[20] **_Auicen Fen. 213. cap. 16. tract 4. quandoque sunt period.
eius tardi, quandoque accidit omni die._
[Sidenote: _Constant. Varelius lib. 4. cap. 3_]
It is also _Porous_ for the better entertaining of the vitall spirits
and the necessitie it hath of distention and contraction.
[Sidenote: _Gasparus Bauhinus historia anatom. p. 71._]
It is tied vnto diuers partes of the body that it might the better
beare the weight of an infant: backwards by little strings vnto the
lower gut, vnto the loines and _os sacrum_: forwardes vnto the necke
of the bladder and _os pubis_ by certaine membranes deriued from the
_peritoneum_: on each side it is tyed vnto _ossa illii_ by a ligament
growing from the muscles of the loynes. It receiueth also for the
former vses, vaines from the liuer, arteries from the hart, and nerues
from the braine and backe, which are all inserted into the substance
of the part, to deriue vnto it the benefit of those 3. faculties, both
for the proper vse of the part, and for the vse of propagation and to
discharge the whole bodie of diuers superfluities, which otherwise
would be an occasion of many infirmities in them.
Now according to this description let vs consider how by consent, the
principall partes of the bodie may bee affected from the matrix.
[Sidenote: _Fernel. pathologiæ li. 6. ca. 16_]
[Sidenote: _Forestus lib. 10 obseru: 115: in scholsis._]
The partes of our bodie doe suffer by consent[21] two manner of wayes.
The one is when they doe recyue some offensiue thing from another parte
which is [22]called _Communitas non absoluta_. And this is either a
qualitie as in venemous and infectious diseases, where the malignitie
creeping from one part to another doth alter the qualitie of the
parts as it goeth, and at the last is communicated to the principall
parts, as the head, heart, liuer, longs, &c. or a substance which
either by manifest conducts, as vaines, nerues, arteries, &c. or by
insensible pores (as _Hyppocrates_ saith, our bodies are transpirable,
and transmeable) is conuaied from one part to another: whether it
be a vapour or a humor, as wee doe commonly obserue in the fits of
feuers, where a vapour arising from the part affected, disperseth it
selfe through the whole body, and affecteth the sensiue parts with
colde or heate, the motiue parts with trembling, the vitall parts with
fainting, sounding, inequalitie of pulse, &c. the naturall parts with
deiection of appetite, subuersion of the stomacke, &c. vntill nature
haue ouercome and discussed it. In these Feuers also many times humors
are so plentifully sent vp vnto the braine, as by custome or long
continuance they breede some proper affect there.
[21] _Trincauel. l. 3 Sect. 2. cap. 2._
[22] _Auicen. Fẽ. 1. 3. tract. 2. ca. 6 Montagnana consil.
226_
[Sidenote: _Gal: locorum affect: 1: cap: 6_]
[Sidenote: _Rondeletius cap 69. Trincauell loco citato:_]
The other kinde of communitie is that which they call _Communitas
absoluta_, wherein the part consenting receiueth nothing from the
other, but yet is partaker of his griefe: either for _similitude_
of substance or function, which causeth mutuall compassion: as all
neruous partes haue with the braine: whereby if any Nerue or neruous
part bee hurt or pricked, the braine suffreth a convulsion, or _for
neighbourhood_ and vicinitie, whereby one part may offend another,
by compression or incumbencie: as in the prolapse of the Mother,
the bladder or fundament is oftentimes offended in their naturall
excretion. And in this disease which we haue in hand by the locall
motion of it vpwardes, the midriffe is straightned of his scope,
whereby the lunges doe faile in their dutie, or by _reason of connexion
or continuitie_ which it hath with other parts, by Vaines, Nerues,
Arteries, Membranes, Ligaments, &c. whereby the offence is easily
imparted vnto other partes. Or lastly by priuation of some _facultie
or matter_, whereof the part hath neede. As in the obstruction of the
_Spina Dorsi_ there followeth a resolution or palsie of the legges or
armes, by reason that the animall facultie that should giue sence or
motion to the part is intercepted and hindered in his passage. Likewise
in a resolution of the Muscles of the brest, as in a wound of that
part, or in swounding the voice is taken away, because the matter of it
which is breath, is either not sufficiently made, or is carried another
way, or not competently impelled to the organs of voyce.
All these manner of wayes hath the Matrix by consent to impart her
offence vnto other parts. For there wãteth no corruption of humor,
vapour, nor euill qualitie, where this part is ill affected, to infect
other partes withall, there wantes no oportunitie of conueyance or
passage vnto any part, by reason of the large Vaynes, Arteries, and
Nerves, which are deriued vnto it, with which it hath great affinitie
and similitude of substance, besides the connexion it hath with the
heart, liuer, braine, and backe. It is linked also in neighborhoode
with diuerse partes of great vse, as the bladder, guttes, midriffe, &c.
which are likely to bee warmed when this part doth burne. _According
to the varietie of causes and diseases wherewith the wombe is
offended_, these _Symptoms_ doe differ in nature, or in degree. [23]A
plentifull matter produceth a vehement _Symptom_: a corrupt matter
according to the degree of corruption, and the qualitie of the humor
corrupted, causeth like accidents. The diseases also of the Mother
being cõplicated with the former corrupt humors do yeeld varietie of
_Symptoms_: as the rising of the Mother, which alwayes causeth shortnes
of breath: [24]Empostumes of the Mother according to the place where
they are bred, and the quality of them, doe also bring a difference in
_Symptoms_. And thus much for explanation of the definition.
[23] _Mercatus pag. 165._
[24] _Mathæus de gradi. & Auicenna locis citatis._
Cap. 3.
_Of the kinds of this disease, and first of that wherein the vitall
facultie is offended._
[Sidenote: _Affectus corporis vel excretionum vitiæ._]
Now I come to the kinds and sorts of this disease, which may bee
reduced vnto three principall heades, according as euerie part of the
bodie belongeth vnto some of the three principall functions which do
gouerne the bodie of man. Not that euerie _Symptom_ in this disease
doth hurt some of the three functions, for some are onely molestations
or deformities, as sudden Collickes, windie humors, noyses, alteration
of colour, &c. But because euerie part may well bee mustred vnder
some of these generals: and we doe seldome see any hystericall affect
wherein some one or mo of the functions are not affected. These
functions as they are distinct in office, so they possesse in our
bodies seuerall seats and haue seuerall instruments belonging vnto them.
[Sidenote: _Trincauel. li. 4 cap. 24._]
[Sidenote: _De partium morbis et symp. lib. 5: cap. 12._]
1 The vitall function which by preseruing naturall heat in a
due temperature, maintaineth the coniunction of soule and bodie
togither, hath his principall mansion in the heart, and from thence
by his Arteries conueyeth vitall spirites vnto euery member. So as
without this wee could not liue: and therefore it is accounted the
principallest function, because the rest receyue their being from
this, and this fayling they must needes all cease. This function is
performed by the motion of the heart, and Arteries, which in this
affect of the Mother is drawne into consent as it is either diminished,
abolished, or depraued. The deprauation of this motion is either when
it is too fast and quick, or when it beates disorderly. The pulse in
this disease is oftentimes too quicke, although it bee weake withall:
but seeing it brings no great offence with it, the patient doth seldome
complaine thereof. The greater offence is when it beates disorderly,
and keepes no equall nor orderly stroke, but either trembleth and
daunceth in the motion, or else is violently impelled: insomuch as it
doth not onely remoue ones hande being applied to some part where the
Arteries are great and near to the skinne (as lately appeared in a
noble Gentleman of this lande now dead) but as _Fernelius_ testifieth,
hath sometimes displaced the ribbes, and sometimes broken them through
the violent motion of the heart.
This _Symptom_ is called the palpitation or beating of the heart, or
Arteries whereof _Maximillian_ the Emperour died, as _Crato_ reporteth,
and wherewith _Charles_ the fift was oftentimes molested, as _Vesalius_
writeth. It is chiefly to bee perceyued where the Arteries are great &
neare the skin: as vnder the left ribbes towards the backe, and in the
necke: as you may obserue in Maides that haue the greene sicknesse, by
the shaking and quiuering of their ruffes, if they sit close to their
neckes: where sometimes through the dilatation of the Arterie there
ariseth a [25]tumour as bigge as ones fist. This _Symptom_ is euerie
where mentioned by our [26]Authours in this disease and our dayly
experience confirmeth it.
[25] _Aneurisms. Fernel. loco citato._
[26] _Petrus Salius pag. 429. Skinckius de cordis palpit. obs. 211,
item 218, 222. Forestus lib. 17 obs. 8._
This motion of the heart and Arteries in this affect of the Mother is
oftentimes diminished either in part or to sense totally. In part,
where the pulse in this disease is weake, slow, obscure, intermittent,
&c. and the whole bodie accordingly feeble and slow in euery action,
for want of influence of vitall facultie from the heart. It is totally
diminished in that _Symptom_ which is called _Syncope_ or swounding,
the very image of death, where the pulse is [27]scarcely or not at
all perceyued; the breath or respiration cleane gone: by reason that
the heart wanting his motion, hath no neede of the helpe of the lungs
to refresh it withall, all the faculties of the body fayling, it
self lying like a dead corpse three or foure houres togither, and
[28]sometimes two or three whole dayes without sense, motion, breath,
heate, or any signe of life at all (like as wee see Snakes and other
creatures to lie all the winter, as if they were dead, vnder the
earth) insomuch as diuerse [29]errors haue beene committed in laying
foorth such for dead, which haue afterwards beene found to haue life
in them, and haue risen vp in their burials, whereupon there haue
beene lawes enacted, as [30]_Mercurialis_ reporteth, that no woman
which was subiect to this disease should be buried vntil she had beene
three dayes dead. Or as [31]_Alexander Benedictus_ of _Bolonia_ sayth
72. houres, which commeth to the same reckoning. [32]_Petrus Bayrus_
setteth downe diuerse reasons why they should not be buried before
three dayes bee ended, besides the experience of some (as hee saith)
that haue beene found aliue in their graues after they had beene
buried. I will refer the reader for the reasons to the author himself,
and to [33]_Forrestus_ in his obseruations. [34]_Plinie_ maketh mention
out of _Heraclides_, of a woman who for seuen dayes together lay for
dead in a fit of the mother, and was restored againe to life: which
(saieth [35]_Marcellus Donatus_) is not to be thought a fabulous tale,
seeing it is not repugnant to the rules of Philosophie and Phisicke.
And [36]_Galen_ making mention of the verie same hystorie vnder the
name of _Apnæa_, discourseth of the reasons of it.
[27] _Gal. loc. affect. 6.c 5. pulsum vix perceptibilem habent &c
Item de composit. pharmac. s.l. lib. 9. in finit._
[28] _Antho. Guaynerius. cap. de suffoc. matricĩs. Albert.
Bottonus loco infra citato. Gal. loco citato. Altomarus loco
citato._
[29] _Ambros. paræus li. 24.c. 10_
[30] _De morbis muliebr: lib. 4. cap. 22. Iacobus Syluius de
mensibus mulierum._
[31] _De morbis medicandis. lib. 10. cap. 10._
[32] _Practica lib. 2. cap. 17._
[33] _Lib. 10. obser. 79. in scholiis._
[34] _Histor. nat. lib. 7. cap. 52._
[35] _De medica hysteria mirabili. lib. 4. ca. 11_
[36] _6. Locorum affect. cap. 5._
[37]_Rabbi Moses_ an ancient Author in Physicke, reporteth also of a
woman, that in the fitte of the mother, did lie six dayes without sense
and motion, her Arteries being waxt hard, and she readie to be buried,
and yet recouered.
[38]_Bottonus_ a late professor of Physicke in Padua, reporteth of a
woman that beeing giuen ouer for dead in a fit of the Mother, was by
such conclusions as he tried, discouered to be yet aliue, and recouered
her former health againe by such remedies as he prescribed.
[39]_Forestus_ of _Alkmar_ in north _Holland_, but lately dead, setteth
downe the like example of another, that lay in that maner 24. houres,
and was by him restored to health againe.
[37] _Ioh. Schinckius refert ex pictorio. obseruat. med. lib 4.
cap. 288._
[38] _De morbis muliebribus cap. 43._
[39] _Obseru. li. 10. in scholiis ad obseruat. 79. Iacobus Ruffius
testatur se plures huius mod. vidiss. muliebr. lib. 6. cap. 8._
[Sidenote: _De hominis generat. cap. 46._]
The like also he citeth out of _Leouellus_, in that place, of one
that lay with her eyes shut, and dumb a whole day, and by conuenient
remedies was deliuered from her fit, and could rehearse all that was
done about her in the time of her fit. But the most pitifull example
of all other in this kinde, is that which _Ambrose Paræe_ reporteth
of _Vesalius_ a worthie Physition, & for anatomicall dissections
much renowned, who being called to the opening of a Gentlewoman in
Spaine, which was thought to be dead through the violence of one of
these fits, began to open her, and at the second cut of the knife she
cried out, and stirred her limbes, shewing manifest signes of life
to remaine. The beholders were exceedingly amazed at the sight, and
blamed the Physition much for it: who though hee tooke her for dead,
yet tooke he great apprehension of sorrow for that accident, that he
estranged himselfe. After through griefe and remorse of conscience for
his error, pretended (as others say) a pilgrimage for the absenting
of himselfe, and therein died. Many more examples to this end could
I produce out of _Authenticall_ writers, and late experiences, if it
were free for mee to mention them: but these may suffice to shew how
wonderfully the vitall facultie is ouerthrowne in this disease, and
withall respiration, sense, motion, and all the functions of the bodie
by reason of this.
_Cap._ 4.
_Of that kind of this disease wherein the animall facultie is
offended._
The second kind of this disease is, where the animall facultie doth
principally suffer; and it is that faculty whereby we do vnderstand,
iudge, and remember things that are profitable or hurtfull vnto vs,
whereby also we haue sense and do feele the qualities of things, and
moue to and fro, & performe diuers other voluntary actions for the
cõmoditie of the bodie. For nature had made vs but base creatures,
if she had giuen vs onely the vitall facultie barely to liue, and
the naturall to grow, and to supply the expence that is daily made
of naturall moisture: If she had not withall giuen vs knowledg and
vnderstanding of such things as we are subiect vnto, and abilitie to
moue our bodies at our pleasure, to apprehend that which is profitable
& to shun that which is offensiue, &c. And therefore as a facultie
making most for the dignitie and vse of man, it is placed principally
in the braine; from whence it disperseth his beames of influence into
euery part of the bodie, according to the seuerall vses and necessitie
of each part.
[Sidenote: _De motu musculorum lib. 2. cap. 7. 8._]
[Sidenote: _De ciuitate Dei lib. 4: Cosmoscrit. lib. 1. pag. 156._]
[Sidenote: _Medici parisienses in historia Martha. Brossier._
1. Sam. 21. 13. _Gal. lib quomodo deprehendũtur qui
agrotare se fingunt. cap. 1._]
[Sidenote: _Epidemiorum 5. R. Scot. lib. 7: cap. 1._]
[Sidenote: _Lib: 16. cap. 4._]
This animall facultie hath this peculiar difference from the vitall and
naturall faculties, that the functions of it are subiect vnto our wil,
& may be intẽded remitted, or peruerted at our pleasure, otherwise
thẽ in other faculties: For no man can make his pulse to beate as he
list, or alter the naturall functions at his will and pleasure. But
these animal functions may be abused both by our owne will, and by the
violence of some disease, and by both, as _Galen_ testifieth, _lib. 2.
de Symptomatum causis cap. 12_. That it may be abused by our owne will,
he proueth also in another place, where he bringeth an instance of a
seruant (_serui barbari_) who killed himselfe to anger his maister by
holding of his breath. S. _Augustine_ saith that he knew a man that
could make himselfe to sweate when he list, by his imagination only.
_Cornelius Gemma_ saith, that he knew one that could weepe when he
list: others that could make their bodies stiffe like an image, imitate
the voyces of all kinde of creatures, raise a hickocke, and breake
wind as often and in what manner they would. And S. _Augustine_ tels
of one that would make a kinde of musicke that way. _Adrian Turnebus_
saw a rogue that gayned much money by shewing this feate, we do also
daily see that some can counterfait madnes, some drunkennesse, some the
falling sicknesse, some palsies and trembling, some can play the fooles
and supply the roomes of innocents, some can make noyses & speake
in their bellies or throates, as those which _Hyppocrates_ calleth
_Eugastrimuthoi ventriloqui_, such as was the holy maid of Kent, and
_Mildred_ of westwall, &c. And it is strange to see how young bodies
will be bowed and writhed diuersly, as wee see in tumblers iuglers,
and such like companions. Hereupon diuers haue counterfaited diseases
as I once saw a poor fellow being arested for a smal debt coũterfaited
a fit of the falling sicknes, with strange and violent motions:
whereby the creditor in compassion was moued to release him. Being
released he was well againe, and vnto his friendes seemed to confesse
the cousonage: others haue counterfaited possessions, either vpon
meere deceit or inticed therto through the conceite of some disease
wherewith they haue beene troubled. But for this point I referre you
to the histories of _Agnes Brigs_, _Rachel Pinder_, _Martha Brossier_,
&c. _Ren. Scot_ tels of one that being blind, deafe, and dumbe, could
reade any canonicall Scripture, but no Apocripha: But was discouered by
inserting a leafe of Apocrapha: among the canonicall. Another faining
her selfe to be possessed with a diuell, would answere to any question
made in English, but vnderstood no latine. Diuers such like examples
might bee procured to shew how the animall functions may be abused
by our owne will. But against our willes this faculty doth suffer by
consent in the suffocation of the Mother diuersly according to the
varietie of offices or functions which it performeth.
[Sidenote: _Hebetudo mentis._]
[Sidenote: _Imprudentia obliuio._]
[Sidenote: _Sopor._]
[Sidenote: _Apoplexiæ._ _Epilepsia._]
[Sidenote: _Catalepsis._]
The functions of it are three, the first is called _Internall_ and
principall sence which doth gouerne and direct all the rest by
_Imagination_, _Reason_ and _Memory_: which if it bee hurt either by
imminution or deprauation or total abolishment, then the inferior
functions doe necessarily participate with the offence. They are hurt
by Imminution when a man doth not _Conceiue_, _Iudge_, or remember so
well as hee ought to doe, as in dulnesse or blockishnesse,[40] as wee
call it in vndiscretion, foolishnes or want of iudgement, in obliuion
or forgetfulnes, &c. They are abolished either in those drowsie affects
which wee call _Caros_, _Coma_, _veternus_, _Lethargus_ &c. or in
those astonishing _Symptoms_ wherein all the animall faculties are at
once taken away, sometimes with a generall resolution or palsie, as in
_Apoplexies_: sometimes with a generall conuulsion, as in the falling
sicknes: sometimes with a _Stifnesse or congelation_ of the body,
wherein they lie like an image in the same forme they were taken.
[40] _Hypp. de morbis muliebr. lib 1 et 2. Torpor occupat caput
mẽs percellitur et improba fit non facile intelligit. De virginum
morbis cor fatuum fit, ex fatuitate torpor._
_Gal. loc. affect. 6. 5. De composit. pharm. s. L. lib. 9. in fine_
_Rhasis continẽt 22. Egineta. li. 3. ca. 71._
_Ætius tetr. 4._
_Serr21 4. cap. 68. paschalius lib. 1: cap. 58._
_Valescus de Taran. Iacobus Syluius Altomam. Augeni. Aui. Fen. 21.
3. cap. 16. tract. 4: Idem._
_Petr. salius de catelepsi. pag. 384._
These internall sences are ouerthrowne either in part or in whole in
this suffocatiõ of the mother: and thereupon it is likened vnto these
former diseases: and this kind is accounted by _Auicen_ to be the
most grieuous of all other, where the imagination and reason is hurt:
and the other which holds them with conuulsions, contractions, &c. he
accounts to bee the milder and the more vsuall. And therefore he saith
that commonly they can remember what was done about them in their fit:
vnlesse it be of this most grieuous kinde.
[Sidenote: _Insania. Delirium. Melancholia. Furor._]
The Internall sence is depraued when a man doth imagine, iudge, or
remember thinges that are not as if they were, or things that are,
otherwise then they are indeed. Whether they do it in cogitation alone,
or do expresse it by word or deede. As we see in those fooles which
we call naturals, in mad men, in melancholike men, in those that are
furious, in such as do dote, in such as are distracted through loue,
feare, griefe, ioye, anger, hatred, &c. In some of which they will
laugh, crye, prattle, threaten, chide, or sing, &c. according to the
disposition of the party or the cause of the affect.
[Sidenote: _Vigilia. Insomnium._]
These functions are also depraued in too much wakefulnesse through
the commotion of the animall spirits, also in dreames, where somtimes
besides the deprauation of the fantasie they wil walke, talke, laugh,
crye, &c. And lastly in that disease which is called [41]_Saltus
Sa^{ti} viti_, or _Saltuosa dispositio membrorum_ wherein they will
daunce, and leape, and cannot endure to be quiet.
[41] _Saltus viti. F. Platerus de mentis alienatione. pag. 103_
This deprauation of the internall sences, is so ordinary in the fits
of the Mother, as _Horatius Augenius Epistola_. 6. seemes to make it
of the essence of this disease, that the imagination is ever depraued
in it. But [42]_Hyppocrates_, _Galen_, _Auicen_, and most of the best
Authors in our profession, do affirme that very often there happeneth
an alienation of the minde in this disease, whereby sometimes they will
waxe furious and raging depriued of their right iudgement and of rest.
[42] _Hippoccrat. de morbis virg. præ acutæ inflamatione infamis
præ putredione clamat, &c De morbis muliebr. lib. 1. mente alienatur
in hoc morbo et deliria fiunt furiousa dentibus frendet vigilabit
anxia erit &c. Avicen loco citato facit accidere alienationem per
communitatem cerebri, &c. Ætius garrula inquieta & iracunda fiunt.
lib. 16. 7. 4. Hier. mercurialis morborum muliebr. lib. 4. c. 10.
Iacobus Sylvius demensibus. Mathæus de grad. consilio. 806 8 c. 6
historiam narrat furiosi._
[Sidenote: _Priuatio visus Auditus. Gustus. Olfactus. Tactus._]
The second function of the animall facultie is the externall sensitive
function; which giueth to the eye the facultie of seeing, to the eare
of hearing, to the tongue of tasting, to the nose of smelling and to
diuers parts of the bodie the power of feeling.
This function in all these kindes is diminished, depraued, or cleane
abolished, but especially in this disease of the mother, we do obserue
the offence which is done to the feeling facultie, when the parts are
benummed or do not feele at all, or when they feele [43]paine and
offence, or when they feele things falsely and otherwise then they are.
[43] _Iuxta receptam a medicis sententiam dolorem hic insero licet
videatur potius ad simpls̃ ces corporis affectus referendus._
Concerning hearing, although [44]_Hyppoc. Rhasis_ and diuers others doe
obserue that sometimes it is hindred: yet it seemes to be in the former
kinde where the internall facultie doe suffer. For _Mercatus_ puts it
as a difference from the falling sicknes, that in this suffocation of
the matrix they doe commonly heare. The priuation of the other sences
of seeing, tasting, smelling and feeling, are verie ordinarie in this
disease, as you may obserue in the Histories following, and in these
quotations.
[44] _Hyp: morb. muliebr. lib._ 0. _caligo ante oculos
obuersatur et vertigo, oculi non acute vidẽt nilhil olfaciunt
vocata non audit Rhasis 22. cont. in hac passione non audit
quando datur in auribus eius vox terribilis. Ægineta loco citato.
Instrumentorum sensus apprehensio &c. Auicen narrat plurimum eius
quod fuit in ea nisi sit maxima et immoderata AEtius sensus et motus
intercipiuntur. Gal. immobiles sine sensu sacẽt Horatius Angenius
Epist. 6, Gal. de motu musc. lib. 2 cap. 6. et 8._
The third function is that which giues motion to the whole bodie. This
motion serueth either for a voluntary vse onely, or for a naturall vse
also. The motions for the voluntary vse are the free motions of the
externall members of our bodies: as to bowe the whole bodie and the
head by meanes of the backe, to apprehend with the hand, to stand and
goe with the feete and legges, to chewe with the iawes, to open & shut
the lips & eyelids, to moue the eies, &c. This functiõ is _diminished_
in that affect which we cal _lassitudo_, werines or vnweldines,
wherein we are not able to move so strongly and nimbly as we should.
[Sidenote: _Paralysis._]
It is _abolished_, either by a _resolution_ or _palsie_ where the sound
part drawes the sickly part, that is the part resolued, & depending
draws the muscles & nerues &c. or by a _Spasmus_ or _contractiõ_ of
them [45]where the sick part drawes the sound part, that is, the muscle
which is affected, drawes the member which is wel.
[45] _Contractio. platerus. Gal. de causis morborũ
lib. 2. cap. 7. et loc. affect. li. 34._
A resolution or palsie is either generall of both sides of the bodie
[46]exempting the head, or of one side called _Hæmiplegia_, or yet more
particular of the hand, legge, finger, &c. called [47]_parapligia_.
[46] _Petrus Salius pag. 401. tanquam leuis Apoplexiæ Fern. de
part. morbis & sympt. li. 5. cap. 3._
[47] _Gal. prorhet com. 2. 50. et com. 3. 26. de victus rat. tom.
4. 27. de morb. vulg. com. 2. 56_ _Gybbus._ _Trismos._
_Tortura oris._ _Strabismus._ _Spasmus Cynicus._
A _Contraction_ or _Spasmus_ is also of like sortes, sometimes the
bodie is held vpright and cannot be bowed any way in that affect which
is called _Tetanos_, sometimes it is bowed forwardes _Emprostotonos_
sometimes backward _Opistotonos_, somtimes the back is crookt in some
part of it, as in _Gibbo_, sometimes the iawes, lips, face, eyelids,
&c. are contracted, wherby they make many strange faces and mouthes
sometimes as though they laughed or wept, sometimes holding their
mouthes open or awry, their eyes staring, &c. Sometimes the handes,
armes, legges, fingers, toes, &c. are contracted, sometimes particular
muscles in the sides, backe, armes, legs, &c. one or more at once, as
in crampes.
[Sidenote: _Marcellus Doc natus. li. 2. ca. 4_]
[Sidenote: _Felix Platerus de motu deprauato. pag. 401._]
It is _depraued_ where the motions are immoderate, peruerse,
inordinate, or indecẽt, as when they are _vnquiet_, & cannot abstaine
frõ motions and gestures, casting their armes and legges to and fro,
vp and downe, dauncing, capring, vawting, fencing, and in diuerse
maners forming their motions. Also in _Convulsions_ of the members,
where they are shaken and pulled by inordinate motions, as wee see in
the falling sicknesse. Also in _trembling_, _palpitation_, _rigor_
where the teeth do chatter, horror where the haire standes vpright,
stretching, yawning, gasping twinckling of the eyes, &c. These
impediments and deprauations of motion are dayly obserued in vterne
affects: as may appeare by these testimonies. _Hyppocrat. de morbi
muliebr. lib. 1. Albas oculorum partes subuertit, dentibus frendet,
& similis fit his qui herculeo morbo detinentur. Item fit cõuulsio
fortis articulorum corporis, claudam facit aut impotentem præ rigore,
alias atque alias seipsam iactabit. Horror. Erectæ ceruicis spiratio
ipsam tenet, & quicquid ederit aut biberit ipsam molestat. Torpor
occupat manus & inguina, & crura & poplites. Magnis pedumigitis
conuelluntur gybbosa fit, de nat. muliebr. Gal. lib. de semine cap.
3. Tensiones lumborum & manuum, & pedum viduam apprehendebant loc.
affect. 6. 5. Aliis crura & bracchia contrahuntur. Auicenna. minor
suffocationum est quæ facit accidere spasmum & tetanum, sine nocumento
in ratione & sensu. Quandoque claudit oculos & non aperit eos. Stridor
dentium, percussio oculorum, & motus inuoluntarius lacertorum. Rhasis,
Stridor dentium cum spasmo & torquedine extremitatum, dolores fortes
adeo vt mulierem torquere faciant vndique & caput genibus implicari.
&c. Mesue loco superius citato. Aetius. Oculi post multam grauitatem
attolluntur, vterus paulatim laxatur & intellectum & sensum recipit.
&c._
[Sidenote: _Suffocatio. Anthon. Guaynerius. cap. de suffocatione._]
[Sidenote: _Priuatio vocis._]
The animall motions which doe serue for naturall vse, haue their power
from the animall facultie, but their vrging and prouoking and cause
from the naturall, and are either _Respiration_, _Ingestion_, _or
Excretion_. Respiration hath annexed vnto it voyce, and speach, this is
diminished or abolished in _Suffocation_ or choaking, from whence this
disease which we intreat of taketh his name, as from the most cõmon
_Symptom_ which appeareth in it. In _difficulty_ of breathing. In
priuation of _voyce and speach_.
[Sidenote: _Citæ respiratio, suspirium. Oscitatio. Singultus.
Sternutatio, Ructus, Tusus. Deglutitio. Excretio._]
It is depraued when it is done immoderately or inordinately, whether
it be voluntarie, or inuoluntarie, as in _shortnesse of breath_,
_sighing_, _yawning_, _the hickock_, _sneesing_, _coughing_,
_belching_, _vomiting_, _making of noyses_, _blowing_, _and reaching_,
_&c._
_Ingestion, or swallowing_, is also hurt in this affect, when either
they cannot swallow meate, or drinke at all, or with great difficultie.
_Excretion_ is also hurt in this case, by vomit, seege or vrine, &c.
when either they cannot performe it being prouoked, or do it out of
season, or more then is conuenient. &c.
These _Symptoms_ also appeare in the Suffocation of the Mother.
_Hyppocrat. de nat. muliebri. Muta deprepentè fit. de morbis muliebr.
lingua ipsius refrenatur & hanc non claram habet. Aliquibus etiam vocis
priuatio. Spiritus sublimis it, et suffocatio et anhelatio densa ipsam
corripit. De nat. muliebr. Tussis detinet & contabiscit & videtur
peripnumonia esse, &c. Gal. 9. de compis. Pb. s.l. aliquibus vox
intercipitur. loc. affect. 6. 5. aliæ interceptas habent spirationes
aliæ suffocationes, &c. Hyppoc. de nat. muliebr. quicquid ederit
aut biberit ipsam molestat. Auicen. Abscinditur loquela &c. Rhasis.
Strictura anhelitus, squinantia, peripneumonia, apostema in gutture ex
cõmunicatione Diaphragmatis cum matrice. Gal. Loco citato humiditas
quædam ê locis muliebribus excurrit. &c. Rondalat. cap. 69. Hollerius.
cap. 59. Syluius suspirium. Montagnana consilio. 225._
[Sidenote: _De morbis internis lib. 1. ca. 59. in scholiis._]
[Sidenote: _Lib. 28. obseru 26._]
[Sidenote: _Aliam egregiã motuum cõvulsiuorũ ab vtero hystor. vide
apud eundem. li. 10. obser. 116 Lib. 26. cap. 16._]
These motions as they belong to the animall facultie are principally
hurt by _Resolution_, _contraction_, or _conuulsion_, according as the
simple motions are, and therefore we shall not need to stand any longer
vppon them in this place: as they belong vnto the naturall facultie,
and do receyue offence in that respect shall be declared hereafter
in the third general faculty. In the mean time let vs produce some
examples of this 2. kind of _Suffocation_, where the animall faculty
doth principally suffer: for examples many times do perswade more
then doctrine. _Hollerius_ reporteth that the gouernour of _Roan_ in
France had two daughters which were helde with these fits, in such
sort as they would laugh an houre or two togither, and confessed that
they could not refraine from laughing, although diuerse means to that
end were vsed, both by entreaty, and by threates. He tels also of a
gentlewoman _de Rochpot_, who being in these fits would raue, laugh,
& weep, her eies being shut. _Forestus_ maketh mention of one _Alcida
Theodorici at Alkmare_ a yong lusty maid who was held 24. houres in a
most grieuous fit of the mother, wherin she lay as if she had beene
halfe dead, hearing what was said about her, but could not speake, nor
enioy her other senses. Sometimes she would bee pulled as if she had
the falling sickenesse, sometimes would lie still as if she were in an
_Apoplexie_, sometimes she would onely stirre her legges, the rest of
her bodie being dull: and although she could not speake, yet she would
crie and laugh by turnes, and then be sullen and dumpish, as if she
were dead againe.
_Alexander Benedictus veronensis_ testifieth, that he saw a woman in
a fit of the Mother, that was besides her selfe, and would sometimes
laugh & sometimes crie. Those that attended her, applied Partrige
feathers vpon coales vnto her nostrilles, and by chance through want of
care there fell a great coale out of the Chafingdish into her bosome,
where it burnt her, and made a great blister, but she perceyued it not
vntill the next day, and then complained of her breasts. My selfe had a
patient in this Citie yet liuing and in good health (whome I will name
vnto any whome it may concerne) that endured a violent fitte of the
Mother a whole day together: wherein shee had many strong conuulsions,
and sometimes did lie as if she had beene dead. Insomuch as the
midwiues would haue giuen her ouer, and imputed ignorance vnto mee that
I woulde attempt any thing for her recouerie. But her husband being
perswaded by me to make triall of some meanes which I had prescribed
for her, shee was within three or foure houres deliuered of a childe;
yet knew not of it, vntill shee was throughly recouered of her fit,
which was fourteene or fifteene houres after, and then she asked her
husband what was become of her great bellie. I could rehearse two
other such like examples within this citie, which happened not many
moneths since.
But we had of late a most rare example of this disease in an Essex
Gentlewoman of good note, who being once frighted by squibs, fell into
these fits of the Mother, which held her euery day, and whensoeuer
else she did eate any comfortable meat, for the space of fifteene or
sexteene yeares togither, with such violent conuulsions, as fiue or six
strong men could scarce hold her downe. Sometimes her limbes would be
contracted, sometimes perticular Muscles, which would cause swellings
in diuerse parts of her bodie, sometimes she would be without all maner
of sense. And being made beleeue by a stranger Physition that she was
bewitched, her fits increased vpon her, and grew to be stronger than
before.
_Bartholomeus Montagnana_ reciteth vp 31. seuerall _Symptoms_ of this
disease which hee obserued in a Gentlewoman which was his patient.
Conuulsions, swoundings, choaking in the throate, sadnesse and
lamentation, coldnes ouer her whole bodie, dumbnesse, and yet could
heare, drowsinesse, beating of the heart, trembling of the handes,
contraction of the fingers, &c.
It were in vaine to heape vp many examples to this purpose, seeing
our daily experience doth yeeld vs sufficient store of proofe of the
varietie of these _Symptoms_ in the animall facultie.
_Cap. 5._
_Of that kind wherein the naturall facultie is offended._
The third kinde of this disease is, where the naturall facultie doth
principally suffer. This facultie is of great necessitie for the
maintenaunce of mankinde and according to the diuerse vses thereof is
distinguished. For seeing that nature bringes vs not forth into the
world perfect men, in that ripenesse and integritie, of all humaine
actions which afterwards we attaine vnto, when wee come to full growth,
it was meete to be prouided of such a facultie in our bodies as might
encrease our stature, & strengthen the instruments of the whole body,
for the better perfection of the actions thereof. And this is called
_facultas auctrix_. Seeing also that wee are made of a fluxible moulde
which wasteth and spendeth it selfe many wayes, whereby it standeth
in neede of continuall refection and replie: Therefore it was meete
to be furnished with such a facultie as might repaire the decay and
expence of our substance, by yeelding continually apt matter for the
nourishment of the bodie. And that is called _facultas altrix_. And
thirdly seeing, notwithstanding our bodies are continually nourished
with the best food, yet they must once die as well as other inferiour
creatures doe: therefore God hath indued vs as well as other creatures
with the facultie of generation: whereby wee may bee able to make our
kind to continue as long as the world shall endure.
[Sidenote: _Gal. de tremor. palp. tis. &c. cap. 2. sensibus non
exposita._]
These three naturall faculties haue diuerse others attending vpon
them, as the faculties of _Attraction_, _Retention_, _Concoction_,
_Expulsion_, _Alteration_, _Formation_, _&c._ Which I will for breuitie
sake ouerpasse with their bare mention, because the _Symptoms_ of these
faculties are not so euident to the beholders eye, nor so straunge
as those of the vitall and animall faculties are, yet that these are
also hurt in the suffocation of the Mother, appeareth both by dayly
obseruation, and by the authorities of all both auncient and late
physitions who haue written of this disease.
[Sidenote: Some of these are _Symptomata in qualitate mutata_, or _in
excremento vitiato_: but because they are in the naturall parts, and
arising from errors of that facultie, I haue inserted them here.]
And to this place may we referre those accidents often mentioned in
this disease. [48]_Gnawing in the stomacke_, and paines in diuerse
partes of the bodie, breaking of wind, vomiting, purging by siege,
vrin, or other excretion, loathing of meate, thirst, extraordinarie
hunger, swelling in the throat, swelling in the body, in the feet,
obstructions in the vaines, cõsumptions, tumors, feuers, priuation
of voice, palenesse of colour, rumbling and noise in the belly or
[49]throat, like vnto frogs, snakes, or other creatures, or as if they
would speake as _Hippocrates_ reporteth of _Polymarchus_ wife.
[48] _Hypp. de morbis mulieb. lib. 1 Rhasis con. li. 22. Fernel.
de partium morb. lib. 6. cap. 16. Mercatus lib. 2. cap. 2. & 3.
Bottonus, & Mercurialis locis citatis. Syluius de mensibus._
[49] _Schenkius obser. de ptisi obser. 137. Cornel. Gema. Cosmocr.
Hyppocrat. Epidem. 5. expectore obstrepebat. &c._
And these are three principall kindes of this disease wherevnto most
of the _symptoms_ which euer do appeare therein may be referred.