Vapours do move in a Circular Figure, which causes the Head to be
dizzy; as when a man turns round, not only his Head will be dizzy,
but all the Exterior Parts of his Body; insomuch that some, by often
turning round, will fall down; but if, before they fall, they turn the
contrary way, they will be free from that dizziness: The reason of
which is, That, by turning the contrary way, the Body is brought to the
same posture it was before; as, when a man hath travell'd some way, and
returns the same way back, he returns to the place where first he began
his Journey.
CHAP. V. Of WEAKNESS.
There are many sorts of _Weakness_; some Weakness proceeds from Age;
others, through want of Food; others are occasioned by Oppression;
others, by Disorders and Irregularities; and so many other sorts,
that it would be too tedious to repeat them, could I know them: But,
such sorts of Weakness, as Human Creatures are subject to, after some
Disease or Sickness, are somewhat like Weariness after a Laborious
or over-hard Action; as, when a Man hath run fast, or laboured hard,
he fetches his breath short and thick; and as most of the Sensitive
Actions are by degrees, so is a Returning to Health after Sickness:
but, all Irregularities are Laborious.
CHAP. VI. Of SWOUNDING.
The cause why a Man in _Swound_, is, for a time, as if he were dead;
is, an Irregularity amongst some of the Interior Corporeal Motions,
which causes an Irregularity of the Exterior Corporeal Motions, and so
a general Irregularity; which is the cause that a Man appears as if he
were dead.
But some may say, _A Man in a Swound is void of all Motion_.
I answer: That cannot be: for, if the Man was really dead, yet his
Parts are moving, though they move not according to the property or
nature of a living Man: but, if the Body had not consistent Motions,
and the Parts did not hold together, it would be dissolved in a moment;
and when the Parts do divide, they must divide by Self-motion: but, in
a Man in a Swound, some of his Corporeal Motions are only altered from
the property and nature of a living Man; I say, some of his Corporeal
Motions, not all: Neither do those Motions quite alter from the nature
of a living Man, so as the alterations of the Fundamental Motions do:
but they are so alter'd, as Language may be alter'd, viz. From _Hebrew_
to _Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, English,_ and many others; and
although they are all but Languages, yet they are several Languages
or Speeches; so the alteration of the Corporeal Motions of a Man in
a Swound, is but as the altering of one sort of Language to another;
as put the case, _English_ were the Natural Language or Speech, then
all other Languages were unknown to him that knows no other than his
Natural: So a Man in a Swound is ignorant of those Motions in the
Swound: but, when those Motions return to the Nature of a living Man,
he hath the same knowledg he had before. Thus Human Ignorance, and
Human Knowledg, may be occasioned by the alterations of the Corporeal
Motions.
The truth is, that Swounding and Reviving, is like Forgetfulness and
Remembrance, that is, Alteration and Repetition, or Exchange of the
same Actions.
CHAP. VII. Of Numb and Dead Palsies, or Gangren's.
As for _Numb_ and _Dead Palsies_, they proceed not only from disordered
and Irregular Motions, but from such Figurative Motions as are quite
different from the nature of the Creature: for, though it be natural
for a Man to dye; yet the Figurative Motions of _Death_ are quite
different from the Figurative Motions of Life; so in respect to that
which Man names Life, that which Man names Death, is unnatural: but,
as there are several sorts of that Man names _Life_, or _Lives_; so
there are several sorts of those Corporeal Motions, Man names _Death_:
but, _Dead Palsies_ of some Parts of a Man's Body, are not like those
of a Man when he is, as we say, _quite dead_; for, those are not only
such sorts of Motions that are quite, or absolutely different from
the life of the Man, or such like Creature; but such as dissolve the
whole Frame, or Figure of the Creature: But, the Motions of a _Dead
Palsie_, are not dissolving Motions, although they are different
from the natural living Motions of a Man. The same, in some manner,
are _Numb Palsies_; only the Motions of _Numb Palsies_ are not so
absolutely different from the Natural living Motions; but have more
Irregularities, than perfect Alterations. As for that sort of Numbness
we name _Sleepy Numbness_, it is occasioned through some obstruction
that hinders and stops the Exterior Sensitive Perception. As, when
the Eyes are shut, or blinded, or the Ears stopt, or the Nostrils;
the Sensitive Figurative Motions of those Sensitive Organs, cannot
make Perceptions of Forrein Objects: so, when the Pores of the Flesh,
which are the perceptive Organs of Forrein Touches, are stopt, either
by too heavy burthens or pressings, or tying some Parts so hard, as
to close the Exterior Organs, (_viz_. the Pores) they cannot make
such Perceptions as belong to Touch: but, when those hinderances are
removed, then the Sensitive Perception of Touch, is, in a short time,
as perfect as before.
As for _Gangren's_, although they are somewhat like _Dead Palsies_, yet
they are more like those sorts of dead Corporeal Motions, that dissolve
the Frame and Form of a Creature: for, _Gangren's_ dissolve the Frame
and Form of the Diseased Part; and the like do all those Corporeal
Motions that cause Rottenness, or Parts to divide and separate after a
rotten manner.
CHAP. VIII. Of MADNESS.
There are several sorts of that Distemper named _Madness_; but they
all proceed through the Irregularities, either of the Rational, or
the Sensitive Parts; and sometimes from the Irregularities both
of Sense and Reason: but these Irregularities are not such as are
quite different from the Nature or Property of a Human Creature, but
are only such Irregularities as make false Perceptions of Forrein
Objects, or else make strange Conceptions; or move after the manner
of Dreams in waking-actions; which is not according to the Perception
of present Objects: As for example, The Sensitive Motions of the
Exterior Parts, make several Pictures on the outside of the Organs;
when as no such Object is present; and that is the reason Mad-men see
strange and unusual Sights, hear strange and unusual Sounds, have
strange and unusual Tasts and Touch: but, when the Irregularities are
only amongst the Rational Parts, then those that are so diseased,
have violent Passions, strange Conceptions, wild Fancies, various
Opinions, dangerous Designs, strong Resolutions, broken Memories,
imperfect Remembrances, and the like. But, when both the Sensitive
and Rational are sympathetically disorderly; then the Mad-men will
talk extravagantly, or laugh, sing, sigh, weep, tremble, complain, &c.
without cause.
CHAP. IX. The Sensitive and Rational Parts may be distinctly Mad.
The Senses may be irregularly Mad, and not the Reason; and the Reason
may be irregularly mad, and not the Sense; and, both Sense and Reason
may be both sympathetically mad: And, an evident proof that there is a
Rational and Sensitive Madness, is, That those whose Rational Parts are
Regular, and only some of the Sensitive Irregular, will speak soberly,
and declare to their Friends, how some of their Senses are distemper'd,
and how they see strange and unusual Sights, hear unusual Sounds, smell
unusual Sents, feel unusual Touches, and desire some Remedy for their
Distempers. Also, it may be observed, That sometimes the Rational Parts
are madly distemper'd, and not the Sensitive; as when the Sensitive
Parts make no false Perceptions, but only the Rational; and then only
the Mind is out of order, and is extravagant, and not the Senses: but,
when the Senses and Reason are madly Irregular, then the diseased Man
is that we name, _Outragiously Mad_.
CHAP. X. The Parts of the Head are not only subject to Madness, but
also the other Parts of the Body.
_Madness_ is not only in the Head, but in other Parts of the Body:
As for example, Some will feel unusual Touches in their Hands, and
several other parts of their Body. We may also observe by the several
and strange Postures of Mad-men, that the several Parts of the Body are
madly distemper'd. And it is to be noted, That sometimes some Parts
of the Body are mad, and not the other; as, sometimes only the Eyes,
sometimes only the Ears; and so of the rest of the Organs, and of the
rest of the Parts of the Body; one Part only being mad, and the rest in
good order. Moreover, it is to be noted, That some are not continually
mad, but only mad by fits, or at certain times; and those fits, or
certain times of disorders, proceed from a custom or habit of the
Rational or Sensitive Motions, to move Irregularly at such times; and
a proof that all the Parts are subject to the Distemper of _Madness_,
is, That every part of the Body of those sorts of Mad-men that believe
their Bodies to be Glass, moves in a careful and wary motion, for fear
of breaking in pieces: Neither are the Exterior Parts only subject to
the Distemper of Madness, but the Interior Parts; as may be observed,
when the whole Body will tremble through a mad fear, and the Heart will
beat disorderly, and the Stomack will many times be sick.
CHAP. XI. The Rational and Sensitive Parts of a Human Creature, are apt
to disturb each other.
Although the Rational and Sensitive Corporeal Motions, may, and
do sometimes disagree; yet, for the most part, there is such a
sympathetical Agreement between the Sensitive and Rational Corporeal
Motions of one Society, (viz. of one Creature) as they often disturb
each other: As for example, If the Rational Motions are so irregular,
as to make imaginary Fears, or fearful Imaginations, these fearful
Imaginations cause the Sensitive Corporeal motions, to move according
to the Irregularities of the Rational; which is the cause, in such
fears, that a man seems to see strange and unusual Objects, to hear
strange and unusual Sounds, to smell unusual Sents, to feel unusual
Touches, and to be carried to unusual Places; not that there are such
Objects, but the Irregular Senses make such Pictures in the Sensitive
Organs; and the whole Body may, through the strength of the Irregular
motions, move strangely to unusual places: As for example, A Mad-man,
in a strong mad fit, will be as strong as Ten men; whereas, when the
mad Fit is over, he seems weaker than usually, or regularly, he uses
to be; not that the Self-moving Parts of Nature are capable of being
weaker, or stronger, than naturally they are: but having liberty to
move as they will, they may move stronger, or weaker, swifter or
slower, regularly or irregularly, as they please; nor doth Nature
commonly use Force. But this is to be noted, That there being a general
Agreement amongst the particular Parts, they are more forcible than
when those Parts are divided into Factions and Parties: so that in
a general Irregular Commotion or Action, all the Sensitive Parts of
the Body of a man, agree to move with an extraordinary force, after
an unusual manner; provided it be not different from the property and
nature of their Compositions; that is, not different from the Property
and Nature of a Man. But this is likewise to be noted, That in a
general Agreement, man may have other Properties, than when the whole
Body is governed by Parts, as it is usual when the Body is Regular,
and that every Part moves in his proper Sphere, as I may say, (for
example) the Head, Heart, Lungs, Stomack, Liver, and so the rest, where
each Part doth move in several sorts of Actions. The like may also
may be said of the Parts of the Leggs and Hands, which are different
sorts of Actions; yet all move to the use and benefit of the whole
Body: but, if the Corporeal motions in the Hands, and so in the Leggs,
be irregular, they will not help the rest of the Parts; and so, in
short, the same happens in all the Parts of the Body, whereof some
Parts may be Regular, and others Irregular; and sometimes all may be
Irregular. But, to conclude this Chapter, the Body may have unusual
Force and Properties; as when a man says, He was carried and flung into
a Ditch, or some place distant; and that he was pinch't, and did see
strange sights, heard strange sounds, smelt strange scents; all which
may very well be caused by the Irregular motions, either by a general
Irregularity, or by some particular Irregularity; and the truth is,
The particular Corporeal motions, know not the power of the general,
until they unite by a general Agreement; and sometimes there may be
such Commotions in the Body of a Man, as in a Common-wealth, where many
times there is a general Uproar and Confusion, and none know the Cause,
or who began it. But this is to be noted, That if the Sensitive motions
begin the Disorder, then they cause the Rational to be so disordered,
as they can neither advise wisely, or direct orderly, or perswade
effectually.
CHAP. XII. Of Diseases produced by Conceit.
AS there are numerous sorts of _Diseases_, so there are numerous
manners or ways of the production of Diseases; and those Diseases
that are produced by _Conceit_, are first occasioned by the Rational
Corporeal Figurative Motions: for, though every several Conceit, or
Imagination, is a several Rational Corporeal Figurative Motion; yet,
every Conceit or Imagination doth not produce a Sensitive Effect:
but in those that do produce a Sensitive Effect, it is the Conceit
or Imagination of some sorts of Diseases; but in most of those sorts
that are dangerous to Life, or causes Deformity: The reason is, That
as all the Parts of Nature are Self-knowing, so they are Self-loving:
Also, Regular Societies beget an united Love, by Regular Agreements,
which cause a Rational Fear of a disuniting, or dissolving; and that is
the reason, that upon the perception of such a Disease, the Rational,
through some disorder, figures that Disease; and the Sensitive
Corporeal Motions, take a pattern from the Rational, and so the Disease
is produced.
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.