, and the Causes were more palpaple: I did 
also draw out all the best Medicines and Specificals, which be- 
cause they were commonly founded on good and reiterated 
Experience, they will hold throughout, all Ages; and what- 
ever is not surely founded on Experience will be contradict- 
able: Yet in Experience many have been deceived, wri- 
ting of one how all others must be, when we scarce find
two

206 MORBI OCULORUM. 
two alike in any one Disease in all things: And so the Antients 
writ Chapters by one or two; or three sick Persons they saw, 
and perhaps they were different cases from the most common: 
It is certain, under twenty or thirty Patients, seeing the varie- 
ties in them all, we cannot punctually conclude of any thing, 
in any one Disease. Yet do all these things happen in some, 
and much as they are found writ. We did most lean to the 
Moderns, and the belt of them, as Sennertus, Riverius, Pla- 
terus, Johnstonus, &c. And with what I have delivered in o- 
ther places, I think these indigested Papers may so well, and 
the Readers be much bettered thereby: And these were 
more cleerly writ from Experience than others we have omit- 
ted. Most of these Distempers of the Eyes have been exami- 
ned by Oculists that have practised peculiarly that way, and 
yet I perceive in their Writings, though they had Experience 
enough of their own to write by, they wrote after the Anti- 
ents in most things; finding that the easier way, and the Me- 
thod ready drawn to their Hand, and in Credit and Popular 
Applause.
CHAP. 


MORBI OCULORUM. 207 
CHAP. I. 
Of Dimness of Sight, or Blindness. 
DImness of Sight, or Blindness, is a defect of Seeing, either 
perfectly, or unrightly, made from want of visive Spirits, 
Obstructions of the Optick Nerves, or other Causes hurting 
the visive faculty, no vice or spot being to be seen in the Eye. 
CAUSE 
Is either from the fewness of Spirits, as happens after long Diseases, 
or from the Brain not supplying Animal Spirits, or from fault of the 
Animal Spirits, which are thickned, cooled, and weakned, as in old 
men, whenas they ought to be lucid, thin, and many; and then it is 
called  Amblyopia.
2. From the Optick Nerves; which are, 1. Obstructed either by 
Melancholy, or Flegmatick Humours falling from the Head, as in a 
Palsey, so that the Optick Spirits cannot pass to the Eyes. 2. From 
Constriction as well as Obstruction of those Nerves, is Amblyopia made, 
they are narrowed and compressed divers ways; for in Phrensies, In- 
flamation, and other Diseases of Plenitude of Blood, from Bruises al- 
so, whence Pus is gathered, and Tumours compressing the Nerves, so 
that the Spirits cannot pass, as hath been found in those that have been 
opened, 3. Wounds and solution of the continuity of those Nerves 
from the same reason cause Blindness, and then it is called Am aura- 
sis. 
Some adde a third kind, viz. Myopia, which is whenas they see one- 
ly what is nigh them, made from weakness of the visive Spirits, and 
thickning of the Coats from Humours. 
Antecedent and generative Causes were, 
1. Crudities and Drunkenness. 
2. Reading, and that after meat, and of small Letters, or by Can- 
dle-light. 
3. An evil-kind of Dyet, meats of bad digestion, and exhala- 
tive.
4. Strong 


208
MORBI OCULOM, 
4. Strong Vomits or Purges, that violently stir up Humours, that 
are carried to the Optick Nerves. 
5. The Sun-Beams, and too great-light. 
6. The immoderate use of Venery passions of the mind, and for- 
row, 
7. Shedding of many tears, and immoderate weeping. 
8. All intent looking of the Eyes, and the beholding of things small 
very wishly, or things that whisk and turn about; fire, smoak, dust, a thick 
Air and Baths are also hurtful: Collyries of Opium, Poppies, and the 
like, thicken the Pupil, and dull and thicken the visive Spirits also.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
There is no vice appearing in the Eye, so that sight by degrees grows 
dimmer and weaker, and no film, cloud or spot is seen in the Pupil un- 
less that the Pupil be larger, and more big then naturally accustomed, 
and sometimes black. 
There is sometime like a Gnat before the Eye, a little obliquely, 
which shadow is seen most in an open and clear Air; it groweth bigger 
in time, and there is another made to it, so that whithersoever the Pa- 
tient looks, if it be abroad in a light time, these two shadows are always 
like two Gnats, a little obliquely before their Eyes. 
Moreover, we must guess at the Cause and Disease by the foregoing, 
of things hurtful by Pain, Heaviness, Fulness, and Heat in the Head, 
that preceded, whereby were the noxious Humours translated to the 
Optick Nerves: if none of these preceded, and we cannot gather that 
they are either obstructed or constrict, we may suppose the fault to be in 
the Optick Spirits, and the more if from old Age. 
Amaurosis is soon made sometimes, but Amblyopia by degrees 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Amblyopia therefore is better than Amaurosis, because in that so con- 
tumacious a stoppage of the Nerves is not suddenly made, whence 'tis 
also easier cured. 
Amaurosis is bad, because the Nerves obstructed are hard to be reco- 
vered, as in Palseys; yet if imperfect feeing be onely made, there is 
hope, though it yields not after the use of much Physick; if it be made 
from constriction of those Nerves, it ceases upon the taking away or 
ceasing of the Cause that crushed the Nerves together: if it come 
suddenly from violent vomiting, by taking another Vomit the Hu- 
mours have been taken from thence, that were moved thither by the 
same Cause before; the like also, if it come from disturbance of Hu-
Mours, 


MORBI OCULORUM.
mours from violent Purgers, 'tis taken away by Purging again. 
Women with Child at time of Delivery, or before, are delivered 
from their Blindness; but old men hardly recover sight again, because 
the defect in them made through Age, cannot be repaired. If sight in 
sick men fails suddenly, it argues death. 
If Humours be more loosly seated about the Nerves, though they 
have been very dim for a long time, yet there is great hopes of Cure; 
especially if the Sick shutting the sound Eye, the Pupil or Apple of the- 
other be dilated. 
CURE 
Consists, 1. In good regiment and order of Dyer, where all things 
that hurt are to be avoided and shunned, as Air that is misty, thick, and 
rainy, caliginous and Austral; Flesh, and meats of bad juyce, and hard 
concoction; fly the use of Leeks, Onions, Garlick, Radish, Colworts, 
and strong Spices, as Mustard, Ginger, especially too immoderately 
used; Toadstools, Milk, Fishes and Fruits. 
Meats must be moderated and medicated; use not unwholsome or 
too much food at Supper, sleep not presently thereupon, let not also 
that exceed; lie on the Back, shun too great light and sunshine, exer- 
cise moderately; yet fly all things that bring Humours to the Eyes, as 
smoak, dust, wind, too intense reading, and looking on things, watch- 
ing, tears, sadness, &c. Gourdon his Verses are, 
Hac Oculos multum Sol. pulvis fumus & astus 
Ventus Cum steiu Vina, Venusque nocent. 
2. In Medicines, where, 1. We must respect the part, whether the 
Cause be Essential, or affecting by Consent; if Essential, look to the 
Head; Capital Pills are made of Senna, and Aloes, of each ʒj. Dia
gridium, ℈j. Seeds of Rheu, of Fennel, of each ℈j. Nutmegs and 
Cloves, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of Eyebright make Pills; take every 
other day a convenient dose; or Apozems be used in their stead, 
and be continued long, wherein may be put Specificals for the Eyes. In 
Amaurosis also we must use Apophlegmatisms, Errhines, Gargarisms, 
and the like Head-Purgers, Cupping-Glasses to the Shoulders, Setons 
to the Neck; Sternutatories, and Errhines too, are disliked by most, and 
therefore may be left untried, other ways of helping being so plentiful, 
and more effectual. 
In the next place we must come to take away the Obstruction of the 
Optick Nerves, stengthen the feebleness and restore the deficiency of 
the visive Spirits, these are such as by a propriety strengthen the Brain 
D d  and

210 MORBI OCULORUM.  
and sight, and are made the more effectual, used after Purging hath 
made preparation for them, and are to be continued with and after the 
use of the former things for long time, as well to strengthen the fight 
restored for fear of a Relapse again, as restore it being decayed: a- 
mong such, Eyebright is chiefly praised, it is steeped in white Wine,and 
called Eyebright-Wine, which hath cured some of a years Blindness, 
and brings acuteness of fight to aged People. Some advise to take in 
Powder a ʒ every morning, and say the very looking on it sharpens the 
fight. 
A Water may be composed of the following Specificals, distilled in 
an Alimbeck. 
ꝶ Eyebright, miij. Rheu, Fennel, Chelidone, or Sellondine, Ba- 
stard-Parsly, of each mj. Nutmegs, Cloves, of each ℥j. macerate them 
in white Wine a due time, being all rightly mixt, and prepared, and 
distil them; a draught of this Water may be taken every morning and 
night, falling before and after it: the same way also may ʒ of the se- 
quent Powder, of great vertue, be taken: ꝶ Flowers of Eyebright, 
ʒij. Seeds of sweet Fennel, ʒj. common Fennel-Seeds, Nutmegs, 
Cloves, Vervain, Rosemary, of each ʒß Sugar, ℥j. make of all a Pow- 
der. Rheu is commended also, taken inwardly; whence the Poet 
spake,  
Nobilis est Ruta, quia luminis reddit acuta; 
Auxilio Rutæ, vir lippe videbis acute. 
An Electuary also, to whom it may be more pleasing, may not be less 
efficacious: as, ꝶ Conserve of Eyebright, ℥ij. Pulpe of Juniper-Ber- 
ries drawn with Fennel-Water, ʒiij. sweet Fennel-Seeds, ʒj. Seeds of 
Mountain-Siler, Ashes of Swallows, Ebony-Wood, of each ʒß. with 
some Cephalical Syrup make an Electuary hereof. Condite Mirobo- 
lanes also, and condite Nutmegs, Wormwood-Beer, Vinegar of Squils, 
&c. are good for the Eyes and visive Spirits; some ordain sweating, 
and the use of Bituminous Waters to dry the Head. 
Topicks are of little use here, because the Cause is internal, and there 
is no excrescent matter upon the Eye, yet Topicals are thought to 
avail much in Amblyopia, for succoring and corroberating the Op- 
tick Nerves, and Visive Faculty, as Foments of Decoction of Rheu, 
Eyebright, Spiked-loose-strife, Tormentile, Vervain, Lovage, Fennel, 
Chelidone, and Centuary; such kinde of Waters as this, are much 
commended: 
ꝶ of Rheu, Vervain, Chelidone, Eyebright, Fennel, Clary, of each 
mj. the Liver of a Goat cut small, Sal gem. ʒij Spiked-loose- 
strife,

MORBI OCULORUM. 211 
strife, mjß. distil them by an Alimbeck, any proper moisture being first 
added thereto. 
All Galls, except of venemous Beasts, are good; the Liquor of Se- 
raplo is useful, dropping from the Liver of a Bear roasted, sprinkled with 
long Pepper in the roasting. 
Also the Pouder of a burnt Magpy mixt with Fennel water of Ge- 
rardus a solo; but these scarcely penetrate to the Optick Nerves. 
Other local Medicines are also used to the Head, Cucupha's and Pow- 
ders to sprinkle in the Hair, to dry the Brain, where we suspect a moist 
Distemper. 
2. If by Consent of Parts, as ’tis seldom made, though agravated, 
being always essential to the Head, though somented by fumes, and bad 
vapours anrising from the Stomach, generating more matter, and a more 
contumacious Disease, therefore digestion is to be rectified, let them not 
eat great suppers, not deep presently thereupon, forbear all evaporative 
things, give a Pouder to prohibit that always after supper, of Corian- 
der-Seeds, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Fennel-Seeds, Wormwood, Cloves, 
&c. which also perfects digestion, and turns the quality of the vapours 
from hurting to helping; for which also Turnips in Meat are thought by 
a propriety to help the Eyes, and Broath and Flesh of Vipers; Meats 
are also to be condite with Spices, as Ginger, Cloves, Nutmegs, sweet 
and common Fennel-Seeds, &c. Let concoction be perfected before 
they eat again, else crude vapours are carried to the Head; In an He- 
ctical state of the Body, an Analeptick Dyet, and such as is ordered for 
Hecticks, is to be directed, whereby the animal and visive Spirits may 
be restored. 
CHAP. 11. 
Of Night-Blindness, or Nyctalopia. 
NYctalopes are such as see nothing in the night, and but badly the 
Sunsetting, from thickness of the Spirits and Tunicles.
CAUSE. 
The reason hereof is from weakness of the Head, and vislve Spirits, 
or thickness of them, or of the Tunicles of the Eyes, whereby Light 
hath not such an influence, as not able to penetrate, or penetating not 
sufficiently, used from weakness and fewness of Spirits; the Tunicles 
are also thought to be thickned more on nights through moisture from 
Dd 2 influ- 

212
MORBI OCULORUM. 
influence of the Moon, and mens fight is thought to be more acute and 
quick in the New Moon, than when she is come to her Full: Some see 
better on nights than they do a days, which is a very rare thing, and 
comes from rarity of the Spirits, that are dissipated by sight. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
If it be essential to the Brain, the other faculties of the Brain are 
hurt; if it had a sudden rise, the Optick Nerves were stopt through 
the sudden falling thither of some Humours; if it hath had a long time 
of encreasing, there is distemper of the Brain, and grosness of the 
Blood and Spirits therefrom. Celsus saith, It never happens to Women that 
have due and ordinate flux of Courses. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be attenuating that thicken the Blood are to be 
shunned. 
CURE. 
If signs of Phlethory or Fulness be present, we must let Blood, 
however Cephalical Purging Pills are te be used as are directed for 
Amaurosis; yet where we have no Indications of plenty of Humours, 
less purging will serve: Some premise preparation, and add Masti- 
catories, Gargarisms, Vesicatories, Cupping-Glasses, &c. for Revul- 
sion and Derivation, which do good in a plentiful matter, and where 
the Head redounds with Humours. 
Next hereto are strengtheners of the Head and Optick Nerves to be 
directed, as may be plentifully exemplarized out of the Chapter of Am- 
blyopia and Amaurosis. 
Topicals are used here, and commended; as the Liver of a Goat, 
which applied to the Eyes, is said to make men see as well on nights as 
days, and the reason is thought to be from Sympathy, because the Goats 
see as well on nights as days; yet there is no coherence betwixt the 
Liver and the Eye. 
This is also various ways prepared for this use, as roasted and basted 
with Galls of Animals, and the liquor that drops therefrom is put into 
the Eye; or it is roasted, being cut and stuck with Fennel, Chelidine, 
Rheu, and the Liquor dropping therefrom reserved for use; the vapour 
of it also boiling is appointed: Some advise it to be eaten with Salt of
Eyebright often.  
The Water of Honey, also or Galls of Animals, the water of a Sa- 
phire-Stone, the Colliry of Gentilis of Pompholix and Stibium, washt 
in Fennel-water, &c. are useful. 
Forestus


MORBI OCULORUM. 213 
Forestus used the Liquor of the Liver of the Fish Elpuick that fried 
therefrom in torrifying, as a secret. 
Sharp Medicines are hurtful, and too much washing the Eyes with 
cold water, thickens the Tunicles and Spirits, and renders the Disease 
the worse. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Squinting, or Strabismos. 
STrabismos is a depraved motion of the Eyes, which is either natu- 
ral, from faulty Situation, whenas the Eyes are moved to the sides, 
or the Crystal-Line is distorted; or not natural, which is made in Chil- 
dren and Infants looking always one way to the Light; or in elder Per- 
sons, from convulsion of the Muscles moving the Eyes, made from 
their driness or repletion.
CURE.
The Cure is not performed in that which comes naturally: That 
which is made from a convulsion of the Muscles, is cured as Spasms, a 
Palsey of the Eye; and Tortura, Orris, the Pouder of Swallows Heads 
blown in, or a Magpy burnt. Turtles Blood, &c. are proper: That 
which comes through vice of looking awry in Children, is timely to be 
looked to; for if it be inveterate, 'tis hardly helped; therefore Cases 
for the Eyes for such are to be made, so that they cannot see but by look- 
ing streight-forth through them. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes. 
Aule in Greek signifies a Cicatrice, or Skar, which happening in 
the black of the Eye, or pellucid part of the Cornea, and being 
white, is called Lencoma in Greek, and Albugo in Latine; if 
more bright and splendent, it is termed by some paralampsis; if this 
white spot be less, it is called in Greeek Nephelion, and in Latine Ne- 
bula, a Cloud; if it be more thin, it is called in Greek and 
Call go in Latine signifying a Mist.
CAUSE.  

214 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CAUSE. 
Its Cause is either external, as a Cicatrice, a Wound or Ulcer fore- 
going; or internal, as a Flegmatick matter gathered twixt the Mem- 
branes, or an Humour seated and soaked into the Cornea twixt the coats, 
and there concrete and compacted. 
SIGNS 
Be a white spot, which is thicker and whiter than other affects happen- 
ing to the Cornea, and thickning it so that a passage is denyed in the visi- 
ble species, and the Sick sometime seem to see as if it were through 
smoak and mists. 
Some are more superficiary, some more deep, and incline to black, 
where the Urea is sometimes offended, sometimes the albuginous Hu- 
mour, in which they are not so conspicuous. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If not inveterate, if in Children, if onely from a thick pituitous mat- 
ter left there from Opthalmles, it is the easilier cured; but if inveterate, 
if in old Persons, if from a Cicatrice hard and gross, and in a part so 
exquisite of sence, wherein sharp Medicines fit for it may not be endu- 
red, it is hardly cured. 
CURE 
Is internal, as by generals, Purging and Bleeding in Phlethorick and 
Cacochymick Bodies, to take away the antecedent Cause, and an exact 
Dyet for prohibiting encrease of Humours, which are gathered, and fall 
upon a part that is weak; Or external, where first, revulse, if the Sick 
be apt to defluxions, into his Eyes; apply Cupping-Glasses to the sides 
of has Neck, Vesicatories to the Crown, and nape of his Neck to pull 
back and draw forth Excrements apt to tend to the Eyes. 
Secondly, apply Topicals to the Eyes, 1. To mollifie the concrete 
matter: 2. To attenuate it; 3. To wipe it away , which is done by 
things abstergen and that have a peculiarity to take away Pearls, Spots, 
and Webs from the Eyes.  
In the use of such, we must observe these things: 1. That they be 
not too sharp; 2. If they may not be cured, they are to be changed in- 
to another, colour; 3. Herewith such as preserve the strength of the 
Eye are to be used.  
These Simples and Compounds, above others, are applauded: 
1. The Pouder of Liquorish put often into the Eye, being very fine- 
ly poudered, as all Eye-Pouders ought to be. 
2. The


MORBI OCULORUM. 215
2. The Juyce of Pimpernel, With the blew Flower dropped upon 
the Web. 
3. A Colliry (of Lapis Calaminaris thrice burnt, and twice extinct in 
Wine-Vinegar, ℈j. Myrrh, burnt Lead, and washt, of each ℈ß Ori- 
ental Saffron five Grains, Opium six Grain, burnt Brass ℈iiij De- 
coction of Fennigreek, ℥j. beaten and mixt upon a Marble) of John- 
stonus. 
4. The Water of Honey, which saith Platerus, most certainly blots 
out all spots of the Eyes. 
5. A Water (of Honey, ℔ij. Fennel, Eldern, Eyebright, of each 
two Pugils', with Sugar-Candy ℥iv. distilled in Balnco Mariæ) of Ama- 
tus Lusitanus. 
6. The Juyce of Pearl-Tresoile, so called from its vertue of taking 
away Pearls and Webs from the Eyes, 
7. The Pouder ofithe Stone sound in the Head of a long Snail, blown 
in, or put upon the Web. 
8. The Juyce of Herbs that be bitter, and indued with a nitrous qua- 
lity, mixed with Honey, for so they stick better upon the Pupil, and are 
not so apt to flow to the corner, such be Draconts, Chelidone, Ground- 
Ivy, Pimpernel, Centuary, Amurca, sowr Grapes, Rosemary, &c. 
9. Galls of Animals, as of Goats, Eagles, Vultures, Lizards, 
Kites, &c. 
10. The fat of the Liver of Lampreys (that being put in a Glass, 
and set in the Sun.) of Hartman, to anoint the Eye-lids at going to Bed, 
together with eating the Pouder of Thistles of the Meadow several 
times. 
11. Let a Child often lick the Spot with his Tongue. 
12. Or put in the Seeds of Clary into his Eye, which afterward 
will come out again, being compassed with much matter: If sharp 
things hurt, we murt leviate and appease pain from acrimony, 
Use mucilaginous matter, as of Flea-Seeds, Marish-Mallow-Seed, 
and Fennigreek: wash with Milk, and let sharp Medicines be temper- 
ed by mild ones. 
Some commend the Leaves of Hemlock applied onely upon the Eye- 
brows, to have a propriety to take away Pins, Webs, and Spots; or 
the same Hemlock-Leaves to mß. and Bay-Salc, mj. bruised, and appli- 
ed with renovation to the Wrists. 
If the Spot may not be taken away, yet its white colour is changed 
by Juyce of Pomegranates some make them black with burnt Lead, 
Vitriol, Litharge, Galls, Bark of Pomegranates, Cipress-Nuts, &c. 
used by the Ancients, but not so much respected by Modern Men; for 
although

216 MORBI OCULORUM.
although they are said onely upon the Cornea, yet by falling upon the 
white of the Eye, they make that black. 
If a yellow Colour, as happens to those that have the Jaundice, seiz 
upon the Cornea from Choler poured out thither, and affecting a false 
imagination, as to the colour of objects, which seem yellow; it is cu- 
red by a fume of Vinegar cast upon red hot Tiles, and received by the 
Eye held over it: But if we would not be hasty in having of it cured, 
it would cease spontaneously with the ceasing of the Disease, viz. the 
Jaundice, on which it is grounded. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Cataract or Suffusion. 
DEFINITION. 
A Cataract or Suffusion is an Obstruction of the Pupil or Apple of 
the Eye, from an Humour: Or, as others well, A corrupt Wa- 
ter congealed like a Curd, and hindering the fight. 
CAUSE 
Paraus saith, is a Skin obstructing the Pupil; others say, A Water con- 
gealed: Certain it is, 'tis an Humour either sincere or mixr, and great 
standing-out Eyes does give great-occasion to the gathering of it, be- 
cause the Virtue diffused is more weak in a Urge space, and yeilds an 
easie coming to of Humours, which are originally bred from Meats 
yeilding ill juyce, and transferred thither either by way of evaporation 
from the Stomach to the Brain, where bad concoction in probability 
went before, and ’tis reckoned as Cause of a Bastard-Suffusion; or the 
effusion of them (being either serous, or Phlegmatick, others adde 
Melancholick) into the space betwixt the Cornea and Crystal Humours. 
Weakness of the Eyes commonly goes before, whereby they are less 
able to repel the falling down of Humours that are collected in the 
Head; which weakness is either native, as in the Eyes sticking forth, or 
accidental, made by blows, bruises, hurts, Baths, rainy Air, heat of 
the Sun, long reading, specially on nights late, and by Candle-light, in 
Books of small print, and with intensness; and whatever exagitates, 
irritates, or sets Humours in motion; also weeping, and shedding of 
tears from great sorrows and troubles of mind, produce this, through 
weakening of the Eye, and stirring and irritating Humours.
THE 


MORBI OCULRUM. 217 
THE PLACE. 
The coming of this Humour is by the Veins of the Tunicles, Urea, 
or Nerves Optick, those Veins being many, are derived from the Pe- 
ricrane passing to the conjunctive Tunicles, from thence to the Cornea 
and Urea; or from the Menings of the Brain, whence Branches are 
derived to the Membranes of the Eyes, from which chiefly the Urea 
Tunica may with facility drop the Humour into the watery Humour; 
they easily also come from the Brain by the Optick Nerves to the Cry- 
stal Humour, and than the matter of the Suffusion sticks to the Crystal, 
sometime by fluxion, and sometime by congestion, wherein weakness 
of the expulsive faculty is a main Cause. 
NAMES. 
It hath divers, according to its growth: 1. When 'tis fresh, Authors 
call it a Suffusion: 2. Whenas there's a matter gathered in the Apple 
like water, they term it Water: 3. When 'tis confirmed, and sight dark- 
ned, they call it a Cataract or Hypochyma. 
SIGNS are expressed in DIFFERENCES. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are not healed till they be grown; Sky-Colour, Sea-Green, 
or of the colour of Chess-Nuts, are curable: Those that are not dila- 
ted by rubbing, if it be not already made, and unconfirmed, it may be 
cured by Medicines, by which may also a Bastard-Suffusion, wherein 
are as it were appearances of flies, and is made chiefly by vice of the 
Stomach sending hurtful vapours. If they follow Feavers or vehement 
Headach, if it happens in Children or old men, then cure is bad; if the 
Sick discerns no light, no cure. That which is with a consumption of 
the Eyes, that that comes from great Diseases, incurable; or where Head 
disses, as Phrensies, Headaches, Peripneumonies, &c. very difficultly 
cured: That which is caused by a Blow, though the suffuse Humour be 
extracted by the Needles, yet the eye being hurt and bruised, never 
perfectly recovers sight again. Some make seven kinds of Cataracts, 
four whereof are, and three are not curable: The first of the curable 
ones is bright like Alablaster, the second white like Sky-Colour, the 
third Gray, or Ashes-Colour; the fourth Citrine. 
Of one newly begun and not yet confirmed, and curable by Medi- 
cines, the Cure, or at least the encrease hindered, if not too far grown, 
and then it must grow more to the Cataract. 
Ee DYET.

218 MORBI OCULORUM. 
DYET. 
A thin and attenuating Dyet, inclining to heat and drying let their 
Supper be very moderate, abstaining from Wine and Broath, fasting and 
abstinence also are very advantagious; whereby a young Woman think- 
ing to kill her self by hunger, and a most thin Dyet, being thereby ex- 
ceedingly wasted, was delivered of the Cataract called Gutta Serena, 
from an absumption of the moist substance, through defect of nourish- 
ment, as in Riverius his communicated Observations; Venery must 
be avoided, and the frequenting hot Baths, or the like, hurt much. 
2. Concocters of the watery Humour; also Preparers of a pitui- 
tous matter superabounding, are to be had in use; among such, they are 
to be chosen that are most specifical, and proper for the Head and 
Eyes. 
3. Evacuation of the watery Humours; but this evacuation is to be  
continued throughout the whole Cure, and reiterated Evacuation may 
avail; but once, twice, or thrice do little in so consumacious an Af- 
fect: Yet Phlebotomy is seldom to be acted herein, left: the Brain be 
over-cooled, and accumulate more watery Humours, and send them to 
the Eyes. 
4. Averters, where chiefly do avail Cupping-Glasses, and Vesica- 
catories, a Cautery to the Crown, or behinde the Ears, Setons, also 
Clisters, Suppositories, and painful Frictions are useful. 
5. Dissolvers of the Reliques of the matter, and dissipaters; where in 
internals, observe to give them at night, that the force of them may be 
the better carried with the vapours of the meat to the Head. Topicks 
must be discutient, mixt with Emollients and Abstergents, beginning al- 
ways with mildest, and so by degrees proceeding to the strongest: for 
the Eye having an exact sence of feeling, will not endure so strong Me- 
dicines at the first, as it may do afterward, being accustomed thereto; 
among which, gentlest Medicines, proper for this affect, are good: a 
Water distilled from Fennel, Eyebright, Rheu, Celondine, and the like, 
to wash the Eyes every morning, Aqua Mellis or Honey-Water, is 
reckoned one of the best Remedies; the Pouder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy put often into the Eyes, or the Pouder of Swallows with Heads burnt, are 
helpful: Fonseca saith, A Water distilled from Swallows with Bread 
in white Wine, is miraculous: Avicen above others praises Sagapen 
dissolved in Honey-Water and, Trypochymia; the Urine of a Child 
distilled with abstergent Ophthalmicks, to drop a drop or two often 
into the Eye, is commended: the Water of Crocus Metallorum, three 
or four drops at a time, is greatly praised by Quercetanus, in his Dispen-
satory, 


MORBI OCULORUM. 219 
satory; ’tis made by infusion of ʒj. of Crocus Metallorum, in ℥vj. of 
Celondine-Water: Sylvius saith, The Pouder of Os. Sepiæ put into 
the Eye wipes off these Waters: Zechius also praises Water distilled 
from Bread, made with Powder of Rheu, Chelidon, Betony, Fennel, 
and Honey. Gulielmus Lozellus describes a Water with which he cured 
many that were stark blind, made of Goats Liver, Eyebright, Chelidon, 
Sarcocol, Aloes, Pepper, Rheu, Rosemary, Galls of Birds of prey, &c. 
Where we fee the evil more contumacious, and not yeilding to ordina- 
ry Remedies, we must try stronger; as is Botius his Remedy of Cocks 
Gall, ℥ß. Blood of a Mouse, ʒiijß. with Womans Milk make it like a 
Colliry; or the Water of Mans Dung, or Doves Dung rather, with the 
Gall of a Hare, and of a Weasel, with white Sugar-Candy, and Pearls, 
are very prevalent; the strongest Waters are made of Honey, the 
Galls of Birds of prey, of Vultures, Kites, Partridges, with Ophthalm- 
Herbs, Myrrh, Pepper, &c. distilled in a Glass Alimbeck; the strong- 
est Galls are those that are venemous, as of Vipers, Mad-Dogs,  Ser- 
pents, &c. But Sylvius saith, Alexiph. Med. are to be used, because 
they being poysonous may pass by the corner of the Eye, and hole of 
the Pallate, into the Stomach: Other strong eating Medicines are made 
of Vitriol, Rust of Brass, and the like, either used by way of fine Pou- 
der, and so said just upon the Cataract, or mixt and dropped in: 
But in using all these strong Remedies, we must greatly caution their 
use, for they by encreasing pain bring greater fluxion, and many dim- 
sighted have thereby grown quite blind; and therefore to mittigate the 
acrimony mix them with muscilage of Fennugreek-Seed, Flea-Seed 
&c. or wash the Eye afterwards with warm Womans Milk; licking of 
the Eye for a long time with a Childs or Whelps Tongue, much avails, 
so doth a young Pigeon unfeathered cut in the middle, and applied 
warm to the Eyes: Fumes also and Foments of the precedent things may 
be very beneficial. 
Of the Needle. 
WE are not to try the Needle, if the Cataract be in the Cen- 
tre of the Pupil, where things seem holey, for there is fear of 
the Eye being filled, and so an absolute loss of sight. Dr. Banister 
sometime in couching Cataracts had the whole Eye filled with a milky 
substance, which he supposed to be the matter of the Cataract; and in 
others upon couching, Blood hath been so diffused all over the Eye: 
Some are so sollid and viscous, that being depressed by the Needle, do 
Ee 2 again

220 MORBI OCULORUM.
again rise, whenas others are so soft that Needle pierces them, and 
takes no hold, although of seven or eight years growth: again, Others 
so pertinaciously bound to the Urea, that there is greater danger of distor- 
ting that, than removing the Cataract: In all we must see they be grown 
and old, else there will not be success; for the Needle will not take 
hold; they must be quite blind ere they are to be couched; neither are 
wasted Eyes, nor old Mens, nor Chil- 
drens, wherein ’tis incurable, to be 
tried by the Needle; in Coughs also, 
as admonishes Lud Sept. 'tis danger-
ous to cut them for fear of a disruption 
that supervening; Sneezing also hap- 
pening is inconvenient; for avoiding which, the finger is to be held up- 
on the greater Corner of the Eye; that the Needle make not a Rup- 
ture, compress the Pupil with the finger: before couching, most Physi- 
cians approve of evacuation, and cleansing of the Head by Pills, &c. 
Apozems. 2. To prepare the matter by champing Fennel, or Cum- 
minseeds, and Pepper, and breathing into the Eye; after this, on a 
morning fasting, place him opposite on a stool, shut his found Eye, ex- 
hort him to patience, to endure, for his tractability furthers the dispatch 
much; then with your left hand lift up the upper Eye-lid, and with 
the right hand put in the Needle (made of Iron, which others great- 
ly condemn, thinking that if the Cataract should prove hard in draw- 
ing down, the point of it, being a brittle Metal, might break in the 
Eye, and so spoil sight for ever, and therefore they order it to be made of 
Gold or Silver, or Spanish Lattin) in the middle space betwixt the 
lesser Cornea and the Iris, avoiding the Veins, thrust the Cataract 
downwards, the Sick must look with his Eyes towards his Note, and if 
the Cataract return back, draw it down again, and then take it away 
with the point of the Needle: Some use to eat raw Onions, Beef, and 
Goats Flesh, to ripen it, but not afterward: ’Tis cured by the Needle. 
Let the Moon decrease, let it be 
two or three days after the Full; 
let her not be in Aries, let there  
be no Headach nauseating, &c.
Then a most exquisite Dyet is to be observed; the Sick must feed sparing- 
ly; great nutrition doth great hurt, specially presently after the act, 
by engendering much Blood; let his Drink be Water, or Wine well 
limpate or tempered with VVater; all kind of Meats that engender 
bad Juyce, and spoil the Blood, are to be avoided, and a regular Dyet, 
specially for a good while after the Cure, is diligently to be obser- 
ved. The Brain is also to be comforted and strengthened, and the vi- 
sive Spirits upheld and quickened by continuing the taking of this or the 
like Electuary: ꝶ Cloves, ʒij. Eyebright, ʒj. sweet Fennel, Rheu, 
and Mountain-Siler-Seed, ana ʒß. Conserve of Sage, Betony, Rose-  
mary,

MORBI OCULORUM. 221
mary, of each ℥j. with Syrup of the Juyce of Rheu, of Eyebright as 
much as suffices, make an Electuary. Or this that follows, set down as 
principal by some: ꝶ Cloves, ℥ij. Nutmegs, Saffron, ana ʒiß. Ca-
stor, ʒj. with treble weight of clarified Honey, make an Electuary; 
where sears are abounding, the addition of some specifical Astringents 
will be very commodious. 
Outwardly to the Eyes themselves apply an Emplaister of the white 
of an Egg upon Flax, and so let him keep his Bed till nine days are ex- 
pired; renewing the Emplaister often, and keeping him from light: 
If need be, it will be good to keep open an Issue in the fore-part of the 
Head: Also for long time after we must ever and anon use purging, for 
fear of a Relapse, shunning all such things as are offensive to the Eyes; 
washing the Eyes with Wine every morning; the use of Spectacles also 
are very convenient, that repsesent objects just as they are, neither big- 
ger, nor less. 
DIFFERENCES of a Suffusion are many: 
1. In a black and clear, there’s no Cure; here the Eye-lids move 
much in a trembling fashion, the original Cause is from the Mothers 
Womb, and therefore they that have these, are for the most part born 
blind; the Nerves Optick are stopped, and their faculty mortified, 
therefore all trial of cure is in vain; thoagh many to their end see the 
light of the Sun, or stature of a Man. 
2. Copulation doth yet much hurt in this; the colour shews the 
Humour of which they are made. 
3. Skie-colour, not curable; Glaucus not; like Quicksilver, not cure- 
able. 
4. Sea-green not curable, or very hardly; green is most dangerous 
of all, being produced from great coldness of the Brain, and the peri- 
cussion of it, and sometime through great fasting and emptiness. 
3. Barrow: The third kind of incurable Cataract is, when the Pupil 
of the Eye is dilated, and spread so far that there’s no circle seen with- 
in the Tunicle of the Eyes; and the Eyes shew totally affected either 
with Blackness or Whiteness, all over. 
5. Yellow not curable. 
2. One is true, which only occupies one Eye, or if both, not at once, 
or not in like manner; whose Symptoms are continual, they see clear- 
est about break of day, because a few Spirits dispersed by a greater light, 
by a less are collected; a true commonly grows in six months, some- 
times in a few days; Fernelius saith, confirmed in one day, but that’s ve- 
ry strange. 
2. Bastard

222 MORBI OCULORUM.
2. Bastard, which is contrary to signs in a true, and is made from 
vapours arising from the inferiour Parts, and ceases upon taking away 
the affect; from vice of the Ventricle as in Children and Drunken 
Men; there’s like appearances of Gnats before their Eyes; or when 
he reads, he thinks the Letters green; or some other false colour or 
twinkling things before his Eyes: Some, saith Banister, are like Spiders 
Webs, and are of ten years growth, and yet they can read Letters, 
though imperfectly, which if arising from Rheum, and deflux, are to be 
cured, not without Purging and Specificals: In Bastards, no darkness 
Appears in the Pupil, as in a true; ’tis many years growing. 
In place they differ, for some be in the center of the Apple, 
where objects are represented pertuse, seem holey, as if fenestris, and 
’tis bad trying cure by the Needle, left the whole Pupil be filled. 
2. Some be betwixt the Urea and Cornea, and then the Apple is seen 
more deeply to be darkened, and is of necessity dilated from the Hu- 
mour defending. 
3. Another is betwixt the Urea and Crystalline Humour, and then 
things appear opposite. 
4. Deeper, wherein the Pupil is narrow, or less deep, and then ’tis 
broader. 
5. Diff. In degrees and growth, for in a new begun, like Gnats or mi- 
sty Bodies are perceived; Or 2. Increased, and then the Sea-colour of 
the Apple appears, or is like to the Air abounding with mists: 3. Per- 
fect, and then the white colour of the Apples appear, and the sick see not: 
Some are confirmed in ten Months, when as some are almost so many 
years ere fully grown: Here Medicines do no good, and the Needle is 
onely now, and not before it be confirmed, to be used. 
6. By reason of Cause, 1. The matter is thin and fluxible, as is wont 
in the beginning: 2. Tough, or tenacious: 3. The matter is of the 
species of pure Air, of Quicksilver of Gypsum.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM.
223 CHAP. VI. 
Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflamation of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
OPhthalmy is an Inflamation of the annate or adnate Tunicle from 
sharp Blood, or yellow Choler, distending its Veins.  
CAUSE 
Is shedding of many Tears, and they hot and sharp, occasioned from 
Causes producing Sorrow and Lamentation; herefrom the Eyes are 
swoln with continual anguish and pain, seeming to the Patient as if his 
Eyes were full of Thorns, or sharp Gravel; evil Dyet, Phlethory, 
Acrimony of Humours, Bites, Winds; Vide Diff. Hipp. S. 3. Aph. 12. 
Winter, Southerly, rainy, and warm, and a Northerly and dry Spring, 
there’s inflamation of the Eyes, and the 14 Aph. to some a dry and 
Northerly Autumn causes hot inflamation in the Eyes. Outward Cau- 
ses, Sun, Dust, Wind, drinking Wine, Smoak, &c. External, a Blow, 
Fall, Bruise, a moist catarrhous Brain for long time, and sanguine Tem- 
per. 
TIME. 
They commonliest happen in August and September, Autumn.
NAMES.  
Traxie is lighted, as from some light Cause suddenly raised. 
Chemosis is when ’tis very great, and the white swells above the black.  
SIGNS. 
A Tumour, redness and pain, sometime the Eye with its lid, is glew- 
ed to; succeeding also, there is a stretching out of the Pupil, or lessen- 
ing of it by consuming, or a suffusion; the Inflamation reaches, some- 
time to the Jaws, and the Eye sends forth Tears; Sometimes Thores, 
Ulceration follows. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Southerly, rainy, and warm Winters, the Spring dry and Northerly; 
So likewise a Northernly and dry Autumn are bad, S. 3. Aph, 12, 14. 
In hot Regions, as ’tis soon made, so soon dissolved; ’tis worse to cure 
in Winter and cold Regions, because the Members are bound ; ’tis bad 
in Children, because it flows continually, their Heads being weak: so 
is


224 MORBI OCULORUM.
is much pain, for it shews the matter very sharp, or distending, or sup- 
purative: If it come by consent of the other parts, and made from 
outward Causes, 'tis easilier cured then if otherwise; so 'tis also if there 
be a more copious Flux of Tears, and sharp, because then 'tis like to 
come sooner to its end. 
DYET and ORDER. 
1. Dyet cooling, and Air made cool by Art; darkness is most con- 
venient, helping both to pleasure and quiet: Avoid too great feeding; 
for when the parts want nutriment, they will retain that they have, and 
so both the greatness and diuturness of the flux will be abated; We 
must not use Wine when the Veins of the Eyes are full of thick Blood, 
then Flesh and Blood breeding things; Sleep conducing to quiet the 
Humours, and all Frettings, and Passions of the Mind too, for they 
exasperate the Humours, and consequently the Inflamation. 
2. Averters, or Turners away of the flowing Blood, for which, 
bleeding of the same Side; in great Plenitude cut the Cubit-Vein be- 
fore you cut the Cephalick; bleed young Men more largely; also 
some bid to open the Frontal-Veins; Cuppers to the shoulders, Seta- 
ces to the Neck, &c. which Ph. in one hour sometime Opthalmies have 
asswaged. 
3. To the Forehead, &c. use Repellers of the matter, if the mat- 
ter flow by the Veins and Arteries without the Crane, as 'tis almost 
always, this Tunicle being adduced from the Pericrane: Here an Em- 
plaister of Pompions, with Astringents to the Eyes. 
Repellers are oftenest used, but condemned, and not unwor- 
thily, by some who have experienced divers to be made blind by use of 
too many and great variety of Medicines to the Eyes ; Rose-water,  
Plantane-Water, Bastard wild Poppies, Juyce of Acatia, Housleek, 
Eratine, &c. do excel to repress the hot flowing Blood; Womans milk 
also is commended, or the Water of Milk distilled: Cataplasms also 
are made of the Pulpe of Crabs; unripe Quinces, with a little Frank- 
incense, and the paring of an Apple laid upon the Eyes all night, doth 
often much good: to repel we must often use warm things inclining to 
cold. 
Where painful Ulcers are adjoyned, Balsam of Sugar melted in the 
white of an Egg that is boiled hard. 
Pains: Here Opiates are frequently used, which not, unless in most
implacable Torments, are to be admitted; for they thicken the Optick 
Spirits, and they stopping the Humours, make them more sharp, where- 
by they exulcerate; hardened also are thereby the Tunicles, and sight 
dulled.

MORBI OCULORUM. 225
dulled. If we do use Opium, it must not be much nor often: It cools, 
but saith Lud. Sept. by its bitterness raises some pain to the Eye: The 
use of Womans Milk, or the Water of it distilled, is praised for a good 
Anodine; but if Milk be left long in the Eye, from the vehement heat 
of the Eye, it gets Acrimony, and is corrupted; therefore ’tis either 
to be wiped gently, or washed off: If after Foments, pain is encreased, 
it argues need of purging; an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made in 
Milk, with Alb. Ovi. 
If great flux of tears provoke, and accrimonious, we must use Li- 
niments and Mollisters; strong Astringents are bad, because they stop 
in the matter, nor glewing-qualitied things, nor such as dry, and grow 
acrimonious; the white of an Egg, with Red-Rose and Myrtle-Water, 
and a little Pouder of Tutty, is safest, and of great efficacy: Juyce of 
Housleek in Pulpe Cidoni, or much use of Locals doth much prejudice 
the Eyes: Jo. Prevot. praises an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made 
in Milk, dropt in warm, or mixt with white of an Egg, and Pulp Piony, 
for hot sharp flux. 
4. Preparers of the thick matter in Cachochymia; Cephalick Medi- 
cines are here proper; Wine by some is approved from Hippocrates, 
because it liquifies and attenuates a pituitous matter, and doth some- 
time much avail in Ophthalmy. 
5. Evacuation of the matter, as P. Ph. &c. 
DIFFERENCES 
Are Taraxis or a perturbation, which we know from only a sense of heat 
and redness, there being no copious flux of Tears; Its Causes are 
outward, As heat of the Sun, or Fire; then Coolers. 2. Headach 
made from Suns heat; then Universals should be premised. 3. From 
Wind, Smoak, or Dust; then wash with Milk, and Sleep. 4. From a 
Blow or Fall; then Ph. presently. The fluxion being raised there- 
from, ’tis best to use mucilage of Fennugreek-Seed made in Rose-Wa- 
ter; for the Roses repel, and the Fennugreek discusses the fixed: Al- 
so to quiet and repel the motion of the Humour, a cool Air, Womans 
Milk, with the white of an Egg, and Red-Rose-Water is a Vulgar Me- 
dicine. 5. Striking of Bees, Hornets, Wasps, or the like; then use of Re- 
pellers, Alb. Ovi cum Lact. mulieb. 
2. Another is a true Ophthalmy, which comes either from hot or 
cold Causes; alt. is Χηυοsis enuosis whenas the Eyelids are as it were turned 
inward, nor can they be shut, and the white swells above the black of 
the Eve, requires stronger Remedies: For this is greatly praised, and  
Ff prove

226 MORBI OCULORUM.
proved by some to be singular, the Pouder of white Sarcocal, wherewith 
the Patients Eye is to be filled, and he is to lie with his Eye wide open, 
till it be consumed, laying upon the Eye flaxen hards wet in cold water, 
and drained therefrom. Forestus commends Crocus Metalor, the yolk of 
an Egg beat with the flesh of a Flie, spread upon a Cloth, and laid 
on. 
Alt. is periodick which keeps its Intervals, and is familiar to hot and 
moist Heads, and at last wasts the Eye, sanguine Temper; Riverlus 
cured such an one after Ph. and P. and Cuppers to, and a Cautery twixt 
both Scalps, and an Unguent of Tutty, Camphir, Lap. Calm. with a 
little virid-aris received with fresh Butter; Rose-Water alt. which 
keeps not its Periods; alt. contag. alt. moist, alt. dry, in which is lit- 
tle rheum or watering, and at night the Eye-lids are hardened, it arises 
from a little Salt and Nitrous Humour; or its with itching, and if the 
Tears lightly flow, 'tis called Psorophthal. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Pannus 
DEFINITION. 
PAnnus, or Cloth, is a certain red thing like to rags, arising from 
abundance of Blood in the exteriour Veins of the Eyes, derived 
to them, (being either mixt or pure alone) either by way of fluxion or 
congestion, either by the external Vessels, or Internals, &c. 
CAUSE. 
Ophthalmics, also evil Dyet, great Pains, and the Megrim oft went 
before, where the extremity of the pain rising into the Temples, and 
therefrom into the Eyebrows, causes a beating with pain to the Eyes, 
whereby is Pannus often made. 
SIGNS.
It appears as a carnous Web, chiefly in the superficial part of the An- 
nata, with itching pain, by the Eyes offended by light. 
CURE. 
After general evacuation and rectifying of the Blood and Humours, 
are proper abstergent Medicines, the extract of the Gall of a Pike with 
Saccarum Saturni, and Spirit of Wine, or a Water distilled from whites 
of

MORBI OCULORUM. 227
of Eggs, is excellent: Also the Pouder of White - Sugar Can- 
dy. 
Chyrurgery, advised by some, is condemned by others, for fear of 
prejudicing the Tunicle, ere that be removed. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Clouds. 
THere be several kinds of differences of mistiness, and darkning 
of the sight, wherein onely some particular things make differen- 
ces: As, some imagine some thick Bodies to be betwixt them and the 
light, like some dark shaddows, arising from vapours thick and Chole- 
rick, exhaling from the Stomach into the Head, and so disturbing the 
visive Faculty. 
2. To others there appears like mistiness, or thin Clouds in a clear 
Air, to be seated before their Eyes; arising from Fumes of Choler, and 
Dyet generating such Cholerick Vapours, hapening to Cholerick per- 
sons. 
CURE. 
The Stomach, if that sends evil Vapours and Exhalation, and do 
not perfect its digestion, we must correct that, 1. By cleansing it, 2. By 
strengthening it, and giving Medicines that stop the ascent of vapours. 
If from evil Dyet, we must institute a more wholesome and regular, 
and such meats as neither engender Choler, nor are apt to fume up to 
the Brain, nor hard to be digested. 
For the last, Topicals are commended, as the Pouder of a Saphir- 
stone put once a day into the Eye, for some while; or the Call of an 
Hare dried and poudered, used in like manner, is thought of no less 
efficacy.
Ff 2 CHAP. 

228 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Mydriasis, or a dilatation of the Apple of the Eye. 
MYdriasis is a dilatation of the Pupil, or enlarging of it beyond 
Nature, about the Circle of the Iris, from natural conformation, 
or accidentary Causes, and is a Disease of bad Conformation. 
CAUSE 
Arises either from a natural conformation from the Birth, or preterna- 
tural Causes, whereof the proximate, internal and immediate is a 
stretching forth of the Urea, of which the Pupil is the hole: This di- 
stention of the Urea is effected two ways; 1. By dryness, that stretches 
out the Urea, even as we see in holey skins dried; this dryness also 
hath a cause, as Watchings, Feavers, and other drying Causes. 2. By 
moisture, which causes an enlargement and distention of every Part, 
and makes the Parts to swell forth beyond their accustomed bounds, and 
that are allotted by Nature. This also is caused by too much abound- 
ing of the watery Humour, by flux of serous Humours insinuated there, 
which are the primitive or remote Causes; distension also is made from 
winds, as in Child-bearing. 
Moreover, solution of the continuity of the Urea, causes the space of 
the Pupil, or Apple of the Eye to be enlarged; this is done by Rup- 
ture or Wounds, whence a dilatation is suddenly made. 
External Causes are bruisings and falls from high, whereby the Urea  
is broke, or distorted, or a flux or congestion of Humours made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnostick Signs are taken, 1. From a preternatural bigness of the 
Pupil, that is to be seen about the Iris, and is so enlarged that it equali- 
zes the circumference of the Iris, and then it is more easily known. 
1. From sight mutilated, which according to the greatness of the affect 
is lessened more or less; and they see best in dark places, being the vi- 
able Species and Objects are thus much illustrated, and light goes in too 
plentifully; therefore a mean bigness of the Pupil is most requisite for 
right seeing; and they that go out of the light into the dark, scarce see, 
because therefrom the Pupil is suddenly contracted; but after their stay 
in the dark, from the Pupil dilating by degrees, they see better, all 
things seem less to them they cannot well look upon the ground or 
down-right.  
3. In 

MORBI OCULORUM. 229 
3. In a natural constitution, if one Eye be shut, the Pupil of the other 
is dilated, but it is not so here; for the Urea distended from a preterna- 
tural Cause cannot be more expatiated. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from Nature, another from preternatural Causes. 
2. Sometimes onely one Eye is affected, sometimes both. 
3. One from internal Causes, another from external; which some- 
times effects, 1. A rupture, or solution of continuity; 2. Or a distor- 
tion; 3. Or constriction from excess of moisture, or dryness, induced 
from their several Causes; 4. Or dilatation of the Pupil from the same 
Causes. 
4. One from violent Causes, as wounds, suppression of the breath in 
Womens Travel, or Trumpetting; another not. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That is better that is made from Nature, than that from preternatu- 
ral Causes, for therein they see best, but it is altogether incurable; that 
that is not natural is very hardly cured, because the Urea is membranous: 
that made from moisture is easilier cured by far than that that arises 
from dryness, except vehement Headach preceded; from a rupture of 
the Urea, or a Wound, it is hardly cured, though they may be healed: 
from bruises or falls, if it be without infiamation, ’tis more easily cured; 
the fresher, the easier cured from all Causes. It most often happens to 
Children, and such as have Black Eyes. 
CURE 
Is as various as Causes: For, 1. In too great moisture, a drying atte- 
nuating Dyet is to be used, avoiding Bathings and Lotions of the Head, 
Wines, &c. with Evacuation, and drying of the Head, opening of the 
Veins of the Temples, and those in the corners of the Eyes; Cup- 
ping-Glasses are to be applied to the Occiput for Revulsion-sake, and 
Leeches behind the Ears: Then we must resolve, discuss and dissipate 
the Humours that are flown and settled by fit Topicals, as a Foment of 
Dill, Fennel, Eyebright, Chelidone, &c. boyled in Salt or Sea-water; 
no sharp things, which call forth Humours to the Part, and distend the 
Membrane, are to be used. 
Then must follow the Use of Astringents to render the Pupil narrow- 
er, and contract it: ꝶ of Pouder of Tucty, Bark of Frankinsence, 
Red-Rose, Sarcocol, Myrrh, Acatia, of each a like quantity; put them 
into a fine silken Cloth, and boil them a while in Rose-Water, then 
strain

230 MORBI OCULORUM. 
strain out the Decoction, and drop thereof into the Eye , or foment 
therewith, and lay the Bag so boiled upon the Eye afterwards. 
Fernelius used the sequent: ꝶ of dry Roses, Mint, and Spikenard, 
of each ʒij. Myrrh, and the Bark of Frankinsence, ana ʒß Spodium, 
Pompholix, Acatia of each, washed, ʒj. Aloe, 3j. being Poudered with 
a mucilage of Gum Tragacamh dissolved in Rose-Water, make Tro- 
ches; forbear the use of too strong Binders, for they harden, and some- 
times bring a Tabes. 
2. In too great dryness, an Analeptick and moistening Dyet, is help- 
ful; Bathes of sweet Water, and of Milk, but Goats Milk is best, 
wherein the Eye is to be dipt. 
3. In violent Causes, as, 1. Wounds, we must try at beginning to 
stop and hinder its amplifying and encrease; let Blood and repel, then 
corroberate, and use contracting and consolidating Topicks. 2. In 
blows, falls, and contusions, where if there be inflamation, take dire- 
ction from the Chapter of an Ophthalmy; if not, use Discussers, with 
some Astringents; Doves Blood, dropt in often, helps much to heal all 
Contusions of the Eyes. 
4. In winds, and distentive flatuosity universal evacuation afore-or- 
dered, discuss wind by Internals and Topicals, wherein some Astrin- 
gents to strengthen, may be added; as that of Rondeletius, of Fennel- 
seeds, Rheu, Dill, Rose-Leaves, Myrtle-Berries and Saint-John's- 
Wort, boiled in white Wine for a Foment; which used at the begin- 
ning (saith he) will stay its encrease. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Procidence. or going forth of the Eye. 
DEFINITION. 
ECpiesmos is a going forth of the Eye out of its Orb unacustomedly, 
so that it cannot be covered by the Eye-lids; made from violent 
Causes, and solution of continuity. 
CAUSES 
Are either Internal, or External: First, Internal are either from 
Humours, which violently by a defluxion extend it: Or 2. From re- 
laxation of the Ligaments, resolution of the Muscles and Nerves, 
whereby the force of retention is made weak: 3. From the forcible 
rushing thither of winds, and distentive flatious matter, Nature stri-
ving 

MORBI OCULORUM. 231
ving to make expulsion thereof, which happens chiefly to such as are 
strangled, to such as blow very hard with Trumpets, and in retention 
of the Breath in Child-bearing, in going to stool, vomiting, and such- 
like strivings of Nature. 
2. Externals are either first from violent Causes, as a Blow, or Fall, 
specially if great pain also thereupon ensue, and the Parts be more ten- 
der and loose: Secondly, from dissolved Unity of the part, as from 
Wounds and Ulcers.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Signs Diagnostick are known by sight, the particular Cause is com- 
monly related by the Sick, there is sometimes present heaviness of the 
Head, and the Pupil is enlarged.  
CURE. 
Herein we must respect antecedent and suppeditating Causes; as by 
letting Blood to prevent Inflamation, and purging to take away Hu- 
mmours flown, as well as flowing. 
Externally: 1. We must drive and repel Humours, and conse- 
quently Inflamation; Cuppers to the Occiput. 
2. The Eye Must gently be put up. Hartman advises the part to be 
mollified, and then sprinkled with the Pouder of Beetles that are found 
in Horse-dung, being dried in a Glass. 
3. It being put up, we must labour the retention of it in its place; 
that is done by Astringents, Bathes, Unctions, Foments, Cataplasms, 
&c. of Roses, Oak-Buds, Balaustians, Sumach, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, 
Roots of Tormentile, Pomegranate-Rinds, Bramble-Buds, Hypochi- 
stis, Sea-Water, &c. It must also be kept up with easie and straight li- 
gature. 
If too much moisture be the Cause, drying Topicks and Universals 
are useful. 
If Windiness be in Cause, use hotter Medicines both actually and 
potentially; in other Causes they may be applied cold upon the Eye- 
lids, being shut, but here they do hurt, if applied cold. 
If there be resolution of the Nerves and Muscles, it is convenient 
to use Apophelgmatisms. 
If it may not be put up into its place at all, nor is to be helped, it is 
totally to be taken forth, if all things seem convenient hereto. 
CHAP.


232 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XI. 
Of Pushes, or little Wheals of the Eye. 
THese Pushes or Wheals called Phlyctena by the Latins, of the A- 
rabians, Bothor, are made in the Cornea, and Annata or Adnata from 
a sharp serous Humour lifting up the Tunicles. 
CAUSES 
Be sharp Humours made from fulness of such an ill Blood. 
SIGNS 
Be, 1. Its magnitude, which is not above the bigness of Millium, 
or grains of Millet 
2. Its Colours, which is black in the Cornea, more ruddy in the Ad- 
nata-Tunicle, in the Compass or Superficies of the Cornea; if they be 
more deep, the Cornea is sometimes white. 
3. As to its substance, they are little Bladders of Water, even as 
Bladders and watery Blisters are wont to be made throughout all parts 
of the Body, either from serosity of the Blood, or Burns or Scalds: 
these little Bladders or Water-Whelks contain in them a pure Cry- 
stalline-Bubble, or drop of Water, which possesses both the Membranes 
as well as superficies of the Eye. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is with Inflamation, another without it. 
2. One is the Cornea, another in the Adnata. 
3. Some are more superficiary called Epicaumata, which are more 
black: Others are more deep under a second or third film, called En- 
caumata, which by reason of the whiteness of the Cornea do seem more 
white. 
They differ from Procidence of the Urea, because they do not put 
forth a white Circle in the bottom. 
In Phlyctenæ. there is blackness every where, but in falling out of the 
Urea, that onely that’s come forth, is black. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are common Tubercles to the Cornea and Annata, sometime 
afflicting with pain and inflamation, which are so much the worse; and 
these

MORBI OCULORUM. 233 
these are made either in the Adnata, where they are less dangerous, or 
Cornea, where they are more dangerous, and hardly cured, especially if 
the Cornea be broke in its inward part, and the nearer they are to the 
Pupil, the worse; if they be superficial, there is less danger, and more 
hope of Cure; if more deeply seated, we may fear Erosion of the whole 
thickness of the Cornea, and either from ruption of the Cornea the wa- 
tery Humour may flow out, or Procidence of going forth of the Urea. 
A Cicatrice also succeeding, hinders sight. 
CURE. 
In Cure, before we use Topicals, we must observe these Precepts: 
1. To premise generals. 
2. After that, use a cooling Dyet. 
3. Avoid sneezing, too great motion, anger, too great brightness, 
detention of the breath, much speaking, and immoderate drinking of 
Wine. 
We must resolve the conjoyned matter; Topicals must at first be re- 
pelling, then discuss; Leaves of Mallows applied, Gall of Birds, of 
an Hen, of a Goose, with Honey to anoint them, Water of white Vi- 
triol, Extract of Fennugreek-seeds: In the progress we must dry and 
dissolve more with proper Topicks. 
If therewith there be inflamation, Saccharum Saturni, dissolved in 
Rose-Water, or Eyebright-Water, is most excellent; also together 
with pain, these are good in this case, A Mucilage of Fennugreek-seeds 
in Plantane-Water, Rose-water, the white of an Egg beat in Plantane 
or Nightshade-Water; and if Inflamation and Pain be very intense, 
adde a little Opium. 
If herefrom we fear a great flux of Humours, we must revulse, use 
Cupping, Repellers, as Verjuyce, Plantane, Red Rose and Myrtle- 
Water, Water of Milk, of Quinces, &c. 
We must hinder their suppuration or turning ulcerous, made by the 
breaking of the little film or skin asunder, which by the former Rules 
observed, is most often prohibited.
Gg CHAP.

234 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Proptosis, or Procidence of the Urea. 
PRoptosis is a going forth of the Urea from dissolved Unity of the Cor- 
nea, being a vice in situation. 
CAUSES 
That effect the Ureas falling forth of the Cornea are solution of conti- 
nuity, a Wound or Ulcer, which break the Cornea. 
SIGNS 
Are, 1. from change of the figure of the Eye, and situation of the Urea: 
2. There is a white circle in the bottom about the Rupture, from the 
lips of the Cornea eroded, but that is black which comes forth: 3.The 
Pupil seems in a certain part of it to be pulled up, or appears not from 
the divulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure in general is hard, and the harder if the greater; Myocepha- 
lon is easilier cured by moderate Astringents, as the Rupture of the Cor- 
nea; and a fresh Staphyloma is sometimes cured, but a callous cannot, 
nor when there is whiteness. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Paulus reckons up four kinds: 1. The first is Myocephalon, because it 
hath the form of the Head of a Fly, and happen whenas a small por- 
tion of the Urea goes forth, and hath not yet encreased: 2. A second 
kind is called Staphyloma, from the form of a Grape Kernel, and is a 
greater Rupture of Procidence of the Urea: 3. A third and greatest Eru- 
ption of the Urea is called Melon, whenas it comes to the bigness of an 
Apple, and passeth the Eye-lids: 4. A fourth is called Elos in Greek,
Clavus in Latine, and is whenas the Procidence is inveterate, and ren- 
dered callous, which Ætius calls A Callous Nail. 
CURE 
Is done by Astringents that have no sharpness or roughness, such as are 
propounded in the Rupture of the Cornea and Ecpiesmos; if it yeild not 
to Medicines, as old ones seldom do, we must use Chyrurgery; some 
speak of drawing it artificially with a little Pipe; the Antients, as Cel- 
sus, Paulus and Ætius used Chyrurgery, whose event is very doubt- 
ful, and therefore rejected by Modern Practicks. 
CHAP.


MORBI OCULORUM. 235 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Pthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil.
DEFINITION.  
PThisis or Myosis, is a narrowness or lessening of the Pupil, contra- 
ry to Mydriasis or a narrowness or a Dilatorum of the Pupil, made from contra- 
cting of the Urea, and is a it might also cause Mydriasis, 
by filling and distending the Pupil, yet here it may cause a diminu- 
tion of it by relaxating. Disease in conformation. 
CAUSE. 
1. Is from too great humidity, contracting the Urea from the Cir- 
cumference to the Center; for although 
2. Is from too great siccity and driness, made either, first from Con- 
sumption of the watery or albuginous Humours, as in Wounds, where 
the albuginous Humour is evacuated, it is very soon contracted; se- 
condly, or from other Causes drying and binding up, and causing a con- 
striction thereof. This also might cause Mydriasis or enlarging of the 
Apple of the Eye, because in that tention and stretching out, was made 
from Humours dryed, but driness in this is from defect of moisture, and 
a Consumption of the watery Humour, so that it wrinkles and wasts 
therefrom. 
3. 'Tis from a lesser afflux of the visive Spirits to the Pupil; either, 
first, through obstruction of the Nerves Optick; or, secondly, from pau- 
city or fewness of Spirits, which often happens to old Men that have 
their Pupil contracted. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK, 
Are taken, first, from the Pupils magnitude; which is less then na- 
turally should and was wont to be, which is known by comparing it 
with the other Eye. Secondly, By blindness at first when we go into 
a dark place, by reason of the constriction of the Pupil, yet after it is 
dilated they see better, but best in bright places; and Objects are re- 
sented greater, because the visible Species being received in by the nar- 
row hole, they are dilated in a more ample space towards the Crystal- 
line: A moderate bigness of the Pupil is therefore necessary for re- 
ceiving the visible Species. Moreover the Pupil is more obscure, rug- 
ged and wrinkled, and pains of the Head sometimes preceded.
Gg 2 PROG.  

236 MORBI OCULORUM.
PROGNOSTICKS 
Are taken from the Causes, that made from Consumption or loss of 
the watery Humour, is incurable; because that once effused cannot be 
regenerated: yet if made from a Wound in Children, tis sometimes re- 
paired: It is also incureable when there is a defect of the white; also 
in old Men; from siccity tis more hardly cured then from humdity or 
moisture, from which yet if inveterate, it is very hardly also cured: the 
freshness and newness of all Diseases makes much for their more easie 
Cure.
DIFFERENCE. 
One is from the Birth and Natural Conformation, who (saith Galen) 
see more acutely.  
Another from Preternatural Causes, and that either driness, or its 
contrary, too great moisture; either from vice of the Visive Spirits, or 
Nerves Optick.  
CURE 
Is to be done by contradicting the Cause, and though the same 
cause produce contrary affects, as Mydriasis and Pthisis both; yet these 
differing affects proceeding from one and the same Cause, are cured 
one and the same way. 
1. Therefore for Siccity or Driness, whether Consumptive or Con- 
tractive, we must attract and draw nourishment, foment with warm 
Milk and a little Sack; some add Emolients, but others dislike them; 
a Colliry of Mucilage of Flea-Seed, Milk, and Oyl of Lin-Seed, fo- 
ment also with warm Water. 
2. For moisture, see the direction in the Chapter of Mydriasis of 
dilatation of the Apple; Rhue, Chelidone, &c. that are drying Oph- 
thalmick Remedies, are also useful. 
3. For obstruction of the Optick Nerves, see Amaurosis, or Ambly- 
opia, or also for Restauration of the fewness and weakness of the visive 
Spirits.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 237
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Eyes Blood-shot. 
NAMES and DEFINITION.
Hyposphagma or Aimalops, in Greek; Sugillatio or Sanguinis effusio, 
in Latine: sometimes Macula is that which in English is called 
Blood-shot, and is an effusion of Blood into the Cornea chiefly, and Ad- 
nata-Tunicles of the Eye, appearing at first red, and afterwards livid, 
or black and blew, arising from violent Causes. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause immediate, is Blood poured forth into the Cornea and Ad- 
nata or Conjunctive Tunicles, by the Veins dispersed there, and open- 
ed. 
Exciting Causes, were either contusion, as a fall or blow, or a vio- 
lent rushing of Blood thither by loud clamours, blowing with Trum- 
pets, &c. where there was plenty of Blood in the adjacent vein. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs be, first, its visibility, it being at first redder, because Blood 
at first breaking forth of the Vessels is red; afterwards black and blew, 
because Blood after it is out of the Vessels cools, and grows livid or 
black, possessing the Cornea or Horny Membrane, and sometimes the 
Adnata or Conjunctive Membrane, and sometimes both; and if it be 
more plentiful, it is at last often changed into Pus or Matter, and 
when as it cannot be discussed, it makes an Hypopyon. 
Secondly, Its Symptoms; it makes all Objects to seem red, even 
as Glasses that are red or green make us think all things that we see in 
them of that Colour. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Cure is easie in the beginning; if inveterate, ’tis more contu- 
macious; it is bad, if it turns to Hypopyon, or a purulent Matter under 
the Cornea. 
CURE 
In Cure for a fresh one, and if Blood abound, let Blood; use To- 
picals to discuss, but with astringents to repel the flux of Blood, and in- 
flamation therefrom: The Whites of new-laid-Eggs, beaten and ap- 
plyed to the Eye with fine Flax, are commended, and the Blood of a 
Turtle

238 MORBI OCULORUMM. 
Turtle Dove or Pigeon, with Womans Milk dropt in, is commended 
by all for a fresh Hyposphagma. 
If it be more old, and the part look livid, or black and blew; Topi- 
cals must discuss more, and somewhat attenuate, wherein the most 
effectual, are, 1. a Colliry of extract of Fennugreek-Seeds, in Camo- 
mile and Melilot-Water, adding thereto a little Saffron, Lapis Hema- 
titis, and Aqua Mellis, &c. of the Fat of the Bird Questula, with 
juyce of holy Thistle and Chelidone. 2. A Cataphasm of Roots of 
Salomons-Seal and holy Thistle boiled in Fennel, Chelidone, or Eye- 
bright-Water, or of Hysop boild and applyed, which is greatly com- 
mended by Galen, Avicen &c. which takes out the Blood so sensibly, 
that the Cloath in which it is applyed to the Eye is bloody there- 
from. 3. Fumes of Decoctions received by the Eyes, as of Cheli- 
done, Eyebright, Fennel, Myrrh, America, &c. 4. Foments, as of 
Decoction of Myrrh, Saffron, Frankinsence, Colwort-leaves, Fennu- 
greek-Seeds, Roots of Devils-bit, &c. or of juyce of Radish, which 
put upon the Cornea, saith Rondeletius, discusses it; Or that of Ætius, 
of the Urine of a found Boy, beaten in a Brass Morter, with a Brass 
Pestil in the Sun, and afterwards mixt with Honey. Such as were set 
down to resolve Phlyclenæ, and for suffusions, are good here; only we 
must have a care of sharp and acrimonious Medicine, least we draw 
more blood to the Eyes. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Emphysema, or a Windy Tumor of the Eye-lids. 
A Loose tractable and flatulent Tumour of the Eye-lids is called, 
Emphysema Ophthalmon by the Greeks; Inflatro Palpebræ by the 
Latines, and is a puffing up of the Eye-lid from a windy Matter. 
Causes, Internally or Externally fomenting it; as watchings, in Fevers, 
& Cachectick Bodies, often a serous Matter falling or translated thither, 
effects these kinds of swellings; sometimes an Airy matter puffs it up. 
The stinging of Bees, Wasps, Hornets, or Nettles, are External 
Causes. 
CURE. 
In Cure, we must first use Generals, and respect the habit, specially 
in Cachectick Hydropick Bodies, where such a matter is generated 
from plenty, or a crude, and vaporours Airy Matter, and weakness of na- 
tive heat in digesting it: Topicals must be emolient and dissipating, and
withal 


MORBI OCULORUM.  239 
withal, corroborating, and resolving Cataplasms of Cummin-Seeds, 
with Milk, of Lentiles, and Honey, of Ætius: if it come through sting 
of a Bee, Wasp, Hornet, Nettle, &c, some advise to Treacle mixt 
with Plantane-Water, or the Bee that stung is to be bruised and apply- 
ed; also a Colliry of Pulp of Crabs, Yolks of Eggs, and Womans 
Milk, is good in such a case; above other things, some extol greatly an 
Emplaister of holy-Thistle, beaten with Whites of Eggs spread upon 
flaxen Hards, for the Eye-lids swelled and pained from the stinging of 
Bees, and other venemous Creatures. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Hydatis, or little Apostemes of the Eye-lids. 
HYdatis, is a Tumor in the upper Eye-lid, referring the Species of 
Meliceris or Steatoma, arising from an increment and growing 
forth of the fatty Substance, and resembles a piece of fat under the up- 
per Eye-lid, betwixt the Skin and Cartilage, or Membranes of the Eye- 
lids, in the midst of which is that Flesh which Physicians call the Un- 
ctuous Substance; this affect most molests Children, by reason of 
great moistute in them ; and in some becomes Oedematous, and so grieves 
the upper Eye-lids, that they may not be lifted up; it pours forth an 
Humour much in quantity, and serous in quality, and that chiefly on 
mornings, or at day break, because they are more copiously gathered in 
the Night, they most often sleep upon their Faces; some call it Aquula, 
and Celsus, Vesica. 
CURE. 
If it be fresh, fasting Spittle doth sometime cure it, and it may be re- 
solved by Dissolvers, as Oyl of Camomile, &c. Salt chewed with Cum - 
ming-Seeds, unless pain prohibit it: if it be inveterate, if it be includ- 
ed in a Skin or Membrane, as Meliceris and Steatoma, it is cured by 
Chyrurgery, and the Bladder also by overthwart incision is taken away, 
left a new matter be gathered afresh in it; after manual operation, the 
whole Eye must be covered with an Emplaister of the white of an Egg 
beaten with red-Rose-Water; or if the Bladder may not be drawn out, 
it is to be wasted by Cathereticks, or eating Medicines, which are cau- 
tulously to be used, consideration of the Part being had. 
CHAP.

240 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Tubercle of the Eye-lid, called Grando, or 
the Hail-stone. 
CHalazion of the Greeks, Grando, or Tuberculum Rotundum Palpe- 
bra, of the Latines, is a Tumor of the Eye-lids, made from Col- 
lection and Coaservation of Humours there, which are condensated 
and thickned, and make a Tumor like an Hail-stone, which differs 
from Crithe or Hordeolumt because this is, 1. More stony and hard. 
2. More round. 3. More shining and clear. 4. It is moveable this 
way or that way. 5. It is more hard and stubborn to be cured by Me- 
dicines. 
Ætius reckons two kinds, One more bright, wherein is included a 
matter like the White of an Egg hardned, and not paining; the other 
more blackish, bigger, and paining upon the touch; sometimes it is 
more externally placed on top of the Eye-lid, sometimes more inter- 
nally under the Lid. 
CURE. 
Cure, if it may be done by Medicines, is by an emolient Emplaister of 
Gum Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, mixt with Wax, Hens-Grease, &c. 
Turpentine, in due quantities: if this be not effectually used, Chyrurge- 
ry is to be tryed; and if the Tubercle or little knot be more outwardly 
seated, it is taken away by excision, and pluck’t away with a Chyrur- 
gions Honk; if under the Eye-lid, turn up the Eye-lid, and by inci- 
sion take forth the matter; and lastly, use Consolidaters: See more in 
the Cure of Hydatis and Crithe, or the Come of the Eye-lids. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Crithe, or a Tubercle of the Eye-lids. 
CRithe or Pesthion in Greek, Hordeolum or Preputiolum in Latine, is 
a little long Tubercle of the Eye-lids, softer then Grandoy grow- 
ing externally on the top of the Eye-lid, included in a Membrane, like 
Atheroma, and suppurating, (which it doth not easily) it refers the fi- 
gure of a Barly-Corn, and thence had its name.
CURE. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 241 
It is cured by Barley chewed fasting, and applied to it. or it may be 
rubbed with the Body of a Fly: Forestus and Avicen used the Blood of 
a Turtle. It is sometimes dissolved by an Emplaister of Amoniacum: 
Anthony Musa used Galbanum with Niter; Galen the Blood of Birds of 
prey; Chyrurgions open it with a Bistory, take forth all the matter, and 
deterge it with Honey, and Yolks of Eggs: Celsus seared the matter, 
if not let out by incision, might corrupt the Cartilage; afterward We 
must use some repelling Colliry to drive back Humours that are apt to 
slow, and heal the fore. 
If the Tubercle be more hard, round, and moveable, it is called 
Grando or Hailestone, of which see more elsewhere. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Ulcers of Cornea. 
ULcers of the Eyes are taken variously, & have divers denominations 
according to their degrees and situation, those in the Superficies 
are called Achlys Nephelion; about the Circle of the Iris or Rainbow, 
they are called Argemon; if deep, Bothrion; and deepest, Cæloma; if foul 
and crustulous, ’tis called Epicauma, or Encauma, generally also ’tis 
called Ægylops Coiloma, &c, 
CAUSE.
They are wont to succeed to Ophthalmies suppurated, to Phlyctenes, 
or Blisters of the Eyes being broke, from white Pushes preceding 
and breaking, from Causes external and procatarctick, from prick- 
ing with a Thorn, or hurt from Glass, from Blows, Contusions dilacera- 
ting the Cornea, which is thick; Internals are flux of sharp Humours, 
or Humours made by Congestion. 
SIGNS.
Signs Diagnostick and Prognostick have their grounds and rise from 
Differences: Where, 
1. Observe some are more superficiary, and broad, less deep, and are 
called Coiloma. 
2.v Others are more deep, crusty, sharp, and sollid, called Epicanma, 
and Encanma, chiefly from the quality of the sordid Ulcers, and Bothri- 
Hh on,

242 MORBI OCULORUM. 
on, and Cæloma, from the depth; these are easie to know, and to be di- 
stinguished by sight, have sharper pain. 
3. Some are situated in the Circle of the Iris, and called Argemon, 
and from some Ulcus Coronale, these are ruddy towards the outward part 
of the Iris, towards the inward part white. 
4. Some are in the Cornea, which appear in the black of the Eye, are 
harder to cure; there is fear of an efflux of the Humour Aqueus, or 
watery Humour, or Procidence of the Urea, from erosion of sharp Hu- 
mours; if healed, a Cicatrice sometimes hinders sight; fluxes of rheum 
also sometime following, cause blindness. 
5. In the Adnata, there is redness in the white of the Eyes from 
the Veins of its Tunicles stuft with Blood; they are better in conditi- 
on then those of the Cornea. 
CURE. 
In Cure, First, Evacuate by Catharticks, in which proper Medicines 
for the Eyes are intermixt. 
Secondly, Let Blood if need be, if inflamation or an Ophthalmy be 
present. 
Thirdly, Divert Humours by Frictions and Cuppers, Ligatures, &c. 
Fourthly, Interception, where Medicines applied to the Forehead 
and Temples, intercept the flux. 
Fifthly, To the Ulcer it self we must, 
1. Use Detergents; yet more mild, because of the tenderness and 
exquisite sense of the part; a Liniment of Powder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy and Honey, or Mucilage of Fennugreek, extract in Juyce of Saint- 
John's Wort, are to be used; also Vervain, Rheu, Chelidone, and 
Eyebright-Water. 
2. We must dry the Ulcers, but Pouders are gritty, and by their 
harshness hurt the Eye; sharp Medicines also provoke a greater flux of 
thin Humours, and watery ; but things that dry potentially, and with- 
out sharpness, having some propriety to the Eyes, are here useful; Aloes, 
Tutty-stone, Sarcocol, Frankinsence, Mastick, Myrrh, Lycium. 
3. Agglutinate. Hartman praises Water of the whites of Eggs 
Montanus the Pouder of whites of Eggs; Sarcocol also infused in Brest- 
Milk, and Frankinsence are praised; ꝶ of the Pouder of the white of 
Eggs, of Frankinsence, of each ʒj. Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth ex- 
tract in red Rose-Water, ʒij. Aloe ʒß Cream what may fuffice, make 
a thin Medicine. 
4 Induce a Cicatrice, where this is effectual: ꝶ whites of Eggs, 
beat them in a Leaden Mortar, with Water of Milk; adde thereto Ce- 
russ, Frankinsence, Aloe, of each two parts, Pouder of red Roses, of 
Myrtle-

MORBI OCULORUM. 243 
Myrtle-Berries, and Sarcocol, of each one part; Tutty, Lapis Calami- 
naris, of each one part and in half; Cream and Oyl of Roses what may 
suffice to make it of a convenient consistence. 
Lastly, We must correctt Symptoms: In great pain, a Colliry of the 
white of an Egg in Rose-Water, and a little Opium, if need, added, is 
effectual; if acrimony be adjoyned, temper that with Brest-Milk, water 
of the whites of Eggs, Mucilage of Psyllium-seeds, Fennugreek, and 
Lint-seed: if they turn cancerous, where there arises great pain, we 
must palliate with cooling Anodines: if the fight be hurt, or we fear  
blindness, from what Cause soever, give inwardly to restore sight, Salt 
of Eyebright, Eyebright-Wine, Extract of Rheu and Valerian; fly Wines, 
and hot evaporative things. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Hypopyon, or matter under the Cornea. 
HYpopyon is a collection of Pus or matter under the Cornea-Tunicle 
of the Eye, from an ulcerous disposition of the part. 
NAMES 
Hereof with the Greeks are Hypopyon and Pyosis, with the Latins Un- 
guis, and Pus sub Cornea. 
CAUSES 
Are Ulcers or Inflamations suppurated; adjutant Causes also are open- 
ing of the Veins through plenitude, and there imparting a muddy limen- 
tary matter, so that it possesses half the black of the Eye, sometimes co- 
vers all the Pupil, and hinders fight; also by reason of Blows, Falls, 
Contusions, &c. letting out Blood, which under the Tunicles grows 
pale and black. 
SIGNS 
Are from inflamation, that cannot be terminated but by suppuration, 
from precedence of manifest causes, from pulsative pain, redness of the 
Eyes; or at least it went before: the Eye being, moved, the matter un- 
der the Cornea seems also to be moved; also there is a white colour of 
the part shewing a purulent matter. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Whenas the Eye is filled with matter, the Greeks call it Pyosis as if 
an heap of viscous matter, which the Ancients divided twofold, one  
Hh 2 they

244 MORBI OCULORUM. 
they called Onyx, the Latins Unquis or a Nail in Engish, referring the 
figure of a Nail cut off, compassing the circuit of the Iris from a cor- 
rupted and limous matter gathered in an ulcerous cavity. 
Another is called Hypopyon with the Greeks, and Pus sub Cornea by the 
Latins; and in this is a more copious matter gathered under the Cor- 
nea whereby the whole Pupil is sometime covered, and fight is hin- 
dered. 
CURE. 
Opening a Vein and purging, are better helpers in its growing than 
growth. Inflamation, if that preceded, is warily to be respected, left 
this evil ensue by its suppurating; some open not onely the Arm, but 
also the Temple-Veins, and those seen in the Corners of the Eyes, to- 
gether with which other Prohibiters of Inflamation are necessary; Dis- 
cussers are to have emollients mixt with them, lest that part of the 
matter that is not hereby resolved, should be made thicker and unresol- 
vable; Fomentation of Cammomile, Melilot, Fennugreck, and Lint- 
seed, Fleawort-seeds, &c. wherein fine Linnen may be dipped, and ap- 
plied to the Eye; also Colliryes, or Waters to wash the Eye, of Eye- 
bright, Chelidone, Fennel, &c. with Honey: Some speak of shaking 
forth this collection of purulent matter by great concussion of the Head; 
others, and they more generally and probably, advise to, and use Chyrur- 
gery, which is done by opening of the Cornea with a Lancet, and suck- 
ing out the Pus; this is to be doneby a skilful Artist, left the watery Hu- 
mour with the Pus should also flow out, by reason of which it is not 
much used; after it, Astringents and Comforters of the Eyes are to be 
used. 
CHAP. XXI. 
Of Callous and rough Eye-lids, called Sclerophthalmia, 
Ptilosis, and Trachoma.  
SClerophthalmia, otherwise called Ptilosis and the Greeks; 
and Lippitudo Dura, Hirsutin, and Asperitas Palpebrarum by the 
Latins, is a Disease of the Eye-lids, wherein they are red, thick, rough  
and hard. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is attributed to an adult, salt and sharp Humour, and of- 
ten to sharp Colliryes and Eye-Medicines. 
It

MORBI OCULORUM. 
It is variously divided; for one is called Sclerophthalmia, or hardness 
of the Eyes, wherewith is an hot distemper and thick Humour, some-
time with itching pain and redness, and sticking together of the Eye-lids 
after sleep, from the aforesaid thick Humour. 
Another is called Ptilosis, which is a callous thickness and red, with- 
out inflamation, itching or pain. 
Trachoma is a roughness and scabbedness of the Eye-lids, called also 
Sycopis when ’tis more grown, wherein oftentimes there be pushes like 
Millet-seed, and the ulcerated sore places sometimes chap and grow cal- 
lous; it is more inwardly than outwardly. 
If the Humour causing these be Choler, then little Pustules are made; 
if Flegm that is salt, there is more serosity; if Blood, there is less 
itching if a more melancholy Humour, that may be discovered by co- 
lour of that that comes forth: and according to the difference, of the 
Humour, is the difference of the Tumour. 
CURE. 
One Cure may generally suit with all, as to Evacuation and Aversion 
of the matter: secondly intercepient and emollient Topicks; but not 
in reipect of differences, for in Sclerophthalmia stronger are used, as 
Water of Lime much praised, Vitriol-Water, with Myrrh, Aloes and 
Saffron; but before these be used, more mild Medicines are to be tried, 
by degrees proceeding to stronger. 
Where there is more heat redness and pushes, together with the 
thickness and callosity, Coolers are: to be used that inflame not, as a ba- 
thing of it with warm water, wherein Mallows and Tutty have boiled, 
or the white of an Egg with Oyl of Roses, a Colliry of Myrrh dissolved 
in Womans Milk, mixed with Butter and Hens Grease. 
If withal there be fissures and soreness, acrimony and saltness of the 
Humours must be tempered: Avican used the Mucilage of Fennugreek 
seeds drawn in milk. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthalmia. 
PSorophthalmia is a redness of the Eyelids, with a flux of Humours, 
from a salt rheumatick mattter, exulcerating the Corners of the 
Eyes, causing great itching and heat therein. 
Xerophthalmia is a dry distemper of the Eye-lids, with redness, but
no

246 MORBI OCULORUM. 
no sweliing nor rheumatick matter distilling, made from a Melancholy 
Humour stirring up great Itching and more Pain then in a Psorophthal- 
my. 
CURE. 
Cure of Psorophthalmia, is first by opening the middle-Vein of the 
Forehead, by lenifying the sharpness and saltness of Humours, and inter- 
cepting their course; Topicals are to be emollient, as whites of Eggs 
beat in Rose water, and applied. This also is greatly praised: ꝶ of 
white Lead washed, ℥j. white Starch, ʒvj. Gum Tragacanth, Sarcocol, 
and Tutty prepared, of each ℥ß. Thebaick, Opium, Camphir, of each 
ʒj. with Rose-Water make a mass thereof, which being dissolved, drop 
sometimes a drop or two into the Eye with a Feather: the Decoction of 
Bramble-Buds boiled in white Wine, and dropped in twice or thrice a  
day, is also commended. 
In a Xerophthalmia, Baths, and such as draw moisture to the Eyes, 
are good; such also as lenify and make tractable, and mollifie the Eye- 
lids; the Eye-lids are to be anointed over-night, lest they stick together, 
and be not easily opened in the morning. 
For the Symptom Itching, which sometimes is very molestuous, are 
commended, 1. A Colliry of Aloe, Tutty, Ceruse, equally mixt with 
Rose-Water: 2. The Water of the Flowers of Mead-sweet, or Queen 
of the Meddow, with Juyce of Daysies, dropped in, and a Clout wet 
therein, and applied; 3. More sharp Medicines that want a propriety 
are good against itching, as Coperas, Salt, Licium, sharp Vinegar, the 
Urine of the Sick, being stale, Sugar, &c, we must have a care that only 
the Eye-lids, and not the Eyes, be touched with such Medicines.
OF

247 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 
THese Diseases, or most them at least, 
may not be found in some Practices 
of Physick, therefore they may be 
very convenient here: It is supposed 
few will come to the reading these, at 
to practice by them, that have not 
read, or have the Books to reade, all 
greater and more frequent Diseases. 
Authors were the least mistaken in 
these: Dissection is not so clearly satisfactory in these Distem- 
pers of the Nose, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips; such small Dis- 
eases of small Parts can shew but little in Anatomizing; but 
there is great variation of the kinds, and degrees, and different 
Productions of all these, which we have collected from good 
Authors, and composed them as fully for matter, and as short- 
ly for words, and as commodiously to be well understood, as 
we could. 
CHAP.


248 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. I. 
Of the Pose, or Distillation by the Nostrils. 
COryza in Greek, in Latin Gravedo, is a kind of Catarrh, 
or a deflux of crude Humours, or thin Excrements contain- 
ed in the sore-Ventricles of the Brain by the Nostrils, with 
a frequent Sneezing, and sense of Obstruction in the passa- 
ges of the Noftrils. 
DIFFERENCE of it is according to CAUSES. 
1. An hot Distemper of the Brain, or Heat that melts and pours 
out pituitous moist Excrements, being collected and retained in the 
Head, that is effected or caused by outward Causes, as immoderate 
drinking of Wine, keeping too long in heat of the Sun, or using Hot 
Baths.  
2. By an hot Distemper of the Liver, are hot and sharp Poses made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. 'Tis easily known by the Patients own discerning. 
2. 'Tis easily cured, and safer then Catarrhs. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. 'Tis bad in Diseases of the Lungs. 2. If the Distemper is stub- 
bornly rooted. 3. By its Acrimony, it often ulcerates the Nostrils, 
and produces other affects. 4. If from an hot Distemper in the Liver, 
whence also are produced hot and sharp Catarrs. 5. Better if outward 
Causes produce it. 
CURE.  
'Tis Cured as a Catarrh from an hot Cause. 1. We must evacuate. 
2. Revulse or pull back the flowing Humour. 3. Derive: the use of 
Errhines are condemned, because they draw too violently, but Apo- 
phlegmatisms and Masticatories are safely used to stop and restrain Va- 
pours, are much approved, specially a Vapour of Mario, boiled in its 
own

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 249 
own Water, and received into the Nostrils; or a Vapour of Vinegar, 
wherein hot Iron hath been quenched; Gum Anime, or the Oyl of it 
cast upon Coals for a Suffume. 
2. A cold Distemper, that is made from inward Causes, as Flegm 
and crude moisture collected in the Head. 1. Through the digestive 
faculty weakened from a cold Distemper. 2. From outward Causes 
cooling the Brain, whereby it is compressed like a Sponge, and sends 
forth the moisture to the subjected parts; the Brain also from penury 
of heat concocting all Aliments badly, gathers new matter, and more 
moist pituitous Excrements, that upon every light occasion are shut out 
by the nearest open wayes, by the expulsive faculty. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. From a cold and bad concoctive force and constitution in the 
Brain, 'tis hard to cure perfectly. 
2. If older, the worse to cure. 
CURE.
After Universals, a Fume; Nigella-Romana. Seeds, Frankinsence, &c. 
cast upon Coals, to dry and consume the cold moist superfluous humidi- 
ty of the Brain; the Seeds of Nigella-Romana, also rosted, put into Silk, 
and often smelt to, are commended; so is the taking of Tobacco, 
sprinkled with Oyl of Anni-Seeds, to such as are accustomed there  
to.
CHAP. II. 
Of hurt of Smelling. 
OLfactus or Smelling, may be taken away, lessened, or depraved, as 
the rest of the Actions of the Body, and only differ in degrees or 
magnitude Of Depraved Smelling, we shall speake in a Chapter by it 
self.  
CAUSE.
Made from a Distemper of the Brain, cold and moist, which either 
occupies the anteriour part of it, and then taste is abolished from tHe 
Propagine of the third pair of the Nerves of the Brain, efforming the 
(Tongue ling. rather) Speech affected; a cold and moist distemper, or 
with a pituitous Matter adjoyned, is wont to dull any Sense, whence 
in Catarrhs and Poses, smell is often hurt: and native heat being 
Ii deficient,


250 Of the Disease of 
deficient, the function of pans are hurt, and Nature bedulled.
Aliis est Obstruct.
Ossi-Ethmoidis. 
2. Obstruction from the same pituitous Humour, as well senseless 
as the passages of the Nostrils; or insenseless, as the 
Pores of the Brain, and Processus Mamillares; that 
Scents cannot pass to those parts; to this may be 
joyned a Polypus Sarcoma, or the like, that may stop or fill up the 
Passages. 
3. Astriction made from the same pituitous Humour, gathered in 
the forepart of the Brain, and compelling, the Processus Mamillares; 
that astriction may also come from a Native Conformation, if they be 
so depressed and narrow, that there lies not open a free passage for 
Scents. 
SIGNS. 
1. A Distemper cold and pituitous, may be gathered by those Signs 
of flegm, from flegm in the Head, and by a Mucous Pituit stilling 
from the, Brain. 
2. Are divers, according to Causes. 1. If from those Nerves, that 
constitute the Organ of Smelling affected, then there is perceived no 
hurt either in the Brain, or rest of the Sences, the voice remains clear. 
3. From narrowness. 1. In the Brain, and then gravity is present. 
2. In the passages of the Nostrils, or Bone-Ethmoides affected; then 
there is, 1. Hurt of Voice, because the Nostrils help to form the 
Voice. 2. Resperation is vitiated. 3. Wonted excrements are re- 
strained. 4. Smelling is sometime totally abolished, if Pituit be har- 
dened in the Holes of that Bone. 
4. From Hoping of the Passages of the Nose, by excrescences of flesh, 
as Sarcoma, Polypus, or the like: we mutt seek out their signs in their pro- 
per Chapters. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Lessened or abolished Smelling, is dangerous in a Carnus, Apo- 
plexy, or other affects of the Brain. 2. 'Tis incurable, if from ill con- 
firmation of the Nostrils, as Noses by Nature flat. 3. ’Tis hardly cured, 
if inveterate, and from a Distemper confirmed; but fresh and newly 
made, ’tis more hopeful. 
CURE 
Varies as Causes; from a cold Distemper, correct that with hot Ce- 
phal. with such Remedies as are taught in the Chapter of Head-ach, 
from a cold Distemper, and of a Catarrh; extract of Marjoram taken 
to ℈ß. every night and morning, is held a Specifical; but obstruction 
of the Nostrils or Ethmoid-Bone, from pituitous Humours, is best taken  
away after purging of the Redundancy of Pituitous Humours in the 
whole

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 251 
whole Body; 1. By a Nasale of the Root of Gentian, put into the 
Nose. 2. Errhines, where Juyce of Red Beets is best, and draws out 
stuff, flegm, or decoction of Nigella-Seeds with Castor. 3. Sternutato- 
ries (which avail most, saith Hartman, when the Vice is in the Eth- 
moid-Bone) as of Elatery, ,&c. 
4. Odours, as Oyl of Nigella-Seeds, but the best way is to take the 
Seed of Roman Nigella-Seeds and torrifie them, and so wrap them in fine 
Silk, and often smell unto them when they are hot. 
5. Sinapismos in a contumacious evil. 
2. From narrowness in the Brain it self; here Sternutatories most 
help, and Errhines are less useful. 2. Apophlegmatisms. 
3. From a blow, specially, if fresh, it may be cured, if a Pipe of 
Lead be put into the Nose. 
4. From stopping up of the passage of the Nostrils, from Excrescences 
of Flesh, as Sarcoma and Polypus. See the Cure in the Chapters of 
them.  
CHAP. III. 
Of Sneezing. 
DEFINITION. 
SNeezing is a Symptom of the voluntary faculty, or a concussion of 
the Brain, and of neer affinity to an Epileptick passion, endea- 
vouring a casting forth of some offending and tickling matter, either 
Flegmatick, or more watery, and thin, or windy, or other causes be- 
yond Nature, stirring up a deprived motion of the Animal Spirits, and 
breaking forth with noise and concussion. 
SUBJECT 
Is either the Brain, Nostrils, or Jaws, Trachart, or Lungs, but rather 
somewhat molestuous, that sticks about, or tickles the Trachæ' a-Artery, 
or top of the Nostrils. 
CAUSE. 
1. Proximate the Lungs, contracting themselves suddenly and for- 
cible, so that by the Breath is suddenly cast out that that did molest.  
2. Remote Causes are either Internal or External. 
1. Internal, are either flatuous or humorous Causes, which humours 
are more thick or thin, as in the Pose. 
2. These Humours arc brought into Action from catching cold.
I 2 whereby 


252 Of the Diseases of 
whereby the Brain sends down some sharp thin Matter to the Membranes 
of the Nostrils, that are endued with an exquisite sense, so that attracting 
Air, the Lungs with violence contracting themselves, cast forth the 
Breath with that force, and on heaps, which coming at the Nostrils 
causes a sound. 
2. From Nature irritated by the sharpness of some matter provoking 
the expulsive faculty generally, so that not only from the Head, Jaws, 
Nose, Rough Artery, Lungs and Breast, is the oftensive matter ex- 
cussed, but also from the Womb and lower parts. 1. This Vaporous 
moisture, is either restrained, and wanting its free passage out, irritates; 
Or, 2. Having free passage and running out, tickles the parts from the 
retentive faculty of the Brain weakened through cold, as in Catarrhs 
and Defluctions, where Sneezing is sometime very urging: As Forestus 
relates, Obs. 127. lib. 10. of one that had a sharp and salt Catarrh; 
and though the Membranes of the Brain may be irritated, yet there is 
no Sneezing before the offensive Matter comes to the Membranes of 
the Nostrils. 
3. In Feavers, saith Avicen, 'tis made from sharp Vapours carried 
from the whole Body up to the Head, Verte fol. per Caus. exter. 
4. From eating of Vaporous things, as Onions, Mustard, &c. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a good Sign, and Nature’s help in Diseases of those parts, that 
it may ease, 
1. Because it shews the faculty strong, 2. Concoction of the Mat- 
ter, 3. The aptness of Nature to be lightned and unburdened. 2. In 
accute and malignant Diseases and Feavers, it doth often great good, 
and promises Health, and though it may raise an Hæmorrage of the No- 
strils, that seldom doth hurt. 
2. But 'tis bad in Catarrhs and Poles, because the Humour requires 
quietness to be concoted. 
3. In Fits of the Mother, or difficult Birth, Sneezing is helpful, 
Aph. 35. Sect. 5. 
4. For Pituit, gathered in the lappets of the Lungs or Breast, that 
may not be expelled by Coughing, may by Sneezing. 
5. In a Singultus or Hickop, it greatly profits, and tis often ceased 
hereby. 
6. In Soporiferous affects, its good; and if in Appoplexies, by Ptar- 
micals put into the Nostrils, they sneeze not, it portends danger, Na- 
ture sinking under her burden. 
2. ’Tis-bad in Diseases of the Lungs, as Ptissicks, and Peripnen- 
monies


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 253 
monies, or inflamation of the Lungs, or Pleurisie, not avoiding the 
Morbifick Matter, but encreasing the evils by violent disturbing and 
tearing the Lungs. 
3. If too often and too violent, whereby, saith Rondeletius, many 
have been taken with an Epileptick Fit; and thence came the Supersti- 
tious saying, I pray God bless thee. 
2. External Causes, as 1. that are put into the Nostrils, 
to cause Sneezing, by their irritation and acrimony. 
2. Sometime tis made from holding up the Head to look at the Sun 
Beams, which causes, 1. Melting and loosening of the Humours. 
2, Contraction of the Brain that squeezes them out; Or, 3. From a cold 
Air received at the Nostrils. 4. From smelling of Vaporous things, 
whole fumes irritate, 5. From Feathers, or the like, put into the 
Nostrils, provoking the expulsive Faculty. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnosticks be conspicuous of themselves, and by relation of the 
Sick, from feeling this Matter avoided, and the part that was molested, 
eased. 
CURE. 
Cure, is not alwayes necessary, unless it be immoderate, and do 
molest and shake the afflicted or diseased parts. 
1. From External Causes, and then they removed, it ceases. 
2. Internals: And 1. hot : Here Bleeding, Purging, Revulsion, 
Derivation and Discussion, are to be premised with friction of the Eyes, 
Nose and Forehead, strong combing, compression of the Veins in the 
Corners of the Eyes, retention of Breath ; cleanse the Nostrils, and 
pluck the Ears, and hold the Hands in cold Water : If after these, the 
faculty expulsive be still disturbed, from some acrimony or the like, 
take the fume of warm Water up the Nose, or snuff up fresh Milk, or 
Oyl of Sweet-Almonds : These not helping, use Narcoticks, smell to 
cold things, Roses, Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Opium it self, 
and snuff up Deception of such like; smell to no Spices. 
2. Cold, here preparation premised, use Lenitives, Revuse, Derive, 
and Discuss the Cause , as afore directed ; Friction, Ligatures, hot 
Decoctions drawn into the Nostrils, Pomanders of Aromaticks to smell 
to, and whatever may conduce to rectifying the cold distemper. 
Of


254 Of the Diseases of 
Of an Erysipelas of the Nostrils. 
An Erysipelas of the Nostrils, after Generals, as Purging, letting 
Blood, and the like, as for Erysipelas in General.
CURE. 
’Tis restrained after the manner of other Erysipela's of other parts; a 
Specifical, is the Menstrues of a Virgin washed in distilled Rose-Vinegar, 
per applicationem calide in petiis: If vehement pain urge, Roots of Hen- 
bane beat with the Leaves, and Hogs-Grease, to an Oyntment, helps.  
CHAP. IV. 
Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
AN Ulcerated Cancer, is 1. to be stopt from its eating and spread- 
ing: Here Juyce of Bistort or Snake-weed excels; many Medi- 
cines may be made of Cetuse, White-Lead, Mastich, Frankinsence, 
Pompholix, Litharge, Tutty, Camphir, &c. that may be conducible 
hereto.  
2. To kill and correct its quality, for which the Water of Arsenick 
made of equal parts, of White-Arsenick, and Salt of Niter, made 
mild with Plantain or Peach-Leaf-Water, is efficacious: Goats-Dung 
with Honey, saith Petrus Hispane, kills a Cancer; but 'tis better mixt 
with Juyce of Beets in form of a Liniment. 
CHAP. V. 
Of Polypus. 
DEFINITION. 
Tis a Carnous Excrescence sticking with small Roots to the Bone of 
the Nose, broad, and hanging down to the lower part of the No- 
strils; and sometimes also descending upon the Pallate, referring to 
the likeness of the Fish Polypus whence it had its Name; But Rhasis 
calls them Hæmorrhoids of the Nose, because somewhat like Hærmor- 
rhoids in the Anus or Tuel. 
CAUSES.

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 255 
CAUSES. 
1. Causes are, 1. Viscid Humours, as Pituit chiefly, mixt with 
Blood, falling from the Head into Ulcers of the Nostrils, and there 
cleaves; sometime a melancholy Humour is admixt, and then there 
is fear lest it should turn into a Cancer. 
2. ’Tis made, when as that fungous Flesh within the Nostrils is 
more loose and thin, and receives a viscid and flatuous Matter sent 
from the Head, being of a very moist constitution, so that by puffing 
up and stretching out that Spongy Flesh, a great Carnous Excrescence 
seems to be made. 
3. For particular Causes, as of some differing from others in white- 
ness, redness or blackness: 1. They that are white, are made of more 
pure viscous Flegm. 2. The red, of a more excrementitions bloody 
matter. 3. The black, Cancrous, from Melancholy. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a fleshly lump, and soft, with small Roots, but broader in its 
Body; sometime filling the whole Nose, and hangs forth; sometime 
is throughout the whole passage, by which the Breath is brought, and de- 
scends upon the Pallate, specially when ’tis placed in the upper part 
of the Nostrils, and may easily be seen behind the Uvula. 
2. This Caruncle, or hanging piece of flesh, is in colour sometime 
whiter, sometime redder, sometime of a blewish black, according as 
the humour causing it is coloured. 
3. 'Tis greatly swelled in a Southerly Air, yea and in South-Winds, 
sometimes strangles; also in full Moon ’tis much enlarged; but on the: 
contrary, in a Northerly Wind, and drier constitution of the Air, and, 
in new, tis greatly lessened and abated. 
DIFFERENCES from Sarcoma, 
1. By all the precedent Signs. 2. Sarcoma, is in the lower parts; 
of the Nostrils, and more fleshly; but a Polypus grows in the upper part 
and top about the Root of the Nose. 
DIFFERENCES of Polypus it self be divers, 
One White, that is, 1. Soft. 2. Void of pain; 3. More easily 
cured. Specially, if, 1. it be more tender, 2. Fresher, 3. Lower 
seated in the Nostrils; for if towards the top, Medicines cannot be so 
well accommodated to it. 
2. Red or subruse, which is also curable, though worse then White. 
osnes. 3. Livid.


256 Of the Diseases of 
3. Livid or black; which, 1. Degenerates into a Cancer, or there’s 
great fear of it. 2. Therefore at first requires speedy help, lest future 
danger happen. 3. If not prevented, 'tis hardly cured. 1. It cance- 
rates. 2. 'Tis hard. 3. Painful. 4. Stinking sometime. 
2. As they differ in colour; so also, 1. In touch, as some hard, some 
soft: 2. In place, as higher, that’s more dangerous, as nigher the Brain: 
2. Growing in the lower parts of the Nostrils, which is discerned by the 
Eye. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. ’Tis hard to, cure, but easiest in the lower or middle parts of the 
Nostrils. 
2. Easier to stop its growth, than grown, to extirpate it. 
3. Cancrous, painful, black, hard and stinking ones, are bad to be 
medled withal, unless by gentle Medicines to hinder their growth. 
4. 'Tis worse if made in both Nostrils, for then there is danger of 
choaking, specially if they sleep not with their mouth open, whereby 
breathing is more free. 
CURE is double: 
First, To hinder its growth by taking away the Cause: 
1. By Universals, (an attenuating and drying Dyet being also obser- 
ved) as Purging, Revultion, Derivation, and drying of the Head used 
in decrease of the Moon, because then ’tis less, and all Medicines take 
greated place then, specially Topicks; the use of Guaicum. Drink with 
a drying Dyet, is commended by Authors. 
Cupping-Glasses are applied to the Neck, and some direct Bleed- 
ing.  
2. Topicks: Upon the part in the mean, while Astringents of the 
strongest sort, with Causticks, Dryers, and Discutients, are to be ap- 
plied. 
2. As hindering its quantity, so its quality: We must hinder its de- 
generating cancrous; Here observe that hot humours be not by unwa- 
ry courses caused to mix with pituitous. Letting Blood, as also, all 
other Evacuation, Derivation, and; Revulsion, may prove helpful. 
2. An Unguent of Yolks of Eggs, beat in a Leaden Mortar till they ac- 
quire the colour of the Lead, and mixt with ℈j. of Camphir; also the 
Liniment of Pouder of Red Roses, with Juyce of unripe Pomgra- 
nates. 
Secondly, If grown, to take it away. Here observe, 
1. That gentler Medicines be used at first, which will sometime cure 
it, if more fresh, tender, and well-qualified; such Medicines are large- 
ly described by Authors; the chief be Cypress, Poragranate-Rinds, 
Allom,


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 257 
Allom, Litharge, Galls, Ceruse, Gentian, Pompholix, &c. of which 
Waters, Liniments, and Ponders may be prepared without sharpness, 
and to dry up and consume the excrementitious Humour. 
2. Stronger are to be used, if, it be more contumacious and will 
not yeild to the precedent Remedies, among which excel, 1.Pollipody 
of the Oak, plaister-wise applied: 2. A Tent made of the Juyce of Ivy, 
a little Cotton dipt in, put up the Nose, and renewed as there  shall be 
need, seems most laudable: 3. Juyce of Nettles so used: 4. Juyce 
of Dragons, which is somewhat stronger than the rest: 5. Juyce of Bi-
stort: 6. Of Adders Tongue; all these consume it, and help by pro-
priety and their specifically quality: 7. A Tent made of Gentian-
Roots as greatly praise by Hartman, which is first to be daubed with
an Oyntment of Mallow-Leaves, and Althea-Roots beat and searced, 
and mixed with Goose-Grease.  
3. If these suffice not by reason of its contumacy, we must come to 
strongest means, and Cauteries, which are first potential; where we 
must observe, 1. To defend the sound parts of the Nostrils, that they 
be not touched and hurt by applying things on the Polypus. 1. by unction 
of those parts, 2. by conveying Medicines to the Polypus by a Silver- 
Pipe. 2. To attempt this cure in decrease of the Moon, for then 'tis 
less, and Medicines may be better applied upon it, having more room
in the Nostril; potential Causticks are, Arsenick, green Coperas, Orpent,
Ritt of Brass, Mercury, precipitate Antimony, &c. of which a glutinous 
Emplaister may be made, according to the pleasure of the discreet Phy-
sician : Gum Lacer applied Plaister-wise with Coperas and Verdigrease
is praisd: Some advise first to scarifie it, and then dip a Lint in Oyl of
Vitriol, and apply it. 
4. If it may not be taken away by Medicines, we must come to Chy- 
rurgery; it must be cut off by Pincers, or sharp Instruments, and it
ought to be extirpated wholly, for the root remaining grows again; 
therefore a potential Cautery is to be used after its cutting off to hin- 
der its growth again: Some advise to cutting of it round about its root 
or top, and if so not wholly extracted to use corrosive Medicines to 
consume the remainder. 
Kk CHAP.

258 Of the Disease of. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Stench of the Nostrils. 
CAUSES. 
1. THe Cause is putrified Flegm, stopping in the Ethmoid-Bone, 
thence sending forth a stink of bad favour; this Flegm is stopped 
through obstruction, and putrifies in a hot and moist, distemper of the 
Brain; also mattery Pus or filth is restrained in the Nose, through too 
great constriction, as flatted Noses, and so putrifies and sends forth 
a bad stench.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From flatness of the Nose , incurable. 
CURE. 
Cure is by taking away the Cause: 1. Errhines, as Juyce of the red 
Beet for extract, excels: 2. Sweet things in Errhines, to alter the smell, 
as sweet smelling Reed, Storax, Cloves, Cypress, Myrrh, Marjoram, 
Orange-Flowers; some things to thicken and make them stick longer 
in the Nostrils, as things made in form of Nasales, that remain fast in 
the Nostrils. 
II. This Humour may be in the sore part, of the Brain, nigh the Pro- 
cessus Mamilares, or Os Cribosum, there retained, through heat and moi- 
sture of the Brain putrifies, and therefrom ill scents are transmitted to 
the Nostrils. 
SIGN. 
Then there be no apparant Signs. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
Fresh, easilier cured; hardly, if inveterate. 
CURE. 
The Head must be purged of Flegm, and if the Body be flegmatick- 
ly affected, that must first be cleared, a sweating Dyet instituted, then 
abstergent and odorous things must be used as afore-directed. 
III. From the Ethmoid-Bone corrupted. 
IV. From putrified Ulcers may this bad stench arise, as in Ozana, 
Sarcoma, and Polypus; these are easily discerned, and are first to be cu- 
red: For the Cause taken away, the Effect ceaseth.
CHAP. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 259 
CHAP. VII. 
Of depraved Smelling or mis-scenting of things. 
’TIs a bad Odour continually offending the Nostrils.  
CAUSES 
It is made from the lying of rotten flegm in the Ethmoid-Bone, or 
Ulcers of the Nostril whereby exhalation always suppeditated from 
these, infect all scents and odorus things, so that they seem to be of 
the same smell that vitious stench is of; nor scan the true and sweet 
fresh smell of any-thing be rightly perceived, but is over-powred by 
that exhalation that comes from the aforesaid places, and always mo- 
lests the Nostrils ; if if even as it happens to the Tongue, when ’tis infe- 
cted with bitter Choler, all things that are taken within the Mouth 
seem to relish of the same bitter taste. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
’Tis bad in acute Diseases, whenas a stench is perceived in the No- 
strils. 
CURE.
It may be cured after the same manner as stench of the Nostrils, the 
Cause from whence it arises being diligently enquired, and found out. 
CURE, 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of SARCOMA. 
EXcrescences of Flesh in the Nose, are of two kinds, Sarcoma and 
Polypus, being Tumours above Nature.  
CAUSES. 
1. Sarcoma is a fleshly excrescence in the Nose, wanting a certain 
figure; happens often in feeding; and virulent Ulcers, that have cer- 
tain loose excrescences of Flesh, as in Ozena and Polypus ulcerated. 
CURE. 
In Cure hereof we must chiefly look to the cure of the Ulcers, as in
KK 2 their

260 Of the Diseases of 
their Chapters it directed: Then the superfluous flesh must be consu- 
med with Caustick Medicines, or cut off with Instruments. 
2. Of a superfluous nourishment of the Nostrils turned into luxuri- 
ous Flesh. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
'Tis easilier cured. 
CURE.
In Cure, pituitous Humours, or the antecedent Cause, is to be taken 
away; 2. Consuming of the excrescent Flesh with potential Caute- 
ries, but gentler are to be used at first, then if need be proceeding by 
degrees to the strongest as Spirit of Vitriol, Sandarach. Rust of Brass, 
Orpement, Mercury, &c. but we must have a care they hurt not the
Nostrils, for which cause they are first to be daubed with some defen- 
sative Oyntment; and for more security they are be put in by a Sil- 
ver-Pipe.  
3. A viscid and thick Hnmoun falling from the Brain, to which some 
Blood is gathered. 
PROG.
This is somewhat dangerous of degenerating into a Cancer. 
CURE. 
In Cure we must, 1. Purge the Head of excrementitious and fleg- 
matick Humours. 2. Proceed as in the aforegoing direction.  
CHAP. IX. 
Of Immeasurable Spitting, or a Ptyalismos. 
PTyalismos is an inordinate gathering and flux of moisture making 
spittle to the Mouth, arising from a moist Brain, and moistening 
Causes, and cast forth without coughing or hawking, offending onely 
in quantity, and molestuous.  
SUBJECT.
The Subject is either the Brain, which unburdens it self of moist Hu- 
mor's and waterish Excrements, which falling upon, and being com-
municated to the Thorax, cause a Catarrah; to the Winde-Pipe, or Aspe-
ra Arteria, an Hoarsness; into the Nostrils, a Coryza, or Pose, and 
lastly, into the Mouth and Pallate frequent spitting, called Ptyalismos, 
or Plyousmos, of Ætius.
Or,

the Nostirils  Tongue  Teeth, and Lips. 261
Or, 2. The Stomach, which is moist and flegmatickly affected, of 
weakened, after Cronical Diseases, and through weakness of its heat 
and concoctive force, waterish and pituitous Excrements are abundant- 
ly made, which are continually suppeditated, and sent to the Mouth, 
which is done without coughing or hauking, and happens often in Quar- 
tanes, to Melancholicks; for spittle by its lightness swims above 
the Meat, and sweats forth from the Ventricle where in great plenty it is 
gathered, and made, by communion of the Membrane to the Mouth. 
Or, 3. The Spleen, whence Splenitiques and Scorbaticks are often 
affected herewith, and Hypocondriacks. 
Or, 4. The Whole Body, as in Children that abound with moisture, 
or were affected from bad alimentary matter in the Womb.  
Or, 5. The Lungs and Brest, as in Catarrhs and-Dissillations, Di- 
stemper or weakness of them. 
Or, 6. From the Intestines, whenas Worms abound. 
CAUSES are either internal, or External: 
Internal are either irritating and attracting: As first Aphthæ, or Ul- 
cers of the Mouth, by whole pain a flux of serous Humours, are made, 
and the Head being more moist, and abounding with such Humours 
sends them plentifully to the Mouth, which by concoction are made 
Spittle; but the attractive faculty of this Part, causes the motion of 
the expulsion of the Brain; so also in inflamation of the Mouth and 
Jaws, Apophlegmatisms, and the like, a serous pituitous matter is 
drawn from the Head, or a weakening, whence the part cannot repel, 
but needs must receive the flux that falls upon it, as 1. in weakness of 
the Stomach aforesaid; 2. distemper of the Mouth and Jaws, which 
give occasion to the gathering of moisture, and cannot consume, dry, 
and expel that matter; chiefly, 1. Of the Glandules or Tonsils, which 
readily receive a pituitous and waterish Excrement, transmitted from 
parts ill affected by communion. 2. Of the Columella or Uvula, in whose 
relaxation is a frequent and molestuous fluctuating of Spittle and moi- 
sture in the Mouth; whereby the flesh is made spongy and thin, and the 
hole of the Pallate dilated, so that a copious pituitous Humour falls 
continually from the Head, suppeditating it into the Mouth, having no- 
thing to obstruct its passage, or dissipate it. 
It is aggravated or continued longer then naturally it would, from 
Custom. 
External Causes are either moist Meats or Drink, or in unction of 
Quicksilver, or taking it inwardly, in the French Pox, &c. whereby a 
most plentious salvation is made.
SIGNS.  


262 Of the Diseases of.  
SIGNS 
Are taken from too great plenty of spittle, which whenas it is ordained 
by Nature to moisten meats, and help right pronuntiation in speaking, 
and right tasting, ought to be mean, neither offending in quantity nor 
quality; as also it doth whenas it is more thicker waterish, stinking or 
evil-tasted. 
A Ptyalism is greatest on mornings, and sometimes after meat; some- 
times fasting; it is not voluntary, unless by custom. 
The Causes are known, and the parts from whence the Original is 
deduced; for if the Mouth be affected, that draws from heat, or cannot 
repel through weakness, which is perceived by its Causes; from the 
Lungs it is brought forth more froathy and thick, and comes by hauking 
or excreation, rheumatisms and Catarrhs causing it, are easily known; 
so are outward Causes, as anointing with Quicksilver, and moistening 
Causes that precede it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
One is from hot, another cold Causes: One is Critical, another not: 
One is from superiour parts whose retentive faculty is overthrown, a- 
nother from inferiour parts, by whose expulsive faculty spittle is sent 
upward to the Mouth. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is sometimes healthful, and preserves from Diseases, as some acute 
Feavers by copious casting forth of spittle have been healed: It is bet- 
ter or worse, according to the degree, and nature, and greatness of the 
Disease whereby it is raised, and whereon it depends; it often presa- 
ges vomiting, sometimes also putrifies and begets stench of the Mouth, 
difficult Respiration, and Coughs.
CURE.
The Cure consists in taking away the generative cause, and corro- 
borating of the parts: in distillations we must follow the direction 
for Catarrhs; from bad concoction in the Stomach, we must purge by 
Aloeticks, crude serous Flegm, dry and heat by, Galanga Red Roses, 
Cinnamon, and Guaicum, a Pouder made thereof; Mustard-sauce, 
Frankinsence and Mastick, given in Wine. 
In the French Pox, Scurvy, Vice of the Bowels, Spleen, and Hypo- 
chonders; the Disease from whence it arises is first to be taken away. 
Astringent Gargarisms are for the Symptom, and to strengthen the 
Tonsils

the Nostrils, Tongue Teeth, and Lips. 263 
Tonsils, and Uvula and drie; as ꝶ of Cinnamon, Red-Roses, Pom- 
granate-Peeles, Mirtle-Teaves, of each an equal quantity; boil them 
in steeled White-Wine for a Gargarism: Or, ꝶ Roots of the Sloe- 
Tree, Wood of Aloes, Root of Hounds-tongue, of each ʒiij. Cy- 
press-Nuts, Cinnamon, Mastich, Galls, of each ʒij. boil them in Wa- 
ter, and add Vinegar of Quinces, and Syrup of dry Roses, of each 
what may seem sufficient. 
Sennertus saith, A Sponge held in the Mouth drinks up the moisture. 
If the Evacuation be Critical, we may not stop its Flux. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Teeth Edged or Astonished. 
HÆmodia in Greek, Stupor Dentium in Latine, is a certain mole- 
stuous sence the Teeth have in eating; induced from sowr things 
that have first been eaten. 
CAUSE.
Cause, is from eating sharp, tart, and sowr things, whereby the 
Teeth are set on edge, and are exasperated in eating; the Membranes 
participating with them, from the cold austere faculty of Fruits; for 
this acidity or sharp tartness is inimical to the Nerves and Bones. 
Moreover by acid, and fowr Humours, are the Teeth sometime 
edged or astonished, which sometime are cast out by Vomit; to Hypo- 
chondriacks also, that Vomit for long together, acid humours, or 
where acid and sharp Vapours arc more plentifully and directly 
carried to the Teeth. 
Imagination is also very apt to effect this; for the only seeing of ano- 
ther eat sowr things, or hearing of Cork cut, or the like noises, do, as 
it were, astonish and molest the Teeth; for the Organ of hearing is 
hurt, and little Nerves going from its Membrane to the Roots of the 
Teeth, carry thither a sense of horrour. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from the Patients perceivance, who cannot bite or 
eat any thing, by reason of a molestuous titillation that presently aris- 
eth in the Teeth, from the Membranes, perceiving the sharpness im- 
pressed and soaked in before, by the pressure of the Teeth, in biting, or 
unequal chewing.
Sennertus 


264 Of the Diseases of 
Sennerius saith, They are then endued with an exquisite sense of 
Feeling, and therefore cannot properly be called stupified or astoni- 
shed, for then they should not feel at all; but, now if they be but touch- 
ed, they presently feel, and are offended thereby, by a peculiar painful 
feeling, which Platerus saith, Is rather a molestation, then pain.  
Sometime the Teeth have such an exquisite sense, as they are offend- 
ed, and ake, by hot or cold things, or, hard things, made from weak- 
ness and distemper.  
CURE. 
Purslane is chiefly and above other praised for Hamodia, for that it 
is most certain, and speediliest helps; the Juyce hereof is to be sucked 
out by chewing of the Leaves, which is to be continued; or the Juyce 
alone may be used, as a Gargarism; or the Leaves alone, as a Mastica- 
tory; for this by its slimy Substance, and a propriety, takes away He-
modia.
Rhasis and Johnstonus, commend chewing of Wax. 
Harman wishes to rub them with Salt, or to bite an Hairy Cap, or 
Fuzzy Cloth.
Others commend Lees of Oyl boiled to the thickness of Honey, in 
a Brass Vessel; the Yolk or an Egg rotted or boiled hard, chewed, 
or applyed, beaten to the teeth; Gargarise with hot Wine, with Oyl, 
or Wine and Mucilages; Pulpe of Bread, and of Cheese, bitter Al- 
monds, Liquorish Mastick, Kernels of Walnuts and Filbirds have-been 
experienced by some also.  
CHAP. XI. 
Of Teeth erode, or broken away.
DEFINITION. 
IT is a lessening of their due and natural bigness from Causes ero- 
ding, and causing solution of continuity. 
CAUSE.
1. The Cause is a continuated fluxion, specially more hot and sharp; 
2. Meats, which either as Sugar, and other sweet things, for them ; 
or by staying in them, as all Flesh is wont to do, putrifies, and oo rots 
the Teeth; which is so much the sooner effected, when as the Teeth 
were

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 265 
were hollow before: Also hot things, whence came the Verse, 
Pultes serventes faciunt corrumpere Dentes. 
And cold things cast in presently after; also Oyntment of Quick- 
silver, Worms, and the like, rot the Teeth, and sometime make Fi-
stula’s. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Teeth are black, rotten, stubby and broken; if from a de- 
fluxion, there is commonly pain; if a Fistula, there is a greater stench of 
the Mouth. 
CURE. 
If there be a defluxion from the Head, we must consider and stop 
that; the Humour is to be stopt, the Head dried; then use Medicines 
that resist putrifaction and corruption; wash them with Salt and white- 
Wine, deterge and cleanse them after Meat; Decoction of Capers, 
Allom, Mastick, Nigella, Ginger, Myrrh, &c. are good to garga- 
rise, to hinder their erosion and wasting; a Pouder also of Five-leav’d- 
Grass, Mint, Red-Roses, Mirtles, Myrrh, Ginger, and Ashes of a 
burnt Hare, to rub the Teeth with, is good; also Salt Gem and Armo- 
niack; also a Suffume of the Seeds of Henbane is praised. 
Miraldus praises Water of the Root of Pellitory of Spain distilled 
in Wine.  
If Stench be present, put in sweet things, and hinderers of putre- 
faction if Worms, because they are to be killed, then Astringents to 
fix and confirm the Teeth are to be used. 
Hollow Teeth are to stopt up with Camphir, Root of Pelletory of Spain, 
and Wax; But Rondeletius thinks Wax mollifies too much, specially 
the Nerve: Medicines also to make them fall out are to be used, if so 
be they cannot be cured, or not to do any service, but offence; such 
Medicines are not to touch their sound, lest they also be loosened and 
fall out; nor the Gums neither, lest they be inflamed or excoriated 
from their sharpness: an Oyntment of Juyce of Spurge and Oyl of 
Henbane, with Flower put into the Hollow Tooth, or Juyce of Spurge 
and Flower; or Globules of Henbane, Onion and Leek-Seed, made up 
with Goats Suet, and put into the Cavity of the Tooth, are useful, to 
the intent to make the Teeth fall out: Many more, and good Medicines 
are rehearsed in the Chapter of Tooth-ach, that cause a fall, and com- 
ing forth of rotten, useless, and paining Teeth.
Ll CHAP. 


266 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Toothing of Children, and Pain. 
TOothing of Children is a molestuous Symptom, with pain and other 
concomitant accidents. 
SIGNS DIAG. and PROG. 
The Children, at such time as they Toothe are very froward, cry, 
and are Feaverish; sometimes Convulsions and Loosness arise, which 
are not so dangerous, as when they proceed from other Causes; if they 
have a looseness, they are less subject to Convulsions; if they are bound 
and costive, they are more drowsie, and more Convulsive; there is a 
little redness in the place of the Jaw that is affected; the Teeth are 
perceived to put forth and rise in swelling the Gums: they commonly 
come forth in the seventh Month, at which time Parents have no com- 
fort of their Children; greatest pain ariseth at coming forth of the 
Dog-Teeth. 
Hardness and thickness of Gums hinder the readier budding forth, 
and so causes more pain. 
CURE. 
Authors have left Medicines, and Rules for this Symptom. 
1. Therefore for Precepts, observe, whether Inflamation be present 
and mitigate and lenify that; where Night-shade, Lettice, Juyce of 
Housleek, with Oyl of Roses, Mucilage of Lin-Seed, and Marsh- 
Mallow-Seed, mixed with fresh Butter, are effectual; the like also for 
appeasing pain. 
2. Mollifie and laxate the Gums; here Juyce of Mallows, of Marsh- 
Mallows, with Honey or fresh Butter, are frequently to be used, which 
in inflamation may not be used actually cold. 
ꝶ of the Oyl of sweet Almonds, ℥i. Honey, ℥ss. Hens-Grease, ℥ss. 
make an Oyntment. 
The Brains of Hares are chiefly commended; so also the Brains of 
Chickens and Birds; the Brains also of Lambs and Goats; the Juyce 
of River-Crabs, with the Water of the Flower of Beans, Bitches Milk, 
&c. are commended by Authors, and thought greatly to help the erup- 
tion of the Teeth. 
Forestus stamps the Brain of an Hare and Honey together, and rubs 
the Gums with that.
Platerus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 267 
Platerus wishes to boil them in Wine, or mix them with Butter, or 
Honey, after Forestus’s way, wherein the Finger is to be dipt, and the 
Gums gently rubbed therewith. 
Hartmanus saith, To annoint them with the fresh Blood of a Cocks- 
Comb often, makes them come forth without any further trouble or 
accidents. 
Amulets are much spoken of, and variously recited by Authors, which 
are thought by an hidden propriety to do much. 
Miraldus saith, That the Tooth of a Colt of a year old, hung about 
the Neck of the Infant, causes it to bring forth Teeth. 
Calves Teeth of that age, or Mans Teeth so hung, are thought also 
to purpose: much credit is given to the Right Dog-Tooth of a Wolf, 
hung about the Neck Others commend a Male Vipers Tooth so 
used. 
Ætius, praises the Roots of wild Colocynthis, used the same 
way. 
Mathilolus ascribes as much vertue to the Stone found in the Head 
of Naked Snails; but he bids to bind it to the parts affected: and 
so probably if the other were used, they might be of greater efficacy. 
Paræus opened the Gums with a Pen-Knife, and found it very suc- 
cessful in divers, from great pain, inflamation, and a Feaver, that they 
may labour withal: Also sometimes from Mid-wives rash loosing it 
with their Nails, or edge of Money; in opening also sometimes they 
are made mad, if it be black, fuscous, hard, and insensible, it is 
Cancerous, and then we may touch it; yet for the most part it is void 
of danger, and seldom cured by resolution. 
CURE. 
After general Evacuation suted to the Age, Constitution and strength 
of the Sick, to take away the Antecedent Cause; for which Cause al- 
so, Gargarisms, Errhines, Apophlegmatisms, and Sternutatories are 
useful; if it be more inveterate, Sweaters and Cauteries are used. 
Then Topicks for resolution of the Tumour are often, to be put under 
the Tongue; some use Astringents first, others use Astringents with 
Revolvers, as Bark of Pomegranates, Galls, Salt Gem, Salt of Ar- 
moniack, Balaustians, Allom, burnt Brass, torrifyed Tragaganth, with 
Root of Hermodactils: more resolving, are Salt and Hyssop, Salt-Ar- 
moniack, with Sage, Organy or Mugwort.  
Forestus counsels to rubing of it with Salt Gem; some use Oyl of 
Vitriol. 
If it will not thus be resolved, but tend to suppuration, open it 
L l 2  Suddenly

268 Of the Diseases of 
suddenly by incision, or a Caustick; open it largely, for else the mat- 
ter yeeks in, and the Tumor is made afresh; make long cutting, that 
all the Matter may flow out, then wash it first with Lenients, and then 
Detergents or Mundifiers; if we cannot draw Forth all the Vomica or 
Bag; we must consume it with Verdigrease, and Then 
it is to be cured as an Ulcer. 
Gulielmus Fabritius cured his Brother that was Dumb for four years, 
by cutting off this Ligature of his Tongue. 
Paræus advises to use an actual Cautery, which is better approved 
of, if it be malign; but in these we must have a diligent heed that the 
sound parts be not touched and hurt hereby. 
If the Disease returns again, it must be cut again, or use an actual 
Cautery. 
If it be a Caruncle, it must be cured, as with Remedies for a Po- 
lypus. 
If it be black, fuscous, hard and cancerous, ’tis not to be medled 
withal, for thereby ’its most irritated and exacerbated. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Paroulis, or Inflmation of the Gums. 
PAroulis, otherwise is at Inflamation of the Gums, with 
swelling and painful redness.
CAUSE.  
The Cause arises from defluxion of Blood, either pure or impure, 
fallen from the Head by the Vessels. 
SIGNS. 
It is made in some part or other of the Gums, and stretching to the 
Roots of the Teeth; the neer parts are distended, red and hot, their 
swelling is to be seen. 
If the Tumour be hotter, pain is greater; if made from a more Pitui- 
tous Blood, they are colder, Inflamation and pain are more remiss; 
the Pus breaks forth at Roots of the Teeth covered with a small co- 
vering.  
PROGNOSTICK. 
This often degenerates into Ulcers. Fistula’s, Cancers, and Gan- 
grenes,

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lip, 269 
grenes, and therefore the sooner represt the better; for if it apostemate 
it may turn to bad affects, as aforesaid. 
CURE.
Cure is by purging and bleeding, then open a Vein under the 
Tongue, and Cuppers to the Neck, Astringent Gargarisms to repel, 
wherein sharp biting things, and Vinegar that pains, are to be shunned, 
they not being Putrid or Eroded; a Decoction of Bramble-Buds, Rose- 
Leaves, Purslane, and Sal Prunella is most excellent; Oak-Buds, Sal 
Nitri, Plantane, Housleek, Self-heal, and Mulberry-Leaves are also 
Medicinal. 
Galen above others praises Oyl of the Mastich-Tree, being new, and 
temperately hot, held in the Mouth; in a cold Cause, and Pituitous De- 
fluxion, add hotter Resolvers; Decoction of Barley, Liquorish, Mal- 
lows, Jujubes, Agrimony, &c. A Gargarism Collution of Decocti- 
on of Self-heal, Sage and Water-cresses is commended; or a De- 
coction of Self-heal in the Water of English Tobacco, with Sal Pru- 
nella. 
If it be not dissolved by Discutients, but tend to Suppuration; it is 
to be opened, its maturity being made by Suppurators; some set Leeches 
to the swollen Gums. 
But a Pen-Knife to open it, if it open not spontaneously, is best ap- 
proved; then the Ulcer is to be cleansed, dried, and heated; and if an 
Hæmorrhage or Flux of Blood should follow, use the first Gargarism in 
this Chapter. 
The pain, as a very vexing Symptom, is to be appeased; warm Milk is 
to be gargarised alone, or wherein red-Rose-Leaves have boiled; out- 
wardly a Cataplasm of Crumbs of White-Bread boild in Milk, is to be 
applyed warm. 
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Consumption of the Caruncle, or weeping Flesh in the 
greater Corner of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
RHyas is a Diminitution or Consumption of the weeping Flesh or 
Caruncle of the greater corner of the Eye, arising either from Cor- 
rosion, or defect of Aliment, inducing a constant weeping, and sheding 
of tears involuntarily. CAUSE.

270 Of the Diseases of 
CAUSE. 
Cause is either from the foregoing of a FiStula Lacrymalis, or of a 
Leucoma and Encanthis, which were badly cured; sometimes it suc- 
ceeds Epiphora, or a large or more sharp flux of Humours, or sharp 
Medicines, causin erosion of it; it is sometimes made from the POX, 
sometimes by Excisions, &c. 
SIGNS. 
The use of this glandulous Flesh, seated in the Corner of the Eye, 
being to stop the hole tending therefrom to the Nose, and suck up, and 
impedite Tears, and unvoluntary weeping; whenas it is deficient, 
there is a constant unvoluntary weeping, whereas before the Humours 
falling from the Brain to the Os Cribrosum, were thence derived to the 
Nostrils, and cast out. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That which is plainly eaten up, is not cured; if only in part, we are 
to go about the Cure. 
CURE. 
Is by Sarcorticks, with Consolidaters and Astringents: a Colliry of 
Aloe, Tutty-Stone, and Mucilage of Psyllium-Seed is good; or Cy- 
press-Nuts, Red-Roses, Myrtles, Sumach, Dragons-Blood, Bark of 
Pomegranets, Myrrh, &c. prepared after those wayes as may seem most 
convenient; some stop up the hole, and supply the place of the Carun- 
cle with some matter; but regeneration of that flesh should rather be 
made, so that the work of Nature might be done thereby.
CHAP. XV.  
Of too great growing forth of that flesh. 
DEFINITION. 
ENcanthis in Greek; Additio Carnie Lacrymalis in Latine, so called 
by Avicen, is an immoderate Eminence or growing forth of the 
Caruncle in the greater corner of the Eye, made from too plentiful 
nourishment, or redundant Blood, sometimes malign, and effecting 
pain. 
CAUSE. 
It-comes from evil cure of Ptergium from too much Aliment, or 
Blood.
SIGN. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips.  271 
SIGN. 
It is quite contrary to Rhyas; for in this the Caruncle of the corner 
of the Eye or weeping Flesh sticks out, and is much bigger then natu- 
rally it should, and accustomedly was wont to be.
DIFFERENCES. 
1. Is malignant and painful, which is blew, hard, rough, resitting 
Medicines. 
2. Another not; which contrary to the other is smaller, ruddy, looser, 
soft, and without pain, and is made from Blood, or a more pure Ali- 
ment. 
3. Another is from melancholy Blood, which partakes of the Na- 
ture of a Wart. 
4. Another is from excrescence of Flesh after Ulcers. 
5. From reduction of Cataracts thither, which there are kept and 
nourished.  
CURE. 
In a more soft and benign Encanthis, drying and more mild eating 
Medicines are to be tryed at first; as this of Ætius, praised by him; 
ꝶ of Allom and Mysum burnt, Vitriol, of each equal parts; mix them: 
we must proceed to stronger by degrees; some touch it with Oyl of 
Vitriol, or Sulphur.
If it be great and old, it is only cured by Chyrurgery, it is tyed 
about with a strait Thread, and then the superflous part is cut off 
with a Bistory or Razor; others use an hot Iron, or actual Cautery; 
then we must lay Driers upon the part to prevent its growing again. 
But before we too rashly undertake the Cure by Chyrurgery, these 
things are to be considered. 
1. That Evacuation of the Body be made, to take away fluxions that 
are to arise to the pained part. 
2. We must use Corrosives first for tryal, before Chyrurgery. 
Wherein, 1. we must use gentlest, as aforesaid. 2. Defend the 
other parts about Encanthis from being touched by them. 3. We must 
have a care that the whole Caruncle be not consumed by them, but on- 
ly what is superfluous, else it will turn to the contrary affect, Rhyas: the 
like is to be considered in Cure by Chyrurgery.  
CHAP.

272 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Ulcers of the Gums. 
ULcers of the Gums are made from erosion by sharp Humours, from 
inflamation and pustules suppurated and broke, from Worms and 
the Scurvy.
DIFFERENCE. 
Some are proper to Scorbaticks, some are more creeping and eating, 
others less; some succeed to foregoing affects, others arise of them- 
selves.  
CURE. 
Their Cure, after purging and letting Blood, if the matter be more 
hot and sharp, is by Revulsion, Blister, and Cup and Cauterize, to avert 
and turn away the Flux; then Dryers are to be used. Riverus proved 
this Balsam, wherewith the Ulcer was anointed often in a day; ꝶ of 
Myrrh and White-Sugar-Candy, as much as may seem convenient, 
put them into an Egg, and rost them, and then make use of the mix- 
ture; things are best used at time of sleep, for then they best stay in, and 
molest least; if they be more foul, and are suppeditated by vitious Hu- 
mours, Driers are not sufficient: touch them with Oyl of Sulphur; if 
the Cause be colder, hotter Remedies; If hot, colder Remedies are to 
be used: if the Tooth next to it be rotted, that must be taken away, else 
the Ulcer will not fully be healed; see to the peculiarity of the Cause. 
Of a Fistula of the Gums. 
A Fistula of the Gums is caused as an Ulcer of them, and Cured 
as Fistula's of other parts; a Decoction of Agrimony with Allom, one 
drop of Gum-Ammoniacum Honey of Roses, with Oyl of Vitriol, are 
held peculiar; some add a Caustick. Celsus advises to pulling out of 
the Tooth. 
Of

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips, 273 
Of Loosness, Putrefaction and Exesion of the Gums. 
CAUSE. 
CAuse is from deflux of sharp or vitious Humours, from the Scurvy, 
&c. 
SIGNS are best discerned by Sight. 
CURE. 
It is cured, after Universals, by washing with the water of Colum- 
bines; if there be putrefaction, we must use Detergents, else onely 
confirm and restore the Gums decayed, by Topicks; a Pouder of Galls, 
Myrrh, Root of Bistort, and Bark of Pomgranates, is most excellent; 
to stay their wasting, Mastick is to be chewed; they are also to be rub- 
bed with Sage Leaves; wash them clean every morning with Water 
of Columbines, or Sage, or of Self-heal, or Bramble-Buds, with Allom: 
If they be Scorbatickly affected, see to the Cure of the Scurvy. 
Of a Cancer of the Gums. 
A Cancer of the Gums is made from an Inflamation of them, turn- 
ing apostematous, and breaking ulcerous, which Ulcer not healing, 
turns cancerous: The Juyce of Rheu applied by a Linnen Cloth dipt 
therein, and a Gargarism of Decocton of Allom, and Root of five- 
leav’d-Grass in White-Wine, are praised. 
Guordonius used Birthwort, Allom, Hellebore, Balaustians, and Brim- 
stone, with Juyce of Agrimony. See for more direction herein the 
general Chapter of a Cancer. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Excrescence of the Gums. 
EPoulis is a carnous Excrescence of the Gums, sometimes with 
pain, and a Feaver. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is from vicious, serous, and corrupt Blood, flowing plentiful- 
ly to the Gums, which is easily received from their spongious rarity; 
also from Ulcers ill, cured.
Mm  SIGNS. 

274 Of the Diseases of 
SIGNS. 
It happens frequently to Scorbaticks; it is sometimes so big that the 
Grinders are covered, and puts the Teeth out of their Sockets, and 
hinders close Shutting of the Mouth; sometimes the excrescent Flesh 
is loose, wavering and filthy; sometimes it follows inflamation, and is 
partaker of putrefaction, other times not. 
CURE. 
If it be light and without putrefaction, ’tis more easily cured by A- 
stringents and Repressers; Columbines are held most effectual, either 
the Water of them to gargarise, the Pouder of them for Friction, or an 
Oyntment thereof for Unction, may be used; also to rub them with 
Mint till they bleed; Pouder of the Root of the Sloe-Tree, Rasp 
Leaves, &c. are useful: The Juyce of Water-Caltrops are very effe- 
ctual. 
Johnstonus saith this Pouder is proved by much Experience: ꝶ of 
the Leaves of Collumbines, Sage, Mint, Nutmegs, of each ℥ß. burnt 
Allom, ℥j. Honey despumated ℥iv. make a Liniment for the Teeth. 
If it be greater and with putrefaction, stronger Eaters and Consu- 
mers of it are to be used; as Aqua-Fortis burnt Allom, burnt Salt, Vi- 
triol, and Galls; but we must have a care they be not swallowed; wash
the mouth before and after meat with salt Water. 
Others, if it be greater, bind it dayly harder and harder with a thred 
till it fall off, or cut it off, or pull it off with a pair of Pincers. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
A Fistula of the Teeth arises as a Fistula of the Gums; there is a 
corrupt Humour and Sanies always coming forth, which is often 
stinking; sometimes it flows out by the Roots of the Teeth, and Holes 
of the Jaw-Bone, or Vessels thereof; sometimes it is derived out- 
wardly, and stirs up Tubercles in the Cheek or Chin, and sometimes 
opened, it always leaves an Ulcer remaining. 
CURE. 
It is cured by taking forth of the Tooth, which is done by Instru- 
ments or Medicines that make the Teeth to fall out, as with fat of 
green Frogs that live in Trees.
Taber 


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 275 
Tuber Montanus praises Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, and mixt
with Henbane-Seed; or Goblets of Flower and Juyce of Tithimale or 
Spurge, incorporate with dissolved Amoniacum, are effectual. See more 
of these in the Chapter of Toothach, and erosion of Teeth, and the Pre- 
cepts as to their use. 
If an Ulcer of the Gums remain afterward, see the Chapter of an 
Ulcer of the Gums. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Swelling of the Lips. 
THe Lips which the Greeks calls Cheile, the Latins Labia, from the 
word Lambo, to lick, are variously affected; sometime from vice 
of Conformation; sometimes from adventitious Causes; sometimes 
they are affected with Tumours, Ulcers, Fissures, Inflamation, change 
of their natural Colour, defect of right motion and action; their use 
being, 
1. For decency, and close closure of the mouth, and keeping out 
whatever being hurtful or offensive might enter thereinto. 
2. For forming the Voice, specially some Letters and Syllables. 
3. For the more ease assumption or better taking of both Meat and 
Drink, and retaining of it there to a due while. 
4. To beautifie, and keep the Teeth, which sometime are black, rot- 
ten and unhandsome, and Gums, from sight; also to keep in the Tongue; 
and he would seem like a Monster that had them not. 
5. To cast Spittle out of the Mouth, or what else we would spit forth. 
6. For blowing, or rendring a sound, as for whistling, trumpetting,
piping, &c. 
7. For Infants to suck withal: And he that had them not, would look 
as a Dog doth when he girns, saith Riolanus. 
These ate variously affected, as we said before, and do sometimes 
suffer Diseases of magnitude, wherein the Lips be greater than natu- 
rally they are accustomed to be; and they that are thus affected are cal- 
led Labeones, or great-Lipped, which cometh, 1. Naturally, from evil 
conformation from their Nativity: 2. Or is accidental and adventiti- 
ous, induced from sundry Causes, which are curable; As, 
1. From stinging of Bees, Wasps, or Venemous Flies, whereby one 
Lip (unless both be stung) is bigger then the other, and more swelled in 
one place, or one side, than on the other. 'Tis known by relation of the 
M m 2 afflicted 


276 Of the Diseases of 
afflicted: The sting is then first to be plucked out, if it may be; then 
apply the same Creature bruised that stung: Juyce of Mallows, and 
Marsh-Mallows also are available. 
2. From Poysons, sharp blistering Medicines, handling of Mush- 
rooms, and touching the Lips thereupon, or things sticking to the Lips: 
These are easily known by relation of what preceded: Antidotary and 
Lenifying Emollient Medicines are useful. 
3. From Contusion, which calls a Flux of Humours, and they In- 
flamation; a Flux of Humours may also be made from other Causes: 
Repellers and Discutients are to be used. 
4. From salivation in the French Pox, then they are puft up, and black 
like Carcinoma, and are to be cured with Specificals for the French Pox. 
5. Sometimes they are cancrous; then see to the Chapter of a Can- 
eery for their Method of Curing. 
6. They are hard like Steatoma, and are not helped by Suppuraters 
or Discussers, but Section. 
7. From a dry putrefaction, where there’s no sign of matter; and 
this goes often before death. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of the Fissures or Chaps of the Lips 
FIssures of the Lips are a solution of the Continuity thereof, from 
Siccity and Tension. 
The Greeks call them Ragades, the Latins Scissuras, and Fissure, 
CAUSES. 
Causes are, 1. Air that is cold, and North Wind, that hurts and 
chaps the Lips, whole contexture of covering is of so great Tenuity and 
Tenderness; and the lower Lip is sometimes cleft in twain , where the 
two extremities of the Muscles end. 
2. Dryness and stretching out are made from vapours hot and dry, 
ascending thither either from the Stomach or Head; this happens in 
Feavers. 
3. From Humours, there is extuberancy, soreness and itching; 
which Humours being sharp, are cast down from the Head; or salt and 
sharp Humours do arise from the lower parts by the Oesophagus, and are 
translated to the Lips. 
It comes to Women marriageable from dryness of their Womb, 
and

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 277 
and to Infants from hardness of the Teats they suck; or from hotter 
Milk, Poysons, &c. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. If from cold and wind, ’tis known by relation of the Affected.  
2. If it proceeds from driness of the Womb in leacherous Women, 
then the fissures are not very deep, not very frequently made, not hard, 
nor are they hot, or itch. 
3. If from dryness alone, and want of moisture, there is no sticking; 
Feavers sometimes, or an hot constitution of the Body, and dry, is pre- 
sent; dust also, or the like, preceded. 
4. If from Humours, the Lips are more sticking; if they be more 
hot, there is greater itching, and deepness of the chaps. 
From Cuts or Poysons as Cantharides, or hardness of the Teats that 
Infants suck, the relation of the party diseased, and them about them, 
can relate.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From Nativity, they are difficulty cured; if adventitious more easily, 
unless they degenerate cancerous: In some Feavers they are Critical, 
and argue thinness of the Humour; if they be not well ordered or look- 
ed to, they may prove ulcerous, otherwise commonly they onely smart 
sometimes, and are not handsome to the sight; Sometimes they last 
long.  
CURE. 
In Cure, We must respect the Cause: As, 
1. IF from dryness, whether made and induced from internal or ex- 
ternal Causes; we must moisten, give inwardly Apples, Cucumbers, 
&c. Outwardly to the Lips, apply Mucilages, the fat exstilling from 
wooden Kitchin Spoons fried in the fire, Goose and Capon-Grease, 
Marrow of Oxe shanks; or this Liniment of greatest force, ꝶ of the 
Mucilages of Fleawort and Quince-seed, of each ℥ß Lycium, ʒij. Juyce 
of Housleek, Oyl of sweet Almonds, of each ℥j. Yolk of an Egg, ℥ß.  
beat all into a Liniment, which is to be used in all Causes, as most ef- 
fectual; Juyce of Crabfish with Cream. 
2. If from hot and sharp Humours, we must take them away, purge, 
and let Blood, and intercept their course to the Lips, the part offen- 
dent being first found out. 
We must use Topicks, cooling, lenifying, and agglutinative; the 
fume of Henbane-seeds is held marvellous; Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, 
and of Wax also, excel: Grease of a Capon, Oyl of Roses, Tallow, 
Oyl of Wheat, Mucilage of Tragacanth, &c. are useable; an Oynt- 
ment of Rosin of the Fir-Tree, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, and Juyce of 
Henbane is very good. 
If

278 Of the Diseases of 
If in Children from sucking hard Nipples, anoint their Lips with the 
fat fried from a Spoon that is used about Grease, with Oyl of sweet Al- 
monds, and Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, which is best, also Oyl of 
Wax. 
All must eschew the outward air, keep the Lips inward; fly hot, dry 
and sharp things, and hold moist things in the mouth. 
CHA. XXI. 
Of Hare-Lips, or Cloven-Lips. 
HAre-Lips, or Clefts of the Lips, are called by the Latins Labia 
Leporima, Rostra Leporlna, or Leporis, or Fissura Labrorum, by the 
Germans Hasenschart, Tis whenas from vice in conformation, the 
Lips do not cohere, or joyn unitely. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is from the Birth, from the Womans imagination at time 
of Conception, who then either saw an Hare, or some what else so af- 
fected; or longed to eat thereof, and could not have it. 
Sometimes accidentally such fissures are made in the Nose or Ears, 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences hereof are onely as to the magnitude; for some are lit- 
tle, some very great, wherein there seems as if a piece of flesh was ta- 
ken away. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Evil is better born sometimes than the Remedy; ’tis dangerous 
in Children that suck to use Chyrurgery, also to old men, and Hydro- 
picks, where we may fear a Cancer therefrom, and very bad scars are 
left after Chyrurgery.
CURE. 
Cure is by Chyrurgery, the Patient must be aptly placed, then the 
skin of the dissited and gaping Lip must be cut off with a Penknife on 
either side of its gap, then conjoyn the Lip that is so excoriated, and 
with a Needle and Thread, while it is yet bleeding, make future of it, 
and so let the Thread hold the parts together till they grow together na- 
turally, which in eight or nine days it often doth; after this, draw out 
the Thread, and use Astringents to anoint it; the fat that fries out of 
Wooden Kitchin Spoons (that have been used about fat and dripping)
being

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 791 
being laid in the fire, Oyl of Wax, of Eggs, &c. correct excrescent 
flesh, and lastly induce a Cicatrice: Oyl of Eggs is said to take away 
the Deformity of the Scar made by Chyrurgery. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Lividity, Paleness, Blackness or Blewness of the Lips. 
LIvor is a paleness, or a blackness and blewness happening to the Lips. 
from fear, and sudden frights and passions, or from an evil dispo- 
sition of the Bowels, and Blood infected. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be done by Paints, as of Spanish Red, of Madder-Roots, 
and Aukanet-Roots; by rubbing them with a piece of Sheep-skin dyed 
red, or steeped in a Decoction of red Sanders, with Gum Arabick, made 
in Aqua-Vitæ, 
Chalybeates are to be taken inwardly. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are taken from Causes: For, 
1. One is from fear, sudden frights, and moving of Passions, Wrath, 
&c. whereby the Blood flows back to the Center, and they ceasing, it 
returns, and the colour is restored again. 
2. It happens to Women, 1. Labouring with the Green-Sickness: 
2. With the pale Colours or white Flux of Menstrues, both which be- 
ing cured, it ceases. 
3. From an evil disposition of the Bowels, the Lips want their pure 
ruddy colour, as in Cachecticks; 2. This evil disposition is seated va- 
riously in parts; sometimes in the Liver, sometimes in the Spleen, 
and sometimes in the mouth of the Stomach, affcting from communion 
of parts, even as we see trembling of the Lips in a fit of vomiting. 
4. Lividity of the Lips sometimes happens in continual Feavers, 
which is a deadly sign, and shews extinction of native heat. 
5. and 6. From Elephantiasis or the French Pox, which being cured, 
it ceases.
CHAP. 

280 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XXIII. 
Of Mouth-Writhing, or convulsion of the Face. 
WRithing of the Mouth, or a Convulsion of the Jaws, arises 
from a depraved motion of the Muscles or Nerves, drawing 
awry the Mouth and Skin of the Face. 
NAMES. 
It is called Spasmus Cynicus, from the figure of distortion of the mouth, 
which is like to the grinning of angry or mad Dogs; and is called by 
the Latins, Canina Convulsio, a Dog-like Convulsion. 
Some call it Risus Sardonius, from the Herb Sardia, which is called 
Batrachium, and of some Apium Risus, because those that take thereof 
have their Mouths pulled awry, and distorted, and seem to laugh dy- 
ing: It is mort commonly called Tortura Oris, signifying a simple draw- 
ing awry, or distortion of the Mouth.
CAUSE.
Its Cause is from resolution of the Muscle of the Jaw, or Muscles of 
the Face, or the stock of Nerves spread over the Face, affected; or the 
Nerves of the third or fifth Conjugation, or those that descend from 
the first Vertebra's of the Neck, or from the Spinal Marrow betwixt the 
second and third Vertebra, brought from Causes cooling, as in those that 
remain in a cold Air, and windy, after sweating or obstruction of the 
Nerves. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Distincton is to be made betwixt Tortura Oris, Spasmus Cynicus, and 
Risus Sardoneus; as also twixt a Paralitick and Convulsive Motion: 
For, 
1. Tortura Oris, or a drawing awry of the Mouth, which is more 
simple, comes from the broad Muscle of the Mouth affected, wherein 
is stretching out of the Mouth; sometimes the upper Lip is drawn to- 
wards the Eye, from the Nerve of the third pair being hurt, which also 
causes the drawing awry of the Cheeks and adjacent Skin, because the 
affected part draws the sound; the Nose, Eyes, and half the Face, are 
distorted, whenas the Brain is half affected. 
Spasmus Cynicus, or Caninus, is whenas the whole Face is drawn con- 
vulsively from the Propago, or set of Nerves spread over the face affected.
Risus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 281 
Rlsus Sardoneus is such a contraction of the Muscles that the Skin is 
drawn up and distended, as is wont in them that laugh, and the party 
seems to laugh. 
SIGNS. 
General Signes are taken from a Convulsion, wherein the found parts 
are drawn by the affected parts; there is often pain foregoing, a numb- 
ness of the Skin, and beating; in a Palsey the affected part is drawn to 
the sound obliquely, the use of the Teeth is spoiled, they cannot draw 
their mouth to laugh, nor pronounce the Letter O; the Eye-lid falls 
down from resolution of the forces, and strength of the parts; the face 
loosens and flats downwards, and is not drawn in wrinkles, as from a 
Convulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is not easily cured, and threatens Epilepsies, Palsies, Apoplexies, 
and Death especially, if prolonged; or if it supervened a Palsey of the 
whole, or a general Convulsion; if it be strong and convulsive, it is 
deadly from the matter translated to the Brain, and Death arrests them 
sometimes ere five days expire, sometime not in ten days: The Body 
free from Feavers, Head-Diseases, and strong, and the Disease fresh, 
and the face but in the half part affected, we may draw from hence some 
hopes of Cure, and that they may cease sooner, and sometimes spon- 
taneously, or of Natures own accord. 
CURE. 
In Cure it is requisite to consider the part affected, whether Convul- 
sively or Paralitickly, by what Nerves or Muscles affected, and whence 
those have their Root and Original. 
We may proceed in its Cure much after the same Order as for gene- 
ral Spasms and Palseys, the part peculiarly respected: A Clister there- 
fore premised, we may prepare the matter with such as are prescribed 
in the Chapter of Palseys and Convulsions; then purge the Brain with 
strong Cephalick Pills and Phlegmagogues: if there be fulness, open- 
ing of a Vein, first in the Arm, secondly in the Tongue, is approved; 
Cuppers may be applied to the Neck; Internals, Nervals and Cephali- 
cals are good, as were directed for Palseys and Convulsions; Mastica- 
tories, Gargarisms, and Collutions of the Mouth are useful; Troches 
also may be held under the Tongue, made in form of Lupines, of Pel- 
letory of Spain, with Castoreum, Gum Bdellium, Pepper, Mustard-seed, 
and Aqua-Vitæ; Vapours from convenient Decoctions may be received 
into the face. 
Anointing of the Face, and Head, and Nape of the Neck, specially 
N n the

282 Of the Diseases of 
the Roots of the Nerves affected, to the Vertebra's of the Neck for 
from the second and third do arise the Nerves moving the Jaws: ꝶ Oyl 
of Been, of Castor, of each ℥j. Pelletory of Spain, Sage, Rosemary Cow- 
slips, Rheu, of each ʒj make a Liniment. 
ꝶ of Bettony, Sage, Rosemary, Couslips, Bay-leaves, Eldern, Or- 
gany, Calamint, Fleabane, of each an equal quantity; put them, being 
reduced into Powder, into Linnen interwoven, spiinkled with Spirit 
of Wine, and heat hot, after anointing, apply it to the whole Face, 
or that half of it that is distorted. 
Some use Ligatures to draw it strait from the opposite part to the 
overthwart part. It is not accounted a Disease, but onely a figure vi- 
tiated; the Cramp it self being onely a Symptom of the Matrix-facul- 
ty hurt. 
If the upper Lip be drawn upwards towards the Eye, the Nerve of the 
third pair there affected, Being cut a little below its compass, it is heal- 
ed. 
CHAP. XXIV. 
Of Stuttering, Stammering, or defect of right Pronuntiation.  
STuttering, stammering, and lisping, are defects of right pronuntia- 
tion of Words and Syllables, called by the Latins Balbuties and 
Blæsitas arising from several Causes. 
CAUSES.
As, 1. Palsey of the Tongue, where the Cause lies in the Nerves, 
being obstructed by a moist pituitous matter, or viscid Flegm, or relaxa- 
ted or overcooled therefrom, then motion of the Tongue hurt from the 
Nerves of the seventh pair or Cunjugation being hurt: See more of 
this in the Chapter of a Palsey of the Tongue. 
2. A Ranula or Tumour under the Tongue, called the Bond or Li- 
gature, whereby Childrens Tongues are bound so straitly that their 
speech is impedited there from; and it is wont to be taken away by Mid- 
wives with their Nails, whereby right Pronuntiation and Speaking is af- 
terward procured: See for better information herein the Chapter of 
Ranula, 
3. Too great moisture, or a moist distemper making the Tongue more 
soft and loose, so that it exercises not its motion; this happens to Chil- 
dren from their Nativity, who cannot pronounce R;  yet by growth com- 
monly

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 283 
monly that superfluous Humidity is spent; but if that moist Distemper 
still continue, so long they stutter or speak imperfectly: This happens 
also to elder People from Drunkenness, or deflux of Catarrhs, and Rheu- 
matick Distillation, which are sooner acquitted again; but worse, if 
the same Distemper be in the Brain. 
4. From too great siccity or dryness of the Tongue, whereby speech 
is vitiated, coming often in Feavers. 
5. From solution of Continuition, as Wounds and Ulcers.  
6. From magnitude, 1.Encreased, hindering its motion, which is 
either from natural Conformation, or a swelling of the Tongue preter- 
natural; which swelling is either with or without Inflamation: See 
more of this in the Chapter of a Tumour of the Tongue. 2. Lessened, 
which also is made either by ill Conformation , or Accidents, as 
Wounds, Ulcers, hard Cicatrices, &c. which shorten and lessen the 
Tongue. 
7. From fault in the Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe, being the Pipe 
by which both natural and vocal respiration is put forth; also from con- 
striction or obstruction of the clefts of the Larinx, is made ill utte- 
rance. 
8. The Uvula, or Gargareon, being either defective, or the natural 
situation or bigness of it changed, being very instrumental to forming 
the voice, causeth imperfect pronuntiation. 
9. Vocal Respiration obstructed or mutilated, we cannot speak clear- 
ly and perfectly; this is made either from stopping of the breath sud- 
denly from suffocation, or Tumours in the Jaws, or it is changed and 
mutilated from weakness, Whence they cease to speak, and it is called 
Aphonia: See the Chapter of Aphonia, or Dumbness. 
10. Those that are born Fools, and infatuated from their Birth, 
speak not plain; which may be supposed to arise from too great moi- 
sture in the Tongue and Brain, effecting too great flexibility thereof
SIGNS. 
Signs both Diagnostical and Prognostical, are gathered from the pre- 
cedent several Causes. 
DIFFERENCES are four-fold: 
1. The first is called Aphonia, or Dumbness, wherein they speak not 
at all. 
2. The second is called Balbuties and Blæsitas, or a stuttering and stam- 
mering, wherein Words and Sentences are not rightly uttered, and 
they cannot pronounce some Letters, as R, or in others K and T. 
N n 2  3. The

284 Of the Diseases of 
3. The third is Hæsitantia Lingua, wherein they cannot bring out all 
the word, or that very drawlingly. 
4. The fourth is Antidoglosser, called Tongue-ty’dness, from short- 
ness of the Tongue, and is peculiar to Children. 
CURE. 
If from defect of parts, that cannot be restored; it is incurable.
From a Palsey, and Ranula under the Tongue, see their Cures in 
their proper Chapters. 
From Tumours, also Wounds and Ulcers of the Tongue or Jaws, seek 
their Cure in their proper places; and they being cured, this Affect 
ceaseth. 
From natural Conformation, whether the Tongues be too thick, or 
too short, it is not curable. 
Moisture indicates drying, and Dryness moistening; if flegmatick 
impacted Humours hinder vocal Respiration, they must be attenuated 
and excussed, the Brain must be dried and stengthened; little Lozen- 
ges in form of Lupines are held under the Tongue, made of Sage, Mu- 
stard, and Rheu-seeds, Lavender and Rocket-seeds, with Mucilage of 
Gum Tragacanth to embody them, also Gargarisms of Spirit of black 
Cherries, Spirit of Wine wherein have been steeped Lillies of the Val- 
leys; Frictions of the Tongue also, with Sage-leaves, Couslips, and 
Lavender: It is said that to rub Childrens Tongues with Salt Gem and 
Honey, makes them speak presently. 
CHAP. XXV. 
Of a Palsey of the Tongue.
A Palsey of the Tongue is an abolition of its actions and speaking, 
induced from the Nerves, resolved. 
CAUSE. 
Cause arises from relaxation, obstruction, or refrigeration of the 
Nerves, which if they be of the seventh Conjugation, there is a Pal- 
sey of the whole Tongue, and motion totally perished: These Nerves 
come from the Brain, near to the beginning of the Spinalis Medulla, or 
Back-Marrow, and are carried to the Muscles moving the Tongue, which 
being hurt as before,or wounded, the motion of the Tongue is depraved 
or abolished and is well called a Palsey.
More-

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 285 
Moreover, a Palsey is sometime lateral, as of the right or left side; 
Taste is also spoiled from the Nerves of the third pair affected.
SIGN. 
Signes are taken from motion hurt, from vice in speaking, and taste 
hurt, which sometimes is safe if the Nerves of the third pair be unhurt; 
sometimes all, sometimes but half the Tongue is paralitick; the Tongue 
looks red, and seems to be hot, at other times cooler and moister; there 
are sometimes present signes of a cold distemper of the Brain, and it 
sometimes succeeds to Apoplexies. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In more aged People, in Apoplectick, or those that are generally 
Paralitick; from a distemper of the Brain, tis more dangerous and more 
hardly cured, and if an Apoplexie hath not precaded, nor is present, 
there is great danger that it will ensue. 
In a lateral Palsey of the Tongue, and in youth and flourishiing habits, 
tis better, and some hopes there is of Cure. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be begun with Catharticks, wherewith specifical Cephalicks 
are admixt to carry their force to the Head; general sweaters 
are then to be insisted upon; Salt of Pearls is given to x. gr. in Malmsey; 
Black-Cherry-Water, Oyl of Rosemary, &c. are commended: this 
Pouder serves best to dry and strengthen the Brain and Nerves, ꝶ: of 
Castor, Pirethrum, of each ʒss. Marjoram, Sage, Lavender, Spike, Be- 
tony, Stæchas, of each ʒj. Cloves, Nutmegs, of each ℈j. Sugar to the 
weight of all, make an exquisite fine Pouder, whereof ʒj. may be ta- 
ken every morning in Black-Cherry or Sage-Water, except on those 
mornings we interpose some purging Apozem, or the like. 
Topicals: To shake off and extract the Humours, and free the Nerves 
from obstruction by impacted Humours, and strengthen them, are very 
effectual and commodious, 
1. Gargarisms of Juyce of Sage, of Oximel of Squills, and Oyl 
drawn from Mustard-seed; of Decoctions of sweet Marjoram, Sage, 
Lavender, or Spike, Organy, Cloves, &c. with Spirit of Castor, are ve- 
ry profitably and commodiously used. 
2. Lupines, or little flat Cakes held under the Tongue, there to 
melt by continuance of time, made of Mucilage of Tragacanth, Pulpe 
of Mustard-seed, Rocket-seed, Sage, Pelletory of Spain, Wood-Sage, 
and the like, are useful and effectual. 
3. Rub

286 Of the Diseases of 
3. Rub the Tongue with Sage-Leaves, Rocket-seeds bruised, To- 
bacco, or lay upon it Oyl of Anniseeds, of Cloves, and Spirit of Black- 
Cherries. 
4. The Neck or place of the Original of the Nerves must be anoin- 
ted with Aqua-Vitæ, and Spirit of Castor: Some use Vesicatories to 
the hinder part of the Head; and Avicen applies a Cupping-Glass 
under the Chin; Cucupha’s and Errhines are also useful. 
To recover Speech, Spirit of Black-Cherries, Juyce of Sage, and 
Primroses gargarised, are greatly applauded; so are the Flowers of Val- 
ley-Lillies distilled in Wine. See more in Aphonia. 
There is another Disease of the Tongue, called by the Germans, De 
Braun and it is a great swelling thereof, with blackness, ruggedness, and 
dryness; with it also is a Delirium, Insanies, and light-headedness, a 
Disease not mentioned by the ancient Authors, but cometh nearest to 
that of Paulas Ægineta, called an Erisypelas of the Brain: It comes 
familiarly to Souldiers, that lie in Camps in the open and cold raw air. 
CURE. 
After generals, as opening a Vein under the Tongue, Purging, &c. if 
it seem requisite, a Gargarism of Decoction of Prunella, or Self-heal 
in Water, a little Vinegar added, is the best Remedy, and held very 
certain for the Cure hereof. 
CHAP. XXVI. 
Of the Frog, or Infants Ligature of their Tongue. 
DEFINITION.
BAtrachos in Greek, Ranula, and by some Ranunculus in Latine, is a 
Tumour of soft flesh risen under the Tongue, referring the form 
or a Frog, to which as to a girt or band the Tongue adheres, causing im- 
pediment in speech. 
CAUSE. 
It arises from viscid and pituitous Blood, flowing thither and stirring 
up a soft Tumour: sometimes 'tis only a fleshy excrescence without an 
humour.  
SIGNS. 
1. As to its Figure; It is like a Frog, thence called Rana and Ranu- 
la, for the rift in the middle separating the right part of the Tumour 
from

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth and Lips. 287 
from the left, the hinder part in figure and colour resembles a Frog. 
2. As to its Substance; It is much of the nature of Oedema some- 
times, sometimes like to Atheroma and Steatoma. 1. Because it is in- 
volved in a Bag or Follicle; 2. Because the matter within is like to 
the matter of these, or more nearly resembles both in colour and con- 
sistence the white of an Egg; therein also sometime hath a stone been 
found. 
3. As to its Magnitude and bigness, it is seen under the Tongue in 
bigness of a Bean or Chesnut; sometimes it grows so great that it co- 
vers the Teeth, and the Mouth will hardly hold it, and induces great 
danger of suffocation, and seems like another Tongue, the veines under 
the Tongue being so mightily extuberated, and puffed up also, from 
the abundance of a muddy viscous pituit fallen from the Head. 
4. As to the Effects and concomitant Accidents: As, 1. They can- 
not speak plain not clearly, but croakingly like Frogs, because the 
Tongue is not stretched forth duely, but held down, and kept straiter 
and shorter then is requisite to speaking. 2. The Tongue is found 
lifted up more or less according to the growth or bigness of the Tumour. 
3. There is sometimes present Inflammation, sometimes danger of 
Choaking or Suffocation, where 'tis very great, sometime it is Cancerous. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The greater the more dangerous, it is often mortal, both from Suf- 
focation, which it may bring if it be the greater, and near the tough Ar- 
tery and Laxinx, and also a Quinzy that it may bring to elder People. 
CHAP. XXVII. 
Of a Tumour or Increment of the Tongues. 
IT is divided variously, for one is an only distension and enlarging of 
it from a plenteous aliment, so that it is neither Erisypelas, nor Scir-
rhus, nor Oedema: It is without pain; sometime it is less at night, than 
in the morning; herein the Tongue is sometime black or livid from the 
blood being cold. It is to be cured by evacuation as a Phlegmone and 
Repulsion, a cloth dipt in Juyce of Lettice and laid upon the Tongue; 
other coolers and repellers of nourishment are also convenient. 
2. Another is a carnous Swelling, or fleshy increment of the Tongue, 
made from superfluous flesh, which had its rise from vitious excre- 
ments, and a pituitous Superfluous alimentary matter; Preparatives 
premi-

288 Of the Diseases of 
premised, if curable, we may expect most from Chyrurgery. 
3. Another is from Blood, and is an inflammation of the Tongue, 
whose Cure is described in the Chapter of Inflammation of the 
Tongue. 
4. Another is from deflux of a pituitous matter, and then it is Oedema, 
or a softer and loose Tumour, according as the matter is thicker or thin- 
ner, moister or more dry: If it be Oedematous, Cure is as Oedema; if a 
soft and loose Tumour, we may open the Sublinguar Veines, purge and 
revulse, use resolving and ptarmick Gargarisms, some using scarrifica- 
tion, have cured by flowing forth of the swelling matter. 
5. Another is Erisypelatous from Choller, wherein is Inflamation, 
and for which, see the Chapter of Inflamation of the Tongue. 
6. Another is Scirrhous, from Atrabilis: Cure it as a Scirrh. 
7. Another is Cancrous, wherein is small hopes of Curing; and pu- 
trifaction coming at the Root of the Tongue, or a flux of Blood in 
Tongues eroded, the Sick die. 
8. Another is from the French-Pox, anointings with Quicksilver, 
poysonous and venemous funges: Shun Purges in this, and use specifi- 
calls; wash with Juyce of Plantane, Scabious and Lemons; if it be of 
the nature of Oedema, use Remedies fit for an Oedematous swelling; if 
it be great, we must beware lest it bring danger of Suffocation. 
Some have their Tongues remain without their Mouthes, and this 
progress of it may be called the falling out of the Tongue, and hurts 
chiefly by deforming. 
I knew a Gentlewoman in London, Sifter to one that married my 
Cousin, that if a lock of hair that hung out of her hood behind her Head 
( which she shewed me when she told me the reason ) was put up under 
her Hood, or in her Head-clothes, with the rest of her hair, she could 
not shut her mouth, so that she alwayes wore this little brown lock hang- 
in down behind: I told her it could not be according to the course of 
Nature, there could be no natural cause for it; if so, it must be superna- 
tural; and if so, by the Devils Agents, Witches, which we could shew 
by divers other Histories and Relations, and Reasons, but they are im- 
pertinent here; she those of two evils the least, rather to have her lock 
of hair not very long, hanging without, than to go with her mouth open, 
but I never asked her why she cut it not off; I suppose she suffered it 
not to grow at length, being shorter than commonly womens hair is by 
farre.
CHAP.


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 289  
CHAP. XXVIII. 
Of an Ægylops. 
AN Ægylopsli a little Tubercle situated betwixt the bone of the 
Nose and the greater corner of the Eye, which before it be broke 
is called Anchylops, and breaking, turns Fistulous, and is called Fistula 
Lacrymalis: The Arabians call it Caræb.
CAUSE 
Arises from vitious humours falling from the Head, which are either 
more watry or thick, muddy and virulent, driven to the corner of the 
Eye, and there seeking a passage, but being retained they putrify, and 
rot also the bone, effecting also a cavity, wherein, being broke, is a fi- 
stulous Ulcer. 
SIGNS. 
It is a little Tubercle or Prominence betwixt the root of the Nose 
and corner of the Eye, reddish, and equally molesting at all times, con- 
ceiving within it a cavity, and breaking, turns a Fistula. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from a more slow and thick humour, is contained in a bag 
or skin in form of pap and honey mixt, together, effecting no solution 
of continuity, that opens not, but is taken away by Section, and turns 
not Fistulous; which the Latines call Abscessus Ocularis, and the Greeks 
Anchylopa and Anchylops. 
2. Another from effusion of a serous blood from adjacent veins, 
driven forth by blows, or the like, conceiving Inflamation and pain; 
and breaking, turns an hollow Ulcer or Fistula, wherein sometimes the 
Bone is corrupted, and then it is called Ægylops. 
In this also be differences, for some be benign, others cancrous, 
wherein touch doth much irritate; the colour of them is pale and livid, 
the veins appear full and ill coloured. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Anchylopa is better than Ægylopa; tis the worse if Inflamation and 
corruption of the bone be present, tis incurable if cancerated; the 
worse also the more deeply it is seated: a Fistula is bad to heal, and like 
to prove a Cronical Affect, yet the fresher the better, the farther off 
O o of

290 Of the Diseases of &c. 
of the Eye the better; through nearness to which, and tenuity of the 
bones of the Nose, it is most to be feared; the continual affluxes of the 
Matter also, and motion of the Eye, hinders its drying up, and healing. 
CURE. 
Cure is by Revulsion and Repulsion, if not yet ulcerated; if it be ul- 
cerated, dilate the Ulcer, put in a Tent of Gentian-root, deterge and 
mundifie. Some use Astringents for repressing the defluent humours, 
which others dislike, and use resolving and maturating Topicks, the Pus 
is all to be crushed out and then use Topicks, the Collyry of Rhasis, ꝶ 
of Aloes, Frankincense, ℥i. Sarcocol, Dragons-blood, Balaustians, Al- 
lom, Crude-Antimony, of each ʒi Verdigrease xv. graines, with Eye- 
bright-water, make a Collyry. Discussers are to be used, as Rhue boyl- 
ed in Lee; rank Nuts and Saffron boild in Alica the Juyce of Festuca or 
St. Peters Corn, is thought by a propriety to help, so also is the Milk of 
Almonds. 
SYMPTOMES. 
Before it be consolidated we must look to the Symptomes: 1. Infla- 
mation is to be cautioned, for which repellers, letting blood, &c, 
are useful. 2. Hinder its turning Cancerous; where revulsion is good, 
an actual Cautery, or touching it with oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol. 3. Look 
to the Bone, if that be rotted or corrupted, scale it. Causticks (as a Pou- 
der of Verdigrease, Festuca, Myrrh, and Gentian roots) are usefull, dila- 
tation of the Ulcer being first made, also an actual Cautery. 4. If a 
Callows grow, take that away by Corrosives and Chyrurgery; then use 
Sarcoticks and Cicatrizers: See a Fistula of the weeping flesh.
Of 


291 
OF THE 
Diseases of the Lungs 
THese three Distempers, Hoarsness, 
Catarrh, and Asthma, were writ 
long since, compiled from the 
best Authors, compared and laid 
together, all things of moment 
that were not in one, We extra- 
cted from others, and from all 
abjected what was most unne- 
cessary: Our precedent Discourse of the Lungs and 
their Diseases, will shew what these want: Here the 
Readers may see the Rules and Method of the Antients, 
and compare them. We endeavoured to draw out all 
the choice Specificals, and appropriated Medicines 
that ease the Symptom, and do good in all Causes  
so that if the Antients were mistook in the Causes, yet 
in those open Affect the Medicines are prevalent, and 
being found out by sure Experience, never fail.
O o 2 CHAP. 

292 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Hoarsness. 
HOarsness is a Depravation of the Voice, from an Hu- 
mour falling upon the Wind-Pipe, and making of it 
rough. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a defluxion of Rheumatick Humours from the Head to 
the sharp Artery, or Winde-pipe, made either through cold weakening 
the retensive faculty of the Brain, or heat dissolving and pouring forth 
Humours, whose collection and generation came from moistening Cau- 
ses, or airy Exhalations from the Stomach, which turned to a waterish 
matter which preceded, and were either from too much Drink, Wines, 
Bathes, moistening Meats, and raw Fruits, and other things, sending 
many moist Vapours to the Head. 
SIGNS. 
There needs no Signs to be set down whereby to know it, onely to 
distinguish twixt an hot and cold Cause; which are, if the Head be hot, 
if the Defluxion be more sharp, if the Nose and Face look red, and the 
Party perceives the Head hotter than accustomedly it used to be; and 
if heating Causes preceded and went before, we know it is from an hot 
Distemper, and heating Causes; if the contrary Signs to thesebe pre- 
sent, we may well guess they have taken cold, either being bare-headed, 
or by Clamours, whereby the Mouth was long kept open, and cold air 
drawn in.
CURE. 
In Cure, it is good, 1. To prevent a Feaver in an hot Cause: 2. To 
concoct and thicken the Humour for expulsion, which is done by Pecto- 
rals: As, ꝶ of Maiden-Hair, Liquorish, Figs, Jujubes, of each equal 
parts, boyl them in Water, and adde Syrup of Violets and Poppies, of 
each what may seem sufficient to sweeten the Clarified Liquor. 
After this, purge with Cephalick Pills and lastly, dry the Brain. 
Medi- 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 293 
Medicines that respect the Symptom, and that besides their faculty 
of lenifying the roughness of the Wind-Pipe, and the tickling sharpness 
of the Rheum, do by a propriety help, are these: ꝶ of Juyce pressed 
from green Liquorish, ℥j. Juyce of Sage ℥Ss with Sugar boil it sy-
rup; then adde Storax, Calamitis, Myrrh, Gum Tragacanth, Saffron, of 
each ʒj. make hereof a Lohoch, to be often licked of with a Liquorish 
Stick, suffering it to melt and slip down by degrees. 
Or, ꝶ Leaves of the Fig-Tree, Five-leav’d-Grass, of mss. Seeds 
of Srubb-thlaspeos, Dropwort-Roots, of each ʒij. Poppy and Violet- 
Flowers, of each Pug. 1. boyl them in Water, then strain them, and 
adde to the Liquor Sugar for the boyling of it up into a Syrup; Gum 
of the Cherry-Tree dissolved in Wine, Mucilage of Quince, and Psyl- 
lium-Seeds in honied Water, are also very proper for Hoarsness. 
This is much praised, ꝶ of Spirit of Sack, ℥ss make it as thick with 
Sugar-Candy, as a thick Eclegma, or Lohoch, and take thereof often; 
but in an hot Distemper Oyl of sweet Almonds so thickned with Sugar- 
Candy, and a Decoction of Penny. Royal well sweetened, is of great 
account with some. 
Hartmanus saith, If it be from Cold, a a Draught of good Wine well tempered 
with Sugar, takes it away. 
Rondeletius saith, To clear the Voice there is nothing better than to use fre- 
quently our Pills Benjonum, or this, which (saith he) helps in all Hoars- 
nesses, from what Cause soever; ꝶ Conserve of Violets, ℥j. fresh But- 
ter and Milk drawn from Almonds, of each ℥ij. Meal of Orobus, ℥ss. 
Tragacanth, and Penedies, of each ʒjss. mix all together into form of a 
Lohoch. 
CHAP. II. 
Of a Catarrh or Distillation of Rheum. 
CAtarrhos is a Symptom of things cast out, being a Flux of Rheum 
falling from the Head upon the subjected parts, arising from Cold 
or Fulness. 
SUBJECT.   
A Catarrh is taken for a Defluxion of Waterish and Rheumatick Hu- 
mours upon any part, as upon the Jaws and rough Artery, into the Nose, 
Ears, &c. Eyes; but here it is specially taken for a deflux upon the Lungs.
CAUSE. 

294 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CAUSE.
Cause is effectual in the Brain, which either weakened in its reten- 
tive, or irritated in its expulsive faculty, cast forth, or lets fall such se- 
rous Humours upon the lower parts: Causes hereof are either remote 
or nigh; remote are such as engender plenty of such a matter and se- 
rous Blood, such be all vaporous things, and moistening Causes, as im- 
moderate drinking, Bathes, Wines, Apples, and crude Things in the 
Stomach, which either sends vapours to the Head, or the Head draws 
them from thence, by immoderate heat in it. 
Or, an hot Distemper of the Liver, or Obstruction of it, cause a Ca- 
tarrhous Matter to be heaped up in the Head; from an hot Liver, an hot 
Matter is sent, and is the Cause of an hot Catarrh; from Obstruction 
are those Humours also forced upwards, that were wont to have their 
passage downwards in their proper Channels, which may happen in a cold 
state of the Liver, and where heat in the Head more forcibly attracts; 
the same is also from obstruction of the Spleen and Courses. 
Or distemper of the Head, which if cold, it first repells not Hu- 
mours and crude Vapours sent thither; secondly concocts not that ex- 
crementitious pituitous matter, from coldness and weakness: The south 
Air and rainy Weather cause it, as Sect. 3. Aphor. 5. 
Nigh, are such as weaken the retentive, as cold Air, or cooling Cau- 
ses; or move the expulsive, as heat, and plenty of the matter, or sharp- 
ness of it.  
SIGNS. 
General Signs are heaviness of the Head and Senses, dulness of the 
Sight and Hearing, often Sneezing, a sense of the Humour distilling, 
which is sometimes more sharp, other times milder; sometimes salt 
and flegmatick, sometimes fresh, and coloured like Saffron, and trou- 
bles the Eyes, Nose, Jaws, and Lungs too sometimes, whence a Cough 
is raised. 
Particular are taken from Difference of Causes: For, 
1. One is from Plethory, where antecedent Causes were such as fil- 
led the Head with Vapours, or Humours, and comes by consent, as 
from Liver, Spleen, Courses stopt, and Stomach, and then there are 
Signs of those parts, evil affected, and obstructed; or from Crudity, 
Drunkenness, an Aquitonian constitution of the Air that preceded; 
may easily be known also by a sense of distention and fulness in the 
Head. 
2. Another from heat, or a hot distemper of the Head, which is 
known, 1. By heat perceived in the Head, both by the Patients sense, 
and

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 295
and also by feeling to it. 2. The Humour is more thin, hot and sharp, 
so that the Nose thereby is sometimes exulcerated, the Face and Nose 
be red, and sometime a Feaver follows. 
3. Another from cold, which is indicated by taking cold, either by 
being bare-headed, or too much conversant in cold windy Air, also by 
absence of heat; the Humour is more thick and flegmatick, obstruct- 
ing the Ethmoid-Bones, and causing hoarsness of the Voice, and a 
greater sense of heaviness and distension in the Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is familiar to Winter, and not dangerous; unless, 
1. It be joyned with Headach, and a Feaver. 
2. Or be more frequent, and happens to moist and Catarrhous Con- 
stitutions. 
3 If they run with violence, called Choaking Catarrhs, wherein is 
danger of Suffocation, falling in so plenteous and preposterous a mea- 
sure and manner upon the Lungs and sharp Artery. 
4. In Old men, for there they admit no Concoction, for their Bo- 
dies be cold. 
DYET. 
As touching Dyet, and things to be observed, note the Cause; for 
in a Cold Cause all cooling things are hurtful, as Dyet or Air cooling 
actually or potentially, North Winds: In an hot Cause, a cooling Dyet 
and Air is good, South Winds hurtful, Vexations of Mind, Watching, 
&c. bad. 
Generally note, 
1. To esehew moistening Dyet, and too much sleep. 
2. Vaporous things, as Garlick, Mustatd, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Onyons, Wine, and strong Odours. 
3. What ever things accumulating or dissolving Humours, as chang- 
ing of the temper of the Head from Heat to Cold, Baths, the Sun and 
Venery are hurtful; let him sleep most upon his Belly, that so the mat- 
ter may the more readily break out by the Nostrils.
CURE. 
In Cure, First, The matter is to be prepared not with Incidents and 
Detergents, but Thickners and Concocters, which at first are to be 
more weak; rest and sleep moderate help much. 
2. Let Blood if the Liver be hot, if the Body be full and Sanguine, 
if Pleurisies and Quinzies be endangered therefrom, or a Feaver, which 
enkindles the Humours; or if the Head be hot, letting Blood is 
good 

296 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
good to hinder its drawing more to it; otherwise omit Phlebo- 
tomy. 
3. Purge the matter by Apozems, not too strong, least the matter be 
too much agitated; not too often, (Corroboraters interposed) lest they 
be over-weakened; in a thicker and more remote matter Phlegmagogues 
in form of Pills may be used. 
4. Pull back, derive, and turn away the flux, Frictions and Ligatures 
to the Extremities, Cupping-Glasses to the Buttocks, Setaces, Cau- 
sticks behind the Ears: Arculanus applied Causticks to the Crown, and 
by the sores drew forth much matter; but Septalius saith, Cauteries to 
the Coronal Suture are evil, and by experience we never find good ef- 
fects therefrom, but the Membranes, Veins, Nerves, and Fibra’s are 
inflamed therefrom; Revulsion is also made by Clisters, Errhines, Gar- 
garisms, Apophlegmatisms, &c. are used by some to evacuate the mat- 
ter contained in the Head, and condemned by others because they draw 
the matter in greater force and plenty from the Head upon the Lungs 
and Aspera Arteria, whence may be made a suffocative Catarrh, Infla- 
mation or Exulceration of the Wind-Pipe, or Quinzies, though not al- 
wayes. 
5. Strengthen the Brain, because a part strong may do more by Na- 
ture, than the Physitian by Art, and moreover stopping or binding up of 
the matter is not so good or healthful, as Natures expulsion of it if 
without damage to her; among other things Serpillum, or Mother of 
Thyme is held to have a Propriety herein, or the Wine of Pope Adrian, 
ꝶ of the Bark of all sorts of Myrobalans with the Kernels dried, of 
each ʒijß Cinamon, ʒj. Cloves, Galanga, Cubebs, Cardamoms great- 
er and less, of each ℈ss. Red Roses dried, ʒjss. Lavender and Rose- 
mary, of each ʒss. bruise them, and steep them in seven pints of Wine 
for twenty four hours, then drink morning and evening thereof.
6. Dryers, as a Drink of China, Sarsaparilla, Guaicum-Wood, of Rose- 
mary, &c. 2. Or a Pouder of Nigella-Seeds, red Roses, Succinum, and 
Bark of Frankinsence: 3. Or a Cap of Pouders interwoven in Flocks 
twixt fine Linnen, as ꝶ Seeds of Romane Nigella, Amber, of each ʒij. 
red Roses, Myrtle-Berries, Styrax, Calamitis, Galls Omphacite, of each 
ʒjss. Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Coriander-Seed, Labdanum, of each ʒj. re- 
duce all to a gross Pouder for a Cucupha, or loose Powders may be 
strewed in the Head. 
The Seeds of Nigella and Cummin parched and applied warm, (the 
Head being shaven) interbasted in fine Linnen, being first poudered, 
are said to be a most present remedy: 4. Suffumes to dry the Brain, are 
also very effectual, as of Nigella-Seeds, torrified, and smelt to, or of 
this

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 297 
this Pouder cast upon Coals, over the Fume of which the Head is to 
be holden; ꝶ of Succinum, or Amber, Frankinsence, Seeds of Cori- 
ander, Rosemary, Mother of Thyme, Gum of Juniper, Tobacco, of 
each ʒij. mix them.
Or, ꝶ of Nigella-Seeds, and Amber, of each ʒiij. Storax, Gum of 
Juniper, Rosemary, and Coriander-Seed, of each ʒij. Myrtle-Berries, 
red Roses, Mastick, Nutmegs, of each ʒj. mix and pouder them grosly, 
for the aforesaid use. 
7. Respect the Flux or Symptom, which if it offend in quality, cor- 
rect that, as I. Sharp, and then use Emulsions, and tempers of Acri- 
mony, that the parts be nor excoriated, exulcerated, or inflamed from 
sharp pain ; ꝶ of Barley-Water, ℔iv. boyl therein Liquorish, ℥j. 
white Poppy-seed, ʒij. St. James-Wort, Flowers of red Poppies, of 
each mss. to the strained Liquor adde Syrup of white Poppies, and Vio- 
lets, of each ℥ij. mix all for a Drink, chiefly to be used at going to 
rest; or Laudanum is given by some to the quantity of four or five 
grains, which where it may safely be given, is very effectual : Chy- 
mists commend Oyl of Butter, given to ℥j at one Dose. 2.Salt, where- 
in Johannes Prevotius proceeds thus ; in salt Rheums or Spittle, the De- 
coction of Barley, Jujubes, Liquorish, and sweet Pruines, chiefly in a 
Liquor that is made by boiling of the Feet or Head of a Calf or Lamb 
is good; so are Snails of the Wood, or Hodmondods, and Emulsion of 
the four less cold Seeds, with Almonds, adding the Flower of Starch, and 
Cream of Ptyfan, a Ponatel of the same Emulsions, adding white Poppy- 
seeds, if the saltness be more urgent; or lick up the Juyce of fresh Prunes, 
or Butter, or a Syrup of sweet Prunes juyced, and Juyce of Purslane boiled 
with Honey to a Syrup. Thus far Prevotius. 
3. Hot and thin, and then Coolers and Thickners are conducing, 
those that were prescribed for an hot matter , and Rotula's of Saccha- 
rates to hold under the Tongue, arc useful here; for example-sake, ꝶ 
of Sugar penidiate, ℥jss Gum Arabick, Tragacanth dissolved in Poppy- 
Water, of each ʒij. Root of Hounds-Tongue, red Roses, Wood of 
the Frankinsence-Tree, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Poppies make Rotu- 
la's to hold under the Tongue, and melt by degrees. 
4. Cold and thick, and then Attenuates and Heaters are more pro- 
per both for the matter in the Head, and that that is already flown into 
the Lungs, a Pouder of Valerian-Roots, Spiknard, Rosemary, Mother 
of Thyme, Myrrh, Sage, Saffron, Costmary, and Spignel-Roots, is 
then most excellent; or a Wine of Rosemary, Indian-Nard, Spignel- 
Roots, and Nigella-Seeds, with Aromaticals for the Head , and Pecto- 
rals or the Lungs. 
Pp    2. In


298 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
In quantity, if it offend, as sometimes, it induces fear of Choak-
ing ; we must stop it gradually, dull and retard its quick, violent, and 
preposterous motion, by Intercipients applied to the Forehead, as an 
Emplaister of Mastich, Frankinsence, Cummin, and Nigella-seeds, with
Oyl of Jasmine-Flowers; Or taken inwardly, as this Pouder much 
commended, ꝶ Bole Armonick, Mans Skull burnt, Hounds-Tongue 
Storax, Liquorish, Frankinsence, Myrrh, of each ʒj. Saffron, ʒss. Opium, 
Thebaick, ℈j. with Syrup of white Poppies, make Pills: These also are 
praised, and held from a propriety to stop Catarrhs; Poppies, Rosema- 
ry, Ragwort, Strawberries, Amber, Valerian-roots, Spignel, or Meum-
roots, Hounds-Tongue, Storax, Myrrh, Root of the Sloe-Tree, Honey- 
Water, and Rosa Solis-Water, Neck-Laces, or Beads of Amber hung
about the Neck, fume of Onyons stewed in an Oven, Leaves of Laurel 
and Winter-Bark snuft up the Nose, Tobacco taken in a Pipe, and a 
Decoction of Pimpernel,taken morning and night in fulness of the Head 
from Rheumatick Humours.  
Renodæus reckons up these things that stop a Catarrh ; Syrup of Pop- 
pies, Jujubes, and Quinces, Liquorish and Myrtles, Leaves of Colts- 
foot condite, Hyssop, Bole of Armenia, Hounds-Tongue, Troches of 
Camphir, and Oyl Omphacine. 
Hartmannus saith, An Amulet of the Root of Female-Verbascus, or 
Mullein, gathered from the fifteenth of August, to the eighth of Septem- 
ber, the Moon decreasing, being hung about the Neck, is the most soveraign 
Remedy for a Catarrh. To intercept the Flux also, Intercipients appli- 
ed to the Head shaven, specially to the Crown, are available, as a Bag 
of Succinum sprinkled with Spirit of Wine, or of the Pouder of Chame- 
pithis sprinkled with Oyl of Succinum. 
Lastly,The Symptoms are to be considered ; If it happen to Infants, 
the Nurse is to be dieted, Milk is to be rectified, and she must be purged, 
and take Pectorals; One grain of Frankinsence in Pouder given to the 
Child, is held a secret; the Head is to be sprinkled with Pouders that 
be astringent and strengthening, but not too strong. 
If a Feaver be joyned, let Blood, give Coolers, and omit hot Medi- 
cines ; if a Cough molest much, it must be suffered awhile, till the Cause 
which is the Catarrh, be cured : so also Excoriation, and pain from 
sharpness, and heat of the matter, is helped by the aforesaid things that 
cool and make mild the flux of Humours ; too great sneezing may law- 
fully be mittigated : See the Chapter of Sneezing, to hinder a Quinzy 
impendent; a Decoction of Lentils are thought to be effectual.
CHAP.



Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 299 
CHAP. 111.
Of an Asthma, or hurt of breathing. 
An Asthma is an hurt of breathing, with noise and frequency, arising 
from a pertinacious Obstruction of the Lungs and its Vessels, or 
Compression thereof, and afflicting without a Feaver. 
Respiration is the proper action of the Lungs, which we ought to know 
what its right medium and constitution is in bodies not affected, where- 
by we may also distinguish how much it is depraved ; it is twofold, free 
or strait; Free Respiration is a facility of Breathing, with little mo- 
tion of the Chest, from the Middriff and Lungs tightly constituted,and 
not diseased, whereby it is voluntarily lessened or enlarged, drawn in or 
sent out, more quickly or slowly, and is called Natural Respira- 
tion. 
Unnatural Respiration is very divers and various , according to its 
celerity or rarity, greatness or smallness, motion and respite, equal or 
unequal. For, 
I. Macropnæa is a Vice of Breathing, wherein plenty of Air by in- 
spiration distends the Brest exceedingly, and the whole Thorax is moved 
by all the Muscles, because the Heart (for cooling of which, breathing 
is ordained) being over-heat, as in Feavers, or almost suffocated with 
fuliginous Vapours, requires much Air to fan and cool it by inspiration, 
and sends out many fuliginous Vapours in expiration. 
2. Tachypnæa is a greater and more frequent respiration from the 
same Causes, being greater.
3. A third kind of depraved breathing is called Dyspnæa, or a short 
breathing. 
4. Asthma, which is more frequent drawing of Breath. 
5. Orthopnæa, whenas the sick are forced to stand upright to fetch 
their Breath. 
6. Apnæa, or an ablation or total abolishing of sensible respiration, 
wherein is great danger of Suffocation ; it comes sometimes from eat- 
ing of Toad-stools, sometimes from swoonding, and in suffocation of 
the Womb, wherein the Heart is thought to be ventilated, refreshed, 
and cooled by Transpiration, or Perspiration , of which it being the 
Author, and all the whole Body being spirable, within and without, ac- 
cording to Hippocrates, why may not perspiration by the pores of the 
Body supply the Heart in a defect of respiration ? and Galen saith, If that
Pp 2 pores 


300 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
pores of the Skin be obstructed, so that Transpiration is prohibited, and 
so consequently the fuliginous vapours retained, putrid Feavers are rai- 
sed, whose Basis is the Heart. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is either the Lungs, Middriff, or sharp Artery, and the Organs 
of breathing by the Animal Spirits and Nerves.
CAUSES. 
Causes of Asthma are either obstruction of the Lapets and Grisles of 
the Lungs, by a thick flegmatick impacted matter, or stones, and crude 
Tubercles, risen in its substance, and causing obstruction either through 
weakness of the Lungs, and then it is gathered and made by degrees, 
or from vice of other parts, which transmit such a matter to the Lungs. 
Sennertus thinks it to come from the Liver by the Vena Arteriosa, because 
Asthmaticks are so often Cachectick, and have their feet swell; and 
though Catarrhs be present, whereby it may be thought that the matter 
falls from the Head, and is thickned and dried in the Lungs, yet be- 
cause a Cough would be made, if the Humours came by the sharp Arte- 
ry from the Head to the Lungs, he doth not think the matter comes 
from the Head, and because sometimes it ceases without expectora- 
ting. 
Or, 2. Constriction of the Pipes and Vessels of the Lungs or Mid- 
driff, which may come, 1. Through dryness, as in Ptissicks, specially 
when they are nigh Death. 2. From the smoak and fume of Quicksil- 
ver, of Coals, Lime, anointing with Quicksilver, gross Vapours, a- 
rising from the Womb to the Aspera Arteria and Pipes of the Lungs, 
cause a constriction, straitening and narrowing of those parts. 
Or, 3. Compression of the Lungs and Middriff, which is made ei- 
ther, 1. Through plenty of Blood, as in the Hæmorrhoids stopt, whence, 
the parts of Breathing are straitened by compressing and crushing to- 
gether : Or, 2. of Water, as in Dropsies, by whose turgency and abun- 
dance, distention of the Abdomen is made, so that a compression of the 
Lungs and Middriff is made therefrom, whereby free breathing is im- 
pedited, and hurt. 3. From swelling also of the Liver, Spleen, or 
other Bowels, or extraneous Bodies, causing Compression of the afore- 
said parts, cause a Dyspnæa, or short breathing. 4. From abundance of 
Vapours collected in the inferiour Ventricle, sometime being more be- 
nign, sometimes malignant, which are carried to the Middriff, and hinder 
its free motion and Office of Respiration. 
To these also may be added Defluxions of a thin matter falling upon 
the 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs.  301 
the Muscles of the Brest, and ordained for its motion, or intercostal  
Muscles and Nerves of the Middriff, so that free motion and acting of 
those parts is impedited, and hindered ; or the Spondils of the Back 
luxated inwardly, or lying along on their Backs, whence the Breast falls 
upon the Back, and the way of the Breath is made more narrow, and 
so Orthopnicks are suffocated. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are more common : As , 1. Thick and frequent breathing,
which is aggravated by running,or great stirring, by lying on their Back, 
or taking cold, to which the Lungs and Middriff are exposed, and very 
obnoxious too : Or, 2. A Cough from a matter in the Lungs ; 3. A 
noise or ratling in breathing, from the Air breaking through the parts 
obstructed by a pituitous matter: 4. Expiration is easier than Inspira- 
ration, for in that the Instruments do spontaneously fall down, being 
void of Air, that stretched out their Capacity ; but in this they are har- 
der to be raised and distended to receive the Air, that is to be drawn in, 
from the agglutination of the matter, and heaviness, oppression and 
weakness of the Organs of Respiration. 
Or less common ; which come from particular Causes : As, I, From 
a defluxion upon the intercostal and Muscles of the Brest, and then the 
Brest is moved heavily, and there is great pain thereof ; 2. From a 
crude Tubercle, or botch in the Lungs ; there is a Feaver present if it 
be apostematous, and this being suppurated, the matter is cast out with 
the Cough ; if onely an excrescent swelling, or some outgrowing Tu- 
bercle, or stony hard concrete matter, sticking in the substance of the 
Lungs, then the Symptoms and short breathing encreased gradually as 
that encreased; they are not so much troubled with difficulty of Breath- 
ing, they have no Feaver, the Disease is continual, and they are found : 
The same Signs also are present in obstruction of the Lungs and Wind- 
Pipe from a glutinous flegmatick thick Humour, onely that Stertor or a 
ratling noise in breathing is also present. 3. If the Cause be from the 
Liver, then there are Signs of the Liver being weak and ill-affected;
there is a Cachexy, or ill habit of the whole Body, Clorojis, stopt Hae- 
morrhoids, and swellings of the feet. 4. If the Cause come from the 
Head, as Catarrhs do, which sometimes in an high degree suffo- 
cate or Quarchn, as the Vulgar term it) it is more periodick, or comes 
at times; molests chiefly in Autumn and Winter,and is worst on Nights.
DIFFERENCES.  
One is continual, another periodick, or that comes by fits ; one 
comes suddenly from Catarrhs and Deflexions, or a matter translated 
from


302 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
from other parts to the Lungs; another by degrees, and congestion of  
an Humour more thick, and pertinaciously adhering : Differences also 
are made from parts offended and offending ; from Causes also, as Com- 
pression, Constriction, or Obstruction, of all which we have sufficiently 
spoken heretofore. 
SYMPTOMES.
Symptoms are a Cough, Catarrh, Noise, want of Breath, specially 
in going fast or up-hill, swellings of the Feet, difficulty in making Wa- 
ter, which troubles sometimes, and arises from a matter sent to the 
Reins ; sometimes also a Feaver, Hoarsness and Expectoration are 
Companions. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In driness of the Lungs and a Ptysical state, in old men, and an in- 
veterate obstruction, there is little hopes ; also if they are made bun- 
chy from it, or in an acute Feaver, because by its heat the matter is 
made drier and harder, and not easily cast out by Expectoraters ; it 
sometimes strangles Children, and ends in Dropsies and Peripneumo- 
nies sometimes; sometimes by its diuturnity and stubborness kills ;
many times if they be weak they swound, because their breath is gone : 
cold weather is bad for them ; free breathing is a great sign of health, 
and they that breath freely die not, as Hippocrates observed. 
CURE.
In Cure, Consideration of Dyet and Regiment is first to be had, 
wherein observe these things: If it be from a Flegmatick matter 
obstructing, as most often it is, Dyet must be heating and drying, 
with which Attenuaters, and Cutters of a thick matter are meet to be 
mixt; Partridges, Capons, Hens, are good, which are rather to be 
roasted then boiled ; Flesh of Fish, Fruits and Pulse are bad and engen- 
der crude and clammy Humours ; Drink is to be little, because by fla- 
tuosity and distention of the Diaphragma or Midriff, the evil is encreas- 
ed ; if they thirst, Meats must be less hot, because the heart is over- 
heat ; Drink is then often to be held in the Mouth to moisten, say 
some ; but others, more wisely, advise to drink freely, so the thick 
matter is made thinner; Air is to be hot also and dry; the Breast is of- 
ten to be rubbed gently ; Exercise is to be moderate. 
In an hot Cause and dry, as in Ptissicks, Inflamation of the Lungs, 
and a Feaver, the contrary to these are to be used and endeavoured.
Cure

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 303 
Cure of an Asthma from thick and clammy Humours is performed. 
1. By attenuation and thinning of it; this is done by cutters and 
makers thin of a thick matter, which are hot and dry; and because reason 
shews us that those things that dry too much make such a matter more 
thick and dry, whereas by preparation we intend to make it more thin 
and moist, and easie to be brought forth by Expectoraters,they are not to 
exceed in heat or driness. Among such as are held fit preparatives for 
such a matter, the most excellent are, Oxymel of Squills, Syrup of 
Horehound, Hyssop, Liquorish ; these may be mixed with Waters in 
form of Julips, as ꝶ of the Water of Horehound, of Enula Campana, and 
Water of Honey, of each ℥iv. Syrup of Maidenhair, Lungwort, and 
Oxymel of Squills, of each ℥j. with Oyl of Brimstone, make it of a 
pleasant tartness: or ꝶ of the Conserve of Enula Campana and Orris, of 
each ℥j. of the Powder of Oak of Jerusalem, Horehound, Coltsfoot, 
and Liquorish, of each ʒj. Figgs drawn through a Sive, being first bea- 
ten with Angelica-Water ℥ss. Syrup of Horehound, what may suffice 
to make an Eclegma. 
Also Decoctions may be made of Herbs, Roots, and Seeds, and 
sweetned with Syrups; or an Oxymel may thus be made. ꝶ of Oak of 
Jerusalem, Lungwort, Hyssop, Scabious, of each mj. Nettles, Thyme, 
Figs, of each mjss. boil them in Vinegar, and being streined, add there- 
unto Honey, and make an Oxymel. 
2. Preparation being made, purging of those Humours is to follow, 
where among other things, such an Apozem for divers Doses is most ex- 
cellent, ꝶ of Agarick sliced thin, ʒiij. Roots of Briony grosly beaten, 
℥ss. Roots of Wild Cucumbers, and Rubarb, thin sliced, of each ʒij. add 
thereto some Aromaticks, and let be infused in Thyme and Hyssop 
Water, and add thereunto some Pectoral Syrups to sweeten it. 
To those that nauseate Potions, such Pills may be given, ꝶ of Collo- 
cynthis, Elatery, or Juyce of Wilde Cucumbers dried, of each ℈ss. 
Agarick ℈j. Zedoary, Aniseeds, and Mustard-Seed, of each v. Grains, 
with Syrup of the Juyce of Orris or Flower-de-luce-Roots, make Pills 
to be taken in three Mornings ; some like Pills better then Potions, be- 
cause they stay longer in the Stomach, and draw better from remote 
parts. We must purge by Intervals, but not in the Fits for fear of suf- 
focation. 
3. Vomiting is much credited by some, and rejected by others; 
Rhasis, Riverius, Hartmannus, and others, wish to vomit, and com- 
mend it from their own experience, and that sometimes the Sick are de-
livered 


304 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
livered thereby ; Primerosius saith, Sometimes it hurts not ; but Ludovi- 
cus Septalius condemns Vomiting, specially in a strong fit; because
thereby the Brest, saith he, is wonderfully tortured, and there is danger of 
Suffocation, the Matter being violently drawn to the Aspera Arteria ; others 
are silent hereof, neither using nor condemning it: See more hereof 
hereafter in Cure of an Asthma from vice of the Liver, and in Ca- 
chexies. 
4. Sylvius advises to revulsion of the Matter, and aversion of Hu- 
mours, as by application of Cupping-glasses a little above the Reins, 
Errhines and Apophlegmatisms. 
5. Expectoraters or promoters of Spittle, which bring forth such 
thick matter by Anacatharsis or Spitting; such were they that were di- 
rected for preparation of this Matter, ꝶ of clear Turpentine ℥j Sy- 
rup of Colworts, of Horehound, of each ℥j. Powder of Orris, Brim- 
stone, and Enula Campana, of each ʒj. Amoniacum dissolved in Oyl 
of Sweet-Almonds ʒiv. make a Lohoch. Jacobus Sylvius saith, The 
Root of Aron or Cucopints prepared any way, and mixt with Pectorals, is 
the best things to promote spitting. 
6. Discussion of the Matter is next useful, that is done by Externals, 
the Brest being first rubbed that the Pores may be opened, and then fo- 
ment with hot Oyls and Laxating, as ꝶ Oyl of Orris, of Sweet Al- 
monds, of each ℥j. Saffron ʒj. mix them for Unction : or Rx of the 
Meal of Fennugreek, Melilot, Hyssop , Calamint, of each equal 
parts, boil them in White-Wine, and add Honey and Flower of Brim- 
stone a sufficient quantity to make a Cataplasm for the Brest. 
Also the Brest may be fomented with Sponges dipt in Pectoral Oyls 
or Liquors; and these are to be used some at one time, and some at 
another for change, and because they should not lie on too long. 
7. Extracters of the Reliques of the Matter, as by rubbing of the 
Brest with blistering Medicines, and stinging Nettles; and burnings, 
described by Ætius, were used by the Ancients, but left by Modern 
Practicks. 
8. Dryers of the parts of breathing, as Lungs, &c. is to be ordered ; 
that is done by Fumes, as of Frankinsence and Brimstone, to stay long 
about Baths of Brimstone, or an hot and drying Air, Brimstone Baths ; 
the use of Aromaticals: Gentilis commends the fume of Arsenick to 
be wonderful herein, but because Arsenick is of such a poysonous qua- 
lity,we ought to be cautulous in its use, and correct its vice with Aro- 
maticks. 
Secondly, In Dyspnæa’s and Asthma’s from vice of the Liver,transmit- 
ting a matter to the Lungs,as in Cachecticks is apparent; These things 
are moreover to be observed. 1. Let 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 305 
1. Let Blood, a Clister premised, for hereby those Humours are 
lessened in quantity, and corrected in quality ; and the Veins less 
swelling, Breathing is made more free.
Galen proves Phlebotomy in a dry Orthopnæa, but in Ptissicks and 
dried Bodies, and others, where we fear native heat thereby to be im- 
paired, and so greater plenty of crude, pituitous Humours are gene- 
rated, it is not good to open a Vein. 
2. Purge, as before directed, frequently and more mildly, chiefly with 
Potions and Apozemes, together with Purgers being admixt, such things 
as respect both Liver and Symptom. 
3. Vomit. 1. Because Humours redound in the whole Body. 
2. Because the Stomack is often ill affected. 3. Because by Vomit, Hu- 
mours and Vapours, making compression or construction, are moved and 
brought forth. 
Platerus used the following with good success, ꝶ of the Juyce of 
Orris, or Flower-de-luce-Roots, ℥ß. Hyppocras, ℥j. mix them for a 
Vomit. 
Hartmannas saith, Asthma, Orthopnæa, and Dyspnæa are quickly at 
first cured with a Vomit of Aqua Benedicta; but if through stubbornness 
and oldness of the Disease, they are not cured after two Vomits, pro- 
ceed to other things. 
Riverius saith, Among other Vomits for this purpose, The Juyce of 
Tobacco drunk to ℥iij obtains the principal place. 
4. Diureticks are useful here, because Nature strives also to expel a 
great part of the Noxious Humours by the Reins, which Septalius saith, 
Are not to be used generally, because that in a thick matter they dry, 
and carry off the serous part of the Humour, whence the rest is left 
more hard and dry, but here they seem to be very necessary and helpful. 
3. If the Matter come from the Head, be directed by the Chapter 
of a Catarrh to dry the Head, and stop defluxions that fall upon the 
Lungs. 
4. If the Middriff be affected, and that by Vapours, causing com- 
pression, Clifters more strong and frequently given, are useful: For 
saith Rondeletius, Asthmaticks are wont to be grieved with much windi- 
ness, from which sometime an Asthma is made, distending the Septum 
Transversum or Middriff, from whence they cannot breath freely : See 
for Medicines proper against Windiness in the following List of such 
Medicines as peculiarly help short-windedness. 
5. If any hurtful things by fume hurt the parts of breathing, or Or- 
gans of respiration, their force is to be opposed by Antidotaries; toge- 
ther with other things that generally are good for an Asthma,and short 
Q q and


306 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
and frequent breathing ; in the fit we must only Palliate, not Vomit, 
Purge or give Clisters, for fear of stirring the matter too much, and en- 
dangering suffocation; by exercising before meat, many have been 
choaked, which may be from the fit suddenly thereupon invading,there- 
fore let them not move violently or suddenly before meat; then the 
Breast may not be rubbed ; then are to be given such things as respect 
the Symptom, and are helpful against shortness of Breath, among 
which Saffron is chiefly commended, which is said to restore breathing 
afresh in dying men ; the Green Roots of Angelica condite, a Linctus 
of Sulphur washt  often in Colts-foot Water, with Syrup of Oak of Je- 
rusalem of Heurnius ; Seeds of Southernwood, Waters of hot Baths that 
proceed from Brimstone ; the Broath of an old Cock, with Pectorals, 
and Agarick of Benedictus, Victorius, Faventinus and Prevotius, Syrup 
and Oxymel of Tobacco of Quereetanus, Millepedes, or Sows, in White- 
Wine, macerated ; Lac or Quick Brimstone, with Benjamin 
and Salt in an Egg, or the extract of Hors-Radish-Roots, with Essence 
of Sugar, or of Enula with Oyl of Aniseeds of Hartmannas, a draught 
of Wine ℥ij. Amoniacum ʒj. Water of Hyssop , ℥iv. of Johnstonus 
Natural Balsom; Cardomoms which the Physicians of Malaver give to 
Asthmaticks, Pine-Kernels, Oyl of Sulphur, Vinegar of Rheu, or of 
Squills, an Oxymel of Rheu, Squills, Seed of Woodbine, Mustard, 
Nettles and Anise, boild in Vinegar, and then a sufficient quantity of 
Honey added ; also the Chymical Oyl of Turpentine, of Hyssop, 
Thyme and Aniseeds; Roots of Briony, of the greater Centaury, Peu- 
cedane, Cummin, Nigella-Seeds, Rhubarb, Bay-Berries, German- 
der, and a Conserve of Roots of Holyoak, are most worthily praised.
Of Vomiting of Blood from the Spleen. 
DEFINITION. 
'Tis an Ejection of a thick Excrementitious Blood from the Spleen, 
by the Mouth, and Seigh, or Stool. 
CAUSE 
Is obstruction of the Spleen; or too great quantity of feculent and 
melancholy thick gross Blood sent thither, whereby the Spleen having 
more then it can digest and acquit her self of, this dreggy and thick ex- 
crementitious Blood is forced upwards, and so the Stomach being 
offended therewith, casts it out with violence ; Portion of it going also 
downwards by stool is cast out, the Excrements being less or more co- 
loured without it.
SIGNS

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 307 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Blood is cast forth, 1. By Vomit, which is dreggy, black and thick. 
2. Cast out by violence, insomuch that it often causes fainting and 
swooning. 3. In great plenty. 4. By Stool, where tis not cast forth 
so violently and plentifully, nor on heaps, but sent forth mixt with the 
Excrements, sometimes more plentifully , sometime only giving them 
a little Tincure. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
It doth not often happen, but when it doth,the more violent and of- 
ten they Vomit, the worse ; a Tympany of hard and difficult Curation 
sometime succeeds.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect the Spleen, see that it be not obstructed. 2. Look 
to the forces and strength to uphold them. 3. Hinder future dan- 
gers. 
A Specifical, and that only that cures it, is Wormwood taken constant- 
ly for a due time together ; it may be used in divers forms and manners, 
but because of its bitterness, in Pills or Goblets it may be more plen- 
tifully and acceptably taken. 
Of Diseases of the Middriff. 
THe Middriff being the chief Instrument of Respiration, and lying 
obliquely, separates the Abdomen, and Thorax or Brest ; and is af- 
flicted either from other parts by consent, or essentially in it self ; in 
it self it is diseased either through Distemper, Tumours, Inflamation 
or Wounds. 
DISTEMPER.
Distemper of it is either hot or cold, a cold Distemper arises as a cold 
Distemper of other parts; there is no Delirium nor Feaver : they that 
have pain of the Middriff without Inflamation, a Feaver arising,are 
delivered. Hippocr. Aphor. 40. Sect. 6. 
A hot Distemper is of nigh affinity, though not of so high a degree, 
or so dangerous as an Inflamation of the Middriff, which arises from 
Hot and bileous Blood entering into the thickness of the Middriff or 
Diaphragma, and puts forth it self by these Symptoms. 
1. An Acute Feaver, and continual. 
2. A Delirium or doting rage following thereupon. 
3. A beating or palpitation of the Hypochonders on the borders of 
Qq 2 the


308 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
the Middriff, the Hypochonders from the Membrane of the Peritonæum 
are also plucked and stretched out. 
4. Respiration is inequal, sometimes frequent, sometimes seldom, 
sometimes little. 
5. Pain. 
6. Convulsions at last are mads herefrom. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
Cure is difficult by reason of the great danger from its connexion and 
fellow-feeling with Heart, Liver and Brain ; it is very acute, and the 
Sick rave, and are deprived of rationality, whence they are not easily 
perswaded to the use of such Medicines as might be most conducible to 
Curation.  
CURE. 
In Cure (which is like that of Inflamation of the Lungs) we must 
press flowing Blood by Internals, and Topicals applyed to the Brest 
warm, but that have a cooling force to mitigate the Inflamation and 
Ebullient Blood, we must chiefly hinder and beware a Delirium, by rea- 
son of the danger thereon ensuing ; washing of the Extremities, and 
Revulsives, Repellers to the Head, and Corroborates, are useful. 
Of Swellings or Tumors of the Middriff.
TUmours of the Middriff are either hot or cold, of hot we have 
already spoken, under the Title of Inflamation. 
Cold arises from a crude and thin matter, which penetrates the thick— 
ness of the Middriff, and insinuates it self thereinto, and effects a Tu- 
mor : the collection of this Matter hath its Original from Compression, 
as in those that lean hard on their Brests in Writing ; or concussion, as 
Blows, Bruises, &c, 
SIGNS. 
It it is known by tension of the Hypochonders, a Dyspnæa ; there is 
no appearance of the Tumour outwardly, or Delirium. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The fresher, the easier to Cure; if they last long, they consume the sick 
by degrees, by a Tabes, as saith Fernelius, without any kind of a Deli- 
rium; but if a Delirium be present, the Disease is more critical and dan- 
gerous. 
CURE

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 309 
CURE. 
In Cure the matter is to be evacuated by Hydragogues, strengthen
the Bowels from a new collecting of such matter, outwardly apply Dis- 
cutients, with Emollients, Sarfaperilla is commended; but Dryers, 
that evacuate all the serous matter, and leave the other remaining 
thicker, do hurt : sometime it may turn to an Abscess, and the matter 
be cast forth into the Capacity of the Brest, and so cast out by coughing. 
Of Wounds of the Middriff. 
Wounds of the Middriff, say Authors , bring the Wounded to  
dye laughing, cause a Delirium, and retraction of the small- 
Guts upwards, and Stomach sometimes ascends into the Thorax, with 
great sense of weight and pain there. 
Wounds in the Carnous be not so dangerous as in its Nervous part, 
wherein ’tis held incurable ; a Convulsion sometimes takes them away; 
where-ever it be hurt, from its continual motion it is not easily conso- 
lidated.
CURE. 
Its Cure is the same as for Wounds of the Lungs. 
Of Blood broken out of the Vessels of the Bladder, and there 
clottered and putrified. 
DEFINITION.
'Tis an eruption of Blood from some Vein distended, and from 
breaking and pouring forth the Blood into the Bladder, which 
sometimes and in part is cast out, the rest remaining in the Bladder clot- 
ters, and induces oftentimes a Gangrene, Faintings, obstruction of the 
Bladder, or other bad Symptoms. 
Its CAUSE is expressed in the DEFINITION. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs Diagnostick be at first a fungous or spongy Flesh, which some- 
times grows within the Bladder, and filling the Bladder do greatly in- 
jure its actions, made from a Hæmorrhoid or Vein swelling which at 
last


310 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
last breaks, and empties the Blood into the Bladder. 
Secondly, When ’tis broke,there is a voiding of Blood by the Urine 
in part, though the other part clodders, and grows thick ; upon which 
there is made, 
1. Faintings, Heart-qualms, &c. 
2. Change of the colour to paleness. 
3. His Pulse small beating often, and various. 
4. His courage fails, spirits are dull, he is sorrowful and listless. 
5. The forces decay, his strength declines, and heat is enfeebled ; 
putrified Blood, as putrified Seed, brings many desperate Symptoms. 
6. There is often clotted Blood pissed forth : Aph 8.S.4. Whosoever 
pisses Blood thin or clottered, and is pained in the Hypogaster , or that part 
of the Belly betwixt the Navil and Secrets, or Pinæum, or Pecten, the Dis-
ease is about the Bladder. 
7. If it thus thicken and curdle in the Bladder, by the motion of 
Urine, the clotters of Blood will sometime be carried into its Neck, 
or Urine-passage, and there stop the going forth of the Urine, there- 
fore by some ’tis called Obstruction of the Bladder, or reckoned among 
the Causes of Obstruction of it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Great are the Symptoms that arises from Blood clottered and putri- 
fied; Primrose saith, ’tis pestiferous ; Riolanus saith, it quickly becomes 
gangrenous. 
CURE. 
Cure must be speedy, for delaying brings greater danger; there- 
fore. 
I. In a great Hæmorrage, or when the Blood breaks out immoderate- 
ly in the Bladder, opening a Vein of the Arm is to be instituted and re- 
peated, drawing out the Blood by times. 
2. Cupping-Glasses are to be affixed to the Loins and Ilia ; the ex- 
tream parts bound. 
3. Applications, (which are to be done after due situation of the sick, 
who is to be laid with his Hips upwards) and they are to cool and re- 
press the flux of Blood; Sponges dipped in Posca, laid to the share; Ir- 
rigations also, and Foments, and Cataplasms of Astringents, and such as 
stop Bloody Fluxes, as Plantains, Knotgrass, Shepherds Purse, Blood- 
wort, Horsetail, Nettles, Comfrey, Bramble-Leaves, Pomegranate- 
Rinds, &c. boild in Posca, or Vinegar and Water mixt in equal Pro- 
portion, therewith fomenting the Region of the Bladder, or boyling 
them thicker, draw them through an Hair Sieve, for a Cataplasm to be
applied


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 311 
applied blood-warm to the Region of the Bladder, binding it on con- 
veniently with linnen Clothes. 
4 Together with these to stop the coming down of Blood from the 
opened Veins into the Bladder, injections of Juyces that bind and con- 
stipate by a Syringe, are profitable. 
5. In the mean while we must not neglect internals, that may prohi- 
bit the aptness of the Blood to flow, and bridle it; which is done also 
by astringent Medicines, and chiefly such as are aforenamed. 
Secondly, We must look to the Blood that remains in the Bladder, 
which clotters there, and putrifies, and may beget very bad Symptoms; 
for which, 
I. Inwardly are to be taken Medicines that hinder Blood from clot- 
tering, and dissolve it being clottered ; Garden-Cresses in Breath, or 
a Decoction of them in white Wine, are most laudable, which both dis- 
solve Blood already clottered, and also hinders it from coagulating in 
any part of the Body : Very prevalent to break and cause the clods to 
come forth, be the Decoction of Bugle, Thyme, Masterwort, or Herb 
Gerrard ; of these also may Wound-Drinks (as they are termed) be 
made, to drink of plentifully on Mornings, Afternoons, and Nights. 
Platerus cured a Maid that pissed at first pure, then clottered Blood, with 
two Potions of Mummy, Cubebs, and Cinnamon, in Shepherds-purse- 
Water, and of Gum Carabe and Mummy in Whey; Decoction of a black 
Hen, her feathers on, boiled with Shepherds-purse, and an Unguent for 
the Pinæum : Such a Pouder (or Electuary made of the following 
things, by adding some proper Syrup) for such as like not Potions or 
Decoctions, may be of great force to dissolve and drive forth the clots 
of Blood sticking in the Bladder, or its Neck; ꝶ of Rhubarb, ʒ of 
Sperm of the Whale, or Sperma Ceti, ℈j. Seeds of Radish, Bitumen, Ju- 
daicum, Absinth, Mummy. ana ʒß them for a Pouder. 
2. Outwardly may Foments and Bathings be used, of Chervil, Mal- 
lows, Parsly, Bistort, Wormwood, &c. Injections also to bring forth 
those clots sticking in the Neck of the Bladder, and stopping the Urine 
are very good, which if they avail not to do, a Syringe must be put up 
to loosen the passage : If all these do no good , Death is impendent,
unless by Chyrurgery the concreted Blood be taken away.  


312 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Of Inflamation of the Bladder.
'Tis a Distemper made from great heat residing in the Bladder, or 
rather its Neck, with a sharp Feaver, and other acute Symptoms 
accompanying. 
CAUSE 
1. As to the Cause, 'tis Blood fallen thither putrified and inflamed, 
caused from outward violent Causes, or inward, as Phlethory, or heat of 
the Blood, or sharpness, and other Causes, expressed in the Chapters of 
the inflamation of other parts. 
2. As to the place, Fernelius saith, The Neck alone is the subject, as 
being more thick and fleshy than the substance of the Bladder, which 
(also saith Johnstonus) in its substance being thin, and without Blood, 'tis 
not so likely Inflamation should be seated there, but rather in the Sphin- 
cter, the Muscle of its Neck. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. There is an Acute Feaver. 
2. Great and vehement pain in the Pinæum or Share; and from these 
two arise many other great and dangerous Symptoms, as Deliriums, 
Watchings, alienation of the Mind, and Inquietude. 
3. Heat and redness, and sometimes hardness of the Share. 
4. Distention of the Share and Pecten, from plenty of Urine, be- 
cause the Urine is suppressed. 
5. binding of the Belly, because the strait Gut, or rectum Intestinum,
is straitened through the greatness of the Inflamation; and though they 
have a desire to go to stool, yet, Tenasmus-like, they void nothing. 
5. The Ordure and Excrements for the most part be thin, and with- 
out residence. 
6. Suppression of Urine, with an earnest incitation and desire to 
piss. 
7. Sometimes vomiting of a Cholerick Matter. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
I. Of Diseases of the Bladder this is the most dangerous, and dead- 
ly for the most part about the seventh day. 
2. ’Tis sometime dissolved from the slowing forth of Urine copiously, 
or an Erysipelas rising on the Skin. 
3. There is hopes if it be more light, the Feaver remiss, the Infla-
mation


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 313 
mation changed into Pus, and the Abscess inwardly broke, and purged 
out by Urine. 
DTET. 
Thin Drinks, as Cinnamon-Water, or Barley-Water ; let him eat 
no Flesh, nor their Broaths, &c. as in other Inflamations. 
CURE.
1. Internals : 1. Generals, letting Blood by the Ham or Ankle- 
Vein ; 2. Purging at first is in no wise to be used , because by stirring 
Humours, and making them have recourse to the diseased part, it much 
aggravates the Evil, and for this Cause Fluxes of the Belly at this time 
are to be stopt. 
Clisters to bring forth hard Dung that may cause pressure of the Blad- 
der, of mild and emollient Medicines, are very allowable. 
2. Externals : 1. We use Repellers, upon these we must not insist
too much, because the Bladder is membranous,and may by coldness hurt 
sinewy parts: 2. Hinder free passing out of the Urine ; 3. Prohi- 
bit resolution of Humours : Things are to be applied actually warm, 
and their repelling Vertue counter-poised with Anodines and Lini- 
ments ; the Bladder inflamed indures not, so well as the Reins, astrin- 
gency. 
If pain urges much, we may adde Opium to Oyntments ; Cata- 
plasms and Emplaisters are not so good as Bathings, Lotions, Foments, 
or Unguents, because by their weight they press and crush the Blad- 
der. 
A Liniment of White-Bread-Crums, boild somewhat thick in 
Oyl of Roses, with a little Saffron and Camphir, with some grains of 
Opium, if pain be very intense, is very helpful; Some use Foments of 
hot water applied in Oxes Bladders. Insessions to fit in are very conve- 
nient for the aforesaid purposes, then the Sick may better void the 
Urine.
Then we must come to Resolvers of the matter into Pus, which 
is done by Emollients and Suppuratives. If we fear its turning gan- 
grenous, a Cataplasm of Orobus, Beans and Lupines boild in Wine, is to 
be applyed. 
Lastly, The Symptomes are to be respected , as a Feaver, 
Watching, Raving, Ischury, and Disury; a Syringe is sometimes put 
Rr into


314 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
into the Neck of the Bladder, to bring forth the Urine. See the Cure of 
these in their proper Chapters. 
3. Revulsion by Frictions, Bindings, Cuppers, with Scarification up- 
on the part, are directed; yet Cupping-Glasses are condemned by some 
as bringing more hurt than profit. 
4. Blood is to be cooled, and humours tempered, and pain appeased ;
Julaps, Emulsions, and Glitters may serve hereto, also Anodine Suppo- 
sitories, or little Bags wherein are put Yolks of Eggs, with Opium, and 
Juyce of Henbane ; but 'tis better to boil Poppy-shells, Camphir, Saf- 
fron, and Henbane-Seeds, in Oyl, and therein dip Wool, and wear 
that in the Anus so long as may be convenient. 
We must not use any Diuretick Medicines, nor any Irritaters, salt, 
sharp, or erodent Things; nor may they drink much ; the Urine is to 
be kept milde, and made slippery, that thereby the Bladder be the less 
offended. 

315
OF THE 
Diseases of the Uterus. 
Here are not all the Diseases and 
Affects of the Uterus ; They are
most of them such as are not in
many Practices of Physick that 
treat but of a few Diseases; so
that it is supposed the Physical 
Reader may have Books of those 
Diseases that here are wanting, 
and these may be such as are wanting in some such 
Books, and so as it were compleat a Practice toge- 
ther : We did indulge our Genius and Fancy in Wri- 
ting these thus out of order ; for one time We wrote 
a Disease of the Uterus, another time a Disease of the 
Lungs, and another time a Disease of the Head ; and 
We having wrote these, seeing many things in Obser- 
vations, and in our own Experience, somewhat devi- 
ating herefrom, ceased to write the rest in this Order 
and Method. All these Signs, Causes, and Cures are
found in many, and the Readers may reap good, and 
benefit thereby, specially our Cautions and Animad-
R r 2 versions

316 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
versions joyned herewith, being considered, and well 
compared. There are abundance of Books of all 
sorts extant, and dayly put out; and We were loth to 
obtrude upon the World matter of that old and drossy 
Mould, without some Alteration or Refinement, or 
Additions of some Rarities, and new Experiments. 
But it must not be expected that all People should 
be found thus, and no otherwise handled than is de- 
scribed in these Chapters of Diseases of the Uterus, nor 
must any think that here be all the Maladies and Di-
stempers incident to the Uterus ; and those that have the 
Diseases here set down, are not always so handled as 
those Diagnostick Signs specific ; nor do they always 
arise from those, and no no other; nor no more Causes 
than what be there described: Sometimes the Uterus 
is full of stones, sometimes smaller and more, some-
times larger and fewer ; and sometimes it is all stone, 
as we read of the Vesica Urinaria. A Gentleman told 
mean old Woman, a Witch, was dissected some few 
years since in London, and had a large Teat, like a Sow’s, 
outwardly and inwardly her Uterus was turned to a 
perfect stone: This year at Rome a Serpent was bred 
in the Uterus of one Woman. Lycosthenes, Pliny Rei- 
nerius, Paræus, Vierus, Bodinus, Rondeletius , Ludovicus 
Vives, and Others, have delivered their Experiences 
of divers sorts of Animals, both for bigness and form, 
bred in the Uterus ; as some like Frogs, some like 
Puppies, Mice, Rats, Kitlings, Magpies, Harpies, 
Moles,



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 317
Moles, Lizards, Horsleeches, &c. Also many little 
Worms are bred in the Uterus, and Glandules watery 
or scirrhous, Water-Bladders, Bones, Hairy Apo- 
stems, Grumous Blood, and Apostems of fat Crinis 
and Ichor together ; the Uterus weighed in one that 
was so filled, eighty seven pound: Many sorts of Mo- 
la’s and Fleshy Lumps, Bladders of gorey Matter, and 
purulent, are found in some dissected; also Gangrenes, 
Fissures, Ulcers, and Discoloration, incident to all 
other parts of the Body of Man, have been found by 
Dissection in the Uterus ; and most do arise from dif- 
ferent and some from strange Causes, and have been 
very difficult to be known by the Signs, or relation of 
the Sick, specially thereby to be distinguished one 
from another. 
Horace. Si quid novisti rectius istis
Candidus imperti, si non his utere mecum.
CHAP.




318 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Distemper of the Uterus. 
One is hot, known by Veneriousness, Fowlness, Yel-
lowness, Blackness, & Adustion of Menstrua; 'tis either
from the Birth or after the Birth, from outward Causes, 
chiefly Venery.
2. Another is Cold, more frequent then an hot Distemper, caused by 
immoderately cooling Medicines on external Causes; it is less Lust, 
and in Copulation not so much pleasure : the Menstrua are Pituitous, there
there is windiness from multitude of cold, Pituitous Humors, and weak- 
ness of concoction, they are more pale and listless.
3. Moist, there is cold adjoyned, plenty and waterishness of Men- 
ses, Womans Flux and continual moistness of the Privities, bring mo- 
lestation, there's aptness to abort ; the Seed is cast out, and they have 
no desire to Venus. 
4. A drie Distemper of the Uterus is made also in a general driness 
of the Body, from defect of Humours or old Age, or drying Causes, 
as Inflamation and Heat, there are sent forth few Menstrua, and Seed; 
the Mouth of the Uterus is dry, blackish and clefty, they desire not 
much Copulation. 
5. Compound Distempers, as of heat and driness, of cold and 
moisture may be made, whose Causes and Signs may be gathered from 
the four aforesaid Differences. 
CURE.  
In cure of them all we are to observe;
1. That Heat indicates Coolers to be necessary, cold indicates Heat- 
ers to be necessary ; and so for driness and moisture, their contraries; 
and for compound Distempers, if heat and driness be conjoyned, In- 
dications are for cooling and moistening Medicines; and if cold and 
moisture be adjoyned, we must heat and dry by Medicines, as well 
outwardly applyed, as inwardly taken. 
2. In


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 319
In the choice of such Medicines as heat, dry, cool or moisten, we must 
elect such as are proper to the Uterus, called Histericals. 
3. In a bare Distemper there is no need of Purgers, because we do not 
suppose that Choler, Flegm, or Melancholy are present, but that by their 
aforegoing, they may effect a Distemper to the Uterus ; and we treat here, 
onely of the Distemper, and not of hot, cold, dry or moist Humours. 
4. We may not use Medicines hot, cold, dry, of moist, in the third 
degree; 'tis best to have them of the first degree of temper; nor may 
they be too long used, lest the Uterus be changed from one Distemper in- 
to a worse, and its Functions be violated. 
CHAP. II.
Of the Narrowness of the Vessels of the Uterus. 
CAUSE. 
'Tis an Interception of them, made either, 1. From outward Cau- 
ses, as Baths, binding Medicines. 
2. From Cicatrices, or from a thick or membranous Flesh, cleaving 
to the Orifices of the Vessels. 
5. From stoppage of them by the multitude, and thickness of Hu- 
mours, which may be endeavoured by Nature to be avoided there, which 
had not heat to thin them, or they are essential to the Uterus it 
self. 
4. From Scirrhs, hard swellings, or too great Fat, either consisting 
within or out of the Uterus.
SIGNS. 
Signs of it differ as the Causes, in all the Mestrua are detained ; 
cold Distemper is discerned by its proper Signs, as see the Signs of a cold 
Distemper of the Uterus in the aforegoing Chapter: From this Distem- 
per we may guess the thickness and indigestion of crude and flegma- 
tick Humours which stop the Veins, and the Blood is less apt to 
flow. 
Tumours, Scirrhs, and the like, causing Compression, are also known 
by their proper 
PROGNOSTICKS.
From Tumours, Scirrhs, pieces of Flesh, Cicatrices, and Membranes 
growing there, ’tis hard to cure ; from outward Causes, and fatness of 
the near parts, ’tis more easie.



320 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Cure varies as the Cause 1. From binding Medicines, and then we 
must use Moisteners and Emollients. 
2. From obstructing Causes; the Cause being first taken away, we 
must move the Menstrua; bitter, sharp, Histerick, and Chalybrate Me- 
dicines are to be used. 
3. If there be fatness that causes it, ’tis to be cured by Extenuaters; 
we must detract from its nourishment, and look to its original. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Weakness of the Uterus. 
Weakness of the Uterus is a dulness or deficiency in undergoing 
its duty, made from Distemper, occult Qualities, and weak- 
ness of native heat. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are windiness, little desire to Copulation or Venery , and when 
they do couple, they take little pleasure therein; they are often barren; 
sometime they conceive often, but abort; the Menses slow weakly, and 
untimely, and there is an impotency of ejection of the Seed in the Car- 
nal Act; all which are the Actions of the Uterus, she should do, and 
through weakness cannot perform her office. 
CAUSES. 
Causes are the same that cause Distemper, either hot, cold, dry, or 
moist; and therefore the Chapter of Distemper may give sufficient 
light both as to the Causes and Cures, especially from cold and moist 
Causes, under which the Uterus is most defective in doing her Functi- 
ons, and in hot Distempers she over-does; therefore that cannot so well 
be added as a Cause effecting a weakness, or a languishing of the Uterus 
in effecting its Office and several Actions : for though Humours may be 
the Cause of Weakness, yet it is not weakened till thereby it be first 
brought into some Distemper.
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 321 
CHAP. IV. 
Of the Inflamation of the Uterus.
The heat, pain, and Feaver being abated, we must digest and resolve; 
ꝶ of the Roots of red Lillies, Mallows, and marsh Mallows, of 
each two parts; Barley-Flower, one part; Flowers of Chamomile and 
Melilot, of each half a part; boil them in austere Wine with Oyl, then 
beat them, and draw them through a Sieve, and apply them in manner 
of a Cataplasm. 
Oyls, Liniments, Foments, and the like, may be made for this pur- 
pose, of the aforegoing things, and their like. 
But if it will not be resolved, but suppurate (which is known by en- 
crease of Symptoms, as Resolution of it was known by their remitting) 
then hasten its which is done with such things as helped its  
resolving, whenas it was naturally so disposed ; but for Example-sake, ꝶ 
of Pulpe of Figs drawn through a Sieve, of the Leaves of Mallows, and 
marish Mallows, boiled soft in Brest-Milk, and beaten to Pap, Hogs- 
grease, and Mucilage of Fennugreek, of each what may seem sufficient
for a Cataplasm. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of Lillies, ℥j. Butter, Hogs-grease, Mucilage of Althea- 
Roots, of each ℥ß. make a Liniment. 
When Pus is made, heat and pain wax less, there is a sense of fluctua- 
tion, then we must strive to break the Abscess with loud Vociferations, 
Coughing, Sneezing, and application of Cupping-Glades, exercise of 
the Body, and Pessariess, whereof Riverius sets down this, ꝶ of Goose- 
Fat, ℥ß. Turpentine, ʒij. Pouder of Rheu, Niter, and Orris-Roots, of 
each ʒß. mix them, and use it with Wool for a Pessary ; when the Ab- 
fcess is broke, we must cleanse and consolidate, as is wont to be done to 
other Ulcers.
During the Cure, an exquisite and thin cooling Dyet is to be observed, 
Ptysan-Broath is commended, Wine is to be shunned, and all hot, salt, 
and sharp things, all violent motion is hurtful; let them rest at quiet, 
and sit still, in a dark House, if their senses be distempered. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms occurrent, and to be respected, are,
1. The Feaver, for which letting Blood, cooling Julaps, Emulsions, 
and cool Herbs in Broaths, are necessary.
Ss 2 Pain


322 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
2. Pain which is to be mitigated by Foments and Cataplasms, in 
Unctions, half Tubs, Baths,and Pessaries, wherein Opium is to be put; 
inject Womans-Milk with Hens-Grease, Mucilages of Althea-Roots,
Fleawort-Seeds, Fennugreek-Seeds, and the like. 
3. Watchings and disquietings of Nature, to compose which, give 
Narcoticks with moderation. 
4. Pains of the Middriff, Heart, Head and Stomach ; for which re- 
vulse, use Frictions, Ligatures, and Cupping, repel Vapours, and 
strengthen those parts by Remedies proper thereto. 
CHAP. V. 
Pain of the Uterus.
Pain of the Uterus is made from Causes dissolving, continuining and 
inducing a sad sence of feeling, 1. The pain is vellicating : first, 
from sharp Humours: secondly, from corrupted Seed, retained and 
made sharp; or sharp Humours coming down in Womans Flux, or there- 
from the Menses vitiated , which set forth themselves chiefly (by 
gnawing) in the Neck of the Uterus, and is like to the Chollick from 
bilious Humours.
SIGNS. 
The Blood is found sharp in other things; there went before bad Dy- 
et, and Cold perhaps made the Humours sharper. 
CURE. 
Appeasers of Acrimony, as warm Water, Milk, Oyl of Sweet Al- 
monds ; with Anodines, and if need be, Narcoticks. 2. Takers 
away of the Cause. 
II. Distentive. 1. From Winds, which are more stirred up, and 
raise more vehement pain, from taking in cold Air after delivery, oc 
when the Menses are coming or already in flowing, or induced from the 
same Causes of Chollical Pains. 
SIGNS. 
From this Cause,as from all other, pains insest free (as well as great- 
bellied) Women ; there is chasing, rumbling, and Signs of Wind are 
present, to which if there be anxiety, faintings and disquietings, there 
is fear of a malignancy in those breathy Vapours.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 323
CURE.
Winds are to be discussed as in the Chollick; a draught of hot Wa- 
ter helps; Insessions, Foments, Baths, and Emplasters of Carminatives; 
if we adjudge these to be malignantly qualified, we must add Anti- 
dotes ; Seeds of Nettle in Pouder drank in Wine, are most benificial 
for flatulent Pains. Heurnius hath this Electuary, ꝶ Castor, Myrrh, 
Styrax, Saffron, ana ʒij Orris, Spicknard, Malabathrum, Roots of 
Asarbacca, ana ʒj. Opium, ʒß with Syrup of Mugwort, make an 
Opiate; also Oyl of Rhue, for unction of the Region of the Uterus, if 
commended for its Pains from flatuosity. 
2. From clottered Blood, which cannot pass out but is there retain- 
ed, there preceded that, a Copious Flux of Blood from the Uterus. 
SIGN. 
The pain is fixed and specially perceived about the Orifice of the 
Uterus, and is very sharp, if the Blood hath acquired putrifaction, the 
Blood cast out, it ceases, or is mitigated, and then returns again ; it 
draws into consent the streight Gut and Bladder, when as a Tenesm
and frequent making Water are made therefrom. 
CURE. 
I. Dissolve the clottered Blood. 2. Evacuate it. 
III. Burdening Paine, or a sense of gravity, made from Menstrual
Blood, the Blood be either too thick, and that may be caused by the 
Womans drinking cold drink, after any heating of her Body extraor- 
dinarily, or other Causes preceding gave occasion to it, or the Vessels 
of the Uterus are less open, whereby the Uterus is overburdened, and 
not speedily delivered of that burthen fom excrement. 
SIGN.
Signs of suppreft Menses are present, or that they observe not their 
legal Course, sometimes Hysterical fits invade. 
CURE. 
Respect the Cause, and mitigate the Symptom, for which these are 
specifical; Seeds of Piony, of Cow-parsnips, and Plantaine, a foment of 
Decoction of Mugwort, Devils-bit-Seeds, of Agnus Castus, and Line- 
Seed ; or a Bath may be made of them for the Woman to fit in, or af- 
ter Bathing with the Foment, the residue or boiled Herbs may, being 
strained, be applyed hot to the Region of the Uterus, in manner of a 
Cataplasm. Ss 2 IV. Ulce 

324 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
IV. Ulcerous Pain; or of dissolved unity,from Wounds and Ulcers, 
here injection of Juyce of Plantane by a Syringe is best. See Wounds 
and Ulcers of the Uterus. 
V. Inflammatory ; for which also look in its proper place. 
CHAP. VI.
Of Worms of the Matrice or Uterus.
That Worms, though of different kinds, be bred in all parts of our 
Body, is a truth not to be gainsaid.
CAUSE 
Is the same as of Worms of other parts, viz., viscous and cold, and 
raw Humours, which by their clamminess, adhering to the Orifice or 
Neck of the Uterus, by degrees rotting, and receiving heat and nourish- 
ment, grow to living Bodies. 
SIGN.
There is great molestation, itching of the Uterus, and Belly, with  
inquietude and want of sleep, hereupon ensues an inordinate Feaver, 
whereby the sick sometime consume ; there is often moistness of the 
Lips of the Uterus; sometimes the Worms themselves come forth, 
which unless they do, all other indications are but doubtful. 
DYET
Must be such as may not encrease their Aliment, as things that breed 
thick, sweet, and Phlegmatick corruptive Juices,may do; Drink may be 
altered with some Antidotes against Worms steeped in a Jug, but a  
moistening Dyet is not to be used. 
CURE. 
1. We give Catharticks after Preparatives, and openers of the first 
Passages. 
2. We come to Medicines killing the Worms, which are better in- 
jected then taken by the Mouth ; such Medicines are expressed in the ge- 
neral Chapter of Worms : Clisters may be had in use also, and Em- 
plaisters, whereby the Worms be not only killed, but forced out by the 
expultrice faculty of Nature set on-work ; such an Emplaister as this 
may seem most requisite hereto, ꝶ Pouder of the Pulp of Collocin- 
this, ʒj Savin, Rhue, Tansy, Roots of Birthwort, ana. ʒss. Aloes,
ʒij, Frankinsence, ℥j. Ox Gall, as much as may be found needful 
for


325 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for the confidence desired, make an Emplaister or Cerot, to be apply- 
ed upon the Region of the Uterus and Privities. 
It would not be amiss to use a Purgative Apozem after these, for se- 
veral mornings together. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Stones of the Matrice. 
CAUSES.
Causes be Internal, the same as the Stone of the Reins is caused 
by, viz.  
1. A Material, as crude, slow and tough Humours, sticking to 
the Tunicles of the Uterus, otherwise they would easily be cast forth. 
Hippocrates saith, Pus remaining in the Uterus, is dried, hardned and 
concrete into a Stone: Many Histories do tell us of these Stones bred in 
the Matrice, and by some the Uterus hath been found stony. 
2. Efficient, as great heat of the Uterus. 
Feeding or suppeditating Causes, be ill Dyet, encreasing crude and 
viscous pituitous Matter, as Cheese, Milk, Fish, Pulse, and gross 
Nutriments, and bad Air. 
SIGN. 
There is pain in the Region of the which being crushed, 'tis 
much exacerbated ;it hinders Conception, and causes immoderate flux of 
Menses. Ætius discovered them by putting his Fingers up the Fun- 
dament. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If too long delayed are Cured, the Uterus being the common sink of 
gross and vitiated Menstruous Blood, it may be so encreased, that the 
whole Uterus may be made stony. 
Nicholas Fontanus saith, That, he hath known it fill the whole capacity of 
the Uterus, and totally suppress the Menstrua, therefrom being made cor- 
rupt and purulent Ulcers. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet set. Preparation by Saxifraga's is to be 
instituted. 2. Evacuation of the Antecedent and Suppeditating Mat- 
ter. 3. Solution of the Stone, and lenition or appealing of Pain, with 
slippery making Medicines, may pass all under one ; Juyce of Mallows, 
of Pellitory of the Wall, Bisinallows, Liquorish, Fenugreek-Seeds, Line- 
Seeds, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, Broath of Licers, &c. Clisters also 
of


326 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
of those Herbs, and the like, may be often injected, onely to mollifie 
and lenify. 
Insessions also, Half-Tubs, Foments, and other Applications, are not 
altogether to be slighted.
After these, Extraction is to be made by the Midwife, putting up her 
Finger into the Fundament, and pressing down the Belly upon the Bones 
adjoyning near the Privities, that the place the Stone is feared in may be 
lifted up ; then with a Crows Bill, or Nippers, artificially drawing it 
out. 
This done, a Prophylactick Method is to be kept for some while 
after. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of a Cancer of the Uterus. 
DEFINATION.
CArcinoma Uteri, or a Cancer of the Uterus, is an uneven, sublivid, 
and painful swelling, made from Atrabilis and adust Melancholy ; 
sometime from the matter sharper ulcerating, and of bad curation. 
CAUSES. 
Causes be, first and chiefly a Scirrh, for a Scirrhous Cause is onely 
Melancholy thickened, and not yet adust, but receiving adustion, it turns 
a Cancer, and is called Scirrhus Carcinodes : Cancers often follow 
Scirrhs of the Uterus, being ill cured ; for then they easily degenerate 
cancerous. 
2. Its Original Cause is an atrabilarious Humour, menstruous Blood 
is sometime detained, and afterwards made dry, and acquires adustion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. 'Tis a Tumour hard and renitent, blewish, uneven, and very pain- 
ful, in the Capacity or Neck of the Uterus.  
2. The Tumour may sometimes be seen by Speculum Matrices.
5. There is pungent pain about the Share, Abdomen, and Loins. 
Signs of a Scirrh degenerating into a Cancer, be, If before, because
the matter was more cold and dry, there was no pain; and now from the 
matter growing mote acrimonious and hot, it begins to pain, but hard- 
ness remains as did in a Scirrh, without effecting a Disease of extraor- 
dinary magnitude ; yet Riolanus saith, The magnitude of the Uterus is 
greatly
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 327
greatly encreased thereby, so that sometime it hath been teen as big as an 
infants Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. At first it might be remedied, but then, because it brings not much 
molestation, 'tis disregarded. 
2. Grown, tis incurable; and so much the worse, because feculent 
excrementitious Blood is always nourishing it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are twofold : 1. Not ulcerated, made from a milder Hu- 
mour, whereof we have hitherto treated. 
2. Ulcerated, from a more sharp Humour ;  Adustion and Putrifa- 
ction make Humours sharp; it hath more sordid Lips than a Non-ulce- 
rate, from whence efflow a thin, yellow, or black stinking Humour; nor 
is its pain gentler, but of harder curation than a Non-ulcerate-Cancer,
called by some notwithstanding, An hidden Ulcer. 
CURE.
Cure is treble : 1 To stop its generation in a Scirrhous matter. 
2. For a whole Cancer. 
3. For an ulcerated one. 
First, To prohibit the turning cancerous of Scirrhs, or mutation of 
the scirrhous matter into a Cancer.
1. Letting Blood is thought very conducible ; it may be made in Ham 
or Arm, chiefly in Hæmorrhoids, for they vent out gross feculent parts 
of the Blood, and avert: Bleeding is best in Spring and Fall; if she 
have not her Menstrua, chuse the Saphena-Vein. 
2. Such Simples as purge Melancholy are to be prescribed, of not too 
heating Purgers; this must be frequently done , and better it is to take 
two too weak, then one too strong; Senna, Epithimum, Myrobalans, and 
the like, conveniently mixed, both in quantity, and with due Corre- 
cters, steeped in Whey, in form of a Nodulus for half an hour, the Whey 
being first made scalding hot, then lightly pressed out and drunk ; the 
force of the Nodulus may last four or five times for so using. 
3. All Subtracters from the antecedent Cause, are to be used, of which 
the aforementioned are not to be neglected. 
4. Topicks, which are to be applied to the Privities, being moderately 
cold, and drying, and mild ; an Oyntment of Oyl of Roses, and Yolks 
of Eggs, with Camphir, prepared in a Leaden Mortar, is most excel- 
lent. 2. Juyces maybe injected into the Uterus, as of Herb-Robert,
Milfoil, and Mullein, which are commended; or Decoction of green 
Cori-


328 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Coriander, Nimphea, and Poppies boiled in Milk ; or Unguents dissol- 
ved in Milk, or suitable Decoctions, may be injected. 
Riverius saith, With the following Receipt, the cancrous swelling of 
the Paps have been healed ; ꝶ of the Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, ℥ij. 
Juyce of Nightshade, Pauls Betony, and Housleek , ana ʒiij, crude 
Mercury, ʒij. let them be beat in a Leaden Mortar, with a Leaden Pe- 
stil, till they attain to the thickness of a Liniment; Foments also for 
the washing of the parts affected, of the precedent things, or their like, 
may be made very useful. 
Secondly, If the matter be already made cancerous, and the Cancer 
hath received growth, though not brought to perfection, there is little 
hope of Cure; if confirmed, there is none: Here,if there be any hope of 
Cure, (after using of Generals, as in the Direction for preventing its 
growth, is instituted) we must flee to Specificals, but mild, for 'tis apt 
easily to be enraged, and pain to exacerbate ; therefore injections of Sac- 
carum Saturni, beat in a Leaden Morter, with Juyce of River-Crabs, are 
specifical ; Decoction of Frogs, or Herb-Robert so injected, Oyntments 
of Pompholix, Ceruss, Camphir, Saccarum Saturni, Oyl of Roses, &c. 
with a Cataplasm of Frogs boyled, are specifical. 
If it be confirmed, we must onely use Palliatives, that misery may 
be the less, and life the longer; the part being now hardened, 'tis most
difficult mollifie it , and restore it to its former sanity ; therefore the 
chief thing now must be mittigation of the pain ; Injections of emol- 
lient Anodine Simples, with Sperm of Frogs, Foments and Insessions, 
are to be had in use , Narcoticks and great Dullers of the pain, in more 
urging Torments, are allowable. 
Thirdly, If ulcerate, we must accommodate Medicines to it, as Me- 
tals, Mineral-Waters, Dryers, Dullers of Acrimony, and Protracters 
of its augmentation, the Ashes of River-Crabs washt in Nightshade- 
Water, mixt with Lead, or Antimony, is much trusted to by some in an 
ulcerate Cancer. 
If much Blood flow from the ulcered Cancer, as often do, the best is 
Juyce of Plantane and Frankinsence injected into the Uterus. 
Lastly, If it may be hindered or cured, a Prophylactick Method is to 
be observed, lest a Relapse should happen afterward. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 329 
CHAP. IX.
Of a Dropsie of the Uterus.
DEFINITION.
A Dropsie of the Uterus is a repletion and distention of it from Wa- 
ter collected in it, either from fault in it self, or other parts, in- 
ducing a swelling and impotency. 
CAUSE.
Cause is either essential, where, 1. The stoopping of their wonted 
Menstrua, by a close closure of the Uterus, and the presence waterish 
Humours in the Uterus, which not having passage out, because of the 
close shutting up of the Orifice, but heaping up more and more, do ef- 
fect a Dropsie. 
2. As a stopping of the Menstrua, and of the Uterus induces it, so al- 
so a weakness in the Uterus ; native heat being very weak, and not able 
to make good digestion, nor expulsion of Humours that are gathered 
thither. 
Causes inducing a weaknese of the Uterus, are either, 1. Abortion.  
2. Laborious Births. 3. Immoderate flowing of Menses dilating that 
heat. Or, 4. Suppression of them, suffocating and choaking that heat.
5. Or windiness of it. 6. A Mola. 
3. 'Tis made from copulation with one that hath an Ascites and Tym- 
pany of the Belly. 
Secondly, By Consent: As, 
1. From the Liver, which cooled over-much, and weakened, Drop- 
sies generally spread over all the Body; Yet, as Hippocrates saith, Drop- 
sies of particular parts may be made without any defect in the Liver : From 
the Liver comes forth the encrease of pure Blood, if its Sanguification 
be not spoiled ; which if if be, instead of pure Blood, Water is made 
and distributed in the Body, in great quantity. 
2. From the Spleen, which is contumaciously obstructed, but is the 
most seldom cause of all. 
3. Distilling of a serous Humour from the Vena Cava into the Uterus. 
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Uterus, Water being either collected and retained in its 
Capacity through close closure and shutting of it up, (Primrose denies 
this, saying, 'Tis not made in the Cavity ; for if so, Water would flow out, 
as out of the month of a Vessel) or made in little Bladders within the 
T t Uterus


330 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Uterus, like Hydata, out of the which the Water comes not into the Ca- 
pacity of the Uterus, or 'tis included in a Membrane. 
SIGNS. 
Signs of it are swelling of the Uterus, so that they are often thought 
to be with Child; it dints, if the fingers do crush the Region of the Ute- 
rus ; 'tis very discernable by sight; the Woman perceives a squabling of 
the water upon turning of her in her Bed from one side to another. 
2. There is difficulty in fetching her Breath. 
3. There is Nausea, and disdain of Food. But, 
4. Great thirst from thin and salt Flegm, though seated in the Uterus, 
yet communicating its vice to the Stomach, by the common Vessels and 
Wayes. 
5. Softness of the Paps, and want of Milk. 
6. Shakings, Heart-pains, and Feaverish fits often afflict her.
7. The Menstrua are stopt, or if they do slow, they are very few, or  
like washings of flesh.
8. Smallness and leanness of the Neck of the Uterus.
DIFFERENCES.
First, As to its Causes: 1. Essential, and then some Distemper or 
Disease of the Uterus went before, and there be signs of the Uterus being 
hurt: 2. By Communication, as from the Liver; then there be Signs 
of the Liver affected, the Blood is waterish, and there be Signs of great 
coldness and weakness of the Principal Bowels. 
Secondly, As to the Subject or Part: 1. 'Tis made in the Capacity 
or Orifice of the Uterus; then by touch the Uterus is felt close shut, a 
great loose swelling is perceived, and the duration of Water there ; 
sometimes it happens in Child-bearing, and is not cast out till the Birth, 
which is destroyed by so much stinking water. 2. 'Tis contained in 
certain Bladders and Vesicles adhering to the substance of the Uterus, 
in which the Orifice of the Uterus seems to be fallen together; there be 
greater Pains, there is less fluctuation and rumbling of the Water.
DIFFERENCES betwixt it and other Diseases.
I. It differs from an Ascites, 1. By less fluctuation : 2. By situation 
of the Tumour: 3. By signs of the Uterus onely affected: 4. An Asci- 
tes also rises from superiour parts, and goes down to lower parts, and
possesses the Legs. 5. There is als a bad colour of the Face. 
2. It differs from Gravidity, or Great-Belliedness. because, 1. The 
motion of the Infant is felt; 2. The Brests are made more solid and full 
of Milk: 3. In a Dropsie there is a swelling of the Uterus according to 
the amplitude of the Belly and Uterus; but in conception 'tis more
round


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 331 
round and heavy. 4. There is a bad bloody Humour flows from the 
Uterus, soon ended, and comes not orderly again, which is not so from 
the birth. 
3. It differs from an Inflamation of the Matrice, because in that 
there is, 1. A great burning and continual Feaver. 2. The Region 
of the Uterus feels harder. 3. Nor is there so much of waterish slimy 
stinking Excrements flowing away from the Uterus, as is made in a 
Dropsie. 
4. It differs from Inflamation of the Uterus, for then there is pre- 
sent, 1. A Sounding, specially if the Uterus be struck. 2. Tension, 
or stretching out of the Uterus. 3. There is not so great a burthen and 
heaviness as in a Dropsie. 
5. 'Tis distinguished from a Mola, because herein are, 1. A greater 
weight in the bottom of the Belly. 2. The Paps at birth time do 
swell. 
6. From a Scirrh of the Uterus, for in that is great hardness, but a 
shining, softness and lankness of the flesh in Dropsies.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. If it be in the whole Orifice of the Uterus, the Child growing 
bigger, the Woman grows better ; 'tis cast out at time of delivery, the 
Uterus all the while before being close shut. 
2. If Water be shut up in Blisters and little Bladders adhering to the 
Uterus, 'tis harder to cure. 
3. In general 'tis a Cronical Disease, not quickly killing, or quick- 
ly forsaking the Diseased. 
4. If the Water be not corrupted nor sharp, in time 'tis cured. 
5. If it be not Essential, if obstructions be present, there is great feat 
of an Universal Dropsie. 
6. If it comes before, it hinders Conception; if after Conception; it 
causes Abortion.
DYET
Must be hot and dry, all moist things must be avoided; she may 
drink pure Wine, or rather some pleasant Dyet-drink. 
Air must also be hot and dry, either naturally or artificially,according 
to Galenists; see further direction for Regiment in the Chapter of the 
Dropsie-Ascites. 
CURE. 
In Cure, 1. Blood-letting is to be superseded, unless, 1. The Par- 
ty be Phlethorick and Sanguine-coloured, young, lusty, and in the 
Spring time (for letting Blood weakens the inbred heat, and extinguish-
T t 2 eth


332 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
eth the Spirits.) 2. If the Diseased wants her accustomed Evacuation 
by the Uterus, a Vein of the Ankle may be opened, with repetition. Or, 
3. if the Hæmorrhoids be supprest, Nature having used to make a vent 
th at way, are to be opened by Leeches. 
2. Purging (to which some premise Preparers, which unless there 
be thick Humours present, are useless ; for Water neither concocts nor 
is made thick) which saith Hartman, Doth little good, unless when the  
vice proceeds from Liver or Spleen, then Antimonial Pills shew their effi- 
cacy. 
3. Diureticks excel Purgers, but are not so excellent as in General 
Dropsies; the best are the Roots of Flower-de-luce, Bark of Eldern, 
and of the Roots of Danewort, Saldonellas, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Juniper and Broom burnt to Ashes, and steeped in White-Wine, and 
the Wine drunk: Medicines also from their specifical affinity to the part, 
are rather to be chosen, being good for Dropsies, than those that respect 
the part not at all. 
4. Education of the Water by Injections, by Semi-Cups, or Half- 
Tubs, by Foments, or a Pultis of Saldonella to the Privities, are com- 
mendable ; Issues are not good, but Pessaries, Clisters, and Emplai- 
sters, such as are prescribed in the general Cure of Dropsies, are helpful : 
the skin of a Sheep new killed, and being yet warm, sprinkled with. 
Wine, and applyed to the Belly, is commended. 
5. Openers and Movers of the monthly Menstrua, if they be stopt, 
or flow not rightly, are chiefly to be insisted upon ; Chalybrate Pills, 
and Histeticks, having also a diuretick force and drying, are to be 
chosen. 
6. Carminatives, either by the Mouth, or in Fomentations, or in 
Clisters, are to be used, because commonly there is great plenty of 
windiness,which disturbs much. 
If the Water stick fast in little Bladders and Skins, and be not educti- 
ble, or to be brought forth, Clisters are often to be given, and Vo- 
miting,with Emeticks, may chance to break those Pellicles by its tear- 
ing, and plucking working;, great and strong exercise also, leaping, 
jumping, and the like, may sometime break them, and cause them to 
send forth their Water. 
Riverius also, to break these, commends this Bole to be taken twice 
a week, ꝶ Mineral Borax, ʒss. Saffron, ℈ss. with Juyce of Savine, 
make a Bolus. 
If the Vena Cava doth distil a Watery Matter, Hartman commends 
for a rare secret, Vitriol of Mars. 
Lastly, The Uterus is to be strenghtened and reduced to its right
temper-


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 333 
temper again, to perform its duty in due measure and manner. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Inflamation of the Uterus. 
Inflamation of the Uterus, is a preternatural Tumour risen from hot 
Blood gathered there and putrified, infesting with many Symptoms, 
and terminated in a Scirrh or Botch. 
CAUSE 
Is Blood which is hot and boiling, fallen by the Vessels into the sub- 
stance of the uterus, either from an hot Liver, or plenitude of the 
whole Body, attracted and moved thither by violent causes. As, 
1. Falls and Blows. 
2. Retention of the Menstrua. 
3. From cold Air, after a Womans Delivery unwarily taken in, it hap- 
pens often, the Loches being supprest thereupon. 
4. Hard Travel and Abortion, where the great pain, heat, and 
opening of the Vessels, causes the afflux of much Blood. 
5. Violent drawing forth of the Secundine. 
6. Exulceration. 
7. Immoderate use of Venery. 
8. Too swift diambulations, and overmuch painful journying, speci- 
ally in time of bearing, or when their Mestrua arc flowing. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK 
Be generally taken, 1. From the Uterus it self, which is, first, Swel- 
led, which is discerned by sight upon the Region of the Uterus. Second- 
ly, Pained, which is as from an Inflamation or burning heat. Thirdly,
Shut up, and drawn back towards the inward parts. 
2. From the Symptoms which are present herein, and are, 1. An 
acute Feaver, constant and burning, from the Heart consenting with the 
Uterus by the Arteries and great Vessels; sometimes a Lypiria, where- 
in inwardly they are very Feaverish and hot, but outwardly cold, from. 
tension of the Humours towards the inward parts. 
2. Headach, which vexes most in the hinder part, and reaches to the 
Roots of the Eyes, from Vapours arising from the Uterus. 
3. Pains of the Share and Loins, of the Middriff also, and Cannels 
Bones of the Neck.
4. A 



334 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
4. A suppression of the Excrements of the Belly from heat and dri- 
ness of the Uterus, and thrusting together of the Passages by the Uterus,
stretched out. 
5. Menstrua do suddenly sometimes go forth, but few in quantity 
and prave in quality. 
6. The Pulse is small and often.
7. The Stomach is evil affected, from consent and bad exhalations. 
8. Cramps and Convulsions in the Arms, Fingers and Neck. 
9. A Delirium, and talking idley. 
10. A fainting and sailing of Spirits from the violence of the Dis- 
ease, and Symptoms concomitant herewith. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure is hardly to be attained, if it hath gotten the Nature of an Ery- 
sipela, which kills the Child, and causes Abortion, nor if it be Gangræ- 
ned ; it is very doubtful if all the Uterus be affected, if Symptoms be 
many and great, if it turn to rotting, and break, for then there is an in- 
curable Ulcer made, whence noysom Vapours are carried upwards,and 
affect the principal parts by consent, and at last may kill the Sick with a 
slow Feaver. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Are either, 1. from the part; whereas, 1. It is of the whole uterus,
wherein is pain all over. 2. Of one of the sides, where the privy parts 
on that side are most hot and pained, and the Leg on that side is badly 
moved. 3. Or of the back part, in which pain urges more towards the 
Loins and Back, and retention of Excrements is greater from its lying 
upon and straitening the Rectum Intestinum. 4. Of the sore-part, in 
which, because it coheres with the Bladder, there is hurt of making Wa- 
ter, or a Strangury, and there is greater pain about the Secrets. 5. Of 
its Neck, where heat, swelling and pain are most felt, it is to be discern- 
ed red, and its Veins like Spiders Webs filled with Blood. 
Or, 2. From the Humour ; where, 1. It is made of pure Blood, 
wherein all Symptoms are more remiss. 2. Of Chollerick or Atra- 
bilatious Blood, wherein all things are more cruel and dangerous. 
Or, 3. From the Events; whenas, 1. It degenerates into a Scirrh; 
Symptoms are here more mild ; a sence of gravity is perceived in the 
Womb, the evil lasts long, and at last a Dropsie of the Womb is fre- 
quently made. 2. Into an Abscess, then Pain, Feaver, and all Sym- 
promes are increased ; Horrors about evening especially do invade; 
there is a sense of somewhat fluctuating ; it being broke, the Mat- 
ter is sometimes poured out into the Capacity of the Womb, sometime 
into Vicine Parts. Cure 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 335 
Cute is begun with letting Blood in the Veins of the Arm, whereby 
Evacuation, Revulsion and Interception of that hot and Chollerick 
Blood is made, and they derive better from the Liver, then the Saphæna, 
which some appoint chiefly to be cut, because by reason of its vicinity 
and neerness to the Uterus, they think it draws Blood from thence most 
immediately ; but opening of the Leg-Veins are condemned by others, 
because in a deficiency the opening of them draws Blood to the Uterus, 
but the Ham-Veins are better approved then the Feet-Veins for Deri- 
vation ; and letting Blood is frequently to be performed according to 
the constitution, strength and age of the Sick, and condition also ; if 
that she be not with Child, and so abortion may be endangered, or if it 
comes not after abortion,, wherein the Woman voided blood very larg- 
ly, and is faint : Blood also is to be drawn forth more largely or penu- 
riously, according as the Feaver remains more intense or remiss, which 
is chiefly respected in opening the Cubit-Vein ; and when as the turgent
and redundant Blood is emptied, the cutting of the Saphæna is more 
effectual, and less hurtful. 
2. See that the Belly be not Bound or Costive, if it be, give cooling 
and Emolient Clisters. 
3. For Revulsion, apply Cupping-glasses to the Shoulder-Blades and 
Loins, and with Scarification to the Hips, binding of the upper parts, &c. 
4. Choller and sharp Humours are to be purged from the Blood, and 
though strong Purgatives are not allowed, because they irritate too much 
and move Humours to fall upon a part weakned, and not able to repel 
them, yet gentle benign Medicines do not hurt, but help and bring ease, 
as Cassia extract with Syrup of Violets, Manna dissolved in Broath, &c. 
Avicen, Fontanus, &c. think Clisters more conducible for Eva- 
cuation of the peccant Humours, but if they be very strong, so as to 
evacuate and carry Humours to any purpose, they exacerbate much, and 
may encrease the Inflamation ; if they be gentle and emollient onely, 
they evacuate not the Humours, but Excrements of the Guts only, and 
are proper, if the Belly be Costive as above said. 
5. Topicals are in the mean while to be applyed, as Epithemes, and 
Fomentations, Cataplasms, Insessions, Pessaries, &c. which are to 
be made cf things that cool and moisten without any astriction ; yet we 
must observe that things that are too cold, or too long adhere to the part, 
are inimical to the Uterus, that being the place of Conception. Second- 
ly, Things too cooling and repelling, may harden the Matter, and cause
it to turn Scirrhous, for fear of which, some Resolvents and Emolients 
are to be mixt. 
ꝶ


336 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Night-shade, Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, 
and Violet Leaves, boil them in Water for an half Tub, or foment the 
Region of the Uterus therewith. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Purslane, Red-Rose-Leaves, and Water-Lillies, 
boil them in Milk and Barley-Water, for a Cataplasm. 
Dip a Sponge in Vinegar of Roses, and lay to the bottom of her Belly, 
betwixt her Navil and Share. 
ꝶ of Juyce of Plantane, Sengreen or Purslane, and therein dip 
Wooll, and put it up for a Pessary. 
ꝶ Juyce of Plantane, inject by a Syringe. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of the Balsom-Tree, Juyce of Plantane, of Purslane, of 
each equal parts, for an Injection. 
A Decoction of the Roots of Endive and Cichory, or of Plantane- 
leaves in Whey is held specifical, to be drunk for Inflamation of the 
Uterus. 
Hartman and Johnstonus are highly opinioned of Mother of Time, 
boild in Steeled Water and drunk,or the Decoction applyed by Sponges. 
CHAP. XI.
Of the Mola in the Matrice. 
DEFINITION. 
A Mola is a shapeless lump of flesh, without Bones or Bowels, 
growing in the Uterus from an imperfect Conception, from fault 
of the Seed, belying a true Birth, and gotten instead thereof. 
Galen defines it to be a mass of flesh without form. 
Ætius and Paulus, An hard Swelling. 
Platerus saith, It is an immoveable and insensible Body of soft flesh, that 
is void of a certain Figure.
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, first from faulty Seed, and that as well masculine as fe- 
minine together, (others onely allow the Womans Seed to be the cause 
hereof) which wanting a forming quality, and being drowned in men- 
struous, thick and humourous Blood, a shapeless mass is made, and by 
heat hardened. 
SIGNS. 
It is a Mass of Flesh, void of a certain form, immoveable and in- 
sensible, lying like a stone, with a great sence of weight. 
I. It belies or counterfeits a true Birth, because, 1. Herein is longing. 
2. Loss of Appetite. 3.Swelling of the Brests. 4. Stopping of the Men-
strua, 5. A bad colour. 
2. It


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 337
2. It is distinguished, First, From a true birth, because in this is, 1. No 
perceivance of its Body for many months, and then an hard sensless and 
immovable Body, is perceived. 2. There sometimes follows a pricking 
pain, which is not in a true Conception. 3. The Woman perceives a 
motion like trembling and panting, distinct from that of the Infant. 
4. Though the Breast swell, there is no Milk, it is from supprest Men- 
strua, and they flag afterward. 5. It differs in the bulk and figure of the 
Uterus, for in a true Conception it is chiefly lifted up towards the Navil, 
and softly straitened towards the sides; but in this the Belly is lifted up 
into all its dimensions. Secondly, From a Dropsie of the Uterus, for 
in that there is a soft swelling, it yeilds to pression of the Hand and Fin- 
gers, and the dints made therefrom, rise again in height, there is a rum- 
bling and sense of water; which things are not so in a Mola, though a 
Dropsie may follow, and be conjoyned with it in time. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Some are more soft, watery, slimy and bloody ; and some more fecu- 
lent and hard; some flaulent, or puffed up, and spongy : They are not 
known to be in the Uterus of Bruits, they not abounding with Menstrua, 
as Women do. 
Sometime they grow in the Neck, sometime also in the Bosom of the 
Uterus.
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is dangerous, 1. Because in time the Liver sometimes is weakened, 
and a Dropsie ensues. 
2. They carry it in their Uterus two or three years sometimes, and 
sometimes is incurable if not looked to at the beginning. 
3. It is sometimes very great, and is expelled with a very doubtful 
Erysis, and large fluxes of Blood accompany its egress, so that some- 
times the Spirits being exhausted, and an Inflammation, Feaver and Deli- 
rium being raised, she dies in the act of ejecting it. 
It is excluded sometimes before, sometimes with the Birth, and some- 
times without it. 
CURE. 
In Cure we are, 1. To hinder its growth and encrease, and take away its 
aliment, for which Blood is to be drawn forth by the Arm and Ankles; 
Copulation, adding more weak Seed, is to be shunned ; the Menstrua are 
to flow, and we must purge tenacious and vitious Humours from the Ute- 
rus : In Dyet, all fat, cold, gross, viscous, windy Meats are to be shun-
ned ; let her drink Wormwood Beer or Wine : Exercise is not so good 
here, as for Expulsion, if the growth of it may not be hindered ; for it 
Uu rather



338 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
rather moves flux of Humours that encrease its growth; but moderate 
and gentle exercises are not to be abandoned. 
2. If grown, to expel it: Here such as are for ejection of the dead 
Child, and moving of the Menstrua, are useful : and such things as are 
contrary to those used for preservation of the Child in the Uterus, are 
to be instituted : In Meats, Openers, Attenuaters, and Dissolvers of 
concreted matter, are good ; Exercise, as leaping, jumping, running, 
that were for the dead Birth, are good.
Then after Preparation, give Purgers,and things that move the Men- 
strua, whereof take this for an Example: ꝶ of Borax, Savin, Cina- 
mon, and Diptamy of Creet, of each ʒj Motherwort, Nigella Romana- 
Seeds, Assafœtida, Saint John's-Wort, of each ʒfs. take ʒj. for a dose in 
sugared White-Wine.
The Juyce of the Leaves of Lovage drunk in Mugwort-water is held 
a secret. 
Hartmannus saith, A Secret is not more happily given for exterminating 
this, than the Pouder of Secundines, which is to he given more often, (if the 
Mola hath continued long) in Mugwort, Gentian, Penny-Royal, or Nettle- 
Water, some Cinamon-Water being always added ; and that hereby he cured 
many generous Women, which by learned Physitians were thought des-
perate. 
Externally are many things to be used to relax the parts, and discuss 
and shake off the impacted matter, as are Insesssions, Fomentations, Ca- 
taplasms, Oyntments, Pessaries, &c. of emollient and resolvent Me- 
dicines, as Chamomile, Mallows, marish Mallows, Mellilot, Mugwort,
Dill, Rheu, Motherwort, &c.
Natural Bathes also, and such as have force of rarifying and dissol- 
ving, are good. 
Some apply dry Capping-glasses , and painful Ligatures about the 
Calves of the Legs for attraction sake. 
If all Medicines fail, and the Woman is like to miscarry therefrom, 
Platerus advises, That it he taken away by Manual Operation, or in extream 
peril, by section made by the Abdomen into the Uterus.
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms happening herein ate to be respected. 
As, 1. A Dysentery, that commonly goes before the expelling of 
the Mola, and is to be cured as other Dysenteries. 
2. Windiness, which causes great rumbling and distention, and is 
taken away after preparation and purging of the Humours, by Clisters, 
Pessaries of Juyce of Mercury, and Cardamoms, Insesses and Unction 
of


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 339
of the Pecten, with Oyl of Dill, Cummin-Seeds and Castorium. 
3. Fainting and Swounding fits, that follow upon the great Hæmor- 
rhages that happens in the Expulsion of the Mola, and are helped by Cor- 
dials, and such as strengthen the forces, and uphold Nature. 
4. Clotted and congealed Blood, for whole Cure, if there be need, 
see the Chapter of Blood clotted in the Bladder. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Condiloma Uteri. 
Condylomata, are swellings of the Rinkles in the Neck of the Uterus, 
rising in height, and inflicting pain and heat there. 
CAUSES
Are thick and adust Humours, or Humours that have flowen thither 
and are become rotten ; they are often made after some Exulceration 
there. 
SIGN. 
They are like Hyposarcoses, they appear to the Eyes, they are Tu- 
berculous and Membranous, they are rather lifted up while the Menses 
flow out, they are often joyned with Rhagades. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet prescribed. We must take away the Cause, we 
must repercus and dry ; if there be Inflamation, we must correct that 
by Anodines and Coolers, as by Oyntments, Insessions and Perfumes ; 
if old and inveterate, 'tis good to use first Emolients, and then Di- 
gesters and Driers. 
Rondeletius advises to this Pouder, which is to be sprinkled upon the 
parts, ꝶ Savine, ℥j. Burnt Hermodactils, and Mirtil Ashes, ana ʒiij. 
Chalcitis, Allom, ana. ʒij. Red Orpment, ʒj. mix them all into a 
Pouder; this is rather to be used when they are hardned by long conti- 
nuance, for then Consumption by Causticks, or a pair of Pincers, are to 
be ordained to take away the Tumid Flesh, and an Astringent Pouder 
presently sprinkled on the place that is nipt by the Pincers of Steel, 
Pouder of Egg-shells, and Mulleint Leaves. 
Much more might have been spoken of this affect, but seeing they 
are caused and cured much after the same manner as Condylomata of the 
Fundament, we refer it thither. 
U u 2 CHAP.



340 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Itching, or Itching Pushes in the Uterus. 
Pushes of the Uterus, are Tubercles risen in the Neck,and effecting 
by their sharpness great Itching and Pain.
CAUSE.
Cause is sharp, bilious, and sometimes adust Humours insinuated 
there, and producing their effects.
SIGN. 
There is great itching, which is sometime more painful; sometime  
scaley matter falls off; they are best discerned by Speculum Matricis. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
By encreasing it may degenerate into Ulcers; they are sometime 
very hard to cure, especially if they be Malign or Venerial, which often 
happen in Womb-Fury, yet may be made when that is not; and Womb- 
Fury may be caused without the conjunction of this. 
CURE. 
Preparation is made by Endive, Hops, Fumitary, Borrage, Let- 
tice, Cichory, &c. then we must correct the quantity and quality of 
Peccant Humours.
Topicks used in Bathes and Insessions, a washing of the part with 
Wine and Niter, and such things as prohibit Itching ; for which see 
Chapter of Itching. 
If they be Venerious and Contagious, a Lotion of Plantane and 
Rose Water, with Aloes, and a little Erugo Æris artificially dissolved 
therein, is to be used. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 341 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Womb Melancholly. 
DEFINITlON. 
Melancholly of Women is a Delirium, and sadness, with pertur- 
bation of the Mind and Sences, coming by Intervals, and with- 
out a Feaver; made from base exhalations from the Uterus, affected with 
a Melancholly Humour, dulling the Animal Spirits. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is Melancholly, and an earthly gross feculent Humour seated 
in the Uterus, and there exhaling to the Brain fuliginous melancholly 
Vapours, which deprave the Animal Spirits, and sensitive Faculty, 
drawing the original of its growth from natural and dry Evacuation in 
the Uterus impedited, as either suppression of the Menstrua or retenti- 
on of the Seed, or both, which thereby putrifie. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
1. There is fearfulness, sadness, unsatisfiedness in every thing, de- 
jection of mind, and sometime raging, anxiety and weeping, they 
sleep little. 
They laugh, dote, talk idley, and are most garrulous at such time that 
the Menstrua might be expected. 
2. Distemper of the principal parts, from the Vapours sent to them 
and afflicting. As, 1. to the Heart there is made anxiety, sadness, the 
Arteries of it beat vehemently about the Milt and Back. 2. To the 
Stomach there is made loathing of Meat, and want of Appetite, so that 
sometime the Sick thereby arc greatly wasted. 3. To the Thorax are 
made great Pains from Vapours transmitted by the intercostal Arteries, 
and vellicating the Membranes of the Thorax; the side also, from the 
Region of the Heart to the left Pap, is often pained. 4. To the Jaws 
there is made a Sense of Choaking, and they are much vexed with dri- 
ness there. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
’Tis a Disease of some difficulty to cure, both in respect, 1. Of the 
Symptoms it hath with it. 2. Of the parts thereby Afflicted. 3. By 
reason of the stubbornness, being a cold and dry affect. 4. Of the 
great danger there is of the Brain being primarily affected, through 
long


342 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
long continuance of this Disease, whenas 'tis very hard (if at all cura- 
ble,) to be removed. 
CURE.
Bleeding is first to be instituted (after an orderly Dyet, as is prescri-
bed in the General Chapter of Melancholy) by Bleeding, open the 
Cubit-Vein first; then, if the Mestrua be stopt, open the Ankle-Vein 
some days before they are to come down: If Blood be more hot and black 
according to Galenical Rule, we may more freely draw it out. 
2. Preparation, and Alteration of the melancholy Humour, is to be 
made, by Cordials and Specificals for Melancholy ; Borage, Bugloss, 
Dodder of Time, Balm, Rosemary, Archangel, Woodroof, Violet- 
Leaves, Vipers Bugloss, Fumitary, Featherfew, &c. boild in Whey 
clarified, and drunk ; or Syrups of the Juyce of Apples, of Dodder 
of Time, of Borage, and the like, or Julaps of those Syrups and White- 
Wine, or Cordial distilled Waters are good for variety and change, 
which sometimes greatly pleaseth the Sick. 
3. Purge with such as properly purge Melancholy, and are made 
friendly to the Uterus, by the mixing therewith Specificals to carry the 
force of the Medicine to operate more specifically upon the Uterus.
If she be Costive, help that by often Clisters. Medicines in sub- 
stance, as in Pills, do dry too much, therefore Potions, or purging Ju- 
laps are preferred ; Extract of black Hellebore, of Lapis Lazuli, &c. 
are Medicinal. 
Venery is very helpful for her, acted moderately and seasonably. 
Emollient and moistening Bathes are good, both to moisten and tem- 
per, and hinder thick and dry Evaporations, and appease watching; for 
which, if it be immoderate, we must use fomnoriferous Emulsions, Julaps 
and Applications to her Head, Pomanders to smell to; and in extremi- 
ty of watching, Laudanum to two or three Grains, may be given. 
Comforters of the Heart, and Cherishers of the Spirits, are conti- 
nually to be given, and whatever may avert and turn away Melancholy, 
and make her chearful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied-Women. 
Many, various and great are the Diseases and Symptoms that arise 
to Women during the time of their going with Child : The first, 
and that happen in the first times of her going with Child, is, 
1. A Spasm or Cramp, chiefly vexing the Calf of the Leg, which is 
eased by anointing with Oyl of Bays by the fire, and wrapping an hot 
oollen Cloth thereupon.
2. A 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 343 
2. A Diarrhæa or Lientery, wherein the Meat passeth through the 
Body just as it was chewed, no alteration being made. 
3. Illiack Passion, wherein are great Torments and Belly-pains from 
the Guts inflamed, and involved one within another, called by some 
Convolvulus ; and whatsoever here is swallowed down, is presently cast 
up again by Vomit, either because it cannot pass, or because Vapours 
arising herefrom disturb and evert the Stomach. 
Cure it as a common Illiack-Passion, respecting the Fruit in the Uterus,
and condition of the Woman. 
4. Nausea, and Vomiting; This, as in Child-bearing, so also after 
Delivery, is very molestuous , and sometime Food, sometimes onely 
Humours, if the Stomach be empty, are cast our. 
Disdain of Food is often concomitant herewith, and the Woman nei- 
ther affecteth the thing she eateth, nor eaten, doth she keep it, or not 
without great offence. 
The Stomach is to be streghthened : a clensing Potion premised, give 
Decoction of Wormwood, Centuary, Mint, Cinnamon, Enula Roots, 
&c. but if a Decoction be too strong, steep them, being aptly prepa- 
red, in her Beer; if she dislike them so, from great Weakness of her 
Stomach, compose them into a mass, to be swallowed in Pills: give her 
every night going to Bed the quantity of a Nutmeg, of this or the like 
Electuary, ꝶ Marmalades of Quinces, ℥ij, conserve of Roses, ℥j. Cin- 
namon, Mace, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Mint, make it into a due form; 
Strengtheners and astringent Oyntments also for the Stomach, for Ex- 
ternal Use, are to be used. 
5. Womens Longings, and coveting of divers and and strange Aliments. 
See the Cure in the Chapter of Womens Longings. 
6. Belly-ach, from Wind and bad Vapours. ’Tis taken away with 
Carminatives, and as is directed in the Chapter of Wind from the
Uterus. 
7. Toothach. 
8. Headach and Vertigo, which also are made from filthy exhalations, 
and unwholsom vapours sent from the Uterus to the Head. See their 
Cure in the Chapter of them; particularly, I. Respect the Cause ; 
2. The part from whence they arise. 
II. In the middle time of her going, with Child, are, 
I. A Cough; This arises, 1. From compressure of parts. 2. Sup- 
pression of Humours, which putrifie and send molestuous and irritating 
vapours to the parts destinated for breathing; this sometime in the last 
Months doth urge most ; and the reason may very well be, because then
a



344 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
a greater quantity of noxious Humours are heaped up, than were at 
first. 
PRGONOSTICKS. 
'Tis bad in Women with Child, because thereby the Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime broke, and therefrom ensues Abortion. 
CURE. 
In Cure avoid all sharp and irritating things, give Ptysans, and sweet 
Wine, avoid such meats as stop the Pipes of the Lungs, and encrease 
an aliment apt to turn a pituitous Excrement: If the matter be more te- 
naciously feared in the Lungs, give expectorating Syrups, Lohochs, De- 
coctions, and Ptysans; Oyl of sweet Almonds is very helpful; anoint 
the Brest with loosening pectoral Unctions.
2. Fainting, panting of the Heart, and Lipothimy, from fuliginous 
and malignant Vapours communicated from the Uterus, whereby the 
Heart striving to expel those exhalations, doth frequently stretch and 
contract it self. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms hereunto annexed, are, Tremblings, want of sleep, De- 
spair, Leanness, and a wasting condition. 
CURE. 
In Cure, Diversion of the Vapours, after a Lenitive, is to be en- 
deavoured; Frictions of the lower parts, Ligatures, Cuppers, &c. are 
convenient; give her Balm-Water, Syrup of Mint, with other Cordi- 
als : If this doth no good, breathing the Basilick Vein is sometimes 
very helpful, both to refresh the Heart, and the Infant too, being almost 
strangled from the great quantity and bid quality of humorous Blood; 
yet we do it with some moderation, and supposing the Woman be young, 
fleshy and strong. 
3. Pain of the Loins and Hips. See its Cure in the general Chapter 
of Pain, in our Chyrurgery. 
4. Swelling of the Legs; this proceeds from abundance of gross 
cold Humours, through redundancy of them in the Body, being thrust 
down thither; this happens also in the last Months of her going with 
Child, they are scarce perfectly healed till they be delivered; yet in the 
mean time we are not to procrastinate the Cure, left from the part too 
much weakened, and the Humour by long being seated there, growing 
more contumacious, a worse Case befal afterward, and it be harder to 
be cured. 1. We must go about Discussion, and Dissolution of the 
Humours and swelling. 2. Strengthen the part. If by the coldness of 
the


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 345
the part we fear a Gangrene, ’tis prevented by scarifying of the part, for 
so 'tis ventilated, and putrifaction impedited. 
5. An Hæmorrage of the Uterus, or Hæmorrhoid-Veins, sending out 
Blood either from too great plenty of it, made from abounding of it in 
the whole Body, or weakness of the Birth, not attracting that that is 
sent thither for its nourishment, or prave Humours stimulating the ex- 
pultrice force of the Uterus.
CURE. 
Here we must, 1. Respect the Cause, which is either to lessen or 
amend the Blood, or to tame the acrimony of it; 2. The Effects, which 
is an Hæmorrage, which indicates a suppression ; that is done by Astrin- 
gents and Medicines that thicken the Humours, and fix them, and make 
the parts rough. 
III. In the last months of her going with Child, is, 
1. Costiveness, and hard Signs made from the Uterus, compressing the 
strait Gut; or secondly, from the driness of the fæces, the moisture of 
the alimentary matter being sent to the Uterus. 
PROG. 
By hard striving to go to stool, the Cotyledons and Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime loosened, and there is fear of Abortion.
CURE.
Clisters are not now so good to be used, the Child being come to such 
a growth, but Suppositories in their head; fat Broaths with Mallows, 
Syrup of Prunes, or Prunes first stewed,then pricked, and steeped in In- 
fusion of Senna, then eaten, are very good; moistening and slippery 
food is best for her. See more in the Chapter of Costiveness. 
2. Stopping of Urine, made also from largeness of the Uterus crush- 
ing the Bladder; or it may be made from other Causes, which, and whose 
Cure, see in the Chapter of an Iscury. 
3. Swelling and puffing up of the Veins from gross and flatulent Blood ;
Phlebotomy, or opening a Vein, because it detracts nourishment from 
the Child, is not allowed : We must palliate, and keep a good Dyet till 
time of Delivery, for then these Affects are wont to be dissolved. 
4. An effusion or pouring out of water from the Uterus, which was 
gathered in the time of their going with Child 'twixt the Membranes 
comprehending the Birth, and being now heaved up in great plenty 
(specially in such as have lived an idle and sedentary life) Nature casts 
it out after this manner; It hath with it paleness of face, linkness of 
Xx the


346 Of the Diseases of Uterus. 
the skin, windiness, and are like to those in Dropsies, there is fear of it 
turning to a Dropsie, the retentive faculty is weakened, and the 
Child not free from danger ; nor may such a proper Cure as ought, be 
administred; she must use a drying Dyet, roasted Meats, Bisket made 
with Aniseeds, Sarsaperilla-Drink, and Fruits that are dry, and have 
some Astringency. 
Emplaisters may be applied to the Pudendum, and some gentle laxa- 
tive Apozem cannot bring any great prejudice, being discreetly admi- 
nistred. 
CHAP. XVI.
Of Abortion.
DEFINITION. 
Abortion is a depraved action of the the Uterus, the Infant being im- 
maturely and before its legitimate time cast out, unperfected and 
violently being excerned, caused from weakness of the retentive or too 
great force in the expulsive faculty of the Uterus. 
The Seed not as yet conformed, is called Seminis effluvium, that is, 
Cast out : for whenas Nature propagates greedily its own Sex,in reference 
hereto the propensity in Man to ejaculate Sperm, is not greater than 
the greedy coveting in the Woman to suck it in, and Nature is as indu- 
strious now to keep it, and cherish it; the Uterus after the act being close 
shut, as before covetous of receiving it, the Uterus then gaping ; but 
from impotency in it, or provocation,made from their several Causes, it 
cannot keep it, or is forced to cast it out before it be formed.
CAUSES. 
The Causes of Abortion are either Internal or External: 
I. Internal; which is either, First, From vice of the expulsive fa— 
culty; made to act either from acute Diseases, or sharp Humours, from 
winds, Inflation, and Inflamation of the Womb, whereby the parts are 
sorish, and cannot well endure to be crushed : 2. From great astriction 
of the Belly, so that great straining is made to cast out the hard Excre- 
ments : And Hippocrates saith, The Tenasmus, or a Disease moving many 
and troublesome Stools, coming upon Women with Child, causes them to abort, 
3. Violent Causes, as strong Vomits, and purging Medicines, or a natu- 
ral Flux, exceeding in quantity, and too frequent in motion, from shard 
may stimulate the expultrice. 4. From great weight of Humours, and 
burthen,


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 347
burthen, so that Nature is forced to abort, or cast out, to ease her 
self. 
Seconly, from vice in the retentive faculty, which arises, 1. From
abundance of moisture, and slippery Humours, or flegmatick and loose; 
whereby the Ligaments are laxated, and the Child slides away. 2. From 
two or more Children, which the Uterus cannot well contain. 3. From 
often use of Venery, whereby the Uterus is made slippery, and more 
open. 4. Fatness of the Uterus, whose Bodies also usually are
fat. 
Thirdly; From weakness ; which is made, 1. From bad Affects and 
Symptoms, so that it hath force no longer to retain the birth, as are
Convulsions, Swoonings. 2. Loosness of the Ligaments,from long last- 
ing, waterish fluxes, and moisture. 3, From Distempers, as too great 
heat, cold, driness, or moisture. 
Fourthly, From Diseases of magnitude, as, 1. A Mole, 2. Scirrhs, 
or great fleshy Substances, so that the Child is crushed , wants room, 
and is sometimes suffocated, and dies. 3. From Apostems in the 
Uterus. 
Fifthly, From Nourishment: And first, From want of it, the Infant 
dies, and abortion follows ; that is, 1. From letting her Blood too much 
in the time of her going with Child; 2. From a Tabes or Consumption 
that the Woman labours under. Secondly, From too great plenty of it, 
as surfeiting of too much Meat and Drink, strangles it. Thirdly, From bad 
quality in the Nourishment, and Medicines, moving the Menstrua, poi- 
sons. &c. 
Sixthly, From evil Conformation of the Uterus; as, 1. Very great 
and bulky, so that the Child is not fitly closed and comprehended in it, 
but is loose and slips out upon any light occasion. 2. From too great 
straitness of it, whereby both the Child is killed, and not having room, 
is forced out also; as straitness of the Stomach may cause vomit- 
ing.  
II. External Causes are either, First, In the Air; which is hurting 
either, 1. Naturally, as is hot and moist; Hippocr. Aph. 12. Sect. 3. 
saith, If Winter was Austral and Rainy, or dry, and a North Wind blow, 
Women, to whom their Birth happens in the Spring, upon every light occasion 
do abort, 2. Artificially made unwholesome, as stinking, made from 
Bogs, Jaques, or fumes of Assafœtida, Galbanum, Castorium, the snuff
of a Candle, or the like evil Stenches; for the Uterus flies stinking 
things, and embraces sweet. 
Secondly, In Dyet; which belongs to external Causes; but of that 
we have already spoken.  
X x 2 Thirdly,


348 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Thirdly, From violent Causes ; which, 1. Either cause solution of 
continuity, or too great concussion and shaking of the Uterus, as is free- 
zing, jumping, leaping, running, dancing, blows, falls, and the 
like.
Fourthly, Vehement vexings, disquietings, chidings, anger, wrath, 
perturbation of the Mind and Senses. 
Fifthly, Sudden frightings, swooning, failing of the Spirits, the noise 
of a Gun, clap of Thunder, and the like, do sometimes cause, and much 
further abortion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs preceding Abortion, are, 1. A lessening of the Nipples and 
Paps extenuated, which shews the want of Blood in the Veins of the 
Uterus, and of  the Paps, or that through violence of the Birth, or rup- 
ture of the Vessels, the Blood is rushed into the Uterus, from the Veins 
of the Paps; for then the Paps that were full and plump before, slack, 
and become lank and small : Hippocrates saith, If a Woman hath Twins, 
and one be a Wench, and the other a Boy ; if the right Brest is suddenly dimi- 
nished, she loseth her Boy ; and if the left, her Girl. 
2. Much Milk flowing from the Nipples. 
3. Pains about the Belly and Loins, which end about the Share, and 
Os Sacrum ; 2. About the Region of the Reins, defending to the Hy- 
pogaster, chiefly arising from Cold ; 3. Painful Throes. 
4. The Child is fallen down lower then duely it ought, and the ex- 
pultricc faculty is mightily provoked to cast it forth. 
5. There flows out a thin watery and bloody evacuation from the 
Uterus; or Menstrua being black; and Throes accompanying, certainly 
denote Abortion near. 
6. If in acute and dangerous Diseases she happens to be in Travel, 
both she and the Child too, are usually killed thereby. 
7. Shakings of the parts, and trembling motion , and redness of the 
Face, and a disturbance in her. Body, are sometimes Foretellers and 
Forerunners of Abortion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Abortion is most dangerous, or they are most apt to abort in the 
sixth, seventh and eighth months.
2. Frequent Abortion causes Barrenness.
3. From violence and disturbance in Nature, acting contrary to its 
mutual, Harmony, Abortion is far worse than a legitimate and natural 
Birth.
4. Sometimes Abortion threatned, by Medicines is stayed or defer- 
red for a while, and then returns again.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases the Uterus. 349
CURE. 
Cure is altogether preventive, in which, 1. We must respect the 
Cause, which if it be from Phlethory, letting Blood is rather to be 
done then refused, Fernelius asserting, that unless a sufficient quanti- 
ty of Blood be drawn out before that she looks for Delivery, the Child 
will be overwhelmed and suffocated with plenty of Blood,which may 
fall out of the Veins into the Uterus, they opening through fulness: some 
bid a Vein to be cut before Conception. 2. If Cacochymy offends, we 
must purge, and take away the irritating Cause, and temper Acrimo- 
ny. 3. The Bowels must be corroborated, the retentive faculty con- 
firmed, Distemper corrected, and things hurtful avoided; all which 
prevent well,if used before conception. 
Zacutus Lusitanus found Cauteries of exceeding excellency for Deri- 
vation and Evacuation of Humours; which if they be too thick,we must 
thin them, if too thin and waterish, thicken them. 
In too great moisture, Sweating and Dryers are useful ; in Drinesse, 
Moistners and Nourishers. Precaution before Conception, by fitting 
the Body, and freeing it from all infirmities, is as useful as defending 
it, when it is conceived, from Death and Miscarriage. 
Before Abortion is nigh, these Medicines are good Preservatives. 
1. Sage-Ale drunk every morning,or Cinnamon boild in Beer. 2. Au-
rum Potabile, which strengthening Nature in her Center, fortifies all 
Parts. 3. Juyce of Lobsters given twice a Month in Wine,or the
Salt of them, are good Preservatives against Abortion. 
These are held for Secrets, and if the Child be not yet divulsed from 
the Cotyledon, certainly prevent Abortion; ꝶ of the Leaves of Gold, xii. 
Spodium, ʒfs. Mastich, Roots of Tormentil and Bistort, of each ʒj. 
mix them ; give ʒj. for a Dose every morning in Plantane-Water, or 
rather in a draught of Ale wherein Tansy is steeped, for Tansy by a Mag- 
netick Quality draws the Child , keeps it in its natural place and or- 
der. 2. The Stone Ætitus, or Lapis Prægnans, so called, because there 
is one within another, and signifying the Stone with Child ; this if 
hung about a Womans Neck, so as it touch the Skin, will the most 
finely, among helps, preserve the Child in the Uterus till time of deliver 
ry. 3. Garden-Tansy bruised, sprinkled with Muskadine, and apply-
Ed to her Navil: Also the Load-stone applyed to the Navil, or Coral, 
Emeraulds, and Jasper-Stones; or Bones of a Stags Heart worn about 
the Neck, or under the Arm-holes, are held Specifical. Zach. Lusi- 
tanus commends a Girdle of Sea-Horse-Skin, or Wolf-Skin. These 
following Pouders are also proper against Abortion, ꝶ Roots of Bistorr,
shavings 

350 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
shavings of Ivory, ana. ʒij Red-Coral, Amber, Borax. ana. ʒiß.
Coriander-Seeds, ʒiij. Cristal, Kermes-Berries, Magister of Pearl, and 
Coral, of each ℈ß. mix them into a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Shavings of Ivory, Date- 
Stones, Mastich, Roots of Bistort, ana. 3ij. Manus Christi Perlata, ℥ß 
Leaves of Gold, n°. vi. : make a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Cochineal, Coral, Roots 
of Bistort, Plantane Seedds, ana. ʒj. Cinnamon, Red-rose Leaves, ana. 
ʒss. Leaves of Gold, n°. iv. cut small, and mixed with the rest in Pou- 
der; Astrigents in several forms are outwardly to be used: together 
with the use of these the Labouring Woman must beware of too violent 
motion. Sit in rest and quiet, flie all molestations, and whatever may 
enrage the Humours. Copulation must be shunned, for in taking in new 
Seed, the young Birth not well firmed, is loosened and ready to fall 
out ; a good Dyet must be kept, and not apt to engender Wind. 
SYMPTOMS.
Symptoms, as vehement pain, &c. are to be lenified, and the forces 
upheld by all means we can devise, and the Heart is to be comforted by 
Cordials. 
If Abortion cannot be prevented, then we must promote the coming 
forth of the Child ; dispose all things to its easie and orderly coming 
forth, taking direction from the Chapter of a Legitimate and Mature 
Birth. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Dead Child. 
THE Child dies in the Uterus, sometime sooner, sometime in the 
last Month, from defect or bad quality of nourishment,from vio- 
lent Causes, Internal or External, or about time of Delivery, from 
hard labour, &c. 
CAUSES
I. Defeat of Aliment is made, 1. From the Womans small nou- 
rishment. Or, 2. from the Nourishment extracted, as is made in let- 
ring Blood in great Hæmorrhages, whereby Nature sends all the Nou- 
rishment from the Child, to make good Blood to fill up the Veins that 
are empty in the Woman. 
II. The badness of Alimentary Juyce, or redundancy of Vitious 
Humours that kill the 'Child, the Womans Body being Cacochymick ; 
or it is made bad from other Causes. 
III. From

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 351 
III. From Violent Causes. I. Inward, as violent strong and ini- 
mical Cathartick Medicines. 2. The falling down of abundance of 
slippery moist Humours, that loosen the Ligaments, and slacken the 
Vessels. 3. Violent Feavers, wherein are bad and dangerous Symp- 
toms concomitant. 
2. External. As, 1. a Blow, Riverius Obs. 34. Cent. 3. by too 
great Exercise after a Blow. 2. Forcible Percussion, or Excussion, as 
Coughing vehemently, loud crying, and earnest Vociferations, Snee- 
zing, &c. 
3. Frights, and sudden and dreadful scares and terrours. 
Lastly, It dies by hard labour, by indisposition in the Woman, made 
from several Causes, or unskilfulness in the Midwife in delivering it. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are, 1. A sudden falling and slacking of the Breasts, so soon 
as the Infant is dead. 2. Coldness of the Navil, and also Belly. 3. No
motion of the Child is perceived, but she perceives a kind of fixt and 
unmoveable Body in her Uterus. 4. Wet your Hand in warm Water, 
and lay it on her Belly, and the Child, if alive, will stir thereby. 
5. Her Urine is thick, stinking, and full of base Sedementary Matter. 
6. There be Dreams of dead Men, and frightings out of sleep. 7. She 
covets strange Aliments, not ordained to be eaten. 8. She looks 
scurvily. 9. Her Breath stinks. 10. She wants her usual mirth. 
12. She perceives a distast of Spittle coming to her Mouth. 12. The 
Child is apt to swag and sway to this side or that, as she turns her, more 
then it did when it was alive : Yet when Children are alive, but mis- 
placed in the Uterus, they are apt upon the stirring of the Woman to 
have a preposterous swaying to this side or that; but some advise to hold 
the Stone Ætites, or the Herb Tansy, to the Navil, which will remedy 
that swarving, if the Child be alive, but not if dead. 13. Half a 
point of White Wine burnt wiih ℥ss. of Cinnamon, and Drunk, if 
Child-pains come then upon the Woman, the Child is dead; if not, it 
may be weak or sick in the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Assoon as we are certain of its being dead, we must bring it away,
with Medicines Internal and External; Internal are such as are set down 
for bringing away the Birth, and expelling the Secundine. 1. Therefore 
in form of Pouders most efficacious Simples may be reduced and com-
posed. Riverius hath two excellent Pouders,the first is this, ꝶ of the dry 
Leaves of Savine-Roots, of Birthwort, Myrrh, Castoreum, of each, 
ʒj. Cinnamon, ʒss. Saffron, ℈j. mix them all into a Pouder, give ʒj.
for

352 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for a Dose in Savine-Water; or take of Diptamy of Creet, Savine 
Borax, of each, ʒj. mix them into Pouder. 
Prevotius sets down, as excellent,this Pouder, ꝶ of Mineral Crysocol- 
la, ℈ij. or Borax, ʒj. Cinnamon and Saffron, ana. ℈j make a Pouder, 
give a dram in White-wine or Mugwort Water.
The Pouder of Diptamy alone is very prevalent.
Angelus Sal a greatly applauds Mercurius Vitæ for its force, in sending 
out the dead Child, given to four or five Grains. 
2. Potions also as well as Pouders are prepared, and of as great 
efficacy for expelling the dead Child. Where, 1. a strong Decoction 
of Hyssop drunk hot, or its Juyce, when it may be had, obtains the 
chiefest place. 2. The Juyce of Lovage, or in Winter, if that may 
not be had, the Seeds of Lovage in Mugwort-Water, are held a singu- 
lar secret. 3. Fontanus his Pouder of Euphorbium, Diptamny, of each, 
℈j. Borax, ℈ss. Cantharades prepared five Grains, taken in ℥iij. of 
Decoction of Savine, for a Draught or Potion, is exceeding strong, and 
is warily to be given. 4. Juyce of Scordium, ℥fs. with Saffron. 
5. The Milk of a Bitch, newly having pupped, is commended. 
In External things, or Topicks. 1. The Stone Ætites, being held to 
the Privities, by a magnettick vertue draws away the Child. 2. Hart- 
man saith, The Eyes of an Hair dried, and with Pepper bound to the Crown, 
forces out the Child dead or alive.
Clisters, Suppositories, and Pessaries, of proper and irritating Sim- 
ples, are convenient. 
Foments and Unctions of those parts appertaining to the Uterus, to 
make slippery, mollifie, and dilate the Passage, and provoke the Ex- 
pultrice Faculty of the Uterus, are not to be neglected; Oyl of Tansy, or 
the Juyce of it, to anoint the Privities, is principal. 
Suffumes of Galbanum, of Asses-Hoofs, (by a Funnel, of the cast 
Skin of a Serpent) and of Brimstone, are Medicinable.
Things also applyed to the Thighs, as was directed to facilitate the 
Birth, are useful. 
If yet by all these it be not avoided (as it will hardly but be) and be 
very hurtful to the Woman : Chyrurgery mud be exercised, the Child 
must be drawn out with Instruments, considering the strength of the 
Woman, and the disposition of the Pulse, that it may be done with more 
safety. 
Riverius, after the use of all inward Medicines, advises a good strong
to be taken, whereby sometime, with the abundance of Humours 
in the Uterus that are evacuated by it, the Child also is sent out. 
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 353 
CHAP. XVIII.
Of a Feaver happening after Delivery, or a Feaver of Milk.
Hippocrates saith, Diseases happening after Delivery are very bad vehe- 
ment , and dangerous, in respect of the feculent bad matter they are 
made of, which is sometimes kept long, and putrified ; all the purest 
part being sucked by the Infant, the dreggy, thick, black and melancholly groß 
Blood, is retained still in the Veins of the Uterus (being very large) from sup- 
pression of the Loches, or a vitious habit of the Menses retained longer then 
due, and corruption of them doth induce a continual putrid Feaver. Errors 
in Dyet do often adde fuel to fire, and where the cause is often times 
of it self too weak to raise a Feaver, eating of bad meats put on a viti- 
ous apparelling of the Humours, whence the matter is provoked to acti- 
on, and Nature is impedited in digesting it otherwise. 
2. As Feavers arise, 1. from the ill quality of the Humours, 2. from 
suppression of them, so 3. from redundancy of milk, which are Feavers 
of one day, and called Feavers of Milk.
SIGNS DlAGNOSTICK.
1. From Milk, wherein is great swelling of the Brests from fulness 
of it, there is great pain of the Back and Shoulder-Blades, the Loches 
rightly flow, and unless the Paps be inflamed, or milk coagulated, are 
wont to cease the third or fourth day, and to be without danger. 
2. From suppression of the Loches, or evil disposition of seculent hu- 
morous Blood ; there went before a bad Dyet ; there be Signs of the 
Humours corrupted, the wonted evacuation Nature used to have after 
the Delivery, is stopt, whence a putrid and continual Feaver arises. 
PROG. 
That made from Milk is of lesser danger, and shorter continuance 
then that that is made from stopping of the Loches, or vitious apparel- 
ing of the Humours in the Uterus; that from Milk commonly ends the 
third or fourth day, and is a kind of Ephemera, or a Feaver of one day, 
as 'tis called ; 'tis for the most part without danger, and is to be com- 
mitted to Nature,a good Dyet being kept; and is wont to be terminated 
by sweat. 
CURE. 
In Cure thereof we are onely to use Remedies to such as are caused 
Y y from

354 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
from Humours; where, 
First, If the Loches be stopt, cut a Vein of the Ankle ; if that bleed 
not sufficiently, apply Cupping-Glasses with Scarification to the Legs 
and Thighs ; if time of the Flux be gone, and the Feaver still perse- 
vere, the Cubit-Vein may be opened,for this draws the Blood upwards, 
as the Ankle-Vein opened drew it downward ; yet Galen saith, If a Vein 
be opened in any part of the Body, it will empty and draw from the Vessels of all 
parts. Astringents are to be shunned. 
Secondly, From an evil state of the Humours, or corruption of them,  
we may use gentle Purgatives; the Humours must be altered, sharp and 
too cold things are specially to be avoided. 
The Feaver, if vehement, is to be respected ; Cordials and Coolers 
for the Heart and Spirits, are to be given to the sick Woman, and Na- 
ture is to be strengthened with Electuaries, Julaps, Confections, Lozen- 
ges, Ptysans, or what else the Sick best affects, made of such things as 
are generally prescribed for Feavers. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of a Loosness following a Feaver, after Womens Delivery.  
A Loosness often supervenes the Feaver, and is sometime and most 
commonly void of pain and acrimony, and flows healthfully, if 
not immoderate, chiefly in long lasting, for so it may weaken much, 
and lessen the vigour of the Spirits; and then 'tis to be restrained by 
strengthening Nature and the parts, by gentle and wary means. 
CURE. 
It will not be amiss first to prescribe a gentle Purge, made of Infusion 
of Rhubarb, Myrobalans, &C. in Plantane-Water; to the strained Li- 
quors convenient Syrups to sweeten, as for a Julap, being added : Fallo- 
pius saith. Rhubarb dries up superfluous moisture in the Vessels of the Uterus ; 
but whether it dries so much, or no, it purges, & leaves behind a binding 
quality, & strengthening to the parts, and therefore best of all Purgatives 
in fluxes ; and Astringents are not to be used till the irritating or aboun-
ding Humours be evacuated, both which, Rhubarb doth effectually and 
methodically : After the parts are eased of the burdening Humours, the 
retentive faculty is to be restored and confirmed, which is done by mo- 
derate Astringents that have not a glewing force, but are friendly to the 
Bowels by correcting their slippery and non-retaining Distemper: they 
may


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 355
may be used in several forms most convenient both for internal and ex- 
ternal use. 
To this sometimes succeeds, and of it is made a Dysentery, or Bloody 
Flux, which brings with it a Feaver, cruel Torments, Watchings, and 
frequent Seighs. Here we may use the aforegoing Direction, onely ad- 
ding the use of Clisters made of Plantane, Cinckfoil, Mallows, Pimpi- 
nella, or Burnet, Red Rose-Leaves, &c. boiled in Milk; yet the premi- 
sing of a clensing Clister before one absolutely binding, is not altogether 
irrational. 
Opening a Vein also, specially if the Liver be distempered, is very 
needful ; choice is made of the Basilick or Salvatella-Vein in the 
Arm. 
Many more might be added, but if need be, reourse may be had to 
the Chapter of a Dysentery, whence may be had ample Directions, and 
many Medicines very suitable hereto ; so that Reiteration seems need- 
less, and double labour, where single will serve, is to be avoided. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Children. 
MAny and very differing are the forms of deformed and monstrous 
Births; some being either ill conformed, as double-Bodied, a 
double Brain, when other Limbs are single; some parts placed upwards, 
as sometimes are the Genitals in the Forehead, that should be below ; 
and sometime a single Body downwards, whenas 'tis double upwards ; 
some are maimed, and some want Limbs and Parts; some are altered 
in respect of Sex, as Hermophrodites ; some have Bestial forms; some 
in form of Birds, others four-footed, Diabolical and cruel, made of the 
seed of the Devil ; some ate an Ell long. 
CAUSES. 
1. The Cause is not certainly natural, say Divines, but the Hand of 
GOD miraculously effecting it, as sometimes it is; One Woman com- 
plaining of the many Mouths she had to feed, viz. her Children,brought 
forth a Child without a Mouth.
2. Astrologers refer it to the Stars, and position of the Moon in de- 
ficient degrees at time of Conception. 
3. The Cause is Imagination of the Woman at time of Conception, 
diligently applying the sight of those things she saw, to her self: Hence 
Y y 2 it


356 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
it is that some, having looked and pondered upon the sight of a ravenous 
Bird called Harpa, have brought forth such a one : Another brought forth 
a Negro, looking upon the Picture of a Negro that hung in her Cham- 
ber at time of Conception ; A Woman at Pisa is reported to have 
brought forth a Child all hairy, like a Camel, because she used to bow eve- 
ry day to the Image of John Baptist cloathed in Camels Hair; Some 
Women in seeing an Hare, bring forth a Child with an Hare-Lip: One 
Woman seeing a Boy at time of Conception with two Thumbs, brought 
forth a Boy also on both hands double Thumb’d, as was the Boy she saw: 
Another Woman at time of Conception seeing a Child that had a great 
Head,from Water gathered in it, called Hydrocephalus, or a Dropsie of 
the Head, brought forth a Child with a great Head also, that was spon- 
gy, and the skin puffed up, but not filled with Water. As Women , so 
also Sheep are thus affected from the strength of the imaginatrice facul- 
ty at time of Conception; for Jacob laying peeled Rods in the Gutter 
where they were to drink, they brought forth parti-coloured Lambs; 
Women that seriously and deeply think of the ill-shapen Members they 
see in others, conceive and bring forth Children so mis-figured ; also  
'tis very bad for Women at time of Conception to see Pictures on a wall, 
or Images, for fear they bring forth Children of like conformation. 
Some think that Children are like the Mothers true Husband , that are 
got by another, because the Woman was in fear when they were got, and 
so conceived by the imagination alike : Bur, say they, If the same man  
get them when the Woman is not in fear, but secure, and her Husband 
far from home, the Child will have the likeness of its true Father or 
Begetter, because the Mothers Mind doth the Child dispose. 
Moreover, some, according to the Vulgar Stories, having been 
struck with a piece of Flesh, the Child hath had the Mark of that piece 
of meat in the same place that the Woman was struck in ; and some ha- 
ving struck a Woman with a Mouse on the Cheek, she hath brought 
forth a Child representing the figure of a Mouse on its Cheek : And why 
may not feeling, as well as seeing, move the imaginatrice faculty to ef- 
fect these? 
4. A Cause of many being born Crook-Back’d, great-Headed, from 
abundance of Humours, or full of running sores, or leprous, may be from 
the Act of copulation done at such time as she had her Menstrua on 
her.
5. Monsters are either made, 1. By the Devil, or also by the imagi- 
nation of the Woman; or begotten by Beasts coupling with Women, 
the feed of the Beast, or bruit Animal, mixt with the Womans feed ; so 
that the Birth participates of the likeness of both Getter, and Bearer,
Na-
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 357 
Nature striving always to beget her like : So Men coupling with Bruits 
beget Monsters,half a Man, and half a Beast; and hence perhaps it came 
that some People are horned, wild, and live on Grass,Herbs, &c whose 
forms most shew them to be Men ; some also have Tails as Beasts, and 
many are variously formed, as if there was a form made equally concur- 
ring to Mans and Beasts; sometimes the sore parts are like a Man, and 
the hinder represent a Beastial Form. 2. Or by natural ill conforma- 
tion in the Uterus, as where there was a deficiency in Nature, in making 
two distinct Bodies of matter so prepared and disposed, that is, confused 
and crushed all into one,so that double-Bodied-Infants with their Mem- 
bers displaced, are herefrom made. Also such as want full Limbs, or 
deficiency either in quantity or number of Members, may be from a 
simple fault in the Seed and Uterus, or some hidden quality making a de- 
viation from Natures accustomed course in forming. 
See more in our Book of Philosophy, called Physiology, Jatrosophy, and 
Pneumatography, in divers places ; in our Book of Generation, the first of 
the Twelve Books of that Book; in our Book, of the necessary parts God gave 
to all Creatures according to their knowledge, or the necessary Knowledge God 
gave to all Creatures, according to the Parts and Bodies He gave them ; and 
also in our Chapter of divers shapes of Men.
CHAP. XXI. 
Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of delivered Women, as
fault in quantity and quality of Loches, or Child-Bed- 
purgations ; of Throes, or After-pains ; of 
stopt Secundines, or After-Burdens staid. 
I. An Inflamation of the Matrice, caused from hot and boyling 
Blood retained in the Vessels, and putrifying. 
’Tis known by the Signs of Inflamation of the Matrice in general, and 
cured so. 
II. Fissures or Wrinkles, which are raised from the stretching in 
bringing forth the Child, and flux of Menstrua. 
They are cured with gentle astringent,and contracting Medicines, In- 
jections by a Syringe of Comfrey-Roots, Bramble-Beds, Balaustians, 
Sumach, Pomegranate-Rinds, Cypress-Nuts, and the like, or a Pessary 
of them, or Oyntments, are effectual.
III. Ga-


358 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
III. Gaping of the Matrice, and loosness of the Privy Parts ; they 
are to be seasonably contracted, else they may possibly hinder the Wo- 
man for having any more Children.  
Here the foregoing Remedies may be used , adding stronger Astrin- 
gents, as Deceptions and Baths of Oak-Buds, dry Sloes, Acatia, Hypo- 
chistis, Roots of yellow Water-flag, Medlars, Mastick, and Madder- 
Roots, or Oyntments of Dragons Blood , Gum Tragacanth , extract
of Comfrey-Roots, Pouder of Tobacco Pipes, Oyl of Myrtles, of Ma- 
stick, &c. Natures work in contracting those parts that were before so 
dilated, is admirable. 
IV. Excoriation of the Uterus after Delivery, being excoriated in the 
lower part. 
Oyl of Saint John's-Wort for Unction, is most excellent; and a vul- 
gar Remedy is Oyl of sweet Almonds taken inwardly. 
V. Hæmorrhoids or Piles do happen to Women that bring forth fre- 
quently, and with difficulty straining to force out the Birth ; the inward 
Piles are most often opened. 
They are cured by Pollipody-Drink (after the Saphæna-Vein in the 
foot is opened, and some lenitive Medicine to keep her Body soluble)
by a rosted Onyon beat with Oyl, and applied Plaister-wise ; or, if too 
hot a Medicine, Oyl of Snails, or Hodmondods excels ; or a Pulteis of 
Wood-lice, bruised and mixt with Oyl, is incomparable good. 
VI. There arises a Feaver from laborious and hard labour, and great 
pains. 
VII. The Genitals swell from irritation by hard labour, and striving 
to thrust forth the Infant. 
VIII. Sometime Convulsions arise; then draw Blood from the Arm 
and from the Foot ; foment with Emollients, and laxative Medicines. 
Hippocrates saith, They are very dangerous, because they argue a great weak- 
neß, and exceeding torments are wont to follow. 
IX. An immoderate flowing down of the Menstrua or monthly 
Courses ; this infirmity seldom happens to Women after their Delive- 
ry, but when they do flow after Delivery so immoderately, we must stop 
them.
A thickning and binding Dyet inclining to cooling, is most expedite; 
Broaths made of Comfrey and Knotgrass, are transcendent; or Shep- 
herds-purse boyled, or taken in Medicine by a specifical Vertue to the 
Privities; or Leaves or Flowers of Bramble so taken, do cure them ; 
Foments also, and Oyntments of Astringents, and Epithemes to the Li- 
ver (if that be distempered) are not to be neglected ; Nicholas Fontanus 
saith, If the Womans strength will bear it, there is not a surer remedy than 
letting 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 359
letting Bloody, which is to be done twice or thrice in the Basilick-vein ; bind- 
ing of the upper parts, rubbing of the Extremities, and Cupping-Glasses 
to the Brests, are also by some used. 
X. Sometimes an illegitimate stoppage of them follows, and then 
they are cautiously to be provoked to their due and orderly efflux, for 
which take advise with the Chapters of deficiency of Menstrua, or of 
their not duely and ample flowing. 
XI. The immoderate flowing of Loches after the Birth ; after the 
Child is brought forth, the spaciosity and thickness of the Uterus is gra- 
dually lessened by the effusion of Loches, which are nothing else but the 
Reliques of Blood gathered in Child-bearing between the fungous 
Conditories of the Uterus.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, 1. From immoderate opening of the Vessels. 
2. From breaking of them.
3. From heat of the Blood, made from hot and sharp Medicines in 
painful Travail, to cause Delivery. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
They are sometimes, both after a legitimate Birth, and Abortion also, 
so abundant, and slow with such an unbridled rashness, that often times 
therefrom is not a little danger of perishing ; they are wont to cease 
within forty days, sometimes sooner. 
CURE.
Cure is as for Menstrua immoderately flowing ; this flax is not to be 
stopt, but moderated, and that with great wariness; for if by Astringents 
they be stopped, many and cruel Symptoms arise thereupon; Aliments 
must thicken, and have some astrictve force to restrain the violence of 
the Blood; Yolks of Eggs, Panatels, Rice Broath, Gellies, Meats 
sprinkled or dipt in Sawces effectual to this purpose; steeled Water, 
or wherein Gold hath been quenched, for ordinary Beer: Draw Blood 
by Revulsers to the superiour parts; bind the Belly up gently with a 
swadling Cloth, for so the vessels be compressed ; Clothes dipt in Oxi- 
crate are to be laid to the Loins. To temper the Blood in the Vena Cava,
Internals may be given,as Julaps, Electuaries,Conserves, Syrups, &c, 
Aurum Potabile cures a flux, and provokes it where it is not, doing all 
things as Nature her self would have it. Externals also, as Oyntments, 
Foments, Injections; for which Gallen praises Juyce of Plantane cast 
in by a Syringe. If after these, clots of Blood remain in the Uterus, 
causing pain and tension, and other evils, by evaporations therefrom, 
they must be avoided. 
XII. Suppression of the Loches, whereby that Blood that is heaped 
up in Child-bearing, is not evacuated after Delivery of the Birth, as 'tis 
naturally 


360 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
naturally accustomed to be, and the amplitude of the Uterus is thereby 
not lessened; they may either be lessened, or quite suppressed ; where- 
upon do follow to the Woman in Child-bed most grievous Diseases.
CAUSE. 
Cause is either evil Dyet, or taking cold, or other Causes that cause
suppresion of the Menstrua. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from relation of the Sick, who hath not had that ac- 
customed and natural evacuation, the Uterus will remain stretched out 
and hard, as if it did still contain the Child in it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Many Diseases and grievous Symptoms do arise herefrom, there is In- 
flamation of the Uterus, from the Blood putrifying that is stopt, and at 
last a Gangrene arises, which brings Death inevitably. 
CURE.
We must not delay, we must draw down the Blood to the Womb, and 
open the vessels. 1. Give laxative and emollient Clisters: 2. Ligatures 
and Frictions; Cuppers to the Share and Hips are to be applied. 3. Open  
the Hæmorrhoids, if they used to flow; if not, the Saphena, or both 
Ankle-Veins. 4. Foment the bottom of the Belly, and Region of the 
Pudendum, to which adde Perfumes and Pessaries, beginning with 
mildest Simples first. 5. Internals, to open the mouths of the Vessels, 
and render the Blood apter to flow, and stir up the expultice faculty in 
Nature : Aurum Potabile, where Nature is burdened, moves a flux, and 
stays it again, when all the oppressing and hurtful Humours are avoided, 
strengthening Nature in her Center, and performing all things, as 'tis 
the duty of Nature to do ; Forestus gives successively Decoction of Squi- 
nanth in Broath. Lastly, We may give a lenitive Purge or two, nine 
or ten days after Delivery, of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, Agarick, 
Epithimum, and Mechoacan, as may seem most requisite. More Reme- 
dies may be sought out of the Chapter of suppressed Menstrua. 
XIII. After-Pains or Throes do grievously torment some Women, 
and few are free therefrom after delivery of the Birth ; but because with- 
in two or three days they usually cease, they do not desire the help of the 
Physician.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is oftenest flatulent from taking cold, whereby wind from 
Distemper of the parts is raised, and mightily molests. Wind also may 
be


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 361
be made from Humours ; without an outward distemper from the am- 
bient cold Air. 
2. The sharpness of Blood is reckoned as a great Cause hereof: Fon- 
tanus saith, It is from a multitude of thick, menstruous Blood retained : Others
say, From Clots of Blood, or Blood concreted : Johnstonus saith, They come 
from too great narrowness of the Vessels. 
3. From Meats then taken, cold and windy in quality, as Fruits, Cu- 
Hards, Cream, cold Drink, &c. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are easily known from the relation of the Woman in Childbed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Hippocrates thought Women to be most afflicted with Throes at birth of 
their first Child, but Experience shews that it is not an allowable Say- 
ing ; few but are more or less troubled herewith after Delivery, but 
commonly after three days, of their own accord they are asswaged, un- 
less some of the aforegoing Causes be in fault. 
CURE.
In Cure we must respect the Cause: Sennertus omits Purges; if a 
cold distemper and wind offend, we must use Heaters and Carminatives, 
as well outwardly as inwardly, as in Chollical pains ; but they are first 
to be prevented, if they may be, for which this Pouder is held of great 
worth, given presently after the Birth, ꝶ Roots of the greater Con- 
found, ʒj. Peach Kernels, Nutmegs, of each Amber, ʒij. Amber- 
griese, ℈ss. give one dram of it in Wine, or in Broath, if a Feaver be 
present. 
If they cannot be prevented, they must be cured ; the Belly must
gently be bound up, that the Uterus stir not out of its place: Clisters are 
to be injected of Oyl of Almonds, Cammomile, Bays, &c. that are ano- 
dine, emollient, and carminative. Internals are, Cinnamon-Water, ℥ß. 
with two grains of Amber-griese, or ʒss of Bay-berries taken in Muska- 
del, Decoction of Vervain, Decoction of the Grass of Pernassus, Oyl 
of sweet Almonds, all which excel; also Decoction of Cammomile- 
flowers, in white Wine, which Forestus holds for a Secret. 
Riverius sets down this Pouder for After-Pains, ꝶ of Date-Stones 
and Peach-Kernels, of each ʒss. Nutmegs, ℈iv. Diamargariton calid, 
ʒij. Aniseeds, ʒj. Cinnamon, ℈iij. Saffron, ℈ss. take one Dram in 
White Wine and Sugar once or twice a day ; Or the following Pouder  
excels, ꝶ Seeds of Carrots, Cinnamon, of each ʒj. Bay-berries, Date- 
stones, of each ʒss. Amber-griese, gr.iv. reduce all into a Pouder. 
Zz Topicals


362 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Topicals that help against these Torments, or After-pains, are Ano- 
dines, or such as operate by an hidden quality. 
Anodines, or the choicest of them, are, 1. An Emplaister of Tar, 
Grease, and Doves-Dung, to be applied to the Region of the Kidneys. 
2. An Emplaister of Onyons boyled well in Water, wherein, 1. Line, and 
Cummin-seed, and Cammomile-flowers have boiled, then being quash- 
ed together, mix therewith some Oyl and Pouder of Cinnamon, to be ap- 
plied to the Region of the Uterus. 
Anointings also with Carminative and Anodine Oyls, and Foments 
of Hysterick Herbs are helpful, wherewith the Abdomen and whole re- 
gion of the Uterus is to be bathed. 
Also the Skin of a Weather, being yet hot, the Weather having been 
newly killed, makes mild the Pain- 
Suffumigation also, are not a little useful, as of Bay-berries cast upon 
Coals, the fume of which the Woman is to receive by her Privities. 
Things that help by an hidden quality, are these, recorded by Johannes 
Prevotius, Ætites, or the Eagles stone tied close to the Thigh, or the 
Jaser-stone, or Coral so used , and the Loadstone held in the left 
hand. 
If these pains proceed from sharp and Chollerick Humours, they may 
be cured as a bilious Chollick; lenifying Julaps are to be given, and 
Clisters of Mallows, Marish Mallows, Pelletory of the Wall, Linseed 
and Violet Leaves boyled in Milk, or Posset-Drink, adding to ℔j. of 
the strained Liquor, Oyl of sweet Almonds, and fresh Butter, of each 
℥j. Syrup of Violets, ℥jß.
Oyl of sweet Almonds is to be taken inwardly to ℥vj. in urgent 
pain. 
If Blood be clottered in the Uterus, and therefrom pain be effected, 
'tis to be cured as Blood clottered in the Bladder, where is sufficient di- 
rection. 
Sometimes pain is in the Groin, from the Uterus conglobated there ; 
then an Emplaister of Galbanum, and Assafœtida, with some Grains of 
Mosch in the middle, is to be applied to the Navil.  
XIV. The After-Birth, After-Burden, or Secundine, is sometimes 
retained, and sticks still in the Uterus, that ought to come forth with, 
or presently after the Birth. 
The Causes of it are ascribed, 1. To fears, terrours, and passions of 
the Mind, that detract Nature from her work and duty,and molest her in 
her Centre. 
2. Taking


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 363 
2. Taking cold, specially drinking cold Beer or Water, &c. that are 
Causes of hard labour. 
3. Aromatick Drinks, or sweet, spicy, and odoriferous things taken 
and smelt to, are thought to draw the Matrice upwards, and retain it 
there. 
4. Straitness of the mouth of the Uterus, and close closure, so that 
passage of it out is impedited therefrom. 
5. Or if none of these Causes, or others that cause hard labour, be 
present; yet sometime the Secundine is fixed to the Womb, and so ad- 
heres to it that 'tis hardly pulled away. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICIK. 
The Secundine, which is onely else but a membranous Cake, wherein 
the Child is inverted and involved, wherein are many Vessels and Ri- 
volets that the Child draws in Nourishment by, and Air; at time of 
coming forth of the birth, this membranous Skin is broke, from motion 
of the Child downwards, and comes out for the most part either with 
or presently after the Child; but sometimes the Vessels of it are so 
bound to the Cotyledons of the Uterus, that it sticks fast after the birth, 
and comes not forth, but is onely broke with violence of the coming forth 
of the Child ; and pains in travail are thought to be chiefly from break- 
ing of the Vessls of the Chorion, or Secundine, from the Cotyledons of 
the Uterus; and if such pains preceded not, there is fear the Secundine 
is still affixt: If there be more children then one, there is so many Secun- 
dines as there be Children. 
PROG. 
If it be left behind, and be not extracted till it putrifie, or rot, it brings 
many cruel Diseases, and direful Symptomes, communicating noisome 
Exhalations to the Head and Stomach, and principal parts, cauling Fea- 
vers, Convulsions, Head-pains, Apostems, &c. which many times bring 
Death at last. 
If it will not come forth, it will rot in time, and then it may easily 
be taken forth, or will come forth of it self, if it produce not many 
evils in the interim : So dead Children have rotted in the Uterus, and 
all their flesh consumed, and come out by piece-meals, the Bones stay- 
ing still behind in the Womans Uterus, for long time after. 
CURE.
Cure varies according to the Cause : If it stick fast to the Uterus, the 
Matricc being open, then putting in of the Hand, being warmed, the 
Nails paired, and anointed with Grease, and loosening of the Secundine
Z z 2 by


64. Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
by gentle writhing of it this way and that way, lest the Uterus also be 
torn or pulled away, is to be done. 
Secondly, Hipocrates advises to sneezing, some Pouders being put in 
to the Nostrils, and let her hold hex breath, which forces a ruption of the 
vessels from the violent excussion that is made by sneezing. 
If these may not thus be done by reason of too strait affixion of it to 
the Uterus and weakness of the Woman, Suppurates to make it rot 
sooner, are to be used,and then it may easily be brought forth  by the hand 
put in as aforesaid. 
Among Medicines, Internals of greatest vertue and efficacy,are these 
that follow, to expel the Secundine: As, 
1. The Juyce of Vervain, taken to ℥j. or the Decoction of it boyled 
in Wine.
2. Decoction of Alisander so made. 
3. Decoction of Mugwort and Featherfew. 
4. Juyce or Decoction of Sage.
5. This Composition or Pouder, ꝶ of Thyme, Centuary, Penny- 
Royal, of each ʒjss. Roots of Angellica, Masterwort, sweet Chervil, and 
Cicely, of each 3ifs. make a Pouder.
Dr. John Smith saith, It is a wonderful Secret to drink the Juyce of Lo- 
vage in Wine, or Mugwort-Water, to drive out the Secundine.
Forestus speaks of the same, saying, A certain Midwife received it of 
a Jewish Physician, whereof a Cyath is to be taken in Renish Wine. 
Seeds of Lovage, Savin, Borax, Juyce of an Onyon, and Diptamny, 
are commended. 
Gesnerus and Augenius greatly commend the stones of a gelded Horse,
taken often in Pouder, in Broath, to the weight of a Scruple. 
Prevotius praises the same, but adds to them Pouder of Diptamny. 
Rulandus gave ʒss of Oyl of Juniper, with good success. 
Hartman praises the Pouder of Secundines, and Angelus Sala, Mer- 
curius Vitæ. 
Externals are either thick and embodied substances applied, as Mug- 
wort boiled very soft in Water, and applied hot to the Navil and Thighs, 
which Rogerius saith, will also draw the Uterus after it, if not timely re- 
moved after the Birth, and after Birth be come away. 
Or Sage so applied, or Tansy applied to the Privities, is of great force, 
and Lapis Æites, which readily draws forth the Birth and After-Birth, 
and Uterus too, if not timely removed. 
Or thinner,as Foments of Decoction of Bay-Berries, and Leaves, with 
Vinegar of Roses, of Oxe-Dung boiled in Wine.
Or

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 365 
Or Suffumiges, as that Miraldus so praises, of Marigold-flowers; 
which, saith he, doth easily bring forth the Secundine, although the 
Midwife hath lost her hold. 
If other Causes be in fault, as closure of the Uterus, the foregoing 
Foment, and this Suffume, are very available to open it, and then the 
Midwife must gently dilate the passage more, and pluck out the Secun- 
dine that lies on an heap at bottom of the Uterus.
Other Causes must be put away, as Fears and Sorrows: If cold 
be taken, we must heat, and remove all Causes that seem to bring da- 
mage herein.

366
OF 
FEAVERS.  
IN these four Chapters of Fea- 
vers are many things, according 
to the Method and Matter of the 
Antients, as in the rest of the 
Chapters of the Second Part, 
(Written some Years since ) 
which all, or most of the Mo- 
derns in their Practices have hi- 
therto retained, with some Correction and Additi- 
ons, which we have selected as beneficially as we 
could : and the Readers may take these as the most 
general Rule or Method in Nature; but there is great 
variety, we can scarce find two exactly alike in any 
one Distemper; some have the Causes here set down, 
and not those Signs ; and some have those Signs, but 
cannot be cured by that Rule, and those Medicines; 
and some are handled in a far different manner from 
this Description ; and others differ also from them : 
and

Of FEAVERS. 367 
and those that do not differ in Kind, may in Degree;  
Every Quartane must not be just so as Practicks have 
delivered, nor alwayes in that manner, nor is every 
Ague a Tertian, or every Tertian such an one ; but 
sometimes a Quartane turns a Tertian, and sometimes 
a Tertian, a Quartane, or Quotidian. There is in one 
or other, at one time or other, as much variety and 
difference as almost is imaginable ; some have all 
heat, without any sensible cold, and some have all 
cold without succeeding heat ; some have some- 
times two fits in one day, and other times two 
dayes without one fit : in such like respects, and 
as to the Causes, they are writ somewhat defectively, 
but we have from our own Observations (comprised 
into a Practical Method) delivered a clearer and ful-
ler Description of all Agues or intermitting Feavers in 
Latine. 
No Tradition ought to be rejected as it is Tradi-
tion, but as it is not Truth ; or if so, defective or 
superfluous Truth. 


368 Of FEAVERS 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Quotidian Feaver
A Quotidian intermitting Feaver, is an Ague made from putri- 
fied flegm, invading every day ; the Greeks call it Amphi- 
morina the Latines, Quotidiana Febris, because it makes 
a Fit every day. 
CAUSES.
Causes of Quotidian Agues is ascribed to Flegm putrified or rotted in 
the Miseraick Veins, or first Region of the Body. Others allot the 
place of putrifaction in Intermitting Feavers, to be in the Vena Portæ, 
and Bowels nourished therefrom. 
All things that cause encrease of flegm, may be cause hereof, chiefly 
a weak heat of the Stomach and Bowels, cold and moist Aliments, or 
too great plenty of them, together with long sleep, a Sedentary Life, 
Idleness, Winter time, old Age, and Childhood, wherein it chiefly 
happens. 
SIGNS. 
Signs hereof are, 1. and chiefly, its daily invasion, and thence called 
a Quotidian. 
2. Signs of flegm abounding, and a going before of such things that 
engendred Flegm. Signs of a flegmatick or pituitous habit of Bo- 
dy be, a bulky fat Body, a sluggish Disposition, and dull Senses; 
Dreams of Waters, and dull Actions, white and pale colour of Face, 
profound sleeps, weak Memory, &c.  
3. From the time of its invasion, which is chiefly on Nights, which 
is the worse, because that time is designed by Nature for rest and re- 
freshment. 
4. From the manner of the fit, wherein cold is not felt great in the 
first fits, but encreases by degrees, and comes like a cooling without 
shaking, sometimes a light horrour, whenas the matter is more benign, 
only troubles: Heat at first appears not sharp but airy, and augments 
but

Of FEAVERS. 369 
but slowly, nor is it called back with force and violence to the inward
parts, as in a Tertian Feaver ; and sometimes cold, sometimes heat is
perceived, but with holding their hand on them longer, in their heat 
sharpness is also perceived. 
5. From the Urine, which in the beginning is white, thin and crude, 
but in the process more thick and troubled, and often ruddy, when as 
the matter is concocted. 
6. From the Pulse, which in the beginning is inordinate, and ine- 
qual, weak and slow, nor in the augmentation and encrease of the 
Ague is the Pulse changed much, either in celerity or strength. 
7. From Sweats, which in the first fits is scarce reckonable, nor is it 
much afterward. 
8. From Symptoms: Where observe, 1. that Thirst is not intense, 
but very little or none. 2. Difflation and puffing up of the Middriff, 
5. Decoloration of the Face, which is not red, but duskish, and 
puffed up. 4. Their Vomitings, Stools, sleeping and inappetence,ar- 
gue the redundancy of Flegm. 5. They do not cease in a perfect inter- 
mission, for sometimes the fit lasts twelve hours, and sometimes twen- 
ty four hours, and it appears continual. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from variety of the Nature of flegm putrified, for if flegm 
be glazen, or vitreat, or acid, then they have invasions with rigour, and 
the sick is Feaverish and cold both together; because half the offending 
Humour is putrified, whence comes the heat, and the other half is 
not putrified,and thence cold shaking molests,and this is called, Epiala
Febria. 
2. If flegm be salt, it stirs up a kind of hot Feaver with thirst. 
3. If sweet, they are made sleepy. 
4. If acid, hungry. 
5. If unsavory or insipid, without taste, they want appetite. 
6. Thick, and then the Urine is white and thick, but afterwards 
grows redder with a Sediment. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is very seldom, and some deny it to be, saying, That 
Feavers invading every day, are either double Tertians, or treble Quar- 
tanes ; and the reason it is most seldom of intermitting Feavers, is, be- 
cause flegm is scarcely ever inflamed. 
2. It never invades young Men, or such as are hot, dry, and Chol- 
lerick by Nature, but those that are of a moist and flegmatick Temper,  
A a a that

370 Of FEAVERS. 
that use Drinking, Bathing, and Idleness; old Men and Children are 
most taken with Quotidian Agues. 
3. It lasts long, sometimes it is finished in forty dayes, sometimes 
not before three or four months. 1. Because of the thickness and con- 
tumacity of the Morbifick Humour. 2. Because there is a defect of 
heat 
4. It is dangerous, because from the Liver and Stomach being ill- 
affected, therefrom a Dropsie, Cachexy, Lethargy, or the like, may arise;
and by reason of the Stomach offended, there often happens Swoond- 
ing ; it easily obstructs the Spleen and Bowels in old Men and Chil- 
dren. 
5. We may judge of it,according as we see concoction by the Urine, 
according to the strength of Nature maturely acting for its expulsion, 
and according to the quality of the matter ; and other indications shew- 
ing the shortness or length of the Ague. 
CURE. 
Cure is performed, 1. by preparation, which is done, first, by open- 
ingof the first passages, and loosening the Body ; as by Clisters, or a 
Vomit to clear and free the Stomach : Some, for this purpose, advise to 
Radish-Vomites; some highly extol Aqua Benedicta,for extinguishing the 
Ague also ; yet premise strengtheners of the Stomach before evacuating 
and purging of it: Others advise the use of Stomachical Corroboraters 
to be after Purging of it by Vomit, which is most generally liked. 
2. By Concocters of flegm, and a thick matter, that have an attenu- 
ating and cutting force, and fit the matter for expulsion ; preparers of 
flegm are these, which also by a propriety resist the Feaver, and open 
the Conduits ordained by Nature, for the passage of such Excrementiti- 
ous Humours, viz. Squills, or this Oxymel, Simple Oxymel taken to 
℥ij. in quantity for once, or a Compound Oxymel of Smallage, Mother 
of Time, Seseli of Peleponesus, with Aromaticalls, or an Apozem of 
Fumitaty, Bettony , Agrimony, Mirobalans, Calamint, Smallage, 
and Rhue-Seeds. 
3. Purge, the Humour being thus prepared,with Phlegmagogues, A- 
garick ; Antimonial and Tartarial Pil s are most commendable.  
4. If salt pituit be the cause, some open the Liver-Vein of the right 
Arm, else not. 
5. Diureticks, and Sudorifficks, Sassafras, a Decoction of Cammo- 
mile-Flowers, and Wormwood , or a Decoction of China, and Guai-
cum, continued for twenty five dayes, is praised by Zachully Lusi- 
tanus. 
The

Of FEAVERS. 371 
The Salt of Masterwort given in weight of five Grains, or a ʒ. of 
Salt of Wormwood taken in Tobacco-Water, or decoction of Camomile 
in White-Wine before the fit is applauded by Ernestus. 
Lastly, The Stomach and Bowels must be strengthened a Cerot of 
Oyl of Quinces, and Wax, with Aromaticks, or Cataplasms of Mint 
and Wormwood, are to be applyed to the Stomach; Water, Cheese, 
Milk, Fish, Olives, unripe and corruptive Fruits, Custards ; reefed, 
salted, and Meats of ill digestion, and the like, are not to be eaten, 
but Aromatized Meats, and Flesh Rosted; Bisket-Bread, and Wine, 
are most wholesom. 
See more in the Chapter of a Bastard Tertian, or Hemitritæan Ague, 
whose curation little varies from this. 
CHAP. II. 
Of an Hemitrice Feaver, or Semi-tertian. 
AN Hemitritaus is a Compound Feaver,made of a 
an and an intermitting Tertian, having a permixtion of Flegm and 
Choller, and hath its continuity from Flegm,and its horror from the in- 
termitting Tertian, whence they are called Horrid Feavers; for if it was 
made of two Continuals, it would not be partaker of Horror, and if of 
two Intermittents, it would not be continual. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a mixt Portion of Flegm and Choker putrified in the 
Vena Cava, and Meseraick-Veins, which sometimes are equal in quan- 
tity ; sometimes Choker super-abounds, and sometimes the greater 
part is Flegm; yellow Choller putrifies without the Vessels,and thence 
comes the intermission; and Flegm, or a pituitous matter within the 
Vessels, and thence hath its continuity; or an intermitting Quotidian 
may be joyned with a continual Quartane, and both are caked Hemitri- 
tæans ; the Antecedent Cause is attributed to obstruction, whence the 
Humours be prohibited going forth, and being so retained, putrifie. 
2. They arise from inflamation of some Bowel, as of the Liver, Guts, 
Stomach, and Vicine Bowels, whence a Symptomatical Feaver joyn- 
ed with a Continual Tertian, causes a kind of Hemitritæan ; sometimes 
they are inordinate from Pus being made ; sometimes because they are 
partakers of malignity, which are sometimes popular.  
A a a 2 SIGNS.

372 Of FEAVERS.
SIGNS. 
Signs are mean twixt a Tertian and Quotidian; for its invasion is with 
horror, which is greater then that of a Quotidian, and less then that of 
a Quartane ; and its manner of invasion is twofold, for either two fits 
come together in the beginning, and invade the Patients both at once, 
or else come severally, and if Flegm exsuperates, and be the more pre- 
dominant, there is Horrours and Coldness of the Extremities, then 
Choller overcoming, there is heat, and the Feaver seems to come to 
its State ; there is vomiting of Choller, Rigour, Sweat and Thirst, if 
Cholier be more regent and overpouring. 
The fits come also, one on one day, and two on another, because the 
Quotidian causes a fit every day, and the Tertain every other day. 
If there be Malignity present, it is known by its proper Signs, and if 
it arises from inflamation of the Bowels, that may be discerned by 
Signs of those Bowels inflamed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is dangerous; 1. Because it makes an ill Stomach, a 
Lethargy, and Syncope; a Delirium, watching, third, driness of the 
Tongue; it is Cronical, by reason of Flegm, and may be prolonged to 
six or seven Months, and then end in Hecticks, Chollicks, or Fluxes of
the Belly; it hurts the Nervous parts, and is difficultly cured. 
CURE. 
Cure is varied according to the condition of the Feaver: for if it be 
Legitimate, wherein there is an equality of Choller and Flegm putrified, 
then Medicines meet for a Tertian and Quotidian are to be mixt, and 
equally divided. 
Vomits, of the Root of Azarum, which equally purges Choller and 
Flegm, given in Pouder to ʒij, or Mountain-Dwarf, Cherry-of Gesner, 
to six or seven in number taken, and Broath taken after them, so doth 
Juyce of Tobacco taken from ʒj. to ij. 
If Choller be predominant, Medicines more proper for a Tertian, and 
that evacuate Choller, are to be given ; If Flegm, those for a Quotidi-
an are to be used in greater quantity : Agarick is good for Purging ; Al- 
terers also must be accommodated to the nature of the Humours, either 
equally mixt, or either one super-regent. 
If it arises from fault of any Bowel inflamed, that is diligently to be 
considered, and cured before the Feaver that depends thereupon 
may.
If 

Of FEAVERS. 373
If there be malignity mixt therewith, or it is Epidemical, we must 
resist that by Alexiteries, by Aurum Potabile, by Angelica-Roots, 
Masterwort, Sorrel-Seeds , Tormentil-Roots, Camphir, &c. to 
respect all intentions, we must have Medicines have divers quali- 
ties. 
Specificals for this as well as other Agues, both Simple and Compound, 
are Cinkfoil or Five-leaved-Grass ( which given to ℈j. in Pouder for 
thrice before the fits, is an infallible Cure) Featherfew, whose original 
name was Febrifuge, from its vertue in driving: away Agues, taken in 
Pouder, or Decoction before the fits ; Rhue or Herb-de-grace, Cala- 
mint, Oyl of Myrrh, Salt of Tartar, of Masterwort and Wormwood, 
Roots of Masterwort, Onions, Garlick, Laserpice, Natural Balsam, 
Saint-Johns~Wort, Trefoil, or three-leaved-Grass, the greater Saxi- 
frage of Mathiolus, Meadsweet, or Queen of the Meadows, &c. which 
are to be taken either in Decoction, or Pouder, to a sufficient quantity, 
for three or four times before the fits: For better advice herein, see 
the Chapters of a Tertian and Quotidian Ague, of which this is only a 
composition.
CHAP. III.
Of Quartane Agues, and Tertian.
EVery Ague is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague; every 
Ague hath Fits, but every Disease that hath Fits not an Ague. 
Every sickness that hath Periodick Fits, with chilness and heat super- 
vening, may be an Ague, but unless they come every fourth day, not a 
Quartane-Ague, the name of a thing is only a titular Attribute, and 
doth not constitute the Nature; but the Nature the Name; but every 
Disease that may first be proved an Ague, and secondly, to come every 
fourth day, may properly be called a Quartane-Ague ; but the extream 
of one kind, is the beginning of another, and some Quartanes are 
sometimes Tertians, and some Tertians sometimes Quartanes, and then 
perhaps another while Quotidians; neither are all Agues Quotidians, 
Quartanes, Hæmitriteans and Tertians, nor all Distempers that have 
Quotidian, Quartane, Hæmitritean or Tertian day-fits, Agues. 
But the nature of the Disease, as well as its manner of proceeding, 
must goe to the making of a thing ; for some are Aguish to day, and 
ortherwise dittempered to morrow; and some are otherwise distemper- 
ed to day, and Aguish to morrow; and we must distinguish betwixt 
Essential


374 Of FEAVERS
Essential Sickness, and Accidental Symptoms: Neither are all Ter- 
tians hot Agues, not all Quartanes or Quotidians cold ; but some parti- 
cipate of the nature of both, and some of neither : and some of one, 
at one time, and of another at another: nor is Nature tied up to one 
Rule or Method, for some Agues are Symptomatical to other Distem- 
pers, and other Distempers are often Symptomatical to Agues; some- 
times Agues cause Labefactation of the Inward Bowels, and some- 
times Labefactation of the Inward Bowels brings Agues ; and some- 
times they mutually depend upon each other; and sometimes Agues are
without Labefactation of the Inward Bowels , and Labefactation of 
the Inward Bowels without Agues; the quality corrupting is more 
significant here, then the quantity corrupted. 
Sometimes outward Causes bring Agues without inward, and some- 
times Inward Causes produce Agues without the progress of Outward, 
Obvious, and Procatarctick Causes ; but commonly Agues are made 
by some outward Cause, operating upon the inward, and where in any 
Bowel, there is a previous consimiler Disposition, a slight outward 
Cause doth more, then in a firm constitution of the Inward Bowels 
great outward Causes may do ; unless the Patient is fit to receive the 
operation of the Agent, and the Agent in all things able and apposite 
to operate upon the Patient, little or nothing is done: Some catch 
Agues, specially Quartanes, at fall of the Leaf, commonly by leaving off 
Garments, standing in Water, or eating Apples, or cold Drink and 
Water, or otherwise by taking cold; and some do all these, and 
they do cause in them another Distemper different from these, and per- 
haps from each other; and others wade in cold Water, drink cold Wa- 
ter, eat Apples, go naked Breasted , Wet-shod, &c. and feel no 
harm at all; and some are so by Nature, more or less, and some by 
custom, and some by both ; and he that will know Truth, all the Truth, 
and no other or more then the Truth, must come to Critical Distincti- 
ons, for we shall rarely find two alike ; yet commonly they that have A- 
gues alike every fourth day (which the Vulgar call Third-day-Agues, not 
reckoning the two Fit-dayes, but one) have commonly Symptoms more 
alike one another, then like those that have Agues every other or, each 
day : And as these things we have written differ one from another, so 
some other things we have not written may differ from these. 
And there be many things to be considered: the course of the Stars at 
each mans first sickning, and the alteration of them ; and that Planet 
that was upon the Ascendent at a Nativity, hath great signification and 
the Moon which causes great alteration, greatly alters in Place and 
Aspect. Also the natural constitution of our Bodies, Clymates, and
Soil,

Of FEAVERS. 375
Soil, Age, Dyet, season of the Year, Gender, and other accidents 
are various to divers persons, and so the Diseases vary ; but we can 
hardly foresee what a Disease will be by any of these, except by Astro- 
logy, and that is sometime uncertain. 
Nor for the Cure of Agues is one Method or Medicine alike suc- 
cessful, or at all successful to all kinds, or to all of one kind; but that that 
cures this Quartane, may not cure the other Quartane. But quoad in- 
termissionem, all having affinity, may be cured by one ; but Quotidians 
for the most part are more stubborn then Tertians, and Quartanes then 
either ; yet some Quartanes are less contumacious then some Quotidi- 
ans, and some Quotidians shorter then some Tertians; yet commonly 
such a Medicine as Camphir hung about the Neck, or Jesuits Bark, or 
Quinque Fole took inwardly, will cure more Quotidians or Tertians then 
Quartanes, yet not quoad Tertians or Quotidians ; but as they are from 
a thinner Humour, lying more overly, and less pertinaciously seated 
in the Bowels ; neither are all Tertians cureable, nor all Quartanes in- 
cureable, some die of either, but most of neither ; sometime a Medi- 
cine that cures a Tertian, will not cure in another Tertian, and yet cures 
a Quartane ; Vomiting is more proper in Tertians; yet if the Stomach 
be offended, more in Quartanes ; it may be better there, then in Ter- 
tians where that is not; sometimes they are easieliest at the first Fits, 
sometimes at the last, when the Fits are small and gentle, and the 
Seeds of the infected matter are almost dead. 
Bleeding is not good for an Ague, quatenus an Ague, but in every 
Disease where the Body is hot, the Arteries beat, Colour is great, and 
Dyet hath been generous, Nihil non obstante, it is good ; so is purging, 
if there be fit indications for it in any Disease, and if not, it is not 
good in any, which includes Agues, as every greater doth its less ; 
Sweating opens the pores of the Skin, and melts by the heat that causeth 
it, thick Humours, and expells them by the Habit and Circumference 
of the Body; therefore good in Agues, especially when Nature spon- 
taniously offers it, for we are Natures Servants to observe her Dictates, 
and as every like applies to its like, and shuns its enemy, so she en- 
deavours to retain what is friendly and homogenious to her, and to ex- 
pel what is adverse and heterogenious, unless in striving to expel one, 
through weakness of the part, or a depraved habit, the other follows. 
The best Sweaters ate Holy Thistle, Antimonium Diaphoreticum, Salt 
of Carduus, of Wormwood, Spirit of Sait, Treacle-Water, Tincture 
of Saffron, Featherfew, &c. But some are general, as Sweaters, and 
special, as Sweaters for Agues.
CHAP. 

376 Of FEAVERS.
CHAP. IV. 
Of Hectical Feavrs, and others, 
Where-ever there is a Feaver equal, not violent, seated in the 
habit of the Body, I suppose it proper to be called an Hectick.
The question in most Diseases is chiefly what one or two or three Sym- 
ptoms do of necessity concur to make it properly so called, without 
which it is improper so to call it; for some have lingring Feavers with 
some sensible fits, and some have violent Feavers without them ; some 
are almost constantly distempered with heat like Feavers, and yet have 
now and than cold fits, like Agues ; some that have Feaverish Distem- 
pers, have no other concomitant Symptoms of an Hectick; and some 
have the wasting and dryness ascribed to Hecticks, and yet no sensible 
Feaver, and if not sensible, not to be called so ; and some have a thirst 
without dryness, and dryness without thirst ; and some seem dry in one 
part or particular, and moist in another part or particular; so that Nature 
varies some what in all, and much in most: and almost all Sickness hath 
some changes, but scarce any all; neither is wasting of the Lungs al- 
ways attended with a wasting of the Flesh ; or if it be, it is not always 
in the same measure and manner; nor is the wasting of the Lungs alone 
the cause of the wasting of the Flesh, but the wasting of other Bowels 
also may waste the Flesh; but it is sometimes hard to say whether a part 
wasted causeth wasting of the Body; or that that caused wasting of the 
Body, caused also the wasting of that part or parts : Nor are all Hecticks 
(if it is proper to call any so) mild at first, and hotter in process of time, 
but some naturally grow cooler, that used to be hot; and some naturally 
grow hot, some by fits, and some more constantly, some less, and some 
more, that used to be always cool: There is scarce any thing, a staid- 
judgmented-man and well read, can imagine, but he may find or read 
of in some : There is nothing may happen to all, but every thing hap- 
pens to some ; every thing was ordained to keep its order, as well to 
the frequency, as violence of its actions ; but from the one extreme of a 
thing to the other, is much variety; and complicated Causes produce 
complicated Effects: All things were contrived methodically of GOD, 
but fall out in an accidental and various manner, as to our Knowledge, 
and meerly contingent, as to our Foreknowledge. 
Some Hecticks are incurable, and some be curable ; and amongst those 
one is cured the first month, another the second, and so onward ; one 
the 

Of FEAVERS. 377 
the first year, another in the second, another in the third, and so may 
the variety of Nature in other things be guessed ; one is cured by Na- 
ture, another by Medicine ; one by a Method of Physick, another with 
one or two Specificals; and of these, one with Snails, another with 
Frogs boiled in Milk or Broath ; One with Gellies, another with Emul- 
sions, and some with Syrup of Walnuts, and some with Asses; and some 
use all these things, and are not cured ; and some none, and yet are ; yet 
GOD commonly appoints the Effects, by ordering the Cause ; But in 
many Medicines we give, we are not sure which doth it, or whether 
Nature might not have done the like , or whether this and the other cu- 
red alike, had their Disease caused alike in the inward parts. 
And in this manner doth Nature proceed in other Sicknesses; and as 
these vary from one another, so probably may others vary from these; but 
we endeavoured to write all such things as experience, and men may 
prove them by what they shall see clearly and plainly in their Practices. 
What we writ from Authors, may be justified by their Authority amongst 
Physicians. 
Multi multa sciunt, sed nulli omnia. 
B b b OF 

378
OF 
Diseases and Affects  
OF THE 
HAIR:
And of OUTWARD ERUPTIONS.  
These Chapters of outward Ails 
and Affects being writ in the 
year 1658, and 1659, We have 
experienced and read many Ex- 
periences since, of the variety of 
these Affects, and many things 
differing from these; yet We 
thought good to put these to 
publick View, being drawn from the best of the Mo- 
derns, as Sennertus, Platerus, Johnstonus, Rondeletius, 
Paræus &c. and writ from oculate Experience in one 
or other, by one or other. 
Divers Chapters are omitted, that are in many Pra- 
ctical Authors ; and most of those the Moderns fol-
lowed

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 379
lowed the Ancients too superstitiously in, and were 
mere deceived than in these we wrote of. 
It is supposed few will buy this Book, that have 
not other Practick Books by them, wherein are the 
Chapters that may be here omitted : And many of 
those Books are wanting as to these Diseases and Af- 
fects We have writ of, so that they may be commo- 
diously compared and joyned. 
It is supposed that most will read the first part of 
this Book first, so that these Diseases may be read 
with the better understanding : What we found defe- 
ctive in one. We supplied out of another; and where 
We found any thing superfluous, We omitted it. 
We strove to digest all into a clear Method, with 
Heads and Distinctions; and wrote (besides the best 
Medicines extant in Authors) divers of our own using 
and experiencing. 
It must not be supposed We can write by one how 
all must be, there is such variety; therefore if these 
be never so truly writ, yet the Practitioner must look 
to find many outward Ails differing from these, and 
from each other. 
We are now in a little differing Opinion (in some
of these) concerning the Causes, as to what we was 
when they were first writ ; But the first part of this 
Book will give the Reader insight thereinto : having 
since studied more Philosophy and Astrology.
B b b 2 CHAP.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Defluvium Capillorum, or a general falling off 
of Hairs. 
DEFINITION. 
A Defluvium Pilorum, or Capillorum, is a sheding of Hair, from 
Head, Beard, and all parts of the Body, without danger; 
some here and there remaining very thin and sprinklingly, 
from an Hectical state of the Cutis Capillata, or Skin of the 
Head. 
CAUSE. 
Cause, 1. is want of nourishment, as in Tabids or Consumptions. 2. Lax- 
ity of the Skin from Humours, or the Serosity of a Pituitous and Chol- 
lerick Matter, or an hot and moist Distemper; or Bathes, Sweats and 
Unguents may make the Skin loose ; sometimes scalding makes Hair 
fall off. 
SIGN. 
The Skin is thin from a Consumptive State, or loose from insinuating 
of Humours there, and then though the Hair falls off, yet 'tis not ex- 
tenuated, but from defect of Aliment it is extenuated; there went be- 
fore Causes of Emptiness and Tabes, and often it attends Malignant 
Feavers. 
DIFFERENCE. 
It differs from Alopecia and Ophiasis, from a larger signification. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
In Consumptions ’tis hardly cured, but is an evil Sign, specially 
with a Diarrhæa. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be Analeptick, and Restorative, to make good Humours. 
CURE. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE.
1. In Consumptive or Tabid states, we may neither Purge nor 
Bleed. 
2. Topicks must heat and bind very moderately, that Nutriment 
by them maybe brought to the part; too great heat may resolve too 
much, and too great Astriction repel Nourishment : a Laviment of 
Strengtheners for the Head, of Capillary Herbs, is first to be used ; for 
Fomentation, after the Head is shaved and rubbed, thickners of the 
Skin, if it be made very thin, as Oyl of the Mastick Tree, of Mirtles, 
of Burdock-Seed, are good. 2. From Laxity of the Skin, or pravity 
of ill Humours that are inimical to the Roots of the Hair; 1. Purging 
and Bleeding are allowed. 2. Some gentle Discutients. 
Medicines that generally help, may be divided into such as, 1. Hin- 
der the falling off of Hair, as Juyce of Milsoil, or a Lee of Wall-Rhue. 
2. Others restore it, and make it grow again, as an Emplaister of Line- 
seed and its Oyl, with Flower boild to a consistence to spread upon Lea- 
ther all over the Head, for three dayes or more, with renewing ; Labda- 
num boild to an Oynment in Oyl, Sheeps Suet, and Honey-Water: 
Many more are set down in the Chapter of Alopecia, which may be re- 
ferred-hither. 
If the falling off of Hair be from a Scald, Oyl of Tartar, per Deliqui- 
um, to wash the place, used warm for seven or eight or more dayes, is 
commended.  
CHAP. II. 
Psilothra, or Medicines taking away superflous Hair.
Psilothra, or a taking away of Hairs where they grow indecently and 
out of due order and place, is done by Medicines, having a force 
Septick, Caustick, or by Propriety. 
1. By a force Septick or Caustick ; the Juyce of Tithimale, anointed, 
makes the Hair to fall off; a little bag of quick Lime, two parts Or- 
pement, one part first pondered, then tied up in a little Rag, boild 
in Water, and the part rubbed therewith (the Hairs being first cut off) 
doth the like ; Bay-salt in fine Pouder, reduced into an Emplaister, with 
Gum of old Ivy Trunks and fading Spittle, doth take away Hairs by a 
Caustick force, though more weak then the former ; Aqua Fortis, by 
its Caustick force, if it may be suffered alone, is the strongest. 
2. By 

382 Of Diseases and Assects of the Hair. 
2. By Propriety, the Ashes of Horse-Leeches mixt with Vinegar; 
and the part rubbed therewith, where we would not have Hair to grow, 
causes both a falling off of the Hair, and also hinders the growing of it 
again ; so the Blood of a Bat so takes it away by the Roots, or poisons 
the place that it will never more bear Hair; but whether clear from a 
Caustick force or no may be questioned ; and it may be thought to do it 
by a bad quality in it; as also the Allies of Horse-Leeches, an Oynt- 
ment of Pigeons Dung, Gum Hederæ, or Gum of the Ivy Tree, and 
Oyl, doth it most innocently by a Propriety ; if weaker will not avail, 
which are first to be tryed, we must proceed to stronger; and if through 
using these hot inflaming sharp Medicines, inflamation be raised, we 
must cool with convenient Oyntments of Lead, Ceruss, Camphir, 
and with Opium, &c, as need shall require. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Baldness. 
BAldnefs is a defect of Hair from old age, or a privation of it from 
want of good Humours, or an Hectick dry state, or fuliginous 
Excrements, chiefly happening in the forepart of the Head, the Skin 
there flicking to the bare Bone. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is in old men, and others too, from defect of Aliment, a dry 
Distemper of the Brain, and hairy faculty of the Skin ; therefore what- 
ever things do dry, may effect it, as Watchings, Cares, Venery, &c. 
Hence Eunuches, because they are more moist, never are bald, nor 
are Women commonly so bald as Men, because not of so dry a Tempe- 
rature. 
2. An hard consistence of the flesh. And 3. Fuliginous Excrements 
do seldomer cause it. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
’Tis best discovered by the sight, and the Causes too, and by the 
pregress of drying Causes.
PROGNOSTICK. 
'Tis hard to cure it, yet there is hopes to stay its spreading greater.
CURE.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE. 
Cure, Is first by a good Dyet, wherein we must avoid all salt sharp 
binding things ; exercising of Venery is very bad, and also Wine. 
2. Respecting the Cause, correct bad Aliment. 3. Medicines moist- 
ning are to be used for driness. 4. Attracters of the good Humours 
mixt with Astringents to fortifie the Skin, both bringing a good Nu- 
tritive Humour, and making good the faculty of the Skin, producing 
Hair. 
An Unguent of Labdanum, Oyl of Mastick, and Pulpe of Fenugreek- 
Seeds may serve to these intentions ; cutting of the Hair often is very 
good, for so being shorter, it requires the less moisture, and grows 
thicker. 
Medicines by a Propriety avail against Baldness, and bring again 
Hairs where they are wanting ; as Froath of the Sea is said, by washing 
of a bald Head decently and comelily, to deck it with Hairs ; the Off- 
scouring of a Whetstone mixed with Oyi, is good; the Juyce of Onions, 
anointed for many times together (in the Sun, say some) upon the bald 
place, is very effectual to bring the Hair again; the Roots of Jacinths 
are said to procure Hair in Beardless Men; as also that the Ashes of 
Southernwood, mixt with Oyl of Radish or Organy, will quickly cause
the Beard to grow. 
See for more Remedies that may be very available here, in the Chap- 
ter of Alopecia. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Ophiasis. 
Ophiasis is a falling off of the Hair Obliquely, retaining a certain 
Figure, and therefore called so from Ophis a Serpent, which 
it imitates in creeping, proceeding from the hinder part of the Head 
in the latitude of not above two Fingers, creeping in two Heads to each 
Ear, sometimes even to the Forehead, and there the two divided 
Heads sometimes do meet, the Hair still growing betwixt them, and on 
either side of them. Moreover Ophiasis possesses altogether the Head, 
is more familiar to Children, and disposed to the. Leprosie; Ophiasis 
also often ceases spontaneously of its own accord, all which happen 
not so in Alopecia, though the Causes differ not; and they are both to 
be

384 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
be cured after one way and Method, and by the same Medicines ; and 
therefore refer you to the Chapter of Alopecia.
CHAP. V. 
Of Platting of the Hair, of Cleaving of the Hair, of 
Worms in the Hair.
1. Of Platting the Hair. 
Plica, is a folding or complication of the Hair into Tufts or Locks, 
risen from a matter unprofitable to nourish the Hairs, troubling 
Men and Horses, and bringing along with it many Symptoms. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is guessed to be an Alimentary Juyce carried to the Roots of 
the Hair, offending both in quantity and quality, to which being com- 
municated, an infection from a peculiar Vice in the place, Air, and 
Waters, and comes hereditarily. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Hair Tusts, pains infest the Joints and Bones; there be con- 
vulsive wreathings, plenty of Lice, and the Toe Nails are black and 
rough, like Goats Horns. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
If the Platting be cut off, the poisonous quality which was before di- 
sperst in the Hairs creeps in again, and the forces are more opprest ; if 
there be no pain, ’tis more hopeful, because then we may guess absence 
of the Humour, and that it is spent in the Hair; yet we have little 
hope, unless by foreseeing the Cause, the cutting off of the Tufts that 
soak up the Sweating Humour sometime bring dangerous effects. 
CURE.
Evacuation by Bleeding and Catharticks, are useless, and are likely 
to irritate more the Humour, the Cure is hidden; some use Decoction 
of Barefoot; some have been cured by Bathing, which caused a certain 
roughness, after which the Hairs were cut off, and they were clearly 
delivered. 
2. Of 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 385
2. Of Cleaving of the Hairs. 
This is much like the former, the ends of the Hairs cleaving toge- 
ther occasioned from some adust Humours, and is curable, a good and 
regular Dyet being kept; that Humour being purged by Black Helebore, 
Senna, Epithimum, Lapis Lazuli, &c. that Purge ; Airabilis, and 
the Head bathed with Decoctions of Emolient things. 
3. Of Worms in the Hair.
Tinea is a Disease, wherein the ends of the Hairs are eaten by 
Worms, and fall off in peice-meals, and so greatly shortned. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is in the nourishment of the Hair, which by heat is turned 
into Worms. 
SIGN. 
1. We may discern (though hardly from their smallness) lit- 
tle Worms sticking in the end of them, which are described by 
few. 
2. The Hairs are made shorter, and break away by bits. 
3. The Hair is infected with an Ashey Colour.
CURE. 
Universals premised, they are killed by Decoction of the greater 
Nettle Seed in Vinegar; Also by Decoction or Juyce of Scabious, the 
lesser Centuary, or Southernwood, to which a Portion of Vinegar may 
be put, and the Hair therewith be washed and fomented. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Alopecia.  
DEFINITION 
ALopeci is a general falling off of the Hair from all parts, differing 
from Ophiasis in figure, and a Defluvium by quantity, made from 
a prave and corrupted Humour, eroding the roots of the Hair. 
Ccc SUBJECT.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the Head, Beard, and Eyebrows, and all other hairy parts 
of the Body. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is a Vice of the Humour, salt, pituitous, adust and putrified; 
produced from a more hot Liver, and ill habit of the Brain, and eroding 
the roots of the Hair; eating of bad Nourishment, as Mushrooms, &c. 
also may produce it. 
Also sharpness of an humour, and driness of the pores, loosness of 
their roots from the outward skin being made dead, and the hairy facul- 
ty fails, because of bad nourishment, and the roots being eaten up. 
SIGNS. 
It keeps one certain figure. 2. The Hair generally falls off. 5. The 
skin pricked, the Blood will be watery. 4. Sometimes it waxes not red 
by rubbing. 5. The Hairs from the Beard, Eye-brows, Arm-holes, &c. do 
fall off, as well as from the Head. 6. It possesses any Age. 
DIFFERENCES.
Differences as to it self, are taken from the Humours, which are 
shewn by the colour of the skin of the Head: As, 
1. Whiteness of it shews the occupying and redundancy of a flegma- 
tick Humour. 
2. Pale yellow colour of it shews Choler. 
3. Black shews Melancholy. 
4. Scurf and Irch shews the saltness of flegm. 
5. Dyet generating such Humours also went before. 
Differences of the falling off of Hair are divers ; it differs from 
Ophiasis in figure, not in Cause. See the Chapter of Ophiasis. 
2. From a failing off of the Hair; for there the Hair falls off not so 
generally, and chiefly from the Head alone, from penury of Ali- 
ment. 
3. It differs from badness, for that happens chiefly to old Men, 
from want of nourishment, also from driness, and loosness of the Hai- 
ry Skin, and a deficiency in the retentive faculty of it. 
4. It differs from that falling off of Hairs that is made in Leprosies, 
for there, besides general notes of the Leprosie, be Wheals and crusty 
Scabs and Scurf both in the Head and Chin. 
5. From the French POX, for then the Hair soonest falls from the 
Evebrows and Beard : many Symptoms to shew the French POX, are 
present. PROG-


Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 387 
PROGNOSTICKS
In general, ’tis hard to cure, but worst, if, 1. It happens to old 
Age. 2. If the Skin be fat, thick, and smooth,and wholly peeled. 3. If 
by rubbing, it wax not red, and by pricking, sends forth Water. 4. If 
it follow Elephantiasis or the French POX. 
2, ’Tis better, and there is more hopes of Cure, if it be made, 1. In 
young and flourishing Ages. 2. If it fell off suddenly from the afore- 
going of some acute Diseases, and be fresh 3. If it be made from 
Whoredom onely, not Venerous nor Leprous. 4. If the place by 
chasing or fomenting suddenly wax red. 5. If the bordering extremities 
of the Head begin to fend forth Hair again, some still remaining.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect Cachochymy, or a common corruption of Hu-
mours generally ; here we must use various Purgers, and strong, as the 
variety of the Humours most abounding require ; praises Pills of 
Collocinthis and Scammony. 
2. Letting Blood also, specially in Phlethory, and redundancy of 
a Serous Blood; some after opening the Cephallick Vein in the Arm, 
advise a Vein of the Forehead to be opened, and the Skin of the Head, 
after rubbing, to be prickt in various places, and Leeches to be set to 
suck out the vitious Blood. 
3. Also for Evacuation sake, Apophlegmatisms, Masticatories and Er- 
rhines are useful. 
1. Topicks; Here, 1. we must repel the Humour while 'tis in flux- 
ion. 2. Digest it, being impact in the Skin, for which we must use 
Medicines of thin parts and hot, but not too dry ; also we must dili- 
gently beware, least by the use of too hot things, the Skin be burnt and 
dryed, and nourishment will be discussed and consumed; more moist 
and liquid Medicines are to be used at first, and continued, while we 
perceive they have made some alteration in the Skin, as Bathes, Oyls, 
Oyntments, &c. that open the Pores, melt and let out thick and 
viscous Humours, and add nourishment to the Skin and Hairy faculty; 
these by way of precept.  
Medicines are such as, 1. Prevent its falling off, as Ashes of the 
Roots of Reeds, or Sugar-Cane with Vinegar; an Unguent of Labda- 
num, and Bears Grease, Juyce of Mallows, and the Ashes of the Kernels 
of Wallnuts mixt with Red Wine, Juyces of Quinces, Pelletory and 
Carduus. 
2. Restore it again being fallen off; among such, most excellent is, 
Ccc 2 1. the 

388 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
i. The Juyce of an Onion. 2. The Ashes of Asphodel, with Ducks 
Create, commended by Galen, 3. Honey-Water. 4. An Oyntment 
of Oyl of Tartar, Honey and Ox-Suet. 5. Mice Dung, with the 
Ashes of Wasps and Hazel-Nuts burnt, and Vinegar of Roses brought 
to an Oyntment. 6. Oyl of Frogs, and of the Yolks of Eggs ; with 
the Brain of an Hair made also into an Oyntment. 7. Many good Me- 
dicines, but of less note are made of Maiden-Hair, Southern-wood, 
Male-Asphodel, Oyl of the Kidney, Bean of Malacca, of the Kernels 
of Peaches and Wallnuts, and of bitter Almonds, Froath of the Sea, 
Water-Cresses ; also an Oyntment of the Froath of the Roots of the 
Elm Tree boild in Wine, and Oyl of Frogs, with Pouder of Bees, to 
bring Hair again-suddenly, is commended. 
Among Authors these are extolled. 
Monavius extols Labdanum. 
Johnstonus commends an Oyntment made of the Allies of Bears Hairs, 
and Oyl of the Mastick Tree.
Dioscorides, Oyl of Euphorbium. 
Forestus found a Liniment of Bees-Ashes, and Oyl of Mirtles Em- 
plaisters of Bees, of Flies beaten with Turpentine, the Liquor of Snails, 
the place first sharply rubbed, the Fat of Green Frogs, Goats-Dung, 
and Mice burnt to Ashes, and Walnut-shels burnt with Honey, to be 
very effectual. 
Johannes Baptista commends the Ashes of Bees, and Mice-dung, mixt 
with Oyl of Roses, to an Oyntment. 
Nostredamus praises an Oyntment of the Ashes of Bees, Swans blood 
and Honey. 
Lebotius, The Excrements of a red Haired Man, distilled into a Wa- 
ter, to wash the part. 
Others commends, the Fat of Frogs used for Unction, after the use of 
a Lee of the Ashes of Frogs, first to the part, wherewith Hairs are pro- 
duced every where, even in those that are Lepers ; and the Ashes of 
Nigella-Seeds, Goldsmiths Water, wherewith they that have been 
made bald from Quicksilver, have been recovered.  
Bees, Wasps, Flies, Frogs, Mice and Snails, their Fat, Ashes, or 
Excrements, are most commended by the later Physicians. 
And left, when the Hair comes again, it should turn white, Nostre-
damus advises often to wash the  place with the Milk of a Bitch. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 389 
CHAP. VII.
Of Medicines hindering the growth of superfluous Hair.
THis succeeds to Psilothra or Medicines that take away superfluous 
Hair; and sometime these Medicines that hinder the coming forth 
of Hair too thick, or in inconvenient places, may be used before Psilothra, 
the Hair not yet being grown; for if it be grown, then Medicines taking 
it away, or Psilothra, are to be used, and after those, these that hinder 
the regeneration of the Hair again, after ’tis taken away ; to both these 
intentions (if the Hair be already sprung up) as we said of Psilothra Me- 
dicines, the Blood of a Bat, and the Ashes of Horsleeches mixt with Vi- 
negar, do both take away the Hairs by the roots, so as they will never 
grow more in that part: those do it rather by a sceptick quality, or poi- 
sonous inimical force. 
But Medicines that onely hinder the regeneration of superfluous Hairs, 
do it by a cold and dry force, because they thicken the skin, and repel 
Nourishment, as is an Oyntment of Ceruse and Henbane: Or this, re- 
cited by Primrose, ℞ of the Blood of Frogs, Sumach, Terra Sigillata 
pouder them all, and being equalized in weight, mix them with Vinegar 
and Juyce of Henbane. 
Dioscorides saith, If they that have the Hair of their Eye-lids come off, 
do bathe them with Juyce of Fumitary, and Gum Tragacanth, they will never 
grow again.
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Curling colouring the away gray Hair, &c.  
1. Of Curling the Hair. 
The Hair is made to curl, if it be wet in Sallet Oyl, and rubbed 
with Harts-horn, or they both may be mixed into form of a Lini- 
ment, and so used together; also to wash the Hair in a Decoction of the 
2. To 
Root of Dwarf-Elder, is said to make it to curl. 

390 Of Disease and Affects of the Hair.
2. To make the Hair yellow. 
Medicines that have a dying faculty, and of a yellow colour, do this ;
a washing of the Head with Decoction of Rhubarb, of the Root of Box 
and Chelidone, with Saffron, is effecual ; washed with a Lixive, or Lee 
of the ashes of the Wood of the Barbery Tree, is very effecual to turn 
the Hair yellow. A Lee of the ashes of old Colworts, with shavings of 
the Box-Tree, Liquorish, and Saffron, the Decoction of Broom-flowers 
also, and of the yellow flowers of Mullein, do the same; as also Citron 
Peels, Water and Oyl of Honey, Decoction of Alkanet-Roots, and 
the like. 
These and such-like Medicines are chiefly required whenas the Hair 
grows gray, or whenas its colour is meet to be changed into ano- 
ther. 
3. Gray Hairs, or Gray-Headed.
Canities is a changing of the Hair to white, which oftenest happens 
through old Age, but sometimes is greatly furthered by Griefs, Sor- 
row, sollicitude of Minde, and Cares, which be the efficient Causes of 
it. 
The material Cause is, a pituitous Humour coupling with a fuliginous 
matter, not much adust. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK are discerned best by seeing. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
The Cause may be taken away, or hindered, though the Affects may 
not ; many that have had their Hair changed in colour after their falling 
into some Disease, being recovered of that Disease, and their Body re- 
stored to health, their Hair afterward also hath come to its natural colour 
again. 
CURE. 
After respect had to the Cause, we must strive to make the Hair 
change from its gray colour ; that is done chiefly by Paints, by Astrin- 
gents, Alkanet-Roots, Allom, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, &c. boild for a Loti- 
on of the Head and Beard, an Oyntment of Ol de Been, Galls, burnt Iron, 
Indian Myrobalans, Litharge, Dwarf-Eldern, &c. to anoint the Hair 
with Oleum Costinam, hinders its turning gray, a Comb of Lead for the 
Head and the Beard, doth obscure the grains of the Hair ; to these may
be 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 391 
be added Medicines that are taken inwardly to restore and conserve
Youth, and keep off the gray Head; such is the Pouder of Eldern-flow- 
ers taken in Borrage-Water every Morning ; three drops of Oyl of Salt 
taken every morning in any convenient Liquor; Senna also is commen- 
ded by Mesue, for keeping back gray Age. 
4. To make the Hair Black. 
The Hairs are made black by Decoctions of astringent things, by 
Phlegmagogues, or Purgers of Flegm; Topicals are the Juyce of Dane- 
wort, or Dwarf-Elder for Lotion ; Myrobalans inwardly and outwardly, 
Cadmia, Labdanum, Lead, Cloves, Bean-stalks, green shells of Walnuts, 
a Lead Comb, &c. set down by Authors: these are to be used chiefly, 
whenas we are forced in gray Heads to give some other Tincture to 
the Hair, to take away the gray colour ; and as other things are coloured 
by things that have a dying force, so also may the Hairs be painted with 
them, as the Party affected best approves of. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Scurfiness in Hair 
Tis called Pitoriasis by the Greeks, Porrigo chiefly, Furfur and 
Furfuratio by the Latins; and is an Ulcerous disposition of the 
topmost Cuticle, not deep, not moist, but scaley, dry, loose, and 
Brun-like, which Scurfey matter by any light Scratching or Combing 
falls off, though from its cause, yet resident, it grows again.
CAUSE. 
Cause is an hot and dry Distemper of the Skin, which converts a  
sharp and thin Humour that insinuates it self, and breaths through it in- 
to scurf
A second Opinion is, That the Cause is in Ichorus Juyce, which e- 
roding the thin Skin, and drying, doth stir up certain Scales and 
Scurf. 
A third Opinion is, That they are Humours, either Serous, Chollick 
or Flegmatick, carried with the nourishment of the Hairs thither, and 
the thinner Parts being discust, the thicker remain about the Roots of 
the Hair, and turn to a scurfey matter, being attracted by a more hot  
Brain.
A 


392 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
A fourth Opinion is, That they are made, 1. From thickness and 
astriction of the Parts. 2. From an Humour adust, and therefore get- 
ten a drying and eroding quality, and therefore cleaves and dries the 
Cuticle or outward Skin, effecting an Ulcerous temper of it, and solu- 
tion of continuity; for from an Humour must needs be moisture ; from 
Erosion, Ulcers ; and from Drying, Scurfs ; but these Humours are 
made from bad Nourishment aforegoing. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly the Head and Beard, and parts 
where Hairs grow, as Eyebrows, &c.
SIGNS.
Signs are the going before of an evil Dyet, engendering a corrupt and 
unwholsome Joyce ; the Scurfs are best discovered by fight, they fall off 
by Scratching or Combing; the Skin is uneven, rough, with a white 
colour. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from that Scaley and Scurfey affect that happens to those
that have the French POX, sticking in the Palms of the Hands, and 
Soles of the Feet, nor doth it easily fall off, unless by great tearing and 
pulling it off by the Nails, and is greater (and like a continued Scale) 
then those Scurfs that be in other hairy parts of the Body. 
DYET. 
Here we must beware of Toad-stools, Fungous things, Bulbs, and 
windy Meats, filling the Head, and causing Crudity. 
CURE. 
After Evacuation and rectifying of the Blood by Internals, we must
use abstersive and discussive Topicals; which either may be, 1. To 
wall), as a Lee of Vine Branches, Draconts, Briony, Wild Cucumers, 
Fumitary, Lupines, Aron, sharp-pointed Dock, &c. or a Lotion of 
Soap, or Baths of salt Water, or an Oyntment of Oyl of bitter Al- 
monds, and of the Kernels of Rank Nuts, with Sulphur and Vitriol. 
2. Or for Friction, as with Niter Salt, Allies of a Lee ; the Hands 
being anointed with Oyl of Bitter Almonds, for so the serous Hu- 
mours are drawn forth and confirmed ; Cataplasms also of Soot, Ink, 
Oyl, Sulphur, Allom, Mallows, and Cicers, with Vinegar. 
Among others, these following are of greatest efficacy and most help- 
ful ; ℞ of the Juyce of Tithimale or Spurge, ℥viij. Juyce of Garlick,
℥vj.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 393 
℥vj Water found in the hollow places of old Beech Trees, one pound, 
mix them, and boil therein of the Ashes of Common Reed, or Sugar- 
Cane, of the Ashes of the Bark of the Ash, of the Ashes also of Fig- 
tree-Leaves, of each, as much as maybe convenient ; after a little 
boiling, strain them for a Lotion of the parts diseased. 
Or an effectual Water may be made of the Roots of Aron, Dra- 
conts, Wall-rue, Scabious, VVillow-Leaves and Fig-Tree, well di- 
gested in Vinegar and distilled. 
Unguents also of slippery things, as of extract of Fenugreek-Seeds 
in Juyce of Mallows, with Bears Grease, and Oyl of Nigella Seeds, 
excel; though they be of another quality to corroding and sharp Medi- 
cines, yet they deterge kindly, and loosen the Scurf, and render the 
Skin smooth and whole ; Euphorbium, with Bears Grease, and Orobus, 
Gum Laserpice, with Wine-Vinegar and Pepper, Darnel Meal boild 
in Vinegar, with wild-Radish-Roots and Brimstone, are commended by 
Dioscorides and others, not only for the ordinary Scurf, but that that is 
made from the French POX, Alopecia or Leprosie. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Phtheiriasis, the Lousie-Evil. 
DEFINITION.
PHhtheiriasis in Greek, in Latin Morbus Pedicularis, in English it may 
be called the Lousie Disease, is a Symptom of excretion made in the 
superficies of the Skin, either throughout the whole Body, or in hairy 
parts ; made from a putrified, but not sharp Humour, and hot and moist 
distemper of the part, chiefly afflicting Children. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is, 1. Putrid Humours collected 'twixt the Cuticle, and true 
Skin, not very sharp, and residing most in the Emunctories, and hot moist 
places that have hair to cover them, and for them to abide in. 
2. The frequent use of Figs is condemned by many; the reason is 
thought to be from a quality in them turning to such an Excrement that 
the Lice are bred of ; the frequent use of Vipers are also thought by their 
tenuity to effect the breeding of Lice, thereby expelling many Humours 
to the Skin ; also other bad things, as Fruits, that are apt to corrupt 
much further. 
3. Though a good Dyet be kept, and the Parties be not of flegmatick  
Ddd and 

394 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
and moist tempers, for in such they chiefly breed, and therefore more in 
Childhood than in elder Age; yet to such as lie in Camps long with their 
Cloaths unshifted, abundance of them are bred; and those that are of 
such apter tempers to breed them, by often drifting, and keeping their
Cloaths clean, and combing, do preserve themselves from them.
4. They grow exceedingly by the immoderate use of Waters, saith 
Aristotle, or by moistening Causes ; therefore Children are most trou- 
bled, and Women more than Men, excepted the Head, for Womens 
Heads being close bound up always, Nourishes them not so much. 
5. The fifth Cause is, by catching; one lousie Body may infect a whole 
Company, as One scabbed Sheep infects a whole Flock: The Vulgar say they 
fly in May, which thing Experience hath verified to some; yet are no 
Wings to be perceived, unless they grow then. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly that covered with Hair, as is 
the Head, which is fullest, and therein onely for the most part they live ; 
also in the Beard, under the Arm-holes, and in the Privities, and Emun- 
ctories, because there is most moist and hot matter breathed out. 
SIGNS are evident to the sight. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. They do good in young Children, and others too, feeding upon, 
and sucking superfluous excrementitious matter; and ’tis thought the  
scurfie matter, and the pores by them are kept more open for hurtful ex- 
halations; whence it is that Children much frequented with them, are not 
so subject to the Head-ach or Falling-sickness. Also in flegmatick old 
persons they are wholesom. 
2. The Skin is sometimes totally and so immoderately affected with 
them, that sometimes they bring death, therefore are not altogether to 
be slighted : Several Nobles have died under this Affect as Herod King 
of Judea, Sylla a great Roman Captain, but a Glutton, Pherisides a famous 
Philosopher, and others. 
3. They leave Dead Bodies, whereby may be guessed they accompa- 
ny healthful Bodies ; and to those that have entered into Quartane A- 
gues, all the Lice in the Body and Head have died, and not one living 
(that were wont to have abundance before their Sickness) all the while 
the Ague hath lasted ; and 'tis very probable those excrementitious Hu- 
mours were spent by the Ague. 
4. If they exceedingly multiply, it may fore-tell the Morphew or
Leprosie 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 395 
Leprosie to succeed from weakness of natural heat, which cannot di- 
gest the Excrements that arc sent to the Skin, and breed them. 
DYET. 
Let them use a good drying and attenuating Dyet ; in the Meats, let 
them eat Sorrel, Organy, Leeks, VVater-Cresses, Salt, Oranges and 
Lemmons, Mustard, Verjuyce ; use Calamint and Garlick boild in- 
wardly, saith Avicen. 
All things engendring cold, moist and flegmatick corrupt Humours, 
are to be avoided, and the Body is to be well dressed and shifted. 
CURE. 
Cure, Depends, 1. upon evacuation of the Cause, where Phleg- 
magogues have the chiefest place. 
2. Internal Dryers, because from plenty of humidity they arise. 
3. Topicks, are either to be drying and cleansing, or discussing and 
drying, as others will; here Baths, Tubs and Lotions of the whole Bo- 
dy and Head are conducible, made of bitter things, and Relaxers or 
Opners of the Pores, that the Humors, the matter of which Lice are made, 
may breath forth, therefore add some Penetraters; yet some fear there 
is, lest by too much and too long Bathing, Excrements should be more 
gathered to the Skin ; whenas Lice proceed from the whole Body, else 
bathing of the whole Body is not useable; let a Tub or Bath be prepared 
of Niter, Hellebore, Calamint, Salt, Collocinthis, Staphesacre, the 
Berry of India, called Coculus Indi, and other bitter and salt things 
boiled in Sea-water. 
A Lee of the Flower of Golden Stæchas, or Cedar-wood, Tamarisk, 
Broom, Hyssop, and English Tobacco boild in salt-water, by a propri- 
ety kill all manner of Lice and Nits ; the distilled water of the Bead- 
Tree of Capadocia, also doth the like. 
The Oyl made by Decoction or Insolation of the Flowers of the Broom 
Bush, the stronger 'tis made, the more effectual it is to kill Lice in all 
parts of the Body. 
Or a Liniment of the Oyl extracted from Mustard-Seed, Oyl of To- 
bacco, ana ℥fs. Pouder of the white Roots of Hellebore, of the In- 
ward Bark of the black Alder Tree, ana ℥ss. Hyssop, ʒj. Vinegar, as 
much as may suffice ; the vulgar remedy for Lice is Coculus Indi. 
The Emunctories also are to be anointed, because there by reason of 
the Veins more frequenting, more of the matter and heat is present; an 
Oyntment of Olibanum and Barrows Grease is greatly commended, both 
to kill them, and hinder their breeding again. 
Ddd2 The 

396 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
The Garments also are to be washed in proper Lee, as in the Lee of the 
Ashes of Broom, and Flowers of Stæchados of a Golden Colour, or 
sprinkled with the Pouder of Staphesacre and Saffron; if they be only in 
the Head, Pouders there may be sprinkled, where Oyntments some- 
times are not so commodious or convenient, by reason of daubing the 
Hair; this then among others may serve for a special Example, ꝶ Ashes 
of Broom, of Coculus Indi Berries, white Hellebore and Staphesacre, ana, 
℥j. Tobacco, Cudweed, Tamarisk, Fenugreek-Seeds, ana. ℥ss. make 
of all a Pouder. 
The Vulgar do use, when withal in Childrens Heads, there be Sores
or Ulcers, the Juyce of Sage, with Butter and Pepper, or Tobacco, and 
Coculus Indi, or Staphesacre with Butter; but in Ulcers such sharp things 
exasperate much. 
DIFFERENCE.
Difference is four-fold. 1. Lice, which are white, bred external- 
ly in all parts of the Body, creeping, and by biting, moving a little 
Itch, and are not very hurtful, unless the parts be ulcerated, or they 
exceed in number, of which we have treated largely ; they are called 
Pediculi, from their many Feet. 
2. Morpiones are more flat, commonly bred in the Share, called by 
Aristotle, Ferum Animals; and by the Vulgar Latins, Pedicolatæ, Pesso- 
latæ and Morpione; they wander hot as the Lice do, but stick fast to the 
Skin, and gnaw much ; of their Cause and Cure, see the precedent 
Cause and Cure of Lice in General. 
5. Chirones, which never break forth of the Skin,, but alwayes lie hid 
within the Skin and Flesh, and there Corrode ; chiefly they are in the 
Hands, and through negligence breed there, are caused of a more dry 
Humour then Lice, that penetrates and breathes not forth through the 
Pores of the Skin : some Women use to pull these Chirones out of the 
Flesh with a Needle, but the Cause not being taken away, they return 
again. Stupifying things that hinder the sense, and dull their biting, are 
good, as is Juyce of Henbane ; but lest that should bring trembling to 
the Hands, the Oyl of the Seed is more wholsom ; Also 'tis very good to 
dip the Hand in Salt and Vinegar, and rub the part where they are, which 
kills them,and their Itching is taken away; Also Foments of salt-water, 
or Vinegar of Henbane and Salt are effectual, But of all Remedies, 
the most effectual is Quicksilver for Unction of the Parts affected, right- 
ly killed and mixed into an Oyntment with Grease, Oyl of Bayes and 
Sope: for all Remedies failing, this sometimes alone will destroy all kinds 
of Lice, Morpions, Chyrones, Nits, and Fleas that suck the Body for 
nourishment, but 'tis not so safe as others, specially the Head, to 
be

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 397
be anointed on the Sutures or Ulcers, for therefrom come dangerous
effects oftentimes, specially to Children.
Some have found these Chirones in the Membranes of the Eyes, or
Adnata, which are very aptly with a fine Needle to be picked out, and
the Eye washed with healing Eye-Waters, and that ease the pain and
itching caused by them.
4. Nits, called Leudes by the Latins, there is a near familiarity
'twixt them and Lice ; for Heads that are very lousie, are also very full
of Nits, they are least of all the kinds, sticking very fast to the Hair,
and are confined to the Head, or very seldom elsewhere ; yet some-
times are found under the Skin, and then they cause much itch and
troubling pricking ; they are destroyed as Lice, and what are proper for
them, are proper for these ; the Hair is preserved from nourishing Nits,
or their generation is prohibited by a Lee made of the Ashes of Cud-
weed, or Cottenwood, and of Tamarisk.
OF


398
OF
EVILS
AND
Outward Ails.
CHAP. I
Of the Kings Evil.
STrumæ or Scrophulæ, in Latin ; in English, the Kings
Evil ; Are Tumours in the Throat, made in glandu-
lous parts from alimentary Juyce hardned, or vis-
cous slow Flegm, and included in a peculiar Skin or
Membrane.
NAMES.
The Greeks call it Cheiros, the Latins Scrophulæ
Struma, and Morbus Regius, the English call it the
Kings Evil, and some the Queens Evil.
SUBJECT.
Is the Glandules, sometimes they are in the Throat, and nigh the
Aspera


Of Evils and outward Ails. 399
Aspera Arteria, or rough Artery, or in the Neck; sometimes also, but
more seldom, they are found in the Arm-holes and Groin, Brest and
Paps.
TIME.
Hippocrates saith, They are made from the fourteenth to the two and for-
tieth year ; but (saith he) from that time to sixty three years of age, they are
not made : Yet Sennertus saith. After the two and fortieth year, the People
of the Alps, from drinking vitious Water, have had it.
CAUSE.
The Cause is held by some to be a pituitous viscous matter, by others
a mixtion of thick Flegm and Melancholy, by others a stegmatick or
melancholy Humour hardened : Platerus saith, 'Tis an Earthy Juyce har-
dened ; Riolanus saith, A portion of the fat being hardened in some places,
make a Scirrhous Tumour, and sometime Strumous : Sennertus saith, They
are made of slow and thick matter, vulgarly termed Flegm, to which Melan-
choly is adjoyned ; and if otherwise they were caused from other Humours,
they would not be so durable, but would rot. These Humours are carried
with the proper Juyce destinated for the Nourishment of the Glandules,
which is thought by quantity to offend, as well as quality ; whenas the
Glandules have more then sufficient, the rest becomes excrementitious,
and acquires a peculiar nature. In quality that matter may offend, as
Phlegmatick, Mclancholick, and Fæculent, which excrementitiously sent
(and cast off by Nature, as unfit Nourishiment) to those parts, Nature
there provides a Bag, or Membrane, as her Store-house,for laying up such
Excrements that do her hurt, if she should make use of.
The primitive and antecedent Cause is more certain, as crude and
thick Meats, unwholesome Waters, as those of the Alps, those also that
are in Syria and Carinthia, containing Mercury in them ; crude Aliments,
Snow-Water, &c. taken, are sometimes pregressive ; but Mine-Waters,
especially of Quicksilver, are thought to endue the Humour with so pe-
culiar a quality ; and the admixtion of Melancholy herewith, sometimes
make it degenerate cancrous; Contusion sometimes gives occasion to it.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICKS.
The Kings Evil is a scirrhous Tumour of the Glandules, shut up in a
peculiar Skin or Membrane ; these Tumours are many, and take deep
root ; this Humour sometimes possesses all the Kernels, whereby they
are all tumified ; it sometimes is found in the inward Bowels ; they are
round and pendulous, yeilding not to touch, but moveable, and some-
times painful.
They


400  Of Evils and Outward Ails.
They are sometimes onely in the two Glandules under the inferiour
Jaw-Bone, sometime in the Arm-holes, and sometimes throughout the
whole Body where there be Glandules : Some say, If it be the Kings
Evil, lay a live Earth-worm over-night upon it, and lay upon her a Bur-
dock-Leaf ; and if in the morning she be dead, 'tis; else not the Kings
Evil.
Secondly, The Membrane or Bladder it is included in, is like that
of Atheroma, and Steatoma ; from its formatrix faculty 'cis never idle :
for when it is filled, distended, and then hath poured out matter,as if the
Tumour was suppurated, it doth attain a certain knitting up, contexture,
or composure again, as if a new Membrane ; some take it for subalbes-
cent Flesh, distending and encreasing from a matter soaked in, having a
forming faculty from a peculiar quality.
DIFFERENCES.
Differences of it are, First as to its self :
1. Some are benign, well-qualitied, round, without great pain, hard-
ness, or inflamation.
2. Others are contrary to these, and of a malignant quality, very pain-
ful, hard, pulsant, and inflamed.
3. Some are Cancrous, possessing all the Glandules.
4. Some are more deep, others more superficial.
5. Some are accidental, others hereditary from Seed, and the forma-
trix faculty in the Uterus, according to Platerus his opinion.
6. Some more dangerous, others more slight and extern.
7. Some are movable, others immovable.
8. Some are outward, possessing sometimes the great, sometimes the
less Vessels ; some have been found in the Bowels and inward parts,
seventy in the Mesentery together ; but whether these Tumours possess
the Bowels as they do the outward Glandules, is doubtful, and seems
not to be credited.
Secondly, It differs from Bronchocele, or Hernia Gutturis, for that
sticks out in the fore-part of the Neck, or is a swelling forth in the large
space of the Throat ; struck, it gives a sound; and crushed by the fingers,
it sinks, and suddenly rises again, which is not so in Struma ; yet the
the Causes and Cures of a Throat-Rupture and the Kings Evil are often
the same.
Platerus makes a difference between Scrofula and Struma,saying, That
Scrofulæ sticks out like Grapes, two or Three in one Glandule ; but Stru-
ma, he saith, be great and pendent Tumours in the Throat, often deep-
ly founded and raise short breathing or impediment therein, and hoars-
ness. PROG. 


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 401
PROG.
'Tis more curable in Children, and most freqnent in them.
If folded in no Vessel, if benign, not malignant, nor cancrous, nor he-
reditary, if more fresh and superficiary, moveable, and few in number,
if small, and in smaller Vessels, and more remote from the rough Arte-
ry, or Wind-Pipe, or in the posterior parts, then there is more hopes of
Cure, and less danger.
But contrarily, if they be hard, malign, cancrous, and immoveable,
seated among the Vessels, and more anteriorly and deeply, if great, and
many in number, possessing many places, the worse, hard to cure if cu-
rable, and dangerous.
They are not cured by cutting out, without danger, by reason of the
Nerves, which sometimes being hurt, the Voice hath been lost, and if
the Nerves recurrents there be cut, the Sick either is made dumb, or
molested with a great hoarsness ; and therefore such as are neer the
Wind-pipe are dangerous lobe cut ; as also in other places, for fear of
Hæmorrage from incision of the Veins.
CURE.
Cure is first internal, where we must strive to take away the antece-
dent and suppeditating Cause: 2. The quality and infection of the Blood
and Juyces.
For the first, Catharticks are frequently to be had in use ; we must
purge Flegm, and let Blood : Some premise preparation of the Hu-
mour.
A good Dyet must be used, Meats that engender good Juyce, and of
easie digestion.
To the second, a Drink for ordinary taking, is very commodious and
helpful; and so sometimes Scrofula's are cured, that are not by outward
application ; for so long as the Blood and Juyces are universally, and so
peculiarly affected, a suppeditation of matter is ever made, and the
Disease is protracted thereby : Such a Drink for common use, is thus
most effectually made, ? of Figwort-Roots, or Scrophulary, ?ij. Roots
of Gentian, ?j. Roots of Dropwort, the lesser Chelidone, or Pilewort,
of each ?vj. let all be prepared in a right manner, to be hung in a Bag in
Wort.
Hartman saith, Struma are easily cured, if a man drink often of the Pon-
der of a Mans Skull that hath been buried.
Also if six Ounces of Sponges, with half an Ounce of their Stones,be cal-
cined in a close Pot, and of this Pouder one Dram be given every morning in
E e e white-


402 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
White Wine, fasting two hours after it, it cures Struma, saith he.
A third Specifical of the same Authors, is the Ashes of a Mole given
every day in Wine of Scrophulary, which he saith most perfectly cures
Scrophula's, if yet not exulcerated : Their Dose is half a Scruple, or
more.
Fallopius praises one Dram of Roots of Ruscus, or Butchers-Broom,
taken every day in Wine.
Arnoldus de villa Nova highly applauds the sequent, saying it cures all ;
ꝶ of Cinnamon, Sea-Sponges, and Palea Marina, Bone of the Fish Ce-
pia, or Cuttlebone, long and black Pepper, Ginger, Pelletory of Spain,
Sal Gem, Oak Buds, Galls, Cypress-Leaves, Roses, of each ʒij. mix all
into a Pouder, which is to be swallowed very leasurably and often held in
the Mouth.
An Electuary may be made for the Patients taking often,grateful,and
efficacious, of the following Specificals, ꝶ Conserve of the Flowers of
Dead Nettles, ℥ij. Roots of Orris, of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, of Drop-
wort, of each ʒß. Troches of Vipers, ℈j. with Syrup made of a strong
Decoction of Scrophulary-Roots, as much as may suffice to make it up
into form of an Electuary. These Specificks are held to operate by
sucking up and drying the strumous matter.
2. External : Where first Authors speak of insensible consumption
of the Matter and Tumour, which is most effectually done by Leaves of
Libanotis, Root Xyris, Leaves of Bupleurum, with Salt, Vermicularis,
or Wall-Pepper, Figwort, lesser Chelidone, Roots of stinking Gladon,
Fox-Gloves, Mugwort, Dasies, Valerian, Couslips, Orchis, Water-Pen-
ny-royal, wild Mint. &c. which applied, by a specifical force, cause solu-
tion of the Humours ; of which such an Oyntment may be composed, of
great force, ꝶ of Branch Ursine, Fox-Gloves, Pilewort, Roots of Scro-
phulary, of each ℥j. Leaves of Libanotis, ℈ij Mugwort, Roots of Erin-
go, Balm, Leaves of Bupleurum, Couslips, of each ʒß. Wax, ℥ß. Oyl
of milk, of Hartman, made by a Bladder of putrified milk, as much as
may seem sufficient for due consistence of an Oyntment.
Rondeletius sets down this Specifical, which he thinks not to be effe-
ctual from an occult property, as most think, but from a drying faculty ;
ꝶ of the Ashes of Agnus Castus, with the blew flower, the Skin of a Snake
cast off, of each ℥j. with Oyl of bitter Almonds, and a little Wax, make
an Unguent.
2. We must discuss by stronger Discutients, and specifical Resolvers,if
the former intention may not be to purpose ; Topicals that resolve scir-
rhous swellings, an Emplaister of Amoniacum and Bdellium dissolved in
Vinegar, and a portion of Quicksilver added, is very effectual. 2. The
Leaves


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 403
Leaves of the Cypress Tree, are said in three dayes to dissolve stru-
mous Swellings. 3. The Root of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, Leaves of
Libanotis Ashes of Vipers, and stinking Gladony made into an Em-
plaister, excels. 4. All these following may be reckoned for specifical
Resolvers, Vipers-Grass, Pilewort, Crowfor, Figwort, Garlick, Root
of Xyris Mugwort, Foxgloves, Savine, Wall-Pepper, Monks-Rubarb,
Horsmint, Ashes of Snailes, of Goats Dung, dead Nettles.
3.If Resolvers and Discutients do no good,it must be supperated. The
lesser Chelidone or Pilewort hath drawn out ℔ij. of Corruption in one
week, and cured : Roots of Althea, of White-Lillies, an Union
roasted in the Embers, are useful.
Suppuration is dangerous if the matter should turn inwardly, and
fall upon the Lungs ; unless all the matter be changed into Pus, we
may not open it, cut it ; and if they cannot well endure that, use a po-
tential Cautery, or burn it.
Some cut it in pieces, then sprinkle on it Devils-bit, Orpement, Vi-
triol, Vermilion, &c. and then take off all the dead flesh , the Ulcer
is then to be healed.
Also it is to be taken away with Ligature of Thred, or rather Hors-
hair, tyed about the bottom of the Tumour, and every day tyed hard-
der and harder, till it fall off ; which is chiefly to be done in those that
have slender roots, and be hanging.
Some apply Causticks and Septicks, and Corrodent Medicines, and
seem very rash therein : the parts about the Tumour are then diligently
to be bewared, left those strong Medicines should hurt and inflame
them, being sound.
Gargarisms of the Juyce of James-Wort, called Jacobæa, are com-
mended ; also of the Juyce of Spibed Loostrise.
Amulets of the Roots of Scrophulary, or Figwort, hung about the
Neck, are also good.
Guordonius saith, The Feet of a great Toad, being cut off when the Moon
is void of course, and hastens to conjunction of the Sun, being hung about the
Neck, cures the Kings Evil.
Rondeletius saith, To prick Struma, with the Root of a Parsnipt, cures,
and prohibites those that are growing hereto. Pliny saith, To do so with
the bone of the tail of a Sea-Frog-Fish, performs the same.
If they be ulcered, Hartmannus saith, They are most happily cured
with the ashes of Salamanders calcined in a pot, and sprinkled there-
upon.
An Unguent then to anoint them of greatest efficacy may thus be
prepared to consume and dry up the strumous matter, and correct its
quality.
E e e 2 ꝶ


404 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
ꝶ of the lesser Chelidone or Pilewort, ashes of Vipers, ashes of Snails,
of each ℥j. Burnt-lead ʒij. Roots of Scrophulary, of dead Nettles,
of each ℈ij. with Oyl and Wax make an Oyntment, and lay there-
upon a Plate of Lead.
The Kings of France especially, and the Kings of England, cure this
Evil with touching ; which Vertue is said to be given to Clodovens, the
first of that name, and of the Christian Kings of France, assoon as he
was baptized, and turned Christian, and so it lineally continued to all
his Successors ; of which the Kings of England were descended. The
manner of healing is to lay their hands upon it, saying in French, Te
Royte touche, et dieu te garrie, or guanit ; Rex te Tangis, & Deus te Sanat ;
In English, The King toucheth thee, but God maketh thee whole.
CHAP. II.
Of Corns.
COrns (called by the Latines, Clavus, Gemursa, and Morticini) are
hard and callous Tumours, bred in the Toes and Soals of the
Feet, from congestion of thick, humours, and pressure of the shoe.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the Soals of the Feet, and Toes, especially the little
Toe : sometimes they possess the Joynts, and are under the Nails.
CAUSE.
The Cause is galling, compressure, and straightness of the Shoe,
whereby gross humours by congestion, are retained there, and harden-
ed.
SIGNS.
Signes are evident to the sight ; They are very molestuous in going,
and sometimes have a very vehement pain, sometimes a Contusion
preceded.
PROG.
They are uncautulous Exterpation, sometimes brings a Gangreen,
and sometimes Inflamation and Convulsion, from cutting too deep
among the Ligaments and Tendones.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 405
DIFFERENCES.
Those in the Toes are called, Clavi, or Corns ; Those in the Soals of
the Feet, Calli, or hard brawny fleshy Tumours.
CURE
Cure Is by preparation of it for cutting, which is done by Emolients,
and renderers of it soft ; as raw Flesh laid to it for 24 hours.
If they fall in, they are raised high again with Dogs Urine, an Em-
plaister of red Wax, Eeles Blood, Oyl of Mercury of Snailes.
After preparation is made for Incision, and the Corn extracted by the
Root, we must fill up the hole with the Sand left at the bottom of a
Chamber-Pot, to hinder the regeneration of it again.
MEDICINES.
Medicines that take it away without Excision, is, 1. The Juyce of
Housleek, which is to be bathed on it several times, and a leaf of the
same Housleek worn to the Corn. 2. A second Specifical is the Pou-
der of the Root of Rest-harrow, mixt into an Oyntment, with Grease,
for Unction of the Corn, which in three dayes is said to fall there-
from. 3. A third is a black Snaile put into a linnen Rag, and torrifi-
ed by the Fire, and laid hot to the Corn, and so worn ; fomentation
also of the Juyce of Rhue, Marigolds, and Piantane, are recited
by some.
Rulandus holds this for a Sectet to take away Corns, ꝶ of the Oyl
of Brimstone ℥ß. ; the Corrosive Stone ʒij ; Seeds of Henbane 3j. ;
Opium ʒj. mix them.
Dioscorides saith, The Bark of the Willow-Tree burnt to Ashes, and
mixt with Vinegar, takes them away.
Lebotius commends the Gall of a Cow applyed in like manner,which
causes its extirpation by the Root.
The Prophylaxis is then to be instituted, which is done by Application
of Corrodent Medicines ; The Medicine of Rulandus asore rehearsed,
Coperas, &c. mixt in Emplaisters, or the Sand of Urine, may serve
to fill up the hole, and hinder regeneration of the Corn.
CHAP.


406
CHAP. III.
Of Bronchocele, or a Throat Rupture.
DEFINITION.
BRonchocele is a Tumour in the Throat, swelling out to a large space
betwixt the Trachea Arteria and the Skin, frow wind, or a slow
thick humour, made by Congestion.
NAMES.
It hath its Name from the Greeks word, Bronchos, signifying the
Throat, and Cele signifying a Rupture : The Latines call it Ramex, or
Hernia Gutturis, or Gatturosa ; The Arabians, Botium ; The Barbarians,
Crepatura and Ruptura ; In English it may most fitly be called, A Throat
Rupture.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the space in the forepart of the Throat, close to the
Trochea Arteria or Wind-Pipe, under the Skin and general Membrane :
And betwixt the Trachea Arteria, and Muscles of the Neck, some
doubt whether the Matter be contained betwixt the broad Muscle and
the Skin, or hid under the broad Muscle.
It is fourfold divided.
1. One is a Pneumatocele or a Rupture from Wind, whose Causes
are Wind ; as hapned to such as puff out their Cheeks vehemently with
Wind, and to such as void Excrements difficultly, to Women in a
difficult ejection of the Birth, and great clammours, whereby the sub-
jected Skin and Membrane are distended, and violently rent from the
Larinx, or the broad Muscle it self is seperated from the subjected
Parts ; hence a space being effected (viz. by the aforesaid, or others,
that cause such a violent distention of that part) from Fuga Cacui, a
flatulent matter breaks in violently, and elevates the Skin, and puffs it
up into a tumour.
SIGNS.
Whose Signs are these ; It is a tumour stretched forth, exercising a
large capacity, struck, it gives a sound, gives place to pressing of the
Fingers, but rises to its wonted height again suddenly, which is not so
in the following Differences; but herein a coherence of the Differences
is made, for that the Original of a Bronchocele, is allowed to be an eary
matter, first insinuating it self there, and distending ; to which other
humours


Of Evils and outward Ails. 407
humours are gathered, which are known by proper Signs.
As, 2. A Phlegmatocele, or Rupture from a stegmatick Juyce, or
mixed with Melancholly; which is familiar to the People of Piedmont,
and the Alpes, from unwholsom Waters there, specially from large
drinking of Snow Water, because most they drink at sometimes is mel-
ted Snow. Sometimes its most apparent Original is from stop of Na-
tural Excretions, as Menses or Hemorrhoids, which things either en-
creasing or heaping up a gross Pituitous, or commixt Melancholly mat-
ter, Nature expels it by degrees from the Head to the Larinx, or space
of the Throat under the Chin, by the hinder parts of the Ears, accord-
ing to Fernelius.
SIGNS.
It grows by degrees, and takes increment from a nourishment
communicated by certain Conduites (and not by the Veins) which
Nature hath destinated to such an use ; it is hard, and by touch may be
discerned not to be Wind ; which Platerus only allows to be the Cause
of Bronchocele, whom Sennertus reproves.
DIFFERENCES.
Of this also be several Differences, for one is like Steatoma, where-
in, with the fatty or honey like matter, be sometimes Hairs ; this as
the most tractable kind may be opened by a Cautery or Launcet,eschew-
ing the Veins, but where the matter is insinuated into the space of the
Muscles, there is no eradicating of it by Chyrurgery, which unless,
here is very dangerous, also if the tumour be more internal.
Another refers a kind of Aneurism, which is uncureable ; so are those
that come from the Birth and Infancy, those that are great Scirrhous
and Cancrous, repleat with many great melancholly Veins, are dan-
gerous, and not to be medled withal.
A third kind is Sarcocle, or a fleshly Rupture, Sirrhous, and re-
mains all the life time, unless maturely helped, which it is very hard
to be ; the Causes may be such as caused Phlegmatocele ; it is Cronical,
and discerned by touch and sight.
A fourth is, Hydrocele, or a Dropsie of the Throat, which is some-
times both Internally and Externally affected, from a waterish matter
collected there, Montanus cured it by Incision.
CURE General.
The Cure varies as the Causes ; but generally observe, 1. That
in the beginning, to stop the encrease of the Tumor, and repel
its nourishment, Astringents are convenient to be applyed. 2. To
respect


408 Of Evils and Outward Ails.
rescpect the Head from whence the matter is transmitted ; which is,
1. To be purged with general Cathatticks. 2. Dried and strengthen-
ed.
If it hath already taken its full growth, and is confirmed, we must use
Discussers, and Resolvers ; for a thick and hardned matter, Foment,
with Water of Nitrous Baths, or Sulphur ; an Oyntment of Goose-
grease, beaten with Hogs-grease, and applyed ; a Cataplasm of Bar-
ley Meal, with Oyl of Lillies, applyed hot ; an Emplaister of Diasul-
phur,may do good,applied upon a Plate of Lead besmeared with Quick-
silver, after friction of it, till it wax red ; the Roots of Garden Orrach
and Devils-bit, whether inwardly, by way of Gargarism, if the Tu-
mour be more inwardly, or outwardly used, are held to have a propri-
ety against inveterate and old Tumours in the Throat.
For a windy Matter, Carminative Discussers are most fitting, as
an Emplaister of Cummin-Seeds, Bay-Berries, Brimstone, Goats-
Dung and Honey.
See more for the Cure hereof, in the Chapter of Scrophula, or the
Kings Evil, for this many times is cured by the same that Scrophula's
are.
CHAP. IV.
Of Warts.
VVarts, called by the Greeks Acheochordines, Myrmecia and
Thymia by the Latins, Verrucæ, and Arabians, Boterale, are
little risings, or fleshy Excrescent Tumours, from a thick viscous mat-
ter insinuatcd there, and chiefly possessing the Hands.
CAUSE.
The general Cause of all kinds of them, is a thick melancholly
pituitous Blood, or from a Juyce destinated to the Skin and Cuticle to
be nourished by.
SIGNS.
They chiefly infest the Hands or Feet, sometimes the Thighes, Seat,
and Privities ; they are sometimes livid, and rough, and have a prick-
ing pain, and sometimes Ulcerate ; sometimes they are Malignant and
Cancerous.
CURE


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 409
CURE.
Medicines that are destinated to take away Warts, and held very
effectual and proper hereto, are very many and almost innumera-
ble.
The choicest and best approved, of which we here recite.
Johannes Hartmanus saith, The Water swiming upon the Trunk, of an
Oak, after it is cut, Cures, or takes away all manner of Warts,
Rondeletius commends the Root of Chelidone, beaten with Hogs-grease,
and applyed, to consume and take them away ; or the Blood of a Lizard de-
stilled, saith he, dries them. He also commends Agrimony applyed with
strong Vinegar, for taking them away.
Baptista Porta adviseth to rub them with the Head of an Eel that is very
bloody.
Fallopius commends rubbing of them with Willow Leaves, being first ba-
thed with the Juyce.
Paulus Ægineta, Reckons up abundance of Medicines that abolish
Warts, as Elatory, or the Juyce of Wild Cucumers mixed with Salt,
for bathing ; Juyce of Tithimales, Water issuing from the Green Twig
of the Vine, being laid in the Fire ; Niter, with the Urine of a Boy
that never yet exercised the sports of Venus ; Bark of Frankinsence with
Vinegar, and the like, too tedious, and not worth the time and pains
to rehearse them.
Rofellus praises Fomenting, with a Red Onion beaten with Salt.
Among Specificals, Zazintha, or Cichorea Verrucaria, so called,
from its Specifick force and vertue against Warts, is most excellent, and
ʒj. of the Seeds thereof given inwardly, in decrease of the Moon, are
held to extirpate and take away all kind of Warts, and excrescences of
Flesh whatsoever.
Miraldus saith, If they be rubbed with Leaves of the Fig Tree, and
afterward those Leaves be buried in a Dunghill to rot, so the Warts will in-
sensibly vanish away.
Others say the like of a piece of Raw Beef so used.
Proper also, and very effectual to take away Warts, are Leaves of
Agremone, Turnsoil, Chelidone, Marigolds, Purslane, Oleum Ana-
cardij ; stronger Medicines, and more sharp, which hurt the adjacent
tender Skin, unless it hath some desensatives, are, the Spurges, Pe-
phi. Tithimale, Aqua Fortis , with which Jacobus Primerose saith.
He cured himsef, whenas many other things were ineffectual Sulphur Vi-
vum.
Others extol unslaked Lime and Lixiuium ; or unslaked Lime and
black Soap, is held transcendent.
F f f Rondeletius


410 Of Evils and Outward Ails,
Rondeletius hath this Water, ꝶ of Salt of Amoniacum, Roman Vi-
triol, Rust of Brass, of each, ℥ij. Allum, ℥j. unslaked Lime, ℥ß.
let them be destilled in an Alembick, (Vinegar, or some quantity of
other Liquors being put thereto) throw away the first VVater, and re-
serve the second for use.
Herba Stellaria, or Starwort, is said to consume them in a very
short time ; the like is also said of the Juyce of Eldern Berries.
DIFFERENCES of VVarts are three fold.
1. The Greeks call some Acrochordones, having a more thin and
small Root, and a broader at the top, and higher ; it is so called, be-
cause it appears as if it hung by a small Cord.
Celsus saith. They often grow up many together, most troubling Children,
sometimes falling again of their own accord, they are sometimes thought to
be contagious.
CURE.
Their Cure is by Exertion, which where it may be done, doth quick-
ly Cure, saith Primerose, and is more safe then the actual Cautery : In
Galens time, some plucked them up with their Teeth, which put them
to much pain, but if they be clearly cut off, they have no root reserved
for growing again : some hold it the best to tie them with an Horse Hair,
or a Silk wet in Oil of Brimstone, and tied every day harder, till they
fall off of themselves ; some when they are thus tied hard about at the
Root with an Horse Hair, anoint their tops with an unguent of Honey
Vinegar, Juyce of Agrimony, of Purslane, with Doves Dung, and
Rust of Brass, or the Pouder of Savine, and Yellow Ocre, with Vine-
gar, and all the Medicines afore generally, proposed may (or most of
them) be useful here.
2. Myrmeciæ or common warts, they have a broader Basis ; the Roots
going deeply out, they are lower, hard, and scarce bigger then a Lu-
pine ; some be very flat : when they are felt on hard, they have a pain-
ful sense, like unto the bite of a Pismire or Ant, whence some call them
Formical ; they are sometimes painful ; they seldom cease of their own
accord, and being cut, often grow again.
Some Counsel to cut them up by the Roots with a sharp Razor, and
let them bleed, and then apply Bole, Allom, and sealed earth there-
upon ; others are rather against it, fearing thereby great Ulceration,
they having such broad roots.
If they be very hard, and not so sensible of feeling, Causticks to con-
sume them, are approved ; also close tying of them by the Roots with
Horse Hair, as afore directed for Achrochordon.
3. Thymon


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 411
3. Thymon or Thymia, so called, because it represents in colour the tops
of the Herb Thyme ; they are less than Achrochordones, but higher
than Myrmiciæ; they have a narrow foundation, and basis, but are red-
dish, rough, hard, and growing with a larger head, and are called Figs,
or Fig-warts ; they are not easily taken away by cutting the roots, yet
being inward : The rest is to be referred to Thymus, or the Fig of the
Fundament.
CHAP. V.
Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Atheroma, Stea-
toma, and Meliceris.
I. ATheroma is a Tumour contained in a Follicle, or proper Mem-
brane, and so called from the Greek word Athera, shewing the
quality of the Humour it consists of, viz. like Pap or Frumenty.
CAUSE.
The Cause is primary, as violent Causes, bruising, &c. or secundary,
as a pituitous Humour, and alimentary Juyce, or strange Bodies, as
Stones, Bones, Hair, or commixtion of various Bodies into one Folli-
cle, or Bladder.
SIGNS.
In figure it is long, 'tis harder then Meliceris to touch;and in crushing
or pressing of it with the finger, it returneth or riseth up again very slow-
ly : It is not hard, nor paining, nor is the natural colour of the Skin
changed thereby. These Tumours grow from small beginnings to great
Abscesses.
CURE.
In Cure, 'tis hard to digest Humours that are comprehended in a Cy-
stis, or Bladder : Suppuration and Excision is to be made by a Launcet
or potential Cautery, or Lapis infernalis, not purging out all the Humour
together ; the bag wherein the matter is, is to be artificially drawn out,
the Veins, Nerves and Arteries being specially bewared in the operation;
if the Bag or Follicle be left, or not consumed, more matter like the for-
mer will be gathered there ; then the wound is to be healed and cicatri-
ced.
II. Steatoma is the same, as to the Membrane or Follicle that the Hu-
mour is contained in, and as to the cause ; onely the matter of Steatoma
F f f 2 is


412 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
is like Suet, whence it had its name from the Greek word Stear, signify-
ing Suet,
SIGNS.
'Tis softer for the most part than the rest, it hath a larger Basis or bot-
tom ; pressure made by the finger riseth not up easily ; it is rounder
than Atheroma, and its substance is more thin.
CURE.
The Cure is the same with that of Atheroma.
III. Meliceris differs from Atheroma and Steatoma, because in Meli-
ceris the Humour contained in the Bag is like Honey, so called from
Meli, Honey ; it is round as Steatoma, yeilds to pressing of the fingers,
it looks more clear ; sometimes there is in it a gravelly hard matter.
CURE.
In Cure use Resolvers and Suppuraters ; if they do no good, then use
Chyrurgery, as is directed for Atheroma.
CHAP. VI.
Of Kibes, or Chilblanes.
KIbes or Chilblanes, called by the Greeks Chimethla, by the Latines
Perniones, are Tumours or Inflamations possessing the Hands or
Feet, arising in Winter-time, and chiefly to Children.
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Heel, or other parts of the Foot, the Fingers, or some-
times the back of the Hand.
CAUSE.
Cause is Winter-coldness, going in the Snow, too great straitness of
the Shoo, and whetting and galling of the Heel, therefrom attracting
Blood by painfulness.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs Diagnostick are first from the Tumour and redness, with great
itching that is present ; sometimes they come to an head, turn ulcerous,
and pour out a little Sanies ; sometimes they possess all the Fingers, and
part of the hand, are very troublesome, and loathing the fight.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ails. 413
DIFFERENCES.
One is not ulcerated, but an hard red itching Tumour, most troubling
at night, and is called a Chilblane.
Another is ulcerated, and very soar and smarting, and is called a
Kibe.
PROGNOSTICK.
The evil is diuturn, and though it ceases in Summer, yet it recurs in
Winter ; beating, or laceration of the Heel, is bad, for there is fear of
hurt of the thick Tendone that comes thither, which effects a Convul-
sion, and therefrom Death.
CURE.
Cure is double ; first for the Tumour, secondly for the Ulcer : for
the Tumour also Cure is twofold, 1. Preservative, 2. Curative.
Preservation is made by keeping of the Feet warm, by wearing of
Socks wet in Aqua-Vitæ, Foments of Salt Water, Decoction of Tur-
neps, Brine, Allom, Litharge, Oyl of Myrtles, &c.
Cure is done by putting into cold Water the diseased Member, which
drives away cold, even as we do to Apples and Eggs congealed ; and so
the cold being drawn forth, which is manifested from abatement of the
pricking pain, we must soment the part with Bay-berries and Rosema-
ry boiled in Milk.
Specifical, are Decoction of Turneps that are frozen, or the Liquor
of them, and Bay Salt baked first in an Oven, Tobacco-Leaves applied,
Oyl of Wax, a Bath of Brine most hot for friction and bathing of the ki-
bed Part ; an Emplaister of Galbanum, Neats Suet, and Gum Tragacanth,
the Juyce of Beets, of Water-Pennyroyal, of Venus Navil, Lentils,
Orobus, Roots of Burdocks, Ashes of the Wood of the Figtree, with
Grease, Oyl of Roses baked in an hollow Turnep, and a Cataplasm
made thereof ; a Liniment of Sulphur Vivum, and Oyl of Garlick, the
Feet or Hands held over for long time, and as hot as may be, to en-
dure the fume or smoak of Henbane half dry, and burnt, doth admirably
cure bloody falls, and the falling down of such humourous Blood into
those parts ; Typha, or Cats-Tail also applied, greatly helps, and Toad-
stools : If the Humours will not be discust, but ulcerate, after Mundisi-
catives, use Oyl of Roses baked in a Radish, Oyl of Tobacco, an Oynt-
ment of Cats-Tail, Gum Tragacanth and Oyl of Eggs ; some are cured
by holding their Feet over coals, as hot as they can endure, for several
times, and then they come not to maturation. When the part becomes
in a manner mortified, we must use such Medicines as arc prevalent in
Gangrenes.
CHAP.


414 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
CHAP. VII.
Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek.
DEFINITION.
PAronychia is an hot and paining Tumour risen in the ends of the
Fingers to the Nails.
NAMES.
The Greeks call these Apostems and Paronychia, and Paneris ; but Riola-
nnus saith,'tis Panaritium Arabum that affects the Tendons and Nerves at
the fingers end ; and that Paronychia of the Greeks is a light Affect, viz.
onely fissure to the root of the Nail ; the Latins call it Reduvia, the
vulgar English have many Names for it, as an Andicome, Fellone, Whit-
low, or Nail-Wheal.
CAUSE.
Cause is adust Blood and Melancholy, very hot, and participating of
a malign quality, sent thither by Nature, and afflicting the Nerves and
Tendons.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
They are known by sight ; there is great pain from the nervous parts
being affected, that it sometimes extends it self throughout the whole
Arm, and makes the Affected very impatient ; there is intimation, and
sometimes a Feaver.
PROGNOSTICKS.
From greatness of pain there is sometimes made so great Symptoms
and disquietings of Nature, that death hath ensued to some.
It sometimes comes to Suppuration, and breaks ; sometimes the mat-
ter being kept within, corrupteth and rotteth both Bones, Ligaments,
and Membranes ; and then if this be already done, we must use cutting.
CURE
Cure is to begin from evacuation of hurtful Humours, which is done
by Phlebotomy, and Catharticks.
2. We must respect the Symptom, and lenisy the fierceness of pain,
for which a Cataplasm of the Leaves of Mandrakes and Henbane boiled
and mixed with Hogs-Grease.
3. Suppuraters are to be insisted upon, to bring it to maturation as
soon as may be ; Repellers are to be shunned, lest pain should be exaspe-
rated therefrom, and the Humours impacted in the part.
Oleum


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 415
Oleum Saturni is helpful, and Bay-Salt with Yolks of Eggs applied,
Whitlow-Grass, and Roots of Briony ; of which may Oyls, Oyntments
and Emplaisters be made, or Ear-Wax, with the Skin of an Eel.
If these avail not, nor will it yet break, it must be opened with a Pen-
knife, and all the matter throughly purged out ; then the Ulcer must be
cleansed, and healed with fit Topicals.
CHAP. VIII.
Of Ecchymoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or Livor, in
Latin ; in English signifying black and blew Marks , or
Discoloration of the Skin, from Bruises,or other wayes.
ECchymoma with the Greeks, Sugillatio or Livor with the Latins, is an
effusion of Blood to the outward Skin, effecting a blackish blew co-
lour, or livid, in that part.
CAUSE.
Causes are blows, causing the effusion of Blood, which being sent to
the Skin, there becomes of a livid colour ; also from Anastamosis ; Dia-
pedesis, and Diæresis of the Veins.
SIGNS.
'Tis discerned best by sight ; it happens commonly from a blow upon
the tender flesh, betwixt the Eye and Nose.
CURE.
If the Affect be great, left Inflamation should be stirred up, we must
let Blood.
2. Use Repellers mixt with Discutients.
3. Digesters, the Root of Solomon's Seal, Leaves of Argemone, Scur-
vy-grass, black Briony, hot Arsmart, fresh Flower-de-luce-roots, Avens,
Daysie-roots, Seeds of Ammy, or Bishops-Weed, Sopewort, Ashes of
Bean Stalks, stinking Gladon, &c. are most excellent to take away the
black and blew Marks made from eruption of Blood or Humours, whe-
ther by Bruises or otherwise.
If it be greater,and Digesters profit not, we must use Medicines ten-
ding to maturate, and Cupping-Glasses are sometimes useful ; and open
it, left the matter corrupt the part, or a Fistula or hollow Ulcer be made.
If a Gangrene be suspected, the part is to be scarrified, and washed
with hot Vinegar.
FINIS.




















THE 
Practice of Physick, 
OR 
The Law of GOD (called NATURE) 
IN THE
BODY of Man:
Confuting by manifest and manifold Experiences of 
many learned Men, as well as the Authors, the Rules and Methods 
concerning Sicknesses and Changes in Mans Body, delivered by the An-
tient Physicians, and Moderns that followed them : Shewing also what 
the Order and Method of Nature is, as well as what it is not: With a full 
and fair Examination of their Causes, Inwardly detected, by manifold 
Dissections; and Outwardly, by Symptoms, and Philosophical Demonstra- 
tions ; With their Differences, Prognosticks, Methods and Medicines, 
curing them ; verified by Experience and Reason. 
SET FORTH
I. In a Monitory Proœmium wherein be Reasons for, and Experiences 
in the Stars, influencing upon, and altering our Bodies. 
II. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
III. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
IV. ln Tractate of Dropsies. 
ALSO 
In the Second Part pf this Book is a Practice of Physick, drawn from the 
best of Moderns, and compleatly treating of those Diseases 
specified in the Table. 
to which is added, A Treatise of Diseases from WITCHCRAFT. 
By William Drage, Med. & Philos at Hitchin in Hartfordshire.
LONDON, Printed for George Calvert, at the Half-Moon 
in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1666.



WILLIAM DRAGE D.P. 
HIS  
Monitory Proæmium 
To the Candid Readers.
MAny when they shall read in Riverius, Sen-
nertus, Primrose, Rondeletius, Stocherus, John- 
stonus, and others, that there are no more Dis- 
eases treated of in such a Part or Bowel, will 
presently imagine that there are no more or 
other Distempers of that Part or Bowel, than 
what they have writ in their Practices of Phy- 
sick, especially writing so numerously one 
after another of the same, and often of all the 
same, and no more than same Diseases
also the Reader will imagine that all the 
Causes, and no more than they that Authors set down, are in all Bodies 
that have such a Disease, and that all that have that Disease must be 
just in such an Order, or so handled, as Practical Authors have delive- 
red : Moreover, the Reader reading such and such Prognostick signes 
to be good, and such to be tokens of death, by the description of Pra- 
ctices of Physick, will imagine that it should always (if he be a young 
Practitioner) so fall out : Moreover, for Diagnostick signes, the Rea- 
der will imagine a Disease, as the Inflamation of the Liver, or Ob-
A2  struction  

4  A Monitory Proæmium.
obstruction of the Spleen, &c. should have all and onely those Diagno- 
stick signes that practical Authors have delivered, and that the Infla- 
mation or Obstruction must be just so and such a one as they have deli- 
vered. 
Also for the Cure: When the young Practitioner reads such a Me- 
dicine will cure, or such a Receipt never fails, or by this or that me- 
thod 20 have been cured, he imagines he can cure all, and that such Me- 
dicines are certain Cures, and such a method is alike successful in all Bo- 
dies, and that a Jaundice, Dropsie, Cough, Gout, &c. is just one and the 
same in all Persons, and therefore as he expects all persons to have such, 
all such, no more nor no other signs, causes, nor prognosticks of their sick- 
ness, or such a particular Disease, than what Authors have one after ano- 
ther set down in their Practices of Physick: so also the Cure he expects to 
be the same in all: as for Example: He may read in Jo. Hartman his Pra- 
ctica Chymlatrica, & in the Chapter of the Cholick ; Ponater in Colica mag- 
nes super umbilicum & statim cessabit dolor : Let the Loadstone be put up- 
on the Navil of one that hath the Cholick, and the pain will instantly 
cease. Riverius in his Practice of Physick, and Chapter of the Epilep- 
sie, hath this ; Radix Valerianæ Sylestrius a Fabio Columna, tantopere cele- 
bratur, ut semel aut bis exhibita ab Epilepsia liberare affirmarunt, referique se 
hanc multis amicis dono dedisse, qui deindè divino priùs numinme & fautore 
glorificato, pulvere hujus Radicis fibi restitutam sanitatem affirmarunt ; dosis 
autem est Cochleare semis cum Vino, Aqua, Lacte, aut quovvis liquor ap- 
propriato, pueris vero in minori dose cum Lacte datur : In English, The 
Root of wild Valerian is exceedingly praised by Fabius Columna so that 
once or twice given, he affirms it will cure them of the falling sick- 
ness ; and he saith, That he hath given this to many Friends, who did 
restore Health to themselves, glorifying God : its Dose is half a spoon- 
ful with Wine, Water, Milk, or any appropriated liquor ; to Children 
it is given in less quantity, in Milk. Jacobus Sylvius in his Methodus 
Curandi, and Chapter of the Jaundice, hath this ; Prassti item decosti ex 
vino albo tenni unciæ quatuor Saccharatæ matutinis aliquot, potæ, omnem icte- 
rum sanant: That is, Four ounces of the Decoction of Horehouud gi- 
ven in white Wine sugared, for several Mornings, cures every Jaundice. 
We mention onely these for Example, for a thousand such may be seen 
in Authors; and when the young Practitioner reads them, he doth pre- 
sently conceive he must, as these write, cure all such Diseases by such 
Medicines or Methods ; but he shall be deceived : yet often such 
Cures have been ; but Authors have deceived, by not telling how oft 
such a Medicine hath failed, as well as how oft it hath cured : for there 
is no Medicine in use, but hath cured some, and there is none so excel-
lent

A Monitory PROæIUM.  5
lent as to cure all; nor are all Diseases, though never so slight, curable ; 
nor are all diseases, though never so dangerous and grievous, always 
and in all incurable. 
Candid Reader, It Is my zealous desire to Truth that thou shouldest 
really and truly understand all these things, and when thou readest any 
Author know thereby how to judge of them : For the Moderns, who 
come nigher to Truth in their Practices of Physick, than the Ancients, 
or Galen or Hippocrates, are very much misled. I chiefly commend 
Felix Platerus in his Practice of Physick, who followed his own Experi- 
ence and Observations, though his own Experience was insufficient to 
demonstrate the Truth, all the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, in 
all Diseases. I have been much troubled to see how superstitiously Phy- 
sicians have been led by the Traditition of Galen, Hippocrates, Erius,
Ægineta and Others. 
I. For their Names given to Diseases, therein was much disorder :
Some they called from the Cause, others from the Effects or Symptoms; 
some they called Obstructions or Scirrhs, or Inflammations of the Liver, 
Spleen or Lungs, those were denominated from the Cause ; some they 
called Swounding, Panting of the Heart, Epilepsie, Convulsion, &c. 
these were so called from the apparant affliction or outward appearance, 
whenas the cause of each of these Symptoms or Effects was various, 
physicians having reckoned so many Diseases of the Lungs, as a Cough, 
Phthisick, Pleurisie, spitting of Blood, Empyema, or spitting of Mat- 
ter, Peripneumonia and Asthma ; divers Physicians reading them, will 
think, as formerly they have, (for so it is best judging what will be, by 
what hath been) that every Disease of the Lungs is one of these, and 
that the Lungs can be affected in no other manner than in one of these 
Diseases; and in that Disease, so for Order and Measure as Authors 
have in their Practices of Physick described : How great an Errour and 
Mistake is it in the generality of Practical Physicians coming to a Pati- 
ent, if they finde it a Disease of the Lungs presently to conclude it one 
of those Physicians have writ Chapters of? As, If it be not an Empye- 
ma, it must be a Phthysick ; if it be not the Phthysick or Consumption 
of the Lungs, it is an Asthma ; if it be not reckonable as an Asth- 
ma, it must be proceeded against in cure, by the directions in the Chap- 
ters of Coughs ; if none of these, then it must be Hæmoptoe, and cu- 
red just as the Practical Chapters of Hæmoptoe direct : Nature runs 
not in these Orders, Nature is not bound up to such Rules, we shall 
hardly finde two in any one Disease exactly alike ; yet those that have 
exquisite Pleurisies do the most concur in Symptoms of any Diseases I 
know, nor are the Causes of an Empyema, Hæmoptoe, Pthisis, Tus- 
sis

6  A Monitory PROæIUM.
sis, Asthma, &c. such and so many, no more, nor no others than what 
Practical Physicians have writ; but there be many Causes, and diverse 
from those the Ancients especially took notice of, to produce the Disea- 
fes they write ; and consquently the Signs, Prognosticks and Cure 
must vary, where the Causes do so vary, Nature not running in that 
Method as the Ancients, and also the Moderns, dancing after their 
Pipes, have imagined. 
2. As to the Definition of Diseases : In some Bodies and in some 
Diseases accidentally they may prove exactly true, but for the most 
part they do not: for where there are such difference of Diseases that 
they can neither properly be called one or another that are writ down in 
Practices, and where the Causes in each Disease may be so contrary and 
manifold, it will necessarily follow, the Signs much vary, and there is 
the Definition chiefly grounded on the cause and signs, the Foundation 
of any thing being infirm or corrupted, the Superstructure must needs 
be infirm and instable : but I say accidentally, in some Diseases, in 
some Bodies, at some times, we may meet with an exact coherence of the 
definition of that Disease with the Parties case, which being the suming
up of the Disease, and the most general and chief causes and signs that 
happen to most in that Disease, it is much (if Nature did go to a Rule, 
and was bound up to a Method) so few should be found (amongst many 
sick persons that have Diseases) correspondent exactly to the Definiti- 
ons in Practices of Physick.
3. For the Causes of Diseases: Physicians went huge conjecturally 
to work, and guessed by outward appearances what must be inward, and 
by the Effect they did judge the Cause, the contrary to which, is the 
way to finde out Truth; they did not use to anatomize and see the 
wonderful variety there is in dead Bodies, and how Nature follows no 
Method in Diseases: As for instance, In Diseases of the Heart, the 
Ancients, and so recent Authors, have set down two, viz. Swounding 
and Palpitation, now Experience hath found thorough Dissection, that 
Side-pains, Bastard-Pleurisies, Gripings, Aguish distempers, Symptoms 
of Worms, Symptoms of ill Digestion, and Singultus &c. do arise of- 
ten from the Heart, as well as Vicine parts; and Experience hath 
fully shewn that the Heart is not affected as the Ancients thought com- 
monly and most often ; yet this we shall allow the Ancients and Mo- 
derns that have followed unquestioned Tradition, that the Heart is 
sometimes affected with one or more of those causes they attribute to 
it, and the more in casual and intermitting Distempers of it, but in 
confirmed Distempers of the Heart, or the same will hold of all the 
other Bowels, onely we instance in one ; the causes were Ulcers, or 
Worms,

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  7 
Worms, or Stones, or Bones, or clottered Blood, or mutation of the Si- 
tuation, or Consumption of the Parenchyma, or swiming in serous 
matter in the Pericardion, or absence of the Pericardion, wasted tho- 
row Diseases; or the growing amiss of the Heart, either for 
magnitude or figure, or other adnascences of fangous Flesh, or Scirrhs, 
or growing to the Lungs, &e. this is intended for all Bowels, in which 
the Ancients were as much mistaken as in the Heart ; all Bowels, as Li- 
ver, Spleen, Middriff, Lungs, Gall, Pancreas, Mesenters, Uterus and 
Testes, have variety of Diseases, found by opening of diseased Bodies 
after their deaths, which the Ancients did not know, nor could finde by 
conjecture, nor in any of these is Nature bound up to a Rule and Me- 
thod ; for in one the Liver is full of little stones, in another one 
great stone hangs appendent to it, in another is an Aposthumation, in 
another is an Aposthumation of another kinde, in a third may be also oan 
Aposthumation of the Liver, yet differing from either of the former, in 
one it suppurates, in another it turns a Schirr, or hard Boil, in another it 
turns stony,and in others Glandules, such wonderful variety there is in 
the progress and changes of Diseases, even as the outward Signs in 
many sick Persons do demonstrate by their frequent changes ; in some 
the Liver is burnt up as it were, and parched, in others it is found 
quite wasted, in others it is found thrice as big as usually, specially in 
consumption of the Lungs, where the Liver grows out to fill up the 
void space, the Diaphragm yeilding : Sometimes the Liver is enfissu- 
red or cloven, and in it are many Bladders of Water, sometimes it is 
corrupted, and hath many small Aposthumes or Abscesses of black Cor- 
ruption or Sanies, sometimes it looketh pale, sometimes is grown to 
some Vicine Part, sometimes one part of it is quite fangous, or quite 
consumed, the other part being intire ; and thus for other Bowels, they 
have the like. 
Object. These are found so sometimes, and looked upon an singular Cases, 
and where strange Symptoms have been in a Body, Physicians have opened such, 
and not so commonly others, that died in ordinary manners ; and also many 
have sicknesses, pains and affects that come and go often in their Life-time, 
and there is likely no such Transmutation, Corruption or Consumption of the 
Bowels, and for these the causes assigned by the Ancients, as Galen, Hippo- 
crates, Celsus, Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, Etius and Others, might hold 
good : For those things that cause Death, might not cause curable Diseases, 
for they are not fixed likely in the Parenchyma of the Bowels. 
Answ. I think there is nothing else that can be alledged for the An -
cients, and the Moderns that have followed them : 
1. It is not sometime and as a wonder that they are found so, but 
com-

8 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
commonly and in most; and to satisfie my Reader, let him open the 
twenty next Patients that die under his hands, and he will see in all of 
them singular things, as to what the Ancients writ, and will also finde 
that Nature is not bound up to a Method, or such an Order as some will 
have ; the more any man desires to be satisfied of the Causes or Signs 
that happen in Hydropicks, and the part or parts affected, and how, the 
more he shall admire, seeing still strange and wonderful variety ; and if 
so much in one Disease, what Method doth Nature go in for different 
Diseases ? Beyond-Sea they open such as they can get leave for, even 
as it happens, and strange things to the Sons of Superstition and Tra- 
dition, are familiar, and most commonly seen by the Sons of Experi- 
ence. 
2. For the most part those things that in an extream degree cause death, 
in a mean or middle degree cause a Disease; so do Worms, Stones, 
Aposthumes, Hydropick Bladders, Glandula’s, Adhæsion, Corruption, 
Consumption, Excrescence, &c. of the inward Bowels, all these in a 
remits degree cause a Sickness or a Disease, and the self-same in an 
higher degree cause Death : Yet I confess windy Inflations, Indigesti- 
on, corruption o£ the Fæces, and intermittent Evils, do often come 
from Humours in the first Wayes, and Vapours, and Putrifaction, and 
too swift Excretion, or strong Retention, nor in many that die of ma- 
lignant Diseases may alteration in their Bowels be seen, because it was 
a venomous Quality that killed them, and sometimes so suddenly that 
no Bowel can be so soon labifactated. 
3. The Ancients were apparantly out; to write onely of the Disease 
of the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder, and so for the place and kinds 
of Worms; there is no peculiarity in the Kidneys or Bladder to have 
the Stone, they are frequently found in the Gall, Stomack, Lungs, 
Head, Liver, Uterus, and Joynts, and outward parts : and those things 
that are generated in the outward Flesh, as Spots, Tubercles, Boils, 
Carnous Excrescences, Struma’s, Glandula’s, Worms, Stones, Phly- 
ctenæ, Bladders of Water, &c. are also frequently found in the inward 
Bowels. As for the Stone, as to the place, and kindes, and causes of 
it, so for Worms were the Ancients out, and all the Moderns that have 
pinn’d their Faith on their Sleeves; commonly we confess the ordinary 
Worms incident to Children are found in the Body, commonly they 
are in the Guts or Stomack, and Ascarades or Bots are often in the Bo- 
dy, yet nothing so frequent as the ordinary Worms Children void ; 
twenty have the ordinary Worms, to one that hath Ascarades or Maggot- 
Worms; the Ancients did some of them mention the Tænia or Lumbri- 
cus larus, or broad Worm, fifteen or sixteen Ells long, the length of all 
the

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  9
the Guts, and these were all: Now by Anatomizing the Dead, and by 
other Excretions of Creatures, it is found that Worms of all sorts 
in all parts of the Body, and some are referable to Terrestrial Crea- 
tures ; but because they have no seed from any Creature, for the most 
part they have no coherence of form ; some are footed like Quadrupe- 
des, some Bi-pedes, some crawling Worms, some hairy, some like Newts, 
some exact Maggots, some like Milli-pedes, or Wood-lice, some large 
like Serpents, &c. There is a wonderful variety in these things, and 
we have heard of Serpents in two or three, found in Englishmen of late 
years, of the Lumbricus latus, Cray-fish in similitude, vomited by a child. 
Worms in the Face, &c. by which we justifie Authors : But we have 
written a Chapter of these Creatures in our Physiology and Jatrosophy, 
a Work that can never be too much read, or studied. 
What shall we say ? doth Nature proceed in no Method, or Order, 
or Coherence in causing Diseases? Yes, there is some, but not as for- 
mer Ages have generally supposed; it is the spirit and quality of that 
spirit in every living, moving, and growing Being, that is the Cause, 
and wherein is the Method ; and the Stars, principally the Planets and 
Moon, by the Air, alter the quality of the Humours in our Body, and 
thence comes such variety in our Bodies : but yet if the Inward Cause 
in our Bodies comply not with the Outward, there is nothing done ; the 
quality of the Air by its seeds sown incur Humours or Blood, trans- 
mutes or changes them into the nature of the Seeds, the Blood findes a 
matter in it whose Spirit is of a quality Heterogenious and Heteropathe- 
tical to the Blood, and so works to throw off its Enemy ; and in the Pox, 
Measles, Plague, and Purples, it throws off that Heterogenious matter 
by the Skin, Pores, or Habit of the Body; but where the matter in the 
Blood is not so venemous, or exceeding adverse qualited to our Nature, 
the Veins throw it off on some part: for in the Body like draws like to 
it, as in the Earth, and Terrene Things, and puts off or separates any 
matter that is of a quality adverse or contrary to the Blood and Nature 
of the Spirits constituting our vitality : Now we see Water in the Blood, 
sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner, sometimes limpid, sometimes 
oleaginous, sometimes yellow, sometimes black, &c. and yet because 
this Humour hath not a quality Heterogenious to the Blood, it rests very 
well in the Blood, and is not endeavoured by Nature to be cast off, nor 
causes any Disease, for a thing that looks exactly as another, may be no- 
thing like it in nature, so Sperma Humanum, and some glutinous and 
thick Flegm we raise from our Lungs or Palate of our Mouth, look ex- 
actly alike, and are in confidence the same ; and yet there is a Spirit of 
an enlivening nature in the Sperma Humanum and onely a cold stupify-
ing 

10 A Monitory PROæMIUM
ing quality in the pituitous matter; fo Stibium, and the red Glass of 
Church-Windows, may in taste, smell, look and confidence of Body be 
the same, and yet there is a purgative Virtue or Quality in Stibium that 
the Glass hath not : So for Alabaster and some pieces of Arsenick, how 
much do they differ in quality, and how little in bodily appearance? So 
in the Body of Man, if we could see the Humours and affected Parts, 
and the current of the Blood, we could not tell whether People would 
live or die of those Distempers, or how they would change, or what 
they would become for the most part: for an Humour looking like ano- 
ther in an abscess of the Liver, Spleen, Reins, or Lungs, shall not raise 
Symptoms alike, nor work alike, became the quality that is in it, alters 
it and works it; in one abscess there is a petrifying quality, and that turns 
all the matter in a little time into perfect stone, one or many ; in ano- 
ther Abscess, Ulcer, Aposthume or Tubercle of any of these Bowels, 
the matter looking the same with the former, is a vivifying spirit, and 
that matter takes some or other strange and commonly different form, 
and enlivens and increases; another Abscess hath a matter like the for- 
mer, but in this is an Earthy Gummy Spirit, and insipid, and this turns 
all the matter into a Caruncle or Fungus, or if it be a little otherwise 
qualified, a Glandule, or many Kernels ; in another Abscess is a fermen- 
ting qualitied spirit, and that makes them Aguish, and this differs 
hugely in quality inter se ; for some fermentative matter is colder and 
duller, because it wants the sharp and hot spirit that is in other Hu- 
mours, and this causeth colder Agues ; the sharper and hotter the spirit 
in this matter is, the hotter is the Ague : therefore many times they that 
drink much strong. Water make a cold Ague all hot Fits. Again, this 
matter differs in the peculiarity of the quality, some fermenting twice 
in one day, some once in twenty four hours, some once in two days, 
and some but once in three or four days : In another Excrementitious 
Matter is an Ossifick quality, and then a Bone is generated of the big- 
ness and shape with the Excrementitious Matter, for the Ossifick Spirit 
transmutes it as it lies ; even as our Wells in England, and Earth about 
Shefford, turns the Wood into perfect Stone in the same figure it was ; 
and to a few Grains of Ens Auri, or Essence of Gold, transmutes 
much Lead or Quicksilver into perfect Gold ; we see multitude of Ex- 
amples from Seeds thrown into the Ground, or Animals Semen, either 
injected into Uterusses, or laid in Flesh, Mud or Earth, or Fruits, 
which works upon the fit matter it is in, and turns it into the form of 
the Creature from whom this Seed came, and it enlivens. And the 
Stars do very much qualifie and alter the Seeds in our Humours : Hence 
it is that often Coughs, malignant Pleurisies, Quinzies, malignant Ter- 
tians,


A Monitory PROæMIUM  11
tians, and divers strange confused kindes of Agues, are Epidemical; 
and I have observed the mutations in divers Diseases to be from the 
Moon, and the other Planets, especially that Planet that was Lord of 
the First and Sixth House, at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; and a Pra- 
ctioner of Physick in this Town told me, when he had a long sickness, 
he could always tell when his Paroxisms , or times of greater illness 
would be, when the Sun was afflicted by the Body or Aspect of Saturn, 
or his Signficator afflicted ; and did not Venus stand his Friend in ma- 
ny such evil Aspects, he thought he should have died. 
Now such a Method doth Nature observe, that it is the casual influ- 
ence of the Planets (simply, or conjoyned with fixed Stars of the great- 
er Magnitudes,that are milde or gentle-natured) upon our Blood and Hu- 
mours, and as the quantity and quality of our Blood and Humours vary, 
so the Stars act variously : for the Agent can do nothing, if the Patient 
is not fit; and one Planet doth not so powerfully alter one mans Body as 
anothers, because in one it was his Significator at his Nativity, in the 
other a Significator of his Fortune, in another a Significator of his Re- 
ligion at his Nativity; and so though our Humours and Constitutions 
are much alike, yet in this respect the Planets vary. There is natural- 
ly in some matter, a greater proneness and aptitude to petrify ; in other, 
to ossify ; in other, to vivify or animate ; in other, to carnify ; in other, 
to sanguify ; in other, to lactify ; in other, to spermafy and crinify : 
and though the greater number of Planets that are stongest at such a 
time, do dispose the Humours to putrify or vermify, (for at sometimes 
both old Folks and Children have Worms more than in other seasons) 
yet in all Bodies there be not those Humours; and in all Bodies that those 
Humours be, yet there is not in them a like putrifying quality ; At such 
a time Venus is Lady of the Ascendant, commands Jupiter, Mars, the 
Moon, &c. in her House, is strongest of any in the Scheam, and yet all 
men at this time are not Veneriously inclined, for some are never 
libidinous ; yet at this time they may be more libidinous than others ; 
and at such a time an evil-minded men is the likelier to accomplish his 
incestuous Desires. VVe see huge mutations and changes dayly and 
hourly, sometimes in some sick persons, and how do these come, but from 
the motion of the Morbifick Cause ? and how is that changed and mo- 
ved so strangely, but by the Attoms in the Air, drawn into our Body in 
our Breath, which are qualified from the Planets ? 
We have in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, sufficient- 
ly demonstrated the force of the Heavens on all sublunary Beings ; but 
we will here adde some more ; Whence is it in Moon-Ey'd Horses their 
Eye or Eyes grow full at full Moon,and then they are bind; and as the
B 2  Moon 


12  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moon decreases, they decrease, and then they see better ? Many Coun- 
trey-mens Experience attests this. 
2. Concerning the alteration of Diseases, changing of Symptoms, 
and of all diseased Parts, dying and growing sick, it is apparantly seen 
in some Diseases by the alteration of the Moon, and divers have told 
me, That when the Plague did rage in this Town of Hitchin, most fell 
sick or died at change of the Moon, or full Moon, and four or five were 
buried then together, and when the Moon was at her full state, was the 
sickness in many in its Crisis or Exaltation; and it is apparant to many 
intelligent Physicians, that our Bodies are fuller of moisture at full 
Moon, than other times; and Experience shews us, the Epileptick and 
Convulsive have fits at full Moon commonly, and the Reason may be, 
because water in the Brain is oft found by Dissection to cause Epilepsies, 
and other Diseases, which the Practical Physicians hitherto did not ima- 
gine: NoW we know the Moon rules over Moisture much, witness the Eb- 
bing and Flowing of the Sea; doth it not in divers places of this Land 
increase and swell higher at full Moon, and in the declination of the 
Moon fall, and sink lower ? 
Moreover the monthly Fluxes of Women, or Menstrues, are caused 
partly by the Moons influence, and partly by a created aptitude or na- 
tural faculty in them; we see often they are, when stopt, easilier pro- 
voked at full Moon, than in its declination; the Moon rules princi- 
pally in Moisture, and principally in the Moisture of Feminines, for she 
is a Feminine Planet; yet in Men the Hæmorrhoids are periodical some- 
times and monthly, and some have (but rarely) a Fluxus Sanguinis per 
Penem monthly. 
Farmers did observe in these late years of Infection amongst Horses, 
that their Horses sickened or died familiarly at New or Full Moon : is 
not the Disease Lunatick so called from the Moon, for that at full Moon 
they are afflicted monthly ? and Physicians have observed Catarrhs and 
Defluxions to rise or fall from the Moon, and to be governed much 
thereby. Guainerius did observe one spake a strange Tongue he never 
learned, in New Moons; and other melancholy persons have at such 
changes of the Moon alone spake a strange Language they never learn- 
ed : If any think we speak slightly or conjecturally of many of these
things, let them search in their proper Chapters Examples in our Physi- 
logy, and they shall see them confirmed. It is written of the Clupæa 
Fish in Sagona, a River of France, that in the encrease of the Moon it 
is white, and in its decrease black : So the Piscis Lunaris, or Luna-fish, 
is so appellated from the strange alteration the changes of the Moon 
makes in her, and her figure : We might be numerous in Examples. 
Pliny


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  13
Pliny lib.2.cap.4l. writes, That at Full Moon, Oysters, Shell-fish 
and Periwinckles increase, but decrease at decrease of the Moon. 
Kekerman, l. c. saith, The Skins of Sea-Calves and Sobles are stiff with 
the standing upright of the Hair, when the Moon increases ; but in the 
Moon decreasing, they grow weak and fall down. 
Dropsical People are often most molested at Full Moons, and there- 
fore at that time, saith Johannes Johnstodynus, they commonly die; and 
then it took away that Reverend Man, D. Martin Gratianus, Superin- 
tendent of the Reformed Churches in Greater Poland. 
Libavius, Epist.15. Schnitzer, saith, It is better to give Medicines a- 
gainst Epilepsies the day after, than in the Opposition of the Luminaries; for 
in the hour of ☌ the Moon is quiet, but afterward the works and begins 
to augment the Humours. 
We shall not give Examples here of the force and quality of the Moon 
in Nativities to dispose mens Bodies and Mindes ; nor of the Vulgars ob- 
servation in cutting of Cocks , nor shall we insist on its force upon in- 
animate things, to cause fulness & flaccing, juyciness and driness, as that 
increases or wanes; as, in Vines, Onyons, Palm-Trees, Basil, Lapis 
Selenites. Keckerman, Disp.Phys.3.Coroll.11. saith, Lillies and Roses open 
their Buttons or Heads in the night alone, as loving the Moon; and Marigolds, 
Tulips, &c. open onely to the Sun, and shut up against the Moon : Nor shall 
we here dispute (as we might finde matter and occasion largely to do) 
of the peculiar Government of Plants by Rich and such Planets, and 
how they are fuller of Virtue pulled up at such a time, whenas the Pla- 
net governing them is Essentially fortified, than at another time: 
Not yet shall we here speak much of Sigils and Telesms insculpt in Wax 
or other impressible matter, the Seal made at a fit time, according to the 
Position of the Heavens, and the Engraving or Impress of that Seal 
must be at a due time, as the Planet governing the Disease, and Lord 
of the Hour, are Essentially fortified, aspected by Others, and seated in 
significant Houses, and accordingly hung about the sick party. In our 
Philosophical Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, and 
in the last of these have we treated of Sigils and Telesms ; whither the 
Reader may have recourse. 
The Moon indeed is most generally significant in all Distempers, of 
all the Planets; and in every Scheme we take of sickness, the Moon and 
her Dignity, and House, and Sign she is in, and to whom she applies, is 
very considerable, next to the Lord of the Ascendant, Signifier of the 
sick Person, and Lord of the sixth House, Significator of his Sickness, 
and Lord of the Eighth, Significator of Death ; yet the Sun in the next 
place, of all the Planets, hath most influence upon our Bodies ; and by 
his


14  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
his heat and warmth more than other Planets, he enlivens and alters 
most Animate and Vegetative Bodies ; as also by Light: Now if the 
Sun, having in it the seed of Light, can enlighten the Stars and Moon, as 
they approach him ; and when the Moon is gone a good distance and 
while from the Sun, the seminary Principle of Light it received from 
the Sun, dies by degrees, until it comes to the Sun again and then the 
Moon receives fresh Seeds of Light, which grow (as the Seeds of Infc- 
&ion taken into our Bodies) to maturity, which is when she is run half 
her course, and just opposite to the Sun, then is the Moon at the Full, 
and the Seeds of Light like our Life, and the maturity of our Age ; and 
other Animals and Vegetables are as long a declining or dying, as en- 
creasing and growing to maturity ; and no question this of the Sun and 
Moon is a great cause of the maturation and corruption of Bodies, and 
gives great insight into the method of working, encreasing and dying in 
other Seeds; And if the Sun thus alter the Moon, why not other less and 
inferiour things ? 
I going one day in Summer in the hot Sun without Gloves, did so 
strangely burn my hands, that they felt sore to the touch, and looked of a 
red colour, as if netled ; and I have heard the like of others, whose 
hands have been high blistered with the Sun, but in a far different man- 
ner from fire, for that scorches and burns us long sensibly , and then the 
the fire remains not so in our flesh, and so long as the Sun's quality, 
for from the Sun it rather looks as if venemed ; yet to touch fire will 
make a soreness longer. 
Many mad People do chiefly rage when the Sun is in the Tropical 
point Cancer, and about the Summer Solstice, partly the heat, and partly 
the quality of the Air, makes divers mad in Summer, that are pretty 
well all the year beside : Herbs of the Sun are strongest when they are 
gathered in the Hour and Exaltation of the Sun , or when the Sun is in 
Leo; and we have observed several such things. We have mentioned 
three Observations of the greater force of Herbs gathered when the 
Planets governing them are strongest in our Book of Physiology and Ja- 
trosophy, and particularly in our Nosology ; but Astronomical Physicians 
have gone upon slight grounds in giving such an Herb to such a Star, 
and another to such a one, many times; and the Reasons of their 
grounds would be sifted: for if the Foundation be false, we can never 
make a true Superstructure. 
We see the Sun's heat drives away Agues and cold Distempers, it rai- 
seth Head-ach to those that sit too long therein, especially bare-headed, 
and in the Spring, and that are subject to Head-ach ; also those that fit 
in February or March in the Sun for warmth, do oft catch Agues : and I 
when


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  15 
when I was a Boy, catched an Ague by sitting shivering in the Sun to 
warm me : It is also so pleasant at its return : The absence of Things 
makes them the welcomer to us at their return : By Sundew, Heliotrope, 
Marigolds, Hinca, &c. is the Sun's particular Domination over Planets 
seen. 
But we will not insist onely on these two Planets, the other Five, Sa- 
turn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, Dragons Head, Dragons 
Tail, and some of the fixed Stars of the greater Magnitudes have great 
Influence upon our Bodies, and alter and move our Humours, and by 
consequence our Mindes, as they are most prompt to be wrought upon. 
The Scorpion stings most dangerously when the Dog-star is up, and 
men used to observe the rising of the Dog-star for cutting of Frankin- 
sence-Trees, as then fittest for Use, and fullest of Juyce: and in the 
Terceræ Islands the Windes called Etesia arc mild Windes, that rise eve- 
ry year two days after the rising of the Dog-star; and the Disease Syri- 
asis is so caused from Syrius the Dog-star, and called so, because divers 
did observe that at the rising of that Star Infants were inflamed in their 
Heads; so that we see those Stars have Influence upon Animate and In- 
animate bodies; and if the Dog Stars Syrius and Procton can raise winds, 
they can in the Air in all likelyhood communicate their quality to our 
blood; but we do not observe the force and influence of the Dog Stars 
in our Climate or Countrey, as in other parts ; for in the Dog dayes 
they give no Physick, and Wounds and Ulcers heal badly, Hippocrates 
Aphorismes, Sect. 4. aph. 5 υπbxυvα xγ προς εργω dεες αi φαgαιiαl,
about the rising of the Dog-Star, and before its rising, purging 
by Medicines is very molestuous ; but we say, Canis non mordet in An- 
glia, the Dogs bite not in England : It is certain, some Stars have a 
greater power over some Countreys then over others. 
Cardanus and Casper Wolphius, Did observe Headach to arise in some 
persons with the Sun,it was chiefly in the Forehead; every day the Head- 
ach arose in these, as the Sun arose in the morning, and at noon, when 
the Sun was nearest, it grew most vehement; but as the Sun went far- 
ther off, the Headach did decline ; and at evening when the Sun did 
wholly hide himself, the Headach was absolutely gone, and began the 
next morning when the Sun arose, and encreased as that grew higher; 
but in one of these parties it was a pain rather of the eye, sometime a- 
bove one eye, and sometime above mother. 
Joachimus, Comm. ad 9. lib. Rhasis, cap. 4. observed another that had 
Headach about noon, but as the Sun went down it declined ; signes of 
Choler were in him, which the Sun moved to his head ; he was cured 
with purging of Choler, and strengthening his bead.
Salius

16 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Salias cap. 12. Annotat. ad Altomar. Gract, Observed Megrims to be 
raised and mitigated according to the course of the Moon, in some per- 
sons, and to have continued so for three years. 
It would be too tedious to write of many new Diseases, Epidemical, 
and some of them Contagious, that do happen in all Ages and Coun- 
tryes, sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes in one place, somc- 
times in another; they certainly come from the Air, and the Air is 
qualified by the Stars, and Seeds and Attoms swim and fluctuate in 
the Air, as Wood and heavier matter doth in the Water, that is a more 
sollid, and lesse penetrable body than Air. 
We should too much stay the Reader here to give an accompt only of 
the experience we have had of the Progress, Changes and Crises of 
Diseases according to the alteration and motion of the Planets, but 
who so is well skilled in Astrology and Physick, and shall at the dccum- 
biture, or chief time of the sickening of his Patient, draw a Scheam 
of the Heavens, and observe all along the mutations of the Planets, and 
his sick Patients distemper, he shall in most Diseases find great satis- 
faction, and say, It is far more certain Prognosticating by the Heavens, 
then symptoms in Diseases: Yet in confused Distempers, and such as we 
cannot well refer to any name in Riverius his Practice, Astrology is most 
illuminative. 
There are divers observations extant of the operation of the Planets 
on mens Bodies, but few, in regard of the use there would be of them, 
and excellency thereof; but these would require much time and pains 
to describe to purpose, therefore we shall omit them. 
We see also there is a strange Antipathetick quality in Lightning to 
bereave us suddenly of Life, and a blast of Air blasts many ; some in 
the field, some standing at their door; some are bereaved of sence, 
some of motion ; some in the whole body, some only in one particular 
part; some in one manner, some in another ; some in one degree, some 
in another. 
We will speak a little here in the Vindication of Astrology, it may 
satisfie some, it need hurt none ; Truth alone must please God, and fram 
pia be condemned. 
1. The various motions of the Planets, argue an intention of Pro- 
vidence, more in making them then other fixed Stars ; five especially 
have no other reason of their wandring to and from, backward and for- 
ward ; sometime in one Sign, sometimes in another ; sometimes swif- 
ter, sometimes slower; sometimes in Conjunction, sometimes in 
Opposition one to another; nothing was made in vain, no not the least 
part in the least Creature, nor nothing to be idle.
2. God


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  17 
2.God doth all by natural causes, and what shall we say are the causes 
of such and such things, but what we experience ? if one thing here doth 
sympathize and antipathize with another, and one depends upon ano- 
ther, and one governs another; Why may not the Stars more pure, 
high and great bodies influence upon, and alter these lesser, grosser and 
low compositions, every Agent being more noble than the Patient ? and 
the Air is the mediate cause. 
3. There may as well be quallifications of peculiarity in the Sun, 
Moon, and five other Planets in the Macrocosm, as in the Heart and 
Brain in the Microcosm, and Liver, Spleen, Gall, Lungs and Reins; 
and if God hath planted Originally in all such bowels peculiar quali- 
ties, and these operate accordingly upon the rest of mans body, inferi- 
our in dignity to them ; why may not the bodies of the Stars have' also 
peculiar natures and qualities implanted Originally into them, and ac- 
cording to these they operate ? for it is certain all things were made 
for an use, and why they should observe such strange motions and or- 
ders, no other reason can be given, than what man hath found by ex- 
perience ; and that for which every thing is most fit, for that it was 
made, and that is the right use of it: It would be tedious to relate. the 
wonderful qualities, and Spirits of strange and stupendious Natures, 
that are placed in many bodies, slight and sorry to look on, as the at- 
tractive force in the Loadstone ; in Herb Moonwort, the chastity of 
Emeralds and Sobriety, the shivering of Quicksilver in fire or hot wa- 
ter, and its flying to Gold ; the fighting of Spirit of Tartar and Vitriol, 
the quality of moving Love in some Plants, of dissolving strife in others; 
of releasing the bewitched, and driving away Spirits ; of causing mad- 
ness, and inducing sleeping to death : See these in one place or other 
of out Physiology and Jatresophy, with many more strange and prodigi- 
ous qualifications of the Spirits of Plants and Minerals. We do not 
deny but things affect one another by the Attorns and Exhalations that 
aries from their bodies but what accompt can any give, why the Attorns 
of one is of such a quality eto cause Sobriety, and the Attorns breath- 
ing from another to cause Love , and the Attoms breathing from 
another to cause madness ? every body, as it is a body and 
earth is not active, or moveable ; doth neither taste, nor small, nor hath 
a colour for the most part, but the Spirit that is in it, moves and acts it, 
makes it grow, taste and smell; and as soon as this Spirit or Soul is eva- 
porated from it, it looks oftentimes pale, but constantly loseth its scent 
and taste ; so when our Souls are gone, we look pale, and corrupt pre- 
sently, even as Plants as soon as their Spirit or Soul is gone : bodies 
were only made for Receptacles of Spirits or Souls, and these Souls or 
C Spirits


18  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Spirits do act and move these bodies; and according to the peculiar na- 
ture or quality of these Original implanted Spirits, so they act diversly  
now why may not the peculiar qualitied Spirits of the Stars operate and 
alter the Spirits placed in the bodies of terrene and gross things, ac- 
cording as they are fit and changeable, especially seeing every minute 
we must draw in Air ? and if the laying of Plants about us, and Mine- 
rals and Animals, do so alter the Air, that sometimes we are sick, some- 
times comforted by them; the Stars may as well do it: What influence 
hath the Sun for heat upon this world, more then a thousand Cities 
set on fire ? and yet the Sun is at a vast distance so to heat the Air all a- 
bout. The exactly demonstrating these things, would require a larger 
discourse than we are willing here to spend thereupon. What is our 
Brain? what doth it look like ? a Gelly, or knotty Flegm ; yet in this 
matter is a choice quality implanted, our sensation and motion ; what 
is the Heart to look upon, or to feel, or touch, or taste, or smell? 
meerly flesh: and yet see how it differs in dignity of quality; and there 
are nobler Spirits placed in it, than in other parts of the body; it hath 
the Seed of Blood, and is able to change all nourishment into red hot 
Spirituous Blood, specially as Nature shall have need thereof; and 
hereby doth it influence upon all the body, as the Brain by motion and 
sensation operates and alters all the body ; GOD could as well have 
placed the Seminary Principle of Blood, or Sanguification in the Spleen, 
and the Soul in the Liver, for the flesh doth nothing ; he could 
have made any flesh capable of the highest qualities and faculties. 
4. Allowing this force to the Planets, and some fixed Stars as they 
happen to be joyned with them, vindicates GOD from injustice ; for 
certain it is, that the humors alter our minds, and our constitutions 
change our judgements, and lead us to divers appetites: and the Or- 
gans are not alike fitted in all to be wise or foolish, ingenuous or fro- 
ward alike. 
If he that is born a natural Fool, shall repine and say, Why was I not 
born capable of knowledge as other men ? what had I done In the Womb to 
make my Creator more partial to me, than the rest of man-kind ? It may be 
Answered, It was his lot to be begotten, conceived and born at such 
an unfortunate time, when the Planets operating upon the propitious 
matter in utero so disposed him. 
Another may Object, why was I made of such a melancholy temper , to 
he dejected at every small business, and to swoon at every light grief, and to 
he discontented with my life? Some must be melancholy, as some are mer- 
ry; there must be variety ; and it fell according to their nativity, to be 
such, without any partiality, or ill respects in GOD towards them: so
for 


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  19
for the passionate, that suffer for their Tongues, and cannot help it, 
they wish they were of another temper, and could forbear; and are 
apt to be angry that they are so apt to be angry: but some must be angry, 
else there would be none patient if all were alike; and it fell casually to 
their lot to be so : if God did immediately, without contingent causes, 
ordain or make them so, they might have somewhat more to say and to 
repine at; but now God is blameless, for where the cause accidentally 
falls, the effects follow : but the causes are so wisely from all eternity 
ordered, that they shall keep in a mean, and not much trangress; as
those causes that dispose men to be natural fools, or Atheists, shall not 
come so often by one to a hundred, as those causes that cause Wisdom 
and Worship ; nor shall they come altogether, but shall happen now 
and then, that Nature may have some variety. 
Perhaps a good mans Barn is burnt by Lightning, and his Neighbours, 
a wicked mans, is unhurt; God is no respecter of Persons nor partial, 
it fell out according to natural causes, that the Lightning did direct to 
this mans Barn in a contingent manner; and it is the nature of Light- 
ning, where the Beams and Attoms ate conglomerated, and so made 
stronger, to burn ; if God had with material hands took a Torch and set 
it on fire, as Enthusiasts seem to think him to act, surely then the just 
man had had somewhat to have said : it is a dignity to God to act by 
causes, and one cause under another; the outward cause operates up- 
on the inward cause, and the remote upon the vicine, the primary up- 
on the instrumentary : If a King would have any thing done, and must 
do it himself, it would not be such honour to him, as to do it by subser- 
vient means, and messengers; so God is the more dignified and ho- 
noured by Nature, then if, as Enthusiasts would have him, he did all im- 
mediately by material Hands, Feet and Mouth, without the intervene 
of natural causes. 
Sometimes it Rains twice as much in one Land or Soil as needs, and 
in another Land or Soil at the same time is not half Rain enough, so 
that both are spoiled, one by a flood, the other by drought ; and if God 
did this immediately by immediate counsel, and with material hands, 
as if he should pour down buckets, without the contingency of natural 
causes, how might men complain, and say, God dealt hardly with them. 
Many times upon the Sea a VVinde arises and drowns a good mans 
Ship, wherein are far better persons than in another Ship, that at that 
time arrives safe. 
Many times a good man is wounded of Thieves going abroad, is kil- 
led by a fall, or taken with the Plague, or killed with Lightning, when 
many far worse at the same time, and in that place may escape; and
C2  were


20  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
were it not that all things here happen alike to all in a contingent man- 
ner to us, though predestinated and pre-ordained by GOD, we might 
repine; the Sun shines on the good and bad, and rain falls on the just 
and unjust : And Man is ordained as Astronomers will shew by cal- 
culating a Mans Nativity, to this or that good or mischief that he will 
hardly avoid ; and because we do not fore-know or fore-see, we must act 
warily and wisely ; for we do not know, though it is predestinated to us 
to be poor or miserable, or evil, but by our endeavour we may avoid it; 
for we do not know our Endeavours will be bootless, till we see the 
event ; so we act as if nothing was predestinated : All our labours and 
endeavours, if it be not ordained, shall not make us rich, or eminent, 
or favoured, or lucky. 
Yet GOD commonly ordains a Thing by ordaining the Cause; as such 
a man is ordained to thrive; why? because he is made of a cunning 
industrious and parsimonious temper; yet many a great Drinker, sloath- 
ful and unskilful fellow, in companion of such, shall thrive and grow 
richer: Nature is full of variety , and degrees, and kindes in every 
kinde. 
Did not things also in States and Kingdoms fall out according to a for- 
tuitous and accidental hap, and the fortune of Mens happy Nativities, 
why did Mahomet that Great Impostor, arise to that credit and honour 
in the World ? Why did not God make him an untimely birth, or cause 
his dayes to be short, that he should not corrupt the World with his Doc- 
trine ? or raise other causes to have deterred his Followers from credi- 
ting him ? Is he not CHRIST’s Opposite ? and did he not take up- 
on him to be Mediator betwixt GOD and Man ? And how miraculously 
hath he prospered through many Nations and Ages ? 
To this adde the remarkable Affairs of this World, to wit, The expun- 
ging and debellating of Christianity by the Turk, and the setting up of 
Mahometism in all those parts where Christianity did at first with much 
difficulty and blood shed, and persecution gain rise; but I will not say 
that they upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell, were greater sinners than others, 
nor he that was born blinde ha finned in or by his parents more than others 
that were born seeing, but according to Natures course, which when God 
contradicts, it is a Miracle, and Miracles rarely happen : What is be- 
come of the seven Churches of Asia their founded Christian Religion ? 
Hath not the Turkish Power overcome ? and is not MAHOMET ad- 
vanced in Throne above CHRIST in all those Quarters ? Yet I say,
Existus


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  21 
Exitus acta probat, careat successibus opto 
Quisquis ab eventu facta not anda putet. 
I wish that they may never speed 
Who by Events e'er judge the Deed. 
Non aliena putes homini quæ obtingere possint; 
Sors hodierna mihi, cras erit ilia tibi. 
Think nothing strange that Man cannot decline, 
For what's to day my Lot, to morrow's thine. 
And so we all undergo vicissitudes and variety, Cappadocia, Asia the less, 
with Phrygia, lonia, Pamphylia, Licaonia, Pontus, Bithynia, Galatia, 
Greece, Syria, Ephesus, Smyrna, Thiatira, Philadelphia, Pergamos, Judea, 
Jerusalem and Palestine ; are not all these under the Turk , and subject 
to the Doctrine of Mahomet, where the Doctrine of JESUS did so 
spring forth and arise and flourish for the time ? 
The Jews were thought a peculiar People to GOD, beloved by their 
Creator above all Nations and Languages of the World, and yet what 
Nation hath suffered more ? how oft hath Jerusalem been won, and ran- 
sacked, and sometimes quite demolished, and re-built ? How oft have 
they changed their Governments ? The King of Assyria conquered 
Israel, and captivated them, and the King of Chaldea the Jews ; since they 
have been conquered & enslaved to the Persian, the Grecian, the Arabian, 
the Roman ; the Turk now governs all, and the Jews and Christans live 
by permission, and pay Tribute. What became of those hundred thou- 
sands of men that went to redeem Jerusalem, and CHRIST’s Sepul- 
chre from the Turk, in the appellate Holy War ? Surely Enthusiasms are 
not regarded by GOD : Many think they are holier than other Men, and 
that GOD must prosper them, or that GOD is engaged to make them 
successful over the wicked, as they imagine : I say, No : GOD will 
not alter the course of Nature, unless upon weighty grounds, and those 
Miracles are ordained to come seldom. 
Yet whoever thou art, do not think I think it good to sin, or that it is 
bootless to be good; thou wilt hereafter repent, a thousand times re- 
pent the wilful commission of every evil Action, but thou must not think 
GOD is obliged to defend thee in Fire or Water, in Battel or Tempests 
more then others thou imagined far worse than thy self: for GOD is 
impartial, and Effects must follow the Cause, and the Causes must go 
on as GOD set them Originally to go. 


22  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
And let none mistake me concerning Predestination, I do not med- 
dle with Predestination to Salvation or Damnation in any; that is onely 
in GOD’s Cabinet-counsel, nor can any tell any thing thereof ; nay, 
though Spirits have told several Secrets of the future Being, they durst 
never divulge any thing of moment to Mankinde, concerning how we 
shall live hereafter, or who shall be happy, and who unhappy, or how 
many, or how and in what manner.  
Now seeing we see apparantly the universal order, gradation, pro- 
gress and event of things, is after this manner of contingency; what evil 
or absurdity is it to allow it a cause ? and why may we not as honest- 
ly and lawfully say, The Stars, under GOD , are the natural cause 
of all these Contingents and casual Events (casual, meerly, as to our fore- 
knowledge) as any other things ? 
Furthermore, the Planets operate upon out Mindes, not onely by mo- 
ving, encreasing and altering the quality of our Humours (which we 
have largely shewn in several places of our Physiology and Jatrosophy, but 
chiefly in out Chapter of the place of the Soul) but by raising Contin- 
gents and intervening Accidents : 
Est aliquid quod nos animos mutando gubernat 
Mores res contingentesqi; sequuntur humores, 
Proxima namq ; Deo sunt horum causa planetæ: 
That that doth change our Mindes, doth surely guide 
Our Actions, and our Manners do depend 
upon Contingents ; our Humours beside 
Alter our Wills, these the Planets do bend. 
One man is minded to go a Journey, a shower of Rain falls, and al- 
ters his minde. 
Another intends to revenge himself upon his Adversary ; he falls 
sick, and that changes his minde, which before he resolved should not be 
changed. 
Another intends to do much work on his Trade, and that he will not 
be drawn away by company to bezel and drink ; but company come and 
perswade him, and his minde is changed, and he goeth with them with 
delight. 
One resolves he will never be a Quaker ; but out of Curiosity and 
Novelty he will hear the Quakers, with hearing them his mind is chan- 
ged, so that he becomes a Quaker. 
One resolves to kill or such a Person, and he resolves his minde 
shall


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  23 
shall not change, nor none shall intercede for him ; yet when that per- 
son comes and asks forgiveness, acknowledges his fault, and promises 
and supplicates, his mind is changed; and he hath rather ( a minde 
now quite Contrary to his former minde) to do him good. 
Another intends to live bravely,) and spend freely, and build fine 
Houses ; but he sustains a great loss in his Estate, and then his inten- 
tions alter. 
But abundance more may be heaped up unnecessarily, which the 
common capacity of Men, if they would but consider, may see cle- 
lie. 
And no man I believe, but at divers times is in divers mindes, and 
of different Intentions and Inclinations, though there be nothing in- 
terposes, nor no differing or fresh Contingents; and this suddain and 
often variation of our Mindes, Intentions, Desires, Appetites and Af- 
fections, must have a Cause ; and what wickedness or absurdness is it to 
attribute it to the Planets? for Experience shews it, and in Reason 
their various and differing motions answer to the various and differing 
motions of our Humours and Affections. 
I know by my self, and have heard others say, They were most melan- 
choly, when they had least cause ; and Lovers are sometimes wonder- 
fully inflagrated towards one another ; and at another time, no oc- 
casion given, quite off from desiring one another. But we might be 
infinite in these things: And Sennertus, in Epitom. Scientiæ Nat. saith, 
Experience shews the Humours are altered by the Stars, and the Minde by the 
Humours : Mores sequnntur temper amentum corporis ; Experientia con- 
tradicere nefas: The Manners follow the temperament of the Body , and 
it is unlawful to gain-say true and manifold Experience. 
5. All Mankinde was made Upright, with the Countenance upwards, 
and all Beasts look downwards to the Earth ; that was somewhat in 
Providential Intention that Man might look up to the Stars, and weigh 
the Majesty of the Heavens, and Beasts were made onely to feed and 
grovel on the Earth , therefore they had not their looks made upwards, 
to view the Glory, and Power, and Wisdom of their CREATOR, in 
the Heavens and Starry Globe. It was a good Observation of Ovid, 
Pronaque cam spectant animalia cætera terram,
Os hominis sublime dedit, cœlumque tueri 
Fussit, & erectos ad Sidera vollere vultus. 
6. The multitude of Astronomers that have been in some Countreys, 
and in many Ages, have had experience of the force of the Stars; but 
the  


24  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
the Rules of the Antients, as our Physical Rules, are many, infirm, and 
true but sometimes, and were ill grounded ; and God hath so wisely or- 
dered it, that man shall not be certain always therein, for then he would 
be presumptuous: In many Scheams an Astronomer draws, there are 
as many Arguments against as for the thing, so that he knoweth not 
which to judge ; in most Scheams there are some Planets that by the 
Sign they are in, or House, or Degree, or Aspect, deny, according to 
Astrological Rules, that, that others affirm; and in such Cases we must 
take the strongest, and conclude from the position of the greater num- 
ber ; as in an Assembly most Voices carry it. 
7. Let us consider the Air: What causes Rains, Thunder, Winde, 
Mills, Snow, Frosts, muddy and bright Weather ? do not the Planets, 
and fixed Stars as they are conjoyned with them ? and how doth the 
Air change out Bodies ? I my self having weak Eyes, have found them 
far more misty and asking against Rain and in moist Weather ; others 
against Frost and in frosty VVeather, have Itching, and Pustules break 
forth, some almost always ; some against Rain have their Corns ake; 
divers do prognosticate change of VVeather by their Corns : some will 
say in dark foggy weather they are far more melancholy, dull and drow- 
sie ; and some then have their Heads ake : we know some Bodies are 
huge sensible of cold, and every small thing casts them down; some 
will in VVinter go bare-legged, and in Snow and catch no harm ; the 
Constitution and Custom are both to be considered ; some that have had 
Bruises will feel pains there upon alteration of weather, and no time 
else, after the Bruise is healed : divers when the weather begins to be 
open at Spring, and warmer, have Pustules, VVheals and Itch break 
forth; and so in some at fall of the Leaf; some have a matter breaks 
forth always at Spring and Fall; and we see Tertian Agues are most rise 
at Spring, Quartains at the Fall or Autumn. To enumerate no more, 
Hippocrates writ of these things, and of the qualities of the VVindes, 
and he will be believed, and in such things his experience may be ta- 
ken, though we must not look to finde things so as he writ in each other 
Body, concerning the change of the Air and Weather; if they hold 
true in every tenth Person, it is somewhat: for we shall finde ten whose 
Bodies are not sensibly altered by Rain, or VVinde, or Thunder, to one 
that is : so Bruits and Plants forshew of VVeather. 
Because we would fairly and fully satisfie our Readers concerning the 
Influence of the Planets, we shall proceed to take off a few Objectons 
made by the contrary-minded and opinioned; theirs is onely Opinion, 
which comes from Opinor, I think ; ours Experience, which comes from 
Experior, to have tried, or made proof of. 
Object. 1.


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  25
Object 1. Twins are born both at once, and yet often not alike, nor have 
fortune alike, nor die at a time. 
Answ. Often Twins are so alike, that they are fain to tie Threads or 
Ribbands about them, if both of one Sex, to distinguish ; but in the 
birch of divers Twins is a quarter, or half an hour, or more distance, 
and then they may have two Significators, and the Signs may be gone 
off those Houses : and also if the birth of the Twins was very exact, as 
to time, it is probable they were not conceived at once, and that is ve- 
ry material, and may change their Dispositions: VVhat is the Reason 
the Children of one man and woman should often times so exceedingly 
differ in Complexion, Conditions, and Fortunes, were there not some- 
what to alter ? 
Object. 2. Those that are killed in Armies in Fights, were not born all 
at once, but had several Nativities , and a Death alike at one time. 
Answ. A man may be born in January, February, March, April, or 
any other Month or day of the Month, and have an unlucky Nativity ; 
some are killed by the Combustion of their Significator, or Lord of the 
Ascendant; some by his Aspect with Saturn or Mars, or Conjunction 
with the Lord of the Eighth House, the House of Death ; and some 
were killed in the 18, some the 19, some the 20, 21, 22,23, 24th (and 
so onwards) Year of their Age, nor were they all born in one 
place.
Object 3. ’Tis an uncertain and fallible Art. 
Answ. The Vulgar say, if a thing comes to pass that Astronomers or 
Astrologers predict, They are Witches, and do it by the Devil; if it 
fails, they say, It is a Delusion, and there is nothing in it; even as they 
judge in other respects: for if a Medicine cure one, they think it must 
cure others, though of another Disease ; and if they they knew one die 
of the Jaundice, they will pronounce Death to all: One Swallow makes 
not a Summer: One Experiment is too slight, or two,or three, to ground 
our belief upon in some matters. If it had never failed, men would 
have been presumptuous, most would have gone to have known their 
Fortunes ; and that would have been an inconvenience in all Govern- 
ment, Trading and Actions Men do undergo : GOD made all things 
upon grave Counsel, and well-weighed Considerations, that they should 
hold together ; assist, not confound one another; each to keep its 
place, and nor to do anothers office. 
Moreover, If Astrology was certain, Men would say it was of the 
Devil: If we condemn it for incertainty, better may we condemn the 
Practice of Physick, for that is more uncertain ; it is termed, Ars Con- 
jecturalis. Let any Physician by the Signs he findes in ten persons judge
their


26 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
their Distempers thus and thus ; and when these come to be opened, 
more by much are false than true, that he did imagine ; yea, where di- 
vers of the most learned Physicians have been called to give their ad- 
vice and an accompt of one sick person ; one hath said the Disease was 
this, and thus ; another, that, and so ; every one differing; but when 
the party hath been opened, - another cause hath been found in their Bo- 
dy, of Death, differing from each of these? So in Prognosticks; what 
Sign or Signs hold for Life or Death in all ? The Tokens in the Plague 
are held the most infallible sign of Death, and so indeed they be, and 
yet Physicians have observed divers having the Tokens, to have escaped: 
nor are the Crises of truth, nor the Cure : What Medicine are we sure 
will cure two in one Disease ? no Medicine cures all, and each Medi- 
cine hath cured some: I dare confidently affirm that there is not one 
Drug or Medicine in an Apothecaries Shop, but at one time or other by 
one or other is used for an Ague ; and the use of nothing would be up- 
held, did not some think themselves thereby eased or helped. 
Object. 4. Scripture speaks against it.
Answ. The Scripture speaks against the abuse of it: for in those times 
and Countreys when and where Scripture was writ by the Jews, the 
Astrologers trusted too much to it, and disowned the Supreme Creator 
and Rector, and presumed much upon it, and assumed all the honour to 
themselves, and called the Months and Days by Planets Names, and 
worshipped such Planets on such Days, and diverted men from patient 
submission to a superiour Hand of Providence, thinking these the alone 
and Supreme Deities, because changes fell upon Earth as they had ob- 
served them to change. Of all the relations ever I read of the Com- 
merce betwixt Witches and evil Spirits, or also heard, I never could find 
the Devils told them any thing of the Stars, nor do they know any there- 
of, or practice any thing thereby; they are GOD’s Creatures made for. 
our Books, to read such Destinies as it pleaseth GOD man should fore- 
know. 
The Scripture doth extol the Science, admire the frame of the Hea- 
vens, demonstrate the Influence the Planets have, and shew what they 
were made for : But, if because of the abuse, nothing must be in use, 
every thing must be laid aside ; the best things are most apt to be cor- 
rupted : and, Optimorum corruptio est pessima, as Philosphers say : See 
Gen.1.14,15,16,17,18. Judg.5.20. Job 25.5,6.Chap.3 8.7. dc 29.30, 
31,32,33.-Psal. 136.7,8,9. Job 9.9,10. Psal.8.3,4. & 19.1 and divers 
o her places of Scripture assent hereto. 
Astra a regunt Homines, sed regit Astra DEUS.
Object.5.

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 27 
Object 5. It makes men Atheistical and Heathenish. 
Answ. It may be abused, and many without it may be Atheistical 
and Heathenish, and most with it are sincere Adorers of a Deity ; re- 
ally the Stars and Planets, and the Poles, and the Clouds, and their Of- 
fices and Actions are clear demonstrations of a GOD, as divers of the 
fore-cited places of Scripture hint forth. There are abundance of peo- 
ple that hear what others say , and believe with the most, and never 
question or trouble their heads about a GOD, or his Attributes; as the 
Ignorant is related to give an accompt of his Faith : I believe as Mr. 
Vicar believes, and I believe he knows , for he is Book-learned, and I am not 
Book-learned. All the works of GOD dignifie and exalt him, and the 
more we know, the more we must see the Power, Wisdom, and Love of 
GOD : we see such and such things come to pass, and what wickedness 
is it to attribute them to a cause? If we made GOD to do them with 
material hands, and to be bodily present, and to use Instruments as we 
do, to effect them, it would hugely degrade and vilifie his Maje- 
fty. 
Object 6. It may wrong divers. 
Answ. That is in the Men, the Art doth not constrain them; there 
are Knaves in all Societies, that are a scandal to the rest, and vitupe- 
rate the Profession : but the better and higher things be, so much the 
more they endamage when abused. 
Object.7. If they go too far, they may have to do with Devils. 
Answ. By a Retort: If they have to do with Devils they may go too 
far; but it is possible some men may be instigated by their Curiosity to 
contract with the Devil, to make them capable of telling Fortunes, and 
fore-knowing things, seeing Astrology is oft so uncertain ; but of such 
we must judge what may be, by what hath been ; they have seldom been 
Astrologers : and few Witches have any judgement in Astrology, if 
any ; not doth the Devil will them to learn any thing thereof, or teach 
them therein ; and without Astrology men may have as much desire as 
with it to foreknow : that way that is really good, the farther men go 
in it the better, and lazy men & unlearned, and void of scrutiny spoil all 
professions, and are a scandal to what ever they profess; and so is Wis- 
dom without a good practice. We shall conclude with the Dogmaticks 
of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, σνυπαΦυν τα αγα τοis xατω, Things be- 
low do Sympathize with things above. 
Yet the Stars do not so far alter and govern, but there are many 
things fixed, and alwayes the same as to their Nature and Basis, as 
Plants, Animals, Minerals, Man, &c. Also in man are fixed Prin- 
ciples of Blood, Bone, Flesh and Marrow ; and in his Minde Univer- 
fally


28 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
fally is, first, An apprehension of a Deity : Secondly, A propensity to wor- 
ship this conceived Deity; in Prosperity to thank him, and in Adversi- 
ty to pray : Thirdly, Almost all mankinde believe they shall live after 
this Life; or that their Souls be immortal: Fourthly, All mankinde do 
believe that GOD is able to do all things, be Omnipresent, in all pla- 
ces, be Omnivident, knowing all secrets, and to be Eternal and Im- 
mortal : Fifthly, All mankind do think, this Being Eternal, Omnipotent 
and Omnivident, must make them happy after this life,and punish them  
for their Evil Deeds: Sixthly, All men hold Love, Chastity, Patience, 
Meekness, Charity, Humility, Affability, & Honesty, good ; and Cruelty, 
Persecution, Lying, Fraud, Murder, Theft, Adultery, Reviling, and 
Cursing, evil: And these are stamps of the Divine Essence in Man, 
which are Universal, and the Stars onely alter, not take away: Yet 
there are Athiests, it is true, and others to contradict what we have said, 
but the universality of men of our Form and Parts in the World, of all 
Nations are possessed of these six things, and they are true: For GOD 
would not give to the Universal Nature of Man to believe that that is 
false : Yea, the very Bruits seem to have a Conscience, so that when 
they have done a fault, they shrink or hide themselves, or run away; and 
when they have done well, and go upon warrantable grounds, how bold, 
cheerful and confident are they ? 
4. Next will follow to be spoken of the Signs of Diseases: and in 
these is an high misunderstanding, both in those that write,and those that 
read Practices of Physick, chiefly the last : for if the Ancients, and 
most of the Moderns or Neotericks were out in the Causes, they must 
needs be in the Signs that they appropriated to such and such Causes : if 
there be any dispute about this, let my Antagonists observe the twenty 
next Patients that come under their hands, (for in so many the Rules of 
Nature may be discovered) and see if their Diseases and Signs will hold 
and run parallel with those of the Diseases they read in Barrow, Ronde- 
letius, Etius, Ægineta, Primrosius, Riverius, &c. Truly so far as I have 
observed many Patients, (having writ about 1400 Obfervations for my 
own private use hitherto) and read Observations of many other men, I 
cannot finde Nature is confined to a method, or runs in that road Au- 
thors have delivered  and who so opens many, shall finde that the Li- 
ver, Spleen, Reins, Gall, Stomach, Lungs, &c. are otherwise affected 
than as the Ancients thought; and that they do onely casually and acci- 
dentally light to be so affected as the Ancients have deciphered; the 
affection of the Bowels in the dissected, agrees chiefly in disagreeing: 
The Truth is, where we have one Patient that by concurrence of Signs 
seems


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 29 
seems to have any one Disease named in Practices of Physick, we have 
three that are referrable to none of those Diseases ; and in many Pati- 
ents sometimes together, we finde such rare Cases that never before we 
saw or read of. Also the Change in Diseases is very considerable ; to 
day, or in this hour, the Sick most complains of Headach ; to morrow, 
or the next hour, the Headach is gone, or with it remaining is a Stomach- 
pain ; the next day it is changed into vomiting and purging, and then 
perhaps that stops, and the Party is Heart-burned : and a multitude of 
such various Changes are sometime in some sick People, that lie long ; 
and what shall we call this Disease ? sometimes many Bowels are weak 
or diseased together, and by the Signs, where shall the Disease be ? 
For Example sake, we will shew by one how the Course and Order of 
Nature may be guessed at in many. 
Here died lately a Gentlewoman of Hitchin, she lay six weeks sick ; 
had a fall out of a Coach, being with child; she was very well, her con- 
dition of child-bearing considered, for a fortnight after, she was a little 
bruised betwixt the shoulders, all seems to be well; a fortnight after the 
fall she grows ill, as formerly in child-bearing she had been, of windy 
pains and stitches ; it took her with a little Cough and raising, and the 
pain did remit, and go into her Shoulder and Back, her Urine high, and 
Pulse pretty swift, some signs of a windy, some of a legitimate Pleuri- 
sie : after a week she grew better for a day or two, then worse ; her 
spitting and excretion encreased, and pain fixed in her right side ; she 
could hardly swallow, that shewed the Oesophagus hurt, and upwards on 
high, any hard thing hurt her ; she took Lohocks, and raised much or- 
dinary Flegm, like an Empyema : then a week after her raising conti- 
nuing now and then, she spat Blood, her Coughing frequent, and one 
morning she vomited much Blood by Coughing and Excretion; but af- 
ter that the new symptom Hæmoptoe ceased, she was partitis vicibus let 
Blood : after a month or three weeks she grew finely well, her stomach 
to meat was recruited, her sleep greater, her coughing not so much, and 
the purulency less ; then a week being passed, she grew worse, she com- 
plained no more of the Oesophagus, her Expuition and Cough urge, and 
her Legs swell, and she grows Asthmatical, she raiseth much fætid 
Flegm, but now void of Blood; sometimes a fit of raising eases her side- 
pain, which the last weeks did not much trouble her, and sometimes not;  
and sometimes her Asthma fits were eased by coughing, and sometimes 
not; her Asthma sometimes left her, and then she was hugely provoked 
to cough and raise; she wanted sleep and an appetite to any food ; her 
Asthmatical fits being but three or four, though she was always at last  
shortwinded, left her before her death, and she raised, as if matter did 
flow 


30 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
flow into the Lungs from some vicine part exceeding ; and two hours 
afore death she felt her self oppressed with this matter, and raised nigh 
half a pint, coughing and spitting it forth; and after this great fit of 
raising, fainted, and her Head shook, and she died with ratling of the 
matter in her Chest : she desired to rise before she died, and talked chear- 
fully, and much, the night before she died; and these in many are to- 
kens of death, but not in the generality. Here were divers other symp- 
toms and changes of less note, that came on, and went off again : she 
was delivered very easily, and during two or three dayes of purging, 
after her delivery, her Coughing was easie, she raised less, and her 
pain and Asthma very little, but her Lochyes stopping, she Asthma and 
Purulent Matter encreased, and she died three or four dayes after. Most 
Physicians thought her delivery would have freed her ; the Childe was 
very lively in Utero, notwithstanding her sickness, and born well, but 
died a week after, having principles of Corruption in it from the Mo- 
ther ; one thought it a true Pleurisie, another a bastard one at first ; then 
it seemed an inflamation of the mouth of the Stomack; then some Signs 
shewed it in the Stomack; for in Child-bearing she used to vomit, and 
this was restrained after she sickened : some signs were for Adhæsion of 
the Lungs, some for an Empyema; some that the Lungs did swim in 
purulency, some of stopped Blood; some Signs argued it inwardly, as 
hurt in swallowing, some outwardly as her soreness in her side to touch ; 
some argued Wind, for when it went into her shoulder and back, it a- 
bated in the side. 
A month after she sickened (but she was let blood before) her blood 
looked like yellow fat Broath when it was cold, and in it were several 
congealed fleeces, like bits of corrupted flesh. 
VVho would think in those that have pissed purulent matter, that 
it came from the Heart, as appeared by dissection ; in vivo omnia sunt 
pervia. 
5. Let us consider the Prognosticks ; He is a wife Physician that is 
not rash herein: I know a Physician of mean parts, and great practice, 
that I have admired he should happen to judge Life or Death so falsly, 
insomuch that other Physicians have made it a rule to go by, that such a 
party will live, because such a Physician saith, She will die, and so on 
the contrary: what can be found in the Pulse and Urines ? 
They talk of a Serratile or Saw-Pulse, Vermiculating or Crawling 
Pulse, and Intermitting Pulse. I could never find any thing here- 
in worth taking notice of; in well people the Pulse will intermit as 
well as in sick, and in dying people it is seldom found; and it is 
oft the fancy of the Physician that must make all things, so as he 
reads:


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 31
reads : the chief difference in Pulses is, the swiftness, and slownesse, 
strength and faintness of the beating ; and what may be judged hereby, is  
this; in sickness, (for in health with working or running, the Pulse will
beat faster, and in some persons naturally stronglier than in others, and
than at other times) The swiftness of the Pulse argues an Enemy in the 
Blood, or an Humour of an Heterogenious quality to it, that the Heart> 
as the Blood passeth through it, tasts and feels ; and therefore lets it 
out as soon as ever it is in, and being out by Fuga Vacui, dilating it 
self, draws in more, and so sends it swiftly about the whole Body ; if 
there be an high Heterogeneity the Heart expels it the Blood by the 
Pores and Habit of the body, or some particular part, if the Heart is 
strongest, and there be Principles of Fermentation in the humor so qua- 
lified : now if with this swiftness there is strength of the Pulse, it argues 
Nature is strong, and the Spirits are not extinct; if with this swiftness 
the Pulse is faint and weak, the Spirits are sunk, and there is feebleness 
and fainting ; for in Syncope and Deliquiums scarce any Pulse is found, 
or very little and small. 
Urines are looked upon by the Vulgar, as the greatest Prophetical 
matter about the Body of Man ; how familiar is it, and as ridiculous and 
absurd as familiar, to carry waters to Physicians,to know parties distem- 
pers, not telling a word of their Symptoms to the Physician ; judging 
him silly and unlearned in all other things, that cannot tell all their Ails 
by their Water ? and this they do frequently, not intending to take Phy- 
sick, but to bestow a Groat to know what their Disease is, (which they 
understand as much as Geese) and how and when they may recover, and 
whether they shall live or die by their Water; the which, if a Physician 
knows all the Symptoms about the sick, and his Constitution, and could 
see into his Body, he could not oftentimes truly determine of: in dy- 
ing people frequently the Water grows better,and in well people it will 
change strangely, be sometimes paler, sometimes redder ; sometimes 
thicker, sometimes thinner: the Nights Water is oft unlike to the Dayes; 
and some well persons make thick crude Water, and in others, when it 
is cold, it is thick and sedementary like the sick ; the very food we eat, 
and liquor we drink, alter our Urine. I have read of a Fruit in the new 
World, a kind to Coecus Baphicus, that when our Countrey-men ate of 
it, it so coloured their Urine, that they thought they had pissed blood,  
and were afraid to eat any more : so I have heard of other things, some  
that use to drink much Wine, piss the same for smell and colour. 
Furthermore, when the Urine passeth only by and through a few parts, 
I see not how it should shew the Constitution of all parts ; it doth shew 
chiefly distempers of the Kidneys and Bladder, but that being the Sink 
and 


32 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and Channel, Nature strives to wash off, and throw much filth that 
way by the Kidneys and Bladder, and Urine, as Water is good to wash 
off and make Fæculency and Sordity swim away ; that is some reason 
therefore, that both in Cronical and Critical distempers, thick muddy 
sedementary Urine is good, when the Disease is breaking away, especi- 
ally, if before the Urine was clear and limpid , and as if it was strained 
from all foul matter. 
Indeed I have often, to satisfie people, guessed at their Distempers 
by their Urines, and one may often please them ; if it was an high red 
Water, I judged a Feaverish temper, and then I guessed that they had 
Head-ach, Back-pains, Thirst, want of Appetite, Heat, want of 
Rest, Faintness, one day worse than another, &c. with variation ; if 
the Urine was pale and thin, I guessed at Obstructions,that it was strain- 
ed; and in Obstructions usually are these symptoms, Windiness, pain 
at Stomach, and stoppage, and loading there with inappetence and Bra- 
dupepsia, or ill digestion ; short-windedness, Aches in Knees and Shoul- 
ders ; and by fits in the Head, paleness of Countenance, dulness to 
Action and Weariness, heaviness of the Mind, &c. but in Men and 
Women is great variation; indeed we shall rarely find two exactly alike 
in all things; but these things thus conjectured, have often pleased; 
Populus qui vult decipi decipiatur, That people that will be deceived, let 
them be deceived. Some will undertake to tell them, whether it is 
a Mans or Womans Water, their Disease, and whether they will die or 
live. 
Indeed in Halr-pissing, VVorm-pissing, (which Rondeletius saith, He 
would not believe, till he had once seen them) Stones, Gravel, Blood, 
yellow Urine, mucus or pus and such like; somewhat is shewen of the 
very thing that causeth the disease, but how it is seated in the Body, in 
what degree, and in what part, we are often to seek not withstand- 
ing. 
Hippocrates his Aphorisms of Prognosticks were pretty good, so much 
as he wrote thereof, and founded upon what he had experienced ; yet 
because we meet with such variety, we must not expect them to hold 
good (as to the plurality of them) in each other person that they con- 
cern ; tis well if in one in three they hold good ; and some of them will 
rarely be found true, because Hippocrates writ them from the Observa- 
tion of some one singular case we shall seldom see again, or especially to 
terminate so. 
We will here write a few Progostick Signs, that the Reader in read- 
ing other books may not be deceived in his understanding, or expect more 
then he shall find.
APHORISMS

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 33
APHORISMS.
I. Every Disease how dangerous and truculent soever, is not in all 
and at all times Mortal ; nor is any Disease so slight and trivial, but at 
sometimes in some it may lead to death. 
II. Rarely in any one sick person shall we find all Signs Mortal, ex- 
cept nigh death; nor rarely in any considerable sickness shall we finde all 
signs of health ; but we judge from the major number, and most con- 
siderable ones. 
III. That Disease that is slight and small at first, may be mortal at 
last, for that that in a remiss degree causeth sickness, in an extream may 
cause death, a minimis maxima, from the least beginnings are often great 
events; but we are in all cases to be sparing in Prædiction for Life or 
Death, for that is only in the fore-knowledge of God. 
IV. Some sicken one day and die the next; some have many Crises, 
and do hold out divers years; and some after a tedious sickness die, o- 
thers live; if we would prædict herein, the chief thing is, to tell whe- 
ther any of the principal Bowels are wasted, changed or corrupted, in all 
this while. 
V. All intermitting distempers (quoad intermissionem) are safer than 
confirmed and continued, because these shew Wind or Water, or some 
Fluxible matter, and that the parenchyma of no part, or mass of blood 
is much affected ; and also in the Intervals, Nature gets strength and 
relief, and the greater they be, the more. Furthermore it shews, that 
there are some Seeds in the Blood and Humors, that grow to maturity 
in such a time, and trasmute so much matter ; and then the spirits of a- 
nother nature to it, fight with it, raise a fermentation, and throw it off; 
and then Nature is quiet, till the remaining Seeds grow to maturity, 
and have infected much more matter. 
VI. Nature doth not observe that order or method of proceeding in 
Crises, as hath most generally been thought; but to some a Crisis is the 1st, 
to some the second, to others the third, fourth, fifth or sixth day ; and 
then, three, or four, or five, or six dayes after: nor do most that die, 
die in a fit, but for the most part after divers fits, which do not come at 
set times, nor are just of an equality, and of one manner; the sick die 
in calmness and setledness of mind, and as the Vulgar observe, do of- 
ten lighten before death ; And that is a bad sign, when the sick shall 
say, They are well, and feel no pain or ail, suddenly, and on no apparent 
cause, that were very sick & weak a little before. lndeed we see Feavers 
observe Crises or Paroxismes, and therefore call them intermitting Fea- 
E  vers


34 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
vers and Agues; and if there be any set fits or Crises in Fevers, they 
are of Nature to the former, though less apparant, which I think they 
call continual Tertians, Quartans, or Quotidians, and some have axacer- 
bations every seventh day, else I cannot find it verity any more than by 
accident, that they should have Crises on the third, seventh, eleventh 
and one and twentieth days of Acute Diseases, or in one of these : for 
the Crises are onely from the alteration of the Planets governing the 
Disease, and Moon, and those happen not so, or at any set times; there- 
fore some People in twenty four hours, grow extream sick like to 
to die, and have perhaps no more Critical fits of five or six days af- 
ter. 
VII. In all Diseases observe what was wonted to the Sick in health, 
those things are not so bad in sickness: every Disease so far as it differs 
from Nature, the worse; any thing that wont not to be in health is bad, 
or if it be in either extreme. 
VIII. If those things that should refresh, as sleep, ease, nourish- 
ment &c. make the worse after them, ’tis bad ; and joyned with other 
ill Symptoms may give suspicion of death. 
IX. There is no Disease but one time or another, in one or other, is 
cureable ; and there is no Disease so slight and momentless, but in some 
or other, at one time or other, it is incureable : yet though from Pra- 
ctices of Physick we reckon of onely so many and just such Diseases, 
yet there are many grand Alterations, Transmutations, Corruptions, 
Enfissures, Animification, Petrification, Apostemation, Adhæsion and 
Assumption of Parts and Bowels, that are commonliest in the begin- 
ning and lowest degree incureable : 
1. They are hard to be known by signs, and then fit Medicines are
not prescribed. 
2. The Medicines taken, come not nigh those parts. 
3. The Medicines are not long enough, or largely enough taken, 
though very proper. 
X. All Diseases of Malignity, wherein there is a separation of the 
infected matter in the Blood, from the Blood, if that recoils and sinks 
into the Blood again, it sheweth death, and rarely otherwise, if the 
matter have an high Heterogeneity to the quality of our Spirits consti- 
tuting our Vitality ; therefore few that have the Plague-Sores or Car- 
buncles that go in and fall flat, or in the Pox, but they die ; but in Flea- 
Spots, Red Gum, Spots of Children, Ring-Worms, Tetters, Impeti- 
go, &c. because the matter is not so contrary to our Blood and Humours;
if it fall back, or sink into the Blood, it kills not commonly : Yet Phy- 
sicians have gone on hugely blinded in these things; for whatsoever 
mat-


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 35
matter by Feaver and Fermentation is cast forth of the Blood by the 
Skin and Habitum Corporis, if it lie outwardly a few days, and the Par- 
ty sweat and be hot, the Spirits of that Humour that contain the quali- 
ty inimical to our nature, fly forth and exhale ; and then if the insipid 
and mild Blood or Humour be soaked up again, it doth no harm ; for Na- 
ture finding it purged of those high Antipathetick Spirits, receives it as 
a similar matter : Every thing, yea, Inanimate things, apply to, and 
draw to them things not agreeing in figure but quality, and things of 
contrary qualified Spirits put off and withdraw from one another; and 
lest any should think this opinional onely, (as most received Princi- 
ples are) we have related many found Experiments and Observations 
in our Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography , which 
none denying, all must confess, 
Silentia non negat. 
XI. In every Disease, Acute or Cronical, if a Dyspnæa or Asthma
supervene, it is an Evil Sign ; because we live by breathing, and be- 
cause the Heart, the Fountain of Life, wants fanning and blowing up, 
to keep the natural fire of our Bodies from dying or going out. 
XII. In all sicknesses, though there be no pains, no apparant ill sym- 
ptoms, and though all the Bowels seem firm, and the Party is pretty 
strong, yet if the Heart, the Fountain of Life, sink, and faint, and lan- 
guish, without intermissions, and the Spirits are depressed, be not too 
secure ; for the evil qualities of the malevolent Planets, raise the sick- 
ness, and destroy our Life in a Confused Disease, without any known 
Cause. 
XIII. In all Diseases wherein Deliriums, Fluxes of Blood, Vomit- 
ing, Loosness, Singultus, or great Appetite, do supervene, sometimes 
Death, sometimes Recovery suddenly terminates and ends that Dis- 
ease ; yet there is probability why Fluxes in some may cure, and lead 
to Death in others : for the same Signs and Accidents are not likely 
to signifie so bad in some Cases and Constitutions, as in others. 
XIV. If any one is inwardly afflicted, and seemingly in Noble 
Parts, and afterward he is outwardly afflicted , and in the Extremities 
or Superficies, usually it is looked upon as a good sign, and so indeed it 
is, unless it be an Expatiation of the Morbifick Matter, and not a 
Translation; for if withal the Inward and Nobler Parts are as much 
afflicted as before, when the Superficies and Extremities of the Body 
were not swoln, it is an Argument of Death, and weakness of Nature to 
repel.  
E2 XV.

36 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
XV. In prognosticating concerning any outward Humour, Abscess, 
or Flegm, we must consider whether is most in fault, the part affected, 
that being naturally or casually weakened, cannot repel; or being sti- 
mulated, doth violently draw ; or the foulness and fulness of the Body, 
that sends Matter and Humours to a part weaker than others: if the 
fault lies principally in a remote part that cannot repel, or else attracts, 
commonly it is not so bad as when the Blood is loaded with fæculent 
Humours, and doth there on heaps disgorge them, and makes it its 
Channel, thither to send its off-purgings; yet when both are together, 
the worse; therefore swelling of the Legs after Agues are often of 
troublesome consequence. 
XVI. In all Diseases the more the Spittle, Urine, Excrements and 
Sweat break forth in quantity or manner, contrary to Nature, and what 
those people used to have in health, so much the worse; and the more 
Winde, Flegm, and Water we see in the sick, the worse, because they 
shew defect in the Concoction, Heat, and free passage in the Bowels and 
Body. 
XVII. In all Diseases, where there are signs of no Bowel to be al- 
tered, or wasted, or corrupted, and that the mass of Blood is not affec- 
ed, there is great hope of cure, and that by vomiting, purging and open- 
ing : for Diseases that come from corruption of the Food, putrefaction 
of Humours, and Obstructions in the first ways, lie liable to have their 
Cause easily removed , and then the Effects cease : Tolle Causam, & 
cessat Effectus. It is a great piece of Art to distinguish inter similia; be- 
twixt unlikes every stupid man may discern: Windiness, gripings, inter- 
mitting pains, vomiting, loosness, unsavory belchings, breaking winde 
downwards, pursiness, clogging and short windedness, the colour, smell, 
and consistence of things cast out, and what is retained, shew Diseases 
in the first Ways, or Stomach, small Guts and great Ones, or Urinary 
passage. 
XVIII. Where in a sick Person we finde many Symptoms, some 
seeming to shew a Disease in one Part, some in another, some Sym- 
ptoms of long lasting, others of a sudden termination of the Disease; 
we must judge from the most and strongest, what and where the Disease 
is, and how and when it will cease ; also those Symptoms that last
longest, and without intermission, and that came first, are most  
significant.
XIX. Most Diseases that come from an outward, procatarctick and 
known Cause, commonly are most void of Danger, and sometimes by 
forbearing what they knew gave occasion to the rise of the Disease, are 
cured by Nature: In others, the knowing of what caused a Disease, 
gives

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 37
gives good grounds for the appropriation of Medicines to cure it: As 
the Vulgar use to say, A Disease well known, is half cured. 
XX. We are to consider the nature of the Bowels: for a Humour 
in such a part familiar thereto, is not so dangerous as in another part; 
witness Flegm in the Lungs, Winde in the Intestines: Stones, Iron, 
Bones, hard Things, Bullets, &c. in the Stomach, being things swal- 
lowed, and accustomed to the Stomach, are not so dangerous as in other 
Parts not accustomed thereto, and not having a capacity for, and ways 
to avoid, and the faculty to digest them ; in the Brain and Heart, be- 
cause they are the Nobler Parts and Seats of the Heat, Spirits, Motion 
and Sensation in us, those Humours that both for quantity and quality 
may not hurt in other parts, may in these kill; and in all Diseases of the 
Bowels, Blood, or Humours, we are chiefly to consider whether the quan- 
tity or quality most offend; for accordingly we must presage and metho- 
dize our Cure. 
These things are good for a Physician to know, and do hold true for 
the most part: but it is very frequent that we finde those that seeming- 
ly will not dye, to dye; and divers that seem by all Symptoms likely to 
dye, recover; yea, and some that are thought departing, and have their 
passing Bell rung, recover: thence is the Vulgar Proverb, So long as life, 
there is hope. 
We will here give the Reader one Example, whereby he may judge 
of others, and of the Cause and Current of many Diseases, after this 
manner; but the Stars shew more in Acute than Cronical Distem- 
pers. 
A Kinsman of mine, one Mr. Norton, a Minister of a Neighbour 
Town called Barton, falling sick about the beginning of August 1662, 
died August 15. in the morning, I drew a Scheam of his sickness, but 
had not the time of his Decumbiture, but found his sickness corre- 
spond exactly with the Scheam, according to the common Rules of A- 
strology : Cancer was upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the House of 
Sickness, a Sign that governs the Brest, and is Watery; and he was chiefly 
afflicted in his Brest, and much troubled with moisture and winde, and 
vomited : the Moon Lady of the Sixth being weak, and afflicted by Mars,
made him troubled with Choler ; Mercury was his Significator, 
Lord of the Third, being a Kisman, he was Retrogade in the sixth House, 
and nigh Combustion, going to it in his Retrograde Motion; that ar- 
gued him very weak, faint, and oppressed with heat, and so he was, yet 
not clearly a Feaver, as divers have; his Urine moderately high, he  
was given to sighing; when Mercury came to Cazimi with the Sun, 
he

39 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
he died not, but when the Moon, Lady of the House of Sickness, came
to a perfect Quartile Aspect with Mars, Lord of the House of Death, 
then died that Good Man: The night before he died, the Moon applied 
to a Sextile with Jupiter, and Trine with Mercury, and then he had Re- 
freshment, and they were in hopes of his Recovery ; but leaving 
those Aspects, she drew to an Aspect of Enmity with Mars, Lord of the 
Eighth, and then he suddenly changed. There were several Signs of 
his death ; Mercury his Significator, in the sixth House, Retrograde, un- 
der Combustion ; Mars Lord of the Eighth House, and Saturn there- 
in, and the Moon weak; Cancer upon the Sixth, being a moveable Sign, 
and Mars afflicting the Moon : There were some Tokens of the Jaun- 
dice sometimes, and he vomited Cholerick matter, and waterish; and 
though he took a vomit, it still lay at his Chest. 
6. Let us take notice of the Judicatations and Cure, both for Me- 
thod and Medicine, that the Ancients and Neotericks that follow them 
have set down : In Cacochymy, we must alter; in Phlethory, purge, and 
bleed, and sweat; in Cold, we must heat; and in Heat, cool; we must 
moisten the Dry, and dry the Moist : These are approved Philosophi- 
cal Rules, and are certainly true and good, quoad modum & gradum: 
Consideratis considerandis.
In the cure of all Diseases, we shall chiefly meet with two differen- 
ces, 1. Diseases of Quality, 2. of Quantity. 
Diseases of Quality are cured with, 1. Antidotes, 2. Specificals. 
Diseases of Quantity are cured with Vomiting, Purging, Bleeding, 
Sweating, and Diureticals; wherein are introduced Driers, Moistners, 
Heaters, Coolers, Openers and Stypticks. 
First. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quality, these things are 
most considerable ; That every peculiar quality must be opposed by a 
peculiar quality opposite to it: in our Bodies, in one or other, at one 
time or other, are most, if not all the qualities that are in the Earth, in 
Animals, Plants and Minerals; and we finde such a Plant agrees 
with scarce any man, and another agrees with this man, and not that ; 
it is because in the first Plant was a qualified Spirit Heterogenious to 
the common Nature of Mankind; in the second a quality there was He- 
terogenious onely to the peculiar qualification of the Humours in some 
Bodies: those that are used to take Poysons, take them harmlesly, be- 
cause their Blood is by the frequent use of those things changed into their 
nature, and so not being contraries do not fight; One thing is an Anti- 
dote for the Plague, because in it the Spirits are of an heterogenious and 
adverse quality to the quality that ferments our Blood; another thing
is 

A Monitory PROMæMIUM. 38
is an Antidote for the Pox, and kills the the venom or quality thereof, 
that is not so peculiarly opposite to the Pestilence; another killeth the 
quality of the Blood, and Juyces in the French Pox, that hath no adverse 
Spirit to the Small Pox : One thing is good in a malignant Pleurisie, 
Angina, or Peripneumonia, that doth no good in ordinary Quinzies or 
Pleurisies: Riverius did well observe that bleeding People of a malig- 
nant Disease, in one City all died ; in another, where the Disease seem- 
ed the same, all lived that were let blood : See Riverius his Accompt 
of Malignant and Pestilent Diseases, their Causes from the Stars, in 
Capite de Febre Pestilenti. 
What is the Reason in things Inanimate one kills and deads another, 
one draws one to it, and expels or draws back from another ? is it not 
the adverse and inimical qualities in them ? They that please to search 
our Physiology of Qualities, Sympathies and Antipathies, may finde ma- 
ny Examples and large Experiences thereof: So that it is a weakness in 
those that know not Nature or its variety, to conjecture such Effects 
come about from the form or figure of things, and correspodent pores in 
things that receive the Attoms of such a figure. 
We read of two Thebane Princes, Eteocles and Polynices, two Brothers, 
who bore one another a deadly hatred in their Life-time, and fighting a 
Duel they killed one another ; and according to the manner of the Gre- 
cians were to be burnt to Ashes, to keep their Ashes Monumentally in 
a Pot, and so never bury them in the ground as we do; their Bodies be- 
ing both laid in one fire together, the flame divided, and went up in 
two tops, so that their dead and senceless Bodies seemed discontented 
to lie together, who in life had so hated one another. 
Without doubt many acute, malign, and confused sicknesses, would 
be best, easiliest and certainliest cured by Plants of that Planet that are 
antipathetical to the Planet that is found to cause the Disease ; also by 
Sympathy, that way Plants may cure ; as, take an Herb of Venus to cure 
a Disease caused by Mars.
I wish Physicians would take notice how many ordinary illiterate 
People cure Diseases frequently with one Trifle or small Simple, when 
they with their Methods and many Compositions, Intrinsicks and Ex- 
trinsicks, fail to do it: often they give but one Medicine or two, the vir- 
tue of it, and that a Simple for the most part; witness the cure of ma- 
ny Gripings, Pains and Stitches, which they cure commonly and pre- 
sently with Acorns, or Stich-Holly, or Powder of refined Rosin; Jaun- 
dice they cure easily and oft with Specificals , as, Lice, Saffron, or 
Turnerick, Earth-Worms, or Chelidone-Roots : Dropsies they cure 
without such Methods and several Intentions without compositions, and 
multi-

40 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
multiplication of them, with Horse-Radish-Roots, Eldern or Dane- 
wort, flower-de-luce-Roots, or Guaiacum : Agues they cure easilier 
and speedilier with Camphir hung about their Necks, than with all 
the Methods and Compositions Physicians use commonly : So with de- 
coction of Five-leav’d-Grass, or decoction of Herbigrass, Feaverfuge, 
and Centuary, or any one of them, do the Vulgar, thrice given be- 
fore their fits, oft drive away Agues; or with Yarrow, Plantain and Net- 
tles bruised, and laid to their Wrists, or Garlick and Gunpowder, be- 
cause these are Specificals. Almost in all Diseases of quantity, is a pecu- 
liar nature and qualification of the morbid Humour : What variety is 
there in the Method of Physicians? and how in one Distemper let se- 
ven or eight unknown to one another, be set to prescribe, and they will 
variously direct, not onely for Medicines but Method ; one will think 
purging requisite, another not; he may rather approve of vomiting; 
this may be against it, and hold bleeding most requisite ; another is a- 
gainst all evacuation, and holds onely alteration good: another he is 
for Astrological Cure, and sees what Planet gave the distemper , and 
uses an Herb of an Enemy Planet to cure by Antipathy, or of an Ami- 
cal Planet to cure by Sympathy ; yet we may find some Herbs under the 
dominion of such a Planet, very improper; but a wise Physician will 
take those that are proper for the Disease, sua Natura: One or two 
Specificals that sure and tried Experience manifest, do more than large
Compositions hodge-podge, and mish-mash, and Chaos’s of Simples. 
I wonder, not onely the common People, but Physicians, and in other 
respects wise ones, that they should idolize Mithridate, Venice Trea- 
cle, and Mathiolus his Antidote, &c. large Miscelanies of all together, 
that were intended to be good for every thing, and special for no- 
thing. 
I ask whether Compositions have Virtues that none of the Simples 
have? If they receive their Virtue from the Simples, then he that 
knows the nature of the Simples, may best judge the force, and nature, 
and dose of the Composition. I ask whether every Simple doth not 
retain its virtue and force ? if not, why were they put in ? if they do, 
then are there contradictions, to insist onely on Mithridate , by which 
all others may be judged after that manner. If any give it for the Head, 
it must be because some of the Simples, or most, are good therefore, and 
thence the composition receives its virtue ; Fennel Seed, Oil of Nut- 
megs, and Castorium are appropriated thereto, & what are these to forty 
other things improper, in a dram of Mithridate ? very few, if any grains 
of these are therein, and were they not the stronger given alone in due 
quantity ? 
Beside,

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 41 
Beside if we intend to help a stupid distemper of the Brain by Mithri- 
date, because in it are Peppers, Stæchas, Castorium, Fennel Seeds, Ol. 
Nucistæ, &c. do we not do more hurt by the Opium that is in Mithri- 
date ? What Disease may not some of the Simples be proper for ? and 
what Disease is the whole Compound fit for ? be not Agarick, Opopa- 
nax, Ornis and Asarabacca-Roots purging? Hypochystis, Acatia, red 
Rose Leaves, Frankinsence and Storax binding ? Turpentine, Cassia 
Lignea, Scordium, Fennel Seeds, Acorus, Saint Johns Wort, Valeri- 
an, are somewhat opening; and Cinamon, Spicknard, and Celtica , 
Gum Arabick, red Rose Leaves, Opium, Acatia, Hypocistis, &c. stop 
up and bind, hinder all Fluxes, and stop and indurate the Humours ; 
some are violently hot, as the sorts of Peppers, Acorus, Myrrh, Saf- 
fron, Ginger, and Mustard Seed, Castorium, Cardamoms, Cubebs, 
Opopanax, &c. and Opium withstands them all; so that if they are gi- 
ven in a cold Disease, because most are hot, Opium adds to the Disease; 
if an hot Disease, because Opium stops motion the producer of heat, the 
other will inflame ; so that it can be given no way to do good, but ano- 
ther way it may do harm : some things are proper in any Disease, and 
some improper in any Disease : in Contraries must needs be contradicti- 
on : besides, some are proper for one part, some for another, so that 
the Composition is peculiar to none ; Some are Arthritical, as Costus, 
Fennel Seeds, Castor, Ginger, Stæchas, Acorus; some Pectoral, as 
Styrax, Gum Arabick, Saffron, Myrrh, and red Rose Leaves ; some 
Hysterical, as Galbanum, Opopanax, Sagapen, Opium and Castori- 
um; some are Hepatical, as Gentian, Asarabacca, Orris and Cassia 
Lignea ; some are breaking Wind, or Carminative, as Cubebs, Car- 
damoms, Peppers, Castorium, Acorus, Anise and Fennel Seed, &c. 
and Opium contradicts all; for that, besides other things, makes the Me- 
dicine unfit in Windy Distempers. This clearly confutes those that 
make one Medicine to be proper for all Diseases, when each quality 
doth only oppose its contrary. 
I ask whether one ounce of Castor, or of Galbanum, or of Valerian 
Roots, given alone, would not do more, then to mix either of them 
with four times so much of that that is improper, and then give but one 
ounce for a dose ? 
I know divers may flie to that false Ayslum or refuge, Experience in 
this case touching Mithridate: I have observed it, and nothing is done 
by it, but such as in all likelyhood Nature would have effected, or else it 
makes no mutation at all commonly, or people grow worse : Tradition 
is the only plea, not experience ; for experience, not phantasically and 
conceitedly taken, will not vindicate it; but abundance of Composi- 
F  tions


42 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
tions have we generally received in several Dispensatories, only messes 
of altogether ; and how rediculously are they composed and multiply- 
ed ? We should read to judge, not to learn of Tradition in such cases, 
when we think our selves fit to practise ; for Tradition doth many times 
consent only in dissenting; he that only reads, and remembers what  
he hath read, to go by, and to justifie his practice, is not fit to be a Phy- 
sician ; but he that can demonstrate all his proceedings upon grounds 
and accounts of his own ; for what he remembers he hath read, is ano- 
ther mans wit, none of his ; and he shall hardly find three Patients in 
ten that he can tell how to compare to Practical Chapters of Physick 
touching Diseases ; and if he hath no ground of his own to regulate Au- 
thors, he may go to a wrong Chapter, as well as a right. I have used 
to charge Compositions well with the Specificals I trusted to, and to 
have a great care they were in their full force and virtue ; for other 
things that are but sweetners and Vehicles, it is no great matter what 
virtue they have: I have chiefly trutsed to Simples commended by Ger-
rards and other Herbals, for they were experienced good in such Di-
stempers they are praised ; also I drew out all the choice Remedies for
Simples I could find in those Authors I had, and such I did affect to use 
for Compositions : he that knoweth good Simples, may make good Com- 
positions. Yet even in Diseases of Contagion and epidemical, we must 
take away Impediments, else our Alexipharmicalls will not take place. 
In some vomiting is good to clear the Stomach, which may hinder our 
Cure; so the foulness, stoppages, and putrified Matter in the small or 
great Guts, must be took away by Lenitives in Malignant Diseases, else 
such Impediments will hinder the taking place of other things ; So it is 
apparent in Chyrurgery, that the Chyrurgions Office is only to take a- 
way Natures Impediments; he cannot heal, Nature doth that: the 
Similar and Homogenious parts in Ulcers and Wounds desire to unite, 
were the Impediments took away, as is Foulness, Sanies, Apostema- 
tion, Sarcosis or Excrescent Flesh, Pain, Swelling, Heat, Inflama- 
tion, and Afflux of Humours. There are some Medicines indeed glew- 
ing and glutinative, but these cannot heal, but draw together the Lips 
of Wounds, and so united parts grow together ; yet also they glutinate 
and draw up Orifices of corrupted sores, and so the bottom being foul, 
a worse is made, and an hollow Ulcer ; so that nothing properly can 
be termed an Healer, only they all do their Office, some one way, some 
another, to take away Natures Impediments: all the best Medicines 
in the world shall not cure some Ulcers, especially, not till such a 
time, and then perhaps a trivial thing, of Nature on her own accord 
will do it; for if we strive when Nature is not disposed, in all Diseases
we

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 43 
we do nothing, Nature alone will do more: the Stars are a principal 
cause ; for if any one be wounded or bruised at such or such a time, he 
will not be healed of a long time, and till that time come all our Arts 
and Remedies never so choice shall not avail; and when the time is 
come, an old Womans Plaister, or some petty thing chances to cure 
it. In some tumors no suppurating Plaister or Oyntment will make them 
ripen that are not naturally, specially at that time, disposed to ripen and 
suppurate ; and in others, no discussing or dissolving Topicalls will hin- 
der them from ripening ; so that if we chance not to light of the right 
time, and to assist Nature in that way she is disposed and inclined ; yet 
in many tumors, specially if we wait, in some longer, in some a shorter 
time, Discussion is made by Discutients, and Suppuration by Matura- 
ters ; because Nature was thereto suaptè inclined or disposed, or else 
did stand neuter; and so by outward force, as by a weight put into Scales 
that were even, the Ballance was turned. 
In Exanthemata and most Eruptions & Tumors, the proper way next 
to sweating is, to use Topicalls, εìς diαοòρnσν, to open the Pores, and 
let out the evil Quality or Heterogenious Spirit of the Diseased Matter, 
specially in malign Pustules and Tumors; for the malign Quality be- 
ing evaporated by insensible Transpiration, the Mass left is insipid and 
void of Heterogeneity,and so is sucked up again by the Veins, and recei- 
ved by the Blood; for inimicalls love not to be joyned together. 
I have observed in the use of Dialthea Oyntment, Oyl of Lillies, of 
sweet Almonds, and some like hereto, that swellings anointed here- 
with, make their dimensions and extensions the larger, specially if we 
do anoint farther then the swelling reaches, and before the matter is 
fixed, while it is fluxible and thin,; for though these Diaphoreticalls 
and Emollients are very proper to let out the fiery sharp or Inimical 
Spirits of the humour that caused the Blood to separate it, and throw 
it off upon a part weakest, and that could not repel,and nighest; yet they 
loosen the subjected flesh, and make the capacity larger for the humor 
to swim in, and the skin to be distended ; yet we must not look any 
thing should happen alike in all ; we are sure the Medicines have al- 
wayes such virtues, and connatural operations; but the difference is in 
the Body, and there is agreement only as to disagreement; yet we may 
properly say, (denommatio sumitur a majori) that such is the ordinary 
course of Nature, that happens most frequently amongst so many vari- 
eties and diversities. 
Reader, what ever I deliver, that I do not prefix or annex to it, I
think, I think, It is probable, or the like, thou mayest take for a sure 
F2  and


44 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and found Truth ; for I have not given my self to believe Tradition or 
any Opinions of men, but have judged them, and brought them to the 
Bar of sure Experience; and where I could not find two or three good 
and infallible witnesses in Nature for them, I rejected them, especial- 
ly if the course of Nature in other things did not harmonize and hold 
therewith. 
I do not desire any man should believe any thing because I believe it; 
let him believe the Experiences, Examples and Histories that men have 
in divers Ages and Countreys consentaneously writ; no projects of 
their own Brain, nor Imaginations; for that hath spoiled all Learning 
every where, because men will not contemplate the works of GOD, 
and know all the Secrets and Varieties in the wonderful course of Na- 
ture, the real effects of a GOD. How would men agree in all Points 
of Religion, and of Opinion concerning GOD, and how He is to be 
worshipped, what He is, and wherefore He made this World, and the 
Office of Man, did they truely and really (void of all fond Concepti- 
ons and Imaginations) adhere to the course of Nature, and search her ? 
Doubtless God did not give a Rational Faculty to Man, to deceive and 
entrap him ; and we see what one Eye apprehends black or white, ano- 
ther doth ; and what one Pallate tastes sweet, another doth; and what 
one Eat hears found shrill or loud, another doth ; and what one Nose
smells unsavory, another doth ; and what one Hand touches hard or soft, 
the Hand of another feels it so ; I mean purely according to Nature : 
Then let us conclude these things are all true, and really so, that the u- 
niversal Nature of Man consents to own and approve of ; and that o- 
ther things are questionable, and must be brought to the Bar of sure Ex- 
perience, to be tried ; for GOD gave us not our Senses, Hearing, See- 
ing, Smelling, Feeling, and Tasting, to deceive, and entrap, and con- 
found us: All mankind might be satisfied in one Religion, as well as 
in unanimity in Philosophy, were things cleared, that one mans Eye 
might see them as well as another ; no man surely would deny Experi- 
ence, that he could both see, hear, feel, taste, or smell himself : So the 
Doctrine of Spirits is writ by the experience of many men; and did not 
the self-same things happen in our Age and Countrey, we might 
distrust tradition : When we hear men say they saw such things them- 
selves, and they were addicted to no fond belief, and in all other things 
staid and prudent, we may have reason to believe them.  
2. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quantity, we might say some- 
what, whereof hath partly been spoken before ; and touching Vomit- 
ing, Purging, Bleeding, Sweating, and Ureticks, we have spoke in our 
Book of Nosology, in our Physiology and Jatrosophy whether we refer 
the


45 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
the Reader: yet because we did not there describe the Humours to be 
purged, and their diversity and nature, so that the Reader might sin- 
cerely and throughly apprehend the Truth of those four Humours, 
Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy, we shall discourse a little 
thereof here. 
I do allow, with the Ancients and Neotericks, that the Humours of 
the Body may be called properly, Φλέγκμ, Flegm, Χολή, Choler, udωg,
Water, υελαyχολiα from μsλæν, black, and Χολή, Choler, Melancholy, 
or black Choler: But that the Reader may know the truth, we shall 
give these Exceptions: 
First, That the Names are onely Figments and Phancies of 
Men. 
Secondly, That Nature observes no Method or Order herein, 
as, that that Humour that is not Flegm , must be Melancholy ; 
or that that is not truely Melancholy, according to Physicians 
Description thereof, must be Water ; and that Humour that cor- 
responds not with either of these , according to Ancient Rules 
and Authorities, must be Choler ; There is no such thing in 
Nature. As for Example : Melancholy by its Name sigifies 
black Choler ; by their Attributes it must be black, and a kind 
of Choler, it must be fluid and thin ; by the taste, say they, 
tart; by nature of mutation, Scirrhous, and apt to grow fæcu- 
lent : I answer, We may finde an Humour that is black , and 
very bitter; in the one it accords with Melancholy, in the o- 
ther with Choler ; what then shall we call it ? Another Hu- 
mour is found black, thin like Water, not coagulative ; what 
shall we call this ? also sweet in taste, so that the taste agrees 
with Flegm, the consistence with Water, the colour with Melan- 
choly. So in the generality. 
Thirdly , Why should we give Names to Humours, and those
naturally to be so qualified, when we finde not so in the course 
of Nature, not as a Rule, onely as a Contingent and Accident ? 
For suppose any Physician should open a Mans Head, or other 
Part, and finde therein the cause of his Death to be a gellied 
Water, black, stinking, and insipid ; must we therefore write 
of all mankinde, there is an Humour in all Bodies which we 
thus call, which is gellied, black, stinking and insipid, when we may ne- 
ver find exactly the same again ? For in another that is dissected, we 
may find the blackness of an humour, but not the absence of taste ; or 
the gelliedness of an humour, and not the blackness ; or the stinking of 
an humour, and not the gelliedness :  and so it is as purely accidental 
that

46 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
that we meet with Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy in the Bow- 
els, especially Choler and Melancholy, just as they describe: Water in 
the bellies of Hydropicks agrees the most together, and in all may pro- 
perly be called Water; yet in some it is thicker, in others thinner; in 
some clear, in others yellow, in others blackish; in some stinking, in 
others sweet, in some bloody; so that it is hard to say whether it is 
waterish Blood, or bloody Water: and in other parts of the Body, Wa- 
ter (if it be good to use such a general name to express our selves) differs 
more, so that it is hard to say whether it be waterish Choler, or a chole- 
rick Water ; or a waterish Flegm, or a flegmatick Water; or a water- 
ish Melancholy, or melancholy Water : They that intend to be sais-
fied in Truth alone, and to acquiesce therein, had best build their Faith 
on sure Foundations, and read Observations, Anatomies and Dissecti- 
ons, and consider all from what they can experience, or what many others 
have experienced, not conjectured.
I think it the best way to teach any, to let them read onely Observa- 
tions, and Experiences, and Similitudes, and therefrom, with their own 
consideration, and comparing one thing with another, make general 
Rules and Tenents in Philosophy. What man can imagine (that did ne- 
ver experience himself, or read, or hear it to have been experienced) 
that there is such variety in fire ? that some fire will burn and not be 
seen ; and some look like flame, and yet not burn ; that some should be 
quenched with Oyl, and kindled with Water; that some should burn in 
the depth of the Earth, and in the Sea, and in Lakes ; that Wood rub- 
bed together should burn ; that Fire should be procured from a Glass of 
Water set in the Sun, Toe laid betwixt, and many such things: It is not 
fit men should write of a thing, that know little thereof, onely conje- 
cturally ; for therein men lose their time and pains, and cannot assert 
any thing but from such a mans ita dixit, or ipse dixit, or so many men 
are of that minde, when by experience the thing might be put out of 
all dispute.
Of 

47 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Of the New Method, or Astrologo-
Physical Way of Studying and Practi-
sing Physick. 
In all sick Parties, more notice is not to be taken of the sick Parties
Information, than of the Position of the Heavens at the time of
the Parties falling sick, or when his Decumbiture and first lying
down was or when grievous Symptoms did arise: if this time
cannot be taken, then the Physician must draw a Scheam of the Hour
and Minute he was first sent for in, and wherein the Parties Urine was
brought, and the Question made from the Sick, and Advice taken
first.
The Physician in this Scheam must consider the Lord of the Ascen-
dant, or first house, to be significator of Sick; and the Lord of the
sixth House, to be Significator of the Sickness; the Lord of the Seventh
personates the Physician, and Lord of the Tenth the Medicine or Phy-
sick. 
Yet if the sick Party enquire not himself, the Lord of the Ascendant
shall signifie the Enquirer or Querent; and if it be a Brother that is
sick, the Lord of the third House shall be his Significator, or for a Neigh-
bour ; if a Father be sick, the Lord of the Fourth; if a Wife, the Lord
or Lady of the Seventh ; if a Child, the Lord or Lady of the fifth house;
and so as to other Relations, according to Astrological Rules, too tedi-
ous here to go thorow ; yet I alwayes thought the Lord of the Ascen-
dant to have, in all figures a great signification.
The Moon in all figures, especially of Diseases, hath great signi-
cation, though she be neither Lady of the Ascendant, Sixth, Eighth, or
Tenth House.
In Scheams for the Sick, the principal Significators of the Sick, and
his Disease, and the Moon, if they be in the first House, or first sign
Aries, afflicted, they signifie the Sick is afflicted in the Head, or some
part thereof, as Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Face, &c.
If in the second House, or in the second Sign Taurus, they shew Dis-
eases

48 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
eases in the Neck and Throat, as, Struma’s, Kings Evils, and melan- 
choly sicknesses; but the Lord of the Sixth, the Sign thereof, and the 
Moon, must chiefly shew what the sickness is. 
The principal Significators in the third Sign and House, chiefly shew 
ails in the Arms, Shoulders or Hands; and Gemini shews distempers of
blood, in what House soever. 
In the fourth Sign and House, the Stomach, Brest and Lungs are affe- 
cted ; Cancer gives scabbedness and waterishness. 
In the fifth House, and in Leo, the Party is afflicted in the Back and 
Loins, or Heart, or about the Ribs; and Leo shews Choler, or too much 
high Blood. 
The sixth House, and Sign Virgo, shews distempers in the Mesentery 
and Abdomen-Guts, and first Ways ; Virgo is melancholick, and gives 
Fluxes and Windiness. 
The Lord of the Ascendant, of the sixth House, and Moon, in the se- 
venth House, and seventh Sign Libra, shew the Disease is in the Kidneys 
or Loins, in the Buttocks or Groin and Privities; Libra gives heats 
and surfeits, and venerious distempers. 
In the eighth House and eighth Sign Scorpio, shew affects in the Pri- 
vities, Anus, and Share, in the Huckle-bones and Buttocks; Scorpio 
sometimes shews Piles, Stone in the Bladder and Tenasmus. 
The ninth House and Sign Sagitary, the Hips, and Hams, and But- 
tocks are affected: Sagitary gives Itchy fistulous corruption, and Scia- 
tica’s. 
In the tenth House and tenth Sign Capricorn, the Knees and Hams, 
and upper Leg is affected : Capricorn oft gives outward blemishes, and 
those from Melancholy. 
In the eleventh House and eleventh Sign Aquaris, the Skin, Legs and 
Anckles are amiss. 
In the twelfth House and Sign pisces, the Anckles, and Feet, and 
Toes are afflicted. Judge by other Signs the nature of the Dis- 
ease. 
It cannot be expected that in all or in many figures we should finde 
the first Sign Aries, on the Cusp of the Ascendant, or Taurus on the 
Second, or Gemini on the Third; therefore we must judge from the 
greater probability ; for there will be great alteration in all Scheams: 
nor must we expect to finde often the Lord of the Ascendant, or Signi- 
ficant of the diseased man, the Lord of the sixth House or of his Sick- 
ness, and the Moon, all in one Sign or House; but we must judge from 
the greater probabilities ; two are greater than one, and the Lord of 
the Sixth is most significant, as to the part afflicted; the Sign he is in,
and

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 49 
and the Sign that descends on the sixth House,and the Degrees of those, 
chiefly shew the part or parts afflicted ; compare the Sign the Moon is 
in with these. 
In the next place (having found out the part affected) we must see how 
it is affected, or what the cause is ; and therein we must consider, First, 
the nature of the Sign that is upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the 
House of Sickness, and also the nature of the Sign that ascends, which 
is somewhat, though less considerable, than the Sign of the sixth. 
If Aries descend on the sixth, it shews the Sickness fiery and hot and 
cholerick: Aries shews Pushes, Wheals, smarting Pimples, Tooth- 
ach, Headach, Noli me tangere, Ring-worms, &c. 
Taurus is an earthy cold dry melancholy Sign ; and that shews, 
Kings-Evils, Wenns, Fluxes of Rheum, Quinzies bastard, Apo- 
stems. 
Gemini is an airy, hot, moist and sanguine Sign; it shews Putrescence 
of the Blood, Windiness, distemper of the Judgement and Phan- 
tasy. 
Cancer is a Tropical Sign, the only House of the Moon, waterish, cold
moist and Flegmatick; its shews upon the sixth in a Disease, a cold Sto- 
mack, abounding of Flegm, Pthysicks and Catarrhs, Coughs, Dropsies, 
waterish Apostemations, Cancers in the Dugs or Paps, and other Infir- 
mities of those parts it governs. 
Leo is the only House of the Sun, its nature is hot, dry, cholerick, and 
accordingly signifies Inflamations, specially in those parts it governs, 
Pleurisies and Side Pains, Back Pains and Oppression of the Heart and 
Spirits by heat, Heart-panting and Burning Feavers, and Malignant 
Affects, Feaverish Jaundices, &c. 
Virgo is an earthy, cold, melancholy Sign; it signifies Wind, cold 
Cholicks, Stoppages, Worms, Engendring of Stones, Observations of 
the Meserick Veins, &c. 
Libra is an airy hot moist and sanguine Sign; it signifies Stones m 
the Reins and Bladder, Heat and Putresence of a retained Matter in 
the Back, Loins, and Groin, Infirmities of the Ureters and Urinary Pas- 
sage, exulceratious pissing of Blood. 
Scorpio is a cold watery and flegmatick Sign, and accordingly shewes 
Diseases, as Fistula’s, Dropsies, Gonorrhæs, cold Apostems, and 
moist Exulcerations, Flegmatick Swellings, and Obstructions therefrom 
in the lowest parts of the Belly, Diseases also specially of flegm and 
moisture in Utero et Pudendis : yet it is a token also of Child-bearing 
and fruitfulness. 
Sagitary is of the fiery Triplicity, hot dry and cholerick; it shews 
G  Putrescence

50 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Putrescence of the Blood in those parts it governs, whence may be sharp 
Exanthemata, and fiery Swellings, Itches, Inflamations and Aposte- 
mations, from a separation or corrupted and hot Blood thrown off upon 
those parts, which according to the degree and nature of it, and the 
qualification and strength and disposition of that part to receive, some- 
times this, sometimes that, sometimes more, sometimes less. 
Capricorn upon the sixth, shewes a Disease cold dry earthy and 
melancholy; from hence may be judged,that the party is diseased much 
about his Knees, and that there is some swelling pain or breaking out 
from some earthy cold and melancholy humour, or else it doth concrete: 
But we cannot stand so long as to describe the tenth part requisite for 
the Physician to know, he must first study Astrology, and therein he may 
be informed of many other things ; adjoyning thereto the knowledge 
of the Humours, and their various Motions, Mutations, increase and 
decrease, also, the Vessels and the Parts, and their natural Offices and 
life, and which way aptest to be spoiled, or most capable of Corruption. 
Aquaris is an airy, sanguine, hot and moist sign, governing the Legs 
and Ancles. Hence may be guessed, if upon the sixth House, or the 
Lord of the sixth or Moon be therein, that the party is there (however in 
other parts besides afflicted, and that there are varices or goutish 
windy Pains or Swellings, or Lameness, or Cramps, &c. of that na- 
ture ; but it requires abundance of curiosity, more certainly and accu- 
rately to describe particulars, 
Pisces, is cold, moist and flegmatick, shewing Gouts, Lameness, Fleg- 
Flematick Swellings, Dropsies of the Feet, Chilblanes, Phlyttenaaquofa, 
Flegmatick Apostemations, &c. of like nature. 
Now for the Planets, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, 
Luna. 
Saturn, characterized, Lord of the Ascendant, in a Scheme that is 
drawn at the decumbiture of the Sick ; denotes the Person of the Sick, 
and that he is of a cold earthy dry melancholy Constitution, or incli- 
ned more or less thereto ; Lord of the sixth House, the House of Sick- 
ness, it argues the Disease to be in that part, that the Sign he is in prin- 
cipally governs, compared with the Sign desceding upon the Cusp of 
the sixth; and observe the Degrees he is in in that Sign, for accordingly 
the chief Grief is higher or lower in that part; also by natural sympa- 
thy he principally rules the Spleen: These things considered,and that he 
is Cronical, portending Diseases of long time, Astrologers have ob- 
served, that all Impediments in the right Eare, and Teeth, that Quar- 
tane Argues, all dry and melancholy Distempers, Lepra and Elephanti- 
asis, Palsies, Tremblings, loss of Hearing, Carus and Coma, Sopor and 
Stupor

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 51 
Stupor, Gouts, vain Fears, Ruptures that grow Scirrhous, Dog Hun- 
ger, Hæmorrhoids, &c. of like nature proceed from Saturn. 
Jupiter ♃, signifies, when he personates the sick party, that he is 
moderately hot constitutioned, abounding with blood, and if well dig- 
nified, that is, of very good inclinations of mind, affable and grateful : 
When he is Lord of the sixth House, and personates the Disease accor- 
ding to the Sign he is in that principally governs such a part, and the 
Sign upon the sixth, there chiefly the Sickness lyes, and the Sign that the 
Moon is in; yet Jupiter peculiarly governs the Liver, and the venal 
Blood in that part may be inflamed, or apostemated, or break forth: 
he is observed to cause most Diseases that arise from Putrefaction of 
the Blood, Pleurissies, Inflamation of the Lungs & Liver, heart-beating 
from Blood offending in quantity or quality, Qunizies, Pains in the 
back, because he governs Leo, Putrid Feavers, &c of like quality. 
Mars, characterized ♂, Lord of the Ascendent, or that House that 
shewes the person of the sick ; shewes his temperament to be hot and 
dry, cholerick, and of a fiery angry mind.  
When he signifies the Disease, he shews the Jaundice ; he chiefly by 
Homogeneity of Nature, governs the Gall: Also Astrologians ascribe 
to him these Diseases, Evils of the left Ear, Tertian Feavers, Megrims, 
Carbuncles & Pestilent Agues, Malign & Epidemical feavers,Fistula’s, 
Ringworms, St Anthonies Fire, sharp and cholerick Eruptions, Boiles 
and Exanthemata, Wounds, Cuts, Burnings, Scalds, Passions of the 
Mind, as Anger, Fury, Frenzies, Deliriums, and others consonant and 
deducing their cause from Choler. 
Sol, or the Sun, the Fire and Light of this World, is characterized 
thus, ☉, he sympathises by Homogeneity of Nature with the Heart, 
the Microcosmical Sun; and as the greater of like nature by sympathy 
or similiar attraction, influences upon the less, so the Sun upon the 
Heart of Man. The Solar Man is hot and dry, but more temperate than 
Mars ; he shews fault in the Arterious Blood and Heart, as Palpitation 
and Syncope, vitiated or defective Sanguification : If the Sun be Lord of 
the sixth and very weak,and afflicted by Saturn, judge the Seeds of San- 
guification are almost extinguished. Mans right Eye is given to the Sun, 
and Womens left : therefore in Infirmities of the Eyes, the Sun is 
to be considered : The Sun shews in all Figures, but more where he is 
a significator, Strength or Weakness of the Vital Spirits ; and though a 
Man hath many and great Enemies, yet so long as he is strong to keep 
them out or over-power them, it is nothing ; bur where Nature is weak, 
and can make no resistance, a little thing dejects her. 
Venus is thus characterized, ♀ : The Ancients called her, Cytherea,  
G2  Aphrodite, 

52 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Aphrodite, Vesperugo, Phosphorus, Ericina; she chiefly signifies Diseases 
ofnthe Matrice and Privities ; in scroto et testiculis, the Lues Venerea, 
Gonorrhœa, Priapismus, Tengio, Satyriasis, Coitionis Munera, belong 
to her, specially if her Sign Libra is on the sixth House ; If Taurus, be- 
cause that shewes Diseases in the Neck, descends on the sixth, she shews 
watery or flegmatick Apostemations in the Neck or Throat, bastard 
Quinzies, Rheumatick Swellings, Flegmatick Kernels, or Venereal 
Exulcerations; Lady of the Ascendant, she shews the Temperance of 
the Sick or Querent to be moist, flegmatick, and something inclined to 
Sanguine; if well dignified, she shewes good Conditions, Mirth, a lo- 
ving and pittiful Nature. 
☿ Mercury follows next, the least of all the Planets, who alwayes ac- 
companies the Sun ; the furthest distance is 27 degrees : he of all the 
Planets is only a Neuter, neither Masculine or Feminine, but as he is 
joyned to a Male or Female ; he chiefly rules the Tongue & Language, 
Wit and Eloquence : when he is ill dignified, if a material significator, 
the Sick is in danger to be light-headed, but more or less as it may be, 
Madness, Lethargies, Phrensies, dull memory, Giddiness, Hoarsness, 
Coughs, Imaginary Sicknesss, Dumbness, Stammering, Numbness, &c. 
are given to him as the Causer and Signifier. 
☽ the Moon is chiefly considerable concerning Sicknesses, though 
she is neither Lady of the Ascendant, or sixth House, or Significatrix of 
the person of the Sick, nor Lady of the eighth, the House of Death; she 
shwes much how the Disease will change ; and it is much to be consi- 
dered who she applies to, and from whom she separates, her Dignity, 
and the Nature of the Sign, and House she is in ; she signifies Water in 
the Head, that may cause Stupor Tremor, Palsies, Apoplexes, Verti- 
go’s, Epilepsies, Lunasie, Convulsions, Madness and Dullness, as the 
Water is milder or sharper, hotter or colder, more vellicating or nar- 
cotical qualitied; she by her Sign Cancer governs the Breasts, she causeth 
Dropsies, Water-bladders, Rheumatismus, Catarrhs & Coriza, Rheums 
of the Eyes, in the left of Men, and right of Women when she repre- 
sents the sick Person, she shews his Temper, cold moist and phlegma- 
tick ; she signifies Diseases changeable ; Mercury Diseases fixed, Sa- 
turn Diseases most cronical, Mars acute Distempers, the Sun and Ju- 
piter acute, but less acute than Mars; Venus shewes Diseases cronical 
and more mild, but these alter and vary as they are dignified and posi- 
ted, and in conjunction with such or such, and as they are in fixed move- 
able or common Signs. 
Concerning Crises in Diseases, Hippocratists and Galenists, set the
third

53 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
third or fourth day, the seventh, the ninth, the twelfth and fourteenth, 
doubling three or four, and so to twenty one, for critical dayes; but 
experience finds truth in somewhat else: indeed in many Sicknesses, 
which therefrom we call Agues, or intermittent Feavers ( every Ague 
is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague ;} the Crises come once 
a day, that we call a Quotidian, or twice in 24 hours, that we call a 
double Quotidian, or when one Crisis or Fit is off, strait succeeds ano- 
ther ; another hath a double tertian, viz., a Crisis twice in three dayes, 
that a first had it but once in that term. A Paroxysme truly considered, 
is nothing but a Crisis ; and there are no other certain legitimate and 
methodical Crises; another hath a fit but once in four dayes, that we call 
a Quartane, or two dayes sick, one well; which therefore the vulgar 
call A third days Ague ; another every fifth or seventh day is sick ; and 
now in these I allow, the Galenical Crises,but not in common acute and 
not feaverish Distempers, as continual Tertians, Quotidians and 
Quartanes ; for the Quality of the morbifick Humour may be such, that 
it may make one sick every day, and yet a fit comes but once in three 
or four, where in is Exacerbation ; and here continual Feavers differ
from intermitting, because in the Crises or Paroxysms of continual Fea- 
vers, the infected Matter is not thoroughly expelled ; in pure intermit- 
tings it is, only the Seed of such a nature, lies in the Blood that trans- 
mutes in two or three dayes as much more morbid Matter, which the 
Blood perceives, and ferments to separate, and doth effectually by 
Sweat, Urine, Vomit, or Exanthemata do it. The word κρίσis comes 
from κρίνω to judge : And Avicen faith, Crisis est velox motus mor-
bi ad salutem, vel ad mortem; so that we gather that is truly a Crisis in the 
meaning of the Ancients, that is a suddain change, so that Death or Life 
may be judged apparently. 
To which I answer; How many, as the vulgar say, do lighten afore 
death, are very well rid of their pains and miseries, and seem past all of 
a suddain, and die within few hours after ? how many are there that 
have many sharp Crises afore death ? at least two or three frequently, 
and the Sick escapes them, and growes better after each, and yet dies at 
last, sooner or later: in such a Crisis, or after the Crisis is over, the 
sick die quietly and easily. 
παξνσμos, a Fit comes from παρoξνεiv, to stir up ; and I know not 
what great difference can be made twixt Crisis and Paroxysmus, for the 
Crisis is a Paroxysme, but every Paroxysme they mean is not a Crisis; 
and why ? because Crisis portends a suddain change ; and we can there- 
by judge of the death or suddain recovery of the Sick. 
I answer; there is no such thing in the bounds of truth, only acci- 
dentally

54 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
dentally some may guess death or life, and as easily speak the contrary; 
nor are Crises alike in sick persons for number, greatness, or conformi- 
ty of kind or invasion. The truth is this, the Motion of the Moon, of the 
Lord of the Ascendant, Lord of the House of Sickness, and of the House 
of Death, only and truly shew the motion Paroxysmes, Exacerbations 
and Crises or Decretory Dayes, in such confused and acute Diseases as 
they attributed Crises to ; and if that appears, Crises must not happen 
every third, or fourth, or seventh, or twelfth, or fourteenth, or seven- 
teenth, or twenty one day, and no other, as they did falsely conceit: 
When the Moon applies to a Qartile or Aspect of enmity to the Lord of 
the Ascendant, or Lord of the sixth, then is like to be a sick fit; when 
she applies to a Sextile or Trine Aspect, to either of them, then is like- 
ly to be an interlude or refresliment, other Aspects and Planets motion 
not causing the contrary ; the Moon in opposition to the significator of 
the Sick, or sickness causeth extraordinary illness ; also when the 
Lord of the House of Sickness (the more if he is a malevolent Planet, 
as Saturn or Mars) comes to a Quartile Aspect, or Opposition to the Lord 
of the Ascendant, there is raised in the Sick a Paroxysme or Crisis, the 
Lord of the Ascendant being weak, and by nature an enemy to the Lord 
of the sixth, so much the worse, the more the Sick is cast down, the 
Lord of the eighth being the House of Death, if he be strong and ma- 
levolent, and come to a Quartile Aspect with the Lord of the sixth (any 
Aspect with him is bad) and the Lord of the sixth, and also of the first
House be weak, and otherwise afflicted, we may suspect death ; but if 
the Sick through strength or friendly Aspects of Jupiter or Venus, or Lord 
of the seventh or tenth, the House of Physick or Physicians do pass that 
fit, it is likely they will recover: but the true Significators of the Sick 
and his Sickness should be taken at his Decumbiture, and so considered 
all along in their places, Signs, Houses, Dignities, Motions and Aspects 
with other Planets; yet if we draw a Schem at the Decumbiture or first 
falling sick, and Mars be Lord of the Ascendant, and Mercury of the 
sixth, and we draw another a day, two or three after, there may be ano- 
ther Planet Lord of the Ascendant, and another Lord of the sixth House, 
but the course of the first are to be considered most; and seeing there 
is such great change in most, both Critical and Cronical Ailds, the pre- 
sent Lord of the Asendant, sixth and eighth House, are to be weighed 
in every Scheme we draw upon changes of the Sick ; but in all things 
consider the Moon, though Lady of none of the aforesaid Houses, also 
Jupiter and Venus, though by government of houses no Significators or 
consignificators, yet if joyned by body, or friendly Aspect applying to the 
Lord of the Ascendant or sixth House, especially if strong, they bring great
refresh- 

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 55
refreshments, ease, & alleviation to the Sick; so the malevolent Planets, 
Mars and Saturn, though they; be Lords of Houses unconcerned in the 
Sickness, which shews their ill-will and power the less, and the less to 
respect or tend towards the Sick, yet joyned by body or by Quartile 
Aspect or Opposition reflecting upon the Lord of the Ascendent or sixth, 
or Moon, they do deject the Sick, and increase his Griefs ; indeed any 
Aspect, though Trine or Sextile, of the Significators with them, is bad ; 
that part is most afflicted according to the Sign they cast an inimical 
Aspect to, and are in: but in most Schemes and Figures that we draw; we 
shall find much and many contradictions, in some it is hard to say one 
or other, there are as many reasons or arguments for a thing, as against it; 
and we know not whether of them are most or greatest : And even so we 
find things in the universal course of Nature here below, to be answer- 
ing to the divers Motions, Stations, Fortitudes, Aspects, and Retrogra- 
dations of the Planets ; for in one mans happiness is this or that un- 
happiness, so that we can hardly say, he is more happy in his wealth, 
than he is unhappy in his sickness. I have well considered it; and he 
that knowes these things, and doth well consider, and compare, shall as- 
suredly, find that the contingents and things on earth, that happen to, 
and are in and about Man, come and fall out just according to the me- 
thod and order of the Heavenly Bodies ; and what detraction can it be 
from God, or Heterodoxity to say, The one is governed or guided by the 
other, being we see assuredly they do fall out, and have their current 
and ordinary natural motion so and in that manner? for every thing hath 
its cause ; and if good comes immediately from God without the inter- 
vene of contingent and natural Causes, so then would Evil be made im- 
mediately wilfully and partially to arise from God, if it did not acci- 
dentally according to the Order of Nature so fall out ; which Order in 
Nature God hath committed to the course of the wandring Stars, so far 
as our reason and knowledge, experience and capability can reach ; 
which course of the Planets God at first made, and that is the wonder 
they have ever since continued and he knew how they would change 
and vary, and what and when, and how things would be changed and ef- 
fected. 
There may be many exceptions made which in one place or other of 
our Writing, or Scripture, we have endeavoured to give satisfaction 
in. 
In all Schemes we must compare one thing with another; for as in the 
Heavens are good and bad and indifferent Signs, so in one sick Body, 
some Signs shew Shortness, some protraction of the Disease, some shew 
Death, some Recovery, and some are neither.  
Moreover

57 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moreover, in all Changes we must see what Planets afflict the Moon, 
and Lord of the Ascendant and sixth House, and judge of the Humour  
accordingly: Saturn governs the Petrifying, Scirrifying, gross and earthy 
Spirit in Man : Mars governs the fiery sharp thin Evaporative and 
caustick Quality in Man : the Sun and Jupiter chiefly govern the San- 
guisick Quality in Man, the Sun more properly the Sanguisick Princi- 
ple, or Heart; the Liver and Venal Blood are given to Jupiter, and 
animisick Qualities. 
The Moon gives Waterishness and Moisture, specially encreasing;
decreasing she decreases it : Venus chiefly governs the Spermatifick
Quality ; and Mercury the Sense or Rationality of the Brain; but 
Venus gives Flegm chiefly ; Mercury inclines the Way, or that, as he is  
conjoyned with others. 
We Shall next proceed to the Astrological Cure of all Diseases, and 
treat as briefly thereof as we may conveniently. 
If the Disease is caused by Saturn, we may cure by Sympathy with a 
Plant of Jupiter, the Sun or Mercury, for they are friends to Saturn; or 
we may cure a Disease caused by Saturn, by Antipathy, by a Plant of 
Mars or venus, his enemies. 
If Jupiter cause the Disease, or be Lord of the sixth, or afflict the 
Lord of the Ascendant at Decumbiture, all Medicines cure by Sympa- 
thy ; all the Planets being by Astrologians reckoned friends to Jupiter, 
but Mars, and a Plant of Mars may cure by Antipathy. 
If Mars cause the Disease, or be Lord of the Sickness, that is cured 
by Sympathy by a Venerial Plant; by Antipathy by Medicines Gover- 
ned by any of the other Planets ; yet in this case, the Sympathy with 
Venus is of greater force than the Antipathy of Mars, with the rest of the 
Planets. 
A Disease of the Sun is best cured by a Plant of Saturn antipatheti- 
cally for Saturn alone is his enemy; but by Sympathy by a Plant of 
any of the other Planets, indifferent friends with him. 
A Sickness caused or governed by Venus, is best cured by Antipathy, 
by a Plant of Saturn, Contraria contraijs curantur ; but the Plants of 
all other Planets being friends, if they cure it is by Sympathy. 
A Sickness caused by Mercury, is cured sympathetically by a Plant of 
Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, being his friends ; antipathetically, by Plants 
or Drugs or Minerals of Sol, Mars and Luna, being Mercuries ene-
mies. 
A Sickness caused by the Moon, is cured antipathetically by a Plant of 
Mercury or Mars; sympathetically by Medicaments under the govern- 
ment of Venus,
Secondly, 

A Monitory Proæmium. 57 
Secondly, This is to be considered, that we drawing a Scheme at the 
sick mans desire, or at his Decumbiture, or first visit, or water sent, or 
the like, we must consider the Lord of the tenth House, signifying the 
Medicine, and Lord of the seventh, signifying the Physitian : if the Lord 
of the tenth be a Fortune and strong, give a Plant that is governed by 
him, or Plants, elected as we shall shew in the following note or obser- 
vation ; but if the Lord of the tenth House, or the House of Physick, 
be weak, afflicted, or in a Quartile Aspect, or opposite to the Lord of the 
Ascendant or sixth house, and be also an Infortune, which makes it the 
worse, give not a Medicine that is governed by him, for that is likely to 
do harm, no nor give any thing at that time, not until the Lord of the 
tenth is well dignified, or a new and friendly Lord of the tenth arise by 
mutation of Signs, and also a well-dignified and qualified Lord of the 
seventh, and that are in good Aspect, and nigh as may be with the Lord 
of the Ascendant and sixth House; give no Medicine governed by the 
Lord of the eighth, or house of Death: every Artist must look to find 
huge variation in the heavenly Bodies ; and rarely all these good Signs 
or Aspects can be found together, these enough to give directi- 
on, unless men have studied the Grounds and Rudiments of Astrolo- 
gy. | 
Thirdly, In the Astrological Cure of Sickness, we must not only give 
a Plant, Mineral, Gum, Stone, or Animal governed by such a Planet that 
is at sympathy with the Planet causing of governing chiefly the Sickness, 
or a Plant of another Planet, Antipathetical to the Planet ruling the 
Disease, nor yet a Plant of either of the aforesaid Planets sympathe- 
tick or antipathetick, though it be strong and Lord of the tenth house, 
unless it be somewhat proper to remove the cause, or oppugn the sharp- 
ness, grosness, waterishness, stoniness, vermifying, &c. of the Hu- 
mour. 
As for Example; Mercury is Lord of the sixth House; a Vertigo, Le- 
thargy, or depraved Ratiocination is the Disease; we would cure it by 
sympathy or antipathy; see the Lord of the tenth, or House of Medi- 
cine, he is Mars, he is strong and well aspected to Mercury ; well then, 
give a Plant, Stone, Mineral, Animal, or other kind of Medicine that 
is under the dominion of Mars, but not any Plant, Stone, Mineral or 
Animal, but such as experience shews proper, and reason demonstrates 
to-be opposite qualitied to the Quality of the Humour, Matter or Va- 
pour causing the Disease : observe Physical Experiences, what Medicines 
have been found to cure in such cases, and then look which of these are 
under the dominion of Mars, or which of those Plants under the go- 
vernment of Mars are found available in such cases, for Plants of other
H Planets 


58 A Monitory Proæmium. 
Planets have also been used, and have done good sometimes in those ca- 
ses, that will not help another; and that is a great reason, why one is 
cured by this, another nor eased by that, yet is by another thing, as nigh  
to the formers Mans condition as may be. 
Other Books must direct what Plants, Stones, Minerals, Animals are 
governed by such and such Planets: yet herein I must needs condemn 
Astrology ; for Astrologians have not questioned these things on good 
Grounds, and certain and manifold Experience, and do differ in judge- 
ment therein : Indeed for many Drugs it is hard to learn by any Rima- 
ting Experience, what Planets they are peculiarly ruled by; all such 
ought to be gathered when the Planets ruling them, are essentially for- 
tified, as nigh as may be, and given when the Planet governing it, is
strong, and well aspected by the moon, and Lord of the sixth and first 
Houses. 
Moreover, if any Planet be Lord of the sixth, strong, and well as- 
pected, a Plant of his own may help that Sickness by sympathy. 
As for example; the Sun, the heat of the world, sympathizes with the 
Heart, the Sun and heat of Mans Microcosm, the Sun may cause swoun- 
ding. Heart panting and lypothimy ; then observe what Plants 
the Sun governs, and chuse out such as have been found good not only 
in general for the Heart, but in particular for such Distempers of it; and 
those Medicines may be, Balm, Saffron, Rhue, Marigolds, Piony, Ros 
Solis, Rosemary, and Wine. 
Cum tua non edis carpis me a crimina Leli, 
Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua.
A


59 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
HEAD 
We shall divide Diseases of the Brain into two 
parts: 
1: Diseases of Sense.
2: Diseases of Motion.
The first we shall divide into two parts:
1: Diseases of Stupidity and Astonish-
ment.
2: Diseases of aggravated Sense or Mad-
ness.
The second we shall also divide into two
parts:
1: Diseases of Motion lessened or abolished. 
2: Into Diseases of Motion depraved: so that under these two, Di-
minution, Depravation, or Abolition of Sense and of Motion, we shall 
comprehend a Discourse of all the Diseases of the Brain. 
I. For Diseases of Stupidity or Astonishment: The Ancients were 
pleased to call them Coma, or Carus, Catalepsis or Cataphora, Apoplexia, 
H2 and   

60 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and Lethargus, Subeth Araborum, &c. And now seeing they ordained 
Nature a course to go in which she doth not observe, we shall finde 
somewhat to examin : 
Tradition ought not quite to be rejected, nor superstitiously protected. 
The Ancients, and Moderns that danced after their Pipes, did di- 
stinguish and ordain the differences, and kindes, and degrees of Nar- 
cotical Diseases, to be thus and these.
1. An Apoplexy, that is, a privation of sense and motion in the whole 
body, from a thick flegmatick humour in the brain, difficult breathing, 
and stertor; the two chief inseparable symptoms. 
2. Catalepsis, or Catoche, said the Ancients, were another kind of so- 
por, or stupor, wherein of a sudden all the faculties of the Soul, and 
motions of the Body perished, the Sick lying in that very state wherein 
he was first taken, neither speaking nor hearing, arising from a cold and 
dry distemper, not of the substance, but hinder ventricles of the brain 
for the most part. 
3. A Coma, or Cataphora, (some of the Ancients differed in the names, 
and which two should be put together, as nigh related) a propensity to 
sleep so earnestly, that the sick cannot open their eyes: they distinguished 
betwixt Coma vigilans and Somnolentum, thus ; in the vigilans Coma they 
cannot hold open their eyes, but are awake; in the Somnolentum they 
both shut their eyes and sleep: the cause, they said, was a strong refri- 
geration of the brain, from a flegmatick humour. 
4. Carus: This, said the Ancients, is a sudden immobility and in- 
sensibleness of the whole body, the breathing being free, whereby it dif- 
fers from an Apoplexy, from a Lethargy by absence of a Feaver, and 
because in this the sick answer not, but in Lethargies commonly have 
that reason and power; the cause, they said, was Flegm, or a cold hu- 
mour obstructing the sore ventricles of the brain.
5. A Lethargy: In which Reason and Memory were impaired, if not 
absolutely defunct, an irresistible necessity of sleeping , a Feaver from 
putrified flegm in the substances not ventricles of the brain. We might 
adde a sixth, and that is, lost Memory, from a cold distemper and 
flegm. 
Indeed Johannes Johnstonus in his Idea Medicinæ practice, hath many 
choice distinctions of all Diseases, whereby Truth is exceedingly de- 
monstrated, and the Reader the better understood of these things; yet 
he did follow Tradition, as Sennertus chiefly, who is a far better Pat- 
tern and President for Truth, than Galen, Hippocrates, Celsus, Ætius, 
Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, and other Ancients. 
if any man will object against me that the Diseases of the brain are 
such


A Trotate of the Diseases of the Head. 61
such and onely such, and in that degree and manner, and in no other 
than what the Ancients and Moderns have delivered in their practices 
of Physick, I shall wish him to observe twenty or thirty of the next Pa- 
tients he meets with, and see if their cases correspond with the Chap- 
ters of the Disease he thinks these have : so also for the Cause, let any 
man open twenty or thirty (for in so many, if there be any Method and 
Order in Nature, it may be found out) and let him see if the causes 
were such or so many, and onely such and so many, in that place and 
degree the Practicks have delivered : It is sure Nature observes some
Orders, but it is not as to the Bodies of things, but their Spirits; a 
Narcotick quality in any matter, as Water, or Blood, or Cholerick 
looked corruption, will cause a Coma, Carus, lost Memory or Lethargy, 
and in what part soever, if it may be communicated to the brain, it will 
astonish sense : Whence is the force of the Torpedo or Crampfish com- 
municated at such a distance ? how doth the Lye of the Salt of Worm- 
wood astonish the hands ? bitter Opium is Narcotical , and nautious 
Henbane ; the fume of Charcoal in a close Room makes sleepy, hot
Spirit of Wine makes drunk like dead for several days : Platerus hath a 
notable History of one dead drunk with being in a Wine Cellar, that 
working, and he closed up : by Thunder, Air, and some Baths, are men 
made stupid : Whatsoever hath a Narcotick quality, it opposes the 
Brain, because the Brain alone of all the Body contains its contrary; it 
is a quality opposite to sense and motion, which the Brain con- 
tains.
These procatarctick and outward causes do nothing, unless they work 
upon the inward ; for all are not alike made to sleep with opium, or asto- 
nished with Spirit of Wine; all are not made Apoplectick with a box 
of the Ear, or sudden fright,and yet some have: Nature abounds with 
variety, and in every sick person almost we finde somewhat singular ; 
and almost every other or third case is a rarity. 
Secondly, If we consider the inward causes of stupid, and torpid, and 
sleepy Diseases, they arise not all from one cause, or one matter, it is 
the Narcotick quality in the humour or matter that benumeth and dul- 
leth ; yet I must needs say this, there is as much variety in the kindes 
and degrees of astonishment, as in the cause: in some there is onely a 
sleepy temper and dulness. Marcellus Donatus brings two examples of 
those that slept many years together, and had no illness or Disease : eve- 
ry thing hath its extream of little, and extream of much, and Medium or 
Mediocrity. 
Some when they have been opened, have had a ball of viscous flegm 
in the Brain, that did dull and somnify the Brain; others opened have 
had

62 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
had their Brains loose and waterish, and scattered as it were; others 
opened have had an abscess and purulency found in the fore part of their 
Brain, that did die Lethargically ; others about the Ophthick Nerve 
have had a purulent abscess and slimy water, others from Worms; and 
we see Children that have Worms, or rather a sweet mild humour pu- 
trified, are sleepy; so in fits of the Mother, some lie 2 or 3 days stone dead 
as it were : In two dissected were found water ; in one reddish, in the 
other paler, in both in the hinder part of the head ; and the Veins that 
ran from the fore to the hinder part of the head, full of black blood : 
In Apoplecticks the head being opened , blood hath flowed forth like 
Ink; in another Apoplectick, a thick and viscous humour is found nigh 
the Context retiform in the head : In the heads of other stupid persons 
have much glutinous but clear water been found in the brain ; so that 
however it looks, if a Narcotick quality is in it, it makes stupid and 
senseless ; or in what part soever a Narcotick quality is, it opposes it 
self to the brain ; for Opium lies in the Stomach or Guts, when it raiseth 
sleepiness. 
Yet this we will allow the Ancients, that where an humour looks black 
or red, commonly there is not a Narcotick quality in it, as in flegm 
glutinous water, not that the colour impedes the quality, but the quali- 
ty the colour ; for a fiery Spirit in an humour, makes it high coloured, 
and sharp tasted, and strong scented. 
I ask what makes the astonishment ? if they say the coldness and wa- 
terishness of the humour; I answer, Blood and visibly Choler caused it: 
if they say such a thing ; I ask why it is not found in all ? for astonish- 
ment was in all these, and that that caused the Astonishment was in all 
these; but neither thinness or thickness of the humour, aquosity or vis- 
cosity, redness or paleness, taste or odour was in them alike ; therefore 
they did conduce nothing thereto, onely to be fit Bodies for a Narcoti- 
cal qualified Spirit to be seated in: Indeed often in Apoplexies, blood 
by blows or falls, stopping up all the passages of the animal Spirits, and 
compressing the Brain, causes stupidity, but not commonly in stupidity 
and drowsiness. 
Possibly abundance more might be found in Authors , that have been 
opened, dying of stupid and somnorous Diseases ; but in these what 
shall we conclude (to go on in the Rules of the Ancients) is the Cause? 
if we say Flegm, some were found to have clear water; if we say wa- 
ter, some were found to have black blood; if we say black blood, some 
were found to have viscous purulency or mature; if we say viscous puru- 
lency or sanies, some were found to have pure uncorrupted gelly trans- 
parant; if we say pure transparant gellied water is the cause, some 
were

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 63
were found, as in the comunicated Observations to Riverius, to have 
a black stinking humour like Ink, that caused sottishnesss and foolishness ; 
in others it seems balls of Flegm have been in the substance of the 
Brain, and the Brain hath been waterish, and dissolved, and loose in 
others. 
Secondly, To particularize on any one of these, how shall we hold 
with Galen and Hippocrates, touching the four humours ? for if we say 
Flegm is white, thick and sweet; Choler yellow, thin and bitter; Melan- 
choly black, fæculent and fowr; Water clear, thin and insipid; where or 
when shall we find Flegm, Choler, Water, or Melancholy the cause of 
Disease? It is by as great an accident that we finde Humours just thus 
qualified and principled, as any other thing : and why should the An- 
cients make Posterity believe that most commonly, for that shews a 
thing most natural, Flegm, Choler, Water, and Melancholy, or Blood, 
as some will have, are the cause of all Diseases ? for where once we 
shall find an humour pure Flegm, or pure Choler, or pure Melancholy,or 
pure Water,as the Ancients described, we shall find them ten times 
contrary ; so that it will be hard to say, whether they come nighest the 
nature of Choler, or Blood, or Water, or Melancholy ; for if they have 
the taste of one, they want the colour ; if the colour, they want the con- 
sistence ; if the consistence, they want the smell ; if the smell they have, 
they want the Virtue, Nature, Quality or Properties of that Hu- 
mour.
We shall not here shew all the diversity of signs and differences in 
Stupid and Somnolent Sicknesses: The Ancients should have done well 
to have called all Stupid or Somnolent Sicknesse , and so have made 
distinction according to observation; but describing onely five kindes, 
as, Lethargy, Apoplexy, Catalepsis, Coma and Carus, and they to be so as 
we have described, the Reader is much deceived : for, for any to be 
sick of any Torpid or Somnolent Disease just as they have described, is 
very rare ; and why should they deliver that as a common Rule and 
Method in Nature, that is as accidentary and casual as any thing ? for 
to which can we refer many Soporous Sicknesses ? neither Lethargies, 
because they arise from another cause than what the Ancients did set ; 
and not Apoplexies, because they hold them in a different manner: so 
that neither in the Cause or Symptoms are they exactly referrable to 
any of their Names, nor perhaps Natures. 
II. We shall treat of the Sickness of the Brain, wherein is an aggra- 
vation of Sense, and exaltation of the Spirits, contrary to the other 
of Stupidity and Drowsiness.
The

64 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
The Ancients, and also Moderns, call them Phrenitis, Mania, and Me
lancholia.
Phrenitis, say they, is a continual raging, with a sharp Feaver, 
wherein the Imagination alone, sometimes the Reason is hurt, from 
an Inflamation of the Membranes, or the Brain it self; therein is, 
say they, a stoppage of Urine, breathing small and frequent. 
Mania, say they, is a fury tiuturne with boldness and fierceness, from 
the fire of the Spirits moved, or yellow Choler burnt; as Etius saith, 
from putrified blood : there is no Feaver in this, some say, because 
there is no putrefaction. 
Melancholia, say they, is a raging without a Feaver, with Fear and 
Sadness; without a Feaver from a melancholy humour, which they 
said was either in the Head it self, or did in vapour steem up thither, as 
from the Hypoconders and Spleen. This short description I take, as 
most generally received by the Moderns from the Ancients; but to go 
to search how all differed , might find an industrious and wife man suf- 
ficient tediousness; in many things indeed they agreed onely in dis- 
agreeing ; and sometimes both were right, and sometimes neither:
for there is such wonderful variety, that if they all differed, as it might 
be, they might all write true. 
Now we will examine all the kindes of aggravated Sense, and see if 
they be onely so many and such as the Practical Physicians have writ 
Chapters of; and we will see if that Delirium or raving that is not con- 
sentaneous to the description of Mania, be Phrenitis; and if that di- 
straction that is not a Phrenitis, be Melancholia ; and we will observe 
whether Nature observes any such Method, that if a distraction or ra- 
ging be not in the Symptoms, Cause, Manner, and Measure of a Mania, 
it must be a Phrensie ; if it be not correspondent with the Signs 
and Causes of a Phrensie, it must be a Melancholy : Also we will ob- 
serve, if it be a Madness, whether commonly it is exactly so, or acci- 
dentally ; or whether in one sick Person most familiarly, which is most 
natural, and should have been writ of accordingly there : Are not Sym- 
ptoms some of Mania, or Madness ; some of Phrenitis or Phrensie ; 
some of Melancholia, or Melancholy ? or at least, some Symptoms argue 
one, one time ; and change of Symptoms argue another Disease, ano- 
ther time. Whosoever distrusts the Truth of our Experiments, and 
Examples, and Anatomies, may be satisfied from Skenkius, to go no 
further; he hath collected abundance of mens observations : But to 
these we have added the Observations collected from many men, by 
Marcellas Donatus; divers collected by Johannes Johnstonus; divers 
by Thomas Bartholinus, and his own ; as the others also did adjoyn their 
own

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 65 
own with collecions ; also Felix Platerus, Petrus Pawns, Laz. River. 
Tulpius Renealmus, Horstius, Antonius Benivenius, our own; by which 
we can judge the truth of others, and confirm what we write , did not 
the universal consent and harmony of Observators, univocally testifie
it : but we were loth to write from our own Observations alone, because
one man is not alwayes a sufficient witness; one may mistake, one may 
be superstitiously addicted, and phantastically principled : I think I have 
about 13 or 1400 Observations of my own writing by me, but most of 
them trivial, and such as most practical Physicians meet withal; and 
therefore are of the smaller concernment, for I think it bootless to tell 
men only what commonly they knew before. 
Platerus in his Practice of Physick, went a method by himself, indeed 
from his own Observations and Experience, and wrote the Genera or 
Kinds caused by such a Quality, not the Signs, as others did, of such a 
particular Disease : And Johnstonus in his Idea Med. Pract altered the 
road and method of Practices, by making distinction of the Causes, and 
distinction of Signes upon those Causes ; for we need no other Signes 
than the particular Signes of such and such Causes, after we have de- 
scribed the Genera or Kinds, for there is no other certainty of Signes; 
for if to day possibly in any one we find all (and alone they) Signes of a 
Mania, as the Antients described, tomorrow the Sick may have Signes 
of Melancholy dotage, and the next day a Phrensy, the fourth day dif- 
ferent from any of these, or some Signes of each. 
First, Kinds of Madness or heightened and moved Sense. 
One is quarrelsome, laments and rages, speaks indecently and much, 
sleeps not. Hors.Obs. p. 106. 
A Woman did rage by fits, and with that raging did sometimes laugh, 
she had no Feaver, spoke obscenely, and often, endeavoured to strangle 
her self. Horst. p. 110 
A Man runs mad by fits, sometimes outragious, sometimes absurd, 
from jealousie, he playes divers tricks, carries his child into the field and 
hides him, Plat. Obs. p. 57. Two more also, pag. 60. from jealousy 
fell one into melancholy trouble of mind,and desperateness to kill; the 
other into fury, who killed his wife. 
Another, because of sadness, ran mad; he was more tame, and did dote 
and pull straws, and cut his cloaths in pieces. Plat. Obs. 86. and pag. 
87. Another deprived of her Love, delired, and talked often, and called 
him; and the same pag. another was forty years mad with great fury, 
be used to pull all apieces, and after this term, he came well to him- 
self. 
I  Another,

66  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.
Another, pag. 88. of Plat. Obs. had womb-fury, and was very mad, 
and did call to passengers to lye and copulate with her, and did vehe- 
hemently desire coition,and speak very obscenely and immodestly, and 
died ere long. 
Another being maddish, was stark mad with drinking Wine, he did fear, 
and went with his Sword, and said snares were laid for him; and one stri- 
ving to hold him, he killed him : Another ran mad, and did cry and 
bark like a Dog, being bit by a mad Dog. Another fell mad that was 
bit by a Wolf that was mad ; he feared water, and howled. Another, 
pag. 90. feared water, not bit of a Dog ; he had some Convulsions, and 
molestation of mind, from a fright he died. 
Two, in pag. 92, and 93. did constantly dance, and leap, and laugh, 
and called others to do the same, they could not stand still; but one was 
tired to death, the other recovered. 
A Woman after delivery hath an high Feaver, rages chiefly at those 
she used to love most, yet sometimes talks religiously, her face and eyes 
looked very red. One with short breathing and deflux of Rheum, a 
raging supervened with great heat, and he died. Plat. Obs. 170. 
Dodonæus in his Observations, quotes one that grew foolish on nights, 
clamoured, jumped up and down, and ran about, twisted his arms 
about. 
Valleriola Obs. lib.2. Obs.2. From love one did rage, and was furious 
sometimes ; again another time most loving and complemental and 
merry. 
Orthæus observed a madness adjoyned with leaping, so much, that 
for weariness he fell down, he had melancholy Phantasms. 
Divers talk in other tongues they never learned, and do foretell; 
others laugh extreamly, and then are sad extreamly. 
Fernel, lib. 5. chap. 2. of Pathology, saith, One troubled in mind and 
melancholy, did not sleep in Fourteen Months. 
Λνυανθ,aπia, infaniæ species ; see in Skenk. pag. 129. also Enthusiastick 
Infanio, pag. 135. which he calls thus, Mira apud medicos veteres Infania,
quam Enthusiasmum nominærunt annotata, saltandi furore, Musica, Pharma- 
ciaq; et diæta coercita. 
But why should we insist on these things, where there is a multitude 
of variety in the kinds of all Diseases, and the more we know, the more 
we see we have still to know ? 
Divers are strangely handled, possessed by the Devil, that do rage and 
leap, and jump from place to place, whose necks are sometimes twisted 
behind them, and Convulsions draw up all their parts; in some is a Fea- 
ver, in some not ; some blaspheme, and some have intermissions, where- 
in

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head  67
in they come to themselves, and speak well, and good things. Some pos- 
sessed or bewitched, find somewhat rise up in their breast as if they 
should be choaked. And some see the Witch or her Imp, come in form 
of a Spider or Beetle, and creep in at their mouths, and then they are 
hoven, and rage and delire, and are convulsive; and some lye as dead 
several dayes, and some do not sleep nor eat of divers dayes, that are 
bewitched or possessed of evil Spirits. 
I have searched more than most men, and I cannot find the Evil Spi- 
rits in all their Orders and Degrees, nor in their million of numbers, 
do know the mind or thoughts of Man ; God alone is Cardiognostes, it is 
his Prerogative; nor can they change the mind of Man, but by real pos- 
sesion, or through Witches, or by altering contingents and mens out- 
ward affairs. 
We shall not insist much upon the outward, moving & apparent cause 
we have already in part described; both the inward Cause that is moved 
by the outward , and the outward Cause, being but one and the same, 
in two parties, have different effects; nor is any thing much to be attri- 
buted to the colour or consistence of an Humour, but an hidden quality 
in it: for it is apparent that the same Humour visibly that causeth the 
Falling-Sickness in one, causeth Apoplexies in another, and Palsies 
and Stupor in another, and in another they seemed to ail little in the 
Head, until they were opened. 
The outward Cause of all exacerbated or aggravated fence, is prima- 
rily the Stars operating upon the inward Cause, and giving it such a qua- 
lity ; and a nature at such times to ferment and work, and make Fits and 
Crises, even according to the motions of the Planets causing the Di- 
sease, and the Moon.
Sadness, Fears and Scars, Jealousie, Discontents betwixt Man and 
Wife, the most lacerating of all Grief; bitings of Dog, Wolves, Wines, 
Strong-Drinks, and Hot-Waters, heat of the Sun, retained Semen In 
Mulierbus, retained Hæmorrhoids, &c. are the foregoing, exciting and 
procatarctick Causes; as also loss of Love, and Disappoitment in Mar- 
riage, destiny of Friends, and loss of Estates, soaring Phantasms, and 
deep Excogitations, &c. 
Now a little of the inward Cause of Exacerbated Sense or Distract- 
on, whereby the Reader may guess truly of the rest, and of other things. 
Petrus Fawus Obs.8.of Anatomies, opened a Man, that for two years 
did complain of a pain of his Head in the hinder part, then took with a 
Phrensy and Convulsive Motions, he suddenly dyed ; the thick Mem- 
brane of the Brain was eaten through with divers holes, chiefly in the 
I2  Bregma

68  A Tractate the Disases of the Head.
Bregma under the Arrow Suture ; from those holes flowed forth hard 
and thick blood, black and adult, very stinking throughout that Mem- 
brane ; with the like blood were the Vessels filled that ran through the. 
Superficies of the thick Meninx, and thorow the small ones of the thin 
Meninx, that involves the Brain; in the Cerebel was an Abscess of a 
yellowish humour inclining to white the Cerebel was loose and softer 
than the Brain. 
Yet Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2-. Histor. 34. opened one that had been 
wounded in the Forehead, and died thereof the tenth day ; he had an 
Aposteme in the Brain, with abundance of Purulency, which did turn 
the Vicine Parts to black ; he died sleepily and drowsy, nor had he any 
Delirium, Palsy or feaverish Pulse. 
Two more there he mentions that had Apostemes of the Brain, that 
differed both from these, and from each other : indeed the Part it is in, 
as well as the Quality of the Matter, is to be considered.
Jo. Skenkius from Neretus Nervitius, a Florentine Physician, had this 
Observation ; That one was opened that died of a Phrensy 1583. in the 
new Hospital of Dom. Mariæ, the Ventricles of his Brain were full of 
a skie-coloured Water, and the left Ventricle was eaten thorow ; Ja-
cobus Belga, a Physician that stood by, tasted of it, and it was very 
sharp. 
At Huntingdon, about the year 1653. died a Gentleman at an Inn, 
that was Doctor Sympcots his Patient; after a feaverish illness he fell ra- 
ving and doting, his Feaver still continuing ; he hid the Cause, till to- 
wards the last he revealed it, that he and several others had drunk strong- 
waters for wagers, and to outvy one another; in his feaver and raging 
he died; after his death abundance of Blood ran from him out of his 
Head. See now what varieties there be in the Causes of one Distemper, 
and see how one Cause hath divers effects, commonly drinking much 
Strong-Waters, or the Spirits of Wine astonish Men, so that they are 
many times buried alive : and Apoplexies quite contrary to Phrensies, 
are apparently caused by much and hot Blood, compressing the Brain ; 
and Blood in Apoplecticks hath flowen forth as in this Phrenitick. 
Coiter his Anatomical and Chyrurgical Observations, opened a 
Womans Head that died of a burning Feaver, she had loss of Reason, 
and did laugh, jest and sing ; Blood that was drawn out of a vein, did 
look flegmatick, raw and wheyish, her Head aked much ; after her Head 
was opened, in the Sawing of the Skull, there did flow out a great deal 
of Water like the washing of raw flesh, the thin Membrane and Plexus 
Choroidis, were full of thin and pituitous Water, both Ventricles full 
of Water, no inflamation of the Brain or Involucrums; from the bo- 
somes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 69
somes of the hard Membrane, were strings taken like worms made of 
glutinous Felgm; and this he called a Phrensie.
Certainly and the Planets put a Quality upon the Humours, that makes
one torpid, another garrulous; one raging, another loving; one at one
time stupid, a while after phrenitick: for visibly from one and the same
Cause, come divers Effects, and from divers and different Causes; as 
to our Senses of Seeing, Tasting, Smelling and Feeling, come one and the
same effect. God that did to all Bodies at first give such a Soul, or a 
Spirit, and to that Spirit a peculiar Quality, can give to Flegm by the 
same way and causes, a caustick and sharp Quality, and to red spirituous
Blood, a Narcotick Principle, or stupifactive Quality. 
Secondly, We shall proceed to Diseases of Motion, wherein we shall, 
I . treat of Motion lessened or abolished, and, 2. of motion depraved. 
Motion is lessened or abolished in the former Diseases, and by those 
Causes, as in Apoplexies, Lethargies, Catalepsis, Coma's and Ca-
rus.
Here we shall more peculiarly write of the loss or depravation of Mo- 
tion, the Senses and Understanding remaining : they may be divided in- 
to two Heads; I. Resolution of the Muscles or Nerves ; 2. Convulsi- 
on or Rigor. Physicians have reduced Resolution into Palsy and Trem- 
bling, and others add Stupor or Numbness. 
A Palsy, said the Antients, is not in the whole body, but in parts sub- 
jected to the Brain, sometimes Sense, sometimes Motion, sometimes 
both perish, viz. the Sense of feeling and of acting the parts : the Sense 
of feeling may perish, Motion remaining in that part, and Motion may 
perish, feeling remaining ; because, said Galen, they have two kinds of 
Sinews, one for motion, one for feeling, and which soever are hurt, the 
office thereof is hurt; sometimes it is in one half of the body, all the 
right or left side, and parts thereof; sometimes but in one particular 
member : the Cause was attributed to a cold distemper from thick and 
viscid Humours, or from bruising, wounding, scirrh or inflamation of 
the spinal Marrow; it is a Cronical Disease, not Acute; if the spinal Mar- 
row be cut or luxated, the Disease is uncurable. 
Trembling, said they, is a voluntary Motion depraved, the weight of 
the Member tending downwards,and the faculty of the Muscles lifting it 
upwards ; arising from a cold temper and weaknesse the Sinews, from 
drunkneness, use of cold things, that make thick and cold juice. 
Now let us examine whether the Antients set down all the Kindes of 
Numbness and lessened Motion, or whether Nature errs allwayes just 
thus


70 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
thus, if the errs in Motion ; or whether other ails, and quite other, and 
more Causes than the Antients described, do not as naturally and more 
frequently come. 
Alexander Trallianus, lib. i. cap. 16. saith, One had a Palsy or Reso- 
lution from sadness and much sollicitude and fasting, he taking Hiera Picra, 
was in the whole body immoveable like to dye ; he with Moisteners, Nourish-
ers and Baths, was restored. 
Gregor. Horstius. Obs. Med. lib. I. pag.24. relates of a Maid fourteen 
years old, that loved clay, chalk and earth, fell into a Feaver with sus- 
picion of Pox, they then reigning ; the Pox come out slowly, but a Pal- 
sy mixed with Convulsive Motions, supervened ; the Palsy was but in 
some parts, and the Convulsion followed ; she was was soon cured. 
A Woman in the 210. page of his fourth Book, had her Menstrues 
stopped, Cholical Pains of the neather Parts, desire of food, but ill con- 
coction, vomiting and nausea sometimes troubled her; then followed 
pains in the outward parts, weakness of the hands and feet, with dag- 
ging pains, so that they were almost immoveable, all the Funcions of 
her Brain still right and firm. 
Tulpius Obs. Med. lib. I. cap. 23. shewes a relation of trembling of 
the Thumb after letting of Blood, or of the Hand alwayes in an Iron 
Smith, which should teach Physicians, saith he, to search the peculiarity of 
mens Tempers. 
The same Nicholaus Tulpius, cap. 12. of the first Book, observes Peri- 
odick Trembling in Margaret Brentia of a flegmatick temper; it held 
three years,it began in all her Members, but continued only in her Arms 
and Thighs; a fit lasted almost two hours, with hoarse, and suppressed 
speaking : under the Dog Stars she was worse ; the order of her fits 
did agree with the Moon, and rise of the Sun, and were moved by the 
Moon as the Sea, sometimes oftener, sometimes seldomer; sometimes 
greater, sometimes less; but under the Dog Star Sirius, she had so ma- 
ny fits as there were hours, in winter fewer. She was helped at last. 
Platerus Obs. 167. did observe trembling of the whole body in some, 
and of divers parts in others, in sleep preceding death. 
He did observe a particular benumbedness of one Arm, with heavi- 
ness of the Head ; and in another the same numbness of the Arm from 
binding. 
So many men, so many rarities, every case hath somewhat singular in 
it, and Nature is bound to no such method or progress, that all dimini- 
shed, abolished or depraved motion must be just so, and in those Dis- 
eases only that Practical Authors have set down; for what they set down 
to happen generally, we can rarely find by experience. 
Plat.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 71 
Plat. Obs. pag. 96. observes another that had hurt and lessening in 
feeling, and withal burning and pricking paines in the Extremities, run- 
ning under the skin, that lasted many years. 
He observed one from a wound in the Spina Dorsi, to have a Palsy of 
all the nether parts, from the middle downwards. Another after a ge- 
neral Palsy, had a Palsy of the tongue. 
Skenk pag. 85 brings Experience to shew that the Tongues of those 
that have Palsies, have a slower motion at New Moons, than at Full 
Moons; and yet divers Physicians will not believe the Stars have any 
influence upon our Bodies; nor will they study to know so. 
Cætius writes from Avicen, that one could make a Palsy of his whole 
body when he would. 
Another had all parts resolved but his Face. Another had all his Ex- 
tremities and lower parts resolved, but his Hands, from a fall; another 
only his Thigh, another his Lip. 
Benedict. lib. I. cap. 39. de morbis curandus, Marcus Bassadonius,
from an acute Feaver and Phrensy, was weakned in his right Arm, so 
that he lost all sensation, and power of motion therein. And after this 
manner, to ennumerate no more, runs the common course of Nature. 
And if any Physitian will be diligent to write Observations of all he sees, 
he may see the same from his own Experience, which the common ra- 
tional Faculty God hath placed in all Men, blusheth to deny. 
Now let us see what is the internal Cause of Numbness, trembling 
and deadness of Parts, or the whole Body ; for we would chiefly inform 
Physicians, specially young Learners, in those things they shall ever re- 
tain, being multifariously built upon the sure Basis of Experience ; also 
those things that are of greatest dignity, and which being known, the 
rational faculty of man leads him to discover Appurtenances, and Cir- 
cumstances thereto adhering, nor are they ever to be unlearned again, 
as the Phantasies and Chimæras of Mens Brains are, nor shall the Rea- 
der often meet with such in other Books, and therefore have we chief- 
ly written in this manner, and these things. 
Of Procatarctick, open, or outward Causes in the Kinds of Resolution, 
we have spoken somewhat, and much needs not be spoken: it sometimes 
follows Cholicks, and Cholicks that ; an Air men know not how blasts 
and withers, sometimes one part, sometimes half the Body, and some- 
times all, the Body more or less suffering impair of motion ; so hath 
lightening done, loosing all the Joynts, and melting the Bones. After 
that manner did it to a Patient of mine, a Minister of Cambridgshire: 
And after the former, an Air suddenly surprized a Kinsman; all differ, 
and

72  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and the outward Cause differs ; some tremble from fear, some from ve- 
hement cold ; some in old age, some afore death. Quick-silver in those 
that are anointed, gathering together, not well killed, leaps in the Veins; 
so it doth in hot Liquor, or a Loaf, and so causes a Palsy. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. I. Hist. 93. A Convulsion and Palsy dissolved a 
Feaver. 
Fernelius observed that a Feaver turned into a Palsy, he thought the 
Choler ran into the spinal Marrow. 
We might infinitely insist on these, but by a penny we may guess how 
a shilling is coined. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. Med. relates a melancholy young man had a 
Palsy of the left, and Convulsions on the right side, had fits often, some- 
times resembling the Falling-Sickness, with a great Feaver, the Veins 
of the thin Meninx on the right side, did swell, aperto cadavere, with much 
black blood, and hardened, and nigh was a collection of apostemated 
matter in the Brain, black in colour. 
Brassavolus Comment. ad Aphor. 9. lib. 7. Hippocr. saith, One was 
and insensibly in his whole body, and died, bleeding much from nose, 
and no Medicines learned Physitians used, helped him. 
Benedictus, lib. I. cap. 33. curand. morb. saith, One by a staff did re- 
ceive a blow on the Shoulder, the Fingers of that hand were resolved or be- 
numed, nothing helped until he was plaistered in the Neck. This shews the 
Place, the former the Cause. 
Platerus, pag. 136. observed the giving of Opium in a Clyster, caused 
a Resolution of the Tongue, hindering speech, and the party stam- 
mered. 
Another he relates there, paralitick in both Sides, strook in the Neck 
with a stick, losing both speaking and hearing, but he eat and slept; but 
lived so a year or two, and died. 
Two others from blowes on their Heads, could not speak ; one had a 
loss of going, the other Convulsions of his Eyes; one saw things double, 
the other died. Blowes or cuts of the Back-Marrow also hath cau- 
sed the like, though not so frequently ; for many times nothing is to be 
seen in the Brain, the Sinews, and only some pairs being particularly 
resolved.
But secondly, We will shew somewhat of Convulsions, contrary 
motions to Resolution and Numbness, and the Kindes of Epilepsies 
joyned with the Kindes of Convulsions; there cannot a competent 
difference be gathered : for where we shall see these things clear and 
fully, and distinct, as Authors have deciphered in Practices, we shall ten 
times

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.  73 
times see diversity and different cases; yet Epilepticks hold a manner 
as conformable one to another, as almost any Disease : in the Genera or 
kindes, we shall also shew diverse degrees, and divers moving and out- 
ward causes of convulsive motions. 
When I was a Youth, I took white Hellibore for my Quartain Ague, 
and I had a Convulsion of my Gullet; so that it seemed to cleave to- 
gether to my apprehension, and to rise as if somewhat was in my 
throat. 
We read of Sardis or Apium risus, an Herb that brings convulsions of 
the Face, Eyes and Cheeks, and men dye as if it were laughing, there- 
fore that is called Risus Sardonius.
Toadstools, or Fungi arborei, bring convulsives, and Wrangling Sym- 
ptoms to some. Forrest, Obs. 116. lib. 10 observed a Woman that 
had her Eyes pulled up, her mouth distorted, her Cheeks drawn aside, 
her tongue immoveable to speak, vehement contractions of her hands 
and feet, but without stiffness, from Toadstools. 
Quickfilver in its fumes and evaporations, received into the Brain, 
is very bad ; the same Forestus besides others, relates thereof ; A Gil- 
der therefrom could not sleep or rest, but turned him this way and that, 
did tremble in all his whole Body, his Face grew pale, and for two 
months was grievously held ; but he used much Quicksilver for that 
Goldsmiths, Peuterers, and Gilders must use. 
Fernelius relates of a Painter that, unadvised, took Vermilion ; he 
fell into Palsies and Convulsions ; at first he perceived all his parts 
more torpid and immoveable, then they began to be contracted, 
and to be drawn cold, and fixed, and rigid , his going was taken away, 
his Arms and hands were most free of pain, but about his Stomach, 
Guts, and Hypoconders, were most intolerable pains, which the crush- 
ing of his Belly gave some mittigation to ; he had Intervals and Fits, 
and sometimes the matter did work most in one part, then in another, 
and in another manner : He was after a fortnight restored. 
Jo. Johnstonus in Thaumatographia, a man exceedingly deserving in 
Physick, writes from Mathiolus, that Napellus, a Plant, was given to a 
Thief ; he said it tasted like Pepper; he first felt a Palsie and stiffness 
in his left Arm and Leg ; then it seized upon his right, leaving the for- 
mer ; then he was cold, and had Convulsions of his Eyes and Mouth; 
he vomited like Leeks, and thought he had a Ball at his Navil; he was 
sometimes rational, and again doted ; blinde, and saw again thrice ; 
and wept, and was cheared; he thought he must instantly dye, and pre- 
sently the poyson leaves and intermits ; he thrice was blinde, and saw 
again, and thrice in an Agony of Death; his Tongue of all his parts 
K harm

74 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
harmless; he had huge beating of his Temples, and after a long con-
flict Nature overcame, and he recovered.
I could produce many more such relations of the nature of Plants 
and Minerals, and Creatures, to raise Convulsions, and the varieties  
of vitiated motion, as also all other ails man is subject to , but these 
may suffice here. We have shewed in our Book called Physiology, Ja- 
trosophy and Pneumatography, how man is taken from, and made of the 
Earth, and how most of those Principles are found in his body; and 
therefore is it that one Plant sympathizes with him, and another antipa- 
thizes; one sympathizes with such a part of his body, and not another, 
because in that part is a quality of Homogeneity to the quality of the 
Plant; so some Medicines spoil one part and not another, because in 
that part peculiarly is a matter of an antipathetick spirit to the spirit of 
the Plant, and so they fight: Were there nothing in the body of man 
of contrary quality to the blood, and spirits, and natural Juyces, there 
would be no Diseases ; for Friends and Consimilars do not fight; that's 
the reason that a poyson in one man works thus, in another so, because 
the constitution and quality of the humours are not the same; and as 
Plants do operate, or Minerals, or Animals on the Body of man vari- 
ously, according to the various nature of them, and the variety of the 
subject, so do humours : for what qualities are in Plants or Minerals 
heterogenious to the quality of, our spirits that constitutes our vitality, 
sense, and motion, such may also be in the humours; and the humours 
of themselves inimically qualified by the air, aliment, or otherwise, 
may raise the same, and such diversity of Convulsions , or other Ails 
whatsoever, as Plants and Minerals, and Animals do. 
There is a strange kinde of depraved motion, called Viti saltus, of 
constant leaping and dancing, in some with contractions, in others 
with Delirium : Some superstitiously believed that praying to St. Vitus 
Would help them. 
Tulp. Obs.14.lib.I observed a Maid fifteen yea old to have Con-
vulsions or drawing up of her Nerves, always sitting, but when she stood 
or walked, she had none: and Obs. 15. he observed a contraction of 
of the Nerves periodically, or by fits ; it arose first from Euphorbium 
taken, the which an inordinate horror did follow, and then Spasms, the 
fits were very bad, and shook all his Body, and, his minde and speech 
was took way. And Obs. 17. a Campensis woman had a peculiar depra- 
ved motion ; she stook her Knee first with one hand , then the other, 
long together very violently,nor could she be disswaded therefrom; imi-
tating with distinction of black-Smiths beating upon he Anvil; 
the Houshold could not help her a cushion upon her knees, so
that her continued and hard her the less In

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 75 
In others is a striking Knee against Knee constantly and hard, from a 
depraved motion in the Nerves, occasioned by a secret qualification of 
the humours and Astral Influence. 
Any matter, as it is a matter, is dead, but the Spirit in it is active
and communicable; and every Spirit, according to the quality GOD 
gave it, different from others, acts and officiates : Into all pure terrene 
Bodies, GOD did at first according to his good pleasure, implant a Spi- 
rit of a peculiar Quality; he could have made Sulphur purging, and 
Scammony binding; he could have made Rhubarb to have onely a pro- 
priety for the Head, and Sage, Rosemary and Betony to respect pecu- 
liarly the Liver ; for the Bodies are nothing but the Spirits they con- 
tain, and the peculiar qualities of these Spirits: so in mans Body, the 
humours, to look and consistence, smell and taste, may be the same, 
and yet have qualities, 
Betwixt common Falling-sickness and Convulsions and fits of the 
Mother, many times is little difference ; but what variety is there here- 
of? such an one is so handled, it is hard to say, whether they be Uterine 
Convulsions, or a Convulsive Hysterick Passion ; in all these some fall, 
in all these some do not fall ; in all these some feel a rising up of some- 
what within them, and in all these in others there is no such apprehen- 
fion : In Vertigo’s they fall, turn round, and there is such variety, and 
Nature is not bound to a Road or Order; that many persons it is 
hard to say whether they have a Vertigo, Epilepsie, Convulsion, or 
Hysterick Passion, or Swoonding : Some do affirm that men have Hyste- 
rical fits, so like to women ; and others say the Lungs are the cause 
thereof: some foam at mouth, and snort; some fore-see their fit, and 
sit down, and so prevent their falling : In Epilepsies some turn round 
as in a Vertigo, and then fall, and then have heavings of their Brest, 
as in Hystericks, and then have Convulsions, and then have foamings 
of the mouth, as in Madness or Drunkenness, and then snort as in A- 
poplexies, and then stare and talk strangely, as in Phrensies, and then 
forget all for a while, as in Lethargies ; and what disease shall we call 
all these Symptoms ? some Hystericks do fall, they gape, and strerch, 
and seem choaked, then have fast contractions and convulsions, then 
perhaps lie stiff, and inflexible, and senseless divers days, as in the 
most exquisite Apoplexy, pinched not feeling. 
Cornax, Encherid. Med. observed one stiff all over, his skin harden- 
ed like Leather, his skin seemed as if it was stuffed, and stiff like the 
bark of a Tree; his Gullet was resolved, but Brain, Stomach, Anus, 
and Urinary passage well; he was stiff in all outward parts, and back- 
bone could not be bent, nor his Joynts. 
k2 Sole 

76 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Solenander observed one with pains and contractions of her Arms, 
Shoulders, and Knees ; see those distant parts should be affected toge- 
ther. 
Marcellus Donatus Hist. Med. Mirab. observed one that the great 
Toe of her Foot must always be moved, even in sleep, upwards and 
downwards. 
Salius Annotat. ad Cap. 13. Pract. Altomar. observed in one Mem- 
ber one while a Palsy, another while a Convulsion raged. 
Cardanus observed one after a Feaver and Convulsions, to have pant- 
ing and distension, Legs immoveable, and the Body leaping and tos- 
sing. 
Jaechinus Com. ad cap. 13. lib. 9. Rhasis observed the Muscles and 
Tendons stiff, and stretched, drawing as it were part from part, to dis- 
solve Unity. 
Fernel. lib. 5. cap. 3. Pathol, observed a flatulent Convulsion, diffe- 
rent from all these, that did twice or thrice a-day afflict, strong con- 
tractions and coldness. 
Heurnius de Morbis Cap. observed one that had his Intestines, Abdo- 
men, Testes and Spermatick Vessels drawn up; another was spasmatical 
in the Anus: Divers observed the eating of Quails brought the falling 
Sickness and Convulsions. 
Concerning the inward and obscure causes of Convulsions and Epi- 
lepsies, we will shew somewhat; the outward, apparent, movent, and 
procatarctick Causes, appear in Practices of Physick , though defe- 
ctively, and some false. 
Neretus Nerutius a Florentine Physician, opened one that had an 
Headach, then a Rheumatick Distillation, a Convulsion of the Neck, 
and Posteriors; dying, three spoonfuls of water was found to be ga- 
thered betwixt the hard Meninx, and the hinder feat of the Cere- 
bel. 
We shall think it sufficient to translate Thomas Bartholin, who to save 
others the pains of disquisition, hath collected many Anatomies and 
Dissections made by other men, Cent. 2. Hist. 92. 
A Falling-sickness by consent of the-lower parts rarely leaves any 
footsteps of it to be seen in the Brain after Death ; for vapours are dis- 
sipated with our Life : but if the Brain hath in it self contracted any 
fault, it is easily seen in the Dead. Bontius Obs.i.med.ind. in the Brain 
of a Souldier that had the Falling-sickness, found the Ventricles filled 
with a tough matter, and glutinous, of a clay colour, like yolks of 
Eggs, but stinking. Smetius in lib. 10. Miscel. found an abscess of 
white pus, Ballonius. lib, I. Ephem. found small and thin Bodies like 
hairs

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 77 
hairs in the Ventricles, to be the cause : That thin and limpid Water 
was the cause, both Volcherus, Coiter, in Obs. Hildan. In Obs. Hevartus 
in Annot. ad lib. 2. Confil. Ballon. River. Cent. I. Obs. 37, observed 
by dissections: That Pus in the menings of the Brain was the cause, 
Fernelius, lib. 2. abdit Caus. l. 15. Salmuth Cent. I. Obs. 17. found : 
That it was caused by a Corruption or Sphacelus of the Brain, Glandor- 
pius, Spec, chir. Obs. 6. did find. Sometimes the Ventricles of the Brain 
are so fallen down in Epilepticks, that there is not an easie and free 
passage for the Spirits; even as Adrianus Falcoburgius an Anatomist 
did observe, in opening publickly a Boy of fifteen years old, that died 
in the very fit: there was no other visible cause of Death, or of the 
Falling-sickness, than that the Ventricles of the Brain were very much 
compressed, and falling one upon another, without any manifest cavity; 
but in the top of the Brain, nigh the Cranium or Skul, he found har- 
dened blood ; and this my Brother Erasmus Bartholinus saw. 
Also Cent. 3. Histor 80. relates of a Maiden, well-fleshed, and of a 
florid Complexion, took with a Flux of the Belly, hardness in the right 
Hypochonder, heat of the whole, thirst, watchings, pains of the Head, 
white Excrements ; an Epilepsy supervened, and she quickly died ; o- 
pened, the whole Region of the Back, from the nape of the Neck, to 
the last Vertebra of the Spina, was black ; the Stomach in the left side 
black, as if putrified and filled with a green humour; Liver scirrhous, 
and weighed ten ounces ; Gall large and filled with Choler; but the 
Brain weighed five pound, filled with Water, and with Bladders full 
of Water. 
It were an excellent thing, if all Symptoms differing, were com- 
pared to each differing cause, and so to find out what is the peculiarity 
of the cause, that doth cause that diversity in the condition of two sick 
Parties, seemingly by the greater and most permanent Symptoms, to 
have one and the same Disease ; yet where the parts are alike affected, 
or humours alike corrupted, the constitution will raife diversity. 
Concerning the cure of all these Diseases specified, we will give 
these general Rules and Directions; for indeed in each of those Diseases 
named, Carus, Coma, Apoplexia, Subeth, Catalepsis, Memories, Læ-
sa, Lethargos, Mania, Melancholia, and Phrenitis, Paralysis, Stupor, 
Tremor, Convulsio, Epilepsia, &c. There is no Method general; for 
sometimes contrary causes produce the like seeming effects, and one 
and the self same cause seemingly, though of a diverse quality, works 
various events ; and we have sufficiently expressed by the causes, the 
diversity of cure in every one of these Diseases,for that is the best insight 
we 

78 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
we can give to this credulous Age, and addicted to fond opinion, to 
shew the diversity of Causes, which according to the Vulgar Proverb, 
Once known, the Disease is half cured: And according to Phylosophy, 
Tolle Causam & cessabit Effectus, Takeaway the Cause, and the Effect 
ceaseth. 
APHORISMS.
I. In every Disease, as the Symptoms vary, so the Cause; and as 
the Cause varies, so in every Disease our Method must vary ; for in 
any sickness there be scarce two hold alike in all things. 
II. The Constitution especially, but also the Age, Customs and times 
of the year are to be weighed in the cure of every Person, so that the 
method formerly delivered by Sylvius, Rondeletius, Riverius, Heurnius, 
&c. is not sufficient to learn any to practice well and faithfully, unless 
they have distinguishing knowledge of their own; in some, one ounce 
of the Emetick infusion will work 20 times, in another ten, in another 
scarce once, in anothor it works onely downwards; in one, one scruple 
of Jallap is a sufficient dose, in another of the same age, Sex and strength, 
one ounce will hardly work, and so in the same manner for all other 
Medicines; that that excites one Lethargick will not move another; 
and that that restores Palsies in one, moves no sense of feeling in ano- 
ther, for the sense of feeling naturally is not alike in all. 
III. Observe the Time of the Stars ; for if given when Nature doth 
not co-operate, we do nothing ; if Nature draws one way, and our Me- 
dicines pull the other, a confusion is made. 
IV. Observe what contradictions there be in all Distempers ;take 
away the greatest of two evils first, and tha that will be longest ere 
it kill, may be suffered longest ere cured : Also observe in curing one 
infirmity, we do not aggravate or make another; and also observe what 
infirmities the sick usually was prompt to, and judge that that was usu- 
al to him in health, is the less dangerous in sickness, yet not without 
some exceptions; also observe which way the sick used to have his 
blood purged of Heterogenious matter.
V. Physicians are Natures Servants, and therefore must observe her 
Dilates in any of these Diseases; we may Purge, or let Blood, or Sweat, 
or move by Urine, or Salivate, or Synapisate, or use Leeches as we 
see blood abound, and as we finde Nature oppressed, or beginning an 
Excretion such a way, or of such a matter, and in such a place. For 
Example, If any in a Stupid and sottish Disease bleeds much at Nose, 
hath the Hæmorrhoids or courses that used to flow, stopped, hath heat 
of the Body, beating of the Pulses, swelled Veins, though it is contra-
ry

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 79 
ry to Physicianns Directions in stupid Diseases to Bleed; yet it is con- 
venient here in these cases to let blood, and chiefly in the Arteries; or 
if Arteriotomy may not be allowed, or cannot be celebrated, a Vein of 
the Forehead, Temples, or behind the Ears, or Jugulars, are to be o- 
pened, for they draw immediately from the part; and experience will 
witness for it, against those of the Circulation, that in all cases will 
bleed in the Arm, because of the community of Vessels : Furthermore, 
if in Falling-sicknss, Convulsions, Distraction, Light-headedness, and 
Melancholy or the like ; if any thing break forth by the Ears, or No- 
strils, or any other way ; we are to judge the Morbifick matter like to 
it, and we are to draw it forth by those parts Nature hath begun and 
shewed us the way. 
VI. We must endeavour, if we perceive it is a Matter or Humour that 
doth cause the Disease, to draw it outwardly, and from the more Noble 
to the less Noble Parts; Also we must observe the Emunctories of 
Nature, in most Diseases of the Head, shaving of the whole Head, and 
applying blistering Epispasticals were good , particularly behind the 
Ears, and upon the Sutures; vehement purging will do nothing in a 
confirmed Distemper, and where Humours are setled and coagulated, 
and the Brain corrupted. 
VII. This alone, what ever Practical Authors have writ, is conve- 
nient to all persons in a sleepy Disease, and to all persons in a raging 
Disease, and to all persons in a depravation, or abolition of feeling 
and motion ; to give Specificks, to oppose the quality of the Humour, 
that is Narcotical, or Maniacal, or Spasmastical, or Paralytical ; in 
all those fits of falling, as Vertiginous, Hysterical, Epileptical, Ca- 
taleptical, Convulsive and Syncopical, Pæeony, Castorium or its Spi- 
rit, Succinum or Oil of Amber, Elks Claw, &c. are convenient, be- 
cause in these is an occult quality, opposite to that occult quality in the 
Humour that causeth the falling : in all sleepy sicknesses, Rosemary,
Betony, Castorium, Juniper Berries, Sage, Marjorum, Lavender, 
Lillies of the Valley, Tile-Tree, Chamepitis, Assafœtida, and Phu- 
Silvestre, are Specifical, because these in all Causes, and in all Hu- 
mours, endued with a Narcotick Quality, whereby they work and 
change our Bodies, do by an opposite quality in them oppose and over- 
power the Narcotical qualified Spirit of those Humours.
In an agil, and hot, and spirituous qualification of Humours, which 
doth produce raging, madness, and fury, and dotage, and is of high 
Heterogeneity to the Quality of our Spirits and therefore several Poy- 
sons will cause Deliriums and Madness, Rosemary, Fumitory, Beto-
ny, Couslips, Hpithsimum, Lapis Lazuli, are Specifical against Dot-
age 

80 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
tage, and loss of Ratiocination : but to stop the furious vapours of hot 
Blood, and the fermenting in hot and acrimonious Humours, and to 
obtund their Acrimony, and stop their Motion, Opium, Laudanum, 
Poppies, Nightshade,Lettice, Violets, Mandrakes, Henbane, Stramoni- 
um & Housleeks, have an Antipathetick Quality; for these cause rest, and 
are , of the same Nature and Quality that the humours are of, 
that cause Coma, Carus, and Lethargy; for man being deduced from the 
Earth, hath its qualities (I think all) naturally, or by custom, or by 
corruption in his Blood and humours, that are to be found in Mine- 
rals, Plants, or other Animals: in some persons Opium will not make 
sleepy ; in some Tobacco will not cause Vomit, eaten ; in some Spiders 
will distend and swell them no more then their ordinary nourishment; 
some eat Arsenick and Hemlock harmlesly. The only reason of these 
things is this, By custom (or otherwise by a peculiar Temper) such 
things eaten, turn the Blood and Juyces into their Nature and Quality, 
and so being Homogenious do not fight, and that is the reason of Ap- 
petites ; one loves one thing, another another, because of a Juyce of 
such a quality in his Stomach, that sympathizes and antipathizes with 
such nourishment. 
Let the Palsy, Convulsion and Stupor, or trembling Motions come 
from what cause they will, hurting the Sinews, Earth-worms, Rhue, 
Castorium, Sage, Rosemary, Betony, Chamepitis, Succinum, or 
the Oyls of these outwardly help ; why ? because in all, the Sinews are 
hurt ; now these assist and strengthen the Sinews by a peculiar quality, 
implanted originally by God at their first making, according to his good 
pleasure; and why Rhue Should have a quality to help the Sinews, and 
Henbane to hurt them, we can give no account: It pleased GOD in 
such a Plant to put a Caustick Spirit, in such a Narcotick qualitied 
Spirit; and in such an one a quality to respect the Brain, in another to 
respect the Liver. 
VIII. If two or more parts are corrupted, inflamed, obstructed, 
&c. we must chiefly in cure, respect that that was first, for perhaps 
that caused the other; a great deal of Water, or Ichor, or Sanies may 
be heaped up in such a part, though sent from another; as in Dropsies, 
all the Bowels are oft found corrupted and totted, and yet all were 
not the cause, but that or they that gave occasion to the water to en- 
crease, which corrupted all : so if much Water, or Blood, or Choler 
be heaped up in the Head, we must respect the part sending, as well as 
the part receiving ; perhaps the Uriters do not carry so much Urine as 
was wont; perhaps the Gall doth not separate the Choler, it used to 
do, and eject it; perhaps the Blood is not let out or excerned, or sweat 
out or separated, or purified as it ought or used to be. More-

81 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Moreover observe in all Spasms and Resolutions, to observe the head 
of the Nerves,and to anoint the nape of the Neck or Back-bone, whence 
the affected Nerves do proceed, where ere they be. 
IX. A great help to the curing all Diseases, is in Dyet; if any know 
what caused the Disease, the best way is to abstain from the cause, and 
to observe their own Constitution, what hurts or helps them ; for 
one mans meat is anothers Poyson : the outward often stirs up 
the inward, which without the motive cause would lie still often- 
times. 
X. As we said before of Specificals, so of Alterers; We must oppose 
cold Medicines to an hot Disease or Constitution ; hot Medicines to a 
cold Distemper; moistning in a dry Distemper and Constitution ; and 
drying must be opposed to too great moisture : but concerning drying 
Medicaments, we must not imagine that Guaiacum, Sarsaperilla, Chi- 
na, Sassafras, &c, drie, for nothing dries any other way, then conse- 
quentially, expelling or absorbing the moisture; for there is nothing 
wasts, but all Air is conceded into Water, and Water is ra- 
rified into Air, and so they are in perpetual change; for if Water by 
Guaiacum, Sassafras, China, &c. was annihilated, then there would 
be less Water, and less in the world, and in a Million of years the Sea 
might be dryed up: I confess Litharge will drie much, because it doth 
suck up moisture into its own body; and so do Mucilages of Gum-Ara- 
bick, specially Gum-Tragacanth, and Spunges, but they must be ei- 
ther Sweaters that are drying, or Diureticks ; sweating spends in Va- 
pour and Exhalation, per habitum Corporis, or Urine-purgers 
send it out by the ordained motions of the Parts, or Natures instituted 
Channels in its whole Substance and Body; and those that do not 
spend moisture by expelling it by sweat through the Skin, or by the In- 
stituted motions of Nature by the Kidneys and Bladder, do not dry. 
L A

82 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES
OF THE 
LUNGS. 
It hath been thought, that a Cough, Asthma, 
Pleurise, Peripneumonia, Empyema, Hæ- 
moptoe, and Phthisis were all the Diseases 
of the Lungs, and that the Lungs had no 
more, nor no other, according to an or-
dinary method in nature: A cough is but a
Symptome, and may be in all Diseases of 
the Lungs, and I know not why it should be 
called a Disease, for in a Peripneumonia, 
or inflamation of the Lungs, the cause gives 
the denomination, for in that may be a 
Cough; so Hæmoptoe also is a Symptom, and may happen in many Di- 
stempers, and from divers Causes. 
Nor have these Diseases mentioned just such causes and no more, or 
no other then what practical Authors writ. 
I shall save my self the pains to write the Diagnostick and Progno- 
stick Signs; as also the Causes and Method of curing Diseases described
in 

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 83
in Practices of Physick, they may be compared with what we draw 
from Observations, nigh as well as if they were here writ together or 
premised. 
The Lungs are the Bellows or Fan of the Heart, the fire of our Bo- 
dies, which they blow up, and keep from dying, falling round about 
the Heart, filled with Wind, which they draw in and let out, as our ar- 
tificial Bellows do; and as soon as these Natural Bellows cease drawing 
and letting out of Air; the fire of our Bodies wanting fomenting and 
stirring up, dies, and we grow cold and pale. 
The Lungs have also another Office, to receive Flegm, and cough 
it forth, and wheresoever the Lungs burdened cannot cough, we are 
apt to be choaked. 
These are the two Natural Offices of the Lungs; and we would give 
insight to the Reader how many wayes, and how diversly these may be 
diminished, vitiated or abolished ; for properly and plainly, the An- 
tients should have described these two, diminished, vitiated or abo- 
lished, and have brought all the several causes, and the signs of such 
particular causes, being found by Dissection ; and the degrees of each 
kind, and the variety of Natures Order and Progress, and how the 
Lungs may be affected from other parts by community of Vessels, or 
super-incumbency, or affinity of Nature; and Philosophically they 
should have described the peculiarity of the nature of the Lungs, differ - 
ent from other parts, that made them have Diseases different from other 
parts, they being of a more flegmatick, airy and spongy Substance and 
Quality. 
I have known many different kinds,and differing degrees in all those 
kinds of short breathing, and different causes of those different kinds, 
viz. outward and precedent causes ; for I never saw a man opened that 
died of any Disease ; and sometimes large eating, the Diaphragm be- 
ing crushed up, and capacity of the Thorax streightned, hath caused a 
Disnaea; sometimes Wind which hath been eased, as the former, when 
the cause removed ; sometimes swift motion, specially in Green-sick- 
nesses, for with motion they are almost out of breath ; in obstrucions, 
as in the Jaundice and Cachexia, they are very short winded, because 
cold clammy humours do sometimes abound, and the Thoracical Mus- 
cles move heavily, and the parts are crushed up by windiness distend- 
ing, which in Dropsies is occasioned by Water; so in Apoplexies breath- 
ing is short, or where breathing is not difficult and very short, I sup- 
pose it improper to call that sleepy stupid sickness an Apoplexy. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 91. observed an Old woman that eat much 
Fruit, she had a Catarrh, she was cured with a Phlegmagoge and Sto-
L 2 machical


84 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
machical pouder, when an Asthma supervened ; he accounted it Wind 
in the Stomach, crushing up the Midriff, and tough Flegm sticking to 
the sides of the Aspera Arteria.
And Obs. 176. a Maid was exceedingly troubled with short breath- 
ing, and so against Food, that she almost pined away for want of appe- 
tite to eate; He cured this, and two more (Obs. 144. and Obser. 145.) 
with Stomachical, Chymical purging Powders once or twice given ; so 
that he adjuged these Asthma’s caused from distention and Wind of the 
the Stomach, thrusting up the Lungs, and from Flegmatickness of the 
Stomach or Midriff. 
Another ate Fruit, and was so inflated at Stomach; that he breathed 
difficultly, but he (in his Obs. 144.) had a dry Cough with his hard 
breathing; signs of Choler, Thirst, bitterness of his Mouth, and pain of 
his Head. 
Felix Platerus in Respirat. d fectu. Obs. 1. One had a Cough a long 
while, specially he coughed on Mornings, and in the Evening ; he did 
spit forth raw Matter, often Sneez; he had falling down of Rheum 
by his Nose sometime, and was short winded if he wen up an Hill. 
And (page 170.) one had short breathing, and felt, like a girdle about 
him, pain on the Region of the Stomach, and a Feaver. 
Another had a sudden short with a Cough and spitting 
forth of Matter.
Another had a Periodick short breathing from defluxions.
Another had a great shortness of breath, like to suffocate him, with a 
Cough, and a falling down of Rheum, but was cured. 
Skenk. de. dyspnæa. Obs. 1. Relates, one had difficult breathing, if he 
did but walk once about his Parlour; most have when they lie down; 
standing upright commonly they breath best ; Even as Dodonæus Obs.  
Medic. cap. 20. Observed a Merchant not cured of short breathing by 
bleeding or other Medicines, and that for diverse years be had never 
lyen down, but sat and slept, else he would have been suffocated ; and 
at last a Gout and pain of his Kindneys troubled him, and his Asthma 
that could not be cured by Art, was derived by Nature to some other 
parts. 
Nicholas, Ser 4. Tract. 2. cap. 25. An Asthma or difficult breathing 
did oppress one once a week, commonly on Fridays. 
Another, in Horst. Epist. Med. preparing a Lee to wash Clothes as 
the Lee boiled, hung her head over it, and the steems came into her 
mouth, and she had such a difficult breathing presently thereupon, which 
encreased and continued seven dayes, she thought she should be suffo-
cated; and did die.
These

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 85
These are only to shew the variety of Symptoms, and difference in 
one Disease amongst all persons; also to shew how one and the self same 
effect, may arise from sundry causes, and one and the self same thing 
produce divers effects in two persons : Also that a Catarrh, Cough, Hy- 
drops Pectoris, Corruption or Apostemation of Blood, Empyema, Pe- 
ripneumonia, Pleuritis, Hydrops, Apoplexies, Inflatious and their likes, 
may in some cause difficult breathing, in others not; may in some 
cause a Cough, in others not ; may in some cause a pain of the 
brest, in others not; in some these, one or more; and sometimes 
one, sometimes another; and sometimes three or four may follow 
upon short breathing together ; sometimes separate, or one after 
another ; and sometimes one of them, sometimes another; and 
sometimes two or three may concomitate an Asthma or Cough, or be 
complicated together; But we cannot write all the particular Observa- 
tions to prove all these, but they shall see such and much more variety 
in the Lungs, and their sicknesses, that do read divers Physicians Ob- 
servations thereof, which are not altogether singular cases, but the com- 
mon and ordinary Method of Nature also, so far as (he doth Observe any 
Type or Order. 
By the divers kindes and degrees of short breathing, and the variety of 
outward and exciting Causes, & concomitant Sicknesses, already shewn, 
may be guessed how Coughs, spittingof Blood, of Matter, Inflama- 
tion of the Lungs, Pleurisies, &c. do vary in kinde and degree ; and 
are sometimes simple, as a Disease ; or joyned, as a Disease to another 
Disease ; or happening as a Symptom in other Ails, or supervening ; 
we shall quote many Histories and Observations of those that have been 
opened, and withal shew the various handling of these persons; some 
were alike, where the Cause seemed disalike ; and some were dis- 
agreeing in Diseases, Symptoms, and greatness thereof most, where 
by the Cause one would think they might be most like. But the want 
of having many Histories of all things, and seeing all the Varieties of 
Nature, and the want of distinguishing betwixt likes, hath hugely spoil- 
ed true Learning, or the Learning of Truth. 
We shall make thirteen or fourteen Distinctions of the Causes of 
Sicknesses from the Lungs, which may be reckoned as so many Diseases, 
and such and such are their Symptoms.
I. Abscesses are in the Lungs, as in other parts, and vary; of each 
kinde are various kindes, and of each of them several degrees: Colum- 
bus, lib. 15. found not onely Steatomatous Abscessus, but Bones and 
large, in the Lungs of Francisous Capellus. 
Holler.


86 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Holler. de morb. intern, cap. 23. lib. 2, opened a Monk, of whom he 
did satisfie himself touching the cause of an Asthma that suddenly kil- 
led him, finding an Apostem in the Vena Arteriosa, and sine pari, the 
Lungs safe.   
Tulp lib. 2. cap. 6. Obs. One was let blood in a Pleurisie, but too 
late, it neither eased the cough, nor pain ; at last much purulency by 
suppuration brake forth under the Arm-holes, and after a larger abscess 
arose in the Navil, or nigh thereto, and the purulency ran forth , and 
the Sick presently recovered. 
Pet. Pawns Obs. Anat. p. opened a young man that was so wasted he 
had scarce any flesh, both sides of the Lungs were bound to the Sides 
or Ribs; there were divers purulent abscesses in the Lungs, and Flegm 
in divers parts of the Lungs was discerned to concrete, and in some 
places plain stones for hardness, were found ; abundance of Water, 
though he was so dried, was found in the Pericardium ; he had fault al- 
so in his spinal Marrow, and the Vena Cava rose from the Liver in him 
in that place the Porta useth to rise; but whether these did contribute 
to his Tabes, onely the Lungs, is to be questioned. Also Obs. 22. 
he found an abscess of the Lungs in a Woman, the Lungs were tied 
with innumerable ligaments in various places, to the Pleura, also 
to the Pericardium and Midriff ; the Liver herewith was pale , as void 
of Blood, but not scirrhous ; the Lungs under the left Clavicle in the 
less part, had a great abscess, in it four pound of Sanies was ; and be- 
sides this, thirty or forty small abscesses of thick purulency and Scirrhs 
in other places. 
And Obs. Anatom. 25. A Woman died of an Atrophia, a wasting 
different from a Phthisick, the whole Lungs were purulent, any where 
white Pus did flow out; she had scarce any flesh left, and it was here- 
ditary to her.  
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2. Obs. 19. opened one that died of a slow 
or lingring Feaver; so wasted, that not onely Fat but all Flesh seemed 
consumed ; all parts were corrupted, the Omentum gangrened and al- 
most wasted, the right Kidney putrified, the Liver, great, hard, and full 
of Tubercles, Spleen onely discoloured, as the Intestines were , the 
Mesentery was wholly consumed Stomach and Bladder good,the Heart 
small and dried, but the Lungs (which is the business in hand) 
were purulent, full of knots, out of which white matter did flow ; but 
the lower part of the Lungs were drie and hard, and a pretty deal of 
water gathered in the Cavity. 
We shall in these give the Reader as much satisfaction, if he will 
minde, as if we should write a particular Treaise of the promiscuous 
affects


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 87 
affects of all the Bowels together: The Reader may easily see the Me- 
thod and Current of Nature, that one part consents with another, and 
frequently in those that dye, all or most of the Bowels are corrupted, 
and for the most part in different manners and degrees; nor are the 
parts so affected by Vessels running from one to another palpably al- 
ways, but they do transude and transmit both vapours and matter tho- 
row their Parenchyma, or Body ; in vivo omnia sunt pervia: The in- 
ward parts have pores, and do lie one upon another, and so affect one 
another. 
And as the Bowels are by Dissection found alike to be affected, and 
all to vary in this Affection or Disease, so the outward Symptoms va- 
ry ; and there are in the current of some Sicknesss nine or ten Diseases, 
which sometimes are looked upon as Symptoms. It is clear Physicians 
have writ very defectively ; but Truth and Experience are the sure Wit- 
nesses of Nature ; they shall never be controled : Nor shall I therefore 
ever be controled, though the Envyers of Truth speak and write against 
me. 
Laz. River. Cent. I. Obs. 60. Opened one of spitting of Blood, a Cough, 
Feaver, short-windedness, pains of the Shoulder-blades, beating of the 
Heart, and in the right Hypochonder, deceased ; the Mediastinum was 
full of wheyish Blood, it crushed together the Lungs and rough Artery, 
and caused the Asthma; the Lungs every where had a purulent and 
stinking matter, the left Testicle spongy, black, and gangrened, the 
Heart not hurt: Riverius supposed the affected Testicle did hurt the 
Heart; and what consent is there of these parts ? and what communi- 
ty of Vessels have these more than other parts ? 
II. and III. We shall shew that Bones and Stones are found in the 
Lungs, and what Diseases or Symptoms they produce , how they va- 
ry, and with what they are complicated. 
Columbus, lib. 15. found great Bones there. 
Of Stones. We have already related them among other Ails of the 
Lungs; they do cause Coughs, spitting of Blood, Asthma’s, Phthisicks, 
Atrophia, &c. or at the least, they are found in such person's o- 
pened. 
Alexand. Trallianus, lib. 5. cap. 4. One spat forth a Stone smooth and 
well formed, no congealed matter. 
Paul. Ægineta, lib 3. cap. 31. saw one with a grievous Cough, 
that raised much blood, therewith stones, flinty; he dyed ta- 
bid. 
Beniven. cap. 24. de abditis : One had a grievous side-pain, and drie 
Cough,

88 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Cough, he voided from his brest a stone as big as a Chess-Nut, and was 
eased quite. 
Gerardus Bergensis saw some in Coughs cast forth many stones toge- 
ther. 
Cornel. Gumma lib. I. cap. 6. saw many little white exceeding hard 
stones coughed up from the Lungs; to omit the observations of Kent- 
mannas, Wierus, Ferrandus, Cardanus, Fernelius, Jacotius, Sebastianus,
Platerus, Gabelchover, Oetheus,&c. enow to testifie the truth, that stones 
bigger or less, more or fewer, rounder or flatter, are the cause, and fre- 
quent cause of the aforesaid ails and sicknesses; these saw them coughed 
forth. 
We shall shew some Examples thereof by Dissection too, so that di- 
vers that have such stones in their Lungs, or Pipes, or in all other parts, 
there may be no appearance. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician in an Epistle of his signifies 
that a Roman Woman thirty five year old, for many years was trou- 
bled with inappetence, and a dry Cough, and Asthma, she had advice 
of divers Physicians in vain ; opened, her Stomach was found full of 
hardened Fibra’s, and black; three Lobes, of the four the Lungs have, 
were stony, or hardened like to stone ; the Milt did not exceed a Pullets 
Egg in bigness. 
Platerus, Obs. de respiratione defectu, pag. 180. found stones in four 
Asthmatical and short-winded persons, in one he found stones in the 
middle of the intersepient Membranes in the Brest. 
Petrus Paw. in his ninth Dissection, in one that died of a Consum- 
ption, found Apostemations, Tubercles full of Pus, many in the Lungs, 
and in some parts absolutely petrified ; he was wasted and dried excee- 
dingly , yet good store of Water was found in the Pericardium, We 
could bring many more Examples, but these may suffice. 
IV. Animalia, Worms, or various kindes of living Creatures are 
the Cause of many Sicknesses and Affects, not onely peculiar to other 
parts, but coincident to the Lungs also, and each part Extrinsick as well 
as Intrinsick, chiefly a pertinacious Cough is stirred up by Worms; 
sometimes they are joyned with stones, and there is short breathing, 
and pains of the Clavicles; they are sometimes like Worms in Wood, 
Maggots, Flies, and sometimes like Pine-Kernels; more have been cast
up by Cough, in flegmatick matter, then have been found in the Disse- 
cted : We shall not stay the Reader in the particular Histories. Johan- 
ner Skenkins, Obs. Med. pag. 217. hath collected Authors enow, if any 
should distrust the Truth , to witness it. None could guess at 
Worms


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 89 
Wormes by the Symptomes hardly, except they saw the like. 
V. Coughs are caused by things got into the Trachæa Arteria, or
Lungs ; as short and difficult breathing. Nic. Tulp. Obs. 7. of his third 
Book, relates of a Citizen of Amsterdam, for seven years hugely molest- 
ed with a Cough , and very strait breathed, so that he grew lean; at 
last with violent Coughing he brought up the shell of an Hazel Nut, as 
big as a mans Finger-Nail, and he was thence-from delivered of his 
long and tedious Cough and Dyspnæa; it stuck about the Head of the 
Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe. 
Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. Cent. 2. Obs. 27. relates of a Woman of Pata 
via, that eating Chess-Nuts laughed, and it seems some part got into 
the Wind-pipe, which she did not know ; for two months she was mi- 
serably afflicted with a Cough, with a Feaver, and wasting of the 
whole Body; a Phthisick was feared, divers Physicians were advised 
with ; at last she took a vomitive potion, and brought up the Kernel, and 
was presently restored to health.
VI. The Lungs are sometime found spongy ; Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. 
Anatom. Cent. 3. His. 2. found them so ; they were light like a Feather, 
yet in some parts tied to the sides ; their colour outwardly was good, 
but inwardly they had little Blood, but Sanies in some places issued out; 
his Heart great and full of Blood, found ; he died consumptive, scarce 
any flesh left on his Body ; his sickness began with muteness , and a 
great swelling under the Chin : Let the Reader in all these judge how 
it is with others, and how one part consents with another in being af- 
flicted together, that is more remote, and hath less Community of 
Vessels many times ; and how all being affected in one Body, and one 
Disease, they vary each perhaps in the kinde of affection ; so that it is 
clear, Physick is Ars Conjecturalis ; and to finde those Diseases Ancients 
writ of, so and no other, and in all things just so full, is a rarity ; for 
I suppose some of them writ by one case how all were, and so do the 
ordinary people; that that cures one, they think must cure all; and if 
died so, they pronounce all sick of that distemper ( as well as they can 
guess) to die : In this man the Caul was quite consumed, the Ileon- 
Gut looked black, the Liver looked dark, the Bladder of Gall full, most 
of the parts very found. Heurnius found the Lungs like these. 
VII. Sometimes the Lungs or Lights are found waterish, as Riverius, 
Cent. 2. Obs. 78. A Woman had a short breathing for fifteen years, en- 
creasing gradually , she had sometimes a swelling of her Cheek, and
M Erisy-


90 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Erisypelas of her Leg, she had sometimes a falling down of Rheum,
which encreased her Dyspnea; she coughed not at all till one day before 
she died, and that is the wonder, her Lungs being full of water : for 
how in Dropsies do some cough with their Dyspnæa, through the transu- 
dation of water, and soaking thereof in the Lungs? With the water- 
ishness and corruption of the Lungs, the Spleen is found putrified, so 
that with crushing it fell in pieces; the right Ventricle of the Heart in 
the interior part denudated of its Membrane, and looked putrid and 
exulcerated, the right Auricle large and found ; and this was a reason 
of the inequality of Pulse : for in another Riverius opened, where was 
the like inequality of Pulse, the right Auricle was bigger than wont, 
and filled with a flegmatick hard concrete substance : In another he o- 
pened, an Ulcer in the middle of the Heart caused it.
VIII. A Dropsie of the Lungs is like to this, but in the purity of 
the Water, and quantity they vary ; and in this the Parenchyma of the 
Lungs may not be corrupted.
Tulpius, lib, 2. Obs. 16. A Boy had a moist head, and frequent distil- 
lation, a light Feaver, a Cough, and very difficult breathing, a great 
sleepiness, and often fainting : opened, the Brest was full of Water, 
the Lungs hung flaccing, the left Auricle of the Heart eaten with divers 
Ulcers, a slinking humour belching out, which might be the cause of 
the Childs often fainting. 
T. Barth. Cent. 2. Hist. Thomas Cartier, a sanguine man, incli- 
ned to an atrabilarious temper, laboured of a light Cough, and Feaver- 
ishness; they encreased; he grew Asthmatical, specially on Nights; 
his Feet swell, Pain troubles his left Side : dissected, ten pints of 
putrified and stinking Water was found in his Thorax ; the Lungs, ex- 
cept in the left part, putrilaginous; the Spleen putrid and slinking, in 
the greatest part of it; ten or twelve Clots of thick concreted Blood 
were found in the Ductus of the Aorta, near the Heart. 
IX. The Lungs are found in some discoloured alone; not that the 
colour causeth any thing, but that that caused the colour; even as a poi- 
sonous quality infecting the Body, changes the colour of the inward 
Bowels. 
Riverius, Obs. 87. Cent. 1. One troubled with Cardialgia pain of the 
left Scapula and Arm, Flux of the Belly, then a Cough, with difficulty of 
breathing, and after that spitting of Blood ; Medicines and Bleeding 
availed not, she spat Blood hugely afore Death : Dissected, the Lungs 
were white, sticking to the Ribs, and Midriff, and Pericardium, as if 
one

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 91 
one Body; the Heart white and exulceratcd, and the matter from that 
caused the Cough, and spitting of Blood.
He found them livid in another, page l55. 
In an observation communicated to him from Hen. Rufus, is found, 
how that a Maid had a long and lingering sikness, melancholy and pale, 
and short winded, but not likely to die, nor did she lie by it; when she
lay down she had sometimes a dry Cough, no thirst, she grew weakly; she 
died, not being thought mortally diseased : many specks or spots, li- 
vid or red were seen ; the Lungs had whitish circumferential lines,and 
seemed blasted ; all the bowels but the Liver safe, that was tainted with 
Leeky Choler ; the Pleura and intercostal Muscles were coloured green 
from an humour; the Pericardium void of juyce and putrified; the 
Heart and Brain safe; he seldom coughed; the Pericardiom might affect 
the vital Spirits in the Heart, and so cause unexpected death. Many 
the like may be seen in Histories under the other Heads, but we are 
loth to write one Observation twice, though it may witness three or 
four things.
X. The Lungs are very frequently found to stick to other parts, be- 
ing of a clammy Substance, and flegmatick Nature; in all infirmities 
of the Brest, they may stick, or adhere, or grow out of order, to one 
part or other they are nigh, especially too as that part consents in cor- 
ruption with them. 
Pet. Paw a Tabid Person opened, found both parts of the Lungs 
sticking or growing firmly to the Ribs. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Hist. 2. in another Tabid or Phthisical Person, 
found the Lungs; being light and spongy, to be grown 16 the Ribs; 
and in the 76 History of his 2 Cent. a Pthisical Person was opened, the 
Lungs were void of Blood, and dried, and grew firmly to the Ribs on 
the right side. 
Riverius. Observat. Cent. x. page 84. found in one that died of an 
Ulcer of the Heart, spitting of Blood, Cough, difficulty of breathing, 
pain of the side, &c. that the Lungs were firmly knit to the ribs and 
Diaphragma, and Pericardium, as if united into one Body. 
Columbus Lib. 15. Anatomiæ, saith, He hath frequently found the 
Lungs knit to the Pleura, sometimes in one side sometimes tn another, and 
sometimes in both. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. relates one laboured of a defluxion upon his 
Lungs and Brest, a Diarrhæa preceeded; he had a Cough, great stretch- 
ing out of the Stomach, belching and nausea, he was disposed to goutish
and Stone-Cholical pains formerly; dying suddenly, and opened, the 
M2 lungs 

92 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Lungs on the right side did cleave to the side swelled, as if inflamed, 
the left part swam in bloody Water, such as Bauhinus nere saw before ;
in one Kidney was diverse smaller, and one great Stone , the other 
Kidney wasted ; Water was in the Belly ; the Stomach that by the sym- 
toms seemed affected, is not mentioned to be hurt, 
Hercules Saxonia did find in two, with some difference, that the 
cause of their Asthma and spitting of Blood, was an inward corruption 
of the Lungs, and outwardly their growing to the Pleura or side ; but 
one of them seemingly died of a Dropsy. 
XI. The Lungs or Lights are sometimes found dryed, and void of 
Blood, and light, as Tho. Barth. 76. Hist. Cent. 2. tesisies, recited 
before : to which also comes the observation of Petrus Spehrerius afore 
related.
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 2. Hist. 35. saith, In Phthisicks he hath seen 
the Lungs so hardned and dryed they might be crumbled. 
And the next observation but one, was a dissection of a dropsical par- 
ty that coughed, was short winded and Phthisical; his Lungs were ra- 
ther dry then moist, and void of Blood, hanging flaccing. 
Most of these things make against the Moderns, especially such as I- 
dolize the invention of the right wayes the Blood circulates in ; they 
attribute much to the Heart, Spirits, and too swift or flow motion of the 
Blood, and other sangles about the Vessels and their community, which 
are but sometime, if at any time, in any measure true : Men must ima- 
gine still, that Nature must change and alter, as the Vertices of their 
Brains whirl about. 
Cent. 2. Hist. 76. Tho. Barth, found in one dying of a Consumption, 
the Lungs dryed, void of Blood, and grown to the sides, and yet much 
yellow water in the Thorax and Abdomen.
XII. The Lungs are found Scirrhous, as all other inward Bowells 
are ; sometimes full of hard knots, sometimes they have thick Mat- 
ter in them; sometimes like Atheroma, sometimes like Steatoma, and 
sometimes like Melicerius ; and sometimes they have Worms, Stones, 
and concrete Matter or Blood therein ; and sometimes they are Spon- 
gious, and sometimes pure Caruncles : Yet the Pracical Physicians
wrote only of Scirrhs of the Liver and Spleen, as if they were peculi- 
ar to those parts alone ; they are indeed in those parts as well as others, 
but as rarely so, and such as they describee, as any other; so that from 
one or two Observations they chanced to see, (if they were grounded 
on Observation) Experientia interdum Fallax; they laid down the Me- 
thod

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 93 
thod of Nature, which Observation might be as great a rarity and pe- 
culiar case as any, for in the dissected two are not exactly found alike, 
or at least rarely by one man in all things. 
Many times a dispute is more about the sense or signification of a 
Word, or the name of the thing, then any thing else ; one meaning 
one thing by such a word, another another; one takes the word from 
the Genuine signification of the Word, or Radix, or that from whence 
it is derived ; another from the common acception, or what such have 
seemed to mean by it ; that should alwayes first be known what they 
mean by such Words, or Titles, or names of things, for perhaps 
thereby they might at first understand one another, and be recon- 
ciled. 
But the word Scirrh was took by the Ancients and Moderns, as it 
purely signifies, being a Greek word σxiρροs, from the Verb σxiρροω to 
make hard; yet they mean not only an hardness, but hard swellings 
thereby : Indeed many times the common use of a word, this way or 
that way, makes it proper this way or that way. 
Johannes Bauhinus, as we have afore related, found the Lungs har- 
dened, but liker a Phlegmone then Scirrh, as the Ancients described; 
we shall rarely see any thing in all points exactly cohere with their de- 
scription. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician, found them hard, as afore re- 
lated, but as it were turned into perfect stone.
Schenchius filius writes of one that had a masse of flesh weighing 
three pound,that was concreted or hardned,as if the flesh was laid plate 
upon plate, and outwardly was a Tumor in the side. 
Johannes Hessus, in an Observation communicated by Joachim Cam- 
rarius to Jo. Schenkius writes , That one that spat Blood with a salt di- 
stillation and Cough was opened, and in his right side was found a Tu- 
bercle sticking to the Lungs, it was large and like a Sponge, so that it 
is appertinent to the sixth head. 
Nicholaus, Serm. 4. Tract. 2. Cap. 6. One almost suffocated, cough- 
ed up a piece of hardned flesh,large, and other pieces smaller, and was 
eased ; a year after the same seemed to be regenerated, and he died, choak- 
ed thereby. 
Benivenius, cap. 88. de abditis, A woman seemed for a good while, as 
if she should be choaked or suffocated, and stopped up; at last she fell in- 
to a very troublesome Cough, and brought up a piece of hard flesh, and 
was eased quite. 
Forestus

94 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Forestus observed an Asthmatical so, by coughing up an hard Caruncle,
eased. 
One voided in Skenkius a Tabid, that had a Cough diverse years, with 
much matter like a fishes Bladder or Swimmer, as some; Lohoch Sanum, 
and de pulmone Vulpis, &c. did no good till this came up. 
We may reduce things to Heads, but in all these heads are so many 
varieties, that they are scarce reduceable under any one name, they do 
so vary; so that it is hard to say, whether they belong to this or that 
kind, or to any, or whether they are a Gennus by themselves, ora Species 
of some strange and different Genus. 
Shenk. pag. 218. hath gathered two Observations, 
One from Hollerius: One died of a Dropsie of the Brest, a Cough, and 
great thirst, the Lungs were found wonderfully dried ; but this is refera- 
ble to the eleventh head. 
The other from Franciscus Michinus, of one that supposedly died of 
an Empyema or Dropsy of the Brest, the Pleura, and so the Lungs, Me- 
diastinum, and partly the Spleen and Midriff, were thick and callous, or 
brawny fleshed.
Who would have imagined that Mr. Francis Edwards of Alesy in this 
County, troubled-long with an oppressing and stuffing at his Chest, ease- 
able by no Pectorals, should have had an Animal like a Serpent bred 
there ? he died at London, about the year 1661 and was opened, the Phy- 
sicians desiring to see the cause of his stuffing and clogging that they 
could not help. 
Nor are all these things we have writ, such strange and rare Cases as 
some may imagine , but if men were opened, they would be thought 
the common causes of sicknesses, the wonderful variety of Nature con- 
sidered. 
Jo. Bilgerus in his Epistle to Gregory Horstius, intimates how a Maid 
that had a stuffing and short breathing many years, at last that encreasing, 
she died, was opened ; the Lungs found blackish, but no other fault in 
them, (this is referrable to stregthen what we said in the ninth Head) 
but when the Aspera Arteria, according to its longitude, came to be 
cut up nigh the passages of the Lungs, through which Air is to be brought 
for fanning native heat, many black Caruncles like little knots or 
Pease, some bigger, some less, were found together, filling up the passa- 
ges of the Lungs; the Veins about the Heart and Diaphragma were full 
of Blood; she had her Courses stopped, and so that might add to the 
growth of these : so that these things do not commonly happen, not 
so as the Practical Physicians thought, but many times not in those parts 
or places as they did imagine. 
Pet.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 95 
Pet. Paw. found, besides one great Apostem in the Lungs, thirty little 
ones like knots, in his Anatomical Observations annexed to Thomas 
Bartholinus. 
XIII. Distinction of Causes is took from Consumption or absolute 
wasting away of the Lungs, as all other parts of the intern Body do ; 
and truly there is scarce any thing we have writ of the Lungs, but is 
found in other parts ; and what causes are found in other parts, confide- 
ratis considerandis, may be found in the Lungs; and therefore we have 
been the larger to describe all particulars. 
A Gentlewomans Son, whom I knew at Huntingdon, was opened at 
London, dying of a Phthisick, he had but a little bit of his Lungs left, 
his Liver huge large. 
A Kinsman of mine in Holburn was Phthisical many years, and lived 
beyond expectation; he had six or seven children, all died, but some li- 
ved till four or five years of Age; one they opened, thinking it to have 
died of a Dropsy; but as I remember, the Mother told me it had scarce 
a pint of Water in its Belly, but the Lungs were wasted, and the Liver 
filled up the vacuum or yielding of the Lungs, it did so thrust th Dia- 
phragma, but it was very knotty. 
Columbus lib. 15. Anatomiæ, Dissected one that had scarce any piece 
of his Lungs left; there was a great deal of difference twixt him and 
those two, Sylvius and Putem write of, that had five Lobes of the Lungs, 
when naturally men have but four. 
Georgius Crasecchius in tract. de Pulmonum Vitiis, Dissected one that 
died of a Cough, and difficult breathing Phthisical; in the left capacity 
of the Thorax was much Water, purulent and fæculent, and some did 
assimilate to Pultis, and a very small part of the Lungs left. 
By these it is clear, man may live with a little piece of his Lungs; and 
he oftner dies of their stoppages or diversity of corruption, then of their 
wasting, ten to one; and after this manner Nature acts in the rest of the 
intern parts. 
Petrus Forestus, in Scholio ad Observat, 37. lib. 2. Relates of one 
from a wound, that spat up his Lungs, as they turned into purulency, for 
a long time ; so that when he was opened, the Heart was left bare, with- 
out any Lungs about it. 
Sometimes just half the Lungs are wasted, the other half being 
found. 
Moreover the Reader may observe, which perhaps we shall clearly 
demonstrate in our Treatise of the Dropsie, that always the affection 
of the Lungs do not shew a Disease by outward Symptoms.
Thomas

96 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 4. Obs. 17. found Pus & Sanguis sine 
Phthisi: An Hectik Feaver is sometime without hurt of the Lungs, 
(though we have shewn many Examples thereof before, indeed there is- 
scarce any such distinct or peculiar Feaver, or rarely to be found.) Pet. 
Pawns, Obs. Anatom. 16. Fat in great quantity found in the Cavity of 
the Thorax, without any detriment to the Patient: T. Barth. pag. 170. 
and 266. A Phthisis from the Heart, Thom. Bartholin. Cent. 1. Hist. 
50.
River. Obs. p. 74. observed a Pleurisie from Worms, the Lungs un- 
hurt ; so in an Empyema, the Lungs being safe, Sanies was in the side. 
Marcellas Donat. pag. 280. The Cause of an Asthma was not found in 
the Lungs, but Vena Arteriosa and sine pari: Riverius found the Cause 
of an Asthma in the Diaphragma, pag. 286. Skenk. 237, and 222, and  
217. Worms are generated of divers kinds and bignesses , sometimes 
in the Lungs, sometimes in the Aspera Arteria, and sometimes in the 
Vicine parts of the Thorax. See Horst. Obs. pag. 456. Outward Signs 
not agreeing with inward Causes : See Riverius, Observ. pag. 306, Ma- 
ny parts are affected together within the Body, so that we know not 
which to refer a Disease to, or which did cause, or was caused to cor- 
rupt, Tho. Barth. Cent. 2. pag. 177. But he that reads all the foregoing 
Histories, and observes what he reads, shall see more than these will 
make out. 
Our Ardor and Zeal to Truth, and to reconcile all to one mind, and 
to make men attain to that they may ever acquiesce in, and put to si- 
lence all Gain-sayers, hath instigated us to take these pains, and make 
these Scrutinies into all things. 
The Readers perhaps will expect we should deliver somewhat of the 
Cure of all these Distempers, or of their particular Causes. 
Many of those Aphorisms concerning the cure of Head-Diseases, are 
so general, they are to be consulted in each of these. 
If the cure of every Disease is by taking away the Cause, than we 
have given a good insight into the Cure, by shewing all the Causes: But 
because there is such variety and alteration of Distempers, and their 
Causes, the wisest Physician in most weighty businesses, goes conjectu- 
rally to work; and thence it is, every inferiour unlearned fellow, will 
cure the sick Hab-Nab, and sometimes when the Learned cannot do it; 
yea many an old Woman with a few odde Specificals, cures many busi- 
nesses that the Learned cannot accomplish with a Course of Physick, 
not using those Specificals. 
Two things are chiefly considerable in all Sicknesses: First to respect 
the 


A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 97 
the Cause, secondly the Symptom; that is done by Specificals, or Pla- 
netary Medicines. 
I. We noted Abscesses in the Lungs. In those we must use ripen- 
ing and emollient Drinks inwardly, with Wound-Herbs. Take this 
for a Formula : 
IV Hyperici, Saniculæ, Consolidæ, Bugulæ, an. miss. Rad Glyciriræ,
Hordei Gall. Ficuum Pinguium, an. 31. fol. Malvæ Alikæe, Meliloti. an. 
M.S. Boil all in four pints of Water gently, and close covered, till 
the third part is wasted by evaporation ; strain it, drink a quarter of a 
pint thrice a day ; this will serve to cleanse and break Apostematous 
Abscesses too ; Oyntments and Cataplasms also are fit, outwardly 
made, after that manner as Authors prescribe ; opening the side or 
brest is the last, or blistering to to bring out the matter, also cough- 
ing. 
II and III Heads were of Bones and Stones engendered in the Lungs. 
They ate to be coughed up, the Apostmes in which lie, broken, if possibly 
they are to be dissolved; Juyce of Chamomile, Goats Blood, and 
sharp Vinegar dissolve them ; the Cough is to be appeased by mild, sli- 
pery emollient Medicines; though saccharate and sweet things are used 
for the Lungs, they are apt to thicken, and grow clammy, and turn to 
Flegm, and aggravate many Distempers. 
IV. Worms. They are to be killed, and coughed forth, the Lungs 
are to be cleansed ; Mercurius Dulcis is of chief use, and a pectoral 
Drink of Horehound, St. Johns. Wort, Hyssop, Aniseeds, and Grass 
Roots, with Oyl of Vitriol and Brimstone, or Vinegar of Squills, with 
Oyl of Sulphur. 
V. Those great or hard Bodies that from without are got into the 
Wind-pipe or Gullet, and so compress the Wind-pipe, must be cough- 
ed up, or vomited forth ; or if they may go down into the Stomach, 
’tis good to let them go : Oyl of Lillies, sweet Almonds, &c. that di- 
late the Flesh and passages, are good to cause a slipery and easie coming 
forth. 
VI. Concerning the Sponginess of the Lungs, or their lightness, 
fussiness and vacancy of Blood, there is scarce any Remedy ; a Pecto- 
ral moistening and Analeptick Diet, is likely to do most. 
VII and VIII. Waterishness of the Body and Lobes of the Lungs 
is found the Cause of many Griefs, and so the swiming of the Lungs 
in water, though perhaps they may be dry, as they are found divers times 
in a Dropsie of the Brest, else we need not make such distinction : That 
that dries the Body in other cases, is good here, sweating and provoking 
Urine: for the Kidneys should attract or receive all the Water, the 
N Guts

98 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Guts, the Excrements and thick Food, the Liver and Gall, the Choler; 
and when and where any of these are the Cause, we must look to the 
part whose office it was to separate and discharge these : we must some- 
times look for contrary indications; for in a Dropsie of the Brest, dry- 
ing means are convenient; yet because the Lungs therein may be dry, 
they do harm one way as they do good another : Some have handled 
the Cure of such particular Dropsies, to whom I may refer you : Chy- 
surgery, if it be confirmed, is likeliest to do most.
IX. In Discolorations of the Lungs alone is no need, nor no Effica- 
cy of Medicines, but that that gives the green colour, or yellow, or 
black, or white, or livid, of all which colour the Lungs have been 
found ; and sometimes not otherwayes ailing any thing : That that 
gives the Colour is specifically to be purged forth, but this is not fore- 
seen. 
X. The slicking, cleaving or growing of the Lungs to other parts, 
any that are nigh, specially that participate in corrupting with them, is 
not alwayes discoverable, and as seldom curable ; if we perceive they 
do adhere we cannot tell exactly to what part, in what kind, from what 
cause, and in what degree, little or much; hinderers of Putrifaction, 
spenders of moisture, outward heaters and drawers forth of moisture, 
are medicinal, as vomiting to loosen them, and purging to take away 
the antecedent cause, may be, and sneezing, jumping, vociferati- 
on, &c. sweet things, Lohocks, Syrups, specially Gum Arabick, Traga- 
ganth, Starch, &c. are bad, glewing, and apt to be clungy; such things 
are good to mix with Flegm, and to bring it up, and raise Coughing, 
whereby the Lungs are disburdened; also for stopping thin Rheum,and 
imbodying it, that it may be coughed up or raised; or to asswage Sharp- 
ness and Excoriation of the Wind-pipe or Lungs, else they often do 
hurt: and I am perswaded the glutinous and flegmatick nature of the 
Lungs is encreased thereby. We may judge from outward things best, 
many times, how inward things be; and by things we see, those we can- 
not come at to see; Sugars, Syrups, Lohochs, &c. of that nature with 
heat, dry, and grow tough, and birdlimy and clungy, and so ’tis impossi- 
ble they should act in the body, but the supply of moisture keeps them 
from sudden coagulation, or inspissation. 
XI. When the Lungs are dryed, void of blood, and light, there is 
scarce any help ; for though we moisten and nourish the body, yet per- 
haps they are not capable of drawing any nutriment to themselves, or 
at least not to convert it to a right use, the tone and office of them being 
so extinguished: in such cases we must endeavour to make Life as plea- 
sant as we may, and abate the Symptoms. It is a part of wisdom al- 
wayes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 99 
wayes those things we cannot take away, to endeavour to mitigate 
them. 
XII. The Lungs are found scirrhous, hard ; sometimes moist Scirrhs, 
and sometimes light, dry Scirrhs, as Spunges; and sometimes stony 
Scirrhs. To help this, softning Oyntments, and Cataplasms are suita- 
ble, if we can observe the Cause of this Cause ; that is a main matter 
in the cure of all things, to see and observe all along what helped and 
harmed, and with what, and in what times the evil seemed to encrease 
most ; Lohoch and Eclegmas, and Pectoral Drinks are convenient; but 
the difference of Scirrhs asks for diversity. Caruncles are to be cured 
otherwayes than Stones; and Spunginess another way ; and hardned 
Apostems another. A Lohoch made of the Syrup of Juyce of Chamo- 
mile, Gum Ammoniacum, Resina Larirea, Liquorish, flos Sulphuris, and 
rad Althææ is medicinal: Chamomile, Lilly roots, Althea , Lin-seed, 
Fænigreek-seed, Oyl of sweet Almonds, Emplastrum Meliloti, Compo- 
situm pro Splene are outwardly helpful; A juvantibus & nocentibus opti- 
ma sumitur indicatio; by such things as help, and such as hurt, we may 
find out the nature of the Distemper. 
Non est in Medico semper relevetur ut æger,
Interdum Docta plus valet Arte malum. 
The Doctor cannot alwayes cure, sometime 
The Sickness doth above the Med'cine clime. 
xiii. Wasting of the Lungs, are chiefly restored by Causes contrary 
to those that did cause wasting, for they differ in differing people ; 
commonly this is called a Consumption, though there be divers kinds: 
and in some Consumptions the Lungs are firm ; yet where the Lungs 
are wasted, seldom but there is a Consumption, so that we may make 
this distinction : Every wasting away of the Lungs is a Consumption, 
but every Consumption or wasting away of Fat and Flesh, is nor a wast- 
ing of the Lungs, or proceeded there from. The foolish Vulgar call all 
that lie long sick, and waste, Consumptives, and so indeed they be ; 
for Consumption doth only signifie a wasting or Consuming ; and so in 
all diseases, they that lie long sick and cannot eat their food, for the 
most part waste, and yet the Lungs safe, nor are an Atrophia, Phthisis
and Hectick Feaver all the wasting and kinds thereof that do happen ; 
nor doth all wasting waste after one or other of these kinds. 
Those Medicines that are good against Phthisicks or Consumptions 
the Greeks call Restoratives, Nourish- 
ers, and Fatners. N2 Next

100 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Next we shall respect the Symptoms or manifest Griefs depending 
on these and other unknown Causes. First, for short or difficult brea- 
thing, in any Causes these are specifical, or have a propriety. 
Conserve of the roots of Holly-Oaks or Garden-Mallows made with 
Honey, experienced by Benedictus Victo, Faventinus, Empyricis. 
Conserve of the flowers of Honeysuckles, Caprisolium: Experienced 
by N. C. 
Crocus, Experienced by many; so Millipedes or Aselli, Sows: Ex- 
perienced by Platerus and others. Zedoary, rad Brioniæ, Angelicæ, Sul-
phur , sem Anisi. I have experienced in divers ; and Oximel of Squils, 
with Saffron and Aqua Anisi. 
To ease Coughs from all Causes; yet they are not always to be stop- 
ped, for Nature ordained that motion to the Lungs, to keep us from 
choaking up. 
Decoction of Juniper berries in Wine for Infants, Exper. Platerus. 
The Decoction of Gourds, and Veronica, was proved by the same. 
A draught of Poppy water with Sugar, is held a secret, took every 
night, to stop a molestuous Cough. 
Garlick, with Bears Grease anointed on the plants of the feet. 
Ziziphæ are praised by Hartman, Pract. Chym. macerated in Spirit 
of Wine, and took every morning. 
The Decoction of Thyme for Chincoughs is praised.
A Decoction of Box-wood, shaved; Rosemary, roots of Hounds- 
tongue, and Cough-down is excellent. 
To stop Coughs, Laudanum and Narcoticks are most effectual, but
warily to be used. 
Of Side-pains, from Wind; Tobacco leaves anointed and applied ; 
Heurnius. Wormwood fryed with Grease, and applied hot, Emp. 
Acorns in pouder, Decoction of Stich-Holly, and Chamomile flow- 
ers, I have experienced. 
Spirit of Wine, Camphire, and red Sanders boiled together, for ba- 
thing the Side, is an Experiment of Plater. in Prax. Medica. 
Side-pains from Inflamation, are experimentally found easable by 
Boars-Tush, Bulls Pizzle given in Cardus-water; Plater. Rondeletius, 
River. Johnston. Prevotius, &c. 
Barrow, Quercetane, used Olibanum, to ease the Stitch. Johnstonus in 
id. Med. Pract. praises Resina ; Sperma Ceti I know very available. 
Lodovicus Septalius praiseth two Medicines, Honey of Roses with 
fresh Butter, and Oyl of sweet Almonds with Manna. Crabs Eyes, red 
Coral, Violet Flowers, Cardus Benedictus, Scabiosa, Nettles, Rhubarb, 
Poppy-

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 101 
Poppy-flowers, are specifical, and give ease, and most speedy help after 
bleeding in Pleurisies : Let none tell me some are hot, some cold; some 
binding, some loosning; some pectoral, some hepatical; some nephritical, 
some carminatives; some makers of wind; they do it assuredly; and 
let our Reason follow Experience, they do it by Astral Influence, and 
Sympathy or Antipathy: that is the reason many ordinary learned Fel- 
lows and Women help divers by one peculiar odde Medicine, that 
Physicians cannot without a tedious method and repetition of many Me- 
dicines : for in many compositions sometimes there is scarce one or two 
Specificals, and those perhaps in little quantity; yet we approve much 
of Rules and good Methods, but they will scarce hold practiceable in 
two persons alike : Spitters and Expectoraters are necessary. 
Now for Spitting of Blood to cease the Symptom :
Water and Vinegar is experienced by Rondeletius. 
Juyce of Nettles four Ounces, with one Drachm of Powder of the 
true Bloodstone in Knot-Grass-Water, is praised by Jo. Schmitz.
The constant use of Germander, by Crato.
Lohoch of Purslane-Juyce,with Dragons Blood, Terra Lemnia, 
praised by Plater. 
Syrup of Juyce of Purslane, by Riverius.
Spirit of Vitriol half a Scruple, with four Ounces of Plantane-Wa- 
ter, is experienced by Riverius. 
Juyce of Nettles above all was successful to Amatus Lusitanus. 
Lapis Hæmatitis to Trallianus. 
Hartman used the Remedy of Riverius, of Vitrioli Sc.s. Aq. Plan- 
tag. ℥ 4. 
Gerrard in his Herbal praises the Juyce of Periwinkles to one Ounce 
drunk often, that it never fails stopping blood. 
Opium, Poppy Seed, Laudanum, Henbane Seed, and such Narcoti- 
cals, are the last Refuge. 
Sennertus for all Fluxes of Blood wheresoever, all other things fail- 
ing, saith, The red Jasppar, or true Bloodstone, applied so that it touch the 
Skin, hath been most efficacious. Also for Hæmorrages of the Nostrils, 
we have known the application of the true Bloodstone successful beyond 
other things. 
For Phthisicks, or those whose Lungs waste away, which is onely to 
be guessed at by Symptoms, and leanness of the whole Body, these are 
best experienced by Authors. 
There is an Herb known to Sheep, Avenroar saith, He saw the Ulcer 
of the Lungs of a Sheep healed thereby ; they know that by natural in- 
stinct, that we cannot find out by experience ; And Hermes Trismegi
stus

102 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
stus thinks if man knew all the opposite Qualities in Animals, Plants 
and Minerals, he might do no less things than to be supposed Witch- 
craft, Jac. Sylvius in Meth. Med. 
Matthias Gradi healed a Phthisical with the heat of an Oven; the dry 
Air drawn often into his Mouth dried up the Ulcer. Idem, Ibidem.
An agglutinating Lohoch of Turpentine, Bole of Armenia, and 
Myrrh, is wonderful: Eracastorius. 
Trallianus with Lapis Aimatites cured many Phthisicks.  
Quercetan with Ground-Ivy, or Tunhoof, juyced and made into a 
Lohoch with Honey or Sugar, Flos Sulphuris added. 
The use of Conserve of Red Roses constantly, cured many. Mesue 
and Avicen. 
Womans Milk is moistening and nourishing, connatural to us, and 
the fittest to restore mans flesh and moisture, is most easily converted 
into the substance of our Body. Platerus, in Prax. Med. 
The Decoction of Lignum Sanctum cured others: The Decoction of 
River-Crabs in Barley-Water, others. 
Schenkius, Optimè humanæ salutis Meritus, from divers Authors, hath 
gathered all these : Saccharum Rosatum, that Avicen, Mesue, Crato, 
Valeriola and Forestus used successfully. Hedera Terrestris, praised by 
Langius ; Pulmonariæ, by George Hamberger; Ros. Solis Herb, by Lobe- 
lius, and Fil. Skenk. Betrys, by Joac. Camerar. Pseudocostus or Ingras- 
siæ di porci of Italy by Camerar. Balsam, Sulphuris, by Skenkius Filins, 
and Georgius. 
We have used this Lohoch successfully, a Compound of the former: 
ꝶ Powder of Hedera Terrestris ʒ ii, Lapidis Hæmatitidis, Glyciriræ, 
Floris Sulphuris, an ʒ i. Nucleorum pini ʒ i.s. Syr. Juglandibus imma- 
turis ℥ ii. Penidiorum ℥ i. Cons. Rosarum Rubrarum ʒ i. s. misce fiat Lo- 
hoch, cum Syr. Pectorali, q. s. ad consistentiam idoneam. 
We must give out Readers this Caution, That Authors for Symptoms 
in Diseases, and for Dissections in dead Bodies , did write commonly 
impartially and uninterestedly, and therefore are the more to be belie- 
ved in what they say they saw : but in the Cures they did, many were 
hugely given to boasting, specially the Chymical Writers, for they 
crack their Medicines much, thinking to get Fame, and Vend for such 
things; nor have Physicians commonly dealt candidly and fairly, in de- 
livering how oft such a Medicine hath cured, and not how oft it hath 
failed: If a Physician use a'sorry Medicine many times, it is hard if 
more then one or two are not helped by it. Authors must be consider- 
ed, their Temper, Sincerity, Modesty and Sobriety, and wherein they 
write upon their own Interest. 
A 

103 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF 
DROPSIES. 
I Do not intend by Dropsies onely to give the 
insight of that Distemper to my Readers, 
but to shew the Course and Order of Nature 
in change of all the Bowels: In these things 
under this Title may be seen the variety of 
Distempers, and in what little Order and 
Method any Distempers run. If the Rea- 
der well considers all the Histories, and the 
Reasons wherefore we writ them, he will see 
apparently how the inward Bowels are or 
may be affected in sickness, how one suffers 
with or by another; how, in one sick person, one bowel is thus affect- 
ed, another so : For we see Medicines that are one and the same, in 
divers Bodies have divers Operations; so the same humours alike qua- 
litied, in two bowels produce divers effects; one bowel by the same 
matter is turned scirrhous, another is resolved into purulency : both the 
peculiarity of the quality of the Humour, and the apt disposition of the 
passive Cause, is the cause which we cannot foresee; and when we do 
see it, give no reason thereof: This may justly reprove those thae state- 
lily think to sum up all the Ways and Works of GOD in one Rule, or 
general

104 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
general Term ; His ways are past finding out by the wise, much more 
by the superstitiously addicted, and such as build on their own Reason 
without the Foundation of Experience ; that which he hath ordained as 
the food for our capable , docile, and tractable Souls , to encrease in 
knowledge by, and grow up in true knowledge. The Indians of Ameri- 
ca, did admire how any one could signifie his mind to another in a piece 
of Paper, and thought it supernatural, and done by Spirits : even so do 
all of us admire those things we have no experience of, which are never- 
theless in the course of Nature, and in GOD’s Ordination ; and the 
reason why men still admire at them, is, because they will not search for 
Truth, and take pains to see the Ordination of God, and to find out 
the true and sincere Method, and Course, and Variety of Nature : Men 
may write Books of Romances, and Imaginary Conceptions of their own 
Brain, easily and readily, festinanti calamo; and so slight the observance 
of the Works of GOD, and prefer a few Jingles and high-derived 
Words and Philosophical Rules of Mens making, when the Course of 
Nature is GOD’s, and of greater Dignity : for I can make truer Rules 
of Nature than others, and if so, better; and if so, why should I boast 
or glory with theirs ? I value not what any Man hath writ, for I am a 
Man as well as he; and to him that thinks so, my Writing is of as great 
Authority: But let the Course of Nature, the Work of a GOD be 
Judge betwixt Us ; let the Autopsia of the thing shew which guessed 
the truest of it, unseen: Let no mans Opinion (if it be onely the Opi- 
nion of a Man) be much built upon, especially if its grounds be no 
more then its self, viz. Opinion. 
We shall first shew the signification of the word Dropsie, its rise, 
and what is its common acceptation, which may differ from the sincere 
meaning of the Original Word; and then shew the divers kindes that 
according to vulgar acceptation, or common meaning of the word, may 
be, or are called the Dropsie ; And herein many, many times, dispute 
about they know not what; one meaning one thing by the word, ano- 
ther another. 
The Dropsie or Hydropsie in English, comes from Hydrops in Latin, 
and that is only a change of the Greek letters into Latine, those tongues 
being writ in differing letters: Well then, υδραι in Greek is derived 
from νερό, water; so that it is not proper to call any swelling a Drop- 
sie, unless a waterish swelling, according to the genuine signification 
of the word ; but according to common acceptation, other swellings 
are called Dropsies. 
1. Ascites, the word for common Dropsies, comes from ασκo; a Greek
word,


A Tractate of Dropsies. 105
word signifying a Bason, Laver, or Pitcher, because their Bellies refer 
to the Bellies of Pitchers,or Water-Vessels ; so that from the fashion 
of the tumid Belly, it is proper to call them Asciticks, though Water 
is not the Cause, but as the word is commonly taken, improper. 
2. Tympanites in Latine, and Tympany in English, according to the 
common meaning, shews a windy Dropsie ; but the fence of the word 
shews a Drum ; or that the Belly strutting forth and sounding like a 
Drum, may in any person be called a Tympany, though it may be with- 
out wind; yet water without some wind will scarce yeild a noise : It 
comes from τύμπανο, that signifies a Drum. 
3. A third kind, or name of distinction used by the Ancients, was 
Anasarcha, or Leucophlegmatia, they commonly meant by the use of 
those words a puffing up of the Body and Face from Flegm, the Skin 
loose, Face bluffed and pale; if we go to the meaning of the word in the 
Original Derivation ανάκαρνό, per carnem, it signifies some humour or 
matter spread throughout the Flesh, or imbibed therein, or throughout. 
But people have been deceived in these, for Nature imitates no such 
Order or Rule, there is no necessity for a Dropsie, if it be not according 
to the description of Ascites, to be Anasarca, nor if it be not Anasarca 
must it be Tympanites: To see a party just as Galen described, is as rare 
as those they count strange Cases. We shall let the Reader see the 
Truth, as far as man hitherto can find a method in Nature, which in- 
deed in these cases is to want a method ; specially as to peculiar and 
small things: the quality in every matter, if we could see it, or know 
it, would give us the truet insight how it must work, and what it must 
effect. 
The matter, said the Ancients, is either Water, Wind, or Flegm; the 
Bowel or Subject was the Liver ; the Cause was cold, and these onely: 
the precedent or procatarctick causes, were too great evacution of Blood, 
or suppression of Courses or Hæmorrhoids, a Jaundice, Cochexy, or 
drinking of Water ; these were the principal, with the distinctions 
aforenamed, that the Ancients delivered ; the Signs and Concomitant 
Symptoms they delivered are not worth naming : for those that they 
wrote aright in, are common ; others are nothing of Rule, but acci- 
dental, so that they might have numbered a thousand Symptoms or Ails 
that many Hydropicks, one or other amongst them had had. 
The Moderns, as Sennertus, Hercules Saxonia, Riverius, Platerus, 
&c. did introduce diverse new things from experience, and found that 
heat as well as cold, was the Cause , and that sometimes cool things 
that open, do good ; also they saw that the Kidneys and Spleen, as well 
as the Liver, might cause the Dropsie. 
O WE


106 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
We shall not stand to describe or transcribe the Causes, Signs, Progno- 
sticks and Cures differing in Ascites, Tympanites, and Anasarca, that 
the Moderns have laid down, they may be read fully in their Practices, 
and compared with what follows; they are defective, and rarely found as 
they have described, yet are in some or other, at one time or other, in 
some measure or other true : as for example ; Jo. Johnstonus, Idea Med. 
Pract. cap. de Tympanite, saith, In a Tympany the Skin is streched out and  
glisters, it looks like a Drum Cover, gives such a founding ; it 
thrusts out the Navil very much outwardly, the Belly is puffed up, but no 
sense of great weight; crushed, the finger leaves no impression, but the Skin 
presently rises up again ; belchings and breaking wind downwards are often 
and rumbling in the Belly : the cause is heat, or terrifying great heat, 
which resolves the matter into Vapours; (which the Antients acknowledg- 
ed not.) The place is not in the Stomach, for there the wind would 
be belched forth ; nor in the Guts, for then per anum it would be cast 
forth; but a Tympany is generated commonly betwixt the Coats of the 
Mesentery and Intestines ; for in a Tympany are pains about the Navil, 
and pains of the Loins, and gripings of the Mesentery tied to these 
parts, being distended by wind. 
Cure is by bringing forth the wind, a Carminative Wine, a great 
Cuppinglass applied, Frictions, Foments, discussing wind, inwardly such 
as warm and correct the distemper of the Bowel causing the wind. 
Now one in a Tympany may have some wind, and most water; for 
they are seldom absolutely separate, then it may be called both : Many 
Hydropicks are puffed up, and windy ; if it be nothing but wind, the 
sick may have one of these signes and not another, but other not here 
mentioned; if he have all those signs, he may not have a like inward 
Cause; if the inward Cause in two be exactly alike, yet the outward 
or fomenting antecedent Causes might be quite contrary, that stirred
up inward Causes alike; if the inward Causes be visibly exactly alike, 
yet they may have different effects or events, for death may ensue to 
one, life to the other : and thus doth Nature vary , whose Method in 
those things Physicians wrote a Method of, is to want a Method or 
Rule. 
We will now from our own Observations, bringing tbe Witnesses of 
many Authors,fide dignissimi, to attest what we write by their impartial 
uninterested and non-superstitions Experience, shew the Course of Na- 
ture, and more particularly the swellings of the Body from wind or wa- 
ter, introducing a multitude of other things : So that this particular 
Tractate may be useful as a general Practice. 
1. We have observed divers Maids and Women, in stopt Menstrues, to 
have

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 107 
have their Bellies swell, and Feet, gradually, on Nights first,and then so 
largely, that they were swelled on days too, largely, as full as Skin could 
almost hold, pitting, or leaving the dint of the finger crushing them, in 
them, along while ere they rose up again to equal heighth with the rest 
of the flesh; the surest token that water was the swelling matter ; I ob- 
served these Hydropick swellings of the feet commonly to come with 
pain, redness, and then itching ; the Attoms of the Blood that did at 
first flow, exhaling, the swelling turned paler, less hot and painful, and 
clearly waterish, and so it is in most outward Tumours, and this is a 
chief Universal Method in Nature ; yet no General Rule is without 
Exceptions ; for I have had both my hands swelled up like Bladders, 
and from Cold, without any foregoing Flux of Blood ; if I laid my hand 
against the Mantle-piece, and my forehead upon the back of my 
hand, in a little time it had so crushed the water away on either side
that I could have seated an Egg on the back of my hand, in the presure 
of my forehead, very fast ; and this huge pit or hollow would by de- 
grees rise up again to its former heighth and equality with the other 
Skin; I found that none of my inward parts were the cause of this; I 
always drank very little : so I have known some had their Legs hydropi- 
cal, standing in cold water, others with a sore, or pain in their Legs, 
others after Agues, the Belly also swelling, but no harm to the inward 
Bowels was in fieri. What shall we say ? Maids or Women that want 
their Courses, their Bellies swell, and Feet: is it an Ascites, because in 
the Feet apparently is water ? is it a Tympany, because in the Belly ap- 
parently is wind, or retained blood, and wind, and Ichor in the Uterus? 
is it a Dropsie at all, because none of the Bowels, no not the Liver, 
is cooled or hurt in some ? it goes away naturally : sometimes if their 
Courses come not down, some are held a long time, and know not whe- 
ther they are with Child, or in a Dropsie ; for sometimes the Symptoms 
of a Dropsie in one, prove the Symptoms of Gravidity in another. 
Plater in Observ. Extuberantiæ, about page 659, and 660, relates of 
three particular Women that thought themselves (being swelled) big 
with Child, and the swelling did cease in all naturally, as it arose ; but a 
4th woman being so swelled, and in suspicion of being with Child, died. 
In another woman in suppresion of Courses he observed the Belly 
swelled up, yet no Dropsie; she was restored by Remedies. 
2. Another kind of Dropsies we may call an Inflation ; I have both 
seen it, and been informed of the like in others ; these were suddenly 
in two or three days swelled up, the Eyes almost closed in, the face ex- 
ceedingly puffed, the Belly turgid, Legs and Hands swelled, a good ap- 
petite, Strength and Reason remaining ; yet in these two or three I ob-
O 2 served


108 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
served what I write from, there was difference, so that in each distin- 
tion we must make distinction, if we would have clear and sincere 
Truth, and punctually decide Controversies; one was helped by Plan- 
tane-Water, or rather on Natures accord; the other by good Medi- 
cines , and Anti-hydropicals ; others are totally and suddenly in- 
flated, different from these, and in one thing or other from each 
other. 
Platerus, Obs. Extuberantiæ, pag. 632. relates of a Maid swelled all 
over, Face, Feet, Belly, and elsewhere, a difficult breathing ; and in a 
few days recovered as quickly, as she quickly fell so : Nor can these be 
imputed to Poysons. As I remember Nicolaus Tulpius hath an Obser- 
vation like these, of a total swelling of the Body like a Dropsie , that 
arose in a few days, and ceased again spontaneously. 
3. A third kind we have observed in two, but not found the like in 
Authors; They were loose skinned, and full of water outwardly, the 
Feet did a little swell, but no symptom illness was therein; they 
had many water-blisters on their Flesh, specially their Paps or Teats 
did run much, their skin was very subject to break into blisters of pure 
water, void of Accrimony, except sometime a little itching; nor were 
the inward parts by any outward signs at all in fault, though in divers 
symptoms they did somewhat vary, yet both had one Cause, viz.
Drinking Strong Beer or Ale constantly on mornings first of all, which 
they were not used to: & I have heard a third person say, that if he drank 
Ale on mornings fasting, it made his Blood waterish; but though the 
outward Cause is surely one and the same, yet the variety of Constitu- 
tions is stupendious: If in these the redundant water of the blood was 
excluded as unnecessary for Natures use, and heterogenious to the blood, 
to the outward parts, or Cutaneous Superfice, and there did gather in 
bladders, and those broke, poured forth Serum, and then filled again ; 
why may not Nature, being overburdened by water, in the blood that 
offendeth, either in quality or quantity, or both, cast off this Serum in- 
to the inward Bowels, and there raise bladders, and those break and 
pour out the Serum into the capacity of the Abdomen, and then fill a- 
gain ? for we know nothing will endure a superabundance , and more 
Serum still ousing and pressing into these bladders, breaks them, and 
they fall down flat, and by degrees gather more Serum, and are disten- 
ded; indeed there is rarely any Botch, Struma, Glandula, Callus, Apo- 
stem, Tumour, Ulcer, Gangrene, Fistula, Cancer, Sphacelus, Discolora- 
tion, Tubercles, &c. that happen to the outward parts, but they happen 
to the inward Bowels , as Liver, Spleen, Heart, Reins, Mesentery, 
Lungs, Uterus, Pancreas, Gall, &c. 
4. In


A Tractate of Dropsies. 109
4. In the next place, occurs another kind, which Hercules Saxonia
lib. 3. pract. cap. 32. saith, Is a Dropsie of Blood, if it is proper to say 
so ; it is quickly made, in few dayes kills : So Mercurialis opened one 
swelled with fourteen pints of Blood in him : Another with an Hernia or 
Rupture fell suddenly, swelled and died. Tulpius and Horsius in his 
Appendent Observations to Marcellus Donaus, mention the like. If 
we consider that in all things are different kinds, and in all kinds differ- 
ing degrees, We must allow the extream of bloody Water, to be pure 
Blood; for every thing hath its two extreams of exceeding little, ex- 
ceeding great, and its mean or medriocrity: we see in swelled Hydro- 
pical Legs, and other swellings of the outward parts, the matter, 
seems red hot Blood at first flowing, then by corruption, or the 
Atoms of the Blood exhaling, it turns pale, wheyish or waterish often- 
times; so in the Body of many Hydropicks Blood may first slow, and 
by lying, looseth its colour, as heat I suppose, when it is extravasated 
will quickly make it do, some have tryed it they say. 
To make this the more probable, Plater Obs. Extuber. pag. 650. found 
one full of yellow Water, most stinking, in one that died Hydropical 
and of a Rupture ; and this might be bloody Water, or waterish Blood, 
or water first flown out into the Belly, and then Blood mixed there- 
with, which with standing might grow more waterish, and cause 
the water to stink ; the Liver in this Party was putrid, and little else 
in fault. 
Scholiographus ad cap. 39. Lib. 1. Hollerii de Morbis internis, writes, 
that yellow water like washings of Flesh, or bloody, was found in one 
Hydropick ; it is hard to say, whether it were waterish Blood, or bloody 
Water. 
Thomas Bartholin. Cent. 1. obs. 2. found the water in an Hydropicks 
belly, bloody and stinking: see Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. one voided much 
blood upwards and downwards. 
5. The most common kind of Dropsie, or that that most properly 
may so be called, is after this manner of rise, though with variation 
in all; the feet begin both alike to swell towards evening ; the walking
and heating them, makes the Serum fall down , which in the 
morning by rest is gathered into the Belly ; this swelling daily en- 
creases, and the Belly in a month more or less, doth more or less swell, 
with short-windedness ; sometimes a Cough, Thirst, dejection of Ap- 
petite, Laziness, Pursiness, pale Colour, and Rheumatick Tempers ; 
succeeding for the most part to Cachexyes, Jaundices, Tertian or Quar- 
tain Agues, moist Diet, cold Water, Hæmorrhages, or other Cro- 
nical Distempers , the Liver, Reins or Spleen, or alltogether, are 
found

110 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
found either fissured, cleft with bladders of Water, or corrupted, or 
perforated and stony, or pale, and of extinguished vitality; and in 
most common Hydropicks, all the parts are found corrupted or wasted, 
or grown to one another, one in one manner, another in another, as 
may afterward be shewn ; for one and the self same cause, or at least 
seemingly so to us, produces divers effects in divers bowels; for though 
the thing acting may be one and the same, yet the patient, or thing to 
be acted upon, is not capable to be altered alike with another; there- 
fore one part is grown to another, another part is quite wasted, a third 
is full of Stones, a fourth is grown larger then naturally, a fifth is pale 
and dried, void of blood ; and thus they vary in one Body, in one Dis- 
ease : but we are principally to consider what parr was first in offence, 
and which do consent, for the contamination did for the most part be- 
gin in one bowel, and that made water, and the other bowels stopped 
therein did corrupt, but divers times it is hard to say which Bowel was 
first in fault, for all seem alike corrupted ; and indeed all perhaps are 
originally, sometimes in cause, as well as caused to corrupt, for the 
quality in the Blood and Juyces, and Aliment is alike operative to all:
in every Body there is a Quality or peculiar Nature, which acts moves 
and alters it; and the fight or outward appearance of any Body or Mat- 
ter, doth not alwayes and exactly, if ever exactly shew the quality in 
the Body or Matter; for sometimes a Poyson (if it is proper to call 
anything so) will alter all the Bowels strangely, and where there is 
no Dropsie, the parts are thus affected, which we may shew here- 
after. 
6. Another kind of Dropsie, as it hath been taken, is from Glandu- 
les or Apostemes, or Fat, which we will here involve in one Head. 
Petrus Pawus, Dissect. Anatom. 24. when all the water was drawn 
out, all the Gutts, Mesentery, Caul and Liver were found Fat. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 33 & 34. In one saw two Steatoma's in the Mesen- 
tery, one of them was not full of corruption ; the other did pour out 
much Sanies and water into the Belly; these did so swell her, that she 
was rather thought with Child then Hydropical, but being opened, it 
was found the Womb was so crushed up by these Apostemes, that Gra- 
vidity could not be ; there was no water in the hollow of the Belly, till 
by dissection it was let out of one of the Abscesses ; in another bladders 
of water were held in one in the Mesentery. 
Horstius, Epist. med. Sect. 5. A Woman supposed to die of a Dropsie 
was opened, it was found to be the Uterus that distended the Belly, it 
weighed 87 pound, it was full of an hairy and woolly matter, with 
fat and yellow Ichor.
P. Paw.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 111 
P. Paw. ob. Anatom. 29. in a general Dropsie, a Woman was so big, 
three Ells scarce compared her ; her Utertus did stretch out exceedingly 
to the making that greatness; and it was full of many schirrous knobs, or 
Condylomata. Platerus found some that represented Dropsies, that had 
only Glandules, and in some glandulous or knotty swellings of the 
Mesentery.
7. We may name another kind of Dropsie, relating to the Tympany 
of the Ancients, Plater. Obs. 657. A Boy ten years old had a twisting, 
of his Guts and stoppage of Excrements ; they came up by his mouth: 
he was hugely swelled, his Belly distended with wind , according to 
the Practicks description of a Tympany : he lived thus fourteen dayes; 
then dying, he was opened; the Guts were found twisted up together, 
and in some of them Worms with dung in great number came forth ; 
in other Guts was abundance of wind, exceedingly distending them, 
and breaking forth with great violence as soon as they were cut; no wa- 
ter was found in him. I do not fee it so proper to call this a Tympany, 
as an Illiack passion ; and if it had been joyned with water, it had not 
so properly been called a Tympany neither, so that with Water (Wind 
commonly being made through Rarefaction of Water by heat into Air) 
it might be called a Water-Dropsie with Inflation, without Water an 
Inflation, Illiack or Cholical distemper : Indeed where there is much 
Water, commonly is some Flegm ; and where both these be, common- 
ly there is windiness, because they are made of a moist, cold, raw, and 
spiritless disposition of the Blood and Bowels. 
We shall discover no more kinds of Dropsies in this Order, but un- 
der the Concommitant Symptomes we shall enumerate, much more 
variety may appear; but to go curiously to discriminate of each of those 
seven Heads, we may make as many solid Divisions in each, specially 
in the fifth. 
I. The first and chief Symptom that troubles Hydropicks is an Asth- 
ma or difficult breathing, that is most general. Plater. pag. 638. A 
Woman with Child had a Dropsie ; breathing was so difficult, she was 
often nigh suffocated ; she bringeth forth, and having good natural 
purgations, is delivered of her Dropsie. And Obs.pag. 64. A Noble- 
man drew his breath with exceeding straitness in a Dropsie, he used to 
drink hot and strong Liquors ; he died. 
Skenk pag. 417. One Ascitick, was not commonly so strait-breathed, 
but when he went to eat or drink or to sleep, he was almost choaked. 
River. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. mentions an Asthma in a Dropsie, as an high 
trouble to the Hydropick party he mentions ; And 
Nic. Tulp. lib. 2 obs. 34. mentions one that for divers years was very
hard

ll2 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
hard breathed, died hydropical; opened, there was a swelling of the 
Mesentery weighing twenty pound, that was three years increasing, and 
crushed up the parts, for the Lungs and Brest, and all other parts were 
found; and Observ. 39. an Asthma in an Hydropick was exceeding 
great, water ran out dayly per scrotum, but gave no ease. 
Jo. Bilgerus, Epist. ad Gregor. Horstium  mentions a Dropsie of the 
Brest, four years encreasing, with hard breathing, which grew strong and 
great; opened, the Lungs outwardly were spotted, inwardly putri- 
fied. 
Plater. Obs. Extuberantia, pag. 646. In one (that he opened) he 
found the Kidneys exulcerated and perforated, and no other matters of 
corruption to or in other parts considerable, yet the crushing up of the 
Diaphragma and Lungs, by the redundancie of water, caused a great 
Dyspnæa; the party afore Death had let out much water by blisters, 
made in the lower parts, and the Belly did asswage and sink therefrom, 
and the Dyspnæa abated, so that the quantity of water crushing up the 
parts of respiration, was apparently the Cause ; and the soaking of wa- 
ter into the Lungs, Dlaphragma and Muscles of the Brest, doth in some 
occasion hard breathing, ; but the party aforenamed, the water being 
lessened, and seemingly she in a better condition, died with faint- 
ing. 
2. A second Symptom or Concomitant Affect in Dropsies, is Wind, 
which in some is more, in some less ; in some it more afflicts at one 
time, in others at another; in some in one part, in others in another; 
and many of the many and different symptoms and ails that afflict Hy- 
dropicks, arise partly from Wind and Flegm as well as Water. 
A Dropsie first began with inflation, the Belly was Tympanitical, 
then the feet began to to swell with Water, and other signs of a Water- 
Dropsie arose, cured, River. Cent. 3. Obs. 86. 
Also Felix Platerus in Observationibus, in an Ascites,or Water-Drop- 
sie saw abundance of wind, or a Tympany therewith. 
In a Lady I knew that was Hydropical, after letting Blood, wind did 
so increase that she died Tympanitical; the taking away Blood in such 
cold Distempers, which all are not cold, weakens Nature, and adds to 
the Morbifick Cause. 
Those swellings that come suddenly all over , or in the Belly either, 
though the swelling dints like water, yet there is much wind therein. 
See Tulp. Obs. Med. lib. 2. and Plat. pag. 632. two such were cured: 
All things have their variety, and divers kindes, and every kind its spe-
cies, and every species variety and degrees ; two Extreams, and one 
Medium: the greastest wisdom to distinguish between likes; that 
might 

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 113
might put an end to many Controversies ; and to know Natures variety 
might end many Disputes ; and when one saith a thing is thus, another 
saith, Nay, but it is so, and both these may be true ; for in one it may 
be so, in another thus; one saith this is the Cause of a Dropsie, ano- 
ther that, and both may be in the right; for both these are in some the 
Causes. 
Sometimes there is much wind without any water, as in our seventh 
Head or Distinction of Kinds, and sometimes there is much water 
without any wind or flatuosity; sometimes they are equally quanti- 
zed ; and sometimes in an Inflation is a little water, and in an Ascites 
a little wind ; and so for Flegm, which is onely thickned water, or glu- 
tinated moisture. 
3. The third Symptom or Ail in Dropsies is Flegm,or a clogging up, 
stoppage, or Obstructions therefrom. The Ancients made three Drop- 
sies, the Water-Dropsie or Ascites, the Wind-Dropsie, or Tympanites
the Flegm-Dropsie, or Leucophlegmatia, which also they called Ana-
sarcha but the signification of these two words differ, though in com- 
mon acceptation they may be one : Anasarcha as we said, signifies
matter or humours in the flesh, or diffused under the skin throughout 
the flesh, λευκοφλεγματικός comes from λευκό, white, and φλέγμα, Flegm, 
put together, it signifieth white Fleam, or Flegm; so that if the Ancients 
had took Leucophlegmatia for the Cause, and Anafarcha for the Effect, 
these two together might mystically have shewn a Disease : We must 
say of this, as of wind, sometimes there is much water or wind without 
any flegm, and sometimes much flegm without any water or wind ; 
sometimes a little flegm, a little wind, and much water, arc complica- 
ted together in one Body ; sometimes a Tympany and Leucophlegmatia 
seem most to exsuperate, sometimes an Ascites and Tympany, sometimes 
an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, and sometimes they are separate and 
distinct : but then I think it not so proper to call white flegm and wind 
a Dropsie, without any water, though they distend the skin in all pla- 
ces. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. At first the party had a Leucophlegmatia, 
and then an Ascites supervened, and was added to it; cured. 
In another, Obs. 166. he saw an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, or wa- 
ter and white flegm equally swelling the body for two years, and he 
cured it. 
And Obs. 195. he observed that those that were puffed up with white 
flegm had cloggings of their Stomach, rawness and pursiness, and he 
cured two or three with Vomits of Chymical Powders; and he men-
tions little or no water in the last, which also Plater. Extub. Obs. pag. 
630.

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
630. mentions not; but this Leucophlegmatia came from two large 
drawing forth of Blood, or Phlebotomy ; how frequent is it in most 
Dropsies to see the face bluft, puffed up as it were with pale Flegm,and 
sometimes it goes before Dropsies, as Horstius in Obs. lib. 4. Obs. 31. 
& Obs. 29. He observed little Urine made in one to the proportion he 
drank, to effect most apparently a Tympany, or rather a windy than wa- 
terish. 
Swelling of the Body, difficult breathing, weariness, pursiness, 
dulness, bad colour, vitiated sanguification, puffing up, loss of appetite, 
Cachexyes, &c. arise as much from flegm as water in many Hydro- 
picks; yet in those that are opened, no flegm is conspicuous, but the 
parts are often clammy, and grown together, and have viscous corru- 
ption in them, and Glandules, and Apostems : We know in outward 
things (for by them it is best judging of inward, and by apparent and 
visible things, things occult and invisible) the thin parts exhaling, the 
Remains are made thicker, specially in saccharates and gummy things, 
which have most syngeny and coherence with flegm. 
I suppose that which some call a Leucophlegmatia, others call a Ca- 
chexia, for indeed there is no difference but of degrees ; for what won- 
derful variety is there in Nature ? and those are mistaken that think 
Nature is bound to make it a Leucophlegmatia, as they describe it, if it is 
not a Cachexia as they describe it ; for to find a Leucophlegmatia just 
as they describe, or a Cachexia just so, is rare : Many distempers are
like either in some symptoms, and like neither in some.
4. A fourth Symptom is Leanness ; yet this happens not in many 
Dropsies, but in some the party is fat, as River. Obs. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. 
shews, and most are noted for neither; often though the Belly, Legs, 
and nether parts be turgid, the upper are emaciated, River. Cent. 2. 
Obs. 85. and so Cent. 3. Obs. 17. Most that we have observed in Drop- 
sies in the face seem fat, that being bluffed, and some have a good co- 
lour. See the seven following. 
5. But where the colour is wan and bluft, they call it a Cachexia, if 
they are also obstructed, weary, short-winded, loose-skinned, &c. Ri- 
verius, Cent. 3. 0bs. 33. observed such complicated with the water- 
swelling : and so Plater. Obs. pag. 638. The last in a Virgin that wanted 
her Courses, a Chachectick distemper seized her, with water-swelling 
or Dropsie, but with this and her pale colour, her thirst was extream; 
one would think likelier to be hot Dropsies; her Appetite dejected : 
A Dropsie sometimes follows Cachexeys, as well as to have this conditi- 
on complicated therewith. 
6. It is sometimes coupled with a Quartane, as Paul Renealm. Obs. 
29.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 115 
29. observed; but the Quartane was a year before that : Divers Terti- 
ans also degenerate into Dropsies, or continue still with the Drop- 
sie. 
7. A continual Feaver with implacable thirst and restlesness, was 
complicated with a Dropsie, River. Obs communicatis ab aliis Medicis,  
pag. 285. A Feaver supervening, hath sometimes been mortal. 
And Riverius, in his communicated Observations from other Physi- 
cians, pag. 316, relates in one there was watching, inappetence, diffi- 
cult breathing, sloth to move, swelling, and hardness of the Spleen, 
with wasting; cured. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. A Boy twelve years old, his Belly, and his 
Legs, and Scrotum were swelled with water ; yet he was lean and wa- 
sted ; Worms he had in his Belly, with his Chyle and Food, and Parsly 
as he eat it, came forth of an hole of his Navil, that naturally sponta- 
neously opened ; he died. We relate these that out Readers may 
guess at the like in others, and that all may see all the symptoms, and 
how they are joyned together, and with what variety in persons. 
Johannes Aicholtzins, in his Epistles, testifies of a Woman that in- 
Summer and Autumn had a swelling of her Belly, she was newly marri- 
ed, and they thought her with Child ; in Winter grievous pains tear- 
ing and stretching out, vexed her, specially on Nights ; no other parts 
swelled, no seeming windiness, she grew rather leaner, her Belly rose 
in bigness; when they saw no motion of an Infant, she was thought with 
Child no longer, but to have a Dropsie : she died of wonderful pains ; 
and being anatomized, abundance of fat was found in her Body, no 
loose water, but bladders of pure water here and there in the passages, 
that did distend the Belly; no wind, her parts were found, Liver pale 
and Caul very little. 
8. Fainting and weakness was coupled with one Dropsie , Riverius,  
Cent. 3. Obs. 33.
9. A Scirrh of the Spleen, and swelling thereof outwardly was in 
one Hydropick, Riv. Cent. 3. 0bs. 16.
10. One had a huge heat for a long time in his right Hypochondes, 
and a Diuturne sickess ; died Hydropical: the Liver did grow to that 
side, many yellow stones in Liver, and Gall obstructed : Jacobus Came-
nicenus Epistola ad Matthiolum. 
11. A Dropsie is sometimes coupled with bleeding upwards and 
downwards, as Nicholaus Tulpius, lib. 2. Obs. 35. did observe ; there 
were signes of wind that puffed up, as well as water; the Body anato- 
mized, the Spleen was found swelled, the Liver torrid, and the Kidneys 
putrid. Many mil not believe the extraordinary vomiting of Blood 
P2 comes 


116 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
comes from the Spleen, but this demonstrates it; and we could in- 
stance in others, that the Spleen holds sometimes many quarts of blood, 
and casts it forth by vomit, and then downwards. 
12. Pthises, and Rheums, and Defluxions are found to forego or 
accompany many Dropsies ; Riverius in his Obs. mentions two or three 
such ; Rondeletius observed the same : but of Phthisicks we have men- 
tioned leanness afore. 
13. An Hernia or Rupture Platerus saw in two coupled with a Drop- 
sie, and so did Mercurialis. 
14. The Jaundice : Plater. Obs. lib. 3. Discoloratione, pag. 616. saw 
the black Jaundice joyned with swelling of the Feet and Belly, like a 
Dropsie, which he cured. 
15. In Divers Hydropicks the Navil struts forth, and in some the 
inward skin breaks, and it shines as a bladder ; the water in some breaks 
this pelluced bladder in the Navil, and runs out : We have mentioned 
somewhat of this afore , and more may be mentioned hereafter. 
Skenkius hath collected, and Platerus seen divers such. 
16. The Hæmorrhoids opened in one, but did no good to his Dropsie, 
Plat. 643. 
17. Skenk. Vir Optimus, pag. 414. brings an Example of one excee- 
dingly swelled, that voided a Serpent per Anum two Cubits long, piece- 
meal, like another Serpent; he died presently after: her Dropsie was 
so great, that she could neither sit nor lie, and breathed difficult- 
ly. 
18. In another Hydropick, such huge pains in one Thigh molested
him, that he used to cry out miserably : Skenk. 417. 
19. Little Urine, or stoppage thereof, is found in some Hy- 
dropicks. 
Horstius lib. 4. Obs. 29. In the beginning of a Tympany was little 
Urine made, and crude, the Feet did swell, and an Asthma was en- 
creased. And in the beginning of another Dropsie, he observed with 
little Urine, the Feet and Belly began to swell with water; there was 
inappetence, paleness of face, weariness, straitness of Brest, and 
swoonding. 
Plater. 638. observed little Urine to begin a Dropsie. 
20. Thirst is in many Hydropicks, and dejection of Appetite, which 
we have by the way instanced in before ; but in some is no Thirst, and 
yet dejection of Appetite ; in some is neither Thirst nor Appe- 
tite. 
Plater. pag. 638. Obs. found huge Thirst in a pale Virgin subject to 
the Green-sickness, that was coupled with her Dropsie; she wanted 
her

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 117
her Courses, and had dejection of Appetite : this seemed a cold 
case. 
Bat Riverius, in Observ. Commnnic. pag. 285. relates of implacable 
Thirst in a Dropsie, where a continual Feaver was complicated. 
A Dropsie began with Vomiting, Heart-pains, Jaundice and Thirst, 
Plater. Obs. 635
Some in Dropsies have neither want of Appetite not Thirst, as divers 
of our aforegoing Observations, relating all the Symptoms that hap- 
pened to divers Hydropicks, mention; as also Tidicæus, in his Epistles 
to Jo. Schenk, testifies. 
21. There are many other and varying Symptoms happening to Hy- 
dropicks, though not peculiar thereto ; as also all the Symptoms in Hy- 
dropicks do happen in most other sicknesses; which could not be, if 
Nature observed such a Rule and Method in Diseases as the Practicks 
thought: Sometimes a Cough troubles Hydropicks, which we have 
observed, and to be from Serum transuding into the Brest , and by its 
mild sharpness tickling the Lungs and rough Artery ; and thence, by 
the faculty of Expulsion given them, they cough, that nothing may stop 
our breathing : Two we have known recovered, that coughed pretty 
much in Dropsies; though Hippocrates, Sect. 6. Aphor. 35., saith, 
Those that have water betwixt the 
Skin, a Cough coming, it is evil: Scoliographus ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. 
de Morb. int. also saith, In some Dropsies, a Cough is no evil sign : We see 
reason in many Hydropicks for Coughs, the Lungs being found so faul- 
ty in such a different manner when they are opened. 
Next we shall shew from the Truth of Observation in divers, the 
beginning of Dropsies, or how any may best (though never certainly) 
tell the coming on of a Dropsie : Indeed the knowledge of the Stars 
for all foreseeing is more certain than Galenical, or Hippocratical 
Rules. 
We related two Observations before out of Horstius, of a Tympany 
with water, that began with little Urine, and crude, swelling of the 
Feet, Lassitude, and short breathing : In another water swelled with- 
out Inflation ; the beginning was inappetence, lassitude, pale colour, 
faintings, and difficult breathing. 
In one a Dropsie began with swelling of the Feet towards night, and 
bad breathing. Plat. Obs. 632. And 
Plat. 641 page of Obs. Extuberantia, One used to drink much varie- 
ty of Wine, he had a Distillation, a Cough, difficulty of breath, and a 
Dropsie ensued.  
And

118 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
And Pag 653.  First the Hæmorrhoids were stopped in one that 
they used to flow in, then the Urine was stopped for three days, but 
both were moved again, and at liberty; but then the feet swell, a Fea- 
ver comes, but that soon ceaseth ; then comes thirst, vomiting, Heart- 
pains, and Jaundice, and they also cease in part; the Dropsie encreases, 
and continues. 
Plater, lib. 3. Obs. Extub. pag. 655. A Woman hath her Belly grown 
great, and distended like a Tympany, or windy puffing up, then her 
feet towards evening begin to swell ; being timely taken, she is cu- 
red.  
Johannes Fridericus did observe, in Obs. Med. a Diarrhæa, Strangury, 
and hard breathing together, to begin a Dropsie. 
And Plat, observed little Urin, thick and Saffron-coloured, in begin- 
ing of one Dropsie, and very red in another. 
Riverius observed two or three Rheumaticks to fall therefrom into 
Dropsies, and to be pestered with Distillations in Dropsies. 
We will endeavour to be short : Nothing holds alike in all ; some 
Symptoms come before the Dropsie, and then cease; some begin with 
the Dropsie, and go thorow with it; some supervene, and last till af- 
ter the Dropsie is cured. 
Daretus commenting upon Hippocrates in Coacis, observed in one 
Dropsie an Epilepsie arose or supervened ; and to that Falling-sickness
an Apoplexy, that took Life away : Epilepsies are caused often of wa- 
ter in the Brain, and therefore in reason they might oftner occur in 
Dropsies. 
Next we shall discover what Diseases or Affects Dropsies follow up- 
on, that all may see what Method and Course is in Nature, as nigh as 
we can, briefly. 
Marcellus Donatus, Hist. Med. lib. 4. cap. 21. writes that he hath 
seen Dropsies to follow sometimes upon a wasting of the Lungs, some- 
times upon Exulcerations of the Lungs, and sometimes after spitting 
of Blood much. 
River. Cent. 1. Obs. 70. found a Dropsie follow a continual and in- 
termitting Feaver : And Cent. 2. Obs. 67. it arose after a Tertian Fea- 
ver; and after a double Tertian, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. 
A Dropsie arose after a sharp Feaver, Horstius, lib. 4. Obs. 28. 
Johannes Fridericus Trafelmannus Obs. Med. writes, One was subject 
to Tertian Agues, and Erysipela’s for five years, then he was troubled 
with a difficult breathing, or short-windedness, a Strangury and Diar- 
rhœa then his belly swells, and he died Hydropical; eighteen pints of 
water


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 119 
water were found in him ; the Liver was pale and hard, the Kidneys 
small and the Bladder, but the Heart and Lungs were large, the Spleen 
small. 
Jacobus Caminicenus, in Observatione per Epistolam ad Matthiolum missa,
Relates how one had a Jaundice for a long time, then a Dropsie comes 
upon it, and the party dies : opened, the bladder of Gall was found 
Turgid, and the way to the Guts from it stopped with a Stone, the Li-
ver grew to the Diaphragma, and was filled with many black stones. 
A Dropsie or swelling of Water arose after an Asthma, that still con- 
tinuining with the Dropsie, River, Obs. Cent. 3. Obs. 8. 
To a Flegmatick blust and pale swelling, came a swelling of the 
whole Body from Water, Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. 
A pain in the Region of the Spleen went afore a Dropsie Riv. 
Cent. 3. Obs. 17. 
One had beating of the Arteries, a stopt and Flegmatick Distemper, 
the Courses were long stopped, and to these a Dropsie puts a period, 
Plat. 638. 
A Maid thirty years old had long a beating of her Heart and Arte-
ries, difficult breathing, a pale colour, then comes a Dropsie, where- 
in was great thirst ; the middle of her Body, or half was macilent, de- 
jected appetite, stopt courses, and swelling of her Face also were pre- 
sent, idem ibidem. 
One that was subject to Cholical Nephritical and Arthritical pains, 
had sometimes his Joynts contracted, he used many strong hot Drinks,
and being old, none of his former Distempers, but a Dropsie superven- 
ing, took him away, Plat. Obs. 641. 
After supression of Hæmorrhoids and Urine, bringing a feaver, 
the Feaver ceasing, a Jaundice ensues with Vomit and Thirst ; those 
ceasing, or at least mitigated, a Dropsie takes rise, and yet is cured, 
Plat. pag. 653. 
A Dropsie did ensue on large bleeding, and frequent Hæmorrhages, 
Schenk. in Obs. med. pag. 414. in divers. 
Next we will deliver some observations of the difference of Drop- 
sies concerning their Cronicalness, or Acuteness and Criticalness, 
though divers such have been discovered amongst the Observations 
preceeding. 
In an Hydropsie and flegmatick puffing up, one lived two years, Paul
Reneal. Obs. 166. 
A Dropsie was three years encreasing gently in a Maid, that was 
thought for the first year with Child, then they seeing themselves de- 
ceived,

120 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
ceived, suspected it a Dropsie; at last dying, and Anatomized, all the 
inward parts were found safe, only the Mesentery was lifted up into 
an huge Tumour, full of Bladders or Skins of Water, Tulp. lib. 2. 
Obs. 34. 
A Dropsie of the Brest was four years encreasing, all that while short- 
windedness, did afflict, and daily encreased : dying, the Lungs were 
found spotted outwardly, and being cut, did inwardly appear putrified,
Johannes Bilgerus, Epist. Med. 
Hercules Saxonia and Mercurialis, Observed some Dropsies, soon 
made, in few dayes killing; dissected, much Blood, to fourteen or fifteen 
pints, were found in the Capacity of the Belly. 
We commonly have observed Dropsies, as they differ in all other 
things, so in the Acuteness and Cronicalness ; some die in a quarter of 
a year, some in half a year ; some at the years end, and some not till 
two years : and so some recover in a quarter, some in half, some in a 
whole year ; and some recover after two years Hydropicalness, but this 
not very frequent; they are best and easiliest cured at first. 
Durius Ejicitur quam non admittitur Hostis. 
We may better keep out an Enemy, then having let him in, to 
thrust him back again. 
Divers in Dropsies finde one thing that cures them or lessens their 
evil, and then through uncarefulness, or Astral Ordination, they fall 
back and die ; and sometimes are cured upon a relaps, but not so com- 
monly:that Medicine that gave help or ease at first, upon a relaps for the 
most part will avail little. 
In the next place we shall shew somewhat of Prognostick Signs : 
Though nothing is more uncertain; many things may be gathered from 
what Observations preceded: for we set down at the end of the Re- 
lations of the Symptoms, such an one died, or recovered, or was cured, 
to avoid the trouble of writing all those Observations over again here, 
for the Prognostick Signs therein for unless in many the whole Rela- 
tion is shewn, it cannot well be judged how desperate or hopeful the 
Party might be by one Symptom alone rehearsed; but when he sees all 
the Symptoms, and the Cause by dissection manifested, he might judge 
truly of Life or Death in another, the acuteness or slowness of the 
Disease in another so handled, did two exactly accord, or have the 
event exactly alike. It is the part of a wise man to suspend judgement, 
especially


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 121
especially rashly in the most clear cases, for we are never able to fore- 
see the effects and divers operations of Nature ; We must endeavour all 
things, but the work is of God  as Scaliger well saith, Sanitas opus est Dei,  
opera vero nostra. 
Dodonaus, Obs. 38. A man Tympanitical, his Belly struck gave a 
found ; his Excrements and Urine were both suppressed, and he Sud- 
denly died. 
Those whose Urine or Excrements are altogether supprest, and yet 
they eat and drink we may the most certainly predict their death in a 
shorter or longer time, if they do not go to Stool, or make Water, un- 
less Nature takes care to void it by the Navil or other places, which is 
rare; but what is this Prognosis to a Physician ? cannot every Rustick 
say and see so much ? 
Platerus in Obs. Med. Writes of one whose Urine was so stopped, 
and broke the Bladder,and flowed out into the hollow of the Abdomen, 
as dissection did demonstrate any Countrey People, if they could tell 
how the business was (which the Physician could not, before opening) 
might predict Death ; however, as we have seen such died Swelled, 
whose Urine could not be voided,or to any quantity, so might any ima- 
gine, as well as Physicians. 
So for Gangræned Exulcerations of the Legs, Thighs or Navil, any 
would predict Death, if they Should continue rotting, the Water con- 
tinue running, and the Belly continue Swelling; but who can tell 
whether these will continue encreasing,or if they do, when or how they 
will kill ? 
A Tabes did of the Stomach, then of the whole Body, with drinking 
of Bath-Waters were permanent in one,whom a Dropsie following did 
presently kill, Vidus Victius lib, 10. cap. 5. 
Capiracius, lib. 3 .pag. 648. Pratt. With a Cautery in the Knee, 
was made Gangrenation, and the party died. Many times of Natures 
own accord doth the Navil break, and pour out water, and so the Legs 
and Thighs, by blisters or bladders of the Skin ; and Sometime Hydro- 
picks are so cured ; but three to one are not cured thereby ; but as the 
water ouses out by those holes so it encreases within the Body fre- 
quently, that the Dropsical are never the better; and frequently if those 
water-blisters or Ulcers run long in some Bodies, from a Secret Cause 
they kill by Gangrene, or infecting the Blood with a poysonous quality 
they contract by long Corruption ; which PUterus did observe, as we 
also have been informed ; Specially if by art such Ulcers, Blisters or 
watery Eruptions have been made; for as Hippocrates faith in that truly, 
Ulcers in Hydropic Bodies scarce admit of Cure.
Amatus 

122 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Amatus Lusitanus, Capiraccius, Forestus, Marcellus Donatus, Ga- 
belchoverus, and Others, have observed divers Hydropicks that died, 
when water by Art or Nature, on heaps or by degrees, ran or was drawn 
forth of the Navil. 
Nor is Paracentesis in Dropsies commonly lucky ; for when all the 
water, is drawn out on heaps, sometimes they die presently, even as Je- 
annes Ludovicus, sixty years old, the water drawn forth, died in the Ar- 
tists hands, Mich. Joann. Paschalius, lib. I. cap. 44. Method. Cur. 
Morb. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 39. A Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one 
Hydropick, that was hugely swelled, the water ran out by degrees day- 
ly, and yet he died. So 
Plat. lib. 3. Obs. Extub. observed that though the water ran out fine- 
ly and gradually, and the Belly fell, and Dyspnœa abated, yet in a lan- 
guishing the party died : It is no judging in whom Paracentesis will 
take well; if they can be cured other wayes, Paracentesis is not to be 
used ; if they cannot be cured otherways, Paracenteis is like to be an 
hastener of Death: Yet the word of Medicines or Administrations 
have cured, or seemingly helped some, or else they would never be kept 
in use; and the best will not cure all. 
The opening of the Hæmorrhoids that did formerly flow in one Hy- 
dropick, did no good, Plater. 643. 
Vidus Victius did observe a Dropsie that followed constant pains of the 
Stomach, vomiting and nausea, that was mortal. 
Relapses for the most part are mortal, but not always ; one will say 
this is the cause another that; but if we could see the inward Bowels, 
many times we could not tell the cause, or how they might change, live, 
or die. 
Many that have had many, and the worst of Symptoms, have lived ;
and those that seemingly have not been dangerous, have died : and in 
Dissections it is abundantly cleared, that some live till all their parts 
are rotted or wasted, or corrupted ; some till two or three are wasted, 
rotted, or corrupted; and some die when scarce any Cause can be found 
worthy of separating the Soul from its Case the Body: But the quality 
and heterogeneity of all matter to our Blood and Spirits, and that qua- 
lity that constitutes our vitality, is the chief Cause, which we can hardly 
see into. 
Johannes Johnstonus, in his Thaumatographia de Luna potestate inter 
subluna, saith, Dropsies are much moved by the Moon, and they die at Full 
Moons; and just then it took away a Reverend Prelate of the Reformed 
Churches of Poland : And we can confirm it; for the Moon rules over 
Water,

A Tracatate of DROPSIES. 123 
Water, and alters and moves it, lessens and augments it ; nor is any 
thing of greater certainty to judge of the Acuteness or Cronicalness of 
sicknesses, or the event thereof, then to draw Schemes of the Hea- 
vens at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; but these are sometimes ambi- 
guous even to the best Artists, and they find sometimes as many Rea- 
sons for a thing, as against it; and sometimes, the Lord of the seventh 
House impeded, the Artist shall miss in Judgement; as also for other 
Causes. 
Of the CAUSES of DROPSIES:
And first of the moving, antecedent, apparent, or procatarctik 
Cause. 
We have shewed before what Diseases Water-swellings or Tym- 
panies do follow , as Feavers continual and intermitting, as Tertian 
Agues chiefly (and that shews that Dropsies familiarly arise of heat- 
ing Causes, contrary to the Doctrine of the Ancients) Quartane A- 
gues, Asthma’s, suppression of Urine, of Courses and Hæmorrhoids, 
Jaundices, Cholicks, Rhematismus, Phthisicks, spitting of Blood, and 
Hæmorrages, which may more exactly and particularly be found before, 
as we have laid them down one by one, and shewed more Examples of 
one then of another, because it happens more frequently in the course 
of Nature. 
Riv. Cent. 2. Obs. 65. Too much water being drank in the fits of a 
Tertian, a Dropsie followed : And also, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. much drink 
was taken in a double Tertian, which raised a Dropsie. 
G. Horstius, Obs. p. 256. It arose sensibly from drinking, after a sur- 
feit. 
Paulus Renealmn. Obs. 146. and also Plater. Obs. pag. 637. do both 
alike relate the Dropsie to have arose in two women with Child, from 
drinking abundance of cold water. 
Swelling of the Spleen in a Tertian Ague, gave rise to a Dropsie, Ri- 
ver. Cent. 3. Obs. 16. 
Tulpius and Platerus observed it to come from hot antecedent Causes, 
as Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. relates of two that died, the Liver dried and 
burnt as it were; the one ate much Garlick, the other drank Wines, 
Plater. 641. 
A Gentleman drank divers Wines and hot Liquors, and used an hot 
Dyer, but lastly he drank many Acid Therm Waters ; and so, which 
caused his Dropsie is disputable, or whether either did; for many drink 
Q2 both

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
both those largely, and have no Dropsie; nay, sometime to cure a Drop- 
sie ; he died: his Kidneys were exulcecrated and perforated , letting 
out the serous Urine into the Belly : Plater. did impute all to heat, in 
the spiced and hot Food, and Wines he took. 
Schenkius brings several Examples, pag. 415 and 417. of bleeding at 
the Nose, or downwards, that a Dropsie did arise therefrom; also from 
long pissing of Blood in one. And 
River. Cent. 3. Obs. 33. found that an immoderate Flux of Men- 
strues, gave occasion to the Dropsie. 
Skenk. 412 pag. It arose from Colliquation, or melting ; and indeed 
Plater, did find in one opened, Fat melted as it were from the Kidneys, 
and slicking here and there in pieces, to the Guts; this might arise 
from heat; those Fluxes preceding cooled the Body, and thence arose 
the Dropsie, and from the sanguifick Spirit, or Principium Seminarium 
Sanguinis weakened. 
When my Hands up to my Wrists were swelled two or three Win- 
ters, and brake with blisters or bladders pouring forth water, I found it 
was nothing but Cold ; they were exceedingly swelled with water, 
and would pit so much as that an Egg might lie therein, yet no part else; 
nor was it from vice of the inward parts ; warmer weather cured them ; 
but the Ulcers were hardly cured, constantly pouring out water. I have 
heard of others that have had a particular Dropsie of the Legs, from 
standing in cold water. 
Hydrocephali, or Head-Dropsies, have arose in Infants from their Mo- 
thers imagination in time of bearing them. 
Secondly, We shall shew the inward Cause of Dropsies, and which 
are the principal parts affected, how many and how, and how those 
and so may be affected where this is no water gathered, and of the 
strange and stupendious variety, and secret order of Nature therein, 
onely referrable to occult qualities in the parts or humours. 
It may be thought that I have a prejudice to Antiquity, and all Tra- 
dition ; I confess I do honour and respect Antiquity and Tradition as 
much as most men ; but wherever in Person or Profession in Antiqui- 
ty or Novelty, is Falsity and Deceit, I must be against that; Pacem cum 
Hominibus, bellum cum Vitiis oportet habere ; We should be peaceful with 
Men, but fighting with their Vices : So I honour Antiquity, but not its 
Falsity. I have delivered all things as nigh as I can, that the Readers 
may clearly understand the Truth of Nature, and may read Tradition 
with the less misapprehension ; and also be able to confirm or enervate 
her. 
It

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 125
It is certain that the Ancients delivered little or nothing of Truth, 
concerning the inward causes of Dropsies, nor can the Reader under- 
stand one thing in twenty, rightly as he should, by their Practices, even 
in most Diseases; specially concerning the inward causes of the Disease:
nor did they understand Natures variety, nor Vermifick, Lapidifick, 
Crinifick, Ossifick, Fermentative Putrefactive, and Preservative Fa- 
culties, or Qualities. 
We will first shew the quantity of water that lifts up the Bellies of 
some, and is the cause of their swelling. 
In two opened by Thomas Bartholin, the quantity of water half filled 
a Tonna ; the Nephew of the Illustrious Prince of Hafnia, scarce a 
year old, had 15 pints of water found in it. 
A Kinsmans Childe of mine, died, they thought of a Dropsie, it 
was swelled, and like water: opened, not above one Pint of water was 
found in it: the Liver was huge large and knotted, but the Lungs 
wasted, the Liver made the Belly seem so big. Familiarly in diverse 
that were opened where the Lungs are wasted, the Liver growes out to 
possesse the room they have left; my Kinsman had six or seven Chil- 
dren, and all died; he was Tabid and Consumptive himself, and so his 
semen contaminated : they none of them lived to above five or six yeers 
of age as I remember ; they opened onely one. 
The Quantity of water in a old woman, filled two water Pitchers, 
Pet. Pawus. Obs. Anatom. 5. and in another he opened, all the Bowels 
swam in Water. 
One woman was so swelled with a Dropsie, she was three Ells in 
mpasse and when she was dissected, 56 Pints of Water flowed out 
of her, P.P. 
Ninety Pints in one Hydropicks body, River. Obs. communicat. p. 285. 
Thirty Pints found in one who, alive, was held Tympanitical as 
well as Ascitical; the Liver seemed rotted, and Spleen swelled, Tulp.
lib. 2. Obs. 35. 
Twenty Measures were let out in a Womb-Dropsie, Guliel. Fab. 
Hild. Epist. Gr. Hor. 
One that was used much to drinking, when dead of a Dropsie, as soon 
as his Belly was cut, the water flies out with violence and force, to the 
quantity of 60 Pints ; and nigh as much before had ran our by Blisters 
and water-Ulcers; also some was found in the Capacity of the Thorax; 
his Kidneys were perforated, Gall swelled, Omentum and Mesentery 
wasted, and yet cleer, against the Ancients and most Modernes, both 
Liver and Spleen were unhurt, and Heart is not mentioned to be amitse; 
for now some begin to say, the Heart is the cause ; but Experience will 
not

126 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
not shew it, it is onely a Phantasie or Imagination; though the Heart, 
I believe, is the Seminarium Sanguinis Principium ; Plater. Obs. Med. 
Pag. 647
Joannes Fridericus opened one that had 18 Pints of Water; the 
Liver pale and hard, Kidneys and Milt small, Heart and Lungs great 
and strong. 
2. Now we have given insight to the Studious Readers of the Ex- 
treams, and Mediums, and variety of the quantity of Water found in 
the Bellies of Hydropicks, we shall shew the difference of the nature, 
colour, consistence, or smell of that Water.
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Ob. 2. found it bloody and stinking; and Cent. 3.
Obs. 81. he found it in a Child one year old, dirty and stinking ; and 
Obs. 83. of that Cent, he found it vary from Water onely in colour, it 
was yellow. 
Pet. Paw. Anatom. 13 the yellowness of the Water found a most 
grievous stench ; what is the reason of these things , cannot well be 
known; I will not spend time and pains to guesse, others may do that as 
well as I; it is too frequent for many to write confidently upon guesse, 
which young Students believe, and so are built up in falsity; in the 
party, when all the Water was out, all the Guts, Caul, Liver, Mesentery, 
&c. were found fat, like Suet. 
Mercurialis found the matter pure blood, to 14 Pints in quantity, 
in the Belly. 
The Water was yellow and stinking, in one, Pet. Paw Obs. Anat. 24.
and it was much ; and Obs 28. it was yellow and corrupted. 
Much Yellow Water, and most stinking, in an Herniose, and Hy- 
dropick, where Liver was putrid, and little else putrified, plat 650. page. 
The water was like washings of raw flesh, or bloody, Scholiographus ad 
cap. 39. lib. I. Holler. de morbis internis. 
Tulp. lib 2. Obs. 40. Brings some examples of blood ; doubtless 
blood at first may, by corruption, turn water; that is cleer by many 
things ; it is hard to say, whether it is waterish blood, or bloody water; 
but we have spoke of this before. 
In some the water is pure, clear, and sweet. 
Next comes to be demonstrated the inward Cause of Dropsies, as by 
dissection hath been numerously demonstrated ; and first of the Liver. 
I. The Liver was found pale, Aicholizius in Epist. and Pet, Paw. 
Dissect. 5, and Dissect. 19. it was of a burnt or adust colour. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. found it look as if roasted and dryed; we shall shew 
more


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 127
more of the variation of the colour, in the following Heads.
II. Swellings of the Liver are in Hydropicks, as we mentioned o£ 
a Kinsmans Child of ours : and P. Pawus Obs. 28. the Liver was swel- 
led, of a Saffron colour, and scirrhous, the Gall was obstructd, the 
Omentum wasted, and an involution of the Mesesraicks. 
III. Of the wasting of the Liver in Dropsis, contrary to the grow- 
ing, or out-swelling of it: Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anatom. 29. in a woman 
found Fifty eight Pints of Water; the Liver, Spleen, Reins and 
Omentum were all quite wasted, and the Diaphragma in part, ere she 
died ; tis wonderful she held out so long. And in his 31. Obs. Dissect : 
the Liver was again found quite wasted, only some few Fragments of the 
Veins left, the Spleen also with it was confumed, Johannes Johnstonus  
de Epate & Splene, and Schenkius in Obs. de Hep. have gathered some 
Examples of those that have been dissected, and had neither Liver or 
Spleen ; I mean not both together, but one hath been absent in one, 
and the other in the other; and yet no Dropsie. 
IV. The Liver was putrified, tied to the Diaphragma, with abun- 
dance of Fat, and almost bloodless, Th. Barth Cent. 4. obs. 20.
Pet. Pawus. Obs. 24. found nothing else but the Liver corrupted. 
Obs. Anatom. 27. Ulcers were in the bunch of the Liver; they went 
to the Parenchyma, which was conglomerated, half an Urne of cor- 
ruption poured forth. 
Plat. Obs. 650. Liver stuck to the Spleen, and Peritonæum: cut 
open, it looked like black condensed blood,the Spleen and Reines were 
found, onely changed in Figure. 
V. Liver dried : it was pale and hard, P. Paw. Obs. s15. 
P. Paw. Obs. 19. It was of an adust colour, yet crushed, it fell in- 
to putrifaction; yet this caused no Dropsie, and should have come 
hereafter. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. Liver was burnt and dried, with swelled Spleen, 
blasted Intestines, and putrid Kidny, in an Ascites and Tympany. 
And Obs. 36. in one opened of a Jaundice and Dropsie, it was dried, 
void of Juyce, like a Leather, and very small: cut open, like Ink and 
yellow choler were in it; in the party all the inward Bowels were dis- 
coloured from choler, or corrupted by water. 
Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. found the Liver dried, and enfissured, and in 
those cracks little Bladders of water; and this he attributed to heat; 
also it is clear that some Dropsies come from heat, for cool things 
cure. 
VI. The Liver is sometime grown to a part, to the Diaphragm
with Fat, as Th. Barth. c. 4. Obs. 20. found. 
Pet.

128 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anat. 16. found it bound in the gibbous part, by 
many nervous filiaments, to the Peritonæum. 
- P1at. p. 649. Liver and Spleen firmly stuck to the Peritonæum, that they 
could not be pulled away without tearing, in one that had a Rupture as 
well as a Dropsie. 
Jacobus Camenicenus In Epist. ad Matthiolum, writes, how after a 
Jaundice one fell into a Dropsie and died, and was dissected ; and the 
Liver was found bound, or grown to tht Diaphragma, and its Vessels 
were obstructed with many stones; the Gall also was full, and obstru- 
cted; the Sick in his sickness did much complain of pain, and very 
great heat in his right Hypochonder; and that might be from adnas- 
cence of the Liver. 
VII. In Dropsical Dissections the Liver is found enfissured divers 
times. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. Great pits of water in a Child a year 
old, the Liver enfissured, it looked like a boiled Liver, and the Spleen 
was so too ; when the Liver was cut, much water ran out. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 36. in the Liver dried, where a Jaundice was cou- 
pled with a Dropsie, could find no fissures ; as Fernelius did write : In- 
deed there is scarce a like affection of the Bowels in any one Disease 
exctly in two persons. 
Plater. Obs. Med. pag. 635 & 648 found two Hydropicks Livers 
enfissured, and cracked, and in those cracks were bladders of water; 
and outwardly did stick to the Liver bladders of water, which broke, 
and emptied themselves into the hollow of the Belly, and closed up, 
and filled again; the Spleen was vitiated after another manner, the Gall 
had stones in it, the Kidneys had holes, or were perforated. 
VIII. In some Hydropicks the Liver was found stony, or fun- 
gous. 
Tho. Bartholin. Cent. 3. Obs. 37. found the Liver livid and scirrhous, 
and then the Spleen was large, and filled with Blood, as if it did the 
Office of the Liver. 
In one part of the Liver a fungous did grow to it, and somewhat was 
concrete therein, the Spleen within vitiated, and the Veins and Ab- 
domen full of water; Womb white and thick, like an Egg for bigness. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 667 A Boy died of an Inflation, no water found in 
him, the Guts were involved, and contorted, like an Ihack-passion ; 
and in some wind was so much, that it broke forth with violence; in 
other Guts, Worms with Dung did distend, the Liver was found cor- 
rupted, stony, and gravelly ; the Spleen less then it should be, and 
Lungs affixed to the side. 
Jaco-

A Tractate of DROPSIES 129.
Jacobus Camenicenus, in one of his Epistles to Matthiolus writes, He
found in a Dropsical Cadaver the Liver large and black, the Veins sto-
ny, or full of small stones, which did outwardly look black, but broken 
were inwardly yellow; the passage which goes from the bladder of Gall  
to the Intestines, was slopped with a stone : This might be the cause 
the Jaundice that this man had, long before his Dropsie. 
Johannes Schenkius Obs. Med. pag. 395. shews Examples of Stones 
in the Liver, which do not always cause Dropsies alone, but sometimes 
Jaundices, and sometimes other grievous Symptoms and Affects, dif- 
fering from these, having often death at end. 
Next we shall come to declare the faults of the Spleen in Dropsies:
The Spleen as well as the Liver, Kidneys, and other parts, is found just 
so, or otherwise affected, more grievously than in the Dropsie, and yet 
no Dropsie, but other evils arise therefrom; therefore it is hard to say 
what Bowel causes a Dropsie, or what particular affect of that Bowel 
doth it; since when it is so affected in others , other distempers arise 
therefrom : the qualities in all matter, as we have sufficiently demon- 
strated in our Book of qualities, in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneu
matography give the motion and alteration to all Bodies, specially as 
they are influenced upon by the Air, altered by the qualities of the 
Stars.
Platerus and also Tulpius, Riverius, Barthol. &c. found the Liver, 
Spleen, and Reins the most conjoyned in suffering, or corruption; yet 
in some Dropsies, both Liver and Spleen are safe, and in others , both 
Liver, Spleen and Kidneys. 
I. The Spleen is fissured or cloven, and Bladders of water stick in 
those sometimes, sometimes to the outward sides, and sometimes both, 
Plater. Obs. 635.
Though the Liver, Spleen, and Reins are conjoyned in being af- 
fected together, yet rarely are they found affected alike, but one vi- 
tiated in one manner, another in another. 
II. The Spleen was corrupted in one Hydropick, it looked like Tar, 
or Pix liquida, and the Liver was found, Riverius, Obs. Commun. pag. 315.
III. The Alteration of form in the Spleen was found in one Hydro- 
pick, a Child ; the Spleen was filled with water huge big, it did grow 
to the left Kidney, and there it received its water; it had three ap- 
pendices to it , Th. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. 
It grew out both in length and latitude : Pet. Paw. Anatom. 5. 
IV. Swelling is coincident to the Spleen, as well in Dropsies as 
other Affects and Sicknesses.
R Tho. 

130 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
Tho. Barth. cent. Obs. 25. it was Apostemated, and crushed, Puru- 
lent matter did ouse forth. 
Pet. Paw. observed it very hard in an old woman, and hugely large : 
also Obs. 13. it was so swelled, it weighed three pound. 
Tulpius. lib. 2. Obs. 35. found the Spleen swelled in one that 
seemed to have much wind, or a Tympany in conjunction therewith ;he 
voided much blood upwards and downwards, without question from his 
Spleen ; with this Extumescence of the Spleen,the Liver looked rotted, 
the Intestines blasted, or corrupted in look ; one Kidney was putrid ;
thirty pints of water were in the Capacity of the Abdomen. 
V. Contrary to swelling of the Spleen, is the wasting, which is found 
partly a Cause of Dropsies as well as the swelling of it, and both these 
in other persons are found in other Diseases. 
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Histor. 2. and C. 3. Obs. 83. found in two Hydropicks 
the Spleen wasted and very small. And Pet. Pawus Obs. 29. one Hydro- 
pick that had fifty six pints of water, the Liver, Spleen and Reins were 
all quite wasted : and Obs 31. in a general Dropsie he found the Liver 
and Spleen again wasted away. 
It was wasted or dried away in a dry Dropsie, where the Liver was 
corrupted, and had stones in it, Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. 
Both the Liver and Spleen have been found in some absolutely con- 
sumed, I mean the Spleen in one, and Liver in another; it was thought 
they never had any, however the Dropsie did not follow in all these : see 
Johnston. Thaumatographia Cap. de Hepate & Liene, and Schenk. de Hep. in 
his collected Observations. 
Next we will shew the Diseases of the Kidneys, or how they are 
found in Dropsies, and so they are found in other Sicknesses , where is 
no collection of water; and as they are variously found in other Sick- 
nesses so also in other Dropsies, for every new dissected Person hath 
somewhat differing or new in his Bowels. 
I. Quite wasted. P. Paw. Obs. 29. the Kidneys were quite wasted, with 
the Liver, Spleen and Omentum in one woman. 
II. Figure of the Kidneys changed : Plater. Obs. page 650. One 
that had an Hernia and Dropsie,, most parts were firm, the Liver and 
Spleen grew to the Peritonæum, the Liver inwardly corrup:ed ; the 
Kidneys changed in Figure like those of horned Beasts. 
III. Exulcerated and perforated : Plater. Obs. pag. 647. the Liver and 
Spleen were safe, the Kidneys perforated, and Bladders of water did 
cleave thereto, pouring out Serum into the hollow of the Belly, and the 
Mesentery, Caul and Lungs were corrupted ; most likely the water from 
the


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 131
the Kidneys corrupted them, But the like reason is not to be given for 
all; that that holds good in one will not in another: if the restagnating 
water did corrupt the Mesentery and Caul, and also Lungs that are  
more distant, why not the Liver and Spleen, more in the midst of 
the water?
The Kidneys were black and perforated, a Finger might be thrust in- 
to their holes, the Gall full of Stones, Liver cleft, and had bladders 
of yellow water, Spleen also vitiated in another manner: see Plat. 
Obs. pag. 648.
Before we have, as conjoyned in affect, mentioned the Reins with 
the Liver and Spleen; and we may hereafter occasionally , as we find 
them vitiated with other parts, mention more of them ; being loth to 
write things several times over, except very consultedly ; The Kidneys 
are the Channels to convey, and have the faculty given to draw water, 
and where they have no great visible labefacation , yet not drawing 
and separating Urine they may cause a Dropsie. Every like draws its 
like, the greater the lesse ; the Lungs draw Air, or Wind; the Gall, 
Choler; the Spleen, grosse fæculent blood , being of such a matter it 
self, and the Kidneys, Serum or water ; now if any of these fail in their 
office, man is burdened with that humour, that is not separated from 
the Blood, and cast off by the Conduits of Nature , and perhaps in 
one it turns whayish, in another, vermifies, in another, petrifies, in 
another putrifies, in another ferments, &c. and perhaps little altera- 
tion is found in the Parevchjma of the bowell: fometime though the 
office is depraved or abolished, God that appointed diverse aliene and 
hetrogenious humours to be in our Blood, and generated by our Diet, 
appointed divers parts to separate or carry off these aliene humours ; 
or because he had made divers parts in mans Body of such faculties (for 
they exist for no other use) he ordained Excrements to encrease, to make 
these parts useful: and so indeed is the whole Creation made one for 
another, and one depending upon another; and all Contraries make 
one harmonious Fabrick. 
Next, as a considerable part in causing, or in being vitiated in Drop- 
sies, comes the Mesentery. 
I. Which was wasted in one Hydropick, with the Omentum, and 
the fat Tunicle of the Reins was dried, and these were folded up to- 
gether ; and pieces of Fat along the Guts did cleave on gobbets, that 
probably might be melted from the aforesaid parts: but the chief Cause 
of this Dropsie was the perforation of the Kidneys, letting out the Se- 
rum or Water into the Belly, also the Bladder, Platerus, Obs0erv. pag. 647.
R2 II. Con-

132 A Tractate of DROPSIES.  
II. Contrary to wasting, it was found swelled in one, Nic. Tulp. lib. 
2. Obs. 34. saw dissected : Indeed there is nothing but variety, and 
the whole Cause of the Dropsie in this party was the Mesentery ; other 
parts were not corrupted, not did the water lie loose in the capacity, or 
hollow of the Belly, as commonly it doth ; but to the quantity of twen- 
ty pints lay in distinct and distinguished bladders, all held in one Tu- 
mour, or complicated in one bunch within the Mesentery ; this Drop- 
sie was three years encreasing. 
III. Apostemations of the Mesentery are found in Dropsies : Tulp. 
lib. 2. Obs. 32. A woman swelling gradually, for long time, was thought 
with Child, but afterward it appeared a Dropsie, she died : dissected, it 
was found that too great Steatomata of the Mesentery did so press the 
Uterus together, that she could not bear: one of these Apostems was void 
of putrefaction, the other being broke or cut, poured forth much water 
and corruption into the Belly. 
IV. The Mesentery was coloured with a livid and adust colour, in 
one that died of a Dropsie, where the Gall was stopped, Petrus Pawus, 
Obs. Anatom. 28. 
Most that Physicians have writ and talked of, is, obstruction of the 
Meseraick Veins, which is seldom or never found, they did so go aguess 
at things, and miss of Truth; the Mesentery is commonly affected, 
and the Cause of many Griefs we little imagine, following Tradition 
in Practices of Physick. It may be subject to twenty kindes of altera- 
tion, and yet the Antients guessed at one or two that happen the sel- 
domest, and are the slightest, for any thing I can find. 
Next we shall relate how the Gall is found in Dropsies : both of that 
and the Mesentery we hinted divers things in the affects of the Liver 
and Spleen aforegoing. The Gall is partly a Cause of Dropsies, spe- 
cially,as it being stopped makes a yellow humour (that it should separate 
and cast off to the Intestines) regurgitate upon, and spoil and corrupt 
the Liver, to which it is appendent. 
I, Pet. Pawns, Obs. 28. Swelling of the Gall is found , many yel- 
low and dirty stones were therein ; the Liver stony, scirrhous and yel- 
low. 
Plat. Obs pag. 647. The-Gall was swelled, and very large, its Neck 
was filled with Water and Choler; this and the perforation of the Kid- 
neys were the Cause. 
II. Stones are found in the Gall, as in the Obs. of P. Paw. 
Plater.pag.648.Many stones and other vices were found in the Gall o£ 
a certain Hydropical woman.


A Tracate of DROPSIES. 133 
Jacobus Camenicenus Epist. ad Matthiolum mentions a stone that was 
found stopping the passage of the Gall to the Intestines, where the sick 
for long time had a Jaundice before his Dropsie. 
Next follows somewhat to be said of the Middriff, or Diaphrag- 
ma. 
Petrus Pawus in two women, at two several times opened, that died 
with Dropsies ; found the Midriff (where the Liver, Spleen, and Reins 
were wasted and consumed) with some difference, in both made hol- 
low and holey, and eaten as it were with a Sphacelus. 
Next the Caul or Omentum comes ; It was wasted in an old woman, 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 83. Also quite wasted away in Christopher 
Raphelengius, P. Paw. obs. 28. yet nothing else wasted with it ; but in Obs. 
Anatom. 29. the Liver , Spleen and Kidneys were wasted with it; and 
if onely being sopped in water was the Cause of its wasting away, why 
is it not wasted in other Hydropicks ? and why alone ? and why some- 
time other parts are wasted, and not the Caul ? yet I scarce believe the 
Caul to be any primary Cause of Dropsies. 
Plat. Obs. pag. 647. found that, and the Mesentery, and the fat Tu- 
nicle of the Kidneys wasted, but the remains of them were folded up 
together. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Omentum, with the Peritonæum 
or Rim, putrified, and fell in pieces like dirt. 
Also P. Parvus, Obs. 19. found the Peritonæum and Caul quite putrid, 
onely a Membrane, which he thought to be the Reliques, with many 
nervous filiaments appendent; to which did adhere many bladders of 
water, that, being crushed, poured out Serum into the Belly. 
Of the Rim of the Belly, or Peritonæum, we have little to write; 
It is related with other things of greater concernment. 
River. in Obs. Communic. p. 286. found in a Dropsie the Peritonæum 
grown to the Stomach.. 
Next the Pancreas or Sweet-bread is to be spoke of; But that being 
inconsiderable, we may speak, somewhat of it in another place. 
Bladder remains. P. Paw. Obs.9. saw no remains of it, it was quite 
consumed. 
Plater. in Obs Med. found where the Belly was swelled with water, 
and Urine was stopped, that the Bladder had been distended, and was
in- 


134 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
inwardly broke, and had poured out the Water, or Urine, into the 
Belly. 
The Uterus or Matrice, in a general Dropsie, was found by Joannes 
Posthius, absolutely corrupted; and nothing else he relates to be the 
Cause, but the Liver somewhat faulty; she was recovered, and then 
relapsed, and died ; See more of this business hereafter, in particular 
Dropsies. 
The Intestines are in divers Hydropicks found altered, in look espe- 
cially. 
Scholiagr. ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. de Morb. Writes that the Inte- 
stines were syderated, or blasted and corrupted, as if sphacelated ; and 
the humour that did distend the Belly, was very bloody ; and he relates 
no other Cause of the Dropsie in this person. 
Next the Veins may give Reason for somewhat to be said there- 
of. 
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 4. Obs. 25. found the Veins in a Noble Ma- 
tron filled with water, and poured it out into the Belly; they were all 
complicated or folded in a Membrane, and had adjoyned three Vesicles 
or large Bladders filled with water. 
And Platerus, in one that died of a Rupture as well as Dropsie, 
where the Liver and Spleen did firmly grow to the Peritonæum, and the 
Belly full of yellow stinking water, the Veins were full of water, espe- 
cially the Vena Umbilicalis, and the Scrotum was like a bag of wa- 
ter. 
Some have experienced this; they fast a Dog two or three days, then 
he drinks largely water; then they choak him, and cut him open, and 
find the Veins exceedingly distended : I suppose the Emulgents, I was 
not told which. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. found in one three emulgent Veins, and three 
emulgent Arteries. 
But the Heart and Lungs surely deserve to be spoken of ere these;
but because they are in an upper Ventricle, and seperated by a Mem- 
brane from the Bowels that lie most in the water, we omitted them 
till now. 
Some now adayes think the heart must be the Cause of Dropsies be- 
cause the chief Instrument of Sanguification; but their prepossessed
Conceptions must vail to Experience ; We should think nothing to be 
so

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 135
so, till we find it by Experience: Of all the Bowels, the Heirt is the 
least corrupted in Dropsies. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. It was void of blood ; in a Child a year 
old, the Heart did swim in the Pericardium that was full of wa- 
ter. 
Plater. did indeed finde it loose and flaccid in one or two, and a bone 
in it, in one Hydropick. But very little alteration is in the Heart, as in 
the other inferiour Bowels, therefore that causes and suffers the 
least.
Of the Lungs in general Dropsies, these things are observed; 
In a Dropsie with a Phthsick, the Lungs were rather drie then moist ; 
the right Lung grew to the side, Tho. Earth. Cent. 2. Obs. 37. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. They grew almost in a hundred places fast to the 
Pleura and Ribs. 
Platerus, pag. 647. found the Lungs, in a general Dropsie, inequal- 
ly coloured, and in part vitiated ; water was in the Thorax, and yet Li- 
ver and Spleen found. 
In a pure Tympany with a Convolvulus, Platerus found the Lungs 
corrupted, and grown to the Side, the Liver had stones in it, and the 
Spleen was wasted. 
We will now shew a few Examples of the Method of Nature in ma- 
king Bladders, Blisters or Vesicles to hold water where the Parenchyma of 
any Bowel is pestered therewith, either through moist aliament, or stop- 
ing of the right passage of that water by the Kidneys, and so regurgitating 
upon this part or that ; or else the blood is waterish, and throws it off 
there ; or else the part is apostemated, and the blood turns to water ; 
in this Case, Nature ordains bladders to grow, to contain the superflu- 
ous moisture in these Bowels : and because it is so frequent and fami- 
liar, as we have shewn already by many Examples, we may look upon it 
as the Rule, or a Method in Nature ; yet as often exsuperating water 
gets no bladders to hold it in. Yet if the Antients had wrote of Wa- 
ter-bladders in the Body of Man, their Causes, Signes, Differences, 
Prognosticks and Cures, they had done somewhat of reality and mo- 
ment, and might have exhibited one of Natures Rules, giving there- 
withal large exception, and diversities. 
Plater. pag. 635. found Bladders of water affixed to the Superficies of 
the Liver, some small, some as big as Hens Eggs. 
And pag. 648. The liver was cleft, (even as we have seen the Kid-
ney of a Calf, and Bladders of water therein) and in those clefts little 
bladders of water. 
Johannes

136 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Johannes Acholizius in Epist. found no water in the hollow of the 
Belly, nor Wind, but here and there many bladders of water growing 
to divers parts, and fat also was in the parties Body; she had no swelling 
of the Legs, but lived in great pains. 
Cordæus in his Comment, upon Hippocrates, found many bladders of 
water kicking both within and without to the Bowels, of all sorts, but 
no water was in the hollow of the Belly, that did cause distenion, the 
Heart had also bladders of water affixed to it, so the Liver, Stomack 
and Intestines. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 34. found the Mesentery weigh twenty pounds, 
onely filled with bladders of water, all conglomerated in one, no 
water in the Belly, no part hutt. Ozia Aimar in his fifteenth Observation 
communicated to Lazarus River. shewes how an Hydropick had an 
Abscesse in the right part of his Abdomen, and out of it came an in- 
numerable company of little bladders, filled with water, they issued 
out diverse dayes to the number of two hundred ; and this, saith he, is 
the lesse strange, since Schenkius relates that one Hydropick dissected 
had many bladders filled with water sticking to the Perltenaum and 
other parts : see Schenkius, pag. 413. and pag. 392, and 395. brings ma- 
ny more examples, but it is needless here to recken up more witnesses:
But these bladders of water more or fewer, greater or lesse, are often 
found sticking in, or unto all sorts of Bowels, where there is no 
Dropsie; and sometimes they swell so much they break, and pour the 
water into the hollow of the belly, and so distend it, healing up and 
filling again, and sometimes they do not break, or pour forth any water, 
though many and great. 
Next it will be requisite to shew how that the Liver, in many general 
Dropsies, is not vitiated at all, and how it is vitiated and corrupted in 
many very much, & after the manners and measures here afore related, 
and yet no Dropsie : also we shall shew that the Spleen, Kidneys, Heart, 
Mesentery, Gall, Pancreas, Omentum, Diaphragma, &c. if there be 
more, are affected in other Diseases, or worse, after the manner here 
afore related in Dropsies. From what hath preceded the Reader may 
see much hereof, or tending to this purpose and in our Monitory Proæmi- 
um to the Readers we have given the reasons thereof. 
In a general Dropsie, Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Liver un- 
hurt, and Cent. 3. Obs. 83. it was found, neither Scirrh nor Putrescence 
in it, onely the flesh of it looser then ordinary. 
River. Obs. Com. pag. 315. Liver was safe, but Spleen corrupted and 
like Tar. Riolanus, then in his Anatomy was mistook to say what ever 
part


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 137
part was ill affected or corrupted in a Dropsie, to be sure the Liver was 
as the chief Cause. 
Plat. pag. 648. The Liver and Spleen both safe in a great Dropsie, 
though many other parts and Kidneys were corrupted, and perforated, 
pouring the Serum into the Belly. 
Schenk in obs .Med.pag.4.l4.. the Liver being found, a Dropsiee arose 
from the vitiated Testicles in a Woman , other parts also being safe : 
there is no part alwayes altered in each Hydropick, and there is none of 
the Bowels of the Abdomen or Thorax, but in some, and at sometime 
are egregiously corrupted. 
Nay in one Hydropick, both the Liver, Spleen, Kidneys,lntestines 
Mesentery,Gall, Bladder, and Uterus were safe, and onely the Heart 
sound flagging, the Stomack corrupted, and the Peritonuem , and the 
Duadenum Gut amisse
Now we will shew that all these things happen to all these parts a
foresaid,after that or a worse manner and measure,and yet no Dropsie,or 
Collection of water distending the Belly or Body, any where, followes.
Johannes Bilgerus, Epistol ad Gr.H, saw Bladders of water affixed 
to the Kidneys and Liver, where was no appearance of any Dropsie, 
alive. 
Plater, pag. 635. saw Bladders of water , sometimes more, some- 
times fewer, lesse and greater, some as big as Hens Eggs,assixed to the 
Liver in cachecticks, where was no extuberance of the Belly or othe 
tokens of a Dropsie. 
The Liver was found hard, swelled, and stony, and growing to the 
sides,and the Spleen ill affected in one,where was no Dropsie. 
Pet, Paw. Obs. Anat. 27. found an Ulceration of the Liver, in 
Gibba parte, half an Urne of corruption poured forth, and yet no 
Dropsie. 
And Obs.19. It looked burnt, crushed, it fell into putrifaction, the 
Heart was dried up, and much wasted , and Lungs bound to the Side, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
So hardness,adnascence, putredo, &c is found in the Spleen , where 
the Liver also is ill affected, and yet no Dropsie. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 14. found the Pancreas grown to the hollow of the 
Liver and hardened like a stone, and Obs. 16. the Pancreas was hard- 
ned and grew to the Liver and Stomach and Vena Porta, the Liver 
was also grown to the right Side, the Diaphragma and Spleen amisse, and 
yet no collection of, or distension from water or wind. 
Also the same Obs l4 and 19. of Anatymes : found the Heart swim 
in a virulent water in one, and in another it was dried up like a Pear,
had S 

132 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
had no Succulency in It, hung slacking, and the Liver was putrifled too, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
Joannes Schenkius may satisfie any farther, he hath collected many 
observations to that purpose, as may be seen de Liene,pag.407,498. de 
Epate,vel jerere,pag. 388,and 389.de Mesenterio,pag.385,386,and 387. 
de Veftex fellea, pag. 401,402.403, and 404. de Renibus, pag. 439,440, 
and 441. de Corde, 256,257,258, and 259. ad 262.
Schenkius by these may save us a labour , whither we refer the 
Reader.
We have hinted before somewhat of particular Dropsies, we will 
here treat a little thereof a part: We related a Dropsie of the Legs,and 
Hands,to which we may here add a Dropsie of the Throat, found in one 
in Skenk Obs.and a Dropsie of the Head, of which, as I remember, 
Gul.Fab.Hild. or Foreflus, faith,He found eighteen Pints of water in the 
forehead of one Hydrocephalos. The Breast and Lungs have peculiar 
Dropsies , though they are often distended with water in general 
Dropsies. 
Petrus Pave. Obs. Anatom. 29. knew a Woman reputed Hydropical, 
she was three Ells in compasse; dying, and being dissected, the cause 
was found to be a Mola, or rude lump of many Scirrhous Condylo- 
mata in the Uterus ; she had also water in Cavo Abdominis, and Obs. 31.
in another Woman thirty four years old , a suspected Dropsie , was 
found a Mola like coagulated matter, it looked like Honey and did 
distend the Uterus. 
Horstius Epist. Med. Sect.5. A Woman suppofed to have a Dropsie of 
the Uterus, was opened ; the Uterus .weighed eighty seven pound, it was 
full of hair,and woolly Fibra's in a fat matter,and yellow Ichor. 
Two observations are extant of two Hydropical Women dissected, 
that the Testiculi, or Testes muliebres, were found the Cause, and no 
other Cause, the rest of the bowels being safe; Schenkius quotes one, 
Obs. Medic, pag.4.14. and Gulielmus Fabriuus Hildanus, in Efifl. ano- 
ther ; the right Testicle alone, in this last, was affected; it was found 
full of hairy Fibrous matter ; and twenty measures of water ran forth 
of her Belly. 
In a particular Dropsie of the Breast, the Lungs have been found 
wasted, the Pericardium filled with water, the Heart flaccid, and big-, 
ger then ordinary, filled with black blood. 
The Heart, in one, wanted the Pericardion; all the bowels were 
grown over with fat, in it was black blood, and the right Auricle Was 
like an Aneurisma, Tho, Baribol, Cent,4 obs.20.
Johan

A Tractate of Dropsies 139.
Johan. Bilgerus in Epist. ad Gr. Horstium, relates how one was very 
short-breathed for four years, encreafing by degrees, being light at 
first ; and suddenly dying unexpectedly, was dissected ; it was found 
a Dropsie of the Thorax ; the Lungs swam in water, they had outward- 
ly many black spots, and divers Colours; and being cut, from within 
there issued out black blood; the water was much in quantity, and 
green in Colour, and rushed out impetuously upon the Section. 
Of the CURE of a Dropsie.
The Cure of a Dropsie is as various as the Signs and Causes; for one 
is curable, another not; and he that is curable , differs from another 
in the way of method he must be cured in, as well as particular 
Medicines. 
I. We shall say somewhat of the chief and most successful quality in 
Medicines, and that is, a Diuretick force: Diureticks, as we have well 
observed, are most generally helpful; and those Purgers that, withall, 
do move Urine ; for it is contrary to Nature to expel redundant Serum 
by the Guts, the faculty of the Kidneys, Emulgents and Ureters must 
be excited; purging of weakens Nature, not carryes forth the Dis- 
ease: but nothing is so bad, that helps not some; nor any thing so ex- 
cellent, that will cure all: and I have known in divers Hydropicks, 
as well as other Sicknesses, one simple vulgar Medicine hath done 
more then Methods of Bleeding, Sweating, Purging, Vomiting, and 
Opening. 
Juyce of our Flow-dc-luce-Roots helped one in two or three dayes, 
not helped by other Medicines; the Lee of Broome Ashes, another; 
Horsradish, one Rustick did boast,would cure all ; and another Woman 
helped divers with common Sambucus; Another I know, uses Broom 
Beer : almost so many Hydropical persons, so many Medicines; but 
they try often times divers Medicines, ere they light on that they think 
cures ; but the inward disposition of the body, and lucky time, accord- 
ing to the Stars, when that Medicine was given, is to be considered. 
I found best success in a Drink of Orris, Danewort, Cort, Sambuci,
Saldonella , Guaiacum, Juniper-Berries, Wood-Nightshade , with 
Liquorish and caraway feed: and Platerus ( who indeed used the best 
Medicine to cure the Dropsie, of any I read) used such like, Obs. 632, 
633. He cured two cam decocto Sambuci,Iridis,Dulcamaræ,& Absinthii* 
And pag 634. he cured one with an apozem of Senna , Orris, Ebulus, 
Absinth, and sem carni. A fourth he cured with Rob Sambuci, ebuli, and 
spirit of Juniper, pag.633 and pag 637 a Gravid Woman, windy, as
we 52

140 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Well as Hydropical, he cured with decost.R. Ebuli, Sambuci & red Docks. 
Pag. 639  he cured with Rheubarb, Saldonella, Orris Hedera Terrena 
Petrofelinum, Bitter-sweet, Elderne and Wormwood : Pag.639, an In- 
fusion of Flower-de-luce-Roots, Enula, Ebulus, Sambucus, Hore- 
hound, Absinth, Hedera, in Wine drunk for three dayes, gave huge 
relief, and the Belly fell; so 653, he cured another. 
River, in Obs. often used Decoctions, or Powders of Cychory, As- 
paragus, Bruscus, Agrimonia, Adianthum, Ceterach, Pimplnella ; but 
these come short of Platerus his Simples afore-related : Cent.i,Obs.7o. 
Cent.2.0bs.65.and 67. cured Hydropicals with Openers. 
We were told of one cured alone with Wormwood ; Diureticks com- 
monly do open,and most Openers have some Diuretick force with them, 
for the provoking of Urine is most effectual. 
Decoction of Bruscus Roots cured one, in a Months time , River. 
C.3. obs.4. Juyce of Orris another in twice or thrice taking ; and we 
have heard the same in the County of Northampton, of one so sudden- 
ly cured thereby, far gone, that Purges, but chiefly Urine, Pla- 
ter. 634. 
One Dram of the bones of Animals given for a Month in white 
Wine and Juyce of Parsly cured one, River. Obs Com. p. 327. but the 
white Wine and Parsly might do most. Flints made red hot, and often 
extinguished in white Wine, and that drunk, did cure, River Obser. 
Com. pag. 369. and Salt of Millipedes is praised. 
Paulus Renealmus. Obs, 29. with the use of the Decoction of Male 
Feme Roots , cured one Droplie, coupled with a Quartane ; but he 
gave a Chymical Febrisick Powder first for the Ague. 
Avicen. Cap. Curatio. Ascitidis, relates one hugely swelled, that eat 
abundance of Pomegranates, and was cured ; these were binding, but 
their sharpness might provoke Urine ; they were cool, but many Drop- 
sies are hot, wherefore Schenkius: Obs. Medic, pag. 419. relates some 
Histories of those that were cured by drinking much cold water, when 
in others it causeth the Dropsie.
A Juvantibus & nocentus optima desumitur indicatio : From those 
things that help, and those that hurt, we may judge of the cause; and 
Christopher a Vega cured one Hydropick by Epithemes to the Liver, 
of Juyce of Endive,Cychory and Vinegar ; this was a flight business, 
yet it is questionable, if they did it by cooling ; for Cychory being bit- 
ter, is held hot. 
I have known Plantane help some ; that is not likely, to have any 
Spirituous hot pans in it ; yet Sennert.Epitom. Scientia Naturali,p.648
faith, Plantane hath amixt force both of binding and cleaning: For this 
and

A Tractate of Dropsies 141 
and Pomegranate* are very binding, and so is Oake Bark, with the De- 
coction of which one Hydropick was cured. 
It was related to me, that a Gentlemans man being much swelled, 
was told that Guaiacum was excellent for a Dropsie; he therefore took 
one of his Masters Bowls, and either boyled or powdered it, and was 
cured by it; his Matter afterward missing his Bowl, it was ingenuosly 
confessed, That his Man had took it for his Dropsie; the Matter seeing
his Man cured, and as they attested, by that, forgave him. It is held 
drying, but there is no such thing in Nature, but it must expel moisture 
by Sweat, insensible Transpiration, or Urine, for nothing wasts; in- 
deed Gum Tragacanth and Litharge will absorb Liquor into their bodies, 
but this doth not so. Frogs or Toads, (they differ in Colour, and 
crawling, and perhaps in Quality,) are praised for the Dropsie : 
Forestus, lib. ip.Obs. 35. praiseth Frogs and Toads both inwardly and 
outwardly to provoke Urine in Hydropicks ; the Kidneys are anointed 
with an Oyl, wherein they are boyled, so Libavlus .lib .2. Batrachorum, 
Cap.20. and Solenander Consil.Med.Sect.5.p.15. 
And wieruslib.3. Cap. 35. of the Deceits of the Devil, relates first 
the use of Land Toads ; A man lived miserably possessed with a Drop- 
sie, had spent his Means ; his Wife, seeing her Husband likely to die, 
and if he lived longer, he would spend all, got Toads, dryed them in 
an Oven,. and gave him the Powder and this set him a making water, 
largely, and instead of ending, was a mending to him.
II. Of Purges ; And first, River. found them successful in three 
Patients, mixed with Openers; one of them had the Purgers mixed 
with their Openers in a Masse, as Diarrhodon, Steel, Rhubarb, Aga- 
rick, &c.
I know one that hugely praiseth Steel, Rhubarb, Manna, and Syrup 
of Roses mixed together, to take dayly of; and one at hugely 
swelled, and his Scrotum like a bag, was cured hereby, by a Ladyes 
Direction; and it hath helped others; but the Rhubarb and Steel do 
the business. 
Riv.Cent.3.Obs.8 found a purging Clyster do good; but commonly 
they will not: in three he found purging Medicines do good, and they 
were delivered : he gave great Doses of Scamony , and Calomelanos 
Turqueti, or Mercurtus Dulcis ; Cent.2.obs.94.Cent.3 obs.16 mind 86. 
but commonly strong Purgers do harm; the Bowels are often wasted,or 
exulcerated,or corrupted ; Elaterium is most commended. 
Paul. Renealmus, Obs. 166. cured one that had an Ascitis, with a 
Leueophlegmatia, for two years, with a Stomachical Chymical Powder,
that

142 A Tracate of Dropsies. 
that wrought upwards and downwards, and cured in four days; And 
Ohs. 122. He cured one in eight days with a Chymical vomiting
Powder; it wrought both ways : He also gave the Decoction of Straw- 
berries, and Spirit of mercury; the Party for divers months had a 
Leucophlegmatia, with an ascites, and Languishing. 
III. For bleeding :we knew it very bad in one,and a large swelling 
from wind or inflation,increased, and the party died. Lax. Riverius let 
blood in two or three Dropsies, and did well; also in one Tympany, 
Cent. 3. Obs. 86. Bleeding commonly is not good, but in any Disease 
it may be proper or improper, as the cause of the Evil is, and the qua- 
lification of the Body in which it is. 
IV. Sweating is very available; we have known it. 
Jo. Schenkius, obs.pag.420. by a natural or spontaneous sweat one 
was cured.
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3, obs. 23. A young man Several times had the 
Dropsie, his Skin was pellucid, naturally, not by any Art ; he sweat 
out water fo that all his Linnen was wet ; it run through his Skin, as 
water ouses through a doth, when strained; Several times he did this 
critically evacuate, yet the water gathered again, and his natural Spi- 
rits and strength declined, and he died. 
V. Concerning Vomiting, we recited two Observations out of Re* 
nealmus; one Woman with Child drank much cold water, was hydropi- 
pical; a Chymical vomiting powder brought up three pints of water, 
and water went by seigh for two days, and health followed , P, Reneal. 
Ohs. 146. 
The same Powder,a little altered with small additions, cured two 
other Hydropicks, working Sharply upwards and downwards. 
c.Marcellus Donatus, lib. 4. de Histor. Medica. Mirabili, relates how 
one was cured by vomiting on Natures own accord, no Medicament 
took. 
But another from Nicolus, Serm. 5. Tract.5. Cap. 15. died in vehe- 
ment Vomiting, that happened in his Dropsie.
Jo. Schenkius pag. 420. writes how one was observed from being 
Sea-sick, to vomit, and that Vomiting cured his Dropsie.
We have experienced nothing of it: In any Sickness, if the Sto- 
mach is stopped or oppressed. Vomiting may do well ; and if the Sto- 
mach is clear, and not affected, Vomiting is unnecessary in most dis-
eases;it  may bring up much raw Flegm, if not water, in some Hydro-
picks

A TraUate of Dropsies. 143 
picks ; yet because it is very sick Physick, certain to make sick, and un- 
certain to make well, it is to be superfeded in most Dropsies.
VI. Dyet: We have heard of some,and River. Obs. relates others, 
and Schenk more, that were delivered of Dropsies, onely abstaining 
from drink, and some from all potable Aliment. 
Nicolus,Serm. 5. Cap. 25. One was cured by Dyet, void of moisture, 
and Diuretick Parfly was put in exenterated Fowls he ate roasted, he 
ate Bisket, and drank a little Wine after it, and drank no more all day, 
except by chance,and then Wine was mixed with Water ; and another 
hugely swelled,was so cured; but this is not to be trusted to commonly. 
VII. We shall promiscuously in the next place shew divers strange 
wayes, and unusual means, whereby some have been cured of the Drop- 
sie, and most of them accidentally, and on Natures accord : Nature 
endeavours to free her self, and call out her Enemy; yet if the inward 
parts are corrupted, though she vents the water by Holes, Apostems, 
Bladders, &c. the party often dies. 
An Abscess from Nature opened in the right side of the Abdomen, 
and many bladders of water ran forth for divers days; the Sick was cu- 
red, River. Obs. Commnus. ult, 
Rhasis, Cent, 21, A woman with a Womb-Dropsie, being a washing 
Clothes stoutly over a Tub, buckling down often, avoided, per uterum, 
many pints of water, and was delivered. 
Schenk,418. One by dayly Labour, another by Nature were healed : 
And 420. another by natural sweat, and another by being Sea-sick, cu- 
red : By a wound given by one in anger in the belly, the Water of one 
Hydropick ran forth, and was healed. 
Another was burnt by chance in the Thigh, there arose a blister, and 
brake, and dayly the water vented thereby, and did cure. 
Ex præcisis unguibus essuens aqua curatus est unus. 
In two Asciticks Nature opened an hole in their Navils,water ran out 
dayly gradually, and they were healed; In another a bladder arose in: 
the Navil, water ran out by it, and the party was healed. 
Nature spontaneously made an Orifice betwixt the Peritoneum and 
Muscles of the belly, from whence two hundred bladders of Water 
were drawn forth. See Schenks Collett. Obs. pag. 420, 421, 422. 
Valerlola, lib. 4. Obs. 3. Nature opened the Navil of one, and wa- 
ter ran out gradually and dayly, and the Diseased recovered. 


144  A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. faith, Blisters or Ulcers spontaneosly opening 
in the Feet or Scrotum do pour out much water, sometimes dayly, and 
easeth the Sick, yet often the Spirits languish, and death follows. 
Water ran forth by the Feet of one, and he was healed, Schenk, 
pag. 420. 
A Vesicatory applied to one, set the water a running, which did con- 
tinue till the party was healed, River. Obs. Com. page 323. 
And Marcell. Donatus,pag. 420. brings the like Examples. 
An Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one Hydropick, swelled 
as big as ones head, dayly the water ran out to eight or ten Ounces, yet 
he died, his inward parts likelily being corrupted, Tulpius, lib. 2. 
Ohs. 39. 
paracentesis and Blisters made in the Legs by Cauteries, Tulp. lib. 2. 
obs. 39. condemns by two or three Examples. Sometimes the Belly 
sinks, and they breathe better, yet die soon languishing, though the 
water is gradually drawn out ; but where by Paracentesis it is let out by 
a tap on heaps, they sometimes die suddenly, all the Bowels sink and 
fall down, the water that used to support them, being suddenly gone; 
it may be compared to Child-bed-Women. 
Plat. Obs. Med. pag. 646. Blisters gave ease, but they looked black 
at last and the Party died. Secret Gangrenes kill some that way. 
A Noble Matron, her belly and feet much swelled with water, she 
used to be short-winded, and to drink much water, she was with Child, 
and was delivered of her Child and Dropsie together, being well natu- 
rally purged in Delivery, Plat. 637. 
So another great bellied woman was delivered of her Dropsie, 638. 
Another used oft to be hydropical when she was with Child, and did 
abort, then was freed of her Dropsie ; but the fourth or fifth time died in 
abortion. Idem, ibidem. 
If after the water is let out of the belly by Paracentesis, the Party 
doth relapse or swell again, death for the most part ensues; yet one is 
cured after such a Relapse, Schenk, 421, He and Felix ‘Platerus bring 
three or four Examples of Hydropicks, whose Navil, the inward Skin 
being broke, did protuberate, and look like a pellucid bladder full of 
water; in some they brake, poured out much water, eased the ‘Dyspnea, 
and the belly fell, but most died when the water was ran forth : One 
had Cardialgia, vomiting and sinking of her Spirits supervening the 
free emission of the water. 
Now we will deliver somewhat of the Cure of particular Symptoms, 
or concomitant Ails in Dropsies,

A Tractate of Dropsies. 145 
A Dyspnea or Asthma, Plat. Extub. Obf. pag.. 652 saw apparantly  in 
divers, and in other places he mentions it; the letting out of the wa- 
ter commonly, to abate the short-windedness, that did depend upon the 
heaving up of the Belly, distension making compression ; he gave 
Juyce of Orris, with Sugar-Candy, and Vinum Hippocrat. 3i. the Party 
vomited much viscous and tenacious Flegm, and had three stools, and 
breathed pretty freely. 
Another Asthmatick in a Dropsie begun, was helped by Squills,
Enula, Orris , Prassium Sambucus, Ebulus, Senna and Agaric. made 
by Keeping into a gentle Apoxem. 
Inflations in Dropsies : Plat. helped two, pag. 632. one with Deco- 
ction of our Flower-de-luce-Roots, or Orris, eldern, and Bittersweet, 
used for four days; the other with Harts-horn,took three or four times, 
boiled in Broath and though this seem strange, we knew one use of this 
to that purpofe successfully ; and why not, by an occult quality, as well 
as Wolves Guts help Cholicks, Foxes Lungs, the Lungs ; Boars Tush, 
the Quinzey and Pleurisie ; Bulls Pizzle, the pleurisie ? &c. 
A Black jaundice coupled with an Ascites, was cured, Plat, lib.3. dis- 
colorated with a mass of Pills, whose Ingredients were Agarick, Rhu 
barby Diagrid, Gum Amoniacum, &c. a Wine steeped with Orris, Sal- 
donella, sambucus,ebulus, cychery, dent-de-lion; all these are choice med
dicines in Dropsies : Also he had a Powder of Diagallanga, Dyacimini,
Sentalis, Cinamon, S. Anisi, and Coreandri. 
A Tympany with an Ascites begun, Plater. cured with Wine of the 
Roots of Ebulus, Sambucus, Dulcamara, Absinhium, and Orris ; he 
sweat, with Spirit of Juniper ; his Belly was anointed with Aqua visa, 
Spirit of Jumper, and Caraway-Seed Obs. pag. 656. 
The End of the First part. 




A 
TABLE 
OF THE 
DISEA S ES 
Treated on 
In the Second Part of this Book.
Of the Diseases of the Head.
Chap.1. Of a dry Distemper of the Head.
Chap. 2 Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Chap.3 Of Palms of the Head from an Hat
Chap.4. Of Headache from cold.
Chap.5. Of a Dropsie of the Head, or Hydrocephalo 
Chap.6.of Headachefrom waterish humours.
Chap.7. Of Headache from Choler. 
Chap.8. Of Headache from Flegm. 
Chap.9. Of Headach by consent from the Womb.
Chap 10

A TABLE 
Chap.10. Of Numbness or Stupidity. 
Chap.11. Of Headach from the Stomach. 
Chap.12. Of Headach from Drunkness. 
Chap.13. Of Headach from Blood.
Chap.l4. Of Headach from a Melancholy humour. 
Chap.15. Of Headach from windiness. 
Chap. 16. Of a Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head
Chap.17. Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
Chap.18. Of a Cephalæa, or old Headach.
Of the Diseases of the Eyes. 
Chap. I. Of Dimness of fight, or Blindness, called Am- 
blyopia, or Amaurosis.
Chap.2. Of Nyctalopia, or Night-Blindness. 
Chap.3. Of Strabismos, or squint Eyes.
Chap.4. Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes, 
called Albugo or Leucoma. 
Chap.5.Of a Cataractor Suffusion 
Chap.6. Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflammation of the Eye.
Chap.7. Of Pannus, or bloody Veins in the Eyes.
Chap. 8. Of Clouds
Chap.9. Of Midriasis, or a dilatation of the apple of 
the Eye. 
Chap. 10. Of Procidence, or going forth of the Eye. 
Chap. 11. Of Pushes,.or little Wheals of the Eye.
Chap.l2. Of Proptosis, or procidence of the Urea. 
Chap

of the Diseases, &c. 149
Chap. 13. Of Phthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil. 
Chap. 14. Of Eyes bloodshot. 
Chap.15. Of Emphysema, or a windy Tumour of the 
Eye-lids. 
Chap.l6. Of Hydatis, or little Apostems of the Eye-lids.
Chap.l7. Of Chalazion, or a round Tubercle. 
Chap.18. Of Crithc, or the Corn of the Eye-lids.
Chap.19 Of Ulcer of the Cornea. 
Chap.20. Of Hypopion,or matter under the Cornea. 
Chap.21, Of CaLus and rough Eye lids galled Scleroph- 
thalmia, Ptilosis, and Trachoma. 
Chap.22. Of itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthal- 
mia. 
Of the Diseases of the Nostrils, Tongue. 
Teeth, and Lips. 
Chap.l. the Pose, or Distillation by the No- 
strils. 
Chap.2. Of hurt of smelling. 
Chap.3. Of Sneezing. 
Cbap.4. Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
Chap.5. Of Polypus, or Excresctnce of Flesh out-of the 
Nose. 
Chap.6. Of the Stench of the Nostrils.
Chap.7. Of depraved smelling, or mis-scenting of things 
Chap.8. Of Sarcoma.
Chap 9.

150 A TABLE 
Chap. 9. Of Ptyalismos, or immeasureable spitting. 
Chap. 10. Teeth edged, or astonished. 
Chap. 11. Of Teeth eroded or broken away.
Chap. 12. Of Toothing of Children, and pains. 
Chap. 13. Of Paroulis, or Inflammation of the Gums. 
Chap. 14. Of Rhyas, or Consumption of the weeping flesh. 
Chap. 15. Of Encanthis, or too great growing forth of that 
Flesh.  
Chap l6. Of Ulcers of the Gums, or Mouth ; also of a 
Fitsula, Putrifaction, and Exesion of the 
Gums, and of a Cancer thereof. 
Chap. 17. Of Excrescence of the Gums.
Chap. 18 Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
Chap. 19 Of swelling of the Lips. 
Chap. 20. Of the Fissures or chaps of the Lips. 
Chap. 21. Of Hare-Lips, or cloven lips. 
Chap. 22. Of Discoloration the Lips; of their paleness 
or lividity. 
Chap. 23. Of Mouth writhing or Convulsions the Face. 
Chap. 24. Of the Vice of Speaking or defect of right
Pronunciation, and Stuttering. 
Chap. 25. Of a Palsy of the Tongue, and the Black swel- 
ling of the Tongue.
Chap. 26. Of Tongue ty'd Infants, or the Frog, so called, 
bring a Ligature under their Tongue. 
Chap. 27. Of a Tumour, or Increment of the Tongue. 
Chap. 28. Of an Ægylops.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 151 
Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Chap. l. Of Hoarsness. 
Chap. 2. Of Of a Catarrh, or Distillation of Rheum.
Chap. 3. Of an Asthma, or hurt of Breathing.
Of vomiting Blood from the Spleen. 
Of Diseases of the Midriff. 
Of Blood extravasated and clottered in the Bladder.
Of Inflamation of the Bladder. 
Of the Diseases of the Uterus or Matrice. 
Chap. l. Of Distemper thereof.
Chap. 2. Of Narrowness of the Vessels. 
Chap. 3. Of Weakness. 
Chap. 4. Of Inflamation thereof. 
Chap. 5. Of Pains therefrom. 
Chap. 6. Of Worms of the Matrice.
Chap. 7. Of Stones therein.
Chap. 8. Of a Cancer Uterinus.
Chap. 9. Of a Womb-Dropsie. 
Chap. 10. Of Inflammation. 
Chap. 11. Of Mola, or false Conception.
Chap. 12. Of Condyloma Uteri. 
Chap. 13. Of Prurient Pustules.
Chap. 14.  

152 A TABLE 
Chap. 14. Of Womb-Melancholy. 
Chap. 15. Of divers Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied- 
Women. 
Chap. 16. Of Abortion, or Miscarriage. 
Chap. 17. Of the dead Child.
Chap. 18. Of a Feaver after Delivery, or a Feaver of 
Milk.
Chap. 19. Of Diarrhæa’s, or Fluxes following Deli- 
very. 
Chap. 20. Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Chil- 
dren.
Chap. 21. Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of deli- 
vered Women, as fault in Quantity or Quality 
of Loches, or Child-Bed-Purgations: of 
Throes, or after-Pains : of stopt Secandines, 
or After-Burdens staid, &c.
Of FEAVERS.
Chap. l. Of a Quotidian, or every-day Ague. 
Chap. 2. Of an Hemitrice, or Semitertian Ague.
Chap. 3. Of an Intermiting, Quartane, or Third Ague.
Chap. 4. Of an Hectick Feaver.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 153
Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair, and 
of outward Eruptions. 
Chap. 1. Of a Defluvium Capillorum, or general 
falling off of Hair. 
Chap. 2. Of Psilothra, or Medicines taking away super- 
fluous Hair. 
Chap. 3. Of Baldness. 
Chap. 4. Of Ophiasis. 
Chap. 5. Of plating of the Hair, of cleaving of the Hair, 
of Worms in the Hair. 
Chap. 6. Of Alopecia. 
Chap. 7. Of Medicines hindering the growth of supserflu- 
ous Hair. 
Chap. 8. Of Curling, or Colouring the Hair, to take away 
gray Hair, &c.
Chap. 9. Of Scurfiness in Hair. 
Chap. 10. Of Phtheiriasis, or the Lowsie Evil.
Of Evils, and Outward Ails. 
Chap. 1. Of the Kings Evil. 
Chap. 2. Of Corns. 
Chap. 3. Of Bronchocele, or a Throat-Rupture. 
U Chap. 4.


154 A TABLE, &c. 
Chap. 4. Of Warts. 
Chap. 5. Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Athero- 
ma, Steatoma, and Meliceris. 
Chap. 6. Of Kibes or Chilblanes. 
Chap. 7. Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek. 
Chap. 8 Of Ecchhimoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or 
Livor in Latine, in English signifying black 
and blew Marks, or Discoloration of the Skin 
from Bruises, or other ways. 
Whereunto is Annexed 
A small Treatise of Sicknesses and Disea- 
ses from Witchcraft, and Supernatural 
Causes; Being useful to others besides 
Physicians, in that it confutes Atheisti- 
cal, Sadduciftical, and Sceptical Princi- 
ples and Imaginations. 
Morbi

155
Morbi Capitis. 
All these papers, or chapters were form- 
erly writ, about the year 1658. and 
were compiled by Transcription from 
such Authors as are mentioned: I 
strove to omit nothing of chief con- 
cernment, so that what one had not, 
I found in another, and so thought 
to make up things compleat ; but 
since I have writ many Observa- 
tions, and read more, so that I see the Authors of those Pra- 
ctices of Physick went conjecturally to work in some things, 
and upon mistaken Experience in others; in many true, but 
those, not all the truth, nor the most material truth ; yet of these 
Diseases I then wrote of, they do as little infringe Experience as 
any ; for Authors were most mistaken in those Diseases it 
chanced we had not wrote of; and therefore we were the wil- 
linger to put these to Publique View : yet the Reader must not 
think to find the Sick just thus, as we have described, accord- 
ing to Practical Authors, in these Diseases; so many Men, 
almost so many Varieties and Differences : we have best shewn
the Method and Course of Nature, and what most commonly 
and truly happens to and in the Head by the discourse of Head- 
Diseases preceding, drawn from true and sure Experience and 
Observations; not onely Angular Cases, but chiefly all ordi- 
nary Distempers of the Head may be Judged thereby : and 
that, that in an extream degree causes Death, in a remisse degree 
U2 is


156 MORBI CAPITIS.
is the cause of a Disease. I have not picked Observations for 
me, or left out those against me ; for indeed I do not set my 
self to be for one or other, and then bring Experiences that 
make for me to prove-it; but impartially, leaning neither to 
one, or other, I search Experience, and to the Truth I apply, 
and subject my Opinions thereto. Yet here will come in some
things considerable, besides what hath gone before ; different 
from what Practical Authors have writ, or over and above 
what they writ.  
1. As to the Subject or Part, Head-ach varies; the Antients 
onely distinguished a ημικρανίον, which comes from ημισυ, sig- 
nifying half, and κρανίο the Skull, in Latine, Hemicrania
in English, the Megrim : now for pains to happen just so, 
is a rarity ; for they fall no more on one side , than another, 
and oftener on the forepart of the Head, then either Side ; and 
as often in the hinder part of the Head : they are sometimes, viz.
Paines, in the Crown ; sometimes in the Sutures, sometimes 
at Root of the Nose and Eyes; sometimes in one Temple, or 
both sometimes in one Ear, or both. 
2 . So for matter of Genera, or kinds of Head-aches, the 
Antients did not know all, and those they wrote for, the com- 
mon Course and Method of Nature are as seldom found in, as 
those things they count Rarityes; in all Diseases, as Epilepsies, 
Apoplexies, Lcthargyes, Madness, Phrensy, Delirium, Con- 
vulsions, Palsies, Stupor, &c. may be pain of the Head, ac- 
cording as a waterish Flegm, or green, or yellow, or black 
water, or gelly, or purulency, or Apostematous matter is gene- 
rated in this part or that of the Head, more or lesse for quantity, 
more homogenious or heterogenious in quality. 
Some have a pain of the Head alwayes at Sun rise, and as the 
Sun draws nigher, the more vehement; and after Noon, that 
the Sun goes farther off, the pain fades. 
Others have a pain onely at Noon, a dayes. 
Others

MORBI CAPITIS. 157 
Others have pain in the Head, according to the course of 
the Moon; as the Moon encreaseth, greater; as it decreaseth, 
lesse. 
Sometimes pains of the Head are Epidemical, sometimes 
they are continual, sometimes they come by certain Periods, 
and Paroxysmes, as Agues; sometimes a Dispostio patibilis, 
Capitis, as Platerus, in Praxi Medica, observes, is the Cause 
every light motion, imagination, fretting, heat of the fire, 
lying awaken, &c, raiseth Head-ach. 
Sometimes the pain is a shooting and dogging, sometimes
an heaviness and dullness, sometimes like pulling and dilacera- 
tion, sometimes a fence of violent distension, and burdening ; 
and there are more Varieties still. 
3. Nor are the Causes the same, and no more than what Pra- 
ctical Authors write. 
Stones of divers forms and magnitudes are found the cause 
of many sharp and Cronical Head-pains; these Stones lye 
sometime in one part of the Head sometimes another; some- 
times they are sneezed forth, and Head-ach hath ceased there- 
from; sometimes they have killed, and been found by Dis- 
fection. 
Worms also of divers shapes and magnitudes are generated 
in the Brain, or parts of the Head, even as they and Stones are 
generated in all parts of the Body besides; they cause great 
itching in some, pain and dogging in the Heads of others. 
Sometime Critical, sometimes Cronical, sometimes they 
creep forth or are sneezed out; sometimes they kill, and are 
found by Anatomy. 
Epidemical Head aches have been found from a Tempera- 
ture and quality of the Air, turning the Humours in the Head 
into Worms, even as the Air disposeth Children to verminous 
affects in Guts or Stomach. 
In others that are dissected, there are found bladders of water, 
or Apostemes of a sharp matter, or Inky matter, or yellow wa-
ter.  


158 MORBI CAPITIS.
ter, Abscesses, Gellyes, Globes of Flegm, pure water; causing 
either eating asunder some parts in the Head, Distension, Vel-
lication, contamination, or poysoning to the Brain, &c. thence 
raising great Head-ach. 
An Acquaintance of mine, a prudent Physician, told me 
that two or three years since, a Child was opened nigh Peter- 
borough, I think by Doctor Wright, it had long been trou- 
bled with Head-pains, and grievous; in the forepart, there was 
found a Bladder of water lying in the forehead, as it was be- 
twixt the eyes. 

MORBI CAPITIS. 159 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Dry Distemper of the Head. 
This alone effects not pain simply of it self, unless heat, or cold 
be adjoyned.
Its Causes are, 1. A dryer constitution of the Air. 2. Hunger 
and Fasting. 3. Too great and long continued Exercise and 
Sweats. 4. Lechery and venerious acts, 5. Perturbation of mind, ei- 
offensive or pensive ; as Wrath and Studying. 6. Watchings. 7. Too 
great emptying, whether natural or artificial. 
Sig. 1. Diagnost. are perceived by the Nose, sending forth few or 
no Excrements. 
2. By the Eyes being hollow, if watching preceded. 
3. The skin of the Head is felt dryer than naturally it should be. 
4. Want of sleep, and the Senses are sharpned. 
5. Squallour of the Face, or a wrinkled look. 
6. There went before a dyet tending to dryness, or some or all of the 
aforesaid Causes. 
Dyet. 1. Where the Air is moist. 2. Dyet moistening and yielding 
good nutritive Juice, are to be chiefly prepared; Cock's Stones, or the 
Broath of a Pullet, Cock or Capon, or other Yelk of Eggs, 
Pheasants, Patridges and the like, which nourish much, are very proper 
Dyer. Salt Meats are not alowable. 
For Drink may be made Emulsions of the four great cold Seeds, with 
Barly-water, and sweetened with Syrups of Violets ; if Wine may be 
permitted, it must be thin, and well allayed with water. 
Baths of sweet Water warmed, are to be frequented. 
But carnal pleasure, great excercise, fasting, thirst, all perturbations 
of the mind and watching, are to be eschewed, as adding to a dry Di- 
stemper ; neither is costiveness beneficial: therefore Lenitives are good, 
used now and then, to set the passages free. 
In Topicals, or application, Oyls for Unction, chiefly of the fore-seam 
of 

160 MORBI CAPITIS.
of the Head, or Os triquetrum, are commended; as Oyl of Fleawort mixt 
with Oyl of sweet Almonds, Oyl of Gourds and of Violets, a Lini- 
ment or Unguent may also be prepared of them, adding Goose-grease
and Hans-grease. 
Embrocation of Water-Lillies, Violets, Mallows, Lettice-leaves, &c.
are very useful, and all such things that are proper for the Head, and of 
a moistening quality. 
CHAP. II 
Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Moisture seldome alone raises Headach, but as 'tis commixed 
with Humours; therefore we think it improper to intitle it 
as a cause of Headach, but only treat of it as ’tis a bare Di- 
stemper of the Quality. Yet heat or cold mixed herewith in 
the Head, may effect pain. And seldom but there is an humour joyned 
with moisture.
Its Causes are, 
1. Air of a moistening temperature; as Rainy. 
2. Dyet, where those things that multiply blood, greatly further it. 
3. Medicines of a moistening quality, either internals or externals; 
as Baths and Unctions. 
Diagnosticks are gathered, 
1. From much filth flowing out at the Nostrils. 
2. From fulness and puffing up of the Eyes, with moisture in them. 
3. From propensness to sleep, and proneness to a lethargical state, 
especially if a pituitous Humour be collected. 
4. From fulness and pulsation of the Veins. 
5. Catarrhs for the most part follow. 
Dyet. All things that moisten, are to be shumed. A Dyet generally 
composed of drying Meats, is to be used, and such an one as is prescri- 
bed for a Lethargy ; and contrary to that directed for a dry Distemper; 
chiefly use of Guaiacum-drink. 
Externals : Caps made of Cephalicks and Aromaticks, Suffumes and 
dry Bags, perfuming the Cap at night with the smoak of Gum Anime, 
and Nigella-seeds, is very profitable, if also Headach be present. 
CHAP.


MORBI CAPITIS. 161
CHAP. 111. 
Of Pains in the Head from an hot Cause. 
Pain in the Head, or Headach, is reckoned threefold by Galen.
The first kind whereof the Greeks call Cephalalgia: some abu- 
sively Soda; the Latines, Capitis dolor. The second Kind is cal- 
led by the Greeks and Latines Cephalæa, and is an invetterate old 
Headach. The third Kind is the Megrim, possesing only one side of 
the Head, called both in Greek and Latine, Hemicrani.
Of the first of these we think it convenient to treat distinctly accor- 
ding to its various Causes.
And first therefore of a Distemper. And first from Heat. 
A bare Distemper of the Quality without presence of any Hu- 
mour. 
This Distemper is caused by all such things as kindle and stir up Hu- 
mours, whether internal or external. 
1. Internal Causes are, First, Such as raise Humours, and enkindle 
and inflame the Blood and Spirits, as are immoderate motion of the 
Body. Secondly, Of the Mind, as Anger, Furiousness and Solicitudes. 
Thirdly, Plenty of spirituous Blood, whereby the Head quickly grows 
hot, and conceiving preternatural heat, is pained, according to Plate- 
rus.
2. External. First, as Heat of the Sun, which is a main cause, and 
happens to such as stand long bareheaded in the Sun. Secondly, Heat 
of the Fire, specially having a great flame. Thirdly, Hot Baths. Fourth- 
ly, Use of Meats and Drinks, 1. too hot in-nature, 2. vaporous, 
as Garlick, Leeks, Onions, Wine, &c. Fifthly, Keeping in an air 
that is heat, or naturally of too hot a temper. 
Prog. If there be with Heat vellication or distention, ’tis bad ; for 
it shewes that there’s a Matter fomenting. Cholerick persons are most 
troubled herewith. 
Platerus saith, There's a Dispositio Patibibis, or a Disposition of the  
Head, to aking without the arising from any manifest Cause, as maybe per- 
ceived, but is rather from a too exquisite sence, or hereditary, or contracted 
by evil custome in such to whom there is with it no hurt of the other Functi- 
ons. 
X The 

162 MORBI CAPITIS
The place of the Headach, saith Platerus, is inter Calvaria, or in the 
Menings of the Brain, or Brain it self; in the Menings, because they 
are endued with a sense of Touch; in the substance of the Brain, (when- 
as ’tis insenible ; many think there can no pain arise there, but in the 
Nerves proceeding therefrom, in the sore and hinder part of the 
Head. 
Sign. 1. The pain is somewhat violent with heat, intense, and to be 
felt, with dryness of the Skin. 
2. The sprinkling of cold things refreshes and delights. 
3. The Eyes look red. 
4. Beating of the Pulse of the Temples within the Skull. 
5. Little Sleep.
6. Changing of the imagination and quietness of the Senses.
Dyet 1. First, Air cool ; if not so naturally, to be acquired by 
Art: the Air is tempered and cooled, 
1. By strewing Boughs and cooling Herbs, and such as have also a 
grateful smell, as Violets, Roses, Water-Lillies, Willow-Leaves, 
Vine-Leaves, Endive, and the like. 
2. By sprinkling cold water in the Floor, distilled Water of Roses for 
the richer sort, or other cooling distilled Waters for that use, would be 
more beneficial ; or by pouring of cold Water out of one Vessel into 
another. 
3. By smelling to Posies, or Nosegayes, made of Roses, Violets, 
Clove-Gilliflowers, and other Herbs, that cool and refresh the Brain ; 
or a little Camphir dissolved in Vinegar and Rose-Water, or to snuff 
up Rose-Water into the Nose : Jo. Prevotius adds unction of the No- 
strils with Oyl of the Flowers of Willow, made by Isolation. 
4. By freeness of the Air, and openness of the Room; against which 
make much company, that by their breathing do apparantly and very 
much heat the Room. 
5. The North Air is best ; if a Chamber may be had commodiously 
for the Sick, whose Windows open Northward. 
Secondly, Quietness and Rest is by all means to be procured: where 
1. All perturbations-of the Mind are to be eschewed, and the occa- 
sions of them.
2. Noises, fretings, clamours, are no ways Innocent. 
3. Motion and Labours are to be avoided, and Carnal Copula- 
tion. 
4. Sleep by all means procured; for ’tis not altogether impru-
dency

MORBI CAPITIS. 163
dency to make his sleeps now, longer than before they were wont to be, 
which is much furthered by smelling to Herbs that cool and refresh, and 
are a little soporiferous, as Roses, Violets, Water-Lillies, Lettice, 
Cowslips; stronger, are Flowers of Poppies red and white, Night- 
shade, Mandrakes, Henbane, Hemlock, &c. with Opium, which 
are seldom (unless watching be very much excessive) to be used alone, 
and then but sparingly, or mixed with some of the aforenamed 
gentler Narcoticks; they may be laid upon the Patients Pillow com- 
modiously for him to smell to, when he is about to compose to rest; the 
Forehead and Temples also may be anointed with Oyl of Roses, Vio- 
lets, and Water-Lillies, Poppies, of the Apples of Mandrakes: of 
such may be made an Oyntment for the aforesaid purpose, both to alter 
the Distemper, and appease the Pain also : as thus: 
ꝶ Oyls of Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Poppies, ana ℥i. Pow- 
der of Sanders, Lettice-seed, ana ʒii. Camphir, ʒi. with white Wax 
as much as may be sufficient, make it of a due thickness for an Oynt- 
ment. 
Embrocations also, and Epithemes may be made for washing the Fore- 
head and Temples, of Waters and Juyces, (which are of greatest effi- 
cacy) adding Vinegar for penetration, and Powders commixt. Also 
washing the Feet in Decoction of Housleek, Nightshade, Lettices, 
Roses, Water-Lillies, or the like, is very good to temper the heat, and 
mittigate it: If yet watching be not lessened, one or two grains of 
Laudanum may be given at night. 
Dyet 2. Where, 1. All things that are of hard digestion, 2. Vaprous, 
as Milk, 3. Heating, are to be shunned. 
And where are to be chosen, 1. All cooling, 2. Not fuming, 3. Good 
digestive Meats : Ptisan-Broath, Almond-Milk, Broath of Chickens, 
Birds of Mountains, Rabbets, Fish tender, and of gravelly places, 
Bread dipt in cooling Juyces, as of Pomegranates, Lemons, Vinegar, 
&c. for Meats for several sawces be made to temper and correct their 
vices. Also in Broath may be boiled proper Herbs. 
Strong Beer and all sorts of Wine are prejudicial ; Early water, 
or water wherein a little Cinnamon is boyled, or tempering pleasant 
Julaps are to serve for ordinary drinking. 
1. Internals. 
In Cure, 1. Respect is to be had to the constitution of the Belly: 
by no means Costiveness is to be connived at, for thereby alone oft- 
times is pain made from vapours not permitted a passage and the Body
X2 wants 

164 MORBI CAPITIS. 
wants the ventilation Nature requires: a cooling, emollient, lenitive 
Clister, is therefore to be premised. 
2. Letting blood is to be instituted, for Evacuation of the quanti- 
ty, and correcion of the hot temper of the blood: some like opening 
the veins in the foot ; but commonly the Cephallick Veine of the Arm 
is taken ; ’tis best done at Fall, or Spring.
3. Purging with more gentle Medicines, chiefly Aholagoges, Potions 
in great quantity, and Specificals for the Head. 
2. Topicks: Where first Repellers, and Stoppers of the flowing of 
humours, and prohibiters of inflamation, are to be applyed ; such as 
with cooling, have a penetrive quality, and stupifie not much, are to be 
chosen; Oyl of Roses, Emphacine, a little Vinegar added, to anoint 
the Head all over, first being shaven, is praised Lud. Septal, bids Oxit- 
hodes to be dropped from on high, upon the Coronal Suture, because 
so they temper more, a decoction of Plantane, Red-Roses, Purslane, 
Housleek, &c. boiled in Water and Vinegar, may serve for a Laviment 
of the Forehead, Face, and Sutures: after which, the Herbs themselves 
may be applyed upon the Forehead and Temples, also fresh Moss, and 
boiled Mallows, applied to the Temples, excels. 
II. Coolers, Where, 
1. Observe such that are of a binding quality, though cooling, as 
Juyce of Quinces Medlars, &c. are to be shunned. 
2. Such as are of a stupifactive Nature must be as warily as may be 
dealt withall, here; as is crude Opium, Poppies, Nightshade, Man- 
drakes, Henbane, Hemlock, and Thorn Apples; yet they may more 
safely be applied to the Forehead then Sutures, which being porey, would 
more quickly snatch in their Narcotick force into the Brain, and so do 
great hurt: neither are they, as admonisheth Lud. Septal. to be used so 
much for pain, as for watching, that weakens ; nor are they to 
be inwardly taken to alter the distempers, except there be great watch- 
ing present. 
A select Oyntment may be made after this manner, void of 
danger, and sufficiently cooling ; ꝶ Oyl of Violets, Water-Lil- 
lies, an. ℥i. Juyce of Housleek, Ducks-Meat, Purslane, an. ℥ß.
Camphir, ʒi, Seeds of Lettice, White Poppies, Cucumbers, an ʒii. Wax 
sufficient, make an Ointment. These things may be actually cold ap- 
plyed, yet more warily in old People and Children : moreover, in the 
life of applications we must regard that they lie not too long, nor grow 
hot, but are oft to be removed; neither is free transpiration to be letting, 
by having the head bound up with many clothes, which greatly aug- 
ment


MORBI CAPITIS. 165
ment the heat together, which apply to the head ; Padilotions also may 
be used profitably, made of Coolers. 
3. For the Symptome, Pain, Externals are chiefly in use; yet 'tis not 
altogether frivolous to use cooling quieting Medicines, that quiet Hu- 
mours, and render them milder and hinder ascent or motion of Vapours, 
as such an one; ꝶ Water of Nightshade, Poppies, Violets and Roses, an. 
℥iiii. Syrupes of Violets, Water-Lillies, Mints and Poppies, an ℥i.  
made tart with spirit of Vitriol.
Moreover, in more urgent pain, from which both a Feaver and 
gathering of Humours may be suspected, to give Narcoticks inwardly 
is not altogether irrational ; nor is opening a veine in the forehead 
to pacifie, cool and lessen the enkindled and fiery Spirits, alwayes un- 
succesful. 
Topicks: Anodine, the best are Oyl of Dill-seed, of Roses, Eldern, 
Purslane, Ducks-meat, Privet, Nightshade, Water-Lillies, Fleabane 
Lettice, Camphir, Cucumbers, Plantane, Housleek, and Poplar- 
Buds; of these may Oils, Unguents, Lotions, Epithemes, Embro- 
cations, and Powders be made. 
First therefore an Oyntment of great force may be made after this 
manner. 
ꝶ Oyl of Fleabane, (but, say Astronomers, the Fleabane must be 
gathered in the Hour of Mars, he being, if it be possible, in Aries, in a 
good Aspect to the Moon) ℥i. Poplar Buds, and Eldern Buds, an. ʒi. 
Camphir, ʒß. Vinegar of Roses for penetration, ʒii. with white Wax 
a sufficient quantity, compose all for an Oyntment; with which anoint 
the Forehead, Temples, and about the Ears, where may be suffered by 
absence of Hair, when pain urges, or chiefly at night, at lying 
down. 
In the morning wash the Face all over with Vervain, Rose, and Flea- 
bane-water, and a little Vinegar in it. 
Emplaisters may be made of the afore-going Simples; but because 
by their long lying on,they heat, and hinder the free passage of the hot 
Vapours, and Spirits, by binding up the Pores too straitly, therefore 
Pultesies especially to be applyed in an exacerbation, are more conve- 
nient fot Transpiration, and Ventilation : as thus, 
ꝶ Vervain, Mints, Housleek, an. mi ; Seeds of Lettice, Mallows, 
and Eldern-Flowers, an. ʒii. boil all in Water and Vinegar ; then drain 
out the superfluous Liquor, with which, moderately heat, bathe the 
places afore-directed ; and then apply the Herbs, with Clothes mode- 
rately strait bound on. 
If 

166 MORBI CAPITIS. 
If Pain be more intense, and remits not with these gentler safe Re- 
medies, then we must use Narcoticks, such as were prescribed before 
for such as watch over much : yet they are rather to be sorborn (unless 
Delirium, Feaver or Inflamation is evidently foreseen to follow upon 
the greatness of the pain) in Children, for their Constitution is colder 
and moister, that may congelemamnous, and bring them into Epilepsies 
and other Diseases : 2. Not to old men, lest through extinction of their 
weak heat, and stupifaction, they be brought into cold Diseases, &c. 
e Caput: 3. Not in Women of soft and tender Skins : 4. Not so fit 
where the Sutures arc looser; nor indeed are they fit to be laid to the 
Sutures, for so as we said before, they cool and dull the Brain too much; 
therefore tis more safe to use them in application to the Forehead 
onely : 5. Not in Catarrhous Constitutitutions : 6. Less useful in 
pain than watching, and least of all in heat. 
Lastly, It would not be amiss (together with the continuation of the 
afore-going Medicines for some time) always to wear Cucupha made
according to Art, of the following Simples, powdered and interwo- 
ven. 
ꝶ Red Rose-Leaves, Nutmegs, white Sanders, ana ʒifs. Violets, 
Water-Lillies, ana ʒi. Seeds of Roses, Fleawort, Purslane, Plantane, 
Flowers of Melilot, Mint, Bettony, Lettice, Couslips, ana ʒß. Vervain,
ʒii. mix them for a Powder : this will corroberate the Brain, hinder 
the gathering and stuffing of humours in it, and if any be impacted dis- 
cuss them, and hinder relapses of pain. 
We think it not convenient to adde discutient Digesters, and Dis- 
cutients, for a bare Distemper alone, without the afflux or congestion 
of any Humours, but treat of them in other Chapters of Headach 
caused by Humours. 
CHAP. IIII. 
Of Headache from Cold. 
A Cold Distemper without afflux of humours, is made from exter- 
nal Causes, cooling; as is outward Cold, going bareheaded; 
as also by application of cold things to the head, or Medi- 
cines, or whatever may induce Cold, which in Bodies, pure 
and not Cachochymical nor Plethorick, make no apparelling of Hu- 
mours, but onely do distemper. 
Signes


MORBI CAPITIS. 167
Signes are quite contrary to those of Headach caused by heat: 
1. Head not hot when felt unto, though Headache may be violent 
enough. 
2. No redness of the Face nor Eyes, nor be they hollow, nor is the 
Face shrunk, but as it were distended and pale. 
3. Cold things bring offence to them, and alleviate not, but hot 
things are delightful. 
4. Heaviness of the Head, a drowsie disposition, and propenseness 
to sleep. 
Dyet. 1. Air that is cold is by all means to be eschewed, a 
fire is therefore to be kept. 
2. Sleep not excessive, nor too mean. 
3. Excercises good, as riding or walking. 
4. Molestation of Mind, Sadness, Studies, deep Speculation, and 
all other Affections of the Mind, that be immoderate. 
5. Meat: Where Flesh of all Water-fowls is to be eschewed, and
all Meats that be cold potentially. 
Flesh of Hens, Chickens, Partridges, Pheasants, rere Egs, &c. with 
Wine, are good Food. 
Cure. The Distemper is to be taken away, to make way for which, 
1. Costiveness is to be letted. 
2. if the Body be Cachochymick, ’tis to be corrected, or ta-
ken away, 
1. By Internals: Where such things as heat the Brain are to 
given onely for alteration-sake, as Water of hot Bathes, and of Brim-
stone. 
2. Externals : Where 
1. Hot Bathes are ordained.
2. Odorants, where all ill-scented and suliginous-vapoured things are 
to be shunned ; a Pomander of Aromaticks and Cephalicks are appro- 
ved ; or to snuff up decoction of Vervain into the Nose. 
3. Topicks, all heating and friendly to the Brain , yet the greatness 
of the Distemper, and Constitution of the Brain, are first to be consi- 
dered, and accordingly Medicines suited thereto. 
First therefore, as most commendable, we prescribe such an Oynt- 
ment for the Temples, Forehead, Nostrils, and holes behinde the Ears. 
ꝶ Oyl of Vervain ℥i. Oyl of Rhue, and of the Seeds ofCow-Pars- 
nip, an. ℥fs of Nutmegs, ʒii. Aniseeds, Roots of Piony, Sage, Betony, 
ana ʒi. with Wax make an Oymment.
These  


168 MORBI CAPITIS. 
These following are commended by Authors for Pain from a cold 
Cause; 
1. The leaves of the Tile-tree applied like a Pulteis. 2. Tobacco- 
leaves used in like manner. 3. The kernels of Peaches beaten with 
Bettony, or Vervain-water. 4. Amber-greese mixt with Oyntment of 
Orange-flowers. 5. Oyl of Vervain, by all is recorded as special. 6. Juice 
of Prucedane with Oyl and Vinegar, or an Oyl made of the Herb. 
7. Oyl of Serpillum, or Mother of Tyme, with Vinegar, is excellent.
8. A Garland of Peniroyal, or root of Vervain, worn about the neck 
in manner of Amulets. 
Authors direct Vesicatories for Cauteries, to be applied to the Head ; 
and Setaues for the Neck; but because in a bare Distemper there is no 
matter to extract, we omit them. 
A Cucupha, is very convenient to be worn for long time, to strengthen 
and rightly constitute the Brain; for which, these Simples thus com- 
posed we think most excellent; ꝶ. Flowers of Cowslips, Marigolds, 
Camomile, ana ʒ i. Nutmegs, wild Time, or Mother of Time, Stæchas, 
or French-Lavender, Bay-berries, Piony-seed, ana ʒ s. Castoreum, 
℈i. Eldern-flowers, Mint, Featherfew, ana 9 ij. Vervain gathered in 
the hour of Venus, she ascending fortunately, ʒ ij. Reduce all into gross 
Pouder, and interweave, or few it in a Sattain-Cap, and wear it constant- 
ly, the hair being first cut very thin, so that the force of the Pouder may 
the better pass to the brain. Of these Simples may several Compositions 
be made, seeing they are all very conducible for Pain.
Also Cephalical Electuaries and Conserves for internal use, would be 
very neccessary and advantagious, being continued a good while toge- 
ther. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Dropsie of the Head. 
Hydrocephalos is a watery swelling, or Dropsie of the Head, made 
from collection of a serous Humour, or windy Matter, in some 
part of the Members making or constituting the Head. 
Place. 'Tis either within or without the Skull, between the Pericrane 
and the Skin, or the Pericarnium and the Mouth, or between the Mouth 
and the Membranes of the Brain. 
Cause,

MORBI CAPITIS.  169
Cause is the same with a Dropsies Cause ; viz. collection of water,
which runs out by Anastomosis or Diapedests of the Veins. Fæbrit. found 
in the fore Ventricles of the Brain, eighteen pound of clear Water. 
2. It happens to Infants from the violence of Midwives in deli- 
very. 
3. From the waterishness and moistness of the maternal Heat in the 
Infant. 
Secondly. This Tumour is sometime windy from weakness of Heat 
in the lnfant, and causes generating wind; and then ’tis called Emphy- 
sema. 
Thirdly. 'Tis fometime a more fæculent and bloody matter. 
Sign. Diag. 1. ’Tis a Tumour soft and tractable to the feeling (un- 
less it be betwixt the Crane and the Membranes. ) 
2. Conspicuous to the sight; 1. As ’tis in respect of its magnitude ; 
2. its good colour. 3. Happens most to young Children. 
II. If internal, then, I. there is headach and heaviness present ; 
2. the eyes weep. 
III. If it sounds, or gives no place to the touch, ’tis an Emphyseme 
from wind. 
Prog. 'Tis bad, 1. Because in a noble part. 2. Because the 
subject is tender. 3. By reason of the great danger that there is of a 
Convulsion, Lethargy or Apoplexy. 
2. There’s no cure, 1. If it affects the internal parts. 2. Mor- 
tal, if it be made in the Brain it self. 
3. 'Tis best, if, 1. More external. 2. Without the concomitance 
of bad Symptomes: yet then its hard to be cured. 
Dyet. Such as is prescribed for cold affects of the Head, abstaining 
from Wine. 
I. Internal. 
Cure. I. We must draw forth the water after preparatives by Hy- 
dragoges, if their age may bear it. 2. By Diureticks. 3. Sweaters. 
4. We must use drying Cephalicks. 
II. External. Where, 
First, Resolving Topicks and discussing Foments, of Lee, Salt and 
Sulphureous Waters, or the water of Quick-lime, commended by Aqua- 
Y pendius


170 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Pendius for Children, an Oyntment of Powder of Brimstone, Bay-berries 
and Orris, with Wax, and Oyl of Camomile. 
Secondly, Dryers. 
Thirdly, Causticks. 
Celsus appoints one or many according as the part is greater or 
smaller : Some use them to the neck. 
II. Chyrurgery. Paulus openeth the Tumour in the descending 
part, makes many sections; but this is somewhat dangerous, epecially 
if, 1. We have not a care of anointing the temporal Muscles. 2. To eva- 
cuate the matter by degrees: if betwixt the Pericrane and Crane the mat- 
ter be collected, double section is to be made. 
Lastly, The Brain is to be dryed by inward Cephalicks, and reduced 
to its right temper. 
Diff. I. From the Humour;
I. Either water, and that more pure, or mixt with fæcculent Humours, 
and Blood or Wind. 
II. From the Scituation; 
1. One is made betwixt the Skin and the Pericrane ; Another 
betwixt the Pericrane and Crane; A third betwixt the Crane and 
Membranes. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Headach from watery Humours.
It is a serious Distemper of the Brain : Its Cause being water derived 
to the Head ; Either 1. gradually, specially with the very Spirits 
and arterious Blood ; Or, 2. on heaps, by reason of stronger out- 
ward Causes, as all extraordinary exercising, furiousness, and much 
drinking of wine. 
Sig. The pains are not settled, but wandring. 2. The Mouth is 
alwayes very moist, and there is much spittle. 3. Defluxions of Rheum 
are very often molesting. 
Cure is done, 
1. By evacuating the waters ; 1. By water-purgers proper to the 
Head, no premising of Preparatives. 
2. Let blood if Heat and a Feaver be present, for they cause fluctua-
ting

MORBI CAPITIS. 171 
ting of the water in the Head ; also if any accustomed evacuation be 
stopped. 
3. Sweaters ; as decoction of Sarsaparilla is best; but hot ones, as 
Antimony, Diaphoreticum, are accounted bad. 
4. Diureticks, which also profit for the Spleen. 
5. Gargarismes, that draw much water from the Head ; as of Mustard, 
or of Pellitory, and a little Staneatre excel, 
6. Errhines, where Juice of Primroses is choicest. 
II. Dryers and Correcters of the Distempers ; where such, like 
an Electuary, taken to the quantity of a Nutmeg every morning and 
night, may greatly help both to dry and consume the Cause, quiet the 
Symptoms, and strengthen the Brain. ꝶ of Sarsaparilla, ʒij. Nard, of 
Indian Nutmegs, ana ʒi. dry Sage, mens Bones prepared, ana ʒ fs, 
Conserve of Betony, Rosemary and Marjoram, ana ℥ i. with Syrup 
of Pæony, confect an Electuary. 
III. Topicks, (which, first, consume and dry up and discuss the Cause; 
Secondly, ease the symptome pain) are to be used together with the 
former. 1. The Root of the greater Valerian, fresh, bruised, warmed 
and applied. 2. Rie, beaten and sprinkled with Vinegar, bound hot to 
the head by some ; As also 3. Vinegar of wild Thym to Wash the fore- 
head and temples for the pain, are praised. 
Some Empericks hold these for secrets in Rheumatick Distempers and 
Molestation of the Head. 
1. Decoction of Pimpernel, drank morning and evening. 
2. To smell to an Onion, being newly rosted and fuming, often and 
for long time. 
3. To bathe the head, forehead and nostrils with the Liquor of stewed 
Onions. 

171 MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Headach from Choler. 
Platerus saith, If we mean such Choller as being separated from 
Serum, or a wheyish water in the Head, is purged meet and pure 
into the Ears; that being poured forth to the Menings and 
Brain, without doubt would stir up great and pricking pain ; but 
that scarcely happens being washt with with a wheyish serous matter ; nor 
then alwayes doth it beget pain ; when as to those that have the Jaun- 
dice, the Head in no wise akes, unless some other accident happens. 
Thus far Platerus. 
1. All Causes that generate Choler ; as Garlick, Onions, Red Her- 
rings, Old Wallnuts, salt things, which make it exsuperating and luxu- 
rious, all things that heat and dry the body. 
3. All aggravations of it generated, as Care, Anger, Exercise, labo- 
rious Pains, abstinence and long watching, all which enkindle it. 
2. Smelling to Myrrh, Saffron, &c. Sun-heat, &c. may bring it into 
agitation, cause it to abound more, and render it sharper and hotter. 
Sig. 1. A Cholerick temper, and youthful age for the most part. 
2. The Pain is like to that that happens upon reflecion of the hot 
beams of the Sun upon a bare head,but rather hotter, and more pricking, 
according as Choler is more tame, or sharp, more or less in quantity, 
or hotter or colder qualited. 
3. If with gravity ; I, It shews multitude of the Humour. 2. If with 
knowing the Acrimony of it. 3. If with Pulsation, Inflamation. 
4. If with distention without gravity and beating, 1. It argues 
Choler very vaperous, or abundance of Cholerick vapours ; 2. Dri- 
ness of the Mouth, and Tongue and Eyes ; 3. Bitterness of the Mouth ; 
4. A sence of preternatural heat in the Head; 5. Excrements of the 
Eares, many, and more yellow. 
Diff. I. 'Tis distinguished from Headach, from Blood, for that of- 
fending by plenty, there is Pulsation and Gravity, but Choler being 
little, is without Gravity, and is more biting from its Acrimony. 
2. Fumes may arise from yellow Choler in the Stomach, or lower 
parts ; and is distinguishig from Choler in the Head by sign of those
parts
 

MORBI CAPITIS. 173
parts affected, by Symptoms, as nausea, 1. Disdaining of Meats, bitter- 
ness of the Mouth, vomiting, &c. 2. There is no gravity, as in a plen- 
tiful matter, but distension onely, with levity, is effected by the ascent 
of vapours, and this is not essential, but by consent. 
Progn. Want of Sleep is bad, arguing the Brain too much affected 
by heat and dryness : If after Sleep there is ease, ’tis good; if not, a 
pernitious Sign. 
Dyet. Where, 
1. Air is to be cold and moist; if not so naturally, ’tis to be procu- 
red by Art, as in foregoing Chapters. 
2. A cool and moist Dyet, gravelly-Rivered-Fish; no Wine, nor 
strong Drink, no vexings, nor movings of Passion, or inordinate 
motion of the Body, or watching, are any wayes innocent. 
1. Preparation of a double kinde, first to thicken and prepare 
Choler for expulsion, secondly to cool and render it stiller, milder, and 
less Acrimonious. 
2. For the second, Cooling and Anodine, Internals and Externals,
having somewhat a stupifactive force; for pain that is raised from light- 
er Causes, as wrath, is quelled by Mittigaters, and also Medicines that 
dispose to quieting and rest. 
1. For the first. Prepare thin hot Choler, with Syrupes of Violets, 
Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, Gourds, Barley, Jujubins, Sebestens, 
Pruins, Sorrel, Purslane, &c. of which confusedly named, may Deco- 
ctions, Apozemes, Syrups, Julaps, &c. be made. 
2. Evacuation. Here Hartman praiseth greatly Aqua Benedicta, for a 
Vomit, to extinguish all pains of the Head, and Mercatus, Stibium. 
A Clyster is good to be premised, before purging downwards, of 
Lenitives and Coolers, with Cassia; and because Cholerick Habits 
are most commonly costive, they are good to be used often, which 
purging is most commodiously done with cooler and more gentle Sim- 
ples, as Pulpe of Cessia Fistula and Tamarinds. 
Some commend Potions of the Infusion of Senna, with black Helle- 
bore, also Scammony, Merc. Vitæ, and Flower of Antimony; but 
these seem too exasperating and heating at the first, till Choler is some- 
what tamed and cooled.
Potions are more innocent of Infusion of Rhubarb, Senna, and Epi- 
thimum, in Cychory or Endive-Water, adding to the strained Liquor 
Syrups of Violets, or Epithimum. and Pulpe of Cassia, the like. 
But

174 MORBI CAPITIS. 
But these Pills following are of greatest benefit, and are not much 
unlike those of Fernelius in materials : 
ꝶ Aloes, ʒi.Senna, Red-Roses, Violet-Flowers, Water-Lillies, 
Purslane and Coriander-Seed, white Sanders, ana Gr. xv. with Syrup 
of Violets make a mass, for Pills ; of which, ʒss. in four Pills may be 
taken every night, for a month. 
To some delicate persons that nauseate Potions, and cannot swallow
Pills, this Bole may be a sufficient Purge : 
ꝶ Diacridium, ℈ß. Conserve of Roses, ʒij. Cinnamon, Gr. v. 
3. Blood-letting is to be instituted, both for evacuation, and also 
cooling, and making mind Cholerick Humours : If the Occiput be most 
pained, ’tis to be cured by opening the Forehead-Vein, saith Hollerius, 
for there come two Branches from the Jugulars, one whereof is brought 
to the Occiput, the other to the Forehead; by which Branches there is a 
certain communion twixt the fore and hinder parts of the Head. In 
Bleeding, whether by the Arm or Forehead-Veins, we must not draw 
out so largely as in the Headach caused of Blood ; nor at once is it so 
good to take our whole quantity, for the Cholerick and hot Humours 
are more tempered and cooled by repeated Phlebotomy : some instead 
of opening the Forehead-Veins, set on Leeches. 
Platerus saith, Arteriotomy in contumacidous and persevering Head- 
aches, with great pulsation and heat, hath often helped; specially if 
therewith there is a Vertigo. 
4. Derivation and Revulsion is done by Cups, with Scarif to the 
Neck and Shoulders, to draw from the affected part; also to the But- 
tocks and Legs, to pull back from the Head. 
Errhines and Sneezers also serve here, but are to be superseded, if 
the Eyes be weak and obnoxious to fluxions, as also Masticatories ; but 
saith Lud. Sept. they are to be suspected, whenas the Cause is a thin se- 
rous hot humour, left they should violently draw that from the Head, 
which falling upon the Lungs might effect a Ptisick, or some other Dis- 
ease there. 
5. Consumption of the Reliques by Topicals : Where, 1.Camphir, be- 
cause 'tis thought to cause watching, is disallowed: 2. Others insti- 
tute Discussion in its place; where Oyls of Camomile, Dill, Rheu, are
good, or Pouders of Nutmegs, Stæchas, Rosemary-flowers, Camomile- 
flowers, Eldern, Vervain, wild Time, Rhue, &c. some adde Mosch, 
to penetrate and corroberate, as saith Rondel. Of these Caps or in- 
terbasted Frontals be made ; yet the Powders alone strewed, are better 
than


MORBI CAPITIS. 175
than interwoven in Caps, because so their virtue is not so nearly com- 
municated to the Brain, through the Caps. 
This, with the aforesaid Pills, may be used for some time, to spend 
and discuss the remainder or regenerating of Choler in the Head, and 
therefrom Relapses. 
CHAP. VIII 
Of Headach from Flegm. 
Flegm, or pituitous Humours, collected and cooling the Mem- 
branes, but not the Brain it self, for then would a Stupor fol- 
low, or Drowsiness : This is of the same nature with that 
Mucus, or filth that being actually cold, is wont to flow out by 
the Nostrils, and Headach from the efflowing of such Humours,as in the 
Pose is often eased. 
Causes generating Flegm (being received and made effecting, from 
first a cold Brain, secondly a cold and moist Liver, which may send thi- 
ther vaporous Blood) are, A Dyet of sweet and fat Meats, cold and 
moist qualitied, Fish, Things raw, Milk, Cheese, Sugared Meats* 
Fruits, Olives, &c. 
Adjutant hereto be, 
1. An Air cold and moist. 
2. Idleness, and neglect of Exercise. 
3. Sleeping over-much, especially on a full Stomack. 
4. Actual external Coldness, as by application of Medicines, where- 
by the cold penetrates inwardly, and induces a Distemper. 
Sign. All that indicate a cold and moist Distemper: As, 
1. Whiteness and moistness of the Face ; unless from blood fallen 
to the part it should be suffused with redness. 
2. Much and profound Sleep, Dulness of Senses, slowness to 
action.
3. Abundance of excrements flow out by the Nostrils; but if a Catar- 
hous matter be abundantly sent to the Nose and Jaws, and raises a 
Cough, sleep may be lessened and Flegm loosened. 
4. Pain is more in the hinder part of the Head from Flegm, taking 
its possesion there, and afflicts most from the third hour of the night to 
the ninth.
5. There


176 MORBI CAPITIS,
5. There is a sense of fulness and gravity in the Head.
Dyet. 1. An Air naturally hot and dry; if not, made so Artificial- 
ly, keeping a bright fire, into which may fine-scented-things be cast, 
for rectifying bad vapours ; as, Wood of Aloes, Storaax, Benjamin, 
Juniper-Wood, Labdanum, Cinamon, Gum Anime, Frankinsence, and 
the like. 
2. Meat; where Roast is better than Boiled : Spices are very com- 
modiously used ; Bisket-Bread, or Bread baked with Aromaticks, chief- 
ly Nutmegs and Aniseeds; let his Bread be well levened, and his Flesh 
be of those Creatures that are void of Excrements, used to Exercise, 
and condite with hot Sawces: But all these Aliments are not to be too 
much glutted off, for a sparing Dyet is best. 
3. Drink; where thin and small Wine is allowed, as is also the in- 
fusion of Aromaticks in it: To which adde Exercising, as very helpful. 
Cure of Headach from Flegm: Where, 
First, We respect the Cause : Where, 
1. A Dyet convenient hereto, is to be ordered, as is afore-written. 
2. Preparers of pituitous Humours for expulsion; where hotter Pre- 
parers at first are bad, for they melt the gross matter by their heat, 
Whence it being made larger requires greater room, and therefrom di- 
stends and pains : 2. Strong Heaters are not to be given after meat, 
for so are obstructions made. 
3. More mild Preparers at first : as, 1. Healing and dry Cephalicks 
say some, for alteration: 2. Attenuating and cutting Simples, say others, 
for incision and attenuation, ought to be used, which we think thus well 
reconciled; the first suits in a thin, and moveable, and more waterish
pituitous matter, such are Nutmegs, Cloves, Pepper, Castor, Laven- 
der, Marjoram, Sage, Betony, Rosemary, wild Time, &c. the second 
are more meet in a thick tenacious and compacted Flegm, for which 
Organy, Savory Winter and Summer, Marjoram, wild Time, Hyssop, 
Stcæhas, Oxymels, especially of Squills, are most beneficial. 
Secondly, The Humour being prepared, evacuate it; Proper Purgers 
of Flegm from the Head, are to be given, mixt with Alteratives, and 
repeated ; Pills for this purpose, are thought most prevalent, of Aga- 
rick, Collocinthis, Laureata, Turbith ; yet say some, Agarick is not to 
be given in substance, for so it causes Vomiting, but in Infusion; yet 
mixt in Pills it doth not: These are given one hour after Supper, that 
their Virtue may be carried to the Head, with the Vapours of the 
Meat. 
Clisters


MORBI CAPITIS. 177
Clisters also are commended for pulling back Vapours and more flux- 
ible Humours that are going from the Head ; in which, for evacuation 
sake, some Irritaters of the expulsive faculty of the Intestines, are con- 
venient. 
Letting Blood is wholly to be omitted, unless we see much Blood to 
abound in the Body. 
Physicians make a distinction in the Cure of Redundancy of pitui- 
tous Humours ; for some, as we said before, institute onely Cutters and 
Makers thin of a viscid tough thick Flegm ; whenas others appoint dry- 
ing, sweating, and Diuretick Medicines, by which we guess they mean 
for a waterish or thin loose pituitous Humour, wherein drying Drinks 
of Guaicum, China, Sarsaparilla, &c. are helpful. 
But in the following intention we may treat generally, composing 
both under one kinde of Method, to be cured ; As, 
Thirdly, Diverting of the Flegm from the Head to the lower Parts : 
Where, 
1. Clisters drawing sensibly from the Head, help. 
2. By the Nose, Derivation is good, 1. By Errhines, as of dry 
Leaves of Tobacco put into the Nostrils, Juyce of Beets, and Juyce of 
Ground-Ivy, which is excellent; as also Juyce of Laureata. 2. By Na- 
salia, in form, sharp at one end, and broad at the other, to put up the 
Nose, made of sharp irritating Simples. 3. Sneezers, yet too great 
concussion hurts. 
3. Evacuation made by the Pallate, which is instituted by Nature 
for that use, where 1. Gargarisms, 2. Masticatories. 
4. By the Ears, into which may be put some harmless opening Oyls, 
being all Emissaries of the Brain, and by which it is eased. 
In the the use of which Gargarisms, which divert fluent Humours 
from the Eyes, they, with all Head-Purgers, are to be used after purg- 
ing. 
Masticatories are ordained, whenas there is no peril of a Catarrh 
falling to the Brest. 
Errhines, and Nasal, and Sneezers best, whenas Nature was wont be- 
fore to send out excrements by the Nose, which now are supprest: Yet 
these are not good in a thin pituit, they are bad in affects of the Eyes 
or Nostrils, being obnoxious to Ulcers. 
Lastly, Topicks : whereby, 1. The matter is insensibly consumed, 
2. Evacuated, as by Cauteries to the Coronal Suture. 
Then we must provide that the Brain be rightly constituted, and ga- 
ther not such Humours again by the taking and applying of fit Corro- 
borative Remedies, as before in the precedent Chapters. 
Z As  

178 MORBI CAPITIS. 
As to the Symptom, Pain, of whose Cure we have and shall treat 
very large in precedent and subsequent Chapters ; we shall omit too 
much troubling the Reader, it being also a General Rule, Take away 
the Cause, and the Effect will cease. 
Of Siriasis. 
Defin. 'Tis an Inflamation of the Brain and Membranes happening 
for the most part to Infants and very young Babes, taking 
its name from  or Sirius, in Latine a Star, otherwise called Cani- 
cula the Dogstar, of some in other Countries Das Blat Schiffen, because 
the Membrane of the Brain slacking, there is made hollowness.
Cause in being. Is an Inflamation of the Brain, and its Membranes; 
the proper substance of the Brain, as in a Phrensie, is inflamed, and 
not the Menings alone, saith Riolanus. 
Causes efficient, or that effected this Inflamation not in being, were, 
1. Material, 2. Exciting. 
The first material Cause might be Milk, that the Infant is nourishied 
withal, that being too hot, and made so from Nurses using a more spiri- 
tuous and hot Drink, as Lucretius saith. That young Children may be 
made mad from sucking meerly Goats Milk. 
The second material Cause may be flegmatick Blood putrified. 
II. The exciting Cause ; It was called Siriasis for some Reason, for 
though the aforesaid Causes be set down by Authors, as general, and 
all that it arises from, yet the distinct propriety of it proceeds from the 
ruling of the Star Sirius, at which time this Disease raigns most, and 
from this (whose force is most perpetrated on them that are conversant 
in the Sun) may the aforesaid Causes be transacted, by the great Influ- 
ence the Stars have upon Humours in Mans Body. 
Diag. 'Tis known, 
1. By great pain of the Head. 
2. By hollowness or lankness of the forepart of the Head and Eyes. 
3. By the ruling of the Sirius or Dog-star, and by the Childs too 
much abiding in the Sun, specially about that time. 
4. As we may by sight discern the hollowness of the forepart of the 
Head, so by touch the bones in the upper part of the forepart of the 
Head, where the Sagittal and Coronal Suture meet, seem membranous,
and ends of them seem hardened. 
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 179 
Progn. It most troubles Infants, seldom those of riper years; 'tis 
very acute, and commonly kills in three days. 
In Cure the Belly must be loosened, the Nurses Milk must be rectified, 
if there be cause ; she must use a cold and moist Dyet, and dwell in a 
cooler Air, or keep her Body in cool temper : too great use of Coolers 
may take too deep effect in such young Infants Brains ; Oyl of Roses 
may be used at first, and then Oyl of Camomile may be added for un-
ction of the parts diseased. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Headach from the Womb. 
Gallen saith, Pains of the Head from consent of the Womb are 
chiefly stated in the hinder part, which also Lud. Mercat. as- 
sents to, by reason of the Veins and Arteries which about the 
Back do come hither; others say these vapours causing pain 
are transferred from the Womb to the hinder part of the Head and 
Crown, by the Nerves and spinal Marrow. 
Cause immediate, is a matter, saith Sennertus, sent from the Womb by 
the Veins and Arteries to the Head, and by vellicating and stretching 
out the parts effects pain , but though it may arise from vitious 
blood, or humours, yet not without a vapour. 
Cause remote is some vice of the Menstrues that went before. 
Sign. 1. It possesses the back part most, or for the most part it doth 
so. 
2. The Womb is otherwise affected , and the Menstrues 'tis like 
have not or do not perform their legal evacuation. 
3. Anxiety, palpitation, and swooning succeed from the Heart; al- 
so drawn into consent with the Womb by the Arteries, by which those 
vapours are also communicated to the Heart. 
4. These pains debilitate, cause Watching, and much afflict the 
Sick. 
Differences of the Humour are known, 
1. By heaviness, and sudden invading and ceasing again of the 
Z2 pain,

180 MORBI CAPITIS. 
pain, which argues the ascension of Vapours. 
2. By the contrary we may guess it an humour, and that 1. Either 
from Blood, where an heavy pain is the greatest : 2. From Choler,  
which is discerned by gnawing and pricking: 3. From Flegm, wherein 
there is a greater propensness to sleep ; 4. From Melancholy, wherein 
they are more sad ; 5. Commixtion of two or more of these Humours, 
or a windy matter together, for these humours are hardly pure, and a- 
lone, but commixt, and for the most part wind is the chief Cause. 
Cure respects the Cause, Parts, and Symptom. 
First, for the Cause. 1. The Womb is to be looked to, that sends 
matter up to the head, its vices are to be corrected : see an Epilepsie 
from consent of the Womb. 2. The Head that receives these Va- 
pours is to be respected, from whence we must repel and drive them 
back. 3. Care also is to be taken if they afflict the heart, then pull 
them back by sharp Clisters, suppress Frictions of the nether parts, 
and give Cordials. , 
Secondly, The Symptom, Pain ; Of this we have treated sufficiently 
in other Chapters, and think a needless repitition superfluous.  
CHAP. X. 
Of Numbness or Stupidity, 
Defin. STupor is a difficulty of sense and moving, being a palsey
in a low degree, or its fore-runner, a kin to an Apoplexy, 
sense and motion in a manner being both hurt. 
Cause is, 
I. Either cold or compression of the Nerves, prohibiting the influx 
of the Spirits. 
2. A contract of Drowsiness. 
3. Too great use of Narcotical and stupefactive Medicines. 
4. Bearing of heavy weights, or lying upon some Member. 
5. Constriction of the Nerves by hard binding. 
6. Phlegmone or a Scirrh. 
7. The Bone either luxated or broke. 
8. From wounds of the Brain. 
Sign. 'Tis known by relation of the Affected.
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 181
Progn. Stupidity upon wounds of the Brain, is deadly ; from a me- 
lancholy humour, that being removed, it ceases of it self.
Cure. We must first know the Cause ; whenas 'tis a Palsey lessened 
the same cure may be ordered for it, as for a Palsey; observing, as that is 
of a low degree, so more gentle Medicines may serve to its cure. 
In internals we must respect the Head, to heat and uphold the Spirits 
and Faculties; for such an Intention may an Electuary be made, or 
Water be distilled from Rosemary, Sage, Betony, Marjoram, Wood- 
Sage, Pellitory of Spain, Couslips, Balm, Piony, wild Time, and La- 
vender English or French, to which may be added some drops of Oyl of 
Fennel Seeds, or rather Oyl of Rosemary, as much as may be conveni- 
ent. 
In Lochals the Chymical Oyl of Marjoram, to anoint the Nape of 
the Neck and spinal Marrow, greatly strengthen the Nerves. 
2. Rondeletius saith, The best Remedy is to wash the stupid Member 
with Mustum, or new Wine, Tempore Vindemiarum. 
3. A Pulteis of the Root of Garden-Bears-breach fresh rosted in 
Embers, beaten, and applied Pultis-wise is commended for Numbness 
in the Hands or Feet. 
Of Headach from Quicksilver. 
'Tis made from Unction of Quicksilver in the French Pox, or at 
other times, whereby Quicksilver insinuates it self, and lies with- 
in the Flesh, and effects very great pain and symptoms, and fixed in 
one place, and very contumacious, sometimes vexes most in the 
night. 
Here Physick avails not; Gold is to be put up into the Nostrils; a Ce- 
phalick Emplaister with Leaves of Gold, is to be applied to the Head, 
being first shaven ; a Gold Ring is to be held in the mouth, Plates of 
Gold are to be applied to the pained part, and always worn ; and if the 
Gold be white, ’tis a sign the Quicksilver is extracted; and if this Gold 
be cast upon Coals, it receives its true colour again. See Riverius, 
Obs. 91. Cent. 2. 
CHAP.

182 
MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. XI.
Of Headach caused of the Stomach. 
Before we treated of Headach that was essential to the Head, cau- 
sed from Distemper, and Humours there placed. 
Now we shall begin with all those Parts that effect pain of the 
Head by Sympathy and Consent, sending thither Vapours, and 
communicating Humours from the communion of those parts with the 
Head. 
Cause. Therefore we will begin with the Stomach, causing Head- 
ach by consent, and which sends corrupt and noxious Vapours, from 
corrupt and putrified Humours remaining there, specially in the mouth 
of it, which disturb and pain the Head. 
Sign. 1. First from the pain, which is not constant; secondly, But 
when ’tis made, it vellicates, and is sharp; thirdly, The more hunger 
the sick suffers, the more pain rages, for then the Humour is not al- 
layed. 
2. From the Stomach, which is first vomitishly disposed, especially 
if its mouth be affected ; secondly, Nauseating, inappetence, or the 
like, are often joyned. 
In Dyet ’tis good to use some astringent things, to hinder the ready 
exhalation of those bad Humours to the Head; 2. To avoid those things 
that send hurtful Vapours to the Head, as Saffron, Pine-Nuts, Quin- 
ces, Milk, &c, which are apt to encrease Headach, if taken inwardly. 
Cure. Here Vomits are chiefly necessary and helpful to bring forth 
the Cause, to wit the Humours feated in the Stomach; some with the 
drinking of warm water, and the Patient to put a Feather, or his Fin- 
ger into his Throat, and provoke Vomit; which may serve in a light 
Affect, but hardly effectual enough at all times.
Preparation of the Humour, which may be suppofed to be viscous, and 
stick fast, is advised by others, and that not without reason : The best 
thing for that purpose is Vinegar of Squills, from to ℥i. to ℥ij. according 
as its operation may be desired, weaker or stronger, given for two or 
three times, then administer a Vomit of Emetick Wine, or Infusion of 
Crocus


MORBI CAPITIS. 183 
Crocus Metallorum; the dose of which to men may be from ℥iß. to ℥iiß. 
Some praise a Radish Vomit with Oximel. 
Vomits are of two sorts; gentle, which onely purge the Stomach, and 
evacuate what they finde there; strong, which draw Humours from 
other parts to the Stomach, and cast them out forcibly , without any 
other help: but Hellebore and strongest vomitory Medicines are not 
without danger; nor are mean Vomits safe in Ptitsicks, or Asthmaticks, 
or in Affects of the Eyes, because they raise fumes to them. 
If Vomits may not be requisite for the Habit and Constitution of the 
Patients Stomach, Pills may carry down the Humour, and be very pre- 
valent, they may be taken to ʒß. or ℈ij. before supper, or at going to 
Bed, in Syrup of Violets, Pap of a roasted Apple, or what else the Par- 
ty best likes; they may be made of greatest efficacy, according to this 
Example:
R: Aloe, ʒij. Senna, ʒj. Mint, Red-Rose-leaves, Cinnamon, and Co- 
riander Seed, ana ℈i. Salt of Wormwood, ℈ss. with Syrup of Violets 
make a mass for Pills ; these are rather convenient than Vomits, for 
thick, flegmatick, sowr, and salt Humours, that more aptly descend to 
the bottom of the Stomach ; but for Choler that is most desposed to float 
in the mouth of the Stomach, vomits are most helpful. 
Topicals are to be made, 
First for the Head ; 1. To strengthen it, that it may not so easily ad- 
mit of Vapours ascending to it: 2. To repel and drive back the Cause 
that is already received ; but some hold these needlesss, and not help- 
ful, but after a Vomit, and the prescribed Stomach-Pills; Medicines 
applied to the Head, may together be beneficial. 
Secondly, For the Stomach: An Oyntment composed of Stomachi- 
cals and Astringents may hinder the disposition of the Vapours arising 
from those Humours upwards ; but this is best after a Vomit, or Pills, 
that have first carried away the Humours; for if they be viscous, by 
Astringents they may be made worse, and more fastened. 
Lastly, Corroberate both Head and Stomach, chiefly by Internals, 
with Medicines appropriated to them and their vices.


184 MORBI CAPITIS 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Headach from Drunkenness. 
Causes are evident enough to be Liquors that fume to the Head, 
and disturb the sensitive Faculties, and cause Headach; such 
be either Wines, specially generous Wines and Sack, Strong- 
Waters, Ale, Strong Drink, or fumes of hot Humours so 
ascending and filling the Brain with Vapours, which if it be hot, is so 
much the more quickly taken, saith Galen; and such as have the Os Tri- 
quetrum, and Sutors closer shut, bear Drink less then others ere they 
be drunk. 
The same Cause works molestation of the Senses divers wayes, ac- 
cording as the occult Natures of men are disposed. For, 
I. In some it effects Raging, Staring, Swearing, Cursing, Fight- 
ing, and the like. 
2. In others the contrary, for some will then be most complemental, 
most flattering, Smile and Laugh, and be wantonly disposed. 
From hence was brought that proverbial Verse, 
Per multum risum potuis cognoscere Stultum. 
By much laughter thou mayest know a Fool. 
3. Some are more melancholy and Stupid, forget almost all things, 
are more busied in pensiveness of Mind, and more sad.
4. Others be more Merry, Sing, Play, Rant it, and are Lascivi- 
ous, Blasphemous, are more vigilant, and remember things better. 
Signs are apparent enough. 1. By dulness of their Eyes. 2. By 
the carriage of their Body. 3. By their Speech; often they Vomit, 
they Stutter, Babble, Stagger, and can hardly stand, and fall, Head 
akes; think all turns round ; Eyes are disposed to moisture ; after the 
Wine or Drink is a little digested, they sleep, after which for the most 
part they are eased. 
Progn. Though Wine be hot, it begets cold Diseases, for through too 
much accustomed drinking Wine or Ale, there follows often weakness of 
the Nervs, Palsies, Trembling, Convulsion, Falling-sickness and 
Catarrhs,


MORBI CAPITIS. 188
Catarrhs: if the Drunken Man be made Dumb, he will die of a Con- 
vulsion, unless a Feaver supervenes, or he recovers his voice at that 
time wherein Surfeits are wont to be dissolved, saith Hippocrates. 
Cure is double, first Preservative ; where, 
1. Divers Medicines are set down by Authors to preserve from be- 
ing Drunk. As 1. Milk drank fasting will that day defend from being 
Drunk. 2. Rhue, whence the Poets said, Ruta tibi convertit pocula 
tuta. 3. Æctius bids every morning to eat six or seven bitter Al- 
monds, and to drink Wormwood-wine fasting. 4. To burn Swallows, 
Feathers and all, in a Crucible, and eat the Ashes of them in a Morn- 
ing. 5. Peach Kernels, whole force some attribute to their Diuretick 
force. Arculanus saith, if a Man eat in the morning fasting, a top of Rhue or 
Wormwood, it will secure him from being Drunk. 
2. As Medicines, so Precepts are set down by Authors to impe- 
dite Drunkenness. 
Platerus saith, Let them drinks very sparingly at first. 
Mnesitheus the Athenian bids three things to be observed; 1. To 
have their Wine mixt. 2. Not to Eat or Junquet overmuch at the second 
Course. 3. Before they sleep, to Vomit ; which Sylvius is against, saying,
That fills the Head more with the Vapours. 
Secondly, If Drunkeness be already made, we must first Evacuate 
the Wine, if yet undigested.
1. By Vomit, by warm Water, or stronger Vomits, Roots of Ara- 
rum, of Primroses, of Betony , white Births or Colworts, with fat 
Broath, or Mallows boild in Barley-Water, all which are very cool 
and gentle Vomits, and may hardly work of themselves without the 
Stomach much nauseates them, or they be provoked. 
2. By Evacuation downwards, by Clisters and Catharicks, which 
are less profitable and available at first, unless the Liquor be somewhat 
digested and carried downwards. 
3. After Vomit, sleep and rest do profit much, fasting, also drink- 
ing of Water, or exicrate, or sharp astringent Juyces mixt therewith. 
Forestus gave small Beer to Drunkards, bidding them to sleep upon 
it, Si nocturna tibi noceat potatio Vini, hoc mane rebibas & erit tibi Medi- 
cina.
For Dyet. Cooling Meats, not fuming, grateful to the Stomach, and 
of good digestion; some attrictive Sawces to keep back fumes are al- 
lowable ; Cooling Herbs in Broath, specially Colworts and Lettice, 
which by a propriety help ; Bread steeped in Water ; abstaining from
Dates,
Aa


Dates, Mesch, Saffron and the like, that fill the Head again with Va- 
pours, and raise pain. 
But food is denyed specially to be given liberally or presently, but 
abstinence and fasting are very wholsom. 
In the mean while we must not neglect the use of Specificals, and such 
as by a propriety drive away Drunkeness ; Observing also that 1. Va- 
pours are to be prohibited from ascending. 2. The Head comforted ; 
Specificals are, Broath, or decoction of Colworts, or of Lettice, Syrup 
of Garden-Currants, Vervain, Centuary, Harts-Horn, Bay-Leaves,
Amethist worn, or a Garland of Colwort-Leaves : Platerus saith, this 
Pouder avials; ꝶ Seeds of Colworts ʒi of Plantane, Purslane, Barberies 
ana ʒß Coriander-Seeds prepared, ʒij. Red-Rose-Leaves, Water-Lil- 
lies, red Saunders, ana. ʒß. Mastick ℈i. Camphir gr. ij. this prohibits 
Vapours, cools the Head and comforts the Stomach. 
Topicals are for both the last named intentions ; For the first there- 
fore to drive back and keep Vapours from the Head, Repellers are used, 
as Oxirhodines. Fox the second many Medicines have been set down 
in precedent Chapters to reduce the Brain to its right temper and 
strength after Diseases. Simeon Partlicius saith , An Amethist Stone 
bound to the Navil, instantly makes a Drunken man Sober. 
Lastly, Discussion of the Reliques, if any thing be left and im- 
pacted in the Head, for which use Oyl of Orris, of Bays, of Dill, 
Rheu, Camomile, &c. together with Frictions, Walkings, Exercises, 
and the rest.
2. The Symptom pain is to be cured, which may be done almost by 
the same way directed for Headach from Choler, by Oxirhodines; but 
the best of helps for Headach from Drunkeness, is the Oyl of Tree- 
Ivy-leaves, to anoint the Temples, Forehead and Nostrils, also to 
snufF some of the Juyce up into the Nose. 
They say Eelop put into Wine or Beer, and suffered to die in it, he 
that drinks that Liquor, will never love it afterwards.

MORBI CAPITIS. 
Of Headach from Feavers. 
Commonly this is a Symptom, and alwayes less or more at one time 
or other, either at beginning, middle, or end of the Feaver; 
'tis an inseparable Symptom, therefore we must consider whether it be 
only a Concomitant Symptom, either from the beginning of both con- 
tinual and intermitting Feavers, or whether it urged not before the 
state of the Feaver, by which we may judge it Critical, and curing of 
it is to be superseded ; And say some Astronomers, If the Moon 
come to the Opposition of the Sign and Degree she was in at the falling 
sick of the affected Person, or if she or her Beams extend so far as that 
place she then was in at the Parties falling sick, (it, as the other, pre- 
tending a Decretory Hæmorrhage, or bleeding at Nostrils, or Vomit- 
ing to follow) no Physick is then to be given ; but if vehement and 
pulsant, (as in acute Feavers, with watching, redness of the Face 
and Eyes, and sometimes with a Delirium, and coming not in the state 
of burning and continual Feavers alone, and in the fits alwayes of in- 
termitting Feavers) 'tis to be respected and mitigated : and though a 
Symptom, yet may be worse than the Disease it depends upon ; 1. As 
to its Molestation. 2. As to the Dangers that it may bring in some, 
especially where not Vapours alone, but also hot and Cholerick Hu- 
mours are carried to the Brain, or Blood, hot and much perfufed with 
Choler. 
Cure. For its cure therefore (neglecting, as needless, the penning of 
Causes, or Diagnostick or Prognostick Signes, looking to the Disease 
it self, viz. a Feaver, of which this is but a Symptom) Phlebotomy of 
breathing the Cephalick-Vein of the Arm; this may respect both Fea- 
ver and Headach, though we intend here not to speak of the Cause, the 
Feaver, but only of curing the Headach arising therein and therefrom: 
If it be not sufficient in the Arm, opening a Vein of the Forehead, or 
Arteriotomy, is greatly praised by some ; and experience hath often 
found not only successful, but safe also : Hereby the Fiery and Feaverish 
Spirits that are in the Blood, and sent to the Head, from consent of 
the whole Body, are let out. 
2. Keep the Body soluble, for costivess in Feavers often causes 
the ascent of Vapours (their free passage downwards being narrowed) 
which molest and pain the Head; we may not use Purgatives of any
great strength, lest they enkindle the Feaver more. 
Aa 2 But

188 MORBI CAPITIS, 
we must use Topicks to appease the pain, which are first to be re- 
pelling, that so they may stop and hinder the flowing of Humours, or 
gathering of hot Cholerick Vapours to the Head ; but as we said be- 
fore, where there be signs of Concoction, and Headach comes nigh up- 
on the Crisis of the Feaver, Natures endeavour to expel that matter by 
a flowing of Blood out at Nostrils, or some other way, may be stopped, 
and so the Disease either increased, or the matter fixed there, may effect 
some pernitous Disease afterward for to repel therefore Oxirhodon 
is chiefly used: A red-Rose-Cake sprinkled with a little, is to be ap- 
plied to the Forehead, after the anointing of this Oyntment there first
ꝶ Buds of the Poplar-Tree, Housleek, Red-Roses, Water-Liilies, ana 
ʒj. Leaves of Primroses, Violet-flowers, Camphir, ana ʒfs. Vinegar 
of Vervain, ℥j. Oyl of Poppies, of the Seeds of Cucumbers by extra- 
ction, ana ℥fs. Capon-Grease, ℥j. white Wax as much as may suffice, 
make an Oyntment, which may serve for all Intentions, both for repel- 
ling, cooling, to cause sleep, and ease the pain : For which,
1. The Root Rhodium being cold in quality, and so called from its 
good smell, a Pulteis of it beaten, boild in Vinegar and Oyl of Roses, 
and laid to the Forehead and Temples, excells. 
2. So doth an Emplaister of Aloes of America, with Juyce of Hous- 
leek, and a small portion of Camphir. 
3. Hartman advises to a stupifying Frontal, which is best in great 
watching, and if a Delirium be present, thus made ; ꝶ of Laudanum 
Opiatum, gr. x. Rose and Nightshade-water, ana ℥iij. Rose-Vinegar, 
℥ifs. mix them exactly, and a linnen cloth dipt therein, apply it to the 
Forehead Blood-warm.
4. Plantane-Root is thought to help by a propriety, either held in the 
Mouth, or hung about the Neck, which way also Vervain may be 
used. 
5. Ivy-Leaves beat in form of a Liniment with Oxirhodon are  
praised. 
6. Also River-Crabs prepared, are applied by some, together with 
the use of some of these, which the discreet Physician best likes ; the 
Sick may smell to Rose-Water, Vinegar and Camphir, hold cooling, 
astringents, but pleasant Waters or Juyces in his mouth; apply a Ra- 
dish-Root slit, first washed in Salt and Vinegar, to his Feet, which is 
commended, together with Irrigation, or washing of the Coronal Su- 
ture with Decoction of some or most of the Specificals we have na- 
med. 
If yet the pain be not eased, make Blisters in the Neck, Forehead, 
or fore-part of the Head, for therefrom may many serous and hot sharp 
Humours of the Blood be evacuated.
After

MORBI CAPITIS. 18
After these, Discussion of the Reliques is done by Oyls of Orris, of 
Dill, Camomile, Mother of Time : Or these boiled in Oyl; ꝶ Mo- 
ther of Time, Camomile, Eldern, ana p.i. Nutmegs, Peucedane-root, 
Zedoary, Tobacco-Leaves, and Marish Mallow-Roots, ana ʒj. boil all 
in Oyl, strain them out, and use it for unction of all the fore-part of the 
Head and Sutures. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Headach from Blood. 
WE treated before of Headach from distemper without the ad- 
mission of any Humours: Now we treat of it diversly, 
from several kindes of Humours, of which it is caused : 
And first of Blood; not humerous, but pure, unmixed, of- 
fending onely in quantity. The Greeks call it Phlethora, the Latines 
Plenitudo in English Plethory, Plenitude or Fulness. 
Cause. First, ’Tis made, 
1. Originally from Plenitude and abounding of Blood in the Body, 
made from things too much nourishing and increasing Blood whether 
Meats or Drinks, being too plentifully taken. 
2. To this adde the omitting of Exercises, Sweatings, and Evacua- 
tion, natural or artificial, as Bleeding, Purging, &c. 
Secondly, ’Tis brougnt into Action being thicker or thinner, more 
or less spirituous, colder or hotter, sharp or milder, or less humerous 
and pure) from too great affects, which bring either heat or pain to the 
Head, so that the Blood filling the large dimensions of the Brain is
over-heat, whence follows heat and distentive pain, yet acquires it 
not such a heat, as that a Delirium should follow. 
Thirdly, Particular Causes that both attract and make this Blood to 
pain, be chiefly, 
1. Drinking of Wine. 
2. Heat of the Sun. 
3. An hot House and Baths. 
4. A Blow or Fall. 
5. Much Crying, vehement Coughing, or the like. 
6. All perturbation of Mind, and immoderate motion, of the 
Body. 

190 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Signs Diagnost.
1. The pain is pulsant, there is distension and gravity, unless it come 
from any external Cause, specially austro flante. 
2. The Temple-Veins beat more strong and lustily than those at the 
Wrists, and the pulsative faculty is very great and vehement.
3. Urine muddy and thick. 
4. Swelling of the Veins, and redness of the Eyes and Face. 
5. The pain infects the fore-part of the Head chiefly from the ninth 
hour of the night to the third hour of the day.
Progn. Hipp. Aph. 10. Sect. 6. saith, Blood issuing out by the Nostrils,
Mouth or Ears, dissolves a vehement or grievous Headach. 'Tis often 
changed into Phrensies, and other grievous Diseases of the Head: Yet 
if in any Disease this comes Symptomatically, and shews a Crisis, ’tis 
better to be silent in Medicines, and wait its state, specially no Feaver 
nor Inflamation cerebrifeavered. 
Dyet. Cool and dry ; all meats nourishing much, as Flesh, rere 
Eggs, are to be shunned.
2. All Meats tempered and made wholsom, or their Inimical quali- 
tie corrected by Sawces of Coolers; cool Herbs, as Cychory, Lettice, 
Violet-Leaves, Endive, Borrage, Purslane, &c. Sallads also of such 
Herbs are very good. 
Barly-Water may serve for his ordinary drinking, or small Cinna- 
mon-Water; Wine is not to be permitted, yet white Wine is least
hurtful to the Head and Sinews. 
Let sleep not exceed, let not Crosses disturb, let Exercise not be im- 
moderate, but moderate doth good, as do Frictions, but not of the 
Head, till he is perfectly whole. 
Cure. 1. We must premise a Clister. 
2. Open the Arm-Vein, the sooner the safer, for there is fear of In- 
flamation, the Cephalick on the same side with the pain, is best ; draw 
out Blood largely : if that may not suffice, opening a Vein of the Fore- 
head hath been wonderful helpful. Lazarus Riverius, Obs. 89. Cent. 
2. in a violent pulsant and diuturnal Headach, many Remedies first 
ufed in vain, letting out ℥iij. of Blood from the Forehead-Vein pre- 
sently mittigated and quelled the pain: An agglutinative Emplaister of 
Mastick, Bole, Dragons Blood, Frankinsence, White of an Egg, and 
Hares Hairs, ate to be applied upon the wound to stop the Blood, and 
agglu-

MORBI CAPITIS. 191
agglutinate the wound. Obs.40. Cent. 3. Riverius tells of another that 
after often letting Blood in the Arm, opening the Ankle-Vein, did it 
instantly. However this is to be tried in Courses stopt in Women. Ar- 
teriotomy, saith Johnston, is not to be tried by reason of a Neurisma. 
3. Evacuation is to be instituted, of cooler and gentler Medicines, 
made of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, &c. with altering Cephalicks, a 
Clister first premised, for the Humour may become adust, and get Acri- 
mony, unless means be used to detract from it, and render it purer:
Rondel. advises gentle laxative Apozems to be given one hour before 
Dinner, that the gravity of Meat may be the better carried downwards, 
and fumes may not ascend upwards, to offend the Head. 
Clisters also had in frequent use, may do good for the same purpose, 
specially if the Patient be disposed to Costiveness, which is not to be 
slighted. 
1. Topicals : Which are to be applied to the sore-part, for Blood pos- 
sesseth the Forehead to the Temples, and the Coronal Suture ; they are 
held hurtful to the Marrow of the Back, if they be applied to the hin- 
der. 
They are to be first repelling,and the stronger the better to strengthen 
the part, and keep back the Flux of Blood ; in liquid forms, to pene- 
trate the easilier,for Emplaisters sticking close heat more : Oxirhodinum
with Oyl of the Sloe-Bush, or the Leaves of the Sloe-Tree, boiled with 
Self-heal, Plantane, Housleek, &c. in Oyl and Vinegar, in winter they 
are to be cold onely potentially, but in summer actually. 
2. Digesters: Yet in great pain that is first to be mittigated, saith 
Rondeletius: 1. By such as dull the Sense, as Narcotical and cold 
things, Oyl of the Seeds of Poppies, which hurts less than the Juyce, 
as not being so cold ; Oyl of the Apples of Mandrakes are good for 
unction, Henbane and Nightshade are thought to induce foolisness ; 
fumes also of Opium or soporiferous Herbs boild in Oyl, to smell to. 
2. Relax the Part distended, where Oyl of sweet Almonds, Violets, 
Sesamum, and Melilot, Marish Mallows, have place. 3. Correct the 
Acrimony of the Blood, if that offend, by demulcent things. 
For digestion and dispersion of the Reliques of the matter, Foments 
are useful here; the best Simples are such as respect the Headach, and 
are Specificals, as Camomile, Eldern, Dill, Melilot, Mint and Mal- 
lows. The Oyntment of Alablaster, of Bened. Vic. Faven, is praised 
by Platerus and divers others, and is made thus: ꝶ Juyce of Camo- 
mile, ℥ij. Juyce of Red-Roses, ℥j. Juyce of fresh Rheu and Betony, 
ana ʒvj. Juyce of the Root of Althea, ℥j. purest Alablaster finely pu- 
lu. ℥j. Ol. Ros. Ompha. ℥xij. macerate them, and with ℥iij. of Wax 
boil them to an Oyntment. 
Also

192 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Also for Discussions sake, some with the applying to the Head of the 
Liver or Lungs of any Animal, ora Cock-Pigeon, which though the 
blood be all repelled and gone, yet it leaves behind it a fumous and va- 
prous matter, that is aptly dispersed and vanquished by such as these
that we have rehearsed : if the pain be more inward, hotter and strong- 
er Digesters are to be used. 
Others instead hereof, viz. of Discutient Medicines, institute emp- 
tying out of the Blood, after repulsion, by Milfoil, or Nose-bleed, so 
called from its property, put into the Nose, and section of the Forehead- 
Vein, if the hinder-part be affected. 
However, it would not be amiss to use Errhines to purge the Head 
by the Nose, as of Juyce of Primrose-Roots, snuft up, which also much 
prevails against the pain, or Juyce of Beets. 
Lastly, the Head is to be corroberated by Internals apd Externals ; 
Cucphas are made more unwholsome in some, where they are over- 
much moistened by sweat. 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Headach from a Melancholy Humour.
Headach from a Melancholy Humour is divided into Essential and 
Sympathetical by content from the Spleen. 
1. Essential in the Head, is often mixt with a flegmatick 
Humour, as in the French Pox, saith Rondeletius, and is discovered 
by a Delirium, adjoyned with Fear and Sadness, Sleeps are trouble- 
some, and molested with Visions, sometimes there is sudden loss of 
motion. 
Cause. All such things as ingender or increase a Melancholy Hu- 
mour. 
Progn. Cure is easier at first. 
1. In Cure, Melancholy is to be prepared with Heaters and Moist-
ners ; ’tis not to be delayed, lest the Brain be over-dried thereby. 
2. Opening of the first wayes premised, we must purge out the pec- 
cant Humour, chiefly with Potions, and at first more gentle ; Apozems 
with Splenical Medicines and Specificals, as black Hellebore, Epithi-
mum 

MORBI CAPITIS. 193 
mum, Lapis Lazuli, Senna, &c. Errhines also serve for evacuation-sake, 
which with Purgers are to be used often , and by courses, for once not 
twice will not suffice to empty out that thick Humour. 
Letting Blood, if the Blood be blackish and thick, is very conveni- 
ent, but if not, may be less emptied out: Other things prescribed for 
Madness and Melancholy may be used here. 
3. Corroborate and strengthen the Brain and Spirits, more hurt by 
the impression of dryness than the coldness of Melancholy, therefore 
in Topicals, Bags and Suffumes are less beneficial than Lotions or Un- 
ctions. 
4. A good Dyet is to be observed; Vinegar (fermenting Melancho- 
ly) is to be shunned. 
II. By Consent: Yet Melancholy being thick and viscid, affects not 
by consent, but by sending Vapours to the Brain, raises pain ; This 
comes chiefly from the Spleen, where that is to be respected, or from 
Hæmorrhoids or Courses stopt ; where opening of them, then revul- 
sion and opening the Ankle-Vein, are helpful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Headach from Windiness. 
Pain of the Head from windiness is a distentive painful sense of 
feeling in the Head, from wind made from its generative Cau- 
ses, and either gathered there from weakness, or transmitted 
from inferiour parts from their repletion. 
Causes are, 
I. More general, as from a constitution apt to engender wind. 
2. Abundant eating of windy or wind-breeding things. 
3. Obstruction, whence fuliginous Vapours from Excrements re- 
tained cannot pass out. 
4. Weakness of the Head, and parts of it, whence Crudities are  
accumulated, and cannot be digested from impaired heat. 
5. Odours, smelling to stinking things, Metals, fume of Coals, 
&c. do raise heavy sense of feeling to the Head. 
Sign. In crudity and quantity of flatuosity, there is distention with- 
out pulse and gravity, noise in the Ears, and tinkling pain in the Tem-
Bb ples;


194 MORBI CAPITIS. 
ples ; sometime a Vertigo ; it quickly rises and remits : Where the 
Humours are more sharp, and the temper of the Brain more hot and 
cholerick, pain is felt more sharp and pricking. 
Progn. Aph. 51. S. 6. They that are suddenly taken, and present- 
ly are made dumb, and snort, unless a Feaver supervene, die ere these- 
venth day pass but a Feaver coming, resolves the pictuitous and windy 
Humours that produce these effects. 
Dyet. Such things as ingender not windiness, are onely to be 
used. 
Cure. After generals, as Purging, a Carminative Clister premised, 
which may draw down the Vapours from the Head, we come to To- 
picks; in the use of which, the first intention is to repel; adding af- 
ter a while concoctive and discutient Medicines: Oyl of Roses is here 
most necessary for all purposes , which may be mixed afterward with 
stronger Concocters, Discusters, and Anodines ; as Oyls of Dill, of 
sweet Almonds, Camomile, Rhue, Melilot, &c. which are very profi- 
table ; yet we must not use too strong Discussers before time is given 
for concoction of it. 
Riverius wishes to sprinkle on the Head the sequent Powder, (the 
Head first rubbed with Bags : ) ꝶ: Nutmegs, Cloves, Pellitory of Spain, 
Pepper, ana ℥ß. Leaves of Sage, Bay-Berries, ana ʒij. Mustard-Seed, 
Cresses, ana ʒvj. sprinkle it on, and rub it in ; and the next morning 
comb it our, and sprinkle on more; the Vertues of Powders sprinkled, 
is better communicated to the Brain, than Caps. 
In Oyls for Unction may be mixed hot Carminatives in a colder Con- 
stitution ; among which Mother of Time, Nutmegs, and Tobacco- 
Leaves, are most profitable. 
In a more hot temper of the Head, and youth fuller Habit, Epithemes 
may be commodious for the Forehead and Temples to be washed there- 
with or the whole Head being first shaven : Among such, this of Ri- 
verius seems most applaudable : ꝶ: pulu Zedoar. ʒj. Waters of Betony, 
Vervain, and Eldern, of each ℥j. apply it moderately hot with Scarlet 
Clothes. 
Sneezings are allowed of, of white Hellebore, care of catching cold 
after it being observed. 
So are Odours, as smelling to Castorium, Ambergreese, and their like, 
that are friendly and comfortable to the Brain. 
Lastly, The Head is to be strengthened, Carminative Cephalicks 
taken

MORBI CAPITIS. 195
taken inwardly, that help weakness and coldness of the Head, and hin- 
der the regeneration of wind in it, for which also a Cucupha is to be 
worn for a good while after. 
Differ. First, from internal Causes. 
1. One Essential (of which we treat generally) where pain is more 
constant, there be signs of the Head affected, and other parts well con- 
stituted. 
2. By Consent of the lower parts, (viz. of the Stomach, Liver, or 
Spleen) and its signs are, Distension of the Neck-Veins, Urine is full 
of bubbles, wind ascends by the fore-parts with stretching out of the 
Thorax, and deep beating of the Arteries or hinder-parts, with tensi- 
on of the Veins and Arteries there ; Revulsion is here most necessary, 
specially by Clisters and Repellers, for Topicals meet rather then in the 
Head affected. 
Secondly, External Causes, as unwholsom Metals smelt to, and va- 
pours rising from unwholsom places, sume of Coals, and the like ; where 
amending of the stinking Air, or flying their unwholsome vapours, use 
of Zedoary, Antidotaries, Sternutatories, are chiefly to be expected
helpful.
To these some adde a sharp pain about the Eye-brows, called Cla- 
vus, from a sharp windy matter included between the Crane and the 
Pericrane. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head. 
Vertigo is a Symptom of depraved Sense and Imagination, where- 
in they think all things turn round, and are hurried about in a 
preposterous manner, made from agitation and swift circum- 
volution of animal Spirits, or airy matter, contained in the 
anterior Ventricles of the Brain. 
Subject is the Brain, or fore-part thereof, in whose Ventricles the 
animal Spirits are immoderately agitated, or die vaporous Humours 
are moved; and it is no Wonder; if these Organick parts be affected 
that are made to rule, if the imagination and sight be not according to 
Nature; and if the Fountain of Sense be amiss, the Streams must
needs be molested thereby, having influence and force only herefrom.
Bb 2 Cause

196 MORBI CAPITIS, 
Cause is circular motion of the animal Spirits, made from aireal Hu- 
mours, or an exhaling matter, exciting great agitation and molestuous 
disturbance of the imaginary faculties. 
Causes of these vapours are twofold : 1. Primary, whereof they 
are made : 2. Secondary, whereby they are put upon action.
First, Primary : Herein some suppose the original to be from Flegm, 
and raw Humours ; others from whatever supplies bad vapours from a 
peculiar bad quality it yeildeth to the Head, as Radishes, Mustard, Gar- 
lick, Wine, &c. Vapours are made also from Emptiness as well as 
Crudity or Fulness, also from imperfect Crisis after long Diseases, from 
suppresion of accustomed evacuation, from an hot distemper of the 
Brain, dissolving Humours into a flatuous and airy matter, or a cold 
distemper therof, whereby Crudities are not digested, and through weak- 
ness of the force of concoctive heat, many gross crude winds are heap- 
ed up; from plenty also of hot Blood do vapours plentifully arise. 
Platerus saith a waterish pituitous and fluctuating Humour is cause 
thereof. 
Secondly, Secundary : wherein are observed.
1. Great heat, (or mean sometimes) as of the Sun, or of fire, where- 
by the Humours are dissolved into Vapours, and the Vapours agita- 
ted. 
2. The looking stedfastly upon Whirl-pools, or Wheels, or what- 
ever turns round, or the looking down steep Hills, or from height, cau- 
ses a turbulent harmony of the Spirits, and deceives imagination. 
3. Violent motions, great pain, perturbations of both Body, and 
Mind, wrath, &c. excite and much exasperate. 
4. From violent purging, the South-winds blowing, a moist and hot 
temper of the air, and from rowsing up winds from parts below to fill 
the head, a Vertigo is often excited. 
The Causes take effect from the Brain, which is either obstructed, 
wherein the animal Spirits are stirred up to an inordinate motion, but 
cannot go the right way, which obstruction may arise several ways, ei- 
ther through plenitude of gross humours within obstructing, or with- 
out compressing the Arteries or Fractures. 
Or too readily applies that airy circumrotative vapour, and sucks it 
into the Veins and Arteries, whereby the animal Spirits are hurried 
out of their due station, and beyond their natural and ordinary 
course. 
Or is distempered, whereby it makes many vapours, and either 
through the force of heat expelling them hither and thither, or weak-
ness

MORBI CAPITIS. 197
ness of the parts, in not digesting and repelling them, the quiet harmo- 
ny of the Spirits is disturbed. 
Signs Diagnostick, that are in all causes evident, are the false imagi- 
nation of the Diseased, that all things turn round, and are carried round 
and whirl about in a circular preposterous manner: also depraved see 
ing, whereas the eyes being fixed on such things, discern not their rest 
and abode, but are affected with a mistiness; sometimes they fall 
and are affected much after the sort as Children that turn often round, 
for then they are dizzey, think ail turns round, even House and all, 
and are scarce able to stand; There is sometimes Headach, and tink- 
ling of the Ears. 
Other Signs are taken from the Differences. 
And Differences are taken from the Causes, which are either internal 
or external. 
Internal are either Humours, or Vapours; Humours are either San- 
guine, wherein things are discerned to be red; there is redness of the 
face, and beating of the Arteries: or Cholerick, wherein the Sick deems 
things to be yellow, that are not; and so of the rest. 
Vapours arise from Humours essentially in the Head, or by consent 
from other parts: other parts that send up Vapours to the Head, and 
cause a guiddiness, are either the Stomach, which chiefly offends, and 
that either when it is empty, and so plenty of virulent windiness a- 
bounds therein, and is sent up to the Head; or when it is too full, 
which is chiefly from things bad in quality, as Drunkenness, or un- 
wholsome vaporous Meats and Drinks, then there is a gnawing in the 
Stomach, like to that the Vulgar call the Heart-burn also there is a 
disposition to vomit before the fit, the evil afflicts now and then, accor- 
ding to the putrefaction or stirring of a Cholerick or Pituitous matter 
in the Stomach; or from the Womb, in suppression of the Courses; or 
from the Liver and Spleen, or Intestines, in suppression of the Hæ- 
morrhoids and Fæces, together with which signs of those particular parts 
affected, may be demonstration of the Cause to arise from thence 
External Causes are either Objects set before the eyes, which are ei- 
ther low, and steep-down low places, and the cause is natural, for fear 
dissipates the Spirits, and frighting recals them to the center, whence 
they are hurried in a contrary motion. 
Or things that turn round, and whisk about, as Whirl-pools, Wind- 
Mills, Wheels, and the like, whence the beholding of such, causes a 
circumvolution also of the visive Spirits, which communicate such a
false 

198 MORBI CAPITIS.
false sense to the apprehension, so that they imagine all things turn 
round. 
Or strong heat, as of the Sun and fire, which is known by the Sick re- 
lating his too long stay in the hot Sun, or nigh the hot fire, either bare- 
headed or covered. 
A Vertigo is also divided doubly by Galen and Hippocrates: one is a 
plain Vertigo, of which we have spoken: another is called by the Greeks 
Scotoma, and Scotodinos, in Latine Tenebricosa Vertigo, or a dark Verti- 
go, wherein sight is wanting, and a very mistiness or blindness possesses 
the Sick, together with his imagination of turning round, caused from 
atrabilis, and grosser thicker vapours: But Fuchsius, and others, would 
not have a difference to be made, conceiving it to be only a greater 
degree of a Vertigo, and not of a different nature. 
Prognosticks. It often degenerates into an Apoplexy, and Falling- 
sickness, and is often a fore-runner thereof, but the dark Vertigo is 
nighest to the Falling-sickness, but there is most fear if it last long, for 
If neither Apoplexy nor Epilepsie be made, the sick at last often are 
used to swoond and faint with it; the Scotoma is worst in Winter; to 
Cholerick persons there is most danger in Summer, and to Melancho- 
lick in Autumn, because then it is most vehement to such; it is bad to 
old men because their Brain is weak; that that is primary is more dan- 
gerous than that made from consent of parts; if Objects appeared to 
them, there is most fear of a frenzy; it is timely to be helped lest a worse 
Disease succeed it. 
Dyet, in what cause soever, is to be modelized of Meats easie to di- 
gest, and of pure Nutriment; ail windy things shunned, Crudity and 
Drunkenness, too great satiety, or fasting, use of Onions, Leeks, Mu- 
stard-seed, old Wine, Milk, Garlick, Radish, and things of like na- 
ture are not to be permitted: wholsomer food is River-Crabs, Partridg- 
es, Pheasants, scaley Fishes, Veal, Pullets, and Chickens, Meats that 
are pleasant to the Pallate, not vaporous, sauced with some Astrin- 
gents that prohibit the ascent of hurtful vapours from the Stomach, are 
to be allowed him; white Wine is allowed for drink sometimes, but 
where the affect is grown inveterate, Physicians commend Guaicum- 
Drink to be drunk for their ordinary Beer. 
Air Austral, or hot and moist, is to be avoided, so is also cloudy wea- 
ther, and Sunshine too sometimes hurtful;  they are not to be permitted 
to see things that turn quick about, or to look from steep high places; 
keep

MORBI CAPITIS. 199
keep their minds quiet, stir not up and exasperate Humours by the Pas- 
sions enraged; also too great heat and stirring of the Head brings da- 
mage to the Sick. 
Let sleep be moderate, and let him be two hours always, or above, ere 
he lies down to sleep; sleep doth some much good, because it discus- 
seth vapours.  
Cure is first directed to the Cause, secondly to the Part.  
I. The Causes are various, and therefore the method of curing cannot 
be one and the same: For, 
1. If Phlethory offend, and Blood abound too copiously in the Head, 
it is necessary, 1. To respect the whole, as by opening of the Hepatick 
Vein of the Arm: 2. The Head, by opening the Arteries behinde the 
Ears by a skilful Artist; but Blood is gradually to be drawn away, for 
some fall upon every light occasion: Cupping-glasses, with Scarificati- 
on, may also be applied to the hinder part of the Head. 
2. If Flegm and gross crude Humours be impacted in the 
Head, after preparation thereof, they are to be purged forth; Revul- 
sion is to be followed, as by rubbing and bindings, Gargarisms, Sternu- 
tatories, and Errhines, the two last whereof are condemned by Septali- 
us, because Vapours being inordinately moved in the Brain, the Symp- 
tom is exacerbated, and an Epilepsie sooner made, when as little of the 
Morbifick matter is extracted thereby: Cauteries are to be applied be- 
hinde the Ears, chiefly to the Sinciput, saith Zach. Lusitanus; natu- 
ral Baths, specially those flowing from Allom, are good; also Embro- 
cations, and Topicks, to digest. 
3. If Indications of a Cholerick or Atrabilatious Humour abound- 
ing in the Head, be present, they are cured as Headach, and distemper 
of the Head from those Humours. 
4. If windy Exhalations and bad Vapours, either in the Head, or 
other inferiour parts, be cause hereof, Repel by Oxirhodinum, give in- 
wardly things that stop and settle vapours; revulse, where Clisters and 
Suppositories are good; Frictions also and Ligatures for aversion; 
Odours are to be held to the Nostrils, that amend and correct the qua- 
lity of those fumes, and by a propriety help a Vertigo. 
II. Respect the Part: Where if the Cause lie primarily in the 
Brain, the Brain is to be purged, as afore; then stengthened by Inter- 
nals and Externals. 
If from consent of the inferiour Bowels, Cure is to be directed to
them; 

200 MORBI CAPITIS. 
them; where if the Stomach suppeditate vapours to the Head, a Vomit 
for bringing forth of putrified Humours is sometimes very effectual; 
then give Alortick Pills, both to cleanse and strengthen the faculty of 
good digestion: Astringent Powders are always to be given after meat, 
to prohibit and rectifie vapours. 
2. If from a putrifaction of Cholerick Humors in the Mesentery-
Veins vapours are transmitted to the Head, prepare with Wormwood- 
Wine, and the five Opening-Roots, then purge forth that Humour, and 
keep back Vapours arising from thence. 
3. If from other Bowels, as Liver, Spleen, Intestines, and Hypo- 
chonders; we must diligently look into, and correct the vice of those 
parts, evacuate the Humours there seated, and intercept their vapours, 
whole Remedies, as things also for all other intentions, are to be found 
out in the list of Medicines that are held to help a Vertigo from a pro- 
priety and specifical quality in them; and they may be variously used 
and applied, according to the Causes, and preceding Institution. 
Those things therefore that help a Vertigo by a propriety, or an 
hidden Sympathetical or Antipathetical Quality in them, are Southern- 
wood, whole Decoction in Wine taken often (as all others are to be) 
is said to be a most effectual Remedy; not less praise hath the Heat 
Bittersweet, born about the Neck in manner of a Garland; or Vinegrb 
of Squills taken every morning fasting, Syrup of the sharp Juyce of 
Citrons, Bears-Ear, Extract of Scorzonera-Roots, Dung of a male Pea- 
cock dried, for a Man, and of a female for a Woman; and flowers of 
the Tile-Tree are choice Specificals. 
Compositions of greatest effect, and of the choicest Simples are 
thus made: 
ꝶ of Romane Doronicum, or Wolfs-bane, Scorzonera Roots, the fæ- 
ces of Juyce of Briony, of each ʒj. Flowers of Couslips, of the Tile- 
Tree, of Lavender, Sage, and Holy Thistle, of each ℈ij. make thereof 
a Powder, and give from ʒß. to ʒjß. in some convenient Wa- 
ter. 
ꝶ of Dung of a Peacock, Southernwood, of each ʒiß. Emeralds, 
Flowers of Sage, Betony, Lillies of the Valley, Featherfew, of each 
ʒß. Castorium, ʒj. Pellitory of Spain, Penny-royal, China-Roots, white 
Beets, of each ℈j. with the treble weight of Sugar dissolved in some 
Cephalical Water, make an Electuary. 
ꝶ of Squills dried, Southernwood, Holy Thistle, of each mj. Cat- 
mint, Featherfew, Cowslips, Alheal, of each mß Bay-Berries, Laven- 
der, Bears-Ear, of each ʒiij. Castorium, Amber, Cinnamon, of each  
ʒij. prepared and mixt with white Wine, let them be distilled, and of 
that


MORBIT CAPITIS. 201
that Water ℥ß or ℥j. may be taken every morning and night fasting, be- 
fore or after food, two hours or more. 
A specifical Purgative may be thus made in form of Pills: 
ꝶ of Collocinthis, ʒj. Agarick, ʒiß. Root of Briony, ʒij. Carraway- 
seeds, and Cinnamon, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of the Juyce of Briony, 
make Pills; two Scruples, or more, whereof, may be taken at once, and 
is most proper in a flegmatick Cause, and by an hidden quality insinu- 
ate themselves, and draw forth the matter of a Vertigo. 
Marcellus commends the Juyce of black Beets, anointed on the Tem- 
ples. 
Quercetanus praises a Powder of native Cinabrium; as, ꝶ of true 
Mineral Vermilion, ℥ß. Pearls, and red Corral, of each ℈ij. Saffron, 
℈j. Leaves of Gold, in number ten ; it is given to a ℈ weight in Val- 
ley-Lilly-Water. The same Author also greatly praised the Dung of a 
Peacock dried, and given in Powder. 
Partlicius and Platerus commend Crystal, hung about the Neck. 
Others commend anointing of the Forehead with the fat of Land- 
Snakes, strewing of the Powder of Silk-Worms on the Crown, a Garland 
of Penny-royal, and an Emerald Ring, to help by propriety, and their 
whole substance. 
All these are to be used as the Cause doth most require, and accor- 
ding to the fore-going Precepts. 
In the Fit peculiarly, these things are to be observed: 
1. To take meat before it, for so it is made more mild, as saith Pla- 
terus. 
2. To bring them to quiet, lay them on their Backs, their Nostrils 
higher than their Head; use Oxirhodinum to repel vapours; put a Tent 
dipt in Cinnamon-Water, up their Nostrils, which sometimes suddenly 
helps; rub their Nostrils with Oyl of Amber. 
3. To bring them again, as is needful in some, hold Peucedane-root 
dipt in Vinegar, to their Nostrils, and Galbanum; rub their Forehead 
and Temples with Oyl of Penny-royal, or Rosemary and wild Marjo- 
ram boild in Vinegar. 
Lastly, To preserve from an Apoplexy, the Seeds of Caraways steep- 
ed in Wine, are commended.
Cc Chap. 

202 MORBI CAPITIS. CHAP. XVII.
Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
LOVE is a depravation of the Phantasie, erring from Judgment, 
and arising from an inward Cause affecting the Heart with Pas- 
sion, upon the apprehension and pondering upon the outward 
Subject.  
Cause is obscure, nor can the Reason hereof sufficiently be rendered; 
onely such as are so deeply in love, are such as for the most part are very 
subject to be altered, and have their Passions moved upon every light 
Cause, as will quickly fligger with Joy, or despair with Sadness; some 
attribute it more specially to redundancy of the Seed, and Idleness; 
Whence Ovice writ, 
Otia si tollus periere Cupidinis Artes. 
If Sloth you take away, the god of Love’l decay. 
Some call it the Noblemans Madness, but Poor are strook with
Cu- 
pid's Dart as well as Rich.
Signs are not always the same of all; the Pulse in most is very wa- 
vering, either very high, or very low, very unconstant; whence Era- 
sistratus found out Love-Sickness: when they are dejected and in de- 
spair, their Pulse is very small and low; but if their Love be but talked 
of, or come in sight, or they hear any joyful news thereof, presently their 
Pulse is augmented. 
2. When they are in despair, or cannot have Him or Heir that is de- 
sired, they mourn, lament, sigh, are very thoughtful, forget to eat their 
Food at due seasons, cannot sleep, not are at all delighted in the ma- 
nagement of their Businesses; but when they are elevated by his pre- 
sence, or good news from him, or talking of him, they break forth into 
exceeding Joy; sing, play on Musick, talk many lascivious and fond 
Sentences; yea, and sometimes are very forward, and offer themselves 
to perpetrate unlawful Copulation. 
3. After some continuance of time, with anxieties, solicitudes, and 
deplored thoughtfulness of mind, they grow very pale, which is in ge- 
neral to all. 
And lastly, Some through despair either turn mad, and are distracted,
or 


MORBI CAPITIS. 203
or else lay violent hands, or make away themselves, or bring themselves 
into other grievous Diseases, that kill them in the end. 
Cure. They will not use any Remedy, nor hear any Advice, nor 
receive any comfort, nor hardly have their thoughts diverted, and set 
on any other Object, or Subject, If they be lascivious, and abound 
with Blood, it is good to let them Blood, let them use a thin and spa- 
ring Dyet; and such things as cool, enervate, and consume the Seed; 
let them have some employment set them that may busie their Mind, 
and indulge venerious thoughts the less: If they incline to a melan- 
choly temper, things, and the Method ordained for Melancholicks are 
proper, onely avoiding such things as increase Seed, and provoke to 
Venery, 
If they be distracted and desire, they must be cured as Mad People. 
Sometimes Medicines are given to cause Love, which the Latines 
call Philtra, which bring the Party taking them into a raving and rest- 
less condition after the Party desired; or else are such as vehemently 
stir up lust; as many Whoremongers use to give Cantharides for 
that purpose, which do not cause mutual Love, but by their Acrimony 
mightily tickle and irritate to Venery.  
Against such kind of Love-Potions that so enrage the Affections in- 
to a fury, Hartman advises to (as a Specifical) the Pouder of a Secun- 
dine, being first dried in an Oven, and then given with Treacle, or 
some Antidotary water for certain times. 
Ernestus commends Aurum Vitæ for the Plague, and for Love-Poti- 
ons taken by Women; from which, faith he, they are wont to pine a- 
way, not have they any desire to Venus. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of Cephalæa, or an old Headach. 
CEphalæa is an inveterate and old Headach, that hath remained 
for a long time, not risen of a sudden from light Causes, but 
of long continuance from Humours seated in the Head, and 
and afflicts with exacerbations. 
The Cause is the same as Cephalalgia, or a sudden or periodick Head- 
ach is caused of, as to Humours; but all flight Causes of the Cepha- 
lalqia cause not a Cephalæa. 
Cc 2  Signs

204 MORBI CAPITIS,
Signs are only necessary for distinction of the Humour predominant, 
and are easily found out by a diligent perusal of the aforegoing Chap- 
ters of Headach.  
Prognosticks. This is worse than Cephalalgia, because of the durance 
of it, and the contumacy of the Cause, and is more easily or hardly 
cured, according to the Cause, which is easily found out by the afore- 
going Chapters. 
Cure also varies as the Cause, and every particular Cause is taken 
away as in the foregoing Chapters is directed. 
Onely in a Cephalæa there is need of more forcible Medicines, and a 
longer continuation of them. 
As longer purging by Apozems and Pills, letting Blood in the Arm, 
and after that in the Forehead; if need be, oftner. 
Gargarisms, Errhines, Sneezers, Blisters, and Rubificatives to the 
hinder part of the Head, and behind the Ears. 
Ludovicus Septalius saith, In Diuturn pains, where the matter hath been 
thick, experience hath shewn that the Head being shaved , and a Vesica- 
tory applied thereon, hath cured, whenas other Remedies failed. So the An- 
tients, both Greeks and Arabians, did much use Rubificatives and Syna- 
pisms in contumacious Headaches, that did attract and draw forth the 
matter through the pores of the skin; and attenuating a thick matter, 
did avoid it by insensible transpiration. 
In an hot Cause, Medicines cooling, and in a cold Cause, heating; 
as is shewn in the foregoing Chapters of particular Causes, are to be 
administred. 
Lest the Head should be over-weakened, the use of Cephalick Ele- 
ctuaries, and Caps, prescibed in the other foregoing Chapters, are 
constantly to be used. 
So are all Topicals as are prescribed in the precedent Chapters to be 
used; and effectual in a Cephalæa, the Cause considered.
MORBI 

205
Morbi Oculorum. 
ALL these Diseases of the Eyes were 
writ about 1658. and were collected 
from Authors, the best things I could 
find; and where I found any Author 
wanting, I made a supply from ano- 
ther; They contain the chief Method 
and Medicines, Signs Diagnostick, 
Prognostick, and Causes, writ by the 
Antient and Modern Practical Physi- 
tians: Yet since I wrote them, I see by my own Experience, 
and the pure and uninterested Experience of others they are 
defective, and the Readers of them cannot know the Truth 
fully and clearly of the Method of Nature thereby yet in 
these Diseases I happened to write upon, Authors writ the 
most experimentally, because they had not so many Ambigui- 
ties and Intricacies, and the Causes were more palpaple: I did 
also draw out all the best Medicines and Specificals, which be- 
cause they were commonly founded on good and reiterated 
Experience, they will hold throughout, all Ages; and what- 
ever is not surely founded on Experience will be contradict- 
able: Yet in Experience many have been deceived, wri- 
ting of one how all others must be, when we scarce find
two

206 MORBI OCULORUM. 
two alike in any one Disease in all things: And so the Antients 
writ Chapters by one or two; or three sick Persons they saw, 
and perhaps they were different cases from the most common: 
It is certain, under twenty or thirty Patients, seeing the varie- 
ties in them all, we cannot punctually conclude of any thing, 
in any one Disease. Yet do all these things happen in some, 
and much as they are found writ. We did most lean to the 
Moderns, and the belt of them, as Sennertus, Riverius, Pla- 
terus, Johnstonus, &c. And with what I have delivered in o- 
ther places, I think these indigested Papers may so well, and 
the Readers be much bettered thereby: And these were 
more cleerly writ from Experience than others we have omit- 
ted. Most of these Distempers of the Eyes have been exami- 
ned by Oculists that have practised peculiarly that way, and 
yet I perceive in their Writings, though they had Experience 
enough of their own to write by, they wrote after the Anti- 
ents in most things; finding that the easier way, and the Me- 
thod ready drawn to their Hand, and in Credit and Popular 
Applause.
CHAP. 


MORBI OCULORUM. 207 
CHAP. I. 
Of Dimness of Sight, or Blindness. 
DImness of Sight, or Blindness, is a defect of Seeing, either 
perfectly, or unrightly, made from want of visive Spirits, 
Obstructions of the Optick Nerves, or other Causes hurting 
the visive faculty, no vice or spot being to be seen in the Eye. 
CAUSE 
Is either from the fewness of Spirits, as happens after long Diseases, 
or from the Brain not supplying Animal Spirits, or from fault of the 
Animal Spirits, which are thickned, cooled, and weakned, as in old 
men, whenas they ought to be lucid, thin, and many; and then it is 
called  Amblyopia.
2. From the Optick Nerves; which are, 1. Obstructed either by 
Melancholy, or Flegmatick Humours falling from the Head, as in a 
Palsey, so that the Optick Spirits cannot pass to the Eyes. 2. From 
Constriction as well as Obstruction of those Nerves, is Amblyopia made, 
they are narrowed and compressed divers ways; for in Phrensies, In- 
flamation, and other Diseases of Plenitude of Blood, from Bruises al- 
so, whence Pus is gathered, and Tumours compressing the Nerves, so 
that the Spirits cannot pass, as hath been found in those that have been 
opened, 3. Wounds and solution of the continuity of those Nerves 
from the same reason cause Blindness, and then it is called Am aura- 
sis. 
Some adde a third kind, viz. Myopia, which is whenas they see one- 
ly what is nigh them, made from weakness of the visive Spirits, and 
thickning of the Coats from Humours. 
Antecedent and generative Causes were, 
1. Crudities and Drunkenness. 
2. Reading, and that after meat, and of small Letters, or by Can- 
dle-light. 
3. An evil-kind of Dyet, meats of bad digestion, and exhala- 
tive.
4. Strong 


208
MORBI OCULOM, 
4. Strong Vomits or Purges, that violently stir up Humours, that 
are carried to the Optick Nerves. 
5. The Sun-Beams, and too great-light. 
6. The immoderate use of Venery passions of the mind, and for- 
row, 
7. Shedding of many tears, and immoderate weeping. 
8. All intent looking of the Eyes, and the beholding of things small 
very wishly, or things that whisk and turn about; fire, smoak, dust, a thick 
Air and Baths are also hurtful: Collyries of Opium, Poppies, and the 
like, thicken the Pupil, and dull and thicken the visive Spirits also.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
There is no vice appearing in the Eye, so that sight by degrees grows 
dimmer and weaker, and no film, cloud or spot is seen in the Pupil un- 
less that the Pupil be larger, and more big then naturally accustomed, 
and sometimes black. 
There is sometime like a Gnat before the Eye, a little obliquely, 
which shadow is seen most in an open and clear Air; it groweth bigger 
in time, and there is another made to it, so that whithersoever the Pa- 
tient looks, if it be abroad in a light time, these two shadows are always 
like two Gnats, a little obliquely before their Eyes. 
Moreover, we must guess at the Cause and Disease by the foregoing, 
of things hurtful by Pain, Heaviness, Fulness, and Heat in the Head, 
that preceded, whereby were the noxious Humours translated to the 
Optick Nerves: if none of these preceded, and we cannot gather that 
they are either obstructed or constrict, we may suppose the fault to be in 
the Optick Spirits, and the more if from old Age. 
Amaurosis is soon made sometimes, but Amblyopia by degrees 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Amblyopia therefore is better than Amaurosis, because in that so con- 
tumacious a stoppage of the Nerves is not suddenly made, whence 'tis 
also easier cured. 
Amaurosis is bad, because the Nerves obstructed are hard to be reco- 
vered, as in Palseys; yet if imperfect feeing be onely made, there is 
hope, though it yields not after the use of much Physick; if it be made 
from constriction of those Nerves, it ceases upon the taking away or 
ceasing of the Cause that crushed the Nerves together: if it come 
suddenly from violent vomiting, by taking another Vomit the Hu- 
mours have been taken from thence, that were moved thither by the 
same Cause before; the like also, if it come from disturbance of Hu-
Mours, 


MORBI OCULORUM.
mours from violent Purgers, 'tis taken away by Purging again. 
Women with Child at time of Delivery, or before, are delivered 
from their Blindness; but old men hardly recover sight again, because 
the defect in them made through Age, cannot be repaired. If sight in 
sick men fails suddenly, it argues death. 
If Humours be more loosly seated about the Nerves, though they 
have been very dim for a long time, yet there is great hopes of Cure; 
especially if the Sick shutting the sound Eye, the Pupil or Apple of the- 
other be dilated. 
CURE 
Consists, 1. In good regiment and order of Dyer, where all things 
that hurt are to be avoided and shunned, as Air that is misty, thick, and 
rainy, caliginous and Austral; Flesh, and meats of bad juyce, and hard 
concoction; fly the use of Leeks, Onions, Garlick, Radish, Colworts, 
and strong Spices, as Mustard, Ginger, especially too immoderately 
used; Toadstools, Milk, Fishes and Fruits. 
Meats must be moderated and medicated; use not unwholsome or 
too much food at Supper, sleep not presently thereupon, let not also 
that exceed; lie on the Back, shun too great light and sunshine, exer- 
cise moderately; yet fly all things that bring Humours to the Eyes, as 
smoak, dust, wind, too intense reading, and looking on things, watch- 
ing, tears, sadness, &c. Gourdon his Verses are, 
Hac Oculos multum Sol. pulvis fumus & astus 
Ventus Cum steiu Vina, Venusque nocent. 
2. In Medicines, where, 1. We must respect the part, whether the 
Cause be Essential, or affecting by Consent; if Essential, look to the 
Head; Capital Pills are made of Senna, and Aloes, of each ʒj. Dia
gridium, ℈j. Seeds of Rheu, of Fennel, of each ℈j. Nutmegs and 
Cloves, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of Eyebright make Pills; take every 
other day a convenient dose; or Apozems be used in their stead, 
and be continued long, wherein may be put Specificals for the Eyes. In 
Amaurosis also we must use Apophlegmatisms, Errhines, Gargarisms, 
and the like Head-Purgers, Cupping-Glasses to the Shoulders, Setons 
to the Neck; Sternutatories, and Errhines too, are disliked by most, and 
therefore may be left untried, other ways of helping being so plentiful, 
and more effectual. 
In the next place we must come to take away the Obstruction of the 
Optick Nerves, stengthen the feebleness and restore the deficiency of 
the visive Spirits, these are such as by a propriety strengthen the Brain 
D d  and

210 MORBI OCULORUM.  
and sight, and are made the more effectual, used after Purging hath 
made preparation for them, and are to be continued with and after the 
use of the former things for long time, as well to strengthen the fight 
restored for fear of a Relapse again, as restore it being decayed: a- 
mong such, Eyebright is chiefly praised, it is steeped in white Wine,and 
called Eyebright-Wine, which hath cured some of a years Blindness, 
and brings acuteness of fight to aged People. Some advise to take in 
Powder a ʒ every morning, and say the very looking on it sharpens the 
fight. 
A Water may be composed of the following Specificals, distilled in 
an Alimbeck. 
ꝶ Eyebright, miij. Rheu, Fennel, Chelidone, or Sellondine, Ba- 
stard-Parsly, of each mj. Nutmegs, Cloves, of each ℥j. macerate them 
in white Wine a due time, being all rightly mixt, and prepared, and 
distil them; a draught of this Water may be taken every morning and 
night, falling before and after it: the same way also may ʒ of the se- 
quent Powder, of great vertue, be taken: ꝶ Flowers of Eyebright, 
ʒij. Seeds of sweet Fennel, ʒj. common Fennel-Seeds, Nutmegs, 
Cloves, Vervain, Rosemary, of each ʒß Sugar, ℥j. make of all a Pow- 
der. Rheu is commended also, taken inwardly; whence the Poet 
spake,  
Nobilis est Ruta, quia luminis reddit acuta; 
Auxilio Rutæ, vir lippe videbis acute. 
An Electuary also, to whom it may be more pleasing, may not be less 
efficacious: as, ꝶ Conserve of Eyebright, ℥ij. Pulpe of Juniper-Ber- 
ries drawn with Fennel-Water, ʒiij. sweet Fennel-Seeds, ʒj. Seeds of 
Mountain-Siler, Ashes of Swallows, Ebony-Wood, of each ʒß. with 
some Cephalical Syrup make an Electuary hereof. Condite Mirobo- 
lanes also, and condite Nutmegs, Wormwood-Beer, Vinegar of Squils, 
&c. are good for the Eyes and visive Spirits; some ordain sweating, 
and the use of Bituminous Waters to dry the Head. 
Topicks are of little use here, because the Cause is internal, and there 
is no excrescent matter upon the Eye, yet Topicals are thought to 
avail much in Amblyopia, for succoring and corroberating the Op- 
tick Nerves, and Visive Faculty, as Foments of Decoction of Rheu, 
Eyebright, Spiked-loose-strife, Tormentile, Vervain, Lovage, Fennel, 
Chelidone, and Centuary; such kinde of Waters as this, are much 
commended: 
ꝶ of Rheu, Vervain, Chelidone, Eyebright, Fennel, Clary, of each 
mj. the Liver of a Goat cut small, Sal gem. ʒij Spiked-loose- 
strife,

MORBI OCULORUM. 211 
strife, mjß. distil them by an Alimbeck, any proper moisture being first 
added thereto. 
All Galls, except of venemous Beasts, are good; the Liquor of Se- 
raplo is useful, dropping from the Liver of a Bear roasted, sprinkled with 
long Pepper in the roasting. 
Also the Pouder of a burnt Magpy mixt with Fennel water of Ge- 
rardus a solo; but these scarcely penetrate to the Optick Nerves. 
Other local Medicines are also used to the Head, Cucupha's and Pow- 
ders to sprinkle in the Hair, to dry the Brain, where we suspect a moist 
Distemper. 
2. If by Consent of Parts, as ’tis seldom made, though agravated, 
being always essential to the Head, though somented by fumes, and bad 
vapours anrising from the Stomach, generating more matter, and a more 
contumacious Disease, therefore digestion is to be rectified, let them not 
eat great suppers, not deep presently thereupon, forbear all evaporative 
things, give a Pouder to prohibit that always after supper, of Corian- 
der-Seeds, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Fennel-Seeds, Wormwood, Cloves, 
&c. which also perfects digestion, and turns the quality of the vapours 
from hurting to helping; for which also Turnips in Meat are thought by 
a propriety to help the Eyes, and Broath and Flesh of Vipers; Meats 
are also to be condite with Spices, as Ginger, Cloves, Nutmegs, sweet 
and common Fennel-Seeds, &c. Let concoction be perfected before 
they eat again, else crude vapours are carried to the Head; In an He- 
ctical state of the Body, an Analeptick Dyet, and such as is ordered for 
Hecticks, is to be directed, whereby the animal and visive Spirits may 
be restored. 
CHAP. 11. 
Of Night-Blindness, or Nyctalopia. 
NYctalopes are such as see nothing in the night, and but badly the 
Sunsetting, from thickness of the Spirits and Tunicles.
CAUSE. 
The reason hereof is from weakness of the Head, and vislve Spirits, 
or thickness of them, or of the Tunicles of the Eyes, whereby Light 
hath not such an influence, as not able to penetrate, or penetating not 
sufficiently, used from weakness and fewness of Spirits; the Tunicles 
are also thought to be thickned more on nights through moisture from 
Dd 2 influ- 

212
MORBI OCULORUM. 
influence of the Moon, and mens fight is thought to be more acute and 
quick in the New Moon, than when she is come to her Full: Some see 
better on nights than they do a days, which is a very rare thing, and 
comes from rarity of the Spirits, that are dissipated by sight. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
If it be essential to the Brain, the other faculties of the Brain are 
hurt; if it had a sudden rise, the Optick Nerves were stopt through 
the sudden falling thither of some Humours; if it hath had a long time 
of encreasing, there is distemper of the Brain, and grosness of the 
Blood and Spirits therefrom. Celsus saith, It never happens to Women that 
have due and ordinate flux of Courses. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be attenuating that thicken the Blood are to be 
shunned. 
CURE. 
If signs of Phlethory or Fulness be present, we must let Blood, 
however Cephalical Purging Pills are te be used as are directed for 
Amaurosis; yet where we have no Indications of plenty of Humours, 
less purging will serve: Some premise preparation, and add Masti- 
catories, Gargarisms, Vesicatories, Cupping-Glasses, &c. for Revul- 
sion and Derivation, which do good in a plentiful matter, and where 
the Head redounds with Humours. 
Next hereto are strengtheners of the Head and Optick Nerves to be 
directed, as may be plentifully exemplarized out of the Chapter of Am- 
blyopia and Amaurosis. 
Topicals are used here, and commended; as the Liver of a Goat, 
which applied to the Eyes, is said to make men see as well on nights as 
days, and the reason is thought to be from Sympathy, because the Goats 
see as well on nights as days; yet there is no coherence betwixt the 
Liver and the Eye. 
This is also various ways prepared for this use, as roasted and basted 
with Galls of Animals, and the liquor that drops therefrom is put into 
the Eye; or it is roasted, being cut and stuck with Fennel, Chelidine, 
Rheu, and the Liquor dropping therefrom reserved for use; the vapour 
of it also boiling is appointed: Some advise it to be eaten with Salt of
Eyebright often.  
The Water of Honey, also or Galls of Animals, the water of a Sa- 
phire-Stone, the Colliry of Gentilis of Pompholix and Stibium, washt 
in Fennel-water, &c. are useful. 
Forestus


MORBI OCULORUM. 213 
Forestus used the Liquor of the Liver of the Fish Elpuick that fried 
therefrom in torrifying, as a secret. 
Sharp Medicines are hurtful, and too much washing the Eyes with 
cold water, thickens the Tunicles and Spirits, and renders the Disease 
the worse. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Squinting, or Strabismos. 
STrabismos is a depraved motion of the Eyes, which is either natu- 
ral, from faulty Situation, whenas the Eyes are moved to the sides, 
or the Crystal-Line is distorted; or not natural, which is made in Chil- 
dren and Infants looking always one way to the Light; or in elder Per- 
sons, from convulsion of the Muscles moving the Eyes, made from 
their driness or repletion.
CURE.
The Cure is not performed in that which comes naturally: That 
which is made from a convulsion of the Muscles, is cured as Spasms, a 
Palsey of the Eye; and Tortura, Orris, the Pouder of Swallows Heads 
blown in, or a Magpy burnt. Turtles Blood, &c. are proper: That 
which comes through vice of looking awry in Children, is timely to be 
looked to; for if it be inveterate, 'tis hardly helped; therefore Cases 
for the Eyes for such are to be made, so that they cannot see but by look- 
ing streight-forth through them. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes. 
Aule in Greek signifies a Cicatrice, or Skar, which happening in 
the black of the Eye, or pellucid part of the Cornea, and being 
white, is called Lencoma in Greek, and Albugo in Latine; if 
more bright and splendent, it is termed by some paralampsis; if this 
white spot be less, it is called in Greeek Nephelion, and in Latine Ne- 
bula, a Cloud; if it be more thin, it is called in Greek and 
Call go in Latine signifying a Mist.
CAUSE.  

214 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CAUSE. 
Its Cause is either external, as a Cicatrice, a Wound or Ulcer fore- 
going; or internal, as a Flegmatick matter gathered twixt the Mem- 
branes, or an Humour seated and soaked into the Cornea twixt the coats, 
and there concrete and compacted. 
SIGNS 
Be a white spot, which is thicker and whiter than other affects happen- 
ing to the Cornea, and thickning it so that a passage is denyed in the visi- 
ble species, and the Sick sometime seem to see as if it were through 
smoak and mists. 
Some are more superficiary, some more deep, and incline to black, 
where the Urea is sometimes offended, sometimes the albuginous Hu- 
mour, in which they are not so conspicuous. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If not inveterate, if in Children, if onely from a thick pituitous mat- 
ter left there from Opthalmles, it is the easilier cured; but if inveterate, 
if in old Persons, if from a Cicatrice hard and gross, and in a part so 
exquisite of sence, wherein sharp Medicines fit for it may not be endu- 
red, it is hardly cured. 
CURE 
Is internal, as by generals, Purging and Bleeding in Phlethorick and 
Cacochymick Bodies, to take away the antecedent Cause, and an exact 
Dyet for prohibiting encrease of Humours, which are gathered, and fall 
upon a part that is weak; Or external, where first, revulse, if the Sick 
be apt to defluxions, into his Eyes; apply Cupping-Glasses to the sides 
of has Neck, Vesicatories to the Crown, and nape of his Neck to pull 
back and draw forth Excrements apt to tend to the Eyes. 
Secondly, apply Topicals to the Eyes, 1. To mollifie the concrete 
matter: 2. To attenuate it; 3. To wipe it away , which is done by 
things abstergen and that have a peculiarity to take away Pearls, Spots, 
and Webs from the Eyes.  
In the use of such, we must observe these things: 1. That they be 
not too sharp; 2. If they may not be cured, they are to be changed in- 
to another, colour; 3. Herewith such as preserve the strength of the 
Eye are to be used.  
These Simples and Compounds, above others, are applauded: 
1. The Pouder of Liquorish put often into the Eye, being very fine- 
ly poudered, as all Eye-Pouders ought to be. 
2. The


MORBI OCULORUM. 215
2. The Juyce of Pimpernel, With the blew Flower dropped upon 
the Web. 
3. A Colliry (of Lapis Calaminaris thrice burnt, and twice extinct in 
Wine-Vinegar, ℈j. Myrrh, burnt Lead, and washt, of each ℈ß Ori- 
ental Saffron five Grains, Opium six Grain, burnt Brass ℈iiij De- 
coction of Fennigreek, ℥j. beaten and mixt upon a Marble) of John- 
stonus. 
4. The Water of Honey, which saith Platerus, most certainly blots 
out all spots of the Eyes. 
5. A Water (of Honey, ℔ij. Fennel, Eldern, Eyebright, of each 
two Pugils', with Sugar-Candy ℥iv. distilled in Balnco Mariæ) of Ama- 
tus Lusitanus. 
6. The Juyce of Pearl-Tresoile, so called from its vertue of taking 
away Pearls and Webs from the Eyes, 
7. The Pouder ofithe Stone sound in the Head of a long Snail, blown 
in, or put upon the Web. 
8. The Juyce of Herbs that be bitter, and indued with a nitrous qua- 
lity, mixed with Honey, for so they stick better upon the Pupil, and are 
not so apt to flow to the corner, such be Draconts, Chelidone, Ground- 
Ivy, Pimpernel, Centuary, Amurca, sowr Grapes, Rosemary, &c. 
9. Galls of Animals, as of Goats, Eagles, Vultures, Lizards, 
Kites, &c. 
10. The fat of the Liver of Lampreys (that being put in a Glass, 
and set in the Sun.) of Hartman, to anoint the Eye-lids at going to Bed, 
together with eating the Pouder of Thistles of the Meadow several 
times. 
11. Let a Child often lick the Spot with his Tongue. 
12. Or put in the Seeds of Clary into his Eye, which afterward 
will come out again, being compassed with much matter: If sharp 
things hurt, we murt leviate and appease pain from acrimony, 
Use mucilaginous matter, as of Flea-Seeds, Marish-Mallow-Seed, 
and Fennigreek: wash with Milk, and let sharp Medicines be temper- 
ed by mild ones. 
Some commend the Leaves of Hemlock applied onely upon the Eye- 
brows, to have a propriety to take away Pins, Webs, and Spots; or 
the same Hemlock-Leaves to mß. and Bay-Salc, mj. bruised, and appli- 
ed with renovation to the Wrists. 
If the Spot may not be taken away, yet its white colour is changed 
by Juyce of Pomegranates some make them black with burnt Lead, 
Vitriol, Litharge, Galls, Bark of Pomegranates, Cipress-Nuts, &c. 
used by the Ancients, but not so much respected by Modern Men; for 
although

216 MORBI OCULORUM.
although they are said onely upon the Cornea, yet by falling upon the 
white of the Eye, they make that black. 
If a yellow Colour, as happens to those that have the Jaundice, seiz 
upon the Cornea from Choler poured out thither, and affecting a false 
imagination, as to the colour of objects, which seem yellow; it is cu- 
red by a fume of Vinegar cast upon red hot Tiles, and received by the 
Eye held over it: But if we would not be hasty in having of it cured, 
it would cease spontaneously with the ceasing of the Disease, viz. the 
Jaundice, on which it is grounded. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Cataract or Suffusion. 
DEFINITION. 
A Cataract or Suffusion is an Obstruction of the Pupil or Apple of 
the Eye, from an Humour: Or, as others well, A corrupt Wa- 
ter congealed like a Curd, and hindering the fight. 
CAUSE 
Paraus saith, is a Skin obstructing the Pupil; others say, A Water con- 
gealed: Certain it is, 'tis an Humour either sincere or mixr, and great 
standing-out Eyes does give great-occasion to the gathering of it, be- 
cause the Virtue diffused is more weak in a Urge space, and yeilds an 
easie coming to of Humours, which are originally bred from Meats 
yeilding ill juyce, and transferred thither either by way of evaporation 
from the Stomach to the Brain, where bad concoction in probability 
went before, and ’tis reckoned as Cause of a Bastard-Suffusion; or the 
effusion of them (being either serous, or Phlegmatick, others adde 
Melancholick) into the space betwixt the Cornea and Crystal Humours. 
Weakness of the Eyes commonly goes before, whereby they are less 
able to repel the falling down of Humours that are collected in the 
Head; which weakness is either native, as in the Eyes sticking forth, or 
accidental, made by blows, bruises, hurts, Baths, rainy Air, heat of 
the Sun, long reading, specially on nights late, and by Candle-light, in 
Books of small print, and with intensness; and whatever exagitates, 
irritates, or sets Humours in motion; also weeping, and shedding of 
tears from great sorrows and troubles of mind, produce this, through 
weakening of the Eye, and stirring and irritating Humours.
THE 


MORBI OCULRUM. 217 
THE PLACE. 
The coming of this Humour is by the Veins of the Tunicles, Urea, 
or Nerves Optick, those Veins being many, are derived from the Pe- 
ricrane passing to the conjunctive Tunicles, from thence to the Cornea 
and Urea; or from the Menings of the Brain, whence Branches are 
derived to the Membranes of the Eyes, from which chiefly the Urea 
Tunica may with facility drop the Humour into the watery Humour; 
they easily also come from the Brain by the Optick Nerves to the Cry- 
stal Humour, and than the matter of the Suffusion sticks to the Crystal, 
sometime by fluxion, and sometime by congestion, wherein weakness 
of the expulsive faculty is a main Cause. 
NAMES. 
It hath divers, according to its growth: 1. When 'tis fresh, Authors 
call it a Suffusion: 2. Whenas there's a matter gathered in the Apple 
like water, they term it Water: 3. When 'tis confirmed, and sight dark- 
ned, they call it a Cataract or Hypochyma. 
SIGNS are expressed in DIFFERENCES. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are not healed till they be grown; Sky-Colour, Sea-Green, 
or of the colour of Chess-Nuts, are curable: Those that are not dila- 
ted by rubbing, if it be not already made, and unconfirmed, it may be 
cured by Medicines, by which may also a Bastard-Suffusion, wherein 
are as it were appearances of flies, and is made chiefly by vice of the 
Stomach sending hurtful vapours. If they follow Feavers or vehement 
Headach, if it happens in Children or old men, then cure is bad; if the 
Sick discerns no light, no cure. That which is with a consumption of 
the Eyes, that that comes from great Diseases, incurable; or where Head 
disses, as Phrensies, Headaches, Peripneumonies, &c. very difficultly 
cured: That which is caused by a Blow, though the suffuse Humour be 
extracted by the Needles, yet the eye being hurt and bruised, never 
perfectly recovers sight again. Some make seven kinds of Cataracts, 
four whereof are, and three are not curable: The first of the curable 
ones is bright like Alablaster, the second white like Sky-Colour, the 
third Gray, or Ashes-Colour; the fourth Citrine. 
Of one newly begun and not yet confirmed, and curable by Medi- 
cines, the Cure, or at least the encrease hindered, if not too far grown, 
and then it must grow more to the Cataract. 
Ee DYET.

218 MORBI OCULORUM. 
DYET. 
A thin and attenuating Dyet, inclining to heat and drying let their 
Supper be very moderate, abstaining from Wine and Broath, fasting and 
abstinence also are very advantagious; whereby a young Woman think- 
ing to kill her self by hunger, and a most thin Dyet, being thereby ex- 
ceedingly wasted, was delivered of the Cataract called Gutta Serena, 
from an absumption of the moist substance, through defect of nourish- 
ment, as in Riverius his communicated Observations; Venery must 
be avoided, and the frequenting hot Baths, or the like, hurt much. 
2. Concocters of the watery Humour; also Preparers of a pitui- 
tous matter superabounding, are to be had in use; among such, they are 
to be chosen that are most specifical, and proper for the Head and 
Eyes. 
3. Evacuation of the watery Humours; but this evacuation is to be  
continued throughout the whole Cure, and reiterated Evacuation may 
avail; but once, twice, or thrice do little in so consumacious an Af- 
fect: Yet Phlebotomy is seldom to be acted herein, left: the Brain be 
over-cooled, and accumulate more watery Humours, and send them to 
the Eyes. 
4. Averters, where chiefly do avail Cupping-Glasses, and Vesica- 
catories, a Cautery to the Crown, or behinde the Ears, Setons, also 
Clisters, Suppositories, and painful Frictions are useful. 
5. Dissolvers of the Reliques of the matter, and dissipaters; where in 
internals, observe to give them at night, that the force of them may be 
the better carried with the vapours of the meat to the Head. Topicks 
must be discutient, mixt with Emollients and Abstergents, beginning al- 
ways with mildest, and so by degrees proceeding to the strongest: for 
the Eye having an exact sence of feeling, will not endure so strong Me- 
dicines at the first, as it may do afterward, being accustomed thereto; 
among which, gentlest Medicines, proper for this affect, are good: a 
Water distilled from Fennel, Eyebright, Rheu, Celondine, and the like, 
to wash the Eyes every morning, Aqua Mellis or Honey-Water, is 
reckoned one of the best Remedies; the Pouder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy put often into the Eyes, or the Pouder of Swallows with Heads burnt, are 
helpful: Fonseca saith, A Water distilled from Swallows with Bread 
in white Wine, is miraculous: Avicen above others praises Sagapen 
dissolved in Honey-Water and, Trypochymia; the Urine of a Child 
distilled with abstergent Ophthalmicks, to drop a drop or two often 
into the Eye, is commended: the Water of Crocus Metallorum, three 
or four drops at a time, is greatly praised by Quercetanus, in his Dispen-
satory, 


MORBI OCULORUM. 219 
satory; ’tis made by infusion of ʒj. of Crocus Metallorum, in ℥vj. of 
Celondine-Water: Sylvius saith, The Pouder of Os. Sepiæ put into 
the Eye wipes off these Waters: Zechius also praises Water distilled 
from Bread, made with Powder of Rheu, Chelidon, Betony, Fennel, 
and Honey. Gulielmus Lozellus describes a Water with which he cured 
many that were stark blind, made of Goats Liver, Eyebright, Chelidon, 
Sarcocol, Aloes, Pepper, Rheu, Rosemary, Galls of Birds of prey, &c. 
Where we fee the evil more contumacious, and not yeilding to ordina- 
ry Remedies, we must try stronger; as is Botius his Remedy of Cocks 
Gall, ℥ß. Blood of a Mouse, ʒiijß. with Womans Milk make it like a 
Colliry; or the Water of Mans Dung, or Doves Dung rather, with the 
Gall of a Hare, and of a Weasel, with white Sugar-Candy, and Pearls, 
are very prevalent; the strongest Waters are made of Honey, the 
Galls of Birds of prey, of Vultures, Kites, Partridges, with Ophthalm- 
Herbs, Myrrh, Pepper, &c. distilled in a Glass Alimbeck; the strong- 
est Galls are those that are venemous, as of Vipers, Mad-Dogs,  Ser- 
pents, &c. But Sylvius saith, Alexiph. Med. are to be used, because 
they being poysonous may pass by the corner of the Eye, and hole of 
the Pallate, into the Stomach: Other strong eating Medicines are made 
of Vitriol, Rust of Brass, and the like, either used by way of fine Pou- 
der, and so said just upon the Cataract, or mixt and dropped in: 
But in using all these strong Remedies, we must greatly caution their 
use, for they by encreasing pain bring greater fluxion, and many dim- 
sighted have thereby grown quite blind; and therefore to mittigate the 
acrimony mix them with muscilage of Fennugreek-Seed, Flea-Seed 
&c. or wash the Eye afterwards with warm Womans Milk; licking of 
the Eye for a long time with a Childs or Whelps Tongue, much avails, 
so doth a young Pigeon unfeathered cut in the middle, and applied 
warm to the Eyes: Fumes also and Foments of the precedent things may 
be very beneficial. 
Of the Needle. 
WE are not to try the Needle, if the Cataract be in the Cen- 
tre of the Pupil, where things seem holey, for there is fear of 
the Eye being filled, and so an absolute loss of sight. Dr. Banister 
sometime in couching Cataracts had the whole Eye filled with a milky 
substance, which he supposed to be the matter of the Cataract; and in 
others upon couching, Blood hath been so diffused all over the Eye: 
Some are so sollid and viscous, that being depressed by the Needle, do 
Ee 2 again

220 MORBI OCULORUM.
again rise, whenas others are so soft that Needle pierces them, and 
takes no hold, although of seven or eight years growth: again, Others 
so pertinaciously bound to the Urea, that there is greater danger of distor- 
ting that, than removing the Cataract: In all we must see they be grown 
and old, else there will not be success; for the Needle will not take 
hold; they must be quite blind ere they are to be couched; neither are 
wasted Eyes, nor old Mens, nor Chil- 
drens, wherein ’tis incurable, to be 
tried by the Needle; in Coughs also, 
as admonishes Lud Sept. 'tis danger-
ous to cut them for fear of a disruption 
that supervening; Sneezing also hap- 
pening is inconvenient; for avoiding which, the finger is to be held up- 
on the greater Corner of the Eye; that the Needle make not a Rup- 
ture, compress the Pupil with the finger: before couching, most Physi- 
cians approve of evacuation, and cleansing of the Head by Pills, &c. 
Apozems. 2. To prepare the matter by champing Fennel, or Cum- 
minseeds, and Pepper, and breathing into the Eye; after this, on a 
morning fasting, place him opposite on a stool, shut his found Eye, ex- 
hort him to patience, to endure, for his tractability furthers the dispatch 
much; then with your left hand lift up the upper Eye-lid, and with 
the right hand put in the Needle (made of Iron, which others great- 
ly condemn, thinking that if the Cataract should prove hard in draw- 
ing down, the point of it, being a brittle Metal, might break in the 
Eye, and so spoil sight for ever, and therefore they order it to be made of 
Gold or Silver, or Spanish Lattin) in the middle space betwixt the 
lesser Cornea and the Iris, avoiding the Veins, thrust the Cataract 
downwards, the Sick must look with his Eyes towards his Note, and if 
the Cataract return back, draw it down again, and then take it away 
with the point of the Needle: Some use to eat raw Onions, Beef, and 
Goats Flesh, to ripen it, but not afterward: ’Tis cured by the Needle. 
Let the Moon decrease, let it be 
two or three days after the Full; 
let her not be in Aries, let there  
be no Headach nauseating, &c.
Then a most exquisite Dyet is to be observed; the Sick must feed sparing- 
ly; great nutrition doth great hurt, specially presently after the act, 
by engendering much Blood; let his Drink be Water, or Wine well 
limpate or tempered with VVater; all kind of Meats that engender 
bad Juyce, and spoil the Blood, are to be avoided, and a regular Dyet, 
specially for a good while after the Cure, is diligently to be obser- 
ved. The Brain is also to be comforted and strengthened, and the vi- 
sive Spirits upheld and quickened by continuing the taking of this or the 
like Electuary: ꝶ Cloves, ʒij. Eyebright, ʒj. sweet Fennel, Rheu, 
and Mountain-Siler-Seed, ana ʒß. Conserve of Sage, Betony, Rose-  
mary,

MORBI OCULORUM. 221
mary, of each ℥j. with Syrup of the Juyce of Rheu, of Eyebright as 
much as suffices, make an Electuary. Or this that follows, set down as 
principal by some: ꝶ Cloves, ℥ij. Nutmegs, Saffron, ana ʒiß. Ca-
stor, ʒj. with treble weight of clarified Honey, make an Electuary; 
where sears are abounding, the addition of some specifical Astringents 
will be very commodious. 
Outwardly to the Eyes themselves apply an Emplaister of the white 
of an Egg upon Flax, and so let him keep his Bed till nine days are ex- 
pired; renewing the Emplaister often, and keeping him from light: 
If need be, it will be good to keep open an Issue in the fore-part of the 
Head: Also for long time after we must ever and anon use purging, for 
fear of a Relapse, shunning all such things as are offensive to the Eyes; 
washing the Eyes with Wine every morning; the use of Spectacles also 
are very convenient, that repsesent objects just as they are, neither big- 
ger, nor less. 
DIFFERENCES of a Suffusion are many: 
1. In a black and clear, there’s no Cure; here the Eye-lids move 
much in a trembling fashion, the original Cause is from the Mothers 
Womb, and therefore they that have these, are for the most part born 
blind; the Nerves Optick are stopped, and their faculty mortified, 
therefore all trial of cure is in vain; thoagh many to their end see the 
light of the Sun, or stature of a Man. 
2. Copulation doth yet much hurt in this; the colour shews the 
Humour of which they are made. 
3. Skie-colour, not curable; Glaucus not; like Quicksilver, not cure- 
able. 
4. Sea-green not curable, or very hardly; green is most dangerous 
of all, being produced from great coldness of the Brain, and the peri- 
cussion of it, and sometime through great fasting and emptiness. 
3. Barrow: The third kind of incurable Cataract is, when the Pupil 
of the Eye is dilated, and spread so far that there’s no circle seen with- 
in the Tunicle of the Eyes; and the Eyes shew totally affected either 
with Blackness or Whiteness, all over. 
5. Yellow not curable. 
2. One is true, which only occupies one Eye, or if both, not at once, 
or not in like manner; whose Symptoms are continual, they see clear- 
est about break of day, because a few Spirits dispersed by a greater light, 
by a less are collected; a true commonly grows in six months, some- 
times in a few days; Fernelius saith, confirmed in one day, but that’s ve- 
ry strange. 
2. Bastard

222 MORBI OCULORUM.
2. Bastard, which is contrary to signs in a true, and is made from 
vapours arising from the inferiour Parts, and ceases upon taking away 
the affect; from vice of the Ventricle as in Children and Drunken 
Men; there’s like appearances of Gnats before their Eyes; or when 
he reads, he thinks the Letters green; or some other false colour or 
twinkling things before his Eyes: Some, saith Banister, are like Spiders 
Webs, and are of ten years growth, and yet they can read Letters, 
though imperfectly, which if arising from Rheum, and deflux, are to be 
cured, not without Purging and Specificals: In Bastards, no darkness 
Appears in the Pupil, as in a true; ’tis many years growing. 
In place they differ, for some be in the center of the Apple, 
where objects are represented pertuse, seem holey, as if fenestris, and 
’tis bad trying cure by the Needle, left the whole Pupil be filled. 
2. Some be betwixt the Urea and Cornea, and then the Apple is seen 
more deeply to be darkened, and is of necessity dilated from the Hu- 
mour defending. 
3. Another is betwixt the Urea and Crystalline Humour, and then 
things appear opposite. 
4. Deeper, wherein the Pupil is narrow, or less deep, and then ’tis 
broader. 
5. Diff. In degrees and growth, for in a new begun, like Gnats or mi- 
sty Bodies are perceived; Or 2. Increased, and then the Sea-colour of 
the Apple appears, or is like to the Air abounding with mists: 3. Per- 
fect, and then the white colour of the Apples appear, and the sick see not: 
Some are confirmed in ten Months, when as some are almost so many 
years ere fully grown: Here Medicines do no good, and the Needle is 
onely now, and not before it be confirmed, to be used. 
6. By reason of Cause, 1. The matter is thin and fluxible, as is wont 
in the beginning: 2. Tough, or tenacious: 3. The matter is of the 
species of pure Air, of Quicksilver of Gypsum.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM.
223 CHAP. VI. 
Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflamation of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
OPhthalmy is an Inflamation of the annate or adnate Tunicle from 
sharp Blood, or yellow Choler, distending its Veins.  
CAUSE 
Is shedding of many Tears, and they hot and sharp, occasioned from 
Causes producing Sorrow and Lamentation; herefrom the Eyes are 
swoln with continual anguish and pain, seeming to the Patient as if his 
Eyes were full of Thorns, or sharp Gravel; evil Dyet, Phlethory, 
Acrimony of Humours, Bites, Winds; Vide Diff. Hipp. S. 3. Aph. 12. 
Winter, Southerly, rainy, and warm, and a Northerly and dry Spring, 
there’s inflamation of the Eyes, and the 14 Aph. to some a dry and 
Northerly Autumn causes hot inflamation in the Eyes. Outward Cau- 
ses, Sun, Dust, Wind, drinking Wine, Smoak, &c. External, a Blow, 
Fall, Bruise, a moist catarrhous Brain for long time, and sanguine Tem- 
per. 
TIME. 
They commonliest happen in August and September, Autumn.
NAMES.  
Traxie is lighted, as from some light Cause suddenly raised. 
Chemosis is when ’tis very great, and the white swells above the black.  
SIGNS. 
A Tumour, redness and pain, sometime the Eye with its lid, is glew- 
ed to; succeeding also, there is a stretching out of the Pupil, or lessen- 
ing of it by consuming, or a suffusion; the Inflamation reaches, some- 
time to the Jaws, and the Eye sends forth Tears; Sometimes Thores, 
Ulceration follows. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Southerly, rainy, and warm Winters, the Spring dry and Northerly; 
So likewise a Northernly and dry Autumn are bad, S. 3. Aph, 12, 14. 
In hot Regions, as ’tis soon made, so soon dissolved; ’tis worse to cure 
in Winter and cold Regions, because the Members are bound ; ’tis bad 
in Children, because it flows continually, their Heads being weak: so 
is


224 MORBI OCULORUM.
is much pain, for it shews the matter very sharp, or distending, or sup- 
purative: If it come by consent of the other parts, and made from 
outward Causes, 'tis easilier cured then if otherwise; so 'tis also if there 
be a more copious Flux of Tears, and sharp, because then 'tis like to 
come sooner to its end. 
DYET and ORDER. 
1. Dyet cooling, and Air made cool by Art; darkness is most con- 
venient, helping both to pleasure and quiet: Avoid too great feeding; 
for when the parts want nutriment, they will retain that they have, and 
so both the greatness and diuturness of the flux will be abated; We 
must not use Wine when the Veins of the Eyes are full of thick Blood, 
then Flesh and Blood breeding things; Sleep conducing to quiet the 
Humours, and all Frettings, and Passions of the Mind too, for they 
exasperate the Humours, and consequently the Inflamation. 
2. Averters, or Turners away of the flowing Blood, for which, 
bleeding of the same Side; in great Plenitude cut the Cubit-Vein be- 
fore you cut the Cephalick; bleed young Men more largely; also 
some bid to open the Frontal-Veins; Cuppers to the shoulders, Seta- 
ces to the Neck, &c. which Ph. in one hour sometime Opthalmies have 
asswaged. 
3. To the Forehead, &c. use Repellers of the matter, if the mat- 
ter flow by the Veins and Arteries without the Crane, as 'tis almost 
always, this Tunicle being adduced from the Pericrane: Here an Em- 
plaister of Pompions, with Astringents to the Eyes. 
Repellers are oftenest used, but condemned, and not unwor- 
thily, by some who have experienced divers to be made blind by use of 
too many and great variety of Medicines to the Eyes ; Rose-water,  
Plantane-Water, Bastard wild Poppies, Juyce of Acatia, Housleek, 
Eratine, &c. do excel to repress the hot flowing Blood; Womans milk 
also is commended, or the Water of Milk distilled: Cataplasms also 
are made of the Pulpe of Crabs; unripe Quinces, with a little Frank- 
incense, and the paring of an Apple laid upon the Eyes all night, doth 
often much good: to repel we must often use warm things inclining to 
cold. 
Where painful Ulcers are adjoyned, Balsam of Sugar melted in the 
white of an Egg that is boiled hard. 
Pains: Here Opiates are frequently used, which not, unless in most
implacable Torments, are to be admitted; for they thicken the Optick 
Spirits, and they stopping the Humours, make them more sharp, where- 
by they exulcerate; hardened also are thereby the Tunicles, and sight 
dulled.

MORBI OCULORUM. 225
dulled. If we do use Opium, it must not be much nor often: It cools, 
but saith Lud. Sept. by its bitterness raises some pain to the Eye: The 
use of Womans Milk, or the Water of it distilled, is praised for a good 
Anodine; but if Milk be left long in the Eye, from the vehement heat 
of the Eye, it gets Acrimony, and is corrupted; therefore ’tis either 
to be wiped gently, or washed off: If after Foments, pain is encreased, 
it argues need of purging; an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made in 
Milk, with Alb. Ovi. 
If great flux of tears provoke, and accrimonious, we must use Li- 
niments and Mollisters; strong Astringents are bad, because they stop 
in the matter, nor glewing-qualitied things, nor such as dry, and grow 
acrimonious; the white of an Egg, with Red-Rose and Myrtle-Water, 
and a little Pouder of Tutty, is safest, and of great efficacy: Juyce of 
Housleek in Pulpe Cidoni, or much use of Locals doth much prejudice 
the Eyes: Jo. Prevot. praises an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made 
in Milk, dropt in warm, or mixt with white of an Egg, and Pulp Piony, 
for hot sharp flux. 
4. Preparers of the thick matter in Cachochymia; Cephalick Medi- 
cines are here proper; Wine by some is approved from Hippocrates, 
because it liquifies and attenuates a pituitous matter, and doth some- 
time much avail in Ophthalmy. 
5. Evacuation of the matter, as P. Ph. &c. 
DIFFERENCES 
Are Taraxis or a perturbation, which we know from only a sense of heat 
and redness, there being no copious flux of Tears; Its Causes are 
outward, As heat of the Sun, or Fire; then Coolers. 2. Headach 
made from Suns heat; then Universals should be premised. 3. From 
Wind, Smoak, or Dust; then wash with Milk, and Sleep. 4. From a 
Blow or Fall; then Ph. presently. The fluxion being raised there- 
from, ’tis best to use mucilage of Fennugreek-Seed made in Rose-Wa- 
ter; for the Roses repel, and the Fennugreek discusses the fixed: Al- 
so to quiet and repel the motion of the Humour, a cool Air, Womans 
Milk, with the white of an Egg, and Red-Rose-Water is a Vulgar Me- 
dicine. 5. Striking of Bees, Hornets, Wasps, or the like; then use of Re- 
pellers, Alb. Ovi cum Lact. mulieb. 
2. Another is a true Ophthalmy, which comes either from hot or 
cold Causes; alt. is Χηυοsis enuosis whenas the Eyelids are as it were turned 
inward, nor can they be shut, and the white swells above the black of 
the Eve, requires stronger Remedies: For this is greatly praised, and  
Ff prove

226 MORBI OCULORUM.
proved by some to be singular, the Pouder of white Sarcocal, wherewith 
the Patients Eye is to be filled, and he is to lie with his Eye wide open, 
till it be consumed, laying upon the Eye flaxen hards wet in cold water, 
and drained therefrom. Forestus commends Crocus Metalor, the yolk of 
an Egg beat with the flesh of a Flie, spread upon a Cloth, and laid 
on. 
Alt. is periodick which keeps its Intervals, and is familiar to hot and 
moist Heads, and at last wasts the Eye, sanguine Temper; Riverlus 
cured such an one after Ph. and P. and Cuppers to, and a Cautery twixt 
both Scalps, and an Unguent of Tutty, Camphir, Lap. Calm. with a 
little virid-aris received with fresh Butter; Rose-Water alt. which 
keeps not its Periods; alt. contag. alt. moist, alt. dry, in which is lit- 
tle rheum or watering, and at night the Eye-lids are hardened, it arises 
from a little Salt and Nitrous Humour; or its with itching, and if the 
Tears lightly flow, 'tis called Psorophthal. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Pannus 
DEFINITION. 
PAnnus, or Cloth, is a certain red thing like to rags, arising from 
abundance of Blood in the exteriour Veins of the Eyes, derived 
to them, (being either mixt or pure alone) either by way of fluxion or 
congestion, either by the external Vessels, or Internals, &c. 
CAUSE. 
Ophthalmics, also evil Dyet, great Pains, and the Megrim oft went 
before, where the extremity of the pain rising into the Temples, and 
therefrom into the Eyebrows, causes a beating with pain to the Eyes, 
whereby is Pannus often made. 
SIGNS.
It appears as a carnous Web, chiefly in the superficial part of the An- 
nata, with itching pain, by the Eyes offended by light. 
CURE. 
After general evacuation and rectifying of the Blood and Humours, 
are proper abstergent Medicines, the extract of the Gall of a Pike with 
Saccarum Saturni, and Spirit of Wine, or a Water distilled from whites 
of

MORBI OCULORUM. 227
of Eggs, is excellent: Also the Pouder of White - Sugar Can- 
dy. 
Chyrurgery, advised by some, is condemned by others, for fear of 
prejudicing the Tunicle, ere that be removed. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Clouds. 
THere be several kinds of differences of mistiness, and darkning 
of the sight, wherein onely some particular things make differen- 
ces: As, some imagine some thick Bodies to be betwixt them and the 
light, like some dark shaddows, arising from vapours thick and Chole- 
rick, exhaling from the Stomach into the Head, and so disturbing the 
visive Faculty. 
2. To others there appears like mistiness, or thin Clouds in a clear 
Air, to be seated before their Eyes; arising from Fumes of Choler, and 
Dyet generating such Cholerick Vapours, hapening to Cholerick per- 
sons. 
CURE. 
The Stomach, if that sends evil Vapours and Exhalation, and do 
not perfect its digestion, we must correct that, 1. By cleansing it, 2. By 
strengthening it, and giving Medicines that stop the ascent of vapours. 
If from evil Dyet, we must institute a more wholesome and regular, 
and such meats as neither engender Choler, nor are apt to fume up to 
the Brain, nor hard to be digested. 
For the last, Topicals are commended, as the Pouder of a Saphir- 
stone put once a day into the Eye, for some while; or the Call of an 
Hare dried and poudered, used in like manner, is thought of no less 
efficacy.
Ff 2 CHAP. 

228 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Mydriasis, or a dilatation of the Apple of the Eye. 
MYdriasis is a dilatation of the Pupil, or enlarging of it beyond 
Nature, about the Circle of the Iris, from natural conformation, 
or accidentary Causes, and is a Disease of bad Conformation. 
CAUSE 
Arises either from a natural conformation from the Birth, or preterna- 
tural Causes, whereof the proximate, internal and immediate is a 
stretching forth of the Urea, of which the Pupil is the hole: This di- 
stention of the Urea is effected two ways; 1. By dryness, that stretches 
out the Urea, even as we see in holey skins dried; this dryness also 
hath a cause, as Watchings, Feavers, and other drying Causes. 2. By 
moisture, which causes an enlargement and distention of every Part, 
and makes the Parts to swell forth beyond their accustomed bounds, and 
that are allotted by Nature. This also is caused by too much abound- 
ing of the watery Humour, by flux of serous Humours insinuated there, 
which are the primitive or remote Causes; distension also is made from 
winds, as in Child-bearing. 
Moreover, solution of the continuity of the Urea, causes the space of 
the Pupil, or Apple of the Eye to be enlarged; this is done by Rup- 
ture or Wounds, whence a dilatation is suddenly made. 
External Causes are bruisings and falls from high, whereby the Urea  
is broke, or distorted, or a flux or congestion of Humours made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnostick Signs are taken, 1. From a preternatural bigness of the 
Pupil, that is to be seen about the Iris, and is so enlarged that it equali- 
zes the circumference of the Iris, and then it is more easily known. 
1. From sight mutilated, which according to the greatness of the affect 
is lessened more or less; and they see best in dark places, being the vi- 
able Species and Objects are thus much illustrated, and light goes in too 
plentifully; therefore a mean bigness of the Pupil is most requisite for 
right seeing; and they that go out of the light into the dark, scarce see, 
because therefrom the Pupil is suddenly contracted; but after their stay 
in the dark, from the Pupil dilating by degrees, they see better, all 
things seem less to them they cannot well look upon the ground or 
down-right.  
3. In 

MORBI OCULORUM. 229 
3. In a natural constitution, if one Eye be shut, the Pupil of the other 
is dilated, but it is not so here; for the Urea distended from a preterna- 
tural Cause cannot be more expatiated. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from Nature, another from preternatural Causes. 
2. Sometimes onely one Eye is affected, sometimes both. 
3. One from internal Causes, another from external; which some- 
times effects, 1. A rupture, or solution of continuity; 2. Or a distor- 
tion; 3. Or constriction from excess of moisture, or dryness, induced 
from their several Causes; 4. Or dilatation of the Pupil from the same 
Causes. 
4. One from violent Causes, as wounds, suppression of the breath in 
Womens Travel, or Trumpetting; another not. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That is better that is made from Nature, than that from preternatu- 
ral Causes, for therein they see best, but it is altogether incurable; that 
that is not natural is very hardly cured, because the Urea is membranous: 
that made from moisture is easilier cured by far than that that arises 
from dryness, except vehement Headach preceded; from a rupture of 
the Urea, or a Wound, it is hardly cured, though they may be healed: 
from bruises or falls, if it be without infiamation, ’tis more easily cured; 
the fresher, the easier cured from all Causes. It most often happens to 
Children, and such as have Black Eyes. 
CURE 
Is as various as Causes: For, 1. In too great moisture, a drying atte- 
nuating Dyet is to be used, avoiding Bathings and Lotions of the Head, 
Wines, &c. with Evacuation, and drying of the Head, opening of the 
Veins of the Temples, and those in the corners of the Eyes; Cup- 
ping-Glasses are to be applied to the Occiput for Revulsion-sake, and 
Leeches behind the Ears: Then we must resolve, discuss and dissipate 
the Humours that are flown and settled by fit Topicals, as a Foment of 
Dill, Fennel, Eyebright, Chelidone, &c. boyled in Salt or Sea-water; 
no sharp things, which call forth Humours to the Part, and distend the 
Membrane, are to be used. 
Then must follow the Use of Astringents to render the Pupil narrow- 
er, and contract it: ꝶ of Pouder of Tucty, Bark of Frankinsence, 
Red-Rose, Sarcocol, Myrrh, Acatia, of each a like quantity; put them 
into a fine silken Cloth, and boil them a while in Rose-Water, then 
strain

230 MORBI OCULORUM. 
strain out the Decoction, and drop thereof into the Eye , or foment 
therewith, and lay the Bag so boiled upon the Eye afterwards. 
Fernelius used the sequent: ꝶ of dry Roses, Mint, and Spikenard, 
of each ʒij. Myrrh, and the Bark of Frankinsence, ana ʒß Spodium, 
Pompholix, Acatia of each, washed, ʒj. Aloe, 3j. being Poudered with 
a mucilage of Gum Tragacamh dissolved in Rose-Water, make Tro- 
ches; forbear the use of too strong Binders, for they harden, and some- 
times bring a Tabes. 
2. In too great dryness, an Analeptick and moistening Dyet, is help- 
ful; Bathes of sweet Water, and of Milk, but Goats Milk is best, 
wherein the Eye is to be dipt. 
3. In violent Causes, as, 1. Wounds, we must try at beginning to 
stop and hinder its amplifying and encrease; let Blood and repel, then 
corroberate, and use contracting and consolidating Topicks. 2. In 
blows, falls, and contusions, where if there be inflamation, take dire- 
ction from the Chapter of an Ophthalmy; if not, use Discussers, with 
some Astringents; Doves Blood, dropt in often, helps much to heal all 
Contusions of the Eyes. 
4. In winds, and distentive flatuosity universal evacuation afore-or- 
dered, discuss wind by Internals and Topicals, wherein some Astrin- 
gents to strengthen, may be added; as that of Rondeletius, of Fennel- 
seeds, Rheu, Dill, Rose-Leaves, Myrtle-Berries and Saint-John's- 
Wort, boiled in white Wine for a Foment; which used at the begin- 
ning (saith he) will stay its encrease. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Procidence. or going forth of the Eye. 
DEFINITION. 
ECpiesmos is a going forth of the Eye out of its Orb unacustomedly, 
so that it cannot be covered by the Eye-lids; made from violent 
Causes, and solution of continuity. 
CAUSES 
Are either Internal, or External: First, Internal are either from 
Humours, which violently by a defluxion extend it: Or 2. From re- 
laxation of the Ligaments, resolution of the Muscles and Nerves, 
whereby the force of retention is made weak: 3. From the forcible 
rushing thither of winds, and distentive flatious matter, Nature stri-
ving 

MORBI OCULORUM. 231
ving to make expulsion thereof, which happens chiefly to such as are 
strangled, to such as blow very hard with Trumpets, and in retention 
of the Breath in Child-bearing, in going to stool, vomiting, and such- 
like strivings of Nature. 
2. Externals are either first from violent Causes, as a Blow, or Fall, 
specially if great pain also thereupon ensue, and the Parts be more ten- 
der and loose: Secondly, from dissolved Unity of the part, as from 
Wounds and Ulcers.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Signs Diagnostick are known by sight, the particular Cause is com- 
monly related by the Sick, there is sometimes present heaviness of the 
Head, and the Pupil is enlarged.  
CURE. 
Herein we must respect antecedent and suppeditating Causes; as by 
letting Blood to prevent Inflamation, and purging to take away Hu- 
mmours flown, as well as flowing. 
Externally: 1. We must drive and repel Humours, and conse- 
quently Inflamation; Cuppers to the Occiput. 
2. The Eye Must gently be put up. Hartman advises the part to be 
mollified, and then sprinkled with the Pouder of Beetles that are found 
in Horse-dung, being dried in a Glass. 
3. It being put up, we must labour the retention of it in its place; 
that is done by Astringents, Bathes, Unctions, Foments, Cataplasms, 
&c. of Roses, Oak-Buds, Balaustians, Sumach, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, 
Roots of Tormentile, Pomegranate-Rinds, Bramble-Buds, Hypochi- 
stis, Sea-Water, &c. It must also be kept up with easie and straight li- 
gature. 
If too much moisture be the Cause, drying Topicks and Universals 
are useful. 
If Windiness be in Cause, use hotter Medicines both actually and 
potentially; in other Causes they may be applied cold upon the Eye- 
lids, being shut, but here they do hurt, if applied cold. 
If there be resolution of the Nerves and Muscles, it is convenient 
to use Apophelgmatisms. 
If it may not be put up into its place at all, nor is to be helped, it is 
totally to be taken forth, if all things seem convenient hereto. 
CHAP.


232 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XI. 
Of Pushes, or little Wheals of the Eye. 
THese Pushes or Wheals called Phlyctena by the Latins, of the A- 
rabians, Bothor, are made in the Cornea, and Annata or Adnata from 
a sharp serous Humour lifting up the Tunicles. 
CAUSES 
Be sharp Humours made from fulness of such an ill Blood. 
SIGNS 
Be, 1. Its magnitude, which is not above the bigness of Millium, 
or grains of Millet 
2. Its Colours, which is black in the Cornea, more ruddy in the Ad- 
nata-Tunicle, in the Compass or Superficies of the Cornea; if they be 
more deep, the Cornea is sometimes white. 
3. As to its substance, they are little Bladders of Water, even as 
Bladders and watery Blisters are wont to be made throughout all parts 
of the Body, either from serosity of the Blood, or Burns or Scalds: 
these little Bladders or Water-Whelks contain in them a pure Cry- 
stalline-Bubble, or drop of Water, which possesses both the Membranes 
as well as superficies of the Eye. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is with Inflamation, another without it. 
2. One is the Cornea, another in the Adnata. 
3. Some are more superficiary called Epicaumata, which are more 
black: Others are more deep under a second or third film, called En- 
caumata, which by reason of the whiteness of the Cornea do seem more 
white. 
They differ from Procidence of the Urea, because they do not put 
forth a white Circle in the bottom. 
In Phlyctenæ. there is blackness every where, but in falling out of the 
Urea, that onely that’s come forth, is black. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are common Tubercles to the Cornea and Annata, sometime 
afflicting with pain and inflamation, which are so much the worse; and 
these

MORBI OCULORUM. 233 
these are made either in the Adnata, where they are less dangerous, or 
Cornea, where they are more dangerous, and hardly cured, especially if 
the Cornea be broke in its inward part, and the nearer they are to the 
Pupil, the worse; if they be superficial, there is less danger, and more 
hope of Cure; if more deeply seated, we may fear Erosion of the whole 
thickness of the Cornea, and either from ruption of the Cornea the wa- 
tery Humour may flow out, or Procidence of going forth of the Urea. 
A Cicatrice also succeeding, hinders sight. 
CURE. 
In Cure, before we use Topicals, we must observe these Precepts: 
1. To premise generals. 
2. After that, use a cooling Dyet. 
3. Avoid sneezing, too great motion, anger, too great brightness, 
detention of the breath, much speaking, and immoderate drinking of 
Wine. 
We must resolve the conjoyned matter; Topicals must at first be re- 
pelling, then discuss; Leaves of Mallows applied, Gall of Birds, of 
an Hen, of a Goose, with Honey to anoint them, Water of white Vi- 
triol, Extract of Fennugreek-seeds: In the progress we must dry and 
dissolve more with proper Topicks. 
If therewith there be inflamation, Saccharum Saturni, dissolved in 
Rose-Water, or Eyebright-Water, is most excellent; also together 
with pain, these are good in this case, A Mucilage of Fennugreek-seeds 
in Plantane-Water, Rose-water, the white of an Egg beat in Plantane 
or Nightshade-Water; and if Inflamation and Pain be very intense, 
adde a little Opium. 
If herefrom we fear a great flux of Humours, we must revulse, use 
Cupping, Repellers, as Verjuyce, Plantane, Red Rose and Myrtle- 
Water, Water of Milk, of Quinces, &c. 
We must hinder their suppuration or turning ulcerous, made by the 
breaking of the little film or skin asunder, which by the former Rules 
observed, is most often prohibited.
Gg CHAP.

234 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Proptosis, or Procidence of the Urea. 
PRoptosis is a going forth of the Urea from dissolved Unity of the Cor- 
nea, being a vice in situation. 
CAUSES 
That effect the Ureas falling forth of the Cornea are solution of conti- 
nuity, a Wound or Ulcer, which break the Cornea. 
SIGNS 
Are, 1. from change of the figure of the Eye, and situation of the Urea: 
2. There is a white circle in the bottom about the Rupture, from the 
lips of the Cornea eroded, but that is black which comes forth: 3.The 
Pupil seems in a certain part of it to be pulled up, or appears not from 
the divulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure in general is hard, and the harder if the greater; Myocepha- 
lon is easilier cured by moderate Astringents, as the Rupture of the Cor- 
nea; and a fresh Staphyloma is sometimes cured, but a callous cannot, 
nor when there is whiteness. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Paulus reckons up four kinds: 1. The first is Myocephalon, because it 
hath the form of the Head of a Fly, and happen whenas a small por- 
tion of the Urea goes forth, and hath not yet encreased: 2. A second 
kind is called Staphyloma, from the form of a Grape Kernel, and is a 
greater Rupture of Procidence of the Urea: 3. A third and greatest Eru- 
ption of the Urea is called Melon, whenas it comes to the bigness of an 
Apple, and passeth the Eye-lids: 4. A fourth is called Elos in Greek,
Clavus in Latine, and is whenas the Procidence is inveterate, and ren- 
dered callous, which Ætius calls A Callous Nail. 
CURE 
Is done by Astringents that have no sharpness or roughness, such as are 
propounded in the Rupture of the Cornea and Ecpiesmos; if it yeild not 
to Medicines, as old ones seldom do, we must use Chyrurgery; some 
speak of drawing it artificially with a little Pipe; the Antients, as Cel- 
sus, Paulus and Ætius used Chyrurgery, whose event is very doubt- 
ful, and therefore rejected by Modern Practicks. 
CHAP.


MORBI OCULORUM. 235 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Pthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil.
DEFINITION.  
PThisis or Myosis, is a narrowness or lessening of the Pupil, contra- 
ry to Mydriasis or a narrowness or a Dilatorum of the Pupil, made from contra- 
cting of the Urea, and is a it might also cause Mydriasis, 
by filling and distending the Pupil, yet here it may cause a diminu- 
tion of it by relaxating. Disease in conformation. 
CAUSE. 
1. Is from too great humidity, contracting the Urea from the Cir- 
cumference to the Center; for although 
2. Is from too great siccity and driness, made either, first from Con- 
sumption of the watery or albuginous Humours, as in Wounds, where 
the albuginous Humour is evacuated, it is very soon contracted; se- 
condly, or from other Causes drying and binding up, and causing a con- 
striction thereof. This also might cause Mydriasis or enlarging of the 
Apple of the Eye, because in that tention and stretching out, was made 
from Humours dryed, but driness in this is from defect of moisture, and 
a Consumption of the watery Humour, so that it wrinkles and wasts 
therefrom. 
3. 'Tis from a lesser afflux of the visive Spirits to the Pupil; either, 
first, through obstruction of the Nerves Optick; or, secondly, from pau- 
city or fewness of Spirits, which often happens to old Men that have 
their Pupil contracted. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK, 
Are taken, first, from the Pupils magnitude; which is less then na- 
turally should and was wont to be, which is known by comparing it 
with the other Eye. Secondly, By blindness at first when we go into 
a dark place, by reason of the constriction of the Pupil, yet after it is 
dilated they see better, but best in bright places; and Objects are re- 
sented greater, because the visible Species being received in by the nar- 
row hole, they are dilated in a more ample space towards the Crystal- 
line: A moderate bigness of the Pupil is therefore necessary for re- 
ceiving the visible Species. Moreover the Pupil is more obscure, rug- 
ged and wrinkled, and pains of the Head sometimes preceded.
Gg 2 PROG.  

236 MORBI OCULORUM.
PROGNOSTICKS 
Are taken from the Causes, that made from Consumption or loss of 
the watery Humour, is incurable; because that once effused cannot be 
regenerated: yet if made from a Wound in Children, tis sometimes re- 
paired: It is also incureable when there is a defect of the white; also 
in old Men; from siccity tis more hardly cured then from humdity or 
moisture, from which yet if inveterate, it is very hardly also cured: the 
freshness and newness of all Diseases makes much for their more easie 
Cure.
DIFFERENCE. 
One is from the Birth and Natural Conformation, who (saith Galen) 
see more acutely.  
Another from Preternatural Causes, and that either driness, or its 
contrary, too great moisture; either from vice of the Visive Spirits, or 
Nerves Optick.  
CURE 
Is to be done by contradicting the Cause, and though the same 
cause produce contrary affects, as Mydriasis and Pthisis both; yet these 
differing affects proceeding from one and the same Cause, are cured 
one and the same way. 
1. Therefore for Siccity or Driness, whether Consumptive or Con- 
tractive, we must attract and draw nourishment, foment with warm 
Milk and a little Sack; some add Emolients, but others dislike them; 
a Colliry of Mucilage of Flea-Seed, Milk, and Oyl of Lin-Seed, fo- 
ment also with warm Water. 
2. For moisture, see the direction in the Chapter of Mydriasis of 
dilatation of the Apple; Rhue, Chelidone, &c. that are drying Oph- 
thalmick Remedies, are also useful. 
3. For obstruction of the Optick Nerves, see Amaurosis, or Ambly- 
opia, or also for Restauration of the fewness and weakness of the visive 
Spirits.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 237
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Eyes Blood-shot. 
NAMES and DEFINITION.
Hyposphagma or Aimalops, in Greek; Sugillatio or Sanguinis effusio, 
in Latine: sometimes Macula is that which in English is called 
Blood-shot, and is an effusion of Blood into the Cornea chiefly, and Ad- 
nata-Tunicles of the Eye, appearing at first red, and afterwards livid, 
or black and blew, arising from violent Causes. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause immediate, is Blood poured forth into the Cornea and Ad- 
nata or Conjunctive Tunicles, by the Veins dispersed there, and open- 
ed. 
Exciting Causes, were either contusion, as a fall or blow, or a vio- 
lent rushing of Blood thither by loud clamours, blowing with Trum- 
pets, &c. where there was plenty of Blood in the adjacent vein. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs be, first, its visibility, it being at first redder, because Blood 
at first breaking forth of the Vessels is red; afterwards black and blew, 
because Blood after it is out of the Vessels cools, and grows livid or 
black, possessing the Cornea or Horny Membrane, and sometimes the 
Adnata or Conjunctive Membrane, and sometimes both; and if it be 
more plentiful, it is at last often changed into Pus or Matter, and 
when as it cannot be discussed, it makes an Hypopyon. 
Secondly, Its Symptoms; it makes all Objects to seem red, even 
as Glasses that are red or green make us think all things that we see in 
them of that Colour. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Cure is easie in the beginning; if inveterate, ’tis more contu- 
macious; it is bad, if it turns to Hypopyon, or a purulent Matter under 
the Cornea. 
CURE 
In Cure for a fresh one, and if Blood abound, let Blood; use To- 
picals to discuss, but with astringents to repel the flux of Blood, and in- 
flamation therefrom: The Whites of new-laid-Eggs, beaten and ap- 
plyed to the Eye with fine Flax, are commended, and the Blood of a 
Turtle

238 MORBI OCULORUMM. 
Turtle Dove or Pigeon, with Womans Milk dropt in, is commended 
by all for a fresh Hyposphagma. 
If it be more old, and the part look livid, or black and blew; Topi- 
cals must discuss more, and somewhat attenuate, wherein the most 
effectual, are, 1. a Colliry of extract of Fennugreek-Seeds, in Camo- 
mile and Melilot-Water, adding thereto a little Saffron, Lapis Hema- 
titis, and Aqua Mellis, &c. of the Fat of the Bird Questula, with 
juyce of holy Thistle and Chelidone. 2. A Cataphasm of Roots of 
Salomons-Seal and holy Thistle boiled in Fennel, Chelidone, or Eye- 
bright-Water, or of Hysop boild and applyed, which is greatly com- 
mended by Galen, Avicen &c. which takes out the Blood so sensibly, 
that the Cloath in which it is applyed to the Eye is bloody there- 
from. 3. Fumes of Decoctions received by the Eyes, as of Cheli- 
done, Eyebright, Fennel, Myrrh, America, &c. 4. Foments, as of 
Decoction of Myrrh, Saffron, Frankinsence, Colwort-leaves, Fennu- 
greek-Seeds, Roots of Devils-bit, &c. or of juyce of Radish, which 
put upon the Cornea, saith Rondeletius, discusses it; Or that of Ætius, 
of the Urine of a found Boy, beaten in a Brass Morter, with a Brass 
Pestil in the Sun, and afterwards mixt with Honey. Such as were set 
down to resolve Phlyclenæ, and for suffusions, are good here; only we 
must have a care of sharp and acrimonious Medicine, least we draw 
more blood to the Eyes. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Emphysema, or a Windy Tumor of the Eye-lids. 
A Loose tractable and flatulent Tumour of the Eye-lids is called, 
Emphysema Ophthalmon by the Greeks; Inflatro Palpebræ by the 
Latines, and is a puffing up of the Eye-lid from a windy Matter. 
Causes, Internally or Externally fomenting it; as watchings, in Fevers, 
& Cachectick Bodies, often a serous Matter falling or translated thither, 
effects these kinds of swellings; sometimes an Airy matter puffs it up. 
The stinging of Bees, Wasps, Hornets, or Nettles, are External 
Causes. 
CURE. 
In Cure, we must first use Generals, and respect the habit, specially 
in Cachectick Hydropick Bodies, where such a matter is generated 
from plenty, or a crude, and vaporours Airy Matter, and weakness of na- 
tive heat in digesting it: Topicals must be emolient and dissipating, and
withal 


MORBI OCULORUM.  239 
withal, corroborating, and resolving Cataplasms of Cummin-Seeds, 
with Milk, of Lentiles, and Honey, of Ætius: if it come through sting 
of a Bee, Wasp, Hornet, Nettle, &c, some advise to Treacle mixt 
with Plantane-Water, or the Bee that stung is to be bruised and apply- 
ed; also a Colliry of Pulp of Crabs, Yolks of Eggs, and Womans 
Milk, is good in such a case; above other things, some extol greatly an 
Emplaister of holy-Thistle, beaten with Whites of Eggs spread upon 
flaxen Hards, for the Eye-lids swelled and pained from the stinging of 
Bees, and other venemous Creatures. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Hydatis, or little Apostemes of the Eye-lids. 
HYdatis, is a Tumor in the upper Eye-lid, referring the Species of 
Meliceris or Steatoma, arising from an increment and growing 
forth of the fatty Substance, and resembles a piece of fat under the up- 
per Eye-lid, betwixt the Skin and Cartilage, or Membranes of the Eye- 
lids, in the midst of which is that Flesh which Physicians call the Un- 
ctuous Substance; this affect most molests Children, by reason of 
great moistute in them ; and in some becomes Oedematous, and so grieves 
the upper Eye-lids, that they may not be lifted up; it pours forth an 
Humour much in quantity, and serous in quality, and that chiefly on 
mornings, or at day break, because they are more copiously gathered in 
the Night, they most often sleep upon their Faces; some call it Aquula, 
and Celsus, Vesica. 
CURE. 
If it be fresh, fasting Spittle doth sometime cure it, and it may be re- 
solved by Dissolvers, as Oyl of Camomile, &c. Salt chewed with Cum - 
ming-Seeds, unless pain prohibit it: if it be inveterate, if it be includ- 
ed in a Skin or Membrane, as Meliceris and Steatoma, it is cured by 
Chyrurgery, and the Bladder also by overthwart incision is taken away, 
left a new matter be gathered afresh in it; after manual operation, the 
whole Eye must be covered with an Emplaister of the white of an Egg 
beaten with red-Rose-Water; or if the Bladder may not be drawn out, 
it is to be wasted by Cathereticks, or eating Medicines, which are cau- 
tulously to be used, consideration of the Part being had. 
CHAP.

240 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Tubercle of the Eye-lid, called Grando, or 
the Hail-stone. 
CHalazion of the Greeks, Grando, or Tuberculum Rotundum Palpe- 
bra, of the Latines, is a Tumor of the Eye-lids, made from Col- 
lection and Coaservation of Humours there, which are condensated 
and thickned, and make a Tumor like an Hail-stone, which differs 
from Crithe or Hordeolumt because this is, 1. More stony and hard. 
2. More round. 3. More shining and clear. 4. It is moveable this 
way or that way. 5. It is more hard and stubborn to be cured by Me- 
dicines. 
Ætius reckons two kinds, One more bright, wherein is included a 
matter like the White of an Egg hardned, and not paining; the other 
more blackish, bigger, and paining upon the touch; sometimes it is 
more externally placed on top of the Eye-lid, sometimes more inter- 
nally under the Lid. 
CURE. 
Cure, if it may be done by Medicines, is by an emolient Emplaister of 
Gum Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, mixt with Wax, Hens-Grease, &c. 
Turpentine, in due quantities: if this be not effectually used, Chyrurge- 
ry is to be tryed; and if the Tubercle or little knot be more outwardly 
seated, it is taken away by excision, and pluck’t away with a Chyrur- 
gions Honk; if under the Eye-lid, turn up the Eye-lid, and by inci- 
sion take forth the matter; and lastly, use Consolidaters: See more in 
the Cure of Hydatis and Crithe, or the Come of the Eye-lids. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Crithe, or a Tubercle of the Eye-lids. 
CRithe or Pesthion in Greek, Hordeolum or Preputiolum in Latine, is 
a little long Tubercle of the Eye-lids, softer then Grandoy grow- 
ing externally on the top of the Eye-lid, included in a Membrane, like 
Atheroma, and suppurating, (which it doth not easily) it refers the fi- 
gure of a Barly-Corn, and thence had its name.
CURE. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 241 
It is cured by Barley chewed fasting, and applied to it. or it may be 
rubbed with the Body of a Fly: Forestus and Avicen used the Blood of 
a Turtle. It is sometimes dissolved by an Emplaister of Amoniacum: 
Anthony Musa used Galbanum with Niter; Galen the Blood of Birds of 
prey; Chyrurgions open it with a Bistory, take forth all the matter, and 
deterge it with Honey, and Yolks of Eggs: Celsus seared the matter, 
if not let out by incision, might corrupt the Cartilage; afterward We 
must use some repelling Colliry to drive back Humours that are apt to 
slow, and heal the fore. 
If the Tubercle be more hard, round, and moveable, it is called 
Grando or Hailestone, of which see more elsewhere. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Ulcers of Cornea. 
ULcers of the Eyes are taken variously, & have divers denominations 
according to their degrees and situation, those in the Superficies 
are called Achlys Nephelion; about the Circle of the Iris or Rainbow, 
they are called Argemon; if deep, Bothrion; and deepest, Cæloma; if foul 
and crustulous, ’tis called Epicauma, or Encauma, generally also ’tis 
called Ægylops Coiloma, &c, 
CAUSE.
They are wont to succeed to Ophthalmies suppurated, to Phlyctenes, 
or Blisters of the Eyes being broke, from white Pushes preceding 
and breaking, from Causes external and procatarctick, from prick- 
ing with a Thorn, or hurt from Glass, from Blows, Contusions dilacera- 
ting the Cornea, which is thick; Internals are flux of sharp Humours, 
or Humours made by Congestion. 
SIGNS.
Signs Diagnostick and Prognostick have their grounds and rise from 
Differences: Where, 
1. Observe some are more superficiary, and broad, less deep, and are 
called Coiloma. 
2.v Others are more deep, crusty, sharp, and sollid, called Epicanma, 
and Encanma, chiefly from the quality of the sordid Ulcers, and Bothri- 
Hh on,

242 MORBI OCULORUM. 
on, and Cæloma, from the depth; these are easie to know, and to be di- 
stinguished by sight, have sharper pain. 
3. Some are situated in the Circle of the Iris, and called Argemon, 
and from some Ulcus Coronale, these are ruddy towards the outward part 
of the Iris, towards the inward part white. 
4. Some are in the Cornea, which appear in the black of the Eye, are 
harder to cure; there is fear of an efflux of the Humour Aqueus, or 
watery Humour, or Procidence of the Urea, from erosion of sharp Hu- 
mours; if healed, a Cicatrice sometimes hinders sight; fluxes of rheum 
also sometime following, cause blindness. 
5. In the Adnata, there is redness in the white of the Eyes from 
the Veins of its Tunicles stuft with Blood; they are better in conditi- 
on then those of the Cornea. 
CURE. 
In Cure, First, Evacuate by Catharticks, in which proper Medicines 
for the Eyes are intermixt. 
Secondly, Let Blood if need be, if inflamation or an Ophthalmy be 
present. 
Thirdly, Divert Humours by Frictions and Cuppers, Ligatures, &c. 
Fourthly, Interception, where Medicines applied to the Forehead 
and Temples, intercept the flux. 
Fifthly, To the Ulcer it self we must, 
1. Use Detergents; yet more mild, because of the tenderness and 
exquisite sense of the part; a Liniment of Powder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy and Honey, or Mucilage of Fennugreek, extract in Juyce of Saint- 
John's Wort, are to be used; also Vervain, Rheu, Chelidone, and 
Eyebright-Water. 
2. We must dry the Ulcers, but Pouders are gritty, and by their 
harshness hurt the Eye; sharp Medicines also provoke a greater flux of 
thin Humours, and watery ; but things that dry potentially, and with- 
out sharpness, having some propriety to the Eyes, are here useful; Aloes, 
Tutty-stone, Sarcocol, Frankinsence, Mastick, Myrrh, Lycium. 
3. Agglutinate. Hartman praises Water of the whites of Eggs 
Montanus the Pouder of whites of Eggs; Sarcocol also infused in Brest- 
Milk, and Frankinsence are praised; ꝶ of the Pouder of the white of 
Eggs, of Frankinsence, of each ʒj. Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth ex- 
tract in red Rose-Water, ʒij. Aloe ʒß Cream what may fuffice, make 
a thin Medicine. 
4 Induce a Cicatrice, where this is effectual: ꝶ whites of Eggs, 
beat them in a Leaden Mortar, with Water of Milk; adde thereto Ce- 
russ, Frankinsence, Aloe, of each two parts, Pouder of red Roses, of 
Myrtle-

MORBI OCULORUM. 243 
Myrtle-Berries, and Sarcocol, of each one part; Tutty, Lapis Calami- 
naris, of each one part and in half; Cream and Oyl of Roses what may 
suffice to make it of a convenient consistence. 
Lastly, We must correctt Symptoms: In great pain, a Colliry of the 
white of an Egg in Rose-Water, and a little Opium, if need, added, is 
effectual; if acrimony be adjoyned, temper that with Brest-Milk, water 
of the whites of Eggs, Mucilage of Psyllium-seeds, Fennugreek, and 
Lint-seed: if they turn cancerous, where there arises great pain, we 
must palliate with cooling Anodines: if the fight be hurt, or we fear  
blindness, from what Cause soever, give inwardly to restore sight, Salt 
of Eyebright, Eyebright-Wine, Extract of Rheu and Valerian; fly Wines, 
and hot evaporative things. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Hypopyon, or matter under the Cornea. 
HYpopyon is a collection of Pus or matter under the Cornea-Tunicle 
of the Eye, from an ulcerous disposition of the part. 
NAMES 
Hereof with the Greeks are Hypopyon and Pyosis, with the Latins Un- 
guis, and Pus sub Cornea. 
CAUSES 
Are Ulcers or Inflamations suppurated; adjutant Causes also are open- 
ing of the Veins through plenitude, and there imparting a muddy limen- 
tary matter, so that it possesses half the black of the Eye, sometimes co- 
vers all the Pupil, and hinders fight; also by reason of Blows, Falls, 
Contusions, &c. letting out Blood, which under the Tunicles grows 
pale and black. 
SIGNS 
Are from inflamation, that cannot be terminated but by suppuration, 
from precedence of manifest causes, from pulsative pain, redness of the 
Eyes; or at least it went before: the Eye being, moved, the matter un- 
der the Cornea seems also to be moved; also there is a white colour of 
the part shewing a purulent matter. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Whenas the Eye is filled with matter, the Greeks call it Pyosis as if 
an heap of viscous matter, which the Ancients divided twofold, one  
Hh 2 they

244 MORBI OCULORUM. 
they called Onyx, the Latins Unquis or a Nail in Engish, referring the 
figure of a Nail cut off, compassing the circuit of the Iris from a cor- 
rupted and limous matter gathered in an ulcerous cavity. 
Another is called Hypopyon with the Greeks, and Pus sub Cornea by the 
Latins; and in this is a more copious matter gathered under the Cor- 
nea whereby the whole Pupil is sometime covered, and fight is hin- 
dered. 
CURE. 
Opening a Vein and purging, are better helpers in its growing than 
growth. Inflamation, if that preceded, is warily to be respected, left 
this evil ensue by its suppurating; some open not onely the Arm, but 
also the Temple-Veins, and those seen in the Corners of the Eyes, to- 
gether with which other Prohibiters of Inflamation are necessary; Dis- 
cussers are to have emollients mixt with them, lest that part of the 
matter that is not hereby resolved, should be made thicker and unresol- 
vable; Fomentation of Cammomile, Melilot, Fennugreck, and Lint- 
seed, Fleawort-seeds, &c. wherein fine Linnen may be dipped, and ap- 
plied to the Eye; also Colliryes, or Waters to wash the Eye, of Eye- 
bright, Chelidone, Fennel, &c. with Honey: Some speak of shaking 
forth this collection of purulent matter by great concussion of the Head; 
others, and they more generally and probably, advise to, and use Chyrur- 
gery, which is done by opening of the Cornea with a Lancet, and suck- 
ing out the Pus; this is to be doneby a skilful Artist, left the watery Hu- 
mour with the Pus should also flow out, by reason of which it is not 
much used; after it, Astringents and Comforters of the Eyes are to be 
used. 
CHAP. XXI. 
Of Callous and rough Eye-lids, called Sclerophthalmia, 
Ptilosis, and Trachoma.  
SClerophthalmia, otherwise called Ptilosis and the Greeks; 
and Lippitudo Dura, Hirsutin, and Asperitas Palpebrarum by the 
Latins, is a Disease of the Eye-lids, wherein they are red, thick, rough  
and hard. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is attributed to an adult, salt and sharp Humour, and of- 
ten to sharp Colliryes and Eye-Medicines. 
It

MORBI OCULORUM. 
It is variously divided; for one is called Sclerophthalmia, or hardness 
of the Eyes, wherewith is an hot distemper and thick Humour, some-
time with itching pain and redness, and sticking together of the Eye-lids 
after sleep, from the aforesaid thick Humour. 
Another is called Ptilosis, which is a callous thickness and red, with- 
out inflamation, itching or pain. 
Trachoma is a roughness and scabbedness of the Eye-lids, called also 
Sycopis when ’tis more grown, wherein oftentimes there be pushes like 
Millet-seed, and the ulcerated sore places sometimes chap and grow cal- 
lous; it is more inwardly than outwardly. 
If the Humour causing these be Choler, then little Pustules are made; 
if Flegm that is salt, there is more serosity; if Blood, there is less 
itching if a more melancholy Humour, that may be discovered by co- 
lour of that that comes forth: and according to the difference, of the 
Humour, is the difference of the Tumour. 
CURE. 
One Cure may generally suit with all, as to Evacuation and Aversion 
of the matter: secondly intercepient and emollient Topicks; but not 
in reipect of differences, for in Sclerophthalmia stronger are used, as 
Water of Lime much praised, Vitriol-Water, with Myrrh, Aloes and 
Saffron; but before these be used, more mild Medicines are to be tried, 
by degrees proceeding to stronger. 
Where there is more heat redness and pushes, together with the 
thickness and callosity, Coolers are: to be used that inflame not, as a ba- 
thing of it with warm water, wherein Mallows and Tutty have boiled, 
or the white of an Egg with Oyl of Roses, a Colliry of Myrrh dissolved 
in Womans Milk, mixed with Butter and Hens Grease. 
If withal there be fissures and soreness, acrimony and saltness of the 
Humours must be tempered: Avican used the Mucilage of Fennugreek 
seeds drawn in milk. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthalmia. 
PSorophthalmia is a redness of the Eyelids, with a flux of Humours, 
from a salt rheumatick mattter, exulcerating the Corners of the 
Eyes, causing great itching and heat therein. 
Xerophthalmia is a dry distemper of the Eye-lids, with redness, but
no

246 MORBI OCULORUM. 
no sweliing nor rheumatick matter distilling, made from a Melancholy 
Humour stirring up great Itching and more Pain then in a Psorophthal- 
my. 
CURE. 
Cure of Psorophthalmia, is first by opening the middle-Vein of the 
Forehead, by lenifying the sharpness and saltness of Humours, and inter- 
cepting their course; Topicals are to be emollient, as whites of Eggs 
beat in Rose water, and applied. This also is greatly praised: ꝶ of 
white Lead washed, ℥j. white Starch, ʒvj. Gum Tragacanth, Sarcocol, 
and Tutty prepared, of each ℥ß. Thebaick, Opium, Camphir, of each 
ʒj. with Rose-Water make a mass thereof, which being dissolved, drop 
sometimes a drop or two into the Eye with a Feather: the Decoction of 
Bramble-Buds boiled in white Wine, and dropped in twice or thrice a  
day, is also commended. 
In a Xerophthalmia, Baths, and such as draw moisture to the Eyes, 
are good; such also as lenify and make tractable, and mollifie the Eye- 
lids; the Eye-lids are to be anointed over-night, lest they stick together, 
and be not easily opened in the morning. 
For the Symptom Itching, which sometimes is very molestuous, are 
commended, 1. A Colliry of Aloe, Tutty, Ceruse, equally mixt with 
Rose-Water: 2. The Water of the Flowers of Mead-sweet, or Queen 
of the Meddow, with Juyce of Daysies, dropped in, and a Clout wet 
therein, and applied; 3. More sharp Medicines that want a propriety 
are good against itching, as Coperas, Salt, Licium, sharp Vinegar, the 
Urine of the Sick, being stale, Sugar, &c, we must have a care that only 
the Eye-lids, and not the Eyes, be touched with such Medicines.
OF

247 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 
THese Diseases, or most them at least, 
may not be found in some Practices 
of Physick, therefore they may be 
very convenient here: It is supposed 
few will come to the reading these, at 
to practice by them, that have not 
read, or have the Books to reade, all 
greater and more frequent Diseases. 
Authors were the least mistaken in 
these: Dissection is not so clearly satisfactory in these Distem- 
pers of the Nose, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips; such small Dis- 
eases of small Parts can shew but little in Anatomizing; but 
there is great variation of the kinds, and degrees, and different 
Productions of all these, which we have collected from good 
Authors, and composed them as fully for matter, and as short- 
ly for words, and as commodiously to be well understood, as 
we could. 
CHAP.


248 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. I. 
Of the Pose, or Distillation by the Nostrils. 
COryza in Greek, in Latin Gravedo, is a kind of Catarrh, 
or a deflux of crude Humours, or thin Excrements contain- 
ed in the sore-Ventricles of the Brain by the Nostrils, with 
a frequent Sneezing, and sense of Obstruction in the passa- 
ges of the Noftrils. 
DIFFERENCE of it is according to CAUSES. 
1. An hot Distemper of the Brain, or Heat that melts and pours 
out pituitous moist Excrements, being collected and retained in the 
Head, that is effected or caused by outward Causes, as immoderate 
drinking of Wine, keeping too long in heat of the Sun, or using Hot 
Baths.  
2. By an hot Distemper of the Liver, are hot and sharp Poses made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. 'Tis easily known by the Patients own discerning. 
2. 'Tis easily cured, and safer then Catarrhs. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. 'Tis bad in Diseases of the Lungs. 2. If the Distemper is stub- 
bornly rooted. 3. By its Acrimony, it often ulcerates the Nostrils, 
and produces other affects. 4. If from an hot Distemper in the Liver, 
whence also are produced hot and sharp Catarrs. 5. Better if outward 
Causes produce it. 
CURE.  
'Tis Cured as a Catarrh from an hot Cause. 1. We must evacuate. 
2. Revulse or pull back the flowing Humour. 3. Derive: the use of 
Errhines are condemned, because they draw too violently, but Apo- 
phlegmatisms and Masticatories are safely used to stop and restrain Va- 
pours, are much approved, specially a Vapour of Mario, boiled in its 
own

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 249 
own Water, and received into the Nostrils; or a Vapour of Vinegar, 
wherein hot Iron hath been quenched; Gum Anime, or the Oyl of it 
cast upon Coals for a Suffume. 
2. A cold Distemper, that is made from inward Causes, as Flegm 
and crude moisture collected in the Head. 1. Through the digestive 
faculty weakened from a cold Distemper. 2. From outward Causes 
cooling the Brain, whereby it is compressed like a Sponge, and sends 
forth the moisture to the subjected parts; the Brain also from penury 
of heat concocting all Aliments badly, gathers new matter, and more 
moist pituitous Excrements, that upon every light occasion are shut out 
by the nearest open wayes, by the expulsive faculty. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. From a cold and bad concoctive force and constitution in the 
Brain, 'tis hard to cure perfectly. 
2. If older, the worse to cure. 
CURE.
After Universals, a Fume; Nigella-Romana. Seeds, Frankinsence, &c. 
cast upon Coals, to dry and consume the cold moist superfluous humidi- 
ty of the Brain; the Seeds of Nigella-Romana, also rosted, put into Silk, 
and often smelt to, are commended; so is the taking of Tobacco, 
sprinkled with Oyl of Anni-Seeds, to such as are accustomed there  
to.
CHAP. II. 
Of hurt of Smelling. 
OLfactus or Smelling, may be taken away, lessened, or depraved, as 
the rest of the Actions of the Body, and only differ in degrees or 
magnitude Of Depraved Smelling, we shall speake in a Chapter by it 
self.  
CAUSE.
Made from a Distemper of the Brain, cold and moist, which either 
occupies the anteriour part of it, and then taste is abolished from tHe 
Propagine of the third pair of the Nerves of the Brain, efforming the 
(Tongue ling. rather) Speech affected; a cold and moist distemper, or 
with a pituitous Matter adjoyned, is wont to dull any Sense, whence 
in Catarrhs and Poses, smell is often hurt: and native heat being 
Ii deficient,


250 Of the Disease of 
deficient, the function of pans are hurt, and Nature bedulled.
Aliis est Obstruct.
Ossi-Ethmoidis. 
2. Obstruction from the same pituitous Humour, as well senseless 
as the passages of the Nostrils; or insenseless, as the 
Pores of the Brain, and Processus Mamillares; that 
Scents cannot pass to those parts; to this may be 
joyned a Polypus Sarcoma, or the like, that may stop or fill up the 
Passages. 
3. Astriction made from the same pituitous Humour, gathered in 
the forepart of the Brain, and compelling, the Processus Mamillares; 
that astriction may also come from a Native Conformation, if they be 
so depressed and narrow, that there lies not open a free passage for 
Scents. 
SIGNS. 
1. A Distemper cold and pituitous, may be gathered by those Signs 
of flegm, from flegm in the Head, and by a Mucous Pituit stilling 
from the, Brain. 
2. Are divers, according to Causes. 1. If from those Nerves, that 
constitute the Organ of Smelling affected, then there is perceived no 
hurt either in the Brain, or rest of the Sences, the voice remains clear. 
3. From narrowness. 1. In the Brain, and then gravity is present. 
2. In the passages of the Nostrils, or Bone-Ethmoides affected; then 
there is, 1. Hurt of Voice, because the Nostrils help to form the 
Voice. 2. Resperation is vitiated. 3. Wonted excrements are re- 
strained. 4. Smelling is sometime totally abolished, if Pituit be har- 
dened in the Holes of that Bone. 
4. From Hoping of the Passages of the Nose, by excrescences of flesh, 
as Sarcoma, Polypus, or the like: we mutt seek out their signs in their pro- 
per Chapters. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Lessened or abolished Smelling, is dangerous in a Carnus, Apo- 
plexy, or other affects of the Brain. 2. 'Tis incurable, if from ill con- 
firmation of the Nostrils, as Noses by Nature flat. 3. ’Tis hardly cured, 
if inveterate, and from a Distemper confirmed; but fresh and newly 
made, ’tis more hopeful. 
CURE 
Varies as Causes; from a cold Distemper, correct that with hot Ce- 
phal. with such Remedies as are taught in the Chapter of Head-ach, 
from a cold Distemper, and of a Catarrh; extract of Marjoram taken 
to ℈ß. every night and morning, is held a Specifical; but obstruction 
of the Nostrils or Ethmoid-Bone, from pituitous Humours, is best taken  
away after purging of the Redundancy of Pituitous Humours in the 
whole

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 251 
whole Body; 1. By a Nasale of the Root of Gentian, put into the 
Nose. 2. Errhines, where Juyce of Red Beets is best, and draws out 
stuff, flegm, or decoction of Nigella-Seeds with Castor. 3. Sternutato- 
ries (which avail most, saith Hartman, when the Vice is in the Eth- 
moid-Bone) as of Elatery, ,&c. 
4. Odours, as Oyl of Nigella-Seeds, but the best way is to take the 
Seed of Roman Nigella-Seeds and torrifie them, and so wrap them in fine 
Silk, and often smell unto them when they are hot. 
5. Sinapismos in a contumacious evil. 
2. From narrowness in the Brain it self; here Sternutatories most 
help, and Errhines are less useful. 2. Apophlegmatisms. 
3. From a blow, specially, if fresh, it may be cured, if a Pipe of 
Lead be put into the Nose. 
4. From stopping up of the passage of the Nostrils, from Excrescences 
of Flesh, as Sarcoma and Polypus. See the Cure in the Chapters of 
them.  
CHAP. III. 
Of Sneezing. 
DEFINITION. 
SNeezing is a Symptom of the voluntary faculty, or a concussion of 
the Brain, and of neer affinity to an Epileptick passion, endea- 
vouring a casting forth of some offending and tickling matter, either 
Flegmatick, or more watery, and thin, or windy, or other causes be- 
yond Nature, stirring up a deprived motion of the Animal Spirits, and 
breaking forth with noise and concussion. 
SUBJECT 
Is either the Brain, Nostrils, or Jaws, Trachart, or Lungs, but rather 
somewhat molestuous, that sticks about, or tickles the Trachæ' a-Artery, 
or top of the Nostrils. 
CAUSE. 
1. Proximate the Lungs, contracting themselves suddenly and for- 
cible, so that by the Breath is suddenly cast out that that did molest.  
2. Remote Causes are either Internal or External. 
1. Internal, are either flatuous or humorous Causes, which humours 
are more thick or thin, as in the Pose. 
2. These Humours arc brought into Action from catching cold.
I 2 whereby 


252 Of the Diseases of 
whereby the Brain sends down some sharp thin Matter to the Membranes 
of the Nostrils, that are endued with an exquisite sense, so that attracting 
Air, the Lungs with violence contracting themselves, cast forth the 
Breath with that force, and on heaps, which coming at the Nostrils 
causes a sound. 
2. From Nature irritated by the sharpness of some matter provoking 
the expulsive faculty generally, so that not only from the Head, Jaws, 
Nose, Rough Artery, Lungs and Breast, is the oftensive matter ex- 
cussed, but also from the Womb and lower parts. 1. This Vaporous 
moisture, is either restrained, and wanting its free passage out, irritates; 
Or, 2. Having free passage and running out, tickles the parts from the 
retentive faculty of the Brain weakened through cold, as in Catarrhs 
and Defluctions, where Sneezing is sometime very urging: As Forestus 
relates, Obs. 127. lib. 10. of one that had a sharp and salt Catarrh; 
and though the Membranes of the Brain may be irritated, yet there is 
no Sneezing before the offensive Matter comes to the Membranes of 
the Nostrils. 
3. In Feavers, saith Avicen, 'tis made from sharp Vapours carried 
from the whole Body up to the Head, Verte fol. per Caus. exter. 
4. From eating of Vaporous things, as Onions, Mustard, &c. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a good Sign, and Nature’s help in Diseases of those parts, that 
it may ease, 
1. Because it shews the faculty strong, 2. Concoction of the Mat- 
ter, 3. The aptness of Nature to be lightned and unburdened. 2. In 
accute and malignant Diseases and Feavers, it doth often great good, 
and promises Health, and though it may raise an Hæmorrage of the No- 
strils, that seldom doth hurt. 
2. But 'tis bad in Catarrhs and Poles, because the Humour requires 
quietness to be concoted. 
3. In Fits of the Mother, or difficult Birth, Sneezing is helpful, 
Aph. 35. Sect. 5. 
4. For Pituit, gathered in the lappets of the Lungs or Breast, that 
may not be expelled by Coughing, may by Sneezing. 
5. In a Singultus or Hickop, it greatly profits, and tis often ceased 
hereby. 
6. In Soporiferous affects, its good; and if in Appoplexies, by Ptar- 
micals put into the Nostrils, they sneeze not, it portends danger, Na- 
ture sinking under her burden. 
2. ’Tis-bad in Diseases of the Lungs, as Ptissicks, and Peripnen- 
monies


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 253 
monies, or inflamation of the Lungs, or Pleurisie, not avoiding the 
Morbifick Matter, but encreasing the evils by violent disturbing and 
tearing the Lungs. 
3. If too often and too violent, whereby, saith Rondeletius, many 
have been taken with an Epileptick Fit; and thence came the Supersti- 
tious saying, I pray God bless thee. 
2. External Causes, as 1. that are put into the Nostrils, 
to cause Sneezing, by their irritation and acrimony. 
2. Sometime tis made from holding up the Head to look at the Sun 
Beams, which causes, 1. Melting and loosening of the Humours. 
2, Contraction of the Brain that squeezes them out; Or, 3. From a cold 
Air received at the Nostrils. 4. From smelling of Vaporous things, 
whole fumes irritate, 5. From Feathers, or the like, put into the 
Nostrils, provoking the expulsive Faculty. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnosticks be conspicuous of themselves, and by relation of the 
Sick, from feeling this Matter avoided, and the part that was molested, 
eased. 
CURE. 
Cure, is not alwayes necessary, unless it be immoderate, and do 
molest and shake the afflicted or diseased parts. 
1. From External Causes, and then they removed, it ceases. 
2. Internals: And 1. hot : Here Bleeding, Purging, Revulsion, 
Derivation and Discussion, are to be premised with friction of the Eyes, 
Nose and Forehead, strong combing, compression of the Veins in the 
Corners of the Eyes, retention of Breath ; cleanse the Nostrils, and 
pluck the Ears, and hold the Hands in cold Water : If after these, the 
faculty expulsive be still disturbed, from some acrimony or the like, 
take the fume of warm Water up the Nose, or snuff up fresh Milk, or 
Oyl of Sweet-Almonds : These not helping, use Narcoticks, smell to 
cold things, Roses, Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Opium it self, 
and snuff up Deception of such like; smell to no Spices. 
2. Cold, here preparation premised, use Lenitives, Revuse, Derive, 
and Discuss the Cause , as afore directed ; Friction, Ligatures, hot 
Decoctions drawn into the Nostrils, Pomanders of Aromaticks to smell 
to, and whatever may conduce to rectifying the cold distemper. 
Of


254 Of the Diseases of 
Of an Erysipelas of the Nostrils. 
An Erysipelas of the Nostrils, after Generals, as Purging, letting 
Blood, and the like, as for Erysipelas in General.
CURE. 
’Tis restrained after the manner of other Erysipela's of other parts; a 
Specifical, is the Menstrues of a Virgin washed in distilled Rose-Vinegar, 
per applicationem calide in petiis: If vehement pain urge, Roots of Hen- 
bane beat with the Leaves, and Hogs-Grease, to an Oyntment, helps.  
CHAP. IV. 
Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
AN Ulcerated Cancer, is 1. to be stopt from its eating and spread- 
ing: Here Juyce of Bistort or Snake-weed excels; many Medi- 
cines may be made of Cetuse, White-Lead, Mastich, Frankinsence, 
Pompholix, Litharge, Tutty, Camphir, &c. that may be conducible 
hereto.  
2. To kill and correct its quality, for which the Water of Arsenick 
made of equal parts, of White-Arsenick, and Salt of Niter, made 
mild with Plantain or Peach-Leaf-Water, is efficacious: Goats-Dung 
with Honey, saith Petrus Hispane, kills a Cancer; but 'tis better mixt 
with Juyce of Beets in form of a Liniment. 
CHAP. V. 
Of Polypus. 
DEFINITION. 
Tis a Carnous Excrescence sticking with small Roots to the Bone of 
the Nose, broad, and hanging down to the lower part of the No- 
strils; and sometimes also descending upon the Pallate, referring to 
the likeness of the Fish Polypus whence it had its Name; But Rhasis 
calls them Hæmorrhoids of the Nose, because somewhat like Hærmor- 
rhoids in the Anus or Tuel. 
CAUSES.

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 255 
CAUSES. 
1. Causes are, 1. Viscid Humours, as Pituit chiefly, mixt with 
Blood, falling from the Head into Ulcers of the Nostrils, and there 
cleaves; sometime a melancholy Humour is admixt, and then there 
is fear lest it should turn into a Cancer. 
2. ’Tis made, when as that fungous Flesh within the Nostrils is 
more loose and thin, and receives a viscid and flatuous Matter sent 
from the Head, being of a very moist constitution, so that by puffing 
up and stretching out that Spongy Flesh, a great Carnous Excrescence 
seems to be made. 
3. For particular Causes, as of some differing from others in white- 
ness, redness or blackness: 1. They that are white, are made of more 
pure viscous Flegm. 2. The red, of a more excrementitions bloody 
matter. 3. The black, Cancrous, from Melancholy. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a fleshly lump, and soft, with small Roots, but broader in its 
Body; sometime filling the whole Nose, and hangs forth; sometime 
is throughout the whole passage, by which the Breath is brought, and de- 
scends upon the Pallate, specially when ’tis placed in the upper part 
of the Nostrils, and may easily be seen behind the Uvula. 
2. This Caruncle, or hanging piece of flesh, is in colour sometime 
whiter, sometime redder, sometime of a blewish black, according as 
the humour causing it is coloured. 
3. 'Tis greatly swelled in a Southerly Air, yea and in South-Winds, 
sometimes strangles; also in full Moon ’tis much enlarged; but on the: 
contrary, in a Northerly Wind, and drier constitution of the Air, and, 
in new, tis greatly lessened and abated. 
DIFFERENCES from Sarcoma, 
1. By all the precedent Signs. 2. Sarcoma, is in the lower parts; 
of the Nostrils, and more fleshly; but a Polypus grows in the upper part 
and top about the Root of the Nose. 
DIFFERENCES of Polypus it self be divers, 
One White, that is, 1. Soft. 2. Void of pain; 3. More easily 
cured. Specially, if, 1. it be more tender, 2. Fresher, 3. Lower 
seated in the Nostrils; for if towards the top, Medicines cannot be so 
well accommodated to it. 
2. Red or subruse, which is also curable, though worse then White. 
osnes. 3. Livid.


256 Of the Diseases of 
3. Livid or black; which, 1. Degenerates into a Cancer, or there’s 
great fear of it. 2. Therefore at first requires speedy help, lest future 
danger happen. 3. If not prevented, 'tis hardly cured. 1. It cance- 
rates. 2. 'Tis hard. 3. Painful. 4. Stinking sometime. 
2. As they differ in colour; so also, 1. In touch, as some hard, some 
soft: 2. In place, as higher, that’s more dangerous, as nigher the Brain: 
2. Growing in the lower parts of the Nostrils, which is discerned by the 
Eye. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. ’Tis hard to, cure, but easiest in the lower or middle parts of the 
Nostrils. 
2. Easier to stop its growth, than grown, to extirpate it. 
3. Cancrous, painful, black, hard and stinking ones, are bad to be 
medled withal, unless by gentle Medicines to hinder their growth. 
4. 'Tis worse if made in both Nostrils, for then there is danger of 
choaking, specially if they sleep not with their mouth open, whereby 
breathing is more free. 
CURE is double: 
First, To hinder its growth by taking away the Cause: 
1. By Universals, (an attenuating and drying Dyet being also obser- 
ved) as Purging, Revultion, Derivation, and drying of the Head used 
in decrease of the Moon, because then ’tis less, and all Medicines take 
greated place then, specially Topicks; the use of Guaicum. Drink with 
a drying Dyet, is commended by Authors. 
Cupping-Glasses are applied to the Neck, and some direct Bleed- 
ing.  
2. Topicks: Upon the part in the mean, while Astringents of the 
strongest sort, with Causticks, Dryers, and Discutients, are to be ap- 
plied. 
2. As hindering its quantity, so its quality: We must hinder its de- 
generating cancrous; Here observe that hot humours be not by unwa- 
ry courses caused to mix with pituitous. Letting Blood, as also, all 
other Evacuation, Derivation, and; Revulsion, may prove helpful. 
2. An Unguent of Yolks of Eggs, beat in a Leaden Mortar till they ac- 
quire the colour of the Lead, and mixt with ℈j. of Camphir; also the 
Liniment of Pouder of Red Roses, with Juyce of unripe Pomgra- 
nates. 
Secondly, If grown, to take it away. Here observe, 
1. That gentler Medicines be used at first, which will sometime cure 
it, if more fresh, tender, and well-qualified; such Medicines are large- 
ly described by Authors; the chief be Cypress, Poragranate-Rinds, 
Allom,


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 257 
Allom, Litharge, Galls, Ceruse, Gentian, Pompholix, &c. of which 
Waters, Liniments, and Ponders may be prepared without sharpness, 
and to dry up and consume the excrementitious Humour. 
2. Stronger are to be used, if, it be more contumacious and will 
not yeild to the precedent Remedies, among which excel, 1.Pollipody 
of the Oak, plaister-wise applied: 2. A Tent made of the Juyce of Ivy, 
a little Cotton dipt in, put up the Nose, and renewed as there  shall be 
need, seems most laudable: 3. Juyce of Nettles so used: 4. Juyce 
of Dragons, which is somewhat stronger than the rest: 5. Juyce of Bi-
stort: 6. Of Adders Tongue; all these consume it, and help by pro-
priety and their specifically quality: 7. A Tent made of Gentian-
Roots as greatly praise by Hartman, which is first to be daubed with
an Oyntment of Mallow-Leaves, and Althea-Roots beat and searced, 
and mixed with Goose-Grease.  
3. If these suffice not by reason of its contumacy, we must come to 
strongest means, and Cauteries, which are first potential; where we 
must observe, 1. To defend the sound parts of the Nostrils, that they 
be not touched and hurt by applying things on the Polypus. 1. by unction 
of those parts, 2. by conveying Medicines to the Polypus by a Silver- 
Pipe. 2. To attempt this cure in decrease of the Moon, for then 'tis 
less, and Medicines may be better applied upon it, having more room
in the Nostril; potential Causticks are, Arsenick, green Coperas, Orpent,
Ritt of Brass, Mercury, precipitate Antimony, &c. of which a glutinous 
Emplaister may be made, according to the pleasure of the discreet Phy-
sician : Gum Lacer applied Plaister-wise with Coperas and Verdigrease
is praisd: Some advise first to scarifie it, and then dip a Lint in Oyl of
Vitriol, and apply it. 
4. If it may not be taken away by Medicines, we must come to Chy- 
rurgery; it must be cut off by Pincers, or sharp Instruments, and it
ought to be extirpated wholly, for the root remaining grows again; 
therefore a potential Cautery is to be used after its cutting off to hin- 
der its growth again: Some advise to cutting of it round about its root 
or top, and if so not wholly extracted to use corrosive Medicines to 
consume the remainder. 
Kk CHAP.

258 Of the Disease of. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Stench of the Nostrils. 
CAUSES. 
1. THe Cause is putrified Flegm, stopping in the Ethmoid-Bone, 
thence sending forth a stink of bad favour; this Flegm is stopped 
through obstruction, and putrifies in a hot and moist, distemper of the 
Brain; also mattery Pus or filth is restrained in the Nose, through too 
great constriction, as flatted Noses, and so putrifies and sends forth 
a bad stench.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From flatness of the Nose , incurable. 
CURE. 
Cure is by taking away the Cause: 1. Errhines, as Juyce of the red 
Beet for extract, excels: 2. Sweet things in Errhines, to alter the smell, 
as sweet smelling Reed, Storax, Cloves, Cypress, Myrrh, Marjoram, 
Orange-Flowers; some things to thicken and make them stick longer 
in the Nostrils, as things made in form of Nasales, that remain fast in 
the Nostrils. 
II. This Humour may be in the sore part, of the Brain, nigh the Pro- 
cessus Mamilares, or Os Cribosum, there retained, through heat and moi- 
sture of the Brain putrifies, and therefrom ill scents are transmitted to 
the Nostrils. 
SIGN. 
Then there be no apparant Signs. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
Fresh, easilier cured; hardly, if inveterate. 
CURE. 
The Head must be purged of Flegm, and if the Body be flegmatick- 
ly affected, that must first be cleared, a sweating Dyet instituted, then 
abstergent and odorous things must be used as afore-directed. 
III. From the Ethmoid-Bone corrupted. 
IV. From putrified Ulcers may this bad stench arise, as in Ozana, 
Sarcoma, and Polypus; these are easily discerned, and are first to be cu- 
red: For the Cause taken away, the Effect ceaseth.
CHAP. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 259 
CHAP. VII. 
Of depraved Smelling or mis-scenting of things. 
’TIs a bad Odour continually offending the Nostrils.  
CAUSES 
It is made from the lying of rotten flegm in the Ethmoid-Bone, or 
Ulcers of the Nostril whereby exhalation always suppeditated from 
these, infect all scents and odorus things, so that they seem to be of 
the same smell that vitious stench is of; nor scan the true and sweet 
fresh smell of any-thing be rightly perceived, but is over-powred by 
that exhalation that comes from the aforesaid places, and always mo- 
lests the Nostrils ; if if even as it happens to the Tongue, when ’tis infe- 
cted with bitter Choler, all things that are taken within the Mouth 
seem to relish of the same bitter taste. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
’Tis bad in acute Diseases, whenas a stench is perceived in the No- 
strils. 
CURE.
It may be cured after the same manner as stench of the Nostrils, the 
Cause from whence it arises being diligently enquired, and found out. 
CURE, 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of SARCOMA. 
EXcrescences of Flesh in the Nose, are of two kinds, Sarcoma and 
Polypus, being Tumours above Nature.  
CAUSES. 
1. Sarcoma is a fleshly excrescence in the Nose, wanting a certain 
figure; happens often in feeding; and virulent Ulcers, that have cer- 
tain loose excrescences of Flesh, as in Ozena and Polypus ulcerated. 
CURE. 
In Cure hereof we must chiefly look to the cure of the Ulcers, as in
KK 2 their

260 Of the Diseases of 
their Chapters it directed: Then the superfluous flesh must be consu- 
med with Caustick Medicines, or cut off with Instruments. 
2. Of a superfluous nourishment of the Nostrils turned into luxuri- 
ous Flesh. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
'Tis easilier cured. 
CURE.
In Cure, pituitous Humours, or the antecedent Cause, is to be taken 
away; 2. Consuming of the excrescent Flesh with potential Caute- 
ries, but gentler are to be used at first, then if need be proceeding by 
degrees to the strongest as Spirit of Vitriol, Sandarach. Rust of Brass, 
Orpement, Mercury, &c. but we must have a care they hurt not the
Nostrils, for which cause they are first to be daubed with some defen- 
sative Oyntment; and for more security they are be put in by a Sil- 
ver-Pipe.  
3. A viscid and thick Hnmoun falling from the Brain, to which some 
Blood is gathered. 
PROG.
This is somewhat dangerous of degenerating into a Cancer. 
CURE. 
In Cure we must, 1. Purge the Head of excrementitious and fleg- 
matick Humours. 2. Proceed as in the aforegoing direction.  
CHAP. IX. 
Of Immeasurable Spitting, or a Ptyalismos. 
PTyalismos is an inordinate gathering and flux of moisture making 
spittle to the Mouth, arising from a moist Brain, and moistening 
Causes, and cast forth without coughing or hawking, offending onely 
in quantity, and molestuous.  
SUBJECT.
The Subject is either the Brain, which unburdens it self of moist Hu- 
mor's and waterish Excrements, which falling upon, and being com-
municated to the Thorax, cause a Catarrah; to the Winde-Pipe, or Aspe-
ra Arteria, an Hoarsness; into the Nostrils, a Coryza, or Pose, and 
lastly, into the Mouth and Pallate frequent spitting, called Ptyalismos, 
or Plyousmos, of Ætius.
Or,

the Nostirils  Tongue  Teeth, and Lips. 261
Or, 2. The Stomach, which is moist and flegmatickly affected, of 
weakened, after Cronical Diseases, and through weakness of its heat 
and concoctive force, waterish and pituitous Excrements are abundant- 
ly made, which are continually suppeditated, and sent to the Mouth, 
which is done without coughing or hauking, and happens often in Quar- 
tanes, to Melancholicks; for spittle by its lightness swims above 
the Meat, and sweats forth from the Ventricle where in great plenty it is 
gathered, and made, by communion of the Membrane to the Mouth. 
Or, 3. The Spleen, whence Splenitiques and Scorbaticks are often 
affected herewith, and Hypocondriacks. 
Or, 4. The Whole Body, as in Children that abound with moisture, 
or were affected from bad alimentary matter in the Womb.  
Or, 5. The Lungs and Brest, as in Catarrhs and-Dissillations, Di- 
stemper or weakness of them. 
Or, 6. From the Intestines, whenas Worms abound. 
CAUSES are either internal, or External: 
Internal are either irritating and attracting: As first Aphthæ, or Ul- 
cers of the Mouth, by whole pain a flux of serous Humours, are made, 
and the Head being more moist, and abounding with such Humours 
sends them plentifully to the Mouth, which by concoction are made 
Spittle; but the attractive faculty of this Part, causes the motion of 
the expulsion of the Brain; so also in inflamation of the Mouth and 
Jaws, Apophlegmatisms, and the like, a serous pituitous matter is 
drawn from the Head, or a weakening, whence the part cannot repel, 
but needs must receive the flux that falls upon it, as 1. in weakness of 
the Stomach aforesaid; 2. distemper of the Mouth and Jaws, which 
give occasion to the gathering of moisture, and cannot consume, dry, 
and expel that matter; chiefly, 1. Of the Glandules or Tonsils, which 
readily receive a pituitous and waterish Excrement, transmitted from 
parts ill affected by communion. 2. Of the Columella or Uvula, in whose 
relaxation is a frequent and molestuous fluctuating of Spittle and moi- 
sture in the Mouth; whereby the flesh is made spongy and thin, and the 
hole of the Pallate dilated, so that a copious pituitous Humour falls 
continually from the Head, suppeditating it into the Mouth, having no- 
thing to obstruct its passage, or dissipate it. 
It is aggravated or continued longer then naturally it would, from 
Custom. 
External Causes are either moist Meats or Drink, or in unction of 
Quicksilver, or taking it inwardly, in the French Pox, &c. whereby a 
most plentious salvation is made.
SIGNS.  


262 Of the Diseases of.  
SIGNS 
Are taken from too great plenty of spittle, which whenas it is ordained 
by Nature to moisten meats, and help right pronuntiation in speaking, 
and right tasting, ought to be mean, neither offending in quantity nor 
quality; as also it doth whenas it is more thicker waterish, stinking or 
evil-tasted. 
A Ptyalism is greatest on mornings, and sometimes after meat; some- 
times fasting; it is not voluntary, unless by custom. 
The Causes are known, and the parts from whence the Original is 
deduced; for if the Mouth be affected, that draws from heat, or cannot 
repel through weakness, which is perceived by its Causes; from the 
Lungs it is brought forth more froathy and thick, and comes by hauking 
or excreation, rheumatisms and Catarrhs causing it, are easily known; 
so are outward Causes, as anointing with Quicksilver, and moistening 
Causes that precede it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
One is from hot, another cold Causes: One is Critical, another not: 
One is from superiour parts whose retentive faculty is overthrown, a- 
nother from inferiour parts, by whose expulsive faculty spittle is sent 
upward to the Mouth. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is sometimes healthful, and preserves from Diseases, as some acute 
Feavers by copious casting forth of spittle have been healed: It is bet- 
ter or worse, according to the degree, and nature, and greatness of the 
Disease whereby it is raised, and whereon it depends; it often presa- 
ges vomiting, sometimes also putrifies and begets stench of the Mouth, 
difficult Respiration, and Coughs.
CURE.
The Cure consists in taking away the generative cause, and corro- 
borating of the parts: in distillations we must follow the direction 
for Catarrhs; from bad concoction in the Stomach, we must purge by 
Aloeticks, crude serous Flegm, dry and heat by, Galanga Red Roses, 
Cinnamon, and Guaicum, a Pouder made thereof; Mustard-sauce, 
Frankinsence and Mastick, given in Wine. 
In the French Pox, Scurvy, Vice of the Bowels, Spleen, and Hypo- 
chonders; the Disease from whence it arises is first to be taken away. 
Astringent Gargarisms are for the Symptom, and to strengthen the 
Tonsils

the Nostrils, Tongue Teeth, and Lips. 263 
Tonsils, and Uvula and drie; as ꝶ of Cinnamon, Red-Roses, Pom- 
granate-Peeles, Mirtle-Teaves, of each an equal quantity; boil them 
in steeled White-Wine for a Gargarism: Or, ꝶ Roots of the Sloe- 
Tree, Wood of Aloes, Root of Hounds-tongue, of each ʒiij. Cy- 
press-Nuts, Cinnamon, Mastich, Galls, of each ʒij. boil them in Wa- 
ter, and add Vinegar of Quinces, and Syrup of dry Roses, of each 
what may seem sufficient. 
Sennertus saith, A Sponge held in the Mouth drinks up the moisture. 
If the Evacuation be Critical, we may not stop its Flux. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Teeth Edged or Astonished. 
HÆmodia in Greek, Stupor Dentium in Latine, is a certain mole- 
stuous sence the Teeth have in eating; induced from sowr things 
that have first been eaten. 
CAUSE.
Cause, is from eating sharp, tart, and sowr things, whereby the 
Teeth are set on edge, and are exasperated in eating; the Membranes 
participating with them, from the cold austere faculty of Fruits; for 
this acidity or sharp tartness is inimical to the Nerves and Bones. 
Moreover by acid, and fowr Humours, are the Teeth sometime 
edged or astonished, which sometime are cast out by Vomit; to Hypo- 
chondriacks also, that Vomit for long together, acid humours, or 
where acid and sharp Vapours arc more plentifully and directly 
carried to the Teeth. 
Imagination is also very apt to effect this; for the only seeing of ano- 
ther eat sowr things, or hearing of Cork cut, or the like noises, do, as 
it were, astonish and molest the Teeth; for the Organ of hearing is 
hurt, and little Nerves going from its Membrane to the Roots of the 
Teeth, carry thither a sense of horrour. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from the Patients perceivance, who cannot bite or 
eat any thing, by reason of a molestuous titillation that presently aris- 
eth in the Teeth, from the Membranes, perceiving the sharpness im- 
pressed and soaked in before, by the pressure of the Teeth, in biting, or 
unequal chewing.
Sennertus 


264 Of the Diseases of 
Sennerius saith, They are then endued with an exquisite sense of 
Feeling, and therefore cannot properly be called stupified or astoni- 
shed, for then they should not feel at all; but, now if they be but touch- 
ed, they presently feel, and are offended thereby, by a peculiar painful 
feeling, which Platerus saith, Is rather a molestation, then pain.  
Sometime the Teeth have such an exquisite sense, as they are offend- 
ed, and ake, by hot or cold things, or, hard things, made from weak- 
ness and distemper.  
CURE. 
Purslane is chiefly and above other praised for Hamodia, for that it 
is most certain, and speediliest helps; the Juyce hereof is to be sucked 
out by chewing of the Leaves, which is to be continued; or the Juyce 
alone may be used, as a Gargarism; or the Leaves alone, as a Mastica- 
tory; for this by its slimy Substance, and a propriety, takes away He-
modia.
Rhasis and Johnstonus, commend chewing of Wax. 
Harman wishes to rub them with Salt, or to bite an Hairy Cap, or 
Fuzzy Cloth.
Others commend Lees of Oyl boiled to the thickness of Honey, in 
a Brass Vessel; the Yolk or an Egg rotted or boiled hard, chewed, 
or applyed, beaten to the teeth; Gargarise with hot Wine, with Oyl, 
or Wine and Mucilages; Pulpe of Bread, and of Cheese, bitter Al- 
monds, Liquorish Mastick, Kernels of Walnuts and Filbirds have-been 
experienced by some also.  
CHAP. XI. 
Of Teeth erode, or broken away.
DEFINITION. 
IT is a lessening of their due and natural bigness from Causes ero- 
ding, and causing solution of continuity. 
CAUSE.
1. The Cause is a continuated fluxion, specially more hot and sharp; 
2. Meats, which either as Sugar, and other sweet things, for them ; 
or by staying in them, as all Flesh is wont to do, putrifies, and oo rots 
the Teeth; which is so much the sooner effected, when as the Teeth 
were

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 265 
were hollow before: Also hot things, whence came the Verse, 
Pultes serventes faciunt corrumpere Dentes. 
And cold things cast in presently after; also Oyntment of Quick- 
silver, Worms, and the like, rot the Teeth, and sometime make Fi-
stula’s. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Teeth are black, rotten, stubby and broken; if from a de- 
fluxion, there is commonly pain; if a Fistula, there is a greater stench of 
the Mouth. 
CURE. 
If there be a defluxion from the Head, we must consider and stop 
that; the Humour is to be stopt, the Head dried; then use Medicines 
that resist putrifaction and corruption; wash them with Salt and white- 
Wine, deterge and cleanse them after Meat; Decoction of Capers, 
Allom, Mastick, Nigella, Ginger, Myrrh, &c. are good to garga- 
rise, to hinder their erosion and wasting; a Pouder also of Five-leav’d- 
Grass, Mint, Red-Roses, Mirtles, Myrrh, Ginger, and Ashes of a 
burnt Hare, to rub the Teeth with, is good; also Salt Gem and Armo- 
niack; also a Suffume of the Seeds of Henbane is praised. 
Miraldus praises Water of the Root of Pellitory of Spain distilled 
in Wine.  
If Stench be present, put in sweet things, and hinderers of putre- 
faction if Worms, because they are to be killed, then Astringents to 
fix and confirm the Teeth are to be used. 
Hollow Teeth are to stopt up with Camphir, Root of Pelletory of Spain, 
and Wax; But Rondeletius thinks Wax mollifies too much, specially 
the Nerve: Medicines also to make them fall out are to be used, if so 
be they cannot be cured, or not to do any service, but offence; such 
Medicines are not to touch their sound, lest they also be loosened and 
fall out; nor the Gums neither, lest they be inflamed or excoriated 
from their sharpness: an Oyntment of Juyce of Spurge and Oyl of 
Henbane, with Flower put into the Hollow Tooth, or Juyce of Spurge 
and Flower; or Globules of Henbane, Onion and Leek-Seed, made up 
with Goats Suet, and put into the Cavity of the Tooth, are useful, to 
the intent to make the Teeth fall out: Many more, and good Medicines 
are rehearsed in the Chapter of Tooth-ach, that cause a fall, and com- 
ing forth of rotten, useless, and paining Teeth.
Ll CHAP. 


266 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Toothing of Children, and Pain. 
TOothing of Children is a molestuous Symptom, with pain and other 
concomitant accidents. 
SIGNS DIAG. and PROG. 
The Children, at such time as they Toothe are very froward, cry, 
and are Feaverish; sometimes Convulsions and Loosness arise, which 
are not so dangerous, as when they proceed from other Causes; if they 
have a looseness, they are less subject to Convulsions; if they are bound 
and costive, they are more drowsie, and more Convulsive; there is a 
little redness in the place of the Jaw that is affected; the Teeth are 
perceived to put forth and rise in swelling the Gums: they commonly 
come forth in the seventh Month, at which time Parents have no com- 
fort of their Children; greatest pain ariseth at coming forth of the 
Dog-Teeth. 
Hardness and thickness of Gums hinder the readier budding forth, 
and so causes more pain. 
CURE. 
Authors have left Medicines, and Rules for this Symptom. 
1. Therefore for Precepts, observe, whether Inflamation be present 
and mitigate and lenify that; where Night-shade, Lettice, Juyce of 
Housleek, with Oyl of Roses, Mucilage of Lin-Seed, and Marsh- 
Mallow-Seed, mixed with fresh Butter, are effectual; the like also for 
appeasing pain. 
2. Mollifie and laxate the Gums; here Juyce of Mallows, of Marsh- 
Mallows, with Honey or fresh Butter, are frequently to be used, which 
in inflamation may not be used actually cold. 
ꝶ of the Oyl of sweet Almonds, ℥i. Honey, ℥ss. Hens-Grease, ℥ss. 
make an Oyntment. 
The Brains of Hares are chiefly commended; so also the Brains of 
Chickens and Birds; the Brains also of Lambs and Goats; the Juyce 
of River-Crabs, with the Water of the Flower of Beans, Bitches Milk, 
&c. are commended by Authors, and thought greatly to help the erup- 
tion of the Teeth. 
Forestus stamps the Brain of an Hare and Honey together, and rubs 
the Gums with that.
Platerus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 267 
Platerus wishes to boil them in Wine, or mix them with Butter, or 
Honey, after Forestus’s way, wherein the Finger is to be dipt, and the 
Gums gently rubbed therewith. 
Hartmanus saith, To annoint them with the fresh Blood of a Cocks- 
Comb often, makes them come forth without any further trouble or 
accidents. 
Amulets are much spoken of, and variously recited by Authors, which 
are thought by an hidden propriety to do much. 
Miraldus saith, That the Tooth of a Colt of a year old, hung about 
the Neck of the Infant, causes it to bring forth Teeth. 
Calves Teeth of that age, or Mans Teeth so hung, are thought also 
to purpose: much credit is given to the Right Dog-Tooth of a Wolf, 
hung about the Neck Others commend a Male Vipers Tooth so 
used. 
Ætius, praises the Roots of wild Colocynthis, used the same 
way. 
Mathilolus ascribes as much vertue to the Stone found in the Head 
of Naked Snails; but he bids to bind it to the parts affected: and 
so probably if the other were used, they might be of greater efficacy. 
Paræus opened the Gums with a Pen-Knife, and found it very suc- 
cessful in divers, from great pain, inflamation, and a Feaver, that they 
may labour withal: Also sometimes from Mid-wives rash loosing it 
with their Nails, or edge of Money; in opening also sometimes they 
are made mad, if it be black, fuscous, hard, and insensible, it is 
Cancerous, and then we may touch it; yet for the most part it is void 
of danger, and seldom cured by resolution. 
CURE. 
After general Evacuation suted to the Age, Constitution and strength 
of the Sick, to take away the Antecedent Cause; for which Cause al- 
so, Gargarisms, Errhines, Apophlegmatisms, and Sternutatories are 
useful; if it be more inveterate, Sweaters and Cauteries are used. 
Then Topicks for resolution of the Tumour are often, to be put under 
the Tongue; some use Astringents first, others use Astringents with 
Revolvers, as Bark of Pomegranates, Galls, Salt Gem, Salt of Ar- 
moniack, Balaustians, Allom, burnt Brass, torrifyed Tragaganth, with 
Root of Hermodactils: more resolving, are Salt and Hyssop, Salt-Ar- 
moniack, with Sage, Organy or Mugwort.  
Forestus counsels to rubing of it with Salt Gem; some use Oyl of 
Vitriol. 
If it will not thus be resolved, but tend to suppuration, open it 
L l 2  Suddenly

268 Of the Diseases of 
suddenly by incision, or a Caustick; open it largely, for else the mat- 
ter yeeks in, and the Tumor is made afresh; make long cutting, that 
all the Matter may flow out, then wash it first with Lenients, and then 
Detergents or Mundifiers; if we cannot draw Forth all the Vomica or 
Bag; we must consume it with Verdigrease, and Then 
it is to be cured as an Ulcer. 
Gulielmus Fabritius cured his Brother that was Dumb for four years, 
by cutting off this Ligature of his Tongue. 
Paræus advises to use an actual Cautery, which is better approved 
of, if it be malign; but in these we must have a diligent heed that the 
sound parts be not touched and hurt hereby. 
If the Disease returns again, it must be cut again, or use an actual 
Cautery. 
If it be a Caruncle, it must be cured, as with Remedies for a Po- 
lypus. 
If it be black, fuscous, hard and cancerous, ’tis not to be medled 
withal, for thereby ’its most irritated and exacerbated. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Paroulis, or Inflmation of the Gums. 
PAroulis, otherwise is at Inflamation of the Gums, with 
swelling and painful redness.
CAUSE.  
The Cause arises from defluxion of Blood, either pure or impure, 
fallen from the Head by the Vessels. 
SIGNS. 
It is made in some part or other of the Gums, and stretching to the 
Roots of the Teeth; the neer parts are distended, red and hot, their 
swelling is to be seen. 
If the Tumour be hotter, pain is greater; if made from a more Pitui- 
tous Blood, they are colder, Inflamation and pain are more remiss; 
the Pus breaks forth at Roots of the Teeth covered with a small co- 
vering.  
PROGNOSTICK. 
This often degenerates into Ulcers. Fistula’s, Cancers, and Gan- 
grenes,

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lip, 269 
grenes, and therefore the sooner represt the better; for if it apostemate 
it may turn to bad affects, as aforesaid. 
CURE.
Cure is by purging and bleeding, then open a Vein under the 
Tongue, and Cuppers to the Neck, Astringent Gargarisms to repel, 
wherein sharp biting things, and Vinegar that pains, are to be shunned, 
they not being Putrid or Eroded; a Decoction of Bramble-Buds, Rose- 
Leaves, Purslane, and Sal Prunella is most excellent; Oak-Buds, Sal 
Nitri, Plantane, Housleek, Self-heal, and Mulberry-Leaves are also 
Medicinal. 
Galen above others praises Oyl of the Mastich-Tree, being new, and 
temperately hot, held in the Mouth; in a cold Cause, and Pituitous De- 
fluxion, add hotter Resolvers; Decoction of Barley, Liquorish, Mal- 
lows, Jujubes, Agrimony, &c. A Gargarism Collution of Decocti- 
on of Self-heal, Sage and Water-cresses is commended; or a De- 
coction of Self-heal in the Water of English Tobacco, with Sal Pru- 
nella. 
If it be not dissolved by Discutients, but tend to Suppuration; it is 
to be opened, its maturity being made by Suppurators; some set Leeches 
to the swollen Gums. 
But a Pen-Knife to open it, if it open not spontaneously, is best ap- 
proved; then the Ulcer is to be cleansed, dried, and heated; and if an 
Hæmorrhage or Flux of Blood should follow, use the first Gargarism in 
this Chapter. 
The pain, as a very vexing Symptom, is to be appeased; warm Milk is 
to be gargarised alone, or wherein red-Rose-Leaves have boiled; out- 
wardly a Cataplasm of Crumbs of White-Bread boild in Milk, is to be 
applyed warm. 
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Consumption of the Caruncle, or weeping Flesh in the 
greater Corner of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
RHyas is a Diminitution or Consumption of the weeping Flesh or 
Caruncle of the greater corner of the Eye, arising either from Cor- 
rosion, or defect of Aliment, inducing a constant weeping, and sheding 
of tears involuntarily. CAUSE.

270 Of the Diseases of 
CAUSE. 
Cause is either from the foregoing of a FiStula Lacrymalis, or of a 
Leucoma and Encanthis, which were badly cured; sometimes it suc- 
ceeds Epiphora, or a large or more sharp flux of Humours, or sharp 
Medicines, causin erosion of it; it is sometimes made from the POX, 
sometimes by Excisions, &c. 
SIGNS. 
The use of this glandulous Flesh, seated in the Corner of the Eye, 
being to stop the hole tending therefrom to the Nose, and suck up, and 
impedite Tears, and unvoluntary weeping; whenas it is deficient, 
there is a constant unvoluntary weeping, whereas before the Humours 
falling from the Brain to the Os Cribrosum, were thence derived to the 
Nostrils, and cast out. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That which is plainly eaten up, is not cured; if only in part, we are 
to go about the Cure. 
CURE. 
Is by Sarcorticks, with Consolidaters and Astringents: a Colliry of 
Aloe, Tutty-Stone, and Mucilage of Psyllium-Seed is good; or Cy- 
press-Nuts, Red-Roses, Myrtles, Sumach, Dragons-Blood, Bark of 
Pomegranets, Myrrh, &c. prepared after those wayes as may seem most 
convenient; some stop up the hole, and supply the place of the Carun- 
cle with some matter; but regeneration of that flesh should rather be 
made, so that the work of Nature might be done thereby.
CHAP. XV.  
Of too great growing forth of that flesh. 
DEFINITION. 
ENcanthis in Greek; Additio Carnie Lacrymalis in Latine, so called 
by Avicen, is an immoderate Eminence or growing forth of the 
Caruncle in the greater corner of the Eye, made from too plentiful 
nourishment, or redundant Blood, sometimes malign, and effecting 
pain. 
CAUSE. 
It-comes from evil cure of Ptergium from too much Aliment, or 
Blood.
SIGN. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips.  271 
SIGN. 
It is quite contrary to Rhyas; for in this the Caruncle of the corner 
of the Eye or weeping Flesh sticks out, and is much bigger then natu- 
rally it should, and accustomedly was wont to be.
DIFFERENCES. 
1. Is malignant and painful, which is blew, hard, rough, resitting 
Medicines. 
2. Another not; which contrary to the other is smaller, ruddy, looser, 
soft, and without pain, and is made from Blood, or a more pure Ali- 
ment. 
3. Another is from melancholy Blood, which partakes of the Na- 
ture of a Wart. 
4. Another is from excrescence of Flesh after Ulcers. 
5. From reduction of Cataracts thither, which there are kept and 
nourished.  
CURE. 
In a more soft and benign Encanthis, drying and more mild eating 
Medicines are to be tryed at first; as this of Ætius, praised by him; 
ꝶ of Allom and Mysum burnt, Vitriol, of each equal parts; mix them: 
we must proceed to stronger by degrees; some touch it with Oyl of 
Vitriol, or Sulphur.
If it be great and old, it is only cured by Chyrurgery, it is tyed 
about with a strait Thread, and then the superflous part is cut off 
with a Bistory or Razor; others use an hot Iron, or actual Cautery; 
then we must lay Driers upon the part to prevent its growing again. 
But before we too rashly undertake the Cure by Chyrurgery, these 
things are to be considered. 
1. That Evacuation of the Body be made, to take away fluxions that 
are to arise to the pained part. 
2. We must use Corrosives first for tryal, before Chyrurgery. 
Wherein, 1. we must use gentlest, as aforesaid. 2. Defend the 
other parts about Encanthis from being touched by them. 3. We must 
have a care that the whole Caruncle be not consumed by them, but on- 
ly what is superfluous, else it will turn to the contrary affect, Rhyas: the 
like is to be considered in Cure by Chyrurgery.  
CHAP.

272 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Ulcers of the Gums. 
ULcers of the Gums are made from erosion by sharp Humours, from 
inflamation and pustules suppurated and broke, from Worms and 
the Scurvy.
DIFFERENCE. 
Some are proper to Scorbaticks, some are more creeping and eating, 
others less; some succeed to foregoing affects, others arise of them- 
selves.  
CURE. 
Their Cure, after purging and letting Blood, if the matter be more 
hot and sharp, is by Revulsion, Blister, and Cup and Cauterize, to avert 
and turn away the Flux; then Dryers are to be used. Riverus proved 
this Balsam, wherewith the Ulcer was anointed often in a day; ꝶ of 
Myrrh and White-Sugar-Candy, as much as may seem convenient, 
put them into an Egg, and rost them, and then make use of the mix- 
ture; things are best used at time of sleep, for then they best stay in, and 
molest least; if they be more foul, and are suppeditated by vitious Hu- 
mours, Driers are not sufficient: touch them with Oyl of Sulphur; if 
the Cause be colder, hotter Remedies; If hot, colder Remedies are to 
be used: if the Tooth next to it be rotted, that must be taken away, else 
the Ulcer will not fully be healed; see to the peculiarity of the Cause. 
Of a Fistula of the Gums. 
A Fistula of the Gums is caused as an Ulcer of them, and Cured 
as Fistula's of other parts; a Decoction of Agrimony with Allom, one 
drop of Gum-Ammoniacum Honey of Roses, with Oyl of Vitriol, are 
held peculiar; some add a Caustick. Celsus advises to pulling out of 
the Tooth. 
Of

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips, 273 
Of Loosness, Putrefaction and Exesion of the Gums. 
CAUSE. 
CAuse is from deflux of sharp or vitious Humours, from the Scurvy, 
&c. 
SIGNS are best discerned by Sight. 
CURE. 
It is cured, after Universals, by washing with the water of Colum- 
bines; if there be putrefaction, we must use Detergents, else onely 
confirm and restore the Gums decayed, by Topicks; a Pouder of Galls, 
Myrrh, Root of Bistort, and Bark of Pomgranates, is most excellent; 
to stay their wasting, Mastick is to be chewed; they are also to be rub- 
bed with Sage Leaves; wash them clean every morning with Water 
of Columbines, or Sage, or of Self-heal, or Bramble-Buds, with Allom: 
If they be Scorbatickly affected, see to the Cure of the Scurvy. 
Of a Cancer of the Gums. 
A Cancer of the Gums is made from an Inflamation of them, turn- 
ing apostematous, and breaking ulcerous, which Ulcer not healing, 
turns cancerous: The Juyce of Rheu applied by a Linnen Cloth dipt 
therein, and a Gargarism of Decocton of Allom, and Root of five- 
leav’d-Grass in White-Wine, are praised. 
Guordonius used Birthwort, Allom, Hellebore, Balaustians, and Brim- 
stone, with Juyce of Agrimony. See for more direction herein the 
general Chapter of a Cancer. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Excrescence of the Gums. 
EPoulis is a carnous Excrescence of the Gums, sometimes with 
pain, and a Feaver. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is from vicious, serous, and corrupt Blood, flowing plentiful- 
ly to the Gums, which is easily received from their spongious rarity; 
also from Ulcers ill, cured.
Mm  SIGNS. 

274 Of the Diseases of 
SIGNS. 
It happens frequently to Scorbaticks; it is sometimes so big that the 
Grinders are covered, and puts the Teeth out of their Sockets, and 
hinders close Shutting of the Mouth; sometimes the excrescent Flesh 
is loose, wavering and filthy; sometimes it follows inflamation, and is 
partaker of putrefaction, other times not. 
CURE. 
If it be light and without putrefaction, ’tis more easily cured by A- 
stringents and Repressers; Columbines are held most effectual, either 
the Water of them to gargarise, the Pouder of them for Friction, or an 
Oyntment thereof for Unction, may be used; also to rub them with 
Mint till they bleed; Pouder of the Root of the Sloe-Tree, Rasp 
Leaves, &c. are useful: The Juyce of Water-Caltrops are very effe- 
ctual. 
Johnstonus saith this Pouder is proved by much Experience: ꝶ of 
the Leaves of Collumbines, Sage, Mint, Nutmegs, of each ℥ß. burnt 
Allom, ℥j. Honey despumated ℥iv. make a Liniment for the Teeth. 
If it be greater and with putrefaction, stronger Eaters and Consu- 
mers of it are to be used; as Aqua-Fortis burnt Allom, burnt Salt, Vi- 
triol, and Galls; but we must have a care they be not swallowed; wash
the mouth before and after meat with salt Water. 
Others, if it be greater, bind it dayly harder and harder with a thred 
till it fall off, or cut it off, or pull it off with a pair of Pincers. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
A Fistula of the Teeth arises as a Fistula of the Gums; there is a 
corrupt Humour and Sanies always coming forth, which is often 
stinking; sometimes it flows out by the Roots of the Teeth, and Holes 
of the Jaw-Bone, or Vessels thereof; sometimes it is derived out- 
wardly, and stirs up Tubercles in the Cheek or Chin, and sometimes 
opened, it always leaves an Ulcer remaining. 
CURE. 
It is cured by taking forth of the Tooth, which is done by Instru- 
ments or Medicines that make the Teeth to fall out, as with fat of 
green Frogs that live in Trees.
Taber 


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 275 
Tuber Montanus praises Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, and mixt
with Henbane-Seed; or Goblets of Flower and Juyce of Tithimale or 
Spurge, incorporate with dissolved Amoniacum, are effectual. See more 
of these in the Chapter of Toothach, and erosion of Teeth, and the Pre- 
cepts as to their use. 
If an Ulcer of the Gums remain afterward, see the Chapter of an 
Ulcer of the Gums. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Swelling of the Lips. 
THe Lips which the Greeks calls Cheile, the Latins Labia, from the 
word Lambo, to lick, are variously affected; sometime from vice 
of Conformation; sometimes from adventitious Causes; sometimes 
they are affected with Tumours, Ulcers, Fissures, Inflamation, change 
of their natural Colour, defect of right motion and action; their use 
being, 
1. For decency, and close closure of the mouth, and keeping out 
whatever being hurtful or offensive might enter thereinto. 
2. For forming the Voice, specially some Letters and Syllables. 
3. For the more ease assumption or better taking of both Meat and 
Drink, and retaining of it there to a due while. 
4. To beautifie, and keep the Teeth, which sometime are black, rot- 
ten and unhandsome, and Gums, from sight; also to keep in the Tongue; 
and he would seem like a Monster that had them not. 
5. To cast Spittle out of the Mouth, or what else we would spit forth. 
6. For blowing, or rendring a sound, as for whistling, trumpetting,
piping, &c. 
7. For Infants to suck withal: And he that had them not, would look 
as a Dog doth when he girns, saith Riolanus. 
These ate variously affected, as we said before, and do sometimes 
suffer Diseases of magnitude, wherein the Lips be greater than natu- 
rally they are accustomed to be; and they that are thus affected are cal- 
led Labeones, or great-Lipped, which cometh, 1. Naturally, from evil 
conformation from their Nativity: 2. Or is accidental and adventiti- 
ous, induced from sundry Causes, which are curable; As, 
1. From stinging of Bees, Wasps, or Venemous Flies, whereby one 
Lip (unless both be stung) is bigger then the other, and more swelled in 
one place, or one side, than on the other. 'Tis known by relation of the 
M m 2 afflicted 


276 Of the Diseases of 
afflicted: The sting is then first to be plucked out, if it may be; then 
apply the same Creature bruised that stung: Juyce of Mallows, and 
Marsh-Mallows also are available. 
2. From Poysons, sharp blistering Medicines, handling of Mush- 
rooms, and touching the Lips thereupon, or things sticking to the Lips: 
These are easily known by relation of what preceded: Antidotary and 
Lenifying Emollient Medicines are useful. 
3. From Contusion, which calls a Flux of Humours, and they In- 
flamation; a Flux of Humours may also be made from other Causes: 
Repellers and Discutients are to be used. 
4. From salivation in the French Pox, then they are puft up, and black 
like Carcinoma, and are to be cured with Specificals for the French Pox. 
5. Sometimes they are cancrous; then see to the Chapter of a Can- 
eery for their Method of Curing. 
6. They are hard like Steatoma, and are not helped by Suppuraters 
or Discussers, but Section. 
7. From a dry putrefaction, where there’s no sign of matter; and 
this goes often before death. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of the Fissures or Chaps of the Lips 
FIssures of the Lips are a solution of the Continuity thereof, from 
Siccity and Tension. 
The Greeks call them Ragades, the Latins Scissuras, and Fissure, 
CAUSES. 
Causes are, 1. Air that is cold, and North Wind, that hurts and 
chaps the Lips, whole contexture of covering is of so great Tenuity and 
Tenderness; and the lower Lip is sometimes cleft in twain , where the 
two extremities of the Muscles end. 
2. Dryness and stretching out are made from vapours hot and dry, 
ascending thither either from the Stomach or Head; this happens in 
Feavers. 
3. From Humours, there is extuberancy, soreness and itching; 
which Humours being sharp, are cast down from the Head; or salt and 
sharp Humours do arise from the lower parts by the Oesophagus, and are 
translated to the Lips. 
It comes to Women marriageable from dryness of their Womb, 
and

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 277 
and to Infants from hardness of the Teats they suck; or from hotter 
Milk, Poysons, &c. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. If from cold and wind, ’tis known by relation of the Affected.  
2. If it proceeds from driness of the Womb in leacherous Women, 
then the fissures are not very deep, not very frequently made, not hard, 
nor are they hot, or itch. 
3. If from dryness alone, and want of moisture, there is no sticking; 
Feavers sometimes, or an hot constitution of the Body, and dry, is pre- 
sent; dust also, or the like, preceded. 
4. If from Humours, the Lips are more sticking; if they be more 
hot, there is greater itching, and deepness of the chaps. 
From Cuts or Poysons as Cantharides, or hardness of the Teats that 
Infants suck, the relation of the party diseased, and them about them, 
can relate.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From Nativity, they are difficulty cured; if adventitious more easily, 
unless they degenerate cancerous: In some Feavers they are Critical, 
and argue thinness of the Humour; if they be not well ordered or look- 
ed to, they may prove ulcerous, otherwise commonly they onely smart 
sometimes, and are not handsome to the sight; Sometimes they last 
long.  
CURE. 
In Cure, We must respect the Cause: As, 
1. IF from dryness, whether made and induced from internal or ex- 
ternal Causes; we must moisten, give inwardly Apples, Cucumbers, 
&c. Outwardly to the Lips, apply Mucilages, the fat exstilling from 
wooden Kitchin Spoons fried in the fire, Goose and Capon-Grease, 
Marrow of Oxe shanks; or this Liniment of greatest force, ꝶ of the 
Mucilages of Fleawort and Quince-seed, of each ℥ß Lycium, ʒij. Juyce 
of Housleek, Oyl of sweet Almonds, of each ℥j. Yolk of an Egg, ℥ß.  
beat all into a Liniment, which is to be used in all Causes, as most ef- 
fectual; Juyce of Crabfish with Cream. 
2. If from hot and sharp Humours, we must take them away, purge, 
and let Blood, and intercept their course to the Lips, the part offen- 
dent being first found out. 
We must use Topicks, cooling, lenifying, and agglutinative; the 
fume of Henbane-seeds is held marvellous; Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, 
and of Wax also, excel: Grease of a Capon, Oyl of Roses, Tallow, 
Oyl of Wheat, Mucilage of Tragacanth, &c. are useable; an Oynt- 
ment of Rosin of the Fir-Tree, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, and Juyce of 
Henbane is very good. 
If

278 Of the Diseases of 
If in Children from sucking hard Nipples, anoint their Lips with the 
fat fried from a Spoon that is used about Grease, with Oyl of sweet Al- 
monds, and Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, which is best, also Oyl of 
Wax. 
All must eschew the outward air, keep the Lips inward; fly hot, dry 
and sharp things, and hold moist things in the mouth. 
CHA. XXI. 
Of Hare-Lips, or Cloven-Lips. 
HAre-Lips, or Clefts of the Lips, are called by the Latins Labia 
Leporima, Rostra Leporlna, or Leporis, or Fissura Labrorum, by the 
Germans Hasenschart, Tis whenas from vice in conformation, the 
Lips do not cohere, or joyn unitely. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is from the Birth, from the Womans imagination at time 
of Conception, who then either saw an Hare, or some what else so af- 
fected; or longed to eat thereof, and could not have it. 
Sometimes accidentally such fissures are made in the Nose or Ears, 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences hereof are onely as to the magnitude; for some are lit- 
tle, some very great, wherein there seems as if a piece of flesh was ta- 
ken away. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Evil is better born sometimes than the Remedy; ’tis dangerous 
in Children that suck to use Chyrurgery, also to old men, and Hydro- 
picks, where we may fear a Cancer therefrom, and very bad scars are 
left after Chyrurgery.
CURE. 
Cure is by Chyrurgery, the Patient must be aptly placed, then the 
skin of the dissited and gaping Lip must be cut off with a Penknife on 
either side of its gap, then conjoyn the Lip that is so excoriated, and 
with a Needle and Thread, while it is yet bleeding, make future of it, 
and so let the Thread hold the parts together till they grow together na- 
turally, which in eight or nine days it often doth; after this, draw out 
the Thread, and use Astringents to anoint it; the fat that fries out of 
Wooden Kitchin Spoons (that have been used about fat and dripping)
being

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 791 
being laid in the fire, Oyl of Wax, of Eggs, &c. correct excrescent 
flesh, and lastly induce a Cicatrice: Oyl of Eggs is said to take away 
the Deformity of the Scar made by Chyrurgery. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Lividity, Paleness, Blackness or Blewness of the Lips. 
LIvor is a paleness, or a blackness and blewness happening to the Lips. 
from fear, and sudden frights and passions, or from an evil dispo- 
sition of the Bowels, and Blood infected. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be done by Paints, as of Spanish Red, of Madder-Roots, 
and Aukanet-Roots; by rubbing them with a piece of Sheep-skin dyed 
red, or steeped in a Decoction of red Sanders, with Gum Arabick, made 
in Aqua-Vitæ, 
Chalybeates are to be taken inwardly. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are taken from Causes: For, 
1. One is from fear, sudden frights, and moving of Passions, Wrath, 
&c. whereby the Blood flows back to the Center, and they ceasing, it 
returns, and the colour is restored again. 
2. It happens to Women, 1. Labouring with the Green-Sickness: 
2. With the pale Colours or white Flux of Menstrues, both which be- 
ing cured, it ceases. 
3. From an evil disposition of the Bowels, the Lips want their pure 
ruddy colour, as in Cachecticks; 2. This evil disposition is seated va- 
riously in parts; sometimes in the Liver, sometimes in the Spleen, 
and sometimes in the mouth of the Stomach, affcting from communion 
of parts, even as we see trembling of the Lips in a fit of vomiting. 
4. Lividity of the Lips sometimes happens in continual Feavers, 
which is a deadly sign, and shews extinction of native heat. 
5. and 6. From Elephantiasis or the French Pox, which being cured, 
it ceases.
CHAP. 

280 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XXIII. 
Of Mouth-Writhing, or convulsion of the Face. 
WRithing of the Mouth, or a Convulsion of the Jaws, arises 
from a depraved motion of the Muscles or Nerves, drawing 
awry the Mouth and Skin of the Face. 
NAMES. 
It is called Spasmus Cynicus, from the figure of distortion of the mouth, 
which is like to the grinning of angry or mad Dogs; and is called by 
the Latins, Canina Convulsio, a Dog-like Convulsion. 
Some call it Risus Sardonius, from the Herb Sardia, which is called 
Batrachium, and of some Apium Risus, because those that take thereof 
have their Mouths pulled awry, and distorted, and seem to laugh dy- 
ing: It is mort commonly called Tortura Oris, signifying a simple draw- 
ing awry, or distortion of the Mouth.
CAUSE.
Its Cause is from resolution of the Muscle of the Jaw, or Muscles of 
the Face, or the stock of Nerves spread over the Face, affected; or the 
Nerves of the third or fifth Conjugation, or those that descend from 
the first Vertebra's of the Neck, or from the Spinal Marrow betwixt the 
second and third Vertebra, brought from Causes cooling, as in those that 
remain in a cold Air, and windy, after sweating or obstruction of the 
Nerves. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Distincton is to be made betwixt Tortura Oris, Spasmus Cynicus, and 
Risus Sardoneus; as also twixt a Paralitick and Convulsive Motion: 
For, 
1. Tortura Oris, or a drawing awry of the Mouth, which is more 
simple, comes from the broad Muscle of the Mouth affected, wherein 
is stretching out of the Mouth; sometimes the upper Lip is drawn to- 
wards the Eye, from the Nerve of the third pair being hurt, which also 
causes the drawing awry of the Cheeks and adjacent Skin, because the 
affected part draws the sound; the Nose, Eyes, and half the Face, are 
distorted, whenas the Brain is half affected. 
Spasmus Cynicus, or Caninus, is whenas the whole Face is drawn con- 
vulsively from the Propago, or set of Nerves spread over the face affected.
Risus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 281 
Rlsus Sardoneus is such a contraction of the Muscles that the Skin is 
drawn up and distended, as is wont in them that laugh, and the party 
seems to laugh. 
SIGNS. 
General Signes are taken from a Convulsion, wherein the found parts 
are drawn by the affected parts; there is often pain foregoing, a numb- 
ness of the Skin, and beating; in a Palsey the affected part is drawn to 
the sound obliquely, the use of the Teeth is spoiled, they cannot draw 
their mouth to laugh, nor pronounce the Letter O; the Eye-lid falls 
down from resolution of the forces, and strength of the parts; the face 
loosens and flats downwards, and is not drawn in wrinkles, as from a 
Convulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is not easily cured, and threatens Epilepsies, Palsies, Apoplexies, 
and Death especially, if prolonged; or if it supervened a Palsey of the 
whole, or a general Convulsion; if it be strong and convulsive, it is 
deadly from the matter translated to the Brain, and Death arrests them 
sometimes ere five days expire, sometime not in ten days: The Body 
free from Feavers, Head-Diseases, and strong, and the Disease fresh, 
and the face but in the half part affected, we may draw from hence some 
hopes of Cure, and that they may cease sooner, and sometimes spon- 
taneously, or of Natures own accord. 
CURE. 
In Cure it is requisite to consider the part affected, whether Convul- 
sively or Paralitickly, by what Nerves or Muscles affected, and whence 
those have their Root and Original. 
We may proceed in its Cure much after the same Order as for gene- 
ral Spasms and Palseys, the part peculiarly respected: A Clister there- 
fore premised, we may prepare the matter with such as are prescribed 
in the Chapter of Palseys and Convulsions; then purge the Brain with 
strong Cephalick Pills and Phlegmagogues: if there be fulness, open- 
ing of a Vein, first in the Arm, secondly in the Tongue, is approved; 
Cuppers may be applied to the Neck; Internals, Nervals and Cephali- 
cals are good, as were directed for Palseys and Convulsions; Mastica- 
tories, Gargarisms, and Collutions of the Mouth are useful; Troches 
also may be held under the Tongue, made in form of Lupines, of Pel- 
letory of Spain, with Castoreum, Gum Bdellium, Pepper, Mustard-seed, 
and Aqua-Vitæ; Vapours from convenient Decoctions may be received 
into the face. 
Anointing of the Face, and Head, and Nape of the Neck, specially 
N n the

282 Of the Diseases of 
the Roots of the Nerves affected, to the Vertebra's of the Neck for 
from the second and third do arise the Nerves moving the Jaws: ꝶ Oyl 
of Been, of Castor, of each ℥j. Pelletory of Spain, Sage, Rosemary Cow- 
slips, Rheu, of each ʒj make a Liniment. 
ꝶ of Bettony, Sage, Rosemary, Couslips, Bay-leaves, Eldern, Or- 
gany, Calamint, Fleabane, of each an equal quantity; put them, being 
reduced into Powder, into Linnen interwoven, spiinkled with Spirit 
of Wine, and heat hot, after anointing, apply it to the whole Face, 
or that half of it that is distorted. 
Some use Ligatures to draw it strait from the opposite part to the 
overthwart part. It is not accounted a Disease, but onely a figure vi- 
tiated; the Cramp it self being onely a Symptom of the Matrix-facul- 
ty hurt. 
If the upper Lip be drawn upwards towards the Eye, the Nerve of the 
third pair there affected, Being cut a little below its compass, it is heal- 
ed. 
CHAP. XXIV. 
Of Stuttering, Stammering, or defect of right Pronuntiation.  
STuttering, stammering, and lisping, are defects of right pronuntia- 
tion of Words and Syllables, called by the Latins Balbuties and 
Blæsitas arising from several Causes. 
CAUSES.
As, 1. Palsey of the Tongue, where the Cause lies in the Nerves, 
being obstructed by a moist pituitous matter, or viscid Flegm, or relaxa- 
ted or overcooled therefrom, then motion of the Tongue hurt from the 
Nerves of the seventh pair or Cunjugation being hurt: See more of 
this in the Chapter of a Palsey of the Tongue. 
2. A Ranula or Tumour under the Tongue, called the Bond or Li- 
gature, whereby Childrens Tongues are bound so straitly that their 
speech is impedited there from; and it is wont to be taken away by Mid- 
wives with their Nails, whereby right Pronuntiation and Speaking is af- 
terward procured: See for better information herein the Chapter of 
Ranula, 
3. Too great moisture, or a moist distemper making the Tongue more 
soft and loose, so that it exercises not its motion; this happens to Chil- 
dren from their Nativity, who cannot pronounce R;  yet by growth com- 
monly

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 283 
monly that superfluous Humidity is spent; but if that moist Distemper 
still continue, so long they stutter or speak imperfectly: This happens 
also to elder People from Drunkenness, or deflux of Catarrhs, and Rheu- 
matick Distillation, which are sooner acquitted again; but worse, if 
the same Distemper be in the Brain. 
4. From too great siccity or dryness of the Tongue, whereby speech 
is vitiated, coming often in Feavers. 
5. From solution of Continuition, as Wounds and Ulcers.  
6. From magnitude, 1.Encreased, hindering its motion, which is 
either from natural Conformation, or a swelling of the Tongue preter- 
natural; which swelling is either with or without Inflamation: See 
more of this in the Chapter of a Tumour of the Tongue. 2. Lessened, 
which also is made either by ill Conformation , or Accidents, as 
Wounds, Ulcers, hard Cicatrices, &c. which shorten and lessen the 
Tongue. 
7. From fault in the Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe, being the Pipe 
by which both natural and vocal respiration is put forth; also from con- 
striction or obstruction of the clefts of the Larinx, is made ill utte- 
rance. 
8. The Uvula, or Gargareon, being either defective, or the natural 
situation or bigness of it changed, being very instrumental to forming 
the voice, causeth imperfect pronuntiation. 
9. Vocal Respiration obstructed or mutilated, we cannot speak clear- 
ly and perfectly; this is made either from stopping of the breath sud- 
denly from suffocation, or Tumours in the Jaws, or it is changed and 
mutilated from weakness, Whence they cease to speak, and it is called 
Aphonia: See the Chapter of Aphonia, or Dumbness. 
10. Those that are born Fools, and infatuated from their Birth, 
speak not plain; which may be supposed to arise from too great moi- 
sture in the Tongue and Brain, effecting too great flexibility thereof
SIGNS. 
Signs both Diagnostical and Prognostical, are gathered from the pre- 
cedent several Causes. 
DIFFERENCES are four-fold: 
1. The first is called Aphonia, or Dumbness, wherein they speak not 
at all. 
2. The second is called Balbuties and Blæsitas, or a stuttering and stam- 
mering, wherein Words and Sentences are not rightly uttered, and 
they cannot pronounce some Letters, as R, or in others K and T. 
N n 2  3. The

284 Of the Diseases of 
3. The third is Hæsitantia Lingua, wherein they cannot bring out all 
the word, or that very drawlingly. 
4. The fourth is Antidoglosser, called Tongue-ty’dness, from short- 
ness of the Tongue, and is peculiar to Children. 
CURE. 
If from defect of parts, that cannot be restored; it is incurable.
From a Palsey, and Ranula under the Tongue, see their Cures in 
their proper Chapters. 
From Tumours, also Wounds and Ulcers of the Tongue or Jaws, seek 
their Cure in their proper places; and they being cured, this Affect 
ceaseth. 
From natural Conformation, whether the Tongues be too thick, or 
too short, it is not curable. 
Moisture indicates drying, and Dryness moistening; if flegmatick 
impacted Humours hinder vocal Respiration, they must be attenuated 
and excussed, the Brain must be dried and stengthened; little Lozen- 
ges in form of Lupines are held under the Tongue, made of Sage, Mu- 
stard, and Rheu-seeds, Lavender and Rocket-seeds, with Mucilage of 
Gum Tragacanth to embody them, also Gargarisms of Spirit of black 
Cherries, Spirit of Wine wherein have been steeped Lillies of the Val- 
leys; Frictions of the Tongue also, with Sage-leaves, Couslips, and 
Lavender: It is said that to rub Childrens Tongues with Salt Gem and 
Honey, makes them speak presently. 
CHAP. XXV. 
Of a Palsey of the Tongue.
A Palsey of the Tongue is an abolition of its actions and speaking, 
induced from the Nerves, resolved. 
CAUSE. 
Cause arises from relaxation, obstruction, or refrigeration of the 
Nerves, which if they be of the seventh Conjugation, there is a Pal- 
sey of the whole Tongue, and motion totally perished: These Nerves 
come from the Brain, near to the beginning of the Spinalis Medulla, or 
Back-Marrow, and are carried to the Muscles moving the Tongue, which 
being hurt as before,or wounded, the motion of the Tongue is depraved 
or abolished and is well called a Palsey.
More-

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 285 
Moreover, a Palsey is sometime lateral, as of the right or left side; 
Taste is also spoiled from the Nerves of the third pair affected.
SIGN. 
Signes are taken from motion hurt, from vice in speaking, and taste 
hurt, which sometimes is safe if the Nerves of the third pair be unhurt; 
sometimes all, sometimes but half the Tongue is paralitick; the Tongue 
looks red, and seems to be hot, at other times cooler and moister; there 
are sometimes present signes of a cold distemper of the Brain, and it 
sometimes succeeds to Apoplexies. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In more aged People, in Apoplectick, or those that are generally 
Paralitick; from a distemper of the Brain, tis more dangerous and more 
hardly cured, and if an Apoplexie hath not precaded, nor is present, 
there is great danger that it will ensue. 
In a lateral Palsey of the Tongue, and in youth and flourishiing habits, 
tis better, and some hopes there is of Cure. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be begun with Catharticks, wherewith specifical Cephalicks 
are admixt to carry their force to the Head; general sweaters 
are then to be insisted upon; Salt of Pearls is given to x. gr. in Malmsey; 
Black-Cherry-Water, Oyl of Rosemary, &c. are commended: this 
Pouder serves best to dry and strengthen the Brain and Nerves, ꝶ: of 
Castor, Pirethrum, of each ʒss. Marjoram, Sage, Lavender, Spike, Be- 
tony, Stæchas, of each ʒj. Cloves, Nutmegs, of each ℈j. Sugar to the 
weight of all, make an exquisite fine Pouder, whereof ʒj. may be ta- 
ken every morning in Black-Cherry or Sage-Water, except on those 
mornings we interpose some purging Apozem, or the like. 
Topicals: To shake off and extract the Humours, and free the Nerves 
from obstruction by impacted Humours, and strengthen them, are very 
effectual and commodious, 
1. Gargarisms of Juyce of Sage, of Oximel of Squills, and Oyl 
drawn from Mustard-seed; of Decoctions of sweet Marjoram, Sage, 
Lavender, or Spike, Organy, Cloves, &c. with Spirit of Castor, are ve- 
ry profitably and commodiously used. 
2. Lupines, or little flat Cakes held under the Tongue, there to 
melt by continuance of time, made of Mucilage of Tragacanth, Pulpe 
of Mustard-seed, Rocket-seed, Sage, Pelletory of Spain, Wood-Sage, 
and the like, are useful and effectual. 
3. Rub

286 Of the Diseases of 
3. Rub the Tongue with Sage-Leaves, Rocket-seeds bruised, To- 
bacco, or lay upon it Oyl of Anniseeds, of Cloves, and Spirit of Black- 
Cherries. 
4. The Neck or place of the Original of the Nerves must be anoin- 
ted with Aqua-Vitæ, and Spirit of Castor: Some use Vesicatories to 
the hinder part of the Head; and Avicen applies a Cupping-Glass 
under the Chin; Cucupha’s and Errhines are also useful. 
To recover Speech, Spirit of Black-Cherries, Juyce of Sage, and 
Primroses gargarised, are greatly applauded; so are the Flowers of Val- 
ley-Lillies distilled in Wine. See more in Aphonia. 
There is another Disease of the Tongue, called by the Germans, De 
Braun and it is a great swelling thereof, with blackness, ruggedness, and 
dryness; with it also is a Delirium, Insanies, and light-headedness, a 
Disease not mentioned by the ancient Authors, but cometh nearest to 
that of Paulas Ægineta, called an Erisypelas of the Brain: It comes 
familiarly to Souldiers, that lie in Camps in the open and cold raw air. 
CURE. 
After generals, as opening a Vein under the Tongue, Purging, &c. if 
it seem requisite, a Gargarism of Decoction of Prunella, or Self-heal 
in Water, a little Vinegar added, is the best Remedy, and held very 
certain for the Cure hereof. 
CHAP. XXVI. 
Of the Frog, or Infants Ligature of their Tongue. 
DEFINITION.
BAtrachos in Greek, Ranula, and by some Ranunculus in Latine, is a 
Tumour of soft flesh risen under the Tongue, referring the form 
or a Frog, to which as to a girt or band the Tongue adheres, causing im- 
pediment in speech. 
CAUSE. 
It arises from viscid and pituitous Blood, flowing thither and stirring 
up a soft Tumour: sometimes 'tis only a fleshy excrescence without an 
humour.  
SIGNS. 
1. As to its Figure; It is like a Frog, thence called Rana and Ranu- 
la, for the rift in the middle separating the right part of the Tumour 
from

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth and Lips. 287 
from the left, the hinder part in figure and colour resembles a Frog. 
2. As to its Substance; It is much of the nature of Oedema some- 
times, sometimes like to Atheroma and Steatoma. 1. Because it is in- 
volved in a Bag or Follicle; 2. Because the matter within is like to 
the matter of these, or more nearly resembles both in colour and con- 
sistence the white of an Egg; therein also sometime hath a stone been 
found. 
3. As to its Magnitude and bigness, it is seen under the Tongue in 
bigness of a Bean or Chesnut; sometimes it grows so great that it co- 
vers the Teeth, and the Mouth will hardly hold it, and induces great 
danger of suffocation, and seems like another Tongue, the veines under 
the Tongue being so mightily extuberated, and puffed up also, from 
the abundance of a muddy viscous pituit fallen from the Head. 
4. As to the Effects and concomitant Accidents: As, 1. They can- 
not speak plain not clearly, but croakingly like Frogs, because the 
Tongue is not stretched forth duely, but held down, and kept straiter 
and shorter then is requisite to speaking. 2. The Tongue is found 
lifted up more or less according to the growth or bigness of the Tumour. 
3. There is sometimes present Inflammation, sometimes danger of 
Choaking or Suffocation, where 'tis very great, sometime it is Cancerous. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The greater the more dangerous, it is often mortal, both from Suf- 
focation, which it may bring if it be the greater, and near the tough Ar- 
tery and Laxinx, and also a Quinzy that it may bring to elder People. 
CHAP. XXVII. 
Of a Tumour or Increment of the Tongues. 
IT is divided variously, for one is an only distension and enlarging of 
it from a plenteous aliment, so that it is neither Erisypelas, nor Scir-
rhus, nor Oedema: It is without pain; sometime it is less at night, than 
in the morning; herein the Tongue is sometime black or livid from the 
blood being cold. It is to be cured by evacuation as a Phlegmone and 
Repulsion, a cloth dipt in Juyce of Lettice and laid upon the Tongue; 
other coolers and repellers of nourishment are also convenient. 
2. Another is a carnous Swelling, or fleshy increment of the Tongue, 
made from superfluous flesh, which had its rise from vitious excre- 
ments, and a pituitous Superfluous alimentary matter; Preparatives 
premi-

288 Of the Diseases of 
premised, if curable, we may expect most from Chyrurgery. 
3. Another is from Blood, and is an inflammation of the Tongue, 
whose Cure is described in the Chapter of Inflammation of the 
Tongue. 
4. Another is from deflux of a pituitous matter, and then it is Oedema, 
or a softer and loose Tumour, according as the matter is thicker or thin- 
ner, moister or more dry: If it be Oedematous, Cure is as Oedema; if a 
soft and loose Tumour, we may open the Sublinguar Veines, purge and 
revulse, use resolving and ptarmick Gargarisms, some using scarrifica- 
tion, have cured by flowing forth of the swelling matter. 
5. Another is Erisypelatous from Choller, wherein is Inflamation, 
and for which, see the Chapter of Inflamation of the Tongue. 
6. Another is Scirrhous, from Atrabilis: Cure it as a Scirrh. 
7. Another is Cancrous, wherein is small hopes of Curing; and pu- 
trifaction coming at the Root of the Tongue, or a flux of Blood in 
Tongues eroded, the Sick die. 
8. Another is from the French-Pox, anointings with Quicksilver, 
poysonous and venemous funges: Shun Purges in this, and use specifi- 
calls; wash with Juyce of Plantane, Scabious and Lemons; if it be of 
the nature of Oedema, use Remedies fit for an Oedematous swelling; if 
it be great, we must beware lest it bring danger of Suffocation. 
Some have their Tongues remain without their Mouthes, and this 
progress of it may be called the falling out of the Tongue, and hurts 
chiefly by deforming. 
I knew a Gentlewoman in London, Sifter to one that married my 
Cousin, that if a lock of hair that hung out of her hood behind her Head 
( which she shewed me when she told me the reason ) was put up under 
her Hood, or in her Head-clothes, with the rest of her hair, she could 
not shut her mouth, so that she alwayes wore this little brown lock hang- 
in down behind: I told her it could not be according to the course of 
Nature, there could be no natural cause for it; if so, it must be superna- 
tural; and if so, by the Devils Agents, Witches, which we could shew 
by divers other Histories and Relations, and Reasons, but they are im- 
pertinent here; she those of two evils the least, rather to have her lock 
of hair not very long, hanging without, than to go with her mouth open, 
but I never asked her why she cut it not off; I suppose she suffered it 
not to grow at length, being shorter than commonly womens hair is by 
farre.
CHAP.


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 289  
CHAP. XXVIII. 
Of an Ægylops. 
AN Ægylopsli a little Tubercle situated betwixt the bone of the 
Nose and the greater corner of the Eye, which before it be broke 
is called Anchylops, and breaking, turns Fistulous, and is called Fistula 
Lacrymalis: The Arabians call it Caræb.
CAUSE 
Arises from vitious humours falling from the Head, which are either 
more watry or thick, muddy and virulent, driven to the corner of the 
Eye, and there seeking a passage, but being retained they putrify, and 
rot also the bone, effecting also a cavity, wherein, being broke, is a fi- 
stulous Ulcer. 
SIGNS. 
It is a little Tubercle or Prominence betwixt the root of the Nose 
and corner of the Eye, reddish, and equally molesting at all times, con- 
ceiving within it a cavity, and breaking, turns a Fistula. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from a more slow and thick humour, is contained in a bag 
or skin in form of pap and honey mixt, together, effecting no solution 
of continuity, that opens not, but is taken away by Section, and turns 
not Fistulous; which the Latines call Abscessus Ocularis, and the Greeks 
Anchylopa and Anchylops. 
2. Another from effusion of a serous blood from adjacent veins, 
driven forth by blows, or the like, conceiving Inflamation and pain; 
and breaking, turns an hollow Ulcer or Fistula, wherein sometimes the 
Bone is corrupted, and then it is called Ægylops. 
In this also be differences, for some be benign, others cancrous, 
wherein touch doth much irritate; the colour of them is pale and livid, 
the veins appear full and ill coloured. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Anchylopa is better than Ægylopa; tis the worse if Inflamation and 
corruption of the bone be present, tis incurable if cancerated; the 
worse also the more deeply it is seated: a Fistula is bad to heal, and like 
to prove a Cronical Affect, yet the fresher the better, the farther off 
O o of

290 Of the Diseases of &c. 
of the Eye the better; through nearness to which, and tenuity of the 
bones of the Nose, it is most to be feared; the continual affluxes of the 
Matter also, and motion of the Eye, hinders its drying up, and healing. 
CURE. 
Cure is by Revulsion and Repulsion, if not yet ulcerated; if it be ul- 
cerated, dilate the Ulcer, put in a Tent of Gentian-root, deterge and 
mundifie. Some use Astringents for repressing the defluent humours, 
which others dislike, and use resolving and maturating Topicks, the Pus 
is all to be crushed out and then use Topicks, the Collyry of Rhasis, ꝶ 
of Aloes, Frankincense, ℥i. Sarcocol, Dragons-blood, Balaustians, Al- 
lom, Crude-Antimony, of each ʒi Verdigrease xv. graines, with Eye- 
bright-water, make a Collyry. Discussers are to be used, as Rhue boyl- 
ed in Lee; rank Nuts and Saffron boild in Alica the Juyce of Festuca or 
St. Peters Corn, is thought by a propriety to help, so also is the Milk of 
Almonds. 
SYMPTOMES. 
Before it be consolidated we must look to the Symptomes: 1. Infla- 
mation is to be cautioned, for which repellers, letting blood, &c, 
are useful. 2. Hinder its turning Cancerous; where revulsion is good, 
an actual Cautery, or touching it with oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol. 3. Look 
to the Bone, if that be rotted or corrupted, scale it. Causticks (as a Pou- 
der of Verdigrease, Festuca, Myrrh, and Gentian roots) are usefull, dila- 
tation of the Ulcer being first made, also an actual Cautery. 4. If a 
Callows grow, take that away by Corrosives and Chyrurgery; then use 
Sarcoticks and Cicatrizers: See a Fistula of the weeping flesh.
Of 


291 
OF THE 
Diseases of the Lungs 
THese three Distempers, Hoarsness, 
Catarrh, and Asthma, were writ 
long since, compiled from the 
best Authors, compared and laid 
together, all things of moment 
that were not in one, We extra- 
cted from others, and from all 
abjected what was most unne- 
cessary: Our precedent Discourse of the Lungs and 
their Diseases, will shew what these want: Here the 
Readers may see the Rules and Method of the Antients, 
and compare them. We endeavoured to draw out all 
the choice Specificals, and appropriated Medicines 
that ease the Symptom, and do good in all Causes  
so that if the Antients were mistook in the Causes, yet 
in those open Affect the Medicines are prevalent, and 
being found out by sure Experience, never fail.
O o 2 CHAP. 

292 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Hoarsness. 
HOarsness is a Depravation of the Voice, from an Hu- 
mour falling upon the Wind-Pipe, and making of it 
rough. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a defluxion of Rheumatick Humours from the Head to 
the sharp Artery, or Winde-pipe, made either through cold weakening 
the retensive faculty of the Brain, or heat dissolving and pouring forth 
Humours, whose collection and generation came from moistening Cau- 
ses, or airy Exhalations from the Stomach, which turned to a waterish 
matter which preceded, and were either from too much Drink, Wines, 
Bathes, moistening Meats, and raw Fruits, and other things, sending 
many moist Vapours to the Head. 
SIGNS. 
There needs no Signs to be set down whereby to know it, onely to 
distinguish twixt an hot and cold Cause; which are, if the Head be hot, 
if the Defluxion be more sharp, if the Nose and Face look red, and the 
Party perceives the Head hotter than accustomedly it used to be; and 
if heating Causes preceded and went before, we know it is from an hot 
Distemper, and heating Causes; if the contrary Signs to thesebe pre- 
sent, we may well guess they have taken cold, either being bare-headed, 
or by Clamours, whereby the Mouth was long kept open, and cold air 
drawn in.
CURE. 
In Cure, it is good, 1. To prevent a Feaver in an hot Cause: 2. To 
concoct and thicken the Humour for expulsion, which is done by Pecto- 
rals: As, ꝶ of Maiden-Hair, Liquorish, Figs, Jujubes, of each equal 
parts, boyl them in Water, and adde Syrup of Violets and Poppies, of 
each what may seem sufficient to sweeten the Clarified Liquor. 
After this, purge with Cephalick Pills and lastly, dry the Brain. 
Medi- 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 293 
Medicines that respect the Symptom, and that besides their faculty 
of lenifying the roughness of the Wind-Pipe, and the tickling sharpness 
of the Rheum, do by a propriety help, are these: ꝶ of Juyce pressed 
from green Liquorish, ℥j. Juyce of Sage ℥Ss with Sugar boil it sy-
rup; then adde Storax, Calamitis, Myrrh, Gum Tragacanth, Saffron, of 
each ʒj. make hereof a Lohoch, to be often licked of with a Liquorish 
Stick, suffering it to melt and slip down by degrees. 
Or, ꝶ Leaves of the Fig-Tree, Five-leav’d-Grass, of mss. Seeds 
of Srubb-thlaspeos, Dropwort-Roots, of each ʒij. Poppy and Violet- 
Flowers, of each Pug. 1. boyl them in Water, then strain them, and 
adde to the Liquor Sugar for the boyling of it up into a Syrup; Gum 
of the Cherry-Tree dissolved in Wine, Mucilage of Quince, and Psyl- 
lium-Seeds in honied Water, are also very proper for Hoarsness. 
This is much praised, ꝶ of Spirit of Sack, ℥ss make it as thick with 
Sugar-Candy, as a thick Eclegma, or Lohoch, and take thereof often; 
but in an hot Distemper Oyl of sweet Almonds so thickned with Sugar- 
Candy, and a Decoction of Penny. Royal well sweetened, is of great 
account with some. 
Hartmanus saith, If it be from Cold, a a Draught of good Wine well tempered 
with Sugar, takes it away. 
Rondeletius saith, To clear the Voice there is nothing better than to use fre- 
quently our Pills Benjonum, or this, which (saith he) helps in all Hoars- 
nesses, from what Cause soever; ꝶ Conserve of Violets, ℥j. fresh But- 
ter and Milk drawn from Almonds, of each ℥ij. Meal of Orobus, ℥ss. 
Tragacanth, and Penedies, of each ʒjss. mix all together into form of a 
Lohoch. 
CHAP. II. 
Of a Catarrh or Distillation of Rheum. 
CAtarrhos is a Symptom of things cast out, being a Flux of Rheum 
falling from the Head upon the subjected parts, arising from Cold 
or Fulness. 
SUBJECT.   
A Catarrh is taken for a Defluxion of Waterish and Rheumatick Hu- 
mours upon any part, as upon the Jaws and rough Artery, into the Nose, 
Ears, &c. Eyes; but here it is specially taken for a deflux upon the Lungs.
CAUSE. 

294 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CAUSE.
Cause is effectual in the Brain, which either weakened in its reten- 
tive, or irritated in its expulsive faculty, cast forth, or lets fall such se- 
rous Humours upon the lower parts: Causes hereof are either remote 
or nigh; remote are such as engender plenty of such a matter and se- 
rous Blood, such be all vaporous things, and moistening Causes, as im- 
moderate drinking, Bathes, Wines, Apples, and crude Things in the 
Stomach, which either sends vapours to the Head, or the Head draws 
them from thence, by immoderate heat in it. 
Or, an hot Distemper of the Liver, or Obstruction of it, cause a Ca- 
tarrhous Matter to be heaped up in the Head; from an hot Liver, an hot 
Matter is sent, and is the Cause of an hot Catarrh; from Obstruction 
are those Humours also forced upwards, that were wont to have their 
passage downwards in their proper Channels, which may happen in a cold 
state of the Liver, and where heat in the Head more forcibly attracts; 
the same is also from obstruction of the Spleen and Courses. 
Or distemper of the Head, which if cold, it first repells not Hu- 
mours and crude Vapours sent thither; secondly concocts not that ex- 
crementitious pituitous matter, from coldness and weakness: The south 
Air and rainy Weather cause it, as Sect. 3. Aphor. 5. 
Nigh, are such as weaken the retentive, as cold Air, or cooling Cau- 
ses; or move the expulsive, as heat, and plenty of the matter, or sharp- 
ness of it.  
SIGNS. 
General Signs are heaviness of the Head and Senses, dulness of the 
Sight and Hearing, often Sneezing, a sense of the Humour distilling, 
which is sometimes more sharp, other times milder; sometimes salt 
and flegmatick, sometimes fresh, and coloured like Saffron, and trou- 
bles the Eyes, Nose, Jaws, and Lungs too sometimes, whence a Cough 
is raised. 
Particular are taken from Difference of Causes: For, 
1. One is from Plethory, where antecedent Causes were such as fil- 
led the Head with Vapours, or Humours, and comes by consent, as 
from Liver, Spleen, Courses stopt, and Stomach, and then there are 
Signs of those parts, evil affected, and obstructed; or from Crudity, 
Drunkenness, an Aquitonian constitution of the Air that preceded; 
may easily be known also by a sense of distention and fulness in the 
Head. 
2. Another from heat, or a hot distemper of the Head, which is 
known, 1. By heat perceived in the Head, both by the Patients sense, 
and

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 295
and also by feeling to it. 2. The Humour is more thin, hot and sharp, 
so that the Nose thereby is sometimes exulcerated, the Face and Nose 
be red, and sometime a Feaver follows. 
3. Another from cold, which is indicated by taking cold, either by 
being bare-headed, or too much conversant in cold windy Air, also by 
absence of heat; the Humour is more thick and flegmatick, obstruct- 
ing the Ethmoid-Bones, and causing hoarsness of the Voice, and a 
greater sense of heaviness and distension in the Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is familiar to Winter, and not dangerous; unless, 
1. It be joyned with Headach, and a Feaver. 
2. Or be more frequent, and happens to moist and Catarrhous Con- 
stitutions. 
3 If they run with violence, called Choaking Catarrhs, wherein is 
danger of Suffocation, falling in so plenteous and preposterous a mea- 
sure and manner upon the Lungs and sharp Artery. 
4. In Old men, for there they admit no Concoction, for their Bo- 
dies be cold. 
DYET. 
As touching Dyet, and things to be observed, note the Cause; for 
in a Cold Cause all cooling things are hurtful, as Dyet or Air cooling 
actually or potentially, North Winds: In an hot Cause, a cooling Dyet 
and Air is good, South Winds hurtful, Vexations of Mind, Watching, 
&c. bad. 
Generally note, 
1. To esehew moistening Dyet, and too much sleep. 
2. Vaporous things, as Garlick, Mustatd, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Onyons, Wine, and strong Odours. 
3. What ever things accumulating or dissolving Humours, as chang- 
ing of the temper of the Head from Heat to Cold, Baths, the Sun and 
Venery are hurtful; let him sleep most upon his Belly, that so the mat- 
ter may the more readily break out by the Nostrils.
CURE. 
In Cure, First, The matter is to be prepared not with Incidents and 
Detergents, but Thickners and Concocters, which at first are to be 
more weak; rest and sleep moderate help much. 
2. Let Blood if the Liver be hot, if the Body be full and Sanguine, 
if Pleurisies and Quinzies be endangered therefrom, or a Feaver, which 
enkindles the Humours; or if the Head be hot, letting Blood is 
good 

296 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
good to hinder its drawing more to it; otherwise omit Phlebo- 
tomy. 
3. Purge the matter by Apozems, not too strong, least the matter be 
too much agitated; not too often, (Corroboraters interposed) lest they 
be over-weakened; in a thicker and more remote matter Phlegmagogues 
in form of Pills may be used. 
4. Pull back, derive, and turn away the flux, Frictions and Ligatures 
to the Extremities, Cupping-Glasses to the Buttocks, Setaces, Cau- 
sticks behind the Ears: Arculanus applied Causticks to the Crown, and 
by the sores drew forth much matter; but Septalius saith, Cauteries to 
the Coronal Suture are evil, and by experience we never find good ef- 
fects therefrom, but the Membranes, Veins, Nerves, and Fibra’s are 
inflamed therefrom; Revulsion is also made by Clisters, Errhines, Gar- 
garisms, Apophlegmatisms, &c. are used by some to evacuate the mat- 
ter contained in the Head, and condemned by others because they draw 
the matter in greater force and plenty from the Head upon the Lungs 
and Aspera Arteria, whence may be made a suffocative Catarrh, Infla- 
mation or Exulceration of the Wind-Pipe, or Quinzies, though not al- 
wayes. 
5. Strengthen the Brain, because a part strong may do more by Na- 
ture, than the Physitian by Art, and moreover stopping or binding up of 
the matter is not so good or healthful, as Natures expulsion of it if 
without damage to her; among other things Serpillum, or Mother of 
Thyme is held to have a Propriety herein, or the Wine of Pope Adrian, 
ꝶ of the Bark of all sorts of Myrobalans with the Kernels dried, of 
each ʒijß Cinamon, ʒj. Cloves, Galanga, Cubebs, Cardamoms great- 
er and less, of each ℈ss. Red Roses dried, ʒjss. Lavender and Rose- 
mary, of each ʒss. bruise them, and steep them in seven pints of Wine 
for twenty four hours, then drink morning and evening thereof.
6. Dryers, as a Drink of China, Sarsaparilla, Guaicum-Wood, of Rose- 
mary, &c. 2. Or a Pouder of Nigella-Seeds, red Roses, Succinum, and 
Bark of Frankinsence: 3. Or a Cap of Pouders interwoven in Flocks 
twixt fine Linnen, as ꝶ Seeds of Romane Nigella, Amber, of each ʒij. 
red Roses, Myrtle-Berries, Styrax, Calamitis, Galls Omphacite, of each 
ʒjss. Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Coriander-Seed, Labdanum, of each ʒj. re- 
duce all to a gross Pouder for a Cucupha, or loose Powders may be 
strewed in the Head. 
The Seeds of Nigella and Cummin parched and applied warm, (the 
Head being shaven) interbasted in fine Linnen, being first poudered, 
are said to be a most present remedy: 4. Suffumes to dry the Brain, are 
also very effectual, as of Nigella-Seeds, torrified, and smelt to, or of 
this

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 297 
this Pouder cast upon Coals, over the Fume of which the Head is to 
be holden; ꝶ of Succinum, or Amber, Frankinsence, Seeds of Cori- 
ander, Rosemary, Mother of Thyme, Gum of Juniper, Tobacco, of 
each ʒij. mix them.
Or, ꝶ of Nigella-Seeds, and Amber, of each ʒiij. Storax, Gum of 
Juniper, Rosemary, and Coriander-Seed, of each ʒij. Myrtle-Berries, 
red Roses, Mastick, Nutmegs, of each ʒj. mix and pouder them grosly, 
for the aforesaid use. 
7. Respect the Flux or Symptom, which if it offend in quality, cor- 
rect that, as I. Sharp, and then use Emulsions, and tempers of Acri- 
mony, that the parts be nor excoriated, exulcerated, or inflamed from 
sharp pain ; ꝶ of Barley-Water, ℔iv. boyl therein Liquorish, ℥j. 
white Poppy-seed, ʒij. St. James-Wort, Flowers of red Poppies, of 
each mss. to the strained Liquor adde Syrup of white Poppies, and Vio- 
lets, of each ℥ij. mix all for a Drink, chiefly to be used at going to 
rest; or Laudanum is given by some to the quantity of four or five 
grains, which where it may safely be given, is very effectual : Chy- 
mists commend Oyl of Butter, given to ℥j at one Dose. 2.Salt, where- 
in Johannes Prevotius proceeds thus ; in salt Rheums or Spittle, the De- 
coction of Barley, Jujubes, Liquorish, and sweet Pruines, chiefly in a 
Liquor that is made by boiling of the Feet or Head of a Calf or Lamb 
is good; so are Snails of the Wood, or Hodmondods, and Emulsion of 
the four less cold Seeds, with Almonds, adding the Flower of Starch, and 
Cream of Ptyfan, a Ponatel of the same Emulsions, adding white Poppy- 
seeds, if the saltness be more urgent; or lick up the Juyce of fresh Prunes, 
or Butter, or a Syrup of sweet Prunes juyced, and Juyce of Purslane boiled 
with Honey to a Syrup. Thus far Prevotius. 
3. Hot and thin, and then Coolers and Thickners are conducing, 
those that were prescribed for an hot matter , and Rotula's of Saccha- 
rates to hold under the Tongue, arc useful here; for example-sake, ꝶ 
of Sugar penidiate, ℥jss Gum Arabick, Tragacanth dissolved in Poppy- 
Water, of each ʒij. Root of Hounds-Tongue, red Roses, Wood of 
the Frankinsence-Tree, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Poppies make Rotu- 
la's to hold under the Tongue, and melt by degrees. 
4. Cold and thick, and then Attenuates and Heaters are more pro- 
per both for the matter in the Head, and that that is already flown into 
the Lungs, a Pouder of Valerian-Roots, Spiknard, Rosemary, Mother 
of Thyme, Myrrh, Sage, Saffron, Costmary, and Spignel-Roots, is 
then most excellent; or a Wine of Rosemary, Indian-Nard, Spignel- 
Roots, and Nigella-Seeds, with Aromaticals for the Head , and Pecto- 
rals or the Lungs. 
Pp    2. In


298 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
In quantity, if it offend, as sometimes, it induces fear of Choak-
ing ; we must stop it gradually, dull and retard its quick, violent, and 
preposterous motion, by Intercipients applied to the Forehead, as an 
Emplaister of Mastich, Frankinsence, Cummin, and Nigella-seeds, with
Oyl of Jasmine-Flowers; Or taken inwardly, as this Pouder much 
commended, ꝶ Bole Armonick, Mans Skull burnt, Hounds-Tongue 
Storax, Liquorish, Frankinsence, Myrrh, of each ʒj. Saffron, ʒss. Opium, 
Thebaick, ℈j. with Syrup of white Poppies, make Pills: These also are 
praised, and held from a propriety to stop Catarrhs; Poppies, Rosema- 
ry, Ragwort, Strawberries, Amber, Valerian-roots, Spignel, or Meum-
roots, Hounds-Tongue, Storax, Myrrh, Root of the Sloe-Tree, Honey- 
Water, and Rosa Solis-Water, Neck-Laces, or Beads of Amber hung
about the Neck, fume of Onyons stewed in an Oven, Leaves of Laurel 
and Winter-Bark snuft up the Nose, Tobacco taken in a Pipe, and a 
Decoction of Pimpernel,taken morning and night in fulness of the Head 
from Rheumatick Humours.  
Renodæus reckons up these things that stop a Catarrh ; Syrup of Pop- 
pies, Jujubes, and Quinces, Liquorish and Myrtles, Leaves of Colts- 
foot condite, Hyssop, Bole of Armenia, Hounds-Tongue, Troches of 
Camphir, and Oyl Omphacine. 
Hartmannus saith, An Amulet of the Root of Female-Verbascus, or 
Mullein, gathered from the fifteenth of August, to the eighth of Septem- 
ber, the Moon decreasing, being hung about the Neck, is the most soveraign 
Remedy for a Catarrh. To intercept the Flux also, Intercipients appli- 
ed to the Head shaven, specially to the Crown, are available, as a Bag 
of Succinum sprinkled with Spirit of Wine, or of the Pouder of Chame- 
pithis sprinkled with Oyl of Succinum. 
Lastly,The Symptoms are to be considered ; If it happen to Infants, 
the Nurse is to be dieted, Milk is to be rectified, and she must be purged, 
and take Pectorals; One grain of Frankinsence in Pouder given to the 
Child, is held a secret; the Head is to be sprinkled with Pouders that 
be astringent and strengthening, but not too strong. 
If a Feaver be joyned, let Blood, give Coolers, and omit hot Medi- 
cines ; if a Cough molest much, it must be suffered awhile, till the Cause 
which is the Catarrh, be cured : so also Excoriation, and pain from 
sharpness, and heat of the matter, is helped by the aforesaid things that 
cool and make mild the flux of Humours ; too great sneezing may law- 
fully be mittigated : See the Chapter of Sneezing, to hinder a Quinzy 
impendent; a Decoction of Lentils are thought to be effectual.
CHAP.



Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 299 
CHAP. 111.
Of an Asthma, or hurt of breathing. 
An Asthma is an hurt of breathing, with noise and frequency, arising 
from a pertinacious Obstruction of the Lungs and its Vessels, or 
Compression thereof, and afflicting without a Feaver. 
Respiration is the proper action of the Lungs, which we ought to know 
what its right medium and constitution is in bodies not affected, where- 
by we may also distinguish how much it is depraved ; it is twofold, free 
or strait; Free Respiration is a facility of Breathing, with little mo- 
tion of the Chest, from the Middriff and Lungs tightly constituted,and 
not diseased, whereby it is voluntarily lessened or enlarged, drawn in or 
sent out, more quickly or slowly, and is called Natural Respira- 
tion. 
Unnatural Respiration is very divers and various , according to its 
celerity or rarity, greatness or smallness, motion and respite, equal or 
unequal. For, 
I. Macropnæa is a Vice of Breathing, wherein plenty of Air by in- 
spiration distends the Brest exceedingly, and the whole Thorax is moved 
by all the Muscles, because the Heart (for cooling of which, breathing 
is ordained) being over-heat, as in Feavers, or almost suffocated with 
fuliginous Vapours, requires much Air to fan and cool it by inspiration, 
and sends out many fuliginous Vapours in expiration. 
2. Tachypnæa is a greater and more frequent respiration from the 
same Causes, being greater.
3. A third kind of depraved breathing is called Dyspnæa, or a short 
breathing. 
4. Asthma, which is more frequent drawing of Breath. 
5. Orthopnæa, whenas the sick are forced to stand upright to fetch 
their Breath. 
6. Apnæa, or an ablation or total abolishing of sensible respiration, 
wherein is great danger of Suffocation ; it comes sometimes from eat- 
ing of Toad-stools, sometimes from swoonding, and in suffocation of 
the Womb, wherein the Heart is thought to be ventilated, refreshed, 
and cooled by Transpiration, or Perspiration , of which it being the 
Author, and all the whole Body being spirable, within and without, ac- 
cording to Hippocrates, why may not perspiration by the pores of the 
Body supply the Heart in a defect of respiration ? and Galen saith, If that
Pp 2 pores 


300 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
pores of the Skin be obstructed, so that Transpiration is prohibited, and 
so consequently the fuliginous vapours retained, putrid Feavers are rai- 
sed, whose Basis is the Heart. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is either the Lungs, Middriff, or sharp Artery, and the Organs 
of breathing by the Animal Spirits and Nerves.
CAUSES. 
Causes of Asthma are either obstruction of the Lapets and Grisles of 
the Lungs, by a thick flegmatick impacted matter, or stones, and crude 
Tubercles, risen in its substance, and causing obstruction either through 
weakness of the Lungs, and then it is gathered and made by degrees, 
or from vice of other parts, which transmit such a matter to the Lungs. 
Sennertus thinks it to come from the Liver by the Vena Arteriosa, because 
Asthmaticks are so often Cachectick, and have their feet swell; and 
though Catarrhs be present, whereby it may be thought that the matter 
falls from the Head, and is thickned and dried in the Lungs, yet be- 
cause a Cough would be made, if the Humours came by the sharp Arte- 
ry from the Head to the Lungs, he doth not think the matter comes 
from the Head, and because sometimes it ceases without expectora- 
ting. 
Or, 2. Constriction of the Pipes and Vessels of the Lungs or Mid- 
driff, which may come, 1. Through dryness, as in Ptissicks, specially 
when they are nigh Death. 2. From the smoak and fume of Quicksil- 
ver, of Coals, Lime, anointing with Quicksilver, gross Vapours, a- 
rising from the Womb to the Aspera Arteria and Pipes of the Lungs, 
cause a constriction, straitening and narrowing of those parts. 
Or, 3. Compression of the Lungs and Middriff, which is made ei- 
ther, 1. Through plenty of Blood, as in the Hæmorrhoids stopt, whence, 
the parts of Breathing are straitened by compressing and crushing to- 
gether : Or, 2. of Water, as in Dropsies, by whose turgency and abun- 
dance, distention of the Abdomen is made, so that a compression of the 
Lungs and Middriff is made therefrom, whereby free breathing is im- 
pedited, and hurt. 3. From swelling also of the Liver, Spleen, or 
other Bowels, or extraneous Bodies, causing Compression of the afore- 
said parts, cause a Dyspnæa, or short breathing. 4. From abundance of 
Vapours collected in the inferiour Ventricle, sometime being more be- 
nign, sometimes malignant, which are carried to the Middriff, and hinder 
its free motion and Office of Respiration. 
To these also may be added Defluxions of a thin matter falling upon 
the 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs.  301 
the Muscles of the Brest, and ordained for its motion, or intercostal  
Muscles and Nerves of the Middriff, so that free motion and acting of 
those parts is impedited, and hindered ; or the Spondils of the Back 
luxated inwardly, or lying along on their Backs, whence the Breast falls 
upon the Back, and the way of the Breath is made more narrow, and 
so Orthopnicks are suffocated. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are more common : As , 1. Thick and frequent breathing,
which is aggravated by running,or great stirring, by lying on their Back, 
or taking cold, to which the Lungs and Middriff are exposed, and very 
obnoxious too : Or, 2. A Cough from a matter in the Lungs ; 3. A 
noise or ratling in breathing, from the Air breaking through the parts 
obstructed by a pituitous matter: 4. Expiration is easier than Inspira- 
ration, for in that the Instruments do spontaneously fall down, being 
void of Air, that stretched out their Capacity ; but in this they are har- 
der to be raised and distended to receive the Air, that is to be drawn in, 
from the agglutination of the matter, and heaviness, oppression and 
weakness of the Organs of Respiration. 
Or less common ; which come from particular Causes : As, I, From 
a defluxion upon the intercostal and Muscles of the Brest, and then the 
Brest is moved heavily, and there is great pain thereof ; 2. From a 
crude Tubercle, or botch in the Lungs ; there is a Feaver present if it 
be apostematous, and this being suppurated, the matter is cast out with 
the Cough ; if onely an excrescent swelling, or some outgrowing Tu- 
bercle, or stony hard concrete matter, sticking in the substance of the 
Lungs, then the Symptoms and short breathing encreased gradually as 
that encreased; they are not so much troubled with difficulty of Breath- 
ing, they have no Feaver, the Disease is continual, and they are found : 
The same Signs also are present in obstruction of the Lungs and Wind- 
Pipe from a glutinous flegmatick thick Humour, onely that Stertor or a 
ratling noise in breathing is also present. 3. If the Cause be from the 
Liver, then there are Signs of the Liver being weak and ill-affected;
there is a Cachexy, or ill habit of the whole Body, Clorojis, stopt Hae- 
morrhoids, and swellings of the feet. 4. If the Cause come from the 
Head, as Catarrhs do, which sometimes in an high degree suffo- 
cate or Quarchn, as the Vulgar term it) it is more periodick, or comes 
at times; molests chiefly in Autumn and Winter,and is worst on Nights.
DIFFERENCES.  
One is continual, another periodick, or that comes by fits ; one 
comes suddenly from Catarrhs and Deflexions, or a matter translated 
from


302 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
from other parts to the Lungs; another by degrees, and congestion of  
an Humour more thick, and pertinaciously adhering : Differences also 
are made from parts offended and offending ; from Causes also, as Com- 
pression, Constriction, or Obstruction, of all which we have sufficiently 
spoken heretofore. 
SYMPTOMES.
Symptoms are a Cough, Catarrh, Noise, want of Breath, specially 
in going fast or up-hill, swellings of the Feet, difficulty in making Wa- 
ter, which troubles sometimes, and arises from a matter sent to the 
Reins ; sometimes also a Feaver, Hoarsness and Expectoration are 
Companions. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In driness of the Lungs and a Ptysical state, in old men, and an in- 
veterate obstruction, there is little hopes ; also if they are made bun- 
chy from it, or in an acute Feaver, because by its heat the matter is 
made drier and harder, and not easily cast out by Expectoraters ; it 
sometimes strangles Children, and ends in Dropsies and Peripneumo- 
nies sometimes; sometimes by its diuturnity and stubborness kills ;
many times if they be weak they swound, because their breath is gone : 
cold weather is bad for them ; free breathing is a great sign of health, 
and they that breath freely die not, as Hippocrates observed. 
CURE.
In Cure, Consideration of Dyet and Regiment is first to be had, 
wherein observe these things: If it be from a Flegmatick matter 
obstructing, as most often it is, Dyet must be heating and drying, 
with which Attenuaters, and Cutters of a thick matter are meet to be 
mixt; Partridges, Capons, Hens, are good, which are rather to be 
roasted then boiled ; Flesh of Fish, Fruits and Pulse are bad and engen- 
der crude and clammy Humours ; Drink is to be little, because by fla- 
tuosity and distention of the Diaphragma or Midriff, the evil is encreas- 
ed ; if they thirst, Meats must be less hot, because the heart is over- 
heat ; Drink is then often to be held in the Mouth to moisten, say 
some ; but others, more wisely, advise to drink freely, so the thick 
matter is made thinner; Air is to be hot also and dry; the Breast is of- 
ten to be rubbed gently ; Exercise is to be moderate. 
In an hot Cause and dry, as in Ptissicks, Inflamation of the Lungs, 
and a Feaver, the contrary to these are to be used and endeavoured.
Cure

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 303 
Cure of an Asthma from thick and clammy Humours is performed. 
1. By attenuation and thinning of it; this is done by cutters and 
makers thin of a thick matter, which are hot and dry; and because reason 
shews us that those things that dry too much make such a matter more 
thick and dry, whereas by preparation we intend to make it more thin 
and moist, and easie to be brought forth by Expectoraters,they are not to 
exceed in heat or driness. Among such as are held fit preparatives for 
such a matter, the most excellent are, Oxymel of Squills, Syrup of 
Horehound, Hyssop, Liquorish ; these may be mixed with Waters in 
form of Julips, as ꝶ of the Water of Horehound, of Enula Campana, and 
Water of Honey, of each ℥iv. Syrup of Maidenhair, Lungwort, and 
Oxymel of Squills, of each ℥j. with Oyl of Brimstone, make it of a 
pleasant tartness: or ꝶ of the Conserve of Enula Campana and Orris, of 
each ℥j. of the Powder of Oak of Jerusalem, Horehound, Coltsfoot, 
and Liquorish, of each ʒj. Figgs drawn through a Sive, being first bea- 
ten with Angelica-Water ℥ss. Syrup of Horehound, what may suffice 
to make an Eclegma. 
Also Decoctions may be made of Herbs, Roots, and Seeds, and 
sweetned with Syrups; or an Oxymel may thus be made. ꝶ of Oak of 
Jerusalem, Lungwort, Hyssop, Scabious, of each mj. Nettles, Thyme, 
Figs, of each mjss. boil them in Vinegar, and being streined, add there- 
unto Honey, and make an Oxymel. 
2. Preparation being made, purging of those Humours is to follow, 
where among other things, such an Apozem for divers Doses is most ex- 
cellent, ꝶ of Agarick sliced thin, ʒiij. Roots of Briony grosly beaten, 
℥ss. Roots of Wild Cucumbers, and Rubarb, thin sliced, of each ʒij. add 
thereto some Aromaticks, and let be infused in Thyme and Hyssop 
Water, and add thereunto some Pectoral Syrups to sweeten it. 
To those that nauseate Potions, such Pills may be given, ꝶ of Collo- 
cynthis, Elatery, or Juyce of Wilde Cucumbers dried, of each ℈ss. 
Agarick ℈j. Zedoary, Aniseeds, and Mustard-Seed, of each v. Grains, 
with Syrup of the Juyce of Orris or Flower-de-luce-Roots, make Pills 
to be taken in three Mornings ; some like Pills better then Potions, be- 
cause they stay longer in the Stomach, and draw better from remote 
parts. We must purge by Intervals, but not in the Fits for fear of suf- 
focation. 
3. Vomiting is much credited by some, and rejected by others; 
Rhasis, Riverius, Hartmannus, and others, wish to vomit, and com- 
mend it from their own experience, and that sometimes the Sick are de-
livered 


304 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
livered thereby ; Primerosius saith, Sometimes it hurts not ; but Ludovi- 
cus Septalius condemns Vomiting, specially in a strong fit; because
thereby the Brest, saith he, is wonderfully tortured, and there is danger of 
Suffocation, the Matter being violently drawn to the Aspera Arteria ; others 
are silent hereof, neither using nor condemning it: See more hereof 
hereafter in Cure of an Asthma from vice of the Liver, and in Ca- 
chexies. 
4. Sylvius advises to revulsion of the Matter, and aversion of Hu- 
mours, as by application of Cupping-glasses a little above the Reins, 
Errhines and Apophlegmatisms. 
5. Expectoraters or promoters of Spittle, which bring forth such 
thick matter by Anacatharsis or Spitting; such were they that were di- 
rected for preparation of this Matter, ꝶ of clear Turpentine ℥j Sy- 
rup of Colworts, of Horehound, of each ℥j. Powder of Orris, Brim- 
stone, and Enula Campana, of each ʒj. Amoniacum dissolved in Oyl 
of Sweet-Almonds ʒiv. make a Lohoch. Jacobus Sylvius saith, The 
Root of Aron or Cucopints prepared any way, and mixt with Pectorals, is 
the best things to promote spitting. 
6. Discussion of the Matter is next useful, that is done by Externals, 
the Brest being first rubbed that the Pores may be opened, and then fo- 
ment with hot Oyls and Laxating, as ꝶ Oyl of Orris, of Sweet Al- 
monds, of each ℥j. Saffron ʒj. mix them for Unction : or Rx of the 
Meal of Fennugreek, Melilot, Hyssop , Calamint, of each equal 
parts, boil them in White-Wine, and add Honey and Flower of Brim- 
stone a sufficient quantity to make a Cataplasm for the Brest. 
Also the Brest may be fomented with Sponges dipt in Pectoral Oyls 
or Liquors; and these are to be used some at one time, and some at 
another for change, and because they should not lie on too long. 
7. Extracters of the Reliques of the Matter, as by rubbing of the 
Brest with blistering Medicines, and stinging Nettles; and burnings, 
described by Ætius, were used by the Ancients, but left by Modern 
Practicks. 
8. Dryers of the parts of breathing, as Lungs, &c. is to be ordered ; 
that is done by Fumes, as of Frankinsence and Brimstone, to stay long 
about Baths of Brimstone, or an hot and drying Air, Brimstone Baths ; 
the use of Aromaticals: Gentilis commends the fume of Arsenick to 
be wonderful herein, but because Arsenick is of such a poysonous qua- 
lity,we ought to be cautulous in its use, and correct its vice with Aro- 
maticks. 
Secondly, In Dyspnæa’s and Asthma’s from vice of the Liver,transmit- 
ting a matter to the Lungs,as in Cachecticks is apparent; These things 
are moreover to be observed. 1. Let 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 305 
1. Let Blood, a Clister premised, for hereby those Humours are 
lessened in quantity, and corrected in quality ; and the Veins less 
swelling, Breathing is made more free.
Galen proves Phlebotomy in a dry Orthopnæa, but in Ptissicks and 
dried Bodies, and others, where we fear native heat thereby to be im- 
paired, and so greater plenty of crude, pituitous Humours are gene- 
rated, it is not good to open a Vein. 
2. Purge, as before directed, frequently and more mildly, chiefly with 
Potions and Apozemes, together with Purgers being admixt, such things 
as respect both Liver and Symptom. 
3. Vomit. 1. Because Humours redound in the whole Body. 
2. Because the Stomack is often ill affected. 3. Because by Vomit, Hu- 
mours and Vapours, making compression or construction, are moved and 
brought forth. 
Platerus used the following with good success, ꝶ of the Juyce of 
Orris, or Flower-de-luce-Roots, ℥ß. Hyppocras, ℥j. mix them for a 
Vomit. 
Hartmannas saith, Asthma, Orthopnæa, and Dyspnæa are quickly at 
first cured with a Vomit of Aqua Benedicta; but if through stubbornness 
and oldness of the Disease, they are not cured after two Vomits, pro- 
ceed to other things. 
Riverius saith, Among other Vomits for this purpose, The Juyce of 
Tobacco drunk to ℥iij obtains the principal place. 
4. Diureticks are useful here, because Nature strives also to expel a 
great part of the Noxious Humours by the Reins, which Septalius saith, 
Are not to be used generally, because that in a thick matter they dry, 
and carry off the serous part of the Humour, whence the rest is left 
more hard and dry, but here they seem to be very necessary and helpful. 
3. If the Matter come from the Head, be directed by the Chapter 
of a Catarrh to dry the Head, and stop defluxions that fall upon the 
Lungs. 
4. If the Middriff be affected, and that by Vapours, causing com- 
pression, Clifters more strong and frequently given, are useful: For 
saith Rondeletius, Asthmaticks are wont to be grieved with much windi- 
ness, from which sometime an Asthma is made, distending the Septum 
Transversum or Middriff, from whence they cannot breath freely : See 
for Medicines proper against Windiness in the following List of such 
Medicines as peculiarly help short-windedness. 
5. If any hurtful things by fume hurt the parts of breathing, or Or- 
gans of respiration, their force is to be opposed by Antidotaries; toge- 
ther with other things that generally are good for an Asthma,and short 
Q q and


306 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
and frequent breathing ; in the fit we must only Palliate, not Vomit, 
Purge or give Clisters, for fear of stirring the matter too much, and en- 
dangering suffocation; by exercising before meat, many have been 
choaked, which may be from the fit suddenly thereupon invading,there- 
fore let them not move violently or suddenly before meat; then the 
Breast may not be rubbed ; then are to be given such things as respect 
the Symptom, and are helpful against shortness of Breath, among 
which Saffron is chiefly commended, which is said to restore breathing 
afresh in dying men ; the Green Roots of Angelica condite, a Linctus 
of Sulphur washt  often in Colts-foot Water, with Syrup of Oak of Je- 
rusalem of Heurnius ; Seeds of Southernwood, Waters of hot Baths that 
proceed from Brimstone ; the Broath of an old Cock, with Pectorals, 
and Agarick of Benedictus, Victorius, Faventinus and Prevotius, Syrup 
and Oxymel of Tobacco of Quereetanus, Millepedes, or Sows, in White- 
Wine, macerated ; Lac or Quick Brimstone, with Benjamin 
and Salt in an Egg, or the extract of Hors-Radish-Roots, with Essence 
of Sugar, or of Enula with Oyl of Aniseeds of Hartmannas, a draught 
of Wine ℥ij. Amoniacum ʒj. Water of Hyssop , ℥iv. of Johnstonus 
Natural Balsom; Cardomoms which the Physicians of Malaver give to 
Asthmaticks, Pine-Kernels, Oyl of Sulphur, Vinegar of Rheu, or of 
Squills, an Oxymel of Rheu, Squills, Seed of Woodbine, Mustard, 
Nettles and Anise, boild in Vinegar, and then a sufficient quantity of 
Honey added ; also the Chymical Oyl of Turpentine, of Hyssop, 
Thyme and Aniseeds; Roots of Briony, of the greater Centaury, Peu- 
cedane, Cummin, Nigella-Seeds, Rhubarb, Bay-Berries, German- 
der, and a Conserve of Roots of Holyoak, are most worthily praised.
Of Vomiting of Blood from the Spleen. 
DEFINITION. 
'Tis an Ejection of a thick Excrementitious Blood from the Spleen, 
by the Mouth, and Seigh, or Stool. 
CAUSE 
Is obstruction of the Spleen; or too great quantity of feculent and 
melancholy thick gross Blood sent thither, whereby the Spleen having 
more then it can digest and acquit her self of, this dreggy and thick ex- 
crementitious Blood is forced upwards, and so the Stomach being 
offended therewith, casts it out with violence ; Portion of it going also 
downwards by stool is cast out, the Excrements being less or more co- 
loured without it.
SIGNS

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 307 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Blood is cast forth, 1. By Vomit, which is dreggy, black and thick. 
2. Cast out by violence, insomuch that it often causes fainting and 
swooning. 3. In great plenty. 4. By Stool, where tis not cast forth 
so violently and plentifully, nor on heaps, but sent forth mixt with the 
Excrements, sometimes more plentifully , sometime only giving them 
a little Tincure. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
It doth not often happen, but when it doth,the more violent and of- 
ten they Vomit, the worse ; a Tympany of hard and difficult Curation 
sometime succeeds.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect the Spleen, see that it be not obstructed. 2. Look 
to the forces and strength to uphold them. 3. Hinder future dan- 
gers. 
A Specifical, and that only that cures it, is Wormwood taken constant- 
ly for a due time together ; it may be used in divers forms and manners, 
but because of its bitterness, in Pills or Goblets it may be more plen- 
tifully and acceptably taken. 
Of Diseases of the Middriff. 
THe Middriff being the chief Instrument of Respiration, and lying 
obliquely, separates the Abdomen, and Thorax or Brest ; and is af- 
flicted either from other parts by consent, or essentially in it self ; in 
it self it is diseased either through Distemper, Tumours, Inflamation 
or Wounds. 
DISTEMPER.
Distemper of it is either hot or cold, a cold Distemper arises as a cold 
Distemper of other parts; there is no Delirium nor Feaver : they that 
have pain of the Middriff without Inflamation, a Feaver arising,are 
delivered. Hippocr. Aphor. 40. Sect. 6. 
A hot Distemper is of nigh affinity, though not of so high a degree, 
or so dangerous as an Inflamation of the Middriff, which arises from 
Hot and bileous Blood entering into the thickness of the Middriff or 
Diaphragma, and puts forth it self by these Symptoms. 
1. An Acute Feaver, and continual. 
2. A Delirium or doting rage following thereupon. 
3. A beating or palpitation of the Hypochonders on the borders of 
Qq 2 the


308 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
the Middriff, the Hypochonders from the Membrane of the Peritonæum 
are also plucked and stretched out. 
4. Respiration is inequal, sometimes frequent, sometimes seldom, 
sometimes little. 
5. Pain. 
6. Convulsions at last are mads herefrom. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
Cure is difficult by reason of the great danger from its connexion and 
fellow-feeling with Heart, Liver and Brain ; it is very acute, and the 
Sick rave, and are deprived of rationality, whence they are not easily 
perswaded to the use of such Medicines as might be most conducible to 
Curation.  
CURE. 
In Cure (which is like that of Inflamation of the Lungs) we must 
press flowing Blood by Internals, and Topicals applyed to the Brest 
warm, but that have a cooling force to mitigate the Inflamation and 
Ebullient Blood, we must chiefly hinder and beware a Delirium, by rea- 
son of the danger thereon ensuing ; washing of the Extremities, and 
Revulsives, Repellers to the Head, and Corroborates, are useful. 
Of Swellings or Tumors of the Middriff.
TUmours of the Middriff are either hot or cold, of hot we have 
already spoken, under the Title of Inflamation. 
Cold arises from a crude and thin matter, which penetrates the thick— 
ness of the Middriff, and insinuates it self thereinto, and effects a Tu- 
mor : the collection of this Matter hath its Original from Compression, 
as in those that lean hard on their Brests in Writing ; or concussion, as 
Blows, Bruises, &c, 
SIGNS. 
It it is known by tension of the Hypochonders, a Dyspnæa ; there is 
no appearance of the Tumour outwardly, or Delirium. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The fresher, the easier to Cure; if they last long, they consume the sick 
by degrees, by a Tabes, as saith Fernelius, without any kind of a Deli- 
rium; but if a Delirium be present, the Disease is more critical and dan- 
gerous. 
CURE

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 309 
CURE. 
In Cure the matter is to be evacuated by Hydragogues, strengthen
the Bowels from a new collecting of such matter, outwardly apply Dis- 
cutients, with Emollients, Sarfaperilla is commended; but Dryers, 
that evacuate all the serous matter, and leave the other remaining 
thicker, do hurt : sometime it may turn to an Abscess, and the matter 
be cast forth into the Capacity of the Brest, and so cast out by coughing. 
Of Wounds of the Middriff. 
Wounds of the Middriff, say Authors , bring the Wounded to  
dye laughing, cause a Delirium, and retraction of the small- 
Guts upwards, and Stomach sometimes ascends into the Thorax, with 
great sense of weight and pain there. 
Wounds in the Carnous be not so dangerous as in its Nervous part, 
wherein ’tis held incurable ; a Convulsion sometimes takes them away; 
where-ever it be hurt, from its continual motion it is not easily conso- 
lidated.
CURE. 
Its Cure is the same as for Wounds of the Lungs. 
Of Blood broken out of the Vessels of the Bladder, and there 
clottered and putrified. 
DEFINITION.
'Tis an eruption of Blood from some Vein distended, and from 
breaking and pouring forth the Blood into the Bladder, which 
sometimes and in part is cast out, the rest remaining in the Bladder clot- 
ters, and induces oftentimes a Gangrene, Faintings, obstruction of the 
Bladder, or other bad Symptoms. 
Its CAUSE is expressed in the DEFINITION. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs Diagnostick be at first a fungous or spongy Flesh, which some- 
times grows within the Bladder, and filling the Bladder do greatly in- 
jure its actions, made from a Hæmorrhoid or Vein swelling which at 
last


310 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
last breaks, and empties the Blood into the Bladder. 
Secondly, When ’tis broke,there is a voiding of Blood by the Urine 
in part, though the other part clodders, and grows thick ; upon which 
there is made, 
1. Faintings, Heart-qualms, &c. 
2. Change of the colour to paleness. 
3. His Pulse small beating often, and various. 
4. His courage fails, spirits are dull, he is sorrowful and listless. 
5. The forces decay, his strength declines, and heat is enfeebled ; 
putrified Blood, as putrified Seed, brings many desperate Symptoms. 
6. There is often clotted Blood pissed forth : Aph 8.S.4. Whosoever 
pisses Blood thin or clottered, and is pained in the Hypogaster , or that part 
of the Belly betwixt the Navil and Secrets, or Pinæum, or Pecten, the Dis-
ease is about the Bladder. 
7. If it thus thicken and curdle in the Bladder, by the motion of 
Urine, the clotters of Blood will sometime be carried into its Neck, 
or Urine-passage, and there stop the going forth of the Urine, there- 
fore by some ’tis called Obstruction of the Bladder, or reckoned among 
the Causes of Obstruction of it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Great are the Symptoms that arises from Blood clottered and putri- 
fied; Primrose saith, ’tis pestiferous ; Riolanus saith, it quickly becomes 
gangrenous. 
CURE. 
Cure must be speedy, for delaying brings greater danger; there- 
fore. 
I. In a great Hæmorrage, or when the Blood breaks out immoderate- 
ly in the Bladder, opening a Vein of the Arm is to be instituted and re- 
peated, drawing out the Blood by times. 
2. Cupping-Glasses are to be affixed to the Loins and Ilia ; the ex- 
tream parts bound. 
3. Applications, (which are to be done after due situation of the sick, 
who is to be laid with his Hips upwards) and they are to cool and re- 
press the flux of Blood; Sponges dipped in Posca, laid to the share; Ir- 
rigations also, and Foments, and Cataplasms of Astringents, and such as 
stop Bloody Fluxes, as Plantains, Knotgrass, Shepherds Purse, Blood- 
wort, Horsetail, Nettles, Comfrey, Bramble-Leaves, Pomegranate- 
Rinds, &c. boild in Posca, or Vinegar and Water mixt in equal Pro- 
portion, therewith fomenting the Region of the Bladder, or boyling 
them thicker, draw them through an Hair Sieve, for a Cataplasm to be
applied


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 311 
applied blood-warm to the Region of the Bladder, binding it on con- 
veniently with linnen Clothes. 
4 Together with these to stop the coming down of Blood from the 
opened Veins into the Bladder, injections of Juyces that bind and con- 
stipate by a Syringe, are profitable. 
5. In the mean while we must not neglect internals, that may prohi- 
bit the aptness of the Blood to flow, and bridle it; which is done also 
by astringent Medicines, and chiefly such as are aforenamed. 
Secondly, We must look to the Blood that remains in the Bladder, 
which clotters there, and putrifies, and may beget very bad Symptoms; 
for which, 
I. Inwardly are to be taken Medicines that hinder Blood from clot- 
tering, and dissolve it being clottered ; Garden-Cresses in Breath, or 
a Decoction of them in white Wine, are most laudable, which both dis- 
solve Blood already clottered, and also hinders it from coagulating in 
any part of the Body : Very prevalent to break and cause the clods to 
come forth, be the Decoction of Bugle, Thyme, Masterwort, or Herb 
Gerrard ; of these also may Wound-Drinks (as they are termed) be 
made, to drink of plentifully on Mornings, Afternoons, and Nights. 
Platerus cured a Maid that pissed at first pure, then clottered Blood, with 
two Potions of Mummy, Cubebs, and Cinnamon, in Shepherds-purse- 
Water, and of Gum Carabe and Mummy in Whey; Decoction of a black 
Hen, her feathers on, boiled with Shepherds-purse, and an Unguent for 
the Pinæum : Such a Pouder (or Electuary made of the following 
things, by adding some proper Syrup) for such as like not Potions or 
Decoctions, may be of great force to dissolve and drive forth the clots 
of Blood sticking in the Bladder, or its Neck; ꝶ of Rhubarb, ʒ of 
Sperm of the Whale, or Sperma Ceti, ℈j. Seeds of Radish, Bitumen, Ju- 
daicum, Absinth, Mummy. ana ʒß them for a Pouder. 
2. Outwardly may Foments and Bathings be used, of Chervil, Mal- 
lows, Parsly, Bistort, Wormwood, &c. Injections also to bring forth 
those clots sticking in the Neck of the Bladder, and stopping the Urine 
are very good, which if they avail not to do, a Syringe must be put up 
to loosen the passage : If all these do no good , Death is impendent,
unless by Chyrurgery the concreted Blood be taken away.  


312 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Of Inflamation of the Bladder.
'Tis a Distemper made from great heat residing in the Bladder, or 
rather its Neck, with a sharp Feaver, and other acute Symptoms 
accompanying. 
CAUSE 
1. As to the Cause, 'tis Blood fallen thither putrified and inflamed, 
caused from outward violent Causes, or inward, as Phlethory, or heat of 
the Blood, or sharpness, and other Causes, expressed in the Chapters of 
the inflamation of other parts. 
2. As to the place, Fernelius saith, The Neck alone is the subject, as 
being more thick and fleshy than the substance of the Bladder, which 
(also saith Johnstonus) in its substance being thin, and without Blood, 'tis 
not so likely Inflamation should be seated there, but rather in the Sphin- 
cter, the Muscle of its Neck. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. There is an Acute Feaver. 
2. Great and vehement pain in the Pinæum or Share; and from these 
two arise many other great and dangerous Symptoms, as Deliriums, 
Watchings, alienation of the Mind, and Inquietude. 
3. Heat and redness, and sometimes hardness of the Share. 
4. Distention of the Share and Pecten, from plenty of Urine, be- 
cause the Urine is suppressed. 
5. binding of the Belly, because the strait Gut, or rectum Intestinum,
is straitened through the greatness of the Inflamation; and though they 
have a desire to go to stool, yet, Tenasmus-like, they void nothing. 
5. The Ordure and Excrements for the most part be thin, and with- 
out residence. 
6. Suppression of Urine, with an earnest incitation and desire to 
piss. 
7. Sometimes vomiting of a Cholerick Matter. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
I. Of Diseases of the Bladder this is the most dangerous, and dead- 
ly for the most part about the seventh day. 
2. ’Tis sometime dissolved from the slowing forth of Urine copiously, 
or an Erysipelas rising on the Skin. 
3. There is hopes if it be more light, the Feaver remiss, the Infla-
mation


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 313 
mation changed into Pus, and the Abscess inwardly broke, and purged 
out by Urine. 
DTET. 
Thin Drinks, as Cinnamon-Water, or Barley-Water ; let him eat 
no Flesh, nor their Broaths, &c. as in other Inflamations. 
CURE.
1. Internals : 1. Generals, letting Blood by the Ham or Ankle- 
Vein ; 2. Purging at first is in no wise to be used , because by stirring 
Humours, and making them have recourse to the diseased part, it much 
aggravates the Evil, and for this Cause Fluxes of the Belly at this time 
are to be stopt. 
Clisters to bring forth hard Dung that may cause pressure of the Blad- 
der, of mild and emollient Medicines, are very allowable. 
2. Externals : 1. We use Repellers, upon these we must not insist
too much, because the Bladder is membranous,and may by coldness hurt 
sinewy parts: 2. Hinder free passing out of the Urine ; 3. Prohi- 
bit resolution of Humours : Things are to be applied actually warm, 
and their repelling Vertue counter-poised with Anodines and Lini- 
ments ; the Bladder inflamed indures not, so well as the Reins, astrin- 
gency. 
If pain urges much, we may adde Opium to Oyntments ; Cata- 
plasms and Emplaisters are not so good as Bathings, Lotions, Foments, 
or Unguents, because by their weight they press and crush the Blad- 
der. 
A Liniment of White-Bread-Crums, boild somewhat thick in 
Oyl of Roses, with a little Saffron and Camphir, with some grains of 
Opium, if pain be very intense, is very helpful; Some use Foments of 
hot water applied in Oxes Bladders. Insessions to fit in are very conve- 
nient for the aforesaid purposes, then the Sick may better void the 
Urine.
Then we must come to Resolvers of the matter into Pus, which 
is done by Emollients and Suppuratives. If we fear its turning gan- 
grenous, a Cataplasm of Orobus, Beans and Lupines boild in Wine, is to 
be applyed. 
Lastly, The Symptomes are to be respected , as a Feaver, 
Watching, Raving, Ischury, and Disury; a Syringe is sometimes put 
Rr into


314 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
into the Neck of the Bladder, to bring forth the Urine. See the Cure of 
these in their proper Chapters. 
3. Revulsion by Frictions, Bindings, Cuppers, with Scarification up- 
on the part, are directed; yet Cupping-Glasses are condemned by some 
as bringing more hurt than profit. 
4. Blood is to be cooled, and humours tempered, and pain appeased ;
Julaps, Emulsions, and Glitters may serve hereto, also Anodine Suppo- 
sitories, or little Bags wherein are put Yolks of Eggs, with Opium, and 
Juyce of Henbane ; but 'tis better to boil Poppy-shells, Camphir, Saf- 
fron, and Henbane-Seeds, in Oyl, and therein dip Wool, and wear 
that in the Anus so long as may be convenient. 
We must not use any Diuretick Medicines, nor any Irritaters, salt, 
sharp, or erodent Things; nor may they drink much ; the Urine is to 
be kept milde, and made slippery, that thereby the Bladder be the less 
offended. 

315
OF THE 
Diseases of the Uterus. 
Here are not all the Diseases and 
Affects of the Uterus ; They are
most of them such as are not in
many Practices of Physick that 
treat but of a few Diseases; so
that it is supposed the Physical 
Reader may have Books of those 
Diseases that here are wanting, 
and these may be such as are wanting in some such 
Books, and so as it were compleat a Practice toge- 
ther : We did indulge our Genius and Fancy in Wri- 
ting these thus out of order ; for one time We wrote 
a Disease of the Uterus, another time a Disease of the 
Lungs, and another time a Disease of the Head ; and 
We having wrote these, seeing many things in Obser- 
vations, and in our own Experience, somewhat devi- 
ating herefrom, ceased to write the rest in this Order 
and Method. All these Signs, Causes, and Cures are
found in many, and the Readers may reap good, and 
benefit thereby, specially our Cautions and Animad-
R r 2 versions

316 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
versions joyned herewith, being considered, and well 
compared. There are abundance of Books of all 
sorts extant, and dayly put out; and We were loth to 
obtrude upon the World matter of that old and drossy 
Mould, without some Alteration or Refinement, or 
Additions of some Rarities, and new Experiments. 
But it must not be expected that all People should 
be found thus, and no otherwise handled than is de- 
scribed in these Chapters of Diseases of the Uterus, nor 
must any think that here be all the Maladies and Di-
stempers incident to the Uterus ; and those that have the 
Diseases here set down, are not always so handled as 
those Diagnostick Signs specific ; nor do they always 
arise from those, and no no other; nor no more Causes 
than what be there described: Sometimes the Uterus 
is full of stones, sometimes smaller and more, some-
times larger and fewer ; and sometimes it is all stone, 
as we read of the Vesica Urinaria. A Gentleman told 
mean old Woman, a Witch, was dissected some few 
years since in London, and had a large Teat, like a Sow’s, 
outwardly and inwardly her Uterus was turned to a 
perfect stone: This year at Rome a Serpent was bred 
in the Uterus of one Woman. Lycosthenes, Pliny Rei- 
nerius, Paræus, Vierus, Bodinus, Rondeletius , Ludovicus 
Vives, and Others, have delivered their Experiences 
of divers sorts of Animals, both for bigness and form, 
bred in the Uterus ; as some like Frogs, some like 
Puppies, Mice, Rats, Kitlings, Magpies, Harpies, 
Moles,



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 317
Moles, Lizards, Horsleeches, &c. Also many little 
Worms are bred in the Uterus, and Glandules watery 
or scirrhous, Water-Bladders, Bones, Hairy Apo- 
stems, Grumous Blood, and Apostems of fat Crinis 
and Ichor together ; the Uterus weighed in one that 
was so filled, eighty seven pound: Many sorts of Mo- 
la’s and Fleshy Lumps, Bladders of gorey Matter, and 
purulent, are found in some dissected; also Gangrenes, 
Fissures, Ulcers, and Discoloration, incident to all 
other parts of the Body of Man, have been found by 
Dissection in the Uterus ; and most do arise from dif- 
ferent and some from strange Causes, and have been 
very difficult to be known by the Signs, or relation of 
the Sick, specially thereby to be distinguished one 
from another. 
Horace. Si quid novisti rectius istis
Candidus imperti, si non his utere mecum.
CHAP.




318 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Distemper of the Uterus. 
One is hot, known by Veneriousness, Fowlness, Yel-
lowness, Blackness, & Adustion of Menstrua; 'tis either
from the Birth or after the Birth, from outward Causes, 
chiefly Venery.
2. Another is Cold, more frequent then an hot Distemper, caused by 
immoderately cooling Medicines on external Causes; it is less Lust, 
and in Copulation not so much pleasure : the Menstrua are Pituitous, there
there is windiness from multitude of cold, Pituitous Humors, and weak- 
ness of concoction, they are more pale and listless.
3. Moist, there is cold adjoyned, plenty and waterishness of Men- 
ses, Womans Flux and continual moistness of the Privities, bring mo- 
lestation, there's aptness to abort ; the Seed is cast out, and they have 
no desire to Venus. 
4. A drie Distemper of the Uterus is made also in a general driness 
of the Body, from defect of Humours or old Age, or drying Causes, 
as Inflamation and Heat, there are sent forth few Menstrua, and Seed; 
the Mouth of the Uterus is dry, blackish and clefty, they desire not 
much Copulation. 
5. Compound Distempers, as of heat and driness, of cold and 
moisture may be made, whose Causes and Signs may be gathered from 
the four aforesaid Differences. 
CURE.  
In cure of them all we are to observe;
1. That Heat indicates Coolers to be necessary, cold indicates Heat- 
ers to be necessary ; and so for driness and moisture, their contraries; 
and for compound Distempers, if heat and driness be conjoyned, In- 
dications are for cooling and moistening Medicines; and if cold and 
moisture be adjoyned, we must heat and dry by Medicines, as well 
outwardly applyed, as inwardly taken. 
2. In


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 319
In the choice of such Medicines as heat, dry, cool or moisten, we must 
elect such as are proper to the Uterus, called Histericals. 
3. In a bare Distemper there is no need of Purgers, because we do not 
suppose that Choler, Flegm, or Melancholy are present, but that by their 
aforegoing, they may effect a Distemper to the Uterus ; and we treat here, 
onely of the Distemper, and not of hot, cold, dry or moist Humours. 
4. We may not use Medicines hot, cold, dry, of moist, in the third 
degree; 'tis best to have them of the first degree of temper; nor may 
they be too long used, lest the Uterus be changed from one Distemper in- 
to a worse, and its Functions be violated. 
CHAP. II.
Of the Narrowness of the Vessels of the Uterus. 
CAUSE. 
'Tis an Interception of them, made either, 1. From outward Cau- 
ses, as Baths, binding Medicines. 
2. From Cicatrices, or from a thick or membranous Flesh, cleaving 
to the Orifices of the Vessels. 
5. From stoppage of them by the multitude, and thickness of Hu- 
mours, which may be endeavoured by Nature to be avoided there, which 
had not heat to thin them, or they are essential to the Uterus it 
self. 
4. From Scirrhs, hard swellings, or too great Fat, either consisting 
within or out of the Uterus.
SIGNS. 
Signs of it differ as the Causes, in all the Mestrua are detained ; 
cold Distemper is discerned by its proper Signs, as see the Signs of a cold 
Distemper of the Uterus in the aforegoing Chapter: From this Distem- 
per we may guess the thickness and indigestion of crude and flegma- 
tick Humours which stop the Veins, and the Blood is less apt to 
flow. 
Tumours, Scirrhs, and the like, causing Compression, are also known 
by their proper 
PROGNOSTICKS.
From Tumours, Scirrhs, pieces of Flesh, Cicatrices, and Membranes 
growing there, ’tis hard to cure ; from outward Causes, and fatness of 
the near parts, ’tis more easie.



320 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Cure varies as the Cause 1. From binding Medicines, and then we 
must use Moisteners and Emollients. 
2. From obstructing Causes; the Cause being first taken away, we 
must move the Menstrua; bitter, sharp, Histerick, and Chalybrate Me- 
dicines are to be used. 
3. If there be fatness that causes it, ’tis to be cured by Extenuaters; 
we must detract from its nourishment, and look to its original. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Weakness of the Uterus. 
Weakness of the Uterus is a dulness or deficiency in undergoing 
its duty, made from Distemper, occult Qualities, and weak- 
ness of native heat. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are windiness, little desire to Copulation or Venery , and when 
they do couple, they take little pleasure therein; they are often barren; 
sometime they conceive often, but abort; the Menses slow weakly, and 
untimely, and there is an impotency of ejection of the Seed in the Car- 
nal Act; all which are the Actions of the Uterus, she should do, and 
through weakness cannot perform her office. 
CAUSES. 
Causes are the same that cause Distemper, either hot, cold, dry, or 
moist; and therefore the Chapter of Distemper may give sufficient 
light both as to the Causes and Cures, especially from cold and moist 
Causes, under which the Uterus is most defective in doing her Functi- 
ons, and in hot Distempers she over-does; therefore that cannot so well 
be added as a Cause effecting a weakness, or a languishing of the Uterus 
in effecting its Office and several Actions : for though Humours may be 
the Cause of Weakness, yet it is not weakened till thereby it be first 
brought into some Distemper.
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 321 
CHAP. IV. 
Of the Inflamation of the Uterus.
The heat, pain, and Feaver being abated, we must digest and resolve; 
ꝶ of the Roots of red Lillies, Mallows, and marsh Mallows, of 
each two parts; Barley-Flower, one part; Flowers of Chamomile and 
Melilot, of each half a part; boil them in austere Wine with Oyl, then 
beat them, and draw them through a Sieve, and apply them in manner 
of a Cataplasm. 
Oyls, Liniments, Foments, and the like, may be made for this pur- 
pose, of the aforegoing things, and their like. 
But if it will not be resolved, but suppurate (which is known by en- 
crease of Symptoms, as Resolution of it was known by their remitting) 
then hasten its which is done with such things as helped its  
resolving, whenas it was naturally so disposed ; but for Example-sake, ꝶ 
of Pulpe of Figs drawn through a Sieve, of the Leaves of Mallows, and 
marish Mallows, boiled soft in Brest-Milk, and beaten to Pap, Hogs- 
grease, and Mucilage of Fennugreek, of each what may seem sufficient
for a Cataplasm. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of Lillies, ℥j. Butter, Hogs-grease, Mucilage of Althea- 
Roots, of each ℥ß. make a Liniment. 
When Pus is made, heat and pain wax less, there is a sense of fluctua- 
tion, then we must strive to break the Abscess with loud Vociferations, 
Coughing, Sneezing, and application of Cupping-Glades, exercise of 
the Body, and Pessariess, whereof Riverius sets down this, ꝶ of Goose- 
Fat, ℥ß. Turpentine, ʒij. Pouder of Rheu, Niter, and Orris-Roots, of 
each ʒß. mix them, and use it with Wool for a Pessary ; when the Ab- 
fcess is broke, we must cleanse and consolidate, as is wont to be done to 
other Ulcers.
During the Cure, an exquisite and thin cooling Dyet is to be observed, 
Ptysan-Broath is commended, Wine is to be shunned, and all hot, salt, 
and sharp things, all violent motion is hurtful; let them rest at quiet, 
and sit still, in a dark House, if their senses be distempered. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms occurrent, and to be respected, are,
1. The Feaver, for which letting Blood, cooling Julaps, Emulsions, 
and cool Herbs in Broaths, are necessary.
Ss 2 Pain


322 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
2. Pain which is to be mitigated by Foments and Cataplasms, in 
Unctions, half Tubs, Baths,and Pessaries, wherein Opium is to be put; 
inject Womans-Milk with Hens-Grease, Mucilages of Althea-Roots,
Fleawort-Seeds, Fennugreek-Seeds, and the like. 
3. Watchings and disquietings of Nature, to compose which, give 
Narcoticks with moderation. 
4. Pains of the Middriff, Heart, Head and Stomach ; for which re- 
vulse, use Frictions, Ligatures, and Cupping, repel Vapours, and 
strengthen those parts by Remedies proper thereto. 
CHAP. V. 
Pain of the Uterus.
Pain of the Uterus is made from Causes dissolving, continuining and 
inducing a sad sence of feeling, 1. The pain is vellicating : first, 
from sharp Humours: secondly, from corrupted Seed, retained and 
made sharp; or sharp Humours coming down in Womans Flux, or there- 
from the Menses vitiated , which set forth themselves chiefly (by 
gnawing) in the Neck of the Uterus, and is like to the Chollick from 
bilious Humours.
SIGNS. 
The Blood is found sharp in other things; there went before bad Dy- 
et, and Cold perhaps made the Humours sharper. 
CURE. 
Appeasers of Acrimony, as warm Water, Milk, Oyl of Sweet Al- 
monds ; with Anodines, and if need be, Narcoticks. 2. Takers 
away of the Cause. 
II. Distentive. 1. From Winds, which are more stirred up, and 
raise more vehement pain, from taking in cold Air after delivery, oc 
when the Menses are coming or already in flowing, or induced from the 
same Causes of Chollical Pains. 
SIGNS. 
From this Cause,as from all other, pains insest free (as well as great- 
bellied) Women ; there is chasing, rumbling, and Signs of Wind are 
present, to which if there be anxiety, faintings and disquietings, there 
is fear of a malignancy in those breathy Vapours.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 323
CURE.
Winds are to be discussed as in the Chollick; a draught of hot Wa- 
ter helps; Insessions, Foments, Baths, and Emplasters of Carminatives; 
if we adjudge these to be malignantly qualified, we must add Anti- 
dotes ; Seeds of Nettle in Pouder drank in Wine, are most benificial 
for flatulent Pains. Heurnius hath this Electuary, ꝶ Castor, Myrrh, 
Styrax, Saffron, ana ʒij Orris, Spicknard, Malabathrum, Roots of 
Asarbacca, ana ʒj. Opium, ʒß with Syrup of Mugwort, make an 
Opiate; also Oyl of Rhue, for unction of the Region of the Uterus, if 
commended for its Pains from flatuosity. 
2. From clottered Blood, which cannot pass out but is there retain- 
ed, there preceded that, a Copious Flux of Blood from the Uterus. 
SIGN. 
The pain is fixed and specially perceived about the Orifice of the 
Uterus, and is very sharp, if the Blood hath acquired putrifaction, the 
Blood cast out, it ceases, or is mitigated, and then returns again ; it 
draws into consent the streight Gut and Bladder, when as a Tenesm
and frequent making Water are made therefrom. 
CURE. 
I. Dissolve the clottered Blood. 2. Evacuate it. 
III. Burdening Paine, or a sense of gravity, made from Menstrual
Blood, the Blood be either too thick, and that may be caused by the 
Womans drinking cold drink, after any heating of her Body extraor- 
dinarily, or other Causes preceding gave occasion to it, or the Vessels 
of the Uterus are less open, whereby the Uterus is overburdened, and 
not speedily delivered of that burthen fom excrement. 
SIGN.
Signs of suppreft Menses are present, or that they observe not their 
legal Course, sometimes Hysterical fits invade. 
CURE. 
Respect the Cause, and mitigate the Symptom, for which these are 
specifical; Seeds of Piony, of Cow-parsnips, and Plantaine, a foment of 
Decoction of Mugwort, Devils-bit-Seeds, of Agnus Castus, and Line- 
Seed ; or a Bath may be made of them for the Woman to fit in, or af- 
ter Bathing with the Foment, the residue or boiled Herbs may, being 
strained, be applyed hot to the Region of the Uterus, in manner of a 
Cataplasm. Ss 2 IV. Ulce 

324 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
IV. Ulcerous Pain; or of dissolved unity,from Wounds and Ulcers, 
here injection of Juyce of Plantane by a Syringe is best. See Wounds 
and Ulcers of the Uterus. 
V. Inflammatory ; for which also look in its proper place. 
CHAP. VI.
Of Worms of the Matrice or Uterus.
That Worms, though of different kinds, be bred in all parts of our 
Body, is a truth not to be gainsaid.
CAUSE 
Is the same as of Worms of other parts, viz., viscous and cold, and 
raw Humours, which by their clamminess, adhering to the Orifice or 
Neck of the Uterus, by degrees rotting, and receiving heat and nourish- 
ment, grow to living Bodies. 
SIGN.
There is great molestation, itching of the Uterus, and Belly, with  
inquietude and want of sleep, hereupon ensues an inordinate Feaver, 
whereby the sick sometime consume ; there is often moistness of the 
Lips of the Uterus; sometimes the Worms themselves come forth, 
which unless they do, all other indications are but doubtful. 
DYET
Must be such as may not encrease their Aliment, as things that breed 
thick, sweet, and Phlegmatick corruptive Juices,may do; Drink may be 
altered with some Antidotes against Worms steeped in a Jug, but a  
moistening Dyet is not to be used. 
CURE. 
1. We give Catharticks after Preparatives, and openers of the first 
Passages. 
2. We come to Medicines killing the Worms, which are better in- 
jected then taken by the Mouth ; such Medicines are expressed in the ge- 
neral Chapter of Worms : Clisters may be had in use also, and Em- 
plaisters, whereby the Worms be not only killed, but forced out by the 
expultrice faculty of Nature set on-work ; such an Emplaister as this 
may seem most requisite hereto, ꝶ Pouder of the Pulp of Collocin- 
this, ʒj Savin, Rhue, Tansy, Roots of Birthwort, ana. ʒss. Aloes,
ʒij, Frankinsence, ℥j. Ox Gall, as much as may be found needful 
for


325 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for the confidence desired, make an Emplaister or Cerot, to be apply- 
ed upon the Region of the Uterus and Privities. 
It would not be amiss to use a Purgative Apozem after these, for se- 
veral mornings together. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Stones of the Matrice. 
CAUSES.
Causes be Internal, the same as the Stone of the Reins is caused 
by, viz.  
1. A Material, as crude, slow and tough Humours, sticking to 
the Tunicles of the Uterus, otherwise they would easily be cast forth. 
Hippocrates saith, Pus remaining in the Uterus, is dried, hardned and 
concrete into a Stone: Many Histories do tell us of these Stones bred in 
the Matrice, and by some the Uterus hath been found stony. 
2. Efficient, as great heat of the Uterus. 
Feeding or suppeditating Causes, be ill Dyet, encreasing crude and 
viscous pituitous Matter, as Cheese, Milk, Fish, Pulse, and gross 
Nutriments, and bad Air. 
SIGN. 
There is pain in the Region of the which being crushed, 'tis 
much exacerbated ;it hinders Conception, and causes immoderate flux of 
Menses. Ætius discovered them by putting his Fingers up the Fun- 
dament. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If too long delayed are Cured, the Uterus being the common sink of 
gross and vitiated Menstruous Blood, it may be so encreased, that the 
whole Uterus may be made stony. 
Nicholas Fontanus saith, That, he hath known it fill the whole capacity of 
the Uterus, and totally suppress the Menstrua, therefrom being made cor- 
rupt and purulent Ulcers. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet set. Preparation by Saxifraga's is to be 
instituted. 2. Evacuation of the Antecedent and Suppeditating Mat- 
ter. 3. Solution of the Stone, and lenition or appealing of Pain, with 
slippery making Medicines, may pass all under one ; Juyce of Mallows, 
of Pellitory of the Wall, Bisinallows, Liquorish, Fenugreek-Seeds, Line- 
Seeds, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, Broath of Licers, &c. Clisters also 
of


326 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
of those Herbs, and the like, may be often injected, onely to mollifie 
and lenify. 
Insessions also, Half-Tubs, Foments, and other Applications, are not 
altogether to be slighted.
After these, Extraction is to be made by the Midwife, putting up her 
Finger into the Fundament, and pressing down the Belly upon the Bones 
adjoyning near the Privities, that the place the Stone is feared in may be 
lifted up ; then with a Crows Bill, or Nippers, artificially drawing it 
out. 
This done, a Prophylactick Method is to be kept for some while 
after. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of a Cancer of the Uterus. 
DEFINATION.
CArcinoma Uteri, or a Cancer of the Uterus, is an uneven, sublivid, 
and painful swelling, made from Atrabilis and adust Melancholy ; 
sometime from the matter sharper ulcerating, and of bad curation. 
CAUSES. 
Causes be, first and chiefly a Scirrh, for a Scirrhous Cause is onely 
Melancholy thickened, and not yet adust, but receiving adustion, it turns 
a Cancer, and is called Scirrhus Carcinodes : Cancers often follow 
Scirrhs of the Uterus, being ill cured ; for then they easily degenerate 
cancerous. 
2. Its Original Cause is an atrabilarious Humour, menstruous Blood 
is sometime detained, and afterwards made dry, and acquires adustion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. 'Tis a Tumour hard and renitent, blewish, uneven, and very pain- 
ful, in the Capacity or Neck of the Uterus.  
2. The Tumour may sometimes be seen by Speculum Matrices.
5. There is pungent pain about the Share, Abdomen, and Loins. 
Signs of a Scirrh degenerating into a Cancer, be, If before, because
the matter was more cold and dry, there was no pain; and now from the 
matter growing mote acrimonious and hot, it begins to pain, but hard- 
ness remains as did in a Scirrh, without effecting a Disease of extraor- 
dinary magnitude ; yet Riolanus saith, The magnitude of the Uterus is 
greatly
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 327
greatly encreased thereby, so that sometime it hath been teen as big as an 
infants Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. At first it might be remedied, but then, because it brings not much 
molestation, 'tis disregarded. 
2. Grown, tis incurable; and so much the worse, because feculent 
excrementitious Blood is always nourishing it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are twofold : 1. Not ulcerated, made from a milder Hu- 
mour, whereof we have hitherto treated. 
2. Ulcerated, from a more sharp Humour ;  Adustion and Putrifa- 
ction make Humours sharp; it hath more sordid Lips than a Non-ulce- 
rate, from whence efflow a thin, yellow, or black stinking Humour; nor 
is its pain gentler, but of harder curation than a Non-ulcerate-Cancer,
called by some notwithstanding, An hidden Ulcer. 
CURE.
Cure is treble : 1 To stop its generation in a Scirrhous matter. 
2. For a whole Cancer. 
3. For an ulcerated one. 
First, To prohibit the turning cancerous of Scirrhs, or mutation of 
the scirrhous matter into a Cancer.
1. Letting Blood is thought very conducible ; it may be made in Ham 
or Arm, chiefly in Hæmorrhoids, for they vent out gross feculent parts 
of the Blood, and avert: Bleeding is best in Spring and Fall; if she 
have not her Menstrua, chuse the Saphena-Vein. 
2. Such Simples as purge Melancholy are to be prescribed, of not too 
heating Purgers; this must be frequently done , and better it is to take 
two too weak, then one too strong; Senna, Epithimum, Myrobalans, and 
the like, conveniently mixed, both in quantity, and with due Corre- 
cters, steeped in Whey, in form of a Nodulus for half an hour, the Whey 
being first made scalding hot, then lightly pressed out and drunk ; the 
force of the Nodulus may last four or five times for so using. 
3. All Subtracters from the antecedent Cause, are to be used, of which 
the aforementioned are not to be neglected. 
4. Topicks, which are to be applied to the Privities, being moderately 
cold, and drying, and mild ; an Oyntment of Oyl of Roses, and Yolks 
of Eggs, with Camphir, prepared in a Leaden Mortar, is most excel- 
lent. 2. Juyces maybe injected into the Uterus, as of Herb-Robert,
Milfoil, and Mullein, which are commended; or Decoction of green 
Cori-


328 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Coriander, Nimphea, and Poppies boiled in Milk ; or Unguents dissol- 
ved in Milk, or suitable Decoctions, may be injected. 
Riverius saith, With the following Receipt, the cancrous swelling of 
the Paps have been healed ; ꝶ of the Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, ℥ij. 
Juyce of Nightshade, Pauls Betony, and Housleek , ana ʒiij, crude 
Mercury, ʒij. let them be beat in a Leaden Mortar, with a Leaden Pe- 
stil, till they attain to the thickness of a Liniment; Foments also for 
the washing of the parts affected, of the precedent things, or their like, 
may be made very useful. 
Secondly, If the matter be already made cancerous, and the Cancer 
hath received growth, though not brought to perfection, there is little 
hope of Cure; if confirmed, there is none: Here,if there be any hope of 
Cure, (after using of Generals, as in the Direction for preventing its 
growth, is instituted) we must flee to Specificals, but mild, for 'tis apt 
easily to be enraged, and pain to exacerbate ; therefore injections of Sac- 
carum Saturni, beat in a Leaden Morter, with Juyce of River-Crabs, are 
specifical ; Decoction of Frogs, or Herb-Robert so injected, Oyntments 
of Pompholix, Ceruss, Camphir, Saccarum Saturni, Oyl of Roses, &c. 
with a Cataplasm of Frogs boyled, are specifical. 
If it be confirmed, we must onely use Palliatives, that misery may 
be the less, and life the longer; the part being now hardened, 'tis most
difficult mollifie it , and restore it to its former sanity ; therefore the 
chief thing now must be mittigation of the pain ; Injections of emol- 
lient Anodine Simples, with Sperm of Frogs, Foments and Insessions, 
are to be had in use , Narcoticks and great Dullers of the pain, in more 
urging Torments, are allowable. 
Thirdly, If ulcerate, we must accommodate Medicines to it, as Me- 
tals, Mineral-Waters, Dryers, Dullers of Acrimony, and Protracters 
of its augmentation, the Ashes of River-Crabs washt in Nightshade- 
Water, mixt with Lead, or Antimony, is much trusted to by some in an 
ulcerate Cancer. 
If much Blood flow from the ulcered Cancer, as often do, the best is 
Juyce of Plantane and Frankinsence injected into the Uterus. 
Lastly, If it may be hindered or cured, a Prophylactick Method is to 
be observed, lest a Relapse should happen afterward. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 329 
CHAP. IX.
Of a Dropsie of the Uterus.
DEFINITION.
A Dropsie of the Uterus is a repletion and distention of it from Wa- 
ter collected in it, either from fault in it self, or other parts, in- 
ducing a swelling and impotency. 
CAUSE.
Cause is either essential, where, 1. The stoopping of their wonted 
Menstrua, by a close closure of the Uterus, and the presence waterish 
Humours in the Uterus, which not having passage out, because of the 
close shutting up of the Orifice, but heaping up more and more, do ef- 
fect a Dropsie. 
2. As a stopping of the Menstrua, and of the Uterus induces it, so al- 
so a weakness in the Uterus ; native heat being very weak, and not able 
to make good digestion, nor expulsion of Humours that are gathered 
thither. 
Causes inducing a weaknese of the Uterus, are either, 1. Abortion.  
2. Laborious Births. 3. Immoderate flowing of Menses dilating that 
heat. Or, 4. Suppression of them, suffocating and choaking that heat.
5. Or windiness of it. 6. A Mola. 
3. 'Tis made from copulation with one that hath an Ascites and Tym- 
pany of the Belly. 
Secondly, By Consent: As, 
1. From the Liver, which cooled over-much, and weakened, Drop- 
sies generally spread over all the Body; Yet, as Hippocrates saith, Drop- 
sies of particular parts may be made without any defect in the Liver : From 
the Liver comes forth the encrease of pure Blood, if its Sanguification 
be not spoiled ; which if if be, instead of pure Blood, Water is made 
and distributed in the Body, in great quantity. 
2. From the Spleen, which is contumaciously obstructed, but is the 
most seldom cause of all. 
3. Distilling of a serous Humour from the Vena Cava into the Uterus. 
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Uterus, Water being either collected and retained in its 
Capacity through close closure and shutting of it up, (Primrose denies 
this, saying, 'Tis not made in the Cavity ; for if so, Water would flow out, 
as out of the month of a Vessel) or made in little Bladders within the 
T t Uterus


330 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Uterus, like Hydata, out of the which the Water comes not into the Ca- 
pacity of the Uterus, or 'tis included in a Membrane. 
SIGNS. 
Signs of it are swelling of the Uterus, so that they are often thought 
to be with Child; it dints, if the fingers do crush the Region of the Ute- 
rus ; 'tis very discernable by sight; the Woman perceives a squabling of 
the water upon turning of her in her Bed from one side to another. 
2. There is difficulty in fetching her Breath. 
3. There is Nausea, and disdain of Food. But, 
4. Great thirst from thin and salt Flegm, though seated in the Uterus, 
yet communicating its vice to the Stomach, by the common Vessels and 
Wayes. 
5. Softness of the Paps, and want of Milk. 
6. Shakings, Heart-pains, and Feaverish fits often afflict her.
7. The Menstrua are stopt, or if they do slow, they are very few, or  
like washings of flesh.
8. Smallness and leanness of the Neck of the Uterus.
DIFFERENCES.
First, As to its Causes: 1. Essential, and then some Distemper or 
Disease of the Uterus went before, and there be signs of the Uterus being 
hurt: 2. By Communication, as from the Liver; then there be Signs 
of the Liver affected, the Blood is waterish, and there be Signs of great 
coldness and weakness of the Principal Bowels. 
Secondly, As to the Subject or Part: 1. 'Tis made in the Capacity 
or Orifice of the Uterus; then by touch the Uterus is felt close shut, a 
great loose swelling is perceived, and the duration of Water there ; 
sometimes it happens in Child-bearing, and is not cast out till the Birth, 
which is destroyed by so much stinking water. 2. 'Tis contained in 
certain Bladders and Vesicles adhering to the substance of the Uterus, 
in which the Orifice of the Uterus seems to be fallen together; there be 
greater Pains, there is less fluctuation and rumbling of the Water.
DIFFERENCES betwixt it and other Diseases.
I. It differs from an Ascites, 1. By less fluctuation : 2. By situation 
of the Tumour: 3. By signs of the Uterus onely affected: 4. An Asci- 
tes also rises from superiour parts, and goes down to lower parts, and
possesses the Legs. 5. There is als a bad colour of the Face. 
2. It differs from Gravidity, or Great-Belliedness. because, 1. The 
motion of the Infant is felt; 2. The Brests are made more solid and full 
of Milk: 3. In a Dropsie there is a swelling of the Uterus according to 
the amplitude of the Belly and Uterus; but in conception 'tis more
round


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 331 
round and heavy. 4. There is a bad bloody Humour flows from the 
Uterus, soon ended, and comes not orderly again, which is not so from 
the birth. 
3. It differs from an Inflamation of the Matrice, because in that 
there is, 1. A great burning and continual Feaver. 2. The Region 
of the Uterus feels harder. 3. Nor is there so much of waterish slimy 
stinking Excrements flowing away from the Uterus, as is made in a 
Dropsie. 
4. It differs from Inflamation of the Uterus, for then there is pre- 
sent, 1. A Sounding, specially if the Uterus be struck. 2. Tension, 
or stretching out of the Uterus. 3. There is not so great a burthen and 
heaviness as in a Dropsie. 
5. 'Tis distinguished from a Mola, because herein are, 1. A greater 
weight in the bottom of the Belly. 2. The Paps at birth time do 
swell. 
6. From a Scirrh of the Uterus, for in that is great hardness, but a 
shining, softness and lankness of the flesh in Dropsies.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. If it be in the whole Orifice of the Uterus, the Child growing 
bigger, the Woman grows better ; 'tis cast out at time of delivery, the 
Uterus all the while before being close shut. 
2. If Water be shut up in Blisters and little Bladders adhering to the 
Uterus, 'tis harder to cure. 
3. In general 'tis a Cronical Disease, not quickly killing, or quick- 
ly forsaking the Diseased. 
4. If the Water be not corrupted nor sharp, in time 'tis cured. 
5. If it be not Essential, if obstructions be present, there is great feat 
of an Universal Dropsie. 
6. If it comes before, it hinders Conception; if after Conception; it 
causes Abortion.
DYET
Must be hot and dry, all moist things must be avoided; she may 
drink pure Wine, or rather some pleasant Dyet-drink. 
Air must also be hot and dry, either naturally or artificially,according 
to Galenists; see further direction for Regiment in the Chapter of the 
Dropsie-Ascites. 
CURE. 
In Cure, 1. Blood-letting is to be superseded, unless, 1. The Par- 
ty be Phlethorick and Sanguine-coloured, young, lusty, and in the 
Spring time (for letting Blood weakens the inbred heat, and extinguish-
T t 2 eth


332 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
eth the Spirits.) 2. If the Diseased wants her accustomed Evacuation 
by the Uterus, a Vein of the Ankle may be opened, with repetition. Or, 
3. if the Hæmorrhoids be supprest, Nature having used to make a vent 
th at way, are to be opened by Leeches. 
2. Purging (to which some premise Preparers, which unless there 
be thick Humours present, are useless ; for Water neither concocts nor 
is made thick) which saith Hartman, Doth little good, unless when the  
vice proceeds from Liver or Spleen, then Antimonial Pills shew their effi- 
cacy. 
3. Diureticks excel Purgers, but are not so excellent as in General 
Dropsies; the best are the Roots of Flower-de-luce, Bark of Eldern, 
and of the Roots of Danewort, Saldonellas, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Juniper and Broom burnt to Ashes, and steeped in White-Wine, and 
the Wine drunk: Medicines also from their specifical affinity to the part, 
are rather to be chosen, being good for Dropsies, than those that respect 
the part not at all. 
4. Education of the Water by Injections, by Semi-Cups, or Half- 
Tubs, by Foments, or a Pultis of Saldonella to the Privities, are com- 
mendable ; Issues are not good, but Pessaries, Clisters, and Emplai- 
sters, such as are prescribed in the general Cure of Dropsies, are helpful : 
the skin of a Sheep new killed, and being yet warm, sprinkled with. 
Wine, and applyed to the Belly, is commended. 
5. Openers and Movers of the monthly Menstrua, if they be stopt, 
or flow not rightly, are chiefly to be insisted upon ; Chalybrate Pills, 
and Histeticks, having also a diuretick force and drying, are to be 
chosen. 
6. Carminatives, either by the Mouth, or in Fomentations, or in 
Clisters, are to be used, because commonly there is great plenty of 
windiness,which disturbs much. 
If the Water stick fast in little Bladders and Skins, and be not educti- 
ble, or to be brought forth, Clisters are often to be given, and Vo- 
miting,with Emeticks, may chance to break those Pellicles by its tear- 
ing, and plucking working;, great and strong exercise also, leaping, 
jumping, and the like, may sometime break them, and cause them to 
send forth their Water. 
Riverius also, to break these, commends this Bole to be taken twice 
a week, ꝶ Mineral Borax, ʒss. Saffron, ℈ss. with Juyce of Savine, 
make a Bolus. 
If the Vena Cava doth distil a Watery Matter, Hartman commends 
for a rare secret, Vitriol of Mars. 
Lastly, The Uterus is to be strenghtened and reduced to its right
temper-


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 333 
temper again, to perform its duty in due measure and manner. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Inflamation of the Uterus. 
Inflamation of the Uterus, is a preternatural Tumour risen from hot 
Blood gathered there and putrified, infesting with many Symptoms, 
and terminated in a Scirrh or Botch. 
CAUSE 
Is Blood which is hot and boiling, fallen by the Vessels into the sub- 
stance of the uterus, either from an hot Liver, or plenitude of the 
whole Body, attracted and moved thither by violent causes. As, 
1. Falls and Blows. 
2. Retention of the Menstrua. 
3. From cold Air, after a Womans Delivery unwarily taken in, it hap- 
pens often, the Loches being supprest thereupon. 
4. Hard Travel and Abortion, where the great pain, heat, and 
opening of the Vessels, causes the afflux of much Blood. 
5. Violent drawing forth of the Secundine. 
6. Exulceration. 
7. Immoderate use of Venery. 
8. Too swift diambulations, and overmuch painful journying, speci- 
ally in time of bearing, or when their Mestrua arc flowing. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK 
Be generally taken, 1. From the Uterus it self, which is, first, Swel- 
led, which is discerned by sight upon the Region of the Uterus. Second- 
ly, Pained, which is as from an Inflamation or burning heat. Thirdly,
Shut up, and drawn back towards the inward parts. 
2. From the Symptoms which are present herein, and are, 1. An 
acute Feaver, constant and burning, from the Heart consenting with the 
Uterus by the Arteries and great Vessels; sometimes a Lypiria, where- 
in inwardly they are very Feaverish and hot, but outwardly cold, from. 
tension of the Humours towards the inward parts. 
2. Headach, which vexes most in the hinder part, and reaches to the 
Roots of the Eyes, from Vapours arising from the Uterus. 
3. Pains of the Share and Loins, of the Middriff also, and Cannels 
Bones of the Neck.
4. A 



334 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
4. A suppression of the Excrements of the Belly from heat and dri- 
ness of the Uterus, and thrusting together of the Passages by the Uterus,
stretched out. 
5. Menstrua do suddenly sometimes go forth, but few in quantity 
and prave in quality. 
6. The Pulse is small and often.
7. The Stomach is evil affected, from consent and bad exhalations. 
8. Cramps and Convulsions in the Arms, Fingers and Neck. 
9. A Delirium, and talking idley. 
10. A fainting and sailing of Spirits from the violence of the Dis- 
ease, and Symptoms concomitant herewith. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure is hardly to be attained, if it hath gotten the Nature of an Ery- 
sipela, which kills the Child, and causes Abortion, nor if it be Gangræ- 
ned ; it is very doubtful if all the Uterus be affected, if Symptoms be 
many and great, if it turn to rotting, and break, for then there is an in- 
curable Ulcer made, whence noysom Vapours are carried upwards,and 
affect the principal parts by consent, and at last may kill the Sick with a 
slow Feaver. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Are either, 1. from the part; whereas, 1. It is of the whole uterus,
wherein is pain all over. 2. Of one of the sides, where the privy parts 
on that side are most hot and pained, and the Leg on that side is badly 
moved. 3. Or of the back part, in which pain urges more towards the 
Loins and Back, and retention of Excrements is greater from its lying 
upon and straitening the Rectum Intestinum. 4. Of the sore-part, in 
which, because it coheres with the Bladder, there is hurt of making Wa- 
ter, or a Strangury, and there is greater pain about the Secrets. 5. Of 
its Neck, where heat, swelling and pain are most felt, it is to be discern- 
ed red, and its Veins like Spiders Webs filled with Blood. 
Or, 2. From the Humour ; where, 1. It is made of pure Blood, 
wherein all Symptoms are more remiss. 2. Of Chollerick or Atra- 
bilatious Blood, wherein all things are more cruel and dangerous. 
Or, 3. From the Events; whenas, 1. It degenerates into a Scirrh; 
Symptoms are here more mild ; a sence of gravity is perceived in the 
Womb, the evil lasts long, and at last a Dropsie of the Womb is fre- 
quently made. 2. Into an Abscess, then Pain, Feaver, and all Sym- 
promes are increased ; Horrors about evening especially do invade; 
there is a sense of somewhat fluctuating ; it being broke, the Mat- 
ter is sometimes poured out into the Capacity of the Womb, sometime 
into Vicine Parts. Cure 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 335 
Cute is begun with letting Blood in the Veins of the Arm, whereby 
Evacuation, Revulsion and Interception of that hot and Chollerick 
Blood is made, and they derive better from the Liver, then the Saphæna, 
which some appoint chiefly to be cut, because by reason of its vicinity 
and neerness to the Uterus, they think it draws Blood from thence most 
immediately ; but opening of the Leg-Veins are condemned by others, 
because in a deficiency the opening of them draws Blood to the Uterus, 
but the Ham-Veins are better approved then the Feet-Veins for Deri- 
vation ; and letting Blood is frequently to be performed according to 
the constitution, strength and age of the Sick, and condition also ; if 
that she be not with Child, and so abortion may be endangered, or if it 
comes not after abortion,, wherein the Woman voided blood very larg- 
ly, and is faint : Blood also is to be drawn forth more largely or penu- 
riously, according as the Feaver remains more intense or remiss, which 
is chiefly respected in opening the Cubit-Vein ; and when as the turgent
and redundant Blood is emptied, the cutting of the Saphæna is more 
effectual, and less hurtful. 
2. See that the Belly be not Bound or Costive, if it be, give cooling 
and Emolient Clisters. 
3. For Revulsion, apply Cupping-glasses to the Shoulder-Blades and 
Loins, and with Scarification to the Hips, binding of the upper parts, &c. 
4. Choller and sharp Humours are to be purged from the Blood, and 
though strong Purgatives are not allowed, because they irritate too much 
and move Humours to fall upon a part weakned, and not able to repel 
them, yet gentle benign Medicines do not hurt, but help and bring ease, 
as Cassia extract with Syrup of Violets, Manna dissolved in Broath, &c. 
Avicen, Fontanus, &c. think Clisters more conducible for Eva- 
cuation of the peccant Humours, but if they be very strong, so as to 
evacuate and carry Humours to any purpose, they exacerbate much, and 
may encrease the Inflamation ; if they be gentle and emollient onely, 
they evacuate not the Humours, but Excrements of the Guts only, and 
are proper, if the Belly be Costive as above said. 
5. Topicals are in the mean while to be applyed, as Epithemes, and 
Fomentations, Cataplasms, Insessions, Pessaries, &c. which are to 
be made cf things that cool and moisten without any astriction ; yet we 
must observe that things that are too cold, or too long adhere to the part, 
are inimical to the Uterus, that being the place of Conception. Second- 
ly, Things too cooling and repelling, may harden the Matter, and cause
it to turn Scirrhous, for fear of which, some Resolvents and Emolients 
are to be mixt. 
ꝶ


336 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Night-shade, Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, 
and Violet Leaves, boil them in Water for an half Tub, or foment the 
Region of the Uterus therewith. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Purslane, Red-Rose-Leaves, and Water-Lillies, 
boil them in Milk and Barley-Water, for a Cataplasm. 
Dip a Sponge in Vinegar of Roses, and lay to the bottom of her Belly, 
betwixt her Navil and Share. 
ꝶ of Juyce of Plantane, Sengreen or Purslane, and therein dip 
Wooll, and put it up for a Pessary. 
ꝶ Juyce of Plantane, inject by a Syringe. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of the Balsom-Tree, Juyce of Plantane, of Purslane, of 
each equal parts, for an Injection. 
A Decoction of the Roots of Endive and Cichory, or of Plantane- 
leaves in Whey is held specifical, to be drunk for Inflamation of the 
Uterus. 
Hartman and Johnstonus are highly opinioned of Mother of Time, 
boild in Steeled Water and drunk,or the Decoction applyed by Sponges. 
CHAP. XI.
Of the Mola in the Matrice. 
DEFINITION. 
A Mola is a shapeless lump of flesh, without Bones or Bowels, 
growing in the Uterus from an imperfect Conception, from fault 
of the Seed, belying a true Birth, and gotten instead thereof. 
Galen defines it to be a mass of flesh without form. 
Ætius and Paulus, An hard Swelling. 
Platerus saith, It is an immoveable and insensible Body of soft flesh, that 
is void of a certain Figure.
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, first from faulty Seed, and that as well masculine as fe- 
minine together, (others onely allow the Womans Seed to be the cause 
hereof) which wanting a forming quality, and being drowned in men- 
struous, thick and humourous Blood, a shapeless mass is made, and by 
heat hardened. 
SIGNS. 
It is a Mass of Flesh, void of a certain form, immoveable and in- 
sensible, lying like a stone, with a great sence of weight. 
I. It belies or counterfeits a true Birth, because, 1. Herein is longing. 
2. Loss of Appetite. 3.Swelling of the Brests. 4. Stopping of the Men-
strua, 5. A bad colour. 
2. It


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 337
2. It is distinguished, First, From a true birth, because in this is, 1. No 
perceivance of its Body for many months, and then an hard sensless and 
immovable Body, is perceived. 2. There sometimes follows a pricking 
pain, which is not in a true Conception. 3. The Woman perceives a 
motion like trembling and panting, distinct from that of the Infant. 
4. Though the Breast swell, there is no Milk, it is from supprest Men- 
strua, and they flag afterward. 5. It differs in the bulk and figure of the 
Uterus, for in a true Conception it is chiefly lifted up towards the Navil, 
and softly straitened towards the sides; but in this the Belly is lifted up 
into all its dimensions. Secondly, From a Dropsie of the Uterus, for 
in that there is a soft swelling, it yeilds to pression of the Hand and Fin- 
gers, and the dints made therefrom, rise again in height, there is a rum- 
bling and sense of water; which things are not so in a Mola, though a 
Dropsie may follow, and be conjoyned with it in time. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Some are more soft, watery, slimy and bloody ; and some more fecu- 
lent and hard; some flaulent, or puffed up, and spongy : They are not 
known to be in the Uterus of Bruits, they not abounding with Menstrua, 
as Women do. 
Sometime they grow in the Neck, sometime also in the Bosom of the 
Uterus.
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is dangerous, 1. Because in time the Liver sometimes is weakened, 
and a Dropsie ensues. 
2. They carry it in their Uterus two or three years sometimes, and 
sometimes is incurable if not looked to at the beginning. 
3. It is sometimes very great, and is expelled with a very doubtful 
Erysis, and large fluxes of Blood accompany its egress, so that some- 
times the Spirits being exhausted, and an Inflammation, Feaver and Deli- 
rium being raised, she dies in the act of ejecting it. 
It is excluded sometimes before, sometimes with the Birth, and some- 
times without it. 
CURE. 
In Cure we are, 1. To hinder its growth and encrease, and take away its 
aliment, for which Blood is to be drawn forth by the Arm and Ankles; 
Copulation, adding more weak Seed, is to be shunned ; the Menstrua are 
to flow, and we must purge tenacious and vitious Humours from the Ute- 
rus : In Dyet, all fat, cold, gross, viscous, windy Meats are to be shun-
ned ; let her drink Wormwood Beer or Wine : Exercise is not so good 
here, as for Expulsion, if the growth of it may not be hindered ; for it 
Uu rather



338 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
rather moves flux of Humours that encrease its growth; but moderate 
and gentle exercises are not to be abandoned. 
2. If grown, to expel it: Here such as are for ejection of the dead 
Child, and moving of the Menstrua, are useful : and such things as are 
contrary to those used for preservation of the Child in the Uterus, are 
to be instituted : In Meats, Openers, Attenuaters, and Dissolvers of 
concreted matter, are good ; Exercise, as leaping, jumping, running, 
that were for the dead Birth, are good.
Then after Preparation, give Purgers,and things that move the Men- 
strua, whereof take this for an Example: ꝶ of Borax, Savin, Cina- 
mon, and Diptamy of Creet, of each ʒj Motherwort, Nigella Romana- 
Seeds, Assafœtida, Saint John's-Wort, of each ʒfs. take ʒj. for a dose in 
sugared White-Wine.
The Juyce of the Leaves of Lovage drunk in Mugwort-water is held 
a secret. 
Hartmannus saith, A Secret is not more happily given for exterminating 
this, than the Pouder of Secundines, which is to he given more often, (if the 
Mola hath continued long) in Mugwort, Gentian, Penny-Royal, or Nettle- 
Water, some Cinamon-Water being always added ; and that hereby he cured 
many generous Women, which by learned Physitians were thought des-
perate. 
Externally are many things to be used to relax the parts, and discuss 
and shake off the impacted matter, as are Insesssions, Fomentations, Ca- 
taplasms, Oyntments, Pessaries, &c. of emollient and resolvent Me- 
dicines, as Chamomile, Mallows, marish Mallows, Mellilot, Mugwort,
Dill, Rheu, Motherwort, &c.
Natural Bathes also, and such as have force of rarifying and dissol- 
ving, are good. 
Some apply dry Capping-glasses , and painful Ligatures about the 
Calves of the Legs for attraction sake. 
If all Medicines fail, and the Woman is like to miscarry therefrom, 
Platerus advises, That it he taken away by Manual Operation, or in extream 
peril, by section made by the Abdomen into the Uterus.
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms happening herein ate to be respected. 
As, 1. A Dysentery, that commonly goes before the expelling of 
the Mola, and is to be cured as other Dysenteries. 
2. Windiness, which causes great rumbling and distention, and is 
taken away after preparation and purging of the Humours, by Clisters, 
Pessaries of Juyce of Mercury, and Cardamoms, Insesses and Unction 
of


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 339
of the Pecten, with Oyl of Dill, Cummin-Seeds and Castorium. 
3. Fainting and Swounding fits, that follow upon the great Hæmor- 
rhages that happens in the Expulsion of the Mola, and are helped by Cor- 
dials, and such as strengthen the forces, and uphold Nature. 
4. Clotted and congealed Blood, for whole Cure, if there be need, 
see the Chapter of Blood clotted in the Bladder. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Condiloma Uteri. 
Condylomata, are swellings of the Rinkles in the Neck of the Uterus, 
rising in height, and inflicting pain and heat there. 
CAUSES
Are thick and adust Humours, or Humours that have flowen thither 
and are become rotten ; they are often made after some Exulceration 
there. 
SIGN. 
They are like Hyposarcoses, they appear to the Eyes, they are Tu- 
berculous and Membranous, they are rather lifted up while the Menses 
flow out, they are often joyned with Rhagades. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet prescribed. We must take away the Cause, we 
must repercus and dry ; if there be Inflamation, we must correct that 
by Anodines and Coolers, as by Oyntments, Insessions and Perfumes ; 
if old and inveterate, 'tis good to use first Emolients, and then Di- 
gesters and Driers. 
Rondeletius advises to this Pouder, which is to be sprinkled upon the 
parts, ꝶ Savine, ℥j. Burnt Hermodactils, and Mirtil Ashes, ana ʒiij. 
Chalcitis, Allom, ana. ʒij. Red Orpment, ʒj. mix them all into a 
Pouder; this is rather to be used when they are hardned by long conti- 
nuance, for then Consumption by Causticks, or a pair of Pincers, are to 
be ordained to take away the Tumid Flesh, and an Astringent Pouder 
presently sprinkled on the place that is nipt by the Pincers of Steel, 
Pouder of Egg-shells, and Mulleint Leaves. 
Much more might have been spoken of this affect, but seeing they 
are caused and cured much after the same manner as Condylomata of the 
Fundament, we refer it thither. 
U u 2 CHAP.



340 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Itching, or Itching Pushes in the Uterus. 
Pushes of the Uterus, are Tubercles risen in the Neck,and effecting 
by their sharpness great Itching and Pain.
CAUSE.
Cause is sharp, bilious, and sometimes adust Humours insinuated 
there, and producing their effects.
SIGN. 
There is great itching, which is sometime more painful; sometime  
scaley matter falls off; they are best discerned by Speculum Matricis. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
By encreasing it may degenerate into Ulcers; they are sometime 
very hard to cure, especially if they be Malign or Venerial, which often 
happen in Womb-Fury, yet may be made when that is not; and Womb- 
Fury may be caused without the conjunction of this. 
CURE. 
Preparation is made by Endive, Hops, Fumitary, Borrage, Let- 
tice, Cichory, &c. then we must correct the quantity and quality of 
Peccant Humours.
Topicks used in Bathes and Insessions, a washing of the part with 
Wine and Niter, and such things as prohibit Itching ; for which see 
Chapter of Itching. 
If they be Venerious and Contagious, a Lotion of Plantane and 
Rose Water, with Aloes, and a little Erugo Æris artificially dissolved 
therein, is to be used. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 341 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Womb Melancholly. 
DEFINITlON. 
Melancholly of Women is a Delirium, and sadness, with pertur- 
bation of the Mind and Sences, coming by Intervals, and with- 
out a Feaver; made from base exhalations from the Uterus, affected with 
a Melancholly Humour, dulling the Animal Spirits. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is Melancholly, and an earthly gross feculent Humour seated 
in the Uterus, and there exhaling to the Brain fuliginous melancholly 
Vapours, which deprave the Animal Spirits, and sensitive Faculty, 
drawing the original of its growth from natural and dry Evacuation in 
the Uterus impedited, as either suppression of the Menstrua or retenti- 
on of the Seed, or both, which thereby putrifie. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
1. There is fearfulness, sadness, unsatisfiedness in every thing, de- 
jection of mind, and sometime raging, anxiety and weeping, they 
sleep little. 
They laugh, dote, talk idley, and are most garrulous at such time that 
the Menstrua might be expected. 
2. Distemper of the principal parts, from the Vapours sent to them 
and afflicting. As, 1. to the Heart there is made anxiety, sadness, the 
Arteries of it beat vehemently about the Milt and Back. 2. To the 
Stomach there is made loathing of Meat, and want of Appetite, so that 
sometime the Sick thereby arc greatly wasted. 3. To the Thorax are 
made great Pains from Vapours transmitted by the intercostal Arteries, 
and vellicating the Membranes of the Thorax; the side also, from the 
Region of the Heart to the left Pap, is often pained. 4. To the Jaws 
there is made a Sense of Choaking, and they are much vexed with dri- 
ness there. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
’Tis a Disease of some difficulty to cure, both in respect, 1. Of the 
Symptoms it hath with it. 2. Of the parts thereby Afflicted. 3. By 
reason of the stubbornness, being a cold and dry affect. 4. Of the 
great danger there is of the Brain being primarily affected, through 
long


342 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
long continuance of this Disease, whenas 'tis very hard (if at all cura- 
ble,) to be removed. 
CURE.
Bleeding is first to be instituted (after an orderly Dyet, as is prescri-
bed in the General Chapter of Melancholy) by Bleeding, open the 
Cubit-Vein first; then, if the Mestrua be stopt, open the Ankle-Vein 
some days before they are to come down: If Blood be more hot and black 
according to Galenical Rule, we may more freely draw it out. 
2. Preparation, and Alteration of the melancholy Humour, is to be 
made, by Cordials and Specificals for Melancholy ; Borage, Bugloss, 
Dodder of Time, Balm, Rosemary, Archangel, Woodroof, Violet- 
Leaves, Vipers Bugloss, Fumitary, Featherfew, &c. boild in Whey 
clarified, and drunk ; or Syrups of the Juyce of Apples, of Dodder 
of Time, of Borage, and the like, or Julaps of those Syrups and White- 
Wine, or Cordial distilled Waters are good for variety and change, 
which sometimes greatly pleaseth the Sick. 
3. Purge with such as properly purge Melancholy, and are made 
friendly to the Uterus, by the mixing therewith Specificals to carry the 
force of the Medicine to operate more specifically upon the Uterus.
If she be Costive, help that by often Clisters. Medicines in sub- 
stance, as in Pills, do dry too much, therefore Potions, or purging Ju- 
laps are preferred ; Extract of black Hellebore, of Lapis Lazuli, &c. 
are Medicinal. 
Venery is very helpful for her, acted moderately and seasonably. 
Emollient and moistening Bathes are good, both to moisten and tem- 
per, and hinder thick and dry Evaporations, and appease watching; for 
which, if it be immoderate, we must use fomnoriferous Emulsions, Julaps 
and Applications to her Head, Pomanders to smell to; and in extremi- 
ty of watching, Laudanum to two or three Grains, may be given. 
Comforters of the Heart, and Cherishers of the Spirits, are conti- 
nually to be given, and whatever may avert and turn away Melancholy, 
and make her chearful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied-Women. 
Many, various and great are the Diseases and Symptoms that arise 
to Women during the time of their going with Child : The first, 
and that happen in the first times of her going with Child, is, 
1. A Spasm or Cramp, chiefly vexing the Calf of the Leg, which is 
eased by anointing with Oyl of Bays by the fire, and wrapping an hot 
oollen Cloth thereupon.
2. A 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 343 
2. A Diarrhæa or Lientery, wherein the Meat passeth through the 
Body just as it was chewed, no alteration being made. 
3. Illiack Passion, wherein are great Torments and Belly-pains from 
the Guts inflamed, and involved one within another, called by some 
Convolvulus ; and whatsoever here is swallowed down, is presently cast 
up again by Vomit, either because it cannot pass, or because Vapours 
arising herefrom disturb and evert the Stomach. 
Cure it as a common Illiack-Passion, respecting the Fruit in the Uterus,
and condition of the Woman. 
4. Nausea, and Vomiting; This, as in Child-bearing, so also after 
Delivery, is very molestuous , and sometime Food, sometimes onely 
Humours, if the Stomach be empty, are cast our. 
Disdain of Food is often concomitant herewith, and the Woman nei- 
ther affecteth the thing she eateth, nor eaten, doth she keep it, or not 
without great offence. 
The Stomach is to be streghthened : a clensing Potion premised, give 
Decoction of Wormwood, Centuary, Mint, Cinnamon, Enula Roots, 
&c. but if a Decoction be too strong, steep them, being aptly prepa- 
red, in her Beer; if she dislike them so, from great Weakness of her 
Stomach, compose them into a mass, to be swallowed in Pills: give her 
every night going to Bed the quantity of a Nutmeg, of this or the like 
Electuary, ꝶ Marmalades of Quinces, ℥ij, conserve of Roses, ℥j. Cin- 
namon, Mace, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Mint, make it into a due form; 
Strengtheners and astringent Oyntments also for the Stomach, for Ex- 
ternal Use, are to be used. 
5. Womens Longings, and coveting of divers and and strange Aliments. 
See the Cure in the Chapter of Womens Longings. 
6. Belly-ach, from Wind and bad Vapours. ’Tis taken away with 
Carminatives, and as is directed in the Chapter of Wind from the
Uterus. 
7. Toothach. 
8. Headach and Vertigo, which also are made from filthy exhalations, 
and unwholsom vapours sent from the Uterus to the Head. See their 
Cure in the Chapter of them; particularly, I. Respect the Cause ; 
2. The part from whence they arise. 
II. In the middle time of her going, with Child, are, 
I. A Cough; This arises, 1. From compressure of parts. 2. Sup- 
pression of Humours, which putrifie and send molestuous and irritating 
vapours to the parts destinated for breathing; this sometime in the last 
Months doth urge most ; and the reason may very well be, because then
a



344 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
a greater quantity of noxious Humours are heaped up, than were at 
first. 
PRGONOSTICKS. 
'Tis bad in Women with Child, because thereby the Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime broke, and therefrom ensues Abortion. 
CURE. 
In Cure avoid all sharp and irritating things, give Ptysans, and sweet 
Wine, avoid such meats as stop the Pipes of the Lungs, and encrease 
an aliment apt to turn a pituitous Excrement: If the matter be more te- 
naciously feared in the Lungs, give expectorating Syrups, Lohochs, De- 
coctions, and Ptysans; Oyl of sweet Almonds is very helpful; anoint 
the Brest with loosening pectoral Unctions.
2. Fainting, panting of the Heart, and Lipothimy, from fuliginous 
and malignant Vapours communicated from the Uterus, whereby the 
Heart striving to expel those exhalations, doth frequently stretch and 
contract it self. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms hereunto annexed, are, Tremblings, want of sleep, De- 
spair, Leanness, and a wasting condition. 
CURE. 
In Cure, Diversion of the Vapours, after a Lenitive, is to be en- 
deavoured; Frictions of the lower parts, Ligatures, Cuppers, &c. are 
convenient; give her Balm-Water, Syrup of Mint, with other Cordi- 
als : If this doth no good, breathing the Basilick Vein is sometimes 
very helpful, both to refresh the Heart, and the Infant too, being almost 
strangled from the great quantity and bid quality of humorous Blood; 
yet we do it with some moderation, and supposing the Woman be young, 
fleshy and strong. 
3. Pain of the Loins and Hips. See its Cure in the general Chapter 
of Pain, in our Chyrurgery. 
4. Swelling of the Legs; this proceeds from abundance of gross 
cold Humours, through redundancy of them in the Body, being thrust 
down thither; this happens also in the last Months of her going with 
Child, they are scarce perfectly healed till they be delivered; yet in the 
mean time we are not to procrastinate the Cure, left from the part too 
much weakened, and the Humour by long being seated there, growing 
more contumacious, a worse Case befal afterward, and it be harder to 
be cured. 1. We must go about Discussion, and Dissolution of the 
Humours and swelling. 2. Strengthen the part. If by the coldness of 
the


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 345
the part we fear a Gangrene, ’tis prevented by scarifying of the part, for 
so 'tis ventilated, and putrifaction impedited. 
5. An Hæmorrage of the Uterus, or Hæmorrhoid-Veins, sending out 
Blood either from too great plenty of it, made from abounding of it in 
the whole Body, or weakness of the Birth, not attracting that that is 
sent thither for its nourishment, or prave Humours stimulating the ex- 
pultrice force of the Uterus.
CURE. 
Here we must, 1. Respect the Cause, which is either to lessen or 
amend the Blood, or to tame the acrimony of it; 2. The Effects, which 
is an Hæmorrage, which indicates a suppression ; that is done by Astrin- 
gents and Medicines that thicken the Humours, and fix them, and make 
the parts rough. 
III. In the last months of her going with Child, is, 
1. Costiveness, and hard Signs made from the Uterus, compressing the 
strait Gut; or secondly, from the driness of the fæces, the moisture of 
the alimentary matter being sent to the Uterus. 
PROG. 
By hard striving to go to stool, the Cotyledons and Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime loosened, and there is fear of Abortion.
CURE.
Clisters are not now so good to be used, the Child being come to such 
a growth, but Suppositories in their head; fat Broaths with Mallows, 
Syrup of Prunes, or Prunes first stewed,then pricked, and steeped in In- 
fusion of Senna, then eaten, are very good; moistening and slippery 
food is best for her. See more in the Chapter of Costiveness. 
2. Stopping of Urine, made also from largeness of the Uterus crush- 
ing the Bladder; or it may be made from other Causes, which, and whose 
Cure, see in the Chapter of an Iscury. 
3. Swelling and puffing up of the Veins from gross and flatulent Blood ;
Phlebotomy, or opening a Vein, because it detracts nourishment from 
the Child, is not allowed : We must palliate, and keep a good Dyet till 
time of Delivery, for then these Affects are wont to be dissolved. 
4. An effusion or pouring out of water from the Uterus, which was 
gathered in the time of their going with Child 'twixt the Membranes 
comprehending the Birth, and being now heaved up in great plenty 
(specially in such as have lived an idle and sedentary life) Nature casts 
it out after this manner; It hath with it paleness of face, linkness of 
Xx the


346 Of the Diseases of Uterus. 
the skin, windiness, and are like to those in Dropsies, there is fear of it 
turning to a Dropsie, the retentive faculty is weakened, and the 
Child not free from danger ; nor may such a proper Cure as ought, be 
administred; she must use a drying Dyet, roasted Meats, Bisket made 
with Aniseeds, Sarsaperilla-Drink, and Fruits that are dry, and have 
some Astringency. 
Emplaisters may be applied to the Pudendum, and some gentle laxa- 
tive Apozem cannot bring any great prejudice, being discreetly admi- 
nistred. 
CHAP. XVI.
Of Abortion.
DEFINITION. 
Abortion is a depraved action of the the Uterus, the Infant being im- 
maturely and before its legitimate time cast out, unperfected and 
violently being excerned, caused from weakness of the retentive or too 
great force in the expulsive faculty of the Uterus. 
The Seed not as yet conformed, is called Seminis effluvium, that is, 
Cast out : for whenas Nature propagates greedily its own Sex,in reference 
hereto the propensity in Man to ejaculate Sperm, is not greater than 
the greedy coveting in the Woman to suck it in, and Nature is as indu- 
strious now to keep it, and cherish it; the Uterus after the act being close 
shut, as before covetous of receiving it, the Uterus then gaping ; but 
from impotency in it, or provocation,made from their several Causes, it 
cannot keep it, or is forced to cast it out before it be formed.
CAUSES. 
The Causes of Abortion are either Internal or External: 
I. Internal; which is either, First, From vice of the expulsive fa— 
culty; made to act either from acute Diseases, or sharp Humours, from 
winds, Inflation, and Inflamation of the Womb, whereby the parts are 
sorish, and cannot well endure to be crushed : 2. From great astriction 
of the Belly, so that great straining is made to cast out the hard Excre- 
ments : And Hippocrates saith, The Tenasmus, or a Disease moving many 
and troublesome Stools, coming upon Women with Child, causes them to abort, 
3. Violent Causes, as strong Vomits, and purging Medicines, or a natu- 
ral Flux, exceeding in quantity, and too frequent in motion, from shard 
may stimulate the expultrice. 4. From great weight of Humours, and 
burthen,


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 347
burthen, so that Nature is forced to abort, or cast out, to ease her 
self. 
Seconly, from vice in the retentive faculty, which arises, 1. From
abundance of moisture, and slippery Humours, or flegmatick and loose; 
whereby the Ligaments are laxated, and the Child slides away. 2. From 
two or more Children, which the Uterus cannot well contain. 3. From 
often use of Venery, whereby the Uterus is made slippery, and more 
open. 4. Fatness of the Uterus, whose Bodies also usually are
fat. 
Thirdly; From weakness ; which is made, 1. From bad Affects and 
Symptoms, so that it hath force no longer to retain the birth, as are
Convulsions, Swoonings. 2. Loosness of the Ligaments,from long last- 
ing, waterish fluxes, and moisture. 3, From Distempers, as too great 
heat, cold, driness, or moisture. 
Fourthly, From Diseases of magnitude, as, 1. A Mole, 2. Scirrhs, 
or great fleshy Substances, so that the Child is crushed , wants room, 
and is sometimes suffocated, and dies. 3. From Apostems in the 
Uterus. 
Fifthly, From Nourishment: And first, From want of it, the Infant 
dies, and abortion follows ; that is, 1. From letting her Blood too much 
in the time of her going with Child; 2. From a Tabes or Consumption 
that the Woman labours under. Secondly, From too great plenty of it, 
as surfeiting of too much Meat and Drink, strangles it. Thirdly, From bad 
quality in the Nourishment, and Medicines, moving the Menstrua, poi- 
sons. &c. 
Sixthly, From evil Conformation of the Uterus; as, 1. Very great 
and bulky, so that the Child is not fitly closed and comprehended in it, 
but is loose and slips out upon any light occasion. 2. From too great 
straitness of it, whereby both the Child is killed, and not having room, 
is forced out also; as straitness of the Stomach may cause vomit- 
ing.  
II. External Causes are either, First, In the Air; which is hurting 
either, 1. Naturally, as is hot and moist; Hippocr. Aph. 12. Sect. 3. 
saith, If Winter was Austral and Rainy, or dry, and a North Wind blow, 
Women, to whom their Birth happens in the Spring, upon every light occasion 
do abort, 2. Artificially made unwholesome, as stinking, made from 
Bogs, Jaques, or fumes of Assafœtida, Galbanum, Castorium, the snuff
of a Candle, or the like evil Stenches; for the Uterus flies stinking 
things, and embraces sweet. 
Secondly, In Dyet; which belongs to external Causes; but of that 
we have already spoken.  
X x 2 Thirdly,


348 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Thirdly, From violent Causes ; which, 1. Either cause solution of 
continuity, or too great concussion and shaking of the Uterus, as is free- 
zing, jumping, leaping, running, dancing, blows, falls, and the 
like.
Fourthly, Vehement vexings, disquietings, chidings, anger, wrath, 
perturbation of the Mind and Senses. 
Fifthly, Sudden frightings, swooning, failing of the Spirits, the noise 
of a Gun, clap of Thunder, and the like, do sometimes cause, and much 
further abortion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs preceding Abortion, are, 1. A lessening of the Nipples and 
Paps extenuated, which shews the want of Blood in the Veins of the 
Uterus, and of  the Paps, or that through violence of the Birth, or rup- 
ture of the Vessels, the Blood is rushed into the Uterus, from the Veins 
of the Paps; for then the Paps that were full and plump before, slack, 
and become lank and small : Hippocrates saith, If a Woman hath Twins, 
and one be a Wench, and the other a Boy ; if the right Brest is suddenly dimi- 
nished, she loseth her Boy ; and if the left, her Girl. 
2. Much Milk flowing from the Nipples. 
3. Pains about the Belly and Loins, which end about the Share, and 
Os Sacrum ; 2. About the Region of the Reins, defending to the Hy- 
pogaster, chiefly arising from Cold ; 3. Painful Throes. 
4. The Child is fallen down lower then duely it ought, and the ex- 
pultricc faculty is mightily provoked to cast it forth. 
5. There flows out a thin watery and bloody evacuation from the 
Uterus; or Menstrua being black; and Throes accompanying, certainly 
denote Abortion near. 
6. If in acute and dangerous Diseases she happens to be in Travel, 
both she and the Child too, are usually killed thereby. 
7. Shakings of the parts, and trembling motion , and redness of the 
Face, and a disturbance in her. Body, are sometimes Foretellers and 
Forerunners of Abortion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Abortion is most dangerous, or they are most apt to abort in the 
sixth, seventh and eighth months.
2. Frequent Abortion causes Barrenness.
3. From violence and disturbance in Nature, acting contrary to its 
mutual, Harmony, Abortion is far worse than a legitimate and natural 
Birth.
4. Sometimes Abortion threatned, by Medicines is stayed or defer- 
red for a while, and then returns again.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases the Uterus. 349
CURE. 
Cure is altogether preventive, in which, 1. We must respect the 
Cause, which if it be from Phlethory, letting Blood is rather to be 
done then refused, Fernelius asserting, that unless a sufficient quanti- 
ty of Blood be drawn out before that she looks for Delivery, the Child 
will be overwhelmed and suffocated with plenty of Blood,which may 
fall out of the Veins into the Uterus, they opening through fulness: some 
bid a Vein to be cut before Conception. 2. If Cacochymy offends, we 
must purge, and take away the irritating Cause, and temper Acrimo- 
ny. 3. The Bowels must be corroborated, the retentive faculty con- 
firmed, Distemper corrected, and things hurtful avoided; all which 
prevent well,if used before conception. 
Zacutus Lusitanus found Cauteries of exceeding excellency for Deri- 
vation and Evacuation of Humours; which if they be too thick,we must 
thin them, if too thin and waterish, thicken them. 
In too great moisture, Sweating and Dryers are useful ; in Drinesse, 
Moistners and Nourishers. Precaution before Conception, by fitting 
the Body, and freeing it from all infirmities, is as useful as defending 
it, when it is conceived, from Death and Miscarriage. 
Before Abortion is nigh, these Medicines are good Preservatives. 
1. Sage-Ale drunk every morning,or Cinnamon boild in Beer. 2. Au-
rum Potabile, which strengthening Nature in her Center, fortifies all 
Parts. 3. Juyce of Lobsters given twice a Month in Wine,or the
Salt of them, are good Preservatives against Abortion. 
These are held for Secrets, and if the Child be not yet divulsed from 
the Cotyledon, certainly prevent Abortion; ꝶ of the Leaves of Gold, xii. 
Spodium, ʒfs. Mastich, Roots of Tormentil and Bistort, of each ʒj. 
mix them ; give ʒj. for a Dose every morning in Plantane-Water, or 
rather in a draught of Ale wherein Tansy is steeped, for Tansy by a Mag- 
netick Quality draws the Child , keeps it in its natural place and or- 
der. 2. The Stone Ætitus, or Lapis Prægnans, so called, because there 
is one within another, and signifying the Stone with Child ; this if 
hung about a Womans Neck, so as it touch the Skin, will the most 
finely, among helps, preserve the Child in the Uterus till time of deliver 
ry. 3. Garden-Tansy bruised, sprinkled with Muskadine, and apply-
Ed to her Navil: Also the Load-stone applyed to the Navil, or Coral, 
Emeraulds, and Jasper-Stones; or Bones of a Stags Heart worn about 
the Neck, or under the Arm-holes, are held Specifical. Zach. Lusi- 
tanus commends a Girdle of Sea-Horse-Skin, or Wolf-Skin. These 
following Pouders are also proper against Abortion, ꝶ Roots of Bistorr,
shavings 

350 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
shavings of Ivory, ana. ʒij Red-Coral, Amber, Borax. ana. ʒiß.
Coriander-Seeds, ʒiij. Cristal, Kermes-Berries, Magister of Pearl, and 
Coral, of each ℈ß. mix them into a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Shavings of Ivory, Date- 
Stones, Mastich, Roots of Bistort, ana. 3ij. Manus Christi Perlata, ℥ß 
Leaves of Gold, n°. vi. : make a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Cochineal, Coral, Roots 
of Bistort, Plantane Seedds, ana. ʒj. Cinnamon, Red-rose Leaves, ana. 
ʒss. Leaves of Gold, n°. iv. cut small, and mixed with the rest in Pou- 
der; Astrigents in several forms are outwardly to be used: together 
with the use of these the Labouring Woman must beware of too violent 
motion. Sit in rest and quiet, flie all molestations, and whatever may 
enrage the Humours. Copulation must be shunned, for in taking in new 
Seed, the young Birth not well firmed, is loosened and ready to fall 
out ; a good Dyet must be kept, and not apt to engender Wind. 
SYMPTOMS.
Symptoms, as vehement pain, &c. are to be lenified, and the forces 
upheld by all means we can devise, and the Heart is to be comforted by 
Cordials. 
If Abortion cannot be prevented, then we must promote the coming 
forth of the Child ; dispose all things to its easie and orderly coming 
forth, taking direction from the Chapter of a Legitimate and Mature 
Birth. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Dead Child. 
THE Child dies in the Uterus, sometime sooner, sometime in the 
last Month, from defect or bad quality of nourishment,from vio- 
lent Causes, Internal or External, or about time of Delivery, from 
hard labour, &c. 
CAUSES
I. Defeat of Aliment is made, 1. From the Womans small nou- 
rishment. Or, 2. from the Nourishment extracted, as is made in let- 
ring Blood in great Hæmorrhages, whereby Nature sends all the Nou- 
rishment from the Child, to make good Blood to fill up the Veins that 
are empty in the Woman. 
II. The badness of Alimentary Juyce, or redundancy of Vitious 
Humours that kill the 'Child, the Womans Body being Cacochymick ; 
or it is made bad from other Causes. 
III. From

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 351 
III. From Violent Causes. I. Inward, as violent strong and ini- 
mical Cathartick Medicines. 2. The falling down of abundance of 
slippery moist Humours, that loosen the Ligaments, and slacken the 
Vessels. 3. Violent Feavers, wherein are bad and dangerous Symp- 
toms concomitant. 
2. External. As, 1. a Blow, Riverius Obs. 34. Cent. 3. by too 
great Exercise after a Blow. 2. Forcible Percussion, or Excussion, as 
Coughing vehemently, loud crying, and earnest Vociferations, Snee- 
zing, &c. 
3. Frights, and sudden and dreadful scares and terrours. 
Lastly, It dies by hard labour, by indisposition in the Woman, made 
from several Causes, or unskilfulness in the Midwife in delivering it. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are, 1. A sudden falling and slacking of the Breasts, so soon 
as the Infant is dead. 2. Coldness of the Navil, and also Belly. 3. No
motion of the Child is perceived, but she perceives a kind of fixt and 
unmoveable Body in her Uterus. 4. Wet your Hand in warm Water, 
and lay it on her Belly, and the Child, if alive, will stir thereby. 
5. Her Urine is thick, stinking, and full of base Sedementary Matter. 
6. There be Dreams of dead Men, and frightings out of sleep. 7. She 
covets strange Aliments, not ordained to be eaten. 8. She looks 
scurvily. 9. Her Breath stinks. 10. She wants her usual mirth. 
12. She perceives a distast of Spittle coming to her Mouth. 12. The 
Child is apt to swag and sway to this side or that, as she turns her, more 
then it did when it was alive : Yet when Children are alive, but mis- 
placed in the Uterus, they are apt upon the stirring of the Woman to 
have a preposterous swaying to this side or that; but some advise to hold 
the Stone Ætites, or the Herb Tansy, to the Navil, which will remedy 
that swarving, if the Child be alive, but not if dead. 13. Half a 
point of White Wine burnt wiih ℥ss. of Cinnamon, and Drunk, if 
Child-pains come then upon the Woman, the Child is dead; if not, it 
may be weak or sick in the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Assoon as we are certain of its being dead, we must bring it away,
with Medicines Internal and External; Internal are such as are set down 
for bringing away the Birth, and expelling the Secundine. 1. Therefore 
in form of Pouders most efficacious Simples may be reduced and com-
posed. Riverius hath two excellent Pouders,the first is this, ꝶ of the dry 
Leaves of Savine-Roots, of Birthwort, Myrrh, Castoreum, of each, 
ʒj. Cinnamon, ʒss. Saffron, ℈j. mix them all into a Pouder, give ʒj.
for

352 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for a Dose in Savine-Water; or take of Diptamy of Creet, Savine 
Borax, of each, ʒj. mix them into Pouder. 
Prevotius sets down, as excellent,this Pouder, ꝶ of Mineral Crysocol- 
la, ℈ij. or Borax, ʒj. Cinnamon and Saffron, ana. ℈j make a Pouder, 
give a dram in White-wine or Mugwort Water.
The Pouder of Diptamy alone is very prevalent.
Angelus Sal a greatly applauds Mercurius Vitæ for its force, in sending 
out the dead Child, given to four or five Grains. 
2. Potions also as well as Pouders are prepared, and of as great 
efficacy for expelling the dead Child. Where, 1. a strong Decoction 
of Hyssop drunk hot, or its Juyce, when it may be had, obtains the 
chiefest place. 2. The Juyce of Lovage, or in Winter, if that may 
not be had, the Seeds of Lovage in Mugwort-Water, are held a singu- 
lar secret. 3. Fontanus his Pouder of Euphorbium, Diptamny, of each, 
℈j. Borax, ℈ss. Cantharades prepared five Grains, taken in ℥iij. of 
Decoction of Savine, for a Draught or Potion, is exceeding strong, and 
is warily to be given. 4. Juyce of Scordium, ℥fs. with Saffron. 
5. The Milk of a Bitch, newly having pupped, is commended. 
In External things, or Topicks. 1. The Stone Ætites, being held to 
the Privities, by a magnettick vertue draws away the Child. 2. Hart- 
man saith, The Eyes of an Hair dried, and with Pepper bound to the Crown, 
forces out the Child dead or alive.
Clisters, Suppositories, and Pessaries, of proper and irritating Sim- 
ples, are convenient. 
Foments and Unctions of those parts appertaining to the Uterus, to 
make slippery, mollifie, and dilate the Passage, and provoke the Ex- 
pultrice Faculty of the Uterus, are not to be neglected; Oyl of Tansy, or 
the Juyce of it, to anoint the Privities, is principal. 
Suffumes of Galbanum, of Asses-Hoofs, (by a Funnel, of the cast 
Skin of a Serpent) and of Brimstone, are Medicinable.
Things also applyed to the Thighs, as was directed to facilitate the 
Birth, are useful. 
If yet by all these it be not avoided (as it will hardly but be) and be 
very hurtful to the Woman : Chyrurgery mud be exercised, the Child 
must be drawn out with Instruments, considering the strength of the 
Woman, and the disposition of the Pulse, that it may be done with more 
safety. 
Riverius, after the use of all inward Medicines, advises a good strong
to be taken, whereby sometime, with the abundance of Humours 
in the Uterus that are evacuated by it, the Child also is sent out. 
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 353 
CHAP. XVIII.
Of a Feaver happening after Delivery, or a Feaver of Milk.
Hippocrates saith, Diseases happening after Delivery are very bad vehe- 
ment , and dangerous, in respect of the feculent bad matter they are 
made of, which is sometimes kept long, and putrified ; all the purest 
part being sucked by the Infant, the dreggy, thick, black and melancholly groß 
Blood, is retained still in the Veins of the Uterus (being very large) from sup- 
pression of the Loches, or a vitious habit of the Menses retained longer then 
due, and corruption of them doth induce a continual putrid Feaver. Errors 
in Dyet do often adde fuel to fire, and where the cause is often times 
of it self too weak to raise a Feaver, eating of bad meats put on a viti- 
ous apparelling of the Humours, whence the matter is provoked to acti- 
on, and Nature is impedited in digesting it otherwise. 
2. As Feavers arise, 1. from the ill quality of the Humours, 2. from 
suppression of them, so 3. from redundancy of milk, which are Feavers 
of one day, and called Feavers of Milk.
SIGNS DlAGNOSTICK.
1. From Milk, wherein is great swelling of the Brests from fulness 
of it, there is great pain of the Back and Shoulder-Blades, the Loches 
rightly flow, and unless the Paps be inflamed, or milk coagulated, are 
wont to cease the third or fourth day, and to be without danger. 
2. From suppression of the Loches, or evil disposition of seculent hu- 
morous Blood ; there went before a bad Dyet ; there be Signs of the 
Humours corrupted, the wonted evacuation Nature used to have after 
the Delivery, is stopt, whence a putrid and continual Feaver arises. 
PROG. 
That made from Milk is of lesser danger, and shorter continuance 
then that that is made from stopping of the Loches, or vitious apparel- 
ing of the Humours in the Uterus; that from Milk commonly ends the 
third or fourth day, and is a kind of Ephemera, or a Feaver of one day, 
as 'tis called ; 'tis for the most part without danger, and is to be com- 
mitted to Nature,a good Dyet being kept; and is wont to be terminated 
by sweat. 
CURE. 
In Cure thereof we are onely to use Remedies to such as are caused 
Y y from

354 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
from Humours; where, 
First, If the Loches be stopt, cut a Vein of the Ankle ; if that bleed 
not sufficiently, apply Cupping-Glasses with Scarification to the Legs 
and Thighs ; if time of the Flux be gone, and the Feaver still perse- 
vere, the Cubit-Vein may be opened,for this draws the Blood upwards, 
as the Ankle-Vein opened drew it downward ; yet Galen saith, If a Vein 
be opened in any part of the Body, it will empty and draw from the Vessels of all 
parts. Astringents are to be shunned. 
Secondly, From an evil state of the Humours, or corruption of them,  
we may use gentle Purgatives; the Humours must be altered, sharp and 
too cold things are specially to be avoided. 
The Feaver, if vehement, is to be respected ; Cordials and Coolers 
for the Heart and Spirits, are to be given to the sick Woman, and Na- 
ture is to be strengthened with Electuaries, Julaps, Confections, Lozen- 
ges, Ptysans, or what else the Sick best affects, made of such things as 
are generally prescribed for Feavers. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of a Loosness following a Feaver, after Womens Delivery.  
A Loosness often supervenes the Feaver, and is sometime and most 
commonly void of pain and acrimony, and flows healthfully, if 
not immoderate, chiefly in long lasting, for so it may weaken much, 
and lessen the vigour of the Spirits; and then 'tis to be restrained by 
strengthening Nature and the parts, by gentle and wary means. 
CURE. 
It will not be amiss first to prescribe a gentle Purge, made of Infusion 
of Rhubarb, Myrobalans, &C. in Plantane-Water; to the strained Li- 
quors convenient Syrups to sweeten, as for a Julap, being added : Fallo- 
pius saith. Rhubarb dries up superfluous moisture in the Vessels of the Uterus ; 
but whether it dries so much, or no, it purges, & leaves behind a binding 
quality, & strengthening to the parts, and therefore best of all Purgatives 
in fluxes ; and Astringents are not to be used till the irritating or aboun-
ding Humours be evacuated, both which, Rhubarb doth effectually and 
methodically : After the parts are eased of the burdening Humours, the 
retentive faculty is to be restored and confirmed, which is done by mo- 
derate Astringents that have not a glewing force, but are friendly to the 
Bowels by correcting their slippery and non-retaining Distemper: they 
may


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 355
may be used in several forms most convenient both for internal and ex- 
ternal use. 
To this sometimes succeeds, and of it is made a Dysentery, or Bloody 
Flux, which brings with it a Feaver, cruel Torments, Watchings, and 
frequent Seighs. Here we may use the aforegoing Direction, onely ad- 
ding the use of Clisters made of Plantane, Cinckfoil, Mallows, Pimpi- 
nella, or Burnet, Red Rose-Leaves, &c. boiled in Milk; yet the premi- 
sing of a clensing Clister before one absolutely binding, is not altogether 
irrational. 
Opening a Vein also, specially if the Liver be distempered, is very 
needful ; choice is made of the Basilick or Salvatella-Vein in the 
Arm. 
Many more might be added, but if need be, reourse may be had to 
the Chapter of a Dysentery, whence may be had ample Directions, and 
many Medicines very suitable hereto ; so that Reiteration seems need- 
less, and double labour, where single will serve, is to be avoided. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Children. 
MAny and very differing are the forms of deformed and monstrous 
Births; some being either ill conformed, as double-Bodied, a 
double Brain, when other Limbs are single; some parts placed upwards, 
as sometimes are the Genitals in the Forehead, that should be below ; 
and sometime a single Body downwards, whenas 'tis double upwards ; 
some are maimed, and some want Limbs and Parts; some are altered 
in respect of Sex, as Hermophrodites ; some have Bestial forms; some 
in form of Birds, others four-footed, Diabolical and cruel, made of the 
seed of the Devil ; some ate an Ell long. 
CAUSES. 
1. The Cause is not certainly natural, say Divines, but the Hand of 
GOD miraculously effecting it, as sometimes it is; One Woman com- 
plaining of the many Mouths she had to feed, viz. her Children,brought 
forth a Child without a Mouth.
2. Astrologers refer it to the Stars, and position of the Moon in de- 
ficient degrees at time of Conception. 
3. The Cause is Imagination of the Woman at time of Conception, 
diligently applying the sight of those things she saw, to her self: Hence 
Y y 2 it


356 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
it is that some, having looked and pondered upon the sight of a ravenous 
Bird called Harpa, have brought forth such a one : Another brought forth 
a Negro, looking upon the Picture of a Negro that hung in her Cham- 
ber at time of Conception ; A Woman at Pisa is reported to have 
brought forth a Child all hairy, like a Camel, because she used to bow eve- 
ry day to the Image of John Baptist cloathed in Camels Hair; Some 
Women in seeing an Hare, bring forth a Child with an Hare-Lip: One 
Woman seeing a Boy at time of Conception with two Thumbs, brought 
forth a Boy also on both hands double Thumb’d, as was the Boy she saw: 
Another Woman at time of Conception seeing a Child that had a great 
Head,from Water gathered in it, called Hydrocephalus, or a Dropsie of 
the Head, brought forth a Child with a great Head also, that was spon- 
gy, and the skin puffed up, but not filled with Water. As Women , so 
also Sheep are thus affected from the strength of the imaginatrice facul- 
ty at time of Conception; for Jacob laying peeled Rods in the Gutter 
where they were to drink, they brought forth parti-coloured Lambs; 
Women that seriously and deeply think of the ill-shapen Members they 
see in others, conceive and bring forth Children so mis-figured ; also  
'tis very bad for Women at time of Conception to see Pictures on a wall, 
or Images, for fear they bring forth Children of like conformation. 
Some think that Children are like the Mothers true Husband , that are 
got by another, because the Woman was in fear when they were got, and 
so conceived by the imagination alike : Bur, say they, If the same man  
get them when the Woman is not in fear, but secure, and her Husband 
far from home, the Child will have the likeness of its true Father or 
Begetter, because the Mothers Mind doth the Child dispose. 
Moreover, some, according to the Vulgar Stories, having been 
struck with a piece of Flesh, the Child hath had the Mark of that piece 
of meat in the same place that the Woman was struck in ; and some ha- 
ving struck a Woman with a Mouse on the Cheek, she hath brought 
forth a Child representing the figure of a Mouse on its Cheek : And why 
may not feeling, as well as seeing, move the imaginatrice faculty to ef- 
fect these? 
4. A Cause of many being born Crook-Back’d, great-Headed, from 
abundance of Humours, or full of running sores, or leprous, may be from 
the Act of copulation done at such time as she had her Menstrua on 
her.
5. Monsters are either made, 1. By the Devil, or also by the imagi- 
nation of the Woman; or begotten by Beasts coupling with Women, 
the feed of the Beast, or bruit Animal, mixt with the Womans feed ; so 
that the Birth participates of the likeness of both Getter, and Bearer,
Na-
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 357 
Nature striving always to beget her like : So Men coupling with Bruits 
beget Monsters,half a Man, and half a Beast; and hence perhaps it came 
that some People are horned, wild, and live on Grass,Herbs, &c whose 
forms most shew them to be Men ; some also have Tails as Beasts, and 
many are variously formed, as if there was a form made equally concur- 
ring to Mans and Beasts; sometimes the sore parts are like a Man, and 
the hinder represent a Beastial Form. 2. Or by natural ill conforma- 
tion in the Uterus, as where there was a deficiency in Nature, in making 
two distinct Bodies of matter so prepared and disposed, that is, confused 
and crushed all into one,so that double-Bodied-Infants with their Mem- 
bers displaced, are herefrom made. Also such as want full Limbs, or 
deficiency either in quantity or number of Members, may be from a 
simple fault in the Seed and Uterus, or some hidden quality making a de- 
viation from Natures accustomed course in forming. 
See more in our Book of Philosophy, called Physiology, Jatrosophy, and 
Pneumatography, in divers places ; in our Book of Generation, the first of 
the Twelve Books of that Book; in our Book, of the necessary parts God gave 
to all Creatures according to their knowledge, or the necessary Knowledge God 
gave to all Creatures, according to the Parts and Bodies He gave them ; and 
also in our Chapter of divers shapes of Men.
CHAP. XXI. 
Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of delivered Women, as
fault in quantity and quality of Loches, or Child-Bed- 
purgations ; of Throes, or After-pains ; of 
stopt Secundines, or After-Burdens staid. 
I. An Inflamation of the Matrice, caused from hot and boyling 
Blood retained in the Vessels, and putrifying. 
’Tis known by the Signs of Inflamation of the Matrice in general, and 
cured so. 
II. Fissures or Wrinkles, which are raised from the stretching in 
bringing forth the Child, and flux of Menstrua. 
They are cured with gentle astringent,and contracting Medicines, In- 
jections by a Syringe of Comfrey-Roots, Bramble-Beds, Balaustians, 
Sumach, Pomegranate-Rinds, Cypress-Nuts, and the like, or a Pessary 
of them, or Oyntments, are effectual.
III. Ga-


358 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
III. Gaping of the Matrice, and loosness of the Privy Parts ; they 
are to be seasonably contracted, else they may possibly hinder the Wo- 
man for having any more Children.  
Here the foregoing Remedies may be used , adding stronger Astrin- 
gents, as Deceptions and Baths of Oak-Buds, dry Sloes, Acatia, Hypo- 
chistis, Roots of yellow Water-flag, Medlars, Mastick, and Madder- 
Roots, or Oyntments of Dragons Blood , Gum Tragacanth , extract
of Comfrey-Roots, Pouder of Tobacco Pipes, Oyl of Myrtles, of Ma- 
stick, &c. Natures work in contracting those parts that were before so 
dilated, is admirable. 
IV. Excoriation of the Uterus after Delivery, being excoriated in the 
lower part. 
Oyl of Saint John's-Wort for Unction, is most excellent; and a vul- 
gar Remedy is Oyl of sweet Almonds taken inwardly. 
V. Hæmorrhoids or Piles do happen to Women that bring forth fre- 
quently, and with difficulty straining to force out the Birth ; the inward 
Piles are most often opened. 
They are cured by Pollipody-Drink (after the Saphæna-Vein in the 
foot is opened, and some lenitive Medicine to keep her Body soluble)
by a rosted Onyon beat with Oyl, and applied Plaister-wise ; or, if too 
hot a Medicine, Oyl of Snails, or Hodmondods excels ; or a Pulteis of 
Wood-lice, bruised and mixt with Oyl, is incomparable good. 
VI. There arises a Feaver from laborious and hard labour, and great 
pains. 
VII. The Genitals swell from irritation by hard labour, and striving 
to thrust forth the Infant. 
VIII. Sometime Convulsions arise; then draw Blood from the Arm 
and from the Foot ; foment with Emollients, and laxative Medicines. 
Hippocrates saith, They are very dangerous, because they argue a great weak- 
neß, and exceeding torments are wont to follow. 
IX. An immoderate flowing down of the Menstrua or monthly 
Courses ; this infirmity seldom happens to Women after their Delive- 
ry, but when they do flow after Delivery so immoderately, we must stop 
them.
A thickning and binding Dyet inclining to cooling, is most expedite; 
Broaths made of Comfrey and Knotgrass, are transcendent; or Shep- 
herds-purse boyled, or taken in Medicine by a specifical Vertue to the 
Privities; or Leaves or Flowers of Bramble so taken, do cure them ; 
Foments also, and Oyntments of Astringents, and Epithemes to the Li- 
ver (if that be distempered) are not to be neglected ; Nicholas Fontanus 
saith, If the Womans strength will bear it, there is not a surer remedy than 
letting 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 359
letting Bloody, which is to be done twice or thrice in the Basilick-vein ; bind- 
ing of the upper parts, rubbing of the Extremities, and Cupping-Glasses 
to the Brests, are also by some used. 
X. Sometimes an illegitimate stoppage of them follows, and then 
they are cautiously to be provoked to their due and orderly efflux, for 
which take advise with the Chapters of deficiency of Menstrua, or of 
their not duely and ample flowing. 
XI. The immoderate flowing of Loches after the Birth ; after the 
Child is brought forth, the spaciosity and thickness of the Uterus is gra- 
dually lessened by the effusion of Loches, which are nothing else but the 
Reliques of Blood gathered in Child-bearing between the fungous 
Conditories of the Uterus.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, 1. From immoderate opening of the Vessels. 
2. From breaking of them.
3. From heat of the Blood, made from hot and sharp Medicines in 
painful Travail, to cause Delivery. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
They are sometimes, both after a legitimate Birth, and Abortion also, 
so abundant, and slow with such an unbridled rashness, that often times 
therefrom is not a little danger of perishing ; they are wont to cease 
within forty days, sometimes sooner. 
CURE.
Cure is as for Menstrua immoderately flowing ; this flax is not to be 
stopt, but moderated, and that with great wariness; for if by Astringents 
they be stopped, many and cruel Symptoms arise thereupon; Aliments 
must thicken, and have some astrictve force to restrain the violence of 
the Blood; Yolks of Eggs, Panatels, Rice Broath, Gellies, Meats 
sprinkled or dipt in Sawces effectual to this purpose; steeled Water, 
or wherein Gold hath been quenched, for ordinary Beer: Draw Blood 
by Revulsers to the superiour parts; bind the Belly up gently with a 
swadling Cloth, for so the vessels be compressed ; Clothes dipt in Oxi- 
crate are to be laid to the Loins. To temper the Blood in the Vena Cava,
Internals may be given,as Julaps, Electuaries,Conserves, Syrups, &c, 
Aurum Potabile cures a flux, and provokes it where it is not, doing all 
things as Nature her self would have it. Externals also, as Oyntments, 
Foments, Injections; for which Gallen praises Juyce of Plantane cast 
in by a Syringe. If after these, clots of Blood remain in the Uterus, 
causing pain and tension, and other evils, by evaporations therefrom, 
they must be avoided. 
XII. Suppression of the Loches, whereby that Blood that is heaped 
up in Child-bearing, is not evacuated after Delivery of the Birth, as 'tis 
naturally 


360 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
naturally accustomed to be, and the amplitude of the Uterus is thereby 
not lessened; they may either be lessened, or quite suppressed ; where- 
upon do follow to the Woman in Child-bed most grievous Diseases.
CAUSE. 
Cause is either evil Dyet, or taking cold, or other Causes that cause
suppresion of the Menstrua. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from relation of the Sick, who hath not had that ac- 
customed and natural evacuation, the Uterus will remain stretched out 
and hard, as if it did still contain the Child in it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Many Diseases and grievous Symptoms do arise herefrom, there is In- 
flamation of the Uterus, from the Blood putrifying that is stopt, and at 
last a Gangrene arises, which brings Death inevitably. 
CURE.
We must not delay, we must draw down the Blood to the Womb, and 
open the vessels. 1. Give laxative and emollient Clisters: 2. Ligatures 
and Frictions; Cuppers to the Share and Hips are to be applied. 3. Open  
the Hæmorrhoids, if they used to flow; if not, the Saphena, or both 
Ankle-Veins. 4. Foment the bottom of the Belly, and Region of the 
Pudendum, to which adde Perfumes and Pessaries, beginning with 
mildest Simples first. 5. Internals, to open the mouths of the Vessels, 
and render the Blood apter to flow, and stir up the expultice faculty in 
Nature : Aurum Potabile, where Nature is burdened, moves a flux, and 
stays it again, when all the oppressing and hurtful Humours are avoided, 
strengthening Nature in her Center, and performing all things, as 'tis 
the duty of Nature to do ; Forestus gives successively Decoction of Squi- 
nanth in Broath. Lastly, We may give a lenitive Purge or two, nine 
or ten days after Delivery, of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, Agarick, 
Epithimum, and Mechoacan, as may seem most requisite. More Reme- 
dies may be sought out of the Chapter of suppressed Menstrua. 
XIII. After-Pains or Throes do grievously torment some Women, 
and few are free therefrom after delivery of the Birth ; but because with- 
in two or three days they usually cease, they do not desire the help of the 
Physician.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is oftenest flatulent from taking cold, whereby wind from 
Distemper of the parts is raised, and mightily molests. Wind also may 
be


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 361
be made from Humours ; without an outward distemper from the am- 
bient cold Air. 
2. The sharpness of Blood is reckoned as a great Cause hereof: Fon- 
tanus saith, It is from a multitude of thick, menstruous Blood retained : Others
say, From Clots of Blood, or Blood concreted : Johnstonus saith, They come 
from too great narrowness of the Vessels. 
3. From Meats then taken, cold and windy in quality, as Fruits, Cu- 
Hards, Cream, cold Drink, &c. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are easily known from the relation of the Woman in Childbed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Hippocrates thought Women to be most afflicted with Throes at birth of 
their first Child, but Experience shews that it is not an allowable Say- 
ing ; few but are more or less troubled herewith after Delivery, but 
commonly after three days, of their own accord they are asswaged, un- 
less some of the aforegoing Causes be in fault. 
CURE.
In Cure we must respect the Cause: Sennertus omits Purges; if a 
cold distemper and wind offend, we must use Heaters and Carminatives, 
as well outwardly as inwardly, as in Chollical pains ; but they are first 
to be prevented, if they may be, for which this Pouder is held of great 
worth, given presently after the Birth, ꝶ Roots of the greater Con- 
found, ʒj. Peach Kernels, Nutmegs, of each Amber, ʒij. Amber- 
griese, ℈ss. give one dram of it in Wine, or in Broath, if a Feaver be 
present. 
If they cannot be prevented, they must be cured ; the Belly must
gently be bound up, that the Uterus stir not out of its place: Clisters are 
to be injected of Oyl of Almonds, Cammomile, Bays, &c. that are ano- 
dine, emollient, and carminative. Internals are, Cinnamon-Water, ℥ß. 
with two grains of Amber-griese, or ʒss of Bay-berries taken in Muska- 
del, Decoction of Vervain, Decoction of the Grass of Pernassus, Oyl 
of sweet Almonds, all which excel; also Decoction of Cammomile- 
flowers, in white Wine, which Forestus holds for a Secret. 
Riverius sets down this Pouder for After-Pains, ꝶ of Date-Stones 
and Peach-Kernels, of each ʒss. Nutmegs, ℈iv. Diamargariton calid, 
ʒij. Aniseeds, ʒj. Cinnamon, ℈iij. Saffron, ℈ss. take one Dram in 
White Wine and Sugar once or twice a day ; Or the following Pouder  
excels, ꝶ Seeds of Carrots, Cinnamon, of each ʒj. Bay-berries, Date- 
stones, of each ʒss. Amber-griese, gr.iv. reduce all into a Pouder. 
Zz Topicals


362 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Topicals that help against these Torments, or After-pains, are Ano- 
dines, or such as operate by an hidden quality. 
Anodines, or the choicest of them, are, 1. An Emplaister of Tar, 
Grease, and Doves-Dung, to be applied to the Region of the Kidneys. 
2. An Emplaister of Onyons boyled well in Water, wherein, 1. Line, and 
Cummin-seed, and Cammomile-flowers have boiled, then being quash- 
ed together, mix therewith some Oyl and Pouder of Cinnamon, to be ap- 
plied to the Region of the Uterus. 
Anointings also with Carminative and Anodine Oyls, and Foments 
of Hysterick Herbs are helpful, wherewith the Abdomen and whole re- 
gion of the Uterus is to be bathed. 
Also the Skin of a Weather, being yet hot, the Weather having been 
newly killed, makes mild the Pain- 
Suffumigation also, are not a little useful, as of Bay-berries cast upon 
Coals, the fume of which the Woman is to receive by her Privities. 
Things that help by an hidden quality, are these, recorded by Johannes 
Prevotius, Ætites, or the Eagles stone tied close to the Thigh, or the 
Jaser-stone, or Coral so used , and the Loadstone held in the left 
hand. 
If these pains proceed from sharp and Chollerick Humours, they may 
be cured as a bilious Chollick; lenifying Julaps are to be given, and 
Clisters of Mallows, Marish Mallows, Pelletory of the Wall, Linseed 
and Violet Leaves boyled in Milk, or Posset-Drink, adding to ℔j. of 
the strained Liquor, Oyl of sweet Almonds, and fresh Butter, of each 
℥j. Syrup of Violets, ℥jß.
Oyl of sweet Almonds is to be taken inwardly to ℥vj. in urgent 
pain. 
If Blood be clottered in the Uterus, and therefrom pain be effected, 
'tis to be cured as Blood clottered in the Bladder, where is sufficient di- 
rection. 
Sometimes pain is in the Groin, from the Uterus conglobated there ; 
then an Emplaister of Galbanum, and Assafœtida, with some Grains of 
Mosch in the middle, is to be applied to the Navil.  
XIV. The After-Birth, After-Burden, or Secundine, is sometimes 
retained, and sticks still in the Uterus, that ought to come forth with, 
or presently after the Birth. 
The Causes of it are ascribed, 1. To fears, terrours, and passions of 
the Mind, that detract Nature from her work and duty,and molest her in 
her Centre. 
2. Taking


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 363 
2. Taking cold, specially drinking cold Beer or Water, &c. that are 
Causes of hard labour. 
3. Aromatick Drinks, or sweet, spicy, and odoriferous things taken 
and smelt to, are thought to draw the Matrice upwards, and retain it 
there. 
4. Straitness of the mouth of the Uterus, and close closure, so that 
passage of it out is impedited therefrom. 
5. Or if none of these Causes, or others that cause hard labour, be 
present; yet sometime the Secundine is fixed to the Womb, and so ad- 
heres to it that 'tis hardly pulled away. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICIK. 
The Secundine, which is onely else but a membranous Cake, wherein 
the Child is inverted and involved, wherein are many Vessels and Ri- 
volets that the Child draws in Nourishment by, and Air; at time of 
coming forth of the birth, this membranous Skin is broke, from motion 
of the Child downwards, and comes out for the most part either with 
or presently after the Child; but sometimes the Vessels of it are so 
bound to the Cotyledons of the Uterus, that it sticks fast after the birth, 
and comes not forth, but is onely broke with violence of the coming forth 
of the Child ; and pains in travail are thought to be chiefly from break- 
ing of the Vessls of the Chorion, or Secundine, from the Cotyledons of 
the Uterus; and if such pains preceded not, there is fear the Secundine 
is still affixt: If there be more children then one, there is so many Secun- 
dines as there be Children. 
PROG. 
If it be left behind, and be not extracted till it putrifie, or rot, it brings 
many cruel Diseases, and direful Symptomes, communicating noisome 
Exhalations to the Head and Stomach, and principal parts, cauling Fea- 
vers, Convulsions, Head-pains, Apostems, &c. which many times bring 
Death at last. 
If it will not come forth, it will rot in time, and then it may easily 
be taken forth, or will come forth of it self, if it produce not many 
evils in the interim : So dead Children have rotted in the Uterus, and 
all their flesh consumed, and come out by piece-meals, the Bones stay- 
ing still behind in the Womans Uterus, for long time after. 
CURE.
Cure varies according to the Cause : If it stick fast to the Uterus, the 
Matricc being open, then putting in of the Hand, being warmed, the 
Nails paired, and anointed with Grease, and loosening of the Secundine
Z z 2 by


64. Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
by gentle writhing of it this way and that way, lest the Uterus also be 
torn or pulled away, is to be done. 
Secondly, Hipocrates advises to sneezing, some Pouders being put in 
to the Nostrils, and let her hold hex breath, which forces a ruption of the 
vessels from the violent excussion that is made by sneezing. 
If these may not thus be done by reason of too strait affixion of it to 
the Uterus and weakness of the Woman, Suppurates to make it rot 
sooner, are to be used,and then it may easily be brought forth  by the hand 
put in as aforesaid. 
Among Medicines, Internals of greatest vertue and efficacy,are these 
that follow, to expel the Secundine: As, 
1. The Juyce of Vervain, taken to ℥j. or the Decoction of it boyled 
in Wine.
2. Decoction of Alisander so made. 
3. Decoction of Mugwort and Featherfew. 
4. Juyce or Decoction of Sage.
5. This Composition or Pouder, ꝶ of Thyme, Centuary, Penny- 
Royal, of each ʒjss. Roots of Angellica, Masterwort, sweet Chervil, and 
Cicely, of each 3ifs. make a Pouder.
Dr. John Smith saith, It is a wonderful Secret to drink the Juyce of Lo- 
vage in Wine, or Mugwort-Water, to drive out the Secundine.
Forestus speaks of the same, saying, A certain Midwife received it of 
a Jewish Physician, whereof a Cyath is to be taken in Renish Wine. 
Seeds of Lovage, Savin, Borax, Juyce of an Onyon, and Diptamny, 
are commended. 
Gesnerus and Augenius greatly commend the stones of a gelded Horse,
taken often in Pouder, in Broath, to the weight of a Scruple. 
Prevotius praises the same, but adds to them Pouder of Diptamny. 
Rulandus gave ʒss of Oyl of Juniper, with good success. 
Hartman praises the Pouder of Secundines, and Angelus Sala, Mer- 
curius Vitæ. 
Externals are either thick and embodied substances applied, as Mug- 
wort boiled very soft in Water, and applied hot to the Navil and Thighs, 
which Rogerius saith, will also draw the Uterus after it, if not timely re- 
moved after the Birth, and after Birth be come away. 
Or Sage so applied, or Tansy applied to the Privities, is of great force, 
and Lapis Æites, which readily draws forth the Birth and After-Birth, 
and Uterus too, if not timely removed. 
Or thinner,as Foments of Decoction of Bay-Berries, and Leaves, with 
Vinegar of Roses, of Oxe-Dung boiled in Wine.
Or

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 365 
Or Suffumiges, as that Miraldus so praises, of Marigold-flowers; 
which, saith he, doth easily bring forth the Secundine, although the 
Midwife hath lost her hold. 
If other Causes be in fault, as closure of the Uterus, the foregoing 
Foment, and this Suffume, are very available to open it, and then the 
Midwife must gently dilate the passage more, and pluck out the Secun- 
dine that lies on an heap at bottom of the Uterus.
Other Causes must be put away, as Fears and Sorrows: If cold 
be taken, we must heat, and remove all Causes that seem to bring da- 
mage herein.

366
OF 
FEAVERS.  
IN these four Chapters of Fea- 
vers are many things, according 
to the Method and Matter of the 
Antients, as in the rest of the 
Chapters of the Second Part, 
(Written some Years since ) 
which all, or most of the Mo- 
derns in their Practices have hi- 
therto retained, with some Correction and Additi- 
ons, which we have selected as beneficially as we 
could : and the Readers may take these as the most 
general Rule or Method in Nature; but there is great 
variety, we can scarce find two exactly alike in any 
one Distemper; some have the Causes here set down, 
and not those Signs ; and some have those Signs, but 
cannot be cured by that Rule, and those Medicines; 
and some are handled in a far different manner from 
this Description ; and others differ also from them : 
and

Of FEAVERS. 367 
and those that do not differ in Kind, may in Degree;  
Every Quartane must not be just so as Practicks have 
delivered, nor alwayes in that manner, nor is every 
Ague a Tertian, or every Tertian such an one ; but 
sometimes a Quartane turns a Tertian, and sometimes 
a Tertian, a Quartane, or Quotidian. There is in one 
or other, at one time or other, as much variety and 
difference as almost is imaginable ; some have all 
heat, without any sensible cold, and some have all 
cold without succeeding heat ; some have some- 
times two fits in one day, and other times two 
dayes without one fit : in such like respects, and 
as to the Causes, they are writ somewhat defectively, 
but we have from our own Observations (comprised 
into a Practical Method) delivered a clearer and ful-
ler Description of all Agues or intermitting Feavers in 
Latine. 
No Tradition ought to be rejected as it is Tradi-
tion, but as it is not Truth ; or if so, defective or 
superfluous Truth. 


368 Of FEAVERS 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Quotidian Feaver
A Quotidian intermitting Feaver, is an Ague made from putri- 
fied flegm, invading every day ; the Greeks call it Amphi- 
morina the Latines, Quotidiana Febris, because it makes 
a Fit every day. 
CAUSES.
Causes of Quotidian Agues is ascribed to Flegm putrified or rotted in 
the Miseraick Veins, or first Region of the Body. Others allot the 
place of putrifaction in Intermitting Feavers, to be in the Vena Portæ, 
and Bowels nourished therefrom. 
All things that cause encrease of flegm, may be cause hereof, chiefly 
a weak heat of the Stomach and Bowels, cold and moist Aliments, or 
too great plenty of them, together with long sleep, a Sedentary Life, 
Idleness, Winter time, old Age, and Childhood, wherein it chiefly 
happens. 
SIGNS. 
Signs hereof are, 1. and chiefly, its daily invasion, and thence called 
a Quotidian. 
2. Signs of flegm abounding, and a going before of such things that 
engendred Flegm. Signs of a flegmatick or pituitous habit of Bo- 
dy be, a bulky fat Body, a sluggish Disposition, and dull Senses; 
Dreams of Waters, and dull Actions, white and pale colour of Face, 
profound sleeps, weak Memory, &c.  
3. From the time of its invasion, which is chiefly on Nights, which 
is the worse, because that time is designed by Nature for rest and re- 
freshment. 
4. From the manner of the fit, wherein cold is not felt great in the 
first fits, but encreases by degrees, and comes like a cooling without 
shaking, sometimes a light horrour, whenas the matter is more benign, 
only troubles: Heat at first appears not sharp but airy, and augments 
but

Of FEAVERS. 369 
but slowly, nor is it called back with force and violence to the inward
parts, as in a Tertian Feaver ; and sometimes cold, sometimes heat is
perceived, but with holding their hand on them longer, in their heat 
sharpness is also perceived. 
5. From the Urine, which in the beginning is white, thin and crude, 
but in the process more thick and troubled, and often ruddy, when as 
the matter is concocted. 
6. From the Pulse, which in the beginning is inordinate, and ine- 
qual, weak and slow, nor in the augmentation and encrease of the 
Ague is the Pulse changed much, either in celerity or strength. 
7. From Sweats, which in the first fits is scarce reckonable, nor is it 
much afterward. 
8. From Symptoms: Where observe, 1. that Thirst is not intense, 
but very little or none. 2. Difflation and puffing up of the Middriff, 
5. Decoloration of the Face, which is not red, but duskish, and 
puffed up. 4. Their Vomitings, Stools, sleeping and inappetence,ar- 
gue the redundancy of Flegm. 5. They do not cease in a perfect inter- 
mission, for sometimes the fit lasts twelve hours, and sometimes twen- 
ty four hours, and it appears continual. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from variety of the Nature of flegm putrified, for if flegm 
be glazen, or vitreat, or acid, then they have invasions with rigour, and 
the sick is Feaverish and cold both together; because half the offending 
Humour is putrified, whence comes the heat, and the other half is 
not putrified,and thence cold shaking molests,and this is called, Epiala
Febria. 
2. If flegm be salt, it stirs up a kind of hot Feaver with thirst. 
3. If sweet, they are made sleepy. 
4. If acid, hungry. 
5. If unsavory or insipid, without taste, they want appetite. 
6. Thick, and then the Urine is white and thick, but afterwards 
grows redder with a Sediment. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is very seldom, and some deny it to be, saying, That 
Feavers invading every day, are either double Tertians, or treble Quar- 
tanes ; and the reason it is most seldom of intermitting Feavers, is, be- 
cause flegm is scarcely ever inflamed. 
2. It never invades young Men, or such as are hot, dry, and Chol- 
lerick by Nature, but those that are of a moist and flegmatick Temper,  
A a a that

370 Of FEAVERS. 
that use Drinking, Bathing, and Idleness; old Men and Children are 
most taken with Quotidian Agues. 
3. It lasts long, sometimes it is finished in forty dayes, sometimes 
not before three or four months. 1. Because of the thickness and con- 
tumacity of the Morbifick Humour. 2. Because there is a defect of 
heat 
4. It is dangerous, because from the Liver and Stomach being ill- 
affected, therefrom a Dropsie, Cachexy, Lethargy, or the like, may arise;
and by reason of the Stomach offended, there often happens Swoond- 
ing ; it easily obstructs the Spleen and Bowels in old Men and Chil- 
dren. 
5. We may judge of it,according as we see concoction by the Urine, 
according to the strength of Nature maturely acting for its expulsion, 
and according to the quality of the matter ; and other indications shew- 
ing the shortness or length of the Ague. 
CURE. 
Cure is performed, 1. by preparation, which is done, first, by open- 
ingof the first passages, and loosening the Body ; as by Clisters, or a 
Vomit to clear and free the Stomach : Some, for this purpose, advise to 
Radish-Vomites; some highly extol Aqua Benedicta,for extinguishing the 
Ague also ; yet premise strengtheners of the Stomach before evacuating 
and purging of it: Others advise the use of Stomachical Corroboraters 
to be after Purging of it by Vomit, which is most generally liked. 
2. By Concocters of flegm, and a thick matter, that have an attenu- 
ating and cutting force, and fit the matter for expulsion ; preparers of 
flegm are these, which also by a propriety resist the Feaver, and open 
the Conduits ordained by Nature, for the passage of such Excrementiti- 
ous Humours, viz. Squills, or this Oxymel, Simple Oxymel taken to 
℥ij. in quantity for once, or a Compound Oxymel of Smallage, Mother 
of Time, Seseli of Peleponesus, with Aromaticalls, or an Apozem of 
Fumitaty, Bettony , Agrimony, Mirobalans, Calamint, Smallage, 
and Rhue-Seeds. 
3. Purge, the Humour being thus prepared,with Phlegmagogues, A- 
garick ; Antimonial and Tartarial Pil s are most commendable.  
4. If salt pituit be the cause, some open the Liver-Vein of the right 
Arm, else not. 
5. Diureticks, and Sudorifficks, Sassafras, a Decoction of Cammo- 
mile-Flowers, and Wormwood , or a Decoction of China, and Guai-
cum, continued for twenty five dayes, is praised by Zachully Lusi- 
tanus. 
The

Of FEAVERS. 371 
The Salt of Masterwort given in weight of five Grains, or a ʒ. of 
Salt of Wormwood taken in Tobacco-Water, or decoction of Camomile 
in White-Wine before the fit is applauded by Ernestus. 
Lastly, The Stomach and Bowels must be strengthened a Cerot of 
Oyl of Quinces, and Wax, with Aromaticks, or Cataplasms of Mint 
and Wormwood, are to be applyed to the Stomach; Water, Cheese, 
Milk, Fish, Olives, unripe and corruptive Fruits, Custards ; reefed, 
salted, and Meats of ill digestion, and the like, are not to be eaten, 
but Aromatized Meats, and Flesh Rosted; Bisket-Bread, and Wine, 
are most wholesom. 
See more in the Chapter of a Bastard Tertian, or Hemitritæan Ague, 
whose curation little varies from this. 
CHAP. II. 
Of an Hemitrice Feaver, or Semi-tertian. 
AN Hemitritaus is a Compound Feaver,made of a 
an and an intermitting Tertian, having a permixtion of Flegm and 
Choller, and hath its continuity from Flegm,and its horror from the in- 
termitting Tertian, whence they are called Horrid Feavers; for if it was 
made of two Continuals, it would not be partaker of Horror, and if of 
two Intermittents, it would not be continual. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a mixt Portion of Flegm and Choker putrified in the 
Vena Cava, and Meseraick-Veins, which sometimes are equal in quan- 
tity ; sometimes Choker super-abounds, and sometimes the greater 
part is Flegm; yellow Choller putrifies without the Vessels,and thence 
comes the intermission; and Flegm, or a pituitous matter within the 
Vessels, and thence hath its continuity; or an intermitting Quotidian 
may be joyned with a continual Quartane, and both are caked Hemitri- 
tæans ; the Antecedent Cause is attributed to obstruction, whence the 
Humours be prohibited going forth, and being so retained, putrifie. 
2. They arise from inflamation of some Bowel, as of the Liver, Guts, 
Stomach, and Vicine Bowels, whence a Symptomatical Feaver joyn- 
ed with a Continual Tertian, causes a kind of Hemitritæan ; sometimes 
they are inordinate from Pus being made ; sometimes because they are 
partakers of malignity, which are sometimes popular.  
A a a 2 SIGNS.

372 Of FEAVERS.
SIGNS. 
Signs are mean twixt a Tertian and Quotidian; for its invasion is with 
horror, which is greater then that of a Quotidian, and less then that of 
a Quartane ; and its manner of invasion is twofold, for either two fits 
come together in the beginning, and invade the Patients both at once, 
or else come severally, and if Flegm exsuperates, and be the more pre- 
dominant, there is Horrours and Coldness of the Extremities, then 
Choller overcoming, there is heat, and the Feaver seems to come to 
its State ; there is vomiting of Choller, Rigour, Sweat and Thirst, if 
Cholier be more regent and overpouring. 
The fits come also, one on one day, and two on another, because the 
Quotidian causes a fit every day, and the Tertain every other day. 
If there be Malignity present, it is known by its proper Signs, and if 
it arises from inflamation of the Bowels, that may be discerned by 
Signs of those Bowels inflamed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is dangerous; 1. Because it makes an ill Stomach, a 
Lethargy, and Syncope; a Delirium, watching, third, driness of the 
Tongue; it is Cronical, by reason of Flegm, and may be prolonged to 
six or seven Months, and then end in Hecticks, Chollicks, or Fluxes of
the Belly; it hurts the Nervous parts, and is difficultly cured. 
CURE. 
Cure is varied according to the condition of the Feaver: for if it be 
Legitimate, wherein there is an equality of Choller and Flegm putrified, 
then Medicines meet for a Tertian and Quotidian are to be mixt, and 
equally divided. 
Vomits, of the Root of Azarum, which equally purges Choller and 
Flegm, given in Pouder to ʒij, or Mountain-Dwarf, Cherry-of Gesner, 
to six or seven in number taken, and Broath taken after them, so doth 
Juyce of Tobacco taken from ʒj. to ij. 
If Choller be predominant, Medicines more proper for a Tertian, and 
that evacuate Choller, are to be given ; If Flegm, those for a Quotidi-
an are to be used in greater quantity : Agarick is good for Purging ; Al- 
terers also must be accommodated to the nature of the Humours, either 
equally mixt, or either one super-regent. 
If it arises from fault of any Bowel inflamed, that is diligently to be 
considered, and cured before the Feaver that depends thereupon 
may.
If 

Of FEAVERS. 373
If there be malignity mixt therewith, or it is Epidemical, we must 
resist that by Alexiteries, by Aurum Potabile, by Angelica-Roots, 
Masterwort, Sorrel-Seeds , Tormentil-Roots, Camphir, &c. to 
respect all intentions, we must have Medicines have divers quali- 
ties. 
Specificals for this as well as other Agues, both Simple and Compound, 
are Cinkfoil or Five-leaved-Grass ( which given to ℈j. in Pouder for 
thrice before the fits, is an infallible Cure) Featherfew, whose original 
name was Febrifuge, from its vertue in driving: away Agues, taken in 
Pouder, or Decoction before the fits ; Rhue or Herb-de-grace, Cala- 
mint, Oyl of Myrrh, Salt of Tartar, of Masterwort and Wormwood, 
Roots of Masterwort, Onions, Garlick, Laserpice, Natural Balsam, 
Saint-Johns~Wort, Trefoil, or three-leaved-Grass, the greater Saxi- 
frage of Mathiolus, Meadsweet, or Queen of the Meadows, &c. which 
are to be taken either in Decoction, or Pouder, to a sufficient quantity, 
for three or four times before the fits: For better advice herein, see 
the Chapters of a Tertian and Quotidian Ague, of which this is only a 
composition.
CHAP. III.
Of Quartane Agues, and Tertian.
EVery Ague is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague; every 
Ague hath Fits, but every Disease that hath Fits not an Ague. 
Every sickness that hath Periodick Fits, with chilness and heat super- 
vening, may be an Ague, but unless they come every fourth day, not a 
Quartane-Ague, the name of a thing is only a titular Attribute, and 
doth not constitute the Nature; but the Nature the Name; but every 
Disease that may first be proved an Ague, and secondly, to come every 
fourth day, may properly be called a Quartane-Ague ; but the extream 
of one kind, is the beginning of another, and some Quartanes are 
sometimes Tertians, and some Tertians sometimes Quartanes, and then 
perhaps another while Quotidians; neither are all Agues Quotidians, 
Quartanes, Hæmitriteans and Tertians, nor all Distempers that have 
Quotidian, Quartane, Hæmitritean or Tertian day-fits, Agues. 
But the nature of the Disease, as well as its manner of proceeding, 
must goe to the making of a thing ; for some are Aguish to day, and 
ortherwise dittempered to morrow; and some are otherwise distemper- 
ed to day, and Aguish to morrow; and we must distinguish betwixt 
Essential


374 Of FEAVERS
Essential Sickness, and Accidental Symptoms: Neither are all Ter- 
tians hot Agues, not all Quartanes or Quotidians cold ; but some parti- 
cipate of the nature of both, and some of neither : and some of one, 
at one time, and of another at another: nor is Nature tied up to one 
Rule or Method, for some Agues are Symptomatical to other Distem- 
pers, and other Distempers are often Symptomatical to Agues; some- 
times Agues cause Labefactation of the Inward Bowels, and some- 
times Labefactation of the Inward Bowels brings Agues ; and some- 
times they mutually depend upon each other; and sometimes Agues are
without Labefactation of the Inward Bowels , and Labefactation of 
the Inward Bowels without Agues; the quality corrupting is more 
significant here, then the quantity corrupted. 
Sometimes outward Causes bring Agues without inward, and some- 
times Inward Causes produce Agues without the progress of Outward, 
Obvious, and Procatarctick Causes ; but commonly Agues are made 
by some outward Cause, operating upon the inward, and where in any 
Bowel, there is a previous consimiler Disposition, a slight outward 
Cause doth more, then in a firm constitution of the Inward Bowels 
great outward Causes may do ; unless the Patient is fit to receive the 
operation of the Agent, and the Agent in all things able and apposite 
to operate upon the Patient, little or nothing is done: Some catch 
Agues, specially Quartanes, at fall of the Leaf, commonly by leaving off 
Garments, standing in Water, or eating Apples, or cold Drink and 
Water, or otherwise by taking cold; and some do all these, and 
they do cause in them another Distemper different from these, and per- 
haps from each other; and others wade in cold Water, drink cold Wa- 
ter, eat Apples, go naked Breasted , Wet-shod, &c. and feel no 
harm at all; and some are so by Nature, more or less, and some by 
custom, and some by both ; and he that will know Truth, all the Truth, 
and no other or more then the Truth, must come to Critical Distincti- 
ons, for we shall rarely find two alike ; yet commonly they that have A- 
gues alike every fourth day (which the Vulgar call Third-day-Agues, not 
reckoning the two Fit-dayes, but one) have commonly Symptoms more 
alike one another, then like those that have Agues every other or, each 
day : And as these things we have written differ one from another, so 
some other things we have not written may differ from these. 
And there be many things to be considered: the course of the Stars at 
each mans first sickning, and the alteration of them ; and that Planet 
that was upon the Ascendent at a Nativity, hath great signification and 
the Moon which causes great alteration, greatly alters in Place and 
Aspect. Also the natural constitution of our Bodies, Clymates, and
Soil,

Of FEAVERS. 375
Soil, Age, Dyet, season of the Year, Gender, and other accidents 
are various to divers persons, and so the Diseases vary ; but we can 
hardly foresee what a Disease will be by any of these, except by Astro- 
logy, and that is sometime uncertain. 
Nor for the Cure of Agues is one Method or Medicine alike suc- 
cessful, or at all successful to all kinds, or to all of one kind; but that that 
cures this Quartane, may not cure the other Quartane. But quoad in- 
termissionem, all having affinity, may be cured by one ; but Quotidians 
for the most part are more stubborn then Tertians, and Quartanes then 
either ; yet some Quartanes are less contumacious then some Quotidi- 
ans, and some Quotidians shorter then some Tertians; yet commonly 
such a Medicine as Camphir hung about the Neck, or Jesuits Bark, or 
Quinque Fole took inwardly, will cure more Quotidians or Tertians then 
Quartanes, yet not quoad Tertians or Quotidians ; but as they are from 
a thinner Humour, lying more overly, and less pertinaciously seated 
in the Bowels ; neither are all Tertians cureable, nor all Quartanes in- 
cureable, some die of either, but most of neither ; sometime a Medi- 
cine that cures a Tertian, will not cure in another Tertian, and yet cures 
a Quartane ; Vomiting is more proper in Tertians; yet if the Stomach 
be offended, more in Quartanes ; it may be better there, then in Ter- 
tians where that is not; sometimes they are easieliest at the first Fits, 
sometimes at the last, when the Fits are small and gentle, and the 
Seeds of the infected matter are almost dead. 
Bleeding is not good for an Ague, quatenus an Ague, but in every 
Disease where the Body is hot, the Arteries beat, Colour is great, and 
Dyet hath been generous, Nihil non obstante, it is good ; so is purging, 
if there be fit indications for it in any Disease, and if not, it is not 
good in any, which includes Agues, as every greater doth its less ; 
Sweating opens the pores of the Skin, and melts by the heat that causeth 
it, thick Humours, and expells them by the Habit and Circumference 
of the Body; therefore good in Agues, especially when Nature spon- 
taniously offers it, for we are Natures Servants to observe her Dictates, 
and as every like applies to its like, and shuns its enemy, so she en- 
deavours to retain what is friendly and homogenious to her, and to ex- 
pel what is adverse and heterogenious, unless in striving to expel one, 
through weakness of the part, or a depraved habit, the other follows. 
The best Sweaters ate Holy Thistle, Antimonium Diaphoreticum, Salt 
of Carduus, of Wormwood, Spirit of Sait, Treacle-Water, Tincture 
of Saffron, Featherfew, &c. But some are general, as Sweaters, and 
special, as Sweaters for Agues.
CHAP. 

376 Of FEAVERS.
CHAP. IV. 
Of Hectical Feavrs, and others, 
Where-ever there is a Feaver equal, not violent, seated in the 
habit of the Body, I suppose it proper to be called an Hectick.
The question in most Diseases is chiefly what one or two or three Sym- 
ptoms do of necessity concur to make it properly so called, without 
which it is improper so to call it; for some have lingring Feavers with 
some sensible fits, and some have violent Feavers without them ; some 
are almost constantly distempered with heat like Feavers, and yet have 
now and than cold fits, like Agues ; some that have Feaverish Distem- 
pers, have no other concomitant Symptoms of an Hectick; and some 
have the wasting and dryness ascribed to Hecticks, and yet no sensible 
Feaver, and if not sensible, not to be called so ; and some have a thirst 
without dryness, and dryness without thirst ; and some seem dry in one 
part or particular, and moist in another part or particular; so that Nature 
varies some what in all, and much in most: and almost all Sickness hath 
some changes, but scarce any all; neither is wasting of the Lungs al- 
ways attended with a wasting of the Flesh ; or if it be, it is not always 
in the same measure and manner; nor is the wasting of the Lungs alone 
the cause of the wasting of the Flesh, but the wasting of other Bowels 
also may waste the Flesh; but it is sometimes hard to say whether a part 
wasted causeth wasting of the Body; or that that caused wasting of the 
Body, caused also the wasting of that part or parts : Nor are all Hecticks 
(if it is proper to call any so) mild at first, and hotter in process of time, 
but some naturally grow cooler, that used to be hot; and some naturally 
grow hot, some by fits, and some more constantly, some less, and some 
more, that used to be always cool: There is scarce any thing, a staid- 
judgmented-man and well read, can imagine, but he may find or read 
of in some : There is nothing may happen to all, but every thing hap- 
pens to some ; every thing was ordained to keep its order, as well to 
the frequency, as violence of its actions ; but from the one extreme of a 
thing to the other, is much variety; and complicated Causes produce 
complicated Effects: All things were contrived methodically of GOD, 
but fall out in an accidental and various manner, as to our Knowledge, 
and meerly contingent, as to our Foreknowledge. 
Some Hecticks are incurable, and some be curable ; and amongst those 
one is cured the first month, another the second, and so onward ; one 
the 

Of FEAVERS. 377 
the first year, another in the second, another in the third, and so may 
the variety of Nature in other things be guessed ; one is cured by Na- 
ture, another by Medicine ; one by a Method of Physick, another with 
one or two Specificals; and of these, one with Snails, another with 
Frogs boiled in Milk or Broath ; One with Gellies, another with Emul- 
sions, and some with Syrup of Walnuts, and some with Asses; and some 
use all these things, and are not cured ; and some none, and yet are ; yet 
GOD commonly appoints the Effects, by ordering the Cause ; But in 
many Medicines we give, we are not sure which doth it, or whether 
Nature might not have done the like , or whether this and the other cu- 
red alike, had their Disease caused alike in the inward parts. 
And in this manner doth Nature proceed in other Sicknesses; and as 
these vary from one another, so probably may others vary from these; but 
we endeavoured to write all such things as experience, and men may 
prove them by what they shall see clearly and plainly in their Practices. 
What we writ from Authors, may be justified by their Authority amongst 
Physicians. 
Multi multa sciunt, sed nulli omnia. 
B b b OF 

378
OF 
Diseases and Affects  
OF THE 
HAIR:
And of OUTWARD ERUPTIONS.  
These Chapters of outward Ails 
and Affects being writ in the 
year 1658, and 1659, We have 
experienced and read many Ex- 
periences since, of the variety of 
these Affects, and many things 
differing from these; yet We 
thought good to put these to 
publick View, being drawn from the best of the Mo- 
derns, as Sennertus, Platerus, Johnstonus, Rondeletius, 
Paræus &c. and writ from oculate Experience in one 
or other, by one or other. 
Divers Chapters are omitted, that are in many Pra- 
ctical Authors ; and most of those the Moderns fol-
lowed

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 379
lowed the Ancients too superstitiously in, and were 
mere deceived than in these we wrote of. 
It is supposed few will buy this Book, that have 
not other Practick Books by them, wherein are the 
Chapters that may be here omitted : And many of 
those Books are wanting as to these Diseases and Af- 
fects We have writ of, so that they may be commo- 
diously compared and joyned. 
It is supposed that most will read the first part of 
this Book first, so that these Diseases may be read 
with the better understanding : What we found defe- 
ctive in one. We supplied out of another; and where 
We found any thing superfluous, We omitted it. 
We strove to digest all into a clear Method, with 
Heads and Distinctions; and wrote (besides the best 
Medicines extant in Authors) divers of our own using 
and experiencing. 
It must not be supposed We can write by one how 
all must be, there is such variety; therefore if these 
be never so truly writ, yet the Practitioner must look 
to find many outward Ails differing from these, and 
from each other. 
We are now in a little differing Opinion (in some
of these) concerning the Causes, as to what we was 
when they were first writ ; But the first part of this 
Book will give the Reader insight thereinto : having 
since studied more Philosophy and Astrology.
B b b 2 CHAP.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Defluvium Capillorum, or a general falling off 
of Hairs. 
DEFINITION. 
A Defluvium Pilorum, or Capillorum, is a sheding of Hair, from 
Head, Beard, and all parts of the Body, without danger; 
some here and there remaining very thin and sprinklingly, 
from an Hectical state of the Cutis Capillata, or Skin of the 
Head. 
CAUSE. 
Cause, 1. is want of nourishment, as in Tabids or Consumptions. 2. Lax- 
ity of the Skin from Humours, or the Serosity of a Pituitous and Chol- 
lerick Matter, or an hot and moist Distemper; or Bathes, Sweats and 
Unguents may make the Skin loose ; sometimes scalding makes Hair 
fall off. 
SIGN. 
The Skin is thin from a Consumptive State, or loose from insinuating 
of Humours there, and then though the Hair falls off, yet 'tis not ex- 
tenuated, but from defect of Aliment it is extenuated; there went be- 
fore Causes of Emptiness and Tabes, and often it attends Malignant 
Feavers. 
DIFFERENCE. 
It differs from Alopecia and Ophiasis, from a larger signification. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
In Consumptions ’tis hardly cured, but is an evil Sign, specially 
with a Diarrhæa. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be Analeptick, and Restorative, to make good Humours. 
CURE. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE.
1. In Consumptive or Tabid states, we may neither Purge nor 
Bleed. 
2. Topicks must heat and bind very moderately, that Nutriment 
by them maybe brought to the part; too great heat may resolve too 
much, and too great Astriction repel Nourishment : a Laviment of 
Strengtheners for the Head, of Capillary Herbs, is first to be used ; for 
Fomentation, after the Head is shaved and rubbed, thickners of the 
Skin, if it be made very thin, as Oyl of the Mastick Tree, of Mirtles, 
of Burdock-Seed, are good. 2. From Laxity of the Skin, or pravity 
of ill Humours that are inimical to the Roots of the Hair; 1. Purging 
and Bleeding are allowed. 2. Some gentle Discutients. 
Medicines that generally help, may be divided into such as, 1. Hin- 
der the falling off of Hair, as Juyce of Milsoil, or a Lee of Wall-Rhue. 
2. Others restore it, and make it grow again, as an Emplaister of Line- 
seed and its Oyl, with Flower boild to a consistence to spread upon Lea- 
ther all over the Head, for three dayes or more, with renewing ; Labda- 
num boild to an Oynment in Oyl, Sheeps Suet, and Honey-Water: 
Many more are set down in the Chapter of Alopecia, which may be re- 
ferred-hither. 
If the falling off of Hair be from a Scald, Oyl of Tartar, per Deliqui- 
um, to wash the place, used warm for seven or eight or more dayes, is 
commended.  
CHAP. II. 
Psilothra, or Medicines taking away superflous Hair.
Psilothra, or a taking away of Hairs where they grow indecently and 
out of due order and place, is done by Medicines, having a force 
Septick, Caustick, or by Propriety. 
1. By a force Septick or Caustick ; the Juyce of Tithimale, anointed, 
makes the Hair to fall off; a little bag of quick Lime, two parts Or- 
pement, one part first pondered, then tied up in a little Rag, boild 
in Water, and the part rubbed therewith (the Hairs being first cut off) 
doth the like ; Bay-salt in fine Pouder, reduced into an Emplaister, with 
Gum of old Ivy Trunks and fading Spittle, doth take away Hairs by a 
Caustick force, though more weak then the former ; Aqua Fortis, by 
its Caustick force, if it may be suffered alone, is the strongest. 
2. By 

382 Of Diseases and Assects of the Hair. 
2. By Propriety, the Ashes of Horse-Leeches mixt with Vinegar; 
and the part rubbed therewith, where we would not have Hair to grow, 
causes both a falling off of the Hair, and also hinders the growing of it 
again ; so the Blood of a Bat so takes it away by the Roots, or poisons 
the place that it will never more bear Hair; but whether clear from a 
Caustick force or no may be questioned ; and it may be thought to do it 
by a bad quality in it; as also the Allies of Horse-Leeches, an Oynt- 
ment of Pigeons Dung, Gum Hederæ, or Gum of the Ivy Tree, and 
Oyl, doth it most innocently by a Propriety ; if weaker will not avail, 
which are first to be tryed, we must proceed to stronger; and if through 
using these hot inflaming sharp Medicines, inflamation be raised, we 
must cool with convenient Oyntments of Lead, Ceruss, Camphir, 
and with Opium, &c, as need shall require. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Baldness. 
BAldnefs is a defect of Hair from old age, or a privation of it from 
want of good Humours, or an Hectick dry state, or fuliginous 
Excrements, chiefly happening in the forepart of the Head, the Skin 
there flicking to the bare Bone. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is in old men, and others too, from defect of Aliment, a dry 
Distemper of the Brain, and hairy faculty of the Skin ; therefore what- 
ever things do dry, may effect it, as Watchings, Cares, Venery, &c. 
Hence Eunuches, because they are more moist, never are bald, nor 
are Women commonly so bald as Men, because not of so dry a Tempe- 
rature. 
2. An hard consistence of the flesh. And 3. Fuliginous Excrements 
do seldomer cause it. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
’Tis best discovered by the sight, and the Causes too, and by the 
pregress of drying Causes.
PROGNOSTICK. 
'Tis hard to cure it, yet there is hopes to stay its spreading greater.
CURE.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE. 
Cure, Is first by a good Dyet, wherein we must avoid all salt sharp 
binding things ; exercising of Venery is very bad, and also Wine. 
2. Respecting the Cause, correct bad Aliment. 3. Medicines moist- 
ning are to be used for driness. 4. Attracters of the good Humours 
mixt with Astringents to fortifie the Skin, both bringing a good Nu- 
tritive Humour, and making good the faculty of the Skin, producing 
Hair. 
An Unguent of Labdanum, Oyl of Mastick, and Pulpe of Fenugreek- 
Seeds may serve to these intentions ; cutting of the Hair often is very 
good, for so being shorter, it requires the less moisture, and grows 
thicker. 
Medicines by a Propriety avail against Baldness, and bring again 
Hairs where they are wanting ; as Froath of the Sea is said, by washing 
of a bald Head decently and comelily, to deck it with Hairs ; the Off- 
scouring of a Whetstone mixed with Oyi, is good; the Juyce of Onions, 
anointed for many times together (in the Sun, say some) upon the bald 
place, is very effectual to bring the Hair again; the Roots of Jacinths 
are said to procure Hair in Beardless Men; as also that the Ashes of 
Southernwood, mixt with Oyl of Radish or Organy, will quickly cause
the Beard to grow. 
See for more Remedies that may be very available here, in the Chap- 
ter of Alopecia. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Ophiasis. 
Ophiasis is a falling off of the Hair Obliquely, retaining a certain 
Figure, and therefore called so from Ophis a Serpent, which 
it imitates in creeping, proceeding from the hinder part of the Head 
in the latitude of not above two Fingers, creeping in two Heads to each 
Ear, sometimes even to the Forehead, and there the two divided 
Heads sometimes do meet, the Hair still growing betwixt them, and on 
either side of them. Moreover Ophiasis possesses altogether the Head, 
is more familiar to Children, and disposed to the. Leprosie; Ophiasis 
also often ceases spontaneously of its own accord, all which happen 
not so in Alopecia, though the Causes differ not; and they are both to 
be

384 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
be cured after one way and Method, and by the same Medicines ; and 
therefore refer you to the Chapter of Alopecia.
CHAP. V. 
Of Platting of the Hair, of Cleaving of the Hair, of 
Worms in the Hair.
1. Of Platting the Hair. 
Plica, is a folding or complication of the Hair into Tufts or Locks, 
risen from a matter unprofitable to nourish the Hairs, troubling 
Men and Horses, and bringing along with it many Symptoms. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is guessed to be an Alimentary Juyce carried to the Roots of 
the Hair, offending both in quantity and quality, to which being com- 
municated, an infection from a peculiar Vice in the place, Air, and 
Waters, and comes hereditarily. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Hair Tusts, pains infest the Joints and Bones; there be con- 
vulsive wreathings, plenty of Lice, and the Toe Nails are black and 
rough, like Goats Horns. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
If the Platting be cut off, the poisonous quality which was before di- 
sperst in the Hairs creeps in again, and the forces are more opprest ; if 
there be no pain, ’tis more hopeful, because then we may guess absence 
of the Humour, and that it is spent in the Hair; yet we have little 
hope, unless by foreseeing the Cause, the cutting off of the Tufts that 
soak up the Sweating Humour sometime bring dangerous effects. 
CURE.
Evacuation by Bleeding and Catharticks, are useless, and are likely 
to irritate more the Humour, the Cure is hidden; some use Decoction 
of Barefoot; some have been cured by Bathing, which caused a certain 
roughness, after which the Hairs were cut off, and they were clearly 
delivered. 
2. Of 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 385
2. Of Cleaving of the Hairs. 
This is much like the former, the ends of the Hairs cleaving toge- 
ther occasioned from some adust Humours, and is curable, a good and 
regular Dyet being kept; that Humour being purged by Black Helebore, 
Senna, Epithimum, Lapis Lazuli, &c. that Purge ; Airabilis, and 
the Head bathed with Decoctions of Emolient things. 
3. Of Worms in the Hair.
Tinea is a Disease, wherein the ends of the Hairs are eaten by 
Worms, and fall off in peice-meals, and so greatly shortned. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is in the nourishment of the Hair, which by heat is turned 
into Worms. 
SIGN. 
1. We may discern (though hardly from their smallness) lit- 
tle Worms sticking in the end of them, which are described by 
few. 
2. The Hairs are made shorter, and break away by bits. 
3. The Hair is infected with an Ashey Colour.
CURE. 
Universals premised, they are killed by Decoction of the greater 
Nettle Seed in Vinegar; Also by Decoction or Juyce of Scabious, the 
lesser Centuary, or Southernwood, to which a Portion of Vinegar may 
be put, and the Hair therewith be washed and fomented. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Alopecia.  
DEFINITION 
ALopeci is a general falling off of the Hair from all parts, differing 
from Ophiasis in figure, and a Defluvium by quantity, made from 
a prave and corrupted Humour, eroding the roots of the Hair. 
Ccc SUBJECT.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the Head, Beard, and Eyebrows, and all other hairy parts 
of the Body. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is a Vice of the Humour, salt, pituitous, adust and putrified; 
produced from a more hot Liver, and ill habit of the Brain, and eroding 
the roots of the Hair; eating of bad Nourishment, as Mushrooms, &c. 
also may produce it. 
Also sharpness of an humour, and driness of the pores, loosness of 
their roots from the outward skin being made dead, and the hairy facul- 
ty fails, because of bad nourishment, and the roots being eaten up. 
SIGNS. 
It keeps one certain figure. 2. The Hair generally falls off. 5. The 
skin pricked, the Blood will be watery. 4. Sometimes it waxes not red 
by rubbing. 5. The Hairs from the Beard, Eye-brows, Arm-holes, &c. do 
fall off, as well as from the Head. 6. It possesses any Age. 
DIFFERENCES.
Differences as to it self, are taken from the Humours, which are 
shewn by the colour of the skin of the Head: As, 
1. Whiteness of it shews the occupying and redundancy of a flegma- 
tick Humour. 
2. Pale yellow colour of it shews Choler. 
3. Black shews Melancholy. 
4. Scurf and Irch shews the saltness of flegm. 
5. Dyet generating such Humours also went before. 
Differences of the falling off of Hair are divers ; it differs from 
Ophiasis in figure, not in Cause. See the Chapter of Ophiasis. 
2. From a failing off of the Hair; for there the Hair falls off not so 
generally, and chiefly from the Head alone, from penury of Ali- 
ment. 
3. It differs from badness, for that happens chiefly to old Men, 
from want of nourishment, also from driness, and loosness of the Hai- 
ry Skin, and a deficiency in the retentive faculty of it. 
4. It differs from that falling off of Hairs that is made in Leprosies, 
for there, besides general notes of the Leprosie, be Wheals and crusty 
Scabs and Scurf both in the Head and Chin. 
5. From the French POX, for then the Hair soonest falls from the 
Evebrows and Beard : many Symptoms to shew the French POX, are 
present. PROG-


Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 387 
PROGNOSTICKS
In general, ’tis hard to cure, but worst, if, 1. It happens to old 
Age. 2. If the Skin be fat, thick, and smooth,and wholly peeled. 3. If 
by rubbing, it wax not red, and by pricking, sends forth Water. 4. If 
it follow Elephantiasis or the French POX. 
2, ’Tis better, and there is more hopes of Cure, if it be made, 1. In 
young and flourishing Ages. 2. If it fell off suddenly from the afore- 
going of some acute Diseases, and be fresh 3. If it be made from 
Whoredom onely, not Venerous nor Leprous. 4. If the place by 
chasing or fomenting suddenly wax red. 5. If the bordering extremities 
of the Head begin to fend forth Hair again, some still remaining.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect Cachochymy, or a common corruption of Hu-
mours generally ; here we must use various Purgers, and strong, as the 
variety of the Humours most abounding require ; praises Pills of 
Collocinthis and Scammony. 
2. Letting Blood also, specially in Phlethory, and redundancy of 
a Serous Blood; some after opening the Cephallick Vein in the Arm, 
advise a Vein of the Forehead to be opened, and the Skin of the Head, 
after rubbing, to be prickt in various places, and Leeches to be set to 
suck out the vitious Blood. 
3. Also for Evacuation sake, Apophlegmatisms, Masticatories and Er- 
rhines are useful. 
1. Topicks; Here, 1. we must repel the Humour while 'tis in flux- 
ion. 2. Digest it, being impact in the Skin, for which we must use 
Medicines of thin parts and hot, but not too dry ; also we must dili- 
gently beware, least by the use of too hot things, the Skin be burnt and 
dryed, and nourishment will be discussed and consumed; more moist 
and liquid Medicines are to be used at first, and continued, while we 
perceive they have made some alteration in the Skin, as Bathes, Oyls, 
Oyntments, &c. that open the Pores, melt and let out thick and 
viscous Humours, and add nourishment to the Skin and Hairy faculty; 
these by way of precept.  
Medicines are such as, 1. Prevent its falling off, as Ashes of the 
Roots of Reeds, or Sugar-Cane with Vinegar; an Unguent of Labda- 
num, and Bears Grease, Juyce of Mallows, and the Ashes of the Kernels 
of Wallnuts mixt with Red Wine, Juyces of Quinces, Pelletory and 
Carduus. 
2. Restore it again being fallen off; among such, most excellent is, 
Ccc 2 1. the 

388 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
i. The Juyce of an Onion. 2. The Ashes of Asphodel, with Ducks 
Create, commended by Galen, 3. Honey-Water. 4. An Oyntment 
of Oyl of Tartar, Honey and Ox-Suet. 5. Mice Dung, with the 
Ashes of Wasps and Hazel-Nuts burnt, and Vinegar of Roses brought 
to an Oyntment. 6. Oyl of Frogs, and of the Yolks of Eggs ; with 
the Brain of an Hair made also into an Oyntment. 7. Many good Me- 
dicines, but of less note are made of Maiden-Hair, Southern-wood, 
Male-Asphodel, Oyl of the Kidney, Bean of Malacca, of the Kernels 
of Peaches and Wallnuts, and of bitter Almonds, Froath of the Sea, 
Water-Cresses ; also an Oyntment of the Froath of the Roots of the 
Elm Tree boild in Wine, and Oyl of Frogs, with Pouder of Bees, to 
bring Hair again-suddenly, is commended. 
Among Authors these are extolled. 
Monavius extols Labdanum. 
Johnstonus commends an Oyntment made of the Allies of Bears Hairs, 
and Oyl of the Mastick Tree.
Dioscorides, Oyl of Euphorbium. 
Forestus found a Liniment of Bees-Ashes, and Oyl of Mirtles Em- 
plaisters of Bees, of Flies beaten with Turpentine, the Liquor of Snails, 
the place first sharply rubbed, the Fat of Green Frogs, Goats-Dung, 
and Mice burnt to Ashes, and Walnut-shels burnt with Honey, to be 
very effectual. 
Johannes Baptista commends the Ashes of Bees, and Mice-dung, mixt 
with Oyl of Roses, to an Oyntment. 
Nostredamus praises an Oyntment of the Ashes of Bees, Swans blood 
and Honey. 
Lebotius, The Excrements of a red Haired Man, distilled into a Wa- 
ter, to wash the part. 
Others commends, the Fat of Frogs used for Unction, after the use of 
a Lee of the Ashes of Frogs, first to the part, wherewith Hairs are pro- 
duced every where, even in those that are Lepers ; and the Ashes of 
Nigella-Seeds, Goldsmiths Water, wherewith they that have been 
made bald from Quicksilver, have been recovered.  
Bees, Wasps, Flies, Frogs, Mice and Snails, their Fat, Ashes, or 
Excrements, are most commended by the later Physicians. 
And left, when the Hair comes again, it should turn white, Nostre-
damus advises often to wash the  place with the Milk of a Bitch. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 389 
CHAP. VII.
Of Medicines hindering the growth of superfluous Hair.
THis succeeds to Psilothra or Medicines that take away superfluous 
Hair; and sometime these Medicines that hinder the coming forth 
of Hair too thick, or in inconvenient places, may be used before Psilothra, 
the Hair not yet being grown; for if it be grown, then Medicines taking 
it away, or Psilothra, are to be used, and after those, these that hinder 
the regeneration of the Hair again, after ’tis taken away ; to both these 
intentions (if the Hair be already sprung up) as we said of Psilothra Me- 
dicines, the Blood of a Bat, and the Ashes of Horsleeches mixt with Vi- 
negar, do both take away the Hairs by the roots, so as they will never 
grow more in that part: those do it rather by a sceptick quality, or poi- 
sonous inimical force. 
But Medicines that onely hinder the regeneration of superfluous Hairs, 
do it by a cold and dry force, because they thicken the skin, and repel 
Nourishment, as is an Oyntment of Ceruse and Henbane: Or this, re- 
cited by Primrose, ℞ of the Blood of Frogs, Sumach, Terra Sigillata 
pouder them all, and being equalized in weight, mix them with Vinegar 
and Juyce of Henbane. 
Dioscorides saith, If they that have the Hair of their Eye-lids come off, 
do bathe them with Juyce of Fumitary, and Gum Tragacanth, they will never 
grow again.
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Curling colouring the away gray Hair, &c.  
1. Of Curling the Hair. 
The Hair is made to curl, if it be wet in Sallet Oyl, and rubbed 
with Harts-horn, or they both may be mixed into form of a Lini- 
ment, and so used together; also to wash the Hair in a Decoction of the 
2. To 
Root of Dwarf-Elder, is said to make it to curl. 

390 Of Disease and Affects of the Hair.
2. To make the Hair yellow. 
Medicines that have a dying faculty, and of a yellow colour, do this ;
a washing of the Head with Decoction of Rhubarb, of the Root of Box 
and Chelidone, with Saffron, is effecual ; washed with a Lixive, or Lee 
of the ashes of the Wood of the Barbery Tree, is very effecual to turn 
the Hair yellow. A Lee of the ashes of old Colworts, with shavings of 
the Box-Tree, Liquorish, and Saffron, the Decoction of Broom-flowers 
also, and of the yellow flowers of Mullein, do the same; as also Citron 
Peels, Water and Oyl of Honey, Decoction of Alkanet-Roots, and 
the like. 
These and such-like Medicines are chiefly required whenas the Hair 
grows gray, or whenas its colour is meet to be changed into ano- 
ther. 
3. Gray Hairs, or Gray-Headed.
Canities is a changing of the Hair to white, which oftenest happens 
through old Age, but sometimes is greatly furthered by Griefs, Sor- 
row, sollicitude of Minde, and Cares, which be the efficient Causes of 
it. 
The material Cause is, a pituitous Humour coupling with a fuliginous 
matter, not much adust. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK are discerned best by seeing. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
The Cause may be taken away, or hindered, though the Affects may 
not ; many that have had their Hair changed in colour after their falling 
into some Disease, being recovered of that Disease, and their Body re- 
stored to health, their Hair afterward also hath come to its natural colour 
again. 
CURE. 
After respect had to the Cause, we must strive to make the Hair 
change from its gray colour ; that is done chiefly by Paints, by Astrin- 
gents, Alkanet-Roots, Allom, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, &c. boild for a Loti- 
on of the Head and Beard, an Oyntment of Ol de Been, Galls, burnt Iron, 
Indian Myrobalans, Litharge, Dwarf-Eldern, &c. to anoint the Hair 
with Oleum Costinam, hinders its turning gray, a Comb of Lead for the 
Head and the Beard, doth obscure the grains of the Hair ; to these may
be 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 391 
be added Medicines that are taken inwardly to restore and conserve
Youth, and keep off the gray Head; such is the Pouder of Eldern-flow- 
ers taken in Borrage-Water every Morning ; three drops of Oyl of Salt 
taken every morning in any convenient Liquor; Senna also is commen- 
ded by Mesue, for keeping back gray Age. 
4. To make the Hair Black. 
The Hairs are made black by Decoctions of astringent things, by 
Phlegmagogues, or Purgers of Flegm; Topicals are the Juyce of Dane- 
wort, or Dwarf-Elder for Lotion ; Myrobalans inwardly and outwardly, 
Cadmia, Labdanum, Lead, Cloves, Bean-stalks, green shells of Walnuts, 
a Lead Comb, &c. set down by Authors: these are to be used chiefly, 
whenas we are forced in gray Heads to give some other Tincture to 
the Hair, to take away the gray colour ; and as other things are coloured 
by things that have a dying force, so also may the Hairs be painted with 
them, as the Party affected best approves of. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Scurfiness in Hair 
Tis called Pitoriasis by the Greeks, Porrigo chiefly, Furfur and 
Furfuratio by the Latins; and is an Ulcerous disposition of the 
topmost Cuticle, not deep, not moist, but scaley, dry, loose, and 
Brun-like, which Scurfey matter by any light Scratching or Combing 
falls off, though from its cause, yet resident, it grows again.
CAUSE. 
Cause is an hot and dry Distemper of the Skin, which converts a  
sharp and thin Humour that insinuates it self, and breaths through it in- 
to scurf
A second Opinion is, That the Cause is in Ichorus Juyce, which e- 
roding the thin Skin, and drying, doth stir up certain Scales and 
Scurf. 
A third Opinion is, That they are Humours, either Serous, Chollick 
or Flegmatick, carried with the nourishment of the Hairs thither, and 
the thinner Parts being discust, the thicker remain about the Roots of 
the Hair, and turn to a scurfey matter, being attracted by a more hot  
Brain.
A 


392 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
A fourth Opinion is, That they are made, 1. From thickness and 
astriction of the Parts. 2. From an Humour adust, and therefore get- 
ten a drying and eroding quality, and therefore cleaves and dries the 
Cuticle or outward Skin, effecting an Ulcerous temper of it, and solu- 
tion of continuity; for from an Humour must needs be moisture ; from 
Erosion, Ulcers ; and from Drying, Scurfs ; but these Humours are 
made from bad Nourishment aforegoing. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly the Head and Beard, and parts 
where Hairs grow, as Eyebrows, &c.
SIGNS.
Signs are the going before of an evil Dyet, engendering a corrupt and 
unwholsome Joyce ; the Scurfs are best discovered by fight, they fall off 
by Scratching or Combing; the Skin is uneven, rough, with a white 
colour. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from that Scaley and Scurfey affect that happens to those
that have the French POX, sticking in the Palms of the Hands, and 
Soles of the Feet, nor doth it easily fall off, unless by great tearing and 
pulling it off by the Nails, and is greater (and like a continued Scale) 
then those Scurfs that be in other hairy parts of the Body. 
DYET. 
Here we must beware of Toad-stools, Fungous things, Bulbs, and 
windy Meats, filling the Head, and causing Crudity. 
CURE. 
After Evacuation and rectifying of the Blood by Internals, we must
use abstersive and discussive Topicals; which either may be, 1. To 
wall), as a Lee of Vine Branches, Draconts, Briony, Wild Cucumers, 
Fumitary, Lupines, Aron, sharp-pointed Dock, &c. or a Lotion of 
Soap, or Baths of salt Water, or an Oyntment of Oyl of bitter Al- 
monds, and of the Kernels of Rank Nuts, with Sulphur and Vitriol. 
2. Or for Friction, as with Niter Salt, Allies of a Lee ; the Hands 
being anointed with Oyl of Bitter Almonds, for so the serous Hu- 
mours are drawn forth and confirmed ; Cataplasms also of Soot, Ink, 
Oyl, Sulphur, Allom, Mallows, and Cicers, with Vinegar. 
Among others, these following are of greatest efficacy and most help- 
ful ; ℞ of the Juyce of Tithimale or Spurge, ℥viij. Juyce of Garlick,
℥vj.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 393 
℥vj Water found in the hollow places of old Beech Trees, one pound, 
mix them, and boil therein of the Ashes of Common Reed, or Sugar- 
Cane, of the Ashes of the Bark of the Ash, of the Ashes also of Fig- 
tree-Leaves, of each, as much as maybe convenient ; after a little 
boiling, strain them for a Lotion of the parts diseased. 
Or an effectual Water may be made of the Roots of Aron, Dra- 
conts, Wall-rue, Scabious, VVillow-Leaves and Fig-Tree, well di- 
gested in Vinegar and distilled. 
Unguents also of slippery things, as of extract of Fenugreek-Seeds 
in Juyce of Mallows, with Bears Grease, and Oyl of Nigella Seeds, 
excel; though they be of another quality to corroding and sharp Medi- 
cines, yet they deterge kindly, and loosen the Scurf, and render the 
Skin smooth and whole ; Euphorbium, with Bears Grease, and Orobus, 
Gum Laserpice, with Wine-Vinegar and Pepper, Darnel Meal boild 
in Vinegar, with wild-Radish-Roots and Brimstone, are commended by 
Dioscorides and others, not only for the ordinary Scurf, but that that is 
made from the French POX, Alopecia or Leprosie. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Phtheiriasis, the Lousie-Evil. 
DEFINITION.
PHhtheiriasis in Greek, in Latin Morbus Pedicularis, in English it may 
be called the Lousie Disease, is a Symptom of excretion made in the 
superficies of the Skin, either throughout the whole Body, or in hairy 
parts ; made from a putrified, but not sharp Humour, and hot and moist 
distemper of the part, chiefly afflicting Children. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is, 1. Putrid Humours collected 'twixt the Cuticle, and true 
Skin, not very sharp, and residing most in the Emunctories, and hot moist 
places that have hair to cover them, and for them to abide in. 
2. The frequent use of Figs is condemned by many; the reason is 
thought to be from a quality in them turning to such an Excrement that 
the Lice are bred of ; the frequent use of Vipers are also thought by their 
tenuity to effect the breeding of Lice, thereby expelling many Humours 
to the Skin ; also other bad things, as Fruits, that are apt to corrupt 
much further. 
3. Though a good Dyet be kept, and the Parties be not of flegmatick  
Ddd and 

394 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
and moist tempers, for in such they chiefly breed, and therefore more in 
Childhood than in elder Age; yet to such as lie in Camps long with their 
Cloaths unshifted, abundance of them are bred; and those that are of 
such apter tempers to breed them, by often drifting, and keeping their
Cloaths clean, and combing, do preserve themselves from them.
4. They grow exceedingly by the immoderate use of Waters, saith 
Aristotle, or by moistening Causes ; therefore Children are most trou- 
bled, and Women more than Men, excepted the Head, for Womens 
Heads being close bound up always, Nourishes them not so much. 
5. The fifth Cause is, by catching; one lousie Body may infect a whole 
Company, as One scabbed Sheep infects a whole Flock: The Vulgar say they 
fly in May, which thing Experience hath verified to some; yet are no 
Wings to be perceived, unless they grow then. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly that covered with Hair, as is 
the Head, which is fullest, and therein onely for the most part they live ; 
also in the Beard, under the Arm-holes, and in the Privities, and Emun- 
ctories, because there is most moist and hot matter breathed out. 
SIGNS are evident to the sight. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. They do good in young Children, and others too, feeding upon, 
and sucking superfluous excrementitious matter; and ’tis thought the  
scurfie matter, and the pores by them are kept more open for hurtful ex- 
halations; whence it is that Children much frequented with them, are not 
so subject to the Head-ach or Falling-sickness. Also in flegmatick old 
persons they are wholesom. 
2. The Skin is sometimes totally and so immoderately affected with 
them, that sometimes they bring death, therefore are not altogether to 
be slighted : Several Nobles have died under this Affect as Herod King 
of Judea, Sylla a great Roman Captain, but a Glutton, Pherisides a famous 
Philosopher, and others. 
3. They leave Dead Bodies, whereby may be guessed they accompa- 
ny healthful Bodies ; and to those that have entered into Quartane A- 
gues, all the Lice in the Body and Head have died, and not one living 
(that were wont to have abundance before their Sickness) all the while 
the Ague hath lasted ; and 'tis very probable those excrementitious Hu- 
mours were spent by the Ague. 
4. If they exceedingly multiply, it may fore-tell the Morphew or
Leprosie 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 395 
Leprosie to succeed from weakness of natural heat, which cannot di- 
gest the Excrements that arc sent to the Skin, and breed them. 
DYET. 
Let them use a good drying and attenuating Dyet ; in the Meats, let 
them eat Sorrel, Organy, Leeks, VVater-Cresses, Salt, Oranges and 
Lemmons, Mustard, Verjuyce ; use Calamint and Garlick boild in- 
wardly, saith Avicen. 
All things engendring cold, moist and flegmatick corrupt Humours, 
are to be avoided, and the Body is to be well dressed and shifted. 
CURE. 
Cure, Depends, 1. upon evacuation of the Cause, where Phleg- 
magogues have the chiefest place. 
2. Internal Dryers, because from plenty of humidity they arise. 
3. Topicks, are either to be drying and cleansing, or discussing and 
drying, as others will; here Baths, Tubs and Lotions of the whole Bo- 
dy and Head are conducible, made of bitter things, and Relaxers or 
Opners of the Pores, that the Humors, the matter of which Lice are made, 
may breath forth, therefore add some Penetraters; yet some fear there 
is, lest by too much and too long Bathing, Excrements should be more 
gathered to the Skin ; whenas Lice proceed from the whole Body, else 
bathing of the whole Body is not useable; let a Tub or Bath be prepared 
of Niter, Hellebore, Calamint, Salt, Collocinthis, Staphesacre, the 
Berry of India, called Coculus Indi, and other bitter and salt things 
boiled in Sea-water. 
A Lee of the Flower of Golden Stæchas, or Cedar-wood, Tamarisk, 
Broom, Hyssop, and English Tobacco boild in salt-water, by a propri- 
ety kill all manner of Lice and Nits ; the distilled water of the Bead- 
Tree of Capadocia, also doth the like. 
The Oyl made by Decoction or Insolation of the Flowers of the Broom 
Bush, the stronger 'tis made, the more effectual it is to kill Lice in all 
parts of the Body. 
Or a Liniment of the Oyl extracted from Mustard-Seed, Oyl of To- 
bacco, ana ℥fs. Pouder of the white Roots of Hellebore, of the In- 
ward Bark of the black Alder Tree, ana ℥ss. Hyssop, ʒj. Vinegar, as 
much as may suffice ; the vulgar remedy for Lice is Coculus Indi. 
The Emunctories also are to be anointed, because there by reason of 
the Veins more frequenting, more of the matter and heat is present; an 
Oyntment of Olibanum and Barrows Grease is greatly commended, both 
to kill them, and hinder their breeding again. 
Ddd2 The 

396 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
The Garments also are to be washed in proper Lee, as in the Lee of the 
Ashes of Broom, and Flowers of Stæchados of a Golden Colour, or 
sprinkled with the Pouder of Staphesacre and Saffron; if they be only in 
the Head, Pouders there may be sprinkled, where Oyntments some- 
times are not so commodious or convenient, by reason of daubing the 
Hair; this then among others may serve for a special Example, ꝶ Ashes 
of Broom, of Coculus Indi Berries, white Hellebore and Staphesacre, ana, 
℥j. Tobacco, Cudweed, Tamarisk, Fenugreek-Seeds, ana. ℥ss. make 
of all a Pouder. 
The Vulgar do use, when withal in Childrens Heads, there be Sores
or Ulcers, the Juyce of Sage, with Butter and Pepper, or Tobacco, and 
Coculus Indi, or Staphesacre with Butter; but in Ulcers such sharp things 
exasperate much. 
DIFFERENCE.
Difference is four-fold. 1. Lice, which are white, bred external- 
ly in all parts of the Body, creeping, and by biting, moving a little 
Itch, and are not very hurtful, unless the parts be ulcerated, or they 
exceed in number, of which we have treated largely ; they are called 
Pediculi, from their many Feet. 
2. Morpiones are more flat, commonly bred in the Share, called by 
Aristotle, Ferum Animals; and by the Vulgar Latins, Pedicolatæ, Pesso- 
latæ and Morpione; they wander hot as the Lice do, but stick fast to the 
Skin, and gnaw much ; of their Cause and Cure, see the precedent 
Cause and Cure of Lice in General. 
5. Chirones, which never break forth of the Skin,, but alwayes lie hid 
within the Skin and Flesh, and there Corrode ; chiefly they are in the 
Hands, and through negligence breed there, are caused of a more dry 
Humour then Lice, that penetrates and breathes not forth through the 
Pores of the Skin : some Women use to pull these Chirones out of the 
Flesh with a Needle, but the Cause not being taken away, they return 
again. Stupifying things that hinder the sense, and dull their biting, are 
good, as is Juyce of Henbane ; but lest that should bring trembling to 
the Hands, the Oyl of the Seed is more wholsom ; Also 'tis very good to 
dip the Hand in Salt and Vinegar, and rub the part where they are, which 
kills them,and their Itching is taken away; Also Foments of salt-water, 
or Vinegar of Henbane and Salt are effectual, But of all Remedies, 
the most effectual is Quicksilver for Unction of the Parts affected, right- 
ly killed and mixed into an Oyntment with Grease, Oyl of Bayes and 
Sope: for all Remedies failing, this sometimes alone will destroy all kinds 
of Lice, Morpions, Chyrones, Nits, and Fleas that suck the Body for 
nourishment, but 'tis not so safe as others, specially the Head, to 
be

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 397
be anointed on the Sutures or Ulcers, for therefrom come dangerous
effects oftentimes, specially to Children.
Some have found these Chirones in the Membranes of the Eyes, or
Adnata, which are very aptly with a fine Needle to be picked out, and
the Eye washed with healing Eye-Waters, and that ease the pain and
itching caused by them.
4. Nits, called Leudes by the Latins, there is a near familiarity
'twixt them and Lice ; for Heads that are very lousie, are also very full
of Nits, they are least of all the kinds, sticking very fast to the Hair,
and are confined to the Head, or very seldom elsewhere ; yet some-
times are found under the Skin, and then they cause much itch and
troubling pricking ; they are destroyed as Lice, and what are proper for
them, are proper for these ; the Hair is preserved from nourishing Nits,
or their generation is prohibited by a Lee made of the Ashes of Cud-
weed, or Cottenwood, and of Tamarisk.
OF


398
OF
EVILS
AND
Outward Ails.
CHAP. I
Of the Kings Evil.
STrumæ or Scrophulæ, in Latin ; in English, the Kings
Evil ; Are Tumours in the Throat, made in glandu-
lous parts from alimentary Juyce hardned, or vis-
cous slow Flegm, and included in a peculiar Skin or
Membrane.
NAMES.
The Greeks call it Cheiros, the Latins Scrophulæ
Struma, and Morbus Regius, the English call it the
Kings Evil, and some the Queens Evil.
SUBJECT.
Is the Glandules, sometimes they are in the Throat, and nigh the
Aspera


Of Evils and outward Ails. 399
Aspera Arteria, or rough Artery, or in the Neck; sometimes also, but
more seldom, they are found in the Arm-holes and Groin, Brest and
Paps.
TIME.
Hippocrates saith, They are made from the fourteenth to the two and for-
tieth year ; but (saith he) from that time to sixty three years of age, they are
not made : Yet Sennertus saith. After the two and fortieth year, the People
of the Alps, from drinking vitious Water, have had it.
CAUSE.
The Cause is held by some to be a pituitous viscous matter, by others
a mixtion of thick Flegm and Melancholy, by others a stegmatick or
melancholy Humour hardened : Platerus saith, 'Tis an Earthy Juyce har-
dened ; Riolanus saith, A portion of the fat being hardened in some places,
make a Scirrhous Tumour, and sometime Strumous : Sennertus saith, They
are made of slow and thick matter, vulgarly termed Flegm, to which Melan-
choly is adjoyned ; and if otherwise they were caused from other Humours,
they would not be so durable, but would rot. These Humours are carried
with the proper Juyce destinated for the Nourishment of the Glandules,
which is thought by quantity to offend, as well as quality ; whenas the
Glandules have more then sufficient, the rest becomes excrementitious,
and acquires a peculiar nature. In quality that matter may offend, as
Phlegmatick, Mclancholick, and Fæculent, which excrementitiously sent
(and cast off by Nature, as unfit Nourishiment) to those parts, Nature
there provides a Bag, or Membrane, as her Store-house,for laying up such
Excrements that do her hurt, if she should make use of.
The primitive and antecedent Cause is more certain, as crude and
thick Meats, unwholesome Waters, as those of the Alps, those also that
are in Syria and Carinthia, containing Mercury in them ; crude Aliments,
Snow-Water, &c. taken, are sometimes pregressive ; but Mine-Waters,
especially of Quicksilver, are thought to endue the Humour with so pe-
culiar a quality ; and the admixtion of Melancholy herewith, sometimes
make it degenerate cancrous; Contusion sometimes gives occasion to it.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICKS.
The Kings Evil is a scirrhous Tumour of the Glandules, shut up in a
peculiar Skin or Membrane ; these Tumours are many, and take deep
root ; this Humour sometimes possesses all the Kernels, whereby they
are all tumified ; it sometimes is found in the inward Bowels ; they are
round and pendulous, yeilding not to touch, but moveable, and some-
times painful.
They


400  Of Evils and Outward Ails.
They are sometimes onely in the two Glandules under the inferiour
Jaw-Bone, sometime in the Arm-holes, and sometimes throughout the
whole Body where there be Glandules : Some say, If it be the Kings
Evil, lay a live Earth-worm over-night upon it, and lay upon her a Bur-
dock-Leaf ; and if in the morning she be dead, 'tis; else not the Kings
Evil.
Secondly, The Membrane or Bladder it is included in, is like that
of Atheroma, and Steatoma ; from its formatrix faculty 'cis never idle :
for when it is filled, distended, and then hath poured out matter,as if the
Tumour was suppurated, it doth attain a certain knitting up, contexture,
or composure again, as if a new Membrane ; some take it for subalbes-
cent Flesh, distending and encreasing from a matter soaked in, having a
forming faculty from a peculiar quality.
DIFFERENCES.
Differences of it are, First as to its self :
1. Some are benign, well-qualitied, round, without great pain, hard-
ness, or inflamation.
2. Others are contrary to these, and of a malignant quality, very pain-
ful, hard, pulsant, and inflamed.
3. Some are Cancrous, possessing all the Glandules.
4. Some are more deep, others more superficial.
5. Some are accidental, others hereditary from Seed, and the forma-
trix faculty in the Uterus, according to Platerus his opinion.
6. Some more dangerous, others more slight and extern.
7. Some are movable, others immovable.
8. Some are outward, possessing sometimes the great, sometimes the
less Vessels ; some have been found in the Bowels and inward parts,
seventy in the Mesentery together ; but whether these Tumours possess
the Bowels as they do the outward Glandules, is doubtful, and seems
not to be credited.
Secondly, It differs from Bronchocele, or Hernia Gutturis, for that
sticks out in the fore-part of the Neck, or is a swelling forth in the large
space of the Throat ; struck, it gives a sound; and crushed by the fingers,
it sinks, and suddenly rises again, which is not so in Struma ; yet the
the Causes and Cures of a Throat-Rupture and the Kings Evil are often
the same.
Platerus makes a difference between Scrofula and Struma,saying, That
Scrofulæ sticks out like Grapes, two or Three in one Glandule ; but Stru-
ma, he saith, be great and pendent Tumours in the Throat, often deep-
ly founded and raise short breathing or impediment therein, and hoars-
ness. PROG. 


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 401
PROG.
'Tis more curable in Children, and most freqnent in them.
If folded in no Vessel, if benign, not malignant, nor cancrous, nor he-
reditary, if more fresh and superficiary, moveable, and few in number,
if small, and in smaller Vessels, and more remote from the rough Arte-
ry, or Wind-Pipe, or in the posterior parts, then there is more hopes of
Cure, and less danger.
But contrarily, if they be hard, malign, cancrous, and immoveable,
seated among the Vessels, and more anteriorly and deeply, if great, and
many in number, possessing many places, the worse, hard to cure if cu-
rable, and dangerous.
They are not cured by cutting out, without danger, by reason of the
Nerves, which sometimes being hurt, the Voice hath been lost, and if
the Nerves recurrents there be cut, the Sick either is made dumb, or
molested with a great hoarsness ; and therefore such as are neer the
Wind-pipe are dangerous lobe cut ; as also in other places, for fear of
Hæmorrage from incision of the Veins.
CURE.
Cure is first internal, where we must strive to take away the antece-
dent and suppeditating Cause: 2. The quality and infection of the Blood
and Juyces.
For the first, Catharticks are frequently to be had in use ; we must
purge Flegm, and let Blood : Some premise preparation of the Hu-
mour.
A good Dyet must be used, Meats that engender good Juyce, and of
easie digestion.
To the second, a Drink for ordinary taking, is very commodious and
helpful; and so sometimes Scrofula's are cured, that are not by outward
application ; for so long as the Blood and Juyces are universally, and so
peculiarly affected, a suppeditation of matter is ever made, and the
Disease is protracted thereby : Such a Drink for common use, is thus
most effectually made, ? of Figwort-Roots, or Scrophulary, ?ij. Roots
of Gentian, ?j. Roots of Dropwort, the lesser Chelidone, or Pilewort,
of each ?vj. let all be prepared in a right manner, to be hung in a Bag in
Wort.
Hartman saith, Struma are easily cured, if a man drink often of the Pon-
der of a Mans Skull that hath been buried.
Also if six Ounces of Sponges, with half an Ounce of their Stones,be cal-
cined in a close Pot, and of this Pouder one Dram be given every morning in
E e e white-


402 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
White Wine, fasting two hours after it, it cures Struma, saith he.
A third Specifical of the same Authors, is the Ashes of a Mole given
every day in Wine of Scrophulary, which he saith most perfectly cures
Scrophula's, if yet not exulcerated : Their Dose is half a Scruple, or
more.
Fallopius praises one Dram of Roots of Ruscus, or Butchers-Broom,
taken every day in Wine.
Arnoldus de villa Nova highly applauds the sequent, saying it cures all ;
ꝶ of Cinnamon, Sea-Sponges, and Palea Marina, Bone of the Fish Ce-
pia, or Cuttlebone, long and black Pepper, Ginger, Pelletory of Spain,
Sal Gem, Oak Buds, Galls, Cypress-Leaves, Roses, of each ʒij. mix all
into a Pouder, which is to be swallowed very leasurably and often held in
the Mouth.
An Electuary may be made for the Patients taking often,grateful,and
efficacious, of the following Specificals, ꝶ Conserve of the Flowers of
Dead Nettles, ℥ij. Roots of Orris, of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, of Drop-
wort, of each ʒß. Troches of Vipers, ℈j. with Syrup made of a strong
Decoction of Scrophulary-Roots, as much as may suffice to make it up
into form of an Electuary. These Specificks are held to operate by
sucking up and drying the strumous matter.
2. External : Where first Authors speak of insensible consumption
of the Matter and Tumour, which is most effectually done by Leaves of
Libanotis, Root Xyris, Leaves of Bupleurum, with Salt, Vermicularis,
or Wall-Pepper, Figwort, lesser Chelidone, Roots of stinking Gladon,
Fox-Gloves, Mugwort, Dasies, Valerian, Couslips, Orchis, Water-Pen-
ny-royal, wild Mint. &c. which applied, by a specifical force, cause solu-
tion of the Humours ; of which such an Oyntment may be composed, of
great force, ꝶ of Branch Ursine, Fox-Gloves, Pilewort, Roots of Scro-
phulary, of each ℥j. Leaves of Libanotis, ℈ij Mugwort, Roots of Erin-
go, Balm, Leaves of Bupleurum, Couslips, of each ʒß. Wax, ℥ß. Oyl
of milk, of Hartman, made by a Bladder of putrified milk, as much as
may seem sufficient for due consistence of an Oyntment.
Rondeletius sets down this Specifical, which he thinks not to be effe-
ctual from an occult property, as most think, but from a drying faculty ;
ꝶ of the Ashes of Agnus Castus, with the blew flower, the Skin of a Snake
cast off, of each ℥j. with Oyl of bitter Almonds, and a little Wax, make
an Unguent.
2. We must discuss by stronger Discutients, and specifical Resolvers,if
the former intention may not be to purpose ; Topicals that resolve scir-
rhous swellings, an Emplaister of Amoniacum and Bdellium dissolved in
Vinegar, and a portion of Quicksilver added, is very effectual. 2. The
Leaves


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 403
Leaves of the Cypress Tree, are said in three dayes to dissolve stru-
mous Swellings. 3. The Root of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, Leaves of
Libanotis Ashes of Vipers, and stinking Gladony made into an Em-
plaister, excels. 4. All these following may be reckoned for specifical
Resolvers, Vipers-Grass, Pilewort, Crowfor, Figwort, Garlick, Root
of Xyris Mugwort, Foxgloves, Savine, Wall-Pepper, Monks-Rubarb,
Horsmint, Ashes of Snailes, of Goats Dung, dead Nettles.
3.If Resolvers and Discutients do no good,it must be supperated. The
lesser Chelidone or Pilewort hath drawn out ℔ij. of Corruption in one
week, and cured : Roots of Althea, of White-Lillies, an Union
roasted in the Embers, are useful.
Suppuration is dangerous if the matter should turn inwardly, and
fall upon the Lungs ; unless all the matter be changed into Pus, we
may not open it, cut it ; and if they cannot well endure that, use a po-
tential Cautery, or burn it.
Some cut it in pieces, then sprinkle on it Devils-bit, Orpement, Vi-
triol, Vermilion, &c. and then take off all the dead flesh , the Ulcer
is then to be healed.
Also it is to be taken away with Ligature of Thred, or rather Hors-
hair, tyed about the bottom of the Tumour, and every day tyed hard-
der and harder, till it fall off ; which is chiefly to be done in those that
have slender roots, and be hanging.
Some apply Causticks and Septicks, and Corrodent Medicines, and
seem very rash therein : the parts about the Tumour are then diligently
to be bewared, left those strong Medicines should hurt and inflame
them, being sound.
Gargarisms of the Juyce of James-Wort, called Jacobæa, are com-
mended ; also of the Juyce of Spibed Loostrise.
Amulets of the Roots of Scrophulary, or Figwort, hung about the
Neck, are also good.
Guordonius saith, The Feet of a great Toad, being cut off when the Moon
is void of course, and hastens to conjunction of the Sun, being hung about the
Neck, cures the Kings Evil.
Rondeletius saith, To prick Struma, with the Root of a Parsnipt, cures,
and prohibites those that are growing hereto. Pliny saith, To do so with
the bone of the tail of a Sea-Frog-Fish, performs the same.
If they be ulcered, Hartmannus saith, They are most happily cured
with the ashes of Salamanders calcined in a pot, and sprinkled there-
upon.
An Unguent then to anoint them of greatest efficacy may thus be
prepared to consume and dry up the strumous matter, and correct its
quality.
E e e 2 ꝶ


404 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
ꝶ of the lesser Chelidone or Pilewort, ashes of Vipers, ashes of Snails,
of each ℥j. Burnt-lead ʒij. Roots of Scrophulary, of dead Nettles,
of each ℈ij. with Oyl and Wax make an Oyntment, and lay there-
upon a Plate of Lead.
The Kings of France especially, and the Kings of England, cure this
Evil with touching ; which Vertue is said to be given to Clodovens, the
first of that name, and of the Christian Kings of France, assoon as he
was baptized, and turned Christian, and so it lineally continued to all
his Successors ; of which the Kings of England were descended. The
manner of healing is to lay their hands upon it, saying in French, Te
Royte touche, et dieu te garrie, or guanit ; Rex te Tangis, & Deus te Sanat ;
In English, The King toucheth thee, but God maketh thee whole.
CHAP. II.
Of Corns.
COrns (called by the Latines, Clavus, Gemursa, and Morticini) are
hard and callous Tumours, bred in the Toes and Soals of the
Feet, from congestion of thick, humours, and pressure of the shoe.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the Soals of the Feet, and Toes, especially the little
Toe : sometimes they possess the Joynts, and are under the Nails.
CAUSE.
The Cause is galling, compressure, and straightness of the Shoe,
whereby gross humours by congestion, are retained there, and harden-
ed.
SIGNS.
Signes are evident to the sight ; They are very molestuous in going,
and sometimes have a very vehement pain, sometimes a Contusion
preceded.
PROG.
They are uncautulous Exterpation, sometimes brings a Gangreen,
and sometimes Inflamation and Convulsion, from cutting too deep
among the Ligaments and Tendones.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 405
DIFFERENCES.
Those in the Toes are called, Clavi, or Corns ; Those in the Soals of
the Feet, Calli, or hard brawny fleshy Tumours.
CURE
Cure Is by preparation of it for cutting, which is done by Emolients,
and renderers of it soft ; as raw Flesh laid to it for 24 hours.
If they fall in, they are raised high again with Dogs Urine, an Em-
plaister of red Wax, Eeles Blood, Oyl of Mercury of Snailes.
After preparation is made for Incision, and the Corn extracted by the
Root, we must fill up the hole with the Sand left at the bottom of a
Chamber-Pot, to hinder the regeneration of it again.
MEDICINES.
Medicines that take it away without Excision, is, 1. The Juyce of
Housleek, which is to be bathed on it several times, and a leaf of the
same Housleek worn to the Corn. 2. A second Specifical is the Pou-
der of the Root of Rest-harrow, mixt into an Oyntment, with Grease,
for Unction of the Corn, which in three dayes is said to fall there-
from. 3. A third is a black Snaile put into a linnen Rag, and torrifi-
ed by the Fire, and laid hot to the Corn, and so worn ; fomentation
also of the Juyce of Rhue, Marigolds, and Piantane, are recited
by some.
Rulandus holds this for a Sectet to take away Corns, ꝶ of the Oyl
of Brimstone ℥ß. ; the Corrosive Stone ʒij ; Seeds of Henbane 3j. ;
Opium ʒj. mix them.
Dioscorides saith, The Bark of the Willow-Tree burnt to Ashes, and
mixt with Vinegar, takes them away.
Lebotius commends the Gall of a Cow applyed in like manner,which
causes its extirpation by the Root.
The Prophylaxis is then to be instituted, which is done by Application
of Corrodent Medicines ; The Medicine of Rulandus asore rehearsed,
Coperas, &c. mixt in Emplaisters, or the Sand of Urine, may serve
to fill up the hole, and hinder regeneration of the Corn.
CHAP.


406
CHAP. III.
Of Bronchocele, or a Throat Rupture.
DEFINITION.
BRonchocele is a Tumour in the Throat, swelling out to a large space
betwixt the Trachea Arteria and the Skin, frow wind, or a slow
thick humour, made by Congestion.
NAMES.
It hath its Name from the Greeks word, Bronchos, signifying the
Throat, and Cele signifying a Rupture : The Latines call it Ramex, or
Hernia Gutturis, or Gatturosa ; The Arabians, Botium ; The Barbarians,
Crepatura and Ruptura ; In English it may most fitly be called, A Throat
Rupture.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the space in the forepart of the Throat, close to the
Trochea Arteria or Wind-Pipe, under the Skin and general Membrane :
And betwixt the Trachea Arteria, and Muscles of the Neck, some
doubt whether the Matter be contained betwixt the broad Muscle and
the Skin, or hid under the broad Muscle.
It is fourfold divided.
1. One is a Pneumatocele or a Rupture from Wind, whose Causes
are Wind ; as hapned to such as puff out their Cheeks vehemently with
Wind, and to such as void Excrements difficultly, to Women in a
difficult ejection of the Birth, and great clammours, whereby the sub-
jected Skin and Membrane are distended, and violently rent from the
Larinx, or the broad Muscle it self is seperated from the subjected
Parts ; hence a space being effected (viz. by the aforesaid, or others,
that cause such a violent distention of that part) from Fuga Cacui, a
flatulent matter breaks in violently, and elevates the Skin, and puffs it
up into a tumour.
SIGNS.
Whose Signs are these ; It is a tumour stretched forth, exercising a
large capacity, struck, it gives a sound, gives place to pressing of the
Fingers, but rises to its wonted height again suddenly, which is not so
in the following Differences; but herein a coherence of the Differences
is made, for that the Original of a Bronchocele, is allowed to be an eary
matter, first insinuating it self there, and distending ; to which other
humours


Of Evils and outward Ails. 407
humours are gathered, which are known by proper Signs.
As, 2. A Phlegmatocele, or Rupture from a stegmatick Juyce, or
mixed with Melancholly; which is familiar to the People of Piedmont,
and the Alpes, from unwholsom Waters there, specially from large
drinking of Snow Water, because most they drink at sometimes is mel-
ted Snow. Sometimes its most apparent Original is from stop of Na-
tural Excretions, as Menses or Hemorrhoids, which things either en-
creasing or heaping up a gross Pituitous, or commixt Melancholly mat-
ter, Nature expels it by degrees from the Head to the Larinx, or space
of the Throat under the Chin, by the hinder parts of the Ears, accord-
ing to Fernelius.
SIGNS.
It grows by degrees, and takes increment from a nourishment
communicated by certain Conduites (and not by the Veins) which
Nature hath destinated to such an use ; it is hard, and by touch may be
discerned not to be Wind ; which Platerus only allows to be the Cause
of Bronchocele, whom Sennertus reproves.
DIFFERENCES.
Of this also be several Differences, for one is like Steatoma, where-
in, with the fatty or honey like matter, be sometimes Hairs ; this as
the most tractable kind may be opened by a Cautery or Launcet,eschew-
ing the Veins, but where the matter is insinuated into the space of the
Muscles, there is no eradicating of it by Chyrurgery, which unless,
here is very dangerous, also if the tumour be more internal.
Another refers a kind of Aneurism, which is uncureable ; so are those
that come from the Birth and Infancy, those that are great Scirrhous
and Cancrous, repleat with many great melancholly Veins, are dan-
gerous, and not to be medled withal.
A third kind is Sarcocle, or a fleshly Rupture, Sirrhous, and re-
mains all the life time, unless maturely helped, which it is very hard
to be ; the Causes may be such as caused Phlegmatocele ; it is Cronical,
and discerned by touch and sight.
A fourth is, Hydrocele, or a Dropsie of the Throat, which is some-
times both Internally and Externally affected, from a waterish matter
collected there, Montanus cured it by Incision.
CURE General.
The Cure varies as the Causes ; but generally observe, 1. That
in the beginning, to stop the encrease of the Tumor, and repel
its nourishment, Astringents are convenient to be applyed. 2. To
respect


408 Of Evils and Outward Ails.
rescpect the Head from whence the matter is transmitted ; which is,
1. To be purged with general Cathatticks. 2. Dried and strengthen-
ed.
If it hath already taken its full growth, and is confirmed, we must use
Discussers, and Resolvers ; for a thick and hardned matter, Foment,
with Water of Nitrous Baths, or Sulphur ; an Oyntment of Goose-
grease, beaten with Hogs-grease, and applyed ; a Cataplasm of Bar-
ley Meal, with Oyl of Lillies, applyed hot ; an Emplaister of Diasul-
phur,may do good,applied upon a Plate of Lead besmeared with Quick-
silver, after friction of it, till it wax red ; the Roots of Garden Orrach
and Devils-bit, whether inwardly, by way of Gargarism, if the Tu-
mour be more inwardly, or outwardly used, are held to have a propri-
ety against inveterate and old Tumours in the Throat.
For a windy Matter, Carminative Discussers are most fitting, as
an Emplaister of Cummin-Seeds, Bay-Berries, Brimstone, Goats-
Dung and Honey.
See more for the Cure hereof, in the Chapter of Scrophula, or the
Kings Evil, for this many times is cured by the same that Scrophula's
are.
CHAP. IV.
Of Warts.
VVarts, called by the Greeks Acheochordines, Myrmecia and
Thymia by the Latins, Verrucæ, and Arabians, Boterale, are
little risings, or fleshy Excrescent Tumours, from a thick viscous mat-
ter insinuatcd there, and chiefly possessing the Hands.
CAUSE.
The general Cause of all kinds of them, is a thick melancholly
pituitous Blood, or from a Juyce destinated to the Skin and Cuticle to
be nourished by.
SIGNS.
They chiefly infest the Hands or Feet, sometimes the Thighes, Seat,
and Privities ; they are sometimes livid, and rough, and have a prick-
ing pain, and sometimes Ulcerate ; sometimes they are Malignant and
Cancerous.
CURE


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 409
CURE.
Medicines that are destinated to take away Warts, and held very
effectual and proper hereto, are very many and almost innumera-
ble.
The choicest and best approved, of which we here recite.
Johannes Hartmanus saith, The Water swiming upon the Trunk, of an
Oak, after it is cut, Cures, or takes away all manner of Warts,
Rondeletius commends the Root of Chelidone, beaten with Hogs-grease,
and applyed, to consume and take them away ; or the Blood of a Lizard de-
stilled, saith he, dries them. He also commends Agrimony applyed with
strong Vinegar, for taking them away.
Baptista Porta adviseth to rub them with the Head of an Eel that is very
bloody.
Fallopius commends rubbing of them with Willow Leaves, being first ba-
thed with the Juyce.
Paulus Ægineta, Reckons up abundance of Medicines that abolish
Warts, as Elatory, or the Juyce of Wild Cucumers mixed with Salt,
for bathing ; Juyce of Tithimales, Water issuing from the Green Twig
of the Vine, being laid in the Fire ; Niter, with the Urine of a Boy
that never yet exercised the sports of Venus ; Bark of Frankinsence with
Vinegar, and the like, too tedious, and not worth the time and pains
to rehearse them.
Rofellus praises Fomenting, with a Red Onion beaten with Salt.
Among Specificals, Zazintha, or Cichorea Verrucaria, so called,
from its Specifick force and vertue against Warts, is most excellent, and
ʒj. of the Seeds thereof given inwardly, in decrease of the Moon, are
held to extirpate and take away all kind of Warts, and excrescences of
Flesh whatsoever.
Miraldus saith, If they be rubbed with Leaves of the Fig Tree, and
afterward those Leaves be buried in a Dunghill to rot, so the Warts will in-
sensibly vanish away.
Others say the like of a piece of Raw Beef so used.
Proper also, and very effectual to take away Warts, are Leaves of
Agremone, Turnsoil, Chelidone, Marigolds, Purslane, Oleum Ana-
cardij ; stronger Medicines, and more sharp, which hurt the adjacent
tender Skin, unless it hath some desensatives, are, the Spurges, Pe-
phi. Tithimale, Aqua Fortis , with which Jacobus Primerose saith.
He cured himsef, whenas many other things were ineffectual Sulphur Vi-
vum.
Others extol unslaked Lime and Lixiuium ; or unslaked Lime and
black Soap, is held transcendent.
F f f Rondeletius


410 Of Evils and Outward Ails,
Rondeletius hath this Water, ꝶ of Salt of Amoniacum, Roman Vi-
triol, Rust of Brass, of each, ℥ij. Allum, ℥j. unslaked Lime, ℥ß.
let them be destilled in an Alembick, (Vinegar, or some quantity of
other Liquors being put thereto) throw away the first VVater, and re-
serve the second for use.
Herba Stellaria, or Starwort, is said to consume them in a very
short time ; the like is also said of the Juyce of Eldern Berries.
DIFFERENCES of VVarts are three fold.
1. The Greeks call some Acrochordones, having a more thin and
small Root, and a broader at the top, and higher ; it is so called, be-
cause it appears as if it hung by a small Cord.
Celsus saith. They often grow up many together, most troubling Children,
sometimes falling again of their own accord, they are sometimes thought to
be contagious.
CURE.
Their Cure is by Exertion, which where it may be done, doth quick-
ly Cure, saith Primerose, and is more safe then the actual Cautery : In
Galens time, some plucked them up with their Teeth, which put them
to much pain, but if they be clearly cut off, they have no root reserved
for growing again : some hold it the best to tie them with an Horse Hair,
or a Silk wet in Oil of Brimstone, and tied every day harder, till they
fall off of themselves ; some when they are thus tied hard about at the
Root with an Horse Hair, anoint their tops with an unguent of Honey
Vinegar, Juyce of Agrimony, of Purslane, with Doves Dung, and
Rust of Brass, or the Pouder of Savine, and Yellow Ocre, with Vine-
gar, and all the Medicines afore generally, proposed may (or most of
them) be useful here.
2. Myrmeciæ or common warts, they have a broader Basis ; the Roots
going deeply out, they are lower, hard, and scarce bigger then a Lu-
pine ; some be very flat : when they are felt on hard, they have a pain-
ful sense, like unto the bite of a Pismire or Ant, whence some call them
Formical ; they are sometimes painful ; they seldom cease of their own
accord, and being cut, often grow again.
Some Counsel to cut them up by the Roots with a sharp Razor, and
let them bleed, and then apply Bole, Allom, and sealed earth there-
upon ; others are rather against it, fearing thereby great Ulceration,
they having such broad roots.
If they be very hard, and not so sensible of feeling, Causticks to con-
sume them, are approved ; also close tying of them by the Roots with
Horse Hair, as afore directed for Achrochordon.
3. Thymon


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 411
3. Thymon or Thymia, so called, because it represents in colour the tops
of the Herb Thyme ; they are less than Achrochordones, but higher
than Myrmiciæ; they have a narrow foundation, and basis, but are red-
dish, rough, hard, and growing with a larger head, and are called Figs,
or Fig-warts ; they are not easily taken away by cutting the roots, yet
being inward : The rest is to be referred to Thymus, or the Fig of the
Fundament.
CHAP. V.
Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Atheroma, Stea-
toma, and Meliceris.
I. ATheroma is a Tumour contained in a Follicle, or proper Mem-
brane, and so called from the Greek word Athera, shewing the
quality of the Humour it consists of, viz. like Pap or Frumenty.
CAUSE.
The Cause is primary, as violent Causes, bruising, &c. or secundary,
as a pituitous Humour, and alimentary Juyce, or strange Bodies, as
Stones, Bones, Hair, or commixtion of various Bodies into one Folli-
cle, or Bladder.
SIGNS.
In figure it is long, 'tis harder then Meliceris to touch;and in crushing
or pressing of it with the finger, it returneth or riseth up again very slow-
ly : It is not hard, nor paining, nor is the natural colour of the Skin
changed thereby. These Tumours grow from small beginnings to great
Abscesses.
CURE.
In Cure, 'tis hard to digest Humours that are comprehended in a Cy-
stis, or Bladder : Suppuration and Excision is to be made by a Launcet
or potential Cautery, or Lapis infernalis, not purging out all the Humour
together ; the bag wherein the matter is, is to be artificially drawn out,
the Veins, Nerves and Arteries being specially bewared in the operation;
if the Bag or Follicle be left, or not consumed, more matter like the for-
mer will be gathered there ; then the wound is to be healed and cicatri-
ced.
II. Steatoma is the same, as to the Membrane or Follicle that the Hu-
mour is contained in, and as to the cause ; onely the matter of Steatoma
F f f 2 is


412 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
is like Suet, whence it had its name from the Greek word Stear, signify-
ing Suet,
SIGNS.
'Tis softer for the most part than the rest, it hath a larger Basis or bot-
tom ; pressure made by the finger riseth not up easily ; it is rounder
than Atheroma, and its substance is more thin.
CURE.
The Cure is the same with that of Atheroma.
III. Meliceris differs from Atheroma and Steatoma, because in Meli-
ceris the Humour contained in the Bag is like Honey, so called from
Meli, Honey ; it is round as Steatoma, yeilds to pressing of the fingers,
it looks more clear ; sometimes there is in it a gravelly hard matter.
CURE.
In Cure use Resolvers and Suppuraters ; if they do no good, then use
Chyrurgery, as is directed for Atheroma.
CHAP. VI.
Of Kibes, or Chilblanes.
KIbes or Chilblanes, called by the Greeks Chimethla, by the Latines
Perniones, are Tumours or Inflamations possessing the Hands or
Feet, arising in Winter-time, and chiefly to Children.
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Heel, or other parts of the Foot, the Fingers, or some-
times the back of the Hand.
CAUSE.
Cause is Winter-coldness, going in the Snow, too great straitness of
the Shoo, and whetting and galling of the Heel, therefrom attracting
Blood by painfulness.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs Diagnostick are first from the Tumour and redness, with great
itching that is present ; sometimes they come to an head, turn ulcerous,
and pour out a little Sanies ; sometimes they possess all the Fingers, and
part of the hand, are very troublesome, and loathing the fight.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ails. 413
DIFFERENCES.
One is not ulcerated, but an hard red itching Tumour, most troubling
at night, and is called a Chilblane.
Another is ulcerated, and very soar and smarting, and is called a
Kibe.
PROGNOSTICK.
The evil is diuturn, and though it ceases in Summer, yet it recurs in
Winter ; beating, or laceration of the Heel, is bad, for there is fear of
hurt of the thick Tendone that comes thither, which effects a Convul-
sion, and therefrom Death.
CURE.
Cure is double ; first for the Tumour, secondly for the Ulcer : for
the Tumour also Cure is twofold, 1. Preservative, 2. Curative.
Preservation is made by keeping of the Feet warm, by wearing of
Socks wet in Aqua-Vitæ, Foments of Salt Water, Decoction of Tur-
neps, Brine, Allom, Litharge, Oyl of Myrtles, &c.
Cure is done by putting into cold Water the diseased Member, which
drives away cold, even as we do to Apples and Eggs congealed ; and so
the cold being drawn forth, which is manifested from abatement of the
pricking pain, we must soment the part with Bay-berries and Rosema-
ry boiled in Milk.
Specifical, are Decoction of Turneps that are frozen, or the Liquor
of them, and Bay Salt baked first in an Oven, Tobacco-Leaves applied,
Oyl of Wax, a Bath of Brine most hot for friction and bathing of the ki-
bed Part ; an Emplaister of Galbanum, Neats Suet, and Gum Tragacanth,
the Juyce of Beets, of Water-Pennyroyal, of Venus Navil, Lentils,
Orobus, Roots of Burdocks, Ashes of the Wood of the Figtree, with
Grease, Oyl of Roses baked in an hollow Turnep, and a Cataplasm
made thereof ; a Liniment of Sulphur Vivum, and Oyl of Garlick, the
Feet or Hands held over for long time, and as hot as may be, to en-
dure the fume or smoak of Henbane half dry, and burnt, doth admirably
cure bloody falls, and the falling down of such humourous Blood into
those parts ; Typha, or Cats-Tail also applied, greatly helps, and Toad-
stools : If the Humours will not be discust, but ulcerate, after Mundisi-
catives, use Oyl of Roses baked in a Radish, Oyl of Tobacco, an Oynt-
ment of Cats-Tail, Gum Tragacanth and Oyl of Eggs ; some are cured
by holding their Feet over coals, as hot as they can endure, for several
times, and then they come not to maturation. When the part becomes
in a manner mortified, we must use such Medicines as arc prevalent in
Gangrenes.
CHAP.


414 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
CHAP. VII.
Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek.
DEFINITION.
PAronychia is an hot and paining Tumour risen in the ends of the
Fingers to the Nails.
NAMES.
The Greeks call these Apostems and Paronychia, and Paneris ; but Riola-
nnus saith,'tis Panaritium Arabum that affects the Tendons and Nerves at
the fingers end ; and that Paronychia of the Greeks is a light Affect, viz.
onely fissure to the root of the Nail ; the Latins call it Reduvia, the
vulgar English have many Names for it, as an Andicome, Fellone, Whit-
low, or Nail-Wheal.
CAUSE.
Cause is adust Blood and Melancholy, very hot, and participating of
a malign quality, sent thither by Nature, and afflicting the Nerves and
Tendons.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
They are known by sight ; there is great pain from the nervous parts
being affected, that it sometimes extends it self throughout the whole
Arm, and makes the Affected very impatient ; there is intimation, and
sometimes a Feaver.
PROGNOSTICKS.
From greatness of pain there is sometimes made so great Symptoms
and disquietings of Nature, that death hath ensued to some.
It sometimes comes to Suppuration, and breaks ; sometimes the mat-
ter being kept within, corrupteth and rotteth both Bones, Ligaments,
and Membranes ; and then if this be already done, we must use cutting.
CURE
Cure is to begin from evacuation of hurtful Humours, which is done
by Phlebotomy, and Catharticks.
2. We must respect the Symptom, and lenisy the fierceness of pain,
for which a Cataplasm of the Leaves of Mandrakes and Henbane boiled
and mixed with Hogs-Grease.
3. Suppuraters are to be insisted upon, to bring it to maturation as
soon as may be ; Repellers are to be shunned, lest pain should be exaspe-
rated therefrom, and the Humours impacted in the part.
Oleum


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 415
Oleum Saturni is helpful, and Bay-Salt with Yolks of Eggs applied,
Whitlow-Grass, and Roots of Briony ; of which may Oyls, Oyntments
and Emplaisters be made, or Ear-Wax, with the Skin of an Eel.
If these avail not, nor will it yet break, it must be opened with a Pen-
knife, and all the matter throughly purged out ; then the Ulcer must be
cleansed, and healed with fit Topicals.
CHAP. VIII.
Of Ecchymoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or Livor, in
Latin ; in English signifying black and blew Marks , or
Discoloration of the Skin, from Bruises,or other wayes.
ECchymoma with the Greeks, Sugillatio or Livor with the Latins, is an
effusion of Blood to the outward Skin, effecting a blackish blew co-
lour, or livid, in that part.
CAUSE.
Causes are blows, causing the effusion of Blood, which being sent to
the Skin, there becomes of a livid colour ; also from Anastamosis ; Dia-
pedesis, and Diæresis of the Veins.
SIGNS.
'Tis discerned best by sight ; it happens commonly from a blow upon
the tender flesh, betwixt the Eye and Nose.
CURE.
If the Affect be great, left Inflamation should be stirred up, we must
let Blood.
2. Use Repellers mixt with Discutients.
3. Digesters, the Root of Solomon's Seal, Leaves of Argemone, Scur-
vy-grass, black Briony, hot Arsmart, fresh Flower-de-luce-roots, Avens,
Daysie-roots, Seeds of Ammy, or Bishops-Weed, Sopewort, Ashes of
Bean Stalks, stinking Gladon, &c. are most excellent to take away the
black and blew Marks made from eruption of Blood or Humours, whe-
ther by Bruises or otherwise.
If it be greater,and Digesters profit not, we must use Medicines ten-
ding to maturate, and Cupping-Glasses are sometimes useful ; and open
it, left the matter corrupt the part, or a Fistula or hollow Ulcer be made.
If a Gangrene be suspected, the part is to be scarrified, and washed
with hot Vinegar.
FINIS.




















THE 
Practice of Physick, 
OR 
The Law of GOD (called NATURE) 
IN THE
BODY of Man:
Confuting by manifest and manifold Experiences of 
many learned Men, as well as the Authors, the Rules and Methods 
concerning Sicknesses and Changes in Mans Body, delivered by the An-
tient Physicians, and Moderns that followed them : Shewing also what 
the Order and Method of Nature is, as well as what it is not: With a full 
and fair Examination of their Causes, Inwardly detected, by manifold 
Dissections; and Outwardly, by Symptoms, and Philosophical Demonstra- 
tions ; With their Differences, Prognosticks, Methods and Medicines, 
curing them ; verified by Experience and Reason. 
SET FORTH
I. In a Monitory Proœmium wherein be Reasons for, and Experiences 
in the Stars, influencing upon, and altering our Bodies. 
II. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
III. In a Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
IV. ln Tractate of Dropsies. 
ALSO 
In the Second Part pf this Book is a Practice of Physick, drawn from the 
best of Moderns, and compleatly treating of those Diseases 
specified in the Table. 
to which is added, A Treatise of Diseases from WITCHCRAFT. 
By William Drage, Med. & Philos at Hitchin in Hartfordshire.
LONDON, Printed for George Calvert, at the Half-Moon 
in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1666.



WILLIAM DRAGE D.P. 
HIS  
Monitory Proæmium 
To the Candid Readers.
MAny when they shall read in Riverius, Sen-
nertus, Primrose, Rondeletius, Stocherus, John- 
stonus, and others, that there are no more Dis- 
eases treated of in such a Part or Bowel, will 
presently imagine that there are no more or 
other Distempers of that Part or Bowel, than 
what they have writ in their Practices of Phy- 
sick, especially writing so numerously one 
after another of the same, and often of all the 
same, and no more than same Diseases
also the Reader will imagine that all the 
Causes, and no more than they that Authors set down, are in all Bodies 
that have such a Disease, and that all that have that Disease must be 
just in such an Order, or so handled, as Practical Authors have delive- 
red : Moreover, the Reader reading such and such Prognostick signes 
to be good, and such to be tokens of death, by the description of Pra- 
ctices of Physick, will imagine that it should always (if he be a young 
Practitioner) so fall out : Moreover, for Diagnostick signes, the Rea- 
der will imagine a Disease, as the Inflamation of the Liver, or Ob-
A2  struction  

4  A Monitory Proæmium.
obstruction of the Spleen, &c. should have all and onely those Diagno- 
stick signes that practical Authors have delivered, and that the Infla- 
mation or Obstruction must be just so and such a one as they have deli- 
vered. 
Also for the Cure: When the young Practitioner reads such a Me- 
dicine will cure, or such a Receipt never fails, or by this or that me- 
thod 20 have been cured, he imagines he can cure all, and that such Me- 
dicines are certain Cures, and such a method is alike successful in all Bo- 
dies, and that a Jaundice, Dropsie, Cough, Gout, &c. is just one and the 
same in all Persons, and therefore as he expects all persons to have such, 
all such, no more nor no other signs, causes, nor prognosticks of their sick- 
ness, or such a particular Disease, than what Authors have one after ano- 
ther set down in their Practices of Physick: so also the Cure he expects to 
be the same in all: as for Example: He may read in Jo. Hartman his Pra- 
ctica Chymlatrica, & in the Chapter of the Cholick ; Ponater in Colica mag- 
nes super umbilicum & statim cessabit dolor : Let the Loadstone be put up- 
on the Navil of one that hath the Cholick, and the pain will instantly 
cease. Riverius in his Practice of Physick, and Chapter of the Epilep- 
sie, hath this ; Radix Valerianæ Sylestrius a Fabio Columna, tantopere cele- 
bratur, ut semel aut bis exhibita ab Epilepsia liberare affirmarunt, referique se 
hanc multis amicis dono dedisse, qui deindè divino priùs numinme & fautore 
glorificato, pulvere hujus Radicis fibi restitutam sanitatem affirmarunt ; dosis 
autem est Cochleare semis cum Vino, Aqua, Lacte, aut quovvis liquor ap- 
propriato, pueris vero in minori dose cum Lacte datur : In English, The 
Root of wild Valerian is exceedingly praised by Fabius Columna so that 
once or twice given, he affirms it will cure them of the falling sick- 
ness ; and he saith, That he hath given this to many Friends, who did 
restore Health to themselves, glorifying God : its Dose is half a spoon- 
ful with Wine, Water, Milk, or any appropriated liquor ; to Children 
it is given in less quantity, in Milk. Jacobus Sylvius in his Methodus 
Curandi, and Chapter of the Jaundice, hath this ; Prassti item decosti ex 
vino albo tenni unciæ quatuor Saccharatæ matutinis aliquot, potæ, omnem icte- 
rum sanant: That is, Four ounces of the Decoction of Horehouud gi- 
ven in white Wine sugared, for several Mornings, cures every Jaundice. 
We mention onely these for Example, for a thousand such may be seen 
in Authors; and when the young Practitioner reads them, he doth pre- 
sently conceive he must, as these write, cure all such Diseases by such 
Medicines or Methods ; but he shall be deceived : yet often such 
Cures have been ; but Authors have deceived, by not telling how oft 
such a Medicine hath failed, as well as how oft it hath cured : for there 
is no Medicine in use, but hath cured some, and there is none so excel-
lent

A Monitory PROæIUM.  5
lent as to cure all; nor are all Diseases, though never so slight, curable ; 
nor are all diseases, though never so dangerous and grievous, always 
and in all incurable. 
Candid Reader, It Is my zealous desire to Truth that thou shouldest 
really and truly understand all these things, and when thou readest any 
Author know thereby how to judge of them : For the Moderns, who 
come nigher to Truth in their Practices of Physick, than the Ancients, 
or Galen or Hippocrates, are very much misled. I chiefly commend 
Felix Platerus in his Practice of Physick, who followed his own Experi- 
ence and Observations, though his own Experience was insufficient to 
demonstrate the Truth, all the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, in 
all Diseases. I have been much troubled to see how superstitiously Phy- 
sicians have been led by the Traditition of Galen, Hippocrates, Erius,
Ægineta and Others. 
I. For their Names given to Diseases, therein was much disorder :
Some they called from the Cause, others from the Effects or Symptoms; 
some they called Obstructions or Scirrhs, or Inflammations of the Liver, 
Spleen or Lungs, those were denominated from the Cause ; some they 
called Swounding, Panting of the Heart, Epilepsie, Convulsion, &c. 
these were so called from the apparant affliction or outward appearance, 
whenas the cause of each of these Symptoms or Effects was various, 
physicians having reckoned so many Diseases of the Lungs, as a Cough, 
Phthisick, Pleurisie, spitting of Blood, Empyema, or spitting of Mat- 
ter, Peripneumonia and Asthma ; divers Physicians reading them, will 
think, as formerly they have, (for so it is best judging what will be, by 
what hath been) that every Disease of the Lungs is one of these, and 
that the Lungs can be affected in no other manner than in one of these 
Diseases; and in that Disease, so for Order and Measure as Authors 
have in their Practices of Physick described : How great an Errour and 
Mistake is it in the generality of Practical Physicians coming to a Pati- 
ent, if they finde it a Disease of the Lungs presently to conclude it one 
of those Physicians have writ Chapters of? As, If it be not an Empye- 
ma, it must be a Phthysick ; if it be not the Phthysick or Consumption 
of the Lungs, it is an Asthma ; if it be not reckonable as an Asth- 
ma, it must be proceeded against in cure, by the directions in the Chap- 
ters of Coughs ; if none of these, then it must be Hæmoptoe, and cu- 
red just as the Practical Chapters of Hæmoptoe direct : Nature runs 
not in these Orders, Nature is not bound up to such Rules, we shall 
hardly finde two in any one Disease exactly alike ; yet those that have 
exquisite Pleurisies do the most concur in Symptoms of any Diseases I 
know, nor are the Causes of an Empyema, Hæmoptoe, Pthisis, Tus- 
sis

6  A Monitory PROæIUM.
sis, Asthma, &c. such and so many, no more, nor no others than what 
Practical Physicians have writ; but there be many Causes, and diverse 
from those the Ancients especially took notice of, to produce the Disea- 
fes they write ; and consquently the Signs, Prognosticks and Cure 
must vary, where the Causes do so vary, Nature not running in that 
Method as the Ancients, and also the Moderns, dancing after their 
Pipes, have imagined. 
2. As to the Definition of Diseases : In some Bodies and in some 
Diseases accidentally they may prove exactly true, but for the most 
part they do not: for where there are such difference of Diseases that 
they can neither properly be called one or another that are writ down in 
Practices, and where the Causes in each Disease may be so contrary and 
manifold, it will necessarily follow, the Signs much vary, and there is 
the Definition chiefly grounded on the cause and signs, the Foundation 
of any thing being infirm or corrupted, the Superstructure must needs 
be infirm and instable : but I say accidentally, in some Diseases, in 
some Bodies, at some times, we may meet with an exact coherence of the 
definition of that Disease with the Parties case, which being the suming
up of the Disease, and the most general and chief causes and signs that 
happen to most in that Disease, it is much (if Nature did go to a Rule, 
and was bound up to a Method) so few should be found (amongst many 
sick persons that have Diseases) correspondent exactly to the Definiti- 
ons in Practices of Physick.
3. For the Causes of Diseases: Physicians went huge conjecturally 
to work, and guessed by outward appearances what must be inward, and 
by the Effect they did judge the Cause, the contrary to which, is the 
way to finde out Truth; they did not use to anatomize and see the 
wonderful variety there is in dead Bodies, and how Nature follows no 
Method in Diseases: As for instance, In Diseases of the Heart, the 
Ancients, and so recent Authors, have set down two, viz. Swounding 
and Palpitation, now Experience hath found thorough Dissection, that 
Side-pains, Bastard-Pleurisies, Gripings, Aguish distempers, Symptoms 
of Worms, Symptoms of ill Digestion, and Singultus &c. do arise of- 
ten from the Heart, as well as Vicine parts; and Experience hath 
fully shewn that the Heart is not affected as the Ancients thought com- 
monly and most often ; yet this we shall allow the Ancients and Mo- 
derns that have followed unquestioned Tradition, that the Heart is 
sometimes affected with one or more of those causes they attribute to 
it, and the more in casual and intermitting Distempers of it, but in 
confirmed Distempers of the Heart, or the same will hold of all the 
other Bowels, onely we instance in one ; the causes were Ulcers, or 
Worms,

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  7 
Worms, or Stones, or Bones, or clottered Blood, or mutation of the Si- 
tuation, or Consumption of the Parenchyma, or swiming in serous 
matter in the Pericardion, or absence of the Pericardion, wasted tho- 
row Diseases; or the growing amiss of the Heart, either for 
magnitude or figure, or other adnascences of fangous Flesh, or Scirrhs, 
or growing to the Lungs, &e. this is intended for all Bowels, in which 
the Ancients were as much mistaken as in the Heart ; all Bowels, as Li- 
ver, Spleen, Middriff, Lungs, Gall, Pancreas, Mesenters, Uterus and 
Testes, have variety of Diseases, found by opening of diseased Bodies 
after their deaths, which the Ancients did not know, nor could finde by 
conjecture, nor in any of these is Nature bound up to a Rule and Me- 
thod ; for in one the Liver is full of little stones, in another one 
great stone hangs appendent to it, in another is an Aposthumation, in 
another is an Aposthumation of another kinde, in a third may be also oan 
Aposthumation of the Liver, yet differing from either of the former, in 
one it suppurates, in another it turns a Schirr, or hard Boil, in another it 
turns stony,and in others Glandules, such wonderful variety there is in 
the progress and changes of Diseases, even as the outward Signs in 
many sick Persons do demonstrate by their frequent changes ; in some 
the Liver is burnt up as it were, and parched, in others it is found 
quite wasted, in others it is found thrice as big as usually, specially in 
consumption of the Lungs, where the Liver grows out to fill up the 
void space, the Diaphragm yeilding : Sometimes the Liver is enfissu- 
red or cloven, and in it are many Bladders of Water, sometimes it is 
corrupted, and hath many small Aposthumes or Abscesses of black Cor- 
ruption or Sanies, sometimes it looketh pale, sometimes is grown to 
some Vicine Part, sometimes one part of it is quite fangous, or quite 
consumed, the other part being intire ; and thus for other Bowels, they 
have the like. 
Object. These are found so sometimes, and looked upon an singular Cases, 
and where strange Symptoms have been in a Body, Physicians have opened such, 
and not so commonly others, that died in ordinary manners ; and also many 
have sicknesses, pains and affects that come and go often in their Life-time, 
and there is likely no such Transmutation, Corruption or Consumption of the 
Bowels, and for these the causes assigned by the Ancients, as Galen, Hippo- 
crates, Celsus, Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, Etius and Others, might hold 
good : For those things that cause Death, might not cause curable Diseases, 
for they are not fixed likely in the Parenchyma of the Bowels. 
Answ. I think there is nothing else that can be alledged for the An -
cients, and the Moderns that have followed them : 
1. It is not sometime and as a wonder that they are found so, but 
com-

8 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
commonly and in most; and to satisfie my Reader, let him open the 
twenty next Patients that die under his hands, and he will see in all of 
them singular things, as to what the Ancients writ, and will also finde 
that Nature is not bound up to a Method, or such an Order as some will 
have ; the more any man desires to be satisfied of the Causes or Signs 
that happen in Hydropicks, and the part or parts affected, and how, the 
more he shall admire, seeing still strange and wonderful variety ; and if 
so much in one Disease, what Method doth Nature go in for different 
Diseases ? Beyond-Sea they open such as they can get leave for, even 
as it happens, and strange things to the Sons of Superstition and Tra- 
dition, are familiar, and most commonly seen by the Sons of Experi- 
ence. 
2. For the most part those things that in an extream degree cause death, 
in a mean or middle degree cause a Disease; so do Worms, Stones, 
Aposthumes, Hydropick Bladders, Glandula’s, Adhæsion, Corruption, 
Consumption, Excrescence, &c. of the inward Bowels, all these in a 
remits degree cause a Sickness or a Disease, and the self-same in an 
higher degree cause Death : Yet I confess windy Inflations, Indigesti- 
on, corruption o£ the Fæces, and intermittent Evils, do often come 
from Humours in the first Wayes, and Vapours, and Putrifaction, and 
too swift Excretion, or strong Retention, nor in many that die of ma- 
lignant Diseases may alteration in their Bowels be seen, because it was 
a venomous Quality that killed them, and sometimes so suddenly that 
no Bowel can be so soon labifactated. 
3. The Ancients were apparantly out; to write onely of the Disease 
of the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder, and so for the place and kinds 
of Worms; there is no peculiarity in the Kidneys or Bladder to have 
the Stone, they are frequently found in the Gall, Stomack, Lungs, 
Head, Liver, Uterus, and Joynts, and outward parts : and those things 
that are generated in the outward Flesh, as Spots, Tubercles, Boils, 
Carnous Excrescences, Struma’s, Glandula’s, Worms, Stones, Phly- 
ctenæ, Bladders of Water, &c. are also frequently found in the inward 
Bowels. As for the Stone, as to the place, and kindes, and causes of 
it, so for Worms were the Ancients out, and all the Moderns that have 
pinn’d their Faith on their Sleeves; commonly we confess the ordinary 
Worms incident to Children are found in the Body, commonly they 
are in the Guts or Stomack, and Ascarades or Bots are often in the Bo- 
dy, yet nothing so frequent as the ordinary Worms Children void ; 
twenty have the ordinary Worms, to one that hath Ascarades or Maggot- 
Worms; the Ancients did some of them mention the Tænia or Lumbri- 
cus larus, or broad Worm, fifteen or sixteen Ells long, the length of all 
the

A Monitory PROæMIUM.  9
the Guts, and these were all: Now by Anatomizing the Dead, and by 
other Excretions of Creatures, it is found that Worms of all sorts 
in all parts of the Body, and some are referable to Terrestrial Crea- 
tures ; but because they have no seed from any Creature, for the most 
part they have no coherence of form ; some are footed like Quadrupe- 
des, some Bi-pedes, some crawling Worms, some hairy, some like Newts, 
some exact Maggots, some like Milli-pedes, or Wood-lice, some large 
like Serpents, &c. There is a wonderful variety in these things, and 
we have heard of Serpents in two or three, found in Englishmen of late 
years, of the Lumbricus latus, Cray-fish in similitude, vomited by a child. 
Worms in the Face, &c. by which we justifie Authors : But we have 
written a Chapter of these Creatures in our Physiology and Jatrosophy, 
a Work that can never be too much read, or studied. 
What shall we say ? doth Nature proceed in no Method, or Order, 
or Coherence in causing Diseases? Yes, there is some, but not as for- 
mer Ages have generally supposed; it is the spirit and quality of that 
spirit in every living, moving, and growing Being, that is the Cause, 
and wherein is the Method ; and the Stars, principally the Planets and 
Moon, by the Air, alter the quality of the Humours in our Body, and 
thence comes such variety in our Bodies : but yet if the Inward Cause 
in our Bodies comply not with the Outward, there is nothing done ; the 
quality of the Air by its seeds sown incur Humours or Blood, trans- 
mutes or changes them into the nature of the Seeds, the Blood findes a 
matter in it whose Spirit is of a quality Heterogenious and Heteropathe- 
tical to the Blood, and so works to throw off its Enemy ; and in the Pox, 
Measles, Plague, and Purples, it throws off that Heterogenious matter 
by the Skin, Pores, or Habit of the Body; but where the matter in the 
Blood is not so venemous, or exceeding adverse qualited to our Nature, 
the Veins throw it off on some part: for in the Body like draws like to 
it, as in the Earth, and Terrene Things, and puts off or separates any 
matter that is of a quality adverse or contrary to the Blood and Nature 
of the Spirits constituting our vitality : Now we see Water in the Blood, 
sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner, sometimes limpid, sometimes 
oleaginous, sometimes yellow, sometimes black, &c. and yet because 
this Humour hath not a quality Heterogenious to the Blood, it rests very 
well in the Blood, and is not endeavoured by Nature to be cast off, nor 
causes any Disease, for a thing that looks exactly as another, may be no- 
thing like it in nature, so Sperma Humanum, and some glutinous and 
thick Flegm we raise from our Lungs or Palate of our Mouth, look ex- 
actly alike, and are in confidence the same ; and yet there is a Spirit of 
an enlivening nature in the Sperma Humanum and onely a cold stupify-
ing 

10 A Monitory PROæMIUM
ing quality in the pituitous matter; fo Stibium, and the red Glass of 
Church-Windows, may in taste, smell, look and confidence of Body be 
the same, and yet there is a purgative Virtue or Quality in Stibium that 
the Glass hath not : So for Alabaster and some pieces of Arsenick, how 
much do they differ in quality, and how little in bodily appearance? So 
in the Body of Man, if we could see the Humours and affected Parts, 
and the current of the Blood, we could not tell whether People would 
live or die of those Distempers, or how they would change, or what 
they would become for the most part: for an Humour looking like ano- 
ther in an abscess of the Liver, Spleen, Reins, or Lungs, shall not raise 
Symptoms alike, nor work alike, became the quality that is in it, alters 
it and works it; in one abscess there is a petrifying quality, and that turns 
all the matter in a little time into perfect stone, one or many ; in ano- 
ther Abscess, Ulcer, Aposthume or Tubercle of any of these Bowels, 
the matter looking the same with the former, is a vivifying spirit, and 
that matter takes some or other strange and commonly different form, 
and enlivens and increases; another Abscess hath a matter like the for- 
mer, but in this is an Earthy Gummy Spirit, and insipid, and this turns 
all the matter into a Caruncle or Fungus, or if it be a little otherwise 
qualified, a Glandule, or many Kernels ; in another Abscess is a fermen- 
ting qualitied spirit, and that makes them Aguish, and this differs 
hugely in quality inter se ; for some fermentative matter is colder and 
duller, because it wants the sharp and hot spirit that is in other Hu- 
mours, and this causeth colder Agues ; the sharper and hotter the spirit 
in this matter is, the hotter is the Ague : therefore many times they that 
drink much strong. Water make a cold Ague all hot Fits. Again, this 
matter differs in the peculiarity of the quality, some fermenting twice 
in one day, some once in twenty four hours, some once in two days, 
and some but once in three or four days : In another Excrementitious 
Matter is an Ossifick quality, and then a Bone is generated of the big- 
ness and shape with the Excrementitious Matter, for the Ossifick Spirit 
transmutes it as it lies ; even as our Wells in England, and Earth about 
Shefford, turns the Wood into perfect Stone in the same figure it was ; 
and to a few Grains of Ens Auri, or Essence of Gold, transmutes 
much Lead or Quicksilver into perfect Gold ; we see multitude of Ex- 
amples from Seeds thrown into the Ground, or Animals Semen, either 
injected into Uterusses, or laid in Flesh, Mud or Earth, or Fruits, 
which works upon the fit matter it is in, and turns it into the form of 
the Creature from whom this Seed came, and it enlivens. And the 
Stars do very much qualifie and alter the Seeds in our Humours : Hence 
it is that often Coughs, malignant Pleurisies, Quinzies, malignant Ter- 
tians,


A Monitory PROæMIUM  11
tians, and divers strange confused kindes of Agues, are Epidemical; 
and I have observed the mutations in divers Diseases to be from the 
Moon, and the other Planets, especially that Planet that was Lord of 
the First and Sixth House, at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; and a Pra- 
ctioner of Physick in this Town told me, when he had a long sickness, 
he could always tell when his Paroxisms , or times of greater illness 
would be, when the Sun was afflicted by the Body or Aspect of Saturn, 
or his Signficator afflicted ; and did not Venus stand his Friend in ma- 
ny such evil Aspects, he thought he should have died. 
Now such a Method doth Nature observe, that it is the casual influ- 
ence of the Planets (simply, or conjoyned with fixed Stars of the great- 
er Magnitudes,that are milde or gentle-natured) upon our Blood and Hu- 
mours, and as the quantity and quality of our Blood and Humours vary, 
so the Stars act variously : for the Agent can do nothing, if the Patient 
is not fit; and one Planet doth not so powerfully alter one mans Body as 
anothers, because in one it was his Significator at his Nativity, in the 
other a Significator of his Fortune, in another a Significator of his Re- 
ligion at his Nativity; and so though our Humours and Constitutions 
are much alike, yet in this respect the Planets vary. There is natural- 
ly in some matter, a greater proneness and aptitude to petrify ; in other, 
to ossify ; in other, to vivify or animate ; in other, to carnify ; in other, 
to sanguify ; in other, to lactify ; in other, to spermafy and crinify : 
and though the greater number of Planets that are stongest at such a 
time, do dispose the Humours to putrify or vermify, (for at sometimes 
both old Folks and Children have Worms more than in other seasons) 
yet in all Bodies there be not those Humours; and in all Bodies that those 
Humours be, yet there is not in them a like putrifying quality ; At such 
a time Venus is Lady of the Ascendant, commands Jupiter, Mars, the 
Moon, &c. in her House, is strongest of any in the Scheam, and yet all 
men at this time are not Veneriously inclined, for some are never 
libidinous ; yet at this time they may be more libidinous than others ; 
and at such a time an evil-minded men is the likelier to accomplish his 
incestuous Desires. VVe see huge mutations and changes dayly and 
hourly, sometimes in some sick persons, and how do these come, but from 
the motion of the Morbifick Cause ? and how is that changed and mo- 
ved so strangely, but by the Attoms in the Air, drawn into our Body in 
our Breath, which are qualified from the Planets ? 
We have in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, sufficient- 
ly demonstrated the force of the Heavens on all sublunary Beings ; but 
we will here adde some more ; Whence is it in Moon-Ey'd Horses their 
Eye or Eyes grow full at full Moon,and then they are bind; and as the
B 2  Moon 


12  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moon decreases, they decrease, and then they see better ? Many Coun- 
trey-mens Experience attests this. 
2. Concerning the alteration of Diseases, changing of Symptoms, 
and of all diseased Parts, dying and growing sick, it is apparantly seen 
in some Diseases by the alteration of the Moon, and divers have told 
me, That when the Plague did rage in this Town of Hitchin, most fell 
sick or died at change of the Moon, or full Moon, and four or five were 
buried then together, and when the Moon was at her full state, was the 
sickness in many in its Crisis or Exaltation; and it is apparant to many 
intelligent Physicians, that our Bodies are fuller of moisture at full 
Moon, than other times; and Experience shews us, the Epileptick and 
Convulsive have fits at full Moon commonly, and the Reason may be, 
because water in the Brain is oft found by Dissection to cause Epilepsies, 
and other Diseases, which the Practical Physicians hitherto did not ima- 
gine: NoW we know the Moon rules over Moisture much, witness the Eb- 
bing and Flowing of the Sea; doth it not in divers places of this Land 
increase and swell higher at full Moon, and in the declination of the 
Moon fall, and sink lower ? 
Moreover the monthly Fluxes of Women, or Menstrues, are caused 
partly by the Moons influence, and partly by a created aptitude or na- 
tural faculty in them; we see often they are, when stopt, easilier pro- 
voked at full Moon, than in its declination; the Moon rules princi- 
pally in Moisture, and principally in the Moisture of Feminines, for she 
is a Feminine Planet; yet in Men the Hæmorrhoids are periodical some- 
times and monthly, and some have (but rarely) a Fluxus Sanguinis per 
Penem monthly. 
Farmers did observe in these late years of Infection amongst Horses, 
that their Horses sickened or died familiarly at New or Full Moon : is 
not the Disease Lunatick so called from the Moon, for that at full Moon 
they are afflicted monthly ? and Physicians have observed Catarrhs and 
Defluxions to rise or fall from the Moon, and to be governed much 
thereby. Guainerius did observe one spake a strange Tongue he never 
learned, in New Moons; and other melancholy persons have at such 
changes of the Moon alone spake a strange Language they never learn- 
ed : If any think we speak slightly or conjecturally of many of these
things, let them search in their proper Chapters Examples in our Physi- 
logy, and they shall see them confirmed. It is written of the Clupæa 
Fish in Sagona, a River of France, that in the encrease of the Moon it 
is white, and in its decrease black : So the Piscis Lunaris, or Luna-fish, 
is so appellated from the strange alteration the changes of the Moon 
makes in her, and her figure : We might be numerous in Examples. 
Pliny


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  13
Pliny lib.2.cap.4l. writes, That at Full Moon, Oysters, Shell-fish 
and Periwinckles increase, but decrease at decrease of the Moon. 
Kekerman, l. c. saith, The Skins of Sea-Calves and Sobles are stiff with 
the standing upright of the Hair, when the Moon increases ; but in the 
Moon decreasing, they grow weak and fall down. 
Dropsical People are often most molested at Full Moons, and there- 
fore at that time, saith Johannes Johnstodynus, they commonly die; and 
then it took away that Reverend Man, D. Martin Gratianus, Superin- 
tendent of the Reformed Churches in Greater Poland. 
Libavius, Epist.15. Schnitzer, saith, It is better to give Medicines a- 
gainst Epilepsies the day after, than in the Opposition of the Luminaries; for 
in the hour of ☌ the Moon is quiet, but afterward the works and begins 
to augment the Humours. 
We shall not give Examples here of the force and quality of the Moon 
in Nativities to dispose mens Bodies and Mindes ; nor of the Vulgars ob- 
servation in cutting of Cocks , nor shall we insist on its force upon in- 
animate things, to cause fulness & flaccing, juyciness and driness, as that 
increases or wanes; as, in Vines, Onyons, Palm-Trees, Basil, Lapis 
Selenites. Keckerman, Disp.Phys.3.Coroll.11. saith, Lillies and Roses open 
their Buttons or Heads in the night alone, as loving the Moon; and Marigolds, 
Tulips, &c. open onely to the Sun, and shut up against the Moon : Nor shall 
we here dispute (as we might finde matter and occasion largely to do) 
of the peculiar Government of Plants by Rich and such Planets, and 
how they are fuller of Virtue pulled up at such a time, whenas the Pla- 
net governing them is Essentially fortified, than at another time: 
Not yet shall we here speak much of Sigils and Telesms insculpt in Wax 
or other impressible matter, the Seal made at a fit time, according to the 
Position of the Heavens, and the Engraving or Impress of that Seal 
must be at a due time, as the Planet governing the Disease, and Lord 
of the Hour, are Essentially fortified, aspected by Others, and seated in 
significant Houses, and accordingly hung about the sick party. In our 
Philosophical Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography, and 
in the last of these have we treated of Sigils and Telesms ; whither the 
Reader may have recourse. 
The Moon indeed is most generally significant in all Distempers, of 
all the Planets; and in every Scheme we take of sickness, the Moon and 
her Dignity, and House, and Sign she is in, and to whom she applies, is 
very considerable, next to the Lord of the Ascendant, Signifier of the 
sick Person, and Lord of the sixth House, Significator of his Sickness, 
and Lord of the Eighth, Significator of Death ; yet the Sun in the next 
place, of all the Planets, hath most influence upon our Bodies ; and by 
his


14  A Monitory PROæMIUM.
his heat and warmth more than other Planets, he enlivens and alters 
most Animate and Vegetative Bodies ; as also by Light: Now if the 
Sun, having in it the seed of Light, can enlighten the Stars and Moon, as 
they approach him ; and when the Moon is gone a good distance and 
while from the Sun, the seminary Principle of Light it received from 
the Sun, dies by degrees, until it comes to the Sun again and then the 
Moon receives fresh Seeds of Light, which grow (as the Seeds of Infc- 
&ion taken into our Bodies) to maturity, which is when she is run half 
her course, and just opposite to the Sun, then is the Moon at the Full, 
and the Seeds of Light like our Life, and the maturity of our Age ; and 
other Animals and Vegetables are as long a declining or dying, as en- 
creasing and growing to maturity ; and no question this of the Sun and 
Moon is a great cause of the maturation and corruption of Bodies, and 
gives great insight into the method of working, encreasing and dying in 
other Seeds; And if the Sun thus alter the Moon, why not other less and 
inferiour things ? 
I going one day in Summer in the hot Sun without Gloves, did so 
strangely burn my hands, that they felt sore to the touch, and looked of a 
red colour, as if netled ; and I have heard the like of others, whose 
hands have been high blistered with the Sun, but in a far different man- 
ner from fire, for that scorches and burns us long sensibly , and then the 
the fire remains not so in our flesh, and so long as the Sun's quality, 
for from the Sun it rather looks as if venemed ; yet to touch fire will 
make a soreness longer. 
Many mad People do chiefly rage when the Sun is in the Tropical 
point Cancer, and about the Summer Solstice, partly the heat, and partly 
the quality of the Air, makes divers mad in Summer, that are pretty 
well all the year beside : Herbs of the Sun are strongest when they are 
gathered in the Hour and Exaltation of the Sun , or when the Sun is in 
Leo; and we have observed several such things. We have mentioned 
three Observations of the greater force of Herbs gathered when the 
Planets governing them are strongest in our Book of Physiology and Ja- 
trosophy, and particularly in our Nosology ; but Astronomical Physicians 
have gone upon slight grounds in giving such an Herb to such a Star, 
and another to such a one, many times; and the Reasons of their 
grounds would be sifted: for if the Foundation be false, we can never 
make a true Superstructure. 
We see the Sun's heat drives away Agues and cold Distempers, it rai- 
seth Head-ach to those that sit too long therein, especially bare-headed, 
and in the Spring, and that are subject to Head-ach ; also those that fit 
in February or March in the Sun for warmth, do oft catch Agues : and I 
when


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  15 
when I was a Boy, catched an Ague by sitting shivering in the Sun to 
warm me : It is also so pleasant at its return : The absence of Things 
makes them the welcomer to us at their return : By Sundew, Heliotrope, 
Marigolds, Hinca, &c. is the Sun's particular Domination over Planets 
seen. 
But we will not insist onely on these two Planets, the other Five, Sa- 
turn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, Dragons Head, Dragons 
Tail, and some of the fixed Stars of the greater Magnitudes have great 
Influence upon our Bodies, and alter and move our Humours, and by 
consequence our Mindes, as they are most prompt to be wrought upon. 
The Scorpion stings most dangerously when the Dog-star is up, and 
men used to observe the rising of the Dog-star for cutting of Frankin- 
sence-Trees, as then fittest for Use, and fullest of Juyce: and in the 
Terceræ Islands the Windes called Etesia arc mild Windes, that rise eve- 
ry year two days after the rising of the Dog-star; and the Disease Syri- 
asis is so caused from Syrius the Dog-star, and called so, because divers 
did observe that at the rising of that Star Infants were inflamed in their 
Heads; so that we see those Stars have Influence upon Animate and In- 
animate bodies; and if the Dog Stars Syrius and Procton can raise winds, 
they can in the Air in all likelyhood communicate their quality to our 
blood; but we do not observe the force and influence of the Dog Stars 
in our Climate or Countrey, as in other parts ; for in the Dog dayes 
they give no Physick, and Wounds and Ulcers heal badly, Hippocrates 
Aphorismes, Sect. 4. aph. 5 υπbxυvα xγ προς εργω dεες αi φαgαιiαl,
about the rising of the Dog-Star, and before its rising, purging 
by Medicines is very molestuous ; but we say, Canis non mordet in An- 
glia, the Dogs bite not in England : It is certain, some Stars have a 
greater power over some Countreys then over others. 
Cardanus and Casper Wolphius, Did observe Headach to arise in some 
persons with the Sun,it was chiefly in the Forehead; every day the Head- 
ach arose in these, as the Sun arose in the morning, and at noon, when 
the Sun was nearest, it grew most vehement; but as the Sun went far- 
ther off, the Headach did decline ; and at evening when the Sun did 
wholly hide himself, the Headach was absolutely gone, and began the 
next morning when the Sun arose, and encreased as that grew higher; 
but in one of these parties it was a pain rather of the eye, sometime a- 
bove one eye, and sometime above mother. 
Joachimus, Comm. ad 9. lib. Rhasis, cap. 4. observed another that had 
Headach about noon, but as the Sun went down it declined ; signes of 
Choler were in him, which the Sun moved to his head ; he was cured 
with purging of Choler, and strengthening his bead.
Salius

16 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Salias cap. 12. Annotat. ad Altomar. Gract, Observed Megrims to be 
raised and mitigated according to the course of the Moon, in some per- 
sons, and to have continued so for three years. 
It would be too tedious to write of many new Diseases, Epidemical, 
and some of them Contagious, that do happen in all Ages and Coun- 
tryes, sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes in one place, somc- 
times in another; they certainly come from the Air, and the Air is 
qualified by the Stars, and Seeds and Attoms swim and fluctuate in 
the Air, as Wood and heavier matter doth in the Water, that is a more 
sollid, and lesse penetrable body than Air. 
We should too much stay the Reader here to give an accompt only of 
the experience we have had of the Progress, Changes and Crises of 
Diseases according to the alteration and motion of the Planets, but 
who so is well skilled in Astrology and Physick, and shall at the dccum- 
biture, or chief time of the sickening of his Patient, draw a Scheam 
of the Heavens, and observe all along the mutations of the Planets, and 
his sick Patients distemper, he shall in most Diseases find great satis- 
faction, and say, It is far more certain Prognosticating by the Heavens, 
then symptoms in Diseases: Yet in confused Distempers, and such as we 
cannot well refer to any name in Riverius his Practice, Astrology is most 
illuminative. 
There are divers observations extant of the operation of the Planets 
on mens Bodies, but few, in regard of the use there would be of them, 
and excellency thereof; but these would require much time and pains 
to describe to purpose, therefore we shall omit them. 
We see also there is a strange Antipathetick quality in Lightning to 
bereave us suddenly of Life, and a blast of Air blasts many ; some in 
the field, some standing at their door; some are bereaved of sence, 
some of motion ; some in the whole body, some only in one particular 
part; some in one manner, some in another ; some in one degree, some 
in another. 
We will speak a little here in the Vindication of Astrology, it may 
satisfie some, it need hurt none ; Truth alone must please God, and fram 
pia be condemned. 
1. The various motions of the Planets, argue an intention of Pro- 
vidence, more in making them then other fixed Stars ; five especially 
have no other reason of their wandring to and from, backward and for- 
ward ; sometime in one Sign, sometimes in another ; sometimes swif- 
ter, sometimes slower; sometimes in Conjunction, sometimes in 
Opposition one to another; nothing was made in vain, no not the least 
part in the least Creature, nor nothing to be idle.
2. God


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  17 
2.God doth all by natural causes, and what shall we say are the causes 
of such and such things, but what we experience ? if one thing here doth 
sympathize and antipathize with another, and one depends upon ano- 
ther, and one governs another; Why may not the Stars more pure, 
high and great bodies influence upon, and alter these lesser, grosser and 
low compositions, every Agent being more noble than the Patient ? and 
the Air is the mediate cause. 
3. There may as well be quallifications of peculiarity in the Sun, 
Moon, and five other Planets in the Macrocosm, as in the Heart and 
Brain in the Microcosm, and Liver, Spleen, Gall, Lungs and Reins; 
and if God hath planted Originally in all such bowels peculiar quali- 
ties, and these operate accordingly upon the rest of mans body, inferi- 
our in dignity to them ; why may not the bodies of the Stars have' also 
peculiar natures and qualities implanted Originally into them, and ac- 
cording to these they operate ? for it is certain all things were made 
for an use, and why they should observe such strange motions and or- 
ders, no other reason can be given, than what man hath found by ex- 
perience ; and that for which every thing is most fit, for that it was 
made, and that is the right use of it: It would be tedious to relate. the 
wonderful qualities, and Spirits of strange and stupendious Natures, 
that are placed in many bodies, slight and sorry to look on, as the at- 
tractive force in the Loadstone ; in Herb Moonwort, the chastity of 
Emeralds and Sobriety, the shivering of Quicksilver in fire or hot wa- 
ter, and its flying to Gold ; the fighting of Spirit of Tartar and Vitriol, 
the quality of moving Love in some Plants, of dissolving strife in others; 
of releasing the bewitched, and driving away Spirits ; of causing mad- 
ness, and inducing sleeping to death : See these in one place or other 
of out Physiology and Jatresophy, with many more strange and prodigi- 
ous qualifications of the Spirits of Plants and Minerals. We do not 
deny but things affect one another by the Attorns and Exhalations that 
aries from their bodies but what accompt can any give, why the Attorns 
of one is of such a quality eto cause Sobriety, and the Attorns breath- 
ing from another to cause Love , and the Attoms breathing from 
another to cause madness ? every body, as it is a body and 
earth is not active, or moveable ; doth neither taste, nor small, nor hath 
a colour for the most part, but the Spirit that is in it, moves and acts it, 
makes it grow, taste and smell; and as soon as this Spirit or Soul is eva- 
porated from it, it looks oftentimes pale, but constantly loseth its scent 
and taste ; so when our Souls are gone, we look pale, and corrupt pre- 
sently, even as Plants as soon as their Spirit or Soul is gone : bodies 
were only made for Receptacles of Spirits or Souls, and these Souls or 
C Spirits


18  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Spirits do act and move these bodies; and according to the peculiar na- 
ture or quality of these Original implanted Spirits, so they act diversly  
now why may not the peculiar qualitied Spirits of the Stars operate and 
alter the Spirits placed in the bodies of terrene and gross things, ac- 
cording as they are fit and changeable, especially seeing every minute 
we must draw in Air ? and if the laying of Plants about us, and Mine- 
rals and Animals, do so alter the Air, that sometimes we are sick, some- 
times comforted by them; the Stars may as well do it: What influence 
hath the Sun for heat upon this world, more then a thousand Cities 
set on fire ? and yet the Sun is at a vast distance so to heat the Air all a- 
bout. The exactly demonstrating these things, would require a larger 
discourse than we are willing here to spend thereupon. What is our 
Brain? what doth it look like ? a Gelly, or knotty Flegm ; yet in this 
matter is a choice quality implanted, our sensation and motion ; what 
is the Heart to look upon, or to feel, or touch, or taste, or smell? 
meerly flesh: and yet see how it differs in dignity of quality; and there 
are nobler Spirits placed in it, than in other parts of the body; it hath 
the Seed of Blood, and is able to change all nourishment into red hot 
Spirituous Blood, specially as Nature shall have need thereof; and 
hereby doth it influence upon all the body, as the Brain by motion and 
sensation operates and alters all the body ; GOD could as well have 
placed the Seminary Principle of Blood, or Sanguification in the Spleen, 
and the Soul in the Liver, for the flesh doth nothing ; he could 
have made any flesh capable of the highest qualities and faculties. 
4. Allowing this force to the Planets, and some fixed Stars as they 
happen to be joyned with them, vindicates GOD from injustice ; for 
certain it is, that the humors alter our minds, and our constitutions 
change our judgements, and lead us to divers appetites: and the Or- 
gans are not alike fitted in all to be wise or foolish, ingenuous or fro- 
ward alike. 
If he that is born a natural Fool, shall repine and say, Why was I not 
born capable of knowledge as other men ? what had I done In the Womb to 
make my Creator more partial to me, than the rest of man-kind ? It may be 
Answered, It was his lot to be begotten, conceived and born at such 
an unfortunate time, when the Planets operating upon the propitious 
matter in utero so disposed him. 
Another may Object, why was I made of such a melancholy temper , to 
he dejected at every small business, and to swoon at every light grief, and to 
he discontented with my life? Some must be melancholy, as some are mer- 
ry; there must be variety ; and it fell according to their nativity, to be 
such, without any partiality, or ill respects in GOD towards them: so
for 


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  19
for the passionate, that suffer for their Tongues, and cannot help it, 
they wish they were of another temper, and could forbear; and are 
apt to be angry that they are so apt to be angry: but some must be angry, 
else there would be none patient if all were alike; and it fell casually to 
their lot to be so : if God did immediately, without contingent causes, 
ordain or make them so, they might have somewhat more to say and to 
repine at; but now God is blameless, for where the cause accidentally 
falls, the effects follow : but the causes are so wisely from all eternity 
ordered, that they shall keep in a mean, and not much trangress; as
those causes that dispose men to be natural fools, or Atheists, shall not 
come so often by one to a hundred, as those causes that cause Wisdom 
and Worship ; nor shall they come altogether, but shall happen now 
and then, that Nature may have some variety. 
Perhaps a good mans Barn is burnt by Lightning, and his Neighbours, 
a wicked mans, is unhurt; God is no respecter of Persons nor partial, 
it fell out according to natural causes, that the Lightning did direct to 
this mans Barn in a contingent manner; and it is the nature of Light- 
ning, where the Beams and Attoms ate conglomerated, and so made 
stronger, to burn ; if God had with material hands took a Torch and set 
it on fire, as Enthusiasts seem to think him to act, surely then the just 
man had had somewhat to have said : it is a dignity to God to act by 
causes, and one cause under another; the outward cause operates up- 
on the inward cause, and the remote upon the vicine, the primary up- 
on the instrumentary : If a King would have any thing done, and must 
do it himself, it would not be such honour to him, as to do it by subser- 
vient means, and messengers; so God is the more dignified and ho- 
noured by Nature, then if, as Enthusiasts would have him, he did all im- 
mediately by material Hands, Feet and Mouth, without the intervene 
of natural causes. 
Sometimes it Rains twice as much in one Land or Soil as needs, and 
in another Land or Soil at the same time is not half Rain enough, so 
that both are spoiled, one by a flood, the other by drought ; and if God 
did this immediately by immediate counsel, and with material hands, 
as if he should pour down buckets, without the contingency of natural 
causes, how might men complain, and say, God dealt hardly with them. 
Many times upon the Sea a VVinde arises and drowns a good mans 
Ship, wherein are far better persons than in another Ship, that at that 
time arrives safe. 
Many times a good man is wounded of Thieves going abroad, is kil- 
led by a fall, or taken with the Plague, or killed with Lightning, when 
many far worse at the same time, and in that place may escape; and
C2  were


20  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
were it not that all things here happen alike to all in a contingent man- 
ner to us, though predestinated and pre-ordained by GOD, we might 
repine; the Sun shines on the good and bad, and rain falls on the just 
and unjust : And Man is ordained as Astronomers will shew by cal- 
culating a Mans Nativity, to this or that good or mischief that he will 
hardly avoid ; and because we do not fore-know or fore-see, we must act 
warily and wisely ; for we do not know, though it is predestinated to us 
to be poor or miserable, or evil, but by our endeavour we may avoid it; 
for we do not know our Endeavours will be bootless, till we see the 
event ; so we act as if nothing was predestinated : All our labours and 
endeavours, if it be not ordained, shall not make us rich, or eminent, 
or favoured, or lucky. 
Yet GOD commonly ordains a Thing by ordaining the Cause; as such 
a man is ordained to thrive; why? because he is made of a cunning 
industrious and parsimonious temper; yet many a great Drinker, sloath- 
ful and unskilful fellow, in companion of such, shall thrive and grow 
richer: Nature is full of variety , and degrees, and kindes in every 
kinde. 
Did not things also in States and Kingdoms fall out according to a for- 
tuitous and accidental hap, and the fortune of Mens happy Nativities, 
why did Mahomet that Great Impostor, arise to that credit and honour 
in the World ? Why did not God make him an untimely birth, or cause 
his dayes to be short, that he should not corrupt the World with his Doc- 
trine ? or raise other causes to have deterred his Followers from credi- 
ting him ? Is he not CHRIST’s Opposite ? and did he not take up- 
on him to be Mediator betwixt GOD and Man ? And how miraculously 
hath he prospered through many Nations and Ages ? 
To this adde the remarkable Affairs of this World, to wit, The expun- 
ging and debellating of Christianity by the Turk, and the setting up of 
Mahometism in all those parts where Christianity did at first with much 
difficulty and blood shed, and persecution gain rise; but I will not say 
that they upon whom the Tower of Siloam fell, were greater sinners than others, 
nor he that was born blinde ha finned in or by his parents more than others 
that were born seeing, but according to Natures course, which when God 
contradicts, it is a Miracle, and Miracles rarely happen : What is be- 
come of the seven Churches of Asia their founded Christian Religion ? 
Hath not the Turkish Power overcome ? and is not MAHOMET ad- 
vanced in Throne above CHRIST in all those Quarters ? Yet I say,
Existus


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  21 
Exitus acta probat, careat successibus opto 
Quisquis ab eventu facta not anda putet. 
I wish that they may never speed 
Who by Events e'er judge the Deed. 
Non aliena putes homini quæ obtingere possint; 
Sors hodierna mihi, cras erit ilia tibi. 
Think nothing strange that Man cannot decline, 
For what's to day my Lot, to morrow's thine. 
And so we all undergo vicissitudes and variety, Cappadocia, Asia the less, 
with Phrygia, lonia, Pamphylia, Licaonia, Pontus, Bithynia, Galatia, 
Greece, Syria, Ephesus, Smyrna, Thiatira, Philadelphia, Pergamos, Judea, 
Jerusalem and Palestine ; are not all these under the Turk , and subject 
to the Doctrine of Mahomet, where the Doctrine of JESUS did so 
spring forth and arise and flourish for the time ? 
The Jews were thought a peculiar People to GOD, beloved by their 
Creator above all Nations and Languages of the World, and yet what 
Nation hath suffered more ? how oft hath Jerusalem been won, and ran- 
sacked, and sometimes quite demolished, and re-built ? How oft have 
they changed their Governments ? The King of Assyria conquered 
Israel, and captivated them, and the King of Chaldea the Jews ; since they 
have been conquered & enslaved to the Persian, the Grecian, the Arabian, 
the Roman ; the Turk now governs all, and the Jews and Christans live 
by permission, and pay Tribute. What became of those hundred thou- 
sands of men that went to redeem Jerusalem, and CHRIST’s Sepul- 
chre from the Turk, in the appellate Holy War ? Surely Enthusiasms are 
not regarded by GOD : Many think they are holier than other Men, and 
that GOD must prosper them, or that GOD is engaged to make them 
successful over the wicked, as they imagine : I say, No : GOD will 
not alter the course of Nature, unless upon weighty grounds, and those 
Miracles are ordained to come seldom. 
Yet whoever thou art, do not think I think it good to sin, or that it is 
bootless to be good; thou wilt hereafter repent, a thousand times re- 
pent the wilful commission of every evil Action, but thou must not think 
GOD is obliged to defend thee in Fire or Water, in Battel or Tempests 
more then others thou imagined far worse than thy self: for GOD is 
impartial, and Effects must follow the Cause, and the Causes must go 
on as GOD set them Originally to go. 


22  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
And let none mistake me concerning Predestination, I do not med- 
dle with Predestination to Salvation or Damnation in any; that is onely 
in GOD’s Cabinet-counsel, nor can any tell any thing thereof ; nay, 
though Spirits have told several Secrets of the future Being, they durst 
never divulge any thing of moment to Mankinde, concerning how we 
shall live hereafter, or who shall be happy, and who unhappy, or how 
many, or how and in what manner.  
Now seeing we see apparantly the universal order, gradation, pro- 
gress and event of things, is after this manner of contingency; what evil 
or absurdity is it to allow it a cause ? and why may we not as honest- 
ly and lawfully say, The Stars, under GOD , are the natural cause 
of all these Contingents and casual Events (casual, meerly, as to our fore- 
knowledge) as any other things ? 
Furthermore, the Planets operate upon out Mindes, not onely by mo- 
ving, encreasing and altering the quality of our Humours (which we 
have largely shewn in several places of our Physiology and Jatrosophy, but 
chiefly in out Chapter of the place of the Soul) but by raising Contin- 
gents and intervening Accidents : 
Est aliquid quod nos animos mutando gubernat 
Mores res contingentesqi; sequuntur humores, 
Proxima namq ; Deo sunt horum causa planetæ: 
That that doth change our Mindes, doth surely guide 
Our Actions, and our Manners do depend 
upon Contingents ; our Humours beside 
Alter our Wills, these the Planets do bend. 
One man is minded to go a Journey, a shower of Rain falls, and al- 
ters his minde. 
Another intends to revenge himself upon his Adversary ; he falls 
sick, and that changes his minde, which before he resolved should not be 
changed. 
Another intends to do much work on his Trade, and that he will not 
be drawn away by company to bezel and drink ; but company come and 
perswade him, and his minde is changed, and he goeth with them with 
delight. 
One resolves he will never be a Quaker ; but out of Curiosity and 
Novelty he will hear the Quakers, with hearing them his mind is chan- 
ged, so that he becomes a Quaker. 
One resolves to kill or such a Person, and he resolves his minde 
shall


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  23 
shall not change, nor none shall intercede for him ; yet when that per- 
son comes and asks forgiveness, acknowledges his fault, and promises 
and supplicates, his mind is changed; and he hath rather ( a minde 
now quite Contrary to his former minde) to do him good. 
Another intends to live bravely,) and spend freely, and build fine 
Houses ; but he sustains a great loss in his Estate, and then his inten- 
tions alter. 
But abundance more may be heaped up unnecessarily, which the 
common capacity of Men, if they would but consider, may see cle- 
lie. 
And no man I believe, but at divers times is in divers mindes, and 
of different Intentions and Inclinations, though there be nothing in- 
terposes, nor no differing or fresh Contingents; and this suddain and 
often variation of our Mindes, Intentions, Desires, Appetites and Af- 
fections, must have a Cause ; and what wickedness or absurdness is it to 
attribute it to the Planets? for Experience shews it, and in Reason 
their various and differing motions answer to the various and differing 
motions of our Humours and Affections. 
I know by my self, and have heard others say, They were most melan- 
choly, when they had least cause ; and Lovers are sometimes wonder- 
fully inflagrated towards one another ; and at another time, no oc- 
casion given, quite off from desiring one another. But we might be 
infinite in these things: And Sennertus, in Epitom. Scientiæ Nat. saith, 
Experience shews the Humours are altered by the Stars, and the Minde by the 
Humours : Mores sequnntur temper amentum corporis ; Experientia con- 
tradicere nefas: The Manners follow the temperament of the Body , and 
it is unlawful to gain-say true and manifold Experience. 
5. All Mankinde was made Upright, with the Countenance upwards, 
and all Beasts look downwards to the Earth ; that was somewhat in 
Providential Intention that Man might look up to the Stars, and weigh 
the Majesty of the Heavens, and Beasts were made onely to feed and 
grovel on the Earth , therefore they had not their looks made upwards, 
to view the Glory, and Power, and Wisdom of their CREATOR, in 
the Heavens and Starry Globe. It was a good Observation of Ovid, 
Pronaque cam spectant animalia cætera terram,
Os hominis sublime dedit, cœlumque tueri 
Fussit, & erectos ad Sidera vollere vultus. 
6. The multitude of Astronomers that have been in some Countreys, 
and in many Ages, have had experience of the force of the Stars; but 
the  


24  A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
the Rules of the Antients, as our Physical Rules, are many, infirm, and 
true but sometimes, and were ill grounded ; and God hath so wisely or- 
dered it, that man shall not be certain always therein, for then he would 
be presumptuous: In many Scheams an Astronomer draws, there are 
as many Arguments against as for the thing, so that he knoweth not 
which to judge ; in most Scheams there are some Planets that by the 
Sign they are in, or House, or Degree, or Aspect, deny, according to 
Astrological Rules, that, that others affirm; and in such Cases we must 
take the strongest, and conclude from the position of the greater num- 
ber ; as in an Assembly most Voices carry it. 
7. Let us consider the Air: What causes Rains, Thunder, Winde, 
Mills, Snow, Frosts, muddy and bright Weather ? do not the Planets, 
and fixed Stars as they are conjoyned with them ? and how doth the 
Air change out Bodies ? I my self having weak Eyes, have found them 
far more misty and asking against Rain and in moist Weather ; others 
against Frost and in frosty VVeather, have Itching, and Pustules break 
forth, some almost always ; some against Rain have their Corns ake; 
divers do prognosticate change of VVeather by their Corns : some will 
say in dark foggy weather they are far more melancholy, dull and drow- 
sie ; and some then have their Heads ake : we know some Bodies are 
huge sensible of cold, and every small thing casts them down; some 
will in VVinter go bare-legged, and in Snow and catch no harm ; the 
Constitution and Custom are both to be considered ; some that have had 
Bruises will feel pains there upon alteration of weather, and no time 
else, after the Bruise is healed : divers when the weather begins to be 
open at Spring, and warmer, have Pustules, VVheals and Itch break 
forth; and so in some at fall of the Leaf; some have a matter breaks 
forth always at Spring and Fall; and we see Tertian Agues are most rise 
at Spring, Quartains at the Fall or Autumn. To enumerate no more, 
Hippocrates writ of these things, and of the qualities of the VVindes, 
and he will be believed, and in such things his experience may be ta- 
ken, though we must not look to finde things so as he writ in each other 
Body, concerning the change of the Air and Weather; if they hold 
true in every tenth Person, it is somewhat: for we shall finde ten whose 
Bodies are not sensibly altered by Rain, or VVinde, or Thunder, to one 
that is : so Bruits and Plants forshew of VVeather. 
Because we would fairly and fully satisfie our Readers concerning the 
Influence of the Planets, we shall proceed to take off a few Objectons 
made by the contrary-minded and opinioned; theirs is onely Opinion, 
which comes from Opinor, I think ; ours Experience, which comes from 
Experior, to have tried, or made proof of. 
Object. 1.


A Monitory PROæMIUM.  25
Object 1. Twins are born both at once, and yet often not alike, nor have 
fortune alike, nor die at a time. 
Answ. Often Twins are so alike, that they are fain to tie Threads or 
Ribbands about them, if both of one Sex, to distinguish ; but in the 
birch of divers Twins is a quarter, or half an hour, or more distance, 
and then they may have two Significators, and the Signs may be gone 
off those Houses : and also if the birth of the Twins was very exact, as 
to time, it is probable they were not conceived at once, and that is ve- 
ry material, and may change their Dispositions: VVhat is the Reason 
the Children of one man and woman should often times so exceedingly 
differ in Complexion, Conditions, and Fortunes, were there not some- 
what to alter ? 
Object. 2. Those that are killed in Armies in Fights, were not born all 
at once, but had several Nativities , and a Death alike at one time. 
Answ. A man may be born in January, February, March, April, or 
any other Month or day of the Month, and have an unlucky Nativity ; 
some are killed by the Combustion of their Significator, or Lord of the 
Ascendant; some by his Aspect with Saturn or Mars, or Conjunction 
with the Lord of the Eighth House, the House of Death ; and some 
were killed in the 18, some the 19, some the 20, 21, 22,23, 24th (and 
so onwards) Year of their Age, nor were they all born in one 
place.
Object 3. ’Tis an uncertain and fallible Art. 
Answ. The Vulgar say, if a thing comes to pass that Astronomers or 
Astrologers predict, They are Witches, and do it by the Devil; if it 
fails, they say, It is a Delusion, and there is nothing in it; even as they 
judge in other respects: for if a Medicine cure one, they think it must 
cure others, though of another Disease ; and if they they knew one die 
of the Jaundice, they will pronounce Death to all: One Swallow makes 
not a Summer: One Experiment is too slight, or two,or three, to ground 
our belief upon in some matters. If it had never failed, men would 
have been presumptuous, most would have gone to have known their 
Fortunes ; and that would have been an inconvenience in all Govern- 
ment, Trading and Actions Men do undergo : GOD made all things 
upon grave Counsel, and well-weighed Considerations, that they should 
hold together ; assist, not confound one another; each to keep its 
place, and nor to do anothers office. 
Moreover, If Astrology was certain, Men would say it was of the 
Devil: If we condemn it for incertainty, better may we condemn the 
Practice of Physick, for that is more uncertain ; it is termed, Ars Con- 
jecturalis. Let any Physician by the Signs he findes in ten persons judge
their


26 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
their Distempers thus and thus ; and when these come to be opened, 
more by much are false than true, that he did imagine ; yea, where di- 
vers of the most learned Physicians have been called to give their ad- 
vice and an accompt of one sick person ; one hath said the Disease was 
this, and thus ; another, that, and so ; every one differing; but when 
the party hath been opened, - another cause hath been found in their Bo- 
dy, of Death, differing from each of these? So in Prognosticks; what 
Sign or Signs hold for Life or Death in all ? The Tokens in the Plague 
are held the most infallible sign of Death, and so indeed they be, and 
yet Physicians have observed divers having the Tokens, to have escaped: 
nor are the Crises of truth, nor the Cure : What Medicine are we sure 
will cure two in one Disease ? no Medicine cures all, and each Medi- 
cine hath cured some: I dare confidently affirm that there is not one 
Drug or Medicine in an Apothecaries Shop, but at one time or other by 
one or other is used for an Ague ; and the use of nothing would be up- 
held, did not some think themselves thereby eased or helped. 
Object. 4. Scripture speaks against it.
Answ. The Scripture speaks against the abuse of it: for in those times 
and Countreys when and where Scripture was writ by the Jews, the 
Astrologers trusted too much to it, and disowned the Supreme Creator 
and Rector, and presumed much upon it, and assumed all the honour to 
themselves, and called the Months and Days by Planets Names, and 
worshipped such Planets on such Days, and diverted men from patient 
submission to a superiour Hand of Providence, thinking these the alone 
and Supreme Deities, because changes fell upon Earth as they had ob- 
served them to change. Of all the relations ever I read of the Com- 
merce betwixt Witches and evil Spirits, or also heard, I never could find 
the Devils told them any thing of the Stars, nor do they know any there- 
of, or practice any thing thereby; they are GOD’s Creatures made for. 
our Books, to read such Destinies as it pleaseth GOD man should fore- 
know. 
The Scripture doth extol the Science, admire the frame of the Hea- 
vens, demonstrate the Influence the Planets have, and shew what they 
were made for : But, if because of the abuse, nothing must be in use, 
every thing must be laid aside ; the best things are most apt to be cor- 
rupted : and, Optimorum corruptio est pessima, as Philosphers say : See 
Gen.1.14,15,16,17,18. Judg.5.20. Job 25.5,6.Chap.3 8.7. dc 29.30, 
31,32,33.-Psal. 136.7,8,9. Job 9.9,10. Psal.8.3,4. & 19.1 and divers 
o her places of Scripture assent hereto. 
Astra a regunt Homines, sed regit Astra DEUS.
Object.5.

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 27 
Object 5. It makes men Atheistical and Heathenish. 
Answ. It may be abused, and many without it may be Atheistical 
and Heathenish, and most with it are sincere Adorers of a Deity ; re- 
ally the Stars and Planets, and the Poles, and the Clouds, and their Of- 
fices and Actions are clear demonstrations of a GOD, as divers of the 
fore-cited places of Scripture hint forth. There are abundance of peo- 
ple that hear what others say , and believe with the most, and never 
question or trouble their heads about a GOD, or his Attributes; as the 
Ignorant is related to give an accompt of his Faith : I believe as Mr. 
Vicar believes, and I believe he knows , for he is Book-learned, and I am not 
Book-learned. All the works of GOD dignifie and exalt him, and the 
more we know, the more we must see the Power, Wisdom, and Love of 
GOD : we see such and such things come to pass, and what wickedness 
is it to attribute them to a cause? If we made GOD to do them with 
material hands, and to be bodily present, and to use Instruments as we 
do, to effect them, it would hugely degrade and vilifie his Maje- 
fty. 
Object 6. It may wrong divers. 
Answ. That is in the Men, the Art doth not constrain them; there 
are Knaves in all Societies, that are a scandal to the rest, and vitupe- 
rate the Profession : but the better and higher things be, so much the 
more they endamage when abused. 
Object.7. If they go too far, they may have to do with Devils. 
Answ. By a Retort: If they have to do with Devils they may go too 
far; but it is possible some men may be instigated by their Curiosity to 
contract with the Devil, to make them capable of telling Fortunes, and 
fore-knowing things, seeing Astrology is oft so uncertain ; but of such 
we must judge what may be, by what hath been ; they have seldom been 
Astrologers : and few Witches have any judgement in Astrology, if 
any ; not doth the Devil will them to learn any thing thereof, or teach 
them therein ; and without Astrology men may have as much desire as 
with it to foreknow : that way that is really good, the farther men go 
in it the better, and lazy men & unlearned, and void of scrutiny spoil all 
professions, and are a scandal to what ever they profess; and so is Wis- 
dom without a good practice. We shall conclude with the Dogmaticks 
of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, σνυπαΦυν τα αγα τοis xατω, Things be- 
low do Sympathize with things above. 
Yet the Stars do not so far alter and govern, but there are many 
things fixed, and alwayes the same as to their Nature and Basis, as 
Plants, Animals, Minerals, Man, &c. Also in man are fixed Prin- 
ciples of Blood, Bone, Flesh and Marrow ; and in his Minde Univer- 
fally


28 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
fally is, first, An apprehension of a Deity : Secondly, A propensity to wor- 
ship this conceived Deity; in Prosperity to thank him, and in Adversi- 
ty to pray : Thirdly, Almost all mankinde believe they shall live after 
this Life; or that their Souls be immortal: Fourthly, All mankinde do 
believe that GOD is able to do all things, be Omnipresent, in all pla- 
ces, be Omnivident, knowing all secrets, and to be Eternal and Im- 
mortal : Fifthly, All mankind do think, this Being Eternal, Omnipotent 
and Omnivident, must make them happy after this life,and punish them  
for their Evil Deeds: Sixthly, All men hold Love, Chastity, Patience, 
Meekness, Charity, Humility, Affability, & Honesty, good ; and Cruelty, 
Persecution, Lying, Fraud, Murder, Theft, Adultery, Reviling, and 
Cursing, evil: And these are stamps of the Divine Essence in Man, 
which are Universal, and the Stars onely alter, not take away: Yet 
there are Athiests, it is true, and others to contradict what we have said, 
but the universality of men of our Form and Parts in the World, of all 
Nations are possessed of these six things, and they are true: For GOD 
would not give to the Universal Nature of Man to believe that that is 
false : Yea, the very Bruits seem to have a Conscience, so that when 
they have done a fault, they shrink or hide themselves, or run away; and 
when they have done well, and go upon warrantable grounds, how bold, 
cheerful and confident are they ? 
4. Next will follow to be spoken of the Signs of Diseases: and in 
these is an high misunderstanding, both in those that write,and those that 
read Practices of Physick, chiefly the last : for if the Ancients, and 
most of the Moderns or Neotericks were out in the Causes, they must 
needs be in the Signs that they appropriated to such and such Causes : if 
there be any dispute about this, let my Antagonists observe the twenty 
next Patients that come under their hands, (for in so many the Rules of 
Nature may be discovered) and see if their Diseases and Signs will hold 
and run parallel with those of the Diseases they read in Barrow, Ronde- 
letius, Etius, Ægineta, Primrosius, Riverius, &c. Truly so far as I have 
observed many Patients, (having writ about 1400 Obfervations for my 
own private use hitherto) and read Observations of many other men, I 
cannot finde Nature is confined to a method, or runs in that road Au- 
thors have delivered  and who so opens many, shall finde that the Li- 
ver, Spleen, Reins, Gall, Stomach, Lungs, &c. are otherwise affected 
than as the Ancients thought; and that they do onely casually and acci- 
dentally light to be so affected as the Ancients have deciphered; the 
affection of the Bowels in the dissected, agrees chiefly in disagreeing: 
The Truth is, where we have one Patient that by concurrence of Signs 
seems


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 29 
seems to have any one Disease named in Practices of Physick, we have 
three that are referrable to none of those Diseases ; and in many Pati- 
ents sometimes together, we finde such rare Cases that never before we 
saw or read of. Also the Change in Diseases is very considerable ; to 
day, or in this hour, the Sick most complains of Headach ; to morrow, 
or the next hour, the Headach is gone, or with it remaining is a Stomach- 
pain ; the next day it is changed into vomiting and purging, and then 
perhaps that stops, and the Party is Heart-burned : and a multitude of 
such various Changes are sometime in some sick People, that lie long ; 
and what shall we call this Disease ? sometimes many Bowels are weak 
or diseased together, and by the Signs, where shall the Disease be ? 
For Example sake, we will shew by one how the Course and Order of 
Nature may be guessed at in many. 
Here died lately a Gentlewoman of Hitchin, she lay six weeks sick ; 
had a fall out of a Coach, being with child; she was very well, her con- 
dition of child-bearing considered, for a fortnight after, she was a little 
bruised betwixt the shoulders, all seems to be well; a fortnight after the 
fall she grows ill, as formerly in child-bearing she had been, of windy 
pains and stitches ; it took her with a little Cough and raising, and the 
pain did remit, and go into her Shoulder and Back, her Urine high, and 
Pulse pretty swift, some signs of a windy, some of a legitimate Pleuri- 
sie : after a week she grew better for a day or two, then worse ; her 
spitting and excretion encreased, and pain fixed in her right side ; she 
could hardly swallow, that shewed the Oesophagus hurt, and upwards on 
high, any hard thing hurt her ; she took Lohocks, and raised much or- 
dinary Flegm, like an Empyema : then a week after her raising conti- 
nuing now and then, she spat Blood, her Coughing frequent, and one 
morning she vomited much Blood by Coughing and Excretion; but af- 
ter that the new symptom Hæmoptoe ceased, she was partitis vicibus let 
Blood : after a month or three weeks she grew finely well, her stomach 
to meat was recruited, her sleep greater, her coughing not so much, and 
the purulency less ; then a week being passed, she grew worse, she com- 
plained no more of the Oesophagus, her Expuition and Cough urge, and 
her Legs swell, and she grows Asthmatical, she raiseth much fætid 
Flegm, but now void of Blood; sometimes a fit of raising eases her side- 
pain, which the last weeks did not much trouble her, and sometimes not;  
and sometimes her Asthma fits were eased by coughing, and sometimes 
not; her Asthma sometimes left her, and then she was hugely provoked 
to cough and raise; she wanted sleep and an appetite to any food ; her 
Asthmatical fits being but three or four, though she was always at last  
shortwinded, left her before her death, and she raised, as if matter did 
flow 


30 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
flow into the Lungs from some vicine part exceeding ; and two hours 
afore death she felt her self oppressed with this matter, and raised nigh 
half a pint, coughing and spitting it forth; and after this great fit of 
raising, fainted, and her Head shook, and she died with ratling of the 
matter in her Chest : she desired to rise before she died, and talked chear- 
fully, and much, the night before she died; and these in many are to- 
kens of death, but not in the generality. Here were divers other symp- 
toms and changes of less note, that came on, and went off again : she 
was delivered very easily, and during two or three dayes of purging, 
after her delivery, her Coughing was easie, she raised less, and her 
pain and Asthma very little, but her Lochyes stopping, she Asthma and 
Purulent Matter encreased, and she died three or four dayes after. Most 
Physicians thought her delivery would have freed her ; the Childe was 
very lively in Utero, notwithstanding her sickness, and born well, but 
died a week after, having principles of Corruption in it from the Mo- 
ther ; one thought it a true Pleurisie, another a bastard one at first ; then 
it seemed an inflamation of the mouth of the Stomack; then some Signs 
shewed it in the Stomack; for in Child-bearing she used to vomit, and 
this was restrained after she sickened : some signs were for Adhæsion of 
the Lungs, some for an Empyema; some that the Lungs did swim in 
purulency, some of stopped Blood; some Signs argued it inwardly, as 
hurt in swallowing, some outwardly as her soreness in her side to touch ; 
some argued Wind, for when it went into her shoulder and back, it a- 
bated in the side. 
A month after she sickened (but she was let blood before) her blood 
looked like yellow fat Broath when it was cold, and in it were several 
congealed fleeces, like bits of corrupted flesh. 
VVho would think in those that have pissed purulent matter, that 
it came from the Heart, as appeared by dissection ; in vivo omnia sunt 
pervia. 
5. Let us consider the Prognosticks ; He is a wife Physician that is 
not rash herein: I know a Physician of mean parts, and great practice, 
that I have admired he should happen to judge Life or Death so falsly, 
insomuch that other Physicians have made it a rule to go by, that such a 
party will live, because such a Physician saith, She will die, and so on 
the contrary: what can be found in the Pulse and Urines ? 
They talk of a Serratile or Saw-Pulse, Vermiculating or Crawling 
Pulse, and Intermitting Pulse. I could never find any thing here- 
in worth taking notice of; in well people the Pulse will intermit as 
well as in sick, and in dying people it is seldom found; and it is 
oft the fancy of the Physician that must make all things, so as he 
reads:


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 31
reads : the chief difference in Pulses is, the swiftness, and slownesse, 
strength and faintness of the beating ; and what may be judged hereby, is  
this; in sickness, (for in health with working or running, the Pulse will
beat faster, and in some persons naturally stronglier than in others, and
than at other times) The swiftness of the Pulse argues an Enemy in the 
Blood, or an Humour of an Heterogenious quality to it, that the Heart> 
as the Blood passeth through it, tasts and feels ; and therefore lets it 
out as soon as ever it is in, and being out by Fuga Vacui, dilating it 
self, draws in more, and so sends it swiftly about the whole Body ; if 
there be an high Heterogeneity the Heart expels it the Blood by the 
Pores and Habit of the body, or some particular part, if the Heart is 
strongest, and there be Principles of Fermentation in the humor so qua- 
lified : now if with this swiftness there is strength of the Pulse, it argues 
Nature is strong, and the Spirits are not extinct; if with this swiftness 
the Pulse is faint and weak, the Spirits are sunk, and there is feebleness 
and fainting ; for in Syncope and Deliquiums scarce any Pulse is found, 
or very little and small. 
Urines are looked upon by the Vulgar, as the greatest Prophetical 
matter about the Body of Man ; how familiar is it, and as ridiculous and 
absurd as familiar, to carry waters to Physicians,to know parties distem- 
pers, not telling a word of their Symptoms to the Physician ; judging 
him silly and unlearned in all other things, that cannot tell all their Ails 
by their Water ? and this they do frequently, not intending to take Phy- 
sick, but to bestow a Groat to know what their Disease is, (which they 
understand as much as Geese) and how and when they may recover, and 
whether they shall live or die by their Water; the which, if a Physician 
knows all the Symptoms about the sick, and his Constitution, and could 
see into his Body, he could not oftentimes truly determine of: in dy- 
ing people frequently the Water grows better,and in well people it will 
change strangely, be sometimes paler, sometimes redder ; sometimes 
thicker, sometimes thinner: the Nights Water is oft unlike to the Dayes; 
and some well persons make thick crude Water, and in others, when it 
is cold, it is thick and sedementary like the sick ; the very food we eat, 
and liquor we drink, alter our Urine. I have read of a Fruit in the new 
World, a kind to Coecus Baphicus, that when our Countrey-men ate of 
it, it so coloured their Urine, that they thought they had pissed blood,  
and were afraid to eat any more : so I have heard of other things, some  
that use to drink much Wine, piss the same for smell and colour. 
Furthermore, when the Urine passeth only by and through a few parts, 
I see not how it should shew the Constitution of all parts ; it doth shew 
chiefly distempers of the Kidneys and Bladder, but that being the Sink 
and 


32 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and Channel, Nature strives to wash off, and throw much filth that 
way by the Kidneys and Bladder, and Urine, as Water is good to wash 
off and make Fæculency and Sordity swim away ; that is some reason 
therefore, that both in Cronical and Critical distempers, thick muddy 
sedementary Urine is good, when the Disease is breaking away, especi- 
ally, if before the Urine was clear and limpid , and as if it was strained 
from all foul matter. 
Indeed I have often, to satisfie people, guessed at their Distempers 
by their Urines, and one may often please them ; if it was an high red 
Water, I judged a Feaverish temper, and then I guessed that they had 
Head-ach, Back-pains, Thirst, want of Appetite, Heat, want of 
Rest, Faintness, one day worse than another, &c. with variation ; if 
the Urine was pale and thin, I guessed at Obstructions,that it was strain- 
ed; and in Obstructions usually are these symptoms, Windiness, pain 
at Stomach, and stoppage, and loading there with inappetence and Bra- 
dupepsia, or ill digestion ; short-windedness, Aches in Knees and Shoul- 
ders ; and by fits in the Head, paleness of Countenance, dulness to 
Action and Weariness, heaviness of the Mind, &c. but in Men and 
Women is great variation; indeed we shall rarely find two exactly alike 
in all things; but these things thus conjectured, have often pleased; 
Populus qui vult decipi decipiatur, That people that will be deceived, let 
them be deceived. Some will undertake to tell them, whether it is 
a Mans or Womans Water, their Disease, and whether they will die or 
live. 
Indeed in Halr-pissing, VVorm-pissing, (which Rondeletius saith, He 
would not believe, till he had once seen them) Stones, Gravel, Blood, 
yellow Urine, mucus or pus and such like; somewhat is shewen of the 
very thing that causeth the disease, but how it is seated in the Body, in 
what degree, and in what part, we are often to seek not withstand- 
ing. 
Hippocrates his Aphorisms of Prognosticks were pretty good, so much 
as he wrote thereof, and founded upon what he had experienced ; yet 
because we meet with such variety, we must not expect them to hold 
good (as to the plurality of them) in each other person that they con- 
cern ; tis well if in one in three they hold good ; and some of them will 
rarely be found true, because Hippocrates writ them from the Observa- 
tion of some one singular case we shall seldom see again, or especially to 
terminate so. 
We will here write a few Progostick Signs, that the Reader in read- 
ing other books may not be deceived in his understanding, or expect more 
then he shall find.
APHORISMS

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 33
APHORISMS.
I. Every Disease how dangerous and truculent soever, is not in all 
and at all times Mortal ; nor is any Disease so slight and trivial, but at 
sometimes in some it may lead to death. 
II. Rarely in any one sick person shall we find all Signs Mortal, ex- 
cept nigh death; nor rarely in any considerable sickness shall we finde all 
signs of health ; but we judge from the major number, and most con- 
siderable ones. 
III. That Disease that is slight and small at first, may be mortal at 
last, for that that in a remiss degree causeth sickness, in an extream may 
cause death, a minimis maxima, from the least beginnings are often great 
events; but we are in all cases to be sparing in Prædiction for Life or 
Death, for that is only in the fore-knowledge of God. 
IV. Some sicken one day and die the next; some have many Crises, 
and do hold out divers years; and some after a tedious sickness die, o- 
thers live; if we would prædict herein, the chief thing is, to tell whe- 
ther any of the principal Bowels are wasted, changed or corrupted, in all 
this while. 
V. All intermitting distempers (quoad intermissionem) are safer than 
confirmed and continued, because these shew Wind or Water, or some 
Fluxible matter, and that the parenchyma of no part, or mass of blood 
is much affected ; and also in the Intervals, Nature gets strength and 
relief, and the greater they be, the more. Furthermore it shews, that 
there are some Seeds in the Blood and Humors, that grow to maturity 
in such a time, and trasmute so much matter ; and then the spirits of a- 
nother nature to it, fight with it, raise a fermentation, and throw it off; 
and then Nature is quiet, till the remaining Seeds grow to maturity, 
and have infected much more matter. 
VI. Nature doth not observe that order or method of proceeding in 
Crises, as hath most generally been thought; but to some a Crisis is the 1st, 
to some the second, to others the third, fourth, fifth or sixth day ; and 
then, three, or four, or five, or six dayes after: nor do most that die, 
die in a fit, but for the most part after divers fits, which do not come at 
set times, nor are just of an equality, and of one manner; the sick die 
in calmness and setledness of mind, and as the Vulgar observe, do of- 
ten lighten before death ; And that is a bad sign, when the sick shall 
say, They are well, and feel no pain or ail, suddenly, and on no apparent 
cause, that were very sick & weak a little before. lndeed we see Feavers 
observe Crises or Paroxismes, and therefore call them intermitting Fea- 
E  vers


34 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
vers and Agues; and if there be any set fits or Crises in Fevers, they 
are of Nature to the former, though less apparant, which I think they 
call continual Tertians, Quartans, or Quotidians, and some have axacer- 
bations every seventh day, else I cannot find it verity any more than by 
accident, that they should have Crises on the third, seventh, eleventh 
and one and twentieth days of Acute Diseases, or in one of these : for 
the Crises are onely from the alteration of the Planets governing the 
Disease, and Moon, and those happen not so, or at any set times; there- 
fore some People in twenty four hours, grow extream sick like to 
to die, and have perhaps no more Critical fits of five or six days af- 
ter. 
VII. In all Diseases observe what was wonted to the Sick in health, 
those things are not so bad in sickness: every Disease so far as it differs 
from Nature, the worse; any thing that wont not to be in health is bad, 
or if it be in either extreme. 
VIII. If those things that should refresh, as sleep, ease, nourish- 
ment &c. make the worse after them, ’tis bad ; and joyned with other 
ill Symptoms may give suspicion of death. 
IX. There is no Disease but one time or another, in one or other, is 
cureable ; and there is no Disease so slight and momentless, but in some 
or other, at one time or other, it is incureable : yet though from Pra- 
ctices of Physick we reckon of onely so many and just such Diseases, 
yet there are many grand Alterations, Transmutations, Corruptions, 
Enfissures, Animification, Petrification, Apostemation, Adhæsion and 
Assumption of Parts and Bowels, that are commonliest in the begin- 
ning and lowest degree incureable : 
1. They are hard to be known by signs, and then fit Medicines are
not prescribed. 
2. The Medicines taken, come not nigh those parts. 
3. The Medicines are not long enough, or largely enough taken, 
though very proper. 
X. All Diseases of Malignity, wherein there is a separation of the 
infected matter in the Blood, from the Blood, if that recoils and sinks 
into the Blood again, it sheweth death, and rarely otherwise, if the 
matter have an high Heterogeneity to the quality of our Spirits consti- 
tuting our Vitality ; therefore few that have the Plague-Sores or Car- 
buncles that go in and fall flat, or in the Pox, but they die ; but in Flea- 
Spots, Red Gum, Spots of Children, Ring-Worms, Tetters, Impeti- 
go, &c. because the matter is not so contrary to our Blood and Humours;
if it fall back, or sink into the Blood, it kills not commonly : Yet Phy- 
sicians have gone on hugely blinded in these things; for whatsoever 
mat-


A Monitory PROæMIUM. 35
matter by Feaver and Fermentation is cast forth of the Blood by the 
Skin and Habitum Corporis, if it lie outwardly a few days, and the Par- 
ty sweat and be hot, the Spirits of that Humour that contain the quali- 
ty inimical to our nature, fly forth and exhale ; and then if the insipid 
and mild Blood or Humour be soaked up again, it doth no harm ; for Na- 
ture finding it purged of those high Antipathetick Spirits, receives it as 
a similar matter : Every thing, yea, Inanimate things, apply to, and 
draw to them things not agreeing in figure but quality, and things of 
contrary qualified Spirits put off and withdraw from one another; and 
lest any should think this opinional onely, (as most received Princi- 
ples are) we have related many found Experiments and Observations 
in our Book called Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneumatography , which 
none denying, all must confess, 
Silentia non negat. 
XI. In every Disease, Acute or Cronical, if a Dyspnæa or Asthma
supervene, it is an Evil Sign ; because we live by breathing, and be- 
cause the Heart, the Fountain of Life, wants fanning and blowing up, 
to keep the natural fire of our Bodies from dying or going out. 
XII. In all sicknesses, though there be no pains, no apparant ill sym- 
ptoms, and though all the Bowels seem firm, and the Party is pretty 
strong, yet if the Heart, the Fountain of Life, sink, and faint, and lan- 
guish, without intermissions, and the Spirits are depressed, be not too 
secure ; for the evil qualities of the malevolent Planets, raise the sick- 
ness, and destroy our Life in a Confused Disease, without any known 
Cause. 
XIII. In all Diseases wherein Deliriums, Fluxes of Blood, Vomit- 
ing, Loosness, Singultus, or great Appetite, do supervene, sometimes 
Death, sometimes Recovery suddenly terminates and ends that Dis- 
ease ; yet there is probability why Fluxes in some may cure, and lead 
to Death in others : for the same Signs and Accidents are not likely 
to signifie so bad in some Cases and Constitutions, as in others. 
XIV. If any one is inwardly afflicted, and seemingly in Noble 
Parts, and afterward he is outwardly afflicted , and in the Extremities 
or Superficies, usually it is looked upon as a good sign, and so indeed it 
is, unless it be an Expatiation of the Morbifick Matter, and not a 
Translation; for if withal the Inward and Nobler Parts are as much 
afflicted as before, when the Superficies and Extremities of the Body 
were not swoln, it is an Argument of Death, and weakness of Nature to 
repel.  
E2 XV.

36 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
XV. In prognosticating concerning any outward Humour, Abscess, 
or Flegm, we must consider whether is most in fault, the part affected, 
that being naturally or casually weakened, cannot repel; or being sti- 
mulated, doth violently draw ; or the foulness and fulness of the Body, 
that sends Matter and Humours to a part weaker than others: if the 
fault lies principally in a remote part that cannot repel, or else attracts, 
commonly it is not so bad as when the Blood is loaded with fæculent 
Humours, and doth there on heaps disgorge them, and makes it its 
Channel, thither to send its off-purgings; yet when both are together, 
the worse; therefore swelling of the Legs after Agues are often of 
troublesome consequence. 
XVI. In all Diseases the more the Spittle, Urine, Excrements and 
Sweat break forth in quantity or manner, contrary to Nature, and what 
those people used to have in health, so much the worse; and the more 
Winde, Flegm, and Water we see in the sick, the worse, because they 
shew defect in the Concoction, Heat, and free passage in the Bowels and 
Body. 
XVII. In all Diseases, where there are signs of no Bowel to be al- 
tered, or wasted, or corrupted, and that the mass of Blood is not affec- 
ed, there is great hope of cure, and that by vomiting, purging and open- 
ing : for Diseases that come from corruption of the Food, putrefaction 
of Humours, and Obstructions in the first ways, lie liable to have their 
Cause easily removed , and then the Effects cease : Tolle Causam, & 
cessat Effectus. It is a great piece of Art to distinguish inter similia; be- 
twixt unlikes every stupid man may discern: Windiness, gripings, inter- 
mitting pains, vomiting, loosness, unsavory belchings, breaking winde 
downwards, pursiness, clogging and short windedness, the colour, smell, 
and consistence of things cast out, and what is retained, shew Diseases 
in the first Ways, or Stomach, small Guts and great Ones, or Urinary 
passage. 
XVIII. Where in a sick Person we finde many Symptoms, some 
seeming to shew a Disease in one Part, some in another, some Sym- 
ptoms of long lasting, others of a sudden termination of the Disease; 
we must judge from the most and strongest, what and where the Disease 
is, and how and when it will cease ; also those Symptoms that last
longest, and without intermission, and that came first, are most  
significant.
XIX. Most Diseases that come from an outward, procatarctick and 
known Cause, commonly are most void of Danger, and sometimes by 
forbearing what they knew gave occasion to the rise of the Disease, are 
cured by Nature: In others, the knowing of what caused a Disease, 
gives

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 37
gives good grounds for the appropriation of Medicines to cure it: As 
the Vulgar use to say, A Disease well known, is half cured. 
XX. We are to consider the nature of the Bowels: for a Humour 
in such a part familiar thereto, is not so dangerous as in another part; 
witness Flegm in the Lungs, Winde in the Intestines: Stones, Iron, 
Bones, hard Things, Bullets, &c. in the Stomach, being things swal- 
lowed, and accustomed to the Stomach, are not so dangerous as in other 
Parts not accustomed thereto, and not having a capacity for, and ways 
to avoid, and the faculty to digest them ; in the Brain and Heart, be- 
cause they are the Nobler Parts and Seats of the Heat, Spirits, Motion 
and Sensation in us, those Humours that both for quantity and quality 
may not hurt in other parts, may in these kill; and in all Diseases of the 
Bowels, Blood, or Humours, we are chiefly to consider whether the quan- 
tity or quality most offend; for accordingly we must presage and metho- 
dize our Cure. 
These things are good for a Physician to know, and do hold true for 
the most part: but it is very frequent that we finde those that seeming- 
ly will not dye, to dye; and divers that seem by all Symptoms likely to 
dye, recover; yea, and some that are thought departing, and have their 
passing Bell rung, recover: thence is the Vulgar Proverb, So long as life, 
there is hope. 
We will here give the Reader one Example, whereby he may judge 
of others, and of the Cause and Current of many Diseases, after this 
manner; but the Stars shew more in Acute than Cronical Distem- 
pers. 
A Kinsman of mine, one Mr. Norton, a Minister of a Neighbour 
Town called Barton, falling sick about the beginning of August 1662, 
died August 15. in the morning, I drew a Scheam of his sickness, but 
had not the time of his Decumbiture, but found his sickness corre- 
spond exactly with the Scheam, according to the common Rules of A- 
strology : Cancer was upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the House of 
Sickness, a Sign that governs the Brest, and is Watery; and he was chiefly 
afflicted in his Brest, and much troubled with moisture and winde, and 
vomited : the Moon Lady of the Sixth being weak, and afflicted by Mars,
made him troubled with Choler ; Mercury was his Significator, 
Lord of the Third, being a Kisman, he was Retrogade in the sixth House, 
and nigh Combustion, going to it in his Retrograde Motion; that ar- 
gued him very weak, faint, and oppressed with heat, and so he was, yet 
not clearly a Feaver, as divers have; his Urine moderately high, he  
was given to sighing; when Mercury came to Cazimi with the Sun, 
he

39 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
he died not, but when the Moon, Lady of the House of Sickness, came
to a perfect Quartile Aspect with Mars, Lord of the House of Death, 
then died that Good Man: The night before he died, the Moon applied 
to a Sextile with Jupiter, and Trine with Mercury, and then he had Re- 
freshment, and they were in hopes of his Recovery ; but leaving 
those Aspects, she drew to an Aspect of Enmity with Mars, Lord of the 
Eighth, and then he suddenly changed. There were several Signs of 
his death ; Mercury his Significator, in the sixth House, Retrograde, un- 
der Combustion ; Mars Lord of the Eighth House, and Saturn there- 
in, and the Moon weak; Cancer upon the Sixth, being a moveable Sign, 
and Mars afflicting the Moon : There were some Tokens of the Jaun- 
dice sometimes, and he vomited Cholerick matter, and waterish; and 
though he took a vomit, it still lay at his Chest. 
6. Let us take notice of the Judicatations and Cure, both for Me- 
thod and Medicine, that the Ancients and Neotericks that follow them 
have set down : In Cacochymy, we must alter; in Phlethory, purge, and 
bleed, and sweat; in Cold, we must heat; and in Heat, cool; we must 
moisten the Dry, and dry the Moist : These are approved Philosophi- 
cal Rules, and are certainly true and good, quoad modum & gradum: 
Consideratis considerandis.
In the cure of all Diseases, we shall chiefly meet with two differen- 
ces, 1. Diseases of Quality, 2. of Quantity. 
Diseases of Quality are cured with, 1. Antidotes, 2. Specificals. 
Diseases of Quantity are cured with Vomiting, Purging, Bleeding, 
Sweating, and Diureticals; wherein are introduced Driers, Moistners, 
Heaters, Coolers, Openers and Stypticks. 
First. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quality, these things are 
most considerable ; That every peculiar quality must be opposed by a 
peculiar quality opposite to it: in our Bodies, in one or other, at one 
time or other, are most, if not all the qualities that are in the Earth, in 
Animals, Plants and Minerals; and we finde such a Plant agrees 
with scarce any man, and another agrees with this man, and not that ; 
it is because in the first Plant was a qualified Spirit Heterogenious to 
the common Nature of Mankind; in the second a quality there was He- 
terogenious onely to the peculiar qualification of the Humours in some 
Bodies: those that are used to take Poysons, take them harmlesly, be- 
cause their Blood is by the frequent use of those things changed into their 
nature, and so not being contraries do not fight; One thing is an Anti- 
dote for the Plague, because in it the Spirits are of an heterogenious and 
adverse quality to the quality that ferments our Blood; another thing
is 

A Monitory PROMæMIUM. 38
is an Antidote for the Pox, and kills the the venom or quality thereof, 
that is not so peculiarly opposite to the Pestilence; another killeth the 
quality of the Blood, and Juyces in the French Pox, that hath no adverse 
Spirit to the Small Pox : One thing is good in a malignant Pleurisie, 
Angina, or Peripneumonia, that doth no good in ordinary Quinzies or 
Pleurisies: Riverius did well observe that bleeding People of a malig- 
nant Disease, in one City all died ; in another, where the Disease seem- 
ed the same, all lived that were let blood : See Riverius his Accompt 
of Malignant and Pestilent Diseases, their Causes from the Stars, in 
Capite de Febre Pestilenti. 
What is the Reason in things Inanimate one kills and deads another, 
one draws one to it, and expels or draws back from another ? is it not 
the adverse and inimical qualities in them ? They that please to search 
our Physiology of Qualities, Sympathies and Antipathies, may finde ma- 
ny Examples and large Experiences thereof: So that it is a weakness in 
those that know not Nature or its variety, to conjecture such Effects 
come about from the form or figure of things, and correspodent pores in 
things that receive the Attoms of such a figure. 
We read of two Thebane Princes, Eteocles and Polynices, two Brothers, 
who bore one another a deadly hatred in their Life-time, and fighting a 
Duel they killed one another ; and according to the manner of the Gre- 
cians were to be burnt to Ashes, to keep their Ashes Monumentally in 
a Pot, and so never bury them in the ground as we do; their Bodies be- 
ing both laid in one fire together, the flame divided, and went up in 
two tops, so that their dead and senceless Bodies seemed discontented 
to lie together, who in life had so hated one another. 
Without doubt many acute, malign, and confused sicknesses, would 
be best, easiliest and certainliest cured by Plants of that Planet that are 
antipathetical to the Planet that is found to cause the Disease ; also by 
Sympathy, that way Plants may cure ; as, take an Herb of Venus to cure 
a Disease caused by Mars.
I wish Physicians would take notice how many ordinary illiterate 
People cure Diseases frequently with one Trifle or small Simple, when 
they with their Methods and many Compositions, Intrinsicks and Ex- 
trinsicks, fail to do it: often they give but one Medicine or two, the vir- 
tue of it, and that a Simple for the most part; witness the cure of ma- 
ny Gripings, Pains and Stitches, which they cure commonly and pre- 
sently with Acorns, or Stich-Holly, or Powder of refined Rosin; Jaun- 
dice they cure easily and oft with Specificals , as, Lice, Saffron, or 
Turnerick, Earth-Worms, or Chelidone-Roots : Dropsies they cure 
without such Methods and several Intentions without compositions, and 
multi-

40 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
multiplication of them, with Horse-Radish-Roots, Eldern or Dane- 
wort, flower-de-luce-Roots, or Guaiacum : Agues they cure easilier 
and speedilier with Camphir hung about their Necks, than with all 
the Methods and Compositions Physicians use commonly : So with de- 
coction of Five-leav’d-Grass, or decoction of Herbigrass, Feaverfuge, 
and Centuary, or any one of them, do the Vulgar, thrice given be- 
fore their fits, oft drive away Agues; or with Yarrow, Plantain and Net- 
tles bruised, and laid to their Wrists, or Garlick and Gunpowder, be- 
cause these are Specificals. Almost in all Diseases of quantity, is a pecu- 
liar nature and qualification of the morbid Humour : What variety is 
there in the Method of Physicians? and how in one Distemper let se- 
ven or eight unknown to one another, be set to prescribe, and they will 
variously direct, not onely for Medicines but Method ; one will think 
purging requisite, another not; he may rather approve of vomiting; 
this may be against it, and hold bleeding most requisite ; another is a- 
gainst all evacuation, and holds onely alteration good: another he is 
for Astrological Cure, and sees what Planet gave the distemper , and 
uses an Herb of an Enemy Planet to cure by Antipathy, or of an Ami- 
cal Planet to cure by Sympathy ; yet we may find some Herbs under the 
dominion of such a Planet, very improper; but a wise Physician will 
take those that are proper for the Disease, sua Natura: One or two 
Specificals that sure and tried Experience manifest, do more than large
Compositions hodge-podge, and mish-mash, and Chaos’s of Simples. 
I wonder, not onely the common People, but Physicians, and in other 
respects wise ones, that they should idolize Mithridate, Venice Trea- 
cle, and Mathiolus his Antidote, &c. large Miscelanies of all together, 
that were intended to be good for every thing, and special for no- 
thing. 
I ask whether Compositions have Virtues that none of the Simples 
have? If they receive their Virtue from the Simples, then he that 
knows the nature of the Simples, may best judge the force, and nature, 
and dose of the Composition. I ask whether every Simple doth not 
retain its virtue and force ? if not, why were they put in ? if they do, 
then are there contradictions, to insist onely on Mithridate , by which 
all others may be judged after that manner. If any give it for the Head, 
it must be because some of the Simples, or most, are good therefore, and 
thence the composition receives its virtue ; Fennel Seed, Oil of Nut- 
megs, and Castorium are appropriated thereto, & what are these to forty 
other things improper, in a dram of Mithridate ? very few, if any grains 
of these are therein, and were they not the stronger given alone in due 
quantity ? 
Beside,

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 41 
Beside if we intend to help a stupid distemper of the Brain by Mithri- 
date, because in it are Peppers, Stæchas, Castorium, Fennel Seeds, Ol. 
Nucistæ, &c. do we not do more hurt by the Opium that is in Mithri- 
date ? What Disease may not some of the Simples be proper for ? and 
what Disease is the whole Compound fit for ? be not Agarick, Opopa- 
nax, Ornis and Asarabacca-Roots purging? Hypochystis, Acatia, red 
Rose Leaves, Frankinsence and Storax binding ? Turpentine, Cassia 
Lignea, Scordium, Fennel Seeds, Acorus, Saint Johns Wort, Valeri- 
an, are somewhat opening; and Cinamon, Spicknard, and Celtica , 
Gum Arabick, red Rose Leaves, Opium, Acatia, Hypocistis, &c. stop 
up and bind, hinder all Fluxes, and stop and indurate the Humours ; 
some are violently hot, as the sorts of Peppers, Acorus, Myrrh, Saf- 
fron, Ginger, and Mustard Seed, Castorium, Cardamoms, Cubebs, 
Opopanax, &c. and Opium withstands them all; so that if they are gi- 
ven in a cold Disease, because most are hot, Opium adds to the Disease; 
if an hot Disease, because Opium stops motion the producer of heat, the 
other will inflame ; so that it can be given no way to do good, but ano- 
ther way it may do harm : some things are proper in any Disease, and 
some improper in any Disease : in Contraries must needs be contradicti- 
on : besides, some are proper for one part, some for another, so that 
the Composition is peculiar to none ; Some are Arthritical, as Costus, 
Fennel Seeds, Castor, Ginger, Stæchas, Acorus; some Pectoral, as 
Styrax, Gum Arabick, Saffron, Myrrh, and red Rose Leaves ; some 
Hysterical, as Galbanum, Opopanax, Sagapen, Opium and Castori- 
um; some are Hepatical, as Gentian, Asarabacca, Orris and Cassia 
Lignea ; some are breaking Wind, or Carminative, as Cubebs, Car- 
damoms, Peppers, Castorium, Acorus, Anise and Fennel Seed, &c. 
and Opium contradicts all; for that, besides other things, makes the Me- 
dicine unfit in Windy Distempers. This clearly confutes those that 
make one Medicine to be proper for all Diseases, when each quality 
doth only oppose its contrary. 
I ask whether one ounce of Castor, or of Galbanum, or of Valerian 
Roots, given alone, would not do more, then to mix either of them 
with four times so much of that that is improper, and then give but one 
ounce for a dose ? 
I know divers may flie to that false Ayslum or refuge, Experience in 
this case touching Mithridate: I have observed it, and nothing is done 
by it, but such as in all likelyhood Nature would have effected, or else it 
makes no mutation at all commonly, or people grow worse : Tradition 
is the only plea, not experience ; for experience, not phantasically and 
conceitedly taken, will not vindicate it; but abundance of Composi- 
F  tions


42 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
tions have we generally received in several Dispensatories, only messes 
of altogether ; and how rediculously are they composed and multiply- 
ed ? We should read to judge, not to learn of Tradition in such cases, 
when we think our selves fit to practise ; for Tradition doth many times 
consent only in dissenting; he that only reads, and remembers what  
he hath read, to go by, and to justifie his practice, is not fit to be a Phy- 
sician ; but he that can demonstrate all his proceedings upon grounds 
and accounts of his own ; for what he remembers he hath read, is ano- 
ther mans wit, none of his ; and he shall hardly find three Patients in 
ten that he can tell how to compare to Practical Chapters of Physick 
touching Diseases ; and if he hath no ground of his own to regulate Au- 
thors, he may go to a wrong Chapter, as well as a right. I have used 
to charge Compositions well with the Specificals I trusted to, and to 
have a great care they were in their full force and virtue ; for other 
things that are but sweetners and Vehicles, it is no great matter what 
virtue they have: I have chiefly trutsed to Simples commended by Ger-
rards and other Herbals, for they were experienced good in such Di-
stempers they are praised ; also I drew out all the choice Remedies for
Simples I could find in those Authors I had, and such I did affect to use 
for Compositions : he that knoweth good Simples, may make good Com- 
positions. Yet even in Diseases of Contagion and epidemical, we must 
take away Impediments, else our Alexipharmicalls will not take place. 
In some vomiting is good to clear the Stomach, which may hinder our 
Cure; so the foulness, stoppages, and putrified Matter in the small or 
great Guts, must be took away by Lenitives in Malignant Diseases, else 
such Impediments will hinder the taking place of other things ; So it is 
apparent in Chyrurgery, that the Chyrurgions Office is only to take a- 
way Natures Impediments; he cannot heal, Nature doth that: the 
Similar and Homogenious parts in Ulcers and Wounds desire to unite, 
were the Impediments took away, as is Foulness, Sanies, Apostema- 
tion, Sarcosis or Excrescent Flesh, Pain, Swelling, Heat, Inflama- 
tion, and Afflux of Humours. There are some Medicines indeed glew- 
ing and glutinative, but these cannot heal, but draw together the Lips 
of Wounds, and so united parts grow together ; yet also they glutinate 
and draw up Orifices of corrupted sores, and so the bottom being foul, 
a worse is made, and an hollow Ulcer ; so that nothing properly can 
be termed an Healer, only they all do their Office, some one way, some 
another, to take away Natures Impediments: all the best Medicines 
in the world shall not cure some Ulcers, especially, not till such a 
time, and then perhaps a trivial thing, of Nature on her own accord 
will do it; for if we strive when Nature is not disposed, in all Diseases
we

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 43 
we do nothing, Nature alone will do more: the Stars are a principal 
cause ; for if any one be wounded or bruised at such or such a time, he 
will not be healed of a long time, and till that time come all our Arts 
and Remedies never so choice shall not avail; and when the time is 
come, an old Womans Plaister, or some petty thing chances to cure 
it. In some tumors no suppurating Plaister or Oyntment will make them 
ripen that are not naturally, specially at that time, disposed to ripen and 
suppurate ; and in others, no discussing or dissolving Topicalls will hin- 
der them from ripening ; so that if we chance not to light of the right 
time, and to assist Nature in that way she is disposed and inclined ; yet 
in many tumors, specially if we wait, in some longer, in some a shorter 
time, Discussion is made by Discutients, and Suppuration by Matura- 
ters ; because Nature was thereto suaptè inclined or disposed, or else 
did stand neuter; and so by outward force, as by a weight put into Scales 
that were even, the Ballance was turned. 
In Exanthemata and most Eruptions & Tumors, the proper way next 
to sweating is, to use Topicalls, εìς diαοòρnσν, to open the Pores, and 
let out the evil Quality or Heterogenious Spirit of the Diseased Matter, 
specially in malign Pustules and Tumors; for the malign Quality be- 
ing evaporated by insensible Transpiration, the Mass left is insipid and 
void of Heterogeneity,and so is sucked up again by the Veins, and recei- 
ved by the Blood; for inimicalls love not to be joyned together. 
I have observed in the use of Dialthea Oyntment, Oyl of Lillies, of 
sweet Almonds, and some like hereto, that swellings anointed here- 
with, make their dimensions and extensions the larger, specially if we 
do anoint farther then the swelling reaches, and before the matter is 
fixed, while it is fluxible and thin,; for though these Diaphoreticalls 
and Emollients are very proper to let out the fiery sharp or Inimical 
Spirits of the humour that caused the Blood to separate it, and throw 
it off upon a part weakest, and that could not repel,and nighest; yet they 
loosen the subjected flesh, and make the capacity larger for the humor 
to swim in, and the skin to be distended ; yet we must not look any 
thing should happen alike in all ; we are sure the Medicines have al- 
wayes such virtues, and connatural operations; but the difference is in 
the Body, and there is agreement only as to disagreement; yet we may 
properly say, (denommatio sumitur a majori) that such is the ordinary 
course of Nature, that happens most frequently amongst so many vari- 
eties and diversities. 
Reader, what ever I deliver, that I do not prefix or annex to it, I
think, I think, It is probable, or the like, thou mayest take for a sure 
F2  and


44 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
and found Truth ; for I have not given my self to believe Tradition or 
any Opinions of men, but have judged them, and brought them to the 
Bar of sure Experience; and where I could not find two or three good 
and infallible witnesses in Nature for them, I rejected them, especial- 
ly if the course of Nature in other things did not harmonize and hold 
therewith. 
I do not desire any man should believe any thing because I believe it; 
let him believe the Experiences, Examples and Histories that men have 
in divers Ages and Countreys consentaneously writ; no projects of 
their own Brain, nor Imaginations; for that hath spoiled all Learning 
every where, because men will not contemplate the works of GOD, 
and know all the Secrets and Varieties in the wonderful course of Na- 
ture, the real effects of a GOD. How would men agree in all Points 
of Religion, and of Opinion concerning GOD, and how He is to be 
worshipped, what He is, and wherefore He made this World, and the 
Office of Man, did they truely and really (void of all fond Concepti- 
ons and Imaginations) adhere to the course of Nature, and search her ? 
Doubtless God did not give a Rational Faculty to Man, to deceive and 
entrap him ; and we see what one Eye apprehends black or white, ano- 
ther doth ; and what one Pallate tastes sweet, another doth; and what 
one Eat hears found shrill or loud, another doth ; and what one Nose
smells unsavory, another doth ; and what one Hand touches hard or soft, 
the Hand of another feels it so ; I mean purely according to Nature : 
Then let us conclude these things are all true, and really so, that the u- 
niversal Nature of Man consents to own and approve of ; and that o- 
ther things are questionable, and must be brought to the Bar of sure Ex- 
perience, to be tried ; for GOD gave us not our Senses, Hearing, See- 
ing, Smelling, Feeling, and Tasting, to deceive, and entrap, and con- 
found us: All mankind might be satisfied in one Religion, as well as 
in unanimity in Philosophy, were things cleared, that one mans Eye 
might see them as well as another ; no man surely would deny Experi- 
ence, that he could both see, hear, feel, taste, or smell himself : So the 
Doctrine of Spirits is writ by the experience of many men; and did not 
the self-same things happen in our Age and Countrey, we might 
distrust tradition : When we hear men say they saw such things them- 
selves, and they were addicted to no fond belief, and in all other things 
staid and prudent, we may have reason to believe them.  
2. Concerning the cure of Diseases of Quantity, we might say some- 
what, whereof hath partly been spoken before ; and touching Vomit- 
ing, Purging, Bleeding, Sweating, and Ureticks, we have spoke in our 
Book of Nosology, in our Physiology and Jatrosophy whether we refer 
the


45 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
the Reader: yet because we did not there describe the Humours to be 
purged, and their diversity and nature, so that the Reader might sin- 
cerely and throughly apprehend the Truth of those four Humours, 
Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy, we shall discourse a little 
thereof here. 
I do allow, with the Ancients and Neotericks, that the Humours of 
the Body may be called properly, Φλέγκμ, Flegm, Χολή, Choler, udωg,
Water, υελαyχολiα from μsλæν, black, and Χολή, Choler, Melancholy, 
or black Choler: But that the Reader may know the truth, we shall 
give these Exceptions: 
First, That the Names are onely Figments and Phancies of 
Men. 
Secondly, That Nature observes no Method or Order herein, 
as, that that Humour that is not Flegm , must be Melancholy ; 
or that that is not truely Melancholy, according to Physicians 
Description thereof, must be Water ; and that Humour that cor- 
responds not with either of these , according to Ancient Rules 
and Authorities, must be Choler ; There is no such thing in 
Nature. As for Example : Melancholy by its Name sigifies 
black Choler ; by their Attributes it must be black, and a kind 
of Choler, it must be fluid and thin ; by the taste, say they, 
tart; by nature of mutation, Scirrhous, and apt to grow fæcu- 
lent : I answer, We may finde an Humour that is black , and 
very bitter; in the one it accords with Melancholy, in the o- 
ther with Choler ; what then shall we call it ? Another Hu- 
mour is found black, thin like Water, not coagulative ; what 
shall we call this ? also sweet in taste, so that the taste agrees 
with Flegm, the consistence with Water, the colour with Melan- 
choly. So in the generality. 
Thirdly , Why should we give Names to Humours, and those
naturally to be so qualified, when we finde not so in the course 
of Nature, not as a Rule, onely as a Contingent and Accident ? 
For suppose any Physician should open a Mans Head, or other 
Part, and finde therein the cause of his Death to be a gellied 
Water, black, stinking, and insipid ; must we therefore write 
of all mankinde, there is an Humour in all Bodies which we 
thus call, which is gellied, black, stinking and insipid, when we may ne- 
ver find exactly the same again ? For in another that is dissected, we 
may find the blackness of an humour, but not the absence of taste ; or 
the gelliedness of an humour, and not the blackness ; or the stinking of 
an humour, and not the gelliedness :  and so it is as purely accidental 
that

46 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
that we meet with Flegm, Choler, Water and Melancholy in the Bow- 
els, especially Choler and Melancholy, just as they describe: Water in 
the bellies of Hydropicks agrees the most together, and in all may pro- 
perly be called Water; yet in some it is thicker, in others thinner; in 
some clear, in others yellow, in others blackish; in some stinking, in 
others sweet, in some bloody; so that it is hard to say whether it is 
waterish Blood, or bloody Water: and in other parts of the Body, Wa- 
ter (if it be good to use such a general name to express our selves) differs 
more, so that it is hard to say whether it be waterish Choler, or a chole- 
rick Water ; or a waterish Flegm, or a flegmatick Water; or a water- 
ish Melancholy, or melancholy Water : They that intend to be sais-
fied in Truth alone, and to acquiesce therein, had best build their Faith 
on sure Foundations, and read Observations, Anatomies and Dissecti- 
ons, and consider all from what they can experience, or what many others 
have experienced, not conjectured.
I think it the best way to teach any, to let them read onely Observa- 
tions, and Experiences, and Similitudes, and therefrom, with their own 
consideration, and comparing one thing with another, make general 
Rules and Tenents in Philosophy. What man can imagine (that did ne- 
ver experience himself, or read, or hear it to have been experienced) 
that there is such variety in fire ? that some fire will burn and not be 
seen ; and some look like flame, and yet not burn ; that some should be 
quenched with Oyl, and kindled with Water; that some should burn in 
the depth of the Earth, and in the Sea, and in Lakes ; that Wood rub- 
bed together should burn ; that Fire should be procured from a Glass of 
Water set in the Sun, Toe laid betwixt, and many such things: It is not 
fit men should write of a thing, that know little thereof, onely conje- 
cturally ; for therein men lose their time and pains, and cannot assert 
any thing but from such a mans ita dixit, or ipse dixit, or so many men 
are of that minde, when by experience the thing might be put out of 
all dispute.
Of 

47 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Of the New Method, or Astrologo-
Physical Way of Studying and Practi-
sing Physick. 
In all sick Parties, more notice is not to be taken of the sick Parties
Information, than of the Position of the Heavens at the time of
the Parties falling sick, or when his Decumbiture and first lying
down was or when grievous Symptoms did arise: if this time
cannot be taken, then the Physician must draw a Scheam of the Hour
and Minute he was first sent for in, and wherein the Parties Urine was
brought, and the Question made from the Sick, and Advice taken
first.
The Physician in this Scheam must consider the Lord of the Ascen-
dant, or first house, to be significator of Sick; and the Lord of the
sixth House, to be Significator of the Sickness; the Lord of the Seventh
personates the Physician, and Lord of the Tenth the Medicine or Phy-
sick. 
Yet if the sick Party enquire not himself, the Lord of the Ascendant
shall signifie the Enquirer or Querent; and if it be a Brother that is
sick, the Lord of the third House shall be his Significator, or for a Neigh-
bour ; if a Father be sick, the Lord of the Fourth; if a Wife, the Lord
or Lady of the Seventh ; if a Child, the Lord or Lady of the fifth house;
and so as to other Relations, according to Astrological Rules, too tedi-
ous here to go thorow ; yet I alwayes thought the Lord of the Ascen-
dant to have, in all figures a great signification.
The Moon in all figures, especially of Diseases, hath great signi-
cation, though she be neither Lady of the Ascendant, Sixth, Eighth, or
Tenth House.
In Scheams for the Sick, the principal Significators of the Sick, and
his Disease, and the Moon, if they be in the first House, or first sign
Aries, afflicted, they signifie the Sick is afflicted in the Head, or some
part thereof, as Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Face, &c.
If in the second House, or in the second Sign Taurus, they shew Dis-
eases

48 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
eases in the Neck and Throat, as, Struma’s, Kings Evils, and melan- 
choly sicknesses; but the Lord of the Sixth, the Sign thereof, and the 
Moon, must chiefly shew what the sickness is. 
The principal Significators in the third Sign and House, chiefly shew 
ails in the Arms, Shoulders or Hands; and Gemini shews distempers of
blood, in what House soever. 
In the fourth Sign and House, the Stomach, Brest and Lungs are affe- 
cted ; Cancer gives scabbedness and waterishness. 
In the fifth House, and in Leo, the Party is afflicted in the Back and 
Loins, or Heart, or about the Ribs; and Leo shews Choler, or too much 
high Blood. 
The sixth House, and Sign Virgo, shews distempers in the Mesentery 
and Abdomen-Guts, and first Ways ; Virgo is melancholick, and gives 
Fluxes and Windiness. 
The Lord of the Ascendant, of the sixth House, and Moon, in the se- 
venth House, and seventh Sign Libra, shew the Disease is in the Kidneys 
or Loins, in the Buttocks or Groin and Privities; Libra gives heats 
and surfeits, and venerious distempers. 
In the eighth House and eighth Sign Scorpio, shew affects in the Pri- 
vities, Anus, and Share, in the Huckle-bones and Buttocks; Scorpio 
sometimes shews Piles, Stone in the Bladder and Tenasmus. 
The ninth House and Sign Sagitary, the Hips, and Hams, and But- 
tocks are affected: Sagitary gives Itchy fistulous corruption, and Scia- 
tica’s. 
In the tenth House and tenth Sign Capricorn, the Knees and Hams, 
and upper Leg is affected : Capricorn oft gives outward blemishes, and 
those from Melancholy. 
In the eleventh House and eleventh Sign Aquaris, the Skin, Legs and 
Anckles are amiss. 
In the twelfth House and Sign pisces, the Anckles, and Feet, and 
Toes are afflicted. Judge by other Signs the nature of the Dis- 
ease. 
It cannot be expected that in all or in many figures we should finde 
the first Sign Aries, on the Cusp of the Ascendant, or Taurus on the 
Second, or Gemini on the Third; therefore we must judge from the 
greater probability ; for there will be great alteration in all Scheams: 
nor must we expect to finde often the Lord of the Ascendant, or Signi- 
ficant of the diseased man, the Lord of the sixth House or of his Sick- 
ness, and the Moon, all in one Sign or House; but we must judge from 
the greater probabilities ; two are greater than one, and the Lord of 
the Sixth is most significant, as to the part afflicted; the Sign he is in,
and

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 49 
and the Sign that descends on the sixth House,and the Degrees of those, 
chiefly shew the part or parts afflicted ; compare the Sign the Moon is 
in with these. 
In the next place (having found out the part affected) we must see how 
it is affected, or what the cause is ; and therein we must consider, First, 
the nature of the Sign that is upon the Cusp of the sixth House, the 
House of Sickness, and also the nature of the Sign that ascends, which 
is somewhat, though less considerable, than the Sign of the sixth. 
If Aries descend on the sixth, it shews the Sickness fiery and hot and 
cholerick: Aries shews Pushes, Wheals, smarting Pimples, Tooth- 
ach, Headach, Noli me tangere, Ring-worms, &c. 
Taurus is an earthy cold dry melancholy Sign ; and that shews, 
Kings-Evils, Wenns, Fluxes of Rheum, Quinzies bastard, Apo- 
stems. 
Gemini is an airy, hot, moist and sanguine Sign; it shews Putrescence 
of the Blood, Windiness, distemper of the Judgement and Phan- 
tasy. 
Cancer is a Tropical Sign, the only House of the Moon, waterish, cold
moist and Flegmatick; its shews upon the sixth in a Disease, a cold Sto- 
mack, abounding of Flegm, Pthysicks and Catarrhs, Coughs, Dropsies, 
waterish Apostemations, Cancers in the Dugs or Paps, and other Infir- 
mities of those parts it governs. 
Leo is the only House of the Sun, its nature is hot, dry, cholerick, and 
accordingly signifies Inflamations, specially in those parts it governs, 
Pleurisies and Side Pains, Back Pains and Oppression of the Heart and 
Spirits by heat, Heart-panting and Burning Feavers, and Malignant 
Affects, Feaverish Jaundices, &c. 
Virgo is an earthy, cold, melancholy Sign; it signifies Wind, cold 
Cholicks, Stoppages, Worms, Engendring of Stones, Observations of 
the Meserick Veins, &c. 
Libra is an airy hot moist and sanguine Sign; it signifies Stones m 
the Reins and Bladder, Heat and Putresence of a retained Matter in 
the Back, Loins, and Groin, Infirmities of the Ureters and Urinary Pas- 
sage, exulceratious pissing of Blood. 
Scorpio is a cold watery and flegmatick Sign, and accordingly shewes 
Diseases, as Fistula’s, Dropsies, Gonorrhæs, cold Apostems, and 
moist Exulcerations, Flegmatick Swellings, and Obstructions therefrom 
in the lowest parts of the Belly, Diseases also specially of flegm and 
moisture in Utero et Pudendis : yet it is a token also of Child-bearing 
and fruitfulness. 
Sagitary is of the fiery Triplicity, hot dry and cholerick; it shews 
G  Putrescence

50 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
Putrescence of the Blood in those parts it governs, whence may be sharp 
Exanthemata, and fiery Swellings, Itches, Inflamations and Aposte- 
mations, from a separation or corrupted and hot Blood thrown off upon 
those parts, which according to the degree and nature of it, and the 
qualification and strength and disposition of that part to receive, some- 
times this, sometimes that, sometimes more, sometimes less. 
Capricorn upon the sixth, shewes a Disease cold dry earthy and 
melancholy; from hence may be judged,that the party is diseased much 
about his Knees, and that there is some swelling pain or breaking out 
from some earthy cold and melancholy humour, or else it doth concrete: 
But we cannot stand so long as to describe the tenth part requisite for 
the Physician to know, he must first study Astrology, and therein he may 
be informed of many other things ; adjoyning thereto the knowledge 
of the Humours, and their various Motions, Mutations, increase and 
decrease, also, the Vessels and the Parts, and their natural Offices and 
life, and which way aptest to be spoiled, or most capable of Corruption. 
Aquaris is an airy, sanguine, hot and moist sign, governing the Legs 
and Ancles. Hence may be guessed, if upon the sixth House, or the 
Lord of the sixth or Moon be therein, that the party is there (however in 
other parts besides afflicted, and that there are varices or goutish 
windy Pains or Swellings, or Lameness, or Cramps, &c. of that na- 
ture ; but it requires abundance of curiosity, more certainly and accu- 
rately to describe particulars, 
Pisces, is cold, moist and flegmatick, shewing Gouts, Lameness, Fleg- 
Flematick Swellings, Dropsies of the Feet, Chilblanes, Phlyttenaaquofa, 
Flegmatick Apostemations, &c. of like nature. 
Now for the Planets, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, 
Luna. 
Saturn, characterized, Lord of the Ascendant, in a Scheme that is 
drawn at the decumbiture of the Sick ; denotes the Person of the Sick, 
and that he is of a cold earthy dry melancholy Constitution, or incli- 
ned more or less thereto ; Lord of the sixth House, the House of Sick- 
ness, it argues the Disease to be in that part, that the Sign he is in prin- 
cipally governs, compared with the Sign desceding upon the Cusp of 
the sixth; and observe the Degrees he is in in that Sign, for accordingly 
the chief Grief is higher or lower in that part; also by natural sympa- 
thy he principally rules the Spleen: These things considered,and that he 
is Cronical, portending Diseases of long time, Astrologers have ob- 
served, that all Impediments in the right Eare, and Teeth, that Quar- 
tane Argues, all dry and melancholy Distempers, Lepra and Elephanti- 
asis, Palsies, Tremblings, loss of Hearing, Carus and Coma, Sopor and 
Stupor

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 51 
Stupor, Gouts, vain Fears, Ruptures that grow Scirrhous, Dog Hun- 
ger, Hæmorrhoids, &c. of like nature proceed from Saturn. 
Jupiter ♃, signifies, when he personates the sick party, that he is 
moderately hot constitutioned, abounding with blood, and if well dig- 
nified, that is, of very good inclinations of mind, affable and grateful : 
When he is Lord of the sixth House, and personates the Disease accor- 
ding to the Sign he is in that principally governs such a part, and the 
Sign upon the sixth, there chiefly the Sickness lyes, and the Sign that the 
Moon is in; yet Jupiter peculiarly governs the Liver, and the venal 
Blood in that part may be inflamed, or apostemated, or break forth: 
he is observed to cause most Diseases that arise from Putrefaction of 
the Blood, Pleurissies, Inflamation of the Lungs & Liver, heart-beating 
from Blood offending in quantity or quality, Qunizies, Pains in the 
back, because he governs Leo, Putrid Feavers, &c of like quality. 
Mars, characterized ♂, Lord of the Ascendent, or that House that 
shewes the person of the sick ; shewes his temperament to be hot and 
dry, cholerick, and of a fiery angry mind.  
When he signifies the Disease, he shews the Jaundice ; he chiefly by 
Homogeneity of Nature, governs the Gall: Also Astrologians ascribe 
to him these Diseases, Evils of the left Ear, Tertian Feavers, Megrims, 
Carbuncles & Pestilent Agues, Malign & Epidemical feavers,Fistula’s, 
Ringworms, St Anthonies Fire, sharp and cholerick Eruptions, Boiles 
and Exanthemata, Wounds, Cuts, Burnings, Scalds, Passions of the 
Mind, as Anger, Fury, Frenzies, Deliriums, and others consonant and 
deducing their cause from Choler. 
Sol, or the Sun, the Fire and Light of this World, is characterized 
thus, ☉, he sympathises by Homogeneity of Nature with the Heart, 
the Microcosmical Sun; and as the greater of like nature by sympathy 
or similiar attraction, influences upon the less, so the Sun upon the 
Heart of Man. The Solar Man is hot and dry, but more temperate than 
Mars ; he shews fault in the Arterious Blood and Heart, as Palpitation 
and Syncope, vitiated or defective Sanguification : If the Sun be Lord of 
the sixth and very weak,and afflicted by Saturn, judge the Seeds of San- 
guification are almost extinguished. Mans right Eye is given to the Sun, 
and Womens left : therefore in Infirmities of the Eyes, the Sun is 
to be considered : The Sun shews in all Figures, but more where he is 
a significator, Strength or Weakness of the Vital Spirits ; and though a 
Man hath many and great Enemies, yet so long as he is strong to keep 
them out or over-power them, it is nothing ; bur where Nature is weak, 
and can make no resistance, a little thing dejects her. 
Venus is thus characterized, ♀ : The Ancients called her, Cytherea,  
G2  Aphrodite, 

52 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Aphrodite, Vesperugo, Phosphorus, Ericina; she chiefly signifies Diseases 
ofnthe Matrice and Privities ; in scroto et testiculis, the Lues Venerea, 
Gonorrhœa, Priapismus, Tengio, Satyriasis, Coitionis Munera, belong 
to her, specially if her Sign Libra is on the sixth House ; If Taurus, be- 
cause that shewes Diseases in the Neck, descends on the sixth, she shews 
watery or flegmatick Apostemations in the Neck or Throat, bastard 
Quinzies, Rheumatick Swellings, Flegmatick Kernels, or Venereal 
Exulcerations; Lady of the Ascendant, she shews the Temperance of 
the Sick or Querent to be moist, flegmatick, and something inclined to 
Sanguine; if well dignified, she shewes good Conditions, Mirth, a lo- 
ving and pittiful Nature. 
☿ Mercury follows next, the least of all the Planets, who alwayes ac- 
companies the Sun ; the furthest distance is 27 degrees : he of all the 
Planets is only a Neuter, neither Masculine or Feminine, but as he is 
joyned to a Male or Female ; he chiefly rules the Tongue & Language, 
Wit and Eloquence : when he is ill dignified, if a material significator, 
the Sick is in danger to be light-headed, but more or less as it may be, 
Madness, Lethargies, Phrensies, dull memory, Giddiness, Hoarsness, 
Coughs, Imaginary Sicknesss, Dumbness, Stammering, Numbness, &c. 
are given to him as the Causer and Signifier. 
☽ the Moon is chiefly considerable concerning Sicknesses, though 
she is neither Lady of the Ascendant, or sixth House, or Significatrix of 
the person of the Sick, nor Lady of the eighth, the House of Death; she 
shwes much how the Disease will change ; and it is much to be consi- 
dered who she applies to, and from whom she separates, her Dignity, 
and the Nature of the Sign, and House she is in ; she signifies Water in 
the Head, that may cause Stupor Tremor, Palsies, Apoplexes, Verti- 
go’s, Epilepsies, Lunasie, Convulsions, Madness and Dullness, as the 
Water is milder or sharper, hotter or colder, more vellicating or nar- 
cotical qualitied; she by her Sign Cancer governs the Breasts, she causeth 
Dropsies, Water-bladders, Rheumatismus, Catarrhs & Coriza, Rheums 
of the Eyes, in the left of Men, and right of Women when she repre- 
sents the sick Person, she shews his Temper, cold moist and phlegma- 
tick ; she signifies Diseases changeable ; Mercury Diseases fixed, Sa- 
turn Diseases most cronical, Mars acute Distempers, the Sun and Ju- 
piter acute, but less acute than Mars; Venus shewes Diseases cronical 
and more mild, but these alter and vary as they are dignified and posi- 
ted, and in conjunction with such or such, and as they are in fixed move- 
able or common Signs. 
Concerning Crises in Diseases, Hippocratists and Galenists, set the
third

53 A Monitory PROæMIUM. 
third or fourth day, the seventh, the ninth, the twelfth and fourteenth, 
doubling three or four, and so to twenty one, for critical dayes; but 
experience finds truth in somewhat else: indeed in many Sicknesses, 
which therefrom we call Agues, or intermittent Feavers ( every Ague 
is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague ;} the Crises come once 
a day, that we call a Quotidian, or twice in 24 hours, that we call a 
double Quotidian, or when one Crisis or Fit is off, strait succeeds ano- 
ther ; another hath a double tertian, viz., a Crisis twice in three dayes, 
that a first had it but once in that term. A Paroxysme truly considered, 
is nothing but a Crisis ; and there are no other certain legitimate and 
methodical Crises; another hath a fit but once in four dayes, that we call 
a Quartane, or two dayes sick, one well; which therefore the vulgar 
call A third days Ague ; another every fifth or seventh day is sick ; and 
now in these I allow, the Galenical Crises,but not in common acute and 
not feaverish Distempers, as continual Tertians, Quotidians and 
Quartanes ; for the Quality of the morbifick Humour may be such, that 
it may make one sick every day, and yet a fit comes but once in three 
or four, where in is Exacerbation ; and here continual Feavers differ
from intermitting, because in the Crises or Paroxysms of continual Fea- 
vers, the infected Matter is not thoroughly expelled ; in pure intermit- 
tings it is, only the Seed of such a nature, lies in the Blood that trans- 
mutes in two or three dayes as much more morbid Matter, which the 
Blood perceives, and ferments to separate, and doth effectually by 
Sweat, Urine, Vomit, or Exanthemata do it. The word κρίσis comes 
from κρίνω to judge : And Avicen faith, Crisis est velox motus mor-
bi ad salutem, vel ad mortem; so that we gather that is truly a Crisis in the 
meaning of the Ancients, that is a suddain change, so that Death or Life 
may be judged apparently. 
To which I answer; How many, as the vulgar say, do lighten afore 
death, are very well rid of their pains and miseries, and seem past all of 
a suddain, and die within few hours after ? how many are there that 
have many sharp Crises afore death ? at least two or three frequently, 
and the Sick escapes them, and growes better after each, and yet dies at 
last, sooner or later: in such a Crisis, or after the Crisis is over, the 
sick die quietly and easily. 
παξνσμos, a Fit comes from παρoξνεiv, to stir up ; and I know not 
what great difference can be made twixt Crisis and Paroxysmus, for the 
Crisis is a Paroxysme, but every Paroxysme they mean is not a Crisis; 
and why ? because Crisis portends a suddain change ; and we can there- 
by judge of the death or suddain recovery of the Sick. 
I answer; there is no such thing in the bounds of truth, only acci- 
dentally

54 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
dentally some may guess death or life, and as easily speak the contrary; 
nor are Crises alike in sick persons for number, greatness, or conformi- 
ty of kind or invasion. The truth is this, the Motion of the Moon, of the 
Lord of the Ascendant, Lord of the House of Sickness, and of the House 
of Death, only and truly shew the motion Paroxysmes, Exacerbations 
and Crises or Decretory Dayes, in such confused and acute Diseases as 
they attributed Crises to ; and if that appears, Crises must not happen 
every third, or fourth, or seventh, or twelfth, or fourteenth, or seven- 
teenth, or twenty one day, and no other, as they did falsely conceit: 
When the Moon applies to a Qartile or Aspect of enmity to the Lord of 
the Ascendant, or Lord of the sixth, then is like to be a sick fit; when 
she applies to a Sextile or Trine Aspect, to either of them, then is like- 
ly to be an interlude or refresliment, other Aspects and Planets motion 
not causing the contrary ; the Moon in opposition to the significator of 
the Sick, or sickness causeth extraordinary illness ; also when the 
Lord of the House of Sickness (the more if he is a malevolent Planet, 
as Saturn or Mars) comes to a Quartile Aspect, or Opposition to the Lord 
of the Ascendant, there is raised in the Sick a Paroxysme or Crisis, the 
Lord of the Ascendant being weak, and by nature an enemy to the Lord 
of the sixth, so much the worse, the more the Sick is cast down, the 
Lord of the eighth being the House of Death, if he be strong and ma- 
levolent, and come to a Quartile Aspect with the Lord of the sixth (any 
Aspect with him is bad) and the Lord of the sixth, and also of the first
House be weak, and otherwise afflicted, we may suspect death ; but if 
the Sick through strength or friendly Aspects of Jupiter or Venus, or Lord 
of the seventh or tenth, the House of Physick or Physicians do pass that 
fit, it is likely they will recover: but the true Significators of the Sick 
and his Sickness should be taken at his Decumbiture, and so considered 
all along in their places, Signs, Houses, Dignities, Motions and Aspects 
with other Planets; yet if we draw a Schem at the Decumbiture or first 
falling sick, and Mars be Lord of the Ascendant, and Mercury of the 
sixth, and we draw another a day, two or three after, there may be ano- 
ther Planet Lord of the Ascendant, and another Lord of the sixth House, 
but the course of the first are to be considered most; and seeing there 
is such great change in most, both Critical and Cronical Ailds, the pre- 
sent Lord of the Asendant, sixth and eighth House, are to be weighed 
in every Scheme we draw upon changes of the Sick ; but in all things 
consider the Moon, though Lady of none of the aforesaid Houses, also 
Jupiter and Venus, though by government of houses no Significators or 
consignificators, yet if joyned by body, or friendly Aspect applying to the 
Lord of the Ascendant or sixth House, especially if strong, they bring great
refresh- 

A Monitory PROæMIUM. 55
refreshments, ease, & alleviation to the Sick; so the malevolent Planets, 
Mars and Saturn, though they; be Lords of Houses unconcerned in the 
Sickness, which shews their ill-will and power the less, and the less to 
respect or tend towards the Sick, yet joyned by body or by Quartile 
Aspect or Opposition reflecting upon the Lord of the Ascendent or sixth, 
or Moon, they do deject the Sick, and increase his Griefs ; indeed any 
Aspect, though Trine or Sextile, of the Significators with them, is bad ; 
that part is most afflicted according to the Sign they cast an inimical 
Aspect to, and are in: but in most Schemes and Figures that we draw; we 
shall find much and many contradictions, in some it is hard to say one 
or other, there are as many reasons or arguments for a thing, as against it; 
and we know not whether of them are most or greatest : And even so we 
find things in the universal course of Nature here below, to be answer- 
ing to the divers Motions, Stations, Fortitudes, Aspects, and Retrogra- 
dations of the Planets ; for in one mans happiness is this or that un- 
happiness, so that we can hardly say, he is more happy in his wealth, 
than he is unhappy in his sickness. I have well considered it; and he 
that knowes these things, and doth well consider, and compare, shall as- 
suredly, find that the contingents and things on earth, that happen to, 
and are in and about Man, come and fall out just according to the me- 
thod and order of the Heavenly Bodies ; and what detraction can it be 
from God, or Heterodoxity to say, The one is governed or guided by the 
other, being we see assuredly they do fall out, and have their current 
and ordinary natural motion so and in that manner? for every thing hath 
its cause ; and if good comes immediately from God without the inter- 
vene of contingent and natural Causes, so then would Evil be made im- 
mediately wilfully and partially to arise from God, if it did not acci- 
dentally according to the Order of Nature so fall out ; which Order in 
Nature God hath committed to the course of the wandring Stars, so far 
as our reason and knowledge, experience and capability can reach ; 
which course of the Planets God at first made, and that is the wonder 
they have ever since continued and he knew how they would change 
and vary, and what and when, and how things would be changed and ef- 
fected. 
There may be many exceptions made which in one place or other of 
our Writing, or Scripture, we have endeavoured to give satisfaction 
in. 
In all Schemes we must compare one thing with another; for as in the 
Heavens are good and bad and indifferent Signs, so in one sick Body, 
some Signs shew Shortness, some protraction of the Disease, some shew 
Death, some Recovery, and some are neither.  
Moreover

57 A Monitory PROæMIUM.
Moreover, in all Changes we must see what Planets afflict the Moon, 
and Lord of the Ascendant and sixth House, and judge of the Humour  
accordingly: Saturn governs the Petrifying, Scirrifying, gross and earthy 
Spirit in Man : Mars governs the fiery sharp thin Evaporative and 
caustick Quality in Man : the Sun and Jupiter chiefly govern the San- 
guisick Quality in Man, the Sun more properly the Sanguisick Princi- 
ple, or Heart; the Liver and Venal Blood are given to Jupiter, and 
animisick Qualities. 
The Moon gives Waterishness and Moisture, specially encreasing;
decreasing she decreases it : Venus chiefly governs the Spermatifick
Quality ; and Mercury the Sense or Rationality of the Brain; but 
Venus gives Flegm chiefly ; Mercury inclines the Way, or that, as he is  
conjoyned with others. 
We Shall next proceed to the Astrological Cure of all Diseases, and 
treat as briefly thereof as we may conveniently. 
If the Disease is caused by Saturn, we may cure by Sympathy with a 
Plant of Jupiter, the Sun or Mercury, for they are friends to Saturn; or 
we may cure a Disease caused by Saturn, by Antipathy, by a Plant of 
Mars or venus, his enemies. 
If Jupiter cause the Disease, or be Lord of the sixth, or afflict the 
Lord of the Ascendant at Decumbiture, all Medicines cure by Sympa- 
thy ; all the Planets being by Astrologians reckoned friends to Jupiter, 
but Mars, and a Plant of Mars may cure by Antipathy. 
If Mars cause the Disease, or be Lord of the Sickness, that is cured 
by Sympathy by a Venerial Plant; by Antipathy by Medicines Gover- 
ned by any of the other Planets ; yet in this case, the Sympathy with 
Venus is of greater force than the Antipathy of Mars, with the rest of the 
Planets. 
A Disease of the Sun is best cured by a Plant of Saturn antipatheti- 
cally for Saturn alone is his enemy; but by Sympathy by a Plant of 
any of the other Planets, indifferent friends with him. 
A Sickness caused or governed by Venus, is best cured by Antipathy, 
by a Plant of Saturn, Contraria contraijs curantur ; but the Plants of 
all other Planets being friends, if they cure it is by Sympathy. 
A Sickness caused by Mercury, is cured sympathetically by a Plant of 
Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, being his friends ; antipathetically, by Plants 
or Drugs or Minerals of Sol, Mars and Luna, being Mercuries ene-
mies. 
A Sickness caused by the Moon, is cured antipathetically by a Plant of 
Mercury or Mars; sympathetically by Medicaments under the govern- 
ment of Venus,
Secondly, 

A Monitory Proæmium. 57 
Secondly, This is to be considered, that we drawing a Scheme at the 
sick mans desire, or at his Decumbiture, or first visit, or water sent, or 
the like, we must consider the Lord of the tenth House, signifying the 
Medicine, and Lord of the seventh, signifying the Physitian : if the Lord 
of the tenth be a Fortune and strong, give a Plant that is governed by 
him, or Plants, elected as we shall shew in the following note or obser- 
vation ; but if the Lord of the tenth House, or the House of Physick, 
be weak, afflicted, or in a Quartile Aspect, or opposite to the Lord of the 
Ascendant or sixth house, and be also an Infortune, which makes it the 
worse, give not a Medicine that is governed by him, for that is likely to 
do harm, no nor give any thing at that time, not until the Lord of the 
tenth is well dignified, or a new and friendly Lord of the tenth arise by 
mutation of Signs, and also a well-dignified and qualified Lord of the 
seventh, and that are in good Aspect, and nigh as may be with the Lord 
of the Ascendant and sixth House; give no Medicine governed by the 
Lord of the eighth, or house of Death: every Artist must look to find 
huge variation in the heavenly Bodies ; and rarely all these good Signs 
or Aspects can be found together, these enough to give directi- 
on, unless men have studied the Grounds and Rudiments of Astrolo- 
gy. | 
Thirdly, In the Astrological Cure of Sickness, we must not only give 
a Plant, Mineral, Gum, Stone, or Animal governed by such a Planet that 
is at sympathy with the Planet causing of governing chiefly the Sickness, 
or a Plant of another Planet, Antipathetical to the Planet ruling the 
Disease, nor yet a Plant of either of the aforesaid Planets sympathe- 
tick or antipathetick, though it be strong and Lord of the tenth house, 
unless it be somewhat proper to remove the cause, or oppugn the sharp- 
ness, grosness, waterishness, stoniness, vermifying, &c. of the Hu- 
mour. 
As for Example; Mercury is Lord of the sixth House; a Vertigo, Le- 
thargy, or depraved Ratiocination is the Disease; we would cure it by 
sympathy or antipathy; see the Lord of the tenth, or House of Medi- 
cine, he is Mars, he is strong and well aspected to Mercury ; well then, 
give a Plant, Stone, Mineral, Animal, or other kind of Medicine that 
is under the dominion of Mars, but not any Plant, Stone, Mineral or 
Animal, but such as experience shews proper, and reason demonstrates 
to-be opposite qualitied to the Quality of the Humour, Matter or Va- 
pour causing the Disease : observe Physical Experiences, what Medicines 
have been found to cure in such cases, and then look which of these are 
under the dominion of Mars, or which of those Plants under the go- 
vernment of Mars are found available in such cases, for Plants of other
H Planets 


58 A Monitory Proæmium. 
Planets have also been used, and have done good sometimes in those ca- 
ses, that will not help another; and that is a great reason, why one is 
cured by this, another nor eased by that, yet is by another thing, as nigh  
to the formers Mans condition as may be. 
Other Books must direct what Plants, Stones, Minerals, Animals are 
governed by such and such Planets: yet herein I must needs condemn 
Astrology ; for Astrologians have not questioned these things on good 
Grounds, and certain and manifold Experience, and do differ in judge- 
ment therein : Indeed for many Drugs it is hard to learn by any Rima- 
ting Experience, what Planets they are peculiarly ruled by; all such 
ought to be gathered when the Planets ruling them, are essentially for- 
tified, as nigh as may be, and given when the Planet governing it, is
strong, and well aspected by the moon, and Lord of the sixth and first 
Houses. 
Moreover, if any Planet be Lord of the sixth, strong, and well as- 
pected, a Plant of his own may help that Sickness by sympathy. 
As for example; the Sun, the heat of the world, sympathizes with the 
Heart, the Sun and heat of Mans Microcosm, the Sun may cause swoun- 
ding. Heart panting and lypothimy ; then observe what Plants 
the Sun governs, and chuse out such as have been found good not only 
in general for the Heart, but in particular for such Distempers of it; and 
those Medicines may be, Balm, Saffron, Rhue, Marigolds, Piony, Ros 
Solis, Rosemary, and Wine. 
Cum tua non edis carpis me a crimina Leli, 
Carpere vel noli nostra vel ede tua.
A


59 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
HEAD 
We shall divide Diseases of the Brain into two 
parts: 
1: Diseases of Sense.
2: Diseases of Motion.
The first we shall divide into two parts:
1: Diseases of Stupidity and Astonish-
ment.
2: Diseases of aggravated Sense or Mad-
ness.
The second we shall also divide into two
parts:
1: Diseases of Motion lessened or abolished. 
2: Into Diseases of Motion depraved: so that under these two, Di-
minution, Depravation, or Abolition of Sense and of Motion, we shall 
comprehend a Discourse of all the Diseases of the Brain. 
I. For Diseases of Stupidity or Astonishment: The Ancients were 
pleased to call them Coma, or Carus, Catalepsis or Cataphora, Apoplexia, 
H2 and   

60 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and Lethargus, Subeth Araborum, &c. And now seeing they ordained 
Nature a course to go in which she doth not observe, we shall finde 
somewhat to examin : 
Tradition ought not quite to be rejected, nor superstitiously protected. 
The Ancients, and Moderns that danced after their Pipes, did di- 
stinguish and ordain the differences, and kindes, and degrees of Nar- 
cotical Diseases, to be thus and these.
1. An Apoplexy, that is, a privation of sense and motion in the whole 
body, from a thick flegmatick humour in the brain, difficult breathing, 
and stertor; the two chief inseparable symptoms. 
2. Catalepsis, or Catoche, said the Ancients, were another kind of so- 
por, or stupor, wherein of a sudden all the faculties of the Soul, and 
motions of the Body perished, the Sick lying in that very state wherein 
he was first taken, neither speaking nor hearing, arising from a cold and 
dry distemper, not of the substance, but hinder ventricles of the brain 
for the most part. 
3. A Coma, or Cataphora, (some of the Ancients differed in the names, 
and which two should be put together, as nigh related) a propensity to 
sleep so earnestly, that the sick cannot open their eyes: they distinguished 
betwixt Coma vigilans and Somnolentum, thus ; in the vigilans Coma they 
cannot hold open their eyes, but are awake; in the Somnolentum they 
both shut their eyes and sleep: the cause, they said, was a strong refri- 
geration of the brain, from a flegmatick humour. 
4. Carus: This, said the Ancients, is a sudden immobility and in- 
sensibleness of the whole body, the breathing being free, whereby it dif- 
fers from an Apoplexy, from a Lethargy by absence of a Feaver, and 
because in this the sick answer not, but in Lethargies commonly have 
that reason and power; the cause, they said, was Flegm, or a cold hu- 
mour obstructing the sore ventricles of the brain.
5. A Lethargy: In which Reason and Memory were impaired, if not 
absolutely defunct, an irresistible necessity of sleeping , a Feaver from 
putrified flegm in the substances not ventricles of the brain. We might 
adde a sixth, and that is, lost Memory, from a cold distemper and 
flegm. 
Indeed Johannes Johnstonus in his Idea Medicinæ practice, hath many 
choice distinctions of all Diseases, whereby Truth is exceedingly de- 
monstrated, and the Reader the better understood of these things; yet 
he did follow Tradition, as Sennertus chiefly, who is a far better Pat- 
tern and President for Truth, than Galen, Hippocrates, Celsus, Ætius, 
Ægineta, Rhasis, Avicen, and other Ancients. 
if any man will object against me that the Diseases of the brain are 
such


A Trotate of the Diseases of the Head. 61
such and onely such, and in that degree and manner, and in no other 
than what the Ancients and Moderns have delivered in their practices 
of Physick, I shall wish him to observe twenty or thirty of the next Pa- 
tients he meets with, and see if their cases correspond with the Chap- 
ters of the Disease he thinks these have : so also for the Cause, let any 
man open twenty or thirty (for in so many, if there be any Method and 
Order in Nature, it may be found out) and let him see if the causes 
were such or so many, and onely such and so many, in that place and 
degree the Practicks have delivered : It is sure Nature observes some
Orders, but it is not as to the Bodies of things, but their Spirits; a 
Narcotick quality in any matter, as Water, or Blood, or Cholerick 
looked corruption, will cause a Coma, Carus, lost Memory or Lethargy, 
and in what part soever, if it may be communicated to the brain, it will 
astonish sense : Whence is the force of the Torpedo or Crampfish com- 
municated at such a distance ? how doth the Lye of the Salt of Worm- 
wood astonish the hands ? bitter Opium is Narcotical , and nautious 
Henbane ; the fume of Charcoal in a close Room makes sleepy, hot
Spirit of Wine makes drunk like dead for several days : Platerus hath a 
notable History of one dead drunk with being in a Wine Cellar, that 
working, and he closed up : by Thunder, Air, and some Baths, are men 
made stupid : Whatsoever hath a Narcotick quality, it opposes the 
Brain, because the Brain alone of all the Body contains its contrary; it 
is a quality opposite to sense and motion, which the Brain con- 
tains.
These procatarctick and outward causes do nothing, unless they work 
upon the inward ; for all are not alike made to sleep with opium, or asto- 
nished with Spirit of Wine; all are not made Apoplectick with a box 
of the Ear, or sudden fright,and yet some have: Nature abounds with 
variety, and in every sick person almost we finde somewhat singular ; 
and almost every other or third case is a rarity. 
Secondly, If we consider the inward causes of stupid, and torpid, and 
sleepy Diseases, they arise not all from one cause, or one matter, it is 
the Narcotick quality in the humour or matter that benumeth and dul- 
leth ; yet I must needs say this, there is as much variety in the kindes 
and degrees of astonishment, as in the cause: in some there is onely a 
sleepy temper and dulness. Marcellus Donatus brings two examples of 
those that slept many years together, and had no illness or Disease : eve- 
ry thing hath its extream of little, and extream of much, and Medium or 
Mediocrity. 
Some when they have been opened, have had a ball of viscous flegm 
in the Brain, that did dull and somnify the Brain; others opened have 
had

62 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
had their Brains loose and waterish, and scattered as it were; others 
opened have had an abscess and purulency found in the fore part of their 
Brain, that did die Lethargically ; others about the Ophthick Nerve 
have had a purulent abscess and slimy water, others from Worms; and 
we see Children that have Worms, or rather a sweet mild humour pu- 
trified, are sleepy; so in fits of the Mother, some lie 2 or 3 days stone dead 
as it were : In two dissected were found water ; in one reddish, in the 
other paler, in both in the hinder part of the head ; and the Veins that 
ran from the fore to the hinder part of the head, full of black blood : 
In Apoplecticks the head being opened , blood hath flowed forth like 
Ink; in another Apoplectick, a thick and viscous humour is found nigh 
the Context retiform in the head : In the heads of other stupid persons 
have much glutinous but clear water been found in the brain ; so that 
however it looks, if a Narcotick quality is in it, it makes stupid and 
senseless ; or in what part soever a Narcotick quality is, it opposes it 
self to the brain ; for Opium lies in the Stomach or Guts, when it raiseth 
sleepiness. 
Yet this we will allow the Ancients, that where an humour looks black 
or red, commonly there is not a Narcotick quality in it, as in flegm 
glutinous water, not that the colour impedes the quality, but the quali- 
ty the colour ; for a fiery Spirit in an humour, makes it high coloured, 
and sharp tasted, and strong scented. 
I ask what makes the astonishment ? if they say the coldness and wa- 
terishness of the humour; I answer, Blood and visibly Choler caused it: 
if they say such a thing ; I ask why it is not found in all ? for astonish- 
ment was in all these, and that that caused the Astonishment was in all 
these; but neither thinness or thickness of the humour, aquosity or vis- 
cosity, redness or paleness, taste or odour was in them alike ; therefore 
they did conduce nothing thereto, onely to be fit Bodies for a Narcoti- 
cal qualified Spirit to be seated in: Indeed often in Apoplexies, blood 
by blows or falls, stopping up all the passages of the animal Spirits, and 
compressing the Brain, causes stupidity, but not commonly in stupidity 
and drowsiness. 
Possibly abundance more might be found in Authors , that have been 
opened, dying of stupid and somnorous Diseases ; but in these what 
shall we conclude (to go on in the Rules of the Ancients) is the Cause? 
if we say Flegm, some were found to have clear water; if we say wa- 
ter, some were found to have black blood; if we say black blood, some 
were found to have viscous purulency or mature; if we say viscous puru- 
lency or sanies, some were found to have pure uncorrupted gelly trans- 
parant; if we say pure transparant gellied water is the cause, some 
were

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 63
were found, as in the comunicated Observations to Riverius, to have 
a black stinking humour like Ink, that caused sottishnesss and foolishness ; 
in others it seems balls of Flegm have been in the substance of the 
Brain, and the Brain hath been waterish, and dissolved, and loose in 
others. 
Secondly, To particularize on any one of these, how shall we hold 
with Galen and Hippocrates, touching the four humours ? for if we say 
Flegm is white, thick and sweet; Choler yellow, thin and bitter; Melan- 
choly black, fæculent and fowr; Water clear, thin and insipid; where or 
when shall we find Flegm, Choler, Water, or Melancholy the cause of 
Disease? It is by as great an accident that we finde Humours just thus 
qualified and principled, as any other thing : and why should the An- 
cients make Posterity believe that most commonly, for that shews a 
thing most natural, Flegm, Choler, Water, and Melancholy, or Blood, 
as some will have, are the cause of all Diseases ? for where once we 
shall find an humour pure Flegm, or pure Choler, or pure Melancholy,or 
pure Water,as the Ancients described, we shall find them ten times 
contrary ; so that it will be hard to say, whether they come nighest the 
nature of Choler, or Blood, or Water, or Melancholy ; for if they have 
the taste of one, they want the colour ; if the colour, they want the con- 
sistence ; if the consistence, they want the smell ; if the smell they have, 
they want the Virtue, Nature, Quality or Properties of that Hu- 
mour.
We shall not here shew all the diversity of signs and differences in 
Stupid and Somnolent Sicknesses: The Ancients should have done well 
to have called all Stupid or Somnolent Sicknesse , and so have made 
distinction according to observation; but describing onely five kindes, 
as, Lethargy, Apoplexy, Catalepsis, Coma and Carus, and they to be so as 
we have described, the Reader is much deceived : for, for any to be 
sick of any Torpid or Somnolent Disease just as they have described, is 
very rare ; and why should they deliver that as a common Rule and 
Method in Nature, that is as accidentary and casual as any thing ? for 
to which can we refer many Soporous Sicknesses ? neither Lethargies, 
because they arise from another cause than what the Ancients did set ; 
and not Apoplexies, because they hold them in a different manner: so 
that neither in the Cause or Symptoms are they exactly referrable to 
any of their Names, nor perhaps Natures. 
II. We shall treat of the Sickness of the Brain, wherein is an aggra- 
vation of Sense, and exaltation of the Spirits, contrary to the other 
of Stupidity and Drowsiness.
The

64 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
The Ancients, and also Moderns, call them Phrenitis, Mania, and Me
lancholia.
Phrenitis, say they, is a continual raging, with a sharp Feaver, 
wherein the Imagination alone, sometimes the Reason is hurt, from 
an Inflamation of the Membranes, or the Brain it self; therein is, 
say they, a stoppage of Urine, breathing small and frequent. 
Mania, say they, is a fury tiuturne with boldness and fierceness, from 
the fire of the Spirits moved, or yellow Choler burnt; as Etius saith, 
from putrified blood : there is no Feaver in this, some say, because 
there is no putrefaction. 
Melancholia, say they, is a raging without a Feaver, with Fear and 
Sadness; without a Feaver from a melancholy humour, which they 
said was either in the Head it self, or did in vapour steem up thither, as 
from the Hypoconders and Spleen. This short description I take, as 
most generally received by the Moderns from the Ancients; but to go 
to search how all differed , might find an industrious and wife man suf- 
ficient tediousness; in many things indeed they agreed onely in dis- 
agreeing ; and sometimes both were right, and sometimes neither:
for there is such wonderful variety, that if they all differed, as it might 
be, they might all write true. 
Now we will examine all the kindes of aggravated Sense, and see if 
they be onely so many and such as the Practical Physicians have writ 
Chapters of; and we will see if that Delirium or raving that is not con- 
sentaneous to the description of Mania, be Phrenitis; and if that di- 
straction that is not a Phrenitis, be Melancholia ; and we will observe 
whether Nature observes any such Method, that if a distraction or ra- 
ging be not in the Symptoms, Cause, Manner, and Measure of a Mania, 
it must be a Phrensie ; if it be not correspondent with the Signs 
and Causes of a Phrensie, it must be a Melancholy : Also we will ob- 
serve, if it be a Madness, whether commonly it is exactly so, or acci- 
dentally ; or whether in one sick Person most familiarly, which is most 
natural, and should have been writ of accordingly there : Are not Sym- 
ptoms some of Mania, or Madness ; some of Phrenitis or Phrensie ; 
some of Melancholia, or Melancholy ? or at least, some Symptoms argue 
one, one time ; and change of Symptoms argue another Disease, ano- 
ther time. Whosoever distrusts the Truth of our Experiments, and 
Examples, and Anatomies, may be satisfied from Skenkius, to go no 
further; he hath collected abundance of mens observations : But to 
these we have added the Observations collected from many men, by 
Marcellas Donatus; divers collected by Johannes Johnstonus; divers 
by Thomas Bartholinus, and his own ; as the others also did adjoyn their 
own

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 65 
own with collecions ; also Felix Platerus, Petrus Pawns, Laz. River. 
Tulpius Renealmus, Horstius, Antonius Benivenius, our own; by which 
we can judge the truth of others, and confirm what we write , did not 
the universal consent and harmony of Observators, univocally testifie
it : but we were loth to write from our own Observations alone, because
one man is not alwayes a sufficient witness; one may mistake, one may 
be superstitiously addicted, and phantastically principled : I think I have 
about 13 or 1400 Observations of my own writing by me, but most of 
them trivial, and such as most practical Physicians meet withal; and 
therefore are of the smaller concernment, for I think it bootless to tell 
men only what commonly they knew before. 
Platerus in his Practice of Physick, went a method by himself, indeed 
from his own Observations and Experience, and wrote the Genera or 
Kinds caused by such a Quality, not the Signs, as others did, of such a 
particular Disease : And Johnstonus in his Idea Med. Pract altered the 
road and method of Practices, by making distinction of the Causes, and 
distinction of Signes upon those Causes ; for we need no other Signes 
than the particular Signes of such and such Causes, after we have de- 
scribed the Genera or Kinds, for there is no other certainty of Signes; 
for if to day possibly in any one we find all (and alone they) Signes of a 
Mania, as the Antients described, tomorrow the Sick may have Signes 
of Melancholy dotage, and the next day a Phrensy, the fourth day dif- 
ferent from any of these, or some Signes of each. 
First, Kinds of Madness or heightened and moved Sense. 
One is quarrelsome, laments and rages, speaks indecently and much, 
sleeps not. Hors.Obs. p. 106. 
A Woman did rage by fits, and with that raging did sometimes laugh, 
she had no Feaver, spoke obscenely, and often, endeavoured to strangle 
her self. Horst. p. 110 
A Man runs mad by fits, sometimes outragious, sometimes absurd, 
from jealousie, he playes divers tricks, carries his child into the field and 
hides him, Plat. Obs. p. 57. Two more also, pag. 60. from jealousy 
fell one into melancholy trouble of mind,and desperateness to kill; the 
other into fury, who killed his wife. 
Another, because of sadness, ran mad; he was more tame, and did dote 
and pull straws, and cut his cloaths in pieces. Plat. Obs. 86. and pag. 
87. Another deprived of her Love, delired, and talked often, and called 
him; and the same pag. another was forty years mad with great fury, 
be used to pull all apieces, and after this term, he came well to him- 
self. 
I  Another,

66  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.
Another, pag. 88. of Plat. Obs. had womb-fury, and was very mad, 
and did call to passengers to lye and copulate with her, and did vehe- 
hemently desire coition,and speak very obscenely and immodestly, and 
died ere long. 
Another being maddish, was stark mad with drinking Wine, he did fear, 
and went with his Sword, and said snares were laid for him; and one stri- 
ving to hold him, he killed him : Another ran mad, and did cry and 
bark like a Dog, being bit by a mad Dog. Another fell mad that was 
bit by a Wolf that was mad ; he feared water, and howled. Another, 
pag. 90. feared water, not bit of a Dog ; he had some Convulsions, and 
molestation of mind, from a fright he died. 
Two, in pag. 92, and 93. did constantly dance, and leap, and laugh, 
and called others to do the same, they could not stand still; but one was 
tired to death, the other recovered. 
A Woman after delivery hath an high Feaver, rages chiefly at those 
she used to love most, yet sometimes talks religiously, her face and eyes 
looked very red. One with short breathing and deflux of Rheum, a 
raging supervened with great heat, and he died. Plat. Obs. 170. 
Dodonæus in his Observations, quotes one that grew foolish on nights, 
clamoured, jumped up and down, and ran about, twisted his arms 
about. 
Valleriola Obs. lib.2. Obs.2. From love one did rage, and was furious 
sometimes ; again another time most loving and complemental and 
merry. 
Orthæus observed a madness adjoyned with leaping, so much, that 
for weariness he fell down, he had melancholy Phantasms. 
Divers talk in other tongues they never learned, and do foretell; 
others laugh extreamly, and then are sad extreamly. 
Fernel, lib. 5. chap. 2. of Pathology, saith, One troubled in mind and 
melancholy, did not sleep in Fourteen Months. 
Λνυανθ,aπia, infaniæ species ; see in Skenk. pag. 129. also Enthusiastick 
Infanio, pag. 135. which he calls thus, Mira apud medicos veteres Infania,
quam Enthusiasmum nominærunt annotata, saltandi furore, Musica, Pharma- 
ciaq; et diæta coercita. 
But why should we insist on these things, where there is a multitude 
of variety in the kinds of all Diseases, and the more we know, the more 
we see we have still to know ? 
Divers are strangely handled, possessed by the Devil, that do rage and 
leap, and jump from place to place, whose necks are sometimes twisted 
behind them, and Convulsions draw up all their parts; in some is a Fea- 
ver, in some not ; some blaspheme, and some have intermissions, where- 
in

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head  67
in they come to themselves, and speak well, and good things. Some pos- 
sessed or bewitched, find somewhat rise up in their breast as if they 
should be choaked. And some see the Witch or her Imp, come in form 
of a Spider or Beetle, and creep in at their mouths, and then they are 
hoven, and rage and delire, and are convulsive; and some lye as dead 
several dayes, and some do not sleep nor eat of divers dayes, that are 
bewitched or possessed of evil Spirits. 
I have searched more than most men, and I cannot find the Evil Spi- 
rits in all their Orders and Degrees, nor in their million of numbers, 
do know the mind or thoughts of Man ; God alone is Cardiognostes, it is 
his Prerogative; nor can they change the mind of Man, but by real pos- 
sesion, or through Witches, or by altering contingents and mens out- 
ward affairs. 
We shall not insist much upon the outward, moving & apparent cause 
we have already in part described; both the inward Cause that is moved 
by the outward , and the outward Cause, being but one and the same, 
in two parties, have different effects; nor is any thing much to be attri- 
buted to the colour or consistence of an Humour, but an hidden quality 
in it: for it is apparent that the same Humour visibly that causeth the 
Falling-Sickness in one, causeth Apoplexies in another, and Palsies 
and Stupor in another, and in another they seemed to ail little in the 
Head, until they were opened. 
The outward Cause of all exacerbated or aggravated fence, is prima- 
rily the Stars operating upon the inward Cause, and giving it such a qua- 
lity ; and a nature at such times to ferment and work, and make Fits and 
Crises, even according to the motions of the Planets causing the Di- 
sease, and the Moon.
Sadness, Fears and Scars, Jealousie, Discontents betwixt Man and 
Wife, the most lacerating of all Grief; bitings of Dog, Wolves, Wines, 
Strong-Drinks, and Hot-Waters, heat of the Sun, retained Semen In 
Mulierbus, retained Hæmorrhoids, &c. are the foregoing, exciting and 
procatarctick Causes; as also loss of Love, and Disappoitment in Mar- 
riage, destiny of Friends, and loss of Estates, soaring Phantasms, and 
deep Excogitations, &c. 
Now a little of the inward Cause of Exacerbated Sense or Distract- 
on, whereby the Reader may guess truly of the rest, and of other things. 
Petrus Fawus Obs.8.of Anatomies, opened a Man, that for two years 
did complain of a pain of his Head in the hinder part, then took with a 
Phrensy and Convulsive Motions, he suddenly dyed ; the thick Mem- 
brane of the Brain was eaten through with divers holes, chiefly in the 
I2  Bregma

68  A Tractate the Disases of the Head.
Bregma under the Arrow Suture ; from those holes flowed forth hard 
and thick blood, black and adult, very stinking throughout that Mem- 
brane ; with the like blood were the Vessels filled that ran through the. 
Superficies of the thick Meninx, and thorow the small ones of the thin 
Meninx, that involves the Brain; in the Cerebel was an Abscess of a 
yellowish humour inclining to white the Cerebel was loose and softer 
than the Brain. 
Yet Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2-. Histor. 34. opened one that had been 
wounded in the Forehead, and died thereof the tenth day ; he had an 
Aposteme in the Brain, with abundance of Purulency, which did turn 
the Vicine Parts to black ; he died sleepily and drowsy, nor had he any 
Delirium, Palsy or feaverish Pulse. 
Two more there he mentions that had Apostemes of the Brain, that 
differed both from these, and from each other : indeed the Part it is in, 
as well as the Quality of the Matter, is to be considered.
Jo. Skenkius from Neretus Nervitius, a Florentine Physician, had this 
Observation ; That one was opened that died of a Phrensy 1583. in the 
new Hospital of Dom. Mariæ, the Ventricles of his Brain were full of 
a skie-coloured Water, and the left Ventricle was eaten thorow ; Ja-
cobus Belga, a Physician that stood by, tasted of it, and it was very 
sharp. 
At Huntingdon, about the year 1653. died a Gentleman at an Inn, 
that was Doctor Sympcots his Patient; after a feaverish illness he fell ra- 
ving and doting, his Feaver still continuing ; he hid the Cause, till to- 
wards the last he revealed it, that he and several others had drunk strong- 
waters for wagers, and to outvy one another; in his feaver and raging 
he died; after his death abundance of Blood ran from him out of his 
Head. See now what varieties there be in the Causes of one Distemper, 
and see how one Cause hath divers effects, commonly drinking much 
Strong-Waters, or the Spirits of Wine astonish Men, so that they are 
many times buried alive : and Apoplexies quite contrary to Phrensies, 
are apparently caused by much and hot Blood, compressing the Brain ; 
and Blood in Apoplecticks hath flowen forth as in this Phrenitick. 
Coiter his Anatomical and Chyrurgical Observations, opened a 
Womans Head that died of a burning Feaver, she had loss of Reason, 
and did laugh, jest and sing ; Blood that was drawn out of a vein, did 
look flegmatick, raw and wheyish, her Head aked much ; after her Head 
was opened, in the Sawing of the Skull, there did flow out a great deal 
of Water like the washing of raw flesh, the thin Membrane and Plexus 
Choroidis, were full of thin and pituitous Water, both Ventricles full 
of Water, no inflamation of the Brain or Involucrums; from the bo- 
somes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 69
somes of the hard Membrane, were strings taken like worms made of 
glutinous Felgm; and this he called a Phrensie.
Certainly and the Planets put a Quality upon the Humours, that makes
one torpid, another garrulous; one raging, another loving; one at one
time stupid, a while after phrenitick: for visibly from one and the same
Cause, come divers Effects, and from divers and different Causes; as 
to our Senses of Seeing, Tasting, Smelling and Feeling, come one and the
same effect. God that did to all Bodies at first give such a Soul, or a 
Spirit, and to that Spirit a peculiar Quality, can give to Flegm by the 
same way and causes, a caustick and sharp Quality, and to red spirituous
Blood, a Narcotick Principle, or stupifactive Quality. 
Secondly, We shall proceed to Diseases of Motion, wherein we shall, 
I . treat of Motion lessened or abolished, and, 2. of motion depraved. 
Motion is lessened or abolished in the former Diseases, and by those 
Causes, as in Apoplexies, Lethargies, Catalepsis, Coma's and Ca-
rus.
Here we shall more peculiarly write of the loss or depravation of Mo- 
tion, the Senses and Understanding remaining : they may be divided in- 
to two Heads; I. Resolution of the Muscles or Nerves ; 2. Convulsi- 
on or Rigor. Physicians have reduced Resolution into Palsy and Trem- 
bling, and others add Stupor or Numbness. 
A Palsy, said the Antients, is not in the whole body, but in parts sub- 
jected to the Brain, sometimes Sense, sometimes Motion, sometimes 
both perish, viz. the Sense of feeling and of acting the parts : the Sense 
of feeling may perish, Motion remaining in that part, and Motion may 
perish, feeling remaining ; because, said Galen, they have two kinds of 
Sinews, one for motion, one for feeling, and which soever are hurt, the 
office thereof is hurt; sometimes it is in one half of the body, all the 
right or left side, and parts thereof; sometimes but in one particular 
member : the Cause was attributed to a cold distemper from thick and 
viscid Humours, or from bruising, wounding, scirrh or inflamation of 
the spinal Marrow; it is a Cronical Disease, not Acute; if the spinal Mar- 
row be cut or luxated, the Disease is uncurable. 
Trembling, said they, is a voluntary Motion depraved, the weight of 
the Member tending downwards,and the faculty of the Muscles lifting it 
upwards ; arising from a cold temper and weaknesse the Sinews, from 
drunkneness, use of cold things, that make thick and cold juice. 
Now let us examine whether the Antients set down all the Kindes of 
Numbness and lessened Motion, or whether Nature errs allwayes just 
thus


70 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
thus, if the errs in Motion ; or whether other ails, and quite other, and 
more Causes than the Antients described, do not as naturally and more 
frequently come. 
Alexander Trallianus, lib. i. cap. 16. saith, One had a Palsy or Reso- 
lution from sadness and much sollicitude and fasting, he taking Hiera Picra, 
was in the whole body immoveable like to dye ; he with Moisteners, Nourish-
ers and Baths, was restored. 
Gregor. Horstius. Obs. Med. lib. I. pag.24. relates of a Maid fourteen 
years old, that loved clay, chalk and earth, fell into a Feaver with sus- 
picion of Pox, they then reigning ; the Pox come out slowly, but a Pal- 
sy mixed with Convulsive Motions, supervened ; the Palsy was but in 
some parts, and the Convulsion followed ; she was was soon cured. 
A Woman in the 210. page of his fourth Book, had her Menstrues 
stopped, Cholical Pains of the neather Parts, desire of food, but ill con- 
coction, vomiting and nausea sometimes troubled her; then followed 
pains in the outward parts, weakness of the hands and feet, with dag- 
ging pains, so that they were almost immoveable, all the Funcions of 
her Brain still right and firm. 
Tulpius Obs. Med. lib. I. cap. 23. shewes a relation of trembling of 
the Thumb after letting of Blood, or of the Hand alwayes in an Iron 
Smith, which should teach Physicians, saith he, to search the peculiarity of 
mens Tempers. 
The same Nicholaus Tulpius, cap. 12. of the first Book, observes Peri- 
odick Trembling in Margaret Brentia of a flegmatick temper; it held 
three years,it began in all her Members, but continued only in her Arms 
and Thighs; a fit lasted almost two hours, with hoarse, and suppressed 
speaking : under the Dog Stars she was worse ; the order of her fits 
did agree with the Moon, and rise of the Sun, and were moved by the 
Moon as the Sea, sometimes oftener, sometimes seldomer; sometimes 
greater, sometimes less; but under the Dog Star Sirius, she had so ma- 
ny fits as there were hours, in winter fewer. She was helped at last. 
Platerus Obs. 167. did observe trembling of the whole body in some, 
and of divers parts in others, in sleep preceding death. 
He did observe a particular benumbedness of one Arm, with heavi- 
ness of the Head ; and in another the same numbness of the Arm from 
binding. 
So many men, so many rarities, every case hath somewhat singular in 
it, and Nature is bound to no such method or progress, that all dimini- 
shed, abolished or depraved motion must be just so, and in those Dis- 
eases only that Practical Authors have set down; for what they set down 
to happen generally, we can rarely find by experience. 
Plat.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 71 
Plat. Obs. pag. 96. observes another that had hurt and lessening in 
feeling, and withal burning and pricking paines in the Extremities, run- 
ning under the skin, that lasted many years. 
He observed one from a wound in the Spina Dorsi, to have a Palsy of 
all the nether parts, from the middle downwards. Another after a ge- 
neral Palsy, had a Palsy of the tongue. 
Skenk pag. 85 brings Experience to shew that the Tongues of those 
that have Palsies, have a slower motion at New Moons, than at Full 
Moons; and yet divers Physicians will not believe the Stars have any 
influence upon our Bodies; nor will they study to know so. 
Cætius writes from Avicen, that one could make a Palsy of his whole 
body when he would. 
Another had all parts resolved but his Face. Another had all his Ex- 
tremities and lower parts resolved, but his Hands, from a fall; another 
only his Thigh, another his Lip. 
Benedict. lib. I. cap. 39. de morbis curandus, Marcus Bassadonius,
from an acute Feaver and Phrensy, was weakned in his right Arm, so 
that he lost all sensation, and power of motion therein. And after this 
manner, to ennumerate no more, runs the common course of Nature. 
And if any Physitian will be diligent to write Observations of all he sees, 
he may see the same from his own Experience, which the common ra- 
tional Faculty God hath placed in all Men, blusheth to deny. 
Now let us see what is the internal Cause of Numbness, trembling 
and deadness of Parts, or the whole Body ; for we would chiefly inform 
Physicians, specially young Learners, in those things they shall ever re- 
tain, being multifariously built upon the sure Basis of Experience ; also 
those things that are of greatest dignity, and which being known, the 
rational faculty of man leads him to discover Appurtenances, and Cir- 
cumstances thereto adhering, nor are they ever to be unlearned again, 
as the Phantasies and Chimæras of Mens Brains are, nor shall the Rea- 
der often meet with such in other Books, and therefore have we chief- 
ly written in this manner, and these things. 
Of Procatarctick, open, or outward Causes in the Kinds of Resolution, 
we have spoken somewhat, and much needs not be spoken: it sometimes 
follows Cholicks, and Cholicks that ; an Air men know not how blasts 
and withers, sometimes one part, sometimes half the Body, and some- 
times all, the Body more or less suffering impair of motion ; so hath 
lightening done, loosing all the Joynts, and melting the Bones. After 
that manner did it to a Patient of mine, a Minister of Cambridgshire: 
And after the former, an Air suddenly surprized a Kinsman; all differ, 
and

72  A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
and the outward Cause differs ; some tremble from fear, some from ve- 
hement cold ; some in old age, some afore death. Quick-silver in those 
that are anointed, gathering together, not well killed, leaps in the Veins; 
so it doth in hot Liquor, or a Loaf, and so causes a Palsy. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. I. Hist. 93. A Convulsion and Palsy dissolved a 
Feaver. 
Fernelius observed that a Feaver turned into a Palsy, he thought the 
Choler ran into the spinal Marrow. 
We might infinitely insist on these, but by a penny we may guess how 
a shilling is coined. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. Med. relates a melancholy young man had a 
Palsy of the left, and Convulsions on the right side, had fits often, some- 
times resembling the Falling-Sickness, with a great Feaver, the Veins 
of the thin Meninx on the right side, did swell, aperto cadavere, with much 
black blood, and hardened, and nigh was a collection of apostemated 
matter in the Brain, black in colour. 
Brassavolus Comment. ad Aphor. 9. lib. 7. Hippocr. saith, One was 
and insensibly in his whole body, and died, bleeding much from nose, 
and no Medicines learned Physitians used, helped him. 
Benedictus, lib. I. cap. 33. curand. morb. saith, One by a staff did re- 
ceive a blow on the Shoulder, the Fingers of that hand were resolved or be- 
numed, nothing helped until he was plaistered in the Neck. This shews the 
Place, the former the Cause. 
Platerus, pag. 136. observed the giving of Opium in a Clyster, caused 
a Resolution of the Tongue, hindering speech, and the party stam- 
mered. 
Another he relates there, paralitick in both Sides, strook in the Neck 
with a stick, losing both speaking and hearing, but he eat and slept; but 
lived so a year or two, and died. 
Two others from blowes on their Heads, could not speak ; one had a 
loss of going, the other Convulsions of his Eyes; one saw things double, 
the other died. Blowes or cuts of the Back-Marrow also hath cau- 
sed the like, though not so frequently ; for many times nothing is to be 
seen in the Brain, the Sinews, and only some pairs being particularly 
resolved.
But secondly, We will shew somewhat of Convulsions, contrary 
motions to Resolution and Numbness, and the Kindes of Epilepsies 
joyned with the Kindes of Convulsions; there cannot a competent 
difference be gathered : for where we shall see these things clear and 
fully, and distinct, as Authors have deciphered in Practices, we shall ten 
times

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head.  73 
times see diversity and different cases; yet Epilepticks hold a manner 
as conformable one to another, as almost any Disease : in the Genera or 
kindes, we shall also shew diverse degrees, and divers moving and out- 
ward causes of convulsive motions. 
When I was a Youth, I took white Hellibore for my Quartain Ague, 
and I had a Convulsion of my Gullet; so that it seemed to cleave to- 
gether to my apprehension, and to rise as if somewhat was in my 
throat. 
We read of Sardis or Apium risus, an Herb that brings convulsions of 
the Face, Eyes and Cheeks, and men dye as if it were laughing, there- 
fore that is called Risus Sardonius.
Toadstools, or Fungi arborei, bring convulsives, and Wrangling Sym- 
ptoms to some. Forrest, Obs. 116. lib. 10 observed a Woman that 
had her Eyes pulled up, her mouth distorted, her Cheeks drawn aside, 
her tongue immoveable to speak, vehement contractions of her hands 
and feet, but without stiffness, from Toadstools. 
Quickfilver in its fumes and evaporations, received into the Brain, 
is very bad ; the same Forestus besides others, relates thereof ; A Gil- 
der therefrom could not sleep or rest, but turned him this way and that, 
did tremble in all his whole Body, his Face grew pale, and for two 
months was grievously held ; but he used much Quicksilver for that 
Goldsmiths, Peuterers, and Gilders must use. 
Fernelius relates of a Painter that, unadvised, took Vermilion ; he 
fell into Palsies and Convulsions ; at first he perceived all his parts 
more torpid and immoveable, then they began to be contracted, 
and to be drawn cold, and fixed, and rigid , his going was taken away, 
his Arms and hands were most free of pain, but about his Stomach, 
Guts, and Hypoconders, were most intolerable pains, which the crush- 
ing of his Belly gave some mittigation to ; he had Intervals and Fits, 
and sometimes the matter did work most in one part, then in another, 
and in another manner : He was after a fortnight restored. 
Jo. Johnstonus in Thaumatographia, a man exceedingly deserving in 
Physick, writes from Mathiolus, that Napellus, a Plant, was given to a 
Thief ; he said it tasted like Pepper; he first felt a Palsie and stiffness 
in his left Arm and Leg ; then it seized upon his right, leaving the for- 
mer ; then he was cold, and had Convulsions of his Eyes and Mouth; 
he vomited like Leeks, and thought he had a Ball at his Navil; he was 
sometimes rational, and again doted ; blinde, and saw again thrice ; 
and wept, and was cheared; he thought he must instantly dye, and pre- 
sently the poyson leaves and intermits ; he thrice was blinde, and saw 
again, and thrice in an Agony of Death; his Tongue of all his parts 
K harm

74 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
harmless; he had huge beating of his Temples, and after a long con-
flict Nature overcame, and he recovered.
I could produce many more such relations of the nature of Plants 
and Minerals, and Creatures, to raise Convulsions, and the varieties  
of vitiated motion, as also all other ails man is subject to , but these 
may suffice here. We have shewed in our Book called Physiology, Ja- 
trosophy and Pneumatography, how man is taken from, and made of the 
Earth, and how most of those Principles are found in his body; and 
therefore is it that one Plant sympathizes with him, and another antipa- 
thizes; one sympathizes with such a part of his body, and not another, 
because in that part is a quality of Homogeneity to the quality of the 
Plant; so some Medicines spoil one part and not another, because in 
that part peculiarly is a matter of an antipathetick spirit to the spirit of 
the Plant, and so they fight: Were there nothing in the body of man 
of contrary quality to the blood, and spirits, and natural Juyces, there 
would be no Diseases ; for Friends and Consimilars do not fight; that's 
the reason that a poyson in one man works thus, in another so, because 
the constitution and quality of the humours are not the same; and as 
Plants do operate, or Minerals, or Animals on the Body of man vari- 
ously, according to the various nature of them, and the variety of the 
subject, so do humours : for what qualities are in Plants or Minerals 
heterogenious to the quality of, our spirits that constitutes our vitality, 
sense, and motion, such may also be in the humours; and the humours 
of themselves inimically qualified by the air, aliment, or otherwise, 
may raise the same, and such diversity of Convulsions , or other Ails 
whatsoever, as Plants and Minerals, and Animals do. 
There is a strange kinde of depraved motion, called Viti saltus, of 
constant leaping and dancing, in some with contractions, in others 
with Delirium : Some superstitiously believed that praying to St. Vitus 
Would help them. 
Tulp. Obs.14.lib.I observed a Maid fifteen yea old to have Con-
vulsions or drawing up of her Nerves, always sitting, but when she stood 
or walked, she had none: and Obs. 15. he observed a contraction of 
of the Nerves periodically, or by fits ; it arose first from Euphorbium 
taken, the which an inordinate horror did follow, and then Spasms, the 
fits were very bad, and shook all his Body, and, his minde and speech 
was took way. And Obs. 17. a Campensis woman had a peculiar depra- 
ved motion ; she stook her Knee first with one hand , then the other, 
long together very violently,nor could she be disswaded therefrom; imi-
tating with distinction of black-Smiths beating upon he Anvil; 
the Houshold could not help her a cushion upon her knees, so
that her continued and hard her the less In

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 75 
In others is a striking Knee against Knee constantly and hard, from a 
depraved motion in the Nerves, occasioned by a secret qualification of 
the humours and Astral Influence. 
Any matter, as it is a matter, is dead, but the Spirit in it is active
and communicable; and every Spirit, according to the quality GOD 
gave it, different from others, acts and officiates : Into all pure terrene 
Bodies, GOD did at first according to his good pleasure, implant a Spi- 
rit of a peculiar Quality; he could have made Sulphur purging, and 
Scammony binding; he could have made Rhubarb to have onely a pro- 
priety for the Head, and Sage, Rosemary and Betony to respect pecu- 
liarly the Liver ; for the Bodies are nothing but the Spirits they con- 
tain, and the peculiar qualities of these Spirits: so in mans Body, the 
humours, to look and consistence, smell and taste, may be the same, 
and yet have qualities, 
Betwixt common Falling-sickness and Convulsions and fits of the 
Mother, many times is little difference ; but what variety is there here- 
of? such an one is so handled, it is hard to say, whether they be Uterine 
Convulsions, or a Convulsive Hysterick Passion ; in all these some fall, 
in all these some do not fall ; in all these some feel a rising up of some- 
what within them, and in all these in others there is no such apprehen- 
fion : In Vertigo’s they fall, turn round, and there is such variety, and 
Nature is not bound to a Road or Order; that many persons it is 
hard to say whether they have a Vertigo, Epilepsie, Convulsion, or 
Hysterick Passion, or Swoonding : Some do affirm that men have Hyste- 
rical fits, so like to women ; and others say the Lungs are the cause 
thereof: some foam at mouth, and snort; some fore-see their fit, and 
sit down, and so prevent their falling : In Epilepsies some turn round 
as in a Vertigo, and then fall, and then have heavings of their Brest, 
as in Hystericks, and then have Convulsions, and then have foamings 
of the mouth, as in Madness or Drunkenness, and then snort as in A- 
poplexies, and then stare and talk strangely, as in Phrensies, and then 
forget all for a while, as in Lethargies ; and what disease shall we call 
all these Symptoms ? some Hystericks do fall, they gape, and strerch, 
and seem choaked, then have fast contractions and convulsions, then 
perhaps lie stiff, and inflexible, and senseless divers days, as in the 
most exquisite Apoplexy, pinched not feeling. 
Cornax, Encherid. Med. observed one stiff all over, his skin harden- 
ed like Leather, his skin seemed as if it was stuffed, and stiff like the 
bark of a Tree; his Gullet was resolved, but Brain, Stomach, Anus, 
and Urinary passage well; he was stiff in all outward parts, and back- 
bone could not be bent, nor his Joynts. 
k2 Sole 

76 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Solenander observed one with pains and contractions of her Arms, 
Shoulders, and Knees ; see those distant parts should be affected toge- 
ther. 
Marcellus Donatus Hist. Med. Mirab. observed one that the great 
Toe of her Foot must always be moved, even in sleep, upwards and 
downwards. 
Salius Annotat. ad Cap. 13. Pract. Altomar. observed in one Mem- 
ber one while a Palsy, another while a Convulsion raged. 
Cardanus observed one after a Feaver and Convulsions, to have pant- 
ing and distension, Legs immoveable, and the Body leaping and tos- 
sing. 
Jaechinus Com. ad cap. 13. lib. 9. Rhasis observed the Muscles and 
Tendons stiff, and stretched, drawing as it were part from part, to dis- 
solve Unity. 
Fernel. lib. 5. cap. 3. Pathol, observed a flatulent Convulsion, diffe- 
rent from all these, that did twice or thrice a-day afflict, strong con- 
tractions and coldness. 
Heurnius de Morbis Cap. observed one that had his Intestines, Abdo- 
men, Testes and Spermatick Vessels drawn up; another was spasmatical 
in the Anus: Divers observed the eating of Quails brought the falling 
Sickness and Convulsions. 
Concerning the inward and obscure causes of Convulsions and Epi- 
lepsies, we will shew somewhat; the outward, apparent, movent, and 
procatarctick Causes, appear in Practices of Physick , though defe- 
ctively, and some false. 
Neretus Nerutius a Florentine Physician, opened one that had an 
Headach, then a Rheumatick Distillation, a Convulsion of the Neck, 
and Posteriors; dying, three spoonfuls of water was found to be ga- 
thered betwixt the hard Meninx, and the hinder feat of the Cere- 
bel. 
We shall think it sufficient to translate Thomas Bartholin, who to save 
others the pains of disquisition, hath collected many Anatomies and 
Dissections made by other men, Cent. 2. Hist. 92. 
A Falling-sickness by consent of the-lower parts rarely leaves any 
footsteps of it to be seen in the Brain after Death ; for vapours are dis- 
sipated with our Life : but if the Brain hath in it self contracted any 
fault, it is easily seen in the Dead. Bontius Obs.i.med.ind. in the Brain 
of a Souldier that had the Falling-sickness, found the Ventricles filled 
with a tough matter, and glutinous, of a clay colour, like yolks of 
Eggs, but stinking. Smetius in lib. 10. Miscel. found an abscess of 
white pus, Ballonius. lib, I. Ephem. found small and thin Bodies like 
hairs

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 77 
hairs in the Ventricles, to be the cause : That thin and limpid Water 
was the cause, both Volcherus, Coiter, in Obs. Hildan. In Obs. Hevartus 
in Annot. ad lib. 2. Confil. Ballon. River. Cent. I. Obs. 37, observed 
by dissections: That Pus in the menings of the Brain was the cause, 
Fernelius, lib. 2. abdit Caus. l. 15. Salmuth Cent. I. Obs. 17. found : 
That it was caused by a Corruption or Sphacelus of the Brain, Glandor- 
pius, Spec, chir. Obs. 6. did find. Sometimes the Ventricles of the Brain 
are so fallen down in Epilepticks, that there is not an easie and free 
passage for the Spirits; even as Adrianus Falcoburgius an Anatomist 
did observe, in opening publickly a Boy of fifteen years old, that died 
in the very fit: there was no other visible cause of Death, or of the 
Falling-sickness, than that the Ventricles of the Brain were very much 
compressed, and falling one upon another, without any manifest cavity; 
but in the top of the Brain, nigh the Cranium or Skul, he found har- 
dened blood ; and this my Brother Erasmus Bartholinus saw. 
Also Cent. 3. Histor 80. relates of a Maiden, well-fleshed, and of a 
florid Complexion, took with a Flux of the Belly, hardness in the right 
Hypochonder, heat of the whole, thirst, watchings, pains of the Head, 
white Excrements ; an Epilepsy supervened, and she quickly died ; o- 
pened, the whole Region of the Back, from the nape of the Neck, to 
the last Vertebra of the Spina, was black ; the Stomach in the left side 
black, as if putrified and filled with a green humour; Liver scirrhous, 
and weighed ten ounces ; Gall large and filled with Choler; but the 
Brain weighed five pound, filled with Water, and with Bladders full 
of Water. 
It were an excellent thing, if all Symptoms differing, were com- 
pared to each differing cause, and so to find out what is the peculiarity 
of the cause, that doth cause that diversity in the condition of two sick 
Parties, seemingly by the greater and most permanent Symptoms, to 
have one and the same Disease ; yet where the parts are alike affected, 
or humours alike corrupted, the constitution will raife diversity. 
Concerning the cure of all these Diseases specified, we will give 
these general Rules and Directions; for indeed in each of those Diseases 
named, Carus, Coma, Apoplexia, Subeth, Catalepsis, Memories, Læ-
sa, Lethargos, Mania, Melancholia, and Phrenitis, Paralysis, Stupor, 
Tremor, Convulsio, Epilepsia, &c. There is no Method general; for 
sometimes contrary causes produce the like seeming effects, and one 
and the self same cause seemingly, though of a diverse quality, works 
various events ; and we have sufficiently expressed by the causes, the 
diversity of cure in every one of these Diseases,for that is the best insight 
we 

78 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
we can give to this credulous Age, and addicted to fond opinion, to 
shew the diversity of Causes, which according to the Vulgar Proverb, 
Once known, the Disease is half cured: And according to Phylosophy, 
Tolle Causam & cessabit Effectus, Takeaway the Cause, and the Effect 
ceaseth. 
APHORISMS.
I. In every Disease, as the Symptoms vary, so the Cause; and as 
the Cause varies, so in every Disease our Method must vary ; for in 
any sickness there be scarce two hold alike in all things. 
II. The Constitution especially, but also the Age, Customs and times 
of the year are to be weighed in the cure of every Person, so that the 
method formerly delivered by Sylvius, Rondeletius, Riverius, Heurnius, 
&c. is not sufficient to learn any to practice well and faithfully, unless 
they have distinguishing knowledge of their own; in some, one ounce 
of the Emetick infusion will work 20 times, in another ten, in another 
scarce once, in anothor it works onely downwards; in one, one scruple 
of Jallap is a sufficient dose, in another of the same age, Sex and strength, 
one ounce will hardly work, and so in the same manner for all other 
Medicines; that that excites one Lethargick will not move another; 
and that that restores Palsies in one, moves no sense of feeling in ano- 
ther, for the sense of feeling naturally is not alike in all. 
III. Observe the Time of the Stars ; for if given when Nature doth 
not co-operate, we do nothing ; if Nature draws one way, and our Me- 
dicines pull the other, a confusion is made. 
IV. Observe what contradictions there be in all Distempers ;take 
away the greatest of two evils first, and tha that will be longest ere 
it kill, may be suffered longest ere cured : Also observe in curing one 
infirmity, we do not aggravate or make another; and also observe what 
infirmities the sick usually was prompt to, and judge that that was usu- 
al to him in health, is the less dangerous in sickness, yet not without 
some exceptions; also observe which way the sick used to have his 
blood purged of Heterogenious matter.
V. Physicians are Natures Servants, and therefore must observe her 
Dilates in any of these Diseases; we may Purge, or let Blood, or Sweat, 
or move by Urine, or Salivate, or Synapisate, or use Leeches as we 
see blood abound, and as we finde Nature oppressed, or beginning an 
Excretion such a way, or of such a matter, and in such a place. For 
Example, If any in a Stupid and sottish Disease bleeds much at Nose, 
hath the Hæmorrhoids or courses that used to flow, stopped, hath heat 
of the Body, beating of the Pulses, swelled Veins, though it is contra-
ry

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 79 
ry to Physicianns Directions in stupid Diseases to Bleed; yet it is con- 
venient here in these cases to let blood, and chiefly in the Arteries; or 
if Arteriotomy may not be allowed, or cannot be celebrated, a Vein of 
the Forehead, Temples, or behind the Ears, or Jugulars, are to be o- 
pened, for they draw immediately from the part; and experience will 
witness for it, against those of the Circulation, that in all cases will 
bleed in the Arm, because of the community of Vessels : Furthermore, 
if in Falling-sicknss, Convulsions, Distraction, Light-headedness, and 
Melancholy or the like ; if any thing break forth by the Ears, or No- 
strils, or any other way ; we are to judge the Morbifick matter like to 
it, and we are to draw it forth by those parts Nature hath begun and 
shewed us the way. 
VI. We must endeavour, if we perceive it is a Matter or Humour that 
doth cause the Disease, to draw it outwardly, and from the more Noble 
to the less Noble Parts; Also we must observe the Emunctories of 
Nature, in most Diseases of the Head, shaving of the whole Head, and 
applying blistering Epispasticals were good , particularly behind the 
Ears, and upon the Sutures; vehement purging will do nothing in a 
confirmed Distemper, and where Humours are setled and coagulated, 
and the Brain corrupted. 
VII. This alone, what ever Practical Authors have writ, is conve- 
nient to all persons in a sleepy Disease, and to all persons in a raging 
Disease, and to all persons in a depravation, or abolition of feeling 
and motion ; to give Specificks, to oppose the quality of the Humour, 
that is Narcotical, or Maniacal, or Spasmastical, or Paralytical ; in 
all those fits of falling, as Vertiginous, Hysterical, Epileptical, Ca- 
taleptical, Convulsive and Syncopical, Pæeony, Castorium or its Spi- 
rit, Succinum or Oil of Amber, Elks Claw, &c. are convenient, be- 
cause in these is an occult quality, opposite to that occult quality in the 
Humour that causeth the falling : in all sleepy sicknesses, Rosemary,
Betony, Castorium, Juniper Berries, Sage, Marjorum, Lavender, 
Lillies of the Valley, Tile-Tree, Chamepitis, Assafœtida, and Phu- 
Silvestre, are Specifical, because these in all Causes, and in all Hu- 
mours, endued with a Narcotick Quality, whereby they work and 
change our Bodies, do by an opposite quality in them oppose and over- 
power the Narcotical qualified Spirit of those Humours.
In an agil, and hot, and spirituous qualification of Humours, which 
doth produce raging, madness, and fury, and dotage, and is of high 
Heterogeneity to the Quality of our Spirits and therefore several Poy- 
sons will cause Deliriums and Madness, Rosemary, Fumitory, Beto-
ny, Couslips, Hpithsimum, Lapis Lazuli, are Specifical against Dot-
age 

80 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Head. 
tage, and loss of Ratiocination : but to stop the furious vapours of hot 
Blood, and the fermenting in hot and acrimonious Humours, and to 
obtund their Acrimony, and stop their Motion, Opium, Laudanum, 
Poppies, Nightshade,Lettice, Violets, Mandrakes, Henbane, Stramoni- 
um & Housleeks, have an Antipathetick Quality; for these cause rest, and 
are , of the same Nature and Quality that the humours are of, 
that cause Coma, Carus, and Lethargy; for man being deduced from the 
Earth, hath its qualities (I think all) naturally, or by custom, or by 
corruption in his Blood and humours, that are to be found in Mine- 
rals, Plants, or other Animals: in some persons Opium will not make 
sleepy ; in some Tobacco will not cause Vomit, eaten ; in some Spiders 
will distend and swell them no more then their ordinary nourishment; 
some eat Arsenick and Hemlock harmlesly. The only reason of these 
things is this, By custom (or otherwise by a peculiar Temper) such 
things eaten, turn the Blood and Juyces into their Nature and Quality, 
and so being Homogenious do not fight, and that is the reason of Ap- 
petites ; one loves one thing, another another, because of a Juyce of 
such a quality in his Stomach, that sympathizes and antipathizes with 
such nourishment. 
Let the Palsy, Convulsion and Stupor, or trembling Motions come 
from what cause they will, hurting the Sinews, Earth-worms, Rhue, 
Castorium, Sage, Rosemary, Betony, Chamepitis, Succinum, or 
the Oyls of these outwardly help ; why ? because in all, the Sinews are 
hurt ; now these assist and strengthen the Sinews by a peculiar quality, 
implanted originally by God at their first making, according to his good 
pleasure; and why Rhue Should have a quality to help the Sinews, and 
Henbane to hurt them, we can give no account: It pleased GOD in 
such a Plant to put a Caustick Spirit, in such a Narcotick qualitied 
Spirit; and in such an one a quality to respect the Brain, in another to 
respect the Liver. 
VIII. If two or more parts are corrupted, inflamed, obstructed, 
&c. we must chiefly in cure, respect that that was first, for perhaps 
that caused the other; a great deal of Water, or Ichor, or Sanies may 
be heaped up in such a part, though sent from another; as in Dropsies, 
all the Bowels are oft found corrupted and totted, and yet all were 
not the cause, but that or they that gave occasion to the water to en- 
crease, which corrupted all : so if much Water, or Blood, or Choler 
be heaped up in the Head, we must respect the part sending, as well as 
the part receiving ; perhaps the Uriters do not carry so much Urine as 
was wont; perhaps the Gall doth not separate the Choler, it used to 
do, and eject it; perhaps the Blood is not let out or excerned, or sweat 
out or separated, or purified as it ought or used to be. More-

81 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Head. 
Moreover observe in all Spasms and Resolutions, to observe the head 
of the Nerves,and to anoint the nape of the Neck or Back-bone, whence 
the affected Nerves do proceed, where ere they be. 
IX. A great help to the curing all Diseases, is in Dyet; if any know 
what caused the Disease, the best way is to abstain from the cause, and 
to observe their own Constitution, what hurts or helps them ; for 
one mans meat is anothers Poyson : the outward often stirs up 
the inward, which without the motive cause would lie still often- 
times. 
X. As we said before of Specificals, so of Alterers; We must oppose 
cold Medicines to an hot Disease or Constitution ; hot Medicines to a 
cold Distemper; moistning in a dry Distemper and Constitution ; and 
drying must be opposed to too great moisture : but concerning drying 
Medicaments, we must not imagine that Guaiacum, Sarsaperilla, Chi- 
na, Sassafras, &c, drie, for nothing dries any other way, then conse- 
quentially, expelling or absorbing the moisture; for there is nothing 
wasts, but all Air is conceded into Water, and Water is ra- 
rified into Air, and so they are in perpetual change; for if Water by 
Guaiacum, Sassafras, China, &c. was annihilated, then there would 
be less Water, and less in the world, and in a Million of years the Sea 
might be dryed up: I confess Litharge will drie much, because it doth 
suck up moisture into its own body; and so do Mucilages of Gum-Ara- 
bick, specially Gum-Tragacanth, and Spunges, but they must be ei- 
ther Sweaters that are drying, or Diureticks ; sweating spends in Va- 
pour and Exhalation, per habitum Corporis, or Urine-purgers 
send it out by the ordained motions of the Parts, or Natures instituted 
Channels in its whole Substance and Body; and those that do not 
spend moisture by expelling it by sweat through the Skin, or by the In- 
stituted motions of Nature by the Kidneys and Bladder, do not dry. 
L A

82 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF THE 
DISEASES
OF THE 
LUNGS. 
It hath been thought, that a Cough, Asthma, 
Pleurise, Peripneumonia, Empyema, Hæ- 
moptoe, and Phthisis were all the Diseases 
of the Lungs, and that the Lungs had no 
more, nor no other, according to an or-
dinary method in nature: A cough is but a
Symptome, and may be in all Diseases of 
the Lungs, and I know not why it should be 
called a Disease, for in a Peripneumonia, 
or inflamation of the Lungs, the cause gives 
the denomination, for in that may be a 
Cough; so Hæmoptoe also is a Symptom, and may happen in many Di- 
stempers, and from divers Causes. 
Nor have these Diseases mentioned just such causes and no more, or 
no other then what practical Authors writ. 
I shall save my self the pains to write the Diagnostick and Progno- 
stick Signs; as also the Causes and Method of curing Diseases described
in 

A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 83
in Practices of Physick, they may be compared with what we draw 
from Observations, nigh as well as if they were here writ together or 
premised. 
The Lungs are the Bellows or Fan of the Heart, the fire of our Bo- 
dies, which they blow up, and keep from dying, falling round about 
the Heart, filled with Wind, which they draw in and let out, as our ar- 
tificial Bellows do; and as soon as these Natural Bellows cease drawing 
and letting out of Air; the fire of our Bodies wanting fomenting and 
stirring up, dies, and we grow cold and pale. 
The Lungs have also another Office, to receive Flegm, and cough 
it forth, and wheresoever the Lungs burdened cannot cough, we are 
apt to be choaked. 
These are the two Natural Offices of the Lungs; and we would give 
insight to the Reader how many wayes, and how diversly these may be 
diminished, vitiated or abolished ; for properly and plainly, the An- 
tients should have described these two, diminished, vitiated or abo- 
lished, and have brought all the several causes, and the signs of such 
particular causes, being found by Dissection ; and the degrees of each 
kind, and the variety of Natures Order and Progress, and how the 
Lungs may be affected from other parts by community of Vessels, or 
super-incumbency, or affinity of Nature; and Philosophically they 
should have described the peculiarity of the nature of the Lungs, differ - 
ent from other parts, that made them have Diseases different from other 
parts, they being of a more flegmatick, airy and spongy Substance and 
Quality. 
I have known many different kinds,and differing degrees in all those 
kinds of short breathing, and different causes of those different kinds, 
viz. outward and precedent causes ; for I never saw a man opened that 
died of any Disease ; and sometimes large eating, the Diaphragm be- 
ing crushed up, and capacity of the Thorax streightned, hath caused a 
Disnaea; sometimes Wind which hath been eased, as the former, when 
the cause removed ; sometimes swift motion, specially in Green-sick- 
nesses, for with motion they are almost out of breath ; in obstrucions, 
as in the Jaundice and Cachexia, they are very short winded, because 
cold clammy humours do sometimes abound, and the Thoracical Mus- 
cles move heavily, and the parts are crushed up by windiness distend- 
ing, which in Dropsies is occasioned by Water; so in Apoplexies breath- 
ing is short, or where breathing is not difficult and very short, I sup- 
pose it improper to call that sleepy stupid sickness an Apoplexy. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 91. observed an Old woman that eat much 
Fruit, she had a Catarrh, she was cured with a Phlegmagoge and Sto-
L 2 machical


84 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
machical pouder, when an Asthma supervened ; he accounted it Wind 
in the Stomach, crushing up the Midriff, and tough Flegm sticking to 
the sides of the Aspera Arteria.
And Obs. 176. a Maid was exceedingly troubled with short breath- 
ing, and so against Food, that she almost pined away for want of appe- 
tite to eate; He cured this, and two more (Obs. 144. and Obser. 145.) 
with Stomachical, Chymical purging Powders once or twice given ; so 
that he adjuged these Asthma’s caused from distention and Wind of the 
the Stomach, thrusting up the Lungs, and from Flegmatickness of the 
Stomach or Midriff. 
Another ate Fruit, and was so inflated at Stomach; that he breathed 
difficultly, but he (in his Obs. 144.) had a dry Cough with his hard 
breathing; signs of Choler, Thirst, bitterness of his Mouth, and pain of 
his Head. 
Felix Platerus in Respirat. d fectu. Obs. 1. One had a Cough a long 
while, specially he coughed on Mornings, and in the Evening ; he did 
spit forth raw Matter, often Sneez; he had falling down of Rheum 
by his Nose sometime, and was short winded if he wen up an Hill. 
And (page 170.) one had short breathing, and felt, like a girdle about 
him, pain on the Region of the Stomach, and a Feaver. 
Another had a sudden short with a Cough and spitting 
forth of Matter.
Another had a Periodick short breathing from defluxions.
Another had a great shortness of breath, like to suffocate him, with a 
Cough, and a falling down of Rheum, but was cured. 
Skenk. de. dyspnæa. Obs. 1. Relates, one had difficult breathing, if he 
did but walk once about his Parlour; most have when they lie down; 
standing upright commonly they breath best ; Even as Dodonæus Obs.  
Medic. cap. 20. Observed a Merchant not cured of short breathing by 
bleeding or other Medicines, and that for diverse years be had never 
lyen down, but sat and slept, else he would have been suffocated ; and 
at last a Gout and pain of his Kindneys troubled him, and his Asthma 
that could not be cured by Art, was derived by Nature to some other 
parts. 
Nicholas, Ser 4. Tract. 2. cap. 25. An Asthma or difficult breathing 
did oppress one once a week, commonly on Fridays. 
Another, in Horst. Epist. Med. preparing a Lee to wash Clothes as 
the Lee boiled, hung her head over it, and the steems came into her 
mouth, and she had such a difficult breathing presently thereupon, which 
encreased and continued seven dayes, she thought she should be suffo-
cated; and did die.
These

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 85
These are only to shew the variety of Symptoms, and difference in 
one Disease amongst all persons; also to shew how one and the self same 
effect, may arise from sundry causes, and one and the self same thing 
produce divers effects in two persons : Also that a Catarrh, Cough, Hy- 
drops Pectoris, Corruption or Apostemation of Blood, Empyema, Pe- 
ripneumonia, Pleuritis, Hydrops, Apoplexies, Inflatious and their likes, 
may in some cause difficult breathing, in others not; may in some 
cause a Cough, in others not ; may in some cause a pain of the 
brest, in others not; in some these, one or more; and sometimes 
one, sometimes another; and sometimes three or four may follow 
upon short breathing together ; sometimes separate, or one after 
another ; and sometimes one of them, sometimes another; and 
sometimes two or three may concomitate an Asthma or Cough, or be 
complicated together; But we cannot write all the particular Observa- 
tions to prove all these, but they shall see such and much more variety 
in the Lungs, and their sicknesses, that do read divers Physicians Ob- 
servations thereof, which are not altogether singular cases, but the com- 
mon and ordinary Method of Nature also, so far as (he doth Observe any 
Type or Order. 
By the divers kindes and degrees of short breathing, and the variety of 
outward and exciting Causes, & concomitant Sicknesses, already shewn, 
may be guessed how Coughs, spittingof Blood, of Matter, Inflama- 
tion of the Lungs, Pleurisies, &c. do vary in kinde and degree ; and 
are sometimes simple, as a Disease ; or joyned, as a Disease to another 
Disease ; or happening as a Symptom in other Ails, or supervening ; 
we shall quote many Histories and Observations of those that have been 
opened, and withal shew the various handling of these persons; some 
were alike, where the Cause seemed disalike ; and some were dis- 
agreeing in Diseases, Symptoms, and greatness thereof most, where 
by the Cause one would think they might be most like. But the want 
of having many Histories of all things, and seeing all the Varieties of 
Nature, and the want of distinguishing betwixt likes, hath hugely spoil- 
ed true Learning, or the Learning of Truth. 
We shall make thirteen or fourteen Distinctions of the Causes of 
Sicknesses from the Lungs, which may be reckoned as so many Diseases, 
and such and such are their Symptoms.
I. Abscesses are in the Lungs, as in other parts, and vary; of each 
kinde are various kindes, and of each of them several degrees: Colum- 
bus, lib. 15. found not onely Steatomatous Abscessus, but Bones and 
large, in the Lungs of Francisous Capellus. 
Holler.


86 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Holler. de morb. intern, cap. 23. lib. 2, opened a Monk, of whom he 
did satisfie himself touching the cause of an Asthma that suddenly kil- 
led him, finding an Apostem in the Vena Arteriosa, and sine pari, the 
Lungs safe.   
Tulp lib. 2. cap. 6. Obs. One was let blood in a Pleurisie, but too 
late, it neither eased the cough, nor pain ; at last much purulency by 
suppuration brake forth under the Arm-holes, and after a larger abscess 
arose in the Navil, or nigh thereto, and the purulency ran forth , and 
the Sick presently recovered. 
Pet. Pawns Obs. Anat. p. opened a young man that was so wasted he 
had scarce any flesh, both sides of the Lungs were bound to the Sides 
or Ribs; there were divers purulent abscesses in the Lungs, and Flegm 
in divers parts of the Lungs was discerned to concrete, and in some 
places plain stones for hardness, were found ; abundance of Water, 
though he was so dried, was found in the Pericardium ; he had fault al- 
so in his spinal Marrow, and the Vena Cava rose from the Liver in him 
in that place the Porta useth to rise; but whether these did contribute 
to his Tabes, onely the Lungs, is to be questioned. Also Obs. 22. 
he found an abscess of the Lungs in a Woman, the Lungs were tied 
with innumerable ligaments in various places, to the Pleura, also 
to the Pericardium and Midriff ; the Liver herewith was pale , as void 
of Blood, but not scirrhous ; the Lungs under the left Clavicle in the 
less part, had a great abscess, in it four pound of Sanies was ; and be- 
sides this, thirty or forty small abscesses of thick purulency and Scirrhs 
in other places. 
And Obs. Anatom. 25. A Woman died of an Atrophia, a wasting 
different from a Phthisick, the whole Lungs were purulent, any where 
white Pus did flow out; she had scarce any flesh left, and it was here- 
ditary to her.  
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 2. Obs. 19. opened one that died of a slow 
or lingring Feaver; so wasted, that not onely Fat but all Flesh seemed 
consumed ; all parts were corrupted, the Omentum gangrened and al- 
most wasted, the right Kidney putrified, the Liver, great, hard, and full 
of Tubercles, Spleen onely discoloured, as the Intestines were , the 
Mesentery was wholly consumed Stomach and Bladder good,the Heart 
small and dried, but the Lungs (which is the business in hand) 
were purulent, full of knots, out of which white matter did flow ; but 
the lower part of the Lungs were drie and hard, and a pretty deal of 
water gathered in the Cavity. 
We shall in these give the Reader as much satisfaction, if he will 
minde, as if we should write a particular Treaise of the promiscuous 
affects


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 87 
affects of all the Bowels together: The Reader may easily see the Me- 
thod and Current of Nature, that one part consents with another, and 
frequently in those that dye, all or most of the Bowels are corrupted, 
and for the most part in different manners and degrees; nor are the 
parts so affected by Vessels running from one to another palpably al- 
ways, but they do transude and transmit both vapours and matter tho- 
row their Parenchyma, or Body ; in vivo omnia sunt pervia: The in- 
ward parts have pores, and do lie one upon another, and so affect one 
another. 
And as the Bowels are by Dissection found alike to be affected, and 
all to vary in this Affection or Disease, so the outward Symptoms va- 
ry ; and there are in the current of some Sicknesss nine or ten Diseases, 
which sometimes are looked upon as Symptoms. It is clear Physicians 
have writ very defectively ; but Truth and Experience are the sure Wit- 
nesses of Nature ; they shall never be controled : Nor shall I therefore 
ever be controled, though the Envyers of Truth speak and write against 
me. 
Laz. River. Cent. I. Obs. 60. Opened one of spitting of Blood, a Cough, 
Feaver, short-windedness, pains of the Shoulder-blades, beating of the 
Heart, and in the right Hypochonder, deceased ; the Mediastinum was 
full of wheyish Blood, it crushed together the Lungs and rough Artery, 
and caused the Asthma; the Lungs every where had a purulent and 
stinking matter, the left Testicle spongy, black, and gangrened, the 
Heart not hurt: Riverius supposed the affected Testicle did hurt the 
Heart; and what consent is there of these parts ? and what communi- 
ty of Vessels have these more than other parts ? 
II. and III. We shall shew that Bones and Stones are found in the 
Lungs, and what Diseases or Symptoms they produce , how they va- 
ry, and with what they are complicated. 
Columbus, lib. 15. found great Bones there. 
Of Stones. We have already related them among other Ails of the 
Lungs; they do cause Coughs, spitting of Blood, Asthma’s, Phthisicks, 
Atrophia, &c. or at the least, they are found in such person's o- 
pened. 
Alexand. Trallianus, lib. 5. cap. 4. One spat forth a Stone smooth and 
well formed, no congealed matter. 
Paul. Ægineta, lib 3. cap. 31. saw one with a grievous Cough, 
that raised much blood, therewith stones, flinty; he dyed ta- 
bid. 
Beniven. cap. 24. de abditis : One had a grievous side-pain, and drie 
Cough,

88 A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Cough, he voided from his brest a stone as big as a Chess-Nut, and was 
eased quite. 
Gerardus Bergensis saw some in Coughs cast forth many stones toge- 
ther. 
Cornel. Gumma lib. I. cap. 6. saw many little white exceeding hard 
stones coughed up from the Lungs; to omit the observations of Kent- 
mannas, Wierus, Ferrandus, Cardanus, Fernelius, Jacotius, Sebastianus,
Platerus, Gabelchover, Oetheus,&c. enow to testifie the truth, that stones 
bigger or less, more or fewer, rounder or flatter, are the cause, and fre- 
quent cause of the aforesaid ails and sicknesses; these saw them coughed 
forth. 
We shall shew some Examples thereof by Dissection too, so that di- 
vers that have such stones in their Lungs, or Pipes, or in all other parts, 
there may be no appearance. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician in an Epistle of his signifies 
that a Roman Woman thirty five year old, for many years was trou- 
bled with inappetence, and a dry Cough, and Asthma, she had advice 
of divers Physicians in vain ; opened, her Stomach was found full of 
hardened Fibra’s, and black; three Lobes, of the four the Lungs have, 
were stony, or hardened like to stone ; the Milt did not exceed a Pullets 
Egg in bigness. 
Platerus, Obs. de respiratione defectu, pag. 180. found stones in four 
Asthmatical and short-winded persons, in one he found stones in the 
middle of the intersepient Membranes in the Brest. 
Petrus Paw. in his ninth Dissection, in one that died of a Consum- 
ption, found Apostemations, Tubercles full of Pus, many in the Lungs, 
and in some parts absolutely petrified ; he was wasted and dried excee- 
dingly , yet good store of Water was found in the Pericardium, We 
could bring many more Examples, but these may suffice. 
IV. Animalia, Worms, or various kindes of living Creatures are 
the Cause of many Sicknesses and Affects, not onely peculiar to other 
parts, but coincident to the Lungs also, and each part Extrinsick as well 
as Intrinsick, chiefly a pertinacious Cough is stirred up by Worms; 
sometimes they are joyned with stones, and there is short breathing, 
and pains of the Clavicles; they are sometimes like Worms in Wood, 
Maggots, Flies, and sometimes like Pine-Kernels; more have been cast
up by Cough, in flegmatick matter, then have been found in the Disse- 
cted : We shall not stay the Reader in the particular Histories. Johan- 
ner Skenkins, Obs. Med. pag. 217. hath collected Authors enow, if any 
should distrust the Truth , to witness it. None could guess at 
Worms


A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 89 
Wormes by the Symptomes hardly, except they saw the like. 
V. Coughs are caused by things got into the Trachæa Arteria, or
Lungs ; as short and difficult breathing. Nic. Tulp. Obs. 7. of his third 
Book, relates of a Citizen of Amsterdam, for seven years hugely molest- 
ed with a Cough , and very strait breathed, so that he grew lean; at 
last with violent Coughing he brought up the shell of an Hazel Nut, as 
big as a mans Finger-Nail, and he was thence-from delivered of his 
long and tedious Cough and Dyspnæa; it stuck about the Head of the 
Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe. 
Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. Cent. 2. Obs. 27. relates of a Woman of Pata 
via, that eating Chess-Nuts laughed, and it seems some part got into 
the Wind-pipe, which she did not know ; for two months she was mi- 
serably afflicted with a Cough, with a Feaver, and wasting of the 
whole Body; a Phthisick was feared, divers Physicians were advised 
with ; at last she took a vomitive potion, and brought up the Kernel, and 
was presently restored to health.
VI. The Lungs are sometime found spongy ; Tho. Barth. Hist. Med. 
Anatom. Cent. 3. His. 2. found them so ; they were light like a Feather, 
yet in some parts tied to the sides ; their colour outwardly was good, 
but inwardly they had little Blood, but Sanies in some places issued out; 
his Heart great and full of Blood, found ; he died consumptive, scarce 
any flesh left on his Body ; his sickness began with muteness , and a 
great swelling under the Chin : Let the Reader in all these judge how 
it is with others, and how one part consents with another in being af- 
flicted together, that is more remote, and hath less Community of 
Vessels many times ; and how all being affected in one Body, and one 
Disease, they vary each perhaps in the kinde of affection ; so that it is 
clear, Physick is Ars Conjecturalis ; and to finde those Diseases Ancients 
writ of, so and no other, and in all things just so full, is a rarity ; for 
I suppose some of them writ by one case how all were, and so do the 
ordinary people; that that cures one, they think must cure all; and if 
died so, they pronounce all sick of that distemper ( as well as they can 
guess) to die : In this man the Caul was quite consumed, the Ileon- 
Gut looked black, the Liver looked dark, the Bladder of Gall full, most 
of the parts very found. Heurnius found the Lungs like these. 
VII. Sometimes the Lungs or Lights are found waterish, as Riverius, 
Cent. 2. Obs. 78. A Woman had a short breathing for fifteen years, en- 
creasing gradually , she had sometimes a swelling of her Cheek, and
M Erisy-


90 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Erisypelas of her Leg, she had sometimes a falling down of Rheum,
which encreased her Dyspnea; she coughed not at all till one day before 
she died, and that is the wonder, her Lungs being full of water : for 
how in Dropsies do some cough with their Dyspnæa, through the transu- 
dation of water, and soaking thereof in the Lungs? With the water- 
ishness and corruption of the Lungs, the Spleen is found putrified, so 
that with crushing it fell in pieces; the right Ventricle of the Heart in 
the interior part denudated of its Membrane, and looked putrid and 
exulcerated, the right Auricle large and found ; and this was a reason 
of the inequality of Pulse : for in another Riverius opened, where was 
the like inequality of Pulse, the right Auricle was bigger than wont, 
and filled with a flegmatick hard concrete substance : In another he o- 
pened, an Ulcer in the middle of the Heart caused it.
VIII. A Dropsie of the Lungs is like to this, but in the purity of 
the Water, and quantity they vary ; and in this the Parenchyma of the 
Lungs may not be corrupted.
Tulpius, lib, 2. Obs. 16. A Boy had a moist head, and frequent distil- 
lation, a light Feaver, a Cough, and very difficult breathing, a great 
sleepiness, and often fainting : opened, the Brest was full of Water, 
the Lungs hung flaccing, the left Auricle of the Heart eaten with divers 
Ulcers, a slinking humour belching out, which might be the cause of 
the Childs often fainting. 
T. Barth. Cent. 2. Hist. Thomas Cartier, a sanguine man, incli- 
ned to an atrabilarious temper, laboured of a light Cough, and Feaver- 
ishness; they encreased; he grew Asthmatical, specially on Nights; 
his Feet swell, Pain troubles his left Side : dissected, ten pints of 
putrified and stinking Water was found in his Thorax ; the Lungs, ex- 
cept in the left part, putrilaginous; the Spleen putrid and slinking, in 
the greatest part of it; ten or twelve Clots of thick concreted Blood 
were found in the Ductus of the Aorta, near the Heart. 
IX. The Lungs are found in some discoloured alone; not that the 
colour causeth any thing, but that that caused the colour; even as a poi- 
sonous quality infecting the Body, changes the colour of the inward 
Bowels. 
Riverius, Obs. 87. Cent. 1. One troubled with Cardialgia pain of the 
left Scapula and Arm, Flux of the Belly, then a Cough, with difficulty of 
breathing, and after that spitting of Blood ; Medicines and Bleeding 
availed not, she spat Blood hugely afore Death : Dissected, the Lungs 
were white, sticking to the Ribs, and Midriff, and Pericardium, as if 
one

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 91 
one Body; the Heart white and exulceratcd, and the matter from that 
caused the Cough, and spitting of Blood.
He found them livid in another, page l55. 
In an observation communicated to him from Hen. Rufus, is found, 
how that a Maid had a long and lingering sikness, melancholy and pale, 
and short winded, but not likely to die, nor did she lie by it; when she
lay down she had sometimes a dry Cough, no thirst, she grew weakly; she 
died, not being thought mortally diseased : many specks or spots, li- 
vid or red were seen ; the Lungs had whitish circumferential lines,and 
seemed blasted ; all the bowels but the Liver safe, that was tainted with 
Leeky Choler ; the Pleura and intercostal Muscles were coloured green 
from an humour; the Pericardium void of juyce and putrified; the 
Heart and Brain safe; he seldom coughed; the Pericardiom might affect 
the vital Spirits in the Heart, and so cause unexpected death. Many 
the like may be seen in Histories under the other Heads, but we are 
loth to write one Observation twice, though it may witness three or 
four things.
X. The Lungs are very frequently found to stick to other parts, be- 
ing of a clammy Substance, and flegmatick Nature; in all infirmities 
of the Brest, they may stick, or adhere, or grow out of order, to one 
part or other they are nigh, especially too as that part consents in cor- 
ruption with them. 
Pet. Paw a Tabid Person opened, found both parts of the Lungs 
sticking or growing firmly to the Ribs. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Hist. 2. in another Tabid or Phthisical Person, 
found the Lungs; being light and spongy, to be grown 16 the Ribs; 
and in the 76 History of his 2 Cent. a Pthisical Person was opened, the 
Lungs were void of Blood, and dried, and grew firmly to the Ribs on 
the right side. 
Riverius. Observat. Cent. x. page 84. found in one that died of an 
Ulcer of the Heart, spitting of Blood, Cough, difficulty of breathing, 
pain of the side, &c. that the Lungs were firmly knit to the ribs and 
Diaphragma, and Pericardium, as if united into one Body. 
Columbus Lib. 15. Anatomiæ, saith, He hath frequently found the 
Lungs knit to the Pleura, sometimes in one side sometimes tn another, and 
sometimes in both. 
Johannes Bauhinus Obs. relates one laboured of a defluxion upon his 
Lungs and Brest, a Diarrhæa preceeded; he had a Cough, great stretch- 
ing out of the Stomach, belching and nausea, he was disposed to goutish
and Stone-Cholical pains formerly; dying suddenly, and opened, the 
M2 lungs 

92 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Lungs on the right side did cleave to the side swelled, as if inflamed, 
the left part swam in bloody Water, such as Bauhinus nere saw before ;
in one Kidney was diverse smaller, and one great Stone , the other 
Kidney wasted ; Water was in the Belly ; the Stomach that by the sym- 
toms seemed affected, is not mentioned to be hurt, 
Hercules Saxonia did find in two, with some difference, that the 
cause of their Asthma and spitting of Blood, was an inward corruption 
of the Lungs, and outwardly their growing to the Pleura or side ; but 
one of them seemingly died of a Dropsy. 
XI. The Lungs or Lights are sometimes found dryed, and void of 
Blood, and light, as Tho. Barth. 76. Hist. Cent. 2. tesisies, recited 
before : to which also comes the observation of Petrus Spehrerius afore 
related.
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 2. Hist. 35. saith, In Phthisicks he hath seen 
the Lungs so hardned and dryed they might be crumbled. 
And the next observation but one, was a dissection of a dropsical par- 
ty that coughed, was short winded and Phthisical; his Lungs were ra- 
ther dry then moist, and void of Blood, hanging flaccing. 
Most of these things make against the Moderns, especially such as I- 
dolize the invention of the right wayes the Blood circulates in ; they 
attribute much to the Heart, Spirits, and too swift or flow motion of the 
Blood, and other sangles about the Vessels and their community, which 
are but sometime, if at any time, in any measure true : Men must ima- 
gine still, that Nature must change and alter, as the Vertices of their 
Brains whirl about. 
Cent. 2. Hist. 76. Tho. Barth, found in one dying of a Consumption, 
the Lungs dryed, void of Blood, and grown to the sides, and yet much 
yellow water in the Thorax and Abdomen.
XII. The Lungs are found Scirrhous, as all other inward Bowells 
are ; sometimes full of hard knots, sometimes they have thick Mat- 
ter in them; sometimes like Atheroma, sometimes like Steatoma, and 
sometimes like Melicerius ; and sometimes they have Worms, Stones, 
and concrete Matter or Blood therein ; and sometimes they are Spon- 
gious, and sometimes pure Caruncles : Yet the Pracical Physicians
wrote only of Scirrhs of the Liver and Spleen, as if they were peculi- 
ar to those parts alone ; they are indeed in those parts as well as others, 
but as rarely so, and such as they describee, as any other; so that from 
one or two Observations they chanced to see, (if they were grounded 
on Observation) Experientia interdum Fallax; they laid down the Me- 
thod

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 93 
thod of Nature, which Observation might be as great a rarity and pe- 
culiar case as any, for in the dissected two are not exactly found alike, 
or at least rarely by one man in all things. 
Many times a dispute is more about the sense or signification of a 
Word, or the name of the thing, then any thing else ; one meaning 
one thing by such a word, another another; one takes the word from 
the Genuine signification of the Word, or Radix, or that from whence 
it is derived ; another from the common acception, or what such have 
seemed to mean by it ; that should alwayes first be known what they 
mean by such Words, or Titles, or names of things, for perhaps 
thereby they might at first understand one another, and be recon- 
ciled. 
But the word Scirrh was took by the Ancients and Moderns, as it 
purely signifies, being a Greek word σxiρροs, from the Verb σxiρροω to 
make hard; yet they mean not only an hardness, but hard swellings 
thereby : Indeed many times the common use of a word, this way or 
that way, makes it proper this way or that way. 
Johannes Bauhinus, as we have afore related, found the Lungs har- 
dened, but liker a Phlegmone then Scirrh, as the Ancients described; 
we shall rarely see any thing in all points exactly cohere with their de- 
scription. 
Petrus Spehrerius, an Italian Physician, found them hard, as afore re- 
lated, but as it were turned into perfect stone.
Schenchius filius writes of one that had a masse of flesh weighing 
three pound,that was concreted or hardned,as if the flesh was laid plate 
upon plate, and outwardly was a Tumor in the side. 
Johannes Hessus, in an Observation communicated by Joachim Cam- 
rarius to Jo. Schenkius writes , That one that spat Blood with a salt di- 
stillation and Cough was opened, and in his right side was found a Tu- 
bercle sticking to the Lungs, it was large and like a Sponge, so that it 
is appertinent to the sixth head. 
Nicholaus, Serm. 4. Tract. 2. Cap. 6. One almost suffocated, cough- 
ed up a piece of hardned flesh,large, and other pieces smaller, and was 
eased ; a year after the same seemed to be regenerated, and he died, choak- 
ed thereby. 
Benivenius, cap. 88. de abditis, A woman seemed for a good while, as 
if she should be choaked or suffocated, and stopped up; at last she fell in- 
to a very troublesome Cough, and brought up a piece of hard flesh, and 
was eased quite. 
Forestus

94 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Forestus observed an Asthmatical so, by coughing up an hard Caruncle,
eased. 
One voided in Skenkius a Tabid, that had a Cough diverse years, with 
much matter like a fishes Bladder or Swimmer, as some; Lohoch Sanum, 
and de pulmone Vulpis, &c. did no good till this came up. 
We may reduce things to Heads, but in all these heads are so many 
varieties, that they are scarce reduceable under any one name, they do 
so vary; so that it is hard to say, whether they belong to this or that 
kind, or to any, or whether they are a Gennus by themselves, ora Species 
of some strange and different Genus. 
Shenk. pag. 218. hath gathered two Observations, 
One from Hollerius: One died of a Dropsie of the Brest, a Cough, and 
great thirst, the Lungs were found wonderfully dried ; but this is refera- 
ble to the eleventh head. 
The other from Franciscus Michinus, of one that supposedly died of 
an Empyema or Dropsy of the Brest, the Pleura, and so the Lungs, Me- 
diastinum, and partly the Spleen and Midriff, were thick and callous, or 
brawny fleshed.
Who would have imagined that Mr. Francis Edwards of Alesy in this 
County, troubled-long with an oppressing and stuffing at his Chest, ease- 
able by no Pectorals, should have had an Animal like a Serpent bred 
there ? he died at London, about the year 1661 and was opened, the Phy- 
sicians desiring to see the cause of his stuffing and clogging that they 
could not help. 
Nor are all these things we have writ, such strange and rare Cases as 
some may imagine , but if men were opened, they would be thought 
the common causes of sicknesses, the wonderful variety of Nature con- 
sidered. 
Jo. Bilgerus in his Epistle to Gregory Horstius, intimates how a Maid 
that had a stuffing and short breathing many years, at last that encreasing, 
she died, was opened ; the Lungs found blackish, but no other fault in 
them, (this is referrable to stregthen what we said in the ninth Head) 
but when the Aspera Arteria, according to its longitude, came to be 
cut up nigh the passages of the Lungs, through which Air is to be brought 
for fanning native heat, many black Caruncles like little knots or 
Pease, some bigger, some less, were found together, filling up the passa- 
ges of the Lungs; the Veins about the Heart and Diaphragma were full 
of Blood; she had her Courses stopped, and so that might add to the 
growth of these : so that these things do not commonly happen, not 
so as the Practical Physicians thought, but many times not in those parts 
or places as they did imagine. 
Pet.

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 95 
Pet. Paw. found, besides one great Apostem in the Lungs, thirty little 
ones like knots, in his Anatomical Observations annexed to Thomas 
Bartholinus. 
XIII. Distinction of Causes is took from Consumption or absolute 
wasting away of the Lungs, as all other parts of the intern Body do ; 
and truly there is scarce any thing we have writ of the Lungs, but is 
found in other parts ; and what causes are found in other parts, confide- 
ratis considerandis, may be found in the Lungs; and therefore we have 
been the larger to describe all particulars. 
A Gentlewomans Son, whom I knew at Huntingdon, was opened at 
London, dying of a Phthisick, he had but a little bit of his Lungs left, 
his Liver huge large. 
A Kinsman of mine in Holburn was Phthisical many years, and lived 
beyond expectation; he had six or seven children, all died, but some li- 
ved till four or five years of Age; one they opened, thinking it to have 
died of a Dropsy; but as I remember, the Mother told me it had scarce 
a pint of Water in its Belly, but the Lungs were wasted, and the Liver 
filled up the vacuum or yielding of the Lungs, it did so thrust th Dia- 
phragma, but it was very knotty. 
Columbus lib. 15. Anatomiæ, Dissected one that had scarce any piece 
of his Lungs left; there was a great deal of difference twixt him and 
those two, Sylvius and Putem write of, that had five Lobes of the Lungs, 
when naturally men have but four. 
Georgius Crasecchius in tract. de Pulmonum Vitiis, Dissected one that 
died of a Cough, and difficult breathing Phthisical; in the left capacity 
of the Thorax was much Water, purulent and fæculent, and some did 
assimilate to Pultis, and a very small part of the Lungs left. 
By these it is clear, man may live with a little piece of his Lungs; and 
he oftner dies of their stoppages or diversity of corruption, then of their 
wasting, ten to one; and after this manner Nature acts in the rest of the 
intern parts. 
Petrus Forestus, in Scholio ad Observat, 37. lib. 2. Relates of one 
from a wound, that spat up his Lungs, as they turned into purulency, for 
a long time ; so that when he was opened, the Heart was left bare, with- 
out any Lungs about it. 
Sometimes just half the Lungs are wasted, the other half being 
found. 
Moreover the Reader may observe, which perhaps we shall clearly 
demonstrate in our Treatise of the Dropsie, that always the affection 
of the Lungs do not shew a Disease by outward Symptoms.
Thomas

96 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Thomas Bartholinus Cent. 4. Obs. 17. found Pus & Sanguis sine 
Phthisi: An Hectik Feaver is sometime without hurt of the Lungs, 
(though we have shewn many Examples thereof before, indeed there is- 
scarce any such distinct or peculiar Feaver, or rarely to be found.) Pet. 
Pawns, Obs. Anatom. 16. Fat in great quantity found in the Cavity of 
the Thorax, without any detriment to the Patient: T. Barth. pag. 170. 
and 266. A Phthisis from the Heart, Thom. Bartholin. Cent. 1. Hist. 
50.
River. Obs. p. 74. observed a Pleurisie from Worms, the Lungs un- 
hurt ; so in an Empyema, the Lungs being safe, Sanies was in the side. 
Marcellas Donat. pag. 280. The Cause of an Asthma was not found in 
the Lungs, but Vena Arteriosa and sine pari: Riverius found the Cause 
of an Asthma in the Diaphragma, pag. 286. Skenk. 237, and 222, and  
217. Worms are generated of divers kinds and bignesses , sometimes 
in the Lungs, sometimes in the Aspera Arteria, and sometimes in the 
Vicine parts of the Thorax. See Horst. Obs. pag. 456. Outward Signs 
not agreeing with inward Causes : See Riverius, Observ. pag. 306, Ma- 
ny parts are affected together within the Body, so that we know not 
which to refer a Disease to, or which did cause, or was caused to cor- 
rupt, Tho. Barth. Cent. 2. pag. 177. But he that reads all the foregoing 
Histories, and observes what he reads, shall see more than these will 
make out. 
Our Ardor and Zeal to Truth, and to reconcile all to one mind, and 
to make men attain to that they may ever acquiesce in, and put to si- 
lence all Gain-sayers, hath instigated us to take these pains, and make 
these Scrutinies into all things. 
The Readers perhaps will expect we should deliver somewhat of the 
Cure of all these Distempers, or of their particular Causes. 
Many of those Aphorisms concerning the cure of Head-Diseases, are 
so general, they are to be consulted in each of these. 
If the cure of every Disease is by taking away the Cause, than we 
have given a good insight into the Cure, by shewing all the Causes: But 
because there is such variety and alteration of Distempers, and their 
Causes, the wisest Physician in most weighty businesses, goes conjectu- 
rally to work; and thence it is, every inferiour unlearned fellow, will 
cure the sick Hab-Nab, and sometimes when the Learned cannot do it; 
yea many an old Woman with a few odde Specificals, cures many busi- 
nesses that the Learned cannot accomplish with a Course of Physick, 
not using those Specificals. 
Two things are chiefly considerable in all Sicknesses: First to respect 
the 


A Tracate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 97 
the Cause, secondly the Symptom; that is done by Specificals, or Pla- 
netary Medicines. 
I. We noted Abscesses in the Lungs. In those we must use ripen- 
ing and emollient Drinks inwardly, with Wound-Herbs. Take this 
for a Formula : 
IV Hyperici, Saniculæ, Consolidæ, Bugulæ, an. miss. Rad Glyciriræ,
Hordei Gall. Ficuum Pinguium, an. 31. fol. Malvæ Alikæe, Meliloti. an. 
M.S. Boil all in four pints of Water gently, and close covered, till 
the third part is wasted by evaporation ; strain it, drink a quarter of a 
pint thrice a day ; this will serve to cleanse and break Apostematous 
Abscesses too ; Oyntments and Cataplasms also are fit, outwardly 
made, after that manner as Authors prescribe ; opening the side or 
brest is the last, or blistering to to bring out the matter, also cough- 
ing. 
II and III Heads were of Bones and Stones engendered in the Lungs. 
They ate to be coughed up, the Apostmes in which lie, broken, if possibly 
they are to be dissolved; Juyce of Chamomile, Goats Blood, and 
sharp Vinegar dissolve them ; the Cough is to be appeased by mild, sli- 
pery emollient Medicines; though saccharate and sweet things are used 
for the Lungs, they are apt to thicken, and grow clammy, and turn to 
Flegm, and aggravate many Distempers. 
IV. Worms. They are to be killed, and coughed forth, the Lungs 
are to be cleansed ; Mercurius Dulcis is of chief use, and a pectoral 
Drink of Horehound, St. Johns. Wort, Hyssop, Aniseeds, and Grass 
Roots, with Oyl of Vitriol and Brimstone, or Vinegar of Squills, with 
Oyl of Sulphur. 
V. Those great or hard Bodies that from without are got into the 
Wind-pipe or Gullet, and so compress the Wind-pipe, must be cough- 
ed up, or vomited forth ; or if they may go down into the Stomach, 
’tis good to let them go : Oyl of Lillies, sweet Almonds, &c. that di- 
late the Flesh and passages, are good to cause a slipery and easie coming 
forth. 
VI. Concerning the Sponginess of the Lungs, or their lightness, 
fussiness and vacancy of Blood, there is scarce any Remedy ; a Pecto- 
ral moistening and Analeptick Diet, is likely to do most. 
VII and VIII. Waterishness of the Body and Lobes of the Lungs 
is found the Cause of many Griefs, and so the swiming of the Lungs 
in water, though perhaps they may be dry, as they are found divers times 
in a Dropsie of the Brest, else we need not make such distinction : That 
that dries the Body in other cases, is good here, sweating and provoking 
Urine: for the Kidneys should attract or receive all the Water, the 
N Guts

98 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
Guts, the Excrements and thick Food, the Liver and Gall, the Choler; 
and when and where any of these are the Cause, we must look to the 
part whose office it was to separate and discharge these : we must some- 
times look for contrary indications; for in a Dropsie of the Brest, dry- 
ing means are convenient; yet because the Lungs therein may be dry, 
they do harm one way as they do good another : Some have handled 
the Cure of such particular Dropsies, to whom I may refer you : Chy- 
surgery, if it be confirmed, is likeliest to do most.
IX. In Discolorations of the Lungs alone is no need, nor no Effica- 
cy of Medicines, but that that gives the green colour, or yellow, or 
black, or white, or livid, of all which colour the Lungs have been 
found ; and sometimes not otherwayes ailing any thing : That that 
gives the Colour is specifically to be purged forth, but this is not fore- 
seen. 
X. The slicking, cleaving or growing of the Lungs to other parts, 
any that are nigh, specially that participate in corrupting with them, is 
not alwayes discoverable, and as seldom curable ; if we perceive they 
do adhere we cannot tell exactly to what part, in what kind, from what 
cause, and in what degree, little or much; hinderers of Putrifaction, 
spenders of moisture, outward heaters and drawers forth of moisture, 
are medicinal, as vomiting to loosen them, and purging to take away 
the antecedent cause, may be, and sneezing, jumping, vociferati- 
on, &c. sweet things, Lohocks, Syrups, specially Gum Arabick, Traga- 
ganth, Starch, &c. are bad, glewing, and apt to be clungy; such things 
are good to mix with Flegm, and to bring it up, and raise Coughing, 
whereby the Lungs are disburdened; also for stopping thin Rheum,and 
imbodying it, that it may be coughed up or raised; or to asswage Sharp- 
ness and Excoriation of the Wind-pipe or Lungs, else they often do 
hurt: and I am perswaded the glutinous and flegmatick nature of the 
Lungs is encreased thereby. We may judge from outward things best, 
many times, how inward things be; and by things we see, those we can- 
not come at to see; Sugars, Syrups, Lohochs, &c. of that nature with 
heat, dry, and grow tough, and birdlimy and clungy, and so ’tis impossi- 
ble they should act in the body, but the supply of moisture keeps them 
from sudden coagulation, or inspissation. 
XI. When the Lungs are dryed, void of blood, and light, there is 
scarce any help ; for though we moisten and nourish the body, yet per- 
haps they are not capable of drawing any nutriment to themselves, or 
at least not to convert it to a right use, the tone and office of them being 
so extinguished: in such cases we must endeavour to make Life as plea- 
sant as we may, and abate the Symptoms. It is a part of wisdom al- 
wayes

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 99 
wayes those things we cannot take away, to endeavour to mitigate 
them. 
XII. The Lungs are found scirrhous, hard ; sometimes moist Scirrhs, 
and sometimes light, dry Scirrhs, as Spunges; and sometimes stony 
Scirrhs. To help this, softning Oyntments, and Cataplasms are suita- 
ble, if we can observe the Cause of this Cause ; that is a main matter 
in the cure of all things, to see and observe all along what helped and 
harmed, and with what, and in what times the evil seemed to encrease 
most ; Lohoch and Eclegmas, and Pectoral Drinks are convenient; but 
the difference of Scirrhs asks for diversity. Caruncles are to be cured 
otherwayes than Stones; and Spunginess another way ; and hardned 
Apostems another. A Lohoch made of the Syrup of Juyce of Chamo- 
mile, Gum Ammoniacum, Resina Larirea, Liquorish, flos Sulphuris, and 
rad Althææ is medicinal: Chamomile, Lilly roots, Althea , Lin-seed, 
Fænigreek-seed, Oyl of sweet Almonds, Emplastrum Meliloti, Compo- 
situm pro Splene are outwardly helpful; A juvantibus & nocentibus opti- 
ma sumitur indicatio; by such things as help, and such as hurt, we may 
find out the nature of the Distemper. 
Non est in Medico semper relevetur ut æger,
Interdum Docta plus valet Arte malum. 
The Doctor cannot alwayes cure, sometime 
The Sickness doth above the Med'cine clime. 
xiii. Wasting of the Lungs, are chiefly restored by Causes contrary 
to those that did cause wasting, for they differ in differing people ; 
commonly this is called a Consumption, though there be divers kinds: 
and in some Consumptions the Lungs are firm ; yet where the Lungs 
are wasted, seldom but there is a Consumption, so that we may make 
this distinction : Every wasting away of the Lungs is a Consumption, 
but every Consumption or wasting away of Fat and Flesh, is nor a wast- 
ing of the Lungs, or proceeded there from. The foolish Vulgar call all 
that lie long sick, and waste, Consumptives, and so indeed they be ; 
for Consumption doth only signifie a wasting or Consuming ; and so in 
all diseases, they that lie long sick and cannot eat their food, for the 
most part waste, and yet the Lungs safe, nor are an Atrophia, Phthisis
and Hectick Feaver all the wasting and kinds thereof that do happen ; 
nor doth all wasting waste after one or other of these kinds. 
Those Medicines that are good against Phthisicks or Consumptions 
the Greeks call Restoratives, Nourish- 
ers, and Fatners. N2 Next

100 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Next we shall respect the Symptoms or manifest Griefs depending 
on these and other unknown Causes. First, for short or difficult brea- 
thing, in any Causes these are specifical, or have a propriety. 
Conserve of the roots of Holly-Oaks or Garden-Mallows made with 
Honey, experienced by Benedictus Victo, Faventinus, Empyricis. 
Conserve of the flowers of Honeysuckles, Caprisolium: Experienced 
by N. C. 
Crocus, Experienced by many; so Millipedes or Aselli, Sows: Ex- 
perienced by Platerus and others. Zedoary, rad Brioniæ, Angelicæ, Sul-
phur , sem Anisi. I have experienced in divers ; and Oximel of Squils, 
with Saffron and Aqua Anisi. 
To ease Coughs from all Causes; yet they are not always to be stop- 
ped, for Nature ordained that motion to the Lungs, to keep us from 
choaking up. 
Decoction of Juniper berries in Wine for Infants, Exper. Platerus. 
The Decoction of Gourds, and Veronica, was proved by the same. 
A draught of Poppy water with Sugar, is held a secret, took every 
night, to stop a molestuous Cough. 
Garlick, with Bears Grease anointed on the plants of the feet. 
Ziziphæ are praised by Hartman, Pract. Chym. macerated in Spirit 
of Wine, and took every morning. 
The Decoction of Thyme for Chincoughs is praised.
A Decoction of Box-wood, shaved; Rosemary, roots of Hounds- 
tongue, and Cough-down is excellent. 
To stop Coughs, Laudanum and Narcoticks are most effectual, but
warily to be used. 
Of Side-pains, from Wind; Tobacco leaves anointed and applied ; 
Heurnius. Wormwood fryed with Grease, and applied hot, Emp. 
Acorns in pouder, Decoction of Stich-Holly, and Chamomile flow- 
ers, I have experienced. 
Spirit of Wine, Camphire, and red Sanders boiled together, for ba- 
thing the Side, is an Experiment of Plater. in Prax. Medica. 
Side-pains from Inflamation, are experimentally found easable by 
Boars-Tush, Bulls Pizzle given in Cardus-water; Plater. Rondeletius, 
River. Johnston. Prevotius, &c. 
Barrow, Quercetane, used Olibanum, to ease the Stitch. Johnstonus in 
id. Med. Pract. praises Resina ; Sperma Ceti I know very available. 
Lodovicus Septalius praiseth two Medicines, Honey of Roses with 
fresh Butter, and Oyl of sweet Almonds with Manna. Crabs Eyes, red 
Coral, Violet Flowers, Cardus Benedictus, Scabiosa, Nettles, Rhubarb, 
Poppy-

A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs. 101 
Poppy-flowers, are specifical, and give ease, and most speedy help after 
bleeding in Pleurisies : Let none tell me some are hot, some cold; some 
binding, some loosning; some pectoral, some hepatical; some nephritical, 
some carminatives; some makers of wind; they do it assuredly; and 
let our Reason follow Experience, they do it by Astral Influence, and 
Sympathy or Antipathy: that is the reason many ordinary learned Fel- 
lows and Women help divers by one peculiar odde Medicine, that 
Physicians cannot without a tedious method and repetition of many Me- 
dicines : for in many compositions sometimes there is scarce one or two 
Specificals, and those perhaps in little quantity; yet we approve much 
of Rules and good Methods, but they will scarce hold practiceable in 
two persons alike : Spitters and Expectoraters are necessary. 
Now for Spitting of Blood to cease the Symptom :
Water and Vinegar is experienced by Rondeletius. 
Juyce of Nettles four Ounces, with one Drachm of Powder of the 
true Bloodstone in Knot-Grass-Water, is praised by Jo. Schmitz.
The constant use of Germander, by Crato.
Lohoch of Purslane-Juyce,with Dragons Blood, Terra Lemnia, 
praised by Plater. 
Syrup of Juyce of Purslane, by Riverius.
Spirit of Vitriol half a Scruple, with four Ounces of Plantane-Wa- 
ter, is experienced by Riverius. 
Juyce of Nettles above all was successful to Amatus Lusitanus. 
Lapis Hæmatitis to Trallianus. 
Hartman used the Remedy of Riverius, of Vitrioli Sc.s. Aq. Plan- 
tag. ℥ 4. 
Gerrard in his Herbal praises the Juyce of Periwinkles to one Ounce 
drunk often, that it never fails stopping blood. 
Opium, Poppy Seed, Laudanum, Henbane Seed, and such Narcoti- 
cals, are the last Refuge. 
Sennertus for all Fluxes of Blood wheresoever, all other things fail- 
ing, saith, The red Jasppar, or true Bloodstone, applied so that it touch the 
Skin, hath been most efficacious. Also for Hæmorrages of the Nostrils, 
we have known the application of the true Bloodstone successful beyond 
other things. 
For Phthisicks, or those whose Lungs waste away, which is onely to 
be guessed at by Symptoms, and leanness of the whole Body, these are 
best experienced by Authors. 
There is an Herb known to Sheep, Avenroar saith, He saw the Ulcer 
of the Lungs of a Sheep healed thereby ; they know that by natural in- 
stinct, that we cannot find out by experience ; And Hermes Trismegi
stus

102 A Tractate of the Diseases of the Lungs.
stus thinks if man knew all the opposite Qualities in Animals, Plants 
and Minerals, he might do no less things than to be supposed Witch- 
craft, Jac. Sylvius in Meth. Med. 
Matthias Gradi healed a Phthisical with the heat of an Oven; the dry 
Air drawn often into his Mouth dried up the Ulcer. Idem, Ibidem.
An agglutinating Lohoch of Turpentine, Bole of Armenia, and 
Myrrh, is wonderful: Eracastorius. 
Trallianus with Lapis Aimatites cured many Phthisicks.  
Quercetan with Ground-Ivy, or Tunhoof, juyced and made into a 
Lohoch with Honey or Sugar, Flos Sulphuris added. 
The use of Conserve of Red Roses constantly, cured many. Mesue 
and Avicen. 
Womans Milk is moistening and nourishing, connatural to us, and 
the fittest to restore mans flesh and moisture, is most easily converted 
into the substance of our Body. Platerus, in Prax. Med. 
The Decoction of Lignum Sanctum cured others: The Decoction of 
River-Crabs in Barley-Water, others. 
Schenkius, Optimè humanæ salutis Meritus, from divers Authors, hath 
gathered all these : Saccharum Rosatum, that Avicen, Mesue, Crato, 
Valeriola and Forestus used successfully. Hedera Terrestris, praised by 
Langius ; Pulmonariæ, by George Hamberger; Ros. Solis Herb, by Lobe- 
lius, and Fil. Skenk. Betrys, by Joac. Camerar. Pseudocostus or Ingras- 
siæ di porci of Italy by Camerar. Balsam, Sulphuris, by Skenkius Filins, 
and Georgius. 
We have used this Lohoch successfully, a Compound of the former: 
ꝶ Powder of Hedera Terrestris ʒ ii, Lapidis Hæmatitidis, Glyciriræ, 
Floris Sulphuris, an ʒ i. Nucleorum pini ʒ i.s. Syr. Juglandibus imma- 
turis ℥ ii. Penidiorum ℥ i. Cons. Rosarum Rubrarum ʒ i. s. misce fiat Lo- 
hoch, cum Syr. Pectorali, q. s. ad consistentiam idoneam. 
We must give out Readers this Caution, That Authors for Symptoms 
in Diseases, and for Dissections in dead Bodies , did write commonly 
impartially and uninterestedly, and therefore are the more to be belie- 
ved in what they say they saw : but in the Cures they did, many were 
hugely given to boasting, specially the Chymical Writers, for they 
crack their Medicines much, thinking to get Fame, and Vend for such 
things; nor have Physicians commonly dealt candidly and fairly, in de- 
livering how oft such a Medicine hath cured, and not how oft it hath 
failed: If a Physician use a'sorry Medicine many times, it is hard if 
more then one or two are not helped by it. Authors must be consider- 
ed, their Temper, Sincerity, Modesty and Sobriety, and wherein they 
write upon their own Interest. 
A 

103 
A 
TRACTATE 
OF 
DROPSIES. 
I Do not intend by Dropsies onely to give the 
insight of that Distemper to my Readers, 
but to shew the Course and Order of Nature 
in change of all the Bowels: In these things 
under this Title may be seen the variety of 
Distempers, and in what little Order and 
Method any Distempers run. If the Rea- 
der well considers all the Histories, and the 
Reasons wherefore we writ them, he will see 
apparently how the inward Bowels are or 
may be affected in sickness, how one suffers 
with or by another; how, in one sick person, one bowel is thus affect- 
ed, another so : For we see Medicines that are one and the same, in 
divers Bodies have divers Operations; so the same humours alike qua- 
litied, in two bowels produce divers effects; one bowel by the same 
matter is turned scirrhous, another is resolved into purulency : both the 
peculiarity of the quality of the Humour, and the apt disposition of the 
passive Cause, is the cause which we cannot foresee; and when we do 
see it, give no reason thereof: This may justly reprove those thae state- 
lily think to sum up all the Ways and Works of GOD in one Rule, or 
general

104 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
general Term ; His ways are past finding out by the wise, much more 
by the superstitiously addicted, and such as build on their own Reason 
without the Foundation of Experience ; that which he hath ordained as 
the food for our capable , docile, and tractable Souls , to encrease in 
knowledge by, and grow up in true knowledge. The Indians of Ameri- 
ca, did admire how any one could signifie his mind to another in a piece 
of Paper, and thought it supernatural, and done by Spirits : even so do 
all of us admire those things we have no experience of, which are never- 
theless in the course of Nature, and in GOD’s Ordination ; and the 
reason why men still admire at them, is, because they will not search for 
Truth, and take pains to see the Ordination of God, and to find out 
the true and sincere Method, and Course, and Variety of Nature : Men 
may write Books of Romances, and Imaginary Conceptions of their own 
Brain, easily and readily, festinanti calamo; and so slight the observance 
of the Works of GOD, and prefer a few Jingles and high-derived 
Words and Philosophical Rules of Mens making, when the Course of 
Nature is GOD’s, and of greater Dignity : for I can make truer Rules 
of Nature than others, and if so, better; and if so, why should I boast 
or glory with theirs ? I value not what any Man hath writ, for I am a 
Man as well as he; and to him that thinks so, my Writing is of as great 
Authority: But let the Course of Nature, the Work of a GOD be 
Judge betwixt Us ; let the Autopsia of the thing shew which guessed 
the truest of it, unseen: Let no mans Opinion (if it be onely the Opi- 
nion of a Man) be much built upon, especially if its grounds be no 
more then its self, viz. Opinion. 
We shall first shew the signification of the word Dropsie, its rise, 
and what is its common acceptation, which may differ from the sincere 
meaning of the Original Word; and then shew the divers kindes that 
according to vulgar acceptation, or common meaning of the word, may 
be, or are called the Dropsie ; And herein many, many times, dispute 
about they know not what; one meaning one thing by the word, ano- 
ther another. 
The Dropsie or Hydropsie in English, comes from Hydrops in Latin, 
and that is only a change of the Greek letters into Latine, those tongues 
being writ in differing letters: Well then, υδραι in Greek is derived 
from νερό, water; so that it is not proper to call any swelling a Drop- 
sie, unless a waterish swelling, according to the genuine signification 
of the word ; but according to common acceptation, other swellings 
are called Dropsies. 
1. Ascites, the word for common Dropsies, comes from ασκo; a Greek
word,


A Tractate of Dropsies. 105
word signifying a Bason, Laver, or Pitcher, because their Bellies refer 
to the Bellies of Pitchers,or Water-Vessels ; so that from the fashion 
of the tumid Belly, it is proper to call them Asciticks, though Water 
is not the Cause, but as the word is commonly taken, improper. 
2. Tympanites in Latine, and Tympany in English, according to the 
common meaning, shews a windy Dropsie ; but the fence of the word 
shews a Drum ; or that the Belly strutting forth and sounding like a 
Drum, may in any person be called a Tympany, though it may be with- 
out wind; yet water without some wind will scarce yeild a noise : It 
comes from τύμπανο, that signifies a Drum. 
3. A third kind, or name of distinction used by the Ancients, was 
Anasarcha, or Leucophlegmatia, they commonly meant by the use of 
those words a puffing up of the Body and Face from Flegm, the Skin 
loose, Face bluffed and pale; if we go to the meaning of the word in the 
Original Derivation ανάκαρνό, per carnem, it signifies some humour or 
matter spread throughout the Flesh, or imbibed therein, or throughout. 
But people have been deceived in these, for Nature imitates no such 
Order or Rule, there is no necessity for a Dropsie, if it be not according 
to the description of Ascites, to be Anasarca, nor if it be not Anasarca 
must it be Tympanites: To see a party just as Galen described, is as rare 
as those they count strange Cases. We shall let the Reader see the 
Truth, as far as man hitherto can find a method in Nature, which in- 
deed in these cases is to want a method ; specially as to peculiar and 
small things: the quality in every matter, if we could see it, or know 
it, would give us the truet insight how it must work, and what it must 
effect. 
The matter, said the Ancients, is either Water, Wind, or Flegm; the 
Bowel or Subject was the Liver ; the Cause was cold, and these onely: 
the precedent or procatarctick causes, were too great evacution of Blood, 
or suppression of Courses or Hæmorrhoids, a Jaundice, Cochexy, or 
drinking of Water ; these were the principal, with the distinctions 
aforenamed, that the Ancients delivered ; the Signs and Concomitant 
Symptoms they delivered are not worth naming : for those that they 
wrote aright in, are common ; others are nothing of Rule, but acci- 
dental, so that they might have numbered a thousand Symptoms or Ails 
that many Hydropicks, one or other amongst them had had. 
The Moderns, as Sennertus, Hercules Saxonia, Riverius, Platerus, 
&c. did introduce diverse new things from experience, and found that 
heat as well as cold, was the Cause , and that sometimes cool things 
that open, do good ; also they saw that the Kidneys and Spleen, as well 
as the Liver, might cause the Dropsie. 
O WE


106 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
We shall not stand to describe or transcribe the Causes, Signs, Progno- 
sticks and Cures differing in Ascites, Tympanites, and Anasarca, that 
the Moderns have laid down, they may be read fully in their Practices, 
and compared with what follows; they are defective, and rarely found as 
they have described, yet are in some or other, at one time or other, in 
some measure or other true : as for example ; Jo. Johnstonus, Idea Med. 
Pract. cap. de Tympanite, saith, In a Tympany the Skin is streched out and  
glisters, it looks like a Drum Cover, gives such a founding ; it 
thrusts out the Navil very much outwardly, the Belly is puffed up, but no 
sense of great weight; crushed, the finger leaves no impression, but the Skin 
presently rises up again ; belchings and breaking wind downwards are often 
and rumbling in the Belly : the cause is heat, or terrifying great heat, 
which resolves the matter into Vapours; (which the Antients acknowledg- 
ed not.) The place is not in the Stomach, for there the wind would 
be belched forth ; nor in the Guts, for then per anum it would be cast 
forth; but a Tympany is generated commonly betwixt the Coats of the 
Mesentery and Intestines ; for in a Tympany are pains about the Navil, 
and pains of the Loins, and gripings of the Mesentery tied to these 
parts, being distended by wind. 
Cure is by bringing forth the wind, a Carminative Wine, a great 
Cuppinglass applied, Frictions, Foments, discussing wind, inwardly such 
as warm and correct the distemper of the Bowel causing the wind. 
Now one in a Tympany may have some wind, and most water; for 
they are seldom absolutely separate, then it may be called both : Many 
Hydropicks are puffed up, and windy ; if it be nothing but wind, the 
sick may have one of these signes and not another, but other not here 
mentioned; if he have all those signs, he may not have a like inward 
Cause; if the inward Cause in two be exactly alike, yet the outward 
or fomenting antecedent Causes might be quite contrary, that stirred
up inward Causes alike; if the inward Causes be visibly exactly alike, 
yet they may have different effects or events, for death may ensue to 
one, life to the other : and thus doth Nature vary , whose Method in 
those things Physicians wrote a Method of, is to want a Method or 
Rule. 
We will now from our own Observations, bringing tbe Witnesses of 
many Authors,fide dignissimi, to attest what we write by their impartial 
uninterested and non-superstitions Experience, shew the Course of Na- 
ture, and more particularly the swellings of the Body from wind or wa- 
ter, introducing a multitude of other things : So that this particular 
Tractate may be useful as a general Practice. 
1. We have observed divers Maids and Women, in stopt Menstrues, to 
have

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 107 
have their Bellies swell, and Feet, gradually, on Nights first,and then so 
largely, that they were swelled on days too, largely, as full as Skin could 
almost hold, pitting, or leaving the dint of the finger crushing them, in 
them, along while ere they rose up again to equal heighth with the rest 
of the flesh; the surest token that water was the swelling matter ; I ob- 
served these Hydropick swellings of the feet commonly to come with 
pain, redness, and then itching ; the Attoms of the Blood that did at 
first flow, exhaling, the swelling turned paler, less hot and painful, and 
clearly waterish, and so it is in most outward Tumours, and this is a 
chief Universal Method in Nature ; yet no General Rule is without 
Exceptions ; for I have had both my hands swelled up like Bladders, 
and from Cold, without any foregoing Flux of Blood ; if I laid my hand 
against the Mantle-piece, and my forehead upon the back of my 
hand, in a little time it had so crushed the water away on either side
that I could have seated an Egg on the back of my hand, in the presure 
of my forehead, very fast ; and this huge pit or hollow would by de- 
grees rise up again to its former heighth and equality with the other 
Skin; I found that none of my inward parts were the cause of this; I 
always drank very little : so I have known some had their Legs hydropi- 
cal, standing in cold water, others with a sore, or pain in their Legs, 
others after Agues, the Belly also swelling, but no harm to the inward 
Bowels was in fieri. What shall we say ? Maids or Women that want 
their Courses, their Bellies swell, and Feet: is it an Ascites, because in 
the Feet apparently is water ? is it a Tympany, because in the Belly ap- 
parently is wind, or retained blood, and wind, and Ichor in the Uterus? 
is it a Dropsie at all, because none of the Bowels, no not the Liver, 
is cooled or hurt in some ? it goes away naturally : sometimes if their 
Courses come not down, some are held a long time, and know not whe- 
ther they are with Child, or in a Dropsie ; for sometimes the Symptoms 
of a Dropsie in one, prove the Symptoms of Gravidity in another. 
Plater in Observ. Extuberantiæ, about page 659, and 660, relates of 
three particular Women that thought themselves (being swelled) big 
with Child, and the swelling did cease in all naturally, as it arose ; but a 
4th woman being so swelled, and in suspicion of being with Child, died. 
In another woman in suppresion of Courses he observed the Belly 
swelled up, yet no Dropsie; she was restored by Remedies. 
2. Another kind of Dropsies we may call an Inflation ; I have both 
seen it, and been informed of the like in others ; these were suddenly 
in two or three days swelled up, the Eyes almost closed in, the face ex- 
ceedingly puffed, the Belly turgid, Legs and Hands swelled, a good ap- 
petite, Strength and Reason remaining ; yet in these two or three I ob-
O 2 served


108 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
served what I write from, there was difference, so that in each distin- 
tion we must make distinction, if we would have clear and sincere 
Truth, and punctually decide Controversies; one was helped by Plan- 
tane-Water, or rather on Natures accord; the other by good Medi- 
cines , and Anti-hydropicals ; others are totally and suddenly in- 
flated, different from these, and in one thing or other from each 
other. 
Platerus, Obs. Extuberantiæ, pag. 632. relates of a Maid swelled all 
over, Face, Feet, Belly, and elsewhere, a difficult breathing ; and in a 
few days recovered as quickly, as she quickly fell so : Nor can these be 
imputed to Poysons. As I remember Nicolaus Tulpius hath an Obser- 
vation like these, of a total swelling of the Body like a Dropsie , that 
arose in a few days, and ceased again spontaneously. 
3. A third kind we have observed in two, but not found the like in 
Authors; They were loose skinned, and full of water outwardly, the 
Feet did a little swell, but no symptom illness was therein; they 
had many water-blisters on their Flesh, specially their Paps or Teats 
did run much, their skin was very subject to break into blisters of pure 
water, void of Accrimony, except sometime a little itching; nor were 
the inward parts by any outward signs at all in fault, though in divers 
symptoms they did somewhat vary, yet both had one Cause, viz.
Drinking Strong Beer or Ale constantly on mornings first of all, which 
they were not used to: & I have heard a third person say, that if he drank 
Ale on mornings fasting, it made his Blood waterish; but though the 
outward Cause is surely one and the same, yet the variety of Constitu- 
tions is stupendious: If in these the redundant water of the blood was 
excluded as unnecessary for Natures use, and heterogenious to the blood, 
to the outward parts, or Cutaneous Superfice, and there did gather in 
bladders, and those broke, poured forth Serum, and then filled again ; 
why may not Nature, being overburdened by water, in the blood that 
offendeth, either in quality or quantity, or both, cast off this Serum in- 
to the inward Bowels, and there raise bladders, and those break and 
pour out the Serum into the capacity of the Abdomen, and then fill a- 
gain ? for we know nothing will endure a superabundance , and more 
Serum still ousing and pressing into these bladders, breaks them, and 
they fall down flat, and by degrees gather more Serum, and are disten- 
ded; indeed there is rarely any Botch, Struma, Glandula, Callus, Apo- 
stem, Tumour, Ulcer, Gangrene, Fistula, Cancer, Sphacelus, Discolora- 
tion, Tubercles, &c. that happen to the outward parts, but they happen 
to the inward Bowels , as Liver, Spleen, Heart, Reins, Mesentery, 
Lungs, Uterus, Pancreas, Gall, &c. 
4. In


A Tractate of Dropsies. 109
4. In the next place, occurs another kind, which Hercules Saxonia
lib. 3. pract. cap. 32. saith, Is a Dropsie of Blood, if it is proper to say 
so ; it is quickly made, in few dayes kills : So Mercurialis opened one 
swelled with fourteen pints of Blood in him : Another with an Hernia or 
Rupture fell suddenly, swelled and died. Tulpius and Horsius in his 
Appendent Observations to Marcellus Donaus, mention the like. If 
we consider that in all things are different kinds, and in all kinds differ- 
ing degrees, We must allow the extream of bloody Water, to be pure 
Blood; for every thing hath its two extreams of exceeding little, ex- 
ceeding great, and its mean or medriocrity: we see in swelled Hydro- 
pical Legs, and other swellings of the outward parts, the matter, 
seems red hot Blood at first flowing, then by corruption, or the 
Atoms of the Blood exhaling, it turns pale, wheyish or waterish often- 
times; so in the Body of many Hydropicks Blood may first slow, and 
by lying, looseth its colour, as heat I suppose, when it is extravasated 
will quickly make it do, some have tryed it they say. 
To make this the more probable, Plater Obs. Extuber. pag. 650. found 
one full of yellow Water, most stinking, in one that died Hydropical 
and of a Rupture ; and this might be bloody Water, or waterish Blood, 
or water first flown out into the Belly, and then Blood mixed there- 
with, which with standing might grow more waterish, and cause 
the water to stink ; the Liver in this Party was putrid, and little else 
in fault. 
Scholiographus ad cap. 39. Lib. 1. Hollerii de Morbis internis, writes, 
that yellow water like washings of Flesh, or bloody, was found in one 
Hydropick ; it is hard to say, whether it were waterish Blood, or bloody 
Water. 
Thomas Bartholin. Cent. 1. obs. 2. found the water in an Hydropicks 
belly, bloody and stinking: see Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. one voided much 
blood upwards and downwards. 
5. The most common kind of Dropsie, or that that most properly 
may so be called, is after this manner of rise, though with variation 
in all; the feet begin both alike to swell towards evening ; the walking
and heating them, makes the Serum fall down , which in the 
morning by rest is gathered into the Belly ; this swelling daily en- 
creases, and the Belly in a month more or less, doth more or less swell, 
with short-windedness ; sometimes a Cough, Thirst, dejection of Ap- 
petite, Laziness, Pursiness, pale Colour, and Rheumatick Tempers ; 
succeeding for the most part to Cachexyes, Jaundices, Tertian or Quar- 
tain Agues, moist Diet, cold Water, Hæmorrhages, or other Cro- 
nical Distempers , the Liver, Reins or Spleen, or alltogether, are 
found

110 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
found either fissured, cleft with bladders of Water, or corrupted, or 
perforated and stony, or pale, and of extinguished vitality; and in 
most common Hydropicks, all the parts are found corrupted or wasted, 
or grown to one another, one in one manner, another in another, as 
may afterward be shewn ; for one and the self same cause, or at least 
seemingly so to us, produces divers effects in divers bowels; for though 
the thing acting may be one and the same, yet the patient, or thing to 
be acted upon, is not capable to be altered alike with another; there- 
fore one part is grown to another, another part is quite wasted, a third 
is full of Stones, a fourth is grown larger then naturally, a fifth is pale 
and dried, void of blood ; and thus they vary in one Body, in one Dis- 
ease : but we are principally to consider what parr was first in offence, 
and which do consent, for the contamination did for the most part be- 
gin in one bowel, and that made water, and the other bowels stopped 
therein did corrupt, but divers times it is hard to say which Bowel was 
first in fault, for all seem alike corrupted ; and indeed all perhaps are 
originally, sometimes in cause, as well as caused to corrupt, for the 
quality in the Blood and Juyces, and Aliment is alike operative to all:
in every Body there is a Quality or peculiar Nature, which acts moves 
and alters it; and the fight or outward appearance of any Body or Mat- 
ter, doth not alwayes and exactly, if ever exactly shew the quality in 
the Body or Matter; for sometimes a Poyson (if it is proper to call 
anything so) will alter all the Bowels strangely, and where there is 
no Dropsie, the parts are thus affected, which we may shew here- 
after. 
6. Another kind of Dropsie, as it hath been taken, is from Glandu- 
les or Apostemes, or Fat, which we will here involve in one Head. 
Petrus Pawus, Dissect. Anatom. 24. when all the water was drawn 
out, all the Gutts, Mesentery, Caul and Liver were found Fat. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 33 & 34. In one saw two Steatoma's in the Mesen- 
tery, one of them was not full of corruption ; the other did pour out 
much Sanies and water into the Belly; these did so swell her, that she 
was rather thought with Child then Hydropical, but being opened, it 
was found the Womb was so crushed up by these Apostemes, that Gra- 
vidity could not be ; there was no water in the hollow of the Belly, till 
by dissection it was let out of one of the Abscesses ; in another bladders 
of water were held in one in the Mesentery. 
Horstius, Epist. med. Sect. 5. A Woman supposed to die of a Dropsie 
was opened, it was found to be the Uterus that distended the Belly, it 
weighed 87 pound, it was full of an hairy and woolly matter, with 
fat and yellow Ichor.
P. Paw.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 111 
P. Paw. ob. Anatom. 29. in a general Dropsie, a Woman was so big, 
three Ells scarce compared her ; her Utertus did stretch out exceedingly 
to the making that greatness; and it was full of many schirrous knobs, or 
Condylomata. Platerus found some that represented Dropsies, that had 
only Glandules, and in some glandulous or knotty swellings of the 
Mesentery.
7. We may name another kind of Dropsie, relating to the Tympany 
of the Ancients, Plater. Obs. 657. A Boy ten years old had a twisting, 
of his Guts and stoppage of Excrements ; they came up by his mouth: 
he was hugely swelled, his Belly distended with wind , according to 
the Practicks description of a Tympany : he lived thus fourteen dayes; 
then dying, he was opened; the Guts were found twisted up together, 
and in some of them Worms with dung in great number came forth ; 
in other Guts was abundance of wind, exceedingly distending them, 
and breaking forth with great violence as soon as they were cut; no wa- 
ter was found in him. I do not fee it so proper to call this a Tympany, 
as an Illiack passion ; and if it had been joyned with water, it had not 
so properly been called a Tympany neither, so that with Water (Wind 
commonly being made through Rarefaction of Water by heat into Air) 
it might be called a Water-Dropsie with Inflation, without Water an 
Inflation, Illiack or Cholical distemper : Indeed where there is much 
Water, commonly is some Flegm ; and where both these be, common- 
ly there is windiness, because they are made of a moist, cold, raw, and 
spiritless disposition of the Blood and Bowels. 
We shall discover no more kinds of Dropsies in this Order, but un- 
der the Concommitant Symptomes we shall enumerate, much more 
variety may appear; but to go curiously to discriminate of each of those 
seven Heads, we may make as many solid Divisions in each, specially 
in the fifth. 
I. The first and chief Symptom that troubles Hydropicks is an Asth- 
ma or difficult breathing, that is most general. Plater. pag. 638. A 
Woman with Child had a Dropsie ; breathing was so difficult, she was 
often nigh suffocated ; she bringeth forth, and having good natural 
purgations, is delivered of her Dropsie. And Obs.pag. 64. A Noble- 
man drew his breath with exceeding straitness in a Dropsie, he used to 
drink hot and strong Liquors ; he died. 
Skenk pag. 417. One Ascitick, was not commonly so strait-breathed, 
but when he went to eat or drink or to sleep, he was almost choaked. 
River. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. mentions an Asthma in a Dropsie, as an high 
trouble to the Hydropick party he mentions ; And 
Nic. Tulp. lib. 2 obs. 34. mentions one that for divers years was very
hard

ll2 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
hard breathed, died hydropical; opened, there was a swelling of the 
Mesentery weighing twenty pound, that was three years increasing, and 
crushed up the parts, for the Lungs and Brest, and all other parts were 
found; and Observ. 39. an Asthma in an Hydropick was exceeding 
great, water ran out dayly per scrotum, but gave no ease. 
Jo. Bilgerus, Epist. ad Gregor. Horstium  mentions a Dropsie of the 
Brest, four years encreasing, with hard breathing, which grew strong and 
great; opened, the Lungs outwardly were spotted, inwardly putri- 
fied. 
Plater. Obs. Extuberantia, pag. 646. In one (that he opened) he 
found the Kidneys exulcerated and perforated, and no other matters of 
corruption to or in other parts considerable, yet the crushing up of the 
Diaphragma and Lungs, by the redundancie of water, caused a great 
Dyspnæa; the party afore Death had let out much water by blisters, 
made in the lower parts, and the Belly did asswage and sink therefrom, 
and the Dyspnæa abated, so that the quantity of water crushing up the 
parts of respiration, was apparently the Cause ; and the soaking of wa- 
ter into the Lungs, Dlaphragma and Muscles of the Brest, doth in some 
occasion hard breathing, ; but the party aforenamed, the water being 
lessened, and seemingly she in a better condition, died with faint- 
ing. 
2. A second Symptom or Concomitant Affect in Dropsies, is Wind, 
which in some is more, in some less ; in some it more afflicts at one 
time, in others at another; in some in one part, in others in another; 
and many of the many and different symptoms and ails that afflict Hy- 
dropicks, arise partly from Wind and Flegm as well as Water. 
A Dropsie first began with inflation, the Belly was Tympanitical, 
then the feet began to to swell with Water, and other signs of a Water- 
Dropsie arose, cured, River. Cent. 3. Obs. 86. 
Also Felix Platerus in Observationibus, in an Ascites,or Water-Drop- 
sie saw abundance of wind, or a Tympany therewith. 
In a Lady I knew that was Hydropical, after letting Blood, wind did 
so increase that she died Tympanitical; the taking away Blood in such 
cold Distempers, which all are not cold, weakens Nature, and adds to 
the Morbifick Cause. 
Those swellings that come suddenly all over , or in the Belly either, 
though the swelling dints like water, yet there is much wind therein. 
See Tulp. Obs. Med. lib. 2. and Plat. pag. 632. two such were cured: 
All things have their variety, and divers kindes, and every kind its spe-
cies, and every species variety and degrees ; two Extreams, and one 
Medium: the greastest wisdom to distinguish between likes; that 
might 

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 113
might put an end to many Controversies ; and to know Natures variety 
might end many Disputes ; and when one saith a thing is thus, another 
saith, Nay, but it is so, and both these may be true ; for in one it may 
be so, in another thus; one saith this is the Cause of a Dropsie, ano- 
ther that, and both may be in the right; for both these are in some the 
Causes. 
Sometimes there is much wind without any water, as in our seventh 
Head or Distinction of Kinds, and sometimes there is much water 
without any wind or flatuosity; sometimes they are equally quanti- 
zed ; and sometimes in an Inflation is a little water, and in an Ascites 
a little wind ; and so for Flegm, which is onely thickned water, or glu- 
tinated moisture. 
3. The third Symptom or Ail in Dropsies is Flegm,or a clogging up, 
stoppage, or Obstructions therefrom. The Ancients made three Drop- 
sies, the Water-Dropsie or Ascites, the Wind-Dropsie, or Tympanites
the Flegm-Dropsie, or Leucophlegmatia, which also they called Ana-
sarcha but the signification of these two words differ, though in com- 
mon acceptation they may be one : Anasarcha as we said, signifies
matter or humours in the flesh, or diffused under the skin throughout 
the flesh, λευκοφλεγματικός comes from λευκό, white, and φλέγμα, Flegm, 
put together, it signifieth white Fleam, or Flegm; so that if the Ancients 
had took Leucophlegmatia for the Cause, and Anafarcha for the Effect, 
these two together might mystically have shewn a Disease : We must 
say of this, as of wind, sometimes there is much water or wind without 
any flegm, and sometimes much flegm without any water or wind ; 
sometimes a little flegm, a little wind, and much water, arc complica- 
ted together in one Body ; sometimes a Tympany and Leucophlegmatia 
seem most to exsuperate, sometimes an Ascites and Tympany, sometimes 
an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, and sometimes they are separate and 
distinct : but then I think it not so proper to call white flegm and wind 
a Dropsie, without any water, though they distend the skin in all pla- 
ces. 
Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. At first the party had a Leucophlegmatia, 
and then an Ascites supervened, and was added to it; cured. 
In another, Obs. 166. he saw an Ascites and Leucophlegmatia, or wa- 
ter and white flegm equally swelling the body for two years, and he 
cured it. 
And Obs. 195. he observed that those that were puffed up with white 
flegm had cloggings of their Stomach, rawness and pursiness, and he 
cured two or three with Vomits of Chymical Powders; and he men-
tions little or no water in the last, which also Plater. Extub. Obs. pag. 
630.

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES. 
630. mentions not; but this Leucophlegmatia came from two large 
drawing forth of Blood, or Phlebotomy ; how frequent is it in most 
Dropsies to see the face bluft, puffed up as it were with pale Flegm,and 
sometimes it goes before Dropsies, as Horstius in Obs. lib. 4. Obs. 31. 
& Obs. 29. He observed little Urine made in one to the proportion he 
drank, to effect most apparently a Tympany, or rather a windy than wa- 
terish. 
Swelling of the Body, difficult breathing, weariness, pursiness, 
dulness, bad colour, vitiated sanguification, puffing up, loss of appetite, 
Cachexyes, &c. arise as much from flegm as water in many Hydro- 
picks; yet in those that are opened, no flegm is conspicuous, but the 
parts are often clammy, and grown together, and have viscous corru- 
ption in them, and Glandules, and Apostems : We know in outward 
things (for by them it is best judging of inward, and by apparent and 
visible things, things occult and invisible) the thin parts exhaling, the 
Remains are made thicker, specially in saccharates and gummy things, 
which have most syngeny and coherence with flegm. 
I suppose that which some call a Leucophlegmatia, others call a Ca- 
chexia, for indeed there is no difference but of degrees ; for what won- 
derful variety is there in Nature ? and those are mistaken that think 
Nature is bound to make it a Leucophlegmatia, as they describe it, if it is 
not a Cachexia as they describe it ; for to find a Leucophlegmatia just 
as they describe, or a Cachexia just so, is rare : Many distempers are
like either in some symptoms, and like neither in some.
4. A fourth Symptom is Leanness ; yet this happens not in many 
Dropsies, but in some the party is fat, as River. Obs. Cent. 2. Obs. 67. 
shews, and most are noted for neither; often though the Belly, Legs, 
and nether parts be turgid, the upper are emaciated, River. Cent. 2. 
Obs. 85. and so Cent. 3. Obs. 17. Most that we have observed in Drop- 
sies in the face seem fat, that being bluffed, and some have a good co- 
lour. See the seven following. 
5. But where the colour is wan and bluft, they call it a Cachexia, if 
they are also obstructed, weary, short-winded, loose-skinned, &c. Ri- 
verius, Cent. 3. 0bs. 33. observed such complicated with the water- 
swelling : and so Plater. Obs. pag. 638. The last in a Virgin that wanted 
her Courses, a Chachectick distemper seized her, with water-swelling 
or Dropsie, but with this and her pale colour, her thirst was extream; 
one would think likelier to be hot Dropsies; her Appetite dejected : 
A Dropsie sometimes follows Cachexeys, as well as to have this conditi- 
on complicated therewith. 
6. It is sometimes coupled with a Quartane, as Paul Renealm. Obs. 
29.

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 115 
29. observed; but the Quartane was a year before that : Divers Terti- 
ans also degenerate into Dropsies, or continue still with the Drop- 
sie. 
7. A continual Feaver with implacable thirst and restlesness, was 
complicated with a Dropsie, River. Obs communicatis ab aliis Medicis,  
pag. 285. A Feaver supervening, hath sometimes been mortal. 
And Riverius, in his communicated Observations from other Physi- 
cians, pag. 316, relates in one there was watching, inappetence, diffi- 
cult breathing, sloth to move, swelling, and hardness of the Spleen, 
with wasting; cured. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. A Boy twelve years old, his Belly, and his 
Legs, and Scrotum were swelled with water ; yet he was lean and wa- 
sted ; Worms he had in his Belly, with his Chyle and Food, and Parsly 
as he eat it, came forth of an hole of his Navil, that naturally sponta- 
neously opened ; he died. We relate these that out Readers may 
guess at the like in others, and that all may see all the symptoms, and 
how they are joyned together, and with what variety in persons. 
Johannes Aicholtzins, in his Epistles, testifies of a Woman that in- 
Summer and Autumn had a swelling of her Belly, she was newly marri- 
ed, and they thought her with Child ; in Winter grievous pains tear- 
ing and stretching out, vexed her, specially on Nights ; no other parts 
swelled, no seeming windiness, she grew rather leaner, her Belly rose 
in bigness; when they saw no motion of an Infant, she was thought with 
Child no longer, but to have a Dropsie : she died of wonderful pains ; 
and being anatomized, abundance of fat was found in her Body, no 
loose water, but bladders of pure water here and there in the passages, 
that did distend the Belly; no wind, her parts were found, Liver pale 
and Caul very little. 
8. Fainting and weakness was coupled with one Dropsie , Riverius,  
Cent. 3. Obs. 33.
9. A Scirrh of the Spleen, and swelling thereof outwardly was in 
one Hydropick, Riv. Cent. 3. 0bs. 16.
10. One had a huge heat for a long time in his right Hypochondes, 
and a Diuturne sickess ; died Hydropical: the Liver did grow to that 
side, many yellow stones in Liver, and Gall obstructed : Jacobus Came-
nicenus Epistola ad Matthiolum. 
11. A Dropsie is sometimes coupled with bleeding upwards and 
downwards, as Nicholaus Tulpius, lib. 2. Obs. 35. did observe ; there 
were signes of wind that puffed up, as well as water; the Body anato- 
mized, the Spleen was found swelled, the Liver torrid, and the Kidneys 
putrid. Many mil not believe the extraordinary vomiting of Blood 
P2 comes 


116 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
comes from the Spleen, but this demonstrates it; and we could in- 
stance in others, that the Spleen holds sometimes many quarts of blood, 
and casts it forth by vomit, and then downwards. 
12. Pthises, and Rheums, and Defluxions are found to forego or 
accompany many Dropsies ; Riverius in his Obs. mentions two or three 
such ; Rondeletius observed the same : but of Phthisicks we have men- 
tioned leanness afore. 
13. An Hernia or Rupture Platerus saw in two coupled with a Drop- 
sie, and so did Mercurialis. 
14. The Jaundice : Plater. Obs. lib. 3. Discoloratione, pag. 616. saw 
the black Jaundice joyned with swelling of the Feet and Belly, like a 
Dropsie, which he cured. 
15. In Divers Hydropicks the Navil struts forth, and in some the 
inward skin breaks, and it shines as a bladder ; the water in some breaks 
this pelluced bladder in the Navil, and runs out : We have mentioned 
somewhat of this afore , and more may be mentioned hereafter. 
Skenkius hath collected, and Platerus seen divers such. 
16. The Hæmorrhoids opened in one, but did no good to his Dropsie, 
Plat. 643. 
17. Skenk. Vir Optimus, pag. 414. brings an Example of one excee- 
dingly swelled, that voided a Serpent per Anum two Cubits long, piece- 
meal, like another Serpent; he died presently after: her Dropsie was 
so great, that she could neither sit nor lie, and breathed difficult- 
ly. 
18. In another Hydropick, such huge pains in one Thigh molested
him, that he used to cry out miserably : Skenk. 417. 
19. Little Urine, or stoppage thereof, is found in some Hy- 
dropicks. 
Horstius lib. 4. Obs. 29. In the beginning of a Tympany was little 
Urine made, and crude, the Feet did swell, and an Asthma was en- 
creased. And in the beginning of another Dropsie, he observed with 
little Urine, the Feet and Belly began to swell with water; there was 
inappetence, paleness of face, weariness, straitness of Brest, and 
swoonding. 
Plater. 638. observed little Urine to begin a Dropsie. 
20. Thirst is in many Hydropicks, and dejection of Appetite, which 
we have by the way instanced in before ; but in some is no Thirst, and 
yet dejection of Appetite ; in some is neither Thirst nor Appe- 
tite. 
Plater. pag. 638. Obs. found huge Thirst in a pale Virgin subject to 
the Green-sickness, that was coupled with her Dropsie; she wanted 
her

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 117
her Courses, and had dejection of Appetite : this seemed a cold 
case. 
Bat Riverius, in Observ. Commnnic. pag. 285. relates of implacable 
Thirst in a Dropsie, where a continual Feaver was complicated. 
A Dropsie began with Vomiting, Heart-pains, Jaundice and Thirst, 
Plater. Obs. 635
Some in Dropsies have neither want of Appetite not Thirst, as divers 
of our aforegoing Observations, relating all the Symptoms that hap- 
pened to divers Hydropicks, mention; as also Tidicæus, in his Epistles 
to Jo. Schenk, testifies. 
21. There are many other and varying Symptoms happening to Hy- 
dropicks, though not peculiar thereto ; as also all the Symptoms in Hy- 
dropicks do happen in most other sicknesses; which could not be, if 
Nature observed such a Rule and Method in Diseases as the Practicks 
thought: Sometimes a Cough troubles Hydropicks, which we have 
observed, and to be from Serum transuding into the Brest , and by its 
mild sharpness tickling the Lungs and rough Artery ; and thence, by 
the faculty of Expulsion given them, they cough, that nothing may stop 
our breathing : Two we have known recovered, that coughed pretty 
much in Dropsies; though Hippocrates, Sect. 6. Aphor. 35., saith, 
Those that have water betwixt the 
Skin, a Cough coming, it is evil: Scoliographus ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. 
de Morb. int. also saith, In some Dropsies, a Cough is no evil sign : We see 
reason in many Hydropicks for Coughs, the Lungs being found so faul- 
ty in such a different manner when they are opened. 
Next we shall shew from the Truth of Observation in divers, the 
beginning of Dropsies, or how any may best (though never certainly) 
tell the coming on of a Dropsie : Indeed the knowledge of the Stars 
for all foreseeing is more certain than Galenical, or Hippocratical 
Rules. 
We related two Observations before out of Horstius, of a Tympany 
with water, that began with little Urine, and crude, swelling of the 
Feet, Lassitude, and short breathing : In another water swelled with- 
out Inflation ; the beginning was inappetence, lassitude, pale colour, 
faintings, and difficult breathing. 
In one a Dropsie began with swelling of the Feet towards night, and 
bad breathing. Plat. Obs. 632. And 
Plat. 641 page of Obs. Extuberantia, One used to drink much varie- 
ty of Wine, he had a Distillation, a Cough, difficulty of breath, and a 
Dropsie ensued.  
And

118 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
And Pag 653.  First the Hæmorrhoids were stopped in one that 
they used to flow in, then the Urine was stopped for three days, but 
both were moved again, and at liberty; but then the feet swell, a Fea- 
ver comes, but that soon ceaseth ; then comes thirst, vomiting, Heart- 
pains, and Jaundice, and they also cease in part; the Dropsie encreases, 
and continues. 
Plater, lib. 3. Obs. Extub. pag. 655. A Woman hath her Belly grown 
great, and distended like a Tympany, or windy puffing up, then her 
feet towards evening begin to swell ; being timely taken, she is cu- 
red.  
Johannes Fridericus did observe, in Obs. Med. a Diarrhæa, Strangury, 
and hard breathing together, to begin a Dropsie. 
And Plat, observed little Urin, thick and Saffron-coloured, in begin- 
ing of one Dropsie, and very red in another. 
Riverius observed two or three Rheumaticks to fall therefrom into 
Dropsies, and to be pestered with Distillations in Dropsies. 
We will endeavour to be short : Nothing holds alike in all ; some 
Symptoms come before the Dropsie, and then cease; some begin with 
the Dropsie, and go thorow with it; some supervene, and last till af- 
ter the Dropsie is cured. 
Daretus commenting upon Hippocrates in Coacis, observed in one 
Dropsie an Epilepsie arose or supervened ; and to that Falling-sickness
an Apoplexy, that took Life away : Epilepsies are caused often of wa- 
ter in the Brain, and therefore in reason they might oftner occur in 
Dropsies. 
Next we shall discover what Diseases or Affects Dropsies follow up- 
on, that all may see what Method and Course is in Nature, as nigh as 
we can, briefly. 
Marcellus Donatus, Hist. Med. lib. 4. cap. 21. writes that he hath 
seen Dropsies to follow sometimes upon a wasting of the Lungs, some- 
times upon Exulcerations of the Lungs, and sometimes after spitting 
of Blood much. 
River. Cent. 1. Obs. 70. found a Dropsie follow a continual and in- 
termitting Feaver : And Cent. 2. Obs. 67. it arose after a Tertian Fea- 
ver; and after a double Tertian, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. 
A Dropsie arose after a sharp Feaver, Horstius, lib. 4. Obs. 28. 
Johannes Fridericus Trafelmannus Obs. Med. writes, One was subject 
to Tertian Agues, and Erysipela’s for five years, then he was troubled 
with a difficult breathing, or short-windedness, a Strangury and Diar- 
rhœa then his belly swells, and he died Hydropical; eighteen pints of 
water


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 119 
water were found in him ; the Liver was pale and hard, the Kidneys 
small and the Bladder, but the Heart and Lungs were large, the Spleen 
small. 
Jacobus Caminicenus, in Observatione per Epistolam ad Matthiolum missa,
Relates how one had a Jaundice for a long time, then a Dropsie comes 
upon it, and the party dies : opened, the bladder of Gall was found 
Turgid, and the way to the Guts from it stopped with a Stone, the Li-
ver grew to the Diaphragma, and was filled with many black stones. 
A Dropsie or swelling of Water arose after an Asthma, that still con- 
tinuining with the Dropsie, River, Obs. Cent. 3. Obs. 8. 
To a Flegmatick blust and pale swelling, came a swelling of the 
whole Body from Water, Paulus Renealmus, Obs. 122. 
A pain in the Region of the Spleen went afore a Dropsie Riv. 
Cent. 3. Obs. 17. 
One had beating of the Arteries, a stopt and Flegmatick Distemper, 
the Courses were long stopped, and to these a Dropsie puts a period, 
Plat. 638. 
A Maid thirty years old had long a beating of her Heart and Arte-
ries, difficult breathing, a pale colour, then comes a Dropsie, where- 
in was great thirst ; the middle of her Body, or half was macilent, de- 
jected appetite, stopt courses, and swelling of her Face also were pre- 
sent, idem ibidem. 
One that was subject to Cholical Nephritical and Arthritical pains, 
had sometimes his Joynts contracted, he used many strong hot Drinks,
and being old, none of his former Distempers, but a Dropsie superven- 
ing, took him away, Plat. Obs. 641. 
After supression of Hæmorrhoids and Urine, bringing a feaver, 
the Feaver ceasing, a Jaundice ensues with Vomit and Thirst ; those 
ceasing, or at least mitigated, a Dropsie takes rise, and yet is cured, 
Plat. pag. 653. 
A Dropsie did ensue on large bleeding, and frequent Hæmorrhages, 
Schenk. in Obs. med. pag. 414. in divers. 
Next we will deliver some observations of the difference of Drop- 
sies concerning their Cronicalness, or Acuteness and Criticalness, 
though divers such have been discovered amongst the Observations 
preceeding. 
In an Hydropsie and flegmatick puffing up, one lived two years, Paul
Reneal. Obs. 166. 
A Dropsie was three years encreasing gently in a Maid, that was 
thought for the first year with Child, then they seeing themselves de- 
ceived,

120 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
ceived, suspected it a Dropsie; at last dying, and Anatomized, all the 
inward parts were found safe, only the Mesentery was lifted up into 
an huge Tumour, full of Bladders or Skins of Water, Tulp. lib. 2. 
Obs. 34. 
A Dropsie of the Brest was four years encreasing, all that while short- 
windedness, did afflict, and daily encreased : dying, the Lungs were 
found spotted outwardly, and being cut, did inwardly appear putrified,
Johannes Bilgerus, Epist. Med. 
Hercules Saxonia and Mercurialis, Observed some Dropsies, soon 
made, in few dayes killing; dissected, much Blood, to fourteen or fifteen 
pints, were found in the Capacity of the Belly. 
We commonly have observed Dropsies, as they differ in all other 
things, so in the Acuteness and Cronicalness ; some die in a quarter of 
a year, some in half a year ; some at the years end, and some not till 
two years : and so some recover in a quarter, some in half, some in a 
whole year ; and some recover after two years Hydropicalness, but this 
not very frequent; they are best and easiliest cured at first. 
Durius Ejicitur quam non admittitur Hostis. 
We may better keep out an Enemy, then having let him in, to 
thrust him back again. 
Divers in Dropsies finde one thing that cures them or lessens their 
evil, and then through uncarefulness, or Astral Ordination, they fall 
back and die ; and sometimes are cured upon a relaps, but not so com- 
monly:that Medicine that gave help or ease at first, upon a relaps for the 
most part will avail little. 
In the next place we shall shew somewhat of Prognostick Signs : 
Though nothing is more uncertain; many things may be gathered from 
what Observations preceded: for we set down at the end of the Re- 
lations of the Symptoms, such an one died, or recovered, or was cured, 
to avoid the trouble of writing all those Observations over again here, 
for the Prognostick Signs therein for unless in many the whole Rela- 
tion is shewn, it cannot well be judged how desperate or hopeful the 
Party might be by one Symptom alone rehearsed; but when he sees all 
the Symptoms, and the Cause by dissection manifested, he might judge 
truly of Life or Death in another, the acuteness or slowness of the 
Disease in another so handled, did two exactly accord, or have the 
event exactly alike. It is the part of a wise man to suspend judgement, 
especially


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 121
especially rashly in the most clear cases, for we are never able to fore- 
see the effects and divers operations of Nature ; We must endeavour all 
things, but the work is of God  as Scaliger well saith, Sanitas opus est Dei,  
opera vero nostra. 
Dodonaus, Obs. 38. A man Tympanitical, his Belly struck gave a 
found ; his Excrements and Urine were both suppressed, and he Sud- 
denly died. 
Those whose Urine or Excrements are altogether supprest, and yet 
they eat and drink we may the most certainly predict their death in a 
shorter or longer time, if they do not go to Stool, or make Water, un- 
less Nature takes care to void it by the Navil or other places, which is 
rare; but what is this Prognosis to a Physician ? cannot every Rustick 
say and see so much ? 
Platerus in Obs. Med. Writes of one whose Urine was so stopped, 
and broke the Bladder,and flowed out into the hollow of the Abdomen, 
as dissection did demonstrate any Countrey People, if they could tell 
how the business was (which the Physician could not, before opening) 
might predict Death ; however, as we have seen such died Swelled, 
whose Urine could not be voided,or to any quantity, so might any ima- 
gine, as well as Physicians. 
So for Gangræned Exulcerations of the Legs, Thighs or Navil, any 
would predict Death, if they Should continue rotting, the Water con- 
tinue running, and the Belly continue Swelling; but who can tell 
whether these will continue encreasing,or if they do, when or how they 
will kill ? 
A Tabes did of the Stomach, then of the whole Body, with drinking 
of Bath-Waters were permanent in one,whom a Dropsie following did 
presently kill, Vidus Victius lib, 10. cap. 5. 
Capiracius, lib. 3 .pag. 648. Pratt. With a Cautery in the Knee, 
was made Gangrenation, and the party died. Many times of Natures 
own accord doth the Navil break, and pour out water, and so the Legs 
and Thighs, by blisters or bladders of the Skin ; and Sometime Hydro- 
picks are so cured ; but three to one are not cured thereby ; but as the 
water ouses out by those holes so it encreases within the Body fre- 
quently, that the Dropsical are never the better; and frequently if those 
water-blisters or Ulcers run long in some Bodies, from a Secret Cause 
they kill by Gangrene, or infecting the Blood with a poysonous quality 
they contract by long Corruption ; which PUterus did observe, as we 
also have been informed ; Specially if by art such Ulcers, Blisters or 
watery Eruptions have been made; for as Hippocrates faith in that truly, 
Ulcers in Hydropic Bodies scarce admit of Cure.
Amatus 

122 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Amatus Lusitanus, Capiraccius, Forestus, Marcellus Donatus, Ga- 
belchoverus, and Others, have observed divers Hydropicks that died, 
when water by Art or Nature, on heaps or by degrees, ran or was drawn 
forth of the Navil. 
Nor is Paracentesis in Dropsies commonly lucky ; for when all the 
water, is drawn out on heaps, sometimes they die presently, even as Je- 
annes Ludovicus, sixty years old, the water drawn forth, died in the Ar- 
tists hands, Mich. Joann. Paschalius, lib. I. cap. 44. Method. Cur. 
Morb. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 39. A Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one 
Hydropick, that was hugely swelled, the water ran out by degrees day- 
ly, and yet he died. So 
Plat. lib. 3. Obs. Extub. observed that though the water ran out fine- 
ly and gradually, and the Belly fell, and Dyspnœa abated, yet in a lan- 
guishing the party died : It is no judging in whom Paracentesis will 
take well; if they can be cured other wayes, Paracentesis is not to be 
used ; if they cannot be cured otherways, Paracenteis is like to be an 
hastener of Death: Yet the word of Medicines or Administrations 
have cured, or seemingly helped some, or else they would never be kept 
in use; and the best will not cure all. 
The opening of the Hæmorrhoids that did formerly flow in one Hy- 
dropick, did no good, Plater. 643. 
Vidus Victius did observe a Dropsie that followed constant pains of the 
Stomach, vomiting and nausea, that was mortal. 
Relapses for the most part are mortal, but not always ; one will say 
this is the cause another that; but if we could see the inward Bowels, 
many times we could not tell the cause, or how they might change, live, 
or die. 
Many that have had many, and the worst of Symptoms, have lived ;
and those that seemingly have not been dangerous, have died : and in 
Dissections it is abundantly cleared, that some live till all their parts 
are rotted or wasted, or corrupted ; some till two or three are wasted, 
rotted, or corrupted; and some die when scarce any Cause can be found 
worthy of separating the Soul from its Case the Body: But the quality 
and heterogeneity of all matter to our Blood and Spirits, and that qua- 
lity that constitutes our vitality, is the chief Cause, which we can hardly 
see into. 
Johannes Johnstonus, in his Thaumatographia de Luna potestate inter 
subluna, saith, Dropsies are much moved by the Moon, and they die at Full 
Moons; and just then it took away a Reverend Prelate of the Reformed 
Churches of Poland : And we can confirm it; for the Moon rules over 
Water,

A Tracatate of DROPSIES. 123 
Water, and alters and moves it, lessens and augments it ; nor is any 
thing of greater certainty to judge of the Acuteness or Cronicalness of 
sicknesses, or the event thereof, then to draw Schemes of the Hea- 
vens at the Decumbiture of the Sick ; but these are sometimes ambi- 
guous even to the best Artists, and they find sometimes as many Rea- 
sons for a thing, as against it; and sometimes, the Lord of the seventh 
House impeded, the Artist shall miss in Judgement; as also for other 
Causes. 
Of the CAUSES of DROPSIES:
And first of the moving, antecedent, apparent, or procatarctik 
Cause. 
We have shewed before what Diseases Water-swellings or Tym- 
panies do follow , as Feavers continual and intermitting, as Tertian 
Agues chiefly (and that shews that Dropsies familiarly arise of heat- 
ing Causes, contrary to the Doctrine of the Ancients) Quartane A- 
gues, Asthma’s, suppression of Urine, of Courses and Hæmorrhoids, 
Jaundices, Cholicks, Rhematismus, Phthisicks, spitting of Blood, and 
Hæmorrages, which may more exactly and particularly be found before, 
as we have laid them down one by one, and shewed more Examples of 
one then of another, because it happens more frequently in the course 
of Nature. 
Riv. Cent. 2. Obs. 65. Too much water being drank in the fits of a 
Tertian, a Dropsie followed : And also, Cent. 3. Obs. 23. much drink 
was taken in a double Tertian, which raised a Dropsie. 
G. Horstius, Obs. p. 256. It arose sensibly from drinking, after a sur- 
feit. 
Paulus Renealmn. Obs. 146. and also Plater. Obs. pag. 637. do both 
alike relate the Dropsie to have arose in two women with Child, from 
drinking abundance of cold water. 
Swelling of the Spleen in a Tertian Ague, gave rise to a Dropsie, Ri- 
ver. Cent. 3. Obs. 16. 
Tulpius and Platerus observed it to come from hot antecedent Causes, 
as Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. relates of two that died, the Liver dried and 
burnt as it were; the one ate much Garlick, the other drank Wines, 
Plater. 641. 
A Gentleman drank divers Wines and hot Liquors, and used an hot 
Dyer, but lastly he drank many Acid Therm Waters ; and so, which 
caused his Dropsie is disputable, or whether either did; for many drink 
Q2 both

114 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
both those largely, and have no Dropsie; nay, sometime to cure a Drop- 
sie ; he died: his Kidneys were exulcecrated and perforated , letting 
out the serous Urine into the Belly : Plater. did impute all to heat, in 
the spiced and hot Food, and Wines he took. 
Schenkius brings several Examples, pag. 415 and 417. of bleeding at 
the Nose, or downwards, that a Dropsie did arise therefrom; also from 
long pissing of Blood in one. And 
River. Cent. 3. Obs. 33. found that an immoderate Flux of Men- 
strues, gave occasion to the Dropsie. 
Skenk. 412 pag. It arose from Colliquation, or melting ; and indeed 
Plater, did find in one opened, Fat melted as it were from the Kidneys, 
and slicking here and there in pieces, to the Guts; this might arise 
from heat; those Fluxes preceding cooled the Body, and thence arose 
the Dropsie, and from the sanguifick Spirit, or Principium Seminarium 
Sanguinis weakened. 
When my Hands up to my Wrists were swelled two or three Win- 
ters, and brake with blisters or bladders pouring forth water, I found it 
was nothing but Cold ; they were exceedingly swelled with water, 
and would pit so much as that an Egg might lie therein, yet no part else; 
nor was it from vice of the inward parts ; warmer weather cured them ; 
but the Ulcers were hardly cured, constantly pouring out water. I have 
heard of others that have had a particular Dropsie of the Legs, from 
standing in cold water. 
Hydrocephali, or Head-Dropsies, have arose in Infants from their Mo- 
thers imagination in time of bearing them. 
Secondly, We shall shew the inward Cause of Dropsies, and which 
are the principal parts affected, how many and how, and how those 
and so may be affected where this is no water gathered, and of the 
strange and stupendious variety, and secret order of Nature therein, 
onely referrable to occult qualities in the parts or humours. 
It may be thought that I have a prejudice to Antiquity, and all Tra- 
dition ; I confess I do honour and respect Antiquity and Tradition as 
much as most men ; but wherever in Person or Profession in Antiqui- 
ty or Novelty, is Falsity and Deceit, I must be against that; Pacem cum 
Hominibus, bellum cum Vitiis oportet habere ; We should be peaceful with 
Men, but fighting with their Vices : So I honour Antiquity, but not its 
Falsity. I have delivered all things as nigh as I can, that the Readers 
may clearly understand the Truth of Nature, and may read Tradition 
with the less misapprehension ; and also be able to confirm or enervate 
her. 
It

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 125
It is certain that the Ancients delivered little or nothing of Truth, 
concerning the inward causes of Dropsies, nor can the Reader under- 
stand one thing in twenty, rightly as he should, by their Practices, even 
in most Diseases; specially concerning the inward causes of the Disease:
nor did they understand Natures variety, nor Vermifick, Lapidifick, 
Crinifick, Ossifick, Fermentative Putrefactive, and Preservative Fa- 
culties, or Qualities. 
We will first shew the quantity of water that lifts up the Bellies of 
some, and is the cause of their swelling. 
In two opened by Thomas Bartholin, the quantity of water half filled 
a Tonna ; the Nephew of the Illustrious Prince of Hafnia, scarce a 
year old, had 15 pints of water found in it. 
A Kinsmans Childe of mine, died, they thought of a Dropsie, it 
was swelled, and like water: opened, not above one Pint of water was 
found in it: the Liver was huge large and knotted, but the Lungs 
wasted, the Liver made the Belly seem so big. Familiarly in diverse 
that were opened where the Lungs are wasted, the Liver growes out to 
possesse the room they have left; my Kinsman had six or seven Chil- 
dren, and all died; he was Tabid and Consumptive himself, and so his 
semen contaminated : they none of them lived to above five or six yeers 
of age as I remember ; they opened onely one. 
The Quantity of water in a old woman, filled two water Pitchers, 
Pet. Pawus. Obs. Anatom. 5. and in another he opened, all the Bowels 
swam in Water. 
One woman was so swelled with a Dropsie, she was three Ells in 
mpasse and when she was dissected, 56 Pints of Water flowed out 
of her, P.P. 
Ninety Pints in one Hydropicks body, River. Obs. communicat. p. 285. 
Thirty Pints found in one who, alive, was held Tympanitical as 
well as Ascitical; the Liver seemed rotted, and Spleen swelled, Tulp.
lib. 2. Obs. 35. 
Twenty Measures were let out in a Womb-Dropsie, Guliel. Fab. 
Hild. Epist. Gr. Hor. 
One that was used much to drinking, when dead of a Dropsie, as soon 
as his Belly was cut, the water flies out with violence and force, to the 
quantity of 60 Pints ; and nigh as much before had ran our by Blisters 
and water-Ulcers; also some was found in the Capacity of the Thorax; 
his Kidneys were perforated, Gall swelled, Omentum and Mesentery 
wasted, and yet cleer, against the Ancients and most Modernes, both 
Liver and Spleen were unhurt, and Heart is not mentioned to be amitse; 
for now some begin to say, the Heart is the cause ; but Experience will 
not

126 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
not shew it, it is onely a Phantasie or Imagination; though the Heart, 
I believe, is the Seminarium Sanguinis Principium ; Plater. Obs. Med. 
Pag. 647
Joannes Fridericus opened one that had 18 Pints of Water; the 
Liver pale and hard, Kidneys and Milt small, Heart and Lungs great 
and strong. 
2. Now we have given insight to the Studious Readers of the Ex- 
treams, and Mediums, and variety of the quantity of Water found in 
the Bellies of Hydropicks, we shall shew the difference of the nature, 
colour, consistence, or smell of that Water.
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Ob. 2. found it bloody and stinking; and Cent. 3.
Obs. 81. he found it in a Child one year old, dirty and stinking ; and 
Obs. 83. of that Cent, he found it vary from Water onely in colour, it 
was yellow. 
Pet. Paw. Anatom. 13 the yellowness of the Water found a most 
grievous stench ; what is the reason of these things , cannot well be 
known; I will not spend time and pains to guesse, others may do that as 
well as I; it is too frequent for many to write confidently upon guesse, 
which young Students believe, and so are built up in falsity; in the 
party, when all the Water was out, all the Guts, Caul, Liver, Mesentery, 
&c. were found fat, like Suet. 
Mercurialis found the matter pure blood, to 14 Pints in quantity, 
in the Belly. 
The Water was yellow and stinking, in one, Pet. Paw Obs. Anat. 24.
and it was much ; and Obs 28. it was yellow and corrupted. 
Much Yellow Water, and most stinking, in an Herniose, and Hy- 
dropick, where Liver was putrid, and little else putrified, plat 650. page. 
The water was like washings of raw flesh, or bloody, Scholiographus ad 
cap. 39. lib. I. Holler. de morbis internis. 
Tulp. lib 2. Obs. 40. Brings some examples of blood ; doubtless 
blood at first may, by corruption, turn water; that is cleer by many 
things ; it is hard to say, whether it is waterish blood, or bloody water; 
but we have spoke of this before. 
In some the water is pure, clear, and sweet. 
Next comes to be demonstrated the inward Cause of Dropsies, as by 
dissection hath been numerously demonstrated ; and first of the Liver. 
I. The Liver was found pale, Aicholizius in Epist. and Pet, Paw. 
Dissect. 5, and Dissect. 19. it was of a burnt or adust colour. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. found it look as if roasted and dryed; we shall shew 
more


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 127
more of the variation of the colour, in the following Heads.
II. Swellings of the Liver are in Hydropicks, as we mentioned o£ 
a Kinsmans Child of ours : and P. Pawus Obs. 28. the Liver was swel- 
led, of a Saffron colour, and scirrhous, the Gall was obstructd, the 
Omentum wasted, and an involution of the Mesesraicks. 
III. Of the wasting of the Liver in Dropsis, contrary to the grow- 
ing, or out-swelling of it: Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anatom. 29. in a woman 
found Fifty eight Pints of Water; the Liver, Spleen, Reins and 
Omentum were all quite wasted, and the Diaphragma in part, ere she 
died ; tis wonderful she held out so long. And in his 31. Obs. Dissect : 
the Liver was again found quite wasted, only some few Fragments of the 
Veins left, the Spleen also with it was confumed, Johannes Johnstonus  
de Epate & Splene, and Schenkius in Obs. de Hep. have gathered some 
Examples of those that have been dissected, and had neither Liver or 
Spleen ; I mean not both together, but one hath been absent in one, 
and the other in the other; and yet no Dropsie. 
IV. The Liver was putrified, tied to the Diaphragma, with abun- 
dance of Fat, and almost bloodless, Th. Barth Cent. 4. obs. 20.
Pet. Pawus. Obs. 24. found nothing else but the Liver corrupted. 
Obs. Anatom. 27. Ulcers were in the bunch of the Liver; they went 
to the Parenchyma, which was conglomerated, half an Urne of cor- 
ruption poured forth. 
Plat. Obs. 650. Liver stuck to the Spleen, and Peritonæum: cut 
open, it looked like black condensed blood,the Spleen and Reines were 
found, onely changed in Figure. 
V. Liver dried : it was pale and hard, P. Paw. Obs. s15. 
P. Paw. Obs. 19. It was of an adust colour, yet crushed, it fell in- 
to putrifaction; yet this caused no Dropsie, and should have come 
hereafter. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 35. Liver was burnt and dried, with swelled Spleen, 
blasted Intestines, and putrid Kidny, in an Ascites and Tympany. 
And Obs. 36. in one opened of a Jaundice and Dropsie, it was dried, 
void of Juyce, like a Leather, and very small: cut open, like Ink and 
yellow choler were in it; in the party all the inward Bowels were dis- 
coloured from choler, or corrupted by water. 
Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. found the Liver dried, and enfissured, and in 
those cracks little Bladders of water; and this he attributed to heat; 
also it is clear that some Dropsies come from heat, for cool things 
cure. 
VI. The Liver is sometime grown to a part, to the Diaphragm
with Fat, as Th. Barth. c. 4. Obs. 20. found. 
Pet.

128 A Tracate of DROPSIES.
Pet. Pawus, Obs. Anat. 16. found it bound in the gibbous part, by 
many nervous filiaments, to the Peritonæum. 
- P1at. p. 649. Liver and Spleen firmly stuck to the Peritonæum, that they 
could not be pulled away without tearing, in one that had a Rupture as 
well as a Dropsie. 
Jacobus Camenicenus In Epist. ad Matthiolum, writes, how after a 
Jaundice one fell into a Dropsie and died, and was dissected ; and the 
Liver was found bound, or grown to tht Diaphragma, and its Vessels 
were obstructed with many stones; the Gall also was full, and obstru- 
cted; the Sick in his sickness did much complain of pain, and very 
great heat in his right Hypochonder; and that might be from adnas- 
cence of the Liver. 
VII. In Dropsical Dissections the Liver is found enfissured divers 
times. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. Great pits of water in a Child a year 
old, the Liver enfissured, it looked like a boiled Liver, and the Spleen 
was so too ; when the Liver was cut, much water ran out. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 36. in the Liver dried, where a Jaundice was cou- 
pled with a Dropsie, could find no fissures ; as Fernelius did write : In- 
deed there is scarce a like affection of the Bowels in any one Disease 
exctly in two persons. 
Plater. Obs. Med. pag. 635 & 648 found two Hydropicks Livers 
enfissured, and cracked, and in those cracks were bladders of water; 
and outwardly did stick to the Liver bladders of water, which broke, 
and emptied themselves into the hollow of the Belly, and closed up, 
and filled again; the Spleen was vitiated after another manner, the Gall 
had stones in it, the Kidneys had holes, or were perforated. 
VIII. In some Hydropicks the Liver was found stony, or fun- 
gous. 
Tho. Bartholin. Cent. 3. Obs. 37. found the Liver livid and scirrhous, 
and then the Spleen was large, and filled with Blood, as if it did the 
Office of the Liver. 
In one part of the Liver a fungous did grow to it, and somewhat was 
concrete therein, the Spleen within vitiated, and the Veins and Ab- 
domen full of water; Womb white and thick, like an Egg for bigness. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 667 A Boy died of an Inflation, no water found in 
him, the Guts were involved, and contorted, like an Ihack-passion ; 
and in some wind was so much, that it broke forth with violence; in 
other Guts, Worms with Dung did distend, the Liver was found cor- 
rupted, stony, and gravelly ; the Spleen less then it should be, and 
Lungs affixed to the side. 
Jaco-

A Tractate of DROPSIES 129.
Jacobus Camenicenus, in one of his Epistles to Matthiolus writes, He
found in a Dropsical Cadaver the Liver large and black, the Veins sto-
ny, or full of small stones, which did outwardly look black, but broken 
were inwardly yellow; the passage which goes from the bladder of Gall  
to the Intestines, was slopped with a stone : This might be the cause 
the Jaundice that this man had, long before his Dropsie. 
Johannes Schenkius Obs. Med. pag. 395. shews Examples of Stones 
in the Liver, which do not always cause Dropsies alone, but sometimes 
Jaundices, and sometimes other grievous Symptoms and Affects, dif- 
fering from these, having often death at end. 
Next we shall come to declare the faults of the Spleen in Dropsies:
The Spleen as well as the Liver, Kidneys, and other parts, is found just 
so, or otherwise affected, more grievously than in the Dropsie, and yet 
no Dropsie, but other evils arise therefrom; therefore it is hard to say 
what Bowel causes a Dropsie, or what particular affect of that Bowel 
doth it; since when it is so affected in others , other distempers arise 
therefrom : the qualities in all matter, as we have sufficiently demon- 
strated in our Book of qualities, in our Physiology, Jatrosophy and Pneu
matography give the motion and alteration to all Bodies, specially as 
they are influenced upon by the Air, altered by the qualities of the 
Stars.
Platerus and also Tulpius, Riverius, Barthol. &c. found the Liver, 
Spleen, and Reins the most conjoyned in suffering, or corruption; yet 
in some Dropsies, both Liver and Spleen are safe, and in others , both 
Liver, Spleen and Kidneys. 
I. The Spleen is fissured or cloven, and Bladders of water stick in 
those sometimes, sometimes to the outward sides, and sometimes both, 
Plater. Obs. 635.
Though the Liver, Spleen, and Reins are conjoyned in being af- 
fected together, yet rarely are they found affected alike, but one vi- 
tiated in one manner, another in another. 
II. The Spleen was corrupted in one Hydropick, it looked like Tar, 
or Pix liquida, and the Liver was found, Riverius, Obs. Commun. pag. 315.
III. The Alteration of form in the Spleen was found in one Hydro- 
pick, a Child ; the Spleen was filled with water huge big, it did grow 
to the left Kidney, and there it received its water; it had three ap- 
pendices to it , Th. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. 
It grew out both in length and latitude : Pet. Paw. Anatom. 5. 
IV. Swelling is coincident to the Spleen, as well in Dropsies as 
other Affects and Sicknesses.
R Tho. 

130 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
Tho. Barth. cent. Obs. 25. it was Apostemated, and crushed, Puru- 
lent matter did ouse forth. 
Pet. Paw. observed it very hard in an old woman, and hugely large : 
also Obs. 13. it was so swelled, it weighed three pound. 
Tulpius. lib. 2. Obs. 35. found the Spleen swelled in one that 
seemed to have much wind, or a Tympany in conjunction therewith ;he 
voided much blood upwards and downwards, without question from his 
Spleen ; with this Extumescence of the Spleen,the Liver looked rotted, 
the Intestines blasted, or corrupted in look ; one Kidney was putrid ;
thirty pints of water were in the Capacity of the Abdomen. 
V. Contrary to swelling of the Spleen, is the wasting, which is found 
partly a Cause of Dropsies as well as the swelling of it, and both these 
in other persons are found in other Diseases. 
Th. Barth. Cent. I. Histor. 2. and C. 3. Obs. 83. found in two Hydropicks 
the Spleen wasted and very small. And Pet. Pawus Obs. 29. one Hydro- 
pick that had fifty six pints of water, the Liver, Spleen and Reins were 
all quite wasted : and Obs 31. in a general Dropsie he found the Liver 
and Spleen again wasted away. 
It was wasted or dried away in a dry Dropsie, where the Liver was 
corrupted, and had stones in it, Plater. Obs. Extub. lib. 3. 
Both the Liver and Spleen have been found in some absolutely con- 
sumed, I mean the Spleen in one, and Liver in another; it was thought 
they never had any, however the Dropsie did not follow in all these : see 
Johnston. Thaumatographia Cap. de Hepate & Liene, and Schenk. de Hep. in 
his collected Observations. 
Next we will shew the Diseases of the Kidneys, or how they are 
found in Dropsies, and so they are found in other Sicknesses , where is 
no collection of water; and as they are variously found in other Sick- 
nesses so also in other Dropsies, for every new dissected Person hath 
somewhat differing or new in his Bowels. 
I. Quite wasted. P. Paw. Obs. 29. the Kidneys were quite wasted, with 
the Liver, Spleen and Omentum in one woman. 
II. Figure of the Kidneys changed : Plater. Obs. page 650. One 
that had an Hernia and Dropsie,, most parts were firm, the Liver and 
Spleen grew to the Peritonæum, the Liver inwardly corrup:ed ; the 
Kidneys changed in Figure like those of horned Beasts. 
III. Exulcerated and perforated : Plater. Obs. pag. 647. the Liver and 
Spleen were safe, the Kidneys perforated, and Bladders of water did 
cleave thereto, pouring out Serum into the hollow of the Belly, and the 
Mesentery, Caul and Lungs were corrupted ; most likely the water from 
the


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 131
the Kidneys corrupted them, But the like reason is not to be given for 
all; that that holds good in one will not in another: if the restagnating 
water did corrupt the Mesentery and Caul, and also Lungs that are  
more distant, why not the Liver and Spleen, more in the midst of 
the water?
The Kidneys were black and perforated, a Finger might be thrust in- 
to their holes, the Gall full of Stones, Liver cleft, and had bladders 
of yellow water, Spleen also vitiated in another manner: see Plat. 
Obs. pag. 648.
Before we have, as conjoyned in affect, mentioned the Reins with 
the Liver and Spleen; and we may hereafter occasionally , as we find 
them vitiated with other parts, mention more of them ; being loth to 
write things several times over, except very consultedly ; The Kidneys 
are the Channels to convey, and have the faculty given to draw water, 
and where they have no great visible labefacation , yet not drawing 
and separating Urine they may cause a Dropsie. Every like draws its 
like, the greater the lesse ; the Lungs draw Air, or Wind; the Gall, 
Choler; the Spleen, grosse fæculent blood , being of such a matter it 
self, and the Kidneys, Serum or water ; now if any of these fail in their 
office, man is burdened with that humour, that is not separated from 
the Blood, and cast off by the Conduits of Nature , and perhaps in 
one it turns whayish, in another, vermifies, in another, petrifies, in 
another putrifies, in another ferments, &c. and perhaps little altera- 
tion is found in the Parevchjma of the bowell: fometime though the 
office is depraved or abolished, God that appointed diverse aliene and 
hetrogenious humours to be in our Blood, and generated by our Diet, 
appointed divers parts to separate or carry off these aliene humours ; 
or because he had made divers parts in mans Body of such faculties (for 
they exist for no other use) he ordained Excrements to encrease, to make 
these parts useful: and so indeed is the whole Creation made one for 
another, and one depending upon another; and all Contraries make 
one harmonious Fabrick. 
Next, as a considerable part in causing, or in being vitiated in Drop- 
sies, comes the Mesentery. 
I. Which was wasted in one Hydropick, with the Omentum, and 
the fat Tunicle of the Reins was dried, and these were folded up to- 
gether ; and pieces of Fat along the Guts did cleave on gobbets, that 
probably might be melted from the aforesaid parts: but the chief Cause 
of this Dropsie was the perforation of the Kidneys, letting out the Se- 
rum or Water into the Belly, also the Bladder, Platerus, Obs0erv. pag. 647.
R2 II. Con-

132 A Tractate of DROPSIES.  
II. Contrary to wasting, it was found swelled in one, Nic. Tulp. lib. 
2. Obs. 34. saw dissected : Indeed there is nothing but variety, and 
the whole Cause of the Dropsie in this party was the Mesentery ; other 
parts were not corrupted, not did the water lie loose in the capacity, or 
hollow of the Belly, as commonly it doth ; but to the quantity of twen- 
ty pints lay in distinct and distinguished bladders, all held in one Tu- 
mour, or complicated in one bunch within the Mesentery ; this Drop- 
sie was three years encreasing. 
III. Apostemations of the Mesentery are found in Dropsies : Tulp. 
lib. 2. Obs. 32. A woman swelling gradually, for long time, was thought 
with Child, but afterward it appeared a Dropsie, she died : dissected, it 
was found that too great Steatomata of the Mesentery did so press the 
Uterus together, that she could not bear: one of these Apostems was void 
of putrefaction, the other being broke or cut, poured forth much water 
and corruption into the Belly. 
IV. The Mesentery was coloured with a livid and adust colour, in 
one that died of a Dropsie, where the Gall was stopped, Petrus Pawus, 
Obs. Anatom. 28. 
Most that Physicians have writ and talked of, is, obstruction of the 
Meseraick Veins, which is seldom or never found, they did so go aguess 
at things, and miss of Truth; the Mesentery is commonly affected, 
and the Cause of many Griefs we little imagine, following Tradition 
in Practices of Physick. It may be subject to twenty kindes of altera- 
tion, and yet the Antients guessed at one or two that happen the sel- 
domest, and are the slightest, for any thing I can find. 
Next we shall relate how the Gall is found in Dropsies : both of that 
and the Mesentery we hinted divers things in the affects of the Liver 
and Spleen aforegoing. The Gall is partly a Cause of Dropsies, spe- 
cially,as it being stopped makes a yellow humour (that it should separate 
and cast off to the Intestines) regurgitate upon, and spoil and corrupt 
the Liver, to which it is appendent. 
I, Pet. Pawns, Obs. 28. Swelling of the Gall is found , many yel- 
low and dirty stones were therein ; the Liver stony, scirrhous and yel- 
low. 
Plat. Obs pag. 647. The-Gall was swelled, and very large, its Neck 
was filled with Water and Choler; this and the perforation of the Kid- 
neys were the Cause. 
II. Stones are found in the Gall, as in the Obs. of P. Paw. 
Plater.pag.648.Many stones and other vices were found in the Gall o£ 
a certain Hydropical woman.


A Tracate of DROPSIES. 133 
Jacobus Camenicenus Epist. ad Matthiolum mentions a stone that was 
found stopping the passage of the Gall to the Intestines, where the sick 
for long time had a Jaundice before his Dropsie. 
Next follows somewhat to be said of the Middriff, or Diaphrag- 
ma. 
Petrus Pawus in two women, at two several times opened, that died 
with Dropsies ; found the Midriff (where the Liver, Spleen, and Reins 
were wasted and consumed) with some difference, in both made hol- 
low and holey, and eaten as it were with a Sphacelus. 
Next the Caul or Omentum comes ; It was wasted in an old woman, 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 83. Also quite wasted away in Christopher 
Raphelengius, P. Paw. obs. 28. yet nothing else wasted with it ; but in Obs. 
Anatom. 29. the Liver , Spleen and Kidneys were wasted with it; and 
if onely being sopped in water was the Cause of its wasting away, why 
is it not wasted in other Hydropicks ? and why alone ? and why some- 
time other parts are wasted, and not the Caul ? yet I scarce believe the 
Caul to be any primary Cause of Dropsies. 
Plat. Obs. pag. 647. found that, and the Mesentery, and the fat Tu- 
nicle of the Kidneys wasted, but the remains of them were folded up 
together. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Omentum, with the Peritonæum 
or Rim, putrified, and fell in pieces like dirt. 
Also P. Parvus, Obs. 19. found the Peritonæum and Caul quite putrid, 
onely a Membrane, which he thought to be the Reliques, with many 
nervous filiaments appendent; to which did adhere many bladders of 
water, that, being crushed, poured out Serum into the Belly. 
Of the Rim of the Belly, or Peritonæum, we have little to write; 
It is related with other things of greater concernment. 
River. in Obs. Communic. p. 286. found in a Dropsie the Peritonæum 
grown to the Stomach.. 
Next the Pancreas or Sweet-bread is to be spoke of; But that being 
inconsiderable, we may speak, somewhat of it in another place. 
Bladder remains. P. Paw. Obs.9. saw no remains of it, it was quite 
consumed. 
Plater. in Obs Med. found where the Belly was swelled with water, 
and Urine was stopped, that the Bladder had been distended, and was
in- 


134 A Tractate of DROPSIES. 
inwardly broke, and had poured out the Water, or Urine, into the 
Belly. 
The Uterus or Matrice, in a general Dropsie, was found by Joannes 
Posthius, absolutely corrupted; and nothing else he relates to be the 
Cause, but the Liver somewhat faulty; she was recovered, and then 
relapsed, and died ; See more of this business hereafter, in particular 
Dropsies. 
The Intestines are in divers Hydropicks found altered, in look espe- 
cially. 
Scholiagr. ad cap. 39. lib. 1. Holler. de Morb. Writes that the Inte- 
stines were syderated, or blasted and corrupted, as if sphacelated ; and 
the humour that did distend the Belly, was very bloody ; and he relates 
no other Cause of the Dropsie in this person. 
Next the Veins may give Reason for somewhat to be said there- 
of. 
Tho. Bartholinus, Cent. 4. Obs. 25. found the Veins in a Noble Ma- 
tron filled with water, and poured it out into the Belly; they were all 
complicated or folded in a Membrane, and had adjoyned three Vesicles 
or large Bladders filled with water. 
And Platerus, in one that died of a Rupture as well as Dropsie, 
where the Liver and Spleen did firmly grow to the Peritonæum, and the 
Belly full of yellow stinking water, the Veins were full of water, espe- 
cially the Vena Umbilicalis, and the Scrotum was like a bag of wa- 
ter. 
Some have experienced this; they fast a Dog two or three days, then 
he drinks largely water; then they choak him, and cut him open, and 
find the Veins exceedingly distended : I suppose the Emulgents, I was 
not told which. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. found in one three emulgent Veins, and three 
emulgent Arteries. 
But the Heart and Lungs surely deserve to be spoken of ere these;
but because they are in an upper Ventricle, and seperated by a Mem- 
brane from the Bowels that lie most in the water, we omitted them 
till now. 
Some now adayes think the heart must be the Cause of Dropsies be- 
cause the chief Instrument of Sanguification; but their prepossessed
Conceptions must vail to Experience ; We should think nothing to be 
so

A Tractate of DROPSIES. 135
so, till we find it by Experience: Of all the Bowels, the Heirt is the 
least corrupted in Dropsies. 
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3. Obs. 81. It was void of blood ; in a Child a year 
old, the Heart did swim in the Pericardium that was full of wa- 
ter. 
Plater. did indeed finde it loose and flaccid in one or two, and a bone 
in it, in one Hydropick. But very little alteration is in the Heart, as in 
the other inferiour Bowels, therefore that causes and suffers the 
least.
Of the Lungs in general Dropsies, these things are observed; 
In a Dropsie with a Phthsick, the Lungs were rather drie then moist ; 
the right Lung grew to the side, Tho. Earth. Cent. 2. Obs. 37. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 13. They grew almost in a hundred places fast to the 
Pleura and Ribs. 
Platerus, pag. 647. found the Lungs, in a general Dropsie, inequal- 
ly coloured, and in part vitiated ; water was in the Thorax, and yet Li- 
ver and Spleen found. 
In a pure Tympany with a Convolvulus, Platerus found the Lungs 
corrupted, and grown to the Side, the Liver had stones in it, and the 
Spleen was wasted. 
We will now shew a few Examples of the Method of Nature in ma- 
king Bladders, Blisters or Vesicles to hold water where the Parenchyma of 
any Bowel is pestered therewith, either through moist aliament, or stop- 
ing of the right passage of that water by the Kidneys, and so regurgitating 
upon this part or that ; or else the blood is waterish, and throws it off 
there ; or else the part is apostemated, and the blood turns to water ; 
in this Case, Nature ordains bladders to grow, to contain the superflu- 
ous moisture in these Bowels : and because it is so frequent and fami- 
liar, as we have shewn already by many Examples, we may look upon it 
as the Rule, or a Method in Nature ; yet as often exsuperating water 
gets no bladders to hold it in. Yet if the Antients had wrote of Wa- 
ter-bladders in the Body of Man, their Causes, Signes, Differences, 
Prognosticks and Cures, they had done somewhat of reality and mo- 
ment, and might have exhibited one of Natures Rules, giving there- 
withal large exception, and diversities. 
Plater. pag. 635. found Bladders of water affixed to the Superficies of 
the Liver, some small, some as big as Hens Eggs. 
And pag. 648. The liver was cleft, (even as we have seen the Kid-
ney of a Calf, and Bladders of water therein) and in those clefts little 
bladders of water. 
Johannes

136 A Tractate of DROPSIES.
Johannes Acholizius in Epist. found no water in the hollow of the 
Belly, nor Wind, but here and there many bladders of water growing 
to divers parts, and fat also was in the parties Body; she had no swelling 
of the Legs, but lived in great pains. 
Cordæus in his Comment, upon Hippocrates, found many bladders of 
water kicking both within and without to the Bowels, of all sorts, but 
no water was in the hollow of the Belly, that did cause distenion, the 
Heart had also bladders of water affixed to it, so the Liver, Stomack 
and Intestines. 
Tulp. lib. 2. Obs. 34. found the Mesentery weigh twenty pounds, 
onely filled with bladders of water, all conglomerated in one, no 
water in the Belly, no part hutt. Ozia Aimar in his fifteenth Observation 
communicated to Lazarus River. shewes how an Hydropick had an 
Abscesse in the right part of his Abdomen, and out of it came an in- 
numerable company of little bladders, filled with water, they issued 
out diverse dayes to the number of two hundred ; and this, saith he, is 
the lesse strange, since Schenkius relates that one Hydropick dissected 
had many bladders filled with water sticking to the Perltenaum and 
other parts : see Schenkius, pag. 413. and pag. 392, and 395. brings ma- 
ny more examples, but it is needless here to recken up more witnesses:
But these bladders of water more or fewer, greater or lesse, are often 
found sticking in, or unto all sorts of Bowels, where there is no 
Dropsie; and sometimes they swell so much they break, and pour the 
water into the hollow of the belly, and so distend it, healing up and 
filling again, and sometimes they do not break, or pour forth any water, 
though many and great. 
Next it will be requisite to shew how that the Liver, in many general 
Dropsies, is not vitiated at all, and how it is vitiated and corrupted in 
many very much, & after the manners and measures here afore related, 
and yet no Dropsie : also we shall shew that the Spleen, Kidneys, Heart, 
Mesentery, Gall, Pancreas, Omentum, Diaphragma, &c. if there be 
more, are affected in other Diseases, or worse, after the manner here 
afore related in Dropsies. From what hath preceded the Reader may 
see much hereof, or tending to this purpose and in our Monitory Proæmi- 
um to the Readers we have given the reasons thereof. 
In a general Dropsie, Tho. Barth. Cent. 1. Obs. 2. found the Liver un- 
hurt, and Cent. 3. Obs. 83. it was found, neither Scirrh nor Putrescence 
in it, onely the flesh of it looser then ordinary. 
River. Obs. Com. pag. 315. Liver was safe, but Spleen corrupted and 
like Tar. Riolanus, then in his Anatomy was mistook to say what ever 
part


A Tractate of DROPSIES. 137
part was ill affected or corrupted in a Dropsie, to be sure the Liver was 
as the chief Cause. 
Plat. pag. 648. The Liver and Spleen both safe in a great Dropsie, 
though many other parts and Kidneys were corrupted, and perforated, 
pouring the Serum into the Belly. 
Schenk in obs .Med.pag.4.l4.. the Liver being found, a Dropsiee arose 
from the vitiated Testicles in a Woman , other parts also being safe : 
there is no part alwayes altered in each Hydropick, and there is none of 
the Bowels of the Abdomen or Thorax, but in some, and at sometime 
are egregiously corrupted. 
Nay in one Hydropick, both the Liver, Spleen, Kidneys,lntestines 
Mesentery,Gall, Bladder, and Uterus were safe, and onely the Heart 
sound flagging, the Stomack corrupted, and the Peritonuem , and the 
Duadenum Gut amisse
Now we will shew that all these things happen to all these parts a
foresaid,after that or a worse manner and measure,and yet no Dropsie,or 
Collection of water distending the Belly or Body, any where, followes.
Johannes Bilgerus, Epistol ad Gr.H, saw Bladders of water affixed 
to the Kidneys and Liver, where was no appearance of any Dropsie, 
alive. 
Plater, pag. 635. saw Bladders of water , sometimes more, some- 
times fewer, lesse and greater, some as big as Hens Eggs,assixed to the 
Liver in cachecticks, where was no extuberance of the Belly or othe 
tokens of a Dropsie. 
The Liver was found hard, swelled, and stony, and growing to the 
sides,and the Spleen ill affected in one,where was no Dropsie. 
Pet, Paw. Obs. Anat. 27. found an Ulceration of the Liver, in 
Gibba parte, half an Urne of corruption poured forth, and yet no 
Dropsie. 
And Obs.19. It looked burnt, crushed, it fell into putrifaction, the 
Heart was dried up, and much wasted , and Lungs bound to the Side, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
So hardness,adnascence, putredo, &c is found in the Spleen , where 
the Liver also is ill affected, and yet no Dropsie. 
Pet. Paw. Obs. 14. found the Pancreas grown to the hollow of the 
Liver and hardened like a stone, and Obs. 16. the Pancreas was hard- 
ned and grew to the Liver and Stomach and Vena Porta, the Liver 
was also grown to the right Side, the Diaphragma and Spleen amisse, and 
yet no collection of, or distension from water or wind. 
Also the same Obs l4 and 19. of Anatymes : found the Heart swim 
in a virulent water in one, and in another it was dried up like a Pear,
had S 

132 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
had no Succulency in It, hung slacking, and the Liver was putrifled too, 
and yet no Dropsie. 
Joannes Schenkius may satisfie any farther, he hath collected many 
observations to that purpose, as may be seen de Liene,pag.407,498. de 
Epate,vel jerere,pag. 388,and 389.de Mesenterio,pag.385,386,and 387. 
de Veftex fellea, pag. 401,402.403, and 404. de Renibus, pag. 439,440, 
and 441. de Corde, 256,257,258, and 259. ad 262.
Schenkius by these may save us a labour , whither we refer the 
Reader.
We have hinted before somewhat of particular Dropsies, we will 
here treat a little thereof a part: We related a Dropsie of the Legs,and 
Hands,to which we may here add a Dropsie of the Throat, found in one 
in Skenk Obs.and a Dropsie of the Head, of which, as I remember, 
Gul.Fab.Hild. or Foreflus, faith,He found eighteen Pints of water in the 
forehead of one Hydrocephalos. The Breast and Lungs have peculiar 
Dropsies , though they are often distended with water in general 
Dropsies. 
Petrus Pave. Obs. Anatom. 29. knew a Woman reputed Hydropical, 
she was three Ells in compasse; dying, and being dissected, the cause 
was found to be a Mola, or rude lump of many Scirrhous Condylo- 
mata in the Uterus ; she had also water in Cavo Abdominis, and Obs. 31.
in another Woman thirty four years old , a suspected Dropsie , was 
found a Mola like coagulated matter, it looked like Honey and did 
distend the Uterus. 
Horstius Epist. Med. Sect.5. A Woman suppofed to have a Dropsie of 
the Uterus, was opened ; the Uterus .weighed eighty seven pound, it was 
full of hair,and woolly Fibra's in a fat matter,and yellow Ichor. 
Two observations are extant of two Hydropical Women dissected, 
that the Testiculi, or Testes muliebres, were found the Cause, and no 
other Cause, the rest of the bowels being safe; Schenkius quotes one, 
Obs. Medic, pag.4.14. and Gulielmus Fabriuus Hildanus, in Efifl. ano- 
ther ; the right Testicle alone, in this last, was affected; it was found 
full of hairy Fibrous matter ; and twenty measures of water ran forth 
of her Belly. 
In a particular Dropsie of the Breast, the Lungs have been found 
wasted, the Pericardium filled with water, the Heart flaccid, and big-, 
ger then ordinary, filled with black blood. 
The Heart, in one, wanted the Pericardion; all the bowels were 
grown over with fat, in it was black blood, and the right Auricle Was 
like an Aneurisma, Tho, Baribol, Cent,4 obs.20.
Johan

A Tractate of Dropsies 139.
Johan. Bilgerus in Epist. ad Gr. Horstium, relates how one was very 
short-breathed for four years, encreafing by degrees, being light at 
first ; and suddenly dying unexpectedly, was dissected ; it was found 
a Dropsie of the Thorax ; the Lungs swam in water, they had outward- 
ly many black spots, and divers Colours; and being cut, from within 
there issued out black blood; the water was much in quantity, and 
green in Colour, and rushed out impetuously upon the Section. 
Of the CURE of a Dropsie.
The Cure of a Dropsie is as various as the Signs and Causes; for one 
is curable, another not; and he that is curable , differs from another 
in the way of method he must be cured in, as well as particular 
Medicines. 
I. We shall say somewhat of the chief and most successful quality in 
Medicines, and that is, a Diuretick force: Diureticks, as we have well 
observed, are most generally helpful; and those Purgers that, withall, 
do move Urine ; for it is contrary to Nature to expel redundant Serum 
by the Guts, the faculty of the Kidneys, Emulgents and Ureters must 
be excited; purging of weakens Nature, not carryes forth the Dis- 
ease: but nothing is so bad, that helps not some; nor any thing so ex- 
cellent, that will cure all: and I have known in divers Hydropicks, 
as well as other Sicknesses, one simple vulgar Medicine hath done 
more then Methods of Bleeding, Sweating, Purging, Vomiting, and 
Opening. 
Juyce of our Flow-dc-luce-Roots helped one in two or three dayes, 
not helped by other Medicines; the Lee of Broome Ashes, another; 
Horsradish, one Rustick did boast,would cure all ; and another Woman 
helped divers with common Sambucus; Another I know, uses Broom 
Beer : almost so many Hydropical persons, so many Medicines; but 
they try often times divers Medicines, ere they light on that they think 
cures ; but the inward disposition of the body, and lucky time, accord- 
ing to the Stars, when that Medicine was given, is to be considered. 
I found best success in a Drink of Orris, Danewort, Cort, Sambuci,
Saldonella , Guaiacum, Juniper-Berries, Wood-Nightshade , with 
Liquorish and caraway feed: and Platerus ( who indeed used the best 
Medicine to cure the Dropsie, of any I read) used such like, Obs. 632, 
633. He cured two cam decocto Sambuci,Iridis,Dulcamaræ,& Absinthii* 
And pag 634. he cured one with an apozem of Senna , Orris, Ebulus, 
Absinth, and sem carni. A fourth he cured with Rob Sambuci, ebuli, and 
spirit of Juniper, pag.633 and pag 637 a Gravid Woman, windy, as
we 52

140 A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Well as Hydropical, he cured with decost.R. Ebuli, Sambuci & red Docks. 
Pag. 639  he cured with Rheubarb, Saldonella, Orris Hedera Terrena 
Petrofelinum, Bitter-sweet, Elderne and Wormwood : Pag.639, an In- 
fusion of Flower-de-luce-Roots, Enula, Ebulus, Sambucus, Hore- 
hound, Absinth, Hedera, in Wine drunk for three dayes, gave huge 
relief, and the Belly fell; so 653, he cured another. 
River, in Obs. often used Decoctions, or Powders of Cychory, As- 
paragus, Bruscus, Agrimonia, Adianthum, Ceterach, Pimplnella ; but 
these come short of Platerus his Simples afore-related : Cent.i,Obs.7o. 
Cent.2.0bs.65.and 67. cured Hydropicals with Openers. 
We were told of one cured alone with Wormwood ; Diureticks com- 
monly do open,and most Openers have some Diuretick force with them, 
for the provoking of Urine is most effectual. 
Decoction of Bruscus Roots cured one, in a Months time , River. 
C.3. obs.4. Juyce of Orris another in twice or thrice taking ; and we 
have heard the same in the County of Northampton, of one so sudden- 
ly cured thereby, far gone, that Purges, but chiefly Urine, Pla- 
ter. 634. 
One Dram of the bones of Animals given for a Month in white 
Wine and Juyce of Parsly cured one, River. Obs Com. p. 327. but the 
white Wine and Parsly might do most. Flints made red hot, and often 
extinguished in white Wine, and that drunk, did cure, River Obser. 
Com. pag. 369. and Salt of Millipedes is praised. 
Paulus Renealmus. Obs, 29. with the use of the Decoction of Male 
Feme Roots , cured one Droplie, coupled with a Quartane ; but he 
gave a Chymical Febrisick Powder first for the Ague. 
Avicen. Cap. Curatio. Ascitidis, relates one hugely swelled, that eat 
abundance of Pomegranates, and was cured ; these were binding, but 
their sharpness might provoke Urine ; they were cool, but many Drop- 
sies are hot, wherefore Schenkius: Obs. Medic, pag. 419. relates some 
Histories of those that were cured by drinking much cold water, when 
in others it causeth the Dropsie.
A Juvantibus & nocentus optima desumitur indicatio : From those 
things that help, and those that hurt, we may judge of the cause; and 
Christopher a Vega cured one Hydropick by Epithemes to the Liver, 
of Juyce of Endive,Cychory and Vinegar ; this was a flight business, 
yet it is questionable, if they did it by cooling ; for Cychory being bit- 
ter, is held hot. 
I have known Plantane help some ; that is not likely, to have any 
Spirituous hot pans in it ; yet Sennert.Epitom. Scientia Naturali,p.648
faith, Plantane hath amixt force both of binding and cleaning: For this 
and

A Tractate of Dropsies 141 
and Pomegranate* are very binding, and so is Oake Bark, with the De- 
coction of which one Hydropick was cured. 
It was related to me, that a Gentlemans man being much swelled, 
was told that Guaiacum was excellent for a Dropsie; he therefore took 
one of his Masters Bowls, and either boyled or powdered it, and was 
cured by it; his Matter afterward missing his Bowl, it was ingenuosly 
confessed, That his Man had took it for his Dropsie; the Matter seeing
his Man cured, and as they attested, by that, forgave him. It is held 
drying, but there is no such thing in Nature, but it must expel moisture 
by Sweat, insensible Transpiration, or Urine, for nothing wasts; in- 
deed Gum Tragacanth and Litharge will absorb Liquor into their bodies, 
but this doth not so. Frogs or Toads, (they differ in Colour, and 
crawling, and perhaps in Quality,) are praised for the Dropsie : 
Forestus, lib. ip.Obs. 35. praiseth Frogs and Toads both inwardly and 
outwardly to provoke Urine in Hydropicks ; the Kidneys are anointed 
with an Oyl, wherein they are boyled, so Libavlus .lib .2. Batrachorum, 
Cap.20. and Solenander Consil.Med.Sect.5.p.15. 
And wieruslib.3. Cap. 35. of the Deceits of the Devil, relates first 
the use of Land Toads ; A man lived miserably possessed with a Drop- 
sie, had spent his Means ; his Wife, seeing her Husband likely to die, 
and if he lived longer, he would spend all, got Toads, dryed them in 
an Oven,. and gave him the Powder and this set him a making water, 
largely, and instead of ending, was a mending to him.
II. Of Purges ; And first, River. found them successful in three 
Patients, mixed with Openers; one of them had the Purgers mixed 
with their Openers in a Masse, as Diarrhodon, Steel, Rhubarb, Aga- 
rick, &c.
I know one that hugely praiseth Steel, Rhubarb, Manna, and Syrup 
of Roses mixed together, to take dayly of; and one at hugely 
swelled, and his Scrotum like a bag, was cured hereby, by a Ladyes 
Direction; and it hath helped others; but the Rhubarb and Steel do 
the business. 
Riv.Cent.3.Obs.8 found a purging Clyster do good; but commonly 
they will not: in three he found purging Medicines do good, and they 
were delivered : he gave great Doses of Scamony , and Calomelanos 
Turqueti, or Mercurtus Dulcis ; Cent.2.obs.94.Cent.3 obs.16 mind 86. 
but commonly strong Purgers do harm; the Bowels are often wasted,or 
exulcerated,or corrupted ; Elaterium is most commended. 
Paul. Renealmus, Obs. 166. cured one that had an Ascitis, with a 
Leueophlegmatia, for two years, with a Stomachical Chymical Powder,
that

142 A Tracate of Dropsies. 
that wrought upwards and downwards, and cured in four days; And 
Ohs. 122. He cured one in eight days with a Chymical vomiting
Powder; it wrought both ways : He also gave the Decoction of Straw- 
berries, and Spirit of mercury; the Party for divers months had a 
Leucophlegmatia, with an ascites, and Languishing. 
III. For bleeding :we knew it very bad in one,and a large swelling 
from wind or inflation,increased, and the party died. Lax. Riverius let 
blood in two or three Dropsies, and did well; also in one Tympany, 
Cent. 3. Obs. 86. Bleeding commonly is not good, but in any Disease 
it may be proper or improper, as the cause of the Evil is, and the qua- 
lification of the Body in which it is. 
IV. Sweating is very available; we have known it. 
Jo. Schenkius, obs.pag.420. by a natural or spontaneous sweat one 
was cured.
Tho. Barth. Cent. 3, obs. 23. A young man Several times had the 
Dropsie, his Skin was pellucid, naturally, not by any Art ; he sweat 
out water fo that all his Linnen was wet ; it run through his Skin, as 
water ouses through a doth, when strained; Several times he did this 
critically evacuate, yet the water gathered again, and his natural Spi- 
rits and strength declined, and he died. 
V. Concerning Vomiting, we recited two Observations out of Re* 
nealmus; one Woman with Child drank much cold water, was hydropi- 
pical; a Chymical vomiting powder brought up three pints of water, 
and water went by seigh for two days, and health followed , P, Reneal. 
Ohs. 146. 
The same Powder,a little altered with small additions, cured two 
other Hydropicks, working Sharply upwards and downwards. 
c.Marcellus Donatus, lib. 4. de Histor. Medica. Mirabili, relates how 
one was cured by vomiting on Natures own accord, no Medicament 
took. 
But another from Nicolus, Serm. 5. Tract.5. Cap. 15. died in vehe- 
ment Vomiting, that happened in his Dropsie.
Jo. Schenkius pag. 420. writes how one was observed from being 
Sea-sick, to vomit, and that Vomiting cured his Dropsie.
We have experienced nothing of it: In any Sickness, if the Sto- 
mach is stopped or oppressed. Vomiting may do well ; and if the Sto- 
mach is clear, and not affected, Vomiting is unnecessary in most dis-
eases;it  may bring up much raw Flegm, if not water, in some Hydro-
picks

A TraUate of Dropsies. 143 
picks ; yet because it is very sick Physick, certain to make sick, and un- 
certain to make well, it is to be superfeded in most Dropsies.
VI. Dyet: We have heard of some,and River. Obs. relates others, 
and Schenk more, that were delivered of Dropsies, onely abstaining 
from drink, and some from all potable Aliment. 
Nicolus,Serm. 5. Cap. 25. One was cured by Dyet, void of moisture, 
and Diuretick Parfly was put in exenterated Fowls he ate roasted, he 
ate Bisket, and drank a little Wine after it, and drank no more all day, 
except by chance,and then Wine was mixed with Water ; and another 
hugely swelled,was so cured; but this is not to be trusted to commonly. 
VII. We shall promiscuously in the next place shew divers strange 
wayes, and unusual means, whereby some have been cured of the Drop- 
sie, and most of them accidentally, and on Natures accord : Nature 
endeavours to free her self, and call out her Enemy; yet if the inward 
parts are corrupted, though she vents the water by Holes, Apostems, 
Bladders, &c. the party often dies. 
An Abscess from Nature opened in the right side of the Abdomen, 
and many bladders of water ran forth for divers days; the Sick was cu- 
red, River. Obs. Commnus. ult, 
Rhasis, Cent, 21, A woman with a Womb-Dropsie, being a washing 
Clothes stoutly over a Tub, buckling down often, avoided, per uterum, 
many pints of water, and was delivered. 
Schenk,418. One by dayly Labour, another by Nature were healed : 
And 420. another by natural sweat, and another by being Sea-sick, cu- 
red : By a wound given by one in anger in the belly, the Water of one 
Hydropick ran forth, and was healed. 
Another was burnt by chance in the Thigh, there arose a blister, and 
brake, and dayly the water vented thereby, and did cure. 
Ex præcisis unguibus essuens aqua curatus est unus. 
In two Asciticks Nature opened an hole in their Navils,water ran out 
dayly gradually, and they were healed; In another a bladder arose in: 
the Navil, water ran out by it, and the party was healed. 
Nature spontaneously made an Orifice betwixt the Peritoneum and 
Muscles of the belly, from whence two hundred bladders of Water 
were drawn forth. See Schenks Collett. Obs. pag. 420, 421, 422. 
Valerlola, lib. 4. Obs. 3. Nature opened the Navil of one, and wa- 
ter ran out gradually and dayly, and the Diseased recovered. 


144  A Tractate of Dropsies. 
Plater. Obs. pag. 650. faith, Blisters or Ulcers spontaneosly opening 
in the Feet or Scrotum do pour out much water, sometimes dayly, and 
easeth the Sick, yet often the Spirits languish, and death follows. 
Water ran forth by the Feet of one, and he was healed, Schenk, 
pag. 420. 
A Vesicatory applied to one, set the water a running, which did con- 
tinue till the party was healed, River. Obs. Com. page 323. 
And Marcell. Donatus,pag. 420. brings the like Examples. 
An Hebrew Physician opened the Scrotum of one Hydropick, swelled 
as big as ones head, dayly the water ran out to eight or ten Ounces, yet 
he died, his inward parts likelily being corrupted, Tulpius, lib. 2. 
Ohs. 39. 
paracentesis and Blisters made in the Legs by Cauteries, Tulp. lib. 2. 
obs. 39. condemns by two or three Examples. Sometimes the Belly 
sinks, and they breathe better, yet die soon languishing, though the 
water is gradually drawn out ; but where by Paracentesis it is let out by 
a tap on heaps, they sometimes die suddenly, all the Bowels sink and 
fall down, the water that used to support them, being suddenly gone; 
it may be compared to Child-bed-Women. 
Plat. Obs. Med. pag. 646. Blisters gave ease, but they looked black 
at last and the Party died. Secret Gangrenes kill some that way. 
A Noble Matron, her belly and feet much swelled with water, she 
used to be short-winded, and to drink much water, she was with Child, 
and was delivered of her Child and Dropsie together, being well natu- 
rally purged in Delivery, Plat. 637. 
So another great bellied woman was delivered of her Dropsie, 638. 
Another used oft to be hydropical when she was with Child, and did 
abort, then was freed of her Dropsie ; but the fourth or fifth time died in 
abortion. Idem, ibidem. 
If after the water is let out of the belly by Paracentesis, the Party 
doth relapse or swell again, death for the most part ensues; yet one is 
cured after such a Relapse, Schenk, 421, He and Felix ‘Platerus bring 
three or four Examples of Hydropicks, whose Navil, the inward Skin 
being broke, did protuberate, and look like a pellucid bladder full of 
water; in some they brake, poured out much water, eased the ‘Dyspnea, 
and the belly fell, but most died when the water was ran forth : One 
had Cardialgia, vomiting and sinking of her Spirits supervening the 
free emission of the water. 
Now we will deliver somewhat of the Cure of particular Symptoms, 
or concomitant Ails in Dropsies,

A Tractate of Dropsies. 145 
A Dyspnea or Asthma, Plat. Extub. Obf. pag.. 652 saw apparantly  in 
divers, and in other places he mentions it; the letting out of the wa- 
ter commonly, to abate the short-windedness, that did depend upon the 
heaving up of the Belly, distension making compression ; he gave 
Juyce of Orris, with Sugar-Candy, and Vinum Hippocrat. 3i. the Party 
vomited much viscous and tenacious Flegm, and had three stools, and 
breathed pretty freely. 
Another Asthmatick in a Dropsie begun, was helped by Squills,
Enula, Orris , Prassium Sambucus, Ebulus, Senna and Agaric. made 
by Keeping into a gentle Apoxem. 
Inflations in Dropsies : Plat. helped two, pag. 632. one with Deco- 
ction of our Flower-de-luce-Roots, or Orris, eldern, and Bittersweet, 
used for four days; the other with Harts-horn,took three or four times, 
boiled in Broath and though this seem strange, we knew one use of this 
to that purpofe successfully ; and why not, by an occult quality, as well 
as Wolves Guts help Cholicks, Foxes Lungs, the Lungs ; Boars Tush, 
the Quinzey and Pleurisie ; Bulls Pizzle, the pleurisie ? &c. 
A Black jaundice coupled with an Ascites, was cured, Plat, lib.3. dis- 
colorated with a mass of Pills, whose Ingredients were Agarick, Rhu 
barby Diagrid, Gum Amoniacum, &c. a Wine steeped with Orris, Sal- 
donella, sambucus,ebulus, cychery, dent-de-lion; all these are choice med
dicines in Dropsies : Also he had a Powder of Diagallanga, Dyacimini,
Sentalis, Cinamon, S. Anisi, and Coreandri. 
A Tympany with an Ascites begun, Plater. cured with Wine of the 
Roots of Ebulus, Sambucus, Dulcamara, Absinhium, and Orris ; he 
sweat, with Spirit of Juniper ; his Belly was anointed with Aqua visa, 
Spirit of Jumper, and Caraway-Seed Obs. pag. 656. 
The End of the First part. 




A 
TABLE 
OF THE 
DISEA S ES 
Treated on 
In the Second Part of this Book.
Of the Diseases of the Head.
Chap.1. Of a dry Distemper of the Head.
Chap. 2 Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Chap.3 Of Palms of the Head from an Hat
Chap.4. Of Headache from cold.
Chap.5. Of a Dropsie of the Head, or Hydrocephalo 
Chap.6.of Headachefrom waterish humours.
Chap.7. Of Headache from Choler. 
Chap.8. Of Headache from Flegm. 
Chap.9. Of Headach by consent from the Womb.
Chap 10

A TABLE 
Chap.10. Of Numbness or Stupidity. 
Chap.11. Of Headach from the Stomach. 
Chap.12. Of Headach from Drunkness. 
Chap.13. Of Headach from Blood.
Chap.l4. Of Headach from a Melancholy humour. 
Chap.15. Of Headach from windiness. 
Chap. 16. Of a Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head
Chap.17. Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
Chap.18. Of a Cephalæa, or old Headach.
Of the Diseases of the Eyes. 
Chap. I. Of Dimness of fight, or Blindness, called Am- 
blyopia, or Amaurosis.
Chap.2. Of Nyctalopia, or Night-Blindness. 
Chap.3. Of Strabismos, or squint Eyes.
Chap.4. Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes, 
called Albugo or Leucoma. 
Chap.5.Of a Cataractor Suffusion 
Chap.6. Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflammation of the Eye.
Chap.7. Of Pannus, or bloody Veins in the Eyes.
Chap. 8. Of Clouds
Chap.9. Of Midriasis, or a dilatation of the apple of 
the Eye. 
Chap. 10. Of Procidence, or going forth of the Eye. 
Chap. 11. Of Pushes,.or little Wheals of the Eye.
Chap.l2. Of Proptosis, or procidence of the Urea. 
Chap

of the Diseases, &c. 149
Chap. 13. Of Phthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil. 
Chap. 14. Of Eyes bloodshot. 
Chap.15. Of Emphysema, or a windy Tumour of the 
Eye-lids. 
Chap.l6. Of Hydatis, or little Apostems of the Eye-lids.
Chap.l7. Of Chalazion, or a round Tubercle. 
Chap.18. Of Crithc, or the Corn of the Eye-lids.
Chap.19 Of Ulcer of the Cornea. 
Chap.20. Of Hypopion,or matter under the Cornea. 
Chap.21, Of CaLus and rough Eye lids galled Scleroph- 
thalmia, Ptilosis, and Trachoma. 
Chap.22. Of itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthal- 
mia. 
Of the Diseases of the Nostrils, Tongue. 
Teeth, and Lips. 
Chap.l. the Pose, or Distillation by the No- 
strils. 
Chap.2. Of hurt of smelling. 
Chap.3. Of Sneezing. 
Cbap.4. Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
Chap.5. Of Polypus, or Excresctnce of Flesh out-of the 
Nose. 
Chap.6. Of the Stench of the Nostrils.
Chap.7. Of depraved smelling, or mis-scenting of things 
Chap.8. Of Sarcoma.
Chap 9.

150 A TABLE 
Chap. 9. Of Ptyalismos, or immeasureable spitting. 
Chap. 10. Teeth edged, or astonished. 
Chap. 11. Of Teeth eroded or broken away.
Chap. 12. Of Toothing of Children, and pains. 
Chap. 13. Of Paroulis, or Inflammation of the Gums. 
Chap. 14. Of Rhyas, or Consumption of the weeping flesh. 
Chap. 15. Of Encanthis, or too great growing forth of that 
Flesh.  
Chap l6. Of Ulcers of the Gums, or Mouth ; also of a 
Fitsula, Putrifaction, and Exesion of the 
Gums, and of a Cancer thereof. 
Chap. 17. Of Excrescence of the Gums.
Chap. 18 Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
Chap. 19 Of swelling of the Lips. 
Chap. 20. Of the Fissures or chaps of the Lips. 
Chap. 21. Of Hare-Lips, or cloven lips. 
Chap. 22. Of Discoloration the Lips; of their paleness 
or lividity. 
Chap. 23. Of Mouth writhing or Convulsions the Face. 
Chap. 24. Of the Vice of Speaking or defect of right
Pronunciation, and Stuttering. 
Chap. 25. Of a Palsy of the Tongue, and the Black swel- 
ling of the Tongue.
Chap. 26. Of Tongue ty'd Infants, or the Frog, so called, 
bring a Ligature under their Tongue. 
Chap. 27. Of a Tumour, or Increment of the Tongue. 
Chap. 28. Of an Ægylops.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 151 
Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Chap. l. Of Hoarsness. 
Chap. 2. Of Of a Catarrh, or Distillation of Rheum.
Chap. 3. Of an Asthma, or hurt of Breathing.
Of vomiting Blood from the Spleen. 
Of Diseases of the Midriff. 
Of Blood extravasated and clottered in the Bladder.
Of Inflamation of the Bladder. 
Of the Diseases of the Uterus or Matrice. 
Chap. l. Of Distemper thereof.
Chap. 2. Of Narrowness of the Vessels. 
Chap. 3. Of Weakness. 
Chap. 4. Of Inflamation thereof. 
Chap. 5. Of Pains therefrom. 
Chap. 6. Of Worms of the Matrice.
Chap. 7. Of Stones therein.
Chap. 8. Of a Cancer Uterinus.
Chap. 9. Of a Womb-Dropsie. 
Chap. 10. Of Inflammation. 
Chap. 11. Of Mola, or false Conception.
Chap. 12. Of Condyloma Uteri. 
Chap. 13. Of Prurient Pustules.
Chap. 14.  

152 A TABLE 
Chap. 14. Of Womb-Melancholy. 
Chap. 15. Of divers Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied- 
Women. 
Chap. 16. Of Abortion, or Miscarriage. 
Chap. 17. Of the dead Child.
Chap. 18. Of a Feaver after Delivery, or a Feaver of 
Milk.
Chap. 19. Of Diarrhæa’s, or Fluxes following Deli- 
very. 
Chap. 20. Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Chil- 
dren.
Chap. 21. Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of deli- 
vered Women, as fault in Quantity or Quality 
of Loches, or Child-Bed-Purgations: of 
Throes, or after-Pains : of stopt Secandines, 
or After-Burdens staid, &c.
Of FEAVERS.
Chap. l. Of a Quotidian, or every-day Ague. 
Chap. 2. Of an Hemitrice, or Semitertian Ague.
Chap. 3. Of an Intermiting, Quartane, or Third Ague.
Chap. 4. Of an Hectick Feaver.
Of 

of the DISEASES, &c. 153
Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair, and 
of outward Eruptions. 
Chap. 1. Of a Defluvium Capillorum, or general 
falling off of Hair. 
Chap. 2. Of Psilothra, or Medicines taking away super- 
fluous Hair. 
Chap. 3. Of Baldness. 
Chap. 4. Of Ophiasis. 
Chap. 5. Of plating of the Hair, of cleaving of the Hair, 
of Worms in the Hair. 
Chap. 6. Of Alopecia. 
Chap. 7. Of Medicines hindering the growth of supserflu- 
ous Hair. 
Chap. 8. Of Curling, or Colouring the Hair, to take away 
gray Hair, &c.
Chap. 9. Of Scurfiness in Hair. 
Chap. 10. Of Phtheiriasis, or the Lowsie Evil.
Of Evils, and Outward Ails. 
Chap. 1. Of the Kings Evil. 
Chap. 2. Of Corns. 
Chap. 3. Of Bronchocele, or a Throat-Rupture. 
U Chap. 4.


154 A TABLE, &c. 
Chap. 4. Of Warts. 
Chap. 5. Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Athero- 
ma, Steatoma, and Meliceris. 
Chap. 6. Of Kibes or Chilblanes. 
Chap. 7. Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek. 
Chap. 8 Of Ecchhimoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or 
Livor in Latine, in English signifying black 
and blew Marks, or Discoloration of the Skin 
from Bruises, or other ways. 
Whereunto is Annexed 
A small Treatise of Sicknesses and Disea- 
ses from Witchcraft, and Supernatural 
Causes; Being useful to others besides 
Physicians, in that it confutes Atheisti- 
cal, Sadduciftical, and Sceptical Princi- 
ples and Imaginations. 
Morbi

155
Morbi Capitis. 
All these papers, or chapters were form- 
erly writ, about the year 1658. and 
were compiled by Transcription from 
such Authors as are mentioned: I 
strove to omit nothing of chief con- 
cernment, so that what one had not, 
I found in another, and so thought 
to make up things compleat ; but 
since I have writ many Observa- 
tions, and read more, so that I see the Authors of those Pra- 
ctices of Physick went conjecturally to work in some things, 
and upon mistaken Experience in others; in many true, but 
those, not all the truth, nor the most material truth ; yet of these 
Diseases I then wrote of, they do as little infringe Experience as 
any ; for Authors were most mistaken in those Diseases it 
chanced we had not wrote of; and therefore we were the wil- 
linger to put these to Publique View : yet the Reader must not 
think to find the Sick just thus, as we have described, accord- 
ing to Practical Authors, in these Diseases; so many Men, 
almost so many Varieties and Differences : we have best shewn
the Method and Course of Nature, and what most commonly 
and truly happens to and in the Head by the discourse of Head- 
Diseases preceding, drawn from true and sure Experience and 
Observations; not onely Angular Cases, but chiefly all ordi- 
nary Distempers of the Head may be Judged thereby : and 
that, that in an extream degree causes Death, in a remisse degree 
U2 is


156 MORBI CAPITIS.
is the cause of a Disease. I have not picked Observations for 
me, or left out those against me ; for indeed I do not set my 
self to be for one or other, and then bring Experiences that 
make for me to prove-it; but impartially, leaning neither to 
one, or other, I search Experience, and to the Truth I apply, 
and subject my Opinions thereto. Yet here will come in some
things considerable, besides what hath gone before ; different 
from what Practical Authors have writ, or over and above 
what they writ.  
1. As to the Subject or Part, Head-ach varies; the Antients 
onely distinguished a ημικρανίον, which comes from ημισυ, sig- 
nifying half, and κρανίο the Skull, in Latine, Hemicrania
in English, the Megrim : now for pains to happen just so, 
is a rarity ; for they fall no more on one side , than another, 
and oftener on the forepart of the Head, then either Side ; and 
as often in the hinder part of the Head : they are sometimes, viz.
Paines, in the Crown ; sometimes in the Sutures, sometimes 
at Root of the Nose and Eyes; sometimes in one Temple, or 
both sometimes in one Ear, or both. 
2 . So for matter of Genera, or kinds of Head-aches, the 
Antients did not know all, and those they wrote for, the com- 
mon Course and Method of Nature are as seldom found in, as 
those things they count Rarityes; in all Diseases, as Epilepsies, 
Apoplexies, Lcthargyes, Madness, Phrensy, Delirium, Con- 
vulsions, Palsies, Stupor, &c. may be pain of the Head, ac- 
cording as a waterish Flegm, or green, or yellow, or black 
water, or gelly, or purulency, or Apostematous matter is gene- 
rated in this part or that of the Head, more or lesse for quantity, 
more homogenious or heterogenious in quality. 
Some have a pain of the Head alwayes at Sun rise, and as the 
Sun draws nigher, the more vehement; and after Noon, that 
the Sun goes farther off, the pain fades. 
Others have a pain onely at Noon, a dayes. 
Others

MORBI CAPITIS. 157 
Others have pain in the Head, according to the course of 
the Moon; as the Moon encreaseth, greater; as it decreaseth, 
lesse. 
Sometimes pains of the Head are Epidemical, sometimes 
they are continual, sometimes they come by certain Periods, 
and Paroxysmes, as Agues; sometimes a Dispostio patibilis, 
Capitis, as Platerus, in Praxi Medica, observes, is the Cause 
every light motion, imagination, fretting, heat of the fire, 
lying awaken, &c, raiseth Head-ach. 
Sometimes the pain is a shooting and dogging, sometimes
an heaviness and dullness, sometimes like pulling and dilacera- 
tion, sometimes a fence of violent distension, and burdening ; 
and there are more Varieties still. 
3. Nor are the Causes the same, and no more than what Pra- 
ctical Authors write. 
Stones of divers forms and magnitudes are found the cause 
of many sharp and Cronical Head-pains; these Stones lye 
sometime in one part of the Head sometimes another; some- 
times they are sneezed forth, and Head-ach hath ceased there- 
from; sometimes they have killed, and been found by Dis- 
fection. 
Worms also of divers shapes and magnitudes are generated 
in the Brain, or parts of the Head, even as they and Stones are 
generated in all parts of the Body besides; they cause great 
itching in some, pain and dogging in the Heads of others. 
Sometime Critical, sometimes Cronical, sometimes they 
creep forth or are sneezed out; sometimes they kill, and are 
found by Anatomy. 
Epidemical Head aches have been found from a Tempera- 
ture and quality of the Air, turning the Humours in the Head 
into Worms, even as the Air disposeth Children to verminous 
affects in Guts or Stomach. 
In others that are dissected, there are found bladders of water, 
or Apostemes of a sharp matter, or Inky matter, or yellow wa-
ter.  


158 MORBI CAPITIS.
ter, Abscesses, Gellyes, Globes of Flegm, pure water; causing 
either eating asunder some parts in the Head, Distension, Vel-
lication, contamination, or poysoning to the Brain, &c. thence 
raising great Head-ach. 
An Acquaintance of mine, a prudent Physician, told me 
that two or three years since, a Child was opened nigh Peter- 
borough, I think by Doctor Wright, it had long been trou- 
bled with Head-pains, and grievous; in the forepart, there was 
found a Bladder of water lying in the forehead, as it was be- 
twixt the eyes. 

MORBI CAPITIS. 159 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Dry Distemper of the Head. 
This alone effects not pain simply of it self, unless heat, or cold 
be adjoyned.
Its Causes are, 1. A dryer constitution of the Air. 2. Hunger 
and Fasting. 3. Too great and long continued Exercise and 
Sweats. 4. Lechery and venerious acts, 5. Perturbation of mind, ei- 
offensive or pensive ; as Wrath and Studying. 6. Watchings. 7. Too 
great emptying, whether natural or artificial. 
Sig. 1. Diagnost. are perceived by the Nose, sending forth few or 
no Excrements. 
2. By the Eyes being hollow, if watching preceded. 
3. The skin of the Head is felt dryer than naturally it should be. 
4. Want of sleep, and the Senses are sharpned. 
5. Squallour of the Face, or a wrinkled look. 
6. There went before a dyet tending to dryness, or some or all of the 
aforesaid Causes. 
Dyet. 1. Where the Air is moist. 2. Dyet moistening and yielding 
good nutritive Juice, are to be chiefly prepared; Cock's Stones, or the 
Broath of a Pullet, Cock or Capon, or other Yelk of Eggs, 
Pheasants, Patridges and the like, which nourish much, are very proper 
Dyer. Salt Meats are not alowable. 
For Drink may be made Emulsions of the four great cold Seeds, with 
Barly-water, and sweetened with Syrups of Violets ; if Wine may be 
permitted, it must be thin, and well allayed with water. 
Baths of sweet Water warmed, are to be frequented. 
But carnal pleasure, great excercise, fasting, thirst, all perturbations 
of the mind and watching, are to be eschewed, as adding to a dry Di- 
stemper ; neither is costiveness beneficial: therefore Lenitives are good, 
used now and then, to set the passages free. 
In Topicals, or application, Oyls for Unction, chiefly of the fore-seam 
of 

160 MORBI CAPITIS.
of the Head, or Os triquetrum, are commended; as Oyl of Fleawort mixt 
with Oyl of sweet Almonds, Oyl of Gourds and of Violets, a Lini- 
ment or Unguent may also be prepared of them, adding Goose-grease
and Hans-grease. 
Embrocation of Water-Lillies, Violets, Mallows, Lettice-leaves, &c.
are very useful, and all such things that are proper for the Head, and of 
a moistening quality. 
CHAP. II 
Of a moist Distemper of the Head. 
Moisture seldome alone raises Headach, but as 'tis commixed 
with Humours; therefore we think it improper to intitle it 
as a cause of Headach, but only treat of it as ’tis a bare Di- 
stemper of the Quality. Yet heat or cold mixed herewith in 
the Head, may effect pain. And seldom but there is an humour joyned 
with moisture.
Its Causes are, 
1. Air of a moistening temperature; as Rainy. 
2. Dyet, where those things that multiply blood, greatly further it. 
3. Medicines of a moistening quality, either internals or externals; 
as Baths and Unctions. 
Diagnosticks are gathered, 
1. From much filth flowing out at the Nostrils. 
2. From fulness and puffing up of the Eyes, with moisture in them. 
3. From propensness to sleep, and proneness to a lethargical state, 
especially if a pituitous Humour be collected. 
4. From fulness and pulsation of the Veins. 
5. Catarrhs for the most part follow. 
Dyet. All things that moisten, are to be shumed. A Dyet generally 
composed of drying Meats, is to be used, and such an one as is prescri- 
bed for a Lethargy ; and contrary to that directed for a dry Distemper; 
chiefly use of Guaiacum-drink. 
Externals : Caps made of Cephalicks and Aromaticks, Suffumes and 
dry Bags, perfuming the Cap at night with the smoak of Gum Anime, 
and Nigella-seeds, is very profitable, if also Headach be present. 
CHAP.


MORBI CAPITIS. 161
CHAP. 111. 
Of Pains in the Head from an hot Cause. 
Pain in the Head, or Headach, is reckoned threefold by Galen.
The first kind whereof the Greeks call Cephalalgia: some abu- 
sively Soda; the Latines, Capitis dolor. The second Kind is cal- 
led by the Greeks and Latines Cephalæa, and is an invetterate old 
Headach. The third Kind is the Megrim, possesing only one side of 
the Head, called both in Greek and Latine, Hemicrani.
Of the first of these we think it convenient to treat distinctly accor- 
ding to its various Causes.
And first therefore of a Distemper. And first from Heat. 
A bare Distemper of the Quality without presence of any Hu- 
mour. 
This Distemper is caused by all such things as kindle and stir up Hu- 
mours, whether internal or external. 
1. Internal Causes are, First, Such as raise Humours, and enkindle 
and inflame the Blood and Spirits, as are immoderate motion of the 
Body. Secondly, Of the Mind, as Anger, Furiousness and Solicitudes. 
Thirdly, Plenty of spirituous Blood, whereby the Head quickly grows 
hot, and conceiving preternatural heat, is pained, according to Plate- 
rus.
2. External. First, as Heat of the Sun, which is a main cause, and 
happens to such as stand long bareheaded in the Sun. Secondly, Heat 
of the Fire, specially having a great flame. Thirdly, Hot Baths. Fourth- 
ly, Use of Meats and Drinks, 1. too hot in-nature, 2. vaporous, 
as Garlick, Leeks, Onions, Wine, &c. Fifthly, Keeping in an air 
that is heat, or naturally of too hot a temper. 
Prog. If there be with Heat vellication or distention, ’tis bad ; for 
it shewes that there’s a Matter fomenting. Cholerick persons are most 
troubled herewith. 
Platerus saith, There's a Dispositio Patibibis, or a Disposition of the  
Head, to aking without the arising from any manifest Cause, as maybe per- 
ceived, but is rather from a too exquisite sence, or hereditary, or contracted 
by evil custome in such to whom there is with it no hurt of the other Functi- 
ons. 
X The 

162 MORBI CAPITIS
The place of the Headach, saith Platerus, is inter Calvaria, or in the 
Menings of the Brain, or Brain it self; in the Menings, because they 
are endued with a sense of Touch; in the substance of the Brain, (when- 
as ’tis insenible ; many think there can no pain arise there, but in the 
Nerves proceeding therefrom, in the sore and hinder part of the 
Head. 
Sign. 1. The pain is somewhat violent with heat, intense, and to be 
felt, with dryness of the Skin. 
2. The sprinkling of cold things refreshes and delights. 
3. The Eyes look red. 
4. Beating of the Pulse of the Temples within the Skull. 
5. Little Sleep.
6. Changing of the imagination and quietness of the Senses.
Dyet 1. First, Air cool ; if not so naturally, to be acquired by 
Art: the Air is tempered and cooled, 
1. By strewing Boughs and cooling Herbs, and such as have also a 
grateful smell, as Violets, Roses, Water-Lillies, Willow-Leaves, 
Vine-Leaves, Endive, and the like. 
2. By sprinkling cold water in the Floor, distilled Water of Roses for 
the richer sort, or other cooling distilled Waters for that use, would be 
more beneficial ; or by pouring of cold Water out of one Vessel into 
another. 
3. By smelling to Posies, or Nosegayes, made of Roses, Violets, 
Clove-Gilliflowers, and other Herbs, that cool and refresh the Brain ; 
or a little Camphir dissolved in Vinegar and Rose-Water, or to snuff 
up Rose-Water into the Nose : Jo. Prevotius adds unction of the No- 
strils with Oyl of the Flowers of Willow, made by Isolation. 
4. By freeness of the Air, and openness of the Room; against which 
make much company, that by their breathing do apparantly and very 
much heat the Room. 
5. The North Air is best ; if a Chamber may be had commodiously 
for the Sick, whose Windows open Northward. 
Secondly, Quietness and Rest is by all means to be procured: where 
1. All perturbations-of the Mind are to be eschewed, and the occa- 
sions of them.
2. Noises, fretings, clamours, are no ways Innocent. 
3. Motion and Labours are to be avoided, and Carnal Copula- 
tion. 
4. Sleep by all means procured; for ’tis not altogether impru-
dency

MORBI CAPITIS. 163
dency to make his sleeps now, longer than before they were wont to be, 
which is much furthered by smelling to Herbs that cool and refresh, and 
are a little soporiferous, as Roses, Violets, Water-Lillies, Lettice, 
Cowslips; stronger, are Flowers of Poppies red and white, Night- 
shade, Mandrakes, Henbane, Hemlock, &c. with Opium, which 
are seldom (unless watching be very much excessive) to be used alone, 
and then but sparingly, or mixed with some of the aforenamed 
gentler Narcoticks; they may be laid upon the Patients Pillow com- 
modiously for him to smell to, when he is about to compose to rest; the 
Forehead and Temples also may be anointed with Oyl of Roses, Vio- 
lets, and Water-Lillies, Poppies, of the Apples of Mandrakes: of 
such may be made an Oyntment for the aforesaid purpose, both to alter 
the Distemper, and appease the Pain also : as thus: 
ꝶ Oyls of Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Poppies, ana ℥i. Pow- 
der of Sanders, Lettice-seed, ana ʒii. Camphir, ʒi. with white Wax 
as much as may be sufficient, make it of a due thickness for an Oynt- 
ment. 
Embrocations also, and Epithemes may be made for washing the Fore- 
head and Temples, of Waters and Juyces, (which are of greatest effi- 
cacy) adding Vinegar for penetration, and Powders commixt. Also 
washing the Feet in Decoction of Housleek, Nightshade, Lettices, 
Roses, Water-Lillies, or the like, is very good to temper the heat, and 
mittigate it: If yet watching be not lessened, one or two grains of 
Laudanum may be given at night. 
Dyet 2. Where, 1. All things that are of hard digestion, 2. Vaprous, 
as Milk, 3. Heating, are to be shunned. 
And where are to be chosen, 1. All cooling, 2. Not fuming, 3. Good 
digestive Meats : Ptisan-Broath, Almond-Milk, Broath of Chickens, 
Birds of Mountains, Rabbets, Fish tender, and of gravelly places, 
Bread dipt in cooling Juyces, as of Pomegranates, Lemons, Vinegar, 
&c. for Meats for several sawces be made to temper and correct their 
vices. Also in Broath may be boiled proper Herbs. 
Strong Beer and all sorts of Wine are prejudicial ; Early water, 
or water wherein a little Cinnamon is boyled, or tempering pleasant 
Julaps are to serve for ordinary drinking. 
1. Internals. 
In Cure, 1. Respect is to be had to the constitution of the Belly: 
by no means Costiveness is to be connived at, for thereby alone oft- 
times is pain made from vapours not permitted a passage and the Body
X2 wants 

164 MORBI CAPITIS. 
wants the ventilation Nature requires: a cooling, emollient, lenitive 
Clister, is therefore to be premised. 
2. Letting blood is to be instituted, for Evacuation of the quanti- 
ty, and correcion of the hot temper of the blood: some like opening 
the veins in the foot ; but commonly the Cephallick Veine of the Arm 
is taken ; ’tis best done at Fall, or Spring.
3. Purging with more gentle Medicines, chiefly Aholagoges, Potions 
in great quantity, and Specificals for the Head. 
2. Topicks: Where first Repellers, and Stoppers of the flowing of 
humours, and prohibiters of inflamation, are to be applyed ; such as 
with cooling, have a penetrive quality, and stupifie not much, are to be 
chosen; Oyl of Roses, Emphacine, a little Vinegar added, to anoint 
the Head all over, first being shaven, is praised Lud. Septal, bids Oxit- 
hodes to be dropped from on high, upon the Coronal Suture, because 
so they temper more, a decoction of Plantane, Red-Roses, Purslane, 
Housleek, &c. boiled in Water and Vinegar, may serve for a Laviment 
of the Forehead, Face, and Sutures: after which, the Herbs themselves 
may be applyed upon the Forehead and Temples, also fresh Moss, and 
boiled Mallows, applied to the Temples, excels. 
II. Coolers, Where, 
1. Observe such that are of a binding quality, though cooling, as 
Juyce of Quinces Medlars, &c. are to be shunned. 
2. Such as are of a stupifactive Nature must be as warily as may be 
dealt withall, here; as is crude Opium, Poppies, Nightshade, Man- 
drakes, Henbane, Hemlock, and Thorn Apples; yet they may more 
safely be applied to the Forehead then Sutures, which being porey, would 
more quickly snatch in their Narcotick force into the Brain, and so do 
great hurt: neither are they, as admonisheth Lud. Septal. to be used so 
much for pain, as for watching, that weakens ; nor are they to 
be inwardly taken to alter the distempers, except there be great watch- 
ing present. 
A select Oyntment may be made after this manner, void of 
danger, and sufficiently cooling ; ꝶ Oyl of Violets, Water-Lil- 
lies, an. ℥i. Juyce of Housleek, Ducks-Meat, Purslane, an. ℥ß.
Camphir, ʒi, Seeds of Lettice, White Poppies, Cucumbers, an ʒii. Wax 
sufficient, make an Ointment. These things may be actually cold ap- 
plyed, yet more warily in old People and Children : moreover, in the 
life of applications we must regard that they lie not too long, nor grow 
hot, but are oft to be removed; neither is free transpiration to be letting, 
by having the head bound up with many clothes, which greatly aug- 
ment


MORBI CAPITIS. 165
ment the heat together, which apply to the head ; Padilotions also may 
be used profitably, made of Coolers. 
3. For the Symptome, Pain, Externals are chiefly in use; yet 'tis not 
altogether frivolous to use cooling quieting Medicines, that quiet Hu- 
mours, and render them milder and hinder ascent or motion of Vapours, 
as such an one; ꝶ Water of Nightshade, Poppies, Violets and Roses, an. 
℥iiii. Syrupes of Violets, Water-Lillies, Mints and Poppies, an ℥i.  
made tart with spirit of Vitriol.
Moreover, in more urgent pain, from which both a Feaver and 
gathering of Humours may be suspected, to give Narcoticks inwardly 
is not altogether irrational ; nor is opening a veine in the forehead 
to pacifie, cool and lessen the enkindled and fiery Spirits, alwayes un- 
succesful. 
Topicks: Anodine, the best are Oyl of Dill-seed, of Roses, Eldern, 
Purslane, Ducks-meat, Privet, Nightshade, Water-Lillies, Fleabane 
Lettice, Camphir, Cucumbers, Plantane, Housleek, and Poplar- 
Buds; of these may Oils, Unguents, Lotions, Epithemes, Embro- 
cations, and Powders be made. 
First therefore an Oyntment of great force may be made after this 
manner. 
ꝶ Oyl of Fleabane, (but, say Astronomers, the Fleabane must be 
gathered in the Hour of Mars, he being, if it be possible, in Aries, in a 
good Aspect to the Moon) ℥i. Poplar Buds, and Eldern Buds, an. ʒi. 
Camphir, ʒß. Vinegar of Roses for penetration, ʒii. with white Wax 
a sufficient quantity, compose all for an Oyntment; with which anoint 
the Forehead, Temples, and about the Ears, where may be suffered by 
absence of Hair, when pain urges, or chiefly at night, at lying 
down. 
In the morning wash the Face all over with Vervain, Rose, and Flea- 
bane-water, and a little Vinegar in it. 
Emplaisters may be made of the afore-going Simples; but because 
by their long lying on,they heat, and hinder the free passage of the hot 
Vapours, and Spirits, by binding up the Pores too straitly, therefore 
Pultesies especially to be applyed in an exacerbation, are more conve- 
nient fot Transpiration, and Ventilation : as thus, 
ꝶ Vervain, Mints, Housleek, an. mi ; Seeds of Lettice, Mallows, 
and Eldern-Flowers, an. ʒii. boil all in Water and Vinegar ; then drain 
out the superfluous Liquor, with which, moderately heat, bathe the 
places afore-directed ; and then apply the Herbs, with Clothes mode- 
rately strait bound on. 
If 

166 MORBI CAPITIS. 
If Pain be more intense, and remits not with these gentler safe Re- 
medies, then we must use Narcoticks, such as were prescribed before 
for such as watch over much : yet they are rather to be sorborn (unless 
Delirium, Feaver or Inflamation is evidently foreseen to follow upon 
the greatness of the pain) in Children, for their Constitution is colder 
and moister, that may congelemamnous, and bring them into Epilepsies 
and other Diseases : 2. Not to old men, lest through extinction of their 
weak heat, and stupifaction, they be brought into cold Diseases, &c. 
e Caput: 3. Not in Women of soft and tender Skins : 4. Not so fit 
where the Sutures arc looser; nor indeed are they fit to be laid to the 
Sutures, for so as we said before, they cool and dull the Brain too much; 
therefore tis more safe to use them in application to the Forehead 
onely : 5. Not in Catarrhous Constitutitutions : 6. Less useful in 
pain than watching, and least of all in heat. 
Lastly, It would not be amiss (together with the continuation of the 
afore-going Medicines for some time) always to wear Cucupha made
according to Art, of the following Simples, powdered and interwo- 
ven. 
ꝶ Red Rose-Leaves, Nutmegs, white Sanders, ana ʒifs. Violets, 
Water-Lillies, ana ʒi. Seeds of Roses, Fleawort, Purslane, Plantane, 
Flowers of Melilot, Mint, Bettony, Lettice, Couslips, ana ʒß. Vervain,
ʒii. mix them for a Powder : this will corroberate the Brain, hinder 
the gathering and stuffing of humours in it, and if any be impacted dis- 
cuss them, and hinder relapses of pain. 
We think it not convenient to adde discutient Digesters, and Dis- 
cutients, for a bare Distemper alone, without the afflux or congestion 
of any Humours, but treat of them in other Chapters of Headach 
caused by Humours. 
CHAP. IIII. 
Of Headache from Cold. 
A Cold Distemper without afflux of humours, is made from exter- 
nal Causes, cooling; as is outward Cold, going bareheaded; 
as also by application of cold things to the head, or Medi- 
cines, or whatever may induce Cold, which in Bodies, pure 
and not Cachochymical nor Plethorick, make no apparelling of Hu- 
mours, but onely do distemper. 
Signes


MORBI CAPITIS. 167
Signes are quite contrary to those of Headach caused by heat: 
1. Head not hot when felt unto, though Headache may be violent 
enough. 
2. No redness of the Face nor Eyes, nor be they hollow, nor is the 
Face shrunk, but as it were distended and pale. 
3. Cold things bring offence to them, and alleviate not, but hot 
things are delightful. 
4. Heaviness of the Head, a drowsie disposition, and propenseness 
to sleep. 
Dyet. 1. Air that is cold is by all means to be eschewed, a 
fire is therefore to be kept. 
2. Sleep not excessive, nor too mean. 
3. Excercises good, as riding or walking. 
4. Molestation of Mind, Sadness, Studies, deep Speculation, and 
all other Affections of the Mind, that be immoderate. 
5. Meat: Where Flesh of all Water-fowls is to be eschewed, and
all Meats that be cold potentially. 
Flesh of Hens, Chickens, Partridges, Pheasants, rere Egs, &c. with 
Wine, are good Food. 
Cure. The Distemper is to be taken away, to make way for which, 
1. Costiveness is to be letted. 
2. if the Body be Cachochymick, ’tis to be corrected, or ta-
ken away, 
1. By Internals: Where such things as heat the Brain are to 
given onely for alteration-sake, as Water of hot Bathes, and of Brim-
stone. 
2. Externals : Where 
1. Hot Bathes are ordained.
2. Odorants, where all ill-scented and suliginous-vapoured things are 
to be shunned ; a Pomander of Aromaticks and Cephalicks are appro- 
ved ; or to snuff up decoction of Vervain into the Nose. 
3. Topicks, all heating and friendly to the Brain , yet the greatness 
of the Distemper, and Constitution of the Brain, are first to be consi- 
dered, and accordingly Medicines suited thereto. 
First therefore, as most commendable, we prescribe such an Oynt- 
ment for the Temples, Forehead, Nostrils, and holes behinde the Ears. 
ꝶ Oyl of Vervain ℥i. Oyl of Rhue, and of the Seeds ofCow-Pars- 
nip, an. ℥fs of Nutmegs, ʒii. Aniseeds, Roots of Piony, Sage, Betony, 
ana ʒi. with Wax make an Oymment.
These  


168 MORBI CAPITIS. 
These following are commended by Authors for Pain from a cold 
Cause; 
1. The leaves of the Tile-tree applied like a Pulteis. 2. Tobacco- 
leaves used in like manner. 3. The kernels of Peaches beaten with 
Bettony, or Vervain-water. 4. Amber-greese mixt with Oyntment of 
Orange-flowers. 5. Oyl of Vervain, by all is recorded as special. 6. Juice 
of Prucedane with Oyl and Vinegar, or an Oyl made of the Herb. 
7. Oyl of Serpillum, or Mother of Tyme, with Vinegar, is excellent.
8. A Garland of Peniroyal, or root of Vervain, worn about the neck 
in manner of Amulets. 
Authors direct Vesicatories for Cauteries, to be applied to the Head ; 
and Setaues for the Neck; but because in a bare Distemper there is no 
matter to extract, we omit them. 
A Cucupha, is very convenient to be worn for long time, to strengthen 
and rightly constitute the Brain; for which, these Simples thus com- 
posed we think most excellent; ꝶ. Flowers of Cowslips, Marigolds, 
Camomile, ana ʒ i. Nutmegs, wild Time, or Mother of Time, Stæchas, 
or French-Lavender, Bay-berries, Piony-seed, ana ʒ s. Castoreum, 
℈i. Eldern-flowers, Mint, Featherfew, ana 9 ij. Vervain gathered in 
the hour of Venus, she ascending fortunately, ʒ ij. Reduce all into gross 
Pouder, and interweave, or few it in a Sattain-Cap, and wear it constant- 
ly, the hair being first cut very thin, so that the force of the Pouder may 
the better pass to the brain. Of these Simples may several Compositions 
be made, seeing they are all very conducible for Pain.
Also Cephalical Electuaries and Conserves for internal use, would be 
very neccessary and advantagious, being continued a good while toge- 
ther. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Dropsie of the Head. 
Hydrocephalos is a watery swelling, or Dropsie of the Head, made 
from collection of a serous Humour, or windy Matter, in some 
part of the Members making or constituting the Head. 
Place. 'Tis either within or without the Skull, between the Pericrane 
and the Skin, or the Pericarnium and the Mouth, or between the Mouth 
and the Membranes of the Brain. 
Cause,

MORBI CAPITIS.  169
Cause is the same with a Dropsies Cause ; viz. collection of water,
which runs out by Anastomosis or Diapedests of the Veins. Fæbrit. found 
in the fore Ventricles of the Brain, eighteen pound of clear Water. 
2. It happens to Infants from the violence of Midwives in deli- 
very. 
3. From the waterishness and moistness of the maternal Heat in the 
Infant. 
Secondly. This Tumour is sometime windy from weakness of Heat 
in the lnfant, and causes generating wind; and then ’tis called Emphy- 
sema. 
Thirdly. 'Tis fometime a more fæculent and bloody matter. 
Sign. Diag. 1. ’Tis a Tumour soft and tractable to the feeling (un- 
less it be betwixt the Crane and the Membranes. ) 
2. Conspicuous to the sight; 1. As ’tis in respect of its magnitude ; 
2. its good colour. 3. Happens most to young Children. 
II. If internal, then, I. there is headach and heaviness present ; 
2. the eyes weep. 
III. If it sounds, or gives no place to the touch, ’tis an Emphyseme 
from wind. 
Prog. 'Tis bad, 1. Because in a noble part. 2. Because the 
subject is tender. 3. By reason of the great danger that there is of a 
Convulsion, Lethargy or Apoplexy. 
2. There’s no cure, 1. If it affects the internal parts. 2. Mor- 
tal, if it be made in the Brain it self. 
3. 'Tis best, if, 1. More external. 2. Without the concomitance 
of bad Symptomes: yet then its hard to be cured. 
Dyet. Such as is prescribed for cold affects of the Head, abstaining 
from Wine. 
I. Internal. 
Cure. I. We must draw forth the water after preparatives by Hy- 
dragoges, if their age may bear it. 2. By Diureticks. 3. Sweaters. 
4. We must use drying Cephalicks. 
II. External. Where, 
First, Resolving Topicks and discussing Foments, of Lee, Salt and 
Sulphureous Waters, or the water of Quick-lime, commended by Aqua- 
Y pendius


170 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Pendius for Children, an Oyntment of Powder of Brimstone, Bay-berries 
and Orris, with Wax, and Oyl of Camomile. 
Secondly, Dryers. 
Thirdly, Causticks. 
Celsus appoints one or many according as the part is greater or 
smaller : Some use them to the neck. 
II. Chyrurgery. Paulus openeth the Tumour in the descending 
part, makes many sections; but this is somewhat dangerous, epecially 
if, 1. We have not a care of anointing the temporal Muscles. 2. To eva- 
cuate the matter by degrees: if betwixt the Pericrane and Crane the mat- 
ter be collected, double section is to be made. 
Lastly, The Brain is to be dryed by inward Cephalicks, and reduced 
to its right temper. 
Diff. I. From the Humour;
I. Either water, and that more pure, or mixt with fæcculent Humours, 
and Blood or Wind. 
II. From the Scituation; 
1. One is made betwixt the Skin and the Pericrane ; Another 
betwixt the Pericrane and Crane; A third betwixt the Crane and 
Membranes. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Headach from watery Humours.
It is a serious Distemper of the Brain : Its Cause being water derived 
to the Head ; Either 1. gradually, specially with the very Spirits 
and arterious Blood ; Or, 2. on heaps, by reason of stronger out- 
ward Causes, as all extraordinary exercising, furiousness, and much 
drinking of wine. 
Sig. The pains are not settled, but wandring. 2. The Mouth is 
alwayes very moist, and there is much spittle. 3. Defluxions of Rheum 
are very often molesting. 
Cure is done, 
1. By evacuating the waters ; 1. By water-purgers proper to the 
Head, no premising of Preparatives. 
2. Let blood if Heat and a Feaver be present, for they cause fluctua-
ting

MORBI CAPITIS. 171 
ting of the water in the Head ; also if any accustomed evacuation be 
stopped. 
3. Sweaters ; as decoction of Sarsaparilla is best; but hot ones, as 
Antimony, Diaphoreticum, are accounted bad. 
4. Diureticks, which also profit for the Spleen. 
5. Gargarismes, that draw much water from the Head ; as of Mustard, 
or of Pellitory, and a little Staneatre excel, 
6. Errhines, where Juice of Primroses is choicest. 
II. Dryers and Correcters of the Distempers ; where such, like 
an Electuary, taken to the quantity of a Nutmeg every morning and 
night, may greatly help both to dry and consume the Cause, quiet the 
Symptoms, and strengthen the Brain. ꝶ of Sarsaparilla, ʒij. Nard, of 
Indian Nutmegs, ana ʒi. dry Sage, mens Bones prepared, ana ʒ fs, 
Conserve of Betony, Rosemary and Marjoram, ana ℥ i. with Syrup 
of Pæony, confect an Electuary. 
III. Topicks, (which, first, consume and dry up and discuss the Cause; 
Secondly, ease the symptome pain) are to be used together with the 
former. 1. The Root of the greater Valerian, fresh, bruised, warmed 
and applied. 2. Rie, beaten and sprinkled with Vinegar, bound hot to 
the head by some ; As also 3. Vinegar of wild Thym to Wash the fore- 
head and temples for the pain, are praised. 
Some Empericks hold these for secrets in Rheumatick Distempers and 
Molestation of the Head. 
1. Decoction of Pimpernel, drank morning and evening. 
2. To smell to an Onion, being newly rosted and fuming, often and 
for long time. 
3. To bathe the head, forehead and nostrils with the Liquor of stewed 
Onions. 

171 MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Headach from Choler. 
Platerus saith, If we mean such Choller as being separated from 
Serum, or a wheyish water in the Head, is purged meet and pure 
into the Ears; that being poured forth to the Menings and 
Brain, without doubt would stir up great and pricking pain ; but 
that scarcely happens being washt with with a wheyish serous matter ; nor 
then alwayes doth it beget pain ; when as to those that have the Jaun- 
dice, the Head in no wise akes, unless some other accident happens. 
Thus far Platerus. 
1. All Causes that generate Choler ; as Garlick, Onions, Red Her- 
rings, Old Wallnuts, salt things, which make it exsuperating and luxu- 
rious, all things that heat and dry the body. 
3. All aggravations of it generated, as Care, Anger, Exercise, labo- 
rious Pains, abstinence and long watching, all which enkindle it. 
2. Smelling to Myrrh, Saffron, &c. Sun-heat, &c. may bring it into 
agitation, cause it to abound more, and render it sharper and hotter. 
Sig. 1. A Cholerick temper, and youthful age for the most part. 
2. The Pain is like to that that happens upon reflecion of the hot 
beams of the Sun upon a bare head,but rather hotter, and more pricking, 
according as Choler is more tame, or sharp, more or less in quantity, 
or hotter or colder qualited. 
3. If with gravity ; I, It shews multitude of the Humour. 2. If with 
knowing the Acrimony of it. 3. If with Pulsation, Inflamation. 
4. If with distention without gravity and beating, 1. It argues 
Choler very vaperous, or abundance of Cholerick vapours ; 2. Dri- 
ness of the Mouth, and Tongue and Eyes ; 3. Bitterness of the Mouth ; 
4. A sence of preternatural heat in the Head; 5. Excrements of the 
Eares, many, and more yellow. 
Diff. I. 'Tis distinguished from Headach, from Blood, for that of- 
fending by plenty, there is Pulsation and Gravity, but Choler being 
little, is without Gravity, and is more biting from its Acrimony. 
2. Fumes may arise from yellow Choler in the Stomach, or lower 
parts ; and is distinguishig from Choler in the Head by sign of those
parts
 

MORBI CAPITIS. 173
parts affected, by Symptoms, as nausea, 1. Disdaining of Meats, bitter- 
ness of the Mouth, vomiting, &c. 2. There is no gravity, as in a plen- 
tiful matter, but distension onely, with levity, is effected by the ascent 
of vapours, and this is not essential, but by consent. 
Progn. Want of Sleep is bad, arguing the Brain too much affected 
by heat and dryness : If after Sleep there is ease, ’tis good; if not, a 
pernitious Sign. 
Dyet. Where, 
1. Air is to be cold and moist; if not so naturally, ’tis to be procu- 
red by Art, as in foregoing Chapters. 
2. A cool and moist Dyet, gravelly-Rivered-Fish; no Wine, nor 
strong Drink, no vexings, nor movings of Passion, or inordinate 
motion of the Body, or watching, are any wayes innocent. 
1. Preparation of a double kinde, first to thicken and prepare 
Choler for expulsion, secondly to cool and render it stiller, milder, and 
less Acrimonious. 
2. For the second, Cooling and Anodine, Internals and Externals,
having somewhat a stupifactive force; for pain that is raised from light- 
er Causes, as wrath, is quelled by Mittigaters, and also Medicines that 
dispose to quieting and rest. 
1. For the first. Prepare thin hot Choler, with Syrupes of Violets, 
Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, Gourds, Barley, Jujubins, Sebestens, 
Pruins, Sorrel, Purslane, &c. of which confusedly named, may Deco- 
ctions, Apozemes, Syrups, Julaps, &c. be made. 
2. Evacuation. Here Hartman praiseth greatly Aqua Benedicta, for a 
Vomit, to extinguish all pains of the Head, and Mercatus, Stibium. 
A Clyster is good to be premised, before purging downwards, of 
Lenitives and Coolers, with Cassia; and because Cholerick Habits 
are most commonly costive, they are good to be used often, which 
purging is most commodiously done with cooler and more gentle Sim- 
ples, as Pulpe of Cessia Fistula and Tamarinds. 
Some commend Potions of the Infusion of Senna, with black Helle- 
bore, also Scammony, Merc. Vitæ, and Flower of Antimony; but 
these seem too exasperating and heating at the first, till Choler is some- 
what tamed and cooled.
Potions are more innocent of Infusion of Rhubarb, Senna, and Epi- 
thimum, in Cychory or Endive-Water, adding to the strained Liquor 
Syrups of Violets, or Epithimum. and Pulpe of Cassia, the like. 
But

174 MORBI CAPITIS. 
But these Pills following are of greatest benefit, and are not much 
unlike those of Fernelius in materials : 
ꝶ Aloes, ʒi.Senna, Red-Roses, Violet-Flowers, Water-Lillies, 
Purslane and Coriander-Seed, white Sanders, ana Gr. xv. with Syrup 
of Violets make a mass, for Pills ; of which, ʒss. in four Pills may be 
taken every night, for a month. 
To some delicate persons that nauseate Potions, and cannot swallow
Pills, this Bole may be a sufficient Purge : 
ꝶ Diacridium, ℈ß. Conserve of Roses, ʒij. Cinnamon, Gr. v. 
3. Blood-letting is to be instituted, both for evacuation, and also 
cooling, and making mind Cholerick Humours : If the Occiput be most 
pained, ’tis to be cured by opening the Forehead-Vein, saith Hollerius, 
for there come two Branches from the Jugulars, one whereof is brought 
to the Occiput, the other to the Forehead; by which Branches there is a 
certain communion twixt the fore and hinder parts of the Head. In 
Bleeding, whether by the Arm or Forehead-Veins, we must not draw 
out so largely as in the Headach caused of Blood ; nor at once is it so 
good to take our whole quantity, for the Cholerick and hot Humours 
are more tempered and cooled by repeated Phlebotomy : some instead 
of opening the Forehead-Veins, set on Leeches. 
Platerus saith, Arteriotomy in contumacidous and persevering Head- 
aches, with great pulsation and heat, hath often helped; specially if 
therewith there is a Vertigo. 
4. Derivation and Revulsion is done by Cups, with Scarif to the 
Neck and Shoulders, to draw from the affected part; also to the But- 
tocks and Legs, to pull back from the Head. 
Errhines and Sneezers also serve here, but are to be superseded, if 
the Eyes be weak and obnoxious to fluxions, as also Masticatories ; but 
saith Lud. Sept. they are to be suspected, whenas the Cause is a thin se- 
rous hot humour, left they should violently draw that from the Head, 
which falling upon the Lungs might effect a Ptisick, or some other Dis- 
ease there. 
5. Consumption of the Reliques by Topicals : Where, 1.Camphir, be- 
cause 'tis thought to cause watching, is disallowed: 2. Others insti- 
tute Discussion in its place; where Oyls of Camomile, Dill, Rheu, are
good, or Pouders of Nutmegs, Stæchas, Rosemary-flowers, Camomile- 
flowers, Eldern, Vervain, wild Time, Rhue, &c. some adde Mosch, 
to penetrate and corroberate, as saith Rondel. Of these Caps or in- 
terbasted Frontals be made ; yet the Powders alone strewed, are better 
than


MORBI CAPITIS. 175
than interwoven in Caps, because so their virtue is not so nearly com- 
municated to the Brain, through the Caps. 
This, with the aforesaid Pills, may be used for some time, to spend 
and discuss the remainder or regenerating of Choler in the Head, and 
therefrom Relapses. 
CHAP. VIII 
Of Headach from Flegm. 
Flegm, or pituitous Humours, collected and cooling the Mem- 
branes, but not the Brain it self, for then would a Stupor fol- 
low, or Drowsiness : This is of the same nature with that 
Mucus, or filth that being actually cold, is wont to flow out by 
the Nostrils, and Headach from the efflowing of such Humours,as in the 
Pose is often eased. 
Causes generating Flegm (being received and made effecting, from 
first a cold Brain, secondly a cold and moist Liver, which may send thi- 
ther vaporous Blood) are, A Dyet of sweet and fat Meats, cold and 
moist qualitied, Fish, Things raw, Milk, Cheese, Sugared Meats* 
Fruits, Olives, &c. 
Adjutant hereto be, 
1. An Air cold and moist. 
2. Idleness, and neglect of Exercise. 
3. Sleeping over-much, especially on a full Stomack. 
4. Actual external Coldness, as by application of Medicines, where- 
by the cold penetrates inwardly, and induces a Distemper. 
Sign. All that indicate a cold and moist Distemper: As, 
1. Whiteness and moistness of the Face ; unless from blood fallen 
to the part it should be suffused with redness. 
2. Much and profound Sleep, Dulness of Senses, slowness to 
action.
3. Abundance of excrements flow out by the Nostrils; but if a Catar- 
hous matter be abundantly sent to the Nose and Jaws, and raises a 
Cough, sleep may be lessened and Flegm loosened. 
4. Pain is more in the hinder part of the Head from Flegm, taking 
its possesion there, and afflicts most from the third hour of the night to 
the ninth.
5. There


176 MORBI CAPITIS,
5. There is a sense of fulness and gravity in the Head.
Dyet. 1. An Air naturally hot and dry; if not, made so Artificial- 
ly, keeping a bright fire, into which may fine-scented-things be cast, 
for rectifying bad vapours ; as, Wood of Aloes, Storaax, Benjamin, 
Juniper-Wood, Labdanum, Cinamon, Gum Anime, Frankinsence, and 
the like. 
2. Meat; where Roast is better than Boiled : Spices are very com- 
modiously used ; Bisket-Bread, or Bread baked with Aromaticks, chief- 
ly Nutmegs and Aniseeds; let his Bread be well levened, and his Flesh 
be of those Creatures that are void of Excrements, used to Exercise, 
and condite with hot Sawces: But all these Aliments are not to be too 
much glutted off, for a sparing Dyet is best. 
3. Drink; where thin and small Wine is allowed, as is also the in- 
fusion of Aromaticks in it: To which adde Exercising, as very helpful. 
Cure of Headach from Flegm: Where, 
First, We respect the Cause : Where, 
1. A Dyet convenient hereto, is to be ordered, as is afore-written. 
2. Preparers of pituitous Humours for expulsion; where hotter Pre- 
parers at first are bad, for they melt the gross matter by their heat, 
Whence it being made larger requires greater room, and therefrom di- 
stends and pains : 2. Strong Heaters are not to be given after meat, 
for so are obstructions made. 
3. More mild Preparers at first : as, 1. Healing and dry Cephalicks 
say some, for alteration: 2. Attenuating and cutting Simples, say others, 
for incision and attenuation, ought to be used, which we think thus well 
reconciled; the first suits in a thin, and moveable, and more waterish
pituitous matter, such are Nutmegs, Cloves, Pepper, Castor, Laven- 
der, Marjoram, Sage, Betony, Rosemary, wild Time, &c. the second 
are more meet in a thick tenacious and compacted Flegm, for which 
Organy, Savory Winter and Summer, Marjoram, wild Time, Hyssop, 
Stcæhas, Oxymels, especially of Squills, are most beneficial. 
Secondly, The Humour being prepared, evacuate it; Proper Purgers 
of Flegm from the Head, are to be given, mixt with Alteratives, and 
repeated ; Pills for this purpose, are thought most prevalent, of Aga- 
rick, Collocinthis, Laureata, Turbith ; yet say some, Agarick is not to 
be given in substance, for so it causes Vomiting, but in Infusion; yet 
mixt in Pills it doth not: These are given one hour after Supper, that 
their Virtue may be carried to the Head, with the Vapours of the 
Meat. 
Clisters


MORBI CAPITIS. 177
Clisters also are commended for pulling back Vapours and more flux- 
ible Humours that are going from the Head ; in which, for evacuation 
sake, some Irritaters of the expulsive faculty of the Intestines, are con- 
venient. 
Letting Blood is wholly to be omitted, unless we see much Blood to 
abound in the Body. 
Physicians make a distinction in the Cure of Redundancy of pitui- 
tous Humours ; for some, as we said before, institute onely Cutters and 
Makers thin of a viscid tough thick Flegm ; whenas others appoint dry- 
ing, sweating, and Diuretick Medicines, by which we guess they mean 
for a waterish or thin loose pituitous Humour, wherein drying Drinks 
of Guaicum, China, Sarsaparilla, &c. are helpful. 
But in the following intention we may treat generally, composing 
both under one kinde of Method, to be cured ; As, 
Thirdly, Diverting of the Flegm from the Head to the lower Parts : 
Where, 
1. Clisters drawing sensibly from the Head, help. 
2. By the Nose, Derivation is good, 1. By Errhines, as of dry 
Leaves of Tobacco put into the Nostrils, Juyce of Beets, and Juyce of 
Ground-Ivy, which is excellent; as also Juyce of Laureata. 2. By Na- 
salia, in form, sharp at one end, and broad at the other, to put up the 
Nose, made of sharp irritating Simples. 3. Sneezers, yet too great 
concussion hurts. 
3. Evacuation made by the Pallate, which is instituted by Nature 
for that use, where 1. Gargarisms, 2. Masticatories. 
4. By the Ears, into which may be put some harmless opening Oyls, 
being all Emissaries of the Brain, and by which it is eased. 
In the the use of which Gargarisms, which divert fluent Humours 
from the Eyes, they, with all Head-Purgers, are to be used after purg- 
ing. 
Masticatories are ordained, whenas there is no peril of a Catarrh 
falling to the Brest. 
Errhines, and Nasal, and Sneezers best, whenas Nature was wont be- 
fore to send out excrements by the Nose, which now are supprest: Yet 
these are not good in a thin pituit, they are bad in affects of the Eyes 
or Nostrils, being obnoxious to Ulcers. 
Lastly, Topicks : whereby, 1. The matter is insensibly consumed, 
2. Evacuated, as by Cauteries to the Coronal Suture. 
Then we must provide that the Brain be rightly constituted, and ga- 
ther not such Humours again by the taking and applying of fit Corro- 
borative Remedies, as before in the precedent Chapters. 
Z As  

178 MORBI CAPITIS. 
As to the Symptom, Pain, of whose Cure we have and shall treat 
very large in precedent and subsequent Chapters ; we shall omit too 
much troubling the Reader, it being also a General Rule, Take away 
the Cause, and the Effect will cease. 
Of Siriasis. 
Defin. 'Tis an Inflamation of the Brain and Membranes happening 
for the most part to Infants and very young Babes, taking 
its name from  or Sirius, in Latine a Star, otherwise called Cani- 
cula the Dogstar, of some in other Countries Das Blat Schiffen, because 
the Membrane of the Brain slacking, there is made hollowness.
Cause in being. Is an Inflamation of the Brain, and its Membranes; 
the proper substance of the Brain, as in a Phrensie, is inflamed, and 
not the Menings alone, saith Riolanus. 
Causes efficient, or that effected this Inflamation not in being, were, 
1. Material, 2. Exciting. 
The first material Cause might be Milk, that the Infant is nourishied 
withal, that being too hot, and made so from Nurses using a more spiri- 
tuous and hot Drink, as Lucretius saith. That young Children may be 
made mad from sucking meerly Goats Milk. 
The second material Cause may be flegmatick Blood putrified. 
II. The exciting Cause ; It was called Siriasis for some Reason, for 
though the aforesaid Causes be set down by Authors, as general, and 
all that it arises from, yet the distinct propriety of it proceeds from the 
ruling of the Star Sirius, at which time this Disease raigns most, and 
from this (whose force is most perpetrated on them that are conversant 
in the Sun) may the aforesaid Causes be transacted, by the great Influ- 
ence the Stars have upon Humours in Mans Body. 
Diag. 'Tis known, 
1. By great pain of the Head. 
2. By hollowness or lankness of the forepart of the Head and Eyes. 
3. By the ruling of the Sirius or Dog-star, and by the Childs too 
much abiding in the Sun, specially about that time. 
4. As we may by sight discern the hollowness of the forepart of the 
Head, so by touch the bones in the upper part of the forepart of the 
Head, where the Sagittal and Coronal Suture meet, seem membranous,
and ends of them seem hardened. 
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 179 
Progn. It most troubles Infants, seldom those of riper years; 'tis 
very acute, and commonly kills in three days. 
In Cure the Belly must be loosened, the Nurses Milk must be rectified, 
if there be cause ; she must use a cold and moist Dyet, and dwell in a 
cooler Air, or keep her Body in cool temper : too great use of Coolers 
may take too deep effect in such young Infants Brains ; Oyl of Roses 
may be used at first, and then Oyl of Camomile may be added for un-
ction of the parts diseased. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Headach from the Womb. 
Gallen saith, Pains of the Head from consent of the Womb are 
chiefly stated in the hinder part, which also Lud. Mercat. as- 
sents to, by reason of the Veins and Arteries which about the 
Back do come hither; others say these vapours causing pain 
are transferred from the Womb to the hinder part of the Head and 
Crown, by the Nerves and spinal Marrow. 
Cause immediate, is a matter, saith Sennertus, sent from the Womb by 
the Veins and Arteries to the Head, and by vellicating and stretching 
out the parts effects pain , but though it may arise from vitious 
blood, or humours, yet not without a vapour. 
Cause remote is some vice of the Menstrues that went before. 
Sign. 1. It possesses the back part most, or for the most part it doth 
so. 
2. The Womb is otherwise affected , and the Menstrues 'tis like 
have not or do not perform their legal evacuation. 
3. Anxiety, palpitation, and swooning succeed from the Heart; al- 
so drawn into consent with the Womb by the Arteries, by which those 
vapours are also communicated to the Heart. 
4. These pains debilitate, cause Watching, and much afflict the 
Sick. 
Differences of the Humour are known, 
1. By heaviness, and sudden invading and ceasing again of the 
Z2 pain,

180 MORBI CAPITIS. 
pain, which argues the ascension of Vapours. 
2. By the contrary we may guess it an humour, and that 1. Either 
from Blood, where an heavy pain is the greatest : 2. From Choler,  
which is discerned by gnawing and pricking: 3. From Flegm, wherein 
there is a greater propensness to sleep ; 4. From Melancholy, wherein 
they are more sad ; 5. Commixtion of two or more of these Humours, 
or a windy matter together, for these humours are hardly pure, and a- 
lone, but commixt, and for the most part wind is the chief Cause. 
Cure respects the Cause, Parts, and Symptom. 
First, for the Cause. 1. The Womb is to be looked to, that sends 
matter up to the head, its vices are to be corrected : see an Epilepsie 
from consent of the Womb. 2. The Head that receives these Va- 
pours is to be respected, from whence we must repel and drive them 
back. 3. Care also is to be taken if they afflict the heart, then pull 
them back by sharp Clisters, suppress Frictions of the nether parts, 
and give Cordials. , 
Secondly, The Symptom, Pain ; Of this we have treated sufficiently 
in other Chapters, and think a needless repitition superfluous.  
CHAP. X. 
Of Numbness or Stupidity, 
Defin. STupor is a difficulty of sense and moving, being a palsey
in a low degree, or its fore-runner, a kin to an Apoplexy, 
sense and motion in a manner being both hurt. 
Cause is, 
I. Either cold or compression of the Nerves, prohibiting the influx 
of the Spirits. 
2. A contract of Drowsiness. 
3. Too great use of Narcotical and stupefactive Medicines. 
4. Bearing of heavy weights, or lying upon some Member. 
5. Constriction of the Nerves by hard binding. 
6. Phlegmone or a Scirrh. 
7. The Bone either luxated or broke. 
8. From wounds of the Brain. 
Sign. 'Tis known by relation of the Affected.
Progn.

MORBI CAPITIS. 181
Progn. Stupidity upon wounds of the Brain, is deadly ; from a me- 
lancholy humour, that being removed, it ceases of it self.
Cure. We must first know the Cause ; whenas 'tis a Palsey lessened 
the same cure may be ordered for it, as for a Palsey; observing, as that is 
of a low degree, so more gentle Medicines may serve to its cure. 
In internals we must respect the Head, to heat and uphold the Spirits 
and Faculties; for such an Intention may an Electuary be made, or 
Water be distilled from Rosemary, Sage, Betony, Marjoram, Wood- 
Sage, Pellitory of Spain, Couslips, Balm, Piony, wild Time, and La- 
vender English or French, to which may be added some drops of Oyl of 
Fennel Seeds, or rather Oyl of Rosemary, as much as may be conveni- 
ent. 
In Lochals the Chymical Oyl of Marjoram, to anoint the Nape of 
the Neck and spinal Marrow, greatly strengthen the Nerves. 
2. Rondeletius saith, The best Remedy is to wash the stupid Member 
with Mustum, or new Wine, Tempore Vindemiarum. 
3. A Pulteis of the Root of Garden-Bears-breach fresh rosted in 
Embers, beaten, and applied Pultis-wise is commended for Numbness 
in the Hands or Feet. 
Of Headach from Quicksilver. 
'Tis made from Unction of Quicksilver in the French Pox, or at 
other times, whereby Quicksilver insinuates it self, and lies with- 
in the Flesh, and effects very great pain and symptoms, and fixed in 
one place, and very contumacious, sometimes vexes most in the 
night. 
Here Physick avails not; Gold is to be put up into the Nostrils; a Ce- 
phalick Emplaister with Leaves of Gold, is to be applied to the Head, 
being first shaven ; a Gold Ring is to be held in the mouth, Plates of 
Gold are to be applied to the pained part, and always worn ; and if the 
Gold be white, ’tis a sign the Quicksilver is extracted; and if this Gold 
be cast upon Coals, it receives its true colour again. See Riverius, 
Obs. 91. Cent. 2. 
CHAP.

182 
MORBI CAPITIS. 
CHAP. XI.
Of Headach caused of the Stomach. 
Before we treated of Headach that was essential to the Head, cau- 
sed from Distemper, and Humours there placed. 
Now we shall begin with all those Parts that effect pain of the 
Head by Sympathy and Consent, sending thither Vapours, and 
communicating Humours from the communion of those parts with the 
Head. 
Cause. Therefore we will begin with the Stomach, causing Head- 
ach by consent, and which sends corrupt and noxious Vapours, from 
corrupt and putrified Humours remaining there, specially in the mouth 
of it, which disturb and pain the Head. 
Sign. 1. First from the pain, which is not constant; secondly, But 
when ’tis made, it vellicates, and is sharp; thirdly, The more hunger 
the sick suffers, the more pain rages, for then the Humour is not al- 
layed. 
2. From the Stomach, which is first vomitishly disposed, especially 
if its mouth be affected ; secondly, Nauseating, inappetence, or the 
like, are often joyned. 
In Dyet ’tis good to use some astringent things, to hinder the ready 
exhalation of those bad Humours to the Head; 2. To avoid those things 
that send hurtful Vapours to the Head, as Saffron, Pine-Nuts, Quin- 
ces, Milk, &c, which are apt to encrease Headach, if taken inwardly. 
Cure. Here Vomits are chiefly necessary and helpful to bring forth 
the Cause, to wit the Humours feated in the Stomach; some with the 
drinking of warm water, and the Patient to put a Feather, or his Fin- 
ger into his Throat, and provoke Vomit; which may serve in a light 
Affect, but hardly effectual enough at all times.
Preparation of the Humour, which may be suppofed to be viscous, and 
stick fast, is advised by others, and that not without reason : The best 
thing for that purpose is Vinegar of Squills, from to ℥i. to ℥ij. according 
as its operation may be desired, weaker or stronger, given for two or 
three times, then administer a Vomit of Emetick Wine, or Infusion of 
Crocus


MORBI CAPITIS. 183 
Crocus Metallorum; the dose of which to men may be from ℥iß. to ℥iiß. 
Some praise a Radish Vomit with Oximel. 
Vomits are of two sorts; gentle, which onely purge the Stomach, and 
evacuate what they finde there; strong, which draw Humours from 
other parts to the Stomach, and cast them out forcibly , without any 
other help: but Hellebore and strongest vomitory Medicines are not 
without danger; nor are mean Vomits safe in Ptitsicks, or Asthmaticks, 
or in Affects of the Eyes, because they raise fumes to them. 
If Vomits may not be requisite for the Habit and Constitution of the 
Patients Stomach, Pills may carry down the Humour, and be very pre- 
valent, they may be taken to ʒß. or ℈ij. before supper, or at going to 
Bed, in Syrup of Violets, Pap of a roasted Apple, or what else the Par- 
ty best likes; they may be made of greatest efficacy, according to this 
Example:
R: Aloe, ʒij. Senna, ʒj. Mint, Red-Rose-leaves, Cinnamon, and Co- 
riander Seed, ana ℈i. Salt of Wormwood, ℈ss. with Syrup of Violets 
make a mass for Pills ; these are rather convenient than Vomits, for 
thick, flegmatick, sowr, and salt Humours, that more aptly descend to 
the bottom of the Stomach ; but for Choler that is most desposed to float 
in the mouth of the Stomach, vomits are most helpful. 
Topicals are to be made, 
First for the Head ; 1. To strengthen it, that it may not so easily ad- 
mit of Vapours ascending to it: 2. To repel and drive back the Cause 
that is already received ; but some hold these needlesss, and not help- 
ful, but after a Vomit, and the prescribed Stomach-Pills; Medicines 
applied to the Head, may together be beneficial. 
Secondly, For the Stomach: An Oyntment composed of Stomachi- 
cals and Astringents may hinder the disposition of the Vapours arising 
from those Humours upwards ; but this is best after a Vomit, or Pills, 
that have first carried away the Humours; for if they be viscous, by 
Astringents they may be made worse, and more fastened. 
Lastly, Corroberate both Head and Stomach, chiefly by Internals, 
with Medicines appropriated to them and their vices.


184 MORBI CAPITIS 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Headach from Drunkenness. 
Causes are evident enough to be Liquors that fume to the Head, 
and disturb the sensitive Faculties, and cause Headach; such 
be either Wines, specially generous Wines and Sack, Strong- 
Waters, Ale, Strong Drink, or fumes of hot Humours so 
ascending and filling the Brain with Vapours, which if it be hot, is so 
much the more quickly taken, saith Galen; and such as have the Os Tri- 
quetrum, and Sutors closer shut, bear Drink less then others ere they 
be drunk. 
The same Cause works molestation of the Senses divers wayes, ac- 
cording as the occult Natures of men are disposed. For, 
I. In some it effects Raging, Staring, Swearing, Cursing, Fight- 
ing, and the like. 
2. In others the contrary, for some will then be most complemental, 
most flattering, Smile and Laugh, and be wantonly disposed. 
From hence was brought that proverbial Verse, 
Per multum risum potuis cognoscere Stultum. 
By much laughter thou mayest know a Fool. 
3. Some are more melancholy and Stupid, forget almost all things, 
are more busied in pensiveness of Mind, and more sad.
4. Others be more Merry, Sing, Play, Rant it, and are Lascivi- 
ous, Blasphemous, are more vigilant, and remember things better. 
Signs are apparent enough. 1. By dulness of their Eyes. 2. By 
the carriage of their Body. 3. By their Speech; often they Vomit, 
they Stutter, Babble, Stagger, and can hardly stand, and fall, Head 
akes; think all turns round ; Eyes are disposed to moisture ; after the 
Wine or Drink is a little digested, they sleep, after which for the most 
part they are eased. 
Progn. Though Wine be hot, it begets cold Diseases, for through too 
much accustomed drinking Wine or Ale, there follows often weakness of 
the Nervs, Palsies, Trembling, Convulsion, Falling-sickness and 
Catarrhs,


MORBI CAPITIS. 188
Catarrhs: if the Drunken Man be made Dumb, he will die of a Con- 
vulsion, unless a Feaver supervenes, or he recovers his voice at that 
time wherein Surfeits are wont to be dissolved, saith Hippocrates. 
Cure is double, first Preservative ; where, 
1. Divers Medicines are set down by Authors to preserve from be- 
ing Drunk. As 1. Milk drank fasting will that day defend from being 
Drunk. 2. Rhue, whence the Poets said, Ruta tibi convertit pocula 
tuta. 3. Æctius bids every morning to eat six or seven bitter Al- 
monds, and to drink Wormwood-wine fasting. 4. To burn Swallows, 
Feathers and all, in a Crucible, and eat the Ashes of them in a Morn- 
ing. 5. Peach Kernels, whole force some attribute to their Diuretick 
force. Arculanus saith, if a Man eat in the morning fasting, a top of Rhue or 
Wormwood, it will secure him from being Drunk. 
2. As Medicines, so Precepts are set down by Authors to impe- 
dite Drunkenness. 
Platerus saith, Let them drinks very sparingly at first. 
Mnesitheus the Athenian bids three things to be observed; 1. To 
have their Wine mixt. 2. Not to Eat or Junquet overmuch at the second 
Course. 3. Before they sleep, to Vomit ; which Sylvius is against, saying,
That fills the Head more with the Vapours. 
Secondly, If Drunkeness be already made, we must first Evacuate 
the Wine, if yet undigested.
1. By Vomit, by warm Water, or stronger Vomits, Roots of Ara- 
rum, of Primroses, of Betony , white Births or Colworts, with fat 
Broath, or Mallows boild in Barley-Water, all which are very cool 
and gentle Vomits, and may hardly work of themselves without the 
Stomach much nauseates them, or they be provoked. 
2. By Evacuation downwards, by Clisters and Catharicks, which 
are less profitable and available at first, unless the Liquor be somewhat 
digested and carried downwards. 
3. After Vomit, sleep and rest do profit much, fasting, also drink- 
ing of Water, or exicrate, or sharp astringent Juyces mixt therewith. 
Forestus gave small Beer to Drunkards, bidding them to sleep upon 
it, Si nocturna tibi noceat potatio Vini, hoc mane rebibas & erit tibi Medi- 
cina.
For Dyet. Cooling Meats, not fuming, grateful to the Stomach, and 
of good digestion; some attrictive Sawces to keep back fumes are al- 
lowable ; Cooling Herbs in Broath, specially Colworts and Lettice, 
which by a propriety help ; Bread steeped in Water ; abstaining from
Dates,
Aa


Dates, Mesch, Saffron and the like, that fill the Head again with Va- 
pours, and raise pain. 
But food is denyed specially to be given liberally or presently, but 
abstinence and fasting are very wholsom. 
In the mean while we must not neglect the use of Specificals, and such 
as by a propriety drive away Drunkeness ; Observing also that 1. Va- 
pours are to be prohibited from ascending. 2. The Head comforted ; 
Specificals are, Broath, or decoction of Colworts, or of Lettice, Syrup 
of Garden-Currants, Vervain, Centuary, Harts-Horn, Bay-Leaves,
Amethist worn, or a Garland of Colwort-Leaves : Platerus saith, this 
Pouder avials; ꝶ Seeds of Colworts ʒi of Plantane, Purslane, Barberies 
ana ʒß Coriander-Seeds prepared, ʒij. Red-Rose-Leaves, Water-Lil- 
lies, red Saunders, ana. ʒß. Mastick ℈i. Camphir gr. ij. this prohibits 
Vapours, cools the Head and comforts the Stomach. 
Topicals are for both the last named intentions ; For the first there- 
fore to drive back and keep Vapours from the Head, Repellers are used, 
as Oxirhodines. Fox the second many Medicines have been set down 
in precedent Chapters to reduce the Brain to its right temper and 
strength after Diseases. Simeon Partlicius saith , An Amethist Stone 
bound to the Navil, instantly makes a Drunken man Sober. 
Lastly, Discussion of the Reliques, if any thing be left and im- 
pacted in the Head, for which use Oyl of Orris, of Bays, of Dill, 
Rheu, Camomile, &c. together with Frictions, Walkings, Exercises, 
and the rest.
2. The Symptom pain is to be cured, which may be done almost by 
the same way directed for Headach from Choler, by Oxirhodines; but 
the best of helps for Headach from Drunkeness, is the Oyl of Tree- 
Ivy-leaves, to anoint the Temples, Forehead and Nostrils, also to 
snufF some of the Juyce up into the Nose. 
They say Eelop put into Wine or Beer, and suffered to die in it, he 
that drinks that Liquor, will never love it afterwards.

MORBI CAPITIS. 
Of Headach from Feavers. 
Commonly this is a Symptom, and alwayes less or more at one time 
or other, either at beginning, middle, or end of the Feaver; 
'tis an inseparable Symptom, therefore we must consider whether it be 
only a Concomitant Symptom, either from the beginning of both con- 
tinual and intermitting Feavers, or whether it urged not before the 
state of the Feaver, by which we may judge it Critical, and curing of 
it is to be superseded ; And say some Astronomers, If the Moon 
come to the Opposition of the Sign and Degree she was in at the falling 
sick of the affected Person, or if she or her Beams extend so far as that 
place she then was in at the Parties falling sick, (it, as the other, pre- 
tending a Decretory Hæmorrhage, or bleeding at Nostrils, or Vomit- 
ing to follow) no Physick is then to be given ; but if vehement and 
pulsant, (as in acute Feavers, with watching, redness of the Face 
and Eyes, and sometimes with a Delirium, and coming not in the state 
of burning and continual Feavers alone, and in the fits alwayes of in- 
termitting Feavers) 'tis to be respected and mitigated : and though a 
Symptom, yet may be worse than the Disease it depends upon ; 1. As 
to its Molestation. 2. As to the Dangers that it may bring in some, 
especially where not Vapours alone, but also hot and Cholerick Hu- 
mours are carried to the Brain, or Blood, hot and much perfufed with 
Choler. 
Cure. For its cure therefore (neglecting, as needless, the penning of 
Causes, or Diagnostick or Prognostick Signes, looking to the Disease 
it self, viz. a Feaver, of which this is but a Symptom) Phlebotomy of 
breathing the Cephalick-Vein of the Arm; this may respect both Fea- 
ver and Headach, though we intend here not to speak of the Cause, the 
Feaver, but only of curing the Headach arising therein and therefrom: 
If it be not sufficient in the Arm, opening a Vein of the Forehead, or 
Arteriotomy, is greatly praised by some ; and experience hath often 
found not only successful, but safe also : Hereby the Fiery and Feaverish 
Spirits that are in the Blood, and sent to the Head, from consent of 
the whole Body, are let out. 
2. Keep the Body soluble, for costivess in Feavers often causes 
the ascent of Vapours (their free passage downwards being narrowed) 
which molest and pain the Head; we may not use Purgatives of any
great strength, lest they enkindle the Feaver more. 
Aa 2 But

188 MORBI CAPITIS, 
we must use Topicks to appease the pain, which are first to be re- 
pelling, that so they may stop and hinder the flowing of Humours, or 
gathering of hot Cholerick Vapours to the Head ; but as we said be- 
fore, where there be signs of Concoction, and Headach comes nigh up- 
on the Crisis of the Feaver, Natures endeavour to expel that matter by 
a flowing of Blood out at Nostrils, or some other way, may be stopped, 
and so the Disease either increased, or the matter fixed there, may effect 
some pernitous Disease afterward for to repel therefore Oxirhodon 
is chiefly used: A red-Rose-Cake sprinkled with a little, is to be ap- 
plied to the Forehead, after the anointing of this Oyntment there first
ꝶ Buds of the Poplar-Tree, Housleek, Red-Roses, Water-Liilies, ana 
ʒj. Leaves of Primroses, Violet-flowers, Camphir, ana ʒfs. Vinegar 
of Vervain, ℥j. Oyl of Poppies, of the Seeds of Cucumbers by extra- 
ction, ana ℥fs. Capon-Grease, ℥j. white Wax as much as may suffice, 
make an Oyntment, which may serve for all Intentions, both for repel- 
ling, cooling, to cause sleep, and ease the pain : For which,
1. The Root Rhodium being cold in quality, and so called from its 
good smell, a Pulteis of it beaten, boild in Vinegar and Oyl of Roses, 
and laid to the Forehead and Temples, excells. 
2. So doth an Emplaister of Aloes of America, with Juyce of Hous- 
leek, and a small portion of Camphir. 
3. Hartman advises to a stupifying Frontal, which is best in great 
watching, and if a Delirium be present, thus made ; ꝶ of Laudanum 
Opiatum, gr. x. Rose and Nightshade-water, ana ℥iij. Rose-Vinegar, 
℥ifs. mix them exactly, and a linnen cloth dipt therein, apply it to the 
Forehead Blood-warm.
4. Plantane-Root is thought to help by a propriety, either held in the 
Mouth, or hung about the Neck, which way also Vervain may be 
used. 
5. Ivy-Leaves beat in form of a Liniment with Oxirhodon are  
praised. 
6. Also River-Crabs prepared, are applied by some, together with 
the use of some of these, which the discreet Physician best likes ; the 
Sick may smell to Rose-Water, Vinegar and Camphir, hold cooling, 
astringents, but pleasant Waters or Juyces in his mouth; apply a Ra- 
dish-Root slit, first washed in Salt and Vinegar, to his Feet, which is 
commended, together with Irrigation, or washing of the Coronal Su- 
ture with Decoction of some or most of the Specificals we have na- 
med. 
If yet the pain be not eased, make Blisters in the Neck, Forehead, 
or fore-part of the Head, for therefrom may many serous and hot sharp 
Humours of the Blood be evacuated.
After

MORBI CAPITIS. 18
After these, Discussion of the Reliques is done by Oyls of Orris, of 
Dill, Camomile, Mother of Time : Or these boiled in Oyl; ꝶ Mo- 
ther of Time, Camomile, Eldern, ana p.i. Nutmegs, Peucedane-root, 
Zedoary, Tobacco-Leaves, and Marish Mallow-Roots, ana ʒj. boil all 
in Oyl, strain them out, and use it for unction of all the fore-part of the 
Head and Sutures. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Headach from Blood. 
WE treated before of Headach from distemper without the ad- 
mission of any Humours: Now we treat of it diversly, 
from several kindes of Humours, of which it is caused : 
And first of Blood; not humerous, but pure, unmixed, of- 
fending onely in quantity. The Greeks call it Phlethora, the Latines 
Plenitudo in English Plethory, Plenitude or Fulness. 
Cause. First, ’Tis made, 
1. Originally from Plenitude and abounding of Blood in the Body, 
made from things too much nourishing and increasing Blood whether 
Meats or Drinks, being too plentifully taken. 
2. To this adde the omitting of Exercises, Sweatings, and Evacua- 
tion, natural or artificial, as Bleeding, Purging, &c. 
Secondly, ’Tis brougnt into Action being thicker or thinner, more 
or less spirituous, colder or hotter, sharp or milder, or less humerous 
and pure) from too great affects, which bring either heat or pain to the 
Head, so that the Blood filling the large dimensions of the Brain is
over-heat, whence follows heat and distentive pain, yet acquires it 
not such a heat, as that a Delirium should follow. 
Thirdly, Particular Causes that both attract and make this Blood to 
pain, be chiefly, 
1. Drinking of Wine. 
2. Heat of the Sun. 
3. An hot House and Baths. 
4. A Blow or Fall. 
5. Much Crying, vehement Coughing, or the like. 
6. All perturbation of Mind, and immoderate motion, of the 
Body. 

190 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Signs Diagnost.
1. The pain is pulsant, there is distension and gravity, unless it come 
from any external Cause, specially austro flante. 
2. The Temple-Veins beat more strong and lustily than those at the 
Wrists, and the pulsative faculty is very great and vehement.
3. Urine muddy and thick. 
4. Swelling of the Veins, and redness of the Eyes and Face. 
5. The pain infects the fore-part of the Head chiefly from the ninth 
hour of the night to the third hour of the day.
Progn. Hipp. Aph. 10. Sect. 6. saith, Blood issuing out by the Nostrils,
Mouth or Ears, dissolves a vehement or grievous Headach. 'Tis often 
changed into Phrensies, and other grievous Diseases of the Head: Yet 
if in any Disease this comes Symptomatically, and shews a Crisis, ’tis 
better to be silent in Medicines, and wait its state, specially no Feaver 
nor Inflamation cerebrifeavered. 
Dyet. Cool and dry ; all meats nourishing much, as Flesh, rere 
Eggs, are to be shunned.
2. All Meats tempered and made wholsom, or their Inimical quali- 
tie corrected by Sawces of Coolers; cool Herbs, as Cychory, Lettice, 
Violet-Leaves, Endive, Borrage, Purslane, &c. Sallads also of such 
Herbs are very good. 
Barly-Water may serve for his ordinary drinking, or small Cinna- 
mon-Water; Wine is not to be permitted, yet white Wine is least
hurtful to the Head and Sinews. 
Let sleep not exceed, let not Crosses disturb, let Exercise not be im- 
moderate, but moderate doth good, as do Frictions, but not of the 
Head, till he is perfectly whole. 
Cure. 1. We must premise a Clister. 
2. Open the Arm-Vein, the sooner the safer, for there is fear of In- 
flamation, the Cephalick on the same side with the pain, is best ; draw 
out Blood largely : if that may not suffice, opening a Vein of the Fore- 
head hath been wonderful helpful. Lazarus Riverius, Obs. 89. Cent. 
2. in a violent pulsant and diuturnal Headach, many Remedies first 
ufed in vain, letting out ℥iij. of Blood from the Forehead-Vein pre- 
sently mittigated and quelled the pain: An agglutinative Emplaister of 
Mastick, Bole, Dragons Blood, Frankinsence, White of an Egg, and 
Hares Hairs, ate to be applied upon the wound to stop the Blood, and 
agglu-

MORBI CAPITIS. 191
agglutinate the wound. Obs.40. Cent. 3. Riverius tells of another that 
after often letting Blood in the Arm, opening the Ankle-Vein, did it 
instantly. However this is to be tried in Courses stopt in Women. Ar- 
teriotomy, saith Johnston, is not to be tried by reason of a Neurisma. 
3. Evacuation is to be instituted, of cooler and gentler Medicines, 
made of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, &c. with altering Cephalicks, a 
Clister first premised, for the Humour may become adust, and get Acri- 
mony, unless means be used to detract from it, and render it purer:
Rondel. advises gentle laxative Apozems to be given one hour before 
Dinner, that the gravity of Meat may be the better carried downwards, 
and fumes may not ascend upwards, to offend the Head. 
Clisters also had in frequent use, may do good for the same purpose, 
specially if the Patient be disposed to Costiveness, which is not to be 
slighted. 
1. Topicals : Which are to be applied to the sore-part, for Blood pos- 
sesseth the Forehead to the Temples, and the Coronal Suture ; they are 
held hurtful to the Marrow of the Back, if they be applied to the hin- 
der. 
They are to be first repelling,and the stronger the better to strengthen 
the part, and keep back the Flux of Blood ; in liquid forms, to pene- 
trate the easilier,for Emplaisters sticking close heat more : Oxirhodinum
with Oyl of the Sloe-Bush, or the Leaves of the Sloe-Tree, boiled with 
Self-heal, Plantane, Housleek, &c. in Oyl and Vinegar, in winter they 
are to be cold onely potentially, but in summer actually. 
2. Digesters: Yet in great pain that is first to be mittigated, saith 
Rondeletius: 1. By such as dull the Sense, as Narcotical and cold 
things, Oyl of the Seeds of Poppies, which hurts less than the Juyce, 
as not being so cold ; Oyl of the Apples of Mandrakes are good for 
unction, Henbane and Nightshade are thought to induce foolisness ; 
fumes also of Opium or soporiferous Herbs boild in Oyl, to smell to. 
2. Relax the Part distended, where Oyl of sweet Almonds, Violets, 
Sesamum, and Melilot, Marish Mallows, have place. 3. Correct the 
Acrimony of the Blood, if that offend, by demulcent things. 
For digestion and dispersion of the Reliques of the matter, Foments 
are useful here; the best Simples are such as respect the Headach, and 
are Specificals, as Camomile, Eldern, Dill, Melilot, Mint and Mal- 
lows. The Oyntment of Alablaster, of Bened. Vic. Faven, is praised 
by Platerus and divers others, and is made thus: ꝶ Juyce of Camo- 
mile, ℥ij. Juyce of Red-Roses, ℥j. Juyce of fresh Rheu and Betony, 
ana ʒvj. Juyce of the Root of Althea, ℥j. purest Alablaster finely pu- 
lu. ℥j. Ol. Ros. Ompha. ℥xij. macerate them, and with ℥iij. of Wax 
boil them to an Oyntment. 
Also

192 MORBI CAPITIS. 
Also for Discussions sake, some with the applying to the Head of the 
Liver or Lungs of any Animal, ora Cock-Pigeon, which though the 
blood be all repelled and gone, yet it leaves behind it a fumous and va- 
prous matter, that is aptly dispersed and vanquished by such as these
that we have rehearsed : if the pain be more inward, hotter and strong- 
er Digesters are to be used. 
Others instead hereof, viz. of Discutient Medicines, institute emp- 
tying out of the Blood, after repulsion, by Milfoil, or Nose-bleed, so 
called from its property, put into the Nose, and section of the Forehead- 
Vein, if the hinder-part be affected. 
However, it would not be amiss to use Errhines to purge the Head 
by the Nose, as of Juyce of Primrose-Roots, snuft up, which also much 
prevails against the pain, or Juyce of Beets. 
Lastly, the Head is to be corroberated by Internals apd Externals ; 
Cucphas are made more unwholsome in some, where they are over- 
much moistened by sweat. 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Headach from a Melancholy Humour.
Headach from a Melancholy Humour is divided into Essential and 
Sympathetical by content from the Spleen. 
1. Essential in the Head, is often mixt with a flegmatick 
Humour, as in the French Pox, saith Rondeletius, and is discovered 
by a Delirium, adjoyned with Fear and Sadness, Sleeps are trouble- 
some, and molested with Visions, sometimes there is sudden loss of 
motion. 
Cause. All such things as ingender or increase a Melancholy Hu- 
mour. 
Progn. Cure is easier at first. 
1. In Cure, Melancholy is to be prepared with Heaters and Moist-
ners ; ’tis not to be delayed, lest the Brain be over-dried thereby. 
2. Opening of the first wayes premised, we must purge out the pec- 
cant Humour, chiefly with Potions, and at first more gentle ; Apozems 
with Splenical Medicines and Specificals, as black Hellebore, Epithi-
mum 

MORBI CAPITIS. 193 
mum, Lapis Lazuli, Senna, &c. Errhines also serve for evacuation-sake, 
which with Purgers are to be used often , and by courses, for once not 
twice will not suffice to empty out that thick Humour. 
Letting Blood, if the Blood be blackish and thick, is very conveni- 
ent, but if not, may be less emptied out: Other things prescribed for 
Madness and Melancholy may be used here. 
3. Corroborate and strengthen the Brain and Spirits, more hurt by 
the impression of dryness than the coldness of Melancholy, therefore 
in Topicals, Bags and Suffumes are less beneficial than Lotions or Un- 
ctions. 
4. A good Dyet is to be observed; Vinegar (fermenting Melancho- 
ly) is to be shunned. 
II. By Consent: Yet Melancholy being thick and viscid, affects not 
by consent, but by sending Vapours to the Brain, raises pain ; This 
comes chiefly from the Spleen, where that is to be respected, or from 
Hæmorrhoids or Courses stopt ; where opening of them, then revul- 
sion and opening the Ankle-Vein, are helpful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Headach from Windiness. 
Pain of the Head from windiness is a distentive painful sense of 
feeling in the Head, from wind made from its generative Cau- 
ses, and either gathered there from weakness, or transmitted 
from inferiour parts from their repletion. 
Causes are, 
I. More general, as from a constitution apt to engender wind. 
2. Abundant eating of windy or wind-breeding things. 
3. Obstruction, whence fuliginous Vapours from Excrements re- 
tained cannot pass out. 
4. Weakness of the Head, and parts of it, whence Crudities are  
accumulated, and cannot be digested from impaired heat. 
5. Odours, smelling to stinking things, Metals, fume of Coals, 
&c. do raise heavy sense of feeling to the Head. 
Sign. In crudity and quantity of flatuosity, there is distention with- 
out pulse and gravity, noise in the Ears, and tinkling pain in the Tem-
Bb ples;


194 MORBI CAPITIS. 
ples ; sometime a Vertigo ; it quickly rises and remits : Where the 
Humours are more sharp, and the temper of the Brain more hot and 
cholerick, pain is felt more sharp and pricking. 
Progn. Aph. 51. S. 6. They that are suddenly taken, and present- 
ly are made dumb, and snort, unless a Feaver supervene, die ere these- 
venth day pass but a Feaver coming, resolves the pictuitous and windy 
Humours that produce these effects. 
Dyet. Such things as ingender not windiness, are onely to be 
used. 
Cure. After generals, as Purging, a Carminative Clister premised, 
which may draw down the Vapours from the Head, we come to To- 
picks; in the use of which, the first intention is to repel; adding af- 
ter a while concoctive and discutient Medicines: Oyl of Roses is here 
most necessary for all purposes , which may be mixed afterward with 
stronger Concocters, Discusters, and Anodines ; as Oyls of Dill, of 
sweet Almonds, Camomile, Rhue, Melilot, &c. which are very profi- 
table ; yet we must not use too strong Discussers before time is given 
for concoction of it. 
Riverius wishes to sprinkle on the Head the sequent Powder, (the 
Head first rubbed with Bags : ) ꝶ: Nutmegs, Cloves, Pellitory of Spain, 
Pepper, ana ℥ß. Leaves of Sage, Bay-Berries, ana ʒij. Mustard-Seed, 
Cresses, ana ʒvj. sprinkle it on, and rub it in ; and the next morning 
comb it our, and sprinkle on more; the Vertues of Powders sprinkled, 
is better communicated to the Brain, than Caps. 
In Oyls for Unction may be mixed hot Carminatives in a colder Con- 
stitution ; among which Mother of Time, Nutmegs, and Tobacco- 
Leaves, are most profitable. 
In a more hot temper of the Head, and youth fuller Habit, Epithemes 
may be commodious for the Forehead and Temples to be washed there- 
with or the whole Head being first shaven : Among such, this of Ri- 
verius seems most applaudable : ꝶ: pulu Zedoar. ʒj. Waters of Betony, 
Vervain, and Eldern, of each ℥j. apply it moderately hot with Scarlet 
Clothes. 
Sneezings are allowed of, of white Hellebore, care of catching cold 
after it being observed. 
So are Odours, as smelling to Castorium, Ambergreese, and their like, 
that are friendly and comfortable to the Brain. 
Lastly, The Head is to be strengthened, Carminative Cephalicks 
taken

MORBI CAPITIS. 195
taken inwardly, that help weakness and coldness of the Head, and hin- 
der the regeneration of wind in it, for which also a Cucupha is to be 
worn for a good while after. 
Differ. First, from internal Causes. 
1. One Essential (of which we treat generally) where pain is more 
constant, there be signs of the Head affected, and other parts well con- 
stituted. 
2. By Consent of the lower parts, (viz. of the Stomach, Liver, or 
Spleen) and its signs are, Distension of the Neck-Veins, Urine is full 
of bubbles, wind ascends by the fore-parts with stretching out of the 
Thorax, and deep beating of the Arteries or hinder-parts, with tensi- 
on of the Veins and Arteries there ; Revulsion is here most necessary, 
specially by Clisters and Repellers, for Topicals meet rather then in the 
Head affected. 
Secondly, External Causes, as unwholsom Metals smelt to, and va- 
pours rising from unwholsom places, sume of Coals, and the like ; where 
amending of the stinking Air, or flying their unwholsome vapours, use 
of Zedoary, Antidotaries, Sternutatories, are chiefly to be expected
helpful.
To these some adde a sharp pain about the Eye-brows, called Cla- 
vus, from a sharp windy matter included between the Crane and the 
Pericrane. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Vertigo, or giddiness in the Head. 
Vertigo is a Symptom of depraved Sense and Imagination, where- 
in they think all things turn round, and are hurried about in a 
preposterous manner, made from agitation and swift circum- 
volution of animal Spirits, or airy matter, contained in the 
anterior Ventricles of the Brain. 
Subject is the Brain, or fore-part thereof, in whose Ventricles the 
animal Spirits are immoderately agitated, or die vaporous Humours 
are moved; and it is no Wonder; if these Organick parts be affected 
that are made to rule, if the imagination and sight be not according to 
Nature; and if the Fountain of Sense be amiss, the Streams must
needs be molested thereby, having influence and force only herefrom.
Bb 2 Cause

196 MORBI CAPITIS, 
Cause is circular motion of the animal Spirits, made from aireal Hu- 
mours, or an exhaling matter, exciting great agitation and molestuous 
disturbance of the imaginary faculties. 
Causes of these vapours are twofold : 1. Primary, whereof they 
are made : 2. Secondary, whereby they are put upon action.
First, Primary : Herein some suppose the original to be from Flegm, 
and raw Humours ; others from whatever supplies bad vapours from a 
peculiar bad quality it yeildeth to the Head, as Radishes, Mustard, Gar- 
lick, Wine, &c. Vapours are made also from Emptiness as well as 
Crudity or Fulness, also from imperfect Crisis after long Diseases, from 
suppresion of accustomed evacuation, from an hot distemper of the 
Brain, dissolving Humours into a flatuous and airy matter, or a cold 
distemper therof, whereby Crudities are not digested, and through weak- 
ness of the force of concoctive heat, many gross crude winds are heap- 
ed up; from plenty also of hot Blood do vapours plentifully arise. 
Platerus saith a waterish pituitous and fluctuating Humour is cause 
thereof. 
Secondly, Secundary : wherein are observed.
1. Great heat, (or mean sometimes) as of the Sun, or of fire, where- 
by the Humours are dissolved into Vapours, and the Vapours agita- 
ted. 
2. The looking stedfastly upon Whirl-pools, or Wheels, or what- 
ever turns round, or the looking down steep Hills, or from height, cau- 
ses a turbulent harmony of the Spirits, and deceives imagination. 
3. Violent motions, great pain, perturbations of both Body, and 
Mind, wrath, &c. excite and much exasperate. 
4. From violent purging, the South-winds blowing, a moist and hot 
temper of the air, and from rowsing up winds from parts below to fill 
the head, a Vertigo is often excited. 
The Causes take effect from the Brain, which is either obstructed, 
wherein the animal Spirits are stirred up to an inordinate motion, but 
cannot go the right way, which obstruction may arise several ways, ei- 
ther through plenitude of gross humours within obstructing, or with- 
out compressing the Arteries or Fractures. 
Or too readily applies that airy circumrotative vapour, and sucks it 
into the Veins and Arteries, whereby the animal Spirits are hurried 
out of their due station, and beyond their natural and ordinary 
course. 
Or is distempered, whereby it makes many vapours, and either 
through the force of heat expelling them hither and thither, or weak-
ness

MORBI CAPITIS. 197
ness of the parts, in not digesting and repelling them, the quiet harmo- 
ny of the Spirits is disturbed. 
Signs Diagnostick, that are in all causes evident, are the false imagi- 
nation of the Diseased, that all things turn round, and are carried round 
and whirl about in a circular preposterous manner: also depraved see 
ing, whereas the eyes being fixed on such things, discern not their rest 
and abode, but are affected with a mistiness; sometimes they fall 
and are affected much after the sort as Children that turn often round, 
for then they are dizzey, think ail turns round, even House and all, 
and are scarce able to stand; There is sometimes Headach, and tink- 
ling of the Ears. 
Other Signs are taken from the Differences. 
And Differences are taken from the Causes, which are either internal 
or external. 
Internal are either Humours, or Vapours; Humours are either San- 
guine, wherein things are discerned to be red; there is redness of the 
face, and beating of the Arteries: or Cholerick, wherein the Sick deems 
things to be yellow, that are not; and so of the rest. 
Vapours arise from Humours essentially in the Head, or by consent 
from other parts: other parts that send up Vapours to the Head, and 
cause a guiddiness, are either the Stomach, which chiefly offends, and 
that either when it is empty, and so plenty of virulent windiness a- 
bounds therein, and is sent up to the Head; or when it is too full, 
which is chiefly from things bad in quality, as Drunkenness, or un- 
wholsome vaporous Meats and Drinks, then there is a gnawing in the 
Stomach, like to that the Vulgar call the Heart-burn also there is a 
disposition to vomit before the fit, the evil afflicts now and then, accor- 
ding to the putrefaction or stirring of a Cholerick or Pituitous matter 
in the Stomach; or from the Womb, in suppression of the Courses; or 
from the Liver and Spleen, or Intestines, in suppression of the Hæ- 
morrhoids and Fæces, together with which signs of those particular parts 
affected, may be demonstration of the Cause to arise from thence 
External Causes are either Objects set before the eyes, which are ei- 
ther low, and steep-down low places, and the cause is natural, for fear 
dissipates the Spirits, and frighting recals them to the center, whence 
they are hurried in a contrary motion. 
Or things that turn round, and whisk about, as Whirl-pools, Wind- 
Mills, Wheels, and the like, whence the beholding of such, causes a 
circumvolution also of the visive Spirits, which communicate such a
false 

198 MORBI CAPITIS.
false sense to the apprehension, so that they imagine all things turn 
round. 
Or strong heat, as of the Sun and fire, which is known by the Sick re- 
lating his too long stay in the hot Sun, or nigh the hot fire, either bare- 
headed or covered. 
A Vertigo is also divided doubly by Galen and Hippocrates: one is a 
plain Vertigo, of which we have spoken: another is called by the Greeks 
Scotoma, and Scotodinos, in Latine Tenebricosa Vertigo, or a dark Verti- 
go, wherein sight is wanting, and a very mistiness or blindness possesses 
the Sick, together with his imagination of turning round, caused from 
atrabilis, and grosser thicker vapours: But Fuchsius, and others, would 
not have a difference to be made, conceiving it to be only a greater 
degree of a Vertigo, and not of a different nature. 
Prognosticks. It often degenerates into an Apoplexy, and Falling- 
sickness, and is often a fore-runner thereof, but the dark Vertigo is 
nighest to the Falling-sickness, but there is most fear if it last long, for 
If neither Apoplexy nor Epilepsie be made, the sick at last often are 
used to swoond and faint with it; the Scotoma is worst in Winter; to 
Cholerick persons there is most danger in Summer, and to Melancho- 
lick in Autumn, because then it is most vehement to such; it is bad to 
old men because their Brain is weak; that that is primary is more dan- 
gerous than that made from consent of parts; if Objects appeared to 
them, there is most fear of a frenzy; it is timely to be helped lest a worse 
Disease succeed it. 
Dyet, in what cause soever, is to be modelized of Meats easie to di- 
gest, and of pure Nutriment; ail windy things shunned, Crudity and 
Drunkenness, too great satiety, or fasting, use of Onions, Leeks, Mu- 
stard-seed, old Wine, Milk, Garlick, Radish, and things of like na- 
ture are not to be permitted: wholsomer food is River-Crabs, Partridg- 
es, Pheasants, scaley Fishes, Veal, Pullets, and Chickens, Meats that 
are pleasant to the Pallate, not vaporous, sauced with some Astrin- 
gents that prohibit the ascent of hurtful vapours from the Stomach, are 
to be allowed him; white Wine is allowed for drink sometimes, but 
where the affect is grown inveterate, Physicians commend Guaicum- 
Drink to be drunk for their ordinary Beer. 
Air Austral, or hot and moist, is to be avoided, so is also cloudy wea- 
ther, and Sunshine too sometimes hurtful;  they are not to be permitted 
to see things that turn quick about, or to look from steep high places; 
keep

MORBI CAPITIS. 199
keep their minds quiet, stir not up and exasperate Humours by the Pas- 
sions enraged; also too great heat and stirring of the Head brings da- 
mage to the Sick. 
Let sleep be moderate, and let him be two hours always, or above, ere 
he lies down to sleep; sleep doth some much good, because it discus- 
seth vapours.  
Cure is first directed to the Cause, secondly to the Part.  
I. The Causes are various, and therefore the method of curing cannot 
be one and the same: For, 
1. If Phlethory offend, and Blood abound too copiously in the Head, 
it is necessary, 1. To respect the whole, as by opening of the Hepatick 
Vein of the Arm: 2. The Head, by opening the Arteries behinde the 
Ears by a skilful Artist; but Blood is gradually to be drawn away, for 
some fall upon every light occasion: Cupping-glasses, with Scarificati- 
on, may also be applied to the hinder part of the Head. 
2. If Flegm and gross crude Humours be impacted in the 
Head, after preparation thereof, they are to be purged forth; Revul- 
sion is to be followed, as by rubbing and bindings, Gargarisms, Sternu- 
tatories, and Errhines, the two last whereof are condemned by Septali- 
us, because Vapours being inordinately moved in the Brain, the Symp- 
tom is exacerbated, and an Epilepsie sooner made, when as little of the 
Morbifick matter is extracted thereby: Cauteries are to be applied be- 
hinde the Ears, chiefly to the Sinciput, saith Zach. Lusitanus; natu- 
ral Baths, specially those flowing from Allom, are good; also Embro- 
cations, and Topicks, to digest. 
3. If Indications of a Cholerick or Atrabilatious Humour abound- 
ing in the Head, be present, they are cured as Headach, and distemper 
of the Head from those Humours. 
4. If windy Exhalations and bad Vapours, either in the Head, or 
other inferiour parts, be cause hereof, Repel by Oxirhodinum, give in- 
wardly things that stop and settle vapours; revulse, where Clisters and 
Suppositories are good; Frictions also and Ligatures for aversion; 
Odours are to be held to the Nostrils, that amend and correct the qua- 
lity of those fumes, and by a propriety help a Vertigo. 
II. Respect the Part: Where if the Cause lie primarily in the 
Brain, the Brain is to be purged, as afore; then stengthened by Inter- 
nals and Externals. 
If from consent of the inferiour Bowels, Cure is to be directed to
them; 

200 MORBI CAPITIS. 
them; where if the Stomach suppeditate vapours to the Head, a Vomit 
for bringing forth of putrified Humours is sometimes very effectual; 
then give Alortick Pills, both to cleanse and strengthen the faculty of 
good digestion: Astringent Powders are always to be given after meat, 
to prohibit and rectifie vapours. 
2. If from a putrifaction of Cholerick Humors in the Mesentery-
Veins vapours are transmitted to the Head, prepare with Wormwood- 
Wine, and the five Opening-Roots, then purge forth that Humour, and 
keep back Vapours arising from thence. 
3. If from other Bowels, as Liver, Spleen, Intestines, and Hypo- 
chonders; we must diligently look into, and correct the vice of those 
parts, evacuate the Humours there seated, and intercept their vapours, 
whole Remedies, as things also for all other intentions, are to be found 
out in the list of Medicines that are held to help a Vertigo from a pro- 
priety and specifical quality in them; and they may be variously used 
and applied, according to the Causes, and preceding Institution. 
Those things therefore that help a Vertigo by a propriety, or an 
hidden Sympathetical or Antipathetical Quality in them, are Southern- 
wood, whole Decoction in Wine taken often (as all others are to be) 
is said to be a most effectual Remedy; not less praise hath the Heat 
Bittersweet, born about the Neck in manner of a Garland; or Vinegrb 
of Squills taken every morning fasting, Syrup of the sharp Juyce of 
Citrons, Bears-Ear, Extract of Scorzonera-Roots, Dung of a male Pea- 
cock dried, for a Man, and of a female for a Woman; and flowers of 
the Tile-Tree are choice Specificals. 
Compositions of greatest effect, and of the choicest Simples are 
thus made: 
ꝶ of Romane Doronicum, or Wolfs-bane, Scorzonera Roots, the fæ- 
ces of Juyce of Briony, of each ʒj. Flowers of Couslips, of the Tile- 
Tree, of Lavender, Sage, and Holy Thistle, of each ℈ij. make thereof 
a Powder, and give from ʒß. to ʒjß. in some convenient Wa- 
ter. 
ꝶ of Dung of a Peacock, Southernwood, of each ʒiß. Emeralds, 
Flowers of Sage, Betony, Lillies of the Valley, Featherfew, of each 
ʒß. Castorium, ʒj. Pellitory of Spain, Penny-royal, China-Roots, white 
Beets, of each ℈j. with the treble weight of Sugar dissolved in some 
Cephalical Water, make an Electuary. 
ꝶ of Squills dried, Southernwood, Holy Thistle, of each mj. Cat- 
mint, Featherfew, Cowslips, Alheal, of each mß Bay-Berries, Laven- 
der, Bears-Ear, of each ʒiij. Castorium, Amber, Cinnamon, of each  
ʒij. prepared and mixt with white Wine, let them be distilled, and of 
that


MORBIT CAPITIS. 201
that Water ℥ß or ℥j. may be taken every morning and night fasting, be- 
fore or after food, two hours or more. 
A specifical Purgative may be thus made in form of Pills: 
ꝶ of Collocinthis, ʒj. Agarick, ʒiß. Root of Briony, ʒij. Carraway- 
seeds, and Cinnamon, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of the Juyce of Briony, 
make Pills; two Scruples, or more, whereof, may be taken at once, and 
is most proper in a flegmatick Cause, and by an hidden quality insinu- 
ate themselves, and draw forth the matter of a Vertigo. 
Marcellus commends the Juyce of black Beets, anointed on the Tem- 
ples. 
Quercetanus praises a Powder of native Cinabrium; as, ꝶ of true 
Mineral Vermilion, ℥ß. Pearls, and red Corral, of each ℈ij. Saffron, 
℈j. Leaves of Gold, in number ten ; it is given to a ℈ weight in Val- 
ley-Lilly-Water. The same Author also greatly praised the Dung of a 
Peacock dried, and given in Powder. 
Partlicius and Platerus commend Crystal, hung about the Neck. 
Others commend anointing of the Forehead with the fat of Land- 
Snakes, strewing of the Powder of Silk-Worms on the Crown, a Garland 
of Penny-royal, and an Emerald Ring, to help by propriety, and their 
whole substance. 
All these are to be used as the Cause doth most require, and accor- 
ding to the fore-going Precepts. 
In the Fit peculiarly, these things are to be observed: 
1. To take meat before it, for so it is made more mild, as saith Pla- 
terus. 
2. To bring them to quiet, lay them on their Backs, their Nostrils 
higher than their Head; use Oxirhodinum to repel vapours; put a Tent 
dipt in Cinnamon-Water, up their Nostrils, which sometimes suddenly 
helps; rub their Nostrils with Oyl of Amber. 
3. To bring them again, as is needful in some, hold Peucedane-root 
dipt in Vinegar, to their Nostrils, and Galbanum; rub their Forehead 
and Temples with Oyl of Penny-royal, or Rosemary and wild Marjo- 
ram boild in Vinegar. 
Lastly, To preserve from an Apoplexy, the Seeds of Caraways steep- 
ed in Wine, are commended.
Cc Chap. 

202 MORBI CAPITIS. CHAP. XVII.
Of the Passion of the Mind moved by Love. 
LOVE is a depravation of the Phantasie, erring from Judgment, 
and arising from an inward Cause affecting the Heart with Pas- 
sion, upon the apprehension and pondering upon the outward 
Subject.  
Cause is obscure, nor can the Reason hereof sufficiently be rendered; 
onely such as are so deeply in love, are such as for the most part are very 
subject to be altered, and have their Passions moved upon every light 
Cause, as will quickly fligger with Joy, or despair with Sadness; some 
attribute it more specially to redundancy of the Seed, and Idleness; 
Whence Ovice writ, 
Otia si tollus periere Cupidinis Artes. 
If Sloth you take away, the god of Love’l decay. 
Some call it the Noblemans Madness, but Poor are strook with
Cu- 
pid's Dart as well as Rich.
Signs are not always the same of all; the Pulse in most is very wa- 
vering, either very high, or very low, very unconstant; whence Era- 
sistratus found out Love-Sickness: when they are dejected and in de- 
spair, their Pulse is very small and low; but if their Love be but talked 
of, or come in sight, or they hear any joyful news thereof, presently their 
Pulse is augmented. 
2. When they are in despair, or cannot have Him or Heir that is de- 
sired, they mourn, lament, sigh, are very thoughtful, forget to eat their 
Food at due seasons, cannot sleep, not are at all delighted in the ma- 
nagement of their Businesses; but when they are elevated by his pre- 
sence, or good news from him, or talking of him, they break forth into 
exceeding Joy; sing, play on Musick, talk many lascivious and fond 
Sentences; yea, and sometimes are very forward, and offer themselves 
to perpetrate unlawful Copulation. 
3. After some continuance of time, with anxieties, solicitudes, and 
deplored thoughtfulness of mind, they grow very pale, which is in ge- 
neral to all. 
And lastly, Some through despair either turn mad, and are distracted,
or 


MORBI CAPITIS. 203
or else lay violent hands, or make away themselves, or bring themselves 
into other grievous Diseases, that kill them in the end. 
Cure. They will not use any Remedy, nor hear any Advice, nor 
receive any comfort, nor hardly have their thoughts diverted, and set 
on any other Object, or Subject, If they be lascivious, and abound 
with Blood, it is good to let them Blood, let them use a thin and spa- 
ring Dyet; and such things as cool, enervate, and consume the Seed; 
let them have some employment set them that may busie their Mind, 
and indulge venerious thoughts the less: If they incline to a melan- 
choly temper, things, and the Method ordained for Melancholicks are 
proper, onely avoiding such things as increase Seed, and provoke to 
Venery, 
If they be distracted and desire, they must be cured as Mad People. 
Sometimes Medicines are given to cause Love, which the Latines 
call Philtra, which bring the Party taking them into a raving and rest- 
less condition after the Party desired; or else are such as vehemently 
stir up lust; as many Whoremongers use to give Cantharides for 
that purpose, which do not cause mutual Love, but by their Acrimony 
mightily tickle and irritate to Venery.  
Against such kind of Love-Potions that so enrage the Affections in- 
to a fury, Hartman advises to (as a Specifical) the Pouder of a Secun- 
dine, being first dried in an Oven, and then given with Treacle, or 
some Antidotary water for certain times. 
Ernestus commends Aurum Vitæ for the Plague, and for Love-Poti- 
ons taken by Women; from which, faith he, they are wont to pine a- 
way, not have they any desire to Venus. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of Cephalæa, or an old Headach. 
CEphalæa is an inveterate and old Headach, that hath remained 
for a long time, not risen of a sudden from light Causes, but 
of long continuance from Humours seated in the Head, and 
and afflicts with exacerbations. 
The Cause is the same as Cephalalgia, or a sudden or periodick Head- 
ach is caused of, as to Humours; but all flight Causes of the Cepha- 
lalqia cause not a Cephalæa. 
Cc 2  Signs

204 MORBI CAPITIS,
Signs are only necessary for distinction of the Humour predominant, 
and are easily found out by a diligent perusal of the aforegoing Chap- 
ters of Headach.  
Prognosticks. This is worse than Cephalalgia, because of the durance 
of it, and the contumacy of the Cause, and is more easily or hardly 
cured, according to the Cause, which is easily found out by the afore- 
going Chapters. 
Cure also varies as the Cause, and every particular Cause is taken 
away as in the foregoing Chapters is directed. 
Onely in a Cephalæa there is need of more forcible Medicines, and a 
longer continuation of them. 
As longer purging by Apozems and Pills, letting Blood in the Arm, 
and after that in the Forehead; if need be, oftner. 
Gargarisms, Errhines, Sneezers, Blisters, and Rubificatives to the 
hinder part of the Head, and behind the Ears. 
Ludovicus Septalius saith, In Diuturn pains, where the matter hath been 
thick, experience hath shewn that the Head being shaved , and a Vesica- 
tory applied thereon, hath cured, whenas other Remedies failed. So the An- 
tients, both Greeks and Arabians, did much use Rubificatives and Syna- 
pisms in contumacious Headaches, that did attract and draw forth the 
matter through the pores of the skin; and attenuating a thick matter, 
did avoid it by insensible transpiration. 
In an hot Cause, Medicines cooling, and in a cold Cause, heating; 
as is shewn in the foregoing Chapters of particular Causes, are to be 
administred. 
Lest the Head should be over-weakened, the use of Cephalick Ele- 
ctuaries, and Caps, prescibed in the other foregoing Chapters, are 
constantly to be used. 
So are all Topicals as are prescribed in the precedent Chapters to be 
used; and effectual in a Cephalæa, the Cause considered.
MORBI 

205
Morbi Oculorum. 
ALL these Diseases of the Eyes were 
writ about 1658. and were collected 
from Authors, the best things I could 
find; and where I found any Author 
wanting, I made a supply from ano- 
ther; They contain the chief Method 
and Medicines, Signs Diagnostick, 
Prognostick, and Causes, writ by the 
Antient and Modern Practical Physi- 
tians: Yet since I wrote them, I see by my own Experience, 
and the pure and uninterested Experience of others they are 
defective, and the Readers of them cannot know the Truth 
fully and clearly of the Method of Nature thereby yet in 
these Diseases I happened to write upon, Authors writ the 
most experimentally, because they had not so many Ambigui- 
ties and Intricacies, and the Causes were more palpaple: I did 
also draw out all the best Medicines and Specificals, which be- 
cause they were commonly founded on good and reiterated 
Experience, they will hold throughout, all Ages; and what- 
ever is not surely founded on Experience will be contradict- 
able: Yet in Experience many have been deceived, wri- 
ting of one how all others must be, when we scarce find
two

206 MORBI OCULORUM. 
two alike in any one Disease in all things: And so the Antients 
writ Chapters by one or two; or three sick Persons they saw, 
and perhaps they were different cases from the most common: 
It is certain, under twenty or thirty Patients, seeing the varie- 
ties in them all, we cannot punctually conclude of any thing, 
in any one Disease. Yet do all these things happen in some, 
and much as they are found writ. We did most lean to the 
Moderns, and the belt of them, as Sennertus, Riverius, Pla- 
terus, Johnstonus, &c. And with what I have delivered in o- 
ther places, I think these indigested Papers may so well, and 
the Readers be much bettered thereby: And these were 
more cleerly writ from Experience than others we have omit- 
ted. Most of these Distempers of the Eyes have been exami- 
ned by Oculists that have practised peculiarly that way, and 
yet I perceive in their Writings, though they had Experience 
enough of their own to write by, they wrote after the Anti- 
ents in most things; finding that the easier way, and the Me- 
thod ready drawn to their Hand, and in Credit and Popular 
Applause.
CHAP. 


MORBI OCULORUM. 207 
CHAP. I. 
Of Dimness of Sight, or Blindness. 
DImness of Sight, or Blindness, is a defect of Seeing, either 
perfectly, or unrightly, made from want of visive Spirits, 
Obstructions of the Optick Nerves, or other Causes hurting 
the visive faculty, no vice or spot being to be seen in the Eye. 
CAUSE 
Is either from the fewness of Spirits, as happens after long Diseases, 
or from the Brain not supplying Animal Spirits, or from fault of the 
Animal Spirits, which are thickned, cooled, and weakned, as in old 
men, whenas they ought to be lucid, thin, and many; and then it is 
called  Amblyopia.
2. From the Optick Nerves; which are, 1. Obstructed either by 
Melancholy, or Flegmatick Humours falling from the Head, as in a 
Palsey, so that the Optick Spirits cannot pass to the Eyes. 2. From 
Constriction as well as Obstruction of those Nerves, is Amblyopia made, 
they are narrowed and compressed divers ways; for in Phrensies, In- 
flamation, and other Diseases of Plenitude of Blood, from Bruises al- 
so, whence Pus is gathered, and Tumours compressing the Nerves, so 
that the Spirits cannot pass, as hath been found in those that have been 
opened, 3. Wounds and solution of the continuity of those Nerves 
from the same reason cause Blindness, and then it is called Am aura- 
sis. 
Some adde a third kind, viz. Myopia, which is whenas they see one- 
ly what is nigh them, made from weakness of the visive Spirits, and 
thickning of the Coats from Humours. 
Antecedent and generative Causes were, 
1. Crudities and Drunkenness. 
2. Reading, and that after meat, and of small Letters, or by Can- 
dle-light. 
3. An evil-kind of Dyet, meats of bad digestion, and exhala- 
tive.
4. Strong 


208
MORBI OCULOM, 
4. Strong Vomits or Purges, that violently stir up Humours, that 
are carried to the Optick Nerves. 
5. The Sun-Beams, and too great-light. 
6. The immoderate use of Venery passions of the mind, and for- 
row, 
7. Shedding of many tears, and immoderate weeping. 
8. All intent looking of the Eyes, and the beholding of things small 
very wishly, or things that whisk and turn about; fire, smoak, dust, a thick 
Air and Baths are also hurtful: Collyries of Opium, Poppies, and the 
like, thicken the Pupil, and dull and thicken the visive Spirits also.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
There is no vice appearing in the Eye, so that sight by degrees grows 
dimmer and weaker, and no film, cloud or spot is seen in the Pupil un- 
less that the Pupil be larger, and more big then naturally accustomed, 
and sometimes black. 
There is sometime like a Gnat before the Eye, a little obliquely, 
which shadow is seen most in an open and clear Air; it groweth bigger 
in time, and there is another made to it, so that whithersoever the Pa- 
tient looks, if it be abroad in a light time, these two shadows are always 
like two Gnats, a little obliquely before their Eyes. 
Moreover, we must guess at the Cause and Disease by the foregoing, 
of things hurtful by Pain, Heaviness, Fulness, and Heat in the Head, 
that preceded, whereby were the noxious Humours translated to the 
Optick Nerves: if none of these preceded, and we cannot gather that 
they are either obstructed or constrict, we may suppose the fault to be in 
the Optick Spirits, and the more if from old Age. 
Amaurosis is soon made sometimes, but Amblyopia by degrees 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Amblyopia therefore is better than Amaurosis, because in that so con- 
tumacious a stoppage of the Nerves is not suddenly made, whence 'tis 
also easier cured. 
Amaurosis is bad, because the Nerves obstructed are hard to be reco- 
vered, as in Palseys; yet if imperfect feeing be onely made, there is 
hope, though it yields not after the use of much Physick; if it be made 
from constriction of those Nerves, it ceases upon the taking away or 
ceasing of the Cause that crushed the Nerves together: if it come 
suddenly from violent vomiting, by taking another Vomit the Hu- 
mours have been taken from thence, that were moved thither by the 
same Cause before; the like also, if it come from disturbance of Hu-
Mours, 


MORBI OCULORUM.
mours from violent Purgers, 'tis taken away by Purging again. 
Women with Child at time of Delivery, or before, are delivered 
from their Blindness; but old men hardly recover sight again, because 
the defect in them made through Age, cannot be repaired. If sight in 
sick men fails suddenly, it argues death. 
If Humours be more loosly seated about the Nerves, though they 
have been very dim for a long time, yet there is great hopes of Cure; 
especially if the Sick shutting the sound Eye, the Pupil or Apple of the- 
other be dilated. 
CURE 
Consists, 1. In good regiment and order of Dyer, where all things 
that hurt are to be avoided and shunned, as Air that is misty, thick, and 
rainy, caliginous and Austral; Flesh, and meats of bad juyce, and hard 
concoction; fly the use of Leeks, Onions, Garlick, Radish, Colworts, 
and strong Spices, as Mustard, Ginger, especially too immoderately 
used; Toadstools, Milk, Fishes and Fruits. 
Meats must be moderated and medicated; use not unwholsome or 
too much food at Supper, sleep not presently thereupon, let not also 
that exceed; lie on the Back, shun too great light and sunshine, exer- 
cise moderately; yet fly all things that bring Humours to the Eyes, as 
smoak, dust, wind, too intense reading, and looking on things, watch- 
ing, tears, sadness, &c. Gourdon his Verses are, 
Hac Oculos multum Sol. pulvis fumus & astus 
Ventus Cum steiu Vina, Venusque nocent. 
2. In Medicines, where, 1. We must respect the part, whether the 
Cause be Essential, or affecting by Consent; if Essential, look to the 
Head; Capital Pills are made of Senna, and Aloes, of each ʒj. Dia
gridium, ℈j. Seeds of Rheu, of Fennel, of each ℈j. Nutmegs and 
Cloves, of each ℈ß. with Syrup of Eyebright make Pills; take every 
other day a convenient dose; or Apozems be used in their stead, 
and be continued long, wherein may be put Specificals for the Eyes. In 
Amaurosis also we must use Apophlegmatisms, Errhines, Gargarisms, 
and the like Head-Purgers, Cupping-Glasses to the Shoulders, Setons 
to the Neck; Sternutatories, and Errhines too, are disliked by most, and 
therefore may be left untried, other ways of helping being so plentiful, 
and more effectual. 
In the next place we must come to take away the Obstruction of the 
Optick Nerves, stengthen the feebleness and restore the deficiency of 
the visive Spirits, these are such as by a propriety strengthen the Brain 
D d  and

210 MORBI OCULORUM.  
and sight, and are made the more effectual, used after Purging hath 
made preparation for them, and are to be continued with and after the 
use of the former things for long time, as well to strengthen the fight 
restored for fear of a Relapse again, as restore it being decayed: a- 
mong such, Eyebright is chiefly praised, it is steeped in white Wine,and 
called Eyebright-Wine, which hath cured some of a years Blindness, 
and brings acuteness of fight to aged People. Some advise to take in 
Powder a ʒ every morning, and say the very looking on it sharpens the 
fight. 
A Water may be composed of the following Specificals, distilled in 
an Alimbeck. 
ꝶ Eyebright, miij. Rheu, Fennel, Chelidone, or Sellondine, Ba- 
stard-Parsly, of each mj. Nutmegs, Cloves, of each ℥j. macerate them 
in white Wine a due time, being all rightly mixt, and prepared, and 
distil them; a draught of this Water may be taken every morning and 
night, falling before and after it: the same way also may ʒ of the se- 
quent Powder, of great vertue, be taken: ꝶ Flowers of Eyebright, 
ʒij. Seeds of sweet Fennel, ʒj. common Fennel-Seeds, Nutmegs, 
Cloves, Vervain, Rosemary, of each ʒß Sugar, ℥j. make of all a Pow- 
der. Rheu is commended also, taken inwardly; whence the Poet 
spake,  
Nobilis est Ruta, quia luminis reddit acuta; 
Auxilio Rutæ, vir lippe videbis acute. 
An Electuary also, to whom it may be more pleasing, may not be less 
efficacious: as, ꝶ Conserve of Eyebright, ℥ij. Pulpe of Juniper-Ber- 
ries drawn with Fennel-Water, ʒiij. sweet Fennel-Seeds, ʒj. Seeds of 
Mountain-Siler, Ashes of Swallows, Ebony-Wood, of each ʒß. with 
some Cephalical Syrup make an Electuary hereof. Condite Mirobo- 
lanes also, and condite Nutmegs, Wormwood-Beer, Vinegar of Squils, 
&c. are good for the Eyes and visive Spirits; some ordain sweating, 
and the use of Bituminous Waters to dry the Head. 
Topicks are of little use here, because the Cause is internal, and there 
is no excrescent matter upon the Eye, yet Topicals are thought to 
avail much in Amblyopia, for succoring and corroberating the Op- 
tick Nerves, and Visive Faculty, as Foments of Decoction of Rheu, 
Eyebright, Spiked-loose-strife, Tormentile, Vervain, Lovage, Fennel, 
Chelidone, and Centuary; such kinde of Waters as this, are much 
commended: 
ꝶ of Rheu, Vervain, Chelidone, Eyebright, Fennel, Clary, of each 
mj. the Liver of a Goat cut small, Sal gem. ʒij Spiked-loose- 
strife,

MORBI OCULORUM. 211 
strife, mjß. distil them by an Alimbeck, any proper moisture being first 
added thereto. 
All Galls, except of venemous Beasts, are good; the Liquor of Se- 
raplo is useful, dropping from the Liver of a Bear roasted, sprinkled with 
long Pepper in the roasting. 
Also the Pouder of a burnt Magpy mixt with Fennel water of Ge- 
rardus a solo; but these scarcely penetrate to the Optick Nerves. 
Other local Medicines are also used to the Head, Cucupha's and Pow- 
ders to sprinkle in the Hair, to dry the Brain, where we suspect a moist 
Distemper. 
2. If by Consent of Parts, as ’tis seldom made, though agravated, 
being always essential to the Head, though somented by fumes, and bad 
vapours anrising from the Stomach, generating more matter, and a more 
contumacious Disease, therefore digestion is to be rectified, let them not 
eat great suppers, not deep presently thereupon, forbear all evaporative 
things, give a Pouder to prohibit that always after supper, of Corian- 
der-Seeds, Cinnamon, Nutmegs, Fennel-Seeds, Wormwood, Cloves, 
&c. which also perfects digestion, and turns the quality of the vapours 
from hurting to helping; for which also Turnips in Meat are thought by 
a propriety to help the Eyes, and Broath and Flesh of Vipers; Meats 
are also to be condite with Spices, as Ginger, Cloves, Nutmegs, sweet 
and common Fennel-Seeds, &c. Let concoction be perfected before 
they eat again, else crude vapours are carried to the Head; In an He- 
ctical state of the Body, an Analeptick Dyet, and such as is ordered for 
Hecticks, is to be directed, whereby the animal and visive Spirits may 
be restored. 
CHAP. 11. 
Of Night-Blindness, or Nyctalopia. 
NYctalopes are such as see nothing in the night, and but badly the 
Sunsetting, from thickness of the Spirits and Tunicles.
CAUSE. 
The reason hereof is from weakness of the Head, and vislve Spirits, 
or thickness of them, or of the Tunicles of the Eyes, whereby Light 
hath not such an influence, as not able to penetrate, or penetating not 
sufficiently, used from weakness and fewness of Spirits; the Tunicles 
are also thought to be thickned more on nights through moisture from 
Dd 2 influ- 

212
MORBI OCULORUM. 
influence of the Moon, and mens fight is thought to be more acute and 
quick in the New Moon, than when she is come to her Full: Some see 
better on nights than they do a days, which is a very rare thing, and 
comes from rarity of the Spirits, that are dissipated by sight. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
If it be essential to the Brain, the other faculties of the Brain are 
hurt; if it had a sudden rise, the Optick Nerves were stopt through 
the sudden falling thither of some Humours; if it hath had a long time 
of encreasing, there is distemper of the Brain, and grosness of the 
Blood and Spirits therefrom. Celsus saith, It never happens to Women that 
have due and ordinate flux of Courses. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be attenuating that thicken the Blood are to be 
shunned. 
CURE. 
If signs of Phlethory or Fulness be present, we must let Blood, 
however Cephalical Purging Pills are te be used as are directed for 
Amaurosis; yet where we have no Indications of plenty of Humours, 
less purging will serve: Some premise preparation, and add Masti- 
catories, Gargarisms, Vesicatories, Cupping-Glasses, &c. for Revul- 
sion and Derivation, which do good in a plentiful matter, and where 
the Head redounds with Humours. 
Next hereto are strengtheners of the Head and Optick Nerves to be 
directed, as may be plentifully exemplarized out of the Chapter of Am- 
blyopia and Amaurosis. 
Topicals are used here, and commended; as the Liver of a Goat, 
which applied to the Eyes, is said to make men see as well on nights as 
days, and the reason is thought to be from Sympathy, because the Goats 
see as well on nights as days; yet there is no coherence betwixt the 
Liver and the Eye. 
This is also various ways prepared for this use, as roasted and basted 
with Galls of Animals, and the liquor that drops therefrom is put into 
the Eye; or it is roasted, being cut and stuck with Fennel, Chelidine, 
Rheu, and the Liquor dropping therefrom reserved for use; the vapour 
of it also boiling is appointed: Some advise it to be eaten with Salt of
Eyebright often.  
The Water of Honey, also or Galls of Animals, the water of a Sa- 
phire-Stone, the Colliry of Gentilis of Pompholix and Stibium, washt 
in Fennel-water, &c. are useful. 
Forestus


MORBI OCULORUM. 213 
Forestus used the Liquor of the Liver of the Fish Elpuick that fried 
therefrom in torrifying, as a secret. 
Sharp Medicines are hurtful, and too much washing the Eyes with 
cold water, thickens the Tunicles and Spirits, and renders the Disease 
the worse. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Squinting, or Strabismos. 
STrabismos is a depraved motion of the Eyes, which is either natu- 
ral, from faulty Situation, whenas the Eyes are moved to the sides, 
or the Crystal-Line is distorted; or not natural, which is made in Chil- 
dren and Infants looking always one way to the Light; or in elder Per- 
sons, from convulsion of the Muscles moving the Eyes, made from 
their driness or repletion.
CURE.
The Cure is not performed in that which comes naturally: That 
which is made from a convulsion of the Muscles, is cured as Spasms, a 
Palsey of the Eye; and Tortura, Orris, the Pouder of Swallows Heads 
blown in, or a Magpy burnt. Turtles Blood, &c. are proper: That 
which comes through vice of looking awry in Children, is timely to be 
looked to; for if it be inveterate, 'tis hardly helped; therefore Cases 
for the Eyes for such are to be made, so that they cannot see but by look- 
ing streight-forth through them. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Spots of the Cornea, or Webs of the Eyes. 
Aule in Greek signifies a Cicatrice, or Skar, which happening in 
the black of the Eye, or pellucid part of the Cornea, and being 
white, is called Lencoma in Greek, and Albugo in Latine; if 
more bright and splendent, it is termed by some paralampsis; if this 
white spot be less, it is called in Greeek Nephelion, and in Latine Ne- 
bula, a Cloud; if it be more thin, it is called in Greek and 
Call go in Latine signifying a Mist.
CAUSE.  

214 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CAUSE. 
Its Cause is either external, as a Cicatrice, a Wound or Ulcer fore- 
going; or internal, as a Flegmatick matter gathered twixt the Mem- 
branes, or an Humour seated and soaked into the Cornea twixt the coats, 
and there concrete and compacted. 
SIGNS 
Be a white spot, which is thicker and whiter than other affects happen- 
ing to the Cornea, and thickning it so that a passage is denyed in the visi- 
ble species, and the Sick sometime seem to see as if it were through 
smoak and mists. 
Some are more superficiary, some more deep, and incline to black, 
where the Urea is sometimes offended, sometimes the albuginous Hu- 
mour, in which they are not so conspicuous. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If not inveterate, if in Children, if onely from a thick pituitous mat- 
ter left there from Opthalmles, it is the easilier cured; but if inveterate, 
if in old Persons, if from a Cicatrice hard and gross, and in a part so 
exquisite of sence, wherein sharp Medicines fit for it may not be endu- 
red, it is hardly cured. 
CURE 
Is internal, as by generals, Purging and Bleeding in Phlethorick and 
Cacochymick Bodies, to take away the antecedent Cause, and an exact 
Dyet for prohibiting encrease of Humours, which are gathered, and fall 
upon a part that is weak; Or external, where first, revulse, if the Sick 
be apt to defluxions, into his Eyes; apply Cupping-Glasses to the sides 
of has Neck, Vesicatories to the Crown, and nape of his Neck to pull 
back and draw forth Excrements apt to tend to the Eyes. 
Secondly, apply Topicals to the Eyes, 1. To mollifie the concrete 
matter: 2. To attenuate it; 3. To wipe it away , which is done by 
things abstergen and that have a peculiarity to take away Pearls, Spots, 
and Webs from the Eyes.  
In the use of such, we must observe these things: 1. That they be 
not too sharp; 2. If they may not be cured, they are to be changed in- 
to another, colour; 3. Herewith such as preserve the strength of the 
Eye are to be used.  
These Simples and Compounds, above others, are applauded: 
1. The Pouder of Liquorish put often into the Eye, being very fine- 
ly poudered, as all Eye-Pouders ought to be. 
2. The


MORBI OCULORUM. 215
2. The Juyce of Pimpernel, With the blew Flower dropped upon 
the Web. 
3. A Colliry (of Lapis Calaminaris thrice burnt, and twice extinct in 
Wine-Vinegar, ℈j. Myrrh, burnt Lead, and washt, of each ℈ß Ori- 
ental Saffron five Grains, Opium six Grain, burnt Brass ℈iiij De- 
coction of Fennigreek, ℥j. beaten and mixt upon a Marble) of John- 
stonus. 
4. The Water of Honey, which saith Platerus, most certainly blots 
out all spots of the Eyes. 
5. A Water (of Honey, ℔ij. Fennel, Eldern, Eyebright, of each 
two Pugils', with Sugar-Candy ℥iv. distilled in Balnco Mariæ) of Ama- 
tus Lusitanus. 
6. The Juyce of Pearl-Tresoile, so called from its vertue of taking 
away Pearls and Webs from the Eyes, 
7. The Pouder ofithe Stone sound in the Head of a long Snail, blown 
in, or put upon the Web. 
8. The Juyce of Herbs that be bitter, and indued with a nitrous qua- 
lity, mixed with Honey, for so they stick better upon the Pupil, and are 
not so apt to flow to the corner, such be Draconts, Chelidone, Ground- 
Ivy, Pimpernel, Centuary, Amurca, sowr Grapes, Rosemary, &c. 
9. Galls of Animals, as of Goats, Eagles, Vultures, Lizards, 
Kites, &c. 
10. The fat of the Liver of Lampreys (that being put in a Glass, 
and set in the Sun.) of Hartman, to anoint the Eye-lids at going to Bed, 
together with eating the Pouder of Thistles of the Meadow several 
times. 
11. Let a Child often lick the Spot with his Tongue. 
12. Or put in the Seeds of Clary into his Eye, which afterward 
will come out again, being compassed with much matter: If sharp 
things hurt, we murt leviate and appease pain from acrimony, 
Use mucilaginous matter, as of Flea-Seeds, Marish-Mallow-Seed, 
and Fennigreek: wash with Milk, and let sharp Medicines be temper- 
ed by mild ones. 
Some commend the Leaves of Hemlock applied onely upon the Eye- 
brows, to have a propriety to take away Pins, Webs, and Spots; or 
the same Hemlock-Leaves to mß. and Bay-Salc, mj. bruised, and appli- 
ed with renovation to the Wrists. 
If the Spot may not be taken away, yet its white colour is changed 
by Juyce of Pomegranates some make them black with burnt Lead, 
Vitriol, Litharge, Galls, Bark of Pomegranates, Cipress-Nuts, &c. 
used by the Ancients, but not so much respected by Modern Men; for 
although

216 MORBI OCULORUM.
although they are said onely upon the Cornea, yet by falling upon the 
white of the Eye, they make that black. 
If a yellow Colour, as happens to those that have the Jaundice, seiz 
upon the Cornea from Choler poured out thither, and affecting a false 
imagination, as to the colour of objects, which seem yellow; it is cu- 
red by a fume of Vinegar cast upon red hot Tiles, and received by the 
Eye held over it: But if we would not be hasty in having of it cured, 
it would cease spontaneously with the ceasing of the Disease, viz. the 
Jaundice, on which it is grounded. 
CHAP. V. 
Of a Cataract or Suffusion. 
DEFINITION. 
A Cataract or Suffusion is an Obstruction of the Pupil or Apple of 
the Eye, from an Humour: Or, as others well, A corrupt Wa- 
ter congealed like a Curd, and hindering the fight. 
CAUSE 
Paraus saith, is a Skin obstructing the Pupil; others say, A Water con- 
gealed: Certain it is, 'tis an Humour either sincere or mixr, and great 
standing-out Eyes does give great-occasion to the gathering of it, be- 
cause the Virtue diffused is more weak in a Urge space, and yeilds an 
easie coming to of Humours, which are originally bred from Meats 
yeilding ill juyce, and transferred thither either by way of evaporation 
from the Stomach to the Brain, where bad concoction in probability 
went before, and ’tis reckoned as Cause of a Bastard-Suffusion; or the 
effusion of them (being either serous, or Phlegmatick, others adde 
Melancholick) into the space betwixt the Cornea and Crystal Humours. 
Weakness of the Eyes commonly goes before, whereby they are less 
able to repel the falling down of Humours that are collected in the 
Head; which weakness is either native, as in the Eyes sticking forth, or 
accidental, made by blows, bruises, hurts, Baths, rainy Air, heat of 
the Sun, long reading, specially on nights late, and by Candle-light, in 
Books of small print, and with intensness; and whatever exagitates, 
irritates, or sets Humours in motion; also weeping, and shedding of 
tears from great sorrows and troubles of mind, produce this, through 
weakening of the Eye, and stirring and irritating Humours.
THE 


MORBI OCULRUM. 217 
THE PLACE. 
The coming of this Humour is by the Veins of the Tunicles, Urea, 
or Nerves Optick, those Veins being many, are derived from the Pe- 
ricrane passing to the conjunctive Tunicles, from thence to the Cornea 
and Urea; or from the Menings of the Brain, whence Branches are 
derived to the Membranes of the Eyes, from which chiefly the Urea 
Tunica may with facility drop the Humour into the watery Humour; 
they easily also come from the Brain by the Optick Nerves to the Cry- 
stal Humour, and than the matter of the Suffusion sticks to the Crystal, 
sometime by fluxion, and sometime by congestion, wherein weakness 
of the expulsive faculty is a main Cause. 
NAMES. 
It hath divers, according to its growth: 1. When 'tis fresh, Authors 
call it a Suffusion: 2. Whenas there's a matter gathered in the Apple 
like water, they term it Water: 3. When 'tis confirmed, and sight dark- 
ned, they call it a Cataract or Hypochyma. 
SIGNS are expressed in DIFFERENCES. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are not healed till they be grown; Sky-Colour, Sea-Green, 
or of the colour of Chess-Nuts, are curable: Those that are not dila- 
ted by rubbing, if it be not already made, and unconfirmed, it may be 
cured by Medicines, by which may also a Bastard-Suffusion, wherein 
are as it were appearances of flies, and is made chiefly by vice of the 
Stomach sending hurtful vapours. If they follow Feavers or vehement 
Headach, if it happens in Children or old men, then cure is bad; if the 
Sick discerns no light, no cure. That which is with a consumption of 
the Eyes, that that comes from great Diseases, incurable; or where Head 
disses, as Phrensies, Headaches, Peripneumonies, &c. very difficultly 
cured: That which is caused by a Blow, though the suffuse Humour be 
extracted by the Needles, yet the eye being hurt and bruised, never 
perfectly recovers sight again. Some make seven kinds of Cataracts, 
four whereof are, and three are not curable: The first of the curable 
ones is bright like Alablaster, the second white like Sky-Colour, the 
third Gray, or Ashes-Colour; the fourth Citrine. 
Of one newly begun and not yet confirmed, and curable by Medi- 
cines, the Cure, or at least the encrease hindered, if not too far grown, 
and then it must grow more to the Cataract. 
Ee DYET.

218 MORBI OCULORUM. 
DYET. 
A thin and attenuating Dyet, inclining to heat and drying let their 
Supper be very moderate, abstaining from Wine and Broath, fasting and 
abstinence also are very advantagious; whereby a young Woman think- 
ing to kill her self by hunger, and a most thin Dyet, being thereby ex- 
ceedingly wasted, was delivered of the Cataract called Gutta Serena, 
from an absumption of the moist substance, through defect of nourish- 
ment, as in Riverius his communicated Observations; Venery must 
be avoided, and the frequenting hot Baths, or the like, hurt much. 
2. Concocters of the watery Humour; also Preparers of a pitui- 
tous matter superabounding, are to be had in use; among such, they are 
to be chosen that are most specifical, and proper for the Head and 
Eyes. 
3. Evacuation of the watery Humours; but this evacuation is to be  
continued throughout the whole Cure, and reiterated Evacuation may 
avail; but once, twice, or thrice do little in so consumacious an Af- 
fect: Yet Phlebotomy is seldom to be acted herein, left: the Brain be 
over-cooled, and accumulate more watery Humours, and send them to 
the Eyes. 
4. Averters, where chiefly do avail Cupping-Glasses, and Vesica- 
catories, a Cautery to the Crown, or behinde the Ears, Setons, also 
Clisters, Suppositories, and painful Frictions are useful. 
5. Dissolvers of the Reliques of the matter, and dissipaters; where in 
internals, observe to give them at night, that the force of them may be 
the better carried with the vapours of the meat to the Head. Topicks 
must be discutient, mixt with Emollients and Abstergents, beginning al- 
ways with mildest, and so by degrees proceeding to the strongest: for 
the Eye having an exact sence of feeling, will not endure so strong Me- 
dicines at the first, as it may do afterward, being accustomed thereto; 
among which, gentlest Medicines, proper for this affect, are good: a 
Water distilled from Fennel, Eyebright, Rheu, Celondine, and the like, 
to wash the Eyes every morning, Aqua Mellis or Honey-Water, is 
reckoned one of the best Remedies; the Pouder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy put often into the Eyes, or the Pouder of Swallows with Heads burnt, are 
helpful: Fonseca saith, A Water distilled from Swallows with Bread 
in white Wine, is miraculous: Avicen above others praises Sagapen 
dissolved in Honey-Water and, Trypochymia; the Urine of a Child 
distilled with abstergent Ophthalmicks, to drop a drop or two often 
into the Eye, is commended: the Water of Crocus Metallorum, three 
or four drops at a time, is greatly praised by Quercetanus, in his Dispen-
satory, 


MORBI OCULORUM. 219 
satory; ’tis made by infusion of ʒj. of Crocus Metallorum, in ℥vj. of 
Celondine-Water: Sylvius saith, The Pouder of Os. Sepiæ put into 
the Eye wipes off these Waters: Zechius also praises Water distilled 
from Bread, made with Powder of Rheu, Chelidon, Betony, Fennel, 
and Honey. Gulielmus Lozellus describes a Water with which he cured 
many that were stark blind, made of Goats Liver, Eyebright, Chelidon, 
Sarcocol, Aloes, Pepper, Rheu, Rosemary, Galls of Birds of prey, &c. 
Where we fee the evil more contumacious, and not yeilding to ordina- 
ry Remedies, we must try stronger; as is Botius his Remedy of Cocks 
Gall, ℥ß. Blood of a Mouse, ʒiijß. with Womans Milk make it like a 
Colliry; or the Water of Mans Dung, or Doves Dung rather, with the 
Gall of a Hare, and of a Weasel, with white Sugar-Candy, and Pearls, 
are very prevalent; the strongest Waters are made of Honey, the 
Galls of Birds of prey, of Vultures, Kites, Partridges, with Ophthalm- 
Herbs, Myrrh, Pepper, &c. distilled in a Glass Alimbeck; the strong- 
est Galls are those that are venemous, as of Vipers, Mad-Dogs,  Ser- 
pents, &c. But Sylvius saith, Alexiph. Med. are to be used, because 
they being poysonous may pass by the corner of the Eye, and hole of 
the Pallate, into the Stomach: Other strong eating Medicines are made 
of Vitriol, Rust of Brass, and the like, either used by way of fine Pou- 
der, and so said just upon the Cataract, or mixt and dropped in: 
But in using all these strong Remedies, we must greatly caution their 
use, for they by encreasing pain bring greater fluxion, and many dim- 
sighted have thereby grown quite blind; and therefore to mittigate the 
acrimony mix them with muscilage of Fennugreek-Seed, Flea-Seed 
&c. or wash the Eye afterwards with warm Womans Milk; licking of 
the Eye for a long time with a Childs or Whelps Tongue, much avails, 
so doth a young Pigeon unfeathered cut in the middle, and applied 
warm to the Eyes: Fumes also and Foments of the precedent things may 
be very beneficial. 
Of the Needle. 
WE are not to try the Needle, if the Cataract be in the Cen- 
tre of the Pupil, where things seem holey, for there is fear of 
the Eye being filled, and so an absolute loss of sight. Dr. Banister 
sometime in couching Cataracts had the whole Eye filled with a milky 
substance, which he supposed to be the matter of the Cataract; and in 
others upon couching, Blood hath been so diffused all over the Eye: 
Some are so sollid and viscous, that being depressed by the Needle, do 
Ee 2 again

220 MORBI OCULORUM.
again rise, whenas others are so soft that Needle pierces them, and 
takes no hold, although of seven or eight years growth: again, Others 
so pertinaciously bound to the Urea, that there is greater danger of distor- 
ting that, than removing the Cataract: In all we must see they be grown 
and old, else there will not be success; for the Needle will not take 
hold; they must be quite blind ere they are to be couched; neither are 
wasted Eyes, nor old Mens, nor Chil- 
drens, wherein ’tis incurable, to be 
tried by the Needle; in Coughs also, 
as admonishes Lud Sept. 'tis danger-
ous to cut them for fear of a disruption 
that supervening; Sneezing also hap- 
pening is inconvenient; for avoiding which, the finger is to be held up- 
on the greater Corner of the Eye; that the Needle make not a Rup- 
ture, compress the Pupil with the finger: before couching, most Physi- 
cians approve of evacuation, and cleansing of the Head by Pills, &c. 
Apozems. 2. To prepare the matter by champing Fennel, or Cum- 
minseeds, and Pepper, and breathing into the Eye; after this, on a 
morning fasting, place him opposite on a stool, shut his found Eye, ex- 
hort him to patience, to endure, for his tractability furthers the dispatch 
much; then with your left hand lift up the upper Eye-lid, and with 
the right hand put in the Needle (made of Iron, which others great- 
ly condemn, thinking that if the Cataract should prove hard in draw- 
ing down, the point of it, being a brittle Metal, might break in the 
Eye, and so spoil sight for ever, and therefore they order it to be made of 
Gold or Silver, or Spanish Lattin) in the middle space betwixt the 
lesser Cornea and the Iris, avoiding the Veins, thrust the Cataract 
downwards, the Sick must look with his Eyes towards his Note, and if 
the Cataract return back, draw it down again, and then take it away 
with the point of the Needle: Some use to eat raw Onions, Beef, and 
Goats Flesh, to ripen it, but not afterward: ’Tis cured by the Needle. 
Let the Moon decrease, let it be 
two or three days after the Full; 
let her not be in Aries, let there  
be no Headach nauseating, &c.
Then a most exquisite Dyet is to be observed; the Sick must feed sparing- 
ly; great nutrition doth great hurt, specially presently after the act, 
by engendering much Blood; let his Drink be Water, or Wine well 
limpate or tempered with VVater; all kind of Meats that engender 
bad Juyce, and spoil the Blood, are to be avoided, and a regular Dyet, 
specially for a good while after the Cure, is diligently to be obser- 
ved. The Brain is also to be comforted and strengthened, and the vi- 
sive Spirits upheld and quickened by continuing the taking of this or the 
like Electuary: ꝶ Cloves, ʒij. Eyebright, ʒj. sweet Fennel, Rheu, 
and Mountain-Siler-Seed, ana ʒß. Conserve of Sage, Betony, Rose-  
mary,

MORBI OCULORUM. 221
mary, of each ℥j. with Syrup of the Juyce of Rheu, of Eyebright as 
much as suffices, make an Electuary. Or this that follows, set down as 
principal by some: ꝶ Cloves, ℥ij. Nutmegs, Saffron, ana ʒiß. Ca-
stor, ʒj. with treble weight of clarified Honey, make an Electuary; 
where sears are abounding, the addition of some specifical Astringents 
will be very commodious. 
Outwardly to the Eyes themselves apply an Emplaister of the white 
of an Egg upon Flax, and so let him keep his Bed till nine days are ex- 
pired; renewing the Emplaister often, and keeping him from light: 
If need be, it will be good to keep open an Issue in the fore-part of the 
Head: Also for long time after we must ever and anon use purging, for 
fear of a Relapse, shunning all such things as are offensive to the Eyes; 
washing the Eyes with Wine every morning; the use of Spectacles also 
are very convenient, that repsesent objects just as they are, neither big- 
ger, nor less. 
DIFFERENCES of a Suffusion are many: 
1. In a black and clear, there’s no Cure; here the Eye-lids move 
much in a trembling fashion, the original Cause is from the Mothers 
Womb, and therefore they that have these, are for the most part born 
blind; the Nerves Optick are stopped, and their faculty mortified, 
therefore all trial of cure is in vain; thoagh many to their end see the 
light of the Sun, or stature of a Man. 
2. Copulation doth yet much hurt in this; the colour shews the 
Humour of which they are made. 
3. Skie-colour, not curable; Glaucus not; like Quicksilver, not cure- 
able. 
4. Sea-green not curable, or very hardly; green is most dangerous 
of all, being produced from great coldness of the Brain, and the peri- 
cussion of it, and sometime through great fasting and emptiness. 
3. Barrow: The third kind of incurable Cataract is, when the Pupil 
of the Eye is dilated, and spread so far that there’s no circle seen with- 
in the Tunicle of the Eyes; and the Eyes shew totally affected either 
with Blackness or Whiteness, all over. 
5. Yellow not curable. 
2. One is true, which only occupies one Eye, or if both, not at once, 
or not in like manner; whose Symptoms are continual, they see clear- 
est about break of day, because a few Spirits dispersed by a greater light, 
by a less are collected; a true commonly grows in six months, some- 
times in a few days; Fernelius saith, confirmed in one day, but that’s ve- 
ry strange. 
2. Bastard

222 MORBI OCULORUM.
2. Bastard, which is contrary to signs in a true, and is made from 
vapours arising from the inferiour Parts, and ceases upon taking away 
the affect; from vice of the Ventricle as in Children and Drunken 
Men; there’s like appearances of Gnats before their Eyes; or when 
he reads, he thinks the Letters green; or some other false colour or 
twinkling things before his Eyes: Some, saith Banister, are like Spiders 
Webs, and are of ten years growth, and yet they can read Letters, 
though imperfectly, which if arising from Rheum, and deflux, are to be 
cured, not without Purging and Specificals: In Bastards, no darkness 
Appears in the Pupil, as in a true; ’tis many years growing. 
In place they differ, for some be in the center of the Apple, 
where objects are represented pertuse, seem holey, as if fenestris, and 
’tis bad trying cure by the Needle, left the whole Pupil be filled. 
2. Some be betwixt the Urea and Cornea, and then the Apple is seen 
more deeply to be darkened, and is of necessity dilated from the Hu- 
mour defending. 
3. Another is betwixt the Urea and Crystalline Humour, and then 
things appear opposite. 
4. Deeper, wherein the Pupil is narrow, or less deep, and then ’tis 
broader. 
5. Diff. In degrees and growth, for in a new begun, like Gnats or mi- 
sty Bodies are perceived; Or 2. Increased, and then the Sea-colour of 
the Apple appears, or is like to the Air abounding with mists: 3. Per- 
fect, and then the white colour of the Apples appear, and the sick see not: 
Some are confirmed in ten Months, when as some are almost so many 
years ere fully grown: Here Medicines do no good, and the Needle is 
onely now, and not before it be confirmed, to be used. 
6. By reason of Cause, 1. The matter is thin and fluxible, as is wont 
in the beginning: 2. Tough, or tenacious: 3. The matter is of the 
species of pure Air, of Quicksilver of Gypsum.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM.
223 CHAP. VI. 
Of an Ophthalmy, or Inflamation of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
OPhthalmy is an Inflamation of the annate or adnate Tunicle from 
sharp Blood, or yellow Choler, distending its Veins.  
CAUSE 
Is shedding of many Tears, and they hot and sharp, occasioned from 
Causes producing Sorrow and Lamentation; herefrom the Eyes are 
swoln with continual anguish and pain, seeming to the Patient as if his 
Eyes were full of Thorns, or sharp Gravel; evil Dyet, Phlethory, 
Acrimony of Humours, Bites, Winds; Vide Diff. Hipp. S. 3. Aph. 12. 
Winter, Southerly, rainy, and warm, and a Northerly and dry Spring, 
there’s inflamation of the Eyes, and the 14 Aph. to some a dry and 
Northerly Autumn causes hot inflamation in the Eyes. Outward Cau- 
ses, Sun, Dust, Wind, drinking Wine, Smoak, &c. External, a Blow, 
Fall, Bruise, a moist catarrhous Brain for long time, and sanguine Tem- 
per. 
TIME. 
They commonliest happen in August and September, Autumn.
NAMES.  
Traxie is lighted, as from some light Cause suddenly raised. 
Chemosis is when ’tis very great, and the white swells above the black.  
SIGNS. 
A Tumour, redness and pain, sometime the Eye with its lid, is glew- 
ed to; succeeding also, there is a stretching out of the Pupil, or lessen- 
ing of it by consuming, or a suffusion; the Inflamation reaches, some- 
time to the Jaws, and the Eye sends forth Tears; Sometimes Thores, 
Ulceration follows. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Southerly, rainy, and warm Winters, the Spring dry and Northerly; 
So likewise a Northernly and dry Autumn are bad, S. 3. Aph, 12, 14. 
In hot Regions, as ’tis soon made, so soon dissolved; ’tis worse to cure 
in Winter and cold Regions, because the Members are bound ; ’tis bad 
in Children, because it flows continually, their Heads being weak: so 
is


224 MORBI OCULORUM.
is much pain, for it shews the matter very sharp, or distending, or sup- 
purative: If it come by consent of the other parts, and made from 
outward Causes, 'tis easilier cured then if otherwise; so 'tis also if there 
be a more copious Flux of Tears, and sharp, because then 'tis like to 
come sooner to its end. 
DYET and ORDER. 
1. Dyet cooling, and Air made cool by Art; darkness is most con- 
venient, helping both to pleasure and quiet: Avoid too great feeding; 
for when the parts want nutriment, they will retain that they have, and 
so both the greatness and diuturness of the flux will be abated; We 
must not use Wine when the Veins of the Eyes are full of thick Blood, 
then Flesh and Blood breeding things; Sleep conducing to quiet the 
Humours, and all Frettings, and Passions of the Mind too, for they 
exasperate the Humours, and consequently the Inflamation. 
2. Averters, or Turners away of the flowing Blood, for which, 
bleeding of the same Side; in great Plenitude cut the Cubit-Vein be- 
fore you cut the Cephalick; bleed young Men more largely; also 
some bid to open the Frontal-Veins; Cuppers to the shoulders, Seta- 
ces to the Neck, &c. which Ph. in one hour sometime Opthalmies have 
asswaged. 
3. To the Forehead, &c. use Repellers of the matter, if the mat- 
ter flow by the Veins and Arteries without the Crane, as 'tis almost 
always, this Tunicle being adduced from the Pericrane: Here an Em- 
plaister of Pompions, with Astringents to the Eyes. 
Repellers are oftenest used, but condemned, and not unwor- 
thily, by some who have experienced divers to be made blind by use of 
too many and great variety of Medicines to the Eyes ; Rose-water,  
Plantane-Water, Bastard wild Poppies, Juyce of Acatia, Housleek, 
Eratine, &c. do excel to repress the hot flowing Blood; Womans milk 
also is commended, or the Water of Milk distilled: Cataplasms also 
are made of the Pulpe of Crabs; unripe Quinces, with a little Frank- 
incense, and the paring of an Apple laid upon the Eyes all night, doth 
often much good: to repel we must often use warm things inclining to 
cold. 
Where painful Ulcers are adjoyned, Balsam of Sugar melted in the 
white of an Egg that is boiled hard. 
Pains: Here Opiates are frequently used, which not, unless in most
implacable Torments, are to be admitted; for they thicken the Optick 
Spirits, and they stopping the Humours, make them more sharp, where- 
by they exulcerate; hardened also are thereby the Tunicles, and sight 
dulled.

MORBI OCULORUM. 225
dulled. If we do use Opium, it must not be much nor often: It cools, 
but saith Lud. Sept. by its bitterness raises some pain to the Eye: The 
use of Womans Milk, or the Water of it distilled, is praised for a good 
Anodine; but if Milk be left long in the Eye, from the vehement heat 
of the Eye, it gets Acrimony, and is corrupted; therefore ’tis either 
to be wiped gently, or washed off: If after Foments, pain is encreased, 
it argues need of purging; an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made in 
Milk, with Alb. Ovi. 
If great flux of tears provoke, and accrimonious, we must use Li- 
niments and Mollisters; strong Astringents are bad, because they stop 
in the matter, nor glewing-qualitied things, nor such as dry, and grow 
acrimonious; the white of an Egg, with Red-Rose and Myrtle-Water, 
and a little Pouder of Tutty, is safest, and of great efficacy: Juyce of 
Housleek in Pulpe Cidoni, or much use of Locals doth much prejudice 
the Eyes: Jo. Prevot. praises an Emulsion of white Poppy-seed made 
in Milk, dropt in warm, or mixt with white of an Egg, and Pulp Piony, 
for hot sharp flux. 
4. Preparers of the thick matter in Cachochymia; Cephalick Medi- 
cines are here proper; Wine by some is approved from Hippocrates, 
because it liquifies and attenuates a pituitous matter, and doth some- 
time much avail in Ophthalmy. 
5. Evacuation of the matter, as P. Ph. &c. 
DIFFERENCES 
Are Taraxis or a perturbation, which we know from only a sense of heat 
and redness, there being no copious flux of Tears; Its Causes are 
outward, As heat of the Sun, or Fire; then Coolers. 2. Headach 
made from Suns heat; then Universals should be premised. 3. From 
Wind, Smoak, or Dust; then wash with Milk, and Sleep. 4. From a 
Blow or Fall; then Ph. presently. The fluxion being raised there- 
from, ’tis best to use mucilage of Fennugreek-Seed made in Rose-Wa- 
ter; for the Roses repel, and the Fennugreek discusses the fixed: Al- 
so to quiet and repel the motion of the Humour, a cool Air, Womans 
Milk, with the white of an Egg, and Red-Rose-Water is a Vulgar Me- 
dicine. 5. Striking of Bees, Hornets, Wasps, or the like; then use of Re- 
pellers, Alb. Ovi cum Lact. mulieb. 
2. Another is a true Ophthalmy, which comes either from hot or 
cold Causes; alt. is Χηυοsis enuosis whenas the Eyelids are as it were turned 
inward, nor can they be shut, and the white swells above the black of 
the Eve, requires stronger Remedies: For this is greatly praised, and  
Ff prove

226 MORBI OCULORUM.
proved by some to be singular, the Pouder of white Sarcocal, wherewith 
the Patients Eye is to be filled, and he is to lie with his Eye wide open, 
till it be consumed, laying upon the Eye flaxen hards wet in cold water, 
and drained therefrom. Forestus commends Crocus Metalor, the yolk of 
an Egg beat with the flesh of a Flie, spread upon a Cloth, and laid 
on. 
Alt. is periodick which keeps its Intervals, and is familiar to hot and 
moist Heads, and at last wasts the Eye, sanguine Temper; Riverlus 
cured such an one after Ph. and P. and Cuppers to, and a Cautery twixt 
both Scalps, and an Unguent of Tutty, Camphir, Lap. Calm. with a 
little virid-aris received with fresh Butter; Rose-Water alt. which 
keeps not its Periods; alt. contag. alt. moist, alt. dry, in which is lit- 
tle rheum or watering, and at night the Eye-lids are hardened, it arises 
from a little Salt and Nitrous Humour; or its with itching, and if the 
Tears lightly flow, 'tis called Psorophthal. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Pannus 
DEFINITION. 
PAnnus, or Cloth, is a certain red thing like to rags, arising from 
abundance of Blood in the exteriour Veins of the Eyes, derived 
to them, (being either mixt or pure alone) either by way of fluxion or 
congestion, either by the external Vessels, or Internals, &c. 
CAUSE. 
Ophthalmics, also evil Dyet, great Pains, and the Megrim oft went 
before, where the extremity of the pain rising into the Temples, and 
therefrom into the Eyebrows, causes a beating with pain to the Eyes, 
whereby is Pannus often made. 
SIGNS.
It appears as a carnous Web, chiefly in the superficial part of the An- 
nata, with itching pain, by the Eyes offended by light. 
CURE. 
After general evacuation and rectifying of the Blood and Humours, 
are proper abstergent Medicines, the extract of the Gall of a Pike with 
Saccarum Saturni, and Spirit of Wine, or a Water distilled from whites 
of

MORBI OCULORUM. 227
of Eggs, is excellent: Also the Pouder of White - Sugar Can- 
dy. 
Chyrurgery, advised by some, is condemned by others, for fear of 
prejudicing the Tunicle, ere that be removed. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Clouds. 
THere be several kinds of differences of mistiness, and darkning 
of the sight, wherein onely some particular things make differen- 
ces: As, some imagine some thick Bodies to be betwixt them and the 
light, like some dark shaddows, arising from vapours thick and Chole- 
rick, exhaling from the Stomach into the Head, and so disturbing the 
visive Faculty. 
2. To others there appears like mistiness, or thin Clouds in a clear 
Air, to be seated before their Eyes; arising from Fumes of Choler, and 
Dyet generating such Cholerick Vapours, hapening to Cholerick per- 
sons. 
CURE. 
The Stomach, if that sends evil Vapours and Exhalation, and do 
not perfect its digestion, we must correct that, 1. By cleansing it, 2. By 
strengthening it, and giving Medicines that stop the ascent of vapours. 
If from evil Dyet, we must institute a more wholesome and regular, 
and such meats as neither engender Choler, nor are apt to fume up to 
the Brain, nor hard to be digested. 
For the last, Topicals are commended, as the Pouder of a Saphir- 
stone put once a day into the Eye, for some while; or the Call of an 
Hare dried and poudered, used in like manner, is thought of no less 
efficacy.
Ff 2 CHAP. 

228 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Mydriasis, or a dilatation of the Apple of the Eye. 
MYdriasis is a dilatation of the Pupil, or enlarging of it beyond 
Nature, about the Circle of the Iris, from natural conformation, 
or accidentary Causes, and is a Disease of bad Conformation. 
CAUSE 
Arises either from a natural conformation from the Birth, or preterna- 
tural Causes, whereof the proximate, internal and immediate is a 
stretching forth of the Urea, of which the Pupil is the hole: This di- 
stention of the Urea is effected two ways; 1. By dryness, that stretches 
out the Urea, even as we see in holey skins dried; this dryness also 
hath a cause, as Watchings, Feavers, and other drying Causes. 2. By 
moisture, which causes an enlargement and distention of every Part, 
and makes the Parts to swell forth beyond their accustomed bounds, and 
that are allotted by Nature. This also is caused by too much abound- 
ing of the watery Humour, by flux of serous Humours insinuated there, 
which are the primitive or remote Causes; distension also is made from 
winds, as in Child-bearing. 
Moreover, solution of the continuity of the Urea, causes the space of 
the Pupil, or Apple of the Eye to be enlarged; this is done by Rup- 
ture or Wounds, whence a dilatation is suddenly made. 
External Causes are bruisings and falls from high, whereby the Urea  
is broke, or distorted, or a flux or congestion of Humours made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnostick Signs are taken, 1. From a preternatural bigness of the 
Pupil, that is to be seen about the Iris, and is so enlarged that it equali- 
zes the circumference of the Iris, and then it is more easily known. 
1. From sight mutilated, which according to the greatness of the affect 
is lessened more or less; and they see best in dark places, being the vi- 
able Species and Objects are thus much illustrated, and light goes in too 
plentifully; therefore a mean bigness of the Pupil is most requisite for 
right seeing; and they that go out of the light into the dark, scarce see, 
because therefrom the Pupil is suddenly contracted; but after their stay 
in the dark, from the Pupil dilating by degrees, they see better, all 
things seem less to them they cannot well look upon the ground or 
down-right.  
3. In 

MORBI OCULORUM. 229 
3. In a natural constitution, if one Eye be shut, the Pupil of the other 
is dilated, but it is not so here; for the Urea distended from a preterna- 
tural Cause cannot be more expatiated. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from Nature, another from preternatural Causes. 
2. Sometimes onely one Eye is affected, sometimes both. 
3. One from internal Causes, another from external; which some- 
times effects, 1. A rupture, or solution of continuity; 2. Or a distor- 
tion; 3. Or constriction from excess of moisture, or dryness, induced 
from their several Causes; 4. Or dilatation of the Pupil from the same 
Causes. 
4. One from violent Causes, as wounds, suppression of the breath in 
Womens Travel, or Trumpetting; another not. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That is better that is made from Nature, than that from preternatu- 
ral Causes, for therein they see best, but it is altogether incurable; that 
that is not natural is very hardly cured, because the Urea is membranous: 
that made from moisture is easilier cured by far than that that arises 
from dryness, except vehement Headach preceded; from a rupture of 
the Urea, or a Wound, it is hardly cured, though they may be healed: 
from bruises or falls, if it be without infiamation, ’tis more easily cured; 
the fresher, the easier cured from all Causes. It most often happens to 
Children, and such as have Black Eyes. 
CURE 
Is as various as Causes: For, 1. In too great moisture, a drying atte- 
nuating Dyet is to be used, avoiding Bathings and Lotions of the Head, 
Wines, &c. with Evacuation, and drying of the Head, opening of the 
Veins of the Temples, and those in the corners of the Eyes; Cup- 
ping-Glasses are to be applied to the Occiput for Revulsion-sake, and 
Leeches behind the Ears: Then we must resolve, discuss and dissipate 
the Humours that are flown and settled by fit Topicals, as a Foment of 
Dill, Fennel, Eyebright, Chelidone, &c. boyled in Salt or Sea-water; 
no sharp things, which call forth Humours to the Part, and distend the 
Membrane, are to be used. 
Then must follow the Use of Astringents to render the Pupil narrow- 
er, and contract it: ꝶ of Pouder of Tucty, Bark of Frankinsence, 
Red-Rose, Sarcocol, Myrrh, Acatia, of each a like quantity; put them 
into a fine silken Cloth, and boil them a while in Rose-Water, then 
strain

230 MORBI OCULORUM. 
strain out the Decoction, and drop thereof into the Eye , or foment 
therewith, and lay the Bag so boiled upon the Eye afterwards. 
Fernelius used the sequent: ꝶ of dry Roses, Mint, and Spikenard, 
of each ʒij. Myrrh, and the Bark of Frankinsence, ana ʒß Spodium, 
Pompholix, Acatia of each, washed, ʒj. Aloe, 3j. being Poudered with 
a mucilage of Gum Tragacamh dissolved in Rose-Water, make Tro- 
ches; forbear the use of too strong Binders, for they harden, and some- 
times bring a Tabes. 
2. In too great dryness, an Analeptick and moistening Dyet, is help- 
ful; Bathes of sweet Water, and of Milk, but Goats Milk is best, 
wherein the Eye is to be dipt. 
3. In violent Causes, as, 1. Wounds, we must try at beginning to 
stop and hinder its amplifying and encrease; let Blood and repel, then 
corroberate, and use contracting and consolidating Topicks. 2. In 
blows, falls, and contusions, where if there be inflamation, take dire- 
ction from the Chapter of an Ophthalmy; if not, use Discussers, with 
some Astringents; Doves Blood, dropt in often, helps much to heal all 
Contusions of the Eyes. 
4. In winds, and distentive flatuosity universal evacuation afore-or- 
dered, discuss wind by Internals and Topicals, wherein some Astrin- 
gents to strengthen, may be added; as that of Rondeletius, of Fennel- 
seeds, Rheu, Dill, Rose-Leaves, Myrtle-Berries and Saint-John's- 
Wort, boiled in white Wine for a Foment; which used at the begin- 
ning (saith he) will stay its encrease. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Procidence. or going forth of the Eye. 
DEFINITION. 
ECpiesmos is a going forth of the Eye out of its Orb unacustomedly, 
so that it cannot be covered by the Eye-lids; made from violent 
Causes, and solution of continuity. 
CAUSES 
Are either Internal, or External: First, Internal are either from 
Humours, which violently by a defluxion extend it: Or 2. From re- 
laxation of the Ligaments, resolution of the Muscles and Nerves, 
whereby the force of retention is made weak: 3. From the forcible 
rushing thither of winds, and distentive flatious matter, Nature stri-
ving 

MORBI OCULORUM. 231
ving to make expulsion thereof, which happens chiefly to such as are 
strangled, to such as blow very hard with Trumpets, and in retention 
of the Breath in Child-bearing, in going to stool, vomiting, and such- 
like strivings of Nature. 
2. Externals are either first from violent Causes, as a Blow, or Fall, 
specially if great pain also thereupon ensue, and the Parts be more ten- 
der and loose: Secondly, from dissolved Unity of the part, as from 
Wounds and Ulcers.
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Signs Diagnostick are known by sight, the particular Cause is com- 
monly related by the Sick, there is sometimes present heaviness of the 
Head, and the Pupil is enlarged.  
CURE. 
Herein we must respect antecedent and suppeditating Causes; as by 
letting Blood to prevent Inflamation, and purging to take away Hu- 
mmours flown, as well as flowing. 
Externally: 1. We must drive and repel Humours, and conse- 
quently Inflamation; Cuppers to the Occiput. 
2. The Eye Must gently be put up. Hartman advises the part to be 
mollified, and then sprinkled with the Pouder of Beetles that are found 
in Horse-dung, being dried in a Glass. 
3. It being put up, we must labour the retention of it in its place; 
that is done by Astringents, Bathes, Unctions, Foments, Cataplasms, 
&c. of Roses, Oak-Buds, Balaustians, Sumach, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, 
Roots of Tormentile, Pomegranate-Rinds, Bramble-Buds, Hypochi- 
stis, Sea-Water, &c. It must also be kept up with easie and straight li- 
gature. 
If too much moisture be the Cause, drying Topicks and Universals 
are useful. 
If Windiness be in Cause, use hotter Medicines both actually and 
potentially; in other Causes they may be applied cold upon the Eye- 
lids, being shut, but here they do hurt, if applied cold. 
If there be resolution of the Nerves and Muscles, it is convenient 
to use Apophelgmatisms. 
If it may not be put up into its place at all, nor is to be helped, it is 
totally to be taken forth, if all things seem convenient hereto. 
CHAP.


232 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XI. 
Of Pushes, or little Wheals of the Eye. 
THese Pushes or Wheals called Phlyctena by the Latins, of the A- 
rabians, Bothor, are made in the Cornea, and Annata or Adnata from 
a sharp serous Humour lifting up the Tunicles. 
CAUSES 
Be sharp Humours made from fulness of such an ill Blood. 
SIGNS 
Be, 1. Its magnitude, which is not above the bigness of Millium, 
or grains of Millet 
2. Its Colours, which is black in the Cornea, more ruddy in the Ad- 
nata-Tunicle, in the Compass or Superficies of the Cornea; if they be 
more deep, the Cornea is sometimes white. 
3. As to its substance, they are little Bladders of Water, even as 
Bladders and watery Blisters are wont to be made throughout all parts 
of the Body, either from serosity of the Blood, or Burns or Scalds: 
these little Bladders or Water-Whelks contain in them a pure Cry- 
stalline-Bubble, or drop of Water, which possesses both the Membranes 
as well as superficies of the Eye. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is with Inflamation, another without it. 
2. One is the Cornea, another in the Adnata. 
3. Some are more superficiary called Epicaumata, which are more 
black: Others are more deep under a second or third film, called En- 
caumata, which by reason of the whiteness of the Cornea do seem more 
white. 
They differ from Procidence of the Urea, because they do not put 
forth a white Circle in the bottom. 
In Phlyctenæ. there is blackness every where, but in falling out of the 
Urea, that onely that’s come forth, is black. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
They are common Tubercles to the Cornea and Annata, sometime 
afflicting with pain and inflamation, which are so much the worse; and 
these

MORBI OCULORUM. 233 
these are made either in the Adnata, where they are less dangerous, or 
Cornea, where they are more dangerous, and hardly cured, especially if 
the Cornea be broke in its inward part, and the nearer they are to the 
Pupil, the worse; if they be superficial, there is less danger, and more 
hope of Cure; if more deeply seated, we may fear Erosion of the whole 
thickness of the Cornea, and either from ruption of the Cornea the wa- 
tery Humour may flow out, or Procidence of going forth of the Urea. 
A Cicatrice also succeeding, hinders sight. 
CURE. 
In Cure, before we use Topicals, we must observe these Precepts: 
1. To premise generals. 
2. After that, use a cooling Dyet. 
3. Avoid sneezing, too great motion, anger, too great brightness, 
detention of the breath, much speaking, and immoderate drinking of 
Wine. 
We must resolve the conjoyned matter; Topicals must at first be re- 
pelling, then discuss; Leaves of Mallows applied, Gall of Birds, of 
an Hen, of a Goose, with Honey to anoint them, Water of white Vi- 
triol, Extract of Fennugreek-seeds: In the progress we must dry and 
dissolve more with proper Topicks. 
If therewith there be inflamation, Saccharum Saturni, dissolved in 
Rose-Water, or Eyebright-Water, is most excellent; also together 
with pain, these are good in this case, A Mucilage of Fennugreek-seeds 
in Plantane-Water, Rose-water, the white of an Egg beat in Plantane 
or Nightshade-Water; and if Inflamation and Pain be very intense, 
adde a little Opium. 
If herefrom we fear a great flux of Humours, we must revulse, use 
Cupping, Repellers, as Verjuyce, Plantane, Red Rose and Myrtle- 
Water, Water of Milk, of Quinces, &c. 
We must hinder their suppuration or turning ulcerous, made by the 
breaking of the little film or skin asunder, which by the former Rules 
observed, is most often prohibited.
Gg CHAP.

234 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Proptosis, or Procidence of the Urea. 
PRoptosis is a going forth of the Urea from dissolved Unity of the Cor- 
nea, being a vice in situation. 
CAUSES 
That effect the Ureas falling forth of the Cornea are solution of conti- 
nuity, a Wound or Ulcer, which break the Cornea. 
SIGNS 
Are, 1. from change of the figure of the Eye, and situation of the Urea: 
2. There is a white circle in the bottom about the Rupture, from the 
lips of the Cornea eroded, but that is black which comes forth: 3.The 
Pupil seems in a certain part of it to be pulled up, or appears not from 
the divulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure in general is hard, and the harder if the greater; Myocepha- 
lon is easilier cured by moderate Astringents, as the Rupture of the Cor- 
nea; and a fresh Staphyloma is sometimes cured, but a callous cannot, 
nor when there is whiteness. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Paulus reckons up four kinds: 1. The first is Myocephalon, because it 
hath the form of the Head of a Fly, and happen whenas a small por- 
tion of the Urea goes forth, and hath not yet encreased: 2. A second 
kind is called Staphyloma, from the form of a Grape Kernel, and is a 
greater Rupture of Procidence of the Urea: 3. A third and greatest Eru- 
ption of the Urea is called Melon, whenas it comes to the bigness of an 
Apple, and passeth the Eye-lids: 4. A fourth is called Elos in Greek,
Clavus in Latine, and is whenas the Procidence is inveterate, and ren- 
dered callous, which Ætius calls A Callous Nail. 
CURE 
Is done by Astringents that have no sharpness or roughness, such as are 
propounded in the Rupture of the Cornea and Ecpiesmos; if it yeild not 
to Medicines, as old ones seldom do, we must use Chyrurgery; some 
speak of drawing it artificially with a little Pipe; the Antients, as Cel- 
sus, Paulus and Ætius used Chyrurgery, whose event is very doubt- 
ful, and therefore rejected by Modern Practicks. 
CHAP.


MORBI OCULORUM. 235 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Pthisis, or narrowness of the Pupil.
DEFINITION.  
PThisis or Myosis, is a narrowness or lessening of the Pupil, contra- 
ry to Mydriasis or a narrowness or a Dilatorum of the Pupil, made from contra- 
cting of the Urea, and is a it might also cause Mydriasis, 
by filling and distending the Pupil, yet here it may cause a diminu- 
tion of it by relaxating. Disease in conformation. 
CAUSE. 
1. Is from too great humidity, contracting the Urea from the Cir- 
cumference to the Center; for although 
2. Is from too great siccity and driness, made either, first from Con- 
sumption of the watery or albuginous Humours, as in Wounds, where 
the albuginous Humour is evacuated, it is very soon contracted; se- 
condly, or from other Causes drying and binding up, and causing a con- 
striction thereof. This also might cause Mydriasis or enlarging of the 
Apple of the Eye, because in that tention and stretching out, was made 
from Humours dryed, but driness in this is from defect of moisture, and 
a Consumption of the watery Humour, so that it wrinkles and wasts 
therefrom. 
3. 'Tis from a lesser afflux of the visive Spirits to the Pupil; either, 
first, through obstruction of the Nerves Optick; or, secondly, from pau- 
city or fewness of Spirits, which often happens to old Men that have 
their Pupil contracted. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK, 
Are taken, first, from the Pupils magnitude; which is less then na- 
turally should and was wont to be, which is known by comparing it 
with the other Eye. Secondly, By blindness at first when we go into 
a dark place, by reason of the constriction of the Pupil, yet after it is 
dilated they see better, but best in bright places; and Objects are re- 
sented greater, because the visible Species being received in by the nar- 
row hole, they are dilated in a more ample space towards the Crystal- 
line: A moderate bigness of the Pupil is therefore necessary for re- 
ceiving the visible Species. Moreover the Pupil is more obscure, rug- 
ged and wrinkled, and pains of the Head sometimes preceded.
Gg 2 PROG.  

236 MORBI OCULORUM.
PROGNOSTICKS 
Are taken from the Causes, that made from Consumption or loss of 
the watery Humour, is incurable; because that once effused cannot be 
regenerated: yet if made from a Wound in Children, tis sometimes re- 
paired: It is also incureable when there is a defect of the white; also 
in old Men; from siccity tis more hardly cured then from humdity or 
moisture, from which yet if inveterate, it is very hardly also cured: the 
freshness and newness of all Diseases makes much for their more easie 
Cure.
DIFFERENCE. 
One is from the Birth and Natural Conformation, who (saith Galen) 
see more acutely.  
Another from Preternatural Causes, and that either driness, or its 
contrary, too great moisture; either from vice of the Visive Spirits, or 
Nerves Optick.  
CURE 
Is to be done by contradicting the Cause, and though the same 
cause produce contrary affects, as Mydriasis and Pthisis both; yet these 
differing affects proceeding from one and the same Cause, are cured 
one and the same way. 
1. Therefore for Siccity or Driness, whether Consumptive or Con- 
tractive, we must attract and draw nourishment, foment with warm 
Milk and a little Sack; some add Emolients, but others dislike them; 
a Colliry of Mucilage of Flea-Seed, Milk, and Oyl of Lin-Seed, fo- 
ment also with warm Water. 
2. For moisture, see the direction in the Chapter of Mydriasis of 
dilatation of the Apple; Rhue, Chelidone, &c. that are drying Oph- 
thalmick Remedies, are also useful. 
3. For obstruction of the Optick Nerves, see Amaurosis, or Ambly- 
opia, or also for Restauration of the fewness and weakness of the visive 
Spirits.
CHAP. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 237
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Eyes Blood-shot. 
NAMES and DEFINITION.
Hyposphagma or Aimalops, in Greek; Sugillatio or Sanguinis effusio, 
in Latine: sometimes Macula is that which in English is called 
Blood-shot, and is an effusion of Blood into the Cornea chiefly, and Ad- 
nata-Tunicles of the Eye, appearing at first red, and afterwards livid, 
or black and blew, arising from violent Causes. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause immediate, is Blood poured forth into the Cornea and Ad- 
nata or Conjunctive Tunicles, by the Veins dispersed there, and open- 
ed. 
Exciting Causes, were either contusion, as a fall or blow, or a vio- 
lent rushing of Blood thither by loud clamours, blowing with Trum- 
pets, &c. where there was plenty of Blood in the adjacent vein. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs be, first, its visibility, it being at first redder, because Blood 
at first breaking forth of the Vessels is red; afterwards black and blew, 
because Blood after it is out of the Vessels cools, and grows livid or 
black, possessing the Cornea or Horny Membrane, and sometimes the 
Adnata or Conjunctive Membrane, and sometimes both; and if it be 
more plentiful, it is at last often changed into Pus or Matter, and 
when as it cannot be discussed, it makes an Hypopyon. 
Secondly, Its Symptoms; it makes all Objects to seem red, even 
as Glasses that are red or green make us think all things that we see in 
them of that Colour. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Cure is easie in the beginning; if inveterate, ’tis more contu- 
macious; it is bad, if it turns to Hypopyon, or a purulent Matter under 
the Cornea. 
CURE 
In Cure for a fresh one, and if Blood abound, let Blood; use To- 
picals to discuss, but with astringents to repel the flux of Blood, and in- 
flamation therefrom: The Whites of new-laid-Eggs, beaten and ap- 
plyed to the Eye with fine Flax, are commended, and the Blood of a 
Turtle

238 MORBI OCULORUMM. 
Turtle Dove or Pigeon, with Womans Milk dropt in, is commended 
by all for a fresh Hyposphagma. 
If it be more old, and the part look livid, or black and blew; Topi- 
cals must discuss more, and somewhat attenuate, wherein the most 
effectual, are, 1. a Colliry of extract of Fennugreek-Seeds, in Camo- 
mile and Melilot-Water, adding thereto a little Saffron, Lapis Hema- 
titis, and Aqua Mellis, &c. of the Fat of the Bird Questula, with 
juyce of holy Thistle and Chelidone. 2. A Cataphasm of Roots of 
Salomons-Seal and holy Thistle boiled in Fennel, Chelidone, or Eye- 
bright-Water, or of Hysop boild and applyed, which is greatly com- 
mended by Galen, Avicen &c. which takes out the Blood so sensibly, 
that the Cloath in which it is applyed to the Eye is bloody there- 
from. 3. Fumes of Decoctions received by the Eyes, as of Cheli- 
done, Eyebright, Fennel, Myrrh, America, &c. 4. Foments, as of 
Decoction of Myrrh, Saffron, Frankinsence, Colwort-leaves, Fennu- 
greek-Seeds, Roots of Devils-bit, &c. or of juyce of Radish, which 
put upon the Cornea, saith Rondeletius, discusses it; Or that of Ætius, 
of the Urine of a found Boy, beaten in a Brass Morter, with a Brass 
Pestil in the Sun, and afterwards mixt with Honey. Such as were set 
down to resolve Phlyclenæ, and for suffusions, are good here; only we 
must have a care of sharp and acrimonious Medicine, least we draw 
more blood to the Eyes. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Emphysema, or a Windy Tumor of the Eye-lids. 
A Loose tractable and flatulent Tumour of the Eye-lids is called, 
Emphysema Ophthalmon by the Greeks; Inflatro Palpebræ by the 
Latines, and is a puffing up of the Eye-lid from a windy Matter. 
Causes, Internally or Externally fomenting it; as watchings, in Fevers, 
& Cachectick Bodies, often a serous Matter falling or translated thither, 
effects these kinds of swellings; sometimes an Airy matter puffs it up. 
The stinging of Bees, Wasps, Hornets, or Nettles, are External 
Causes. 
CURE. 
In Cure, we must first use Generals, and respect the habit, specially 
in Cachectick Hydropick Bodies, where such a matter is generated 
from plenty, or a crude, and vaporours Airy Matter, and weakness of na- 
tive heat in digesting it: Topicals must be emolient and dissipating, and
withal 


MORBI OCULORUM.  239 
withal, corroborating, and resolving Cataplasms of Cummin-Seeds, 
with Milk, of Lentiles, and Honey, of Ætius: if it come through sting 
of a Bee, Wasp, Hornet, Nettle, &c, some advise to Treacle mixt 
with Plantane-Water, or the Bee that stung is to be bruised and apply- 
ed; also a Colliry of Pulp of Crabs, Yolks of Eggs, and Womans 
Milk, is good in such a case; above other things, some extol greatly an 
Emplaister of holy-Thistle, beaten with Whites of Eggs spread upon 
flaxen Hards, for the Eye-lids swelled and pained from the stinging of 
Bees, and other venemous Creatures. 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Hydatis, or little Apostemes of the Eye-lids. 
HYdatis, is a Tumor in the upper Eye-lid, referring the Species of 
Meliceris or Steatoma, arising from an increment and growing 
forth of the fatty Substance, and resembles a piece of fat under the up- 
per Eye-lid, betwixt the Skin and Cartilage, or Membranes of the Eye- 
lids, in the midst of which is that Flesh which Physicians call the Un- 
ctuous Substance; this affect most molests Children, by reason of 
great moistute in them ; and in some becomes Oedematous, and so grieves 
the upper Eye-lids, that they may not be lifted up; it pours forth an 
Humour much in quantity, and serous in quality, and that chiefly on 
mornings, or at day break, because they are more copiously gathered in 
the Night, they most often sleep upon their Faces; some call it Aquula, 
and Celsus, Vesica. 
CURE. 
If it be fresh, fasting Spittle doth sometime cure it, and it may be re- 
solved by Dissolvers, as Oyl of Camomile, &c. Salt chewed with Cum - 
ming-Seeds, unless pain prohibit it: if it be inveterate, if it be includ- 
ed in a Skin or Membrane, as Meliceris and Steatoma, it is cured by 
Chyrurgery, and the Bladder also by overthwart incision is taken away, 
left a new matter be gathered afresh in it; after manual operation, the 
whole Eye must be covered with an Emplaister of the white of an Egg 
beaten with red-Rose-Water; or if the Bladder may not be drawn out, 
it is to be wasted by Cathereticks, or eating Medicines, which are cau- 
tulously to be used, consideration of the Part being had. 
CHAP.

240 MORBI OCULORUM. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Tubercle of the Eye-lid, called Grando, or 
the Hail-stone. 
CHalazion of the Greeks, Grando, or Tuberculum Rotundum Palpe- 
bra, of the Latines, is a Tumor of the Eye-lids, made from Col- 
lection and Coaservation of Humours there, which are condensated 
and thickned, and make a Tumor like an Hail-stone, which differs 
from Crithe or Hordeolumt because this is, 1. More stony and hard. 
2. More round. 3. More shining and clear. 4. It is moveable this 
way or that way. 5. It is more hard and stubborn to be cured by Me- 
dicines. 
Ætius reckons two kinds, One more bright, wherein is included a 
matter like the White of an Egg hardned, and not paining; the other 
more blackish, bigger, and paining upon the touch; sometimes it is 
more externally placed on top of the Eye-lid, sometimes more inter- 
nally under the Lid. 
CURE. 
Cure, if it may be done by Medicines, is by an emolient Emplaister of 
Gum Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, mixt with Wax, Hens-Grease, &c. 
Turpentine, in due quantities: if this be not effectually used, Chyrurge- 
ry is to be tryed; and if the Tubercle or little knot be more outwardly 
seated, it is taken away by excision, and pluck’t away with a Chyrur- 
gions Honk; if under the Eye-lid, turn up the Eye-lid, and by inci- 
sion take forth the matter; and lastly, use Consolidaters: See more in 
the Cure of Hydatis and Crithe, or the Come of the Eye-lids. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Crithe, or a Tubercle of the Eye-lids. 
CRithe or Pesthion in Greek, Hordeolum or Preputiolum in Latine, is 
a little long Tubercle of the Eye-lids, softer then Grandoy grow- 
ing externally on the top of the Eye-lid, included in a Membrane, like 
Atheroma, and suppurating, (which it doth not easily) it refers the fi- 
gure of a Barly-Corn, and thence had its name.
CURE. 

MORBI OCULORUM. 241 
It is cured by Barley chewed fasting, and applied to it. or it may be 
rubbed with the Body of a Fly: Forestus and Avicen used the Blood of 
a Turtle. It is sometimes dissolved by an Emplaister of Amoniacum: 
Anthony Musa used Galbanum with Niter; Galen the Blood of Birds of 
prey; Chyrurgions open it with a Bistory, take forth all the matter, and 
deterge it with Honey, and Yolks of Eggs: Celsus seared the matter, 
if not let out by incision, might corrupt the Cartilage; afterward We 
must use some repelling Colliry to drive back Humours that are apt to 
slow, and heal the fore. 
If the Tubercle be more hard, round, and moveable, it is called 
Grando or Hailestone, of which see more elsewhere. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Ulcers of Cornea. 
ULcers of the Eyes are taken variously, & have divers denominations 
according to their degrees and situation, those in the Superficies 
are called Achlys Nephelion; about the Circle of the Iris or Rainbow, 
they are called Argemon; if deep, Bothrion; and deepest, Cæloma; if foul 
and crustulous, ’tis called Epicauma, or Encauma, generally also ’tis 
called Ægylops Coiloma, &c, 
CAUSE.
They are wont to succeed to Ophthalmies suppurated, to Phlyctenes, 
or Blisters of the Eyes being broke, from white Pushes preceding 
and breaking, from Causes external and procatarctick, from prick- 
ing with a Thorn, or hurt from Glass, from Blows, Contusions dilacera- 
ting the Cornea, which is thick; Internals are flux of sharp Humours, 
or Humours made by Congestion. 
SIGNS.
Signs Diagnostick and Prognostick have their grounds and rise from 
Differences: Where, 
1. Observe some are more superficiary, and broad, less deep, and are 
called Coiloma. 
2.v Others are more deep, crusty, sharp, and sollid, called Epicanma, 
and Encanma, chiefly from the quality of the sordid Ulcers, and Bothri- 
Hh on,

242 MORBI OCULORUM. 
on, and Cæloma, from the depth; these are easie to know, and to be di- 
stinguished by sight, have sharper pain. 
3. Some are situated in the Circle of the Iris, and called Argemon, 
and from some Ulcus Coronale, these are ruddy towards the outward part 
of the Iris, towards the inward part white. 
4. Some are in the Cornea, which appear in the black of the Eye, are 
harder to cure; there is fear of an efflux of the Humour Aqueus, or 
watery Humour, or Procidence of the Urea, from erosion of sharp Hu- 
mours; if healed, a Cicatrice sometimes hinders sight; fluxes of rheum 
also sometime following, cause blindness. 
5. In the Adnata, there is redness in the white of the Eyes from 
the Veins of its Tunicles stuft with Blood; they are better in conditi- 
on then those of the Cornea. 
CURE. 
In Cure, First, Evacuate by Catharticks, in which proper Medicines 
for the Eyes are intermixt. 
Secondly, Let Blood if need be, if inflamation or an Ophthalmy be 
present. 
Thirdly, Divert Humours by Frictions and Cuppers, Ligatures, &c. 
Fourthly, Interception, where Medicines applied to the Forehead 
and Temples, intercept the flux. 
Fifthly, To the Ulcer it self we must, 
1. Use Detergents; yet more mild, because of the tenderness and 
exquisite sense of the part; a Liniment of Powder of white Sugar-Can- 
dy and Honey, or Mucilage of Fennugreek, extract in Juyce of Saint- 
John's Wort, are to be used; also Vervain, Rheu, Chelidone, and 
Eyebright-Water. 
2. We must dry the Ulcers, but Pouders are gritty, and by their 
harshness hurt the Eye; sharp Medicines also provoke a greater flux of 
thin Humours, and watery ; but things that dry potentially, and with- 
out sharpness, having some propriety to the Eyes, are here useful; Aloes, 
Tutty-stone, Sarcocol, Frankinsence, Mastick, Myrrh, Lycium. 
3. Agglutinate. Hartman praises Water of the whites of Eggs 
Montanus the Pouder of whites of Eggs; Sarcocol also infused in Brest- 
Milk, and Frankinsence are praised; ꝶ of the Pouder of the white of 
Eggs, of Frankinsence, of each ʒj. Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth ex- 
tract in red Rose-Water, ʒij. Aloe ʒß Cream what may fuffice, make 
a thin Medicine. 
4 Induce a Cicatrice, where this is effectual: ꝶ whites of Eggs, 
beat them in a Leaden Mortar, with Water of Milk; adde thereto Ce- 
russ, Frankinsence, Aloe, of each two parts, Pouder of red Roses, of 
Myrtle-

MORBI OCULORUM. 243 
Myrtle-Berries, and Sarcocol, of each one part; Tutty, Lapis Calami- 
naris, of each one part and in half; Cream and Oyl of Roses what may 
suffice to make it of a convenient consistence. 
Lastly, We must correctt Symptoms: In great pain, a Colliry of the 
white of an Egg in Rose-Water, and a little Opium, if need, added, is 
effectual; if acrimony be adjoyned, temper that with Brest-Milk, water 
of the whites of Eggs, Mucilage of Psyllium-seeds, Fennugreek, and 
Lint-seed: if they turn cancerous, where there arises great pain, we 
must palliate with cooling Anodines: if the fight be hurt, or we fear  
blindness, from what Cause soever, give inwardly to restore sight, Salt 
of Eyebright, Eyebright-Wine, Extract of Rheu and Valerian; fly Wines, 
and hot evaporative things. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Hypopyon, or matter under the Cornea. 
HYpopyon is a collection of Pus or matter under the Cornea-Tunicle 
of the Eye, from an ulcerous disposition of the part. 
NAMES 
Hereof with the Greeks are Hypopyon and Pyosis, with the Latins Un- 
guis, and Pus sub Cornea. 
CAUSES 
Are Ulcers or Inflamations suppurated; adjutant Causes also are open- 
ing of the Veins through plenitude, and there imparting a muddy limen- 
tary matter, so that it possesses half the black of the Eye, sometimes co- 
vers all the Pupil, and hinders fight; also by reason of Blows, Falls, 
Contusions, &c. letting out Blood, which under the Tunicles grows 
pale and black. 
SIGNS 
Are from inflamation, that cannot be terminated but by suppuration, 
from precedence of manifest causes, from pulsative pain, redness of the 
Eyes; or at least it went before: the Eye being, moved, the matter un- 
der the Cornea seems also to be moved; also there is a white colour of 
the part shewing a purulent matter. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Whenas the Eye is filled with matter, the Greeks call it Pyosis as if 
an heap of viscous matter, which the Ancients divided twofold, one  
Hh 2 they

244 MORBI OCULORUM. 
they called Onyx, the Latins Unquis or a Nail in Engish, referring the 
figure of a Nail cut off, compassing the circuit of the Iris from a cor- 
rupted and limous matter gathered in an ulcerous cavity. 
Another is called Hypopyon with the Greeks, and Pus sub Cornea by the 
Latins; and in this is a more copious matter gathered under the Cor- 
nea whereby the whole Pupil is sometime covered, and fight is hin- 
dered. 
CURE. 
Opening a Vein and purging, are better helpers in its growing than 
growth. Inflamation, if that preceded, is warily to be respected, left 
this evil ensue by its suppurating; some open not onely the Arm, but 
also the Temple-Veins, and those seen in the Corners of the Eyes, to- 
gether with which other Prohibiters of Inflamation are necessary; Dis- 
cussers are to have emollients mixt with them, lest that part of the 
matter that is not hereby resolved, should be made thicker and unresol- 
vable; Fomentation of Cammomile, Melilot, Fennugreck, and Lint- 
seed, Fleawort-seeds, &c. wherein fine Linnen may be dipped, and ap- 
plied to the Eye; also Colliryes, or Waters to wash the Eye, of Eye- 
bright, Chelidone, Fennel, &c. with Honey: Some speak of shaking 
forth this collection of purulent matter by great concussion of the Head; 
others, and they more generally and probably, advise to, and use Chyrur- 
gery, which is done by opening of the Cornea with a Lancet, and suck- 
ing out the Pus; this is to be doneby a skilful Artist, left the watery Hu- 
mour with the Pus should also flow out, by reason of which it is not 
much used; after it, Astringents and Comforters of the Eyes are to be 
used. 
CHAP. XXI. 
Of Callous and rough Eye-lids, called Sclerophthalmia, 
Ptilosis, and Trachoma.  
SClerophthalmia, otherwise called Ptilosis and the Greeks; 
and Lippitudo Dura, Hirsutin, and Asperitas Palpebrarum by the 
Latins, is a Disease of the Eye-lids, wherein they are red, thick, rough  
and hard. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is attributed to an adult, salt and sharp Humour, and of- 
ten to sharp Colliryes and Eye-Medicines. 
It

MORBI OCULORUM. 
It is variously divided; for one is called Sclerophthalmia, or hardness 
of the Eyes, wherewith is an hot distemper and thick Humour, some-
time with itching pain and redness, and sticking together of the Eye-lids 
after sleep, from the aforesaid thick Humour. 
Another is called Ptilosis, which is a callous thickness and red, with- 
out inflamation, itching or pain. 
Trachoma is a roughness and scabbedness of the Eye-lids, called also 
Sycopis when ’tis more grown, wherein oftentimes there be pushes like 
Millet-seed, and the ulcerated sore places sometimes chap and grow cal- 
lous; it is more inwardly than outwardly. 
If the Humour causing these be Choler, then little Pustules are made; 
if Flegm that is salt, there is more serosity; if Blood, there is less 
itching if a more melancholy Humour, that may be discovered by co- 
lour of that that comes forth: and according to the difference, of the 
Humour, is the difference of the Tumour. 
CURE. 
One Cure may generally suit with all, as to Evacuation and Aversion 
of the matter: secondly intercepient and emollient Topicks; but not 
in reipect of differences, for in Sclerophthalmia stronger are used, as 
Water of Lime much praised, Vitriol-Water, with Myrrh, Aloes and 
Saffron; but before these be used, more mild Medicines are to be tried, 
by degrees proceeding to stronger. 
Where there is more heat redness and pushes, together with the 
thickness and callosity, Coolers are: to be used that inflame not, as a ba- 
thing of it with warm water, wherein Mallows and Tutty have boiled, 
or the white of an Egg with Oyl of Roses, a Colliry of Myrrh dissolved 
in Womans Milk, mixed with Butter and Hens Grease. 
If withal there be fissures and soreness, acrimony and saltness of the 
Humours must be tempered: Avican used the Mucilage of Fennugreek 
seeds drawn in milk. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Itching of the Eye-lids, or Psorophthalmia. 
PSorophthalmia is a redness of the Eyelids, with a flux of Humours, 
from a salt rheumatick mattter, exulcerating the Corners of the 
Eyes, causing great itching and heat therein. 
Xerophthalmia is a dry distemper of the Eye-lids, with redness, but
no

246 MORBI OCULORUM. 
no sweliing nor rheumatick matter distilling, made from a Melancholy 
Humour stirring up great Itching and more Pain then in a Psorophthal- 
my. 
CURE. 
Cure of Psorophthalmia, is first by opening the middle-Vein of the 
Forehead, by lenifying the sharpness and saltness of Humours, and inter- 
cepting their course; Topicals are to be emollient, as whites of Eggs 
beat in Rose water, and applied. This also is greatly praised: ꝶ of 
white Lead washed, ℥j. white Starch, ʒvj. Gum Tragacanth, Sarcocol, 
and Tutty prepared, of each ℥ß. Thebaick, Opium, Camphir, of each 
ʒj. with Rose-Water make a mass thereof, which being dissolved, drop 
sometimes a drop or two into the Eye with a Feather: the Decoction of 
Bramble-Buds boiled in white Wine, and dropped in twice or thrice a  
day, is also commended. 
In a Xerophthalmia, Baths, and such as draw moisture to the Eyes, 
are good; such also as lenify and make tractable, and mollifie the Eye- 
lids; the Eye-lids are to be anointed over-night, lest they stick together, 
and be not easily opened in the morning. 
For the Symptom Itching, which sometimes is very molestuous, are 
commended, 1. A Colliry of Aloe, Tutty, Ceruse, equally mixt with 
Rose-Water: 2. The Water of the Flowers of Mead-sweet, or Queen 
of the Meddow, with Juyce of Daysies, dropped in, and a Clout wet 
therein, and applied; 3. More sharp Medicines that want a propriety 
are good against itching, as Coperas, Salt, Licium, sharp Vinegar, the 
Urine of the Sick, being stale, Sugar, &c, we must have a care that only 
the Eye-lids, and not the Eyes, be touched with such Medicines.
OF

247 
OF THE 
DISEASES 
OF THE 
Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 
THese Diseases, or most them at least, 
may not be found in some Practices 
of Physick, therefore they may be 
very convenient here: It is supposed 
few will come to the reading these, at 
to practice by them, that have not 
read, or have the Books to reade, all 
greater and more frequent Diseases. 
Authors were the least mistaken in 
these: Dissection is not so clearly satisfactory in these Distem- 
pers of the Nose, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips; such small Dis- 
eases of small Parts can shew but little in Anatomizing; but 
there is great variation of the kinds, and degrees, and different 
Productions of all these, which we have collected from good 
Authors, and composed them as fully for matter, and as short- 
ly for words, and as commodiously to be well understood, as 
we could. 
CHAP.


248 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. I. 
Of the Pose, or Distillation by the Nostrils. 
COryza in Greek, in Latin Gravedo, is a kind of Catarrh, 
or a deflux of crude Humours, or thin Excrements contain- 
ed in the sore-Ventricles of the Brain by the Nostrils, with 
a frequent Sneezing, and sense of Obstruction in the passa- 
ges of the Noftrils. 
DIFFERENCE of it is according to CAUSES. 
1. An hot Distemper of the Brain, or Heat that melts and pours 
out pituitous moist Excrements, being collected and retained in the 
Head, that is effected or caused by outward Causes, as immoderate 
drinking of Wine, keeping too long in heat of the Sun, or using Hot 
Baths.  
2. By an hot Distemper of the Liver, are hot and sharp Poses made. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. 'Tis easily known by the Patients own discerning. 
2. 'Tis easily cured, and safer then Catarrhs. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. 'Tis bad in Diseases of the Lungs. 2. If the Distemper is stub- 
bornly rooted. 3. By its Acrimony, it often ulcerates the Nostrils, 
and produces other affects. 4. If from an hot Distemper in the Liver, 
whence also are produced hot and sharp Catarrs. 5. Better if outward 
Causes produce it. 
CURE.  
'Tis Cured as a Catarrh from an hot Cause. 1. We must evacuate. 
2. Revulse or pull back the flowing Humour. 3. Derive: the use of 
Errhines are condemned, because they draw too violently, but Apo- 
phlegmatisms and Masticatories are safely used to stop and restrain Va- 
pours, are much approved, specially a Vapour of Mario, boiled in its 
own

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 249 
own Water, and received into the Nostrils; or a Vapour of Vinegar, 
wherein hot Iron hath been quenched; Gum Anime, or the Oyl of it 
cast upon Coals for a Suffume. 
2. A cold Distemper, that is made from inward Causes, as Flegm 
and crude moisture collected in the Head. 1. Through the digestive 
faculty weakened from a cold Distemper. 2. From outward Causes 
cooling the Brain, whereby it is compressed like a Sponge, and sends 
forth the moisture to the subjected parts; the Brain also from penury 
of heat concocting all Aliments badly, gathers new matter, and more 
moist pituitous Excrements, that upon every light occasion are shut out 
by the nearest open wayes, by the expulsive faculty. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. From a cold and bad concoctive force and constitution in the 
Brain, 'tis hard to cure perfectly. 
2. If older, the worse to cure. 
CURE.
After Universals, a Fume; Nigella-Romana. Seeds, Frankinsence, &c. 
cast upon Coals, to dry and consume the cold moist superfluous humidi- 
ty of the Brain; the Seeds of Nigella-Romana, also rosted, put into Silk, 
and often smelt to, are commended; so is the taking of Tobacco, 
sprinkled with Oyl of Anni-Seeds, to such as are accustomed there  
to.
CHAP. II. 
Of hurt of Smelling. 
OLfactus or Smelling, may be taken away, lessened, or depraved, as 
the rest of the Actions of the Body, and only differ in degrees or 
magnitude Of Depraved Smelling, we shall speake in a Chapter by it 
self.  
CAUSE.
Made from a Distemper of the Brain, cold and moist, which either 
occupies the anteriour part of it, and then taste is abolished from tHe 
Propagine of the third pair of the Nerves of the Brain, efforming the 
(Tongue ling. rather) Speech affected; a cold and moist distemper, or 
with a pituitous Matter adjoyned, is wont to dull any Sense, whence 
in Catarrhs and Poses, smell is often hurt: and native heat being 
Ii deficient,


250 Of the Disease of 
deficient, the function of pans are hurt, and Nature bedulled.
Aliis est Obstruct.
Ossi-Ethmoidis. 
2. Obstruction from the same pituitous Humour, as well senseless 
as the passages of the Nostrils; or insenseless, as the 
Pores of the Brain, and Processus Mamillares; that 
Scents cannot pass to those parts; to this may be 
joyned a Polypus Sarcoma, or the like, that may stop or fill up the 
Passages. 
3. Astriction made from the same pituitous Humour, gathered in 
the forepart of the Brain, and compelling, the Processus Mamillares; 
that astriction may also come from a Native Conformation, if they be 
so depressed and narrow, that there lies not open a free passage for 
Scents. 
SIGNS. 
1. A Distemper cold and pituitous, may be gathered by those Signs 
of flegm, from flegm in the Head, and by a Mucous Pituit stilling 
from the, Brain. 
2. Are divers, according to Causes. 1. If from those Nerves, that 
constitute the Organ of Smelling affected, then there is perceived no 
hurt either in the Brain, or rest of the Sences, the voice remains clear. 
3. From narrowness. 1. In the Brain, and then gravity is present. 
2. In the passages of the Nostrils, or Bone-Ethmoides affected; then 
there is, 1. Hurt of Voice, because the Nostrils help to form the 
Voice. 2. Resperation is vitiated. 3. Wonted excrements are re- 
strained. 4. Smelling is sometime totally abolished, if Pituit be har- 
dened in the Holes of that Bone. 
4. From Hoping of the Passages of the Nose, by excrescences of flesh, 
as Sarcoma, Polypus, or the like: we mutt seek out their signs in their pro- 
per Chapters. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Lessened or abolished Smelling, is dangerous in a Carnus, Apo- 
plexy, or other affects of the Brain. 2. 'Tis incurable, if from ill con- 
firmation of the Nostrils, as Noses by Nature flat. 3. ’Tis hardly cured, 
if inveterate, and from a Distemper confirmed; but fresh and newly 
made, ’tis more hopeful. 
CURE 
Varies as Causes; from a cold Distemper, correct that with hot Ce- 
phal. with such Remedies as are taught in the Chapter of Head-ach, 
from a cold Distemper, and of a Catarrh; extract of Marjoram taken 
to ℈ß. every night and morning, is held a Specifical; but obstruction 
of the Nostrils or Ethmoid-Bone, from pituitous Humours, is best taken  
away after purging of the Redundancy of Pituitous Humours in the 
whole

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 251 
whole Body; 1. By a Nasale of the Root of Gentian, put into the 
Nose. 2. Errhines, where Juyce of Red Beets is best, and draws out 
stuff, flegm, or decoction of Nigella-Seeds with Castor. 3. Sternutato- 
ries (which avail most, saith Hartman, when the Vice is in the Eth- 
moid-Bone) as of Elatery, ,&c. 
4. Odours, as Oyl of Nigella-Seeds, but the best way is to take the 
Seed of Roman Nigella-Seeds and torrifie them, and so wrap them in fine 
Silk, and often smell unto them when they are hot. 
5. Sinapismos in a contumacious evil. 
2. From narrowness in the Brain it self; here Sternutatories most 
help, and Errhines are less useful. 2. Apophlegmatisms. 
3. From a blow, specially, if fresh, it may be cured, if a Pipe of 
Lead be put into the Nose. 
4. From stopping up of the passage of the Nostrils, from Excrescences 
of Flesh, as Sarcoma and Polypus. See the Cure in the Chapters of 
them.  
CHAP. III. 
Of Sneezing. 
DEFINITION. 
SNeezing is a Symptom of the voluntary faculty, or a concussion of 
the Brain, and of neer affinity to an Epileptick passion, endea- 
vouring a casting forth of some offending and tickling matter, either 
Flegmatick, or more watery, and thin, or windy, or other causes be- 
yond Nature, stirring up a deprived motion of the Animal Spirits, and 
breaking forth with noise and concussion. 
SUBJECT 
Is either the Brain, Nostrils, or Jaws, Trachart, or Lungs, but rather 
somewhat molestuous, that sticks about, or tickles the Trachæ' a-Artery, 
or top of the Nostrils. 
CAUSE. 
1. Proximate the Lungs, contracting themselves suddenly and for- 
cible, so that by the Breath is suddenly cast out that that did molest.  
2. Remote Causes are either Internal or External. 
1. Internal, are either flatuous or humorous Causes, which humours 
are more thick or thin, as in the Pose. 
2. These Humours arc brought into Action from catching cold.
I 2 whereby 


252 Of the Diseases of 
whereby the Brain sends down some sharp thin Matter to the Membranes 
of the Nostrils, that are endued with an exquisite sense, so that attracting 
Air, the Lungs with violence contracting themselves, cast forth the 
Breath with that force, and on heaps, which coming at the Nostrils 
causes a sound. 
2. From Nature irritated by the sharpness of some matter provoking 
the expulsive faculty generally, so that not only from the Head, Jaws, 
Nose, Rough Artery, Lungs and Breast, is the oftensive matter ex- 
cussed, but also from the Womb and lower parts. 1. This Vaporous 
moisture, is either restrained, and wanting its free passage out, irritates; 
Or, 2. Having free passage and running out, tickles the parts from the 
retentive faculty of the Brain weakened through cold, as in Catarrhs 
and Defluctions, where Sneezing is sometime very urging: As Forestus 
relates, Obs. 127. lib. 10. of one that had a sharp and salt Catarrh; 
and though the Membranes of the Brain may be irritated, yet there is 
no Sneezing before the offensive Matter comes to the Membranes of 
the Nostrils. 
3. In Feavers, saith Avicen, 'tis made from sharp Vapours carried 
from the whole Body up to the Head, Verte fol. per Caus. exter. 
4. From eating of Vaporous things, as Onions, Mustard, &c. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a good Sign, and Nature’s help in Diseases of those parts, that 
it may ease, 
1. Because it shews the faculty strong, 2. Concoction of the Mat- 
ter, 3. The aptness of Nature to be lightned and unburdened. 2. In 
accute and malignant Diseases and Feavers, it doth often great good, 
and promises Health, and though it may raise an Hæmorrage of the No- 
strils, that seldom doth hurt. 
2. But 'tis bad in Catarrhs and Poles, because the Humour requires 
quietness to be concoted. 
3. In Fits of the Mother, or difficult Birth, Sneezing is helpful, 
Aph. 35. Sect. 5. 
4. For Pituit, gathered in the lappets of the Lungs or Breast, that 
may not be expelled by Coughing, may by Sneezing. 
5. In a Singultus or Hickop, it greatly profits, and tis often ceased 
hereby. 
6. In Soporiferous affects, its good; and if in Appoplexies, by Ptar- 
micals put into the Nostrils, they sneeze not, it portends danger, Na- 
ture sinking under her burden. 
2. ’Tis-bad in Diseases of the Lungs, as Ptissicks, and Peripnen- 
monies


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 253 
monies, or inflamation of the Lungs, or Pleurisie, not avoiding the 
Morbifick Matter, but encreasing the evils by violent disturbing and 
tearing the Lungs. 
3. If too often and too violent, whereby, saith Rondeletius, many 
have been taken with an Epileptick Fit; and thence came the Supersti- 
tious saying, I pray God bless thee. 
2. External Causes, as 1. that are put into the Nostrils, 
to cause Sneezing, by their irritation and acrimony. 
2. Sometime tis made from holding up the Head to look at the Sun 
Beams, which causes, 1. Melting and loosening of the Humours. 
2, Contraction of the Brain that squeezes them out; Or, 3. From a cold 
Air received at the Nostrils. 4. From smelling of Vaporous things, 
whole fumes irritate, 5. From Feathers, or the like, put into the 
Nostrils, provoking the expulsive Faculty. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
Diagnosticks be conspicuous of themselves, and by relation of the 
Sick, from feeling this Matter avoided, and the part that was molested, 
eased. 
CURE. 
Cure, is not alwayes necessary, unless it be immoderate, and do 
molest and shake the afflicted or diseased parts. 
1. From External Causes, and then they removed, it ceases. 
2. Internals: And 1. hot : Here Bleeding, Purging, Revulsion, 
Derivation and Discussion, are to be premised with friction of the Eyes, 
Nose and Forehead, strong combing, compression of the Veins in the 
Corners of the Eyes, retention of Breath ; cleanse the Nostrils, and 
pluck the Ears, and hold the Hands in cold Water : If after these, the 
faculty expulsive be still disturbed, from some acrimony or the like, 
take the fume of warm Water up the Nose, or snuff up fresh Milk, or 
Oyl of Sweet-Almonds : These not helping, use Narcoticks, smell to 
cold things, Roses, Violets, Mandrake-Apples, and Opium it self, 
and snuff up Deception of such like; smell to no Spices. 
2. Cold, here preparation premised, use Lenitives, Revuse, Derive, 
and Discuss the Cause , as afore directed ; Friction, Ligatures, hot 
Decoctions drawn into the Nostrils, Pomanders of Aromaticks to smell 
to, and whatever may conduce to rectifying the cold distemper. 
Of


254 Of the Diseases of 
Of an Erysipelas of the Nostrils. 
An Erysipelas of the Nostrils, after Generals, as Purging, letting 
Blood, and the like, as for Erysipelas in General.
CURE. 
’Tis restrained after the manner of other Erysipela's of other parts; a 
Specifical, is the Menstrues of a Virgin washed in distilled Rose-Vinegar, 
per applicationem calide in petiis: If vehement pain urge, Roots of Hen- 
bane beat with the Leaves, and Hogs-Grease, to an Oyntment, helps.  
CHAP. IV. 
Of a Carcinoma, or Cancer of the Nostrils. 
AN Ulcerated Cancer, is 1. to be stopt from its eating and spread- 
ing: Here Juyce of Bistort or Snake-weed excels; many Medi- 
cines may be made of Cetuse, White-Lead, Mastich, Frankinsence, 
Pompholix, Litharge, Tutty, Camphir, &c. that may be conducible 
hereto.  
2. To kill and correct its quality, for which the Water of Arsenick 
made of equal parts, of White-Arsenick, and Salt of Niter, made 
mild with Plantain or Peach-Leaf-Water, is efficacious: Goats-Dung 
with Honey, saith Petrus Hispane, kills a Cancer; but 'tis better mixt 
with Juyce of Beets in form of a Liniment. 
CHAP. V. 
Of Polypus. 
DEFINITION. 
Tis a Carnous Excrescence sticking with small Roots to the Bone of 
the Nose, broad, and hanging down to the lower part of the No- 
strils; and sometimes also descending upon the Pallate, referring to 
the likeness of the Fish Polypus whence it had its Name; But Rhasis 
calls them Hæmorrhoids of the Nose, because somewhat like Hærmor- 
rhoids in the Anus or Tuel. 
CAUSES.

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 255 
CAUSES. 
1. Causes are, 1. Viscid Humours, as Pituit chiefly, mixt with 
Blood, falling from the Head into Ulcers of the Nostrils, and there 
cleaves; sometime a melancholy Humour is admixt, and then there 
is fear lest it should turn into a Cancer. 
2. ’Tis made, when as that fungous Flesh within the Nostrils is 
more loose and thin, and receives a viscid and flatuous Matter sent 
from the Head, being of a very moist constitution, so that by puffing 
up and stretching out that Spongy Flesh, a great Carnous Excrescence 
seems to be made. 
3. For particular Causes, as of some differing from others in white- 
ness, redness or blackness: 1. They that are white, are made of more 
pure viscous Flegm. 2. The red, of a more excrementitions bloody 
matter. 3. The black, Cancrous, from Melancholy. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
'Tis a fleshly lump, and soft, with small Roots, but broader in its 
Body; sometime filling the whole Nose, and hangs forth; sometime 
is throughout the whole passage, by which the Breath is brought, and de- 
scends upon the Pallate, specially when ’tis placed in the upper part 
of the Nostrils, and may easily be seen behind the Uvula. 
2. This Caruncle, or hanging piece of flesh, is in colour sometime 
whiter, sometime redder, sometime of a blewish black, according as 
the humour causing it is coloured. 
3. 'Tis greatly swelled in a Southerly Air, yea and in South-Winds, 
sometimes strangles; also in full Moon ’tis much enlarged; but on the: 
contrary, in a Northerly Wind, and drier constitution of the Air, and, 
in new, tis greatly lessened and abated. 
DIFFERENCES from Sarcoma, 
1. By all the precedent Signs. 2. Sarcoma, is in the lower parts; 
of the Nostrils, and more fleshly; but a Polypus grows in the upper part 
and top about the Root of the Nose. 
DIFFERENCES of Polypus it self be divers, 
One White, that is, 1. Soft. 2. Void of pain; 3. More easily 
cured. Specially, if, 1. it be more tender, 2. Fresher, 3. Lower 
seated in the Nostrils; for if towards the top, Medicines cannot be so 
well accommodated to it. 
2. Red or subruse, which is also curable, though worse then White. 
osnes. 3. Livid.


256 Of the Diseases of 
3. Livid or black; which, 1. Degenerates into a Cancer, or there’s 
great fear of it. 2. Therefore at first requires speedy help, lest future 
danger happen. 3. If not prevented, 'tis hardly cured. 1. It cance- 
rates. 2. 'Tis hard. 3. Painful. 4. Stinking sometime. 
2. As they differ in colour; so also, 1. In touch, as some hard, some 
soft: 2. In place, as higher, that’s more dangerous, as nigher the Brain: 
2. Growing in the lower parts of the Nostrils, which is discerned by the 
Eye. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
1. ’Tis hard to, cure, but easiest in the lower or middle parts of the 
Nostrils. 
2. Easier to stop its growth, than grown, to extirpate it. 
3. Cancrous, painful, black, hard and stinking ones, are bad to be 
medled withal, unless by gentle Medicines to hinder their growth. 
4. 'Tis worse if made in both Nostrils, for then there is danger of 
choaking, specially if they sleep not with their mouth open, whereby 
breathing is more free. 
CURE is double: 
First, To hinder its growth by taking away the Cause: 
1. By Universals, (an attenuating and drying Dyet being also obser- 
ved) as Purging, Revultion, Derivation, and drying of the Head used 
in decrease of the Moon, because then ’tis less, and all Medicines take 
greated place then, specially Topicks; the use of Guaicum. Drink with 
a drying Dyet, is commended by Authors. 
Cupping-Glasses are applied to the Neck, and some direct Bleed- 
ing.  
2. Topicks: Upon the part in the mean, while Astringents of the 
strongest sort, with Causticks, Dryers, and Discutients, are to be ap- 
plied. 
2. As hindering its quantity, so its quality: We must hinder its de- 
generating cancrous; Here observe that hot humours be not by unwa- 
ry courses caused to mix with pituitous. Letting Blood, as also, all 
other Evacuation, Derivation, and; Revulsion, may prove helpful. 
2. An Unguent of Yolks of Eggs, beat in a Leaden Mortar till they ac- 
quire the colour of the Lead, and mixt with ℈j. of Camphir; also the 
Liniment of Pouder of Red Roses, with Juyce of unripe Pomgra- 
nates. 
Secondly, If grown, to take it away. Here observe, 
1. That gentler Medicines be used at first, which will sometime cure 
it, if more fresh, tender, and well-qualified; such Medicines are large- 
ly described by Authors; the chief be Cypress, Poragranate-Rinds, 
Allom,


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 257 
Allom, Litharge, Galls, Ceruse, Gentian, Pompholix, &c. of which 
Waters, Liniments, and Ponders may be prepared without sharpness, 
and to dry up and consume the excrementitious Humour. 
2. Stronger are to be used, if, it be more contumacious and will 
not yeild to the precedent Remedies, among which excel, 1.Pollipody 
of the Oak, plaister-wise applied: 2. A Tent made of the Juyce of Ivy, 
a little Cotton dipt in, put up the Nose, and renewed as there  shall be 
need, seems most laudable: 3. Juyce of Nettles so used: 4. Juyce 
of Dragons, which is somewhat stronger than the rest: 5. Juyce of Bi-
stort: 6. Of Adders Tongue; all these consume it, and help by pro-
priety and their specifically quality: 7. A Tent made of Gentian-
Roots as greatly praise by Hartman, which is first to be daubed with
an Oyntment of Mallow-Leaves, and Althea-Roots beat and searced, 
and mixed with Goose-Grease.  
3. If these suffice not by reason of its contumacy, we must come to 
strongest means, and Cauteries, which are first potential; where we 
must observe, 1. To defend the sound parts of the Nostrils, that they 
be not touched and hurt by applying things on the Polypus. 1. by unction 
of those parts, 2. by conveying Medicines to the Polypus by a Silver- 
Pipe. 2. To attempt this cure in decrease of the Moon, for then 'tis 
less, and Medicines may be better applied upon it, having more room
in the Nostril; potential Causticks are, Arsenick, green Coperas, Orpent,
Ritt of Brass, Mercury, precipitate Antimony, &c. of which a glutinous 
Emplaister may be made, according to the pleasure of the discreet Phy-
sician : Gum Lacer applied Plaister-wise with Coperas and Verdigrease
is praisd: Some advise first to scarifie it, and then dip a Lint in Oyl of
Vitriol, and apply it. 
4. If it may not be taken away by Medicines, we must come to Chy- 
rurgery; it must be cut off by Pincers, or sharp Instruments, and it
ought to be extirpated wholly, for the root remaining grows again; 
therefore a potential Cautery is to be used after its cutting off to hin- 
der its growth again: Some advise to cutting of it round about its root 
or top, and if so not wholly extracted to use corrosive Medicines to 
consume the remainder. 
Kk CHAP.

258 Of the Disease of. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Stench of the Nostrils. 
CAUSES. 
1. THe Cause is putrified Flegm, stopping in the Ethmoid-Bone, 
thence sending forth a stink of bad favour; this Flegm is stopped 
through obstruction, and putrifies in a hot and moist, distemper of the 
Brain; also mattery Pus or filth is restrained in the Nose, through too 
great constriction, as flatted Noses, and so putrifies and sends forth 
a bad stench.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From flatness of the Nose , incurable. 
CURE. 
Cure is by taking away the Cause: 1. Errhines, as Juyce of the red 
Beet for extract, excels: 2. Sweet things in Errhines, to alter the smell, 
as sweet smelling Reed, Storax, Cloves, Cypress, Myrrh, Marjoram, 
Orange-Flowers; some things to thicken and make them stick longer 
in the Nostrils, as things made in form of Nasales, that remain fast in 
the Nostrils. 
II. This Humour may be in the sore part, of the Brain, nigh the Pro- 
cessus Mamilares, or Os Cribosum, there retained, through heat and moi- 
sture of the Brain putrifies, and therefrom ill scents are transmitted to 
the Nostrils. 
SIGN. 
Then there be no apparant Signs. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
Fresh, easilier cured; hardly, if inveterate. 
CURE. 
The Head must be purged of Flegm, and if the Body be flegmatick- 
ly affected, that must first be cleared, a sweating Dyet instituted, then 
abstergent and odorous things must be used as afore-directed. 
III. From the Ethmoid-Bone corrupted. 
IV. From putrified Ulcers may this bad stench arise, as in Ozana, 
Sarcoma, and Polypus; these are easily discerned, and are first to be cu- 
red: For the Cause taken away, the Effect ceaseth.
CHAP. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 259 
CHAP. VII. 
Of depraved Smelling or mis-scenting of things. 
’TIs a bad Odour continually offending the Nostrils.  
CAUSES 
It is made from the lying of rotten flegm in the Ethmoid-Bone, or 
Ulcers of the Nostril whereby exhalation always suppeditated from 
these, infect all scents and odorus things, so that they seem to be of 
the same smell that vitious stench is of; nor scan the true and sweet 
fresh smell of any-thing be rightly perceived, but is over-powred by 
that exhalation that comes from the aforesaid places, and always mo- 
lests the Nostrils ; if if even as it happens to the Tongue, when ’tis infe- 
cted with bitter Choler, all things that are taken within the Mouth 
seem to relish of the same bitter taste. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
’Tis bad in acute Diseases, whenas a stench is perceived in the No- 
strils. 
CURE.
It may be cured after the same manner as stench of the Nostrils, the 
Cause from whence it arises being diligently enquired, and found out. 
CURE, 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of SARCOMA. 
EXcrescences of Flesh in the Nose, are of two kinds, Sarcoma and 
Polypus, being Tumours above Nature.  
CAUSES. 
1. Sarcoma is a fleshly excrescence in the Nose, wanting a certain 
figure; happens often in feeding; and virulent Ulcers, that have cer- 
tain loose excrescences of Flesh, as in Ozena and Polypus ulcerated. 
CURE. 
In Cure hereof we must chiefly look to the cure of the Ulcers, as in
KK 2 their

260 Of the Diseases of 
their Chapters it directed: Then the superfluous flesh must be consu- 
med with Caustick Medicines, or cut off with Instruments. 
2. Of a superfluous nourishment of the Nostrils turned into luxuri- 
ous Flesh. 
PROGNOSTICKS 
'Tis easilier cured. 
CURE.
In Cure, pituitous Humours, or the antecedent Cause, is to be taken 
away; 2. Consuming of the excrescent Flesh with potential Caute- 
ries, but gentler are to be used at first, then if need be proceeding by 
degrees to the strongest as Spirit of Vitriol, Sandarach. Rust of Brass, 
Orpement, Mercury, &c. but we must have a care they hurt not the
Nostrils, for which cause they are first to be daubed with some defen- 
sative Oyntment; and for more security they are be put in by a Sil- 
ver-Pipe.  
3. A viscid and thick Hnmoun falling from the Brain, to which some 
Blood is gathered. 
PROG.
This is somewhat dangerous of degenerating into a Cancer. 
CURE. 
In Cure we must, 1. Purge the Head of excrementitious and fleg- 
matick Humours. 2. Proceed as in the aforegoing direction.  
CHAP. IX. 
Of Immeasurable Spitting, or a Ptyalismos. 
PTyalismos is an inordinate gathering and flux of moisture making 
spittle to the Mouth, arising from a moist Brain, and moistening 
Causes, and cast forth without coughing or hawking, offending onely 
in quantity, and molestuous.  
SUBJECT.
The Subject is either the Brain, which unburdens it self of moist Hu- 
mor's and waterish Excrements, which falling upon, and being com-
municated to the Thorax, cause a Catarrah; to the Winde-Pipe, or Aspe-
ra Arteria, an Hoarsness; into the Nostrils, a Coryza, or Pose, and 
lastly, into the Mouth and Pallate frequent spitting, called Ptyalismos, 
or Plyousmos, of Ætius.
Or,

the Nostirils  Tongue  Teeth, and Lips. 261
Or, 2. The Stomach, which is moist and flegmatickly affected, of 
weakened, after Cronical Diseases, and through weakness of its heat 
and concoctive force, waterish and pituitous Excrements are abundant- 
ly made, which are continually suppeditated, and sent to the Mouth, 
which is done without coughing or hauking, and happens often in Quar- 
tanes, to Melancholicks; for spittle by its lightness swims above 
the Meat, and sweats forth from the Ventricle where in great plenty it is 
gathered, and made, by communion of the Membrane to the Mouth. 
Or, 3. The Spleen, whence Splenitiques and Scorbaticks are often 
affected herewith, and Hypocondriacks. 
Or, 4. The Whole Body, as in Children that abound with moisture, 
or were affected from bad alimentary matter in the Womb.  
Or, 5. The Lungs and Brest, as in Catarrhs and-Dissillations, Di- 
stemper or weakness of them. 
Or, 6. From the Intestines, whenas Worms abound. 
CAUSES are either internal, or External: 
Internal are either irritating and attracting: As first Aphthæ, or Ul- 
cers of the Mouth, by whole pain a flux of serous Humours, are made, 
and the Head being more moist, and abounding with such Humours 
sends them plentifully to the Mouth, which by concoction are made 
Spittle; but the attractive faculty of this Part, causes the motion of 
the expulsion of the Brain; so also in inflamation of the Mouth and 
Jaws, Apophlegmatisms, and the like, a serous pituitous matter is 
drawn from the Head, or a weakening, whence the part cannot repel, 
but needs must receive the flux that falls upon it, as 1. in weakness of 
the Stomach aforesaid; 2. distemper of the Mouth and Jaws, which 
give occasion to the gathering of moisture, and cannot consume, dry, 
and expel that matter; chiefly, 1. Of the Glandules or Tonsils, which 
readily receive a pituitous and waterish Excrement, transmitted from 
parts ill affected by communion. 2. Of the Columella or Uvula, in whose 
relaxation is a frequent and molestuous fluctuating of Spittle and moi- 
sture in the Mouth; whereby the flesh is made spongy and thin, and the 
hole of the Pallate dilated, so that a copious pituitous Humour falls 
continually from the Head, suppeditating it into the Mouth, having no- 
thing to obstruct its passage, or dissipate it. 
It is aggravated or continued longer then naturally it would, from 
Custom. 
External Causes are either moist Meats or Drink, or in unction of 
Quicksilver, or taking it inwardly, in the French Pox, &c. whereby a 
most plentious salvation is made.
SIGNS.  


262 Of the Diseases of.  
SIGNS 
Are taken from too great plenty of spittle, which whenas it is ordained 
by Nature to moisten meats, and help right pronuntiation in speaking, 
and right tasting, ought to be mean, neither offending in quantity nor 
quality; as also it doth whenas it is more thicker waterish, stinking or 
evil-tasted. 
A Ptyalism is greatest on mornings, and sometimes after meat; some- 
times fasting; it is not voluntary, unless by custom. 
The Causes are known, and the parts from whence the Original is 
deduced; for if the Mouth be affected, that draws from heat, or cannot 
repel through weakness, which is perceived by its Causes; from the 
Lungs it is brought forth more froathy and thick, and comes by hauking 
or excreation, rheumatisms and Catarrhs causing it, are easily known; 
so are outward Causes, as anointing with Quicksilver, and moistening 
Causes that precede it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
One is from hot, another cold Causes: One is Critical, another not: 
One is from superiour parts whose retentive faculty is overthrown, a- 
nother from inferiour parts, by whose expulsive faculty spittle is sent 
upward to the Mouth. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is sometimes healthful, and preserves from Diseases, as some acute 
Feavers by copious casting forth of spittle have been healed: It is bet- 
ter or worse, according to the degree, and nature, and greatness of the 
Disease whereby it is raised, and whereon it depends; it often presa- 
ges vomiting, sometimes also putrifies and begets stench of the Mouth, 
difficult Respiration, and Coughs.
CURE.
The Cure consists in taking away the generative cause, and corro- 
borating of the parts: in distillations we must follow the direction 
for Catarrhs; from bad concoction in the Stomach, we must purge by 
Aloeticks, crude serous Flegm, dry and heat by, Galanga Red Roses, 
Cinnamon, and Guaicum, a Pouder made thereof; Mustard-sauce, 
Frankinsence and Mastick, given in Wine. 
In the French Pox, Scurvy, Vice of the Bowels, Spleen, and Hypo- 
chonders; the Disease from whence it arises is first to be taken away. 
Astringent Gargarisms are for the Symptom, and to strengthen the 
Tonsils

the Nostrils, Tongue Teeth, and Lips. 263 
Tonsils, and Uvula and drie; as ꝶ of Cinnamon, Red-Roses, Pom- 
granate-Peeles, Mirtle-Teaves, of each an equal quantity; boil them 
in steeled White-Wine for a Gargarism: Or, ꝶ Roots of the Sloe- 
Tree, Wood of Aloes, Root of Hounds-tongue, of each ʒiij. Cy- 
press-Nuts, Cinnamon, Mastich, Galls, of each ʒij. boil them in Wa- 
ter, and add Vinegar of Quinces, and Syrup of dry Roses, of each 
what may seem sufficient. 
Sennertus saith, A Sponge held in the Mouth drinks up the moisture. 
If the Evacuation be Critical, we may not stop its Flux. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Teeth Edged or Astonished. 
HÆmodia in Greek, Stupor Dentium in Latine, is a certain mole- 
stuous sence the Teeth have in eating; induced from sowr things 
that have first been eaten. 
CAUSE.
Cause, is from eating sharp, tart, and sowr things, whereby the 
Teeth are set on edge, and are exasperated in eating; the Membranes 
participating with them, from the cold austere faculty of Fruits; for 
this acidity or sharp tartness is inimical to the Nerves and Bones. 
Moreover by acid, and fowr Humours, are the Teeth sometime 
edged or astonished, which sometime are cast out by Vomit; to Hypo- 
chondriacks also, that Vomit for long together, acid humours, or 
where acid and sharp Vapours arc more plentifully and directly 
carried to the Teeth. 
Imagination is also very apt to effect this; for the only seeing of ano- 
ther eat sowr things, or hearing of Cork cut, or the like noises, do, as 
it were, astonish and molest the Teeth; for the Organ of hearing is 
hurt, and little Nerves going from its Membrane to the Roots of the 
Teeth, carry thither a sense of horrour. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from the Patients perceivance, who cannot bite or 
eat any thing, by reason of a molestuous titillation that presently aris- 
eth in the Teeth, from the Membranes, perceiving the sharpness im- 
pressed and soaked in before, by the pressure of the Teeth, in biting, or 
unequal chewing.
Sennertus 


264 Of the Diseases of 
Sennerius saith, They are then endued with an exquisite sense of 
Feeling, and therefore cannot properly be called stupified or astoni- 
shed, for then they should not feel at all; but, now if they be but touch- 
ed, they presently feel, and are offended thereby, by a peculiar painful 
feeling, which Platerus saith, Is rather a molestation, then pain.  
Sometime the Teeth have such an exquisite sense, as they are offend- 
ed, and ake, by hot or cold things, or, hard things, made from weak- 
ness and distemper.  
CURE. 
Purslane is chiefly and above other praised for Hamodia, for that it 
is most certain, and speediliest helps; the Juyce hereof is to be sucked 
out by chewing of the Leaves, which is to be continued; or the Juyce 
alone may be used, as a Gargarism; or the Leaves alone, as a Mastica- 
tory; for this by its slimy Substance, and a propriety, takes away He-
modia.
Rhasis and Johnstonus, commend chewing of Wax. 
Harman wishes to rub them with Salt, or to bite an Hairy Cap, or 
Fuzzy Cloth.
Others commend Lees of Oyl boiled to the thickness of Honey, in 
a Brass Vessel; the Yolk or an Egg rotted or boiled hard, chewed, 
or applyed, beaten to the teeth; Gargarise with hot Wine, with Oyl, 
or Wine and Mucilages; Pulpe of Bread, and of Cheese, bitter Al- 
monds, Liquorish Mastick, Kernels of Walnuts and Filbirds have-been 
experienced by some also.  
CHAP. XI. 
Of Teeth erode, or broken away.
DEFINITION. 
IT is a lessening of their due and natural bigness from Causes ero- 
ding, and causing solution of continuity. 
CAUSE.
1. The Cause is a continuated fluxion, specially more hot and sharp; 
2. Meats, which either as Sugar, and other sweet things, for them ; 
or by staying in them, as all Flesh is wont to do, putrifies, and oo rots 
the Teeth; which is so much the sooner effected, when as the Teeth 
were

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 265 
were hollow before: Also hot things, whence came the Verse, 
Pultes serventes faciunt corrumpere Dentes. 
And cold things cast in presently after; also Oyntment of Quick- 
silver, Worms, and the like, rot the Teeth, and sometime make Fi-
stula’s. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Teeth are black, rotten, stubby and broken; if from a de- 
fluxion, there is commonly pain; if a Fistula, there is a greater stench of 
the Mouth. 
CURE. 
If there be a defluxion from the Head, we must consider and stop 
that; the Humour is to be stopt, the Head dried; then use Medicines 
that resist putrifaction and corruption; wash them with Salt and white- 
Wine, deterge and cleanse them after Meat; Decoction of Capers, 
Allom, Mastick, Nigella, Ginger, Myrrh, &c. are good to garga- 
rise, to hinder their erosion and wasting; a Pouder also of Five-leav’d- 
Grass, Mint, Red-Roses, Mirtles, Myrrh, Ginger, and Ashes of a 
burnt Hare, to rub the Teeth with, is good; also Salt Gem and Armo- 
niack; also a Suffume of the Seeds of Henbane is praised. 
Miraldus praises Water of the Root of Pellitory of Spain distilled 
in Wine.  
If Stench be present, put in sweet things, and hinderers of putre- 
faction if Worms, because they are to be killed, then Astringents to 
fix and confirm the Teeth are to be used. 
Hollow Teeth are to stopt up with Camphir, Root of Pelletory of Spain, 
and Wax; But Rondeletius thinks Wax mollifies too much, specially 
the Nerve: Medicines also to make them fall out are to be used, if so 
be they cannot be cured, or not to do any service, but offence; such 
Medicines are not to touch their sound, lest they also be loosened and 
fall out; nor the Gums neither, lest they be inflamed or excoriated 
from their sharpness: an Oyntment of Juyce of Spurge and Oyl of 
Henbane, with Flower put into the Hollow Tooth, or Juyce of Spurge 
and Flower; or Globules of Henbane, Onion and Leek-Seed, made up 
with Goats Suet, and put into the Cavity of the Tooth, are useful, to 
the intent to make the Teeth fall out: Many more, and good Medicines 
are rehearsed in the Chapter of Tooth-ach, that cause a fall, and com- 
ing forth of rotten, useless, and paining Teeth.
Ll CHAP. 


266 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Toothing of Children, and Pain. 
TOothing of Children is a molestuous Symptom, with pain and other 
concomitant accidents. 
SIGNS DIAG. and PROG. 
The Children, at such time as they Toothe are very froward, cry, 
and are Feaverish; sometimes Convulsions and Loosness arise, which 
are not so dangerous, as when they proceed from other Causes; if they 
have a looseness, they are less subject to Convulsions; if they are bound 
and costive, they are more drowsie, and more Convulsive; there is a 
little redness in the place of the Jaw that is affected; the Teeth are 
perceived to put forth and rise in swelling the Gums: they commonly 
come forth in the seventh Month, at which time Parents have no com- 
fort of their Children; greatest pain ariseth at coming forth of the 
Dog-Teeth. 
Hardness and thickness of Gums hinder the readier budding forth, 
and so causes more pain. 
CURE. 
Authors have left Medicines, and Rules for this Symptom. 
1. Therefore for Precepts, observe, whether Inflamation be present 
and mitigate and lenify that; where Night-shade, Lettice, Juyce of 
Housleek, with Oyl of Roses, Mucilage of Lin-Seed, and Marsh- 
Mallow-Seed, mixed with fresh Butter, are effectual; the like also for 
appeasing pain. 
2. Mollifie and laxate the Gums; here Juyce of Mallows, of Marsh- 
Mallows, with Honey or fresh Butter, are frequently to be used, which 
in inflamation may not be used actually cold. 
ꝶ of the Oyl of sweet Almonds, ℥i. Honey, ℥ss. Hens-Grease, ℥ss. 
make an Oyntment. 
The Brains of Hares are chiefly commended; so also the Brains of 
Chickens and Birds; the Brains also of Lambs and Goats; the Juyce 
of River-Crabs, with the Water of the Flower of Beans, Bitches Milk, 
&c. are commended by Authors, and thought greatly to help the erup- 
tion of the Teeth. 
Forestus stamps the Brain of an Hare and Honey together, and rubs 
the Gums with that.
Platerus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 267 
Platerus wishes to boil them in Wine, or mix them with Butter, or 
Honey, after Forestus’s way, wherein the Finger is to be dipt, and the 
Gums gently rubbed therewith. 
Hartmanus saith, To annoint them with the fresh Blood of a Cocks- 
Comb often, makes them come forth without any further trouble or 
accidents. 
Amulets are much spoken of, and variously recited by Authors, which 
are thought by an hidden propriety to do much. 
Miraldus saith, That the Tooth of a Colt of a year old, hung about 
the Neck of the Infant, causes it to bring forth Teeth. 
Calves Teeth of that age, or Mans Teeth so hung, are thought also 
to purpose: much credit is given to the Right Dog-Tooth of a Wolf, 
hung about the Neck Others commend a Male Vipers Tooth so 
used. 
Ætius, praises the Roots of wild Colocynthis, used the same 
way. 
Mathilolus ascribes as much vertue to the Stone found in the Head 
of Naked Snails; but he bids to bind it to the parts affected: and 
so probably if the other were used, they might be of greater efficacy. 
Paræus opened the Gums with a Pen-Knife, and found it very suc- 
cessful in divers, from great pain, inflamation, and a Feaver, that they 
may labour withal: Also sometimes from Mid-wives rash loosing it 
with their Nails, or edge of Money; in opening also sometimes they 
are made mad, if it be black, fuscous, hard, and insensible, it is 
Cancerous, and then we may touch it; yet for the most part it is void 
of danger, and seldom cured by resolution. 
CURE. 
After general Evacuation suted to the Age, Constitution and strength 
of the Sick, to take away the Antecedent Cause; for which Cause al- 
so, Gargarisms, Errhines, Apophlegmatisms, and Sternutatories are 
useful; if it be more inveterate, Sweaters and Cauteries are used. 
Then Topicks for resolution of the Tumour are often, to be put under 
the Tongue; some use Astringents first, others use Astringents with 
Revolvers, as Bark of Pomegranates, Galls, Salt Gem, Salt of Ar- 
moniack, Balaustians, Allom, burnt Brass, torrifyed Tragaganth, with 
Root of Hermodactils: more resolving, are Salt and Hyssop, Salt-Ar- 
moniack, with Sage, Organy or Mugwort.  
Forestus counsels to rubing of it with Salt Gem; some use Oyl of 
Vitriol. 
If it will not thus be resolved, but tend to suppuration, open it 
L l 2  Suddenly

268 Of the Diseases of 
suddenly by incision, or a Caustick; open it largely, for else the mat- 
ter yeeks in, and the Tumor is made afresh; make long cutting, that 
all the Matter may flow out, then wash it first with Lenients, and then 
Detergents or Mundifiers; if we cannot draw Forth all the Vomica or 
Bag; we must consume it with Verdigrease, and Then 
it is to be cured as an Ulcer. 
Gulielmus Fabritius cured his Brother that was Dumb for four years, 
by cutting off this Ligature of his Tongue. 
Paræus advises to use an actual Cautery, which is better approved 
of, if it be malign; but in these we must have a diligent heed that the 
sound parts be not touched and hurt hereby. 
If the Disease returns again, it must be cut again, or use an actual 
Cautery. 
If it be a Caruncle, it must be cured, as with Remedies for a Po- 
lypus. 
If it be black, fuscous, hard and cancerous, ’tis not to be medled 
withal, for thereby ’its most irritated and exacerbated. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Paroulis, or Inflmation of the Gums. 
PAroulis, otherwise is at Inflamation of the Gums, with 
swelling and painful redness.
CAUSE.  
The Cause arises from defluxion of Blood, either pure or impure, 
fallen from the Head by the Vessels. 
SIGNS. 
It is made in some part or other of the Gums, and stretching to the 
Roots of the Teeth; the neer parts are distended, red and hot, their 
swelling is to be seen. 
If the Tumour be hotter, pain is greater; if made from a more Pitui- 
tous Blood, they are colder, Inflamation and pain are more remiss; 
the Pus breaks forth at Roots of the Teeth covered with a small co- 
vering.  
PROGNOSTICK. 
This often degenerates into Ulcers. Fistula’s, Cancers, and Gan- 
grenes,

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lip, 269 
grenes, and therefore the sooner represt the better; for if it apostemate 
it may turn to bad affects, as aforesaid. 
CURE.
Cure is by purging and bleeding, then open a Vein under the 
Tongue, and Cuppers to the Neck, Astringent Gargarisms to repel, 
wherein sharp biting things, and Vinegar that pains, are to be shunned, 
they not being Putrid or Eroded; a Decoction of Bramble-Buds, Rose- 
Leaves, Purslane, and Sal Prunella is most excellent; Oak-Buds, Sal 
Nitri, Plantane, Housleek, Self-heal, and Mulberry-Leaves are also 
Medicinal. 
Galen above others praises Oyl of the Mastich-Tree, being new, and 
temperately hot, held in the Mouth; in a cold Cause, and Pituitous De- 
fluxion, add hotter Resolvers; Decoction of Barley, Liquorish, Mal- 
lows, Jujubes, Agrimony, &c. A Gargarism Collution of Decocti- 
on of Self-heal, Sage and Water-cresses is commended; or a De- 
coction of Self-heal in the Water of English Tobacco, with Sal Pru- 
nella. 
If it be not dissolved by Discutients, but tend to Suppuration; it is 
to be opened, its maturity being made by Suppurators; some set Leeches 
to the swollen Gums. 
But a Pen-Knife to open it, if it open not spontaneously, is best ap- 
proved; then the Ulcer is to be cleansed, dried, and heated; and if an 
Hæmorrhage or Flux of Blood should follow, use the first Gargarism in 
this Chapter. 
The pain, as a very vexing Symptom, is to be appeased; warm Milk is 
to be gargarised alone, or wherein red-Rose-Leaves have boiled; out- 
wardly a Cataplasm of Crumbs of White-Bread boild in Milk, is to be 
applyed warm. 
CHAP. XIV. 
Of Consumption of the Caruncle, or weeping Flesh in the 
greater Corner of the Eye.
DEFINITION. 
RHyas is a Diminitution or Consumption of the weeping Flesh or 
Caruncle of the greater corner of the Eye, arising either from Cor- 
rosion, or defect of Aliment, inducing a constant weeping, and sheding 
of tears involuntarily. CAUSE.

270 Of the Diseases of 
CAUSE. 
Cause is either from the foregoing of a FiStula Lacrymalis, or of a 
Leucoma and Encanthis, which were badly cured; sometimes it suc- 
ceeds Epiphora, or a large or more sharp flux of Humours, or sharp 
Medicines, causin erosion of it; it is sometimes made from the POX, 
sometimes by Excisions, &c. 
SIGNS. 
The use of this glandulous Flesh, seated in the Corner of the Eye, 
being to stop the hole tending therefrom to the Nose, and suck up, and 
impedite Tears, and unvoluntary weeping; whenas it is deficient, 
there is a constant unvoluntary weeping, whereas before the Humours 
falling from the Brain to the Os Cribrosum, were thence derived to the 
Nostrils, and cast out. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
That which is plainly eaten up, is not cured; if only in part, we are 
to go about the Cure. 
CURE. 
Is by Sarcorticks, with Consolidaters and Astringents: a Colliry of 
Aloe, Tutty-Stone, and Mucilage of Psyllium-Seed is good; or Cy- 
press-Nuts, Red-Roses, Myrtles, Sumach, Dragons-Blood, Bark of 
Pomegranets, Myrrh, &c. prepared after those wayes as may seem most 
convenient; some stop up the hole, and supply the place of the Carun- 
cle with some matter; but regeneration of that flesh should rather be 
made, so that the work of Nature might be done thereby.
CHAP. XV.  
Of too great growing forth of that flesh. 
DEFINITION. 
ENcanthis in Greek; Additio Carnie Lacrymalis in Latine, so called 
by Avicen, is an immoderate Eminence or growing forth of the 
Caruncle in the greater corner of the Eye, made from too plentiful 
nourishment, or redundant Blood, sometimes malign, and effecting 
pain. 
CAUSE. 
It-comes from evil cure of Ptergium from too much Aliment, or 
Blood.
SIGN. 

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips.  271 
SIGN. 
It is quite contrary to Rhyas; for in this the Caruncle of the corner 
of the Eye or weeping Flesh sticks out, and is much bigger then natu- 
rally it should, and accustomedly was wont to be.
DIFFERENCES. 
1. Is malignant and painful, which is blew, hard, rough, resitting 
Medicines. 
2. Another not; which contrary to the other is smaller, ruddy, looser, 
soft, and without pain, and is made from Blood, or a more pure Ali- 
ment. 
3. Another is from melancholy Blood, which partakes of the Na- 
ture of a Wart. 
4. Another is from excrescence of Flesh after Ulcers. 
5. From reduction of Cataracts thither, which there are kept and 
nourished.  
CURE. 
In a more soft and benign Encanthis, drying and more mild eating 
Medicines are to be tryed at first; as this of Ætius, praised by him; 
ꝶ of Allom and Mysum burnt, Vitriol, of each equal parts; mix them: 
we must proceed to stronger by degrees; some touch it with Oyl of 
Vitriol, or Sulphur.
If it be great and old, it is only cured by Chyrurgery, it is tyed 
about with a strait Thread, and then the superflous part is cut off 
with a Bistory or Razor; others use an hot Iron, or actual Cautery; 
then we must lay Driers upon the part to prevent its growing again. 
But before we too rashly undertake the Cure by Chyrurgery, these 
things are to be considered. 
1. That Evacuation of the Body be made, to take away fluxions that 
are to arise to the pained part. 
2. We must use Corrosives first for tryal, before Chyrurgery. 
Wherein, 1. we must use gentlest, as aforesaid. 2. Defend the 
other parts about Encanthis from being touched by them. 3. We must 
have a care that the whole Caruncle be not consumed by them, but on- 
ly what is superfluous, else it will turn to the contrary affect, Rhyas: the 
like is to be considered in Cure by Chyrurgery.  
CHAP.

272 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XVI. 
Of Ulcers of the Gums. 
ULcers of the Gums are made from erosion by sharp Humours, from 
inflamation and pustules suppurated and broke, from Worms and 
the Scurvy.
DIFFERENCE. 
Some are proper to Scorbaticks, some are more creeping and eating, 
others less; some succeed to foregoing affects, others arise of them- 
selves.  
CURE. 
Their Cure, after purging and letting Blood, if the matter be more 
hot and sharp, is by Revulsion, Blister, and Cup and Cauterize, to avert 
and turn away the Flux; then Dryers are to be used. Riverus proved 
this Balsam, wherewith the Ulcer was anointed often in a day; ꝶ of 
Myrrh and White-Sugar-Candy, as much as may seem convenient, 
put them into an Egg, and rost them, and then make use of the mix- 
ture; things are best used at time of sleep, for then they best stay in, and 
molest least; if they be more foul, and are suppeditated by vitious Hu- 
mours, Driers are not sufficient: touch them with Oyl of Sulphur; if 
the Cause be colder, hotter Remedies; If hot, colder Remedies are to 
be used: if the Tooth next to it be rotted, that must be taken away, else 
the Ulcer will not fully be healed; see to the peculiarity of the Cause. 
Of a Fistula of the Gums. 
A Fistula of the Gums is caused as an Ulcer of them, and Cured 
as Fistula's of other parts; a Decoction of Agrimony with Allom, one 
drop of Gum-Ammoniacum Honey of Roses, with Oyl of Vitriol, are 
held peculiar; some add a Caustick. Celsus advises to pulling out of 
the Tooth. 
Of

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips, 273 
Of Loosness, Putrefaction and Exesion of the Gums. 
CAUSE. 
CAuse is from deflux of sharp or vitious Humours, from the Scurvy, 
&c. 
SIGNS are best discerned by Sight. 
CURE. 
It is cured, after Universals, by washing with the water of Colum- 
bines; if there be putrefaction, we must use Detergents, else onely 
confirm and restore the Gums decayed, by Topicks; a Pouder of Galls, 
Myrrh, Root of Bistort, and Bark of Pomgranates, is most excellent; 
to stay their wasting, Mastick is to be chewed; they are also to be rub- 
bed with Sage Leaves; wash them clean every morning with Water 
of Columbines, or Sage, or of Self-heal, or Bramble-Buds, with Allom: 
If they be Scorbatickly affected, see to the Cure of the Scurvy. 
Of a Cancer of the Gums. 
A Cancer of the Gums is made from an Inflamation of them, turn- 
ing apostematous, and breaking ulcerous, which Ulcer not healing, 
turns cancerous: The Juyce of Rheu applied by a Linnen Cloth dipt 
therein, and a Gargarism of Decocton of Allom, and Root of five- 
leav’d-Grass in White-Wine, are praised. 
Guordonius used Birthwort, Allom, Hellebore, Balaustians, and Brim- 
stone, with Juyce of Agrimony. See for more direction herein the 
general Chapter of a Cancer. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of Excrescence of the Gums. 
EPoulis is a carnous Excrescence of the Gums, sometimes with 
pain, and a Feaver. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is from vicious, serous, and corrupt Blood, flowing plentiful- 
ly to the Gums, which is easily received from their spongious rarity; 
also from Ulcers ill, cured.
Mm  SIGNS. 

274 Of the Diseases of 
SIGNS. 
It happens frequently to Scorbaticks; it is sometimes so big that the 
Grinders are covered, and puts the Teeth out of their Sockets, and 
hinders close Shutting of the Mouth; sometimes the excrescent Flesh 
is loose, wavering and filthy; sometimes it follows inflamation, and is 
partaker of putrefaction, other times not. 
CURE. 
If it be light and without putrefaction, ’tis more easily cured by A- 
stringents and Repressers; Columbines are held most effectual, either 
the Water of them to gargarise, the Pouder of them for Friction, or an 
Oyntment thereof for Unction, may be used; also to rub them with 
Mint till they bleed; Pouder of the Root of the Sloe-Tree, Rasp 
Leaves, &c. are useful: The Juyce of Water-Caltrops are very effe- 
ctual. 
Johnstonus saith this Pouder is proved by much Experience: ꝶ of 
the Leaves of Collumbines, Sage, Mint, Nutmegs, of each ℥ß. burnt 
Allom, ℥j. Honey despumated ℥iv. make a Liniment for the Teeth. 
If it be greater and with putrefaction, stronger Eaters and Consu- 
mers of it are to be used; as Aqua-Fortis burnt Allom, burnt Salt, Vi- 
triol, and Galls; but we must have a care they be not swallowed; wash
the mouth before and after meat with salt Water. 
Others, if it be greater, bind it dayly harder and harder with a thred 
till it fall off, or cut it off, or pull it off with a pair of Pincers. 
CHAP. XVIII. 
Of a Fistula of the Teeth. 
A Fistula of the Teeth arises as a Fistula of the Gums; there is a 
corrupt Humour and Sanies always coming forth, which is often 
stinking; sometimes it flows out by the Roots of the Teeth, and Holes 
of the Jaw-Bone, or Vessels thereof; sometimes it is derived out- 
wardly, and stirs up Tubercles in the Cheek or Chin, and sometimes 
opened, it always leaves an Ulcer remaining. 
CURE. 
It is cured by taking forth of the Tooth, which is done by Instru- 
ments or Medicines that make the Teeth to fall out, as with fat of 
green Frogs that live in Trees.
Taber 


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 275 
Tuber Montanus praises Amoniacum dissolved in Vinegar, and mixt
with Henbane-Seed; or Goblets of Flower and Juyce of Tithimale or 
Spurge, incorporate with dissolved Amoniacum, are effectual. See more 
of these in the Chapter of Toothach, and erosion of Teeth, and the Pre- 
cepts as to their use. 
If an Ulcer of the Gums remain afterward, see the Chapter of an 
Ulcer of the Gums. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of Swelling of the Lips. 
THe Lips which the Greeks calls Cheile, the Latins Labia, from the 
word Lambo, to lick, are variously affected; sometime from vice 
of Conformation; sometimes from adventitious Causes; sometimes 
they are affected with Tumours, Ulcers, Fissures, Inflamation, change 
of their natural Colour, defect of right motion and action; their use 
being, 
1. For decency, and close closure of the mouth, and keeping out 
whatever being hurtful or offensive might enter thereinto. 
2. For forming the Voice, specially some Letters and Syllables. 
3. For the more ease assumption or better taking of both Meat and 
Drink, and retaining of it there to a due while. 
4. To beautifie, and keep the Teeth, which sometime are black, rot- 
ten and unhandsome, and Gums, from sight; also to keep in the Tongue; 
and he would seem like a Monster that had them not. 
5. To cast Spittle out of the Mouth, or what else we would spit forth. 
6. For blowing, or rendring a sound, as for whistling, trumpetting,
piping, &c. 
7. For Infants to suck withal: And he that had them not, would look 
as a Dog doth when he girns, saith Riolanus. 
These ate variously affected, as we said before, and do sometimes 
suffer Diseases of magnitude, wherein the Lips be greater than natu- 
rally they are accustomed to be; and they that are thus affected are cal- 
led Labeones, or great-Lipped, which cometh, 1. Naturally, from evil 
conformation from their Nativity: 2. Or is accidental and adventiti- 
ous, induced from sundry Causes, which are curable; As, 
1. From stinging of Bees, Wasps, or Venemous Flies, whereby one 
Lip (unless both be stung) is bigger then the other, and more swelled in 
one place, or one side, than on the other. 'Tis known by relation of the 
M m 2 afflicted 


276 Of the Diseases of 
afflicted: The sting is then first to be plucked out, if it may be; then 
apply the same Creature bruised that stung: Juyce of Mallows, and 
Marsh-Mallows also are available. 
2. From Poysons, sharp blistering Medicines, handling of Mush- 
rooms, and touching the Lips thereupon, or things sticking to the Lips: 
These are easily known by relation of what preceded: Antidotary and 
Lenifying Emollient Medicines are useful. 
3. From Contusion, which calls a Flux of Humours, and they In- 
flamation; a Flux of Humours may also be made from other Causes: 
Repellers and Discutients are to be used. 
4. From salivation in the French Pox, then they are puft up, and black 
like Carcinoma, and are to be cured with Specificals for the French Pox. 
5. Sometimes they are cancrous; then see to the Chapter of a Can- 
eery for their Method of Curing. 
6. They are hard like Steatoma, and are not helped by Suppuraters 
or Discussers, but Section. 
7. From a dry putrefaction, where there’s no sign of matter; and 
this goes often before death. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of the Fissures or Chaps of the Lips 
FIssures of the Lips are a solution of the Continuity thereof, from 
Siccity and Tension. 
The Greeks call them Ragades, the Latins Scissuras, and Fissure, 
CAUSES. 
Causes are, 1. Air that is cold, and North Wind, that hurts and 
chaps the Lips, whole contexture of covering is of so great Tenuity and 
Tenderness; and the lower Lip is sometimes cleft in twain , where the 
two extremities of the Muscles end. 
2. Dryness and stretching out are made from vapours hot and dry, 
ascending thither either from the Stomach or Head; this happens in 
Feavers. 
3. From Humours, there is extuberancy, soreness and itching; 
which Humours being sharp, are cast down from the Head; or salt and 
sharp Humours do arise from the lower parts by the Oesophagus, and are 
translated to the Lips. 
It comes to Women marriageable from dryness of their Womb, 
and

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 277 
and to Infants from hardness of the Teats they suck; or from hotter 
Milk, Poysons, &c. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. If from cold and wind, ’tis known by relation of the Affected.  
2. If it proceeds from driness of the Womb in leacherous Women, 
then the fissures are not very deep, not very frequently made, not hard, 
nor are they hot, or itch. 
3. If from dryness alone, and want of moisture, there is no sticking; 
Feavers sometimes, or an hot constitution of the Body, and dry, is pre- 
sent; dust also, or the like, preceded. 
4. If from Humours, the Lips are more sticking; if they be more 
hot, there is greater itching, and deepness of the chaps. 
From Cuts or Poysons as Cantharides, or hardness of the Teats that 
Infants suck, the relation of the party diseased, and them about them, 
can relate.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
From Nativity, they are difficulty cured; if adventitious more easily, 
unless they degenerate cancerous: In some Feavers they are Critical, 
and argue thinness of the Humour; if they be not well ordered or look- 
ed to, they may prove ulcerous, otherwise commonly they onely smart 
sometimes, and are not handsome to the sight; Sometimes they last 
long.  
CURE. 
In Cure, We must respect the Cause: As, 
1. IF from dryness, whether made and induced from internal or ex- 
ternal Causes; we must moisten, give inwardly Apples, Cucumbers, 
&c. Outwardly to the Lips, apply Mucilages, the fat exstilling from 
wooden Kitchin Spoons fried in the fire, Goose and Capon-Grease, 
Marrow of Oxe shanks; or this Liniment of greatest force, ꝶ of the 
Mucilages of Fleawort and Quince-seed, of each ℥ß Lycium, ʒij. Juyce 
of Housleek, Oyl of sweet Almonds, of each ℥j. Yolk of an Egg, ℥ß.  
beat all into a Liniment, which is to be used in all Causes, as most ef- 
fectual; Juyce of Crabfish with Cream. 
2. If from hot and sharp Humours, we must take them away, purge, 
and let Blood, and intercept their course to the Lips, the part offen- 
dent being first found out. 
We must use Topicks, cooling, lenifying, and agglutinative; the 
fume of Henbane-seeds is held marvellous; Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, 
and of Wax also, excel: Grease of a Capon, Oyl of Roses, Tallow, 
Oyl of Wheat, Mucilage of Tragacanth, &c. are useable; an Oynt- 
ment of Rosin of the Fir-Tree, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, and Juyce of 
Henbane is very good. 
If

278 Of the Diseases of 
If in Children from sucking hard Nipples, anoint their Lips with the 
fat fried from a Spoon that is used about Grease, with Oyl of sweet Al- 
monds, and Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, which is best, also Oyl of 
Wax. 
All must eschew the outward air, keep the Lips inward; fly hot, dry 
and sharp things, and hold moist things in the mouth. 
CHA. XXI. 
Of Hare-Lips, or Cloven-Lips. 
HAre-Lips, or Clefts of the Lips, are called by the Latins Labia 
Leporima, Rostra Leporlna, or Leporis, or Fissura Labrorum, by the 
Germans Hasenschart, Tis whenas from vice in conformation, the 
Lips do not cohere, or joyn unitely. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is from the Birth, from the Womans imagination at time 
of Conception, who then either saw an Hare, or some what else so af- 
fected; or longed to eat thereof, and could not have it. 
Sometimes accidentally such fissures are made in the Nose or Ears, 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences hereof are onely as to the magnitude; for some are lit- 
tle, some very great, wherein there seems as if a piece of flesh was ta- 
ken away. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
The Evil is better born sometimes than the Remedy; ’tis dangerous 
in Children that suck to use Chyrurgery, also to old men, and Hydro- 
picks, where we may fear a Cancer therefrom, and very bad scars are 
left after Chyrurgery.
CURE. 
Cure is by Chyrurgery, the Patient must be aptly placed, then the 
skin of the dissited and gaping Lip must be cut off with a Penknife on 
either side of its gap, then conjoyn the Lip that is so excoriated, and 
with a Needle and Thread, while it is yet bleeding, make future of it, 
and so let the Thread hold the parts together till they grow together na- 
turally, which in eight or nine days it often doth; after this, draw out 
the Thread, and use Astringents to anoint it; the fat that fries out of 
Wooden Kitchin Spoons (that have been used about fat and dripping)
being

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 791 
being laid in the fire, Oyl of Wax, of Eggs, &c. correct excrescent 
flesh, and lastly induce a Cicatrice: Oyl of Eggs is said to take away 
the Deformity of the Scar made by Chyrurgery. 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of Lividity, Paleness, Blackness or Blewness of the Lips. 
LIvor is a paleness, or a blackness and blewness happening to the Lips. 
from fear, and sudden frights and passions, or from an evil dispo- 
sition of the Bowels, and Blood infected. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be done by Paints, as of Spanish Red, of Madder-Roots, 
and Aukanet-Roots; by rubbing them with a piece of Sheep-skin dyed 
red, or steeped in a Decoction of red Sanders, with Gum Arabick, made 
in Aqua-Vitæ, 
Chalybeates are to be taken inwardly. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are taken from Causes: For, 
1. One is from fear, sudden frights, and moving of Passions, Wrath, 
&c. whereby the Blood flows back to the Center, and they ceasing, it 
returns, and the colour is restored again. 
2. It happens to Women, 1. Labouring with the Green-Sickness: 
2. With the pale Colours or white Flux of Menstrues, both which be- 
ing cured, it ceases. 
3. From an evil disposition of the Bowels, the Lips want their pure 
ruddy colour, as in Cachecticks; 2. This evil disposition is seated va- 
riously in parts; sometimes in the Liver, sometimes in the Spleen, 
and sometimes in the mouth of the Stomach, affcting from communion 
of parts, even as we see trembling of the Lips in a fit of vomiting. 
4. Lividity of the Lips sometimes happens in continual Feavers, 
which is a deadly sign, and shews extinction of native heat. 
5. and 6. From Elephantiasis or the French Pox, which being cured, 
it ceases.
CHAP. 

280 Of the Diseases of 
CHAP. XXIII. 
Of Mouth-Writhing, or convulsion of the Face. 
WRithing of the Mouth, or a Convulsion of the Jaws, arises 
from a depraved motion of the Muscles or Nerves, drawing 
awry the Mouth and Skin of the Face. 
NAMES. 
It is called Spasmus Cynicus, from the figure of distortion of the mouth, 
which is like to the grinning of angry or mad Dogs; and is called by 
the Latins, Canina Convulsio, a Dog-like Convulsion. 
Some call it Risus Sardonius, from the Herb Sardia, which is called 
Batrachium, and of some Apium Risus, because those that take thereof 
have their Mouths pulled awry, and distorted, and seem to laugh dy- 
ing: It is mort commonly called Tortura Oris, signifying a simple draw- 
ing awry, or distortion of the Mouth.
CAUSE.
Its Cause is from resolution of the Muscle of the Jaw, or Muscles of 
the Face, or the stock of Nerves spread over the Face, affected; or the 
Nerves of the third or fifth Conjugation, or those that descend from 
the first Vertebra's of the Neck, or from the Spinal Marrow betwixt the 
second and third Vertebra, brought from Causes cooling, as in those that 
remain in a cold Air, and windy, after sweating or obstruction of the 
Nerves. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Distincton is to be made betwixt Tortura Oris, Spasmus Cynicus, and 
Risus Sardoneus; as also twixt a Paralitick and Convulsive Motion: 
For, 
1. Tortura Oris, or a drawing awry of the Mouth, which is more 
simple, comes from the broad Muscle of the Mouth affected, wherein 
is stretching out of the Mouth; sometimes the upper Lip is drawn to- 
wards the Eye, from the Nerve of the third pair being hurt, which also 
causes the drawing awry of the Cheeks and adjacent Skin, because the 
affected part draws the sound; the Nose, Eyes, and half the Face, are 
distorted, whenas the Brain is half affected. 
Spasmus Cynicus, or Caninus, is whenas the whole Face is drawn con- 
vulsively from the Propago, or set of Nerves spread over the face affected.
Risus

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 281 
Rlsus Sardoneus is such a contraction of the Muscles that the Skin is 
drawn up and distended, as is wont in them that laugh, and the party 
seems to laugh. 
SIGNS. 
General Signes are taken from a Convulsion, wherein the found parts 
are drawn by the affected parts; there is often pain foregoing, a numb- 
ness of the Skin, and beating; in a Palsey the affected part is drawn to 
the sound obliquely, the use of the Teeth is spoiled, they cannot draw 
their mouth to laugh, nor pronounce the Letter O; the Eye-lid falls 
down from resolution of the forces, and strength of the parts; the face 
loosens and flats downwards, and is not drawn in wrinkles, as from a 
Convulsion. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is not easily cured, and threatens Epilepsies, Palsies, Apoplexies, 
and Death especially, if prolonged; or if it supervened a Palsey of the 
whole, or a general Convulsion; if it be strong and convulsive, it is 
deadly from the matter translated to the Brain, and Death arrests them 
sometimes ere five days expire, sometime not in ten days: The Body 
free from Feavers, Head-Diseases, and strong, and the Disease fresh, 
and the face but in the half part affected, we may draw from hence some 
hopes of Cure, and that they may cease sooner, and sometimes spon- 
taneously, or of Natures own accord. 
CURE. 
In Cure it is requisite to consider the part affected, whether Convul- 
sively or Paralitickly, by what Nerves or Muscles affected, and whence 
those have their Root and Original. 
We may proceed in its Cure much after the same Order as for gene- 
ral Spasms and Palseys, the part peculiarly respected: A Clister there- 
fore premised, we may prepare the matter with such as are prescribed 
in the Chapter of Palseys and Convulsions; then purge the Brain with 
strong Cephalick Pills and Phlegmagogues: if there be fulness, open- 
ing of a Vein, first in the Arm, secondly in the Tongue, is approved; 
Cuppers may be applied to the Neck; Internals, Nervals and Cephali- 
cals are good, as were directed for Palseys and Convulsions; Mastica- 
tories, Gargarisms, and Collutions of the Mouth are useful; Troches 
also may be held under the Tongue, made in form of Lupines, of Pel- 
letory of Spain, with Castoreum, Gum Bdellium, Pepper, Mustard-seed, 
and Aqua-Vitæ; Vapours from convenient Decoctions may be received 
into the face. 
Anointing of the Face, and Head, and Nape of the Neck, specially 
N n the

282 Of the Diseases of 
the Roots of the Nerves affected, to the Vertebra's of the Neck for 
from the second and third do arise the Nerves moving the Jaws: ꝶ Oyl 
of Been, of Castor, of each ℥j. Pelletory of Spain, Sage, Rosemary Cow- 
slips, Rheu, of each ʒj make a Liniment. 
ꝶ of Bettony, Sage, Rosemary, Couslips, Bay-leaves, Eldern, Or- 
gany, Calamint, Fleabane, of each an equal quantity; put them, being 
reduced into Powder, into Linnen interwoven, spiinkled with Spirit 
of Wine, and heat hot, after anointing, apply it to the whole Face, 
or that half of it that is distorted. 
Some use Ligatures to draw it strait from the opposite part to the 
overthwart part. It is not accounted a Disease, but onely a figure vi- 
tiated; the Cramp it self being onely a Symptom of the Matrix-facul- 
ty hurt. 
If the upper Lip be drawn upwards towards the Eye, the Nerve of the 
third pair there affected, Being cut a little below its compass, it is heal- 
ed. 
CHAP. XXIV. 
Of Stuttering, Stammering, or defect of right Pronuntiation.  
STuttering, stammering, and lisping, are defects of right pronuntia- 
tion of Words and Syllables, called by the Latins Balbuties and 
Blæsitas arising from several Causes. 
CAUSES.
As, 1. Palsey of the Tongue, where the Cause lies in the Nerves, 
being obstructed by a moist pituitous matter, or viscid Flegm, or relaxa- 
ted or overcooled therefrom, then motion of the Tongue hurt from the 
Nerves of the seventh pair or Cunjugation being hurt: See more of 
this in the Chapter of a Palsey of the Tongue. 
2. A Ranula or Tumour under the Tongue, called the Bond or Li- 
gature, whereby Childrens Tongues are bound so straitly that their 
speech is impedited there from; and it is wont to be taken away by Mid- 
wives with their Nails, whereby right Pronuntiation and Speaking is af- 
terward procured: See for better information herein the Chapter of 
Ranula, 
3. Too great moisture, or a moist distemper making the Tongue more 
soft and loose, so that it exercises not its motion; this happens to Chil- 
dren from their Nativity, who cannot pronounce R;  yet by growth com- 
monly

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 283 
monly that superfluous Humidity is spent; but if that moist Distemper 
still continue, so long they stutter or speak imperfectly: This happens 
also to elder People from Drunkenness, or deflux of Catarrhs, and Rheu- 
matick Distillation, which are sooner acquitted again; but worse, if 
the same Distemper be in the Brain. 
4. From too great siccity or dryness of the Tongue, whereby speech 
is vitiated, coming often in Feavers. 
5. From solution of Continuition, as Wounds and Ulcers.  
6. From magnitude, 1.Encreased, hindering its motion, which is 
either from natural Conformation, or a swelling of the Tongue preter- 
natural; which swelling is either with or without Inflamation: See 
more of this in the Chapter of a Tumour of the Tongue. 2. Lessened, 
which also is made either by ill Conformation , or Accidents, as 
Wounds, Ulcers, hard Cicatrices, &c. which shorten and lessen the 
Tongue. 
7. From fault in the Aspera Arteria, or Wind-pipe, being the Pipe 
by which both natural and vocal respiration is put forth; also from con- 
striction or obstruction of the clefts of the Larinx, is made ill utte- 
rance. 
8. The Uvula, or Gargareon, being either defective, or the natural 
situation or bigness of it changed, being very instrumental to forming 
the voice, causeth imperfect pronuntiation. 
9. Vocal Respiration obstructed or mutilated, we cannot speak clear- 
ly and perfectly; this is made either from stopping of the breath sud- 
denly from suffocation, or Tumours in the Jaws, or it is changed and 
mutilated from weakness, Whence they cease to speak, and it is called 
Aphonia: See the Chapter of Aphonia, or Dumbness. 
10. Those that are born Fools, and infatuated from their Birth, 
speak not plain; which may be supposed to arise from too great moi- 
sture in the Tongue and Brain, effecting too great flexibility thereof
SIGNS. 
Signs both Diagnostical and Prognostical, are gathered from the pre- 
cedent several Causes. 
DIFFERENCES are four-fold: 
1. The first is called Aphonia, or Dumbness, wherein they speak not 
at all. 
2. The second is called Balbuties and Blæsitas, or a stuttering and stam- 
mering, wherein Words and Sentences are not rightly uttered, and 
they cannot pronounce some Letters, as R, or in others K and T. 
N n 2  3. The

284 Of the Diseases of 
3. The third is Hæsitantia Lingua, wherein they cannot bring out all 
the word, or that very drawlingly. 
4. The fourth is Antidoglosser, called Tongue-ty’dness, from short- 
ness of the Tongue, and is peculiar to Children. 
CURE. 
If from defect of parts, that cannot be restored; it is incurable.
From a Palsey, and Ranula under the Tongue, see their Cures in 
their proper Chapters. 
From Tumours, also Wounds and Ulcers of the Tongue or Jaws, seek 
their Cure in their proper places; and they being cured, this Affect 
ceaseth. 
From natural Conformation, whether the Tongues be too thick, or 
too short, it is not curable. 
Moisture indicates drying, and Dryness moistening; if flegmatick 
impacted Humours hinder vocal Respiration, they must be attenuated 
and excussed, the Brain must be dried and stengthened; little Lozen- 
ges in form of Lupines are held under the Tongue, made of Sage, Mu- 
stard, and Rheu-seeds, Lavender and Rocket-seeds, with Mucilage of 
Gum Tragacanth to embody them, also Gargarisms of Spirit of black 
Cherries, Spirit of Wine wherein have been steeped Lillies of the Val- 
leys; Frictions of the Tongue also, with Sage-leaves, Couslips, and 
Lavender: It is said that to rub Childrens Tongues with Salt Gem and 
Honey, makes them speak presently. 
CHAP. XXV. 
Of a Palsey of the Tongue.
A Palsey of the Tongue is an abolition of its actions and speaking, 
induced from the Nerves, resolved. 
CAUSE. 
Cause arises from relaxation, obstruction, or refrigeration of the 
Nerves, which if they be of the seventh Conjugation, there is a Pal- 
sey of the whole Tongue, and motion totally perished: These Nerves 
come from the Brain, near to the beginning of the Spinalis Medulla, or 
Back-Marrow, and are carried to the Muscles moving the Tongue, which 
being hurt as before,or wounded, the motion of the Tongue is depraved 
or abolished and is well called a Palsey.
More-

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 285 
Moreover, a Palsey is sometime lateral, as of the right or left side; 
Taste is also spoiled from the Nerves of the third pair affected.
SIGN. 
Signes are taken from motion hurt, from vice in speaking, and taste 
hurt, which sometimes is safe if the Nerves of the third pair be unhurt; 
sometimes all, sometimes but half the Tongue is paralitick; the Tongue 
looks red, and seems to be hot, at other times cooler and moister; there 
are sometimes present signes of a cold distemper of the Brain, and it 
sometimes succeeds to Apoplexies. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In more aged People, in Apoplectick, or those that are generally 
Paralitick; from a distemper of the Brain, tis more dangerous and more 
hardly cured, and if an Apoplexie hath not precaded, nor is present, 
there is great danger that it will ensue. 
In a lateral Palsey of the Tongue, and in youth and flourishiing habits, 
tis better, and some hopes there is of Cure. 
CURE. 
Cure is to be begun with Catharticks, wherewith specifical Cephalicks 
are admixt to carry their force to the Head; general sweaters 
are then to be insisted upon; Salt of Pearls is given to x. gr. in Malmsey; 
Black-Cherry-Water, Oyl of Rosemary, &c. are commended: this 
Pouder serves best to dry and strengthen the Brain and Nerves, ꝶ: of 
Castor, Pirethrum, of each ʒss. Marjoram, Sage, Lavender, Spike, Be- 
tony, Stæchas, of each ʒj. Cloves, Nutmegs, of each ℈j. Sugar to the 
weight of all, make an exquisite fine Pouder, whereof ʒj. may be ta- 
ken every morning in Black-Cherry or Sage-Water, except on those 
mornings we interpose some purging Apozem, or the like. 
Topicals: To shake off and extract the Humours, and free the Nerves 
from obstruction by impacted Humours, and strengthen them, are very 
effectual and commodious, 
1. Gargarisms of Juyce of Sage, of Oximel of Squills, and Oyl 
drawn from Mustard-seed; of Decoctions of sweet Marjoram, Sage, 
Lavender, or Spike, Organy, Cloves, &c. with Spirit of Castor, are ve- 
ry profitably and commodiously used. 
2. Lupines, or little flat Cakes held under the Tongue, there to 
melt by continuance of time, made of Mucilage of Tragacanth, Pulpe 
of Mustard-seed, Rocket-seed, Sage, Pelletory of Spain, Wood-Sage, 
and the like, are useful and effectual. 
3. Rub

286 Of the Diseases of 
3. Rub the Tongue with Sage-Leaves, Rocket-seeds bruised, To- 
bacco, or lay upon it Oyl of Anniseeds, of Cloves, and Spirit of Black- 
Cherries. 
4. The Neck or place of the Original of the Nerves must be anoin- 
ted with Aqua-Vitæ, and Spirit of Castor: Some use Vesicatories to 
the hinder part of the Head; and Avicen applies a Cupping-Glass 
under the Chin; Cucupha’s and Errhines are also useful. 
To recover Speech, Spirit of Black-Cherries, Juyce of Sage, and 
Primroses gargarised, are greatly applauded; so are the Flowers of Val- 
ley-Lillies distilled in Wine. See more in Aphonia. 
There is another Disease of the Tongue, called by the Germans, De 
Braun and it is a great swelling thereof, with blackness, ruggedness, and 
dryness; with it also is a Delirium, Insanies, and light-headedness, a 
Disease not mentioned by the ancient Authors, but cometh nearest to 
that of Paulas Ægineta, called an Erisypelas of the Brain: It comes 
familiarly to Souldiers, that lie in Camps in the open and cold raw air. 
CURE. 
After generals, as opening a Vein under the Tongue, Purging, &c. if 
it seem requisite, a Gargarism of Decoction of Prunella, or Self-heal 
in Water, a little Vinegar added, is the best Remedy, and held very 
certain for the Cure hereof. 
CHAP. XXVI. 
Of the Frog, or Infants Ligature of their Tongue. 
DEFINITION.
BAtrachos in Greek, Ranula, and by some Ranunculus in Latine, is a 
Tumour of soft flesh risen under the Tongue, referring the form 
or a Frog, to which as to a girt or band the Tongue adheres, causing im- 
pediment in speech. 
CAUSE. 
It arises from viscid and pituitous Blood, flowing thither and stirring 
up a soft Tumour: sometimes 'tis only a fleshy excrescence without an 
humour.  
SIGNS. 
1. As to its Figure; It is like a Frog, thence called Rana and Ranu- 
la, for the rift in the middle separating the right part of the Tumour 
from

the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth and Lips. 287 
from the left, the hinder part in figure and colour resembles a Frog. 
2. As to its Substance; It is much of the nature of Oedema some- 
times, sometimes like to Atheroma and Steatoma. 1. Because it is in- 
volved in a Bag or Follicle; 2. Because the matter within is like to 
the matter of these, or more nearly resembles both in colour and con- 
sistence the white of an Egg; therein also sometime hath a stone been 
found. 
3. As to its Magnitude and bigness, it is seen under the Tongue in 
bigness of a Bean or Chesnut; sometimes it grows so great that it co- 
vers the Teeth, and the Mouth will hardly hold it, and induces great 
danger of suffocation, and seems like another Tongue, the veines under 
the Tongue being so mightily extuberated, and puffed up also, from 
the abundance of a muddy viscous pituit fallen from the Head. 
4. As to the Effects and concomitant Accidents: As, 1. They can- 
not speak plain not clearly, but croakingly like Frogs, because the 
Tongue is not stretched forth duely, but held down, and kept straiter 
and shorter then is requisite to speaking. 2. The Tongue is found 
lifted up more or less according to the growth or bigness of the Tumour. 
3. There is sometimes present Inflammation, sometimes danger of 
Choaking or Suffocation, where 'tis very great, sometime it is Cancerous. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The greater the more dangerous, it is often mortal, both from Suf- 
focation, which it may bring if it be the greater, and near the tough Ar- 
tery and Laxinx, and also a Quinzy that it may bring to elder People. 
CHAP. XXVII. 
Of a Tumour or Increment of the Tongues. 
IT is divided variously, for one is an only distension and enlarging of 
it from a plenteous aliment, so that it is neither Erisypelas, nor Scir-
rhus, nor Oedema: It is without pain; sometime it is less at night, than 
in the morning; herein the Tongue is sometime black or livid from the 
blood being cold. It is to be cured by evacuation as a Phlegmone and 
Repulsion, a cloth dipt in Juyce of Lettice and laid upon the Tongue; 
other coolers and repellers of nourishment are also convenient. 
2. Another is a carnous Swelling, or fleshy increment of the Tongue, 
made from superfluous flesh, which had its rise from vitious excre- 
ments, and a pituitous Superfluous alimentary matter; Preparatives 
premi-

288 Of the Diseases of 
premised, if curable, we may expect most from Chyrurgery. 
3. Another is from Blood, and is an inflammation of the Tongue, 
whose Cure is described in the Chapter of Inflammation of the 
Tongue. 
4. Another is from deflux of a pituitous matter, and then it is Oedema, 
or a softer and loose Tumour, according as the matter is thicker or thin- 
ner, moister or more dry: If it be Oedematous, Cure is as Oedema; if a 
soft and loose Tumour, we may open the Sublinguar Veines, purge and 
revulse, use resolving and ptarmick Gargarisms, some using scarrifica- 
tion, have cured by flowing forth of the swelling matter. 
5. Another is Erisypelatous from Choller, wherein is Inflamation, 
and for which, see the Chapter of Inflamation of the Tongue. 
6. Another is Scirrhous, from Atrabilis: Cure it as a Scirrh. 
7. Another is Cancrous, wherein is small hopes of Curing; and pu- 
trifaction coming at the Root of the Tongue, or a flux of Blood in 
Tongues eroded, the Sick die. 
8. Another is from the French-Pox, anointings with Quicksilver, 
poysonous and venemous funges: Shun Purges in this, and use specifi- 
calls; wash with Juyce of Plantane, Scabious and Lemons; if it be of 
the nature of Oedema, use Remedies fit for an Oedematous swelling; if 
it be great, we must beware lest it bring danger of Suffocation. 
Some have their Tongues remain without their Mouthes, and this 
progress of it may be called the falling out of the Tongue, and hurts 
chiefly by deforming. 
I knew a Gentlewoman in London, Sifter to one that married my 
Cousin, that if a lock of hair that hung out of her hood behind her Head 
( which she shewed me when she told me the reason ) was put up under 
her Hood, or in her Head-clothes, with the rest of her hair, she could 
not shut her mouth, so that she alwayes wore this little brown lock hang- 
in down behind: I told her it could not be according to the course of 
Nature, there could be no natural cause for it; if so, it must be superna- 
tural; and if so, by the Devils Agents, Witches, which we could shew 
by divers other Histories and Relations, and Reasons, but they are im- 
pertinent here; she those of two evils the least, rather to have her lock 
of hair not very long, hanging without, than to go with her mouth open, 
but I never asked her why she cut it not off; I suppose she suffered it 
not to grow at length, being shorter than commonly womens hair is by 
farre.
CHAP.


the Nostrils, Tongue, Teeth, and Lips. 289  
CHAP. XXVIII. 
Of an Ægylops. 
AN Ægylopsli a little Tubercle situated betwixt the bone of the 
Nose and the greater corner of the Eye, which before it be broke 
is called Anchylops, and breaking, turns Fistulous, and is called Fistula 
Lacrymalis: The Arabians call it Caræb.
CAUSE 
Arises from vitious humours falling from the Head, which are either 
more watry or thick, muddy and virulent, driven to the corner of the 
Eye, and there seeking a passage, but being retained they putrify, and 
rot also the bone, effecting also a cavity, wherein, being broke, is a fi- 
stulous Ulcer. 
SIGNS. 
It is a little Tubercle or Prominence betwixt the root of the Nose 
and corner of the Eye, reddish, and equally molesting at all times, con- 
ceiving within it a cavity, and breaking, turns a Fistula. 
DIFFERENCES. 
1. One is from a more slow and thick humour, is contained in a bag 
or skin in form of pap and honey mixt, together, effecting no solution 
of continuity, that opens not, but is taken away by Section, and turns 
not Fistulous; which the Latines call Abscessus Ocularis, and the Greeks 
Anchylopa and Anchylops. 
2. Another from effusion of a serous blood from adjacent veins, 
driven forth by blows, or the like, conceiving Inflamation and pain; 
and breaking, turns an hollow Ulcer or Fistula, wherein sometimes the 
Bone is corrupted, and then it is called Ægylops. 
In this also be differences, for some be benign, others cancrous, 
wherein touch doth much irritate; the colour of them is pale and livid, 
the veins appear full and ill coloured. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Anchylopa is better than Ægylopa; tis the worse if Inflamation and 
corruption of the bone be present, tis incurable if cancerated; the 
worse also the more deeply it is seated: a Fistula is bad to heal, and like 
to prove a Cronical Affect, yet the fresher the better, the farther off 
O o of

290 Of the Diseases of &c. 
of the Eye the better; through nearness to which, and tenuity of the 
bones of the Nose, it is most to be feared; the continual affluxes of the 
Matter also, and motion of the Eye, hinders its drying up, and healing. 
CURE. 
Cure is by Revulsion and Repulsion, if not yet ulcerated; if it be ul- 
cerated, dilate the Ulcer, put in a Tent of Gentian-root, deterge and 
mundifie. Some use Astringents for repressing the defluent humours, 
which others dislike, and use resolving and maturating Topicks, the Pus 
is all to be crushed out and then use Topicks, the Collyry of Rhasis, ꝶ 
of Aloes, Frankincense, ℥i. Sarcocol, Dragons-blood, Balaustians, Al- 
lom, Crude-Antimony, of each ʒi Verdigrease xv. graines, with Eye- 
bright-water, make a Collyry. Discussers are to be used, as Rhue boyl- 
ed in Lee; rank Nuts and Saffron boild in Alica the Juyce of Festuca or 
St. Peters Corn, is thought by a propriety to help, so also is the Milk of 
Almonds. 
SYMPTOMES. 
Before it be consolidated we must look to the Symptomes: 1. Infla- 
mation is to be cautioned, for which repellers, letting blood, &c, 
are useful. 2. Hinder its turning Cancerous; where revulsion is good, 
an actual Cautery, or touching it with oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol. 3. Look 
to the Bone, if that be rotted or corrupted, scale it. Causticks (as a Pou- 
der of Verdigrease, Festuca, Myrrh, and Gentian roots) are usefull, dila- 
tation of the Ulcer being first made, also an actual Cautery. 4. If a 
Callows grow, take that away by Corrosives and Chyrurgery; then use 
Sarcoticks and Cicatrizers: See a Fistula of the weeping flesh.
Of 


291 
OF THE 
Diseases of the Lungs 
THese three Distempers, Hoarsness, 
Catarrh, and Asthma, were writ 
long since, compiled from the 
best Authors, compared and laid 
together, all things of moment 
that were not in one, We extra- 
cted from others, and from all 
abjected what was most unne- 
cessary: Our precedent Discourse of the Lungs and 
their Diseases, will shew what these want: Here the 
Readers may see the Rules and Method of the Antients, 
and compare them. We endeavoured to draw out all 
the choice Specificals, and appropriated Medicines 
that ease the Symptom, and do good in all Causes  
so that if the Antients were mistook in the Causes, yet 
in those open Affect the Medicines are prevalent, and 
being found out by sure Experience, never fail.
O o 2 CHAP. 

292 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Hoarsness. 
HOarsness is a Depravation of the Voice, from an Hu- 
mour falling upon the Wind-Pipe, and making of it 
rough. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a defluxion of Rheumatick Humours from the Head to 
the sharp Artery, or Winde-pipe, made either through cold weakening 
the retensive faculty of the Brain, or heat dissolving and pouring forth 
Humours, whose collection and generation came from moistening Cau- 
ses, or airy Exhalations from the Stomach, which turned to a waterish 
matter which preceded, and were either from too much Drink, Wines, 
Bathes, moistening Meats, and raw Fruits, and other things, sending 
many moist Vapours to the Head. 
SIGNS. 
There needs no Signs to be set down whereby to know it, onely to 
distinguish twixt an hot and cold Cause; which are, if the Head be hot, 
if the Defluxion be more sharp, if the Nose and Face look red, and the 
Party perceives the Head hotter than accustomedly it used to be; and 
if heating Causes preceded and went before, we know it is from an hot 
Distemper, and heating Causes; if the contrary Signs to thesebe pre- 
sent, we may well guess they have taken cold, either being bare-headed, 
or by Clamours, whereby the Mouth was long kept open, and cold air 
drawn in.
CURE. 
In Cure, it is good, 1. To prevent a Feaver in an hot Cause: 2. To 
concoct and thicken the Humour for expulsion, which is done by Pecto- 
rals: As, ꝶ of Maiden-Hair, Liquorish, Figs, Jujubes, of each equal 
parts, boyl them in Water, and adde Syrup of Violets and Poppies, of 
each what may seem sufficient to sweeten the Clarified Liquor. 
After this, purge with Cephalick Pills and lastly, dry the Brain. 
Medi- 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 293 
Medicines that respect the Symptom, and that besides their faculty 
of lenifying the roughness of the Wind-Pipe, and the tickling sharpness 
of the Rheum, do by a propriety help, are these: ꝶ of Juyce pressed 
from green Liquorish, ℥j. Juyce of Sage ℥Ss with Sugar boil it sy-
rup; then adde Storax, Calamitis, Myrrh, Gum Tragacanth, Saffron, of 
each ʒj. make hereof a Lohoch, to be often licked of with a Liquorish 
Stick, suffering it to melt and slip down by degrees. 
Or, ꝶ Leaves of the Fig-Tree, Five-leav’d-Grass, of mss. Seeds 
of Srubb-thlaspeos, Dropwort-Roots, of each ʒij. Poppy and Violet- 
Flowers, of each Pug. 1. boyl them in Water, then strain them, and 
adde to the Liquor Sugar for the boyling of it up into a Syrup; Gum 
of the Cherry-Tree dissolved in Wine, Mucilage of Quince, and Psyl- 
lium-Seeds in honied Water, are also very proper for Hoarsness. 
This is much praised, ꝶ of Spirit of Sack, ℥ss make it as thick with 
Sugar-Candy, as a thick Eclegma, or Lohoch, and take thereof often; 
but in an hot Distemper Oyl of sweet Almonds so thickned with Sugar- 
Candy, and a Decoction of Penny. Royal well sweetened, is of great 
account with some. 
Hartmanus saith, If it be from Cold, a a Draught of good Wine well tempered 
with Sugar, takes it away. 
Rondeletius saith, To clear the Voice there is nothing better than to use fre- 
quently our Pills Benjonum, or this, which (saith he) helps in all Hoars- 
nesses, from what Cause soever; ꝶ Conserve of Violets, ℥j. fresh But- 
ter and Milk drawn from Almonds, of each ℥ij. Meal of Orobus, ℥ss. 
Tragacanth, and Penedies, of each ʒjss. mix all together into form of a 
Lohoch. 
CHAP. II. 
Of a Catarrh or Distillation of Rheum. 
CAtarrhos is a Symptom of things cast out, being a Flux of Rheum 
falling from the Head upon the subjected parts, arising from Cold 
or Fulness. 
SUBJECT.   
A Catarrh is taken for a Defluxion of Waterish and Rheumatick Hu- 
mours upon any part, as upon the Jaws and rough Artery, into the Nose, 
Ears, &c. Eyes; but here it is specially taken for a deflux upon the Lungs.
CAUSE. 

294 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
CAUSE.
Cause is effectual in the Brain, which either weakened in its reten- 
tive, or irritated in its expulsive faculty, cast forth, or lets fall such se- 
rous Humours upon the lower parts: Causes hereof are either remote 
or nigh; remote are such as engender plenty of such a matter and se- 
rous Blood, such be all vaporous things, and moistening Causes, as im- 
moderate drinking, Bathes, Wines, Apples, and crude Things in the 
Stomach, which either sends vapours to the Head, or the Head draws 
them from thence, by immoderate heat in it. 
Or, an hot Distemper of the Liver, or Obstruction of it, cause a Ca- 
tarrhous Matter to be heaped up in the Head; from an hot Liver, an hot 
Matter is sent, and is the Cause of an hot Catarrh; from Obstruction 
are those Humours also forced upwards, that were wont to have their 
passage downwards in their proper Channels, which may happen in a cold 
state of the Liver, and where heat in the Head more forcibly attracts; 
the same is also from obstruction of the Spleen and Courses. 
Or distemper of the Head, which if cold, it first repells not Hu- 
mours and crude Vapours sent thither; secondly concocts not that ex- 
crementitious pituitous matter, from coldness and weakness: The south 
Air and rainy Weather cause it, as Sect. 3. Aphor. 5. 
Nigh, are such as weaken the retentive, as cold Air, or cooling Cau- 
ses; or move the expulsive, as heat, and plenty of the matter, or sharp- 
ness of it.  
SIGNS. 
General Signs are heaviness of the Head and Senses, dulness of the 
Sight and Hearing, often Sneezing, a sense of the Humour distilling, 
which is sometimes more sharp, other times milder; sometimes salt 
and flegmatick, sometimes fresh, and coloured like Saffron, and trou- 
bles the Eyes, Nose, Jaws, and Lungs too sometimes, whence a Cough 
is raised. 
Particular are taken from Difference of Causes: For, 
1. One is from Plethory, where antecedent Causes were such as fil- 
led the Head with Vapours, or Humours, and comes by consent, as 
from Liver, Spleen, Courses stopt, and Stomach, and then there are 
Signs of those parts, evil affected, and obstructed; or from Crudity, 
Drunkenness, an Aquitonian constitution of the Air that preceded; 
may easily be known also by a sense of distention and fulness in the 
Head. 
2. Another from heat, or a hot distemper of the Head, which is 
known, 1. By heat perceived in the Head, both by the Patients sense, 
and

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 295
and also by feeling to it. 2. The Humour is more thin, hot and sharp, 
so that the Nose thereby is sometimes exulcerated, the Face and Nose 
be red, and sometime a Feaver follows. 
3. Another from cold, which is indicated by taking cold, either by 
being bare-headed, or too much conversant in cold windy Air, also by 
absence of heat; the Humour is more thick and flegmatick, obstruct- 
ing the Ethmoid-Bones, and causing hoarsness of the Voice, and a 
greater sense of heaviness and distension in the Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
It is familiar to Winter, and not dangerous; unless, 
1. It be joyned with Headach, and a Feaver. 
2. Or be more frequent, and happens to moist and Catarrhous Con- 
stitutions. 
3 If they run with violence, called Choaking Catarrhs, wherein is 
danger of Suffocation, falling in so plenteous and preposterous a mea- 
sure and manner upon the Lungs and sharp Artery. 
4. In Old men, for there they admit no Concoction, for their Bo- 
dies be cold. 
DYET. 
As touching Dyet, and things to be observed, note the Cause; for 
in a Cold Cause all cooling things are hurtful, as Dyet or Air cooling 
actually or potentially, North Winds: In an hot Cause, a cooling Dyet 
and Air is good, South Winds hurtful, Vexations of Mind, Watching, 
&c. bad. 
Generally note, 
1. To esehew moistening Dyet, and too much sleep. 
2. Vaporous things, as Garlick, Mustatd, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Onyons, Wine, and strong Odours. 
3. What ever things accumulating or dissolving Humours, as chang- 
ing of the temper of the Head from Heat to Cold, Baths, the Sun and 
Venery are hurtful; let him sleep most upon his Belly, that so the mat- 
ter may the more readily break out by the Nostrils.
CURE. 
In Cure, First, The matter is to be prepared not with Incidents and 
Detergents, but Thickners and Concocters, which at first are to be 
more weak; rest and sleep moderate help much. 
2. Let Blood if the Liver be hot, if the Body be full and Sanguine, 
if Pleurisies and Quinzies be endangered therefrom, or a Feaver, which 
enkindles the Humours; or if the Head be hot, letting Blood is 
good 

296 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
good to hinder its drawing more to it; otherwise omit Phlebo- 
tomy. 
3. Purge the matter by Apozems, not too strong, least the matter be 
too much agitated; not too often, (Corroboraters interposed) lest they 
be over-weakened; in a thicker and more remote matter Phlegmagogues 
in form of Pills may be used. 
4. Pull back, derive, and turn away the flux, Frictions and Ligatures 
to the Extremities, Cupping-Glasses to the Buttocks, Setaces, Cau- 
sticks behind the Ears: Arculanus applied Causticks to the Crown, and 
by the sores drew forth much matter; but Septalius saith, Cauteries to 
the Coronal Suture are evil, and by experience we never find good ef- 
fects therefrom, but the Membranes, Veins, Nerves, and Fibra’s are 
inflamed therefrom; Revulsion is also made by Clisters, Errhines, Gar- 
garisms, Apophlegmatisms, &c. are used by some to evacuate the mat- 
ter contained in the Head, and condemned by others because they draw 
the matter in greater force and plenty from the Head upon the Lungs 
and Aspera Arteria, whence may be made a suffocative Catarrh, Infla- 
mation or Exulceration of the Wind-Pipe, or Quinzies, though not al- 
wayes. 
5. Strengthen the Brain, because a part strong may do more by Na- 
ture, than the Physitian by Art, and moreover stopping or binding up of 
the matter is not so good or healthful, as Natures expulsion of it if 
without damage to her; among other things Serpillum, or Mother of 
Thyme is held to have a Propriety herein, or the Wine of Pope Adrian, 
ꝶ of the Bark of all sorts of Myrobalans with the Kernels dried, of 
each ʒijß Cinamon, ʒj. Cloves, Galanga, Cubebs, Cardamoms great- 
er and less, of each ℈ss. Red Roses dried, ʒjss. Lavender and Rose- 
mary, of each ʒss. bruise them, and steep them in seven pints of Wine 
for twenty four hours, then drink morning and evening thereof.
6. Dryers, as a Drink of China, Sarsaparilla, Guaicum-Wood, of Rose- 
mary, &c. 2. Or a Pouder of Nigella-Seeds, red Roses, Succinum, and 
Bark of Frankinsence: 3. Or a Cap of Pouders interwoven in Flocks 
twixt fine Linnen, as ꝶ Seeds of Romane Nigella, Amber, of each ʒij. 
red Roses, Myrtle-Berries, Styrax, Calamitis, Galls Omphacite, of each 
ʒjss. Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Coriander-Seed, Labdanum, of each ʒj. re- 
duce all to a gross Pouder for a Cucupha, or loose Powders may be 
strewed in the Head. 
The Seeds of Nigella and Cummin parched and applied warm, (the 
Head being shaven) interbasted in fine Linnen, being first poudered, 
are said to be a most present remedy: 4. Suffumes to dry the Brain, are 
also very effectual, as of Nigella-Seeds, torrified, and smelt to, or of 
this

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 297 
this Pouder cast upon Coals, over the Fume of which the Head is to 
be holden; ꝶ of Succinum, or Amber, Frankinsence, Seeds of Cori- 
ander, Rosemary, Mother of Thyme, Gum of Juniper, Tobacco, of 
each ʒij. mix them.
Or, ꝶ of Nigella-Seeds, and Amber, of each ʒiij. Storax, Gum of 
Juniper, Rosemary, and Coriander-Seed, of each ʒij. Myrtle-Berries, 
red Roses, Mastick, Nutmegs, of each ʒj. mix and pouder them grosly, 
for the aforesaid use. 
7. Respect the Flux or Symptom, which if it offend in quality, cor- 
rect that, as I. Sharp, and then use Emulsions, and tempers of Acri- 
mony, that the parts be nor excoriated, exulcerated, or inflamed from 
sharp pain ; ꝶ of Barley-Water, ℔iv. boyl therein Liquorish, ℥j. 
white Poppy-seed, ʒij. St. James-Wort, Flowers of red Poppies, of 
each mss. to the strained Liquor adde Syrup of white Poppies, and Vio- 
lets, of each ℥ij. mix all for a Drink, chiefly to be used at going to 
rest; or Laudanum is given by some to the quantity of four or five 
grains, which where it may safely be given, is very effectual : Chy- 
mists commend Oyl of Butter, given to ℥j at one Dose. 2.Salt, where- 
in Johannes Prevotius proceeds thus ; in salt Rheums or Spittle, the De- 
coction of Barley, Jujubes, Liquorish, and sweet Pruines, chiefly in a 
Liquor that is made by boiling of the Feet or Head of a Calf or Lamb 
is good; so are Snails of the Wood, or Hodmondods, and Emulsion of 
the four less cold Seeds, with Almonds, adding the Flower of Starch, and 
Cream of Ptyfan, a Ponatel of the same Emulsions, adding white Poppy- 
seeds, if the saltness be more urgent; or lick up the Juyce of fresh Prunes, 
or Butter, or a Syrup of sweet Prunes juyced, and Juyce of Purslane boiled 
with Honey to a Syrup. Thus far Prevotius. 
3. Hot and thin, and then Coolers and Thickners are conducing, 
those that were prescribed for an hot matter , and Rotula's of Saccha- 
rates to hold under the Tongue, arc useful here; for example-sake, ꝶ 
of Sugar penidiate, ℥jss Gum Arabick, Tragacanth dissolved in Poppy- 
Water, of each ʒij. Root of Hounds-Tongue, red Roses, Wood of 
the Frankinsence-Tree, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Poppies make Rotu- 
la's to hold under the Tongue, and melt by degrees. 
4. Cold and thick, and then Attenuates and Heaters are more pro- 
per both for the matter in the Head, and that that is already flown into 
the Lungs, a Pouder of Valerian-Roots, Spiknard, Rosemary, Mother 
of Thyme, Myrrh, Sage, Saffron, Costmary, and Spignel-Roots, is 
then most excellent; or a Wine of Rosemary, Indian-Nard, Spignel- 
Roots, and Nigella-Seeds, with Aromaticals for the Head , and Pecto- 
rals or the Lungs. 
Pp    2. In


298 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
In quantity, if it offend, as sometimes, it induces fear of Choak-
ing ; we must stop it gradually, dull and retard its quick, violent, and 
preposterous motion, by Intercipients applied to the Forehead, as an 
Emplaister of Mastich, Frankinsence, Cummin, and Nigella-seeds, with
Oyl of Jasmine-Flowers; Or taken inwardly, as this Pouder much 
commended, ꝶ Bole Armonick, Mans Skull burnt, Hounds-Tongue 
Storax, Liquorish, Frankinsence, Myrrh, of each ʒj. Saffron, ʒss. Opium, 
Thebaick, ℈j. with Syrup of white Poppies, make Pills: These also are 
praised, and held from a propriety to stop Catarrhs; Poppies, Rosema- 
ry, Ragwort, Strawberries, Amber, Valerian-roots, Spignel, or Meum-
roots, Hounds-Tongue, Storax, Myrrh, Root of the Sloe-Tree, Honey- 
Water, and Rosa Solis-Water, Neck-Laces, or Beads of Amber hung
about the Neck, fume of Onyons stewed in an Oven, Leaves of Laurel 
and Winter-Bark snuft up the Nose, Tobacco taken in a Pipe, and a 
Decoction of Pimpernel,taken morning and night in fulness of the Head 
from Rheumatick Humours.  
Renodæus reckons up these things that stop a Catarrh ; Syrup of Pop- 
pies, Jujubes, and Quinces, Liquorish and Myrtles, Leaves of Colts- 
foot condite, Hyssop, Bole of Armenia, Hounds-Tongue, Troches of 
Camphir, and Oyl Omphacine. 
Hartmannus saith, An Amulet of the Root of Female-Verbascus, or 
Mullein, gathered from the fifteenth of August, to the eighth of Septem- 
ber, the Moon decreasing, being hung about the Neck, is the most soveraign 
Remedy for a Catarrh. To intercept the Flux also, Intercipients appli- 
ed to the Head shaven, specially to the Crown, are available, as a Bag 
of Succinum sprinkled with Spirit of Wine, or of the Pouder of Chame- 
pithis sprinkled with Oyl of Succinum. 
Lastly,The Symptoms are to be considered ; If it happen to Infants, 
the Nurse is to be dieted, Milk is to be rectified, and she must be purged, 
and take Pectorals; One grain of Frankinsence in Pouder given to the 
Child, is held a secret; the Head is to be sprinkled with Pouders that 
be astringent and strengthening, but not too strong. 
If a Feaver be joyned, let Blood, give Coolers, and omit hot Medi- 
cines ; if a Cough molest much, it must be suffered awhile, till the Cause 
which is the Catarrh, be cured : so also Excoriation, and pain from 
sharpness, and heat of the matter, is helped by the aforesaid things that 
cool and make mild the flux of Humours ; too great sneezing may law- 
fully be mittigated : See the Chapter of Sneezing, to hinder a Quinzy 
impendent; a Decoction of Lentils are thought to be effectual.
CHAP.



Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 299 
CHAP. 111.
Of an Asthma, or hurt of breathing. 
An Asthma is an hurt of breathing, with noise and frequency, arising 
from a pertinacious Obstruction of the Lungs and its Vessels, or 
Compression thereof, and afflicting without a Feaver. 
Respiration is the proper action of the Lungs, which we ought to know 
what its right medium and constitution is in bodies not affected, where- 
by we may also distinguish how much it is depraved ; it is twofold, free 
or strait; Free Respiration is a facility of Breathing, with little mo- 
tion of the Chest, from the Middriff and Lungs tightly constituted,and 
not diseased, whereby it is voluntarily lessened or enlarged, drawn in or 
sent out, more quickly or slowly, and is called Natural Respira- 
tion. 
Unnatural Respiration is very divers and various , according to its 
celerity or rarity, greatness or smallness, motion and respite, equal or 
unequal. For, 
I. Macropnæa is a Vice of Breathing, wherein plenty of Air by in- 
spiration distends the Brest exceedingly, and the whole Thorax is moved 
by all the Muscles, because the Heart (for cooling of which, breathing 
is ordained) being over-heat, as in Feavers, or almost suffocated with 
fuliginous Vapours, requires much Air to fan and cool it by inspiration, 
and sends out many fuliginous Vapours in expiration. 
2. Tachypnæa is a greater and more frequent respiration from the 
same Causes, being greater.
3. A third kind of depraved breathing is called Dyspnæa, or a short 
breathing. 
4. Asthma, which is more frequent drawing of Breath. 
5. Orthopnæa, whenas the sick are forced to stand upright to fetch 
their Breath. 
6. Apnæa, or an ablation or total abolishing of sensible respiration, 
wherein is great danger of Suffocation ; it comes sometimes from eat- 
ing of Toad-stools, sometimes from swoonding, and in suffocation of 
the Womb, wherein the Heart is thought to be ventilated, refreshed, 
and cooled by Transpiration, or Perspiration , of which it being the 
Author, and all the whole Body being spirable, within and without, ac- 
cording to Hippocrates, why may not perspiration by the pores of the 
Body supply the Heart in a defect of respiration ? and Galen saith, If that
Pp 2 pores 


300 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
pores of the Skin be obstructed, so that Transpiration is prohibited, and 
so consequently the fuliginous vapours retained, putrid Feavers are rai- 
sed, whose Basis is the Heart. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is either the Lungs, Middriff, or sharp Artery, and the Organs 
of breathing by the Animal Spirits and Nerves.
CAUSES. 
Causes of Asthma are either obstruction of the Lapets and Grisles of 
the Lungs, by a thick flegmatick impacted matter, or stones, and crude 
Tubercles, risen in its substance, and causing obstruction either through 
weakness of the Lungs, and then it is gathered and made by degrees, 
or from vice of other parts, which transmit such a matter to the Lungs. 
Sennertus thinks it to come from the Liver by the Vena Arteriosa, because 
Asthmaticks are so often Cachectick, and have their feet swell; and 
though Catarrhs be present, whereby it may be thought that the matter 
falls from the Head, and is thickned and dried in the Lungs, yet be- 
cause a Cough would be made, if the Humours came by the sharp Arte- 
ry from the Head to the Lungs, he doth not think the matter comes 
from the Head, and because sometimes it ceases without expectora- 
ting. 
Or, 2. Constriction of the Pipes and Vessels of the Lungs or Mid- 
driff, which may come, 1. Through dryness, as in Ptissicks, specially 
when they are nigh Death. 2. From the smoak and fume of Quicksil- 
ver, of Coals, Lime, anointing with Quicksilver, gross Vapours, a- 
rising from the Womb to the Aspera Arteria and Pipes of the Lungs, 
cause a constriction, straitening and narrowing of those parts. 
Or, 3. Compression of the Lungs and Middriff, which is made ei- 
ther, 1. Through plenty of Blood, as in the Hæmorrhoids stopt, whence, 
the parts of Breathing are straitened by compressing and crushing to- 
gether : Or, 2. of Water, as in Dropsies, by whose turgency and abun- 
dance, distention of the Abdomen is made, so that a compression of the 
Lungs and Middriff is made therefrom, whereby free breathing is im- 
pedited, and hurt. 3. From swelling also of the Liver, Spleen, or 
other Bowels, or extraneous Bodies, causing Compression of the afore- 
said parts, cause a Dyspnæa, or short breathing. 4. From abundance of 
Vapours collected in the inferiour Ventricle, sometime being more be- 
nign, sometimes malignant, which are carried to the Middriff, and hinder 
its free motion and Office of Respiration. 
To these also may be added Defluxions of a thin matter falling upon 
the 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs.  301 
the Muscles of the Brest, and ordained for its motion, or intercostal  
Muscles and Nerves of the Middriff, so that free motion and acting of 
those parts is impedited, and hindered ; or the Spondils of the Back 
luxated inwardly, or lying along on their Backs, whence the Breast falls 
upon the Back, and the way of the Breath is made more narrow, and 
so Orthopnicks are suffocated. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are more common : As , 1. Thick and frequent breathing,
which is aggravated by running,or great stirring, by lying on their Back, 
or taking cold, to which the Lungs and Middriff are exposed, and very 
obnoxious too : Or, 2. A Cough from a matter in the Lungs ; 3. A 
noise or ratling in breathing, from the Air breaking through the parts 
obstructed by a pituitous matter: 4. Expiration is easier than Inspira- 
ration, for in that the Instruments do spontaneously fall down, being 
void of Air, that stretched out their Capacity ; but in this they are har- 
der to be raised and distended to receive the Air, that is to be drawn in, 
from the agglutination of the matter, and heaviness, oppression and 
weakness of the Organs of Respiration. 
Or less common ; which come from particular Causes : As, I, From 
a defluxion upon the intercostal and Muscles of the Brest, and then the 
Brest is moved heavily, and there is great pain thereof ; 2. From a 
crude Tubercle, or botch in the Lungs ; there is a Feaver present if it 
be apostematous, and this being suppurated, the matter is cast out with 
the Cough ; if onely an excrescent swelling, or some outgrowing Tu- 
bercle, or stony hard concrete matter, sticking in the substance of the 
Lungs, then the Symptoms and short breathing encreased gradually as 
that encreased; they are not so much troubled with difficulty of Breath- 
ing, they have no Feaver, the Disease is continual, and they are found : 
The same Signs also are present in obstruction of the Lungs and Wind- 
Pipe from a glutinous flegmatick thick Humour, onely that Stertor or a 
ratling noise in breathing is also present. 3. If the Cause be from the 
Liver, then there are Signs of the Liver being weak and ill-affected;
there is a Cachexy, or ill habit of the whole Body, Clorojis, stopt Hae- 
morrhoids, and swellings of the feet. 4. If the Cause come from the 
Head, as Catarrhs do, which sometimes in an high degree suffo- 
cate or Quarchn, as the Vulgar term it) it is more periodick, or comes 
at times; molests chiefly in Autumn and Winter,and is worst on Nights.
DIFFERENCES.  
One is continual, another periodick, or that comes by fits ; one 
comes suddenly from Catarrhs and Deflexions, or a matter translated 
from


302 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
from other parts to the Lungs; another by degrees, and congestion of  
an Humour more thick, and pertinaciously adhering : Differences also 
are made from parts offended and offending ; from Causes also, as Com- 
pression, Constriction, or Obstruction, of all which we have sufficiently 
spoken heretofore. 
SYMPTOMES.
Symptoms are a Cough, Catarrh, Noise, want of Breath, specially 
in going fast or up-hill, swellings of the Feet, difficulty in making Wa- 
ter, which troubles sometimes, and arises from a matter sent to the 
Reins ; sometimes also a Feaver, Hoarsness and Expectoration are 
Companions. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
In driness of the Lungs and a Ptysical state, in old men, and an in- 
veterate obstruction, there is little hopes ; also if they are made bun- 
chy from it, or in an acute Feaver, because by its heat the matter is 
made drier and harder, and not easily cast out by Expectoraters ; it 
sometimes strangles Children, and ends in Dropsies and Peripneumo- 
nies sometimes; sometimes by its diuturnity and stubborness kills ;
many times if they be weak they swound, because their breath is gone : 
cold weather is bad for them ; free breathing is a great sign of health, 
and they that breath freely die not, as Hippocrates observed. 
CURE.
In Cure, Consideration of Dyet and Regiment is first to be had, 
wherein observe these things: If it be from a Flegmatick matter 
obstructing, as most often it is, Dyet must be heating and drying, 
with which Attenuaters, and Cutters of a thick matter are meet to be 
mixt; Partridges, Capons, Hens, are good, which are rather to be 
roasted then boiled ; Flesh of Fish, Fruits and Pulse are bad and engen- 
der crude and clammy Humours ; Drink is to be little, because by fla- 
tuosity and distention of the Diaphragma or Midriff, the evil is encreas- 
ed ; if they thirst, Meats must be less hot, because the heart is over- 
heat ; Drink is then often to be held in the Mouth to moisten, say 
some ; but others, more wisely, advise to drink freely, so the thick 
matter is made thinner; Air is to be hot also and dry; the Breast is of- 
ten to be rubbed gently ; Exercise is to be moderate. 
In an hot Cause and dry, as in Ptissicks, Inflamation of the Lungs, 
and a Feaver, the contrary to these are to be used and endeavoured.
Cure

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 303 
Cure of an Asthma from thick and clammy Humours is performed. 
1. By attenuation and thinning of it; this is done by cutters and 
makers thin of a thick matter, which are hot and dry; and because reason 
shews us that those things that dry too much make such a matter more 
thick and dry, whereas by preparation we intend to make it more thin 
and moist, and easie to be brought forth by Expectoraters,they are not to 
exceed in heat or driness. Among such as are held fit preparatives for 
such a matter, the most excellent are, Oxymel of Squills, Syrup of 
Horehound, Hyssop, Liquorish ; these may be mixed with Waters in 
form of Julips, as ꝶ of the Water of Horehound, of Enula Campana, and 
Water of Honey, of each ℥iv. Syrup of Maidenhair, Lungwort, and 
Oxymel of Squills, of each ℥j. with Oyl of Brimstone, make it of a 
pleasant tartness: or ꝶ of the Conserve of Enula Campana and Orris, of 
each ℥j. of the Powder of Oak of Jerusalem, Horehound, Coltsfoot, 
and Liquorish, of each ʒj. Figgs drawn through a Sive, being first bea- 
ten with Angelica-Water ℥ss. Syrup of Horehound, what may suffice 
to make an Eclegma. 
Also Decoctions may be made of Herbs, Roots, and Seeds, and 
sweetned with Syrups; or an Oxymel may thus be made. ꝶ of Oak of 
Jerusalem, Lungwort, Hyssop, Scabious, of each mj. Nettles, Thyme, 
Figs, of each mjss. boil them in Vinegar, and being streined, add there- 
unto Honey, and make an Oxymel. 
2. Preparation being made, purging of those Humours is to follow, 
where among other things, such an Apozem for divers Doses is most ex- 
cellent, ꝶ of Agarick sliced thin, ʒiij. Roots of Briony grosly beaten, 
℥ss. Roots of Wild Cucumbers, and Rubarb, thin sliced, of each ʒij. add 
thereto some Aromaticks, and let be infused in Thyme and Hyssop 
Water, and add thereunto some Pectoral Syrups to sweeten it. 
To those that nauseate Potions, such Pills may be given, ꝶ of Collo- 
cynthis, Elatery, or Juyce of Wilde Cucumbers dried, of each ℈ss. 
Agarick ℈j. Zedoary, Aniseeds, and Mustard-Seed, of each v. Grains, 
with Syrup of the Juyce of Orris or Flower-de-luce-Roots, make Pills 
to be taken in three Mornings ; some like Pills better then Potions, be- 
cause they stay longer in the Stomach, and draw better from remote 
parts. We must purge by Intervals, but not in the Fits for fear of suf- 
focation. 
3. Vomiting is much credited by some, and rejected by others; 
Rhasis, Riverius, Hartmannus, and others, wish to vomit, and com- 
mend it from their own experience, and that sometimes the Sick are de-
livered 


304 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
livered thereby ; Primerosius saith, Sometimes it hurts not ; but Ludovi- 
cus Septalius condemns Vomiting, specially in a strong fit; because
thereby the Brest, saith he, is wonderfully tortured, and there is danger of 
Suffocation, the Matter being violently drawn to the Aspera Arteria ; others 
are silent hereof, neither using nor condemning it: See more hereof 
hereafter in Cure of an Asthma from vice of the Liver, and in Ca- 
chexies. 
4. Sylvius advises to revulsion of the Matter, and aversion of Hu- 
mours, as by application of Cupping-glasses a little above the Reins, 
Errhines and Apophlegmatisms. 
5. Expectoraters or promoters of Spittle, which bring forth such 
thick matter by Anacatharsis or Spitting; such were they that were di- 
rected for preparation of this Matter, ꝶ of clear Turpentine ℥j Sy- 
rup of Colworts, of Horehound, of each ℥j. Powder of Orris, Brim- 
stone, and Enula Campana, of each ʒj. Amoniacum dissolved in Oyl 
of Sweet-Almonds ʒiv. make a Lohoch. Jacobus Sylvius saith, The 
Root of Aron or Cucopints prepared any way, and mixt with Pectorals, is 
the best things to promote spitting. 
6. Discussion of the Matter is next useful, that is done by Externals, 
the Brest being first rubbed that the Pores may be opened, and then fo- 
ment with hot Oyls and Laxating, as ꝶ Oyl of Orris, of Sweet Al- 
monds, of each ℥j. Saffron ʒj. mix them for Unction : or Rx of the 
Meal of Fennugreek, Melilot, Hyssop , Calamint, of each equal 
parts, boil them in White-Wine, and add Honey and Flower of Brim- 
stone a sufficient quantity to make a Cataplasm for the Brest. 
Also the Brest may be fomented with Sponges dipt in Pectoral Oyls 
or Liquors; and these are to be used some at one time, and some at 
another for change, and because they should not lie on too long. 
7. Extracters of the Reliques of the Matter, as by rubbing of the 
Brest with blistering Medicines, and stinging Nettles; and burnings, 
described by Ætius, were used by the Ancients, but left by Modern 
Practicks. 
8. Dryers of the parts of breathing, as Lungs, &c. is to be ordered ; 
that is done by Fumes, as of Frankinsence and Brimstone, to stay long 
about Baths of Brimstone, or an hot and drying Air, Brimstone Baths ; 
the use of Aromaticals: Gentilis commends the fume of Arsenick to 
be wonderful herein, but because Arsenick is of such a poysonous qua- 
lity,we ought to be cautulous in its use, and correct its vice with Aro- 
maticks. 
Secondly, In Dyspnæa’s and Asthma’s from vice of the Liver,transmit- 
ting a matter to the Lungs,as in Cachecticks is apparent; These things 
are moreover to be observed. 1. Let 


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 305 
1. Let Blood, a Clister premised, for hereby those Humours are 
lessened in quantity, and corrected in quality ; and the Veins less 
swelling, Breathing is made more free.
Galen proves Phlebotomy in a dry Orthopnæa, but in Ptissicks and 
dried Bodies, and others, where we fear native heat thereby to be im- 
paired, and so greater plenty of crude, pituitous Humours are gene- 
rated, it is not good to open a Vein. 
2. Purge, as before directed, frequently and more mildly, chiefly with 
Potions and Apozemes, together with Purgers being admixt, such things 
as respect both Liver and Symptom. 
3. Vomit. 1. Because Humours redound in the whole Body. 
2. Because the Stomack is often ill affected. 3. Because by Vomit, Hu- 
mours and Vapours, making compression or construction, are moved and 
brought forth. 
Platerus used the following with good success, ꝶ of the Juyce of 
Orris, or Flower-de-luce-Roots, ℥ß. Hyppocras, ℥j. mix them for a 
Vomit. 
Hartmannas saith, Asthma, Orthopnæa, and Dyspnæa are quickly at 
first cured with a Vomit of Aqua Benedicta; but if through stubbornness 
and oldness of the Disease, they are not cured after two Vomits, pro- 
ceed to other things. 
Riverius saith, Among other Vomits for this purpose, The Juyce of 
Tobacco drunk to ℥iij obtains the principal place. 
4. Diureticks are useful here, because Nature strives also to expel a 
great part of the Noxious Humours by the Reins, which Septalius saith, 
Are not to be used generally, because that in a thick matter they dry, 
and carry off the serous part of the Humour, whence the rest is left 
more hard and dry, but here they seem to be very necessary and helpful. 
3. If the Matter come from the Head, be directed by the Chapter 
of a Catarrh to dry the Head, and stop defluxions that fall upon the 
Lungs. 
4. If the Middriff be affected, and that by Vapours, causing com- 
pression, Clifters more strong and frequently given, are useful: For 
saith Rondeletius, Asthmaticks are wont to be grieved with much windi- 
ness, from which sometime an Asthma is made, distending the Septum 
Transversum or Middriff, from whence they cannot breath freely : See 
for Medicines proper against Windiness in the following List of such 
Medicines as peculiarly help short-windedness. 
5. If any hurtful things by fume hurt the parts of breathing, or Or- 
gans of respiration, their force is to be opposed by Antidotaries; toge- 
ther with other things that generally are good for an Asthma,and short 
Q q and


306 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
and frequent breathing ; in the fit we must only Palliate, not Vomit, 
Purge or give Clisters, for fear of stirring the matter too much, and en- 
dangering suffocation; by exercising before meat, many have been 
choaked, which may be from the fit suddenly thereupon invading,there- 
fore let them not move violently or suddenly before meat; then the 
Breast may not be rubbed ; then are to be given such things as respect 
the Symptom, and are helpful against shortness of Breath, among 
which Saffron is chiefly commended, which is said to restore breathing 
afresh in dying men ; the Green Roots of Angelica condite, a Linctus 
of Sulphur washt  often in Colts-foot Water, with Syrup of Oak of Je- 
rusalem of Heurnius ; Seeds of Southernwood, Waters of hot Baths that 
proceed from Brimstone ; the Broath of an old Cock, with Pectorals, 
and Agarick of Benedictus, Victorius, Faventinus and Prevotius, Syrup 
and Oxymel of Tobacco of Quereetanus, Millepedes, or Sows, in White- 
Wine, macerated ; Lac or Quick Brimstone, with Benjamin 
and Salt in an Egg, or the extract of Hors-Radish-Roots, with Essence 
of Sugar, or of Enula with Oyl of Aniseeds of Hartmannas, a draught 
of Wine ℥ij. Amoniacum ʒj. Water of Hyssop , ℥iv. of Johnstonus 
Natural Balsom; Cardomoms which the Physicians of Malaver give to 
Asthmaticks, Pine-Kernels, Oyl of Sulphur, Vinegar of Rheu, or of 
Squills, an Oxymel of Rheu, Squills, Seed of Woodbine, Mustard, 
Nettles and Anise, boild in Vinegar, and then a sufficient quantity of 
Honey added ; also the Chymical Oyl of Turpentine, of Hyssop, 
Thyme and Aniseeds; Roots of Briony, of the greater Centaury, Peu- 
cedane, Cummin, Nigella-Seeds, Rhubarb, Bay-Berries, German- 
der, and a Conserve of Roots of Holyoak, are most worthily praised.
Of Vomiting of Blood from the Spleen. 
DEFINITION. 
'Tis an Ejection of a thick Excrementitious Blood from the Spleen, 
by the Mouth, and Seigh, or Stool. 
CAUSE 
Is obstruction of the Spleen; or too great quantity of feculent and 
melancholy thick gross Blood sent thither, whereby the Spleen having 
more then it can digest and acquit her self of, this dreggy and thick ex- 
crementitious Blood is forced upwards, and so the Stomach being 
offended therewith, casts it out with violence ; Portion of it going also 
downwards by stool is cast out, the Excrements being less or more co- 
loured without it.
SIGNS

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 307 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Blood is cast forth, 1. By Vomit, which is dreggy, black and thick. 
2. Cast out by violence, insomuch that it often causes fainting and 
swooning. 3. In great plenty. 4. By Stool, where tis not cast forth 
so violently and plentifully, nor on heaps, but sent forth mixt with the 
Excrements, sometimes more plentifully , sometime only giving them 
a little Tincure. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
It doth not often happen, but when it doth,the more violent and of- 
ten they Vomit, the worse ; a Tympany of hard and difficult Curation 
sometime succeeds.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect the Spleen, see that it be not obstructed. 2. Look 
to the forces and strength to uphold them. 3. Hinder future dan- 
gers. 
A Specifical, and that only that cures it, is Wormwood taken constant- 
ly for a due time together ; it may be used in divers forms and manners, 
but because of its bitterness, in Pills or Goblets it may be more plen- 
tifully and acceptably taken. 
Of Diseases of the Middriff. 
THe Middriff being the chief Instrument of Respiration, and lying 
obliquely, separates the Abdomen, and Thorax or Brest ; and is af- 
flicted either from other parts by consent, or essentially in it self ; in 
it self it is diseased either through Distemper, Tumours, Inflamation 
or Wounds. 
DISTEMPER.
Distemper of it is either hot or cold, a cold Distemper arises as a cold 
Distemper of other parts; there is no Delirium nor Feaver : they that 
have pain of the Middriff without Inflamation, a Feaver arising,are 
delivered. Hippocr. Aphor. 40. Sect. 6. 
A hot Distemper is of nigh affinity, though not of so high a degree, 
or so dangerous as an Inflamation of the Middriff, which arises from 
Hot and bileous Blood entering into the thickness of the Middriff or 
Diaphragma, and puts forth it self by these Symptoms. 
1. An Acute Feaver, and continual. 
2. A Delirium or doting rage following thereupon. 
3. A beating or palpitation of the Hypochonders on the borders of 
Qq 2 the


308 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
the Middriff, the Hypochonders from the Membrane of the Peritonæum 
are also plucked and stretched out. 
4. Respiration is inequal, sometimes frequent, sometimes seldom, 
sometimes little. 
5. Pain. 
6. Convulsions at last are mads herefrom. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
Cure is difficult by reason of the great danger from its connexion and 
fellow-feeling with Heart, Liver and Brain ; it is very acute, and the 
Sick rave, and are deprived of rationality, whence they are not easily 
perswaded to the use of such Medicines as might be most conducible to 
Curation.  
CURE. 
In Cure (which is like that of Inflamation of the Lungs) we must 
press flowing Blood by Internals, and Topicals applyed to the Brest 
warm, but that have a cooling force to mitigate the Inflamation and 
Ebullient Blood, we must chiefly hinder and beware a Delirium, by rea- 
son of the danger thereon ensuing ; washing of the Extremities, and 
Revulsives, Repellers to the Head, and Corroborates, are useful. 
Of Swellings or Tumors of the Middriff.
TUmours of the Middriff are either hot or cold, of hot we have 
already spoken, under the Title of Inflamation. 
Cold arises from a crude and thin matter, which penetrates the thick— 
ness of the Middriff, and insinuates it self thereinto, and effects a Tu- 
mor : the collection of this Matter hath its Original from Compression, 
as in those that lean hard on their Brests in Writing ; or concussion, as 
Blows, Bruises, &c, 
SIGNS. 
It it is known by tension of the Hypochonders, a Dyspnæa ; there is 
no appearance of the Tumour outwardly, or Delirium. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
The fresher, the easier to Cure; if they last long, they consume the sick 
by degrees, by a Tabes, as saith Fernelius, without any kind of a Deli- 
rium; but if a Delirium be present, the Disease is more critical and dan- 
gerous. 
CURE

Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 309 
CURE. 
In Cure the matter is to be evacuated by Hydragogues, strengthen
the Bowels from a new collecting of such matter, outwardly apply Dis- 
cutients, with Emollients, Sarfaperilla is commended; but Dryers, 
that evacuate all the serous matter, and leave the other remaining 
thicker, do hurt : sometime it may turn to an Abscess, and the matter 
be cast forth into the Capacity of the Brest, and so cast out by coughing. 
Of Wounds of the Middriff. 
Wounds of the Middriff, say Authors , bring the Wounded to  
dye laughing, cause a Delirium, and retraction of the small- 
Guts upwards, and Stomach sometimes ascends into the Thorax, with 
great sense of weight and pain there. 
Wounds in the Carnous be not so dangerous as in its Nervous part, 
wherein ’tis held incurable ; a Convulsion sometimes takes them away; 
where-ever it be hurt, from its continual motion it is not easily conso- 
lidated.
CURE. 
Its Cure is the same as for Wounds of the Lungs. 
Of Blood broken out of the Vessels of the Bladder, and there 
clottered and putrified. 
DEFINITION.
'Tis an eruption of Blood from some Vein distended, and from 
breaking and pouring forth the Blood into the Bladder, which 
sometimes and in part is cast out, the rest remaining in the Bladder clot- 
ters, and induces oftentimes a Gangrene, Faintings, obstruction of the 
Bladder, or other bad Symptoms. 
Its CAUSE is expressed in the DEFINITION. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
Signs Diagnostick be at first a fungous or spongy Flesh, which some- 
times grows within the Bladder, and filling the Bladder do greatly in- 
jure its actions, made from a Hæmorrhoid or Vein swelling which at 
last


310 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
last breaks, and empties the Blood into the Bladder. 
Secondly, When ’tis broke,there is a voiding of Blood by the Urine 
in part, though the other part clodders, and grows thick ; upon which 
there is made, 
1. Faintings, Heart-qualms, &c. 
2. Change of the colour to paleness. 
3. His Pulse small beating often, and various. 
4. His courage fails, spirits are dull, he is sorrowful and listless. 
5. The forces decay, his strength declines, and heat is enfeebled ; 
putrified Blood, as putrified Seed, brings many desperate Symptoms. 
6. There is often clotted Blood pissed forth : Aph 8.S.4. Whosoever 
pisses Blood thin or clottered, and is pained in the Hypogaster , or that part 
of the Belly betwixt the Navil and Secrets, or Pinæum, or Pecten, the Dis-
ease is about the Bladder. 
7. If it thus thicken and curdle in the Bladder, by the motion of 
Urine, the clotters of Blood will sometime be carried into its Neck, 
or Urine-passage, and there stop the going forth of the Urine, there- 
fore by some ’tis called Obstruction of the Bladder, or reckoned among 
the Causes of Obstruction of it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Great are the Symptoms that arises from Blood clottered and putri- 
fied; Primrose saith, ’tis pestiferous ; Riolanus saith, it quickly becomes 
gangrenous. 
CURE. 
Cure must be speedy, for delaying brings greater danger; there- 
fore. 
I. In a great Hæmorrage, or when the Blood breaks out immoderate- 
ly in the Bladder, opening a Vein of the Arm is to be instituted and re- 
peated, drawing out the Blood by times. 
2. Cupping-Glasses are to be affixed to the Loins and Ilia ; the ex- 
tream parts bound. 
3. Applications, (which are to be done after due situation of the sick, 
who is to be laid with his Hips upwards) and they are to cool and re- 
press the flux of Blood; Sponges dipped in Posca, laid to the share; Ir- 
rigations also, and Foments, and Cataplasms of Astringents, and such as 
stop Bloody Fluxes, as Plantains, Knotgrass, Shepherds Purse, Blood- 
wort, Horsetail, Nettles, Comfrey, Bramble-Leaves, Pomegranate- 
Rinds, &c. boild in Posca, or Vinegar and Water mixt in equal Pro- 
portion, therewith fomenting the Region of the Bladder, or boyling 
them thicker, draw them through an Hair Sieve, for a Cataplasm to be
applied


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 311 
applied blood-warm to the Region of the Bladder, binding it on con- 
veniently with linnen Clothes. 
4 Together with these to stop the coming down of Blood from the 
opened Veins into the Bladder, injections of Juyces that bind and con- 
stipate by a Syringe, are profitable. 
5. In the mean while we must not neglect internals, that may prohi- 
bit the aptness of the Blood to flow, and bridle it; which is done also 
by astringent Medicines, and chiefly such as are aforenamed. 
Secondly, We must look to the Blood that remains in the Bladder, 
which clotters there, and putrifies, and may beget very bad Symptoms; 
for which, 
I. Inwardly are to be taken Medicines that hinder Blood from clot- 
tering, and dissolve it being clottered ; Garden-Cresses in Breath, or 
a Decoction of them in white Wine, are most laudable, which both dis- 
solve Blood already clottered, and also hinders it from coagulating in 
any part of the Body : Very prevalent to break and cause the clods to 
come forth, be the Decoction of Bugle, Thyme, Masterwort, or Herb 
Gerrard ; of these also may Wound-Drinks (as they are termed) be 
made, to drink of plentifully on Mornings, Afternoons, and Nights. 
Platerus cured a Maid that pissed at first pure, then clottered Blood, with 
two Potions of Mummy, Cubebs, and Cinnamon, in Shepherds-purse- 
Water, and of Gum Carabe and Mummy in Whey; Decoction of a black 
Hen, her feathers on, boiled with Shepherds-purse, and an Unguent for 
the Pinæum : Such a Pouder (or Electuary made of the following 
things, by adding some proper Syrup) for such as like not Potions or 
Decoctions, may be of great force to dissolve and drive forth the clots 
of Blood sticking in the Bladder, or its Neck; ꝶ of Rhubarb, ʒ of 
Sperm of the Whale, or Sperma Ceti, ℈j. Seeds of Radish, Bitumen, Ju- 
daicum, Absinth, Mummy. ana ʒß them for a Pouder. 
2. Outwardly may Foments and Bathings be used, of Chervil, Mal- 
lows, Parsly, Bistort, Wormwood, &c. Injections also to bring forth 
those clots sticking in the Neck of the Bladder, and stopping the Urine 
are very good, which if they avail not to do, a Syringe must be put up 
to loosen the passage : If all these do no good , Death is impendent,
unless by Chyrurgery the concreted Blood be taken away.  


312 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
Of Inflamation of the Bladder.
'Tis a Distemper made from great heat residing in the Bladder, or 
rather its Neck, with a sharp Feaver, and other acute Symptoms 
accompanying. 
CAUSE 
1. As to the Cause, 'tis Blood fallen thither putrified and inflamed, 
caused from outward violent Causes, or inward, as Phlethory, or heat of 
the Blood, or sharpness, and other Causes, expressed in the Chapters of 
the inflamation of other parts. 
2. As to the place, Fernelius saith, The Neck alone is the subject, as 
being more thick and fleshy than the substance of the Bladder, which 
(also saith Johnstonus) in its substance being thin, and without Blood, 'tis 
not so likely Inflamation should be seated there, but rather in the Sphin- 
cter, the Muscle of its Neck. 
DIAGNOSTICKS. 
1. There is an Acute Feaver. 
2. Great and vehement pain in the Pinæum or Share; and from these 
two arise many other great and dangerous Symptoms, as Deliriums, 
Watchings, alienation of the Mind, and Inquietude. 
3. Heat and redness, and sometimes hardness of the Share. 
4. Distention of the Share and Pecten, from plenty of Urine, be- 
cause the Urine is suppressed. 
5. binding of the Belly, because the strait Gut, or rectum Intestinum,
is straitened through the greatness of the Inflamation; and though they 
have a desire to go to stool, yet, Tenasmus-like, they void nothing. 
5. The Ordure and Excrements for the most part be thin, and with- 
out residence. 
6. Suppression of Urine, with an earnest incitation and desire to 
piss. 
7. Sometimes vomiting of a Cholerick Matter. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
I. Of Diseases of the Bladder this is the most dangerous, and dead- 
ly for the most part about the seventh day. 
2. ’Tis sometime dissolved from the slowing forth of Urine copiously, 
or an Erysipelas rising on the Skin. 
3. There is hopes if it be more light, the Feaver remiss, the Infla-
mation


Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 313 
mation changed into Pus, and the Abscess inwardly broke, and purged 
out by Urine. 
DTET. 
Thin Drinks, as Cinnamon-Water, or Barley-Water ; let him eat 
no Flesh, nor their Broaths, &c. as in other Inflamations. 
CURE.
1. Internals : 1. Generals, letting Blood by the Ham or Ankle- 
Vein ; 2. Purging at first is in no wise to be used , because by stirring 
Humours, and making them have recourse to the diseased part, it much 
aggravates the Evil, and for this Cause Fluxes of the Belly at this time 
are to be stopt. 
Clisters to bring forth hard Dung that may cause pressure of the Blad- 
der, of mild and emollient Medicines, are very allowable. 
2. Externals : 1. We use Repellers, upon these we must not insist
too much, because the Bladder is membranous,and may by coldness hurt 
sinewy parts: 2. Hinder free passing out of the Urine ; 3. Prohi- 
bit resolution of Humours : Things are to be applied actually warm, 
and their repelling Vertue counter-poised with Anodines and Lini- 
ments ; the Bladder inflamed indures not, so well as the Reins, astrin- 
gency. 
If pain urges much, we may adde Opium to Oyntments ; Cata- 
plasms and Emplaisters are not so good as Bathings, Lotions, Foments, 
or Unguents, because by their weight they press and crush the Blad- 
der. 
A Liniment of White-Bread-Crums, boild somewhat thick in 
Oyl of Roses, with a little Saffron and Camphir, with some grains of 
Opium, if pain be very intense, is very helpful; Some use Foments of 
hot water applied in Oxes Bladders. Insessions to fit in are very conve- 
nient for the aforesaid purposes, then the Sick may better void the 
Urine.
Then we must come to Resolvers of the matter into Pus, which 
is done by Emollients and Suppuratives. If we fear its turning gan- 
grenous, a Cataplasm of Orobus, Beans and Lupines boild in Wine, is to 
be applyed. 
Lastly, The Symptomes are to be respected , as a Feaver, 
Watching, Raving, Ischury, and Disury; a Syringe is sometimes put 
Rr into


314 Of the Diseases of the Lungs. 
into the Neck of the Bladder, to bring forth the Urine. See the Cure of 
these in their proper Chapters. 
3. Revulsion by Frictions, Bindings, Cuppers, with Scarification up- 
on the part, are directed; yet Cupping-Glasses are condemned by some 
as bringing more hurt than profit. 
4. Blood is to be cooled, and humours tempered, and pain appeased ;
Julaps, Emulsions, and Glitters may serve hereto, also Anodine Suppo- 
sitories, or little Bags wherein are put Yolks of Eggs, with Opium, and 
Juyce of Henbane ; but 'tis better to boil Poppy-shells, Camphir, Saf- 
fron, and Henbane-Seeds, in Oyl, and therein dip Wool, and wear 
that in the Anus so long as may be convenient. 
We must not use any Diuretick Medicines, nor any Irritaters, salt, 
sharp, or erodent Things; nor may they drink much ; the Urine is to 
be kept milde, and made slippery, that thereby the Bladder be the less 
offended. 

315
OF THE 
Diseases of the Uterus. 
Here are not all the Diseases and 
Affects of the Uterus ; They are
most of them such as are not in
many Practices of Physick that 
treat but of a few Diseases; so
that it is supposed the Physical 
Reader may have Books of those 
Diseases that here are wanting, 
and these may be such as are wanting in some such 
Books, and so as it were compleat a Practice toge- 
ther : We did indulge our Genius and Fancy in Wri- 
ting these thus out of order ; for one time We wrote 
a Disease of the Uterus, another time a Disease of the 
Lungs, and another time a Disease of the Head ; and 
We having wrote these, seeing many things in Obser- 
vations, and in our own Experience, somewhat devi- 
ating herefrom, ceased to write the rest in this Order 
and Method. All these Signs, Causes, and Cures are
found in many, and the Readers may reap good, and 
benefit thereby, specially our Cautions and Animad-
R r 2 versions

316 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
versions joyned herewith, being considered, and well 
compared. There are abundance of Books of all 
sorts extant, and dayly put out; and We were loth to 
obtrude upon the World matter of that old and drossy 
Mould, without some Alteration or Refinement, or 
Additions of some Rarities, and new Experiments. 
But it must not be expected that all People should 
be found thus, and no otherwise handled than is de- 
scribed in these Chapters of Diseases of the Uterus, nor 
must any think that here be all the Maladies and Di-
stempers incident to the Uterus ; and those that have the 
Diseases here set down, are not always so handled as 
those Diagnostick Signs specific ; nor do they always 
arise from those, and no no other; nor no more Causes 
than what be there described: Sometimes the Uterus 
is full of stones, sometimes smaller and more, some-
times larger and fewer ; and sometimes it is all stone, 
as we read of the Vesica Urinaria. A Gentleman told 
mean old Woman, a Witch, was dissected some few 
years since in London, and had a large Teat, like a Sow’s, 
outwardly and inwardly her Uterus was turned to a 
perfect stone: This year at Rome a Serpent was bred 
in the Uterus of one Woman. Lycosthenes, Pliny Rei- 
nerius, Paræus, Vierus, Bodinus, Rondeletius , Ludovicus 
Vives, and Others, have delivered their Experiences 
of divers sorts of Animals, both for bigness and form, 
bred in the Uterus ; as some like Frogs, some like 
Puppies, Mice, Rats, Kitlings, Magpies, Harpies, 
Moles,



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 317
Moles, Lizards, Horsleeches, &c. Also many little 
Worms are bred in the Uterus, and Glandules watery 
or scirrhous, Water-Bladders, Bones, Hairy Apo- 
stems, Grumous Blood, and Apostems of fat Crinis 
and Ichor together ; the Uterus weighed in one that 
was so filled, eighty seven pound: Many sorts of Mo- 
la’s and Fleshy Lumps, Bladders of gorey Matter, and 
purulent, are found in some dissected; also Gangrenes, 
Fissures, Ulcers, and Discoloration, incident to all 
other parts of the Body of Man, have been found by 
Dissection in the Uterus ; and most do arise from dif- 
ferent and some from strange Causes, and have been 
very difficult to be known by the Signs, or relation of 
the Sick, specially thereby to be distinguished one 
from another. 
Horace. Si quid novisti rectius istis
Candidus imperti, si non his utere mecum.
CHAP.




318 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Distemper of the Uterus. 
One is hot, known by Veneriousness, Fowlness, Yel-
lowness, Blackness, & Adustion of Menstrua; 'tis either
from the Birth or after the Birth, from outward Causes, 
chiefly Venery.
2. Another is Cold, more frequent then an hot Distemper, caused by 
immoderately cooling Medicines on external Causes; it is less Lust, 
and in Copulation not so much pleasure : the Menstrua are Pituitous, there
there is windiness from multitude of cold, Pituitous Humors, and weak- 
ness of concoction, they are more pale and listless.
3. Moist, there is cold adjoyned, plenty and waterishness of Men- 
ses, Womans Flux and continual moistness of the Privities, bring mo- 
lestation, there's aptness to abort ; the Seed is cast out, and they have 
no desire to Venus. 
4. A drie Distemper of the Uterus is made also in a general driness 
of the Body, from defect of Humours or old Age, or drying Causes, 
as Inflamation and Heat, there are sent forth few Menstrua, and Seed; 
the Mouth of the Uterus is dry, blackish and clefty, they desire not 
much Copulation. 
5. Compound Distempers, as of heat and driness, of cold and 
moisture may be made, whose Causes and Signs may be gathered from 
the four aforesaid Differences. 
CURE.  
In cure of them all we are to observe;
1. That Heat indicates Coolers to be necessary, cold indicates Heat- 
ers to be necessary ; and so for driness and moisture, their contraries; 
and for compound Distempers, if heat and driness be conjoyned, In- 
dications are for cooling and moistening Medicines; and if cold and 
moisture be adjoyned, we must heat and dry by Medicines, as well 
outwardly applyed, as inwardly taken. 
2. In


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 319
In the choice of such Medicines as heat, dry, cool or moisten, we must 
elect such as are proper to the Uterus, called Histericals. 
3. In a bare Distemper there is no need of Purgers, because we do not 
suppose that Choler, Flegm, or Melancholy are present, but that by their 
aforegoing, they may effect a Distemper to the Uterus ; and we treat here, 
onely of the Distemper, and not of hot, cold, dry or moist Humours. 
4. We may not use Medicines hot, cold, dry, of moist, in the third 
degree; 'tis best to have them of the first degree of temper; nor may 
they be too long used, lest the Uterus be changed from one Distemper in- 
to a worse, and its Functions be violated. 
CHAP. II.
Of the Narrowness of the Vessels of the Uterus. 
CAUSE. 
'Tis an Interception of them, made either, 1. From outward Cau- 
ses, as Baths, binding Medicines. 
2. From Cicatrices, or from a thick or membranous Flesh, cleaving 
to the Orifices of the Vessels. 
5. From stoppage of them by the multitude, and thickness of Hu- 
mours, which may be endeavoured by Nature to be avoided there, which 
had not heat to thin them, or they are essential to the Uterus it 
self. 
4. From Scirrhs, hard swellings, or too great Fat, either consisting 
within or out of the Uterus.
SIGNS. 
Signs of it differ as the Causes, in all the Mestrua are detained ; 
cold Distemper is discerned by its proper Signs, as see the Signs of a cold 
Distemper of the Uterus in the aforegoing Chapter: From this Distem- 
per we may guess the thickness and indigestion of crude and flegma- 
tick Humours which stop the Veins, and the Blood is less apt to 
flow. 
Tumours, Scirrhs, and the like, causing Compression, are also known 
by their proper 
PROGNOSTICKS.
From Tumours, Scirrhs, pieces of Flesh, Cicatrices, and Membranes 
growing there, ’tis hard to cure ; from outward Causes, and fatness of 
the near parts, ’tis more easie.



320 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Cure varies as the Cause 1. From binding Medicines, and then we 
must use Moisteners and Emollients. 
2. From obstructing Causes; the Cause being first taken away, we 
must move the Menstrua; bitter, sharp, Histerick, and Chalybrate Me- 
dicines are to be used. 
3. If there be fatness that causes it, ’tis to be cured by Extenuaters; 
we must detract from its nourishment, and look to its original. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Weakness of the Uterus. 
Weakness of the Uterus is a dulness or deficiency in undergoing 
its duty, made from Distemper, occult Qualities, and weak- 
ness of native heat. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are windiness, little desire to Copulation or Venery , and when 
they do couple, they take little pleasure therein; they are often barren; 
sometime they conceive often, but abort; the Menses slow weakly, and 
untimely, and there is an impotency of ejection of the Seed in the Car- 
nal Act; all which are the Actions of the Uterus, she should do, and 
through weakness cannot perform her office. 
CAUSES. 
Causes are the same that cause Distemper, either hot, cold, dry, or 
moist; and therefore the Chapter of Distemper may give sufficient 
light both as to the Causes and Cures, especially from cold and moist 
Causes, under which the Uterus is most defective in doing her Functi- 
ons, and in hot Distempers she over-does; therefore that cannot so well 
be added as a Cause effecting a weakness, or a languishing of the Uterus 
in effecting its Office and several Actions : for though Humours may be 
the Cause of Weakness, yet it is not weakened till thereby it be first 
brought into some Distemper.
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 321 
CHAP. IV. 
Of the Inflamation of the Uterus.
The heat, pain, and Feaver being abated, we must digest and resolve; 
ꝶ of the Roots of red Lillies, Mallows, and marsh Mallows, of 
each two parts; Barley-Flower, one part; Flowers of Chamomile and 
Melilot, of each half a part; boil them in austere Wine with Oyl, then 
beat them, and draw them through a Sieve, and apply them in manner 
of a Cataplasm. 
Oyls, Liniments, Foments, and the like, may be made for this pur- 
pose, of the aforegoing things, and their like. 
But if it will not be resolved, but suppurate (which is known by en- 
crease of Symptoms, as Resolution of it was known by their remitting) 
then hasten its which is done with such things as helped its  
resolving, whenas it was naturally so disposed ; but for Example-sake, ꝶ 
of Pulpe of Figs drawn through a Sieve, of the Leaves of Mallows, and 
marish Mallows, boiled soft in Brest-Milk, and beaten to Pap, Hogs- 
grease, and Mucilage of Fennugreek, of each what may seem sufficient
for a Cataplasm. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of Lillies, ℥j. Butter, Hogs-grease, Mucilage of Althea- 
Roots, of each ℥ß. make a Liniment. 
When Pus is made, heat and pain wax less, there is a sense of fluctua- 
tion, then we must strive to break the Abscess with loud Vociferations, 
Coughing, Sneezing, and application of Cupping-Glades, exercise of 
the Body, and Pessariess, whereof Riverius sets down this, ꝶ of Goose- 
Fat, ℥ß. Turpentine, ʒij. Pouder of Rheu, Niter, and Orris-Roots, of 
each ʒß. mix them, and use it with Wool for a Pessary ; when the Ab- 
fcess is broke, we must cleanse and consolidate, as is wont to be done to 
other Ulcers.
During the Cure, an exquisite and thin cooling Dyet is to be observed, 
Ptysan-Broath is commended, Wine is to be shunned, and all hot, salt, 
and sharp things, all violent motion is hurtful; let them rest at quiet, 
and sit still, in a dark House, if their senses be distempered. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms occurrent, and to be respected, are,
1. The Feaver, for which letting Blood, cooling Julaps, Emulsions, 
and cool Herbs in Broaths, are necessary.
Ss 2 Pain


322 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
2. Pain which is to be mitigated by Foments and Cataplasms, in 
Unctions, half Tubs, Baths,and Pessaries, wherein Opium is to be put; 
inject Womans-Milk with Hens-Grease, Mucilages of Althea-Roots,
Fleawort-Seeds, Fennugreek-Seeds, and the like. 
3. Watchings and disquietings of Nature, to compose which, give 
Narcoticks with moderation. 
4. Pains of the Middriff, Heart, Head and Stomach ; for which re- 
vulse, use Frictions, Ligatures, and Cupping, repel Vapours, and 
strengthen those parts by Remedies proper thereto. 
CHAP. V. 
Pain of the Uterus.
Pain of the Uterus is made from Causes dissolving, continuining and 
inducing a sad sence of feeling, 1. The pain is vellicating : first, 
from sharp Humours: secondly, from corrupted Seed, retained and 
made sharp; or sharp Humours coming down in Womans Flux, or there- 
from the Menses vitiated , which set forth themselves chiefly (by 
gnawing) in the Neck of the Uterus, and is like to the Chollick from 
bilious Humours.
SIGNS. 
The Blood is found sharp in other things; there went before bad Dy- 
et, and Cold perhaps made the Humours sharper. 
CURE. 
Appeasers of Acrimony, as warm Water, Milk, Oyl of Sweet Al- 
monds ; with Anodines, and if need be, Narcoticks. 2. Takers 
away of the Cause. 
II. Distentive. 1. From Winds, which are more stirred up, and 
raise more vehement pain, from taking in cold Air after delivery, oc 
when the Menses are coming or already in flowing, or induced from the 
same Causes of Chollical Pains. 
SIGNS. 
From this Cause,as from all other, pains insest free (as well as great- 
bellied) Women ; there is chasing, rumbling, and Signs of Wind are 
present, to which if there be anxiety, faintings and disquietings, there 
is fear of a malignancy in those breathy Vapours.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 323
CURE.
Winds are to be discussed as in the Chollick; a draught of hot Wa- 
ter helps; Insessions, Foments, Baths, and Emplasters of Carminatives; 
if we adjudge these to be malignantly qualified, we must add Anti- 
dotes ; Seeds of Nettle in Pouder drank in Wine, are most benificial 
for flatulent Pains. Heurnius hath this Electuary, ꝶ Castor, Myrrh, 
Styrax, Saffron, ana ʒij Orris, Spicknard, Malabathrum, Roots of 
Asarbacca, ana ʒj. Opium, ʒß with Syrup of Mugwort, make an 
Opiate; also Oyl of Rhue, for unction of the Region of the Uterus, if 
commended for its Pains from flatuosity. 
2. From clottered Blood, which cannot pass out but is there retain- 
ed, there preceded that, a Copious Flux of Blood from the Uterus. 
SIGN. 
The pain is fixed and specially perceived about the Orifice of the 
Uterus, and is very sharp, if the Blood hath acquired putrifaction, the 
Blood cast out, it ceases, or is mitigated, and then returns again ; it 
draws into consent the streight Gut and Bladder, when as a Tenesm
and frequent making Water are made therefrom. 
CURE. 
I. Dissolve the clottered Blood. 2. Evacuate it. 
III. Burdening Paine, or a sense of gravity, made from Menstrual
Blood, the Blood be either too thick, and that may be caused by the 
Womans drinking cold drink, after any heating of her Body extraor- 
dinarily, or other Causes preceding gave occasion to it, or the Vessels 
of the Uterus are less open, whereby the Uterus is overburdened, and 
not speedily delivered of that burthen fom excrement. 
SIGN.
Signs of suppreft Menses are present, or that they observe not their 
legal Course, sometimes Hysterical fits invade. 
CURE. 
Respect the Cause, and mitigate the Symptom, for which these are 
specifical; Seeds of Piony, of Cow-parsnips, and Plantaine, a foment of 
Decoction of Mugwort, Devils-bit-Seeds, of Agnus Castus, and Line- 
Seed ; or a Bath may be made of them for the Woman to fit in, or af- 
ter Bathing with the Foment, the residue or boiled Herbs may, being 
strained, be applyed hot to the Region of the Uterus, in manner of a 
Cataplasm. Ss 2 IV. Ulce 

324 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
IV. Ulcerous Pain; or of dissolved unity,from Wounds and Ulcers, 
here injection of Juyce of Plantane by a Syringe is best. See Wounds 
and Ulcers of the Uterus. 
V. Inflammatory ; for which also look in its proper place. 
CHAP. VI.
Of Worms of the Matrice or Uterus.
That Worms, though of different kinds, be bred in all parts of our 
Body, is a truth not to be gainsaid.
CAUSE 
Is the same as of Worms of other parts, viz., viscous and cold, and 
raw Humours, which by their clamminess, adhering to the Orifice or 
Neck of the Uterus, by degrees rotting, and receiving heat and nourish- 
ment, grow to living Bodies. 
SIGN.
There is great molestation, itching of the Uterus, and Belly, with  
inquietude and want of sleep, hereupon ensues an inordinate Feaver, 
whereby the sick sometime consume ; there is often moistness of the 
Lips of the Uterus; sometimes the Worms themselves come forth, 
which unless they do, all other indications are but doubtful. 
DYET
Must be such as may not encrease their Aliment, as things that breed 
thick, sweet, and Phlegmatick corruptive Juices,may do; Drink may be 
altered with some Antidotes against Worms steeped in a Jug, but a  
moistening Dyet is not to be used. 
CURE. 
1. We give Catharticks after Preparatives, and openers of the first 
Passages. 
2. We come to Medicines killing the Worms, which are better in- 
jected then taken by the Mouth ; such Medicines are expressed in the ge- 
neral Chapter of Worms : Clisters may be had in use also, and Em- 
plaisters, whereby the Worms be not only killed, but forced out by the 
expultrice faculty of Nature set on-work ; such an Emplaister as this 
may seem most requisite hereto, ꝶ Pouder of the Pulp of Collocin- 
this, ʒj Savin, Rhue, Tansy, Roots of Birthwort, ana. ʒss. Aloes,
ʒij, Frankinsence, ℥j. Ox Gall, as much as may be found needful 
for


325 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for the confidence desired, make an Emplaister or Cerot, to be apply- 
ed upon the Region of the Uterus and Privities. 
It would not be amiss to use a Purgative Apozem after these, for se- 
veral mornings together. 
CHAP. VII. 
Of Stones of the Matrice. 
CAUSES.
Causes be Internal, the same as the Stone of the Reins is caused 
by, viz.  
1. A Material, as crude, slow and tough Humours, sticking to 
the Tunicles of the Uterus, otherwise they would easily be cast forth. 
Hippocrates saith, Pus remaining in the Uterus, is dried, hardned and 
concrete into a Stone: Many Histories do tell us of these Stones bred in 
the Matrice, and by some the Uterus hath been found stony. 
2. Efficient, as great heat of the Uterus. 
Feeding or suppeditating Causes, be ill Dyet, encreasing crude and 
viscous pituitous Matter, as Cheese, Milk, Fish, Pulse, and gross 
Nutriments, and bad Air. 
SIGN. 
There is pain in the Region of the which being crushed, 'tis 
much exacerbated ;it hinders Conception, and causes immoderate flux of 
Menses. Ætius discovered them by putting his Fingers up the Fun- 
dament. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
If too long delayed are Cured, the Uterus being the common sink of 
gross and vitiated Menstruous Blood, it may be so encreased, that the 
whole Uterus may be made stony. 
Nicholas Fontanus saith, That, he hath known it fill the whole capacity of 
the Uterus, and totally suppress the Menstrua, therefrom being made cor- 
rupt and purulent Ulcers. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet set. Preparation by Saxifraga's is to be 
instituted. 2. Evacuation of the Antecedent and Suppeditating Mat- 
ter. 3. Solution of the Stone, and lenition or appealing of Pain, with 
slippery making Medicines, may pass all under one ; Juyce of Mallows, 
of Pellitory of the Wall, Bisinallows, Liquorish, Fenugreek-Seeds, Line- 
Seeds, Oyl of Sweet Almonds, Broath of Licers, &c. Clisters also 
of


326 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
of those Herbs, and the like, may be often injected, onely to mollifie 
and lenify. 
Insessions also, Half-Tubs, Foments, and other Applications, are not 
altogether to be slighted.
After these, Extraction is to be made by the Midwife, putting up her 
Finger into the Fundament, and pressing down the Belly upon the Bones 
adjoyning near the Privities, that the place the Stone is feared in may be 
lifted up ; then with a Crows Bill, or Nippers, artificially drawing it 
out. 
This done, a Prophylactick Method is to be kept for some while 
after. 
CHAP. VIII. 
Of a Cancer of the Uterus. 
DEFINATION.
CArcinoma Uteri, or a Cancer of the Uterus, is an uneven, sublivid, 
and painful swelling, made from Atrabilis and adust Melancholy ; 
sometime from the matter sharper ulcerating, and of bad curation. 
CAUSES. 
Causes be, first and chiefly a Scirrh, for a Scirrhous Cause is onely 
Melancholy thickened, and not yet adust, but receiving adustion, it turns 
a Cancer, and is called Scirrhus Carcinodes : Cancers often follow 
Scirrhs of the Uterus, being ill cured ; for then they easily degenerate 
cancerous. 
2. Its Original Cause is an atrabilarious Humour, menstruous Blood 
is sometime detained, and afterwards made dry, and acquires adustion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
1. 'Tis a Tumour hard and renitent, blewish, uneven, and very pain- 
ful, in the Capacity or Neck of the Uterus.  
2. The Tumour may sometimes be seen by Speculum Matrices.
5. There is pungent pain about the Share, Abdomen, and Loins. 
Signs of a Scirrh degenerating into a Cancer, be, If before, because
the matter was more cold and dry, there was no pain; and now from the 
matter growing mote acrimonious and hot, it begins to pain, but hard- 
ness remains as did in a Scirrh, without effecting a Disease of extraor- 
dinary magnitude ; yet Riolanus saith, The magnitude of the Uterus is 
greatly
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 327
greatly encreased thereby, so that sometime it hath been teen as big as an 
infants Head. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. At first it might be remedied, but then, because it brings not much 
molestation, 'tis disregarded. 
2. Grown, tis incurable; and so much the worse, because feculent 
excrementitious Blood is always nourishing it. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Differences are twofold : 1. Not ulcerated, made from a milder Hu- 
mour, whereof we have hitherto treated. 
2. Ulcerated, from a more sharp Humour ;  Adustion and Putrifa- 
ction make Humours sharp; it hath more sordid Lips than a Non-ulce- 
rate, from whence efflow a thin, yellow, or black stinking Humour; nor 
is its pain gentler, but of harder curation than a Non-ulcerate-Cancer,
called by some notwithstanding, An hidden Ulcer. 
CURE.
Cure is treble : 1 To stop its generation in a Scirrhous matter. 
2. For a whole Cancer. 
3. For an ulcerated one. 
First, To prohibit the turning cancerous of Scirrhs, or mutation of 
the scirrhous matter into a Cancer.
1. Letting Blood is thought very conducible ; it may be made in Ham 
or Arm, chiefly in Hæmorrhoids, for they vent out gross feculent parts 
of the Blood, and avert: Bleeding is best in Spring and Fall; if she 
have not her Menstrua, chuse the Saphena-Vein. 
2. Such Simples as purge Melancholy are to be prescribed, of not too 
heating Purgers; this must be frequently done , and better it is to take 
two too weak, then one too strong; Senna, Epithimum, Myrobalans, and 
the like, conveniently mixed, both in quantity, and with due Corre- 
cters, steeped in Whey, in form of a Nodulus for half an hour, the Whey 
being first made scalding hot, then lightly pressed out and drunk ; the 
force of the Nodulus may last four or five times for so using. 
3. All Subtracters from the antecedent Cause, are to be used, of which 
the aforementioned are not to be neglected. 
4. Topicks, which are to be applied to the Privities, being moderately 
cold, and drying, and mild ; an Oyntment of Oyl of Roses, and Yolks 
of Eggs, with Camphir, prepared in a Leaden Mortar, is most excel- 
lent. 2. Juyces maybe injected into the Uterus, as of Herb-Robert,
Milfoil, and Mullein, which are commended; or Decoction of green 
Cori-


328 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Coriander, Nimphea, and Poppies boiled in Milk ; or Unguents dissol- 
ved in Milk, or suitable Decoctions, may be injected. 
Riverius saith, With the following Receipt, the cancrous swelling of 
the Paps have been healed ; ꝶ of the Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs, ℥ij. 
Juyce of Nightshade, Pauls Betony, and Housleek , ana ʒiij, crude 
Mercury, ʒij. let them be beat in a Leaden Mortar, with a Leaden Pe- 
stil, till they attain to the thickness of a Liniment; Foments also for 
the washing of the parts affected, of the precedent things, or their like, 
may be made very useful. 
Secondly, If the matter be already made cancerous, and the Cancer 
hath received growth, though not brought to perfection, there is little 
hope of Cure; if confirmed, there is none: Here,if there be any hope of 
Cure, (after using of Generals, as in the Direction for preventing its 
growth, is instituted) we must flee to Specificals, but mild, for 'tis apt 
easily to be enraged, and pain to exacerbate ; therefore injections of Sac- 
carum Saturni, beat in a Leaden Morter, with Juyce of River-Crabs, are 
specifical ; Decoction of Frogs, or Herb-Robert so injected, Oyntments 
of Pompholix, Ceruss, Camphir, Saccarum Saturni, Oyl of Roses, &c. 
with a Cataplasm of Frogs boyled, are specifical. 
If it be confirmed, we must onely use Palliatives, that misery may 
be the less, and life the longer; the part being now hardened, 'tis most
difficult mollifie it , and restore it to its former sanity ; therefore the 
chief thing now must be mittigation of the pain ; Injections of emol- 
lient Anodine Simples, with Sperm of Frogs, Foments and Insessions, 
are to be had in use , Narcoticks and great Dullers of the pain, in more 
urging Torments, are allowable. 
Thirdly, If ulcerate, we must accommodate Medicines to it, as Me- 
tals, Mineral-Waters, Dryers, Dullers of Acrimony, and Protracters 
of its augmentation, the Ashes of River-Crabs washt in Nightshade- 
Water, mixt with Lead, or Antimony, is much trusted to by some in an 
ulcerate Cancer. 
If much Blood flow from the ulcered Cancer, as often do, the best is 
Juyce of Plantane and Frankinsence injected into the Uterus. 
Lastly, If it may be hindered or cured, a Prophylactick Method is to 
be observed, lest a Relapse should happen afterward. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 329 
CHAP. IX.
Of a Dropsie of the Uterus.
DEFINITION.
A Dropsie of the Uterus is a repletion and distention of it from Wa- 
ter collected in it, either from fault in it self, or other parts, in- 
ducing a swelling and impotency. 
CAUSE.
Cause is either essential, where, 1. The stoopping of their wonted 
Menstrua, by a close closure of the Uterus, and the presence waterish 
Humours in the Uterus, which not having passage out, because of the 
close shutting up of the Orifice, but heaping up more and more, do ef- 
fect a Dropsie. 
2. As a stopping of the Menstrua, and of the Uterus induces it, so al- 
so a weakness in the Uterus ; native heat being very weak, and not able 
to make good digestion, nor expulsion of Humours that are gathered 
thither. 
Causes inducing a weaknese of the Uterus, are either, 1. Abortion.  
2. Laborious Births. 3. Immoderate flowing of Menses dilating that 
heat. Or, 4. Suppression of them, suffocating and choaking that heat.
5. Or windiness of it. 6. A Mola. 
3. 'Tis made from copulation with one that hath an Ascites and Tym- 
pany of the Belly. 
Secondly, By Consent: As, 
1. From the Liver, which cooled over-much, and weakened, Drop- 
sies generally spread over all the Body; Yet, as Hippocrates saith, Drop- 
sies of particular parts may be made without any defect in the Liver : From 
the Liver comes forth the encrease of pure Blood, if its Sanguification 
be not spoiled ; which if if be, instead of pure Blood, Water is made 
and distributed in the Body, in great quantity. 
2. From the Spleen, which is contumaciously obstructed, but is the 
most seldom cause of all. 
3. Distilling of a serous Humour from the Vena Cava into the Uterus. 
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Uterus, Water being either collected and retained in its 
Capacity through close closure and shutting of it up, (Primrose denies 
this, saying, 'Tis not made in the Cavity ; for if so, Water would flow out, 
as out of the month of a Vessel) or made in little Bladders within the 
T t Uterus


330 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Uterus, like Hydata, out of the which the Water comes not into the Ca- 
pacity of the Uterus, or 'tis included in a Membrane. 
SIGNS. 
Signs of it are swelling of the Uterus, so that they are often thought 
to be with Child; it dints, if the fingers do crush the Region of the Ute- 
rus ; 'tis very discernable by sight; the Woman perceives a squabling of 
the water upon turning of her in her Bed from one side to another. 
2. There is difficulty in fetching her Breath. 
3. There is Nausea, and disdain of Food. But, 
4. Great thirst from thin and salt Flegm, though seated in the Uterus, 
yet communicating its vice to the Stomach, by the common Vessels and 
Wayes. 
5. Softness of the Paps, and want of Milk. 
6. Shakings, Heart-pains, and Feaverish fits often afflict her.
7. The Menstrua are stopt, or if they do slow, they are very few, or  
like washings of flesh.
8. Smallness and leanness of the Neck of the Uterus.
DIFFERENCES.
First, As to its Causes: 1. Essential, and then some Distemper or 
Disease of the Uterus went before, and there be signs of the Uterus being 
hurt: 2. By Communication, as from the Liver; then there be Signs 
of the Liver affected, the Blood is waterish, and there be Signs of great 
coldness and weakness of the Principal Bowels. 
Secondly, As to the Subject or Part: 1. 'Tis made in the Capacity 
or Orifice of the Uterus; then by touch the Uterus is felt close shut, a 
great loose swelling is perceived, and the duration of Water there ; 
sometimes it happens in Child-bearing, and is not cast out till the Birth, 
which is destroyed by so much stinking water. 2. 'Tis contained in 
certain Bladders and Vesicles adhering to the substance of the Uterus, 
in which the Orifice of the Uterus seems to be fallen together; there be 
greater Pains, there is less fluctuation and rumbling of the Water.
DIFFERENCES betwixt it and other Diseases.
I. It differs from an Ascites, 1. By less fluctuation : 2. By situation 
of the Tumour: 3. By signs of the Uterus onely affected: 4. An Asci- 
tes also rises from superiour parts, and goes down to lower parts, and
possesses the Legs. 5. There is als a bad colour of the Face. 
2. It differs from Gravidity, or Great-Belliedness. because, 1. The 
motion of the Infant is felt; 2. The Brests are made more solid and full 
of Milk: 3. In a Dropsie there is a swelling of the Uterus according to 
the amplitude of the Belly and Uterus; but in conception 'tis more
round


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 331 
round and heavy. 4. There is a bad bloody Humour flows from the 
Uterus, soon ended, and comes not orderly again, which is not so from 
the birth. 
3. It differs from an Inflamation of the Matrice, because in that 
there is, 1. A great burning and continual Feaver. 2. The Region 
of the Uterus feels harder. 3. Nor is there so much of waterish slimy 
stinking Excrements flowing away from the Uterus, as is made in a 
Dropsie. 
4. It differs from Inflamation of the Uterus, for then there is pre- 
sent, 1. A Sounding, specially if the Uterus be struck. 2. Tension, 
or stretching out of the Uterus. 3. There is not so great a burthen and 
heaviness as in a Dropsie. 
5. 'Tis distinguished from a Mola, because herein are, 1. A greater 
weight in the bottom of the Belly. 2. The Paps at birth time do 
swell. 
6. From a Scirrh of the Uterus, for in that is great hardness, but a 
shining, softness and lankness of the flesh in Dropsies.
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. If it be in the whole Orifice of the Uterus, the Child growing 
bigger, the Woman grows better ; 'tis cast out at time of delivery, the 
Uterus all the while before being close shut. 
2. If Water be shut up in Blisters and little Bladders adhering to the 
Uterus, 'tis harder to cure. 
3. In general 'tis a Cronical Disease, not quickly killing, or quick- 
ly forsaking the Diseased. 
4. If the Water be not corrupted nor sharp, in time 'tis cured. 
5. If it be not Essential, if obstructions be present, there is great feat 
of an Universal Dropsie. 
6. If it comes before, it hinders Conception; if after Conception; it 
causes Abortion.
DYET
Must be hot and dry, all moist things must be avoided; she may 
drink pure Wine, or rather some pleasant Dyet-drink. 
Air must also be hot and dry, either naturally or artificially,according 
to Galenists; see further direction for Regiment in the Chapter of the 
Dropsie-Ascites. 
CURE. 
In Cure, 1. Blood-letting is to be superseded, unless, 1. The Par- 
ty be Phlethorick and Sanguine-coloured, young, lusty, and in the 
Spring time (for letting Blood weakens the inbred heat, and extinguish-
T t 2 eth


332 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
eth the Spirits.) 2. If the Diseased wants her accustomed Evacuation 
by the Uterus, a Vein of the Ankle may be opened, with repetition. Or, 
3. if the Hæmorrhoids be supprest, Nature having used to make a vent 
th at way, are to be opened by Leeches. 
2. Purging (to which some premise Preparers, which unless there 
be thick Humours present, are useless ; for Water neither concocts nor 
is made thick) which saith Hartman, Doth little good, unless when the  
vice proceeds from Liver or Spleen, then Antimonial Pills shew their effi- 
cacy. 
3. Diureticks excel Purgers, but are not so excellent as in General 
Dropsies; the best are the Roots of Flower-de-luce, Bark of Eldern, 
and of the Roots of Danewort, Saldonellas, Horse-Radish-Roots, 
Juniper and Broom burnt to Ashes, and steeped in White-Wine, and 
the Wine drunk: Medicines also from their specifical affinity to the part, 
are rather to be chosen, being good for Dropsies, than those that respect 
the part not at all. 
4. Education of the Water by Injections, by Semi-Cups, or Half- 
Tubs, by Foments, or a Pultis of Saldonella to the Privities, are com- 
mendable ; Issues are not good, but Pessaries, Clisters, and Emplai- 
sters, such as are prescribed in the general Cure of Dropsies, are helpful : 
the skin of a Sheep new killed, and being yet warm, sprinkled with. 
Wine, and applyed to the Belly, is commended. 
5. Openers and Movers of the monthly Menstrua, if they be stopt, 
or flow not rightly, are chiefly to be insisted upon ; Chalybrate Pills, 
and Histeticks, having also a diuretick force and drying, are to be 
chosen. 
6. Carminatives, either by the Mouth, or in Fomentations, or in 
Clisters, are to be used, because commonly there is great plenty of 
windiness,which disturbs much. 
If the Water stick fast in little Bladders and Skins, and be not educti- 
ble, or to be brought forth, Clisters are often to be given, and Vo- 
miting,with Emeticks, may chance to break those Pellicles by its tear- 
ing, and plucking working;, great and strong exercise also, leaping, 
jumping, and the like, may sometime break them, and cause them to 
send forth their Water. 
Riverius also, to break these, commends this Bole to be taken twice 
a week, ꝶ Mineral Borax, ʒss. Saffron, ℈ss. with Juyce of Savine, 
make a Bolus. 
If the Vena Cava doth distil a Watery Matter, Hartman commends 
for a rare secret, Vitriol of Mars. 
Lastly, The Uterus is to be strenghtened and reduced to its right
temper-


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 333 
temper again, to perform its duty in due measure and manner. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Inflamation of the Uterus. 
Inflamation of the Uterus, is a preternatural Tumour risen from hot 
Blood gathered there and putrified, infesting with many Symptoms, 
and terminated in a Scirrh or Botch. 
CAUSE 
Is Blood which is hot and boiling, fallen by the Vessels into the sub- 
stance of the uterus, either from an hot Liver, or plenitude of the 
whole Body, attracted and moved thither by violent causes. As, 
1. Falls and Blows. 
2. Retention of the Menstrua. 
3. From cold Air, after a Womans Delivery unwarily taken in, it hap- 
pens often, the Loches being supprest thereupon. 
4. Hard Travel and Abortion, where the great pain, heat, and 
opening of the Vessels, causes the afflux of much Blood. 
5. Violent drawing forth of the Secundine. 
6. Exulceration. 
7. Immoderate use of Venery. 
8. Too swift diambulations, and overmuch painful journying, speci- 
ally in time of bearing, or when their Mestrua arc flowing. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK 
Be generally taken, 1. From the Uterus it self, which is, first, Swel- 
led, which is discerned by sight upon the Region of the Uterus. Second- 
ly, Pained, which is as from an Inflamation or burning heat. Thirdly,
Shut up, and drawn back towards the inward parts. 
2. From the Symptoms which are present herein, and are, 1. An 
acute Feaver, constant and burning, from the Heart consenting with the 
Uterus by the Arteries and great Vessels; sometimes a Lypiria, where- 
in inwardly they are very Feaverish and hot, but outwardly cold, from. 
tension of the Humours towards the inward parts. 
2. Headach, which vexes most in the hinder part, and reaches to the 
Roots of the Eyes, from Vapours arising from the Uterus. 
3. Pains of the Share and Loins, of the Middriff also, and Cannels 
Bones of the Neck.
4. A 



334 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
4. A suppression of the Excrements of the Belly from heat and dri- 
ness of the Uterus, and thrusting together of the Passages by the Uterus,
stretched out. 
5. Menstrua do suddenly sometimes go forth, but few in quantity 
and prave in quality. 
6. The Pulse is small and often.
7. The Stomach is evil affected, from consent and bad exhalations. 
8. Cramps and Convulsions in the Arms, Fingers and Neck. 
9. A Delirium, and talking idley. 
10. A fainting and sailing of Spirits from the violence of the Dis- 
ease, and Symptoms concomitant herewith. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Cure is hardly to be attained, if it hath gotten the Nature of an Ery- 
sipela, which kills the Child, and causes Abortion, nor if it be Gangræ- 
ned ; it is very doubtful if all the Uterus be affected, if Symptoms be 
many and great, if it turn to rotting, and break, for then there is an in- 
curable Ulcer made, whence noysom Vapours are carried upwards,and 
affect the principal parts by consent, and at last may kill the Sick with a 
slow Feaver. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Are either, 1. from the part; whereas, 1. It is of the whole uterus,
wherein is pain all over. 2. Of one of the sides, where the privy parts 
on that side are most hot and pained, and the Leg on that side is badly 
moved. 3. Or of the back part, in which pain urges more towards the 
Loins and Back, and retention of Excrements is greater from its lying 
upon and straitening the Rectum Intestinum. 4. Of the sore-part, in 
which, because it coheres with the Bladder, there is hurt of making Wa- 
ter, or a Strangury, and there is greater pain about the Secrets. 5. Of 
its Neck, where heat, swelling and pain are most felt, it is to be discern- 
ed red, and its Veins like Spiders Webs filled with Blood. 
Or, 2. From the Humour ; where, 1. It is made of pure Blood, 
wherein all Symptoms are more remiss. 2. Of Chollerick or Atra- 
bilatious Blood, wherein all things are more cruel and dangerous. 
Or, 3. From the Events; whenas, 1. It degenerates into a Scirrh; 
Symptoms are here more mild ; a sence of gravity is perceived in the 
Womb, the evil lasts long, and at last a Dropsie of the Womb is fre- 
quently made. 2. Into an Abscess, then Pain, Feaver, and all Sym- 
promes are increased ; Horrors about evening especially do invade; 
there is a sense of somewhat fluctuating ; it being broke, the Mat- 
ter is sometimes poured out into the Capacity of the Womb, sometime 
into Vicine Parts. Cure 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 335 
Cute is begun with letting Blood in the Veins of the Arm, whereby 
Evacuation, Revulsion and Interception of that hot and Chollerick 
Blood is made, and they derive better from the Liver, then the Saphæna, 
which some appoint chiefly to be cut, because by reason of its vicinity 
and neerness to the Uterus, they think it draws Blood from thence most 
immediately ; but opening of the Leg-Veins are condemned by others, 
because in a deficiency the opening of them draws Blood to the Uterus, 
but the Ham-Veins are better approved then the Feet-Veins for Deri- 
vation ; and letting Blood is frequently to be performed according to 
the constitution, strength and age of the Sick, and condition also ; if 
that she be not with Child, and so abortion may be endangered, or if it 
comes not after abortion,, wherein the Woman voided blood very larg- 
ly, and is faint : Blood also is to be drawn forth more largely or penu- 
riously, according as the Feaver remains more intense or remiss, which 
is chiefly respected in opening the Cubit-Vein ; and when as the turgent
and redundant Blood is emptied, the cutting of the Saphæna is more 
effectual, and less hurtful. 
2. See that the Belly be not Bound or Costive, if it be, give cooling 
and Emolient Clisters. 
3. For Revulsion, apply Cupping-glasses to the Shoulder-Blades and 
Loins, and with Scarification to the Hips, binding of the upper parts, &c. 
4. Choller and sharp Humours are to be purged from the Blood, and 
though strong Purgatives are not allowed, because they irritate too much 
and move Humours to fall upon a part weakned, and not able to repel 
them, yet gentle benign Medicines do not hurt, but help and bring ease, 
as Cassia extract with Syrup of Violets, Manna dissolved in Broath, &c. 
Avicen, Fontanus, &c. think Clisters more conducible for Eva- 
cuation of the peccant Humours, but if they be very strong, so as to 
evacuate and carry Humours to any purpose, they exacerbate much, and 
may encrease the Inflamation ; if they be gentle and emollient onely, 
they evacuate not the Humours, but Excrements of the Guts only, and 
are proper, if the Belly be Costive as above said. 
5. Topicals are in the mean while to be applyed, as Epithemes, and 
Fomentations, Cataplasms, Insessions, Pessaries, &c. which are to 
be made cf things that cool and moisten without any astriction ; yet we 
must observe that things that are too cold, or too long adhere to the part, 
are inimical to the Uterus, that being the place of Conception. Second- 
ly, Things too cooling and repelling, may harden the Matter, and cause
it to turn Scirrhous, for fear of which, some Resolvents and Emolients 
are to be mixt. 
ꝶ


336 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Night-shade, Water-Lillies, Lettice, Endive, 
and Violet Leaves, boil them in Water for an half Tub, or foment the 
Region of the Uterus therewith. 
ꝶ of Plantane, Purslane, Red-Rose-Leaves, and Water-Lillies, 
boil them in Milk and Barley-Water, for a Cataplasm. 
Dip a Sponge in Vinegar of Roses, and lay to the bottom of her Belly, 
betwixt her Navil and Share. 
ꝶ of Juyce of Plantane, Sengreen or Purslane, and therein dip 
Wooll, and put it up for a Pessary. 
ꝶ Juyce of Plantane, inject by a Syringe. Or, 
ꝶ of Oyl of the Balsom-Tree, Juyce of Plantane, of Purslane, of 
each equal parts, for an Injection. 
A Decoction of the Roots of Endive and Cichory, or of Plantane- 
leaves in Whey is held specifical, to be drunk for Inflamation of the 
Uterus. 
Hartman and Johnstonus are highly opinioned of Mother of Time, 
boild in Steeled Water and drunk,or the Decoction applyed by Sponges. 
CHAP. XI.
Of the Mola in the Matrice. 
DEFINITION. 
A Mola is a shapeless lump of flesh, without Bones or Bowels, 
growing in the Uterus from an imperfect Conception, from fault 
of the Seed, belying a true Birth, and gotten instead thereof. 
Galen defines it to be a mass of flesh without form. 
Ætius and Paulus, An hard Swelling. 
Platerus saith, It is an immoveable and insensible Body of soft flesh, that 
is void of a certain Figure.
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, first from faulty Seed, and that as well masculine as fe- 
minine together, (others onely allow the Womans Seed to be the cause 
hereof) which wanting a forming quality, and being drowned in men- 
struous, thick and humourous Blood, a shapeless mass is made, and by 
heat hardened. 
SIGNS. 
It is a Mass of Flesh, void of a certain form, immoveable and in- 
sensible, lying like a stone, with a great sence of weight. 
I. It belies or counterfeits a true Birth, because, 1. Herein is longing. 
2. Loss of Appetite. 3.Swelling of the Brests. 4. Stopping of the Men-
strua, 5. A bad colour. 
2. It


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 337
2. It is distinguished, First, From a true birth, because in this is, 1. No 
perceivance of its Body for many months, and then an hard sensless and 
immovable Body, is perceived. 2. There sometimes follows a pricking 
pain, which is not in a true Conception. 3. The Woman perceives a 
motion like trembling and panting, distinct from that of the Infant. 
4. Though the Breast swell, there is no Milk, it is from supprest Men- 
strua, and they flag afterward. 5. It differs in the bulk and figure of the 
Uterus, for in a true Conception it is chiefly lifted up towards the Navil, 
and softly straitened towards the sides; but in this the Belly is lifted up 
into all its dimensions. Secondly, From a Dropsie of the Uterus, for 
in that there is a soft swelling, it yeilds to pression of the Hand and Fin- 
gers, and the dints made therefrom, rise again in height, there is a rum- 
bling and sense of water; which things are not so in a Mola, though a 
Dropsie may follow, and be conjoyned with it in time. 
DIFFERENCES. 
Some are more soft, watery, slimy and bloody ; and some more fecu- 
lent and hard; some flaulent, or puffed up, and spongy : They are not 
known to be in the Uterus of Bruits, they not abounding with Menstrua, 
as Women do. 
Sometime they grow in the Neck, sometime also in the Bosom of the 
Uterus.
PROGNOSTICKS.
It is dangerous, 1. Because in time the Liver sometimes is weakened, 
and a Dropsie ensues. 
2. They carry it in their Uterus two or three years sometimes, and 
sometimes is incurable if not looked to at the beginning. 
3. It is sometimes very great, and is expelled with a very doubtful 
Erysis, and large fluxes of Blood accompany its egress, so that some- 
times the Spirits being exhausted, and an Inflammation, Feaver and Deli- 
rium being raised, she dies in the act of ejecting it. 
It is excluded sometimes before, sometimes with the Birth, and some- 
times without it. 
CURE. 
In Cure we are, 1. To hinder its growth and encrease, and take away its 
aliment, for which Blood is to be drawn forth by the Arm and Ankles; 
Copulation, adding more weak Seed, is to be shunned ; the Menstrua are 
to flow, and we must purge tenacious and vitious Humours from the Ute- 
rus : In Dyet, all fat, cold, gross, viscous, windy Meats are to be shun-
ned ; let her drink Wormwood Beer or Wine : Exercise is not so good 
here, as for Expulsion, if the growth of it may not be hindered ; for it 
Uu rather



338 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
rather moves flux of Humours that encrease its growth; but moderate 
and gentle exercises are not to be abandoned. 
2. If grown, to expel it: Here such as are for ejection of the dead 
Child, and moving of the Menstrua, are useful : and such things as are 
contrary to those used for preservation of the Child in the Uterus, are 
to be instituted : In Meats, Openers, Attenuaters, and Dissolvers of 
concreted matter, are good ; Exercise, as leaping, jumping, running, 
that were for the dead Birth, are good.
Then after Preparation, give Purgers,and things that move the Men- 
strua, whereof take this for an Example: ꝶ of Borax, Savin, Cina- 
mon, and Diptamy of Creet, of each ʒj Motherwort, Nigella Romana- 
Seeds, Assafœtida, Saint John's-Wort, of each ʒfs. take ʒj. for a dose in 
sugared White-Wine.
The Juyce of the Leaves of Lovage drunk in Mugwort-water is held 
a secret. 
Hartmannus saith, A Secret is not more happily given for exterminating 
this, than the Pouder of Secundines, which is to he given more often, (if the 
Mola hath continued long) in Mugwort, Gentian, Penny-Royal, or Nettle- 
Water, some Cinamon-Water being always added ; and that hereby he cured 
many generous Women, which by learned Physitians were thought des-
perate. 
Externally are many things to be used to relax the parts, and discuss 
and shake off the impacted matter, as are Insesssions, Fomentations, Ca- 
taplasms, Oyntments, Pessaries, &c. of emollient and resolvent Me- 
dicines, as Chamomile, Mallows, marish Mallows, Mellilot, Mugwort,
Dill, Rheu, Motherwort, &c.
Natural Bathes also, and such as have force of rarifying and dissol- 
ving, are good. 
Some apply dry Capping-glasses , and painful Ligatures about the 
Calves of the Legs for attraction sake. 
If all Medicines fail, and the Woman is like to miscarry therefrom, 
Platerus advises, That it he taken away by Manual Operation, or in extream 
peril, by section made by the Abdomen into the Uterus.
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms happening herein ate to be respected. 
As, 1. A Dysentery, that commonly goes before the expelling of 
the Mola, and is to be cured as other Dysenteries. 
2. Windiness, which causes great rumbling and distention, and is 
taken away after preparation and purging of the Humours, by Clisters, 
Pessaries of Juyce of Mercury, and Cardamoms, Insesses and Unction 
of


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 339
of the Pecten, with Oyl of Dill, Cummin-Seeds and Castorium. 
3. Fainting and Swounding fits, that follow upon the great Hæmor- 
rhages that happens in the Expulsion of the Mola, and are helped by Cor- 
dials, and such as strengthen the forces, and uphold Nature. 
4. Clotted and congealed Blood, for whole Cure, if there be need, 
see the Chapter of Blood clotted in the Bladder. 
CHAP. XII. 
Of Condiloma Uteri. 
Condylomata, are swellings of the Rinkles in the Neck of the Uterus, 
rising in height, and inflicting pain and heat there. 
CAUSES
Are thick and adust Humours, or Humours that have flowen thither 
and are become rotten ; they are often made after some Exulceration 
there. 
SIGN. 
They are like Hyposarcoses, they appear to the Eyes, they are Tu- 
berculous and Membranous, they are rather lifted up while the Menses 
flow out, they are often joyned with Rhagades. 
CURE. 
A good order of Dyet prescribed. We must take away the Cause, we 
must repercus and dry ; if there be Inflamation, we must correct that 
by Anodines and Coolers, as by Oyntments, Insessions and Perfumes ; 
if old and inveterate, 'tis good to use first Emolients, and then Di- 
gesters and Driers. 
Rondeletius advises to this Pouder, which is to be sprinkled upon the 
parts, ꝶ Savine, ℥j. Burnt Hermodactils, and Mirtil Ashes, ana ʒiij. 
Chalcitis, Allom, ana. ʒij. Red Orpment, ʒj. mix them all into a 
Pouder; this is rather to be used when they are hardned by long conti- 
nuance, for then Consumption by Causticks, or a pair of Pincers, are to 
be ordained to take away the Tumid Flesh, and an Astringent Pouder 
presently sprinkled on the place that is nipt by the Pincers of Steel, 
Pouder of Egg-shells, and Mulleint Leaves. 
Much more might have been spoken of this affect, but seeing they 
are caused and cured much after the same manner as Condylomata of the 
Fundament, we refer it thither. 
U u 2 CHAP.



340 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
CHAP. XIII. 
Of Itching, or Itching Pushes in the Uterus. 
Pushes of the Uterus, are Tubercles risen in the Neck,and effecting 
by their sharpness great Itching and Pain.
CAUSE.
Cause is sharp, bilious, and sometimes adust Humours insinuated 
there, and producing their effects.
SIGN. 
There is great itching, which is sometime more painful; sometime  
scaley matter falls off; they are best discerned by Speculum Matricis. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
By encreasing it may degenerate into Ulcers; they are sometime 
very hard to cure, especially if they be Malign or Venerial, which often 
happen in Womb-Fury, yet may be made when that is not; and Womb- 
Fury may be caused without the conjunction of this. 
CURE. 
Preparation is made by Endive, Hops, Fumitary, Borrage, Let- 
tice, Cichory, &c. then we must correct the quantity and quality of 
Peccant Humours.
Topicks used in Bathes and Insessions, a washing of the part with 
Wine and Niter, and such things as prohibit Itching ; for which see 
Chapter of Itching. 
If they be Venerious and Contagious, a Lotion of Plantane and 
Rose Water, with Aloes, and a little Erugo Æris artificially dissolved 
therein, is to be used. 
CHAP.


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 341 
CHAP. XIV.
Of Womb Melancholly. 
DEFINITlON. 
Melancholly of Women is a Delirium, and sadness, with pertur- 
bation of the Mind and Sences, coming by Intervals, and with- 
out a Feaver; made from base exhalations from the Uterus, affected with 
a Melancholly Humour, dulling the Animal Spirits. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is Melancholly, and an earthly gross feculent Humour seated 
in the Uterus, and there exhaling to the Brain fuliginous melancholly 
Vapours, which deprave the Animal Spirits, and sensitive Faculty, 
drawing the original of its growth from natural and dry Evacuation in 
the Uterus impedited, as either suppression of the Menstrua or retenti- 
on of the Seed, or both, which thereby putrifie. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
1. There is fearfulness, sadness, unsatisfiedness in every thing, de- 
jection of mind, and sometime raging, anxiety and weeping, they 
sleep little. 
They laugh, dote, talk idley, and are most garrulous at such time that 
the Menstrua might be expected. 
2. Distemper of the principal parts, from the Vapours sent to them 
and afflicting. As, 1. to the Heart there is made anxiety, sadness, the 
Arteries of it beat vehemently about the Milt and Back. 2. To the 
Stomach there is made loathing of Meat, and want of Appetite, so that 
sometime the Sick thereby arc greatly wasted. 3. To the Thorax are 
made great Pains from Vapours transmitted by the intercostal Arteries, 
and vellicating the Membranes of the Thorax; the side also, from the 
Region of the Heart to the left Pap, is often pained. 4. To the Jaws 
there is made a Sense of Choaking, and they are much vexed with dri- 
ness there. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
’Tis a Disease of some difficulty to cure, both in respect, 1. Of the 
Symptoms it hath with it. 2. Of the parts thereby Afflicted. 3. By 
reason of the stubbornness, being a cold and dry affect. 4. Of the 
great danger there is of the Brain being primarily affected, through 
long


342 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
long continuance of this Disease, whenas 'tis very hard (if at all cura- 
ble,) to be removed. 
CURE.
Bleeding is first to be instituted (after an orderly Dyet, as is prescri-
bed in the General Chapter of Melancholy) by Bleeding, open the 
Cubit-Vein first; then, if the Mestrua be stopt, open the Ankle-Vein 
some days before they are to come down: If Blood be more hot and black 
according to Galenical Rule, we may more freely draw it out. 
2. Preparation, and Alteration of the melancholy Humour, is to be 
made, by Cordials and Specificals for Melancholy ; Borage, Bugloss, 
Dodder of Time, Balm, Rosemary, Archangel, Woodroof, Violet- 
Leaves, Vipers Bugloss, Fumitary, Featherfew, &c. boild in Whey 
clarified, and drunk ; or Syrups of the Juyce of Apples, of Dodder 
of Time, of Borage, and the like, or Julaps of those Syrups and White- 
Wine, or Cordial distilled Waters are good for variety and change, 
which sometimes greatly pleaseth the Sick. 
3. Purge with such as properly purge Melancholy, and are made 
friendly to the Uterus, by the mixing therewith Specificals to carry the 
force of the Medicine to operate more specifically upon the Uterus.
If she be Costive, help that by often Clisters. Medicines in sub- 
stance, as in Pills, do dry too much, therefore Potions, or purging Ju- 
laps are preferred ; Extract of black Hellebore, of Lapis Lazuli, &c. 
are Medicinal. 
Venery is very helpful for her, acted moderately and seasonably. 
Emollient and moistening Bathes are good, both to moisten and tem- 
per, and hinder thick and dry Evaporations, and appease watching; for 
which, if it be immoderate, we must use fomnoriferous Emulsions, Julaps 
and Applications to her Head, Pomanders to smell to; and in extremi- 
ty of watching, Laudanum to two or three Grains, may be given. 
Comforters of the Heart, and Cherishers of the Spirits, are conti- 
nually to be given, and whatever may avert and turn away Melancholy, 
and make her chearful. 
CHAP. XV. 
Of Symptoms affecting Great-Bellied-Women. 
Many, various and great are the Diseases and Symptoms that arise 
to Women during the time of their going with Child : The first, 
and that happen in the first times of her going with Child, is, 
1. A Spasm or Cramp, chiefly vexing the Calf of the Leg, which is 
eased by anointing with Oyl of Bays by the fire, and wrapping an hot 
oollen Cloth thereupon.
2. A 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 343 
2. A Diarrhæa or Lientery, wherein the Meat passeth through the 
Body just as it was chewed, no alteration being made. 
3. Illiack Passion, wherein are great Torments and Belly-pains from 
the Guts inflamed, and involved one within another, called by some 
Convolvulus ; and whatsoever here is swallowed down, is presently cast 
up again by Vomit, either because it cannot pass, or because Vapours 
arising herefrom disturb and evert the Stomach. 
Cure it as a common Illiack-Passion, respecting the Fruit in the Uterus,
and condition of the Woman. 
4. Nausea, and Vomiting; This, as in Child-bearing, so also after 
Delivery, is very molestuous , and sometime Food, sometimes onely 
Humours, if the Stomach be empty, are cast our. 
Disdain of Food is often concomitant herewith, and the Woman nei- 
ther affecteth the thing she eateth, nor eaten, doth she keep it, or not 
without great offence. 
The Stomach is to be streghthened : a clensing Potion premised, give 
Decoction of Wormwood, Centuary, Mint, Cinnamon, Enula Roots, 
&c. but if a Decoction be too strong, steep them, being aptly prepa- 
red, in her Beer; if she dislike them so, from great Weakness of her 
Stomach, compose them into a mass, to be swallowed in Pills: give her 
every night going to Bed the quantity of a Nutmeg, of this or the like 
Electuary, ꝶ Marmalades of Quinces, ℥ij, conserve of Roses, ℥j. Cin- 
namon, Mace, of each ʒj. with Syrup of Mint, make it into a due form; 
Strengtheners and astringent Oyntments also for the Stomach, for Ex- 
ternal Use, are to be used. 
5. Womens Longings, and coveting of divers and and strange Aliments. 
See the Cure in the Chapter of Womens Longings. 
6. Belly-ach, from Wind and bad Vapours. ’Tis taken away with 
Carminatives, and as is directed in the Chapter of Wind from the
Uterus. 
7. Toothach. 
8. Headach and Vertigo, which also are made from filthy exhalations, 
and unwholsom vapours sent from the Uterus to the Head. See their 
Cure in the Chapter of them; particularly, I. Respect the Cause ; 
2. The part from whence they arise. 
II. In the middle time of her going, with Child, are, 
I. A Cough; This arises, 1. From compressure of parts. 2. Sup- 
pression of Humours, which putrifie and send molestuous and irritating 
vapours to the parts destinated for breathing; this sometime in the last 
Months doth urge most ; and the reason may very well be, because then
a



344 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
a greater quantity of noxious Humours are heaped up, than were at 
first. 
PRGONOSTICKS. 
'Tis bad in Women with Child, because thereby the Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime broke, and therefrom ensues Abortion. 
CURE. 
In Cure avoid all sharp and irritating things, give Ptysans, and sweet 
Wine, avoid such meats as stop the Pipes of the Lungs, and encrease 
an aliment apt to turn a pituitous Excrement: If the matter be more te- 
naciously feared in the Lungs, give expectorating Syrups, Lohochs, De- 
coctions, and Ptysans; Oyl of sweet Almonds is very helpful; anoint 
the Brest with loosening pectoral Unctions.
2. Fainting, panting of the Heart, and Lipothimy, from fuliginous 
and malignant Vapours communicated from the Uterus, whereby the 
Heart striving to expel those exhalations, doth frequently stretch and 
contract it self. 
SYMPTOMS. 
Symptoms hereunto annexed, are, Tremblings, want of sleep, De- 
spair, Leanness, and a wasting condition. 
CURE. 
In Cure, Diversion of the Vapours, after a Lenitive, is to be en- 
deavoured; Frictions of the lower parts, Ligatures, Cuppers, &c. are 
convenient; give her Balm-Water, Syrup of Mint, with other Cordi- 
als : If this doth no good, breathing the Basilick Vein is sometimes 
very helpful, both to refresh the Heart, and the Infant too, being almost 
strangled from the great quantity and bid quality of humorous Blood; 
yet we do it with some moderation, and supposing the Woman be young, 
fleshy and strong. 
3. Pain of the Loins and Hips. See its Cure in the general Chapter 
of Pain, in our Chyrurgery. 
4. Swelling of the Legs; this proceeds from abundance of gross 
cold Humours, through redundancy of them in the Body, being thrust 
down thither; this happens also in the last Months of her going with 
Child, they are scarce perfectly healed till they be delivered; yet in the 
mean time we are not to procrastinate the Cure, left from the part too 
much weakened, and the Humour by long being seated there, growing 
more contumacious, a worse Case befal afterward, and it be harder to 
be cured. 1. We must go about Discussion, and Dissolution of the 
Humours and swelling. 2. Strengthen the part. If by the coldness of 
the


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 345
the part we fear a Gangrene, ’tis prevented by scarifying of the part, for 
so 'tis ventilated, and putrifaction impedited. 
5. An Hæmorrage of the Uterus, or Hæmorrhoid-Veins, sending out 
Blood either from too great plenty of it, made from abounding of it in 
the whole Body, or weakness of the Birth, not attracting that that is 
sent thither for its nourishment, or prave Humours stimulating the ex- 
pultrice force of the Uterus.
CURE. 
Here we must, 1. Respect the Cause, which is either to lessen or 
amend the Blood, or to tame the acrimony of it; 2. The Effects, which 
is an Hæmorrage, which indicates a suppression ; that is done by Astrin- 
gents and Medicines that thicken the Humours, and fix them, and make 
the parts rough. 
III. In the last months of her going with Child, is, 
1. Costiveness, and hard Signs made from the Uterus, compressing the 
strait Gut; or secondly, from the driness of the fæces, the moisture of 
the alimentary matter being sent to the Uterus. 
PROG. 
By hard striving to go to stool, the Cotyledons and Vessels of the 
Uterus are sometime loosened, and there is fear of Abortion.
CURE.
Clisters are not now so good to be used, the Child being come to such 
a growth, but Suppositories in their head; fat Broaths with Mallows, 
Syrup of Prunes, or Prunes first stewed,then pricked, and steeped in In- 
fusion of Senna, then eaten, are very good; moistening and slippery 
food is best for her. See more in the Chapter of Costiveness. 
2. Stopping of Urine, made also from largeness of the Uterus crush- 
ing the Bladder; or it may be made from other Causes, which, and whose 
Cure, see in the Chapter of an Iscury. 
3. Swelling and puffing up of the Veins from gross and flatulent Blood ;
Phlebotomy, or opening a Vein, because it detracts nourishment from 
the Child, is not allowed : We must palliate, and keep a good Dyet till 
time of Delivery, for then these Affects are wont to be dissolved. 
4. An effusion or pouring out of water from the Uterus, which was 
gathered in the time of their going with Child 'twixt the Membranes 
comprehending the Birth, and being now heaved up in great plenty 
(specially in such as have lived an idle and sedentary life) Nature casts 
it out after this manner; It hath with it paleness of face, linkness of 
Xx the


346 Of the Diseases of Uterus. 
the skin, windiness, and are like to those in Dropsies, there is fear of it 
turning to a Dropsie, the retentive faculty is weakened, and the 
Child not free from danger ; nor may such a proper Cure as ought, be 
administred; she must use a drying Dyet, roasted Meats, Bisket made 
with Aniseeds, Sarsaperilla-Drink, and Fruits that are dry, and have 
some Astringency. 
Emplaisters may be applied to the Pudendum, and some gentle laxa- 
tive Apozem cannot bring any great prejudice, being discreetly admi- 
nistred. 
CHAP. XVI.
Of Abortion.
DEFINITION. 
Abortion is a depraved action of the the Uterus, the Infant being im- 
maturely and before its legitimate time cast out, unperfected and 
violently being excerned, caused from weakness of the retentive or too 
great force in the expulsive faculty of the Uterus. 
The Seed not as yet conformed, is called Seminis effluvium, that is, 
Cast out : for whenas Nature propagates greedily its own Sex,in reference 
hereto the propensity in Man to ejaculate Sperm, is not greater than 
the greedy coveting in the Woman to suck it in, and Nature is as indu- 
strious now to keep it, and cherish it; the Uterus after the act being close 
shut, as before covetous of receiving it, the Uterus then gaping ; but 
from impotency in it, or provocation,made from their several Causes, it 
cannot keep it, or is forced to cast it out before it be formed.
CAUSES. 
The Causes of Abortion are either Internal or External: 
I. Internal; which is either, First, From vice of the expulsive fa— 
culty; made to act either from acute Diseases, or sharp Humours, from 
winds, Inflation, and Inflamation of the Womb, whereby the parts are 
sorish, and cannot well endure to be crushed : 2. From great astriction 
of the Belly, so that great straining is made to cast out the hard Excre- 
ments : And Hippocrates saith, The Tenasmus, or a Disease moving many 
and troublesome Stools, coming upon Women with Child, causes them to abort, 
3. Violent Causes, as strong Vomits, and purging Medicines, or a natu- 
ral Flux, exceeding in quantity, and too frequent in motion, from shard 
may stimulate the expultrice. 4. From great weight of Humours, and 
burthen,


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 347
burthen, so that Nature is forced to abort, or cast out, to ease her 
self. 
Seconly, from vice in the retentive faculty, which arises, 1. From
abundance of moisture, and slippery Humours, or flegmatick and loose; 
whereby the Ligaments are laxated, and the Child slides away. 2. From 
two or more Children, which the Uterus cannot well contain. 3. From 
often use of Venery, whereby the Uterus is made slippery, and more 
open. 4. Fatness of the Uterus, whose Bodies also usually are
fat. 
Thirdly; From weakness ; which is made, 1. From bad Affects and 
Symptoms, so that it hath force no longer to retain the birth, as are
Convulsions, Swoonings. 2. Loosness of the Ligaments,from long last- 
ing, waterish fluxes, and moisture. 3, From Distempers, as too great 
heat, cold, driness, or moisture. 
Fourthly, From Diseases of magnitude, as, 1. A Mole, 2. Scirrhs, 
or great fleshy Substances, so that the Child is crushed , wants room, 
and is sometimes suffocated, and dies. 3. From Apostems in the 
Uterus. 
Fifthly, From Nourishment: And first, From want of it, the Infant 
dies, and abortion follows ; that is, 1. From letting her Blood too much 
in the time of her going with Child; 2. From a Tabes or Consumption 
that the Woman labours under. Secondly, From too great plenty of it, 
as surfeiting of too much Meat and Drink, strangles it. Thirdly, From bad 
quality in the Nourishment, and Medicines, moving the Menstrua, poi- 
sons. &c. 
Sixthly, From evil Conformation of the Uterus; as, 1. Very great 
and bulky, so that the Child is not fitly closed and comprehended in it, 
but is loose and slips out upon any light occasion. 2. From too great 
straitness of it, whereby both the Child is killed, and not having room, 
is forced out also; as straitness of the Stomach may cause vomit- 
ing.  
II. External Causes are either, First, In the Air; which is hurting 
either, 1. Naturally, as is hot and moist; Hippocr. Aph. 12. Sect. 3. 
saith, If Winter was Austral and Rainy, or dry, and a North Wind blow, 
Women, to whom their Birth happens in the Spring, upon every light occasion 
do abort, 2. Artificially made unwholesome, as stinking, made from 
Bogs, Jaques, or fumes of Assafœtida, Galbanum, Castorium, the snuff
of a Candle, or the like evil Stenches; for the Uterus flies stinking 
things, and embraces sweet. 
Secondly, In Dyet; which belongs to external Causes; but of that 
we have already spoken.  
X x 2 Thirdly,


348 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Thirdly, From violent Causes ; which, 1. Either cause solution of 
continuity, or too great concussion and shaking of the Uterus, as is free- 
zing, jumping, leaping, running, dancing, blows, falls, and the 
like.
Fourthly, Vehement vexings, disquietings, chidings, anger, wrath, 
perturbation of the Mind and Senses. 
Fifthly, Sudden frightings, swooning, failing of the Spirits, the noise 
of a Gun, clap of Thunder, and the like, do sometimes cause, and much 
further abortion. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs preceding Abortion, are, 1. A lessening of the Nipples and 
Paps extenuated, which shews the want of Blood in the Veins of the 
Uterus, and of  the Paps, or that through violence of the Birth, or rup- 
ture of the Vessels, the Blood is rushed into the Uterus, from the Veins 
of the Paps; for then the Paps that were full and plump before, slack, 
and become lank and small : Hippocrates saith, If a Woman hath Twins, 
and one be a Wench, and the other a Boy ; if the right Brest is suddenly dimi- 
nished, she loseth her Boy ; and if the left, her Girl. 
2. Much Milk flowing from the Nipples. 
3. Pains about the Belly and Loins, which end about the Share, and 
Os Sacrum ; 2. About the Region of the Reins, defending to the Hy- 
pogaster, chiefly arising from Cold ; 3. Painful Throes. 
4. The Child is fallen down lower then duely it ought, and the ex- 
pultricc faculty is mightily provoked to cast it forth. 
5. There flows out a thin watery and bloody evacuation from the 
Uterus; or Menstrua being black; and Throes accompanying, certainly 
denote Abortion near. 
6. If in acute and dangerous Diseases she happens to be in Travel, 
both she and the Child too, are usually killed thereby. 
7. Shakings of the parts, and trembling motion , and redness of the 
Face, and a disturbance in her. Body, are sometimes Foretellers and 
Forerunners of Abortion. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. Abortion is most dangerous, or they are most apt to abort in the 
sixth, seventh and eighth months.
2. Frequent Abortion causes Barrenness.
3. From violence and disturbance in Nature, acting contrary to its 
mutual, Harmony, Abortion is far worse than a legitimate and natural 
Birth.
4. Sometimes Abortion threatned, by Medicines is stayed or defer- 
red for a while, and then returns again.
CURE. 



Of the Diseases the Uterus. 349
CURE. 
Cure is altogether preventive, in which, 1. We must respect the 
Cause, which if it be from Phlethory, letting Blood is rather to be 
done then refused, Fernelius asserting, that unless a sufficient quanti- 
ty of Blood be drawn out before that she looks for Delivery, the Child 
will be overwhelmed and suffocated with plenty of Blood,which may 
fall out of the Veins into the Uterus, they opening through fulness: some 
bid a Vein to be cut before Conception. 2. If Cacochymy offends, we 
must purge, and take away the irritating Cause, and temper Acrimo- 
ny. 3. The Bowels must be corroborated, the retentive faculty con- 
firmed, Distemper corrected, and things hurtful avoided; all which 
prevent well,if used before conception. 
Zacutus Lusitanus found Cauteries of exceeding excellency for Deri- 
vation and Evacuation of Humours; which if they be too thick,we must 
thin them, if too thin and waterish, thicken them. 
In too great moisture, Sweating and Dryers are useful ; in Drinesse, 
Moistners and Nourishers. Precaution before Conception, by fitting 
the Body, and freeing it from all infirmities, is as useful as defending 
it, when it is conceived, from Death and Miscarriage. 
Before Abortion is nigh, these Medicines are good Preservatives. 
1. Sage-Ale drunk every morning,or Cinnamon boild in Beer. 2. Au-
rum Potabile, which strengthening Nature in her Center, fortifies all 
Parts. 3. Juyce of Lobsters given twice a Month in Wine,or the
Salt of them, are good Preservatives against Abortion. 
These are held for Secrets, and if the Child be not yet divulsed from 
the Cotyledon, certainly prevent Abortion; ꝶ of the Leaves of Gold, xii. 
Spodium, ʒfs. Mastich, Roots of Tormentil and Bistort, of each ʒj. 
mix them ; give ʒj. for a Dose every morning in Plantane-Water, or 
rather in a draught of Ale wherein Tansy is steeped, for Tansy by a Mag- 
netick Quality draws the Child , keeps it in its natural place and or- 
der. 2. The Stone Ætitus, or Lapis Prægnans, so called, because there 
is one within another, and signifying the Stone with Child ; this if 
hung about a Womans Neck, so as it touch the Skin, will the most 
finely, among helps, preserve the Child in the Uterus till time of deliver 
ry. 3. Garden-Tansy bruised, sprinkled with Muskadine, and apply-
Ed to her Navil: Also the Load-stone applyed to the Navil, or Coral, 
Emeraulds, and Jasper-Stones; or Bones of a Stags Heart worn about 
the Neck, or under the Arm-holes, are held Specifical. Zach. Lusi- 
tanus commends a Girdle of Sea-Horse-Skin, or Wolf-Skin. These 
following Pouders are also proper against Abortion, ꝶ Roots of Bistorr,
shavings 

350 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
shavings of Ivory, ana. ʒij Red-Coral, Amber, Borax. ana. ʒiß.
Coriander-Seeds, ʒiij. Cristal, Kermes-Berries, Magister of Pearl, and 
Coral, of each ℈ß. mix them into a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Shavings of Ivory, Date- 
Stones, Mastich, Roots of Bistort, ana. 3ij. Manus Christi Perlata, ℥ß 
Leaves of Gold, n°. vi. : make a Pouder. Or, ꝶ Cochineal, Coral, Roots 
of Bistort, Plantane Seedds, ana. ʒj. Cinnamon, Red-rose Leaves, ana. 
ʒss. Leaves of Gold, n°. iv. cut small, and mixed with the rest in Pou- 
der; Astrigents in several forms are outwardly to be used: together 
with the use of these the Labouring Woman must beware of too violent 
motion. Sit in rest and quiet, flie all molestations, and whatever may 
enrage the Humours. Copulation must be shunned, for in taking in new 
Seed, the young Birth not well firmed, is loosened and ready to fall 
out ; a good Dyet must be kept, and not apt to engender Wind. 
SYMPTOMS.
Symptoms, as vehement pain, &c. are to be lenified, and the forces 
upheld by all means we can devise, and the Heart is to be comforted by 
Cordials. 
If Abortion cannot be prevented, then we must promote the coming 
forth of the Child ; dispose all things to its easie and orderly coming 
forth, taking direction from the Chapter of a Legitimate and Mature 
Birth. 
CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Dead Child. 
THE Child dies in the Uterus, sometime sooner, sometime in the 
last Month, from defect or bad quality of nourishment,from vio- 
lent Causes, Internal or External, or about time of Delivery, from 
hard labour, &c. 
CAUSES
I. Defeat of Aliment is made, 1. From the Womans small nou- 
rishment. Or, 2. from the Nourishment extracted, as is made in let- 
ring Blood in great Hæmorrhages, whereby Nature sends all the Nou- 
rishment from the Child, to make good Blood to fill up the Veins that 
are empty in the Woman. 
II. The badness of Alimentary Juyce, or redundancy of Vitious 
Humours that kill the 'Child, the Womans Body being Cacochymick ; 
or it is made bad from other Causes. 
III. From

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 351 
III. From Violent Causes. I. Inward, as violent strong and ini- 
mical Cathartick Medicines. 2. The falling down of abundance of 
slippery moist Humours, that loosen the Ligaments, and slacken the 
Vessels. 3. Violent Feavers, wherein are bad and dangerous Symp- 
toms concomitant. 
2. External. As, 1. a Blow, Riverius Obs. 34. Cent. 3. by too 
great Exercise after a Blow. 2. Forcible Percussion, or Excussion, as 
Coughing vehemently, loud crying, and earnest Vociferations, Snee- 
zing, &c. 
3. Frights, and sudden and dreadful scares and terrours. 
Lastly, It dies by hard labour, by indisposition in the Woman, made 
from several Causes, or unskilfulness in the Midwife in delivering it. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are, 1. A sudden falling and slacking of the Breasts, so soon 
as the Infant is dead. 2. Coldness of the Navil, and also Belly. 3. No
motion of the Child is perceived, but she perceives a kind of fixt and 
unmoveable Body in her Uterus. 4. Wet your Hand in warm Water, 
and lay it on her Belly, and the Child, if alive, will stir thereby. 
5. Her Urine is thick, stinking, and full of base Sedementary Matter. 
6. There be Dreams of dead Men, and frightings out of sleep. 7. She 
covets strange Aliments, not ordained to be eaten. 8. She looks 
scurvily. 9. Her Breath stinks. 10. She wants her usual mirth. 
12. She perceives a distast of Spittle coming to her Mouth. 12. The 
Child is apt to swag and sway to this side or that, as she turns her, more 
then it did when it was alive : Yet when Children are alive, but mis- 
placed in the Uterus, they are apt upon the stirring of the Woman to 
have a preposterous swaying to this side or that; but some advise to hold 
the Stone Ætites, or the Herb Tansy, to the Navil, which will remedy 
that swarving, if the Child be alive, but not if dead. 13. Half a 
point of White Wine burnt wiih ℥ss. of Cinnamon, and Drunk, if 
Child-pains come then upon the Woman, the Child is dead; if not, it 
may be weak or sick in the Uterus. 
CURE. 
Assoon as we are certain of its being dead, we must bring it away,
with Medicines Internal and External; Internal are such as are set down 
for bringing away the Birth, and expelling the Secundine. 1. Therefore 
in form of Pouders most efficacious Simples may be reduced and com-
posed. Riverius hath two excellent Pouders,the first is this, ꝶ of the dry 
Leaves of Savine-Roots, of Birthwort, Myrrh, Castoreum, of each, 
ʒj. Cinnamon, ʒss. Saffron, ℈j. mix them all into a Pouder, give ʒj.
for

352 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
for a Dose in Savine-Water; or take of Diptamy of Creet, Savine 
Borax, of each, ʒj. mix them into Pouder. 
Prevotius sets down, as excellent,this Pouder, ꝶ of Mineral Crysocol- 
la, ℈ij. or Borax, ʒj. Cinnamon and Saffron, ana. ℈j make a Pouder, 
give a dram in White-wine or Mugwort Water.
The Pouder of Diptamy alone is very prevalent.
Angelus Sal a greatly applauds Mercurius Vitæ for its force, in sending 
out the dead Child, given to four or five Grains. 
2. Potions also as well as Pouders are prepared, and of as great 
efficacy for expelling the dead Child. Where, 1. a strong Decoction 
of Hyssop drunk hot, or its Juyce, when it may be had, obtains the 
chiefest place. 2. The Juyce of Lovage, or in Winter, if that may 
not be had, the Seeds of Lovage in Mugwort-Water, are held a singu- 
lar secret. 3. Fontanus his Pouder of Euphorbium, Diptamny, of each, 
℈j. Borax, ℈ss. Cantharades prepared five Grains, taken in ℥iij. of 
Decoction of Savine, for a Draught or Potion, is exceeding strong, and 
is warily to be given. 4. Juyce of Scordium, ℥fs. with Saffron. 
5. The Milk of a Bitch, newly having pupped, is commended. 
In External things, or Topicks. 1. The Stone Ætites, being held to 
the Privities, by a magnettick vertue draws away the Child. 2. Hart- 
man saith, The Eyes of an Hair dried, and with Pepper bound to the Crown, 
forces out the Child dead or alive.
Clisters, Suppositories, and Pessaries, of proper and irritating Sim- 
ples, are convenient. 
Foments and Unctions of those parts appertaining to the Uterus, to 
make slippery, mollifie, and dilate the Passage, and provoke the Ex- 
pultrice Faculty of the Uterus, are not to be neglected; Oyl of Tansy, or 
the Juyce of it, to anoint the Privities, is principal. 
Suffumes of Galbanum, of Asses-Hoofs, (by a Funnel, of the cast 
Skin of a Serpent) and of Brimstone, are Medicinable.
Things also applyed to the Thighs, as was directed to facilitate the 
Birth, are useful. 
If yet by all these it be not avoided (as it will hardly but be) and be 
very hurtful to the Woman : Chyrurgery mud be exercised, the Child 
must be drawn out with Instruments, considering the strength of the 
Woman, and the disposition of the Pulse, that it may be done with more 
safety. 
Riverius, after the use of all inward Medicines, advises a good strong
to be taken, whereby sometime, with the abundance of Humours 
in the Uterus that are evacuated by it, the Child also is sent out. 
CHAP.

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 353 
CHAP. XVIII.
Of a Feaver happening after Delivery, or a Feaver of Milk.
Hippocrates saith, Diseases happening after Delivery are very bad vehe- 
ment , and dangerous, in respect of the feculent bad matter they are 
made of, which is sometimes kept long, and putrified ; all the purest 
part being sucked by the Infant, the dreggy, thick, black and melancholly groß 
Blood, is retained still in the Veins of the Uterus (being very large) from sup- 
pression of the Loches, or a vitious habit of the Menses retained longer then 
due, and corruption of them doth induce a continual putrid Feaver. Errors 
in Dyet do often adde fuel to fire, and where the cause is often times 
of it self too weak to raise a Feaver, eating of bad meats put on a viti- 
ous apparelling of the Humours, whence the matter is provoked to acti- 
on, and Nature is impedited in digesting it otherwise. 
2. As Feavers arise, 1. from the ill quality of the Humours, 2. from 
suppression of them, so 3. from redundancy of milk, which are Feavers 
of one day, and called Feavers of Milk.
SIGNS DlAGNOSTICK.
1. From Milk, wherein is great swelling of the Brests from fulness 
of it, there is great pain of the Back and Shoulder-Blades, the Loches 
rightly flow, and unless the Paps be inflamed, or milk coagulated, are 
wont to cease the third or fourth day, and to be without danger. 
2. From suppression of the Loches, or evil disposition of seculent hu- 
morous Blood ; there went before a bad Dyet ; there be Signs of the 
Humours corrupted, the wonted evacuation Nature used to have after 
the Delivery, is stopt, whence a putrid and continual Feaver arises. 
PROG. 
That made from Milk is of lesser danger, and shorter continuance 
then that that is made from stopping of the Loches, or vitious apparel- 
ing of the Humours in the Uterus; that from Milk commonly ends the 
third or fourth day, and is a kind of Ephemera, or a Feaver of one day, 
as 'tis called ; 'tis for the most part without danger, and is to be com- 
mitted to Nature,a good Dyet being kept; and is wont to be terminated 
by sweat. 
CURE. 
In Cure thereof we are onely to use Remedies to such as are caused 
Y y from

354 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
from Humours; where, 
First, If the Loches be stopt, cut a Vein of the Ankle ; if that bleed 
not sufficiently, apply Cupping-Glasses with Scarification to the Legs 
and Thighs ; if time of the Flux be gone, and the Feaver still perse- 
vere, the Cubit-Vein may be opened,for this draws the Blood upwards, 
as the Ankle-Vein opened drew it downward ; yet Galen saith, If a Vein 
be opened in any part of the Body, it will empty and draw from the Vessels of all 
parts. Astringents are to be shunned. 
Secondly, From an evil state of the Humours, or corruption of them,  
we may use gentle Purgatives; the Humours must be altered, sharp and 
too cold things are specially to be avoided. 
The Feaver, if vehement, is to be respected ; Cordials and Coolers 
for the Heart and Spirits, are to be given to the sick Woman, and Na- 
ture is to be strengthened with Electuaries, Julaps, Confections, Lozen- 
ges, Ptysans, or what else the Sick best affects, made of such things as 
are generally prescribed for Feavers. 
CHAP. XIX. 
Of a Loosness following a Feaver, after Womens Delivery.  
A Loosness often supervenes the Feaver, and is sometime and most 
commonly void of pain and acrimony, and flows healthfully, if 
not immoderate, chiefly in long lasting, for so it may weaken much, 
and lessen the vigour of the Spirits; and then 'tis to be restrained by 
strengthening Nature and the parts, by gentle and wary means. 
CURE. 
It will not be amiss first to prescribe a gentle Purge, made of Infusion 
of Rhubarb, Myrobalans, &C. in Plantane-Water; to the strained Li- 
quors convenient Syrups to sweeten, as for a Julap, being added : Fallo- 
pius saith. Rhubarb dries up superfluous moisture in the Vessels of the Uterus ; 
but whether it dries so much, or no, it purges, & leaves behind a binding 
quality, & strengthening to the parts, and therefore best of all Purgatives 
in fluxes ; and Astringents are not to be used till the irritating or aboun-
ding Humours be evacuated, both which, Rhubarb doth effectually and 
methodically : After the parts are eased of the burdening Humours, the 
retentive faculty is to be restored and confirmed, which is done by mo- 
derate Astringents that have not a glewing force, but are friendly to the 
Bowels by correcting their slippery and non-retaining Distemper: they 
may


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 355
may be used in several forms most convenient both for internal and ex- 
ternal use. 
To this sometimes succeeds, and of it is made a Dysentery, or Bloody 
Flux, which brings with it a Feaver, cruel Torments, Watchings, and 
frequent Seighs. Here we may use the aforegoing Direction, onely ad- 
ding the use of Clisters made of Plantane, Cinckfoil, Mallows, Pimpi- 
nella, or Burnet, Red Rose-Leaves, &c. boiled in Milk; yet the premi- 
sing of a clensing Clister before one absolutely binding, is not altogether 
irrational. 
Opening a Vein also, specially if the Liver be distempered, is very 
needful ; choice is made of the Basilick or Salvatella-Vein in the 
Arm. 
Many more might be added, but if need be, reourse may be had to 
the Chapter of a Dysentery, whence may be had ample Directions, and 
many Medicines very suitable hereto ; so that Reiteration seems need- 
less, and double labour, where single will serve, is to be avoided. 
CHAP. XX. 
Of Monstrous Births, or Imperfect Children. 
MAny and very differing are the forms of deformed and monstrous 
Births; some being either ill conformed, as double-Bodied, a 
double Brain, when other Limbs are single; some parts placed upwards, 
as sometimes are the Genitals in the Forehead, that should be below ; 
and sometime a single Body downwards, whenas 'tis double upwards ; 
some are maimed, and some want Limbs and Parts; some are altered 
in respect of Sex, as Hermophrodites ; some have Bestial forms; some 
in form of Birds, others four-footed, Diabolical and cruel, made of the 
seed of the Devil ; some ate an Ell long. 
CAUSES. 
1. The Cause is not certainly natural, say Divines, but the Hand of 
GOD miraculously effecting it, as sometimes it is; One Woman com- 
plaining of the many Mouths she had to feed, viz. her Children,brought 
forth a Child without a Mouth.
2. Astrologers refer it to the Stars, and position of the Moon in de- 
ficient degrees at time of Conception. 
3. The Cause is Imagination of the Woman at time of Conception, 
diligently applying the sight of those things she saw, to her self: Hence 
Y y 2 it


356 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
it is that some, having looked and pondered upon the sight of a ravenous 
Bird called Harpa, have brought forth such a one : Another brought forth 
a Negro, looking upon the Picture of a Negro that hung in her Cham- 
ber at time of Conception ; A Woman at Pisa is reported to have 
brought forth a Child all hairy, like a Camel, because she used to bow eve- 
ry day to the Image of John Baptist cloathed in Camels Hair; Some 
Women in seeing an Hare, bring forth a Child with an Hare-Lip: One 
Woman seeing a Boy at time of Conception with two Thumbs, brought 
forth a Boy also on both hands double Thumb’d, as was the Boy she saw: 
Another Woman at time of Conception seeing a Child that had a great 
Head,from Water gathered in it, called Hydrocephalus, or a Dropsie of 
the Head, brought forth a Child with a great Head also, that was spon- 
gy, and the skin puffed up, but not filled with Water. As Women , so 
also Sheep are thus affected from the strength of the imaginatrice facul- 
ty at time of Conception; for Jacob laying peeled Rods in the Gutter 
where they were to drink, they brought forth parti-coloured Lambs; 
Women that seriously and deeply think of the ill-shapen Members they 
see in others, conceive and bring forth Children so mis-figured ; also  
'tis very bad for Women at time of Conception to see Pictures on a wall, 
or Images, for fear they bring forth Children of like conformation. 
Some think that Children are like the Mothers true Husband , that are 
got by another, because the Woman was in fear when they were got, and 
so conceived by the imagination alike : Bur, say they, If the same man  
get them when the Woman is not in fear, but secure, and her Husband 
far from home, the Child will have the likeness of its true Father or 
Begetter, because the Mothers Mind doth the Child dispose. 
Moreover, some, according to the Vulgar Stories, having been 
struck with a piece of Flesh, the Child hath had the Mark of that piece 
of meat in the same place that the Woman was struck in ; and some ha- 
ving struck a Woman with a Mouse on the Cheek, she hath brought 
forth a Child representing the figure of a Mouse on its Cheek : And why 
may not feeling, as well as seeing, move the imaginatrice faculty to ef- 
fect these? 
4. A Cause of many being born Crook-Back’d, great-Headed, from 
abundance of Humours, or full of running sores, or leprous, may be from 
the Act of copulation done at such time as she had her Menstrua on 
her.
5. Monsters are either made, 1. By the Devil, or also by the imagi- 
nation of the Woman; or begotten by Beasts coupling with Women, 
the feed of the Beast, or bruit Animal, mixt with the Womans feed ; so 
that the Birth participates of the likeness of both Getter, and Bearer,
Na-
 

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 357 
Nature striving always to beget her like : So Men coupling with Bruits 
beget Monsters,half a Man, and half a Beast; and hence perhaps it came 
that some People are horned, wild, and live on Grass,Herbs, &c whose 
forms most shew them to be Men ; some also have Tails as Beasts, and 
many are variously formed, as if there was a form made equally concur- 
ring to Mans and Beasts; sometimes the sore parts are like a Man, and 
the hinder represent a Beastial Form. 2. Or by natural ill conforma- 
tion in the Uterus, as where there was a deficiency in Nature, in making 
two distinct Bodies of matter so prepared and disposed, that is, confused 
and crushed all into one,so that double-Bodied-Infants with their Mem- 
bers displaced, are herefrom made. Also such as want full Limbs, or 
deficiency either in quantity or number of Members, may be from a 
simple fault in the Seed and Uterus, or some hidden quality making a de- 
viation from Natures accustomed course in forming. 
See more in our Book of Philosophy, called Physiology, Jatrosophy, and 
Pneumatography, in divers places ; in our Book of Generation, the first of 
the Twelve Books of that Book; in our Book, of the necessary parts God gave 
to all Creatures according to their knowledge, or the necessary Knowledge God 
gave to all Creatures, according to the Parts and Bodies He gave them ; and 
also in our Chapter of divers shapes of Men.
CHAP. XXI. 
Of following Symptoms, or Diseases of delivered Women, as
fault in quantity and quality of Loches, or Child-Bed- 
purgations ; of Throes, or After-pains ; of 
stopt Secundines, or After-Burdens staid. 
I. An Inflamation of the Matrice, caused from hot and boyling 
Blood retained in the Vessels, and putrifying. 
’Tis known by the Signs of Inflamation of the Matrice in general, and 
cured so. 
II. Fissures or Wrinkles, which are raised from the stretching in 
bringing forth the Child, and flux of Menstrua. 
They are cured with gentle astringent,and contracting Medicines, In- 
jections by a Syringe of Comfrey-Roots, Bramble-Beds, Balaustians, 
Sumach, Pomegranate-Rinds, Cypress-Nuts, and the like, or a Pessary 
of them, or Oyntments, are effectual.
III. Ga-


358 Of the Diseases of the Uterus.
III. Gaping of the Matrice, and loosness of the Privy Parts ; they 
are to be seasonably contracted, else they may possibly hinder the Wo- 
man for having any more Children.  
Here the foregoing Remedies may be used , adding stronger Astrin- 
gents, as Deceptions and Baths of Oak-Buds, dry Sloes, Acatia, Hypo- 
chistis, Roots of yellow Water-flag, Medlars, Mastick, and Madder- 
Roots, or Oyntments of Dragons Blood , Gum Tragacanth , extract
of Comfrey-Roots, Pouder of Tobacco Pipes, Oyl of Myrtles, of Ma- 
stick, &c. Natures work in contracting those parts that were before so 
dilated, is admirable. 
IV. Excoriation of the Uterus after Delivery, being excoriated in the 
lower part. 
Oyl of Saint John's-Wort for Unction, is most excellent; and a vul- 
gar Remedy is Oyl of sweet Almonds taken inwardly. 
V. Hæmorrhoids or Piles do happen to Women that bring forth fre- 
quently, and with difficulty straining to force out the Birth ; the inward 
Piles are most often opened. 
They are cured by Pollipody-Drink (after the Saphæna-Vein in the 
foot is opened, and some lenitive Medicine to keep her Body soluble)
by a rosted Onyon beat with Oyl, and applied Plaister-wise ; or, if too 
hot a Medicine, Oyl of Snails, or Hodmondods excels ; or a Pulteis of 
Wood-lice, bruised and mixt with Oyl, is incomparable good. 
VI. There arises a Feaver from laborious and hard labour, and great 
pains. 
VII. The Genitals swell from irritation by hard labour, and striving 
to thrust forth the Infant. 
VIII. Sometime Convulsions arise; then draw Blood from the Arm 
and from the Foot ; foment with Emollients, and laxative Medicines. 
Hippocrates saith, They are very dangerous, because they argue a great weak- 
neß, and exceeding torments are wont to follow. 
IX. An immoderate flowing down of the Menstrua or monthly 
Courses ; this infirmity seldom happens to Women after their Delive- 
ry, but when they do flow after Delivery so immoderately, we must stop 
them.
A thickning and binding Dyet inclining to cooling, is most expedite; 
Broaths made of Comfrey and Knotgrass, are transcendent; or Shep- 
herds-purse boyled, or taken in Medicine by a specifical Vertue to the 
Privities; or Leaves or Flowers of Bramble so taken, do cure them ; 
Foments also, and Oyntments of Astringents, and Epithemes to the Li- 
ver (if that be distempered) are not to be neglected ; Nicholas Fontanus 
saith, If the Womans strength will bear it, there is not a surer remedy than 
letting 


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 359
letting Bloody, which is to be done twice or thrice in the Basilick-vein ; bind- 
ing of the upper parts, rubbing of the Extremities, and Cupping-Glasses 
to the Brests, are also by some used. 
X. Sometimes an illegitimate stoppage of them follows, and then 
they are cautiously to be provoked to their due and orderly efflux, for 
which take advise with the Chapters of deficiency of Menstrua, or of 
their not duely and ample flowing. 
XI. The immoderate flowing of Loches after the Birth ; after the 
Child is brought forth, the spaciosity and thickness of the Uterus is gra- 
dually lessened by the effusion of Loches, which are nothing else but the 
Reliques of Blood gathered in Child-bearing between the fungous 
Conditories of the Uterus.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is, 1. From immoderate opening of the Vessels. 
2. From breaking of them.
3. From heat of the Blood, made from hot and sharp Medicines in 
painful Travail, to cause Delivery. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
They are sometimes, both after a legitimate Birth, and Abortion also, 
so abundant, and slow with such an unbridled rashness, that often times 
therefrom is not a little danger of perishing ; they are wont to cease 
within forty days, sometimes sooner. 
CURE.
Cure is as for Menstrua immoderately flowing ; this flax is not to be 
stopt, but moderated, and that with great wariness; for if by Astringents 
they be stopped, many and cruel Symptoms arise thereupon; Aliments 
must thicken, and have some astrictve force to restrain the violence of 
the Blood; Yolks of Eggs, Panatels, Rice Broath, Gellies, Meats 
sprinkled or dipt in Sawces effectual to this purpose; steeled Water, 
or wherein Gold hath been quenched, for ordinary Beer: Draw Blood 
by Revulsers to the superiour parts; bind the Belly up gently with a 
swadling Cloth, for so the vessels be compressed ; Clothes dipt in Oxi- 
crate are to be laid to the Loins. To temper the Blood in the Vena Cava,
Internals may be given,as Julaps, Electuaries,Conserves, Syrups, &c, 
Aurum Potabile cures a flux, and provokes it where it is not, doing all 
things as Nature her self would have it. Externals also, as Oyntments, 
Foments, Injections; for which Gallen praises Juyce of Plantane cast 
in by a Syringe. If after these, clots of Blood remain in the Uterus, 
causing pain and tension, and other evils, by evaporations therefrom, 
they must be avoided. 
XII. Suppression of the Loches, whereby that Blood that is heaped 
up in Child-bearing, is not evacuated after Delivery of the Birth, as 'tis 
naturally 


360 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
naturally accustomed to be, and the amplitude of the Uterus is thereby 
not lessened; they may either be lessened, or quite suppressed ; where- 
upon do follow to the Woman in Child-bed most grievous Diseases.
CAUSE. 
Cause is either evil Dyet, or taking cold, or other Causes that cause
suppresion of the Menstrua. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are evident from relation of the Sick, who hath not had that ac- 
customed and natural evacuation, the Uterus will remain stretched out 
and hard, as if it did still contain the Child in it. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Many Diseases and grievous Symptoms do arise herefrom, there is In- 
flamation of the Uterus, from the Blood putrifying that is stopt, and at 
last a Gangrene arises, which brings Death inevitably. 
CURE.
We must not delay, we must draw down the Blood to the Womb, and 
open the vessels. 1. Give laxative and emollient Clisters: 2. Ligatures 
and Frictions; Cuppers to the Share and Hips are to be applied. 3. Open  
the Hæmorrhoids, if they used to flow; if not, the Saphena, or both 
Ankle-Veins. 4. Foment the bottom of the Belly, and Region of the 
Pudendum, to which adde Perfumes and Pessaries, beginning with 
mildest Simples first. 5. Internals, to open the mouths of the Vessels, 
and render the Blood apter to flow, and stir up the expultice faculty in 
Nature : Aurum Potabile, where Nature is burdened, moves a flux, and 
stays it again, when all the oppressing and hurtful Humours are avoided, 
strengthening Nature in her Center, and performing all things, as 'tis 
the duty of Nature to do ; Forestus gives successively Decoction of Squi- 
nanth in Broath. Lastly, We may give a lenitive Purge or two, nine 
or ten days after Delivery, of Infusion of Senna, Rhubarb, Agarick, 
Epithimum, and Mechoacan, as may seem most requisite. More Reme- 
dies may be sought out of the Chapter of suppressed Menstrua. 
XIII. After-Pains or Throes do grievously torment some Women, 
and few are free therefrom after delivery of the Birth ; but because with- 
in two or three days they usually cease, they do not desire the help of the 
Physician.  
CAUSE. 
The Cause is oftenest flatulent from taking cold, whereby wind from 
Distemper of the parts is raised, and mightily molests. Wind also may 
be


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 361
be made from Humours ; without an outward distemper from the am- 
bient cold Air. 
2. The sharpness of Blood is reckoned as a great Cause hereof: Fon- 
tanus saith, It is from a multitude of thick, menstruous Blood retained : Others
say, From Clots of Blood, or Blood concreted : Johnstonus saith, They come 
from too great narrowness of the Vessels. 
3. From Meats then taken, cold and windy in quality, as Fruits, Cu- 
Hards, Cream, cold Drink, &c. 
SIGNS. 
Signs are easily known from the relation of the Woman in Childbed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
Hippocrates thought Women to be most afflicted with Throes at birth of 
their first Child, but Experience shews that it is not an allowable Say- 
ing ; few but are more or less troubled herewith after Delivery, but 
commonly after three days, of their own accord they are asswaged, un- 
less some of the aforegoing Causes be in fault. 
CURE.
In Cure we must respect the Cause: Sennertus omits Purges; if a 
cold distemper and wind offend, we must use Heaters and Carminatives, 
as well outwardly as inwardly, as in Chollical pains ; but they are first 
to be prevented, if they may be, for which this Pouder is held of great 
worth, given presently after the Birth, ꝶ Roots of the greater Con- 
found, ʒj. Peach Kernels, Nutmegs, of each Amber, ʒij. Amber- 
griese, ℈ss. give one dram of it in Wine, or in Broath, if a Feaver be 
present. 
If they cannot be prevented, they must be cured ; the Belly must
gently be bound up, that the Uterus stir not out of its place: Clisters are 
to be injected of Oyl of Almonds, Cammomile, Bays, &c. that are ano- 
dine, emollient, and carminative. Internals are, Cinnamon-Water, ℥ß. 
with two grains of Amber-griese, or ʒss of Bay-berries taken in Muska- 
del, Decoction of Vervain, Decoction of the Grass of Pernassus, Oyl 
of sweet Almonds, all which excel; also Decoction of Cammomile- 
flowers, in white Wine, which Forestus holds for a Secret. 
Riverius sets down this Pouder for After-Pains, ꝶ of Date-Stones 
and Peach-Kernels, of each ʒss. Nutmegs, ℈iv. Diamargariton calid, 
ʒij. Aniseeds, ʒj. Cinnamon, ℈iij. Saffron, ℈ss. take one Dram in 
White Wine and Sugar once or twice a day ; Or the following Pouder  
excels, ꝶ Seeds of Carrots, Cinnamon, of each ʒj. Bay-berries, Date- 
stones, of each ʒss. Amber-griese, gr.iv. reduce all into a Pouder. 
Zz Topicals


362 Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
Topicals that help against these Torments, or After-pains, are Ano- 
dines, or such as operate by an hidden quality. 
Anodines, or the choicest of them, are, 1. An Emplaister of Tar, 
Grease, and Doves-Dung, to be applied to the Region of the Kidneys. 
2. An Emplaister of Onyons boyled well in Water, wherein, 1. Line, and 
Cummin-seed, and Cammomile-flowers have boiled, then being quash- 
ed together, mix therewith some Oyl and Pouder of Cinnamon, to be ap- 
plied to the Region of the Uterus. 
Anointings also with Carminative and Anodine Oyls, and Foments 
of Hysterick Herbs are helpful, wherewith the Abdomen and whole re- 
gion of the Uterus is to be bathed. 
Also the Skin of a Weather, being yet hot, the Weather having been 
newly killed, makes mild the Pain- 
Suffumigation also, are not a little useful, as of Bay-berries cast upon 
Coals, the fume of which the Woman is to receive by her Privities. 
Things that help by an hidden quality, are these, recorded by Johannes 
Prevotius, Ætites, or the Eagles stone tied close to the Thigh, or the 
Jaser-stone, or Coral so used , and the Loadstone held in the left 
hand. 
If these pains proceed from sharp and Chollerick Humours, they may 
be cured as a bilious Chollick; lenifying Julaps are to be given, and 
Clisters of Mallows, Marish Mallows, Pelletory of the Wall, Linseed 
and Violet Leaves boyled in Milk, or Posset-Drink, adding to ℔j. of 
the strained Liquor, Oyl of sweet Almonds, and fresh Butter, of each 
℥j. Syrup of Violets, ℥jß.
Oyl of sweet Almonds is to be taken inwardly to ℥vj. in urgent 
pain. 
If Blood be clottered in the Uterus, and therefrom pain be effected, 
'tis to be cured as Blood clottered in the Bladder, where is sufficient di- 
rection. 
Sometimes pain is in the Groin, from the Uterus conglobated there ; 
then an Emplaister of Galbanum, and Assafœtida, with some Grains of 
Mosch in the middle, is to be applied to the Navil.  
XIV. The After-Birth, After-Burden, or Secundine, is sometimes 
retained, and sticks still in the Uterus, that ought to come forth with, 
or presently after the Birth. 
The Causes of it are ascribed, 1. To fears, terrours, and passions of 
the Mind, that detract Nature from her work and duty,and molest her in 
her Centre. 
2. Taking


Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 363 
2. Taking cold, specially drinking cold Beer or Water, &c. that are 
Causes of hard labour. 
3. Aromatick Drinks, or sweet, spicy, and odoriferous things taken 
and smelt to, are thought to draw the Matrice upwards, and retain it 
there. 
4. Straitness of the mouth of the Uterus, and close closure, so that 
passage of it out is impedited therefrom. 
5. Or if none of these Causes, or others that cause hard labour, be 
present; yet sometime the Secundine is fixed to the Womb, and so ad- 
heres to it that 'tis hardly pulled away. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICIK. 
The Secundine, which is onely else but a membranous Cake, wherein 
the Child is inverted and involved, wherein are many Vessels and Ri- 
volets that the Child draws in Nourishment by, and Air; at time of 
coming forth of the birth, this membranous Skin is broke, from motion 
of the Child downwards, and comes out for the most part either with 
or presently after the Child; but sometimes the Vessels of it are so 
bound to the Cotyledons of the Uterus, that it sticks fast after the birth, 
and comes not forth, but is onely broke with violence of the coming forth 
of the Child ; and pains in travail are thought to be chiefly from break- 
ing of the Vessls of the Chorion, or Secundine, from the Cotyledons of 
the Uterus; and if such pains preceded not, there is fear the Secundine 
is still affixt: If there be more children then one, there is so many Secun- 
dines as there be Children. 
PROG. 
If it be left behind, and be not extracted till it putrifie, or rot, it brings 
many cruel Diseases, and direful Symptomes, communicating noisome 
Exhalations to the Head and Stomach, and principal parts, cauling Fea- 
vers, Convulsions, Head-pains, Apostems, &c. which many times bring 
Death at last. 
If it will not come forth, it will rot in time, and then it may easily 
be taken forth, or will come forth of it self, if it produce not many 
evils in the interim : So dead Children have rotted in the Uterus, and 
all their flesh consumed, and come out by piece-meals, the Bones stay- 
ing still behind in the Womans Uterus, for long time after. 
CURE.
Cure varies according to the Cause : If it stick fast to the Uterus, the 
Matricc being open, then putting in of the Hand, being warmed, the 
Nails paired, and anointed with Grease, and loosening of the Secundine
Z z 2 by


64. Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 
by gentle writhing of it this way and that way, lest the Uterus also be 
torn or pulled away, is to be done. 
Secondly, Hipocrates advises to sneezing, some Pouders being put in 
to the Nostrils, and let her hold hex breath, which forces a ruption of the 
vessels from the violent excussion that is made by sneezing. 
If these may not thus be done by reason of too strait affixion of it to 
the Uterus and weakness of the Woman, Suppurates to make it rot 
sooner, are to be used,and then it may easily be brought forth  by the hand 
put in as aforesaid. 
Among Medicines, Internals of greatest vertue and efficacy,are these 
that follow, to expel the Secundine: As, 
1. The Juyce of Vervain, taken to ℥j. or the Decoction of it boyled 
in Wine.
2. Decoction of Alisander so made. 
3. Decoction of Mugwort and Featherfew. 
4. Juyce or Decoction of Sage.
5. This Composition or Pouder, ꝶ of Thyme, Centuary, Penny- 
Royal, of each ʒjss. Roots of Angellica, Masterwort, sweet Chervil, and 
Cicely, of each 3ifs. make a Pouder.
Dr. John Smith saith, It is a wonderful Secret to drink the Juyce of Lo- 
vage in Wine, or Mugwort-Water, to drive out the Secundine.
Forestus speaks of the same, saying, A certain Midwife received it of 
a Jewish Physician, whereof a Cyath is to be taken in Renish Wine. 
Seeds of Lovage, Savin, Borax, Juyce of an Onyon, and Diptamny, 
are commended. 
Gesnerus and Augenius greatly commend the stones of a gelded Horse,
taken often in Pouder, in Broath, to the weight of a Scruple. 
Prevotius praises the same, but adds to them Pouder of Diptamny. 
Rulandus gave ʒss of Oyl of Juniper, with good success. 
Hartman praises the Pouder of Secundines, and Angelus Sala, Mer- 
curius Vitæ. 
Externals are either thick and embodied substances applied, as Mug- 
wort boiled very soft in Water, and applied hot to the Navil and Thighs, 
which Rogerius saith, will also draw the Uterus after it, if not timely re- 
moved after the Birth, and after Birth be come away. 
Or Sage so applied, or Tansy applied to the Privities, is of great force, 
and Lapis Æites, which readily draws forth the Birth and After-Birth, 
and Uterus too, if not timely removed. 
Or thinner,as Foments of Decoction of Bay-Berries, and Leaves, with 
Vinegar of Roses, of Oxe-Dung boiled in Wine.
Or

Of the Diseases of the Uterus. 365 
Or Suffumiges, as that Miraldus so praises, of Marigold-flowers; 
which, saith he, doth easily bring forth the Secundine, although the 
Midwife hath lost her hold. 
If other Causes be in fault, as closure of the Uterus, the foregoing 
Foment, and this Suffume, are very available to open it, and then the 
Midwife must gently dilate the passage more, and pluck out the Secun- 
dine that lies on an heap at bottom of the Uterus.
Other Causes must be put away, as Fears and Sorrows: If cold 
be taken, we must heat, and remove all Causes that seem to bring da- 
mage herein.

366
OF 
FEAVERS.  
IN these four Chapters of Fea- 
vers are many things, according 
to the Method and Matter of the 
Antients, as in the rest of the 
Chapters of the Second Part, 
(Written some Years since ) 
which all, or most of the Mo- 
derns in their Practices have hi- 
therto retained, with some Correction and Additi- 
ons, which we have selected as beneficially as we 
could : and the Readers may take these as the most 
general Rule or Method in Nature; but there is great 
variety, we can scarce find two exactly alike in any 
one Distemper; some have the Causes here set down, 
and not those Signs ; and some have those Signs, but 
cannot be cured by that Rule, and those Medicines; 
and some are handled in a far different manner from 
this Description ; and others differ also from them : 
and

Of FEAVERS. 367 
and those that do not differ in Kind, may in Degree;  
Every Quartane must not be just so as Practicks have 
delivered, nor alwayes in that manner, nor is every 
Ague a Tertian, or every Tertian such an one ; but 
sometimes a Quartane turns a Tertian, and sometimes 
a Tertian, a Quartane, or Quotidian. There is in one 
or other, at one time or other, as much variety and 
difference as almost is imaginable ; some have all 
heat, without any sensible cold, and some have all 
cold without succeeding heat ; some have some- 
times two fits in one day, and other times two 
dayes without one fit : in such like respects, and 
as to the Causes, they are writ somewhat defectively, 
but we have from our own Observations (comprised 
into a Practical Method) delivered a clearer and ful-
ler Description of all Agues or intermitting Feavers in 
Latine. 
No Tradition ought to be rejected as it is Tradi-
tion, but as it is not Truth ; or if so, defective or 
superfluous Truth. 


368 Of FEAVERS 
CHAP. I. 
Of a Quotidian Feaver
A Quotidian intermitting Feaver, is an Ague made from putri- 
fied flegm, invading every day ; the Greeks call it Amphi- 
morina the Latines, Quotidiana Febris, because it makes 
a Fit every day. 
CAUSES.
Causes of Quotidian Agues is ascribed to Flegm putrified or rotted in 
the Miseraick Veins, or first Region of the Body. Others allot the 
place of putrifaction in Intermitting Feavers, to be in the Vena Portæ, 
and Bowels nourished therefrom. 
All things that cause encrease of flegm, may be cause hereof, chiefly 
a weak heat of the Stomach and Bowels, cold and moist Aliments, or 
too great plenty of them, together with long sleep, a Sedentary Life, 
Idleness, Winter time, old Age, and Childhood, wherein it chiefly 
happens. 
SIGNS. 
Signs hereof are, 1. and chiefly, its daily invasion, and thence called 
a Quotidian. 
2. Signs of flegm abounding, and a going before of such things that 
engendred Flegm. Signs of a flegmatick or pituitous habit of Bo- 
dy be, a bulky fat Body, a sluggish Disposition, and dull Senses; 
Dreams of Waters, and dull Actions, white and pale colour of Face, 
profound sleeps, weak Memory, &c.  
3. From the time of its invasion, which is chiefly on Nights, which 
is the worse, because that time is designed by Nature for rest and re- 
freshment. 
4. From the manner of the fit, wherein cold is not felt great in the 
first fits, but encreases by degrees, and comes like a cooling without 
shaking, sometimes a light horrour, whenas the matter is more benign, 
only troubles: Heat at first appears not sharp but airy, and augments 
but

Of FEAVERS. 369 
but slowly, nor is it called back with force and violence to the inward
parts, as in a Tertian Feaver ; and sometimes cold, sometimes heat is
perceived, but with holding their hand on them longer, in their heat 
sharpness is also perceived. 
5. From the Urine, which in the beginning is white, thin and crude, 
but in the process more thick and troubled, and often ruddy, when as 
the matter is concocted. 
6. From the Pulse, which in the beginning is inordinate, and ine- 
qual, weak and slow, nor in the augmentation and encrease of the 
Ague is the Pulse changed much, either in celerity or strength. 
7. From Sweats, which in the first fits is scarce reckonable, nor is it 
much afterward. 
8. From Symptoms: Where observe, 1. that Thirst is not intense, 
but very little or none. 2. Difflation and puffing up of the Middriff, 
5. Decoloration of the Face, which is not red, but duskish, and 
puffed up. 4. Their Vomitings, Stools, sleeping and inappetence,ar- 
gue the redundancy of Flegm. 5. They do not cease in a perfect inter- 
mission, for sometimes the fit lasts twelve hours, and sometimes twen- 
ty four hours, and it appears continual. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from variety of the Nature of flegm putrified, for if flegm 
be glazen, or vitreat, or acid, then they have invasions with rigour, and 
the sick is Feaverish and cold both together; because half the offending 
Humour is putrified, whence comes the heat, and the other half is 
not putrified,and thence cold shaking molests,and this is called, Epiala
Febria. 
2. If flegm be salt, it stirs up a kind of hot Feaver with thirst. 
3. If sweet, they are made sleepy. 
4. If acid, hungry. 
5. If unsavory or insipid, without taste, they want appetite. 
6. Thick, and then the Urine is white and thick, but afterwards 
grows redder with a Sediment. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is very seldom, and some deny it to be, saying, That 
Feavers invading every day, are either double Tertians, or treble Quar- 
tanes ; and the reason it is most seldom of intermitting Feavers, is, be- 
cause flegm is scarcely ever inflamed. 
2. It never invades young Men, or such as are hot, dry, and Chol- 
lerick by Nature, but those that are of a moist and flegmatick Temper,  
A a a that

370 Of FEAVERS. 
that use Drinking, Bathing, and Idleness; old Men and Children are 
most taken with Quotidian Agues. 
3. It lasts long, sometimes it is finished in forty dayes, sometimes 
not before three or four months. 1. Because of the thickness and con- 
tumacity of the Morbifick Humour. 2. Because there is a defect of 
heat 
4. It is dangerous, because from the Liver and Stomach being ill- 
affected, therefrom a Dropsie, Cachexy, Lethargy, or the like, may arise;
and by reason of the Stomach offended, there often happens Swoond- 
ing ; it easily obstructs the Spleen and Bowels in old Men and Chil- 
dren. 
5. We may judge of it,according as we see concoction by the Urine, 
according to the strength of Nature maturely acting for its expulsion, 
and according to the quality of the matter ; and other indications shew- 
ing the shortness or length of the Ague. 
CURE. 
Cure is performed, 1. by preparation, which is done, first, by open- 
ingof the first passages, and loosening the Body ; as by Clisters, or a 
Vomit to clear and free the Stomach : Some, for this purpose, advise to 
Radish-Vomites; some highly extol Aqua Benedicta,for extinguishing the 
Ague also ; yet premise strengtheners of the Stomach before evacuating 
and purging of it: Others advise the use of Stomachical Corroboraters 
to be after Purging of it by Vomit, which is most generally liked. 
2. By Concocters of flegm, and a thick matter, that have an attenu- 
ating and cutting force, and fit the matter for expulsion ; preparers of 
flegm are these, which also by a propriety resist the Feaver, and open 
the Conduits ordained by Nature, for the passage of such Excrementiti- 
ous Humours, viz. Squills, or this Oxymel, Simple Oxymel taken to 
℥ij. in quantity for once, or a Compound Oxymel of Smallage, Mother 
of Time, Seseli of Peleponesus, with Aromaticalls, or an Apozem of 
Fumitaty, Bettony , Agrimony, Mirobalans, Calamint, Smallage, 
and Rhue-Seeds. 
3. Purge, the Humour being thus prepared,with Phlegmagogues, A- 
garick ; Antimonial and Tartarial Pil s are most commendable.  
4. If salt pituit be the cause, some open the Liver-Vein of the right 
Arm, else not. 
5. Diureticks, and Sudorifficks, Sassafras, a Decoction of Cammo- 
mile-Flowers, and Wormwood , or a Decoction of China, and Guai-
cum, continued for twenty five dayes, is praised by Zachully Lusi- 
tanus. 
The

Of FEAVERS. 371 
The Salt of Masterwort given in weight of five Grains, or a ʒ. of 
Salt of Wormwood taken in Tobacco-Water, or decoction of Camomile 
in White-Wine before the fit is applauded by Ernestus. 
Lastly, The Stomach and Bowels must be strengthened a Cerot of 
Oyl of Quinces, and Wax, with Aromaticks, or Cataplasms of Mint 
and Wormwood, are to be applyed to the Stomach; Water, Cheese, 
Milk, Fish, Olives, unripe and corruptive Fruits, Custards ; reefed, 
salted, and Meats of ill digestion, and the like, are not to be eaten, 
but Aromatized Meats, and Flesh Rosted; Bisket-Bread, and Wine, 
are most wholesom. 
See more in the Chapter of a Bastard Tertian, or Hemitritæan Ague, 
whose curation little varies from this. 
CHAP. II. 
Of an Hemitrice Feaver, or Semi-tertian. 
AN Hemitritaus is a Compound Feaver,made of a 
an and an intermitting Tertian, having a permixtion of Flegm and 
Choller, and hath its continuity from Flegm,and its horror from the in- 
termitting Tertian, whence they are called Horrid Feavers; for if it was 
made of two Continuals, it would not be partaker of Horror, and if of 
two Intermittents, it would not be continual. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is a mixt Portion of Flegm and Choker putrified in the 
Vena Cava, and Meseraick-Veins, which sometimes are equal in quan- 
tity ; sometimes Choker super-abounds, and sometimes the greater 
part is Flegm; yellow Choller putrifies without the Vessels,and thence 
comes the intermission; and Flegm, or a pituitous matter within the 
Vessels, and thence hath its continuity; or an intermitting Quotidian 
may be joyned with a continual Quartane, and both are caked Hemitri- 
tæans ; the Antecedent Cause is attributed to obstruction, whence the 
Humours be prohibited going forth, and being so retained, putrifie. 
2. They arise from inflamation of some Bowel, as of the Liver, Guts, 
Stomach, and Vicine Bowels, whence a Symptomatical Feaver joyn- 
ed with a Continual Tertian, causes a kind of Hemitritæan ; sometimes 
they are inordinate from Pus being made ; sometimes because they are 
partakers of malignity, which are sometimes popular.  
A a a 2 SIGNS.

372 Of FEAVERS.
SIGNS. 
Signs are mean twixt a Tertian and Quotidian; for its invasion is with 
horror, which is greater then that of a Quotidian, and less then that of 
a Quartane ; and its manner of invasion is twofold, for either two fits 
come together in the beginning, and invade the Patients both at once, 
or else come severally, and if Flegm exsuperates, and be the more pre- 
dominant, there is Horrours and Coldness of the Extremities, then 
Choller overcoming, there is heat, and the Feaver seems to come to 
its State ; there is vomiting of Choller, Rigour, Sweat and Thirst, if 
Cholier be more regent and overpouring. 
The fits come also, one on one day, and two on another, because the 
Quotidian causes a fit every day, and the Tertain every other day. 
If there be Malignity present, it is known by its proper Signs, and if 
it arises from inflamation of the Bowels, that may be discerned by 
Signs of those Bowels inflamed. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
This Feaver is dangerous; 1. Because it makes an ill Stomach, a 
Lethargy, and Syncope; a Delirium, watching, third, driness of the 
Tongue; it is Cronical, by reason of Flegm, and may be prolonged to 
six or seven Months, and then end in Hecticks, Chollicks, or Fluxes of
the Belly; it hurts the Nervous parts, and is difficultly cured. 
CURE. 
Cure is varied according to the condition of the Feaver: for if it be 
Legitimate, wherein there is an equality of Choller and Flegm putrified, 
then Medicines meet for a Tertian and Quotidian are to be mixt, and 
equally divided. 
Vomits, of the Root of Azarum, which equally purges Choller and 
Flegm, given in Pouder to ʒij, or Mountain-Dwarf, Cherry-of Gesner, 
to six or seven in number taken, and Broath taken after them, so doth 
Juyce of Tobacco taken from ʒj. to ij. 
If Choller be predominant, Medicines more proper for a Tertian, and 
that evacuate Choller, are to be given ; If Flegm, those for a Quotidi-
an are to be used in greater quantity : Agarick is good for Purging ; Al- 
terers also must be accommodated to the nature of the Humours, either 
equally mixt, or either one super-regent. 
If it arises from fault of any Bowel inflamed, that is diligently to be 
considered, and cured before the Feaver that depends thereupon 
may.
If 

Of FEAVERS. 373
If there be malignity mixt therewith, or it is Epidemical, we must 
resist that by Alexiteries, by Aurum Potabile, by Angelica-Roots, 
Masterwort, Sorrel-Seeds , Tormentil-Roots, Camphir, &c. to 
respect all intentions, we must have Medicines have divers quali- 
ties. 
Specificals for this as well as other Agues, both Simple and Compound, 
are Cinkfoil or Five-leaved-Grass ( which given to ℈j. in Pouder for 
thrice before the fits, is an infallible Cure) Featherfew, whose original 
name was Febrifuge, from its vertue in driving: away Agues, taken in 
Pouder, or Decoction before the fits ; Rhue or Herb-de-grace, Cala- 
mint, Oyl of Myrrh, Salt of Tartar, of Masterwort and Wormwood, 
Roots of Masterwort, Onions, Garlick, Laserpice, Natural Balsam, 
Saint-Johns~Wort, Trefoil, or three-leaved-Grass, the greater Saxi- 
frage of Mathiolus, Meadsweet, or Queen of the Meadows, &c. which 
are to be taken either in Decoction, or Pouder, to a sufficient quantity, 
for three or four times before the fits: For better advice herein, see 
the Chapters of a Tertian and Quotidian Ague, of which this is only a 
composition.
CHAP. III.
Of Quartane Agues, and Tertian.
EVery Ague is a Feaver, but every Feaver is not an Ague; every 
Ague hath Fits, but every Disease that hath Fits not an Ague. 
Every sickness that hath Periodick Fits, with chilness and heat super- 
vening, may be an Ague, but unless they come every fourth day, not a 
Quartane-Ague, the name of a thing is only a titular Attribute, and 
doth not constitute the Nature; but the Nature the Name; but every 
Disease that may first be proved an Ague, and secondly, to come every 
fourth day, may properly be called a Quartane-Ague ; but the extream 
of one kind, is the beginning of another, and some Quartanes are 
sometimes Tertians, and some Tertians sometimes Quartanes, and then 
perhaps another while Quotidians; neither are all Agues Quotidians, 
Quartanes, Hæmitriteans and Tertians, nor all Distempers that have 
Quotidian, Quartane, Hæmitritean or Tertian day-fits, Agues. 
But the nature of the Disease, as well as its manner of proceeding, 
must goe to the making of a thing ; for some are Aguish to day, and 
ortherwise dittempered to morrow; and some are otherwise distemper- 
ed to day, and Aguish to morrow; and we must distinguish betwixt 
Essential


374 Of FEAVERS
Essential Sickness, and Accidental Symptoms: Neither are all Ter- 
tians hot Agues, not all Quartanes or Quotidians cold ; but some parti- 
cipate of the nature of both, and some of neither : and some of one, 
at one time, and of another at another: nor is Nature tied up to one 
Rule or Method, for some Agues are Symptomatical to other Distem- 
pers, and other Distempers are often Symptomatical to Agues; some- 
times Agues cause Labefactation of the Inward Bowels, and some- 
times Labefactation of the Inward Bowels brings Agues ; and some- 
times they mutually depend upon each other; and sometimes Agues are
without Labefactation of the Inward Bowels , and Labefactation of 
the Inward Bowels without Agues; the quality corrupting is more 
significant here, then the quantity corrupted. 
Sometimes outward Causes bring Agues without inward, and some- 
times Inward Causes produce Agues without the progress of Outward, 
Obvious, and Procatarctick Causes ; but commonly Agues are made 
by some outward Cause, operating upon the inward, and where in any 
Bowel, there is a previous consimiler Disposition, a slight outward 
Cause doth more, then in a firm constitution of the Inward Bowels 
great outward Causes may do ; unless the Patient is fit to receive the 
operation of the Agent, and the Agent in all things able and apposite 
to operate upon the Patient, little or nothing is done: Some catch 
Agues, specially Quartanes, at fall of the Leaf, commonly by leaving off 
Garments, standing in Water, or eating Apples, or cold Drink and 
Water, or otherwise by taking cold; and some do all these, and 
they do cause in them another Distemper different from these, and per- 
haps from each other; and others wade in cold Water, drink cold Wa- 
ter, eat Apples, go naked Breasted , Wet-shod, &c. and feel no 
harm at all; and some are so by Nature, more or less, and some by 
custom, and some by both ; and he that will know Truth, all the Truth, 
and no other or more then the Truth, must come to Critical Distincti- 
ons, for we shall rarely find two alike ; yet commonly they that have A- 
gues alike every fourth day (which the Vulgar call Third-day-Agues, not 
reckoning the two Fit-dayes, but one) have commonly Symptoms more 
alike one another, then like those that have Agues every other or, each 
day : And as these things we have written differ one from another, so 
some other things we have not written may differ from these. 
And there be many things to be considered: the course of the Stars at 
each mans first sickning, and the alteration of them ; and that Planet 
that was upon the Ascendent at a Nativity, hath great signification and 
the Moon which causes great alteration, greatly alters in Place and 
Aspect. Also the natural constitution of our Bodies, Clymates, and
Soil,

Of FEAVERS. 375
Soil, Age, Dyet, season of the Year, Gender, and other accidents 
are various to divers persons, and so the Diseases vary ; but we can 
hardly foresee what a Disease will be by any of these, except by Astro- 
logy, and that is sometime uncertain. 
Nor for the Cure of Agues is one Method or Medicine alike suc- 
cessful, or at all successful to all kinds, or to all of one kind; but that that 
cures this Quartane, may not cure the other Quartane. But quoad in- 
termissionem, all having affinity, may be cured by one ; but Quotidians 
for the most part are more stubborn then Tertians, and Quartanes then 
either ; yet some Quartanes are less contumacious then some Quotidi- 
ans, and some Quotidians shorter then some Tertians; yet commonly 
such a Medicine as Camphir hung about the Neck, or Jesuits Bark, or 
Quinque Fole took inwardly, will cure more Quotidians or Tertians then 
Quartanes, yet not quoad Tertians or Quotidians ; but as they are from 
a thinner Humour, lying more overly, and less pertinaciously seated 
in the Bowels ; neither are all Tertians cureable, nor all Quartanes in- 
cureable, some die of either, but most of neither ; sometime a Medi- 
cine that cures a Tertian, will not cure in another Tertian, and yet cures 
a Quartane ; Vomiting is more proper in Tertians; yet if the Stomach 
be offended, more in Quartanes ; it may be better there, then in Ter- 
tians where that is not; sometimes they are easieliest at the first Fits, 
sometimes at the last, when the Fits are small and gentle, and the 
Seeds of the infected matter are almost dead. 
Bleeding is not good for an Ague, quatenus an Ague, but in every 
Disease where the Body is hot, the Arteries beat, Colour is great, and 
Dyet hath been generous, Nihil non obstante, it is good ; so is purging, 
if there be fit indications for it in any Disease, and if not, it is not 
good in any, which includes Agues, as every greater doth its less ; 
Sweating opens the pores of the Skin, and melts by the heat that causeth 
it, thick Humours, and expells them by the Habit and Circumference 
of the Body; therefore good in Agues, especially when Nature spon- 
taniously offers it, for we are Natures Servants to observe her Dictates, 
and as every like applies to its like, and shuns its enemy, so she en- 
deavours to retain what is friendly and homogenious to her, and to ex- 
pel what is adverse and heterogenious, unless in striving to expel one, 
through weakness of the part, or a depraved habit, the other follows. 
The best Sweaters ate Holy Thistle, Antimonium Diaphoreticum, Salt 
of Carduus, of Wormwood, Spirit of Sait, Treacle-Water, Tincture 
of Saffron, Featherfew, &c. But some are general, as Sweaters, and 
special, as Sweaters for Agues.
CHAP. 

376 Of FEAVERS.
CHAP. IV. 
Of Hectical Feavrs, and others, 
Where-ever there is a Feaver equal, not violent, seated in the 
habit of the Body, I suppose it proper to be called an Hectick.
The question in most Diseases is chiefly what one or two or three Sym- 
ptoms do of necessity concur to make it properly so called, without 
which it is improper so to call it; for some have lingring Feavers with 
some sensible fits, and some have violent Feavers without them ; some 
are almost constantly distempered with heat like Feavers, and yet have 
now and than cold fits, like Agues ; some that have Feaverish Distem- 
pers, have no other concomitant Symptoms of an Hectick; and some 
have the wasting and dryness ascribed to Hecticks, and yet no sensible 
Feaver, and if not sensible, not to be called so ; and some have a thirst 
without dryness, and dryness without thirst ; and some seem dry in one 
part or particular, and moist in another part or particular; so that Nature 
varies some what in all, and much in most: and almost all Sickness hath 
some changes, but scarce any all; neither is wasting of the Lungs al- 
ways attended with a wasting of the Flesh ; or if it be, it is not always 
in the same measure and manner; nor is the wasting of the Lungs alone 
the cause of the wasting of the Flesh, but the wasting of other Bowels 
also may waste the Flesh; but it is sometimes hard to say whether a part 
wasted causeth wasting of the Body; or that that caused wasting of the 
Body, caused also the wasting of that part or parts : Nor are all Hecticks 
(if it is proper to call any so) mild at first, and hotter in process of time, 
but some naturally grow cooler, that used to be hot; and some naturally 
grow hot, some by fits, and some more constantly, some less, and some 
more, that used to be always cool: There is scarce any thing, a staid- 
judgmented-man and well read, can imagine, but he may find or read 
of in some : There is nothing may happen to all, but every thing hap- 
pens to some ; every thing was ordained to keep its order, as well to 
the frequency, as violence of its actions ; but from the one extreme of a 
thing to the other, is much variety; and complicated Causes produce 
complicated Effects: All things were contrived methodically of GOD, 
but fall out in an accidental and various manner, as to our Knowledge, 
and meerly contingent, as to our Foreknowledge. 
Some Hecticks are incurable, and some be curable ; and amongst those 
one is cured the first month, another the second, and so onward ; one 
the 

Of FEAVERS. 377 
the first year, another in the second, another in the third, and so may 
the variety of Nature in other things be guessed ; one is cured by Na- 
ture, another by Medicine ; one by a Method of Physick, another with 
one or two Specificals; and of these, one with Snails, another with 
Frogs boiled in Milk or Broath ; One with Gellies, another with Emul- 
sions, and some with Syrup of Walnuts, and some with Asses; and some 
use all these things, and are not cured ; and some none, and yet are ; yet 
GOD commonly appoints the Effects, by ordering the Cause ; But in 
many Medicines we give, we are not sure which doth it, or whether 
Nature might not have done the like , or whether this and the other cu- 
red alike, had their Disease caused alike in the inward parts. 
And in this manner doth Nature proceed in other Sicknesses; and as 
these vary from one another, so probably may others vary from these; but 
we endeavoured to write all such things as experience, and men may 
prove them by what they shall see clearly and plainly in their Practices. 
What we writ from Authors, may be justified by their Authority amongst 
Physicians. 
Multi multa sciunt, sed nulli omnia. 
B b b OF 

378
OF 
Diseases and Affects  
OF THE 
HAIR:
And of OUTWARD ERUPTIONS.  
These Chapters of outward Ails 
and Affects being writ in the 
year 1658, and 1659, We have 
experienced and read many Ex- 
periences since, of the variety of 
these Affects, and many things 
differing from these; yet We 
thought good to put these to 
publick View, being drawn from the best of the Mo- 
derns, as Sennertus, Platerus, Johnstonus, Rondeletius, 
Paræus &c. and writ from oculate Experience in one 
or other, by one or other. 
Divers Chapters are omitted, that are in many Pra- 
ctical Authors ; and most of those the Moderns fol-
lowed

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 379
lowed the Ancients too superstitiously in, and were 
mere deceived than in these we wrote of. 
It is supposed few will buy this Book, that have 
not other Practick Books by them, wherein are the 
Chapters that may be here omitted : And many of 
those Books are wanting as to these Diseases and Af- 
fects We have writ of, so that they may be commo- 
diously compared and joyned. 
It is supposed that most will read the first part of 
this Book first, so that these Diseases may be read 
with the better understanding : What we found defe- 
ctive in one. We supplied out of another; and where 
We found any thing superfluous, We omitted it. 
We strove to digest all into a clear Method, with 
Heads and Distinctions; and wrote (besides the best 
Medicines extant in Authors) divers of our own using 
and experiencing. 
It must not be supposed We can write by one how 
all must be, there is such variety; therefore if these 
be never so truly writ, yet the Practitioner must look 
to find many outward Ails differing from these, and 
from each other. 
We are now in a little differing Opinion (in some
of these) concerning the Causes, as to what we was 
when they were first writ ; But the first part of this 
Book will give the Reader insight thereinto : having 
since studied more Philosophy and Astrology.
B b b 2 CHAP.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
CHAP. I. 
Of Defluvium Capillorum, or a general falling off 
of Hairs. 
DEFINITION. 
A Defluvium Pilorum, or Capillorum, is a sheding of Hair, from 
Head, Beard, and all parts of the Body, without danger; 
some here and there remaining very thin and sprinklingly, 
from an Hectical state of the Cutis Capillata, or Skin of the 
Head. 
CAUSE. 
Cause, 1. is want of nourishment, as in Tabids or Consumptions. 2. Lax- 
ity of the Skin from Humours, or the Serosity of a Pituitous and Chol- 
lerick Matter, or an hot and moist Distemper; or Bathes, Sweats and 
Unguents may make the Skin loose ; sometimes scalding makes Hair 
fall off. 
SIGN. 
The Skin is thin from a Consumptive State, or loose from insinuating 
of Humours there, and then though the Hair falls off, yet 'tis not ex- 
tenuated, but from defect of Aliment it is extenuated; there went be- 
fore Causes of Emptiness and Tabes, and often it attends Malignant 
Feavers. 
DIFFERENCE. 
It differs from Alopecia and Ophiasis, from a larger signification. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
In Consumptions ’tis hardly cured, but is an evil Sign, specially 
with a Diarrhæa. 
DYET. 
Dyet must be Analeptick, and Restorative, to make good Humours. 
CURE. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE.
1. In Consumptive or Tabid states, we may neither Purge nor 
Bleed. 
2. Topicks must heat and bind very moderately, that Nutriment 
by them maybe brought to the part; too great heat may resolve too 
much, and too great Astriction repel Nourishment : a Laviment of 
Strengtheners for the Head, of Capillary Herbs, is first to be used ; for 
Fomentation, after the Head is shaved and rubbed, thickners of the 
Skin, if it be made very thin, as Oyl of the Mastick Tree, of Mirtles, 
of Burdock-Seed, are good. 2. From Laxity of the Skin, or pravity 
of ill Humours that are inimical to the Roots of the Hair; 1. Purging 
and Bleeding are allowed. 2. Some gentle Discutients. 
Medicines that generally help, may be divided into such as, 1. Hin- 
der the falling off of Hair, as Juyce of Milsoil, or a Lee of Wall-Rhue. 
2. Others restore it, and make it grow again, as an Emplaister of Line- 
seed and its Oyl, with Flower boild to a consistence to spread upon Lea- 
ther all over the Head, for three dayes or more, with renewing ; Labda- 
num boild to an Oynment in Oyl, Sheeps Suet, and Honey-Water: 
Many more are set down in the Chapter of Alopecia, which may be re- 
ferred-hither. 
If the falling off of Hair be from a Scald, Oyl of Tartar, per Deliqui- 
um, to wash the place, used warm for seven or eight or more dayes, is 
commended.  
CHAP. II. 
Psilothra, or Medicines taking away superflous Hair.
Psilothra, or a taking away of Hairs where they grow indecently and 
out of due order and place, is done by Medicines, having a force 
Septick, Caustick, or by Propriety. 
1. By a force Septick or Caustick ; the Juyce of Tithimale, anointed, 
makes the Hair to fall off; a little bag of quick Lime, two parts Or- 
pement, one part first pondered, then tied up in a little Rag, boild 
in Water, and the part rubbed therewith (the Hairs being first cut off) 
doth the like ; Bay-salt in fine Pouder, reduced into an Emplaister, with 
Gum of old Ivy Trunks and fading Spittle, doth take away Hairs by a 
Caustick force, though more weak then the former ; Aqua Fortis, by 
its Caustick force, if it may be suffered alone, is the strongest. 
2. By 

382 Of Diseases and Assects of the Hair. 
2. By Propriety, the Ashes of Horse-Leeches mixt with Vinegar; 
and the part rubbed therewith, where we would not have Hair to grow, 
causes both a falling off of the Hair, and also hinders the growing of it 
again ; so the Blood of a Bat so takes it away by the Roots, or poisons 
the place that it will never more bear Hair; but whether clear from a 
Caustick force or no may be questioned ; and it may be thought to do it 
by a bad quality in it; as also the Allies of Horse-Leeches, an Oynt- 
ment of Pigeons Dung, Gum Hederæ, or Gum of the Ivy Tree, and 
Oyl, doth it most innocently by a Propriety ; if weaker will not avail, 
which are first to be tryed, we must proceed to stronger; and if through 
using these hot inflaming sharp Medicines, inflamation be raised, we 
must cool with convenient Oyntments of Lead, Ceruss, Camphir, 
and with Opium, &c, as need shall require. 
CHAP. III. 
Of Baldness. 
BAldnefs is a defect of Hair from old age, or a privation of it from 
want of good Humours, or an Hectick dry state, or fuliginous 
Excrements, chiefly happening in the forepart of the Head, the Skin 
there flicking to the bare Bone. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is in old men, and others too, from defect of Aliment, a dry 
Distemper of the Brain, and hairy faculty of the Skin ; therefore what- 
ever things do dry, may effect it, as Watchings, Cares, Venery, &c. 
Hence Eunuches, because they are more moist, never are bald, nor 
are Women commonly so bald as Men, because not of so dry a Tempe- 
rature. 
2. An hard consistence of the flesh. And 3. Fuliginous Excrements 
do seldomer cause it. 
SIGNS DIANOSTICK. 
’Tis best discovered by the sight, and the Causes too, and by the 
pregress of drying Causes.
PROGNOSTICK. 
'Tis hard to cure it, yet there is hopes to stay its spreading greater.
CURE.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 383
CURE. 
Cure, Is first by a good Dyet, wherein we must avoid all salt sharp 
binding things ; exercising of Venery is very bad, and also Wine. 
2. Respecting the Cause, correct bad Aliment. 3. Medicines moist- 
ning are to be used for driness. 4. Attracters of the good Humours 
mixt with Astringents to fortifie the Skin, both bringing a good Nu- 
tritive Humour, and making good the faculty of the Skin, producing 
Hair. 
An Unguent of Labdanum, Oyl of Mastick, and Pulpe of Fenugreek- 
Seeds may serve to these intentions ; cutting of the Hair often is very 
good, for so being shorter, it requires the less moisture, and grows 
thicker. 
Medicines by a Propriety avail against Baldness, and bring again 
Hairs where they are wanting ; as Froath of the Sea is said, by washing 
of a bald Head decently and comelily, to deck it with Hairs ; the Off- 
scouring of a Whetstone mixed with Oyi, is good; the Juyce of Onions, 
anointed for many times together (in the Sun, say some) upon the bald 
place, is very effectual to bring the Hair again; the Roots of Jacinths 
are said to procure Hair in Beardless Men; as also that the Ashes of 
Southernwood, mixt with Oyl of Radish or Organy, will quickly cause
the Beard to grow. 
See for more Remedies that may be very available here, in the Chap- 
ter of Alopecia. 
CHAP. IV. 
Of Ophiasis. 
Ophiasis is a falling off of the Hair Obliquely, retaining a certain 
Figure, and therefore called so from Ophis a Serpent, which 
it imitates in creeping, proceeding from the hinder part of the Head 
in the latitude of not above two Fingers, creeping in two Heads to each 
Ear, sometimes even to the Forehead, and there the two divided 
Heads sometimes do meet, the Hair still growing betwixt them, and on 
either side of them. Moreover Ophiasis possesses altogether the Head, 
is more familiar to Children, and disposed to the. Leprosie; Ophiasis 
also often ceases spontaneously of its own accord, all which happen 
not so in Alopecia, though the Causes differ not; and they are both to 
be

384 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
be cured after one way and Method, and by the same Medicines ; and 
therefore refer you to the Chapter of Alopecia.
CHAP. V. 
Of Platting of the Hair, of Cleaving of the Hair, of 
Worms in the Hair.
1. Of Platting the Hair. 
Plica, is a folding or complication of the Hair into Tufts or Locks, 
risen from a matter unprofitable to nourish the Hairs, troubling 
Men and Horses, and bringing along with it many Symptoms. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is guessed to be an Alimentary Juyce carried to the Roots of 
the Hair, offending both in quantity and quality, to which being com- 
municated, an infection from a peculiar Vice in the place, Air, and 
Waters, and comes hereditarily. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK. 
The Hair Tusts, pains infest the Joints and Bones; there be con- 
vulsive wreathings, plenty of Lice, and the Toe Nails are black and 
rough, like Goats Horns. 
PROGNOSTICK. 
If the Platting be cut off, the poisonous quality which was before di- 
sperst in the Hairs creeps in again, and the forces are more opprest ; if 
there be no pain, ’tis more hopeful, because then we may guess absence 
of the Humour, and that it is spent in the Hair; yet we have little 
hope, unless by foreseeing the Cause, the cutting off of the Tufts that 
soak up the Sweating Humour sometime bring dangerous effects. 
CURE.
Evacuation by Bleeding and Catharticks, are useless, and are likely 
to irritate more the Humour, the Cure is hidden; some use Decoction 
of Barefoot; some have been cured by Bathing, which caused a certain 
roughness, after which the Hairs were cut off, and they were clearly 
delivered. 
2. Of 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 385
2. Of Cleaving of the Hairs. 
This is much like the former, the ends of the Hairs cleaving toge- 
ther occasioned from some adust Humours, and is curable, a good and 
regular Dyet being kept; that Humour being purged by Black Helebore, 
Senna, Epithimum, Lapis Lazuli, &c. that Purge ; Airabilis, and 
the Head bathed with Decoctions of Emolient things. 
3. Of Worms in the Hair.
Tinea is a Disease, wherein the ends of the Hairs are eaten by 
Worms, and fall off in peice-meals, and so greatly shortned. 
CAUSE. 
The Cause is in the nourishment of the Hair, which by heat is turned 
into Worms. 
SIGN. 
1. We may discern (though hardly from their smallness) lit- 
tle Worms sticking in the end of them, which are described by 
few. 
2. The Hairs are made shorter, and break away by bits. 
3. The Hair is infected with an Ashey Colour.
CURE. 
Universals premised, they are killed by Decoction of the greater 
Nettle Seed in Vinegar; Also by Decoction or Juyce of Scabious, the 
lesser Centuary, or Southernwood, to which a Portion of Vinegar may 
be put, and the Hair therewith be washed and fomented. 
CHAP. VI. 
Of Alopecia.  
DEFINITION 
ALopeci is a general falling off of the Hair from all parts, differing 
from Ophiasis in figure, and a Defluvium by quantity, made from 
a prave and corrupted Humour, eroding the roots of the Hair. 
Ccc SUBJECT.

386 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the Head, Beard, and Eyebrows, and all other hairy parts 
of the Body. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is a Vice of the Humour, salt, pituitous, adust and putrified; 
produced from a more hot Liver, and ill habit of the Brain, and eroding 
the roots of the Hair; eating of bad Nourishment, as Mushrooms, &c. 
also may produce it. 
Also sharpness of an humour, and driness of the pores, loosness of 
their roots from the outward skin being made dead, and the hairy facul- 
ty fails, because of bad nourishment, and the roots being eaten up. 
SIGNS. 
It keeps one certain figure. 2. The Hair generally falls off. 5. The 
skin pricked, the Blood will be watery. 4. Sometimes it waxes not red 
by rubbing. 5. The Hairs from the Beard, Eye-brows, Arm-holes, &c. do 
fall off, as well as from the Head. 6. It possesses any Age. 
DIFFERENCES.
Differences as to it self, are taken from the Humours, which are 
shewn by the colour of the skin of the Head: As, 
1. Whiteness of it shews the occupying and redundancy of a flegma- 
tick Humour. 
2. Pale yellow colour of it shews Choler. 
3. Black shews Melancholy. 
4. Scurf and Irch shews the saltness of flegm. 
5. Dyet generating such Humours also went before. 
Differences of the falling off of Hair are divers ; it differs from 
Ophiasis in figure, not in Cause. See the Chapter of Ophiasis. 
2. From a failing off of the Hair; for there the Hair falls off not so 
generally, and chiefly from the Head alone, from penury of Ali- 
ment. 
3. It differs from badness, for that happens chiefly to old Men, 
from want of nourishment, also from driness, and loosness of the Hai- 
ry Skin, and a deficiency in the retentive faculty of it. 
4. It differs from that falling off of Hairs that is made in Leprosies, 
for there, besides general notes of the Leprosie, be Wheals and crusty 
Scabs and Scurf both in the Head and Chin. 
5. From the French POX, for then the Hair soonest falls from the 
Evebrows and Beard : many Symptoms to shew the French POX, are 
present. PROG-


Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 387 
PROGNOSTICKS
In general, ’tis hard to cure, but worst, if, 1. It happens to old 
Age. 2. If the Skin be fat, thick, and smooth,and wholly peeled. 3. If 
by rubbing, it wax not red, and by pricking, sends forth Water. 4. If 
it follow Elephantiasis or the French POX. 
2, ’Tis better, and there is more hopes of Cure, if it be made, 1. In 
young and flourishing Ages. 2. If it fell off suddenly from the afore- 
going of some acute Diseases, and be fresh 3. If it be made from 
Whoredom onely, not Venerous nor Leprous. 4. If the place by 
chasing or fomenting suddenly wax red. 5. If the bordering extremities 
of the Head begin to fend forth Hair again, some still remaining.  
CURE. 
1. We must respect Cachochymy, or a common corruption of Hu-
mours generally ; here we must use various Purgers, and strong, as the 
variety of the Humours most abounding require ; praises Pills of 
Collocinthis and Scammony. 
2. Letting Blood also, specially in Phlethory, and redundancy of 
a Serous Blood; some after opening the Cephallick Vein in the Arm, 
advise a Vein of the Forehead to be opened, and the Skin of the Head, 
after rubbing, to be prickt in various places, and Leeches to be set to 
suck out the vitious Blood. 
3. Also for Evacuation sake, Apophlegmatisms, Masticatories and Er- 
rhines are useful. 
1. Topicks; Here, 1. we must repel the Humour while 'tis in flux- 
ion. 2. Digest it, being impact in the Skin, for which we must use 
Medicines of thin parts and hot, but not too dry ; also we must dili- 
gently beware, least by the use of too hot things, the Skin be burnt and 
dryed, and nourishment will be discussed and consumed; more moist 
and liquid Medicines are to be used at first, and continued, while we 
perceive they have made some alteration in the Skin, as Bathes, Oyls, 
Oyntments, &c. that open the Pores, melt and let out thick and 
viscous Humours, and add nourishment to the Skin and Hairy faculty; 
these by way of precept.  
Medicines are such as, 1. Prevent its falling off, as Ashes of the 
Roots of Reeds, or Sugar-Cane with Vinegar; an Unguent of Labda- 
num, and Bears Grease, Juyce of Mallows, and the Ashes of the Kernels 
of Wallnuts mixt with Red Wine, Juyces of Quinces, Pelletory and 
Carduus. 
2. Restore it again being fallen off; among such, most excellent is, 
Ccc 2 1. the 

388 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 
i. The Juyce of an Onion. 2. The Ashes of Asphodel, with Ducks 
Create, commended by Galen, 3. Honey-Water. 4. An Oyntment 
of Oyl of Tartar, Honey and Ox-Suet. 5. Mice Dung, with the 
Ashes of Wasps and Hazel-Nuts burnt, and Vinegar of Roses brought 
to an Oyntment. 6. Oyl of Frogs, and of the Yolks of Eggs ; with 
the Brain of an Hair made also into an Oyntment. 7. Many good Me- 
dicines, but of less note are made of Maiden-Hair, Southern-wood, 
Male-Asphodel, Oyl of the Kidney, Bean of Malacca, of the Kernels 
of Peaches and Wallnuts, and of bitter Almonds, Froath of the Sea, 
Water-Cresses ; also an Oyntment of the Froath of the Roots of the 
Elm Tree boild in Wine, and Oyl of Frogs, with Pouder of Bees, to 
bring Hair again-suddenly, is commended. 
Among Authors these are extolled. 
Monavius extols Labdanum. 
Johnstonus commends an Oyntment made of the Allies of Bears Hairs, 
and Oyl of the Mastick Tree.
Dioscorides, Oyl of Euphorbium. 
Forestus found a Liniment of Bees-Ashes, and Oyl of Mirtles Em- 
plaisters of Bees, of Flies beaten with Turpentine, the Liquor of Snails, 
the place first sharply rubbed, the Fat of Green Frogs, Goats-Dung, 
and Mice burnt to Ashes, and Walnut-shels burnt with Honey, to be 
very effectual. 
Johannes Baptista commends the Ashes of Bees, and Mice-dung, mixt 
with Oyl of Roses, to an Oyntment. 
Nostredamus praises an Oyntment of the Ashes of Bees, Swans blood 
and Honey. 
Lebotius, The Excrements of a red Haired Man, distilled into a Wa- 
ter, to wash the part. 
Others commends, the Fat of Frogs used for Unction, after the use of 
a Lee of the Ashes of Frogs, first to the part, wherewith Hairs are pro- 
duced every where, even in those that are Lepers ; and the Ashes of 
Nigella-Seeds, Goldsmiths Water, wherewith they that have been 
made bald from Quicksilver, have been recovered.  
Bees, Wasps, Flies, Frogs, Mice and Snails, their Fat, Ashes, or 
Excrements, are most commended by the later Physicians. 
And left, when the Hair comes again, it should turn white, Nostre-
damus advises often to wash the  place with the Milk of a Bitch. 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 389 
CHAP. VII.
Of Medicines hindering the growth of superfluous Hair.
THis succeeds to Psilothra or Medicines that take away superfluous 
Hair; and sometime these Medicines that hinder the coming forth 
of Hair too thick, or in inconvenient places, may be used before Psilothra, 
the Hair not yet being grown; for if it be grown, then Medicines taking 
it away, or Psilothra, are to be used, and after those, these that hinder 
the regeneration of the Hair again, after ’tis taken away ; to both these 
intentions (if the Hair be already sprung up) as we said of Psilothra Me- 
dicines, the Blood of a Bat, and the Ashes of Horsleeches mixt with Vi- 
negar, do both take away the Hairs by the roots, so as they will never 
grow more in that part: those do it rather by a sceptick quality, or poi- 
sonous inimical force. 
But Medicines that onely hinder the regeneration of superfluous Hairs, 
do it by a cold and dry force, because they thicken the skin, and repel 
Nourishment, as is an Oyntment of Ceruse and Henbane: Or this, re- 
cited by Primrose, ℞ of the Blood of Frogs, Sumach, Terra Sigillata 
pouder them all, and being equalized in weight, mix them with Vinegar 
and Juyce of Henbane. 
Dioscorides saith, If they that have the Hair of their Eye-lids come off, 
do bathe them with Juyce of Fumitary, and Gum Tragacanth, they will never 
grow again.
CHAP. VIII. 
Of Curling colouring the away gray Hair, &c.  
1. Of Curling the Hair. 
The Hair is made to curl, if it be wet in Sallet Oyl, and rubbed 
with Harts-horn, or they both may be mixed into form of a Lini- 
ment, and so used together; also to wash the Hair in a Decoction of the 
2. To 
Root of Dwarf-Elder, is said to make it to curl. 

390 Of Disease and Affects of the Hair.
2. To make the Hair yellow. 
Medicines that have a dying faculty, and of a yellow colour, do this ;
a washing of the Head with Decoction of Rhubarb, of the Root of Box 
and Chelidone, with Saffron, is effecual ; washed with a Lixive, or Lee 
of the ashes of the Wood of the Barbery Tree, is very effecual to turn 
the Hair yellow. A Lee of the ashes of old Colworts, with shavings of 
the Box-Tree, Liquorish, and Saffron, the Decoction of Broom-flowers 
also, and of the yellow flowers of Mullein, do the same; as also Citron 
Peels, Water and Oyl of Honey, Decoction of Alkanet-Roots, and 
the like. 
These and such-like Medicines are chiefly required whenas the Hair 
grows gray, or whenas its colour is meet to be changed into ano- 
ther. 
3. Gray Hairs, or Gray-Headed.
Canities is a changing of the Hair to white, which oftenest happens 
through old Age, but sometimes is greatly furthered by Griefs, Sor- 
row, sollicitude of Minde, and Cares, which be the efficient Causes of 
it. 
The material Cause is, a pituitous Humour coupling with a fuliginous 
matter, not much adust. 
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK are discerned best by seeing. 
PROGNOSTICKS.
The Cause may be taken away, or hindered, though the Affects may 
not ; many that have had their Hair changed in colour after their falling 
into some Disease, being recovered of that Disease, and their Body re- 
stored to health, their Hair afterward also hath come to its natural colour 
again. 
CURE. 
After respect had to the Cause, we must strive to make the Hair 
change from its gray colour ; that is done chiefly by Paints, by Astrin- 
gents, Alkanet-Roots, Allom, Galls, Cypress-Nuts, &c. boild for a Loti- 
on of the Head and Beard, an Oyntment of Ol de Been, Galls, burnt Iron, 
Indian Myrobalans, Litharge, Dwarf-Eldern, &c. to anoint the Hair 
with Oleum Costinam, hinders its turning gray, a Comb of Lead for the 
Head and the Beard, doth obscure the grains of the Hair ; to these may
be 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 391 
be added Medicines that are taken inwardly to restore and conserve
Youth, and keep off the gray Head; such is the Pouder of Eldern-flow- 
ers taken in Borrage-Water every Morning ; three drops of Oyl of Salt 
taken every morning in any convenient Liquor; Senna also is commen- 
ded by Mesue, for keeping back gray Age. 
4. To make the Hair Black. 
The Hairs are made black by Decoctions of astringent things, by 
Phlegmagogues, or Purgers of Flegm; Topicals are the Juyce of Dane- 
wort, or Dwarf-Elder for Lotion ; Myrobalans inwardly and outwardly, 
Cadmia, Labdanum, Lead, Cloves, Bean-stalks, green shells of Walnuts, 
a Lead Comb, &c. set down by Authors: these are to be used chiefly, 
whenas we are forced in gray Heads to give some other Tincture to 
the Hair, to take away the gray colour ; and as other things are coloured 
by things that have a dying force, so also may the Hairs be painted with 
them, as the Party affected best approves of. 
CHAP. IX. 
Of Scurfiness in Hair 
Tis called Pitoriasis by the Greeks, Porrigo chiefly, Furfur and 
Furfuratio by the Latins; and is an Ulcerous disposition of the 
topmost Cuticle, not deep, not moist, but scaley, dry, loose, and 
Brun-like, which Scurfey matter by any light Scratching or Combing 
falls off, though from its cause, yet resident, it grows again.
CAUSE. 
Cause is an hot and dry Distemper of the Skin, which converts a  
sharp and thin Humour that insinuates it self, and breaths through it in- 
to scurf
A second Opinion is, That the Cause is in Ichorus Juyce, which e- 
roding the thin Skin, and drying, doth stir up certain Scales and 
Scurf. 
A third Opinion is, That they are Humours, either Serous, Chollick 
or Flegmatick, carried with the nourishment of the Hairs thither, and 
the thinner Parts being discust, the thicker remain about the Roots of 
the Hair, and turn to a scurfey matter, being attracted by a more hot  
Brain.
A 


392 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
A fourth Opinion is, That they are made, 1. From thickness and 
astriction of the Parts. 2. From an Humour adust, and therefore get- 
ten a drying and eroding quality, and therefore cleaves and dries the 
Cuticle or outward Skin, effecting an Ulcerous temper of it, and solu- 
tion of continuity; for from an Humour must needs be moisture ; from 
Erosion, Ulcers ; and from Drying, Scurfs ; but these Humours are 
made from bad Nourishment aforegoing. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly the Head and Beard, and parts 
where Hairs grow, as Eyebrows, &c.
SIGNS.
Signs are the going before of an evil Dyet, engendering a corrupt and 
unwholsome Joyce ; the Scurfs are best discovered by fight, they fall off 
by Scratching or Combing; the Skin is uneven, rough, with a white 
colour. 
DIFFERENCES. 
It differs from that Scaley and Scurfey affect that happens to those
that have the French POX, sticking in the Palms of the Hands, and 
Soles of the Feet, nor doth it easily fall off, unless by great tearing and 
pulling it off by the Nails, and is greater (and like a continued Scale) 
then those Scurfs that be in other hairy parts of the Body. 
DYET. 
Here we must beware of Toad-stools, Fungous things, Bulbs, and 
windy Meats, filling the Head, and causing Crudity. 
CURE. 
After Evacuation and rectifying of the Blood by Internals, we must
use abstersive and discussive Topicals; which either may be, 1. To 
wall), as a Lee of Vine Branches, Draconts, Briony, Wild Cucumers, 
Fumitary, Lupines, Aron, sharp-pointed Dock, &c. or a Lotion of 
Soap, or Baths of salt Water, or an Oyntment of Oyl of bitter Al- 
monds, and of the Kernels of Rank Nuts, with Sulphur and Vitriol. 
2. Or for Friction, as with Niter Salt, Allies of a Lee ; the Hands 
being anointed with Oyl of Bitter Almonds, for so the serous Hu- 
mours are drawn forth and confirmed ; Cataplasms also of Soot, Ink, 
Oyl, Sulphur, Allom, Mallows, and Cicers, with Vinegar. 
Among others, these following are of greatest efficacy and most help- 
ful ; ℞ of the Juyce of Tithimale or Spurge, ℥viij. Juyce of Garlick,
℥vj.

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 393 
℥vj Water found in the hollow places of old Beech Trees, one pound, 
mix them, and boil therein of the Ashes of Common Reed, or Sugar- 
Cane, of the Ashes of the Bark of the Ash, of the Ashes also of Fig- 
tree-Leaves, of each, as much as maybe convenient ; after a little 
boiling, strain them for a Lotion of the parts diseased. 
Or an effectual Water may be made of the Roots of Aron, Dra- 
conts, Wall-rue, Scabious, VVillow-Leaves and Fig-Tree, well di- 
gested in Vinegar and distilled. 
Unguents also of slippery things, as of extract of Fenugreek-Seeds 
in Juyce of Mallows, with Bears Grease, and Oyl of Nigella Seeds, 
excel; though they be of another quality to corroding and sharp Medi- 
cines, yet they deterge kindly, and loosen the Scurf, and render the 
Skin smooth and whole ; Euphorbium, with Bears Grease, and Orobus, 
Gum Laserpice, with Wine-Vinegar and Pepper, Darnel Meal boild 
in Vinegar, with wild-Radish-Roots and Brimstone, are commended by 
Dioscorides and others, not only for the ordinary Scurf, but that that is 
made from the French POX, Alopecia or Leprosie. 
CHAP. X. 
Of Phtheiriasis, the Lousie-Evil. 
DEFINITION.
PHhtheiriasis in Greek, in Latin Morbus Pedicularis, in English it may 
be called the Lousie Disease, is a Symptom of excretion made in the 
superficies of the Skin, either throughout the whole Body, or in hairy 
parts ; made from a putrified, but not sharp Humour, and hot and moist 
distemper of the part, chiefly afflicting Children. 
CAUSE. 
Cause is, 1. Putrid Humours collected 'twixt the Cuticle, and true 
Skin, not very sharp, and residing most in the Emunctories, and hot moist 
places that have hair to cover them, and for them to abide in. 
2. The frequent use of Figs is condemned by many; the reason is 
thought to be from a quality in them turning to such an Excrement that 
the Lice are bred of ; the frequent use of Vipers are also thought by their 
tenuity to effect the breeding of Lice, thereby expelling many Humours 
to the Skin ; also other bad things, as Fruits, that are apt to corrupt 
much further. 
3. Though a good Dyet be kept, and the Parties be not of flegmatick  
Ddd and 

394 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
and moist tempers, for in such they chiefly breed, and therefore more in 
Childhood than in elder Age; yet to such as lie in Camps long with their 
Cloaths unshifted, abundance of them are bred; and those that are of 
such apter tempers to breed them, by often drifting, and keeping their
Cloaths clean, and combing, do preserve themselves from them.
4. They grow exceedingly by the immoderate use of Waters, saith 
Aristotle, or by moistening Causes ; therefore Children are most trou- 
bled, and Women more than Men, excepted the Head, for Womens 
Heads being close bound up always, Nourishes them not so much. 
5. The fifth Cause is, by catching; one lousie Body may infect a whole 
Company, as One scabbed Sheep infects a whole Flock: The Vulgar say they 
fly in May, which thing Experience hath verified to some; yet are no 
Wings to be perceived, unless they grow then. 
SUBJECT. 
Subject is the whole Skin, but chiefly that covered with Hair, as is 
the Head, which is fullest, and therein onely for the most part they live ; 
also in the Beard, under the Arm-holes, and in the Privities, and Emun- 
ctories, because there is most moist and hot matter breathed out. 
SIGNS are evident to the sight. 
PROGNOSTICKS. 
1. They do good in young Children, and others too, feeding upon, 
and sucking superfluous excrementitious matter; and ’tis thought the  
scurfie matter, and the pores by them are kept more open for hurtful ex- 
halations; whence it is that Children much frequented with them, are not 
so subject to the Head-ach or Falling-sickness. Also in flegmatick old 
persons they are wholesom. 
2. The Skin is sometimes totally and so immoderately affected with 
them, that sometimes they bring death, therefore are not altogether to 
be slighted : Several Nobles have died under this Affect as Herod King 
of Judea, Sylla a great Roman Captain, but a Glutton, Pherisides a famous 
Philosopher, and others. 
3. They leave Dead Bodies, whereby may be guessed they accompa- 
ny healthful Bodies ; and to those that have entered into Quartane A- 
gues, all the Lice in the Body and Head have died, and not one living 
(that were wont to have abundance before their Sickness) all the while 
the Ague hath lasted ; and 'tis very probable those excrementitious Hu- 
mours were spent by the Ague. 
4. If they exceedingly multiply, it may fore-tell the Morphew or
Leprosie 

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 395 
Leprosie to succeed from weakness of natural heat, which cannot di- 
gest the Excrements that arc sent to the Skin, and breed them. 
DYET. 
Let them use a good drying and attenuating Dyet ; in the Meats, let 
them eat Sorrel, Organy, Leeks, VVater-Cresses, Salt, Oranges and 
Lemmons, Mustard, Verjuyce ; use Calamint and Garlick boild in- 
wardly, saith Avicen. 
All things engendring cold, moist and flegmatick corrupt Humours, 
are to be avoided, and the Body is to be well dressed and shifted. 
CURE. 
Cure, Depends, 1. upon evacuation of the Cause, where Phleg- 
magogues have the chiefest place. 
2. Internal Dryers, because from plenty of humidity they arise. 
3. Topicks, are either to be drying and cleansing, or discussing and 
drying, as others will; here Baths, Tubs and Lotions of the whole Bo- 
dy and Head are conducible, made of bitter things, and Relaxers or 
Opners of the Pores, that the Humors, the matter of which Lice are made, 
may breath forth, therefore add some Penetraters; yet some fear there 
is, lest by too much and too long Bathing, Excrements should be more 
gathered to the Skin ; whenas Lice proceed from the whole Body, else 
bathing of the whole Body is not useable; let a Tub or Bath be prepared 
of Niter, Hellebore, Calamint, Salt, Collocinthis, Staphesacre, the 
Berry of India, called Coculus Indi, and other bitter and salt things 
boiled in Sea-water. 
A Lee of the Flower of Golden Stæchas, or Cedar-wood, Tamarisk, 
Broom, Hyssop, and English Tobacco boild in salt-water, by a propri- 
ety kill all manner of Lice and Nits ; the distilled water of the Bead- 
Tree of Capadocia, also doth the like. 
The Oyl made by Decoction or Insolation of the Flowers of the Broom 
Bush, the stronger 'tis made, the more effectual it is to kill Lice in all 
parts of the Body. 
Or a Liniment of the Oyl extracted from Mustard-Seed, Oyl of To- 
bacco, ana ℥fs. Pouder of the white Roots of Hellebore, of the In- 
ward Bark of the black Alder Tree, ana ℥ss. Hyssop, ʒj. Vinegar, as 
much as may suffice ; the vulgar remedy for Lice is Coculus Indi. 
The Emunctories also are to be anointed, because there by reason of 
the Veins more frequenting, more of the matter and heat is present; an 
Oyntment of Olibanum and Barrows Grease is greatly commended, both 
to kill them, and hinder their breeding again. 
Ddd2 The 

396 Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair.
The Garments also are to be washed in proper Lee, as in the Lee of the 
Ashes of Broom, and Flowers of Stæchados of a Golden Colour, or 
sprinkled with the Pouder of Staphesacre and Saffron; if they be only in 
the Head, Pouders there may be sprinkled, where Oyntments some- 
times are not so commodious or convenient, by reason of daubing the 
Hair; this then among others may serve for a special Example, ꝶ Ashes 
of Broom, of Coculus Indi Berries, white Hellebore and Staphesacre, ana, 
℥j. Tobacco, Cudweed, Tamarisk, Fenugreek-Seeds, ana. ℥ss. make 
of all a Pouder. 
The Vulgar do use, when withal in Childrens Heads, there be Sores
or Ulcers, the Juyce of Sage, with Butter and Pepper, or Tobacco, and 
Coculus Indi, or Staphesacre with Butter; but in Ulcers such sharp things 
exasperate much. 
DIFFERENCE.
Difference is four-fold. 1. Lice, which are white, bred external- 
ly in all parts of the Body, creeping, and by biting, moving a little 
Itch, and are not very hurtful, unless the parts be ulcerated, or they 
exceed in number, of which we have treated largely ; they are called 
Pediculi, from their many Feet. 
2. Morpiones are more flat, commonly bred in the Share, called by 
Aristotle, Ferum Animals; and by the Vulgar Latins, Pedicolatæ, Pesso- 
latæ and Morpione; they wander hot as the Lice do, but stick fast to the 
Skin, and gnaw much ; of their Cause and Cure, see the precedent 
Cause and Cure of Lice in General. 
5. Chirones, which never break forth of the Skin,, but alwayes lie hid 
within the Skin and Flesh, and there Corrode ; chiefly they are in the 
Hands, and through negligence breed there, are caused of a more dry 
Humour then Lice, that penetrates and breathes not forth through the 
Pores of the Skin : some Women use to pull these Chirones out of the 
Flesh with a Needle, but the Cause not being taken away, they return 
again. Stupifying things that hinder the sense, and dull their biting, are 
good, as is Juyce of Henbane ; but lest that should bring trembling to 
the Hands, the Oyl of the Seed is more wholsom ; Also 'tis very good to 
dip the Hand in Salt and Vinegar, and rub the part where they are, which 
kills them,and their Itching is taken away; Also Foments of salt-water, 
or Vinegar of Henbane and Salt are effectual, But of all Remedies, 
the most effectual is Quicksilver for Unction of the Parts affected, right- 
ly killed and mixed into an Oyntment with Grease, Oyl of Bayes and 
Sope: for all Remedies failing, this sometimes alone will destroy all kinds 
of Lice, Morpions, Chyrones, Nits, and Fleas that suck the Body for 
nourishment, but 'tis not so safe as others, specially the Head, to 
be

Of Diseases and Affects of the Hair. 397
be anointed on the Sutures or Ulcers, for therefrom come dangerous
effects oftentimes, specially to Children.
Some have found these Chirones in the Membranes of the Eyes, or
Adnata, which are very aptly with a fine Needle to be picked out, and
the Eye washed with healing Eye-Waters, and that ease the pain and
itching caused by them.
4. Nits, called Leudes by the Latins, there is a near familiarity
'twixt them and Lice ; for Heads that are very lousie, are also very full
of Nits, they are least of all the kinds, sticking very fast to the Hair,
and are confined to the Head, or very seldom elsewhere ; yet some-
times are found under the Skin, and then they cause much itch and
troubling pricking ; they are destroyed as Lice, and what are proper for
them, are proper for these ; the Hair is preserved from nourishing Nits,
or their generation is prohibited by a Lee made of the Ashes of Cud-
weed, or Cottenwood, and of Tamarisk.
OF


398
OF
EVILS
AND
Outward Ails.
CHAP. I
Of the Kings Evil.
STrumæ or Scrophulæ, in Latin ; in English, the Kings
Evil ; Are Tumours in the Throat, made in glandu-
lous parts from alimentary Juyce hardned, or vis-
cous slow Flegm, and included in a peculiar Skin or
Membrane.
NAMES.
The Greeks call it Cheiros, the Latins Scrophulæ
Struma, and Morbus Regius, the English call it the
Kings Evil, and some the Queens Evil.
SUBJECT.
Is the Glandules, sometimes they are in the Throat, and nigh the
Aspera


Of Evils and outward Ails. 399
Aspera Arteria, or rough Artery, or in the Neck; sometimes also, but
more seldom, they are found in the Arm-holes and Groin, Brest and
Paps.
TIME.
Hippocrates saith, They are made from the fourteenth to the two and for-
tieth year ; but (saith he) from that time to sixty three years of age, they are
not made : Yet Sennertus saith. After the two and fortieth year, the People
of the Alps, from drinking vitious Water, have had it.
CAUSE.
The Cause is held by some to be a pituitous viscous matter, by others
a mixtion of thick Flegm and Melancholy, by others a stegmatick or
melancholy Humour hardened : Platerus saith, 'Tis an Earthy Juyce har-
dened ; Riolanus saith, A portion of the fat being hardened in some places,
make a Scirrhous Tumour, and sometime Strumous : Sennertus saith, They
are made of slow and thick matter, vulgarly termed Flegm, to which Melan-
choly is adjoyned ; and if otherwise they were caused from other Humours,
they would not be so durable, but would rot. These Humours are carried
with the proper Juyce destinated for the Nourishment of the Glandules,
which is thought by quantity to offend, as well as quality ; whenas the
Glandules have more then sufficient, the rest becomes excrementitious,
and acquires a peculiar nature. In quality that matter may offend, as
Phlegmatick, Mclancholick, and Fæculent, which excrementitiously sent
(and cast off by Nature, as unfit Nourishiment) to those parts, Nature
there provides a Bag, or Membrane, as her Store-house,for laying up such
Excrements that do her hurt, if she should make use of.
The primitive and antecedent Cause is more certain, as crude and
thick Meats, unwholesome Waters, as those of the Alps, those also that
are in Syria and Carinthia, containing Mercury in them ; crude Aliments,
Snow-Water, &c. taken, are sometimes pregressive ; but Mine-Waters,
especially of Quicksilver, are thought to endue the Humour with so pe-
culiar a quality ; and the admixtion of Melancholy herewith, sometimes
make it degenerate cancrous; Contusion sometimes gives occasion to it.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICKS.
The Kings Evil is a scirrhous Tumour of the Glandules, shut up in a
peculiar Skin or Membrane ; these Tumours are many, and take deep
root ; this Humour sometimes possesses all the Kernels, whereby they
are all tumified ; it sometimes is found in the inward Bowels ; they are
round and pendulous, yeilding not to touch, but moveable, and some-
times painful.
They


400  Of Evils and Outward Ails.
They are sometimes onely in the two Glandules under the inferiour
Jaw-Bone, sometime in the Arm-holes, and sometimes throughout the
whole Body where there be Glandules : Some say, If it be the Kings
Evil, lay a live Earth-worm over-night upon it, and lay upon her a Bur-
dock-Leaf ; and if in the morning she be dead, 'tis; else not the Kings
Evil.
Secondly, The Membrane or Bladder it is included in, is like that
of Atheroma, and Steatoma ; from its formatrix faculty 'cis never idle :
for when it is filled, distended, and then hath poured out matter,as if the
Tumour was suppurated, it doth attain a certain knitting up, contexture,
or composure again, as if a new Membrane ; some take it for subalbes-
cent Flesh, distending and encreasing from a matter soaked in, having a
forming faculty from a peculiar quality.
DIFFERENCES.
Differences of it are, First as to its self :
1. Some are benign, well-qualitied, round, without great pain, hard-
ness, or inflamation.
2. Others are contrary to these, and of a malignant quality, very pain-
ful, hard, pulsant, and inflamed.
3. Some are Cancrous, possessing all the Glandules.
4. Some are more deep, others more superficial.
5. Some are accidental, others hereditary from Seed, and the forma-
trix faculty in the Uterus, according to Platerus his opinion.
6. Some more dangerous, others more slight and extern.
7. Some are movable, others immovable.
8. Some are outward, possessing sometimes the great, sometimes the
less Vessels ; some have been found in the Bowels and inward parts,
seventy in the Mesentery together ; but whether these Tumours possess
the Bowels as they do the outward Glandules, is doubtful, and seems
not to be credited.
Secondly, It differs from Bronchocele, or Hernia Gutturis, for that
sticks out in the fore-part of the Neck, or is a swelling forth in the large
space of the Throat ; struck, it gives a sound; and crushed by the fingers,
it sinks, and suddenly rises again, which is not so in Struma ; yet the
the Causes and Cures of a Throat-Rupture and the Kings Evil are often
the same.
Platerus makes a difference between Scrofula and Struma,saying, That
Scrofulæ sticks out like Grapes, two or Three in one Glandule ; but Stru-
ma, he saith, be great and pendent Tumours in the Throat, often deep-
ly founded and raise short breathing or impediment therein, and hoars-
ness. PROG. 


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 401
PROG.
'Tis more curable in Children, and most freqnent in them.
If folded in no Vessel, if benign, not malignant, nor cancrous, nor he-
reditary, if more fresh and superficiary, moveable, and few in number,
if small, and in smaller Vessels, and more remote from the rough Arte-
ry, or Wind-Pipe, or in the posterior parts, then there is more hopes of
Cure, and less danger.
But contrarily, if they be hard, malign, cancrous, and immoveable,
seated among the Vessels, and more anteriorly and deeply, if great, and
many in number, possessing many places, the worse, hard to cure if cu-
rable, and dangerous.
They are not cured by cutting out, without danger, by reason of the
Nerves, which sometimes being hurt, the Voice hath been lost, and if
the Nerves recurrents there be cut, the Sick either is made dumb, or
molested with a great hoarsness ; and therefore such as are neer the
Wind-pipe are dangerous lobe cut ; as also in other places, for fear of
Hæmorrage from incision of the Veins.
CURE.
Cure is first internal, where we must strive to take away the antece-
dent and suppeditating Cause: 2. The quality and infection of the Blood
and Juyces.
For the first, Catharticks are frequently to be had in use ; we must
purge Flegm, and let Blood : Some premise preparation of the Hu-
mour.
A good Dyet must be used, Meats that engender good Juyce, and of
easie digestion.
To the second, a Drink for ordinary taking, is very commodious and
helpful; and so sometimes Scrofula's are cured, that are not by outward
application ; for so long as the Blood and Juyces are universally, and so
peculiarly affected, a suppeditation of matter is ever made, and the
Disease is protracted thereby : Such a Drink for common use, is thus
most effectually made, ? of Figwort-Roots, or Scrophulary, ?ij. Roots
of Gentian, ?j. Roots of Dropwort, the lesser Chelidone, or Pilewort,
of each ?vj. let all be prepared in a right manner, to be hung in a Bag in
Wort.
Hartman saith, Struma are easily cured, if a man drink often of the Pon-
der of a Mans Skull that hath been buried.
Also if six Ounces of Sponges, with half an Ounce of their Stones,be cal-
cined in a close Pot, and of this Pouder one Dram be given every morning in
E e e white-


402 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
White Wine, fasting two hours after it, it cures Struma, saith he.
A third Specifical of the same Authors, is the Ashes of a Mole given
every day in Wine of Scrophulary, which he saith most perfectly cures
Scrophula's, if yet not exulcerated : Their Dose is half a Scruple, or
more.
Fallopius praises one Dram of Roots of Ruscus, or Butchers-Broom,
taken every day in Wine.
Arnoldus de villa Nova highly applauds the sequent, saying it cures all ;
ꝶ of Cinnamon, Sea-Sponges, and Palea Marina, Bone of the Fish Ce-
pia, or Cuttlebone, long and black Pepper, Ginger, Pelletory of Spain,
Sal Gem, Oak Buds, Galls, Cypress-Leaves, Roses, of each ʒij. mix all
into a Pouder, which is to be swallowed very leasurably and often held in
the Mouth.
An Electuary may be made for the Patients taking often,grateful,and
efficacious, of the following Specificals, ꝶ Conserve of the Flowers of
Dead Nettles, ℥ij. Roots of Orris, of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, of Drop-
wort, of each ʒß. Troches of Vipers, ℈j. with Syrup made of a strong
Decoction of Scrophulary-Roots, as much as may suffice to make it up
into form of an Electuary. These Specificks are held to operate by
sucking up and drying the strumous matter.
2. External : Where first Authors speak of insensible consumption
of the Matter and Tumour, which is most effectually done by Leaves of
Libanotis, Root Xyris, Leaves of Bupleurum, with Salt, Vermicularis,
or Wall-Pepper, Figwort, lesser Chelidone, Roots of stinking Gladon,
Fox-Gloves, Mugwort, Dasies, Valerian, Couslips, Orchis, Water-Pen-
ny-royal, wild Mint. &c. which applied, by a specifical force, cause solu-
tion of the Humours ; of which such an Oyntment may be composed, of
great force, ꝶ of Branch Ursine, Fox-Gloves, Pilewort, Roots of Scro-
phulary, of each ℥j. Leaves of Libanotis, ℈ij Mugwort, Roots of Erin-
go, Balm, Leaves of Bupleurum, Couslips, of each ʒß. Wax, ℥ß. Oyl
of milk, of Hartman, made by a Bladder of putrified milk, as much as
may seem sufficient for due consistence of an Oyntment.
Rondeletius sets down this Specifical, which he thinks not to be effe-
ctual from an occult property, as most think, but from a drying faculty ;
ꝶ of the Ashes of Agnus Castus, with the blew flower, the Skin of a Snake
cast off, of each ℥j. with Oyl of bitter Almonds, and a little Wax, make
an Unguent.
2. We must discuss by stronger Discutients, and specifical Resolvers,if
the former intention may not be to purpose ; Topicals that resolve scir-
rhous swellings, an Emplaister of Amoniacum and Bdellium dissolved in
Vinegar, and a portion of Quicksilver added, is very effectual. 2. The
Leaves


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 403
Leaves of the Cypress Tree, are said in three dayes to dissolve stru-
mous Swellings. 3. The Root of Gladiol,or Sword-Grass, Leaves of
Libanotis Ashes of Vipers, and stinking Gladony made into an Em-
plaister, excels. 4. All these following may be reckoned for specifical
Resolvers, Vipers-Grass, Pilewort, Crowfor, Figwort, Garlick, Root
of Xyris Mugwort, Foxgloves, Savine, Wall-Pepper, Monks-Rubarb,
Horsmint, Ashes of Snailes, of Goats Dung, dead Nettles.
3.If Resolvers and Discutients do no good,it must be supperated. The
lesser Chelidone or Pilewort hath drawn out ℔ij. of Corruption in one
week, and cured : Roots of Althea, of White-Lillies, an Union
roasted in the Embers, are useful.
Suppuration is dangerous if the matter should turn inwardly, and
fall upon the Lungs ; unless all the matter be changed into Pus, we
may not open it, cut it ; and if they cannot well endure that, use a po-
tential Cautery, or burn it.
Some cut it in pieces, then sprinkle on it Devils-bit, Orpement, Vi-
triol, Vermilion, &c. and then take off all the dead flesh , the Ulcer
is then to be healed.
Also it is to be taken away with Ligature of Thred, or rather Hors-
hair, tyed about the bottom of the Tumour, and every day tyed hard-
der and harder, till it fall off ; which is chiefly to be done in those that
have slender roots, and be hanging.
Some apply Causticks and Septicks, and Corrodent Medicines, and
seem very rash therein : the parts about the Tumour are then diligently
to be bewared, left those strong Medicines should hurt and inflame
them, being sound.
Gargarisms of the Juyce of James-Wort, called Jacobæa, are com-
mended ; also of the Juyce of Spibed Loostrise.
Amulets of the Roots of Scrophulary, or Figwort, hung about the
Neck, are also good.
Guordonius saith, The Feet of a great Toad, being cut off when the Moon
is void of course, and hastens to conjunction of the Sun, being hung about the
Neck, cures the Kings Evil.
Rondeletius saith, To prick Struma, with the Root of a Parsnipt, cures,
and prohibites those that are growing hereto. Pliny saith, To do so with
the bone of the tail of a Sea-Frog-Fish, performs the same.
If they be ulcered, Hartmannus saith, They are most happily cured
with the ashes of Salamanders calcined in a pot, and sprinkled there-
upon.
An Unguent then to anoint them of greatest efficacy may thus be
prepared to consume and dry up the strumous matter, and correct its
quality.
E e e 2 ꝶ


404 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
ꝶ of the lesser Chelidone or Pilewort, ashes of Vipers, ashes of Snails,
of each ℥j. Burnt-lead ʒij. Roots of Scrophulary, of dead Nettles,
of each ℈ij. with Oyl and Wax make an Oyntment, and lay there-
upon a Plate of Lead.
The Kings of France especially, and the Kings of England, cure this
Evil with touching ; which Vertue is said to be given to Clodovens, the
first of that name, and of the Christian Kings of France, assoon as he
was baptized, and turned Christian, and so it lineally continued to all
his Successors ; of which the Kings of England were descended. The
manner of healing is to lay their hands upon it, saying in French, Te
Royte touche, et dieu te garrie, or guanit ; Rex te Tangis, & Deus te Sanat ;
In English, The King toucheth thee, but God maketh thee whole.
CHAP. II.
Of Corns.
COrns (called by the Latines, Clavus, Gemursa, and Morticini) are
hard and callous Tumours, bred in the Toes and Soals of the
Feet, from congestion of thick, humours, and pressure of the shoe.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the Soals of the Feet, and Toes, especially the little
Toe : sometimes they possess the Joynts, and are under the Nails.
CAUSE.
The Cause is galling, compressure, and straightness of the Shoe,
whereby gross humours by congestion, are retained there, and harden-
ed.
SIGNS.
Signes are evident to the sight ; They are very molestuous in going,
and sometimes have a very vehement pain, sometimes a Contusion
preceded.
PROG.
They are uncautulous Exterpation, sometimes brings a Gangreen,
and sometimes Inflamation and Convulsion, from cutting too deep
among the Ligaments and Tendones.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 405
DIFFERENCES.
Those in the Toes are called, Clavi, or Corns ; Those in the Soals of
the Feet, Calli, or hard brawny fleshy Tumours.
CURE
Cure Is by preparation of it for cutting, which is done by Emolients,
and renderers of it soft ; as raw Flesh laid to it for 24 hours.
If they fall in, they are raised high again with Dogs Urine, an Em-
plaister of red Wax, Eeles Blood, Oyl of Mercury of Snailes.
After preparation is made for Incision, and the Corn extracted by the
Root, we must fill up the hole with the Sand left at the bottom of a
Chamber-Pot, to hinder the regeneration of it again.
MEDICINES.
Medicines that take it away without Excision, is, 1. The Juyce of
Housleek, which is to be bathed on it several times, and a leaf of the
same Housleek worn to the Corn. 2. A second Specifical is the Pou-
der of the Root of Rest-harrow, mixt into an Oyntment, with Grease,
for Unction of the Corn, which in three dayes is said to fall there-
from. 3. A third is a black Snaile put into a linnen Rag, and torrifi-
ed by the Fire, and laid hot to the Corn, and so worn ; fomentation
also of the Juyce of Rhue, Marigolds, and Piantane, are recited
by some.
Rulandus holds this for a Sectet to take away Corns, ꝶ of the Oyl
of Brimstone ℥ß. ; the Corrosive Stone ʒij ; Seeds of Henbane 3j. ;
Opium ʒj. mix them.
Dioscorides saith, The Bark of the Willow-Tree burnt to Ashes, and
mixt with Vinegar, takes them away.
Lebotius commends the Gall of a Cow applyed in like manner,which
causes its extirpation by the Root.
The Prophylaxis is then to be instituted, which is done by Application
of Corrodent Medicines ; The Medicine of Rulandus asore rehearsed,
Coperas, &c. mixt in Emplaisters, or the Sand of Urine, may serve
to fill up the hole, and hinder regeneration of the Corn.
CHAP.


406
CHAP. III.
Of Bronchocele, or a Throat Rupture.
DEFINITION.
BRonchocele is a Tumour in the Throat, swelling out to a large space
betwixt the Trachea Arteria and the Skin, frow wind, or a slow
thick humour, made by Congestion.
NAMES.
It hath its Name from the Greeks word, Bronchos, signifying the
Throat, and Cele signifying a Rupture : The Latines call it Ramex, or
Hernia Gutturis, or Gatturosa ; The Arabians, Botium ; The Barbarians,
Crepatura and Ruptura ; In English it may most fitly be called, A Throat
Rupture.
SUBJECT.
The Subject is the space in the forepart of the Throat, close to the
Trochea Arteria or Wind-Pipe, under the Skin and general Membrane :
And betwixt the Trachea Arteria, and Muscles of the Neck, some
doubt whether the Matter be contained betwixt the broad Muscle and
the Skin, or hid under the broad Muscle.
It is fourfold divided.
1. One is a Pneumatocele or a Rupture from Wind, whose Causes
are Wind ; as hapned to such as puff out their Cheeks vehemently with
Wind, and to such as void Excrements difficultly, to Women in a
difficult ejection of the Birth, and great clammours, whereby the sub-
jected Skin and Membrane are distended, and violently rent from the
Larinx, or the broad Muscle it self is seperated from the subjected
Parts ; hence a space being effected (viz. by the aforesaid, or others,
that cause such a violent distention of that part) from Fuga Cacui, a
flatulent matter breaks in violently, and elevates the Skin, and puffs it
up into a tumour.
SIGNS.
Whose Signs are these ; It is a tumour stretched forth, exercising a
large capacity, struck, it gives a sound, gives place to pressing of the
Fingers, but rises to its wonted height again suddenly, which is not so
in the following Differences; but herein a coherence of the Differences
is made, for that the Original of a Bronchocele, is allowed to be an eary
matter, first insinuating it self there, and distending ; to which other
humours


Of Evils and outward Ails. 407
humours are gathered, which are known by proper Signs.
As, 2. A Phlegmatocele, or Rupture from a stegmatick Juyce, or
mixed with Melancholly; which is familiar to the People of Piedmont,
and the Alpes, from unwholsom Waters there, specially from large
drinking of Snow Water, because most they drink at sometimes is mel-
ted Snow. Sometimes its most apparent Original is from stop of Na-
tural Excretions, as Menses or Hemorrhoids, which things either en-
creasing or heaping up a gross Pituitous, or commixt Melancholly mat-
ter, Nature expels it by degrees from the Head to the Larinx, or space
of the Throat under the Chin, by the hinder parts of the Ears, accord-
ing to Fernelius.
SIGNS.
It grows by degrees, and takes increment from a nourishment
communicated by certain Conduites (and not by the Veins) which
Nature hath destinated to such an use ; it is hard, and by touch may be
discerned not to be Wind ; which Platerus only allows to be the Cause
of Bronchocele, whom Sennertus reproves.
DIFFERENCES.
Of this also be several Differences, for one is like Steatoma, where-
in, with the fatty or honey like matter, be sometimes Hairs ; this as
the most tractable kind may be opened by a Cautery or Launcet,eschew-
ing the Veins, but where the matter is insinuated into the space of the
Muscles, there is no eradicating of it by Chyrurgery, which unless,
here is very dangerous, also if the tumour be more internal.
Another refers a kind of Aneurism, which is uncureable ; so are those
that come from the Birth and Infancy, those that are great Scirrhous
and Cancrous, repleat with many great melancholly Veins, are dan-
gerous, and not to be medled withal.
A third kind is Sarcocle, or a fleshly Rupture, Sirrhous, and re-
mains all the life time, unless maturely helped, which it is very hard
to be ; the Causes may be such as caused Phlegmatocele ; it is Cronical,
and discerned by touch and sight.
A fourth is, Hydrocele, or a Dropsie of the Throat, which is some-
times both Internally and Externally affected, from a waterish matter
collected there, Montanus cured it by Incision.
CURE General.
The Cure varies as the Causes ; but generally observe, 1. That
in the beginning, to stop the encrease of the Tumor, and repel
its nourishment, Astringents are convenient to be applyed. 2. To
respect


408 Of Evils and Outward Ails.
rescpect the Head from whence the matter is transmitted ; which is,
1. To be purged with general Cathatticks. 2. Dried and strengthen-
ed.
If it hath already taken its full growth, and is confirmed, we must use
Discussers, and Resolvers ; for a thick and hardned matter, Foment,
with Water of Nitrous Baths, or Sulphur ; an Oyntment of Goose-
grease, beaten with Hogs-grease, and applyed ; a Cataplasm of Bar-
ley Meal, with Oyl of Lillies, applyed hot ; an Emplaister of Diasul-
phur,may do good,applied upon a Plate of Lead besmeared with Quick-
silver, after friction of it, till it wax red ; the Roots of Garden Orrach
and Devils-bit, whether inwardly, by way of Gargarism, if the Tu-
mour be more inwardly, or outwardly used, are held to have a propri-
ety against inveterate and old Tumours in the Throat.
For a windy Matter, Carminative Discussers are most fitting, as
an Emplaister of Cummin-Seeds, Bay-Berries, Brimstone, Goats-
Dung and Honey.
See more for the Cure hereof, in the Chapter of Scrophula, or the
Kings Evil, for this many times is cured by the same that Scrophula's
are.
CHAP. IV.
Of Warts.
VVarts, called by the Greeks Acheochordines, Myrmecia and
Thymia by the Latins, Verrucæ, and Arabians, Boterale, are
little risings, or fleshy Excrescent Tumours, from a thick viscous mat-
ter insinuatcd there, and chiefly possessing the Hands.
CAUSE.
The general Cause of all kinds of them, is a thick melancholly
pituitous Blood, or from a Juyce destinated to the Skin and Cuticle to
be nourished by.
SIGNS.
They chiefly infest the Hands or Feet, sometimes the Thighes, Seat,
and Privities ; they are sometimes livid, and rough, and have a prick-
ing pain, and sometimes Ulcerate ; sometimes they are Malignant and
Cancerous.
CURE


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 409
CURE.
Medicines that are destinated to take away Warts, and held very
effectual and proper hereto, are very many and almost innumera-
ble.
The choicest and best approved, of which we here recite.
Johannes Hartmanus saith, The Water swiming upon the Trunk, of an
Oak, after it is cut, Cures, or takes away all manner of Warts,
Rondeletius commends the Root of Chelidone, beaten with Hogs-grease,
and applyed, to consume and take them away ; or the Blood of a Lizard de-
stilled, saith he, dries them. He also commends Agrimony applyed with
strong Vinegar, for taking them away.
Baptista Porta adviseth to rub them with the Head of an Eel that is very
bloody.
Fallopius commends rubbing of them with Willow Leaves, being first ba-
thed with the Juyce.
Paulus Ægineta, Reckons up abundance of Medicines that abolish
Warts, as Elatory, or the Juyce of Wild Cucumers mixed with Salt,
for bathing ; Juyce of Tithimales, Water issuing from the Green Twig
of the Vine, being laid in the Fire ; Niter, with the Urine of a Boy
that never yet exercised the sports of Venus ; Bark of Frankinsence with
Vinegar, and the like, too tedious, and not worth the time and pains
to rehearse them.
Rofellus praises Fomenting, with a Red Onion beaten with Salt.
Among Specificals, Zazintha, or Cichorea Verrucaria, so called,
from its Specifick force and vertue against Warts, is most excellent, and
ʒj. of the Seeds thereof given inwardly, in decrease of the Moon, are
held to extirpate and take away all kind of Warts, and excrescences of
Flesh whatsoever.
Miraldus saith, If they be rubbed with Leaves of the Fig Tree, and
afterward those Leaves be buried in a Dunghill to rot, so the Warts will in-
sensibly vanish away.
Others say the like of a piece of Raw Beef so used.
Proper also, and very effectual to take away Warts, are Leaves of
Agremone, Turnsoil, Chelidone, Marigolds, Purslane, Oleum Ana-
cardij ; stronger Medicines, and more sharp, which hurt the adjacent
tender Skin, unless it hath some desensatives, are, the Spurges, Pe-
phi. Tithimale, Aqua Fortis , with which Jacobus Primerose saith.
He cured himsef, whenas many other things were ineffectual Sulphur Vi-
vum.
Others extol unslaked Lime and Lixiuium ; or unslaked Lime and
black Soap, is held transcendent.
F f f Rondeletius


410 Of Evils and Outward Ails,
Rondeletius hath this Water, ꝶ of Salt of Amoniacum, Roman Vi-
triol, Rust of Brass, of each, ℥ij. Allum, ℥j. unslaked Lime, ℥ß.
let them be destilled in an Alembick, (Vinegar, or some quantity of
other Liquors being put thereto) throw away the first VVater, and re-
serve the second for use.
Herba Stellaria, or Starwort, is said to consume them in a very
short time ; the like is also said of the Juyce of Eldern Berries.
DIFFERENCES of VVarts are three fold.
1. The Greeks call some Acrochordones, having a more thin and
small Root, and a broader at the top, and higher ; it is so called, be-
cause it appears as if it hung by a small Cord.
Celsus saith. They often grow up many together, most troubling Children,
sometimes falling again of their own accord, they are sometimes thought to
be contagious.
CURE.
Their Cure is by Exertion, which where it may be done, doth quick-
ly Cure, saith Primerose, and is more safe then the actual Cautery : In
Galens time, some plucked them up with their Teeth, which put them
to much pain, but if they be clearly cut off, they have no root reserved
for growing again : some hold it the best to tie them with an Horse Hair,
or a Silk wet in Oil of Brimstone, and tied every day harder, till they
fall off of themselves ; some when they are thus tied hard about at the
Root with an Horse Hair, anoint their tops with an unguent of Honey
Vinegar, Juyce of Agrimony, of Purslane, with Doves Dung, and
Rust of Brass, or the Pouder of Savine, and Yellow Ocre, with Vine-
gar, and all the Medicines afore generally, proposed may (or most of
them) be useful here.
2. Myrmeciæ or common warts, they have a broader Basis ; the Roots
going deeply out, they are lower, hard, and scarce bigger then a Lu-
pine ; some be very flat : when they are felt on hard, they have a pain-
ful sense, like unto the bite of a Pismire or Ant, whence some call them
Formical ; they are sometimes painful ; they seldom cease of their own
accord, and being cut, often grow again.
Some Counsel to cut them up by the Roots with a sharp Razor, and
let them bleed, and then apply Bole, Allom, and sealed earth there-
upon ; others are rather against it, fearing thereby great Ulceration,
they having such broad roots.
If they be very hard, and not so sensible of feeling, Causticks to con-
sume them, are approved ; also close tying of them by the Roots with
Horse Hair, as afore directed for Achrochordon.
3. Thymon


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 411
3. Thymon or Thymia, so called, because it represents in colour the tops
of the Herb Thyme ; they are less than Achrochordones, but higher
than Myrmiciæ; they have a narrow foundation, and basis, but are red-
dish, rough, hard, and growing with a larger head, and are called Figs,
or Fig-warts ; they are not easily taken away by cutting the roots, yet
being inward : The rest is to be referred to Thymus, or the Fig of the
Fundament.
CHAP. V.
Of Swellings or Apostems that they call Atheroma, Stea-
toma, and Meliceris.
I. ATheroma is a Tumour contained in a Follicle, or proper Mem-
brane, and so called from the Greek word Athera, shewing the
quality of the Humour it consists of, viz. like Pap or Frumenty.
CAUSE.
The Cause is primary, as violent Causes, bruising, &c. or secundary,
as a pituitous Humour, and alimentary Juyce, or strange Bodies, as
Stones, Bones, Hair, or commixtion of various Bodies into one Folli-
cle, or Bladder.
SIGNS.
In figure it is long, 'tis harder then Meliceris to touch;and in crushing
or pressing of it with the finger, it returneth or riseth up again very slow-
ly : It is not hard, nor paining, nor is the natural colour of the Skin
changed thereby. These Tumours grow from small beginnings to great
Abscesses.
CURE.
In Cure, 'tis hard to digest Humours that are comprehended in a Cy-
stis, or Bladder : Suppuration and Excision is to be made by a Launcet
or potential Cautery, or Lapis infernalis, not purging out all the Humour
together ; the bag wherein the matter is, is to be artificially drawn out,
the Veins, Nerves and Arteries being specially bewared in the operation;
if the Bag or Follicle be left, or not consumed, more matter like the for-
mer will be gathered there ; then the wound is to be healed and cicatri-
ced.
II. Steatoma is the same, as to the Membrane or Follicle that the Hu-
mour is contained in, and as to the cause ; onely the matter of Steatoma
F f f 2 is


412 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
is like Suet, whence it had its name from the Greek word Stear, signify-
ing Suet,
SIGNS.
'Tis softer for the most part than the rest, it hath a larger Basis or bot-
tom ; pressure made by the finger riseth not up easily ; it is rounder
than Atheroma, and its substance is more thin.
CURE.
The Cure is the same with that of Atheroma.
III. Meliceris differs from Atheroma and Steatoma, because in Meli-
ceris the Humour contained in the Bag is like Honey, so called from
Meli, Honey ; it is round as Steatoma, yeilds to pressing of the fingers,
it looks more clear ; sometimes there is in it a gravelly hard matter.
CURE.
In Cure use Resolvers and Suppuraters ; if they do no good, then use
Chyrurgery, as is directed for Atheroma.
CHAP. VI.
Of Kibes, or Chilblanes.
KIbes or Chilblanes, called by the Greeks Chimethla, by the Latines
Perniones, are Tumours or Inflamations possessing the Hands or
Feet, arising in Winter-time, and chiefly to Children.
SUBJECT.
Subject is the Heel, or other parts of the Foot, the Fingers, or some-
times the back of the Hand.
CAUSE.
Cause is Winter-coldness, going in the Snow, too great straitness of
the Shoo, and whetting and galling of the Heel, therefrom attracting
Blood by painfulness.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
Signs Diagnostick are first from the Tumour and redness, with great
itching that is present ; sometimes they come to an head, turn ulcerous,
and pour out a little Sanies ; sometimes they possess all the Fingers, and
part of the hand, are very troublesome, and loathing the fight.
DIF-


Of Evils and outward Ails. 413
DIFFERENCES.
One is not ulcerated, but an hard red itching Tumour, most troubling
at night, and is called a Chilblane.
Another is ulcerated, and very soar and smarting, and is called a
Kibe.
PROGNOSTICK.
The evil is diuturn, and though it ceases in Summer, yet it recurs in
Winter ; beating, or laceration of the Heel, is bad, for there is fear of
hurt of the thick Tendone that comes thither, which effects a Convul-
sion, and therefrom Death.
CURE.
Cure is double ; first for the Tumour, secondly for the Ulcer : for
the Tumour also Cure is twofold, 1. Preservative, 2. Curative.
Preservation is made by keeping of the Feet warm, by wearing of
Socks wet in Aqua-Vitæ, Foments of Salt Water, Decoction of Tur-
neps, Brine, Allom, Litharge, Oyl of Myrtles, &c.
Cure is done by putting into cold Water the diseased Member, which
drives away cold, even as we do to Apples and Eggs congealed ; and so
the cold being drawn forth, which is manifested from abatement of the
pricking pain, we must soment the part with Bay-berries and Rosema-
ry boiled in Milk.
Specifical, are Decoction of Turneps that are frozen, or the Liquor
of them, and Bay Salt baked first in an Oven, Tobacco-Leaves applied,
Oyl of Wax, a Bath of Brine most hot for friction and bathing of the ki-
bed Part ; an Emplaister of Galbanum, Neats Suet, and Gum Tragacanth,
the Juyce of Beets, of Water-Pennyroyal, of Venus Navil, Lentils,
Orobus, Roots of Burdocks, Ashes of the Wood of the Figtree, with
Grease, Oyl of Roses baked in an hollow Turnep, and a Cataplasm
made thereof ; a Liniment of Sulphur Vivum, and Oyl of Garlick, the
Feet or Hands held over for long time, and as hot as may be, to en-
dure the fume or smoak of Henbane half dry, and burnt, doth admirably
cure bloody falls, and the falling down of such humourous Blood into
those parts ; Typha, or Cats-Tail also applied, greatly helps, and Toad-
stools : If the Humours will not be discust, but ulcerate, after Mundisi-
catives, use Oyl of Roses baked in a Radish, Oyl of Tobacco, an Oynt-
ment of Cats-Tail, Gum Tragacanth and Oyl of Eggs ; some are cured
by holding their Feet over coals, as hot as they can endure, for several
times, and then they come not to maturation. When the part becomes
in a manner mortified, we must use such Medicines as arc prevalent in
Gangrenes.
CHAP.


414 Of Evils and outward Ailes.
CHAP. VII.
Of Ancomes, or Paronychia in Greek.
DEFINITION.
PAronychia is an hot and paining Tumour risen in the ends of the
Fingers to the Nails.
NAMES.
The Greeks call these Apostems and Paronychia, and Paneris ; but Riola-
nnus saith,'tis Panaritium Arabum that affects the Tendons and Nerves at
the fingers end ; and that Paronychia of the Greeks is a light Affect, viz.
onely fissure to the root of the Nail ; the Latins call it Reduvia, the
vulgar English have many Names for it, as an Andicome, Fellone, Whit-
low, or Nail-Wheal.
CAUSE.
Cause is adust Blood and Melancholy, very hot, and participating of
a malign quality, sent thither by Nature, and afflicting the Nerves and
Tendons.
SIGNS DIAGNOSTICK.
They are known by sight ; there is great pain from the nervous parts
being affected, that it sometimes extends it self throughout the whole
Arm, and makes the Affected very impatient ; there is intimation, and
sometimes a Feaver.
PROGNOSTICKS.
From greatness of pain there is sometimes made so great Symptoms
and disquietings of Nature, that death hath ensued to some.
It sometimes comes to Suppuration, and breaks ; sometimes the mat-
ter being kept within, corrupteth and rotteth both Bones, Ligaments,
and Membranes ; and then if this be already done, we must use cutting.
CURE
Cure is to begin from evacuation of hurtful Humours, which is done
by Phlebotomy, and Catharticks.
2. We must respect the Symptom, and lenisy the fierceness of pain,
for which a Cataplasm of the Leaves of Mandrakes and Henbane boiled
and mixed with Hogs-Grease.
3. Suppuraters are to be insisted upon, to bring it to maturation as
soon as may be ; Repellers are to be shunned, lest pain should be exaspe-
rated therefrom, and the Humours impacted in the part.
Oleum


Of Evils and outward Ailes. 415
Oleum Saturni is helpful, and Bay-Salt with Yolks of Eggs applied,
Whitlow-Grass, and Roots of Briony ; of which may Oyls, Oyntments
and Emplaisters be made, or Ear-Wax, with the Skin of an Eel.
If these avail not, nor will it yet break, it must be opened with a Pen-
knife, and all the matter throughly purged out ; then the Ulcer must be
cleansed, and healed with fit Topicals.
CHAP. VIII.
Of Ecchymoma in Greek, Sugillatio, or Livor, in
Latin ; in English signifying black and blew Marks , or
Discoloration of the Skin, from Bruises,or other wayes.
ECchymoma with the Greeks, Sugillatio or Livor with the Latins, is an
effusion of Blood to the outward Skin, effecting a blackish blew co-
lour, or livid, in that part.
CAUSE.
Causes are blows, causing the effusion of Blood, which being sent to
the Skin, there becomes of a livid colour ; also from Anastamosis ; Dia-
pedesis, and Diæresis of the Veins.
SIGNS.
'Tis discerned best by sight ; it happens commonly from a blow upon
the tender flesh, betwixt the Eye and Nose.
CURE.
If the Affect be great, left Inflamation should be stirred up, we must
let Blood.
2. Use Repellers mixt with Discutients.
3. Digesters, the Root of Solomon's Seal, Leaves of Argemone, Scur-
vy-grass, black Briony, hot Arsmart, fresh Flower-de-luce-roots, Avens,
Daysie-roots, Seeds of Ammy, or Bishops-Weed, Sopewort, Ashes of
Bean Stalks, stinking Gladon, &c. are most excellent to take away the
black and blew Marks made from eruption of Blood or Humours, whe-
ther by Bruises or otherwise.
If it be greater,and Digesters profit not, we must use Medicines ten-
ding to maturate, and Cupping-Glasses are sometimes useful ; and open
it, left the matter corrupt the part, or a Fistula or hollow Ulcer be made.
If a Gangrene be suspected, the part is to be scarrified, and washed
with hot Vinegar.
FINIS.