[Sidenote: Valetius scoffing at their ignorance calleth this disease a
kind of diuell. _in Holler. cap. 59_.]
And hereupon the _Symptoms_ of this disease are sayd to be monstrous
and terrible to beholde, and of such a varietie as they can hardly be
comprehended within any method or boundes. Insomuch as they which are
ignorant of the strange affects which naturall causes may produce,
and of the manifold examples which our profession of Phisicke doth
minister in this kind, haue sought aboue the Moone for supernaturall
causes: ascribing these accidents either to diabolicall possession, to
witchcraft, or to the immediate finger of the Almightie.
[Sidenote: _Cosmocrit. li. 1 cap. 7. pag. 153 Inexperto medico sapè
suspitionem ñuminis præb̃uerunt_]
But it is no maruell though the common people and men also in other
faculties verie excellent may bee deceyued by the rarenesse and
straungenesse of these matters, which are hidden out of their Horizon
amongest the deepest mysteries of our profession: when as Phisitions
themselues, as _Cornelius Gemma_ testifieth. If they bee not verie wel
exercised in the practise of their profession, are oftentimes deceyued,
imagining such manifolde straunge accidents as their hee mencioneth to
accompanie this disease, (as _suffocation_ in the throate, croaking
of Frogges, hissing of Snakes, crowing of Cockes, barking of Dogges,
garring of Crowes, frenzies, convulsions, hickcockes, laughing,
singing, weeping, crying, &c.) to proceede from some metaphysicall
power, when in deede (as hee there sayeth) they are meerely naturall.
[Sidenote: _Fen. 21. 3 cap: 26: tract: 4:_]
_Auicen_ also in his Chapter of this disease, speaking of the causes
of it, sayth, that there were some wise Phisitions in his time which
said, that the cause of this disease was vnknowne: Because as _Iacobus
de Partibus_ expoundeth it, they did thinke it to be inflicted from
aboue, yet notwithstanding he setteth downe naturall causes of it, and
a naturall cure.
[Sidenote: _Lib. de morbo sacro in principio._]
[Sidenote: _Inscitia palliũ maleficium & incantatio. R. Sc: li, 1.
cap. 3_]
_Hippocrates_ also long before finding this error to bee helde by some
in his time maketh mention of diuerse of these _Symptoms_, and sayeth,
that hee doth not see anie thing in them more supernaturall, or more
to bee admired, then there is in Tertians, and Quartans, and other
kindes of diseases: imputing it either vnto ignorance, and want of
experience that Phisitians of his time did iudge otherwise; or vnto a
worser humor, when as beeing loath to bewray their owne defects through
pride and arrogancie: and not knowing what to prescribe would flie
vnto diuine causes, and neglecting naturall meanes for their reliefe,
would wholy relie vpon expiations, incantations, sacrifices, &c.
cloaking their ignoraunce vnder these shadows, and pretending both more
knowledge, and more pietie then other men: by which course they gained
this aduauntage, that if the patient chanced to recouer, they should
bee highly renowmed for their skill; if not, their excuse was readie
that Gods hande was against them.
This hee speaketh of the Phisitions of his time, whome he confuteth
principally by two reasons, which may serue for excellent rules for
all men to discerne such cases by. The first is, that there is no
supernaturall Character in these _Symptoms_, as hee proueth by an
induction of diuerse of them, which in the cõmon opinion were thought
to be aboue nature: yet hee proueth to haue their naturall causes in
the bodie of man as well as others haue.
The strength of this argument will better appeare hereafter in the
particular _Symptoms_, which we are to entreate of: where it shall be
made manifest that the most of them doe both depende vpon such naturall
causes as other diseases haue in our bodies, and also are oftentimes
mixed with other diseases which are accompted naturall.
It may likewise appeare by this, that whereas all other diseases
are knowne by their notes and signes which resemble their cause (as
_Choller_, _Flegme_, _Melancholy_, _&c._ haue their proper markes,
corruption and putrefaction, their proper notes and malignity his
Character) so there must be some Character or note of a supernaturall
power in these cases (as [4]extraordinary strength or knowledge or
suffering) or else we haue no cause but to think them naturall. If the
diuell as an externall cause, may inflict a disease by stirring vp or
kindling the humours of our bodies, and then depart without supplying
continuall supernaturall power vnto it;[5] then the disease is but
naturall, and will submit it selfe vnto Physicall cure. For externall
causes when they are already remoted, giue no indication of any remedy.
[4] Luk. 8. 27. 28. &c.
_Ternel de abditis rerum causis lib. 2. cap 16 Platerus de mẽtis
alienat. pag. 102._
_Beniuenius de abditis morborum causis cap. 8. Alsharauius. C. de
Epilepsia._
[5] _Auicen. C. de melancholisi contingat a Demonio sufficit nobis
quod conuertat comptexionem ad choleram nigram, &c. Vide Iacobum de
partibus inhunc locum. Valesius metb; medendi lib. 2. cap. 2._
The second argument of this is, that these _Symptoms_ do yeeld vnto
natural causes, and are both procured and also eased by such ordinary
meanes, as other diseases are: and[6] therefore they must needs be
naturall.
[6] _Fernel loco citato matheus de Grad. ex Azariuio. C. de
Epilepsia._
The strength of this argument is grounded vpon the very foundation
of our profession which hath beene layd by[7] _Hyppocrates_ and[8]
_Gallen_ long agoe and euer since confirmed by the practise and
obseruations of all learned men; that diseases are cured by their
contraries. I say contrary[9] both vnto the disease, vnto the cause,
and vnto the _Symptom_. And the more exact the contrarietie is; the
more proper is the remedy: as when they are equall in[10] degree
or in power. But what equality of contrariety either in degree or
in power, can there be betweene a supernaturall suffocating power,
and the compression of the belly or throate. They are disperats in
Logicke, but not contraries. For contrarietie is betweene such as are
comprehended vnder one generall. And where one is opposed vnto one
alone, and not indifferently vnto many. Neither doe I thinke, that any
man wel aduised, will say that by compression of those parts, he is
able to suppresse the power of the diuell. The like may be saide of
the application of cupping glasses, of sweete plaisters, of ligatures,
&c. beneath, and of euell smelles aboue; by all which we do obserue
those kindes of fits to be mitigated: and yet there can bee no such
contrary respect in thẽ against a supernatural cause, as is between
a remedy and a disease. They are also procured vpon sweete smelles,
vpon pleasant meats and drinkes, vpon feare, anger, iealousie, &c.
as in the particular causes shall bee farther declared: and yet no
such consent can bee shewed in them with any supernaturall affect,
as that they may any way cause or encrease it. Wherefore the rule of
_Hyppocrates_ must needes be true; that if these _Symptoms_ do yeeld
vnto naturall remedies, they must also bee naturall themselues. And
thus much in explanation of these two arguments of _Hyppocrates_
against the errour of his time: which notwithstanding hath been
continued in the mindes of men vntill this day, and no maruell: vnlesse
the same corruption which bred it at the first, had beene remoued out
of the world. And therefore diuers of our Authors doe make especiall
mention of this case wherein they report the common people to haue
beene deceiued by imagining witchcraft or possession, where indeed
there was none.
[7] _Hippo. de natura humaaa circa medium. Destatibus paulo post
principium._
[8] _Gal. de Venesectione aduersus Erasistr: cap: 8, in arte
medicina li cap: 89. in constitutione artis cap: 13. methodi med:
lib. 9. 10. 11. &c._
[9] _Valesius meth. med: lib: 1. cap: 4:_
[10] _Mercatus meth med: pag: 42: 43: Gal. Simplicium lib. 3: cap:
11: Valesius controuers: lib. 1. cap. 4_ Luk, 11. vers. 21. 22.
[Sidenote: _Georg. Godelman. de magis. &c. lib 1: cap 8._
_Bruno Seidelius de morbis incurab: pag: 19: Centuria 5, curat: 75._]
_Amatus Lusitanus_ reporteth of one _Diua Clara_, a maide of 18. years
of age, which had euery day two or three such strange fits, as those
that were about her, gaue out that she was haunted with an euill spirit.
In those fits euery part of her body was distorted, she felt nothing,
nor perceiued any thing: but had all her senses benummed, her hart
beating, her teeth close shut together: yet for an houres space or two
she would haue such strong motions, that shee would weary the strongest
men that came at her. When she had beene three weekes in this case, her
left arme began to be resolued with a palsie, &c. He being called vnto
her prescribed such remedies as are usuall in this case, and within
few dayes recouered her, to the great admiration of the beholders.
[Sidenote: _Obseruationũ medicin: lib: 10 obseru: 30._]
_Petrus Forrestus_ maketh mention of another maid of 22. yeares old,
which dwelt with a Burgermaster of _Delft_ in _Holland_, who falling in
loue with a yong man, fell also into these fits of the Mother: which
held her many houres together with such violent horrible accidents,
as hee neuer sawe the like: her whole body being pulled to and fro
with convulsiue motions, her belly sometimes lifted vp, and sometimes
depressed, a roaring noise heard within her, with crying and howling, a
distortion of her armes and handes: insomuch as those about her thought
her to be possessed with a diuell, and out of all hope of recouery. He
being called vnto her in Ianuarie 1565. applied conuenient remedies as
there he setteth downe, and in a short time restored her to her health
againe.
[Sidenote: _Thaddæus Dumus miscall: cap 9._]
[Sidenote: _Lib. 28. obseru. 26:_]
Many more such like examples might bee produced both out of
authenticall writers in our profession and out of our own experiences,
which yet do liue (were it not that late examples would bee
offensiue to rehearse:) but these may suffice to show how easily
men vnexperienced in those extraordinarie kinds of diseases, may
mistake the causes of them: when through admiration of the vnwonted
and grieuous accidents they behold, they are caried vnto Magicall
and Metaphysicall speculations. But the learned Phisition who hath
first beene trained vp in the study of Philosophy, and afterwards
confirmed by the practise and experience of all manner of naturall
diseases, is best able to discerne what is naturall, what not naturall,
what preternaturall, and what supernaturall, the three first being
properly subiect to his profession: and therefore they doe wrong
vnto the faculty of Phisicke, and vnto them selues, and oftentimes
vnto others, who neglecting that light which wee might yeeld them,
doe runne headlong and blindefold into many errors and absurdities.
For preuention whereof I haue breefly set downe what the doctrine of
Phisitions is concerning this disease of the Mother, which of all other
is most subiect vnto misconstruction. For that as _Forrestus_ saieth
it is a harde matter to discerne in what maner the Mother may occasion
such strange and manifold accidents.
Cap. 2.
_What this disease is, and by what means it causeth such varietie of
Symptoms._
[Sidenote: _Cardamus de causis sig. 13 locis morborum cap. 114._
_Altomarus cap. 110. Guaynerius cap. de suffo: matricis._]
[Sidenote: _Æesius tetr: 4 Serm. 4. cap. 68 P. Ægineta lib. 3. cap.
71. Victor Trincavel. lib: 5. sect. 3 cap. 9._]
This disease is called by diuerse names amongst our Authors. _Passio
Hysterica_, _Suffocatio_, _Præfocatio_, and _Strangulatus vteri_,
_Caducus matricis_, _&c._ In English the Mother, or the Suffocation
of the Mother, because most commonly it takes them with choaking in
the throat: and it is _an affect of the Mother or wombe wherein the
principal parts of the bodie by consent do suffer diuersly according
to the diuersitie of the causes and diseases wherewith the matrix is
offended._
I call it an _affect_ in a large signification to comprehend both
_morbum_ and _Symptoma_. For sometimes it is either of them, and
somtimes both. For in regard the actions of expulsion or retention in
the _Mother_ are hurt. It may be called a _Symptoma in actione læsa_:
in regard of the humor to be expelled which corrupteth and putrifieth
to a venemous malignitie. It is likewise a _Symptom in excremento vteri
mutato_. And in regard of the perfrigeration of the Mother, and so of
the whole bodie. It is also a _Symptom_[11] _in qualitate tangibili
mutata_, not _morbus ex intẽperie_:[12] because it is suddenly
inflicted & suddenly remoued. But in regard of the rising of the Mother
wherby it is somtimes drawn vpwards or sidewards aboue his natural
seate, compressing the neighbour parts, & so consequently one another.
It may be said to be _morbus in situ_, in respect of the compression it
selfe, causing suffocatiõ and difficultie of breathing. It may be[13]
_causa morbi in forma_ by causing _coarctation_ of the instruments of
breathing. And sometimes these are complicated and[14] together with a
venemous vapour, arising from this corrupt humor vnto diuers parts of
the bodie, there will be an euill position of the matrix also: either
because the ligaments, vaines and arteries beeing obstructed:[15] by
those vapours are shortened of their wonted length, and so draw vp
the part higher then it should be, or[16] for that the matrix being
grieuously anoyed with the malignity of those vapours doth contract it
selfe and rise vp by a locall motion towards the midrif.
[11] _Albert. Bottonus cap. 39._
[12] _Gal. locorum affectorum 3. cap. 7._
_Petrus Salius pag. 467._
_Altomarus cap. 110._
_Horatius Angenius Epist. 6_
[13] _Gal. de causis morb. cap. 7_
[14] _Altomarus citato. Rondelesius methodo curand. morb. cap. 69.
matheus de grad. in 9 Rhasis. cap. 28_
[15] _Mercatus lib 2. cap 3._
[16] _Matheus de grad. in 9. Rhasis cap. 28. Hor. Angenius sibi
offensum fugiens vt et iucundum insequens._
[Sidenote: _Galen. 6. loc. affert. cap. 5. Auicen. Fen. 21 3. cap. 16.
tract 4. initium est ex matrice et peruenit ad communitatẽ fortem
cordis et cerebri &c. Horatius Angenius Epistola 6._]
[Sidenote: _Petrus solius diuersus pag. 400_]
[Sidenote: _Mercat. pa. 170_]
[Sidenote: _Merca. pa. 174_]
I say of the _Mother_ or wombe because although the wombe many times in
this disease doe suffer but secondarily, yet the other parts are not
affected in this disease but from the Mother: (_Radix suffocationum
vterus_) which finding it selfe anoyed by some vnkind humor, either
within it selfe, or in the vessels adioyning or belonging vnto it,
doth by a naturall instinct which is ingrafted in euery part of the
body for his owne preseruation, endeuour to expell that which is
offensiue: in which conflict if either the passage be obstructed, or
the humor inobedient or malignant, or the functions of the wombe any
way depraued, the offence is communicated from thence vnto the rest of
the body. The principall part of the body are the seates of the three
faculties, which do gouerne the whole body. The braine of the animall,
the hart of the vitall, the liuer of the naturall; although some other
parts are plentifully endewed with some of these faculties, as the
stomacke, entrailes, vaines, spleene, &c. with naturall faculties, the
instruments of respiration[17] with animall and naturall. These parts
are affected in this disease, and do suffer in their functions as they
are diminished, depraued, or abolished,[18] according to the nature &
plenty of the humor, and the temperament and scituation of the Mother:
and that _diuersly_: For somtimes the instruments of respiration
alone doe suffer, sometimes the heart alone, sometimes two or three
faculties together, sometimes successiuely one after another, sometimes
one part suffereth both a resolution and a conuulsion in the same
fit, or when as it suffereth in one part and not in another, as we
see oftentimes sense and motion to bee taken away and yet hearing and
memorie to remaine, the speech failing and respiration good. Sometimes
respiration, sense, and motion do altogether faile, and yet the pulse
remaine good: So that the varietie of those fits is exceeding great,
wherein the principall parts of the body doe diuersly suffer.
[17] _Gal. de difficultate respirãd: lib. 1. cap. 7. Trincauel.
li. 4. cap. 12. Felix platerus ca. de respira. defectis. Gal. de
sympt. differentiis Cap 2. 3._
[18] _Gal. 5. loc. affect. 6 Mercatus pag. 173._
[Sidenote: _Gabr. Fallopius de med. purg. Cap. 17. et 23. via
euacuationis._]
Another diuersitie there is, in the order of these fits: for somtimes
they keep due[19] periods or circuits yearly or monthly, according to
the falling sicknes, and sometime euery weeke, sometimes[20] euery day,
&c. I know a gentlewomã in this towne, who for 2. yeares together
neuer missed a fit of the Mother in the afternoone. The like is
hereafter mentioned in the Essex gentlewo. who for 16. years altogether
had euery day a fit of the Mother at a certaine houre. _D. Argent_ and
I had another patient, in whome for 10. weeks together we obserued a
fit of the mother euery saturday. I adde _by consent of the Mother_
to distinguish those _Symptoms_ or diseases from such as are caused
originally by the part affected. For being procured but by consent,
they endure no longer thẽ the fits of the mother do continue. The
consent or communitie by which the matrix hath with those principal
parts of the body is easily perceiued, if wee consider the anatomy of
that part, & the diuers waies whereby it may and doth communicate with
them. The fũctions of this part, besides that which is commõ to all
other for their nutriment deriued from the naturall facultie, are 2.
the one respecting the preseruatiõ of the whole body, as it is an
_Emunctory_ of diuers superfluities which do abound in that sex. The
other for the propagation of mankind, where it is to be conceiued and
nourished vntill it be able to appeare in the world. In regard of these
offices this part hath neede of great varietie of prouision, according
as the vses are manifold. The substance is neruous, for the great
necessitie it hath of sence and motion.
[19] **_Ætius lib. 26. cap. 70_
P. Agineta. lib. 3. cap. 71.