The Tenth Part
Chap. I. Of Fevers
Some are of opinion, That all, or, at least, most Diseases, are accompanied, more or less, with a Feverous Distemper: If so, then we may say, A Fever is the Fundamental Disease: but, whether that Opinion is true, or no, I know not; but I observe, there are many sorts of Fevers, and so there are of all other Diseases or Distempers: for, every alteration, or difference, of one and the same kind of Disease, is a several sort. As for Fevers, I have observed, there are Fevers in the Blood, or Humours, and not in any of the Vital Parts; and those are ordinary Burning-Fevers: and there are other sorts of Fevers that are in the Vital Parts, and all other Parts of the Body, and those are Malignant Fevers; and there are some sorts of Fevers which are in the Radical Humours, and those are Hectick Fevers; and there are other sorts of Fevers that are in those Parts, which we name the Spiritous Parts. Also, all Consumptions are accompanied with a Feverish Distemper: but, what the several Figurative Motions are of these several sorts of Fevers, I cannot tell.
Chap. II. Of the Plague
There are Two visible sorts of the Disease named the Plague: The weaker sort is that which produces Swellings, or inflamed or corrupted Sores, which are accompanied with a Fever. The other sort is that which is named the Spotted Plague. The First sort is sometimes Curable; but the Second is Incurable; at least, no Remedy as yet hath been found. The truth is, the Spotted Plague is a Gangrene, but is somewhat different from other sorts of Gangren’s; for this begins amongst the Vital Parts, and, by an Infection, spreads to the Extream Parts; and not only so, but to Forrein Parts; which makes not only a general Infection amongst all the several Parts of the Body, but the Infection spreads it self to other Bodies. And whereas other sorts of Gangren’s begin outwardly, and pierce inwardly; the Plaguy Gangrene begins inwardly, and pierces outwardly: so as the difference (as I said) is, That the ordinary sort of Gangren’s infect the next adjoining Parts of the Body, by moderate degrees; whereas the Plaguy Gangrene infects not only the adjoining Parts of the same Body, and that suddenly, but infects Forreign Bodies. Also, the ordinary Gangren’s may be stopped from their Infection, by taking off the Parts infected, or diseased. But the Plaguy Gangrene can no ways be stopped, because the Vital Parts cannot be separated from the rest of the Parts, without a total ruine: besides, it pierces and spreads more suddenly, than Remedies can be applyed. But, whether there are Applications of Preventions, I know not; for, those Studies belong more to the Physicians, than to a Natural Philosopher. As for the Diseases we name the Purples, and the Spotted Fever, they are of the same Kind, or Kindred, although not of the same sort, as Measles, and the Small-Pox. But this is to be noted, That Infection is an act of Imitation: for, one Part cannot give another Part a Disease, but only that some imitate the same sorts of Irregular Actions of other Parts; of which some are near adjoining Imitators, and some occasion a general Mode.
Chap. III. Of the Small-Pox, and Measles
The Small-Pox is somewhat like the Sore-Plague, not only by being Infectious, as both sorts of Plagues are; but, by being of a corrupt Nature, as the Sore-Plague is; only the Small-Pox is innumerable, or very many small Sores; whereas the Sore-Plague is but one or two great Sores. Also, the Small-Pox and Sore-Plague, are alike in this, That if they rise and break, or if they fall not flat, but remain until they be dry and scabbed, the Patient lives: but, if they fall flat, and neither break, nor are scabbed, the Patient is in danger to dye. Also, it is to be noted, That this Disease is sometimes accompanied with a Feverish Distemper; I say, Sometimes, not Always; and that is the cause that many dye, either with too hot, or too cooling Applications: for, in a Feverish Distemper, hot Cordials are Poyson; and when there is no Fever, Cooling Remedies are Opium: The like for letting Blood; for if the Disease be accompanied with a Fever, and the Fever be not abated by letting Blood, ’tis probable the Fever, joyned with the Pox, will destroy the Patient: and if no Fever, and yet loose Blood, the Pox hath not sufficient Moisture to dilate, nor a sufficient natural Vapour to breathe, or respirate; so as the Life of the Patient is choaked or stifled with the contracted Corruptions. As for Measles, though they are of the same kind, yet not of the same sort; for they are rather Small Risings, than Corrupted Sores, and so are less dangerous.
Chap. IV. Of the Intermission of Fevers or Agues
Agues have several sorts of Distempers, and those quite opposite to each other, as Cold and Shaking, Hot and Burning, besides Sweating: Also, there are several times of Intermissions; as some are Every-day Agues, some Third-day Agues, and some Quartan Agues; and some Patient may be thus distempered, many times, in the compass of Four and twenty hours: but those are rather of the Nature of Intermitting Fevers, than of perfect Agues. Also, in Agues, there is many times a difference of the Hot and Cold fits: for sometimes the Cold Fits will be long, and the Hot short; other times, the Hot Fits will be long, and the Cold Fits short; other times, much of an equal degree: but, most Intermitting Fevers and Agues, proceed either from ill-digestive Motions, or from a superfluity of Cold and Hot Motions, or an Irregularity of the Cold, Hot, Dry; or Moist Motions, where each sort strives and struggles with each other. But, to make a comparison, Agues are somewhat like several sorts of Weather, as Freezing and Thawing,
Cloudy or Rainy, or Fair and Sun-shining days: or like the Four Seasons of the Year, where the Cold Fits are like Winter, cold and windy; the Hot Fits like Summer, hot and dry; the Sweating Fits like Autumn, warm and moist; and, when the Fit is past, like the Spring. But, to conclude, the chief Cause of Agues, is, Irregular Digestions, that make half-concocted Humours; and according as these half-concocted Humours digest, the Patient hath his Aguish Distempers, where some are every day, others every second day, some every third day, and some Quartans: but, by reason those half-concocted Humours, are of several sorts of Humors, some Cold, some Hot, some Cold and Dry, some Hot and Dry, or Hot and Moist; and those different sorts, raw, or but half-concocted Humours; they occasion such disorder, not only by an unnatural manner of Digestion, as not to be either timely, or regular, by degrees; but, those several sorts of Raw Humours, strive and struggle with each other for Power or Supremacy: but, according as those different Raw Humours concoct, the Fits are longer or shorter: also, according to the quantity of those Raw Humours, and according as those Humours are a gathering, or breeding, so are the times of those Fits and Intermissions. But here is to be noted, That some Agues may be occasioned from some Particular Irregular Digestions; others from a General Irregular Digestion, some from some obscure Parts, others from ordinary Humours.
Chap. V. Of Consumptions
There are many sorts of Consumptions; as, some are Consumptions of the Vital Parts, as the Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, or the like Parts: Others, a Consumption of the Radical Parts: Others a Consumption of the Spiritous Parts: Other Consumptions are only of the Flesh; which, in my opinion, is the only Curable Consumption. But, all Consumptions, are not only an Alteration, but a Wasting and Dis-uniting of the Fundamental Parts; only those Consuming Parts do, as it were, steal away by degrees; and so, by degrees, the Society of a Human Creature is dissolved.
Chap. VI. Of Dropsies
Dropsies proceed from several Causes; as, some from a decay of some of the Vital Parts; others through a superfluity of indigested Humours; some from a supernatural Driness of some Parts; others through a superfluity of Nourishing Motions; some, through some Obstructions; others, through an excess of Moist Dyet: but, all Dropsies proceed not only from Irregular Motions, but from such a particular Irregularity, as all the Motions endeavour to be of one Mode, (as I may say) that is, To move after the manner of those sorts of Motions which are the innate Nature of Water, and are some sorts of Circular Dilatations: but, by these actions, the Human Society endeavours to make a Deluge, and to turn from the Nature of Blood and Flesh, to the Nature of Water.
Chap. VII. Of Sweating
All Sweating-Diseases are somewhat of the nature of Dropsies; but they are (at least, seem to be) more Exterior, than Interior Dropsies: but, though there be Sweating-Diseases which are Irregular; yet, Regular Sweating is as proper as Regular Breathing; and so healthful, that Sweating extraordinary, in some Diseases, occasions a Cure: for, Sweating is a sort of Purging; so that the evacuation of Sweat, through the Pores, is as necessary as other sorts of evacuation, as Breathing, Urine, Siege, Spitting, Purging through the Nose, and the like. But, Excess of Sweating, is like other sorts of Fluxes, of which, some will scowr to death; others vomit to death; and others the like Fluxes will occasion death; the like is of Sweating: so that the Sweating-Sickness is but like a Fluxive-Sickness. But, as I said, Regular Sweating is as necessary as other ordinary Evacuations: and as some are apt to be restringent, others laxative; and sometimes one and the same Man will be laxative, other times, costive; so are Men concerning Sweating: and as some Men take Medicines to purge by Stool, or Vomits, or Urine; so they take Medicines to purge by Sweating. And, as Man hath several sorts of Excremental Humours, so, several sorts of Sweats; as, Clammy Sweats, Cold Sweats, Hot Sweats, and Faint Sweats: and, as all Excess of other sorts of Purgings, causes a Man to be weak and faint; so doth Sweating.
Chap. VIII. Of Covghs
There are many several sorts of Coughs, proceeding from several Causes; as, some Coughs proceed from a Superfluity of Moisture; others from an Unnatural Heat; others from a Corruption of Humors; others from a Decay of the Vital Parts; others from sudden Colds upon Hot Distempers: Some are caused by an Interior Wind; some Coughs proceed from Salt Humors, Bitter, Sharp, and Sweet: some Coughs proceed from Flegm, which Flegm ariseth like a Scum in a Pot, when Meat is boiling on a Fire: for when the Stomack is distemperedly hot, the Humors in the Stomack boyl as Liquid Substances on the Fire; those boiling Motions bearing up the gross Humors beyond the Mouth of the Stomack, and, causing a Dispute between the Breath and Humors, produce the Effect of Straining, or Reaching upwards towards the Mouth, much like the Nature and Motions of Vomiting: but, by reason those Motions are not so strong in Coughing, as in Vomiting, the Coughing Motions bring up only pieces or parts of superfluous Flegm, or gross Spittle. The like for corrupt Humors. Other Coughs proceed from Unnatural or Distempered Heats; which Heats cause Unnecessary Vapours, and those Vapours ascending up from the Bowels, or Stomack, to the Head, and finding a Depression, are converted or changed into a Watry Substance; which Watry Substance falls down, like mizling or small Rain, or in bigger drops, through the passage of the Throat and Wind-pipe: which being opprest, and the Breath hindered, causes a Strife; which Striving, is a Straining; like as when Crumbs of Bread, or Drops of Drink, go not rightly through the Throat, but trouble and obstruct the Wind-pipe, or when any such Matter sticks in the passage of the Throat: for, when any Part of the Body is obstructed, it endeavours to release it self from those Obstructions: Also, when the Vapour that arises, arises in very Thin and Rarified Vapour, that Rarified Vapour thickens or condenses not so suddenly, being farther from the degree of Water; but when condensed into Water, it falls down by drops; which drops trickling down the Throat, (like as Tears from the Eyes trickle down the Cheeks of the Face) the Cough is not so violent, but more frequent: but if the Rheum be salt or sharp, that trickles down the Throat, it causes a gentle or soft smart, which is much like the touch of Tickling or Itching, which provokes a faint or weak Strain or Cough. Also, Wind will provoke to Strain or Cough: The Motion of Wind is like as if Hair should tickle the Nose. Or, Wind will cause a tickling in the Nose, which causes the Effect of Sneezing: for, Sneezing is nothing but a Cough through the Nose; I may say, It is a Nose-Cough. And Hickops are but Stomach-Coughs, Wind causing the Stomack to strain. Also, the Guts have Coughs, which are caused by the Wind, which makes a strife in the Guts and Bowels. Other Coughs are produced from Decayed Parts: for, when any Part is corrupted, it becomes less Solid than naturally it should be: As for example, The Flesh of the Body, when corrupted, becomes from Dense Flesh, to a Slimy Substance; thence, into a Watry Substance, which falls into Parts, or changes from Flesh, into a Mixt Corrupted Matter, which falls into Parts. The several Mixtures, or Distempered Substances, and Irregular Motions, causes Division of the composed Parts; but in the time of dissolving, and divisions of any Part, there is a strife which causes Pain: and if the strife be in the Lungs, it causes Coughs, by obstructing the Breath: but, some Coughs proceed from Vapours and Winds, arising from the decayed Interior Parts, sending up Vapours from the Dissolving Substance, which causeth Coughs; and some Coughs cause Decays of the Prime Interior Parts: for, when there falls from the Head a constant Distillation, this Distillation is like dropping Water, which will penetrate or divide Stone; and more easily will dropping or drilling Water do it, as Rheum, will corrupt Spongy Matter as Flesh is: but, according as the Rheum is Fresh, Salt, or Sharp, the Parts are a longer or shorter time decaying: for, Salt and Sharp is Corroding; and, by the Corroding Motions, Ulcerates those Parts the Salt Rheums fall on, which destroys them soon. As for Chin-Cough, ’tis a Wind or Vapour arising from the Lungs, through the Wind-pipe; and as long as the Wind or Vapour ascends, the Patient cannot draw in Reviving Air or Breath, but Coughs violently and incessantly, until it faint away, or have no Strength left; and with straining, will be as if it were choaked or strangled, and become black in the face, and, after the Cough is past, recover again; but some dye of these sorts of Coughs.
Chap. IX. Of Gangren’s.
Gangren’s are of the Nature of the Plague; and they are of Two sorts, as the Plague is; the one more sudden and deadly than the other: The only difference of their Insecting Qualities, is, That Gangren’s spread by insecting still the next, or Neighbouring Parts; whereas Plagues infect Forrein, as much as Home-Parts. Also, the deadly sort of Gangren’s, infect (as I may say) from the Circumference towards the Center: when as the deadly sorts of Plague, infect from the Center, towards the Circumference. But, that sort of Gangrene that is the weaker sort, infects only the next adjoining Parts, by degrees, and after a spreading manner, rather than after a piercing manner.
But some may object, That Plagues and Gangren’s are produced from different Causes; as for example, Extream Cold will cause Gangren’s; and Extream Heat causes Plagues.
I answer, That Two opposite Causes may produce like Effects, for which may be brought numerous Examples.
Chap. X. Of Cancers and Fistula’s
Cancers and Fistula’s are somewhat alike, in that they are both produced from Salt, or sharp corroding Motions: but in this they differ, that Cancers keep their Center, and spread in streams; whereas Fistula’s will run from place to place: for if it be stopt in one place, it is apt to remove and break out in another. Yet Cancers are somewhat like Gangren’s, in infecting adjoining Parts; so that unless a Cancer be in such a place as can be divided from the Sound Parts, it destroys the Human Life, by eating (as I may say) the Sound Parts of the Body, as all Corroding, and Sharp or Salt Diseases do.
Chap. XI. Of the Govt
As for the Disease named the Gout, I never heard but of Two sorts; the Fixt, and the Running Gout: but, mistake me not, I mean Fixt for Place, not Time. The Fixt proceeds from Hot, Sharp, or Salt Motions: The Running Gout from Cold, Sharp Motions; but, both sorts are Intermitting Diseases, and very painful; and I have heard those that have had the Fixt Gout, say, That the pain of the Fixt Gout, is somewhat like the Tooth-ach: but, all Gouts are occasioned by Irregular Pressures and Re-actions. As for that sort that is named the Windy Gout, it is rather a Sciatica, than a Gout.
Chap. XII. Of the Stone
Of the Disease of the Stone in Human Creatures, there are many sorts: for, though the Stone of the Bladder, of the Kidneys, and in the Gaul, be all of one kind of Disease called the Stone, yet they are of different sorts: but, whether the Disease of the Stone be produced of Hot or Cold Motions, I cannot judg: but ’tis probable, some are produced of Hot Motions, others of Cold; and perchance, others of such sorts of Motions as are neither perfectly Hot, nor Cold: for, the Stone is produced, as all other Creatures, by such or such sorts of Figurative Motions. Here is to be noted, That some of the Humours of the Body may alter their Motion, and turn from being Flegm, Choler, or the like, to be Stone; and so from being a Rare, Moist, or Loose Body, to be a Dry, Densed, Hard, or Fixt Body. But certainly, the Stone of the Bladder, Kidneys and Gaul, are of several sorts, as being produced by several sorts of Figurative Motions; as also, according to the Properties and Forms of those several Parts of the Body they are produced in: for, as several sorts of Soyls, or Parts of the Earth, produce several sorts of Minerals; so several Parts of the Body, several sorts of the Disease of the Stone: And, as there are several sorts of Stones in the several Parts of the Earth; so, no doubt, there may not only be several sorts of Stone in several Parts, but several sorts in one and the same Part; at least, in the like Parts of several Men.
Chap. XII. Of Apoplexies, and Lethargies
Apoplexies, Lethargies, and the like Diseases, are produced by some decay of the Vital Spirits, or by Obstructions, as being obstructed by some Superfluities, or through the Irregularities of some sorts of Motions, which occasion some Passages to close, that should be open. But mistake me not, I do not mean empty Passages; for there is no such thing (in my opinion) in Nature: but, I mean an open passage for a frequent Course and Recourse of Parts. But an Apoplexy is somewhat of the Nature of a Dead-Palsie; and a Lethargy, of a Numb-Palsie; but I have heard, that the Opinion of Learned Men is, That some sorts of Vaporous Pains are the Fore-runners of Apoplexies and Palsies: but, in my opinion, though a Man may have two Diseases at once; yet surely, where Vapour can pass, there cannot be an absolute Stoppage.
Chap. XIII. Of Epilepsies
Epilepsies, or that we name the Falling-Sickness, is of the nature of Swounding or Fainting Fits: but there are two visible sorts; the one is, that only the Head is affected, and not the other Parts of the Body; and for proof, Those that are thus distempered only in the Head, all the other Parts will struggle and strive to help or assist the affected or afflicted Parts, and those Parts of the Head that are not Irregular, as may be observed by their Motions; but, by the means of some other Parts, there will also be striving and strugling, as may be observed by foaming through the Mouth. The other sort is like ordinary Swounding-Fits, where all the Parts of the Body seem, for a time, to be dead. But this is to be observed, That those that are thus diseased, have certain times of Intermissions, as if the Corporeal Motions did keep a Decorum in being Irregular. But some have had Epilepsies from their Birth; which proves, That their Productive Motions was Irregular.
Chap. XIV. Of Convulsions, and Cramps
Convulsions and Cramps are somewhat alike; and both, in my Opinion, proceed from Cold Contractions: but, Cramps are caused by the Contractions of the Capillary Veins, or small Fibers, rather than of the Nerves and Sinews: for, those Contractions, if violent, are Convulsions: so that Cramps are Contractions of the small Fibers; and Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews. But the reason (I believe) that these Diseases proceed from Cold Contractions, is, That Hot Remedies produce, for the most part, perfect Cures; but, they must be such sorts of Hot Remedies, that are of a dilating or extenuating nature; and not such whose Properties are Hot and Dry, or Contracting: also, the Applications must be according to the strength of the Disease.
Chap. XV. Of Cholicks
Cholicks are like Cramps or Convulsions; or Convulsions and Cramps, like Cholicks: for, as Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews; and Cramps, Contractions of the small Fibers: so Cholicks are a Contracting of the Gutts: and, for proof, So soon as the Contracting Motions alter, and are turn’d to Dilating or Expelling Actions, the Patient is at ease. But, there are several Causes that produce the Cholick: for, some Cholicks are produced by Hot and Sharp Motions, as Bilious Cholicks; others from Cold and Sharp Motions, as Splenetick Cholicks; others from Crude and Raw Humours; some from Hot Winds; some from Cold Winds. The same some sorts of Convulsions and Cramps may be: but, though these several Cholicks may proceed from several Causes; yet, they all agree in this, To be Contractions: for, as I said, when those Corporeal Motions alter their Actions to Dilatation or Expulsion, the Patient is at ease. But, those Cholicks that proceed from Hot and Sharp Motions, are the most painful and dangerous, by reason they are, for the most part, more strong and stubborn. As for Cholicks in the Stomack, they are caused by the same sorts of Motions that cause some sorts of Contractions: but, those sorts of Cholick Contractions, are after the manner of wreathing, or wringing Contractions. The same in Convulsive-Contractions.
Chap. XVI. Of Shaking Palsies
Shaking Palsies proceed from a Slackness of the Nerves, or Sinew strings, as may be observed by those that hold or lay any heavy weight upon the Arms, Hands or Leggs: for, when the Burdens are removed, those Limbs will be apt to tremble and shake so much, for a short time, (until they have recovered their former strength) that the Leggs cannot go, or stand steadily; nor the Arms, or Hands, do any thing without shaking. The reason of these sorts of Slackness, is, That heavy Burdens occasion the Nerves and Sinews to extend beyond their Order; and being stretched, they become more slack, and loose, by how much they were stretched, or extended; until such time as they contract again into their proper Posture: And the reason that Old Age is subject to Shaking-Palsies, is, That the Frame of their whole Body is looser and slacker, than when it was young: As in a decayed House, every Material is looser than when it was first built; but yet, sometimes an old shaking House will continue a great while, with some Repairs: so old shaking Men, with Care, and good Dyet, will continue a great time. But this is to be noted, That trembling is a kind of a Shaking-Palsie, although of another sort; and so is Weakness after Sickness: but, these sorts are occasioned, as when a House shakes in a great Wind, or Storm; and not through any Fundamental Decay.
Chap. XVII. Of the Muther, Spleen, and Scurvy
As for those Diseases that are named the Fits of the Muther, the Spleen, the Scurvy, and the like; although they are the most general Diseases, especially amongst the Females; yet, each particular sort is so various, and hath such different Effects, that, I observe, they puzzle the most Learned Men to find out their jugling, intricate, and uncertain Actions. But this is to be observed, That the Richest sorts of Persons are most apt to these sorts of Diseases; which proves, That Idleness and Luxury is the occasion.
Chap. XVIII. Of Food, or Digestions
As I have said, Digestions are so numerous, and so obscure, that the most Learned Men know not how Food is converted and distributed to all the Parts of the Body: Which Obscurity occasions many Arguments, and much Dispute amongst the Learned; but, in my opinion, it is not the Parts of the Human Body, that do digest the Food, although they may be an occasion (through their own Regularities, or Irregularities) to cause good or bad digestions: but, the Parts of the Food, do digest themselves; that is, alter their actions to the Property and Nature of a Human Body: so that Digestive Parts are only Additional Parts; and, if those Nourishing Motions be Regular,they distribute their several Parts, and joyn their several Parts, to those several Parts of the Body that require Addition. Also, the Digestive Motions are according to the Nature or Property of each several Part of the Human Body, As for example, Those Digestive Parts alter into Blood, Flesh, Fat, Marrow, Brains, Humors, and so into any other Figurative Parts of the Sensitive Body. The same may be said of the Rational Parts of the Mind: but, if those Digestive Parts be Irregular, they will cause a Disorder in a well-ordered Body: and, if the Parts of the Body be Irregular, they will occasion a Disorder amongst the Digestive Parts: but, according to the Regularities and Irregularities of the Digestive Parts, is the Body more or less nourished. But this is to be noted, That according to the Superfluity or Scarcity of those Digestive Parts, the Body is opprest, or starved.
Chap. XIX. Of Surfeits
Surfeits are occasioned after different manners: for, though many Surfeits proceed from those Parts that are received into the Body; yet, some are occasioned through often repetitions of one and the same actions: As for example, The Eyes may surfeit with too often viewing one Object; the Ears, with often hearing one Sound; the Nose, with smelling one Sent; the Tongue, with one Tast. The same is to be said of the Rational Actions; which Surfeits, occasion an aversion to such or such Particulars: but, for those Surfeits that proceed from the Parts that are received into the Body, they are either through the quantity that oppresses the Nature of the Body; or, through the quality of those Parts, being not agreeable to the Nature of the Body; or, through their Irregularities, that occasion the like Irregularities in the Body: and sometimes, the fault is through the Irregularities of the Body, that hinder those received Parts, or obstruct their Regular Digestions; and sometimes, the fault is both of the Parts of the Body, and those of the Food: but, the Surfeits of those Parts that receive not Food, are caused through the often repetition of one and the same Action.
Chap. XX. Of Natural Evacuations, or Purgings
There are many sorts, and several ways or means of Purging actions; whereof some we name Natural, which purge the Excremental Parts; and such Natural Purgings, are only of such Parts as are no ways useful to the Body; or of those that are not willing to convert themselves into the Nature and Property of the Substantial Parts. There must of necessity be Purging actions, as well as Digestive actions; because, no Creature can subsist singly of it self, but all Creatures subsist each by other; so that, there must be Dividing actions, as well as Uniting actions; only, several sorts of Creatures, have several sorts of Nourishments and Evacuations. But this is to be noted, in the Human Nourishments and Evacuations, that, through their Irregularities, some Men may nourish too much, and others purge too much; and some may nourish too little, and some may purge too little. The Irregularities concerning Nourishments, are amongst the adjoining Parts; the Errors concerning Purging, are amongst the Dividing Parts.
Chap. XXI. Of Purging Druggs
There are many sorts of Druggs, whereof some are beneficial, by assisting those particular Parts of the Body that are oppressed and offended, either by Superfluous Humours, or Malignant Humours: but, there are some sorts of Druggs that are as malicious to the Human Life, as the Assistant Druggs are friendly. Several sorts of Druggs, have several sorts of Actions, which causes several Effects; as, some Druggs work by Siege; others, by Urine; some, by Vomit; others, by Spitting; others, by Sweating; some cause sleep; some are hot, others are cold; some dry, others moist. But this is to be noted, That ’tis not the Motions of the Druggs, but the Motion of the Humours, which the Druggs occasion to flow; and not only to flow, but to flow after such or such a manner and way. The Actions of Druggs, are like the Actions of Hounds, or Hawks, that flye at a particular Bird, or run after a particular beast of their own kind, although of a different sort: The only difference is, That Druggs are not only of a different sort, but of a different Kind from Animal Kind; at least, from Human Sort.
Chap. XXII. Of the Various Humours of Druggs
The reason, one and the same Quantity or Dose of one and the same sort of Purging-Druggs or Medicine, will often work differently in several Human Bodies; as also, differently in one and the same Body, at several times of taking the same sorts of Medicines; is, That several Parts of one and the same sort, may be differently humoured: as, some to be duller and slower than others; and some to be more active than others. Also, some Parts may be ill-natured, and cause Factions amongst the Parts of the Body; whereas others will endeavour to rectifie Disorders, or Factions. And sometimes both the Druggs, and the Body, falls out; and then there is a dangerous strife; the Body striving to expel the Physick, and the Physick endeavouring to stay in the Body, to do the Body some mischief. Also, some Parts of one and the same sort, may be so Irregular, as to hunt not only the superfluous Humours, or the Malignant Humors, but all sorts of flowing Parts; which may cause so great and general Disorder, as may endanger Human Life.
Chap. XXIII. Of Cordials
There are many sorts of Cordials: for, I take every Beneficial Remedy to be a Cordial: but, many of the Vulgar believe, That there is no Cordial but Brandy, or such like Strong-waters; at least, they believe all such Remedies that are virtually Hot, to be Cordials: but, when they take too much of such Cordials, either in Sickness, or Health, they will, in some time, find them as bad as Poyson. But, all such Applications as are named Cordials, are not hot: for, some are cool, at least, of a temperate degree. And as there are Regular and Irregular Corporeal Motions; so there are Sympathetical, and Antipathetical Motions; and yet both sorts may be Regular. Also, there is a Neutral sort, that has neither Sympathy nor Antipathy, but is Indifferent. But in Disputes between Two different Parties, a Third may come in to the assistance of one Side, more out of hate to the Opposite, than love to the Assisted. The same may Cordials, or such like Applications, do, when the Corporeal Motions of Human Life are in disorder, and at variance: for, oftentimes there is as great a Mutiny and Disorder amongst the Corporeal Motions, both in the Mind and Body of a Man, as in a Publick State in time of Rebellion: but, all
Assistant Cordials, endeavour to assist the Regular Parts of the Body, and to perswade the Irregular Parts. As for Poysons, they are like Forrein Warr, that endeavours to destroy a Peaceable Government.
Chap. XXIV. Of the Different Actions of the Several Sensitive Parts of a Human Creature
Some Parts of a Human Creature will be Regular, and some Irregular: as, some of the Sensitive Parts will be Regular, and some Irregular; that is, some Parts will be Painful, or Sick, others well: some Parts will make false Perceptions; others, true Perceptions: some Parts be Temperate; others, Intemperate: some Parts be Madd, other Parts Sober: some Parts be Wise; others, Foolish: and the same is to be said of the Rational Motions. But, in a Regular Society, every Part and Particle of the Body, is Regularly agreeable, and Sympathetical.
Chap. XXV. Of the Antipathy of Some Human Creatures, to Some Forrein Objects
As I have often said, There is often both Sympathy and Antipathy between the Parts of some particular Human and Forrein Objects; in so much, that some will occasion such a general Disturbance, as will cause a general Alteration, viz. cause a Man to swound, or at least, to be very faint, or sick: as for example, Some will Swound at some sorts of Sounds, some sorts of Scents, some sorts of Tast, some sorts of Touches, and some sorts of Sights. Again, on the other side, some Human Creatures will so sympathize with some sorts of Forrein Objects, as some will Long for that, another will Swound to have.
Chap. XXVI. Of the Effects of Forrein Objects, on the Human Mind
As there is often Antipathy of the Parts of a Human Creature, to Forrein Objects; so there are often Sympathetical Effects produced from Forrein Objects, with the Parts of a Human Creature. As for example, A timely, kind, and discreet Discourse from a Friend, will compose or quiet his troubled Mind: Likewise, an untimely, unkind, hasty, malicious, false, or sudden Discourse, will often disorder a well-temper’d, or Regular Mind, the Mind imitating the smooth or harsh strains of the Object: and the same Effects hath Musick, on the Minds of many Human Creatures.
Chap. XXVII. Of Contemplation
Human Contemplation, is a Conversation amongst some of the Rational Parts of the Human Mind; which Parts, not regarding present Objects, move either in devout Notions, or vain Fancies, Remembrances, Inventions, Contrivancies, Designs, or the like. But the question is, Whether the Sensitive Parts of a Human Society, do, at any time, Contemplate? I answer, That some of the Sensitive Parts are so sociable, that they are, for the most part, agreeable to the Rational: for, in deep Contemplations, some of the Sensitive Parts do not take notice of Forrein Objects, but of the Rational Actions. Also, if the Contemplations be in devout Notions, the Sensitive Parts express Devotion by their Actions, as I have formerly mentioned. Also, when the Rational Parts move in Actions of Desire, straight the Sensitive move in Sympathetical Appetites: Wherefore, if the Society be Regular, the Sensitive and Rational Parts are agreeable and sociable.
Chap. XXVIII. Of Injecting of the Blood of One Animal, Into the Veins of Another Animal
To put Blood of one Animal, into another Animal; as for example, Some Ounces of Blood taken, by some Art, out of a Dogg’s Veins, and, by some Art, put into a Man’s Veins, may very easily be done by Injection; and certainly, may as readily convert it self to the Nature of Human Blood, as Roots, Herbs, Fruit, and the like Food; and probably, will more aptly be transformed into Human Flesh, than Hogg’s Blood, mixt with many Ingredients, and then put into Gutts, and boyled, (an ordinary Food amongst Country People;) but Blood being a loose Humourish Part, may encrease or diminish, as the other Humors, viz. Flegm, Choler, and Melancholy, are apt to do. But this is to be observed, That by reason Blood is the most flowing Humor, and of much more, or greater quantity than all the rest of the Humours, it is apt (if Regular) to cause, not only more frequent, but a more general Disturbance.