Causes; as, some Coughs proceed from a Superfluity of Moisture; others
from an Unnatural Heat; others from a Corruption of Humors; others
from a Decay of the Vital Parts; others from sudden Colds upon Hot
Distempers: Some are caused by an Interior Wind; some Coughs proceed
from Salt Humors, Bitter, Sharp, and Sweet: some Coughs proceed from
Flegm, which Flegm ariseth like a Scum in a Pot, when Meat is boiling
on a Fire: for
when the Stomack is distemperedly hot, the Humors in the Stomack boyl
as Liquid Substances on the Fire; those boiling Motions bearing up the
gross Humors beyond the Mouth of the Stomack, and, causing a Dispute
between the Breath and Humors, produce the Effect of Straining, or
Reaching upwards towards the Mouth, much like the Nature and Motions of
Vomiting: but, by reason those Motions are not so strong in Coughing,
as in Vomiting, the Coughing Motions bring up only pieces or parts of
superfluous Flegm, or gross Spittle. The like for corrupt Humors. Other
Coughs proceed from Unnatural or Distempered Heats; which Heats cause
Unnecessary Vapours, and those Vapours ascending up from the Bowels,
or Stomack, to the Head, and finding a Depression, are converted or
changed into a Watry Substance; which Watry Substance falls down, like
mizling or small Rain, or in bigger drops, through the passage of the
Throat and Wind-pipe: which being opprest, and the Breath hindered,
causes a Strife; which Striving, is a Straining; like as when Crumbs
of Bread, or Drops of Drink, go not rightly through the Throat, but
trouble and obstruct the Wind-pipe, or when any such Matter sticks
in the passage of the Throat: for, when any Part of the Body is
obstructed, it endeavours to release it self from those Obstructions:
Also, when the Vapour that arises, arises in very Thin and Rarified
Vapour,
that Rarified Vapour thickens or condenses not so suddenly, being
farther from the degree of Water; but when condensed into Water, it
falls down by drops; which drops trickling down the Throat, (like as
Tears from the Eyes trickle down the Cheeks of the Face) the Cough is
not so violent, but more frequent: but if the Rheum be salt or sharp,
that trickles down the Throat, it causes a gentle or soft smart, which
is much like the touch of Tickling or Itching, which provokes a faint
or weak Strain or Cough. Also, Wind will provoke to Strain or Cough:
The Motion of Wind is like as if Hair should tickle the Nose. Or, Wind
will cause a tickling in the Nose, which causes the Effect of Sneezing:
for, Sneezing is nothing but a Cough through the Nose; I may say, It
is a Nose-Cough. And Hickops are but Stomach-Coughs, Wind causing the
Stomack to strain. Also, the Guts have Coughs, which are caused by
the Wind, which makes a strife in the Guts and Bowels. Other Coughs
are produced from Decayed Parts: for, when any Part is corrupted, it
becomes less Solid than naturally it should be: As for example, The
Flesh of the Body, when corrupted, becomes from Dense Flesh, to a Slimy
Substance; thence, into a Watry Substance, which falls into Parts, or
changes from Flesh, into a Mixt Corrupted Matter, which falls into
Parts. The several Mixtures, or Distempered Substances,
and Irregular Motions, causes Division of the composed Parts; but in
the time of dissolving, and divisions of any Part, there is a strife
which causes Pain: and if the strife be in the Lungs, it causes Coughs,
by obstructing the Breath: but, some Coughs proceed from Vapours and
Winds, arising from the decayed Interior Parts, sending up Vapours from
the Dissolving Substance, which causeth Coughs; and some Coughs cause
Decays of the Prime Interior Parts: for, when there falls from the Head
a constant Distillation, this Distillation is like dropping Water,
which will penetrate or divide Stone; and more easily will dropping or
drilling Water do it, as Rheum, will corrupt Spongy Matter as Flesh is:
but, according as the Rheum is Fresh, Salt, or Sharp, the Parts are
a longer or shorter time decaying: for, Salt and Sharp is Corroding;
and, by the Corroding Motions, Ulcerates those Parts the Salt Rheums
fall on, which destroys them soon. As for _Chin-Cough_, 'tis a Wind or
Vapour arising from the Lungs, through the Wind-pipe; and as long as
the Wind or Vapour ascends, the Patient cannot draw in Reviving Air
or Breath, but Coughs violently and incessantly, until it faint away,
or have no Strength left; and with straining, will be as if it were
choaked or strangled, and become black in the face, and, after the
Cough is past, recover again; but some dye of these sorts of Coughs.
CHAP. IX. Of GANGREN'S.
_Gangren's_ are of the Nature of the _Plague_; and they are of Two
sorts, as the _Plague_ is; the one more sudden and deadly than the
other: The only difference of their Insecting Qualities, is, That
_Gangren's_ spread by insecting still the next, or Neighbouring Parts;
whereas Plagues infect Forrein, as much as Home-Parts. Also, the deadly
sort of _Gangren's_, infect (as I may say) from the Circumference
towards the Center: when as the deadly sorts of Plague, infect from the
Center, towards the Circumference. But, that sort of _Gangrene_ that is
the weaker sort, infects only the next adjoining Parts, by degrees, and
after a spreading manner, rather than after a piercing manner.
But some may object, That _Plagues_ and _Gangren's_ are produced from
different Causes; as for example, Extream Cold will cause _Gangren's_;
and Extream Heat causes _Plagues_.
I answer, That Two opposite Causes may produce like Effects, for which
may be brought numerous Examples.
CHAP. X. Of Cancers and Fistula's.
_Cancers_ and _Fistula's_ are somewhat alike, in that they are both
produced from Salt, or sharp corroding Motions: but in this they
differ, that Cancers keep their Center, and spread in streams; whereas
_Fistula's_ will run from place to place: for if it be stopt in one
place, it is apt to remove and break out in another. Yet _Cancers_ are
somewhat like _Gangren's_, in infecting adjoining Parts; so that unless
a _Cancer_ be in such a place as can be divided from the Sound Parts,
it destroys the Human Life, by eating (as I may say) the Sound Parts of
the Body, as all Corroding, and Sharp or Salt Diseases do.
CHAP. XI. Of the GOVT.
As for the Disease named the _Gout_, I never heard but of Two sorts;
the _Fixt_, and the _Running Gout_: but, mistake me not, I mean _Fixt_
for _Place_, not _Time_. The _Fixt_ proceeds from Hot, Sharp, or Salt
Motions: The _Running Gout_ from Cold, Sharp Motions; but, both sorts
are Intermitting Diseases, and very painful; and I have heard those
that have had the _Fixt Gout_, say, That the pain of the Fixt Gout, is
somewhat like the Tooth-ach: but, all Gouts are occasioned by Irregular
Pressures and Re-actions. As for that sort that is named the Windy
Gout, it is rather a Sciatica, than a Gout.
CHAP. XII. Of the STONE.
Of the Disease of the _Stone_ in Human Creatures, there are many sorts:
for, though the _Stone_ of the _Bladder_, of the _Kidneys_, and in the
_Gaul_, be all of one kind of Disease called the _Stone_, yet they
are of different sorts: but, whether the Disease of the _Stone_ be
produced of Hot or Cold Motions, I cannot judg: but 'tis probable, some
are produced of Hot Motions, others of Cold; and perchance, others of
such sorts of Motions as are neither perfectly Hot, nor Cold: for, the
_Stone_ is produced, as all other Creatures, by such or such sorts of
Figurative Motions. Here is to be noted, That some of the Humours of
the Body may alter their Motion, and turn from being Flegm, Choler,
or the like, to be _Stone_; and so from being a Rare, Moist, or Loose
Body, to be a Dry, Densed, Hard, or Fixt Body. But certainly, the
_Stone_ of the _Bladder_, _Kidneys_ and _Gaul_, are of several sorts,
as being produced by several sorts of Figurative Motions; as also,
according to the Properties and Forms of those several Parts of the
Body they are produced in: for, as several sorts of Soyls, or Parts
of the Earth, produce several sorts of Minerals; so several Parts of
the Body, several sorts of the Disease of the _Stone_: And, as there
are several sorts of Stones in the several Parts of the Earth; so, no
doubt, there may not only be several sorts of Stone in several Parts,
but several sorts in one and the same Part; at least, in the like Parts
of several Men.
CHAP. XII. Of Apoplexies, and Lethargies.
_Apoplexies, Lethargies_, and the like Diseases, are produced by some
decay of the Vital Spirits, or by Obstructions, as being obstructed
by some Superfluities, or through the Irregularities of some sorts of
Motions, which occasion some Passages to close, that should be open.
But mistake me not, I do not mean empty Passages; for there is no such
thing (in my opinion) in Nature: but, I mean an open passage for a
frequent Course and Recourse of Parts. But an _Apoplexy_ is somewhat of
the Nature of a _Dead-Palsie_; and a _Lethargy_, of a Numb-Palsie; but
I have heard, that the Opinion of Learned Men is, That some sorts of
Vaporous Pains are the Fore-runners of _Apoplexies_ and _Palsies_: but,
in my opinion, though a Man may have two Diseases at once; yet surely,
where Vapour can pass, there cannot be an absolute Stoppage.
CHAP. XIII. Of EPILEPSIES.
_Epilepsies_, or that we name the _Falling-Sickness_, is of the nature
of Swounding or Fainting Fits: but there are two visible sorts; the
one is, that only the Head is affected, and not the other Parts of the
Body; and for proof, Those that are thus distempered only in the Head,
all the other Parts will struggle and strive to help or assist the
affected or afflicted Parts, and those Parts of the Head that are not
Irregular, as may be observed by their Motions; but, by the means of
some other Parts, there will also be striving and strugling, as may be
observed by foaming through the Mouth. The other sort is like ordinary
Swounding-Fits, where all the Parts of the Body seem, for a time, to be
dead. But this is to be observed, That those that are thus diseased,
have certain times of Intermissions, as if the Corporeal Motions did
keep a Decorum in being Irregular. But some have had _Epilepsies_ from
their Birth; which proves, That their Productive Motions was Irregular.
CHAP. XIV. Of Convulsions, and Cramps.
_Convulsions_ and _Cramps_ are somewhat alike; and both, in my Opinion,
proceed from Cold Contractions: but, _Cramps_ are caused by the
Contractions of the _Capillary_ Veins, or small _Fibers_, rather than
of the Nerves and Sinews: for, those Contractions, if violent, are
_Convulsions_: so that Cramps are Contractions of the small Fibers;
and Convulsions are Contractions of the Nerves and Sinews. But the
reason (I believe) that these Diseases proceed from Cold Contractions,
is, That Hot Remedies produce, for the most part, perfect Cures; but,
they must be such sorts of Hot Remedies, that are of a dilating or
extenuating nature; and not such whose Properties are Hot and Dry, or
Contracting: also, the Applications must be according to the strength
of the Disease.
CHAP. XV. Of CHOLICKS.
_Cholicks_ are like _Cramps_ or _Convulsions_; or _Convulsions_ and
_Cramps_, like _Cholicks_: for, as _Convulsions_ are Contractions
of the Nerves and Sinews; and _Cramps_, Contractions of the small
_Fibers_: so _Cholicks_
are a Contracting of the Gutts: and, for proof, So soon as the
Contracting Motions alter, and are turn'd to Dilating or Expelling
Actions, the Patient is at ease. But, there are several Causes that
produce the _Cholick_: for, some _Cholicks_ are produced by Hot and
Sharp Motions, as _Bilious Cholicks_; others from Cold and Sharp
Motions, as _Splenetick Cholicks_; others from Crude and Raw Humours;
some from Hot Winds; some from Cold Winds. The same some sorts of
_Convulsions_ and _Cramps_ may be: but, though these several _Cholicks_
may proceed from several Causes; yet, they all agree in this, To be
Contractions: for, as I said, when those Corporeal Motions alter
their Actions to Dilatation or Expulsion, the Patient is at ease.
But, those _Cholicks_ that proceed from Hot and Sharp Motions, are
the most painful and dangerous, by reason they are, for the most
part, more strong and stubborn. As for _Cholicks_ in the Stomack,
they are caused by the same sorts of Motions that cause some sorts
of Contractions: but, those sorts of _Cholick_ Contractions, are
after the manner of wreathing, or wringing Contractions. The same in
Convulsive-Contractions.
CHAP. XVI. Of Shaking Palsies.
_Shaking Palsies_ proceed from a Slackness of the Nerves, or Sinew
strings, as may be observed by those that hold or lay any heavy weight
upon the Arms, Hands or Leggs: for, when the Burdens are removed, those
Limbs will be apt to tremble and shake so much, for a short time,
(until they have recovered their former strength) that the Leggs cannot
go, or stand steadily; nor the Arms, or Hands, do any thing without
shaking. The reason of these sorts of Slackness, is, That heavy Burdens
occasion the Nerves and Sinews to extend beyond their Order; and
being stretched, they become more slack, and loose, by how much they
were stretched, or extended; until such time as they contract again
into their proper Posture: And the reason that Old Age is subject to
_Shaking-Palsies_, is, That the Frame of their whole Body is looser and
slacker, than when it was young: As in a decayed House, every Material
is looser than when it was first built; but yet, sometimes an old
shaking House will continue a great while, with some Repairs: so old
shaking Men, with Care, and good Dyet, will continue a great time. But
this is to be noted, That trembling is a kind of a _Shaking-Palsie_,
although of another sort; and so is Weakness
after Sickness: but, these sorts are occasioned, as when a House shakes
in a great Wind, or Storm; and not through any Fundamental Decay.
CHAP. XVII. Of the Muther, Spleen, and Scurvy.
As for those Diseases that are named the _Fits of the Muther_, the
_Spleen_, the _Scurvy_, and the like; although they are the most
general Diseases, especially amongst the Females; yet, each particular
sort is so various, and hath such different Effects, that, I observe,
they puzzle the most Learned Men to find out their jugling, intricate,
and uncertain Actions. But this is to be observed, That the Richest
sorts of Persons are most apt to these sorts of Diseases; which proves,
That Idleness and Luxury is the occasion.
CHAP. XVIII. Of Food, or Digestions.
As I have said, _Digestions_ are so numerous, and so obscure, that the
most Learned Men know not how Food is converted and distributed to all
the Parts of the Body: Which Obscurity occasions many Arguments, and
much Dispute amongst the Learned; but, in my opinion, it is not the
Parts of the Human Body, that do digest the Food, although they may
be an occasion (through their own Regularities, or Irregularities) to
cause good or bad digestions: but, the Parts of the Food, do digest
themselves; that is, alter their actions to the Property and Nature of
a Human Body: so that Digestive Parts are only Additional Parts; and,
if those Nourishing Motions be Regular,they distribute their several
Parts, and joyn their several Parts, to those several Parts of the Body
that require Addition. Also, the Digestive Motions are according to
the Nature or Property of each several Part of the Human Body, As for
example, Those Digestive Parts alter into Blood, Flesh, Fat, Marrow,
Brains, Humors, and so into any other Figurative Parts of the Sensitive
Body. The same may be said of the Rational Parts of the Mind: but, if
those Digestive Parts be Irregular, they will cause a Disorder in a
well-ordered Body: and, if the Parts of the Body be Irregular, they
will occasion a Disorder amongst the Digestive Parts: but, according to
the Regularities and Irregularities of the Digestive Parts, is the Body
more or less nourished. But this is to be noted, That according to the
Superfluity or Scarcity of those Digestive Parts, the Body is opprest,
or starved.
CHAP. XIX. Of SURFEITS.
_Surfeits_ are occasioned after different manners: for, though many
Surfeits proceed from those Parts that are received into the Body;
yet, some are occasioned through often repetitions of one and the same
actions: As for example, The Eyes may surfeit with too often viewing
one Object; the Ears, with often hearing one Sound; the Nose, with
smelling one Sent; the Tongue, with one Tast. The same is to be said of
the Rational Actions; which Surfeits, occasion an aversion to such or
such Particulars: but, for those Surfeits that proceed from the Parts
that are received into the Body, they are either through the _quantity_
that oppresses the Nature of the Body; or, through the _quality_ of
those Parts, being not agreeable to the Nature of the Body; or, through
their Irregularities, that occasion the like Irregularities in the
Body: and sometimes, the fault is through the Irregularities of the
Body, that hinder those received Parts, or obstruct their Regular
Digestions; and sometimes, the fault is both of the Parts of the Body,
and those of the Food: but, the Surfeits of those Parts that receive
not Food, are caused through the often repetition of one and the same
Action.
CHAP. XX. Of Natural Evacuations, or Purgings.
There are many sorts, and several ways or means of Purging actions;
whereof some we name _Natural_, which purge the Excremental Parts; and
such Natural Purgings, are only of such Parts as are no ways useful
to the Body; or of those that are not willing to convert themselves
into the Nature and Property of the Substantial Parts. There must of
necessity be Purging actions, as well as Digestive actions; because,
no Creature can subsist singly of it self, but all Creatures subsist
each by other; so that, there must be Dividing actions, as well as
Uniting actions; only, several sorts of Creatures, have several sorts
of Nourishments and Evacuations. But this is to be noted, in the Human
Nourishments and Evacuations, that, through their Irregularities, some
Men may nourish too much, and others purge too much; and some may
nourish too little, and some may purge too little. The Irregularities
concerning Nourishments, are amongst the adjoining Parts; the Errors
concerning Purging, are amongst the Dividing Parts.
CHAP. XXI. Of PURGING DRUGGS.
There are many sorts of _Druggs_, whereof some are beneficial, by
assisting those particular Parts of the Body that are oppressed and
offended, either by Superfluous Humours, or Malignant Humours: but,
there are some sorts of Druggs that are as malicious to the Human
Life, as the Assistant Druggs are friendly. Several sorts of Druggs,
have several sorts of Actions, which causes several Effects; as, some
Druggs work by Siege; others, by Urine; some, by Vomit; others, by
Spitting; others, by Sweating; some cause sleep; some are hot, others
are cold; some dry, others moist. But this is to be noted, That 'tis
not the Motions of the Druggs, but the Motion of the Humours, which the
Druggs occasion to flow; and not only to flow, but to flow after such
or such a manner and way. The Actions of Druggs, are like the Actions
of Hounds, or Hawks, that flye at a particular Bird, or run after a
particular beast of their own kind, although of a different sort: The
only difference is, That Druggs are not only of a different sort, but
of a different Kind from Animal Kind; at least, from Human Sort.
CHAP. XXII. Of the Various Humours of Druggs.
The reason, one and the same Quantity or Dose of one and the same sort
of Purging-Druggs or Medicine, will often work differently in several
Human Bodies; as also, differently in one and the same Body, at several
times of taking the same sorts of Medicines; is, That several Parts
of one and the same sort, may be differently humoured: as, some to be
duller and slower than others; and some to be more active than others.
Also, some Parts may be ill-natured, and cause Factions amongst the
Parts of the Body; whereas others will endeavour to rectifie Disorders,
or Factions. And sometimes both the Druggs, and the Body, falls out;
and then there is a dangerous strife; the Body striving to expel the
Physick, and the Physick endeavouring to stay in the Body, to do the
Body some mischief. Also, some Parts of one and the same sort, may
be so Irregular, as to hunt not only the superfluous Humours, or the
Malignant Humors, but all sorts of flowing Parts; which may cause so
great and general Disorder, as may endanger Human Life.
CHAP. XXIII. Of CORDIALS.
There are many sorts of _Cordials_: for, I take every Beneficial Remedy
to be a Cordial: but, many of the Vulgar believe, That there is no
Cordial but Brandy, or such like Strong-waters; at least, they believe
all such Remedies that are virtually Hot, to be Cordials: but, when
they take too much of such Cordials, either in Sickness, or Health,
they will, in some time, find them as bad as Poyson. But, all such
Applications as are named _Cordials_, are not hot: for, some are cool,
at least, of a temperate degree. And as there are Regular and Irregular
Corporeal Motions; so there are Sympathetical, and Antipathetical
Motions; and yet both sorts may be Regular. Also, there is a Neutral
sort, that has neither Sympathy nor Antipathy, but is Indifferent. But
in Disputes between Two different Parties, a Third may come in to the
assistance of one Side, more out of hate to the Opposite, than love
to the Assisted. The same may Cordials, or such like Applications,
do, when the Corporeal Motions of Human Life are in disorder, and at
variance: for, oftentimes there is as great a Mutiny and Disorder
amongst the Corporeal Motions, both in the Mind and Body of a Man, as
in a Publick State in time of Rebellion: but, all
Assistant Cordials, endeavour to assist the Regular Parts of the Body,
and to perswade the Irregular Parts. As for Poysons, they are like
Forrein Warr, that endeavours to destroy a Peaceable Government.
CHAP. XXIV. Of the different Actions of the several Sensitive Parts of
a Human Creature.
Some Parts of a Human Creature will be Regular, and some Irregular:
as, some of the Sensitive Parts will be Regular, and some Irregular;
that is, some Parts will be Painful, or Sick, others well: some Parts
will make false Perceptions; others, true Perceptions: some Parts be
Temperate; others, Intemperate: some Parts be Madd, other Parts Sober:
some Parts be Wise; others, Foolish: and the same is to be said of the
Rational Motions. But, in a Regular Society, every Part and Particle of
the Body, is Regularly agreeable, and Sympathetical.
CHAP. XXV. Of the Antipathy of some Human Creatures, to some Forrein
Objects.
As I have often said, There is often both Sympathy and Antipathy
between the Parts of some particular Human and Forrein Objects; in so
much, that some will occasion such a general Disturbance, as will cause
a general Alteration, viz. cause a Man to swound, or at least, to be
very faint, or sick: as for example, Some will Swound at some sorts
of Sounds, some sorts of Scents, some sorts of Tast, some sorts of
Touches, and some sorts of Sights. Again, on the other side, some Human
Creatures will so sympathize with some sorts of Forrein Objects, as
some will Long for that, another will Swound to have.
CHAP. XXVI. Of the Effects of Forrein Objects, on the Human Mind.
As there is often Antipathy of the Parts of a Human Creature, to
Forrein Objects; so there are often Sympathetical Effects produced
from Forrein Objects, with the Parts of a Human Creature. As for
example, A timely, kind, and discreet Discourse from a Friend, will
compose or quiet his troubled Mind: Likewise, an untimely, unkind,
hasty, malicious, false, or sudden Discourse, will often disorder a
well-temper'd, or Regular Mind, the Mind imitating the smooth or harsh
strains of the Object: and the same Effects hath Musick, on the Minds
of many Human Creatures.
CHAP. XXVII. Of CONTEMPLATION.