AN ESSAY OF THE PATHOLOGY OF THE BRAIN AND Nervous Stock: In Which Convulsive Diseases Are Treated of:  
Being the Work of THOMAS WILLIS of Christ-Church in Oxford, Doctor in Physic, and Sidly-Professor of Natural Philosophy in that Famous Academy.  
Translated out of Latin into English, By. S. P.  
LONDON, Printed by J. B. for T. Dring, at the Sign of the Harrow at Chancery-Lane-End in Fleetstreet. 1681.   

The Authors Epistle Dedicatory.  
To the Most Reverend Father in Christ, His Grace, Gilbert, by Divine Providence, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all England, and One of His Sacred Majesties most Honourable Privy Council.  
IT is so Ordained by the Laws, most Noble Prelate, that whatsoever shall happen to be built upon any one's ground, it shall be his own, by right of accession. Since therefore, to that work which I lately attempted, concerning the gifts and Nature of the Sensitive Soul, as also the Affections of the Brain, and nervous stock, and the various Diseases which belong to them, I had placed the Anatomy of the human Head for a foundation; it was altogether necessary (this Treatise being Dedicated to your Grace) that whatsoever building should be raised on that Foundation, should truly, and rightly be said to be yours: And so indeed, we continue the fault, we had sometimes Committed, and it becomes not only a step, but what is more, an obligation to the following Crime; that at length, we seem rather to perform a Duty, the name of a fault being lost, than to become Criminal.  
But in the mean time, this matter in which I busy myself, may not be said to be unfit for your Knowledge, or to be disagreeing to the business of the Church, over which you most happily preside; For both those Epilepticks which are to be met with here precipitating themselves into the water or the fire, and those whose members variously Contracted and distorted with Spasms or Convulsions, and those whose whole Bodies so bend, that they could not stand upright, by and by, as if by Inspiration of the Devil, they are agitated with Stupendious leapings, and other wonderful gesticulations. These I say, and many other Sick men whom I here every where describe, seem not much to differ from those whom we read of in the Evangelists, to be cured by our Lord Jesus Christ; and although such be to be cured however Contumatious and rebellious they are, the Physician, however Skilful he be, ought always to Implore the help of the Heavenly Power, to be assisting to him, being above all the Strength of Medicines. Therefore and by right the Disease by the Ancients called Holy of the word Theoria, and the rest of our Pathology, as if it contained in it a certain Divinity, explicates the Disease to be cured no less with prayers and fastings than with Medicines, and therefore should desire greatly to call upon the Authority of Holy men, and to be helped by the Power of your Sanctity.  
Besides it is no new thing that there should be an Entrance into the Church thorough the spital, for that it appears, our Saviour to have used almost this method, who would for the most part, that the health of the Soul, should take its beginning from the restored health of the Body. And truly, as the Stupid Deliriums of Melanchollicks, the Caninish madness, and others sprung from an infirm Brain, have driven some, both from the Communion of Saints, and from the Society of men, if these had been profligated by the help of our Art, it would not be despaired of, but that the men should not only, growing well, have left both at once their Diseases and Errors, but also should have become Wise.  
It remains, that I Supplicate the Great God, that he will render to his Church, the peace he has happily given to the Commonwealth, that he may take away the darkness from the eyes of the miserable people, that he may withdraw the fury from their minds, and for a pledge and advantage of so great a benefit, that he may long keep safe and in health, your Grace, the mighty Pillar, and Glory of the Reformed Religion, which is Cordially desired by  
Your Grace's most humble and Devoted Servant, T. W.   

Of Convulsive Diseases.  

CHAPTER I. Of Spasms or Convulsive Motions in General.  
IN handling the Convulsive Distempers, many Physicians distinguish between the Spasme or Convulsion, and Convulsive Motion; by the first they understand a constant Contraction, whereby the member becomes stiff and inflexible; by the Second, swift motions, and Concussions, which, coming between, cease, and return alternatly: But neither those who have observed these notes of difference, nor other Authors, have taken notice that they are continual: for that by the words Spasme, and Convulsion, they often design a certain Spasmodick or Convulsive Affection; wherefore to distinguish it better, we will call the former distemper with Cardan, tetanon, a continual Convulsive Cramp, but the other Spasm, or, a Convulsive motion in general.  
But that the irregular Nature, and Causes of Convulsive motion, might more rightly have been made known, it should first have been declared, after what manner the regular motive function, is effected in an animated Body: but the more full Consideration of this, because it belongs to the physiology, or Reasoning of the Nature, of the Brain, and Nervous stock, it is deferred to another Discourse: For the present, we will signify in a word, as much as shall serve for the elucidation of the matter proposed. That the animal Spirits are the next Instrument 
How the regular Motion is Effected.  of regular motion, and that their Action, or moving force, consists only, in that they being more thickly heaped up together, in the motive part, and there spreading themselves in a more large space, they blow it up, and intumefie it, which for that reason, being contracted, as to its length, draws to itself the part hanging to it. In our description of the Nerves already published, 
It's beginning twofold.  we have shown this kind of motion to be twofold, to wit, Spontaneous, and merely natural, the Instinct of this is derived from the Cerebel, but of that from the brain, but both through the pipes of the Nerves, as it were the channels, both to the muscles, and also to the fibres, interwoven with the membrains, and other motive parts of the Parenchyma, or Inwards; Lastly, in all these, the various actions are so expeditiously effected, which either natural necessity, or the rule of the will requires, by that only means, that there is an intimate Conjunction, and communication of Duty, and most swift Commerce, between the animal Spirits, which Constitute the Hypostasis of the sensitive Soul, within the foresaid parts, disposed, or fitted by a continued Series. But there is this notable difference between 
The Subject also twofold  the motion of a muscle, and that performed by other parts; for in these, the action is most often circumseribed within the bounds of the motive body, so as its membranes only, or one part of the inward moves another, and consequently this is moved of its neighbour: But in the musculous stock, usually the moving part is placed in one member, and to be moved of another next it (although within some musculous part, as the Heart and Diaphragma, they properly for the most part move themselves only) hence the Membranes and Inwards, are said to have as it were an intestine, and vermicular Motion; such as wherever it is begun, the Spirits there more thickly gather together, and Spreading themselves forth, they first intumifie this part, then going forward another, and so farther, till at last they draw the hindermost parts, and by this means transfer an intumifaction, and therefore a motion, from one place to another; almost after the same manner as worms, and other Creeping creatures make their progression. But to this motive function of the Membranes and Inwards, if it be frequent or undiscontinued, plenty of spirits are required, which notwithstanding execute their task calmly enough, without tumult or great force: And indeed it is to be observed, that the Animal Spirits, flow not more sparingly into the Membraneous Inwards, than into the Muscles; as it appears from the more exquisite sense of those parts, and by the manifold insertion of Nerves within them, and the diversity of divarication, through the foldings and fibres, although in the mean time, the muscles are watered, with a more plentiful influx of Blood: But as to the motion, performed in the musculous stock, the heaping together, and rarefaction of the Spirits, through the whole jointing of the motive part, suddenly, and at once unfolded, are performed with such force, and strength, as the attraction of the muscle, in its motive endeavour, may exceed the force of a pulley or windlass; and when this force, only depends on the expansion or rarefaction of the Spirits, seated in the motive part, we can conceive it to be no otherwise, but that the Spirits so expansed or stretched forth, as it were fired, after the manner of gunpowder, to 
The Motion of a Muscle is a certain explesion of the Spirits.  be exploded or thrown out. But we may suppose, that to the Spirituous Saline particles, of the spirits inhabiting the interwoven fibres in the muscle, other nitrous-sulphureous particles, of a divers kind, do come, and grow intimately with them, from the arterous blood, flowing every where within the same fibres. Then as often as the particles of either kind, as Nitre and Sulphur combined together, by reason of the instinct of motion brought through the nerves, are moved, as an enkindling of fire, forthwith on the other side bursting forth, or being exploded, they suddenly blow up the Muscle, and from thence cause a most strong drawing together: for indeed it seems to be ordained for this end, that the Muscles are embrued much more plentifully with the arterous blood, than the membraneous inwards: to wit, that the Elastic coupling of the spirits, being consumed, and perpetually falling off, through the very often, and sometimes continual motion, might be by that means supplied, from the fresh sanguineous juice: in the mean time, that the spirits themselves, being supplied in a smaller quantity, through the small nerves, might even like old Soldiers continue longer in the same station, and follow their manifold coupling or labour. How else are labouring beasts supplied with a sufficient stock of spirits, for so much labour, whilst they exercise almost all their muscles, by a swift course for many hours, yea sometimes a whole day: or who can believe that a little handful of spirits brought through the small branches of the wand'ring and Intercostal pairs of the Nerves to the heart, can be able by their own strength to effect that it's so strong and indiscontinued motion? Indeed it seems, that of necessity there must come to them from the blood perpetually, auxilarie aid, and those afterwards to be always exploded. For this reason certainly, the motive virtue, both of the Heart, and the rest of the Muscles, becomes more strong and Elastic, above any mechanic Organ: to wit, for as much, as the animal spirits, acting every where in the musculous stock, get to themselves an explosive Copula.  
If any one shall be displeased at the word Explosion, not yet used in Philosophy or Medicine, so that this Spasmodick pathology, standing on this basis, may seem only ignoti per ignotius explicatio, an explication of unknown things by more unknown things; it will be easy to show the effect of this kind of notion, and very many examples, and instances both concerning natural and artificial things; from the Analogy of whose motions, in an animated body, both regularly and irregularly performed, most apt reasons are to be taken. For besides the mixtures of Nitre with Sulphur, with Tartar, and with Antimony, all which are fired with a thundering noise; also Aurum fulminans or fulminant Gold, and a Composition of salt of Tartar, with Nitre and Sulphur, without any actual fire, being only thoroughly heated, are exploded with a vehement Crash; also to this may be referred, many Liquors, which being mixed together, or poured upon some certain bodies, cause or stir up violent motions, and plainly Explosive: The spirit of Nitre, and the liquor of congealed Antimony, being poured on one another, or either of them thrown upon the filings of Iron, cause a great Ebullition, with heat and black smoke. It is commonly known, what heat or effervescency, and force plainly explosive, arise from fixed Salts melted together, and from acetous or sharp salt of every kind, mixed with one another: Nor is the effect of Explosion lesle seen, when a Liquor imbrued with a volatile Salt, as the spirit of Hartshorn, or of blood, is put to a saline, either fixed or acetous Stagma, or sulphurous Nitre, to wit, the particles being vehemently stricke●… one against another, leap up with a force, and on every side are carried forth, a great way; which without doubt, if they were restrained within the space of any body, as the fibres of a Muscle, they would suddenly intumifie it, and so would constitute an Instrument of Local motion. Concerning this thing, we have more fully discoursed already in our Neurologie, or Tract of the Nerves, and perchance we may yet publish the explication of this more fully and more accuratly some other time.  
In the mean time that this opinion may not be thought altogether new, and that I have exposed it as a child of my own brain, that had no other Patron, I will here show you the assertion of the Famous Gassendus, which as it openly favours this our Hypothesis, and in some sort gave an occasion of it, so perhaps it will give to it some Authority. Therefore this Rational man, weighing in his mind, how much that force or strength might be, with which, not only the Arm, or Thigh, but the whole animal Machine, is moved, governed, lifted up, and carried up and down: He adds, Who can easily comprehend that small thing, whatsoever it is, within the body of an Elephant, whether we conceive it to be a soul, or spirit, or any other beginning of motion, that it should be able to agitate such a bulk, and to cause it to perform a swift, and regular dance? and so much the more, for that, when as that small thing within that body, no longer flourishes, there is need of so much outward strength, to remove it never so little from its place: but indeed, the same fiery nature of the sou●…, serves chiefly to this, which, although it be a very little flame, it is able to perform within the body, by its own mobility, the same thing in proportion, that a little flame of Gunpowder does in a Cannon: whilst that it not only drives forth the Bullet, with so much force, but also drives back the whole machine, with so great strength. But indeed he says as to the spirits, which (like explosed Gunpowder) cause the agitation, it is doubtful, whether it be they, which come from the brain, or those in the little tendons as it were of kin to them or springing from them, that are thought to do it: But although either of them concur, yet they seem to be more presently destinated to this office, which are those of the same kin or offspring in the Tendons. There needs no more, it is declared, that the motive function depends on the Elastic Copulae, of the animal spirits, and its decision or abating. But from this being supposed, (which indeed we may suppose with very great probability) it easily follows, that the Convulsive motions proceed from the like cause: For whosoever shall consider the sudden puffings up, the violent and strong Contractions, in th●… members and affected parts, yea sometimes the most impetuous concussions, and violent throws of the whole body, can conceive no lesle, than that very many heaps of the animal spirits are exploded, or thrust out, even as lightning breaking forth from a Cloud. Further from hence it may be Argued, by a reciprocal Argument, that because the Spasmodick motions are explosive, that therefore the regular are also produced by the explosion of Spirits: But after what manner, and by what means, and from what causes, the animal spirits being exploded, or thrust forth; produce Spasmodick affections, shall be our present business, a little more largely, and plainly to demonstrate, however difficult, and abstruse the matter ●…eems to be.  
We will not here stand to recite many opinions of others, concerning the 
The Conju●… Cause of Spasms.  Nature, and causes of a Spasm, or Convulsion; that which was most common, and long famous among the Ancients, that this distemper was only produced from repletion or inanition, or from fullness or emptiness, (however, besides the authority of Hipocrates, for the establishing of this, an example is brought, 
Not repletion or fullness or inanition or Emptin●…  of a Skin, or the strings of Lutes, which are wont to be contracted, being either filled with a moist, or empted by too dry an air) easily falls of itself; because it seems to suppose (that which is credible to none by Experience, the fragility of a Nerve) to wit, that the Nerves themselves, after what manner soever abreviated, and contracted, are able with a certain force, to draw to them the Muscles. If that it shall be said, that repletion or inanition, aught to be understood, in respect of the solid parts, which are wont to be drawn together; it may be observed to the contrary, when as the Muscles and Nervous stock, are very much watered with a watery humour, as in an Anasarca, or are plainly destitute of the same, as in the Consumption, or Mirasmus; yet no Convulsive motions are for that reason excited: among the mod●…rns, very many have determined, irritation of the Nervous parts, to be the cause of Convulsion; taking their Conjecture from thence as I suppose, for that by ocular inspection it appears from the Vellication itself, and by the only touch of the Nerves, that spasms are induced: And indeed we have clearly observed, in the dissection of a living whelp, that the knife being put upon the naked ends of the spinal Nerves, presently both themselves, and the Bodies of the Muscles, in which they were inserted, were hauled: neither is it unusual, that spasms are excited almost in every man, by the punctures of the Nerves and Tendons. I remember by reason of an Ulcer, in the Arms of a certain man, that the Tendons of the Muscles were laid open, which when touched by the Surgeon's Instrument, caused in the Patient a certain rigour, through his whole body, and forthwith a Concussion arising, made him to quake for a good space. But in truth, albeit we grant the irritations of the Nervous parts, not seldom to serve the turn of the evident Cause, and further that sometimes this solitary Cause, produces more light and transient spaims; nevertheless, that the more grievious paroxisms of this Disease, and their frequent repetitions by turns, may be duly unfolded, it behoves us to investigate, or search out other, and deeper Causes, to wit, the Conjunct and procatartick Cause.  
Forasmuch, as spasms never hap but in a living Body, where the Nervous parts are blown up, and grow turgid with the animal Spirit, we may readily Conjecture that those animal Spirits themselves, are, as in regular motion, so also in the Convulsive, the next Instrument of Action: to wit, so long as they are imbued, with a fit and moderate explosive Copula, and are moved to that striking forth, only by the Command of the Appetite, or instinct of Nature, they bring forth motions altogether regular; but if the same Spirits get to themselves an heterogeneous Copula, and too much Elastic, or if they are snatched into their Actions, more impetuously and vehemently than they should be; they even like unbridled Horses, pricked forward with Spurs, leap forth inordinately or throw off, or explode violently their Copula, although genuine and natural: and so they carry away the containing parts, as it were a Chariot tied to them, together with themselves, with a fierce and perverse motion.  
When therefore as aforesaid, the Convulsive motions are chiefly stired up for 
There 〈◊〉 a double Cause and two kinds of Spasms. Irritation.  two Causes, hence, as many Species of them are ordained. For first, it happens that a Convulsion is induced without a procatartick Cause, or heterogeneous Copula, first acquired only from a solitary evident Cause: For so a vehement passion, impressed on the brain, a dissolution of the parts, happening somewhere in the Nervous stock, a spasmodick passion is suddenly brought upon some, whose brain and Nerves are of a more weak Constitution: for that the animal spirits do trouble the containing parts, the improportionate Object flying from them, and by striking vehemently their Copula, though very agreeing it blows them up, and so they pull others annexed to them: Spasms being after this manner excited, because the natural Copula of the spirits in them, is stricken more vehemently, they are after a manner explosive, which notwithstanding, quickly leave off, and very often pass away with moving of the viscera, or Members; only with a trembling, and some horror, into a fainting of the spirits. But Secondly, Convulsions, whose paroxisms are more grievous and stay longer, or are oftener repeated, seem altogether to depend on a procatartick Cause, or a previous disposition, and to arise from some other Conjunct Cause, besides Irritation. And therefore in this Case we suppose, that the heterogeneous, and greatly explosive particles, do increase with the spirits, acting in this or that 
A preternatural explosive Copula.  region of the Body: then from this wicked Combination, and restless Collision of this kind of matter, and the Spirits, frequent and vehement explosions being brought forth, the spasmodick Paroxisms are induced.  
But besides the Elastic Copula, which every where happens to the Spirits, from the arterous Blood, and from whose orderly explosion, the motive force is performed, according to the Beck of the Appetite, or instinct of Nature, in all the Nervous parts; (as we have elsewhere declared) also sometimes other kind of little bodies, of a fierce nature, or rather like Gunpowder or Nitre, come to the Spirits, and intimately adhere to them, when frequent and sudden divorces of this matter, from the Embraces of the Spirits, hap from the mutual striking together of the particles, the containing bodies are variously blown up, and so are thrown into Convulsive motions. In truth, as often as the Spasmodick Affection becomes habitual, that the Convulsive Paroxisms arise no●… rarely on their own accord, and without any evident cause, but still on every light o●…asion; the procatartick Cause of such a disease, consists in the evil disposition, of such a sort of animal Spirits: For neither is the Serous filth, or other lesle sharp humours, although deposited in the very ventricles of the Brain, or about the origine of the nerves, sufficient to stir up such a sickness: For that I have seen in the heads of dead people, oftentimes the middle part of the brain, and the very beginnings of the Nerves, wholly covered with a limpid water, who, whilst they were alive, had neither the Epilepsy, nor Convulsive Motions: But to the producing or these motions, very active bodies are required, such as are Saline, and Sulphereous, which being combined with the Spirits, and then on a sudden breaking from them, they imitate the combinations, and violent explosions, of particular minerals. For indeed, if in regular and ordinary motion (as we have intimated) the Muscles cannot get a motive force, and elastic strength, unless a certain explosion of the animal Spirits be supposed, certainly much more lawfully may we assert, that, epileptic fits, and other admirable Convulsions, which still hap to be excited, complications of the same Spirits, with other very fierce particles, and vehement elisions, or strikings of these, one against another, are required. But, as to this kind of Sposmodic Copula, because it differs from the natural and ordinary, which we have elsewhere shown to be in regular motion, and to be supplied from the blood; it behoves us to inquire, from whence it comes, and by what means, and in what places, it is wont to get to the Spirits.  
As to the first, it is to be observed, that Spasmodick explosions do every way happen, not only in the m●…scles, to which only they are limited, which effect the r●…gular motion, but also in the membranes, to wit, the ventricle, mesentery, and other p●…rts almost without blood: besides, that the explosions themselves, in the Convulsive Affection, though they are excited contrary to the will of the Appetite, and the manner of Nature, are far more vehement, and do longer continue, than in the regular motion: out of which it seems to be manifest, that the Explo●…ive Spasmodick Copula, doth come from some other place, than the ●…ce of Regular motion: And indeed, it is probable, that, that flows not, ●…s, from the arterous blood, running every where among the musculous fibres, ●…descends from the Brain, with the Liquore watering the Nerves, and so is 
The explosive Spasmodic Copula not immediately from the Blood but from the Brain.  ●…eaped up, about their beginnings, middle, processes, en●…oldings, and Extremities, as it were the mine of the Convulsive disease. Indeed nothing appears more evident, than that the Spasmodick Disease, doth most often arise, by reason of the evil first fixed in the Brain, and from thence is transmitted, into various parts of the Nervous System: for it happens from hence, that a vehement Passion, as of fear, or Anger, or of Sadness of spirit, affecting the inhabitants of the Encephalon, the passion called Hysteric, and Hypochondriac, doth so often arise: Further, that in the evil Crises of Fevers, when the adust recrements of the blood, are transferred into the head, Convulsions do generally succeed. Moreover, and this is the reason, why the Vertigo, the inflation of the head, torpor of the mind, and other accidents of the Supreme Region, are wont to be the proaemium, of Spasmes presently following, in the Inwards, and not seldom, in the whole Body. Wherefore it is not to be doubted, but that the heterogeneous, and explosive particles, are instilled from the Blood, together with the nervous juice, into the Brain; which afterwards being thrust forth, into the nervous stock, do there grow to the Spirits, and with them bring on a Convulsive disposition. In truth, the Spasmodick distempers, which are either universal, or at least occupy many parts of the body at once, arise for the most part, by this only means. But in the mean time, we will not deny, b●…t that particular Spasms, which contain themselves within Certain places, the Head being no ways affected, are induced sometimes by other means. For if the nerves imbibe their humour from either end, to wit, the root, and the extreme fragments, (which both the learned Gliss●…n maintains to be most likely, and by us is showed in our Neurologie, not without great probability) it may be from hence inferred, that the Spasmodick particles are brought inwardly, not only from the beginning of the Nerves, but somewhat also by their extremities: Therefore that perhaps appears clear and plain enough, that from the spleen being evilly affected, Spasms arising about 
Sometimes received from the ends of the Nerves.  its region, do not seldom asfect the Hypochondria and Praecordia. I have known som●…, from a tumour or ulcer existing in the mesentery, womb, and other inwards, were wont to have Convulsions, both in the grieved part, and also all about it; the reason of which seems to be no other, than that the heterogeneous particles being more plentifully heaped up, in the affected place, Creeping also into the nervous fibres, planted nigh thereunto, supply them with matter for Convulsive motions like to fired gunpowder: But indeed, Spasms arising from such a cause, are not wont to diffuse themselves far about, nor always to ascend to the Head.  
These things being thus premised, concerning the inward and next Cause of the Spasmodic Distemper, which we affirm to arise chiefly, and most often, from the head itself, and in some respect also from the extremities of the Nerves, it now remains, that we more particularly declare, the Various remoter Causes in either Kind, and the manifold provision of this disease. The Convulsive Disease 
The more remote Causes of Spasms.  therefore, for the most part, takes its original from the head: to wit; as often as the heterogeneous and explosive particles, being diffused from the blood into the Brain, or its medullarie Appendix, are afterwards derived ●…o the nervous stock, and there grow together with the Spirits: But this happens to come to pass from various causes: for there are very many ways and means, whereby the morbific matter is admitted into the head, and very many also, whereby it is deduced into this, or that region of the nervous System; and according to the various translations of this kind of morbific matter, the divers kinds of Convulsive motions are constituted.  
Therefore, that the Heterogeneous and Spasmodick particles are admitted into 
1 The mortifick matter is heaped up within the Head, by the default both of the blood sendi●….  the Encephalon, it is to be imputed to the fault, both of the blood sending, and of the Brain receiving it.  
1. When the Blood powers upon the Head the morbific matter, either all its whole mass is depraved, as it frequently happens in malignant fevers, also in the Scorbutic, cacochymick, and chiefly in an originally corrupt Distemper; or the Blood of itself innocent and incorrupt, receives elsewhere malignant little bodies, and afterwards fixes them on the brain, so in great impurities of the Inwards, and chiefly when any parts are affected with an Inflammation, or virulent ulcer, or hurtful ferment, for from such mines the taint of the disease, the noxious particles bubble up into the blood, and afterwards, in its passage, are laid up in the Brain: So, by reason that the spleen, womb, and other Inwards, being evilly affected, Convulsive Diseases are excited, which notwithstanding, depend more immediately upon the Brain receiving the corruption of those parts, through the commerce of the Blood.  
2. But in the second place, the Blood however vicious it should be, and impregnated 
And also of ●…he brain rec●…iving it.  with the morbid seed, it could not easily leave its Infection on the head, unless there were some fault in the Constitution of the brain, and its Appendix; as long as these parts are well made, and are full of vigour, they defend themselves, and what belongs to them, and the doors being shut, they admit nothing but an unmixed spirituous Liquor, destinated for their use: but if either the passages, and pores of the Brain are too lax, or the door-keeping Spirits leave or are called off from their watches, an heterogeneous and morsific matter, creeps in together with the nervous juice, and unfolds its malignity, in the animal government. As to the evil disposition of the Brain itself, it is sometimes hereditary: 
The evil dispofition of the brain is either ●…ditary  So those sprung from parents obnoxious to the Epilepsy, or Convulsions, are themselves for the most part prone to the same Distempers: and indeed, the Constitution of the brain, may several ways become vicious from the birth: for either its temperature is more moist, or more dry than it should be, or it may be faulty by the excess, or desect of either Quality. Sometimes the pores are more lax, or its consistency is too soft, or too hard: and also the Conformation of the parts of the Brain, and its Appendix, may be after an undue manner; But sometimes, 
●…r acquired.  the disposition of the Brain and Nerves, originally whole, and firm, is vitiated by accident, and acquires a morbid inclination: long Intemperance may enervate these parts: as also malignant fevers, and chronical Diseases, very much debillitate them: besides outward accidents, as the excess of heat or cold, an ulcer or a blow oftentimes perverts their Crases, and renders them more incident to the impressions of Diseases. But as to the Constitution or irregularities of the animal Spirits, by reason of which, the heterogeneous and Spasmodick particles, enter the brain without any repulse, and more easily cleave to it; it is to be observed, that the animal Spirits are in some more tender, and easily dissipable, from their very birth; so that indeed, they are not able to sufser any thing very strong or vehement, to be brought to the sense or Imagination, but straight they fly into confusions: For this Reason, women more than men, and some of them more than others, are obnoxious to the passions called Histerick. Further, sometimes a violent Passion, impresses on the spirits, though moderately firm, this kind of dissipation and inordination, so that afterwards they are able to suffer nothing strongly, or to resist any injury: So it often happens, that morbid impressions are affixed on the animal regimen, by sudden fear, or great sadness, which can hardly ever after be blotted out: for from hence women often contract first the Diseases named the Mother, or from the Womb, and men the hypochondriack, and are for the most part still subject to them.  
From these things it appears, after what manner, and for what Causes, the 
2. How the morbific matter being admitted within the head is disposed.  Spasmodick Matter is wont to be admitted into the Head: now let us see next, what is done with it afterwards; if that this matter brought to the Brain, induces the Convulsive distempers, either not always, or not altogether, after the same manner.  
1. It sometimes happens, that the heterogeneous and explosive Particles, are 
Sometimes it is carried back again from the brain.  admitted into the Brain, which notwithstanding are again exterminated, without any great hurt, and before they enter into the nervous stock: for that the veins and Lymphducts, or water-carrying Vessels, often sup up what is superfluous, and an enemy to the animal dominion, and convey it forth of doors, or dispose of it into Emunctuaries, or Sinks. Whilst such a matter is for a little while agitated in the brain, its particles being affixed to some of its Spirits, and at length striking against them, cause the Virtego, and the swimming in the head; but because they enter not into the passages of the nerves, Spasmodick Distempers do not follow.  
2. When the morbific matter is admitted within the Head, and not presently from thence sent back, oftentimes it produces not its evil, till it is inserted 
Sometimes it is t●…rust out into the nervous stock.  into the stock of the Nerves; for the animal Spirits within the Brain, being as yet strong, and having got a more free space, they evade the embraces of every heterogeneous Copula; which indeed they are not able to do, within the straight channels of the nerves: Besides, the morbific matter itself, if it cannot be sent away out of the Brain by the excretory vessels, it is by and by sent forth to the System of the nerves as the more ignoble part: but if in spite of the force of the 
Remaining in the brain causes the falling-sickness.  superior faculties, such a matter stays long within the brain, it much infects the Spirits that inhabit it, and induces the Epilepsy, as shall be more particularly showed hereafter: but more often, the hurtful matter is thrown on the nervous ftock, from the brain, without much harm to it, but this happens to come to pass, not always after the same way.  
For truly, the heterogeneous Particles, being mixed with the nervous Liquor, and fallen towards the beginnings of the Nerves, do not indifferently enter all of 
The spasmodic matter being fallen on the n●…rvous stock.  them together, or these, or those, as chance shall guide them, but they are directed to the passages of some before others, and that not without some Reason. For we observe, that the Convulsive Symptoms, do choose for the most part one place in children, another in riper years, and a different one in more tender, than in the more rebust.  
In children, who are not yet accustomed to the Affections of the Heart, and 
Afflict the foreparts of the Nerves in Children.  exercise of the outward members (whereby the morbific cause may be further carried from the brain) the Spasmodick matter runs more often into those nearest Nerves, viz. the third, sifth, and sixth pares; wherefore, their faces and mouths, and those parts, are chiefly handled: and it is rare and unusual for them, to have their viscera, and praecordia, lifted up, or affected, with an inordinate motion, as in those of riper years: on the contrary, in men of more advanced years, by 
Otherwise in those of r●…per years.  its approach to the intercostals, and the Nerves of the wand'ring pare, it being more open to those of the spinal marrow, which those nerves respect are wont to be more frequently pulled: but yet with this difference, that in the more tender, ●…nd those who are very delicate, and subject to passions, and who by reason of the passions of the mind, have very often their praecordia and viscera disturbed, the Spasmodick matter, more readily enters the more open passages of the interior Nerves, and therefore, they are rendered more obnoxious to Spasmes, stirred up in the Abdomen and the Thorax: for hence it is that women are molested with the passions called Hysterical, and some men with the hypocondriac; as shall be more largely declared hereafter, when we come to treat particularly of these Distempers.  
When the Spasmodic matter falls upon the heads ofsome nerves, or remaining 
After what manner it dsturbs the spirits, whilst it stays near the beginnings of the Nerves, or being fallen more deeply into their passages.  there, it creates only a giddiness, and lighter Spasmes, and leapings of those parts, to which these Nerves belong, or being slidden more deeply into the pipes of the Nerves it brings forth more cruel Convulsive Paroxisms: but the same being dilated, into the nervous processes is disposed through one or more of the branches of the stock, or Trunk, sometimes all, and sometimes only those more open than the rest, and by degrees cleave to the Spirits, both within those Nerves, as also to those planted within the hanging Fibres: so that it is after the same manner, and there is the like preparation in the disposition to Convulsive Paroxisms, as if grains of Gunpowder were laid in a long train to be fired successively: The Spirits after this manner imbred with an heterogeneous Copula, are lodged within the Fibres, interwoven with the membranes, and Muscles, but chiefly within the nervous foldings; and when they grieved with too great plenitude, or troubled on any other occasion, are compelled to shake off their Copula, the particles striking and leaping one against another, hugely blow up the containing parts; and so excite a motive force, contrary to the commands and Laws of the Appetite, and Nature: Besides, the Spirits once stirred up, to the performing Convulsive 
The spirits enter into explosions, by reason of plenitude or irritation.  motions, begin their explosions, from the one or the other extremity, of the nervous System, but for the most part at the end. But they who are first explosed, snatch or take with them their neighbours, also praedisposed, like a fiery train; and so they propagate the begun asfection, with a long, continued series of Spasms, from one end to the other: For a convulsion begun in the bottom of the belly, or at the foot, or hand, creeps by degrees to the upper parts, and for the most part to the head itself: and the same Distemper, when it begins in the brain, (as in the Epilepsy) is derived in like manner thence downwards, to the remote Viscera, and also to the exterior members and Limbs.  
The morbific matter, flowing in the heads of the nerves, produces divers kinds 
The spasmodic matter causes Convulsions either continued or pe●…iodical or by fits.  of convulsions, according to their various plenty and dispensation; for first of all, it is to be observed, that the whole passages of the nervous System, or of some of its parts, through the abundant, and exuberant matter, are sometimes possessed, so that the animal Spirits, both flowing in, and there implanted, being full of an heterogeneous Copula, and a perpetual supplement of it, are urged into continual Spasms. I have known some, who have had all the muscles and tendons through their whole body, asflicted with Contractions and leapings without intermission: I have known others whose thighs, arms, and other members, were perpetually forced into various bend, and distor●…ions: and also others I have seen, who of necessity were comp●…lled to leap and run up and down, and to beaten the ground with their feet, and hands; and if they did it not, they fell into cruel Convulsions of the Viscera and Praecordia: 2. If the explosive and heterogeneous Particles, be combined with the Spirits in a lesser plenty, they stick to them without tumult or perturbation, until after some time, both Particles leaping again one from another, and from their striking one another, raise up Convulsive paroxysms; which sort of Paroxysms are periodical, and are repeated exactly at certain hours; which happens by reason of the morbific matters, being daily poured upon the nervous stock, with an equal dimension, and there●…ore about the same space of time, it is also daily heaped up to an explofive plenitude; or they are wand'ring, and uncertain, in others, for that the heterogeneous particles, are poured in with a lesser company, and so arise not to an explosive fullness, under a long time; when in the mean time, the more full heaping of them together, and their explosion, are wont to happen sometimes more often, and sometimes more seldom, by reason of several occasions, or evident causes: henc●… it comes to pass, that the Spasmodic Distemper is sometimes altogether attributed to the evident cause, when indeed, if a more remote convulsive cause had not gone b●…fore, such a cause had stirred up none.  
Therefore, that we may say something of the evident causes of Convusions, we have already observed, if they be more vehement, and happen to a weak and 
The Evident causes of Spasm●….  tender constitution of Brain, and nervous stock, they are sometimes solitary, or of themselves cause convulsive passions: but as often as the Spasmodick Distemper is heavi●…, and being made habitual is wont to return oftener, though the evident Cause be manifest, and bears the blame of the effect, nevertheless it is to be suspected, that a procatartick, or more remote cause exists, and is the more strong efficient, though it lies hid within: for unless the Spirits are imbued with an heterogeneous Copula, they would not be so easily, nor so often, driven into involuntary, and preternatural Explosions.  
We meet with a double order or Classes of Evident causes; for either they are 
The Evident Cause ●…wofold viz. Filling and Irritateing.  of that sort which increases the procatarick or more remote, and brings it sooner to an explosive fullness, as are an ill manner of living, and errors in the six non-naturals, which by infecting the blood, and nervous juice, heap up to a Saturity, in greater plenty, on the Spirits heterogeneous particles, and by that means do the sooner procure Sp●…smodick accessions. Or 2dly, the evident cause is said to be, whatever stirs and irritates suddenly the spirits, that they presently fall into explosions, and whatever it be, that causes them to strike off their Copula, and of this sort there are very many accidents, that provoke the spirits, planted now within the Head, and now within the nervous System, to convulsive motions 
The irritateing Cause, stirs up Spasins, direct, or reflected.  by a divers instinct (as is wont in the regular motions) which motions are either direct, or reflected.  
1. Of the former kind chiefly are violent perturbations of the mind, wherewith the spirits of the brain being agitated and confused, they excite others lying within the nervous stock, and often praedisposed, to irregular explosions, so a vehement fear, anger, or sadness, do not only introduce epileptical and hysterical fits, to those that are disturbed in their health, but sometimes cause to divers others, palpitation, and trembling of the heart, and also horrid convulsions of the members and Limbs. 2. As to the other kind of evident cause, to wit, whereby Spasms are excited by a reflected Act, this indeed comes to pass not unfrequently, as often as any heavy trouble, with an irritation of the fibres and spirits, happens any where to the nervous stock: for that this trouble being by and by communicated, to the chief fountains of the Spirits, to wit, the brain or Cerebell, from thence inordinate and violent motions, against the will of the mind, that is convulsive, being begun, they are returned back, for so either worms, physic, or sharp humours, cruelly hauling the coats of the Intestines, cause spasms in those parts, and not seldom in the outward members.  
So much for the several kinds of causes, the conjunct, procatartick, and evident, whereby convulsive Diseases, becoming habitual, and are wont to be repeated with more grievous Paroxisms, do arise: But as we have assigned another species of this Disease, where the Paroxysms depend on an evident solitary cause, or at most only from irritation, the Spirits being not yet praeoccupied with an explosive Copula: it is now next to be inquired into, by what, and how many ways, this may come to pass. Concerning this in general, it is affirmed, that the Spasmodic fits produced by mere irritation are either lighter and quickly passing away, or more grievious and not seldom deadly, as when poison is taken, or when they come upon an overpurging medicine. Moreover it is noted, when the morbific, or irritative matter falls upon the tales themselves, or the foldings of the nerves, that it also not rarely becomes explosive, and so Spasms produced also 
The irritateing Cause distinguished, as to the places affected, as to the subjects.  from mere irritation (as we have already noted) are certain explosions; these being thus premised, we will dispatch the business in hand.  
The irritation of the Nervous parts, which is wont to cause convulsive motions, happens in various places, and from various matters, which are incongruous and inimical to the spirits, and fibres. As to the things, enemies to the Nature of the spirits, you may observe, besides poisons, and the excess of cangible qualities, 
The places affected, are the beginnings the extremities, and the middle procefses, and foldings, of th●… Ne●…ves.  which are inflicted from without; many things which are begot within us, viz. the various recrements of the blood, and nervous juice, feverish taints, preternatural salt, or s●…lphureous humours, yea worms, the stone, with many other things, to be infestous to the nervous stock, and ordinarily to stir up Spasmodick irritations. As to the places affected, or the seat of the irritative matter, although this brings hurt in any part of the nervous System, yet for the most part, it is wont to become most infestous, when it is fixed near the beginnings, or the ends of the nervous System, or about the middle processes of the Nerves, and especially in their foldings: Besides, such a matter, which irritating the Spirits, is wont to have the place of an Evident Cause, doth not seldom become, as we hinted but now, the means of a more remote cause, forasmuch as the heterogeneous particles, being sent from it, enter into the nervous fibres, and being combined with the Spirits, renders them more apt and ready to be exploded.  
1. Therefore, it sometimes happens, that malignant humours, and infestous 
How the irritating Cause affects the origine of the Nerves.  to the nervous stock, being poured out from the blood, on the region of the brain, and from thence dilated to the hinder region of the Head, do fall upon the origine of the nerves; where, if the little skin, which clothes the oblong pith, be broken, they fall into the naked trunks of the nerves, and enter deeply into their fibres; wherefore indeed, Convulsive motions arise, not only in the neighbouring parts of the head, but sometimes in very remote, and not rarely in the whole nervous System: This is generally observed, in evil Crises of fevers, the morbific matter being translated to the head; also in cephallic Distempers, being brought to the worst and deadly state. Truly, when I have opened the heads of those, who have died by this means, I found in all of them, the hinder Region of the oblong pith, immersed with a sharp, and salt Serum.  
2. As the interior extremity, or original of the System, so not rarely the exterior, 
How the extremities of the Nerves.  or the end, from a vellication or hawling there made, begets Spasms, or Convulsive motions, and transfers them on every side: that this is done ordinarily in the outward members, the prickings of the tendons, and Nerves, do testify. No lesle are Spasms wont to be excited every way about, from a vellication or pulling, made in the Viscera, when at any time Medicines, or sharp humours, also worms lying in the Ventricle or Intestines, pull the membraneous part, and so impress a troublesome sense on the chief sensories; presently from thence, by reason of the firing of the spirits, Convulsive motions torment now the affected parts, and now indifferently any other parts: for oftentimes Spasms, from the more grievous hurt of some Inwards, do not only employ the affected parts, and their neighbours, but also the Muscles of the face and mouth, and are likewise transferred to the exterior members. The stone impacted in the Ureters, causes not only cruel Contractions in that passage, but in all its neighbourhood. Moreover, some hysteric and other hypochondriac Symtoms, are sometimes induced by this means, forasmuch, as by a vellication made in the membranes of some Viscera, thence the Spasm is returned back.  
3. The irritative matter, which is wont to be the Evident Cause of Spasms, 
How the middle processes and foldings.  sometimes occupies the middle processes of the nerves; and therefore the parts, sometimes above, sometimes beneath its seat, are incited to convulsive motions: This appears plain enough in the foldings of the Nerves; for when the sharp recrements of the nervous juice, are laid up in them, they do not rarely create Spasms, through the whole neighbourhood: by this means, the Colic or Histerick Distemper, is often seen to be begot or excited, there being no fault in those Inwards, only from the humours, deposited in the foldings of the mesentery, as we will show hereafter, when we come to treat of those particular Distempers. In like manner, by reason that the ganglioform foldings, being stopped up with a sharp and irritative humour, perfocation or choking in the Throat, and various Contractions of the Praecordia are caused. Besides, Spafmodick Distempers do not seldom depend, upon a sharp humour within the whole trunks of the nerves, and filling the passages of the nervous bodies. We have seen some troubled with admirable, and perpetual Convulsions, so that they have been forced (as we have already mentioned) to run about, to leap, to fling about, and distorted their members, to strike the ground with their feet and hands, and to exercise other strange gestures, even as if they had been bewitched; the genuine Cause of which kind of passion, seems to consist in this, that the Juice watering the nervous stock, being most sharp like stygian water, and being become degenerate from its due Crasis, doth irritate continually, and as it were possess with a certain madness, the Spirits therein flowing, and implanted.  
From these things, which we have discoursed, about the various causes of Convulsions, 
The difference of Spasms in respect of their origine.  their manifold Species and differences are made manifest: For first, we have made known, that Spasmodick Passions are most often derived, in respect of their origine, for the head, being affected; or the morbific matter, slowing into the beginnings of the Nerves: yet sometimes, though more rarely, they depend upon such a matter, Creeping into the extremities of the nerves.  
2. As to the production of the Disease and symptoms, we observe the same sometimes to be produced, from a solitary evident Cause, as a sudden and vehement 
Of their Causes  Passion: but indeed more often, to require a more remote, or procatartic cause, or praevious disposition: moreover, the causes sometimes so to interfeer, that the procatartick, also may supply the place of the evident cause; and also, on the contrary, that this may serve in the place of the other.  
3. As to the extension of the Disease, the Convulsive Distemper may be distinguished into Universal, because the Spirits actuating the whole nervous System almost, and the Encephalon itself, are successively exploded; and Particular, in which the Spirits, within some private Region of the Animal Kingome, are disturbed.  
1. The former is meant, when the animal Spirits are irritated, within their first fountains, to wit, the pith of the brain, and cerebell, from whence their violent 
Of the extent of the disease.  explosions happen; wherefore every internal function of the soul, to wit, the sense and Imagination is obscured, and its exterior locomotive faculty perverted: This kind of universal Spasmodick Distemper, in which, besides the spasms of the Limbsand Viscera, the interior powers of the Soul suffer an Eclipse, is again twofold: to wit, either primary, which begins at the Head, and arises, forasmuch as the Spirits inhabiting that place, being imbued with nitro-sulphureous particles, are first exploded, and their enkindling snatches or takes hold of the rest, flowing in both the medulary and nervous Appendix, and there stirs up Convulsive explosions, as may be discerned in the Epilepsy.  
2. Or this universal passion, causing Insensibility is Secondary, to wit, which being begun somewhere in the nervous stock, from thence, plenty of spirits being successively affected, becoming like the undulation or moving of waters, is at length carried to the head itself: this often happens in paroxisms called hysterical, in which, by reason of the Spasm begun at first in the bottom of the belly, or some intumescency or rising up in the Abdomen, then, the same spreading higher, with the same effect, through the pipes of the Nerves, the Ventricle, and by and by the Praecordia are drawn together, and at length, the Spasm forceably rushing to the Head, the patients fall down, and all Knowledge is taken from them, and lastly, the Disease being reflected into other nerves, Convulsive motions of the exterior members succeed.  
2. But as to the particular Spasm, in whose fit the sick continue well in mind, this Indeed is distinguished into various differences. As to the seat of the matter, which happens about the beginnings, extremities, or middle processes of the Nerves (as we have shswn) there arises a difference: For even as this morbific matter, beseiging the beginnings of the nerves, is fixed about the head, middle, or end of the oblong pith, it therefore happeneth, that sometimes only the parts of the face or mouth, sometimes the Viscera of the lower, or middle Belly, and again sometimes chiefly the outward limbs, are hauled together.  
Further, a Convulsion, as to the duration of the fit, and its magnitude, uses to be distinguished, into a continual, and Intermitting: The former, as we have 
Of the duration of the Fit.  already hinted, is called Tenasmus, or a permanent Contraction, as when one part, or more, being Contracted or distorted with a constant stretching, are detained for some time in the same preternatural posture; so, when the muscles, or a member, suppose the eye, Lips, Cheeks, are distorted from their right position, nor cannot easily be presently reduced: the cause of which is sometimes a resolution, or Palsy, in some other muscles, which when they are loosened, the opposite do too strongly Act, and draw forceably the whole part, towards themselves, which ought to stand, as it were betwixt them, in an equal balance: but sometimes, such a permanent contraction, is excited, by reason of the tendons being stopped with an impacted serous humour, which become for that cause stiff: This Kind of Distemper becomes very familiar in the Scurvy, that the sick sometimes are not able to extend any member or Joint, but they are contracted round like a globe. Sometimes the Tendons in the back by reason of such a course of humour, draw the bones out of their due situation, and cause a gibbousness, or bending out of the Body. The Tenasme is wont to be distinguished into universal, of which there are three Kind's, to wit, Tension forward, Tension backwards, and Tenasmus properly so called; and Peculiar or particular, which chiefly respects some certain member or joint: we will speak of these distinctly hereafter.  
2. The intermitting Convulfion, is either short and momentary, which is acted by frequent turns, and as it were by little leaps, as is to be observed in the quaking and shake of the Tendons in horror, which are to be distinguished between, with a frequent alternation of motion and rest: or the leapings of the Spasms, and their intervals, are drawn out longer: So it is usual, for Convulsive paroxysms, when they are repeated, to endure for some time, and to leave off again; but such periods are now certain, or come to certain set hours, now rare, and incertain, and happ●…n after a divers manner, and as various occasions are given. There are other differences of this distemper, which will be better illustrated hereafter, when we shall speak particularly of each kind of Convulsions.   

CHAPTER II. Of the Epilepsy.  
THus far we have treated, of the Nature, Causes, and differences of Spasms, or Convulsions in general according to a clean, new, and unusual Hypothesis, but (as I think) agreeable enough with Reason: our next business is, to explain particularly the chief kinds of that Distemper; amongst which the Epilepsy easily deserves the pre-eminence, and the Consideration of it ought to proceed, by a certain right of method and order; for that this Disease, having as it were got a large Empire, in the human body, exercises its Tyranny, not only in the whole Encephalon, but for the most part, in all the parts of the nervous Sistem at once: wherefore by the Ancients, it was called Mo●…bus Herculeus, or the Hercnlean Disease, from the Cruelty of the distemper, and from the manner of the violent fits, as if sent, as it were by some Divinity, being so amazing, morbus Sacer, or, the holy Disease, to which may be added, the Conjecture of a certain Divine of our own Country, of no small note, to wit, that many, who were taken to be Daemonaicks, or possessed with the devil in the New Testament, were only Epilepticks, and that they called the cure of this Disease by our Saviour Jesus Christ, an ejection or exorcism of the evil Spirit: In truth, in this Distemper, no marks at all, of the morbific matter appears, or are so very obscure, that we may have deservedly suspected it, to be an inspiration of an evil Spirit, at least it is probably, that as often as the Devil is permitted to afflict miserable Mortals, with his delusions, he is not able to draw more Cruel Arrows, from any other quiver, or to show miracles by any better witch, than by the assaulrs of this monstrous Disease.  
As the Symptoms of the Epilepsy are very Stupendious, so their Causes, and the formal Reason of the Disease itself, are most difficult to be unfolded. For indeed, the business is variously controverted among authors, both concerning the part Affected, and also the manner of its being affected: many place its seat in the Brain, or its Ventricles, others in the meanings, or thin skins enwrapping the Brain, and some again in the middle, or lowest belly, but by what right shall be inquired into anon: In the mean time, laying aside the opinions of others, that the true speculation of this Disease may be found out, by the clew affright reasoning, we will first of all endeavour to give you its description, together with the whole sense of its Phaenomenas'. Secondly, these things being rightly weighed, to find out the subject of the diiease, and it's chiefly affected parts. Thirdly and lastly, to add the means and manner. whereby this disease is begotten, with the true Causes of its Symtoms.  
In the first place, As to the Idea of the Disease, the Epileptic Fit or assault, 
The description of the Epilepsy, or the history of the Disease.  seems to be only an universal, and more cruel Convulsion, to wit, in which the Spirits inhabiting the Brain, being first irregularly moved, and as it were confused, all the rest, dwelling in both the medulary, and nervous appendix of the Eneephalon, begin at once Convulsive motions, or inordinate contractions, and continue them for some space, with frequent leapings or palpitations: The accession of the disease come upon them at unawares, and oppresses the sick, not the least thinking of it, and in the twink of an Eye, casts them on the ground, deprived of sense and understanding; for that they do not only fall, but are flung down with a certain force, so that oft times the part first stricken against the Earth, or other adjacent Bodies, is hurt with a bruise or wound; being last done, there comes upon them a gnashing of Teeth, with a foam at the mouth also, oftentimes the shaking of the head, and a frequent knocking it against the ground, the arms and thighs, yea, the hinder part of the neck, and back, either become presently slit, or else they are distorted hither and thither, with various bend; some Cruelly beaten their breasts, others strongly thrust out their arms and thighs, and fling them, and sometimes the whole Body, impetuously here and there; many have their praecordia, and hypochondria, and also all their lower belly swelled, and blown up very much: after some time, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, these Symptoms, the Tragedy being as it were acted, cease, on a sudden, and then the sick come to themselves, and recover their senses: but after the fit there remains an akeing in the head, with a dulness, and hebitude of the senses, and not seldom a turning, or giddiness.  
The Epileptic Paroxysms are wont to return sometimes at set times of the day, month, or year; and most Commonly at the greater returns of the year or Tropics, or at the opposite aspects, or conjunctions of the Sun, or moon, they are wont more certainly to return, and to afflict more grievously: sometimes their come or accessions, are uncertain, and wand'ring according to the occasion, and variety of Evident Causes: there are also Fits or Poroxysms, now more light, which quickly pass away, so that the sick are scarce thrown to the ground, nor are carried into disorder or insensibility; now more grievous, whereby they when taken, lie senseless the space of an hour or more, and are tormented with horrid Symptoms, as if possessed with the Devil: Sometimes though more rarely, some foregoing signs of the fit, warn them of their falling into it; as an heaviness of the head, a brightness of the eyes, a tingling of the ears: sometimes a spasm or cramp proceeds, in some exterior part, as in the arm, or thigh, or else in the back, or Hypochondria, which ascending from thence, like a Cold air, and creeping towards the head, seems to bring on their falling down. Boys, and young Men are found to be more obnoxious to this disease, than old men, or men of mature age: who ever are once struck down by its fit, unless they be cured by the help of Medicines, they will hardly be altogether free, from the infection of it, all their Life after; the more often the Fits are, the more grievous they become, which as they frequently return become more cruel, and enervate the use of the memory, Imagination, and Reason, and then the strength, and force of the whole animal function, until its Occonomy being greatly perverted, the vital function at length decays, and by degrees is abolished. The weapons, and wicked preparation of this Disease, being after this manner laid open, we will next make an inquiry, in what part it fixes its seat; or what is its next subject.  
The accession of the Epilepsy, and the manner of invasion, seem plainly to declare, 
The subject or the seat of the Disease is inquired into.  that its primary seat, ot part chiefly affected, is contained somewhere within the Head; but that a Paroxysm sometimes begins in the remote parts, and from thence ascends towards the head, which indeed seems only to be so, and happens by accident, when in the mean time, the morficick Cause subsists about the Encephalon itself, (as shall be anon declared): but that from the first assault of the Disease, presently a strange In sensibility, and disorder, with contractions almost of all the Members and Viscera succeeds, it is a manifest sign, that the whole jointing of the Encephalon, and the original of all the nerves, are possessed with the morbific Cause: But truly, although it seem most difficult, to unfold where this cause, or morbifiek matter subsists chiefly; sor, neither is it probabIe, that the same is diffused thorough all the parts of the Brain; yet it neither appears in 
Some affirm i●… the meanings or thin skins of the Brain, other the pith or middle part of the Brain.  what singular place this being fixed should draw all the other parts so suddenly into a Consent of its ●…vill.  
Among the various opinions os Authors, about this matter, there are two that seem more probable than the rest, and challenge an assent with an equal likeliness to Truth. One of which asserts the very middle of the brain, and the other the meanings, or the thin skins encompassing or clothing it, to be the primary seat of the Epilepsy: The Reason of the former is founded in this, that where the fountain of the animal Spirits, and the original of the sensitive soul itself confists, there ought to be placed the cause of this Disease, certainly when the chief faculties are first hurt, all the rest easily participate of the same evil: But in truth, though I may grant in the Apoplexy, and the deliquium or fainting of the spirits, that it is so, yet it follows not in a Convulsion (of which kind of distemper the Epilepsy is) that all the fibres and nerves should be pulled together, because the middle part of the brain is first pulled: for that this, as it is a moist and fluid substance, and wanting of sense and motion, seems not capable of contraction, or the Spasmodick Distemper: wherefore others thinking the brain, and every part of it, free from the blame of this Disease, cast it altogether on the meanings: affirming, that the membranes, clothing the brain, and chiefly their processes, spread upon the clefts of the brain, and Ceribel, as they are hauled by the morbific matter, do conceive or beget Spasms, or horrid Convulsions, and then that from the meanings themselves, so Contracted and brought together, the included Brain is greatly compressed, and bound together, so that its pores and passages being bound up, the great amazing disorder and insensibility is induced, and also the trunks of the nerves, to which either meninge or skin is fastened, being brought into a consent with them, enter also into Convulsive motions: And indeed after this manner, the formal Reason of the Epilepsy, may perhaps seem to be unfolded; but truly when I consider further of the matter, I think we may difser from this opinion, because it does not appear by what Course, or for what cause, the falling down being at hand, these meanings should beget such horrid Spasins. Nay, it neither appears, how from them, however Convulsive thev be, the Epileptic Paroxysm should be induced.  
As to the former, it seems an impossible thing, sor the meanings to be so contracted, 
It is affirned, that the meanings are not first of all affected.  as to their whole Concavities, that being bound more strictly together, like a purse, they should on every side pull together their contents, and draw them into a narrower space: for that the Dura Mater sticks most firmly to very many places of the skull, yea, and the Pia mater is tied to it, near the processes of the hollow turnings, by a mutual knitting of the membranes, and every where besides with a Continuity of Vessels: Hence it easily appears, either that membrane, as to the greatest part of it, is immovable, so that they cannot fall into so univer●…al Spasms: but in respect of lesser Spasms, as when a certain portion of this or that meaning, or both together, is pulled, indeed we grant such may happen: for I have often heard those troubled with great headache, to complain extremely of a great constriction of the parts, lying under the side of the skull, sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left, and yet from thence no assault of falling down, has followed: Further as those membranes being notably hurt, do cause great vellications or hauling, yet upon it there is not wont to be an Epileptic sit to follow: for I have known, from an Imposthume in the Dura mater, when being broken, and that the stinking matter had knawn the more tender meanings, and shell of the Brain, that the sick have fallen first into an amazedness, and at length into a deadly Apoplexy, who notwithstanding, in the whole course of the Disease, was free from any Epileptical Symtom. Also I remember, I have seen one, who had the Dura mater very much torn, by the instrument of an unskilful Surgeon, and another, that by a wound, had that with part of his skull taken away, so that a portion of the Brain swollen forth, and yet to neither of them any Epilectical passion happened: wherefore neither is it likely, that the blood, o●… humours, or (if any shall so argue) the vapours, compacted within those meanings, can bring in any greater evil, than either a stroke, or wound, inflicted on them, or filthy matter there poured out: Besides, those who are more lightly troubled with the Epilepsy, so that they scarce fall down, and have their minds free through the whole assault of the disease, would perceive the membrans to be so contracted, and the globe of the brain to be more straight thrust together, if there had been any such kind of affection; but they on the contrary, seem to have the Brain as it 
The spirits inhabiting the middle of the brain are the primary Subject of the disease.  were inflamed, and to be sensible, that the spirits leap forth, and are as it were explosed, with a certain fierceness.  
And indeed, I think it is very likely so, that the Epileptic Paroxysm is stired up, from a certain sudden rarefication, and explosion of the animal spirits, inhabiting the Brain, which are in truth the first, and immediate subject of this Disease; to wit, whereby the Brain itself is inflated, and rendered so insensible, and the Nerves hanging thereto, also put into convulsions: For hence it comes to pass, that the accession of this Disease begins so on a sudden, and determines perfectly without any great provision or remains, of the morbific matter; because the Infection is not brought so much to the solid parts, as to the Spirits themselves.  
We have already shown by what means, the heterogeneous and explosive Copula, consisting as it seems of nitro-Sulphurous particles, cleaving to the spirituous particles of the animal Spirits, and lastly, being smitten and explosed by them, by reason of plenitude or irritation, produces Convulsive Symptoms: But although this kind of Spasmodick Copula, is first distilled from the blood into the brain, yet, for the most part, it does not take hold of the spirits there, or at least, it stays not long with them, in that place: but rather, being thrust from thence, towards the nervous Appendix, causes particular and respective Spasms, near the places affected: But sometimes, if the Spasmodic matter be more plentiful and strong, and the constitution of the brain weak, the heterogeneous Copula, being fixed to the Spirits, not only in the nervous stock, but also to those planted within the Encephalon itself, causes the Epilectick disposition; and the explosive particles of the Spirits, and this Copula knockin one against another, stir up the falling fit. For indeed, since the assault of the Epilepsy urging, the Insensibility, and great disorder is for the most part the first Symptom, and all the pathognomick, it may be concluded, that the animal Spirits, lying within the middle of the brain itself, are affected before others; and that therefore, that part, is the principal seat of the Disease: Then, forasmuch as the falling of the sick, or casting to the ground, and spasms of the members and Viscera, most often follow that Insensibility great disorder, or leaping forth, of the spirits, it follows that the animal Spirits also inhabiting the nervous System, are imbrued with the same explosive Copula, and are drawn into consent with those inhabiting the brain itself, and are excited by them, to explosions purely inordinate; although sometimes (by the whole series of Spirits, planted both in the brain and nervous stock, being like a long train of gunpowder, praedisposed to explosions) an exterior Spasm, beginning a great way off, perhaps in some member or Inward, may afterwards be carried to the Brain, as shall be more fully shown hereafter. In the mean time, it is concluded, that the region of the Brain itself, is always the primary seat of this Disease; and that we ought to suppose, the conjunct cause of the Distemper, not to be water heaped up within the ventricles of the brain, nor a thick or clammy humour, impacted in the passages of its pores: for such Causes are begotten by degrees, and therefore would show some certain signs beforehand, of the first coming upon one: further, the assault of the fit being over, such a matter could not be wholly discussed in so short a time, but that from its relics, some impediments of the animal function would remain, which indeed rarely happens in the Epilepsy, unless inveterate: but, for the exciting of the falling down, no less can be imagined, then that the animal Spirits, which flowing within the marrowie substance of the brain, perform the acts of the interior sense, of the Imagination, and appetite, having gotten an heterogeneous Copula, should be inordinately exploded, and so they being disturbed beyond their orders and stations, the Superior faculties of the animal regimen, must suffer an eclipse; then, from this greater explosion of spirits, as it were from a fiery enkindling, other Spirits, inhabiting the marrowy and nervous appendix, being also praedisposed to explosions, conceive the like disorder, and in like manner, cause the explosive Convulsive motions, of the containing bodies.  
For although we conclude, that the middle of the brain, is always the primary seat of the Epilepsy, and that from the beginning, the morbific matter is laid 
The disease affects secondarily very many parts, of the Nervous System.  up wholly in that Region; yet the distemper growing grievous, this being more plentifully spread thorough the head, enlarges its bounds, so that it being strewed here and there, and far and near stretched out, Spasmodic particles, are cast into the rest of the Brain, and also into the nervous appendix, like gunpowder or explosive seed, whereby it comes to pass, that at the first approach of that disorder of Spirits, Convulsions follow, sometimes in these, sometimes in those parts, and not rarely thorough the whole Body.   

CHAPTER III. The Differences of the Epilepsy, and the reasons of some of the Symptoms are unfolded. Also its Curatory Method is represented.  
THus far of the essence, and the Causes in general of the Epilepsy, it shall be now our next task, to explicate the differences of this Disease, also the reasons of some of the accidents, and Symptoms, belonging to it: to which we will lastly add, Observations and Histories of sick people, with the method of Curing.  
The most notable difference of the Epilepsy, is wont to be taken from the Subject, to wit, that the brain, or part of it, labouring with this disease, is eithe●… primarily, and Idiopathetically, or properly, affe●…ted, or secondarily, and no●… but by consent, with other parts: concerning the former kind, we have hitherto discoursed, as to the other, to wit, in which the falling down seems to arise, from some place without the head, and then lays hold of it secondarily, and as it were by a blast sent from elsewhere; ●…t is to be observed, that this kind of distemper (as Galen hath noted) proceeds either from the external, or internal 
The Reason of the Epilepsic which is said to be excited by consent.  parts: we meet with many examples of Epilepticks, in whom the fit being just coming upon them, a spasm is felt, with a numbness in the hand or toe, or other particular member, which presently from thence, as it were with a pricking or tingling, creeps towards the head, which when it hath attained, immediately the sick party falls flat on the Earth, and is hurried into insensibility and disorder of spirits, and other proper demonstrations of the Symptom of the falling sickness: neither is it a lesle usual proaemium of this disease, that there first arises as it were a conflict, in the stomach, splcen, womb, ●…ntestines, genitals, or other innards; or that some kind of perturbation is raised in some of them; then from that place, the ascent of (as it were) a cold air is perceived, to which distemper, follows the accession of the falling evil, with its most horrid provision of symptoms: hence it was commonly believed, that the cause of the Epilepsy, lay hid in the part, seen to be so primarily affected, and propagated its evil to the brain, of its self innocent.  
But in very deed, as to this, we must say, that in every Epilepsy, not only the 
The Conjunct Cause of the Epilepsic consi●…s only in the brain.  procatartick or remoter Cause, but also the conjunct, remains wholly in the Brain; to wit, that the spirits inhabiting it, being disposed to explosions, and there being explosed, bring on or Cause every falling Evil. As to those praeliminary Symptoms in some Epileptical people, they sometimes have the place of an Evident Cause, and sometimes only of a sign: For when the evil disposition of any inward, as the stomach, spleen, or womb, happens with the disposition of the Epilepsy, as often as any perturbation is begun in that distempered Inward, it easily happens, by reason of a transmission of the ferment from thence, or a continuation of the spasm to the head, an Epileptical fit is excited in the Brain praedisposed to act.  
But these kind of symtoms of the sallingevil, which being suscitated from without, seem to propagate the distemper to the Brain, do often arise from the consent of the Brain itself, and are only signs of the approach of the Epileptical Fit, or of the spirits beginning to be exploded, in the brain: For when the animal spirits planted in the middle parts of the Brain, and Cerebel, and also those in the oblong pith or marrow, near the beginnings of the Nerves, are so filled with an heterogeneous Copula, that, for the Casting of it off, they are ready to bring on the assault of the Disease, before they are all exploded heap by heap, some spirits lying more outward, in some private Nerves, because they are destitute of the wont influx of their superiors, fall into certain inordinations, and so begin spasms, which fpasms (as it is often the manner in this kind of distemper) begin at the extremities or ends of the Nerves, inserted to this or that member, or Inward, from whence by degrees, they creep forward to their beginnings; whether being come forth with the spirits, thorough the whole Encephalon, before disposed to explo●…ions, being moved by that spasms, and so being snatched away with a fiery enkindling, are suddenly exploded or thirst out; so they seem to stir up the Epileptic Fit, beginning at first from themselves, as it were secondarily, and by instinct, brought from foam other place. After this manner, sometimes the Histerical passions, when beginning in the bottom of the belly, they are Communicated to the Brain, are thought to arise from those Viscera, and to be stirred up by their fault; when in the mean time, the morbific cause subsists chiefly, about the beginnings of the Nerves, as we have elsewhere signified, and shall again show hereafter, when we come to treat particularly of the Spasmodick distempers.  
There yet remain other differences of the Falling sickness, to wit, that it is either haereditary, or acquired; again, either kind is variously distinguished, by reason 
Other differences of the Epilepsy.  of the Age, or time, in which it first comes upon one, to wit, when the first coming of it happens before, or about the puberty, or being of ripe age, or after it; further as to the Efficacy of the disease, into strong, and weak, for as much as the Paroxysms or fits, are with, or without the disorder of spirits, and falling, as to its inordinate manner, whose assalts are wand'ring, and uncertain, moreover, it is wont to be distinguished, according to the peculiar symptoms, in these, or those sick people, by reason of some disposition, or manifold Idiosyncrasy, or propriety, of the Temperament.  
But from what has been said before, of very many of the Symptoms, which are to be met with in this Disease, the causes do easily appear, so that there will be no need here, to consider all of them: but of some of them, which seem more intricate, it will not be from the matter, to discourse in this place.  
We will therefore first of all inquire, why those sick of this Disease, do not fall 
Why Epilepticks fall down with violence.  as those that are apoplectic, or have swooning fits, but are rather stricken down with violence, against the Earth, or any other bodies, that are by chance opposite to them, as if they were smitten down by some wicked Spirit, so that very often, some part of the head, or face, is hurt, with the violent fall: And those so distempered, even like the Daemonaicks in the Gospel, are frequently flung into the fire, or the water: but it may be here declared, that the Epilepticks become obnoxious to these kind of evils, for that the fit coming upon them, all knowledge or providence is taken from them; and further the nerves neighbouring to the head, being strongly contracted, the whole bulk of the Body is carried away headlong: but in the Syncope, and Apoplexy, the fall of the distempered Body, seems as the ruins of a building, which happens, by reason that its props are taken away: but indeed in the falling Sickness, it is no otherwise than if a house were overthrown, bv the blowing up of Gunpowder, which is removed much from the place where it stood.  
2ly. It is commonly esteemed a great pathognomick, or peculiar Symtom of 
From whe●… the Foa●… aet the mouth of these troubled with the falling sickness comes.  the Epilepsy, if when the diseased being fallen to the earth, and suffering most horrid Convulsions, there flows from the mouth, a spumous spital or foam, which indeed is thought to be pressed from the Brain, being strongly contracted, into the palate: But in truth, though it be granted, that this flux of spume be very often a sign of the falling Sickness, yet it is not so appropriated to this disease, but that the same sometimes happens in the Apoplexy, in deep sleep, in hysterical distempers, and other convulsive diseases: Besides, this kind of Foam, does not descend from the Brain, for there is no passage open, by which it may pass, but from the Lungs being inflated, and elevated even to the Larinx, or the top of the sharp artery, from whence spittle foams forth, with a certain fervency and ebullition: For the fit of the falling evil growing urgent, when most of the nerves in the whole Body are drawn together, those also that serve for the motions of the Lungs, and Diaphragma, suffer most cruel convulsions, and lifting up all the praecordia upwards, continue them almost immovable, in a long Systole, so that the breathing, and pulse, cannot be at all perceived: In the mean time, because the blood straitened within the bosom of the heart, distends it, and also almost chokes it, the Lungs however hindered, that they cannot be moved after their wont and natural manner, perform what they can, with a thick and hasty agitation, whereby the blood may be drawn forth from the Heart; by which endeavour of theirs, the shaking air, by the frequent or thick respiration, raises the viscous or clammy humidity into froth, like the shaking of the white of an egg; by and by it lifts it upwards towards the Cavity of the mouth, and so at last drives it out of doors: wherefore, a foam or spumous spittle does often succeed in other distempers, where the pneumonic or breathing nerves are either contracted, or are hindered from performing their Function.  
3ly. Moreover, from the same reason it comes to pass, that some Epilepticks 
Why some in the Falling knock their Breasts.  being fallen to the ground, beat most greviously their Breasts with their Hands, and are hardly to be held from it: for when the Praecordia, being troubled with the Spasm, and hindered that they cannot move themselves, after their wont manner, and the blood stagnating in them, not without a great oppression of the heart, threatens a suflocation of Life; than it is that the sick strikes their Breast, to wit, that the praecordia so shaken, and as it were moved up and down, might renew their motions, and so the blood might be relieved from its stagnation, an●… the heart from its heavy oppression: and this is done after the same manner, as when some that are sleeping being tickled, or bit by a flea, unknown to themselves, presently rub, or scratch the affected place.  
As to the Prognostication of the diseas●…, we have already declared, that it is of 
The prognostication of the Disease.  very difficult Cure, which difficultly consists in this, that the middle of the Brain (in which is the chief spring and fountain of the animal Spirits) is very much debilitated, not only by the morbific cause, but also by its effects, to wit, the several fits; and its pores loosened, so that they lie open for the entrance of every heterogeneous matter: and so the morbid disposition itself being confirmed, by the repeated Paroxisms, and taking deeper root, it is hardly taken away. But it is to be observed, that the Epilepsy sometimes terminates of itself, and is sometimes overcome by the help of medicines: which happens about the age of puberty, and then only, so that, who are not cured, that time being elapsed, that is before the twenty fifth year of age, they scarce ever after recover their health, for about the time of ripe age, there is a twofold alteration of the human Body, and therefore, there often happens a Solution or losing o●… the falling sickness, or of any other disease deeply rooted: For first, at that time, the genital humour begins to be heaped together in the spermatick Vessels, from whence it follows, that the Spiritious particles, and what are wont to grow to them, nitro-sulphureous and morbific particles, are laid up, not only in the brain, but also in the testicles: wherefore, if this heterogeneous Copula of the Spirits, be more plentifully carried to that new storehouse, from thence, the brain becoming free, often leaves the epileptical or otherways morbid disposition. 2. About the time of ripe age, as the Blood pours forth something before destinated for the brain, through the Spermatic Arteries, to the genitalss, so also it receives as a recompense, a certain ferment from those parts, through the veins: to wit, certain particles imbued with a seminal tincture, are carried back into the bloody mass, which makes it vigorous, and inspire into it a new and lively virtue, wherefore at that time, the gifts both of the Body and mind, chiefly show themselves; Hairs break out, the voice becomes greater, the courses of women flow, and other accidents happen, whereby it is plain, that both the blood and nervous Juce, are impregnated with a certain fresh ferment: wherefore, the morbific ferments or seeds, unless they be overcome by this new natural firment, they afterwards continue untameable even to Death.  
But that the Epilepsy is sometimes cured by the help of medicines, Experience doth ●…estifie: we shall anon discourse of the method of healing, and show the reasons of the most famous medicines; in the mean time, as to what further belongs to the prognostication of this Disease, if it end not about the time of ripe age, neither can be driven away by the use of medicines, there happens yet a divers event in several sick Patients, for it either ends immediately in Death, or is changed 
The Epilepsy is cha●…ged into other Diseases.  into some other Disease, to wit, the Palsy, stupidity, or melancholy, for the most part incurable.  
As to the former, whenas the fits are often repeated, and every time grow more cruel, the animal function is quickly debilitated; and from thence, by the taint, by degrees brought on the Spirits, and the Nerves serving the Praecordia, the vital function is by little and little enervated, till at length, the whole body languishing, and the pulse being loosened, and at length ceasing, at last the vital flame is extinguished.  
But that this Disease often ends in the Palsy, melancholy, or madness, the reason is, because the tone, and confirmation of the brain is depraved, by the often explosions of the animal Spir●…ts, and at length its natural state is so perverted, that, by the morbi●…k parti●… of another Kind also admitted, the spirits are fixed, nor are any more exa●…ly prone to explosions, but rather sometimes, by a contrary vice introdu●…ed, their Ela●…tick virtue is too much wanting, so that they become d●…ll an●… 〈◊〉 beyond measure; even, as oftentimes the intemp●…rature of the blood, being mo●… old than it should be, admits the more intense burning of a seavour: and indeed, these depressions of the spirits happens partly by their own proper ●…ault; sor that their more agile particles being too much explosed, the more d●…ll or ●…avy are only left, and from them they are supplied, but partly, ●…s we have said, they hap from the fault of the brain; for that its pores and pa●…s, are so dil●…ted and opened, from the often paroxis●…s of this falling evil, that a●…terwards, there is an open pa●…sage made, for any heterogeneous, and divers kinds of mo●…bisick particles, to enter with the Nervous juce.  
Thus much sore the Diagnosis and Prognosis, the description and judgement of the Epilep●…e, or falling sick●…; in the unfolding of which, it was nec●…sary to 
Of the Cu●… part o●… th●… 〈◊〉.  bring reasons not altogether abstruse, and different from the common Path●…logie, neither are we constrained to receade, in the Therapeatick or Curatory part of this Disease, from the common and ●…all method of curing, in other Di●…empers: But in truth, the prescriptions of such who follow the ordinarily received Opinions, by which, sor the most part, they endeavour to carry away, and wholly to eradicate the morbisic matter, by Catharticks only, do little or nothing avail in the falling sickness, y●…a they are wont frequently to be hurtful to it. I have known some famous Practition●…rs, omitting wholly the series of the Curatory intentions, betake themselves to certain Empirical Remedies, without any foresight of the whole: this kind of practice, though sometimes it succeeds happily, would much more certainly perform the proposed cure, if the Body being rightly prepared, they should in like manner take away all Impediments, by other medicines.  
Wherefore, the Indications concerning the Cure of the Falling Sickness, shall be (as they are Commonly set down) either Curatory, which have respect to the Fit, and drive it away either coming on, or when upon them, to set it going the sooner: or prophylactic or preventory, which have respect to the ●…ause of the Disease, which if they can take away, its accessions will be inhibited afterwards.  
A general evacuation has 〈◊〉 any place in the former Intention, for in the fit neither a Vomit, or Purge, and very rarely the opening a vein, are wont to be administered; if the amazed ●…nsensibility and disorder continues very long, sometimes a Clyster is wont to be used, but what that chiefly aims at is, to fix the too fierce and Volatile animal Spirits, and also to suppress their begun Explosions: For which ends, two kind of Remedies chiefly are made use of, to wit, First, such as repress the animal spirits, being too apt to grow sirce and to leap forth, and repel them with some perfume that is ●…gratefull to them, and Compel them into order: which thing indeed medicines imbued with a volati●…e, or armoniac salt, or also with a vitriolic sulph●…r do effect, of which kind are salt and oil of Amber, Spirits of Blood, Hartshorn, Sut, tincture of Castor, and such like: for these being inwardly taken, or put to the nose, often times bring help, and the evil Spirits of this Disease, are thought to be driven away, even as in Tobit. the Devil was by the fame of the gall of a fish. Secondly, the animal spirits are called away, or hindered from their begun explosions, when they are alured, or held busied in some work, they are acc●…stomed to: wherefore, the fit urging, frictions being used and for some time continued, thorough the whole body, do often help: But some that set upright the diseased, and altogether hold or restrain their Arms and legs, from their Convul●…ive motion, or hold them violently in this or that posture; that also b●…ow things into their noses to make them sneeses, and power down strong Cordials at the mouth, and apply either Cupping glasses, and Scarrifications, and handle more sharply with other manner of administrations those sick people, and disturb the manner of the sit, I say this kind of practice is most often too roughly insti●…uted or ordained: because after this manner, there is a double trouble put upon nature, to wit, one from the disease, and the other not lighter from the standers by, and helpers, when it were wuch better, for the Fit to be suffered to pass over after its own manner, and the sick to endure but one trouble only.  
Truly the chiefest care of a Physician, and efficacy of medicines is us●…d about the prevention of this Disease, that the cause being taken away, or its 〈◊〉 cut off, all the fruits might wither; medicines requisite to this Indication, respect many Intentions, which may yet be reduced, to those two chief heads: to w●…t, in the first place, that the enkindling or matter of the disease, being supply●…d imm●…diately from the vicious Blood, or nervous Juice, and mediately from the vis●… and first passages, be cut off; then in the second place, that the evil disposition of the Brain, and the spirits its Inhabitants, which is peculiar to the Epilepsy, be taken away.  
As to the first Indication, here Vomits, purges, and other things, both evac●…ating, and altering, yea phlebotomy, and Cauteries, have place; for as much as by these means and ways, the impurites both of the viscera, and humours are ●…bdued or brought away; and their dyscrasy or evil disposition amended: for although these kind of medicines, and medical administrations, rarely or never cure the Epilepsy, by themselves, yet those take away impediments, set nature upright, and incite her to encounter her enemy; also, they prepare the way, that so specific Remedies might more certainly, and efficaciously show their virtues; wherefore usually, whilst they take care to cure this disease, with secrets and hidden mysteries, they make use of those kind of medicines between while, in the spring, and autumn, and other fit times.  
2ly. As to specific Remedies, which indeed only, though not always, are able to reach the Epilepsy and to subdue it; of which sort are the male paeony, Misiletow, Rew, Castor, the Claws of an Elk, preparations of a dead man's Skull, Amber, Coral, with many others. Forasmuch as these are taken without any sensible evacuation, or also perturbation, following in the viscera or humours, it is a wonder, by what formal reason, or virtue of acting, they are wont at any time to help in this disease.  
Concerning this matter, intricate and obscure enough, if there may be place for Conjecture, when as we have already asserted, the procatartick Cause of the 
In what the Virtue of the specificks consists in the Epilepsy.  Epilepsy, to consist in the heterogeneous Copula, joining or cleaving to the spirits, inhabiting the Brain, and inciting them to preternatural explosions; it follows, that those things which take away, or resist such a cause, must be of that nature, that by strengthening the brain, and binding up its pores, may exclude that Copula, and so fix, and as it were bind the spirits, flowing within the middle or marrow of the Brain, from leaving their Copula, that they shall not be any more apt or prone, to irregular explosions; Perhaps after the same manner, as when gunpowder or aurum fulminans being pounded with sulphur, or sprinkled with spirit of Vitriol loses its thundering virtue. And indeed, these kind of properties, to wit, one or both of them, may be suspected, yea, in a manner detected, in most anti-epileptick Remedies: For truly, Paeony, Missletow, Rue, the Lily of the valley, with many others, abound in a certain manifest astriction, that 'tis likely, their Particles being taken inwardly, and so dilated to the brain, by the Vehicle of the blood, and nervous Juice, do so bind, and shut up its too loo●…e and open pores, that afterwards, they do not lie open, for the Passage of the morbific matter: Besides, for that these vapourous Concerts, breath forth as it were an armodiack scent or scattering, therefore they are said to purify the animal spirits, to fix them, and to strengthen them, having put off their heterogeneous Copula: This virtue purifying the spirits, proceeding from an armoniac salt, is more apparent in Remedies, which are taken from the famuly of Minerals, and Animals, such are the preparations of the human Skull, of blood, amber, and coral, as the other more binding, rather exists, in the parts and preparations of Vegetables.  
It will not be needful here, for the curing of the Epilepsy, to propose a complete method of healing, with exact forms of prescriptions, because there are extant every where among Authors, general precepts, and most choice Remedies, and the Prudent Physician will easily accommodate, both the Indications, and that plentiful provision of medicinal stuff, to the particular Cases of the sick. But because we have exhibited a quite new Theory of this Disease, here also aught to be rendered a Curatory method fited for it: which we shall describe by and by more fully, after we have shown you some cases or Histories, of people sick of the Epilepsy.  
A fair maid, sprung from parents indifferently healthful, being herself very well, till about her coming to ripe age, about that time, she began to complain 
1. Observation  of her head being ill: And first of all, the felt near the fore part of her head, by si●…s, a Vertigo or giddiness, whereby all things seemed to run round; and also whilst this Symptom continued, she was wont to talk idly, and to forget whatever she had but just done; These kind of fits at first passed away within a quarter of an hour, and came again only once or twice in a month, in the interval of which she was well enough: Afterwards, the assalts being made more grievous, by degrees, they also returned more often, and within half a year, her brain being daily more weakened, this giddiness or turning round, was plainly changed into the Epilepsy, that the sick being struck down to the ground, at every sit, was affected with Insensibility, and horrid convulsions, and also with foam at the mouth. The Domestics observed, that she always fell on the same side, so that sitting nee●… the fire, if she sat in the right Corner she would be flung in the midst of the fire, but if in the left Corner, she fell against the wall of the Chimney: once when being left alone in the house, she fell upon the burning Coals, and so miserably burnt her face, and forepart of her head, that the skull being made bare of the skin and flesh, a deep and large escar was burnt into it: and afterwards the outer shell of it fell off a hands breadth. In the mean time the sick maid, so long as the ulcers contracted by the burning, ran with filthy matter, she was free from the fits, but afterwards, they being healed up, the falling evil returned: This Disease began first to show itself about the time of puberty, for this maid, presently after the beginning of it, had her Courses, and afterwards they constantly observed their set times, though her distemper grew daily worse: Various kinds of medicines being administered to this sick Creature, availed nothing, because it was the custom and practice, of her, and her friends, quickly to change both the Physician, and method of Physic, if an happy event did not presently follow, and to betake themselves very much to every Empirick, and outlandish Mountebanks.  
That in this Case, the Vertigenous Distemper, with a short delirium, was the forerunner of the Epilepsy, it plainly argues, the original of this Disease being planted in the middle of the brain, to depend upon a certain inordination of the Spirits, to wit, those dwelling there, at the beginning, begun to admit an heterogeneous Copula; which being more plentifully heaped up, being moved either of its own accord, or occasionally, while it was shaken off, induced, by reason of the spirits being disturbed, and not yet very explosive those former distempers; Afterwards, from the same cause, by degrees growing worse, the perturbations of the Spirits did raise up their manifest explosions, and changed the vertigo, and Delirium, into the Epilepsy.  
But that this maid began to be sick, about the time of ripe age, it hence evidently follows, as the natural ferment, so sometimes the preternatural, explicates itself, first at that time; wherefore, as it happens, that the menstruous purgations do then first break forth, so the seeds of the falling sickness, whether innate or acquired then budded forth a little, and by degrees were ripened into fruit: when the preternatural Ferment first appears, oft-times the natural following, blots it out, hence the Epilepsy of young ones, often ends about the time of puberty or ripe age, but if that Firment, or taint of the disease, comes after the menstruous flux, or together with it, and ceases not presently, it remains for the most part afterwards, during Life, of itself untameable, and not to be overcome by any Remedies.  
From this observation, that a Cautery accidentally, and by chance being made on this sick party, freed her from the fits of the Disease, it may be inferred that fontanelles or Issues, may be profitably administered, in the Cure of the Epilepsy: for wheresoever an emissary is opened, for the constant carrying away of the serous water, both from the blood, and nervous juce, there very many heterogeneous and morbific particles, flow out with it, that therefore the brain might remain free.  
The Daughter of a Brewer of Oxford, had been very obnoxious to a Rheum 
2. Obse●…  falling into her eyes, from her Infancy, otherwise strong and sound enough, also accustomed daily to hard labour, about the 14th. year of her age, she began to be tormented with Epileptic fits, of which she fusl●…red near the greater changes of the moon, especially then returning: Being asked to endeavour her Cute, I gave her a Vomit of precipitate Solar, and order d it to be renewed three days before every new, and full moon; besides that she should take at every turn, for four days after the Vomit, twice in a day, a dram of male-Paeonie root in powder, with a draught of black Cherry w●…ter. By these remedies, the fits so long intermitted, that the D●…sease seemed to be Cured. Afterwards when they returned again, she was again recovered by the use of those medicines: and then the menstruous fl●…x breaking forth, and observing its true periods, she remained for the future, free from that disease.  

The Therapeutic or Curatory Method.  
IN the Curing of the Epilepsy, I judge it fit to begin with a Cathartick, and if the sick can ea●…ily bear vomiting, first let an Emetic be administered, and for several months, let it be repeated, four days before the full of the Moon. For Infants, and youths, may be prescribed wine of Squills, mixed with fresh Oil of Sw●…et Almonds, or also of Salt of Vitriol, from half a Scruple, to 1. Scruple: For those of riper years and of a stronger Constitution may be prescribed the following forms of Medicines. Take of Crocus mettalorum, or of Mercurius vitae 
〈◊〉.  gr. iiii. to vi. of Mercurius Dulcis grain xuj. ℈ i let them be bruised together in a mortar, mix it with the pap of a roasted Apple or of Cons●…rve of Burage ℥ i make a Bolus; or you may take an Infusion of Crocus Mettalorum or Mecurius Vitae made in Spanish wine from ℥ ss. to ℥ i ss. or take of Emetic Tartar of Mynsicht gr. iv. to vi. who are of a tenderer constitution, let them take of the Salt of Vitriol ℈ i to ʒ ss, and half an hour after let them drink several pints of posset drink: then with a feather or finger put down the throat, let vomiting be provoked, iterate it often.  
The day following the vomiting, unless any thing shall prohibit, let blood be taken out of the Arm, or from the haemorhod veins with a Leech: then the next day after let a purging medicine be taken, which afterwards may be repeated constantly, four days before every new Moon.  
Take Resine of Jalop ℈ ss. Mercurius Dulcis ℈ i of Castor gr. iii of Conserve of the Flow●…rs of ●…aeony ℥ i make it into a Bolus. Take pill faetida the greater ℈ two. of Hysterica 
P●….  what will suffice, make thereof v. pills. Take of the strings of black hellebore macerated in Vinegar, dried, and powdered ℥ ss. of Ginger ℈ ss. of the Salt of Wormwood gr. xii. of the Oil of Amber drops two. make a powder, let it be given in the pap of an Apple. Take of the powder of Hermodactils compound ℥ i of hum●…ne Scull prepared gr. vi. make a powder, let it be given in a draught of the de●…oction of Hyssop, or Sage.  
On those days that they do not purge, especially about the time of the changing of the Moon, let there be administered Specific Remedies morning and evening, which are said to cure this Disease, with a certain innate and secret virtue: of these there are extant a very great company, and are prescribed in various forms of Compositious.  
The most simple Medicines, which Experience hath found to be very Efficacious, are the root of the male Paeony, and the seeds of the same. Take of the Root of 
Specifi●…ks.  the Male Paeony dried and powdered ℥ i to two. or iii let it be given twice a day in the following Tincture. Take of the leave of Messletow of the Oak ℥ two. of the root of Paeony sliced ℥ ss. of Castor ℥ i let them be put into a close Vessel with simple water of Betony or Paeony, and white-wine Each lb i. of the Salt of Missletow, of the Oak or the Common Missletow ℥ two. let them digest close in hot sand for two. days, let them take ℥ iii with a dose of the aforesaid powder.  
Poor people may take of the aforesaid powder, in a decoction of Hyssop or Castor, made with fair water and white-wine.  
At the same time, let the Root of Paeony be cut into little bits, and being strung upon a third, hung about the neck. Also let the Roots being fried in a pan, or boiled tender, be eaten daily with their meat.  
Take of the Roots and Seeds of the male Paeony each ℥ two. of Missletow of the Oak, of the hoof of Elkʒ i each let them be fliced and bruised, and put into a thin silk bag, and hang at the pit of the Stomach.  
Among the spicificks, this powder is greatly commended by many Authors. 
Powders.  Take of Castor Opoponax, Dragon's blood, Antimony, and the seed of Paeony, each alike, make a powder, of which may be taken ℥ ss. to ℥ i every morning, with wine, or some proper decoction, or with black Cherry water.  
Take of a man's Skull prepared ℥ i of Missletow of the Oak, of Counterfeit Cinaber, of an Elks Claw, each ℥ ss. so mingle them. The dose is ℈ ss. to ℈ i  
If the form of powder be distasteful to any one, or if it should become loathsome by the long use of it, Electuaries, Pills, Troches, Spirits, and Elixirs, each of which agree with specific medicines, are wont to be prescribed.  
Take of the Conserve of the male Paeony, of the Lily of the Valley, each ℥ iii of 
Electu●…ries.  the seed and root of the male Paeony powdered each ʒ two. prepared Corallʒ i. of the powder of Pearls, and of human Skull prepared, each ℈ two. of the salt of Missletow, of the Oakeʒ i ss. with what will suffice of the Syrup of Coral, make an Electuary, let them take of it morning and evening, the quantity of a Nutmeg.  
Take of the powder of the root of the male Paeony ℥ i of the seeds of the same ℥ ss. of Missletow of the Oak. of an Elks claw, of human Skull, prepared, each ʒ two. of the roots of Angelica, Contrayerva, Verginian Snakeweed, each ʒ i. of the whitest Amber, of Calcined Coral each ʒ i. of the Common Salt of Missletow, ʒ two. of Sugar Candy ℥ viij. dissolved in what will suffice, of the Antiepilepticall water of Langius, Make a Confection, of which take twice in a day, the quantity of a Nutmeg.  
These powders, by adding to them, the Salt of Amber, and Hartshorn, with 
Pills.  what will suffice of Balsam Capivi may be form into a piliulary Mass, of which may be taken three or iv. pills, in the morning and evening, drinking after them a draught of some appropriate Liquor.  
Or of those sorts may be prepared an Elixir, of which may be taken viij. drops to x. twice in a day, in a spoonful of a proper Julup, drinking a little of it after it.  
Take of Hungarian Vitriol vi. pints, let them be distilled with a glass retort in 
Elixir●…  hot sand for 24. hours, then let the same retort, being defended or done over with Clay, be put with a large receiver in a reverberating Furnace, that the acid spirits may be forced with a most strong fire, till they come forth. The whole Liquor being distilled, let it be drawn off in hot sand, in a lesser glass retort, and let there be poured into the Matrace, of the roots of Male-Paeony, cut into pieces and dried ℥ iiii. of the seed of the same ℥ i of human Skull prepared, of Elks claws, and Red Coral each ℥ ss. Missletow of the Oak, ʒ two. let it digest with a gentle heat for several days, to the extraction of a tincture, the Liquor being decantated, let it be drawn off in a glass Retort to a third part remaining: being stilled forth keep it by itself: to those Remains pour of the rectified Spirit of wine a jittle quantity, impregnated with the Infusion of the same ingredients, and let it digest for six days in horse-dung, the dose of which is ℈ ss. to ℈ i The distilled Liquor may be given from half a spoonful to a whole spoonful, for the same Intentions.  
Or let there be prepared an oil, out of the Salt of Venus or Copper, according to the description of Henry Van Heers, and given as there prescribed.  
Among the specific Remedies, which (when the former shall not be profitable) 
Emperical Remedies.  ought also to be tried, are the Livers of Frogs, the Gall of a Boar, dried with Urine, The powder of Bryony Root. The powder of a Cuckoo, of Crows; the rennet and lights of a Hare, the Liver of a Wolf, stones taken out of Swallows, the Liver of a Kite, the Eggs of Crows, with many more, to be daily taken with food or Medicine; a famous Catalogue of which is extant of Henry Van Brays, a Physician of Zutphen: and from which, prescripts for poor people, may be taken, easy to be prepared, and without great cost.  
Whilst these kind of Remedies are to be taken inwardly, according to the aforesaid method, some outward administrations being applied, bring help, and are deservedly admitted to part of the cures; therefore, always Issues are made in this dis●…ase, in one fit place or other, and also more often Vesicatories or Blisters.  
Annulets hung about the neck, or born at the pit of the Stomach, are thought to be useful: The fre●…h Roots of Paeony cut into little squares, and being strung like 
Annulets.  bracelets, and h●…ng round about the neck, and as soon as they are dry, let new be put in their places, and they being reduced to powder, may be taken inwardIy: Take of the roots and seeds of Paeony each ʒ two. of an Elks claw, and human Skull prepared, each ʒ i. of Missletow of the Oak, ʒ ss. let them be beaten into gross powder, and sowed in a piece of red silk, and like a little bag let it be hanged about the neck.  
An Amulet of a stalk of the Elder, found growing in the Willowtree, is greatly Commended.  
It agrees with some, to have their heads shaved and a plaster applied to the 
Plasters.  forepart. Take of the root and seeds of Paeony, of Castor, Missletow of the Oak, of humane-skull most finely powdered, each ʒ i. of betony plaster ℥ two. Caranna T acamahacca, each ʒ two. Balsam Capive, what will suffice, make a mass, and let it be spread upon leather, make a plaster for the suitors of the Head.  
Let the Temples and Nostrils, be often anointed with Oil of Amber, by itself or mixed with oil Capive.  
Sneezing Powders, and such as purge the head of Rheum, are to be used daily in 
Sternutories or sneezing powders.  the Mornings: Take of white Helleboreʒ i. of Castor, and Euphorbium, each ʒ ss. the leav●…s of sweet Marjorum, and Rue, each ʒ two. make a powder; make a decoction of Sage or Hyssop, with Mustard dissolved in it, with which gargoyle the mouth and throat.  
A Glister may be sometimes used, as need shall require.  
Sometimes the more solid Medicines are ro be moistened with liquids, or they ought to be drunk after them, for which end, distilled waters should be at hand, Julups, Tinctures, or Decoctions; which are endued with a certain Specific Virtne against this Disease.  
Take of Hungarian Vitriol four pound, of the powder of fresh humane-skull, four 
Distilled Water.  ounces, of the root of Paeony sliced, six ounces, let them be bruised together in a mortar, put to them either of Spanish wine, or small white-wine, or wine made of the juce of black-Cherries, a quart; being fermented in a vessel, let it be distilled in a glass retort, in hot sand.  
Take of the shave of box-wood, of Hungarian vitriol, each two pound, of the Missletow of the Oak, or the Common-Misslletow leaves, three handfuls, of Rue two handfuls, being bruised together, put to it of Spanish wine 4 pints: Let them be distilled in a glass Cucurbit with hot sand.  
Take of Common Vitriol six pound, of the root of the male-paeony six ounces, of 
julaps.  the Missletow of the Oak one ounce, of Green-walnuts, viij. ounces, being cut and bruised; let them be distilled in a glass-pot, a glass alembick being placed upon it, in hot sand. Take of this Liquor one pint, of black cherry water, and of the water of the flowers of the toil, or Line-tree, each half a pint, of white-Sugar, ℥ iiii. mix them, and make a Julup, the dose ℥ two. to iii twice or thrice in a day.  
Oxymel of squills, also an hony-decoction with Hyssop, are much praised by the Ancients. Or an Apozem of this kind may be prepared, of which may be taken ℥ iiii. to vi. or viij. twice in a day.  
Take of the roots of male-paeony, Angellica, Imperatoria, Valerian, each ʒ vi. of 
Apozems.  the leaves of Betony, Sage, Lily of the Valley, Pennyroyal, each one handful, of the seeds of R●…e, Nig●…lla, each ʒ iii Paeony, ℥ ss. of Raisins, ℥ iii of Liquoris ℥ ss. being cut and bruised, let them be boiled in vi. pints of Spring-water, to the Consumption of the third part. Towards the end, add of black Cherry-wine; half a pint, or ten ounces, strain and keep it in close Vessels. The dose is from vi. to viij. ounces, twice in a day, after the afore-prescribed Remedies.  
Or the aforesaid Ingredients, excepting the Liquoris, and Raisins, may be boiled in vi. pints of Hydromel, or water and honey, or meath, to the Consumption of the third part: The dose ℥ iiii. to vi.  
If that the aforesaid Method, consisting in the ●…se of Catharticks, and Specificks, being for some time tried, and altogether in vain, you must come to Remedies of another kind, and chiefly to those called Great, or Notable: In this rank are 
Great Remedies.  placed Diaphoreticks, Salivation, Baths, and Spaws.  
Alphonsus Ferrius affirms, that he had cured many Epileptical people, with a decoction of simple Guaicum, being prescribed twice in a day, and taken, to vi. or viij. oun●…s, and its second decoction drunk (as in the cure of the Pox) instead of ordinary drink. If to such a decoction the roots of Paeony and other specificks should be added, perhaps it would be more efficatious. It seems probable, that a Salivation strongly excited from Mercury, and afterwards a sudoriferous or Sweating-Diet following, might certainly cure this Disease. What Baths, or Spaw-waters are able to do, I have not observed, either by my own or others experience. Perhaps I have made trial, that our Artificial Spaws, sometimes have been available in Curing the Epilepsy, to wit, both those impregnated with Iron, and also with Antimony, and taken in a great quantity, for many days.    

CHAPTER IV. Of other kinds of Convulsions, and first of the Convulsive Motions of Children.  
AFter the Epilepsy, as it were the principal Spasm, in the chief place excited, to wit, within the middle part of the brain, the other Kinds of Convulsions come to be treated of in order. The differences of those, are best taken from a twofold kind of cause, and the various manners, and accidents of either. We have already shown, that all Spasmodic distempers, do flow, either from the mere irritation of the spirits or from their explosion, by reason of the cleaving of an Elastic Copula to them, or jointly from both, together: wherefore, the manifold Ideas of Spasms, may be distinguished, and distributed into certain Classes, as it happens for this, or that cause, or either together, to remain in the various places of the Encephalon, or the nervous Appendix. For indeed, the Spasmodic matter, or the explosive Copula of the Spirits, finding a passage chiefly, and most often thorough the Brain, and sometimes in some measure thorough the extremities of the nerves, subsists either about the origine of the nerves, or their middle processes, or their outmost ends, or abounds in their whole passages, as shall be by and by more particularly declared: Further, an irritation stirring up Convulsions by itself, or with a previous remote cause, although it be made every where in the nervous stock, yet it chiefly, and more frequently produces such an effect, about the beginnings, middle processes, and foldings, or ends of the Nerves. But the same Kind of Cause and effects, are after one manner in ●…nfants and children, and another in youths, and those of riper age. Since theresore we have determined, particularly to consider, all the kinds of Convulsions, we will first discourse of the Convulsive motions of Infants, and Children.  
Infants, and children, hap so ordinarily, and frequently to be tormented with Spasmodick Distempers, that this is reckoned the chief, and almost the only Kind of Convulsions; for the Symptoms of this kind, in other more ripe people, are wont to be called by other known Names, and referred to the Epilepsy, hysterick, hypochondriac, Collic passions, or also to the Scurvy: but in children, they are called, as it were by way of Excellency, Convulsions.  
As to this we must observe, that children are found to be greatly obnoxious to Convulsions, chiefly about two seasons, to wit, within the first month after they are born, or about their breeding of Teeth: Although it often happens, that the assaults of this Disease, may come also at other times, and from certain other Causes.  
In the first place therefore, it very often happens, that children newly born, or at leaster'e they are two months old, are afflicted at every turn with Spasms, excited in divers parts; for that inversions of the eyes, distortions of the cheeks, and Lips, or tremble, yea Contractions of the Tendons, and frequent jerkings or leapings forth of the members, and sudden shake of the whole Body, infest them; and that the same effect likewise sometimes afflicts the praecordia, appears plain enough, because whilst the Spasms busy the Limbs, and outward members, also the face becomes now pale, now of a livid, or dead Colour, from the blood stagnating in the heart, and the Lungs being at that time contracted. As therefore, Spasms are wont to infest three Regions of the Body in children, to wit, the parts of the head and face, the outward members and Limbs, and the Praecordia and viscera, we observe now these regions, now those, now, two or all together to be possessed, by the morbific Cause, to wit, as it is fixed, either about the beginnings, or ends of the nerves; and when the former of these happens, as the superior part of the oblong pith, the middle, or the lowest part of the spinal marrow, is touched, one, or more parts together, are assaulted by the Morbific Cause.  
As to the other Causes of this Distemper, to wit, the procataric and evident, those of the former Kind, do chiefly consist in two things, sirst that all the parts o●… the Head in ●…nfants are very weak, and abound with a viscous humidity; to wit, the Brain lesle firm, and the to●…e of the nerves very loose, so that they are not able to bear the more light force of every matter, but the Spirits inhabiting them, are easily incit●…d into irregular motions or Spasms, by the proper liquor, wherewith those parts are watered, if it flows never so little immoderately, or at least more plentifully, than for the measure of so little strength. But in the second place, because it appears by observation, that children, not only, nor all, who are of a more tender Constitution, are found to be prone to this Disease, therefore, this aught to be rather accounted for a reason, of the more remote morbid Cause, that the Blood, and nervous Juce, are originally vicious, in some Infants, by reason of evils coutracted from the womb: For that the sanguineous mass, wanting eventilation for many months past, becomes impure in children newly born; wherefore, broad and Red puttings forth, like the small pocks, show th●…mselves through the whole skin, in most children, soon after they are born; to which sort of wealks, or efflorescences, if they are hindered, or repressed, oftentimes dangerous exulcerations, about the parts of the mouth follow. Hence we may deservedly suspect, such impurities of the blood, sometimes to be poured forth into the brain, and nervous stock, considering their debility, and for that reason Spasmodic Distempers to arise; to wit, whilst the blood being vicious from the womb, endeavours to purify itself, it transfers its faeculencies into the head, which were wont to be exterminated by the putting forth the Red-gum, or r●…d spreadings thorough the skin: Wherefore, a water now thin, and Serous, now thick and ●…ticking, and either participating of preternatural Salts and sulphur's, is laid up within these or those recesses, and Cavities of the Brain, Cerebel, and oblong pith, the recrements of which, when they begirt the beginnings, or ends of this or that nerve, and sometimes many together, affix on the Spirits inhabiting them, ●…eterogeneous particles, and apt for Spasmodic or Convulsive explosions. For as soon as the nerves have deeply imbibed such particles, the spirits being burdened with their Copula, endeavour either of their own accord, or being incited by evident Causes, to thrust, and shake it off; and so they enter into Spasmodic, or Convulsive explosions.  
The evident Causes, which bring on Convulsive motions in children praedisposed, are of two Kinds, viz. In the first place, whatsoever stir up unwonted efservescencies of the blood, whether they be excesses of heat or cold, a too plentiful nourishment, or hotter then should be, the changes of the air, and weather, and chiefly the periodical times of the Moon; for by reason of these, and other the like occasions, the Blood growing more hot than by right it should be, affixes soon●…r to the Spirits an heterogeneous Copula, even to a fullness, and causes it presently to be struck off, and exploded, by them throughly disturbed. 2ly. An Irritation, in almost every part of the nervous System, does not seldom bring into Act, a Spasmodic or Convulsive Disposition: wherefore, not only an excess of tangible qualities, outwardly inflicted, but the milk Coagulated in the stomach, choler, or other sharp humours, or also worms knawing the Intestines, are wont to excite Spasms or Convulsions: Besides, these kind of evident Causes, as they are stronger, sometimes induce Spasmodick Distempers of themselves, and without a praevious Disposition: even so worms, and perchance sharp humours, cause Convulsive motions to some children, at least to the more tender.  
That it might more certainly, and to the sense appear, what kind of morbisic matter might be in Convulsive motions, I have opened the dead bodies of many, which this disease had oppressed: I have always in vain sought the cause, within the Viscera, and first passages of Concoction; In the heads of many, a serous water being heaped up, within the Cavity, under the Cerebel, and distending the Membrane which clothes the oblong pith or marrow, did overflow the beginnings of the nerves: in some, no footsteps of this Disease appeared: so that, what sticking to the Spirits did irritate them into explosions, was of so imperceivable a bulk, and its original so altogether hid, that it could not be found out, die the most perspicatious scrutiny of the sight. Sometime past, in this City, many chilbrens of a certain woman died of this Disease, at length, the fourth, as the others, died within the month; we dissected the Head, and here no serous Colluvies or water did overflow the ventricles, but only the substance of the Brain, and its appendix, was moister than ordinary, and loser; what was most worthy of observation was, that in the Cavity, which lies under the Cerebel, upon the trunk of the oblong pith, we found a remarkable heap of clottered, and as it were concreted blood: but in truth it is uncertain, whether this matter, deposited there from the beginning, had primarily caused the convulsions; or rather, whether this blood being extravasated, and expressed, by the contraction of the parts, planted round about, was not the effect, and product of the Convulsions, and not the cause of them; for also in Apoplectical people this kind of ●…haenomenon ordinarily happens, which yet we shall afterwards show, to be rather the effect, than the cause of the disease.  
Indeed, the heterogeneous Particles, which slow to the blood, from the womb, are wont to be sent away through efflorencies or Cutaneous Pustles in the whole Body, in many children, in others being poured on the he●…d, are the material cause of the Convulsive Distemper, may be inferred, besides the reasons before recited, from the remedies chie●…ly helping: For that in little children obnoxious to this hereditary Disease, the Convulsive sits are best prevented, if that an ●…ssue be made Presently after they are born, in the nape of the neck, and blood drawn with a Leech from the jugular Veins; for the corruptions of the nervous juce, are brought away by that, and the impure buddings of the blood, are diverted from the head by this: by these ways of Administrations, when before two or three children, of the same Parent, have died of Convulsions, soon after they were born, all the rest have been freed from the same evil.  
2ly. Thus much concerning the Convulsive motions of Children, which are wont to infest them, by reason of an Infection contracted from the womb. If that at this bout they should escape the Disease itself, or at least its deadly strokes, nevertheless, about the time of breeding teeth, they would be found at last to be obnoxious, to the same danger: for when the Teeth, especially the greater, are about to cut, oftentimes a fever is excited, to which not seldom Convulsions are Joined: and though at this Time, children are grown stronger, and may better bear the sits of the disease, then when new born, yet the convulsive Distemper, now stirred up by no other grievous occasion, becomes very dangerous, and sometimes deadly.  
But forasmuch as children, who fall into fevers, about the time of breeding of Teeth, are not all tormented with Convulsions, it therefore follows, that some disposition to this disease, either innate, or acquired, doth precede; and that the pain caused from the breeding the Teeth, is to be esteemed only the means of a more strong evident Cause, to wit, Children, who being endued either with a Cacochymia, or juce causing ill digestion, or with a more weak constitution of the brain, and nervous stock, have their animal Spirits too much adulterated, or dissipable, are sometimes disposed for the coming of Convulsive distempers: wherefore, when so acute pain, together with a favour, afflicts, that latent disposition is brought into Act.  
If it be here asked, for what reason a fever, and then Convulsive motions following thereupon, come to those ●…raedisposed, in teething, it may be answered, that either effect may be attributed to the pain, as the immediate Cause: We experimentally know by ourselves, what the torment is, that follows an irritation about the roots of the Teeth; in truth so great, and so cruel, that a more cruel can scarce be; for that one or two notable shoots, of the 5th pare of nerves, reaches to the roots of each Tooth, which when it ss hauled by the sharp particles of the Blood, or other humours, there laid up, causes a most sharp sense of trouble, or pain, by its Corrugation: But this kind of Vellication or hauling of this Nerve, happens thus to children breeding teeth, because that the membranes and fibres, are every way distended, by the Teeth, now increasing into a greater bulk, and as yet included within the scarce hollow gums: hence the blood being hindered in its Circulation, causes a tumour, and so presses the nerves, and also pours on them the more sharp particles of the Serum, by which, being notably pulled or hauled, they are tormented with Corrugations, and painful Spasms.  
Therefore, when so cruel pains happen to children, from their breeding Teeth, it is no wonder if a fever, and also Convulsive motions sometimes follow: the former of these happens, both for as much as the blood being hindered about the pained part, is not circulated with its wont and equal course, wherefore it becomes inordinately moved, in the whole Body; and besides, because Spasms being stirred up somewhere in the nervous stock, the corrugated and contracted nerves, press together, and pull the Arteries, and by that reason, stir up irregular and feavourish sluctuations in the Blood. But sometimes Couvulsions hap in breeding Teeth, both because the blood growing hot, sends forth heterogeneous particles, to the animal government, and so stirs up the spirits into explosions; and besides also, when this acute pain, and as it were a Lancing, follows upon the teeth being about to cut, it communicates a very troublesome and irritative sense, from the affected parts, to the first sensorie, presently from thence, the motion of the rage is retorted, by the same or other neighbour nerves, which by reason of a praevious disposition, doth not rarely become convulsive.  
Besides these two occasions of Convulsions (which are wont to be chiefly, and more often in children) to wit, the times of Infancy, and breeding Teeth, this Distemper also is excited at other Times very often, and for other Causes: For in whom the Seeds of the Spasmodick Disposition is sown, they sometimes unfold themselves presently after the birth, and are ripened into morbid fruit; or else lying hid for a while, they now come before the breeding of Teeth, and follow a long time aster it; and by reason of other evident causes, to wit, either external, or Internal; of which sort are a sickly, or breeding nurse, milk Coagulated in the stomach, or degenerating into an acid or bitter putrifection, a feavourish distemperature of the head, Ulcers or wealks of other parts suddenly vanishing, the Changes of the air, the Conjunctions, oppositions, and aspects of the Sun, and moon, and such like; they at length break forth into Act, from an uncertain event. Concerning these, there is no need, that we should particularly discourse.  
When all the Children, of a man dwelling in the neighbourhood, died of Convulsions, within the space of three months, at length, to prevent that fatal event, they sought for remedies, for a child newly born: I being sent for, a few days aster the being brought to bed, sirst advised the making an Issue in the nape of the neck, ●…hen, that the next day after, a leech being applied to the jugular vein of each side, two ounces of blood should be taken away: besides, that about every conjunction, or opposite aspect of the Sun, and moon, about five grains of the following powder should be given, in a spoonful of Julap, for three days, morning and evening. Take of human Skull prepared, of the root of the male paeony, each ʒ i. of the powder of Pearls ʒ ss. of white sugar ʒ i mingle them, and make a very fine powder: Take of the waters of Black Cherries ℥ iii of the antiepileptic of Langius ℥ i of the Syrup of the flowers of the male paeony ʒ vi. mingle them; also I ordered that the nurse at the same times, should take a draught of whey, or posset drink, in which were boiled, the seeds and roots of the male paeony, and the leaves of the Lily of the Valley, the Infant for about four months was well, but then began to be troubled with Convulsions: at which time, the same Remedies being administered both to the child, and to the nurse, in a larger dose, vesicatories also were applied behind the ears, and blood was taken by the sucking of a Leech, from the jugular veins: within two or three days the child grew well: afterwards, whenever within four or five months the Convulsions returned, it was cured again, by the use of the same Remedies. After half a year, the Convulsive motions wholly ceased, but a painful Tumour arose, about the lower part of the Spinae dorsi or backbone, from which proceeded a certain distortion of the Vertebrae, or joints of the back bone, and a weakness of the legs, and at length a Palsy. It seems in this case, that the Spasmodic or Convulsive matter, being wont to come upon the brain first, and beginnings of the nerves, entering at last the Spinal marrow, and being thrust out at its further end, it wholly stopped up the heads of the appending nerves, and shut out the passage of the Spirits: to wit, because other narcotick, and more thick, had joined themselves, to the explosive particles.  

The Curatory Method against the Convulsive Distempers in Children.  
IT is to be end●…avour'd either to prevent the Convulsive passions, threatening Children and Infants, or to cure them being already begun.  
For if the former children of the same parent, were obnoxious or liable to Convulsions, that evil aught to be prevented timely, by the use of Remedies to 
The Preserv●…tion of Infants from Convulsions.  those born after: It is usual for this end, to put into the mouth of the child newly born, some antispasmodick Remedy, assoon as it begins to breath: from hence some are wont to give them some drops of the purest honey, others a Spoonful of Canary sweetened with Sugar, and some again oil of Sweet Almonds fresh drawn, to some may be given half a Spoonsull of epileptic water, or one drop of oil of Amber.  
Besides these first things given to Infants, which certainly seem to be of some moment, certain other Remedi●…s and means of Administrations, aught to be used: to wit, let one spoonsull of Liquor, proper to this distemper, be drunk twice a day: as for example; Take of the water of black Cherry and of Rue each ℥ i ss. of the Antiepileptic of Langius ℥ i of the Syrup of Coral ʒ vi. of prepared Pearl gr. xv. mix them in a Viol. On the third or fourth day after the birth, let an Issue be made in the nape of the neck, then if it be of a fresh Countenance, let a little blood to about ℥ i ss. or two. ounces be taken, by the sucking of Leeches, from the jugular veins, having a ca●…e lest the blood should flow out too plentifully in its sleep; let the temples, and the hinder part of the neck, be gently rubbed with such a like ointment. Take of oil of nutmegs by expression ʒ two. of Capive ʒiii. of Amber ℈ i Let an Amulet be hung about the neck, of the roots and seeds of the greater paeony, a little of the hoof of an Elk being added to it.  
Moreover antispasmodick Remedies, should be daily given to the Nurse: Let her take morning and evening, a draught of whey or posset-drink, in which the 
The Method of Curing to be used to th●… Nurses.  roots and seeds of the male paeony, and sweet fennel seeds are boiled. Take of the Conserve of the flowers of Betony, of the male paeony, and of Rosemary each ℥ two. of the powder of the Root, and flowers of the male paeony, each ʒ two. of red Coral prepared, and of the whitest amber each ʒ i. of the roots of Angelica, and Zedoary prepared, each ʒ ss. with what will suffice of the Syrup of paeony, make an Electuary: let her take morning and evening, the quantity of a Nutmeg.  
Take of the powder of the root of Male-Paeonyʒ two. the seeds of the same ʒ i make a powder, of the whitest Sugar ℥ iii dissolved in the water of the flowers of the Line-tree, and boiled to tablets, of the oil of Amber ℈ i make tablets according to Art, each weighing ʒ ss. let her eat one every sixth hour. Also let her keep to an exact diet.  
If any Infant be actually afflicted with Convulsions, because that an Issue operates little, and slowly, it will be expedient to apply blistering plasters, to the 
The Cure of Infants sick with Convul●…ons.  nape of the neck, and behind the ears, and unless a more cold temperament should gainsay it, let blood be drawn with Leeches, from the veins: Let Liniments be used about the Temples, Nostrils, and hinder part of the neck, and plasters also laid to the bottoms of the feet; Clysters that may keep down the belly, should be daily administered: besides let specific Remedies be inwardly taken, often in a day, to wit, every sixth or eighth hour.  
Take of the oil Capive, of Castor each ʒ two. of Amberʒ ss. make a Lineament.  
Take of the plaster of Oxycrocia two parts, of dissolved Galbanum one part, of 
Ointments.  oil of Amber ℈ i make a plaster for the soles of the feet. Let there be given of the powder of Ammoniacum, according to the description of Reverius, twice or four times in a day.  
Take of human skull prepared, of the seeds of Paeony, of an Elks claw, of Pearls prepared, each ʒ ss. of Amber greese, gr. vi. make a powder; the dose vi. grains, 
Powders.  in a spoonful the Liquor hereafter described, three or four times a day.  
Or Take of human Skull prepared, of pearls each ʒss. of the Salt of Amber ℈ i of the Sugar of Pearleʒ i the dose ℈ ss.  
Or Take of the Spirit of hartshorn three drops, let it be given every sixth or 8th hour, in a spoonful of the Julap below prescribed.  
To the children of the poor, may be administered the powder of the Roots of wild Valerian ℈ ss. to ℈ i let it be given twice a day, in a spoonful of milk, or appropriate Liquor.  
Untzerus greatly commends the Gall of a sucking whelp, to wit, that the whole juice of the gallie-Bag being taken forth, be given to the child to drink, with a little of the water of the flowers of the Tile, or Line-tree.  
A learned Physician lately told me, that he had Known many Cured with this Remedy: Besides, Empirics are wont to cause the bigger childre●…, after they have drank the gall, to eat also the Liver of the whelp broiled.  
julaps, distilled waters, and other appropriate Liquors, may be prepared, after 
Liquors.  the following prescripts.  
Take of black-Cherry water, ℥ iii of the Antiepileptical water of Langius, ℥ i of perlate sugar, ʒ two. mix them.  
Take of the green Roots of the male paeony cut into little pieces ℥ vi. of Hungarian Vitriol ℥ viij. of human skull ℥ two, of the Antiepileptic water of Langius half a pint, mix them, and let them be distilled in a glass retort, in hot sand, the dose i. spoonful, to two.  
Take of the fresh roots of the male paeony cut, ℥ iiii. being bruised in a Marble mortar, pour to them of Spanish-wine, lib. i make a strong expression, add of manus Christi pearled, ℥ ss. let it be kept in a close glass. The dose i. Spoonful, or two. twice in a day.  
When Convulsive motions happen by Reason of the difficulty of breeding 
Convulsions byrcason of br●…ding of Teeth.  Teeth, this Symptom as it is secondary and lesle dangerous, so the Cure, does not always require the first or chief labour of healing, but sometimes we are rather careful to remove it, by allaying the pain, and the feavourish Distemper, wherefore both the patient, and the nurse, oughr to use a slender, and refrigerating Diet; the Teeth being about to break thorough the Gums, their passage should be made easy, by rubbing or cutting them; and also Anodynes should be applied to those swelled, and grieved parts: Clysters and taking away blood are often used: it behoves to cause sleep, and to attemper the feircenefs of the blood: some times antispasmodick Remedies are made use of, but the more temperate, and such as do not trouble the blood, and humours, Vesicatories, or Blistering plasters, because they aptly evacuate the serum, too much poured forth on the Head, oftentimes bring help.  
When Children are troubled with Convulsions, not presently after they are 
Spasms or Convulsions caused from other occasions.  born, nor by reason of the cutting of their Teeth, but for other occasions, and accidents; the cause of such a Distemper, for the most part subsists, either in the head, or somewhere about the Viscera of Concoction. When the former is suspected, as it is wont to be manifested by signs which argue a Serous Colluvies, too much heaped up within the Head, the former Remedies, already recited, aught to be given, in a larger dose; besides, in those, who are able to bear purging, sometimes a Vomit, or a light purge is prescribed: Wine, and Oxymel of squills, also Mercurius Dulcis, Rhubarb, and Resin of Jalap, are of approved use.  
As often as the Cause of the Convulsive Distemper seems to be in the Viscera, either Worms, or sharp humours, stirring up the torments of the Belly, are understood to be in fault.  
Against Worms, a purge of Rhubarb, or Mercurius Dulcis, the Resin of Jalap being added, is ordained: sometime past, a Child being miserably afflicted with 
By reason of worms.  Convulsions, that he seemed to be just dying, I gave him a dose of Mercurius Dulcis, with Resine of jalap; with his stools, which were four, he voided xii. worms, and presently grew well.  
Take of the root of Verginian Snake-weed, in powder ʒ i. of Coral Calcined to a whitenessʒ ss. a powder ʒ i. the dose from half a scruple, to one scruple, twice in a day, continued for three days, drinking after it a decoction of Grass-roots. Take of the species of Hieraʒ i ss. of Venice-Treacleʒ two. make a plaster for the bottom of the belly, or apply to the Navel, a plaster of Galbanum.  
If the Convulsive motions are suspected to proceed from an irritation of the ventricle, and intestines, made by sharp humours, a gentle purging, either by vomit, or stool, or both successively aught to be instituted. For this end, let them drink, a gentle Emetic, of wine of squills, or salt of vitriol; when even the sick are troubled with a striving to Vomit of their own accord: but if the other Evacuation, or downwards shall seem better to be tried, they ought to take an Infusion of R●…ubarb, or the powder, and Syrup of succory with Rhubarb, or of Roses with agaric and very often by these Remedies, timely applied, I have seen the Convulsive Distempers in Children to be cured: besides in this Case, Clysters are frequently used: but external Medicines are not to be omitted; to wit, somentations, ointments, plasters applied to the Belly.  
Take of the flowers of Cammomel cut very small, two. handfuls, let them be put into two little bags, made of fine Linen, or Silk, which being dipped in warm Milk, and wrung out may be applied successively to the abdomen, or lower region of the belly.  
Take of the tops or flowers of Mallows, in like manner but small, let them be fried in fresh butter, or hog's Lard, and in the form of a Lineament, or a Cataplasm, applied to the Belly.    

CHAPTER V. Of Convulsive Diseases, of Ripe Age, arising chiefly by reason of the Nervous origine being affected.  
ALthough Convulsive Distempers, which hap to those of riper years, being known by other Names, also are commonly reputed of some other stock, and are wont to be referred to the passions called Hysterical, Hypochondriacal, or Colical, or to the Scorbute; yet if the matter be a little better considered, it will easily appear, that some Convulsive Symptoms, both in Men and Women, do come from the Brain, which Convulsions properly and truly challenge to themselves the ●…ame: But these (as we have already mentioned) may be distinguished after a various manner, by the manifold seat of the morbific Cause, but chiefly into these three kinds, viz. Into Spasms or Convulsions stirred up, by reason of the origine of the Nerves being chiefly affected; into others being stirred up, by reason 
Three kinds of Convulsions happening to those of riper years.  of the extremities or ends of the Nerves, being possessed by the morbific matter; and lastly into such, from whose head the morbisic matter descending, fills the whole passages, or the most part, of some certain Nerves, or of all together.  
Therefore, that we may proceed, to unfold the Convulsions, arising from the beginnings of the Nerves being affected, take notice here, that the morbific 
Distempers arising from the Nervous origine distinguished.  matter beseiging ●…he beginnings of the Nerves, doth sometimes chiefly flow into the first pair of Nerves, to wit, which respect the Muscles of the eyes and face, and from then●…e the contractions, and tremble, now of the Nose, Cheeks, or Lips, now of the Eyes, or the distortions of the mouth, follow. Secondly, sometimes the wand'ring and intercostal pair do chiefly imbibe the Heterogeneous particles; 
1 Acc●…rding to the va●…ious Nerves being affected.  and th●…n inflations, or Contractions of the Abdomen, and Hypochondria, and also the palpitation of the Heart, trembling, difficult and interrupted breathing, an intermitting pulse, and other Symptoms of the middle, and lower Belly, do very much infest. Thirdly, but sometimes the morbific Cause being placed lower, affects chiefly the spinal marrow, and therefore the outward members, and limbs, are rendered obnoxious to inordinate leapings forth, and contra●…tions: Further, in very many Cases of this nature, because the Animal spirits being explosed about the origine of the Nerves, do inordinately leap back towards the Enc●…lon; for that reason, to all Convulsions almost being excited by this means, the Vertigo, also the scotomy or giddiness, the tingling of the ears, and sometimes the amazed Insensibility or falling down of the Spirits, are joined, or follow.  
But as we may Conjecture, from the various figures of the Convulsive distemper, it seems, that the Convulsive matter hauling those, or these nerves, or many 
2. According to the Various places of the same Nerves being affected.  of them together, is lodged either about their beginnings, only, so that the Spir●…ts in that place being often explosed, a freque●…t and very troublesome Vertigo arises, besides tremble, and a short faintness about the Praecordia, swoonings, and often leapings, and light contractions in the Viscera, or muscles are felt. Or Secondly, the explosive particles being dilated to the beginnings of the nerves, enter more deeply into their processes, and not seldom being slidden down into the nervous soldings, belonging to the Praecordia, or the Viscera of the lower belly, or also to the exterior members, procure there, other as it were nests of Convulsive distempers, that as often as the Spirits about the nervous origine, are driven into explosions, presently, sits as it were hysterical, asthmatical, or otherways Convulsive, arise in the Abdomen, Thorax, or Limbs: Examples of these, and by what means they are made, shall be anon more clearly delivered: In the mean time, the spasmodic matter, flowing into the pipes of the Nerv●…s, when it is transferred even to ●…heir processes and remote enfoldings, yet, forasmuch as it hath still its chief mine about the nervous original, therefore after very grievous Convulsions of the Viscera or members, a great perturbation of the Brain sollows thereupon, with a tingling of the ears, a vertigo, and often an Insensibility or amazed excurtion of Spirits: but sometimes the morbific matter, as to the greatest part, being translated to the farthest ends of the nerves, from thence they become free or clear about their beginnings: For I have observed many, who, whilst at the beginning, they were in●…sted with the vertigo, often fainting away with fear, headache, and heaviness about the hinder part of the head, to have felt about the Praecordi●… or viscera, only light inflations, or tremble; but afterwards, su●…ering more cruel Convulsions about these parts, they did not complain of the former distempers of the Head.  
If it should be further demanded, concerning the Convulsive matter, from 
Py what ma●… the convuls●… matter ●…ows int●… the 〈◊〉.  what place it should be brought, and by what ways carried towards the beginnings of the Nerves, and what kind of Settlement, and as it were cherishing nests it there obtains; we say, that although we cannot detect the footsteps, and manifest passages of this matter, yet so much may be collected from certain observations, and the analogy of things, it may be supposed there are these two distinct manner of passages, whereby the Convulsive particles, being first poured out into the ●…rain and Cerebel, from the blood, are from thence carried towards the beginnings of the Nerves: viz. First sometimes this matter being imbibed by the Brain and Cerebel, and by degrees passing thorough, the pores of either, slides into the Trunk of the oblong marrow, whose tract being also overcome by it, together with the nervous juice, it slides forward towards the original of the Nerves, and is heaped up near their heads, or within the medullarie trunk itself, or within the annularie Prominencies, in which places, either a long while subsisting, it stirs up frequent Vertigocs, and more light Convulsions, in remote parts as hath been said; or being slidden from thence, more deeply into the passages of the nerves, excites fits of Convulsions very Cruel: such a progress of the morbific Cause, we suspect in whom the Vertigo, swooning, heaviness of the head, and torpor of the mind, go before the Convulsive assalts: Indeed, the matter of the disease, abounding as yet in the brain and marrowy Appendix, produces these kinds of previous distempers; which being slidden from thence, into the Nerves, caus●…s Convulsions.  
2dly, There is yet another way, whereby it plainly appears, that the material cause o●… the Convulsive Distemper, is transferred, to the beginnings of the Nerves; to wit, when the same being deposited by the serous water within the Cavities, or ventricles of the Head, it is insinuated into the Neighbouring roots of the Nerves: For in Chronical Diseases, when the remarkable dyscrasy of the blood and humours, happens also to be accompanied with a praved disposition of the brain, oftentimes a great plenty of sharp serum, infesting the Nervous stock, dropping forth from the Vessels of the Choroeidan, or retiform ensoldings, slides into the ventricles of the brain, and its Appendix: But this serous water, afterwards breaking thorough the under-spreading of the Cerebell, into the fourth ventricle, the little skin there being displaced, whereby the oblong marrow is uncovered, it falls upon the beginnings of one or more of the Nerves, and either by irritating, or imbuing them, with Heterogeneous and explosive particles, induces the Convulsive disposition. And this for the most part is the cause, that sick people, after long and ill handled Fevers, also after the more grievous Cephalic Diseases, at length dye of Convulsions; as I have found, by the frequent Anatomy of the Carcases, of those who died by that means. Also it appears by anatomical Observation, that the brain may be overflowed by a certain serous water, without the distemper of the Convulsive disposition; and further that in some, who died of the Epilepsy, and other Convulsive diseases, there was no deluge of the serum, within the ventricles of the brain: By which it is given us to be understood, that the Convulsive distempers, do not flow only from the watery matter in the Head; but that they arise not at all from such a cause, unless the serous water, overflowing the ventricles of the Brain, and chiefly that underlaying of the Cerebel, be imbued with heterogeneous and explosive particles. I remember once, my Council to be asked for a young man labouring with an Egregious Phtisis, and at that time truly desperate, be●…ides a cough, and shortness of Breath, he had grievously complained for many days, yea weeks, that he could not lie upon his back in his Bed, or whilst he sat in a chair, he could not lean his head backwards: for that by this, or that posture of his Body, he was wont presently to suffer tremble of his heart, and a fainting of the Spirits, as if he were just about to dye: wherefore of necessity he was fain to hold his head upright, or leaning forward. After he was dead, his carcase being dissected, his Lungs appeared all over tumified, and in some places Ulcerated: then his Skull being opened, there flowed within all the Ventricles of the brain, a great quantity of yellow and salt Serum: which water certainly whilst it did slide forward upon the fourth Ventricle, about the Trunk of the oblong marrow, his head leaning back, rushing upon the heads of the wand'ring, and intercostal pair of nerves, did stir up the aforesaid Convulsions about the Praecordia: but so long as his head was inclined forward, that the heap of serum flowed back into the anterior Ventricles of the Brain, the origine of the nerves remained free from that Convulsive matter.  
Having hitherto shown, how many ways, and by what passages, the morbific matter, being dilated towards the origine of the Nerves, seems to bring on Convulsions, it were easy, according to these reasons, to unfold many Convulsive Symptoms: for besides the Convulsive motions of Infants, and children, oftentimes excited from the same kind of Causes, hither may be referred the Contractions, and sudden leapings forth of the nervous parts, which follow upon fevers. As also those passions commonly called Hysterical, also hypocondriacal, and certain others, proceed not seldom from the morbific Cause, rushing upon the beginnings of the Nerves. We will therefore endeavour to establish the truth of this Hypothesis by some other Histories, and examples, of Sick people; but in the first place, we will propose observations of that Kind, in whom the morbific matter, settling upon the beginnings of the nerves, and not being as yet slid deeply into their processes, induced frequent vertigos, and only more light Convulsions, of the Viscera and Praecordia.  
A noble woman about 30. years of Age, of a tender Constitution, and lean in Body, was wont every winter to be grievously afflicted with a Catarrh or Rheum, 
1. Observation.  flowing upon the wind pipe, and Lungs, with a hoarse Cough, and great spitting, but the last year, great care and diligence being used, she avoided that evil. But after the winter Solstice, having taken cold, she was troubled with an huge pain of the head, a tingling of the ears, a giddiness, with a great defluxion upon the eyes, that it easily appeared, that the heap of Serum, which before this time was wont to distil into the Breast, was now wholly laid up, within the head and Brain: besides, an effect of which was, that as often as she began to sleep, she was greatly infested with passions, as it were histerical, to which she had never been before obnoxious: For when ever being sleepy she closed her eyes, presently a bulk ascending in her bell●…, a choking in her throat, tremble, and leapings about the Praecordia, were stirred up; which Affections notwithstanding quite ceased, when she was thoroughly awakened, so that the Sick party was necessitated, to abstain almost altogether for many days and nights from sleep.  
Being sent for to this Lady, after she had been sick and weak for many days, I was compelled at length to use gentle medicines: Therefore I took care, that blood should forthwith be drawn from the foot, to four ounces, and every day a Clyster of milk and sugar to be administered, by which she was wont to have three or four stools: besides I gave her every eighth hour a dose of the Spirits of Heart's horn in a Spoonful of the following Julap. Take of the water of pennyroyal, of walnuts, and black Cherries each ℥ iii of Histerical water, ℥ two. of the Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers ℥ i ss. of Caster tied in a little knot, and hanged in the middle of the glass ʒss. of the powder of Pearls ℈ i mingle it. I Caused with success, a vesicatory to be put behind the ears, and a Cataplasm, of the leaves of Rue and Cuccowpint, with the Roots of Bryony, bay salt, and black soap, to be laid to the sols of her feet. Sometimes I gave her in the evening, in a little draught of the prescribed Julap, half an ounce of Diacodium, to which succeeded a moderate sleep, without the wont Convulsions following: which kind of effects, from opiates exhibited in the like case, I have often experimented: for the quenching her thirst, I gave her a Ptisan, with diuretic Ingredients boiled in it: by the use of these, she was very much eased, in a short time. But what proved a great benefit to her was, that an Imposthnme in her ear, breaking of its own accord, poured forth, at first a yellow matter, and afterwards for many days, a great plenty of thin Ichor or Excrement, by which Evacuation, the Convulsions of the Visecra and Praecordia wholly ceasing, the disease was perfectly Cured.  
As to the Reason of the aforesaid sickness, without doubt it seems, that those Distempers were excited, by the serous colluvies, laid ●…p within the Bounds of the Head: for the translation of that humour into the head, brought at sirst both the Disease, and the Secretion or flowing of it out, thorough the Emunctuaries of the ear, took away all the Symptoms: Besides, when the morbific matter had brought in to the Spirits, planted about the beginnings of the nerves, a Disposition somewhat explosive, they, though being struck as it were with madness, they were continually troubled, yet so long as leaping back towards the Brain, they obtained a space, in which they might be more freely expanded or stretched forth, they did indeed only more vehemently exercise the Fantasy, and without farther trouble did only cause watchings. But, when by sleep sometimes Creeping upon her,, the excursion of the unquiet Spirits were restrained towards the Brain, (which indeed necessarily happens, when we sleep, the nervous Liquor within the pores of the brain, at that time being more plentifully admitted) they tumultuarily rushing upon the heads of the wand'ring pair, and intercostal Nerves, troubled the whole scries of Spirits, flowing within the passages of those Nerves, and so caused the aforesaid Convulsions, about the Praecordia, Viscera, and muscles of the Throat. I have known many both Men and women sick after this manner, who, when they have been troubled with an headache, an heaviness of the hinder part of the head, or a Vertigo, have while they slept, felt forthwith in their Praecordia, or Viscera, or in both together, perturbations as it were Convulsive; which indeed happens from the bending downward of the tumultuating Spirits, being reflected from the brain, upon the beginnings of the Nerves: But that the use of opiates, brought a pleasing sleep to this sick person, without the wont Convulsions following, the reason was, because the animal spirits, as unquiet and furious as they were, yet by the Intanglement of the narcotick Particles, they were bound as it were in chains, that afterwards, without any resistance they were overcome by sleep. I have indeed very often happily cured, most grievous fits of Convulsions, both Asthmatical, and as it were hysterical, by administering Opiatcs.  
An honest woman M. G. of 67. years of Age, yet of a florid countenance, and 
2. O●…servation.  fat in body, when she had been a while obnoxious at first to a swelling of the face, and very grievous fits of the headache, she fell through the great cold of the winter, into a very troublesome Vertigo, with a trembling of the heart, a fainting away of the Spirits, and a frequent striving to vomit: being laid in her bed, if she opened her eyes, or turned her from one side to another, she was presently troubled with a notable gididness, or swimming in the head, with swooning, and effectless vomiting. Visiting this woman, I doubted not, but that the cause of her sickness was, the Convulsive matter, being translated from the exterior region of the head, to the most inward recesses of the Encephalon, by whose inspiration or heterogeneous Copula, the animal spirits being, touched while they leapt forth inordinately towards the brain, they excited the vertiginous Distemper, and while they rushed tnmultuarily upon the heads of the nerves, the scotomy, disorder of the Praecordia, and endeavouring to vomit. A large Vesicatory or blistering Plaster, being applied to the nape of the neck, and behind her ears, Clysters daily administered, also the use of Spirits of hartshorn frequently, and of a Cephalick Julap, cured her within a few days.  
A noted man, about 34. years of Age, when he had been for a long time subject 
3 Observation.  to a Cough, with great and thick spitting, besides having the pores of his skin very open, he was wout to sweated continually, and every night to be wet with it: about the beginning of the spring, he perceived those usual evacuations to happen more sparingly; in the mean time, he Complained of a fullness of his hands and feet, and as it were a certain swelling or pu●…ing up, so that he feared a dropsy was coming upon him; beside he was troubled in his head with a giddiness, and frequent Vertigo: A little while after, this evil increasing, light contractions, and sudden Convulsions, were ordinarily excited, about his Lips, and other parts of the mouth and face; also presently after (the morbific matter as i●… should seem, flowing upon the beginnings of the wand'ring pair and intercostal nerves) he was afflicted with the trembling, and leaping of the heart, with frequent fainting away of the vital spirits, as if a Leipothymy or swooning was falling upon him.  
I know that very many ascribe these Convulsive passions, so grievously infesting the Praecordia, to the vapours rising from the spleen: but it seems much more reasonable, to deduce them from the Convulsive matter laid up within the brain, and rushing upon the beginnings of the Nerves; because a shifting or translation of some excrements, from some other parts, to the head goes before, and that it is so laid up, within the compass or bounds of the Encephalon, the almost continual vertiginous distemper, and the Convulsions of the parts of the mouth, and face, testify it plainly: wherefore I thought good to prescribe to this man, Remedies, according to the method hereafter shown.  
I might be able here to propose many observations of this nature, in whom the morbific matter, subsisting near the beginnings of the nerves, stir up light Spasms or Convulsions, only of the Viscera or members, with a Vertigo. But because a portion of this matter, descending from the head, enters more deeply the pipes of the Nerves, and so strews the tinder or enkindling of explosive seed, as it were gunpowder, about their middle and ultimate processes and enfoldings, it will be to the purpose, to add some examples of this kind.  
A certain young maid E. L. tall and handsome, sprung from sound parents, and herself (as far as might be Perceived) originally healthful, after she had served a 
4 Observation.  master long sick, being a long time and almost continually with him, and was forced to watch whole nights very often, and also at other times, so that she never slept but short and interrupted naps; she at length begun to complain of an heaviness in her head, and a frequent Vertigo: within a little time after, the distemper growing worse, she felt tremble in her whole body, with a light shaking of her members, which came at certain times, though wand'ring and uncertain: afterwards she suffered fits plainly Convulsive, and those horrid, and often ●…nfesting: a little before the approach of the disease, she was afflicted with a short scotomy, or swimming in her head, by and by she felt a straightness, and great oppression of her Breast, whereby all her Praecordia were drawn together: then presently gnashing her teeth, and giving a great groan, she was wont to fall to the ground; in the mean time, she was sensible, but labouring with the great oppression of her heart, till that constriction of her breast was loosened, she was not able by any means to rise: afterwards, when the fit was past, she was disturbed a good while, with a great palpitation of the Heart, an heaviness of the senses, and a great debility of the animal function. After that this Sick maid had lived subject to these kind of fits, being very often repeated, for about 14. months, she at last became Epileptical, that as often as the assault of the evil returned, being flung prostrate on the Earth, she was taken with the insensibility or amazedness of Spirits, with the foaming at mouth, and other peculiar symptoms of the falling-sickness. Neither did this distemper stay here, but ere the space of a year was elapsed, it degenerated into madness, that at last, the sick maid, having lost the use of her Reason, grew sometimes mad with fury, and sometimes was plainly stupid and soolish.  
〈◊〉 is plain, from the beginning, progress, and often metamorphosis of this Disease, that it at first, had its cause, and seat in the head, near the beginning of the nerves, 
The reason of the aforesaid Case.  and from thence, did daily unfold more largely its bounds, both into the brain, and into the nervous System; for from the beginning, the morbific matter, consisting near the beginnings of the nerves, Caused only lighter Spasms or Convulsions, of the Viscera and members, and shake, with the Vertigo; afterwards, a portion of it being slidden into the pneumonic nerves, and their foldings, produced most grievous Convulsions of the Praecordia, Diaphragma, and Ventricle; and also another portion of the same matter invading the Brain, and its marrow, caused the Insensibility or amazedness, and so the fits of the Falling-sickness; and at length, the texture of the spirits being wholly vitiated, and their Latex being degenerated into a most sharp, and as it were Stygian Liquor, the convulsive distempers passed into madness.  
Therefore, as to the particular reasons, both of the disease, and symptoms, it seems, that the aforesaid Virgin, by her sedentary Life, (she being deprived altogether of the exercise of the body, and the use of a more free Air,) but chiefly by her nightly watchings, and being frequently interrupted of her sleep, she had contracted a vicious disposition of the blood, and humours, and also a praved and weak constitution of the brain, and Nervous stock (to which may be added, that she did perpetually attend on a master, sick of most grievous distempers of Convulsions, and by that means, had received perchance some contagion, or convulsive Infection: And first of all indeed, the Heterogeneous particles being poured forth, together with the nervous juce, into the brain and Cerebel, and there cleaving to the spirits, as it were skirmished with the preliminarie scotomy, and vertigenous distemper; then the convulsive matter, settling upon the beginnings of the wand'ring pair and intercostal Nerves, and the spinal marrow, brought in, with the Vertigo, the leaping of the Viscera and Muscles, and their lighter shake: Afterwards, when entering more deeply the pipes of the Nerves, it was carried into the Cervicall, and Cardiac, and perhaps intercostal, and other unfoldings, and embued the spirits, performing the office of respiration, and the pulse, with an explosive Copula; they being brought into explosions at every turn, together with their superiors, inhabiting the nervous origine, by reason of fullness, or because of irritation, excited most horrid Convulsions of the respective parts: But the fit growing strong, from the pneumonic or breathing Nerves being strictly bound, the sudden inordinate systole of the Thorax, was stirred up; then presently, the Diaphragma being suddenly, and vehemently drawn back, the obstreperous ejulation did succeed: Further, when by reason of the systole of the Thorax, being sometime continued, the blood being hindered, that it could not move, it stagnated altogether in the praecordia, therefore, during the fit, that great oppression of the heart, with want of speech and motion aff●…icted the sick maid: But in the mean time, while as yet the region of the brain remained free, and clear from the explosions of the spirits, the sick party remained in her senses, or memory: but afterwards when the Convulsive matter being daily increased, it was unfolded in the middle or marrowy parts, of the debilitated and broken brain, to the former passions, about the praecordia, came also the Insensibility and amazedness of spirits, than the Epilepsy, and lastly madness, for the reasons before recited. Many medicines, and of various kinds, being prescribed to this sick maid, by many, both Physicians and Empirics, but confusedly, and with an uncertain method, being presently changed, did her no good.  
A certain fair woman, well coloured, and well fleshed, from a settled grief, fell 
5. Obs●…rvation  into a sickly disposition; about noon, and the evening, for the most part she was pretty well, but in the morning, when she had slept enough, and often indulged it too much, till she became very somnolent and heavy: being thoroughly awakened, presently she was wont to complain of a heaviness, and as it were a stupidness, in her whole head, with a Vertigo at every motion, or stirring about of her head; a little after she constantly expected a convulsive fit, or the insensible amazedness of the spirits, and sometimes this, sometimes that, was wont to infest her: for that after the Vertigo, as it were a praevious velitation, for the most part, she felt in her ventricle, and left side, an heavy or weighty pain running up and down here and there; hence belching, a striving to vomit, eruptions of blasts, also wondersull distentions of the abdomen, and hypochondria, did follow, and sometimes for many hours, did miserably Exercise this woman; but sometimes these Symptoms happened to be wanting, and then the distemper more cruelly afflicted her brain: for falling into frequent insensible fits, she was wont to continue a great while immovable, and with her eyes shut, without sense or understanding; and when her servants had moved her, by rubbings, and with the fume of Tobacco, she came by and by to herself, but presently again she fell into the like insensibility, and so for four or five times, before she could perfectly recover herself, and be without expecting to fall into these fits again: At length the Tragedy being acted, she remained however affected with an heaviness, and torpor of her head, in some measure: but about noon, all the clouds being discussed, she was wont to obtain a fair, and serene disposition of her whole head, until the next morning, the same Symptoms would return again.  
Who shall rightly weigh these Symptoms, need not suppose them vapours, arising from the womb, or spleen, and in those seek for the morbific cause in vain: which truly may more certainly be placed in the head itself: for it seems, that by reason of a great sadness (which happens often to women) at the beginning, a great debility, together with a vicious taint, was impressed on her brain; so indeed that the animal spirits derived to the brain and Cerebell, brought with them, heterogeneous particles, of a mixed kind, viz. Partly narcotick or stupifying, and partly explosive or rushing forth: which kind of Copula, when they had more plentifully conceived, through sleep, they were stirred up to the shaking of it of, by mere fullness: as soon therefore, as the woman was awakened, the same spirits, being moved, either a ben●…ing downward being made below, they were depressed upon the beginnings of the Nerves, and there being explosed, they excited Convulsions of the viscera; or leaping back towards the middle of the brain, and being there struck off, they brought in those frequent and terrible Insensibilities. In truth, this distemper was somewhat akin to the Epilepsy, but that the morbific matter was not as yet stayed within the regal palace of the brain, or its middle part, so that there it might infect the spirits, within their Fountains; but yet, the same heterogeneous Copula, did cleave more strictly to them, dissociated or disjoined below, and dividing themselves into various and lesser rivulets, according to the beginnings of the Nerves. In the mean time, the spirits, whereby they might shake off that matter, being often explosed, caused the stupor, and Insensibility, but bending to some other place, they rushed upon the beginnings of the Nerves, for that reason caused those Spasms or Convulsions of the viscera: But that the fits come only in the morning, after a plentiful sleep, the reason was because the heterogeneous Copula of the spirits, coming to them with the Nervous juce, was at that time gathered together to a fit fullness for explosions, which being then wholly shaken off, the sick person remained therefore all the rest of the day, free from the distemper, till the next day, when the night's sleep had brought to the head, a new supplement of morbific matter, the like fit returned in the morning; which perhaps, as the sleep had been shorter or longer, was moved now within the brain, now near the nervous origine.  
But it may be observed, that Convulsions have arisen, from the nervous origine, 
An Obser●…on of a distemper as it were hysterical in a man.  being chiefly affected, not only in the female sex, as the weaker and more liable, but sometimes, these kinds of distempers have been excited in men, from the like procatartic cause. Some years since, being hastily sent for from a stranger, who lodged in this City, at first sight, I suspected that he was possessed, and believed that he had more need of Exorcisms, than of Medicines. He was about Forty years old, who had now for about three years, at certain set times of the year, been wont to be troubled with convulsive Motions; whilst he by chance lodged here, for a few days about his occasions, by reason of a great sadness, he had a fit of his sickness greater than usual: He was wont for two or three days beforehand, to feel the coming of his disease; to wit, from a great commotion within the forepart of the head, almost a continual Vertigo, and frequent dimness of his eyes: But the fit coming on him, at first his eyes were variously roled about, and inverted, than a certain bulk, like a living animal, was seen to creep from the bottom of his belly upwards, towards his heart and breast, and from thence to his head: I myself pressing his belly, with my hand, felt very plainly this kind of motion, and as long as I hindered this round thing from ascending, with both my hands, and all my strength, he found himself indifferently well; but as soon as this swelling creeping upwards by degrees, had reached the head, presently the members of the whole body were cruelly pulled together, that he would dash himself ●…gainst the walls, or posts, as if possessed by an evil spirit; He could hardly be held, and restrained, by four strong men, with all their force, but that he would leap from them, and fling out his arms, feet, and head, here and there, with divers manners of motions: when he ceased from leaping forth, or struggling, his members would be strongly extended, and his muscles stiff, as if troubled with the Cramp, or stiff extension: such a fit would last about a quarter of an hour, then coming to himself, he would talk soberly, and walk about in his Chamber; he knew what he had suffered, and asked pardon of the standers by, presently after he began to draw his eyes inward, and swiftly to role them about: then presently the convulsive distemper returning, acted the like Tragedy as before: and after this manner, he would have five or six of these kind of convulsive fits, within three hours' space. In the midst of one of these fits, a vein in his Arm being opened, and a large orifice made, the blood flowed out slowly, and was seen presently to be congealed: and so indeed, that being received into the dish, it did not flow about, after the manner of Liquors, with a plain and equal superficies, but like melted suet, dropped into a cold vessel, one drop being heaped upon another, it grew to a heap.  
If this strange distemper had happened to a woman, it would presently have been said, that it was the mother, or histerical, and the Cause of it would have been 
The reason of the aforesaid Case,  laid on the fault of the womb; especially, for that the ascent of something, like a bulk, began the fit, from the bottom of the belly: But when this common solution, which most often is the mere subterfuge of Ignorance, cannot be admitted in this case, it seems most congruous to reason, to refer all these Symptoms, to the evil affections of the brain, and nervous stock. For truly it may be plainly gathered, that the cause of the disease, did lie hid in the head itself, by the Symptoms preceding the fit, which did denote a very great agitation of the spirits, within the head; that inflation of the brain, and heavy swimmings, which constantly came just as the fit was coming upon him, the turnings of the eyes, manifestly argue, that heterogeneous and explosive particles, did adhere to the spirits, dwelling within the Encephalon, near to the beginnings of the Nerves. ●…o that this case, comes near to the nature of the Epilepsy, excepting, that the spirits within the middle of the brain, did not admit an heterogeneous Copula, nor being explosed in another place, did they tumultuously break forth there; for during the fit, the sick person was still in his senses, or had the use of his memory: But the morbific matter, being more plentifully laid up in the head, when from thence it was slid, more deeply into the pipes, both of the Interior und Exterior Nerves, it had placed mines of explosive seeds, very diffusive, in the viscera, both of the lower and middle belly, and also in the exterior members; so that, when the animal spirits began to be exploded, near the beginnings of the nerves, presently from thence, others inhabiting the mesenteric enfoldings, and then others in the other nervous enfoldings, interjected from the outmost bound, even to the head, being explosed in order, did even continue the Convulsions, from one part to another, until they came to the head itself: but presently the explosion being translated from thence, to the spirits dwelling in the spinal marrow, and Appending Nerves, the most strong Convulsions of the muscles, and members of the whole body followed: But that, that ascent, as it were of a bulk, or substance which very often was perceived in the lower belly, about the beginning of the Convulsions, proceeding from the spirits, within the mesenterick enfoldings, being brought into explosions, shall be more largely declared anon, when we come to treat of hysterick passions.  
In the mean time if it be asked, for what reason, that, the convulsive paroxysm, beginning in the part of the head, near the beginnings of the Nerves, presently the spirits dwelling in the outmost parts (as many as are pre-disposed for that Symptom) enter into explosions, and so transfer the convulsive Distemper, being there fully raised, upwards, (for it is for the most part so, whether the entrance of the disease begins in the bottom of the belly, or about the middle of the abdomen, the Hypochondria or praecordia, for that the Convulsion is wont to creep by degrees, from those places towards the head.) I say, for the solution of this, these two considerations are offered, to wit, in the first place we consider, that 
Wherefore the Convulsions begin from the extremities of the Nerves.  when some whole series of spirits is disturbed, those who reside in the extremest bounds are first destituted of their original Influence; wherefore, they, before others, grow tumultuous, and begin to grow irregular; hence it is, when the Nerve of the arm or thigh, is strained hard, by leaning on it, that the wont Influence is hindered, that a numbness, with a sense of pricking or tingling, is first felt in the fingers or toes; from whence by degrees, it creeps upwards towards the places affected. Secondly, the other is, and rather the reason of this distemper, to wit, that the spirits being ready for explosions, when they are contained within the nervous pipes, one or more, as so many distinct little Tubes, they require a sufficient ample space, in which they may be able very much, and ind●…ed successively to be raresied, and expanded; which thing because it cannot be easily performed, within the Trunks of the Nerves, from the beginning towards the end, 〈◊〉 while the Spirits, about the nervous origine, being first struck off, leap back towards the Encephaleon, for that cause they stir up the Vertigo: the more open explosion of the spirits, for the most part, begins about the inferior passages of the nerves, or at their extremities, where the Trunk of the nerve is either dilated, into more ample foldings, or terminated in more fibres largely dispersed abroad; then those Spirits being explosed, there is room made presently for others succeeding in order, whereby in like manner they may be exploded: Hence we may observe, whilst the exterior Spirits are exploded, if a Ligature or hard Compression being made, the succession of others into the same space, or their progress toward the exterior parts be intercepted, the Convulsion is wont to be hindered, that it cannot ascend upwards: wherefore when a numbness (as medical Histories testify) being arisen from the farthest end of the finger, or toe, creeps to the superior parts, with a tingling, or like a cold air, and at length reaching the brain, causes most horrid Convulsions; if by and by after the motion is begun, the Arm or thigh be strongly tied, the Spasm or Convulsion not being able to get over the bound place, is hindered from coming to the head; yea, it is usual for histerical women, as soon as the swelling of the belly, or the ascent of the bulk in the abdomen is first perceived, to gird strongly their waists, with Swathing-bands, and so oftentimes they prevent, the Praecordia, and the region of the brain, from being disturbed, by that same Convulsive Fit.  
But that the Blood, being let out in the midst of the fit, was so soon congealed, indeed it very ordinarily happens to be so, in Convulsive and Apoplectical 
Wherefore the blood is soon congealed in convulsive distempers.  Distempers, as the most learned Heighmore hath first noted, out of Hendochius: But that some from hence contend, that Convulsions rely altogether upon the thickness of the Blood, and stagnation, its motion being hindered, cannot be granted: Because, the blood taken from those who are subject to convulsions, a little before the fit, is dilated with serum, and fluid enough: wherefore, we may lawfully think, that, that Congelation is caused by the paroxysm itself, because in Convulsive motions, and immoderate Contractions of the Nerves, and Viscera, the interflowing Blood, by the exhalations of its spirit, and serum, is somewhat loosened in its mixtion, and therefore in some sort coagulated; like as when milk, by reason of too much agitation, and separation of the parts one from another, grows into butter; wherefore this kind of Coagulation of the Blood, seems rather to be the effect, than the Cause of the Convulsions.  

The curatory Method.  
AS to the Cure of these kind of Convulsive Distempers, which in women, or men, proceed from the morbific cause lying upon the beginnings of the Nerves. The first Indication will be, to draw away the tinder or enkindling of the disease, viz. to hinder, that the blood may not affix on the head, the heterogeneous particles, either begot in itself, or received elsewhere from the Viscera. For this purpose, an evacuation, both by catharticks, and blood-letting, unless something contradict, is wont to be benificially prescribed.  
Vomiting most often brings help, wherefore Emetics of the infusion of Crocus metallorum, or of the Salt of Vitriol, or wine of Squills, is to be taken at the 
E●…ticks  beginning. Then almost the next day, the taking away of Blood, either by phlebotomy in the Arm, or by Leeches in the Sedal veins, is to be performed; then afterwards, a gentle purge of pills, or solutive Apozems, is to be ordained, and timely repeated.  
Take of the pills of the Amber of Crato, or of the Tartar of Bontiusʒ two. of the Resine of Jalap, gr. xuj. of Caster ℈ i of the oil of Rosmary or Amber, ℈ ss. of gumm-Ammoniac 
purges.  dissolved in hysterical water, what will suffice to make 16. pills. Let 4. of them be taken every sixth, or Seventh day.  
Take of the Roots of Polypodia of the Oak, of sharp pointed-docks prepared, of chervil, cach, ʒ vi. of the male Paeony, ʒ iii of the leaves of Betony, germander, Chamipits, Vervine, the male Betony, each i. handful, of the seeds of Cardamums, and burdock each ʒ iii let them be boiled in 4. pints of Spring water till half be consumed: Let it be strained into a matrace, to which put of the leaves of the best Senna, ℥ i of Rhubarb, ʒ vi. of Turbith gummed ℥ ss. of Epithi●…m, of yellow-Sanders, each ʒ two. of the Salt of wormwood, and Scurvygrass, each ʒ i. the yellow rind of the Orangeʒ two. let them digest close, shut, in hot Sand for 12. hours. let the straining be kept for use, sweeten it (if there be need) with what will suffice, of the Augustan Syrup, or of Succory with Rhubarb. The Dose ℥ vi. once or twice in a week.  
Every day, in which purges are not taken, Remedies strengthening the brain, and also the animal Spirits; for the taking away the heterogeneous Copula, or for the hindering them from running into explosions, are to be administered, which indeed ought to be prescribed and chosen, according to the Constitution, and 
Remedies for a more hot temperament.  habit of the Body, and temperament of the sick; for too lean bodies, and such as being endued with a more hot blood, medicines lesle hot, and which do not trouble the blood above measure, aught to be given: On the Contrary, for phlegmatic and fat people, whose urine is thin, and watery, and whose Blood is Circulated more heavily, and Visceras stuffed, more hot Remedies, and notably apt to ferment the humours, are designed. In the former Case, let it be prescribed, after this manner.  
Take of the Conserve of the Flowers of Betony, Tamarisk, the male-Paeonie, each 
Coroborating medicines and specificks.  ℥ two. of the Species of Diamargerit frigidaʒ iss. of the powder of the Root of paeony, and of the seeds of the same each ʒ i. of red-Corall prepared ʒ two. of vitriol of steel, ℈ two. of the Salt of Wormwood, ʒ two. with what will suffice of the juce of Oranges, make an Electuary, take of it twice or thrice in a day, drinking after it a little draught of the Julap hereafter prescribed.  
Take of Coral Red, with the juce of Oranges, beaten together in a glass, or 
Powders.  marble mortar, and dried, ℥ ss. of the powder of misletow of the oak, of the root of the male Paeonieʒ two. of perled sugar, ʒ iii make a powder, the dose from ℈ i to ʒss. twice or thrice in a day.  
Take of the Species of Diamargarit frigidaʒ two. of the Salt of wormwood, ʒ iii of the root of Cocowpint powdered, ʒ i mix them, make a powder, let it be divided into xx. parts, take a dose in the morning, and at four in the afternoon.  
Take of the Roots of Butterbur ℥ i dose ʒss, to ʒ i twice in a day.  
Take of the Leaves of Burdock, and Cocowpint each vi. handfuls, let them be 
Distilled waters and Julaps.  cut and mixed together, and so distilled. The dose ʒ two. to iii, twice or thrice a day, after a dose of Electuary or powder.  
Take of this water distilled two. pints, of our steel prepared, ʒ two. mix them in a Vial, let it be taken after the same manner.  
Take of the Simple water of walnuts, and of black-Cherries each half a pint, of Snalesʒ iii of the Syrup of the flowers of the male paeony, ℥ two. the dose ℥ iss. to two, after the same manner.  
Take of the shave of Ivory, and hartshorn each three drams, of the roots of chervil, burdock, Valerian, each half an ounce, of the leaves of Betony, Chamepits, harts-tongue, the tops of Tamarisk, each one handful, of the barks of Tamarisk, and of the woody nightshade, each half an ounce, let them be boiled in two quarts of spring water, to the consumption of the third part; add to it of white-wine eight ounces, strain it into a pitcher, to which put of the leaves of brook-lime, and Cardamine, each one handful, make an Infusion warm, and close for four hours: Let the colature be kept close in glasses. The dose ℥ vi. twice in a day, after a dose of some solid Medicine; sometimes such an Apozme may be mixed with ʒ two. of our steel, and taken in the same manner.  
In the Summer time, the use of spaw-waters is convenient, and for want of them, our Artificial ones may be taken.  
If that for the reason's above-recited, more hot Medicines are to be prescribed, 
Remedies in a more cold temperament.  you may proceed according to the following method.  
Take of the Conserves of Rosemary, of the yellow of Oranges, and Lemons, each ℥ two. of Lignum aloes, of yellow-sanders, of the roots of snake-weed, Contrayerva, Angelica, 
Electuaries.  Cocowpint, each ʒ i. of the vitriol of steel (or of steel prepared) ℈ iiii. of the salt of wormwood, and Scurvygrass, each ʒ i. with what will suffice of candied walnuts, make an Electuary: Let it be taken twice in a day, to the quantity of a nutmeg, drinking after it a dose of appropriate Liquor.  
Take of the Roots of male-Paeony, Angellica, and red Coral prepared, each ʒ two. of 
Tablets.  Sugar dissolved in the water of Snales, boiled to the consistency of Tablets, ℥ vi. of the oil of Am●…er lightly rectified, ʒ ss. make a sufficient quantity of Lozenges, each weighing about half a dram, take one or two twice or thrice a day, drinking after it a dose of proper Liquor.  
Take of the Roots of Virginian Snake-weed, Contrayerva, Valerian, each ʒ two. of 
Pills.  red Coral, and prepared Pearl, each ʒ i. of winteran Bark, and of the root of Cretian Dittany, each ʒ i. of the Vitriol of Steel, and Salt of wormwood, each ʒ iss. of the extract of Centauryʒ two. of Ammoniacum dissolved in histerical water, what will suffice, to make a pillulary mass: of which take four pills, in the morning, and at four in the afternoon.  
Take of the Spirits of hartshorn, or Sut, or human Blood, or of Sal ammoniack, 
Spirits.  what will suffice, take of them from 10. to 12. drops, morning and evening, in a spoonful of Julap, drinking a little draught of the same after it.  
Take of the Leaves of Betony, Vervine, Sage, Lady-smocks, Cocowpint, Burdock, 
Distilled waters.  each two handfuls, of green walnuts, number 20. the rinds of six Oranges, and of 4. Lemons, of Carda●…ums, and Cubebbs, each ℥ i being cut and bruised, pour on them of whey made of Cider or white wine, six pints, let them be distilled according to Art. The dose ℥ two. or iii twice in a day, after a dose of a solid medicine. Add to i. quart of this liquor two. drams of our Steel.  
Take of the Water of Snails, and of earthworms, each ℥ vi. walnuts simple, ℥ iiii. of Radish Compound: ℥ two. of white sagar ℥ two. make a Julap. The dose 4. or 6. spoonfuls, twice in a day, after a dose of a solid medicine.  
Take of millipedes or ch●…sslogs, cleansed, i pint, of Cloves cut, ℥ ss. put to them i, quart of white-wine, let them be distilled in a glasscucurbit. The dose ℥ i to ℥ iss, twice in a day.  
For poor people, medicines easy to be prepared, may be prescribed after this manner.  
Take of the Conserves of the Leaves of Rue, made with an equal part of sugar, ℥ vi. take of it the quantity of a nutmeg, twice in a day, drinking after it of the decoction of the Seeds and Roots of Burdock, in whey or posset-drink made of white-wine.  
Or there may be prepared a Conserve of the leaves of the Tree of Life, with an equal part of Sugar: dose ʒss. to ʒ i twice in a day.  
Take of millipeds prepared ʒ iii of ameos seedsʒ i make a powder, divide it into 10. parts, take a dose twice in a day, or 12 Sows or woodlice bruised, and white-wine, put to them, let the juce be wrung out, make a draught, let it be taken twice a day.  
In the mean time, while these Medicines are taken Inwardly, it is sometimes convenient to raise blisters, with Vesicatories, in the nape of the neck and behind the ears; for so the serous and sharp humours, are very much brought away from the head: besides, sneezing powders, and such as purge Rheum from the head, often give signal help. The taking away of Blood from the Sedal veins, or the foot, ought sometimes to be itterated; yea, and the Distemper urging, Plasters or Cataplasms, are profitably applied to the soles of the feet. It is also beneficial to apply drawing medicines, about the calves and thighs.    

CHAPTER VI Of Convulsive Motions, whose cause subsists about the extremities of the Nerves, or within the nervous foldings.  
SOmetimes Convulsive distempers do arise, without any fault in the Head, by the irritation and explosion of the spirits, remaining about the extremities of the nerves, which plainly appears, because, when medicines haul sharply the Ventricl●…s or Intestines, or worms gnaw them, there do not only follow Convulsions in those parts, but besides, convulsive motions do sometimes torment (or are retorted on) the members, and outward Limbs: for indeed, as we have shown elsewhere, when the sense of a very grievous Trouble torments any part, and from that is communicated to the chief Sensorie, presently from thence, an involuntary, and irregular motion, is wont to be reflected on the spirits in that place irritated; and that not only by the same nerves, to which the sense of the pain was carried, but sometimes also the Convulsion is reciprocated, by others, either neighbouring, or altogether extraneous: So the Stone being fixed in the Ureters, and irritating very much its nervous fibres, excites Convulsive motions, not only in the distempered Vessel, but almost in all the Viscera of the Abdomen; So that, the urine being suppressed, Torments diffused here and there, and very often horrid Vomitings follow. Wherefore, 'tis not at all to be doubted, but that both diseases, and some Convulsive Symptoms, are very often induced, by reason of an outward hurt, brought to the Tops of the Nerves, terminating within the membranes, muscles, or Viscera: yea, in the hysterical, hypochondriacal, and certain other passions, if at any time Convulsive motions are excited, in the hurt head, by the fault of the womb, spleen, or other Inward; verily they arise by this only means, to wit, by the Trouble of the rest of the parts, being translated this way through the Nerves, (but in no wise, by the Vapours) to the brain, and are propagated, all about, into various Regions of the Body.  
But it should here be noted, that although the evident Solitary cause, forasmuch 
Convulsions begin from the ends of the Nerves, both by r●…ason of irritation.  as it is strong and vehement, may sometimes induce Convulsions of itself, and without a praevious disposition: because indeed the Animal Spirits being irritated, beyond measure, begin greater and more than ordinary explosions, as in overgreat purging, and Vomiting, and the fits of the Colic, and Stone, is ordinarily wont to happen; yet in many other Convulsive Distempers, whose fits are often and habitual, besides the irritation made, about the extremities of the nerves, which serves for the most part for the evident cause, also a certain more remote cause is present, to whose efficacy the assault of the disease is chiefly beholden; to wit, when Convulsive motions are wont to be excited, and at every turn repeated, by the fault of the Spleen, womb, or other private part, it may be suspected, that the animal Spirits, of the Fibres in the distempered part, and those disposed in its neighbouring parts, had first contracted an heterogeneous, 
And by reason of an Explosive Copula.  explosive Copula, by which being filled, to a running over, they were provoked, by a light occasion, to Convulsive explosions: Then, those being first begun, about the extremities of the nerves, creep upwards by the passage of the same nerves, and are often carried to the same nervous origine, and sometimes beyond, to the middle of the brain: from whence, lastly, being reflected, on the nervous stock, they also secondarily, cause the Convulsions of the members, and Limbs: But after the Brain, and a Superior portion of the nervous System, are wont to suffer, and be affected often, by the Convulsions below excited, th●… spirits inhabiting those parts, also begin to be themselves adulterated at length, and to admit an heterogeneous and explosive Copula, and so to acquire, in part, a procatartick cause; hence at length, a Convulsive procatarxis or more remote cause, becomes Common to either end of the Trunk of the same nerves, and the animal spirits of one nerve, or more, being evilly disposed, both at the head and tail, conceive explosions from either part, and deliver them presently to the other, as shall be more largely declared below, when we treat particularly of hysterical, and other passions. in the mean time, we will add some histories, and observations, of Convulsions, arising from the farther ends, or extremities of the Nerves.  
A fine maid, about the 16th. year of her age, falling from her horse, and lighting 
〈◊〉. Observation.  upon a Stone, grievously hurt her left breast, from whence a Tumour arose, with pain, which Symptoms notwithstanding by the use of medicines, at the beginning seemed to be mitigated, and to be indifferently well, for a long time after. Three years after, she having taken cold, and having observed but a bad course of diet, all things began to be exasperated, the hurt part swelling into a bigger bulk, troubled her with an acute, and almost continual pain, that the sick Virgin, for the cruel torment, could take no rest, for many days and nights, neither could she suffer the glandulas of her Breast, being then made more tumid, to be either touched or handled, yea nor any noise, or shaking to be made in the Chamber.  
When to this Tumour, about to degenerate into a Cancer, they had applied fomentations, and Cataplasms of hemlock, and mandrakes, and other stupifying and repercussing things, this gentlewoman began to susfer certain Convulsive affections, infesting her very often: At first, as often as the pain in her breast did most cruelly torment her, she felt in that place, prickings, also convulsions, and contractions, running about here and there: then presently her Ventricle, and hypochondria, and often the whole Abdomen, were wont to be inflated, and very much distended, with an endeavour of belching, and Vomiting; by and by, the same distemper, being leisurely translated to the superior parts, excited Insensibility; to which shortly after, Convulsive motions succeeded,, in the whole Body, so strongly, that the Sick party could scarce be held, by three or four strong men.  
These kind of sits, at sirst were wand'ring, and only occasionally excited: to wit, they would come, as often as the pain of her breast was strained, by some evident cause: Afterwards, these Convulsions did more often infest her, and at last, they became habitual, and periodical, twice in a day, to wit, they were wont to come again constantly, at so many set hours after eating: And when after this manner, the sick Gentlewoman, had been miserably afflicted, for six months, at length, she began to be molested with a vertiginous Distemper of her head, exercising her almost continually: for which evil, when a fomentation of aromatic and cephalick herbs, had been a good while administered to her head, she became better, as to the giddiness; but then she was perpetually infested, with a quite new, and admirable Symptom, viz. an empty cough, without spitting, night and day, unless when she was overwhelmed with sleep: After this worthy Virgin, had tried without much benefit, divers medicines and remedies, prescribed by several Physicians, she was at last helped, by making use of the most temperate Bath, at the Bath; then being presently married, after she had conceived, and was brought to bed, she by degrees grew well.  
If the reasons of the whole disease and its Accidents, be inquired into, without doubt, the convulsive distemper, was sirst of all excited from the tumour, or pained 
The reason of this.  place of the breast; the cause of which was, partly the most sharp sense of pain, being impressed from its fibres and nervous parts, but partly by the heterogeneous Copula, being affixed on the spirits inhabiting those fibres and nerves; for truly, it may be suspected, that the most sharp humour impacted in the Tumour, which perhaps had in some sort flowed thither, by the passages of the Nerves, being repercussed, by the use of Topics, had entered the fibres and nervous filaments, or little strings disposed thorough the whole border or neighbourhood, and so the heterogeneous, and explosive Copula, had clove to the spirits; for the shaking off of which, as often as by pain they were excited, they entered into convulsive explosions, and together with them, other spirits flowing within the neighbouring Nerves, by consent of the forms (as it often happens) were exploded after the same manner: Then the convulsive distemper, when it first had begun in the extremities of the Nerves, being continued thorough their passages, even to the head, was wont to cause the insensibleness, and from thence, leaping back upon the whole nervous system, the convulsive motions, of the Limbs and all the members: The sits, about the beginning of the sickness, being excited after this manner, by reason of pain, from the distempered part, were carried secondarily to the brain, and its appendix: But afterwards, when the spirits inhabiting those places, being often explosed, by sympathy, had so loosened, and weakened the pores of the containing parts, that there lay open a passage, within the same, for all heterogeneous particles to enter, with the nervous juce, the convulsive procatarxis or more remote cause, also increased in the head; and the spirits inhabiting the Encephalon, being infected with an heterogeneous Copula, they themselves begun the convulsive fit, or at least afforded the sirst instinct to its assault, which did return, for the most part, at such set hours after eating, because the morbific matter, was carried in, together with the nervous juce, almost in an equal dimension: In truth, in such cases, where the convulsion being general, doth possess almost all the parts of the whole nervous system successively, we may suspect, that the animal spirits, had contracted an heterogeneous and explosive Copula, in the whole nervous stock, which, when it is arisen, at the set time, to a fullness, incites the spirits themselves, at the appointed time, in like manner to explosions, and the same explosion, being begun somewhere, is propagated in order, to all, after the manner of a fiery enkindling.  
As to that empty cough, which succeeding the somentation of the head, exercised this sick person allmo●…t incessantly for many months; it seems, that this Symptom should depend altogether from the nervous origine being distempered, and not at all ou the stuffing of the Lungs, for she did not avoid any thing with the cough; and if at any time that force of coughing was violently restrained, presently she was troubled with the sense of choking in her Throat: So that, as it is very likely, the morbisic matter laid up near the nervous origine being rarisied and stirred, by the fomentation, entered more deeply the heads of the nerves, appointed for the Lungs, and stirred up in their fibres, and filaments, perpetual convulsions: after the like manner, as when the nervous juce, which waters the fibres, and tendons of the Muscles, being made sharp, and degenerate, induces to those parts, continual leapings and contractions: hence, when a Convulsion or spasm was ●…top'd, in some branches of the distempered Nerves, so as she could not cough, presently the Convulsive motion, running into other branches, of the same neighbour Nerve, stirred up that choking in the Throat. I will here propose another example of a Convulsion, arising from the extremities of the Nerves being affected.  
A noble Matron, of fifty years of Age, after her courses had left her for about 
2. Observation.  half a year, began to complain, first in a pricking pain of her left pap, than afterwards, that distemper leaving her, she was ill about her ventricle, for there arose an hard, and as it were a schirrous Tumour, with a sad pain; upon this came an inflation of the stomach, with difficulty of respiration, a nauseousness, and frequent Vomiting: Then the disease increasing, with a more sharp pain running about here and there, she fell into Convulsive distempers of the ventricle: to wit, in that place, she was almost continually troubled, with Convulsions variously running about, just as if her ventricle had been torn to pieces: Besides a constant perturbation of mind, with thirst, and watchings, and a frequent deliquium of spirits, as if she had been just dying, exercising this sick Lady: All which symptoms, she plainly perceived to arise, from that Tumour in her ventricle: They saw that all vomitory, cathartical, antiscorbuticall, and hysterical Medicines, did her no good, but were rather hurtful, and troublesome; she received some benefit, by the taking away of blood by Leech●…s, and by the nse of Ass' milk, and afterwards she was much eased, by the long drinking of spaw-waters.  
The aforesaid Symptoms, which commonly are ascribed to the hysterical passion, 
The reason of it.  and the vapours from the womb here plainly appear, to have proceeded from a Tumour, arising about the bottom of the ventricle: for that the blood of this Lady, being very hot, and melanchollick, when it could be no more purged, by her courses, flowing from her, it laid up its recrements, and adust faeculencies, at first in her breast, and then from a new beginning, in the membranes of her stomach: From the tumour there made, sharp and heterogeneous particles falling down perpetually, ●…ntred the sibres and nerves, planted round about; which cleaving continually to the spirits, dwelling in, and flowing into those parts, excited them to frequent explosions, and so made Convulsive distempers, in all the neighbouring parts: But that sometimes the convuisive motions were more light in that place, hence it appears, that the whole nervous stock, and the head itself (as is wont to be in greater convulsions) had not as yet been touched, with the same distemper: But the disorder of spirits, arising about the parts affected, and from thence transferred, by a smaller undulation or waving to the head, and so only lightly distu●…bing the spirits, inhabiting it, induced watchings, with a great heat, and perturbation of the fantasy, what we have hitherto discoursed of Convulsions, from the morbific cause settling upon either end of the nervous system, will more clearly appear, when we shall hereafter trear particularly of the chief kinds of convulsions, viz. the hysterical, hypochondriacal, and other passions: In the mean time, there will be no need to add a Curatory method, for this Hypothesis of convulsions, arising by reason of the extremities of the nerves being affected, because the ways of curing may be better accommodated, to the passions of this kind, hereafter particularly to be spoken of: But for the present, it behoves us, to proceed to the unfolding of the convulsive passions, whose cause, or morbific matter, seems to subsist, within the nervous foldings.  
We have largely enough, in another place, discoursed of the nervous foldings, and in their description, and use, we have shown, that 'tis very likely, the more grievous fits of convulsive motions, beginning oftentimes within these parts, are from thence propagated on every side, into the neighbouring parts, and not seldom to a great distance: at least, that it seems much more probable, that the heterogeneous and explosive particles, after they have overcome the tract of the head, and its medullary appendix, and being more deeply slidden into the Channels of the Nerves, and their passages, together with the juce watering them, do spread their stores within the nervous foldings, as it were in Cross-streets, and by paths, and there sometimes make their stations, until at length, being more plentifully heaped up, they as it were with Collected forces, produce the more cruel convulsive distempers: This I say, appears to be much more probable, then 
That the nervous foldings is the seat of Convulsive matter.  (what is commonly said) to suppose them vapours, arising from the womb, spleen, ventricle, or any other inward, in which all the fault is easily thrown: For within these foldings, there are spaces large enough, for morbific mines, that the matter may be there at leisure laid up, and remain, till it be gathered to a fullness: But then, because we believe, that great plenty of spirits lodge there, more than in any other little cells, the heterogeneous Copula growing to them, lays as it were tinder for more grievous explosions, so that, the spirits being explosed within these bodies, do not only inflate, and dilate them, but elevate and lift them up, from their Place (even as a house blown up with gunpowder;) wherefore the parts lying over them, are suddenly lifted up into a tumour, and loose are drawn violently hither and thither. That after this manner, the more cruel sits of Convulsions, about the praecordia, and Viscera, are very often stirred up, I have found to be true, besides the Arguments taken from reason, not long since by my own sight: For when I opened the dead body of a Gentlewoman who had been exceedingly troubled with (as they say) the Mother fits, or hysterical Distempers, I found the womb wholly faultless, but the Nerves near the ●…oldings of the Mesentery, (as it seemed) only to be lifted up, and ●…levated into a bulk, and the membranes of that inward, appeared torn, and loosened one from another, as being on every side tumid, and loose, as it were blown up into little bubbles, or bladders.  
Indeed there are more considerations of solid reasons, whereby we are induced to believe, that the passions called hysterical, do most often arise, from the convulsive 
3. Observation.  matter, heaped up within the Mesenterick enfoldings, and by turns explosed: which shall be more clearly manifested, where we treat especially of those diseases: But, neither is it lesle probable, that the Collick-pains, do very often proceed, from a more sharp and irritative matter, contained in the same enfoldings. Besides, as often as the convulsive fits seem to begin from the spleen, or ventricle, by reason the beginnings of which are inflations, and very great disturbances of those parts, it is likely, that the nest of the convulsive matter, was hid within the nervous enfoldings, belonging to the spleen or ventricle: Also, this kind of matter, seems to excite within the Cardiac foldings, most heavy tremble, and passions of the heart; and within the pneumonic, or cervical, (or those belonging to the Lungs and throat) enfoldings, most terrible fits of the Asthma. In our Treatise of the Nerves, we have related a notable case, of a worthy Gentlewoman, to whom a serous matter, wont to distil from the forepart of her head, through her left nostril, fell down behind her ear: where, when the most cruel pain did infest her, Convulsions also, and admirable contractions followed: whereby the jointing or compaction, now of the brain, and the whole head, seemed to be pulled downward, now the throat, praecordia, and Viscera upwards: which kind of Convulsions, vexing the parts so opposite, and at such distance, by turns, when they did proceed from one and the same seat, of the disease, planted in the midst, it will be obvious to conceive, that the grieved place, as the origine of either convulsive affection, was the ganglioform enfoldings, planted near the Parotidae, or the two chief Arteries of the throat: into which, the Nerves both of the wand'ring pair descending from the h●…ad are entered, and out of which the shoots do stretch themselves, into the muscles of the throat and branches, into the praecordia, and viscera. Further, from the same cause, to wit, the convulsive matter, heaped up, and by turns explosed, within the ganglioform enfoldings, we think, (and not undeservedly) that sense of choking in the Throat, so often excited in the convulsive fits, did proceed. But there will be a more fit place, to speak of this, when we shall particularly handle, the convulsive diseases, and symptoms. We shall now endeavour, to search into what remains, of the last kind of Convulsions, of which we made mention above, to wit, which relies on the nervous Liquor being infected, thorough its whole mass, with heterogeneous and explosive particles, and for that reason, irritateing the whole processes of the Nerves, and the nervous bodies, into universal Spasms, or Convulsions; and those either continual, or intermitting.   

CHAPTER VII. Of Convulsive Motions, arising from the Liquor watering the nervous Bodies, and irritating their whole processes into Convulsions.  
THat Convulsive distempers do sometimes wander thorough the whole nervous stock, and infest now these parts, now those, now many together, is so noted, and obvious almo●…t to daily experience, that nothing can be more: we may therefore take notice, in these, that the tendons of the Muscles, do every where leap up, and are drawn together with spasms; in others, some exterior members, are bended, or stretched forth, with various flections, and contortions, here and there, after divers manners, we have seen some, forced by the unbridled, and untamed force of the spirits, as if struck with madness, to run, or leap about, or strongly to smite, with their feet, or fists, the earth, or any objects: which if they ●…hould not do, forthwith they would fall into swooning fits, and horrid Eclipse of spirits. It would be too tedious, to enumerate all the cases of universal Convulsions, wand'ring thorough the whole nervous stock: But the symptoms of this kind, though they are various, and manifold, may be reduced nevertheless to three 
Chiefly three kinds of causes of universal Convulsions.  chief Heads; to wit, forasmuch as they depend chiefly upon three kinds of causes; for indeed, in these wand'ring Convulsions, we ought to suppose, the whole nervous Liquor to the vitiated, and the animal spirits, flowing every where in the same, to be adulterated, and for that reason, to be almost perpetually exploded: Take notice then, that this kind of Infection, is most commonly impressed on the nervous juce, and the spirits every where flowing in it, by one of these three ways, viz. 1st. By Foysons or witchcraft. 2dly, From malignant, or ill-cured fevers, in which the morbific matter is poured forth, on the Brain, or nervous stock. Or 3ly, when the nervous Liquor, by a long tract of time, by reason of the scorbutic, or otherwise vicious distemper, doth degenerate from its due constitution, into sour, or acid, or any otherwise preternatural, and Convulsive Liquor: we will here consider of each of the aforesaid cases, and first of all, of the fits of Convulsion, which are produced by poisons, or Sorceries.  
First therefore, it is somewhere shown by us, that some poisons, do act rather 
From poisons and sorceri●…s.  on the nervous Liquor, than on the blood, which depraving it, most strongly induce Convulsive distempers: And it appears clearly, from the eating of Hemlock, the laughing-Parsly, mandrakes, the furious nightshade, wild Parsnips, and other 
From poisons of the rank of vegetables.  hurtful herbs, how soon after, horrid Contractions of the Ventricle, numbness, delirium, Convulsions, twitches of the tendons, in the whole body, were wont to follow: Besides, those kind of Convulsions follow upon the biting of a mad Dog, and other venomous beasts, where the Virulent infection, being received by the 
●…rom a ●…ad Dog.  nervous juice, and lurking a long while in it, at last puts itself forth, and infects, and poisons, the whole mass of Liquor, in which it was involved, with its ferment. But what doth yet more illustrate it, are the admirable Symptoms, the truly painful Convulsions, and unweariable dancing, which Authors have related to follow, upon the biting of the Tarantula: and indeed, might seem fabulous, unless that the truth of the Thing were asserted, by many men of good Credit, both ancient and modern: For besides Mathiolus, and Epiphanius, Ferdinand, Gassendus, and Kircher, add, that themselves were eye-witnesses, of this distemper: yea it is said, 'tis a known thing in Apulia, and found almost by daily experience, that in that part of the Country, there are Phalangii, or a certain kind of Spider, which is called Tarantula, from Tarenta, an ancient City of Ap●…lia. This little Animal, being very frequent in the Summer, often bites the heedless Countryman, and infects him with its Venomous stroke, from whence presently succeed, a pain in the hurt part, with a Tumour, and itching, by and by, in various parts of the body, a numbness, and Trembling, also Convulsions, and loosnings of the members, and other Convulsive Symptoms, with a great loss of strength; as may be collected from Mathiolus, Ferdinand, and others, relating the wonderful effects of this Disease. But truly, what these Authors say concerning the cure of this Distemper, and is practised commonly thorough the whole Country, is worthy of great admiration: for those stung with a Tarantula, as very sick as they are, as soon as they hear musical Instruments, presently they are eased of their pains, and leaping into the middle of the room, they begin to dance, and jump about, and so continue it, a long while, as if they were well, and ailed nothing: but if it hap, that the Fiddlers leave off never so little a while, they straghtways fall to the ground, and return to their former pains, unless by the incessant music they dance, and leap, till the poison be wholly shaken off: For this end therefore, Musicianers are hired, and are changed by turns, that without intermission of the noise, those who are bitten, may dance so long, till they are quite cured. Thus saith Mathiolus: to which Ferdinand adds, that poor people do expend almost all their substance, in these fiddlers, and musicians, who wander up and down all that Province; and by playing to these Tarantulasized people, make much benefit: they dance or leap about, in the villages, and Pub●…ick streets, and fields, some one day, some one week, and others more. To these Authors, the most learned men Gassendus, and Kircherus agree, both of which, have related it from their own observation, that they have known such affected; and they assert, that they are not affected, or excited, indifferently with any music, but with certain kinds of Tune, and that they dance to some measures, before others.  
Let us inquire a little further, into the Reasons of these aforesa●…d Accidents, if we may follow our conjecture, in this first place, 'tis without doubt, that a certain 
The reason of the symptoms of those bitten by a T●…rantula.  venomous infection is fixed on the human body, from the bite of this little creature, which though it being lesle infestous to the blood, and vital spirit, as soon as ever it passes from it, into the nervous Liquor, it presently unfolds itself, thorough its whole mass, like leaven, and infects the animal spirits, flowing every where in it; so that indeed, they being drawn one from another, and here and there inordinately moved, induce convulsive distempers, which are accompanied now with the contractures, now with the languishing, and resolutions or loosening of the containing parts.  
But why the painful Convulsions, which are raised by the bite of the Tarantula, 
In what the reason of the Music's allaying the symptoms consists.  being presently allayed by music, are wont to turn into dancing, does not so plainly appear. That some affirm, this little animal (for that by the testimony of Aristotle it should be most wise) to be delighted with music, and for that reason, its venom being impressed on man, by fermenting the humours, to induce the like love of music: I say, this conjecture will not satisfy a mind desirous of Truth, because, that supposes a musick-loving nature in the spider, and the same to be communicated to man, by a matastasis, or as it were a certain metempsychosis, or transmigration of soul, both which are taken upon trust, and little satisfactory, but it may be rather said, that the venom inflicted on the nervous liquor, by the bite of the Tarantula, is too gentle, to be able to extinguish wholly the Animal spirits, or to dissipate them very much asunder, and to compel them into more cruel explosions, but only to put them to flight, and to incite those flying here and there, into lighter, and somewhat painful Convulsions; and that the Music, with its flattering sweetness, doth congregate together, and mutually associate, with ease, the spirits so dissipated: wherefore, whenas the same spirits, by reason of the Infection sticking to them, are apt to involuntary and Convulsive motions, the melody disposes them, delighted together, and directs them to such Convulsions, that entering the bodies of the nerves, by a certain Course, and Order, they are carried as it were in certain prescribed limits and compasses, until at length the particlcs of the venom, being quite evaporated, and the fury and rage of the spirits being worn out, they wholly shake off that madness. For truly, music doth easily carry men sound and sober, whether they will or no, or thinking of another thing, into actions answerable to the sound of the harmony; that presently the standers by, at the first st●…iking up of the Fiddle, begin to move their hands and feet, and can scarce, nay are not able, to contain themselves from dancing: Let none therefore wonder that in men bitten by the Tarantula, when the animal spirits being moved, as it were with goads, they are compelled to leap forth, and wander about hither and thither willingly, if they are excited to dancing, and composed measures, at the stroke of an harp; so that as in these distempers, the spirit of the music, as it were enchanting the outrageous spirits, and in some measure governing, and changing their convulsive motions, serves instead of an Antidote: for that the animal spirits, being very much, and for a long while exercised, after this manner, wholly ●…hake off the Elastic Copula, contracted by the poison, or otherwise; and they being very much wearied, at length rest from that madness, or its incitation.  
That which is called the Dance of Saint Vitus, is an evil akin to this, concerning 
A description of the dance of St. Vitus.  which George Horstius relates, that he had spoken with some women, who for some years, visiting the shrine of St. Vitus, which is in the borders of Ulme, did there exercise themselves, even night and day, with dancing and discomposure of mind, till they fell down like people intranc'd: by which means, they seemed to be restored to themselves, that they felt little or nothing for a whole year, till about the time of May following, when by the inquietude of their members, they said, they were so far tormented, that they were forced to go for their health sake, yearly, to the aforesaid place, about the feast of St. Vitus. Horst. Epis. Med. sect. 7. de admirandis Convulsionibus.  
Indeed it is a usual thing (as I have observed) both for men, and women, to be 
The reason of it.  sometimes tormented with this inquietude of their members, and as it were with a fury or madness, that they have been forced to walk, till they were tired, as also to dance, leap, and run about, here and there, that by this means they might eat the grievous trouble, and sometimes faintings away, which were about to invade them: The reason of which seems to be, that the animal spirits, forasmuch as they being incited, by an heterogeneous Copula, in the whole nervous kind, become fierce, and altogether unbridled, which so to exercise, and tyre out, there is need, both that they themselves may be tamed, and that the explosive Copula, may be shaken off.  
That Convulsive distempers are sometimes excited by witchcraft, is both commonly believed, and usually affirmed, by many Author's worthy of credit: 
Universal Convulsions from Witch-cr●…ft.  and indeed, as we do grant, that very oftentimes, most admirable passions, are produced in the human body, by the delusions of the Devil, forasmuch as he, to cause wonders, by which he might rule, by the subtlety of working, insinuates to the sensitive soul, or the constitution of the animal spirits, heterogeneous Atoms, or little Bodies, and so adds now spurs or pricking forward, and now casts chains on its functions, and now carries them to mischief: also by some means he enters himself into the human body, and as it were another more mighty soul, is stretched thorough it, actuates all the parts, and members, inspires them with an unwonted force, and governs them at his pleasure, and incites to the perpetrating of most cruel, and supernatural wickednesses: yet all kind of Convulsions, which besides the common manner of this disease, appear prodigious, ought not 
Which are commonly but falsely so thought.  presently to be attributed to the enchantments of Witches, nor is the Devil presently or always to be brought upon the stage. For indeed, as often as a child, or relation, of some man of the richer sort, is by chance taken with most cruel, and unusual Convulsions, for the most part, it falls out, that by and by the next old woman is accused of witchcraft, she is made guilty, and very hardly, or not at all, the wretch escapes the flames, or an halter; when in the mean time, the disease, proceeding from causes merely natural, may be easily Cured, by no other Exorcism, than Remedies usually prescribed against convulsive diseases: In truth, the animal spirits being endued, with a more cruel explosive Copula, and being 
The reason of them.  strucken by it all of a heap together, obtain so much strength, and vigour, beyond their proper and wont power, as the flame of gunpowder, has above the burning of the common flame; so that those, who obnoxious to this disease, out of the fit, may be governed, lifted up, and moved at pleasure, with the light help of one man; when the same is upon them, make nothing of the utmost endeavours, and force, of at least four of the strongest men: But if in the case of any one that is sick, there arise a suspicion of witchcraft, or fascination, there are 
Which argue witchcraft.  chiefly two kinds of Motions, that are wont to create, and cherish this opinion, viz. 1. If the patient doth perform the contortions, or gesticulations of his members, or of his whole body, after that manner, which no sound man, nor mimic, or any tumbler can imitate. Then 2dly, If such strength be shown, that surpasses all human force; to which, if the avoiding of monstrous things happen, as when bundles, as Henry van Heers relates, are cast forth by vomit, or a live Eel, as Cornelius Gamma tells, voided by stool, without doubt, it may be believed that the devil has, and doth perform, his parts in this Tragedy.  
It were easy to heap together, very many, and indeed admirable histories, of persons of every Age and Sex, affected after a stupendious and as it were supernatural manner, with the manifest suspicion of witchcraft: for such are every where extant, among Authors, both Physicians, and Philosophers; and because vulgar rumour, noises about diseases, caused by witchcraft, to happen often in almost every Country: but because these kind of cases, are full of Imposture, or always increased, by the fictious lies of the relators, to create admiration, (and for that they rarely fall under the medical cure) I will here purposely omit them: what remains is, that I proceed to unfold, the next kind of universal Convulsions, to wit, which comes upon malignant, or otherwise irrigular, or ill-cured Fevers.   

CHAPTER VIII. Of Universal Convulsions, which are wont to be excited, in Malignant, ill-cured, and some irregular Fevers.  
THat Convulsions sometimes happen to persons sick of Fevers, almost every 
Universal Convulsions happening in Fevers.  ordinary body understands, and from thence takes a remarkable Prognostication, of Death, or peril: For in malignant Fevers, also sometimes in the ordinary ill-handled, as the Virtego, or Delirium arise, from the morbific matter being laid up in the Brain, from the Blood; so from the same, being slidden down into the nervous stock, Contractures and twitches of the muscles, and tendons; also sudden shake of the members, and Limbs; and sometimes most horrid stiffnesses, in the whole Body succeed: The reason of which kind of Symptoms seems to consist in this, that the Liquor watering the nervous parts, abounds every 
The reason of the symptoms.  where with heterogeneous particles irritating the Spirits: for by that means, the Spirits inhabiting, and influencing, being disturbed in their just Influence, and emanation, are incited into continual explosions, as it were a crackling noise, not much unlike, as when the flame of a Lamp, being imbued with drossy and salted oil, ascends with a noise and sparkling: which kind of Convulsive distempers, for the most part, hap about the height of fevers, when the morbific matter, being first laid up in the blood, is from thence transferred to the Brain, and that being passed thorough, and also infected, it is carried into the System of the nerves, and from thence stirs up Convulsive passions, with, or without a Delirium.  
But indeed, it is sometimes observed, that, besides these kind of Convulsive distempers, coming upon Fevers, and secondarily excited; in a malignant constitution of the air, also from the breath of a Pestilent Contagion, the nervous Liquor hath been infected before the blood, or else apart from it, and therefore a Delirium, or Convulsions, have gone before a feavourish Distemper. Further, I have often observed, that some irregular Fevers have arose, in which the blood has been hardly seen to boil up, or grow hot above measure, but the beginnings of this slow and very dangerous fever, were laid chiefly in the nervous humour; which being by degrees brought to maturity, did induce Convulsive Distempers, with a Delirium, or madness, and other wastings or exorbitances of the Animal Spirits. For the sick never complained of heat, or thirst, being soon made feeble, and as it were strengthless, they were presently obnoxious to frequent giddiness, also to rrembling of the Limbs, and as it were leapings forth, besides, to twitches or jumpings of the muscles, and tendons, and to contractures, and pains wand'ring about, here and there. This kind of sickness, by some Physicians, because it seemed to consist in the solid parts, rather than in the blood, is called a malignant hectic fever; when indeed, the same being fixed chiefly in the nervous humour, may be better called, the Convulsive nervous Pestilence.  
There is mention made, by Gregory Horstius, of a Convulsive, and malignant Disease, which was sometime past Epidemical, in Hassia, Westphalia, and the neighbouring 
A description of a convulsive disease of Hassia, sometimes epidemical.  Countries: they being taken therewith, without a feavourish heat, immoderate effervescency of blood, whilst they were employed about their familiar occasions, hardly perceiving themselves to be sick, were wont to have about their hands, or feet, and sometimes in both, a sense of tingling, with a numbness, running up and down: then by and by, their fingers, together with their Arms, and thighs, were now strictly drawn together, now most strongly stretched forth, as if they were frozen. Those kind of Contractions, and extentions, rendered themselves by turns, and then changed places, that now the distemper resided in one part, then presently in another: But (as it often happened) if the Disease, at once invaded the whole Brain, Universal Convulsions, and oftentimes epileptical Fits, infested the sick: besides, those labouring with it, were obnoxious at some turns, to a Delirium, madness, and sometimes a Lethargy: This sickness, continued a long time, without any Crisis, or sound solution, and could scarcely be so perfectly Cured, but that the Disposition of the Brain, and nervous parts, remained evil all their Life after.  
As to the Reasons of this Disease, and Symptoms, it is obvious enough, that 
The reason of the symptoms.  the same depends altogether upon the vice, and notable depravation, of the nervous juce. That pricking, or tingling, for the most part, at the first coming of the disease, was procured for this Reason, because that Liquor, beginning to be poisoned, and loosened in its mixtion, by the malignant Infection, presently it oppressed the animal Spirits, abounding therein, and inhibited them from their wont, and free expansion; wherefore, they being half overwhelmed, and constrained to creep, as it were among briers, or things that catched hold of them, or held them back, they excited the sense, as it were of tinglings running about: but then, because this disease growing worse, the nervous Liquor was yet more perverted in its Crisis, or disposition; the heterogeneous particles, which were brought together in it, cleaving to the Spirits, caused them to be moved hither and thither, and to be unduly exploded; for which Reason, the Contractions and horrid distentions in the members, and the tumults, and great inordinations in the head, were raised up. But that in this fever of the nerves a solution or difficult Crisis, or none at all happened, the reason was, because the nervous juice being slow, and as it were mucilaginous, and therefore heavy in its motion, was not defaecated, or cleared, as the blood, by a critical effervescency, nor easily conceived, that kind of fermentation, by which the pure, might be separated from the impure.  
Indeed I have known a sickness, much like to this example, to be often excited in our Country, and to invade whole families, especially children, and the younger people. Some years since, a populary or childish fever, very much infesting the Brain, and nervous stock, exceedingly spread in this country, yea almost thorough all England: The History of which Disease, being described in that time, in which it raged, viz. in the year 1661. I think it worth our pains to insert, in this place of our Convulsive Pathology: For from hence, it may appear, by what means, and from what causes, the Convulsive Symptoms, which come upon any fevers, are wont to be excited.  

A Description of an Epidemical fever chiefly infestous to the Brain and nervous stock spreading in the year, 1661.  
IN this Country, before the last Summer, viz. 1661. we had been free for above two years, from any popular disease, unless such only as usually come in 
The history of an Epidemical feavou●… raging in the year 1661.  some places; but then, before the Summer Solstice, the small-Pox (a distemper here rarely Epidemical) being rife in many places, raged very much: After that Summer, which was extremely hot and dry, an Autumn moister than usual followed: and after which, a most mild winter almost without any cold: in all which space, the Earth was hardly covered with snow, or was ever hard frozen, above 
It's procatartick or more remote cause.  three or four days; so that within a few weeks, after the winter Solstice, the Trees began to bud, and the vernal plants to break forth, from the bosom of the Earth, and to flower, and also the birds to build nests: to this mild season, not eventilated at the beginning of the spring, by the nitrous little bodies, that were wont to be blown from the North, a filthiness of showers, and almost continual wet succeeded. After the vernal aequinox, a certain irregular, and unaccustomed fever, seized upon some, here and there, which within a month, became so Epidemical, that in many places, it began to be called the New Disease; Raging chiefly among children, and youths; it was wont to afflict them, with a long, and as it were a Chronical Sickness: yea sometimes, old men, and men of middle Age, though rarely, were seized by it, and those indeed, it did sooner, and more certainly kill. The Distemper at first invading any one, did creep on them so silently, that the beginnings 
The symptoms.  of the sickness, were scarce perceived: for arising without immoderate heat, or more sharp thirst, it induced in the whole body a great debility, with a ●…anguishing of the Spirits, and a torpitude or numbness of the function; The Stomach was ready to loathe any victuals, and to be grieved at any thing put into it, and yet not easy to vomit. The sick were unfit for any motion, and only loved to be idle, or to lie down upon the Bed: within a short time, also sometime at the first coming of the Disea●…e, they complained of a heavy vertigo, a tingling of the ears, and often of a great tumult and perturbation of the brain. Which kind of Symptoms, were very often esteemed, as it were the peculiar sign, of the approach of this Disease, if in some, those had been wanting, or happened to be more remiss, instead of the head being affected after that manner, the disease took more deep root in the Breast, with an excited cough, as shall be told by and by. But whi●…st the brain, and the nervous Appendix, being after this manner affected, the animal Spirits, presently from the beginning of the sickness, were benumbed, a slow and as it were hectic fever, was enkindled throughout: but yet, the effervescency of the blood, which was hardly continual, but flitting, and uncertain, was according to the disposition of the blood itself, in some more intense, in others more remiss; and therefore, thirst, the white scurf of the Tongue, and other Symptoms, which accompany a feavourish distemper, did more or lesle infest them: sweeting did not willingly follow, nor could it easily, or by a light thing, be caused by Art: yea, neither this, nor any other evacuation, as it were critical, at any time succeeding, did suddenly help this disease; but it persisting for many weeks, and sometimes months, reduced the sick to the highest Atrophy, or wasting of all parts, and often infected them, with an incurable Consumption.  
About the increase of the disease, which happened in most, within eight days, if the Distemper (as it was often wont) did settle chiefly in the head, and nervous System, most grievous Symtoms, in their Dominions, viz. a plain Frenzy or deep stupidity or ●…nsensibility did molest them. For I often observed, in many children, and not seldom in women, after seven or eight days from their falling sick, that their knowledge and Speech failed them, and so the sick have lain, for a long while, yea, sometimes for the space of a whole month, without any taking notice of the bystanders, and with an involuntary flux of their excrements; but if they continued in some sort the use of Judgement, and Reason, they laboured with a frequent delirium, and constantly with absurd, and incongruous Chimaeras, in their sleep. But in Men, and others of a hotter temperament, from the morbific matter, instead of a Crisis being translated to the brain, a Fury, or dangerous; and oftentimes deadly frenzy did succeed. But if neither Stupidity, nor great Distraction did fall upon them, swimmings in the head, Convulsive motions, with Convulsions of the members, leapings up of the tendons, did grievously infest them. In almost all the sick, the belly was for the most part lose, casting forth plentifully now yellow, now thin, and serous excrement, with a great stink: it was rarely that vomiting fell upon any one: The urine in the whole process of the Disease, (unless when the morbific matter, being carried more plentifully into the Brain, did threaten a frenzy) was highly red, so that some, by reason of the deep colour of the water, judged this fever to have been plainly Scorbutic: which notwithstanding appeared to be otherwise, because antiscorbutic Remedies, (of which indeed many, and almost of every kind were tried) were little or nothing beneficial. It was most of all to be admired, how soon after the beginning of this Disease, the flesh of the sick consumed, and they reduced to the leanness of a Sceleton, when in the mean time, there was no great heat, that might by degrees consume the solid parts, nor any violent evacuation, which might greatly take them down.  
Besides these evils molesting the region of the head, a distemper no lesle dangerous, oftentimes fell upon the breast. For in some, though not in all, a cough very troublesome, with abundance of spittle, and thick, was excited: this happened in some, about the declination of the disease, to wit, whilst the confines of the brain were serene, as it were the clouds sent from thence to the thorax, a great Catarrb suddenly reigned down upon the Lungs. But in others, who especially had little infection of the disease in the head, presently after the beginning of the fever, a cruel cough, and a stinking spitting, with a consumptive disposition, grew upon them, and suddenly, and unthought of, precipitated the sick into a Pthisis: from which nevertheless, they recovered, by the timely use of Remedies, often beyond hope. It was observed in some, that after a long eclipse of the sensitive faculty, and oppression of the brain, from the morbific matter, at length tumours did follow, in the glandulas, near the hinder part of the neck, out of which, being hardly ripened and broke, a thin and stinking ichor or matter, ran for a long time, and brought help. I have also seen watery pustles, excited in other parts of the body, which passed into hollow ulcers, and hardly curable: sometimes little spots, and petechiales, appeared here and there: yet I never heard, that any more broad, or blue, of these kind, were seen in the sick. Not withstanding, though this fever was not remarkable for very many malignant spots, yet it was not free from Contagion. For that in the same Family, it invaded almost all the Chi●…dren, and youths successively, yea not rarely those of more ripe years, and at men's estate, who looking to the sick, were familiarly conversant in their Chambers, or about their beds, were infected with the same infection: But indeed, there was not so much cause of suspicion, that for it, the friends of the sick should be wholly interdicted, from commerce with, or visiting of them.  
Although the course of this disease, (unless when it intimately settled in the brain) did appear so gentle, and continued without any horrid Symptom; yet its cure being always difficult, succeeded not under a long time: For the sick rarely grew well, within three or four weeks, yea for the most part, scarce in so many months. If this disease fell upon men of a broken Age, or strength, especially those who were before obnoxious to cephalic distempers, as the Lethargy, Apoplexy, or Convulsion, it oftentimes killed them in a short space: but if there was any hope of recovering, it could be but slowly procured, (all Remedies whatsoever scarce bringing any sensible help) so that the sick, did no sooner come out of the sphere of this disease, than they fell into the confines of a Consumption.  
If the formal reason, and courses of this aforesaid sickness be demanded, it here 
The reason of them.  easily appears, the watering Liquor of the brain, and nervous stock, for the most part both together, with the blood, to be in fault, and the immediate cause, especially of the troublesome Symptoms: to wit, forasmuch as this water, presently after the first assault of the disease, was grown more poor than usual, and as it were lifeless; therefore a Languishing, and enervation, with a spontaneous weariness, and impotency to motion, happened in the whole body, and with a sudden wasting of the body, in the sick. Further, forasmuch as the same Liquor, was stuffed with heterogeneous particles; viz. partly narcotick, partly explosive, therefore, a numbness, a sense of pricking, leapings up of the tendons and muscles, and contractures, also the Virtego, giddiness, and other more grievous Cephal●…ck distempers did arise: Moreover, forasmuch as by reason of the evil of the nervous juice, being not quickly or hardly to be mended, the cure or healing of the disease, became so hard, and lingering. But for that the fault of this Latex, necessarily depended on the dyscrasy or evil disposition of the blood, also of the depraved constitution of the brain, what their morbid dispositions were, and by what means they brought forth the beginning, or tinder of the Symptom of the fever but now described, let us now see.  
As to the former, it seems, that at this season, by reason of the hot and humied constitution of the year, and no blast from the north (the little bodies of which imbue the blood, and juices of our body, as it were with a nitrous seasoning, and by agitating them, defend them against putrefaction) the blood in most men, and chiefly in children, youths, and women, became like standing-water, that so contracts a settling, very impure, stuffed with heterogeneous particles, and turning to a clammyness, and watrishness; in which, the more pure spirit and sulphur, being somewhat depressed, the watery particles, being carried forth with the impure salt and sulphur, were too much exalted. Wherefore the blood, both by reason of its Crisis or constitution, being vitiated, also by reason of heterogeneous particles, being heaped up more plentifully in its bosom, was made more fit, either of its own accord, or occasionally, or because of the contagion, to receive a feavourish Effervescency, so that from thence, very many fell at this time into fevers. But the blood growing hot, from the feavourish taint being received, did not presently burn with an open flame, but like green wood laid on the fire, with a flame as it were suppressed, and much encumbered with smoke. Wherefore, the morbific matter, being heaped within its mass, was not wont, (as in a regular fever) to be consumed by the burning, and its relics, at the set time, to be exterminated by the Crisis: but yet, a little after the beginning of the fever, a great portion of this matter being poured into the head, or Thorax, or into both at once, and afterwards being continually supplied in those parts, it induced either the aforesaid distempers of the brain, and nervous stock, or a cough, with a consumptive disposition, or both together, and for this reason, about the beginning of this disease, when a pulse quicker than it ought to be, and a high coloured urine, and full of contents, did show the blood to grow hot with a feavourish distemper, the sick did not complain of heat, or thirst; because the blood growing hot, did lay up its impurities, and recrements, forthwith into the provision of the nervous Liquor, or into the Lungs; wherefore, within these receptacles, the Symptoms presently became worse; but afterwards the disease growing on, a somewhat sharp heat, with scurfness of the tongue, was wont to be troublesome to some: yea, in all, a flow, and as it were hectic fever, continued throughout; which neither by sweat, nor by insensible transpiration, could be so wholly removed, but that it was daily renewed, chiefly after eating, though never so small: which thing truly seemed to happen, because the nervous juice being full of the feculencies, brought from the blood, did not afterwards receive them in so great plenty, but that these recrements, together with the nutritious humour, (and for that this was not consumed by nourishing the solid particles) remaining within the bloody mass, caused it then to grow feavourishly hot.  
2ly, Besides this morbid disposition of the blood, contracted from the intemperance of the year, it seems, that the brain also, from the same occasion, was made prone to the aforesaid passions. For when, for a long tract of time, the southern winds did continually blow, with a moist constitution of the Air; from thence, the passages, and pores of the brain, being very much loos●…ed, and opened, and its connexion toomuch dissolved, they gave an easy passage, to serous humours, and for all sorts of heterogeneous particles: wherefore the blood being very feculent, and watery, as soon as it began to grow hot from the fever, carried its serous recrements and filths, presently thorough the too open doors into the head: for whosoever he was, who did not complain of his head, being too much stuffed with a moist air, and numbness of spirits; on the contrary, his pores being bound together, by a intense cold, or drier air, all his senses, and faculties, remained more quick and lively.  
These things being thus premised, concerning the morbid provision of the brain, and humours, to wit, of the blood, and nervous humour, by reason of the constitution of the year, whereby indeed, very many at that time, sell into a slow, unequal, and long continuing fever, surrounded with C●…phalick and Convulsive symptoms, and hardly curable: hence also it will be easy, to unfold the reasons, of the rest of the symptoms and accidents, chiefly to be noted in this disease.  
For first of all, that this irregular fever, raged chiefly among Children, young men, women, and phlegmatic men, the reason was, because in those 
Why this disease chiefly invaded children, women, and phlegmatic men.  kind of bodies, the blood was apt to be more waterish, and lesle perspicable, and from theace to gather a serous Colluvies, or watery humour, and heterogeneous feculencies; and also, the brain being more humid and weak, easily received any recrements of the blood. Wherefore it may be observed, that those sort of persons, were found more prone to Convulsions, arising by reason of any other occasions.  
Secondly, the noted Atrophy or leanness, came so suddenly upon this fever, because, by reason of the/ depravation of the nervous juice, the offices of nourishment, 
The reason of the Atrophy coming upon this fever.  depending upon it (which, as we have elsewhere shown, are highly active) presently failed. For although we do not grant, the nervous humour to be only nutritious, but to dispense thorough the Arteries, a matter destinated to the nourishable parts, prepared in the bloody mass; yet it may be lawful to think, that the Liquor watering the brain and nervous stock, by means of an efficient cause, doth conduce very much to alimentation; for this growing turgid with animal spirit, actuates and invigorates the nutritious juice, brought to every part by the blood, and admitting it into the passages, and most intimate receptacles of the body to be nourished, and as it were leading it in, assimilates or resembles it, Wherefore, when this household Liquor is so depraved, that it doth not rightly supply the animal spirits, requisite about the work of nutrition, all the members and parts of the stomach vitiated in its tone, either spews back whatsoever nourishment is brought, or cannot receive it to its proper use: wherefore truly in this disease, the bulk or habit of the body, however fuller or fatter, was more sooner pulled down, then in a continual fever, where it might much more evaporate, by the intense heat, or copious sweats. The reason of which is, because in a burning fever, although the blood growing very hot, exhales more plentifully; yet in the mean time, it continually affords something of nourishment, which the several parts, helped by the benefit of the nervous juice, easily received, and assimilated; but in this nervous pestilence, although the nutritive matter was sufficiently provided, yet by the defect of the Nourishment of the spirits, the nourishment was altogether inhibited.  
3. For the aforesaid reasons also, this fever, being a long while protracted, 
Why this fever was hardly curable.  was wont scarce ever to be critically helped, and difficultly cured, by the help of almost any medicines: For the feavourish matter, creeping presently, from the beginning of the disease, into the nervous Liquor, could hardly afterwards, and not but of a long time, be exterminated from its bosom: for that this water, with a slow motion, and flowing leisurely in the straight vessels, does not as the blood, conceive of its own accord a purifying effervescency, or fermentation; neither can the forces of medicines, reach to it so easily, and unmixed: but either they are first hindered by other parts, or because they are heterogeneous, they are wholly excluded from the brain, casting back whatever is incongruous. In truth for this reason, all distempers of the brain and nerves, as it were making a mock at Medicines, are most difficulty cured. Therefore in this fever, if the evil impressed on the brain and nervous stock was taken away, either a cruel cough with plentiful spitting, ot tumors, or an Impostum in the neck did follow: to wit, the morbific matter being supped back, by the blood, and again deposited, settled either in the Thorax, or in the Glandula's, and emunctories, nigh the hinder part of the neck. But this disease, was the more contumacious, because the dyscrasy or evil constitution of the blood, was not easily mended: for although from the beginning, its Latex, the recrements being poured forth, even into the nervous Liquor, grew but little and sluggishly hot; yet afterwards, these receptacles being filled, and the morbisic feculencies, and besides the nutritious matter, not employed in nourishing the parts, being resident even in the blood, did aggravate it, and for the exclusion of this trouble, not to be mixed with it, did induce an Effervescency, such as is wont to be in an hectic fever, either almost continual, or presently apt to come again. For I have often observed in this fever, from gruel, barleybroth, and other slender diet; no lesle ebulition of the blood to be stirred up, than from broth made of flesh: whether indeed the nourishing juice, supplying the blood from the chyle, because it was not employed in the work of nutrition, carried something heterogeneous, and not rightly miscible, as a trouble to the blood; and by reason of the particles of this superfluous juice, being copiously sent away with the serum, the urine became very thick, red, and very full of contents: Also, for the same reason, the belly was for the most part lose, forasmuch as the blood, filled full of the nutritious juice, did suck forth a lesser portion of the chile from the bowels, and did pour back again part of that which had been brought to it, on the intestines; the feavourish distemper did likewise stick so long in the blood, because, till the animal regiment being restored, nutrition was rightly performed, that superfluous matter was carried into the mass of blood.  
We deliver the example, and the AEtiology or rational account of this aforesaid fever, more largely for this reason, because the same disease, did fall upon our Country men, here and there also at other times: for that of late, in this City, all the younger people of a certain family, were sick of it: yea, I remember, that some time past, very many laboured with such a fever; Out of the many histories and examples of sick people, which it rendered when it was epidemical, I will here propose one or two.  
A strong and lively young man, about the beginning of the spring, 1661., falling sick, without any evident cause, without any great heat or thirst, he became 
1. Observation.  suddenly weak, and as if enervated, with a dejected appetite, and languor of spirits. Cathartick Remedies, Antipyretics or allaying of heat, digestives, and also antiscorbutics, and others of various kinds, administered by the prescriptions of the most famous Physicians, availed nothing: But notwithstanding the sick man, hitherto languishing with a slow and wand'ring fever, with a quick and feeble pulse, a deep-coloured urine, had kept his bed a fortnight; besides, being reduced to the greatest leanness, he complained of a giddiness, and as it were the fluctuation of a sound in his head, and a tingling noise in his ears. Although he was troubled with a great stupor, yet his sleeps were mightily troubled, and broken with delirious fables. After four days, when the fever was not yet declined, it was thought good to take away four or five ounces of blood, by Leeches, from the sedal veins; from hence the fever began to be much exasperated, for a great intense heat, with thirst, watchings, and almost continual tossing of the body, also the tongue d●…y, and scurfy, appeared; then quickly a troublesome cough, with abundance of discoloured spittle followed, to him were administered, almond, and barly-drinks, with temperate bechicks (or things to stop coughing) boiled in them; water of milk distilled with snails, and pectoral herbs, the shelly-powders, prepared nitre, and often Cordial opiates; which notwithstanding scarce giving any help, the sick man still became more weak: when in this manner being sick above two months' space, the feavourish distemperature, and cough also, daily growing worse, he seemed near death, at length a voluntary sweeting arising, so that every night, or every other night, he sweated abundantly, and from thence finding himself better, using then the aforesaid Remedies, he grew well within six weeks.  
Till I had seen many sick people after the same manner, I suspected this disease to be altogether an hectic fever, with a consumptive disposition of the Lungs; but when I saw many others at that time fall sick ordinarily, after the like manner, I easily instituted the aetiology or national account of this fever, such as I have already described: to wit, that the blood, because of the intemperature of the year, and perhaps from errors in diet, had contracted a vicious procatarxis or 
The reason of it.  remote cause: Then it growing feavourishly hot, and presently carrying its impurities to the brain, and so depraving the juice, watering it, and the nervous stock, induced the vertiginous distempers, with a stupor, a languishing of spirits, and an atrophy of the whole body: but so long as the blood did transfer its recrements, from its own bosom, into the brain and nervous appendix, the feavourish heat continued more gentle and mild: But afterwards, when the tending downwards of the morbific matter, by the opening of the hemorhoid veins, was drawn away from the brain, the ●…ame being first retained within the bloody mass, increased the fever; then being poured on the Lungs, excited the cruel cough, with plentiful spittle: but forasmuch as the flesh of the Lungs remained free ftom putrefaction, as soon as the serous water was sent away by a more plentiful sweeting, the sick man became free, both from the fever, and phthisis or Consumption, that seemed so deplorable.  
In the mean time, whilst he lay sick, I visited another, about 12. years of age, 
2. Obs●…rvation.  after the like manner affected. But this when I was first sent for, having been sick above a month, was reduced to the leanness of a Skeleton: besides, he was troubled with a vertigo, with a noise in his ears, and deafness, and also with a violent cough, with yellow, and as it were consumptive spittle: his pulse was quick and feeble, his urine red and thick, his appetite much dejected, his spirits so languid, and his strength so cast down, that he could not keep out of his bed: I gave this youth to drink often in a day, water distilled from milk, with snails and temperate herbs: besides I ordered him an open decoction, such as is in use for the Rickets, to be daily taken instead of his ordinary drink: by the help of which Remedies, he was restored to his health, in a month's space. At this time I was sent for to many other people, of every age and sex, distempered by the same di●…ease, now clearly Epidemical; for it, running thorough whole families not only in this City, and the neighbouring parts, but in the Countries at a great distance, as I heard from Physicians dwelling in other places, increased very much. Those for the most part labouring with this fever, so be they were otherwise whole, gr●…w well, by the fit use, and order, of medicine and diet: but it happened very often but ill to those, who were endued with a weakly constitution of brain, and nervous stock, or broken with age; but not seldom the case of the sick became dangerous because the Physicians were not wont to be sent for presently after the beginning of the disease, yea, scarcely before it had more deeply spread abroad its roots, and the opportunity of healing was past.  
For that reason, this fever became very deadly, in the family of a certain 
3 Observation.  Noble man, among his children, originally obnoxious to Cephalic distempers. About the vernal AEquinox, a Boy of about eleven years of Age, began to be sick: At first without any vehement heat, or thirst, a dejection of appetite, and want of strength came upon him: Besides, an almost continual giddiness did trouble him, with a frequent danger of fainting, that he often thought he was just dying. By the advice of a certain woman attending him, they daily gave him Clysters: then, when from the foulness of the mouth, and Tongue, manifest signs of a fever appeared, this Empiric on the fifth day, gave him a vomit of the Infusion of Crocus metallorum, and on the seaventh day a Cordial powder being administered, she incited the sick youth covered with blankets to sweated: his skin hardly began to be moist: but presently he began to talk idly, complained that his Cap was fallen into the water, by and by becoming speechless, within four hours, whilst I was sent for, he expired before I came.  
A little while after, the same disease fell upon his younger Sister: whose sickness however, because it was accompanied with a frequent and humid Cough, was 
4. Observation.  thought at first to be only a taking of Cold; but within a few days, this Cough became plainly Convulsive: so that, whilst she Coughed, the Diaphragma being carried upward, and with a renewed Sistole, held so a long time, she made a great noise as if about to be suffocated: then this little maid growing more apparently feavourish, complained of thirst and heat, and lay all night without sleep, with a mighty agitation of her body, and began to talk idly, after the same manner as her brother, of her coat being fallen into the water; and when all things grew worse, she began to be tormented with Convulsive motions, first in her Limbs, by and by in her face, and then in her whole body: the Paroxysms coming by often turns, twice or thrice in an hour, did most grievously trouble her, so that this little wretch, within the space of 24. hours, after the Convulsive Distempers began to grow more grievous, her animal spirits being almost quite spent, she died; whilst the Convulsive Fits tormented her, her pulse was very much disordered, and often intermitting, also a frequent vomiting molested her. Being sent for to visit this maid, also too late, a little before her death; when I could contribute nothing to the proroguing of Life, I endeavourd what I could, to find out from her Death, the knowledge of the aforesaid disease, therefore having got leave to dissect her body, the reasons, and marks of the Symptoms chiefly urging, in this fever, more clearly appeared.  
Opening therefore first the lower belly, I found all the bowels in it sound enough, 
The kn wledg of the disease found out by dissecting the Ca●…case.  and well furnished: The ventricle, although tired with empty vomiting, contained nothing besides the Liquor, lately taken in at the mouth: for neither in it, nor in its Appendix, were worms, or sharp humours found, which are wont oftentimes to give a cause to these kind of Convulsions: the small guts, were in many places mutually involved: to wit, the Convex superficies of one part, was thrust into the concave of another, as into a sheath, and hid far in it, which indeed I judge to have happened, wholly from the convulsive Motions of those bowels: for whilst by reason of the vehement Convulsion, excited from the nervous origine, the opposite fibres being drawn together, did work the same Intestine, into contrary motions, it easily happened that a part of the Intestine of the Ilium being carried upward, might run into the hollowness of the other, being snatched downward.  
The Tnorax being opened, the flesh of the Lungs appeared very red, and as it were sprinkled with blood, yea in some places as it were livid, and almost black: out of the same wherever it was cut, there flowed forrh a thin and frothy matter. Certainly this showed, that the feavourish matter, or the serous impurities of the boiling blood, being soon impacted in the Lungs, did so stuff up their pores and passages, that the blood itself, being in its wont and free Circulation, there stagnating, and being extravasated, did excite a certain Inflammation.  
We found a no lesle clear tract, of this so deadly disease in the head: for the shell of the skull being removed, presently the vessels, creeping thorough the meningae, were seen to swell very much with blood, as if almost the whole mass of blood, were gathered together in the head: for the veins being cut or broken, about the Inwards of the lower and middle belly, little blood flowed forth: Besides, those membranes where they cloth the Cerebel, and being higher spread divide it from the brain, being sprinkled in very many places with extravasated blood, were noted to be of a black-purple colour; that it was not to be doubted, but the Phlegosis or Inflammation round about excited, was the cause of the so cruelly infesting Convulsions. The●…e cover being taken away, the substance of the brain was seen to be altogether moist, and watered above measure with a watery humour: yea, its rind or bark being taken off, ●…ll the ventricles were full of a limpid or clear water, of which kind of very clear Liquor, there was judged to be more than half a pint.  
From these appearances, the pathology of the aforesaid seavour is easily Collected: to wit, in this sickness, as also in many others, the blood feavourishly 
The pathology of the af●…resaid fever.  growing hot, presently deposes its recrements, both into the Lungs, and into the brain; wherefore a serous Colluvies, or watery heap, did presently overflow the constitution of either; then, because the blood being hindered, both here and there, from its due circulation, it began to grow into a very great heap, about the confines of the affected parts, and at length to stagnate, and to cause as it were a phlegosis or Inflammation: hence, by reason of the serum being plentifully heaped up in the lungs, and baked by the heat, the troublesome cough, with the thick and discoloured spittle, for the most part came in this disease; and by reason of the like affection, excited within the head, the vertigo, swimming, stupifaction, and other Cephalic passions, constantly seized on the sick: which kind of Distempers, in this little maid, and in her brother, by reason of the infirm constitution of ●…he brain, before in either of them, being made more grievous, terminated in an Apoplexy. I might easily here propose many other histories, of persons sick of this fever at that time, but from these but now recited, the Type of theaforesaid disease, may be sufficiently known: But because the same fever happens almost every year, on some praedisposed; and perhaps, by reason of an evil constitution of the year, may hereafter at some time become Epidemical, it will be worth the while, to represent some Method about its Cure.  
Concerning which, first of all take notice, that in this fever, no Critical days were to be observed, as in the vulgar continu●…l fevers: for the blood as 
The Curatory Method.  soon as it began to grow hot, poured out a part of the morbific matter, as yet crude, and not overcome, from its embrace to the head or breast: wherefore it were vain to expect that the blood should suffer the heterogeneous particles to be heaped together, in its mass to a fullness; that from thence a flowering or putting forth arising, at the set intervals of times, it might thrust the same subtleties out of doors: yea rather this growing hot glows not with a great, and open burning: but like a fire covered over with chips, sends forth a moist smoke or breath, rather than a flame: But so, that from thence, by reason of the nervous juice being depraved soon in its disposition, and not rarely, because of the lungs being stuffed with the consumptive matter, the convulsive, or phthifical or consumptive symptoms, did molest chiefly, in the whole course of the disease.  
It behoves us to design the curative Intentions, according to the various times 
Blood to be t●…ken awa●… at the beginning of the disease.  of the disease, and the diversities of the symptoms chiefly urging. About the beginning of this fever, the taking away of blood, seemed convenient almost to all: This kind of remedy, I often experienced with success, in little Children: For that by the means, as it were another breathing place is opened, to the mass of blood, silently and covertly growing hot, and obtruding its soot or smoke, on the more noble parts; and for that reason, its impure efflorescencies or puttings forth, are drawn away from the brain, and lungs. Therefore, although this fever of an ill Condition, may be accounted as it were malignant, yet forasinuch as the blood is not presently apt to be coagulated, but to be too much poured forth, and to bestow its serosities on the nobler parts, to wit, the brain and lungs, therefore Phlebotomy, so it be administered in the beginning of the disease, is convenient almost to all.  
For the same reason, Cathartick Medicines, and chiefly vomitory, are administered at the very beginning of the disease; for these do not only evacuate the viscera of concoction, and so draw away the chief fomenting of the disease, and as it were its original, but besides, they draw forth the serosities from the blood, and so effect its cleansing, rather in the stomach and Intestines, then in the head and lungs. Further by Emetics, for that the receiving Glandulaes' of the Lymphducts, are pulled with a great shaking, the superfluities of the nervous juice, lest they should evilly affect the brain, and its dependencies, are expressed forth into the lower bowels: also for this end, the belly is to be kept continually loose, by the use of Clysters. But in the mean time, whilst the blood being infected with the taint of this disease, threatens the brain or praecordia, with the evil, it will not be safe to attempt any thing with Diaphoreticks, or sweeting medicines, or Diuretics or such as evacuate by urine, or also with Catharticks, vomiting and purging medicines: For these kind of medicines, forasmuch as they greatly pour out the blood, and compel its serosities into more open issue forth, all the recrements, being apt to fall away from the mass of the blood, are easily obtruded on the brain, or Lungs, when they are of a more feeble constitution: So in the youth abovementioned, a loss of speech, came upon the raising of an untimely sweat: Also I have known, that Sudorificks, no other then chaly beats, in the morbid disposition of the lungs, have brought on a waisting or Consumption.  
Phlebotomy therefore, and if need be vomiting, or purging, either one or other, or both, being to be made use of at the very beginning of the disease, the other 
Vomits and Purge●…, are to be administered.  Intentions shall be, to draw away the morbific serosities of the blood, apt to flow forth on the head or breast, and to derive them gently by other ways of evacuation, and to put them forth of doors. To this end, Vesicatories or blistering plasters, aught to be applied, to the nape of the neck, or Parotida or jugular Arteries, 
Blistering plasters.  or to the Armpits, or the Groin, or about the thighs, or calves of the legs, som●…times in this part, sometimes in that; to wit, that the little Ulcers being here and there excited, and continually running, might plentifully pour forth the serum, imbued with the morbid, and heterogeneous particles.  
But Remedies, gently carrying the serum, into the Reinss, and urinary passages, are most often administered with success: For this business, diuretical Apozems, 
Diuretics.  and Julaps, are to be ordained after the following forms.  
Take of the Roots of Scorzonera, cherfoil, grass, and of Eringoes candied each ʒ vi. 1. Apple cut, of the leaves of pimpinel, meadow-sweet, each i. handful, of 
A diur●…tick Apozem.  Raisins of the Sun, ℥ i ss. of hartshorn, burnt ʒ two. being cut and bruised, let them be boiled on a clear sire, in four pints of spring water, to the Consumption of the third part; to the straining being cleared two. pints, add of the Syrup of green Cytorns, or violets ℥ two. of shall prunellaʒ i ss. make an Apozem. The dose ℥ iiii. to vi. thrice in a day.  
Or into that straining, put 15 blanched sweet Almonds, and of the four cold seeds, each ʒ i. being bruised, make an Emulsion according to Art. 
An Emulsion   
Take water of Dragons, and of black-Cherries each ℥ iiii. of scordium compound ʒ two. of Threacle water ℥ i ss. of syrup of Clove-gilliflowers, ℥ two. of the spirit of vitriol 
Julap.  xii. drops, make a Julap.  
Take oftentimes in a day, in small beer or posset-drink, half a dram, or two. 
A Power.  scruples of salprunella.  
Besides, in this fever, medicines gently sweeting, of that sort chiefly, which restores the animal spirits, and defends them from any heterogeneous Copula, are 
Gentle Diaphoreticks.  of very great use: wnerefore, either the powder of pearls, or the spirit of heart's horn, or of blood, in a moderate dose, are administered twice in a day, viz. Morning and Evening.  
Clysters are to be given almost every day, and if it be thought fit, a gently loosening purge, may be taken once or twice in a week. 
Glisters.   
The diet prescribed aught to be slender, as in other fevers, let them be wholly interdicted from flesh, or broth made thereof, only let the sick feed on 
Diet.  Gruel, or barleybroth, and let their drink be small beer or posset-drink.  
If that notwithstanding, any preventive physic, the morbific matter, should lodge in the brain, or Lungs, or both together, so that a dissolution, or inordination of the animal function, or also a violent cough, should assault them, it must be considered, what is to be done in either state of the disease, carried forth after this manner, into an evil condition; but then the curative Indications ought to respect the stupor, or madness, or cough: and lastly, if in the declination of the disease, these symptoms do remit, proper Remedies are to be adhibited, against the Atrophy, as it were the last fortress of this fever.  
1st. Therefore if the morbific matter, as it is often wont, being brought to the brain, should bring in an Insensibleness, or a soporiferous or sleepy distemper, 
The Curatory Method in the unsensibleness and madness.  remedies drawing it another way, and deriving it some way from the head, and besides such as stir up the animal spirits, and take away the impure Copula ought carefully to be administered, wherefore in this case, the use of Epispastics or such things that draw the water outwardly, should be much increased, and let the spirit of Hartshorn, be exhibited almost every sixth hour, in a little bigger dose, let blood be also taken, by the sucking of Leeches, more largely from the jugular veins, the Salvatella, or the sedal veins. If the distemper remits not, the head being shaved, let Emollient fomentations be often applied thereto: Further, let Cupping-Glasses, Plasters, and Gataplasms, be laid to the sols of the feet, and other means of Administrations, such as are commonly prescribed for the curing of the stupor, or Insensibleness, aught to be used: In like manner, if on the evil, or no Crisis of this fever, a frenzy, or madness should come, remedies appropriate to those distempers, are made use of.  
2dly, But if either with, or without this sort of displeasure, brought to the 
In the Cough.  head, the Lungs also have taken the evil of this disease, so that the sick, not yet free from the fever, seem to fall into a waisting, or Consumption, with a troublesome cough, with abundance of thick, and often discoloured spittle; Medicines commonly prescribed for such kind of Distempers, are convenient enough; wherefore, pectoral Decoctions, Electuaries, syrups, distilled waters of milk and snails, and other remedies of the like nature, ought diligently to be made use of; the forms of which may be found, in the before-described Cases.  
Thus far we have described the continual fever, for the most part convulsive, and arising no lesle from the fault of the nervous juice, then of the blood: I will here further propose an example of a disease, having the likeness of an intermitting fever, but radicated chiefly in the nervous juice; the nature of which kind of distemper, for that it is very rare, and truly pertinent to our convulsive pathology, will appear from the following history.  
A noted Woman very young, and endued with a more weak constitution of brain, and nervous stock, and for that cause very obnoxious to convulsive distempers, 
A very rare Observation.  after she had conceived with child, about the fourth month of her being big, from cold being taken, she was grievously afflicted with Astmatical fits, and besides, with a frequent sinking down of her spirits: but by the use of remedies, endued with a volatile salt, she grew well, within a fortnight's space, but after that, about 14. days, an unwonted and truly admirable distemper, fell upon this Gentlewoman.  
One morning, awaking after an unquiet sleep that night, she felta light shivering in all her body, as if she had had the sit of an Ague: frequent yauning, and reatching, with an endeavour to vomit followed thereupon: then her urine, which was but now of a citron colour, and of a laudable substance, became pale, and waterish, and was rendered at every turn, to wit, almost every minute of an hour: moreover, about her loins, and hypochondria, and in other places, pains with light Convulsions, running about here and there, were excited: which kind of symptoms plainly convulsive, with her frequent making of a lympid urine, continued in the Morning almost to Evening, in which space of time, a great quantity of water, at least three times more than the liquor she had taken, was rendered; in the mean time, neither was the heat great, nor did thirst trouble her, nor was her pulse increased: In the evening the aforesaid distempers ceased, and her urine became citron colour, and moderate; and besides, all night she enjoyed a moderate sleep, than the morning following, about the same hour, the fit returned, accompanied altogether with the like symtoms, and so daily acted the same Tragedy.  
Visiting this Gentlewoman, after she had been sick in this manner for 12. days, I framed the aetiology of the aforesaid case, to wit, that this disease, chi●…fly radical 
The reason of it.  in the nervous stock, did depend upon the effervescency, and flux of the humour, watering the nervous parts: For it might be suspected, that this water being disfused from the blood, made degenerate by reason of the suppression of her Terms, upon the brain, and nervous stock, became more sharp, and serous than it ought to be, and for that cause incongruous to the containing parts: wherefore, being gathered together to a plenitude, by the night's sleep, it did stir them up, or provoke them, for the expulsion of it, every where into wrinklings, and contractions: hence shiverings, yauning, streaching, and wand'ring pains, were excited in the whole body: Furthermore, from the solid parts, after this manner contracted, and shaken, not only the nervous Liquor, but also the nutricious, every where laid up in the solid parts, but not truly assimilated, were shaken off: and then, either Latex, being exterminated from its receptacles, and received by the veins, or Lymphducts, or water-carrying vessels, was rendered to the Mass of blood: from whose bosom, before it had acquired a lixivial tincture from it, being at last cast forth by the reinss, constituted a clear, and Copious urine: But that this distemper observed such exact periods, the reason is, because the nervous water, being supplied with an equal dimension, did arise to a fullness of running over, daily at the set time: Therefore also, the urine appeared concocted, and yellow, before and after the fit, because than its matter consisted only from the serum of the blood: Afterwards, during the convulsive fit, the limpid humour being shaken off, from the solid and nervous parts, and passing quickly thorough the blood, adulterated the colour and the quantity of the urine. I prescribed to this bigbellied woman, Phlebotomy, and besides, a powder composed out of Coral, pearls, ivory, and other Cardiacks, to be taken thrice in a day, in a proper Liquor; morning and evening she took of the tincture of Antimony, 12. drops (whose singular effect in the too great flux of urine, I have many times experienced): By the use of these, all the symptoms ceased, in a short time.    

CHAPTER IX. Of Universal Convulsions, which are wont to be excited, because of the Scorbutic disposition of the Nervous juice.  
THus much concerning universal Convulsions, diffused thorough the whole nervous 
Universal Convulsions by reason of the Scorbutic disposition of the ne●…vous juice.  kind, which come upon fevers; and especially concerning the Convulsions, which are wont to be excited, in the commonly called malignant hectic fever. There yet remains (which was proposed in the third place) for us to show, by what means, and from what causes, universal Convulsions are induced, without poison or feavourish infection, by reason of the scorbutic, or otherwise vicious dyscrasy or evil disposition, of the nervots juice. For indeed, the Liquor watering both the nerves, and the nervous parts, sometimes disceding from its natural disposition, is so much stuffed with heterogeneous and explosive particles, that the animal spirits, admitting an incongruous Copula, every where growing to themselves, are irritated into continual, as it were cracklings, or convulsive explosions: These kind of Affections of the spirits, are either divided 
Two kinds of these viz. Sepa●…ate and Connex or joined t●…gether.  or separated, between which no Communication, or dependency intercedes, viz. When many parts of the body are troubled at once, with so many Convulsions proper to themselves, which do not come successively one from another, but are terminated in the same muscle or member, where they begin: After which manner, I have known some sick people, who have had their muscles and tendons, all at once in their whole body, perpetually to leap forth, with so many distinct Convulsions. Or Secondly, the Convulsive Distempers, which are excited in the whole nervous kind together, are continued or connex, which succeed one another, with a certain perpetual vicissitude continued between themselves: Forasmuch as inordinate motions, almost of all the members, mutually relieving themselves, being risen in one part, presently pass over to others. For so Horstius relates of a maid, obnoxious to Convulsive motions, whose members and Limbs not only were forced into divers manner of flections and distortions, but besides, as if agitated by an evil Spirit, not being able to stand in a place, she was necessitated to run up and down here and there, and to dance, and jeap in the Hothouse; nor could be hindered from it by any force or chiding, but that she would run here and there; now she would cast herself her selfon her selfon her feet, now impetuously fling herself after another manner, for if she did endeavour never so little to be quiet, presently her Praecordia was most grievously asflicted. Wherefore, the Business of our present task is, to inquire a little more exactly, into the nature and Causes of either Convulsive Affection, to wit, both of that, which is affected through the very much leaping of the tendons and muscles together, and of this, which is caused through the madness and inquietudes of the members or of the whole body: that from thence it may appear, what method of healing aught to be administered in either Case.  
As to the former kind, it easily appears, that these kind of distempers, are 
The nature of the broken Convulsive distemper.  not simple, but complicated, to wit, of a Convulsion, and Palsy. For the muscles and tendons, are perpetually urged with Convulsive motions, notwithstanding, the sick being made weak, they are not able strongly to move any of their members, or their whole body: yea, to these Distempers, pains equally diffused thorough all the Limbs, are adjoined. Hence we may infer, that the animal Spirits are imbued, with a manifold Copula, viz. both with explosive, and also narcotick ot stupifying, and in some sort irritative or provoking particles: so that, although being always burdened, they enter into explosions, yet, not many together, nor indeed any hastily or strongly are exploded, by reason of the other interjected Particles of another kind; wherefore the motive force does not long continue, but is short, and as it were interrupted: just as if gunpowder being kneeded with some muddy substance, should be fired: for then the whole mass is not let off at once, with a noise, nor does one heap presently fire another, but a few grains only, and those successively, to wit, one a little while after another, with small crackling noises, are let off or exploded: In like manner, the nervous Liquor is stuffed throughout, with Convulsive particles, which even cleave to the Spirits: but forasmuch, as some narcotick, and other painful ones, are mingled with them, the elastic force of the former, however lasting, and greatly diffused, is yet much broken and every where cut off.  
For the illustrating this kind of broken convulsive Distemper, I will here describe 
An observation.  a very notable case of a certain Gentleman lately living in this neighbourhood: which being truly admirable, not any writings or observations of Physicians, have scarce showed the like. An honourable Gentleman whom I knew, sprung from Parents, and grandfathers obnoxious to a someways morbid disposition either of the Brain, or nerves, about the height or beyond the strength of his Age, the fruit of this diseased Race began to punish him: for first of all, he was wont to be tormented with a debility, and numbness of his Limbs, and with light Convulsions; with which kind of Distempers, when he had a while laboured at length, for cure sake going to the Bath, having used too much the hot baths, instead of a remedy, he brought back only an exasperation of the Disease, that from that time, the aforesaid Symptoms did not any more tormeut him by fits, but almost continually, to wit, the Convulsive motions, and painful extensions, did incessantly exercise every Limb, yea, every part of his Body, so that all the muscles were perpetually drawn together, with repeated leapings all at once, and that not without great torment: The only means he had for quieting them, was to exercise his whole body, sometimes some of his members, perpetually with a local motion: for so ●…ong as he was awake, he was necessitated to be rocked in his bed, or on his couch, or to be carried in a Coach, or to have his members pressed or rubbed; for which end they had made for him a Bed, and a Chair set upon bowfashoned feet, such as are on children's Cradles, in which, when he lay down or sat upright, he was moved up and down continually, with a tottering or rocking motion; which unless he did, he was infested with most cruel pain, and horrid extensions of his muscles: This kind of daily trouble, of the Convulsive Distemper, in the nighttime, and presently after sleep, entertained much more grievous Symptoms: for being newly awaked, his whole body presently was wont to quake, his muscles to be exercised with painful stretchings, every Limb to be wetted with a squalid or ill-favoured sweat, as if in the agony os Death, which was so very Corrosive, that, like aqua fortis, unless they presently wiped it off, it quickly eat and rotten the Linen. The sick man, during this Conflict, was tormented for many hours, between the sweats and shiverings, until being quite tired out, sleep creeping upon him, brought him some ease; but if at the approach of the fit, he was presently taken out of his Bed, he was better, and so prevented the wont cruelty of the Distemper: Therefore, as soon as he was awaked from sleep, though it happened within half an hour, immediately to avoid the torture, his servants being called, they took him out of his Bed: As to his Appetite he was well enough, he eat without loathing, nor was his stomach disturbed with what he eat: By'r he did often complain of the pain of the heart, and sometimes a troublesome Spitting, with a stink in his mouth, as if he had taken Mercury, molested him for many days. All hot things, whether food or Physic, did nor agree with his constitution; he did not dare to taste, either wine, or strong beer: In the first years of his sickness, he abhorred the very sight of the fire, afterwards becoming weaker; though the winter was sharp he would not sit near the Chimney; his Urine was always of a Citron colour, which ifit were evaporated in an earthen vessel, over hot coals, saltish faeculencies remained in the bottom, to above half the Liquor; his belly was continually bound, and never put forth its load, unless provoked by a purge or Clyster: Yea, besides the Convulsive motions, a Spurious Palsy possessed every member of his whole Body, for he could not lift up his hand, nor step a foot forward; his tongue shaking, brought forth his words but imperfect, but sometimes, when his mind was carried forth, by some sudden occasion of Joy, he would be able, his Spirits being raised with a wonderful strength, suddenly to rise out of his chair, and without the help of another, to stand upright, and to jump, which interval however lasted scarce a minute of an hour, but that his members flagged, and were affected with their wont languor and trembling. When this worthy Gentleman, had been sick after this manner above 12. years, and had consulted the most famous Physicians in all England, and had tried very many Remedies, and almost of every kind, viz. Antiparalytick, antiscorbutick, drying Diets, Sweeting medicines, purges, Caustics, baths, Liniments, yea, and had twice tried salivation, could find no cure by any method of healing; wherefore, all hope of cure being wholly laid aside, for the latter seven years of his life, he made use of only Remedies, chiesly respecting some Symptoms, viz. he took thrice in a week a solutive medicine, of Senna and Rhubarb with Correctives, now in form of a Syrup, or of an extract another time; every night he was wont to take a dose of an opiate, out of conserveses, and temperate Species: Besides, as occasions served, he had ready a Julap, to be taken when his Spirits sainted: moreover, he continually drunk Beer, made of oaten malt, altered with temperate and diuretical herbs. By the use of these, he passed over at least seven years, without any great alteration for the worse; at length, old Age coming on him, together with the disease, more cruel fits of Convulsions, not as at first after sleep, but assoon as he was warm in his bed, invaded him, that he was forced to abstain altogether from his Bed, and rarely put off his clothes, unless to shifted his Linen: from hence transpiration being hindered, the serous Recrements, and others, wont to be evaporated, were fixed on the Lungs, which at first, brought in a frequenr or short breathing, afterwards an Asthmatical Distemper, and lastly a deadly Consumption or wasting.  
If the Reasons of the aforesaid Symptoms be sought after, it will be easy, to 
The reasons of the symptoms chiefly tormenting.  deduce all these evils from a depraved Constitution of the Brain, and nervous stock, and more immediately from the dyscrasy, and fault, of the juice watering those parts. For when that Liquor, in which the animal ●…pirits, do abound, was, as to its temper, highly sharp and Corrosive, like Stygian water, and as to its mixion, was stuffed full of both narcotick and explosive particles, it is no wonder, because the Spirits being very much burdened, and for that cause restrained from their due expansion, that they ●…hould be forced every where into small explosions, as it were Cracklings; and that the containing bodies, being loosed from their due extension and strength, should be also continually irritated into painful Corrugations or shrink up.  
Those Convulsive Distempers, did more sharply infested after sleep, because the 
The growing worse p●…esently after sleep whence it proceeded.  heat of the Bed, did exuscitate or stir up the heterogeneous particles of the nervous juce, and rarifying them, as it were compelled them into explosions; then also, because the nervous parts did imbibe its juce in sleep, and a more plentiful provision of the morbific matter, brought together withit; which being filled to a plenitude, at the first instant of waking, they immediately endeavour to shake off what is troublesome. For this Reason, it is observed, that the pains of Scorbutical people, and the fits of Asthmatical, are made worse by the heat of the bed, and by sleep; therefore as in these, presently to leave the bed, was wont to give ease, so likewise it did in our sick man: But that the trouble, excited by the continual 
Why allayed by Motion.  leapings, and painful extentions of the muscles, was somewhat allayed by the local motion, or moving from one place to another, of the body, or members, the reason is, because the Animal Spirits, whilst they are compelled to divers actions from without; they remit whatsoever inordinations are excited from within: for as in pain, and itching, which are lighter Convulsions, it helps to press, rub, or scratch the affected part, so the Convulsive motions of the muscles, and tendons, are somewhat pleased, by the inordinate agitation of the whole body, or the members.  
As to the Ptyalismus, or copious spitting, with the stinking breath, which 
The spi●…ing  was wont to return at uncertain intervals, we do suppose, that might perchance proceed from Mercury sometime secretly given, although I have seen many labouring both with Convulsive, and also scorbutic distempers, in whom this kind of perpetual defluxion of spittle from the mouth, was very troublesome, without any suspicion of Mercury; also some (as shall be told hereafter) on whom a salivation coming (the explosive matter being after this manner Critically evacuated) helped the disease: moreover, it is likely, that this distemper was produced from the mere recrements of the nervous juice; and that the salival passages, when many, and enough were open, did receive, and convey forth of doors, the superfluities plentifully deposited in the glandulas, from the nerves, and also from the Arteries.  
As to the lucid intervals, whereby the sick man used to obtain some truces, 
Why this sick man obtained some truce from pains.  though short, the cruelties as it were of the disease being mitigated, as when but now his sickness had bound him to his chair, he was able on a sudden to leap up, and walk about; but yet, this unlooked-for strength being vanished, by and by falling again into his wont languishment: I say these kind of motions of labouring Nature, prostrate under a great burden, are its utmost endeavours, and some more strong enforcements, to wit, whereby for a moment of time she recollects herself, and attempts as it were to shake off the yoke of the Disease; but because she is not able to sustain long this strife, she quickly relapses, and lies down under her former burden. Truly it is a wonder, how much above the strength of Nature, Anger, and fear, and some other passions of the mind, do stretch the nervous kind, and compel them to show a force plainly stupendious: But these prodigies of her attempts, are only of a small duration. 
The secret leading cause of the aforesaid distemper.   
The Conjunct cause of the aforesaid disease being after this manner designed, and the Reasons of the Symptoms chiefly tormenting, being shown, it remains yet for us to inquire into the secret leading cause, to wit, by what occasions, the nervous juice being become so degenerate, at first brings in the Palsy, and then leapings, or intestine Convulsions of all the muscles: further, we ought to explain wherefore the fruits of this Disease, increasing by little and little, came suddenly to maturity, by the use of the Baths; also wherefore this sickness yielding to no Remedies became uncurable.  
As to the first, it may be said, that the sick person, being sprung from parents who were obnoxious greatly to Cephallic Diseases, had contracted originally an evil Constitution of the brain, and nervous stock, so that within the 6th lustre (i e. about the 36th year) of his Age, he began to be sick of a spurious Palsy, then, when the evident causes daily fixing the infection more on th●… blood and humours, did happen upon this remote hereditary cause (for there were many chances, and unfortunate accidents, which continually brought sadness, and melancholy upon this Gentleman) indeed therefore, the nervous Liquor being imbued above measure, with a fixed and Scorbutic salt, became highly sharp and irritative, like aquafortis, or the Stagmas of Vitriol; and so continually incited the Spirits, and the bodies containing them, into Corrugations and contractions, just as the aforesaid Liquors when poured upon worms do the same thing.  
But that this disease, leasurly at first increasing, was quickly brought into a much 
Why this Distemp●…r grew W●…rse by the use of the Baths.  worse condition, by the use of the hot Baths, the reason easily appears: It is known by experience, that the hot Baths, do very much exalt, and quickly bring to the height, the Sulphureous-saline particles, in the human body, and otherwise morbid, which abound in the Bowels, and humours, viz. do render them more fierce by agitating them throughly, and force them from their first passages into the blood, and from thence into the Brain and nervous stock, yea, a●…d join together those, that were before separate, and idle, and incite them into a certain fermentation: wherefore, those who are hereditarily obnoxious to the Gout or Stone, and have not as yet suffered any fits of those distempers, very often feel the fruit of either disease in themselves to grow ripe soon, by the use of the Baths: When therefore in this si●…k person, both the blood, and Liquor watering the Brain and nerves, were imbued both with narcotick or stupifying, and convulsive particles; and also when they did degenerate from their sweet, and balsamy Disposition, that towards a saltish, and this into a sour, ciae●…ul of a Stagma of Vitriol, the use of the hot mineral waters, was so far from bringing help, that on the contrary, these evils, for that v●…ry cause, presently grew all very much worse: and the Disease, proceeding from the humours being so depraved, as to their temper and mixture, could never be cured by any medicines, no easier than vinegar may be reduced into wine.  
When this Gentleman's body, being at last dead of the ●…hthisis or Consumption, was opened by me, we could find but very few footsteps, of these kind of most grievous Symptoms. Hence, as it appeared, the Palsy and Convulsion, did not depend, so much on a thick and copious matter, heaped together somewhere in mines, as of an evil affection of the animal Spirits, who are subtle and Invisible. I will lay forth, what was worthy taking notice of, in the anatomy of this person.  
The Abdomen being opened, the Caule (as is wont to be in most who dye of a 
Things worthy to be noted in the b●…dy being dissected.  Consumption, and other Chronical Diseases) was putrified, and almost consumed. In the mean time, the Ventricle, Intestines, Pancreas, and Mesemery, were well enough, to wit, the membranes were firm, well coloured, and free from any ulcer, or hard swelling: There grew to the greater Intestines certain excrefcencies like to the ears of a mouse; for that there were very many of these kind of things out of either side of the Colon, and right intestine, they showed like twins at certain distances, like the branches of Trees: The like I formerly found in a Consumptive person: The Reason of this seems to be, that the nourishment in Consumptive people, (though it be deficient about the more solid, and outward parts, yet sometimes) within near the fountains of the nourishing juice, performs more than it ought, and for that cause, superfluous and unnatural additions grow forth.  
The milt or Spleen, which always is thought ill of, and of most Physicians condemned, for being the Principal cause of the Scurvy, and of all other distempers, appear altogether blameless, and free from any fault: For, as in most people, we observed, it was of a darkish Colour, soft and of an equal superficies, free from any obstruction, or swelling, endued withvessells, and fibrcs, distinct, and firm enough: out of its substance, flowed black blood when it was cut.  
The Liver (which indeed might be wondered at) was indifferently well, neither was it, from so long and grievous a sickness, become harder than usual, or scirrhous, or planted with littIe whelks, but it was somewhat big, and of a darkish colour.  
The Kidnies, though free from any ulcer, or gravel, were not however free from fault: for in the middle of the right Kidney, was seen a great cavity, distinct from the Tunell, and much greater than it, full of clear water: the like I have very often found, in hydropical people: But indeed, this perhaps arose, from the serum deposited in that kidny, that could not easily be strained thorough its passages, and pores; for that the serum subsisting therein, had in the beginning made for itself a little den, which afterwards by degrees was enlarged, and when for this Reason, the secretion of the serum, and its passing forth by the ureter, were something hindered, its Latex restagnating into the blood, brought in the grievous trouble to the head; which indeed was the rather to be suspected, because alfo the left Kidny, being mightily extenuated, and consumed, contained many Cisterns, and Cavities full of clear water.  
The Lungs, growing on every side to the Sternum, (or part of the breast where the ribs meet) sides, and Diaphragma, seemed without any distinction of Lobes, of one substance only of putrid spongy flesh, stuffed throughout with a frothy or ichorous matter: without doubt, the sick man had not contracted this evil so long before, to wit, when he was not able to perform any exercise of the Body, nor stay in bed that it might breathe out any thing more freely, the faeculencies and recrements of the blood, which were wont to evaporate thorough the skin, being laid up in the Lungs, were the cause, that they grew together among themselves, and with other parts, and did vitiate their tone and conformation wholly, so that, a Consumption being at last arisen, was the effect and product, and not the cause of the rest of the distempers, wherewith he had been a long while miserably afflicted.  
In either ventricle of the heart, blood was concreted into a solid whitish substance, and baked like flesh, which being form near the Cavities, and processes of the vessels of the Heart, resembled the figure of a Serpent, with a manifold divided tail: than which indeed nothing is more usual, in many dead People after long sickness: The reason of which is, that the Blood being without life, from long sickness, and from thence circulated slowly abont the Praecordia, begins to stand or stagnate in the heart, and depending vessels, and by that means, is congealed leisurely, into this kind of fleshy Concrete.  
When the Skull was opened, we sought among its contents, the chief Cause of the Disease: The first thing that occurred was, the bulk of the brain was lesle than it should be, and folded into lesser folds, from whence we suspected, that the Animal Spirits, were not plentifully enough brought forth: Further, the whole substance of the head, was more moist than it ought to be, and wholly immersed in a wet watery humour, that its Covering, viz. the whole meanings, were pulled asunder, and the compass or crevices, and all the ventricles, run over with clear water. 'Tis probable, that this deluge of the Brain, had lately happened, to wit, forasmuch, as by reason perspiration being hindered, and the Secretion of urine being but little, the serosities gathered together in the bloody mass, were carried to the head, and therefore, the substance of the Brain, and especially the chancelled or chequered bodies, were so wholly wetted, and soaked, that being cut, their substance could scarce remain compacted, but that it would flow away, somewhat after the manner of thick Liquids: within the bosoms overlying, and inserted to the brain, and its Appendix, and the vessels coming from them, the blood had concreted into little, round, hard, and as it were fleshy balls, just like those within the ventricles of the heart, and the vessels hanging to them, which also lately, when the Blood circulated slowly, we thought might happen, for the same reason, for which the blood was coagulated within the Praecordia.  
The trunk of the Spinal marrow, being drowned in clear water, was very much extenuated, that it could scarce fill half of the bony cavity or hollowness: which we thought to be effected, by the deluge of salt Serum, in which it was as it were boiled.  
So much concerning universal Convulsions, which being very much conjoined 
The Nature●… and ●…he manner, of the continued convulsive distemper being made  with the Paralytic Distemper, are excited dividedly in many parts at once: There remains others, which we called continued, because being suddenly translated, from some parts to others, they mutually relieve one another, and compel the members; now these, now those, and often the whole body, to be involuntarily moved, and diversely bended, or agitated. In these Cases, the Animal Spirits, not only those implanted in private corners, and mines, get to themselves an explosive Copula, and being some how satisfied, or irritated, strike it off by certain turns; but when the whole mass of the nervous Liquor, abundantly abounds with elastic particles, they then every where cleaving to both the Spirits implanted, and flowing in, for that reason stir them up into Continual Convulsions: But forasmuch, as not all the Spirits at once, are not able, however predisposed, to be exploded, (because within the nervous passages, there is not room large enough for their so great agitations) therefore the explosive force, arising in these, or those parts, is by and by transferred, from thence, unto others, and so to others, and so like fire-draks, or wildfire, it runs wandringly here and there, most swiftly creeping from these Limbs, to those, and then presently from all into the Praecordia, or Viscera, and back again. That the Image of those kind of distempers may be known, we will here propose some more rare Cases; of sick persons, whom sometime passed I endeavoured to Cure.  
A very fine and religious maid, tall and slender, begot of a Father sickly, and 
〈◊〉 Observation.  obnoxious to most grievous Distempers of the nervous kind, about the 20th year of her Age, was afflicted for many days with an headache, very Cruel and periodical; at length, at the time of the winter folstice, 1656. the pain of her head ceased, but instead of it, a mighty Catarrh followed, with a thin and Copious spitting, also an ulcerous distemper of the nose and throat; when she had for some time endured this trouble, at length, by the prescript of a certain Woman, receiving the fume of Amber by a tunnel into her mouth, she was suddenly cured, to wit, the Catarrh, or violent Rheum ceased suddenly, but from thence she complained of a notable Vertigo, with a pain in the head, and of the tingling noise of the ears: on the Third day, the tendons of the hinder part of her neck, were pulled together, that her head was bended now forward, now backward, and now of one side, sometime it continued stiff and unmoveable; a little after this, the same kind of Convulsive Distemper invaded the outward members, and Limbs of the whole body, her arms and hands were wonderfully turned about, that no juggler or tumbler could imitate their bend, and rollings about; she was necessitated to spread abroad her legs, and feet, here and there, to strike them against one another, and to transpose or cross them by turns: After this manner either sitting in a Chair or lying in a Bed she was perpetually afflicted with these Convulsive motions, unless when overwhelmed with sleep; and when she did a little restrain her members from the great labour of the Muscles, presently she was taken with a difficult and short-breathing with a sense of Choking; but in the mean time, her eyes, jaws, mouth, and lower bowels, remained free from any Convulsion; neither was she troubled with vomiting, belching, nor any inflation of the belly, and hypochondria: Besides she was still herself, and had truly the use of her memory, understanding, and fantasy, she did, nor said any thing madly, or foolishly: but in these wonderful evils, she showed an admirable example of Christian fortitude, and patienee, even with godly and discreet speeches; her appetite was soon lost, so that she took any meat or aliment very unwillingly; thirst continually troubled her, and her strength was grown so feeble, that she could not stand or walk, her urine was of a Citron colour, very full of saltness, on whose superficies grew little tararous skins.  
When I was sent for to this Gentlewoman, on the Sixth day of her sickness, I framed the AEtiology of this kind of admirable distemper: For the consideration of her father, who at that time was sick in the same house, with most grievous Convulsive passions, kept me, that I did not with many others, refer all things to the delusions of witches: wherefore, that I might seek out the natural Causes of these Symptoms, it was in the first place plainly to be suspected, that this Gentlewoman had contracted hereditarily the seeds of Convulsive Distempers, which at length, about the flower of her age, broke forth into this kind of fruit: for when her blood was very much imbued with heterogeneous and explosive particles, they at length (as is wont in such a disposition) began to be poured into the head, and there to be fixed: being therefore first deposited in the Meningae, they induced the huge periodical headache; then afterwards, the same matter having accidentally shifted its place, falling down into the sinks of the throat and mouth, changed the Cephalage or headache, into a Catarrh or Rbume: and when lastly by an untimely use of the administered Remedy, the defluxion stop●…d, the morbific matter flowing back into the brain, brought the Vertigo, and then, being thrust forth on the nervous stock, it excited the aforesaid Convulsive Affections.  
As to the formal Reason, or the means of generation, whereby the Convulsive matter, falling down into the nervous stock, did produce these admirable 
The reason of the aforesaid case.  Symptoms, we may lawfully suppose, that the same being thrust forth from the Confines of the head, being yet more firm, into the spinal marrow, and its Appendix; and being like a malignant firment, it first infected, with heterogeneous and highly explosive particles, these parts of the juce watering the whole mass; which cleaving to the spirits, every where disposed thorough their whole series, and agitating them, as it were with a certain fury, did stir them up into continual explosions: When in truth, the nervous juice, as is said, was so fermented by the inflowing of the Convulsive matter, that which did other ways water the containing parts, with a gentle falling on them, and through the same; did pass over the animal spirits, with an equal Expansion; now the same did torment the nervous fibres, with various contractions, and Corrugations or shrink up, and did hinder both the spirits flowing in, being too much burdened with an heterogeneous Copula, from their d●…e irradiation, and also variously moving those implanted in every part, did incite them, as it were with a diabolical Inspiration, so that no more obeying the Empire of the will, they ran into inordinate motions, and did renew them, translated rapidly here and there, with a perpetual reciprocation.  
But, although the heterogeneous particles, being poured forth with the blood, into the brain, and thence thrust forth into the nervous stock, did not enter rightly the beginnings of all the nerves, but chiefly and almost only the spinal marrow, and its nervous shoots; so that the internal Viscera, also the parts of the eyes, mouth, and face, remained free from any Convulsion: yet, that same explosive force, being hindered by some violence, whereby it entered lesle in the outward members, presently like wildfire, a way being found, it was wont to run into the praecordia, and bowels of the lower belly: viz. because the inflowing spirits, being struck with a certain fury, and requiring a larger space, in which they might exercise their madness, being excluded from one place, presently enter another somewhere open: wherefore, if that fury had been repulsed, both from the members, and the viscera, no doubt but it would have flown back on the brain, and brought thither, madness, or as it were an Epileptical Insensibleness: which Symptoms indeed happened to be wanting, for that the brain of this most ingenious Gentlewoman, being endued with a more firm Constitution, did take from the nervous Liquor freshly instilled, whatsoever was congruous and spiritous, for its properfood, and enjoyed it: In the mean time, it did depress all the morbific particles, into the spinal marrow, by which the involuntary motions of the members were excited, after that manner as we said but now.  
Being requested to undertake the Cure of this worthy Virgin, first, a light preparation of her body being made, I gave her a solutive potion of the Infusion 
The Curatory Method Observed in this case.  of Senna and Rhubarb, with yellow Sanders and salt of Wormwood added to it, by which she was purged 12 times with great ease, the next day I took viij. ounces of blood from her left Arm, every evening I gave her an opiate of the water, and Syrup of the flowers of Lungwort, with the powder of pearls: besides, once within vi. hours, I prescribed her to take a dose of the spirits of Hartshorn, in a draught of the following Julap. Take of the waters of black Cherries, Walnuts, and the flowers of Paeony, each ℥ iii of the Antipeleptic of Langiu●…●…i. of the Syrup of the flowers of the male-paeony ℥ two. of the powder of pearls ℈ i mix it and make a Julap: because she could not endure much purging, Clysters with Sugar'd-milk, were made use of frequently: besides antispasmodic ointments, being applied to the hinder part of her neck, and the backbone, we ordered often rubbing of the distempered members, with warm woollen clothes wetted in proper oil.  
By the use of these, the sick person within 6 days, seemed to be very much helped; for the Convulsive motions almost wholly ceased, and she could contain her members quietly in their due position, only her head sometimes by a lighter Contractiou was compelled to bend gently this way and that way; further she was able to stand a little, and rise out of her chair, but when she went to step forward, she went not rightly, but obliquely on one side: At this time going away, I left her much better, and in a manifest state of growing well: But after another week, when the Northwind being high, and arisen in Night time, the window not being fast shut, blew very much upon the sick person being in Bed, she presently taking cold, relapsed into that kind of Condition, that she became obnoxious not only to Convulsive passions, but to an universal periodical palsy: for after that she was forced to move about, turn, and wind variously, all her limbs successively, with her head, and members by turns, bend, and thrown about here and there (as before) from morning to night; till at night these kind of motions wholly ceasing, a resolution of her members, or palsy succeeded, so that she was not able to stir either hand or foot, or any other part of her body besides, or to exereise any motive bending of the body, lying in her bed almost immovable like a stone; but being a little refreshed with sleep, about morning, as she recovered some little strength or virtue of the regular motive faculty, by bending, though but weakly here and there, her arms, and legs, so also the involuntary, and Convulsive motions, did constantly return, enduring from that time, all the day, which again at the Evening, were changed into these resolutions of the Limbs.  
By these it appears clearly, that the sick Gentlewoman laboured with a twofold disease, viz. a Palsy, and Convulsion, and that the material Cause of either, was somewhat distinct: For it seems, that the animal spirits, every where abounding, being burdened with narcotick particles, were almost continually bound: besides that, in the time of sleeping, together with the nervous juiee, the Convulsive particles, plentifully flowing in, clove also to the spirits: for the explosions of which, the spirits being incited, produced the involuntary motions: but also at that time, the narcotic Copula being somewhat shaken off, they were then able in some sort to perform the voluntary or regular also: Besides the Remedies but now recited, they did carefully administer very many others, almost of every kind, viz. Antiscorbutics, antiparaleticks, Decoctions, sudorificks, or sweeting medicines, distilled waters, spirits, Elixirs, Tincture, Baths, Liniments, with many others; by the use of which, the Symptoms were something remitted, but yet the disease was not wholly cured, the universal palsy soon ceased, that she was able at any time to move her Limbs, and to bend them here and there; and also the involuntary motions did trouble her but rarely, yet she continued Languishing, and weak; and when she being of a more fine temper, and prone to a Consumption, by reason transpiration was hindered, the recrements of the bloods being laid up in the Lungs, brought in a Cough, which every day growing worse, she at length died of a Phthisis or wasting.  
Some years since, I was sent for to a Noble Virgin, sick almost after the same manner, and something worse: For this suffered almost perpetually, coming by turns, 
2. Observation.  involuntary motions, to wit, shake of the head, and members, or deflections, or move about here and there: besides, she was afflicted with an exceeding troublesome, and plainly wonderful Convulsion, of the Diaphragma, and muscles serving for breathing: for every minute of an hour and oftener, her backbone was suddenly bend in, about its middle, and together her breast shooting out forward, and her hypochondria being drawn inwards, she made a noysie sobbing, now double, now threefold, but still with a lesle and lesle noise: this kind of motion, and ebbing of a crashing noise, was wont to come for many hours, ●…d so that she might be heard through the whole house; and when any short ●…rval of this happened, she was compelled presently to shake, or writhe together extremely her arms, and hands, and sometimes her legs and feet, and also to fling about most furiously her head, and by and by to hold her neck, as it were stiff and immovable: and then in speaking, her tongue would be taken after that manner, that she would repeat the same word very often, yea sometimes twenty times at least: when the Convulsive motions tormented her strongly in her outward members, she was free for a little while from that throttling, and noisy distemper, and this space of intermission she called her time of ease; though in the mean time, her head, and members were carried violently here and there, with Convulsive Motions: if at any time she lay on her left side, presently a contraction of her right hypochondrium inwards, with a sobbing or throttling, vexed her. Within a few days, her strength being very much lost, by the assiduity of the passions, she contracted so great an imbecility in her Loins, and joints of her legs, that she could not stand, nor lean on her feet: Her Stomach, distempered either with weakness, or the Convulsion, returned back whatever was put into it, by vomit.  
In this Case, as in the former, it appears, clearly, that the Animal spirits, 
The nature and cause of the described case.  not only those implanted in this or that part or region, had contracted an heterogeneous Copula to be shaken off by some turns, but also the spirits influencing some nerves, being imbued with explosive particles, had brought in the perpetual, and wand'ring Convulsive Motions. And when at first it happened, that the spirits so afflicted, did assolt, not all the nerves together, nor any indifferently, but for the most part, only those belonging to the Diaphragma, and the Appendices of the spinal marrow, so that within those spaces, the fury of the spirits, perpetually explosing, was limited, for this reason it happened, that the convulsive affections being restrained, in any one of those parts, did break forth more furiously straight in another; and when by their proper instinct, their motive force was employed in one Region, the same was in the mean time, wont to be remitted in another. Moreover in this sick person, the morbific matter, consisting both of narcotick and convulsive particles, caused together the paralytic, and convulsive distemper.  
Coming to her on the 4th day, I gave her an Emetic potion, by which she vomited 7 times, abundance of ropy phlegm, with yellow choler, yet without any ease: on the next day, I took six ounces of blood, from her left Arm, presently from thence, the blood being more impetuously carried, towards the head, she complained mightily of an headache, and giddiness; But within 3 days she being let blood in the foot, found herself better: she afterwards took Remedies for the distempers of the nerves, to wit, Spirits of Hartshorn, and of blood, Bezoartick and shelly powders, Julaps, and Electuaries, antispasmodical: by the use of these, the Symptoms seemed to be something remitted, but yet they remained somewhat after the manner but now described: After a fortnight, by the prescription of a certain Countrywoman, she took in a draught of beer, 6 spoonfuls of blood, taken from the ear of an Ass, by which she seemed on a sudden to be cured: for forthwith all the Convulsive motions did leave, and she remained free from them 24 hours; but yet the disease returning the next day, with its wont fierceness, would not give place, neither to that Remedy, nor indeed easily to any others: she therefore for the future, took medicines methodically prescribed: Once within 6 days, she was gently purged, besides she took the powder composed of Bezoar, pearls, and Coral, with the roots and seeds of Paeony, also an Electuary, prescribed by Horstius for these kind of admirable Convulsions; also Julap, and decoctions, proper in convulsive Distempters: Clysters were often used, frictions, ointments, and vesicatories were administered with success: within another week, the sobbing affection wholly ceased, and likewise the other convulsive motions, being grown more gentle by degrees, very much remitted: Growing well of these distempers, a Catharr falling down in her throat, she was so much troubled, that she almost continually spit forth a sharp, and as it were Corrosive spittle, as if she had had a salivation by taking Mercury: which kind of Remedy indeed, hath been found to have been the last event in this case: but I wholly abstained from administering it, because both the sick, and her friends, would not give me leave.  
After this plentiful, and troublesome spitting had continued for many days, the disease seemed almost to be wholly Cured: so that this noble Gentlewoman, being free of her Convulsive motions, went abroad, and was well, both in strength and stomach. Only she complained, that oftentimes in a day, she was suddenly afflicted, for about a minute of an hour, with a shivering of her whole body; which kind of Distemper coming upon her sometimes in the night, broke her sleep: within the space of a month, this Symptom also, and likewise her Catarrh wholly ceased: But from thence, she was sometimes afflicted with an extreme Soureness, in her ventricle, and the passage of the Oesophagus, and sometimes also in her mouth, and palate, that it was feared lest the inward skin being sretted, those parts should Contract an ulcerous disposition; besides she was wont to be tormented often in her sleep, sometimes also being awake, with the nightmare or Incubus. For this prescribed, Spring and fall, a gentle purge to be administered, with the use of antiscorbutic Remedies, and sometimes Chalibiates, or medicines of prepared steel, which kind of method she observed so much to her benefit, that she was well in health for many years, and is as yet well.  
Among the many Remedies, which were taken against that Sourness, and as it were ulcerous disposition of the palate, and Oesophagus, I prescribed, that she should drink every morning, her own urine fresh made; this, whilst it was very Saltish, was wont to give her great ease; but at sometimes, her urine flowed from her thin and plentifully, which being nothing salt, but like to sour vinegar, from the drinking of that she received little or no benefit.  
The Reason of the Case but now described, seems not much unlike the former, unless that in this sick Gentlewoman, the explosive particles had entered into more passages of the nerves, to wit, besides the appendices of the spinal marrow, into those dedicated for the office of breathing, and also by fits, into those designed for the motion of the Tongue, and almost perpetually tormented the Spirits abounding in them, with Rage or fury.  
But that the Cure of this Disease happened, by the falling down of the sharp humour, into the emunctories of the mouth, and throat, we may from thence gather, that the material Cause of this, was the heterogeneous particles, and as it were nitrous, begotten in the blood; which, when from thence, being passed thorough from the brain, they were carried into the nervous stock, caused the aforesaid Distempers: But assoon as by the help of Remedies, the more plentiful provision of that matter was hindered, and the morbific particles already produced, both from the blood, and the Brain, and nervous stock, were derived into those emunctories of the head, the Convulsive Distemper presently ceased, and within a short time, such a Crisis or secretion still remaining, the perfe●… Cure o●… the Disease followed.  
Forasmuch as the urine, being of itself very salt, and as it were lixivial, became at some times sourish, which did not give any help, as the former, to the sourne●…s of the throat: it may hence be gathered, that the salt particles of the blood, and humours, coming away by the urine, had a twofold state or condition, to wit, offixedness, and fluedness; wherefore the serum, imbued by them, became now of this, now of that nature: for it seems, that the Saline particles, being degenerate within the mass of the blood, remained fixed, and rendered the urine for the most part lixivial: but those which flowed without the blood, in the nervous juce, or were laid up about the solid parts, did degenerate into a flux or acetousness: and therefore from these, being derived into the emunctuaries of the mouth, that noted sourness of the mouth, and Oesophagus proceeded: moreover, when these kind of particles, being gathered to a fullness in the nervous juce, and solid parts, did swell up, and arising to a fluxion, boiled up into the blood: presently these being sent away from thence, in heaps, thorough the Reins, rendered the urine, increased in quantity, sourish. But forasmuch, as the Saline particles, being of a divers Condition, and that those of the same kind could not be mingled together, they mutually moved against one another, and break their forces, therefore the salt urine, and not the sour healed the sourness of the throat. It appears by a vulgar experiment, that the most sharp Spirit of Vitriol, by the mixture of the Salt of Tartar, or any other lixivial, grows very mild: yea, and yet from thence appears, that the acid humour, sweeting out into the parts of the mouth and throat of this Gentlewoman, came near the nature of sharp Vitriol; because the fume of Tobacco, being taken at the mouth of the sick person, was wonderfully sweet, as it happens to such, who have beforehand tasted Vitriol.  
Because we treat here of admirable Convulsions, which do not ordinarlly happen, and whose nature, and causes lie deeply hid; for the better illustration of these kind of Distempers, we will yet show one or two more Cases, no lesle wonderful than the former.  
About ten years since, I visited the daughter of a certain Nobleman, troubled after that manner with Convulsive motions, that some thought her possessed 
3. Observation.  with an evil Spirit: This Virgin about 16. years of age, fair, and well-made, yet begotten of a paralytic Father, without any evident Cause, about the winter-solstice began to fall ill. At first she was troubled, though not in any grievous manner, with an headache, and giddiness for many days; then she felt, now in one of her arms, and then in another, a trembling and sudden Contraction; which kind of Convulsions, returning often that day, endured scarce a moment; the next day sitting nigh her Sister in a Chair, suddenly leaping out, she fetched one or two jumps, and many others successively, with wonderful agility, at the distance of many feet; then, when she was come to the farther part of the Chamber, she stood leaping a great while in the same place, and every time to a great height; when her legs were quite tired with leaping, she fell on the floor, and presently she flung her head here and there with wonderful violence, as if she would shake it from her neck: As soon as she ceased from this motion for weariness, presently the same fury invaded her hands and feet, so that she was forced strongly to exercise these members, by striking the walls or posts, or by beating the pavement: when by reason of shame or modesty, due to her friends, and bystanders, she did hinder herself with great violence, from these motions (for all the while she was herself, and spoke soberly) the distemper being sent inwardly, she was very much infested, with a mighty oppr●…ssion of the heart, with a bemoaning and very noiseful sobbing; then, when she would ease herself, she was forced presently, the fury being transmitted to the muscles of the outward Limbs, either to leap about, or to fling here and there cruelly her head, or arms, or also to run about the Chamber, most swiftly, or to beaten the ground with her feet: because these kind of vehement motitions, of her Limbs or viscera, in the Tragedy of the distemper, did mutnally relieve themseives, returning as it were in a round.  
Coming the 5th. day after this Lady had been sick, I gave her a vomit of the 
The Curator●… Method.  fusion of Crocus Mettallorum, wine of squills, and salt of Vitriol, by which she vomited 7 times, cankered oil or choler, in a great plenty, with the mixture of a sharp, and as it were ●…itriolic humour: The next day ten ounces of blood was taken from the Saphana vein; besides, she took twice in a day, antidotes of the powders of precious Stones, of human skull, and the root of the male paeony. By the use of these, within a week, she seemed to be cured, she continued for many days afterwards free from the aforesaid distempers: But after two weeks at the time of the full Moon she fell into a relapse of the same disease more cruel than before, for besides those wonderful leapings, and vehement Conversions and rollings about of her head and members, she was forced besides, to fetch often a most rapid course round about the Chamber: she began at this time, from the praescripts of others, to take antihysterical Remedies, and purges at certain set intervals, but without any help: At last, I being sent for, because she seemed endued with a strong habit of body, and with a notable fierceness of spirits, I gave her a stronger Emetic, by which she vomited forth ten times, greenish Choler, like to rust, with phlegm, sharp like stygian water, and she was suddenly eased: After this, I gave her every morning, a draught of white-wine, dilated with the water of black Cherries, with sows or hog-lice bruised and infused therein, and strongly pressed forth. By the Use of these, she seemed presently to be cured, and was well above a Month: And when afterwards, the distempers being about to return, she felt at any time some forerunners, presently by the use of a vomit, and the expression of the millipeds or Cheslogs, she averted the approach of the Disease: within three months, she fo far recovered her former health, that she has now lived for many years, free from those kind of Convulsive distempers: But from the time the convulsive passions wholly ceased, she was sometimes troubled, about the parts of her mouth, and throat, with a defluxio●…, of a most sour humour, like the vitriolic Stagma; besides sometimes she was obnoxious to the Pica or longing of women, and at sometimes also to the Cough, with a discolored spittle, threatening a Consumption, notwithstanding which, by remedies used in these kind of Cases, she was easily cured.  
As to the aetiology, or Rational account of the aforesaid Case, there is no 
The reasons of aforesaid case.  reason that we should fear to refer both the Causes, and Symptoms of this disease, to the explosive particles (the brain being passed thorough without hurt) sent as a supply, Continually from the blood, into the nervous stock; which, forasmuch as they being poured forth in great plenty, were not restrained within privatemines, to be struck off only by turns, cleaving every where, both to the implanted, and inflowing Spirits, forced them, as it were inspired with a madness, to be perpetually exploded, and to grow raging here and there, by bands: so that indeed, they were not able at all to be ruled; within the containing parts, but there was need to overthrew, and to tame them, impetuously tumultuating, and apt to be carried here and there, like a whirlwind, by some very violent and strong exercise. In truth in was in this sick person, as it is in musical Organs, which if filled above measure, by too great a blast of wind, unless presently the passages of more Pipes be opened, the whole frame of the Organ is quickly shaken, and in danger to be broken to pieces: In like manner in this Lady, when the animal Spirits, actuating the pipes, and the depending fibres, of some of the nerves, were moved beyond their due tenor, there was a necessity, that their force should be bestowed on many vehement local motions together, whilst they inflated above measure the nervous bodies: wherefore, when their madness was hindered in on part, by and by like wind penned up, creeping somewhere else, it broke forth more violently, in some other part.  
In this sick person, the use of one or two Vomits, brought help once or twice, because that by it, what was lodged in the gallie-vessell, yea the glandulas and emunctuories, and also about the viscera of concoction, being by this means emptied, the purging of the blood, and nervous juce, were more Copiously drawn into the same place; therefore indeed, that the animal Spirits, flowing within the Pipes of the distempered nerves, might be lesle infected by them: By this reason also, the juice of the Sows or hog-lice was beneficial, forasmuch as it derived the morbific matter, from the nervous kind, to the urinary passages: Besides these Remedies, the Root and in a great part the branches of the morbific matter being cut off, and when others, as it were antidotes, hindering every where its vegitation, were carefully administered, whatsoever was left of it, Nature at length becoming superior (as she is wont in these critical Cases) sent away, to the sinks of the mou●…h and Throat.  
Whilst I was writing these things, I visited an illustrious Virgin, who was 
4. Observation.  troubled with other kind of Convulsive motions, and those universal, and no lesle to be admired: she was about 18. years of age, handsome, and well made, and before this time healthful; when the Pestilence raging in this neighbourhood, she had come within the danger of its Contagion, she fell into a panic fear, with frequent swooning; the night fellowing, she suffered so great a deliquium or sinking down of her Spirits, and insensibility, that she seemed just a dying: hardly struggling with so great an evil, afterwards she had every day Convulsive fits, though at first at uncertain hours, and returning after a manifold Kind: But within a short time, its come being made regular, twice in a day, to wit, they constantIy returned at eleven of the clock, and before five in the afternoon, that no intermitting fever, kept more exactly its periods; yea, also, the same accidents of the fit daily chanced after the same manner.  
When she had thus been sick for three weeks, one day I was sent for, that I mighttake notice of all the Symptoms, and the whole figure of the disease: she being up about ten in the morning, was well, in her Countenance, going, and speech, she behaved herself exceeding well, so that none would ever suspect her to be sick: at eleven of the clock, she began to complain of a fullness of her head, and numbness of Spirits, with a light swimning; by and by she felt a great pulsation, and as it were the leaping of some live animal, in her left hypochondrium: putting my hand on her side I plainly perceived this motion; then a stretching and belching followed, which done, she was presently put to bed, and a maid sitting upon a pillow held her down; who during the fit, most strictly grasped the sick person, holding her to her bosom, with her arms folded about her waist: besides servants were ready, and her relations standing by, who now pressed down her belly, and hypochondria rising up, and swelling to a great bulk, now held her hands and arms. The chief Symptoms of the Disease, which being excited by turns, almost divided the whole fit, were these two, viz. one while Cruel Convulsions of the Bowels did infest her, so that the abdomen, rising up into a mighty bulk, strove against the hands of the bystanders, held upon it, that it could not be pressed down; and at the same tim●…, her Praecordia, being contracted upwards, the motions of her blood and heart, were almost stopped: in which space of time, this virgin, her head falling down, with a small pulse, and almost without voice, lay nigh senseless; after two or three minutes of an hour, these Convulsions ceased: and then the sick person, setting herself upright, looked about cheerfully, and for a while, the force of the disease changed into talking and singing, both of which she without ceasing performed, most pleasantly and most elegantly, beyond her proper capacity: with these kind of speeches, and pleasant jests, she fell upon all the standers by, that nothing in a Comedy could be more pleasant; then she uttered most sweet tunes of music, and more pleasant, than any other could, or herself at another time: After she had past fix or seven minutes of an hour, thus jesting and singing, the Convulsions of her Bowels and Praecordia, and the want of speech, came upon her as before: and these soon remitting, the force of the Spirits leaping back, from the inferior nerves on the brain, it was lastly employed in the pleasantness of speech and Songs; as often, when she talked to the bystanders, as any of them replied any thing bitterly or reproachfully, she fell into those most grievous, and longer continuing, Convulsions of the Viscera: After this manner, she was wont to be molested, with an alternate distemper of the Bowels, and brain, about the space of an hour: Then towards the end of the Viscera, the fit declining, more light Convulsions being made, they repeated three or four times without any intermission, than these wholly ceasing, the force of the disease broke forth into her outward members, from whence it quickly vanished: for her Arms and Legs, for a minute of an hour, suffered leapings forth, and Contractions; presently after, the sick person being taken up, left by'r bed, free from all Convulsion, till a new fit returned; yea, indifferently well in strength, she walked about the house, and during the interval of her distemper, she cheerfully performed the accustomed Offices of Life, excepting that her stomach languish all day she loathed food, in the evening, after the second fit, she supped moderately.  
This was the present state of the Disease, in whose fits, the more clear use of some faculties, seemed in a manner to Compensate the irregularity of others: But about the beginning of her sickness, it was somewhat otherways: for the Convulsions of her bowels, were far more grievous, and an insensibility was joined to them: besides, in their interval, talking idly, an incongruons singing, yea both laughter and weeping, without any known reason, breaking forth, were wont to follow one another: but now, the animal Spirits being forced into longer explosions, performed them so regularly, now this, now that, as a more Commodious way was made, that they seemed after a manner, to be done by the Command of the will, and of Reason.  
That we may therefore, according to our hypothesis, frame an AEtiology or rational account of this Distemper; In the first place, it seems, that a vehement 
The reason's o●… the aforesaid Distemper.  fear, did drive the Spirits inhabiting the brain and Praecordia, into great disorders: so that, they being disturbed out of their ranks, both the kind of madness or foolishness, and the frequent swooning succeeded: Further, it may be suspected, that from the same impression, the hurt was carried to the brain itself, so that its conformation being somewhat vitiated, the heterogeneous and morbific particles, were admitted together with the nervous juice: Then, although the spirits at the beginning, being confused and troubled, after their short inordinations, at last recovered themselves, and performed the wont offices both of the animal and vital function; yet by reason of the taint, impressed on the brain, the heterogeneous particles being constantly admitted, cleaving to those Spirits, induced explosive endeavours, as soon as the spirits were ●…illed to a plenitude, with the extraneous Copula, they being irritated, entered into Convulsive explosions for the shaking or striking it off.  
About the beginning of the Disease, when both the Disposition of the Brain, and the Spirits inhabiting it, was more perverse, and vicious, from the fresh received hurt, a fullness of the heterogeneous Copula sooner happened, and so its explosion following more often, and more inordinately, was dispatched with greater tumult; But afterwards, when the hurt of the animal regiment abating, the supplements of that Copula, even as the nervous Liquor, were daily brought in with an equal dimention, the explosions of the Spirits being made regular, and more mild, observed their just periods or set times.  
That she ●…elt, upon the approach of the fit, a fullness and as it were an inflation in her head, with an heaviness, and dullness of the spirits, the Reason is, because at this time, the spirits inhabiting the brain, being now prepared for explosions, were wont first of all to be moved, and as it were to swell up; then that pulsation in her left hypochondria succeeded; for that the Spirits inhabiting the nervous foldings, and fibres, thickly planted about the Spleen, began to be exploded: afterwards, when the Spirits flowing both within the mesenteric, and Cardiac enfoldings, were exploded rogether, those elevations, and as it were leapings up of the Abdomen, and Thorax, were induced: and when in this distemper, the motions of the blood and heart were almost wholly stopped, therefore there was a small and almost no pulse, and she became Speechless, and in a manner senseless.  
The Convulsion of the Viscera and Praecordia remitting, a prattling and singing succeeded, because a falling down or removal of the Spirits as yet exploded, being made from the nervous stock, into the brain, it changed the Convulsions into an exaltation of the fancy, and more ready exercise of the phantasms, or Representation of the Imagination: So long as the Spirits, within the middle of the brain, are regularly and orderly exploded, they bring forth the Acts of the habits and faculties so much more noble, and as it were above the strength, and tenor of Nature, as in this sick Gentlewoman: but on the contrary, when the explosions of the Spirits in that Region, hap to be inordinate, they cause for the most part foolishness, or at least the exercise of their powers, are incongruous and absurd.  
The Convulsions of the Bowels, and the fantastic actions, relieved one another mutually, and by turns, because plenty of Spirits, being disposed to be struck off, made their tendency, as it were with a direct and reflected waving or undulation, now on this part, now on that by turns: then lastly, when they were almost all exploded, the more often Convulsions of the Viscera were stirred up; and when a small handful only remained to be exploded, that being at last excluded, both from the head and bowels, it ran forth into the spinal marrow, and employed the last assolt of the disease, in the Convulsions of the Arms and Legs.  
There yet remains one great difficulty in this Case, why the fits of this disease, were always repeated exactly at set hours, and yet had so unequal periods, to wit, that the Coming of the first, was only but fix hours before the second, and then the return of the next, did not happen but in 18 hours' space. For the solving of this, it is to be supposed, that these fits did depend upon the nervous juice being stuffed to a plenitude, with heterogeneous particles: which particles were altogether conveyed thither from the bloody mass, and the blood did drink up the same, from the nourishing juice, sent as a supply from the Bowels: These being thus supposed, we must consider, in what space of time, the bloody mass is filled with those morbific particles, and then, in what measure, it pours them forth into the nervous Liquor. As to these, that it may the better appear after what manner it was done, in the case of this sick person, you must know, that she took in 24. hours' space, only at one time, a full meal: to wit, after the second fit was ended she supped moderately about 7 of the Clock; the rest of the day wanting an Appetite, she hardly took any food, therefore it is probable, that the morbific matter, was poured forth together with the nutritious provision, into the bloody mass, chiefly in the night time; and that more plentifully, than that all could presently be derived, into the nervous Liquor: The heterogeneous particles, which are first conveyed from the blood, newly satisfied, into the nervous Liquor, being heaped up to the fullness, did excite the first fit, the coming of which therefore was longer delayed, because both one space is required wherein the blood, and then another wherein the brain and nerves, are to be filled: after this fit was over, because the blood yet full, containing in itself more particles, of the same kind, pours them suddenly on the nervous juice, there●…ore the other fit isinduced, within thrice the space of the former: but this being ended, because both the bloody mass, and the nervous juice, are wholly freed from their burden, the sick person finding herself better, than at any other time, took her food greedily enough; but after that, when to the next following fit, first the bloody mass, and then the nervous juice, aught to be filled with the morbific matter, therefore 10. hours are required for this double task: but forasmuch, as there is only need, for the second fit, that the other particles should be derived from the bloody mass, yet full, into the nervous juice, therefore for this effect, a much lesle space doth suffice, viz. of 6 hours.  
After I had seen this Lady, who had laboured for many weeks with these kind 
The Curator●… Me●…hod.  os periodical fits, I ordered, that three hours before the second fit, ten ounces of blood, should be taken out of the vein on the foot; which being done, the coming of the fit, in the evening being expected, quite left her, neither did it return at all afterwards; but the other fit, observing its former time, daily returned, till the Patient being let blood, a little before its coming, remained that day sree from the disease, which however returning the day after, according to the same manner, exercised her for many months: In the mean time, because th●… cold of the winter was very great, she forbore for some time the use of remedies: but the spring coming on, this honourable Lady being brought to 〈◊〉, was Cured by the following method.  
●…t I gave her this Cathartick, and I took care, that it was repeated every 6th. or 7th. day. Take of the Sulphur of Antimony, grains 6, of Mercurius dulcis 1. ●…ruple, of the Resine of Julap gr. iv. of ginger gr. vi. let them be beaten together in a mortar, then add of the Conserves of Violets i. dram, make a bolus: It was wont to provoke two or three vomits, and three or four stools. The flux of her Terms came constantly in great abundance, at the set times: wherefore, when the blood seemed very plentiful, and hot, I ordered phlebotomy twice or thrice in the midst betwixt the times of her Terms: Besides, every day that she did not purge, she took twice in a day, 4 pills of the following mass, drinking after them, a littledraught of the Julap below prescribed. Take of the Roots of the male-Paeony, ℥ ss. of Virginian snakeweed, Contrayerva, Cretic Dittany, each ʒ i i of human skull, prepared, ʒ i ss. of an Elksclawʒ i. of red Coral prepared, of the powder of Pearls, each ʒ i. of the salt of Wormwood, ʒ two. of the salt of Corrallʒ i. with what will suffice of the syrup of the flowers of the male-paeony make a mass.  
Take of the water of the flowers of the male-paeony, of black Cherries, and of walnuts, each ℥ iiii. of the antiepileptic of Langius, ℥ two. of the syrup of the flowers of Paeony, ℥ i ss. of Castor tied in a knot, and hung in the glass, ʒ i mix them, and make a Julap.  
When she began to loathe the Pills, they being omitted, she took twice a day, to wit, in the Morning, and the Evening. about one scruple of the following powder, in a spoonful of Julap, drinking after it 4. or 5. spoonfuls of the same. Take of Bezar-stone, of either white Amber, of Pearls prepared, of red Coral, each ℈ i of human skull ℈ two. of the root of Virginian snakeweed, and the seeds of R●…e, each ʒ ss. mingle them, and make a powder, let her take ℈ i Morning and Evening, with a dose of the above-prescribed Julap.  
Then, when also this medicine began to be tedious to her, she used the pills, or the Elixir proprietatis, and also sometimes for many days the Spirits of Hartshorn: At last, she began to be helped, by that powder, being daily taken, for some space.  
In the mean time, whilst this method of healing was ordained; her hair being shaved from her head, it was covered only with a thin covering: She wore upon her Belly, an Hysterical plaster mixed with Galbanum: for her ordinary drink, she took a Bochet of Sarsa, and China, the roots of the male-Paeony, and other proper things, in●…used in Spring-water and boiled. Within a month, the Fits were something remitted: then, being by degrees made gentler and lesser, at length they almost quite ceased: unless that at the time of her Terms, one or two fits of the disease was wont to trouble her: Further she laboured with an almost constant giddiness, and queasiness of Stomach; in the middle of the Summer, she drunk Astrop-waters, for a fortnight, and was perfectly well.  
But as ●…or the means in general, to be shown for the Cure, of these admirable it will not be easy to assign, either fit remedies for this herculean disease, or a certain method of Cure, approved by often experience: for besides, that these like cases are seldom met with, it is likewise observed, that the same Medicines which at this time were helpful to this sick person, being given to another, or to the same, helped nothing at another time: The reason of which seems to be, because the cause of the Disease consists in the dyscrasy, or evil disposition of the nervous juice, which Liquor, is not always perverted, after one and the same manner: But by the manifold combination of the salts and Sulphur's, it gets a morbid nature of a various manner and kind, and oftentimes changes it: wherefore, in the most grievious distempers of this kind, not the vulgar medicines, taken from the shops or dispensatory, are to be prescribed, but magistralls, as cause arises, according to the appearances of the admirable Symptoms. A gentle vomit, Purge, blood-letting, aught in the first place to be ordained, and to be repeated, as often as shall seem flt. As to specisick medicines also, and appropriate in these cases, when the chief Indication shall be, to mend the temper of the Nervous juice, you may try many, and by their effect judge of their virtues: Therefore it may be lawful, to try, what the Remedies endued with a volatile or armoniac salt, may effect. For this end, the spirits and salts, of Hartshorn, Blood, soot, and the flowers and spirits of Salarmoniac, are taken: These helping nothing, you must come to Chalybiats or Steel medicines; the tinctures and solutions of Coral and Antimony are given: which kind of medicines are exhibited, in such a dose, and form, and so often, that some alteration may be made by them, on the whole blood or nervous juce: Further, If success shall fail in such like, you must then proceed to Alexipharmaca, which help against poisons, and the malignancy impressed on the humours: to wit, to institute from these, decoctions, and distilled waters of vegetables, powders, Conserves, and other preparations; and to compound variously some with others, and to administer them diversely. It is likely, that those kind of medicines, which are wont to be helpful to such, as are bitten by a viper, or a mad Dog, or that have taken woulfs-bane, or poison, may be useful also in the aforesaid Convulsions. It may be lawful here, according to the example of Gregory Horstius, in his tract of the malignant Convulsive disease, and also of wonderful Convulsions, to prescribe magisterial Remedies, in the form of a purging Electuary, and also of a powder, and Convulsive Antidote, and to compound them variously, partly of simple Alexipharmacks, or poison resisters, and partly of Antiepilepticks, or things good against the falling Evil.   

CHAPTER. X. Of the Passions Commonly called Hysterical.  
THE hysterical passion is of so ill fame, among the Diseases belonging to women, that like one half damned, it bears the faults of many other Distempers: For when at any time, a sicknbss happens in a woman's body, of an unusual manner, or more occult original, so that its Cause lies hid, and the Curatory Indication is altogether uncertain, presently we accuse the evil influence of the womb, (which for the most part is innocent) and in every unusual Symptom, we declare it to be something hysterical, and so to this Scope, which oftentimes is only the subterfuge of Ignorance, the medical Intentions, and use of Remedies are directed.  
The Passions, which are wont to be referred to this cense or order, are found 
A description of the hysterical passion.  to be various and manifold; which rarely happen in divers women, or which come wholly after the same manner: The most Common, and which commonly are said to constitute the formal Reason of the hysterical distemper, are these, viz. A motion in the bottom of the belly, and an ascension of the same, as it were a certain round thing, than a belching, or a striving to vomit, a distension, and murmur of the hypoehondria, with a breaking forth of blasts of wind, an unequal breathing, and very much hindered, a choking in the throat, a vertigo, an inversion, or rolling about of the eyes, oftentimes laughing, or weeping, absurd talking, sometimes want of speech, and motionless, with an obscure or no pulse, and deadish aspect, sometimes Convulsive motions, in the face and Limbs, and sometimes in the whole body, a●…e excited: But universal Convulsions rarely happen, and not unless this disease be in the very worst state: Because, for the most part, the Tragedy of the Fit is acted without Contraction of the members, only in the inferior belly, Thorax, and head, to wit, in some of them, or successively in all: women of every age, and Condition, are obnoxious to these kind of Distempers, to wit, Rich and poor, Virgins, wives, and widows: I have observed those Symptoms in maids before ripe age, also in old women after their flowers have left them; yea, sometimes the same kind of Passions infested men, as plainly appeared by the example already showed.  
As to the causes of those symptoms, most ancient, and indeed Modern Phyfitians, 
The causes of the Symptons' inquired into.  reser them to the ascent of the womb, and vapours elevated from it: The former opinion, although it pled antiquity, seems the lesle probable, for that the body of the womb is of so small bulk, in virgins, and widows, and is so strictly tied by the neighbouring parts round about, that it cannot of itself be moved, or asccnd from its place, nor could its motion be felt, if there were any: as to that vulgar opinion, or Reason taken from the vapours, we have often rejected it as wholly vain, and light, for just reasons elsewhere: But we judge, the passions but now described, do neither always, nor at all proceed from the ascent, or the vapours of the womb: and that indeed, other very famous Physicians, have already determined: For in times past. Charles Piso, and of late the most learned Highmore, have vindicated the womb from all fault; and the passions, which are commonly called hysterical, are thought by this latter to arise from the blood, most impetuously rushing on the Lungs; and by the other, from a serous colluives heaped together near the origin of the Nerves. How probable this latter opinion doth seem, shall appear from what follows: But as to the opinion delivered by Doctor Highmore, concerning this thing, though it be far from our Custom to contradict any one's opinion, and that it is almost ●…nlawfull for me, to diffent from this famous man; yet, because our pathology standing on a contrary basis, (viz. the cause of the hysterical distemper being imputed more immediately to the nervous stock, than to the blood) will seem to be only asserted, unless we show the Reasons, which combat against that hypothesis, and forours', therefore taking leave, here we will try more exactly either opinion, put as it were in a balance.  
In the fit therefore commonly called hysterical, this famous man supposes, the blood, for that it is thin, flatulent, and with a certain effervescency, to rush 
Doctor Highmores' Opinion Examined.  too much in heaps, into the pneumonick vessels, and the vessels of the heart, and in them to broyl up impetuously, and so to stuff up the lungs, and very much to aggravate them, that neither they can exercise their motion, nor that the blood can be drained from the bosom of the heart: Hence, from the blood stagnating in the Praeoordia, a great oppression, difficult breathing, and often none, with a melting of the vital Spirits were wont to be inferred: then the diaphragma, that it might give place to the Lungs more and more distended, and that breathing at least might be some way made, is carried downward, with a mighty and long continued Diastole, and so by pressing down the Intestines, it lifts up the ahdomen, and hypochondria, and feins a motion as it were the arising of a globe: But afterwards, the vital function labouring after this manner, the animal faculty arises in its aid, wherefore, a necessity of motions, in various parts urging the animal Spirits, being driven impetuonsly into the beginnings of the nerves, produce divers manners of Convulsions, running here and there. The Author endeavours to confirm this Opinion, by the great help in this disease had, by the taking away the bloody excretion, both from things helpful, and things hurtful, in this paffion:  
But though I cannot but praise this Doctrine of the suffocation of the womb, as very ingenious, and cunningly wrought, yet that I do not consent to it in all things, some reasons of great moment clearly hinder me. Truly I confess, that I do not understand, how in some hysterical persous, to wit, who are of a more frigid temperament, and are often troubled with the Pica, and longing disease; the blood should so immoderately boil up in the Lungs, without any conspicuous notes of its growing hot, in some other place. I have known young maids, by reason of the green-sickness, as it were without blood, to wit, whose blood indeed being without life, did remain without any exercise in the heart, and was from thence diffic ltly enough drawn forth, into the Lungs, who yet were grievously obnoxious to the passions called hysterical: Certainly it is not probable, that the blood of these persons growing immoderately hot, should rush impetuonsly into the Pneumonick vessels, and should stuff up their pores and passages very thickly, when in the mean time, such become short-breathed, by reason of the absence of the blood from the Lungs, or its difficult admission to them: Besides, by what means comes it to pass, that this violent course of the blood into the Lungs, which is supposed to be made in this Fit, brings forth no Inflammation in them? for that the blood, being too much heaped, or rapidly put into any part, is easily extravasated, and is wont to excite an Inflammation hardly to be shaken off. From whence it is therefore, in the hysterical distemper, the blood entering violently into the Lungs, and distending them, does not cause a peripneumonie or imposthume of the Lungs? Or wherefore the distempers as it were hysterical, come not on an Inflammation of the Lungs, otherwise caused? wherefore it seems improbable, that the blood swelling up, with its proper anger or heat, should rush into the Lungs, and by stuffing them, renders them too immovable, and so secondarily and consequently induce Convulsions of the Diaphragma, and other parts: but it may rather seem, that by reason of the Diaphragma, and other organs of breathing, being first affected with a Convulsion, the blood should be forced to stagnate in the praecordia: Besides, it may be observed, that the lung●… are not always afflicted before other parts; for oftentimes the convulsive Symptoms begin elsewhere, and not rarely bear the region of the breast wholly untouched: Because in some, the vertigo, and Corruscations or sparklings of the eyes, begin the fit, to which succeed either weeping, or laughing, or convulsive motions of the Limbs, without any straitness of the breath, or oppression of the heart: in others, before respiration troubles them, any way, a swelling in the bottom of the belly, with a vomiting, and rumbling of the belly, begins and often ends the fit; so that the difficulty of breathing, oftentimes follows these Symptoms at a great distance, and is wont to be prevented, by the tying strictly of swathing-bands, about the hypochondria. Moveover, it seems, that this ascent as it were of a certain round thing, from the Hypogastrium or lower part of the belly, can never proceed from the depression of the Diaphragma; because in the hysterical fit, this part is not always pressed down towards the lower parts, but oftentimes drawn up to the higher parts, and drives the Lungs upwards, so that the spirit or breath being almost shut forth, threatens the danger of Choking. By these, and other reasons, we are at length persuaded to that opinion, that the distemper 
The hysterical distemper chiefly belongs to the Brain and nervous stock.  named from the womb, is chiefly and primarily convulsive, and chiefly depends on the brain and the nervous stock being affected, and whatever inordination, or irregularity from thence happens, about the motion of the blood, is only secondary, and is made dependingly, by the Convulsions of the Bowels.  
But that this doth consist within the bounds of the head, both the comparing of the symptoms, which hap in the living, and the anatomical observations of the dead, clearly show; because we may observe, that this distemper often takes its rise, from a sudden fear, great sadness, or anger, or other violent passion, in which the spirits inhabiting the brain are chiefly affected besides, to some an ill manner of diet, and various accidents whereby the humours being vitiated, are heaped more plentifully within the head, at first brings this evil. Yea, the manner of the fits clearly evinces the same, forasmuch, as a fullness of the head, a vertigo, a sparkling of the eyes, a ringing noise of the ears, begin in many the hysterical fit, and often conclude it: Besides I have opened some women, dead of other diseases, though while they were sick, very obnoxious to hysterical passions, in whom the womb being very well, I have found in the hinder part of the head, the beginnings of the nerves, moistened and wholly drowned with a sharp serum, as shall be more largely declared anon.  
Having weighed these, and other Reasons, we doubt not to assert, the Passions commonly called Hysterical, to arise most often, for that the animal spirits, possessing the beginning of the Nerves within the head, are infected with some taint; to wit, they being either acted or brought into Confusion, or being tincted with vicious humours, get to themselves an heterogeneous and explosive Copula, 
The c●…se ●…f the disease m●…st often begins, about the beginni●…gs of the ner●…s.  which they carry far away with themselves, into the Channels of the nerves: and when the same spirits are filled to a plenitude, with that Copula, thorough all their series or orders, either of their own accord, or being occasionally moved, they enter into explosions, and so stir up Convul●…ive motions: But that such a Copula adhering to the spirits, is chiefly derived together with them, into the interior nerves, the reason is, because in this passage towards the praecordia, and viscera, the animal spirits, by reason of the distemper of the mind, are very much disturbed; wherefore, they more easily admit any evils brought from another place, and more readily conceive irregularities. For the animal spirits, chiefly for this occasion, contract a convulsive disposition: forasmuch as they, from a violent impression, are perverted out of their Courses, and their wont manner of Influence, and acting; hence they not only repeat their inordinations, but also receive the heterogeneous particles into their embraces, and more easily combine with them: Wherefore, forasmuch as the animal spirits, running thorough the nerves of the wand'ring pair, and Intercostals, are continually entangled with all perturbations both of the Concupiscable, and irascible Appetite, it is no wonder, if they acquire a convulsive disposition, before the rest.  
It being supposed (which indeed ought to be supposed) that the animal spirits have contracted an heterogeneous and explosive Copula, now the nervous 
The same cause after ward, disposed, t●…w the whole passage of the Nerves.  origines, and carried it together with itself into the interior nerves, and spread it thorough all their passages, it will not be hard to assign the Reasons of the hysterical fit, and of all its Symptoms. For first of all, the disease being ready to fall upon one, oftentimes the Vertigo, a rolling about of the eyes, and a certain inflation os the brain, as it were praevious skirmishings, are stirred up, because the whole band of the Spirits, being in readiness for explosions, the more light companies of them, leaping back towards the brain, are first struck off; then Presently a perturbation succeeds, in the bottom of the belly, or hypochondria, for that the Spirits within the enfoldings here and there, are next disturbed: For we have elsewhere shown, if at any time the animal Spirits are exploded, in a certain whole Series, those which abode in the extreme parts, first of all enter into that assertion: Wherefore the beginnings of this Disease, are found to be or the most Part, in the head and Bowels: but that the Convulsions are first perceived, now in the bottom of the belly, now in the hypocbondria, the reason is, because the morbific matter, is sometimes carried by the passage of the intercostal nerve, into the utmost mesenteric enfoldings; but sometimes the same, being slid down, not beyond the ends of the wand'ring pair, subsists much nearer, to wit, about the enfoldings of the spleen, or stomach.  
When therefore the animal Spirits (as hath been shown) within the nervs of the wand'ring pair, and intercostals, are imbued from their origine, even to their 
The reason of the h●…sterical symptoms unf●…lded.  utmost ends, with an heterogeneous and explosive Copula; they at length, either from mere fullness, or by an irritation somewhere made, are stirred up to explosions; in which affection, if any Spirits leap forth towards the middle of the brain, they induce the Vertigo, the inslation and other praevious accidents of the head: but the Spirits inhabiting the other extremity of the nervous Trunk, viz. the mesenteric enfoldings begin chiefly to be exploded, which presently by their letting off, compel the lower Parts of the hypogastrum to be lifted up, and contracted upwards, and so induce the ascension of a certain bulk, as it were of the womb: then, when the upper parts of the enfoldings of the mesentory, are by degrees entangled with the same distemper, and the bowels annexed to the same are elevated, and drawn forceably towards the upper parts, the violent swelling of the Abdomen, as it were with a certain leaping forth succeeds: Further, the Ventricle is not only elevated, by changing its place, all its fibres, to wit, the direct, oblique, and transverse, being affected at once, with the Convulsion, is often distended like a blown bIadder: hence very often vomiting, or at least a rumbling, and murmur of the hypochondria, are excited: but as soon as the Spirits being exploded, with a certain series, it comes to the Region of the Thorax, the diaphragma being drawn together, with an huge diastole is sometimes depressed, and so meeting with the ascension of the viscera, causes an Inflation, and high intumescency or swelling up, with a mighty struggling; so that the laces of those in this distemper, must be forthwith loosened, orelse they are in danger of falling into a trance: In the mean time, the Diaphragma being so depressed, and its diastole continued, the blood remains almost immovable in the praecordia: and so by its stagnation, causes a great oppression, and very often a failing of the vital function: Further, the Convulsion of the Diaphragma, happens sometimes towards the upper parts, and so, that driving the Lungs upwards induces a violent Systole, and protracted longer than it should be; and when by this means, the blood is driven forward, into the pneumonic vessels, and is not at last received from the bosom of the heart, it stagnates there, and besides in the whole Body; from whence the oppression of the heart, and oftentimes a swooning, yea sometimes a want of ●…peech, and motion, now with a blewness of the face, and now with a dead aspect follow: After these things are acted in the lower, and middle Region, at length the distemper reaches to the head, by the passage of the nerves, as it were a fiery enkindling, and the spirits being there exploded leaping now towards the middle of the brain, produce a swimming in the head, and often symptoms very like the Epilepsy; sometimes the spirits there exploded, rush into the beginnings of the other Nerves, and there stir up the like explosions; wherefore, hysterical people, towards the end of the fit, often Laugh, or weep, or talk Idly; sometimes the parts of the face, and mouth, yea, sometimes the arms, and other members, are troubled with convulsive motions, and so, when at length all the spirits, which had contracted an heterogeneous Copula, are exploded, the fit ends; but presently after, matter for another fit, begins to be gathered together.  
It sometimes happens, that the convusive disposition is not drawn out so long, and largely, for besides that oftentimes the nerves only of the wand'ring pair, 
From whence the diversity of the s●…mp toms happens.  and the intercostalls are troubled with it, that neither the brain, nor the outward members, are at all molested; yea sometime, neither the interior nerves themselves, are possessed with the morbific cause, thorough their whole processes: for the convulsive Disposition (as we but now intimated) oftentimes arrives not beyond the enfoldings of the spleen, or stomach, and then the fit beginning from the inflation of the ventricle, or left hypochondrium, is thought to arise, not from the faul●… of the womb, but of the spleen: which kind of distemper, by and by being brought to the Thorax, and there involving the Diaphragma, and Lungs, with a Conv●…lsion, stops respiration, and the motion of the heart, or in some manner perverts it: but then from thence, the fit passes over; now with, and now without a great perturbation of the Head. These things hap indeed after a various manner, according as it happens, that the morbific matter, or explosive Copula, descending from the head, is gathered together, as it were heaps of gunpowder, more or lesle, now in this, now in that part! But concerning which matter, by what means, the same being brought forth in the head, first affects the beginnings of the nerves, and so constitutes the procatartick, or more remote Cause of the passion called Hysterical, now remains next to be inquired into.  
As to the morbific matter or explosive Copula, which cleaving to the spirits, flowing within the head, and with them derived into the nervous passages, is often 
The more remote Cause of the disease subsists, either nigh the beginnings of the Nerves.  the cause of the distempers, commonly termed of the Womb; we say, that this, as in other kinds of Convulsions, is the heterogeneous particles, poured forth from the blood, which yet are wont to be affixed to the spirits, flowing into the beginnings of the nerves, chiefly for two causes: to wit, either by the fault of the spirits themselves, or by the force of the matter itself, instances of either kind, are ordinarily met with. It sometimes happens, that the animal spirits, planted within the brain, and in the passage leading from it, to the praecordia, are very much disturbed, by a sudden passion, as of fear, anger, sadness, etc. And forced into disorders; and that by that means, they being driven out of their orders, do acquire to themselves heterogeneous particles, wherever met with; and combine with these, that by and by, for that reason, they acquire an explosive disposition, as we have already declared. Further in the second place, sometimes the morbific matter itself, being made more fierce and strong, in spite of the succour of the animal economy or rule, is poured forth into the brain, and its appendix, from the bloody mass, which cleaving fast to the spirits, presently disposes them into explosions: This is ordinarily discerned in the evil crises of fevers, also in some malignant distempers, also in Scorbutic and other Chronical diseases ill cured. An ill, or weak constitution of the brain, or nervous stock, whether it be hereditary, or acquired by reason of a●… ill manner of living, very much cherishes these causes. For in bodies so disposed, both the animal spirits, from every light occasion, are moved in Confusion; and the passages of the brain, and nervous System, more easily lie open, for the running in of the heterogeneous, and explosive matter. In truth, for this reason, women are more obnoxious to convulsive distempers, than men, and some women than others, as we will show more largely hereafter.  
But although these kind of passions of women, called hysterical; most often proceed from the fault of the head, or from the morbific cause, arifing within the Encephalon; yet sometimes, such distempers are stirred up, by reason of a Cause 
Or near the womb, or other Inwards.  beginning somewhere else, viz. Now in the womb, now in the other Bowels; and of this Convulsive pathology, there are chiefly two heads, viz.  
1st. Sometimes it happens, that a Tumour, or an ulcer, or a congestion of 
This last happens af●…r a twofold manner.  sharp humours, arises in the membranous parts, about the womb, or planted about the other Viscera, and often irritates the parts so distempered, by reason of the breaking of the union, into painful Convulsions: then forasmuch as the animal spirits, placed round about, and those inflowing, are moved into frequent 
Either by reason of the dissolu●…ion of the union.  disorders, they at length, getting to themselves heterogeneous particles, sent either from the distempered part, or from some other place, are disposed to convulsive assaults, and when first of all, the convulsive motions hap only in the neighbourhood of the affected place, to wit, that the bulk ascending in the lower part of the belly, or its swelling up be only perceived; afterwards they are propagated by the passage of the nervous bodies, and by the consent of the convulsion there begun, leisurely into the other viscera, of the lower belly, then to the praecordia, and lastly into the head itself; and the distemper, being thus by little and little delated to the spirits inhabiting the brain, they moreover having gotten in their proper Sphere, an heterogeneous Copula, retort the same back to the viscera, and so the morbific cause, being made recip●…ocall, is begun at either end of the nervous Trunk. Some time passed I have seen a noble virgin, in whom a small Tumour arising, with most cruel pain, below the Os pubis, did stir up huge Convulsions; first in the lower belly, and afterwards ascending to the Praecordia, and head, were at length stretched to the outward members: for once or twice in a day, after that great pains did torment her in the affected part, the abdomen, and by and by the hypochondria, were wont to be lifted up: then difficulty of breathing, on an Insensibility succeeded, and presently the distemper being brought outwardly, most horrid Convulsions, and Contractions of the members, and Limbs followed. Sometimes it also happens, that convulsive symptoms are induced in Childbearing women, by reason of some hurt or evil brought to the womb: Harvie Relates, that wonderful convulsions were caus●…d by the injection of some sharp thing into the womb: So sometimes, though rarely, it happens, that a morbific matter or explosive Copula is fixed to the fpirits dwelling about the extremities of the nerves and near the womb, immediately from the place there affected and without fault of the brain.  
There yet remains another case, or manner of affecting, by which the convulsive 
2. Or by reason of an obstruction of the Nervous juice.  disposition is produced from the fault or the parts, lodged at a great distance from the brain (though in the mean time, the taint, which is the cause of this distemper, is often mediately communicated to the brain itself) to wit, when at any time, the nervous juice is hindered somewhere, in its motion or circulation, from thence stagnating in the nervous parts, and loading them, does often bring in a convulsive disposition: So, when some usual Evacuation, whereby the superfluities of the nervous Liquor, were wont to be sifted forth, is stopped, as from Issues suddenly shut up, or old ulcers dried up without a purge, many fall into convulsive distempers: Yea, it may obtain here some place, what is wont commonly to be noted for a cause, of the hysterical passions, in maids and widows, to wit, the untimely restraint of the seminal humour, which ought to be bestowed about the pleasure os Venus; at least, if they receive help from the state of a conjugal Life, it therefore happens, because the restagnations of the nervous humour, which often fix a taint to the brain and nervous stock, by this means are prevented: Moreover, the nervous juice flows back towards its beginning, because its passage is somewhere shut up, by a swelling or cancrous Tumour. Lastly in this City, a notable instance of this kind of distemper happened, viz. A certain maid of 12. years of age, had contracted an hernia or burstness, hence by the order of her Mother, she wore a truss ill fitted, for a fortnight, not without great pain and torment, a little hard knot much pressing upon the glandulas of the Groin: within this space (when before she was perfectly well) she began to complain of a giddiness and heavy dulness of her head; and so a little after, she felt convulsive, and as it were hysterical distempers, frequently falling upon her; rogether with it great swellings arose behind her ears, and in her neck of the same side, to which she was never before obnoxious in all her lise. It is not to be doubted in this case, but that from those Glandulas, which are the Emunctuaries, or sinks of the nervous Liquor, being too much pressed together, the superfluities of that humour, wont to be sent away from thence, by the Lymphatic vessels, restagnating in the head, brought forth those evils: because the arising of the aforesaid symptoms, so suddenly and manifestly followed, upon the wearing of that Truss upon the Groin, that even her Mother laid the cause of the Disease, upon that occasion. Besides also I have observed in others, the recrements of the nervous humour, being somewhere stopped in their Course, restagnating towards the head, have not only brought in convulsive symptoms, but from thence the King's Evil.  
So much for the formal Reason, of the different original of the distemper, called hysterical; as also of the genuine Causes, of its symptoms: Out of which, 
Objections against the aforesaid hypothesis answered.  it seems to appear plainly, that those passions, do not depend always on the womb, but much more often, on the fault of the brain, and of other parts of the nervous stock: But many things are objected against these, which according to the old opinion, cast all the blame on the womb: To wit, it seems so to be done because the assault of this disease invades almost only women; yea and women that are not well about their womb, viz. Childbearing women, or such who have their courses stopped, are chiefly obnoxious to it: Besides it may be argued from things helpful for it, because a plaster worn upon the lower part of the belly, also a strict girding of the belly, and hypochondria, by which the ascent of the womb may be hindered, do not seldom drive away the fit, just falling on them; this also shows it, that sweet things held to the nose brings on the fit, and stinking things drive the same away, it is said to happen quite contrary, if the same things be laid to the belly, or privy member.  
That we may wipe off these objections, we say first, that the symptoms, which seem hysterical, do not only happen to women: for we have shown already, by the history brought by us, that a certain man has been obnoxious to those kind of fits, with the ascension of a bulk in the bottom of the belly: but that women are much more often troubled with those convulsive diseases than men, two reasons may be shown, viz. First, for that their animal constitution is much weaker: to wit, they have the brain and nerves softer, and of a lesle firm texture, that they are not able to suffer any thing strongly, or to resist every injury; also the animal spirits in them, being more prone to flight and distraction, more easily admit an heterogeneous and explosive Copula: from hence Women, from any sudden terror or great sadness, fall into mighty disorder of spirits, when men from the same occasion, are scarcely disturbed at all. Secondly, women more readily receive the convulsive disposition, because they gather a more plentiful heap of the morbific matter: for that, whilst they lead for the most part a sedentary Life, the blood, for want of ventilation, becomes more impure; besides in this sex it originally abounds with heterogeneous and fermentative particles; wherefore it is convenient for it, to be more often purged, by the flux of their Courses; by which notwithstanding, not always what is extraneous, and incongruous, is wholly cast forth, from the bloody Mass, but that there remains, that which being poured on the brain, and its appendix, as occasion is given, becomes the cause of the convulsive distemper: Moreover, when the menstrual flnx, being stopped, a convulsive disposition is occasioned, it is not therefore to be thought, that such a distemper is raised up from the womb, but that the bloody mass, being more than usually imbued, with heterogeneous particles, carries them, together with the nervous juice, to the head: yea, chiefly for this reason also, childbearing women, are found obnoxious to the passions, as it were hysterical, for besides that the membranes of the womb being hurt, a convulsion there begun, by reason of the felt trouble, creeps upwards and is at la●…t communicated to the head; it most often happens, that the blood being infected, by the terms being retained, grows hot with a feavourish burning, and then instead of a crisis, the malignant infection, is carried to the brain, from whence convulsive, and not seldom soporiferous, or sleepy distempers, are excited.  
But that it is argued, that this disease seems to be hysterical, because Remedies applied about the abdomen, often bring help; it will be easy to show, that the morbific cause planted in the mesentery, oftener than in the womb, is sometimes either taken away by that means, or restrained from its Influence: besides, the same kind of applications, about the hypogastrium, are no lesle profitable, although the original of the distemper, be derived from the head itself: for we have shown before, that when the heterogeneous, and explosive matter, descending from the head, brings a convulsive disposition, to the spirits disposed within the whole processes of the interior nerves; the convulsive motions therefore excited, begin ●…rom the extremities of the nerves, and so creep upwards towards their beginnings; so that first of all the viscera of the lower belly, than the praecordia, and lastly the brain itself are affected; but if the outmost spirits, viz. those dwelling in the enfoldings of the mesentery, be restrained from entering into explosions, all the rest, in the remaining nervous passage, continue in their orders: and this, plasters worn upon the navel, do often effect: for they repress, and compel into order, with their odour, the spirits from leaping forth; yea also, not seldom, they shake off and drive away, the Copula cleaving to them: wherefore, when the explosions there about to be made, are restrained, the convulsive fit is wholly prevented: which yet is more apparent, for that, if the Convulsion begun in the lower belly, and from thence ascending like a Globe, be presently suppressed, and by a strong binding together of those parts, it be hindered that it creep not upwards, oftentimes the convulsive passion is broken off, the praecordia, and the brain being untouched: wherefore it is a common custom, for sick women, to bind strictly the Epigastrium, with swaths or rolers, and so to stop the progress of the symptoms, towards the upper parts: For when the animal spirits, enter into Convulsions successively, as it were a fiery enkindling, wherever the tinder, or cherishing matter is cut off, or intercepted, the distemper is there restrained.  
As to the various effects of odours, to wit, that sweet things bring on the fit, but stinking things drive the same away, it may be said, that the former do loosen the animal spirits, by pleasing them, and too much release them from their wont tasks of Influence, and so provoke them ready to be exploded, in such disorders, yea and as a flame put to them, do somewhat enkindle them: but on the contrary, stinking things repress the spirits, drive them back from excursions, and exorbitances, and compel them into order, yea like sulphur, mixed with aurum fulminans, take away from them their explosive force.  
What we have hitherto said, of the passions called from the womb hysterical, will yet more clearly appear, if for the Confirmation of our Hypothesis, we shall add arguments taken from anatomical observations; I will therefore lay before you a notable Case, by which the former reason, and Causes of the convulsive distempers, may be very much illustrated.  
A very noble Lady of a most curious shape, and highly endued with a virtuous disposition, of mind and manners, of late lived near to this place, who being 
Observatio●…  for many years obnoxious to convulsive distempers, for that she had originally, or hereditarily contracted this sickly disposition, and had experienced the fruits of this morbid seed, almost every lustre of her age, but chiefly as often as she was with child, (for she very frequently miscarried) was wont to be tormented above measure, with convulsive passions, as it were hysterical; because, presently after the restraint of her monthly flowers, the heterogeneous particles being translated to the brain and nervous stock, caused fits of this most cruel distemper.  
After she had newly conceived, in the first months, according to her old custom, she was presently molested with convulsive distempers; about the nineth week of her big belly, from taking cold, she fell into a dangero●…s fever, in which very acute pains tormenting her, in her loins and bottom of her belly, for many days, seemed to threaten an abortion: but these pains, as the event showed, rather to be termed Colical, proceeded from a sharp humour, falling down into those parts, from the brain, by the pipes of the nerves; for towards the declining of the fever, this matter being somewhere else translated, a great looseness or Diarrhaea, pains of the feet, and as it were an ulcerous disposition succeeded.  
As soon as this Lady became well from her fever, and those pains, the convulsive distempers returned, for every morning, waking from sleep, she was wont to suffer Convulsions, and cruel contractions, about the parts of her face and mouth, as also in her arms and thighs; which symptoms, without doubt, did arise from a serous heap or gathering, laid up in the head, about the beginnings of the nerves; and by them imbibed, together with the nervous juice, more deeply in sleep; and when afterwards the same matter, was carried by the pipe of the interior nerves, into the foldings of the Mesentery, and loins, most cruel pains of those parts, and also fits as it were hysterical, did most grievously infect her.  
But these convulsive motions of her face and members, after a little time ceased, but yet she still remained weak, and without strength, with a pale countenance, an insirm and trembling gate, and desirous only of congruous food, and hot Liquors: about the end of the third month, at which time she was wont continually to miscarry, her menstrua broke forth, which coming away for two or three days together, with little pieces of broken membranes, she expected to miscarry: But that flux ceasing, pains as it were of one in labour, in her abdomen and loins, as before arose, and for the space of a week, tormented her day and night; at length, having used a bath of Emollient herbs, and afterwards put to bed to sweated, she brought forth the burden of her womb: the conception so coming away with mighty pain, was about the bigness, and like the figure of a Turkey egg: the exterior coat of it was torn and broken, the interior remaining whole, contained about half a pint of clear water and nothing else besides; there appeared no shape of a child, or any rudiments that it would ever be one: Afterwards for 4. or 5. days, her flowers flowed forth, with some pieces of broken membrances: in the mean time, pains with their wont fierceness tormented her, and when the space of a week being elapsed, they left not off of themselves, remedies at length were sought to allay them.  
To this end, first Liniments, Fomentations, Baths, and Clysters, were often administered; also medicines purging the filth of the womb, on which the cause of all the evil was cast, were taken inwardly: Short intermissions of her tortures, followed upon the use of the former; but then the distemper returned, with great trouble; yea the disease much increasing, in three week's time, got many other horrid symptoms: for besides the pains in her belly and loins, which became more cruel every day, also she was shortly after tormented in her back, neck, shoulders, as also in her arms and thighs, with most cruel pain; and that more bitterly, as soon as she was warm in her bed; besides, she was afflicted with a frequent giddiness, vomiting, and nauseousness, and often in a day, with most grievous convulsive fits, viz. First a bulk was seen to ascend in the bottom of her belly, and presently it lifted up her whole belly forceably, by and by respiration being restrained, an Insensibility, with a dead countenance succeeded: after that, she had thus lain as one dead, for three or four minutes of an hour, she was wont suddenly to leap up, that she could hardly be held down, or kept by those standing by; then followed cruel contractions, and distortions in all the parts of the mouth, and face, as also in all the members of the body: These symptoms were indeed judged to be hysterical, because this noble Lady so lately had miscarried.  
But weighing every one of these, I was at last of this opinion, that the cause of either fit, viz. Both the dolorifick, and the convulsive, did depend wholly on the evil affection of the brain, and nervous stock, and that without any fault of the womb; for that a sharp humour, being heaped up within the head, did from thence descend thorough the passages of the Nerves, into parts at a great distance; which lodging upon the membranes and fibres, and fermenting with the humour, flowing in from the bloody mass, did irritate them very much, and so stirred up most cruel pains: Then afterwards, when the heterogeneous and explosive particles, being admitted with what humour within the head, and entering into the nervous passages, did cleave to the spirits; therefore the convulsive disposition, then breaking forth into grievous fits, was induced, as shall be by and by more largely laid open.  
Instituting Curatory Intentions, according to this kind of AEtiology, I ordered to have blood taken from this sick Lady, at what time she most grievously laboured, out of the Saphena vein, and within two days, to be given her a gentle Cathartick, and that to be reiterated, once or twice in a week: Also on other days, Morning and Evening, I gave her spirits of Hartshorn, and at other hours, twice or thrice in a day, of the powder of Pearls and Crabs-eyes, with a dose of the following Julap. Take of the water of Snails, and of worms magisterial each ℥ iii of Saxifrage, and black cherries each ℥ iiii. of hysterical water ℥ two. of the syrup of Corals ℥ i ss. of the tincture of Costorʒ i. mingle them: The bath of sweet herbs was frequently used, when necessity urged, she took Opiates always with good success: Vesicatories were applied to the inward part of either thigh, also to the hinder part of her neck; also Fomentations, Ointments, Clysters, Cuping-glasses, Sneezing-powders, with many other manner of administrations were prescribed, according to the exigences of the symptoms.  
By this method observed for about 14. days, the noble Lady having received very much ease, was wholly rid of her convulsive fits. Yea, the torments of her Bowels and members, and the other symptoms being very much lessened, she hoped quickly to recover her health: But after this, partly by reason of an ill order of diet, which the sick Lady always indulged herself in, or taking little, but chiefly, by reason of a sudden passion of fear and sadness, which an unlucky accident happening within her own house, had caused, she fell into a relapse, by and by the disease growing into a much worse Condition, for both the Convulsions, and pains, did infest her more bitterly; yea and her stomach being almost tired out, with continual vomiting, would not admit either of food or medicines. She took Ass' milk for some days, with some success; which notwithstanding, for as much as breeding Choler in her stomach, she found it troublesome, she shortly omitted: at length in spite of all Remedies, prescribed carefully by the Consultation of many Physicians, my noble patient from day to day grew worse, and by degrees death approached: Two days before her death, the torments of her belly and loins very much abated, and she became more than usually cheerful, and conceived some hope of Recovery; But in the mean time she complained of a pain and great heavyness in her head; and about the beginning of the night she slept fondly, but being awakened she fell into a very horrid convulsive fit, which presently passed into a quick deadly Apoplexy, for being made insensible, and speechless, she left this life within twelve hours.  
When various judgements had passed, about the cause of the sickness, of which this illustrious Lady died, most flinging all the evils on the distemper of the 
The rational account of the dise●…se taken from anatomical Observations.  womb, others on an Ulcer or Imposthum, which they suspected lay hid, somewhere about the viscera of the abdomen; it pleased her friends, that her dead Carcase, kept long opened for the Funeral, should be diligently inspected, and so the genuine Causes of the disease, and her death, might be investigated; which task being left to my care, I executed with all the diligence I was able.  
Therefore in the first place, it was worth observation, about the habit of the body, that the members and lower parts, nigh and beyond the seats of the pains, were very much wasted; as her thighs, quite worn away, appeared like a Skeleton: In the mean time, her face, neck, and arms, remained full, and plump enough: from whence it appears, that the nervous Liquor, does help no lesle to the business of nourishment, than to the exercise of the animal faculty: wherefore, when that Liquor, being much hindered in its passage, the loins and belly, taken up with the continual Convulsions, did not descend, with a due influx, to the inferior parts, they for that reason, became presently both without strength, and lean, and wasted. This kind of Atrophy, differs in this, from other hectical wasting, which happens from the vice of the blood, because in this latter, an hippocratick or wanish face, is the chief sign of the Disease, in that first mentioned, the countenance, and aspect, show little or nothing of evil.  
The dead body of this noble Lady, though very lean, and that her bowels were all the emptied, yet quickly putrified, for within 40. hours all the skin was discoloured, and appeared in this part livid, in that green, and in others blackish; and her Corpse so suddenly putryfying, yielded a most horrid smell, the reason of which without doubt was, that by reason the muscles were exercised with perpetual Convulsions, the principles of their mixture, were so much loosened, that they being in a readiness for dissolution, quickly after death, fell asunder one from another, after the like manner, as we may observe of the flesh of wild beasts, which being tired with a long course, or beaten to death with Clubs, for this much sooner putrifies, than the flesh of those, which are killed quickly, and peaceably.  
Her belly being opened, the Intestines, and ventricle appeared whole enough, viz. Entire and well coloured, but they were empty, and as it were blown up, for as much as they were troubled, almost with perpetual evacuations, viz. Those placed above or below: in all this Cavity, no foot steps of an Ulcer, or Imposthum were perceived. Whilst we were searching the cause of the disease, and rolling the Inwards here and there, there was something met within the mesentery, worthy notice, to wit, about its middle, where it is fixed to the back, and contained the greater folds of the nerves, a substance somewhat loose, and inflated, as it were with many little bladders, equalling an hands breadth, was seen, after that manner, as when in a shoulder of Veal, the inter-space of the muscles, are blown up, by the Butchers, that those parts might swell up, and seem fuller, and fatter: In this place of the mesentery, because it was more tumid and softer, we thought some humour, the cause of the pain, to lodge there, but opening it, I found only the membranes to have been loosened one from another, and to conclude nothing but wind, within its interspaces: which separation of the membranes, and devulsion one from another was without doubt induced, by the frequent Convulsions or explosions of the spirits, which within the enfoldings, and nervous fibres, there thickly planted, were almost continually provoked; and those Convulsions happened, by reason of the heterogeneous, and explosive particles being derived thither, from the head, by the pipe of the Nerves.  
But as to those torments of the belly, and as it were an ascent of a bulk or substance in the convulsive distempers, and the inflation of the Abdomen, it is not to be doubted, but that the seat of the morbific cause, did lie hid in that part of the mesentery: but because so much suspicion was had of the womb, being chiefly affected, we did next inquire how much this Inward deserved it: Therefore having diligently searched the tunnel, placed within the Os pubis, I found the womb in its due place, and as to all parts sound, and well furnished: its body was drawn to its just proportion, although it was but 5. weeks since she had miscarried, viz. It was like a small pear in figure and magnitude; the Glandulas on either side of the bottom of it, which are called the testicles, appeared very small and flaggy, without any superfluous or virulent humour contained in them: the body of the womb, wherever it was dissected, equalled a thumbs breadth in thickness, its inward Cavity was no bigger than what would hold a bean: within this hollowness, as use to be in the Caverns of other Inwards, was included a mucous or dreggy matter, in a very small quantity: but in truth, about the womb, or its appendix, there was nothing, to which might be imputed as a morbific cause, of the symptoms but now described: from whence therefore it may be demonstratively concluded, as I at first thought, that the passions termed from the womb hysterical, are most often excited, from some other cause, than the fault of the womb.  
The Intestines being removed, we found also the reinss sound enough, but one of them was of an unusual figure, viz. It was cleft into many lobes, like the Kidney of a Calf.  
The Milt, Pancreas, and Caul without fault: the ventricle was much blown up, and its inward Coat was plain without folds, or wrinkles, which certainly happened, by reason of its frequent Vomiting, this Inward being almost continually troubled with Convulsions: Besides, for this reason, the tone of the stomach being broken, it did neither rightly desire, or concoct the food, or aliment.  
The Liver very much differed from a sound constitution, for it was tumid, and somewhat hard, of a pail colour, like rotten wood, wholly dry and without blood, and this without doubt, the frequent use of Cordial, and highly hot liquors had effected.  
The Lungs were of a bluish colour, and every where obstructed, and stuffed with a stinking and frothy matter: Certainly this Inward and the Liver had been vitiated of a long time, wherefore as the blood being degenerate, and very much depraved of a long time, from its right temper, had yielded the first seeds of this sickness, so also it afforded a constant cherishment of it.  
But indeed, we sought, and that not in vain, for the chief and as it were original cause of the disease, in the head; therefore the skull being taken off, the vessels of the Meningae, and those creeping about the brain, appeared full, and distended with blood, when in the rest of the body, scarce any blood had flowed forth, in the cutting of it: the thicker meaning being removed, thorough the other thin and pellucid one, was discerned a clear water, filling the enfoldings and crevices of the brain, and as it were overflowing its whole substance: In truth the serous heap of waters, had filled full all the Cavities, and inward places of the brain: the enfoldings of the choroides, or net-like membranes of the brain, being a long while immersed in water, and as it were boiled, were become discoloured and half rotten: nigh to the beginning of the Splanchnick nerves, or belonging to the Spleen, the water insinuating itself very much, had separated the pia mater from the trunk of the oblong marrow or pith, for two fingers breadth: without doubt, the morbific matter descending from the head, by the passage of these nerves, into the enfolding of the mesentery, was the cause of the pains and Convulsions: Further, the same matter also, afflicting the heads of other nerves, and paffing thorough their pipes, produced afterwards, these most cruel distempers in other parts, to wit, almost every where, of the whole body.  
As to the Cure, or means of healing, used in the passions commonly called Hysterical: forasmuch as the symptoms of this disease are very much convulsive, 
The Method of Curlng the hyst●…rical distempers.  therefore it is fit, that anti-spasmodic or anti-convulsive Remedies, such as were before described, should be chiefly indicated; but when these distempers most often happen to the female sex, in whom for the most part, the menstrual flux, and other accidents of the womb do challenge a part in the morbific cause; therefore medicines respecting the various dispositions of the womb, are to be added to the former, and many ways to be compounded with them. The Therapeutic or Curatory Indications, are either Curatory, to be administered in the fit; or preservatory which are instituted out of the fit, that take away the cause of the disease, and prevent its come or accessions.  
1. As to the first, if the fit is wont to be light, and without other perturbation of the spirits, it may be permitted to pass away of itself; but if it being more 
Curatory.  heavily troublesome, there will be need to bring some help to nature much oppressed, this only thing is to be done, that the spirits being freed from the Embraces of an heterogeneous Copula, they may remit their inordinations and explosions: for this purpose, it is grown into use, to put to the nose stinking, and ill smelling things, the scents of which compel, and repress the too fierce spirits, ready to leap forth, into their orders, and also shake off from them, the heterogeneous Copula, and often drive it quite away: Asafaetida, Castor, Galbanum, being put into fine Linen and applied to the nostrils are convenient; also burning of Partridge feathers, old skins, and sulphur. Besides the spirits and oil of sut, or of Hartshorn do not seldom help: yet I have known these kind of fumigations, being very troublesome to some women, to increase the sit; it is probable that the same sometimes may too much irritate the spirits, and drive them into greater disorders; and as stinking things put to the nose, so the like poured into the mouth, do often bring help: wherefore we give often with good success, to hysterical people, Tinctures of Castor, Solutions of Assafaetida, and Galbanum, spirits of Hartshorn, and Sut, with proper waters. Take of the spirits of Hartshorn, from 12. to 15. and 20. drops, jet them be taken in a little draught of the following Julap. Take of the waters of penny Royal, and mugwort, each ℥ iii of the water of Briony compound ℥ two. of Castor tied in a knot and hung in the glass ʒ ss. of the whitest sugar ℥ i mix them. Take of the Tincture of Castor ℈ i to ʒ ss. let it be taken jam a little draught of small beer. Take of Assafaetida, and Galbannmʒ two. let it be dissolved in spirit of wine to the extraction of a red tincture. The dose ℈ i in two or three spoonfuls of featherfew water. Riverius very much cries up that of Solenander. Take of musk, and of dragons-blood, each ℈ i take more or lesle of it in water of Lilies of the Valley, ℥ iii or iiii. John Anglicus commends parsnip-seeds, or the seeds of pennyroyal in wine, or other proper Liquor, as a most certain Remedy. If the sit persi●…ting a long time, should cause want of speech, or motion, the more sharp Clysters, as of bryony-Roots, and Carminatives boiled in water, are to be administered, and frictions of the thighs, and feet are to be ordered; and if they shall yet grow stronger, Cupping-glasses are to be applied to the belly and groin, yea also, let them be often provoked to sneezing: it is convenient to give some, in the middle of the fit; a draught of simple cold water, or in which Champhir had been dissolved.  
2. The preservatory Indication comprehends these three Intentions, viz. In the first place to take away, or to derive to some other place the impurities of 
Preservatory.  the blood, apt to be poured forth on the brain, and nervous stock. Secondly, to fortify the brain, and so to strengthen the indwelling spirits, that they may either not at all receive, or may easily shake off the heterogeneous Copula. ThirdIy, to amend whatsoever is enormous in the womb, and contributes to the convulsive disposition.  
1. The first Intention is performed by purging, and phlebotomy, and other common ways of purifying, and purging the blood and humours. If there be opportunity for an emetic, I judge it best always to begin with it, especially in Cacochymicks, or bodies full of evil humours, in the longing disease, and Pica, and in such whose great load of viscous phlegm, stuffed within the folds and coats of the ventricle, hinders the virtues of other medicines: The next day after the Vomit, unless any thing bids the contrary, let blood be taken, in women of a hotter temper, presently from the Arm, and afterwards if need be, from the foot, or from the sedal veins with Leeches; but in bodies troubled with obstructions, and lesle hot, let blood be taken more sparingly, and more rarely, and only in places situate below the womb: After these Evacuations (if they are to be ordered) rightly performed, once within six or seven days, a purge is to be prescribed according to the following forms. Take of pill-fetida major, ʒ iss. of the resine of Julap xii. grains of Tartar Vitriolat, and Castor, each ℈ i of ammoniac dissolved in hysterical water, what will suffice to make xii. pills, for three doses. Or take of the resine of Jalap gr. xviii. of Calomelausʒ i. of Castor ℈ i make a powder, let it be divided into three parts for three doses, let it be given in the pap of a roasted apple, or in Conserves of Borage: so those induced with a more hot temperament, a dose of extract, or our solutive syrup may conveniently be administered: for the revulsion of the morbific matter from the head, Issues made in the calf of the leg, or thigh, and sometimes vesicatories, legatures, and painful rubbings, are wont to be administered: But not only a purging of the blood, and a revulsion of its recrements from the head, but an alteration of its Liquor, and reduction of it to its due temperament have here a place: Wherefore in some hysterical people, steel Medicines help, in others the use of Spaw-waters, or whey, in others the baths are wont to be signally profitable.  
The second Intention, to wit, the rectification of the brain, and animal spirits, is performed with Cephalic, and properly anti-convulsive medicines: which indeed ate to be diligently exhibited, almost every day, when they do not purge or bleed: since there are various species of such like Remedies, and several manners of administrations, we will here add some of the more choice forms.  
Take of the Lees of bryony, Assa fetida, C●…stor, each ʒ i. of the Salt of Coral, Amber, Tin, each ʒ ss. of Galbanum dissolved in hysterical water, what will suffice to make a Mass: dose, half a scruple, to ℈ i morning and evening, drinking after it a dose of proper liquors.  
Or, Take of the seeds of Wilde-parsnips, of nettles each ʒ two. of vitriol of Steelʒ i. of the extract of Gentium, featherfew, each ʒ i ss. with what will suffice of the syrup of Mugwort, make a mass, let half a dram be taken after the same manner.  
If the form of a powder pleases better; Take of the Roots of Virginian snakeweed, and Contrayerva, each ʒ i ss. of Coral prepared, of Pearls; of white-Amber, each ʒ i mingle them, make a powder: Dose ℈ i to half a dram, morning and evening, with an appropriate Liquor.  
Opiates are Composed after this manner: Take of the Conserves of the flowers of the Lily Convallis, of the male-paeony, of betony, each ℥ two. of the seeds of Paeony, of red Coral prepared, each ʒ two. of the powder of Cretic Dittanyʒ i ss. of the salt of wormwoodʒ two. with what will suffice of the syrup of the rinds of Citrons, make an Electuary. The dose morning and evening the quantity of a nutmeg. After the same manner may be given to poor people Conserves of the Tree of Life, or of the leaves of Rue twice in a day.  
The Liquors appropriate against the hysterical affections, and to be drunk after the aforesaid Medicines, are, either distilled waters, which are to be taken by themselves, or with other things, in form of a Julap, or decoctions, or tinctures and Infusions.  
Take of the water of Mugwort, and of penny Royal, each half a pint, of histerical water ℥ iiii. of the Tincture of Castor ℥ ss, of the Syrup of Corals, ℥ i ss, mix them. The dose from ℥ i to ℥ i ss, with any of the medicines afore described.  
Take of the leaves of Penneroyall, of Fetherfew, of either Southernwood, of Calaminth, of Nep, and of either Horehound, each i handful; of the Roots of Bryonie ℥ iiii, of the seeds of Parsnips ℥ two, cut and bruised, put them into white-wine or Cider, six pints, and so distil them, according to art.  
Take of the Root of the male Peony, Angelica, Valerian, each ℥ ss, of the leaves of mugwort, ground Pine, Calaminth, Peneroyal, and Missletow of the Oak each i handful, of the Seeds of either wild Parsneps, each ʒiiis, of Raifins i. handful; let them be boiled in 4 pints of Spring-water, to the half: add to it of white-wine, lib i ss, strain it, and keep it in close vessels; The dose ℥ iii, or 4 twice in a day.  
Take of the wild-Parsnep Seeds bruised ℥ two, of Castor ℥ i, let them be put into a Glass, with i quart of white wine. The dose ℥ two twice in a day.  
3. As to the third Intention, which inhibiting the disorders of the womb, doth promote the cure of the passion called hysterical; I say, first of all what in times past was believed, concerning the Cause and scope of curing the disease, that the womb did ascend, therefore that it ought to be reduced into its right place; is altogether fictitious, as we have elsewhere shown: The falling down of the womb, or its coming forth, oftentimes happens; but rarely, or never produces the hysterical Distempers: Besides, the dislocation of the womb in childbearing Women, sometimes happens, presently after their bringing forth, to wit, when the body of the womb being made Capacious, and newly emptied, doth not sink down or fall within the Tunnel, in its right place, but upwards inclines now to the right side, now to the left, and there being drawn together like a purse, is folded into a great bulk, which kind of bulk, remaining long, nigh the side of the groin, is wont to give a suspicion of another child, or the secondine or afterbirth to be left behind, or also of some hard swelling tumour there increasing; but afterwards, when the menstruum coming plentifully away, the womb is reduced to its due magnitude, that tumour by degrees vanishes: but while it there remaineth unless for that reason, the Lochia or menstrua were stopped, it doth not produce the hysterical passions. For the reducing of this part the sooner into its due position, fomentations, Liniments, and Plasters, are convenient. But most times that Symptom, passes over, of itself, without any further harm. To what other distempers the womb is obnoxious, in childbearing, and by what method to be helped, we have fully shown in another place. As to the other vices of that part, which hap to some women, not bearing children, we declare, that they chiefly are either a disease of the womb, made by the breaking of the unity, viz, which is either some ulcer, or Tumour; or an inhibition of some wont excretion, or putting forth, to wit, a suppression either of the menstruous blood, or the whites, or the seminal humour: Moreover because of the ●…enstrua being retained, the heterogeneous particles being often poured forth into the head, bring in the Convulsive passions: in like manner, when the whites are stopped, the excrementitious matter, being supped up by the blood, is delivered to the brain and nervous stock: yea, when an usual evacuation of the seed is hindered, the superfluities of the nervous humour, flow back upon the brain, and infect its indwelling Spirits, with an explosive and morbific tincture: There is no need here, to discourse more largely or particularly, of those Peculiar distempers of the womb, but to compound medicines, and intricate administrations, proper for women's diseases, with anticonvulsive Remedies.   

CHAPTER. XI. Of the Distempers commonly called Hypochondriack, which is shown to be, for the most part Convulsive: briefly also of Chalybeats or Steel-Medicines.  
IN the foregoing Chapters, we have clearly shown, that the Passions called hysterical, do not always proceed from the womb, yea, more often srom the head being distempered; next we shall inquire concerning the hypochondriacal Distempers, of what original and nature they are, and upon the fault of what parts they chiefly depend. The vulgar opinion is, that the symptoms wont to accompany this disease, are wholly produced from the spleen; wherefore, they are ascribed very much to vapours, arising from this inward, and variously running up and down, here and there; when in truth, these ficknesses for the most part are convulsions, and contractions, of the nervous parts: but that it might appear, by what causes they are wont to be excited, we ought to consider first, the Symptoms themselves, and to place them into some order or rank.  
As to the Distempers therefore, which are vulgarly termed hypochondriac, it is 
A description of the hypochon●…riacal Affections.  observable, that they hap chiefly to men of a melancholy temperament, with a dark aspect, and more lean habit of body: it is rarely, that this disease troubles fair people, with a fresh Countenance, or also those endued with a too Phlegmatic complexion: It betrays itself in manifest signs, about the height or midst of their Age; men are found to be more frequently obnoxious to this, than women, being made habitual in either, it is very hardly, or not at all to be cured, in women, by reason of their weaker Constitution, it is accompanied, with a great many more Convulsive Distempers, wherefore, Commonly it is said in this Sex, the hysterical, to be joined with the hypochoudriacal Passion.  
The Symptoms which are imputed to this Disease, are commonly very manifold, and are of a divers nature, neither do they observe in all, the like beginning, or the same mutual dependency, among themselves: for they seem in these, most to affect the Inwards of the lower belly, in those the Praecordia, in others the Confines of the Brain: and in most, though not in all, the ventricle labours much; concerning the appetite it is often too much, but presently burdened with what it hath taken in; and when the food, staying longer in it, by reason of slowness of Concoction, their Saline particles being carried forth into a flux, pervert the whole mass of the Chyle, into a pulse or pottage, now Sour, or austere, now salt or sharp: from hence pains of the heart, great break forth of blasts, rumbling of wind, and often vomiting succeed; and because of a pneumatick defect, or of Spirits, the Chime or juice, is not wholly made volatile, and carried forth of doors, but that the ballast of the Viscous or Slimy matter, sticking to the coats of the ventricle, is left behind; an almost continual Spitting infests them; a distension in the hypochondrium, and often there, and under the ventricle, a cruel pulsation is felt: also there pains ordinarily arise, which run about here and there, and for many hours miserably torment with a certain lancing: In the mean time, from the Contractures of the Membranes, and from the fluctuation of winds, stirred up by that means, rumbling and murmurs are produced: Also in the Thorax, oftentimes there is a great constriction and straitness, that the respiration becomes difficult and troublesome, upon any motion: also, most grievous asthmatical fits fall upon some: moreover, the sick are wont to complain of a trembling, and palpitation of the heart, with a noted oppression of the same: also a sinking down or melting away of the Spirits, and frequent fear of a trance, comes upon them, that the sick think Death is always seizing them: In this Region, about the membranes, and chiefly the mediastinum, or that divides the middle of the belly, an acute pain, which is now Circumscribed to one part, now extended to the shoulders, is a familiar Symptom of this Disease. But indeed in the head, an Iliad of evils doth for the most part disturb hypochondriacal people, to wit, most cruel pains returning at set times, do arise, also the swimming of the head, and frequent Vertigoes, long watchings, a Sea, and most troublesome fluctuation of thoughts, an uncertainty of mind, a disturbed fancy, a fear and suspicion of every thing, an imaginary possession of diseases, from which they are free; also very many other distractions of Spirits, yea sometimes Melancholy, and madness accompany this sickness: besides these interior Regions of the Body besieged by this Disease, wand'ring pains, also Convulsions, and numbness, with a sense of pricking, invade almost all the outward parts; nightly Sweats, flushings of the Blood in the face, and the palms of the hands, eratick fevers, and many other Symptoms, of an uncertain original, do every where arise; concerning which, forasmuch as the genuine Causes, and the manner of their coming to pass, could not be readily determined, presently all the fault is cast upon the Spleen, and Physicians accuse that, as if it were the chief author of every irregular Distemper; but by what right or authority, by and by shall be sought into: In the mean time, it is to be observed, that the chief Symptoms of this sickness, are Convulsive, and depend immediately upon the irregularities 
The hypochondriacal distempers belong to the nervous kind.  of the animal Spirits, and the nervous juice, rather than on the evil disposition of the Viscera, serving for Concoction. But indeed, from whence the first rise of this most complicated Disease proceeds, and by what means it brings forth the divers manners of distempers, in so many places, will not be so easy to determine.  
It would be a tedious thing, to show here, what the ancient and modern Physicians thought of the hypochondriack Passion, and of its essence, and Causes; we 
The causes of the hypochondriac passion is inquired into.  will only take notice, that most of them do ascribe this sickly Disposition, to the only fault of the Spleen; In the mean time some contend that the whole confines of this Inward, partaking of part of the fault, the blood flowing every where in the Splenetic, and Epigastric Vessels (or those belonging to the Spleen and belly) for that it being guilty of an hot and dry intemperature, and so obnoxious to too much fermentation, brings forth the original, or gives a beginning to this manifold evil: But the famous Highmore, affording relief, as well to the Spleen; as the Womb, hath cast the chief Cause of this Disease, wholly on the vicious Constitution of the ventricle; and from thence, he would have the reasons of the aforesaid Symptoms, to be originally sought, But indeed, that he might frame a fit hypothesis, for the solving the Phaenomena of this sickness, he first supposes, the tone of the stomach to become too loose, and weak, that for that reason, it hardly, and very imperfectly Concocts the aliments: so that the thin, and more Spirituous part of the Chyle, being sent from thence, sooner than it ought, to the blood, perverts its disposition, to a hot and sour temper; then the residue of the food, by a longer stay, within the Ventricle, degenerates into a ponderous, and viscous or clammy Phlegm; which also, by its Stagnation (even as it is observable in things to be eaten, being longer kept) becomes very sour, or sharp: But from hence, that learned Man argues, that from the blood made too serous and thin, its effervescencies quickly passing thorough it, are induced: and from the stomach, loaded with ballast of ropy or viscous matter, the wind and distentions of the Ventricle, and hypochondria, as also the belching, and troublesome Spitting, do arise: whereby indeed, he wholly exempts the Spleen, from this fault, he contends, that it doth neither draw to itself the melancholy dregss of the blood, nor serves for any office whatsoever, about the Sanguification or the making of blood; but that its use almost only consists in this, that this Inward swelling up, or growing turgid with very hot blood, it administers heat to the adjacent Ventricle, and cherishes it with gentle warmth.  
Although I may so far assent to this famous Author, concerning this opinion, that I yield, the ventricle doth often grievously labour in this Distemper, forasmuch 
The Hypothesis of Dr. Highmore sifted.  as the tone of which, being made lax, and its strength broken, by reason of the indigestion of the aliment, a load of viscous Phlegm, or Petuitous matter, is begotten even in its bosom, to which, by reason of the Saline particles, being brought into a flux, by their long stay, oftentimes a notable soarness, and austereness happen; then because the fault in the first Concoction is not mended, the dyscrasies and disorders of the blood, receive that want of digestion in the second: But yet he cannot draw me into that opinion, that the v●…ntricle is always chiefly in the fault, or that the other Symptoms, of the hypochondriacal Disease, depend only on its vicious Constitution: For I have known many, cruelly afflicted with this sickness, who have been well enough in their stomach: although they have very much complained of the pulsation in the left hypochondrium, of the straitness of the breast, and a wand'ring pain excited in it, also of the trembling, and oppression of the heart, with a continual fear, and disturbed Imagination; in the mean time, they were wont to desire food greatly, and to digest whatsoever was eaten, without any trouble of the ventricle, or heaviness, and also without any spitting or acid belching: yea, I have observed others, great drinkers, and using an evil manner of living, to have contracted a looseness of the stomach, with an ill digestion, windiness, and frequent vomiting, who sound enough about their praecordia, and animal faculties, were not at all accounted for hypochondriacs: Besides, in this Distemper, the ventricle is often rather sick from the viciousness of other parts, or of the Blood, than from its own default; because, it is usual for those sort of sick people, to be well in their stomach, so long as they may lie a-bed, and breath it forth; but when they are raised up, the pores being shut up, and the dregginess of the bloody mass stagnating within, presently to be afflicted with the pain of the heart, an aggestion of wind, and frequent endeavours to vomit.  
For these, and other Considerable Reasons, I judge the original of the hypochondriacal Disease, to be derived from some other fountain, than the weakness of the Ventricle: but forasmuch, as among the parts here primarily suspected, to be affected, great complaints are made against the Spleen; it will be worth our while, to inquire, what office this Inward doth discharge, then, as often as it fails in it, whether it contributes to this Disease.  
Thomas I may grant with Doctor Highmore, that the SpIeen doth cherish the Ventricle with its warmth, and so perhaps in some measure help Concoction: 
The use of the Spleen is inquired into.  yet I do not conclude, this part to be framed chiefly for that end, but for some more noble uses; because, there seems to be need, for the digesting of the food in the stomach, not so much of heat, as of an active ferment: For fishes being actually cold, devour their food whole, and without the help of heat, easily concoct the same, being resolved as it were by a certain menstrum: besides, it is observed of the spleen, that though in man, its whole substance lies near to the ventricle, in most other creatures, who are endued with a longish form, as to the greatest part of it, it is removed far from the Ventricle: Further, if the Spleen be the only Chimney, in which the blood warming the Ventricle is contained, what is the reason, that it, rather than the Liver or Lungs, becomes of a livid or bluish colour, and is stuffed with a black blood, and that lesle hot?  
When I consider these things, which sometime since I have observed; concerning the use of the Spleen; it seems far more probable, that a certain dreggy 
See ●…is discourse of fermentation. Chap. 5th.  portion, viz. a matter, consisting of an earthly, and fixed salt, is laid up in this Inward, by the blood carried to it, by the arteries, which being exalted there as it were by digestion, and into the nature of a ferment, is lastly committed to the blood, flowing from it by the veins, which inspires or quickens it, with a certain leven or fermentation, and performs the same thing about its Spirit, or making it Spirituous, as our ferment commonly called Leven, doth, being put into a batch of bread or dough; for as a certain portion of the unbaked bread or dough, being kept to a sourness, preserves the same nature, that it doth ferment or leaven other bread or dough, and stirs up in it the otherwise sluggish particles into motion; so it seems, that the blood being laid up in the milt or Spleen, and there getting a sourness, as it were by stagnation, puts on the nature of a ferment, whereby indeed the rest of the mass of blood, and perhaps the other humours, are actuated, and as it were Spiritualised, into a more lively motion. What hath been ingeniously wrote, by a late author, viz. the most learned Velthusius, concerning the use of the Spleen, may have relation to this: for he hath determined as highly probable, a ferment to be contained in this Inward, whereby the sluggish particles of the blood, are brought into a state of activity: Because, taking notice, that in children, and others endued with a sanguine temperament, and more fat or dull habit of body, even as their manners, and disposition of mind were inclined to idleness, softness, and dulness, so theirSpleen was ever of a reddish colour, and full of florid blood, like the Liver: from hence he concludes, that the spleen doth but little perform its office in these, as the gential parts before ripe age, or in those of weak loins; but on the contrary, forasmuch as men of a middle age, and chiefly in those, who are of a severe Countenance, and of a lean body, as in them appear marks of cunning, Sagacity, fortitude, and constancy, so their ●…pleen is found to be of a livid or bluish colour, and imbued with blood, as it were muddy: further he argues from hence, that the blood, being kept long in the spleen, as in a Conduit or receptacle, turns plainly into ferment, by which its remaining mass, being from thence inspired, is made more subtle, and begets more acute Spirits, both in the vital, and in the Animal Kingdom or Government: For he supposes, our bodies naturally to abound, with too much humidity, by which indeed the function of the parts, and many of the viscera, are very much dulled: but that the spleen, doth communicate to the mass of blood, solid, firm, and constant parts, and not easily to be dissipated; and that those do wipe away that moistness, and with it carry away in some measure, that softness, from the blood and Spirits, which is predominate in tender age: almost after the same manner, as the northwind, or the eastern gales, fanning and intimately penetrating the air, with the dryness and strength of their parts, breathe health or strength to the air, and to our Bodies.  
But since I have in anotber pIace, declared what I have formerly thought, concerning the Spleen, there will be no need to repeat it in this: yet I shall further note, that in bodies of living creatures, compacted out of a quinarie of elements, as the spirits ought to be more strong than the rest: so indeed they being entangled with a viscous humidity of Sulphur, and water, are so hindered, that oftentimes they are not able to exercise their strength or powers lively enough; hence saline particles, for that they are very much fermenting, are required for this, that the spirituous little bodies, almost overwhelmed by the embrace of the others, and stupifyed, might lie awakened, and set at liberty, and into motion. Wherefore we experience in ourselves, when the spirits are dulled, by the blood being too much exhaled, that notable help is brought, by sharp liquors, as chiefly small wines, and Cider: for these kind of Remedies sharpen the Spirits, and shake off all heaviness. Such a kind of fermenting virtue, we easily believe to be continually exercised, by the Spleen being in right order, towards the blood and nervous Liquor.  
For as this Inward is form with a threefold sort of vessels, viz. with arteries, and veins, and besides with great enfoldings of the nerves, and a most thick Contexture of nervous fibres; we think the use of each of them, to be set apart for this end: to wit, by the Arteries, the blood is carried to the Spleen, hence it lays up its dregs, composed of a fixed Salt, and an earthly matter, in its passages and porosities, and the●…e there laid up, as it were by a certain digestion, are brought into a juice very fermentive: A portion also of which, being carried back to the blood, by the veins, is continually mixed with it: and so its whole mass, is inspired with those kind of fermentive particles, from the Spleen; by which, a certain austerity and sharpness, with vigou●… of motion, is given unto it; so that, for that reason, the blood itself is carried more lively in the vessels; also from thence, the nervous juice, procreated from the blood, being more active supplies the animal regiment: But trulv, the Spleen doth not only by this means mediately, and by the intervention of the blood, inspire the brain and nervous stock, with a fermentive virtue; but it may be lawfully believed, that this is done somewhat more immediately, by the passage of the nerves, dispersed in the spleen: for, because in this part, anatomy discovers a great company of Nerves, and nervous enfoldings, and of fibres springing from them, it may well be doubted, for what use they should serve: Concerning this, it is first to be observed, that the ventricle, and the Spleen, have a most intimate Commerce with the brain; insomuch, that Helmont did place the seat of the Soul, in●…hose Inwards, but this is possible to be done, by no mo●…e commodious way, than by the aforesaid nerves: Wherefore, we may here disservedly suspect, that not only the animal Spirits, are the messengers between the one part, and the other, but also, that the nervous Liquor, which is both the food, and the ventricle of these spirits, doth descend now from the brain towards these Inwards, and now being received from these Visceras by the nerves, doth creep thorough towards the head: which kind of spleeny Juice, being dilated to the brain, sharpens the animal Spirits, and raises them up being slothful, and irritates them into quick motions: from whence it is commonly said, the sharpness and sagacity of the mind, doth proceed from the Spleen, and Splenetic people, are accounted Ingenious: But it is probable, that the rage, and force of the passions, being begun by the Spirits inhabiting the brain, are carried to the spleen, by the passage of the nerves; and so the spirits there dwelling, are pathetically troubled, and the blood flowing thither, is moved into a multitude of perturbations: for from hence it in some measure falls out, that in anger, sadness, and other distempers of the mind, according as the ferment if the Spleen, being more or lesle moved, is inspired to the blood, its liquor diversely boils up: Further, for this reason it happens; that great inflations and Commotions, of the left hypocondrium, come upon splenitic people, from every violent passion.  
These things being thus premised, concerning the use of the spleen, it will be easy, according to our hypothesis, to lay open very many of the symptoms, belonging 
The reason●… of the hypochondriacal Symptoms laid open.  to the hypochondriac Distemper; and to give reasons for each of them: For when the Spleen is wanting in its office, that is, when it doth ●…ot strain forth the melancholy recrements of the blood, nor cook them into a fermentative matter, as we but now observed in children, and others of a sanguine Complexion, or too phlegmatic, to happen often; the disposition of the mind, is made duller, the body grows fat with idleness, yea, and the blood being more sluggish than it ought to be, is apt to stand still within its vessels, or at least to be lesle lively circulated: But on the Contrary where the fermenting power of the spleen, is too much axalted or perverted, the blood by that means being more sharp than usual, or made more sour, it runs about rapidly here and there, and conceives irregular motions; yea, and the nervous juice, falling away from its right temper, imbues the animal Spirits, with an heterogeneous and an explosive Copula, and so irritates them, as it were with goads, into frequent Convulsions: as that not wholly undeservedly, many kinds of diseases, may be imputed to the Spleen being out of order: But the ways or means of affecting, whereby the Spleen being evilly disposed, doth produce the symptoms of the hypochondriack passion, or at least contributes to the rise of them, are chiefly these following.  
First, it sometimes happens, that the spongy substance of the spleen, from the faeces of the blood, being too much impacted, in its pores, and stagnating, 
The Influences of the Spleen in producing the symptoms unfolded.  is very much stuffed, and obstructed: that from thence, it doth not sufficently receive, the recrements of the bloody mass: but the same being carried thither, but not received do flow back into the neighbouring branches of the Caeliack Artery, from whence they are presently carried, into the membranes of the ventricle, the Caule, the mesentery, and other nigh parts, and are wont to be affixed to them; hence the tone of those viscera, are so much spoilt, that they do not rightly perform their due offices, about the concoction of the Chyle, and the membranes planted every way about, being much imbued with heterogeneous and irritative particles, for that they are almost continually pulled by convulsions here and there stirred up, they are grievously obnoxious to wand'ring pains, contractiòns, distentions, and the increase of Winds; by reason of this kind of regurgitation of the blood, from the Spleen, being obstructed, it is likely, that the pulsation, which is felt by hypochondriacks, under the Ventricle, is excited.  
2. When the faeculencies of the blood, are excluded from the Spleens being obstructed, being fixed (as was said) to its neighbouring parts, they bring forth the sickly distemper of the left hypochondrium: but though indeed, that Inward sufficently receives the melancholy or atrabilious juice, carried to it from the blood, by the Arteries, yet oftentimes it does not rightly Cook it, but the Salt being too much excited, it changes it into a too sharp, or acid, austeer, or sour; or some other kind of vicious humour: whereby, when as the whole mass of blood, and the nourishabIe Juice, contained in its bosom, are almo●…t wholly infected, the fruits of the hypochondriack seeds, bud forth thorough t●…e whole body; the blood grows unduly hot, is in some places impetuously moved, and again in others is apt to stagnate or stand still: from hence, it is familiar with Spleenetick people, presently afrer eating, to grow red in the face, to have the palms of their hands hot, their hypochondria to swell, oppressions of the heart, and noted variations of the pulse, to succeed, But these fermentative particles being translated, from the blood, every where into the solid parts, wand'ring pains, running up and down here and there, and a sense of pricking, are stirred up in many members of the Body: moreover, from this Infection of the blood, for that its mass is changed, from a benign and balsamic temper, into a salt and tartareous, a lean habit of body, with a black and dark Countenance, is induced.  
3. From the blood being so depraved, by the fault of the Spleen, oftentimes the taint is carried to the animal government; for heterogeneous and Convulsive Particles, are poured frequently into the brain, and from thence, into the nervous stock; so that the animal Spirits, dwelling in either province, conceive various irtegularities: by reason of the evil being impressed on the head, hypochondriacks use to be troubled with various phantasms, with an heap, and fluctuations of thoughts: besides, to them happen frequent Vertigoes, Scotomies, headaches, and often parlytical Distempers: then, forasmuch as the morbific matter, slides down from the head, into the nervous stock, Convulsive Diseases are excited, in very many parts of the body, but chiefly about the Praecordia, and Viscera of the lower belly: for when the Spirits flowing within the nerves, which respect those parts, are greatly disturbed, by reason of the distemper of the mind, the Convulsive particles, the more readily enter into those pipes, and more easily impress on those Spirits, a Convulsive Disposition: Therefore, partly by reason of the infection mediately transmitted to the Brain, and partly by reason of the hurt, (as hath been shown) immediately Communicated from the Spleen, the Palpitation of the heart, trembling, and frequent swooning, Constrictions of the Breast, impediments of breathing, Pains of the stomach, belching, Vomiting, and many other accidents in those Inwards, hap to hypochondriacks.  
4. Besides these inordinations, which are wont to be derived by the passage of the blood, from the Spleen; into the humours and solid parts, and to the brain itself, and nervous stock; there are other farther evils, which seem to arise from this Inward, also by the passage of the nerves: Because, as we have shown, their extreme branches, and the nervous fibres themselves, interwoven in the Viscera, do drink in with their outward most little mouths, a certain humour, and convey it sometimes upwards, it is highly probable, that the nervous fibres, distributed to the Spleen, (of which as we but now hinted, there is a mighty Guard) do receive its most sharp juice, which Creeping higher, thorough the nervous pipes, becomes a Cause of Convulsive motions: In truth, that there may be those intimate Commerces, between the brain, and theSpleen, to wit, far sooner, than what can be made, by the compassing about of the blood, it may be lawful to believe, that the nerves of the wand'ring pair, and the intercostal, to be the nearest means of the passage, w●…ereby these parts Communicate one with the other, and mutually affect themselves. For it seems, that when the black bile or melanchollic tumour in the Spleen, grows turgid or swells up of its own accord, or is moved by some evident cause, its particles enter the nervous fibres, thickly distributed to the same, which disturb the animal Spirits flowing in them, into explosions, or at least into some disorder: then the Spirits being so distrubed, infect those next to them, and they others, till by their continued series, the passion begun within the Spleen, is propagated even to the brain, and there produces inordinate Phantasms, such as happen to hypochondriacks, also on the other side, when a grievous distemper of the mind, occasionally excited, within the brain, doth disturb the Spirits inhabiting it, the impression being carried to the Fantasy, by the series of the Spirits, planted within the nerves of the wand'ring pair, and the Intercostals, and successive affection, it is brought even to the Spleen; hence its ferment being put more into commotion, stirs up Convulsions, both in that Inward, and in the whole neighbourhood of fibres and membranes; and besides, forces the blood into ebbings and flow, and into various aestuations or vehement motions; yea and reflects the perturbations of the Spirits, upon the brain. From this kind of reciprocal affection of the brain and Spleen, it comes to pass, that hypochondriacks are so unquiet, unstable, and fluctuating, at every thing that's proposed, as if, according to the Poet, Ten minds strove in them at once.  
A certain noble Gentleman, of a melanchollic temper, and always accounted for a Splenetic man, very much complained of a pain, and inflation of his left 
1. Observation.  hypochondrium, with a frequent rumbling noise, and soar belching, also of a trembling of the heart, of an assiduous vertigo, too much waking, and a disturbed fancy: About the 35th. year of his age, the disease growing worse, he began hardly to sleep, and yet more rarely to get it at night, and to be molested in the day time, with a world of fluctuating thoughts, to have in suspicion all things and persons, and greatly to be afraid of every object: his Praecordia seemed to be very much bound, and straitened, and to sink down to the bottom, as if the heart itself were depressed even into the belly; which Symptom, troubling him, he became very sad, and dejected in mind: yet afterwards, those distempers of the mind remitting, he felt with it his heart to be a little lifted up and also his Praecordia to be loosened, and stretched forth; besides, he very often sustained pains and Contractions variously excited, about the muscles of the Viscera, and Members, and running up and down here and there.  
As to the nature of the disease, it is plain, that it is this kind of Distemper, which is commonly called hypochondriacal: but as to what respects the Causes of these to be admired Symptoms, we may suppose, the mass of blood being degenerate, and stuffed with melanchollic or atrabilarie faeculencies, to administer or continually to suggest its adust recrements to the head; from whence, the Liquor watering the brain and nerves, being made sharp, and improportionate to the Spirits, did stir up the containing Bodies, into painful Corrugations, or wrinklings, and Contractures: Further, when this Infection is chiefly derived from the head, into the Nerves of the wand'ring pair; and the intercostal, the brain and the Praecordia, are very much punished, by the malady from thence raised up. But that the Blood is depraved by that means, it seems to be imputed to the vice of the Spleen, forasmuch as this Inward, being amiss, it did not rightly strain forth the atrabilarie dregs from the blood, but rather did more pervert whatsoever recrements it received from it, and the same being exalted into an hurtful ferment, sent it back to the blood, and so very much infected its mass, and imbued it with a plainly acetous, and vitriolic evil Disposition.  
It is plain to be understood, that those symptoms troubling the Head, viz. too much waking, the vertigo, a disturbed fantasy, with many others, did proceed from the heterogeneous particles poured forth from the Blood, into the brain: As to that straitness of the Breast, and falling down of the heart, with great fear and sadness, it may be thought, that the nervous fibres, inserted to the heart, and chiefly to the Pericordium, being moved into Convulsions, and wrinklings, do bind hard those parts, and pull them downwards; wherefore, there is perceived in the whole breast, as it were a certain constriction, and the heart itself seems to be depressed: Further, forasmuch the Praecordia being so streitened and depressed, the blood within the bosom of the heart is stopped, and compelled, as it were to stagnate, both the vital and the sensitive Soul, is much hindered, from its wont expansion and irradiation, and for that Cause, being lessened and shortened in its constitution, those Cruel distempers of fear and sadness arise, but when the Convulsions remitting, that constriction of the heart and its appendix, is released, the Soul also, as a flame more expansed or enlarged, endeavours by little and little to shake off the Chains of those Passions. For the Cure of these Distempers, he had for a long time tried very many remedies, and medical Administrations, but without much benefit, at last he was somewhat eased by the use of Spaw-waters, and from thence by degrees finding himself better he became free from those grievous Symptoms, however, he still lived obnoxious to the hypochondriac Distemper.  
A Certain young Academic, originally of a Sanguine temper, fair, of a flourishing Countenance, excellent disposition, and mild, by reason of immoderate 
2. Observation.  and untimely Studies, in the mean time exercise, and good order of diet being wholly neglected, had contracted an obstruction of the Spleen, or some other morbid distemper of that Inward: For he had almost continually infesting him, an inflation, and tumour of the left hypochondrium, with a most heavy Pain. After he had laboured with this sort of Distemper, about half a year, he began to complain of a frequent giddiness, a blindness of his eyes, an unquietness of his mind, and of disturbed sleeps: Which Symptoms were then piainly imputed to vapours arising from the Spleen: but after that followed, a trembling of the heart, with a frequent deliquium of the Spirits, a pulsation of the hypochondrium, and at length pains, and Contractions in the outward members, with a frequent stupor, and a sense of pricking running up and down here and there: and last of all, being broken with a world of evils, contrary to his genius, and native Disposition, he became greatly hypochondriacal.  
That I may dispatch the pathology of this Case in a word, it appears here plain enough, that the Spleen was first of all in fault; by whose fault, when the bloody mass was depraved, the taint creeping from thence, into the humour watering the brain and nervous stock, and infecting it, did induce the aforesaid Convulsive Symptoms.  
The Curatory Method to be used against the hypochondriacal Distempers requires 
The Meth●…d of Curing the Hypochondriac Distempers.  chiefly these four general Indications. viz. In the first place, that the Impediments of the Cure may be taken away, the Intention of which chiefly respects the purging, and preserving the first passages. Secondly, it must be endeavoured that the obstructions of the Spleen, may be Corrected. Thirdly, that both the recrements of the bloody mass may be purged forth, and that its due disposition may be restored. Fourthly, and lastly, that the enormities of the brain and nervous stock, and also of the watering humour, and the inhabiting Spirits, contracted by the fault of the blood, and Spleen, may be amended, or taken away: when any of these Intentions, or all of them together, shall be endeavoured at, fit times should be chosen, in which each being singly proposed, may be performed, without any neglect or hindrance of the rest.  
8. As to the first Indication, when a great load of crude or adust matter, is wont to be laid up in the first passages, and when the tone of the Ventricle used to be spoilt, and its ferment variously perverted, against every one of these kinds of evils, you must bring timely help, with fit remedies; therefore, gentle and moderate evacuations, both by Vomit if it prospers well, and by Stool, aught to be administered: For such, whose stomach easily casts forth its contents upw●…rds, I persuade, that once in a month Vomiting should be several times provoked by taking Liquor of Squills, or Salt of Vitriol, or by drinking plentifully small beer posset-drink, or warm water; in the time between, a gentle purge, and only a little moving is to be ordered often: For this end, The pills Tartareous, of Bontius, or Stomach-pills with Gums, or our solutive extract, may be of use. Take os the best Senna ℥ i, of Rhubarbʒvi, of Epithimʒiii, of yellow-Sande●…sʒii, of the Salt of wormwoodʒii, of Celtic Spikeʒi, being cut and bruised, let them be digested in x ounces of White wine, and as much of fumitory water, for 48 hours, let the clear straining be evaporated, with the heat of a gentle bath, to the consistency of an extract, adding towards the end, of the powders of Senna, of Rhubarb, and cream of Tar●…ar each ʒii, let them be bruised together in a glass mortar, and reduced to the consistency of Pills. The Dose ʒss, ℈ two, or ʒi, the Remedies respecting the tone, and ferment of the ventricle, as they are manifold and divers, out of them the most fit or commodious for the Disposition of the Ventricle, are to be chosen; for to this bitter things, to that Saltish, to another sharp and perhaps biting things, are desirable. Among the number of these kinds of medicines, (which are commonly called Digestives) are Elixir Proprietatis, Tinctura Sacra, powder of Aron Compound, Salt of Wormwood, Cream of Tartar, Tartar vitriolat,, Vitriol of Steel, with many others. Besides these inward Remedies, also external applications do often bring help: Because the Stomach being ill affected, a fomentation of white-wine, with wormwood, century, and other bitter plants boiled therein, also ointments, or plasters, often bring help: Concerning which, there will be no need here to discourse particularly; and to prescribe forms of the Medicines themselves.  
2. The second Indication, for the mending the vices of the Spleen, (to wit, if there shall be in the same any obstruction, Tumour, or pain, or simple dyscrasy or Intemperament,) is wont to be performed, or at least attempted, by Remedies both internal, and exrernal: Those which are of the former Sort, fall in with those indicated in the 3d place, (to wit, with such, as for the purifying the Blood is intended) because, when chie●…ly, or almost all, that which is carried, or born to the Spleen, is done by the passage of the blood, the irrigularities of the Latex of this, as well as of that Inward, by a Social labour, aught to be cured, with the joint strength of Medicines; by what means is shown by and by. In the mean time, some external Applications, under the form of a plaster; o●… an oyutment, or a fomentation, more nearly and immediately respect the body of the Spleen, and often bring notable help, forasmuch as they discuss tumours, and allay the Convulsive Distempers, and quiet them. Great plenty of these kind of outward medicines, are every where extant among Authors, the choice of which ought to be made, according to the various passions of the Spleen, or the divers Constitutions of the Patient, so that there will be no need here, to show their particular forms.  
3. The Remedies indicated in the 3d place, to wit, which take away the dyscrasies or evil temper of the blood, contracted from the vice of the Spleen, and also clear the primary fault of the Spleen, are of a manifold, and divers kind, and manner, the choice of which ought to be administered, according to the various infection of this, or that: of these, some are compounded, and prepared according to the prescription of Physicians, as Electuaries, Powders, Apozems, Tinstures, Infusions, and the like; others more simple, as whey, ass' milk, Spaw-waters, and Baths.  
There are two chief Cases of sick people, in which magisterial Remedies ought to be all accommodated, according to their strength and qualities: to wit, either the blood is thick, coldish, and earthy, with the Spleen being obstructed, which requires more hot, fermenting, and chiefly Chalybiate medicines; or the blood being clearly adust, and hot, ferments too much, and together greatly troubles the hypochondria, and in them, the blood and humours boil up; in which state, Remedies only temperate, and allaying the fermenting, and immoderate boiling of the humours, are to be chosen, where chalibiats are wholly to be avoided.  
When therefore to a cold ventricle, cold discrasies or evil temperaments, of the blood and Spleen also happen, I am wont to prescribe, according to the following forms.  
Take of the Troches of Rhubarh, of the Powder of the root of Aron, of winteran Bark, each ʒiis, of the root of virginian Snakeweed, Centrayerva, Diatrion Santulon, of Crabs eyes, each ʒi, of the extract of Gentian, of Century, each ʒiss, of ammoniae, dissolved in the water of Earth worms, what will suffice to make a mass of Pills: let them take 4 pills in the morning, and at 4 a clock in the afternoon, drinking after them a little draught, of wormwood-wine, or chalibiate wine, with moderate exercise.  
Take of the Conserves of the yellow of Oranges, and of Lemons, each ℥ iii, of preserved mirabolans, n. two, of the Species of aromaticum Rosatum, of winteran Bark, each ʒiis, of the Salt of wormwoodʒii, of the vitriol of Steelʒi, (or Steel preparedʒiii.) with what will suffice of the Syrup of Citron rines, make an Electuary, To be taken twice a day, drinking after it a draught of wormwood-wine, or of the Infusion of the herb or flowers of Tamarisk.  
For those who are not pleased, but with medicines in an elegant form, and in a very little quantity, the tinctures of Antimony, and of Coral, also of Steel, with the Spirit of wine, (the body being first dissolved by a proper menstrum, and reduced to a Calx) are convenient: as also the Spirits of Sut, of blood, or of hartshorn, to be taken twice a day, with a proper liquor, to 12. drops, more or lesle, are of known benefit, above any other medicine that I know of: moreover the often drinking of Coffee, also that made of the Infusion of the leaves of Thea, gives ease to some.  
If that the fervour of the blood, and too fermenting, with the trouble of the Spleen, and unquietness of the mind, be joined to the hypochondriac Distemper.  
Take of the Conserves of hyps or Conaradine, ℥ vi. (or of the flowers of Tamarisk, and the leaves of woodsorrel, each ℥ iii) of the Species of Diarrodon Abbatis, of the confection of Alkermis, each ʒi, of the powder ofis Ivoryʒiss, of Pearlsʒss. of the Salt of Tamarisk, and wormwood, each ʒi. with what will suffice of the Syrup of green Citrons,, or Clove-Gilliflowers, make an Opiate, to be taken twice in a day, the quantity of a nutmeg.  
Take of the powder of Ivory, ʒii. of the Powder of Pearls, ʒi. of the Species of diarrhodon Abbatis, of Diamagarit frigida, each ʒiss. make a fine powder, add of white Sugar, dissolved in Baume-water, and boiled to the consistency of Tablets ℥ vi. make thereof according to Art, Lozenges, or little cakes: take ʒiss or ʒii twice a day. To these, and other medicines of this nature, may be joined the use of Spaw-waters, which indeed, in either, yea, in all cases, of hypochondriac Melancholy, are almost always taken with good success: For want of those waters, our artificial Spaw-waters, may be conveniently ordered, yea, and whey, and if any notable atrophy be, let Ass' milk be daily taken.  
Besides, these inward Remedies, and other outward Applications, before-recited, Phlebotomy, or the taking away of blood with Leeches, from the sedal veins, may be of use frequently: yea, sometimes it may be convenient, to open the Salvatella Vein, according to the prescript of the Ancients: Besides Cauteries, or Issues, which may continually carry forth the adust recrements of the blood, and by degrees excern them, are wont to be beneficial almost to all.  
4. The fourth Indication, respecting the affections of the brain, and nervous stock, or the Convulsive Symptoms having relation to or coming upon the former, is rarely in use of itself, and apart from the others, but that Remedies destinated to this end, are complicated with those abovesaid. Liquors endued with a volatile Salt, or an armoniac, as Spirits of Hartshorn, and Sut, are highly necessary for this Intention, as also the rest but now recitied; wherefore such Remedies, unless any thing shall show the contrary, may be daily given at fit hours. Further, when Spaw-waters are drunk, let tablets or pills, such as are above-prescribed, for the Convulsive distempers, be taken at least twice in a day. In the frequent turning, and giddiness, also in the passions of the heart, the sinking down of the Spirits, with dread, and as it were a fear of Death, just seizing on one, I have known very often, great help to be had, by the use of Chalibeat, or steel Medicines.  
Since we have made mention so often, of Chalibiat or steel-medicins, it will be worth our while, to inquire into their various preparations, and for that reason 
The preparations and effects of Steel Medicines unfolded.  their divers manners of effects, which they are wont to produce in the human body, that it may from hence appear, by what means, and for what respects, these or those preparations of Iron, are greatly profitable to some hypochondriacks, and to others as much hurtful.  
The virtue and operation of Chalybeat, or steeled mecicines, depends upon the porticles of the concerts, being after a various manner dissolved, unfolded, and brought forth into act: For steel, or Iron, consists chiefly of a Salt Sulphur, and Earth: and but slenderly endued with Spirits and water: But the particles of the former Elements, chiefly the Sulphureous, and saline, being in their mixture combined together, with the Earth, remain altogether fixed, and sluggish, but being soluted, and pulled one from another, they come to be of a very efficacious Energy.  
The aforesaid particles are dissolved in a twofold manner, and set into the Liberty of acting: viz. either by Art, whilst medicines are prepared, or by Nature after they are taken inwardly; for the metallic Body, is wont to be dissolved, and eaten, by the ferment of the ventricle, just like a Chemical menstrum: we will consider the several Species of either, and their manner of being made, that it may appear, what alteration is impressed, on the steeled medicine, in the preparation; and what effects every preparation of it, doth impress on man's Body.  
The most simple way of preparing Iron, is a division of its body, into little integral parts, with a file, which resemble the nature of the whole mixture, and contain both little sulpureous bodies, and saline, combined among themselves, and with other terrestrial. The filings of Iron being inwardly taken, is dissolved by the ferment of the ventricle, as it were by an acid menstrum; the signs of which are, both a sulphureous and unsavoury belching, as from the eating of hard eggs, also the blackness of the ordure, from steel being dissolved within the Viscera of Concoction, active particles, both Sulphureous and Saline, Plentifully sally forth, and being involved with the nutritious juice, are carried into the blood; which as they excel in a divers virtue, do often conspire, as it were with the joint forces of either, to bring benefit to the sick. The Sulphureous little bodies being brought to the blood, add to it a new, and more plentiful Provision of Sulphur, wherefore its mass, if before it was poor and liveless, doth nimbly ferment within its vessels, and being enkindled farther in the heart, acquires a more intense heat, yea, and a deeper colour; for it is so observed, in many affected with the dropsy, arising from white phlegm, the Pica or evil longings, or green-sickness, to have a pale countenance, cold blood, and wateri●…; but by the use of steel, the countenance soon to be more florid, and the blood to be imbued with a more intense tincture, and heat: moreover, from the filing of Iron, dissolved in the ventricle, also Saline particles are brought forth, and often they bestow a more plentiful fruit●…r increase, both on the solid parts, and on the humours; for since their natures are vitriolic, and stiptic or binding, they bind together and strengthen the too lax, and weakened fibres of the Viscera, and so restore the broken tone: Besides these Saline particles, inhibit the force of the blood; repress it from too much heat, and boiling up, and froth, and retain it in an equal circulation: Besides (which is their chief virtue) they contract and straiten the too loose, open, and gaping little mouths of the Arteries; that, for that reason, neither the Serum, nor the bloody latex, may sweated out, or be broke off, from the file of its circuit: Wherefore in the Dropsy, and great bleedings, Remedies, imbued with the Saline particles of ●…ron, are of famous and efficacious use, for very many Diseases proceed from this cause, forasmuch as the little mouths of the Arteries, being too open, and the interspaces of the vessels above measure loosened, the serum or bloody latex breaks forth; which kind of Affections, the Vitriollic Particles of Steel, do often help, by binding and corroborating, the sanguiferous Vessels, and nervous fibres.  
After this manner, the filings of Steel, being taken inwardly, seems at once to add to the blood, both spurs, and a bridle. But forasmuch, as from this medicine, an incitation, much more than a restriction, doth arise, therefore it ought to be given only to them, whose blood is very thick, and cold, as country people and strong persons; in very hot, and spirituous blood, and in hot inwards, 'tis no ways convenient: moreover, in delicate persons, and men of a more tender constitution, 'tis dangerous, lest the little portions of the steel, when they cannot be sufficiently dissolved, should like fragments of glass, be driven into the membranes of the Viscera, and there pertinaciously sticking, produce some ulcer, or deadly torments, which indeed I have known sometimes to happen.  
2. After the filing of Iron, the next way of preparing it, is calcining it with Sulphur, to wit, let thin pieces of steel, being strongly fired, be laid upon 〈◊〉 roler of Sulphur, that the mettle may melt into little round balls, which are to be calcined to the consumption of the Sulphur, and pounded in a mortar, are to be reduced into a subtle powder, which is of choice use. In this preparation of Iron, some sulphureous particles are exhaled, the sign of which is, that this powder, an acid liquor being poured upon it, much lesle boils up, or grows hot than the limature or filing of Iron: but being taken by the same mouth, it excites a Sulphureons' savour. In the mean time, in this preparation, the saline particles, seem to be somewhat augmented, by new ones sticking to them, from the mettle burning with Sulphur, so that active particles of either kind, to wit, Sulphureous and Saline, come almost to an A●…quilibrium: and when by this means, this medicine, the substance of the mettle being loosened, may be finely powdered, it becomes of far more excellent use, than the filings of Iron: In most Cases, where steel ought to be given in substance, as in a cachexy or a fullness of evil humours, the longings of maids or the green-gckness, and such jike, this medicine is convenient to be used.  
3. In the third place, follows the preparation of steel with vinegar: to wit, the filings of the whole steel, is moistened with vinegar, and dried, till it may be reduced into an impalpable powder: in this preparation, the Sulphureous particles are yet much more, yea, as to the greatest part evaporated, only a few being left, in the mean time, the Saline, by reason of others sticking to them, from the vinegar, are much increased, which are mingled with the terrene particles: This chalibiated powder, very little or nothing froths, or boyles up, a sharp liquor being sprinkled upon it, also being taken at the mouth, has with it scarce any sulphureous Savour: wherefore, it conduces lesle, to the taking away of the obstructions of the Bowels, or to the restoring the ferment of the blood: nevertheless, in a more hot Constitution, in hemorrhages or fluxes of Blood, and the hypochondriac Distemper, it is wont to be administered with greater success, than the former preparations.  
4ly. Follows the rust of Iron, which being an extract of the metallic body, seems to be as it were a fifth Effence: because, in this excrescency, some particles of every kind, to wit, sulphureous, saline, and terrene, being loosened from the whole substance, are combined among themselves; and constitute as it were a new mixture, more subtle, and defaecated or clearer from dregs: For that in this concrete, there remains lesle particles of sulphur, therefore it doth not so potently ferment the blood, or take away the obstructions of the Viscera, as steel prepared with sulphur; but in more hot distempers of the parts, or humours, it egregiously performs the requisite Intentions, of a steeled Medicine.  
To this Class may be referred by right, our preparation of steel, to wit, in which all the particles of the metal, being loosened from the bond of mixture, are contained together: which notwithstanding, (the concrete being first reduced into powder) and immediately dissolved, in any water or Menstruum. This powder being inwardly taken hath the like virtue as steel prepared with sulphur; but to the liquor or menstruum, in which it is dissolved, it imparts almost only saline, or chiefly vitriolic particles, the sulphureous flying away, and the terene sinking to the bottom. I am wont to give in great quantity, and not seldom with excellent success, common water impregnated with the dissolution of this, instead of the natural acidulous or spawish waters: moreover, I make thereof medicated wine, beer, cider, whey, or other Liquors, this powder being dissolved in them; and prescribe them to be taken, for several intricate Intentions: So much for the preparations of Iron, in which the elementary particles of every kind, are comprehended in a various proportion: There remain others, in which the particles almost only of one kind, to wit, the saline, or earthy, are left, the rest, as to the greatest part, being driven forth: of which sort, are chiefly vitriol, or the Salt of steel.  
5. For the making the vitriol of steel, first, the metal is wont to be eaten thorough, with a very sharp and corrosive Liquor, and to be dissolved into elementary parts: In the dissolving, the saline particles of the menstruum, are joined to the other salines of the Iron, and are with them intimately combined; in the mean time, the remaining sulphureous, and terrene, being laid aside, and excluded from their company; then common water being poured to this solution, the salts of either kind being combined, are imbibed by the Liquor, and that being lastly filtrated, and evaporated, they are reduced into crystals. This kind of making of salt or salification, succeeds, if you do it, either with the Spirit of vitriol, the oil of sulphur, or stygian water, or any others, distilled from the stagmas of minerals: Yea, Sal Armoniac only, being soluted by melting, diffolves Iron after the same manner, and causes it to Chrystalize.  
Salt of Steel thus prepared, hath a sweetish taste, with a certain sharp stipticity or binding, and participates much of the nature of vitriol, that it seems not to differ much from Verdigrease. Taken inwardly for a medicine, it somewhat ferments the humours, and powerfully binds the nervous fibres: for cold Cachecical, and Phlegmatic people, this medicine is not convenient, because there are in it no particles of Sulphur: but it is often administered with success, in hot distempers of the bowels, where there is a predominancy of adust Sulphur and in wand'ring effervescencies, in scorbutical, and unequal heats, both of the blood and nervous stock, by itself, or mixed with other medicines, as an enforcement: but yet in more tender Constitutions, 'tis dangerous, lest the tone and fibres of the ventricle should be hurt, by its acrimovy, and too great constriction or astringency.  
6. In the last place, follows the astringent Crocus Martis, or the Crocus of Steel, prepared by fire, through a long Calcination, viz. The filings, the off-scouring, or thin plates of Iron, should be so placed in a reverberating for●…ace, that they may be continually heated, by a most strong flame: The filing being thus exposed to the naked fire; first of all it grows reddish, and runs together into little hard round balls; but after 3. or 4. days, swelling up suddenly into an higher heap, it becomes extreme light, impalpable, and of a most curious purple Colour: In this preparation, the Sulphureous and saline particles, whilst by the force of the fire, they begin to come away from the concreet, do mutually take hold one of another, and so being combined together, grow into little balls; but afterwards, those particles, both Saline and Sulphureous, being wholly profligated, and fiery particles succeeding in their place, the whole mass swelling up into a bulk, and made as it were spongy, becomes most light.  
A Medicine thus prepared, in some Cases, is of most excellent use, and second to none of the Chalybeats: to wit, almost in all extravasations, or too great eruptions of the Serum and blood, as in outward haemorrhages, or in inward bleedings, in the Diarrhaea, the Diabatis, and in a vehement Catarrh; also I have known no remedy better than this, in the Ascitis, or in the beginning of a Dropsy: and this also, I have heard to be highly approved of lately by a most famous and expert Physician, of our own Country: Concerning which medicine notwithstanding, since it is wholly destitute, both of Saline and sulphureous Particles, and consists almost only of earthIy and fiery particles, it is very ambiguous, by what faculty it operates, and produces so praiseworthy an effect in man's body; for there seems to be in this, left no more Caput mortuum, or dead head, or terra damnata, then in vitriol, or in any of the other metals, distilled be a most intense fire. As to this if I may Conjecture, it seems first, that to this preparation, some Activity is due, whereby it exerts itself, and unfolds its virtues, either by shutting up obstructions, or by binding together the Vessels, or nervous fibres of the Viscera, from the fiery particles, shut up in the most fixed earth, and from them breaking forth within the body: But the chiefest reason of helping consists in this, that the earthy particles, the Saline (by which they were strictly held) being wholly gone, desire greedily to be reunited to them, or such like: Wherefore, this Crocus martis, being immersed in our Bodies, snatches to itself, whatsoever Salts it meets with, and intimately binds them, and so, while it sucks up like a sponge, very many saline particIes, it takes away many enormities, arising chiefly from the flux of the Salts. By this means, Burnt hartshorn, Spodium, and Antimony Diaphoretic, when they bring help exert or put forth their virtues.   

CHAPTER. XII. Of the Convulsive Cough and Asthma.  
THe history before related, doth clearly manifest, that sometimes a Cough may be caused, without any great fault of the Lungs, by reason of the sliding 
An example of a Cough merely Convulsive.  down of the morbific matter, upon the pneumon●…ck nerves, or those belonging to respiration: to wit, where it was shown, in the Case of the noble Virgin, labouring with Convulsive fits, and also with a grievous and continual giddiness, that, when by the prescript of the Physician, a fomentation of Cephalic Decoction, was applied to her head, presently the Giddiness ceased, and in its place followed a great Cough, without any Spitting, but night and day, almost perpetually troubling her: which without doubt happened, by reason of the Convulsive matter, being driven from the brain, into the beginnings of the nerves: This kind of example, of a Cough merely Convulsive, more rarely happens, in persons of ripe years, as the like distemper I have not often seen: But in children 'tis usual, (also sometimes I have known it in Men) for a cough 
This distemper frequent enough in children.  to arise, from a serous Colluvies overflowing the Lungs: which, when at first it was Simple, and moderate, afterwards it became vehement, and Convulsive; so that in Coughing the Diaphragma being drawn upwards, and held in a long Systole, or frequently repeated, the Lungs being greatly straitened, were much hindered in their motion. In the mean time, by reason of the breathing being hindered, and the blood being restrained within the Praecordia, and for that cause stagnating in other places, the sick were in danger of being choked, and often acquired a livid, or dead countenance. But in this Case, besides the Convulsions raised up about the Praecordia, by the force of Coughing, the Ventricle also, being often brought Into a consent, cast forth by vomit, whatever it contained in its bosom: yea, and I know in some tender ones, after this manner affected, the Disease wand'ring from thence into other parts, did raise up Convulsive motions in the Face, eyes, and limbs, and at length became deadly. This kind of Convulsive Cough is very frequent among children, and some years' lays hold on so many, that it seems to be plainly Epidemical; when it roots itself, it is very difficult to be cured, by Remedies, yea often being long protracted, it is hardly otherwise to be cured, but by the state of the year being changed.  
If the causes of the aforesaid Case be inquired into, it will be so plain, to refer the procatartic or more remote cause, to the redundancy of the Serous humour 
The reason of it.  in the bloody mass, and in some sort in the whole body; a portion of which matter, dropping forth from the little mouths of the Arteries, on the Lungs, creates the ordinary Cough; afterwards, when the serous Colluvies or heap of waters yet exuberateing in the Blood, and stuffed with Convulsive particles, is also heaped up within the head, the same entering the pneumonic nerves, increases the simple, into a Convulsive Cough: For when those nerves, being irritated first about their extremities, are exe●…sed above measure, for that reason they more easily imbibe the Convulsive ●…er, laid up nigh their beginnings: and so, when at length, they are driven into irregular motions, in two places, to wit, in the head, and at the tale, and that for two distinct causes, viz. from the irritation of the Spirits, and from their explosion; it is no wonder, if the Cough, at first Common, being afterwards brought into this evil state, becomes so cruel and Convulsive: Moreover, when it sometimes happens, that the same matter, heaped up in the head, does enter some other nerve, therefore Convulsive passions of another manner, often come upon the Convulsive Cough.  
Having shown after this manner, that a cough doth arise, not only, nor always by the fault of the Lungs, but sometimes from a solitary Convulsive cause, 
The Convulsion Asthma.  but oftener superinduced by this, on a pneumatic Distemper: also we do not doubt to determine almost the same thing, concerning another certain Distemper of the Thorax, to wit, the Asthma: For whether this Disease be continual, or periodical, in either Case, the Symptom chiefly urging, is difficult Breathing; which indeed seems to be excited for this reason, because the Lungs being too 
Sometimes i●… depends of the Lungs, together with the nerves being affected.  much inflated, and distended, extremely fills the Cavity of the Thorax, neither do they fall down as they should do, by turns: hence the Spirit or breath remaining within, is not sent forth freely enough, neither indeed can fresh air be easily induced, by reason the space is before filled: whilst the Lungs are so longer contained in a continual, or very little remiss Diastole, oftentimes the Diaphragma, is urged contrary to its manner, into a violent Systole, and being drawn upwards, is wont more and more to lift up the Lungs, and to hinder their falling down; whereby it comes to pass, that respiration becomes yet more difficult, and more laborious.  
We easily believe, that this kind of hard breathing Distemper, doth sometimes happen by the fault of the Lungs, because anatomical Inspection hath plainly detected it: For if a great Serous Colluvies, being laid up in the Thorax, very much stuffs the Lungs, and so much obstructs all their pores and passages, that the blood being hindered in its Circute, cannot freely pass thorough the Pneumonic Vessels, for that reason indeed, such like anhelous Distempers are sometimes made: Then, as often as the blood growing more hot and rarified, by exercise or the heat of the Bed, requires a larger space for its Circulation, within the Lungs; then presently from such an occasion, a more frequent Respiration, or an asthmatical fit is stirred up: If beside this morbid Disposition of the Breast, the Sanguineous mass, also abounding with a serous water, should be apt to sudden fluxions and effervescencies of the Serum, from hence also, by reason of the violent course of the Serum growing hot, into the Lungs, being before obstructed, and greatly filled, very often most grievous assaults of this Disease, and almost suffocating do happen. Moreover, sometimes, beside, the roots of the asthma (as it is said) being fixed about the Praecordia, certain shoots of the same disease, budding forth from the head, meet with the former, and being complicated with them, produce the more cruel fruits of the Dyspnaea, or want of Breath. For, because the Lungs being stuffed with Serum, another quantity of the same, more largely redounding in the blood, being imbued with Convulsive particles, is poured on the head, the same more readily entering the pneumonic nerves, than others, causes the Asthma of the Thorax, at first Simple and modetate, to become periodically vehement, and Convulsive.  
Of these kind of Distempers, viz. the Dyspnaea, being excited by the singular fault of the Lungs, and with a Companion, very many instances, and examples have fallen under our observation, and do almost daily happen. For there is nothing more usual, then for those that are sick of an inveterate cough, or any other evil disposition of the Lungs, at length the Dropsy, or Scurvy happening to become Asthmatick, to wit, when the Blood being made much more impure, lays up also its serous dregs in the head, these more readily, and indeed more easily enter then others, the pneumonic nerves, as being weaker, and often irritated near their extremities, and in them do heap up matter, for a Convulsive Dyspnaea.  
Further, sometimes I have observed, most grievous fits of an Asthma to have happened, without any notable fault of the Lungs, so that truly I did think that 
An Asthma sometimes ●…erlyConvulsive proceeds from the n●…rve only being affected.  this disease was sometimes merely Convulsive, and its fits only excited, because the serous colluvies or watery he●…●…eing stuffed with, explosive particles, entering into the nerves, performing ●…e Diastole of the Lungs, grows to the Spirits therein flowing, which being afterwards struck off together, and for a long while, by reason of plenitude or irritation, the Lungs are detained as it were inflated, and stiff, so that they can perform neither the offices of drawing in, or of breathing out: But the fit being finished, a free and equal respiration followed, as before the fit began, and no cough, or signs of a sickly disposition of the Lungs, did appear. As I have observed this kind of Dyspnaea or difficult breathing merely Convulsive, to have happened in many, I will here show you one or two histories of it.  
A certain strong and fat Gentleman, having used for some time a more full and inordinate Diet, without any exercise, began to be ill about the beginning of the winter: at first he was troubled with a pain and heaviness of his head, with a great giddiness, and fear of swoonding, and believing himself just about to dye, being otherways healthful; within a few days, these Symptoms passed into an apparent Stupor, or rather Lethargy: he being let blood in his Arm, I caused carefully to be applied Cupping-glasses, Vesicatories, and sharp Ciysters, with many other Remedies: In the space of 42. hours coming to himself, he was sensible, and shook off all torpor or drousiness. But although his brain was cleared, yet he was taken with a great weakness, and numbness in his members which Distempers however were shortly cured, with antiparyletic and antiscorbutic Remedies: But after a sortnight, he began again to complain of an heaviness and giddiness in his head, than the next day after, he fell into a horrid Asthma: that the Lungs being suddenly inflated, and endeavouring to come upwards, the Breath, which was very quick and laborious, was hindered, and not being able to come forth, he was in danger every minute of an hour to be choked. This fit as it was cruel, so it passed over within 12. hours, without any spitting, cough, or vomit, and then, within a week's space, he lost all the trouble of his breast; but then the like fit of the Dyspnaea or difficult breathing returning, exercised him somewhat more gently; and afterwards, he was wont to be troubled with such a fit of the Asthma, nigh to the great mutations of the Air, chiefly in great cold, or the falling of Snow.  
I knew another Gentleman, sick of an inveterate Scurvy, who having no manner of Cough, was troubled now with a great headache, and for many days with 
2. Observation.  a giddiness or V●…rtigo, then at another time, being free from those Symptoms, he was taken with a most cruel fit of the Asthma, and he endured these Distempers, now this, now that, frequently, but especially about the greater tropicks of the year.  
It is not to be doubted, but in the aforesaid Cases, those fits of the Asthma did wholly depend, on the Convulsive matter, being fallen into the nerves, serving 
The Reason.  to the stretching forth of the Lungs, which cleaving to the Spirits, and being by them struck off, or explosed, by reason of plenitude or irritation, caused the Praecordia to be lifted vywards, and as it were inflated, and by that means hindered, from its reciprocal motion.  
Moreover, we suppose, that such a kind of Convulsive Dyspnaea or difficult 
An Asthma sometimes exciteed by reason of the Bronchia ●…eing Convu●…sively affected.  breathing, is sometimes excited, by reason of the bronchia of the Trachea (or the sharp arteries of the Throat) being too much straightened, and often almost drawn together: we have shown in our discourse of the Nerves, that very many branches of nervous fibres, and of the nerves, do every where embrace all the ramifications of the asper Artery, and bind them about, which nerves if it hap, that they, being possessed by the morbific matter, should be irritated into frequent Convulsions, for that reason it follows, that the channels or passages which they compass about, must be greatly bound together, and in some places wholly shut up.  
There was a very choice Virgin, of a tender constitution, and of a flourishing countenance, scarce past the second lustre of her Age, (i e. about 12. years 
3 Observation.  old) that began to be grievously tormented with Asthma fits; and before she was entrusted to my cure, she had lived obnoxious to them at least 4. years. sometimes she remained free, from any fit of this disease, for two o●… three months: yet oftentimes, by reason of errors in Diet, or the great mutations of the year, or the air, she fell into most cruel fits of the Dyspnaea or difficult breathing: So that her Lungs being inflated, and carried upwards towards her throat, and there held almost in a continual Diastole, she could hardly, nay, not at all breathe; in the mean time, for that respiration might be somehow made, the Diaphragma and the muscles of the breast were exercised with repeated endeavours of motions. This kind of fit by degrees remitting, within 7 or 8. hours, at length gave over; but then after a week or two, it was wont to come again, either of itself, or from any the least occasion; after that the force of the Disease, its matter being bestowed on very many of these kind of fits, passed away, this excellent virgin was well enough for many weeks, yea sometimes months after, and breathed freely, without any fault of the Thorax. For this person, I instituted this following method, Spring and fall, and now it is more than two years, since she has had any fit of this Distemper.  
Take of our Sulphur of Antimony, gr. vi. of Cream of tartar, vi, grains, mix them: Let it be given in the pap of a roasted apple, with this medicine she was wont to vomit 4. or 5. times: four days after, she took this cathartic, whic●… was wont to be repeated, twice, after 6. or 7. days between: Take Calomelun xii. grains, of the Resin of Jolop, v. grains, of castor gr. iiii. with what will suffice of Ammoniac dissolved, make three pills: every day besides, she took morning and evening, of the tincture of Antimony, grains xii. in a Spooufull of the following Julap, drinking after it 6. or 7. Spoonfuls of the same. Take of the water of Snails, ℥ vi. of earthworms ℥ iiii. of water of pennyroyal, and rue, each, ℥ iii of hysterical water, ℥ iii of Castor tied in a knot, and hung in the glass, ʒss. of white-sugar ℥ i mix them in the glass, and make a Julap.  
About the Autumn of the last year, another noble Virgin, being sick after the same manner, viz. with a Periodical Asthma, I was sent for to cure her, 
4. Observation.  who received great help by the aforesaid Remedies, being used in a little lesser dose, and the same repeated at the first of the Spring.  
In these Cases also, nothing seems to appear more clearly, than that the cause of the Disease, without any phlegm or viscous humour, being impacted in the Lungs, as is commonly believed, doth subsist within the nervous stock; and that this kind of Dyspnaea or difficult breathing, merely convulsive, is excited, by reason of the Pneumonic nervs, being possessed by the Convulsive Distemper. The verity of this may be yet more clearly evinced, by an anatomical observation, lately Comunicated to me, by the learned Physician Doctor Walter Needham. 
An AnatocalObservation  That most famous man told me, that he knew a Butcher of Wàllsallen in the County of Stafford, who when he had been long sick of a periodica●… Asthma, returning within 14. or 20 days at farthest, at length he died in a fit. The Body being opened, all his Viscera appeared sound, chiefly his Lungs, neither were there to be seen any signs, either of excrement gathered together in the Bronchia, or of the blood restagnating in the veins; this only happened besides nature, that the bladder of the gall; contained in it many stones. But (added he) the causes unknown to us, certainly not Conspicuous to our eyes, were to be attributed to the nervous stock being affected.  
Sometime passed I was consulted with, about a noble child, who being about 12. months old, was grieviously afflicted with Convulsion fits, and as it were Epileptic, 
Anoiher Anatomical Observation.  of which he quickly died. I often observed, that whilst the Convulsion of the outward parts intermitted, he was taken with a cruel sobbing, or hooping Cough: from whence I suspected, that the morbific matter, was no lesle fixed in the breast, than in the brain. But after its Death, the body being opened, the Lungs well furnished, appeared clear from any fault, that it clearly appeared that this cough merely Convulsive, was excited by reason of the Distemper of the nervous stock.  
As to what respects the Remedies, and curatory means, which ought to be used in the aforesaid cases, when that convulsive Symptoms come upon the Cough, or difficulty of breathing, first excited from the default of the Lungs, and so by reason of the taint, communicated to the brain; it must be carefully heeded, that Convulsive medicines be aptly compounded, with those respecting all the Intentions of the Thorax. Yea that sometimes these, sometimes those, being given by themselves, may between while fill up the times of curing, it will not be needful in this place, to bring the bechic, or Pneumonic medicines, and forms of them, since an immense company of them, are extant every where, among Physical Authors. It will be sufficient for our purpose, to add a method of medicine, also some more select Remedies, convenient for the Cough, and Asthma, merely Convulsive.  
As to the former Distemper, which is most familiar ●…o children, the cure is difficult, and for the most part not to be performed, but of a long time. The 
The cure of the Convulsive Cough.  chief Indications, will be to purge forth, both the serous and sharp humours, from the blood and Viscera, that their inclination and falling down in the brain, and perhaps also within the breast, may be sometimes prevented; then to Corroberate those parts that they may not easily admit the superfluities, of the boiling Serum. For these ends, vomits and more gentle purges, for the most part are useful, and in some measure ought to be repeated: Vesecatories are often profitable; yea, if the Disease be contumacious, Issues are to be made in the nape of the neck, or the arm, or about the Armpits. Drink and liquid aliments, are to be taken in a lesser quantity, than usual, and in stead of them, a Bochet is to be used, of Sarsa, China, Sanders, Shave of Ivory, and hartshorn, with diuretic, and anticonvulsive Ingredients: In this Case, some remedies as it were special, are greatly commended, of which sort are pixed musk, given in powder, or boiled in milk, and so given daily in a frequent dose: a decoction or Syrup of Cast●…r, and Saffron; decoctions of the root of Paeony, Misletow of the Oak, also of hyssop, help many; the waters of black-cherries, of Saxifrage, and of Snails, distilled with Whey, and appropriate ingredients, are often taken with success.  
2. By what method, and with what Remedies, I have cured the periodical Asthma in some young ones, hath been already shown, But in most, distempered 
The cure of the Convulsive Asthma.  with this Disease the most famous Riverius hath observed, a vomit is chiefly helpful, although he hath not rightly shown the reason: which indeed seems to consist in this, to wit, that this medicine, greatly shaking, and irritation the Emunctories, planted about the first Passages, strongly presses out from them, and carries forth of doors, the recrements of the blood and nervous juice, apt to be troublesome, and to restagnate on the brain, and Nervous stock. Zacutus the Lusitanian, highly extols, and not without reason, a cautery to be made, sometimes in the hinder part of the head, sometimes in the nape of the neck, or about the Armpits: A preparation of milipedes, viz. in form of a dry powder, or a distilled Liquor, seldom wants success. For by such like Remedies, the superfluities of the Serum, are deduced from the head, and nervous stock, and carried away, thorough the urinary passages: For the same reason, a gentle purge, evacuating the ill juice, is often used: for this end, the decoction of an old Cock, with altering medicines, and gently purging, being stowed in its belly, is praised by many: Besides, the remedies hitherto cited, some others are said to be appropriate, and as it were Specifical to the Asthma, of which sort are, the bassom of Sulphur, turpintsned, also Spirits of Hartshorn, or of Sut, impregnaeed with the same; Syrup of Tobacco, of Ammoniack, our diasulphur Lohoch of Garlic, pills of the roots of Enula Campane made up with the milk of Sulphur; with the flowers of Benzoin, with liquid pitch, or liquid amber, with many others, which would be too tedious here to enumerate.  
And now the chief Species, and manners of Convulsions, together with the Causes of the Symptoms, and the means of curing, being sufficiently explicated, it is time to put an end to this our pathology of the Brain and nervous stock, a●…d to our Discourse of Convulsive Diseases.   
FINIS.