the Interior Parts; and, for proof, the whole Human Body becomes faint
and weak, when they are hindred, either by some Interior Irregularity,
or through some Exterior Occasion, from their sleeping actions. The
Opinion of the Major Part, was, That sleeping actions are actions
of rote, and not such altering actions as digesting actions, and
nourishing actions, which are uniting actions. Besides, that the reason
why the Interior actions are not sleeping actions, was, That when the
Exterior Parts move in the actions of Sleep, the Interior Parts move
when the Exterior are awake; as may be observed by the Human Pulse, and
Human Respiration; and by many other Observations which may be brought.
CHAP. VI. Whether all the Creatures in Nature, have Sleeping and Waking
Actions.
Some may ask this Question, _Whether all Creatures have sleeping
Actions?_ I answer, That though sleeping actions are proper to Human
Creatures, as also, to most Animal Creatures; yet, such actions may not
any ways be proper to other kinds and sorts of Creatures: and if (as in
all probability it is) that the Exterior Parts of a Human Creature have
no such sleeping actions, it is probable that other kinds and sorts
of Creatures move not at any time, in such sorts of actions. But some
may say, _That if Nature is poysed, all Creatures must have sleeping
actions, as well as waking actions_. I answer, That though Nature's
actions are poysed, yet that doth not hinder the variety of Nature's
actions, so as to tye Nature to particular actions: As for example,
The Exterior Parts of Animals have both sleeping and waking actions;
yet that doth not prove, that therefore all the Parts or Creatures in
Nature, must have sleeping and waking actions. The same may be said of
all the actions of an Animal Creature, or of a Human Creature; nay,
of all the Creatures of the World: for, several kinds and sorts of
Creatures, have several kinds and sorts of Properties: Wherefore, if
there be other kinds and sorts of Worlds besides this, 'tis probable
that those Worlds, and all the Parts, or several kinds and sorts of
Creatures there, have different properties and actions, from those of
this World; so that though Nature's actions are poysed and balanced,
yet they are poysed and balanced after different manners and ways.
CHAP. VII. Of Human Death.
_Death_ is not only a general Alteration of the Sensitive and Rational
Motions, but a general Dissolution of their Society. And as there
are degrees of Time in Productions, so in Dissolutions. And as there
are degrees to Perfection, as from Infancy to Manhood; so there are
degrees from Manhood to Old Age. But, as I said, _Death_ is a general
Dissolution, which makes a Human Creature to be no more: yet, some
Parts do not dissolve so soon as others; as for example, Human Bones;
but, though the Form or Frame of Bones is not dissolved; yet the
Properties: of those Bones are altered. The same when a Human Creature
is kept by Art from dissolving, so as the Form, or Frame, or Shape may
continue; but all the Properties are quite altered; though the Exterior
Shape of such Bodies doth appear somewhat like a Man, yet that Shape is
not a Man.
CHAP. VIII. Of the Heat of Human Life, and the Cold of Human Death.
There are not only several sorts of Properties belonging to several
sorts of Creatures, but several sorts of Properties belonging to one
and the same sort of Creature; and amongst the several sorts of Human
Properties, Human Heat is one, which Man names _Natural Heat_: but,
when there is a general alteration of the Human Properties, there is
that alteration of the Property as well of his Natural, as Human Heat:
but, Natural Heat is not the cause of Human Life, though Human Life is
the cause of that Natural Heat: so that, when Human Life is altered or
dissolved, Human Heat is altered or dissolved: And as Death is opposite
Actions to that Man names _Life_; so Cold is opposite Actions to that
Man names _Heat_.
CHAP. IX. Of the Last Act of Human Life.
The reason some Human Creatures dye in more pain than others, is, That
the Motions of some Human Creatures are in strife, because some would
continue their accustomed Actions, others would alter their accustomed
Actions; which Strife causes Irregularities, and those Irregularities
cause Differences, or Difficulties, which causes Pain: but certainly,
the last Act of Human Life is easie; not only that the Expulsive
Actions of Human Respirations, are more easie than the Attracting
Actions; but, that in the last act of Human Life, all the Motions do
generally agree in one Action.
CHAP. X. Whether a Human Creature hath Knowledg in Death, or not?
Some may ask the Question, _Whether a dead Man hath any Knowledg or
Perception?_ I answer, That a dead Man hath not a Human Knowledg or
Perception; yet all, and every Part, hath Knowledg and Perception:
But, by reason there is a general alteration of the actions of the
Parts of a Human Creature, there cannot possibly be a Human Knowledg
or Perception. But some may say, That a Man in a Swound hath a general
alteration of Human actions; and yet those Parts of a Human Creature
do often repeat those former actions, and then a Man is as he was
before he was in that Swound. I answer, That the reason why a Man in
a Swound hath not the same Knowledg as when he is not in a Swound,
is, That the Human Motions are not generally altered, but only are
generally irregular; which makes such a disturbance, that no Part can
move so regularly, as to make proper Perceptions; as in some sorts of
Distempers, a Man may be like a Natural Fool; in others, he may be Mad;
and is subject to many several Distempers, which cause several Effects:
but a Human Swound is somewhat like Sleeping without Dreaming; that is,
the Exterior Senses do not move to Human Exterior Perception.
CHAP. XI. Whether a Creature may be new Formed, after a general
Dissolution.
Some may ask the Question, _Whether a Human Creature, or any other
Creature, after their Natural Properties are quite altered, can be
repeated, and rechanged, to those Properties that formerly were?_
I answer, Yes, in case none of the Fundamental Figurative Parts be
dissolved.
But some may ask, _That if those dissolved Parts were so inclosed
in other Bodies, that none of them could easily disperse or wander;
whether they might not joyn into the same Form and Figure again, and
have the same Properties?_
I answer, I cannot tell well how to judg; but I am of the opinion,
they cannot: for, it is the property of all such Productions, to be
performed by degrees, and that there should be a dividing and uniting
of Parts, as an intercourse of Home and Forrein Parts; and so there is
requir'd all the same Parts, and every Part of the same Society, or
that had any adjoining actions with that particular Creature; as all
those Parts, or Corporeal Motions, that had been from the first time of
Production, to the last of the Dissolving; and that could not be done
without a Confusion in Nature.
But some may say, _That although the same Creature could not be
produced after the same manner, nor return to the degree of his
Infancy, and pass the degrees from his Infancy, to some degree of Age;
yet, those parts that are together, might so joyn, and move, in the
same manner, as to be the same Creature it was before its dissolution?_
I answer, It may not be impossible: but yet, It is very improbable,
that such numerous sorts of Motions, after so general an Alteration,
should so generally agree in an unnatural action.
CHAP. XII. Of FOREKNOWLEDG.
I have had some Disputes amongst the Parts of my Mind, _Whether Nature
hath Foreknowledg?_ The Opinion of the Minor Parts was, That Nature had
Foreknowledg, by reason all that was Material, was part of her self;
and those Self-parts having Self-motion, she might foreknow what she
would act, and so what they should know. The Opinion of the Major Parts
was, That by reason every Part had Self-motion, and natural Free-will,
Nature could not foreknow how they would move, although she might know
how they have moved, or how they do move.
After this Dispute was ended, then there was a Dispute, _Whether the
particular Parts had a Foreknowledg of Self-knowledg?_ The Opinion of
the Minor Parts was, That since every Part in Nature had Self-motion,
and natural Free-will, every Part could know how they should move, and
so what they should know. The Opinion of the Major Parts was, That
first, the Self-knowledg did alter according to Self-action, amongst
the Self-moving Parts: but, the Self-knowledg of the Inanimate Parts,
did alter according to the actions of the Sensitive Self-moving Parts;
and the Perceptive actions of the Self-moving Parts, were according
to the form and actions of the Objects: so that Foreknowledg of
Forein Parts, or Creatures, could not be: And for Foreknowledg of
Self-knowledg of the Self-moving Parts, there were so many occasional
actions, that it was impossible the Self-moving Parts could know
how they should move, by reason that no Part had an Absolute Power,
although they were Self-moving, and had a natural Free-will: which
proves, That Prophesies are somewhat of the nature of Dreams, whereof
some may prove true by chance; but, for the most part, they are false.
The Eighth Part.
CHAP. I. Of the Irregularity of Nature's Parts.
Some may make this Question, that, _If Nature were Self-moving, and
had Free-will, it is probable that she would never move her Parts so
irregularly, as to put her self to pain._
I answer, first, That Nature's Parts move themselves, and are not moved
by any Agent. Secondly, Though Nature's Parts are Self-moving, and
Self-knowing, yet they have not an infinite or uncontrolable Power;
for, several Parts, and Parties, oppose, and oft-times obstruct each
other; so that many times they are forced to move, and they may not
when they would. Thirdly, Some Parts may occasion other Parts to be
irregular, and keep themselves in a regular posture. Lastly, Nature's
Fundamental actions are so poysed, that Irregular actions are as
natural as Regular.
CHAP. II. Of the Human Parts of a Human Creature.
The Form of Man's Exterior and Interior Parts, are so different, and so
numerous; that I cannot describe them, by reason I am not so learned
to know them: But, some Parts of a Human Creature, Man names _Vital_;
because, the least disturbance of any of those Parts, endangers the
Human Life: and if any of those Vital Parts are diminished, I doubt
whether they can be restored; but if some of those Parts can be
restored, I doubt all cannot. The Vital Parts are, the Heart, Liver,
Lungs, Stomack, Kidneys, Bladder, Gaul, Guts, Brains, Radical Humours,
or Vital Spirits; and others which I know not of. But this is to be
noted, That Man is composed of Rare and Solid Parts, of which there are
more and less Solid, more and less Rare; as also, different sorts of
Solid, and different sorts of Rare: also, different sorts of Soft and
Hard Parts; likewise, of Fixt and Loose Parts; also, of Swift and Slow
Parts. I mean by Fixt, those that are more firmly united.
CHAP. III. Of Human Humours.
_Humours_ are such Parts, that some of them may be divided from the
whole Body, without danger to the whole Body; so that they are somewhat
like Excremental parts, which Excremental parts, are the superfluous
parts: for, though the Humours be so necessary, that the Body could not
well subsist without them; yet, a Superfluity of them is as dangerous,
(if not more) as a Scarcity. But there are many sorts of Humours
belonging to a Human Creature, although Man names but Four, according
to the Four Elements, _viz. Flegm, Choler, Melancholy_, and _Blood_:
but, in my opinion, there are not only several sorts of _Choler, Flegm,
Melancholy_, and _Blood_; but other sorts that are none of these Four.
CHAP. IV. Of BLOOD.
I have heard, that the Opinions of the most Learned Men, are, That
all Animal Creatures have Blood, or at least, such Juyces that are in
lieu of Blood; which Blood, or Juyces, move circularly: for my part, I
am too ignorant to dispute with Learned Men; but yet I am confident,
a _Moth_ (which is a sort of Worm, or Fly, that eats Cloth) hath no
Blood, no, nor any Juyce; for, so soon as it is touched, it dissolves
straight to a dry dust, or like ashes. And there are many other
Animals, or Insects, that have no appearance of Blood; therefore the
life of an Animal doth not consist of Blood: And as for the Circulation
of Blood, there are many Animal Creatures that have not proper Vessels,
as Veins and Arteries, or any such Gutters, for their Blood, or Juyce,
to circulate through. But, say the Blood of Man, or of such like
Animal, doth circulate; then it is to be studied, Whether the several
parts of the Blood do intermix with each other, as it flows; or,
whether it flows as Water seems to do; where the following parts may be
as great strangers to the Leading parts, as in a Crowd of People, where
some of those behind, do not know those that are before: but, if the
Blood doth not intermix as it flows, then it will be very difficult for
a Chyrurgion, or Physician, to find where the ill Blood runs: besides,
if the Blood be continually flowing, when a sick Man is to be let
blood, before the Vein is opened, the bad Blood may be past that Part,
or Vein, and so only the good Blood will be let out; and then the Man
may become worse than if he had not been let blood.
CHAP. V. Of the Radical Humours, or Parts.
There are many Parts in a Human Body, that are as the Foundation of a
House; and being the Foundation, if any of those Parts be removed or
decayed, the House immediately falls to ruine. These Fundamental Parts,
are those we name the _Vital Parts_; amongst which are those Parts we
name the _Vital_ and _Radical Spirits_, which are the Oyl and Flame
of a Human Creature, causing the Body to have that we name a _Natural
Heat_, and a _Radical Moisture_. But it is to be noted, That these
Parts, or Corporeal Motions, are not like gross Oyl, or Flame: for, I
believe, there are more differences between those Flames, and ordinary
Flames, than between the Light of the Sun, and the Flame of a Tallow
Candle; and as much difference between this Oyl, and the greasie Oyl,
as between the purest Essence, and Lamp-Oyl. But, these Vital Parts
are as necessary to the Human Life, as the solid Vital Parts, viz. the
Heart, Liver, Lungs, Brains, and the like.
CHAP. VI. Of Expelling Malignant Disorders in a Human Creature.
Expelling of Poyson, or any Malignity in the Body, is, when that
Malignity hath not got, or is not setled into the Vital Parts; so that
the Regular Motions of the Vital Parts, and other Parts of the Body,
endeavour to defend themselves from the Forrein Malignancies; which if
they do, then the Malignant Motions do dilate to the Exterior Parts,
and issue out of those Exterior Passages, at least, through some; as,
either by the way of Purging, Vomiting, Sweating, or Transpiration,
which is a breathing through the Pores, or other passages. After the
same manner is the expelling of Surfeits, or Superfluities of Natural
Humours: but, if the Malignity or Surfeit, Superfluity or superfluous
Humours, have the better, (as I may say) then those Irregular Motions,
by their Disturbances, cause the Regular Motions to be Irregular,
and to follow the Mode; which is, to imitate Strangers, or the most
Powerful; the most Fantastical, or the most debauch'd: for it is, many
times, amongst the Interior Motions of the Body, as with the Exterior
Actions of Men.
CHAP. VII. Of Human Digestions and Evacuations.
To treat of the several particular Digestive Actions of a Human
Creature, is impossible: for, not only every part of Food hath a
several manner of Digestive Action; but, every action in Transpiration,
is a sort of Digestion and Evacuation: so that, though every sort of
Digestion and Evacuation, may be ghest at; yet, every Particular is
not so known, that it can be described. But this is to be noted, That
there is no Creature that hath Digestive Motions, but hath Evacuating
Motions; which Actions, although they are but Dividing, and Uniting;
yet they are such different manners and ways of uniting and dividing,
that the most observing Man cannot particularly know them, and so not
express them: but, the Uniting actions, if regular, are the Nourishing
actions; the Dividing actions, if regular, are the Cleansing actions:
but if irregular, the Uniting actions are the Obstructive actions; and
the Dividing actions, the Destructive actions.
CHAP. VIII. Of DISEASES in general.
There are many sorts of Human Diseases; yet, all sorts of Diseases
are Irregular Corporeal Motions; but, every sort of Motion is of a
different Figure: so that, several Diseases are different Irregular
Figurative Motions; and according as the Figurative Motions vary, so
do the Diseases: but, as there are Human Diseases, so there are Human
Defects; which Defects (if they be those which Man names _Natural_)
cannot be rectified by any Human Means. Also, there are Human Decays,
and Old Age; which, although they cannot be prevented, or avoided; yet,
they may, by good Order, and wise Observations, be retarded: but there
are not only numerous sorts of Diseases, but every particular it self,
and every particular sort, are more or less different; insomuch, that
seldom a Disease of one and the same sort, is just alike, but there
are some differences; as in Men, who though they be all of one sort of
Animal-kind, yet seldom any two Men are just alike: and the same may
be said of Diseases both of Body and Mind; as for example, concerning
Irregular Minds, as in Mad-Men; Although all Mad-Men are mad, yet not
mad alike; though they all have the Disease either of Sensitive or
Rational Madness, or are both Sensitively and Rationally mad. Also,
this is to be noted, That as several Diseases may be produced from
several Causes, so several Diseases from one: Cause, and one Disease
from several Causes; which is the cause that a Physician ought to be a
long and subtile Observer and Practiser, before he can arrive to that
Experience which belongs to a good Physician.
CHAP. IX. Of the Fundamental Diseases.
There are numerous sorts of Diseases, to which Human Creatures are
subject; and yet there are but few Fundamental Maladies; which are
these as follow; Pain, Sickness, Weakness, Dizziness, Numbness,
Deadness, Madness, Fainting and Swounding; of which one is particular,
the rest are general: The particular is Sickness, to which no parts
of the Body are subject, but the Stomack: for, though any parts of
the Body may have Pain, Numbness, Dizziness, Weakness, or Madness;
yet in no part can be that which we name Sickness, but the Stomack.
As for Dizziness, the Effects are general, as may be observed in some
drunken Men: for, many times, the Head will be in good temper, when
the Leggs (I cannot say, are dizzie, yet) will be so drunk, as neither
to go or stand; and many times the Tongue will be so drunk, as not
to speak plain, when all the rest of the body is well temper'd; at
least so well, as not to be any ways perceived, but by the tripping of
their Speech: but, as I said, no Part is subject to be sick, but the
Stomack: And though there are numerous sorts of Pains to which every
Part is subject, and every several Part hath a several Pain; yet they
are still Pain. But some may say, _That there are also several sorts
of Sicknesses_. I grant it; but yet those several sorts of Sicknesses,
belong only to the Stomack, and to no other Part of the Body.
The Ninth Part.
CHAP. I. Of SICKNESS.
To go on as orderly as I can, I will treat of the Fundamental Diseases,
and first of _Sickness_, by reason it is the most particular Disease:
for though, as I have said, no part of a Human Creature is subject to
that Disease, (namely, _Sickness_) but the Stomack; yet, there are
different sorts of Sicknesses of the Stomack; as for example, Some
sorts of Sickness is like the flowing and ebbing of the Sea: for, the
Humours of the Stomack agitate in that manner, as, if the flowing
motions flow upwards, it occasions Vomiting; if downwards, Purging: if
the Humours divide, as, partly to flow upwards, and partly downwards,
it occasions both Vomiting and Purging.
But the Question is, _Whether it is the motion of the Humours, that
occasions the Stomack to be sick; or the sickness of the Stomack, that
occasions the Humours to flow?_
I answer: That 'tis probable, that sometimes the flowing of the Humours
causes the Stomack to be sick; and sometimes the sickness of the
Stomack occasions the Humours to flow; and sometimes the Stomack will
be sick without the flowing of Humours, as when the Stomack is empty;
and sometimes the Humours will flow, without any disturbance to the
Stomack; and sometimes both the Humours and the Stomack do jointly
agree in Irregularities: but, as I said, there are several sorts of
sicknesses of the Stomack, or at least, that sickness doth produce
several sorts of Effects; as, for example, some sorts of sickness will
occasion faint and cold Sweats; which sick Motion is not flowing up or
down of the Humours; but it is a cold dilatation, or rarifying, after
a breathing manner; also expelling of those rarified parts through the
pores: Other sorts of Motions of the Humours, are like Boyling motions,
viz. Bubling motions; which occasion steaming or watry vapours, to
ascend to the Head; which vapours are apt to cloud the perception of
Sight. Other sorts of sick Motions, are Circular, and those cause a
swimming, or a dizzie motion in the Head, and sometimes a staggering
motion in the Leggs. Other sorts of sick Motions are occasioned through
tough and clammy Humours, the motion of which Humours, is a winding
or turning in such a manner, that it removes not from its Center; and
until such time as that Turning or Winding Motions alter, or the Humour
is cast out of the Stomack, the Patient finds little or no ease.
CHAP. II. Of PAIN.
As I said, No Part is subject to be sick, but the Stomack; but every
several Part of a Human Creature, is subject to Pain; and not only
so, but every particular Part is subject to several sorts of Pain;
and every several sort of Pain, hath a several Figurative Motion:
but to know the different Figurative Motions, will require a subtile
Observation: for, though those painful Parts, know their own Figurative
Motions; yet, the whole Creature (suppose _Man_) doth not know
them. But it may be observed, Whether they are caused by Irregular
Contractions or Attractions, Dilatations or Retentions, Expulsions
or Irregular Pressures and Re-actions, or Irregular Transformations,
or the like; and by those Observations, one may apply, or endeavour
to apply proper Remedies: but all Pain proceeds from Irregular and
perturbed Motions.
CHAP. III. Of DIZZINESS.
I Cannot say, _Dizziness_ belongs only to the Head of an Animal
Creature, because we may observe, by irregular Drinkers, that sometimes
the Leggs will seem more drunk than their Heads; and sometimes all the
Parts of their Body will seem to be temperate, as being Regular, but
only the Tongue seems to be drunk: for, staggering of the Leggs, and
a staggering of the Tongue, or the like, in a drunken Distemper, is a
sort of Dizziness, although not such a sort as that which belongs to
the Head; so that, when a man is dead-drunk, we may say, that every
part of the Body is _Dizzily drunk_. But mistake me not; for I do not
mean, that all sorts of dizzinesses proceed from drinking; I only
bring Drunkenness for an Example: but, the Effects of dizziness of the
Head, and other parts of the Body, proceed from different Causes; for,
some proceed from Wind, not Wine; others from Vapour; some from the
perception of some Forrein Object; and numbers of the like Examples may
be found. But this is to be noted, That all such sorts of Swimming and
Dizziness in the Head, are produced from Circular Figurative Motions.
Also it is to be noted, That many times the Rational Corporeal Motions
are Irregular with the Sensitive, but not always: for, sometimes in
these and the like Distempers, the Sensitive will be Irregular, and the
Rational Regular; but, for the most part, the Rational is so compliant
with the Sensitive, as to be Regular, or Irregular, as the Sensitive is.
CHAP. IV. Of the Brain seeming to turn round in the Head.